The Battle of the Gods and Taraka

Verse 1 (skanda.1.29.1)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ उभे सेने तदा तेषां सुराणां चामरद्विषाम्॥ अनेकाश्चर्यसंवीते चतुरंगबलान्विते॥ विरेजतुस्तदान्योऽन्यं गर्जतो वांबुदागमे

||lomaśa uvāca|| ubhe sene tadā teṣāṃ surāṇāṃ cāmaradviṣām|| anekāścaryasaṃvīte caturaṃgabalānvite|| virejatustadānyo'nyaṃ garjato vāṃbudāgame

Lomasha said: Then those two armies, of the gods and of their foes the daityas, filled with countless marvels and possessed of the four-fold force, shone gloriously against each other, roaring like clouds at the coming of the rains.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.29.2)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र वल्गमानाः परस्परम्॥ देवासुरास्तदा सर्वे युयुधुश्च महाबलाः

etasminnantare tatra valgamānāḥ parasparam|| devāsurāstadā sarve yuyudhuśca mahābalāḥ

Meanwhile, leaping against one another, all the gods and asuras, mighty in strength, then joined battle.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.29.3)

युद्धं सुतुमुलं ह्यासीद्देवदैत्यसमाकुलम्॥ रुण्डमुण्डांकितं सर्वं क्षणेन समपद्यत

yuddhaṃ sutumulaṃ hyāsīddevadaityasamākulam|| ruṇḍamuṇḍāṃkitaṃ sarvaṃ kṣaṇena samapadyata

A most tumultuous battle arose, thronged with gods and daityas; in a moment the whole field became strewn with headless trunks and severed heads.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.29.4)

भूमौ निपतितास्तत्र शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः॥ केषांचिद्बाहविश्छिन्नाः खड्गपातैः सुदारुणैः

bhūmau nipatitāstatra śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ|| keṣāṃcidbāhaviśchinnāḥ khaḍgapātaiḥ sudāruṇaiḥ

There, by the hundreds and by the thousands, warriors fell upon the ground; of some, the arms were severed by the terrible strokes of swords.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.29.5)

मुचुकुंदो हि बलवांस्त्रैलोक्येऽमितविक्रमः

mucukuṃdo hi balavāṃstrailokye'mitavikramaḥ

Muchukunda indeed was mighty, of measureless valour in all the three worlds.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.29.6)

तारको हि तदा तेन मुचुकुंदेन धीमता॥ खड्गेन चाहतास्तत्र सर्वप्राणेन वक्षसि॥ प्रसह्य तत्प्रहारं च प्रहसन्वाक्यमब्रवीत्

tārako hi tadā tena mucukuṃdena dhīmatā|| khaḍgena cāhatāstatra sarvaprāṇena vakṣasi|| prasahya tatprahāraṃ ca prahasanvākyamabravīt

Then Taraka was struck upon the chest, with all his might, by the wise Muchukunda's sword; enduring that blow, he laughed and spoke these words:

Verse 7 (skanda.1.29.7)

किं रे मूढ त्वया चाद्य कृतमस्ति बलादिदम्॥ न त्वया योद्धुमिच्छामि मानुषेणैव लज्जया

kiṃ re mūḍha tvayā cādya kṛtamasti balādidam|| na tvayā yoddhumicchāmi mānuṣeṇaiva lajjayā

'What is this, O fool, that you have done today by force? I do not wish to fight with you, a mere man — I feel shame at it alone.'

Verse 8 (skanda.1.29.8)

तारकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा मुचुकुंदोऽभ्यभाषत॥ मया हतोऽसि दैत्येंद्र नान्यो भवितुमर्हसि

tārakasya vacaḥ śrutvā mucukuṃdo'bhyabhāṣata|| mayā hato'si daityeṃdra nānyo bhavitumarhasi

Hearing Taraka's words, Muchukunda replied: 'You are already slain by me, O lord of daityas; you deserve to be no other than that.'

Verse 9 (skanda.1.29.9)

दृष्ट्वा मे खड्गसंपातं न त्वं तिष्ठसि चाग्रतः॥ त्वां हन्मि पश्य मे शौर्यं दैत्यराज स्थिरो भव

dṛṣṭvā me khaḍgasaṃpātaṃ na tvaṃ tiṣṭhasi cāgrataḥ|| tvāṃ hanmi paśya me śauryaṃ daityarāja sthiro bhava

'Seeing my sword-stroke, you will not be able to stand before me; I shall slay you — behold my valour, O king of the daityas; stand firm.'

