The Battle of Kusha and Vishnu at Chakra Tirtha, and the Shivalinga Set Upon the Demon

Verse 1 (skanda.7.467.1)

प्रह्लाद उवाच। ब्रह्मघोषध्वनिं श्रुत्वा दानवो दुर्मुखस्तदा। क्रोधसंरक्तनयनो दुर्वाससमथाब्रवीत्

prahlāda uvāca| brahmaghoṣadhvaniṁ śrutvā dānavo durmukhastadā| krodhasaṁraktanayano durvāsasamathābravīt

Prahlada said: Hearing the sound of Vedic chanting, the demon Durmukha, his eyes reddened with rage, then spoke to Durvasas.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.467.2)

हन्यमानस्त्वमस्माभिर्यदि मुक्तोऽसि वै द्विज। कस्मात्पुनः समायातो मरणाय च दुष्टधीः

hanyamānastvamasmābhiryadi mukto'si vai dvija| kasmātpunaḥ samāyāto maraṇāya ca duṣṭadhīḥ

'If, though beaten by us, you have been let go, O brahmin, then why have you come back here again, only to die, O evil-minded one?'

Verse 3 (skanda.7.467.3)

इत्युक्त्वा मुष्टिना हन्तुं प्राद्रवद्दानवाधमः। प्राह प्रधावमानं तं दुर्वासा मुनिसत्तमः

ityuktvā muṣṭinā hantuṁ prādravaddānavādhamaḥ| prāha pradhāvamānaṁ taṁ durvāsā munisattamaḥ

Having said this, that vile demon rushed to strike him with his fist. To him, as he charged, the sage Durvasas, best of ascetics, said:

Verse 4 (skanda.7.467.4)

स्पर्शं मा कुरु पापिष्ठ ब्राह्मणं मां कृताह्निकम्। तं दृष्ट्वा दानवं विष्णुर्ब्राह्मणं हन्तुमुद्यतम्

sparśaṁ mā kuru pāpiṣṭha brāhmaṇaṁ māṁ kṛtāhnikam| taṁ dṛṣṭvā dānavaṁ viṣṇurbrāhmaṇaṁ hantumudyatam

'Do not touch me, O most sinful one — I am a brahmin who has completed his daily rites.' Vishnu saw that demon, poised to strike the brahmin.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.467.5)

तस्य क्रुद्धो जगन्नाथो दुर्वाससः कृते तदा। चक्रेण क्षुरधारेण शिरश्चिच्छेद लीलया

tasya kruddho jagannātho durvāsasaḥ kṛte tadā| cakreṇa kṣuradhāreṇa śiraścicheda līlayā

Then the Lord of the universe, angered on Durvasas' account, effortlessly severed his head with his razor-edged discus.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.467.6)

प्रह्लाद उवाच। दुर्मुखं निहतं दृष्ट्वा दानवो दुःसहस्तदा। आक्रोशदुच्चैर्दितिजाञ्छीघ्रमागम्यतामिति

prahlāda uvāca| durmukhaṁ nihataṁ dṛṣṭvā dānavo duḥsahastadā| ākrośaduccairditijāñchīghramāgamyatāmiti

Prahlada said: Seeing Durmukha slain, the demon Duhsaha cried out loudly to the sons of Diti: 'Come quickly!'

Verse 7 (skanda.7.467.7)

श्रुत्वा दैत्यगणाः सर्वे दुर्मुखं निहतं तदा। दुर्वाससं पुनस्तत्र परित्रातं च विष्णुना

śrutvā daityagaṇāḥ sarve durmukhaṁ nihataṁ tadā| durvāsasaṁ punastatra paritrātaṁ ca viṣṇunā

Hearing this, all the demon hosts learned that Durmukha had been slain, and that Durvasas had once again been saved there by Vishnu.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.467.8)

कूर्मपृष्ठो गोलकश्च क्रोधनो वेददूषकः। यज्ञघ्नो यज्ञहंता च धर्मान्तकस्तपस्विहा

kūrmapṛṣṭho golakaśca krodhano vedadūṣakaḥ| yajñaghno yajñahaṁtā ca dharmāntakastapasvihā

Kurmaprishtha, Golaka, Krodhana, Vedadushaka, Yajnaghna, Yajnahanta, Dharmantaka, and Tapasviha —

Verse 9 (skanda.7.467.9)

एते चान्ये च बहवो विविधायुधपाणयः। क्रोधसंरक्तनयनाः शपन्तो ब्राह्मणं तथा

ete cānye ca bahavo vividhāyudhapāṇayaḥ| krodhasaṁraktanayanāḥ śapaṁto brāhmaṇaṁ tathā

These and many other demons, weapons of every kind in hand, their eyes red with fury, cursing that brahmin,

Verse 10 (skanda.7.467.10)

परिक्षिप्य तदात्रेयं विष्णुं संकर्षणं तथा। तोमरैर्भिन्दिपालैश्च मुशलैश्च भुशुंडिभिः

parikṣipya tadātreyaṁ viṣṇuṁ saṁkarṣaṇaṁ tathā| tomarairbhindipālaiśca muśalaiśca bhuśuṁḍibhiḥ

surrounding Atreya, Vishnu, and Sankarshana, with lances, javelins, clubs, and sling-missiles,

Verse 11 (skanda.7.467.11)

अस्त्रैर्नानाविधैश्चापि युयुधुः क्रोधमूर्छिताः। दानवैः संवृतो विष्णुः समन्ताद्घोरदर्शनैः

astrairnānāvidhaiścāpi yuyudhuḥ krodhamūrchitāḥ| dānavaiḥ saṁvṛto viṣṇuḥ samantādghoradarśanaiḥ

and with various other weapons besides, fought on, maddened with rage. Vishnu was surrounded on every side by demons terrible to behold.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.467.12)

संकर्षणश्च शुशुभे चंद्रादित्यौ घनैरिव। गृहीत्वा धनुषी दिव्ये शीघ्रं संयोज्य चाशुगान्

saṁkarṣaṇaśca śuśubhe caṁdrādityau ghanairiva| gṛhītvā dhanuṣī divye śīghraṁ saṁyojya cāśugān

