The War of the Gods and the Sons of Sukesha

Shloka 1 (uttara.6.1)

तैर्वध्यमाना देवाश्च ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः । भयार्ताः शरणं जग्मुर्देवदेवं महेश्वरम् ॥ 6.1 ॥

tairvadhyamānā devāśca ṛṣayaśca tapodhanāḥ | bhayārtāḥ śaraṇaṃ jagmurdevadevaṃ maheśvaram || 6.1 ||

Devas and sages rich in penance, tormented by them, went in terror for refuge to Maheshvara, the god of gods.

Shloka 2 (uttara.6.2)

जगत्सृष्ट्यन्तकर्तारमजमव्यक्तरूपिणम् । आधारं सर्वलोकानामाराध्यं परमं गुरुम् ॥ 6.2 ॥

jagatsṛṣṭyantakartāramajamavyaktarūpiṇam | ādhāraṃ sarvalokānāmārādhyaṃ paramaṃ gurum || 6.2 ||

the maker of the world's creation and dissolution, unborn, of unmanifest form, the support of all the worlds, worthy of worship, the supreme preceptor.

Shloka 3 (uttara.6.3)

ते समेत्य तु कामारिं त्रिपुरारिं त्रिलोचनम् । ऊचुः प्राञ्जलयो देवा भयगद्गदभाषिणः ॥ 6.3 ॥

te sametya tu kāmāriṃ tripurāriṃ trilocanam | ūcuḥ prāñjalayo devā bhayagadgadabhāṣiṇaḥ || 6.3 ||

Approaching him -- the foe of Kama, the destroyer of Tripura, the three-eyed one -- the gods, palms joined, spoke, their voices faltering with fear.

Shloka 4 (uttara.6.4)

सुकेशपुत्रैर्भगवन्पितामहवरोद्धतैः । प्रजाध्यक्ष प्रजाः सर्वा बाध्यन्ते रिपुबाधनैः ॥ 6.4 ॥

sukeśaputrairbhagavanpitāmahavaroddhataiḥ | prajādhyakṣa prajāḥ sarvā bādhyante ripubādhanaiḥ || 6.4 ||

O Lord, by the sons of Sukesha, made arrogant by the boon of the Grandsire Brahma -- O Lord of creatures, all beings are being tormented by the torments of these enemies.

Shloka 5 (uttara.6.5)

शरण्यान्यशरण्यानि ह्याश्रमाणि कृतानि नः । स्वर्गाच्च देवान्प्रच्याव्य स्वर्गे क्रीडन्ति देववत् ॥ 6.5 ॥

śaraṇyānyaśaraṇyāni hyāśramāṇi kṛtāni naḥ | svargācca devānpracyāvya svarge krīḍanti devavat || 6.5 ||

Our hermitages, once places of shelter, have been made shelterless; and having cast the gods down from heaven, they now sport in heaven like gods themselves.

Shloka 6 (uttara.6.6)

अहं विष्णुरहं रुद्रो ब्रह्माहं देवराडहम् । अहं यमश्च वरुणश्चन्द्रो ऽहं रविरप्यहम् ॥ 6.6 ॥

ahaṃ viṣṇurahaṃ rudro brahmāhaṃ devarāḍaham | ahaṃ yamaśca varuṇaścandro 'haṃ ravirapyaham || 6.6 ||

'I am Vishnu, I am Rudra, I am Brahma, I am the king of the gods; I am Yama and Varuna, I am the moon, I am even the sun' --

Shloka 7 (uttara.6.7)

इति माली सुमाली च माल्यवांश्चैव राक्षसाः । बाधन्ते समरोद्धर्षा ये च तेषां पुरःसराः । तन्नो देव भयार्तानामभयं दातुमर्हसि ॥ 6.7 ॥

iti mālī sumālī ca mālyavāṃścaiva rākṣasāḥ | bādhante samaroddharṣā ye ca teṣāṃ puraḥsarāḥ | tanno deva bhayārtānāmabhayaṃ dātumarhasi || 6.7 ||

-- so boast Mali, Sumali, and Malyavan, the rakshasas, exultant in battle, oppressing us, along with those who march before them. Therefore, O god, you alone are fit to grant fearlessness to us who are stricken with fear.

Shloka 8 (uttara.6.8)

अशिवं वपुरास्थाय जहि वै देवकण्टकान् ॥ 6.8 ॥

aśivaṃ vapurāsthāya jahi vai devakaṇṭakān || 6.8 ||

Assume a terrible form and slay these thorns in the side of the gods.

