The Battle of Gods and Demons

Verse 1 (skanda.1.13.1)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ ततस्ते गर्ज्जमानाश्च आक्षिपंतः सुरान्रणे॥ शतक्रतुप्रमुख्यांस्तन्महाबलपराक्रमान्

||lomaśa uvāca|| tataste garjjamānāśca ākṣipaṃtaḥ surānraṇe|| śatakratupramukhyāṃstanmahābalaparākramān

Lomasha said: Then, roaring loudly, they began to challenge in battle the mighty, valorous gods, headed by Indra of the hundred sacrifices.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.13.2)

विमानमारुह्य तदा महात्मा वैरोचनिः सर्वबलेन सार्द्धम्॥ दैत्यैः समेतो विविधैर्महाबलैः सुरान्प्रदुद्राव महाभयावहम्

vimānamāruhya tadā mahātmā vairocaniḥ sarvabalena sārddham|| daityaiḥ sameto vividhairmahābalaiḥ surānpradudrāva mahābhayāvaham

Then the great-souled son of Virochana, Bali, mounting his aerial car with his entire army and hosts of mighty daityas of every kind, rushed upon the gods, a terror to behold.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.13.3)

स्वानि रूपाणि बिभ्रंतः समापेतुः स हस्रशः॥ केचिद्व्याघ्रान्समारूढा महिषांश्च तथा परे

svāni rūpāṇi bibhraṃtaḥ samāpetuḥ sa hasraśaḥ|| kecidvyāghrānsamārūḍhā mahiṣāṃśca tathā pare

Bearing their own forms, they came on by the thousand; some were mounted on tigers, others on buffaloes.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.13.4)

अश्वान्केचित्समारूढा द्विपान्केचित्तथा परे॥ सिंहांस्तथा परे रूढाः शार्दूलाञ्छरभांस्तथा

aśvānkecitsamārūḍhā dvipānkecittathā pare|| siṃhāṃstathā pare rūḍhāḥ śārdūlāñcharabhāṃstathā

Some rode horses, others elephants; some were mounted on lions, and others on tigers and sharabhas.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.13.5)

मयूरान्राजहंसांश्च कुक्कुटांश्च तथा परे॥ केचिद्धयान्समारूढा उष्ट्रानश्वतरानपि

mayūrānrājahaṃsāṃśca kukkuṭāṃśca tathā pare|| keciddhayānsamārūḍhā uṣṭrānaśvatarānapi

Some rode peacocks, royal swans and cocks; some were mounted on horses, and some on camels and mules.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.13.6)

गजान्खरान्परे चैव शकटांश्च तथा परे॥ पादाता बहवो दैत्याः खङ्गशक्त्यृष्टिपाणयः

gajānkharānpare caiva śakaṭāṃśca tathā pare|| pādātā bahavo daityāḥ khaṅgaśaktyṛṣṭipāṇayaḥ

Some rode elephants, some donkeys, and some carts; many daityas advanced on foot, swords, javelins and lances in hand.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.13.7)

परिघायुधिनः पाशशूलमुद्गरपाणयः॥ असिलोमान्विताः केचिद्भुशुंडीपरिघायुधाः

parighāyudhinaḥ pāśaśūlamudgarapāṇayaḥ|| asilomānvitāḥ kecidbhuśuṃḍīparighāyudhāḥ

Some bore iron clubs, others nooses, tridents and maces; some carried bristling swords along with bhushundi weapons and iron bars.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.13.8)

हयनागरथाश्चान्ये समारूढाः प्रहारिणः॥ विमानानि समारूढा बलिमुख्याः सहस्रशः

hayanāgarathāścānye samārūḍhāḥ prahāriṇaḥ|| vimānāni samārūḍhā balimukhyāḥ sahasraśaḥ

Others, mounted on horses, elephants and chariots, stood poised to strike; Bali and his chief companions, by the thousand, rode upon celestial cars.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.13.9)

स्पर्द्धमानास्ततान्योन्यं गर्जंतश्च मुहुर्मुहुः॥ वृषपर्वा ह्युवा चेदं बलिनं दैत्यपुंगवम्

sparddhamānāstatānyonyaṃ garjaṃtaśca muhurmuhuḥ|| vṛṣaparvā hyuvā cedaṃ balinaṃ daityapuṃgavam

Vying with one another and roaring again and again, they advanced; then Vrishaparva spoke thus to Bali, foremost of the daityas —

Verse 10 (skanda.1.13.10)

त्वया कृतं महाबाहो इंद्रेण सह संगमम्॥ विश्वासो नैव कर्तव्यो दुर्हृदा च कथंचन

tvayā kṛtaṃ mahābāho iṃdreṇa saha saṃgamam|| viśvāso naiva kartavyo durhṛdā ca kathaṃcana

"O mighty-armed one, as for the alliance you made with Indra — one should never place trust in an evil-hearted foe, come what may."

Verse 11 (skanda.1.13.11)

ऊनेनापि हि तुच्छेन वैरिणापि कथंचन॥ मैत्री बुद्धिमता कार्या आपद्यपि निवर्तते

ūnenāpi hi tucchena vairiṇāpi kathaṃcana|| maitrī buddhimatā kāryā āpadyapi nivartate

"Even with a weak and insignificant foe the wise man may at times make friends, for such an alliance may prove useful in adversity."

Verse 12 (skanda.1.13.12)

न विश्वसेत्पूर्वविरोधिना क्वचित्पराजिताः स्मोऽथ बले त्वयाधुना॥ पुराणदुष्टाः कथमद्य वै पुनर्मंत्रं विकर्तुं न च ते यतेरन्

na viśvasetpūrvavirodhinā kvacitparājitāḥ smo'tha bale tvayādhunā|| purāṇaduṣṭāḥ kathamadya vai punarmaṃtraṃ vikartuṃ na ca te yateran

"But one should never trust a former adversary; O Bali, we were once defeated by you. These old foes, wicked as before, may well now scheme again — how would they not?"

Verse 13 (skanda.1.13.13)

इत्यूचुस्ते दुराधर्षा योद्धुकामा व्यवस्थिताः॥ ध्वजैश्छत्रैः पताकैश्च रणभूमिममंडयन्

ityūcuste durādharṣā yoddhukāmā vyavasthitāḥ|| dhvajaiśchatraiḥ patākaiśca raṇabhūmimamaṃḍayan

Speaking thus, those unassailable warriors, eager for battle, took up their positions; with banners, parasols and flags they adorned the battlefield.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.13.14)

चामरैश्च दिशः सर्वा लोपितं च रणस्थलम्॥ तथा सर्वे सुरास्तत्र दैत्यान्प्रति समुत्सुकाः

cāmaraiśca diśaḥ sarvā lopitaṃ ca raṇasthalam|| tathā sarve surāstatra daityānprati samutsukāḥ

The chowries hid every direction, and the battlefield vanished from sight beneath them; thus all the gods there grew eager to face the demons.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.13.15)

