The Mace Battle

Verse 1 (padma.5.26.1)

शेष उवाच। शत्रुघ्नस्तद्बलं दृष्ट्वा भीषणाकृतिमेघवत् । हस्त्यश्वरथपादातैर्बहुभिः परिवारितम्

śeṣa uvāca śatrughnastadbalaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhīṣaṇākṛtimeghavat hastyaśvarathapādātairbahubhiḥ parivāritam

Shesha said: Shatrughna, seeing that army, terrible in form as a cloud, surrounded by many elephants, horses, chariots, and foot-soldiers,

Verse 2 (padma.5.26.2)

सुमतिं प्रत्युवाचेदं वचोगंभीरशब्दयुक् । नानावाक्यविचारज्ञैः पंडितैः परिसेवितः

sumatiṁ pratyuvācedaṁ vacogaṁbhīraśabdayuk nānāvākyavicārajñaiḥ paṁḍitaiḥ parisevitaḥ

replied to Sumati with a speech of deep, resonant sound, attended by scholars skilled in the discernment of many kinds of speech.

Verse 3 (padma.5.26.3)

शत्रुघ्न उवाच। सुमते कस्य नगरं प्राप्तो मे हयसत्तमः । बलमेतन्निरीक्षेहं पयोदधितरंगवत्

śatrughna uvāca sumate kasya nagaraṁ prāpto me hayasattamaḥ balametannirīkṣehaṁ payodadhitaraṁgavat

Shatrughna said: "Sumati, whose city has my finest horse reached? I look upon this army as upon the waves of the milk-ocean."

Verse 4 (padma.5.26.4)

कस्यैतद्बलमुद्धर्षं चतुरंगसमन्वितम् । पुरतो भाति युद्धाय समुपस्थितमादरात्

kasyaitadbalamuddharṣaṁ caturaṁgasamanvitam purato bhāti yuddhāya samupasthitamādarāt

"Whose is this army, exulting, complete with its four divisions, that stands before us, ready for battle, with such regard?"

Verse 5 (padma.5.26.5)

एतत्सर्वं समाचक्ष्व यथावत्पृच्छतो मम । यज्ज्ञात्वा युद्धसंस्थायै निर्दिशामि स्वकान्भटान्

etatsarvaṁ samācakṣva yathāvatpṛcchato mama yajjñātvā yuddhasaṁsthāyai nirdiśāmi svakānbhaṭān

"Tell me all this properly, as I ask, so that, knowing it, I may assign my own warriors to their positions for battle."

Verse 6 (padma.5.26.6)

इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य सुमतिः शुभबुद्धिमान् । उवाच वचनं प्रीतः शत्रुघ्नं वैरितापनम्

iti vākyaṁ samākarṇya sumatiḥ śubhabuddhimān uvāca vacanaṁ prītaḥ śatrughnaṁ vairitāpanam

Hearing these words, Sumati, of auspicious understanding, spoke with pleasure to Shatrughna, scorcher of foes —

Verse 7 (padma.5.26.7)

सुमतिरुवाच। चक्रांका नगरी राजन्वर्तते सविधे शुभा । यस्यां संति नराः पापरहिता विष्णुभक्तितः

sumatiruvāca cakrāṁkā nagarī rājanvartate savidhe śubhā yasyāṁ saṁti narāḥ pāparahitā viṣṇubhaktitaḥ

Sumati said: "O king, nearby stands the auspicious city marked with the wheel, in which dwell men free of sin through devotion to Vishnu."

Verse 8 (padma.5.26.8)

तस्याः पुर्याः पतिरयं सुबाहुर्धर्मवित्तमः । तवायं पुरतो भाति पुत्रपौत्रसमावृतः

tasyāḥ puryāḥ patirayaṁ subāhurdharmavittamaḥ tavāyaṁ purato bhāti putrapautrasamāvṛtaḥ

"The lord of that city is this one, Subahu, most learned in dharma; he stands before you now, surrounded by his sons and grandsons."

Verse 9 (padma.5.26.9)

स्वदारनिरतो नित्यं परदारपराङ्मुखः । विष्णोः कथास्य कर्णस्थाना परार्थप्रकाशिनी

svadāranirato nityaṁ paradāraparāṅmukhaḥ viṣṇoḥ kathāsya karṇasthānā parārthaprakāśinī

"Ever devoted to his own wife, averse to another's wife, his ears are the very dwelling-place of Vishnu's story, revealer of the highest good."