Shloka 9 (uttara.6.9)

इत्युक्तस्तु सुरैः सर्वैः कपर्दी नीललोहितः । सुकेशं प्रति सापेक्षः प्राह देवगणान्प्रभुः ॥ 6.9 ॥

ityuktastu suraiḥ sarvaiḥ kapardī nīlalohitaḥ | sukeśaṃ prati sāpekṣaḥ prāha devagaṇānprabhuḥ || 6.9 ||

Thus addressed by all the gods, Kapardin (Shiva), blue-throated and red-limbed, having regard for Sukesha, the Lord spoke to the host of gods:

Shloka 10 (uttara.6.10)

अहं तान्न हनिष्यामि मयावध्या हि ते सुराः । किं तु मन्त्रं प्रदास्यामि यो वै तान्निहनिष्यति ॥ 6.10 ॥

ahaṃ tānna haniṣyāmi mayāvadhyā hi te surāḥ | kiṃ tu mantraṃ pradāsyāmi yo vai tānnihaniṣyati || 6.10 ||

'I will not slay them myself, for they cannot be killed by me, O gods; but I will give you counsel by which they shall indeed be slain.'

Shloka 11 (uttara.6.11)

एतमेव समुद्योगं पुरस्कृत्य महर्षयः । गच्छध्वं शरणं विष्णुं हनिष्यति स तान्प्रभुः ॥ 6.11 ॥

etameva samudyogaṃ puraskṛtya maharṣayaḥ | gacchadhvaṃ śaraṇaṃ viṣṇuṃ haniṣyati sa tānprabhuḥ || 6.11 ||

'Taking up this very course, go, O sages, for refuge to Vishnu; that Lord will slay them.'

Shloka 12 (uttara.6.12)

ततस्तु जयशब्देन प्रतिनन्द्य महेश्वरम् । विष्णोः समीपमाजग्मुर्निशाचरभयार्दिताः ॥ 6.12 ॥

tatastu jayaśabdena pratinandya maheśvaram | viṣṇoḥ samīpamājagmurniśācarabhayārditāḥ || 6.12 ||

Then, having acclaimed Maheshvara with cries of victory, they, tormented by fear of the night-roving rakshasas, came into Vishnu's presence.

Shloka 13 (uttara.6.13)

शङ्खचक्रधरं देवं प्रणम्य बहुमान्य च । ऊचुः सम्भ्रान्तवद्वाक्यं सुकेशतनयान्प्रति ॥ 6.13 ॥

śaṅkhacakradharaṃ devaṃ praṇamya bahumānya ca | ūcuḥ sambhrāntavadvākyaṃ sukeśatanayānprati || 6.13 ||

Bowing to the god who bears the conch and discus, and honoring him greatly, they spoke in agitated words concerning the sons of Sukesha.

Shloka 14 (uttara.6.14)

सुकेशतनयैर्देव त्रिभिस्त्रेताग्निसन्निभैः । आक्रम्य वरदानेन स्थानान्यपहृतानि नः ॥ 6.14 ॥

sukeśatanayairdeva tribhistretāgnisannibhaiḥ | ākramya varadānena sthānānyapahṛtāni naḥ || 6.14 ||

'O god, the three sons of Sukesha, blazing like the three sacred fires, have stormed and seized our abodes, strengthened by their boon.'

Shloka 15 (uttara.6.15)

लङ्का नाम पुरी दुर्गा त्रिकूटशिखरे स्थिता । तत्र स्थिताः प्रबाधन्ते सर्वान्नः क्षणदाचराः ॥ 6.15 ॥

laṅkā nāma purī durgā trikūṭaśikhare sthitā | tatra sthitāḥ prabādhante sarvānnaḥ kṣaṇadācarāḥ || 6.15 ||

'On the peak of Trikuta stands the impregnable city named Lanka; established there, these night-roving demons torment all of us.'

Shloka 16 (uttara.6.16)

स त्वमस्मद्धितार्थाय जहि तान्मधुसूदन । शरणं त्वां वयं प्राप्ता गतिर्भव सुरेश्वर ॥ 6.16 ॥

sa tvamasmaddhitārthāya jahi tānmadhusūdana | śaraṇaṃ tvāṃ vayaṃ prāptā gatirbhava sureśvara || 6.16 ||

'Therefore, for our welfare, slay them, O Madhusudana; we have come to you for refuge -- be our resort, O lord of the gods.'

Shloka 17 (uttara.6.17)

चक्रकृत्तास्यकमलान्निवेदय यमाय वै । भयेष्वभयदो ऽस्माकं नान्यो ऽस्ति भवता विना ॥ 6.17 ॥

cakrakṛttāsyakamalānnivedaya yamāya vai | bhayeṣvabhayado 'smākaṃ nānyo 'sti bhavatā vinā || 6.17 ||

'Offer up their lotus faces, severed by your discus, to Yama; there is none but you to grant us safety from this danger.'