Verse 10 (skanda.1.29.10)

एवमुक्त्वा तदा वीरो मुचुकुंदो महाबलः॥ यावज्जघान खड्गेन तावच्छक्त्या समाहतः॥ मांधातुस्तनयस्तत्र पपात रणमंडले

evamuktvā tadā vīro mucukuṃdo mahābalaḥ|| yāvajjaghāna khaḍgena tāvacchaktyā samāhataḥ|| māṃdhātustanayastatra papāta raṇamaṃḍale

Having spoken thus, the heroic and mighty Muchukunda, even as he struck with his sword, was struck in turn by a spear; and there Mandhata's son fell upon the battlefield.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.29.11)

पतितस्तत्क्षणादेव चोत्थितः परवीरहा

patitastatkṣaṇādeva cotthitaḥ paravīrahā

Yet no sooner had he fallen than that slayer of enemy heroes rose up again, that very instant.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.29.12)

स सज्जमानोतिमहाबलो वै हंतुं तदा दैत्यपतिं च तारकम्॥ ब्रह्मास्त्रमुद्यम्य धनुर्गृहीत्वा मांधातृपुत्रो भुवनैकजेता

sa sajjamānotimahābalo vai haṃtuṃ tadā daityapatiṃ ca tārakam|| brahmāstramudyamya dhanurgṛhītvā māṃdhātṛputro bhuvanaikajetā

That exceedingly mighty conqueror of the whole world, Mandhata's son, arming himself to slay the lord of the daityas, Taraka, took up his bow and raised the Brahmastra.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.29.13)

स तारकं योद्धकामस्तरस्वी रुषान्वितोत्फुल्लविलोचनो महान्॥ स नारदो ब्रह्मसुतो बभाषे तदा नृवीरं मुचुकुंदमेवम्

sa tārakaṃ yoddhakāmastarasvī ruṣānvitotphullavilocano mahān|| sa nārado brahmasuto babhāṣe tadā nṛvīraṃ mucukuṃdamevam

While that swift and mighty one, his eyes wide with fury, stood eager to fight Taraka, Narada, the son of Brahma, spoke thus to the warrior-king Muchukunda:

Verse 14 (skanda.1.29.14)

न तारको हन्यते मानुषेण तस्मादेतन्मा विमोचीर्महास्त्रम्

na tārako hanyate mānuṣeṇa tasmādetanmā vimocīrmahāstram

'Taraka cannot be slain by a mortal man; therefore do not release this mighty weapon.'

Verse 15 (skanda.1.29.15)

निशम्य वचनं तस्य देवर्षेर्नारदस्य च॥ मुचुकुंद उवाचेदं भविता कोऽस्य मारकः

niśamya vacanaṃ tasya devarṣernāradasya ca|| mucukuṃda uvācedaṃ bhavitā ko'sya mārakaḥ

Hearing these words of the divine sage Narada, Muchukunda spoke thus: 'Then who shall be his slayer?'

Verse 16 (skanda.1.29.16)

तदोवाच महातेजा नारदो दिव्यदर्शनः॥ एनं हंता कुमारश्च कुमारोऽयं शिवात्मजः

tadovāca mahātejā nārado divyadarśanaḥ|| enaṃ haṃtā kumāraśca kumāro'yaṃ śivātmajaḥ

Then the greatly radiant Narada, of divine vision, said: 'Kumara shall slay him — this Kumara, the very son of Shiva.'

Verse 17 (skanda.1.29.17)

तस्माद्भवद्भिः स्थातव्यमैकपद्येन युध्यताम्॥ तिष्ठ त्वं चायतो भूत्वा मुचुकुंद महामते

tasmādbhavadbhiḥ sthātavyamaikapadyena yudhyatām|| tiṣṭha tvaṃ cāyato bhūtvā mucukuṃda mahāmate

'Therefore you should stand aside while he fights alone; be composed and stand back, O wise Muchukunda.'

Verse 18 (skanda.1.29.18)

निशम्य वाक्यं च मनोहरं शुभं ह्युदीरितं तेन महाप्रभेण॥ सर्वे सुराः शांतिपरा बभूवुस्तेनैव साकं नृवरेणयत्नात्

niśamya vākyaṃ ca manoharaṃ śubhaṃ hyudīritaṃ tena mahāprabheṇa|| sarve surāḥ śāṃtiparā babhūvustenaiva sākaṃ nṛvareṇayatnāt

Hearing that pleasing and auspicious word spoken by that greatly radiant sage, all the gods, together with that best of men, grew calm through his effort.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.29.19)

ततो दुंदुभयो नेदुः शंखाश्च कृतनिश्चयाः॥ ताडिता विविधैर्वाद्यैः सुरासुरसमन्वितैः

tato duṃdubhayo neduḥ śaṃkhāśca kṛtaniścayāḥ|| tāḍitā vividhairvādyaiḥ surāsurasamanvitaiḥ

Then dundubhis resounded, and conches too, sounded by those now resolved for battle, along with various instruments played by both gods and asuras.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.29.20)

जगर्जुरसुरास्तत्र देवान्प्रति कृतोद्यमाः॥ शिवकोपोद्भवो वीरो वीरभद्रो रुषान्वितः

jagarjurasurāstatra devānprati kṛtodyamāḥ|| śivakopodbhavo vīro vīrabhadro ruṣānvitaḥ

There the asuras roared, having resolved to attack the gods; and the hero Virabhadra, born of Shiva's wrath, filled with fury,

Verse 21 (skanda.1.29.21)

गणैर्बहुभिरासाद्य तारकं च महाबलम्॥ मुचुकुंदं पृष्ठतः कृत्वा तथैव च सुरानपि

gaṇairbahubhirāsādya tārakaṃ ca mahābalam|| mucukuṃdaṃ pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā tathaiva ca surānapi

attacked mighty Taraka along with many of his ganas, placing Muchukunda, and the gods too, behind him.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.29.22)

