The Chariot of the Gods

Verse 1 (skanda.8.169.1)

देवा ऊचुः । ब्रह्मदत्तवरैर्देव मयाद्यैर्दानवैस्त्रिभिः । दुर्गं तत्त्रिपुरं कृत्वा बाध्यामो बलदर्पितैः

devā ūcuḥ | brahmadattavarairdeva mayādyairdānavaistribhiḥ | durgaṁ tattripuraṁ kṛtvā bādhyāmo baladarpitaiḥ

The gods said: O god, having built that impregnable Tripura through boons granted by Brahma, we are oppressed by these three power-drunk danavas - Maya and the others.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.169.2)

हृता अप्सरसः सर्वा ध्वंसितानि वनानि च । सर्वान्देवान्निहन्मोद्य श्वो हन्मेति च तेब्रुवन्

hṛtā apsarasaḥ sarvā dhvaṁsitāni vanāni ca | sarvāndevānnihanmodya śvo hanmeti ca tebruvan

All the Apsaras have been abducted, the forests destroyed; "We shall slay all the gods today, and tomorrow too we shall slay them" - thus they say.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.169.3)

न तेषां निग्रहे शक्तो ब्रह्माप्येष पितामहः । विष्णुर्वापि महादेव तेन नः सुमहद् भयम्

na teṣāṁ nigrahe śakto brahmāpyeṣa pitāmahaḥ | viṣṇurvāpi mahādeva tena naḥ sumahad bhayam

Not even Brahma, the Grandfather, is able to restrain them, nor Vishnu, O Mahadeva; therefore we are struck with the greatest fear.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.169.4)

तद् यथा त्रिपुरं नश्येत् ते च स्युर्निहता यथा । तथा कुरु सुरश्रेष्ठ वरोयन्नः प्रदीयताम्

tad yathā tripuraṁ naśyet te ca syurnihatā yathā | tathā kuru suraśreṣṭha varoyannaḥ pradīyatām

Do, O best of gods, whatever will cause that Tripura to perish and those three to be slain; grant us that boon.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.169.5)

इति विज्ञापितः शम्भुस्सर्वैस्तैर्हि सुरोत्तमैः । इदमाह महातेजाः सुरानाश्वासयन्निव

iti vijñāpitaḥ śambhussarvaistairhi surottamaiḥ | idamāha mahātejāḥ surānāśvāsayanniva

Thus entreated by all those foremost gods, Shambhu, of great splendor, spoke this, as if to reassure the gods:

Verse 6 (skanda.8.169.6)

शतमंशं सुरेशा वै गृहीत्वा मम तेजसः । रुद्रतेजोमया भूत्वा दानवान् विनिहंस्यश्च

śatamaṁśaṁ sureśā vai gṛhītvā mama tejasaḥ | rudratejomayā bhūtvā dānavān vinihaṁsyaśca

"O lords of gods, take a hundredth part of my own power; becoming filled with Rudra's own power, you shall slay the danavas."

Verse 7 (skanda.8.169.7)

ततस्ते पुनरेवेशं प्राहुर्वाक्यमिदं सुराः । शक्ताः सहस्रमप्यंशमुद्वोढुं न वयं तव

tataste punareveśaṁ prāhurvākyamidaṁ surāḥ | śaktāḥ sahasramapyaṁśamudvoḍhuṁ na vayaṁ tava

Then the gods again spoke this word to the Lord: "We are not able to bear even a thousandth part of that of yours.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.169.8)

का नः शक्तिः सुरेशान तेजो माहेश्वरं परम् । द्रष्टुं धारयितुं वापि प्रसादं कुरु नः प्रभो

kā naḥ śaktiḥ sureśāna tejo māheśvaraṁ param | draṣṭuṁ dhārayituṁ vāpi prasādaṁ kuru naḥ prabho

What power do we have, O lord of gods, to even behold or bear your supreme, Maheshvara-power? Show us grace, O Lord.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.169.9)

न कथञ्चिद्वयं शक्तास्तान्हन्तुं दानवान् बलात् । भगवन् स्वयमेव त्वं त्रिपुरं जहि शङ्कर

na kathañcidvayaṁ śaktāstānhantuṁ dānavān balāt | bhagavan svayameva tvaṁ tripuraṁ jahi śaṅkara

We are in no way able to slay those danavas by force. O Lord, you yourself, Shankara, must destroy Tripura.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.169.10)

तेभ्यः किल वरो दत्तो ब्रह्मणानेन शूलधृक् । दिव्ये वर्षसहस्रे तु समेष्यति पुरत्रयम्

tebhyaḥ kila varo datto brahmaṇānena śūladhṛk | divye varṣasahasre tu sameṣyati puratrayam

To them indeed a boon was granted by this Brahma, O trident-bearer: after a thousand divine years, the triple city will come together

Verse 11 (skanda.8.169.11)

निमेषार्धं क्षणे तस्मिन्नेतद्वस्त्रिपुरं बली । सकृदेकमिषुं क्षिप्त्वा यः प्रधक्ष्यति दानवान्

nimeṣārdhaṁ kṣaṇe tasminnetadvastripuraṁ balī | sakṛdekamiṣuṁ kṣiptvā yaḥ pradhakṣyati dānavān

for half an instant, in that moment; and that mighty one who, having loosed a single arrow at once, will burn the danavas -

Verse 12 (skanda.8.169.12)

भविष्यति स वो मृत्युर्नान्यथा मरणं हि वः । तच्च कर्तुं न शक्ताः स्मः प्रसादं तेन नः कुरु

bhaviṣyati sa vo mṛtyurnānyathā maraṇaṁ hi vaḥ | tacca kartuṁ na śaktāḥ smaḥ prasādaṁ tena naḥ kuru

he alone shall be their death; there is no other way for their death to come. And we are unable to accomplish that; therefore show us grace."

