The Defeat of the Army of the Gods

Verse 1 (skanda.6.119.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः। यत्त्वया सूतज प्रोक्तं देवी कात्यायनी च सा। महिषांतकरी जाता कथं सा मे प्रकीर्तय

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ yattvayā sūtaja proktaṁ devī kātyāyanī ca sā mahiṣāṁtakarī jātā kathaṁ sā me prakīrtaya

The sages said: "O son of Suta, you have said that the goddess Katyayani became the slayer of Mahisha — tell me how this came to be."

Verse 2 (skanda.6.119.2)

कीदृग्दानववर्यः स माहिषं रूपमाश्रितः। कस्मात्स सूदितो देव्या तन्मे विस्तरतो वद

kīdṛgdānavavaryaḥ sa māhiṣaṁ rūpamāśritaḥ kasmātsa sūdito devyā tanme vistarato vada

"What sort of foremost demon was he who took the form of a buffalo, and why was he slain by the goddess? Tell me this in detail."

Verse 3 (skanda.6.119.3)

सूत उवाच। अत्र वः कीर्तयिष्यामि देव्या माहात्म्यमुत्तमम्। श्रुतमात्रेऽपि मर्त्यानां येन शत्रुक्षयो भवेत्

sūta uvāca atra vaḥ kīrtayiṣyāmi devyā māhātmyamuttamam śrutamātre'pi martyānāṁ yena śatrukṣayo bhavet

Suta said: I shall now relate to you the supreme greatness of the goddess, by merely hearing which mortals achieve the destruction of their enemies.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.119.4)

हिरण्याक्षसुतः पूर्वं महिषोनाम दानवः। आसीन्महिषरूपेण येन भुक्तं जगत्त्रयम्

hiraṇyākṣasutaḥ pūrvaṁ mahiṣonāma dānavaḥ āsīnmahiṣarūpeṇa yena bhuktaṁ jagattrayam

Formerly there was a demon, the son of Hiranyaksha, named Mahisha, who, in the form of a buffalo, had once devoured the three worlds.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.119.5)

ऋषय ऊचुः। माहिषेण स्वरूपेण किंजातः सूतनंदन। अथवा शापदोषेण सञ्जातः केनचिद्वद

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ māhiṣeṇa svarūpeṇa kiṁjātaḥ sūtanaṁdana athavā śāpadoṣeṇa sañjātaḥ kenacidvada

The sages said: "O son of Suta, was he born naturally in the form of a buffalo, or did he become so through the effect of someone's curse? Tell us."

Verse 6 (skanda.6.119.6)

सूत उवाच। संजातो हि सुरूपाढ्यः शतपत्रनिभाननः। दीर्घबाहुः पृथुग्रीवः सर्वलक्षणलक्षितः। नाम्ना चित्रसमः प्रोक्तस्तेजोवीर्यसमन्वितः

sūta uvāca saṁjāto hi surūpāḍhyaḥ śatapatranibhānanaḥ dīrghabāhuḥ pṛthugrīvaḥ sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitaḥ nāmnā citrasamaḥ proktastejovīryasamanvitaḥ

Suta said: He was born full of beauty, his face resembling a lotus of a hundred petals, long-armed, broad-necked, marked with every auspicious sign; he was called by the name Chitrasama, endowed with splendor and might.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.119.7)

सबाल्यात्प्रभृति प्रायो महिषाणां प्रबोधनम्। करोति संपरित्यज्य सर्वमश्वादिवाहनम्

sabālyātprabhṛti prāyo mahiṣāṇāṁ prabodhanam karoti saṁparityajya sarvamaśvādivāhanam

From his very childhood, he generally took delight in raising buffaloes, giving up all other mounts such as horses.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.119.8)

कदाचिन्महिषारूढः स प्रतस्थे दनोः सुतः। जाह्नवीतीरमासाद्य विनिघ्नञ्जलपक्षिणः

kadācinmahiṣārūḍhaḥ sa pratasthe danoḥ sutaḥ jāhnavītīramāsādya vinighnañjalapakṣiṇaḥ

Once, mounted on a buffalo, that son of Danu set out, and, reaching the bank of the Ganga, went about killing water-birds.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.119.9)

अथासीत्सुसमाधिस्थो दुर्वासा मुनिसत्तमः। गंगातीरे विधायोच्चैः पद्मासनमनुत्तमम्

athāsītsusamādhistho durvāsā munisattamaḥ gaṁgātīre vidhāyoccaiḥ padmāsanamanuttamam

