The Formation of the Battle Arrays

Verse 1 (skanda.8.132.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । मन्दरप्रस्थमासाद्य सोन्धको दानवाधिपः । प्राञ्जलिः शुक्रमाहेदं शक्रार्कसदृशद्युतिम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | mandaraprasthamāsādya sondhako dānavādhipaḥ | prāñjaliḥ śukramāhedaṁ śakrārkasadṛśadyutim

Sanatkumara said: Having reached the slope of Mandara, that Andhaka, lord of the Danavas, with joined palms, said this to Shukra, whose splendor resembled Indra and the sun.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.132.2)

अन्धक उवाच । प्राप्ताः स्म भगवञ्छैलं मन्दरं चारुकन्दरम् । प्रमथैर्भीमसंकाशैः सन्निरुद्धशिलातलम्

andhaka uvāca | prāptāḥ sma bhagavañchailaṁ mandaraṁ cārukandaram | pramathairbhīmasaṁkāśaiḥ sanniruddhaśilātalam

Andhaka said: 'O Lord, we have reached the mountain Mandara of lovely caverns, its rocky terrain besieged by terrible-looking Pramathas.'

Verse 3 (skanda.8.132.3)

खेचरा मायिनश्चैव योगिनश्च महाबलाः । प्रसभं दानवैर्जेतुं न शक्या गणनायकाः

khecarā māyinaścaiva yoginaśca mahābalāḥ | prasabhaṁ dānavairjetuṁ na śakyā gaṇanāyakāḥ

'Sky-goers, and masters of illusion, and mighty yogins — these leaders of gaṇas cannot be conquered by the Danavas by force.'

Verse 4 (skanda.8.132.4)

प्रायेण बलवन्तोपि ह्युपायेनैव साधवः । कार्येष्वादौ प्रवर्तन्ते पश्चात्तु विपरीतवत्

prāyeṇa balavantopi hyupāyenaiva sādhavaḥ | kāryeṣvādau pravartante paścāttu viparītavat

'For generally, even the strong, being wise, proceed with a plan at the outset in their undertakings; otherwise it turns out contrary.'

Verse 5 (skanda.8.132.5)

तदुपायं समास्थाय विशेषेण समाहिताः । प्रमथान् संप्रबाधाम यथा वा रुचितं तव

tadupāyaṁ samāsthāya viśeṣeṇa samāhitāḥ | pramathān saṁprabādhāma yathā vā rucitaṁ tava

'Adopting that method, being especially attentive, let us overwhelm the Pramathas, or however it pleases you.'

Verse 6 (skanda.8.132.6)

स त्वमस्मज्जयप्रेप्सुर्दानवानां जयाय च । कुरु देव गिरिव्यूहं परव्यूहविदारणम्

sa tvamasmajjayaprepsurdānavānāṁ jayāya ca | kuru deva girivyūhaṁ paravyūhavidāraṇam

'You, desiring our victory and that of the Danavas, O lord, construct a mountain-formation, one that would rend the enemy's formation.'

Verse 7 (skanda.8.132.7)

के चेमे सूर्यकोटीनां प्रभावर्णवपुर्धराः । प्रमथानीकमध्येषु स्थिताः पश्यन्ति मां मुहुः

ke ceme sūryakoṭīnāṁ prabhāvarṇavapurdharāḥ | pramathānīkamadhyeṣu sthitāḥ paśyanti māṁ muhuḥ

'And who are these, bearing the splendor and hue of crores of suns, standing amid the ranks of the Pramathas, looking at me again and again?'

Verse 8 (skanda.8.132.8)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततोन्धकवचः श्रुत्वा क्रुद्धो दैत्यपुरोहितः । उवाच दैत्याधिपतिं गोपतिं दर्शयन्निव

sanatkumāra uvāca | tatondhakavacaḥ śrutvā kruddho daityapurohitaḥ | uvāca daityādhipatiṁ gopatiṁ darśayanniva

Sanatkumara said: Then, hearing Andhaka's words, the enraged preceptor of the Daityas spoke to the lord of the Daityas, as if pointing out each figure.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.132.9)

शुक्र उवाच । य एष मधुपिङ्गाक्षस्त्र्यम्बकश्चन्द्रभूषणः । व्याघ्रचर्माम्बरधरो देव एष पिनाकधृक्

śukra uvāca | ya eṣa madhupiṅgākṣastryambakaścandrabhūṣaṇaḥ | vyāghracarmāmbaradharo deva eṣa pinākadhṛk

Shukra said: 'This one, honey-brown-eyed, three-eyed, moon-adorned, wearing a tiger-skin garment — this is the god, the trident-bearer.'

