पप्रच्छ कुलजान् सर्वान् किंनु श्रेयस्करं मम
He asked all the noble-born elders, 'What indeed is most beneficial for me?'
यत् ते श्रेयस्करं कर्म यदस्माकं हितं तथा
Whatever action is most auspicious for you, and likewise for our welfare—
हिरण्यकशिपुर्वीरः स शक्रो ऽभूज्जगत्त्रये
That mighty Hiraṇyakaśipu became Indra among the three worlds.
प्रत्यक्षं दानवेन्द्राणां नखैस्तं हि व्यदारयत्
Before the eyes of the lords of the Dānavas, he was torn apart by the nails.
तेषामर्थे महाबाहो शङ्करेम त्रिशूलिना
For their sake, O mighty-armed one, we revere Śaṅkara, the wielder of the trident.
कुजम्भो विष्णुना चापि प्रत्यक्षं पशुवत् तव
And Kujambha too, by Viṣṇu, was struck down before your very eyes, like a beast.
विरोचनस्तव पिता निहतः कथयामि ते
Virocana, your father, was slain—I tell you this.
उद्योगं कारयामास सह सर्वैर्महासुरैः
He set about making preparations together with all the great Asuras.
पदातयस्तथैवान्ये जग्मुर्युद्धाय दैवतैः
Foot soldiers and others likewise went forth to battle with the gods.
सैन्यस्य मध्ये च बलिः कालनेमिश्च षृष्ठतः
In the midst of the army stood Bali and Kālanemi at the front.
प्रयाति दक्षिणं घोरं तारकाख्यो भयङ्करः
Tāraka, the dreadful and fearsome one, advanced to the southern (flank).
उवाच याम दैत्यांस्तान् योद्धुं सबलसंयुतान्
He spoke to those Daityas, commanding them to fight, accompanied by their forces.
समारुरोह भगवान् यतमातलिवाजिनम्
The Blessed One mounted the chariot of Mātali, ever ready.
स्वं स्वं वाहनमारुह्य निश्चेरुर्युद्धकाङ्क्षिमः
Each mounted their own vehicle, eager for battle, and set out.
विद्याधरा गुह्यकाश्च यक्षराक्षसपन्नगाः
The Vidyādharas, Guhyakas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and serpents—
गजानन्ये रथानन्ये हयानन्ये समारुहन्
Some mounted elephants, others chariots, and others horses.
समारुह्याद्रवन् सर्वे यतो दैत्यबलं स्थितम्
Having mounted up, they all rushed to where the Daitya army was stationed.
एतस्मिन् विष्णुः सुरश्रेष्ठ अधिरुह्य समभ्यगात्
At that moment, Viṣṇu, best of the gods, mounted up and advanced.
ववन्द मूर्ध्नावनतः सह सर्वैः सुरोत्तमैः
He bowed with his head lowered, together with all the excellent gods.
पालयञ्जघनं विष्णुर्याति मध्ये सहस्रदृक्
Vishnu, the thousand-eyed, moved at the center, protecting the rear.
दक्षिणं वरुणः पार्श्वमवष्टभ्याव्रजद् बली
On the right side, mighty Varuna advanced, supporting the flank.
नानास्त्रशस्त्रोद्यतदोःसमूहा समाससादारिबलं महीध्रे
Hosts with arms raised, wielding various weapons and missiles, confronted the enemy force on the mountain.
निर्वृक्षे पक्षिरहिते जातो देवासुरो रणः
A battle between gods and demons arose where there were no trees and no birds.
महीधरोत्तमे पूर्वं यथा वानरहस्तिनोः
On the highest mountain, as once between the monkey and the elephant.
संद्यानुरक्तः सदृशो मेघः खे सुरतापस
A cloud, tinged with the color of twilight, appeared in the sky, O best of ascetics.
श्रूयते त्वनिशं शब्दः छिन्धि भिन्धीति सर्वतः
Night and day, the sound is heard everywhere: 'Cut! Break!'
जातो रुधिरनिष्यन्दो रजःसयमनात्मकः
Blood began to flow, mingled with dust, embodying confusion.
अभिद्रवन्ति सहिताः समं स्कन्देन धीमता
Together, they charged forward with the wise Skanda.
देवान् निजघ्नुर्दैत्याश्च मयगुप्ताः प्रहारिणः
The Daityas, protected by Maya and fierce in battle, struck down the gods.
निर्जिताः समरे दैत्यैः समं स्कन्देन नारद
O Narada, the gods were defeated in battle by the Daityas, together with Skanda.