Now, that foremost of sages, Durvasas, was seated deep in meditation on the bank of the Ganga, having assumed the unsurpassed lotus posture.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.119.10)

विहंगासक्तचित्तेन शून्येन स मुनीश्वरः। दृष्टो न महिषक्षुण्णः खुरैर्वेगवशाद्द्विजः

vihaṁgāsaktacittena śūnyena sa munīśvaraḥ dṛṣṭo na mahiṣakṣuṇṇaḥ khurairvegavaśāddvijaḥ

Since that demon's mind was absorbed only in the birds, he did not see that lord of sages, who was trampled by the buffalo's hooves through the force of its speed, O brahmins.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.119.11)

ततः क्षतजदिग्धांगः स दृष्ट्वा दानवं पुरः। अथ दृष्ट्वा प्रणामेन रहितं कोपमाविशत्

tataḥ kṣatajadigdhāṁgaḥ sa dṛṣṭvā dānavaṁ puraḥ atha dṛṣṭvā praṇāmena rahitaṁ kopamāviśat

Then, his limbs smeared with blood, seeing the demon before him, and seeing that he offered no obeisance, he was overcome with rage.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.119.12)

ततः प्रोवाच तं क्रुद्धस्तोयमादाय पाणिना। यस्मात्पाप मम क्षुण्णं गात्रं महिषजैः खुरैः

tataḥ provāca taṁ kruddhastoyamādāya pāṇinā yasmātpāpa mama kṣuṇṇaṁ gātraṁ mahiṣajaiḥ khuraiḥ

Then, taking up water in his hand, he said to him in fury: "Since, O sinner, my body has been trampled by the buffalo's hooves..."

Verse 13 (skanda.6.119.13)

समाधेश्च कृतो भंगस्तस्मात्त्वं महिषो भव। यावज्जीवसि दुर्बुद्धे सम्यग्ज्ञानसमन्वितः

samādheśca kṛto bhaṁgastasmāttvaṁ mahiṣo bhava yāvajjīvasi durbuddhe samyagjñānasamanvitaḥ

"...and my meditation has been broken, therefore become a buffalo yourself. As long as you live, O foolish one, though endowed with proper understanding..."

Verse 14 (skanda.6.119.14)

अथाऽसौ महिषो जातः कृष्णगात्रधरो महान्। अतिदीर्घविषाणश्च अंजनाद्रिरिवापरः

athā'sau mahiṣo jātaḥ kṛṣṇagātradharo mahān atidīrghaviṣāṇaśca aṁjanādririvāparaḥ

Then he became a great buffalo, black-bodied, with very long horns, like a second mountain of collyrium.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.119.15)

ततः प्रसादयामास तं मुनिं विनयान्वितः। शापांतं कुरु मे विप्र बाल्यभावादजानतः

tataḥ prasādayāmāsa taṁ muniṁ vinayānvitaḥ śāpāṁtaṁ kuru me vipra bālyabhāvādajānataḥ

Then, filled with humility, he sought to appease that sage: "O brahmin, bring this curse of mine to an end, for I acted unknowingly, out of childish nature."

Verse 16 (skanda.6.119.16)

अथ तं स मुनिः प्राह न मे स्याद्वचनं वृथा। तस्माद्यावत्स्थिताः प्राणास्तावदित्थं भविष्यति

atha taṁ sa muniḥ prāha na me syādvacanaṁ vṛthā tasmādyāvatsthitāḥ prāṇāstāvaditthaṁ bhaviṣyati

Then that sage said to him: "My word can never be in vain; therefore, as long as your life-breaths remain, so shall you remain thus..."

Verse 17 (skanda.6.119.17)

महिषस्य स्वरूपेण निन्दितस्य सुदुर्मते। एवं स तं परित्यज्य गंगातीरं मुनीश्वरः। जगामाऽन्यत्र सोऽप्याशु गत्वा शुक्रमुवाच ह

mahiṣasya svarūpeṇa ninditasya sudurmate evaṁ sa taṁ parityajya gaṁgātīraṁ munīśvaraḥ jagāmā'nyatra so'pyāśu gatvā śukramuvāca ha

"...O foolish one, in the despised form of a buffalo." Thus, leaving him, that lord of sages departed elsewhere from the bank of the Ganga; and he too then swiftly went and spoke to Shukra.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.119.18)

अहं दुर्वाससा शप्तः कस्मिंश्चित्कारणांतरे। महिषत्वं समानीतस्तस्मात्त्वं मे गतिर्भव

ahaṁ durvāsasā śaptaḥ kasmiṁścitkāraṇāṁtare mahiṣatvaṁ samānītastasmāttvaṁ me gatirbhava

"I have been cursed by Durvasas for some particular reason and reduced to the state of a buffalo; therefore, be my refuge."

