The Victory of Taraka Over the Gods

Verse 1 (skanda.1.56.1)

॥नारद उवाच॥ तमालोक्य पलायंतं विध्वस्तध्वजकार्मुकम्॥ दैत्यांश्च मुदितानिंद्रः कर्तव्यं नाध्यगच्छत

nārada uvāca tamālokya palāyaṁtaṁ vidhvastadhvajakārmukam daityāṁśca muditāniṁdraḥ kartavyaṁ nādhyagacchata

Narada said: Seeing him fleeing, his banner and bow shattered, and the demons rejoicing, Indra could not decide what was to be done.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.56.2)

अथायान्निकटं विष्णोः सुरेशस्त्वरयान्वितः॥ उवाच चैनं मधुरमुत्साहपरिबृंहितम्

athāyānnikaṭaṁ viṣṇoḥ sureśastvarayānvitaḥ uvāca cainaṁ madhuramutsāhaparibṛṁhitam

Then the lord of the gods came in haste to Vishnu's side, and spoke to him sweet words, filled with encouragement.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.56.3)

किमेभिः क्रीडसे देव दानवैर्दुष्टमानसैः॥ दुर्जनैर्लब्धरंध्रस्य पुरुषस्य कुतः क्रियाः

kimebhiḥ krīḍase deva dānavairduṣṭamānasaiḥ durjanairlabdharaṁdhrasya puruṣasya kutaḥ kriyāḥ

Why, O Lord, do you toy with these evil-minded demons? Once a wicked man has found his opening, what recourse is left for the one who allowed it?

Verse 4 (skanda.1.56.4)

शक्तेनोपेक्षितो नीचो मन्यते बलमात्मनः॥ तस्मान्न नीचं मतिमानुषेक्षेत कथंचन

śaktenopekṣito nīco manyate balamātmanaḥ tasmānna nīcaṁ matimānuṣekṣeta kathaṁcana

A base creature, once ignored by the capable, comes to think his own strength great. Therefore the wise should never, under any circumstance, disregard the base.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.56.5)

अथाग्रेसरसंपत्त्या रथिनो जयमाययुः॥ कस्ते सखाभवत्पूर्वं हिरण्याक्षवधे विभो

athāgresarasaṁpattyā rathino jayamāyayuḥ kaste sakhābhavatpūrvaṁ hiraṇyākṣavadhe vibho

In days past, it was through the excellence of the vanguard that charioteers won their victories. Who, O Lord, was your companion of old in the slaying of Hiranyaksha?

Verse 6 (skanda.1.56.6)

हिरण्यकशिपुर्दैत्यो वीर्यशाली मदोद्धतः॥ प्राप्य त्वां तृमवन्नष्टस्तत्र कोऽग्रेसरस्तव

hiraṇyakaśipurdaityo vīryaśālī madoddhataḥ prāpya tvāṁ tṛmavannaṣṭastatra ko'gresarastava

The demon Hiranyakashipu, mighty in valor and swollen with pride, having encountered you, perished like a blade of straw; who was your vanguard there?

Verse 7 (skanda.1.56.7)

पूर्वं प्रतिबला दैत्या मधुकैटभसन्निभाः॥ निविष्टास्त्वां तु संप्राप्य शलभा इव पावकम्

pūrvaṁ pratibalā daityā madhukaiṭabhasannibhāḥ niviṣṭāstvāṁ tu saṁprāpya śalabhā iva pāvakam

Formerly, demons of matching might, like Madhu and Kaitabha, having engaged you, perished like moths falling into fire.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.56.8)

युगेयुगे च दैत्यानां त्वत्तो नाशोऽभवद्धरे॥ तथैवाद्येह भीतानां त्वं हि विष्णो सुराश्रयः

yugeyuge ca daityānāṁ tvatto nāśo'bhavaddhare tathaivādyeha bhītānāṁ tvaṁ hi viṣṇo surāśrayaḥ

In age after age, O Hari, the destruction of demons has come from you alone; and today too, for us who are afraid, you, O Vishnu, remain the sole refuge of the gods.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.56.9)

एवं संनोदितो विष्णुर्व्यवर्धत महाभुजः॥ बलेन तेजसा ऋद्ध्या सर्वभूताश्रयोऽरिहा

evaṁ saṁnodito viṣṇurvyavardhata mahābhujaḥ balena tejasā ṛddhyā sarvabhūtāśrayo'rihā

Thus urged on, the mighty-armed Vishnu, refuge of all beings and slayer of foes, began to swell in strength, splendor, and power.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.56.10)

अथोवाच सहस्राक्षं केशवः प्रहसन्निव॥ एवमेतद्यथा प्राह भवानस्मद्गतं वचः

athovāca sahasrākṣaṁ keśavaḥ prahasanniva evametadyathā prāha bhavānasmadgataṁ vacaḥ

Then Keshava, smiling as it were, said to the thousand-eyed Indra: 'It is exactly as you have said to me.'

Verse 11 (skanda.1.56.11)

त्रैलोक्यदानवान्सर्वान्दग्धुं शक्तः क्षणादहम्॥ दुर्जस्तारकः किं तु मुक्त्वा सप्तदिनं शिशुम्

trailokyadānavānsarvāndagdhuṁ śaktaḥ kṣaṇādaham durjastārakaḥ kiṁ tu muktvā saptadinaṁ śiśum

I am able, in an instant, to burn to ash all the demons of the three worlds; but Taraka is unconquerable — except at the hands of a child seven days old.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.56.12)

महिषश्चैव शुंभश्च उभौ वध्यौ च योषिता॥ जंभो दुर्वाससा शप्तः शक्रवध्यो भवानिति॥ तस्मात्त्वं दिव्यवीर्येण जहि जंभं मदोत्कटम्

mahiṣaścaiva śuṁbhaśca ubhau vadhyau ca yoṣitā jaṁbho durvāsasā śaptaḥ śakravadhyo bhavāniti tasmāttvaṁ divyavīryeṇa jahi jaṁbhaṁ madotkaṭam

Mahisha and Shumbha are both destined to die by the hand of a woman; and Jambha has been cursed by Durvasas — 'You shall be slain by Shakra.' Therefore, by your own divine valor, slay the arrogant Jambha.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.56.13)

अवध्यः सर्वभूतानां त्वामृते स तु दानवः

avadhyaḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ tvāmṛte sa tu dānavaḥ

That demon is beyond the power of every being to slay, save you alone.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.56.14)

मया गुप्तो रणे जंभो जगत्कंटकमुद्धर॥ तद्वैकुंठवचः श्रुत्वा सहस्राक्षोमरारिहा

mayā gupto raṇe jaṁbho jagatkaṁṭakamuddhara tadvaikuṁṭhavacaḥ śrutvā sahasrākṣomarārihā

Under my protection, slay Jambha in battle; uproot this thorn of the world. Having heard these words of Vaikuntha, the thousand-eyed foe of the demons,

Verse 15 (skanda.1.56.15)

समादिशत्सुराध्यक्षान्सैन्यस्य रचनां प्रति॥ ततश्चाभ्यर्थितो देवैर्विष्णुः सैन्यमकल्पयत्

samādiśatsurādhyakṣānsainyasya racanāṁ prati tataścābhyarthito devairviṣṇuḥ sainyamakalpayat

gave command to the chiefs of the gods concerning the array of the army. And then, entreated by the gods, Vishnu marshaled the forces.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.56.16)

यत्सारं सर्वलोकस्य वीर्यस्य तपसोऽपि च॥ तदैकादश रुद्रांश्च चकाराग्रेसरान्हरिः

yatsāraṁ sarvalokasya vīryasya tapaso'pi ca tadaikādaśa rudrāṁśca cakārāgresarānhariḥ

Whatever was the very essence of the valor and austerity of all the worlds, from that Hari fashioned the eleven Rudras and set them at the vanguard.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.56.17)

व्यालीढांगा महादेवा बलिनो नीलकंधराः॥ चंद्रखंडत्रिपुंड्राश्च पिंगाक्षाः शूलपाणयः

vyālīḍhāṁgā mahādevā balino nīlakaṁdharāḥ caṁdrakhaṁḍatripuṁḍrāśca piṁgākṣāḥ śūlapāṇayaḥ

Those great gods were of striding limbs, mighty, blue-throated, marked with the crescent moon and the triple ash-line, tawny-eyed, and trident-bearing.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.56.18)

पिंगोत्तुंगजटाजूटाः सिंहचर्मावसायिनः॥ भस्मोद्धूलितगात्राश्च भुजमंडलभैरवाः

piṁgottuṁgajaṭājūṭāḥ siṁhacarmāvasāyinaḥ bhasmoddhūlitagātrāśca bhujamaṁḍalabhairavāḥ

With tawny, towering matted locks, clad in lion-skins, their bodies smeared with ash, terrible with the circle of their many arms.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.56.19)

कपालीशादयो रुद्रा विद्रावितमहाऽसुराः॥ कपाली पिंगलो भीमो विरुपाक्षो विलोहितः

kapālīśādayo rudrā vidrāvitamahā'surāḥ kapālī piṁgalo bhīmo virupākṣo vilohitaḥ

The Rudras beginning with Kapali, who had once put great demons to flight — Kapali, Pingala, Bhima, Virupaksha, Vilohita,

Verse 20 (skanda.1.56.20)

अजकः शासनः शास्ता शंभुश्चंद्रो भवस्तथा॥ एत एकादशनंतबला रुद्राः प्रभाविनः

ajakaḥ śāsanaḥ śāstā śaṁbhuścaṁdro bhavastathā eta ekādaśanaṁtabalā rudrāḥ prabhāvinaḥ

Ajaka, Shasana, Shasta, Shambhu, Chandra, and Bhava — these were the eleven Rudras, of boundless and glorious might.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.56.21)

अपालयंत त्रिदशान्विगर्जंत इवांबुदाः॥ हिमाचलाभे महति कांचनांबुरुहस्रहि

apālayaṁta tridaśānvigarjaṁta ivāṁbudāḥ himācalābhe mahati kāṁcanāṁburuhasrahi

They protected the thirty gods, roaring like storm-clouds. Indra, upon a mount vast as the snow-mountain, adorned like a golden lotus,

Verse 22 (skanda.1.56.22)

प्रचंचलमहाहेमघंटासंहतिमंडिते॥ ऐरावते चतुर्दंते मत्तमातंग आस्थितः

pracaṁcalamahāhemaghaṁṭāsaṁhatimaṁḍite airāvate caturdaṁte mattamātaṁga āsthitaḥ

decked with a mass of great swaying golden bells, seated upon the four-tusked, rutting Airavata,

Verse 23 (skanda.1.56.23)

महामदजलस्रावे कामरूपे शतक्रतुः॥ तस्थौ हिमगिरेः श्रृंगे भानुमानिव दीप्तिमान्॥ तस्यारक्षत्पदं सव्यं मारुतोऽमितविक्रमः

mahāmadajalasrāve kāmarūpe śatakratuḥ tasthau himagireḥ śrṛṁge bhānumāniva dīptimān tasyārakṣatpadaṁ savyaṁ māruto'mitavikramaḥ

streaming with rut-fluid, able to assume any shape at will — upon that elephant Shatakratu stood radiant as the sun upon a Himalayan peak. Maruta, of measureless valor, guarded his right flank.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.56.24)

जुगोपापरमग्निश्च ज्वालापूरितदिङ्मुखः॥ पृष्ठरक्षोऽभव द्विष्णुः समरेशः शतक्रतोः

jugopāparamagniśca jvālāpūritadiṅmukhaḥ pṛṣṭharakṣo'bhava dviṣṇuḥ samareśaḥ śatakratoḥ

Agni, filling the quarters with his flames, guarded the other flank; and Vishnu, lord of battle, became the rear-guard of Shatakratu.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.56.25)

आदित्या वसवो विश्वे मरुतश्चाश्विनावपि॥ गंधर्वा राक्षसा यक्षाः सकिंनरमहोरगाः

ādityā vasavo viśve marutaścāśvināvapi gaṁdharvā rākṣasā yakṣāḥ sakiṁnaramahoragāḥ

The Adityas, Vasus, Vishvedevas, Maruts, and the two Ashvins, along with Gandharvas, Rakshasas, Yakshas, Kinnaras, and great serpents,

Verse 26 (skanda.1.56.26)

कोटिशःकोटिशः गृत्वा वृंदं चिह्नोपलक्षितम्॥ विश्रावयंतः स्वां कीर्तिं बंदिवृन्दैः पुरः सरैः

koṭiśaḥkoṭiśaḥ gṛtvā vṛṁdaṁ cihnopalakṣitam viśrāvayaṁtaḥ svāṁ kīrtiṁ baṁdivṛndaiḥ puraḥ saraiḥ

gathering by the tens of millions, each host marked by its own emblem, proclaiming its fame through the crowds of bards marching before it,

Verse 27 (skanda.1.56.27)

चेलुर्दैत्यवधे दृप्ता नानावर्णायुधध्वजाः

celurdaityavadhe dṛptā nānāvarṇāyudhadhvajāḥ

advanced, eager for the destruction of the demons, resplendent with weapons and banners of many hues.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.56.28)

शतक्रतोरमरनिकायपालिता पताकिनी याननिनादनादिता॥ सितोन्नतध्वजपटकोटिमंडिता बभूव सा दितिसुतोकवर्धिनी

śatakratoramaranikāyapālitā patākinī yānaninādanāditā sitonnatadhvajapaṭakoṭimaṁḍitā babhūva sā ditisutokavardhinī

That banner-host of Shatakratu, guarded by the multitude of immortals, resounding with the rumble of moving chariots, adorned with the countless tips of tall white banners — it became the increaser of grief for the sons of Diti.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.56.29)

आयांतीं तां विलोक्याथ सुरसेनां गजासुरः॥ गजरूपी महांश्चैव संहारांभोधिविक्रमः

āyāṁtīṁ tāṁ vilokyātha surasenāṁ gajāsuraḥ gajarūpī mahāṁścaiva saṁhārāṁbhodhivikramaḥ

Then, seeing that army of the gods approaching, Gajasura, huge in his elephant form, mighty as an ocean of destruction,

Verse 30 (skanda.1.56.30)

परश्वधायुधो दैत्यो दशनौष्ठकसंपुटः॥ ममर्द चरणे देवांश्चिक्षेपान्यान्करेण च

paraśvadhāyudho daityo daśanauṣṭhakasaṁpuṭaḥ mamarda caraṇe devāṁścikṣepānyānkareṇa ca

that axe-wielding demon, his tusks jutting from lips like sheaths, crushed the gods beneath his feet and flung others aside with his trunk.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.56.31)

परान्परशुना जघ्ने दैत्येंद्रो रौद्रविक्रमः॥ तस्यैवं निघ्नतः क्रुद्धा देवगन्धर्वकिंनराः

parānparaśunā jaghne daityeṁdro raudravikramaḥ tasyaivaṁ nighnataḥ kruddhā devagandharvakiṁnarāḥ

That lord of demons, terrible in his valor, slew still others with his axe. As he thus struck them down, the gods, Gandharvas, and Kinnaras, enraged,

Verse 32 (skanda.1.56.32)

मुमुचुः संहताः सर्वे चित्रशस्त्रास्त्रसंहतिम्॥ परश्वधांश्च चक्राणि भिण्डिपालान्समुद्गरान्

mumucuḥ saṁhatāḥ sarve citraśastrāstrasaṁhatim paraśvadhāṁśca cakrāṇi bhiṇḍipālānsamudgarān

together loosed a mass of varied weapons and missiles — axes, discuses, javelins, and maces,

Verse 33 (skanda.1.56.33)

कुन्तान्प्रासाञ्छरांस्तीक्ष्णान्मुद्गरांश्चापि दुःसहान्॥ तान्सर्वान्सोग्रसद्दैत्यो यूथपः कवलानिव

kuntānprāsāñcharāṁstīkṣṇānmudgarāṁścāpi duḥsahān tānsarvānsograsaddaityo yūthapaḥ kavalāniva

spears, lances, sharp arrows, and unbearable clubs — all these that lord of the demon-herd swallowed as though they were mere mouthfuls.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.56.34)

कोपस्फुरितदंष्ट्राग्रः करस्फोटेन नादयन्॥ सुरान्नघ्नंश्चराराजौ दुष्प्रेक्ष्यः सोऽथ दानवः

kopasphuritadaṁṣṭrāgraḥ karasphoṭena nādayan surānnaghnaṁścarārājau duṣprekṣyaḥ so'tha dānavaḥ

With the points of his tusks quivering in rage, roaring as he clapped his trunk, that demon, dreadful to behold, kept striking down the gods across that battlefield.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.56.35)

यस्मिन्यस्मिन्निपतति सुर वृंदे गजासुरः॥ तस्मिस्तीस्मिन्महाशब्दो हाहाकारो व्यजायत

yasminyasminnipatati sura vṛṁde gajāsuraḥ tasmistīsminmahāśabdo hāhākāro vyajāyata

Into whichever host of the gods Gajasura fell, in that very host arose a great cry, a wail of 'Alas! Alas!'

Verse 36 (skanda.1.56.36)

अथ विद्रवमानं तब्लं प्रेक्ष्व समंततः॥ रुद्राः परस्परं प्रोचुरहंकारोत्थितार्चिषः

atha vidravamānaṁ tablaṁ prekṣva samaṁtataḥ rudrāḥ parasparaṁ procurahaṁkārotthitārciṣaḥ

Then, seeing the army fleeing on every side, the Rudras, their flames rising with wrath, said to one another —

Verse 37 (skanda.1.56.37)

भोभो गृह्णत दैत्येंद्रं भिंदतैनं महाबलाः॥ कर्षतैनं शितैः शूलैर्भञ्जतैनं हि मर्मसु

bhobho gṛhṇata daityeṁdraṁ bhiṁdatainaṁ mahābalāḥ karṣatainaṁ śitaiḥ śūlairbhañjatainaṁ hi marmasu

'Ho! Ho! Seize this lord of demons! Pierce him, O mighty ones! Rend him with sharp tridents! Shatter him at his vital points!'

