The Battle Between the Armies of Taraka and the Gods

Verse 1 (skanda.1.53.1)

॥नारद उवाच॥ धनाधिपस्य जंभेन सायकैर्मर्मभेदिभिः॥ दिशोपरुद्धाः क्रुद्धेन सैन्यं चाभ्यर्दितं भृशम्

nārada uvāca dhanādhipasya jaṁbhena sāyakairmarmabhedibhiḥ diśoparuddhāḥ kruddhena sainyaṁ cābhyarditaṁ bhṛśam

Narada said: "By Jambha's mark-piercing arrows the directions were blocked, and, enraged, he greatly harassed the army of the Lord of Wealth.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.53.2)

तद्दृष्ट्वा कर्म दैत्यस्य धनाध्यक्षः प्रतापवान्॥ आकर्णाकृष्टचापस्तु जंभमाजौ महाबलम्

taddṛṣṭvā karma daityasya dhanādhyakṣaḥ pratāpavān ākarṇākṛṣṭacāpastu jaṁbhamājau mahābalam

"Seeing this deed of the demon, the mighty lord of wealth, drawing his bow to his very ear, struck the mighty Jambha in battle,

Verse 3 (skanda.1.53.3)

हृदि विव्याध बाणानां सहस्रेणाग्निवर्चसाम्॥ स प्रहस्य ततो वीरो बाणानामयुतत्रयम्

hṛdi vivyādha bāṇānāṁ sahasreṇāgnivarcasām sa prahasya tato vīro bāṇānāmayutatrayam

"piercing his chest with a thousand arrows, blazing bright as fire. Then, laughing, that hero loosed thirty thousand arrows,

Verse 4 (skanda.1.53.4)

नियुतं च तथा कोटिमर्बुदं चाक्षिपत्क्षणात्॥ तस्य तल्लाघ्रवं दृषट्वा क्रुद्धो गृह्य महागदाम्

niyutaṁ ca tathā koṭimarbudaṁ cākṣipatkṣaṇāt tasya tallāghravaṁ dṛṣaṭvā kruddho gṛhya mahāgadām

"and then a million, a crore, and a hundred crore more, all in a single instant. Seeing that agility, enraged, seizing a great mace,

Verse 5 (skanda.1.53.5)

धनाध्यक्षः प्रचिक्षेप स्वर्गेप्सुः स्वधनं यथा॥ मुक्तायां वै नादोऽभूत्प्रलये यथा

dhanādhyakṣaḥ pracikṣepa svargepsuḥ svadhanaṁ yathā muktāyāṁ vai nādo'bhūtpralaye yathā

"the lord of wealth hurled it, as one who longs for heaven offers up his own wealth. As it was loosed, a roar arose such as sounds at the dissolution of the world,

Verse 6 (skanda.1.53.6)

भूतानां बहुधा रावा जज्ञिरे खे महाभयाः॥ वायुश्च सुमहाञ्जज्ञे खमायान्मेघसंकुलम्

bhūtānāṁ bahudhā rāvā jajñire khe mahābhayāḥ vāyuśca sumahāñjajñe khamāyānmeghasaṁkulam

"and many terrible cries of beings rose in the sky; and a mighty wind arose, and the heavens filled with clouds.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.53.7)

सा हि वैश्रवणस्यास्ते त्रैलोक्याभ्यर्चिता गदा॥ आयांतीं तां समालोक्य तडित्संघातदुर्द्दशाम्

sā hi vaiśravaṇasyāste trailokyābhyarcitā gadā āyāṁtīṁ tāṁ samālokya taḍitsaṁghātadurddaśām

"For that mace belongs to Vaishravana, honored throughout the three worlds. Seeing it come, blinding as a mass of lightning,

Verse 8 (skanda.1.53.8)

दैत्यो गदाविघातार्थं शस्त्रवृष्टिं मुमोच ह॥ चक्राणि कुणपान्प्रासाञ्छतघ्नीः पट्टिशांस्तथा

daityo gadāvighātārthaṁ śastravṛṣṭiṁ mumoca ha cakrāṇi kuṇapānprāsāñchataghnīḥ paṭṭiśāṁstathā

"the demon, to check that mace, unleashed a shower of weapons — discuses, hurled corpses, lances, rockets, and spiked clubs,

Verse 9 (skanda.1.53.9)

परिघान्मुशलान्वृक्षान्गिरींश्चातुलविक्रमः॥ कदर्थीकृत्य शस्त्राणि तानि सर्वाणि सा गदा

parighānmuśalānvṛkṣāngirīṁścātulavikramaḥ kadarthīkṛtya śastrāṇi tāni sarvāṇi sā gadā

"iron bars, maces, trees, and mountains, matchless in his valor; but that mace, rendering every one of those weapons useless,

Verse 10 (skanda.1.53.10)

कल्पांतभास्करो यद्वन्न्यपतद्दैत्यवक्षसि॥ स तया गाढभिन्नः सन्सफेनरुधिरं वमन्

kalpāṁtabhāskaro yadvannyapataddaityavakṣasi sa tayā gāḍhabhinnaḥ sansaphenarudhiraṁ vaman

"fell upon the demon's chest like the sun at the world's dissolution. Torn deep by it, vomiting foaming blood,

Verse 11 (skanda.1.53.11)

निःपपात रथाज्जंभो वसुधां गतचेतनः॥ जंभं निपतितं दृष्ट्वा कुजंभो घोरनिश्चयः

niḥpapāta rathājjaṁbho vasudhāṁ gatacetanaḥ jaṁbhaṁ nipatitaṁ dṛṣṭvā kujaṁbho ghoraniścayaḥ

"Jambha fell from his chariot to the earth, senseless. Seeing Jambha fallen, Kujambha, his resolve now terrible,