पीत्वामृतं महाभागा वाहान्यारुह्य दंशिताः॥ गजारूढो महेंद्रोपि वज्रपाणिः प्रतापवान्॥ सूर्यश्चोच्चैः श्रवारूढो मृगा रूढश्च चन्द्रमाः

pītvāmṛtaṃ mahābhāgā vāhānyāruhya daṃśitāḥ|| gajārūḍho maheṃdropi vajrapāṇiḥ pratāpavān|| sūryaścoccaiḥ śravārūḍho mṛgā rūḍhaśca candramāḥ

Having drunk the nectar, those most fortunate gods, armoured, mounted their own vehicles; mighty Indra, bearing the thunderbolt, rode his elephant, the Sun rode Uchchaihshravas, and the moon rode his deer.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.13.16)

छत्रचामरसंवीताः शोभिता विजयश्रिया॥ प्रणम्य विष्णुं ते सर्व इंद्राद्या जयकांक्षिणः

chatracāmarasaṃvītāḥ śobhitā vijayaśriyā|| praṇamya viṣṇuṃ te sarva iṃdrādyā jayakāṃkṣiṇaḥ

Surrounded by parasols and chowries, radiant with the glow of coming victory, Indra and the others, longing for triumph, bowed to Vishnu and advanced.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.13.17)

ते विष्णुना ह्यनुज्ञाता असुरान्प्रति वै रुषा॥ असुराश्च महाकाया भीमाक्षा भीमविक्रमाः

te viṣṇunā hyanujñātā asurānprati vai ruṣā|| asurāśca mahākāyā bhīmākṣā bhīmavikramāḥ

Given leave by Vishnu, they moved toward the asuras in fury; and there stood the demons too, huge of frame, terrible of eye, and fearsome in their might.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.13.18)

तेषां बोरमभूद्युद्धं देवानां दानवैः सह॥ तुमुलं च महाघोरं सर्वभूतभयावहम्

teṣāṃ boramabhūdyuddhaṃ devānāṃ dānavaiḥ saha|| tumulaṃ ca mahāghoraṃ sarvabhūtabhayāvaham

Between the gods and the danavas there broke out a tumultuous, most terrible war that struck fear into every living being.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.13.19)

शरधारान्वितं सर्वं बभूव परमाद्भुतम्॥ ततश्च टचटाशब्दा बभूवुश्च दिशोदश

śaradhārānvitaṃ sarvaṃ babhūva paramādbhutam|| tataśca ṭacaṭāśabdā babhūvuśca diśodaśa

Everywhere the sky filled with a torrent of arrows, a spectacle of the greatest wonder; and in all ten directions rose the clash and twang of weapons.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.13.20)

ततो निमिषमात्रेण शरघातयुता भवन्॥ शरतोमरनाराचैराहताश्चापतन्भुवि

tato nimiṣamātreṇa śaraghātayutā bhavan|| śaratomaranārācairāhatāścāpatanbhuvi

Then in the blink of an eye the warriors were struck down by that hail of arrows; pierced by shafts, tomaras and narachas, they fell to the ground.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.13.21)

विध्यमानास्तथा केचिद्विविधुश्चापरान्रणे॥ भल्लैर्भग्नाश्च पतिता नाराचैः शकलीकृताः

vidhyamānāstathā kecidvividhuścāparānraṇe|| bhallairbhagnāśca patitā nārācaiḥ śakalīkṛtāḥ

Even as some were pierced, they in turn pierced others in the fight; some fell shattered by the crescent-headed bhalla arrows, others were cut to pieces by the narachas.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.13.22)

क्षुरप्रहारिताः केचिद्दैत्या दानवराक्षसाः॥ शिलीमुखैर्मारिताश्च भग्नाः केचिच्च दानवाः

kṣuraprahāritāḥ keciddaityā dānavarākṣasāḥ|| śilīmukhairmāritāśca bhagnāḥ kecicca dānavāḥ

Some daityas, danavas and rakshasas were wounded by razor-tipped kshuraprа arrows; some were slain by shilimukha shafts, and others fell broken.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.13.23)

एवं भग्नं दानवानां च सैन्यं दृष्ट्वा देवा गर्जमानाः समंतात्॥ हृष्टाः सर्वे संमिलित्वा तदानीं लब्ध्वा युद्धे ते जयं श्लाघयन्ते

evaṃ bhagnaṃ dānavānāṃ ca sainyaṃ dṛṣṭvā devā garjamānāḥ samaṃtāt|| hṛṣṭāḥ sarve saṃmilitvā tadānīṃ labdhvā yuddhe te jayaṃ ślāghayante

Seeing the demon army thus broken, the gods roared aloud on every side; joyful, they gathered together and praised the victory they had won in that battle.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.13.24)

शंखवादित्रघोषेण पूरितं च जगत्त्रयम्॥ देवान्प्रति कृतामर्षा दानवास्ते महाबलाः

śaṃkhavāditraghoṣeṇa pūritaṃ ca jagattrayam|| devānprati kṛtāmarṣā dānavāste mahābalāḥ

The blare of conches and instruments filled the three worlds; enraged at the gods by this, those mighty danavas —

Verse 25 (skanda.1.13.25)

बलिप्रभृतयः सर्वे संभ्रमेणोत्थिताः पुनः॥ विमानैः सूर्यसंकासैरनेकैश्च समन्विताः

baliprabhṛtayaḥ sarve saṃbhrameṇotthitāḥ punaḥ|| vimānaiḥ sūryasaṃkāsairanekaiśca samanvitāḥ

Bali and all the rest rose again in agitation, mounted upon their many chariots, radiant as the sun.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.13.26)

द्वंद्वयुद्धं सुतुमुलं देवानां दानवैः सह॥ संप्रवृत्तं पुनश्चैव परस्परजिगीषया

dvaṃdvayuddhaṃ sutumulaṃ devānāṃ dānavaiḥ saha|| saṃpravṛttaṃ punaścaiva parasparajigīṣayā

Between the gods and the danavas, each seeking victory over the other, that most tumultuous single combat broke out once more.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.13.27)

बलिना दानवेंद्रेण महेंद्रो युयुधे तदा॥ तथा यमो महाबाहुर्नमुच्या सह संगतः

balinā dānaveṃdreṇa maheṃdro yuyudhe tadā|| tathā yamo mahābāhurnamucyā saha saṃgataḥ

Mighty Indra fought with Bali, lord of the danavas; the great-armed Yama engaged Namuchi in combat.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.13.28)

नैर्ऋतः प्रघसेनैव पाशी कुंभेन संगतः॥ निकुंभेनैव सुमहद्युद्धं चक्रे सदारयः

nairṛtaḥ praghasenaiva pāśī kuṃbhena saṃgataḥ|| nikuṃbhenaiva sumahadyuddhaṃ cakre sadārayaḥ

Nairrita fought with Praghasa, and the noose-bearer Varuna with Kumbha; with Nikumbha too a fierce battle raged, each with his own foe.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.13.29)

सोमेन सह राहुश्च युद्धं चक्रे सुदारुणम्॥ राहुणा चन्द्रदेहोत्थममृतं भक्षितं तदा॥ संपर्कादमृस्यैव यथा राहुस्तथाऽभवत्

somena saha rāhuśca yuddhaṃ cakre sudāruṇam|| rāhuṇā candradehotthamamṛtaṃ bhakṣitaṃ tadā|| saṃparkādamṛsyaiva yathā rāhustathā'bhavat

With Soma, the moon, Rahu fought a most terrible battle; Rahu then swallowed the nectar that had arisen from the moon's own body — and it was through contact with that nectar that Rahu became what he is.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.13.30)

तानि सर्वाणि दृष्टानि शंभुना परमेष्ठिना॥ आश्रयोऽहं च सर्वेषां भूतानां नात्र संशयः॥ असुराणां सुराणां च सर्वेषामपि वल्लभः

tāni sarvāṇi dṛṣṭāni śaṃbhunā parameṣṭhinā|| āśrayo'haṃ ca sarveṣāṃ bhūtānāṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ|| asurāṇāṃ surāṇāṃ ca sarveṣāmapi vallabhaḥ

All this was seen by Shambhu, the supreme lord; and he said: "I am the refuge of all beings, of this there is no doubt — to asuras and to gods alike, I am equally dear."