Verse 10 (padma.5.26.10)

परस्वं न समादत्ते षष्ठांशादधिकं नृपः । ब्राह्मणा विष्णुभक्त्यैव पूज्यंते तेन धर्मिणा

parasvaṁ na samādatte ṣaṣṭhāṁśādadhikaṁ nṛpaḥ brāhmaṇā viṣṇubhaktyaiva pūjyaṁte tena dharmiṇā

"This king takes no more than a sixth part of another's wealth; by that righteous one, brahmins are honored through devotion to Vishnu alone."

Verse 11 (padma.5.26.11)

नित्यं सेवारतो विष्णुपादपद्ममधुव्रतः । एष स्वधर्मनिरतः परधर्मपराङ्मुखः

nityaṁ sevārato viṣṇupādapadmamadhuvrataḥ eṣa svadharmanirataḥ paradharmaparāṅmukhaḥ

"Ever devoted to service, a honey-bee at Vishnu's lotus feet — he is devoted to his own dharma, averse to another's dharma."

Verse 12 (padma.5.26.12)

एतस्य बलतुल्यं हि न वीराणां बलं क्वचित् । पुत्रस्य पतनं श्रुत्वा रोषशोकसमाकुलः

etasya balatulyaṁ hi na vīrāṇāṁ balaṁ kvacit putrasya patanaṁ śrutvā roṣaśokasamākulaḥ

"There is nowhere among heroes a strength equal to his. Hearing of his son's fall, filled with fury and grief,"

Verse 13 (padma.5.26.13)

चतुरंगसमेतोऽयं युद्धाय समुपस्थितः । तवापि वीरा बहवो लक्ष्मीनिधिमुखा अमून्

caturaṁgasameto'yaṁ yuddhāya samupasthitaḥ tavāpi vīrā bahavo lakṣmīnidhimukhā amūn

"he now stands ready for battle, complete with his four divisions. Your own many heroes too, headed by Lakshminidhi —"

Verse 14 (padma.5.26.14)

जेष्यंति शस्त्रसंघेन निर्दिशाशु परं हि तान् । शत्रुघ्नस्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा प्रोवाच स्वभटान्वरान्

jeṣyaṁti śastrasaṁghena nirdiśāśu paraṁ hi tān śatrughnastadvacaḥ śrutvā provāca svabhaṭānvarān

"assign them at once to conquer them with an array of weapons." Shatrughna, hearing these words, spoke to his own finest warriors,

Verse 15 (padma.5.26.15)

रणप्राप्तिभवोद्धर्षपूरपूरितमानसान् । क्रौंचव्यूहोऽद्य रचितः सुबाहुपरिसैनिकैः

raṇaprāptibhavoddharṣapūrapūritamānasān krauṁcavyūho'dya racitaḥ subāhuparisainikaiḥ

their hearts filled with the flood of delight that arises at the reaching of battle: "Today the Krauncha formation has been arrayed by Subahu's surrounding forces."

Verse 16 (padma.5.26.16)

मुखपक्षस्थिता योधास्तान्को भेत्स्यति शस्त्रवित् । यस्य भेदे निजा शक्तिर्यो वीर विजयोद्यतः

mukhapakṣasthitā yodhāstānko bhetsyati śastravit yasya bhede nijā śaktiryo vīra vijayodyataḥ

"Who, skilled in weapons, will break through those warriors stationed at its face and wings? Whoever's own power lies in breaking it, whoever is a hero eager for victory —"

Verse 17 (padma.5.26.17)

स गृह्णातु मदीयाद्धि पाणिपद्माच्च वीटकम् । तदा लक्ष्मीनिधिर्वीरो जग्राह क्रौंचभेदने

sa gṛhṇātu madīyāddhi pāṇipadmācca vīṭakam tadā lakṣmīnidhirvīro jagrāha krauṁcabhedane

"let him take this betel-roll from my own lotus-hand." Then the hero Lakshminidhi took it up, for the breaking of the Krauncha —

Verse 18 (padma.5.26.18)

सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रविद्वीरैर्बहुभिः परिवारितः । उवाच वचनं राजन्यास्येऽहं क्रौंचभेदने

sarvaśastrāstravidvīrairbahubhiḥ parivāritaḥ uvāca vacanaṁ rājanyāsye'haṁ krauṁcabhedane

surrounded by many heroes learned in every weapon and missile, he spoke these words: "O king, I shall go to break the Krauncha."

