The Battle of Virabhadra and the Gods

Verse 1 (skanda.1.4.1)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ विष्णुनोक्तं वचः श्रुत्वा दक्षो वचनमब्रवीत्॥ वेदानामप्रमाणं च कृतं ते मधुसूदन

||lomaśa uvāca|| viṣṇunoktaṃ vacaḥ śrutvā dakṣo vacanamabravīt|| vedānāmapramāṇaṃ ca kṛtaṃ te madhusūdana

Lomasha said: Hearing Vishnu's words, Daksha replied: "You have made the Vedas without authority, O Madhusudana."

Verse 2 (skanda.1.4.2)

वैदिकं कर्म चोत्सृज्य कथं सेश्वरतां व्रजेत्॥ तदुच्यतां महाविष्णो येन धर्मः प्रतिष्ठितः

vaidikaṃ karma cotsṛjya kathaṃ seśvaratāṃ vrajet|| taducyatāṃ mahāviṣṇo yena dharmaḥ pratiṣṭhitaḥ

"How can one who abandons Vedic ritual attain devotion to the Lord? Tell me, O great Vishnu, by what means dharma is established."

Verse 3 (skanda.1.4.3)

दक्षेणोक्तो महाविष्णुरुवाच परिसांत्वयन्॥ त्रैगण्यविषया वेदाः संभवंति न चान्यथा

dakṣeṇokto mahāviṣṇuruvāca parisāṃtvayan|| traigaṇyaviṣayā vedāḥ saṃbhavaṃti na cānyathā

Thus addressed by Daksha, the great Vishnu, soothing him, replied: "The Vedas concern the three aims of life — dharma, artha, and kama — and for no other purpose."

Verse 4 (skanda.1.4.4)

वेदोदितानि कर्माणि ईश्वरेण विना कथम्॥ सफलानि भविष्यंति विफलान्येव तानि च

vedoditāni karmāṇi īśvareṇa vinā katham|| saphalāni bhaviṣyaṃti viphalānyeva tāni ca

"How can rites enjoined by the Veda succeed without the Lord? Without him they will indeed become fruitless."

Verse 5 (skanda.1.4.5)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन ईश्वरं शरणं व्रऐजा॥ एवं ब्रुवति गोविन्द आगतः सैन्यसागरः॥ वीरभद्रेण सदृशो ददृशुस्तं तदा सुराः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena īśvaraṃ śaraṇaṃ vraaijā|| evaṃ bruvati govinda āgataḥ sainyasāgaraḥ|| vīrabhadreṇa sadṛśo dadṛśustaṃ tadā surāḥ

"Therefore, with every effort, take refuge in the Lord." While Govinda was still speaking thus, an ocean-like army arrived; the gods there beheld one resembling Virabhadra himself.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.4.6)

इंद्रोपि प्रहसन्विष्णुमात्मवादरतं तदा॥ वज्रपाणिः सुरैः सार्द्धं योद्धुकामोऽभवत्तदा

iṃdropi prahasanviṣṇumātmavādarataṃ tadā|| vajrapāṇiḥ suraiḥ sārddhaṃ yoddhukāmo'bhavattadā

At that moment Indra too, laughing at Vishnu who was engrossed in his own argument, the thunderbolt-wielder, grew eager to fight together with the gods.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.4.7)

भृगुणाचारितः शीघ्रमुच्चाटनपरेण हि॥ तदा गणाः सुरैः सार्धं युयुधुस्ते गणान्विताः

bhṛguṇācāritaḥ śīghramuccāṭanapareṇa hi|| tadā gaṇāḥ suraiḥ sārdhaṃ yuyudhuste gaṇānvitāḥ

Swiftly set in motion by Bhrigu, skilled in the rite of banishment, the ganas then fought against the gods, together with their companions.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.4.8)

शरतोमरनागचैर्जघ्नुस्ते च परस्परम्॥ नेदुःशंखाश्च बहुशस्तस्मिन्रणमहोत्सवे

śaratomaranāgacairjaghnuste ca parasparam|| neduḥśaṃkhāśca bahuśastasminraṇamahotsave

They struck one another with arrows, spears, and elephant-goads; in that great festival of war, conches sounded again and again.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.4.9)

तथा दुन्दुभयो नेदुः पटहा डिंडिमादयः॥ तेन शब्देन महताश्लाघ्यमानास्तदा सुराः॥ लोकपालैश्च सहिता जघ्नुस्ताञ्छिवकिंकरान्

tathā dundubhayo neduḥ paṭahā ḍiṃḍimādayaḥ|| tena śabdena mahatāślāghyamānāstadā surāḥ|| lokapālaiśca sahitā jaghnustāñchivakiṃkarān

Likewise kettledrums, war-drums, and dindima-drums resounded; praised by that great noise, the gods, together with the guardians of the quarters, fell upon Shiva's attendants.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.4.10)

