The Battle of Indra and the Gods with Taraka

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.125.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच हर्य्यादयस्सुरास्ते च दृष्ट्वा तच्चरितं विभोः । सुप्रसन्ना बभूवुर्हि विश्वासासक्तमानसाः

brahmovāca haryyādayassurāste ca dṛṣṭvā taccaritaṁ vibhoḥ suprasannā babhūvurhi viśvāsāsaktamānasāḥ

Brahma said: Those gods, headed by Hari, seeing that deed of the Lord, became greatly pleased, their minds filled with confidence.

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.125.2)

वल्गन्तः कुर्वतो नादं भाविताश्शिवतेजसा । कुमारन्ते पुरस्कृत्य तारकं हन्तुमाययुः

valgantaḥ kurvato nādaṁ bhāvitāśśivatejasā kumārante puraskṛtya tārakaṁ hantumāyayuḥ

Leaping about, raising a great cry, inspired by Shiva's own power, they set Kumara at their head and went forth to slay Taraka.

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.125.3)

देवानामुद्यमं श्रुत्वा तारकोऽपि महाबलः । सैन्येन महता सद्यो ययौ योद्धुं सुरान् प्रति

devānāmudyamaṁ śrutvā tārako'pi mahābalaḥ sainyena mahatā sadyo yayau yoddhuṁ surān prati

Hearing of the gods' preparation, Taraka too, of great might, went at once with a great army to fight against the gods.

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.125.4)

देवा दृष्ट्वा समायान्तं तारकस्य महाबलम् । बलेन बहुकुर्वन्तः सिंहनादं विसिस्मियुः

devā dṛṣṭvā samāyāntaṁ tārakasya mahābalam balena bahukurvantaḥ siṁhanādaṁ visismiyuḥ

Seeing the great might of Taraka bearing down upon them, the gods, raising a great lion-roar with their own forces, were astonished.

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.125.5)

तदा नभोऽङ्गना वाणीं जगादोपरि सत्वरम् । शङ्करप्रेरिता सद्यो हर्यादीनखिलान् सुरान्

tadā nabho'ṅganā vāṇīṁ jagādopari satvaram śaṅkarapreritā sadyo haryādīnakhilān surān

Then a voice of the sky spoke swiftly from above, impelled at once by Shankara, addressing all the gods headed by Hari.

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.125.6)

व्योमवाण्युवाच कुमारं च पुरस्कृत्य सुरा यूयं समुद्यताः । दैत्यान्विजित्य सङ्ग्रामे जयिनोऽथ भविष्यथ

vyomavāṇyuvāca kumāraṁ ca puraskṛtya surā yūyaṁ samudyatāḥ daityānvijitya saṅgrāme jayino'tha bhaviṣyatha

The voice from the sky said: O gods, having set Kumara at your head and risen for battle, you shall conquer the demons in this war and become victorious.

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.125.7)

ब्रह्मोवाच वाचं तु खेचरीं श्रुत्वा देवाः सर्वे समुत्सुकाः । वीरशब्दान् प्रकुर्वन्तो निर्भया ह्यभवंस्तदा

brahmovāca vācaṁ tu khecarīṁ śrutvā devāḥ sarve samutsukāḥ vīraśabdān prakurvanto nirbhayā hyabhavaṁstadā

Brahma said: Hearing that voice from the sky, all the gods, greatly eager, raising cries of heroism, became fearless at once.

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.125.8)

कुमारं च पुरस्कृत्य सर्वे ते गतसाध्वसाः । योद्धुकामाः सुरा जग्मुर्महीसागरसङ्गमम्

kumāraṁ ca puraskṛtya sarve te gatasādhvasāḥ yoddhukāmāḥ surā jagmurmahīsāgarasaṅgamam

Setting Kumara at their head, all of them, their fear gone, the gods, eager for battle, went to the confluence of earth and ocean.

