The Battle Between the Gods and the Demons

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.126.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच इति ते वर्णितस्तात देवदानव सेनयोः । सङ्ग्रामस्तुमुलोऽतीव तत्प्रभ्वोः शृणु नारद

brahmovāca iti te varṇitastāta devadānava senayoḥ saṅgrāmastumulo'tīva tatprabhvoḥ śṛṇu nārada

Brahma said: Thus, dear one, has the exceedingly tumultuous battle of the armies of gods and demons been described to you; now, O Narada, hear of their two lords.

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.126.2)

एवं युद्धेऽतितुमुले देवदानवसङ्क्षये । तारकेणैव देवेन्द्रः शक्त्या परमया सह

evaṁ yuddhe'titumule devadānavasaṅkṣaye tārakeṇaiva devendraḥ śaktyā paramayā saha

In that most tumultuous battle, amid the destruction of gods and demons, Devendra, struck by Taraka himself with his supreme Shakti —

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.126.3)

सद्यः पपात नागाश्च धरण्यां मूर्च्छितोऽभवत् । परं कश्मलमापेदे वज्रधारी सुरेश्वरः

sadyaḥ papāta nāgāśca dharaṇyāṁ mūrcchito'bhavat paraṁ kaśmalamāpede vajradhārī sureśvaraḥ

— at once fell, together with his elephant, upon the earth, and lost consciousness; the wielder of the thunderbolt, lord of the gods, was overcome with the deepest distress.

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.126.4)

तथैव लोकपाः सर्वेऽसुरैश्च बलवत्तरैः । पराजिता रणे तात महारणविशारदैः

tathaiva lokapāḥ sarve'suraiśca balavattaraiḥ parājitā raṇe tāta mahāraṇaviśāradaiḥ

Likewise, dear one, all the guardians of the worlds were defeated in that battle by the mightier demons, who were skilled in great warfare.

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.126.5)

अन्येऽपि निर्जरा दैत्यैर्युद्ध्यमानाः पराजिताः । असहन्तो हि तत्तेजः पलायनपरायणाः

anye'pi nirjarā daityairyuddhyamānāḥ parājitāḥ asahanto hi tattejaḥ palāyanaparāyaṇāḥ

The other gods too, fighting with the demons, were defeated; unable to bear their power, they gave themselves over to flight.

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.126.6)

जगर्जुरसुरास्तत्र जयिनः सुकृतोद्यमाः । सिंहनादं प्रकुर्वन्तः कोलाहलपरायणाः

jagarjurasurāstatra jayinaḥ sukṛtodyamāḥ siṁhanādaṁ prakurvantaḥ kolāhalaparāyaṇāḥ

The victorious demons there roared, their efforts well accomplished, raising lion-roars, given over to tumult.

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.126.7)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र वीरभद्रो रुषान्वितः । आससाद गणैर्वीरैस्तारकं वीरमानिनम्

etasminnantare tatra vīrabhadro ruṣānvitaḥ āsasāda gaṇairvīraistārakaṁ vīramāninam

Meanwhile there, Virabhadra, filled with fury, together with his heroic ganas, confronted Taraka, who was proud of his own valor.

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.126.8)

निर्जरान् पृष्ठतः कृत्वा शिवकोपोद्भवो बली । तत्सम्मुखो बभूवाथ योद्धुकामो गणाग्रणीः

nirjarān pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā śivakopodbhavo balī tatsammukho babhūvātha yoddhukāmo gaṇāgraṇīḥ

Putting the gods behind him, that mighty one, born of Shiva's own wrath, the foremost of the ganas, then stood before him, eager for battle.

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.126.9)

तदा ते प्रमथाः सर्वे दैत्याश्च परमोत्सवाः । युयुधुः संयुगेऽन्योन्यं प्रसक्ताश्च महारणे

tadā te pramathāḥ sarve daityāśca paramotsavāḥ yuyudhuḥ saṁyuge'nyonyaṁ prasaktāśca mahāraṇe

Then all the Pramathas and the demons, in great excitement, fought one another, locked together in that great battle.