Verse 19 (skanda.6.119.19)

यथा स्यात्पूर्वजं देहं तिर्यक्त्वं नश्यते यथा। प्रसादात्तव विप्रेंद्र तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम्

yathā syātpūrvajaṁ dehaṁ tiryaktvaṁ naśyate yathā prasādāttava vipreṁdra tathā nītirvidhīyatām

"O lord of brahmins, by your grace, ordain such a means by which I may regain my former body, and this animal state may be destroyed."

Verse 20 (skanda.6.119.20)

शुक्र उवाच। तस्य शापोऽन्यथा कर्तुं नैव शक्यः कथंचन। केनापि संपरित्यज्य देवमेकं महेश्वरम्

śukra uvāca tasya śāpo'nyathā kartuṁ naiva śakyaḥ kathaṁcana kenāpi saṁparityajya devamekaṁ maheśvaram

Shukra said: "That curse of his can in no way be altered by anyone at all, except by the one god Maheshvara."

Verse 21 (skanda.6.119.21)

तस्मादाराधयाऽऽशु त्वं गत्वा लिंगमनुत्तमम्। हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे सर्वसिद्धिप्रदायके

tasmādārādhayā''śu tvaṁ gatvā liṁgamanuttamam hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre sarvasiddhipradāyake

"Therefore go swiftly and worship the unsurpassed linga in the sacred field of Hatakeshvara, which grants every accomplishment."

Verse 22 (skanda.6.119.22)

तत्र सञ्जायते सिद्धिः शीघ्रं दानवसत्तम। अपि पापयुगे प्राप्ते किं पुनः प्रथमे युगे

tatra sañjāyate siddhiḥ śīghraṁ dānavasattama api pāpayuge prāpte kiṁ punaḥ prathame yuge

"There, O foremost of demons, accomplishment comes about swiftly — even should the sinful age have arrived, how much more so in the first age!"

Verse 23 (skanda.6.119.23)

एवमुक्तः स शुक्रेण दानवः सत्वरं ययौ। हाटकेश्वरजं क्षेत्रं तपस्तेपे ततः परम्

evamuktaḥ sa śukreṇa dānavaḥ satvaraṁ yayau hāṭakeśvarajaṁ kṣetraṁ tapastepe tataḥ param

Thus addressed by Shukra, that demon went swiftly to the sacred field of Hatakeshvara and thereafter performed austerity.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.119.24)

स्थापयित्वा महल्लिंगं भक्त्या देवस्य शूलिनः। प्रासादं च ततश्चक्रे कैलासशिखरोपमम्

sthāpayitvā mahalliṁgaṁ bhaktyā devasya śūlinaḥ prāsādaṁ ca tataścakre kailāsaśikharopamam

Having devotedly installed a great linga of the trident-bearing god, he then built for it a temple resembling the peak of Kailasa.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.119.25)

तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य तपःस्थस्य महात्मनः। जगाम सुमहान्कालः कृच्छ्रे तपसि वर्ततः

tasyaivaṁ vartamānasya tapaḥsthasya mahātmanaḥ jagāma sumahānkālaḥ kṛcchre tapasi vartataḥ

While that great-souled one continued thus, established in austerity, a very long time passed as he remained absorbed in the severe practice.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.119.26)

ततस्तुष्टो महादेवो गत्वा तद्दृष्टिगोचरम्। प्रोवाच परितुष्टोऽस्मि वरं वरय दानव

tatastuṣṭo mahādevo gatvā taddṛṣṭigocaram provāca parituṣṭo'smi varaṁ varaya dānava

Then Mahadeva, pleased, came within his sight and said: "I am well pleased; O demon, choose your boon."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.119.27)

महिष उवाच। अहं दुर्वाससा शप्तो महिषत्वे नियोजितः। तिर्यक्त्वं नाशमायातु तस्मान्मे त्वत्प्रसादतः

mahiṣa uvāca ahaṁ durvāsasā śapto mahiṣatve niyojitaḥ tiryaktvaṁ nāśamāyātu tasmānme tvatprasādataḥ

Mahisha said: "I was cursed by Durvasas and reduced to the state of a buffalo; therefore, by your grace, may this animal state of mine be destroyed."