Verse 13 (skanda.8.169.13)

ततः स भगवान्देवः प्रणतान् वृषभध्वजः । पुनराश्वासयन् प्राह समुद्विग्नान् दिवौकसः

tataḥ sa bhagavāndevaḥ praṇatān vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ | punarāśvāsayan prāha samudvignān divaukasaḥ

Then that Lord God, the bull-bannered one, again reassuring those bowed, troubled gods, said:

Verse 14 (skanda.8.169.14)

यद्येवं सुरशार्दूलास्त्रिपुरं दुर्गमं महत् । इषुमेकं सकृत् क्षिप्त्वा प्रधक्ष्ये निमिषे क्षणे

yadyevaṁ suraśārdūlāstripuraṁ durgamaṁ mahat | iṣumekaṁ sakṛt kṣiptvā pradhakṣye nimiṣe kṣaṇe

"If it be so, O tiger-like gods, that Tripura, great and impregnable, loosing a single arrow at once, I shall burn in an instant, a mere moment.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.169.15)

ब्रह्मविष्णुप्रियार्थं हि शक्रस्यानुग्रहाय च । त्रिपुरं रथमास्थाय हंस्यामि स्वयमेव तत्

brahmaviṣṇupriyārthaṁ hi śakrasyānugrahāya ca | tripuraṁ rathamāsthāya haṁsyāmi svayameva tat

For the sake of Brahma and Vishnu's pleasure, and for Indra's benefit, mounting a chariot against Tripura, I myself shall destroy it.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.169.16)

क्रियतां स रथः सज्जो यमारुह्य दिवौकसः । धक्ष्यामि त्रिपुरं दुर्गमाक्रान्तं दानवैस्त्रिभिः

kriyatāṁ sa rathaḥ sajjo yamāruhya divaukasaḥ | dhakṣyāmi tripuraṁ durgamākrāntaṁ dānavaistribhiḥ

Let that chariot be made ready, mounted upon which, O gods, I shall burn Tripura, impregnable, overrun by the three danavas.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.169.17)

यादृशश्च हि मां वोढुं शक्तः स्यात् सुरपुङ्गवाः । बलवान् हिमवत्कल्पः कर्तव्यस्तादृशो रथः

yādṛśaśca hi māṁ voḍhuṁ śaktaḥ syāt surapuṅgavāḥ | balavān himavatkalpaḥ kartavyastādṛśo rathaḥ

And, O bulls among gods, such a chariot as would be capable of bearing me should be made - mighty, resembling the Himalaya itself."

Verse 18 (skanda.8.169.18)

ततो देवाः प्रणम्येशं प्रहृष्टमनसोभवन् । रथं च सहिताः सर्वे कल्पयामासुरुत्तमम्

tato devāḥ praṇamyeśaṁ prahṛṣṭamanasobhavan | rathaṁ ca sahitāḥ sarve kalpayāmāsuruttamam

Then the gods, bowing to the Lord, became joyful in heart, and all together prepared that most excellent chariot.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.169.19)

ततः स भगवान् ब्रह्मा तथा विष्णुहुताशनौ । सर्वदेवमयं दिव्यं चक्रुस्तं रथमुत्तमम्

tataḥ sa bhagavān brahmā tathā viṣṇuhutāśanau | sarvadevamayaṁ divyaṁ cakrustaṁ rathamuttamam

Then that Lord Brahma, together with Vishnu and Agni, fashioned that supreme, divine chariot, made of all the gods -

Verse 20 (skanda.8.169.20)

धातारं भास्करं शक्रं पवनं धनदं यमम् । वसून् रूद्राँस्तथादित्यान् गन्धर्वानश्विनावपि

dhātāraṁ bhāskaraṁ śakraṁ pavanaṁ dhanadaṁ yamam | vasūn rūdrā~stathādityān gandharvānaśvināvapi

Dhatri, Bhaskara, Shakra, Pavana, Dhanada, and Yama; the Vasus, the Rudras, the Adityas, the Gandharvas, and both Ashvins too,

Verse 21 (skanda.8.169.21)

गरुडान् पर्वतान्नागान् गुह्यकान्समहोदधीन् । ऋषीँतु सिद्धाँस्तथा यक्षान् ग्रहाँ

garuḍān parvatānnāgān guhyakānsamahodadhīn | ṛṣī~tu siddhā~stathā yakṣān grahā~

Garuda, the mountains, the serpents, the guhyakas, together with the oceans, the sages, the siddhas, the yakshas, the planets -

Verse 22 (skanda.8.169.22)

सितं कालं तथा चैव वनस्पतीन् । दिवसानि मुहूर्तानि क्षणान् काष्ठालवाँस्तथा

sitaṁ kālaṁ tathā caiva vanaspatīn | divasāni muhūrtāni kṣaṇān kāṣṭhālavā~stathā

[a portion of the text is lost here] ... time, and likewise the lords of the forest,

Verse 23 (skanda.8.169.23)

अयने च ऋतून्मासान् पक्षान् संवत्सराँस्तथा । स्थावरं जङ्गमं यच्च नक्षत्राणि तथैव च

ayane ca ṛtūnmāsān pakṣān saṁvatsarā~stathā | sthāvaraṁ jaṅgamaṁ yacca nakṣatrāṇi tathaiva ca

the days, the muhurtas, the moments, the kashthas and the lavas as well, the solstices, the seasons, the months, the fortnights, and the years too,

Verse 24 (skanda.8.169.24)

अष्टौ देवनिकायाँस्तान् रथे तस्मिन्नकल्पयन् । काँश्चिच्चक्रद्वये चक्रुः प्रताप

aṣṭau devanikāyā~stān rathe tasminnakalpayan | kā~ściccakradvaye cakruḥ pratāpa

the moving and the unmoving, and the constellations likewise - all eight classes of gods they fashioned into that chariot; some they made into its twin wheels [the text is lost here],

Verse 25 (skanda.8.169.25)

श्चिद्रथेचान्यान् युयुजुः सुरपुङ्गवान् । कृत्वाश्वाँश्चतुरो वेदान् रथे तस्मिन्न्ययोजयन्

