The Battle

Verse 1 (skanda.8.91.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तस्मिन्बले तथा तेन सोमेनाप्रतिमौजसा । हन्यमाने महामायः समाश्वस्य तदासुरः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tasminbale tathā tena somenāpratimaujasā | hanyamāne mahāmāyaḥ samāśvasya tadāsuraḥ

Sanatkumara said: While that army was being destroyed by the Moon (Soma) of matchless might, that great and magical Asura, Hiranyaksha, then recovering his composure -

Verse 2 (skanda.8.91.2)

हिरण्याक्षो दितेः पुत्र इदमाह रुषान्वितः । गरुत्मतः सुतं वीरं रथयन्तारमाहवे

hiraṇyākṣo diteḥ putra idamāha ruṣānvitaḥ | garutmataḥ sutaṁ vīraṁ rathayantāramāhave

- Hiranyaksha, son of Diti, filled with rage, spoke thus in the battle to the heroic charioteer, the son of Garutmat (Garuda):

Verse 3 (skanda.8.91.3)

खगेश्वर न ते लज्जा भवतीह रणार्णवे । यन्मां रथेन संग्रामात् त्वं हरस्यन्यतोद्य वै

khageśvara na te lajjā bhavatīha raṇārṇave | yanmāṁ rathena saṁgrāmāt tvaṁ harasyanyatodya vai

"O lord of birds, do you feel no shame here in this ocean of battle, that you are now carrying me away by chariot from the field of war to somewhere else?"

Verse 4 (skanda.8.91.4)

किं वक्ष्यन्त्यसुराः सर्वे दैत्याश्चैव महाबलाः । राजास्माकं जितः संख्ये शत्रुभिः शत्रुतापनः

kiṁ vakṣyantyasurāḥ sarve daityāścaiva mahābalāḥ | rājāsmākaṁ jitaḥ saṁkhye śatrubhiḥ śatrutāpanaḥ

"What will all the Asuras and the mighty Daityas say - 'Our king, the scorcher of foes, has been defeated in battle by his enemies' -"

Verse 5 (skanda.8.91.5)

जीवितैषी परित्यज्य बालानस्मान् दुरात्मवान् । रणादपगतः क्वापि धिङ् मामशुभकारिणम्

jīvitaiṣī parityajya bālānasmān durātmavān | raṇādapagataḥ kvāpi dhiṅ māmaśubhakāriṇam

"'that evil-souled one, seeking only to save his own life, abandoned us his children and fled somewhere from the battlefield' - shame on me, the doer of ill!"

Verse 6 (skanda.8.91.6)

कश्यपस्य सुतो भूत्वा भ्राता दैत्यस्य संमतः । हिरण्यकशिपोर्दैत्यो महायोगबलान्वितः

kaśyapasya suto bhūtvā bhrātā daityasya saṁmataḥ | hiraṇyakaśipordaityo mahāyogabalānvitaḥ

"'Though born a son of Kashyapa, and honoured as the brother of the Daitya Hiranyakashipu, endowed with the strength of great yogic power -'"

Verse 7 (skanda.8.91.7)

अग्रतः सर्वदैत्यानां दानवानां तथैव च । राजा स्वामी च शूरश्च निर्जितः शत्रुभिः कथम्

agrataḥ sarvadaityānāṁ dānavānāṁ tathaiva ca | rājā svāmī ca śūraśca nirjitaḥ śatrubhiḥ katham

"'- foremost among all Daityas and Danavas, their king, their lord, and a hero - how could he be conquered by his enemies?'"

Verse 8 (skanda.8.91.8)

अथवा देवपक्षस्य त्वं पुत्रो वै गरुत्मतः । तमेव पक्षं भजसे न मां त्वं परिरक्षसे

athavā devapakṣasya tvaṁ putro vai garutmataḥ | tameva pakṣaṁ bhajase na māṁ tvaṁ parirakṣase

"Or rather, you are indeed the son of Garutmat, who belongs to the side of the gods; you favour that very side, and so you do not protect me!"

Verse 9 (skanda.8.91.9)

नाहं तव न शक्तोद्य शिरः कायात् सकुण्डलम् । खङ्गेनानेन तीक्ष्णेन छेत्तुं खगकुलाधम

nāhaṁ tava na śaktodya śiraḥ kāyāt sakuṇḍalam | khaṅgenānena tīkṣṇena chettuṁ khagakulādhama

"It is not, O vilest of the bird-race, that I am unable, this very day, to sever your earringed head from your body with this sharp sword."

Verse 10 (skanda.8.91.10)

मित्रं त्वं मम मन्दस्य पुरा बालसखेति च । अतः कृत्वाभिरक्षामि गच्छ मुक्तोऽसि दोषवान्

mitraṁ tvaṁ mama mandasya purā bālasakheti ca | ataḥ kṛtvābhirakṣāmi gaccha mukto'si doṣavān

"But you are my friend, and were the childhood companion of my foolish days; therefore I spare you - go, you are set free, though you stand guilty."