तदा ते प्रमथाः सर्वे पुरस्कृत्य कुमारकम्॥ युयुधुः संयुगे तत्र वीरभद्रादयो गणाः

tadā te pramathāḥ sarve puraskṛtya kumārakam|| yuyudhuḥ saṃyuge tatra vīrabhadrādayo gaṇāḥ

Then all the ganas, headed by Virabhadra, placing the young Kumara before them, joined battle there.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.29.23)

त्रिशूलैर्ऋष्टिभिः पाशैः खड्गैः परशुपाट्टिशैः॥ निजघ्नुः समरेन्योन्यं सुरासुरविमर्द्दने

triśūlairṛṣṭibhiḥ pāśaiḥ khaḍgaiḥ paraśupāṭṭiśaiḥ|| nijaghnuḥ samarenyonyaṃ surāsuravimarddane

With tridents, spears, nooses, swords, axes and pattishas, they struck one another in that battle where gods and asuras clashed.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.29.24)

तारको वीरभद्रेण त्रिशूलेन हतो भृशम्॥ पपात सहसा तत्र क्षण मूर्छापरिप्लुतः

tārako vīrabhadreṇa triśūlena hato bhṛśam|| papāta sahasā tatra kṣaṇa mūrchāpariplutaḥ

Taraka was struck fiercely by Virabhadra's trident, and at once fell there, overcome by a moment's swoon.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.29.25)

उत्थाय च मुहूर्त्ताच्च तारको दैत्यपुंगवः॥ लब्धसंज्ञो बलाविष्टो वीरभद्रं जघान च

utthāya ca muhūrttācca tārako daityapuṃgavaḥ|| labdhasaṃjño balāviṣṭo vīrabhadraṃ jaghāna ca

But rising after a moment, that foremost of daityas, Taraka, regained consciousness and, filled with strength, struck at Virabhadra.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.29.26)

स शक्तिं च महातेजा वीरभद्रो हि तारकम्॥ त्रिशूलेन च घोरेण शिवस्यानुचरो बली

sa śaktiṃ ca mahātejā vīrabhadro hi tārakam|| triśūlena ca ghoreṇa śivasyānucaro balī

That greatly radiant and mighty attendant of Shiva, Virabhadra, then struck Taraka with his fearsome trident, in answer to the spear.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.29.27)

एवं संयुध्यमानौ तौ जघ्नतुश्चेतरेतरम्॥ द्वंद्वयुद्धं सुतुमुलं तयोर्जातं महात्मनोः

evaṃ saṃyudhyamānau tau jaghnatuścetaretaram|| dvaṃdvayuddhaṃ sutumulaṃ tayorjātaṃ mahātmanoḥ

Thus fighting, those two struck at each other; a most tumultuous single combat arose between those two great souls.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.29.28)

सुरास्तत्रैव समरे प्रेक्षकाह्यभवंस्तदा॥ तयोर्भेरीमृदंगाश्च पटहानकगोमुखाः

surāstatraiva samare prekṣakāhyabhavaṃstadā|| tayorbherīmṛdaṃgāśca paṭahānakagomukhāḥ

The gods there became mere onlookers of that battle; while for the two of them, bheris, mridangas, patahas, anakas and gomukhas sounded.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.29.29)

तथा डमरूनादेन व्याप्तमासीज्जगत्त्रयम्॥ तेन घोषेण महता युद्यमानौ महाबलौ

tathā ḍamarūnādena vyāptamāsījjagattrayam|| tena ghoṣeṇa mahatā yudyamānau mahābalau

The three worlds were filled with the sound of the damaru; and amid that mighty roar, the two mighty warriors continued to fight.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.29.30)

शुशुभातेऽतिसंरब्धौ प्रहारैर्जरीकृतौ॥ अन्योन्यमभिसंरब्धौ तौ बुधांगारकाविव

śuśubhāte'tisaṃrabdhau prahārairjarīkṛtau|| anyonyamabhisaṃrabdhau tau budhāṃgārakāviva

Furious, their bodies torn by blows, the two shone forth, raging at each other like Mercury and Mars.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.29.31)

नारदेन तदा ख्यातो वीरभद्रस्य तद्वधः॥ न रोचते च तद्वाक्यं वीरभद्रस्य वै तदा

nāradena tadā khyāto vīrabhadrasya tadvadhaḥ|| na rocate ca tadvākyaṃ vīrabhadrasya vai tadā

Then Narada made known that Taraka's death would not be by Virabhadra's hand; and that word did not please Virabhadra at all.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.29.32)

नारदेन यदुक्तं हि तारकस्य वधं प्रति॥ यथा रुद्रस्तथा सोऽपि वीरभद्रो महाबलः

nāradena yaduktaṃ hi tārakasya vadhaṃ prati|| yathā rudrastathā so'pi vīrabhadro mahābalaḥ

'What Narada has said regarding Taraka's slaying — but I, mighty Virabhadra, am no less than Rudra himself!'