Verse 31 (skanda.1.13.31)

एवमुक्तस्तदा राहुः प्रणम्य शिरसा शिवम्॥ मौलौ स्थितस्तदा चंद्रो अमृतं व्यसृजद्भयात्

evamuktastadā rāhuḥ praṇamya śirasā śivam|| maulau sthitastadā caṃdro amṛtaṃ vyasṛjadbhayāt

Hearing this, Rahu bowed his head in homage to Shiva; and at that instant the moon, seated upon his crown, released the nectar out of fear.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.13.32)

तेन तस्य हि जातानि शिरांसि सुबहून्यपि॥ एकपद्येन तेषां च स्रजं कृत्वा मनोहराम्॥ बबंध शंभुः शिरसि शिरोभूषणवत्कृतम्

tena tasya hi jātāni śirāṃsi subahūnyapi|| ekapadyena teṣāṃ ca srajaṃ kṛtvā manoharām|| babaṃdha śaṃbhuḥ śirasi śirobhūṣaṇavatkṛtam

From that, many heads sprang from him; and gathering them all together into one lovely garland, Shambhu bound it upon his own head as an ornament.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.13.33)

अशनात्कालकूटस्य नीलकंठोऽभवत्तदा॥ देवानां कार्यसिद्ध्यर्थं मुंडमाला तथा कृता

aśanātkālakūṭasya nīlakaṃṭho'bhavattadā|| devānāṃ kāryasiddhyarthaṃ muṃḍamālā tathā kṛtā

By swallowing the poison Kalakuta he became known as Nilakantha, the blue-throated one; and for the fulfilment of the gods' purpose he wore that garland of skulls as well.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.13.34)

दधार शिरसा तां च मुण्डमालां महेश्वरः

dadhāra śirasā tāṃ ca muṇḍamālāṃ maheśvaraḥ

Maheshvara bore that garland of skulls upon his own head.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.13.35)

तया स्रजाऽसौ शुशुभे महात्मा देवादिदेवस्त्रिपुरांतको हरः॥ गजासुरो येन निपातितो महानथांधको येन कृतश्च चूर्णः

tayā srajā'sau śuśubhe mahātmā devādidevastripurāṃtako haraḥ|| gajāsuro yena nipātito mahānathāṃdhako yena kṛtaśca cūrṇaḥ

Adorned with that garland, that great-souled Hara, god of gods, destroyer of the triple city, shone in splendour — he who felled the mighty Gajasura, and who ground Andhaka to dust.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.13.36)

गंगा धृता येन शिरस्सुमध्ये चंद्रं च चूडे कृतवान्भयापहः॥ वेदाः पुराणानि तथागमाश्च तथैव नानाश्रुतयोऽथ शास्त्रम्

gaṃgā dhṛtā yena śirassumadhye caṃdraṃ ca cūḍe kṛtavānbhayāpahaḥ|| vedāḥ purāṇāni tathāgamāśca tathaiva nānāśrutayo'tha śāstram

He who bears the Ganga upon his head, and holds the moon within his matted locks, is the remover of all fear; the Vedas, the Puranas, the Agamas, the many branches of scripture and the shastras —

Verse 37 (skanda.1.13.37)

जल्पंति नानागमभेदैर्मीमांसमानाश्च भवंति मूकाः॥ नानागमार्चायमतप्रभेदैर्निरूप्यमाणो जगदेकबंधुः

jalpaṃti nānāgamabhedairmīmāṃsamānāśca bhavaṃti mūkāḥ|| nānāgamārcāyamataprabhedairnirūpyamāṇo jagadekabaṃdhuḥ

speak of him each according to its own tradition, and fall silent when it comes to reasoning fully about him; the sole kinsman of the universe is described through countless differing scriptures, forms of worship and schools of thought.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.13.38)

शिवं हि नित्यं परमात्मदैवं वेदैकवेद्यं परमात्मदिव्यम्॥ विहाय तं मूढजनाः प्रमत्ताः शिवं न जानंति परात्मरूपम्

śivaṃ hi nityaṃ paramātmadaivaṃ vedaikavedyaṃ paramātmadivyam|| vihāya taṃ mūḍhajanāḥ pramattāḥ śivaṃ na jānaṃti parātmarūpam

Shiva is the eternal, supreme divine self, known only through the Veda, the divine Supreme Being; foolish, heedless people, turning away from him, fail to know Shiva's true, transcendent nature.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.13.39)

येनैव सृष्टं विधृतं च येन येन श्रितं येन कृतं समग्रम्॥ यस्यांशभूतं हि जगत्कदाचिद्वेदांतवेद्यः परमात्मा शिवश्च

yenaiva sṛṣṭaṃ vidhṛtaṃ ca yena yena śritaṃ yena kṛtaṃ samagram|| yasyāṃśabhūtaṃ hi jagatkadācidvedāṃtavedyaḥ paramātmā śivaśca

By whom this creation was made and sustained, on whom all things rest and by whom all was fashioned — that Shiva, the supreme self known through Vedanta, is he of whom this entire universe is but a fragment.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.13.40)

आढ्यो वापि दरिद्रो वा उत्तमो ह्यधमोऽपि वा॥ शिवभक्तिरतो नित्यं शिव एव न संशयः

āḍhyo vāpi daridro vā uttamo hyadhamo'pi vā|| śivabhaktirato nityaṃ śiva eva na saṃśayaḥ

Whether rich or poor, of high birth or low — one who is ever devoted to Shiva-bhakti is, without doubt, Shiva himself.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.13.41)

यो वा परकृतां पूजां शिवस्योपरि शोभिताम्॥ दृष्ट्वा संतोषमायाति दायं प्राप्नोति तत्समम्

yo vā parakṛtāṃ pūjāṃ śivasyopari śobhitām|| dṛṣṭvā saṃtoṣamāyāti dāyaṃ prāpnoti tatsamam

One who, seeing the splendid worship another has offered to Shiva, feels contentment of heart, obtains a share of merit equal to that worship itself.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.13.42)