Sankarshana too shone forth, the two of them like the moon and sun amid clouds. Taking up their divine bows, they swiftly fitted swift arrows,

Verse 13 (skanda.7.467.13)

तान्मार्गणगणैर्दैत्याञ्जघ्नतुस्ते महामृधे। ते हन्यमानाः समरे विष्णुना विद्रुता दिशः

tānmārgaṇagaṇairdaityāñjaghnatuste mahāmṛdhe| te hanyamānāḥ samare viṣṇunā vidrutā diśaḥ

and with those showers of arrows struck down the demons in the great battle. Struck down by Vishnu, they fled in every direction.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.467.14)

दानवान्विद्रुतान्दृष्ट्वा विष्णुना निहतान्परान्। गोलकः कूर्मपृष्ठश्च मानं कृत्वा न्यवर्तताम्

dānavānvidrutāndṛṣṭvā viṣṇunā nihatānparān| golakaḥ kūrmapṛṣṭhaśca mānaṁ kṛtvā nyavartatām

Seeing the other demons routed and slain by Vishnu, Golaka and Kurmaprishtha, mustering their pride, turned back to fight.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.467.15)

संकर्षणं गोलकश्च ह्याजघान त्रिभिः शरैः। अनन्तं व्यथितं दृष्ट्वा गोलकः क्रोधमूर्छितः

saṁkarṣaṇaṁ golakaśca hyājaghāna tribhiḥ śaraiḥ| anantaṁ vyathitaṁ dṛṣṭvā golakaḥ krodhamūrchitaḥ

Golaka struck Sankarshana with three arrows. Seeing Ananta thus pained, Golaka grew wild with rage.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.467.16)

उत्पत्य तरसा मूर्ध्नि दुर्वाससमताडयत्। स मुष्टिघाताभिहतश्चुक्रोश पतितः क्षितौ

utpatya tarasā mūrdhni durvāsasamatāḍayat| sa muṣṭighātābhihataścukrośa patitaḥ kṣitau

Leaping up swiftly, he struck Durvasas upon the head. Struck by that blow of the fist, the sage cried out and fell to the ground.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.467.17)

संकर्षणस्तु पतितं दृष्ट्वा मूर्ध्नि प्रताडितम्। दृष्ट्वा चुकोप भगवांस्तिष्ठतिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्। संगृह्य मुशलं वीरो जघान समरे रिपुम्

saṁkarṣaṇastu patitaṁ dṛṣṭvā mūrdhni pratāḍitam| dṛṣṭvā cukopa bhagavāṁstiṣṭhatiṣṭheti cābravīt| saṁgṛhya muśalaṁ vīro jaghāna samare ripum

Sankarshana saw him, struck upon the head, fallen to the ground. Seeing this, the Lord grew furious and cried, 'Stand, stand!' Seizing his club, that hero slew the enemy in battle.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.467.18)

मुशलेनाहतो मूर्ध्नि गोलको विकलेन्द्रियः। संभिन्नमस्तकश्चैव पपात च ममार च

muśalenāhato mūrdhni golako vikalendriyaḥ| saṁbhinnamastakaścaiva papāta ca mamāra ca

Struck upon the head by the club, Golaka's senses failed him; his skull shattered, and he fell down dead.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.467.19)

गोलकं पतितं दृष्ट्वा क्रन्दंतं ब्राह्मणं तथा। कूर्मपृष्ठं च भगवान्विष्णुर्हन्तुं मनो दधे। नाराचेन सुतीक्ष्णेन जघान हृदये रिपुम्

golakaṁ patitaṁ dṛṣṭvā kranaṁtaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ tathā| kūrmapṛṣṭhaṁ ca bhagavānviṣṇurhantuṁ mano dadhe| nārācena sutīkṣṇena jaghāna hṛdaye ripum

Seeing Golaka fallen and the brahmin weeping, Lord Vishnu resolved to slay Kurmaprishtha, and struck that foe in the heart with a keenly sharpened iron shaft.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.467.20)

स विष्णुबाणाभिहतस्त्यक्तशस्त्रः पलायितः। तस्मिन्प्रभिन्नेऽतिबले गते वै कूर्मपृष्ठके। अभज्यत बलं सर्वं विद्रुतं च दिशो दश

sa viṣṇubāṇābhihatastyaktaśastraḥ palāyitaḥ| tasminprabhinne'tibale gate vai kūrmapṛṣṭhake| abhajyata balaṁ sarvaṁ vidrutaṁ ca diśo daśa

Struck by Vishnu's arrow, he cast away his weapon and fled. When that mighty Kurmaprishtha, thus wounded, was driven off, the whole army broke and scattered in ten directions.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.467.21)

तत्प्रभग्नं बलं सर्वं निहतं गोलकं तथा। द्वारस्थः कथयामास दैत्यराज्ञे कुशाय सः

tatprabhagnaṁ balaṁ sarvaṁ nihataṁ golakaṁ tathā| dvārasthaḥ kathayāmāsa daityarājñe kuśāya saḥ

The gatekeeper reported to Kusha, king of the demons, that the whole army had been routed and that Golaka had been slain.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.467.22)

गोलकं निहतं श्रुत्वा दैत्यानन्यांश्च दैत्यराट्। योधानाज्ञापयामास सन्नद्धान्स्वबलस्य च

golakaṁ nihataṁ śrutvā daityānanyāṁśca daityarāṭ| yodhānājñāpayāmāsa sannaddhānsvabalasya ca

Hearing that Golaka and the other demons had been slain, the demon-king commanded the armed warriors of his own forces.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.467.23)

आज्ञां कुशस्य ते लब्ध्वा दैत्याः पंचजनादयः। युद्धायाभिमुखाः सर्वे रथैर्नागैश्च निर्ययुः