Verse 19 (padma.5.26.19)

भार्गवः पूर्वमेवासीत्क्रौंचभेत्ता तथा ह्यहम् । तथान्यं वीरमावोचत्कोऽस्य सार्धं गमिष्यति

bhārgavaḥ pūrvamevāsītkrauṁcabhettā tathā hyaham tathānyaṁ vīramāvocatko'sya sārdhaṁ gamiṣyati

"Long ago it was Bhargava who was the breaker of the Krauncha; so too shall I be." He then said to another hero: "Who will go together with him?"

Verse 20 (padma.5.26.20)

पुष्कलः पृष्ठतस्तस्य यातुं चक्रे मतिं ततः । रिपुतापो नीलरत्न उग्राश्वो वीरमर्दनः

puṣkalaḥ pṛṣṭhatastasya yātuṁ cakre matiṁ tataḥ riputāpo nīlaratna ugrāśvo vīramardanaḥ

Pushkala then resolved to go behind him; Riputapa, Nilaratna, Ugrashva, crusher of heroes —

Verse 21 (padma.5.26.21)

सर्वे शत्रुघ्नसंदेशाद्ययुस्तत्क्रौंचभेदने । शत्रुघ्नोऽपि रथस्थश्च सर्वायुधधरः परः

sarve śatrughnasaṁdeśādyayustatkrauṁcabhedane śatrughno'pi rathasthaśca sarvāyudhadharaḥ paraḥ

all, at Shatrughna's command, went to that breaking of the Krauncha. Shatrughna too, seated in his chariot, bearer of every weapon, supreme,

Verse 22 (padma.5.26.22)

पृष्ठतोऽस्य परीयाय बहुभिः सैनिकैर्वृतः । तदा प्रचलितौ दृष्टावन्योन्यबलवारिधी

pṛṣṭhato'sya parīyāya bahubhiḥ sainikairvṛtaḥ tadā pracalitau dṛṣṭāvanyonyabalavāridhī

went around behind him, surrounded by many soldiers. Then the two, advancing, were seen like two oceans of opposing might,

Verse 23 (padma.5.26.23)

प्रलयं कर्तुमुद्युक्तौ जगतः सुतरंगिणौ । तदा भेर्यः समाजघ्नुरुभयोः सेनयोर्दृढाः

pralayaṁ kartumudyuktau jagataḥ sutaraṁgiṇau tadā bheryaḥ samājaghnurubhayoḥ senayordṛḍhāḥ

intent on bringing about the dissolution of the world, each stirred into great waves. Then the war-drums of both armies struck up their firm beat.

Verse 24 (padma.5.26.24)

रणभेर्यः शंखनादाः श्रूयंते तत्र तत्र ह । हेषंते वाजिनस्तत्र गर्जंति द्विरदा भृशम्

raṇabheryaḥ śaṁkhanādāḥ śrūyaṁte tatra tatra ha heṣaṁte vājinastatra garjaṁti dviradā bhṛśam

The sound of war-drums and conches was heard everywhere; horses neighed there, elephants roared fiercely.

Verse 25 (padma.5.26.25)

हुं हुं कुर्वंति वीराग्र्या नदंति रथनेमयः । तत्र प्रकुपिताः शूराः सुबाहुबलदर्पिताः

huṁ huṁ kurvaṁti vīrāgryā nadaṁti rathanemayaḥ tatra prakupitāḥ śūrāḥ subāhubaladarpitāḥ

The finest heroes cried "Hum, hum!"; the rims of chariots rumbled. There, enraged heroes, proud in Subahu's strength,

Verse 26 (padma.5.26.26)

छिंधि भिंधीति भाषंतो दृश्यंते बहवो रणे । एवंभूते रणोद्युक्ते सैन्ये शत्रुघ्नवैरिणोः

chiṁdhi bhiṁdhīti bhāṣaṁto dṛśyaṁte bahavo raṇe evaṁbhūte raṇodyukte sainye śatrughnavairiṇoḥ

were seen everywhere in the battle, crying "Cut! Pierce!" With the armies of Shatrughna and his enemy thus engaged for battle,