Verse 33 (skanda.1.29.33)

एवं प्रयुध्यमानौ तौ जघ्नतुश्चेतरेतरम्॥ अन्योन्यं स्वर्द्धमानौ तौ गर्जंतौ सिंहयोरिव

evaṃ prayudhyamānau tau jaghnatuścetaretaram|| anyonyaṃ svarddhamānau tau garjaṃtau siṃhayoriva

Thus fighting on, those two continued to strike at each other, roaring against one another like two lions.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.29.34)

एवं तदा तौ भुवि युध्यमानौ महात्मना ज्ञानवतां वरेण॥ स वीरभद्रो हि तदा निवारितो वाक्यैरनेकैरथ नारदेन

evaṃ tadā tau bhuvi yudhyamānau mahātmanā jñānavatāṃ vareṇa|| sa vīrabhadro hi tadā nivārito vākyairanekairatha nāradena

While the two thus fought upon the earth, Virabhadra was then restrained by many words spoken by that great soul Narada, foremost among the wise.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.29.35)

तथा निशम्य तद्वाक्यं नारदस्य मुखोद्गतम्॥ वीरभद्रो रुषाविष्टो नारदं प्रत्युवाच ह

tathā niśamya tadvākyaṃ nāradasya mukhodgatam|| vīrabhadro ruṣāviṣṭo nāradaṃ pratyuvāca ha

Hearing those words that issued from Narada's mouth, Virabhadra, filled with fury, replied to Narada:

Verse 36 (skanda.1.29.36)

तारकं च वधिष्यामि पश्य मेऽद्य पराक्रमम्॥ आनयंति च ये वीराः स्वामिनं रणसंसदि॥ ते पापिनो ह्यधर्मिष्ठा विमृशंतिरणं गताः

tārakaṃ ca vadhiṣyāmi paśya me'dya parākramam|| ānayaṃti ca ye vīrāḥ svāminaṃ raṇasaṃsadi|| te pāpino hyadharmiṣṭhā vimṛśaṃtiraṇaṃ gatāḥ

'I myself shall slay Taraka — behold my valour today! Those warriors who bring their lord into the assembly of battle and yet stand deliberating once they enter the field are sinful and unrighteous.'

Verse 37 (skanda.1.29.37)

भीरवस्ते तु विज्ञेया न वाच्यास्ते कदाचन॥ त्वं न जानासि देवर्षे योधानां च प्रतिक्रियाम्

bhīravaste tu vijñeyā na vācyāste kadācana|| tvaṃ na jānāsi devarṣe yodhānāṃ ca pratikriyām

'Such men are to be known only as cowards; they should never be praised. O divine sage, you do not understand how warriors ought to respond.'

Verse 38 (skanda.1.29.38)

मृत्युं च पृष्ठतः कृत्वा रणभूमौ गतव्यथाः॥ शस्त्राशस्त्रैर्भिन्नगात्राः प्रशस्ता नात्र संशयः

mṛtyuṃ ca pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā raṇabhūmau gatavyathāḥ|| śastrāśastrairbhinnagātrāḥ praśastā nātra saṃśayaḥ

'Those who, putting death behind them, stand free of fear upon the battlefield, their bodies torn by weapon and missile — they alone are praiseworthy, of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 39 (skanda.1.29.39)

इत्युक्त्वा चावदद्देवान्वीरभद्रो महाबलः॥ श्रुण्वंतु मम वाक्यानि देवा इन्द्रपुरोगमाः

ityuktvā cāvadaddevānvīrabhadro mahābalaḥ|| śruṇvaṃtu mama vākyāni devā indrapurogamāḥ

Having said this, the mighty Virabhadra spoke further to the gods: 'Listen to my words, O gods, with Indra at your head.'

Verse 40 (skanda.1.29.40)

अतारकां महीं चाद्य करिष्ये नात्र संशयः

atārakāṃ mahīṃ cādya kariṣye nātra saṃśayaḥ

'This very day I shall make the earth free of Taraka — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 41 (skanda.1.29.41)

अथ त्रिशूलमादाय तारकेण युयोध सः॥ वृषारूढैरनेकैश्च त्रिशूलवरधारिभिः

atha triśūlamādāya tārakeṇa yuyodha saḥ|| vṛṣārūḍhairanekaiśca triśūlavaradhāribhiḥ

Then, taking up his trident, he fought against Taraka; and along with him fought many others, mounted on bulls and bearing fine tridents,

Verse 42 (skanda.1.29.42)

कपर्द्दिनो वृषांकाश्च गणास्तेतिप्रहारिणः॥ वीरभद्रं पुरस्कृत्य वीरभद्रपराक्रमाः

kaparddino vṛṣāṃkāśca gaṇāstetiprahāriṇaḥ|| vīrabhadraṃ puraskṛtya vīrabhadraparākramāḥ

— matted-haired, bull-bannered ganas, fierce in their blows, placing Virabhadra at their head, matching him in valour.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.29.43)

त्रिशूलधारिणः सर्वे सर्वे सर्पागभूषणाः॥ सचंद्रशेखराः सर्वे जटाजूटविभूषिताः

triśūladhāriṇaḥ sarve sarve sarpāgabhūṣaṇāḥ|| sacaṃdraśekharāḥ sarve jaṭājūṭavibhūṣitāḥ

All bore tridents, all were adorned with serpent ornaments, all wore the crescent moon upon their heads, adorned with matted locks.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.29.44)

