Passage 1
श्रीराम उवाच— उत्कर्षं देवपक्षस्य दृष्ट्वा ते दैत्यदानवाः। अतीव तेयुर्मनसि सुमहामर्षसंयुताः॥१॥
Śrī Rāma said: Seeing the gods' ascendancy, the Daityas and Dānavas burned inwardly with immense indignation.
Passage 2
उत्पेतुरायुधकराः क्रोधसंरम्भभीषणाः। देवान् प्रति महामर्षभरेणात्यन्तमाकुलाः॥२॥
Weapons in hand, they sprang up, terrifying in angry fury and overwhelmed by resentment toward the gods.
Passage 3
तेषामुत्पततामासुरनीकानि सहस्रशः। छिन्धि भिन्धि जहि स्कन्देत्युच्चैः शब्दानि संततम्॥३॥
As they surged forward in thousands of formations, unceasing cries rang out: “Cut! Break! Strike! Charge!”
Passage 4
अहो हतं सुरैर्यत्तन्न क्षन्तव्यं मनीषिभिः। इति मन्त्रयतां तेषां समवायो महानभूत्॥४॥
Declaring that the gods' treachery could not be tolerated by sensible men, they gathered in a vast assembly.
Passage 5
देवानभिमुखीभूय संरब्धाः समरेऽसुराः। नानायुधमयैर्वर्षैस्तत्क्षणात्समवाकिरन्॥५॥
Facing the gods in battle, the enraged Asuras immediately covered them with showers of many weapons.
Passage 6
असिभिः परिघैः शूलैर्गदाबाणपरश्वधैः। भुशुण्डैः स्तोमरैश्चक्रैर्निर्घातः सुमहानभूत्॥६॥
Swords, clubs, spears, maces, arrows, axes, bhuśuṇḍis, javelins, and discs produced a tremendous crashing assault.
Passage 7
परस्परं घ्नतां तेषां क्रोधभीषणचक्षुषाम्। कलहोद्भव आरावो रोदसी व्याप्य तस्थिवान्॥७॥
As the rage-eyed warriors struck one another, the roar born of combat filled heaven and earth.
Passage 8
उभयोः सेनयोस्तेषामवद्यन्त भयावहाः। शङ्खतूर्यमृदङ्गाद्याः डमरूपटहादयः॥८॥
In both armies terrifying conches, trumpets, mṛdaṅgas, small drums, war drums, and other instruments sounded.
Passage 9
भेरीदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषवीरनादभयानकाः। अदारयन्निव भुवं त्रिदशासुरसेनयोः॥९॥
The frightening kettledrums, war drums, and warriors' cries of the divine and Asura armies seemed to split the earth.
Passage 10
हस्तिनोऽश्वा रथाश्चैव पत्तयो व्यवदन्मुहुः। असज्जन्त तथैवैते संग्राममितरेतरम्॥१०॥
Elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers clamored repeatedly as the two sides joined battle.
Passage 11
महोक्षसादिनः केचित्केचित्खरनिषादिनः। केचिद्गौरखरारूढा ऋक्षारूढाश्च केचन॥११॥
Some rode great bulls, some asses, some wild cattle, and others bears.
Passage 12
केचिद्द्वीपिवरारूढाः सिंहारूढाश्च केचन। गृध्रकङ्कबकारूढा अन्ये श्येननिषादिनः॥१२॥
Some rode great leopards or lions; others vultures, herons, cranes, or hawks.
Passage 13
भासचाषसमारूढाः केचिद्ग्राहनिषादिनः। शरभान् महिषान् खड्गान् गवयांश्चाप्यधिष्ठिताः॥१३॥
Some mounted vultures, blue jays, or crocodiles; others rode śarabhas, buffaloes, rhinoceroses, and wild oxen.
Passage 14
केचिद्गोवृषभारूढाः परे गोमायुसादिनः। केचिदाखुवरारूढाः केचिन्नकुलवाहनाः॥१४॥
Some rode cattle or bulls, others jackals; some rode giant mice, and others mongooses.
Passage 15
कृकलासान् समारूढाश्चान्ये शशनिषादिनः। हंससूकरवस्त्राधिरूढा हरिणवाहनाः॥१५॥
Others mounted lizards or hares; still others rode geese, boars, rams, or deer.
