The Slaying of Taraka by Kumara

Verse 1 (skanda.1.67.1)

॥नारद उवाच॥ श्रुत्वैतं संस्तवं दैत्यः संघुष्टं देवबंदिभिः॥ सस्मार ब्रह्मणो वाक्यं वधं बालादुपस्थितम्

nārada uvāca śrutvaitaṁ saṁstavaṁ daityaḥ saṁghuṣṭaṁ devabaṁdibhiḥ sasmāra brahmaṇo vākyaṁ vadhaṁ bālādupasthitam

Narada said: Hearing this hymn of praise proclaimed loudly by the celestial bards, the demon recalled Brahma's words — that his death was now at hand from a child.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.67.2)

श्रुत्वा स क्लिन्नसर्वांगो द्वाःस्थं राजा वचोऽब्रवीत्॥ अमात्यान्द्रष्टुमिच्छामि शीघ्रमानय मा चिरम्

śrutvā sa klinnasarvāṁgo dvāḥsthaṁ rājā vaco'bravīt amātyāndraṣṭumicchāmi śīghramānaya mā ciram

Hearing it, his whole body drenched with sweat, the king said to the gatekeeper: "I wish to see my ministers — bring them quickly, without delay."

Verse 3 (skanda.1.67.3)

ततस्ते राजवचनात्कालनेमि मुखागताः॥ प्राह तांस्तारको दैत्यः किमिदं वो विचेष्टितम्

tataste rājavacanātkālanemi mukhāgatāḥ prāha tāṁstārako daityaḥ kimidaṁ vo viceṣṭitam

Then, at the king's word, they came, led by Kalanemi. The demon Taraka said to them: "What is this conduct of yours?"

Verse 4 (skanda.1.67.4)

यैः शत्रुसंभवा वार्ता कापि न श्रीवितस्त्वहम्॥ मदिराकाममत्तानां मंत्रित्वं वो न युज्यते॥ हितं मन्त्रयते राज्ञस्तेन मंत्री निगद्यते

yaiḥ śatrusaṁbhavā vārtā kāpi na śrīvitastvaham madirākāmamattānāṁ maṁtritvaṁ vo na yujyate hitaṁ mantrayate rājñastena maṁtrī nigadyate

"— that I have not been informed of any news at all regarding the rise of an enemy! Your counsel is not fit for those intoxicated with wine and lust; a minister is so called because he counsels what is beneficial to the king."

Verse 5 (skanda.1.67.5)

॥अमात्या ऊचुः॥ को जानाति सुरान्दीनान्दैत्यानामिति नो मतिः

amātyā ūcuḥ ko jānāti surāndīnāndaityānāmiti no matiḥ

The ministers said: "Who could know that the wretched gods would dare this against the demons? — such was our thinking."

Verse 6 (skanda.1.67.6)

मा विषीद महाराज वयं जेष्यामहे सुरान्॥ बालादपि भयं किं वा लज्जायै चिंतितं त्विदम्

mā viṣīda mahārāja vayaṁ jeṣyāmahe surān bālādapi bhayaṁ kiṁ vā lajjāyai ciṁtitaṁ tvidam

"Do not despair, O great king; we shall conquer the gods. What fear could there be even from a child? This is a matter only for embarrassment, so considered."

Verse 7 (skanda.1.67.7)

सर्वमेतत्सुसाध्यं च भेरी संताड्यतां दृढम्॥ ततो दैत्येन्द्रवचनात्संनाहजननी तदा

sarvametatsusādhyaṁ ca bherī saṁtāḍyatāṁ dṛḍham tato daityendravacanātsaṁnāhajananī tadā

"All this is easily accomplished — let the war-drum be struck firmly." Then, at the demon-lord's command, the drum that summons to arms,

Verse 8 (skanda.1.67.8)

भृशं संताडिता भेरी कंपयामास सा जगत्॥ स्मरणाद्दैत्यराजस्य पर्वतेभ्यो महासुराः

bhṛśaṁ saṁtāḍitā bherī kaṁpayāmāsa sā jagat smaraṇāddaityarājasya parvatebhyo mahāsurāḥ

was struck loudly, and it made the world tremble. At the mere thought of the demon-king, great asuras from the mountains,

Verse 9 (skanda.1.67.9)

निम्नगाभ्यः समुद्रेभ्यः पातालेभ्योंऽबरादपि॥ सहसा समनुप्राप्ता युगांतानलसप्रभाः

nimnagābhyaḥ samudrebhyaḥ pātālebhyoṁ'barādapi sahasā samanuprāptā yugāṁtānalasaprabhāḥ

from rivers, from oceans, from the netherworld, and even from the sky, arrived at once, radiant as the fire of universal dissolution.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.67.10)

कोटिकोटिसहस्रैस्तु परार्धैर्दशभिः शतैः॥ सेनापतिः कालनेमिः शीघ्रं देवानुपाययौ

koṭikoṭisahasraistu parārdhairdaśabhiḥ śataiḥ senāpatiḥ kālanemiḥ śīghraṁ devānupāyayau

With hundreds of ten times a hundred billion billions, the commander Kalanemi swiftly advanced upon the gods.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.67.11)

चतुर्योजनविस्तीर्णे नानाश्चर्यसमन्विते॥ रथे स्थितो मनाग्दीनस्तारकः समदृश्यत

caturyojanavistīrṇe nānāścaryasamanvite rathe sthito manāgdīnastārakaḥ samadṛśyata

In a chariot four yojanas wide, endowed with manifold wonders, Taraka was seen, seated, somewhat downcast.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.67.12)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे पार्थ क्रुद्धैः स्कन्दस्य पार्षदैः॥ प्राकारः पातितः सर्वो भग्नान्युपवनानि च

etasminnaṁtare pārtha kruddhaiḥ skandasya pārṣadaiḥ prākāraḥ pātitaḥ sarvo bhagnānyupavanāni ca

Meanwhile, O Partha, by Skanda's enraged attendants, the entire rampart was thrown down, and the pleasure-gardens destroyed.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.67.13)

ततश्चचाल वसुधा देवी सवनकानना॥ जज्वाल खं सनक्षत्रं प्रमूढं भुवनं भृशम्

tataścacāla vasudhā devī savanakānanā jajvāla khaṁ sanakṣatraṁ pramūḍhaṁ bhuvanaṁ bhṛśam

Then the goddess Earth, with her forests and groves, trembled; the sky blazed together with the stars, and the world was thrown into utter confusion.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.67.14)

तमोभूतं जगच्चसीद्गृध्रैर्व्याप्तं नभोऽभवत्॥ ततो नानाप्रहरणं प्रलयांबुदसन्निभम्

tamobhūtaṁ jagaccasīdgṛdhrairvyāptaṁ nabho'bhavat tato nānāpraharaṇaṁ pralayāṁbudasannibham

The world became shrouded in darkness and sank into despair; the sky became filled with vultures. Then a great army of manifold weapons, resembling the clouds of dissolution,

Verse 15 (skanda.1.67.15)

कालनेमिमुखं पार्थ अदृश्यत महद्बलम्॥ तद्धि घोरमसंख्येयं जगर्ज विविधा गिरः

kālanemimukhaṁ pārtha adṛśyata mahadbalam taddhi ghoramasaṁkhyeyaṁ jagarja vividhā giraḥ

led by Kalanemi, was seen, O Partha. That terrible, uncountable force roared with manifold cries,

Verse 16 (skanda.1.67.16)

अभ्यद्रवद्रणे देवान्भगवंतं च शंकरम्॥ विनदद्भिस्ततो दैत्यैन्देवानीकं महायुधैः

abhyadravadraṇe devānbhagavaṁtaṁ ca śaṁkaram vinadadbhistato daityaindevānīkaṁ mahāyudhaiḥ

and rushed in battle against the gods and even against the blessed Shankara. Then, with those roaring demons and their great weapons, the army of the gods,

Verse 17 (skanda.1.67.17)

पर्वतैश्च शतघ्नीभिरायसैः परिधैरपि॥ क्षणेन द्रावितं सर्वं विमुखं चाप्यदृश्यत

parvataiśca śataghnībhirāyasaiḥ paridhairapi kṣaṇena drāvitaṁ sarvaṁ vimukhaṁ cāpyadṛśyata

with mountains, with hundred-slaying weapons, and iron clubs — in an instant, all of it was routed and seen turning away in flight,

Verse 18 (skanda.1.67.18)

असुरैर्वध्यमाने तु पावकैरिव काननम्॥ अपतद्दावभूमिष्ठ महाद्रुमवनं यथा

asurairvadhyamāne tu pāvakairiva kānanam apataddāvabhūmiṣṭha mahādrumavanaṁ yathā

being slaughtered by the asuras, as a forest is by fire; it fell, like a great grove of trees standing in a wildfire-swept ground.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.67.19)

ते भिन्नास्थिशि रोदेहाः प्राद्रवंत दिवौकसः॥ न नाथमध्यगच्छंत वध्यमाना महासुरैः

te bhinnāsthiśi rodehāḥ prādravaṁta divaukasaḥ na nāthamadhyagacchaṁta vadhyamānā mahāsuraiḥ

The dwellers of heaven, their bones and heads shattered, fled; being slain by the great demons, they could find no protector to go to.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.67.20)

अथ तद्विद्रुतं सैन्यं दृष्ट्वाः पुरंदरः॥ आश्वासयन्नुवाचेदं बलवद्दानवार्दितम्

atha tadvidrutaṁ sainyaṁ dṛṣṭvāḥ puraṁdaraḥ āśvāsayannuvācedaṁ balavaddānavārditam

Then, seeing that army routed, Purandara, greatly afflicted by the demons, spoke these words of reassurance:

Verse 21 (skanda.1.67.21)

भयं त्यजत भद्रं वः शुराः शस्त्राणि गृह्णत॥ कुरुध्वं विक्रमे बुद्धि मा च काचिद्व्यथास्तु वः

bhayaṁ tyajata bhadraṁ vaḥ śurāḥ śastrāṇi gṛhṇata kurudhvaṁ vikrame buddhi mā ca kācidvyathāstu vaḥ

"Abandon fear, blessings upon you; O warriors, take up your weapons; set your minds upon valor, and let no distress be yours."

Verse 22 (skanda.1.67.22)

एष कालानलप्रख्यो मयूरं समुपस्थितः॥ रक्षिता वो महासेनः कथं भीतिस्तथापि वः

eṣa kālānalaprakhyo mayūraṁ samupasthitaḥ rakṣitā vo mahāsenaḥ kathaṁ bhītistathāpi vaḥ

"Here, resembling the fire of Time, has arrived upon his peacock the great Mahasena, your protector — how then can you still feel fear?"