Verse 38 (skanda.1.56.38)

कपाली वाक्यमाकर्ण्य शूलं सितशितंमुखे॥ संमार्ज्य वामहस्तेन संरंभाद्विवृतेक्षणः

kapālī vākyamākarṇya śūlaṁ sitaśitaṁmukhe saṁmārjya vāmahastena saṁraṁbhādvivṛtekṣaṇaḥ

Hearing these words, Kapali wiped his trident, white and sharp of blade, with his left hand, his eyes wide open in fury,

Verse 39 (skanda.1.56.39)

प्रोत्फुल्लारुणनीलाब्जसंहतिः सर्वतो दिशः॥ अथागाद्भुकुटीवक्रो दैत्येंद्राभिमुखो रणे

protphullāruṇanīlābjasaṁhatiḥ sarvato diśaḥ athāgādbhukuṭīvakro daityeṁdrābhimukho raṇe

his eyes like a mass of red and blue lotuses blooming on every side; and with brow contorted, he advanced against the lord of demons in that battle.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.56.40)

दृढेन मुष्टिबन्धेन शूलं विषृभ्य निर्मलः॥ जघान कुम्भदेशे तु कपाली गजदानवम्

dṛḍhena muṣṭibandhena śūlaṁ viṣṛbhya nirmalaḥ jaghāna kumbhadeśe tu kapālī gajadānavam

Grasping his trident firmly in a tight fist, the spotless Kapali struck the elephant-demon upon the frontal bosses of his head.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.56.41)

ततो दशापि ते रुद्रा निर्मलायोमयै रणे॥ जघ्नुः शूलैस्तु दैत्येंद्रं शैलवर्ष्माणमाहवे

tato daśāpi te rudrā nirmalāyomayai raṇe jaghnuḥ śūlaistu daityeṁdraṁ śailavarṣmāṇamāhave

Then all the other ten Rudras too struck that demon lord — mountainous in bulk — with their spotless iron tridents in that battle.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.56.42)

सुस्राव शोणितं पश्चात्सर्वस्रोतस्सु तस्य वै॥ शूलरक्तेन रुद्रस्य शुशुभे गजदानवः

susrāva śoṇitaṁ paścātsarvasrotassu tasya vai śūlaraktena rudrasya śuśubhe gajadānavaḥ

Blood then poured from every part of his body; and stained by the blood drawn by the tridents, the elephant-demon shone forth.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.56.43)

प्रोत्फुल्लामलनीलाब्जं शरदीवामलं सरः॥ भस्मशुभ्रतनुच्छायै रुद्र र्हंसैरिवावृतम्

protphullāmalanīlābjaṁ śaradīvāmalaṁ saraḥ bhasmaśubhratanucchāyai rudra rhaṁsairivāvṛtam

Like a clear autumn lake covered with fully blossomed spotless blue lotuses, he shone, encircled by the Rudras — white as ash in their bodily hue, like swans about him.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.56.44)

क्रुद्धं कपालिनं दैत्यः प्रचलत्कर्णपल्लवः॥ भवं च दन्तैर्बिभिदे नाभिदेशे जगासुरः

kruddhaṁ kapālinaṁ daityaḥ pracalatkarṇapallavaḥ bhavaṁ ca dantairbibhide nābhideśe jagāsuraḥ

His ear-flaps quivering, the enraged demon gored both Kapali and Bhava with his tusks in the region of the navel.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.56.45)

दृष्ट्वानुरक्तं रुद्राभ्यां नवरुद्रास्ततो द्रुतम्॥ विव्यधुर्विशिखैः शूलैः शरीरममरद्विषः

dṛṣṭvānuraktaṁ rudrābhyāṁ navarudrāstato drutam vivyadhurviśikhaiḥ śūlaiḥ śarīramamaradviṣaḥ

Seeing him bloodied by those two Rudras, the remaining nine Rudras then swiftly pierced the body of that foe of the gods with sharp tridents and arrows.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.56.46)

ततः कपालिनं त्यक्त्वा भवं चासुरपुंगवः॥ वेगेन कुपितो दैत्यो नव रुद्रानुपाद्रवत्॥ ममर्द चरणाघातैर्दन्तैश्चापि करेण च

tataḥ kapālinaṁ tyaktvā bhavaṁ cāsurapuṁgavaḥ vegena kupito daityo nava rudrānupādravat mamarda caraṇāghātairdantaiścāpi kareṇa ca

Then, leaving Kapali and Bhava, that foremost of demons, enraged, rushed with fury upon the nine other Rudras, and trampled them with blows of his feet, with his tusks, and with his trunk.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.56.47)

ततोऽसौ शूलयुद्धेन श्रममासादितो यदा॥ तदा कपाली जग्राह करमस्यामरद्विषः

tato'sau śūlayuddhena śramamāsādito yadā tadā kapālī jagrāha karamasyāmaradviṣaḥ

Then, when he had grown weary from the battle of the tridents, Kapali seized the trunk of that foe of the gods,

Verse 48 (skanda.1.56.48)

भ्रामयामास चातीव वेगेन च गजासुरम्॥ दृष्ट्वाश्रमातुरं दैत्यं किंचिच्च्यावितजीवितम्

bhrāmayāmāsa cātīva vegena ca gajāsuram dṛṣṭvāśramāturaṁ daityaṁ kiṁciccyāvitajīvitam

and whirled Gajasura around with tremendous force. Seeing the demon exhausted, his life almost shaken loose,

Verse 49 (skanda.1.56.49)

निरुत्साहं रणे तस्मिन्गतयुद्धोत्सवोऽभवत्॥ ततो भ्रमत एवास्य चर्म उत्कृत्त्य भैरवम्

nirutsāhaṁ raṇe tasmingatayuddhotsavo'bhavat tato bhramata evāsya carma utkṛttya bhairavam

and stripped of the joy of battle, dispirited — while he was still whirling him, Kapali tore off his terrible hide,

Verse 50 (skanda.1.56.50)

स्रवत्सर्वांगर क्तौघं चकारांबरमात्मनः॥ तुष्टुवुस्तं तदा देवा बहुधा बहुभिः स्तवैः

sravatsarvāṁgara ktaughaṁ cakārāṁbaramātmanaḥ tuṣṭuvustaṁ tadā devā bahudhā bahubhiḥ stavaiḥ

streaming with torrents of blood from every limb, and made it his own garment. Then the gods praised him abundantly, with many hymns.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.56.51)

ऊचुश्चैनं चयो हन्यात्स म्रियेत ततस्त्वसौ॥ दृष्ट्वा कपालिनो रूपं गजचर्मांबरावृतम्

ūcuścainaṁ cayo hanyātsa mriyeta tatastvasau dṛṣṭvā kapālino rūpaṁ gajacarmāṁbarāvṛtam

They said: 'Whoever should assail him shall himself surely die' — for, seeing Kapali's form, wrapped now in the elephant's hide,

Verse 52 (skanda.1.56.52)

वित्रेसुर्दुद्रुवुर्जघ्नुर्निपेतुश्च सहस्रशः॥ एवं विलुलिते तस्मिन्दानवेन्द्रे महाबले

vitresurdudruvurjaghnurnipetuśca sahasraśaḥ evaṁ vilulite tasmindānavendre mahābale

they trembled with fear, fled, struck out blindly, and fell by the thousands — such was the rout of that mighty lord of demons.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.56.53)

गजं मत्तमथारुह्य शतदुन्दुभिनादितम्॥ निमिरभ्यपतत्तूर्णं सुरसैन्यानि लोडयन्

gajaṁ mattamathāruhya śatadundubhināditam nimirabhyapatattūrṇaṁ surasainyāni loḍayan

Then Nimi, mounting a rutting elephant that resounded with a hundred kettledrums, rushed swiftly forward, throwing the armies of the gods into confusion.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.56.54)

यांयां निमिगजो याति दिशं तांतां सवाहनाः॥ दुद्रुवुश्चुक्रुशुर्देवा भयेनाकंपिता मुहुः

yāṁyāṁ nimigajo yāti diśaṁ tāṁtāṁ savāhanāḥ dudruvuścukruśurdevā bhayenākaṁpitā muhuḥ

In whatever direction Nimi's elephant went, in that direction the gods, along with their mounts, fled crying out, trembling again and again with fear.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.56.55)

गन्धेन सुरमातंगा दुद्रुवुस्तस्य हस्तिनः॥ पलायितेषु सैन्येषु सुराणां पाकशासनः

gandhena suramātaṁgā dudruvustasya hastinaḥ palāyiteṣu sainyeṣu surāṇāṁ pākaśāsanaḥ

At the mere scent of that elephant, the war-elephants of the gods fled. And when the armies had scattered, Indra, the punisher of Paka,

Verse 56 (skanda.1.56.56)

तस्थौ दिक्पालकैः सार्धमष्टभिः केशवेन च॥ संप्राप्तस्तस्य मातंगो यावच्छक्रगजं प्रति

tasthau dikpālakaiḥ sārdhamaṣṭabhiḥ keśavena ca saṁprāptastasya mātaṁgo yāvacchakragajaṁ prati

stood firm together with the eight guardians of the quarters and with Keshava, until that elephant drew near to Shakra's own.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.56.57)

तावच्छक्रगजो भीतो मुक्त्वा नादं सुभैरवम्॥ ध्रियमाणोऽपि यत्नेन चकोर इव तिष्ठति

tāvacchakragajo bhīto muktvā nādaṁ subhairavam dhriyamāṇo'pi yatnena cakora iva tiṣṭhati

Then Shakra's elephant, terrified, uttering a most fearsome cry, though held back with great effort, stood trembling like a chakora bird.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.56.58)

पलायति गजे तस्मिन्नारूढः पाकशासनः॥ विपरीतमुखं युद्धं दानवेन्द्रेण सोऽकरोत्

palāyati gaje tasminnārūḍhaḥ pākaśāsanaḥ viparītamukhaṁ yuddhaṁ dānavendreṇa so'karot

As that elephant fled, Pakashasana, still mounted upon it, fought a battle with his face turned backward against the lord of demons.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.56.59)

शतक्र तुस्तु शूलेन निमिं वक्षस्यताडयत्॥ गदया दंतिनं तस्य गल्लदेशेहनद्भृशम्

śatakra tustu śūlena nimiṁ vakṣasyatāḍayat gadayā daṁtinaṁ tasya galladeśehanadbhṛśam

Shatakratu struck Nimi's chest with his trident, and with his mace dealt a violent blow to his elephant's cheek.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.56.60)

तं प्रहारचिंत्यैव निमिर्निर्भयपौरुषः॥ ऐरावतं कटीदेशे मुद्गरेणाभ्यताडयत्

taṁ prahāraciṁtyaiva nimirnirbhayapauruṣaḥ airāvataṁ kaṭīdeśe mudgareṇābhyatāḍayat

Nimi, of fearless valor, taking no heed at all of that blow, struck Airavata on the hip with his club.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.56.61)

स हतो मुद्गरेणाथ शक्रकुञ्जर आहवे॥ जगाम पश्चात्पद्भ्यां च पृथिवीं भूधराकृतिः

sa hato mudgareṇātha śakrakuñjara āhave jagāma paścātpadbhyāṁ ca pṛthivīṁ bhūdharākṛtiḥ

Struck by that club in the battle, Shakra's elephant, mountainous in form, sank back onto the ground upon its hind legs.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.56.62)

लाघवात्क्षिप्रमुत्थाय ततोऽमरमहागजः॥ रणादपससर्पाथ भीषितो निमिहस्तिना

lāghavātkṣipramutthāya tato'maramahāgajaḥ raṇādapasasarpātha bhīṣito nimihastinā

Then, swiftly rising with agility, that great elephant of the gods, terrified by Nimi's elephant, withdrew from the battlefield.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.56.63)

ततो वायुर्ववौ रूक्षो बहुशर्करपांशुलः॥ सम्मुखो निमिमातंगोऽकंपनोऽचलकंपनः॥ स्रुतरक्तो बभौ शैलो घनधातुह्रदो यता

tato vāyurvavau rūkṣo bahuśarkarapāṁśulaḥ sammukho nimimātaṁgo'kaṁpano'calakaṁpanaḥ srutarakto babhau śailo ghanadhātuhrado yatā

Then a harsh wind, thick with gravel and dust, blew straight against Nimi's elephant — itself unshaken, yet shaking the mountains. Streaming with blood, that elephant shone like a mountain bearing a lake of thick red ore.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.56.64)

धनेशोऽपि गदां गुर्वी तस्य दानवहस्तिनः॥ मुमोच वेगान्न्यपतत्सा गदा तस्य मूर्धनि

dhaneśo'pi gadāṁ gurvī tasya dānavahastinaḥ mumoca vegānnyapatatsā gadā tasya mūrdhani

Kubera too hurled his heavy mace at that demon's elephant with tremendous force, and the mace fell upon its head.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.56.65)

गजो गदानिपातेन स तेन परिमूर्छितः॥ दंतैर्भित्वा धरां वेगात्पपाताचलसन्निभः

gajo gadānipātena sa tena parimūrchitaḥ daṁtairbhitvā dharāṁ vegātpapātācalasannibhaḥ

Stunned by the fall of that mace, the elephant, its tusks tearing the earth, fell swiftly, like a collapsing mountain.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.56.66)

पतिते च गजे तस्मिन्सिंहनादो महानभूत्॥ सर्वतः सुरसैन्यानां गजबृंहितबृंहितः

patite ca gaje tasminsiṁhanādo mahānabhūt sarvataḥ surasainyānāṁ gajabṛṁhitabṛṁhitaḥ

When that elephant fell, a mighty lion-roar arose on every side from the armies of the gods, mingled with the trumpeting of their own elephants,

Verse 67 (skanda.1.56.67)

हेषारवेण चाश्वानां राणास्फोटैश्च धन्विनाम्॥ गजं तं निहतं दृष्ट्वा निमिं चापि पराङ्मुखम्

heṣāraveṇa cāśvānāṁ rāṇāsphoṭaiśca dhanvinām gajaṁ taṁ nihataṁ dṛṣṭvā nimiṁ cāpi parāṅmukham

together with the neighing of horses and the twang of the archers' bowstrings. Seeing that elephant slain, and Nimi too turned in retreat,

Verse 68 (skanda.1.56.68)

सुराणां सिंहनादं च सन्नादितदिगंतरम्॥ जंभो जज्वाल कोपेन संदीप्त इव पावकः

surāṇāṁ siṁhanādaṁ ca sannāditadigaṁtaram jaṁbho jajvāla kopena saṁdīpta iva pāvakaḥ

and the lion-roar of the gods echoing to the farthest quarters, Jambha blazed with fury, like fire kindled into flame.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.56.69)

ततः स कोपरक्ताक्षो ध्नुष्यारोप्य सायकम्॥ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्तारं सारथिं चाप्यनंदयत्

tataḥ sa koparaktākṣo dhnuṣyāropya sāyakam tiṣṭheti cābravīttāraṁ sārathiṁ cāpyanaṁdayat

Then he, his eyes reddened with rage, fitted an arrow to his bow, cried out loudly 'Stand and fight!', and roused his charioteer.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.56.70)

तमायांतमभिप्रेक्ष्य धनुष्याहितसा यकम्॥ शतक्रतुरदीनात्मा दृढमादत्त कार्मुकम्

tamāyāṁtamabhiprekṣya dhanuṣyāhitasā yakam śatakraturadīnātmā dṛḍhamādatta kārmukam

Seeing him approach with an arrow set upon his bow, Shatakratu, undaunted in spirit, firmly took up his own bow,

Verse 71 (skanda.1.56.71)

बाणं च तैलधौताग्रमर्धचंद्रमजिह्मगम्

bāṇaṁ ca tailadhautāgramardhacaṁdramajihmagam

and an arrow too, its point polished with oil, crescent-shaped, and true in its flight.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.56.72)

तेनास्यट सशरं चापं चिच्छेद बलवृत्रहा॥ अपास्य तद्धनुश्छिन्नं जंभो दानवनंदनः

tenāsyaṭa saśaraṁ cāpaṁ ciccheda balavṛtrahā apāsya taddhanuśchinnaṁ jaṁbho dānavanaṁdanaḥ

With that, the slayer of Bala and Vritra cut Jambha's bow to pieces along with its arrow. Casting aside the severed bow, Jambha, son of the demons,

Verse 73 (skanda.1.56.73)

अन्यत्कार्मुकादाय वेगवद्भारसाधनम्॥ शरांश्चाशीविषाकारांस्तैलधौताजिह्मगान्

anyatkārmukādāya vegavadbhārasādhanam śarāṁścāśīviṣākārāṁstailadhautājihmagān

took up another bow, swift and weighty, and along with it arrows shaped like venomous serpents, oil-polished and true in their flight,

Verse 74 (skanda.1.56.74)

शक्रं विव्याध दशभिर्जत्रुदेशे च पत्रिबिः॥ हृदये च त्रिभिश्चैव द्वाभ्यां च स्कन्धयोर्द्वयोः

śakraṁ vivyādha daśabhirjatrudeśe ca patribiḥ hṛdaye ca tribhiścaiva dvābhyāṁ ca skandhayordvayoḥ

with which he pierced Shakra — ten arrows at the collarbone, three at the heart, and two each in his two shoulders.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.56.75)

शक्रोपि दानवेन्द्राय बाणजालम भीरयन्॥ अप्राप्तान्दानवेन्द्रस्तु शराश्छक्रभुजेरितान्

śakropi dānavendrāya bāṇajālama bhīrayan aprāptāndānavendrastu śarāśchakrabhujeritān

Shakra too, unafraid, let loose a net of arrows upon the lord of demons; but those arrows, shot from Shakra's arms, before ever they could reach him,

Verse 76 (skanda.1.56.76)

चिच्छेद शतधाऽऽकाशे शरैरग्निशिखोपमैः॥ ततश्च शरजालेन देवेन्द्रो दानवेश्वरम्

ciccheda śatadhā''kāśe śarairagniśikhopamaiḥ tataśca śarajālena devendro dānaveśvaram

were cut into a hundred pieces in the sky itself, by arrows like flame-tongues. Then, with a net of arrows, the lord of the gods began to cover the lord of demons,

Verse 77 (skanda.1.56.77)

आच्छादयत यत्नेन वर्षास्विव घनैर्नभः॥ दैत्योऽपि बाणजालेन विव्याध सायकैः शितैः

ācchādayata yatnena varṣāsviva ghanairnabhaḥ daityo'pi bāṇajālena vivyādha sāyakaiḥ śitaiḥ

striving hard, as clouds cover the sky in the rainy season. The demon too pierced him with a net of sharp-shafted arrows,

Verse 78 (skanda.1.56.78)

यथा वायुर्घनाटोपं यदवार्यं दिशां मुखे॥ शक्रोऽथ क्रोधसंरंभान्न विशेषयते यदा

yathā vāyurghanāṭopaṁ yadavāryaṁ diśāṁ mukhe śakro'tha krodhasaṁraṁbhānna viśeṣayate yadā

as the wind irresistibly scatters the massed pomp of clouds at the face of the quarters. Then, when Shakra, for all the vehemence of his rage, could gain no advantage,

Verse 79 (skanda.1.56.79)

दानवेन्द्रं तदा चक्रे गंधर्वास्त्रं महाद्भुतम्॥ ततोऽस्य तेजसा व्याप्तमभूद्गनगोचरम्

dānavendraṁ tadā cakre gaṁdharvāstraṁ mahādbhutam tato'sya tejasā vyāptamabhūdganagocaram

he loosed against the lord of demons the great and wondrous Gandharva-weapon, and by its power the whole vault of the sky became filled,

Verse 80 (skanda.1.56.80)

गन्धर्वनगरैश्चापि नानाप्राकारतोरणैः॥ मुंचद्भिरद्भुताकारैरस्त्रवृष्टिं समंततः

gandharvanagaraiścāpi nānāprākāratoraṇaiḥ muṁcadbhiradbhutākārairastravṛṣṭiṁ samaṁtataḥ

with cities of the Gandharvas, ringed with ramparts and arched gateways of many forms, of wondrous shape, pouring down a rain of weapons on every side.

