The Burning of Tripura

Verse 1 (skanda.8.170.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । अथाभ्यगात् पश्चिमसागरस्य मूर्ध्नि स्थितन्तत्त्रिपुरं रथोसौ । नानापताकोज्ज्वलचित्रमौलिर्हैमोपलो मेरुरिवाद्रिराजः

sanatkumāra uvāca | athābhyagāt paścimasāgarasya mūrdhni sthitantattripuraṁ rathosau | nānāpatākojjvalacitramaulirhaimopalo merurivādrirājaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then that chariot advanced toward the head of the western ocean, where that Tripura stood, its towering, jewelled crest ablaze with manifold banners, like Meru, king of mountains, made of gold and stone.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.170.2)

ते वीक्ष्य दुर्गं त्रिपुरं गणेशा नन्दीशचण्डीशमुखाः सुयत्ताः । नादं प्रचक्रुः सहिताः प्रवीरा युयुत्सवो दानवराजसिंहैः

te vīkṣya durgaṁ tripuraṁ gaṇeśā nandīśacaṇḍīśamukhāḥ suyattāḥ | nādaṁ pracakruḥ sahitāḥ pravīrā yuyutsavo dānavarājasiṁhaiḥ

Seeing that impregnable Tripura, the ganeshas, led by Nandisha and Chandisha, all fully arrayed, together raised a battle-cry, those heroes eager for combat with the lion-like lords of the danavas.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.170.3)

चण्डेश्वरश्चण्डवपुर्महात्मा ज्वलत्प्रदीप्तोग्रकुठारपाणिः । व्यादाय वक्त्रं पुरतः स्थितोभूद् देवस्य शम्भोः प्रमथेन्द्रवीरः

caṇḍeśvaraścaṇḍavapurmahātmā jvalatpradīptograkuṭhārapāṇiḥ | vyādāya vaktraṁ purataḥ sthitobhūd devasya śambhoḥ pramathendravīraḥ

Chandeshvara, of fierce form, great-souled, a fearsome axe blazing in his hand, stood in front of the god Shambhu, mouth agape, a hero among the lords of the Pramathas.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.170.4)

दीप्तं त्रिशूलं परिगृह्य नन्दी त्र्यक्षः प्रतस्थे हरतुल्यवर्ष्मा । पार्श्वे स्थितोभूत् स च शंकुकर्णः प्रगृह्य दीप्तं मुशलं गजेन्द्रः

dīptaṁ triśūlaṁ parigṛhya nandī tryakṣaḥ pratasthe haratulyavarṣmā | pārśve sthitobhūt sa ca śaṁkukarṇaḥ pragṛhya dīptaṁ muśalaṁ gajendraḥ

Nandi, taking up his blazing trident, three-eyed, of a form like Hara's own, advanced; and at his side stood Shankukarna, elephant-lord, grasping his blazing mace.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.170.5)

भृङ्गिर्हरात्मा स च वीरभद्रस्तथा गणेन्द्राः शतशः प्रवीराः । वज्रत्रिशूलासिभुशुण्डिहस्ता युयुत्सवस्तस्थुरुपेतहर्षाः

bhṛṅgirharātmā sa ca vīrabhadrastathā gaṇendrāḥ śataśaḥ pravīrāḥ | vajratriśūlāsibhuśuṇḍihastā yuyutsavastasthurupetaharṣāḥ

Bhringi, of Hara's own essence, and Virabhadra too, and hundreds of other heroic ganeshvaras, thunderbolt, trident, sword, and iron club in hand, eager for battle, stood there filled with joy.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.170.6)

समागतं तं रथमीक्ष्य दैत्या युद्धाय निर्जग्मुरुपेतमोहाः । ते तारकाक्षप्रमुखाः सुवीरा सन्नह्य नानायुधदीप्तहस्ताः

samāgataṁ taṁ rathamīkṣya daityā yuddhāya nirjagmurupetamohāḥ | te tārakākṣapramukhāḥ suvīrā sannahya nānāyudhadīptahastāḥ

Seeing that chariot arrived, the daityas, overcome with delusion, sallied forth to battle; those great heroes, headed by Tarakaksha, armed, weapons blazing in their hands, having donned their armor,

Verse 7 (skanda.8.170.7)

सार्धं गणेन्द्रैः समरं प्रचक्रुर्दनोः सुताः कोपवशं प्रयाताः । देवोपि चन्द्रार्धनिकेतमौलिः शरं न चिक्षेप पुरं प्रदग्धुम्

sārdhaṁ gaṇendraiḥ samaraṁ pracakrurdanoḥ sutāḥ kopavaśaṁ prayātāḥ | devopi candrārdhaniketamauliḥ śaraṁ na cikṣepa puraṁ pradagdhum

together with the lords of the ganas joined battle, the sons of Danu having come under the sway of wrath; but the god, his crest bearing the half-moon's abode, did not yet loose his arrow to burn the city,

Verse 8 (skanda.8.170.8)

तस्थौ तथैवासकृदात्मना च पश्यन् रणं तद्गणदैत्यपानाम् । ततः स नन्दी गणपैः प्रवीरैरचीकरद्युद्धमदीनसत्वैः

tasthau tathaivāsakṛdātmanā ca paśyan raṇaṁ tadgaṇadaityapānām | tataḥ sa nandī gaṇapaiḥ pravīrairacīkaradyuddhamadīnasatvaiḥ

but remained there still, again and again himself watching that battle of the ganas and the daitya-lords. Then Nandi, with the heroic lords of the ganas of undaunted courage, gave battle.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.170.9)