Verse 11 (skanda.8.91.11)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा रथयन्ता खगेश्वरः । उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा हिरण्याक्षं महासुरम्

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā rathayantā khageśvaraḥ | uvāca ślakṣṇayā vācā hiraṇyākṣaṁ mahāsuram

Having heard those words of his, the charioteer, that lord of birds, spoke in a gentle voice to the great Asura Hiranyaksha:

Verse 12 (skanda.8.91.12)

मा क्रुधो दानवश्रेष्ठ नास्मि दैत्य तवाहितः । तदोपवाहितः क्षिप्रं रणाद् रक्षार्थमेव हि

mā krudho dānavaśreṣṭha nāsmi daitya tavāhitaḥ | tadopavāhitaḥ kṣipraṁ raṇād rakṣārthameva hi

"'Be not angry, O best of Danavas; I am not, O Daitya, hostile to you. I swiftly bore you away from the battle only for the sake of protecting you.'"

Verse 13 (skanda.8.91.13)

सूताः शास्त्रविदश्चैव ब्रुवते दानवेश्वर । दम्पती रथियन्तारौ परस्परमनुव्रतौ

sūtāḥ śāstravidaścaiva bruvate dānaveśvara | dampatī rathiyantārau parasparamanuvratau

"'O lord of Danavas, charioteers and men learned in the scriptures say that the warrior and his charioteer are like a devoted married pair, each loyal to the other.'"

Verse 14 (skanda.8.91.14)

रथिना शस्त्रघातेभ्यो रक्ष्यो यन्ता यथा प्रिया । तेन चैव रथो रक्ष्यो यथा भर्त्ता जयावहः

rathinā śastraghātebhyo rakṣyo yantā yathā priyā | tena caiva ratho rakṣyo yathā bharttā jayāvahaḥ

"'As a beloved wife is protected, so must the charioteer be protected by the warrior from blows of weapons; and by that same charioteer must the chariot be protected, as a victory-bringing husband is cherished.'"

Verse 15 (skanda.8.91.15)

स भवान् रिपुणा भिन्नो ह्यवबद्धश्च संयुगे । अशक्तः स्यादितीत्येवं मया क्षिप्रमपोहितः

sa bhavān ripuṇā bhinno hyavabaddhaśca saṁyuge | aśaktaḥ syāditītyevaṁ mayā kṣipramapohitaḥ

"'Thinking that Your Honour, wounded by the foe and hemmed in during the battle, might become powerless, I swiftly bore you away from there.'"

Verse 16 (skanda.8.91.16)

आश्वस्य बलमाधाय पुनर्युद्धेन दंशितः । रिपूञ्जेष्यसि संग्रामे त्वेवं त्वमपवाहितः

āśvasya balamādhāya punaryuddhena daṁśitaḥ | ripūñjeṣyasi saṁgrāme tvevaṁ tvamapavāhitaḥ

"'Once recovered, having gathered your strength, and armoured again for battle, you will conquer your enemies in the fight - it was with this thought alone that I bore you away.'"

Verse 17 (skanda.8.91.17)

ये हि कालेपयान्ति स्म काले चायान्ति दंशिताः । तेषान्नासुलभो दैत्य जयो युद्धे महात्मनाम्

ye hi kālepayānti sma kāle cāyānti daṁśitāḥ | teṣānnāsulabho daitya jayo yuddhe mahātmanām

"'For those great souls, O Daitya, who withdraw at the right time and return armoured at the right time, victory in battle is not hard to attain.'"

Verse 18 (skanda.8.91.18)

न चाहमहितः सत्यं हितकृत् तव नित्यदा । मा शङ्कां कुरु दैत्येन्द्र शपे सत्येन सर्वतः

na cāhamahitaḥ satyaṁ hitakṛt tava nityadā | mā śaṅkāṁ kuru daityendra śape satyena sarvataḥ

"'I am truly not your enemy - I am ever your well-wisher. Have no doubt, O lord of the Daityas; I swear this by truth, in every way.'"

Verse 19 (skanda.8.91.19)

न चाप्यविदितं तेऽद्य कृतो यत् शपथः पुरा । तथैवामृतपश्चाहं न मृत्युर्मम विद्यते

na cāpyaviditaṁ te'dya kṛto yat śapathaḥ purā | tathaivāmṛtapaścāhaṁ na mṛtyurmama vidyate

"'Nor is it unknown to you today what oath was sworn of old - accordingly I too am a drinker of the nectar of immortality; death does not exist for me.'"

Verse 20 (skanda.8.91.20)

अहं गरुत्मतः पुत्रो देवान् हित्वासुरान् श्रितः । तवैव दैत्य स्नेहेन मा शङ्कां त्वं कृथा मयि

ahaṁ garutmataḥ putro devān hitvāsurān śritaḥ | tavaiva daitya snehena mā śaṅkāṁ tvaṁ kṛthā mayi

"'I am the son of Garutmat; yet, forsaking the gods, I have taken refuge with the Asuras out of affection for you alone, O Daitya - do not suspect me.'"