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.126.10)

त्रिशूलैरृष्टिभिः पाशैः खड्गैः परशुपट्टिशैः । निजघ्नुःसमरेऽन्योऽन्यं रणे रणविशारदाः

triśūlairṛṣṭibhiḥ pāśaiḥ khaḍgaiḥ paraśupaṭṭiśaiḥ nijaghnuḥsamare'nyo'nyaṁ raṇe raṇaviśāradāḥ

With tridents, javelins, nooses, swords, axes, and pattishas, those skilled in warfare struck one another in that battle.

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.126.11)

तारको वीरभद्रेण स त्रिशूलाहतो भृशम् । पपात सहसा भूमौ क्षणं मूर्छापरिप्लुतः

tārako vīrabhadreṇa sa triśūlāhato bhṛśam papāta sahasā bhūmau kṣaṇaṁ mūrchāpariplutaḥ

Taraka, struck severely by Virabhadra's trident, suddenly fell to the ground, overcome with unconsciousness for a moment.

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.126.12)

उत्थाय स द्रुतं वीरस्तारको दैत्यसत्तमः । लब्धसंज्ञो बलाच्छक्त्या वीरभद्रं जघान ह

utthāya sa drutaṁ vīrastārako daityasattamaḥ labdhasaṁjño balācchaktyā vīrabhadraṁ jaghāna ha

Then the hero Taraka, foremost of the demons, quickly rose up; regaining his senses, with his own might he struck Virabhadra with his Shakti.

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.126.13)

वीरभद्रस्तथा वीरो महातेजा हि तारकम् । जघान त्रिशिखेनाशु घोरेण निशितेन तम्

vīrabhadrastathā vīro mahātejā hi tārakam jaghāna triśikhenāśu ghoreṇa niśitena tam

So too the hero Virabhadra, of great splendor, at once struck Taraka with his terrible, sharp trident.

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.126.14)

सोऽपि शक्त्या वीरभद्रं जघान समरे ततः । तारको दितिजाधीशः प्रबलो वीरसम्मतः

so'pi śaktyā vīrabhadraṁ jaghāna samare tataḥ tārako ditijādhīśaḥ prabalo vīrasammataḥ

Then Taraka too, lord of Diti's sons, mighty, esteemed among heroes, struck Virabhadra in the battle with his Shakti.

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.126.15)

एवं संयुद्ध्यमानौ तौ जघ्नतुश्चेतरेतरम् । नानास्त्रशस्त्रैः समरे रणविद्याविशारदौ

evaṁ saṁyuddhyamānau tau jaghnatuścetaretaram nānāstraśastraiḥ samare raṇavidyāviśāradau

Thus fighting on, those two, skilled in the art of war, struck one another with manifold weapons in the battle.

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.126.16)

तयोर्महात्मनोस्तत्र द्वन्द्वयुद्धमभूत्तदा । सर्वेषां पश्यतामेव तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम्

tayormahātmanostatra dvandvayuddhamabhūttadā sarveṣāṁ paśyatāmeva tumulaṁ romaharṣaṇam

Then there arose a tumultuous single combat between those two great souls, hair-raising to behold, before the eyes of all.

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.126.17)

ततो भेरीमृदङ्गाश्च पटहानकगोमुखाः । विनेदुर्विहता वीरैः शृण्वतां सुभयानकाः

tato bherīmṛdaṅgāśca paṭahānakagomukhāḥ vinedurvihatā vīraiḥ śṛṇvatāṁ subhayānakāḥ

Then kettle-drums, mridangas, patahas, anakas, and gomukha-horns, struck by the heroes, resounded, most fearsome to those who heard.

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.126.18)

युयुधातेतिसन्नद्धौ प्रहारैर्जर्जरीकृतौ । अन्योऽन्यमतिसंरब्धौ तौ बुधाङ्गारकाविव

yuyudhātetisannaddhau prahārairjarjarīkṛtau anyo'nyamatisaṁrabdhau tau budhāṅgārakāviva

Fully armored, they fought on, battered and shattered by each other's blows, filled with fury against one another, like Mercury and Mars in conflict.