ścidrathecānyān yuyujuḥ surapuṅgavān | kṛtvāśvā~ścaturo vedān rathe tasminnyayojayan

[a portion of the text is lost here] ... and others they yoked to the chariot, those bulls among gods; having made the four Vedas into horses, they harnessed them to that chariot.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.169.26)

सम्वत्सरमयं चक्रं धनुर्गिरिमयं तथा । ज्याञ्चैव धनुषश्चक्रुर्देव देवीं जगत्स्थितिम्

samvatsaramayaṁ cakraṁ dhanurgirimayaṁ tathā | jyāñcaiva dhanuṣaścakrurdeva devīṁ jagatsthitim

They made a wheel formed of the year, and likewise a bow formed of the mountain, and for the bowstring, the goddess who is the very stability of the world.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.169.27)

ते तमेवंविधं देवा रथमग्र्यमचीकरन् । सर्वदेवमयं कृत्वा गिरिकल्पं रथोत्तमम्

te tamevaṁvidhaṁ devā rathamagryamacīkaran | sarvadevamayaṁ kṛtvā girikalpaṁ rathottamam

The gods thus fashioned that foremost of chariots, making it of all the gods, that supreme, mountain-like chariot.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.169.28)

विष्णुः पितामहोग्निश्च प्रणम्य परमेश्वरम् । रथः सज्ज इति प्राहुर्विनाशाय सुरद्विषाम्

viṣṇuḥ pitāmahogniśca praṇamya parameśvaram | rathaḥ sajja iti prāhurvināśāya suradviṣām

Vishnu, the Grandfather, and Agni, bowing to the Supreme Lord, declared: "The chariot is ready, for the destruction of the foes of the gods."

Verse 29 (skanda.8.169.29)

ततः स भगवाञ्छम्भुः स्तूयमानः सुरैस्त्रिभिः । अवैक्षत रथं दिव्यं सर्वदेवमयं कृतम्

tataḥ sa bhagavāñchambhuḥ stūyamānaḥ suraistribhiḥ | avaikṣata rathaṁ divyaṁ sarvadevamayaṁ kṛtam

Then that Lord Shambhu, being praised by the three gods, surveyed the divine chariot, made of all the gods.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.169.30)

सुकृतं साध्विति प्रोच्य धनुर्जग्राह तन्महत् । तत्प्रगृह्य धनुर्दीप्तं सर्वतेजोमयं परम्

sukṛtaṁ sādhviti procya dhanurjagrāha tanmahat | tatpragṛhya dhanurdīptaṁ sarvatejomayaṁ param

Saying, "Well made, excellent," he took up that great bow; taking up that blazing bow, supreme, made wholly of splendor,

Verse 31 (skanda.8.169.31)

अधश्चोर्ध्वञ्च संप्रेक्ष्य तुतोष भुवनेश्वरः । पितामहं ततो वीक्ष्य प्रोवाच वचसां पतिः

adhaścordhvañca saṁprekṣya tutoṣa bhuvaneśvaraḥ | pitāmahaṁ tato vīkṣya provāca vacasāṁ patiḥ

and gazing both downward and upward, the Lord of the worlds was pleased. Then, looking at the Grandfather, the lord of speech said:

Verse 32 (skanda.8.169.32)

रथ एष धनुश्चैतत् त्वया ब्रह्मन् सुकल्पितम् । दग्धव्यं त्रिपुरं येन तमिषुं शीघ्रमानय

ratha eṣa dhanuścaitat tvayā brahman sukalpitam | dagdhavyaṁ tripuraṁ yena tamiṣuṁ śīghramānaya

"This chariot, and this bow, have been well fashioned by you, O Brahma; bring quickly the arrow by which Tripura is to be burned."

Verse 33 (skanda.8.169.33)

ततः प्रोवाच तं ब्रह्मा प्रणम्य वृषभध्वजम् । रथ एष कृतो देव धनुरेतच्च ते मया

tataḥ provāca taṁ brahmā praṇamya vṛṣabhadhvajam | ratha eṣa kṛto deva dhanuretacca te mayā

Then Brahma, bowing to the bull-bannered one, said to him: "This chariot has been made for you, O god, and this bow too, by me;

Verse 34 (skanda.8.169.34)

तमिषुं भगवानेव तद्योग्यं कर्तुमर्हति । ततः पार्श्वस्थितौ दृष्ट्वा शम्भुविष्णुहुताशनौ

tamiṣuṁ bhagavāneva tadyogyaṁ kartumarhati | tataḥ pārśvasthitau dṛṣṭvā śambhuviṣṇuhutāśanau

the arrow, the Lord himself alone is fit to make suitable for that task." Then, seeing Shambhu's two companions, Vishnu and Agni, standing at his side,

Verse 35 (skanda.8.169.35)

दृष्टिपातेन तौ देवौ समाह्वयदरिन्दमः । तौ द्वावञ्जलिमाधाय सुरेशानमुपस्थितौ

dṛṣṭipātena tau devau samāhvayadarindamaḥ | tau dvāvañjalimādhāya sureśānamupasthitau

the subduer of foes summoned those two gods with a mere glance; the two of them, with joined palms, came and stood before the lord of gods.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.169.36)

स्वयमेव ततश्चक्रे शम्भुर्विष्णुं शरोत्तमम् । ओषधीनां पतिं सोमं पुंखे तस्य न्ययोजयत्

svayameva tataścakre śambhurviṣṇuṁ śarottamam | oṣadhīnāṁ patiṁ somaṁ puṁkhe tasya nyayojayat

Then Shambhu himself made Vishnu into the supreme arrow, and set the lord of herbs, Soma, at its notch.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.169.37)

शल्यं च पावकं चक्रे ब्रह्माणं स ततोब्रवीत् । सारथिः को रथे ब्रह्मँस्त्वयेह परिकल्पितः

śalyaṁ ca pāvakaṁ cakre brahmāṇaṁ sa tatobravīt | sārathiḥ ko rathe brahma~stvayeha parikalpitaḥ

He made Agni the barb, and then said to Brahma: "O Brahma, who has been appointed by you here as the charioteer of this chariot?"

