The Beginning of the War Between Taraka and Indra

Verse 1 (skanda.1.51.1)

॥ तारक उवाच॥ राज्येन बुद्बुदाभेन स्त्रीभिरक्षैश्च पानकैः॥ मोहितो जन्म लब्ध्वात्र त्यजते पौरुषं नरः

tāraka uvāca rājyena budbudābhena strībhirakṣaiśca pānakaiḥ mohito janma labdhvātra tyajate pauruṣaṁ naraḥ

Taraka said: "Deluded by a kingdom fleeting as a bubble, by women, dice, and drink, a man, even after gaining birth, abandons his own manhood.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.51.2)

जन्म तस्य वृथा सर्वमाकल्पांतं न संशयः

janma tasya vṛthā sarvamākalpāṁtaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

"His whole birth, without doubt, remains fruitless until the end of the kalpa.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.51.3)

मातापितृभ्यां न करोति कामान्बन्धूनशोकान्न करोति यो वा॥ कीर्तिं हि वा नार्जयते न मानं नरः स जातोऽपि मृतोऽत्र लोके

mātāpitṛbhyāṁ na karoti kāmānbandhūnaśokānna karoti yo vā kīrtiṁ hi vā nārjayate na mānaṁ naraḥ sa jāto'pi mṛto'tra loke

"That man who does not fulfill his parents' wishes, does not free his kinsmen from sorrow, and earns neither fame nor honor — though born, he is as good as dead in this world.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.51.4)

तस्माज्जयायामरपुंगवानां त्रैलोक्यलक्ष्मीहरणाय शीघ्रम्॥ संयोज्यतां मे रथमष्टचक्रं बलं च मे दुर्जयदैत्यचक्रम्

tasmājjayāyāmarapuṁgavānāṁ trailokyalakṣmīharaṇāya śīghram saṁyojyatāṁ me rathamaṣṭacakraṁ balaṁ ca me durjayadaityacakram

"Therefore, for victory over these bulls among the immortals, for the swift seizing of the fortune of the three worlds, let my eight-wheeled chariot be yoked, and my army, an unconquerable host of demons —

Verse 5 (skanda.1.51.5)

ध्वजं च मे कांचनपट्टबन्धं छत्रं च मे मौक्तिकजालबद्धम्॥ अद्याहमासां सुरकामिनीनां धम्मील्लकांश्चाग्रथितान्करिष्ये

dhvajaṁ ca me kāṁcanapaṭṭabandhaṁ chatraṁ ca me mauktikajālabaddham adyāhamāsāṁ surakāminīnāṁ dhammīllakāṁścāgrathitānkariṣye

"and my banner bound with cloth of gold, and my parasol strung with a net of pearls. Today I shall loosen the braided locks of these celestial women —

Verse 6 (skanda.1.51.6)

यथा पुरा मर्कटको जनन्यास्तस्याश्च सत्येन तु तारकः स्याम्

yathā purā markaṭako jananyāstasyāśca satyena tu tārakaḥ syām

"just as of old such a thing came true, so too, by my own mother's truth, may I truly become the deliverer I am named for."

Verse 7 (skanda.1.51.7)

॥नारद उवाच॥ तारकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा ग्रसनोनाम दानवः॥ सेनानीर्दैत्यराजस्य तथा चक्रेऽविलंबितम्

nārada uvāca tārakasya vacaḥ śrutvā grasanonāma dānavaḥ senānīrdaityarājasya tathā cakre'vilaṁbitam

Narada said: "Hearing this word of Taraka, the Danava named Grasana, general of the demon-king, set to work at once, without delay.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.51.8)

आहत्य भेरीं गम्भीरां दैत्यानाहूय सत्वरः॥ सज्जं चक्रे रथं दैत्यो दैत्यराजस्य धीमतः

āhatya bherīṁ gambhīrāṁ daityānāhūya satvaraḥ sajjaṁ cakre rathaṁ daityo daityarājasya dhīmataḥ

"Sounding the deep war-drum, swiftly summoning the demons, that demon made ready the chariot of the wise lord of the Daityas,

Verse 9 (skanda.1.51.9)

गरुडानां सहस्रेण गरुडोपमितत्विषा॥ ते हि पुत्राः सुपर्णस्य संस्थिता मेरुकन्दरे

garuḍānāṁ sahasreṇa garuḍopamitatviṣā te hi putrāḥ suparṇasya saṁsthitā merukandare

"with a thousand Garudas, radiant as Garuda himself, for they were the sons of Suparna, dwelling in the caverns of Meru,