ājñāṁ kuśasya te labdhvā daityāḥ paṁcajanādayaḥ| yuddhāyābhimukhāḥ sarve rathairnāgaiśca niryayuḥ

Receiving Kusha's command, the demons headed by Panchajana all set forth for battle upon chariots and elephants.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.467.24)

अनीकं दशसाहस्रं कूर्मपृष्ठस्य निर्ययौ। अयुते द्वे रथानां तु नागानामयुतं तथा

anīkaṁ daśasāhasraṁ kūrmapṛṣṭhasya niryayau| ayute dve rathānāṁ tu nāgānāmayutaṁ tathā

Kurmaprishtha's force of ten thousand set forth, along with twenty thousand chariots and ten thousand elephants.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.467.25)

दशायुतानि चाश्वानामुष्ट्राणां च तथैव च। बकश्च निर्ययौ दैत्यो बहुसैन्यसमन्वितः

daśāyutāni cāśvānāmuṣṭrāṇāṁ ca tathaiva ca| bakaśca niryayau daityo bahusainyasamanvitaḥ

A hundred thousand horses, and likewise as many camels, went forth. The demon Baka too set out, accompanied by a vast host.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.467.26)

तथा दीर्घनखो दैत्यः स्वेनानीकेन संवृतः। मंत्रिपुत्रो महामायो दैत्यराजकुशस्य वै। निर्ययौ विघसो दैत्यः प्रघसश्च महाबलः

tathā dīrghanakho daityaḥ svenānīkena saṁvṛtaḥ| maṁtriputro mahāmāyo daityarājakuśasya vai| niryayau vighaso daityaḥ praghasaśca mahābalaḥ

Likewise the demon Dirghanakha set out, surrounded by his own forces. Mahamaya, son of King Kusha's minister, and the demons Vighasa and mighty Praghasa also came forth.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.467.27)

ऊर्ध्वबाहुर्वक्रशिराः कञ्चुकश्च शिवोलुकैः। ब्रह्मघ्नो यज्ञहा दैत्यो राहुर्बर्बरकस्तथा

ūrdhvabāhurvakraśirāḥ kañcukaśca śivolukaiḥ| brahmaghno yajñahā daityo rāhurbarbarakastathā

Urdhvabahu, Vakrashira, Kanchuka amid ill-omened owls, the demons Brahmaghna and Yajnaha, Rahu, and Barbaraka —

Verse 28 (skanda.7.467.28)

सुनामा वसुनामा च मंत्रिणौ बुद्धिसत्तमौ। सेनापतिश्चोग्रदंष्ट्रस्तस्य भ्राता महाहनुः

sunāmā vasunāmā ca maṁtriṇau buddhisattamau| senāpatiścogradaṁṣṭrastasya bhrātā mahāhanuḥ

The two ministers Sunama and Vasunama, wisest of counsellors, and the general Ugradamshtra with his brother Mahahanu —

Verse 29 (skanda.7.467.29)

एते चान्ये च बहवो दैत्याः क्रोधसमन्विताः। महता रथघोषेण निर्ययुर्युद्धकांक्षिणः

ete cānye ca bahavo daityāḥ krodhasamanvitāḥ| mahatā rathaghoṣeṇa niryayuryuddhakāṁkṣiṇaḥ

These and many other demons, filled with rage and eager for war, set out amid the great rumble of chariot wheels.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.467.30)

स्नात्वा शुक्लांबरधरः शुक्लमालाविभूषितः। कुशः शंभुं महादेवं भवानीपतिमव्ययम्। आर्चयामास भूतेशं परमेण समाधिना

snātvā śuklāṁbaradharaḥ śuklamālāvibhūṣitaḥ| kuśaḥ śaṁbhuṁ mahādevaṁ bhavānīpatimavyayam| ārcayāmāsa bhūteśaṁ parameṇa samādhinā

Having bathed and clad himself in white garments and a white garland, Kusha worshipped Shambhu Mahadeva, the imperishable lord of Bhavani, master of all beings, with supreme concentration.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.467.31)

पञ्चामृतेन संस्नाप्य तथा गन्धैर्विलिप्य च। अर्चयामास दैत्येन्द्रो ह्यनेककुसुमोत्करैः

pañcāmṛtena saṁsnāpya tathā gaṁdhairvilipya ca| arcayāmāsa daityendro hyanekakusumotkaraiḥ

Bathing the god with the five nectars and anointing him with fragrant paste, that lord of demons worshipped him with heaps of many flowers.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.467.32)

गीतवादित्रशब्दैश्च तथा मंगलवाचकैः। पूजयित्वा महादेवं ब्राह्मणान्स्वस्ति वाच्य च

gītavāditraśabdaiśca tathā maṁgalavācakaiḥ| pūjayitvā mahādevaṁ brāhmaṇānsvasti vācya ca

With songs, musical sounds, and words of blessing, having worshipped Mahadeva, and having the brahmins pronounce benedictions,

Verse 33 (skanda.7.467.33)

भूषयित्वा भूषणैश्च मणिवज्रविभूषणैः। मुकुटेनार्कवर्णेन ज्वलद्भास्कररोचिषा

bhūṣayitvā bhūṣaṇaiśca maṇivajravibhūṣaṇaiḥ| mukuṭenārkavarṇena jvaladbhāskararociṣā

adorning himself with ornaments of jewels and diamonds, and with a crown the colour of the sun, blazing with solar radiance,

Verse 34 (skanda.7.467.34)

भ्राजमानो दैत्यराजो हारेणाऽतीव शोभितः। संनह्य च महाबाहुः सारथिं समुदैक्षत

bhrājamāno daityarājo hāreṇā'tīva śobhitaḥ| saṁnahya ca mahābāhuḥ sārathiṁ samudaikṣata

the resplendent demon-king, magnificently adorned with a necklace, and having armed himself, the mighty-armed one looked toward his charioteer.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.467.35)

सुनामानं वसुं चैव मंत्रिणौ वाक्यमब्रवीत्। कश्चायमसुरान्हंति किमर्थं ज्ञायतामिति

sunāmānaṁ vasuṁ caiva maṁtriṇau vākyamabravīt| kaścāyamasurānhaṁti kimarthaṁ jñāyatāmiti

He said to his two ministers, Sunama and Vasu: 'Who is this that is slaying the asuras, and for what reason? Find out.'

