श्रीशुक उवाच ।
इति दानवदैतेया नाविन्दन्नमृतं नृप ।
युक्ताः कर्मणि यत्ताश्च वासुदेवपराङ्मुखाः ॥ १॥
साधयित्वामृतं राजन् पाययित्वा स्वकान् सुरान् ।
पश्यतां सर्वभूतानां ययौ गरुडवाहनः ॥ २॥
सपत्नानां परामृद्धिं दृष्ट्वा ते दितिनन्दनाः ।
अमृष्यमाणा उत्पेतुर्देवान् प्रत्युद्यतायुधाः ॥ ३॥
ततः सुरगणाः सर्वे सुधया पीतयैधिताः ।
प्रतिसंयुयुधुः शस्त्रैर्नारायणपदाश्रयाः ॥ ४॥
तत्र दैवासुरो नाम रणः परमदारुणः ।
रोधस्युदन्वतो राजंस्तुमुलो रोमहर्षणः ॥ ५॥
तत्रान्योन्यं सपत्नास्ते संरब्धमनसो रणे ।
समासाद्यासिभिर्बाणैर्निजघ्नुर्विविधायुधैः ॥ ६॥
शङ्खतूर्यमृदङ्गानां भेरीडमरिणां महान् ।
हस्त्यश्वरथपत्तीनां नदतां निःस्वनोऽभवत् ॥ ७॥
रथिनो रथिभिस्तत्र पत्तिभिः सह पत्तयः ।
हया हयैरिभाश्चेभैः समसज्जन्त संयुगे ॥ ८॥
उष्ट्रैः केचिदिभैः केचिदपरे युयुधुः खरैः ।
केचिद्गौरमुखैरृक्षैर्द्वीपिभिर्हरिभिर्भटाः ॥ ९॥
गृध्रैः कङ्कैर्बकैरन्ये श्येनभासैस्तिमिङ्गिलैः ।
शरभैर्महिषैः खड्गैर्गोवृषैर्गवयारुणैः ॥ १०॥
शिवाभिराखुभिः केचित्कृकलासैः शशैर्नरैः ।
बस्तैरेके कृष्णसारैर्हंसैरन्ये च सूकरैः ॥ ११॥
अन्ये जलस्थलखगैः सत्त्वैर्विकृतविग्रहैः ।
सेनयोरुभयो राजन् विविशुस्तेऽग्रतोऽग्रतः ॥ १२॥
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Śrī Śuka resumed: In this way the Dānavas and the Daityas could not obtain nectar, O ruler of men—even though they stood united and had been intent on doing (their) work (of churning the ocean)—because they had turned their back on Lord Vāsudeva.(1)
Having caused nectar to be obtained, O king, and made His devotees, the gods, drink of it, the Lord mounted on (the back of) Garuḍa (the king of birds) and departed, while all living beings stood gazing. (2)
Observing the highest good fortune (success) of their enemies and jealous of it, the Daityas (sons of Diti) marched against the gods with uplifted weapons. (3)
Reinvigorated by the nectar drunk by them and having taken shelter in the feet of Lord Nārāyaṇa, all the gods thereupon offered a united resistance with their weapons.(4)
There on the seashore raged a most dreadful, thrilling and hand-to-hand fight, known by the name of a conflict between the gods and the demons, O king! (5)
With a mind full of rage, the aforesaid enemies met at close quarters on that battle-field and struck one another with swords, arrows and various(other) weapons.(6)
Tremendous was the flourish of conchs and clarionets and the noise of clay tomtoms, tabors and Damaris (a kind of drum) as well as of the trumpeting elephants, neighing horses, rattling chariots and roaring foot-soldiers.(7)
In that battle car-warriors closed with car-warriors, infantrymen with infantrymen, horses with horses and elephants with elephants. (8)
Some warriors fought on the back of camels, some on elephants and others on donkeys, (still) others fought on the back of Gauramṛgas, bears, panthers and lions. (9)
Others fought on (the back of) vultures, buzards, herons, hawks and Bhāsas(a bird of prey soaring very high in the skies), Timingilas (whales), Śarabhas (an eight-footed animal said to be stronger than a lion, the species of which has now become extinct), bisons, rhinoceroses, bulls, Gayals and Aruṇas.(10)
Some (more) fought on (the back of) jackals, rats, chameleons, hares and men; others, on goats, black antelopes and swans and still others on boars.(11)