खड्गैश्चापि हताः केचिद्गदाभिश्च विपोथिताः॥ देवैः पराजिताः सर्वे गणाः शतसहस्रशः

khaḍgaiścāpi hatāḥ kecidgadābhiśca vipothitāḥ|| devaiḥ parājitāḥ sarve gaṇāḥ śatasahasraśaḥ

Some ganas were slain by swords, some crushed by maces; by the gods, hundreds and thousands of ganas were defeated.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.4.11)

इंद्राद्यौर्लोकपालैश्च गणास्ते च पराङ्गमुखाः॥ कृताश्च तत्क्षणादेव भृगोर्मंत्रबलेन हि

iṃdrādyaurlokapālaiśca gaṇāste ca parāṅgamukhāḥ|| kṛtāśca tatkṣaṇādeva bhṛgormaṃtrabalena hi

By Indra and the other guardians of the quarters, those ganas were made, in that very instant, to turn and flee — and this happened solely through the power of Bhrigu's mantra.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.4.12)

उच्चाटनं कृतं तेषां भृगुणा यज्विना तदा॥ यजनार्थं च देवानां तुष्ट्यर्थं दीक्षितस्य च

uccāṭanaṃ kṛtaṃ teṣāṃ bhṛguṇā yajvinā tadā|| yajanārthaṃ ca devānāṃ tuṣṭyarthaṃ dīkṣitasya ca

The sacrificing priest Bhrigu had performed the rite of banishment against them, for the success of the gods and the satisfaction of the consecrated Daksha.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.4.13)

तेनैव देवा जयिनो जातास्तत्क्षणमेव हि॥ स्वानां पराजयं दृष्ट्वा वीरभद्रो रुपान्वितः

tenaiva devā jayino jātāstatkṣaṇameva hi|| svānāṃ parājayaṃ dṛṣṭvā vīrabhadro rupānvitaḥ

By that very act, the gods became victorious in that very instant. Seeing his own troops defeated, Virabhadra was filled with rage.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.4.14)

भूतान्प्रेतान्पिशाचांश्च कृत्वा तानेव पृष्ठतः॥ वृषभस्थान्पुरस्कृत्य स्वयं चैव महाबलः॥ तीक्ष्णं त्रिशूलमादाय पातयामास तान्रणे

bhūtānpretānpiśācāṃśca kṛtvā tāneva pṛṣṭhataḥ|| vṛṣabhasthānpuraskṛtya svayaṃ caiva mahābalaḥ|| tīkṣṇaṃ triśūlamādāya pātayāmāsa tānraṇe

Placing the bhutas, pretas, and pishachas behind him, putting the bull-mounted ganas in front, that mighty one himself took up his sharp trident and began felling them in battle.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.4.15)

देवान्यक्षान्पिशाचांश्च गुह्यकान्राक्षसां स्तथा॥ शूलघातैश्च ते सर्वे गणा देवान्प्रजघ्निरे

devānyakṣānpiśācāṃśca guhyakānrākṣasāṃ stathā|| śūlaghātaiśca te sarve gaṇā devānprajaghnire

Gods, yakshas, pishachas, guhyakas, and rakshasas — all these the ganas struck down with blows of the trident.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.4.16)

केचिद्द्विधाकृताः खङ्गैर्मुद्गरैश्चापि पोथिताः॥ परश्वधैः खंडशश्च कृताः केचिद्रणाजिरे

keciddvidhākṛtāḥ khaṅgairmudgaraiścāpi pothitāḥ|| paraśvadhaiḥ khaṃḍaśaśca kṛtāḥ kecidraṇājire

Some were cut in two by swords, some crushed by clubs; some were hacked into fragments on the battlefield by axes.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.4.17)

शूलैर्भिन्नाश्च शतशः केचिच्च शकलीकृताः॥ एवं पराजिताः सर्वे पलायनपरायणाः

śūlairbhinnāśca śataśaḥ kecicca śakalīkṛtāḥ|| evaṃ parājitāḥ sarve palāyanaparāyaṇāḥ

Hundreds were pierced by tridents, and some were shattered to pieces; thus all were defeated and given over wholly to flight.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.4.18)

परस्परं परिष्वज्य गतास्तेपि त्रिविष्टपम्॥ केवलं लोकपालाश्च इंद्राद्यास्तस्थुरुत्सुकाः॥ बृहस्पतिं पृच्छमानाः कुतोस्माकं जयो भवेत्

parasparaṃ pariṣvajya gatāstepi triviṣṭapam|| kevalaṃ lokapālāśca iṃdrādyāstasthurutsukāḥ|| bṛhaspatiṃ pṛcchamānāḥ kutosmākaṃ jayo bhavet

Embracing one another, they too returned to heaven; only Indra and the other guardians of the quarters remained there, anxiously asking Brihaspati: "From where shall our victory come?"