Verse 12 (skanda.1.53.12)

धनाधिपस्य संक्रुद्धो नादेनापूरयन्दिशः॥ चक्रे बाणमयं जालं शकुंतस्येव पंजरम्

dhanādhipasya saṁkruddho nādenāpūrayandiśaḥ cakre bāṇamayaṁ jālaṁ śakuṁtasyeva paṁjaram

"enraged beyond measure at the lord of wealth, filling every direction with his roar, wove a net of arrows, like a cage for a bird.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.53.13)

विच्छिद्य बाणजालं च मायाजालमिवोत्कटम्॥ मुमोच बाणानपरांस्तस्य यक्षाधिपो बली

vicchidya bāṇajālaṁ ca māyājālamivotkaṭam mumoca bāṇānaparāṁstasya yakṣādhipo balī

"That web of arrows, dense as a web of sorcery, that mighty lord of Yakshas tore through and loosed other arrows of his own;

Verse 14 (skanda.1.53.14)

चिच्छेद लीलया तांश्च दैत्यः क्रोधीव सद्वचः॥ निष्फलांस्तांस्ततो दृष्ट्वा बाणान्क्रुद्धो धनाधिपः

ciccheda līlayā tāṁśca daityaḥ krodhīva sadvacaḥ niṣphalāṁstāṁstato dṛṣṭvā bāṇānkruddho dhanādhipaḥ

"the demon, as though enraged even by a kind word, cut them down with ease. Seeing his arrows thus rendered fruitless, the lord of wealth, enraged,

Verse 15 (skanda.1.53.15)

शक्तिं जग्राह दुर्धर्षां शतघंटामहास्वनाम्॥ प्रेषिता सा तदा शक्तिर्दारयामास तं हृति

śaktiṁ jagrāha durdharṣāṁ śataghaṁṭāmahāsvanām preṣitā sā tadā śaktirdārayāmāsa taṁ hṛti

"seized an irresistible spear, hung with a hundred bells, of thunderous sound. That spear, once hurled, tore through his very heart,

Verse 16 (skanda.1.53.16)

यथाल्पबोधं पुरुषं दुःखं संसारसंभवम्॥ तथास्य हृदयं भित्त्वा जगाम धरणीतलम्

yathālpabodhaṁ puruṣaṁ duḥkhaṁ saṁsārasaṁbhavam tathāsya hṛdayaṁ bhittvā jagāma dharaṇītalam

"as the sorrow born of samsara pierces the heart of a man of little understanding; splitting his heart just so, it drove on into the very ground.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.53.17)

निमेषात्सोभिसंस्तम्भ्य दानवो दारुणाकृतिः॥ जग्राह पट्टिशं दैत्यो गिरीणामपि भेदनम्

nimeṣātsobhisaṁstambhya dānavo dāruṇākṛtiḥ jagrāha paṭṭiśaṁ daityo girīṇāmapi bhedanam

"In an instant that fearsome-formed Danava steadied himself, and that demon took up a spiked club, one that could split even mountains.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.53.18)

स तेन पट्टिसेनाजौ धनदस्य स्तनांतरम्॥ वाक्येन तीक्ष्णरूपेण मर्माक्षरविसर्पिणा

sa tena paṭṭisenājau dhanadasya stanāṁtaram vākyena tīkṣṇarūpeṇa marmākṣaravisarpiṇā

"With that spiked club he struck at the very chest of the lord of wealth in battle, as a sharp word strikes, sinking into the tender syllables of the heart,

Verse 19 (skanda.1.53.19)

निर्बिभेदाभिजातस्य हृदयं दुर्जनो यथा॥ तेन पट्टिश घातेन धनेशः। परिमूर्छितः

nirbibhedābhijātasya hṛdayaṁ durjano yathā tena paṭṭiśa ghātena dhaneśaḥ parimūrchitaḥ

"as a wicked man tears open the heart of one nobly born. By that blow of the spiked club, the lord of wealth, utterly fainting,

Verse 20 (skanda.1.53.20)

निषसाद रथोपस्थे दुर्वाचा सुजनो यथा॥ तथागतं तु तं दृष्ट्वा धनेशं वै मृतं यथा

niṣasāda rathopasthe durvācā sujano yathā tathāgataṁ tu taṁ dṛṣṭvā dhaneśaṁ vai mṛtaṁ yathā

"sank down onto the seat of his own chariot, as a good man is bowed low by a cruel word. Seeing him thus, as if dead,

Verse 21 (skanda.1.53.21)

राक्षसो निर्ऋतिर्देवो निशाचरबलानुगः॥ अभिदुद्राव वेगेन कुजंभं भीमविक्रमम्

rākṣaso nirṛtirdevo niśācarabalānugaḥ abhidudrāva vegena kujaṁbhaṁ bhīmavikramam

"the divine Rakshasa Nirriti, joined with his hosts of night-wanderers, rushed with all speed at Kujambha, of fearsome valor.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.53.22)

अथ दृष्ट्वातिदुर्धर्षं कुजंभो राक्षसेश्वरम्॥ नोदयामास दैत्यान्स राक्षसेशरथं प्रति

atha dṛṣṭvātidurdharṣaṁ kujaṁbho rākṣaseśvaram nodayāmāsa daityānsa rākṣaseśarathaṁ prati

"Then, seeing that most formidable lord of Rakshasas, Kujambha urged his demons on toward the chariot of that lord of Rakshasas.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.53.23)

स दृष्ट्वा नोदितां सेनां प्रबलास्त्रां सुभीषणाम्॥ रथादाप्लुत्य वेगेन निर्ऋती राक्षसेश्वरम्

sa dṛṣṭvā noditāṁ senāṁ prabalāstrāṁ subhīṣaṇām rathādāplutya vegena nirṛtī rākṣaseśvaram