विव्याध भृङ्गिं दशभिः पृषत्कैर्विद्युत्प्रभः कोपविरक्तनेत्रः । भृङ्गिं समासाद्य शिलीमुखास्ते नाशक्नुवँस्तस्य रुजं प्रकर्तुम्

vivyādha bhṛṅgiṁ daśabhiḥ pṛṣatkairvidyutprabhaḥ kopaviraktanetraḥ | bhṛṅgiṁ samāsādya śilīmukhāste nāśaknuva~stasya rujaṁ prakartum

Vidyutprabha, his eyes reddened with rage, struck Bhringi with ten arrows; those shafts, reaching Bhringi, were unable to inflict any hurt upon him.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.170.10)

विद्युत्प्रभं भृङ्गिरिटिस्ततोसौ शूलेन दीप्तेन जघान पृष्ठे । स तेन शूलेन हतो जुघूर्ण त्यक्त्वा च भृङ्गिं प्रयययौ भयार्त्तः

vidyutprabhaṁ bhṛṅgiriṭistatosau śūlena dīptena jaghāna pṛṣṭhe | sa tena śūlena hato jughūrṇa tyaktvā ca bhṛṅgiṁ prayayayau bhayārttaḥ

Then Bhringiriti struck Vidyutprabha in the back with his blazing trident; struck by that trident, he reeled, and abandoning Bhringi, fled in terror.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.170.11)

भग्नस्तथासौ दितिजाधिपेशो भृङ्गिं समुत्सृज्य गणेन्द्रमुख्यम् । विव्याध तीक्ष्णैर्निशितैः पृषत्कैर्विनायकं सप्तभिरंसदेशे

bhagnastathāsau ditijādhipeśo bhṛṅgiṁ samutsṛjya gaṇendramukhyam | vivyādha tīkṣṇairniśitaiḥ pṛṣatkairvināyakaṁ saptabhiraṁsadeśe

That lord of the daitya-hosts, thus broken, having abandoned Bhringi, the chief of the ganas, struck Vinayaka with seven sharp, keen arrows in the shoulder.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.170.12)

पुनस्त्रिषष्ट्या दशभिश्च भूयो विद्युत्प्रभस्तं गजराजवक्त्रम् । जघान मर्मस्वभिलब्धलक्ष्य स्ततश्चुकोपास्य विनायकेन्द्रः

punastriṣaṣṭyā daśabhiśca bhūyo vidyutprabhastaṁ gajarājavaktram | jaghāna marmasvabhilabdhalakṣya stataścukopāsya vināyakendraḥ

Then again, with sixty-three more arrows, and ten besides, Vidyutprabha struck that elephant-faced one in his vital points, having found his mark; then the lord of the Vinayakas grew wroth at him,

Verse 13 (skanda.8.170.13)

स पुष्कराग्रेण गजेन्द्रसिंहो ग्रीवां तदा दैत्यपतेर्विवेष्ट्य । उत्पाटयामास शिरः शरीरात पद्मं ह्रदान्नाग इव प्रमत्तः

sa puṣkarāgreṇa gajendrasiṁho grīvāṁ tadā daityapaterviveṣṭya | utpāṭayāmāsa śiraḥ śarīrāta padmaṁ hradānnāga iva pramattaḥ

and that lion among elephant-lords, with the tip of his trunk, coiled around the neck of the lord of the daityas and tore his head from his body, as a maddened elephant uproots a lotus from a lake.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.170.14)

दैत्यस्य कृत्तं शुशुभे शिरस्तद्विन्ध्याचलेन्द्रप्रतिमाच्छरीरात् । सहंसचक्राह्वरुतोपगीताद् ह्रदान्नवोत्खातमिवाशु पद्मम्

daityasya kṛttaṁ śuśubhe śirastadvindhyācalendrapratimāccharīrāt | sahaṁsacakrāhvarutopagītād hradānnavotkhātamivāśu padmam

The severed head of the daitya, from that body resembling the lord of the Vindhya mountains, shone forth, as a lotus newly torn from a lake, amid the cries of swans and chakravaka birds, its song accompanying it.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.170.15)

ततोपरौ दैत्यपती सुयत्तौ नेमिर्बलश्चान्धकतुल्यकल्पौ । क्रुद्धावुपागम्य हि शंकुकर्णं शिलीमुखैर्विव्यधतुर्गणेन्द्रम्

tatoparau daityapatī suyattau nemirbalaścāndhakatulyakalpau | kruddhāvupāgamya hi śaṁkukarṇaṁ śilīmukhairvivyadhaturgaṇendram

Then two other daitya-lords, fully armed, Nemi and Bala, equal in might to Andhaka, coming up in fury, struck Shankukarna, lord of the ganas, with their arrows.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.170.16)

तौ शंकुकर्णः प्रसभं निपत्य छिन्नध्वजाश्वौ विरथौ चकार । अन्यौ समारुह्य रथौ पुनुस्तौ भूयस्समागम्य गणप्रवीरम्

tau śaṁkukarṇaḥ prasabhaṁ nipatya chinnadhvajāśvau virathau cakāra | anyau samāruhya rathau punustau bhūyassamāgamya gaṇapravīram

Those two, falling upon him with force, Shankukarna made chariotless, their banners and horses cut down; mounting other chariots, those two again came against that hero of the ganas,

Verse 17 (skanda.8.170.17)

तं जघ्नतुर्नैकविधः पृषत्कैर्वज्राभिघातप्रतिमैस्सुतीक्ष्णैः । क्रुद्धस्तदा स प्रसभं गणेन्द्रस्तौ दैत्यराजौ सुचिरं निरीक्ष्य

taṁ jaghnaturnaikavidhaḥ pṛṣatkairvajrābhighātapratimaissutīkṣṇaiḥ | kruddhastadā sa prasabhaṁ gaṇendrastau daityarājau suciraṁ nirīkṣya

and struck him repeatedly with sharp arrows, resembling thunderbolt-blows; then that lord of the ganas, enraged, having gazed a long while at those two daitya-kings,