ये दीपमालां कुर्वंति कार्तिक्यां श्रद्धयान्विताः॥ यावत्कालं प्रज्वलंति दीपास्ते लिंगमग्रतः॥ तावद्युगसहस्राणि दाता स्वर्गे महीयते

ye dīpamālāṃ kurvaṃti kārtikyāṃ śraddhayānvitāḥ|| yāvatkālaṃ prajvalaṃti dīpāste liṃgamagrataḥ|| tāvadyugasahasrāṇi dātā svarge mahīyate

Those who, filled with devotion, light rows of lamps in the month of Kartika — for as many thousand ages as those lamps burn before the linga, the giver dwells in glory in heaven.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.13.43)

कौसुंभतैलसंयुक्ता दीपा दत्ताः शिवालये॥ दातारस्तेऽपि कैलासे मोदन्ते शिवसंनिधौ

kausuṃbhatailasaṃyuktā dīpā dattāḥ śivālaye|| dātāraste'pi kailāse modante śivasaṃnidhau

Those who offer lamps fed with kusumbha oil in Shiva's temple likewise rejoice on Kailasa in Shiva's own presence.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.13.44)

अतसीतैलसंयुक्ता दीपा दत्ताः शिवालये॥ ते शिवं यांति संयुक्ताः कुलानां च शतेन वै

atasītailasaṃyuktā dīpā dattāḥ śivālaye|| te śivaṃ yāṃti saṃyuktāḥ kulānāṃ ca śatena vai

Those who offer lamps fed with linseed oil in Shiva's temple attain Shiva together with a hundred generations of their own lineage.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.13.45)

ज्ञानिनोऽपि हि जायंते दीपदानफलेन हि

jñānino'pi hi jāyaṃte dīpadānaphalena hi

By the merit of giving lamps, people even become possessed of true wisdom.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.13.46)

तिलतैलेन संयुक्ता दीपा दत्ताः शिवालये॥ ते शिवं यांति संयुक्ताः कुलानां च शतेन वै

tilatailena saṃyuktā dīpā dattāḥ śivālaye|| te śivaṃ yāṃti saṃyuktāḥ kulānāṃ ca śatena vai

Those who offer lamps fed with sesame oil in Shiva's temple likewise attain Shiva together with a hundred generations of their lineage.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.13.47)

घृताक्ता यैः कृता दीपा दीपिताश्च शिवालये॥ ते यांति परमं स्थानं कुललक्षसमन्विताः

ghṛtāktā yaiḥ kṛtā dīpā dīpitāśca śivālaye|| te yāṃti paramaṃ sthānaṃ kulalakṣasamanvitāḥ

Those who make lamps soaked in ghee and kindle them in Shiva's temple attain the supreme abode together with a hundred thousand generations of their lineage.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.13.48)

कर्पूरागुरुधूपैश्च ये यजंति सदा शिवम्॥ आरार्तिकां सकर्प्पूरां ये कुर्वंति दिनेदिने॥ ते प्राप्नुवंति सायुज्यं नात्र कार्या विचारणा

karpūrāgurudhūpaiśca ye yajaṃti sadā śivam|| ārārtikāṃ sakarppūrāṃ ye kurvaṃti dinedine|| te prāpnuvaṃti sāyujyaṃ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

Those who ever worship Shiva with the incense of camphor and aloewood, and who perform the camphor-lit arati day after day, attain union with him — there is no need to doubt this.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.13.49)

एककालं द्विकालं वा त्रिकालं ये ह्यतंद्रिताः॥ लिंगार्चनं प्रकुर्वंति ते रुद्रा नात्र संशयः

ekakālaṃ dvikālaṃ vā trikālaṃ ye hyataṃdritāḥ|| liṃgārcanaṃ prakurvaṃti te rudrā nātra saṃśayaḥ

Those who, untiring, worship the linga once, twice, or three times a day are themselves none other than Rudra — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.13.50)

रुद्राक्षधारणं ये च कुर्वंति शिवपूजने॥ दाने तपसि तीर्थे च पर्वकाले ह्यतंद्रिताः॥ तेषां यत्सुकृतं सर्वमनंतं भवति द्विजाः

rudrākṣadhāraṇaṃ ye ca kurvaṃti śivapūjane|| dāne tapasi tīrthe ca parvakāle hyataṃdritāḥ|| teṣāṃ yatsukṛtaṃ sarvamanaṃtaṃ bhavati dvijāḥ

Those who wear the rudraksha in Shiva-worship, and remain tireless in giving, in austerity, in pilgrimage and on sacred occasions — O brahmins, all their merit becomes boundless.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.13.51)

रुद्राक्षा ये शिवेनोक्तास्ताच्छृणुध्वं द्विजोत्तमाः॥ आरम्भैकमुखं तावद्याबद्वक्त्राणि षोडश॥ एतेषां द्वौ च विज्ञेयौ श्रेष्ठौ तारयितुं द्विजाः

rudrākṣā ye śivenoktāstācchṛṇudhvaṃ dvijottamāḥ|| ārambhaikamukhaṃ tāvadyābadvaktrāṇi ṣoḍaśa|| eteṣāṃ dvau ca vijñeyau śreṣṭhau tārayituṃ dvijāḥ

Listen, O best of brahmins, to the rudrakshas spoken of by Shiva — from one face up to sixteen faces they exist; two among these should be known as supreme in their power to save.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.13.52)

रुद्राक्षाणां पंचमुखखस्तथा चैकमुखः स्मृतः॥ ये धारयंत्येकमुखं रुद्राक्षमनिशं नराः॥ रुद्रलोकं च गच्छंति मोदन्ते रुद्रसंनिधौ

rudrākṣāṇāṃ paṃcamukhakhastathā caikamukhaḥ smṛtaḥ|| ye dhārayaṃtyekamukhaṃ rudrākṣamaniśaṃ narāḥ|| rudralokaṃ ca gacchaṃti modante rudrasaṃnidhau

Among rudrakshas the five-faced and the one-faced are especially remembered; men who constantly wear the one-faced rudraksha go to Rudra's world, and rejoice in Rudra's presence.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.13.53)

जपस्तपः क्रिया योगः स्नानं दानार्चनादिकम्॥ क्रियते यच्छृभं कर्म्म ह्यनंतं चाक्षधारणात्

japastapaḥ kriyā yogaḥ snānaṃ dānārcanādikam|| kriyate yacchṛbhaṃ karmma hyanaṃtaṃ cākṣadhāraṇāt

Whatever auspicious act one performs — japa, tapas, ritual, yoga, bathing, giving, or worship — becomes boundless in its fruit through the wearing of the rudraksha.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.13.54)

शुनः कंठनिबद्धोऽपि रुद्राक्षो यदि वर्तते॥ सोऽपि संतारितस्तेन नात्र कार्या विचारणा

śunaḥ kaṃṭhanibaddho'pi rudrākṣo yadi vartate|| so'pi saṃtāritastena nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

Even if a rudraksha is tied about the neck of a dog, that creature too is delivered by it — there is no need to question this.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.13.55)

तथा रुद्राक्षसंबंधात्पापमपिक्षयं व्रजेत्॥ एवं ज्ञात्वा शुभं कर्म कार्यं रुद्राक्षबंधनात्

tathā rudrākṣasaṃbaṃdhātpāpamapikṣayaṃ vrajet|| evaṃ jñātvā śubhaṃ karma kāryaṃ rudrākṣabaṃdhanāt