Verse 10 (skanda.8.132.10)

यस्त्वेष कपिसिंहास्यो नीलवस्त्रश्चतुर्भुजः । तरुणार्कसमो भाति नन्द्येष गणनायकः

yastveṣa kapisiṁhāsyo nīlavastraścaturbhujaḥ | taruṇārkasamo bhāti nandyeṣa gaṇanāyakaḥ

'And this one, monkey-lion-faced, blue-garmented, four-armed, shining like the young sun — this is Nandi, the leader of the gaṇas.'

Verse 11 (skanda.8.132.11)

तनुरुच्चोग्निसंकाशो य एषोग्निरिवोज्ज्वलः । ब्राह्मणाधिपतिर्ह्येष बृहद्बुद्धिर्बृहस्पतिः

tanuruccognisaṁkāśo ya eṣognirivojjvalaḥ | brāhmaṇādhipatirhyeṣa bṛhadbuddhirbṛhaspatiḥ

'This one, tall of body, resembling fire, blazing like fire — he is indeed the chief of brahmins, the vast-minded Brihaspati.'

Verse 12 (skanda.8.132.12)

य एष नातिदूरस्थो वृषकेतोस्त्रिशूलधृक् । एषोन्धक महाकायो महागणपतिर्वरः

ya eṣa nātidūrastho vṛṣaketostriśūladhṛk | eṣondhaka mahākāyo mahāgaṇapatirvaraḥ

'This one not far off, trident-bearing, near the bull-bannered one, O Andhaka, is the great-bodied, excellent Mahaganapati.'

Verse 13 (skanda.8.132.13)

यैष आस्थाय कूजन्तं भाति चित्रकलापिनम् । मयूरं बालसूर्याभः शक्तिपाणिर्महाबलः

yaiṣa āsthāya kūjantaṁ bhāti citrakalāpinam | mayūraṁ bālasūryābhaḥ śaktipāṇirmahābalaḥ

'This one, mounted on a crying, colorfully-tailed peacock, radiant as the young sun, spear in hand, of great strength.'

Verse 14 (skanda.8.132.14)

ब्रह्मण्यो ब्रह्मनिरतो ब्रह्मचारी यतव्रतः । स्कन्द एष हि देवानामग्रणीर्दानवा रणे

brahmaṇyo brahmanirato brahmacārī yatavrataḥ | skanda eṣa hi devānāmagraṇīrdānavā raṇe

'Devoted to brahmins, intent on the Brahman, celibate, of controlled vows — this indeed is Skanda, foremost of the gods in battle, O Danava.'

Verse 15 (skanda.8.132.15)

य एष ताम्रचूडस्थस्ताम्रचूडशिलाप्रभः । शक्तिमुल्लोलयन् भाति तोयदस्तडितं यथा

ya eṣa tāmracūḍasthastāmracūḍaśilāprabhaḥ | śaktimullolayan bhāti toyadastaḍitaṁ yathā

'This one, seated on a copper-crested mount, radiant as copper-crest rock, brandishing his spear, shines like a raincloud flashing lightning.'

Verse 16 (skanda.8.132.16)

काकपक्षधरो ह्येष पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननः । विशाखो नाम कौमारः कौमारब्रह्मचर्यवान्

kākapakṣadharo hyeṣa pūrṇacandranibhānanaḥ | viśākho nāma kaumāraḥ kaumārabrahmacaryavān

'This one, wearing the crow's-wing lock, his face like the full moon — this is Vishakha, a youth ever chaste from childhood.'

Verse 17 (skanda.8.132.17)

तरुणस्तरुणप्रज्ञस्तरुः शाखायुतो यथा । स्वाहायास्तनयो ह्येष शाखो नाम महाद्युतिः

taruṇastaruṇaprajñastaruḥ śākhāyuto yathā | svāhāyāstanayo hyeṣa śākho nāma mahādyutiḥ

'Youthful, of youthful wisdom, like a tree furnished with branches — this indeed is Svaha's son, of great splendor, named Shakha.'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.132.18)