Shloka 18 (uttara.6.18)

राक्षसान्समरे दुष्टान्सानुबन्धान्मदोद्धतान् । नुदं त्वं नो भयं देव नीहारमिव भास्करः ॥ 6.18 ॥

rākṣasānsamare duṣṭānsānubandhānmadoddhatān | nudaṃ tvaṃ no bhayaṃ deva nīhāramiva bhāskaraḥ || 6.18 ||

'Drive away our fear of these wicked, arrogant rakshasas and their followers in battle, O god, as the sun drives away mist.'

Shloka 19 (uttara.6.19)

इत्येवं दैवतैरुक्तो देवदेवो जनार्दनः । अभयं भयदो ऽरीणां दत्त्वा देवानुवाच ह ॥ 6.19 ॥

ityevaṃ daivatairukto devadevo janārdanaḥ | abhayaṃ bhayado 'rīṇāṃ dattvā devānuvāca ha || 6.19 ||

Thus addressed by the gods, Janardana, the god of gods, the bringer of fear to foes, granted them fearlessness and spoke to the gods:

Shloka 20 (uttara.6.20)

सुकेशं राक्षसं जाने ईशानवरदर्पितम् । तांश्चास्य तनयाञ्जाने येषां ज्येष्ठः स माल्यवान् ॥ 6.20 ॥

sukeśaṃ rākṣasaṃ jāne īśānavaradarpitam | tāṃścāsya tanayāñjāne yeṣāṃ jyeṣṭhaḥ sa mālyavān || 6.20 ||

'I know Sukesha the rakshasa, made proud by Ishana's boon, and I know his sons too, of whom the eldest is Malyavan.'

Shloka 21 (uttara.6.21)

तानहं समतिक्रान्तमर्यादान्राक्षसाधमान् । निहनिष्यामि सङ्क्रुद्धः सुरा भवत विज्वराः ॥ 6.21 ॥

tānahaṃ samatikrāntamaryādānrākṣasādhamān | nihaniṣyāmi saṅkruddhaḥ surā bhavata vijvarāḥ || 6.21 ||

'Those vile rakshasas who have transgressed all bounds, I shall slay in my wrath; be free of anguish, O gods.'

Shloka 22 (uttara.6.22)

इत्युक्तास्ते सुराः सर्वे विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना । यथावासं ययुर्हृष्टाः प्रशंसन्तो जनार्दनम् ॥ 6.22 ॥

ityuktāste surāḥ sarve viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā | yathāvāsaṃ yayurhṛṣṭāḥ praśaṃsanto janārdanam || 6.22 ||

Thus addressed by the mighty Vishnu, all the gods, rejoicing, went each to his own dwelling, praising Janardana.

Shloka 23 (uttara.6.23)

विबुधानां समुद्योगं माल्यवांस्तु निशाचरः । श्रुत्वा तौ भ्रातरौ वीराविदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 6.23 ॥

vibudhānāṃ samudyogaṃ mālyavāṃstu niśācaraḥ | śrutvā tau bhrātarau vīrāvidaṃ vacanamabravīt || 6.23 ||

But Malyavan the demon, hearing of the gods' mobilization, spoke thus to his two heroic brothers:

Shloka 24 (uttara.6.24)

अमरा ऋषयश्चैव सङ्गम्य किल शकरम् । अस्मद्वधं परीप्सन्त इदं वचनमब्रुवन् ॥ 6.24 ॥

amarā ṛṣayaścaiva saṅgamya kila śakaram | asmadvadhaṃ parīpsanta idaṃ vacanamabruvan || 6.24 ||

'The immortals and the sages, having gathered before Shankara, seeking our destruction, spoke these words:'

Shloka 25 (uttara.6.25)

सुकेशतनया देव वरदानबलोद्धताः । बाधन्ते ऽस्मान्समुद्दृप्ता घोररूपाः पदे पदे ॥ 6.25 ॥

sukeśatanayā deva varadānabaloddhatāḥ | bādhante 'smānsamuddṛptā ghorarūpāḥ pade pade || 6.25 ||

'O god, the sons of Sukesha, made arrogant by the strength of their boon, insolent and terrible of form, torment us at every step.'

Shloka 26 (uttara.6.26)

राक्षसैरभिभूताः स्म न शक्ताः स्म प्रजापते । स्वेषु सद्मसु संस्थातुं भयात्तेषां दुरात्मनाम् ॥ 6.26 ॥

rākṣasairabhibhūtāḥ sma na śaktāḥ sma prajāpate | sveṣu sadmasu saṃsthātuṃ bhayātteṣāṃ durātmanām || 6.26 ||

'Overpowered by the rakshasas, O lord of creatures, we are unable, from fear of those evil-souled ones, even to remain in our own dwellings.'

Shloka 27 (uttara.6.27)

तदस्माकं हितार्थाय जहि तांश्च त्रिलोचन । राक्षसान्हुङ्कृतेनैव दह प्रदहतां वर ॥ 6.27 ॥

tadasmākaṃ hitārthāya jahi tāṃśca trilocana | rākṣasānhuṅkṛtenaiva daha pradahatāṃ vara || 6.27 ||

'Therefore, for our sake, O three-eyed one, slay those rakshasas; incinerate them with a mere roar, O best of those who burn.'

