The Battle of Kalanemi With Vishnu

Verse 1 (skanda.1.54.1)

॥नारद उवाच॥ कालनेमी रुषाविष्टस्तेषां रूपं न बुद्धवान्॥ ततो निमिं च दैत्येन्द्रं मत्वा देवं महाजवः

nārada uvāca kālanemī ruṣāviṣṭasteṣāṁ rūpaṁ na buddhavān tato nimiṁ ca daityendraṁ matvā devaṁ mahājavaḥ

Narada said: "Kalanemi, seized with rage, could not tell their forms apart; then, mistaking Nimi, lord of the Daityas, for a god, that swift one,

Verse 2 (skanda.1.54.2)

केशेषु गृह्य तं वीरं चकर्ष च ननाद च॥ ततो निमिरुवाचेदं कालनेमिं महाबलम्

keśeṣu gṛhya taṁ vīraṁ cakarṣa ca nanāda ca tato nimiruvācedaṁ kālanemiṁ mahābalam

"seizing that hero by the hair, began to drag him, roaring all the while. Then Nimi spoke this to mighty Kalanemi —

Verse 3 (skanda.1.54.3)

अहं निमिः कालनेमे सुतं मत्वा वधस्व मा॥ भवता मोहितेनाजौ देवान्मत्वासुराः स्वकाः

ahaṁ nimiḥ kālaneme sutaṁ matvā vadhasva mā bhavatā mohitenājau devānmatvāsurāḥ svakāḥ

"'I am Nimi, O Kalanemi; do not slay me, mistaking me for your own kin. Bewildered in this battle, you are taking the gods for your own demons —'

Verse 4 (skanda.1.54.4)

सुरैः सुदुर्जयाः कोट्यो निहतादश विद्धि तत्॥ सर्वास्त्रवारणं मुंच ब्रह्ममस्त्रं त्वरान्वितः

suraiḥ sudurjayāḥ koṭyo nihatādaśa viddhi tat sarvāstravāraṇaṁ muṁca brahmamastraṁ tvarānvitaḥ

"'know that crores of Danavas, unconquerable even by the gods, have already fallen at your own hand. Cast aside this weapon that turns back every weapon, and swiftly loose the Brahma weapon instead.'"

Verse 5 (skanda.1.54.5)

स तेन बोधितो दैत्यो मुक्त्वा तं संभ्रमाकुलः॥ बाणं ब्रह्मास्त्रविहितं मुमोच त्वरयान्वितः

sa tena bodhito daityo muktvā taṁ saṁbhramākulaḥ bāṇaṁ brahmāstravihitaṁ mumoca tvarayānvitaḥ

Roused by him, releasing his grip, that demon, thrown into confusion, swiftly loosed an arrow charged with the Brahma weapon.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.54.6)

ब्रह्मास्त्रं तत्प्रजज्वाल ततः खे सुमहाद्भुतम्॥ देवानां चाभवत्सैन्यं सर्वमेव भयाकुलम्

brahmāstraṁ tatprajajvāla tataḥ khe sumahādbhutam devānāṁ cābhavatsainyaṁ sarvameva bhayākulam

That Brahma weapon then blazed forth in the sky, most wondrous to behold; and the entire army of the gods was overcome with terror.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.54.7)

शंबरास्त्रं ततः शांतं ब्राह्मप्रतिहतं तदा॥ तस्मिन्प्रतिहते ह्यस्त्रे भास्करः प्रभुः

śaṁbarāstraṁ tataḥ śāṁtaṁ brāhmapratihataṁ tadā tasminpratihate hyastre bhāskaraḥ prabhuḥ

The Shambara weapon was then stilled, checked by that Brahma weapon. With that weapon countered, the sun, that lord...

Verse 8 (skanda.1.54.8)

महेंद्रजालमास्ताय चक्रे भीषणां तनुम्॥ विस्फूर्जत्करसंघातसमाक्रांतजगत्त्रयः

maheṁdrajālamāstāya cakre bhīṣaṇāṁ tanum visphūrjatkarasaṁghātasamākrāṁtajagattrayaḥ

...took up the great sorcery of Indra and fashioned a terrible body, its blazing mass of fists overwhelming the three worlds,

Verse 9 (skanda.1.54.9)

तताप दानवानीकं गलन्मज्जाङ्घ्रिशोणितम्॥ चक्षूंषि दानवेन्द्राणां चकारांधानि स प्रभुः

tatāpa dānavānīkaṁ galanmajjāṅghriśoṇitam cakṣūṁṣi dānavendrāṇāṁ cakārāṁdhāni sa prabhuḥ

and scorched the demon host until marrow and blood flowed from their very feet. That lord blinded the eyes of the lords of the Danavas,

Verse 10 (skanda.1.54.10)

गजानामगलन्मेदः पेतुश्चापि रथा भुवि॥ तुरंगमाः श्वसंतश्च घर्मार्ता रथिनोपि च

gajānāmagalanmedaḥ petuścāpi rathā bhuvi turaṁgamāḥ śvasaṁtaśca gharmārtā rathinopi ca

the fat of the elephants melted away, and chariots too crashed to the ground; the horses panted, and the charioteers too, tormented by the heat,