Verse 10 (skanda.1.51.10)

विजित्य दैत्यराजेन वाहनत्वे प्रकल्पिताः॥ अष्टाष्टचक्रः सरथश्चतुर्योजनविस्तृतः

vijitya daityarājena vāhanatve prakalpitāḥ aṣṭāṣṭacakraḥ sarathaścaturyojanavistṛtaḥ

"conquered by the demon-king and made into his steeds. That chariot, wheel joined to wheel eightfold, four yojanas in extent,

Verse 11 (skanda.1.51.11)

नानाक्रीडागृहयुतो गीतवाद्यमनोहरः॥ गंधर्वनगराकारः संयुक्तः प्रत्यदृस्यत

nānākrīḍāgṛhayuto gītavādyamanoharaḥ gaṁdharvanagarākāraḥ saṁyuktaḥ pratyadṛsyata

"furnished with chambers of every pleasure, delightful with song and music, appeared, wholly assembled, like a very city of the Gandharvas.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.51.12)

आजग्मुस्तत्र दैत्याश्च दशा चंडपराक्रमाः॥ कोटिकोटिपरिवारा अन्ये च बहवो रणे

ājagmustatra daityāśca daśā caṁḍaparākramāḥ koṭikoṭiparivārā anye ca bahavo raṇe

"And ten demons of fierce valor came there, each surrounded by tens of millions of followers, and many others besides came on to that battle.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.51.13)

तेषामग्रेसरो जम्भः कुजम्भोनंतरस्तथा॥ महिषः कुञ्जरो मेषः कालनेमिर्निमिस्तथा

teṣāmagresaro jambhaḥ kujambhonaṁtarastathā mahiṣaḥ kuñjaro meṣaḥ kālanemirnimistathā

"Foremost among them was Jambha, and then Kujambha; Mahisha, Kunjara, Mesha, Kalanemi, and likewise Nimi,

Verse 14 (skanda.1.51.14)

मथनो जंभकः शुम्भो दैत्येंद्रा दश नायकाः॥ दैत्येंद्रा गिरिवर्ष्माणः संति चंडपराक्रमाः

mathano jaṁbhakaḥ śumbho daityeṁdrā daśa nāyakāḥ daityeṁdrā girivarṣmāṇaḥ saṁti caṁḍaparākramāḥ

"Mathana, Jambhaka, Shumbha — these ten lords of the Daityas were the chieftains. Of mountain-like frame, those lords of the Daityas were of fierce valor,

Verse 15 (skanda.1.51.15)

नानाविधप्रहरणा नानाशस्त्रास्त्रपारगाः॥ तारकस्याभवत्केतुर्बहूरूपो महाभयः

nānāvidhapraharaṇā nānāśastrāstrapāragāḥ tārakasyābhavatketurbahūrūpo mahābhayaḥ

"wielding weapons of many kinds, masters of every manner of arms. Taraka's own banner was many-formed, most terrible —

Verse 16 (skanda.1.51.16)

क्वचिच्च राक्षसो घोरः पिशाचध्वांक्षगृध्रकः॥ एवं बहुविधाकारः स केतुः प्रत्यदृश्यत

kvacicca rākṣaso ghoraḥ piśācadhvāṁkṣagṛdhrakaḥ evaṁ bahuvidhākāraḥ sa ketuḥ pratyadṛśyata

"now a fearsome Rakshasa's shape, now a Pishacha, a crow, a vulture — so, in these many varied forms, that banner appeared.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.51.17)

केतुना मकरेणापि सेनानीर्ग्रसनो बभौ॥ पैशाचं यत्र वदनं जंभस्यासीदयस्मयम्

ketunā makareṇāpi senānīrgrasano babhau paiśācaṁ yatra vadanaṁ jaṁbhasyāsīdayasmayam

"With a crocodile banner the general Grasana shone forth; there, Jambha's banner bore the face of a Pishacha, wrought in iron,

Verse 18 (skanda.1.51.18)

खरो विधुतलांगूलः कुजम्भस्याभवद्ध्वजे॥ महिषस्य च गोमायुः कांतो हैमस्तथां बभौ

kharo vidhutalāṁgūlaḥ kujambhasyābhavaddhvaje mahiṣasya ca gomāyuḥ kāṁto haimastathāṁ babhau

"Kujambha's banner bore a donkey, its tail swishing; Mahisha's banner shone with a lovely golden jackal,

Verse 19 (skanda.1.51.19)