Verse 27 (padma.5.26.27)

मुखसंस्थं सुकेतुं तं लक्ष्मीनिधिरुवाच ह । लक्ष्मीनिधिरुवाच। जनकस्य सुतं विद्धि लक्ष्मीनिधिरिति स्मृतम्

mukhasaṁsthaṁ suketuṁ taṁ lakṣmīnidhiruvāca ha lakṣmīnidhiruvāca janakasya sutaṁ viddhi lakṣmīnidhiriti smṛtam

Lakshminidhi spoke to that Suketu, stationed at the formation's face — Lakshminidhi said: "Know me as the son of Janaka, remembered as Lakshminidhi,"

Verse 28 (padma.5.26.28)

सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रकुशलं सर्वयुद्धविशारदम् । मुंचाश्वं रामचंद्रस्य सर्वदानवदंशितुः

sarvaśastrāstrakuśalaṁ sarvayuddhaviśāradam muṁcāśvaṁ rāmacaṁdrasya sarvadānavadaṁśituḥ

"skilled in every weapon and missile, learned in every kind of warfare. Release the horse of Ramachandra, biter of all demons —"

Verse 29 (padma.5.26.29)

नोचेन्मद्बाणनिर्भिन्नो यास्यसे यमसादनम् । इति ब्रुवंतं वीराग्र्यं सुकेतुः सहसा त्वरन्

nocenmadbāṇanirbhinno yāsyase yamasādanam iti bruvaṁtaṁ vīrāgryaṁ suketuḥ sahasā tvaran

"otherwise, pierced by my arrows, you shall go to the abode of Yama." To that finest of heroes speaking thus, Suketu, suddenly hastening,

Verse 30 (padma.5.26.30)

सज्यं चापं विधायाशु बाणान्मुंचन्स्थिरोऽभवत् । ते बाणाः शितपर्वाणः स्वर्णपुंखाः समंततः

sajyaṁ cāpaṁ vidhāyāśu bāṇānmuṁcansthiro'bhavat te bāṇāḥ śitaparvāṇaḥ svarṇapuṁkhāḥ samaṁtataḥ

quickly strung his bow and, releasing arrows, stood firm. Those arrows, their edges sharp, their nocks of gold, everywhere

Verse 31 (padma.5.26.31)

दृश्यंते व्यापिनस्तत्र रणमध्ये सुदुर्भराः । तद्बाणजालं तरसा निहत्य । लक्ष्मीनिधिश्चापमथा ततज्यम् । विधाय तस्योरसि बाणषट्कं । मुमोच तीक्ष्णं शितपर्वशोभितम्

dṛśyaṁte vyāpinastatra raṇamadhye sudurbharāḥ tadbāṇajālaṁ tarasā nihatya lakṣmīnidhiścāpamathā tatajyam vidhāya tasyorasi bāṇaṣaṭkaṁ mumoca tīkṣṇaṁ śitaparvaśobhitam

were seen spreading through the midst of the battle, most hard to bear. Having swiftly struck down that web of arrows, Lakshminidhi then strung his bow tightly, and, aiming at his chest, loosed six arrows, sharp, resplendent with keen edges.

Verse 32 (padma.5.26.32)

तद्बाणाः सुभुजभ्रातुर्हृदयं संविदार्य च । गतास्ते भुवि दृश्यंते रुधिराक्ता मलीमसाः

tadbāṇāḥ subhujabhrāturhṛdayaṁ saṁvidārya ca gatāste bhuvi dṛśyaṁte rudhirāktā malīmasāḥ

Those arrows, having pierced through the heart of Subahu's brother, were seen falling to the ground, stained with blood, defiled.

Verse 33 (padma.5.26.33)

तद्बाणभिन्नहृदयः सुकेतुः कोपपूरितः । जघानशरविंशत्या तीक्ष्णया नतपर्वया

tadbāṇabhinnahṛdayaḥ suketuḥ kopapūritaḥ jaghānaśaraviṁśatyā tīkṣṇayā nataparvayā

His heart pierced by those arrows, Suketu, filled with rage, struck him with twenty sharp, bent-jointed arrows.