Verse 81 (skanda.1.56.81)

तयास्त्रवृष्ट्या दैत्यानां हन्यमाना महाचमूः॥ जंभं शरणमागच्छत्त्राहित्राहीति भारत

tayāstravṛṣṭyā daityānāṁ hanyamānā mahācamūḥ jaṁbhaṁ śaraṇamāgacchattrāhitrāhīti bhārata

Struck by that shower of weapons, the great army of the demons, O Bharata, came running to Jambha for refuge, crying 'Save us! Save us!'

Verse 82 (skanda.1.56.82)

ततो जंभो महावीर्यो विनद्य प्रहसन्मुहुः॥ स्मरन्साधुसमाचारं दैत्यानामभयं ददौ

tato jaṁbho mahāvīryo vinadya prahasanmuhuḥ smaransādhusamācāraṁ daityānāmabhayaṁ dadau

Then Jambha, of great valor, roaring and laughing again and again, mindful of the ways of virtue, granted the demons assurance of safety.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.56.83)

ततोऽस्त्रं मौशलंनाम मुमोच सुमहाभयम्॥ अथोग्रमुसलैः सर्वमभवत्पूरितं जगत्

tato'straṁ mauśalaṁnāma mumoca sumahābhayam athogramusalaiḥ sarvamabhavatpūritaṁ jagat

Then he loosed the weapon called Mausala, a thing of very great terror; and by it the whole world became filled with fierce iron clubs.

Verse 84 (skanda.1.56.84)

तैश्च भग्नानि सर्वाणि गंधर्वनगराणि च॥ अथोग्रैक प्रहारेण रथमश्वं गजं सुरम्

taiśca bhagnāni sarvāṇi gaṁdharvanagarāṇi ca athograika prahāreṇa rathamaśvaṁ gajaṁ suram

By them, all the cities of the Gandharvas were shattered. Then, with each single terrible blow, chariot, horse, elephant, and god,

Verse 85 (skanda.1.56.85)

चूर्णयामास तत्क्षिप्रं शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः॥ ततः सुराधिपः सक्रस्त्वाष्ट्रमस्त्रमुदैरयत्

cūrṇayāmāsa tatkṣipraṁ śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ tataḥ surādhipaḥ sakrastvāṣṭramastramudairayat

were swiftly pulverized by the hundreds and by the thousands. Then the lord of the gods, Shakra, invoked the Tvashtra weapon.

Verse 86 (skanda.1.56.86)

संध्यमाने ततश्चास्त्रे निश्चेरुः पावकार्चिषः॥ ततो यंत्रमया विद्याः प्रादुरासन्सहस्रशः

saṁdhyamāne tataścāstre niśceruḥ pāvakārciṣaḥ tato yaṁtramayā vidyāḥ prādurāsansahasraśaḥ

As that weapon was set in motion, flames of fire burst forth; and then, by the thousand, mechanical powers came into being.

Verse 87 (skanda.1.56.87)

तैर्यंत्रैरभवद्युद्धमंतरिक्षं वितारकम्॥ तैर्यंत्रैर्मौशलं भग्नं हन्यंते चासुरास्तदा

tairyaṁtrairabhavadyuddhamaṁtarikṣaṁ vitārakam tairyaṁtrairmauśalaṁ bhagnaṁ hanyaṁte cāsurāstadā

With those machines a battle broke out that filled the very sky with sparks; by those same machines the Mausala weapon was broken, and the demons began to fall.

Verse 88 (skanda.1.56.88)

शैलास्त्रं मुमुचे जंभो यंत्रसंघातचूर्णनम्॥ व्यामप्रमाणैरुपलैस्ततो वर्षः प्रवर्तत

śailāstraṁ mumuce jaṁbho yaṁtrasaṁghātacūrṇanam vyāmapramāṇairupalaistato varṣaḥ pravartata

Jambha then loosed the Shaila weapon, which pulverizes masses of machines; and thereupon a rain of boulders, each the span of a fathom, began to fall.

Verse 89 (skanda.1.56.89)

त्वाष्ट्रोण निर्मितान्याशु यानि यंत्राणि भारत॥ तेनोपल निपातेन गतानि तिलशस्ततः

tvāṣṭroṇa nirmitānyāśu yāni yaṁtrāṇi bhārata tenopala nipātena gatāni tilaśastataḥ

O Bharata, the machines that had been swiftly fashioned by the Tvashtra weapon were, by the fall of those boulders, shattered into fragments as small as sesame seeds.

Verse 90 (skanda.1.56.90)

ततः शिरस्सु देवानां शिलाः पेतुर्महाजवाः॥ दारयंत्यश्च वसुधां चतुरंगबलं च तत्

tataḥ śirassu devānāṁ śilāḥ peturmahājavāḥ dārayaṁtyaśca vasudhāṁ caturaṁgabalaṁ ca tat

Then boulders of tremendous force fell upon the heads of the gods, rending the earth and that fourfold army as well.

Verse 91 (skanda.1.56.91)

ततो वज्रास्त्रमकरोत्सस्राक्षः पुरंदरः॥ शिलामहार्षंव्यशीर्यत समंततः

tato vajrāstramakarotsasrākṣaḥ puraṁdaraḥ śilāmahārṣaṁvyaśīryata samaṁtataḥ

Then the thousand-eyed Purandara invoked the Vajra weapon, and by it all those great boulders were shattered to pieces on every side.

Verse 92 (skanda.1.56.92)

ततः प्रशांतैः शैलास्त्रैर्जंभो भूधरसन्निभः॥ ऐषीकमस्त्रमकरोच्चूर्णितान्यपराक्रमः

tataḥ praśāṁtaiḥ śailāstrairjaṁbho bhūdharasannibhaḥ aiṣīkamastramakaroccūrṇitānyaparākramaḥ

Then, when the Shaila weapon had thus been quelled, Jambha — mountainous in bulk, yet now checked in his prowess — invoked the Aishika weapon.

Verse 93 (skanda.1.56.93)

ऐषीकेणागमन्नाशं वज्रास्त्रं गिरिदारणम्॥ विजृंभत्यथ चैषीके परमास्त्रेऽतिदारुणे

aiṣīkeṇāgamannāśaṁ vajrāstraṁ giridāraṇam vijṛṁbhatyatha caiṣīke paramāstre'tidāruṇe

By the Aishika, even the mountain-rending Vajra weapon was brought to naught; and as that most terrible supreme weapon spread wide,

Verse 94 (skanda.1.56.94)

जज्वलुर्देवसैन्यानि सस्यंदनगजानि च॥ दह्यमानेष्व नीकेषु तेजसास्त्रस्य सर्वतः

jajvalurdevasainyāni sasyaṁdanagajāni ca dahyamāneṣva nīkeṣu tejasāstrasya sarvataḥ

the armies of the gods, together with their chariots and elephants, were set ablaze; and as the ranks burned everywhere by the fire of that weapon,

Verse 95 (skanda.1.56.95)

आग्नेयमस्त्रमकरोद्बलहा पाकशासनः॥ तेनास्त्रेण च तन्नाशमैषीकमगमत्तदा

āgneyamastramakarodbalahā pākaśāsanaḥ tenāstreṇa ca tannāśamaiṣīkamagamattadā

Pakashasana, slayer of Bala, invoked the Agneya (fire) weapon; and by that weapon the Aishika was then brought to destruction.

Verse 96 (skanda.1.56.96)

तस्मिन्प्रतिहते चास्त्रे पावकास्त्रं व्यजृंभत॥ जज्वाल सेना जंभस्य रथः सारथिरेव च

tasminpratihate cāstre pāvakāstraṁ vyajṛṁbhata jajvāla senā jaṁbhasya rathaḥ sārathireva ca

But when that weapon too was checked, a fire-weapon blazed up in turn, and Jambha's own army, chariot, and charioteer caught fire.

Verse 97 (skanda.1.56.97)

तः प्रतिहतास्त्रोऽसौ दैत्येंद्रः प्रतिभानवान्॥ वारुणास्त्रं मुमोचाथशमनं पावकार्चिषाम्

taḥ pratihatāstro'sau daityeṁdraḥ pratibhānavān vāruṇāstraṁ mumocāthaśamanaṁ pāvakārciṣām

His own weapon thus checked, that resourceful lord of demons then loosed the Varuna weapon, quencher of the flames of fire.

Verse 98 (skanda.1.56.98)

ततो जलधरैर्व्योम स्फुरद्विद्युल्लताकुलैः॥ गंभीराक्षसमाधारैश्चाभ्यपूर्यत मोदिनी

tato jaladharairvyoma sphuradvidyullatākulaiḥ gaṁbhīrākṣasamādhāraiścābhyapūryata modinī

Then the sky, and the earth too, became filled with rain-clouds, thick with flashing streaks of lightning and deep rumbling thunder.

Verse 99 (skanda.1.56.99)

करींद्रकरतुल्याभिर्धाराभिः पूरितं जगत्॥ शांतमाग्नेयमस्त्रं च विलोक्येंद्रश्चकार ह

karīṁdrakaratulyābhirdhārābhiḥ pūritaṁ jagat śāṁtamāgneyamastraṁ ca vilokyeṁdraścakāra ha

The world was filled with torrents as thick as the trunks of great elephants. Seeing the Agneya weapon quenched, Indra then acted —

Verse 100 (skanda.1.56.100)

वायव्यमस्त्रमतुलं तेन मेघा ययुः क्षयम्॥ वायव्यास्त्रबलेनाथ निर्धूते मेघमंडले

vāyavyamastramatulaṁ tena meghā yayuḥ kṣayam vāyavyāstrabalenātha nirdhūte meghamaṁḍale

he invoked the peerless Vayavya (wind) weapon, by which the clouds were destroyed. Then, when the mass of clouds had been swept away by the power of that wind-weapon,

Verse 101 (skanda.1.56.101)

बभूवानाविलं व्योम नीलोत्पलदलप्रभम्॥ वायुना चातिरूपेण कंपिताश्चैव दानवाः

babhūvānāvilaṁ vyoma nīlotpaladalaprabham vāyunā cātirūpeṇa kaṁpitāścaiva dānavāḥ

the sky grew clear, radiant as the petal of a blue lotus. And by that mighty wind the demons too were made to tremble;

Verse 102 (skanda.1.56.102)

न शेकुस्तत्र ते स्थातुं रणेऽपि बलिनोऽपि ये॥ जभस्ततोऽभवच्छौलो दशयोजनविस्तृतः

na śekustatra te sthātuṁ raṇe'pi balino'pi ye jabhastato'bhavacchaulo daśayojanavistṛtaḥ

even those who were mighty could not hold their ground on that field. Then Jambha became a mountain, ten yojanas in extent,

Verse 103 (skanda.1.56.103)

मारुतप्रतिघातार्थं दानवानां बलाधिपः॥ नानाश्चर्यसमायुक्तो नानाद्रुमलतावृतः

mārutapratighātārthaṁ dānavānāṁ balādhipaḥ nānāścaryasamāyukto nānādrumalatāvṛtaḥ

the commander of the demon forces, to withstand the wind, becoming filled with many wonders and covered with various trees and creepers.

Verse 104 (skanda.1.56.104)

ततः प्रशमिते वायौ दैत्येंद्र पर्वताकृतौ॥ महाशनिं वज्रमयीं मुमोचाशु शतक्रतुः

tataḥ praśamite vāyau daityeṁdra parvatākṛtau mahāśaniṁ vajramayīṁ mumocāśu śatakratuḥ

Then, when the wind had subsided against that mountain-formed lord of demons, Shatakratu swiftly hurled the great adamantine thunderbolt.

Verse 105 (skanda.1.56.105)

तयाशन्या पतितया दैत्यस्याच लरूपिणः॥ कंदराणि व्यशीर्यंतं समंतान्निर्झराणि च

tayāśanyā patitayā daityasyāca larūpiṇaḥ kaṁdarāṇi vyaśīryaṁtaṁ samaṁtānnirjharāṇi ca

By the fall of that thunderbolt, the caves and the waterfalls on every side of that mountain-formed demon were shattered.

Verse 106 (skanda.1.56.106)

ततः सा दानवेंद्रस्य शैलमाया न्यवर्तत॥ निवृत्तशैलमायोऽथ दानवेंद्रो मदोत्कटः

tataḥ sā dānaveṁdrasya śailamāyā nyavartata nivṛttaśailamāyo'tha dānaveṁdro madotkaṭaḥ

Then the mountain-illusion of the demon-lord came to an end. His mountain-illusion having ceased, that demon-lord, swollen with pride,

Verse 107 (skanda.1.56.107)

बभूव कुंजरो भीमो महाशैलमयाकृतिः॥ ममर्द च सुरानीकं दंतैश्चाभ्यहनत्सुरान्

babhūva kuṁjaro bhīmo mahāśailamayākṛtiḥ mamarda ca surānīkaṁ daṁtaiścābhyahanatsurān

became a fearsome elephant, huge as a mountain, and trampled the army of the gods, striking them down with his tusks.

Verse 108 (skanda.1.56.108)

बभंज पृष्ठतः कांश्चित्करेणाकृष्य दानवः॥ ततः क्षपयतस्तस्य सुरसैन्यानि वृत्रहा

babhaṁja pṛṣṭhataḥ kāṁścitkareṇākṛṣya dānavaḥ tataḥ kṣapayatastasya surasainyāni vṛtrahā

That demon, dragging some from behind with his trunk, broke them apart. Then, as he thus destroyed the armies of the gods, the slayer of Vritra,

Verse 109 (skanda.1.56.109)

अस्त्रं त्रैलोक्यदुर्धर्षं नारसिंहं मुमोच ह॥ ततः सिंहसस्राणि निश्चेरुर्मंत्रतेजसा

astraṁ trailokyadurdharṣaṁ nārasiṁhaṁ mumoca ha tataḥ siṁhasasrāṇi niścerurmaṁtratejasā

loosed the Narasimha weapon, invincible in the three worlds; and thereupon, by the power of that spell, thousands of lions came forth,

Verse 110 (skanda.1.56.110)

हृष्टदंष्ट्राट्टहासानि क्रकचाभनखानि च॥ तैर्विपाटितगात्रोऽसौ गजमायां व्यपोहयत्

hṛṣṭadaṁṣṭrāṭṭahāsāni krakacābhanakhāni ca tairvipāṭitagātro'sau gajamāyāṁ vyapohayat

their bared fangs roaring with laughter, their claws like saws. His body torn by them, that demon cast off his elephant-illusion.

Verse 111 (skanda.1.56.111)

ततश्चाशीविषो घोरोऽभवत्फणसमाकुलः॥ विषनिःश्वासनिर्दग्धसुरसैन्यमहारथः

tataścāśīviṣo ghoro'bhavatphaṇasamākulaḥ viṣaniḥśvāsanirdagdhasurasainyamahārathaḥ

Then he became a terrible venomous serpent, thronging with hoods, whose poisonous breath scorched the great chariot-warriors of the gods' army.

Verse 112 (skanda.1.56.112)

ततोऽस्त्रं गारुडं चक्रे शक्रः संप्रहरन्रॅणे॥ ततस्तस्माद्गरुत्मंतः सहस्राणि विनिर्ययुः

tato'straṁ gāruḍaṁ cakre śakraḥ saṁpraharanraॅṇe tatastasmādgarutmaṁtaḥ sahasrāṇi viniryayuḥ

Then Shakra, striking in that battle, invoked the Garuda-weapon; and from it there issued forth thousands of Garuda-birds.

Verse 113 (skanda.1.56.113)

तैर्गरुत्मद्भिरासाद्य जंभं भुजगरूपिणम्॥ कृतस्तु संढशो दैत्यः सास्य माया व्यनश्यत

tairgarutmadbhirāsādya jaṁbhaṁ bhujagarūpiṇam kṛtastu saṁḍhaśo daityaḥ sāsya māyā vyanaśyata

Those Garudas, seizing Jambha in his serpent form, gripped him fast, and his illusion was destroyed.

Verse 114 (skanda.1.56.114)

मायायाम च प्रनष्टायां ततो जंभो महासुरः॥ चकार रूपमतुलं चंद्रादित्यपदानुगम्

māyāyāma ca pranaṣṭāyāṁ tato jaṁbho mahāsuraḥ cakāra rūpamatulaṁ caṁdrādityapadānugam

His illusion having vanished, the great demon Jambha then assumed a peerless form, one that reached to the very seats of the moon and the sun.

Verse 115 (skanda.1.56.115)

विवृत्तनयनो ग्रस्तुमियेष सुरपुंगवान्॥ ततोऽस्य प्रविशद्वक्त्र समहारथकुंजरा

vivṛttanayano grastumiyeṣa surapuṁgavān tato'sya praviśadvaktra samahārathakuṁjarā

With rolling eyes, he sought to devour the foremost of the gods; and chariots, great warriors, and elephants together began to vanish into his mouth.

Verse 116 (skanda.1.56.116)

सुरसेनाऽभवद्भीमं पातालोत्तालतालुकम्॥ सैन्येषु ग्रस्यमानेषु दानवेन बलीयसा

surasenā'bhavadbhīmaṁ pātālottālatālukam sainyeṣu grasyamāneṣu dānavena balīyasā

The army of the gods beheld that fearsome mouth whose palate stretched up from Patala itself; and as the armies were being devoured by that mighty demon,

Verse 117 (skanda.1.56.117)

शक्रो दीनत्वमापन्नः श्रांतवाहनवाहनः॥ कर्तव्यतां नाध्यगच्छत्प्रोवाचेदं जनार्दनम्

śakro dīnatvamāpannaḥ śrāṁtavāhanavāhanaḥ kartavyatāṁ nādhyagacchatprovācedaṁ janārdanam

Shakra, fallen into despair, his very mount exhausted, could find nothing to be done, and spoke thus to Janardana —

Verse 118 (skanda.1.56.118)

किमनंतरमेवास्ति कर्तव्यं नो विशेषतः॥ तदादिश घटामोऽस्य दानवस्य युयुत्सतः

kimanaṁtaramevāsti kartavyaṁ no viśeṣataḥ tadādiśa ghaṭāmo'sya dānavasya yuyutsataḥ

'What, then, is now especially to be done by us? Give us your command, that we may strive against this demon who thirsts for battle.'

Verse 119 (skanda.1.56.119)

ततो हरिरुवाचेदं वज्रायुधमुदारधीः॥ न सांप्रतं रणं त्याज्यं शत्रुकातरभैरवम्

tato hariruvācedaṁ vajrāyudhamudāradhīḥ na sāṁprataṁ raṇaṁ tyājyaṁ śatrukātarabhairavam

Then Hari, of noble mind, said this to the wielder of the thunderbolt: 'Now is not the time to abandon the battle out of fear before this foe.'