Verse 11 (skanda.1.54.11)

इतश्चेतश्च सलिलं प्रार्थयंतस्तृषातुराः॥ गिरिद्रोणीश्च पादांश्च गिरिणां गहनानि च

itaścetaśca salilaṁ prārthayaṁtastṛṣāturāḥ giridroṇīśca pādāṁśca giriṇāṁ gahanāni ca

sought water here and there, tormented by thirst, running to mountain valleys, mountain slopes, and the deep places of the hills.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.54.12)

तेषां प्रार्थयतां शीघ्रमन्योन्यं च विसर्पिणाम्॥ दावाग्निरज्वलत्तीव्रो घोरो नर्दग्धपादपः

teṣāṁ prārthayatāṁ śīghramanyonyaṁ ca visarpiṇām dāvāgnirajvalattīvro ghoro nardagdhapādapaḥ

And as they hurried on, one after another, a fierce forest fire blazed up, terrible, consuming the very trees.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.54.13)

तोयार्थिनः पुरो दृष्ट्वा तोयं कल्लो लमालितम्॥ पुरःस्थितमपि प्राप्तुं न शेकुरुपसादितुम्

toyārthinaḥ puro dṛṣṭvā toyaṁ kallo lamālitam puraḥsthitamapi prāptuṁ na śekurupasāditum

Longing for water, seeing before them water garlanded with waves, though it stood right in front of them, they could neither reach nor touch it.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.54.14)

अप्राप्य सलिलं भूमावभ्याशे द्रुतमेव ते॥ तत्रतत्र व्यदृश्यन्त मृता दैत्येश्वराभुवि

aprāpya salilaṁ bhūmāvabhyāśe drutameva te tatratatra vyadṛśyanta mṛtā daityeśvarābhuvi

Failing to find water, right there upon the ground, swiftly, those lords of the Daityas were seen lying dead, here and there upon the earth —

Verse 15 (skanda.1.54.15)

रथा गजाश्च पतितास्तुरंगाश्च श्रमान्विताः॥ स्थिता वमंतो धावंतो गलद्द्रुतवसास्रजः

rathā gajāśca patitāsturaṁgāśca śramānvitāḥ sthitā vamaṁto dhāvaṁto galaddrutavasāsrajaḥ

chariots and elephants fallen, and horses too, exhausted, standing, retching, running, streaming fat and blood, their garlands undone.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.54.16)

दानवानां कोटिकोटि व्यदृश्यतमृतं तदा॥ एवं क्षयो जानवानां तस्मिन्महति वर्तिते

dānavānāṁ koṭikoṭi vyadṛśyatamṛtaṁ tadā evaṁ kṣayo jānavānāṁ tasminmahati vartite

Crore upon crore of Danavas were seen dead at that hour. And as that great destruction of the Danavas unfolded,

Verse 17 (skanda.1.54.17)

प्रकोपोद्भूतताम्राक्षः कालनेमी रुषातुरः॥ बभूव कालमेधाभः स्फुरद्रोमशतह्रदः

prakopodbhūtatāmrākṣaḥ kālanemī ruṣāturaḥ babhūva kālamedhābhaḥ sphuradromaśatahradaḥ

Kalanemi, his eyes reddened with rage, wild with fury, became like a dark storm-cloud, his hair flashing as if with a hundred streams of lightning,

Verse 18 (skanda.1.54.18)

गंभीरास्फोटनिर्ह्रादजगद्धृदयकंपनः॥ प्रच्छाद्य गगनं सूर्यप्रभां सर्वां व्यनाशयत्

gaṁbhīrāsphoṭanirhrādajagaddhṛdayakaṁpanaḥ pracchādya gaganaṁ sūryaprabhāṁ sarvāṁ vyanāśayat

his deep thunder shaking the very heart of the world; veiling the sky, he destroyed the sun's whole radiance,

Verse 19 (skanda.1.54.19)

ववर्ष शीतं च जलं दानवेन्द्रबलं प्रति॥ दैत्यास्तां वृष्टिमासाद्य समाश्वस्तास्ततः क्रमात्

vavarṣa śītaṁ ca jalaṁ dānavendrabalaṁ prati daityāstāṁ vṛṣṭimāsādya samāśvastāstataḥ kramāt

and rained down cold water upon the army of that lord of the Danavas. The demons, receiving that rain, were gradually restored,

Verse 20 (skanda.1.54.20)

बीजांकुरा इव म्लानाः प्राप्य वृष्टिं धरातले॥ ततः स मेघरूपेण कालनेमिर्महासुराः

bījāṁkurā iva mlānāḥ prāpya vṛṣṭiṁ dharātale tataḥ sa megharūpeṇa kālanemirmahāsurāḥ

like withered seedlings receiving rain upon the earth. Then, in the form of that cloud, Kalanemi, that great Asura,

Verse 21 (skanda.1.54.21)

शस्त्रवृष्टिं ववर्षोग्रां देवनीकेषु दुर्जयः॥ तया वृष्ट्या पीड्यमाना दैत्यैरन्यैश्च देवताः