"He, Nirriti, lord of Rakshasas, seeing that mighty, weapon-laden, most terrible army sent against him, leaping swiftly from his own chariot,

Verse 24 (skanda.1.53.24)

खड्गेन तीक्ष्णधारेण चर्मपाणिरधावत॥ प्रविश्य दानवानीकं गजः पद्मसरो यथा

khaḍgena tīkṣṇadhāreṇa carmapāṇiradhāvata praviśya dānavānīkaṁ gajaḥ padmasaro yathā

"sword sharp-edged in hand, shield raised, plunged into the demon host as an elephant plunges into a lotus-lake.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.53.25)

लोडयामास बहुधा विनिष्कृत्य सहस्रशः॥ चिच्छेद कांश्चिच्छतशो बिभेदान्यान्वरासिना

loḍayāmāsa bahudhā viniṣkṛtya sahasraśaḥ ciccheda kāṁścicchataśo bibhedānyānvarāsinā

"He churned through it in many ways, cutting down thousands; some he cut apart by the hundred, others he ran through with his fine sword,

Verse 26 (skanda.1.53.26)

संदष्टौष्ठमुखैः पृथ्वीं दैत्यानां सोऽभ्यपूरयत्॥ ततो निःशेषितप्रायां विलोक्य स्वां चमूं तदा

saṁdaṣṭauṣṭhamukhaiḥ pṛthvīṁ daityānāṁ so'bhyapūrayat tato niḥśeṣitaprāyāṁ vilokya svāṁ camūṁ tadā

"until the earth lay covered with demons, their lips bitten through, their mouths agape. Then, seeing his own army almost entirely spent,

Verse 27 (skanda.1.53.27)

मुक्त्वा धनपतिं दैत्यः कुजंभो निर्ऋतिं ययौ॥ लब्धसंज्ञस्तु जंभोऽपि धनाध्यक्षपदानुगान्

muktvā dhanapatiṁ daityaḥ kujaṁbho nirṛtiṁ yayau labdhasaṁjñastu jaṁbho'pi dhanādhyakṣapadānugān

"the demon Kujambha left the lord of wealth and turned toward Nirriti. Jambha too, coming to his senses,

Verse 28 (skanda.1.53.28)

जीवग्राहं स जग्राह बद्धा पाशैः सहस्रधा॥ मूर्तिमंति च रत्ननि पद्मादींश्च निधींस्तथा

jīvagrāhaṁ sa jagrāha baddhā pāśaiḥ sahasradhā mūrtimaṁti ca ratnani padmādīṁśca nidhīṁstathā

"seized alive the followers of the lord of wealth, binding them with a thousand cords — the very embodiments of jewels, the treasures such as Padma too,

Verse 29 (skanda.1.53.29)

वाहनानि च दिव्यानि विमानानि च सर्वशः॥ धनेशो लब्धसंज्ञस्तु तामवस्थां विलोक्य सः

vāhanāni ca divyāni vimānāni ca sarvaśaḥ dhaneśo labdhasaṁjñastu tāmavasthāṁ vilokya saḥ

"and the divine mounts, and every celestial chariot besides. The lord of wealth, his senses returning, beholding that state,

Verse 30 (skanda.1.53.30)

निःश्वसन्दीर्घमुष्णं च रोषात्ताम्रविलोचनः॥ ध्यात्वास्त्रं गारुडं दिव्यं बाणं संधाय कार्मुके

niḥśvasandīrghamuṣṇaṁ ca roṣāttāmravilocanaḥ dhyātvāstraṁ gāruḍaṁ divyaṁ bāṇaṁ saṁdhāya kārmuke

"breathing long and hot sighs, his eyes reddened with fury, called to mind the divine weapon of Garuda and fitted an arrow to his bow,

Verse 31 (skanda.1.53.31)

मुमोच दानवानीके तं बाणं शत्रुदारणम्॥ प्रथमं कार्मुकं तस्य वह्निज्वालमदृश्यत

mumoca dānavānīke taṁ bāṇaṁ śatrudāraṇam prathamaṁ kārmukaṁ tasya vahnijvālamadṛśyata

"and loosed at the demon host that foe-splitting shaft. First his very bow seemed wreathed in flame,

Verse 32 (skanda.1.53.32)

निश्चेरुर्विस्फुलिंगानां कोटयो धनुषस्तथा॥ ततो ज्वालाकुलं व्योम चक्रे चास्त्रं समंततः

niścerurvisphuliṁgānāṁ koṭayo dhanuṣastathā tato jvālākulaṁ vyoma cakre cāstraṁ samaṁtataḥ

"and from it flew crores of sparks; then, through that weapon, the whole sky, on every side, filled with fire.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.53.33)

तदस्त्रं सहसा दृष्ट्वा जंभो भीमपराक्रमः॥ संवर्तं मुमुचे तेन प्रशांतं गारुडं तदा

tadastraṁ sahasā dṛṣṭvā jaṁbho bhīmaparākramaḥ saṁvartaṁ mumuce tena praśāṁtaṁ gāruḍaṁ tadā

"Seeing that weapon so suddenly, Jambha, of fearsome valor, loosed a counter-weapon of his own, and by it that Garuda weapon was stilled.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.53.34)

ततस्तं दानवो दृष्ट्वा कुबेरं रोषविह्वलः॥ अभिदुद्राव वेगेन पदातिर्धनदं नदन्

tatastaṁ dānavo dṛṣṭvā kuberaṁ roṣavihvalaḥ abhidudrāva vegena padātirdhanadaṁ nadan

"Then that Danava, seeing Kubera, overcome with fury, rushed on foot with great speed at the lord of wealth, roaring as he came.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.53.35)