Verse 120 (skanda.1.56.120)

मा गच्छ मोहं मा गच्छ क्षिप्रमस्त्रं स्मर प्रभो॥ नारायणास्त्रं प्रयतः श्रुत्वेति मुमुचे स च

mā gaccha mohaṁ mā gaccha kṣipramastraṁ smara prabho nārāyaṇāstraṁ prayataḥ śrutveti mumuce sa ca

'Do not fall into confusion — do not! Swiftly call to mind your weapon, O Lord — the Narayana weapon.' Hearing this, he, self-composed, loosed it.

Verse 121 (skanda.1.56.121)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे दैत्यो विवृतास्योऽग्रसत्क्षणात्॥ त्रीणित्रीणि च लक्षाणि किंनरोरगरक्षसाम्

etasminnaṁtare daityo vivṛtāsyo'grasatkṣaṇāt trīṇitrīṇi ca lakṣāṇi kiṁnaroragarakṣasām

Meanwhile, the demon, his mouth gaping wide, devoured in an instant three hundred thousand each of Kinnaras, serpents, and Rakshasas.

Verse 122 (skanda.1.56.122)

ततो नारायणास्त्रं च निपपातास्य वक्षसि॥ महास्त्रभिन्नहृदयः सुस्राव रुधिरं च सः

tato nārāyaṇāstraṁ ca nipapātāsya vakṣasi mahāstrabhinnahṛdayaḥ susrāva rudhiraṁ ca saḥ

Then the Narayana weapon struck him upon the chest; his heart pierced by that great weapon, he began to stream with blood.

Verse 123 (skanda.1.56.123)

ततः स्वतेजसा रूपं तस्य दैत्यस्य नाशितंम्॥ ततश्चां तर्दधे दैत्यः कृत्वा हासं महोत्कटम्

tataḥ svatejasā rūpaṁ tasya daityasya nāśitaṁm tataścāṁ tardadhe daityaḥ kṛtvā hāsaṁ mahotkaṭam

By its own power that weapon destroyed the demon's vast form; and then, with a wild, terrible laugh, the demon vanished from sight.

Verse 124 (skanda.1.56.124)

गगनस्थः स दैत्येन्द्रः शस्त्राशनिमतींद्रियः॥ मुमोच सुरसैन्यानां सहारकरणीं पराम्

gaganasthaḥ sa daityendraḥ śastrāśanimatīṁdriyaḥ mumoca surasainyānāṁ sahārakaraṇīṁ parām

Standing in the sky, that lord of demons, master of weapons swift as the thunderbolt, and beyond mortal sense, loosed upon the armies of the gods a supreme instrument of destruction —

Verse 125 (skanda.1.56.125)

तथा परश्वधांश्चक्रवज्रबाणान्समुद्गरान्॥ कुंतान्खड्गान्भिंडिपालानयोमुखगुडांस्तथा

tathā paraśvadhāṁścakravajrabāṇānsamudgarān kuṁtānkhaḍgānbhiṁḍipālānayomukhaguḍāṁstathā

axes, discuses, thunderbolt-arrows, and maces, spears, swords, javelins, and iron-tipped balls as well,

Verse 126 (skanda.1.56.126)

ववर्ष दानवो रोषादवध्यानक्षयानपि॥ तैरस्त्रैर्दानवोन्मुक्तैर्देवानीकेषु भीषणैः

vavarṣa dānavo roṣādavadhyānakṣayānapi tairastrairdānavonmuktairdevānīkeṣu bhīṣaṇaiḥ

the demon, in fury, rained down — weapons unslayable and inexhaustible. By those terrible weapons loosed by the demon, upon the ranks of the gods,

Verse 127 (skanda.1.56.127)

बाहुभिर्धरणी पूर्णा शिरोभिश्च सकुंडलैः॥ ऊरुभिर्गजहस्ताभैः करींद्रैश्चाचलोपमैः

bāhubhirdharaṇī pūrṇā śirobhiśca sakuṁḍalaiḥ ūrubhirgajahastābhaiḥ karīṁdraiścācalopamaiḥ

the earth became strewn with arms, and with heads still bearing their earrings, with thighs like elephants' trunks, and with great elephants like fallen mountains,

Verse 128 (skanda.1.56.128)

भग्नेषा दंडचक्राक्षै रथैभिः सह॥ दुःसंचाराभवत्पृथ्वी मांसशोणितकर्दमा

bhagneṣā daṁḍacakrākṣai rathaibhiḥ saha duḥsaṁcārābhavatpṛthvī māṁsaśoṇitakardamā

with shattered chariot-poles, wheels, and axles, along with the chariots themselves — the earth became impassable, a mire of flesh and blood.

Verse 129 (skanda.1.56.129)

रुधिरौघह्रदावर्ता गजदेहशिलोच्चया॥ कबंधनृत्यबहुला महा सुरप्रवाहिनी

rudhiraughahradāvartā gajadehaśiloccayā kabaṁdhanṛtyabahulā mahā surapravāhinī

With whirlpools in its flowing pools of blood, with heaps of elephant-corpses for its boulders, thronging with dancing headless trunks — the field became a great river of the fallen.

Verse 130 (skanda.1.56.130)

श्रृगालगृध्रध्वांक्षाणां परमानंदकारिणी॥ पिशाचजातिभिः कीर्णं पीत्वाऽऽमिषं सशोणितम्

śrṛgālagṛdhradhvāṁkṣāṇāṁ paramānaṁdakāriṇī piśācajātibhiḥ kīrṇaṁ pītvā''miṣaṁ saśoṇitam

a source of supreme delight to jackals, vultures, and crows; thronged with hosts of ghouls who, having drunk the flesh mingled with blood,

Verse 131 (skanda.1.56.131)

असंभ्रमाभिर्भार्याभिः सह नृत्यद्भिरुद्धता॥ काचित्पत्नी प्रकुपिता गजकुंभांतमौक्तिकैः

asaṁbhramābhirbhāryābhiḥ saha nṛtyadbhiruddhatā kācitpatnī prakupitā gajakuṁbhāṁtamauktikaiḥ

reveled, dancing along with their fearless wives. One wife, enraged, adorned herself with pearls plucked from an elephant's frontal boss,

Verse 132 (skanda.1.56.132)

पिशाचो यत्र चाश्वानां खुरानेकत्र चाकरोत्॥ कर्णपूरेषु मोदंते पश्यंत्यन्याः सरोषतः

piśāco yatra cāśvānāṁ khurānekatra cākarot karṇapūreṣu modaṁte paśyaṁtyanyāḥ saroṣataḥ

while, where another ghoul gathered the hooves of horses in one place, some rejoiced over their ear-ornaments, while others looked on with jealous anger,

Verse 133 (skanda.1.56.133)

प्रसादयंति बहुधा महाकर्णार्थकोविदाः॥ केचिद्वदन्ति भो देवा भो दैत्याः प्रार्थयामहे

prasādayaṁti bahudhā mahākarṇārthakovidāḥ kecidvadanti bho devā bho daityāḥ prārthayāmahe

and were placated in many ways by those skilled in the worth of great ear-ornaments. Some said: 'O gods! O demons! We beseech you —

Verse 134 (skanda.1.56.134)

आकल्पमेवं योद्धव्यमस्माकं तृप्तिहेतवे॥ केचिदूचुरयं दैत्यो देवोयमतिमांसलः

ākalpamevaṁ yoddhavyamasmākaṁ tṛptihetave kecidūcurayaṁ daityo devoyamatimāṁsalaḥ

'fight on like this until the aeon's end, for our satisfaction!' Others said: 'This demon here, and this god too, is quite well-fleshed;

Verse 135 (skanda.1.56.135)

म्रियते यदि संग्रामे धातुर्दद्भोऽपयाचितम्॥ केचिद्युध्यत्सु वीरेषु सृक्किणी संलिहंति च

mriyate yadi saṁgrāme dhāturdadbho'payācitam kecidyudhyatsu vīreṣu sṛkkiṇī saṁlihaṁti ca

'if he dies in this battle, it will be a boon granted by the Creator himself!' Some, as the warriors fought on, licked their own lips,

Verse 136 (skanda.1.56.136)

एतेन पयसा विद्मो दुर्जनः सुजनो यथा॥ केचिद्रक्तनदीनां च तीरेष्वास्तिक्यबुद्धयः

etena payasā vidmo durjanaḥ sujano yathā kecidraktanadīnāṁ ca tīreṣvāstikyabuddhayaḥ

[saying:] 'By this milk of blood we shall tell the wicked from the virtuous!' Some, of pious disposition, upon the banks of the rivers of blood,

Verse 137 (skanda.1.56.137)

पितॄन्देवांस्तर्पयंति शोणितैश्चामिषैः शुभैः॥ केचिदामिषराशिस्था दृष्ट्वान्यस्य करामिषम्

pitṝndevāṁstarpayaṁti śoṇitaiścāmiṣaiḥ śubhaiḥ kecidāmiṣarāśisthā dṛṣṭvānyasya karāmiṣam

offered libations to the ancestors and the gods with that blood and with choice flesh. Some, seated upon heaps of flesh, seeing meat in another's hand,

Verse 138 (skanda.1.56.138)

देहिदेहीति वाशांतो धनिनः कृपणा यथा॥ केचित्स्वयं प्रतृप्ताश्च दृष्ट्वा वै खादतः परान्

dehidehīti vāśāṁto dhaninaḥ kṛpaṇā yathā kecitsvayaṁ pratṛptāśca dṛṣṭvā vai khādataḥ parān

cried out 'Give! Give!' — like beggars pleading before the wealthy. Some, though already sated themselves, seeing others still eating,

Verse 139 (skanda.1.56.139)

सरोषमोष्ठौ निर्भुज्य पश्यंत्येवात्यसूयया॥ केचित्स्वमुदरं क्रुद्धा निंदंति ताडयंति च

saroṣamoṣṭhau nirbhujya paśyaṁtyevātyasūyayā kecitsvamudaraṁ kruddhā niṁdaṁti tāḍayaṁti ca

chewed their lips in vexation, watching with pure envy. Some, in anger, reviled and beat their own bellies,

Verse 140 (skanda.1.56.140)

सर्वभक्षमभीप्संतस्तृप्ताः परधनं यथा॥ केचिदाहुरद्य एव श्लाघ्या सृष्टिस्तु वेधसः

sarvabhakṣamabhīpsaṁtastṛptāḥ paradhanaṁ yathā kecidāhuradya eva ślāghyā sṛṣṭistu vedhasaḥ

craving to devour everything though already full — like men greedy for another's wealth. Some said: 'Truly, today alone the Creator's handiwork deserves praise!

Verse 141 (skanda.1.56.141)

सुप्रभातं सुनक्षत्रं पूर्वमासीद्धृथैव तत्॥ एवं बहुविधालापे पलादानां ततस्ततः

suprabhātaṁ sunakṣatraṁ pūrvamāsīddhṛthaiva tat evaṁ bahuvidhālāpe palādānāṁ tatastataḥ

'All the auspicious dawns and stars of the past were in vain, compared to this!' Thus, amid the many-voiced chatter of the flesh-eaters,

Verse 142 (skanda.1.56.142)

अदृश्यः समरे जंभो देवाञ्ठस्त्रैरचूर्णयत्॥ ततः शक्रोधनेशश्च वरुणः पवनोऽनलः

adṛśyaḥ samare jaṁbho devāñṭhastrairacūrṇayat tataḥ śakrodhaneśaśca varuṇaḥ pavano'nalaḥ

Jambha, invisible on the battlefield, went on pulverizing the gods with his weapons. Then Shakra, Kubera, Varuna, Vayu, and Agni,

Verse 143 (skanda.1.56.143)

यमोऽथ निर्ऋतिश्चापि दिव्यास्त्राणि महाबलाः॥ आकाशे मुमुचुः सर्वे दानवायाभिसंध्य तु

yamo'tha nirṛtiścāpi divyāstrāṇi mahābalāḥ ākāśe mumucuḥ sarve dānavāyābhisaṁdhya tu

Yama, and Nirriti too — all those mighty ones — loosed their divine weapons into the sky, aiming them at the demon.

Verse 144 (skanda.1.56.144)

व्यर्थतां जग्मुरस्त्राणि देवानां दानवं प्रति॥ यथातिक्रूरचित्तानामार्ये कृत्यशतान्यपि

vyarthatāṁ jagmurastrāṇi devānāṁ dānavaṁ prati yathātikrūracittānāmārye kṛtyaśatānyapi

But the weapons of the gods proved fruitless against the demon — just as, against one of utterly cruel heart, even a hundred noble deeds prove fruitless.

Verse 145 (skanda.1.56.145)

गतिं न विविदुश्चापि श्रांता दैत्याश्च देवताः॥ दैत्यास्त्रभिन्नसर्वांगा गावः शीतार्दिता इव

gatiṁ na vividuścāpi śrāṁtā daityāśca devatāḥ daityāstrabhinnasarvāṁgā gāvaḥ śītārditā iva

The exhausted gods and demons alike could find no way forward. Their limbs pierced by the demon's weapons, like cattle tormented by the cold,

Verse 146 (skanda.1.56.146)

परस्परं व्यलीयंत हाहाकिंभाविवादिनः॥ तामवस्थां हरिर्दृष्ट्वा देवाञ्छक्रमुवाच ह

parasparaṁ vyalīyaṁta hāhākiṁbhāvivādinaḥ tāmavasthāṁ harirdṛṣṭvā devāñchakramuvāca ha

they clung together, wailing 'Alas! What now?' Seeing that plight of the gods, Hari then spoke to Shakra —

Verse 147 (skanda.1.56.147)

अघोरमंत्रं स्मर देवराज अस्त्रं हि यत्पाशुपतप्रभावम्॥ रुद्रेण तुष्टेन तव प्रदत्तमव्याहतं वीरवराभिघाति

aghoramaṁtraṁ smara devarāja astraṁ hi yatpāśupataprabhāvam rudreṇa tuṣṭena tava pradattamavyāhataṁ vīravarābhighāti

'Call to mind the Aghora mantra, O king of gods — the weapon endowed with the power of the Pashupata, given to you by Rudra when he was well pleased, unfailing, slayer of the greatest of heroes.'

Verse 148 (skanda.1.56.148)

एवं स शक्रो हरिबोधितस्तदा प्रणम्य देवं वृषकेतुमीश्वरम्॥ समाददे बाणममित्रघातनं संपूजितं दैवरणेऽर्द्धचंद्रम्

evaṁ sa śakro haribodhitastadā praṇamya devaṁ vṛṣaketumīśvaram samādade bāṇamamitraghātanaṁ saṁpūjitaṁ daivaraṇe'rddhacaṁdram

Thus roused by Hari, Shakra then bowed to the bull-bannered Lord, and took up the arrow that slays enemies — the crescent shaft honored in the wars of the gods —

Verse 149 (skanda.1.56.149)

धनुष्यजय्ये विनियोज्य बुद्धिमान्न्ययोजयत्तत्र अघोरमंत्रम्

dhanuṣyajayye viniyojya buddhimānnyayojayattatra aghoramaṁtram

and, wise, having fitted it upon his unconquerable bow, invoked upon it the Aghora mantra.

Verse 150 (skanda.1.56.150)

ततो वधायाशु मुमोच तस्य वा आकृष्य कर्णांतमकुंठदीधितिम्॥ अथासुरः प्रेक्ष्य महास्त्रमापतद्विसृज्य मायां सहसा व्यवस्थितः

tato vadhāyāśu mumoca tasya vā ākṛṣya karṇāṁtamakuṁṭhadīdhitim athāsuraḥ prekṣya mahāstramāpatadvisṛjya māyāṁ sahasā vyavasthitaḥ

Then, drawing it back to his very ear, he swiftly loosed that shaft of undimmed brilliance for his destruction. The demon, seeing that great weapon rushing toward him, at once abandoned his illusion and stood revealed,

Verse 151 (skanda.1.56.151)

प्रवेपमानेन मुखेन युज्यताचलेन गात्रेण च संभ्रमाकुलः॥ ततस्तु तस्यास्त्रवराभिमंत्रितः शरोर्धचंद्रः प्रसभं महारणे

pravepamānena mukhena yujyatācalena gātreṇa ca saṁbhramākulaḥ tatastu tasyāstravarābhimaṁtritaḥ śarordhacaṁdraḥ prasabhaṁ mahāraṇe

his face trembling, his body suddenly rigid, thrown into confusion; then that crescent shaft, consecrated by the finest of weapon-spells, violently, in that great battle,

Verse 152 (skanda.1.56.152)

पुरंदरस्येष्वसनप्रमुक्तो मध्यार्कविंवं वपुषा विडंबयन्

puraṁdarasyeṣvasanapramukto madhyārkaviṁvaṁ vapuṣā viḍaṁbayan

loosed from Purandara's bow, its very form mocking the orb of the midday sun,

Verse 153 (skanda.1.56.153)

किरीटकूटस्फुरकांतिसंकुलं सुगंधिनानाकुसुमाधिवासितम्॥ प्रकीर्णधूमज्वलनाभमूर्धजं न्यपातयज्जंभिशिरः सकुंडलम्

kirīṭakūṭasphurakāṁtisaṁkulaṁ sugaṁdhinānākusumādhivāsitam prakīrṇadhūmajvalanābhamūrdhajaṁ nyapātayajjaṁbhiśiraḥ sakuṁḍalam

struck down Jambha's earringed head — that head whose crown blazed with flashing splendor, fragrant with many kinds of flowers, its hair like scattered smoke shot through with flame.

Verse 154 (skanda.1.56.154)

तस्मिन्निंद्रहते जंभे प्रशशंसुः सुरा बहु॥ वासुदेवोऽपि भगवान्साधु साध्विति चाब्रवीत्

tasminniṁdrahate jaṁbhe praśaśaṁsuḥ surā bahu vāsudevo'pi bhagavānsādhu sādhviti cābravīt

When Jambha had thus been slain by Indra, the gods praised him greatly; and the blessed Vasudeva himself said, 'Well done! Well done!'

Verse 155 (skanda.1.56.155)

ततो जंभं हतं दृष्ट्वा दानवेन्द्राः पराङ्मुखाः॥ सर्वे ते भग्नसंकल्पा दुद्रुवुस्तारकं प्रति

tato jaṁbhaṁ hataṁ dṛṣṭvā dānavendrāḥ parāṅmukhāḥ sarve te bhagnasaṁkalpā dudruvustārakaṁ prati

Then, seeing Jambha slain, all the demon-lords turned their faces away, and, their resolve broken, fled toward Taraka.