śastravṛṣṭiṁ vavarṣogrāṁ devanīkeṣu durjayaḥ tayā vṛṣṭyā pīḍyamānā daityairanyaiśca devatāḥ

began to rain a fierce, unconquerable shower of weapons upon the army of the gods. Afflicted by that shower, the gods, along with other demons,

Verse 22 (skanda.1.54.22)

गतिं कांचिन्न पश्यन्ति गावः शीतार्दिता इव॥ परस्परं व्यलीयंत गजेषु तुरगेषु च॥ रथेषु च भयत्रस्तास्तत्रतत्र निलिल्यिरे

gatiṁ kāṁcinna paśyanti gāvaḥ śītārditā iva parasparaṁ vyalīyaṁta gajeṣu turageṣu ca ratheṣu ca bhayatrastāstatratatra nililyire

could see no way out, like cattle stricken by cold; they huddled into one another among the elephants and horses,

Verse 23 (skanda.1.54.23)

एवं ते लीयमानाश्च निहताः कालने मिना॥ दृश्यंते पतिता देवाः शस्त्रभिन्नंगसंधयः

evaṁ te līyamānāśca nihatāḥ kālane minā dṛśyaṁte patitā devāḥ śastrabhinnaṁgasaṁdhayaḥ

and among the chariots, terrified, they hid here and there. And thus, huddled into one another, slain by Kalanemi,

Verse 24 (skanda.1.54.24)

विभिन्ना भिन्नमूर्धानस्तथा भिन्नोरुजानवः॥ विपर्यस्तं रथांगैश्च पतितं ध्वजशक्तिभिः

vibhinnā bhinnamūrdhānastathā bhinnorujānavaḥ viparyastaṁ rathāṁgaiśca patitaṁ dhvajaśaktibhiḥ

the gods were seen fallen, the joints of their limbs torn apart by weapons, their heads split open, their thighs and knees split just the same,

Verse 25 (skanda.1.54.25)

तुरंगाणां सहस्राणि गजानामयुतानि च॥ रक्तेन तेषां घोरेण दुस्तरा चाभवन्मही

turaṁgāṇāṁ sahasrāṇi gajānāmayutāni ca raktena teṣāṁ ghoreṇa dustarā cābhavanmahī

sprawled overturned amid the wreckage of chariots, fallen among banners and spears; thousands of horses and myriads of elephants — and with their terrible blood the very earth grew impassable.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.54.26)

एवमाजौ महादैत्यः कालनेमिर्महासुरः॥ जघ्ने मुहुर्तमात्रेण गंधर्वाणां दशायुतम्

evamājau mahādaityaḥ kālanemirmahāsuraḥ jaghne muhurtamātreṇa gaṁdharvāṇāṁ daśāyutam

Thus, in that battle, that great demon Kalanemi, that mighty Asura, slew, in but a single moment, a hundred thousand Gandharvas.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.54.27)

यक्षाणां पंचलक्षाणि किंनराणां तथैव च॥ जघ्ने पिशाचमुख्यानां सप्तलक्षाणि निर्भयः

yakṣāṇāṁ paṁcalakṣāṇi kiṁnarāṇāṁ tathaiva ca jaghne piśācamukhyānāṁ saptalakṣāṇi nirbhayaḥ

Five hundred thousand Yakshas he slew, and Kinnaras in like number; fearlessly he cut down seven hundred thousand of the foremost Pishachas.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.54.28)

इतरेषां न संख्यास्ति सुरजातिनिकायिनाम्॥ जघ्ने स कोटिशः क्रद्धः कालनेमिर्मदोत्कटः

itareṣāṁ na saṁkhyāsti surajātinikāyinām jaghne sa koṭiśaḥ kraddhaḥ kālanemirmadotkaṭaḥ

Of the other divine races and hosts there was no counting at all; enraged, drunk with fury, Kalanemi slaughtered them by the crore.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.54.29)

एवं प्रतिभये भीमे तदामर महाक्षये॥ संक्रुद्धावश्विनौ वीरौ चित्रास्त्रकवचोज्जवलौ

evaṁ pratibhaye bhīme tadāmara mahākṣaye saṁkruddhāvaśvinau vīrau citrāstrakavacojjavalau

In that fearsome, terrible, great destruction of the immortals, the two heroic Ashvins, enraged, blazing with wondrous weapons and armor,

Verse 30 (skanda.1.54.30)

जघ्नतुस्तौ रणे दैत्यमेकैकं षष्टिभिः शरैः॥ निर्भिद्य ते महादैत्यं सपुंखा विविशुर्महीम्

jaghnatustau raṇe daityamekaikaṁ ṣaṣṭibhiḥ śaraiḥ nirbhidya te mahādaityaṁ sapuṁkhā viviśurmahīm

each struck that demon in battle with sixty arrows. Piercing that great demon, those arrows, feathers and all, buried themselves in the ground.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.54.31)

ताभ्यां बाणप्रहारैस्तु किंचित्सोऽवाप्तचेतनः॥ जग्राह चक्रं लक्षारं तैलधौतं रणेऽधिकम्

tābhyāṁ bāṇaprahāraistu kiṁcitso'vāptacetanaḥ jagrāha cakraṁ lakṣāraṁ tailadhautaṁ raṇe'dhikam