In the same way, mere contact with a rudraksha destroys sin; knowing this, one should perform the auspicious act of wearing one.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.13.56)

त्रिपुण्ड्रधारणं येषां विभूत्वा मन्त्रपूतया॥ ते रुद्रलोके रुद्राश्च भविष्यंति न संशयः

tripuṇḍradhāraṇaṃ yeṣāṃ vibhūtvā mantrapūtayā|| te rudraloke rudrāśca bhaviṣyaṃti na saṃśayaḥ

Those who wear the triple horizontal mark of holy ash, purified by mantra, become, without doubt, themselves Rudras in Rudra's world.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.13.57)

कपिलायाश्च संगृह्य गोमयं चांतरिक्षगम्॥ शुष्कं कृत्वाथ संदाह्यं विभूत्यर्थं शिवप्रियैः

kapilāyāśca saṃgṛhya gomayaṃ cāṃtarikṣagam|| śuṣkaṃ kṛtvātha saṃdāhyaṃ vibhūtyarthaṃ śivapriyaiḥ

By taking the dung of a tawny cow — caught in mid-air before it touches the ground — drying it, and burning it, Shiva's devotees prepare the sacred ash.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.13.58)

विभूतीति समाख्याता सर्वपापप्रणाशिनी॥ ललाटेंऽगुष्ठरेखा च आदौ भाव्या प्रयत्नतः

vibhūtīti samākhyātā sarvapāpapraṇāśinī|| lalāṭeṃ'guṣṭharekhā ca ādau bhāvyā prayatnataḥ

This is called vibhuti, the destroyer of every sin; on the forehead, the mark made with the thumb should first be drawn with care.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.13.59)

मध्यमां वर्जयित्वा तु अंगुलीक्द्वयेन च॥ एवं त्रिरेखासंयुक्तो ललाटे यस्य दृश्यते॥ स शैवः शिववज्ज्ञेयो दर्शनात्पापनाशनः

madhyamāṃ varjayitvā tu aṃgulīkdvayena ca|| evaṃ trirekhāsaṃyukto lalāṭe yasya dṛśyate|| sa śaivaḥ śivavajjñeyo darśanātpāpanāśanaḥ

Leaving aside the middle finger, one should draw three lines with the remaining two fingers; one on whose forehead three such lines appear is a Shaiva, and should be known as Shiva's very equal, destroying sin by the mere sight of him.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.13.60)

जटाधराश्च ये शैवाः सप्त पंच तथा नव॥ जटा ये स्थापियिष्यंति शैवेन विधिना युताः

jaṭādharāśca ye śaivāḥ sapta paṃca tathā nava|| jaṭā ye sthāpiyiṣyaṃti śaivena vidhinā yutāḥ

Those Shaivas who wear matted locks — seven, five, or nine — and who arrange them according to the Shaiva rule —

Verse 61 (skanda.1.13.61)

ते शिवं प्राप्नुवं तीह नात्र कार्या विचारणा॥ रुद्राक्षधारणं कार्यं शिवभक्तैर्विशेषतः

te śivaṃ prāpnuvaṃ tīha nātra kāryā vicāraṇā|| rudrākṣadhāraṇaṃ kāryaṃ śivabhaktairviśeṣataḥ

they certainly attain Shiva, and there is no need to question this; Shiva's devotees should wear the rudraksha in particular.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.13.62)

अल्पेन वा महत्त्वेन पूजितो वा सदाशिवः॥ कुलकोटिं समुद्धृत्य शिवेन सह मोदते

alpena vā mahattvena pūjito vā sadāśivaḥ|| kulakoṭiṃ samuddhṛtya śivena saha modate

Whether worshipped with little or with much, Sadashiva lifts up a crore of one's generations, and rejoices together with them in himself.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.13.63)

तस्माच्छिवात्परतरं नास्ति किंचिद्द्विजोत्तमाः॥ यदैवमुच्यते शास्त्रे तत्सर्वं शिवकारणम्

tasmācchivātparataraṃ nāsti kiṃciddvijottamāḥ|| yadaivamucyate śāstre tatsarvaṃ śivakāraṇam

Therefore, O best of brahmins, there is nothing higher than Shiva; whatever is spoken of in scripture has Shiva alone as its ultimate source.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.13.64)

शिवो दाता हि लोकानां कर्ता चैवानुमोदिता॥ शिवशक्त्यात्मकं विश्वं जानीध्वं हि द्विजोत्तमाः

śivo dātā hi lokānāṃ kartā caivānumoditā|| śivaśaktyātmakaṃ viśvaṃ jānīdhvaṃ hi dvijottamāḥ

Shiva alone is the giver, the maker and the sanctioner of all the worlds; know, O best of brahmins, that this entire universe is the very form of Shiva and his Shakti.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.13.65)

शिवेति द्व्यक्षरं नाम त्रायते महतो भयात्॥ तस्माच्छिवश्चिंत्यतां वै स्मर्यतां च द्विजोत्तमाः

śiveti dvyakṣaraṃ nāma trāyate mahato bhayāt|| tasmācchivaściṃtyatāṃ vai smaryatāṃ ca dvijottamāḥ

The two-syllabled name "Shiva" saves one even from the greatest terror; therefore, O best of brahmins, let Shiva alone be contemplated and remembered.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.13.66)

॥ऋषय ऊचुः॥ सोमनाथस्य माहात्म्यं ज्ञातं तस्य प्रसादतः॥ राहोः शिरोभयात्सर्वे रक्षिताः परमेष्ठिना

||ṛṣaya ūcuḥ|| somanāthasya māhātmyaṃ jñātaṃ tasya prasādataḥ|| rāhoḥ śirobhayātsarve rakṣitāḥ parameṣṭhinā

The sages said: We have thus come to know the glory of Somanatha — that by his very grace all were saved from the terror of Rahu's severed head.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.13.67)

सुराश्चेंद्रादयश्चान्ये तस्मिन्युद्धे सुदारुणे॥ अत ऊर्ध्वं सुराः सर्वे किमकुर्वत उच्यताम्

surāśceṃdrādayaścānye tasminyuddhe sudāruṇe|| ata ūrdhvaṃ surāḥ sarve kimakurvata ucyatām

Tell us now what Indra and the other gods did further, after that most terrible battle.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.13.68)

शिवस्य महिमा सर्वः श्रुतस्तव मुखोद्गतः॥ अथ युद्धस्य वृत्तान्तः कथ्यतां परमार्थतः

śivasya mahimā sarvaḥ śrutastava mukhodgataḥ|| atha yuddhasya vṛttāntaḥ kathyatāṃ paramārthataḥ

We have heard the entire glory of Shiva from your own lips; now tell us, in its true nature, the story of that battle as well.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.13.69)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ यदा हि दैत्यैश्च पराजिताः सुराः शम्भुं च सर्वे शरणं प्रपन्नाः॥ शिवं प्रणेमुः सहसा सुरोत्तमा युद्धाय सर्वे च मनो दधुस्तदा

||lomaśa uvāca|| yadā hi daityaiśca parājitāḥ surāḥ śambhuṃ ca sarve śaraṇaṃ prapannāḥ|| śivaṃ praṇemuḥ sahasā surottamā yuddhāya sarve ca mano dadhustadā