Verse 18 (skanda.8.170.18)

दीप्तेन हत्वा मुशलेन वीरौ संप्रेषयामास पुरं यमस्य । अन्ये च दैत्यास्त्रिपुराधिवासाः क्रुद्धा विनिष्क्रम्य गणेन्द्रसिंहैः

dīptena hatvā muśalena vīrau saṁpreṣayāmāsa puraṁ yamasya | anye ca daityāstripurādhivāsāḥ kruddhā viniṣkramya gaṇendrasiṁhaiḥ

struck those two heroes with his blazing mace and sent them to Yama's city. And the other daityas, dwellers of Tripura, enraged, sallied forth against the lion-like lords of the ganas,

Verse 19 (skanda.8.170.19)

नाराचचक्रासिकुठारहस्ता घोरं महद्युद्धमतीव चक्रुः । दैत्याधिपास्ते हरतुल्यकल्पैर्गणेश्वरैः प्राप्तशिवप्रसादैः

nārācacakrāsikuṭhārahastā ghoraṁ mahadyuddhamatīva cakruḥ | daityādhipāste haratulyakalpairgaṇeśvaraiḥ prāptaśivaprasādaiḥ

and, arrows, discuses, swords, and axes in hand, waged an exceedingly terrible and great battle. Those lords of the daityas, by the gana-lords, equal to Hara in form and blessed with Shiva's favor,

Verse 20 (skanda.8.170.20)

हता बभूवुर्हि गतासवस्तु मृगा यथा केसरिभिर्वनान्ते । प्रभ्रष्टनानायुधवस्त्रहाराश्छिन्नैर्भुजैश्शोणितमुद्वहन्तः

hatā babhūvurhi gatāsavastu mṛgā yathā kesaribhirvanānte | prabhraṣṭanānāyudhavastrahārāśchinnairbhujaiśśoṇitamudvahantaḥ

were slain and lost their lives, like deer by lions at the forest's edge, their manifold weapons, garments, and garlands scattered, blood streaming from severed arms.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.170.21)

वज्राहता पेतुः समुद्रे गिरिशृङ्गकल्पाः । श्रुत्वाथदैत्यौ बलनेमिसंज्ञौ तौ शकुकर्णेन हतौ प्रसह्य

vajrāhatā petuḥ samudre giriśṛṅgakalpāḥ | śrutvāthadaityau balanemisaṁjñau tau śakukarṇena hatau prasahya

Struck down by thunderbolts, [a portion of the text is lost here] they fell into the ocean, like mountain peaks. Hearing that the two daityas named Bala and Nemi had thus been forcibly slain by Shankukarna,

Verse 22 (skanda.8.170.22)

पुराद्विनिष्क्रम्य स तारकाक्षः क्रुद्धो गणेन्द्रं स्वयमभ्यधावत् । तं शंकुकर्णो दितिजाधिपेशं मुञ्चन्तमुग्रं शरवर्षमाशु

purādviniṣkramya sa tārakākṣaḥ kruddho gaṇendraṁ svayamabhyadhāvat | taṁ śaṁkukarṇo ditijādhipeśaṁ muñcantamugraṁ śaravarṣamāśu

Tarakaksha, sallying forth from the city in fury, himself charged at the lord of the ganas; at him, that lord of the daityas, Shankukarna, loosing swiftly a fierce shower of arrows,

Verse 23 (skanda.8.170.23)

भल्लेन दैत्यं गिरिसन्निकाशं जघान मूर्ध्नि प्रसभं गणेशः । निपत्य किञ्चिन्निहतः स तेन भल्लेन दैत्याधिपतिर्मुमोह

bhallena daityaṁ girisannikāśaṁ jaghāna mūrdhni prasabhaṁ gaṇeśaḥ | nipatya kiñcinnihataḥ sa tena bhallena daityādhipatirmumoha

struck the daitya, mountain-like, upon the head with a broad-headed arrow, that lord of the ganas, with great force; falling somewhat, struck by that shaft, the lord of the daityas swooned.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.170.24)

प्रोत्थाय तूर्णं स हि तारकाक्षश्चिक्षेप तस्मै गणपाय चक्रम् । क्रुद्धस्ततोसावभवद् गणेन्द्रस्तं तारकाक्षं स हि शंकुकर्णः

protthāya tūrṇaṁ sa hi tārakākṣaścikṣepa tasmai gaṇapāya cakram | kruddhastatosāvabhavad gaṇendrastaṁ tārakākṣaṁ sa hi śaṁkukarṇaḥ

Rising swiftly, that Tarakaksha hurled a discus at that lord of the ganas; then enraged, that lord of the ganas, Shankukarna,

Verse 25 (skanda.8.170.25)

निपात्य मुष्ट्या प्रजघान मूर्ध्नि समाहतः सोपि जगाम कृच्छ्रम् । जुघूर्ण बभ्राम मुमोह तस्थौ पपात तत्याज वरायुधञ्च

nipātya muṣṭyā prajaghāna mūrdhni samāhataḥ sopi jagāma kṛcchram | jughūrṇa babhrāma mumoha tasthau papāta tatyāja varāyudhañca

felling him with his fist, struck him upon the head; struck in turn, he too went into great distress - he reeled, staggered, swooned, stood, fell, and dropped his excellent weapon,

Verse 26 (skanda.8.170.26)