Passage 16
नानाजलस्थलचरसत्त्वारूढा भयानकाः। आकारैर्वाहनैर्वेषैर्विकृता घोरदर्शनाः॥१६॥
Mounted on many creatures of water and land, they looked dreadful, distorted in form, vehicle, and dress.
Passage 17
संग्रामभूमिमसुरा आययुस्त्रिदशानभि। नानाचित्रध्वजपटैर्विभूषितरथोत्तमाः॥१७॥
The Asuras advanced toward the gods' battlefield in fine chariots adorned with many brilliant banners.
Passage 18
नानावर्णच्छत्रधरा नानाव्यजनचामराः। नानाकवचसंछन्ना नानाभूषणभूषिताः॥१८॥
They bore parasols of many colors, fans and yak-tail whisks, varied armor, and many ornaments.
Passage 19
नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सूर्यांशुद्विगुणत्विषः। नानोत्तरीयरुचिरा नानोष्णीषविराजिताः॥१९॥
Carrying many weapons, they shone twice as brightly as sunlight, splendid in varied upper garments and turbans.
Passage 20
देवानां चापि दैत्यानां वाहिन्यो भीषणस्वनाः। बभासिरे विश्वकर्मविचित्रर्चनाश्रयाः॥२०॥
The fearsomely roaring armies of gods and Daityas shone with wondrous adornments fashioned by Viśvakarmā.
Passage 21
व्यूढा नानाविधैर्व्यूहैर्नानावीरवरान्विताः। सागरा इव यादोभिर्नानायोधवरैर्युताः॥२१॥
Arrayed in many formations and filled with excellent warriors, they resembled oceans crowded with aquatic beings.
Passage 22
असुराणां चमूमध्ये वीरा बलिमुखाः स्फुटम्। बलिर्नेमुचिरुग्रास्यः शम्बरो बाण उग्रभित्॥२२॥
At the heart of the Asura host stood heroes led by Bali: Bali, Namuci, Ugrāsya, Śambara, Bāṇa, and Ugrabhit.
Passage 23
अयोमुखो विप्रचित्तिर्द्विमूर्धा चक्रदृग्बलः। कालनाभः प्रहेतिश्च हेतिस्तारक इल्वलः॥२३॥
There were Ayomukha, Vipracitti, Dvimūrdhā, Cakradṛg, Bala, Kālanābha, Praheti, Heti, Tāraka, and Ilvala.
Passage 24
शुम्भो निशुम्भो जम्भश्च वज्रदंष्ट्रो विरोचनः। शकुनिर्भूतसन्त्रास उत्कलः शङ्कुशीर्षकः॥२४॥
There were Śumbha, Niśumbha, Jambha, Vajradaṃṣṭra, Virocana, Śakuni, Bhūtasantrāsa, Utkala, and Śaṅkuśīrṣaka.
Passage 25
हयग्रीवश्च कपिलोऽरिष्टनेमिश्च रिष्टकः। मयस्त्रिपुर एवापि तथान्यो मेघदुन्दुभिः॥२५॥
There were Hayagrīva, Kapila, Ariṣṭanemi, Riṣṭaka, Maya, Tripura, and Meghadundubhi.
Passage 26
पौलोमाश्चैव कालेया निवातकवचास्तथा। गणशोऽसुरवर्यास्तु समाजग्मुः सुरानभि॥२६॥
The Paulomas, Kāleyas, and Nivātakavacas, with other foremost Asuras in companies, advanced against the gods.
Passage 27
क्रोधलज्जापरीतान्तःकरणा भागलोपतः। यैर्निर्जिताः पुरा देवास्ते दैत्या रणमाययुः॥२७॥
Their hearts filled with anger and shame at losing their share, the Daityas who had formerly defeated the gods came to battle.
Passage 28
सिंहनादकरा भीमाः कृतास्फोटा बलोद्धताः। विचित्रवर्णा दैतेयाः सुरैः संयोद्धुमागताः॥२८॥
Roaring like lions, terrifying, slapping their arms, and proud of strength, the many-colored Daityas came to fight the gods.