Verse 19 (skanda.1.4.19)

बृहस्पतिरुवाचेदं सुरेंद्रं त्वरितस्तदा॥ ॥बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥ यदुक्तं विष्णुना पूर्वं तत्सत्यं जातमद्य वै

bṛhaspatiruvācedaṃ sureṃdraṃ tvaritastadā|| ||bṛhaspatiruvāca|| yaduktaṃ viṣṇunā pūrvaṃ tatsatyaṃ jātamadya vai

Brihaspati then swiftly spoke this to the king of the gods. Brihaspati said: "What Vishnu declared earlier has today proved true."

Verse 20 (skanda.1.4.20)

अस्ति चेदीश्वरः कश्चित्फलरूप्यस्य कर्म्मणः॥ कर्तारं भजते सोपि न ह्यकर्तुः प्रभुर्हिसः

asti cedīśvaraḥ kaścitphalarūpyasya karmmaṇaḥ|| kartāraṃ bhajate sopi na hyakartuḥ prabhurhisaḥ

"Even one who appears to be the lord of action's fruit must himself worship the true Doer; for none who is not himself the Doer can be a true lord."

Verse 21 (skanda.1.4.21)

न मंत्रौषधयः सर्वे नाभिचारा न लौकिकाः॥ न कर्माणि न वेदाश्च न मीमांसाद्वयं तथा

na maṃtrauṣadhayaḥ sarve nābhicārā na laukikāḥ|| na karmāṇi na vedāśca na mīmāṃsādvayaṃ tathā

"Not mantras and herbs, not sorcery, not any worldly means; not rituals, not the Vedas, not even the two Mimamsas —"

Verse 22 (skanda.1.4.22)

ज्ञातुमीशाः संभवंति भक्त्याज्ञेयस्त्वनन्यया॥ शांत्या च परया तृष्ट्या ज्ञातव्यो हि सदाशिवः

jñātumīśāḥ saṃbhavaṃti bhaktyājñeyastvananyayā|| śāṃtyā ca parayā tṛṣṭyā jñātavyo hi sadāśivaḥ

"— are capable of knowing the Lord; he can be known only through unwavering devotion. It is through supreme peace and contentment that Sadashiva alone is truly known."

Verse 23 (skanda.1.4.23)

तेन सर्वं संभवंति सुखदुःझखात्मकं जगत्॥ परंतु संवदिष्यामि कार्याकार्यविवक्षया

tena sarvaṃ saṃbhavaṃti sukhaduḥjhakhātmakaṃ jagat|| paraṃtu saṃvadiṣyāmi kāryākāryavivakṣayā

"By him alone does this entire world, made of pleasure and pain, come into being. But now let me speak of what should and should not be done."

Verse 24 (skanda.1.4.24)

त्वमिंद्र बालिशो भूत्वा लोकपालैः सहाद्य वै॥ आगतो बालिशो भूत्वा इदानीं किं करिष्यसि

tvamiṃdra bāliśo bhūtvā lokapālaiḥ sahādya vai|| āgato bāliśo bhūtvā idānīṃ kiṃ kariṣyasi

"O Indra, in your folly you have come here today together with the guardians of the quarters; having come in this folly, what will you do now?"

Verse 25 (skanda.1.4.25)

एते रुद्रसहायाश्च गणाः परमशोभनाः॥ कुपिताश्च महाभागा न तु शेषं प्रकुर्वते

ete rudrasahāyāśca gaṇāḥ paramaśobhanāḥ|| kupitāśca mahābhāgā na tu śeṣaṃ prakurvate

"These attendants of Rudra are of supreme splendor; though angered, being of such great fortune, they do nothing beyond what is truly necessary."

Verse 26 (skanda.1.4.26)

एवं बृहस्पतेर्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा तेऽपि दिवौकसः॥ चिंतामापेदिरे सर्वे लोकपाला महेश्वराः

evaṃ bṛhaspatervākyaṃ śrutvā te'pi divaukasaḥ|| ciṃtāmāpedire sarve lokapālā maheśvarāḥ

Hearing these words of Brihaspati, those dwellers of heaven, all the great guardians of the quarters, fell into deep anxiety.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.4.27)

ततोऽब्रवीद्वीरभद्रो गणैः परिवृतो भृशम्॥ सर्वे यूयं बालिशत्वादवदानार्थमागताः

tato'bravīdvīrabhadro gaṇaiḥ parivṛto bhṛśam|| sarve yūyaṃ bāliśatvādavadānārthamāgatāḥ

Then Virabhadra, closely surrounded by his ganas, said: "All of you have come here in mere folly, only for your own share."

