The Slaying of Andhaka and the Granting of His Boon

Verse 1 (skanda.5.203.1)

उत्तानपाद उवाच। कस्मिन्स्थानेऽवसद्देव सोऽन्धको दैत्यपुंगवः। सर्वान्देवांश्च निर्जित्य कस्मिन्स्थाने समास्थितः

uttānapāda uvāca| kasminsthāne'vasaddeva so'ndhako daityapuṁgavaḥ| sarvāndevāṁśca nirjitya kasminsthāne samāsthitaḥ

Uttanapada said: O god, having conquered all the gods, in what place did that foremost of daityas, Andhaka, dwell, and in what place did he settle?

Verse 2 (skanda.5.203.2)

श्रीमहेश उवाच। प्रविष्टो दानवो यत्र कथयामि नराधिप। पाताललोकमाश्रित्य कन्या विध्वंसते तु सः

śrīmaheśa uvāca| praviṣṭo dānavo yatra kathayāmi narādhipa| pātālalokamāśritya kanyā vidhvaṁsate tu saḥ

Shri Mahesha said: O lord of men, I shall tell you where that danava entered; taking refuge in the netherworld, he there defiled its maidens.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.203.3)

तत्र स्थितं तं विज्ञाय चापमादाय केशवः। व्यसृजद्बाणमाग्नेयं दह्यतामिति चिन्तयन्

tatra sthitaṁ taṁ vijñāya cāpamādāya keśavaḥ| vyasṛjadbāṇamāgneyaṁ dahyatāmiti cintayan

Learning that he was stationed there, Keshava took up his bow and, thinking "Let him be burned," released a fire-weapon arrow.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.203.4)

दह्यमानोऽग्निना सोऽपि वारुणास्त्रं स संदधे। वारुणास्त्रेण महता आग्नेयं शमितं तदा

dahyamāno'gninā so'pi vāruṇāstraṁ sa saṁdadhe| vāruṇāstreṇa mahatā āgneyaṁ śamitaṁ tadā

Being burned by the fire, he in turn drew the water-weapon; by that mighty water-weapon, the fire-weapon was then quenched.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.203.5)

ततोऽसौ चिन्तयामास केन बाणो विसर्जितः। कस्यैषा पौरुषी शक्तिः को यास्यति यमालयम्

tato'sau cintayāmāsa kena bāṇo visarjitaḥ| kasyaiṣā pauruṣī śaktiḥ ko yāsyati yamālayam

Then he thought to himself: Who released this arrow? Whose manly power is this? Who shall go to the abode of Yama?

Verse 6 (skanda.5.203.6)

ततोऽन्धको मृधे क्रुद्धो बाणमार्गेण निर्गतः। स दृष्ट्वा बाणमार्गेण चापहस्तं जनार्दनम्

tato'ndhako mṛdhe kruddho bāṇamārgeṇa nirgataḥ| sa dṛṣṭvā bāṇamārgeṇa cāpahastaṁ janārdanam

Then Andhaka, enraged, emerged in battle along the path of the arrow; he saw, along the arrow's path, Janardana, bow in hand.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.203.7)

अन्धक उवाच। न शर्म लप्स्यसे ह्यद्य मया दृष्ट्याभिवीक्षितः। न शक्नोषि तथा गन्तुं नागः शार्दूलदर्शनात्

andhaka uvāca| na śarma lapsyase hyadya mayā dṛṣṭyābhivīkṣitaḥ| na śaknoṣi tathā gantuṁ nāgaḥ śārdūladarśanāt

Andhaka said: Today, beheld by my gaze, you shall find no comfort; just as a serpent cannot flee at the sight of a tiger, so too you shall not be able to depart.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.203.8)

आगच्छति यथा भक्ष्यं मार्जारस्य च मूषिकः। न शक्नोषि तथा यातुं संस्थितस्त्वं ममाग्रतः

āgacchati yathā bhakṣyaṁ mārjārasya ca mūṣikaḥ| na śaknoṣi tathā yātuṁ saṁsthitastvaṁ mamāgrataḥ

Just as a mouse comes as prey to a cat, so too, standing before me now, you shall not be able to leave.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.203.9)

अहं त्वां प्रेषयिष्यामि यममार्गे सुदारुणे। अहमन्वेषयिष्यामि किल यास्यामि ते गृहम्

ahaṁ tvāṁ preṣayiṣyāmi yamamārge sudāruṇe| ahamanveṣayiṣyāmi kila yāsyāmi te gṛham

I shall send you along that most terrible path of Yama; I myself shall seek you out, and go to your very home.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.203.10)

उपनीतोऽसि कालेन सङ्ग्रामे मम केशव। ये त्वया निर्जिताः पूर्वं दानवा अप्यनेकशः

upanīto'si kālena saṅgrāme mama keśava| ye tvayā nirjitāḥ pūrvaṁ dānavā apyanekaśaḥ

O Keshava, time has now brought you into my battle; those many danavas whom you once conquered before,

Verse 11 (skanda.5.203.11)

न भवन्ति पुमांसस्ते स्त्रियस्ताश्चैव केशव। परं न शस्त्रसङ्ग्रामं करिष्यामि त्वया सह

na bhavanti pumāṁsaste striyastāścaiva keśava| paraṁ na śastrasaṅgrāmaṁ kariṣyāmi tvayā saha

O Keshava, they were not true men, they were mere women. But I shall not engage you in a battle of weapons.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.203.12)