Verse 38 (skanda.8.169.38)

तमुवाच ततो ब्रह्मा प्राञ्जलिर्जगतः पतिम् । मह्यं ददासि यद्याज्ञामहमेव हि सारथिः

tamuvāca tato brahmā prāñjalirjagataḥ patim | mahyaṁ dadāsi yadyājñāmahameva hi sārathiḥ

Then Brahma, with joined palms, said to the lord of the universe: "If you grant it to me by your command, I myself shall be the charioteer.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.169.39)

प्राप्स्ये किमपरं देव सारथ्यादधिकं तव । सर्व शोभनमित्युक्त्वा ततो देवः पिनाकधृक्

prāpsye kimaparaṁ deva sārathyādadhikaṁ tava | sarva śobhanamityuktvā tato devaḥ pinākadhṛk

What could I obtain, O god, greater than being your charioteer?" "All is excellent," so saying, the god, the trident-bearer, then,

Verse 40 (skanda.8.169.40)

हस्ते प्रगृह्य देवेशमारुरोह रथोत्तमम् । रुद्रपारिषदा ये च नन्दीश्वरपुरोगमाः

haste pragṛhya deveśamāruroha rathottamam | rudrapāriṣadā ye ca nandīśvarapurogamāḥ

taking the lord of gods by the hand, mounted the supreme chariot. The attendants of Rudra, headed by Nandishvara,

Verse 41 (skanda.8.169.41)

शंकुकर्णपुरोगाश्च ये च चण्डेश्वरादयः । गणेश्वरा महायोगास्त्र्यक्षाः पट्टिशपाणयः

śaṁkukarṇapurogāśca ye ca caṇḍeśvarādayaḥ | gaṇeśvarā mahāyogāstryakṣāḥ paṭṭiśapāṇayaḥ

led by Shankukarna, and Chandeshvara and the others, the lords of the ganas, of great yogic power, three-eyed, spears in hand,

Verse 42 (skanda.8.169.42)

नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणा नानायुद्धविशारदाः । नानाभरणवस्त्राश्च नानाविद्याविशारदाः

nānāśastrapraharaṇā nānāyuddhaviśāradāḥ | nānābharaṇavastrāśca nānāvidyāviśāradāḥ

bearing manifold weapons and missiles, skilled in manifold kinds of warfare, adorned with manifold ornaments and garments, skilled in manifold sciences,

Verse 43 (skanda.8.169.43)

वादयन्तः समं वाद्यान् भेरीशंखस्वनान् बहून् । आजग्मुर्गणमुख्यास्ते सहस्राणि चतुर्द्दश

vādayantaḥ samaṁ vādyān bherīśaṁkhasvanān bahūn | ājagmurgaṇamukhyāste sahasrāṇi caturddaśa

sounding together many instruments, the resounding of kettle-drums and conches, the chief ganas came, fourteen thousand strong.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.169.44)

नानाविधानां पुष्पाणामुपरिष्टात् सहस्रशः । निपेतुर्वृष्टयो मूर्ध्नि रथस्थस्य पिनाकिनः

nānāvidhānāṁ puṣpāṇāmupariṣṭāt sahasraśaḥ | nipeturvṛṣṭayo mūrdhni rathasthasya pinākinaḥ

Showers of manifold flowers, by the thousands, fell from above upon the head of the trident-bearer as he sat in the chariot.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.169.45)

स्वयमेव च वाद्यानि विनेदुः सर्वतोदिशम् । रथे युक्ताश्च ते सर्वे देवदेवस्य शूलिनः

svayameva ca vādyāni vineduḥ sarvatodiśam | rathe yuktāśca te sarve devadevasya śūlinaḥ

The instruments themselves resounded in every direction; and all those who were yoked in the chariot of the god of gods, the trident-bearer,

Verse 46 (skanda.8.169.46)

अशक्ता भारमुद्वोढुं मुमुहुर्देवता भृशम् । ततस्तान्देवदेवेशो ज्ञात्वा मूढान् दिवौकसः

aśaktā bhāramudvoḍhuṁ mumuhurdevatā bhṛśam | tatastāndevadeveśo jñātvā mūḍhān divaukasaḥ

being unable to bear the weight, the deities became exceedingly bewildered; then the lord of the gods of gods, knowing those deluded celestials,

Verse 47 (skanda.8.169.47)

सहनीयं वपुश्चक्रे सुरास्ते मुमुहुस्ततः । अथास्मिन्नन्तरे व्यास नारदो भगवान्मुनिः

sahanīyaṁ vapuścakre surāste mumuhustataḥ | athāsminnantare vyāsa nārado bhagavānmuniḥ

made his body bearable, and the gods then recovered from their bewilderment. Now meanwhile, O Vyasa, the divine sage Narada

Verse 48 (skanda.8.169.48)

जगाम त्रिपुरं शीघ्रं विश्वकर्मदिदृक्षया । अथागतमृषिं दृष्ट्वा विश्वकर्मा मयस्तदा

jagāma tripuraṁ śīghraṁ viśvakarmadidṛkṣayā | athāgatamṛṣiṁ dṛṣṭvā viśvakarmā mayastadā

went swiftly to Tripura, desiring to see Vishvakarma. Then, seeing the sage who had arrived, Vishvakarma-Maya at that time,

Verse 49 (skanda.8.169.49)

संपूज्य परया भक्त्या ननाम मुनिसत्तमम् । स दत्त्वा ह्याशिषस्तस्मै वेत्रासन उपाविशत्

saṁpūjya parayā bhaktyā nanāma munisattamam | sa dattvā hyāśiṣastasmai vetrāsana upāviśat

having honored him with supreme devotion, bowed to that best of sages; and having offered him blessings, Narada sat down upon a cane seat.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.169.50)