By those arrow-blows of the two he was somewhat stunned; then he took up a discus of a hundred thousand spokes, polished with oil, most keen in battle,

Verse 32 (skanda.1.54.32)

तेन चक्रेण सोश्विभ्यां चिच्छेद रथकूबरम्॥ जग्राहाथ धनुर्दैत्यः शरांश्चाशीविषोपमान्

tena cakreṇa sośvibhyāṁ ciccheda rathakūbaram jagrāhātha dhanurdaityaḥ śarāṁścāśīviṣopamān

and with that discus severed the very chariot-poles of both Ashvins. Then that demon took up his bow, and arrows like venomous serpents,

Verse 33 (skanda.1.54.33)

ववर्ष भिषजोर्मूर्ध्नि संछाद्याकाशगोचरम्॥ तावप्यस्त्रैः स्मृतैः सर्वाश्छेदतुर्दैत्यसायकान्

vavarṣa bhiṣajormūrdhni saṁchādyākāśagocaram tāvapyastraiḥ smṛtaiḥ sarvāśchedaturdaityasāyakān

and rained them upon the heads of those two physicians, veiling the very sky. The two, calling to mind their own weapons, cut down every one of those demon arrows.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.54.34)

तच्च करम तयोर्दृष्ट्वा विस्मितः कोपमाविशत्॥ जग्राह मुद्गरं भीम कालदंडविभीषणम्

tacca karama tayordṛṣṭvā vismitaḥ kopamāviśat jagrāha mudgaraṁ bhīma kāladaṁḍavibhīṣaṇam

Seeing that deed of theirs, astonished, he grew enraged; he took up a fearsome mace, terrible as the very staff of Death.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.54.35)

स तदमुद्भ्राम्य वेगेन चिक्षेपास्य रथं प्रति॥ तं तु मुद्गरमायांतमालोक्यांबरगोचरे

sa tadamudbhrāmya vegena cikṣepāsya rathaṁ prati taṁ tu mudgaramāyāṁtamālokyāṁbaragocare

Whirling it with speed, he hurled it at their chariot. Seeing that mace come hurtling through the sky,

Verse 36 (skanda.1.54.36)

मुक्त्वा रथावुभौ वेगादाप्लुतौ तरसाश्विनौ॥ तौ रथौ स तु निष्पिष्य मुद्गरोऽचलसंनिभः

muktvā rathāvubhau vegādāplutau tarasāśvinau tau rathau sa tu niṣpiṣya mudgaro'calasaṁnibhaḥ

the two Ashvins abandoned their chariots and leaped clear with speed. That mountain-like mace, crushing both chariots,

Verse 37 (skanda.1.54.37)

दारयामास धरणीं हेमजालपरिष्कृतः॥ तस्य कर्माथ तद्दृष्ट्वा भिषजौ चित्रयोधिनौ

dārayāmāsa dharaṇīṁ hemajālapariṣkṛtaḥ tasya karmātha taddṛṣṭvā bhiṣajau citrayodhinau

tore into the earth itself, adorned as it was with a net of gold. Seeing this feat of his, those two physicians, wondrous fighters,

Verse 38 (skanda.1.54.38)

वज्रास्त्रं च प्रकुर्वाणौ दानवेंद्रमयुध्यताम्॥ घोरवज्रप्रहारैस्तु दानवः स परिक्षतः

vajrāstraṁ ca prakurvāṇau dānaveṁdramayudhyatām ghoravajraprahāraistu dānavaḥ sa parikṣataḥ

invoking the thunderbolt weapon, fell to fighting that lord of the Danavas. By fearsome thunderbolt-blows that demon was terribly wounded —

Verse 39 (skanda.1.54.39)

रथो ध्वजो धनुश्चैव छत्रं च कवचं तथा॥ क्षणेन शतधा भूतं सर्वसैन्यस्य पश्यतः

ratho dhvajo dhanuścaiva chatraṁ ca kavacaṁ tathā kṣaṇena śatadhā bhūtaṁ sarvasainyasya paśyataḥ

his chariot, his banner, his bow, his parasol, and his very armor, in a single instant, before the eyes of the whole army, were shattered a hundredfold.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.54.40)

तद्दृष्ट्वा दुकरं कर्म सोऽश्विभ्यां भीमविक्रमः॥ नारायणास्त्रं बलवान्मुमोच रणमूर्धनि

taddṛṣṭvā dukaraṁ karma so'śvibhyāṁ bhīmavikramaḥ nārāyaṇāstraṁ balavānmumoca raṇamūrdhani

Seeing that hard-won feat of the Ashvins, that demon of fearsome might loosed the Narayana weapon at the very front of the battle.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.54.41)

ततः शशाम वज्रास्त्रं कालनेमिस्ततो रुषा॥ जीवग्राहं ग्राहयितुमश्विनौ तौ प्रचक्रमे

tataḥ śaśāma vajrāstraṁ kālanemistato ruṣā jīvagrāhaṁ grāhayitumaśvinau tau pracakrame

Then the thunderbolt weapon was stilled, and Kalanemi, in fury, set out once more to seize the two Ashvins alive.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.54.42)