वदतो दानवेन्द्रस्य न चुकोप स केशवः। अयुध्यमानं तं दृष्ट्वा चिन्तयामास दानवः

vadato dānavendrasya na cukopa sa keśavaḥ| ayudhyamānaṁ taṁ dṛṣṭvā cintayāmāsa dānavaḥ

Even as the lord of danavas spoke thus, Keshava did not become angry; seeing him not fighting, the danava began to think.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.203.13)

द्वन्द्वयुद्धं करिष्यामि निश्चित्य युयुधे नृप। स कृष्णेन पदाक्षिप्तः पतितः पृथिवीतले

dvandvayuddhaṁ kariṣyāmi niścitya yuyudhe nṛpa| sa kṛṣṇena padākṣiptaḥ patitaḥ pṛthivītale

O king, resolving 'I shall engage in single combat,' he began to fight; but Krishna struck him with his foot, and he fell to the ground.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.203.14)

मुहूर्तात्स समाश्वस्य उत्थायेदं व्यचिन्तयत्। अशक्तो द्वन्द्वयुद्धाय ततः साम प्रयुक्तवान्। पाणिभ्यां सम्पुटं कृत्वा साष्टाङ्गं प्रणतः शुचिः

muhūrtātsa samāśvasya utthāyedaṁ vyacintayat| aśakto dvandvayuddhāya tataḥ sāma prayuktavān| pāṇibhyāṁ sampuṭaṁ kṛtvā sāṣṭāṅgaṁ praṇataḥ śuciḥ

After a moment, coming to his senses, he rose and pondered this; unable to continue single combat, he then resorted to conciliation; joining both hands together, pure of heart, he bowed down with all eight limbs to the ground.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.203.15)

अन्धक उवाच। जय कृष्णाय हरये विष्णवे जिष्णवे नमः। हृषीकेश जगद्धात्रे अच्युताय महात्मने

andhaka uvāca| jaya kṛṣṇāya haraye viṣṇave jiṣṇave namaḥ| hṛṣīkeśa jagaddhātre acyutāya mahātmane

Andhaka said: Victory to Krishna! Salutations to Hari, to Vishnu, to the triumphant one. O Hrishikesha, sustainer of the universe, O Achyuta, O great soul!

Verse 16 (skanda.5.203.16)

नमः पङ्कजनाभाय नमः पङ्कजमालिने। जनार्दनाय श्रीशाय श्रीपते पीतवाससे

namaḥ paṅkajanābhāya namaḥ paṅkajamāline| janārdanāya śrīśāya śrīpate pītavāsase

Salutations to the lotus-naveled one, salutations to the lotus-garlanded one; to Janardana, to the lord of Shri, O consort of Shri, O wearer of yellow garments!

Verse 17 (skanda.5.203.17)

गोविन्दाय नमो नित्यं नमो जलधिशायिने। नमः करालवक्त्राय नरसिंहाय नादिने

govindāya namo nityaṁ namo jaladhiśāyine| namaḥ karālavaktrāya narasiṁhāya nādine

Eternal salutations to Govinda, salutations to the one who reclines upon the ocean; salutations to the roaring Narasimha of the terrible visage.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.203.18)

शार्ङ्गिणे सितवर्णाय शङ्खचक्रगदाभृते। नमो वामनरूपाय यज्ञरूपाय ते नमः

śārṅgiṇe sitavarṇāya śaṅkhacakragadābhṛte| namo vāmanarūpāya yajñarūpāya te namaḥ

Salutations to the wielder of the Sharnga bow, of white hue, bearer of conch, discus, and mace; salutations to the dwarf-formed one, salutations to you in your sacrificial form.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.203.19)

नमो वराहरूपाय क्रान्तलोकत्रयाय च। व्याप्ताशेषदिगन्ताय केशवाय नमोनमः

namo varāharūpāya krāntalokatrayāya ca| vyāptāśeṣadigantāya keśavāya namonamaḥ

Salutations to the boar-formed one, and to the one who strode across the three worlds; repeated salutations to Keshava, who pervades every horizon.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.203.20)

वासुदेव नमस्तुभ्यं नमः कैटभनाशिने। लक्ष्म्यालय सुरश्रेष्ठ नमस्ते सुरनायक

vāsudeva namastubhyaṁ namaḥ kaiṭabhanāśine| lakṣmyālaya suraśreṣṭha namaste suranāyaka

O Vasudeva, salutations to you, salutations to the destroyer of Kaitabha; O abode of Lakshmi, foremost of gods, O leader of the gods, salutations to you.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.203.21)

विष्णोर्देवाधिदेवस्य प्रमाणं येऽपि कुर्वते। प्रजापतेर्जगद्धातुस्तेषामपि नमाम्यहम्

viṣṇordevādhidevasya pramāṇaṁ ye'pi kurvate| prajāpaterjagaddhātusteṣāmapi namāmyaham

I bow also to those who accept as authority Vishnu, the god above the gods, the lord of creatures, the sustainer of the universe.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.203.22)

समस्तभूतदेवस्य वासुदेवस्य धीमतः। प्रणामं ये प्रकुर्वन्ति तेषामपि नमाम्यहम्

samastabhūtadevasya vāsudevasya dhīmataḥ| praṇāmaṁ ye prakurvanti teṣāmapi namāmyaham

I bow also to those who offer their reverence to the wise Vasudeva, the god of all beings.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.203.23)

तस्य यज्ञवराहस्य विष्णोरमिततेजसः। प्रणामं ये प्रकुर्वन्ति तेषामपि नमाम्यहम्

tasya yajñavarāhasya viṣṇoramitatejasaḥ| praṇāmaṁ ye prakurvanti teṣāmapi namāmyaham