Verse 28 (skanda.1.4.28)

अवदानानि दास्यामि तृप्त्यर्थं भवतां त्वरन्॥ एवमुक्त्वा शितैर्बाणैर्जघानाथ रुषान्वितः

avadānāni dāsyāmi tṛptyarthaṃ bhavatāṃ tvaran|| evamuktvā śitairbāṇairjaghānātha ruṣānvitaḥ

"I shall swiftly grant you your share, for your satisfaction." Having said this, filled with fury, he struck them with sharpened arrows.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.4.29)

तैर्बाणैर्निहताः सर्वे जग्मुस्ते च दिशो दश

tairbāṇairnihatāḥ sarve jagmuste ca diśo daśa

Struck by those arrows, all of them fled in the ten directions.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.4.30)

गतेषु लोकपालेषु विद्रुतेषु सुरेषु च॥ यज्ञवाटे समायातो वीरभद्रो गणान्वतः

gateṣu lokapāleṣu vidruteṣu sureṣu ca|| yajñavāṭe samāyāto vīrabhadro gaṇānvataḥ

When the guardians of the quarters had departed and the gods had fled, Virabhadra, together with his ganas, arrived at the sacrificial enclosure.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.4.31)

तदा त ऋषयः सर्वे सर्वमेवेश्वरेश्वरम्॥ विज्ञप्तुकामाः सहसा ऊचुरेवं जनार्दनम्

tadā ta ṛṣayaḥ sarve sarvameveśvareśvaram|| vijñaptukāmāḥ sahasā ūcurevaṃ janārdanam

At that moment all the sages, wishing to petition the Lord of lords, suddenly spoke thus to Janardana.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.4.32)

रक्ष यज्ञं हि दक्षस्य यज्ञोसि त्वं न संशयः॥ एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनमृषीणां वै जनार्दनः

rakṣa yajñaṃ hi dakṣasya yajñosi tvaṃ na saṃśayaḥ|| etacchrutvā tu vacanamṛṣīṇāṃ vai janārdanaḥ

"Protect Daksha's sacrifice; you yourself are indeed the sacrifice, without doubt." Hearing this word of the sages, Janardana,

Verse 33 (skanda.1.4.33)

योद्धुकामः स्थितो युद्धे विष्णुरध्यात्मदीपकः॥ वीरभद्रो महाबाहुः केशवं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

yoddhukāmaḥ sthito yuddhe viṣṇuradhyātmadīpakaḥ|| vīrabhadro mahābāhuḥ keśavaṃ vākyamabravīt

stood ready for battle — Vishnu, the very lamp of the inner self. Then the mighty-armed Virabhadra spoke thus to Keshava.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.4.34)

अत्र त्वयागतं कस्माद्विष्णो वेत्त्रा महाबलम्॥ दक्षस्य पक्षमाश्रित्य कथं जेष्यसि तद्वद

atra tvayāgataṃ kasmādviṣṇo vettrā mahābalam|| dakṣasya pakṣamāśritya kathaṃ jeṣyasi tadvada

"O Vishnu, knowing my great strength, why have you come here? Taking Daksha's side, how will you win — tell me that."

Verse 35 (skanda.1.4.35)

दाक्षायण्या कृतं यच्च न दृष्टं किं त्वयानघ॥ त्वं चापि यज्ञे दक्षस्य अवदानार्थमागतः॥ अवदानं प्रयच्छामि तव चापि महाभूज

dākṣāyaṇyā kṛtaṃ yacca na dṛṣṭaṃ kiṃ tvayānagha|| tvaṃ cāpi yajñe dakṣasya avadānārthamāgataḥ|| avadānaṃ prayacchāmi tava cāpi mahābhūja

"O sinless one, have you not seen what happened to Dakshayani? You too have come to Daksha's sacrifice only for your own share; O mighty-armed one, I shall give you your share as well."

Verse 36 (skanda.1.4.36)

एवमुक्त्वा प्रणम्यादौ विष्णुं सदृशरूपिणम्॥ वीरभद्रोऽग्रतो भूत्वा विष्णुं वाक्यमथाब्रवीत्

evamuktvā praṇamyādau viṣṇuṃ sadṛśarūpiṇam|| vīrabhadro'grato bhūtvā viṣṇuṃ vākyamathābravīt

Having said this, first bowing to Vishnu, whose form resembled his own, Virabhadra, standing before him, spoke again to Vishnu.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.4.37)

यथा शंभुस्तथा त्वं हि मम नास्त्यत्र संशयः॥ तथापि त्वं महाबाहो योद्धुकामोऽग्रतः स्तितः॥ नेष्याम्यपुनरावृत्तिं यदि तिष्ठेस्त्वमात्मना

yathā śaṃbhustathā tvaṃ hi mama nāstyatra saṃśayaḥ|| tathāpi tvaṃ mahābāho yoddhukāmo'grataḥ stitaḥ|| neṣyāmyapunarāvṛttiṃ yadi tiṣṭhestvamātmanā

"As Shambhu is, so are you too; of this I have no doubt. Yet, O mighty-armed one, since you stand before me eager for battle, I shall not let you return, if you remain fixed in that resolve."