अथाभिमुखमायांतं दैत्यं दृष्ट्वा धनाधिपः॥ बभूव संभ्रमाविष्टः पलायनपरायणः

athābhimukhamāyāṁtaṁ daityaṁ dṛṣṭvā dhanādhipaḥ babhūva saṁbhramāviṣṭaḥ palāyanaparāyaṇaḥ

"Then, seeing that demon closing on him, the lord of wealth, overcome with panic, turned wholly to thoughts of flight.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.53.36)

ततः पलायतस्तस्य मुकुटो रत्नमंडितः॥ पपात भूतले दीप्तो रविबिंबमिवांबरात्

tataḥ palāyatastasya mukuṭo ratnamaṁḍitaḥ papāta bhūtale dīpto ravibiṁbamivāṁbarāt

"Then, as he fled, his gem-studded crown fell to the ground, blazing, as if the sun's own disc had dropped from the sky.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.53.37)

यक्षणामभिजातानां भग्नं प्रववृते रणात्॥ मर्तुं संग्राम शिरसि युक्तं नो भूषणाय तत्

yakṣaṇāmabhijātānāṁ bhagnaṁ pravavṛte raṇāt martuṁ saṁgrāma śirasi yuktaṁ no bhūṣaṇāya tat

"Among the noble-born Yakshas a broken rout from battle began — for to die bare-headed in war is not fitting; this is no matter of honor.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.53.38)

इति व्यवस्य दुर्धर्षा नानाशस्त्रास्त्रपाणयः॥ युयुत्सवस्तथा यक्षा मुकुटं परिवार्य ते

iti vyavasya durdharṣā nānāśastrāstrapāṇayaḥ yuyutsavastathā yakṣā mukuṭaṁ parivārya te

"Resolving so, those formidable Yakshas, weapons of every kind in hand, eager for battle, ringed round that crown,

Verse 39 (skanda.1.53.39)

अभिमान धना वीरा धनस्य पदानुगाः॥ तानमर्षाच्च संप्रेक्ष्य दानवश्चंडपौरुषः

abhimāna dhanā vīrā dhanasya padānugāḥ tānamarṣācca saṁprekṣya dānavaścaṁḍapauruṣaḥ

"those heroes proud of their wealth, followers of the very path of the lord of wealth. Seeing them, unable to bear it, that fiercely mighty Danava,

Verse 40 (skanda.1.53.40)

भुशुण्डीं भीषणाकारां गृहीत्वा शैलगौरवाम्॥ रक्षिणो मुकुटस्याथ निष्पिपेष निशाचरान्

bhuśuṇḍīṁ bhīṣaṇākārāṁ gṛhītvā śailagauravām rakṣiṇo mukuṭasyātha niṣpipeṣa niśācarān

"seized a fearsome-shaped weapon, heavy as a mountain, and crushed those night-wandering guardians of the crown to nothing.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.53.41)

तान्प्रमथ्याथ नियुतं मुकुटं तं स्वके रथे॥ समारोप्यामररिपुर्जित्वा धनदमाहवे

tānpramathyātha niyutaṁ mukuṭaṁ taṁ svake rathe samāropyāmararipurjitvā dhanadamāhave

"Having pounded down those ten thousand, that foe of the immortals mounted the crown upon his own chariot, and, having conquered the lord of wealth in battle,

Verse 42 (skanda.1.53.42)

धनानि च निधीन्गृह्य स्वसैन्येन समावृतः॥ नादेन महता देवान्द्रावयामास सर्वशः

dhanāni ca nidhīngṛhya svasainyena samāvṛtaḥ nādena mahatā devāndrāvayāmāsa sarvaśaḥ

"and seizing his wealth and treasures, surrounded by his own army, with a mighty roar sent the gods fleeing on every side.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.53.43)

धनदोऽपि धनं सर्वं गृहीतो मुक्तमूर्धजः॥ पदातिरेकः सन्त्रस्तः प्राप्यैवं दीनवत्स्थितः

dhanado'pi dhanaṁ sarvaṁ gṛhīto muktamūrdhajaḥ padātirekaḥ santrastaḥ prāpyaivaṁ dīnavatsthitaḥ

"The lord of wealth too, all his riches stripped away, his crown gone, alone and on foot, terrified, was brought thus to a wretched state,

Verse 44 (skanda.1.53.44)

कुजंभेनाथ संसक्तो रजनीचरनंदनः॥ मायाममोघामाश्रित्य तामसीं राक्षसेश्वरः

kujaṁbhenātha saṁsakto rajanīcaranaṁdanaḥ māyāmamoghāmāśritya tāmasīṁ rākṣaseśvaraḥ

"and was then drawn into conflict with Kujambha; and that lord of Rakshasas, son of the night, resorting to an unfailing illusion of darkness,

Verse 45 (skanda.1.53.45)

मोहयामास दैत्येन्द्रो जगत्कृत्वा तमोमयम्॥ ततो विफलनेत्राणि दानवानां बलानि च

mohayāmāsa daityendro jagatkṛtvā tamomayam tato viphalanetrāṇi dānavānāṁ balāni ca

"that lord of Daityas plunged the world into darkness and bewildered the gods. Then their eyes grew useless, and the armies of the Danavas...

Verse 46 (skanda.1.53.46)

न शेकुश्चलितुं तत्र पदादपि पदं तदा॥ ततो नानास्त्रवर्षेण दानवानां महाचमूः

na śekuścalituṁ tatra padādapi padaṁ tadā tato nānāstravarṣeṇa dānavānāṁ mahācamūḥ

...could not move a single step from that spot. Then, with a shower of many weapons, the great army of the Danavas...