एतस्य यो ह्यसौ पार्श्वं सव्यमावृत्य तिष्ठति । दर्शयानः प्रदेशिन्या माञ्च त्वाञ्च पुनःपुनः

etasya yo hyasau pārśvaṁ savyamāvṛtya tiṣṭhati | darśayānaḥ pradeśinyā māñca tvāñca punaḥpunaḥ

'And he who stands turning to this one's left side, pointing with his forefinger again and again, alternately at me and at you —'

Verse 19 (skanda.8.132.19)

मेषमास्थाय बलवान् बाल एव व्यवस्थितः । नैगमेष इति ख्यात एषोन्धक हरात्मजः

meṣamāsthāya balavān bāla eva vyavasthitaḥ | naigameṣa iti khyāta eṣondhaka harātmajaḥ

'—mounted on a ram, powerful, though yet a child in appearance, this, O Andhaka, is known as Naigamesha, son of Hara.'

Verse 20 (skanda.8.132.20)

चतुर्भिरेष पुत्रैस्तु दृश्यतेसुरहा वृतः । देवैश्चतुर्भिः संपृक्तो यथैव हि पितामहः

caturbhireṣa putraistu dṛśyatesurahā vṛtaḥ | devaiścaturbhiḥ saṁpṛkto yathaiva hi pitāmahaḥ

'This slayer of Asuras is seen surrounded by his four sons, joined with the four, just as the grandsire is with his sons.'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.132.21)

देवमीशं महेष्वासं नन्दिसूनुपुरस्सरम् । व्यतियुध्या सुरश्रेष्ठ मन्मन्त्रपरिपालितः

devamīśaṁ maheṣvāsaṁ nandisūnupurassaram | vyatiyudhyā suraśreṣṭha manmantraparipālitaḥ

'Fight against that great archer god, the Lord, with Nandi's son at the fore, O best of Asuras, protected by my counsel.'

Verse 22 (skanda.8.132.22)

प्रमथैर्निहतान् दैत्यान् शतशोथ सहस्रशः । अहमुत्थापयिष्यामि शस्यानि जलदो यथा

pramathairnihatān daityān śataśotha sahasraśaḥ | ahamutthāpayiṣyāmi śasyāni jalado yathā

'The Daityas slain by the Pramathas by the hundreds and thousands, I shall revive, just as a raincloud revives the crops.'

Verse 23 (skanda.8.132.23)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तं भार्गव इति प्रोच्य दानवान् दानवाधिपम् । गिरिव्यूहेन तत्सैन्यं प्राक्रमद् व्यूहितुं ततः

sanatkumāra uvāca | taṁ bhārgava iti procya dānavān dānavādhipam | girivyūhena tatsainyaṁ prākramad vyūhituṁ tataḥ

Sanatkumara said: Having thus addressed the lord of Danavas, calling him 'Bhargava', that Danava then set about arraying that army in the mountain-formation.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.132.24)

मूलेन्धकरथं कृत्वा सान्धकं साश्वसारथिम् । पादातैर्बहुसाहस्रैः पादान् तस्य चकार ह

mūlendhakarathaṁ kṛtvā sāndhakaṁ sāśvasārathim | pādātairbahusāhasraiḥ pādān tasya cakāra ha

He made Andhaka's chariot, with Andhaka, its horses, and its charioteer, the base of the formation, and made its 'feet' with many thousands of footsoldiers.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.132.25)

तेषु पादसहस्रेषु गिरिव्यूहस्य दानवैः । वृक्षशैलशिलासंघान् कारयमास भार्गवः

teṣu pādasahasreṣu girivyūhasya dānavaiḥ | vṛkṣaśailaśilāsaṁghān kārayamāsa bhārgavaḥ

In those thousand feet of the mountain-formation, Bhargava had the Danavas form up masses equipped with trees, rocks, and boulders.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.132.26)

कोटिभिर्दशभिस्तस्य दानवानां महात्मनाम् । नितम्बाँस्ताम्रनयनान् प्रचकार ग्रहेश्वरः

koṭibhirdaśabhistasya dānavānāṁ mahātmanām | nitambā~stāmranayanān pracakāra graheśvaraḥ

With ten crores of those great-souled, copper-eyed Danavas, the lord of planets formed the slopes of the mountain-formation.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.132.27)

धातुनिष्यन्दचित्रेषु नितम्बेष्वपि दानवान् । तृणवत् क्षुपवच्चापि स्थापयामास भार्गवः

dhātuniṣyandacitreṣu nitambeṣvapi dānavān | tṛṇavat kṣupavaccāpi sthāpayāmāsa bhārgavaḥ