Verse 23 (skanda.1.67.23)

शक्रस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा समाश्वस्ता दिवोकसः॥ दानवान्प्रत्ययुध्यंत शक्रं कृत्वा व्यपाश्रयम्

śakrasya vacanaṁ śrutvā samāśvastā divokasaḥ dānavānpratyayudhyaṁta śakraṁ kṛtvā vyapāśrayam

Hearing Shakra's words, the dwellers of heaven took courage, and, making Shakra their refuge, fought back against the demons.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.67.24)

कालनेमिर्महेन्द्रेण संयुगे समयुज्यत॥ सहस्राक्षौहिणीयुक्तो जंभकः शंकरेण च

kālanemirmahendreṇa saṁyuge samayujyata sahasrākṣauhiṇīyukto jaṁbhakaḥ śaṁkareṇa ca

Kalanemi engaged in battle with Mahendra; Jambhaka, accompanied by a thousand akshauhinis, engaged with Shankara.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.67.25)

कुजंभो विष्णुना चैव तावत्य क्षौहिणीवृतः॥ अन्ये च त्रिदशाः सव मरुतश्च महाबलाः

kujaṁbho viṣṇunā caiva tāvatya kṣauhiṇīvṛtaḥ anye ca tridaśāḥ sava marutaśca mahābalāḥ

Kujambha, surrounded by an equal number of akshauhinis, engaged with Vishnu. And the other thirty gods, together with the mighty Maruts,

Verse 26 (skanda.1.67.26)

प्रत्ययुध्यंतं दैत्येंद्रेः साध्याश्च वसुभिः सह॥ ततो बहुविधं युद्धं कालनेमिर्विधायच

pratyayudhyaṁtaṁ daityeṁdreḥ sādhyāśca vasubhiḥ saha tato bahuvidhaṁ yuddhaṁ kālanemirvidhāyaca

along with the Sadhyas and Vasus, fought back against the demon-lords. Then Kalanemi, having waged battle of many kinds,

Verse 27 (skanda.1.67.27)

उत्सृज्य सहसा पार्थ ऐरावणशिरःस्थितः॥ स तु पादप्रहारेण मुष्टिना चैव तं गजम्

utsṛjya sahasā pārtha airāvaṇaśiraḥsthitaḥ sa tu pādaprahāreṇa muṣṭinā caiva taṁ gajam

O Partha, suddenly leapt and mounted upon Airavata's head; and then with a kick of the foot and a blow of the fist, that elephant —

Verse 28 (skanda.1.67.28)

शक्रं च चघ्ने विनदन्पेततुस्तावुभौ भुवि॥ ततः शक्रं समादाय कालनेमिर्विचेतसम्

śakraṁ ca caghne vinadanpetatustāvubhau bhuvi tataḥ śakraṁ samādāya kālanemirvicetasam

and Shakra too he struck, roaring; both of them fell to the ground. Then Kalanemi seized Shakra, now senseless,

Verse 29 (skanda.1.67.29)

रथमाश्रित्य भूयोपि तारकाभिमुखो ययौ॥ अथ क्रुद्धं तदा देवैः सहसा चांतकादिभिः

rathamāśritya bhūyopi tārakābhimukho yayau atha kruddhaṁ tadā devaiḥ sahasā cāṁtakādibhiḥ

and, mounting his chariot again, went toward Taraka. Then, seeing him enraged, the gods, together with Yama and the others, at once —

Verse 30 (skanda.1.67.30)

ह्रियते ह्रियते राजा त्राता कोऽपि न विद्यते॥ एतस्मिन्नंतरे शर्वं पिनाकधनुषश्च्युतैः

hriyate hriyate rājā trātā ko'pi na vidyate etasminnaṁtare śarvaṁ pinākadhanuṣaścyutaiḥ

cried out: "Our king is being carried off, carried off! No protector at all is to be found!" Meanwhile, arrows released from Shiva's Pinaka bow —

Verse 31 (skanda.1.67.31)

बाणैः ससैन्यं कृत्वा च जंभकं गृध्रमोदनम्॥ कालनेमिं समागम्य रथस्थो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

bāṇaiḥ sasainyaṁ kṛtvā ca jaṁbhakaṁ gṛdhramodanam kālanemiṁ samāgamya rathastho vākyamabravīt

— Sharva, having made Jambhaka and his army food for vultures, approached Kalanemi and, seated on his chariot, spoke these words:

Verse 32 (skanda.1.67.32)

किमेतेन महेन्द्रेण मया युध्यस्व दानव॥ वीरंमन्य सुदुर्बुद्धे ततो ज्ञास्यसि वीरताम्

kimetena mahendreṇa mayā yudhyasva dānava vīraṁmanya sudurbuddhe tato jñāsyasi vīratām

"What use is this Mahendra to you? Fight with me, O demon. O fool who thinks himself a hero, then shall you learn what true heroism is."

Verse 33 (skanda.1.67.33)

॥कानेमिरुवाच॥ नग्नेन सह को युध्येद्धतेनापि च येन वा॥ शंसत्सु दैत्यवीराणामुपहासः प्रजायते

kānemiruvāca nagnena saha ko yudhyeddhatenāpi ca yena vā śaṁsatsu daityavīrāṇāmupahāsaḥ prajāyate

Kalanemi said: "Who would fight with a naked one, or with one already slain — from that only mockery arises among the praising heroes of the demons,"

Verse 34 (skanda.1.67.34)

आत्मनस्तु समं किंचिद्विलोक्य सुदुर्मते॥ तदाकर्ण्य च सावज्ञं वचः शर्वो विसिष्मिये

ātmanastu samaṁ kiṁcidvilokya sudurmate tadākarṇya ca sāvajñaṁ vacaḥ śarvo visiṣmiye

"— seeing at least someone somewhat equal to myself, O evil-minded one." Hearing this contemptuous speech, Sharva was astonished.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.67.35)

ततः कुमारः सहसा मयूरस्थोऽभ्यधावत॥ कुजंभं सानुगं हत्वा वासुदेवोप्यधावत

tataḥ kumāraḥ sahasā mayūrastho'bhyadhāvata kujaṁbhaṁ sānugaṁ hatvā vāsudevopyadhāvata

Then Kumara, mounted on his peacock, suddenly charged forward; and Vasudeva too, having slain Kujambha along with his followers, charged forward.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.67.36)

ततो हरिः स्कंदमाह किमेतेन तव प्रभो॥ दैत्याधमेन पापेन मुहूर्तं पश्य मे बलम्

tato hariḥ skaṁdamāha kimetena tava prabho daityādhamena pāpena muhūrtaṁ paśya me balam

Then Hari said to Skanda: "What use, O lord, is this vile, sinful demon to you? Watch my might for a moment."

Verse 37 (skanda.1.67.37)

एवमुक्त्वा निवार्यैनं केशवो गरुडस्थितः॥ शार्ङ्गकोदंडनिर्मुक्तैर्बाणैर्दैत्यमवाकिरत्

evamuktvā nivāryainaṁ keśavo garuḍasthitaḥ śārṅgakodaṁḍanirmuktairbāṇairdaityamavākirat

Having said this, Keshava, restraining him, mounted on Garuda, showered the demon with arrows released from his Sharnga bow.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.67.38)

स तैर्बाणैस्ताड्यमानो वज्रैरिव महासुरः॥ विमुच्य वासवं क्रुद्धो बाणांस्तान्व्यधमच्छरैः

sa tairbāṇaistāḍyamāno vajrairiva mahāsuraḥ vimucya vāsavaṁ kruddho bāṇāṁstānvyadhamaccharaiḥ

Struck by those arrows as if by thunderbolts, the great demon, enraged, released Vasava and shattered those arrows with his own.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.67.39)

यान्यान्बाणान्हरिर्दिव्यानस्त्राणि च मुमोच ह॥ निवारयति दैत्यस्तान्प्रहसँल्लीलयैव च

yānyānbāṇānharirdivyānastrāṇi ca mumoca ha nivārayati daityastānprahasam̐llīlayaiva ca

Whatever divine arrows and weapons Hari released, the demon parried them all, laughing as if in mere sport.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.67.40)

ततः कौमोदकीं गृह्य क्षिप्रकारी जनार्दनः॥ मुमोच सैन्यनाथाय सारथिं च व्यचूर्णयत्

tataḥ kaumodakīṁ gṛhya kṣiprakārī janārdanaḥ mumoca sainyanāthāya sārathiṁ ca vyacūrṇayat

Then Janardana, swift in action, took up his mace Kaumodaki and hurled it at the army-lord, and crushed his charioteer.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.67.41)

ततो रथादवप्लुत्य विवृत्य वदनं महत्॥ गरुडं चंचुनादाय स विष्णुं क्षिप्तवान्मुखे

tato rathādavaplutya vivṛtya vadanaṁ mahat garuḍaṁ caṁcunādāya sa viṣṇuṁ kṣiptavānmukhe

Then, leaping down from his chariot and opening his huge mouth, he seized Garuda by the beak and hurled Vishnu into his mouth.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.67.42)

ततोऽभूत्सर्वदेवानां विमोहो जगतामपि॥ चचाल वसुधा चेलुः पर्वताः सप्त चार्णवाः

tato'bhūtsarvadevānāṁ vimoho jagatāmapi cacāla vasudhā celuḥ parvatāḥ sapta cārṇavāḥ

Then all the gods, and even the worlds, fell into confusion; the earth shook, the mountains trembled, and the seven oceans too.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.67.43)

कालनेमिर्नश्चैव प्रानृत्यत महारणे॥ असंमूढस्ततो विष्णुस्त्वराकाल उपस्थिते

kālanemirnaścaiva prānṛtyata mahāraṇe asaṁmūḍhastato viṣṇustvarākāla upasthite

And Kalanemi danced in that great battle. Then Vishnu, undeluded, seeing the moment for haste had come,

Verse 44 (skanda.1.67.44)

कुक्षिं विदार्य चक्रेण भास्करोऽभादिवोदितः॥ बहिर्भूतो हरिश्चैनं महोयित्वा स्वनिन्दया

kukṣiṁ vidārya cakreṇa bhāskaro'bhādivoditaḥ bahirbhūto hariścainaṁ mahoyitvā svanindayā

tore open his belly with his discus and emerged, shining like the risen sun; and Hari, having thus humbled him, with self-reproach for the delay,

Verse 45 (skanda.1.67.45)

पातालस्य तलं निन्ये तत्र शिश्ये स काष्ठवत्॥ ततश्चक्रेण दैत्यानां निहता दशकोट्यः

pātālasya talaṁ ninye tatra śiśye sa kāṣṭhavat tataścakreṇa daityānāṁ nihatā daśakoṭyaḥ

carried him down to the depths of Patala, where he lay like a log of wood. Then, by that discus, ten crores of demons were slain.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.67.46)

प्रमोदितास्तथा देवा विमोहास्तत्क्षणाद्बभुः॥ ततःशर्वस्तमालिंग्य साधुसाधु जनार्दन

pramoditāstathā devā vimohāstatkṣaṇādbabhuḥ tataḥśarvastamāliṁgya sādhusādhu janārdana

The gods, delighted, were freed from their confusion in that same instant. Then Sharva, embracing him, said: "Well done, well done, Janardana!"