मुमोच रोषं विरराव तीव्रं ममार पश्चादसुविप्रमुक्तः । दृष्टवा विपन्नं दितिजाधिपेन्द्रं प्रगृह्य दैत्या भवनं मयस्य

mumoca roṣaṁ virarāva tīvraṁ mamāra paścādasuvipramuktaḥ | dṛṣṭavā vipannaṁ ditijādhipendraṁ pragṛhya daityā bhavanaṁ mayasya

gave vent to fierce wrath, cried out sharply, and afterward, his breath released, died. Seeing that lord of the daitya-hosts fallen, the daityas took him up and went to the abode of Maya,

Verse 27 (skanda.8.170.27)

गत्वा निवेद्यासुरराजभर्त्रे नादान् प्रचक्रुर्विविधैर्विलापैः । ततो मयस्तान् रुदतो सुरेशानाश्वासयन् प्राह वचोसुरेशः

gatvā nivedyāsurarājabhartre nādān pracakrurvividhairvilāpaiḥ | tato mayastān rudato sureśānāśvāsayan prāha vacosureśaḥ

and going there, having reported to the lord of the asura-king, raised cries with manifold lamentations. Then Maya, reassuring those lords of the gods who wept, spoke this word, that lord of the asuras:

Verse 28 (skanda.8.170.28)

सृष्टं मया वोमृतमेतदास्ते तेनैनमुत्थापयताशु दैत्याः । ततो गृहीत्वामृतमुत्तमं तद् दैत्याधिपं दैत्यवृषाः प्रहृष्टाः

sṛṣṭaṁ mayā vomṛtametadāste tenainamutthāpayatāśu daityāḥ | tato gṛhītvāmṛtamuttamaṁ tad daityādhipaṁ daityavṛṣāḥ prahṛṣṭāḥ

"I have created this nectar, which is here; by it, O daityas, revive him at once." Then, taking that supreme nectar, the daitya-bulls, delighted,

Verse 29 (skanda.8.170.29)

चक्रुः सजीवं हि यथा पुराणं मयं प्रणेमुश्च मुहुः शिरोभिः । स तारकाक्षस्तत आशु भूयो युयुत्सया युद्धपथं जगाम

cakruḥ sajīvaṁ hi yathā purāṇaṁ mayaṁ praṇemuśca muhuḥ śirobhiḥ | sa tārakākṣastata āśu bhūyo yuyutsayā yuddhapathaṁ jagāma

restored the lord of the daityas to life as before, and bowed to Maya again and again with their heads. Then Tarakaksha, at once, again eager for battle, went to the path of war.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.170.30)

आयान्तमालक्ष्य पितामहस्तं पूर्वं मृतं जीवितमाशु भूयः । प्रोवाच वाक्यं स सुरासुरेशं निवेदयन् वामकरेण दैत्यम्

āyāntamālakṣya pitāmahastaṁ pūrvaṁ mṛtaṁ jīvitamāśu bhūyaḥ | provāca vākyaṁ sa surāsureśaṁ nivedayan vāmakareṇa daityam

Then the Grandfather, seeing that daitya, previously dead, coming again, now alive, at once spoke this word to the lord of the gods and demons, pointing out the daitya with his left hand:

Verse 31 (skanda.8.170.31)

हतोप्ययं शङ्कर तारकाक्षः कृतो मयेनाशु सजीव एव । तस्यास्ति देवामृतमुत्तमं हि तेनासुरान् जीवयतेसुरेन्द्रः

hatopyayaṁ śaṅkara tārakākṣaḥ kṛto mayenāśu sajīva eva | tasyāsti devāmṛtamuttamaṁ hi tenāsurān jīvayatesurendraḥ

"Though slain, O Shankara, this Tarakaksha has been swiftly made alive again by Maya; he possesses, O god, a supreme nectar, by which, O lord of gods, he revives the asuras.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.170.32)

दोषो महानेष सुरेन्द्रहेतोर्मतान्मृतान् जीवयते यदाजौ । ततोमृतं तन्मयसंस्थमाशु प्रध्यानमात्रेण जहार शम्भुः

doṣo mahāneṣa surendrahetormatānmṛtān jīvayate yadājau | tatomṛtaṁ tanmayasaṁsthamāśu pradhyānamātreṇa jahāra śambhuḥ

This is a grave fault, O cause of the gods' cause, that in battle the dead, once slain, are revived." Then, that nectar residing in Maya, at once, by a mere thought, Shambhu took away.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.170.33)

पितामहस्तं पुनरेव हृष्टः पिनाकिनं प्राह वचः प्रणम्य । दृष्टं मया युद्धमिदं गणानां दैत्याधिपैः सार्धमहीनसत्वैः

pitāmahastaṁ punareva hṛṣṭaḥ pinākinaṁ prāha vacaḥ praṇamya | dṛṣṭaṁ mayā yuddhamidaṁ gaṇānāṁ daityādhipaiḥ sārdhamahīnasatvaiḥ

The Grandfather, delighted again, bowing, spoke this word to the trident-bearer: "I have witnessed this battle of the ganas against the lords of the daityas, of undaunted might;

Verse 34 (skanda.8.170.34)

दिव्यं सहस्रं विगतं समानां क्षयं न चैतत् त्रिपुरं जगाम । क्षिपस्व दीप्तं तमिषुं सुरेश प्रयान्तु नाशं सुरविद्विषस्ते

divyaṁ sahasraṁ vigataṁ samānāṁ kṣayaṁ na caitat tripuraṁ jagāma | kṣipasva dīptaṁ tamiṣuṁ sureśa prayāntu nāśaṁ suravidviṣaste

a full thousand divine years have passed, yet this Tripura has not come to ruin. Loose that blazing arrow, O lord of gods; let those enemies of the gods go to destruction."