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.125.9)

आजगाम द्रुतं तत्र यत्र देवाः स तारकः । सैन्येन महता सार्द्धं असुरैर्बहुभिर्वृतः

ājagāma drutaṁ tatra yatra devāḥ sa tārakaḥ sainyena mahatā sārddhaṁ asurairbahubhirvṛtaḥ

Taraka too came swiftly there, where the gods were, together with a great army, surrounded by many asuras.

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.125.10)

रणदुन्दुभयो नेदुः प्रलयाम्बुदनिःस्वनाः । कर्कशानि च वाद्यानि पराणि च तदागमे

raṇadundubhayo neduḥ pralayāmbudaniḥsvanāḥ karkaśāni ca vādyāni parāṇi ca tadāgame

War-drums resounded at his coming, their sound like that of the clouds of dissolution; and harsh instruments and other sounds arose.

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.125.11)

गर्जमानास्तदा दैत्यास्तारकेणासुरेण ह । कम्पयन्तो भुवं पादक्रमैर्वल्गुनकारकाः

garjamānāstadā daityāstārakeṇāsureṇa ha kampayanto bhuvaṁ pādakramairvalgunakārakāḥ

Then the demons roared, together with the asura Taraka, making the earth tremble beneath the tread of their feet as they leapt about.

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.125.12)

तच्छ्रुत्वा रवमत्युग्रं सर्वे देवा विनिर्भयाः । ऐकपद्येन चोत्तस्थुर्योद्धुकामाश्च तारकम्

tacchrutvā ravamatyugraṁ sarve devā vinirbhayāḥ aikapadyena cottasthuryoddhukāmāśca tārakam

Hearing that most fierce roar, all the gods, fearless, rose up together as one, eager to fight Taraka.

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.125.13)

गजमारोप्य देवेन्द्रः कुमारं ह्यग्रतोऽभवत् । सुरसैन्येन महता लोकपालैः समावृतः

gajamāropya devendraḥ kumāraṁ hyagrato'bhavat surasainyena mahatā lokapālaiḥ samāvṛtaḥ

Devendra, mounting his elephant, placed Kumara in front, surrounded by the great army of the gods and the guardians of the worlds.

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.125.14)

तदा दुन्दुभयो नेदुर्भेरीतूर्याण्यनेकशः । वीणावेणुमृदङ्गानि तथा गन्धर्वनिस्स्वनाः

tadā dundubhayo nedurbherītūryāṇyanekaśaḥ vīṇāveṇumṛdaṅgāni tathā gandharvanissvanāḥ

Then war-drums resounded, countless kettle-drums and trumpets, veenas, flutes, mridangas, and the sounds of the gandharvas.

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.125.15)

गजं दत्त्वा महेन्द्राय कुमारो यानमारुहत् । अनेकाश्चर्यसम्भूतं नानारत्नसमन्वितम्

gajaṁ dattvā mahendrāya kumāro yānamāruhat anekāścaryasambhūtaṁ nānāratnasamanvitam

Giving the elephant back to Mahendra, Kumara mounted his own vehicle, filled with countless wonders and adorned with manifold jewels.

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.125.16)

विमानमारुह्य तदा महायशाः स शाङ्करिःसर्वगुणैरुपेतः । श्रिया समेतः परया बभौ महान् संवीज्यमानश्चमरैर्महाप्रभैः

vimānamāruhya tadā mahāyaśāḥ sa śāṅkariḥsarvaguṇairupetaḥ śriyā sametaḥ parayā babhau mahān saṁvījyamānaścamarairmahāprabhaiḥ

Then, mounting that celestial chariot, the son of Shankara, of great fame, endowed with every virtue, together with supreme glory, that great one shone forth, fanned by great, radiant whisks.