उपविश्यासने तस्मिन्मयमाह महामुनिः । प्रसाद्य दैवतैस्सर्वेरेष देवो वृषध्वजः

upaviśyāsane tasminmayamāha mahāmuniḥ | prasādya daivataissarvereṣa devo vṛṣadhvajaḥ

Seated upon that seat, the great sage said to Maya: "This god, the bull-bannered one, propitiated by all the deities,

Verse 51 (skanda.8.169.51)

आनीतस्त्रिपुरं हन्तुमत्र यत्साधु तत्कुरु । रथं देवमयं दिव्यं समारुह्य जगत्पतिः

ānītastripuraṁ hantumatra yatsādhu tatkuru | rathaṁ devamayaṁ divyaṁ samāruhya jagatpatiḥ

has been brought here to destroy Tripura; do whatever is proper. Mounting his supreme, divine chariot, made of the gods, the lord of the universe,

Verse 52 (skanda.8.169.52)

ब्रह्माणं सारथिं कृत्वा स्वयमायाति शङ्करः । नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा स तदा दानवाधिपः

brahmāṇaṁ sārathiṁ kṛtvā svayamāyāti śaṅkaraḥ | nāradasya vacaḥ śrutvā sa tadā dānavādhipaḥ

Shankara himself is coming, having made Brahma his charioteer." Hearing Narada's words, the lord of the danavas then

Verse 53 (skanda.8.169.53)

तारकाक्षं समाहूय विद्युन्मालिनमेव च । तथान्यानसुरान् भ्रातॄन् बाणनेमिपुरस्सरान्

tārakākṣaṁ samāhūya vidyunmālinameva ca | tathānyānasurān bhrātṝn bāṇanemipurassarān

summoned Tarakaksha and Vidyunmali, and likewise their other asura brothers, led by Bana and Nemi,

Verse 54 (skanda.8.169.54)

नारदेन यदाख्यातं सर्वमश्रावयत्तदा । तच्छ्रुत्वा दैत्यराजस्तु तारकाक्षोब्रवीदिदम्

nāradena yadākhyātaṁ sarvamaśrāvayattadā | tacchrutvā daityarājastu tārakākṣobravīdidam

and made them hear everything that Narada had told. Hearing that, the king of the daityas, Tarakaksha, said this:

Verse 55 (skanda.8.169.55)

न तवास्ति समः कश्चित् त्रैलोक्ये सुरपुङ्गव । योधयेन्निर्भयो यस्त्वां चिन्तां त्वं मय मा कृथाः

na tavāsti samaḥ kaścit trailokye surapuṅgava | yodhayennirbhayo yastvāṁ cintāṁ tvaṁ maya mā kṛthāḥ

"There is no one your equal in the three worlds, O bull among gods; whoever fights you does so fearlessly. Have no anxiety, O Maya.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.169.56)

किमत्र चिन्त्यते राजन् सर्वेवध्या यदा वयम् । कस्य तत्त्रिपुरं हन्तुं शक्तिर्विद्येत दानव

kimatra cintyate rājan sarvevadhyā yadā vayam | kasya tattripuraṁ hantuṁ śaktirvidyeta dānava

What is there to worry about here, O king, when we are all invincible? Who indeed would have the power to destroy that Tripura, O danava?

Verse 57 (skanda.8.169.57)

संगत्य दैवतास्सर्वे यदि योद्धुमिहागताः । पश्य तान्निहतानद्य मयैवैकेन दैत्यप

saṁgatya daivatāssarve yadi yoddhumihāgatāḥ | paśya tānnihatānadya mayaivaikena daityapa

Even if all the deities gather together and come here to fight, behold them all slain today, O lord of daityas, by me alone.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.169.58)

दुर्बलः कुरुते भेदं दानं सान्त्वमथापि वा । प्रणामं ज्यायसः शत्रोर्वयन्तु बलिनः सदा

durbalaḥ kurute bhedaṁ dānaṁ sāntvamathāpi vā | praṇāmaṁ jyāyasaḥ śatrorvayantu balinaḥ sadā

The weak one makes division, gift, conciliation, or even submission to a stronger enemy; but we, ever, are the strong ones.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.169.59)

दुर्बलस्य रिपोर्दण्डो बलिना विजिगीषता । कर्तव्यो विक्रमैणेति प्राह शुक्रस्तदा गुरुः

durbalasya ripordaṇḍo balinā vijigīṣatā | kartavyo vikramaiṇeti prāha śukrastadā guruḥ

Chastisement of a weak enemy by a strong one seeking victory should be effected by valor alone" - so said Shukra, our preceptor, once.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.169.60)

तद्वयं बलिनो दैत्या हीनाश्च त्रिदिवौकसः । हत्वा दण्डेन तान् सर्वान् स्थास्यामो निर्वृताः सुखम्

tadvayaṁ balino daityā hīnāśca tridivaukasaḥ | hatvā daṇḍena tān sarvān sthāsyāmo nirvṛtāḥ sukham

Therefore we, the mighty daityas, having slain by force all those weakened dwellers of heaven, shall stand there in contented ease and happiness."

Verse 61 (skanda.8.169.61)

तारकाक्षवचः श्रुत्वा विद्युन्माली वचोब्रवीत् । ममाप्येतदतीवेष्टं राज्ञोस्य वचनं शुभम्

tārakākṣavacaḥ śrutvā vidyunmālī vacobravīt | mamāpyetadatīveṣṭaṁ rājñosya vacanaṁ śubham

Hearing Tarakaksha's words, Vidyunmali spoke this word: "This too is exceedingly to my liking - our king's auspicious speech.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.169.62)

न शक्ता योद्धुमस्माभिर्देवता बलवर्जिताः । ते चेद्योत्स्यन्ति संमूढाः प्रयास्यन्ति ततः क्षयम्

na śaktā yoddhumasmābhirdevatā balavarjitāḥ | te cedyotsyanti saṁmūḍhāḥ prayāsyanti tataḥ kṣayam

The gods, devoid of strength, are not capable of fighting us; if, deluded, they do fight, they shall go thereby to their destruction.

