The Battle Between Vishnu and the Demons

Verse 1 (skanda.1.55.1)

॥नारद उवाच॥ तं दृष्ट्वा दानवाः सर्वे क्रुद्धाः स्वैःस्वैर्बलैर्वृताः॥ सरघा इव माक्षिकं रुरुधुः सर्वतस्ततः

nārada uvāca taṁ dṛṣṭvā dānavāḥ sarve kruddhāḥ svaiḥsvairbalairvṛtāḥ saraghā iva mākṣikaṁ rurudhuḥ sarvatastataḥ

Narada said: "Seeing him, all the Danavas, enraged, surrounded by their own armies, began to ring him about on every side, as bees swarm around honey.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.55.2)

पर्वताभे गजे भीमे मदस्राविणि दुर्दमे॥ सितचित्रपताके तु प्रभिन्नकरटामुखे

parvatābhe gaje bhīme madasrāviṇi durdame sitacitrapatāke tu prabhinnakaraṭāmukhe

"Mounted upon a mountain-like, fearsome elephant, streaming with rut, unrestrainable, decked with white and colorful banners, its temples split from musth,

Verse 3 (skanda.1.55.3)

स्वर्णवर्णांचिते यद्वन्नगे दावाग्निसंवृते॥ आरुह्यजौ निमिर्दैत्यो हरिं प्रत्युद्ययौ बली

svarṇavarṇāṁcite yadvannage dāvāgnisaṁvṛte āruhyajau nimirdaityo hariṁ pratyudyayau balī

"golden-hued, as if a mountain wrapped in wildfire — mounted upon that elephant, the mighty demon Nimi advanced against Hari in that battle.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.55.4)

तस्यासन्दानवा रौद्रा गजस्य परिरक्षिणः॥ सप्तविंशतिकोट्यश्च किरीटकवचोज्जवलाः

tasyāsandānavā raudrā gajasya parirakṣiṇaḥ saptaviṁśatikoṭyaśca kirīṭakavacojjavalāḥ

"With him were fearsome Danavas, guarding that elephant, twenty-seven crore in number, blazing with crowns and armor.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.55.5)

अश्वमारुह्य शैलाभं हरिमाद्रवत्॥ पंचयोजनप्रग्रीवमुष्ट्रमास्थाय जंभकः

aśvamāruhya śailābhaṁ harimādravat paṁcayojanapragrīvamuṣṭramāsthāya jaṁbhakaḥ

"Mounted on a mountain-like horse, one demon rushed at Hari; and Jambhaka, mounted on a camel whose neck stretched five yojanas,

Verse 6 (skanda.1.55.6)

शुम्भो मेषं समारुह्याव्रजद्द्वादशयोजनम्॥ अपरे दानवेन्द्राश्च यत्ता नानास्त्रापाणयः

śumbho meṣaṁ samāruhyāvrajaddvādaśayojanam apare dānavendrāśca yattā nānāstrāpāṇayaḥ

"Shumbha, mounted on a ram, advanced twelve yojanas; and the other lords of the Danavas too, ready, weapons of every kind in hand,

Verse 7 (skanda.1.55.7)

आजग्मुः समरे क्रुद्धा विष्णुमक्लिष्टकारिणम्॥ परघेण निमिर्दैत्यो मथनो मुद्गरेण च

ājagmuḥ samare kruddhā viṣṇumakliṣṭakāriṇam paragheṇa nimirdaityo mathano mudgareṇa ca

"came on in fury against Vishnu, who troubled no one, in that battle. The demon Nimi struck Narayana with an iron bar, Mathana with a mace,

Verse 8 (skanda.1.55.8)

शुम्भः शूलेन तीक्ष्णेन प्रासेन ग्रसनस्तथा॥ चक्रेण क्रथनः क्रुद्धो जंभः शक्त्या महारणे

śumbhaḥ śūlena tīkṣṇena prāsena grasanastathā cakreṇa krathanaḥ kruddho jaṁbhaḥ śaktyā mahāraṇe

"Shumbha with a sharp trident, Grasana too with a lance; Krathana, enraged, with a discus, and Jambha, in that great battle, with a spear,

Verse 9 (skanda.1.55.9)

जघ्नुर्नारायणं शेषा विशिखैर्मर्मभेदिभिः॥ तान्यस्त्राणि प्रयुक्तानि विविशुः पुरुषोत्तमम्

jaghnurnārāyaṇaṁ śeṣā viśikhairmarmabhedibhiḥ tānyastrāṇi prayuktāni viviśuḥ puruṣottamam

"the rest struck Narayana with mark-piercing arrows. Those weapons, so employed, sank into that Supreme Person,

Verse 10 (skanda.1.55.10)

उपदेशा गुरोर्यद्वत्सच्छिष्यं बहुधेरिताः॥ ततः क्रुद्धो हरिर्गृह्य धनुर्बाणांश्च पुष्कलान्

upadeśā guroryadvatsacchiṣyaṁ bahudheritāḥ tataḥ kruddho harirgṛhya dhanurbāṇāṁśca puṣkalān

"as the many teachings of a guru sink into a worthy disciple. Then, enraged, Hari, taking up his bow and a great store of arrows,

Verse 11 (skanda.1.55.11)

ममर्द दैत्यसेनां तद्धर्ममर्थवचो यथा॥ निमिं विव्याध विंशत्या वाणैरनलवर्चसैः

mamarda daityasenāṁ taddharmamarthavaco yathā nimiṁ vivyādha viṁśatyā vāṇairanalavarcasaiḥ

"crushed the demon host, as a word rooted in dharma crushes what is false. He pierced Nimi with twenty arrows, blazing bright as fire,

Verse 12 (skanda.1.55.12)