Verse 47 (skanda.1.53.47)

जघान निर्ऋतिर्देवस्तमसा संवृता भृशम्॥ हन्यमानेषु दैत्येषु कुजंभे मूढचेतसि

jaghāna nirṛtirdevastamasā saṁvṛtā bhṛśam hanyamāneṣu daityeṣu kujaṁbhe mūḍhacetasi

...deeply veiled in darkness, was struck down by the god Nirriti. As the demons were slain, Kujambha, his mind clouded,

Verse 48 (skanda.1.53.48)

महिषो दानवेन्द्रस्तु कल्पांतां भोदसन्निभः॥ अस्त्रं चकार सावित्रमुल्कासंघातमंडितम्

mahiṣo dānavendrastu kalpāṁtāṁ bhodasannibhaḥ astraṁ cakāra sāvitramulkāsaṁghātamaṁḍitam

"and that lord of the Danavas, Mahisha, cloud-like as at the end of the age, fashioned the Savitra weapon, adorned with a mass of meteors.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.53.49)

विजृंभत्यथ सावित्रे परमास्त्रे प्रातपिनि॥ प्रणासमगमत्तीव्रं तमो घोरमनंतरम्

vijṛṁbhatyatha sāvitre paramāstre prātapini praṇāsamagamattīvraṁ tamo ghoramanaṁtaram

"As that supreme, blazing Savitra weapon spread wide, that terrible darkness was at once destroyed.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.53.50)

ततोऽस्त्रविस्फुलिंगांकं तमः शुक्लं व्यजायत॥ प्रोत्फुल्लारुणपद्मौघं शरदीवामलं सरः

tato'stravisphuliṁgāṁkaṁ tamaḥ śuklaṁ vyajāyata protphullāruṇapadmaughaṁ śaradīvāmalaṁ saraḥ

"Then, marked all over with the sparks of that weapon, the darkness turned white, like an autumn lake, pure, filled with blooming red lotuses.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.53.51)

ततस्तमसि संशांते दैत्येन्द्राः प्राप्तचक्षुषः॥ चक्रुः क्रुरेण तमसा देवानीकं महाद्भुतम्

tatastamasi saṁśāṁte daityendrāḥ prāptacakṣuṣaḥ cakruḥ krureṇa tamasā devānīkaṁ mahādbhutam

"Then, that darkness having subsided, the lords of the Daityas, their sight restored, wrought terrible and wondrous havoc upon the army of the gods.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.53.52)

अथादाय धनुर्घोरमिषुं चाशीविषोपमम्॥ कुजंभोऽधावत क्षिप्रं रक्षोदेवबलं प्रति

athādāya dhanurghoramiṣuṁ cāśīviṣopamam kujaṁbho'dhāvata kṣipraṁ rakṣodevabalaṁ prati

"Then, taking up his terrible bow and an arrow like a venomous serpent, Kujambha rushed swiftly toward the army of Rakshasas and gods.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.53.53)

राक्षसेन्द्रस्तथायांतं दृषट्वा तं स पदानुगः॥ विव्याध निशितैर्बाणैः कालाशनिसमस्वनैः

rākṣasendrastathāyāṁtaṁ dṛṣaṭvā taṁ sa padānugaḥ vivyādha niśitairbāṇaiḥ kālāśanisamasvanaiḥ

"Seeing him come thus, that lord of Rakshasas, together with his foot-soldiers, began piercing him with sharp arrows sounding like Yama's own thunderbolt,

Verse 54 (skanda.1.53.54)

नादानं न च सन्धानं न मोक्षो वास्य लक्ष्यते॥ चिच्छेदोग्रैः शरव्रातैस्ताञ्छरानतिलाघवात्

nādānaṁ na ca sandhānaṁ na mokṣo vāsya lakṣyate cicchedograiḥ śaravrātaistāñcharānatilāghavāt

"so swiftly that neither the drawing, the nocking, nor the loosing could be seen at all; with fierce showers of shafts he cut down those arrows with the utmost agility,

Verse 55 (skanda.1.53.55)

ध्वजं शरेण तीक्ष्णेन निचकर्तामरद्विषः॥ सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन रथनीडादपाहरत्

dhvajaṁ śareṇa tīkṣṇena nicakartāmaradviṣaḥ sārathiṁ cāsya bhallena rathanīḍādapāharat

"and with a sharp arrow severed the very banner of that foe of the immortals; and with a broad-headed shaft swept his charioteer from the chariot's platform,

Verse 56 (skanda.1.53.56)

कालकल्पेन बाणेन तं च वक्षस्याताडयत्॥ स तु तेन प्रहारेण चकम्पे पीडितो भृशम्

kālakalpena bāṇena taṁ ca vakṣasyātāḍayat sa tu tena prahāreṇa cakampe pīḍito bhṛśam

"and with an arrow terrible as Death struck him full in the chest. Struck by that blow, he trembled violently, afflicted,

Verse 57 (skanda.1.53.57)

दैत्येंद्रो राक्षसेन्द्रेण क्षितिकंपेनगो यथा॥ स सुहूर्तात्समाश्वास्य मत्वा तं दुर्जयं रणे

daityeṁdro rākṣasendreṇa kṣitikaṁpenago yathā sa suhūrtātsamāśvāsya matvā taṁ durjayaṁ raṇe

"that lord of Daityas, as a mountain trembles beneath an earthquake, struck by the lord of Rakshasas. Steadying himself in but a moment, and judging him unconquerable in battle,

Verse 58 (skanda.1.53.58)

पदातिरासाद्य रथं रक्षो वामकरेण च॥ केशेषु निर्ऋतिं गृह्य जानुनाक्रम्य च स्थितः

padātirāsādya rathaṁ rakṣo vāmakareṇa ca keśeṣu nirṛtiṁ gṛhya jānunākramya ca sthitaḥ

"that Rakshasa, on foot, reaching his very chariot, seized Nirriti by the hair with his left hand, and, pinning him beneath his knee, stood there,

Verse 59 (skanda.1.53.59)