Verse 38 (skanda.1.4.38)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वीरभद्रस्य धीमतः॥ उवाच प्रहसन्देवो विष्णुः सर्वेश्वरेश्वरः

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā vīrabhadrasya dhīmataḥ|| uvāca prahasandevo viṣṇuḥ sarveśvareśvaraḥ

Hearing this word of the wise Virabhadra, the god Vishnu, Lord of all lords, replied, smiling.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.4.39)

॥विष्णुरुवाच॥ रुद्रतेजःप्रसूतोसि पवित्रोऽसि महामते॥ अनेन प्रार्थितः पूर्वं यज्ञार्थं च पुनः पुनः

||viṣṇuruvāca|| rudratejaḥprasūtosi pavitro'si mahāmate|| anena prārthitaḥ pūrvaṃ yajñārthaṃ ca punaḥ punaḥ

Vishnu said: "O wise one, you are born of Rudra's own splendor, and pure; that same Shiva has entreated me before too, again and again, for the sake of this sacrifice."

Verse 40 (skanda.1.4.40)

अहं भक्तपराधीनस्तथा सोऽपि महेश्वरः॥ तेनैव कारणेनात्र दक्षस्य यजनं प्रति

ahaṃ bhaktaparādhīnastathā so'pi maheśvaraḥ|| tenaiva kāraṇenātra dakṣasya yajanaṃ prati

"I am ever dependent upon my devotees, and so too is that Maheshvara; for that very reason I have come here regarding Daksha's sacrifice."

Verse 41 (skanda.1.4.41)

आगतोऽहं वीरभद्र रुद्रकोपसमुद्भव॥ अहं निवारयामि त्वां त्वं वा मां विनिवारय

āgato'haṃ vīrabhadra rudrakopasamudbhava|| ahaṃ nivārayāmi tvāṃ tvaṃ vā māṃ vinivāraya

"I have come, O Virabhadra, born of Rudra's wrath — either I shall restrain you, or you restrain me."

Verse 42 (skanda.1.4.42)

इत्युक्तवति गोविंदे प्रहस्य स महाभुजः॥ प्रश्रयावनतो भूत्वा इदमाह जनार्दनम्

ityuktavati goviṃde prahasya sa mahābhujaḥ|| praśrayāvanato bhūtvā idamāha janārdanam

When Govinda had spoken thus, that mighty-armed hero, laughing, bowed humbly and said this to Janardana.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.4.43)

यथा शिवस्तथा त्वं हि यथा त्वं च तथा शिवः॥ सेवकाश्च वयं सर्वे तव वा शंकरस्य च

yathā śivastathā tvaṃ hi yathā tvaṃ ca tathā śivaḥ|| sevakāśca vayaṃ sarve tava vā śaṃkarasya ca

"As Shiva is, so are you; and as you are, so is Shiva; we are all servants alike, whether of you or of Shankara."

Verse 44 (skanda.1.4.44)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य सोऽच्युतः संप्रहस्य च॥ इदं विष्णुर्महावाक्यं जगाद परमेश्वरः

tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya so'cyutaḥ saṃprahasya ca|| idaṃ viṣṇurmahāvākyaṃ jagāda parameśvaraḥ

Hearing his words, that Achyuta, the Supreme Lord Vishnu, laughing heartily, spoke this great utterance.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.4.45)

योधयस्व महाबाहो मया सार्धमशंकितः॥ तवास्त्रैः पूर्यमाणोऽहं गच्छामि भवनं स्वकम्

yodhayasva mahābāho mayā sārdhamaśaṃkitaḥ|| tavāstraiḥ pūryamāṇo'haṃ gacchāmi bhavanaṃ svakam

"Fight me then, O mighty-armed one, without hesitation; when I am filled with your weapons, I shall return to my own abode."

Verse 46 (skanda.1.4.46)

तथेत्युक्त्वा तु वीरोऽसौ वीरभद्रो महाबलः॥ गृहीत्वा परमास्त्राणि सिंहनादैर्जगर्ज ह

tathetyuktvā tu vīro'sau vīrabhadro mahābalaḥ|| gṛhītvā paramāstrāṇi siṃhanādairjagarja ha

Saying "So be it," that hero, the mighty Virabhadra, taking up his supreme weapons, roared with a lion's roar.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.4.47)

विष्णुश्चापि महाघोषं शंखनादं चकार सः॥ तच्छ्रुत्वा ये गता देवा रणं हित्वाऽययुः पुनः

viṣṇuścāpi mahāghoṣaṃ śaṃkhanādaṃ cakāra saḥ|| tacchrutvā ye gatā devā raṇaṃ hitvā'yayuḥ punaḥ