निलकण्ठा दशभुजाः पञ्चकत्त्रास्त्रिलोचनाः॥ छत्रचामरसंवीताः सर्वे तेऽत्युग्रबाहवः

nilakaṇṭhā daśabhujāḥ pañcakattrāstrilocanāḥ|| chatracāmarasaṃvītāḥ sarve te'tyugrabāhavaḥ

Blue-throated, ten-armed, five-faced and three-eyed, shaded by parasols and fanned by chowries, all of them exceedingly fierce of arm.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.29.45)

वीरभद्रं पुरस्कृत्य सर्वे हरपराक्रमाः॥ युयुधुस्ते तदा दैत्यास्ताकासुरजीविनः

vīrabhadraṃ puraskṛtya sarve haraparākramāḥ|| yuyudhuste tadā daityāstākāsurajīvinaḥ

Placing Virabhadra at their head, all of them, equal to Hara in valour, fought then against the daityas who lived under Taraka's protection.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.29.46)

पुनः पुनस्तैश्च तदा बभूवुर्गणैर्जितास्ते ह्यसुराः पराङ्मुखाः॥ बभूव तेषां च तदातिसंगरो महाभयो दैत्यवरैस्तदानीम्

punaḥ punastaiśca tadā babhūvurgaṇairjitāste hyasurāḥ parāṅmukhāḥ|| babhūva teṣāṃ ca tadātisaṃgaro mahābhayo daityavaraistadānīm

Again and again, defeated by those ganas, the asuras turned their backs; and thus there arose a most terrible and dreadful combat with the foremost of the daityas.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.29.47)

अमृष्यमाणाः परमास्त्रकोविदैस्ततो गणास्ते जयिनो बभूवुः॥ गणैर्जितास्ते ह्यसुराः पराभवं तं तारकं ते व्यथिताः शशंसुः

amṛṣyamāṇāḥ paramāstrakovidaistato gaṇāste jayino babhūvuḥ|| gaṇairjitāste hyasurāḥ parābhavaṃ taṃ tārakaṃ te vyathitāḥ śaśaṃsuḥ

Unable to withstand the ganas, who were skilled in the highest weapons, the ganas grew victorious; and the asuras, defeated and distressed, reported their defeat to Taraka.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.29.48)

विनाम्य चापं हि तथा च तारकः स योद्धुकामः प्रविवेश सेनाम्॥ यथा झषो वै प्रविवेश सागरं तथा ह्यसौ दैत्यवरो महात्मा

vināmya cāpaṃ hi tathā ca tārakaḥ sa yoddhukāmaḥ praviveśa senām|| yathā jhaṣo vai praviveśa sāgaraṃ tathā hyasau daityavaro mahātmā

Then Taraka, bending his bow, eager for battle, entered the army, just as a fish enters the ocean — so did that great-souled foremost of daityas.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.29.49)

गणैः समेतो युयुधे तदानीं स वीरभद्रो हि महाबलश्च॥ सर्वान्सुरांश्चेंद्रमुखान्महाबलस्तथा गणान्यक्षपिशाचगुह्यकान्॥ स दैत्यवर्योऽतिरुषं प्रविष्टः संमर्दयामास महाबलो हि

gaṇaiḥ sameto yuyudhe tadānīṃ sa vīrabhadro hi mahābalaśca|| sarvānsurāṃśceṃdramukhānmahābalastathā gaṇānyakṣapiśācaguhyakān|| sa daityavaryo'tiruṣaṃ praviṣṭaḥ saṃmardayāmāsa mahābalo hi

Then mighty Virabhadra, together with his ganas, fought on; and that mighty foremost of daityas, entering in utter fury, began to crush all the gods headed by Indra, and the ganas, yakshas, pishachas and guhyakas alike.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.29.50)

ततः समभवद्युद्धं देवदानवसंकुलम्॥ देवदानवयक्षाणां सन्निपातकरं महत्

tataḥ samabhavadyuddhaṃ devadānavasaṃkulam|| devadānavayakṣāṇāṃ sannipātakaraṃ mahat

Then a great battle arose, thronged with gods and danavas, bringing about a mighty collision of gods, danavas and yakshas.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.29.51)

तथा वृषा गर्जमाना अश्वाञ्जघ्नुश्च सादिभिः॥ रथिभिश्च रथाञ्जघ्नुः कुंजरान्सादिभिः सह

tathā vṛṣā garjamānā aśvāñjaghnuśca sādibhiḥ|| rathibhiśca rathāñjaghnuḥ kuṃjarānsādibhiḥ saha

Bulls roared and struck down horses along with their riders; charioteers struck down chariots, and elephants together with their riders.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.29.52)

वृषारूढौः सरथैस्ते च सर्वे निष्पाटिता ह्यसुराः पोथिताश्च

vṛṣārūḍhauḥ sarathaiste ca sarve niṣpāṭitā hyasurāḥ pothitāśca

Those mounted on bulls, and those with their chariots — all the asuras were torn apart and crushed.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.29.53)