तावभिप्रायमालक्ष्य संत्यज्य समरांगणम्॥ पदाती वेपमानांगौ प्रद्रुतौ वासवोयतः

tāvabhiprāyamālakṣya saṁtyajya samarāṁgaṇam padātī vepamānāṁgau pradrutau vāsavoyataḥ

Seeing his intent, the two, abandoning the field, their limbs trembling, fled swiftly on foot to where Indra stood.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.54.43)

तयोरनुगतो दैत्यः कालनेमिर्नदन्मुहुः॥ प्राप्येंद्रस्य बलं क्रूरो दैत्यानीकपदानुगः

tayoranugato daityaḥ kālanemirnadanmuhuḥ prāpyeṁdrasya balaṁ krūro daityānīkapadānugaḥ

The demon Kalanemi, pursuing them, roaring again and again, that cruel one, followed by his demon host, reaching Indra's very army,

Verse 44 (skanda.1.54.44)

स काल इव कल्पांते यदा वासवमाद्रुतः॥ तं दृष्ट्वा सर्वभूतानि विविशुर्विह्वलानि तु

sa kāla iva kalpāṁte yadā vāsavamādrutaḥ taṁ dṛṣṭvā sarvabhūtāni viviśurvihvalāni tu

seemed like Death himself at the end of the age, as he fell upon Vasava. Seeing him, every creature grew frantic,

Verse 45 (skanda.1.54.45)

हाहारावं प्रकुर्वाणास्तदा देवाश्च मेनिरे॥ पराजयं महेंद्रस्य सर्वलोकक्षयावहम्

hāhārāvaṁ prakurvāṇāstadā devāśca menire parājayaṁ maheṁdrasya sarvalokakṣayāvaham

raising a great cry of dismay; and then the gods began to reckon it as the very destruction of all the worlds, the defeat of great Indra himself.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.54.46)

चेलुः शिखरिणो मुख्याः पेतुरुल्का नभस्तलात्॥ जगर्जुर्जलदा दिक्षु संभूतश्च महारवः

celuḥ śikhariṇo mukhyāḥ peturulkā nabhastalāt jagarjurjaladā dikṣu saṁbhūtaśca mahāravaḥ

The chief mountains shook, and meteors fell from the vault of the sky; the clouds roared in every direction, and a great din arose.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.54.47)

तां भूताविकृतिं दृष्ट्वा देवाः सेंद्रा भयावहाः॥ मनसा शरणं जग्मुर्वासुदेवं जगत्पतिम्

tāṁ bhūtāvikṛtiṁ dṛṣṭvā devāḥ seṁdrā bhayāvahāḥ manasā śaraṇaṁ jagmurvāsudevaṁ jagatpatim

Beholding that terrible upheaval of nature, the gods with Indra, terrified, went in their hearts for refuge to Vasudeva, lord of the world.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.54.48)

नमो ब्रह्मण्यदेवाय गोब्राह्मणहिताय च॥ जगद्धिताय कृष्णाय गोविंदाय नमोनमः

namo brahmaṇyadevāya gobrāhmaṇahitāya ca jagaddhitāya kṛṣṇāya goviṁdāya namonamaḥ

"Salutation to the god of the Brahmins, benefactor of cows and Brahmins; salutation, salutation again, to Krishna, benefactor of the world, to Govinda."

Verse 49 (skanda.1.54.49)

स नो रक्षतु गोविंदो भयार्तास्ते जगुः सुराः॥ सुराणां चिंतितं ज्ञात्वा भगवान्गरुडध्वजः

sa no rakṣatu goviṁdo bhayārtāste jaguḥ surāḥ surāṇāṁ ciṁtitaṁ jñātvā bhagavāngaruḍadhvajaḥ

"May Govinda protect us," so spoke the gods, stricken with fear. Knowing the gods' anxious thought, the blessed Lord who bears the Garuda banner,

Verse 50 (skanda.1.54.50)

विबुध्यैव च पर्यंकाद्योगनिद्रां विहाय सः॥ लक्ष्मीकरयुगांभोजलालितांघ्रिसरोरुहः

vibudhyaiva ca paryaṁkādyoganidrāṁ vihāya saḥ lakṣmīkarayugāṁbhojalālitāṁghrisaroruhaḥ

waking at once, casting off his mystic sleep upon his couch — he whose lotus feet are ever cherished by Lakshmi's own lotus hands,

Verse 51 (skanda.1.54.51)

शारदंबरनीराब्जकांतिदेहच्छविः प्रभुः॥ कौस्तुभोद्भासिहृदयः कांतकेयूरभास्करः

śāradaṁbaranīrābjakāṁtidehacchaviḥ prabhuḥ kaustubhodbhāsihṛdayaḥ kāṁtakeyūrabhāskaraḥ

whose bodily splendor was like the autumn sky's own cloud-and-lotus radiance, that Lord, his heart alight with the Kaustubha jewel, his arms bright with lovely armlets,

Verse 52 (skanda.1.54.52)

विमृश्य सुरसंक्षोभं वैनतेयमाताह्वयत्॥ आहूतेऽविस्थितेतस्मिन्गरुडे दुःखिते भृशम्

vimṛśya surasaṁkṣobhaṁ vainateyamātāhvayat āhūte'visthitetasmingaruḍe duḥkhite bhṛśam

reflecting on the gods' distress, called for Vinata's son, Garuda. Garuda being absent when summoned, that Lord, greatly troubled,