Verse 28 (skanda.6.119.28)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। नान्यथा शक्यते कर्तुं तस्य वाक्यं कथंचन। तस्मात्तव करिष्यामि सुखोपायं शृणुष्व तम्

śrībhagavānuvāca nānyathā śakyate kartuṁ tasya vākyaṁ kathaṁcana tasmāttava kariṣyāmi sukhopāyaṁ śṛṇuṣva tam

The blessed Lord said: "His word cannot in any way be altered; therefore I shall grant you a means of comfort — listen to it."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.119.29)

ये केचिन्मानवा भोगा दैविका ये तथाऽऽसुराः। ते सर्वे तव गात्रेऽत्र सम्प्रयास्यंति संश्रयम्

ye kecinmānavā bhogā daivikā ye tathā''surāḥ te sarve tava gātre'tra samprayāsyaṁti saṁśrayam

"Whatever pleasures there be, human, divine, or demonic — all of them shall come to find their refuge upon this body of yours."

Verse 30 (skanda.6.119.30)

भोगार्थमिष्यते कायं यतो मर्त्यं सुरासुरैः। समवाप्स्यसि तान्सर्वांस्तस्मात्तव कलेवरम्

bhogārthamiṣyate kāyaṁ yato martyaṁ surāsuraiḥ samavāpsyasi tānsarvāṁstasmāttava kalevaram

"Since a mortal body is desired for the sake of enjoyment by both gods and demons, you shall obtain all of these — for your very body shall become their object of desire."

Verse 31 (skanda.6.119.31)

महिष उवाच। यद्येवं देवदेवेश भोगप्राप्तिर्भवेन्मम। तस्मादवध्यमेवास्तु गात्रमेतन्मम प्रभो

mahiṣa uvāca yadyevaṁ devadeveśa bhogaprāptirbhavenmama tasmādavadhyamevāstu gātrametanmama prabho

Mahisha said: "O lord of the gods of gods, if I am thus to attain enjoyment, then, O lord, let this body of mine be indeed unslayable..."

Verse 32 (skanda.6.119.32)

दशानां देवयोनीनां मनुष्याणां विशेषतः। तिर्यञ्चानां च नागानां पक्षिणां सुरसत्तम

daśānāṁ devayonīnāṁ manuṣyāṇāṁ viśeṣataḥ tiryañcānāṁ ca nāgānāṁ pakṣiṇāṁ surasattama

"...O foremost of gods, by the ten classes of divine beings, and especially by men, by animals, by serpents, and by birds."

Verse 33 (skanda.6.119.33)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। नावध्योऽस्ति धरापृष्ठे कश्चिद्देही च दानव। तस्मादेकं परित्यक्त्वा शेषान्प्रार्थय दैत्यप

śrībhagavānuvāca nāvadhyo'sti dharāpṛṣṭhe kaściddehī ca dānava tasmādekaṁ parityaktvā śeṣānprārthaya daityapa

The blessed Lord said: "O demon, there exists no embodied being upon the face of the earth who is entirely unslayable; therefore, O lord of the daityas, leave out one, and ask for the rest."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.119.34)

ततः स सुचिरं ध्यात्वा प्रोवाच वृषभध्वजम्। स्त्रियमेकां परित्यक्त्वा नान्येभ्यस्तु वधो मम

tataḥ sa suciraṁ dhyātvā provāca vṛṣabhadhvajam striyamekāṁ parityaktvā nānyebhyastu vadho mama

Then, having reflected for a very long time, he said to the bull-bannered god: "Excepting a woman alone, let there be no death for me by any others."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.119.35)

तथात्र मामके तीर्थे यः कश्चिच्छ्रद्धया नरः। करोति स्नानमव्यग्रस्त्वां पश्यति ततः परम्

tathātra māmake tīrthe yaḥ kaścicchraddhayā naraḥ karoti snānamavyagrastvāṁ paśyati tataḥ param

"And likewise, whatever man, with faith and untroubled mind, bathes in this tirtha named after me, and thereafter beholds you..."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.119.36)

तस्य स्यात्त्वत्प्रसादेन संसिद्धिः सार्वकामिकी। सर्वोपद्रवनाशश्च तेजोवृद्धिश्च शंकर

tasya syāttvatprasādena saṁsiddhiḥ sārvakāmikī sarvopadravanāśaśca tejovṛddhiśca śaṁkara

"...O Shankara, by your grace let him attain complete accomplishment of all his desires, the destruction of every calamity, and the increase of his splendor."

Verse 37 (skanda.6.119.37)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। मार्गशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां तीर्थे स्नात्वाऽत्र तावके। विलोकयिष्यति प्रीत्या मम लिंगं ततः परम्

śrībhagavānuvāca mārgaśuklacaturdaśyāṁ tīrthe snātvā'tra tāvake vilokayiṣyati prītyā mama liṁgaṁ tataḥ param

The blessed Lord said: "On the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, having bathed at this tirtha named for you, and thereafter looking with love upon my linga..."