I bow also to those who offer their reverence to that Vishnu of boundless splendour, in the form of the sacrificial boar.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.203.24)

गुणानां हि निधानाय नमस्तेऽस्तु पुनःपुनः। कारुण्याम्बुनिधे देव सर्वभक्तिप्रियाय च

guṇānāṁ hi nidhānāya namaste'stu punaḥpunaḥ| kāruṇyāmbunidhe deva sarvabhaktipriyāya ca

Repeated salutations to you, treasury of all virtues; O god, ocean of compassion, beloved of every devotee.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.203.25)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। तुष्टस्ते दानवेन्द्राहं वरं वृणु यथेप्सितम्। ददामि ते वरं नूनमपि त्रैलोक्यदुर्लभम्

śrībhagavānuvāca| tuṣṭaste dānavendrāhaṁ varaṁ vṛṇu yathepsitam| dadāmi te varaṁ nūnamapi trailokyadurlabham

Shri Bhagavan said: O lord of danavas, I am pleased with you; ask for whatever boon you desire. I shall surely grant you a boon rare even in the three worlds.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.203.26)

अन्धक उवाच। यदि तुष्टोऽसि मे देव वरं दास्यसि चेप्सितम्। तदा ददस्व मे देव युद्धं परमशोभनम्। अवद्धस्तपूतो येनाहं लोकान्गन्तास्मि शोभनान्

andhaka uvāca| yadi tuṣṭo'si me deva varaṁ dāsyasi cepsitam| tadā dadasva me deva yuddhaṁ paramaśobhanam| avaddhastapūto yenāhaṁ lokāngantāsmi śobhanān

Andhaka said: O god, if you are pleased with me, if you will grant the boon I desire, then, O god, grant me a supremely glorious battle, by which, unbound and purified, I may attain to auspicious worlds.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.203.27)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। कथं ददामि ते युद्धं तोषितोऽहं त्वया पुनः। न त्वां तु प्रभवेत्कोपः कथं युध्यामि तेऽन्धक

śrībhagavānuvāca| kathaṁ dadāmi te yuddhaṁ toṣito'haṁ tvayā punaḥ| na tvāṁ tu prabhavetkopaḥ kathaṁ yudhyāmi te'ndhaka

Shri Bhagavan said: How can I grant you battle, when you have pleased me so? No anger can even arise in me toward you; O Andhaka, how then could I fight you?

Verse 28 (skanda.5.203.28)

यदि ते वर्तते बुद्धिर्युद्धं प्रति न संशयः। ततो गच्छस्व युद्धाय देवं प्रति महेश्वरम्

yadi te vartate buddhiryuddhaṁ prati na saṁśayaḥ| tato gacchasva yuddhāya devaṁ prati maheśvaram

If your mind is truly set upon battle, without doubt, then go to wage war against the god Maheshvara.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.203.29)

अन्धक उवाच। न तत्र सिध्यते कार्यं देवं प्रति महेश्वरम्

andhaka uvāca| na tatra sidhyate kāryaṁ devaṁ prati maheśvaram

Andhaka said: That undertaking will not succeed against the god Maheshvara.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.203.30)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। पुत्र त्वं शिखरं गत्वा धूनयस्व बलेन च

śrībhagavānuvāca| putra tvaṁ śikharaṁ gatvā dhūnayasva balena ca

Shri Bhagavan said: My son, go to the mountain peak and shake it with all your strength.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.203.31)

विधूते तत्र देवेशः कोपं कर्ता सुदारुणम्। कोपितः शङ्करो रौद्रं युद्धं दास्यति दानव

vidhūte tatra deveśaḥ kopaṁ kartā sudāruṇam| kopitaḥ śaṅkaro raudraṁ yuddhaṁ dāsyati dānava

When it is shaken, the lord of gods there will fly into a most terrible rage; O danava, provoked, Shankara will grant you a fearsome battle.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.203.32)

विष्णुवाक्यादसौ पापो गतो यत्र महेश्वरः। कैलासशिखरं प्राप्य धुनोति स्म मुहुर्मुहुः

viṣṇuvākyādasau pāpo gato yatra maheśvaraḥ| kailāsaśikharaṁ prāpya dhunoti sma muhurmuhuḥ

At Vishnu's word, that sinful one went to where Maheshvara was; reaching the peak of Kailasa, he began to shake it again and again.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.203.33)

धूनिते तत्र शिखरे कम्पितं भुवनत्रयम्। निपेतुः शिखराग्राणि कम्पमानान्यनेकशः

dhūnite tatra śikhare kampitaṁ bhuvanatrayam| nipetuḥ śikharāgrāṇi kampamānānyanekaśaḥ

As that peak was shaken, the three worlds trembled; many mountain-peaks, quaking, crumbled and fell.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.203.34)

चत्वारः सागराः क्षिप्रमेकीभूता महीपते। निपेतुरुल्कापाताश्च पादपा अप्यनेकशः

catvāraḥ sāgarāḥ kṣipramekībhūtā mahīpate| nipeturulkāpātāśca pādapā apyanekaśaḥ

O lord of the earth, the four oceans quickly merged into one; meteors fell, and many trees too came crashing down.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.203.35)

उमया सहितो देवो विस्मयं परमं गतः। गाढमालिङ्ग्य गिरिजा देवं वचनमब्रवीत्

umayā sahito devo vismayaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ| gāḍhamāliṅgya girijā devaṁ vacanamabravīt