मथनं दशभिश्चैव शुम्भं पंचभिरेव च॥ शतेन महिषं क्रुद्धो विव्याधोरसि माधवः

mathanaṁ daśabhiścaiva śumbhaṁ paṁcabhireva ca śatena mahiṣaṁ kruddho vivyādhorasi mādhavaḥ

"Mathana with ten, and Shumbha with only five; enraged, Madhava pierced Mahisha's chest with a hundred,

Verse 13 (skanda.1.55.13)

जंभं द्वादशभिस्तीक्ष्णैः सर्वांश्चैकैक शोऽष्टभिः॥ तस्य तल्लाघवं दृष्ट्वा दानवाः क्रोधमूर्छिताः

jaṁbhaṁ dvādaśabhistīkṣṇaiḥ sarvāṁścaikaika śo'ṣṭabhiḥ tasya tallāghavaṁ dṛṣṭvā dānavāḥ krodhamūrchitāḥ

"Jambha with twelve sharp arrows, and every other with eight each. Seeing this swiftness, the Danavas, senseless with fury,

Verse 14 (skanda.1.55.14)

चक्रुर्गाढतरं यत्नमावृण्वाना हरिं शरैः॥ चिच्छेदाथ धनुर्ज्यां च निमिर्भल्लेन दानवः

cakrurgāḍhataraṁ yatnamāvṛṇvānā hariṁ śaraiḥ cicchedātha dhanurjyāṁ ca nimirbhallena dānavaḥ

"pressed their assault yet harder, ringing Hari about with arrows. Then the demon Nimi severed his bowstring with a broad-headed shaft,

Verse 15 (skanda.1.55.15)

हस्ताच्चापं च संरंभाच्चिच्छेद महिषासुरः॥ षीडयामासा गरुडं जंभो बाणायुतैस्त्रिभिः

hastāccāpaṁ ca saṁraṁbhācciccheda mahiṣāsuraḥ ṣīḍayāmāsā garuḍaṁ jaṁbho bāṇāyutaistribhiḥ

"and Mahishasura, in fury, struck his very bow from his hand; Jambha assailed Garuda with three thousand arrows,

Verse 16 (skanda.1.55.16)

भुजावस्य च विव्याध शंभो बाणायुतेन वै॥ ततो विस्मितचित्तस्तु गदां जग्राह माधवः

bhujāvasya ca vivyādha śaṁbho bāṇāyutena vai tato vismitacittastu gadāṁ jagrāha mādhavaḥ

"and Shumbha pierced his arms with a thousand shafts. Then, astonished at heart, Madhava took up a mace,

Verse 17 (skanda.1.55.17)

तां प्राहिणोत्स वेगेन मथनाय महाहवे॥ तामाप्राप्तां निमिर्बाणैर्मुशलाभैः सहस्रशः

tāṁ prāhiṇotsa vegena mathanāya mahāhave tāmāprāptāṁ nimirbāṇairmuśalābhaiḥ sahasraśaḥ

"and hurled it with speed at Mathana in that great battle. Before it could reach him, Nimi, with thousands of pestle-headed arrows,

Verse 18 (skanda.1.55.18)

आहत्य पातयामास विनदन्कालमेघवत्॥ ततोंऽतरिक्षे हाहेति भूतानां जज्ञिरे कथाः

āhatya pātayāmāsa vinadankālameghavat tatoṁ'tarikṣe hāheti bhūtānāṁ jajñire kathāḥ

"struck it down, roaring like a dark storm-cloud. Then, in the sky, cries of "alas, alas!" rose up among the watching beings —

Verse 19 (skanda.1.55.19)

नैतदस्ति बलं व्यक्तं यत्राशीर्यत सा गदा॥ तां हरिः पतितां दृष्ट्वा अस्थाने प्रार्थनामिव

naitadasti balaṁ vyaktaṁ yatrāśīryata sā gadā tāṁ hariḥ patitāṁ dṛṣṭvā asthāne prārthanāmiva

"'There was no true strength in that from which such hope was placed in that mace.' Seeing that mace fallen, Hari, as though setting aside a hope misplaced,

Verse 20 (skanda.1.55.20)

जग्राह मुद्गरं घोरं दिव्यरत्नपरिष्कृतम्॥ तं मुमोचातिवेगेन निमिमुद्दिश्य दानवम्

jagrāha mudgaraṁ ghoraṁ divyaratnapariṣkṛtam taṁ mumocātivegena nimimuddiśya dānavam

"seized a fearsome mace, adorned with divine gems, and hurled it with the utmost speed, aimed at the demon Nimi.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.55.21)

तमायांतं वियत्येव त्रयो दैत्या ह्यवारयन्॥ गदया दंभदैत्यस्तु ग्रसनः पट्टिशेन तु

tamāyāṁtaṁ viyatyeva trayo daityā hyavārayan gadayā daṁbhadaityastu grasanaḥ paṭṭiśena tu

"As it came, right there in the sky, three demons blocked it — the demon Dambha with his own mace, and Grasana with his spiked club,

Verse 22 (skanda.1.55.22)

शक्त्या च महिषो दैत्यो विनदंतो महाररवम्॥ निराकृतं तमालोक्य दुर्जनैः सुजनं यथा

śaktyā ca mahiṣo daityo vinadaṁto mahāraravam nirākṛtaṁ tamālokya durjanaiḥ sujanaṁ yathā

"and the demon Mahisha with his own spear, roaring a mighty roar. Seeing it thus turned back, as the virtuous are turned back by the wicked,

Verse 23 (skanda.1.55.23)

जग्राह शक्तिमुग्रोग्रां शतघंटामहास्वनाम्॥ जंभाय तां समुद्दिश्य प्राहिणोद्भीषणेरणे

jagrāha śaktimugrogrāṁ śataghaṁṭāmahāsvanām jaṁbhāya tāṁ samuddiśya prāhiṇodbhīṣaṇeraṇe

"he took up a fearsome, terrible spear, hung with a hundred bells and thundering loud, and, aiming it at Jambha, hurled it in that dreadful battle.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.55.24)