Verse 38 (skanda.6.119.38)

भूतप्रेतपिशाचादि संभवास्तस्य तत्क्षणात्। दोषा नाशं प्रयास्यंति तथा रोगा ज्वरादयः

bhūtapretapiśācādi saṁbhavāstasya tatkṣaṇāt doṣā nāśaṁ prayāsyaṁti tathā rogā jvarādayaḥ

"...at that very moment, his afflictions arising from spirits, ghosts, demons, and the like, as well as diseases such as fever, shall come to destruction."

Verse 39 (skanda.6.119.39)

एवमुक्त्वाऽथ देवेशस्ततश्चादर्शनं गतः। महिषोऽपि निजं स्थानं प्रजगाम ततः परम्

evamuktvā'tha deveśastataścādarśanaṁ gataḥ mahiṣo'pi nijaṁ sthānaṁ prajagāma tataḥ param

Having spoken thus, that lord of gods then vanished from sight; and Mahisha too then went to his own place.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.119.40)

स गत्वा दानवान्सर्वान्समाहूय ततः परम्। प्रोवाचामर्षसंयुक्तः सभामध्ये व्यवस्थितः

sa gatvā dānavānsarvānsamāhūya tataḥ param provācāmarṣasaṁyuktaḥ sabhāmadhye vyavasthitaḥ

Going there, and summoning all the demons, he then, filled with fury, standing in the midst of the assembly, spoke.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.119.41)

पिता मम पितृव्यश्च ये चान्ये मम पूर्वजाः। दानवा निहता देवैर्वासुदेवपुरोगमैः

pitā mama pitṛvyaśca ye cānye mama pūrvajāḥ dānavā nihatā devairvāsudevapurogamaiḥ

"My father, my uncle, and my other ancestors — those demons were slain by the gods, led by Vasudeva."

Verse 42 (skanda.6.119.42)

तस्मात्तान्नाशयिष्यामि देवानपि महाहवे। अहं त्रैलोक्यराज्यं हि ग्रहीष्यामि ततः परम्

tasmāttānnāśayiṣyāmi devānapi mahāhave ahaṁ trailokyarājyaṁ hi grahīṣyāmi tataḥ param

"Therefore I shall destroy those gods too in great battle; and thereafter I myself shall seize the sovereignty of the three worlds."

Verse 43 (skanda.6.119.43)

अथ ते दानवाः प्रोचुर्युक्तमेतदनुत्तमम्। अस्मदीयमिदं राज्यं यच्छक्रः कुरुते दिवि

atha te dānavāḥ procuryuktametadanuttamam asmadīyamidaṁ rājyaṁ yacchakraḥ kurute divi

Then those demons said: "This is right and most fitting — this kingdom which Indra rules in heaven is rightfully our own."

Verse 44 (skanda.6.119.44)

तस्मादद्यैव गत्वाऽऽशु हत्वेन्द्रं रणमूर्धनि। दिव्यान्भोगान्प्रभुञ्जानाः स्थास्यामः सुखिनो दिवि

tasmādadyaiva gatvā''śu hatvendraṁ raṇamūrdhani divyānbhogānprabhuñjānāḥ sthāsyāmaḥ sukhino divi

"Therefore let us go this very day, swiftly slay Indra at the forefront of battle, and remain happily in heaven, enjoying divine pleasures."

Verse 45 (skanda.6.119.45)

एवं ते दानवाः सर्वे कृत्वा मंत्रविनिश्चयम्। मेरुशृंगं ततो जग्मुः सभृत्यबलवाहनः

evaṁ te dānavāḥ sarve kṛtvā maṁtraviniścayam meruśṛṁgaṁ tato jagmuḥ sabhṛtyabalavāhanaḥ

Thus, all those demons, having made their decision in council, then went to the peak of Meru, together with their servants, army, and mounts.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.119.46)

अथ शक्रादयो देवा दृष्ट्वा तद्दानवोद्भवम्। अकस्मादेव संप्राप्तं बलं शस्त्रास्त्रसंयुतम्। युद्धार्थं स्वपुरद्वारि निर्ययुस्तदनंतरम्

atha śakrādayo devā dṛṣṭvā taddānavodbhavam akasmādeva saṁprāptaṁ balaṁ śastrāstrasaṁyutam yuddhārthaṁ svapuradvāri niryayustadanaṁtaram