Shloka 28 (uttara.6.28)

इत्येवं त्रिदशैरुक्तो निशम्यान्धकसूदनः । शिरः करं च धुन्वान इदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 6.28 ॥

ityevaṃ tridaśairukto niśamyāndhakasūdanaḥ | śiraḥ karaṃ ca dhunvāna idaṃ vacanamabravīt || 6.28 ||

Thus addressed by the gods, the slayer of Andhaka, hearing them, shook his head and hand and spoke these words:

Shloka 29 (uttara.6.29)

अवध्या मम ते देवाः सुकेशतनया रणे । मन्त्रं तु वः प्रदास्यामि यस्तान्वै निहनिष्यति ॥ 6.29 ॥

avadhyā mama te devāḥ sukeśatanayā raṇe | mantraṃ tu vaḥ pradāsyāmi yastānvai nihaniṣyati || 6.29 ||

'O gods, those sons of Sukesha cannot be slain by me in battle; but I shall give you counsel by which he shall indeed slay them.'

Shloka 30 (uttara.6.30)

यो ऽसौ चक्रगदापाणिः पीतवासा जनार्दनः । हरिर्नारायणः श्रीमान् शरणं तं प्रपद्यथ ॥ 6.30 ॥

yo 'sau cakragadāpāṇiḥ pītavāsā janārdanaḥ | harirnārāyaṇaḥ śrīmān śaraṇaṃ taṃ prapadyatha || 6.30 ||

'He who wields the discus and mace, clad in yellow garments, Janardana -- that glorious Hari Narayana -- take refuge in him.'

Shloka 31 (uttara.6.31)

हरादवाप्य ते मन्त्रं कामारिमभिवाद्य च । नारायणालयं प्राप्य तस्मै सर्वं न्यवेदयन् ॥ 6.31 ॥

harādavāpya te mantraṃ kāmārimabhivādya ca | nārāyaṇālayaṃ prāpya tasmai sarvaṃ nyavedayan || 6.31 ||

Having received the mantra from Hara and paid homage to the foe of Kama, they came to Narayana's abode and laid the whole matter before him.

Shloka 32 (uttara.6.32)

ततो नारायणेनोक्ता देवा इन्द्रपुरोगमाः । सुरारींस्तान्हनिष्यामि सुरा भवत विज्वराः ॥ 6.32 ॥

tato nārāyaṇenoktā devā indrapurogamāḥ | surārīṃstānhaniṣyāmi surā bhavata vijvarāḥ || 6.32 ||

Then Narayana spoke to the gods, led by Indra: 'I shall slay those enemies of the gods; be free of anguish, O gods.'

Shloka 33 (uttara.6.33)

देवानां भयभीतानां हरिणा राक्षसर्षभौ । प्रतिज्ञातो वधो ऽस्माकं चिन्त्यतां यदिह क्षमम् ॥ 6.33 ॥

devānāṃ bhayabhītānāṃ hariṇā rākṣasarṣabhau | pratijñāto vadho 'smākaṃ cintyatāṃ yadiha kṣamam || 6.33 ||

To the fear-stricken gods, Hari vowed the death of the foremost rakshasas; now let what is fitting be considered.

Shloka 34 (uttara.6.34)

हिरण्यकशिपोर्मृत्युरन्येषां च सुरद्विषाम् । नमुचिः कालनेमिश्च संह्रादो वीरसत्तमः ॥ 6.34 ॥

hiraṇyakaśipormṛtyuranyeṣāṃ ca suradviṣām | namuciḥ kālanemiśca saṃhrādo vīrasattamaḥ || 6.34 ||

The deaths of Hiranyakashipu, and of other foes of the gods -- Namuchi and Kalanemi, and Samhrada, most valiant of heroes,

Shloka 35 (uttara.6.35)

राधेयो बहुमायी च लोकपालो ऽथ धार्मिकः । यमलार्जुनौ च हार्दिक्यः शुम्भश्चैव निशुम्भकः ॥ 6.35 ॥

rādheyo bahumāyī ca lokapālo 'tha dhārmikaḥ | yamalārjunau ca hārdikyaḥ śumbhaścaiva niśumbhakaḥ || 6.35 ||

Radheya, Bahumayin, Lokapala, and Dharmika, the twin Yamalarjuna, Hardikya, and Shumbha and Nishumbha --

Shloka 36 (uttara.6.36)

असुरा दानवाश्चैव सत्त्ववन्तो महाबलाः । सर्वे समरमासाद्य न श्रूयन्ते ऽपराजिताः ॥ 6.36 ॥

asurā dānavāścaiva sattvavanto mahābalāḥ | sarve samaramāsādya na śrūyante 'parājitāḥ || 6.36 ||

these asuras and danavas, powerful and immensely strong -- none of them, once they met him in battle, is known to have remained unconquered.