The god, together with Uma, was struck with the greatest wonder; Girija, embracing the god tightly, spoke these words.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.203.36)

किमर्थं कम्पते शैलः किमर्थं कम्पते धरा। किमर्थं कम्पते नागो मर्त्यः पातालमेव च। किं वा युगक्षयो देव तन्ममाख्यातुमर्हसि

kimarthaṁ kampate śailaḥ kimarthaṁ kampate dharā| kimarthaṁ kampate nāgo martyaḥ pātālameva ca| kiṁ vā yugakṣayo deva tanmamākhyātumarhasi

Why does the mountain tremble? Why does the earth tremble? Why do the serpents, the mortal world, and even the netherworld tremble? O god, is this the destruction of the age? You should explain this to me.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.203.37)

ईश्वर उवाच। कस्यैषा दुर्मतिर्जाता क्षिप्तः सर्पमुखे करः। ललाटे च कृतं वर्म स यास्यति यमालयम्

īśvara uvāca| kasyaiṣā durmatirjātā kṣiptaḥ sarpamukhe karaḥ| lalāṭe ca kṛtaṁ varma sa yāsyati yamālayam

Ishvara said: In whom has this folly arisen, who has thrust his hand into the serpent's mouth? Whoever has strapped armour upon his own forehead shall go to the abode of Yama.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.203.38)

कैलासमाश्रितो येन सुप्तोऽहं येन बोधितः। तं वधिष्ये न सन्देहः सम्मुखो वा भवेद्यदि

kailāsamāśrito yena supto'haṁ yena bodhitaḥ| taṁ vadhiṣye na sandehaḥ sammukho vā bhavedyadi

Whoever it was who, while I lay asleep upon Kailasa, has now awakened me — him I shall slay, without doubt, should he come before me.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.203.39)

चिन्तयामास देवेशो ह्यन्धकोऽयं न संशयः। उपायं चिन्तयामास येनासौ वध्यते क्षणात्

cintayāmāsa deveśo hyandhako'yaṁ na saṁśayaḥ| upāyaṁ cintayāmāsa yenāsau vadhyate kṣaṇāt

The lord of gods reflected: This is certainly Andhaka. He began to consider a means by which he might be slain at once.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.203.40)

आगताश्च सुराः सर्वे ब्रह्माद्या वसुभिः सह। रथं देवमयं कृत्वा सर्वलक्षणसंयुतम्

āgatāśca surāḥ sarve brahmādyā vasubhiḥ saha| rathaṁ devamayaṁ kṛtvā sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutam

Then all the gods, with Brahma and the Vasus, arrived there, and fashioned a chariot composed of the gods themselves, complete with every auspicious mark.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.203.41)

केचिद्देवाः स्थिताश्चक्रे केचित्तुण्डाग्रपार्श्वयोः। केचिन्नाभ्यां स्थिता देवाः केचिद्धुर्येषु संस्थिताः

keciddevāḥ sthitāścakre kecittuṇḍāgrapārśvayoḥ| kecinnābhyāṁ sthitā devāḥ kecidhuryeṣu saṁsthitāḥ

Some gods took their place in the wheels, some at the front tip and the sides; some gods positioned themselves at the axle-hub, and some stood at the shaft-yoke.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.203.42)

धुरीषु निश्चलाः केचित्केचिद्यूपेषु संस्थिताः। केचित्स्यन्दनसंस्तम्भाः केचित्स्यन्दनवेष्टकाः

dhurīṣu niścalāḥ kecitkecidyūpeṣu saṁsthitāḥ| kecitsyandanasaṁstambhāḥ kecitsyandanaveṣṭakāḥ

Some remained fixed in the shafts, some took their place at the yoke-poles; some became the chariot's support-pillars, some its outer casing.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.203.43)

आमलसारकेऽन्येऽपि अन्येऽपि कलशे स्थिताः। रिपोर्भयंकरं दिव्यं ध्वजमालादिशोभितम्

āmalasārake'nye'pi anye'pi kalaśe sthitāḥ| riporbhayaṁkaraṁ divyaṁ dhvajamālādiśobhitam

Some others took their place in the crowning finial, others in the ornamental pinnacle-vase; thus fashioning a chariot terrifying to the foe, divine, adorned with garlands of banners and the like,

Verse 44 (skanda.5.203.44)

रथं देवमयं कृत्वा तमारूढो जगद्गुरुः। निर्ययौ दानवो यत्र कोपाविष्टो महेश्वरः

rathaṁ devamayaṁ kṛtvā tamārūḍho jagadguruḥ| niryayau dānavo yatra kopāviṣṭo maheśvaraḥ

having built this chariot composed of the gods, mounting upon it, the world-guru Maheshvara, filled with fury, set forth to where the danava stood.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.203.45)

तिष्ठ तिष्ठेत्युवाचाथ क्व प्रयास्यसि दुर्मते। शरासनं करे गृह्य शरांश्चिक्षेप दानवे

tiṣṭha tiṣṭhetyuvācātha kva prayāsyasi durmate| śarāsanaṁ kare gṛhya śarāṁścikṣepa dānave

"Stand, stand!" he cried out — "Where do you think you are going, O fool?" — and, taking his bow in hand, he loosed arrows upon the danava.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.203.46)

दानवेऽधिष्ठिते युद्धे शरैश्चिछेद सायकान्। शरासनेण तत्रैव अन्धकश्छादितस्तदा

dānave'dhiṣṭhite yuddhe śaraiścicheda sāyakān| śarāsaneṇa tatraiva andhakaśchāditastadā

