The Mobilization of the Daityas

Verse 1 (skanda.8.60.1)

सूत उवाच। । अथासौ ब्रह्मणः पुत्रं व्यासः प्राह कृताञ्जलिः । किमर्थं कौशिकी विन्ध्यं देव्या संप्रेषिता तदा

sūta uvāca| | athāsau brahmaṇaḥ putraṁ vyāsaḥ prāha kṛtāñjaliḥ | kimarthaṁ kauśikī vindhyaṁ devyā saṁpreṣitā tadā

Suta said: Then Vyasa, with joined palms, asked that son of Brahma: For what purpose was Kaushiki sent by the Goddess to the Vindhya at that time?

Verse 2 (skanda.8.60.2)

एवमुक्तस्तदा धीमान् व्यासेन ब्रह्मणः सुतः । यथावृत्तं पुरा सर्वमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे

evamuktastadā dhīmān vyāsena brahmaṇaḥ sutaḥ | yathāvṛttaṁ purā sarvamākhyātumupacakrame

Thus asked by Vyasa, that wise son of Brahma began to relate everything just as it had happened before.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.60.3)

आरिराधयिषुर्देवीं विन्ध्यस्तेपे पुरा तपः । ततस्तुष्टाब्रवीन्विन्ध्यं पार्वती वरदास्मि ते

ārirādhayiṣurdevīṁ vindhyastepe purā tapaḥ | tatastuṣṭābravīnvindhyaṁ pārvatī varadāsmi te

Desiring to propitiate the Goddess, Vindhya once performed austerity; then, well pleased, Parvati said to Vindhya: I grant you a boon.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.60.4)

मयि वासोस्तु ते नित्यमेवमादित्यरोधनः । वव्रे गिरीन्द्रतनयां प्राह सा च तथास्त्विति

mayi vāsostu te nityamevamādityarodhanaḥ | vavre girīndratanayāṁ prāha sā ca tathāstviti

May you dwell with me always — thus he, the blocker of the sun's path, asked of the daughter of the mountain lord; and she said, So be it.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.60.5)

स्वतनुं सा द्विधाभूतामग्नेर्दीप्तां शिखामिव । दाहाय दानवेन्द्राणां प्राहिणोत् कौशिकीमतः

svatanuṁ sā dvidhābhūtāmagnerdīptāṁ śikhāmiva | dāhāya dānavendrāṇāṁ prāhiṇot kauśikīmataḥ

She then sent forth her own body, now become twofold, blazing like a flame of fire, in the form of Kaushiki, for the burning of the lords of the danavas.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.60.6)

अथ तं ब्रह्मणः सूनुमुवाच मुनिसत्तमः । गिरिर्विन्ध्यो महाप्रज्ञ कथमादित्यरोधनः

atha taṁ brahmaṇaḥ sūnumuvāca munisattamaḥ | girirvindhyo mahāprajña kathamādityarodhanaḥ

Then that foremost of sages said to that son of Brahma: O most wise one, how did the mountain Vindhya come to obstruct the sun?

Verse 7 (skanda.8.60.7)

सनत्कुमारः प्रोवाच पृष्टो व्यासेन धीमता । शृणु यस्मादभूद्विन्ध्यो गिरिरादित्यरोधनः

sanatkumāraḥ provāca pṛṣṭo vyāsena dhīmatā | śṛṇu yasmādabhūdvindhyo girirādityarodhanaḥ

Sanatkumara, thus asked by the wise Vyasa, replied: Hear why the mountain Vindhya came to block the sun.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.60.8)

पुरा विन्ध्योब्रवीत् सूर्यं कस्मात्त्वं न करोषि माम्

purā vindhyobravīt sūryaṁ kasmāttvaṁ na karoṣi mām

Once, Vindhya said to the Sun: Why do you not treat me...

Verse 9 (skanda.8.60.9)

प्रदक्षिणं यथा मेरुं का तेवज्ञा मयि प्रभो

pradakṣiṇaṁ yathā meruṁ kā tevajñā mayi prabho

—as you circle Meru with reverence? What is this disregard of yours toward me, my lord?

Verse 10 (skanda.8.60.10)

स उवाच तदा विन्ध्यं नैवं कर्तुं हि शक्यते । प्रत्याख्यातः स सूर्येण विन्ध्यो गिरिरवर्धत । रुद्धा तस्य स्थितो मार्गं तस्मादादित्यरोधनः

sa uvāca tadā vindhyaṁ naivaṁ kartuṁ hi śakyate | pratyākhyātaḥ sa sūryeṇa vindhyo giriravardhata | ruddhā tasya sthito mārgaṁ tasmādādityarodhanaḥ

He then said to Vindhya: This cannot be done. Refused by the Sun, the mountain Vindhya began to grow; and, blocking his path and standing there, he thus became the obstructer of the sun.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.60.11)

नष्टालोके ततो लोके देवाः संविग्नचेतसः । अगस्त्यमुपसंगम्य वाक्यमूचुः समाहिताः

naṣṭāloke tato loke devāḥ saṁvignacetasaḥ | agastyamupasaṁgamya vākyamūcuḥ samāhitāḥ

With light thus lost to the world, the gods, their minds troubled, approached Agastya and, composed, spoke this word:

Verse 12 (skanda.8.60.12)

सवितुर्मार्गमावृत्य गिरिर्विन्ध्यो व्यवस्थितः । तं वारय महाप्राज्ञ गतिर्नः सर्वदा भवान्

saviturmārgamāvṛtya girirvindhyo vyavasthitaḥ | taṁ vāraya mahāprājña gatirnaḥ sarvadā bhavān

The mountain Vindhya has stood there, blocking the sun's path; restrain him, O most wise one — you are always our refuge.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.60.13)

ततोगस्त्यो गिरिं गत्वा प्रोवाचेत्थं महातपाः । यास्यामि दक्षिणामाशां पन्थानं देहि पर्वत

tatogastyo giriṁ gatvā provācetthaṁ mahātapāḥ | yāsyāmi dakṣiṇāmāśāṁ panthānaṁ dehi parvata

Then Agastya, of great austerity, going to the mountain, spoke thus: I am going to the southern quarter; give me passage, O mountain.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.60.14)

यावत्प्रतिनिवर्त्तेयं तावच्च स्थातुमर्हसि । ततः प्रभृति चैवेह नाभूदागमनं मुनेः

yāvatpratinivartteyaṁ tāvacca sthātumarhasi | tataḥ prabhṛti caiveha nābhūdāgamanaṁ muneḥ

Until I return, you should remain as you are. And from that time onward, that sage's return has never taken place here.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.60.15)

अथ पप्रच्छ तं व्यासः पितामहसुतं प्रभुम्

atha papraccha taṁ vyāsaḥ pitāmahasutaṁ prabhum

Then Vyasa asked that mighty son of the Grandsire:

Verse 16 (skanda.8.60.16)

कौशिकी प्रहिता विन्ध्यं दानावानां विनाशने

kauśikī prahitā vindhyaṁ dānāvānāṁ vināśane

Kaushiki was sent to the Vindhya for the destruction of the danavas...

Verse 17 (skanda.8.60.17)

के ते कस्य किमर्थं वा कौशिक्या दानवा हताः । एतत् सर्वं समासेन मुने मे वक्तुमर्हसि

ke te kasya kimarthaṁ vā kauśikyā dānavā hatāḥ | etat sarvaṁ samāsena mune me vaktumarhasi

—who were those danavas, whose were they, and for what reason were they slain by Kaushiki? All this, O sage, you should tell me in brief.