Verse 35 (skanda.8.170.35)

पूर्णे सहस्रे त्रिपुरं समेत्य पुनर्विपर्यस्तमभूत् सुरेश । क्षिप्तस्त्वयेषुर्न च देवदेव योगेन किं वा तव देवनाथ

pūrṇe sahasre tripuraṁ sametya punarviparyastamabhūt sureśa | kṣiptastvayeṣurna ca devadeva yogena kiṁ vā tava devanātha

"When a full thousand years had passed and Tripura came together, it again became disjoined, O lord of gods; the arrow was not loosed by you, nor was it by yoga, O lord of the gods - why?"

Verse 36 (skanda.8.170.36)

संकल्पमात्रादिदमेति नाशं दैत्याधिवासं त्रिपुरं तवेश । यदि त्वहं मानयितव्य ईश विमुञ्च शीघ्रं त्रिपुरे शरं तम्

saṁkalpamātrādidameti nāśaṁ daityādhivāsaṁ tripuraṁ taveśa | yadi tvahaṁ mānayitavya īśa vimuñca śīghraṁ tripure śaraṁ tam

"By mere resolve this dwelling-place of the daityas, this Tripura, could come to ruin at your hands, O Lord; if I am to be honored by you, O Ishvara, release that arrow swiftly upon Tripura."

Verse 37 (skanda.8.170.37)

विज्ञप्त एवं चतुराननेन प्रतीपमालीढमनङ्गहन्ता । कृत्वा धनुस्तद्बलवद्विकृष्य युयोज दीप्तं तमिषुं पिनाके

vijñapta evaṁ caturānanena pratīpamālīḍhamanaṅgahantā | kṛtvā dhanustadbalavadvikṛṣya yuyoja dīptaṁ tamiṣuṁ pināke

Thus entreated by the four-faced one, the slayer of Ananga (Kama), with a fierce, sidelong glance, drew that mighty bow with great force and fitted the blazing arrow upon the Pinaka.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.170.38)

संकल्पमात्रेण तदा स तानि पुराणि देवस्सहितानि त्रीणि । चक्रे जगत्सृष्टिविनाशकर्ता जगच्च निष्पन्दमभूत्तदाशु

saṁkalpamātreṇa tadā sa tāni purāṇi devassahitāni trīṇi | cakre jagatsṛṣṭivināśakartā jagacca niṣpandamabhūttadāśu

Then, by mere resolve, the god, the maker of the world's creation and destruction, made those three cities, together, into one; and the world at once became motionless.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.170.39)

विष्ण्वात्मकं पावकसोमपुंखं त्रैलोक्यसंहार इव प्रदीप्तम् । चिक्षेप देवस्तमिषुं तदोग्रं क्षिप्त्वा च कष्टं धिगितीति चाह

viṣṇvātmakaṁ pāvakasomapuṁkhaṁ trailokyasaṁhāra iva pradīptam | cikṣepa devastamiṣuṁ tadograṁ kṣiptvā ca kaṣṭaṁ dhigitīti cāha

Then the god loosed that fierce arrow, embodying Vishnu, with Agni and Soma at its notch, blazing like the destruction of the three worlds; and having loosed it, he cried, "Alas, alas!"

Verse 40 (skanda.8.170.40)

नन्दी समागम्य ततो महेशं प्रोवाच वाक्यं किमिति प्रणम्य । नन्दीश्वरं तं भगवानुवाच मयस्य भक्तस्य शुभं चिकीर्षुः

nandī samāgamya tato maheśaṁ provāca vākyaṁ kimiti praṇamya | nandīśvaraṁ taṁ bhagavānuvāca mayasya bhaktasya śubhaṁ cikīrṣuḥ

Then Nandi, coming to Mahesha and bowing, said, "What is it?" And the Lord said to that Nandishvara, wishing well for his devotee Maya:

Verse 41 (skanda.8.170.41)

नन्दीश भक्तो मम विश्वकर्मा दहेत् पुरं तस्य यथा न वह्निः । तथानलं सोमहरी च देवौ ममाज्ञया गच्छ निवारयस्व

nandīśa bhakto mama viśvakarmā dahet puraṁ tasya yathā na vahniḥ | tathānalaṁ somaharī ca devau mamājñayā gaccha nivārayasva

"O Nandisha, my devotee Vishvakarma - let fire not burn his city! By my command, go and restrain those two gods, Agni and Soma-stealing Rahu (or 'the sun-stealer').

Verse 42 (skanda.8.170.42)

नन्दी प्रगृह्याथ सुरेश्वराज्ञां तूर्णं ययौ विश्वकृतः पुरं तत् । तुल्यवेगो ज्योतिष्मतः पूर्वतरं जगाम

nandī pragṛhyātha sureśvarājñāṁ tūrṇaṁ yayau viśvakṛtaḥ puraṁ tat | tulyavego jyotiṣmataḥ pūrvataraṁ jagāma

Then Nandi, taking the command of the lord of gods, went swiftly to that city of Vishvakarma, [a portion of the text is lost here] equal in speed to the shining one, going on ahead.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.170.43)

दृष्ट्वा मयं तत्र स दानवेशं मूर्ध्ना नताङ्गं वृषभध्वजस्य । मृत्योर्भयार्त्तं शरणार्थिनं च नन्दी समाश्वासयदीशभक्तम्

dṛṣṭvā mayaṁ tatra sa dānaveśaṁ mūrdhnā natāṅgaṁ vṛṣabhadhvajasya | mṛtyorbhayārttaṁ śaraṇārthinaṁ ca nandī samāśvāsayadīśabhaktam