Some (again) fought on (the back of) birds of land and water and (other) animals with deformed bodies. The warriors of both the armies, O king, penetrated farther and farther (in their effort to worst their opponents). (12) (1-12)
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चित्रध्वजपटै राजन्नातपत्रैः सितामलैः ।
महाधनैर्वज्रदण्डैर्व्यजनैर्बार्हचामरैः ॥ १३॥
वातोद्धूतोत्तरोष्णीषैरर्चिर्भिर्वर्मभूषणैः ।
स्फुरद्भिर्विशदैः शस्त्रैः सुतरां सूर्यरश्मिभिः ॥ १४॥
देवदानववीराणां ध्वजिन्यौ पाण्डुनन्दन ।
रेजतुर्वीरमालाभिर्यादसामिव सागरौ ॥ १५॥
वैरोचनो बलिः सङ्ख्ये सोऽसुराणां चमूपतिः ।
यानं वैहायसं नाम कामगं मयनिर्मितम् ॥ १६॥
सर्वसाङ्ग्रामिकोपेतं सर्वाश्चर्यमयं प्रभो ।
अप्रतर्क्यमनिर्देश्यं दृश्यमानमदर्शनम् ॥ १७॥
आस्थितस्तद्विमानाग्र्यं सर्वानीकाधिपैर्वृतः ।
वालव्यजनछत्राग्र्यै रेजे चन्द्र इवोदये ॥ १८॥
तस्यासन् सर्वतो यानैर्यूथानां पतयोऽसुराः ।
नमुचिः शम्बरो बाणो विप्रचित्तिरयोमुखः ॥ १९॥
द्विमूर्धा कालनाभोऽथ प्रहेतिर्हेतिरिल्वलः ।
शकुनिर्भूतसन्तापो वज्रदंष्ट्रो विरोचनः ॥ २०॥
हयग्रीवः शङ्कुशिराः कपिलो मेघदुन्दुभिः ।
तारकश्चक्रदृक् शुम्भो निशुम्भो जम्भ उत्कलः ॥ २१॥
अरिष्टोऽरिष्टनेमिश्च मयश्च त्रिपुराधिपः ।
अन्ये पौलोमकालेया निवातकवचादयः ॥ २२॥
अलब्धभागाः सोमस्य केवलं क्लेशभागिनः ।
सर्व एते रणमुखे बहुशो निर्जितामराः ॥ २३॥
सिंहनादान् विमुञ्चन्तः शङ्खान् दध्मुर्महारवान् ।
दृष्ट्वा सपत्नानुत्सिक्तान् बलभित्कुपितो भृशम् ॥ २४॥
ऐरावतं दिक्करिणमारूढः शुशुभे स्वराट् ।
यथा स्रवत्प्रस्रवणमुदयाद्रिमहर्पतिः ॥ २५॥
तस्यासन् सर्वतो देवा नानावाहध्वजायुधाः ।
लोकपालाः सह गणैर्वाय्वग्निवरुणादयः ॥ २६॥
तेऽन्योन्यमभिसंसृत्य क्षिपन्तो मर्मभिर्मिथः ।
आह्वयन्तो विशन्तोऽग्रे युयुधुर्द्वन्द्वयोधिनः ॥ २७॥
युयोध बलिरिन्द्रेण तारकेण गुहोऽस्यत ।
वरुणो हेतिनायुध्यन्मित्रो राजन् प्रहेतिना ॥ २८॥
यमस्तु कालनाभेन विश्वकर्मा मयेन वै ।
शम्बरो युयुधे त्वष्ट्रा सवित्रा तु विरोचनः ॥ २९॥
अपराजितेन नमुचिरश्विनौ वृषपर्वणा ।
सूर्यो बलिसुतैर्देवो बाणज्येष्ठैः शतेन च ॥ ३०॥
राहुणा च तथा सोमः पुलोम्ना युयुधेऽनिलः ।
निशुम्भशुम्भयोर्देवी भद्रकाली तरस्विनी ॥ ३१॥
वृषाकपिस्तु जम्भेन महिषेण विभावसुः ।
इल्वलः सह वातापिर्ब्रह्मपुत्रैररिन्दम ॥ ३२॥
कामदेवेन दुर्मर्ष उत्कलो मातृभिः सह ।
बृहस्पतिश्चोशनसा नरकेण शनैश्चरः ॥ ३३॥
मरुतो निवातकवचैः कालेयैर्वसवोऽमराः ।
विश्वेदेवास्तु पौलोमै रुद्राः क्रोधवशैः सह ॥ ३४॥
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With the ranks of warriors distinguished by (their) ensigns of various colours, spotless white costly umbrellas with handles of diamond, fly-flappers of peacock feathers and the bushy tail of Camaris (a species of deer found in the Himalayan region), turbans and pieces of cloth used as upper garment waved by the wind, brilliant coats of mail and ornaments and burnished weapons shining brightly under the rays of the sun, O king, the armies of the celestial and Asura heroes shone like two oceans with rows of sea-monsters. (13—15)
In that battle the celebrated Bali, son of Virocana, was the commander-in-chief of the Asura forces. Seated in his famous vehicle, Vaihāyasa by name, the foremost of (all) aerial cars— which had been manufactured by (the demon) Maya and could fly at will, (nay,) which was equipped with all implements of warfare and full of all wonders, O lord, which was incomprehensible by reason and could not be precisely located (because of its uncertain and wonderfully swift movements) and which, though perceived (now and then), defied perception (because of its dazzling splendour)— and surrounded by all troop-commanders, he shone in the midst of a pair of chowries (which were being waved on his right and left) and under an exquisite umbrella like the moon on the eastern hill (while rising). (16—18)