On those slopes, variegated with streams of mineral ore, Bhargava placed Danavas as well, like grass and like shrubs.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.132.28)

त्रिंशता कोटिभिश्चापि त्रिदशाधिपविद्विषाम् । गिरिव्यूहस्य शृङ्गाणि चकारार्कसमप्रभः

triṁśatā koṭibhiścāpi tridaśādhipavidviṣām | girivyūhasya śṛṅgāṇi cakārārkasamaprabhaḥ

And with thirty crores of the enemies of the lord of the thirty gods, he of splendor equal to the sun formed the peaks of the mountain-formation.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.132.29)

तेषु शृङ्गेषु तुङ्गेषु दानवान्सायुधानथ । अमी प्रपाता इत्येवमाचख्यौ भृगुनन्दनः

teṣu śṛṅgeṣu tuṅgeṣu dānavānsāyudhānatha | amī prapātā ityevamācakhyau bhṛgunandanaḥ

On those lofty peaks he placed armed Danavas, and the son of Bhrigu declared, 'These are the precipices.'

Verse 30 (skanda.8.132.30)

ते प्रपातस्थिता दैत्या नीलाम्बुधरवर्चसः । शस्त्रतोयानि मुदिताः क्षरन्त इव संस्थिताः

te prapātasthitā daityā nīlāmbudharavarcasaḥ | śastratoyāni muditāḥ kṣaranta iva saṁsthitāḥ

Those Daityas, stationed at the precipices, of the splendor of dark rain-clouds, joyfully stood as if pouring down showers of weapons.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.132.31)

बलस्था ये जवोपेता दैत्या दैवतकण्टकाः । श्येनवत्ते भ्रमित्वा तु निलीनाः स्युर्गिरिव्रजे

balasthā ye javopetā daityā daivatakaṇṭakāḥ | śyenavatte bhramitvā tu nilīnāḥ syurgirivraje

Those Daityas, thorns to the gods, stationed in strength and endowed with speed, having circled like hawks, would then lie hidden in the mountain-enclosure.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.132.32)

निवातकवचान् सर्वान् विविधायुधधारिणः । अकरोद् भार्गवो देवो गिरिव्यूहस्य सानुवत्

nivātakavacān sarvān vividhāyudhadhāriṇaḥ | akarod bhārgavo devo girivyūhasya sānuvat

Bhargava made all the Nivatakavachas, bearers of various weapons, into the ridges of the mountain-formation.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.132.33)

प्रह्रादमथ संह्रादमनुह्रादं शिनिं तथा । जम्भं कुजम्भं तारञ्च मयं नमुचिमेव च

prahrādamatha saṁhrādamanuhrādaṁ śiniṁ tathā | jambhaṁ kujambhaṁ tārañca mayaṁ namucimeva ca

Prahlada, and Samhrada, Anuhrada, and Shini too; Jambha, Kujambha, Tara, and Maya, and Namuchi too—

Verse 34 (skanda.8.132.34)

विरोचनं बलिं बाणं वातं कार्तस्वनं कुशम् । शम्भुं च भावयत्यं च इल्वकं विल्वकं तथा

virocanaṁ baliṁ bāṇaṁ vātaṁ kārtasvanaṁ kuśam | śambhuṁ ca bhāvayatyaṁ ca ilvakaṁ vilvakaṁ tathā

Virochana, Bali, Bana, Vata, Kartasvana, and Kusha; Shambhu, and Bhavayatya, Ilvaka, and Vilvaka too—

Verse 35 (skanda.8.132.35)

वितं वृत्तं तुहुण्डं च हुण्डं दण्डं च दानवम् । अञ्जनं रुषणं राहुं स्वर्भानुमजकं गजम्

vitaṁ vṛttaṁ tuhuṇḍaṁ ca huṇḍaṁ daṇḍaṁ ca dānavam | añjanaṁ ruṣaṇaṁ rāhuṁ svarbhānumajakaṁ gajam

Vita, Vritta, and Tuhunda, Hunda, and the Danava Danda; Anjana, Rushana, Rahu, Svarbhanu, Ajaka, and Gaja—

Verse 36 (skanda.8.132.36)

हस्तिदुर्योधनौ चैव पाकं धुन्धुञ्च दानवम् । एतांश्चान्यांश्च बलिनो दैत्यान्दैवतकण्टकान्

hastiduryodhanau caiva pākaṁ dhundhuñca dānavam | etāṁścānyāṁśca balino daityāndaivatakaṇṭakān