गृध्रो वै कुंजरस्यासीन्मेषस्याभूच्च राक्षसः॥ कालनेमेर्महाकालो निमेरासीन्महातिमिः

gṛdhro vai kuṁjarasyāsīnmeṣasyābhūcca rākṣasaḥ kālanemermahākālo nimerāsīnmahātimiḥ

"Kunjara's bore a vulture, and Mesha's a Rakshasa; Kalanemi's bore a great serpent, and Nimi's a monstrous sea-creature,

Verse 20 (skanda.1.51.20)

राक्षसी मथनस्यापि ध्वांक्षोऽभूज्जंभकस्य च॥ महावृकश्च शुम्भस्य ध्वजा एवंविधा बभुः

rākṣasī mathanasyāpi dhvāṁkṣo'bhūjjaṁbhakasya ca mahāvṛkaśca śumbhasya dhvajā evaṁvidhā babhuḥ

"Mathana's bore a Rakshasi, and Jambhaka's a crow; Shumbha's bore a great wolf — such were their banners.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.51.21)

अनेकाकारविन्यासादन्येषां च ध्वजा भवन्॥ शतेन शीघ्रवेगानां व्याघ्राणां हेममालिनाम्

anekākāravinyāsādanyeṣāṁ ca dhvajā bhavan śatena śīghravegānāṁ vyāghrāṇāṁ hemamālinām

"And from many other devices, the banners of the rest were fashioned too. Grasana's chariot, yoked with a hundred swift, gold-garlanded tigers,

Verse 22 (skanda.1.51.22)

ग्रसनस्य रथो युक्तो महामेघरवो बभौ॥ शतेन चापि सिंहानां रथो जंभस्य योजितः

grasanasya ratho yukto mahāmegharavo babhau śatena cāpi siṁhānāṁ ratho jaṁbhasya yojitaḥ

"rumbled like a great thundercloud and shone forth; and Jambha's chariot too was yoked with a hundred lions.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.51.23)

कुजंभस्य रथो युक्तः पिशाचवदनैः खरैः॥ तावद्भिर्महिषस्योष्टैर्गजस्य च हयैर्युतः

kujaṁbhasya ratho yuktaḥ piśācavadanaiḥ kharaiḥ tāvadbhirmahiṣasyoṣṭairgajasya ca hayairyutaḥ

"Kujambha's chariot was yoked with donkeys bearing Pishacha faces; Mahisha's with as many buffaloes, and Kunjara's the elephant-lord's, with horses,

Verse 24 (skanda.1.51.24)

मेषस्य द्वीपिभिर्भीमैः कुञ्जरैः कालनेमिनः॥ पर्वतं वै समारूढो निश्चित्य विधृतं गजैः

meṣasya dvīpibhirbhīmaiḥ kuñjaraiḥ kālaneminaḥ parvataṁ vai samārūḍho niścitya vidhṛtaṁ gajaiḥ

"Mesha's with fearsome leopards, and Kalanemi's with elephants; that last rode upon a very mountain, borne up firmly by his elephants,

Verse 25 (skanda.1.51.25)

चतुर्दंष्ट्रैर्गंधवद्भिश्चर्भिर्मेघसन्निभैः॥ शतहस्तायते कृष्णे तुरंगे हेमभूषणे

caturdaṁṣṭrairgaṁdhavadbhiścarbhirmeghasannibhaiḥ śatahastāyate kṛṣṇe turaṁge hemabhūṣaṇe

"four-tusked, fragrant, cloud-like beasts. Mounted on a black horse a hundred hands long, adorned with gold, that lord of Daityas, Mathana...

Verse 26 (skanda.1.51.26)

सितचामरजालेन शोभिते पुष्पदामनि॥ मथनोनाम दैत्येन्द्रः पाशहस्तो व्यराजत

sitacāmarajālena śobhite puṣpadāmani mathanonāma daityendraḥ pāśahasto vyarājata

...decked with a net of white chamaras and a garland of flowers, noose in hand, that lord of Daityas, Mathana, blazed forth in splendor.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.51.27)

किंकिणीमालिनं चोष्ट्रमारूढोऽभूच्च जंभकः॥ कालमुंचं महामेघमारूढः शुम्भदानवः

kiṁkiṇīmālinaṁ coṣṭramārūḍho'bhūcca jaṁbhakaḥ kālamuṁcaṁ mahāmeghamārūḍhaḥ śumbhadānavaḥ

"Jambhaka rode a camel bedecked with a garland of little bells; the Danava Shumbha rode upon a great cloud called Kalamuncha.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.51.28)