Verse 36 (skanda.7.467.36)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा रुरुर्वचनमब्रवीत्। गतेऽह्नि ब्राह्मणः स्नातुं गोमत्याः संगमे किल

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā rururvacanamabravīt| gate'hni brāhmaṇaḥ snātuṁ gomatyāḥ saṁgame kila

Hearing his words, Ruru replied: 'Earlier today a brahmin came to bathe at the confluence of the Gomati.'

Verse 37 (skanda.7.467.37)

आगतः प्रतिषिद्धः सन्दैत्यैस्तत्र महीपते। तेन विष्णुः समानीतः संकर्षणसमन्वितः

āgataḥ pratiṣiddhaḥ sandaityaistatra mahīpate| tena viṣṇuḥ samānītaḥ saṁkarṣaṇasamanvitaḥ

O king, he came and was there forbidden by the demons. It was he who summoned Vishnu, together with Sankarshana.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.467.38)

सोऽस्मान्हंति महाराज ब्रह्मण्यो जगदीश्वरः। तेन ते बहवो दैत्या हताः केचित्पलायिताः

so'smānhaṁti mahārāja brahmaṇyo jagadīśvaraḥ| tena te bahavo daityā hatāḥ kecitpalāyitāḥ

O great king, that Lord of the universe, ever gracious to brahmins, is slaying us. By him many demons have been killed, and some have fled.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.467.39)

सुनामोवाच। स्नात्वा गच्छतु विप्रोऽसौ वासुदेवसमन्वितः। राजन्वृथा विग्रहेण किं कार्यं कथयस्व नः

sunāmovāca| snātvā gacchatu vipro'sau vāsudevasamanvitaḥ| rājanvṛthā vigraheṇa kiṁ kāryaṁ kathayasva naḥ

Sunama said: Let that brahmin bathe and depart, together with Vasudeva. O king, what use is there in a pointless fight? Tell us, what purpose does it serve?

Verse 40 (skanda.7.467.40)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा कुशः क्रोधसमन्वितः। कथं गोलकहंतारं न हनिष्यामि केशवम्

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā kuśaḥ krodhasamanvitaḥ| kathaṁ golakahaṁtāraṁ na haniṣyāmi keśavam

Hearing these words, Kusha was filled with anger: 'How could I not slay Keshava, the killer of Golaka?'

Verse 41 (skanda.7.467.41)

एतावदुक्त्वा स क्रुद्धो ययौ दैत्यपतिस्तदा। ततो वादित्रशब्दैश्च भेरीशब्दैः समन्वितः

etāvaduktvā sa kruddho yayau daityapatistadā| tato vāditraśabdaiśca bherīśabdaiḥ samanvitaḥ

Having said this much, the enraged demon-king set forth, accompanied by the sound of instruments and the roar of war-drums.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.467.42)

ददर्श तत्र देवेशं सहस्रशिरसं प्रभुम्। तथा विष्णुं चक्रपाणिं दुर्वाससमकल्मषम्

dadarśa tatra deveśaṁ sahasraśirasaṁ prabhum| tathā viṣṇuṁ cakrapāṇiṁ durvāsasamakalmaṣam

There he beheld the thousand-headed lord (Ananta), and Vishnu, discus in hand, and the sinless Durvasas.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.467.43)

ईश्वरांशं च तं दृष्ट्वा न हन्तव्योऽयमीश्वरः। विष्णुमुद्दिश्य तान्सर्वान्प्रेरयामास दानवान्

īśvarāṁśaṁ ca taṁ dṛṣṭvā na hantavyo'yamīśvaraḥ| viṣṇumuddiśya tānsarvānprerayāmāsa dānavān

Recognising him as a portion of the Supreme, he thought, 'This lord should not be slain' — and, directing his aim at Vishnu instead, he sent forth all those demons against him.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.467.44)

नागैः पर्वतसंकाशै रथैर्जलदसन्निभैः। अश्वैर्महाजवैश्चैव परिवव्रुः समन्ततः

nāgaiḥ parvatasaṁkāśai rathairjaladasannibhaiḥ| aśvairmahājavaiścaiva parivavruḥ samaṁtataḥ

With elephants like mountains, chariots like storm-clouds, and horses of tremendous speed, they surrounded them on every side.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.467.45)

ततो युद्धं समभवद्देवयोर्दानवैः सह। आच्छादितौ तौ ददृशुर्दैत्यैर्देवगणास्तदा

tato yuddhaṁ samabhavaddevayordānavaiḥ saha| ācchāditau tau dadṛśurdaityairdevagaṇāstadā

Then battle broke out between the two gods and the demons. The hosts of gods saw the two of them completely enveloped by the demons.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.467.46)

ततो गृहीत्वा मुशलं हलं च बलवान्हली। जघान दैत्यप्रवरान्कालानलयमोपमान्

tato gṛhītvā muśalaṁ halaṁ ca balavānhalī| jaghāna daityapravarānkālānalayamopamān

Then the mighty wielder of the plough, taking up his club and plough, slew the foremost demons, terrible as death, fire, and Yama.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.467.47)

ते हन्यमाना दैतेया बलेन बलशालिना। सर्वतो विद्रुता भग्नाः कुशमेव ययुस्तदा

te hanyamānā daiteyā balena balaśālinā| sarvato vidrutā bhagnāḥ kuśameva yayustadā

Slain by mighty Bala, those demons broke and fled in every direction, retreating straight back to Kusha.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.467.48)

बकश्च यज्ञकोपश्च ब्रह्मघ्नो वेददूषकः। महामखघ्नो जम्भश्च राहुर्वक्रशिरास्तथा

bakaśca yajñakopaśca brahmaghno vedadūṣakaḥ| mahāmakhaghno jaṁbhaśca rāhurvakraśirāstathā