क्षयं प्रणीता बहवस्तदानीं पेतुः पृथिव्यां निहताश्च केचित्॥ केचित्प्रविष्टा हि रसातलं च पलायमाना बहवस्तथैव

kṣayaṃ praṇītā bahavastadānīṃ petuḥ pṛthivyāṃ nihatāśca kecit|| kecitpraviṣṭā hi rasātalaṃ ca palāyamānā bahavastathaiva

Many were then brought to destruction; some fell slain upon the earth; some fled and entered Rasatala below; and many others fled likewise.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.29.54)

केचिच्च शरणं प्राप्ता रुद्रानुचरकिंकरान्॥ एवं नष्टं तदा सैन्यं विलोक्यासुरपालकः॥ तारको हि रुषाविष्टो हंतुं देवगणान्ययौ

kecicca śaraṇaṃ prāptā rudrānucarakiṃkarān|| evaṃ naṣṭaṃ tadā sainyaṃ vilokyāsurapālakaḥ|| tārako hi ruṣāviṣṭo haṃtuṃ devagaṇānyayau

Some took refuge with Rudra's attendant servants. Seeing his army thus destroyed, the lord of the asuras, Taraka, filled with fury, advanced to slay the gods and their hosts.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.29.55)

भुजानामयुतं कृत्वा दैत्यराजो हि तारकः॥ आरुह्य सिंहं सहसा घातयामास तान्रणे

bhujānāmayutaṃ kṛtvā daityarājo hi tārakaḥ|| āruhya siṃhaṃ sahasā ghātayāmāsa tānraṇe

The daitya king Taraka, having assumed ten thousand arms, mounted his lion and at once began to slaughter them in battle.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.29.56)

दंशितेन च सिंहेन वृषाः केचिद्विदारिताः॥ तथैव तारकेणैव घातिता बहवो गणाः

daṃśitena ca siṃhena vṛṣāḥ kecidvidāritāḥ|| tathaiva tārakeṇaiva ghātitā bahavo gaṇāḥ

By that armoured lion some of the bulls were torn apart; and by Taraka himself many of the ganas were slain.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.29.57)

एवं कृतं तदा तेन तारकेण महात्मना॥ सर्वेषामेव देवानामशक्यस्तारको महान्

evaṃ kṛtaṃ tadā tena tārakeṇa mahātmanā|| sarveṣāmeva devānāmaśakyastārako mahān

Thus did that mighty-souled Taraka act; and mighty Taraka became one whom none of the gods together could withstand.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.29.58)

जातस्तदा महाबाहुस्त्रैलोक्यक्षयकारकः॥ तारकस्यानुगा दैत्या अजेया बलवत्तराः

jātastadā mahābāhustrailokyakṣayakārakaḥ|| tārakasyānugā daityā ajeyā balavattarāḥ

He became then a mighty-armed destroyer of the three worlds; and Taraka's own daitya followers grew unconquerable, ever more powerful.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.29.59)

महारूढा दंशिताश्च करालास्ते प्रहारिणः॥ तै राहृता गणाः सर्वे सिंहैश्च वृषभा हताः

mahārūḍhā daṃśitāśca karālāste prahāriṇaḥ|| tai rāhṛtā gaṇāḥ sarve siṃhaiśca vṛṣabhā hatāḥ

Mounted high and armoured, those fearsome warriors struck hard; by them all the ganas were carried off, and the bulls slain by lions.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.29.60)

एवं निहन्यमाना वै गणास्ते रणमण्डले॥ प्रहस्य विष्णुः प्रोवाच कुमारं शिववल्लभम्

evaṃ nihanyamānā vai gaṇāste raṇamaṇḍale|| prahasya viṣṇuḥ provāca kumāraṃ śivavallabham

As the ganas were thus being slaughtered on the field of battle, Vishnu, smiling, spoke to Kumara, the beloved of Shiva:

Verse 61 (skanda.1.29.61)

॥विष्णुरुवाच॥ नान्यो हंतास्य पापस्य त्वद्विना कृत्तिकासुत॥ तस्मात्त्वया हि कर्त्तव्यं वचनं च महाभुज

||viṣṇuruvāca|| nānyo haṃtāsya pāpasya tvadvinā kṛttikāsuta|| tasmāttvayā hi karttavyaṃ vacanaṃ ca mahābhuja

Vishnu said: 'O son of the Krittikas, there is no other slayer of this sinner but you; therefore, O mighty-armed one, this word must be fulfilled by you alone.'

Verse 62 (skanda.1.29.62)

तारकस्य वधार्थाय उत्पन्नोऽसि शिवात्मज॥ तस्मात्त्वयैव कर्त्तव्य निधनं तारकस्य च

tārakasya vadhārthāya utpanno'si śivātmaja|| tasmāttvayaiva karttavya nidhanaṃ tārakasya ca

'You were born, O son of Shiva, for the very purpose of slaying Taraka; therefore his destruction must be accomplished by you alone.'