अन्ये च दानवा वीरा नानावाहनहेतयः॥ प्रचण्डचित्रवर्माणः कुण्डलोष्णीषभूषिताः

anye ca dānavā vīrā nānāvāhanahetayaḥ pracaṇḍacitravarmāṇaḥ kuṇḍaloṣṇīṣabhūṣitāḥ

"And the other heroic Danavas, bearing the weapons of their varied mounts, arrayed in fierce, many-colored armor, adorned with earrings and turbans,

Verse 29 (skanda.1.51.29)

नानाविधोत्तरासंगा नानामाल्यविभूषणाः॥ नानासुगंधगंधाढ्या नानाबंधिशतस्तुताः

nānāvidhottarāsaṁgā nānāmālyavibhūṣaṇāḥ nānāsugaṁdhagaṁdhāḍhyā nānābaṁdhiśatastutāḥ

"wearing garments of every hue, adorned with garlands of every kind, rich with fragrances of every sort, praised by hundreds of varied bards,

Verse 30 (skanda.1.51.30)

नानावाद्यपरिस्यंदसाग्रेसरमहारथाः॥ नानाशौर्यकथासक्तास्तस्मिन्सैन्ये महारथाः

nānāvādyaparisyaṁdasāgresaramahārathāḥ nānāśauryakathāsaktāstasminsainye mahārathāḥ

"their great chariots led forward by retinues of every instrument, those great warriors, lost in tales of every kind of valor, filled that army —

Verse 31 (skanda.1.51.31)

तद्बलं दैत्यसिंहस्य भीमरूपं व्यदृश्यत॥ भूमिरेणुसमालिंगत्तुरंगरथपत्तिकम्

tadbalaṁ daityasiṁhasya bhīmarūpaṁ vyadṛśyata bhūmireṇusamāliṁgatturaṁgarathapattikam

"and that army of the demon-lion appeared fearsome to behold, the very dust of the earth clinging to horses, chariots, and marching feet.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.51.32)

स च दैत्येश्वरः क्रुद्धः समारूढो महारथम्॥ दशभिः शुशुबे दैत्यैर्दशबाहुरिवेश्वरः॥ जगद्धंतुं प्रवृत्तो वा प्रतस्थेऽसौ सुरान्प्रति

sa ca daityeśvaraḥ kruddhaḥ samārūḍho mahāratham daśabhiḥ śuśube daityairdaśabāhuriveśvaraḥ jagaddhaṁtuṁ pravṛtto vā pratasthe'sau surānprati

And that lord of demons, enraged, mounted upon his own great chariot, shone with his ten demon chieftains about him like a ten-armed lord; and, as if setting out to destroy the world itself, he advanced against the gods.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.51.33)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे वायुर्देवदूतः सुरालयम्॥ दृष्ट्वा तद्दानव बलं जगामेंद्रस्य शंसितुम्

etasminnaṁtare vāyurdevadūtaḥ surālayam dṛṣṭvā taddānava balaṁ jagāmeṁdrasya śaṁsitum

Meanwhile Vayu, messenger of the gods, seeing that army of Danavas, went to the abode of the gods to tell Indra.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.51.34)

स गत्वा तु सभां दिव्यां महेंद्रस्य महात्मनः॥ शशंस मध्ये देवानामिदं कार्यमुपस्थितम्

sa gatvā tu sabhāṁ divyāṁ maheṁdrasya mahātmanaḥ śaśaṁsa madhye devānāmidaṁ kāryamupasthitam

Going to the celestial assembly of that great-souled Mahendra, he announced amid the gods the matter now at hand.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.51.35)

तच्छ्रुत्वा देवराजः स निमीलितविलोचनः॥ बृहस्पतिमुवाचेदं वाक्यं काले महामतिः

tacchrutvā devarājaḥ sa nimīlitavilocanaḥ bṛhaspatimuvācedaṁ vākyaṁ kāle mahāmatiḥ

Hearing this, the king of the gods, closing his eyes in thought, that man of great wisdom, spoke this word to Brihaspati at the fitting hour —

Verse 36 (skanda.1.51.36)

॥इन्द्र उवाच॥ संप्राप्तोऽतिविमर्दोऽयं देवानां दानवैः सह॥ कार्यं किमत्र तद्ब्रुहि नीत्युपायोपबृंहितम्

indra uvāca saṁprāpto'tivimardo'yaṁ devānāṁ dānavaiḥ saha kāryaṁ kimatra tadbruhi nītyupāyopabṛṁhitam

Indra said: "This most severe conflict has now come upon the gods, together with the Danavas; tell me, O knower of statecraft, what must be done here."