Hasti and Duryodhana, and Paka, and the Danava Dhundhu — these and other powerful Daityas, thorns to the gods,

Verse 37 (skanda.8.132.37)

व्यूहं रक्षत युध्यध्वमित्युवाचासुराधिपः । हिमवानिव शैलेन्द्रो विन्ध्यो वाद्भुतगह्वरः

vyūhaṁ rakṣata yudhyadhvamityuvācāsurādhipaḥ | himavāniva śailendro vindhyo vādbhutagahvaraḥ

—'Guard the formation, fight!' said the lord of Asuras, like the mountain-king Himalaya, or Vindhya of wondrous caverns.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.132.38)

स गिरिव्यूह आभाति शस्त्रकण्टकितद्रुमः । अन्धकारमिवैकस्थं मेघानामिव संचयम्

sa girivyūha ābhāti śastrakaṇṭakitadrumaḥ | andhakāramivaikasthaṁ meghānāmiva saṁcayam

That mountain-formation, its trees bristling with weapons, appeared like a single mass of darkness, like an accumulation of clouds.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.132.39)

दृष्ट्वा दृष्ट्वा गिरिव्यूहं प्रमथा विस्मयं ययुः । पर्वतव्यूहमालोक्य पर्वतव्यूहसंस्थिताः

dṛṣṭvā dṛṣṭvā girivyūhaṁ pramathā vismayaṁ yayuḥ | parvatavyūhamālokya parvatavyūhasaṁsthitāḥ

Seeing that mountain-formation again and again, the Pramathas fell into astonishment, beholding it while themselves stationed opposite it.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.132.40)

नेदुस्तेसुरशार्दूला मेघा लोकात्यये यथा । ऊचुश्च न हि शक्योयं भेत्तुं देवैस्सवासवैः

nedustesuraśārdūlā meghā lokātyaye yathā | ūcuśca na hi śakyoyaṁ bhettuṁ devaissavāsavaiḥ

Those tigers among Asuras roared, like clouds at the destruction of the world, and said: 'This cannot be broken even by the gods together with Vasava.'

Verse 41 (skanda.8.132.41)

प्रमथाः किं करिष्यन्ति स्वल्पवीर्यपराक्रमाः । जीवयिष्यति नः शुक्रो मृतानपि न संशयः । युध्यध्वं दानवश्रेष्ठा निश्शङ्कैरन्तरात्मभिः

pramathāḥ kiṁ kariṣyanti svalpavīryaparākramāḥ | jīvayiṣyati naḥ śukro mṛtānapi na saṁśayaḥ | yudhyadhvaṁ dānavaśreṣṭhā niśśaṅkairantarātmabhiḥ

'What can the Pramathas do, of such trifling valor and strength? Shukra shall revive us even if slain, without doubt. Fight, O best of Danavas, with fearless inner selves.'

Verse 42 (skanda.8.132.42)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । गिरिव्यूहं ततो दृष्ट्वा भार्गवोत्तमनिर्मितम् । देवः कपर्दी प्राहेदं बृहद्बुद्धिं बृहस्पतिम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | girivyūhaṁ tato dṛṣṭvā bhārgavottamanirmitam | devaḥ kapardī prāhedaṁ bṛhadbuddhiṁ bṛhaspatim

Sanatkumara said: Then, seeing that mountain-formation constructed by the best of the Bhargavas, the god Kapardin said this to the vast-minded Brihaspati.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.132.43)

देवदेव उवाच । वाचस्पते गिरिव्यूहं पश्य शुक्रेण निर्मितम् । शृङ्गवन्तं दरीवन्तं हिमवन्तं यथा गिरिम्

devadeva uvāca | vācaspate girivyūhaṁ paśya śukreṇa nirmitam | śṛṅgavantaṁ darīvantaṁ himavantaṁ yathā girim

The God of gods said: 'O Vachaspati, behold the mountain-formation made by Shukra, possessing peaks and caverns like the mountain Himavat.'

Verse 44 (skanda.8.132.44)

लोकान् सजलपातालान् सविष्णून् सपितामहान् । ग्रसेदेष गिरिव्यूह उपेक्षा क्रियते यदि

lokān sajalapātālān saviṣṇūn sapitāmahān | grasedeṣa girivyūha upekṣā kriyate yadi

'This mountain-formation could swallow the worlds, together with the watery netherworld, together with Vishnu, together with Brahma, if it is left unattended.'