Verse 63 (skanda.8.169.63)

अन्योन्यन्तु वयं युद्धादुपायं तेषु युञ्ज्महे । युद्धे नैव सदा दैत्याः प्राप्नुवन्ति जयं परम्

anyonyantu vayaṁ yuddhādupāyaṁ teṣu yuñjmahe | yuddhe naiva sadā daityāḥ prāpnuvanti jayaṁ param

Rather, among ourselves, let us devise a stratagem against them for the battle; for daityas do not always attain supreme victory merely in battle.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.169.64)

अद्य हत्वा सुरान्सर्वान् कुरु राज्यं त्रिविष्टपे । त्रैलोक्यं निर्वृतो भुंक्ष्व त्वमिन्द्रो भव विश्वकृत्

adya hatvā surānsarvān kuru rājyaṁ triviṣṭape | trailokyaṁ nirvṛto bhuṁkṣva tvamindro bhava viśvakṛt

Having slain all the gods today, take up their kingdom in heaven; enjoy the three worlds in contentment - become Indra yourself, the maker of all.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.169.65)

सप्तलोकेश्वरं त्वद्य पश्यामस्त्वां पुरन्दरम् । हिरण्यकशिपुं स्मृत्वा हिरण्याक्षं च दैत्यप

saptalokeśvaraṁ tvadya paśyāmastvāṁ purandaram | hiraṇyakaśipuṁ smṛtvā hiraṇyākṣaṁ ca daityapa

We shall behold you today as lord of the seven worlds, as Purandara himself. Remembering Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha, O lord of daityas,

Verse 66 (skanda.8.169.66)

भोक्तारौ जगतो राज्यं त्वं प्रयाहि तयोर्गतिम् । ततः श्रुत्वा मयो व्यास विद्युन्मालिविभाषितम्

bhoktārau jagato rājyaṁ tvaṁ prayāhi tayorgatim | tataḥ śrutvā mayo vyāsa vidyunmālivibhāṣitam

the two enjoyers of the kingdom of the world - go, follow their path." Then, O Vyasa, hearing this speech of Vidyunmali's, Maya,

Verse 67 (skanda.8.169.67)

नैतदेवमिति प्राह कम्पयन्नसकृच्छिरः । यस्तुल्यः स्वबले शत्रुर्हीनो वा दैत्यपुङ्गवाः

naitadevamiti prāha kampayannasakṛcchiraḥ | yastulyaḥ svabale śatrurhīno vā daityapuṅgavāḥ

shaking his head repeatedly, said: "This is not so. Whether the enemy be equal in strength, or weaker, O bulls among daityas,

Verse 68 (skanda.8.169.68)

बले वा यो भवेज्ज्यायानेकजातिवपुर्धराः । बुधास्तस्मिन् प्रयुञ्जन्ति तदुपायचतुष्टयम्

bale vā yo bhavejjyāyānekajātivapurdharāḥ | budhāstasmin prayuñjanti tadupāyacatuṣṭayam

or whether he be greater in strength - toward such, those wise in the ways of embodied existence apply the fourfold stratagem.

Verse 69 (skanda.8.169.69)

समा दिवौकसोस्माकं बलेनासुरपुङ्गवाः । तैर्देवैः सार्धमस्माकं युक्तं सामादियोजनम्

samā divaukasosmākaṁ balenāsurapuṅgavāḥ | tairdevaiḥ sārdhamasmākaṁ yuktaṁ sāmādiyojanam

The dwellers of heaven are equal to us in strength, O bulls among asuras; toward those gods, an alliance of conciliation on our part would be fitting.

Verse 70 (skanda.8.169.70)

य एष भगवानीशः सर्वभूतेश्वरेश्वरः । अस्माकं देवतानाञ्च स्रष्टा हर्ता च स प्रभुः

ya eṣa bhagavānīśaḥ sarvabhūteśvareśvaraḥ | asmākaṁ devatānāñca sraṣṭā hartā ca sa prabhuḥ

But this one, the Lord God, the very lord of the lords of all beings, the creator and destroyer of us and of the gods alike, the master -

Verse 71 (skanda.8.169.71)

स हन्तुं स्वयमायाति उपायस्तस्य कीदृशः । प्रणामः संश्रयश्चैव गुणोपायौ कपर्दिनः

sa hantuṁ svayamāyāti upāyastasya kīdṛśaḥ | praṇāmaḥ saṁśrayaścaiva guṇopāyau kapardinaḥ

he himself is coming to destroy us; what manner of stratagem could avail against him? Homage and taking refuge are the two proper means with the matted-haired one -

Verse 72 (skanda.8.169.72)

द्वाविमौ साधने तस्य प्रयोज्याविति मे मतिः । यदि कार्कश्यमास्थाय योधयामः पिनाकिनम्

dvāvimau sādhane tasya prayojyāviti me matiḥ | yadi kārkaśyamāsthāya yodhayāmaḥ pinākinam

these two, I think, should be employed to win him over. If we, taking a harsh stance, were to fight the trident-bearer,

Verse 73 (skanda.8.169.73)

तस्य जिह्मेक्षितेनैव निहताः स्म ततोसुराः । ब्रह्माद्याः शरणं शम्भुमर्दिता यान्ति शान्तये

tasya jihmekṣitenaiva nihatāḥ sma tatosurāḥ | brahmādyāḥ śaraṇaṁ śambhumarditā yānti śāntaye

by a mere sidelong glance of his we asuras would be slain; even Brahma and the others, when afflicted, go for refuge to Shambhu for peace.