Passage 29
शङ्खनादकृतोत्साहा उत्पतन्तो धृतायुधाः। तान् वीक्ष्यैरावतारूढः कुपितोऽभूत् पुरन्दरः॥२९॥
Encouraged by conch blasts, they charged with weapons raised; seeing them, Indra grew angry atop Airāvata.
Passage 30
उदयावसरे यद्वत्सूर्यः शैलशिरःस्थितः। शुशुभेऽमरराट् तद्वद्दोणासुरतमस्ततिः॥३०॥
Like the rising sun upon a mountain peak, the king of the gods shone, dispelling the massed darkness of the Asuras.
Passage 31
तमनुप्रययुः सर्वे लोकपाला दिगीश्वराः। पाशभृद्वायुदहनयक्षराण्नैर्ऋतादयः॥३१॥
All the world protectors and guardians of the directions followed him: Varuṇa, Vāyu, Agni, Kubera, Nirṛti, and the rest. The Champions Meet
Passage 32
द्वन्द्वशो द्वन्द्वशो देवा दैत्यैर्युयुधिरे रणे। युयुधे बलिना शक्रस्तारकेण षडाननः॥३२॥
Gods and Daityas fought in pairs: Indra fought Bali, and six-faced Skanda fought Tāraka.
Passage 33
हेतिसंज्ञेन पाशी च मित्रोऽयुध्यत्प्रहेतिना। यमश्च कालनाभश्च परस्परमयुध्यताम्॥३३॥
Varuṇa fought Heti, Mitra fought Praheti, and Yama and Kālanābha fought one another.
Passage 34
विश्वकर्मा मयश्चैव त्वष्टा शम्बर एव च। विरोचनश्च सविता वृषपर्वाश्विनावपि॥३४॥
Viśvakarmā met Maya, Tvaṣṭṛ met Śambara, Savitṛ met Virocana, and the Aśvins met Vṛṣaparvan.
Passage 35
बाणमुख्यैर्बलिसुतैः शतेन युयुधे रविः। अपराजितो नमुचिना राहुणा रजनीकरः॥३५॥
The sun fought a hundred sons of Bali led by Bāṇa; Aparājita fought Namuci, and the moon fought Rāhu.
Passage 36
पुलोमा चानिलोऽयुध्यद् युद्धे तस्मिन्नयुध्यताम्। तथा शुम्भनिशुम्भाभ्यां देवी कात्यायनी स्वयम्॥३६॥
Vāyu fought Pulomā, while Goddess Kātyāyanī herself fought Śumbha and Niśumbha.
Passage 37
जम्भो वृषाकपिं देवं योधयामास सर्वतः। विभावसुं च महिषो मातृत्करसंज्ञकः॥३७॥
Jambha assailed the god Vṛṣākapi from every side, while the Asura Mātṛtkara fought Agni.
Passage 38
दुर्मर्षः काममेवापि शुक्रो वाचस्पतिं तथा। तथैव इल्वलवातापी ब्रह्मपुत्रौ महाबलौ॥३८॥
Durmarṣa fought Kāma, Śukra fought Bṛhaspati, and the mighty Ilvala and Vātāpi fought two sons of Brahmā.
Passage 39
शनैश्चरं च नरकः कालेया वसुसंज्ञकान्। निवातकवचा दैत्या मरुतः समयोधयन्॥३९॥
Naraka fought Saturn, the Kāleyas fought the Vasus, and the Nivātakavaca Daityas fought the Maruts.
Passage 40
विद्वान् देवांश्च पौलोमा रुद्रांश्चान्ये महासुराः। अयोधयन् भिन्दिपालैस्तोमरैश्च परश्वधैः॥४०॥
The Paulomas fought the Viśvedevas, and other great Asuras fought the Rudras with darts, javelins, and axes. The Battlefield Is Overwhelmed
Passage 41
खड्गैः शक्त्यृष्टिविशिखैर्गदाभिश्चक्रपट्टिशैः। उल्मुकैः प्रासकुन्तैश्च मुद्गरैर्लोहदण्डकैः॥४१॥
They fought with swords, lances, spears, arrows, maces, discs, halberds, firebrands, pikes, javelins, hammers, and iron clubs.