Verse 53 (skanda.1.54.53)

दिव्यनानास्त्रतीक्ष्णार्चिरारुह्यागात्सुराहवम्॥ तत्रापश्यत देवेंद्रं भयभीतमभिद्रुतम्

divyanānāstratīkṣṇārcirāruhyāgātsurāhavam tatrāpaśyata deveṁdraṁ bhayabhītamabhidrutam

mounted a divine vehicle blazing with the fire of every weapon, and went to the battle of the gods. There he saw the lord of the gods, terrified, pursued,

Verse 54 (skanda.1.54.54)

दानवेंद्रैर्नवांभोदसच्छायैः सर्वथोत्कटैः॥ यथा हि पुरुषं घोरैरभाग्यैरर्थकांक्षिभिः

dānaveṁdrairnavāṁbhodasacchāyaiḥ sarvathotkaṭaiḥ yathā hi puruṣaṁ ghorairabhāgyairarthakāṁkṣibhiḥ

by those lords of the Danavas, dark as fresh rain-clouds, every one of them fierce, as a man is pursued by terrible misfortunes hungry for his wealth.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.54.55)

तत्त्राणायाव्रजद्विष्णुः स्तूयमानो मुहुः सुरैः॥ अभाग्येभ्यः परित्रातुं सुकृतं निर्मलं यथा

tattrāṇāyāvrajadviṣṇuḥ stūyamāno muhuḥ suraiḥ abhāgyebhyaḥ paritrātuṁ sukṛtaṁ nirmalaṁ yathā

For his protection Vishnu went, praised again and again by the gods, as pure merit rescues a man from misfortune.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.54.56)

अथापश्यत दैत्येंद्रो वियति द्युतिमंडलम्॥ स्फुरंतमुदयाच्छीघ्रं कांतं सूर्यशतं यथा

athāpaśyata daityeṁdro viyati dyutimaṁḍalam sphuraṁtamudayācchīghraṁ kāṁtaṁ sūryaśataṁ yathā

Then that lord of Daityas beheld a disc of splendor in the sky, flashing swift, as if risen from the very mountain of dawn, lovely as a hundred suns,

Verse 57 (skanda.1.54.57)

प्रभवं ज्ञातुमिच्छंतो दानवास्तस्य तेजसः॥ गरुडं तमथा पश्यन्कल्पांतानलभैरवम्

prabhavaṁ jñātumicchaṁto dānavāstasya tejasaḥ garuḍaṁ tamathā paśyankalpāṁtānalabhairavam

and the Danavas, longing to know the source of that splendor, beheld Garuda, terrible as the fire at the end of the age,

Verse 58 (skanda.1.54.58)

तत्र स्थितं चतुर्बाहुं हरिं चानुपमद्युतिम्॥ तमालोक्यासुरेंद्रास्तु हर्षसंपूर्णमानसाः

tatra sthitaṁ caturbāhuṁ hariṁ cānupamadyutim tamālokyāsureṁdrāstu harṣasaṁpūrṇamānasāḥ

and there, seated upon him, four-armed, of matchless splendor, was Hari. Beholding him, the lords of the Asuras, their minds filled with joy —

Verse 59 (skanda.1.54.59)

अयं स देवः सर्वेषां शरणं केशवोऽरिहा॥ अस्मिञ्जिते जिताः सर्वा देवता नात्र संशयः

ayaṁ sa devaḥ sarveṣāṁ śaraṇaṁ keśavo'rihā asmiñjite jitāḥ sarvā devatā nātra saṁśayaḥ

"This indeed is that very god, refuge of all, Keshava, slayer of foes; conquer him, and every god is conquered — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 60 (skanda.1.54.60)

एनमाश्रित्य लोकेशा यज्ञभागभुजोऽमराः॥ इत्युक्त्वा ते समागम्य सर्व एव ततस्ततः

enamāśritya lokeśā yajñabhāgabhujo'marāḥ ityuktvā te samāgamya sarva eva tatastataḥ

"It is by taking refuge in him that the lords of the worlds, the immortals who enjoy the portion of sacrifice, stand at all." Having said this, all of them, gathering in from every side,

Verse 61 (skanda.1.54.61)

तं जघ्नुर्विविधैः शस्त्रैः परिवार्य समंततः॥ कालनेमिप्रभृतयो दश दैत्यमहारथाः

taṁ jaghnurvividhaiḥ śastraiḥ parivārya samaṁtataḥ kālanemiprabhṛtayo daśa daityamahārathāḥ

surrounded him on every side and fell to striking him with weapons of every kind — Kalanemi and the other nine great demon charioteers —

Verse 62 (skanda.1.54.62)

षष्ट्या विव्याधबाणानां कालनेमिर्जनार्दनम्॥ निमिः शतेन बाणानां मथनोऽशीतिभिः शरैः

ṣaṣṭyā vivyādhabāṇānāṁ kālanemirjanārdanam nimiḥ śatena bāṇānāṁ mathano'śītibhiḥ śaraiḥ