Verse 47 (skanda.1.67.47)

त्वया यद्विहितं कर्म तत्कर्तान्यो न विद्यते॥ महिषाद्याः सुदुर्जेया देव्या ये विनिपतिताः

tvayā yadvihitaṁ karma tatkartānyo na vidyate mahiṣādyāḥ sudurjeyā devyā ye vinipatitāḥ

"There is no other who could accomplish the deed you have done. Mahisha and the others, so hard to conquer, who fell before the Devi —"

Verse 48 (skanda.1.67.48)

तेषामतिबलो ह्येष त्वया विष्णो विनिर्जितः॥ तारकामयसंग्रामे वध्यस्तेसौ जनार्दन

teṣāmatibalo hyeṣa tvayā viṣṇo vinirjitaḥ tārakāmayasaṁgrāme vadhyastesau janārdana

"— of all of them, this one was the mightiest, and he has been conquered by you, O Vishnu. He is destined to be slain, O Janardana, in the battle over the affliction Taraka has caused,"

Verse 49 (skanda.1.67.49)

कंसरूपः पुनस्तेऽयं हंतव्योऽष्टमजन्मनि॥ एवं प्रशंसमानास्ते वासुदेवं जगद्गुरुम्

kaṁsarūpaḥ punaste'yaṁ haṁtavyo'ṣṭamajanmani evaṁ praśaṁsamānāste vāsudevaṁ jagadgurum

"— and this same one, in the form of Kamsa, shall again be slain by you in your eighth birth." Thus they praised Vasudeva, the guru of the world,

Verse 50 (skanda.1.67.50)

शस्त्रजालैर्लब्धसंज्ञान्दैत्यसैन्याननाशयत्॥ तानि दैत्यशरीराणि जर्जराणि महायुधैः

śastrajālairlabdhasaṁjñāndaityasainyānanāśayat tāni daityaśarīrāṇi jarjarāṇi mahāyudhaiḥ

while he destroyed the demon-armies who had regained consciousness, with his mass of weapons. Those demon bodies, shattered by great weapons,

Verse 51 (skanda.1.67.51)

अपतन्भूतले पार्थ च्छिन्नाभ्राणीव सर्वशः॥ ततस्तद्दानवं सैन्यं हतनाथमभूत्तदा

apatanbhūtale pārtha cchinnābhrāṇīva sarvaśaḥ tatastaddānavaṁ sainyaṁ hatanāthamabhūttadā

fell to the earth on every side, O Partha, like shattered clouds. Then that army of demons, its lord slain, was left leaderless.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.67.52)

देवैः स्कंदानुगैश्चैव कृतं शस्त्रैः पराङ्मुखम्॥ अथो क्रुष्टं तदा हृष्टैः सर्वैर्देवैर्मुदायुतैः

devaiḥ skaṁdānugaiścaiva kṛtaṁ śastraiḥ parāṅmukham atho kruṣṭaṁ tadā hṛṣṭaiḥ sarvairdevairmudāyutaiḥ

By the gods, and by Skanda's own attendants, with their weapons, it was made to turn its back and flee. Then a great shout arose from all the gods, delighted and filled with joy,

Verse 53 (skanda.1.67.53)

संहतानि च सर्वाणि तदा तूर्याण्यवादयन्॥ अथ भग्नं बलं प्रेक्ष्य हतवीरं महारणे

saṁhatāni ca sarvāṇi tadā tūryāṇyavādayan atha bhagnaṁ balaṁ prekṣya hatavīraṁ mahāraṇe

and they sounded together all their instruments at once. Then, seeing his army broken, its heroes slain in that great battle,

Verse 54 (skanda.1.67.54)

देवानां च महामोदं तारकः प्राह सारथिम्॥ सारथे पश्य सैन्यानि द्राव्यमाणानि मे सुरैः

devānāṁ ca mahāmodaṁ tārakaḥ prāha sārathim sārathe paśya sainyāni drāvyamāṇāni me suraiḥ

and seeing the great joy of the gods, Taraka said to his charioteer: "O charioteer, behold my armies being routed by the gods —"

Verse 55 (skanda.1.67.55)

येस्माभिस्तृणवद्दृष्टाः पश्य कालस्य चित्रताम्॥ तन्मे वाहय शीघ्रं त्वं रथमेनं सुरान्प्रति

yesmābhistṛṇavaddṛṣṭāḥ paśya kālasya citratām tanme vāhaya śīghraṁ tvaṁ rathamenaṁ surānprati

"— those whom we regarded as no more than straw; behold the strangeness of Time! Drive this chariot of mine swiftly toward the gods."

Verse 56 (skanda.1.67.56)

पश्यंतु मे बलं बाह्वोर्द्रवंतु च सुराधमाः॥ ब्रुवन्नेवं सारथिं स विधुन्वन्सुमहद्धनुः

paśyaṁtu me balaṁ bāhvordravaṁtu ca surādhamāḥ bruvannevaṁ sārathiṁ sa vidhunvansumahaddhanuḥ

"Let them witness the strength of my arms and let those base gods flee." Speaking thus to his charioteer, brandishing his mighty bow,

Verse 57 (skanda.1.67.57)

क्रोध रक्तेक्षणो राजा देवसैन्यं समाविशत्॥ आगच्छमानं तं दृष्ट्वा हरिः स्कंदमथाब्रवीत्

krodha raktekṣaṇo rājā devasainyaṁ samāviśat āgacchamānaṁ taṁ dṛṣṭvā hariḥ skaṁdamathābravīt

the king, his eyes red with fury, plunged into the army of the gods. Seeing him coming, Hari then said to Skanda:

Verse 58 (skanda.1.67.58)

कुमार पश्य दैत्येंद्रं कालं यद्वद्युगात्यये॥ अयं स येन तपसा घोरेणाराधितः शिवः

kumāra paśya daityeṁdraṁ kālaṁ yadvadyugātyaye ayaṁ sa yena tapasā ghoreṇārādhitaḥ śivaḥ

"O Kumara, behold this lord of the demons — like Time itself at the end of an age. This is he by whose terrible austerity Shiva was propitiated;"

Verse 59 (skanda.1.67.59)

अयं स येन शक्राद्याः कृता मर्काः समार्बुदम्॥ अयं स सर्वशस्त्रैगैर्योऽस्माभिर्न जितो रणे

ayaṁ sa yena śakrādyāḥ kṛtā markāḥ samārbudam ayaṁ sa sarvaśastraigairyo'smābhirna jito raṇe

"this is he who made Shakra and the other gods into mere monkeys, together with Arbuda; this is he who could not be conquered by us in battle with any weapon at all."

Verse 60 (skanda.1.67.60)

नावज्ञया प्रद्रष्टव्यस्तारकोऽयं महासुरः॥ सप्तमं हि दिनं तेऽद्य मध्याह्नोऽयं च वर्तते

nāvajñayā pradraṣṭavyastārako'yaṁ mahāsuraḥ saptamaṁ hi dinaṁ te'dya madhyāhno'yaṁ ca vartate

"This great demon Taraka is not to be regarded with contempt. Today is indeed your seventh day, and it is now midday —"

Verse 61 (skanda.1.67.61)

अर्वागस्तमनादेनं जहि वध्योऽन्यथा नहि॥ एवमुक्त्वा स शक्रादींस्त्वरितः केशवोऽब्रवीत्

arvāgastamanādenaṁ jahi vadhyo'nyathā nahi evamuktvā sa śakrādīṁstvaritaḥ keśavo'bravīt

"— slay him before sunset, for otherwise he cannot be slain." Having said this, Keshava, in haste, said to Shakra and the others:

Verse 62 (skanda.1.67.62)

आयासयत दैत्येंद्रं सुखवध्यो यथा भवेत्॥ ततस्ते विष्णुवचनाद्विनदन्तो दिवौकसः

āyāsayata daityeṁdraṁ sukhavadhyo yathā bhavet tataste viṣṇuvacanādvinadanto divaukasaḥ

"Wear down the demon-lord, so that he may be easily slain." Then, at Vishnu's word, the dwellers of heaven, roaring,

Verse 63 (skanda.1.67.63)

तमासाद्य शरव्रातैर्मुदिताः समवाकिरन्॥ प्रहसन्निव देवांस्तान्द्रावयामास तारकः

tamāsādya śaravrātairmuditāḥ samavākiran prahasanniva devāṁstāndrāvayāmāsa tārakaḥ

approaching him, delighted, showered him with streams of arrows. Taraka, as if laughing, put those gods to flight,

Verse 64 (skanda.1.67.64)

यथा नास्तिकदुर्वृत्तो नानाशास्त्रोपदेशकान्॥ सोढुं शक्ता न ते वीरं महति स्यंदने स्थितम्

yathā nāstikadurvṛtto nānāśāstropadeśakān soḍhuṁ śaktā na te vīraṁ mahati syaṁdane sthitam

just as a wicked atheist cannot bear the teachers of manifold scriptures. They were unable to withstand that hero standing in his great chariot,

Verse 65 (skanda.1.67.65)

महापस्मारसंक्रांतं यथैवाप्रियवादिनम्॥ विधूय सकलान्देवान्क्षणमात्रेण तारकः

mahāpasmārasaṁkrāṁtaṁ yathaivāpriyavādinam vidhūya sakalāndevānkṣaṇamātreṇa tārakaḥ

just as one cannot bear a person seized by great epileptic fits, or one who speaks unpleasantly. Having thus, in a mere instant, shaken off all the gods, Taraka,

Verse 66 (skanda.1.67.66)

आजगाम कुमाराय विधुवन्स महाधनुः॥ आगच्छमानं तं दृष्ट्वा स्कंदः प्रत्युद्ययौ ततः

ājagāma kumārāya vidhuvansa mahādhanuḥ āgacchamānaṁ taṁ dṛṣṭvā skaṁdaḥ pratyudyayau tataḥ

brandishing his great bow, advanced upon the Kumara. Seeing him coming, Skanda then advanced to meet him.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.67.67)

तस्यारक्षद्भवः पार्श्वं दक्षिणं चैव तं हरिः॥ पृष्ठे च पार्षदास्तस्य कोटिशोऽर्बदशस्तथा

tasyārakṣadbhavaḥ pārśvaṁ dakṣiṇaṁ caiva taṁ hariḥ pṛṣṭhe ca pārṣadāstasya koṭiśo'rbadaśastathā

Bhava guarded his side, and Hari guarded his right; and behind him were his attendants, by the crore and by the arbuda.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.67.68)

ततस्तौ सुमहायुद्धे संसक्तौ देवदैत्ययौः॥ धर्माधर्माविवोदग्रौ जगदाश्चर्यकारकौ

tatastau sumahāyuddhe saṁsaktau devadaityayauḥ dharmādharmāvivodagrau jagadāścaryakārakau

Then those two, the god and the demon, engaged in a tremendous battle, towering like Dharma and Adharma themselves, causing wonder in the world.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.67.69)

ततः कुमारमासाद्य लीलया तारकोऽब्रवीत्॥ अहो बालातिबालस्त्वं यत्त्वं गीर्वाणवाक्यतः

tataḥ kumāramāsādya līlayā tārako'bravīt aho bālātibālastvaṁ yattvaṁ gīrvāṇavākyataḥ

Then, approaching the Kumara, Taraka said mockingly: "Ah, what a mere child you are, that at the mere words of the gods —"

Verse 70 (skanda.1.67.70)

आसादयसि मां युद्धे पतंग इव पावकम्॥ वधेन तव को लाभो मम मुक्तोऽसि बालक

āsādayasi māṁ yuddhe pataṁga iva pāvakam vadhena tava ko lābho mama mukto'si bālaka

"— you confront me in battle, like a moth flying into flame. What gain is there in killing you? Go free, child."