Verse 18 (skanda.8.60.18)

पितामहसुतो धीमान् व्यासेनैवं प्रचोदितः । प्रश्नमेतं समासेन व्याख्यातुमुपचक्रमे

pitāmahasuto dhīmān vyāsenaivaṁ pracoditaḥ | praśnametaṁ samāsena vyākhyātumupacakrame

That wise son of the Grandsire, thus urged by Vyasa, began to answer this question in brief.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.60.19)

देवासुरे पुरातीते संयुगे परमाद्भुते । सुन्दो निसुन्दश्च सुतौ निशुम्भस्य बभूवतुः

devāsure purātīte saṁyuge paramādbhute | sundo nisundaśca sutau niśumbhasya babhūvatuḥ

In a most wondrous battle between gods and demons long ago, Sunda and Nisunda were the two sons of Nishumbha.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.60.20)

हतान् निशम्य तौ बन्धून्सुरैः सर्वान्महाहवे । देवान्प्रति सुसंक्रुद्धौ गर्जन्तौ गोवृषाविव

hatān niśamya tau bandhūnsuraiḥ sarvānmahāhave | devānprati susaṁkruddhau garjantau govṛṣāviva

Hearing that all their kinsmen had been slain by the gods in that great battle, those two, greatly enraged at the gods, roared like two bulls.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.60.21)

सिंहाविव महासत्त्वौ हृतदंष्ट्रानखायुधौ

siṁhāviva mahāsattvau hṛtadaṁṣṭrānakhāyudhau

—like two lions of great might, deprived of the weapons of fang and claw...

Verse 22 (skanda.8.60.22)

श्वसन्तौ सविषावुग्रौ भग्नदंष्ट्राविवोरगौ

śvasantau saviṣāvugrau bhagnadaṁṣṭrāvivoragau

—hissing, venomous, and fierce, like two serpents with their fangs shattered.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.60.23)

अशक्तौ तौ सुरैर्योद्धुं हतपक्षौ महासुरौ । सुपर्णाविव संक्रुद्धौ छिन्नपक्षौ महाबलौ

aśaktau tau surairyoddhuṁ hatapakṣau mahāsurau | suparṇāviva saṁkruddhau chinnapakṣau mahābalau

Those two great asuras, unable to do battle with the gods, their allies destroyed, mighty in strength, like two enraged eagles whose wings had been clipped...

Verse 24 (skanda.8.60.24)

णः सुतौ चैतौ गोकर्णं प्रति जग्मतुः । आरिराधयिषू देवं ब्रह्माणममितौजसौ

ṇaḥ sutau caitau gokarṇaṁ prati jagmatuḥ | ārirādhayiṣū devaṁ brahmāṇamamitaujasau

the source text is fragmentary here ...these two sons went toward Gokarna, desiring to propitiate the god Brahma, of measureless splendor.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.60.25)

अथोवाच ततो व्यासो गोकर्णं कथयस्व मे । कस्मिन्देशे किमर्थं वा केन वोत्पादितं पुरा

athovāca tato vyāso gokarṇaṁ kathayasva me | kasmindeśe kimarthaṁ vā kena votpāditaṁ purā

Then Vyasa said: Tell me of Gokarna — in what land, for what reason, and by whom was it brought into being of old?

Verse 26 (skanda.8.60.26)

प्रोवाच ब्राह्मणः सूनुर्व्यासेनैवं प्रचोदितः । शृणु वत्स समासेन पुण्यं गोकर्णसंभवम्

provāca brāhmaṇaḥ sūnurvyāsenaivaṁ pracoditaḥ | śṛṇu vatsa samāsena puṇyaṁ gokarṇasaṁbhavam

That son of Brahma, thus urged by Vyasa, said: Hear, my child, in brief, the sacred origin of Gokarna.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.60.27)

हते त्रिशिरसि त्वष्टा पुत्रे ज्यायसि वज्रिणा । बृत्रं नाम ततः पुत्रमसृजत्तपसां निधिः

hate triśirasi tvaṣṭā putre jyāyasi vajriṇā | bṛtraṁ nāma tataḥ putramasṛjattapasāṁ nidhiḥ

When Trishiras, his elder son, was slain by the wielder of the thunderbolt, Tvashtri, that treasury of austerities, then created a son named Vritra.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.60.28)

प्रलम्बबाहुं वृत्तास्यं पीनविस्तीर्णवक्षसन् । सुश्लिष्टजानु सहनुं जलदध्वाननिस्वनम्

pralambabāhuṁ vṛttāsyaṁ pīnavistīrṇavakṣasan | suśliṣṭajānu sahanuṁ jaladadhvānanisvanam

—with long, hanging arms, a round face, a broad and ample chest, well-formed knees and jaws, and a voice like the rumble of clouds.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.60.29)

स्वक्षं सुपार्श्वं सुकटिं दीर्घरक्तान्तलोचनम् । समरे सर्वदेवानां जेतारमपराजितम्

svakṣaṁ supārśvaṁ sukaṭiṁ dīrgharaktāntalocanam | samare sarvadevānāṁ jetāramaparājitam

—fine-eyed, well-formed of flank and hip, with long eyes reddened at their corners; a conqueror of all the gods in battle, himself unconquered.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.60.30)

स निर्जित्यामरान् सर्वान् जग्रासेन्द्रं महाद्युतिः । ततो महर्षिभिः सृष्टा जृम्भिका तं समाविशत्

sa nirjityāmarān sarvān jagrāsendraṁ mahādyutiḥ | tato maharṣibhiḥ sṛṣṭā jṛmbhikā taṁ samāviśat

That being of great splendor, having conquered all the immortals, swallowed Indra. Then Jrimbhika, created by the great seers, entered into him.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.60.31)

तस्याथ जृम्भमाणस्य निर्जगाम शतक्रतुः । वदनादाशु संक्षिप्य स्वां तनुं योगमायया

tasyātha jṛmbhamāṇasya nirjagāma śatakratuḥ | vadanādāśu saṁkṣipya svāṁ tanuṁ yogamāyayā

As he then yawned, Indra, having swiftly contracted his own body by the power of yoga-maya, came forth from his mouth.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.60.32)

तस्य योगबलं दृष्ट्वा वीर्यं शौर्यं च संयुगे । ततो भीताः सुराः सर्वे ब्रह्माणं शरणं ययुः

tasya yogabalaṁ dṛṣṭvā vīryaṁ śauryaṁ ca saṁyuge | tato bhītāḥ surāḥ sarve brahmāṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ yayuḥ

Seeing his yogic power, his might, and his valor in battle, all the gods, now terrified, went to Brahma for refuge.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.60.33)

तान्दृष्ट्वा स तदा भीतानमरान् सुरविद्विषः । प्रोवाचाशु प्रजेशानः पद्मयोनिः पितामहः

tāndṛṣṭvā sa tadā bhītānamarān suravidviṣaḥ | provācāśu prajeśānaḥ padmayoniḥ pitāmahaḥ

Seeing those immortals, terrified by the enemy of the gods, the lord of creatures, the lotus-born Grandsire, then quickly spoke:

Verse 34 (skanda.8.60.34)

पराजितान् वो जानामि वृत्रेण रणमूर्धनि । उपायं तं न पश्यामि येनासौ जीयते युधि । । ः । यास्याम सहिताः सर्वे देवं द्रष्टुमुमापतिम् । विश्वेश्वरं विधातारं वरदं भक्तवत्सलम्

parājitān vo jānāmi vṛtreṇa raṇamūrdhani | upāyaṁ taṁ na paśyāmi yenāsau jīyate yudhi | | ḥ | yāsyāma sahitāḥ sarve devaṁ draṣṭumumāpatim | viśveśvaraṁ vidhātāraṁ varadaṁ bhaktavatsalam

I know that you have been defeated at the forefront of battle by Vritra; I see no way by which he might be overcome in war. Let us all go together to behold the god, husband of Uma, lord of the universe, the ordainer, bestower of boons, ever kind to his devotees.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.60.35)

स नः प्रणामैर्भक्त्या च स्तुत्या चाराधितः प्रभुः । महादेवो महायोगी शम्भुः शान्तिं विधास्यति

sa naḥ praṇāmairbhaktyā ca stutyā cārādhitaḥ prabhuḥ | mahādevo mahāyogī śambhuḥ śāntiṁ vidhāsyati

That lord, Mahadeva, the great yogi, Shambhu, propitiated by our prostrations, our devotion, and our praise, shall grant us peace.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.60.36)