Seeing there Maya, that lord of the danavas, his body bowed, his head lowered before the bull-bannered one, terrified of death and seeking refuge, Nandi reassured that devotee of the Lord:

Verse 44 (skanda.8.170.44)

भयं कृथा मा मय रक्षितस्त्वं भक्त्या भवेनेति वचोभ्युवाच । नन्दीश्वरं दानवराट् स दृष्ट्वा श्रुत्वा प्रियं तच्छिवसंप्रसादम्

bhayaṁ kṛthā mā maya rakṣitastvaṁ bhaktyā bhaveneti vacobhyuvāca | nandīśvaraṁ dānavarāṭ sa dṛṣṭvā śrutvā priyaṁ tacchivasaṁprasādam

"Have no fear, Maya; you are protected by Bhava's grace," so he spoke. The lord of the danavas, having seen Nandishvara and heard that welcome grace of Shiva,

Verse 45 (skanda.8.170.45)

यथैव रुद्राय ननाम मूर्ध्ना चक्रे प्रणामं स तथैव तस्य । अथाग्निरागात् त्रिपुरं दिधक्षन् प्रदीपयित्वा सकलं समन्तात्

yathaiva rudrāya nanāma mūrdhnā cakre praṇāmaṁ sa tathaiva tasya | athāgnirāgāt tripuraṁ didhakṣan pradīpayitvā sakalaṁ samantāt

bowed his head to him just as he would to Rudra himself. Then Agni came, intending to burn Tripura, having kindled the whole of it on every side,

Verse 46 (skanda.8.170.46)

संवर्त्तवह्निप्रतिमो युगान्ते जगत् प्रसंहर्त्तुमिव प्रदीप्तः । तमागतं विश्वकृतो निवासं विष्ण्विन्दुयुक्तं ज्वलनं स नन्दी । दग्धव्यमेतन्न हुताशनेति वचोभ्युवाचाशु विभोर्नियोगात्

saṁvarttavahnipratimo yugānte jagat prasaṁharttumiva pradīptaḥ | tamāgataṁ viśvakṛto nivāsaṁ viṣṇvinduyuktaṁ jvalanaṁ sa nandī | dagdhavyametanna hutāśaneti vacobhyuvācāśu vibhorniyogāt

blazing like the fire of universal dissolution at the end of an age, as if to consume the world. Nandi, seeing that fire arrived, the dwelling-place of Vishvakarma, mingled with Vishnu and the moon, quickly spoke this word by the Lord's command: "This is not to be burned by the sacrificial fire."

Verse 47 (skanda.8.170.47)

ततः स वह्निस्तमुवाच देवं कस्मान्न दग्धव्यमिदं मयेति । नन्दी हुताशं स ततोभ्युवाच मयोत्र तिष्ठत्यमरेशभक्तः

tataḥ sa vahnistamuvāca devaṁ kasmānna dagdhavyamidaṁ mayeti | nandī hutāśaṁ sa tatobhyuvāca mayotra tiṣṭhatyamareśabhaktaḥ

Then that Fire said to the god: "Why is this not to be burned by me?" Nandi then said to the fire-god: "Maya, the devotee of the lord of the immortals, dwells here."

Verse 48 (skanda.8.170.48)

तं वह्निराहासुरराजमाशु तूर्णं विनिर्गच्छ मयेति वाक्यम् । हैमं गृहीत्वा स महेशलिङ्गं पुराद्विनिष्क्रम्य मयोसुरेन्द्रः

taṁ vahnirāhāsurarājamāśu tūrṇaṁ vinirgaccha mayeti vākyam | haimaṁ gṛhītvā sa maheśaliṅgaṁ purādviniṣkramya mayosurendraḥ

Fire said to him: "Then let the king of the asuras come out at once, quickly." So Maya, the lord of the asuras, taking the golden linga of Mahesha, coming out of the city,

Verse 49 (skanda.8.170.49)

पातालमाशु प्रविवेश हृष्टः कुर्वन्नमस्कारमुमाप्रियस्य । नन्दीश्वरः सोपि सुरेशपार्श्वमागम्य चाख्याय च संस्थितोभूत्

pātālamāśu praviveśa hṛṣṭaḥ kurvannamaskāramumāpriyasya | nandīśvaraḥ sopi sureśapārśvamāgamya cākhyāya ca saṁsthitobhūt

entered Patala swiftly, delighted, making obeisance to the beloved of Uma. And Nandishvara too, coming to the lord of gods' side, having reported this, remained there.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.170.50)

ततः प्रदीप्तं त्रिपुरं बभूव विश्लिष्टयन्त्रार्गलनष्टवेश्म । नैकासुरामुक्तमहोग्रनादं वित्रस्तदैत्येन्द्रवधूजनाढ्यम्

tataḥ pradīptaṁ tripuraṁ babhūva viśliṣṭayantrārgalanaṣṭaveśma | naikāsurāmuktamahogranādaṁ vitrastadaityendravadhūjanāḍhyam

Then Tripura became ablaze, its bolts and bars shattered, its dwellings destroyed, filled with the fearful cries of many asuras, thronged with the terrified wives of the daitya-lords -

Verse 51 (skanda.8.170.51)

वातायने हर्म्यविमानसंस्थाश्चन्द्राननाः पीनपयोधराढ्याः । पर्यङ्कसुप्ता मदविह्वलाक्ष्यो मार्गं प्रियाणां मुहुरीक्षमाणाः

vātāyane harmyavimānasaṁsthāścandrānanāḥ pīnapayodharāḍhyāḥ | paryaṅkasuptā madavihvalākṣyo mārgaṁ priyāṇāṁ muhurīkṣamāṇāḥ

moon-faced women, full-breasted, seated in the balconies of mansions and aerial cars, sleeping upon couches, their eyes bewildered with passion, gazing again and again for the paths of their beloved,