Verse 156 (skanda.1.56.156)

तांश्च त्रस्तान्समालोक्य श्रुत्वा स चतुरो हतान्॥ सारथिं प्रेरयामास याहींद्रं लघु संगरे

tāṁśca trastānsamālokya śrutvā sa caturo hatān sārathiṁ prerayāmāsa yāhīṁdraṁ laghu saṁgare

Seeing them terror-stricken, and hearing that his four chief commanders were slain, he urged on his charioteer: 'Drive quickly to Indra in the battle!'

Verse 157 (skanda.1.56.157)

तथेत्युक्त्वा स च प्रायात्तारके रथमास्थिते॥ सावलेपं च सक्रोधं सगर्वं सपराक्रमम्

tathetyuktvā sa ca prāyāttārake rathamāsthite sāvalepaṁ ca sakrodhaṁ sagarvaṁ saparākramam

'So be it,' said the charioteer, and drove forth, with Taraka mounted on his chariot — full of arrogance, wrath, pride, and valor,

Verse 158 (skanda.1.56.158)

साविष्कारं सधिक्कारं प्रयातो दानवेश्वरः॥ स युक्तं रथमास्थाय सहस्रेण गरुत्मताम्

sāviṣkāraṁ sadhikkāraṁ prayāto dānaveśvaraḥ sa yuktaṁ rathamāsthāya sahasreṇa garutmatām

boastful and scornful, that lord of demons advanced. Mounted on his chariot yoked with a thousand swift steeds,

Verse 159 (skanda.1.56.159)

सर्वायुधपरिष्कारं सर्वास्त्रपरिरक्षितम्॥ त्रैलोक्यऋद्धिसंपन्नं कल्पांतांतकनादितम्

sarvāyudhapariṣkāraṁ sarvāstraparirakṣitam trailokyaṛddhisaṁpannaṁ kalpāṁtāṁtakanāditam

furnished with every weapon, guarded by every missile, endowed with the splendor of the three worlds, thundering like the end of the aeon,

Verse 160 (skanda.1.56.160)

सैन्येन महता युक्तो नादयन्विदिशो दिशः॥ सहस्राक्षश्च तं दृष्ट्वा त्यक्त्वा वाहनदंतिनम्

sainyena mahatā yukto nādayanvidiśo diśaḥ sahasrākṣaśca taṁ dṛṣṭvā tyaktvā vāhanadaṁtinam

accompanied by a vast army, making all the quarters and intermediate quarters resound. And the thousand-eyed Indra, seeing him, left his elephant-mount,

Verse 161 (skanda.1.56.161)

रथं मातलिना युक्तं तप्तहेमपरिष्कृतम्॥ चतुर्योजनविस्तीर्णं सिद्धसंघपरिष्कृतम्

rathaṁ mātalinā yuktaṁ taptahemapariṣkṛtam caturyojanavistīrṇaṁ siddhasaṁghapariṣkṛtam

and mounted his chariot — driven by Matali, adorned with molten gold, four yojanas in span, attended by hosts of Siddhas,

Verse 162 (skanda.1.56.162)

गंधर्वकिंनरोद्गीतमप्सरोनृत्यसंकुलम्

gaṁdharvakiṁnarodgītamapsaronṛtyasaṁkulam

sung to by Gandharvas and Kinnaras, thronged with the dancing of Apsaras,

Verse 163 (skanda.1.56.163)

सर्वायुधमहाबाधं महारत्नसमाचितम्॥ अध्यतिष्ठत्तं रथं च परिवार्य समंततः

sarvāyudhamahābādhaṁ mahāratnasamācitam adhyatiṣṭhattaṁ rathaṁ ca parivārya samaṁtataḥ

terrible with every weapon, studded with great jewels. Mounting that chariot, surrounded on every side

Verse 164 (skanda.1.56.164)

दांशिता लोकपालाश्च तसथुः सगरुडध्वजाः॥ ततश्चचाल वसुधा ववौ रूक्षो मरुद्गणैः

dāṁśitā lokapālāśca tasathuḥ sagaruḍadhvajāḥ tataścacāla vasudhā vavau rūkṣo marudgaṇaiḥ

by the armored guardians of the world, who stood there along with the Garuda-bannered Vishnu. Then the earth trembled, a harsh wind blew with the host of the Maruts,

Verse 165 (skanda.1.56.165)

चेलुश्च सागराः सप्त तथाऽनश्यद्रवेः प्रभा॥ ततो जज्वलुरस्त्राणि ततोऽकंपंत वाहनाः

celuśca sāgarāḥ sapta tathā'naśyadraveḥ prabhā tato jajvalurastrāṇi tato'kaṁpaṁta vāhanāḥ

the seven oceans stirred, and the splendor of the sun grew dim. Then weapons blazed of themselves, and the mounts trembled;

Verse 166 (skanda.1.56.166)

ततः समस्तमुद्वृत्तं ततोदृस्यत तारकः॥ एकतस्तारको दैत्यः सुरसंघास्तथैकतः

tataḥ samastamudvṛttaṁ tatodṛsyata tārakaḥ ekatastārako daityaḥ surasaṁghāstathaikataḥ

all things fell into tumult, and then Taraka came into view — on one side the demon Taraka, on the other the hosts of the gods.

Verse 167 (skanda.1.56.167)

लोकावसाद मेकत्र लोकोद्धरणमेकतः॥ चराचराणि भूतानि भयविस्मयवंति च

lokāvasāda mekatra lokoddharaṇamekataḥ carācarāṇi bhūtāni bhayavismayavaṁti ca

On the one side, the ruin of the worlds; on the other, their deliverance. All beings, moving and unmoving, filled with both fear and wonder,

Verse 168 (skanda.1.56.168)

प्रशशंसुः सुराः पार्थ तदा तस्मिन्समागमे

praśaśaṁsuḥ surāḥ pārtha tadā tasminsamāgame

O son of Pritha, gave praise then, at that meeting of the two hosts.

Verse 169 (skanda.1.56.169)

अस्त्राणि तेजांसि धनानि योधा यशो बलं वीरपराक्रमाश्च॥ सत्त्वौजसान्यंग बभूवुरेषां देवासुराणां तपसः परं तु नः

astrāṇi tejāṁsi dhanāni yodhā yaśo balaṁ vīraparākramāśca sattvaujasānyaṁga babhūvureṣāṁ devāsurāṇāṁ tapasaḥ paraṁ tu naḥ

'Weapons, splendors, riches, warriors, fame, strength, and the valor of heroes — this vigor and might, my friend, belong to these gods and demons; but tapas remains our own, beyond all else.'

Verse 170 (skanda.1.56.170)

अथाभिमुखमायांतं देवा विनतर्पवभिः॥ बाणैरनलकल्पाग्रार्विव्यधुस्तारकं प्रति

athābhimukhamāyāṁtaṁ devā vinatarpavabhiḥ bāṇairanalakalpāgrārvivyadhustārakaṁ prati

Then, as he came on to face them, the gods pierced toward Taraka with arrows swift as Vinata's son, their points like fire.

Verse 171 (skanda.1.56.171)

स तानचिंत्य दैत्येंद्रो देवबाणक्षतान्हृदि॥ बाणैर्व्योम दिशः पृथ्वीं पूरयामास दानवः

sa tānaciṁtya daityeṁdro devabāṇakṣatānhṛdi bāṇairvyoma diśaḥ pṛthvīṁ pūrayāmāsa dānavaḥ

That lord of demons, unmindful of the gods' arrows wounding his chest, filled the sky, the quarters, and the earth with his own arrows.

Verse 172 (skanda.1.56.172)

नारायणं च सप्तत्या नवत्या च हुताशनम्॥ दशभिर्मारुतं मूर्ध्नि यमं दशभिरेव च

nārāyaṇaṁ ca saptatyā navatyā ca hutāśanam daśabhirmārutaṁ mūrdhni yamaṁ daśabhireva ca

He struck Narayana with seventy arrows, and the fire-god with ninety; he struck Maruta on the head with ten, and Yama with ten as well.

Verse 173 (skanda.1.56.173)

धनदं चैव सप्त्या वरुणं च तथाष्टभिः॥ विंशत्या निर्ऋतिं दैत्यः पुनश्चाष्टभिरेव च

dhanadaṁ caiva saptyā varuṇaṁ ca tathāṣṭabhiḥ viṁśatyā nirṛtiṁ daityaḥ punaścāṣṭabhireva ca

Kubera he struck with seven, Varuna with eight, Nirriti with twenty, and again with eight more,

Verse 174 (skanda.1.56.174)

विव्याध पुनरेकैकं दशभिर्मर्मभेदिभिः॥ तथा च मातलिं दैत्यो विव्याध त्रिभिराशुगैः

vivyādha punarekaikaṁ daśabhirmarmabhedibhiḥ tathā ca mātaliṁ daityo vivyādha tribhirāśugaiḥ

and again pierced each one with ten more marrow-piercing shafts; and that demon pierced Matali too with three swift arrows.

Verse 175 (skanda.1.56.175)

गरुडं दशभिश्चैव महिषं नवभिस्तथा॥ पुनर्दैर्त्योऽथ देवानां तिलशो नतपर्वभिः

garuḍaṁ daśabhiścaiva mahiṣaṁ navabhistathā punardairtyo'tha devānāṁ tilaśo nataparvabhiḥ

Garuda he struck with ten, and the buffalo with nine. Then, with smooth-jointed arrows, the demon reduced the gods to fragments fine as sesame,

Verse 176 (skanda.1.56.176)

चकार वर्मजालानि चिच्छेद च धनूंषि च॥ ततो विकवचा देवा विधनुष्काः प्रपीडिताः

cakāra varmajālāni ciccheda ca dhanūṁṣi ca tato vikavacā devā vidhanuṣkāḥ prapīḍitāḥ

shredded their nets of armor, and cut their bows to pieces. Then the gods, stripped of armor, bowless, sorely afflicted,

Verse 177 (skanda.1.56.177)

चापान्यन्यानि संगृह्य यावन्मुंचंति सायकान्॥ तावद्बाणं समाधाय कालानलसमप्रभम्

cāpānyanyāni saṁgṛhya yāvanmuṁcaṁti sāyakān tāvadbāṇaṁ samādhāya kālānalasamaprabham

took up other bows; but even as they were loosing their arrows, he had already fitted a shaft blazing like the fire of doom,

Verse 178 (skanda.1.56.178)

ताडयामास शक्रं स हृदि सोपि मुमोचह॥ ततोंऽतरिक्षमालोक्य दृष्ट्वा सूर्यशताकृती

tāḍayāmāsa śakraṁ sa hṛdi sopi mumocaha tatoṁ'tarikṣamālokya dṛṣṭvā sūryaśatākṛtī

and struck Shakra in the heart; and Indra too loosed his own shaft in turn. Then, looking to the sky and seeing those two, radiant as a hundred suns,

Verse 179 (skanda.1.56.179)

तार्क्ष्यविष्णू समाजघ्ने शराभ्यां तावमुह्यताम्॥ प्रेतनाथस्य वह्नेश्च वरुणस्य शितैः शरैः

tārkṣyaviṣṇū samājaghne śarābhyāṁ tāvamuhyatām pretanāthasya vahneśca varuṇasya śitaiḥ śaraiḥ

he struck Garuda and Vishnu both with two arrows, and both fell senseless. Then, with sharp arrows, against Yama, Agni, and Varuna,

Verse 180 (skanda.1.56.180)

निर्ऋतेश्चाकरोत्कार्यं भीतबीतं विमोहयन्॥ निरुच्छ्वासं समाहृत्य चक्रे बाणैः समीरणम्

nirṛteścākarotkāryaṁ bhītabītaṁ vimohayan nirucchvāsaṁ samāhṛtya cakre bāṇaiḥ samīraṇam

and against Nirriti too, he did the same, confounding them until they were sorely afraid; and with his arrows he left even the wind-god breathless.

Verse 181 (skanda.1.56.181)

ततः प्राप्य हरिः संज्ञां प्रोत्साह्य च दिशां पतीन्॥ बाणेन सारथेः कायाच्छिरोऽहार्षीत्सकुण्डलम्

tataḥ prāpya hariḥ saṁjñāṁ protsāhya ca diśāṁ patīn bāṇena sāratheḥ kāyācchiro'hārṣītsakuṇḍalam

Then Hari, regaining his senses, roused the guardians of the quarters to action, and with an arrow struck the earringed head from the charioteer's body.

Verse 182 (skanda.1.56.182)

धूमकेतोर्ज्वलात्क्रुद्धस्तस्य च्छित्त्वा न्यपातयत्॥ दैत्यराजकिरीटयं च चिच्छेद वासवस्ततः

dhūmaketorjvalātkruddhastasya cchittvā nyapātayat daityarājakirīṭayaṁ ca ciccheda vāsavastataḥ

Blazing with rage like a comet, he cut it off and cast it down; then Vasava also cut off the demon-king's crown.

Verse 183 (skanda.1.56.183)

धनेशश्च धनुः क्रुद्धो बिभेदबहुधा शरैः॥ वायुश्चक्रे च तिलशो रथं वा क्षोणिकूबरम्

dhaneśaśca dhanuḥ kruddho bibhedabahudhā śaraiḥ vāyuścakre ca tilaśo rathaṁ vā kṣoṇikūbaram

Enraged Kubera shattered his bow into many pieces with arrows; and Vayu reduced his chariot's yoke-shaft to fragments fine as sesame.

Verse 184 (skanda.1.56.184)

निर्ऋतिस्तिलशो वर्ण चक्रे बाणैस्ततो रणे॥ कृत्वैतदतुलं कर्मतिष्ठतिष्ठेति चाब्रुवन्

nirṛtistilaśo varṇa cakre bāṇaistato raṇe kṛtvaitadatulaṁ karmatiṣṭhatiṣṭheti cābruvan

Nirriti likewise, in that battle, reduced part of his chariot to fragments with his arrows. Having accomplished this matchless feat, they cried, 'Stand! Stand and fight!'

Verse 185 (skanda.1.56.185)

लिहंतः सृक्किणीं देवा वासुदेवादयस्तदा॥ दृष्ट्वा तत्कर्म देवानां तारकोऽतुलविक्रमः

lihaṁtaḥ sṛkkiṇīṁ devā vāsudevādayastadā dṛṣṭvā tatkarma devānāṁ tārako'tulavikramaḥ

— the gods, Vasudeva foremost, licking their lips in eager challenge. Seeing that feat of the gods, Taraka, of matchless valor,

Verse 186 (skanda.1.56.186)

मुमोच मुद्गरं भीमं सहस्राक्षाय संगरे॥ दृष्ट्वा मुद्गरमायांतमनिवार्यं रणाजिरे

mumoca mudgaraṁ bhīmaṁ sahasrākṣāya saṁgare dṛṣṭvā mudgaramāyāṁtamanivāryaṁ raṇājire

loosed a terrible mace at the thousand-eyed one in that combat. Seeing that irresistible mace coming on across the field of battle,

Verse 187 (skanda.1.56.187)

रथादाप्लुत्य धरणीमगमत्पाकशासनः॥ मुद्गरोऽपि रथोपस्थे पपात परुषस्वनः

rathādāplutya dharaṇīmagamatpākaśāsanaḥ mudgaro'pi rathopasthe papāta paruṣasvanaḥ

Pakashasana leapt down from his chariot to the ground; and the mace, with a harsh crash, fell upon the seat of the chariot,

Verse 188 (skanda.1.56.188)

स रथं चूर्णयामास न ममार च मातलिः॥ गृहीत्वा पट्टिशं दैत्यो जधानोरसि केशवम्

sa rathaṁ cūrṇayāmāsa na mamāra ca mātaliḥ gṛhītvā paṭṭiśaṁ daityo jadhānorasi keśavam

pulverizing the chariot, though Matali did not perish. Then, seizing a spear-axe, the demon struck Keshava upon the chest,

Verse 189 (skanda.1.56.189)

स्कन्धे गरुत्मतः सोऽपि निषसाद विचेतनः॥ खड्गेन राक्षसेन्द्रं च भित्त्वा भूमावपातयत्

skandhe garutmataḥ so'pi niṣasāda vicetanaḥ khaḍgena rākṣasendraṁ ca bhittvā bhūmāvapātayat

who sank down senseless upon Garuda's shoulder. Then, cleaving the lord of the Rakshasas with his sword, he cast him down to the ground,

Verse 190 (skanda.1.56.190)

यमं च पातयामास भूमौ दैत्यो मुखे हतम्॥ वह्निं च भिंडिपालेन चक्रे हत्वा विचेतनम्

yamaṁ ca pātayāmāsa bhūmau daityo mukhe hatam vahniṁ ca bhiṁḍipālena cakre hatvā vicetanam

and felled Yama too to the ground, struck upon the face; and with a javelin the demon struck Agni down, senseless.

Verse 191 (skanda.1.56.191)

वायुं पदा तदाक्षिप्य पातयामास भूतले॥ धनेशं तद्धनुष्कोट्या कुट्टयामास कोपनः

vāyuṁ padā tadākṣipya pātayāmāsa bhūtale dhaneśaṁ taddhanuṣkoṭyā kuṭṭayāmāsa kopanaḥ

He kicked Vayu with his foot and hurled him down to the ground; and, enraged, pounded Kubera with the very tip of his bow.

Verse 192 (skanda.1.56.192)

ततो देवनिकायानामेकैकं क्षणमात्रतः॥ तेषामेव जघानासौ शस्त्रैर्बालान्यथा गुरुः

tato devanikāyānāmekaikaṁ kṣaṇamātrataḥ teṣāmeva jaghānāsau śastrairbālānyathā guruḥ

Then he struck down the hosts of the gods one by one, in but a moment, with their very own weapons — as a teacher might chastise mere children.