अथोत्तस्थुः सुराः सर्वे देवदेवं दिदृक्षवः । अपश्यन्तो विचेरुश्च महीं सोदधिपर्वताम्

athottasthuḥ surāḥ sarve devadevaṁ didṛkṣavaḥ | apaśyanto viceruśca mahīṁ sodadhiparvatām

Then all the gods rose up, desiring to see the God of gods; and, unable to find him, they wandered over the earth with its oceans and mountains.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.60.37)

अथ विष्णुर्महायोगी देवीं हिमवतः सुताम् । अपश्यत् पांशुदिग्धाङ्गीमासीनां बालरूपिणीम्

atha viṣṇurmahāyogī devīṁ himavataḥ sutām | apaśyat pāṁśudigdhāṅgīmāsīnāṁ bālarūpiṇīm

Then Vishnu, the great yogi, saw the Goddess, daughter of Himavat, her limbs covered with dust, seated there in the form of a young girl.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.60.38)

लेखामिव नवामिन्दोः प्रातः सूर्यप्रभामिव । हविषा हूयमानस्य तन्वीमग्नेः शिखामिव

lekhāmiva navāmindoḥ prātaḥ sūryaprabhāmiva | haviṣā hūyamānasya tanvīmagneḥ śikhāmiva

—like the new crescent of the moon, like the light of the morning sun, like the slender flame of a fire fed with oblations.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.60.39)

विज्ञाय स तदा योगान्महायोगां सुरेश्वरीम् । ईश्वरो जगतो विष्णुर्जिष्णुस्तुष्टाव पार्वतीम्

vijñāya sa tadā yogānmahāyogāṁ sureśvarīm | īśvaro jagato viṣṇurjiṣṇustuṣṭāva pārvatīm

Recognizing her then, through his yogic insight, as the great yogini, queen of the gods, Vishnu, lord and conqueror of the world, praised Parvati.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.60.40)

विष्णुरुवाच त्वं स्रष्ट्री सर्वभूतानां संहर्त्री त्वं सुरेश्वरि । त्वमस्य जगतो धात्री नित्या प्रकृतिरव्यया

viṣṇuruvāca tvaṁ sraṣṭrī sarvabhūtānāṁ saṁhartrī tvaṁ sureśvari | tvamasya jagato dhātrī nityā prakṛtiravyayā

Vishnu said: You are the creator of all beings, and their destroyer too, O queen of the gods. You are the sustainer of this world, the eternal, imperishable Prakriti.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.60.41)

त्वं प्रभा शर्वरी ज्योत्स्ना कीर्तिस्तुष्टिरुमा धृतिः । बुद्धिमेधा स्मृतिः प्रज्ञा सन्ध्या कान्तिः स्तुतिर्मतिः

tvaṁ prabhā śarvarī jyotsnā kīrtistuṣṭirumā dhṛtiḥ | buddhimedhā smṛtiḥ prajñā sandhyā kāntiḥ stutirmatiḥ

You are radiance, night, moonlight, fame, contentment, Uma, fortitude; intellect, mental power, memory, wisdom, twilight, splendor, praise, and understanding.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.60.42)

त्वमीशा देवि देवानां गणमाता गणाम्बिका । भद्रकाली महागौरी कौशिकी विन्ध्यवासिनी

tvamīśā devi devānāṁ gaṇamātā gaṇāmbikā | bhadrakālī mahāgaurī kauśikī vindhyavāsinī

You, O Goddess, are the ruler of the gods, the mother of the ganas; you are Bhadrakali, Mahagauri, Kaushiki, Vindhyavasini.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.60.43)

दुर्गा ख्यातिर्महाविद्या गायत्री त्वं सरस्वती

durgā khyātirmahāvidyā gāyatrī tvaṁ sarasvatī

You are Durga, Renown, the Great Knowledge, Gayatri, Sarasvati.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.60.44)

स्वाहा स्वधा महामाया लक्ष्मीर्योगेश्वरेश्वरी

svāhā svadhā mahāmāyā lakṣmīryogeśvareśvarī

You are Svaha, Svadha, Mahamaya, Lakshmi, sovereign mistress even of the lords of yoga.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.60.45)

उल्का सती गिरेः पुत्री मैत्रेयी ब्रह्मचारिणी । तापसी रेवती षष्ठी वरावरसहस्रदा

ulkā satī gireḥ putrī maitreyī brahmacāriṇī | tāpasī revatī ṣaṣṭhī varāvarasahasradā

You are Ulka, Sati, the mountain's daughter, Maitreyi, Brahmacharini; the ascetic, Revati, Shashthi, and the giver of a thousand boons, great and small alike.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.60.46)

कुन्दकार्मुकसारङ्गकोकिलाशोकपल्लवैः । तुल्यासि दन्तभ्रू नेत्रस्वरपाणिभिरीश्वरि

kundakārmukasāraṅgakokilāśokapallavaiḥ | tulyāsi dantabhrū netrasvarapāṇibhirīśvari

O queen, in your teeth, your brows, your eyes, your voice, and your hands, you are equal to the jasmine flower, the bow, the deer, the koel-bird, and the tender shoot of the ashoka.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.60.47)

प्रमत्तोत्फुल्लपूर्णन्तान् नागोत्पलनिशाकरान् । विशिनक्षि सदा देवि गतिलोचनकान्तिभिः

pramattotphullapūrṇantān nāgotpalaniśākarān | viśinakṣi sadā devi gatilocanakāntibhiḥ

O Goddess, by your gait, your eyes, and your radiance, you ever surpass the rutting elephant, the full-blossomed lotus, and the full moon.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.60.48)

शिरोभिर्महिषोद्भ्रान्तरक्तपर्यन्तलोचनैः । नृभिः क्षितितलन्यस्तकरजानुमिरिज्यसे

śirobhirmahiṣodbhrāntaraktaparyantalocanaiḥ | nṛbhiḥ kṣititalanyastakarajānumirijyase

You are worshipped with heads and offerings, with the red, rolling eyes of buffaloes, and by men who bow with hands and knees upon the ground.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.60.49)

मत्तान्यपुष्टाकलवल्गुभाषिता द्विरेफमालासितचारुमूर्धजा । प्रफुल्लपुष्पस्तबकोद्गतस्तनी विराजसे कल्पलतेव पुष्पिता

mattānyapuṣṭākalavalgubhāṣitā dvirephamālāsitacārumūrdhajā | praphullapuṣpastabakodgatastanī virājase kalpalateva puṣpitā

—your sweet speech is like the soft cooing of the intoxicated koel, your lovely hair adorned as if with garlands of bees, your breasts risen like clusters of full-blown flowers — you shine forth like the flowering Kalpa-vine itself.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.60.50)

देवि देवीभिरनिशं भक्त्याभिवन्द्यसे दिवि । इज्यसे मुनिभिः शश्वद् गिरिजे गिरिमूर्धसु

devi devībhiraniśaṁ bhaktyābhivandyase divi | ijyase munibhiḥ śaśvad girije girimūrdhasu

O Goddess, you are ceaselessly reverenced with devotion by the goddesses in heaven; O daughter of the mountain, you are worshipped forever by sages upon the mountain-peaks.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.60.51)

अर्च्यसे द्धिगन्धर्वैर्गन्धपुष्पोत्करैः सदा । सदागतिपथं प्राप्ता प्राप्त्या च स्तूयसेनघे

arcyase ddhigandharvairgandhapuṣpotkaraiḥ sadā | sadāgatipathaṁ prāptā prāptyā ca stūyasenaghe

You are ever worshipped by the Siddhas and Gandharvas with heaps of fragrance and flowers; O sinless one, having attained the eternal path, you are praised for that very attainment.

Verse 52 (skanda.8.60.52)

भासि सिंहं समारूढा चलत्पिङ्गलकेसरम् । दीप्ता प्रभेव सावित्री मेरुमूर्धानमास्थिता

bhāsi siṁhaṁ samārūḍhā calatpiṅgalakesaram | dīptā prabheva sāvitrī merumūrdhānamāsthitā

You shine, mounted upon a lion with tawny, tossing mane, like the blazing radiance of the sun resting upon the summit of Meru.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.60.53)

जिघांसती रणे दैत्याञ्छरौघैर्भास्यजिह्मगैः । रवेर्मूर्तिस्तमांसीव विकिरन्तो गभस्तिभिः

jighāṁsatī raṇe daityāñcharaughairbhāsyajihmagaiḥ | ravermūrtistamāṁsīva vikiranto gabhastibhiḥ

—seeking to slay the Daityas in battle with straight-flying floods of arrows, like the very form of the sun scattering darkness with its rays.