Verse 34 (padma.5.26.34)

उभौ बाणविभिन्नांगावुभौ क्षतजविप्लुतौ । सैनिकैः परिदृश्यंते किंशुकाविव पुष्पितौ

ubhau bāṇavibhinnāṁgāvubhau kṣatajaviplutau sainikaiḥ paridṛśyaṁte kiṁśukāviva puṣpitau

Both of them, their bodies pierced by arrows, both drenched in blood, were seen by the soldiers as if two flowering kimshuka trees.

Verse 35 (padma.5.26.35)

मुंचंतौ बाणकोटीश्च संदधंतौ त्वरा शरान् । न केनापि विलक्ष्येते लघुहस्तौ महाबलौ

muṁcaṁtau bāṇakoṭīśca saṁdadhaṁtau tvarā śarān na kenāpi vilakṣyete laghuhastau mahābalau

Releasing myriads of arrows, quickly fitting shaft after shaft, neither of the two mighty ones, so swift of hand, could be distinguished by anyone.

Verse 36 (padma.5.26.36)

कुंडलीकृत सच्चापौ वर्षंतौ बाणधारया । नवांबुदाविव दिवि शक्रनिर्देशकारिणौ

kuṁḍalīkṛta saccāpau varṣaṁtau bāṇadhārayā navāṁbudāviva divi śakranirdeśakāriṇau

With their fine bows curved into circles, raining down showers of arrows, they were like two fresh rain-clouds in the sky, doing Indra's bidding.

Verse 37 (padma.5.26.37)

तयोर्बाणा गजान्वाहान्नराञ्छूरान्विमस्तकान् । कुर्वंतः केवलं दृष्टा न च संधानमोक्षयोः

tayorbāṇā gajānvāhānnarāñchūrānvimastakān kurvaṁtaḥ kevalaṁ dṛṣṭā na ca saṁdhānamokṣayoḥ

Their arrows were seen only as striking down elephants, mounts, and heroic men headless — but the very fitting and releasing of the arrows could not be seen at all.

Verse 38 (padma.5.26.38)

पृथिवी सुभटैः पूर्णा सकिरीटैः सकुंडलैः । धनुर्बाणकरै रोषसंदष्टाधरयुग्मकैः

pṛthivī subhaṭaiḥ pūrṇā sakirīṭaiḥ sakuṁḍalaiḥ dhanurbāṇakarai roṣasaṁdaṣṭādharayugmakaiḥ

The earth was filled with fine warriors, crowned, wearing earrings, bows and arrows in hand, their pairs of lips bitten in fury.

Verse 39 (padma.5.26.39)

तयोः प्रयुद्ध्यतोर्दर्पात्सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रवेदिनोः । युद्धं समभवद्घोरं देवविस्मापनं महत्

tayoḥ prayuddhyatordarpātsarvaśastrāstravedinoḥ yuddhaṁ samabhavadghoraṁ devavismāpanaṁ mahat

As those two, learned in every weapon and missile, fought each other in their pride, a great and terrible battle arose, astonishing even the gods.

Verse 40 (padma.5.26.40)

संमर्दोऽभवदत्यंतं वीरकोटिविदारणः । न केनचित्क्वचिद्दृष्टं शरजालांतरेंऽबरम्

saṁmardo'bhavadatyaṁtaṁ vīrakoṭividāraṇaḥ na kenacitkvaciddṛṣṭaṁ śarajālāṁtareṁ'baram

An exceedingly great tumult arose, tearing apart myriads of heroes; nowhere could anyone see the sky through that web of arrows.

Verse 41 (padma.5.26.41)

तस्मिंस्तु समये लक्ष्मीनिधिर्वीरोऽरिमर्दनः । बाणांश्चापे समाधत्त वसुसंख्यान्दृढाञ्छितान्

tasmiṁstu samaye lakṣmīnidhirvīro'rimardanaḥ bāṇāṁścāpe samādhatta vasusaṁkhyāndṛḍhāñchitān

At that time the hero Lakshminidhi, crusher of foes, fitted to his bow eight firm, sharp arrows.

Verse 42 (padma.5.26.42)

चतुर्भिस्तुरगान्वीरः सुकेतोरनयत्क्षयम् । एकेन ध्वजमत्युग्रं चिच्छेद तरसा हसन्

caturbhisturagānvīraḥ suketoranayatkṣayam ekena dhvajamatyugraṁ ciccheda tarasā hasan

With four, that hero brought Suketu's horses to destruction; with one, laughing, he swiftly cut his fierce banner.

