The Duel and Truce Between Vishnu and Jalandhara

Verse 1 (padma.6.98.1)

नारद उवाच । पुनर्दैत्यं समायांतं दृष्ट्वा देवाः सवासवाः । भयप्रकंपिताः सर्वे विष्णुं स्तोतुं प्रचक्रमुः

nārada uvāca punardaityaṁ samāyāṁtaṁ dṛṣṭvā devāḥ savāsavāḥ bhayaprakaṁpitāḥ sarve viṣṇuṁ stotuṁ pracakramuḥ

Narada said: Seeing that demon coming again, all the gods, together with Indra, trembled with fear and began to praise Vishnu.

Verse 2 (padma.6.98.2)

देवा ऊचुः। नमो मत्स्यकूर्मादि नानास्वरूपैः सदाभक्तकार्योद्यतायार्तिहंत्रे । विधात्रादिसर्गस्थितिध्वंसकर्त्रे गदाशंखपद्मारिहस्तायतेऽस्तु

devā ūcuḥ namo matsyakūrmādi nānāsvarūpaiḥ sadābhaktakāryodyatāyārtihaṁtre vidhātrādisargasthitidhvaṁsakartre gadāśaṁkhapadmārihastāyate'stu

The gods said: Salutation to him who, through his many forms — the fish, the tortoise, and the rest — is ever ready for the work of his devotees, the remover of affliction. Salutation to him who creates, sustains, and destroys the creation of Brahma and the rest, who bears the mace, conch, lotus, and discus in his hands.

Verse 3 (padma.6.98.3)

रमावल्लभायासुराणां निहंत्रे भुजंगादिनाथाय पीतांबराय । मखादिक्रियापाककर्त्रे विकर्त्रे शरण्याय तस्मै नताः स्मो नताः स्मः

ramāvallabhāyāsurāṇāṁ nihaṁtre bhujaṁgādināthāya pītāṁbarāya makhādikriyāpākakartre vikartre śaraṇyāya tasmai natāḥ smo natāḥ smaḥ

[Salutation] to the beloved of Rama (Lakshmi), the destroyer of demons, the lord of the serpents, clad in yellow. We bow, we bow again, to him who ripens the fruits of sacrifice and other rites, the fashioner of all, the giver of refuge.

Verse 4 (padma.6.98.4)

नमो दैत्यसंतापिता मर्त्यदुःखाचलध्वंस दंभोलये विष्णवेते । भुजंगेशतल्पेशयायार्कचंद्र द्विनेत्राय तस्मै नतास्मो नताः स्मः

namo daityasaṁtāpitā martyaduḥkhācaladhvaṁsa daṁbholaye viṣṇavete bhujaṁgeśatalpeśayāyārkacaṁdra dvinetrāya tasmai natāsmo natāḥ smaḥ

Salutation to this Vishnu, who torments the demons, who shatters the mountain of sorrow of mortal beings, mighty as the thunderbolt. We bow, we bow again, to him who reclines upon the bed of the serpent-lord, whose two eyes are the sun and the moon.

Verse 5 (padma.6.98.5)

नारद उवाच । संकष्टनाशनं स्तोत्रं नित्यं यस्तु पठेन्नरः । स कदाचिन्नसंकष्टै पीड्यते कृपया हरेः

nārada uvāca saṁkaṣṭanāśanaṁ stotraṁ nityaṁ yastu paṭhennaraḥ sa kadācinnasaṁkaṣṭai pīḍyate kṛpayā hareḥ

Narada said: Whatever man ever recites this hymn that destroys distress is never, by the grace of Hari, afflicted by misfortune.

Verse 6 (padma.6.98.6)

इति देवाः स्तुतिं यावत्कुर्वंति दनुजद्विषः । तावत्सुराणामापत्तिर्विज्ञाता विष्णुना तदा

iti devāḥ stutiṁ yāvatkurvaṁti danujadviṣaḥ tāvatsurāṇāmāpattirvijñātā viṣṇunā tadā

While the gods were still offering this praise to Vishnu, foe of the demons, Vishnu had already become aware of the gods' calamity.