Verse 54 (skanda.8.60.54)

परशुं शितमुदगृह्य देवदानवसंयुगे

paraśuṁ śitamudagṛhya devadānavasaṁyuge

—raising your sharpened axe in the battle between gods and danavas...

Verse 55 (skanda.8.60.55)

भ्राजसे देवि संक्रुद्धा पाटयन्तीव रोदसी

bhrājase devi saṁkruddhā pāṭayantīva rodasī

—you shine, O Goddess, enraged, as though rending apart heaven and earth.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.60.56)

अथ सा शैशवं हित्वा तनुमन्यां समाददे

atha sā śaiśavaṁ hitvā tanumanyāṁ samādade

Then, casting off her childlike form, she took on another body.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.60.57)

एकीकृतामिवाकाशे संहतिं सर्वतेजसाम्

ekīkṛtāmivākāśe saṁhatiṁ sarvatejasām

—as though it were the massed splendor of every radiance, gathered together in the sky.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.60.58)

दीप्तामपि सुखालोकां शान्तामपि सविभ्रमाम्

dīptāmapi sukhālokāṁ śāntāmapi savibhramām

—blazing, yet pleasant to look upon; tranquil, yet full of graceful motion.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.60.59)

बालामपि जगद्धात्रीं तन्वीमपि सुसंहताम्

bālāmapi jagaddhātrīṁ tanvīmapi susaṁhatām

—youthful, yet the sustainer of the world; slender, yet strongly knit.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.60.60)

उवाचेदं च सा प्रीता वरदास्मि तव प्रभो । एवमुक्तस्तया सोथ प्रोवाचाम्भोदनिस्वनः

uvācedaṁ ca sā prītā varadāsmi tava prabho | evamuktastayā sotha provācāmbhodanisvanaḥ

And she, pleased, said this: I grant you a boon, my lord. Thus addressed by her, he then spoke, his voice deep as thunder:

Verse 61 (skanda.8.60.61)

शरण्ये देवि भक्तानां शरणागतवत्सले । भवानि भव मे नित्यं सुप्रसन्ना महेश्वरि

śaraṇye devi bhaktānāṁ śaraṇāgatavatsale | bhavāni bhava me nityaṁ suprasannā maheśvari

O refuge of your devotees, O Goddess, tender toward those who take shelter in you — O Bhavani, O great goddess, be ever well pleased with me.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.60.62)

कथयस्व च देवेशं शाश्वतं स्थाणुमव्ययम् । विश्वात्मानं महादेवं सर्वयोगेश्वरेश्वरम्

kathayasva ca deveśaṁ śāśvataṁ sthāṇumavyayam | viśvātmānaṁ mahādevaṁ sarvayogeśvareśvaram

And tell me of the God of gods, the eternal, unmoving, imperishable one, the soul of the universe, Mahadeva, sovereign lord over all the masters of yoga.

Verse 63 (skanda.8.60.63)

तथास्त्विति प्रतिज्ञाय कथयामास शंकरम् । मृगयूथस्य मध्यस्थं क्रीडन्तं मृगरूपिणम्

tathāstviti pratijñāya kathayāmāsa śaṁkaram | mṛgayūthasya madhyasthaṁ krīḍantaṁ mṛgarūpiṇam

Promising So be it, she told of Shankara, standing in the midst of a herd of deer, sporting there in the form of a deer.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.60.64)

एकशृङ्गं महाग्रीवमेकाक्षममितौजसम् । एकपादं सुसंश्लिष्टमापाण्डुकपिलोदरम्

ekaśṛṅgaṁ mahāgrīvamekākṣamamitaujasam | ekapādaṁ susaṁśliṣṭamāpāṇḍukapilodaram

—one-horned, thick-necked, one-eyed, of measureless splendor; one-footed, well-knit, his belly of a pale, tawny hue.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.60.65)

अथ विष्णुर्द्रुतं गत्वा शृङ्गे जग्राह तं प्रभुम् । तस्मिन्नेव ततो ब्रह्मा जग्राहेन्द्रश्च वीर्यवान्

atha viṣṇurdrutaṁ gatvā śṛṅge jagrāha taṁ prabhum | tasminneva tato brahmā jagrāhendraśca vīryavān

Then Vishnu, going swiftly, seized that lord by his horn; then Brahma too seized him there, and so did the mighty Indra.

Verse 66 (skanda.8.60.66)

त्रिधा तदभवच्छृङ्गं चलितं दीप्ततेजसम्

tridhā tadabhavacchṛṅgaṁ calitaṁ dīptatejasam

That horn, dislodged, blazing with splendor, then split into three.

Verse 67 (skanda.8.60.67)

त्रयाणां सुरमुख्यानां पृथक् पाणिषु संस्थितम्

trayāṇāṁ suramukhyānāṁ pṛthak pāṇiṣu saṁsthitam

—remaining separately in the hands of each of those three chief gods.

Verse 68 (skanda.8.60.68)

अथादृश्यस्तदा शर्वस्तानुवाच सुरोत्तमान् । यदर्थमागता यूयं तद् ब्रूत सुरसत्तमाः

athādṛśyastadā śarvastānuvāca surottamān | yadarthamāgatā yūyaṁ tad brūta surasattamāḥ

Then Sharva, unseen, said to those foremost gods: Tell me, O best of gods, for what purpose you have come.

Verse 69 (skanda.8.60.69)

अथोवाच तदा ब्रह्मा परमेशं वृषध्वजम् । राज्यं पुनरवाप्नोतु हत्वा वृत्रं पुरन्दरः

athovāca tadā brahmā parameśaṁ vṛṣadhvajam | rājyaṁ punaravāpnotu hatvā vṛtraṁ purandaraḥ

Then Brahma said to the supreme lord, the Bull-bannered one: Let Purandara regain his kingdom by slaying Vritra.

Verse 70 (skanda.8.60.70)

ततस्तानमरान् तत्र वृषकेतुः समागतान् । स्वरेण वारिदध्वानगम्भीरेणाब्रवीत्ततः

tatastānamarān tatra vṛṣaketuḥ samāgatān | svareṇa vāridadhvānagambhīreṇābravīttataḥ

Then the Bull-bannered one spoke to those immortals gathered there, in a voice as deep as the roar of the clouds:

Verse 71 (skanda.8.60.71)

वैष्णवं परमं तेजः फेनमाचक्ष्यते सुराः

vaiṣṇavaṁ paramaṁ tejaḥ phenamācakṣyate surāḥ

This foam, O gods, is declared to be the supreme radiance of Vishnu itself...

Verse 72 (skanda.8.60.72)

शिरश्छेत्स्यति वृत्रस्य तदादाय शतक्रतुः

śiraśchetsyati vṛtrasya tadādāya śatakratuḥ

—taking that up, Indra shall cut off Vritra's head.

Verse 73 (skanda.8.60.73)

हृषीकेशोथ तत्खण्डमनयत् स्वं निकेतनम् । न्यवेशयत तत्रैव वारिजोदरसंभवः

hṛṣīkeśotha tatkhaṇḍamanayat svaṁ niketanam | nyaveśayata tatraiva vārijodarasaṁbhavaḥ

Then Hrishikesha took that portion of the horn to his own abode; and the lotus-born one installed it there.

Verse 74 (skanda.8.60.74)

नीयमानं तृतीयं च खण्डमाखण्डलेन तु । रक्षसामधिपः श्रीमान् जग्राहाथ दशाननः

nīyamānaṁ tṛtīyaṁ ca khaṇḍamākhaṇḍalena tu | rakṣasāmadhipaḥ śrīmān jagrāhātha daśānanaḥ

And, as the third portion was being carried off by Indra, the glorious lord of the rakshasas, the ten-headed Ravana, seized it.