The danava, standing firm in that battle, cut those arrows to pieces with his own; and there, in turn, Andhaka too was enveloped by that bow's onslaught.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.203.47)

न तत्र दृश्यते सूर्यो नाकाशं न च चन्द्रमाः। आग्नेयमस्त्रं व्यसृजद्दानवोऽपि शिवं प्रति

na tatra dṛśyate sūryo nākāśaṁ na ca candramāḥ| āgneyamastraṁ vyasṛjaddānavo'pi śivaṁ prati

There, neither the sun nor the sky nor the moon could be seen; the danava too loosed the fire-weapon against Shiva.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.203.48)

दह्यमानाः शराङ्गारैस्तत्रसुः सर्वदेवताः। रक्ष रक्ष महादेव दह्यमानांस्तु दानवात्

dahyamānāḥ śarāṅgāraistatrasuḥ sarvadevatāḥ| rakṣa rakṣa mahādeva dahyamānāṁstu dānavāt

All the gods, being scorched by the burning embers of those arrows, cried out in fear: "O Mahadeva, protect us, protect us, being burned by this danava!"

Verse 49 (skanda.5.203.49)

ततो देवाधिदेवोऽसौ वारुणास्त्रमयोऽजयत्। वारुणास्त्रेण निमिषादाग्नेयं नाशितं तदा

tato devādhidevo'sau vāruṇāstramayo'jayat| vāruṇāstreṇa nimiṣādāgneyaṁ nāśitaṁ tadā

Then that god above the gods triumphed by means of the water-weapon; by the water-weapon, the fire-weapon was destroyed in an instant.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.203.50)

दानवेन तदा मुक्तं वायव्यास्त्रं रणाजिरे। वारुणं च गतं तात वायव्यास्त्रविनाशितम्

dānavena tadā muktaṁ vāyavyāstraṁ raṇājire| vāruṇaṁ ca gataṁ tāta vāyavyāstravināśitam

Then the danava released the wind-weapon on the field of battle; O child, the water-weapon too was destroyed by that wind-weapon.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.203.51)

देवो व्यसर्जयत्सार्पं क्रोधाविष्टेन चेतसा। मारुतं नाशितं बाणैः सर्पैस्तत्र न संशयः

devo vyasarjayatsārpaṁ krodhāviṣṭena cetasā| mārutaṁ nāśitaṁ bāṇaiḥ sarpaistatra na saṁśayaḥ

With a heart filled with wrath, the god released the serpent-weapon; by those serpent arrows, the wind-weapon was destroyed there, without doubt.

Verse 52 (skanda.5.203.52)

दानवेन ततो मुक्तं गरुडास्त्रं च लीलया। गारुडास्त्रं च तद्दृष्ट्वा सार्पं नैव व्यदृश्यत

dānavena tato muktaṁ garuḍāstraṁ ca līlayā| gāruḍāstraṁ ca taddṛṣṭvā sārpaṁ naiva vyadṛśyata

Then the danava, with ease, released the Garuda-weapon; and at the very sight of that Garuda-weapon, the serpent-weapon vanished from view entirely.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.203.53)

ततो देवाधिदेवेन नारसिंहं विसर्जितम्। नारसिंहास्त्रबाणेन गारुडास्त्रं प्रशामितम्

tato devādhidevena nārasiṁhaṁ visarjitam| nārasiṁhāstrabāṇena gāruḍāstraṁ praśāmitam

Then the god above the gods released the Narasimha-weapon; by the arrow of the Narasimha-weapon, the Garuda-weapon was pacified.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.203.54)

अस्त्रमस्त्रेण शम्येत न बाध्येत परस्परम्। महद्युद्धमभूत्तातसुरासुरभयंकरम्

astramastreṇa śamyeta na bādhyeta parasparam| mahadyuddhamabhūttātasurāsurabhayaṁkaram

Weapon was neutralized by weapon, yet neither side was ever harmed thereby; O child, a great battle ensued, terrifying to gods and asuras alike.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.203.55)

चक्रनालीकनाराचैस्तोमरैः खड्गमुद्गरैः। वत्सदन्तैस्तथा भल्लैः कर्णिकारैश्च शोभनैः

cakranālīkanārācaistomaraiḥ khaḍgamudgaraiḥ| vatsadantaiḥ tathā bhallaiḥ karṇikāraiśca śobhanaiḥ

with discus, broad-headed arrows, iron shafts, javelins, swords, maces, calf-tooth blades, broad spearheads, and fine crescent-headed arrows,

Verse 56 (skanda.5.203.56)

एवं न शक्यते हन्तुं दानवो विविधायुधैः। तदा ज्वालाकरालाश्च खड्गनाराचतोमराः

evaṁ na śakyate hantuṁ dānavo vividhāyudhaiḥ| tadā jvālākarālāśca khaḍganārācatomarāḥ

yet even with such various weapons, the danava could not be slain; then swords, iron shafts, and javelins, terrible with flame,

Verse 57 (skanda.5.203.57)

वृषाङ्केन विमुक्तास्तु समरे दानवं प्रति। न संस्पृशन्ति शस्त्राणि गात्रं गौडवधूरिव

vṛṣāṅkena vimuktāstu samare dānavaṁ prati| na saṁspṛśanti śastrāṇi gātraṁ gauḍavadhūriva

though released by the bull-bannered one against the danava in battle, those weapons could not so much as touch his body, just as a shy young bride of Gauda would not touch a stranger.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.203.58)