ततः खड्गेन च शिरश्छेत्तुमैच्छदमर्षणः॥ ततः कलकलो जज्ञे देवानां सुमहांस्तदा॥ कुजंभस्य वशं प्राप्तं दृष्ट्वा निर्ऋतिमाहवे

tataḥ khaḍgena ca śiraśchettumaicchadamarṣaṇaḥ tataḥ kalakalo jajñe devānāṁ sumahāṁstadā kujaṁbhasya vaśaṁ prāptaṁ dṛṣṭvā nirṛtimāhave

"and then, enraged, sought to sever his head with his sword. Then a very great uproar rose among the gods, seeing Nirriti fallen thus into Kujambha's power in that battle.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.53.60)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे देवो वरुणः पाशभृद्धृतः॥ पाशेन दानवेंद्रस्य बबन्धाशु भुजद्वयम्

etasminnantare devo varuṇaḥ pāśabhṛddhṛtaḥ pāśena dānaveṁdrasya babandhāśu bhujadvayam

"Meanwhile the noose-bearing god Varuna came swiftly, and with his own noose at once bound fast both arms of that lord of Danavas.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.53.61)

ततो बद्धभुजं दैत्यं विफलीकृतपौरुषम्॥ ताडयामास गदया दयामुत्सृज्य पाशभृत्

tato baddhabhujaṁ daityaṁ viphalīkṛtapauruṣam tāḍayāmāsa gadayā dayāmutsṛjya pāśabhṛt

"Then that noose-bearer, casting mercy aside, struck that demon, his arms now bound, his very manhood rendered useless, with his mace.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.53.62)

स तु तेन प्रहारेण स्रोतोभिः क्षतजं स्रवन्॥ दधार कालमेघस्य रूपं विद्युल्लताभृतम्

sa tu tena prahāreṇa srotobhiḥ kṣatajaṁ sravan dadhāra kālameghasya rūpaṁ vidyullatābhṛtam

"He, struck by that blow, streaming blood, began to take on the form of a dark cloud streaked through with lightning.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.53.63)

तदवस्थागतं दृष्ट्वा कुजंभं महिषासुरः॥ व्यावृत्तवदनारावो भोक्तुमैच्छत्सुरावुभौ

tadavasthāgataṁ dṛṣṭvā kujaṁbhaṁ mahiṣāsuraḥ vyāvṛttavadanārāvo bhoktumaicchatsurāvubhau

"Seeing Kujambha brought to that state, the demon Mahisha, wheeling his face about, roaring, sought to devour both of those gods,

Verse 64 (skanda.1.53.64)

निर्ऋति वरुणं चैव तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रोत्कटाननः॥ तावभिप्रायमा लोक्य तस्य दैत्यस्य दूषितम्

nirṛti varuṇaṁ caiva tīkṣṇadaṁṣṭrotkaṭānanaḥ tāvabhiprāyamā lokya tasya daityasya dūṣitam

"Nirriti and Varuna, his fangs bared sharp, his face terrible to behold. Those two, seeing that demon's foul intent,

Verse 65 (skanda.1.53.65)

त्यक्त्वा रथावुभौ भीतौ पदाती प्रद्रुतौ द्रुतम्॥ जग्मतुर्महिषाद्भीतौ शरणं पाकशासनम्

tyaktvā rathāvubhau bhītau padātī pradrutau drutam jagmaturmahiṣādbhītau śaraṇaṁ pākaśāsanam

"abandoned both their chariots and, terrified, fled swiftly on foot; and, dreading Mahisha, went for refuge to Pakashasana, Indra.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.53.66)

क्रुद्धोऽथ महिषो दैत्यो वरुणं समुपाद्रवत्॥ तमंतकमुखासन्नमालोक्य हिमदीधितिः

kruddho'tha mahiṣo daityo varuṇaṁ samupādravat tamaṁtakamukhāsannamālokya himadīdhitiḥ

"Then that enraged demon Mahisha rushed after Varuna; and the moon, seeing him drawn near to the very mouth of death,

Verse 67 (skanda.1.53.67)

चक्रे शस्त्रं विसृष्टं हि हिमसंघातमुल्बणम्॥ वायव्यं चास्त्र मतुलं चंद्रश्चक्रे द्वितीयकम्

cakre śastraṁ visṛṣṭaṁ hi himasaṁghātamulbaṇam vāyavyaṁ cāstra matulaṁ caṁdraścakre dvitīyakam

"loosed a fearsome weapon, a violent mass of frost; and the wind-god fashioned a second, unequaled, the Vayavya weapon.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.53.68)

वायुना तेन चंडंन संशुष्केण हिमेन च॥ महाहिमनिपातेन शस्त्रैश्चंद्रप्रणोदितैः

vāyunā tena caṁḍaṁna saṁśuṣkeṇa himena ca mahāhimanipātena śastraiścaṁdrapraṇoditaiḥ

"By that raging wind, by that biting frost, by that great fall of snow, and by weapons driven on by the moon,

Verse 69 (skanda.1.53.69)

गात्राण्यसुरसैन्यानामदह्यंत समंततः॥ व्यथिता दानवाः सर्वे सीतच्छादितपौरुषाः

gātrāṇyasurasainyānāmadahyaṁta samaṁtataḥ vyathitā dānavāḥ sarve sītacchāditapauruṣāḥ

"the limbs of the demon armies burned everywhere with cold; every Danava was stricken, his manhood smothered beneath the frost.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.53.70)

न शेकुश्चलिंतुं तत्र नास्त्राण्यादातुमेव च॥ महिषो निष्प्रयत्नश्च शीतेनाकंपिताननः

na śekuścaliṁtuṁ tatra nāstrāṇyādātumeva ca mahiṣo niṣprayatnaśca śītenākaṁpitānanaḥ