Lomasha said: When, defeated by the daityas, all the gods took refuge in Shambhu, those foremost of the gods bowed to Shiva at once, and all of them then resolved once more upon battle.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.13.70)

तथैव दैत्या अपि युध्यमाना उत्साहयुक्तातिबलाश्च सर्वे॥ देवैः समेताश्च पुनः पुनश्च युद्धं प्रचक्रुः परमास्त्रयुक्ताः

tathaiva daityā api yudhyamānā utsāhayuktātibalāśca sarve|| devaiḥ sametāśca punaḥ punaśca yuddhaṃ pracakruḥ paramāstrayuktāḥ

The daityas, too, filled with zeal and boundless strength, continued to fight; matching the gods, they waged war again and again with their supreme weapons.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.13.71)

एवं च सर्वे ह्यसुराः सुराश्च शक्त्यृष्टिशूलैः परिघैः परश्वधैः॥ जयार्थिनोमर्षयुताः परस्परं सिंहा यथा हैमवतीं दुरात्ययाः॥ निहन्यमाना ह्यसुराः सुरैस्तदा नानास्त्रयोगैः परमैर्निपेतुः

evaṃ ca sarve hyasurāḥ surāśca śaktyṛṣṭiśūlaiḥ parighaiḥ paraśvadhaiḥ|| jayārthinomarṣayutāḥ parasparaṃ siṃhā yathā haimavatīṃ durātyayāḥ|| nihanyamānā hyasurāḥ suraistadā nānāstrayogaiḥ paramairnipetuḥ

Thus all the asuras and suras, wielding lances, javelins, tridents, iron clubs and axes, fell upon one another in fury, each seeking victory, like unassailable lions upon the Himalaya; struck down by the gods, the asuras began to fall beneath the blows of countless divine weapons.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.13.72)

चक्रुस्ते सकलामुर्वी मांसशोणितकर्दमाम्॥ महीं वृक्षाद्रिसंयुक्तां ससागरवनाकराम्

cakruste sakalāmurvī māṃsaśoṇitakardamām|| mahīṃ vṛkṣādrisaṃyuktāṃ sasāgaravanākarām

They turned the whole earth into a mire of flesh and blood — the entire land, with its trees, mountains, oceans and forests.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.13.73)

शिरांसि च कबन्धानि कवचानि महांति च॥ ध्वजारथाः पताकाश्च गजवाजिशिरांसि च

śirāṃsi ca kabandhāni kavacāni mahāṃti ca|| dhvajārathāḥ patākāśca gajavājiśirāṃsi ca

Heads, headless trunks, massive armour, banner-bearing chariots, flags, and the severed heads of elephants and horses lay scattered there.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.13.74)

बहन्त्यश्चापगा ह्यासन्नद्यो भीरुभयावहाः॥ अगाधाः शोणितोदाश्च तरंतो ब्रह्मराक्षसाः॥ तयंति परान्भूतप्रतप्रमथराक्षसान्

bahantyaścāpagā hyāsannadyo bhīrubhayāvahāḥ|| agādhāḥ śoṇitodāśca taraṃto brahmarākṣasāḥ|| tayaṃti parānbhūtapratapramatharākṣasān

Rivers of blood flowed, unfathomable and terrifying, striking fear in the timid; swimming across those bloody streams, the brahmarakshasas crossed over and set upon other bhutas, pramathas and rakshasas.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.13.75)

शाकिनीडाकिनीसंघा यक्षिण्योऽथ सहस्रशः॥ नानाकेलिषु संयुक्ताः परस्परमुदान्विताः

śākinīḍākinīsaṃghā yakṣiṇyo'tha sahasraśaḥ|| nānākeliṣu saṃyuktāḥ parasparamudānvitāḥ

Hosts of shakinis, dakinis, and yakshinis by the thousand revelled there together in their manifold sport.

Verse 76 (skanda.1.13.76)

एवं संक्रीडमानास्ते भूतप्रमथराक्षसाः॥ रणे तस्मिन्महारौद्रे देवासुरसमागमे

evaṃ saṃkrīḍamānāste bhūtapramatharākṣasāḥ|| raṇe tasminmahāraudre devāsurasamāgame

Thus the bhutas, pramathas and rakshasas continued their sport amid that most terrible battle between gods and demons.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.13.77)

बलिना सह देवेन्द्रो युयुधेऽद्भुतविक्रमः॥ शक्त्या जघान देवेंद्रं वैरोचनिरमर्षणः

balinā saha devendro yuyudhe'dbhutavikramaḥ|| śaktyā jaghāna deveṃdraṃ vairocaniramarṣaṇaḥ

The wondrously valiant Devendra fought with Bali; the enraged son of Virochana struck at Devendra with his lance.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.13.78)

तां शक्तिं वञ्चयामास महेन्द्रो लघुविक्रमः॥ जघान स बलिं यत्नाद्दैत्येंद्रं परमेण हि

tāṃ śaktiṃ vañcayāmāsa mahendro laghuvikramaḥ|| jaghāna sa baliṃ yatnāddaityeṃdraṃ parameṇa hi

Swift and nimble in his prowess, Mahendra dodged that lance; and then, with utmost effort, he struck the lord of the daityas, Bali, with a supreme blow.

Verse 79 (skanda.1.13.79)

वज्रेण शितधारेण बाहुं चिच्छेद विक्रमी॥ गातासुरपतद्भूमौ विमानात्सूर्यसंन्निभात्

vajreṇa śitadhāreṇa bāhuṃ ciccheda vikramī|| gātāsurapatadbhūmau vimānātsūryasaṃnnibhāt

With his keen-edged thunderbolt that mighty one severed Bali's arm; and the maimed asura fell from his sun-bright chariot to the earth.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.13.80)

पतितं च बलिं दृष्ट्वा वृषपर्वा रूपान्वितः॥ ववर्ष शरधाराभिः पयोद इव पर्वतम्

patitaṃ ca baliṃ dṛṣṭvā vṛṣaparvā rūpānvitaḥ|| vavarṣa śaradhārābhiḥ payoda iva parvatam

Seeing Bali fallen thus, the handsome Vrishaparva rained down a shower of arrows upon Mahendra and his elephant, as a cloud rains upon a mountain.

Verse 81 (skanda.1.13.81)

महेंद्रं सगजं चैव सहमानं शिताञ्छरान्॥ तदा युद्धमभूद्वोरं महेन्द्रवृषपर्वणोः

maheṃdraṃ sagajaṃ caiva sahamānaṃ śitāñcharān|| tadā yuddhamabhūdvoraṃ mahendravṛṣaparvaṇoḥ

Enduring that hail of sharp arrows along with his elephant, Mahendra and Vrishaparva fought a terrible battle.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.13.82)

निपात्य वृषपर्वाणमिंद्रः परबलार्दनः

nipātya vṛṣaparvāṇamiṃdraḥ parabalārdanaḥ

Indra, destroyer of hostile armies, then struck Vrishaparva down.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.13.83)

ततो वज्रेण महता दानवानवधीद्रणे॥ शिरसि च्छेदिताः केचित्केचित्कंधरतो हताः

tato vajreṇa mahatā dānavānavadhīdraṇe|| śirasi ccheditāḥ kecitkecitkaṃdharato hatāḥ

Then with that mighty thunderbolt he slew many danavas in that battle; some had their heads severed, others were struck upon the neck.

