तत्र विद्यागणाः सर्वेये केचित्कविभिः स्मृताः। तस्य कुर्वन्ति वचनं सेन्द्रा देवाश्चमूमुखे
There, all the groups of Vidyās, whatever are remembered by poets, obey his command, and the gods with Indra at their head stand at the front of the host.
गृहीत्वा तु पताकां वै यात्यग्रे राक्षसो ग्रहः। व्यापृतस्तु श्मशाने यो नित्यं रुद्रस् वै सखा। पिङ्गलो नाम यक्षेन्द्रो लोकस्यानन्ददायकः
A Rākṣasa, who is Rudra’s constant companion in the cremation ground, named Piṅgala, lord of the Yakṣas and bringer of joy to the world, goes at the front holding the banner.
एबिश्च सहितो देवस्तत्रयाति यथासुखम्। अग्रतः पृष्ठतस्चैवं न हि तस्य गतिर्ध्रुवा
Accompanied by these, the god proceeds there as he pleases, both at the front and the rear; for his movement is never fixed.
रुद्रं सत्कर्मभिर्मर्त्याः पूजयन्तीह दैवतम्। शिवमित्येव यं प्राहुरीशं रुद्रं पिनाकिनम्
Here, mortals worship Rudra, the god, with righteous acts—him whom they call Śiva, the Lord, Rudra, Pinākin.
एवं सर्वे सुरगणास्तदा वै प्रीतमानसाः'। भावैस्तु विविधाकारैः पूजयन्ति महेश्वरम्
Thus, all the hosts of gods, their minds filled with joy, worship Maheśvara with various forms of devotion.
कदेवसेनापतिस्त्वं देवसेनाभिरावृतः। अनुदच्छति देवेशं ब्रह्मण्यः कृत्तिकासुतः
You, commander of the divine armies, surrounded by the hosts of gods, follow the Lord of the gods—O son of Kṛttikā, upholder of righteousness.
अथाब्रवीन्महासेनं महादेवो बृहद्वचः। सप्तमं मारुतस्कन्धं रक्ष नित्यमतन्द्रितः
Then Mahādeva spoke these great words to Mahāsena: 'Always protect the seventh troop of the Maruts, without fatigue.'
सप्तमं मारुतस्कन्धं पालयिष्याम्यहं प्रभो। यदन्यदपि मे कार्यं देव तद्वद माचिरम्
'I will protect the seventh troop of the Maruts, O Lord. Tell me quickly, O god, whatever else I must do.'
कार्येष्वहं त्वया पुत्र संद्रष्टव्यः सदैव हि। दर्शनान्मम भक्त्या च श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यसि
In all your undertakings, my son, you must always look to me; by seeing me and through devotion to me, you will attain the highest good.
इत्युक्त्वा विससर्जैनं परिष्यज्य महेश्वरः। `स्कन्दं सहोमया प्रीतो ज्वलन्तमिव तेजसा
Having spoken thus, the great Lord Maheshvara, pleased, released Skanda, who was shining with energy, together with Uma.
विसर्जिते ततः स्कन्दे बभूवौत्पातिकं महत्। सहसैव महाराजदेवान्सर्वान्प्रमोहयत्
Then, when Skanda was released, a great and sudden portent arose, O great king, which bewildered all the gods.
जज्वाल स्वं सनक्षत्रं प्रमूढं भुवनं भृशम्। चचाल व्यनदच्चोर्वी तमोभूतं जगत्प्रभो
His constellation blazed forth, the world was greatly confused; the earth trembled and roared, and darkness covered all creation, O lord.
ततस्तद्दारुणं दृष्ट्वा क्षुभितः शंकरस्तदा। उमा चैवमहाभाग देवाश्च समहर्षयः
Then, seeing that dreadful event, Shankara was disturbed, as was the illustrious Uma and all the gods and great sages.
ततस्तेषु प्रमूढेषु पर्वताम्बुदसन्निभम्। नानाप्रहरणं घोरमदृश्यत महद्बलम्
While they were bewildered, a mighty force appeared, resembling a mountain cloud, armed with many terrible weapons.
तद्वै घोरमसङ्ख्येयं गर्जच्च विविधा गिरः। अभ्यद्रवद्रणए देवान्भगवन्तं च शंकरम्
That fierce and countless force, roaring with many voices, charged at the gods and at the blessed Shankara in battle.