Verse 71 (skanda.1.67.71)

पिष क्षीरं गृहाणेमं कंदुकं क्रीड लीलया॥ एवमुक्तः प्रहस्याह तारकं योगिनां गुरुः

piṣa kṣīraṁ gṛhāṇemaṁ kaṁdukaṁ krīḍa līlayā evamuktaḥ prahasyāha tārakaṁ yogināṁ guruḥ

"Go drink your milk, take this ball, and play at your leisure." Thus addressed, the guru of yogis, laughing, said to Taraka:

Verse 72 (skanda.1.67.72)

शिशुत्वं मावमंस्था मे शिशुः कष्टो भुजंगमः॥ दुष्प्रेक्ष्यो भास्करो बालो दुःस्पर्शोऽल्पोऽपि पावकः

śiśutvaṁ māvamaṁsthā me śiśuḥ kaṣṭo bhujaṁgamaḥ duṣprekṣyo bhāskaro bālo duḥsparśo'lpo'pi pāvakaḥ

"Do not despise my childhood — a young serpent is dangerous too; the sun, though young, is hard to look at; fire, though small, is hard to touch;"

Verse 73 (skanda.1.67.73)

अल्पाक्षरो न मंत्रः किं सस्फुरो दैत्य दृश्यते॥ एवमुक्त्वा दैत्यमुक्तं गृहीत्वा कंदुकं च तम्

alpākṣaro na maṁtraḥ kiṁ sasphuro daitya dṛśyate evamuktvā daityamuktaṁ gṛhītvā kaṁdukaṁ ca tam

"— is a mantra of few syllables, O demon, not seen to have power?" Having said this, Skanda took up the ball thrown by the demon,

Verse 74 (skanda.1.67.74)

तस्मिञ्छक्त्यस्त्रमादाय दैत्याय प्रमुमोच ह॥ तस्य तेन प्रहारेम रथश्चूर्णिकृतोऽभवत्

tasmiñchaktyastramādāya daityāya pramumoca ha tasya tena prahārema rathaścūrṇikṛto'bhavat

and, fitting his Shakti-weapon to it, hurled it at the demon. By that blow, his chariot was reduced to powder,

Verse 75 (skanda.1.67.75)

चतुर्योजनमात्रो यो नानाश्चर्यसमन्वितः॥ गरुडस्य सुता ये च शीर्यमाणे रथोत्तमे

caturyojanamātro yo nānāścaryasamanvitaḥ garuḍasya sutā ye ca śīryamāṇe rathottame

which had been four yojanas wide, endowed with manifold wonders; and Garuda's sons, when that supreme chariot was shattered,

Verse 76 (skanda.1.67.76)

मुक्ताः कथंचिदुत्पत्य सागरांतरमाविशन्॥ ततः क्रुद्धस्तारकश्च मुद्गरं क्षिप्तवान्गुहे

muktāḥ kathaṁcidutpatya sāgarāṁtaramāviśan tataḥ kruddhastārakaśca mudgaraṁ kṣiptavānguhe

somehow, freed, flew up and plunged into the depths of the ocean. Then Taraka, enraged, hurled a mace at Guha,

Verse 77 (skanda.1.67.77)

विंध्याद्रिमिव तं स्कंदो गृहीत्वा तं व्यताडयत्॥ स्थिरे तस्योरसि व्यूढे मुद्गरः शतधाऽगमत्

viṁdhyādrimiva taṁ skaṁdo gṛhītvā taṁ vyatāḍayat sthire tasyorasi vyūḍhe mudgaraḥ śatadhā'gamat

resembling the Vindhya mountain; Skanda caught it and struck him with it. Against his firm, broad chest the mace shattered into a hundred pieces.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.67.78)

मेने च दुर्जयं दैत्यस्तदा षड्वदनं रणे॥ चिंतयामास बुद्ध्या च प्राप्तं तद्ब्रह्मणो वचः

mene ca durjayaṁ daityastadā ṣaḍvadanaṁ raṇe ciṁtayāmāsa buddhyā ca prāptaṁ tadbrahmaṇo vacaḥ

Then the demon deemed the six-faced one hard to conquer in battle, and reflected in his mind that Brahma's word had now come to pass.

Verse 79 (skanda.1.67.79)

तं भीतमिव चालक्ष्य दैत्यवीराश्च कोटिशः॥ नदंतोऽतिमहासेनं नानाशस्त्रैरवाकिरन्

taṁ bhītamiva cālakṣya daityavīrāśca koṭiśaḥ nadaṁto'timahāsenaṁ nānāśastrairavākiran

Seeing him as if fearful, crores of demon-heroes, roaring, showered great Mahasena with manifold weapons.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.67.80)

क्रुद्धस्तेषु ततः स्कंदः शक्तिं घोरामथाददे॥ अभ्यस्यमाने शक्त्यस्त्रे स्कंदनामिततेजसा

kruddhasteṣu tataḥ skaṁdaḥ śaktiṁ ghorāmathādade abhyasyamāne śaktyastre skaṁdanāmitatejasā

Enraged at them, Skanda then took up his terrible Shakti. As the Shakti-weapon was wielded by him of splendor renowned as Skanda's,

Verse 81 (skanda.1.67.81)

उल्काजालं महाघोरं पपात वसुधातले॥ चाल्यमाना तथा शक्तिः सुघोरा भवसूनुना

ulkājālaṁ mahāghoraṁ papāta vasudhātale cālyamānā tathā śaktiḥ sughorā bhavasūnunā

a terrible mass of meteors fell upon the earth's surface. As that most terrible Shakti was brandished by Bhava's son,

Verse 82 (skanda.1.67.82)

ततः कोट्यो विनिष्पेतुः शक्तीनां भर्तर्षभ॥ स शक्त्यस्त्रेण बलवान्करस्थेनाहनत्प्रभुः

tataḥ koṭyo viniṣpetuḥ śaktīnāṁ bhartarṣabha sa śaktyastreṇa balavānkarasthenāhanatprabhuḥ

crores of shaktis burst forth from it, O bull among lords. With that Shakti-weapon held in his hand, the mighty lord struck down —

Verse 83 (skanda.1.67.83)

अष्टौ पद्मानि दैत्वानां दशकोटिशतानि च॥ तथा नियुतसाहस्रं वाहनं कोटिरेव च

aṣṭau padmāni daitvānāṁ daśakoṭiśatāni ca tathā niyutasāhasraṁ vāhanaṁ koṭireva ca

— eight padmas of demons, and a thousand hundred crores more, along with a million thousand mounts, and crores besides,

Verse 84 (skanda.1.67.84)

ह्रंदोदरं च दैत्येंद्रं निखर्वैर्दशभिर्वृतम्॥ तत्राकुर्वन्सुतुमुलं नादं वध्येषु शत्रुषु

hraṁdodaraṁ ca daityeṁdraṁ nikharvairdaśabhirvṛtam tatrākurvansutumulaṁ nādaṁ vadhyeṣu śatruṣu

and the demon-lord Hradodara, surrounded by ten nikharvas of troops. There, amid the enemies being slain, Skanda's attendants raised a tumultuous roar,

Verse 85 (skanda.1.67.85)

कुमारानुचराः पार्थ पूरयंतो दिशो दश॥ शक्त्यस्त्रस्यार्चिः संभूतशक्तिभिः केऽपि सूदिताः

kumārānucarāḥ pārtha pūrayaṁto diśo daśa śaktyastrasyārciḥ saṁbhūtaśaktibhiḥ ke'pi sūditāḥ

O Partha, filling the ten directions — the Kumara's attendants. Some were slain by the shaktis born from the very flame of the Shakti-weapon,

Verse 86 (skanda.1.67.86)

पताकयावधूताश्च हताः केचित्सहस्रशः॥ केचिद्धंटारवत्रस्ताश्छिन्नभिन्नहृदोऽपतन्

patākayāvadhūtāśca hatāḥ kecitsahasraśaḥ keciddhaṁṭāravatrastāśchinnabhinnahṛdo'patan

some, thousands of them, were slain, struck down by the mere flutter of the banner; some, terrified by the sound of the bell, fell with their hearts torn asunder,

Verse 87 (skanda.1.67.87)

केचिन्मयूरपक्षाभ्यां चरणाभ्यां च सूदिताः॥ कोटिशस्ताम्रचूडेन विदार्यैव च भक्षिताः

kecinmayūrapakṣābhyāṁ caraṇābhyāṁ ca sūditāḥ koṭiśastāmracūḍena vidāryaiva ca bhakṣitāḥ

some were slain by the peacock's two wings and its two feet; crores were torn apart and devoured by the red-crested cock,

Verse 88 (skanda.1.67.88)

पार्षदैर्मातृभिः सार्धं पद्मशो निहताः परे॥ एवं निहन्यमानेषु दानवेषु गुहादिभिः

pārṣadairmātṛbhiḥ sārdhaṁ padmaśo nihatāḥ pare evaṁ nihanyamāneṣu dānaveṣu guhādibhiḥ

and others, by the padma, were slain by the attendants together with the Mothers. Thus, as the demons were being slain by Guha and the others,

Verse 89 (skanda.1.67.89)

अभाग्यैरिव लोकेषु तारकः स्कंदमाययौ॥ जग्राह च गदां दिव्यां लक्षघंटादुरासदाम्

abhāgyairiva lokeṣu tārakaḥ skaṁdamāyayau jagrāha ca gadāṁ divyāṁ lakṣaghaṁṭādurāsadām

like the unfortunate in the world, Taraka advanced upon Skanda, and seized a divine mace hung with a hundred thousand bells, hard to withstand.

Verse 90 (skanda.1.67.90)

तया मयूरमाजघ्ने मयूरो विमुखोऽभवत्॥ दृष्ट्वा पराङ्मुखं लोकेषु वासुदेवोऽब्रवीत्त्वरन्

tayā mayūramājaghne mayūro vimukho'bhavat dṛṣṭvā parāṅmukhaṁ lokeṣu vāsudevo'bravīttvaran

With it he struck the peacock, and the peacock turned away. Seeing him turn away before all the worlds, Vasudeva quickly spoke:

Verse 91 (skanda.1.67.91)

देवसेनापते शीघ्रं शक्तिं मुंच महासुरे॥ प्रतिज्ञामात्मनः पाहि लंबते रविमंडलम्

devasenāpate śīghraṁ śaktiṁ muṁca mahāsure pratijñāmātmanaḥ pāhi laṁbate ravimaṁḍalam

"O commander of the gods' army, release your Shakti quickly upon the great demon; keep your own vow — the disc of the sun is now sinking low."

Verse 92 (skanda.1.67.92)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ त्वयैव रुद्रभक्तोऽयं जनार्दन ममेरितम्॥ वधार्थं रुद्रभक्तस्य बाहुः शक्तिं मुंचति

skaṁda uvāca tvayaiva rudrabhakto'yaṁ janārdana mameritam vadhārthaṁ rudrabhaktasya bāhuḥ śaktiṁ muṁcati

Skanda said: "By you yourself, O Janardana, it is now being urged upon me — that my arm should release the Shakti to slay a devotee of Rudra."

Verse 93 (skanda.1.67.93)

नारुद्रः पूजयेद्रुद्रं भक्तरूपस्य यो हरः॥ रुद्ररूपममुं हत्वा कीदृशं जन्मनो भवेत्

nārudraḥ pūjayedrudraṁ bhaktarūpasya yo haraḥ rudrarūpamamuṁ hatvā kīdṛśaṁ janmano bhavet

"None but a devotee of Rudra can truly worship Rudra, whose very form Hara takes in his devotee. Having slain this one in the form of Rudra's devotee, what would become of my birth?"

Verse 94 (skanda.1.67.94)

तिरस्कृता विप्रलब्धाः शप्ताः क्षिप्ताः प्रपीडिताः॥ रुद्रभक्ताः कुलं सर्वं निर्दहंति हताः किमु

tiraskṛtā vipralabdhāḥ śaptāḥ kṣiptāḥ prapīḍitāḥ rudrabhaktāḥ kulaṁ sarvaṁ nirdahaṁti hatāḥ kimu

"Devotees of Rudra, when insulted, deceived, cursed, thrown down, or oppressed, burn up an entire family — what then when they are slain?"