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.126.19)

एवं दृष्ट्वा तदा युद्धं वीरभद्रस्य तेन च । तत्र गत्वा वीरभद्रमवोचस्त्वं शिवप्रियः

evaṁ dṛṣṭvā tadā yuddhaṁ vīrabhadrasya tena ca tatra gatvā vīrabhadramavocastvaṁ śivapriyaḥ

Seeing that battle of Virabhadra, O beloved of Shiva, you went there and spoke to Virabhadra.

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.126.20)

नारद उवाच वीरभद्र महावीर गणानामग्रणीर्भवान् । निवर्तस्व रणादस्माद्रोचते न वधस्त्वया

nārada uvāca vīrabhadra mahāvīra gaṇānāmagraṇīrbhavān nivartasva raṇādasmādrocate na vadhastvayā

Narada said: O Virabhadra, great hero, foremost of the ganas — withdraw from this battle; this killing does not please me, done as it is by you.

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.126.21)

एवं निशम्य त्वद्वाक्यं वीरभद्रो गणाग्रणीः । अवदत्स रुषाविष्टस्त्वां तदा तु कृताञ्जलिः

evaṁ niśamya tvadvākyaṁ vīrabhadro gaṇāgraṇīḥ avadatsa ruṣāviṣṭastvāṁ tadā tu kṛtāñjaliḥ

Hearing your words thus, Virabhadra, foremost of the ganas, filled with fury, then, with joined palms, spoke to you.

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.126.22)

वीरभद्र उवाच मुनिवर्य महाप्राज्ञ शृणु मे परमं वचः । तारकं च वधिष्यामि पश्य मेऽद्य पराक्रमम्

vīrabhadra uvāca munivarya mahāprājña śṛṇu me paramaṁ vacaḥ tārakaṁ ca vadhiṣyāmi paśya me'dya parākramam

Virabhadra said: O excellent sage, most wise one, hear my final word: I shall slay Taraka — behold my valor today.

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.126.23)

आनयन्ति च ये वीराःस्वामिनं रणसंसदि । ते पापिनो महाक्लीबा विनश्यन्ति रणं गताः

ānayanti ca ye vīrāḥsvāminaṁ raṇasaṁsadi te pāpino mahāklībā vinaśyanti raṇaṁ gatāḥ

Those heroes who put their own lord forward in the field of battle — those sinners, utter cowards, perish when they go to war in that fashion.

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.126.24)

असद्गतिं प्राप्नुवन्ति तेषां च निरयो ध्रुवम् । वीरभद्रो हि विज्ञेयो न वाच्यस्ते कदाचन

asadgatiṁ prāpnuvanti teṣāṁ ca nirayo dhruvam vīrabhadro hi vijñeyo na vācyaste kadācana

They attain an evil state, and hell is certain for them. Know Virabhadra to be otherwise — I am never to be told such a thing.

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.126.25)

शस्त्रास्त्रैर्भिन्नगात्रा ये रणं कुर्वन्ति निर्भयाः । इहामुत्र प्रशंस्यास्ते लभन्ते सुखमद्भुतम्

śastrāstrairbhinnagātrā ye raṇaṁ kurvanti nirbhayāḥ ihāmutra praśaṁsyāste labhante sukhamadbhutam

Those who fight fearlessly, their bodies pierced by weapons and missiles — they are praised here and in the next world, and attain wondrous happiness.

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.126.26)

शृण्वन्तु मम वाक्यानि देवा हरिपुरोगमाः । अतारकां महीमद्य करिष्ये स्वामिवर्जितः

śṛṇvantu mama vākyāni devā haripurogamāḥ atārakāṁ mahīmadya kariṣye svāmivarjitaḥ

Let the gods, headed by Hari, hear my words: today, though without my lord's leave, I shall make this earth free of Taraka.