Verse 45 (skanda.8.132.45)

नैनं देवा न गन्धर्वा न नागा न नगास्तथा । शक्नुयुर्भेत्तुमुद्युक्ता विनैतान् गणनायकान्

nainaṁ devā na gandharvā na nāgā na nagāstathā | śaknuyurbhettumudyuktā vinaitān gaṇanāyakān

'Neither the gods, nor the Gandharvas, nor the Nagas, nor the mountains, even if they exerted themselves, could break this, without these leaders of the gaṇas.'

Verse 46 (skanda.8.132.46)

गिरिव्यूहस्य विप्रेन्द्र नान्यं पश्यामि भेदनम् । वज्रव्यूहमृते धीमन् सर्वव्यूहभिदं महत्

girivyūhasya viprendra nānyaṁ paśyāmi bhedanam | vajravyūhamṛte dhīman sarvavyūhabhidaṁ mahat

'O lord of brahmins, O wise one, I see no other means of breaking the mountain-formation except the thunderbolt-formation, the great breaker of all formations.'

Verse 47 (skanda.8.132.47)

स त्वं ब्रह्मविदां श्रेष्ठ गिरिव्यूहविदारणम् । वज्रव्यूदहं कुरुष्वाद्य प्रमथायुतसंवृतम्

sa tvaṁ brahmavidāṁ śreṣṭha girivyūhavidāraṇam | vajravyūdahaṁ kuruṣvādya pramathāyutasaṁvṛtam

'You, best of the knowers of Brahman, construct today the thunderbolt-formation, surrounded by ten thousand Pramathas, to rend the mountain-formation.'

Verse 48 (skanda.8.132.48)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । शम्भुना चैवमुक्तस्तु ब्राह्मणेन्द्रो बृहस्पतिः । वज्रव्यूहेन तं व्यूह प्रत्यव्यूहत्तदा नवम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | śambhunā caivamuktastu brāhmaṇendro bṛhaspatiḥ | vajravyūhena taṁ vyūha pratyavyūhattadā navam

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed by Shambhu, Brihaspati, lord of brahmins, then countered that formation with a new thunderbolt-formation.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.132.49)

बाहुजान् बहुसाहस्रान् भक्ताँश्चैव गणाधिपान् । वज्रव्यूहस्य मध्ये वै स्थापयामास बुद्धिमान्

bāhujān bahusāhasrān bhaktā~ścaiva gaṇādhipān | vajravyūhasya madhye vai sthāpayāmāsa buddhimān

That wise one placed many thousands of arm-born, devoted leaders of the gaṇas in the middle of the thunderbolt-formation.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.132.50)

स्कन्दस्य पार्षदैः शूरैः सुरासुरनिघातिभिः । सहस्र पर्वणां तस्य वज्रव्यूहस्य निर्ममौ

skandasya pārṣadaiḥ śūraiḥ surāsuranighātibhiḥ | sahasra parvaṇāṁ tasya vajravyūhasya nirmamau

With Skanda's heroic attendants, slayers of gods and Asuras, he formed the thousand joints of that thunderbolt-formation.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.132.51)

कोटिं कोटिप्रवीराणां प्रमथानां प्रहारिणाम् । वज्रधारासु सर्वासु स्थापयामास स द्विजः

koṭiṁ koṭipravīrāṇāṁ pramathānāṁ prahāriṇām | vajradhārāsu sarvāsu sthāpayāmāsa sa dvijaḥ

That brahmin placed a crore of crore-strong heroic, striking Pramathas along all the edges of the thunderbolt.

Verse 52 (skanda.8.132.52)

कुमारञ्च विशाखञ्च शाखं छागमुखं तथा । चकार सोङगिरा देवो वज्रव्यूहस्य कुड्मलम्

kumārañca viśākhañca śākhaṁ chāgamukhaṁ tathā | cakāra soṅagirā devo vajravyūhasya kuḍmalam

That god, son of Angiras, made Kumara, and Vishakha, and Shakha, and the goat-faced one, the 'bud' of the thunderbolt-formation.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.132.53)

कुड्मलाग्रे चतुर्बाहुः कपीन्द्रवदनोरिहा । स्थितो वज्रोद्यतकरो नन्दी दिनकरप्रभः

kuḍmalāgre caturbāhuḥ kapīndravadanorihā | sthito vajrodyatakaro nandī dinakaraprabhaḥ

At the tip of that bud, four-armed, monkey-king-faced, radiant as the sun, stood Nandi, his hand raised with the thunderbolt.