Shloka 37 (uttara.6.37)

सर्वैः क्रतुशतैरिष्टं सर्वे मायाविदस्तथा । सर्वे सर्वास्त्रकुशलाः सर्वे शत्रुभयङ्कराः ॥ 6.37 ॥

sarvaiḥ kratuśatairiṣṭaṃ sarve māyāvidastathā | sarve sarvāstrakuśalāḥ sarve śatrubhayaṅkarāḥ || 6.37 ||

all of them had performed hundreds of sacrifices, all were skilled in magic, all were masters of every weapon, all struck terror into their foes --

Shloka 38 (uttara.6.38)

नारायणेन निहताः शतशो ऽथ सहस्रशः । एतज्ज्ञात्वा तु सर्वेषां क्षमं कर्तुमिहार्हथ ॥ 6.38 ॥

nārāyaṇena nihatāḥ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ | etajjñātvā tu sarveṣāṃ kṣamaṃ kartumihārhatha || 6.38 ||

yet they were slain by Narayana in their hundreds and thousands. Knowing this, you ought now to do what is fitting for us all.

Shloka 39 (uttara.6.39)

ततः सुमाली माली च श्रुत्वा माल्यवतो वचः । ऊचतुर्भ्रातरं ज्येष्ठं भगांशाविव वासवम् ॥ 6.39 ॥

tataḥ sumālī mālī ca śrutvā mālyavato vacaḥ | ūcaturbhrātaraṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ bhagāṃśāviva vāsavam || 6.39 ||

Then Sumali and Mali, hearing Malyavan's words, spoke to their elder brother -- as Bhaga and Amsha might speak to Vasava:

Shloka 40 (uttara.6.40)

स्वधीतं दत्तमिष्टं चाप्यैश्वर्यं परिपालितम् । आयुर्निरामयं प्राप्तं सुधर्मः प्रापितः पथि ॥ 6.40 ॥

svadhītaṃ dattamiṣṭaṃ cāpyaiśvaryaṃ paripālitam | āyurnirāmayaṃ prāptaṃ sudharmaḥ prāpitaḥ pathi || 6.40 ||

'We have studied well, given generously, performed sacrifice, and safeguarded our sovereignty; we have obtained a long life free of sickness, and have been set upon the path of true dharma.'

Shloka 41 (uttara.6.41)

देवसागरमक्षोभ्यं शस्त्रैः समवगाह्य च । जिता द्विषो ह्यप्रतिमास्तन्नो मृत्युकृतं भयम् ॥ 6.41 ॥

devasāgaramakṣobhyaṃ śastraiḥ samavagāhya ca | jitā dviṣo hyapratimāstanno mṛtyukṛtaṃ bhayam || 6.41 ||

'With our weapons we have plunged even into the unshakeable ocean of the gods and conquered peerless foes -- therefore we hold no fear of death.'

Shloka 42 (uttara.6.42)

नारायणश्च रुद्रश्च शक्रश्चापि यमस्तथा । अस्माकं प्रमुखे स्थातुं सर्वे बिभ्यति सर्वदा ॥ 6.42 ॥

nārāyaṇaśca rudraśca śakraścāpi yamastathā | asmākaṃ pramukhe sthātuṃ sarve bibhyati sarvadā || 6.42 ||

'Narayana, Rudra, Shakra, and Yama alike -- all of them are ever afraid to stand before us.'

Shloka 43 (uttara.6.43)

विष्णोर्देवस्य नास्त्येव कारणं राक्षसेश्वर । देवानामेव दोषेण विष्णोः प्रचलितं मनः ॥ 6.43 ॥

viṣṇordevasya nāstyeva kāraṇaṃ rākṣaseśvara | devānāmeva doṣeṇa viṣṇoḥ pracalitaṃ manaḥ || 6.43 ||

'O lord of the rakshasas, the god Vishnu has no real cause of his own in this; it is only by the fault of the gods that his mind has been stirred.'

Shloka 44 (uttara.6.44)

तस्मादद्य समुद्युक्ताः सर्वसैन्यसमावृताः । देवानेव जिघांसाम एभ्यो दोषः समुत्थितः ॥ 6.44 ॥

tasmādadya samudyuktāḥ sarvasainyasamāvṛtāḥ | devāneva jighāṃsāma ebhyo doṣaḥ samutthitaḥ || 6.44 ||

'Therefore, today, armed and surrounded by our full host, let us seek to slay the gods themselves -- for it is from them that this trouble has arisen.'