Verse 74 (skanda.8.169.74)

योभियुक्तः स्वयं तेन शरणं तस्य को भवेत् । यस्य सर्वमिदं दैत्या ब्रह्मादि प्रथितं जगत्

yobhiyuktaḥ svayaṁ tena śaraṇaṁ tasya ko bhavet | yasya sarvamidaṁ daityā brahmādi prathitaṁ jagat

He who is himself attacked by that one - who could be his refuge? He whose is all this, O daityas, this whole world made manifest, beginning with Brahma,

Verse 75 (skanda.8.169.75)

अभिध्यानात् क्षणेनैव प्रणश्येत भवेदपि । यो हेतुरपवर्गस्य कारणं जगतश्च यः

abhidhyānāt kṣaṇenaiva praṇaśyeta bhavedapi | yo heturapavargasya kāraṇaṁ jagataśca yaḥ

could, by a mere thought, perish in an instant. He who is the cause of liberation, and who is the cause of the world itself -

Verse 76 (skanda.8.169.76)

कीदृशं तेन युद्धं नो देवदेवेन शम्भुना । किन्न वेत्थ शिशुप्रज्ञा लोष्टुगिर्योर्यदन्तरम्

kīdṛśaṁ tena yuddhaṁ no devadevena śambhunā | kinna vettha śiśuprajñā loṣṭugiryoryadantaram

what manner of battle could we have with him, the god of gods, Shambhu? Do you not know, with a child's understanding, the difference between a clod of earth and a mountain?

Verse 77 (skanda.8.169.77)

भवन्तो लोष्टवो भूत्वा गिरिकल्पमुमापतिम् । ईप्सध्वे मोहिता युद्धे कालपाशेन यन्त्रिताः

bhavanto loṣṭavo bhūtvā girikalpamumāpatim | īpsadhve mohitā yuddhe kālapāśena yantritāḥ

You, becoming as clods of earth, deluded, seek battle against Uma's Lord, mountain-like - bound, as it were, by the very noose of time.

Verse 78 (skanda.8.169.78)

अहं भक्तो महादेवं जाने तस्य बलान्तरम् । स प्रणाममुपस्थास्ये न योत्स्ये शम्भुना सह

ahaṁ bhakto mahādevaṁ jāne tasya balāntaram | sa praṇāmamupasthāsye na yotsye śambhunā saha

I am a devotee of Mahadeva; I know the measure of his power. I shall go before him in homage; I shall not fight with Shambhu.

Verse 79 (skanda.8.169.79)

यदि यूयमपि प्राज्ञा मम शुश्रूषवो यदि । मा कृढ्वं शम्भुना युद्धं गच्छध्वं शरणं शिवम्

yadi yūyamapi prājñā mama śuśrūṣavo yadi | mā kṛḍhvaṁ śambhunā yuddhaṁ gacchadhvaṁ śaraṇaṁ śivam

If you too are wise, if you are willing to heed me, do not wage war with Shambhu; go for refuge to Shiva."

Verse 80 (skanda.8.169.80)

तमेवं वादिनं श्रुत्वा विश्वकर्माणमूर्जितम् । नारदो भगवान् प्राह दानवान्तकरं वचः

tamevaṁ vādinaṁ śrutvā viśvakarmāṇamūrjitam | nārado bhagavān prāha dānavāntakaraṁ vacaḥ

Hearing that mighty Vishvakarma speaking thus, the divine sage Narada spoke this word, the ender of the danavas:

Verse 81 (skanda.8.169.81)

विश्वकर्मन् यत्त्वयेद मुक्त विस्तरशोर्थवत् । सर्वं युक्तमिदं किन्तु कालोयं नास्य वर्तते

viśvakarman yattvayeda mukta vistaraśorthavat | sarvaṁ yuktamidaṁ kintu kāloyaṁ nāsya vartate

"O Vishvakarma, what you have said at length and to good purpose is all fitting; but this is not the time for it.

Verse 82 (skanda.8.169.82)

भवतां तत्तपः क्षीणमैश्वर्यं भुक्तमेव च । क्लीबतामपि कुर्वन्तो यूयं नक्ष्यथ दानवाः

bhavatāṁ tattapaḥ kṣīṇamaiśvaryaṁ bhuktameva ca | klībatāmapi kurvanto yūyaṁ nakṣyatha dānavāḥ

Your austerity is spent, and your majesty has already been enjoyed; even while acting the coward, you danavas will still perish.

Verse 83 (skanda.8.169.83)

वृतः सर्वामरैः शम्भुर्वधार्थं भवतामिह । प्रणतानप्यसौ युष्माँस्तत्प्रियार्थं निहंस्यति

vṛtaḥ sarvāmaraiḥ śambhurvadhārthaṁ bhavatāmiha | praṇatānapyasau yuṣmā~statpriyārthaṁ nihaṁsyati

Shambhu, surrounded by all the immortals, has come here for your destruction; even should you bow to him, for the sake of pleasing them he will slay you.

Verse 84 (skanda.8.169.84)

कथं दनुसुता भूत्वा राजानो बलदर्पिताः । भीता मृत्युं जिगीषध्वं कृपणा इव दानवाः

kathaṁ danusutā bhūtvā rājāno baladarpitāḥ | bhītā mṛtyuṁ jigīṣadhvaṁ kṛpaṇā iva dānavāḥ

How is it that you, sons of Danu, kings drunk with strength, now, frightened, wish merely to escape death, wretched, like common danavas?

Verse 85 (skanda.8.169.85)

प्राप्स्यथाधिकमैश्वर्यं त्यक्ष्यथासून् रणे यदि । विना युद्धं विपन्नानामशुभा वो गतिर्भवेत्

prāpsyathādhikamaiśvaryaṁ tyakṣyathāsūn raṇe yadi | vinā yuddhaṁ vipannānāmaśubhā vo gatirbhavet

If you give up your lives in battle, you shall attain even greater majesty; but for those who perish without battle, an inauspicious fate awaits.

Verse 86 (skanda.8.169.86)

अपि चेद्यदि हन्येध्वं देवदेवेन शूलिना । प्रमथेन्द्रास्ततो यूयं भविष्यथ न संशयः

api cedyadi hanyedhvaṁ devadevena śūlinā | pramathendrāstato yūyaṁ bhaviṣyatha na saṁśayaḥ

And even if you should be slain by the trident-wielding god of gods, you shall thereby become foremost among the Pramathas - of this there is no doubt.