Verse 84 (skanda.1.13.84)

विह्वलाश्च कृताः केचिदिंद्रेण कुपितेन च॥ तथा यमेन निहता वायुना वरुणेन च

vihvalāśca kṛtāḥ kecidiṃdreṇa kupitena ca|| tathā yamena nihatā vāyunā varuṇena ca

Some were left reeling by the wrathful Indra, while others were slain by Yama, by Vayu and by Varuna.

Verse 85 (skanda.1.13.85)

कुबेरेण हताश्चान्ये नैर्ऋतेन तथा परे॥ अग्निना निहताः केचिदीशेनैव विदारिताः

kubereṇa hatāścānye nairṛtena tathā pare|| agninā nihatāḥ kecidīśenaiva vidāritāḥ

Some were slain by Kubera, others by Nairrita; some were destroyed by Agni, and some torn apart by Isha himself.

Verse 86 (skanda.1.13.86)

एवं तदा तैर्निहता बलीयसो महासुरा विक्रमशानिनश्च॥ सुरैस्तु सर्वैः सह लोकपालैः शिवप्रसादा भिहतास्तदानीम्

evaṃ tadā tairnihatā balīyaso mahāsurā vikramaśāninaśca|| suraistu sarvaiḥ saha lokapālaiḥ śivaprasādā bhihatāstadānīm

Thus those mighty asuras, proud of their strength and prowess, were struck down at that time by all the gods together with the guardians of the quarters, through Shiva's own grace.

Verse 87 (skanda.1.13.87)

ततो महादैत्यवरो दुरात्मा स कलानेमिः परमास्त्रयुक्तः॥ ययौ तदानीं सुरसत्तमांस्तान्हंतुं सदा क्रूरमतिः स एकः

tato mahādaityavaro durātmā sa kalānemiḥ paramāstrayuktaḥ|| yayau tadānīṃ surasattamāṃstānhaṃtuṃ sadā krūramatiḥ sa ekaḥ

Then the evil-minded, mightiest of the daityas, Kalanemi, armed with supreme weapons, set out alone, ever cruel of mind, to slay those foremost gods.

Verse 88 (skanda.1.13.88)

सिंहारूढो दंशितश्च त्रिशुलेन हि संयुतः॥ दैत्यानामर्बुदेनैव सिंहारूढेन संवृतः

siṃhārūḍho daṃśitaśca triśulena hi saṃyutaḥ|| daityānāmarbudenaiva siṃhārūḍhena saṃvṛtaḥ

Mounted on a lion, clad in armour, armed with a trident, he was surrounded by crores of lion-mounted daitya warriors.

Verse 89 (skanda.1.13.89)

ते सिंहा दंशिताः सर्वे महाबलपराक्रमाः॥ तेषु सिंहेषु चारूढा महादैत्याश्च तत्समाः

te siṃhā daṃśitāḥ sarve mahābalaparākramāḥ|| teṣu siṃheṣu cārūḍhā mahādaityāśca tatsamāḥ

Those lions were all armoured and mighty; upon them rode great daityas, as valorous as Kalanemi himself.

Verse 90 (skanda.1.13.90)

आयांतीं दैत्यसेनां तां सर्वां सिंहविभूषिताम्॥ कालनेमियुतां दृष्ट्वा देवा इंद्रपुरोगमाः॥ भयमाजग्मुरतुलं तदा ध्यानपरा भवन्

āyāṃtīṃ daityasenāṃ tāṃ sarvāṃ siṃhavibhūṣitām|| kālanemiyutāṃ dṛṣṭvā devā iṃdrapurogamāḥ|| bhayamājagmuratulaṃ tadā dhyānaparā bhavan

Seeing that whole army of daityas approaching, adorned with lions and led by Kalanemi, the gods headed by Indra were seized with boundless fear and fell into silent contemplation.

Verse 91 (skanda.1.13.91)

किं कुर्मोऽद्य वयं सर्वे कथं जेष्याम चाद्भुतम्॥ एतादृशमसंख्याकमनीकं सिंहसंवृतम्

kiṃ kurmo'dya vayaṃ sarve kathaṃ jeṣyāma cādbhutam|| etādṛśamasaṃkhyākamanīkaṃ siṃhasaṃvṛtam

"What shall we all do now? How shall we ever conquer this wondrous, countless army, ringed about with lions?"

Verse 92 (skanda.1.13.92)

एवं विचिंत्यमानास्ते ह्यागतस्तत्र नारदः॥ नारदेन च तत्सर्वं पुरावृत्तं महत्तरम्

evaṃ viciṃtyamānāste hyāgatastatra nāradaḥ|| nāradena ca tatsarvaṃ purāvṛttaṃ mahattaram

While they sat lost in this thought, the sage Narada arrived there; and Narada told them all that ancient and most important account.

Verse 93 (skanda.1.13.93)

कथितं च महेंद्राय कालनेमेस्तपोबलम्॥ अजेयत्वं च संग्रामे वरदानबलेन तु

kathitaṃ ca maheṃdrāya kālanemestapobalam|| ajeyatvaṃ ca saṃgrāme varadānabalena tu

He told Mahendra of Kalanemi's power gained through austerity, and of his invincibility in battle, granted by a boon.

Verse 94 (skanda.1.13.94)

विष्णुं विना वयं देवा अशक्ता रणमंडले॥ जेतुं च स ततो विष्णुः स्मर्यतां परमेश्वरः॥ तमालनीलो वरदः सर्वैर्विजयकांक्षिभिः

viṣṇuṃ vinā vayaṃ devā aśaktā raṇamaṃḍale|| jetuṃ ca sa tato viṣṇuḥ smaryatāṃ parameśvaraḥ|| tamālanīlo varadaḥ sarvairvijayakāṃkṣibhiḥ

"Without Vishnu, we gods are powerless to conquer him on the field of battle; therefore let all who desire victory call to mind that supreme lord Vishnu, dark as the tamala tree, the giver of boons."

Verse 95 (skanda.1.13.95)

नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा तदा देवास्त्वरान्विताः॥ ध्यानेन च महाविष्णुं ततः परबलार्द्दनम्॥ स्मरंतः परमात्मानमिदमूचुश्च तं विभुम्

nāradasya vacaḥ śrutvā tadā devāstvarānvitāḥ|| dhyānena ca mahāviṣṇuṃ tataḥ parabalārddanam|| smaraṃtaḥ paramātmānamidamūcuśca taṃ vibhum

Hearing Narada's words, the gods grew swift to act; meditating on Mahavishnu, destroyer of hostile hosts, and calling that Supreme Self to mind, they spoke thus to that lord —

Verse 96 (skanda.1.13.96)

॥ देवा ऊचुः॥ नमस्तुभ्यं भगवते नमस्ते विश्वमंगलम्॥ श्रीनिवास नमस्तुभ्यं श्रीपते ते नमोनमः

|| devā ūcuḥ|| namastubhyaṃ bhagavate namaste viśvamaṃgalam|| śrīnivāsa namastubhyaṃ śrīpate te namonamaḥ

The gods said: "Salutation to you, O Lord; salutation to you, auspicious form of the universe; salutation to you, O Shrinivasa; again and again, salutation to you, O Lord of Shri."