Verse 75 (skanda.8.60.75)

चकार सन्ध्यामुदधौ दक्षिणे न्यस्य तत्तदा । न विचालयितुं शक्तः सन्ध्यामास्थाय रावणः

cakāra sandhyāmudadhau dakṣiṇe nyasya tattadā | na vicālayituṁ śaktaḥ sandhyāmāsthāya rāvaṇaḥ

Placing it in the southern ocean, he performed his twilight rite there; and Ravana, absorbed in that rite, could not be moved from it.

Verse 76 (skanda.8.60.76)

तत्पुण्यं देवदेवस्य व्यास क्षेत्रं महाद्युते । गोकर्णमिति नामास्य चकार कमलासनः

tatpuṇyaṁ devadevasya vyāsa kṣetraṁ mahādyute | gokarṇamiti nāmāsya cakāra kamalāsanaḥ

That sacred field of the God of gods, O Vyasa, O most radiant one, was given the name Gokarna by the lotus-seated Brahma.

Verse 77 (skanda.8.60.77)

तत्र गत्वा नरो भक्त्या प्रणिपत्य महेश्वरम् । अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

tatra gatvā naro bhaktyā praṇipatya maheśvaram | aśvamedhamavāpnoti sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Going there, a man who, with devotion, bows down before Maheshvara obtains the merit of a horse-sacrifice, and is freed from all sins.

Verse 78 (skanda.8.60.78)

गोकर्णमुत्तरं व्यास स्थापितं पद्मयोनिना

gokarṇamuttaraṁ vyāsa sthāpitaṁ padmayoninā

The northern Gokarna, O Vyasa, was established by the lotus-born one...

Verse 79 (skanda.8.60.79)

उदन्वतः स्थितं तीरे स्वयमेव तु दक्षिणे

udanvataḥ sthitaṁ tīre svayameva tu dakṣiṇe

—situated on the shore of the ocean; while the southern one was established by himself.

Verse 80 (skanda.8.60.80)

यः शृणोति नरो नित्यं पुण्यगोकर्णसंभवम् । सर्वपापविधूतात्मा स यातिपरमां गतिम्

yaḥ śṛṇoti naro nityaṁ puṇyagokarṇasaṁbhavam | sarvapāpavidhūtātmā sa yātiparamāṁ gatim

The man who ever hears this sacred account of Gokarna's origin, his soul cleansed of all sin, attains the supreme destiny.

Verse 81 (skanda.8.60.81)

अथ तौ दानवौ व्यास गोकर्णमभिजग्मतुः । तत्र चेरतुरत्युग्रं तपोम्बुपवनाशनौ

atha tau dānavau vyāsa gokarṇamabhijagmatuḥ | tatra ceraturatyugraṁ tapombupavanāśanau

Then, O Vyasa, those two danavas went to Gokarna; there they performed most fierce austerity, subsisting on water and air alone.

Verse 82 (skanda.8.60.82)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य विदित्वोग्रं तयोस्तपः । आजगाम तयोः पार्श्वं ब्रह्मा सुरनमस्कृतः

kasyacittvatha kālasya viditvograṁ tayostapaḥ | ājagāma tayoḥ pārśvaṁ brahmā suranamaskṛtaḥ

After some time, learning of their fierce austerity, Brahma, revered by the gods, came to their side.

Verse 83 (skanda.8.60.83)

अथ तौ विश्वधातारं चतुर्वक्त्रं पितामहम् । अपश्यतां महाबाहू ब्रह्माणं पुरतः स्थितम्

atha tau viśvadhātāraṁ caturvaktraṁ pitāmaham | apaśyatāṁ mahābāhū brahmāṇaṁ purataḥ sthitam

Then those two mighty-armed ones beheld the sustainer of the universe, the four-faced Grandsire Brahma, standing before them.

Verse 84 (skanda.8.60.84)

शुक्लाम्बरधरं दीप्तं शुक्लस्रगनुलेपनम्

śuklāmbaradharaṁ dīptaṁ śuklasraganulepanam

—clad in white garments, radiant, adorned with white garlands and unguents.

Verse 85 (skanda.8.60.85)

एकीकृतमसंप्रेक्ष्यं तेजो दिनकृतामिवम्

ekīkṛtamasaṁprekṣyaṁ tejo dinakṛtāmivam

—a single, blinding radiance, as if of many suns combined.

Verse 86 (skanda.8.60.86)

प्रीतोस्मि युवयोः पुत्रावथोवाच पितामहः । अनेन तपसोग्रेण वरं ब्रूत मभीप्सितम्

prītosmi yuvayoḥ putrāvathovāca pitāmahaḥ | anena tapasogreṇa varaṁ brūta mabhīpsitam

I am pleased with you both, my sons, the Grandsire then said. By this fierce austerity of yours, tell me the boon you desire.

Verse 87 (skanda.8.60.87)

अमरत्वं तु वव्राते तौ प्रणम्य पितामहम् । ब्रह्माथाह विना देवानमृतत्वं न विद्यते

amaratvaṁ tu vavrāte tau praṇamya pitāmaham | brahmāthāha vinā devānamṛtatvaṁ na vidyate

Bowing to the Grandsire, the two of them asked for immortality. Brahma then said: Immortality does not exist apart from the gods.

Verse 88 (skanda.8.60.88)

अवश्यमेष्यो युवयोर्मृत्युरेकेन केनचित् । अथामरत्वं वव्राते परस्परवधं विना

avaśyameṣyo yuvayormṛtyurekena kenacit | athāmaratvaṁ vavrāte parasparavadhaṁ vinā

Death must surely come to you both, by some means or other. Then they asked for immortality, except through mutual slaying.

Verse 89 (skanda.8.60.89)

एवमस्त्विति ताभ्यां तं वरं दत्त्वा पितामहः । हंसयुक्तेन यानेन जगाम स्वं निकेतनम्

evamastviti tābhyāṁ taṁ varaṁ dattvā pitāmahaḥ | haṁsayuktena yānena jagāma svaṁ niketanam

So be it, said the Grandsire, and, having granted them that boon, departed for his own abode in his swan-drawn chariot.

Verse 90 (skanda.8.60.90)

असुरावपि तौ तस्मात्तपसोग्राद्विरेमतुः । आजग्मतुर्निकेतं स्वं वरं लब्ध्वा पितामहात्

asurāvapi tau tasmāttapasogrādvirematuḥ | ājagmaturniketaṁ svaṁ varaṁ labdhvā pitāmahāt

Those two asuras then ceased from that fierce austerity, and, having obtained the boon from the Grandsire, returned to their own abode.

Verse 91 (skanda.8.60.91)

वरदानं ततो ज्ञात्वा दैत्याः पातालवासिनः । आजग्मुर्दानवाश्चैव तयोः पार्श्वं मुदान्विताः

varadānaṁ tato jñātvā daityāḥ pātālavāsinaḥ | ājagmurdānavāścaiva tayoḥ pārśvaṁ mudānvitāḥ

Then, hearing of that grant of the boon, the Daityas dwelling in Patala, and the Danavas as well, came joyfully to their side.

Verse 92 (skanda.8.60.92)

केशी मुरो मयः शम्भुः कार्तस्वरमहारवौ । इन्द्रशत्रुः कतिर्धुन्धुस्त्विल्वलो नमुचिर्द्रुमः

keśī muro mayaḥ śambhuḥ kārtasvaramahāravau | indraśatruḥ katirdhundhustvilvalo namucirdrumaḥ

Keshi, Mura, Maya, Shambhu, Kartasvara and Maharava, Indrashatru, Kati, Dhundhu, Ilvala, Namuchi, Druma...

Verse 93 (skanda.8.60.93)

वातापी दुन्दुभिर्मेघः प्रभुरन्ये च दानवाः । सर्वे कवचिनः शूरा गदापरिघपाणयः

vātāpī dundubhirmeghaḥ prabhuranye ca dānavāḥ | sarve kavacinaḥ śūrā gadāparighapāṇayaḥ

Vatapi, Dundubhi, Megha, Prabhu, and other danavas — all of them armored, valiant, maces and iron clubs in hand.