Shloka 45 (uttara.6.45)

एवं सम्मन्त्र्य बलिनः सर्वे सैन्यसमावृताः । उद्योगं घोषयित्वा तु सर्वे नैर्ऋतपुङ्गवाः ।। युद्धाय निर्ययुः क्रुद्धा जम्भवृत्रबला इव ॥ 6.45 ॥

evaṃ sammantrya balinaḥ sarve sainyasamāvṛtāḥ | udyogaṃ ghoṣayitvā tu sarve nairṛtapuṅgavāḥ || yuddhāya niryayuḥ kruddhā jambhavṛtrabalā iva || 6.45 ||

Having thus deliberated, all those mighty bulls among the rakshasas, surrounded by their armies, proclaimed their muster and marched out to war in fury, like the forces of Jambha and Vritra.

Shloka 46 (uttara.6.46)

इति ते राम सम्मन्त्र्य सर्वोद्योगेन राक्षसाः । युद्धाय निर्ययुः सर्वे महाकाया महाबलाः ॥ 6.46 ॥

iti te rāma sammantrya sarvodyogena rākṣasāḥ | yuddhāya niryayuḥ sarve mahākāyā mahābalāḥ || 6.46 ||

Thus, O Rama, having taken counsel, all those rakshasas, huge of frame and mighty of strength, set out to war with their full force.

Shloka 47 (uttara.6.47)

स्यन्दनैर्वारणैश्चैव हयैश्च गिरिसन्निभैः । खरैर्गोभी रथोष्ट्रैश्च शिंशुमारैर्भुजङ्गमैः ॥ 6.47 ॥

syandanairvāraṇaiścaiva hayaiśca girisannibhaiḥ | kharairgobhī rathoṣṭraiśca śiṃśumārairbhujaṅgamaiḥ || 6.47 ||

With chariots and elephants, with horses huge as mountains, with donkeys, oxen, chariots and camels, with crocodiles and serpents,

Shloka 48 (uttara.6.48)

मकरैः कच्छपैर्मीनैर्विहङ्गैर्गरुडोपमैः । सिंहैर्व्याघ्रैर्वराहैश्च सृमरैश्चमरैरपि ॥ 6.48 ॥

makaraiḥ kacchapairmīnairvihaṅgairgaruḍopamaiḥ | siṃhairvyāghrairvarāhaiśca sṛmaraiścamarairapi || 6.48 ||

with sea-monsters, tortoises, fish, birds like Garuda, with lions, tigers, boars, with deer, and with yaks --

Shloka 49 (uttara.6.49)

त्यक्त्वा लङ्कां गताः सर्वे राक्षसा बलगर्विताः । प्रयाता देवलोकाय योद्धुं दैवतशत्रवः ॥ 6.49 ॥

tyaktvā laṅkāṃ gatāḥ sarve rākṣasā balagarvitāḥ | prayātā devalokāya yoddhuṃ daivataśatravaḥ || 6.49 ||

Leaving Lanka behind, all the rakshasas, proud of their might, those enemies of the gods, set out for the world of the gods to give battle.

Shloka 50 (uttara.6.50)

लङ्काविपर्ययं दृष्ट्वा यानि लङ्कालयान्यथ । भूतानि भयदर्शीनि विमनस्कानि सर्वशः ॥ 6.50 ॥

laṅkāviparyayaṃ dṛṣṭvā yāni laṅkālayānyatha | bhūtāni bhayadarśīni vimanaskāni sarvaśaḥ || 6.50 ||

Then, seeing this upheaval in Lanka, all the beings dwelling within it, showing fear on every side, grew utterly despondent.

Shloka 51 (uttara.6.51)

रथोत्तमैरुह्यमानाः शतशो ऽथ सहस्रशः ॥ 6.51 ॥

rathottamairuhyamānāḥ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ || 6.51 ||

borne upon splendid chariots, by the hundreds and by the thousands.

Shloka 52 (uttara.6.52)

प्रयाता राक्षसास्तूर्णं देवलोकं प्रयत्नतः । रक्षसामेव मार्गेण दैवतान्यपचक्रमुः ॥ 6.52 ॥

prayātā rākṣasāstūrṇaṃ devalokaṃ prayatnataḥ | rakṣasāmeva mārgeṇa daivatānyapacakramuḥ || 6.52 ||

The rakshasas advanced swiftly and with full effort toward the world of the gods; and the gods withdrew along that very path before them.

Shloka 53 (uttara.6.53)

भौमाश्चैवान्तरिक्षाश्च कालाज्ञप्ता भयावहाः । उत्पाता राक्षसेन्द्राणामभावाय समुत्थिताः ॥ 6.53 ॥

bhaumāścaivāntarikṣāśca kālājñaptā bhayāvahāḥ | utpātā rākṣasendrāṇāmabhāvāya samutthitāḥ || 6.53 ||

Terrestrial and celestial omens, terrible and ordained by fate, arose foretelling the destruction of the rakshasa lords.