Verse 21 (skanda.8.91.21)

एतद्बलं चन्द्रमसा वह्निना चोपपीडितम् । त्राहि क्षिप्रं महाबाहो न शोकं कर्तुमर्हसि

etadbalaṁ candramasā vahninā copapīḍitam | trāhi kṣipraṁ mahābāho na śokaṁ kartumarhasi

"'This army is being hard-pressed by the Moon and by Fire; save it quickly, O mighty-armed one - it is not fitting for you to grieve.'"

Verse 22 (skanda.8.91.22)

मायामथ समास्थाय धनुषा वा बलेन वा । जहि शत्रून्महाराज मा रुषन्तु दितेः सुताः

māyāmatha samāsthāya dhanuṣā vā balena vā | jahi śatrūnmahārāja mā ruṣantu diteḥ sutāḥ

"'Now, resorting to magic illusion, or to the bow, or to sheer strength, O great king, slay the enemies - let the sons of Diti not grow more enraged.'"

Verse 23 (skanda.8.91.23)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततः स तं परिष्वज्य पक्षिराजं महासुरः । अभिदुद्राव वेगेन रथेनाम्बुदनादिना

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataḥ sa taṁ pariṣvajya pakṣirājaṁ mahāsuraḥ | abhidudrāva vegena rathenāmbudanādinā

Sanatkumara said: Then, having embraced that lord of birds, the great Asura charged forward swiftly in his chariot that thundered like a rain-cloud.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.91.24)

तस्यापतत एवाथ सवह्निश्चन्द्रमास्तथा । शरैराशीविषाकारैर्ध्वजं चिच्छिदतुर्युधि

tasyāpatata evātha savahniścandramāstathā | śarairāśīviṣākārairdhvajaṁ cicchidaturyudhi

As he charged, the Moon along with Fire cut down his banner in battle with arrows shaped like venomous serpents.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.91.25)

ततो ललाटे विद्ध्वैनं तौ देवौ शशिपावकौ । युगान्ताम्बुदवद् व्यास नादमुच्चैः प्रचक्रतुः

tato lalāṭe viddhvainaṁ tau devau śaśipāvakau | yugāntāmbudavad vyāsa nādamuccaiḥ pracakratuḥ

Then, O Vyasa, those two gods, the Moon and Fire, having pierced him on the forehead, roared aloud like clouds at the end of an age.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.91.26)

तयोस्तल्लाघवं दृष्ट्वा हिरण्याक्षः प्रतापवान् । आग्नेयेनास्त्रमुख्येन शिशिरं तद् व्यशातयत्

tayostallāghavaṁ dṛṣṭvā hiraṇyākṣaḥ pratāpavān | āgneyenāstramukhyena śiśiraṁ tad vyaśātayat

Seeing their swift dexterity, the mighty Hiranyaksha, with the foremost weapon of Agni, dispelled that chill assault.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.91.27)

तुषारवर्षणं दग्ध्वा ततोऽसौ मायया पुनः । संमोहयित्वा वेगेन राहुर्भूत्वाभिदुद्रुवे

tuṣāravarṣaṇaṁ dagdhvā tato'sau māyayā punaḥ | saṁmohayitvā vegena rāhurbhūtvābhidudruve

Having burnt away that shower of frost, he then, by magic illusion, bewildered them, and having become Rahu, rushed at them with speed.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.91.28)

स राहुणा तदा तेन ग्रस्यमानः खगेश्वरः । रणं त्यक्त्वान्यतो यातस्ततो दैत्यो ननाद ह

sa rāhuṇā tadā tena grasyamānaḥ khageśvaraḥ | raṇaṁ tyaktvānyato yātastato daityo nanāda ha

Being thus seized by that Rahu, the lord of the sky (the Moon) abandoned the battle and fled elsewhere; then the Daitya roared aloud.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.91.29)

दानवा ह्यपि ते सर्वे नष्टे तस्मिन् हिमाशये । समाश्वस्य पुनश्चक्रुर्युद्धं सुरगणैः सह । तेऽम्बुदाशनिसन्नादाः समुद्रसमनादिताः

dānavā hyapi te sarve naṣṭe tasmin himāśaye | samāśvasya punaścakruryuddhaṁ suragaṇaiḥ saha | te'mbudāśanisannādāḥ samudrasamanāditāḥ

And once the cool-rayed one had vanished, all those Danavas too took heart again and renewed the battle with the hosts of gods, thundering like clouds and thunderbolts, roaring like the ocean.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.91.30)

दैत्यदानवमहारथाः प्रवरसादिन आश्वसन्तः । युद्धकांक्षिणो दंष्ट्रिण इव महागजा वनसमाश्रिताः

daityadānavamahārathāḥ pravarasādina āśvasantaḥ | yuddhakāṁkṣiṇo daṁṣṭriṇa iva mahāgajā vanasamāśritāḥ

The great chariot-warriors of the Daityas and Danavas, and the finest horsemen, took heart once more - here a portion of the verse is lost in the source manuscript - and became eager for battle, like great tusked elephants that have taken refuge in the forest.