आयुधानि ततस्त्यक्त्वा बाहुयुद्धमुपस्थितौ। करं करेण संगृह्य प्रहरन्तौ स्वमुष्टिभिः। रणप्रयोगैर्युध्यन्तौ युयुधाते शिवान्धकौ

āyudhāni tatastyaktvā bāhuyuddhamupasthitau| karaṁ kareṇa saṁgṛhya praharantau svamuṣṭibhiḥ| raṇaprayogairyudhyantau yuyudhāte śivāndhakau

Then, casting aside their weapons, both took to hand-to-hand combat; gripping hand against hand, striking with their fists, employing the techniques of combat, Shiva and Andhaka fought one another.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.203.59)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। अन्धकं प्रति देवेशश्चिन्तयामास निग्रहम्। हनिष्यामि न सन्देहो दुष्टात्मानं न संशयः

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| andhakaṁ prati deveśaścintayāmāsa nigraham| haniṣyāmi na sandeho duṣṭātmānaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

Shri Markandeya said: The lord of gods resolved upon the subjugation of Andhaka: "I shall slay this evil-souled one, without doubt."

Verse 60 (skanda.5.203.60)

स शिवेन यदा क्षिप्तः पतितः पृथिवीतले। ऊर्ध्वबाहुरधोवक्त्रो दानवो नृपसत्तम

sa śivena yadā kṣiptaḥ patitaḥ pṛthivītale| ūrdhvabāhuradhovaktro dānavo nṛpasattama

O best of kings, when he was hurled down by Shiva and fell to the ground, that danava lay with arms upraised and face downward.

Verse 61 (skanda.5.203.61)

क्रोधाविष्टेन देवेशः सङ्ग्रामे देवशत्रुणा। कक्षयोः कुहरे क्षिप्त्वा बन्धेनाक्रम्य पीडितः

krodhāviṣṭena deveśaḥ saṅgrāme devaśatruṇā| kakṣayoḥ kuhare kṣiptvā bandhenākramya pīḍitaḥ

Filled with rage, the enemy of the gods, in that battle, seized the lord of gods, clamping him in the hollow of his two armpits, gripping and crushing him in a hold.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.203.62)

निस्पन्दश्चाभवद्देवो मूर्च्छायुक्तो महेश्वरः। मूर्च्छापन्नं तु तं ज्ञात्वा चिन्तयामास दानवः

nispandaścābhavaddevo mūrcchāyukto maheśvaraḥ| mūrcchāpannaṁ tu taṁ jñātvā cintayāmāsa dānavaḥ

The god Maheshvara became motionless, overcome by unconsciousness; and, knowing him to have fainted, the danava began to think.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.203.63)

हाहा कष्टं कृतं मेऽद्य दुष्कृतं पापकर्मणा। किं करोमि कथं कर्म कस्मिन्स्थाने तु मोचये

hāhā kaṣṭaṁ kṛtaṁ me'dya duṣkṛtaṁ pāpakarmaṇā| kiṁ karomi kathaṁ karma kasminsthāne tu mocaye

Alas, alas! Today I, of sinful deeds, have committed this terrible wrong. What shall I do now? How shall I act? In what place shall I set him free?

Verse 64 (skanda.5.203.64)

गृहीत्वा देवमुत्सङ्गे गतः कैलासपर्वतम्। शय्यायां शङ्करं न्यस्य निर्ययौ दैत्यराट्ततः

gṛhītvā devamutsaṅge gataḥ kailāsaparvatam| śayyāyāṁ śaṅkaraṁ nyasya niryayau daityarāṭtataḥ

Taking the god up in his lap, he went to Mount Kailasa; laying Shankara down upon a couch, that king of daityas then departed from there.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.203.65)

शय्यायां पतितो देवः प्रपेदे वेदनां ततः। तावद्ददर्श चात्मानं स्वकीयभवनस्थितम्

śayyāyāṁ patito devaḥ prapede vedanāṁ tataḥ| tāvaddadarśa cātmānaṁ svakīyabhavanasthitam

Lying there upon the couch, the god then experienced pain; and thereupon he found himself situated within his own mansion.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.203.66)

पराभवः कृतो मद्यं कथं तेन दुरात्मना। क्रोधवेगसमाविष्टो निर्ययौ दानवं प्रति

parābhavaḥ kṛto madyaṁ kathaṁ tena durātmanā| krodhavegasamāviṣṭo niryayau dānavaṁ prati

He thought: "How has that evil-souled one brought about my defeat?" — filled with a surge of fury, he set out once more toward the danava.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.203.67)

आयसीं लगुडीं गृह्य प्रभुर्भारसहस्रजाम्। दानवं च ततो दृष्ट्वा प्राक्षिपत्तस्य मूर्धनि

āyasīṁ lagudīṁ gṛhya prabhurbhārasahasrajām| dānavaṁ ca tato dṛṣṭvā prākṣipattasya mūrdhani

Taking up his iron mace, weighing as much as a thousand loads, upon seeing the danava the lord hurled it straight at his head.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.203.68)

खड्गेन ताडयामास दानवः प्रहसन्रणे। देवेनाथस्मृतं चास्त्रं कौच्छेराख्यं महाहवे

khaḍgena tāḍayāmāsa dānavaḥ prahasanraṇe| devenāthasmṛtaṁ cāstraṁ kaucchеrākhyaṁ mahāhave

Laughing in battle, the danava struck with his sword; then, in that great battle, the god called to mind the weapon named Kauchchhera.