Baka, Yajnakopa, Brahmaghna, Vedadushaka, Mahamakhaghna, Jambha, Rahu, and Vakrashira —

Verse 49 (skanda.7.467.49)

एते चान्ये च बहवः प्रवरा दानवोत्तमाः। क्रोधसंरक्तनयना बिभिदुस्ते जनार्द्दनम्

ete cānye ca bahavaḥ pravarā dānavottamāḥ| krodhasaṁraktanayanā bibhiduste janārddanam

These and many other foremost demons, their eyes red with fury, fell upon Janardana.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.467.50)

ततः क्रोधसमायुक्तौ संकर्षणजनार्दनौ। चक्रलांगलघातेन जघ्नतुर्दानवोत्तमान्

tataḥ krodhasamāyuktau saṁkarṣaṇajanārdanau| cakralāṁgalaghātena jaghnaturdānavottamān

Then Sankarshana and Janardana, filled with wrath, slew those foremost demons with blows of discus and plough.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.467.51)

चक्रेण च शिरः कायाच्चिच्छेदाशु बकस्य वै। चूर्णयामास मुशली यज्ञहंतारमेव च

cakreṇa ca śiraḥ kāyāccicchedāśu bakasya vai| cūrṇayāmāsa muśalī yajñahaṁtāramevaca

With the discus he instantly severed Baka's head from his body, and the wielder of the club crushed Yajnahanta to pieces.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.467.52)

राहुं जघान चक्रेण तथान्यान्मुशलेन च। ते हता हन्यमानाश्च भग्ना जग्मुर्दिशो दश

rāhuṁ jaghāna cakreṇa tathānyānmuśalena ca| te hatā hanyamānāśca bhagnā jagmurdiśo daśa

With the discus he slew Rahu, and with the club the others. Slain and struck down, they broke and fled in ten directions.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.467.53)

कुशः स्वां वाहिनीं दृष्ट्वा विद्रुतां निहतां तथा। क्रोधसंरक्तनयनः प्राह याहीति सारथिम्

kuśaḥ svāṁ vāhinīṁ dṛṣṭvā vidrutāṁ nihatāṁ tathā| krodhasaṁraktanayanaḥ prāha yāhīti sārathim

Seeing his own army thus routed and slain, Kusha, his eyes red with rage, said to his charioteer: 'Drive on!'

Verse 54 (skanda.7.467.54)

स तयोरन्तिकं गत्वा नाम विश्राव्य चात्मनः। उवाच कस्त्वं दैतेयान्मम हंसि गदाधर

sa tayorantikaṁ gatvā nāma viśrāvya cātmanaḥ| uvāca kastvaṁ daiteyānmama haṁsi gadādhara

Approaching close to the two of them and announcing his own name, he said: 'Who are you, O mace-bearer, to be slaying my demons?'

Verse 55 (skanda.7.467.55)

श्रीवासुदेव उवाच। यस्माद्विमुक्तिदं पुण्यं गोमत्युदधिसंगमम्। रुद्धं दुरात्मभिः पापैस्तस्मात्ते निहता मया

śrīvāsudeva uvāca| yasmādvimuktidaṁ puṇyaṁ gomatyudadhisaṁgamam| ruddhaṁ durātmabhiḥ pāpaistasmātte nihatā mayā

Shri Vasudeva said: Because you evil sinners have blocked off the sacred, liberating confluence of the Gomati and the ocean, your people have been slain by me.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.467.56)

कुश उवाच। मां न जानासि चात्रस्थं कथं जीवन्प्रयास्यसि। युध्यस्व त्वं स्थिरो भूत्वा ततस्त्यक्ष्यसि जीवितम्

kuśa uvāca| māṁ na jānāsi cātrasthaṁ kathaṁ jīvanprayāsyasi| yudhyasva tvaṁ sthiro bhūtvā tatastyakṣyasi jīvitam

Kusha said: You do not know me, ruler of this place — how will you leave here alive? Stand firm and fight; then you shall lose your life.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.467.57)

इत्युक्त्वा पञ्चविंशत्या ताडयामास केशवम्। अनन्तं चाष्टभिर्बाणैर्हत्वाऽऽत्रेयं निरीक्ष्य तम्। ईश्वरांशं च तं दृष्ट्वा प्राह याहीति मा चिरम्

ityuktvā pañcaviṁśatyā tāḍayāmāsa keśavam| anantaṁ cāṣṭabhirbāṇairhatvā'ātreyaṁ nirīkṣya tam| īśvarāṁśaṁ ca taṁ dṛṣṭvā prāha yāhīti mā ciram

Having said this, he struck Keshava with twenty-five arrows, and Ananta with eight, and then looked toward Atreya. Recognising him as a portion of the Divine, he said: 'Go at once, delay no longer.'

Verse 58 (skanda.7.467.58)

स बाणैर्भिन्नसर्वांगः शार्ङ्गं हि धनुषां वरम्। विकृष्य घातयामास चतुर्भिश्चतुरो हयान्

sa bāṇairbhinnasarvāṁgaḥ śārṅgaṁ hi dhanuṣāṁ varam| vikṛṣya ghātayāmāsa caturbhiścaturo hayān

His whole body pierced by arrows, Krishna drew the Sharnga, best of bows, and with four arrows slew the four horses of Kusha's chariot.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.467.59)

सारथेस्तु शिरः कायादर्द्धचंद्रेण पत्त्रिणा। चिच्छेद धनुरेकेन ध्वजमेकेन चिच्छिदे

sārathestu śiraḥ kāyādarddhacaṁdreṇa pattriṇā| ciccheda dhanurekena dhvajamekena cicchide

With a crescent-headed arrow he severed the charioteer's head from his body; with one arrow he cut his bow, and with another his banner.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.467.60)

स च्छिन्नधन्वा विरथो हताश्वो हतसारथिः। प्रगृह्य च महाखङ्गमुवाच वचनं तदा

sa cchinnadhanvā viratho hatāśvo hatasārathiḥ| pragṛhya ca mahākhaṅgamuvāca vacanaṁ tadā