Passage 42
अन्योन्यं युध्यमानानां देवासुरबलीयसाम्। अनीकानि व्यदृश्यन्त संरब्धानि समन्ततः॥४२॥
As the mighty gods and Asuras fought one another, enraged formations appeared on every side.
Passage 43
निरभिद्यन्त मातङ्गास्तुरङ्गाः पत्तयो रथाः। आयुधानां निपततां प्रहारैरतिदारुणैः॥४३॥
Elephants, horses, foot soldiers, and chariots were torn apart by the dreadful blows of falling weapons.
Passage 44
केचित्कृत्तदोर्दण्डाः परे भग्नशिरोधराः। अन्ये वृक्णाङ्घ्रयस्तत्र बभूवुः सेनयोर्द्वयोः॥४४॥
In both armies some had their arms cut away, others their necks broken, and others their legs severed.
Passage 45
केचिच्छिन्नध्वजधनुर्वर्माणो देवदानवाः। मुष्टामुष्टिप्रहरणा अयुध्यन्त रणाङ्गणे॥४५॥
Gods and Dānavas whose banners, bows, and armor were shattered fought fist against fist on the battlefield.
Passage 46
अन्योन्यरथिनां चैव सादिनामभिधावताम्। अत्युत्तालचलद्वाहखुराग्रैरुद्धतं रजः॥४६॥
As charioteers and cavalry charged each other, wildly moving hooves raised a cloud of dust.
Passage 47
दिशो दश नभश्चैव सूर्यं नक्षत्रमण्डलीम्। आच्छादयत्तरां लोके यथाभूत्तिमिरं महत्॥४७॥
It covered the ten directions, the sky, the sun, and the circle of stars, and a great darkness filled the world.
Passage 48
तद्रजः शस्त्रसम्पातप्रहारभवशोणितैः। प्रवाहैः प्रचलितैः सद्यः शान्तिमनीयत॥४८॥
Streams of blood produced by the crashing weapons immediately settled that dust.
Passage 49
प्रस्थानभूरभूत्पूर्वं पङ्किला करिणां मदैः। सा नीता प्रकृतिं भूयो हयैरुच्चैः कृतक्रमैः॥४९॥
The ground of advance first became muddy with elephants' ichor, then stamping horses churned it again.
Passage 50
इत्यालक्ष्य नृपावार्द्रैर्गजैर्वापिः करोद्धृतैः। छन्नो रजोभरो व्योम्नि नीतो जम्बालपिण्डताम्॥५०॥
Thus the mass of dust that covered the sky was made into clods of mire by the wetness flung up from the combatants and elephants.
Passage 51
संरम्भशोणनयनैः सकिरीटैः सकुण्डलैः। दन्तदष्टाधरदलैर्हुङ्कारध्वनिगर्भितैः॥५१॥
The field was strewn with crowned, earring-adorned heads, their eyes red with fury, lips bitten by teeth, and mouths still filled with war cries.
Passage 52
आततरे रसा सद्यः शिरोभिरमरद्विषाम्। कबन्धैश्च तथानेकैर्भाङ्कारध्वनिमुद्गिरन्॥५२॥
The earth was quickly covered by the heads and numerous headless trunks of the gods' enemies, still emitting dreadful sounds.
Passage 53
केचित्कबन्धाः पतिताः स्वशीर्षनयनैक्षणाः। उदायुधाः समुत्पेतुः प्रहरन्तः परस्परम्॥५३॥
Some fallen trunks, looking through the eyes of their own severed heads, rose with weapons and struck one another.
Passage 54
एवं कबन्धा युयुधुः कबन्धैर्युद्धदुर्मदैः। तदद्भुतमतीवासीच्चि पेतुर्यच्चिराद्भुवि॥५४॥
Thus battle-maddened trunks fought trunks; the wonder was that they fell to the ground only after a long time. Bali Battles Indra
Passage 55
अथ बलिरसुरेन्द्रं संयुगे विक्रमन्तं दशभिरिषुभिरुच्चैर्विव्यधे हेमपुङ्खैः। त्रिभिरिभवरमस्याथाडिधरक्षांश्चतुर्भिः सुणिकरमवधीदेकेन यन्तारमस्य॥५५॥
Bali struck the advancing Indra with ten gold-feathered arrows, his great elephant with three, its guards with four, and its driver with one.