तामायान्तीमथालोक्य जंभोऽन्यस्य रथात्त्वरात्॥ आप्लुत्य लीलया गृह्णन्कामिनीं कामुको यथा

tāmāyāntīmathālokya jaṁbho'nyasya rathāttvarāt āplutya līlayā gṛhṇankāminīṁ kāmuko yathā

"Seeing it come, Jambha, leaping swiftly down from another's chariot, caught it with ease, as a lustful man catches hold of a beloved woman,

Verse 25 (skanda.1.55.25)

तयैव गरुडं मूर्ध्नि जघ्ने स प्रहसन्बली॥ ततो भूयो रथं प्राप्य घनुर्गृह्यभ्ययोजयत्

tayaiva garuḍaṁ mūrdhni jaghne sa prahasanbalī tato bhūyo rathaṁ prāpya ghanurgṛhyabhyayojayat

"and with that very weapon, laughing, that mighty one struck Garuda upon the very head. Then, regaining his own chariot, taking up his bow, he fought on;

Verse 26 (skanda.1.55.26)

विचेताश्चाभवद्युद्धे गरुडः शक्तिपीडितः॥ ततः प्रहस्य तं विष्णुः साधुसाध्विति भारत

vicetāścābhavadyuddhe garuḍaḥ śaktipīḍitaḥ tataḥ prahasya taṁ viṣṇuḥ sādhusādhviti bhārata

"and in that battle Garuda, afflicted by that spear, fell senseless. Then, laughing, Vishnu, crying "well done, well done," O Bharata,

Verse 27 (skanda.1.55.27)

करस्पर्शेन कृतवान्विमोहं विनतात्मजम्॥ समाश्वास्य च तं वाग्भिः शक्तिं दृष्ट्वा च निष्फलाम्

karasparśena kṛtavānvimohaṁ vinatātmajam samāśvāsya ca taṁ vāgbhiḥ śaktiṁ dṛṣṭvā ca niṣphalām

"dispelled that son of Vinata's daze by the mere touch of his hand. Comforting him with words, and seeing that spear rendered fruitless,

Verse 28 (skanda.1.55.28)

कुभार्यस्य यथा पुंसः सर्वंस्याच्चिंतितं वृथा॥ दृठसारमहामौर्वीमन्यां संयोजयत्ततः

kubhāryasya yathā puṁsaḥ sarvaṁsyācciṁtitaṁ vṛthā dṛṭhasāramahāmaurvīmanyāṁ saṁyojayattataḥ

"as every resolve of a man with an ill-natured wife comes to nothing, he then fitted another great, firm bowstring,

Verse 29 (skanda.1.55.29)

कृत्वा च तलनिर्घोषं रौद्रमस्त्रं मुमोच सः॥ ततोऽस्त्रतेजसा सर्वमाकाशं नैव दृश्यते

kṛtvā ca talanirghoṣaṁ raudramastraṁ mumoca saḥ tato'stratejasā sarvamākāśaṁ naiva dṛśyate

"and, clapping his palm against the bow, loosed the fearsome Raudra weapon. Then, through the splendor of that weapon, the whole sky vanished from sight;

Verse 30 (skanda.1.55.30)

भूमिर्दिशश्च विदिशो बामजालमया बुभुः॥ दृष्ट्वा तदस्त्रमाहात्म्यं सेनानीर्ग्रसनोऽसुरः

bhūmirdiśaśca vidiśo bāmajālamayā bubhuḥ dṛṣṭvā tadastramāhātmyaṁ senānīrgrasano'suraḥ

"the earth, the directions, and every intermediate quarter filled with a net of arrows. Seeing the greatness of that weapon, the general, the demon Grasana,

Verse 31 (skanda.1.55.31)

ब्राह्ममस्त्रं चकाराशु सर्वास्त्रविनिवारणम्॥ तेन तत्प्रशमं यातं रौद्रास्त्रं लोकभीषणम्

brāhmamastraṁ cakārāśu sarvāstravinivāraṇam tena tatpraśamaṁ yātaṁ raudrāstraṁ lokabhīṣaṇam

"swiftly formed the Brahma weapon, which turns back every weapon; and by it that world-terrifying Raudra weapon was stilled.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.55.32)

अस्त्रे प्रतिहते तस्मिन्विष्णुर्दानवसूदनः॥ कालदंडास्त्रमकरोत्सर्वलोकभयंकरम्

astre pratihate tasminviṣṇurdānavasūdanaḥ kāladaṁḍāstramakarotsarvalokabhayaṁkaram

"That weapon being countered, Vishnu, destroyer of Danavas, formed the Kaladanda weapon, terrifying to every world.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.55.33)

संधीयमानेस्त्रे तस्मिन्मारुतः परुषो ववौ॥ चकंपे च मही देवी भिन्नाश्चांबुधयोऽभवन्

saṁdhīyamānestre tasminmārutaḥ paruṣo vavau cakaṁpe ca mahī devī bhinnāścāṁbudhayo'bhavan

"As that weapon was being drawn, a harsh wind began to blow; the goddess earth trembled, and the very oceans grew turbulent.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.55.34)

तदस्त्रमुग्रं दृष्ट्वा तु दानवा युद्धदुर्मदाः॥ चक्रुरस्त्राणि दिव्यानि नानारूपाणि संयुगे

tadastramugraṁ dṛṣṭvā tu dānavā yuddhadurmadāḥ cakrurastrāṇi divyāni nānārūpāṇi saṁyuge

"Seeing that terrible weapon, the Danavas, intoxicated with the frenzy of battle, formed divine weapons of every manner of shape in that combat.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.55.35)