His bow cut, his chariot ruined, his horses and charioteer slain, taking up his great sword, he then spoke these words:

Verse 61 (skanda.7.467.61)

यदि त्वां पातयिष्यामि कीर्तिर्मे ह्यतुला भवेत्। पातितोऽहं त्वया वीर यास्यामि परमां गतिम्

yadi tvāṁ pātayiṣyāmi kīrtirme hyatulā bhavet| pātito'haṁ tvayā vīra yāsyāmi paramāṁ gatim

If I strike you down, my glory shall be beyond compare. And if you strike me down, O hero, I shall attain the highest state.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.467.62)

तिष्ठ तिष्ठ हरे स्थाने शरणं मे सदाशिवः। धावन्तमतिसंक्रुद्धं खङ्गहस्तं निरीक्ष्य तम्। चक्रेण शितधारेण शिरश्चिच्छेद लीलया

tiṣṭha tiṣṭha hare sthāne śaraṇaṁ me sadāśivaḥ| dhāvantamatisaṁkruddhaṁ khaṅgahastaṁ nirīkṣya tam| cakreṇa śitadhāreṇa śiraścicheda līlayā

'Stand, stand, O Hari, right where you are! Sadashiva alone is my refuge.' Seeing him charging in utter fury, sword in hand, Krishna effortlessly severed his head with his sharp-edged discus.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.467.63)

तं छिन्नशिरसं भूमौ पतितं वीक्ष्य दानवम्। अथोवाह रथेनाजौ दैत्यः खञ्जनकस्तथा

taṁ chinnaśirasaṁ bhūmau patitaṁ vīkṣya dānavam| athovāha rathenājau daityaḥ khañjanakastathā

Seeing that demon fallen to the ground, his head severed, the demon named Khanjanaka then drove his chariot onto the field of battle.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.467.64)

अपयाते कुशे दैत्ये विष्णुः संकर्षणस्तदा। दुर्वाससा च सहितः संन्यवर्तत हर्षितः

apayāte kuśe daitye viṣṇuḥ saṁkarṣaṇastadā| durvāsasā ca sahitaḥ saṁnyavartata harṣitaḥ

When the demon Kusha had departed, Vishnu and Sankarshana, together with Durvasas, joyfully turned back.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.467.65)

शिवालये तु पतितं कुशं निक्षिप्य दानवः। स्नानगन्धार्चनैर्धूपैर्गीतवाद्यैरतोषयत्

śivālaye tu patitaṁ kuśaṁ nikṣipya dānavaḥ| snānagaṁdhārcanairdhūpairgītavādyairatoṣayat

That demon attendant laid the fallen Kusha in the temple of Shiva, and satisfied the god with bathing, fragrance, worship, incense, and song and music.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.467.66)

अवाप जीवितं सद्यः प्रसादाच्छंकरस्य च। उत्थितः स तदा दैत्यो ब्रुवञ्छिवशिवेति च

avāpa jīvitaṁ sadyaḥ prasādācchaṁkarasya ca| utthitaḥ sa tadā daityo bruvañchivaśiveti ca

By Shankara's grace he instantly came back to life. That demon then rose, exclaiming, 'Shiva, Shiva!'

Verse 67 (skanda.7.467.67)

तं पुनर्जीवितं दृष्ट्वा दैत्यं दैत्यगणस्तदा। उवाच सुमना वाक्यं वर्धस्व सुचिरं विभो

taṁ punarjīvitaṁ dṛṣṭvā daityaṁ daityagaṇastadā| uvāca sumanā vākyaṁ vardhasva suciraṁ vibho

Seeing that demon alive once more, the demon-host, headed by Sumana, said to him: 'O lord, may you live long and prosper.'

Verse 68 (skanda.7.467.68)

स्नापयित्वा यदि पुनर्ब्राह्मणं विनिवर्त्तते। यथेष्टं गच्छतु तदा किं वृथा विग्रहेण ते

snāpayitvā yadi punarbrāhmaṇaṁ vinivarttate| yatheṣṭaṁ gacchatu tadā kiṁ vṛthā vigraheṇa te

If he, having bathed the brahmin, then withdraws, let him go as he wishes — what use is there in your fighting pointlessly?

Verse 69 (skanda.7.467.69)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा कुशो वचनमब्रवीत्। गच्छ प्रेषय तौ शीघ्रं विप्रत्राणकरावुभौ

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā kuśo vacanamabravīt| gaccha preṣaya tau śīghraṁ vipratrāṇakarāvubhau

Hearing these words, Kusha said: 'Go, and send word swiftly to those two protectors of the brahmin, to depart.'

Verse 70 (skanda.7.467.70)

स च राज्ञा समादिष्टः सुमना मुनिसत्तमाः। उवाच विष्णुमानम्य नमस्कृत्य हलायुधम्

sa ca rājñā samādiṣṭaḥ sumanā munisattamāḥ| uvāca viṣṇumānamya namaskṛtya halāyudham

O best of sages, thus commanded by the king, Sumana bowed to Vishnu and made obeisance to Halayudha, and said:

Verse 71 (skanda.7.467.71)

कुशेन प्रेषितश्चास्मि समीपे ते जनार्दन। किं तवापकृतं नाथ येन दैत्याञ्जिघांससि

kuśena preṣitaścāsmi samīpe te janārdana| kiṁ tavāpakṛtaṁ nātha yena daityāñjighāṁsasi

O Janardana, I have been sent by Kusha to your presence. O Lord, what wrong has been done to you, that you wish to slay the demons?