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.125.17)

प्राचेतसं छत्रमतीवसुप्रभं रत्नैरुपेतं विविधैर्विराजितम् । धृतं तदा तच्च कुमारमूर्ध्नि वै ह्यनन्तचान्द्रैः किरणैर्महाप्रभैः

prācetasaṁ chatramatīvasuprabhaṁ ratnairupetaṁ vividhairvirājitam dhṛtaṁ tadā tacca kumāramūrdhni vai hyanantacāndraiḥ kiraṇairmahāprabhaiḥ

Then Varuna's own umbrella, exceedingly resplendent, adorned with manifold jewels, its endless rays like the moon's, greatly radiant, was held above Kumara's head.

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.125.18)

मिलितास्ते तदा सर्वे देवाः शक्रपुरोगमाः । स्वैः स्वैर्बलैः परिवृता युद्धकामा महाबलाः

militāste tadā sarve devāḥ śakrapurogamāḥ svaiḥ svairbalaiḥ parivṛtā yuddhakāmā mahābalāḥ

Then all the gods, headed by Shakra, gathered together, mighty and eager for battle, each surrounded by his own forces.

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.125.19)

एवं देवाश्च दैत्याश्च योद्धुकामाः स्थिता भुवि । सैन्येन महता तेन व्यूहं कृत्वा पृथक् पृथक्

evaṁ devāśca daityāśca yoddhukāmāḥ sthitā bhuvi sainyena mahatā tena vyūhaṁ kṛtvā pṛthak pṛthak

Thus the gods and the demons, eager for battle, stood upon the field, each forming their own separate battle-array with their great armies.

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.125.20)

ते सेने सुरदैत्यानां शुशुभाते परस्परम् । हन्तुकामे तदान्योन्यं स्तूयमाने च बन्दिभिः

te sene suradaityānāṁ śuśubhāte parasparam hantukāme tadānyonyaṁ stūyamāne ca bandibhiḥ

Those two armies, of the gods and the demons, shone forth facing each other, each intent on slaying the other, praised the while by their own bards.

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.125.21)

उभे सेने तदा तेषामगर्जेतां वनोपमे । भयङ्करेऽत्यवीराणामितरेषां सुखावहे

ubhe sene tadā teṣāmagarjetāṁ vanopame bhayaṅkare'tyavīrāṇāmitareṣāṁ sukhāvahe

Both those armies then roared like two forests — terrifying to lesser men, yet a delight to the very greatest of heroes.

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.125.22)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र बलोन्मत्ताः परस्परम् । दैत्या देवा महावीरा युयुधुः क्रोधविह्वलाः

etasminnantare tatra balonmattāḥ parasparam daityā devā mahāvīrā yuyudhuḥ krodhavihvalāḥ

Meanwhile there, maddened by their own strength, the demons and the great heroic gods, overwhelmed with fury, fell to fighting one another.

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.125.23)

आसीत्सुतुमुलं युद्धं देवदैत्यसमाकुलम् । रुण्डमुण्डाङ्कितं सर्वं क्षणेन समपद्यत

āsītsutumulaṁ yuddhaṁ devadaityasamākulam ruṇḍamuṇḍāṅkitaṁ sarvaṁ kṣaṇena samapadyata

There arose a tumultuous battle, filled with gods and demons; in an instant the whole field became strewn with severed trunks and heads.

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.125.24)

भूमौ निपतितास्तत्र शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः । निकृत्ताङ्गा महाशस्त्रैर्निहता वीरसम्मताः

bhūmau nipatitāstatra śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ nikṛttāṅgā mahāśastrairnihatā vīrasammatāḥ

Hundreds and thousands of honored heroes there fell to the ground, their limbs severed, slain by great weapons.

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.125.25)

केषाञ्चिद्बाहवश्छिन्नाः खड्गपातैः सुदारुणैः । केषाञ्चिदूरवश्छिन्ना वीराणां मानिनां मृधे

keṣāñcidbāhavaśchinnāḥ khaḍgapātaiḥ sudāruṇaiḥ keṣāñcidūravaśchinnā vīrāṇāṁ mānināṁ mṛdhe

Of some, arms were severed by most fearsome sword-blows; of some proud heroes, thighs were cut off in that battle.