Verse 43 (padma.5.26.43)

एकेन सारथेः कायाच्छिरोभूमावपातयत् । एकेन चापं सगुणमच्छिनद्रोषपूरितः

ekena sāratheḥ kāyācchirobhūmāvapātayat ekena cāpaṁ saguṇamacchinadroṣapūritaḥ

With one he felled the charioteer's head from his body to the ground; with one, filled with rage, he cut his strung bow.

Verse 44 (padma.5.26.44)

एकेन हृदि विव्याध सुकेतोर्वेगवान्नृपः । तत्कर्माद्भुतमुद्वीक्ष्य वीरा विस्मयमाययुः

ekena hṛdi vivyādha suketorvegavānnṛpaḥ tatkarmādbhutamudvīkṣya vīrā vismayamāyayuḥ

With one, that swift king pierced Suketu's heart. Beholding that wondrous deed, the heroes were filled with amazement.

Verse 45 (padma.5.26.45)

सच्छिन्नधन्वा विरथो हताश्वो हतसारथिः । महतीं स गदां धृत्वा योद्घुकामोऽभ्युपेयिवान्

sacchinnadhanvā viratho hatāśvo hatasārathiḥ mahatīṁ sa gadāṁ dhṛtvā yodghukāmo'bhyupeyivān

His bow cut, chariotless, his horses slain, his charioteer slain, he took up a great mace, desiring to fight on.

Verse 46 (padma.5.26.46)

तमायांतं समालक्ष्य गदायुद्धविशारदम् । महत्या गदया युक्तं रथादवततार सः

tamāyāṁtaṁ samālakṣya gadāyuddhaviśāradam mahatyā gadayā yuktaṁ rathādavatatāra saḥ

Seeing him approach, skilled in mace-warfare, armed with a great mace, he too descended from his chariot.

Verse 47 (padma.5.26.47)

गदामादाय महतीं सर्वायसविनिर्मिताम् । जातरूपविचित्रांगीं सर्वशोभापुरस्कृताम्

gadāmādāya mahatīṁ sarvāyasavinirmitām jātarūpavicitrāṁgīṁ sarvaśobhāpuraskṛtām

Taking up a great mace, wrought entirely of iron, its body wondrously worked in gold, adorned with every splendor,

Verse 48 (padma.5.26.48)

लक्ष्मीनिधिर्भृशं क्रुद्धः सुकेतोर्वक्षसि त्वरन् । ताडयामास हृदये गदां वज्राग्निसन्निभाम्

lakṣmīnidhirbhṛśaṁ kruddhaḥ suketorvakṣasi tvaran tāḍayāmāsa hṛdaye gadāṁ vajrāgnisannibhām

Lakshminidhi, greatly enraged, swiftly struck Suketu's chest with that mace, resembling the thunderbolt and fire, upon his very heart.

Verse 49 (padma.5.26.49)

गदया ताडितो वीरो नाकंपत महामुने । मदोन्मत्तो यथा दंती बालेन स्रग्भिराहतः

gadayā tāḍito vīro nākaṁpata mahāmune madonmatto yathā daṁtī bālena sragbhirāhataḥ

Struck by the mace, the hero did not tremble, O great sage, like a musth-maddened elephant struck by a child with garlands.

Verse 50 (padma.5.26.50)

उवाच तं स वीराग्र्यो नृपं लक्ष्मीनिधिं तदा । सहस्वैकं प्रहारं मे यदि शूरः परंतप

uvāca taṁ sa vīrāgryo nṛpaṁ lakṣmīnidhiṁ tadā sahasvaikaṁ prahāraṁ me yadi śūraḥ paraṁtapa

That finest of heroes then said to King Lakshminidhi: "Endure one blow of mine, if you are a hero, scorcher of foes."

Verse 51 (padma.5.26.51)

इत्युक्त्वा ताडयामास ललाटे गदया भृशम् । गदया ताडितो भालेऽसृग्वमन्कुपितो भृशम्

ityuktvā tāḍayāmāsa lalāṭe gadayā bhṛśam gadayā tāḍito bhāle'sṛgvamankupito bhṛśam

Having said this, he struck him fiercely on the forehead with his mace. Struck by the mace on the forehead, vomiting blood, greatly enraged,

Verse 52 (padma.5.26.52)

मूर्ध्नि तं ताडयामास गदया कालरूपया । सुकेतुरपि तं स्कंधे ताडयामास धर्मवित्

mūrdhni taṁ tāḍayāmāsa gadayā kālarūpayā suketurapi taṁ skaṁdhe tāḍayāmāsa dharmavit

he struck him on the head with a mace resembling death itself; Suketu too, learned in dharma, struck him on the shoulder.