Vishnu too then blew a mighty and thunderous conch. Hearing it, those gods who had abandoned the battle and left, returned once more.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.4.48)

व्यूहं चक्रुस्तदा सर्वे लोकपालाः सवासवाः॥ तदेन्द्रेण हतो नंदीवज्रेण शतपर्वणा

vyūhaṃ cakrustadā sarve lokapālāḥ savāsavāḥ|| tadendreṇa hato naṃdīvajreṇa śataparvaṇā

Then all the guardians of the quarters, together with Indra, formed their battle array; then Indra struck Nandi with his hundred-jointed thunderbolt.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.4.49)

नंदीना च हतः शक्रस्त्रिशूलेन स्तनांतरे॥ वायुना च हतो भृंगी भृंगिणा वायुराहतः

naṃdīnā ca hataḥ śakrastriśūlena stanāṃtare|| vāyunā ca hato bhṛṃgī bhṛṃgiṇā vāyurāhataḥ

Nandi struck Indra in the chest with his trident; Bhringi was struck by Vayu, and Vayu was struck by Bhringi.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.4.50)

शूलेन सितधारेण संनद्धो दण्डधारिणा॥ यमेन सह संग्रामं महाकालो बलान्वितः

śūlena sitadhāreṇa saṃnaddho daṇḍadhāriṇā|| yamena saha saṃgrāmaṃ mahākālo balānvitaḥ

Armed with a white-bladed trident, the mighty Mahakala engaged in battle with Yama, who bore his staff.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.4.51)

कुबेरेण च संगम्य कूष्मांडानां पतिः स्वयम्॥ वरुणेन समं युद्धं मुंडश्चैव महाबलः

kubereṇa ca saṃgamya kūṣmāṃḍānāṃ patiḥ svayam|| varuṇena samaṃ yuddhaṃ muṃḍaścaiva mahābalaḥ

The lord of the Kushmandas himself clashed with Kubera; and the mighty Munda fought with Varuna,

Verse 52 (skanda.1.4.52)

युयुधे परयाशक्त्या त्रैलोक्यं विस्मयन्निव॥ नैर्ऋतेन समागम्य चंडश्चबलवत्तरः

yuyudhe parayāśaktyā trailokyaṃ vismayanniva|| nairṛtena samāgamya caṃḍaścabalavattaraḥ

fighting with such supreme power as if to astonish the three worlds; the mighty Chanda engaged with Nirriti,

Verse 53 (skanda.1.4.53)

युयुधे परमास्त्रेण नैर्ऋत्यं च विडंबयन्॥ योगिनीचक्रसंयुक्तो भैरवो नायको महान्

yuyudhe paramāstreṇa nairṛtyaṃ ca viḍaṃbayan|| yoginīcakrasaṃyukto bhairavo nāyako mahān

fighting with a supreme weapon, mocking Nirriti's own strength; the great commander Bhairava, joined with the circle of Yoginis,

Verse 54 (skanda.1.4.54)

विदार्य देवानखिलान्पपौ शोणितमद्बुतम्॥ क्षेत्रपालास्तथा चान्ये भूतप्रमथगुह्यकाः

vidārya devānakhilānpapau śoṇitamadbutam|| kṣetrapālāstathā cānye bhūtapramathaguhyakāḥ

tore open all the gods and drank their wondrous blood; likewise the Kshetrapalas and other bhutas, pramathas, and guhyakas,

Verse 55 (skanda.1.4.55)

साकिनी डाकिनी रौद्रा नवदुर्गास्तथैव च॥ योगिन्यो यातुदान्यश्च तथा कूष्मांडकादयः॥ नेदुः पपुः शोणितं च बुभुजुः पिशितं बहु

sākinī ḍākinī raudrā navadurgāstathaiva ca|| yoginyo yātudānyaśca tathā kūṣmāṃḍakādayaḥ|| neduḥ papuḥ śoṇitaṃ ca bubhujuḥ piśitaṃ bahu

Shakini, Dakini, the terrible Nine Durgas, the Yoginis, the Yatudhanis, and the Kushmandas and the rest — all roared, drank the blood, and devoured much flesh.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.4.56)

भक्ष्यमाणं तदा सैन्यं विलोक्य सुरराट्स्वयम्॥ विहाय नंदिनं पश्चाद्वीरभद्रं समाक्षिपत्

bhakṣyamāṇaṃ tadā sainyaṃ vilokya surarāṭsvayam|| vihāya naṃdinaṃ paścādvīrabhadraṃ samākṣipat

Seeing his army being thus devoured, the king of the gods himself, leaving Nandi aside, made Virabhadra his own target.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.4.57)