नारायणांस्त्रं ग्रसनस्तु चक्रे त्वाष्ट्रं निमिश्चास्त्रवरं मुमोच॥ ऐषीकमस्त्रं च चकार जंभो युद्धस्य दण्डास्त्र निवारणाय

nārāyaṇāṁstraṁ grasanastu cakre tvāṣṭraṁ nimiścāstravaraṁ mumoca aiṣīkamastraṁ ca cakāra jaṁbho yuddhasya daṇḍāstra nivāraṇāya

"Grasana formed the Narayana weapon, and Nimi loosed the excellent Tvashtra weapon; Jambha formed the Aishika weapon, to ward off that Danda weapon of battle.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.55.36)

यावच्च संधानवशं प्रयांति नारायणादीनि निवारणाय॥ तावत्क्षणेनैव जघान कोटींदैत्येश्वराणां किल कालदंडः

yāvacca saṁdhānavaśaṁ prayāṁti nārāyaṇādīni nivāraṇāya tāvatkṣaṇenaiva jaghāna koṭīṁdaityeśvarāṇāṁ kila kāladaṁḍaḥ

"But even as the Narayana weapon and the rest came under their control for aiming, in that very instant the Kaladanda had already slain crores of the lords of the Daityas.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.55.37)

अनंतरं शांतभयं तदस्त्रं दैत्यास्त्रयोगेन च कालदण्डम्॥ शांतं तदालोक्य हरिः स्वमस्त्रं कोपेन कालानलतुल्यमूर्तिः

anaṁtaraṁ śāṁtabhayaṁ tadastraṁ daityāstrayogena ca kāladaṇḍam śāṁtaṁ tadālokya hariḥ svamastraṁ kopena kālānalatulyamūrtiḥ

"After that, the terror of that weapon subsided, and by the demons' combined use of weapons the Kaladanda was stilled. Seeing it stilled, Hari, his very form now like the fire of dissolution in his fury, took up his own weapon,

Verse 38 (skanda.1.55.38)

जग्राह चक्रं तपना युतप्रभमुग्रारमात्मानमिव द्वितीयम्॥ चिक्षेप सेनापतये ज्वलंतं चतुर्भूजः संयति संप्रगृह्य

jagrāha cakraṁ tapanā yutaprabhamugrāramātmānamiva dvitīyam cikṣepa senāpataye jvalaṁtaṁ caturbhūjaḥ saṁyati saṁpragṛhya

"taking up his discus, radiant as the sun, as if a second form of himself, and the four-armed Vishnu hurled it, ablaze, at the general, in that combat.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.55.39)

तदाव्रजच्चक्रमथो विलोक्य सर्वात्मना दैत्यवराः स्ववीर्यात्॥ नाशक्नुन्वारयितुं प्रचंडं दैवं यथा पूर्वमिवोपपन्नम्

tadāvrajaccakramatho vilokya sarvātmanā daityavarāḥ svavīryāt nāśaknunvārayituṁ pracaṁḍaṁ daivaṁ yathā pūrvamivopapannam

"Then, seeing that discus bearing down, the finest of the demons, for all their own strength and valor, could not check that fearsome thing, just as a fate already set cannot be turned aside.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.55.40)

तदप्रतर्क्यं नवहेतितुल्यं चक्रं पपात ग्रसनस्य कण्ठे॥ तद्रक्तधारा रुणघोरनाभि जगाम भूयोपि करं मुरारेः

tadapratarkyaṁ navahetitulyaṁ cakraṁ papāta grasanasya kaṇṭhe tadraktadhārā ruṇaghoranābhi jagāma bhūyopi karaṁ murāreḥ

"That unimaginable discus, resembling nine weapons in one, fell upon Grasana's very throat; and it, stained now with the terrible stream of his blood, returned once more into the hand of Murari.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.55.41)

चक्राहतः संयति दानवश्च पपात भूमौ प्रममार चापि॥ दैत्याश्च शेषा भृशशौकमापुः क्रोधं च केचित्पिपिषुर्भुजांश्च

cakrāhataḥ saṁyati dānavaśca papāta bhūmau pramamāra cāpi daityāśca śeṣā bhṛśaśaukamāpuḥ krodhaṁ ca kecitpipiṣurbhujāṁśca

"Struck down by that discus in battle, that Danava fell to the ground and died. The remaining demons were overcome with grief, and some, in their fury, beat their own arms.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.55.42)

ततो विनिहते दैत्ये ग्रसने बलनायके॥ निर्मर्यादमयुध्यंत हरिणा सह दानवाः

tato vinihate daitye grasane balanāyake nirmaryādamayudhyaṁta hariṇā saha dānavāḥ

Then, that leader of the army, the demon Grasana, having been slain, the Danavas fought on against Hari without any restraint.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.55.43)

पट्टिशैर्मुशलैः प्रासैग्नि दाभिः कणपैरपि॥ तीक्ष्णाननैश्च नाराचैश्चक्रैः शक्तिभिरेव च

paṭṭiśairmuśalaiḥ prāsaigni dābhiḥ kaṇapairapi tīkṣṇānanaiśca nārācaiścakraiḥ śaktibhireva ca

With spiked clubs, maces, lances, and stone-balls too, with sharp-headed iron darts, discuses, and spears besides,

Verse 44 (skanda.1.55.44)

तदस्त्रजालं तैर्मुक्तं लब्धलक्षो जनार्दनः॥ एकैकं शतधा चक्रे बाणैरग्नि शिखोपमैः

tadastrajālaṁ tairmuktaṁ labdhalakṣo janārdanaḥ ekaikaṁ śatadhā cakre bāṇairagni śikhopamaiḥ

that net of weapons was loosed by them; and Janardana, finding his mark, split each and every one, with arrows like tongues of flame, into a hundred pieces.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.55.45)

जघान तेषां संक्रुद्धः कोटिकोटिं जनार्दनः॥ ततस्ते सहसा भूत्वा न्यपतन्केशवोपरि

jaghāna teṣāṁ saṁkruddhaḥ koṭikoṭiṁ janārdanaḥ tataste sahasā bhūtvā nyapatankeśavopari