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.125.26)

केचिन्मथितसर्वाङ्गा गदाभिर्मुद्गरैस्तथा । केचिन्निर्भिन्नहृदयाः पाशैर्भल्लैश्च पातिताः

kecinmathitasarvāṅgā gadābhirmudgaraistathā kecinnirbhinnahṛdayāḥ pāśairbhallaiśca pātitāḥ

Some, their whole bodies crushed by maces and hammers; some, their hearts pierced through, felled by nooses and broad-headed arrows.

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.125.27)

केचिद्विदारिताः पृष्ठे कुन्तैरृष्टिभिरङ्कुशैः । छिन्नान्यपि शिरांस्येव पतितानि च भूतले

kecidvidāritāḥ pṛṣṭhe kuntairṛṣṭibhiraṅkuśaiḥ chinnānyapi śirāṁsyeva patitāni ca bhūtale

Some were torn open at the back by spears, javelins, and goads; and severed heads too fell down upon the ground.

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.125.28)

बहूनि च कबन्धानि नृत्यमानानि तत्र वै । वल्गमानानि शतशो उद्यतास्त्रकराणि च

bahūni ca kabandhāni nṛtyamānāni tatra vai valgamānāni śataśo udyatāstrakarāṇi ca

There many headless trunks danced, leaping about by the hundreds, their hands still raised with weapons.

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.125.29)

नद्यः प्रवर्तितास्तत्र शतशोऽसृङ्वहास्तदा । भूतप्रेतादयस्तत्र शतशश्च समागताः

nadyaḥ pravartitāstatra śataśo'sṛṅvahāstadā bhūtapretādayastatra śataśaśca samāgatāḥ

Then hundreds of rivers of blood began to flow there; and hundreds of bhutas, pretas, and other spirits gathered at that place.

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.125.30)

गोमायवश्शिवाः तत्र भक्षयन्तः पलं बहु । तथा गृध्रवटा श्येना वायसा मांसभक्षकाः ॥ बुभुजुः पतितानां च पलानि सुबहूनि वै

gomāyavaśśivāḥ tatra bhakṣayantaḥ palaṁ bahu tathā gṛdhravaṭā śyenā vāyasā māṁsabhakṣakāḥ bubhujuḥ patitānāṁ ca palāni subahūni vai

Jackals and wolves there devoured much flesh; and vultures, hawks, and crows, the flesh-eating birds, likewise fed upon the abundant flesh of the fallen.

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.125.31)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र तारकाख्यो महाबलः । सैन्येन महता सद्यो ययौ योद्धुं सुरान् प्रति

etasminnantare tatra tārakākhyo mahābalaḥ sainyena mahatā sadyo yayau yoddhuṁ surān prati

Meanwhile there, the mighty Taraka went at once with a great army to fight against the gods.

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.125.32)

देवा दृष्ट्वा समायान्तं तारकं युद्धदुर्मदम् । योद्धुकामं तदा सद्यो ययुः शक्रादयस्तदा । बभूवाथ महोन्नादःसेनयोरुभयोरपि

devā dṛṣṭvā samāyāntaṁ tārakaṁ yuddhadurmadam yoddhukāmaṁ tadā sadyo yayuḥ śakrādayastadā babhūvātha mahonnādaḥsenayorubhayorapi

Seeing Taraka approaching, fierce in his battle-frenzy and eager to fight, Shakra and the other gods at once advanced; and a mighty roar arose from both armies.

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.125.33)

अथाभूद् द्वन्द्वयुद्धं हि सुरासुरविमर्दनम् । यं दृष्ट्वा हर्षिता वीराः क्लीबाश्च भयमागताः

athābhūd dvandvayuddhaṁ hi surāsuravimardanam yaṁ dṛṣṭvā harṣitā vīrāḥ klībāśca bhayamāgatāḥ

Then there began single combats, a crushing clash between gods and demons, seeing which the brave were delighted, and the cowardly were struck with fear.