Verse 95 (skanda.1.67.95)

एष चेद्धंति तद्भद्रं हन्यतामेष मां रणे॥ रुद्रभक्ते पुनर्विष्णो नाहं शस्त्रमुपाददे

eṣa ceddhaṁti tadbhadraṁ hanyatāmeṣa māṁ raṇe rudrabhakte punarviṣṇo nāhaṁ śastramupādade

"If he must be slain, well then, let him slay me in battle instead. But, O Vishnu, against a devotee of Rudra I shall not raise my weapon."

Verse 96 (skanda.1.67.96)

॥श्रीभगवानुवाच॥ नैतत्तवोचितं स्कंद रुद्रभक्तो यथा श्रृणु॥ द्वे तनू गिरिजाभर्तुर्वेदज्ञा मुनयो विदुः

śrībhagavānuvāca naitattavocitaṁ skaṁda rudrabhakto yathā śrṛṇu dve tanū girijābharturvedajñā munayo viduḥ

The blessed Lord said: "This is not fitting for you, O Skanda; hear how one becomes a true devotee of Rudra. The sages versed in the Vedas know that the husband of Girija has two bodies —"

Verse 97 (skanda.1.67.97)

एका जीवात्मिका तत्र प्रत्यक्षा च तथापरा॥ द्रोग्धा भूतेषु भक्तश्च रुद्रभक्तो न स स्मृतः

ekā jīvātmikā tatra pratyakṣā ca tathāparā drogdhā bhūteṣu bhaktaśca rudrabhakto na sa smṛtaḥ

"— one is the individual soul present within beings, and the other is his manifest form. One who does harm to living beings is not, even if devoted, remembered as a true devotee of Rudra."

Verse 98 (skanda.1.67.98)

भक्तो रुद्रो कृपावांश्च जंतुष्वेव हरव्रतः॥ तदेनं भूतमर्त्येषु द्रोग्धारं त्वं पिनाकिनः

bhakto rudro kṛpāvāṁśca jaṁtuṣveva haravrataḥ tadenaṁ bhūtamartyeṣu drogdhāraṁ tvaṁ pinākinaḥ

"A true devotee of Rudra is compassionate toward all creatures — this alone is Hara's own vow. So this one, a harmer of both beings and mortals —"

Verse 99 (skanda.1.67.99)

जहि नैवात्र पश्यामि दोषं कंचन ते प्रभो॥ श्रुत्वेति वाचं गोविंदात्सत्यार्थामपि भारत

jahi naivātra paśyāmi doṣaṁ kaṁcana te prabho śrutveti vācaṁ goviṁdātsatyārthāmapi bhārata

"— slay him, O lord; I see no fault at all in you for this." Hearing this speech from Govinda, true in meaning though it was, O Bharata,

Verse 100 (skanda.1.67.100)

हंतुं न कुरुते बुद्धिं रुद्रभक्त इति स्मरन्॥ तारकस्तु ततः क्रुद्धो ययौ वेगेन केशवम्

haṁtuṁ na kurute buddhiṁ rudrabhakta iti smaran tārakastu tataḥ kruddho yayau vegena keśavam

he did not resolve to slay him, still remembering him as a devotee of Rudra. Then Taraka, enraged, rushed swiftly toward Keshava,

Verse 101 (skanda.1.67.101)

प्राह चैवं सुदुर्बुद्धे हन्मि त्वां पश्य मे बलम्॥ देवानां चापि धर्माणां मूलं मतिमतां तथा॥ हत्वा त्वामद्य सर्वांस्तांश्छेत्स्ये पश्याद्य मे बलम्

prāha caivaṁ sudurbuddhe hanmi tvāṁ paśya me balam devānāṁ cāpi dharmāṇāṁ mūlaṁ matimatāṁ tathā hatvā tvāmadya sarvāṁstāṁśchetsye paśyādya me balam

and said: "O fool, I shall slay you — behold my might! Having killed you today, I shall next cut down the very root of the gods, of dharma, and of the wise — behold my might today!"

Verse 102 (skanda.1.67.102)

॥विष्णुरुवाच॥ दैत्येंद्र तव चास्माभिः किमहो श्रृणु सत्यताम्

viṣṇuruvāca daityeṁdra tava cāsmābhiḥ kimaho śrṛṇu satyatām

Vishnu said: "O lord of demons, ah, hear the truth of what there is between you and us:"

Verse 103 (skanda.1.67.103)

रथे य एष शर्वोऽयं हतेऽस्मिन्सकलं हतम्॥ श्रुत्वेति तारकः क्रुद्धस्तूर्णं रुद्ररथं ययौ

rathe ya eṣa śarvo'yaṁ hate'sminsakalaṁ hatam śrutveti tārakaḥ kruddhastūrṇaṁ rudrarathaṁ yayau

"— this Sharva who stands upon the chariot: if he is slain, all is slain." Hearing this, Taraka, enraged, rushed swiftly to Rudra's chariot,

Verse 104 (skanda.1.67.104)

अभिसृत्य स जग्राह रुद्रस्य रथकूबरम्॥ यदा स कूबरं क्रुद्धस्तारकः सहसाऽग्रहीत्

abhisṛtya sa jagrāha rudrasya rathakūbaram yadā sa kūbaraṁ kruddhastārakaḥ sahasā'grahīt

and, rushing at it, seized the pole of Rudra's chariot. When the enraged Taraka thus suddenly seized the chariot-pole,

Verse 105 (skanda.1.67.105)

रेसतू रोदसी तूर्णं मुमुहुश्च महर्षयः॥ व्यनदंश्च महाकाया दैत्या जलधरोपमाः

resatū rodasī tūrṇaṁ mumuhuśca maharṣayaḥ vyanadaṁśca mahākāyā daityā jaladharopamāḥ

heaven and earth resounded at once, and the great sages fainted; and the huge-bodied demons, resembling storm-clouds, roared aloud.

Verse 106 (skanda.1.67.106)

आसीच्च निश्चितं तेषां जितमस्माभिरित्युत॥ तार कस्याप्यभिप्रायं भगवान्वीक्ष्य शंकरः

āsīcca niścitaṁ teṣāṁ jitamasmābhirityuta tāra kasyāpyabhiprāyaṁ bhagavānvīkṣya śaṁkaraḥ

And it seemed certain to them that "we have already won." But the blessed Shankara, perceiving Taraka's very intention,

Verse 107 (skanda.1.67.107)

उमया सह संत्यक्त्वा रथं वृषभमावहत्॥ ओमित्यथ जपन्ब्रह्मा आकाशं सहसाश्रितः

umayā saha saṁtyaktvā rathaṁ vṛṣabhamāvahat omityatha japanbrahmā ākāśaṁ sahasāśritaḥ

together with Uma, abandoned the chariot and mounted his bull. And Brahma, chanting "Om," at once took refuge in the sky.

Verse 108 (skanda.1.67.108)

ततस्तं शतसिंहं च रथं रुद्रेण निर्मितम्॥ उत्क्षिप्य पृथ्व्यामास्फोट्य चूर्णयामास तारकः

tatastaṁ śatasiṁhaṁ ca rathaṁ rudreṇa nirmitam utkṣipya pṛthvyāmāsphoṭya cūrṇayāmāsa tārakaḥ

Then Taraka, lifting up that chariot with its hundred lions, made by Rudra himself, dashed it upon the earth and reduced it to powder.

Verse 109 (skanda.1.67.109)

शूलपाशुपतादीनि सहसोपस्थितानि च॥ वारयामास गिरिशो भवः साध्य इति ब्रुवन्

śūlapāśupatādīni sahasopasthitāni ca vārayāmāsa giriśo bhavaḥ sādhya iti bruvan

The trident, the Pashupata, and other weapons that suddenly appeared, Girisha himself restrained, saying: "This one is to be won over, not slain."

Verse 110 (skanda.1.67.110)

ततः स्ववंचितं ज्ञात्वा रुद्रेणात्मानमीर्ष्यया॥ विनदन्सहसाऽधावद्वृषभस्थं महेश्वरम्

tataḥ svavaṁcitaṁ jñātvā rudreṇātmānamīrṣyayā vinadansahasā'dhāvadvṛṣabhasthaṁ maheśvaram

Then, realizing himself thus outmaneuvered by Rudra, and out of jealousy, he roared and rushed suddenly at Maheshvara mounted on his bull.

Verse 111 (skanda.1.67.111)

ततो जनार्दनोऽधावच्चक्रमुद्यम्य वेगतः॥ वज्रमिंद्रस्तथोद्यम्य दंडं चापि यमो नदन्

tato janārdano'dhāvaccakramudyamya vegataḥ vajramiṁdrastathodyamya daṁḍaṁ cāpi yamo nadan

Then Janardana rushed forward, raising his discus swiftly; Indra too, raising his thunderbolt, and Yama, roaring, his staff,

Verse 112 (skanda.1.67.112)

गदां धनेश्वरः क्रुद्धः पाशं च वरुणो नदन् वायुर्महांकुशं घोरं शक्तिं वह्निर्महाप्रभाम्

gadāṁ dhaneśvaraḥ kruddhaḥ pāśaṁ ca varuṇo nadan vāyurmahāṁkuśaṁ ghoraṁ śaktiṁ vahnirmahāprabhām

the enraged Dhaneshvara his mace, and Varuna, roaring, his noose; Vayu his terrible great goad, and Fire his mighty, radiant Shakti,

Verse 113 (skanda.1.67.113)

निर्ऋतिर्निशितं खड्गं रुद्राः शूलानि कोपिताः॥ धनूंषि साध्या देवाश्च परिघान्वसवस्तथा

nirṛtirniśitaṁ khaḍgaṁ rudrāḥ śūlāni kopitāḥ dhanūṁṣi sādhyā devāśca parighānvasavastathā

Nirriti his sharp sword, and the enraged Rudras their tridents; the Sadhya gods their bows, and the Vasus likewise their iron clubs,

Verse 114 (skanda.1.67.114)

विश्वेदेवाश्च मुसलं चंद्रार्कौ स्वप्रभामपि॥ ओषधीश्चाश्विनौ देवौ नागाश्च ज्वलितं विषम्

viśvedevāśca musalaṁ caṁdrārkau svaprabhāmapi oṣadhīścāśvinau devau nāgāśca jvalitaṁ viṣam

the Vishvedevas their pestle, the Moon and Sun their very own radiance, the two Ashvin gods their healing herbs, and the serpents their blazing venom,

Verse 115 (skanda.1.67.115)

हिमाद्रि प्रमुखाश्चापि समुद्यम्य महीधरान्॥ भृशमुन्नदतो देवान्धावतो वीक्ष्य तारकः

himādri pramukhāścāpi samudyamya mahīdharān bhṛśamunnadato devāndhāvato vīkṣya tārakaḥ

and the mountains, led by Himavat, raised themselves too. Seeing the gods, roaring loudly, rushing at him,

Verse 116 (skanda.1.67.116)

निवृत्तः सहसा पार्थ महागज इवोन्नदन्॥ स वज्रमुष्टि नाहत्य भुजे शक्रमपातयत्

nivṛttaḥ sahasā pārtha mahāgaja ivonnadan sa vajramuṣṭi nāhatya bhuje śakramapātayat

Taraka, O Partha, suddenly turned about, roaring like a great elephant. Striking down Indra's vajra-wielding arm with his fist, he felled him,

Verse 117 (skanda.1.67.117)