Enraged, Janardana slew crore upon crore of them. Then, suddenly transformed, they fell upon Keshava all at once.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.55.46)

गरुडं जगृहुः केचित्पादयोः शतशोऽसुराः॥ ललंबिरे च पक्षाभ्यां मुखे चान्ये ललंबिरे

garuḍaṁ jagṛhuḥ kecitpādayoḥ śataśo'surāḥ lalaṁbire ca pakṣābhyāṁ mukhe cānye lalaṁbire

Some demons, by the hundred, seized hold of Garuda's feet; others clung to his two wings, and others still clung to his very mouth.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.55.47)

केशवस्यापि धनुषि भुजयोः शीर्ष एव च॥ ललंबिरे महादैत्या निनदंतो मुहुर्मुहुः

keśavasyāpi dhanuṣi bhujayoḥ śīrṣa eva ca lalaṁbire mahādaityā ninadaṁto muhurmuhuḥ

Upon Keshava's own bow, upon his arms, and upon his head as well, those great demons hung, roaring again and again.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.55.48)

तदद्भुतं महद्दृष्ट्वा सिद्धचारणवार्तिकाः॥ हाहेति मुमुचुर्नादसंबरे चास्तुवन्हरिम्

tadadbhutaṁ mahaddṛṣṭvā siddhacāraṇavārtikāḥ hāheti mumucurnādasaṁbare cāstuvanharim

Beholding that great wonder, the Siddhas, Charanas, and wandering messengers cried out "alas!" through that vast expanse of sound, and sang praises of Hari.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.55.49)

ततो हरिर्विनिर्धूय पातयामास तान्भुवि॥ यथा प्रबुद्धः पुरुषो दोषान्संसारसंभवान्

tato harirvinirdhūya pātayāmāsa tānbhuvi yathā prabuddhaḥ puruṣo doṣānsaṁsārasaṁbhavān

Then Hari, shaking himself free, cast them down to the earth, as an awakened man casts off the faults born of samsara.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.55.50)

विकोशं च ततः नंदकं खड्गमुत्तमम्॥ चर्म चाप्यमलं विष्णुः पदातिस्तानधावत

vikośaṁ ca tataḥ naṁdakaṁ khaḍgamuttamam carma cāpyamalaṁ viṣṇuḥ padātistānadhāvata

Then, drawing his excellent sword Nandaka from its sheath, and taking up his spotless shield, Vishnu, on foot, charged among them.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.55.51)

ततो मुहूर्तमात्रेण पद्मानि दश केशवः॥ चकर्त्त मार्गे बहुभिर्विचरन्दैत्यसत्तमान्

tato muhūrtamātreṇa padmāni daśa keśavaḥ cakartta mārge bahubhirvicarandaityasattamān

Then, in a single moment, Keshava cut through ten lotus-formations of the army, moving through the ranks among many of the finest demons.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.55.52)

ततो निमिप्रभृतयो विनद्यासुरसत्तमाः॥ अधावंत महेष्वासाः केशवं पादचारिणम्

tato nimiprabhṛtayo vinadyāsurasattamāḥ adhāvaṁta maheṣvāsāḥ keśavaṁ pādacāriṇam

Then Nimi and the other finest Asuras, roaring, those great archers, rushed at Keshava as he advanced on foot.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.55.53)

गरुत्मांश्चाभ्ययात्तूर्णमारुरोह च तं हरिः॥ उवाच च गरुत्मंतं तस्मिंश्च तुमुले रणे

garutmāṁścābhyayāttūrṇamāruroha ca taṁ hariḥ uvāca ca garutmaṁtaṁ tasmiṁśca tumule raṇe

Garutman came swiftly, and Hari mounted him; and in that tumultuous battle he spoke to Garutman —

Verse 54 (skanda.1.55.54)

अश्रांतो यदि तार्क्ष्यासि मथनं प्रति तद्व्रज॥ श्रांतश्चेच्च मुहूर्तं त्वं रणादपसृतो भव

aśrāṁto yadi tārkṣyāsi mathanaṁ prati tadvraja śrāṁtaścecca muhūrtaṁ tvaṁ raṇādapasṛto bhava

"If you are unwearied, Tarkshya, then make for Mathana; but if you are weary, withdraw for a moment from this battle."

Verse 55 (skanda.1.55.55)

॥तार्क्ष्य उवाच॥ न मे श्रमोऽस्ति लोकेश किंचित्संस्मरतश्च मे॥ यन्मे सुतान्वाहनत्वे कल्पयामास तारकः

tārkṣya uvāca na me śramo'sti lokeśa kiṁcitsaṁsmarataśca me yanme sutānvāhanatve kalpayāmāsa tārakaḥ

Tarkshya said: "I feel no weariness at all, O lord of the worlds; I remember only this, that Taraka has made mere mounts of my own sons."

Verse 56 (skanda.1.55.56)

इति ब्रवन्रणे दैत्यं मथनं प्रति सोऽगमत्॥ दैत्यस्तवभिमुखं दृष्ट्वा शंखचक्रगदाधरम्

iti bravanraṇe daityaṁ mathanaṁ prati so'gamat daityastavabhimukhaṁ dṛṣṭvā śaṁkhacakragadādharam

Saying this, in that battle, he made for the demon Mathana. That demon, seeing him come, bearing conch, discus, and mace,

Verse 57 (skanda.1.55.57)

जघान भिंडिपालेन शितधारेण वक्षसि॥ तं प्रहारमचिंत्यैव विष्णुस्तस्मिन्महाहवे

jaghāna bhiṁḍipālena śitadhāreṇa vakṣasi taṁ prahāramaciṁtyaiva viṣṇustasminmahāhave

struck him on the chest with a sharp-edged javelin. That unexpected blow, in that great battle, Vishnu