Verse 97 (skanda.1.13.97)

अद्यास्मान्भयभीतांस्त्वं कालनेमिभयार्दितान्॥ त्रातुमर्हसि दैत्याच्च देवानामभयप्रद

adyāsmānbhayabhītāṃstvaṃ kālanemibhayārditān|| trātumarhasi daityācca devānāmabhayaprada

"Today, terrified and afflicted by fear of Kalanemi, we deserve your protection from this demon — O you who grant the gods freedom from fear."

Verse 98 (skanda.1.13.98)

एवं ध्यातः संस्मृतश्च प्रादुर्भूतो हरिस्तदा॥ नीलो गरुडमारुह्य जगतामभयप्रदः

evaṃ dhyātaḥ saṃsmṛtaśca prādurbhūto haristadā|| nīlo garuḍamāruhya jagatāmabhayapradaḥ

Thus meditated upon and remembered, Hari appeared there at once; dark-hued, mounted on Garuda, the giver of fearlessness to all the worlds.

Verse 99 (skanda.1.13.99)

चक्रपाणिस्तदायातो देवानां विजयाय च॥ गगनस्थं महाविष्णुं गरुडोपरि संस्थितम्॥ श्रीवासमेनं दुर्द्धर्षं योद्धुकामं ददर्शिरे

cakrapāṇistadāyāto devānāṃ vijayāya ca|| gaganasthaṃ mahāviṣṇuṃ garuḍopari saṃsthitam|| śrīvāsamenaṃ durddharṣaṃ yoddhukāmaṃ dadarśire

The wielder of the discus arrived there for the gods' victory; all beheld Mahavishnu, unassailable, seated on Garuda in the sky, come there eager for battle.

Verse 100 (skanda.1.13.100)

तथा दृष्ट्वा कालनेमिस्तदानीं प्रहस्यमानोऽतिरुषा बलान्वितः॥ कस्त्वं महाभाग वरेण्यरूपः श्यामो युवा वारणमत्तविक्रमः॥ करे गृहीतं निशितं महाप्रभं चक्रं च कस्मात्कथयस्व मे प्रभो

tathā dṛṣṭvā kālanemistadānīṃ prahasyamāno'tiruṣā balānvitaḥ|| kastvaṃ mahābhāga vareṇyarūpaḥ śyāmo yuvā vāraṇamattavikramaḥ|| kare gṛhītaṃ niśitaṃ mahāprabhaṃ cakraṃ ca kasmātkathayasva me prabho

Seeing this, Kalanemi, filled with fury and might, laughed and said: "Who are you, O most fortunate one, of most excellent form, dark and youthful, mighty as a maddened elephant? Tell me, O lord, why you bear in your hand that keen, most powerful discus."

Verse 101 (skanda.1.13.101)

॥श्रीभगवानुवाच॥ युद्धार्थमिह चायातो देवानां कार्यसिद्धये॥ त्वं स्थिरो भव रे मंद दहाम्यद्य न संशयः

||śrībhagavānuvāca|| yuddhārthamiha cāyāto devānāṃ kāryasiddhaye|| tvaṃ sthiro bhava re maṃda dahāmyadya na saṃśayaḥ

The blessed Lord said: "I have come here to do battle, for the fulfilment of the gods' purpose; stand firm, O dull-witted one — today, without doubt, I shall burn you to ashes."

Verse 102 (skanda.1.13.102)

श्रुत्वा भगवतो वाक्यं कालनेमिः प्रतापवान्॥ उवाच रुषितो भूत्वा भगवंतमधोक्षजम्

śrutvā bhagavato vākyaṃ kālanemiḥ pratāpavān|| uvāca ruṣito bhūtvā bhagavaṃtamadhokṣajam

Hearing the Lord's words, the mighty Kalanemi, filled with rage, spoke to the blessed Adhokshaja —

Verse 103 (skanda.1.13.103)

मूलभूतो हि देवानां भगवान्युद्धदुर्मदः॥ युद्धं कुरु मया सार्द्धं यदि शूरोऽसि संप्रति

mūlabhūto hi devānāṃ bhagavānyuddhadurmadaḥ|| yuddhaṃ kuru mayā sārddhaṃ yadi śūro'si saṃprati

"Being the very root and support of the gods, are you so reckless in battle? If you are truly a hero, then fight with me here and now."

Verse 104 (skanda.1.13.104)

प्रहस्य भगवान्विष्णुरुवाचेदं महाप्रभः॥ गगनस्थो भव त्वं हि महीस्थोऽहं भवामि वै

prahasya bhagavānviṣṇuruvācedaṃ mahāprabhaḥ|| gaganastho bhava tvaṃ hi mahīstho'haṃ bhavāmi vai

The most glorious lord Vishnu smiled and said: "Remain you in the sky; I shall stand upon the earth."

Verse 105 (skanda.1.13.105)

अप्रशस्तं च विषमं युद्धं चैव यथा भवेत्॥ तथा कुरु महाबाहो गगनो वा महीतले

apraśastaṃ ca viṣamaṃ yuddhaṃ caiva yathā bhavet|| tathā kuru mahābāho gagano vā mahītale

"Do, O mighty-armed one, whatever will make this battle neither unfair nor unequal — whether in the sky or on the earth."

Verse 106 (skanda.1.13.106)

तथेति मत्वा हि महानुभावो दैत्यैः समेतोऽर्बुदसंख्यकैश्च॥ सिंहोपरिस्थैश्च महानुभावैर्महाबलैः क्रूरतरैस्तदानीम्

tatheti matvā hi mahānubhāvo daityaiḥ sameto'rbudasaṃkhyakaiśca|| siṃhoparisthaiśca mahānubhāvairmahābalaiḥ krūrataraistadānīm

Accepting this with "so be it," that most powerful daitya, together with crores of daityas and mighty, exceedingly cruel warriors mounted on lions —

Verse 107 (skanda.1.13.107)

गगनमथ जगाहे मंदमंदं महात्मा ह्यसुरगणसमेतो विश्वरूपं जिघांसुः॥ त्रिशिखमपरमुग्रं गृह्य संदेशचेष्टादशनविकृतवक्त्रो योद्धुकामो हरिं सः

gaganamatha jagāhe maṃdamaṃdaṃ mahātmā hyasuragaṇasameto viśvarūpaṃ jighāṃsuḥ|| triśikhamaparamugraṃ gṛhya saṃdeśaceṣṭādaśanavikṛtavaktro yoddhukāmo hariṃ saḥ

then slowly entered the sky, that great-souled one, together with his host of asuras, bent on destroying the Universal Form; grasping a terrible trident, his face contorted, grinding his teeth in fierce intent, he was eager to do battle with Hari.