Verse 72 (skanda.7.467.72)

दुर्वाससं स्नापयित्वा गच्छ मुक्तोऽसि मानद। अमरत्वं महादेवात्प्राप्तं विद्धि कुशेन हि

durvāsasaṁ snāpayitvā gaccha mukto'si mānada| amaratvaṁ mahādevātprāptaṁ viddhi kuśena hi

Having bathed Durvasas, you may go — you are free, O honourer of others. Know that Kusha has obtained immortality from Mahadeva himself.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.467.73)

श्रीविष्णुरुवाच। मुक्तितीर्थमिदं रुद्धं भवद्भिः पापकर्मभिः। तस्माद्धनिष्ये सर्वांश्च दानवान्नात्र संशयः

śrīviṣṇuruvāca| muktitīrthamidaṁ ruddhaṁ bhavadbhiḥ pāpakarmabhiḥ| tasmāddhaniṣye sarvāṁśca dānavānnātra saṁśayaḥ

Shri Vishnu said: You, doers of sinful deeds, have blocked off this tirtha of liberation; therefore I shall slay all the demons — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.467.74)

दुर्वाससश्च ये दर्भास्तिलाश्चैवाक्षतैः सह। पुनस्तानानयध्वं हि क्षिप्ता ये वरुणालये

durvāsasaśca ye darbhāstilāścaivākṣataiḥ saha| punastānānayadhvaṁ hi kṣiptā ye varuṇālaye

Bring back the kusha grass, sesame seeds, and unbroken rice of Durvasas which you cast into the abode of Varuna.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.467.75)

सवाहनपरीवाराः सजातिकुलबान्धवाः। पुण्यतीर्थमिदं हित्वा प्रविशध्वं धरातले

savāhanaparīvārāḥ sajātikulabāndhavāḥ| puṇyatīrthamidaṁ hitvā praviśadhvaṁ dharātale

Together with your mounts, retinues, kin, clan, and kindred, abandon this sacred tirtha and enter beneath the earth.

Verse 76 (skanda.7.467.76)

सुमनास्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः। युध्यध्वमिति तं चोक्त्वा नैतदेवं भविष्यति

sumanāstadvacaḥ śrutvā krodhasaṁraktalocanaḥ| yudhyadhvamiti taṁ coktvā naitadevaṁ bhaviṣyati

Hearing this, Sumana, his eyes red with rage, said, 'Fight on!' and declared to him, 'This shall not come to pass.'

Verse 77 (skanda.7.467.77)

कुशाय कथयामास यदुक्तं शार्ङ्गधन्विना। क्रुद्धस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा मन्त्रिणा समुदीरितम्

kuśāya kathayāmāsa yaduktaṁ śārṅgadhanvinā| kruddhastadvacanaṁ śrutvā mantriṇā samudīritam

He reported to Kusha what the wielder of the Sharnga had said. Hearing that report brought by his minister, Kusha grew enraged.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.467.78)

रथमारुह्य वेगेन ययौ योद्धुमरिन्दमः। संस्मृत्य मनसा देवं पिनाकिं वृषभध्वजम्

rathamāruhya vegena yayau yoddhumarindamaḥ| saṁsmṛtya manasā devaṁ pinākiṁ vṛṣabhadhvajam

Mounting his chariot, that queller of foes rushed swiftly to fight, calling to mind in his heart the god who bears the Pinaka and the bull banner.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.467.79)

ततः प्रववृते युद्धं सुमहल्लोमहर्षणम्। अन्येषां दानवानां च केशवस्य कुशस्य च

tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṁ sumahallomaharṣaṇam| anyeṣāṁ dānavānāṁ ca keśavasya kuśasya ca

Then there broke out a tremendous, hair-raising battle between the remaining demons and Keshava, and between Keshava and Kusha.

Verse 80 (skanda.7.467.80)

यज्ञघ्नो गदया गुर्व्या संकर्षणमताडयत्। संकर्षणहतः शीर्ष्णि मुसलेन पपात ह

yajñaghno gadayā gurvyā saṁkarṣaṇamatāḍayat| saṁkarṣaṇahataḥ śīrṣṇi musalena papāta ha

Yajnaghna struck Sankarshana with his heavy mace. Struck upon the head by Sankarshana's club, he fell down dead.

Verse 81 (skanda.7.467.81)

कञ्चुकं च जघानाशु चक्रेण भगवान्हरिः। उल्मुकश्चाथ निहतो ब्रह्मघ्नश्च निपातितः

kañcukaṁ ca jaghānāśu cakreṇa bhagavānhariḥ| ulmukaścātha nihato brahmaghnaśca nipātitaḥ

The Lord Hari instantly slew Kanchuka with his discus; Ulmuka too was slain, and Brahmaghna was struck down.

Verse 82 (skanda.7.467.82)

एते चान्ये च बहवो घातिताः केशवेन हि। दानवान्पतितान्दृष्ट्वा कुशः परमकोपितः

ete cānye ca bahavo ghātitāḥ keśavena hi| dānavānpatitāndṛṣṭvā kuśaḥ paramakopitaḥ

These and many other demons were slain by Keshava. Seeing his demons fallen, Kusha grew utterly enraged.

Verse 83 (skanda.7.467.83)

जघान युधि संरब्धः परमास्त्रेण केशवम्। भगवान्क्रोधसंयुक्तश्चक्रेण चाहरच्छिरः

jaghāna yudhi saṁrabdhaḥ paramāstreṇa keśavam| bhagavānkrodhasaṁyuktaścakreṇa cāharacchiraḥ

Enraged, he struck Keshava in battle with a supreme weapon. The Lord, filled with wrath, cut off his head with the discus.

Verse 84 (skanda.7.467.84)

तं छिन्नशिरसं भूमौ पातितं वीक्ष्य केशवः। चिच्छेद बाहू पादौ च खङ्गेन तिलशस्तथा

taṁ chinnaśirasaṁ bhūmau pātitaṁ vīkṣya keśavaḥ| ciccheda bāhū pādau ca khaṅgena tilaśastathā

Seeing him fallen to the ground, his head severed, Keshava then cut off his arms and legs with his sword, hacking them into tiny pieces.