Verse 37 (skanda.1.51.37)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा च वचनं महेंद्रस्य गिरांपतिः॥ प्रत्युवाच महाभागो बॉहस्पति रुदारधीः

etacchrutvā ca vacanaṁ maheṁdrasya girāṁpatiḥ pratyuvāca mahābhāgo baॉhaspati rudāradhīḥ

Hearing this word of great Indra, that lord of speech, most blessed, of noble understanding, Brihaspati, then replied —

Verse 38 (skanda.1.51.38)

॥बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥ सामपूर्वं स्मृता नीतिश्चतुरंगामनीकिनीम्॥ जिगीषतां सुरश्रेष्ठ स्थितिरेषा सनातनी

bṛhaspatiruvāca sāmapūrvaṁ smṛtā nītiścaturaṁgāmanīkinīm jigīṣatāṁ suraśreṣṭha sthitireṣā sanātanī

Brihaspati said: "For those who, with a fourfold army, seek victory, O best of gods, statecraft is remembered as beginning with conciliation; this is the eternal order.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.51.39)

साम दानं च भेदश्च चतुर्थो दंड एव च॥ नीतौ क्रमात्प्रयोज्याश्च देशकालविशेषतः

sāma dānaṁ ca bhedaśca caturtho daṁḍa eva ca nītau kramātprayojyāśca deśakālaviśeṣataḥ

"Conciliation, gift, division, and fourth, punishment — these must be employed in statecraft in due order, according to place and time above all.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.51.40)

तत्र साम प्रयोक्तव्यमार्येषु गुणवत्सु च॥ दानं लुब्धेषु भेदश्च शंकितोष्वितो निश्चयः

tatra sāma prayoktavyamāryeṣu guṇavatsu ca dānaṁ lubdheṣu bhedaśca śaṁkitoṣvito niścayaḥ

"Of these, conciliation should be used upon the noble and the virtuous; gift upon the greedy; division upon the doubtful — this is my own determination.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.51.41)

दण्डश्चापि प्रयोक्तव्यो नित्यकालं दुरात्मसु॥ साम दैत्येषु नैवास्ति निर्गुणत्वाद्दुरात्मसु

daṇḍaścāpi prayoktavyo nityakālaṁ durātmasu sāma daityeṣu naivāsti nirguṇatvāddurātmasu

"And punishment should always be used upon the wicked-souled. Among the Daityas there is no place for conciliation at all, for they are, by their very nature, virtueless and evil —

Verse 42 (skanda.1.51.42)

श्रिया तेषां च किं कार्यं समृद्धानां तथापि यत्॥ जातिधर्मेण चाभेद्या विधातुरपि ते मताः

śriyā teṣāṁ ca kiṁ kāryaṁ samṛddhānāṁ tathāpi yat jātidharmeṇa cābhedyā vidhāturapi te matāḥ

"and what use is fortune to them, prosperous as they already are? By their very nature of birth, even the Creator has found them unyielding.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.51.43)

एको ह्युपायो दंडोऽत्र भवतां यदि रोचते॥ दुर्जनः सुजनत्वाय कल्पते न कदाचन

eko hyupāyo daṁḍo'tra bhavatāṁ yadi rocate durjanaḥ sujanatvāya kalpate na kadācana

"There is but one remedy here, punishment, if it pleases you; the wicked man never becomes capable of virtue.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.51.44)

लालितः पालितो वापि स्वस्वभावं न मुंचति॥ एवं मे मन्यते बुद्धिर्भवंतो यद्व्यवस्यताम्

lālitaḥ pālito vāpi svasvabhāvaṁ na muṁcati evaṁ me manyate buddhirbhavaṁto yadvyavasyatām

"Cherished or protected, he never abandons his own nature. Such is my own thinking — let all of you resolve as you will."