On all his sides appeared in (their respective) aerial cars (other) Asuras, the commanders of the (various) squadrons— Namuci, Śambara, Bāṇa, Vipracitti, Ayomukha (steel-mouthed), Dwimūrdhā (possessed of a pair of heads), Kālanābha and Praheti, Heti, Ilwala, Śakuni, Bhūtasantāpa (the torment of created beings), Vajradamṣṭra (possessed of adamantine teeth), Virocana (shining brightly), Hayagriva (having the head and neck of a horse), Śaṅkuśīrā (spear-headed), Kapila (tawny of hue), Meghadundubhi, Tāraka, Cakradṛk (having wheel-like eyes), Śumbha, Niśumbha, Jambha, Utkala, Ariṣṭa, Ariṣṭanemi, Maya, the lord of the three (flying) cities, and others, viz., the Paulomas and Kāleyas, the Nivātakavacas and so on. (19—22)
Having not received any share in the nectar (churned out of the ocean of milk), they had only suffered hardship (in toiling for the nectar). All these (however) had on many an occasion utterly defeated the immortals at the very commencement of the operations. (23)
Sending forth the roars of a lion, they blew loud-sounding conchs. Seeing his foes puffed up with pride, Indra (the destroyer of the demon Bala), got highly enraged. (24)
Mounted on Airāvata, an elephant guarding the (eastern) quarter (with the temple-juice streaming from its temples), Indra shone like the sun (lit., the ruler of the day) appearing on the eastern hill with cascades falling down (its sloping sides). (25)
All round him stood the (other) gods, mounted on their diverse mounts and carrying different ensigns and weapons, as well as the guardians of the (various) worlds—Vāyu (the wind-god), Agni (the god of fire), Varuṇa (the god of water) and others—with their retinue. (26)
Rushing violently towards and reproaching one another with words that cut to the quick, (nay,) challenging one another and rushing forward, they fought in pairs. (27)
Bali contended with Indra; Guha (the younger son of Lord Śiva) cast his lot with Tāraka; Varuṇa fought with Heti and Mitra with Praheti, O Parikṣit! (28)
Similarly Yama tried his strength with Kālanābha; Viśwakarmā (the architect of heaven), indeed with Maya (the architect of the demons); Śambara, with Twaṣṭā (a lord of created beings) and Virocana (Bali's father and son of Prahrāda) with Savitā. (29)
Namuci crossed arms with Aparājita, the Aświns (the twin-born physicians of the gods) with Vṛṣaparvā, and the god Sūrya (the sun-god) with the hundred sons of Bali, of whom the eldest was Bāṇa. (30)
Soma (the moon-god) likewise fought with Rāhu; Anila (the wind-god) with Pulomā, and the powerful Goddess Bhadrakālī with Niśumbha and Śumbha. (31)
Vṛṣākapi (Lord Śiva) for His part closed with Jambha; Vibhāvasu (the god of fire), with Mahiṣa and Ilwala, accompanied by Vātāpi, with the sage Marici and others (the sons of Brahmā), O chastiser of foes! (32)