Then the gods, led by Indra, seeing that army of demons, armed with weapons, arrived so suddenly, thereupon marched out to the gate of their own city for battle.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.119.47)

आदित्या वसवो रुद्रा नासत्यौ च भिषग्वरौ। विश्वेदेवास्तथा साध्याः सिद्धा विद्याधराश्च ये

ādityā vasavo rudrā nāsatyau ca bhiṣagvarau viśvedevāstathā sādhyāḥ siddhā vidyādharāśca ye

The Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, and the two Ashvins, foremost of physicians; the Vishvadevas, likewise the Sadhyas, the Siddhas, and the Vidyadharas.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.119.48)

ततः समभवद्युद्धं देवानां सह दानवैः। मिथः प्रभर्त्स्यमानानां मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम्

tataḥ samabhavadyuddhaṁ devānāṁ saha dānavaiḥ mithaḥ prabhartsyamānānāṁ mṛtyuṁ kṛtvā nivartanam

Then a battle broke out between the gods and the demons, who taunted one another, retreating only when death overtook them.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.119.49)

एवं समभवद्युद्धं यावद्वर्षत्रयं दिवि। रक्तनद्योतिविपुलास्तत्रातीव प्रसुस्रुवुः

evaṁ samabhavadyuddhaṁ yāvadvarṣatrayaṁ divi raktanadyotivipulāstatrātīva prasusruvuḥ

Thus the battle continued in heaven for three full years; rivers of blood, exceedingly vast, flowed there in abundance.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.119.50)

अन्यस्मिन्दिवसे शक्रं दृष्टैवारावणसंस्थितम्। तं शुक्लेनातपत्रेण ध्रियमाणेन मूर्धनि। देवैः परिवृतं दिव्यशस्त्रपाणिभिरेव च

anyasmindivase śakraṁ dṛṣṭaivārāvaṇasaṁsthitam taṁ śuklenātapatreṇa dhriyamāṇena mūrdhani devaiḥ parivṛtaṁ divyaśastrapāṇibhireva ca

On another day, seeing Indra stationed upon Airavata, a white parasol held above his head, surrounded by the gods, their hands bearing divine weapons...

Verse 51 (skanda.6.119.51)

ततः कोपपरीतात्मा महिषो दानवाधिपः। महावेगं समासाद्य तस्यैवाभिमुखो ययौ

tataḥ kopaparītātmā mahiṣo dānavādhipaḥ mahāvegaṁ samāsādya tasyaivābhimukho yayau

...then Mahisha, lord of the demons, his whole being overcome with rage, gathering great speed, charged straight toward him.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.119.52)

शृंगाभ्यां च सुतीक्ष्णाभ्यां ततश्चैरावणं गजम्। विव्याध हृदये सोऽथ चक्रे रावं सुदारुणम्

śṛṁgābhyāṁ ca sutīkṣṇābhyāṁ tataścairāvaṇaṁ gajam vivyādha hṛdaye so'tha cakre rāvaṁ sudāruṇam

Then, with his two exceedingly sharp horns, he gored the elephant Airavata in the heart, who then let out a most terrible cry.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.119.53)

ततः पराङ्मुखो भूत्वा पलायनपरायणः। अभिदुद्राव वेगेन पुरी यत्रामरावती

tataḥ parāṅmukho bhūtvā palāyanaparāyaṇaḥ abhidudrāva vegena purī yatrāmarāvatī

Then, turning about and intent only on fleeing, he ran with great speed toward the city of Amaravati.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.119.54)

अंकुशोत्थप्रहारैश्च क्षतकुंभोऽपि भूरिशः। महामात्रनिरुद्धोऽपि न स तस्थौ कथंचन

aṁkuśotthaprahāraiśca kṣatakuṁbho'pi bhūriśaḥ mahāmātraniruddho'pi na sa tasthau kathaṁcana

Though his temples were repeatedly wounded by blows from the goad, and though restrained by his great mahout, he would in no way stop.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.119.55)

अथाब्रवीत्सहस्राक्षो महिषं वीक्ष्य गर्वितम्। गर्जमानांस्तथा दैत्यान्क्ष्वेडनास्फोटनादिभिः

athābravītsahasrākṣo mahiṣaṁ vīkṣya garvitam garjamānāṁstathā daityānkṣveḍanāsphoṭanādibhiḥ

Then the thousand-eyed Indra, beholding the proud Mahisha, and the demons roaring with battle-cries and the slapping of arms, spoke.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.119.56)

मा दैत्य प्रविजानीहि यन्नष्टस्त्रिदशाधिपः। एष नागो रणं हित्वा विवशो याति मे बलात्

mā daitya pravijānīhi yannaṣṭastridaśādhipaḥ eṣa nāgo raṇaṁ hitvā vivaśo yāti me balāt

"O demon, do not imagine that the lord of the thirty gods has fled — this elephant, abandoning the battle, goes helplessly against my own will."