Verse 53 (padma.5.26.53)

एवं भृशं प्रकुपितौ गदायुद्धविशारदौ । गदायुद्धं प्रकुर्वाणौ परस्परजयैषिणौ

evaṁ bhṛśaṁ prakupitau gadāyuddhaviśāradau gadāyuddhaṁ prakurvāṇau parasparajayaiṣiṇau

Thus, both greatly enraged, both skilled in mace-warfare, engaging in combat with the mace, each desiring victory over the other,

Verse 54 (padma.5.26.54)

अन्योन्याघातविमतौ परस्परवधोद्यतौ । न कोपि तत्र हीयेत न को जीयेत संयुगे

anyonyāghātavimatau parasparavadhodyatau na kopi tatra hīyeta na ko jīyeta saṁyuge

opposed in striking each other, each intent on the other's death — neither yielded there, neither was conquered in that combat.

Verse 55 (padma.5.26.55)

मूर्ध्नि भाले तथा स्कंधे हृदि गात्रेषु सर्वतः । रुधिरौघ परिक्लिन्नौ महाबलपराक्रमौ

mūrdhni bhāle tathā skaṁdhe hṛdi gātreṣu sarvataḥ rudhiraugha pariklinnau mahābalaparākramau

On the head, the forehead, the shoulder, the heart, and on every limb, drenched in floods of blood, those two of great strength and valor —

Verse 56 (padma.5.26.56)

तदा लक्ष्मीनिधिः क्रुद्धो गदामुद्यम्य वेगवान् । जगाम प्रबलं हंतुं हृदि राजानुजं बली

tadā lakṣmīnidhiḥ kruddho gadāmudyamya vegavān jagāma prabalaṁ haṁtuṁ hṛdi rājānujaṁ balī

then Lakshminidhi, enraged, swiftly lifting his mace, went, mighty, to strike the king's brother in the heart.

Verse 57 (padma.5.26.57)

तमायांतमथालोक्य स्वगदां महतीं दधत् । ययौ तं तरसा हंतुं राजभ्राता बलाद्बलम्

tamāyāṁtamathālokya svagadāṁ mahatīṁ dadhat yayau taṁ tarasā haṁtuṁ rājabhrātā balādbalam

Seeing him approach, bearing his own great mace, the king's brother too went swiftly, with force, to strike him.

Verse 58 (padma.5.26.58)

गदां तेन विनिक्षिप्तां स्वकरे धृतवानयम् । तयैव गदया तस्य हृदि जघ्ने महाबलः

gadāṁ tena vinikṣiptāṁ svakare dhṛtavānayam tayaiva gadayā tasya hṛdi jaghne mahābalaḥ

The mace hurled by him, he caught in his own hand, and with that very mace, mighty, struck him in the heart.

Verse 59 (padma.5.26.59)

स्वगदां तेन वै नीतां दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मीनिधिर्नृपः । बाहुयुद्धेन तं योद्धुमियेष बलवत्तमम्

svagadāṁ tena vai nītāṁ dṛṣṭvā lakṣmīnidhirnṛpaḥ bāhuyuddhena taṁ yoddhumiyeṣa balavattamam

King Lakshminidhi, seeing his own mace thus taken by him, resolved to fight that mightiest of foes in hand-to-hand combat.

Verse 60 (padma.5.26.60)

तदा राजानुजः क्रुद्धो बाहुभ्यामुपगृह्य तम् । युयुधे सर्वयुद्धस्य ज्ञातावीरेषु सत्तमः

tadā rājānujaḥ kruddho bāhubhyāmupagṛhya tam yuyudhe sarvayuddhasya jñātāvīreṣu sattamaḥ

Then the king's brother, enraged, seizing him with both arms, fought — that finest one, known among all as expert in every form of combat.