Durmarṣa (one hard to withstand) had an encounter with Kāmadeva (the god of love); Utkala with the Mātṛkās (the divine mothers or personified energies of the principal deities); the sage Bṛhaspati (the preceptor of the gods), with Uśanā (Śukrācārya, the preceptor of the demons) and Śanaiścara (the deity presiding over the planet Saturn and a son of the sun-god) with Naraka (the demon born of the union of the Lord manifested in the form of the divine Boar with Mother Earth). (33)
The (forty-nine) Maruts (wind-gods) entered into a conflict with the Nivātakavacas; the (group of the eight) gods known as the Vasus with the Kāleyas; the (gods called) Viśwedevas, with the Paulomas and the (eleven) Rudras (the gods of destruction), with the Krodhavasas (a class of serpents, extremely ferocious by nature, residing in the lower regions). (34) (13-34)
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त एवमाजावसुराः सुरेन्द्राः
द्वन्द्वेन संहत्य च युध्यमानाः ।
अन्योन्यमासाद्य निजघ्नुरोजसा
जिगीषवस्तीक्ष्णशरासितोमरैः ॥ ३५॥
भुशुण्डिभिश्चक्रगदर्ष्टिपट्टिशैः
शक्त्युल्मुकैः प्रासपरश्वधैरपि ।
निस्त्रिंशभल्लैः परिघैः समुद्गरैः
सभिन्दिपालैश्च शिरांसि चिच्छिदुः ॥ ३६॥
गजास्तुरङ्गाः सरथाः पदातयः
सारोहवाहा विविधा विखण्डिताः ।
निकृत्तबाहूरुशिरोधराङ्घ्रय-
श्छिन्नध्वजेष्वासतनुत्रभूषणाः ॥ ३७॥
तेषां पदाघातरथाङ्गचूर्णिता-
दायोधनादुल्बण उत्थितस्तदा ।
रेणुर्दिशः खं द्युमणिं च छादयन्
न्यवर्ततासृक्स्रुतिभिः परिप्लुतात् ॥ ३८॥
शिरोभिरुद्धूतकिरीटकुण्डलैः
संरम्भदृग्भिः परिदष्टदच्छदैः ।
महाभुजैः साभरणैः सहायुधैः
सा प्रास्तृता भूः करभोरुभिर्बभौ ॥ ३९॥
कबन्धास्तत्र चोत्पेतुः पतितस्वशिरोऽक्षिभिः ।
उद्यतायुधदोर्दण्डैराधावन्तो भटान् मृधे ॥ ४०॥
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Fighting in pairs as well as collectively on the battle-field in the aforesaid manner and approaching one another, the Asuras as well as the leaders of the gods violently struck one another with sharp arrows, swords and iron clubs in their eagerness to win. (35)
And they lopped off the heads of one another with Bhuśuṇḍis (a kind of weapon perhaps of the nature of fire-arms), discuses, maces, lances and sharp-edged spears, darts and firebrands, Prāsas (a barbed missile) and axes, scimitars and Bhallas (a kind of arrow with a point of a particular shape), bludgeons as well as with Mudgaras (a kind of hammer-shaped weapon) and Bhindipālas (catapults). (36)
Elephants and horses (as well as those riding on them), car-warriors and footmen and various (other) mounts with (their) riders were cut to pieces. They had (their) arms, thighs, necks and feet chopped off; while their ensigns, bows, coats of mail and ornaments were torn in pieces. (37)
From the battle-ground pounded by their tread and (the impact of their) wheels rose at that time a thick cloud of dust enveloping the quarters as well as the heavens including the sun; it (however) disappeared due to the ground having been drenched by the spouts of blood (discharged from the wounds of the warriors). (38)
Thickly strewn with heads—from which diadems and ear-rings had been knocked off, (nay,) which had anger in (their) eyes and whose lips were (still) closely clasped (in anger)—as well as with long and stout arms, (still) decked with ornaments and holding weapons, and with shapely thighs (resembling the trunk of an elephant, which is thick at the upper end and grows less and less thicker below)—the said battle-ground looked (very) attractive. (39)