Verse 94 (skanda.8.60.94)

ऊचुश्च शोकमग्नानामस्माकं शत्रुतापनौ । युवां प्लवाविवायातौ शोकसागरतारणौ

ūcuśca śokamagnānāmasmākaṁ śatrutāpanau | yuvāṁ plavāvivāyātau śokasāgaratāraṇau

And they said: You two, scourges of our enemies, have come to us, sunk in grief, like two rafts to ferry us across a sea of sorrow.

Verse 95 (skanda.8.60.95)

पुरेप्रतिभये रम्ये कान्तां नाम ततः सभाम् । आजग्मुस्तुष्टमनसो दानवेन्द्राः समागताः

purepratibhaye ramye kāntāṁ nāma tataḥ sabhām | ājagmustuṣṭamanaso dānavendrāḥ samāgatāḥ

Then, in that fearless, lovely city, those gathered lords of the danavas, their hearts pleased, went to the assembly hall named Kanta.

Verse 96 (skanda.8.60.96)

तस्यां प्रशस्ते विस्तीर्णे शातकौम्भे वरासने । आससाद महाबाहुः सुन्दो दानवसत्तमः

tasyāṁ praśaste vistīrṇe śātakaumbhe varāsane | āsasāda mahābāhuḥ sundo dānavasattamaḥ

There, upon a splendid, spacious golden throne, that mighty-armed Sunda, foremost among the danavas, took his seat.

Verse 97 (skanda.8.60.97)

निसुन्दोन्यत्ततो भेजे हेमरत्नमयं शुभम् । आससाद ततो धीमान् कार्तस्वरमयं मयः

nisundonyattato bheje hemaratnamayaṁ śubham | āsasāda tato dhīmān kārtasvaramayaṁ mayaḥ

Nisunda then took another auspicious throne of gold and jewels; and then the wise Maya took a golden seat.

Verse 98 (skanda.8.60.98)

अन्ये च दानवा भेजुरासनानि तदा मुने । हेमरत्नविचित्राणि भास्वन्ति च महान्ति च

anye ca dānavā bhejurāsanāni tadā mune | hemaratnavicitrāṇi bhāsvanti ca mahānti ca

And the other danavas too, O sage, then took their seats, wondrously wrought in gold and jewels, radiant and grand.

Verse 99 (skanda.8.60.99)

विरेजे सा सभा तत्र दानवेन्द्रैः समागतैः । सबलाकैस्तडित्वद्भिः प्रलये द्यौरिवाम्बुदैः

vireje sā sabhā tatra dānavendraiḥ samāgataiḥ | sabalākaistaḍitvadbhiḥ pralaye dyaurivāmbudaiḥ

That assembly, filled with the gathered lords of the danavas, shone like the sky at the time of dissolution, thick with lightning-lit clouds and flocks of cranes.

Verse 100 (skanda.8.60.100)

अथोन्नाम्य शिरो रत्नमरीचिपरिवेषवत् । सुन्दो वचनमाहेत्थमम्मोदरुचिरस्वनः

athonnāmya śiro ratnamarīcipariveṣavat | sundo vacanamāhetthamammodarucirasvanaḥ

Then, raising his head, encircled as if by a halo of jeweled light, Sunda, his voice as pleasing as the rumble of clouds, spoke this word:

Verse 101 (skanda.8.60.101)

दानवेन्द्राः करिष्यामि सर्वेषामश्रुमार्जनम् । विजित्य दैवतैः सार्द्धमिन्द्रमाहवमूर्धनि

dānavendrāḥ kariṣyāmi sarveṣāmaśrumārjanam | vijitya daivataiḥ sārddhamindramāhavamūrdhani

O lords of the danavas, I shall wipe away the tears of all of you, having conquered Indra together with the gods at the forefront of battle.

Verse 102 (skanda.8.60.102)

प्रयाम दंशिताः सर्वे सज्जीभवत दानवाः । त्रैलोक्यविजयं कर्तुमुद्यतायुधपाणयः

prayāma daṁśitāḥ sarve sajjībhavata dānavāḥ | trailokyavijayaṁ kartumudyatāyudhapāṇayaḥ

Let us all go forth, armored; make ready, O danavas, weapons raised in hand, to conquer the three worlds.

Verse 103 (skanda.8.60.103)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रभुः प्राहासुरेश्वरम्

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā prabhuḥ prāhāsureśvaram

Hearing that word of his, Prabhu spoke to the lord of the asuras:

Verse 104 (skanda.8.60.104)

यज्ञैर्व्रतैस्तपोभिश्च नियमैश्चासुरद्विषः

yajñairvrataistapobhiśca niyamaiścāsuradviṣaḥ

By sacrifices, vows, austerities, and observances, the enemies of the asuras...

Verse 105 (skanda.8.60.105)

आप्याययन्ति संरब्धाः शश्वद्वर्णाश्रमा भुवि । तानेव प्रथमं हत्वा ततो जेष्याम देवताः

āpyāyayanti saṁrabdhāḥ śaśvadvarṇāśramā bhuvi | tāneva prathamaṁ hatvā tato jeṣyāma devatāḥ

—the zealous castes and orders on earth ever sustain the gods. Let us slay them first, and then we shall conquer the gods.

Verse 106 (skanda.8.60.106)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्राहुर्दानवसत्तमाः । आयतिं प्रथमं हत्वा विजेष्यामस्ततोमरान्

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā prāhurdānavasattamāḥ | āyatiṁ prathamaṁ hatvā vijeṣyāmastatomarān

Hearing that word of his, the foremost of the danavas said: Having first destroyed the very source of their future prosperity, we shall then conquer the immortals.

Verse 107 (skanda.8.60.107)

अथोवाच तदा धुन्धुर्मेघदुन्दुभिनिस्वनः । राजानुगामी लोकोयमपापो बध्यते कथम्

athovāca tadā dhundhurmeghadundubhinisvanaḥ | rājānugāmī lokoyamapāpo badhyate katham

Then Dhundhu, his voice like the roar of thunder-drums, said: How can this people, sinless, who merely follow their king, be slain?

Verse 108 (skanda.8.60.108)

अस्मत्तो दैवतै राज्यं लोकं हत्वा पुरा हतम् । विक्रमेणैव निर्जित्य दैत्यराज्यं सुरैर्हृतम्

asmatto daivatai rājyaṁ lokaṁ hatvā purā hatam | vikrameṇaiva nirjitya daityarājyaṁ surairhṛtam

Our kingdom was seized from us by the gods of old, when they slew our people; the Daityas' kingdom was taken by the gods through sheer force alone.

Verse 109 (skanda.8.60.109)

तथा तेभ्यो वयमपि प्रोत्थितध्वजसंकुले

tathā tebhyo vayamapi protthitadhvajasaṁkule

So too, from them, in a battle thick with upraised banners...

Verse 110 (skanda.8.60.110)

आनेष्यामो रणे जित्वा श्रियमाविग्नलोचनाम्

āneṣyāmo raṇe jitvā śriyamāvignalocanām

—shall bring back, once we have won in war, that royal fortune, her eyes wide with alarm.

Verse 111 (skanda.8.60.111)

अपकारे सति समे स्वभावेन मनस्विनाम् । तेजो विजृम्भते दीप्तं शक्तिमत्स्वेव सर्वदा

apakāre sati same svabhāvena manasvinām | tejo vijṛmbhate dīptaṁ śaktimatsveva sarvadā

When an equal wrong has been done, by their very nature, the blazing spirit of resolute men, ever endowed with power, rises up.

Verse 112 (skanda.8.60.112)

अथ धुन्धोर्वचः श्रुत्वा मुरो मुरजनिस्वनः । उच्चैरुत्क्षिप्य मूर्धानं प्रोवाच प्रहसन्निव

atha dhundhorvacaḥ śrutvā muro murajanisvanaḥ | uccairutkṣipya mūrdhānaṁ provāca prahasanniva

Then, hearing Dhundhu's words, Mura, his voice like the sound of a war-drum, raising his head high, spoke as though laughing:

Verse 113 (skanda.8.60.113)

पुराभवन् महात्मानो दानवेन्द्रा महाबलाः । हिरण्यकशिपुर्वृत्रः प्रह्लादो नमुचिर्बलिः

purābhavan mahātmāno dānavendrā mahābalāḥ | hiraṇyakaśipurvṛtraḥ prahlādo namucirbaliḥ

Of old there were great-souled, mighty lords of the danavas — Hiranyakashipu, Vritra, Prahlada, Namuchi, Bali...