दंडं यमादुपादाय मूर्ध्न्याहत्य न्यपातयत्॥ उरसाहत्य सगदं धनदं भुव्यपातयत्

daṁḍaṁ yamādupādāya mūrdhnyāhatya nyapātayat urasāhatya sagadaṁ dhanadaṁ bhuvyapātayat

seized the staff from Yama and, striking him on the head, felled him; struck the mace-bearing Dhanada on the chest and felled him to the ground,

Verse 118 (skanda.1.67.118)

वरुणात्पाशमादाय तेन बद्धा न्यपातयत्॥ महांकुशेन वायुं च चिरं मूर्ध्नि जघान सः

varuṇātpāśamādāya tena baddhā nyapātayat mahāṁkuśena vāyuṁ ca ciraṁ mūrdhni jaghāna saḥ

seized the noose from Varuna and, binding him with it, threw him down; and with the great goad he struck Vayu on the head, long and hard,

Verse 119 (skanda.1.67.119)

फूल्कारैरुद्धतं वह्निं शमयामास तारकः॥ निर्ऋतिंखड्गमादाय हत्वा तेन न्यपातयत्

phūlkārairuddhataṁ vahniṁ śamayāmāsa tārakaḥ nirṛtiṁkhaḍgamādāya hatvā tena nyapātayat

and by mere blowing extinguished Fire, who had risen up. He seized Nirriti's sword and, striking him with it, felled him,

Verse 120 (skanda.1.67.120)

शूलैरेव तथा रुद्राः साध्याश्च धनुषार्दिताः॥ परिघैरेव वसवो मुशलैरेव विश्वकाः

śūlaireva tathā rudrāḥ sādhyāśca dhanuṣārditāḥ parighaireva vasavo muśalaireva viśvakāḥ

likewise struck down the Rudras with their own tridents, and the Sadhyas were afflicted with their own bows; the Vasus with their own clubs, and the Vishvedevas with their own pestle,

Verse 121 (skanda.1.67.121)

रेणुनाच्छाद्य चंद्रार्कौ वल्मीकस्थाविवेक्षितौ॥ महोग्राश्चौषधीस्तालैरश्विभ्यां सोऽभ्यवर्तयत्

reṇunācchādya caṁdrārkau valmīkasthāvivekṣitau mahogrāścauṣadhīstālairaśvibhyāṁ so'bhyavartayat

covered the Moon and Sun with dust till they seemed like creatures hidden in an anthill, and with his palms flung back at the two Ashvins their own most potent healing herbs;

Verse 122 (skanda.1.67.122)

सविषाश्च कृता नागा निर्विषाः पादकुट्टनैः॥ पर्वताः पर्वतैरेव निरुच्छ्वासा भृशं कृताः

saviṣāśca kṛtā nāgā nirviṣāḥ pādakuṭṭanaiḥ parvatāḥ parvataireva nirucchvāsā bhṛśaṁ kṛtāḥ

the venomous serpents he rendered venomless with kicks of his foot; and the mountains he made utterly breathless, using the very mountains against them.

Verse 123 (skanda.1.67.123)

एवं तद्देवसैन्यं च हाहाभूतमचेतनम्॥ कृत्वा मुहूर्तादाधावच्चक्रपाणिं तमुन्नदन्

evaṁ taddevasainyaṁ ca hāhābhūtamacetanam kṛtvā muhūrtādādhāvaccakrapāṇiṁ tamunnadan

Having thus, within a moment, reduced the army of the gods to a lamenting, senseless mass, he rushed roaring at the discus-bearing one.

Verse 124 (skanda.1.67.124)

ततश्चांतर्दधे सद्यः प्रहसन्निव केशवः॥ कुयोगिन इव स्वामी सदा बुद्धिमतां वरः

tataścāṁtardadhe sadyaḥ prahasanniva keśavaḥ kuyogina iva svāmī sadā buddhimatāṁ varaḥ

Then Keshava, as if laughing, instantly vanished, like a master eluding a poor yogi — for he, the best among the wise, is ever thus.

Verse 125 (skanda.1.67.125)

अपश्यंस्तारको विष्णुं पुनर्वृषभवा हनम्॥ आधावत्कुपितो दैत्यो मुष्टिमुद्यम्य वेगतः

apaśyaṁstārako viṣṇuṁ punarvṛṣabhavā hanam ādhāvatkupito daityo muṣṭimudyamya vegataḥ

Not finding Vishnu, Taraka turned again toward the bull-mounted one; the enraged demon rushed forward swiftly, raising his fist.

Verse 126 (skanda.1.67.126)

अचिरांशुरिवालक्ष्यो लक्ष्योथ भगवान्हरिः॥ आबभाषे ततो देवान्बाहुमुद्यम्यचोच्चकैः

acirāṁśurivālakṣyo lakṣyotha bhagavānhariḥ ābabhāṣe tato devānbāhumudyamyacoccakaiḥ

Then the blessed Hari, invisible as a flash of lightning, became visible again; and, raising his arm high, he spoke loudly to the gods:

Verse 127 (skanda.1.67.127)

पलायध्वमहो देवाः शक्तिश्चेद्वः पलायितुम्॥ विमूढा हि वयं सर्वे ये बालवचसागताः

palāyadhvamaho devāḥ śaktiścedvaḥ palāyitum vimūḍhā hi vayaṁ sarve ye bālavacasāgatāḥ

"Flee, O gods, if you still have the strength to flee! For we were all indeed fools, who came here at the word of a mere child."

Verse 128 (skanda.1.67.128)

किं न श्रुतः पुरा गीतः श्लोकः स्वायंभुवेन यः॥ यथा बालेषु निक्षिप्ताः स्त्रीषु षंडितकेषु च॥ अपस्मारीषु चैवापि सर्वे ते संशयं गताः

kiṁ na śrutaḥ purā gītaḥ ślokaḥ svāyaṁbhuvena yaḥ yathā bāleṣu nikṣiptāḥ strīṣu ṣaṁḍitakeṣu ca apasmārīṣu caivāpi sarve te saṁśayaṁ gatāḥ

"Have you not heard the verse once sung by Svayambhu — that whatever is entrusted to children, to women, to eunuchs, and to epileptics — all of that falls into doubt?"

Verse 129 (skanda.1.67.129)

प्रत्यक्षं तदिदं सर्वमाधुना चात्र दृस्यते

pratyakṣaṁ tadidaṁ sarvamādhunā cātra dṛsyate

"That very truth is now plainly seen before our eyes."

Verse 130 (skanda.1.67.130)

अज्ञासिष्म पुरैवैतद्रुद्रभक्तं न हंत्यसौ॥ यत्प्रतिज्ञां नाकरिष्यन्न स्यान्नः कदनं महत्

ajñāsiṣma puraivaitadrudrabhaktaṁ na haṁtyasau yatpratijñāṁ nākariṣyanna syānnaḥ kadanaṁ mahat

"We already knew before that he would not slay a devotee of Rudra; had he not made that vow, this great disaster would not have befallen us."

Verse 131 (skanda.1.67.131)

अथैष यदि दैत्येंद्रं न निहंति कुबुद्धिमान्॥ मा भयं वो महाभागा निहनिष्यामि वो रिपून्

athaiṣa yadi daityeṁdraṁ na nihaṁti kubuddhimān mā bhayaṁ vo mahābhāgā nihaniṣyāmi vo ripūn

"Now, if this foolish one will not slay the demon-lord — O great and blessed ones, have no fear; I myself shall slay your enemy."

Verse 132 (skanda.1.67.132)

अद्य मे विपुलं बाह्वोर्बलं पश्यत दैत्याधमं नाशयामि मुष्टिनैकेन पश्यत

adya me vipulaṁ bāhvorbalaṁ paśyata daityādhamaṁ nāśayāmi muṣṭinaikena paśyata

"Today, behold the vast strength of my arms; I shall destroy this vile demon with a single blow of my fist — behold!"

Verse 133 (skanda.1.67.133)

मया हि दक्षिणो बाहुर्दत्तश्च भवतां सदा॥ रिपून्वा निहनिष्यामि सत्यं तत्परिपालये

mayā hi dakṣiṇo bāhurdattaśca bhavatāṁ sadā ripūnvā nihaniṣyāmi satyaṁ tatparipālaye

"For my right arm has ever been pledged to you all — either I shall slay your enemies, or I shall keep that pledge true even at the cost of my life."

Verse 134 (skanda.1.67.134)

येंऽबरे ये च पाताले भुवि ये च महासुराः॥ क्षणात्तान्नासयिष्यामि महावातो घनानिव

yeṁ'bare ye ca pātāle bhuvi ye ca mahāsurāḥ kṣaṇāttānnāsayiṣyāmi mahāvāto ghanāniva

"Whatever great demons are in the sky, in the netherworld, or on earth — I shall scatter them all in an instant, as a great wind scatters the clouds."

Verse 135 (skanda.1.67.135)

एवमुक्ता जगन्नाथो मुष्टिमुद्यम्य दक्षिणम्॥ निरायुधस्तार्क्ष्यपृष्ठादवप्लुत्याभ्यधावत

evamuktā jagannātho muṣṭimudyamya dakṣiṇam nirāyudhastārkṣyapṛṣṭhādavaplutyābhyadhāvata

Having spoken thus, the lord of the world, raising his right fist, weaponless, leapt down from Garuda's back and rushed forward.

Verse 136 (skanda.1.67.136)

तस्मिन्धावति गोविंदे चचाल भुवनत्रयम्॥ विमूर्छितमभूद्विश्वं देवा भीतिं परां ययुः

tasmindhāvati goviṁde cacāla bhuvanatrayam vimūrchitamabhūdviśvaṁ devā bhītiṁ parāṁ yayuḥ

As Govinda charged forth, the three worlds shook; the universe fell into a swoon, and the gods were seized with extreme terror.

Verse 137 (skanda.1.67.137)

धावतश्चापि कल्पांतं रुद्रकल्पस्य तस्य याः॥ मुखात्समुद्यजुर्ज्वालास्ताबिः खर्वशतं हतम्

dhāvataścāpi kalpāṁtaṁ rudrakalpasya tasya yāḥ mukhātsamudyajurjvālāstābiḥ kharvaśataṁ hatam

As he charged, resembling Rudra at the end of an age, flames blazed forth from his mouth; by these, a hundred kharvas of demons were slain.

Verse 138 (skanda.1.67.138)

ततोंऽतरिक्षे वाचश्च प्रोचुः सिद्धाः स्वयं तदा॥ जहि कोपं वासुदेव त्वयि क्रुद्धे क्व वै जगत्

tatoṁ'tarikṣe vācaśca procuḥ siddhāḥ svayaṁ tadā jahi kopaṁ vāsudeva tvayi kruddhe kva vai jagat

Then the Siddhas themselves spoke words in the sky: "Abandon this anger, O Vasudeva — if you are enraged, where would the world be?"

Verse 139 (skanda.1.67.139)

अनादृत्येव तद्वाक्यं ब्रुवन्नान्यत्करोम्यहम्॥ आह्वयंश्च महादैत्यं क्रुद्धो हरिरधावत

anādṛtyeva tadvākyaṁ bruvannānyatkaromyaham āhvayaṁśca mahādaityaṁ kruddho hariradhāvata

Disregarding their words, saying "I shall do nothing else," the enraged Hari, challenging the great demon, rushed on.

Verse 140 (skanda.1.67.140)

उवाच वाचं साधूंश्च यत्नात्पालयतां फलम्॥ दुष्टान्विनिघ्नतां चैव तत्फलं मम जायताम्

uvāca vācaṁ sādhūṁśca yatnātpālayatāṁ phalam duṣṭānvinighnatāṁ caiva tatphalaṁ mama jāyatām

He spoke this word: "Whatever is the fruit of diligently protecting the virtuous and of slaying the wicked — let that fruit be mine."