Verse 87 (skanda.8.169.87)

गुणं सन्धिगतं नास्ति युष्माकं देवतैस्सह । विग्रहे वो मतिर्युक्ता सा च व्यक्ता वयं च वः

guṇaṁ sandhigataṁ nāsti yuṣmākaṁ devataissaha | vigrahe vo matiryuktā sā ca vyaktā vayaṁ ca vaḥ

There is no advantage for you in alliance with the gods; hostility is the fitting resolve for you - this is plain, and we stand with you in it.

Verse 88 (skanda.8.169.88)

शौर्येण भवतां प्रीतः कदाचिद् वृषभध्वजः । भवेद्वरप्रदो दैत्याः श्रेयान् वस्तेन विक्रमः

śauryeṇa bhavatāṁ prītaḥ kadācid vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ | bhavedvaraprado daityāḥ śreyān vastena vikramaḥ

Perhaps, pleased by your valor, the bull-bannered one may become a giver of boons to you, O daityas; valor is the better course for you.

Verse 89 (skanda.8.169.89)

करिष्यामि च वो रक्षां शस्त्राघातनिषेधनीम् । उत्तिष्ठत दनोः पुत्रा विजयाय युयुत्सया

kariṣyāmi ca vo rakṣāṁ śastrāghātaniṣedhanīm | uttiṣṭhata danoḥ putrā vijayāya yuyutsayā

And I shall grant you protection, warding off the blows of weapons. Rise up, sons of Danu, eager for battle, for victory!"

Verse 90 (skanda.8.169.90)

नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा तारकाक्षो महाबलः । विद्युन्माली च दैत्येन्द्रा बाणाद्याश्च महासुराः

nāradasya vacaḥ śrutvā tārakākṣo mahābalaḥ | vidyunmālī ca daityendrā bāṇādyāśca mahāsurāḥ

Hearing Narada's words, the mighty Tarakaksha, and Vidyunmali, the lords of the daityas, and Bana and the other great asuras -

Verse 91 (skanda.8.169.91)

कालपाशार्दिता मूढाः क्षीणपुण्या गतायुषः । साध्वेतच्छोभनं प्रोक्तं नारदेनेति तेब्रुवन्

kālapāśārditā mūḍhāḥ kṣīṇapuṇyā gatāyuṣaḥ | sādhvetacchobhanaṁ proktaṁ nāradeneti tebruvan

tormented by the noose of time, deluded, their merit exhausted, their lives at an end, said: "Well and good is this that Narada has spoken."

Verse 92 (skanda.8.169.92)

मयोपि तद्वचो बुदध्वा ज्ञात्वा नाशमुपस्थितम् । शोभनं नारदेनोक्तमिति वाक्यमुवाच ह

mayopi tadvaco budadhvā jñātvā nāśamupasthitam | śobhanaṁ nāradenoktamiti vākyamuvāca ha

Maya too, understanding that speech, and knowing that destruction was at hand, said this word: "Well spoken by Narada."

Verse 93 (skanda.8.169.93)

नारदोपि ततो हृष्टो रक्षां बद्ध्वा तु मायया । युयुत्सूनसुरान् कृत्वा ययौ शर्वरथं प्रति

nāradopi tato hṛṣṭo rakṣāṁ baddhvā tu māyayā | yuyutsūnasurān kṛtvā yayau śarvarathaṁ prati

Narada too, then delighted, having bound a protective charm by his magic power, and having made the asuras eager for battle, went toward Sharva's chariot.

Verse 94 (skanda.8.169.94)

ततस्ते दानवाः सर्वे युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयाः । नानाप्रहरणोपेता बभूवुर्युद्धलिप्सवः

tataste dānavāḥ sarve yuddhāya kṛtaniścayāḥ | nānāpraharaṇopetā babhūvuryuddhalipsavaḥ

Then all those danavas, resolved upon battle, took up manifold weapons, eager for combat.

Verse 95 (skanda.8.169.95)

तरकाक्षो बलो बाणो विद्युन्माली च दानवः । सन्नह्य सहिताः सर्वे राजानस्तस्थुरग्रतः

tarakākṣo balo bāṇo vidyunmālī ca dānavaḥ | sannahya sahitāḥ sarve rājānastasthuragrataḥ

Tarakaksha, Bala, Bana, and the danava Vidyunmali, all together, armed, the kings stood in front.

Verse 96 (skanda.8.169.96)

अवाद्यन्त ततः शंखास्तूर्याणि च सहस्रशः । दानवानां बले घोरे कातराणां भयप्रदे

avādyanta tataḥ śaṁkhāstūryāṇi ca sahasraśaḥ | dānavānāṁ bale ghore kātarāṇāṁ bhayaprade

Then conches were sounded, and trumpets, by the thousands, amid the terrible army of the danavas, striking fear into the faint-hearted.

Verse 97 (skanda.8.169.97)

सरथोयमिहायाति असावन्यः प्रदृश्यते । कथमागत इत्येवं वचांस्यूचुः परस्परम्

sarathoyamihāyāti asāvanyaḥ pradṛśyate | kathamāgata ityevaṁ vacāṁsyūcuḥ parasparam

"This one comes here with a chariot; another, quite different, is seen - how has he come?" - such words they spoke to one another.

Verse 98 (skanda.8.169.98)

विगतभयविषादास्त्रैपुरा दैत्यसंघाः प्रकुपितवदनास्ते युद्धसज्जा बभूवुः । प्रहरणवरहस्तास्तं रथं वीक्षमाणाः पशव इव मखाग्नेरन्वगच्छन् समीपम्

vigatabhayaviṣādāstraipurā daityasaṁghāḥ prakupitavadanāste yuddhasajjā babhūvuḥ | praharaṇavarahastāstaṁ rathaṁ vīkṣamāṇāḥ paśava iva makhāgneranvagacchan samīpam

Free of fear and despair, the hosts of the Tripura-daityas, their faces enraged, stood ready for battle; weapons in their excellent hands, gazing upon that chariot, they advanced toward it, like beasts toward the sacrificial fire.