Verse 61 (padma.5.26.61)

तदा लक्ष्मीनिधिस्तस्य हृदि जघ्ने स्वमुष्टिना । तदा सोपि शिरस्येनं मुष्टिमुद्यम्य चाहनत्

tadā lakṣmīnidhistasya hṛdi jaghne svamuṣṭinā tadā sopi śirasyenaṁ muṣṭimudyamya cāhanat

Then Lakshminidhi struck his heart with his own fist; then he too, lifting his fist, struck him on the head.

Verse 62 (padma.5.26.62)

मुष्टिभिर्वज्रसंकाशैस्तलस्फोटैश्च दारुणैः । अन्योन्यं जघ्नतुः क्रुद्धौ संदष्टाधरपल्लवौ

muṣṭibhirvajrasaṁkāśaistalasphoṭaiśca dāruṇaiḥ anyonyaṁ jaghnatuḥ kruddhau saṁdaṣṭādharapallavau

With fists like thunderbolts and dreadful blows of the open palm, the two, enraged, their lower lips bitten, struck one another.

Verse 63 (padma.5.26.63)

मुष्टी मुष्टि दंता दंति कचा कचि नखा नखि । उभयोरभवद्युद्धं तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम्

muṣṭī muṣṭi daṁtā daṁti kacā kaci nakhā nakhi ubhayorabhavadyuddhaṁ tumulaṁ romaharṣaṇam

Fist against fist, tooth against tooth, hair against hair, nail against nail — a tumultuous, hair-raising battle arose between the two.

Verse 64 (padma.5.26.64)

तदा प्रकुपितो भ्राता नृपतेश्च रणे नृपम् । गृहीत्वा भ्रामयित्वाथ पातयामास भूतले

tadā prakupito bhrātā nṛpateśca raṇe nṛpam gṛhītvā bhrāmayitvātha pātayāmāsa bhūtale

Then the king's brother, enraged in battle, seizing the king, whirled him about and threw him to the ground.

Verse 65 (padma.5.26.65)

लक्ष्मीनिधिः करे गृह्य तं नृपानुजमुच्चकैः । भ्रामयित्वा शतगुणं गजोपस्थे जघान तम्

lakṣmīnidhiḥ kare gṛhya taṁ nṛpānujamuccakaiḥ bhrāmayitvā śataguṇaṁ gajopasthe jaghāna tam

Lakshminidhi, seizing the king's brother in his hand, whirling him a hundred times on high, struck him against an elephant's flank.

Verse 66 (padma.5.26.66)

स तदा पतितो भूमौ संज्ञां प्राप्य क्षणादनु । तथैव भ्रामयामास व्योम्नि वेगेन विक्रमी

sa tadā patito bhūmau saṁjñāṁ prāpya kṣaṇādanu tathaiva bhrāmayāmāsa vyomni vegena vikramī

He, fallen then to the ground, regaining his senses after a moment, that valorous one likewise whirled him swiftly through the sky.

Verse 67 (padma.5.26.67)

एवं प्रयुध्यमानौ तौ बाहुयुद्धं गतौ पुनः । पादे पादं करे पाणिं हृदि हृद्वदने मुखम्

evaṁ prayudhyamānau tau bāhuyuddhaṁ gatau punaḥ pāde pādaṁ kare pāṇiṁ hṛdi hṛdvadane mukham

Thus fighting, the two returned again to hand-to-hand combat — foot against foot, hand against hand, heart against heart, face against face.

Verse 68 (padma.5.26.68)

एवं परस्परं श्लिष्टौ परस्परवधैषिणौ । उभावपि पराक्रांतावुभावपि मुमूर्च्छतुः

evaṁ parasparaṁ śliṣṭau parasparavadhaiṣiṇau ubhāvapi parākrāṁtāvubhāvapi mumūrcchatuḥ

Thus locked together, each intent on the other's death, both showing their valor, both fell into a swoon.

Verse 69 (padma.5.26.69)

तद्दृष्ट्वा विस्मयं प्राप्ताः प्रशशंसुः सहस्रशः । धन्यो लक्ष्मीनिधिर्भूपो धन्यो राजानुजो बली

taddṛṣṭvā vismayaṁ prāptāḥ praśaśaṁsuḥ sahasraśaḥ dhanyo lakṣmīnidhirbhūpo dhanyo rājānujo balī

Beholding this, the thousands present were filled with wonder and praised them: "Blessed is King Lakshminidhi! Blessed too is the king's mighty brother!"