Verse 193 (skanda.1.56.193)

लब्धसंज्ञस्ततो विष्णुश्चक्रं जग्राह दुर्धरम्॥ रानवेंद्रवसामेदोरुधिरेणाभिरंजितम्

labdhasaṁjñastato viṣṇuścakraṁ jagrāha durdharam rānaveṁdravasāmedorudhireṇābhiraṁjitam

Then Vishnu, having regained his senses, took up his irresistible discus, stained from before with the fat, marrow, and blood of demon-lords,

Verse 194 (skanda.1.56.194)

मुमोच दानवेंद्रस्य दृढं वक्षसि केशवः॥ पपात चक्रं दैत्यस्य पतितं भास्करद्युति

mumoca dānaveṁdrasya dṛḍhaṁ vakṣasi keśavaḥ papāta cakraṁ daityasya patitaṁ bhāskaradyuti

and Keshava hurled it hard at the demon-lord's chest. That discus, radiant as the sun, fell upon the demon —

Verse 195 (skanda.1.56.195)

व्यशीर्यताथ कायेऽस्य नीलोत्पलमिवाश्मनि॥ ततो वज्रं महेन्द्रोऽपि प्रमुमोचार्चितं चिरम्

vyaśīryatātha kāye'sya nīlotpalamivāśmani tato vajraṁ mahendro'pi pramumocārcitaṁ ciram

and shattered upon his body, as a blue lotus shatters against stone. Then great Indra too hurled the long-worshipped thunderbolt,

Verse 196 (skanda.1.56.196)

तस्मिञ्जयाशा शक्रस्य दानवेन्द्राय संयुगे॥ तारकस्य च संप्राप्य शरीरं शौर्यशालिनः

tasmiñjayāśā śakrasya dānavendrāya saṁyuge tārakasya ca saṁprāpya śarīraṁ śauryaśālinaḥ

in that battle, carrying with it Shakra's hope of victory, against the lord of demons. And having reached the body of the valorous Taraka,

Verse 197 (skanda.1.56.197)

विशीर्यत विकीर्णार्चिः शतधा खण्डशो गतम्॥ ततो वायुरदीनात्मा वेगेन महता नदन्

viśīryata vikīrṇārciḥ śatadhā khaṇḍaśo gatam tato vāyuradīnātmā vegena mahatā nadan

it too shattered, its flames scattering, breaking into a hundred fragments. Then Vayu, undaunted in spirit, roaring with tremendous force,

Verse 198 (skanda.1.56.198)

ज्वलितज्वलनाभासमंकुशं प्रमुमोच ह॥ विशीर्णं तस्य तच्चांगे दृष्ट्वा वायुर्महारुषा

jvalitajvalanābhāsamaṁkuśaṁ pramumoca ha viśīrṇaṁ tasya taccāṁge dṛṣṭvā vāyurmahāruṣā

loosed his goad, blazing like kindled fire. Seeing it too shatter upon Taraka's body, Vayu, in great fury,

Verse 199 (skanda.1.56.199)

ततः शैलेन्द्रमुत्पाट्य पुष्पितद्रुमकंदरम्॥ चिक्षेप दानवेन्द्राय दशयोजनविस्तृतम्

tataḥ śailendramutpāṭya puṣpitadrumakaṁdaram cikṣepa dānavendrāya daśayojanavistṛtam

then tore up a great mountain, with its blossoming trees and caverns, ten yojanas in extent,

Verse 200 (skanda.1.56.200)

महीधरं तमायांतं सस्मितं दैत्यपुंगवः॥ जग्राह वामहस्तेन बालः कन्दुकलीलया

mahīdharaṁ tamāyāṁtaṁ sasmitaṁ daityapuṁgavaḥ jagrāha vāmahastena bālaḥ kandukalīlayā

and hurled it at the lord of demons. That foremost of demons, smiling, caught that oncoming mountain

Verse 201 (skanda.1.56.201)

ततस्तेनैव चाहत्य पातयामास चांतकम्॥ दण्डं ततः समुद्यम्य कृतांतः क्रोधमूर्छितः

tatastenaiva cāhatya pātayāmāsa cāṁtakam daṇḍaṁ tataḥ samudyamya kṛtāṁtaḥ krodhamūrchitaḥ

with his left hand, as a child catches a ball in play. Then, striking with that very mountain, he felled Antaka as well. Then Yama, raising his staff, senseless with rage,

Verse 202 (skanda.1.56.202)

दैत्येन्द्रमूर्ध्नि चिक्षेप भ्राम्य वेगेन दुर्जयम्॥ सोऽसुरस्यापतन्मूर्ध्नि दैत्यस्तं जगृहे स्मयन्

daityendramūrdhni cikṣepa bhrāmya vegena durjayam so'surasyāpatanmūrdhni daityastaṁ jagṛhe smayan

whirled it with great force and hurled it, invincible, at the demon-lord's head. As it fell toward the demon's head, the demon caught it, smiling.

Verse 203 (skanda.1.56.203)

कल्पांतलोकदहनो ज्वलनो रोषसंज्वलन्॥ शक्तिं चिक्षेपदुर्धर्षां दानवेन्द्राय संयुगे

kalpāṁtalokadahano jvalano roṣasaṁjvalan śaktiṁ cikṣepadurdharṣāṁ dānavendrāya saṁyuge

Agni, who burns the worlds at the end of the aeon, blazing now with rage, hurled his irresistible spear at the lord of demons in that battle.

Verse 204 (skanda.1.56.204)

ततः शिरीषमालेव सास्य वक्षस्यराजत॥ ततः खड्गं समाकृष्य कोशादाकाशनिर्मलम्

tataḥ śirīṣamāleva sāsya vakṣasyarājata tataḥ khaḍgaṁ samākṛṣya kośādākāśanirmalam

But it merely shone upon his chest like a garland of shirisha flowers. Then, drawing from its sheath a sword clear as the sky,

Verse 205 (skanda.1.56.205)

द्युति भासितत्रैलोक्यं लोकपालोऽपि निर्ऋतिः॥ चिक्षेप दानवेन्द्राय तस्य मूर्ध्नि पपात ह

dyuti bhāsitatrailokyaṁ lokapālo'pi nirṛtiḥ cikṣepa dānavendrāya tasya mūrdhni papāta ha

whose splendor lit up the three worlds, the guardian Nirriti too hurled it at the lord of demons; it fell upon his very head,

Verse 206 (skanda.1.56.206)

पतितश्चागमत्खड्गः स शीघ्रं शतखण्डताम्॥ जलेशश्च ततः क्रुद्धो महाभैरवरूपिणम्

patitaścāgamatkhaḍgaḥ sa śīghraṁ śatakhaṇḍatām jaleśaśca tataḥ kruddho mahābhairavarūpiṇam

and, having fallen, that sword swiftly broke into a hundred pieces. Then the lord of waters, enraged, assuming a most terrible form,

Verse 207 (skanda.1.56.207)

मुमोच पाशं दैत्येन्द्रभुजबन्धाबिलाषुकः॥ स दैत्यभुजमासाद्य पाशः सद्यो व्यपद्यत

mumoca pāśaṁ daityendrabhujabandhābilāṣukaḥ sa daityabhujamāsādya pāśaḥ sadyo vyapadyata

loosed his noose, eager to bind the demon-lord's arms. But upon reaching the demon's arm, that noose at once fell apart —

Verse 208 (skanda.1.56.208)

स्फुटितः क्रकचक्रूरदशनालिरहीश्वरः॥ ततोऽश्विनौ सचंद्रार्कौ साध्याश्च वसवश्च ये

sphuṭitaḥ krakacakrūradaśanālirahīśvaraḥ tato'śvinau sacaṁdrārkau sādhyāśca vasavaśca ye

for it split open — being, in truth, the lord of serpents, whose teeth were cruel as a saw. Then the two Ashvins, with the moon and sun, the Sadhyas and the Vasus,

Verse 209 (skanda.1.56.209)

यक्षराक्षसगनधर्वाः सर्पाश्चास्त्रैः पृथग्विधैः॥ जघ्नुर्दैत्येश्वरं सर्वे भूयशस्ते महाबलाः

yakṣarākṣasaganadharvāḥ sarpāścāstraiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ jaghnurdaityeśvaraṁ sarve bhūyaśaste mahābalāḥ

the Yakshas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas, and serpents — all those mighty ones — struck again and again at the lord of demons with their various weapons,

Verse 210 (skanda.1.56.210)

न चास्त्राण्यस्यासज्जन्त गात्रे वज्राचलोपमे॥ ततो देवनवप्लुत्य तारको दानवादिपः

na cāstrāṇyasyāsajjanta gātre vajrācalopame tato devanavaplutya tārako dānavādipaḥ

but their weapons could gain no purchase upon his body, hard as adamant and mountain. Then Taraka, lord of the demons, leaping among the gods,

Verse 211 (skanda.1.56.211)

जघान कोटिशः क्रुद्धो मुष्टिपार्ष्णिभिरेव च॥ तथाविधं तस्य वीर्यमालोक्य भगवान्हरिः

jaghāna koṭiśaḥ kruddho muṣṭipārṣṇibhireva ca tathāvidhaṁ tasya vīryamālokya bhagavānhariḥ

in fury, struck down the gods by the tens of millions with his fists and heels alone. Seeing his valor of such a kind, the blessed Hari

Verse 212 (skanda.1.56.212)

पलायध्वमहो देवा वदन्नन्तर्हितोऽभवत्॥ शक्रादयस्ततो देवाः पलायनकृतादराः

palāyadhvamaho devā vadannantarhito'bhavat śakrādayastato devāḥ palāyanakṛtādarāḥ

cried, 'Flee, O gods!' — and vanished from sight. Then the gods, with Shakra at their head, bent upon flight,

Verse 213 (skanda.1.56.213)

कालनेमिमुखैर्दैत्येरुपरुद्धा मदोत्कटैः॥ मुष्टिभिः पादघातैश्च केशष्वाकृष्य तैर्मुदा

kālanemimukhairdaityeruparuddhā madotkaṭaiḥ muṣṭibhiḥ pādaghātaiśca keśaṣvākṛṣya tairmudā

but were blocked by the demons headed by Kalanemi, drunk with pride; with fists, with kicks, and by dragging them by the hair, those demons, gleefully,

Verse 214 (skanda.1.56.214)

तारिताः शुष्कसरितं देवमार्गाश्च दंशिताः॥ बहुधा चाप्यकृष्यंत लोकपाला महासुरैः

tāritāḥ śuṣkasaritaṁ devamārgāśca daṁśitāḥ bahudhā cāpyakṛṣyaṁta lokapālā mahāsuraiḥ

made them ford dried-up riverbeds, and harried them along the very roads of the gods. The guardians of the world were dragged about in many ways by the great demons.

Verse 215 (skanda.1.56.215)

ततो निनादः संजज्ञे दैत्यानां बलशालिनाम्॥ कम्पयन्पृथिवीं द्यां च पातालानि च भारत

tato ninādaḥ saṁjajñe daityānāṁ balaśālinām kampayanpṛthivīṁ dyāṁ ca pātālāni ca bhārata

Then a great roar arose from the mighty demons, shaking the earth, the heavens, and the netherworlds, O Bharata.

Verse 216 (skanda.1.56.216)

जयेति मुदिता दैत्यास्तुष्टुवुस्तारकं तदा॥ शंखांश्च पूरयामासुः कुन्देन्दुसदृशप्रभान्

jayeti muditā daityāstuṣṭuvustārakaṁ tadā śaṁkhāṁśca pūrayāmāsuḥ kundendusadṛśaprabhān

'Victory!' cried the joyful demons, praising Taraka then; and they blew their conches, radiant as jasmine or the moon,

Verse 217 (skanda.1.56.217)

धनुर्बाणरवांश्चोग्रान्कराघातांश्च चक्रिरे॥ भृशं हर्षान्विता दैत्या नेदुश्च ननृतुर्मुहुः

dhanurbāṇaravāṁścogrānkarāghātāṁśca cakrire bhṛśaṁ harṣānvitā daityā neduśca nanṛturmuhuḥ

and made fierce sounds with their bows and arrows, and clapped their hands. Filled with intense joy, the demons roared and danced again and again.

Verse 218 (skanda.1.56.218)

ततो देवान्पुरस्कृत्य पशुपालः पशूनिव॥ दैत्येन्द्रो रथमास्थाय जगाम सहितोऽसुरैः

tato devānpuraskṛtya paśupālaḥ paśūniva daityendro rathamāsthāya jagāma sahito'suraiḥ

Then, driving the gods before him as a herdsman drives his cattle, the lord of demons, mounted on his chariot, departed together with the demons —

Verse 219 (skanda.1.56.219)

महीसागरकूलस्थं तारकः स पुरं बली॥ योजनद्वादशायामं ताम्रप्राकारशोभितम्

mahīsāgarakūlasthaṁ tārakaḥ sa puraṁ balī yojanadvādaśāyāmaṁ tāmraprākāraśobhitam

that mighty Taraka, toward his city on the shore of the ocean, twelve yojanas in length, adorned with a rampart of copper,

Verse 220 (skanda.1.56.220)

प्रासादर्बहुभिः कीर्णं दिव्याश्चर्योपशोभितम्॥ यत्र शब्दास्त्रयो नैव जीर्यंते चानिशंपुरे

prāsādarbahubhiḥ kīrṇaṁ divyāścaryopaśobhitam yatra śabdāstrayo naiva jīryaṁte cāniśaṁpure

thronged with many palaces, adorned with divine wonders — a city where, night or day, three sounds never ceased —

Verse 221 (skanda.1.56.221)

गीतघोषश्च व्याघोषो भुज्यंतां विषयास्त्विति॥ तत्प्रविश्य पुरं राजा जगाम स्वकमालयम्

gītaghoṣaśca vyāghoṣo bhujyaṁtāṁ viṣayāstviti tatpraviśya puraṁ rājā jagāma svakamālayam

the sound of song, and the town-crier's cry: 'Let all enjoy their pleasures!' Entering that city, the king went to his own palace,

Verse 222 (skanda.1.56.222)

महोत्सवेन महता पुत्रस्त्रीप्रतिनंदितः॥ तत्र दिव्यां सभां राजा प्राप्य सिंहासनस्थितः

mahotsavena mahatā putrastrīpratinaṁditaḥ tatra divyāṁ sabhāṁ rājā prāpya siṁhāsanasthitaḥ

welcomed with a great festival by his sons and wives. There, entering the divine assembly-hall, the king took his seat upon the throne,

Verse 223 (skanda.1.56.223)

स्तूयमानो दितिसुतैरप्सरोभिर्विनोदितः॥ दिव्यासनस्थैर्दैत्येंद्रैर्वृतः सिंहैरिव प्रभुः

stūyamāno ditisutairapsarobhirvinoditaḥ divyāsanasthairdaityeṁdrairvṛtaḥ siṁhairiva prabhuḥ

praised by the sons of Diti, entertained by the Apsaras, encircled by the lords of demons seated on divine thrones — that mighty lord, like a king ringed about by lions.

Verse 224 (skanda.1.56.224)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे काचि द्दिव्यस्त्री तत्पुरेऽभवत्॥ विस्मितस्तैर्वृतो दैत्यैः प्रोवाचेदं स्मयन्निव

etasminnaṁtare kāci ddivyastrī tatpure'bhavat vismitastairvṛto daityaiḥ provācedaṁ smayanniva

At that moment, a certain divine woman appeared in that city. Astonished, surrounded by the demons, Taraka said, smiling as it were —

Verse 225 (skanda.1.56.225)

रूपेणानुपमा पार्थ नानाभरणभूषिता॥ तां दृष्टवा तारको राजा भृशं वै विस्मितोऽभवत्

rūpeṇānupamā pārtha nānābharaṇabhūṣitā tāṁ dṛṣṭavā tārako rājā bhṛśaṁ vai vismito'bhavat

— incomparable in beauty, O Partha, adorned with various ornaments. Seeing her, King Taraka became greatly astonished, and asked —

Verse 226 (skanda.1.56.226)

कासि देवी मम ब्रूहि किं मया रूपसुंदरि॥ त्वत्समां योषितं नैव दृष्टवंतः पुरा वयम्

kāsi devī mama brūhi kiṁ mayā rūpasuṁdari tvatsamāṁ yoṣitaṁ naiva dṛṣṭavaṁtaḥ purā vayam

'Who are you, O goddess? Tell me — and what would you have of me, O woman beautiful in form? Never before have we seen a woman equal to you.'

Verse 227 (skanda.1.56.227)

॥स्त्र्युवाच॥ अहं त्रैलोक्यलक्ष्मीति विद्धि मां दैत्यसत्तम॥ अर्जिता तपसा चास्मि त्वया वीर्येण वा विभो

stryuvāca ahaṁ trailokyalakṣmīti viddhi māṁ daityasattama arjitā tapasā cāsmi tvayā vīryeṇa vā vibho

The woman said: 'Know me, O best of demons, as the fortune of the three worlds. I have been won by you, O lord, through your austerity, or through your valor.'

Verse 228 (skanda.1.56.228)

वीर्यवंतं त्वनलसं तपस्विनमकातरम्॥ दातारं चापि भोक्तारं युक्त्या सेवामि तं नरम्

vīryavaṁtaṁ tvanalasaṁ tapasvinamakātaram dātāraṁ cāpi bhoktāraṁ yuktyā sevāmi taṁ naram

'By nature I attend upon the man who is valorous, untiring, given to austerity, undaunted, generous, and one who rightly enjoys his fortune.'

Verse 229 (skanda.1.56.229)

भीरुं निर्विण्ण्मत्यर्थं साध्वीपीडाकरं नरम्॥ सर्वातिशंकिनं सद्यस्त्यजामि दितिनंदन

bhīruṁ nirviṇṇmatyarthaṁ sādhvīpīḍākaraṁ naram sarvātiśaṁkinaṁ sadyastyajāmi ditinaṁdana

'But the cowardly, the utterly despondent, the man who oppresses the virtuous, and one who is suspicious of everyone — such a man, O son of Diti, I abandon at once.'

Verse 230 (skanda.1.56.230)

महेंद्रण च माता ते यदा सा व्यपमानिता॥ तदैव त्यक्तप्रायोऽसाविदानीं तव संवशे

maheṁdraṇa ca mātā te yadā sā vyapamānitā tadaiva tyaktaprāyo'sāvidānīṁ tava saṁvaśe

'And when your mother was dishonored by Mahendra, even then she was as good as abandoned by me; and now I am in your power.'

Verse 231 (skanda.1.56.231)

तारकश्च ततः प्राह परमं चेति तां तदा॥ सा चाविवेश तं देवी त्रिजगत्पूजिता रमा

tārakaśca tataḥ prāha paramaṁ ceti tāṁ tadā sā cāviveśa taṁ devī trijagatpūjitā ramā

Then Taraka said to her, 'Excellent, so be it' — and that goddess Rama, worshipped by the three worlds, entered into him.

Verse 232 (skanda.1.56.232)

ततो दैत्याधिपं नार्यो दानवानां विभूषिताः॥ वीरकांस्यमुपादाय वर्धयांचक्रिरे मुदा

tato daityādhipaṁ nāryo dānavānāṁ vibhūṣitāḥ vīrakāṁsyamupādāya vardhayāṁcakrire mudā

Then the adorned wives of the demons, taking up ceremonial vessels, joyously performed rites of celebration in honor of the lord of demons.

Verse 233 (skanda.1.56.233)

देवाश्च द्वारि तिष्ठंति बद्धा दैत्यैर्भृशातुराः॥ उपहस्यमाना नारीभिर्दैत्यैरन्यैश्च नागरैः

devāśca dvāri tiṣṭhaṁti baddhā daityairbhṛśāturāḥ upahasyamānā nārībhirdaityairanyaiśca nāgaraiḥ

And the gods stood bound at the gate, sorely afflicted, mocked by the demon-women, by other demons, and by the townsfolk.