Verse 85 (skanda.7.467.85)

खण्डशो घातितं दृष्ट्वा केशवेन कुशं तदा। संगृह्य ते पुनर्दैत्या निन्युः सर्वे शिवालयम्

khaṇḍaśo ghātitaṁ dṛṣṭvā keśavena kuśaṁ tadā| saṁgṛhya te punardaityā ninyuḥ sarve śivālayam

Seeing Kusha thus cut to pieces by Keshava, those demons gathered up his body once more and carried it all to the temple of Shiva.

Verse 86 (skanda.7.467.86)

प्रसादाच्छूलिनः सद्यो जीवितं प्राप्य दानवः। उत्थितः सहसा क्रुद्धः क्व विष्णुरिति चाब्रवीत्

prasādācchūlinaḥ sadyo jīvitaṁ prāpya dānavaḥ| utthitaḥ sahasā kruddhaḥ kva viṣṇuriti cābravīt

By the grace of the trident-bearer, that demon instantly regained life; suddenly rising, enraged, he cried, 'Where is Vishnu?'

Verse 87 (skanda.7.467.87)

गदामुद्यम्य संक्रुद्धो योद्धुमागाज्जनार्द्दनम्। तमुद्यतगदं दृष्ट्वा निहतं जीवितं पुनः

gadāmudyamya saṁkruddho yoddhumāgājjanārddanam| tamudyatagadaṁ dṛṣṭvā nihataṁ jīvitaṁ punaḥ

Raising his mace in fury, he came to fight Janardana. Seeing him, mace raised, previously slain and now alive again,

Verse 88 (skanda.7.467.88)

दुर्वाससमथोवाच किमिदं न म्रियेत यत्। मयाऽसकृच्छिरश्छिन्नं खण्डशस्तिलशः कृतम्

durvāsasamathovāca kimidaṁ na mriyeta yat| mayā'sakṛcchiraśchinnaṁ khaṇḍaśastilaśaḥ kṛtam

Vishnu said to Durvasas: 'What is this — why does he not die? I have repeatedly cut off his head, hacked him to pieces, cut him into fragments.'

Verse 89 (skanda.7.467.89)

जीवत्ययं पुनः कस्मात्कारणं कथयस्व नः। इत्युक्तश्चिन्तयामास ध्यानेन ऋषिसत्तमः

jīvatyayaṁ punaḥ kasmātkāraṇaṁ kathayasva naḥ| ityuktaścintayāmāsa dhyānena ṛṣisattamaḥ

'Why does he live again? Tell us the reason.' Thus addressed, that best of sages pondered the matter through meditation.

Verse 90 (skanda.7.467.90)

ज्ञात्वा तत्कारणं सर्वमुवाच मधुसूदनम्। महादेवेन तुष्टेन कुशोऽयममरः कृतः

jñātvā tatkāraṇaṁ sarvamuvāca madhusūdanam| mahādevena tuṣṭena kuśo'yamamaraḥ kṛtaḥ

Having discerned the whole cause, he said to Madhusudana: 'Mahadeva, being pleased, has made this Kusha immortal.'

Verse 91 (skanda.7.467.91)

खण्डशश्च कृतश्चापि न च प्राणैर्वियुज्यते। ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो हन्तव्योऽयं मया कथम्

khaṇḍaśaśca kṛtaścāpi na ca prāṇairviyujyate| tataḥ sa vismayāviṣṭo hantavyo'yaṁ mayā katham

'Even cut to pieces, he is not parted from life.' Hearing this, Vishnu was filled with wonder: 'How, then, am I to slay him?'

Verse 92 (skanda.7.467.92)

उपायं च करिष्यामि येनायं न भवेदिति। ततः स जीवितं प्राप्य प्रसादाच्छंकरस्य च। चर्मखङ्गमथादाय तिष्ठतिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

upāyaṁ ca kariṣyāmi yenāyaṁ na bhavediti| tataḥ sa jīvitaṁ prāpya prasādācchaṁkarasya ca| carmakhaṅgamathādāya tiṣṭhatiṣṭheti cābravīt

'I shall devise a means by which he shall cease to be.' Meanwhile that demon, having regained life by Shankara's grace, took up shield and sword and cried, 'Stand, stand!'

Verse 93 (skanda.7.467.93)

तमायान्तं ततो दृष्ट्वा कुशं शिवपरिग्रहम्। जघान गदया गुर्व्या गदाहस्तं तदा कुशम्

tamāyāntaṁ tato dṛṣṭvā kuśaṁ śivaparigraham| jaghāna gadayā gurvyā gadāhastaṁ tadā kuśam

Seeing that Kusha approaching, favoured by Shiva, he struck that mace-wielding Kusha with a heavy mace.

Verse 94 (skanda.7.467.94)

स भिन्नमूर्धा न्यपतत्केशवेनाभिताडितः। भूमौ निपतितं वेगात्परिगृह्य कुशं हरिः

sa bhinnamūrdhā nyapatatkeśavenābhitāḍitaḥ| bhūmau nipatitaṁ vegātparigṛhya kuśaṁ hariḥ

Struck by Keshava, he fell, his skull shattered. Hari then seized Kusha, who lay fallen forcefully upon the ground.

Verse 95 (skanda.7.467.95)

गर्ते निक्षिप्य तद्देहं पूरयामास वै पुनः। लिङ्गं संस्थापयामास तस्योपरि जनार्द्दनः

garte nikṣipya taddehaṁ pūrayāmāsa vai punaḥ| liṅgaṁ saṁsthāpayāmāsa tasyopari janārddanaḥ

Casting his body into a pit, he filled it in once more, and Janardana set up a Shivalinga above it.

Verse 96 (skanda.7.467.96)

स लब्धसंज्ञो दनुजः शिवलिङ्गमपश्यत। आत्मोपरिस्थितं तच्च तदा चिन्तापरोऽभवत्

sa labdhasaṁjño danujaḥ śivaliṅgamapaśyata| ātmoparisthitaṁ tacca tadā ciṁtāparo'bhavat

Regaining consciousness, that demon saw the Shivalinga established over himself, and then fell into deep thought.