Verse 57 (skanda.6.119.57)

तस्मात्तिष्ठ मुहूर्तं त्वं यावदास्थाय सद्रथम्। नाशयामि च ते दर्पं निहत्य निशितैः शरैः

tasmāttiṣṭha muhūrtaṁ tvaṁ yāvadāsthāya sadratham nāśayāmi ca te darpaṁ nihatya niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ

"Therefore stand for a moment, while I mount my own chariot; and I shall destroy your pride, slaying you with sharpened arrows."

Verse 58 (skanda.6.119.58)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्तो मातलिः शक्रसारथिः। सहस्रैदर्शभिर्युक्तं वाजिनां वातरंहसाम्

etasminnaṁtare prāpto mātaliḥ śakrasārathiḥ sahasraidarśabhiryuktaṁ vājināṁ vātaraṁhasām

Meanwhile Matali, Indra's charioteer, arrived, bringing a chariot yoked with a thousand horses swift as the wind.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.119.59)

तेऽथ मातलिना अश्वाः प्रतोदेन समाहताः। उत्पतंत इवाकाशे सत्वं संप्रदुद्रुवुः

te'tha mātalinā aśvāḥ pratodena samāhatāḥ utpataṁta ivākāśe satvaṁ saṁpradudruvuḥ

Then those horses, struck by Matali's whip, sped forth swiftly, as if flying up into the sky.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.119.60)

अथ चापं समारोप्य सत्वरं पाकशासनः। शरैराशीविषाकारैश्छादयामास दानवम्

atha cāpaṁ samāropya satvaraṁ pākaśāsanaḥ śarairāśīviṣākāraiśchādayāmāsa dānavam

Then Indra, swiftly stringing his bow, covered the demon with arrows shaped like venomous serpents.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.119.61)

ततः स वेगमास्थाय भूयोऽपि क्रोधमूर्छितः। अभिदुद्राव वेगेन स यत्र त्रिदशाधिपः

tataḥ sa vegamāsthāya bhūyo'pi krodhamūrchitaḥ abhidudrāva vegena sa yatra tridaśādhipaḥ

Then he, gathering speed once again, overcome with rage, charged with great speed toward where the lord of the thirty gods stood.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.119.62)

ततस्तान्सुहयांस्तस्य शृंगाभ्यां वेगमाश्रितः। दारयामास संक्रुद्ध आविध्याविध्य चासकृत्

tatastānsuhayāṁstasya śṛṁgābhyāṁ vegamāśritaḥ dārayāmāsa saṁkruddha āvidhyāvidhya cāsakṛt

Then, gathering speed, that enraged one gored those fine horses with his horns, tossing them again and again, and tore them apart.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.119.63)

ततस्ते वाजिनस्त्रस्ताः संजग्मुः क्षतवक्षसः। रक्तप्लावितसर्वांगा मार्गमैरावणस्य च

tataste vājinastrastāḥ saṁjagmuḥ kṣatavakṣasaḥ raktaplāvitasarvāṁgā mārgamairāvaṇasya ca

Then those horses, terrified, their chests wounded, their whole bodies drenched in blood, fled along the same path Airavata had taken.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.119.64)

ततः शक्ररथं दृष्ट्वा विमुखं सुरसत्तमाः। सर्वे प्रदुद्रुवुर्भीतास्तस्य मार्गमुपाश्रिताः

tataḥ śakrarathaṁ dṛṣṭvā vimukhaṁ surasattamāḥ sarve pradudruvurbhītāstasya mārgamupāśritāḥ

Then, seeing Indra's chariot turned back, all the best of the gods, terrified, fled likewise, taking the same path.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.119.65)

ततस्तु दानवाः सर्वे भग्नान्दृष्ट्वा रणे सुरान्। शस्त्रवृष्टिं प्रमुंचंतो गर्जमाना यथा घनाः

tatastu dānavāḥ sarve bhagnāndṛṣṭvā raṇe surān śastravṛṣṭiṁ pramuṁcaṁto garjamānā yathā ghanāḥ

Then, seeing the gods routed in battle, all the demons, roaring like storm-clouds, unleashed a shower of weapons.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.119.66)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्ता रजनी तमसावृता। न किंचित्तत्र संयाति कस्यचिद्दृष्टिगोचरे

etasminnaṁtare prāptā rajanī tamasāvṛtā na kiṁcittatra saṁyāti kasyaciddṛṣṭigocare