Verse 45 (skanda.1.51.45)

एवमुक्तः सहस्राक्ष एवमेवेत्युवाच ह॥ कर्तव्यतां च संचिंत्य प्रोवाचामरसंसदि

evamuktaḥ sahasrākṣa evamevetyuvāca ha kartavyatāṁ ca saṁciṁtya provācāmarasaṁsadi

Thus addressed, the thousand-eyed one said, "So be it," and, weighing what must be done, spoke in the assembly of the immortals —

Verse 46 (skanda.1.51.46)

बहुमानेन मे वाचं श्रृणुध्वं नाकवासिनः

bahumānena me vācaṁ śrṛṇudhvaṁ nākavāsinaḥ

"O dwellers of heaven, hear my word with due regard.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.51.47)

भवंतो यज्ञभोक्तारः सतामिष्टाश्च सात्त्विकाः॥ स्वेस्वे पदे स्थिता नित्यं जगतः पालने रताः

bhavaṁto yajñabhoktāraḥ satāmiṣṭāśca sāttvikāḥ svesve pade sthitā nityaṁ jagataḥ pālane ratāḥ

"You are the enjoyers of sacrifice, beloved of the virtuous, sattvic by nature, ever established each in his own office, devoted to the protection of the world.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.51.48)

भवतां च निमित्तेन बाधंते दानवेश्वराः॥ तेषां समादि नैवास्ति दंड एव विधीयताम्

bhavatāṁ ca nimittena bādhaṁte dānaveśvarāḥ teṣāṁ samādi naivāsti daṁḍa eva vidhīyatām

"And it is on your very account that the lords of the Danavas afflict the world; there is no reconciling with them — let punishment alone now be decreed.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.51.49)

क्रियतां समरे बुद्धिः सैन्यं संयोज्यतामिति॥ आवाद्यंतां च शस्त्राणि पूज्यं तां शस्त्रदेवताः

kriyatāṁ samare buddhiḥ sainyaṁ saṁyojyatāmiti āvādyaṁtāṁ ca śastrāṇi pūjyaṁ tāṁ śastradevatāḥ

"Let strategy for battle be drawn up; let the army be assembled. Let weapons be sounded, and the deities of every weapon be worshipped."

Verse 50 (skanda.1.51.50)

इत्युक्ताः समनह्यंत देवानां ये प्रधानतः॥ वाजिनामयुतेनाजौ हेमपट्टपरिष्कृताः

ityuktāḥ samanahyaṁta devānāṁ ye pradhānataḥ vājināmayutenājau hemapaṭṭapariṣkṛtāḥ

Thus addressed, the chief gods armed themselves; with ten thousand horses adorned in golden trappings,

Verse 51 (skanda.1.51.51)

वाहनानि विमानानि योजयंतु ममामराः॥ यमं सेनापतिं कृत्वा शीघ्रं निर्यात देवताः

vāhanāni vimānāni yojayaṁtu mamāmarāḥ yamaṁ senāpatiṁ kṛtvā śīghraṁ niryāta devatāḥ

"let the immortals harness their mounts and chariots for me. Making Yama the commander, go forth swiftly, O gods."

Verse 52 (skanda.1.51.52)

नानाश्चर्यगुणोपेता दुर्जया देवदानवैः॥ रथो मातलिना युक्तो महेंद्रस्याप्यदृश्यत

nānāścaryaguṇopetā durjayā devadānavaiḥ ratho mātalinā yukto maheṁdrasyāpyadṛśyata

Endowed with many wondrous virtues, unconquerable by gods and demons alike, great Indra's own chariot too, yoked now by Matali, appeared.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.51.53)

यमो महिषमास्थाय सेनाग्रे समवर्तत॥ चंडकिंकिणिवृंदेन सर्वतः परिवारितः

yamo mahiṣamāsthāya senāgre samavartata caṁḍakiṁkiṇivṛṁdena sarvataḥ parivāritaḥ

Yama, mounted upon a buffalo, took his place at the head of the army, surrounded on every side by a fierce cluster of little bells,

Verse 54 (skanda.1.51.54)

कल्पकालोज्जवालापूरितांबरगोचरः॥ हुताश उरणारूढः शक्तिहस्तो व्यवस्थितः

kalpakālojjavālāpūritāṁbaragocaraḥ hutāśa uraṇārūḍhaḥ śaktihasto vyavasthitaḥ

the sky itself seeming filled with the very blaze of dissolution's fire. Fire, mounted upon a ram, spear in hand, took his stand,

Verse 55 (skanda.1.51.55)

पवनोंऽकुशपाणिस्तु विस्तारितमहाजवः॥ महाऋक्षं समारूढं सेनाग्रे समदृश्यत

pavanoṁ'kuśapāṇistu vistāritamahājavaḥ mahāṛkṣaṁ samārūḍhaṁ senāgre samadṛśyata

and Vayu, goad in hand, of vast and mighty speed, mounted on a great bear, was seen at the very head of the army.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.51.56)

भुजगेन्द्रं समारूढो जलेशो भगवान्स्वयम्॥ महापाशधरो वीरः सेनायां समवर्तत

bhujagendraṁ samārūḍho jaleśo bhagavānsvayam mahāpāśadharo vīraḥ senāyāṁ samavartata