Verse 234 (skanda.1.56.234)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे विष्णुर्दैत्यरूपं समास्थितः॥ उपहासकमध्यस्थो गाथे द्वे प्राह बुद्धिमान्

etasminnaṁtare viṣṇurdaityarūpaṁ samāsthitaḥ upahāsakamadhyastho gāthe dve prāha buddhimān

At that moment, Vishnu, having assumed a demon's form, standing amid the mockers, wisely spoke two verses:

Verse 235 (skanda.1.56.235)

इदमल्पतरंनाम यदमीषां च दृश्यते॥ मातृक्रोधं स्मरन्राजा किंकिं यन्न करिष्यति

idamalpataraṁnāma yadamīṣāṁ ca dṛśyate mātṛkrodhaṁ smaranrājā kiṁkiṁ yanna kariṣyati

'This is a small thing indeed, compared to what is seen elsewhere — a king who remembers his mother's dishonor, what indeed would he not do?

Verse 236 (skanda.1.56.236)

बलीयांसं समासाद्य न नमेद्यो न चास्ति सः॥ मर्कवच्छ्वेतबाकीयैरुपायैः स्थीयतां सुराः

balīyāṁsaṁ samāsādya na namedyo na cāsti saḥ markavacchvetabākīyairupāyaiḥ sthīyatāṁ surāḥ

There is none who, before one mightier, does not bow. Therefore, O gods, remain here in the form of monkeys, employing the patient cunning of the heron.'

Verse 237 (skanda.1.56.237)

उपहासमुखेनामी उपदेशं हरेर्मुखात्॥ समाकर्ण्य ततो देवा मर्क्करूपेण संस्थिताः

upahāsamukhenāmī upadeśaṁ harermukhāt samākarṇya tato devā markkarūpeṇa saṁsthitāḥ

Hearing this counsel from Hari's mouth, given under the guise of mockery, the gods then took on the form of monkeys,

Verse 238 (skanda.1.56.238)

नृत्यंतस्ते च बहुधा दैत्याश्चासुरयोषितः॥ भृशं च नोदयामासुर्मुदा भोज्यानि ते ददुः

nṛtyaṁtaste ca bahudhā daityāścāsurayoṣitaḥ bhṛśaṁ ca nodayāmāsurmudā bhojyāni te daduḥ

and danced about in many ways; and the demons and their women, greatly delighted, urged them on and gave them food.

Verse 239 (skanda.1.56.239)

विष्णुर्दैत्यप्रतीहारं ततः प्रोवाच बुद्धिमान्॥ विनोदाय महाराज्ञो मर्कानेतान्प्रकीर्तय

viṣṇurdaityapratīhāraṁ tataḥ provāca buddhimān vinodāya mahārājño markānetānprakīrtaya

Then wise Vishnu said to the demon door-keeper: 'Announce these monkeys, for the amusement of the great king.'

Verse 240 (skanda.1.56.240)

प्रतीहारस्ततो हृष्टः सभामध्ये विवेश सः॥ जानुभ्यां धरणीं गत्वा बद्धा च करसंपुटम्

pratīhārastato hṛṣṭaḥ sabhāmadhye viveśa saḥ jānubhyāṁ dharaṇīṁ gatvā baddhā ca karasaṁpuṭam

The doorkeeper, delighted, then entered into the midst of the assembly; and, touching the ground with his knees and joining his cupped hands,

Verse 241 (skanda.1.56.241)

उवाचानाविलं वाक्यमल्पाक्षरपरिस्फुटम्॥ दैत्येंद्र मर्कवृंदानि द्वारि तिष्ठंति ते प्रभो

uvācānāvilaṁ vākyamalpākṣaraparisphuṭam daityeṁdra markavṛṁdāni dvāri tiṣṭhaṁti te prabho

he spoke clear words, plain and brief: 'O lord of demons, my lord, troops of monkeys stand at your gate,

Verse 242 (skanda.1.56.242)

भृशं विनोदकारिणि स्पृहा चेद्द्रष्टुमर्हसि॥ तन्निशम्याब्रवीद्राजा किं चिरं क्रियते त्वया

bhṛśaṁ vinodakāriṇi spṛhā ceddraṣṭumarhasi tanniśamyābravīdrājā kiṁ ciraṁ kriyate tvayā

most entertaining; if you desire, you should see them.' Hearing this, the king said: 'Why do you delay so long?'

Verse 243 (skanda.1.56.243)

क्षत्ता चेति वचः श्रुत्वा कालनेमिं तदाब्रवीत्॥ मर्कानेतान्महाराजो द्रष्टुमिच्छति शीघ्रतः

kṣattā ceti vacaḥ śrutvā kālanemiṁ tadābravīt markānetānmahārājo draṣṭumicchati śīghrataḥ

Having heard the word of assent, he then said to Kalanemi: 'The great king wishes to see these monkeys at once —

Verse 244 (skanda.1.56.244)

रक्षपाल सहैभिस्त्वं राजानमनुकूलय॥ कालनेमिरुपादाय मर्कान्यातो नृपं ततः

rakṣapāla sahaibhistvaṁ rājānamanukūlaya kālanemirupādāya markānyāto nṛpaṁ tataḥ

O guardian, bring them along and present them favorably to the king.' Kalanemi then took the monkeys and went to the king.

Verse 245 (skanda.1.56.245)

मर्कमध्ये विष्णुमर्को यातस्त्यक्त्वा च दैत्यताम्॥ ततस्तारकदैत्यस्य पुरतो ननृतुर्भृशम्

markamadhye viṣṇumarko yātastyaktvā ca daityatām tatastārakadaityasya purato nanṛturbhṛśam

Among the monkeys, the Vishnu-monkey went too, having cast off his demon-form. Then, before the demon Taraka, they danced with great vigor,

Verse 246 (skanda.1.56.246)

मर्का दैत्यकरोत्तालैर्हर्षनादविनोदितैः॥ ततोऽतिमुदितो राजा तेषां नृत्येन सोऽब्रवीत्

markā daityakarottālairharṣanādavinoditaiḥ tato'timudito rājā teṣāṁ nṛtyena so'bravīt

the monkeys, urged on by the demons' clapping and joyful cries. Then the king, greatly pleased by their dance, said —

Verse 247 (skanda.1.56.247)

अभयं वो मर्कदेवास्तुष्टो यच्छाम्यहं त्विदम्॥ मद्गृहे स्थीयतामेव न च कार्यं भयं हृदि

abhayaṁ vo markadevāstuṣṭo yacchāmyahaṁ tvidam madgṛhe sthīyatāmeva na ca kāryaṁ bhayaṁ hṛdi

'I, well pleased, grant you safety, O monkey-lords; dwell in my own house, and have no fear in your hearts.'

Verse 248 (skanda.1.56.248)

इति श्रुत्वा विष्णुमर्कः प्रनृत्यन्नि दमब्रवीत्॥ राजन्विज्ञातुमिच्छामस्तव गेहावधिं वयम्

iti śrutvā viṣṇumarkaḥ pranṛtyanni damabravīt rājanvijñātumicchāmastava gehāvadhiṁ vayam

Hearing this, the Vishnu-monkey, still dancing, said: 'O king, we wish to know the extent of your house.'

Verse 249 (skanda.1.56.249)

एवमुक्ते प्रहस्याह तारको दैत्यसत्तमः॥ त्रिभूमिकं हि मे गेहमिदं यद्भुवनत्रयम्

evamukte prahasyāha tārako daityasattamaḥ tribhūmikaṁ hi me gehamidaṁ yadbhuvanatrayam

Hearing this, Taraka, foremost of demons, laughed and said: 'This triple world itself is my house of three storeys.'

Verse 250 (skanda.1.56.250)

हरिमर्कस्ततः प्राह यद्येवं स्वं वचः स्मर॥ त्रैलोक्ये विचरंत्वेते मर्का राजन्सुनिर्भयाः

harimarkastataḥ prāha yadyevaṁ svaṁ vacaḥ smara trailokye vicaraṁtvete markā rājansunirbhayāḥ

The Hari-monkey then said: 'If that is so, remember your own word — let these monkeys, O king, wander through the three worlds, wholly without fear.'

Verse 251 (skanda.1.56.251)

अश्वमेधशतस्यापि सत्यं राजन्विशिष्यते॥ धर्ममेनं स्मरन्सत्यं वचनं कुरु दैत्यप

aśvamedhaśatasyāpi satyaṁ rājanviśiṣyate dharmamenaṁ smaransatyaṁ vacanaṁ kuru daityapa

'Truth, O king, surpasses even a hundred horse-sacrifices. Remembering this virtue, O lord of demons, make your word true.'

Verse 252 (skanda.1.56.252)

ततः सुविस्मितो दैत्यः प्राहेदं वचनं तदा॥ मर्कटाहो प्रबुद्धोऽसि सत्यं ब्रूहि च को भवान्

tataḥ suvismito daityaḥ prāhedaṁ vacanaṁ tadā markaṭāho prabuddho'si satyaṁ brūhi ca ko bhavān

Then, greatly astonished, the demon said: 'O monkey, ah, you are indeed wise — tell me truly, who are you?'

Verse 253 (skanda.1.56.253)

॥श्रीभगवानुवाच॥ अहं नारायणोनाम यदि श्रोत्रमुपागतः॥ देवानां रक्षणार्थाय मर्करूपमुपाश्रितः

śrībhagavānuvāca ahaṁ nārāyaṇonāma yadi śrotramupāgataḥ devānāṁ rakṣaṇārthāya markarūpamupāśritaḥ

The blessed Lord said: 'I am called Narayana, if that name has ever reached your ears; for the protection of the gods, I have taken refuge in this monkey's form.'

Verse 254 (skanda.1.56.254)

तच्चेन्मान्यतमो धर्मस्तव तद्वचनं स्वकम्॥ परिपालय ते गेहं विचरंतु सुरास्त्वमी

taccenmānyatamo dharmastava tadvacanaṁ svakam paripālaya te gehaṁ vicaraṁtu surāstvamī

'If, then, dharma is most honored by you, keep your own word — let these gods wander freely in your realm.'

Verse 255 (skanda.1.56.255)

अवलोपश्च राजेंद्र न कर्तव्यस्त्वया हृदी॥ वीरोऽहमिति संचिन्त्य पश्यता कालजं बलम्

avalopaśca rājeṁdra na kartavyastvayā hṛdī vīro'hamiti saṁcintya paśyatā kālajaṁ balam

'And, O lord of kings, you should not let pride rise in your heart, thinking, I am a hero — look instead at the power born of Time.'

Verse 256 (skanda.1.56.256)

पर्यायैर्हन्यमानानामभिहंता न विद्यते॥ मौढ्यमेतत्तु यद्द्वेष्टा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते

paryāyairhanyamānānāmabhihaṁtā na vidyate mauḍhyametattu yaddveṣṭā kartāhamiti manyate

'For those struck down in their turn, there is in truth no single slayer; it is sheer folly for the enemy to think, I alone am the doer.'

Verse 257 (skanda.1.56.257)

ऋषींश्च देवांश्च महासुरांश्च त्रैविद्यवृद्धांश्च वने मुनींश्च॥ कं वापदो नोपनमंति काले कालस्य वीर्यं न तु कर्तुरेतत्

ṛṣīṁśca devāṁśca mahāsurāṁśca traividyavṛddhāṁśca vane munīṁśca kaṁ vāpado nopanamaṁti kāle kālasya vīryaṁ na tu karturetat

'Sages, gods, great demons, elders learned in the three Vedas, and hermits of the forest — whom do calamities not visit, in time? This is the power of Time alone, and not of any doer.'

Verse 258 (skanda.1.56.258)

न मंत्रबलवीर्येण प्रज्ञया पौरुषेण वा॥ अलभ्यं लभ्यते काले काले सुप्तोपि विंदति

na maṁtrabalavīryeṇa prajñayā pauruṣeṇa vā alabhyaṁ labhyate kāle kāle suptopi viṁdati

'Not by the power of spells, nor by strength, nor by wisdom, nor by manly effort, is the unattainable attained — it comes only in Time; when the time is right, even one who sleeps obtains it.'

Verse 259 (skanda.1.56.259)

न मातृपितृशुश्रूषा न च दैवतपूजनम्॥ नान्यो गुणसमाचारः पुरषस्य सुखावहः

na mātṛpitṛśuśrūṣā na ca daivatapūjanam nānyo guṇasamācāraḥ puraṣasya sukhāvahaḥ

'Neither service to mother and father, nor worship of the gods, nor any other virtuous conduct, by itself brings a man happiness.'

Verse 260 (skanda.1.56.260)

न विद्या न तपो दानं न मित्राणि न वांधवाः॥ शक्नुवंति परित्रातुं नरं कालेन पीडितम्

na vidyā na tapo dānaṁ na mitrāṇi na vāṁdhavāḥ śaknuvaṁti paritrātuṁ naraṁ kālena pīḍitam

'Neither learning, nor austerity, nor charity, nor friends, nor kinsmen are able to save a man afflicted by Time.'

Verse 261 (skanda.1.56.261)

नागामिगमनार्थं हि प्रतिघातशतैरपि॥ शक्नुवंति प्रतिव्योढुमृते कालबलं नराः

nāgāmigamanārthaṁ hi pratighātaśatairapi śaknuvaṁti prativyoḍhumṛte kālabalaṁ narāḥ

'Men are unable, even by a hundred counter-strokes, to hold back what is to come, except through the very power of Time itself.'

Verse 262 (skanda.1.56.262)

देहवत्पुण्यकर्माणि जीववत्काल उच्यते॥ द्वयोः समागमे दैत्य कार्याणां सिद्धिरिष्यते

dehavatpuṇyakarmāṇi jīvavatkāla ucyate dvayoḥ samāgame daitya kāryāṇāṁ siddhiriṣyate

'Meritorious deeds are said to be like the body, and Time like the living soul within it; O demon, only in the meeting of these two does the accomplishment of any undertaking occur.'

Verse 263 (skanda.1.56.263)

अहो दैत्य त्वद्विशिष्टा दैत्यानां कोटयः पुरा॥ शाल्मलेस्तूलवत्क्षिप्ताः कालवातेन दुर्दशाः

aho daitya tvadviśiṣṭā daityānāṁ koṭayaḥ purā śālmalestūlavatkṣiptāḥ kālavātena durdaśāḥ

'Ah, demon — tens of millions of demons, far greater than you, have in the past been swept away by the wind of Time, like the down of the silk-cotton tree, reduced to wretchedness.'

Verse 264 (skanda.1.56.264)

इदं तु लब्ध्वा त्वं स्थानमात्मानं बहु मन्यसे॥ सर्वभूतभवं देवं ब्रह्माणमिव शाश्वतम्

idaṁ tu labdhvā tvaṁ sthānamātmānaṁ bahu manyase sarvabhūtabhavaṁ devaṁ brahmāṇamiva śāśvatam

'Having gained this position, you think too highly of yourself — as if you were the eternal Brahma, the source of all beings.'

Verse 265 (skanda.1.56.265)

न चेदमचलं स्थानमनंतं चापि कस्यचित्॥ त्वं तु बालिशया बुद्ध्या ममेदमिति मन्यसे

na cedamacalaṁ sthānamanaṁtaṁ cāpi kasyacit tvaṁ tu bāliśayā buddhyā mamedamiti manyase

'But this position is unmoving for none, nor endless for anyone; yet you, with a childish mind, think, this is mine.'

Verse 266 (skanda.1.56.266)

अविश्वास्ये विश्वसिषि मन्यसे चाऽध्रुवं ध्रुवम्॥ ममेदमिति मोहात्त्वं त्रिलोकीश्रियमीप्ससि

aviśvāsye viśvasiṣi manyase cā'dhruvaṁ dhruvam mamedamiti mohāttvaṁ trilokīśriyamīpsasi

'You place your trust in what is untrustworthy, and hold the unstable to be stable; out of delusion, thinking this is mine, you crave the fortune of the three worlds.'

Verse 267 (skanda.1.56.267)

नेयं तव न चास्माकं न चान्येषां स्थिरा मता॥ अतिक्रम्य बहून्यांस्त्वयि तावदियं स्थिता

neyaṁ tava na cāsmākaṁ na cānyeṣāṁ sthirā matā atikramya bahūnyāṁstvayi tāvadiyaṁ sthitā

'This fortune is held to be permanent neither for you, nor for us, nor for any other; having passed over many before you, it now, for a time, rests with you.'

Verse 268 (skanda.1.56.268)

कंचित्कालमियं स्थित्वा त्वयि तारक चंचला॥ पुंश्चलीवातिचपला पुनरन्यं गमिष्यति

kaṁcitkālamiyaṁ sthitvā tvayi tāraka caṁcalā puṁścalīvāticapalā punaranyaṁ gamiṣyati

'Having stayed with you for some while, O Taraka, this fickle Fortune, wanton as a faithless woman, will pass on again to another.'

Verse 269 (skanda.1.56.269)

सरत्नौषदिसंपन्नं ससरित्पर्वताकरम्॥ तानिदानीं न पश्यामि यैर्भुक्तं भुवनत्रयम्

saratnauṣadisaṁpannaṁ sasaritparvatākaram tānidānīṁ na paśyāmi yairbhuktaṁ bhuvanatrayam

'Rich with jewels and herbs, with its rivers, mountains, and mines — I no longer see now those by whom this triple world was once enjoyed.'

Verse 270 (skanda.1.56.270)

हिरण्यकशिपुर्वीरो हिरण्याक्षश्च दुर्जयः॥ प्रह्रादो नमुचिर्वीरो विप्रचित्तिर्विरोचनः

hiraṇyakaśipurvīro hiraṇyākṣaśca durjayaḥ prahrādo namucirvīro vipracittirvirocanaḥ

'The hero Hiranyakashipu, unconquerable Hiranyaksha, Prahlada, the hero Namuchi, Vipracitti, Virochana,'

Verse 271 (skanda.1.56.271)

कीर्तिः शूरश्च वीरश्च वातापिरिल्वलस्तथा॥ अश्वग्रीवः शंबरश्च पुलोमा मधुकैटभौ

kīrtiḥ śūraśca vīraśca vātāpirilvalastathā aśvagrīvaḥ śaṁbaraśca pulomā madhukaiṭabhau

'Kirti, Shura, Vira, Vatapi and Ilvala too, Ashvagriva, Shambara, Puloma, and Madhu and Kaitabha,'

Verse 272 (skanda.1.56.272)

विश्वजित्प्रमुखाश्चान्ये दानवेंद्रा महाबलाः॥ कालेन निहताः सर्वे कालो हि बलवत्तरः

viśvajitpramukhāścānye dānaveṁdrā mahābalāḥ kālena nihatāḥ sarve kālo hi balavattaraḥ

'Vishvajit, and other mighty lords of the demons besides — all of them were slain by Time; for Time indeed is the stronger.'