तैर्विसृष्टान्यनीकेषु बाणजालान्यनेकशः। पर्वताश्च शतघ्न्यश्च प्रासासिपरिघा गदाः
From their ranks, volleys of arrows were released in great numbers, along with mountains, hundred-slayers, spears, swords, clubs, and maces.
निपतद्भिश्च तैर्घोरैर्देवानीकं महायुधैः। क्षणेन व्यद्रवत्सर्वं विमुखं चाप्यदृश्यत
Struck by those terrible weapons as they fell, the army of the gods was routed in a moment and appeared to turn away.
निकृत्तयोधनागाश्वं कृत्तायुधमहारथम्। दानवैरर्दितं सैन्यं देवानां विमुखं बभौ
With warriors, elephants, and horses cut down, with chariots and weapons destroyed, the army of the gods, afflicted by the Danavas, appeared to be in retreat.
असुरैर्वध्यमानं तत्पावकैरिव काननम्। अपतद्दग्धभूयिष्ठं महाद्रुमवनं तथा
Assailed by the Asuras, like a forest consumed by fire, the great grove of trees fell, mostly burned.
ते विभिन्नशिरोदेहाः प्राद्रवन्तो दिवौकसः। न नाथमधिगच्छन्ति वध्यमाना महारणे
Their heads and bodies shattered, the celestial beings fled, unable to find a protector as they were struck down in the great battle.
अथ तद्विद्रुतं सैन्यं दृष्ट्वा देवः पुरंदरः। आश्वासयन्नुवाचेदं बलभिद्दानवार्दितम्
Then, seeing the army in flight, the god Purandara encouraged them, addressing the force that was broken and afflicted by the Danavas.
भयं त्यजत भद्रं व शूराः शस्त्राणि गृह्णत। कुरुध्वंविक्रमे बुद्धिं मा वः काचिद्व्यथा भवेत्
Abandon fear, be well, O heroes; take up your weapons! Set your minds on valor—let no distress arise among you.
जयतैनाम्सुदुर्वृत्तान्दानवान्घोरदर्शनान्। अभिद्रवत भद्रं वो मया सह महासुरान्
Conquer these wicked Danavas of terrible appearance; charge upon the great Asuras with me—good fortune to you!
शक्रस् वचनं श्रुत्वा समाश्वस्ता दिवौकसः। दानवान्प्रत्ययुध्यन्त शक्रं कृत्वा व्यपाश्रयम्
Hearing Shakra’s words, the celestials regained their courage and fought back against the Danavas, taking Shakra as their refuge.
ततस्ते त्रिदशाः सर्वेमरुतश्च महाबलाः। प्रत्युद्ययुर्महाभागाः साध्याश्च वसुभिः सह
Then all the gods, along with the mighty Maruts, the blessed Sadhyas, and the Vasus, advanced together.
तैर्विसृष्टान्यनीकेषु क्रुद्धैः शस्त्राणि संयुगे। शराश्च दैत्यकायेषु पिबन्ति रुधिरं बहु
In that battle, the enraged gods hurled their weapons at the enemy ranks; arrows pierced the bodies of the Daityas, drinking much blood.
तेषां देहान्विनिर्भिद्य शरास्ते निशितास्तदा। निपतन्तोऽभ्यदृश्यन्त नगेभ्य इव पन्नगाः
Then those sharp arrows pierced their bodies, and as they fell, they appeared like serpents descending from mountains.
तानि दैत्यशरीराणि निर्भिन्नानिस्म सायकैः। अपतन्भूतलेराजंश्छिन्नाभ्राणीव सर्वशः
Those Daitya bodies, shattered by arrows, fell to the earth, O King, like clouds torn apart and scattered.
ततस्तद्दानवं सैन्यं सर्वैर्देवगणैर्युधि। त्रासितं विविधैर्बाणैः कृतंचैव पराङ्युखम्
Then that army of Dānavas was struck with fear in battle by all the hosts of gods, who assailed them with many kinds of arrows and turned them to flight.
अथोत्क्रुष्टं तदा हृष्टैः सर्वैर्देवैरुदायुधैः। संहतानि च तूर्याणि प्रावाद्यन्त ह्यनेकशः
At that moment, all the gods, delighted and armed, raised a great shout, and many kinds of instruments were sounded together.