"They could not stir a single step there, nor even lift their weapons; Mahisha too, all effort spent, his face trembling with cold,

Verse 71 (skanda.1.53.71)

अंसमालिंग्य पाणिभ्यामुपविष्टो ह्यधोमुखः॥ सर्वे ते निष्प्रतीकारा दैत्याश्चंद्रमसा जिताः

aṁsamāliṁgya pāṇibhyāmupaviṣṭo hyadhomukhaḥ sarve te niṣpratīkārā daityāścaṁdramasā jitāḥ

"sat down, arms wrapped about his own shoulders, head bowed low. All those demons, powerless to answer it, defeated by the moon,

Verse 72 (skanda.1.53.72)

रणेच्छां दूरतस्त्यक्त्वा तस्थुस्ते जीवितार्थिनः॥ तत्राब्रवीत्कालनेमिर्दैत्यान्क्रोधविदीपितः

raṇecchāṁ dūratastyaktvā tasthuste jīvitārthinaḥ tatrābravītkālanemirdaityānkrodhavidīpitaḥ

"cast aside all thought of battle from the very start, and, desiring only to live, stood rooted there. Then Kalanemi, ablaze with fury, spoke to the demons —

Verse 73 (skanda.1.53.73)

भोभोः श्रृंगारिणः क्रूराः सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रपारगाः॥ एकैकोऽपि जगत्कृस्नं शक्तस्तुलयितुं भुजैः

bhobhoḥ śrṛṁgāriṇaḥ krūrāḥ sarvaśastrāstrapāragāḥ ekaiko'pi jagatkṛsnaṁ śaktastulayituṁ bhujaiḥ

"'Ho, ho, you decorated warriors, so cruel, so masterful in every weapon! Each one of you alone can weigh the entire world in your own arms;'

Verse 74 (skanda.1.53.74)

एकैकोऽपि क्षमो ग्रस्तुं जगत्सर्वं चराचरम्॥ एकैकस्यापि पर्याप्ता न सर्वेऽपि दिवौकसः

ekaiko'pi kṣamo grastuṁ jagatsarvaṁ carācaram ekaikasyāpi paryāptā na sarve'pi divaukasaḥ

"'each one of you alone could swallow the whole world, moving and unmoving; for one of you alone, all the gods together are not enough!'

Verse 75 (skanda.1.53.75)

किं त्रस्तनयनाश्चैव समरे परिनिर्जिताः॥ न युक्तमेतच्छूराणां विशेषाद्दैत्यजन्मनाम्

kiṁ trastanayanāścaiva samare parinirjitāḥ na yuktametacchūrāṇāṁ viśeṣāddaityajanmanām

"'Why then are you, your eyes wide with fear, so wholly beaten in this battle? This is not fitting for heroes, least of all for those born of the Daitya line!'

Verse 76 (skanda.1.53.76)

राज्ञश्च तारकस्यापि दर्शयिष्यथ किं मुखम्॥ विरतानां रणाच्चासौ क्रुद्धः प्राणान्हरिष्यति

rājñaśca tārakasyāpi darśayiṣyatha kiṁ mukham viratānāṁ raṇāccāsau kruddhaḥ prāṇānhariṣyati

"'What face will you even show to King Taraka? Enraged at your withdrawal from this battle, he will surely take your very lives.'"

Verse 77 (skanda.1.53.77)

इति ते प्रोच्यमानापि नोचुः किंचिन्महासुराः॥ शीतेन नष्टश्रुतयो भ्रष्टवाक्याश्च ते तथा

iti te procyamānāpi nocuḥ kiṁcinmahāsurāḥ śītena naṣṭaśrutayo bhraṣṭavākyāśca te tathā

Thus addressed, still those great demons said nothing at all; their senses were lost to the cold, their very speech had failed them,

Verse 78 (skanda.1.53.78)

मूकास्तथाभवन्दैत्या मृतकल्पा महारणे॥ तान्दृष्ट्वा नष्टचेतस्कान्दैत्याञ्छीतेन पीडितान्

mūkāstathābhavandaityā mṛtakalpā mahāraṇe tāndṛṣṭvā naṣṭacetaskāndaityāñchītena pīḍitān

and those demons had fallen mute, as if dead, in that great battle. Seeing them, senseless, stricken by the cold,

Verse 79 (skanda.1.53.79)

मत्वा कालक्षमं कार्यं कालनेमिर्महासुरः॥ आश्रित्य मानवीं मायां वितत्य च महावपुः

matvā kālakṣamaṁ kāryaṁ kālanemirmahāsuraḥ āśritya mānavīṁ māyāṁ vitatya ca mahāvapuḥ

and judging what the hour demanded, Kalanemi, that great demon, resorting to a human-wrought illusion, spreading out his own vast form,

Verse 80 (skanda.1.53.80)

पूरयामास गगनं विदिश एव च॥ निर्ममे दानवेन्द्रोऽसौ शरीरेभास्करायुतम्

pūrayāmāsa gaganaṁ vidiśa eva ca nirmame dānavendro'sau śarīrebhāskarāyutam

filled the sky and every intermediate quarter; that lord of the Danavas fashioned ten thousand bodies like the sun itself.