Mounted on the lord of serpents, the blessed Lord of Waters himself, that hero bearing a great noose, took his place within the army.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.51.57)

नरयुक्ते रथे दिव्ये धनाध्यक्षो व्यचीचरत्॥ महासिंहरवो युद्धे गदाहस्तो व्यवस्थितः

narayukte rathe divye dhanādhyakṣo vyacīcarat mahāsiṁharavo yuddhe gadāhasto vyavasthitaḥ

In a divine chariot yoked with men, the lord of wealth moved through the ranks; roaring the great lion's roar of battle, mace in hand, he took his stand.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.51.58)

राक्षसेशोऽथ निर्ऋती रथे रक्षोमुखैर्हयैः॥ धन्वी रक्षोगणवृतो महारावो व्यदृश्यत

rākṣaseśo'tha nirṛtī rathe rakṣomukhairhayaiḥ dhanvī rakṣogaṇavṛto mahārāvo vyadṛśyata

Nirriti, lord of the Rakshasas, in a chariot drawn by horses with Rakshasa-faces, bow in hand, surrounded by hosts of Rakshasas, roaring mightily, was seen.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.51.59)

चंद्रादित्यावश्विनौ च वसवः साध्यदेवताः॥ विश्वेदेवाश्च रुद्राश्च सन्नद्धास्तस्थुराहवे

caṁdrādityāvaśvinau ca vasavaḥ sādhyadevatāḥ viśvedevāśca rudrāśca sannaddhāstasthurāhave

The moon and the sun, the two Ashvins, the Vasus, the Sadhya gods, the Vishvedevas, and the Rudras — all stood armed for that battle.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.51.60)

हेमपीठत्तरासंगाश्चित्रवर्मायुधध्वजाः॥ गंधर्वाः प्रत्यदृश्यन्त कृत्वा विश्वावसुं मुखे

hemapīṭhattarāsaṁgāścitravarmāyudhadhvajāḥ gaṁdharvāḥ pratyadṛśyanta kṛtvā viśvāvasuṁ mukhe

With golden seats and upper garments, with colorful weapons and banners, the Gandharvas appeared, Vishvavasu foremost among them.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.51.61)

तथा रक्तोत्तरासंगा निर्मलायोविभूषणाः॥ गृध्रध्वजा अदृश्यंत राक्षसा रक्तमूर्धजाः

tathā raktottarāsaṁgā nirmalāyovibhūṣaṇāḥ gṛdhradhvajā adṛśyaṁta rākṣasā raktamūrdhajāḥ

Likewise, in red garments, adorned with spotless iron ornaments, bearing vulture-banners, red of hair, the Rakshasas came into view.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.51.62)

तथा भीमाशनिकराः कृष्णवस्त्रा महारथाः॥ यक्षास्तत्र व्यदृश्यंत मणिभद्रादिकोटिशः

tathā bhīmāśanikarāḥ kṛṣṇavastrā mahārathāḥ yakṣāstatra vyadṛśyaṁta maṇibhadrādikoṭiśaḥ

Likewise, terrible thunderbolt-like weapons in hand, clad in black, the great charioteering Yakshas appeared there in their tens of millions, Manibhadra among them.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.51.63)

ताम्रोलूकध्वजा रौद्रा द्वीपिचर्मांबरास्तथा॥ पिशाचास्तत्र राजंते महावेगपुरःसराः

tāmrolūkadhvajā raudrā dvīpicarmāṁbarāstathā piśācāstatra rājaṁte mahāvegapuraḥsarāḥ

Bearing copper-hued owl-banners, fearsome, clad in leopard hides, the Pishachas shone there, rushing forward with tremendous speed.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.51.64)

तथैव श्वेतवसनाः सितपट्टपताकिनः॥ मत्तेभवाहनप्रायाः किंनरास्तस्थुराहवे

tathaiva śvetavasanāḥ sitapaṭṭapatākinaḥ mattebhavāhanaprāyāḥ kiṁnarāstasthurāhave

Likewise, robed in white, bearing banners of white cloth, mounted for the most part on rutting elephants, the Kinnaras stood ready for battle.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.51.65)

मुक्ताजाल पिरष्कारो हंसो हारसमप्रभः॥ केतुर्जलधिनाथस्य सौम्यरूपो व्यराजत

muktājāla piraṣkāro haṁso hārasamaprabhaḥ keturjaladhināthasya saumyarūpo vyarājata