Verse 114 (skanda.8.60.114)

कोटिशो दानवाश्चान्ये महासत्वा महाबलाः । यैः कृता प्रसभं लक्ष्मीः स्ववक्षःस्थलवासिनी

koṭiśo dānavāścānye mahāsatvā mahābalāḥ | yaiḥ kṛtā prasabhaṁ lakṣmīḥ svavakṣaḥsthalavāsinī

—and countless other danavas, of great might and strength, who forcibly made Lakshmi dwell upon their very own breasts.

Verse 115 (skanda.8.60.115)

अल्पावशेषैरधुना युष्माभिरसुरोत्तमाः । कथमानीयते राज्यं सुरान्निर्जित्य संयुगे

alpāvaśeṣairadhunā yuṣmābhirasurottamāḥ | kathamānīyate rājyaṁ surānnirjitya saṁyuge

—now, with only a scant remnant of you left, O foremost asuras, how is the kingdom to be regained by conquering the gods in battle?

Verse 116 (skanda.8.60.116)

इष्टार्थसाधकेनाशु देशकालाविरोधिना । उपायेन परीप्सध्वं राज्यमन्येन केनचित्

iṣṭārthasādhakenāśu deśakālāvirodhinā | upāyena parīpsadhvaṁ rājyamanyena kenacit

Instead, seek the kingdom by some other means — one that swiftly achieves the desired end, and is not at odds with the fitting time and place.

Verse 117 (skanda.8.60.117)

एतछ्रुत्वा तदा वाक्यमंशुमाली महासुरः । प्रोवाच मधुरं श्लक्ष्णमर्थानुगमिदं वचः

etachrutvā tadā vākyamaṁśumālī mahāsuraḥ | provāca madhuraṁ ślakṣṇamarthānugamidaṁ vacaḥ

Hearing this speech, the great asura Amshumali then spoke this sweet, gentle, and meaningful word:

Verse 118 (skanda.8.60.118)

सापराधा बलीयांसो बद्धवैराश्च दानवैः । जयिनः श्रीमदोन्मत्ताः साम देवेष्वनर्थकम्

sāparādhā balīyāṁso baddhavairāśca dānavaiḥ | jayinaḥ śrīmadonmattāḥ sāma deveṣvanarthakam

The gods are guilty of wrongdoing, mighty, bound in old enmity with the danavas, victorious, and intoxicated with the pride of prosperity — conciliation is of no use with them.

Verse 119 (skanda.8.60.119)

सुरेषु मानसी सिद्धिर्विभुता भुवनत्रये । अणिमाद्यैर्गुणैर्योगस्तेषु दानमपार्थकम्

sureṣu mānasī siddhirvibhutā bhuvanatraye | aṇimādyairguṇairyogasteṣu dānamapārthakam

Among the gods there is mental attainment, and sovereignty over the three worlds; they are endowed with the yogic powers of minuteness and the rest — gifts to them serve no purpose.

Verse 120 (skanda.8.60.120)

एकार्था नार्थिनः सर्वे संहताश्चासुरद्विषः । न ते भेदयितुं शक्या दानैस्ते दानवोत्तमाः

ekārthā nārthinaḥ sarve saṁhatāścāsuradviṣaḥ | na te bhedayituṁ śakyā dānaiste dānavottamāḥ

The enemies of the asuras are all united, of a single purpose, and none of them craves mere gain; they cannot be divided by gifts, O foremost of danavas.

Verse 121 (skanda.8.60.121)

मन्त्रप्रभावशक्तिभ्या मुत्साहेन परेण च । संपन्नाः सर्वथा देवा न युद्धं तैः सहेष्यते

mantraprabhāvaśaktibhyā mutsāhena pareṇa ca | saṁpannāḥ sarvathā devā na yuddhaṁ taiḥ saheṣyate

Endowed in every way with the power of counsel, might, and the utmost vigor, the gods are not to be sought out in war.

Verse 122 (skanda.8.60.122)

युक्तो दानवमुख्यानां हीन सन्धिः सुरैस्सह । स्थानवृद्धिं परीप्सूनां क्षीणानामधुना भृशम्

yukto dānavamukhyānāṁ hīna sandhiḥ suraissaha | sthānavṛddhiṁ parīpsūnāṁ kṣīṇānāmadhunā bhṛśam

For the chief danavas, now greatly weakened and desiring to recover their standing and prosperity, a treaty on unequal terms with the gods is the fitting course.

Verse 123 (skanda.8.60.123)

अथाह तेजसा स्वेन तेजांसि सुरविद्विषाम् । अभिभूय सदस्युच्चैरंशुमानंशुमानिव

athāha tejasā svena tejāṁsi suravidviṣām | abhibhūya sadasyuccairaṁśumānaṁśumāniva

Then, overpowering with his own splendor the splendor of the gods' enemies in that assembly, speaking loudly, Amshumali, like the sun itself...

Verse 124 (skanda.8.60.124)

प्रणामपूर्वः क्रियते हीनसन्धिः कुराजभिः । न चक्रुर्दानवाः पूर्वं कुर्वते न च सांप्रतम्

praṇāmapūrvaḥ kriyate hīnasandhiḥ kurājabhiḥ | na cakrurdānavāḥ pūrvaṁ kurvate na ca sāṁpratam

A submissive treaty, begun with a bow of homage, is what base kings make; the danavas never did so before, nor do they now.

Verse 125 (skanda.8.60.125)

शिरांसि दानवेन्द्राणां कथं यास्यन्ति नम्रताम् । सुमेरोरिव शृङ्गाणि भानुमन्त्युच्छ्रितानि च

śirāṁsi dānavendrāṇāṁ kathaṁ yāsyanti namratām | sumeroriva śṛṅgāṇi bhānumantyucchritāni ca

How could the heads of the lords of the danavas ever bow down — heads lofty and radiant as the peaks of Sumeru?

Verse 126 (skanda.8.60.126)

आदास्यामोथ वा राज्यं देवान्निर्जित्य संयुगे । प्राप्स्यामो वा गतिं पुण्यां निहताः समरेमरैः

ādāsyāmotha vā rājyaṁ devānnirjitya saṁyuge | prāpsyāmo vā gatiṁ puṇyāṁ nihatāḥ samaremaraiḥ

Either we shall seize the kingdom, having conquered the gods in battle, or, slain by the immortals in war, we shall attain a blessed destiny.

Verse 127 (skanda.8.60.127)

इत्थमंशुमतः श्रुत्वा वाक्यं वाक्यार्थकोविदः । गम्भीरमर्थवत् प्राह महिषो वदतां वरः

itthamaṁśumataḥ śrutvā vākyaṁ vākyārthakovidaḥ | gambhīramarthavat prāha mahiṣo vadatāṁ varaḥ

Having heard this speech of Amshumali, Mahisha, skilled in the meaning of words, foremost among speakers, spoke this grave and meaningful word:

Verse 128 (skanda.8.60.128)

विदितं वः समस्तानां पूर्वजा भवतां यथा । हता दानवशार्दूला विक्रमैकरसाः सुरैः

viditaṁ vaḥ samastānāṁ pūrvajā bhavatāṁ yathā | hatā dānavaśārdūlā vikramaikarasāḥ suraiḥ

It is known to all of you how your forefathers, tigers among danavas, devoted to valor alone, were slain by the gods.

Verse 129 (skanda.8.60.129)

तदलं दानवश्रेष्ठा वृत्त्या वोग्निपतङ्गयोः

tadalaṁ dānavaśreṣṭhā vṛttyā vognipataṅgayoḥ

So, O foremost danavas, enough now of behaving like the moth and the flame!