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.126.27)

इत्युक्त्वा प्रमर्थैस्सार्द्धं वीरभद्रो हि शूलधृक् । विचिन्त्य मनसा शम्भुं युयुधे तारकेण हि

ityuktvā pramarthaissārddhaṁ vīrabhadro hi śūladhṛk vicintya manasā śambhuṁ yuyudhe tārakeṇa hi

Having said this, Virabhadra, the trident-bearer, together with the Pramathas, calling Shambhu to mind, fought on with Taraka.

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.126.28)

वृषारूढैरनेकैश्च त्रिशूलवरधारिभिः । महावीरैः त्रिनेत्रैश्च स रेजे रणसङ्गतः

vṛṣārūḍhairanekaiśca triśūlavaradhāribhiḥ mahāvīraiḥ trinetraiśca sa reje raṇasaṅgataḥ

Surrounded by many great heroes, three-eyed, mounted upon bulls, bearing excellent tridents, he shone forth, engaged in that battle.

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.126.29)

कोलाहलं प्रकुर्वन्तो निर्भयाः शतशो गणाः । वीरभद्रं पुरस्कृत्य युयुधुर्दानवैः सह

kolāhalaṁ prakurvanto nirbhayāḥ śataśo gaṇāḥ vīrabhadraṁ puraskṛtya yuyudhurdānavaiḥ saha

Raising a great tumult, fearless, the ganas by the hundreds, placing Virabhadra at their head, fought together with the danavas.

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.126.30)

असुरास्तेऽपि युयुधुः तारकासुरजीविनः । बलोत्कटा महावीरा मर्दयन्तो गणान् रुषा

asurāste'pi yuyudhuḥ tārakāsurajīvinaḥ balotkaṭā mahāvīrā mardayanto gaṇān ruṣā

Those asuras too fought on, who lived by Taraka's own strength; mighty and fierce heroes, crushing the ganas in their fury.

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.126.31)

पुनः पुनश्चैव बभूव सङ्गरो महोत्कटो दैत्यवरैर्गणानाम् । प्रहर्षमाणाः परमास्त्रकोविदाः तदा गणास्ते जयिनो बभूवुः

punaḥ punaścaiva babhūva saṅgaro mahotkaṭo daityavarairgaṇānām praharṣamāṇāḥ paramāstrakovidāḥ tadā gaṇāste jayino babhūvuḥ

Again and again there arose a most fierce battle between the ganas and the excellent demons; then, greatly rejoicing, those ganas, skilled in supreme weapons, became victorious.

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.126.32)

गणैर्जितास्ते प्रबलैरसुरा विमुखा रणे । पलायनपरा जाता व्यथिता व्यग्रमानसाः

gaṇairjitāste prabalairasurā vimukhā raṇe palāyanaparā jātā vyathitā vyagramānasāḥ

Defeated by those mighty ganas, the asuras turned their backs in the battle; distressed and their minds agitated, they took to flight.

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.126.33)

एवं भ्रष्टं स्वसैन्यं तद् दृष्ट्वा तत्पालकोऽसुरः । तारको हि रुषाविष्टो हन्तुं देवगणान् ययौ

evaṁ bhraṣṭaṁ svasainyaṁ tad dṛṣṭvā tatpālako'suraḥ tārako hi ruṣāviṣṭo hantuṁ devagaṇān yayau

Seeing his own army thus routed, that asura, their protector, Taraka, filled with fury, went forth to slay the hosts of gods.

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.126.34)

भुजानामयुतं कृत्वा सिंहमारुह्य वेगतः । पातयामास तान्देवान् गणांश्च रणमूर्द्धनि

bhujānāmayutaṁ kṛtvā siṁhamāruhya vegataḥ pātayāmāsa tāndevān gaṇāṁśca raṇamūrddhani

Fashioning ten thousand arms for himself, mounting his lion, with great speed he felled those gods and ganas in the forefront of battle.