Verse 63 (skanda.1.29.63)

तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान्क्रुद्धः पार्वतीनन्दनो महान्॥ उवाच प्रहसन्वाक्यं विष्णुं प्रति यथोचितम्

tacchrutvā bhagavānkruddhaḥ pārvatīnandano mahān|| uvāca prahasanvākyaṃ viṣṇuṃ prati yathocitam

Hearing this, the great lord, Parvati's son, though angered, smiled and spoke fitting words to Vishnu:

Verse 64 (skanda.1.29.64)

मया निरीक्ष्यते सम्यक्चित्रयुद्धं महात्मनाम्॥ अनिभिज्ञोऽस्म्यहं विष्णो कार्याकार्यविचारणे

mayā nirīkṣyate samyakcitrayuddhaṃ mahātmanām|| anibhijño'smyahaṃ viṣṇo kāryākāryavicāraṇe

'I have simply been watching the wondrous battle of these great souls; I confess, O Vishnu, that I count myself unversed in judging what should or should not be done here.'

Verse 65 (skanda.1.29.65)

केऽस्मदीयाः परे चैव न जानामि कथंचन॥ किमर्थं युध्यमाना वै परस्परवधे स्थिताः

ke'smadīyāḥ pare caiva na jānāmi kathaṃcana|| kimarthaṃ yudhyamānā vai parasparavadhe sthitāḥ

'Who are my own and who are others' — this I do not know at all; nor do I know for what reason they fight, resolved on each other's destruction.'

Verse 66 (skanda.1.29.66)

कुमारस्य वचः श्रुत्वा नारदो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

kumārasya vacaḥ śrutvā nārado vākyamabravīt

Hearing Kumara's words, Narada spoke thus:

Verse 67 (skanda.1.29.67)

॥नारद उवाच॥ कुमारोऽसि महाबाहो शंकरस्यांशसंभवः॥ त्वं त्राता जगतां स्वामी देवानां च परा गतिः

||nārada uvāca|| kumāro'si mahābāho śaṃkarasyāṃśasaṃbhavaḥ|| tvaṃ trātā jagatāṃ svāmī devānāṃ ca parā gatiḥ

Narada said: 'O mighty-armed one, you are Kumara, born of a portion of Shankara himself; you are the saviour and lord of the worlds, the highest refuge of the gods.'

Verse 68 (skanda.1.29.68)

तारकेण पुरा वीर तपस्तप्तं सुदारुणम्॥ येनैव विजिता देवा येन स्वर्गस्तथा जितः

tārakeṇa purā vīra tapastaptaṃ sudāruṇam|| yenaiva vijitā devā yena svargastathā jitaḥ

'Long ago, O hero, Taraka performed a most terrible austerity, by whose power he conquered the gods and conquered heaven itself.'

Verse 69 (skanda.1.29.69)

तपसा तेन चोग्रेण अजेयत्वमवाप्तवान्॥ अनेनापि जितश्चेंद्रो लोकपालास्तथैव च

tapasā tena cogreṇa ajeyatvamavāptavān|| anenāpi jitaśceṃdro lokapālāstathaiva ca

'By that fierce austerity he attained invincibility; by him Indra himself was conquered, and the guardians of the quarters likewise.'

Verse 70 (skanda.1.29.70)

त्रैलोक्यं च जितं सर्वं ह्यनेनैव रदुरात्मना॥ तस्मात्त्वया निहंतव्यस्तारकः पापपूरुषः

trailokyaṃ ca jitaṃ sarvaṃ hyanenaiva radurātmanā|| tasmāttvayā nihaṃtavyastārakaḥ pāpapūruṣaḥ

'All the three worlds have been conquered by this cruel-souled one; therefore this sinful Taraka must be slain by you.'

Verse 71 (skanda.1.29.71)

सर्वेषां शं विधातव्यं त्वया नाथेन चाद्य वै॥ नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा कुमारः प्रहसन्महान्॥ विमाना दवतीर्याथ पदातिः परमोऽभवत्

sarveṣāṃ śaṃ vidhātavyaṃ tvayā nāthena cādya vai|| nāradasya vacaḥ śrutvā kumāraḥ prahasanmahān|| vimānā davatīryātha padātiḥ paramo'bhavat

'Being their lord, you alone must this day bring well-being to all.' Hearing Narada's words, the great Kumara, smiling, descended from his chariot and became, at his best, a foot-warrior.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.29.72)

पद्म्यां तदासौ परिधावमानः शिवात्मजोयं च कुमाररूपी॥ करे समादाय महाप्रभावां शक्तिं महोल्कामिव दीप्तियुक्ताम्

padmyāṃ tadāsau paridhāvamānaḥ śivātmajoyaṃ ca kumārarūpī|| kare samādāya mahāprabhāvāṃ śaktiṃ maholkāmiva dīptiyuktām

Then, running upon his own feet, that son of Shiva, in his form as Kumara, took up in his hand his mighty spear, blazing like a great meteor.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.29.73)

दृष्ट्वा तमायांतमतीव चंडमव्यक्तरूपं बलिनां वरिष्ठम्॥ दैत्यो बभाषे सुरसत्तमानमसौ कुमारो द्विषतां निहंता

dṛṣṭvā tamāyāṃtamatīva caṃḍamavyaktarūpaṃ balināṃ variṣṭham|| daityo babhāṣe surasattamānamasau kumāro dviṣatāṃ nihaṃtā

Seeing him coming, exceedingly fierce, of unmanifest form, foremost among the strong, the daitya said to the best of the gods: 'This is that Kumara, the destroyer of his enemies.'