Verse 141 (skanda.1.67.141)

अथापश्यन्महासेनो रुद्रं यांतं च तारकम्॥ तारकं चान्वधावन्तं पुरामपुरुषं हरिम्

athāpaśyanmahāseno rudraṁ yāṁtaṁ ca tārakam tārakaṁ cānvadhāvantaṁ purāmapuruṣaṁ harim

Then Mahasena saw Rudra approaching, and Taraka too, and Hari, the ageless one, pursuing Taraka,

Verse 142 (skanda.1.67.142)

जगच्च क्षुब्धमत्यर्थं स्वां प्रतिज्ञां पुरा कृताम्॥ पश्चिमां प्रतिलंबंतं भास्करं चापि लोहितम्

jagacca kṣubdhamatyarthaṁ svāṁ pratijñāṁ purā kṛtām paścimāṁ pratilaṁbaṁtaṁ bhāskaraṁ cāpi lohitam

and the world thrown into extreme turmoil; and he remembered the vow he himself had made earlier, as the sun, red now, was sinking toward the west.

Verse 143 (skanda.1.67.143)

आकाशवाणीं श्रृण्वंश्च किं स्कन्द त्वं विषीदसी॥ पश्चात्तापो यदि भवेत्कृत्वा ब्रह्मवधं त्वयि

ākāśavāṇīṁ śrṛṇvaṁśca kiṁ skanda tvaṁ viṣīdasī paścāttāpo yadi bhavetkṛtvā brahmavadhaṁ tvayi

And he heard a voice from the sky: "Why, Skanda, do you despair? If remorse were to follow, it would be as if you had committed the killing of a brahmin —"

Verse 144 (skanda.1.67.144)

स्थापयेर्लिगमीशस्य मोक्षो हत्याशतैरपि॥ आविवेश महाक्रोधं दिधक्षुरिव मेदिनीम्

sthāpayerligamīśasya mokṣo hatyāśatairapi āviveśa mahākrodhaṁ didhakṣuriva medinīm

"— but if you slay him for the good of dharma, you should establish a linga of the Lord; liberation comes even after a hundred such killings." Then great wrath entered him, as if he would burn up the very earth.

Verse 145 (skanda.1.67.145)

अथोत्प्लुत्य मयूरात्स प्रहसन्निव केशवम्॥ बाहुभ्यामप्युपादाय प्रोवाच भवनंदनः

athotplutya mayūrātsa prahasanniva keśavam bāhubhyāmapyupādāya provāca bhavanaṁdanaḥ

Then, leaping up from his peacock, the son of Bhava, as if laughing, took hold of Keshava with both arms and said:

Verse 146 (skanda.1.67.146)

जानामि त्वामहं विष्णो महाबुद्धिपराक्रमम्॥ भूतभव्यविष्यांश्च दैत्यान्हंस्यपि हूंकृतैः

jānāmi tvāmahaṁ viṣṇo mahābuddhiparākramam bhūtabhavyaviṣyāṁśca daityānhaṁsyapi hūṁkṛtaiḥ

"I know you well, O Vishnu, of great wisdom and valor; you slay demons past, present, and future, even with a mere sound of 'Hum.'"

Verse 147 (skanda.1.67.147)

त्वमेव हंता दैत्यानां देवानां परिपालकः॥ धर्मसंस्थापकश्च त्वमेव ते रचितोंऽजलिः

tvameva haṁtā daityānāṁ devānāṁ paripālakaḥ dharmasaṁsthāpakaśca tvameva te racitoṁ'jaliḥ

"You alone are the slayer of demons, the protector of gods, and the establisher of dharma — to you I offer these folded hands."

Verse 148 (skanda.1.67.148)

क्षणार्धं पश्य मे वीर्यं भास्करो लोहितायते॥ एवं प्रणम्य स्कन्देन वासुदेवः प्रसादितः

kṣaṇārdhaṁ paśya me vīryaṁ bhāskaro lohitāyate evaṁ praṇamya skandena vāsudevaḥ prasāditaḥ

"But for half a moment, watch my own valor — the sun is turning red." Thus, bowed to by Skanda, Vasudeva was appeased,

Verse 149 (skanda.1.67.149)

विरोषोऽभूत्तमालिंग्य वचनं केशवोऽब्रवीत्॥ सनाथस्त्वद्य धर्मोऽयं सुराश्चैव त्वया गुह

viroṣo'bhūttamāliṁgya vacanaṁ keśavo'bravīt sanāthastvadya dharmo'yaṁ surāścaiva tvayā guha

his anger gone; embracing him, Keshava spoke these words: "Today dharma, and the gods too, O Guha, have found their true protector in you."

Verse 150 (skanda.1.67.150)

स्मरात्मानं यदर्थं त्वमुत्पन्नोऽसि महेश्वरात्॥ साधूनां पालनार्थाय दुष्टसंहरणाय च॥ सुरविप्रकृते जन्म जीवितं च महात्मनाम्

smarātmānaṁ yadarthaṁ tvamutpanno'si maheśvarāt sādhūnāṁ pālanārthāya duṣṭasaṁharaṇāya ca suraviprakṛte janma jīvitaṁ ca mahātmanām

"Remember the purpose for which you were born from Maheshvara — for the protection of the good and the destruction of the wicked; the birth and life of great souls exists for the sake of gods and brahmins."

Verse 151 (skanda.1.67.151)

रुद्रस्य देव्या गंगायाः कृत्तिकानां च तेजसा॥ स्वाहावह्नेश्च जातस्त्वं तत्तेजः सफलीकुरु॥ साधूनां च कृते यस्य धनं वीर्यं च संपदः

rudrasya devyā gaṁgāyāḥ kṛttikānāṁ ca tejasā svāhāvahneśca jātastvaṁ tattejaḥ saphalīkuru sādhūnāṁ ca kṛte yasya dhanaṁ vīryaṁ ca saṁpadaḥ

"You were born from the splendor of Rudra, the Devi, Ganga, the Krittikas, Svaha, and Fire — make that splendor bear fruit. For whoever's wealth, valor, and prosperity are devoted to the cause of the good —"

Verse 152 (skanda.1.67.152)

सफलं तस्य तत्सर्वं नान्यथा रुद्रनंदन

saphalaṁ tasya tatsarvaṁ nānyathā rudranaṁdana

"— all of that alone truly bears fruit, and not otherwise, O son of Rudra."

Verse 153 (skanda.1.67.153)

अद्य धर्मश्च देवाश्च गावः साध्याश्च ब्राह्मणाः॥ नंदंतु तव वीर्येण प्रदर्शय निजं बलम्

adya dharmaśca devāśca gāvaḥ sādhyāśca brāhmaṇāḥ naṁdaṁtu tava vīryeṇa pradarśaya nijaṁ balam

"Today let dharma, the gods, the cows, the Sadhyas, and the brahmins rejoice through your valor — display your own strength."

Verse 154 (skanda.1.67.154)

॥स्कन्द उवाच॥ या गतिः शिवत्यागेन त्वत्त्यागेन च केशव॥ तां गतिं प्राप्नुयां क्षिप्रं हन्मि चेन्न हि तारकम्

skanda uvāca yā gatiḥ śivatyāgena tvattyāgena ca keśava tāṁ gatiṁ prāpnuyāṁ kṣipraṁ hanmi cenna hi tārakam

Skanda said: "Whatever fate follows from forsaking Shiva, and from forsaking you, O Keshava — may I swiftly meet that fate, if I do not slay Taraka."

Verse 155 (skanda.1.67.155)

या गतिः श्रुतित्यागेन साध्वी भार्यातिपीडनात्॥ साधूनां च परित्यागाद्वृथा जीवितसाधनात्॥ निष्ठुरस्य गतिर्या च तां गतिं यामि केशव

yā gatiḥ śrutityāgena sādhvī bhāryātipīḍanāt sādhūnāṁ ca parityāgādvṛthā jīvitasādhanāt niṣṭhurasya gatiryā ca tāṁ gatiṁ yāmi keśava

"Whatever fate follows from abandoning the Vedas, from tormenting a virtuous wife, from forsaking the good, from a life lived in vain, and from cruelty of heart — that same fate, O Keshava, may I go to."

Verse 156 (skanda.1.67.156)

इत्युक्ते सुमहान्नादः संप्रजज्ञे दिवौकसाम्॥ प्रशशंसुर्गुहं केचित्केचिन्नारायणं प्रभुम्

ityukte sumahānnādaḥ saṁprajajñe divaukasām praśaśaṁsurguhaṁ kecitkecinnārāyaṇaṁ prabhum

When this was said, a very great roar arose among the dwellers of heaven; some praised Guha, and some praised the Lord Narayana.

Verse 157 (skanda.1.67.157)

ततस्तार्क्षअयं समारुद्य हरिस्तस्मिन्महारणे॥ ताम्रचूडं महासेन स्तारकं चाप्यधावताम्

tatastārkṣaayaṁ samārudya haristasminmahāraṇe tāmracūḍaṁ mahāsena stārakaṁ cāpyadhāvatām

Then Hari mounted Garuda in that great battle, and both he and Mahasena, mounted on the red-crested cock, rushed at Taraka.

Verse 158 (skanda.1.67.158)

लोहितांबरसंवीतो लोहितस्रग्विभूषणः॥ लोहिताक्षो महाबाहुर्हिरण्यकवचः प्रभुः

lohitāṁbarasaṁvīto lohitasragvibhūṣaṇaḥ lohitākṣo mahābāhurhiraṇyakavacaḥ prabhuḥ

Clad in red garments, adorned with a red garland, red-eyed, mighty-armed, the lord in golden armor,

Verse 159 (skanda.1.67.159)

भुजेन तोलयञ्छक्तिं सर्वभूतानि कम्पयन्॥ प्राप्य तं तारकं प्राह महासेनो हसन्निव

bhujena tolayañchaktiṁ sarvabhūtāni kampayan prāpya taṁ tārakaṁ prāha mahāseno hasanniva

balancing his Shakti in his hand, making all beings tremble, reaching Taraka, Mahasena said, as if laughing:

Verse 160 (skanda.1.67.160)

तिष्ठतिष्ठ सुदुर्बुद्धे जीवितं ते मयि स्थितम्॥ सुहृष्टः क्रियतां लोको दुर्लभः सर्वसिद्धिदः

tiṣṭhatiṣṭha sudurbuddhe jīvitaṁ te mayi sthitam suhṛṣṭaḥ kriyatāṁ loko durlabhaḥ sarvasiddhidaḥ

"Stand, stand, O fool! Your life now rests with me. Let the world be made joyful — a rare thing, the giver of every accomplishment."

Verse 161 (skanda.1.67.161)

यत्ते सुनिष्ठुरत्वं च धर्मे देवेषु गोषु च॥ तस्य ते प्रहराम्यद्य स्मर शस्त्रं सुशिक्षितम्

yatte suniṣṭhuratvaṁ ca dharme deveṣu goṣu ca tasya te praharāmyadya smara śastraṁ suśikṣitam

"For your cruelty toward dharma, toward the gods, and toward the cows — for that I strike you today. Remember this, well-trained one, of weapons."