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.126.35)

स दृष्ट्वा तस्य तत्कर्म वीरभद्रो गणाग्रणीः । चकार सुमहत्कोपं तद्वधाय महाबली

sa dṛṣṭvā tasya tatkarma vīrabhadro gaṇāgraṇīḥ cakāra sumahatkopaṁ tadvadhāya mahābalī

Seeing that deed of his, Virabhadra, foremost of the ganas, that mighty one, was filled with the greatest fury, resolved to slay him.

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.126.36)

स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्भोजं जग्राह त्रिशिखं परम् । जज्वलुस्तेजसा तस्य दिशः सर्वा नभस्तथा

smṛtvā śivapadāmbhojaṁ jagrāha triśikhaṁ param jajvalustejasā tasya diśaḥ sarvā nabhastathā

Calling Shiva's lotus feet to mind, he seized his supreme trident; and by his splendor all the directions and the very sky blazed forth.

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.126.37)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे स्वामी वारयामास तं रणात् । वीरबाहुमुखान्सद्यो महाकौतुकदर्शकः

etasminnantare svāmī vārayāmāsa taṁ raṇāt vīrabāhumukhānsadyo mahākautukadarśakaḥ

Meanwhile the Lord, watching with great curiosity, at once stopped him from the battle, through Virabahu and the others.

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.126.38)

तदाज्ञया वीरभद्रो निवृत्तोऽभूद्रणात्तदा । कोपं चक्रे महावीरस्तारकोऽसुरनायकः

tadājñayā vīrabhadro nivṛtto'bhūdraṇāttadā kopaṁ cakre mahāvīrastārako'suranāyakaḥ

By that command, Virabhadra then withdrew from the battle; and the great hero Taraka, lord of the asuras, grew still more enraged.

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.126.39)

चकार बाणवृष्टिं च सुरोपरि तदाऽसुरः । तप्तोऽऽह्वासीत्सुरान्सद्यो नानास्त्ररणकोविदः

cakāra bāṇavṛṣṭiṁ ca suropari tadā'suraḥ tapto''hvāsītsurānsadyo nānāstraraṇakovidaḥ

That asura, enraged, then rained arrows upon the gods, and, skilled in warfare with manifold weapons, at once challenged the gods to battle.

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.126.40)

एवं कृत्वा महत्कर्म तारकोऽसुरपालकः । सर्वेषामपि देवानामशक्यो बलिनां वरः

evaṁ kṛtvā mahatkarma tārako'surapālakaḥ sarveṣāmapi devānāmaśakyo balināṁ varaḥ

Having thus accomplished this great feat, Taraka, protector of the asuras, foremost among the mighty, became unassailable even by all the gods together.

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.126.41)

एवं निहन्यमानांस्तान् दृष्ट्वा देवान् भयाकुलान् । कोपं कृत्वा रणायाशु सन्नद्धोऽभवदच्युतः

evaṁ nihanyamānāṁstān dṛṣṭvā devān bhayākulān kopaṁ kṛtvā raṇāyāśu sannaddho'bhavadacyutaḥ

Seeing the gods thus being struck down and overwhelmed with fear, Achyuta, filled with anger, quickly armed himself for battle.

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.126.42)

चक्रं सुदर्शनं शार्ङ्गं धनुरादाय सायुधः । अभ्युद्ययौ महादैत्यं रणाय भगवान् हरिः

cakraṁ sudarśanaṁ śārṅgaṁ dhanurādāya sāyudhaḥ abhyudyayau mahādaityaṁ raṇāya bhagavān hariḥ

Taking up his Sudarshana discus and his Sharnga bow, thus armed, the Blessed Hari advanced upon the great demon for battle.

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.126.43)

ततःसमभवद्युद्धं हरितारकयोर्महत् । लोमहर्षणमत्युग्रं सर्वेषां पश्यतां मुने

tataḥsamabhavadyuddhaṁ haritārakayormahat lomaharṣaṇamatyugraṁ sarveṣāṁ paśyatāṁ mune

Then, O sage, there arose a great battle between Hari and Taraka, hair-raising and most fierce, before the eyes of all.