Headless trunks sprang on their feet on that battle-field and rushed towards the (hostile) warriors with (their) stout arms (still) holding uplifted weapons and perceiving (recognizing) them with the eyes in their fallen heads. (40) (35-40)
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बलिर्महेन्द्रं दशभिस्त्रिभिरैरावतं शरैः ।
चतुर्भिश्चतुरो वाहानेकेनारोहमार्च्छयत् ॥ ४१॥
स तानापततः शक्रस्तावद्भिः शीघ्रविक्रमः ।
चिच्छेद निशितैर्भल्लैरसम्प्राप्तान् हसन्निव ॥ ४२॥
तस्य कर्मोत्तमं वीक्ष्य दुर्मर्षः शक्तिमाददे ।
तां ज्वलन्तीं महोल्काभां हस्तस्थामच्छिनद्धरिः ॥ ४३॥
ततः शूलं ततः प्रासं ततस्तोमरमृष्टयः ।
यद्यच्छस्त्रं समादद्यात्सर्वं तदच्छिनद्विभुः ॥ ४४॥
ससर्जाथासुरीं मायामन्तर्धानगतोऽसुरः ।
ततः प्रादुरभूच्छैलः सुरानीकोपरि प्रभो ॥ ४५॥
ततो निपेतुस्तरवो दह्यमाना दवाग्निना ।
शिलाः सटङ्कशिखराश्चूर्णयन्त्यो द्विषद्बलम् ॥ ४६॥
महोरगाः समुत्पेतुर्दन्दशूकाः सवृश्चिकाः ।
सिंहव्याघ्रवराहाश्च मर्दयन्तो महागजान् ॥ ४७॥
यातुधान्यश्च शतशः शूलहस्ता विवाससः ।
छिन्धि भिन्धीति वादिन्यस्तथा रक्षोगणाः प्रभो ॥ ४८॥
ततो महाघना व्योम्नि गम्भीरपरुषस्वनाः ।
अङ्गारान् मुमुचुर्वातैराहताः स्तनयित्नवः ॥ ४९॥
सृष्टो दैत्येन सुमहान् वह्निः श्वसनसारथिः ।
सांवर्तक इवात्युग्रो विबुधध्वजिनीमधाक् ॥ ५०॥
ततः समुद्र उद्वेलः सर्वतः प्रत्यदृश्यत ।
प्रचण्डवातैरुद्धूततरङ्गावर्तभीषणः ॥ ५१॥
एवं दैत्यैर्महामायैरलक्ष्यगतिभीषणैः ।
सृज्यमानासु मायासु विषेदुः सुरसैनिकाः ॥ ५२॥
न तत्प्रतिविधिं यत्र विदुरिन्द्रादयो नृप ।
ध्यातः प्रादुरभूत्तत्र भगवान् विश्वभावनः ॥ ५३॥
ततः सुपर्णांसकृताङ्घ्रिपल्लवः
पिशङ्गवासा नवकञ्जलोचनः ।
अदृश्यताष्टायुधबाहुरुल्लस-
च्छ्रीकौस्तुभानर्घ्यकिरीटकुण्डलः ॥ ५४॥
तस्मिन् प्रविष्टेऽसुरकूटकर्मजा
माया विनेशुर्महिना महीयसः ।
स्वप्नो यथा हि प्रतिबोध आगते
हरिस्मृतिः सर्वविपद्विमोक्षणम् ॥ ५५॥
दृष्ट्वा मृधे गरुडवाहमिभारिवाह
आविध्य शूलमहिनोदथ कालनेमिः ।
तल्लीलया गरुडमूर्ध्नि पतद्गृहीत्वा
तेनाहनन्नृप सवाहमरिं त्र्यधीशः ॥ ५६॥
माली सुमाल्यतिबलौ युधि पेततुर्य-
च्चक्रेण कृत्तशिरसावथ माल्यवांस्तम् ।
आहत्य तिग्मगदयाहनदण्डजेन्द्रं
तावच्छिरोऽच्छिनदरेर्नदतोऽरिणाद्यः ॥ ५७॥
इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां
अष्टमस्कन्धे देवासुरसङ्ग्रामे दशमोऽध्यायः ॥ १०॥
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Bali assailed the mighty Indra with ten arrows, Airāvata (his elephant) with three, the four guards of Airāvata with four (each with one) and its driver with one. (41)
Quick in showing his valour, Śakra (Indra) cut them with the same number of (eighteen) sharp Bhallas, as though smiling, as they came flying (towards him), even before they reached him. (42)
Observing his superb feat, Bali, who could not easily tolerate this discomfiture, took up a dart glowing like a mighty firebrand. Indra (however) cut it while it was (yet) in Bali's hand (before he was able to discharge it). (43)
Bali thereupon took up a spear, then a Prāsa and then (again) a Tomara (iron club) and double-edged swords. (But) whatever weapon he took in his hand (the powerful) Indra cut down all of them (in no time). (44)
Going out of sight, the demon (Bali) next let loose his demoniacal Māyā (illusion) and thereupon came into view a mountain over (the heads of) the celestial forces, O king! (45)