वीरभद्रो विहायैव विष्णुं देवेन्द्रमास्थितः॥ तयोर्युद्धमभूद्धोरं बुधांगारकयोरिव

vīrabhadro vihāyaiva viṣṇuṃ devendramāsthitaḥ|| tayoryuddhamabhūddhoraṃ budhāṃgārakayoriva

Virabhadra too, leaving Vishnu aside, turned to face Devendra; a terrible battle arose between them, like that between Budha and Angaraka.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.4.58)

वीरभद्रं यदा शक्रो हंतुकामस्त्वरान्वितः॥ तावच्छंक्रं गजस्थं हि पुरयामास मार्गणैः

vīrabhadraṃ yadā śakro haṃtukāmastvarānvitaḥ|| tāvacchaṃkraṃ gajasthaṃ hi purayāmāsa mārgaṇaiḥ

When Indra swiftly sought to slay Virabhadra, Virabhadra in turn filled the elephant-mounted Indra with a shower of arrows.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.4.59)

वीरभद्रो रुषाविष्टो दुर्निवार्यो महाबलः॥ तदेद्रेंणाहतः शीघ्रं वज्रेण शतपर्वणा

vīrabhadro ruṣāviṣṭo durnivāryo mahābalaḥ|| tadedreṃṇāhataḥ śīghraṃ vajreṇa śataparvaṇā

Virabhadra, seized by fury, of irresistible and mighty strength, was then swiftly struck by Indra with his hundred-jointed thunderbolt.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.4.60)

सगजं च सवज्रं च वासवं ग्रस्तुमुद्युतः॥ हाहाकारो महा नासीद्भूतानां तत्र पश्यताम्

sagajaṃ ca savajraṃ ca vāsavaṃ grastumudyutaḥ|| hāhākāro mahā nāsīdbhūtānāṃ tatra paśyatām

He then made ready to swallow Vasava himself, together with his elephant and thunderbolt; a great cry of lamentation arose among the spirit-hosts watching there.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.4.61)

वीरभद्रं तताभूतं तथाभूतं हंतुकामं पुरंदरम्॥ तव्रमाणस्तदा विष्णुर्वीरभद्राग्रतः स्थितः

vīrabhadraṃ tatābhūtaṃ tathābhūtaṃ haṃtukāmaṃ puraṃdaram|| tavramāṇastadā viṣṇurvīrabhadrāgrataḥ sthitaḥ

As Virabhadra, in this state, stood ready to slay Purandara, Vishnu then swiftly came and stood before him.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.4.62)

शक्रं च पृष्ठतः कृत्वा योधयामास वै तदा॥ वीरभद्रस्य विष्णोश्च युद्धं परमभूत्तदा

śakraṃ ca pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā yodhayāmāsa vai tadā|| vīrabhadrasya viṣṇośca yuddhaṃ paramabhūttadā

Placing Shakra behind him, he himself began to fight; then a supreme battle arose between Virabhadra and Vishnu.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.4.63)

शस्त्रास्त्रैर्विविधाकारैर्योधयामासतुस्तदा॥ पुनर्नंदिनमालोक्य शक्रो युद्ध विशारदः

śastrāstrairvividhākārairyodhayāmāsatustadā|| punarnaṃdinamālokya śakro yuddha viśāradaḥ

They fought with weapons and missiles of every kind. Meanwhile Shakra, skilled in war, looked once more toward Nandi.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.4.64)

द्वंद्वयुद्धं सुतुमुलं देवानां प्रमथैः सह॥ प्रमथा मथिता देवैः सर्वे ते प्राद्रवन्रणात्

dvaṃdvayuddhaṃ sutumulaṃ devānāṃ pramathaiḥ saha|| pramathā mathitā devaiḥ sarve te prādravanraṇāt

A tumultuous single combat arose between the gods and the Pramathas; the Pramathas, overwhelmed by the gods, all fled from the battle.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.4.65)

गणान्पराङ्मुखान्दृष्ट्वा सर्वे ते व्याधयो भृशम्॥ रुद्रकोपात्समुद्भूता देवाश्चापि प्रदुद्रुवुः

gaṇānparāṅmukhāndṛṣṭvā sarve te vyādhayo bhṛśam|| rudrakopātsamudbhūtā devāścāpi pradudruvuḥ

Seeing the ganas turn and flee, all those diseases born of Rudra's wrath also rushed forth greatly, and the gods too fled.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.4.66)

ज्वरैस्तु पीडितान्देवान्दृष्ट्वा विष्णुर्हसन्निव॥ जीवग्राहेण जग्राह देवांस्तांश्च पृथक्पृथक्

jvaraistu pīḍitāndevāndṛṣṭvā viṣṇurhasanniva|| jīvagrāheṇa jagrāha devāṃstāṃśca pṛthakpṛthak

Seeing the gods afflicted by fevers, Vishnu, as if smiling, began seizing each of those gods, one by one, capturing them alive.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.4.67)