Verse 7 (padma.6.98.7)

सहसोत्थाय दैत्यारिः कृपया खिन्नमानसः । आरुह्य गरुडं वेगाल्लक्ष्मीं वचनमब्रवीत्

sahasotthāya daityāriḥ kṛpayā khinnamānasaḥ āruhya garuḍaṁ vegāllakṣmīṁ vacanamabravīt

Vishnu, foe of the demons, his mind distressed with compassion, rose at once, swiftly mounted Garuda, and spoke these words to Lakshmi.

Verse 8 (padma.6.98.8)

विष्णुरुवाच । जलंधरेण ते भ्रात्रा देवानां कदनं कृतम् । तैराहूतो गमिष्यामि युद्धायाद्य त्वरान्वितः

viṣṇuruvāca jalaṁdhareṇa te bhrātrā devānāṁ kadanaṁ kṛtam tairāhūto gamiṣyāmi yuddhāyādya tvarānvitaḥ

Vishnu said: 'Your brother Jalandhara has wrought havoc upon the gods. Summoned by them, I shall go today, without delay, to do battle.'

Verse 9 (padma.6.98.9)

लक्ष्मीरुवाच । अहं ते वल्लभा नाथ भक्ता च यदि सर्वदा । तत्कथं ते मम भ्राता युद्धे वध्यः कृपानिधे

lakṣmīruvāca ahaṁ te vallabhā nātha bhaktā ca yadi sarvadā tatkathaṁ te mama bhrātā yuddhe vadhyaḥ kṛpānidhe

Lakshmi said: 'My lord, if I am ever your beloved and your devotee, then, O treasury of compassion, how can my brother be liable to be slain by you in battle?'

Verse 10 (padma.6.98.10)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । रुद्रांशसंभवत्वाच्च ब्रह्मणो वचनादपि । प्रीत्या च तव नैवायं मम वध्यो जलंधरः

śrībhagavānuvāca rudrāṁśasaṁbhavatvācca brahmaṇo vacanādapi prītyā ca tava naivāyaṁ mama vadhyo jalaṁdharaḥ

The Blessed Lord said: 'Because he is born of a portion of Rudra, because of Brahma's word, and out of love for you as well — this Jalandhara is not to be slain by me.'

Verse 11 (padma.6.98.11)

नारद उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा गरुडारूढः शंखचक्रगदासिभृत् । विष्णुर्वेगाद्ययौ योद्धुं यत्र देवाः स्तुवंति ते

nārada uvāca ityuktvā garuḍārūḍhaḥ śaṁkhacakragadāsibhṛt viṣṇurvegādyayau yoddhuṁ yatra devāḥ stuvaṁti te

Narada said: Having said this, Vishnu, mounted on Garuda and bearing the conch, discus, mace, and sword, went swiftly to do battle, to that place where those gods were offering praise.

Verse 12 (padma.6.98.12)

अथारुणानुजात्युग्रपक्षवातप्रपीडिताः । वात्याविवर्तिता दैत्या बभ्रमुः खे यथा घनाः

athāruṇānujātyugrapakṣavātaprapīḍitāḥ vātyāvivartitā daityā babhramuḥ khe yathā ghanāḥ

Then, buffeted by the exceedingly fierce wind from the wings of Aruna's younger brother (Garuda), the demons, spun about by that whirlwind, whirled through the sky like clouds.

Verse 13 (padma.6.98.13)

ततो जलंधरो दृष्ट्वा दैत्यान्वात्या प्रपीडितान् । नोवाच वचनं क्रोधात्ततो विष्णुं समभ्ययात्

tato jalaṁdharo dṛṣṭvā daityānvātyā prapīḍitān novāca vacanaṁ krodhāttato viṣṇuṁ samabhyayāt

Then, seeing his demons buffeted by that whirlwind, Jalandhara, in his rage, spoke not a word, but advanced straight toward Vishnu.