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.125.34)

तारको युयुधे युद्धे शक्रेण दितिजो बली । अग्निना सह संह्रादो जम्भेनैव यमः स्वयम्

tārako yuyudhe yuddhe śakreṇa ditijo balī agninā saha saṁhrādo jambhenaiva yamaḥ svayam

Taraka, mighty son of Diti, fought in that battle with Shakra; Samhrada fought with Agni; Yama himself fought with Jambha.

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.125.35)

महाप्रभुर्नैरृतेन पाशी सह बलेन च । सुवीरो वायुना सार्धं पवमानेन गुह्यराट्

mahāprabhurnairṛtena pāśī saha balena ca suvīro vāyunā sārdhaṁ pavamānena guhyarāṭ

The mighty noose-bearer fought against Nirriti's own might; the great hero, the king of secrets, fought together against the purifying Vayu.

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.125.36)

ईशानेन समं शम्भुर्युयुधे रणवित्तमः । शुम्भः शेषेण युयुधे कुम्भश्चन्द्रेण दानवः

īśānena samaṁ śambhuryuyudhe raṇavittamaḥ śumbhaḥ śeṣeṇa yuyudhe kumbhaścandreṇa dānavaḥ

Shambhu, most skilled in battle, fought evenly against Ishana; Shumbha fought against Shesha; the danava Kumbha fought against Chandra.

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.125.37)

कुञ्जरो मिहिरेणाजौ महाबलपराक्रमः । युयुधे परमास्त्रैश्च नानायुद्धविशारदः

kuñjaro mihireṇājau mahābalaparākramaḥ yuyudhe paramāstraiśca nānāyuddhaviśāradaḥ

Kunjara, of great might and valor, skilled in manifold warfare, fought in the battle against Mihira with supreme weapons.

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.125.38)

एवं द्वन्द्वेन युद्धेन महता च सुरासुराः । सङ्गरे युयुधुःसर्वे बलेन कृतनिश्चयाः

evaṁ dvandvena yuddhena mahatā ca surāsurāḥ saṅgare yuyudhuḥsarve balena kṛtaniścayāḥ

Thus, in single combats and in the great general battle, all the gods and demons fought on, resolved in their own strength.

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.125.39)

अन्योन्यं स्पर्द्धमानास्तेऽमरा दैत्या महाबलाः । तस्मिन्देवासुरे युद्धे दुर्जया अभवन्मुने

anyonyaṁ sparddhamānāste'marā daityā mahābalāḥ tasmindevāsure yuddhe durjayā abhavanmune

Rivaling one another, O sage, those mighty gods and demons remained unconquerable, each side, in that battle between gods and asuras.

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.125.40)

तदा च तेषां सुरदानवानां बभूव युद्धं तुमुलं जयैषिणाम् । सुखावहं वीरमनस्विनां वै भयावहं चैव तथेतरेषाम्

tadā ca teṣāṁ suradānavānāṁ babhūva yuddhaṁ tumulaṁ jayaiṣiṇām sukhāvahaṁ vīramanasvināṁ vai bhayāvahaṁ caiva tathetareṣām

Then a tumultuous battle arose between those gods and danavas, each seeking victory — bringing delight to heroic, resolute minds, and bringing fear to lesser men.

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.125.41)

मही महारौद्रतरा विनष्टकैः सुरासुरैर्वै पतितैरनेकशः । तस्मिन्नगम्यातिभयानका तदा जाता महासौख्यवहा मनस्विनाम्

mahī mahāraudratarā vinaṣṭakaiḥ surāsurairvai patitairanekaśaḥ tasminnagamyātibhayānakā tadā jātā mahāsaukhyavahā manasvinām

Then the earth, most terrible, strewn with the countless fallen gods and demons who had perished, became impassable and utterly fearsome — yet, at the very same time, a source of great delight to resolute-minded heroes.