Verse 74 (skanda.1.29.74)

अनेन सार्द्धं ह्यहमेव वीरो योत्स्यामि सर्वानहमेव वीरान्॥ गणांश्च सर्वानपि घातयामि महेश्वराँल्लोकपालांश्च सद्यः

anena sārddhaṃ hyahameva vīro yotsyāmi sarvānahameva vīrān|| gaṇāṃśca sarvānapi ghātayāmi maheśvarā~llokapālāṃśca sadyaḥ

'With him alone shall I, the hero, fight; I alone shall fight all these warriors. I shall slay all the ganas too, Maheshvara himself, and the guardians of the quarters, all at once.'

Verse 75 (skanda.1.29.75)

इत्येवमुक्त्वा सततं महाबलः कुमारमुद्दिश्य ययौ च योद्धम्॥ जग्राह शक्तिं परमाद्भुतां च स तारको वाक्यमिदं बभाषे

ityevamuktvā satataṃ mahābalaḥ kumāramuddiśya yayau ca yoddham|| jagrāha śaktiṃ paramādbhutāṃ ca sa tārako vākyamidaṃ babhāṣe

Having spoken thus, the mighty Taraka went on continually toward Kumara to fight; he seized his supremely wondrous spear, and spoke these words:

Verse 76 (skanda.1.29.76)

॥तारक उवाच॥ कुमारो मेग्रतश्चाद्य भवद्भिश्च कथं कृतः॥ यूयं गतत्रपा देवा येषां राजा पुरंदरः

||tāraka uvāca|| kumāro megrataścādya bhavadbhiśca kathaṃ kṛtaḥ|| yūyaṃ gatatrapā devā yeṣāṃ rājā puraṃdaraḥ

Taraka said: 'How is it that you have placed this Kumara before me today? Shameless indeed are you gods, whose king is Purandara!'

Verse 77 (skanda.1.29.77)

पुरा येन कृतं कर्म विदितं सर्वमेव तत्॥ प्रसुप्ताश्चार्द्दिता गर्भे जठरस्था निपातिताः

purā yena kṛtaṃ karma viditaṃ sarvameva tat|| prasuptāścārdditā garbhe jaṭharasthā nipātitāḥ

'Well known indeed are all the deeds that he did long ago — striking down the sleeping, the afflicted, and even those still lying in the womb.'

Verse 78 (skanda.1.29.78)

कश्यपस्यात्मजेनैव बहुरूपो हतोऽसुरः॥ नमुचिश्च हतो वीरो वृत्रश्चैव तथा हतः

kaśyapasyātmajenaiva bahurūpo hato'suraḥ|| namuciśca hato vīro vṛtraścaiva tathā hataḥ

'By Kashyapa's own son, Indra, was the asura Bahurupa slain; the hero Namuchi too was slain, and Vritra likewise was slain.'

Verse 79 (skanda.1.29.79)

कुमारं हंतुमोसौ देवेंद्रो बलघातकः॥ कुमारोऽयं मया देवा घातितोद्य न संशयः

kumāraṃ haṃtumosau deveṃdro balaghātakaḥ|| kumāro'yaṃ mayā devā ghātitodya na saṃśayaḥ

'This Devendra, slayer of the strong, has brought Kumara here only to be killed; but this very day, O gods, Kumara shall be slain by me — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 80 (skanda.1.29.80)

पुरा हतास्त्वया विप्रा दक्षयज्ञे ह्यनेकशः॥ तत्कर्मणः फलं चाद्य वीरभद्र महामते॥ दर्शयिष्यामि ते वीर रणे रणविशारद

purā hatāstvayā viprā dakṣayajñe hyanekaśaḥ|| tatkarmaṇaḥ phalaṃ cādya vīrabhadra mahāmate|| darśayiṣyāmi te vīra raṇe raṇaviśārada

'Long ago, at Daksha's sacrifice, many brahmins were slain by you, O Virabhadra; the fruit of that deed I shall this day show you, O wise hero skilled in battle.'

Verse 81 (skanda.1.29.81)

इत्येवमुक्त्वा स तदा महात्मा दैत्याधिपो वीरवरः स एकः॥ जग्राह शक्तिं परमाद्भुतां च स तारको युद्धविदां वरिष्ठः

ityevamuktvā sa tadā mahātmā daityādhipo vīravaraḥ sa ekaḥ|| jagrāha śaktiṃ paramādbhutāṃ ca sa tārako yuddhavidāṃ variṣṭhaḥ

Having spoken thus, that great-souled lord of the daityas, foremost of heroes, alone, that Taraka, most eminent among the skilled in war, seized his supremely wondrous spear.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.29.82)

इति परमरुषभिभूतो दितितनयः परीवृतोऽसुरेंद्रैः॥ युधि मतिमकरोत्तदा निहंतुं समरविजयी स तारको बलीयान्

iti paramaruṣabhibhūto dititanayaḥ parīvṛto'sureṃdraiḥ|| yudhi matimakarottadā nihaṃtuṃ samaravijayī sa tārako balīyān

Thus, overcome with the utmost fury, that son of Diti, surrounded by lords of the asuras, that mighty and battle-victorious Taraka resolved then to slay him in combat.