Verse 130 (skanda.8.60.130)

सन्धाय दैवतैस्सार्ध वृत्तिं कुर्मः स्वकर्मभिः

sandhāya daivataissārdha vṛttiṁ kurmaḥ svakarmabhiḥ

Let us make a treaty with the gods, and support ourselves through our own proper occupations.

Verse 131 (skanda.8.60.131)

ज्यायोभिर्दानवा देवै रन्ध्रव्यसनवर्जितैः

jyāyobhirdānavā devai randhravyasanavarjitaiḥ

O danavas, the gods are superior to us, and are free of any weak point or vulnerability.

Verse 132 (skanda.8.60.132)

विग्रहेण कथं सिद्धिमिच्छथ स्रस्तशक्तयः

vigraheṇa kathaṁ siddhimicchatha srastaśaktayaḥ

With your strength now depleted, how can you hope for success through open conflict?

Verse 133 (skanda.8.60.133)

गुणातिशययुक्तानां यानमभ्युच्चये सति । मन्त्रोत्साहप्रभावाणामवाप्तौ देशकालयोः

guṇātiśayayuktānāṁ yānamabhyuccaye sati | mantrotsāhaprabhāvāṇāmavāptau deśakālayoḥ

When one has an excess of the needed qualities, then marching to war is fitting; when counsel, vigor, and power have been attained, and time and place favor it...

Verse 134 (skanda.8.60.134)

अथ संभूय यानेन मन्यध्वे सिद्धिमात्मनः । दंशिताः समरे यत्ताः समेता यक्षराक्षसैः

atha saṁbhūya yānena manyadhve siddhimātmanaḥ | daṁśitāḥ samare yattāḥ sametā yakṣarākṣasaiḥ

—then, having gathered your forces, march forth. Yet now, armored and prepared for battle, joined with Yakshas and Rakshasas, you already suppose success is yours...

Verse 135 (skanda.8.60.135)

रक्षांसि हुतशेषाणि ज्वलने शक्तिसूनुना । श्रितानि दैवतान्येव भीतान्यबलवन्ति च

rakṣāṁsi hutaśeṣāṇi jvalane śaktisūnunā | śritāni daivatānyeva bhītānyabalavanti ca

—but the rakshasas are merely what remains after the fire, now weak and fearful, and they have taken refuge with the very gods themselves.

Verse 136 (skanda.8.60.136)

आयत्ता सर्वदा यक्षाः कुबेरेसुरसत्तमाः । स चापि सुरमुख्यानां कुरुते कार्यमुद्यतः

āyattā sarvadā yakṣāḥ kuberesurasattamāḥ | sa cāpi suramukhyānāṁ kurute kāryamudyataḥ

O foremost of asuras, the Yakshas are ever dependent on Kubera; and he too, ever ready, does the bidding of the chief gods.

Verse 137 (skanda.8.60.137)

अन्यत्र दैत्यशत्रुभ्यो भुवनेषु बलीयसः । अभावादसुरश्रेष्ठा द्वैधीभावो न विद्यते

anyatra daityaśatrubhyo bhuvaneṣu balīyasaḥ | abhāvādasuraśreṣṭhā dvaidhībhāvo na vidyate

—there is no power in the worlds mightier than the enemies of the Daityas; and so, O foremost asuras, for lack of any such force, no policy of setting them at odds with one another is possible.

Verse 138 (skanda.8.60.138)

महिषे सदसि स्वस्थमित्युक्तवति दानवे । विस्पष्टमर्थवद्वाक्यं द्रुमः प्राह महासुरः

mahiṣe sadasi svasthamityuktavati dānave | vispaṣṭamarthavadvākyaṁ drumaḥ prāha mahāsuraḥ

When Mahisha, that composed danava, had thus spoken in the assembly, the great asura Druma spoke this clear and meaningful word:

Verse 139 (skanda.8.60.139)

समरे निर्जितैः पूर्वमस्माभिरबलैस्सह । जयिनः शक्तिसंपन्नाः संधास्यन्ते कथं सुराः

samare nirjitaiḥ pūrvamasmābhirabalaissaha | jayinaḥ śaktisaṁpannāḥ saṁdhāsyante kathaṁ surāḥ

How would the gods, victorious and full of power, ever make a treaty with us, who were once defeated in battle and are now without strength?

Verse 140 (skanda.8.60.140)

संविधायाशु दुर्गाणि पर्वतानुदकानि च

saṁvidhāyāśu durgāṇi parvatānudakāni ca

Having swiftly readied our strongholds, our mountains, and our water-fortresses...

Verse 141 (skanda.8.60.141)

विजये सततं युक्ता विगृह्यासनमास्महे

vijaye satataṁ yuktā vigṛhyāsanamāsmahe

—ever intent on victory, let us take our stand in open conflict.

Verse 142 (skanda.8.60.142)

नाशयन्तः सदा यज्ञान् व्रतानि नियमांस्तथा । वर्णाश्रमांश्च लोकेस्मिन् जिघांसन्तः समन्ततः

nāśayantaḥ sadā yajñān vratāni niyamāṁstathā | varṇāśramāṁśca lokesmin jighāṁsantaḥ samantataḥ

—ever destroying sacrifices, vows, and observances, seeking on every side to strike down the castes and orders of this world...

Verse 143 (skanda.8.60.143)

ततो लोकविनाशेन विच्छिन्ने सत्क्रियापथे । विदित्वापचितान् देवानभियास्याम दंशिताः

tato lokavināśena vicchinne satkriyāpathe | viditvāpacitān devānabhiyāsyāma daṁśitāḥ

—then, once the path of righteous action has been cut off by the destruction of the people, knowing the gods to have grown weak, let us go against them, armored for war.

Verse 144 (skanda.8.60.144)

अथ ते तस्य वचनं सर्व एवानुमेनिरे । आसन्नमृत्यवोपथ्यमन्नं प्राणभृतो यथा

atha te tasya vacanaṁ sarva evānumenire | āsannamṛtyavopathyamannaṁ prāṇabhṛto yathā

Then all of them approved his words — just as beings close to death accept unwholesome food.

Verse 145 (skanda.8.60.145)

उत्तस्थुर्लोकनाशाय मतिं कृत्वामरद्विषः । उदन्वन्त इवोद्वेलाः प्रलये मारुताकुलाः

uttasthurlokanāśāya matiṁ kṛtvāmaradviṣaḥ | udanvanta ivodvelāḥ pralaye mārutākulāḥ

The enemies of the immortals, having resolved upon the destruction of the world, rose up, like oceans overflowing their banks, churned by the winds of dissolution.

Verse 146 (skanda.8.60.146)

जलद इव सुनीलः पीनवृत्तोन्नताङ्गो हिमकरकरशुभ्रां हारयष्टिं दधानः । उदपतदथ सुन्दस्त्वासनात् स्वात्तदानीं जलधिरिव विघूर्णन् फेनमाली युगान्ते

jalada iva sunīlaḥ pīnavṛttonnatāṅgo himakarakaraśubhrāṁ hārayaṣṭiṁ dadhānaḥ | udapatadatha sundastvāsanāt svāttadānīṁ jaladhiriva vighūrṇan phenamālī yugānte

Dark blue as a rain-cloud, his limbs full, rounded, and lofty, wearing a string of pearls white as moonbeams, Sunda then sprang up from his seat, like the ocean, foam-garlanded, churning at the end of an age.

Verse 147 (skanda.8.60.147)

तदनु तदनुजोम्बुवाहनीलः परिघभुजः पृथुरक्तदीर्घनेत्रः । अजहदविमनाः स्वमासनान्तं प्रतिभयकृद् द्विषतां तदा निसुन्दः

tadanu tadanujombuvāhanīlaḥ parighabhujaḥ pṛthuraktadīrghanetraḥ | ajahadavimanāḥ svamāsanāntaṁ pratibhayakṛd dviṣatāṁ tadā nisundaḥ

After him, his younger brother — dark blue as a rain-cloud, his arms like iron bars, his eyes broad, red, and long, undismayed — Nisunda, a terror to his foes, likewise rose then from his seat.