Shloka 54 (uttara.6.54)

अस्थीनि मेघा ववृषुरुष्णं शोणितमेव च । वेलां समुद्राश्चोत्क्रान्ताश्चेलुश्चाप्यथ भूधराः ॥ 6.54 ॥

asthīni meghā vavṛṣuruṣṇaṃ śoṇitameva ca | velāṃ samudrāścotkrāntāśceluścāpyatha bhūdharāḥ || 6.54 ||

Clouds rained down bones and hot blood; the oceans overran their shores, and even the mountains shook.

Shloka 55 (uttara.6.55)

अट्टहासान्विमुञ्चन्तो घननादसमस्वनाः । वाश्यन्त्यश्च शिवास्तत्र दारुणं घोरदर्शनाः ॥ 6.55 ॥

aṭṭahāsānvimuñcanto ghananādasamasvanāḥ | vāśyantyaśca śivāstatra dāruṇaṃ ghoradarśanāḥ || 6.55 ||

Jackals, terrible to look upon, let out peals of laughter loud as thunder, and howled fearfully there.

Shloka 56 (uttara.6.56)

सम्पतन्त्यथ भूतानि दृश्यन्ते च यथाक्रमम् । गृध्रचक्रं महच्चात्र ज्वलनोद्गारिभिर्मुखैः ॥ 6.56 ॥

sampatantyatha bhūtāni dṛśyante ca yathākramam | gṛdhracakraṃ mahaccātra jvalanodgāribhirmukhaiḥ || 6.56 ||

Creatures were seen falling and flitting about in swift succession; and there a great wheeling flock of vultures, their beaks spewing fire,

Shloka 57 (uttara.6.57)

राक्षसानामुपरि खे भ्रमते ऽलातचक्रवत् । कपोता रक्तपादाश्च शारिका विद्रुता ययुः ।। काका वाश्यन्ति तत्रैव बिडाला वै द्विपादयः ॥ 6.57 ॥

rākṣasānāmupari khe bhramate 'lātacakravat | kapotā raktapādāśca śārikā vidrutā yayuḥ || kākā vāśyanti tatraiva biḍālā vai dvipādayaḥ || 6.57 ||

wheeled above the rakshasas in the sky like a spinning firebrand; red-footed doves and mynahs fled in terror; crows screeched there, and cats went about on two legs.

Shloka 58 (uttara.6.58)

उत्पातांस्ताननादृत्य राक्षसा बलगर्विताः । यान्त्येव न निवर्त्तन्ते मृत्युपाशावपाशिताः ॥ 6.58 ॥

utpātāṃstānanādṛtya rākṣasā balagarvitāḥ | yāntyeva na nivarttante mṛtyupāśāvapāśitāḥ || 6.58 ||

Disdaining these omens, the rakshasas, proud in their strength, pressed onward without turning back, bound fast, as it were, in the snare of death.

Shloka 59 (uttara.6.59)

माल्यवांश्च सुमाली च माली च सुमहाबलाः । आसन्पुरःसरास्तेषां क्रतूनामिव पावकाः ॥ 6.59 ॥

mālyavāṃśca sumālī ca mālī ca sumahābalāḥ | āsanpuraḥsarāsteṣāṃ kratūnāmiva pāvakāḥ || 6.59 ||

Malyavan, Sumali, and Mali, all of immense strength, went at their head, like sacrificial fires leading the rites.

Shloka 60 (uttara.6.60)

माल्यवन्तं च ते सर्वे माल्यवन्तमिवाचलम् । निशाचरा ह्याश्रयन्ति धातारमिव देवताः ॥ 6.60 ॥

mālyavantaṃ ca te sarve mālyavantamivācalam | niśācarā hyāśrayanti dhātāramiva devatāḥ || 6.60 ||

And all those night-rangers relied upon Malyavan as upon the unmoving mountain of that name -- just as the gods rely upon the Creator.

Shloka 61 (uttara.6.61)

तद्बलं राक्षसेन्द्राणां महाभ्रघननादितम् । जयेप्सया देवलोकं ययौ मालिवशे स्थितम् ॥ 6.61 ॥

tadbalaṃ rākṣasendrāṇāṃ mahābhraghananāditam | jayepsayā devalokaṃ yayau mālivaśe sthitam || 6.61 ||

That army of the rakshasa lords, thundering like a mass of great clouds, marched to the world of the gods in quest of victory, under Mali's command.

Shloka 62 (uttara.6.62)

राक्षसानां समुद्योगं तं तु नारायणः प्रभुः । देवदूतादुपश्रुत्य चक्रे युद्धे तदा मनः ॥ 6.62 ॥

rākṣasānāṃ samudyogaṃ taṃ tu nārāyaṇaḥ prabhuḥ | devadūtādupaśrutya cakre yuddhe tadā manaḥ || 6.62 ||

But the Lord Narayana, hearing from a divine messenger of the rakshasas' mobilization, then resolved his mind for battle.