Verse 14 (padma.6.98.14)

ततः समभवद्युद्धं विष्णुदैत्येंद्रयोर्महत् । आकाशं कुर्वतोर्बाणैरंते निरवकाशवत्

tataḥ samabhavadyuddhaṁ viṣṇudaityeṁdrayormahat ākāśaṁ kurvatorbāṇairaṁte niravakāśavat

Then a great battle broke out between Vishnu and that lord of the demons. With their arrows, the two of them filled the sky until it left no space at all.

Verse 15 (padma.6.98.15)

विष्णुर्दैत्यस्य बाणौघैर्ध्वजं च्छत्रं धनुर्हयान् । चिच्छेद तं च हृदये बाणेनैकेनताडयन्

viṣṇurdaityasya bāṇaughairdhvajaṁ cchatraṁ dhanurhayān ciccheda taṁ ca hṛdaye bāṇenaikenatāḍayan

With a torrent of arrows, Vishnu cut down the demon's banner, umbrella, bow, and horses, and struck him upon the chest with a single arrow.

Verse 16 (padma.6.98.16)

ततो दैत्यं समुत्पत्य गदापाणिस्त्वरान्वितः । आगत्य गरुडं मूर्ध्नि पातयामास भूतले

tato daityaṁ samutpatya gadāpāṇistvarānvitaḥ āgatya garuḍaṁ mūrdhni pātayāmāsa bhūtale

Then that demon, leaping up, mace in hand, swiftly came and struck Garuda upon the head, felling him to the ground.

Verse 17 (padma.6.98.17)

विष्णुर्गदां च खड्गेन चिच्छेद प्रहसन्निव । तावत्स सुहृदे विष्णुं जघान दृढमुष्टिना

viṣṇurgadāṁ ca khaḍgena ciccheda prahasanniva tāvatsa suhṛde viṣṇuṁ jaghāna dṛḍhamuṣṭinā

Vishnu, as if laughing, cut down his mace with his sword. At that very moment, he (the demon) struck Vishnu upon the chest with a firm blow of his fist.

Verse 18 (padma.6.98.18)

ततस्तौ बाहुयुद्धेन युयुधाते महाबलौ । बाहुभिर्मुष्टिभिश्चैव जानुभिर्नादयन्महीम्

tatastau bāhuyuddhena yuyudhāte mahābalau bāhubhirmuṣṭibhiścaiva jānubhirnādayanmahīm

Then those two mighty ones engaged in hand-to-hand combat, with arms, fists, and knees, making the earth resound.

Verse 19 (padma.6.98.19)

एवं सुरुचिरं युद्धं कृत्वा विष्णुः प्रतापवान् । उवाच दैत्यराजानं मेघगंभीरया गिरा

evaṁ suruciraṁ yuddhaṁ kṛtvā viṣṇuḥ pratāpavān uvāca daityarājānaṁ meghagaṁbhīrayā girā

Having thus fought this most delightful battle, the mighty Vishnu spoke to that king of demons in a voice as deep as thunder —

Verse 20 (padma.6.98.20)

विष्णुरुवाच । वरं वरय दैत्येंद्र प्रीतोऽस्मि तव विक्रमात् । अदेयमपि ते दद्मि यत्ते मनसि वर्तते

viṣṇuruvāca varaṁ varaya daityeṁdra prīto'smi tava vikramāt adeyamapi te dadmi yatte manasi vartate

Vishnu said: 'O lord of demons, ask for a boon; I am pleased by your valor. I shall grant you whatever is in your heart, even if it be unfitting to give.'

Verse 21 (padma.6.98.21)

जलंधर उवाच । यदि भावुकतुष्टोऽसि वरमेतं ददस्व मे । मद्भगिन्या सह तया मद्गृहे सगणो वस

jalaṁdhara uvāca yadi bhāvukatuṣṭo'si varametaṁ dadasva me madbhaginyā saha tayā madgṛhe sagaṇo vasa

Jalandhara said: 'If you are truly pleased, grant me this boon — dwell in my house, together with your sister, and with your attendants.'