Verse 69 (skanda.5.203.69)

दीप्यमानं समुत्सृज्य हृदये ताडितः क्षणात्। ततः स ताडितस्तेन रुधिरोद्गारमुद्वमन्

dīpyamānaṁ samutsṛjya hṛdaye tāḍitaḥ kṣaṇāt| tataḥ sa tāḍitastena rudhirodgāramudvaman

Releasing that blazing weapon, his heart was struck in an instant; struck by it, he began to vomit forth streams of blood.

Verse 70 (skanda.5.203.70)

पतितोऽधोमुखो भूत्वा ततः शूलेन भेदितः। पुनश्च देवदेवेन शूलेन द्विदलीकृतः

patito'dhomukho bhūtvā tataḥ śūlena bheditaḥ| punaśca devadevena śūlena dvidalīkṛtaḥ

He fell face downward, and was then pierced by the trident; and once more, the god of gods split him in two with the trident.

Verse 71 (skanda.5.203.71)

शूलाग्रेऽसौ स्थितः पापो भ्रान्तवांश्चक्रवत्तदा। ये ये भूम्यां पतन्ति स्म तत्कायाद्रक्तबिन्दवः

śūlāgre'sau sthitaḥ pāpo bhrāntavāṁścakravattadā| ye ye bhūmyāṁ patanti sma tatkāyādraktabindavaḥ

Impaled on the tip of the trident, that sinner then spun around like a wheel; and whatever drops of blood fell from his body to the ground,

Verse 72 (skanda.5.203.72)

ते ते सर्वे समुत्तस्थुर्दानवाः शास्त्रपाणयः। व्याकुलस्तु ततो देवो दानवेन तरस्विना

te te sarve samuttasthurdānavāḥ śāstrapāṇayaḥ| vyākulastu tato devo dānavena tarasvinā

each of them rose up as armed danavas; and then the god became troubled by that vigorous danava.

Verse 73 (skanda.5.203.73)

देवेनाथ स्मृता दुर्गा चामुण्डा भीषणानना। आयाता भीषणाकारा नानायुधविराजिता

devenātha smṛtā durgā cāmuṇḍā bhīṣaṇānanā| āyātā bhīṣaṇākārā nānāyudhavirājitā

Then the god called to mind Durga Chamunda, of dreadful visage; she arrived, terrible in form, resplendent with manifold weapons.

Verse 74 (skanda.5.203.74)

महादंष्ट्रा महाकाया पिङ्गाक्षी लम्बकर्णिका। आदेशो दीयतां देव को यास्यति यमालयम्

mahādaṁṣṭrā mahākāyā piṅgākṣī lambakarṇikā| ādeśo dīyatāṁ deva ko yāsyati yamālayam

Great-fanged, huge-bodied, tawny-eyed, long-eared — she said, "O god, give the command: who shall go to the abode of Yama?"

Verse 75 (skanda.5.203.75)

ईश्वर उवाच। पिबास्य रुधिरं भद्रे यथेष्टं दानवस्य च। निपतद्रुधिरं भूमौ दुर्गे गृह्णीष्व माचिरम्

īśvara uvāca| pibāsya rudhiraṁ bhadre yatheṣṭaṁ dānavasya ca| nipatadrudhiraṁ bhūmau durge gṛhṇīṣva māciram

Ishvara said: O gentle one, drink freely of this danava's blood; O Durga, without delay, catch the blood as it falls to the ground.

Verse 76 (skanda.5.203.76)

निहन्मि दानवं यावत्साहाय्यं कुरु सुन्दरि। एवमुक्ता तु सा दुर्गा पपौ च रुधिरं ततः

nihanmi dānavaṁ yāvatsāhāyyaṁ kuru sundari| evamuktā tu sā durgā papau ca rudhiraṁ tataḥ

While I slay this danava, O beautiful one, render me your aid. Thus addressed, that Durga then drank up the blood.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.203.77)

निहता दानवाः सर्वे देवेशेन सहस्रशः। अन्धकोऽपि च तान् दृष्ट्वा दानवानवनिं गतान्। ततो वाग्भिः प्रतुष्टाव देवदेवं महेश्वरम्

nihatā dānavāḥ sarve deveśena sahasraśaḥ| andhako'pi ca tān dṛṣṭvā dānavānavaniṁ gatān| tato vāgbhiḥ pratuṣṭāva devadevaṁ maheśvaram

Thousands of danavas were slain by the lord of gods; and Andhaka too, seeing those danavas fallen to the ground, then praised the god of gods, Maheshvara, with these words.

Verse 78 (skanda.5.203.78)

अन्धक उवाच। जयस्व देवदेवेश उमार्धार्धाशरीरधृक्। नमस्ते देवदेवेश सर्वाय त्रिगुणात्मने

andhaka uvāca| jayasva devadeveśa umārdhārdhāśarīradhṛk| namaste devadeveśa sarvāya triguṇātmane

Andhaka said: Victory to you, O lord of the gods of gods, who bears Uma as half of your own body. Salutations to you, O lord of the gods of gods, all-encompassing, embodiment of the three gunas.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.203.79)

वृषभासनमारूढ शशाङ्ककृतशेखर। जय खट्वाङ्गहस्ताय गङ्गाधर नमोऽस्तु ते

vṛṣabhāsanamārūḍha śaśāṅkakṛtaśekhara| jaya khaṭvāṅgahastāya gaṅgādhara namo'stu te

O you who ride upon the bull-throne, who bear the crescent moon as a crest — victory! O bearer of the skull-staff, O Gangadhara, salutations to you.