Kalanemi pierced Janardana with sixty arrows, Nimi with a hundred, Mathana with eighty shafts,

Verse 63 (skanda.1.54.63)

जंभकश्चैव सप्तत्या शुंभो दशभिरेव च॥ शेषा दैत्ये श्वराः सव विष्णुमेकैकशः शरैः

jaṁbhakaścaiva saptatyā śuṁbho daśabhireva ca śeṣā daitye śvarāḥ sava viṣṇumekaikaśaḥ śaraiḥ

and Jambhaka with seventy, Shumbha with ten; the rest of the lords of the Daityas struck Vishnu too, each with his own arrows,

Verse 64 (skanda.1.54.64)

दशभिर्दशभिः शल्यैर्जघ्नुः सगरुडं रणे॥ तेषाममृष्यत्तत्कर्म विष्णुर्दानवसूदनः

daśabhirdaśabhiḥ śalyairjaghnuḥ sagaruḍaṁ raṇe teṣāmamṛṣyattatkarma viṣṇurdānavasūdanaḥ

ten spikes and ten, striking him and Garuda together in that battle. Vishnu, destroyer of Danavas, could not brook this deed of theirs —

Verse 65 (skanda.1.54.65)

एकैकं दानवं जघ्ने षड्भिः पड्भिरजिह्नगैः॥ आकर्णकृष्टैर्भूयश्च कालनेमिस्त्रिभिः शरैः

ekaikaṁ dānavaṁ jaghne ṣaḍbhiḥ paḍbhirajihnagaiḥ ākarṇakṛṣṭairbhūyaśca kālanemistribhiḥ śaraiḥ

he struck down each Danava with six straight-flying arrows. Then Kalanemi, drawing his bow to his very ear, with three arrows more,

Verse 66 (skanda.1.54.66)

विष्णुं विव्याध हृदये रोषाद्रक्तविलोचनः॥ तस्याशोभंत ते बाणा हृदये तप्तकांचनाः

viṣṇuṁ vivyādha hṛdaye roṣādraktavilocanaḥ tasyāśobhaṁta te bāṇā hṛdaye taptakāṁcanāḥ

his eyes red with fury, pierced Vishnu full in the chest. Those arrows, shining in his very heart —

Verse 67 (skanda.1.54.67)

मयूखा इव संदीप्ताः कौस्तुभस्य स्फुरत्त्विषः॥ तैर्बाणैः किंचिदायस्तो हरिर्जग्राह मुद्गरम्

mayūkhā iva saṁdīptāḥ kaustubhasya sphurattviṣaḥ tairbāṇaiḥ kiṁcidāyasto harirjagrāha mudgaram

gleamed like rays of molten gold, catching the flashing light of the Kaustubha jewel. Somewhat troubled by those arrows, Hari took up a mace.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.54.68)

स तमुद्ग्राह्य वेगेन दानवाय मुमोच वै॥ दानवेन्द्रस्तमप्राप्तं वियत्येव शतैः शरैः

sa tamudgrāhya vegena dānavāya mumoca vai dānavendrastamaprāptaṁ viyatyeva śataiḥ śaraiḥ

Seizing it swiftly, he hurled it at the demon. The lord of the Danavas, before it could reach him, cut it apart in the very sky with hundreds of arrows,

Verse 69 (skanda.1.54.69)

चिच्छेद तिलशः क्रुद्धो दर्शयन्पाणिलाघवम्॥ ततो विष्णुः प्रकुपितः प्रासं जग्राह भैरवम्

ciccheda tilaśaḥ kruddho darśayanpāṇilāghavam tato viṣṇuḥ prakupitaḥ prāsaṁ jagrāha bhairavam

enraged, showing the very swiftness of his own hand. Then Vishnu, greatly angered, took up a fearsome lance,

Verse 70 (skanda.1.54.70)

तेन दैत्यस्य हृदयं ताडयामास वेगतः॥ क्षणेन लब्धसंज्ञस्तु कालनेमिर्महासुरः

tena daityasya hṛdayaṁ tāḍayāmāsa vegataḥ kṣaṇena labdhasaṁjñastu kālanemirmahāsuraḥ

and with it struck the demon's chest with speed. In a moment Kalanemi, that great Asura, regaining his senses,

Verse 71 (skanda.1.54.71)

शक्तिं जग्राह तीक्ष्णाग्रां हेमघंटाट्टहासिनीम्॥ तया वामं भुजं विष्णोर्बिभेद दितिनंदनः

śaktiṁ jagrāha tīkṣṇāgrāṁ hemaghaṁṭāṭṭahāsinīm tayā vāmaṁ bhujaṁ viṣṇorbibheda ditinaṁdanaḥ

seized a sharp-tipped spear, ringing loud with golden bells; and with it that son of Diti pierced Vishnu's left arm.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.54.72)

भिन्नं शक्त्या भुजं तस्य स्रुतशोणितमाबभौ॥ नीले बला हके विद्युद्विद्योतंती यथा मुहुः

bhinnaṁ śaktyā bhujaṁ tasya srutaśoṇitamābabhau nīle balā hake vidyudvidyotaṁtī yathā muhuḥ