Verse 22 (padma.6.98.22)

नारद उवाच । तथेत्युक्त्वा स भगवान्सर्वदेवगणैः सह । जलंधरं नाम पुरमगमद्रमया सह

nārada uvāca tathetyuktvā sa bhagavānsarvadevagaṇaiḥ saha jalaṁdharaṁ nāma puramagamadramayā saha

Narada said: Saying, 'So be it,' the Blessed Lord, together with all the hosts of gods and together with Rama (Lakshmi), went to the city named Jalandhara.

Verse 23 (padma.6.98.23)

जलंधरश्च देवानामधिकारेषु दानवान् । स्थापयित्वा सहर्षः सन्पुनरागान्महीतले

jalaṁdharaśca devānāmadhikāreṣu dānavān sthāpayitvā saharṣaḥ sanpunarāgānmahītale

And Jalandhara, having installed demons in the seats of authority once held by the gods, returned joyfully once more to the earth.

Verse 24 (padma.6.98.24)

देवगंधर्वसिद्धेषु यत्किंचिद्रत्नसंज्ञितम् । तदात्मवशगं कृत्वा तिष्ठत्सागरनंदनः

devagaṁdharvasiddheṣu yatkiṁcidratnasaṁjñitam tadātmavaśagaṁ kṛtvā tiṣṭhatsāgaranaṁdanaḥ

Whatever among the gods, gandharvas, and siddhas was reckoned a treasure, having brought all of it under his control, that son of the ocean established himself.

Verse 25 (padma.6.98.25)

पातालभवने दैत्यं निशुंभं च महाबलम् । स्थापयित्वा स शेषादीननयद्भूतलं बली

pātālabhavane daityaṁ niśuṁbhaṁ ca mahābalam sthāpayitvā sa śeṣādīnanayadbhūtalaṁ balī

Having installed the mighty demon Nishumbha in the netherworld dwelling, that powerful one brought Shesha and the other serpents to the surface of the earth.

Verse 26 (padma.6.98.26)

देवगंधर्वसिद्धौघान्यक्षरासमानुषान् । स्वपुरे नागरान्कृत्वा शशास भुवनत्रयम्

devagaṁdharvasiddhaughānyakṣarāsamānuṣān svapure nāgarānkṛtvā śaśāsa bhuvanatrayam

Making the hosts of gods, gandharvas, siddhas, yakshas, rakshasas, and men into citizens of his own city, he ruled over the three worlds.

Verse 27 (padma.6.98.27)

एवं जलंधरः कृत्वा देवांश्च वशवर्त्तिनः । धर्मेण पालयामास प्रजाः पुत्रानिवौरसान्

evaṁ jalaṁdharaḥ kṛtvā devāṁśca vaśavarttinaḥ dharmeṇa pālayāmāsa prajāḥ putrānivaurasān

Thus Jalandhara, having brought the gods under his control, righteously governed his subjects, as though they were his own children born of his own body.

Verse 28 (padma.6.98.28)

न कश्चित्व्याधितो नैव दुःखितो न कृशस्तथा । न दीनो दृश्यते तस्मिन्धर्माद्राज्यं प्रशासति

na kaścitvyādhito naiva duḥkhito na kṛśastathā na dīno dṛśyate tasmindharmādrājyaṁ praśāsati

While he ruled his kingdom righteously, no one was seen who was diseased, sorrowful, wasted, or destitute.

Verse 29 (padma.6.98.29)

एवं महीं शासति दानवेंद्रे धर्मेण सम्यक्च यदृच्छयाहम् । कदाचिदागामथ तस्य लक्ष्मीं विलोकितुं श्रीरमणं च सेवितुम्

evaṁ mahīṁ śāsati dānaveṁdre dharmeṇa samyakca yadṛcchayāham kadācidāgāmatha tasya lakṣmīṁ vilokituṁ śrīramaṇaṁ ca sevitum

Thus, while the lord of the demons duly and righteously ruled the earth, once I (Narada), of my own accord, went there to behold his prosperity and to attend upon Shriramana (Vishnu).