From that mountain fell down trees burning with forest fire and rocks with (their) tops sharp as (the edge of) a chisel, pulverizing the enemy's forces. (46)
Further (from that mountain) rused forth large serpents and (other) snakes with scorpions, as well as lions, tigers and boars crushing gigantic elephants. (47)
There also appeared in hundreds nude ogresses with pikes in (their) hands, exclaiming "Cut down", "Break asunder!" and ogres too, O lord! (48)
Then large thundering clouds, buffeted by winds, rained live coals with a deep and terrific roar. (49)
Conjured up by the demon, a very extensive and most formidable fire, helped by the winds, began to burn the celestial army like the fire appearing at the time of final dissolution of the universe. (50)
Then was observed on all sides an ocean that transgressed (all) limits and looked terrible on account of (its) whirlpools and waves tossed up by fierce winds. (51)
In the midst of illusions that were being likewise created by other Daityas (too), who were great adepts in conjuring tricks and were (most) formidable because of their imperceptible movements, the celestial warriors grew despondent. (52)
When Indra and others, O protector of men, did not know how to counteract this evil, the almighty Lord, who is the Protector of the universe and was called to mind (by the gods), manifested Himself there. (53)
Presently there appeared the Lord, clad in yellow robes and endowed with eight arms wielding (different) weapons, with eyes resembling a pair of budding lotuses and His feet, tender as young leaves, placed across the shoulders of Garuḍa (who had a pair of beautiful wings), and on whose person shone forth Goddess Śrī (in the form of a golden streak on His bosom), the Kaustubha gem, a priceless crown and a pair of invaluable ear-rings. (54)
The moment He entered the battle-field the illusions created by the conjuring tricks of the demons yielded to the glory of that mighty Lord even as a dream is broken the moment wakefulness returns (to a sleeping man). For, (to say nothing of the Lord's actual presence), the (very) thought of Śrī Hari is the (only) radical cure for all ills. (35)
Perceiving Lord Viṣṇu (the Rider of Garuḍa) on the field of battle, and revolving his dart, (the demon) Kālanemi (who was reborn as Karīsa in his next incarnation and) who rode on a lion (the enemy of an elephant) presently flung it (at Him). Seizing it by way of sport as it was about to descend on Garuḍa's head, Viṣṇu (the Lord of the three worlds) despatched with it, O protector of the people, the enemy (Kālanemi) along with his mount (the lion). (56)
Encountering the Lord, by whose discus (Sudarśana) the mighty Mālī and Sumālī (too) had their heads lopped off and fell on the battle-field, Mālyavān (another general of the Āsurika forces) was just going to strike Garuḍa (the king of birds) with a pointed mace when Śrī Hari (the most ancient Person) severed the head of the roaring enemy with the same discus. (57)
Thus ends the tenth discourse, forming part of the story of the war between the gods and the demons in Book Eight of the great and glorious Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, otherwise known as the Paramahārhsa-Sarhhitā. (41-57)
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