Verse 81 (skanda.1.53.81)

दिशश्च विदिशश्चैव पूरयामास पावकैः॥ ततो ज्वालाकुलं सर्वं त्रैलोक्यमभवत्क्षणात्

diśaśca vidiśaścaiva pūrayāmāsa pāvakaiḥ tato jvālākulaṁ sarvaṁ trailokyamabhavatkṣaṇāt

He filled every direction and intermediate quarter with fires; then, in a single instant, the whole of the three worlds burst into flame.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.53.82)

तेन ज्वालासमूहेन हिमां शुरगमद्द्रुतम्॥ ततः क्रमेण विभ्रष्टं शीतदुर्दिनमाबभौ

tena jvālāsamūhena himāṁ śuragamaddrutam tataḥ krameṇa vibhraṣṭaṁ śītadurdinamābabhau

By that mass of flame the moon's frost-laden rays were quickly consumed; and then, little by little, that fallen, wintry gloom dissolved away.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.53.83)

तद्बलं दानवेंद्राणां मायया कालनेमिनः॥ तद्दृष्ट्वा दानवानीकं लब्धसंज्ञं दिवाकरः॥ उवाचारुणमत्यर्थं कोपरक्तांतलोचनः

tadbalaṁ dānaveṁdrāṇāṁ māyayā kālaneminaḥ taddṛṣṭvā dānavānīkaṁ labdhasaṁjñaṁ divākaraḥ uvācāruṇamatyarthaṁ koparaktāṁtalocanaḥ

That army of the lords of Danavas, through Kalanemi's illusion, was restored to itself. Seeing that army of Danavas come to its senses, the sun, his eyes rimmed red with fury, spoke urgently to Aruna —

Verse 84 (skanda.1.53.84)

॥दिवाकर उवाच॥ नयारुण रथं शीघ्रं कालनेमिरथो यतः

divākara uvāca nayāruṇa rathaṁ śīghraṁ kālanemiratho yataḥ

Divakara said: "Aruna, drive the chariot swiftly, to where Kalanemi's own chariot stands.

Verse 85 (skanda.1.53.85)

विमर्दे तत्र विषमे भविता भूतसंक्षयः॥ जित एषशशांकोऽथ वयं यद्बलमाश्रिताः

vimarde tatra viṣame bhavitā bhūtasaṁkṣayaḥ jita eṣaśaśāṁko'tha vayaṁ yadbalamāśritāḥ

"In that fierce clash, the destruction of beings shall come to pass. The moon has already been defeated — and we too rely upon that very same strength."

Verse 86 (skanda.1.53.86)

इत्युक्तश्चोदयामास रथं गरुडपूर्वजः॥ रथे स्थितोऽपि तैरश्वैः सितचामरधारिभिः

ityuktaścodayāmāsa rathaṁ garuḍapūrvajaḥ rathe sthito'pi tairaśvaiḥ sitacāmaradhāribhiḥ

Thus addressed, that elder brother of Garuda urged on the chariot; and, established there, drawn by those horses bearing white chamaras,

Verse 87 (skanda.1.53.87)

जगद्दीपोऽथ भगवाञ्जग्राह विततं धनुः॥ शरौघो वै पांडुपुत्र क्षिप्रमासीद्विषद्युतिः

jagaddīpo'tha bhagavāñjagrāha vitataṁ dhanuḥ śaraugho vai pāṁḍuputra kṣipramāsīdviṣadyutiḥ

that blessed lamp of the world took up his own great bow. A shower of arrows, O son of Pandu, blazing bright as venom, was loosed at once.

Verse 88 (skanda.1.53.88)

शंबरास्त्रेण संधाय बाणमेकं ससर्ज ह॥ द्वितीयं चेन्द्रजालेनायोजितं प्रमुमोच ह

śaṁbarāstreṇa saṁdhāya bāṇamekaṁ sasarja ha dvitīyaṁ cendrajālenāyojitaṁ pramumoca ha

Joining the Shambara weapon to it, he loosed one arrow; and a second, wrought with the sorcery of Indra, he loosed as well.

Verse 89 (skanda.1.53.89)

शंबरास्त्रं क्षणाच्चक्रे तेषांरूपविपर्ययम्॥ देवानां दानवं रूपं दानवानां च दैविकम्

śaṁbarāstraṁ kṣaṇāccakre teṣāṁrūpaviparyayam devānāṁ dānavaṁ rūpaṁ dānavānāṁ ca daivikam

The Shambara weapon, in an instant, turned every form inside out — the gods took on the shape of demons, and the demons the shape of gods.

Verse 90 (skanda.1.53.90)

मत्वा सुरान्स्वकानेव जघ्ने घोरास्त्रलाघवात्॥ कालनेमी रुषाविष्टः कृतांत इव संक्षये

matvā surānsvakāneva jaghne ghorāstralāghavāt kālanemī ruṣāviṣṭaḥ kṛtāṁta iva saṁkṣaye

Then Kalanemi, mistaking his own kinsmen for gods, deceived by that terrible weapon's illusion, seized with fury, like Death himself at the world's dissolution, began to slaughter them,

Verse 91 (skanda.1.53.91)

कांश्चित्खड्गेन तीक्ष्णेन कांश्चिन्नाराचवृष्टिभिः॥ कांश्चिद्गदाभिर्घोराभिः कांश्चिद्धोरैः परश्वधैः

kāṁścitkhaḍgena tīkṣṇena kāṁścinnārācavṛṣṭibhiḥ kāṁścidgadābhirghorābhiḥ kāṁściddhoraiḥ paraśvadhaiḥ

some with his sharp sword, some with a hail of iron darts, some with terrible maces, and some with fearsome axes,

Verse 92 (skanda.1.53.92)

शिरांसि केषाचिदपातयद्रथाद्भुजांस्तथा सारथींस्चोग्रवेगान्॥ कांश्चित्पिपेषाथरथस्य वेगात्कांश्चित्तथात्यद्भुतमुष्टिपातैः

śirāṁsi keṣācidapātayadrathādbhujāṁstathā sārathīṁscogravegān kāṁścitpipeṣātharathasya vegātkāṁścittathātyadbhutamuṣṭipātaiḥ

striking down from their chariots the heads of some, and their arms, and their own swift charioteers; some he crushed by the very speed of his own chariot, and others by wondrous blows of his fist.