Verse 273 (skanda.1.56.273)

सर्वैर्वर्षायुतं तप्तं न त्वमेको महातपाः॥ सर्वे सत्यव्रतपराः सर्वे चासन्बहुश्रुताः

sarvairvarṣāyutaṁ taptaṁ na tvameko mahātapāḥ sarve satyavrataparāḥ sarve cāsanbahuśrutāḥ

'All of them practiced austerities for ten thousand years — you are not the only one of great austerity. All were devoted to vows of truth, all were widely learned,'

Verse 274 (skanda.1.56.274)

सर्वे यथार्हदातारः सर्वे दाक्षायणीसुताः॥ ज्वलंतः प्रजयंतश्च कालेन प्रतिसंहताः

sarve yathārhadātāraḥ sarve dākṣāyaṇīsutāḥ jvalaṁtaḥ prajayaṁtaśca kālena pratisaṁhatāḥ

'all gave gifts as was fitting, all were sons of Daksha's daughters; blazing and multiplying in power, yet all, in the end, were gathered in by Time.'

Verse 275 (skanda.1.56.275)

मुंचेच्छां कामभोगेषु मुंचेमं श्रीभवं मदम्॥ एतदैश्वर्यनाशे त्वां शोकः संपीडयिष्यति

muṁcecchāṁ kāmabhogeṣu muṁcemaṁ śrībhavaṁ madam etadaiśvaryanāśe tvāṁ śokaḥ saṁpīḍayiṣyati

'Give up your craving for sensual pleasures; give up this pride born of prosperity — for when this sovereignty is lost, grief will crush you.'

Verse 276 (skanda.1.56.276)

शोककाले शुचो मात्वं हर्षकाले च मा हृषः॥ अतीतानागते हि त्वा प्रत्युत्पन्नेन वर्तय

śokakāle śuco mātvaṁ harṣakāle ca mā hṛṣaḥ atītānāgate hi tvā pratyutpannena vartaya

'In the time of grief, do not grieve; in the time of joy, do not exult; conduct yourself not by the past or the future, but by what is present.'

Verse 277 (skanda.1.56.277)

इंद्रं चेदागतः कालः सदा युक्त मतंद्रितम्॥ क्षमस्व न चिराद्दैत्य त्वामप्युपगमिष्यति

iṁdraṁ cedāgataḥ kālaḥ sadā yukta mataṁdritam kṣamasva na cirāddaitya tvāmapyupagamiṣyati

'If Time has come even for Indra, ever vigilant and untiring — then, O demon, forgive these gods; it will not be long before it comes for you as well.'

Verse 278 (skanda.1.56.278)

को हि स्थातुमलं लोके मम क्रुद्धस्य संयुगे॥ कालस्तु बलवान्प्राप्तस्तेन तिष्ठामि तारक

ko hi sthātumalaṁ loke mama kruddhasya saṁyuge kālastu balavānprāptastena tiṣṭhāmi tāraka

'Who indeed in this world is able to stand before me in battle when I am angered? But it is Time, still more powerful, that has come upon me — and for that reason, Taraka, I stand here thus.'

Verse 279 (skanda.1.56.279)

त्वमेव वेत्सि मां दैत्य योहं यादृक्पराक्रमः॥ कल्पेकल्पे महादैत्याः कोटिशोऽर्बुदशोहताः

tvameva vetsi māṁ daitya yohaṁ yādṛkparākramaḥ kalpekalpe mahādaityāḥ koṭiśo'rbudaśohatāḥ

'You yourself know, demon, who I am and what my valor is like. In aeon after aeon, great demons by the tens and hundreds of millions have been slain —'

Verse 280 (skanda.1.56.280)

येषां त्वं कोटिभागेऽपि परिपूर्णो न तारक॥ कल्पेकल्पे सृजामीदं ब्रह्मादि सकलं जगत्

yeṣāṁ tvaṁ koṭibhāge'pi paripūrṇo na tāraka kalpekalpe sṛjāmīdaṁ brahmādi sakalaṁ jagat

'— of whom you do not equal even one ten-millionth part, O Taraka. In aeon after aeon, I create this entire universe, together with Brahma —'

Verse 281 (skanda.1.56.281)

इच्छन्संजीवयाम्येतदनिच्छन्नाशये क्षणात्॥ न हि त्वां नोत्सहे हंतुं सर्वदैत्यसमायुतम्

icchansaṁjīvayāmyetadanicchannāśaye kṣaṇāt na hi tvāṁ notsahe haṁtuṁ sarvadaityasamāyutam

'— willing it, I give it life; not willing it, I destroy it in an instant. It is not that I lack the will to slay you, together with all the demons —'

Verse 282 (skanda.1.56.282)

अंगुल्यग्रेण दैत्येंद्र पुनर्धर्मं नलोपये॥ यद्यहं प्रवरो भूत्वा धर्मं ब्रह्मवरात्मकम्

aṁgulyagreṇa daityeṁdra punardharmaṁ nalopaye yadyahaṁ pravaro bhūtvā dharmaṁ brahmavarātmakam

'— even with the very tip of a finger, O lord of demons — but I do not wish to violate dharma once more. For if I, having become supreme,'

Verse 283 (skanda.1.56.283)

लोपयामि ततः कं च धर्मोऽयं शरणं व्रजेत्॥ अहं कर्तेति मा मंस्थाः कर्तायस्तु सदा प्रभुः

lopayāmi tataḥ kaṁ ca dharmo'yaṁ śaraṇaṁ vrajet ahaṁ karteti mā maṁsthāḥ kartāyastu sadā prabhuḥ

'the dharma that is the very essence of Brahma's boon, then to whom, indeed, would this dharma turn for refuge? Do not think, I am the doer — the true doer is ever the Lord alone.'

Verse 284 (skanda.1.56.284)

सोऽयं कालः पचेद्विश्वं वृक्षे फलमिवागतम्॥ यैरेव कर्मभिः सौख्यं दुःखं तैरेवकर्मभिः

so'yaṁ kālaḥ pacedviśvaṁ vṛkṣe phalamivāgatam yaireva karmabhiḥ saukhyaṁ duḥkhaṁ tairevakarmabhiḥ

'This very Time ripens the universe, as fruit ripens upon a tree. By the very deeds through which happiness comes, by those very deeds sorrow too —'

Verse 285 (skanda.1.56.285)

प्राप्नोति पुरुषो दैत्य पश्य कालस्य चित्रताम्॥ सर्वं कालवशादेव बोद्वव्यं धीर्युतेर्नरैः

prāpnoti puruṣo daitya paśya kālasya citratām sarvaṁ kālavaśādeva bodvavyaṁ dhīryuternaraiḥ

'— comes to a man, O demon; behold the wondrous strangeness of Time! All things, wise men should understand, are under the sway of Time alone.'

Verse 286 (skanda.1.56.286)

स्वकर्मपरिपाकस्य फलदं वै विदुर्बुधाः॥ तस्मात्कर्म शुभं कार्यं पुण्यात्पुण्यात्मकं च यत्

svakarmaparipākasya phaladaṁ vai vidurbudhāḥ tasmātkarma śubhaṁ kāryaṁ puṇyātpuṇyātmakaṁ ca yat

'The wise know Time as the giver of the fruit of one's own ripening deeds. Therefore auspicious action should be performed, and whatever is meritorious, born of merit —'

Verse 287 (skanda.1.56.287)

पुण्येन तत्र सोख्यं स्याद्दृःखं पापेन निश्चितम्॥ इति संचिंत्य दैत्येंद्र स्वं वचः परिपालय॥ मदुक्तं वचनं सर्वं यदि मंतुमिहार्हसि

puṇyena tatra sokhyaṁ syāddṛḥkhaṁ pāpena niścitam iti saṁciṁtya daityeṁdra svaṁ vacaḥ paripālaya maduktaṁ vacanaṁ sarvaṁ yadi maṁtumihārhasi

'— by merit, happiness comes there; by sin, sorrow surely follows. Reflecting thus, O lord of demons, keep your own word — if you find all that I have said here worthy of acceptance.'

Verse 288 (skanda.1.56.288)

॥तारक उवाच॥ मामत्र संस्थितं दृष्ट्वा कालनेमिमुखैर्युतम्

tāraka uvāca māmatra saṁsthitaṁ dṛṣṭvā kālanemimukhairyutam

Taraka said: 'Seeing me established here, attended by Kalanemi and the others,'

Verse 289 (skanda.1.56.289)

कस्येह न व्यथेद्बुर्मृत्योरपि जिवांसतः॥ सा ते न व्यथते बुद्धिरचला तत्त्वदर्शिनी

kasyeha na vyathedburmṛtyorapi jivāṁsataḥ sā te na vyathate buddhiracalā tattvadarśinī

'whose mind here would not tremble, even one longing to defy death itself? Yet your understanding, unshaken and seeing truth as it is, does not waver.'

Verse 290 (skanda.1.56.290)

ब्रवीषि यद्यत्त्वं वाक्यं ततथैव न संशयः॥ को हि विश्वासमर्थेषु शरीरे वा शरीरभृत्

bravīṣi yadyattvaṁ vākyaṁ tatathaiva na saṁśayaḥ ko hi viśvāsamartheṣu śarīre vā śarīrabhṛt

'Whatever words you speak are, without doubt, surely so. For who, indeed, among embodied beings, places true trust in worldly things, or even in the body itself?'

Verse 291 (skanda.1.56.291)

कर्तुमुत्सहते लोके दृष्ट्वा संप्रस्थितं जगत्॥ अहमप्येवमेवैनं लोकं जानाम्यशाश्वतम्

kartumutsahate loke dṛṣṭvā saṁprasthitaṁ jagat ahamapyevamevainaṁ lokaṁ jānāmyaśāśvatam

'Who has the courage to act, seeing the world forever passing away? I too know this world in just this way, as impermanent —'

Verse 292 (skanda.1.56.292)

कालाग्नावाहितं घोरे गुह्ये सततगत्वरे॥ इदमद्य करिष्यामि श्वःकर्तास्मीतिवादिनः

kālāgnāvāhitaṁ ghore guhye satatagatvare idamadya kariṣyāmi śvaḥkartāsmītivādinaḥ

'— cast into the terrible, hidden, ever-moving fire of Time. Those who say, I shall do this today, that tomorrow —'

Verse 293 (skanda.1.56.293)

कालो हरति संप्राप्ते नदीवेग इवोन्मुखान्॥ इदानीं तावदेवासौ मया दृष्टो न विस्मृतः

kālo harati saṁprāpte nadīvega ivonmukhān idānīṁ tāvadevāsau mayā dṛṣṭo na vismṛtaḥ

'— Time sweeps them away when it comes, as a river's current sweeps away those who stand facing it. This, even now, I have seen and have not forgotten —'

Verse 294 (skanda.1.56.294)

कालेन ह्रियमाणानां प्रलापः श्रूयते नृणाम्॥ ईर्ष्याभिमानलोभेषु कामक्रो धभयेषु च

kālena hriyamāṇānāṁ pralāpaḥ śrūyate nṛṇām īrṣyābhimānalobheṣu kāmakro dhabhayeṣu ca

'— the vain lament of men being swept away by Time is heard, absorbed in envy, pride, and greed, in desire, anger, and fear —'

Verse 295 (skanda.1.56.295)

स्पृहामोहातिवादेषु लोकः सक्तो न बुध्यते॥ गुरुं वाप्यगुरुं वापि कृत्याकृत्यं च केशव

spṛhāmohātivādeṣu lokaḥ sakto na budhyate guruṁ vāpyaguruṁ vāpi kṛtyākṛtyaṁ ca keśava

'— in craving, delusion, and boastful talk. Attached thus, the world does not awaken, neither to what is weighty nor trivial, to what should or should not be done, O Keshava.'

Verse 296 (skanda.1.56.296)

जानामि त्वामहं विष्णो सर्वभूतवरं प्रभुम्॥ किं कुर्मः स्वस्वभावेन बलिना त्वां न मन्महे

jānāmi tvāmahaṁ viṣṇo sarvabhūtavaraṁ prabhum kiṁ kurmaḥ svasvabhāvena balinā tvāṁ na manmahe

'I know you, O Vishnu, as the supreme Lord of all beings; yet what can we do? — by our own nature, mighty though we are, we fail to honor you as we ought.'

Verse 297 (skanda.1.56.297)

केचिद्भजंति त्वां भक्त्या वैरेण हेलया परे॥ सर्वेनुकंप्यास्ते तुभ्यमतरात्मासि देहिनाम्

kecidbhajaṁti tvāṁ bhaktyā vaireṇa helayā pare sarvenukaṁpyāste tubhyamatarātmāsi dehinām

'Some worship you with devotion; others through enmity or through disdain; all are objects of your compassion, for you are the inner Self of all embodied beings.'

Verse 298 (skanda.1.56.298)

पुराणः शाश्वतो धर्मः सर्वप्राणभृतां समः॥ मामालंब्य मया मुक्ता यांतु सर्वे दिवौकसः

purāṇaḥ śāśvato dharmaḥ sarvaprāṇabhṛtāṁ samaḥ māmālaṁbya mayā muktā yāṁtu sarve divaukasaḥ

'The dharma of refuge is ancient and eternal, equal toward all living beings. Relying upon my word, let all these gods, released by me, now depart.'

Verse 299 (skanda.1.56.299)

पुनर्मर्कस्वरूपेण भ्रांतव्यं भुवनत्रयम्॥ स्पृहापि यज्ञभागानां न कार्या समयस्त्वयम्

punarmarkasvarūpeṇa bhrāṁtavyaṁ bhuvanatrayam spṛhāpi yajñabhāgānāṁ na kāryā samayastvayam

'Yet they must wander the three worlds again in monkey-form; and they shall entertain no desire for their shares in the sacrifice — such is our agreement.'

Verse 300 (skanda.1.56.300)

एवमुक्ते तारकेण देवा हर्षं प्रपेदिरे॥ मुच्यते हृतलोमापि मेषो लाभो हि सौनिकात्

evamukte tārakeṇa devā harṣaṁ prapedire mucyate hṛtalomāpi meṣo lābho hi saunikāt

When Taraka had spoken thus, the gods were filled with joy: 'Even a sheep, though shorn of its wool, counts it a gain to be freed from the butcher.'

Verse 301 (skanda.1.56.301)

॥श्रीभगवानुवाच॥ दैत्येंद्र भव तत्त्वज्ञो विद्याज्ञानतपोन्वितः॥ कालं पश्यसि सुव्यक्तं पाणावामलकं यथा

śrībhagavānuvāca daityeṁdra bhava tattvajño vidyājñānataponvitaḥ kālaṁ paśyasi suvyaktaṁ pāṇāvāmalakaṁ yathā

The blessed Lord said: 'O lord of demons, be a knower of truth, endowed with learning, wisdom, and austerity — you perceive Time as clearly as an amalaka fruit held in the palm of your hand.'

Verse 302 (skanda.1.56.302)

कालचारित्रतत्त्वज्ञ शिवभक्त महामते॥ वज्रांगसुत धन्योऽसि स्पृहणीयोऽसि धीमताम्

kālacāritratattvajña śivabhakta mahāmate vajrāṁgasuta dhanyo'si spṛhaṇīyo'si dhīmatām

'O knower of the ways of Time, devotee of Shiva, great in wisdom, son of Vajranga — you are blessed indeed, and worthy of envy even among the wise.'

Verse 303 (skanda.1.56.303)

यावत्ते तपसो वीर्यं तावद्भुंक्ष्वजगत्त्रयम्॥ एतेन समयेनैते चरिष्यंति सुरा जगत्

yāvatte tapaso vīryaṁ tāvadbhuṁkṣvajagattrayam etena samayenaite cariṣyaṁti surā jagat

'For as long as the power of your austerity lasts, so long enjoy the three worlds. By this agreement, these gods shall roam the world freely.'

Verse 304 (skanda.1.56.304)

इत्युक्त्वा मर्कयूथेन वृतो नारायणः प्रभुः॥ स्थानादस्मादपाक्रम्य मेरुं प्रति ययौ तदा

ityuktvā markayūthena vṛto nārāyaṇaḥ prabhuḥ sthānādasmādapākramya meruṁ prati yayau tadā

Having said this, the Lord Narayana, surrounded by the troop of monkeys, departed from that place and went toward Mount Meru.

Verse 305 (skanda.1.56.305)

ततो मेरुं समागम्य प्रोवाच वचनं हरिः॥ भवंतो यांतु ब्रह्मणं स धास्यति च वो हितम्

tato meruṁ samāgamya provāca vacanaṁ hariḥ bhavaṁto yāṁtu brahmaṇaṁ sa dhāsyati ca vo hitam

Then, having arrived at Meru, Hari spoke these words: 'Go now to Brahma; he will grant you what is good.'

Verse 306 (skanda.1.56.306)

अप्रमत्तैः सदा भाव्यं पाल्यश्च समयस्तथा॥ इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्विष्णुस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत

apramattaiḥ sadā bhāvyaṁ pālyaśca samayastathā ityuktvā bhagavānviṣṇustatraivāṁtaradhīyata

'You must ever remain vigilant, and this agreement too must be honored.' Having said this, the blessed Vishnu vanished from that very place.

Verse 307 (skanda.1.56.307)

प्रणतः संस्तुतो देवैर्ब्रह्माणं च सुरा ययुः

praṇataḥ saṁstuto devairbrahmāṇaṁ ca surā yayuḥ

Bowed to and praised by the gods, he departed; and the gods then went to Brahma.

Verse 308 (skanda.1.56.308)

दिव्योत्तमैस्तत्र गतैरभिष्टुतो विदीप्ततेजा भुवनत्रयेऽपि॥ वज्रांगपुत्रोऽपि मुमोद वीरः शिवप्रसादेन महर्द्धिमाप्य

divyottamaistatra gatairabhiṣṭuto vidīptatejā bhuvanatraye'pi vajrāṁgaputro'pi mumoda vīraḥ śivaprasādena maharddhimāpya

Praised there by the finest of the divine hosts gathered together, his splendor blazing throughout the three worlds, the hero, son of Vajranga, rejoiced too, having obtained great prosperity through the grace of Shiva.

Verse 309 (skanda.1.56.309)

स्वयमिन्द्रो निमिर्वह्निः कालनेमिर्यमोऽपि च॥ स्तम्भश्च निर्ऋतिस्थाने महिषो वरुणास्तथा

svayamindro nimirvahniḥ kālanemiryamo'pi ca stambhaśca nirṛtisthāne mahiṣo varuṇāstathā

In Indra's own place was set Nimi; in Vahni's place, Kalanemi; in Yama's place too, another; in Nirriti's place, Stambha; in Varuna's place, Mahisha;

Verse 310 (skanda.1.56.310)

मेषो वाताधिकारि च कुजंभो धनदोऽभवत्॥ अन्येषां चाधिकारांश्च दैत्यानां तारको ददौ

meṣo vātādhikāri ca kujaṁbho dhanado'bhavat anyeṣāṁ cādhikārāṁśca daityānāṁ tārako dadau

Mesha became overlord of the wind, and Kujambha became the lord of wealth. And Taraka bestowed the other offices too upon the remaining demons.