Shloka 63 (uttara.6.63)

स सज्जायुधतूणीरो वैनतेयोपरि स्थितः । आसज्ज्य कवचं दिव्यं सहस्रार्कसमद्युति ॥ 6.63 ॥

sa sajjāyudhatūṇīro vainateyopari sthitaḥ | āsajjya kavacaṃ divyaṃ sahasrārkasamadyuti || 6.63 ||

Readying his weapons and quiver, he mounted upon Vinata's son (Garuda); and having donned his divine armor, blazing like a thousand suns,

Shloka 64 (uttara.6.64)

आबध्य शरसम्पूर्णे इषुधी विमले तदा । श्रोणिसूत्रं च खड्गं च विमलं कमलेक्षणः ।। शङ्खचक्रगदाशार्ङ्गखड्गाख्यप्रवरायुधान् ॥ 6.64 ॥

ābadhya śarasampūrṇe iṣudhī vimale tadā | śroṇisūtraṃ ca khaḍgaṃ ca vimalaṃ kamalekṣaṇaḥ || śaṅkhacakragadāśārṅgakhaḍgākhyapravarāyudhān || 6.64 ||

having bound on his two spotless quivers filled with arrows, his waist-cord, and his stainless sword, the lotus-eyed god took up his foremost weapons -- the conch, the discus, the mace, the bow Sharnga, and the sword --

Shloka 65 (uttara.6.65)

सुपर्णं गिरिसङ्काशं वैनतेयमथास्थितः । राक्षसानामभावाय ययौ तूर्णतरं प्रभुः ॥ 6.65 ॥

suparṇaṃ girisaṅkāśaṃ vainateyamathāsthitaḥ | rākṣasānāmabhāvāya yayau tūrṇataraṃ prabhuḥ || 6.65 ||

mounted upon Suparna, Vinata's son, vast as a mountain, the Lord set forth swiftly to bring about the destruction of the rakshasas.

Shloka 66 (uttara.6.66)

सुपर्णपृष्ठे स बभौ श्यामः पीताम्बरो हरिः । काञ्चनस्य गिरेः शृङ्गे सतडित्तोयदो यथा ॥ 6.66 ॥

suparṇapṛṣṭhe sa babhau śyāmaḥ pītāmbaro hariḥ | kāñcanasya gireḥ śṛṅge sataḍittoyado yathā || 6.66 ||

Upon Suparna's back, the dark-hued Hari, clad in yellow, shone like a lightning-veined raincloud upon the peak of a golden mountain.

Shloka 67 (uttara.6.67)

स सिद्धदेवर्षिमहोरगैश्च गन्धर्वयक्षैरुपगीयमानः । समाससादासुरसैन्यशत्रूंश्चक्रासिशार्ङ्गायुधशङ्खपाणिः ॥ 6.67 ॥

sa siddhadevarṣimahoragaiśca gandharvayakṣairupagīyamānaḥ | samāsasādāsurasainyaśatrūṃścakrāsiśārṅgāyudhaśaṅkhapāṇiḥ || 6.67 ||

Hymned by siddhas, celestial sages, great serpents, gandharvas, and yakshas, and bearing in his hands the discus, sword, bow Sharnga, and conch, he advanced upon the enemy host of asuras.

Shloka 68 (uttara.6.68)

सुपर्णपक्षानिलनुन्नपक्षं भ्रमत्पताकं प्रविकीर्णशस्त्रम् । चचाल तद्राक्षसराजसैन्यं चलोपलं नील इवाचलेन्द्रः ॥ 6.68 ॥

suparṇapakṣānilanunnapakṣaṃ bhramatpatākaṃ pravikīrṇaśastram | cacāla tadrākṣasarājasainyaṃ calopalaṃ nīla ivācalendraḥ || 6.68 ||

That army of the rakshasa king, its flanks buffeted by the wind of Suparna's wings, its banners whirling, its weapons flung about, shook and trembled -- like the dark mountain-lord Nila with its very rocks astir.

Shloka 69 (uttara.6.69)

ततः शरैः शोणितमांसरूषितैर्युगान्तवैश्वानरतुल्यविग्रहैः । निशाचराः सम्परिवार्य माधवं वरायुधैर्निर्बिभिदुः सहस्रशः ॥ 6.69 ॥

tataḥ śaraiḥ śoṇitamāṃsarūṣitairyugāntavaiśvānaratulyavigrahaiḥ | niśācarāḥ samparivārya mādhavaṃ varāyudhairnirbibhiduḥ sahasraśaḥ || 6.69 ||

Then the night-rangers, surrounding Madhava on every side, pierced him by the thousands with their finest weapons -- with arrows smeared in blood and flesh, terrible as the fire that burns at the end of an age.