Verse 52 (skanda.8.170.52)

विलोचनैस्ताम्रनिभाङ्गरागैः श्यामावदाता जघनैर्विशालैः । दैत्याङ्गनाः स्वं ददृशुः प्रदीप्तमालिङ्ग्यमानाः शरपावकेन

vilocanaistāmranibhāṅgarāgaiḥ śyāmāvadātā jaghanairviśālaiḥ | daityāṅganāḥ svaṁ dadṛśuḥ pradīptamāliṅgyamānāḥ śarapāvakena

their eyes reddened, their limbs anointed with dark ointments, their hips broad - the daitya-women beheld themselves ablaze, embraced by that fire of the arrow.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.170.53)

प्रासादसंस्थाः प्रययुर्भयार्त्तास्त्रासेन किन्नर्य इवाचलस्थाः । प्रियानथोद्वीक्ष्य समागताँस्तान् मोहं समालिङ्ग्य भृशं विजग्मुः

prāsādasaṁsthāḥ prayayurbhayārttāstrāsena kinnarya ivācalasthāḥ | priyānathodvīkṣya samāgatā~stān mohaṁ samāliṅgya bhṛśaṁ vijagmuḥ

Fleeing their palaces in terror, distressed, like Kinnari women fleeing a mountain; and beholding their beloved ones now come to them, embracing them in bewilderment, they perished together.

Verse 54 (skanda.8.170.54)

प्रिया गृहीत्वा दितिजास्ततस्ते प्रनष्टकामास्तरसाभिजग्मुः । निष्क्रान्तमात्राश्शिवशक्तिमूढाः पेतुः समुद्रे बलविप्रयुक्ताः

priyā gṛhītvā ditijāstataste pranaṣṭakāmāstarasābhijagmuḥ | niṣkrāntamātrāśśivaśaktimūḍhāḥ petuḥ samudre balaviprayuktāḥ

Then the daitya-women, seizing their beloved, their passion utterly gone, hastened forth with them; and no sooner had they emerged than, bewildered by Shiva's power, deprived of strength, they fell into the sea.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.170.55)

दैत्यान् समुद्रे पतिताँस्ततस्तान् मत्स्या महान्तो गिरिसन्निकाशाः । तीव्राश्च नक्रा मकराश्च घोराः संजग्रसुर्नष्टबलान् विमूढान्

daityān samudre patitā~statastān matsyā mahānto girisannikāśāḥ | tīvrāśca nakrā makarāśca ghorāḥ saṁjagrasurnaṣṭabalān vimūḍhān

Those daityas, having fallen into the ocean, were then seized by great fish, resembling mountains, and by fierce, terrible crocodiles and sharks, devouring those bewildered ones whose strength was spent.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.170.56)

जलेचरेन्द्रास्त्वपरे महान्तस्संछिन्नहाराः पतिताः स्त्रियस्ताः । हीनाः प्रियैर्भक्षयितुं प्रवृत्ताः करालदंष्ट्रा विवृताननाश्च

jalecarendrāstvapare mahāntassaṁchinnahārāḥ patitāḥ striyastāḥ | hīnāḥ priyairbhakṣayituṁ pravṛttāḥ karāladaṁṣṭrā vivṛtānanāśca

And other great sea-creatures seized those women, their garlands torn asunder, fallen, bereft of their beloved, their fearsome fangs bared, jaws gaping wide, set upon devouring them.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.170.57)

ता भक्ष्यमाणाः पतितास्तरुण्य प्रियान्सरोषं बहुशो निरीक्ष्य । रुजा महत्या परिखिद्यमानाः संचुक्रुशुर्दीनतरं युवत्यः

tā bhakṣyamāṇāḥ patitāstaruṇya priyānsaroṣaṁ bahuśo nirīkṣya | rujā mahatyā parikhidyamānāḥ saṁcukruśurdīnataraṁ yuvatyaḥ

Those young women, being devoured, fallen, gazing again and again in anguish at their beloved ones, tormented by great agony, cried out most piteously, those maidens.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.170.58)

तासां तदा दैत्यविलासिनीनां रेजे भृशं क्रोधनिरीक्षितं तत् । रतावसाने परिखेदितानां प्रियैरिवान्यामभिगन्तुकामैः

tāsāṁ tadā daityavilāsinīnāṁ reje bhṛśaṁ krodhanirīkṣitaṁ tat | ratāvasāne parikheditānāṁ priyairivānyāmabhigantukāmaiḥ

Then that furious glance of those daitya-women shone forth exceedingly, as of women wearied after love's consummation gazing, as it were, at their beloveds now desiring to approach another.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.170.59)

सर्वे ततो दैत्यवृषाः सभार्याः प्रदह्यमानास्त्रिपुरानलेन । मग्नाः समुद्रे मकरैर्विभिन्ना गतासवो मृत्युवशं प्रजग्मुः

sarve tato daityavṛṣāḥ sabhāryāḥ pradahyamānāstripurānalena | magnāḥ samudre makarairvibhinnā gatāsavo mṛtyuvaśaṁ prajagmuḥ

Then all those daitya-bulls, together with their wives, being consumed by the fire of Tripura, sank into the ocean, torn apart by sea-monsters, and, their lives gone, fell into the power of death.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.170.60)

शरश्च सोग्नीन्दुजनार्दनात्मा प्रदह्य कृत्स्नं त्रिपुरं पुरं तत् । क्षिप्त्वा समुद्रे स्म शमं प्रयातं शशाम शम्भोश्च करं जगाम

śaraśca sognīndujanārdanātmā pradahya kṛtsnaṁ tripuraṁ puraṁ tat | kṣiptvā samudre sma śamaṁ prayātaṁ śaśāma śambhośca karaṁ jagāma

And that arrow, embodying Agni, the moon, and Vishnu, having wholly burned that entire Tripura, and having cast it into the ocean, came to rest, its purpose achieved, and returned to Shambhu's hand.