देवाश्चिनौ तदाहूय व्याधीन्हंतुं तदा भृतिम्॥ ददौ ताभ्यां प्रयत्नेन गणयित्वा सुबुद्धिमान्

devāścinau tadāhūya vyādhīnhaṃtuṃ tadā bhṛtim|| dadau tābhyāṃ prayatnena gaṇayitvā subuddhimān

Then, to destroy the diseases, he summoned the two Ashvins, and, being wise, gave them their due wages after careful consideration.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.4.68)

ज्वरांश्च सन्निपातांश्च अन्ये भूतद्रुहस्तदा॥ तान्सर्वान्निगृहीत्वाथ अश्विनौ तौ मुदान्वितौ॥ विज्वरानथ देवांश्च कृत्वा मुमुदतुश्चिरम्

jvarāṃśca sannipātāṃśca anye bhūtadruhastadā|| tānsarvānnigṛhītvātha aśvinau tau mudānvitau|| vijvarānatha devāṃśca kṛtvā mumudatuściram

Fevers, compound plagues, and other spirit-afflictions were then joyfully subdued by the two Ashvins, and, having freed the gods from fever, they rejoiced for a long while.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.4.69)

तैर्जितं योगिनीचक्रं भैरवं व्याकुलीकृतम्॥ तीक्ष्णाग्रैः पातयामासुः शरैर्भूतगणानपि

tairjitaṃ yoginīcakraṃ bhairavaṃ vyākulīkṛtam|| tīkṣṇāgraiḥ pātayāmāsuḥ śarairbhūtagaṇānapi

By them the circle of Yoginis was overcome, and Bhairava thrown into confusion; with sharp arrows they struck down the hosts of spirits as well.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.4.70)

सुरैर्विद्रावितं सैन्यं विलोक्य पतितं भुवि॥ वीरभद्रो रुपाविष्टो विष्णुं वचनमब्रवीत्

surairvidrāvitaṃ sainyaṃ vilokya patitaṃ bhuvi|| vīrabhadro rupāviṣṭo viṣṇuṃ vacanamabravīt

Seeing his army scattered by the gods and fallen upon the ground, Virabhadra, filled with fury, spoke these words to Vishnu.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.4.71)

त्वं शूरोसि महाबाहो देवानां पालको ह्यसि॥ युध्यस्व मां प्रयत्नेन यदि ते मतिरीदृशी

tvaṃ śūrosi mahābāho devānāṃ pālako hyasi|| yudhyasva māṃ prayatnena yadi te matirīdṛśī

"You are a hero, O mighty-armed one, and the protector of the gods; if this is truly your resolve, fight me with all your effort."

Verse 72 (skanda.1.4.72)

इत्युक्त्वा तं समासाद्य विष्णुं सर्वेश्वरेश्वरम्॥ ववर्ष निशितैर्बाणैर्वीरभद्रो महाबलः

ityuktvā taṃ samāsādya viṣṇuṃ sarveśvareśvaram|| vavarṣa niśitairbāṇairvīrabhadro mahābalaḥ

Having said this, approaching Vishnu, Lord of all lords, the mighty Virabhadra rained down sharpened arrows upon him.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.4.73)

तदा चक्रेण भगवान्वीरभद्रं जघान सः॥ आयांतं चक्रमालोक्य ग्रसितं तत्क्षणाच्च तत्

tadā cakreṇa bhagavānvīrabhadraṃ jaghāna saḥ|| āyāṃtaṃ cakramālokya grasitaṃ tatkṣaṇācca tat

Then the blessed Lord struck Virabhadra with his discus; but seeing the discus coming, Virabhadra swallowed it at once.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.4.74)

ग्रसितं चक्रमालोक्य विष्णुः परपुरंजयः॥ मुखं तस्य परामृज्य विष्णुनोद्गिलितं पुनः

grasitaṃ cakramālokya viṣṇuḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ|| mukhaṃ tasya parāmṛjya viṣṇunodgilitaṃ punaḥ

Seeing his discus swallowed, Vishnu, conqueror of enemy cities, touched Virabhadra's face, and by Vishnu's power the discus was made to be disgorged once more.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.4.75)

स्वचक्रमादाय महानुभावो दिवं गतोऽथो भुवनैकभर्ता॥ ज्ञात्वा च तत्सर्वमिदं च विष्णुः कृती कृतं दुष्प्रसहं परेषाम्

svacakramādāya mahānubhāvo divaṃ gato'tho bhuvanaikabhartā|| jñātvā ca tatsarvamidaṃ ca viṣṇuḥ kṛtī kṛtaṃ duṣprasahaṃ pareṣām

Taking back his own discus, that great being, sole lord of the three worlds, ascended to heaven; and Vishnu, understanding all that had occurred, rested content, having accomplished a deed unbearable for anyone else.