Verse 58 (skanda.1.55.58)

जघान पंचभिर्बाणैर्गिरींद्रस्यापि भेदकैः॥ आकर्णकृष्टैर्दशभिः पुनर्विद्धः स्तनांतरे

jaghāna paṁcabhirbāṇairgirīṁdrasyāpi bhedakaiḥ ākarṇakṛṣṭairdaśabhiḥ punarviddhaḥ stanāṁtare

answered with five arrows, capable of splitting even the lord of mountains; and, drawn to the very ear, with ten more, pierced his chest once again.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.55.59)

विचेतनो मुहूर्तात्स संस्तभ्य मथनः पुनः॥ गृहीत्वा परिघं मूर्ध्नि जनार्दनमताडयत्

vicetano muhūrtātsa saṁstabhya mathanaḥ punaḥ gṛhītvā parighaṁ mūrdhni janārdanamatāḍayat

Senseless for a moment, Mathana, steadying himself once more, seized an iron bar and struck Janardana upon the head.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.55.60)

विष्णुस्तेन प्रहारेण किंचिदाघूर्णितोऽभवत्॥ ततः कोपविवृत्ताक्षो गदां जग्राह माधवः

viṣṇustena prahāreṇa kiṁcidāghūrṇito'bhavat tataḥ kopavivṛttākṣo gadāṁ jagrāha mādhavaḥ

Vishnu, by that blow, grew somewhat dizzy; then Madhava, his eyes rolling with fury, took up a mace,

Verse 61 (skanda.1.55.61)

तया संताडयामास मथनं हृदये दृढम्॥ स पपात तथा भूमौ चूर्णितांगो ममार च

tayā saṁtāḍayāmāsa mathanaṁ hṛdaye dṛḍham sa papāta tathā bhūmau cūrṇitāṁgo mamāra ca

and struck Mathana firmly upon the heart with it. He fell to the ground just so, his very limbs crushed, and died.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.55.62)

तस्मिन्निपतिते भूमौ मथने मथिते भृशम्॥ अवसादं युयुर्दैत्याः सर्वे ते युद्धमण्डले

tasminnipatite bhūmau mathane mathite bhṛśam avasādaṁ yuyurdaityāḥ sarve te yuddhamaṇḍale

When Mathana had fallen thus to the ground, utterly crushed, all the demons in that field of battle sank into despair.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.55.63)

ततस्तेषु विषण्णेषु दानवेष्वतिमानिषु॥ चुकोप रक्तनयनो महिषो दानवेश्वरः

tatasteṣu viṣaṇṇeṣu dānaveṣvatimāniṣu cukopa raktanayano mahiṣo dānaveśvaraḥ

Then, as those exceedingly proud demons grew despondent, Mahisha, lord of the Danavas, his eyes reddened, grew enraged,

Verse 64 (skanda.1.55.64)

प्रत्युद्ययौ हरिं रौद्रः स्वबाहुबलमाश्रितः॥ रीक्ष्णधारेण शूलेन महिषो हरिमर्दयन्

pratyudyayau hariṁ raudraḥ svabāhubalamāśritaḥ rīkṣṇadhāreṇa śūlena mahiṣo harimardayan

and, terrible, relying on the strength of his own arms, advanced against Hari. With a sharp-edged trident that Mahisha, harassing Hari,

Verse 65 (skanda.1.55.65)

शक्त्या च गरुडं वीरो हृदयेऽभ्यहनद्दृढम्॥ ततो विवृत्य वदनं महामलगुहानिभम्

śaktyā ca garuḍaṁ vīro hṛdaye'bhyahanaddṛḍham tato vivṛtya vadanaṁ mahāmalaguhānibham

and, that hero, struck Garuda firmly upon the heart with a spear. Then, wheeling about his vast, cavern-like, terrible mouth,

Verse 66 (skanda.1.55.66)

ग्रस्तुमैच्छद्रणे दैत्यः सगरुत्मंतमच्युतम्॥ अथाच्युतोऽपि विज्ञाय दानवस्य चिकीर्षितम्

grastumaicchadraṇe daityaḥ sagarutmaṁtamacyutam athācyuto'pi vijñāya dānavasya cikīrṣitam

that demon sought, in that battle, to devour Achyuta together with Garuda. Then Achyuta too, understanding that demon's intent,

Verse 67 (skanda.1.55.67)

वदनं पूरयामास दिव्यैस्त्रैर्महाबलः॥ स तैर्बाणैरभिहतो महिषोऽचलसंनिभः

vadanaṁ pūrayāmāsa divyaistrairmahābalaḥ sa tairbāṇairabhihato mahiṣo'calasaṁnibhaḥ

filled that mouth, mighty as he was, with his own divine weapons. Struck by those arrows, that mountain-like Mahisha,

Verse 68 (skanda.1.55.68)

परिवर्तितकायार्धः पपाताथ ममार च॥ महिषं पतितं दृष्ट्वा जीवयित्वा पुनर्हरिः

parivartitakāyārdhaḥ papātātha mamāra ca mahiṣaṁ patitaṁ dṛṣṭvā jīvayitvā punarhariḥ

his very body twisted half about, fell then, and died. Seeing Mahisha fallen, Hari, restoring him again to life,

Verse 69 (skanda.1.55.69)

महिषं प्राह मत्तस्त्वं वधं नार्हसि दानव॥ योषिद्वध्यः पुरोक्तस्त्वं साक्षात्कमलयोनिना

mahiṣaṁ prāha mattastvaṁ vadhaṁ nārhasi dānava yoṣidvadhyaḥ puroktastvaṁ sākṣātkamalayoninā

said to Mahisha: "You are not fit for death, drunk as you are, O demon. The lotus-born himself has already declared that you may be slain by a woman alone."