Verse 54 (skanda.8.132.54)

कुण्डोदरं नन्दिषेणं घण्टाकर्णं महोदरम् । पश्चार्धे तस्य वज्रस्य कुड्मलं सन्न्यवेशयत्

kuṇḍodaraṁ nandiṣeṇaṁ ghaṇṭākarṇaṁ mahodaram | paścārdhe tasya vajrasya kuḍmalaṁ sannyaveśayat

He placed Kundodara, Nandishena, Ghantakarna, and Mahodara as the 'bud' in the rear half of that thunderbolt.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.132.55)

सोमनन्दी तु तस्याग्रे व्याघ्रवक्त्रो गणेश्वरः । सार्कचन्द्रायुतप्रख्यः स्थितो वै पट्टिशायुधः

somanandī tu tasyāgre vyāghravaktro gaṇeśvaraḥ | sārkacandrāyutaprakhyaḥ sthito vai paṭṭiśāyudhaḥ

Somanandi, tiger-faced lord of the gaṇas, of splendor equal to ten thousand suns and moons, stood at its tip, armed with the pattisha weapon.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.132.56)

रुद्राणां द्वारपालाश्च रुद्रा रुद्रसुताश्च ये । इतश्चेतश्च विन्यस्ता वज्रव्यूहाभिरक्षिणः

rudrāṇāṁ dvārapālāśca rudrā rudrasutāśca ye | itaścetaśca vinyastā vajravyūhābhirakṣiṇaḥ

The door-keepers of the Rudras, and the Rudras, and the sons of the Rudras, were stationed here and there, guardians of the thunderbolt-formation.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.132.57)

वज्रव्यूहस्य मध्ये तु रथवर्ये प्रतिष्ठितः । तस्थावीशो भवः शर्वः कपर्दी नीललोहितः

vajravyūhasya madhye tu rathavarye pratiṣṭhitaḥ | tasthāvīśo bhavaḥ śarvaḥ kapardī nīlalohitaḥ

In the middle of the thunderbolt-formation, established on his excellent chariot, stood the Lord, Bhava, Sharva, Kapardin, Nilalohita.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.132.58)

तस्य केतुर्महाञ्छ्वेतो विभातीन्द्रध्वजोपमः । मन्दरश्चन्द्रबिम्बेन जुष्टश्रृङ्ग इवाचलः

tasya keturmahāñchveto vibhātīndradhvajopamaḥ | mandaraścandrabimbena juṣṭaśrṛṅga ivācalaḥ

His great white banner shone like Indra's flagstaff — like Mandara, its peak adorned with the moon's orb.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.132.59)

शतधारो नैकपर्वा चारुशोभितकुड्मलः । वज्रव्यूहो गिरिव्यूहं भेत्तु काम इवाभवत्

śatadhāro naikaparvā cāruśobhitakuḍmalaḥ | vajravyūho girivyūhaṁ bhettu kāma ivābhavat

That thunderbolt-formation, hundred-edged, of many joints, its bud beautifully adorned, seemed as if eager to shatter the mountain-formation.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.132.60)

तं दृष्ट्वा निर्मितं व्यूहं देवगन्धर्वगुह्यकाः । साधुसाध्विति वै नेदुर्विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनाः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā nirmitaṁ vyūhaṁ devagandharvaguhyakāḥ | sādhusādhviti vai nedurvismayotphullalocanāḥ

Seeing that formation constructed, the gods, Gandharvas, and Guhyakas cried out 'Well done, well done!', their eyes wide with astonishment.

Verse 61 (skanda.8.132.61)

अथ गणपबलेषु सिंहनादाः पणवमृदङ्गमशंखनादमिश्राः । दितितनयभयप्रदाः प्रवृत्ताः क्षुभितसमुद्रपयोदनादकल्पाः

atha gaṇapabaleṣu siṁhanādāḥ paṇavamṛdaṅgamaśaṁkhanādamiśrāḥ | dititanayabhayapradāḥ pravṛttāḥ kṣubhitasamudrapayodanādakalpāḥ

Then, in the armies of the gaṇa-lords, lion-roars mingled with the sounds of small drums, mridangas, and conches arose, striking terror into the sons of Diti, resembling the roar of a churned ocean of clouds.