Adorned with a net of pearls, a swan bright as a garland, the gentle banner of the Lord of the Ocean shone forth.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.51.66)

पंचरागमहारत्नविटंको धनदस्य च॥ ध्वजः समुत्थितो भाति यातुकाम इवांबरम्

paṁcarāgamahāratnaviṭaṁko dhanadasya ca dhvajaḥ samutthito bhāti yātukāma ivāṁbaram

Crowned with a great peak wrought of jewels of five hues, the banner of Kubera rose up, as if longing to take flight into the sky.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.51.67)

कार्ष्णलोहमयो ध्वांक्षो यमस्याभून्महाध्वजः॥ राक्षसेशस्य वदनं प्रेतस्य ध्वज आबभौ

kārṣṇalohamayo dhvāṁkṣo yamasyābhūnmahādhvajaḥ rākṣaseśasya vadanaṁ pretasya dhvaja ābabhau

Yama's great banner was a crow of black iron; the banner of the Rakshasa-lord shone with the face of a spirit of the dead.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.51.68)

हेमसिंहध्वजौ देवौ चन्द्रार्कवमितद्युति॥ कुंभेन चित्रवर्णेन केतुराश्विनयोरभूत्

hemasiṁhadhvajau devau candrārkavamitadyuti kuṁbhena citravarṇena keturāśvinayorabhūt

The banners of those two gods, sun and moon, were golden lions, radiant as the moon and sun themselves; the banner of the Ashvins was a many-hued pot.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.51.69)

मातंगो हेमरचितश्चित्ररत्नपरिष्कृतः॥ ध्वजः शतक्रतोरासीत्सितचा मरसंस्थितः

mātaṁgo hemaracitaścitraratnapariṣkṛtaḥ dhvajaḥ śatakratorāsītsitacā marasaṁsthitaḥ

A golden-wrought elephant, adorned with dazzling gems, was Shatakratu's own banner, set about with white chamaras.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.51.70)

अन्येषां च ध्वजास्तत्र नानारूपा बभू रणे॥ सनागयक्षगंधर्वमहोरगनिशाचरा

anyeṣāṁ ca dhvajāstatra nānārūpā babhū raṇe sanāgayakṣagaṁdharvamahoraganiśācarā

And there in that battle, the banners of the others too took many varied forms — of the Nagas, the Yakshas, the Gandharvas, the great serpents, and the walkers of the night.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.51.71)

सेना सा देवराजस्य दुर्जया प्रत्यदृश्यत॥ कोटयस्तास्त्रयस्त्रिंशन्नानादेवकायिनाम्

senā sā devarājasya durjayā pratyadṛśyata koṭayastāstrayastriṁśannānādevakāyinām

That army of the king of gods appeared unconquerable; thirty-three crores of the gods, in their various forms —

Verse 72 (skanda.1.51.72)

हैमाचलाभे सितकर्णचामरे सुवर्णपद्मामलसुंदरस्रजि॥ कृताभिरामोज्ज्वलकुंकुमांकुरे कपोललीताविविमुक्तरावे

haimācalābhe sitakarṇacāmare suvarṇapadmāmalasuṁdarasraji kṛtābhirāmojjvalakuṁkumāṁkure kapolalītāvivimuktarāve

and, like a mountain of gold, with white ear-like fans, garlanded with pure golden lotuses, its cheeks bright with fresh streaks of saffron, its temples streaming with the flow of rut —

Verse 73 (skanda.1.51.73)

श्रितस्तदैरावणनामकुंजरे महाबलश्चित्रविशेषितांबरः॥ विशालवज्रांगवितानभूषितः प्रकीर्णकेयूरभुजाग्रमंडलः

śritastadairāvaṇanāmakuṁjare mahābalaścitraviśeṣitāṁbaraḥ viśālavajrāṁgavitānabhūṣitaḥ prakīrṇakeyūrabhujāgramaṁḍalaḥ

seated upon that lord of elephants named Airavata, the mighty one, arrayed in garments of every color, adorned with a vast array of adamantine ornaments, his very arms ringed at their tips with scattered bracelets —

Verse 74 (skanda.1.51.74)

सहस्रदृग्बंदिसहस्रसंस्तुतस्त्रिविष्टपेऽशोभत पाकशासनः

sahasradṛgbaṁdisahasrasaṁstutastriviṣṭape'śobhata pākaśāsanaḥ

thousand-eyed, praised by a thousand bards, Pakashasana, Indra, shone forth in the triple heaven.