Verse 70 (skanda.1.55.70)

उत्तिष्ठ गच्छ मन्मुक्तो द्रुतमस्मान्महारणात्॥ इत्युक्तो हरिणा तस्माद्देशादपगतोऽसुरः

uttiṣṭha gaccha manmukto drutamasmānmahāraṇāt ityukto hariṇā tasmāddeśādapagato'suraḥ

"Rise, go, released now by me, swiftly from this great battle." Thus addressed by Hari, that Asura departed from that place.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.55.71)

तस्मिन्पराङ्मुखे दैत्ये महिषे शुंभदानवः॥ संदष्टौष्ठपुटाटोपो भृकुटीकुटिलाननः

tasminparāṅmukhe daitye mahiṣe śuṁbhadānavaḥ saṁdaṣṭauṣṭhapuṭāṭopo bhṛkuṭīkuṭilānanaḥ

When that demon Mahisha had thus withdrawn, the Danava Shumbha, his lips bitten in rage, his face contorted with a furrowed brow,

Verse 72 (skanda.1.55.72)

निर्मध्य पाणिना पाणिं धनुरादाय भैरवम्॥ सज्जीकृत्य महाघोरान्मुमोच शतशः शरान्

nirmadhya pāṇinā pāṇiṁ dhanurādāya bhairavam sajjīkṛtya mahāghorānmumoca śataśaḥ śarān

clapping hand against hand, took up his own fearsome bow, made it ready, and loosed hundreds of most terrible arrows.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.55.73)

स चित्रयोधी दृढमुष्टिपातस्ततश्व विष्णुं च दैत्यः॥ बाणैर्ज्वलद्वह्निशिखानिकाशैः क्षिप्तैरसंख्यैः प्रतिघाहीनैः

sa citrayodhī dṛḍhamuṣṭipātastataśva viṣṇuṁ ca daityaḥ bāṇairjvaladvahniśikhānikāśaiḥ kṣiptairasaṁkhyaiḥ pratighāhīnaiḥ

That demon, a wondrous fighter, of firm and crushing fist, then began to assail Vishnu with countless unstoppable arrows blazing like tongues of flame —

Verse 74 (skanda.1.55.74)

विष्णुश्च दैत्येंद्रशरार्दितो भृशं भुशुंडिमादाय कृतांततुल्याम्॥ तया मुखं चास्य पिपेष संख्ये शुंभस्य जत्रुं च धराधराभम्

viṣṇuśca daityeṁdraśarārdito bhṛśaṁ bhuśuṁḍimādāya kṛtāṁtatulyām tayā mukhaṁ cāsya pipeṣa saṁkhye śuṁbhasya jatruṁ ca dharādharābham

and Vishnu, greatly afflicted by that lord of Daityas' arrows, took up a mace-weapon terrible as Death, and with it crushed his very mouth in that combat, and Shumbha's mountain-like collarbone besides.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.55.75)

ततस्त्रिभिः शंभुभुजं द्विषष्ट्या सूतस्य शीर्षं दशक्षिश्च केतुम्॥ विष्णुर्विकृष्टैः श्रवणावसानं दैत्यस्य बाणैर्ज्वलनार्कवर्णैः

tatastribhiḥ śaṁbhubhujaṁ dviṣaṣṭyā sūtasya śīrṣaṁ daśakṣiśca ketum viṣṇurvikṛṣṭaiḥ śravaṇāvasānaṁ daityasya bāṇairjvalanārkavarṇaiḥ

Then with three drawn arrows he struck Shumbha's arm, with sixty-two his charioteer's head, and with ten his very banner; and with arrows blazing bright as fire and sun, Vishnu pierced that demon clean to the edge of his ear.

Verse 76 (skanda.1.55.76)

स तैश्च विद्धो व्यथितो बभूव दैत्येश्वरो विस्रुतशोणिताक्तः॥ ततोऽस्य किंचिच्चलितस्य धैर्यादुवाच शंखांबुजसार्ङ्गपाणिः

sa taiśca viddho vyathito babhūva daityeśvaro visrutaśoṇitāktaḥ tato'sya kiṁciccalitasya dhairyāduvāca śaṁkhāṁbujasārṅgapāṇiḥ

Pierced by them, he grew greatly distressed, that lord of the Daityas, drenched now in streaming blood. Then, seeing him shaken yet still resolute, the Lord who bears the conch, the lotus, and the bow Sharnga spoke —

Verse 77 (skanda.1.55.77)

योषित्सुवध्योऽसि रणं विभुंच शुंभाऽशुभ स्वल्पतरैरहोभिः॥ मत्तोर्हसि त्वं न वृथैव मूढ ततोऽपयातः स च शंभदानवः

yoṣitsuvadhyo'si raṇaṁ vibhuṁca śuṁbhā'śubha svalpatarairahobhiḥ mattorhasi tvaṁ na vṛthaiva mūḍha tato'payātaḥ sa ca śaṁbhadānavaḥ

"You, O Shumbha, ill-named one, may be slain by a woman alone, and this great battle too shall end within the fewest of days; do not laugh at me in vain, fool." Then that Shumbha, the Danava, departed.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.55.78)

जम्भोऽथ तद्विष्णुमुखान्निशम्य जगर्ज चोच्चैः कृतसिंहनादः॥ प्रोवाच वाक्यं च सलीलमाजौ महाट्टहासेन जगद्विकंप्य

jambho'tha tadviṣṇumukhānniśamya jagarja coccaiḥ kṛtasiṁhanādaḥ provāca vākyaṁ ca salīlamājau mahāṭṭahāsena jagadvikaṁpya

Then Jambha, hearing this word from Vishnu's own mouth, roared aloud, raising a lion's cry; and, playful in battle, shaking the world with a great burst of laughter, spoke this word —

Verse 79 (skanda.1.55.79)

किमेभिस्ते जलावास दैत्यैर्हीनपराक्रमैः॥ मामासादय युद्धेऽस्मिन्यदि ते पौरुषं क्वचित्

kimebhiste jalāvāsa daityairhīnaparākramaiḥ māmāsādaya yuddhe'sminyadi te pauruṣaṁ kvacit

"What use, O dweller of the waters, are these weak-valored demons to you? Face me yourself in this battle, if manliness lives in you anywhere!"