His arm, pierced by that spear, gleamed with streaming blood, like lightning flashing again and again through a dark cloud.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.54.73)

ततो विष्णुः प्रकुपितो जग्राह विपुलं धनुः॥ सप्तदश च नाराचांस्तीक्ष्णाग्रान्मर्मभेदिनः

tato viṣṇuḥ prakupito jagrāha vipulaṁ dhanuḥ saptadaśa ca nārācāṁstīkṣṇāgrānmarmabhedinaḥ

Then Vishnu, greatly enraged, took up his own vast bow, and seventeen sharp-tipped, mark-piercing arrows,

Verse 74 (skanda.1.54.74)

दैत्यस्य हृदयं षड्भिर्विव्याध च शरैस्त्रिभिः॥ चतुर्भिः सारथिं चास्य ध्वजं चैकेन पत्रिणा

daityasya hṛdayaṁ ṣaḍbhirvivyādha ca śaraistribhiḥ caturbhiḥ sārathiṁ cāsya dhvajaṁ caikena patriṇā

and with six pierced the demon's chest, and with three more; with four he struck his charioteer, and with one feathered shaft his banner,

Verse 75 (skanda.1.54.75)

द्वाभ्यां धनुर्ज्याधनुषी भुजं चैकेन पत्रिणा॥ स विद्धो हृदये गाढं दोषैर्मूढो यथा नरः

dvābhyāṁ dhanurjyādhanuṣī bhujaṁ caikena patriṇā sa viddho hṛdaye gāḍhaṁ doṣairmūḍho yathā naraḥ

with two his bow and bowstring, and with one more feathered shaft his arm. Pierced deep in the heart, like a man bewildered by his own faults,

Verse 76 (skanda.1.54.76)

स्रुतरक्तारुणः प्रांशुः पीडाचलितमानसः॥ चकंपे मारुतेनेव चोदितः किंशुकद्रुमः

srutaraktāruṇaḥ prāṁśuḥ pīḍācalitamānasaḥ cakaṁpe māruteneva coditaḥ kiṁśukadrumaḥ

tall as he was, his face reddened with flowing blood, his mind reeling with pain, he trembled like a flame-tree shaken by the wind.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.54.77)

ततः कंपितमालक्ष्य गदां जग्राह केशवः॥ तां च वेगेन चिक्षेप कालनेमिवधं प्रति

tataḥ kaṁpitamālakṣya gadāṁ jagrāha keśavaḥ tāṁ ca vegena cikṣepa kālanemivadhaṁ prati

Then, seeing him tremble, Keshava took up his mace, and hurled it with speed, to slay Kalanemi.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.54.78)

सा पपात शिरस्युग्रा सहसा कालनेमिनः॥ संचूर्णितोत्तमां गस्तु निष्पिष्टमुकुटोसुरः

sā papāta śirasyugrā sahasā kālaneminaḥ saṁcūrṇitottamāṁ gastu niṣpiṣṭamukuṭosuraḥ

It fell suddenly, fierce, upon Kalanemi's very head. His crown was crushed to powder, that Asura, his diadem now shattered —

Verse 79 (skanda.1.54.79)

स्रुतरक्तौघरंध्रश्च स्रुतधातुरिवाचलः॥ पपात स्वे रथे भग्नो विसंज्ञः शिष्टजीवनः

srutaraktaugharaṁdhraśca srutadhāturivācalaḥ papāta sve rathe bhagno visaṁjñaḥ śiṣṭajīvanaḥ

the wounds of his scalp streaming blood, like a mountain streaming ore, fell broken into his own chariot, senseless, with life barely left in him.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.54.80)

पतितस्य रथोपस्थे दानवस्याच्युतोऽरिहा॥ स्मितपूर्वमुवाचेदं वाक्यं चक्रायुधः प्रभुः

patitasya rathopasthe dānavasyācyuto'rihā smitapūrvamuvācedaṁ vākyaṁ cakrāyudhaḥ prabhuḥ

To that demon, fallen upon the platform of his own chariot, the undying Lord, slayer of foes, bearer of the discus, spoke this word, smiling —

Verse 81 (skanda.1.54.81)

गच्छासुर विमुक्तोऽसि सांप्रतं जीव निर्वृतः॥ ततः स्वल्पेन कालेन अहमेव तवांतकः

gacchāsura vimukto'si sāṁprataṁ jīva nirvṛtaḥ tataḥ svalpena kālena ahameva tavāṁtakaḥ

"Go, O demon, you are free; live now, unafraid. Yet, in but a little time, I myself shall become your very end."

Verse 82 (skanda.1.54.82)

एवं वचस्तस्य निशम्य विष्णोः सर्वेश्वरस्याथ रथं निमेषात्॥ निनाय दूरं किल कालनेमिनो भीतस्तदा सारथिर्लोकनाथात्

evaṁ vacastasya niśamya viṣṇoḥ sarveśvarasyātha rathaṁ nimeṣāt nināya dūraṁ kila kālanemino bhītastadā sārathirlokanāthāt

Hearing this word of Vishnu, lord of all, his charioteer, in that very instant, terrified before that lord of the worlds, drove Kalanemi's chariot far away.