Meanwhile, night arrived, shrouded in darkness, so that nothing at all remained visible to anyone there.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.119.67)

ततस्तु दानवाः सर्वे युद्धान्निर्वृत्य सर्वतः। मेरुशृंगं समाश्रित्य रम्यं वासं प्रचक्रमुः

tatastu dānavāḥ sarve yuddhānnirvṛtya sarvataḥ meruśṛṁgaṁ samāśritya ramyaṁ vāsaṁ pracakramuḥ

Then all the demons, ceasing the battle on every side, took refuge upon the peak of Meru, and made a delightful camp there.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.119.68)

विजयेन समायुक्तास्तुष्टिं च परमां गताः। कथाश्चक्रुश्च युद्धोत्था युद्धं तस्य यथा भवत्

vijayena samāyuktāstuṣṭiṁ ca paramāṁ gatāḥ kathāścakruśca yuddhotthā yuddhaṁ tasya yathā bhavat

United in victory, having attained the highest satisfaction, they recounted tales arising from the battle, of how it had been fought.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.119.69)

देवाश्चापि हतोत्साहाः प्रहारैः क्षतविक्षताः। मंत्रं चक्रुर्मिथो भूत्वा बृहस्पतिपुरःसराः

devāścāpi hatotsāhāḥ prahāraiḥ kṣatavikṣatāḥ maṁtraṁ cakrurmitho bhūtvā bṛhaspatipuraḥsarāḥ

The gods too, their spirits crushed, wounded and torn by blows, gathered together, led by Brihaspati, and took counsel among themselves.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.119.70)

सांप्रतं दानवैः सैन्यमस्माकं विमुखं कृतम्। विध्वस्तं सुनिरुत्साहमक्षमं युद्धकर्मणि

sāṁprataṁ dānavaiḥ sainyamasmākaṁ vimukhaṁ kṛtam vidhvastaṁ sunirutsāhamakṣamaṁ yuddhakarmaṇi

"Just now the demons have turned our army back, shattered it, left it utterly without spirit, and incapable of further battle."

Verse 71 (skanda.6.119.71)

तस्मात्त्यक्त्वा प्रवेक्ष्यामः पुरीं चैवामरावतीम्। ब्रह्मणः सदनं यत्र न स्याद्दानवजं भयम्

tasmāttyaktvā pravekṣyāmaḥ purīṁ caivāmarāvatīm brahmaṇaḥ sadanaṁ yatra na syāddānavajaṁ bhayam

"Therefore let us abandon the city of Amaravati and enter Brahma's own abode, where there is no fear born of the demons."

Verse 72 (skanda.6.119.72)

एवं ते निश्चयं कृत्वा ब्रह्मलोकं ततो गताः। शून्यां शक्रपुरीं कृत्वा सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः

evaṁ te niścayaṁ kṛtvā brahmalokaṁ tato gatāḥ śūnyāṁ śakrapurīṁ kṛtvā sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ

Thus resolved, all the gods, together with Indra, leaving Indra's city empty, then went to the world of Brahma.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.119.73)

ततः प्रातः समुत्थाय दानवास्ते प्रहर्षिताः। शून्यां शक्रपुरीं दृष्ट्वा विविशुस्तदनंतरम्

tataḥ prātaḥ samutthāya dānavāste praharṣitāḥ śūnyāṁ śakrapurīṁ dṛṣṭvā viviśustadanaṁtaram

Then, rising in the morning, those demons, greatly rejoicing, seeing Indra's city empty, thereupon entered it.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.119.74)

अथ शाक्रे पदे दैत्यं महिषं संनिधाय च। प्रणेमुस्तुष्टिसंयुक्ताश्चक्रुश्चैव महोत्सवम्

atha śākre pade daityaṁ mahiṣaṁ saṁnidhāya ca praṇemustuṣṭisaṁyuktāścakruścaiva mahotsavam

Then, having installed the demon Mahisha in Indra's own seat, they bowed before him, filled with satisfaction, and held a great celebration.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.119.75)

जगृहुर्यज्ञभागांश्च सर्वेषां त्रिदिवौकसाम्। देवस्थानेषु सर्वेषु देवताऽभिमताश्च ये

jagṛhuryajñabhāgāṁśca sarveṣāṁ tridivaukasām devasthāneṣu sarveṣu devatā'bhimatāśca ye

They seized the sacrificial portions belonging to all the heaven-dwellers, in all the shrines of the gods, wherever deities were venerated.