Verse 80 (skanda.1.55.80)

यत्ते पूर्वं हता दैत्या हिरण्याक्षमुखाः किल॥ जंभस्तदाभवन्नैव पश्य मामद्य संस्थितम्

yatte pūrvaṁ hatā daityā hiraṇyākṣamukhāḥ kila jaṁbhastadābhavannaiva paśya māmadya saṁsthitam

"Whatever demons you slew before, Hiranyaksha and the rest — Jambha was never among them; look, I stand before you today."

Verse 81 (skanda.1.55.81)

पश्य तालप्रती काशौ भुजावेतौ हरे मम॥ वक्षो वा वज्रकठिनं मयि प्रहर तत्सुखम्

paśya tālapratī kāśau bhujāvetau hare mama vakṣo vā vajrakaṭhinaṁ mayi prahara tatsukham

"Look, Hari, at these two arms of mine, like palm-trees; or at my chest, hard as a thunderbolt — strike there, and it shall please you well."

Verse 82 (skanda.1.55.82)

इत्युक्तः केशवस्तेन सृक्किणी संलिहन्रुषा॥ मुमोच परिघंघोरं विरीणामपि दारणम्

ityuktaḥ keśavastena sṛkkiṇī saṁlihanruṣā mumoca parighaṁghoraṁ virīṇāmapi dāraṇam

Thus addressed, Keshava, licking the corners of his own mouth in fury, loosed a terrible iron bar, one that could rend apart even the mightiest foes.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.55.83)

ततस्तस्याप्यनुपदं कालायसमयं दृढम्॥ मुमोच मुद्गरं विष्णुर्द्वितीयं पर्वतं यथा

tatastasyāpyanupadaṁ kālāyasamayaṁ dṛḍham mumoca mudgaraṁ viṣṇurdvitīyaṁ parvataṁ yathā

Then, close behind it, Vishnu hurled another weapon — a firm mace of black iron, like a second mountain.

Verse 84 (skanda.1.55.84)

तदायुधद्वयं दृष्ट्वा जंभो न्यस्य रथे धनुः॥ आप्लुत्य परिघं गृह्य गरुडं तेन जघ्निवान्

tadāyudhadvayaṁ dṛṣṭvā jaṁbho nyasya rathe dhanuḥ āplutya parighaṁ gṛhya garuḍaṁ tena jaghnivān

Seeing that pair of weapons, Jambha, setting his bow down in his chariot, leapt up, seized that very iron bar, and struck Garuda with it.

Verse 85 (skanda.1.55.85)

द्वितीयं मुद्गरं चानु गृहीत्वा विनदन्रणे॥ सर्वप्राणेन गोविंदं तेन मूर्ध्नि जघान सः

dvitīyaṁ mudgaraṁ cānu gṛhītvā vinadanraṇe sarvaprāṇena goviṁdaṁ tena mūrdhni jaghāna saḥ

Then, seizing the second, that mace, roaring in battle, with all his strength he struck Govinda full upon the head with it.

Verse 86 (skanda.1.55.86)

ताभ्यां चातिप्रहाराभ्यामुभौ गरुडकेशवौ॥ मोहाविष्टौ विचेतस्कौ मृतकल्पाविवासताम्

tābhyāṁ cātiprahārābhyāmubhau garuḍakeśavau mohāviṣṭau vicetaskau mṛtakalpāvivāsatām

By those two exceedingly fierce blows, both Garuda and Keshava, overwhelmed with confusion, senseless, seemed as though they were dead.

Verse 87 (skanda.1.55.87)

तदद्भुतं महद्दृष्ट्वा जगर्जुर्दैत्यसत्तमाः॥ नैतान्हर्षमदोद्धूतानिदं सेहे जगत्तदा

tadadbhutaṁ mahaddṛṣṭvā jagarjurdaityasattamāḥ naitānharṣamadoddhūtānidaṁ sehe jagattadā

Beholding that great wonder, the finest of the demons roared aloud; and at that hour the world could scarcely bear their tumult, so filled was it with their joy and pride.

Verse 88 (skanda.1.55.88)

सिंहनादैस्तलोन्नाहैर्धनुर्नादैश्च बाणजैः॥ जंभं ते हर्षयामासुर्वासांस्यादुधुवुश्च ते

siṁhanādaistalonnāhairdhanurnādaiśca bāṇajaiḥ jaṁbhaṁ te harṣayāmāsurvāsāṁsyādudhuvuśca te

With lion-roars, with the clapping of hands, with the twang of bows, and the sound of arrows, they delighted Jambha, and made their garments fly,

Verse 89 (skanda.1.55.89)

शंखांश्च पूरयामासुश्चिक्षिपुर्देवता भृशम्

śaṁkhāṁśca pūrayāmāsuścikṣipurdevatā bhṛśam

and they blew their conches, and those beings grew wild with eagerness.

Verse 90 (skanda.1.55.90)

संज्ञामवाप्याथ महारणे हरिः सवैनतेयः परिरभ्य जंभम्॥ पराङ्मुखः संयुगादप्रधृष्यात्पलायनं वेगपरश्चकार

saṁjñāmavāpyātha mahāraṇe hariḥ savainateyaḥ parirabhya jaṁbham parāṅmukhaḥ saṁyugādapradhṛṣyātpalāyanaṁ vegaparaścakāra

Then, regaining their senses in that great battle, Hari, together with the son of Vinata, breaking free of Jambha's grip, turned their faces from that unconquerable combat and, intent only on speed, made their retreat.