Verse 61 (skanda.8.170.61)

दैत्यैर्हतैस्तैस्त्रिपुरे च दग्धे देवान् रथस्थान् पुनरेव देवः । पूर्वं यथा दिव्यशरीरयुक्तान् चकार सृष्टिप्रलयादिहेतुः

daityairhataistaistripure ca dagdhe devān rathasthān punareva devaḥ | pūrvaṁ yathā divyaśarīrayuktān cakāra sṛṣṭipralayādihetuḥ

With the daityas thus slain and Tripura burned, the god again restored the gods who had ridden the chariot, endowed with divine bodies as before, he who is the cause of creation, dissolution, and all else.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.170.62)

ब्रह्मादयस्ते त्रिदिवौकसेशा नेमुर्वचश्चेदमथोचुरीशम् । कृतं त्वयेदं भगवन्नशक्यं शुभं महद्रौद्रतरं च कर्म

brahmādayaste tridivaukaseśā nemurvacaścedamathocurīśam | kṛtaṁ tvayedaṁ bhagavannaśakyaṁ śubhaṁ mahadraudrataraṁ ca karma

Brahma and the other lords of the celestials bowed and spoke this word to the Lord: "You have accomplished this impossible, auspicious, and exceedingly terrible deed, O Lord.

Verse 63 (skanda.8.170.63)

दैत्या हतास्तत्त्रिपुरं प्रदग्धं शान्तिः कृता नः स्म सुरासुरेश । नमोस्तु सर्वत्र सदा स्थिताय स्रष्ट्रे सुराणां परमेश तुभ्यम् । नित्यं नविज्ञातगमक्रियाय नमो नमः सर्वगताय तुभ्यम्

daityā hatāstattripuraṁ pradagdhaṁ śāntiḥ kṛtā naḥ sma surāsureśa | namostu sarvatra sadā sthitāya sraṣṭre surāṇāṁ parameśa tubhyam | nityaṁ navijñātagamakriyāya namo namaḥ sarvagatāya tubhyam

The daityas are slain, that Tripura is burned, and peace has been made for us, O lord of gods and demons. Salutation to you, ever abiding everywhere, the creator of the gods, O Supreme Lord; salutation, salutation to you, whose coming and going is never known, who are all-pervading, forever."

Verse 64 (skanda.8.170.64)

तानाह देवः स तदा सुरेन्द्रान् ब्रह्मार्कविष्ण्विन्द्रधनेश्वराद्यान् । सदैव यूयं प्रतिपालनीया रक्ष्याश्च देवाः सुतवन्मयैव

tānāha devaḥ sa tadā surendrān brahmārkaviṣṇvindradhaneśvarādyān | sadaiva yūyaṁ pratipālanīyā rakṣyāśca devāḥ sutavanmayaiva

Then that god said to those lords of the gods, Brahma, Surya, Vishnu, Indra, Dhaneshvara, and the rest: "You are ever to be protected and cherished by me, as my very sons."

Verse 65 (skanda.8.170.65)

पूर्णाभिलाषा हतविद्विषश्च प्रयात हृष्टाः स्वनिवेशनानि । देवास्ततो देववरं प्रणम्य जग्मुः स्वकीयानि निवेशनानि

pūrṇābhilāṣā hatavidviṣaśca prayāta hṛṣṭāḥ svaniveśanāni | devāstato devavaraṁ praṇamya jagmuḥ svakīyāni niveśanāni

With every wish fulfilled, their enemies destroyed, joyfully depart to your own abodes. Then the gods, bowing to the best of gods, went each to their own dwellings.

Verse 66 (skanda.8.170.66)

देवोपि सिद्धैरभिवन्द्यमानः कैलासशृङ्गं सहितो गणेन्द्रैः । चण्डेशनन्दीश्वरवीरभद्रैर्जगाम कर्ता जगतस्त्रिनेत्रः

devopi siddhairabhivandyamānaḥ kailāsaśṛṅgaṁ sahito gaṇendraiḥ | caṇḍeśanandīśvaravīrabhadrairjagāma kartā jagatastrinetraḥ

The god too, honored by the siddhas, together with the lords of the ganas - Chandesha, Nandishvara, and Virabhadra - went to the peak of Kailasa, the three-eyed one, maker of the universe.

Verse 67 (skanda.8.170.67)

इति कथितमसह्यं देवदेवस्य कर्म त्रिपुरदहनसंज्ञं व्यास तुभ्यं मयैतत् । मनुज इदमधीते यः शुचिः शर्वभक्तः स भवति गतपापः स्वर्गभाग् देवजन्मा

iti kathitamasahyaṁ devadevasya karma tripuradahanasaṁjñaṁ vyāsa tubhyaṁ mayaitat | manuja idamadhīte yaḥ śuciḥ śarvabhaktaḥ sa bhavati gatapāpaḥ svargabhāg devajanmā

Thus has this unbearable deed of the god of gods, called the burning of Tripura, been related by me to you, O Vyasa. Whatever man, pure and devoted to Sharva, recites this, becomes freed from sin, shares in heaven, and attains a divine birth.