Verse 162 (skanda.1.67.162)

एवमुक्ते गुहेनाथ निवृत्तस्यास्य भारत॥ तारकस्य शिरोदेशात्कापि नारी विनिर्ययौ

evamukte guhenātha nivṛttasyāsya bhārata tārakasya śirodeśātkāpi nārī viniryayau

When Guha had said this, O Bharata, and as Taraka turned to face him, a certain woman emerged from the region of Taraka's head,

Verse 163 (skanda.1.67.163)

तेजसा भासयंती तमध ऊर्ध्वं दिशो दश॥ दृष्ट्वा नारीं गुहः प्राह कासि कस्माच्च निर्गता

tejasā bhāsayaṁtī tamadha ūrdhvaṁ diśo daśa dṛṣṭvā nārīṁ guhaḥ prāha kāsi kasmācca nirgatā

illuminating him and the ten directions, above and below, with her splendor. Seeing the woman, Guha said: "Who are you, and from where have you emerged?"

Verse 164 (skanda.1.67.164)

॥नार्युवाच॥ अहं शक्तिर्गुहाख्याता भूतलेषु सदा स्थिता॥ अनेन दैत्यराजेन महता तपसार्ज्जिता

nāryuvāca ahaṁ śaktirguhākhyātā bhūtaleṣu sadā sthitā anena daityarājena mahatā tapasārjjitā

The woman said: "I am the Shakti known as Guha, ever present upon the earth; I was won by this demon-king through his great austerity."

Verse 165 (skanda.1.67.165)

सुरेषु सर्वेषु वसामि चाहं विप्रेषु शास्त्रार्थरतेषु चाहम्॥ साध्वीषु नारीषु तथा वसामि विना गुणान्नास्मि वसामि कुत्रचित्

sureṣu sarveṣu vasāmi cāhaṁ vipreṣu śāstrārtharateṣu cāham sādhvīṣu nārīṣu tathā vasāmi vinā guṇānnāsmi vasāmi kutracit

"I dwell in all the gods, and I dwell in brahmins devoted to the truth of scripture; I likewise dwell in virtuous women — without merit, I dwell nowhere at all."

Verse 166 (skanda.1.67.166)

तदस्य पुण्यसंघस्य संप्राप्तोद्यावधिर्गुह॥ तदेनं त्यज्य यास्यामि जह्येनं विश्वहेतवे

tadasya puṇyasaṁghasya saṁprāptodyāvadhirguha tadenaṁ tyajya yāsyāmi jahyenaṁ viśvahetave

"Now the limit of this one's store of merit has today been reached, O Guha; therefore I shall abandon him and depart. Slay him now, for the sake of the whole world."

Verse 167 (skanda.1.67.167)

तस्यां ततो निर्गतायां दैत्यशीर्षं व्यकम्पयत्॥ कंपितं चास्य तद्देहं गतवीर्योऽभवत्क्षणात्

tasyāṁ tato nirgatāyāṁ daityaśīrṣaṁ vyakampayat kaṁpitaṁ cāsya taddehaṁ gatavīryo'bhavatkṣaṇāt

As she departed, the demon's head began to shake; his body trembled, and in an instant he was drained of his power.

Verse 168 (skanda.1.67.168)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे शक्तिं सोऽक्षिपद्गिरिजात्मजः॥ उल्काज्वाला विमुञ्चंतीमतिसूर्याग्निसप्रभाम्

etasminnaṁtare śaktiṁ so'kṣipadgirijātmajaḥ ulkājvālā vimuñcaṁtīmatisūryāgnisaprabhām

At that moment, the son of Girija hurled his Shakti, which released a shower of blazing meteors, more radiant than sun and fire together,

Verse 169 (skanda.1.67.169)

कल्पांभोधिसमुन्नादां दिधक्षंतीं जगद्यथा॥ तारकस्यांतकालाय अभाग्यस्य दशामिव

kalpāṁbhodhisamunnādāṁ didhakṣaṁtīṁ jagadyathā tārakasyāṁtakālāya abhāgyasya daśāmiva

roaring like the ocean at the end of a cosmic age, as if intent on burning the whole world — for the hour of Taraka's death, like the very fate of the unfortunate.

Verse 170 (skanda.1.67.170)

दारणीं पर्वतानां च सर्वसत्त्वबलाधिकाम्॥ उत्क्षिप्य तां विनद्योच्चैरमुञ्चत्कुपितो गुहः

dāraṇīṁ parvatānāṁ ca sarvasattvabalādhikām utkṣipya tāṁ vinadyoccairamuñcatkupito guhaḥ

Lifting up that Shakti, capable of rending mountains, surpassing the strength of all beings, and roaring loudly, the enraged Guha released it,

Verse 171 (skanda.1.67.171)

धर्मश्चेद्बलवाँल्लोके धर्मो जयति चेत्सदा॥ तेन सत्येन दैत्योयं प्रलयं यात्वितीरयन्

dharmaścedbalavām̐lloke dharmo jayati cetsadā tena satyena daityoyaṁ pralayaṁ yātvitīrayan

declaring: "If dharma is indeed powerful in this world, if dharma ever truly triumphs, then by that very truth, let this demon go to his destruction."

Verse 172 (skanda.1.67.172)

सा कुमारभुजोत्सृष्टा दुर्निवार्या दुरासदा॥ विभेद हृदयं चास्य भित्त्वा च धरणिं गता

sā kumārabhujotsṛṣṭā durnivāryā durāsadā vibheda hṛdayaṁ cāsya bhittvā ca dharaṇiṁ gatā

That Shakti, released by the Kumara's arm, irresistible and unassailable, pierced through his heart and, passing through, entered the earth.

Verse 173 (skanda.1.67.173)

निःसृत्य जलकल्लोलपूर्विका स्कंदमाययौ॥ स च संताडितः शक्त्या विभिन्नहृदयोसुरः॥ नादयन्वसुधां सर्वां पपातायोमुखो मृतः

niḥsṛtya jalakallolapūrvikā skaṁdamāyayau sa ca saṁtāḍitaḥ śaktyā vibhinnahṛdayosuraḥ nādayanvasudhāṁ sarvāṁ papātāyomukho mṛtaḥ

Emerging again, preceded now by waves of water, it returned to Skanda. And the demon, his heart shattered by the Shakti, roaring across the whole earth, fell dead, his face turned toward the ground.

Verse 174 (skanda.1.67.174)

एवं प्रताप्य त्रैलोक्यं निर्जित्य बहुशः सुरान्॥ महारणे कुमारेण निहतः पार्थ तारकः

evaṁ pratāpya trailokyaṁ nirjitya bahuśaḥ surān mahāraṇe kumāreṇa nihataḥ pārtha tārakaḥ

Thus Taraka, who had scorched the three worlds and repeatedly conquered the gods, was slain by the Kumara in that great battle, O Partha.

Verse 175 (skanda.1.67.175)

एतस्मिन्निहते दैत्ये प्रहर्षं विश्वमाययौ

etasminnihate daitye praharṣaṁ viśvamāyayau

When that demon was slain, the whole universe was filled with joy.

Verse 176 (skanda.1.67.176)

ववुर्वातास्तथा पुण्याः सुप्रभोभूद्दिवाकरः॥ जज्वलुश्चाग्नयः शांताः शांता दिग्जनितस्वनाः

vavurvātāstathā puṇyāḥ suprabhobhūddivākaraḥ jajvaluścāgnayaḥ śāṁtāḥ śāṁtā digjanitasvanāḥ

Auspicious winds blew, the sun grew radiant; the fires, once agitated, blazed calmly, and the sounds arising from every direction grew peaceful.

Verse 177 (skanda.1.67.177)

ततः पुनः स्कंदमाह प्रहृष्टः केशवोऽरिहा॥ स्कंदस्कंद महाबाहो बाणोनाम बलात्मजः

tataḥ punaḥ skaṁdamāha prahṛṣṭaḥ keśavo'rihā skaṁdaskaṁda mahābāho bāṇonāma balātmajaḥ

Then Keshava, the slayer of enemies, delighted, said again to Skanda: "O Skanda, Skanda, mighty-armed one, there is one named Bana, son of Bali,"

Verse 178 (skanda.1.67.178)

क्रौंचपर्वतमादाय देवसंघान्प्रबाधते॥ सोऽधुना ते भयाद्वीर पलायित्वा नगं गतः॥ जहि तं पापसंकल्पं क्रौंचस्थं शक्तिवेगतः

krauṁcaparvatamādāya devasaṁghānprabādhate so'dhunā te bhayādvīra palāyitvā nagaṁ gataḥ jahi taṁ pāpasaṁkalpaṁ krauṁcasthaṁ śaktivegataḥ

"— who, having occupied Mount Krauncha, harasses the hosts of gods. He, O hero, out of fear of you, has now fled into that mountain; slay him there in Krauncha, that evil-minded one, with the force of your Shakti."

Verse 179 (skanda.1.67.179)

ततः क्रौंचं महातेजा नानाव्यालविनादितम्॥ शक्त्या बिभेद बहुभिर्वृक्षैर्जीवैश्च संकुलम्

tataḥ krauṁcaṁ mahātejā nānāvyālavināditam śaktyā bibheda bahubhirvṛkṣairjīvaiśca saṁkulam

Then the greatly splendorous one, with his Shakti, split open Mount Krauncha, echoing with manifold serpents, crowded with many trees and living creatures.

Verse 180 (skanda.1.67.180)

तत्र व्यालसहस्राणि दैत्यकोट्ययुतं तथा॥ ददाह बाणां च गिरं भित्त्वा शक्तिर्महारवा

tatra vyālasahasrāṇi daityakoṭyayutaṁ tathā dadāha bāṇāṁ ca giraṁ bhittvā śaktirmahāravā

There, thousands of serpents and ten million crores of demons were consumed; and the mighty roaring Shakti, having pierced the mountain, burned Bana as well.

Verse 181 (skanda.1.67.181)

अद्यापि छिद्रं तत्पार्थ क्रौंचस्य परिवर्तते

adyāpi chidraṁ tatpārtha krauṁcasya parivartate

Even today, O Partha, that gap in Mount Krauncha remains.

Verse 182 (skanda.1.67.182)

येन हंसाश्च क्रौंचाश्च मानसाय प्रयांति च॥ हत्वा बाणं महाशक्तिः पुनः स्कंदं समागता॥ प्रत्यायाति मनः साधोराहृतं प्रहितं तथा

yena haṁsāśca krauṁcāśca mānasāya prayāṁti ca hatvā bāṇaṁ mahāśaktiḥ punaḥ skaṁdaṁ samāgatā pratyāyāti manaḥ sādhorāhṛtaṁ prahitaṁ tathā

Through it, both the wild geese and the krauncha-birds pass on their way to Lake Manasa. Having slain Bana, the great Shakti returned once more to Skanda — just as a good man's mind, once sent forth, returns again.

Verse 183 (skanda.1.67.183)

ततो हरींद्रप्रमुखाः प्रतुष्टुवुर्ननृतुश्च रंभाप्रमुखा वरांगनाः॥ वाद्यानि सर्वाणि च वादयंतस्तं साधुसाध्वित्यमरा जगुर्भुशम्

tato harīṁdrapramukhāḥ pratuṣṭuvurnanṛtuśca raṁbhāpramukhā varāṁganāḥ vādyāni sarvāṇi ca vādayaṁtastaṁ sādhusādhvityamarā jagurbhuśam

Then Hari and Indra and the other chief gods praised him, and the finest women, led by Rambha, danced; and, sounding every kind of instrument, the immortals cried aloud again and again, "Well done, well done!"