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.126.44)

गदामुद्यम्य स हरिर्जघानासुरमोजसा । द्विधा चकार तां दैत्यस्त्रिशिखेन महाबली

gadāmudyamya sa harirjaghānāsuramojasā dvidhā cakāra tāṁ daityastriśikhena mahābalī

Raising his mace, Hari struck the asura with great force; the mighty demon split it in two with his trident.

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.126.45)

ततः स क्रुद्धो भगवान्देवानामभयङ्करः । शार्ङ्गच्युतैः शरव्यूहैर्जघानासुरनायकम्

tataḥ sa kruddho bhagavāndevānāmabhayaṅkaraḥ śārṅgacyutaiḥ śaravyūhairjaghānāsuranāyakam

Then that Blessed one, enraged, the giver of fearlessness to the gods, struck the lord of the asuras with a mass of arrows loosed from his Sharnga bow.

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.126.46)

सोऽपि दैत्यो महावीरस्तारकः परवीरहा । चिच्छेद सकलान्बाणान्स्वशरैर्निशितैर्द्रुतम्

so'pi daityo mahāvīrastārakaḥ paravīrahā ciccheda sakalānbāṇānsvaśarairniśitairdrutam

That demon too, the great hero Taraka, slayer of enemy heroes, swiftly cut apart all those arrows with his own sharp shafts.

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.126.47)

अथ शक्त्या जघानाशु मुरारिं तारकासुरः । भूमौ पपात स हरिस्तत्प्रहारेण मूर्च्छितः

atha śaktyā jaghānāśu murāriṁ tārakāsuraḥ bhūmau papāta sa haristatprahāreṇa mūrcchitaḥ

Then Tarakasura at once struck Murari with his Shakti-spear; Hari, overcome by that blow, fell unconscious to the ground.

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.126.48)

जग्राह स रुषा चक्रमुत्थितः क्षणतोऽच्युतः । सिंहनादं महत्कृत्वा ज्वलज्ज्वालासमाकुलम्

jagrāha sa ruṣā cakramutthitaḥ kṣaṇato'cyutaḥ siṁhanādaṁ mahatkṛtvā jvalajjvālāsamākulam

Achyuta, rising in a moment, in fury seized his discus, blazing with flame, and raised a mighty lion-roar.

Verse 49 (shiva.rudra.126.49)

तेन तं च जघानासौ दैत्यानामधिपं हरिः । तत्प्रहारेण महता व्यथितो न्यपतद्भुवि

tena taṁ ca jaghānāsau daityānāmadhipaṁ hariḥ tatprahāreṇa mahatā vyathito nyapatadbhuvi

With that, Hari struck the lord of the demons; struck by that mighty blow, in great pain, he fell to the ground.

Verse 50 (shiva.rudra.126.50)

पुनश्चोत्थाय दैत्येन्द्रस्तारकोऽसुरनायकः । चिच्छेद त्वरितं चक्रं स्वशक्त्यातिबलान्वितः

punaścotthāya daityendrastārako'suranāyakaḥ ciccheda tvaritaṁ cakraṁ svaśaktyātibalānvitaḥ

Rising again, the lord of the demons, Taraka, chief of the asuras, endowed with immense strength, swiftly cut apart the discus with his own Shakti.

Verse 51 (shiva.rudra.126.51)

पुनस्तया महाशक्त्या जघानामरवल्लभम् । अच्युतोऽपि महावीरो नन्दकेन जघान तम्

punastayā mahāśaktyā jaghānāmaravallabham acyuto'pi mahāvīro nandakena jaghāna tam

Again, with that great Shakti, he struck the one beloved of the immortals; but the great hero Achyuta struck him back with his sword Nandaka.

Verse 52 (shiva.rudra.126.52)

एवमन्योऽन्यमसुरो विष्णुश्च बलवानुभौ । युयुधाते रणे भूरि तत्राक्षतबलौ मुने

evamanyo'nyamasuro viṣṇuśca balavānubhau yuyudhāte raṇe bhūri tatrākṣatabalau mune

Thus, O sage, that asura and Vishnu, both mighty, fought long against one another in that battle, their strength there remaining unbroken.