Verse 80 (skanda.5.203.80)

नमो डमरुहस्ताय नमः कपालमालिने। स्मरदेहविनाशाय महेशाय नमोऽस्तु ते

namo ḍamaruhastāya namaḥ kapālamāline| smaradehavināśāya maheśāya namo'stu te

Salutations to the bearer of the damaru drum, salutations to the wearer of the garland of skulls; salutations to Mahesha, destroyer of the body of Kamadeva.

Verse 81 (skanda.5.203.81)

पूष्णो दन्तनिपाताय गणनाथाय ते नमः। जय स्वरूपदेहाय अरूपबहुरूपिणे

pūṣṇo dantanipātāya gaṇanāthāya te namaḥ| jaya svarūpadehāya arūpabahurūpiṇe

Salutations to you, who felled the teeth of Pusha, lord of the ganas; victory to you, of your own essential form, formless yet manifold in shape.

Verse 82 (skanda.5.203.82)

उत्तमाङ्गविनाशाय विरिञ्चेरपि शङ्कर। श्मशानवासिने नित्यं नित्यं भैरवरूपिणे

uttamāṅgavināśāya viriñcerapi śaṅkara| śmaśānavāsine nityaṁ nityaṁ bhairavarūpiṇe

O Shankara, destroyer even of the topmost limb of Virinchi, Brahma's head; ever dwelling in the cremation ground, ever taking the form of Bhairava.

Verse 83 (skanda.5.203.83)

त्वं सर्वगोऽसि त्वं कर्ता त्वं हर्ता नान्य एव च। त्वं भूमिस्त्वं दिशश्चैव त्वं गुरुर्भार्गवस्तथा

tvaṁ sarvago'si tvaṁ kartā tvaṁ hartā nānya eva ca| tvaṁ bhūmistvaṁ diśaścaiva tvaṁ gururbhārgavastathā

You are the all-pervading one, you are the creator, you alone are the destroyer, none other; you are the earth, you are the quarters of space, you are also the teacher Bhargava.

Verse 84 (skanda.5.203.84)

सौरिस्त्वं देवदेवेश भूमिपुत्रस्तथैव च। ऋक्षग्रहादिकं सर्वं यद्दृश्यं तत्त्वमेव च

sauristvaṁ devadeveśa bhūmiputrastathaiva ca| ṛkṣagrahādikaṁ sarvaṁ yaddṛśyaṁ tattvameva ca

O lord of the gods of gods, you are Sauri, Saturn, and likewise you are Bhumiputra, Mars; whatever is visible — the stars, the planets, and everything else — that too is you alone.

Verse 85 (skanda.5.203.85)

एवं स्तुतिं तदा कृत्वा देवं प्रति स दानवः। संहताभ्यां तु पाणिभ्यां प्रणनाम महेश्वरम्

evaṁ stutiṁ tadā kṛtvā devaṁ prati sa dānavaḥ| saṁhatābhyāṁ tu pāṇibhyāṁ praṇanāma maheśvaram

Having thus offered praise, that danava, joining both his hands together, bowed down to the god Maheshvara.

Verse 86 (skanda.5.203.86)

ईश्वर उवाच। साधु साधु महासत्त्व वरं याचस्व दानव। दाताहं याचकस्त्वं हि ददामीह यथेप्सितम्

īśvara uvāca| sādhu sādhu mahāsattva varaṁ yācasva dānava| dātāhaṁ yācakastvaṁ hi dadāmīha yathepsitam

Ishvara said: Well done, well done, O great being! O danava, ask for a boon; I am the giver, you the petitioner, so here I shall grant you whatever you desire.

Verse 87 (skanda.5.203.87)

अन्धक उवाच। यदि तुष्टोऽसि देवेश यदि देयो वरो मम। तदात्मसदृशोऽहं ते कर्तव्यो नापरो वरः

andhaka uvāca| yadi tuṣṭo'si deveśa yadi deyo varo mama| tadātmasadṛśo'haṁ te kartavyo nāparo varaḥ

Andhaka said: O lord of gods, if you are pleased with me, if a boon is to be granted to me, then make me like yourself in form; no other boon do I wish for.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.203.88)

भस्मी जटी त्रिनेत्री च त्रिशूली च चतुर्भुजः। व्याघ्रचर्मोत्तरीयश्च नागयज्ञोपवीतकः। एतदिच्छाम्यहं सर्वं यदि तुष्टो महेश्वर

bhasmī jaṭī trinetrī ca triśūlī ca caturbhujaḥ| vyāghracarmottarīyaśca nāgayajñopavītakaḥ| etadicchāmyahaṁ sarvaṁ yadi tuṣṭo maheśvara

Ash-smeared, matted-locked, three-eyed, trident-bearing, four-armed, clad in a tiger-skin upper garment, wearing a serpent as the sacred thread — all this I desire, if you are pleased, O Maheshvara.

Verse 89 (skanda.5.203.89)

ईश्वर उवाच। ददामि ते वरं ह्यद्य यस्त्वया याचितोऽनघ। गणेषु मे स्थितः पुत्र भृङ्गीशस्त्वं भविष्यसि

īśvara uvāca| dadāmi te varaṁ hyadya yastvayā yācito'nagha| gaṇeṣu me sthitaḥ putra bhṛṅgīśastvaṁ bhaviṣyasi

Ishvara said: O sinless one, today I grant you the boon you have asked for; O son, established among my ganas, you shall become known as Bhringisha.