Passage 56
अमरपतिरुदीक्ष्यापातिनोऽष्टादशेषून् समिति समभिनत्तान् स्वैः स तावद्भिरेव। अहसदमितवीर्यस्तद्विलोक्यामराली भृशमुरुनिजभर्तुः कर्म तुष्टाव संख्ये॥५६॥
The lord of the gods split the eighteen incoming arrows with the same number of his own and laughed; the divine host loudly praised its mighty master's deed.
Passage 57
तदुपरि पुनरादादुत्कलः शक्तिमुग्रामभिनदमरराट् तां हस्त एवोज्ज्वलन्तीम्। अथ पुनरसुरेन्द्रो विक्रमन् युद्धभूमौ सुरपतिमभिशस्त्रं संदधावन्यदन्यत्॥५७॥
Utkala then hurled a fierce lance, which Indra broke while it still flashed in his hand; advancing, the Asura lord fitted weapon after weapon against him.
Passage 58
प्रासशूलगदाचक्रशरतोमरऋष्टिभिः। सुरेन्द्रं हन्तुमुद्युक्तो बलिः समरभीषणः॥५८॥
Terrible in battle, Bali sought to kill Indra with pikes, tridents, maces, discs, arrows, javelins, and spears.
Passage 59
सुरेन्द्रस्तत्तदस्यास्त्रं शस्त्रं च बलिनोदितम्। अच्छिनत्सहसा स्वस्य शस्त्रेण स महौजसा॥५९॥
The mighty Indra swiftly cut down every missile and weapon launched by Bali with weapons of his own. The Asuras Unleash Illusion
Passage 60
अथासुरेन्द्रः समरे ससर्ज भयानकामासुरकूटमायाम्। ततः सुरानीकमधो विधाय शिलोच्चयोऽदृश्यत रोधमहीपान्॥६०॥
The Asura lord then released a terrifying demonic illusion: a mountain appeared above the divine army, blocking the sky.
Passage 61
ततो निपेतुर्ज्वलिता महोल्का दावाग्निलिप्तास्तरवस्तथोग्राः। शिलाश्च तीक्ष्णाग्रकरालदर्शाः संचूर्णयन्त्यो दिविषद्बलानि॥६१॥
Blazing meteors, trees wrapped in forest fire, and sharp, terrible rocks fell and crushed the divine forces.
Passage 62
महोरगा दंशवला विषाग्निज्वालाभृतो वृश्चिकवर्यसंघाः। पञ्चानना व्याघ्रवराश्च वराहास्ततः समुत्पेतुरुदग्रवेगाः॥६२॥
Great venomous serpents, hosts of deadly scorpions, lions, tigers, and boars rushed forth with tremendous speed.
Passage 63
प्रमर्दयन्तो दशनैर्दंशन्तो विषाग्निना व्याप्नुवन्तो रुजन्तः। महागजान् देवबलस्थितांश्च तुरङ्गमान् स्यन्दनवाहवर्यान्॥६३॥
Crushing with teeth, biting with fiery poison, and spreading pain, they attacked the gods' elephants, horses, and chariot teams.
Passage 64
महाघना व्योम्नि गभीरतीव्रस्वनैर्मनांसि प्रविभीषयन्तः। अङ्गारवृष्टीर्मुमुचुः प्रचण्डवातेरिता घोरपिशङ्गवर्णाः॥६४॥
Dark tawny storm clouds, driven by violent winds, terrified minds with deep roars and poured showers of burning coals.
Passage 65
महानलो दैत्यमायाविसृष्टः समीरवेगोच्चलकीलमालः। अत्युग्ररूपः प्रसभं प्रसर्पन् ददाह देवध्वजिनीं समन्तात्॥६५॥
A great illusion-born fire, its tongues driven high by wind, spread violently and burned the divine army on every side.
Passage 66
ततोऽम्बुधिर्घर्घरघोषभीमः समन्ततः प्लावितसर्वदेशः। प्रचण्डवातोद्धतभीमभूरितरङ्ग आवर्तशतप्रतानः॥६६॥
Then a roaring ocean flooded every region, its many terrible waves raised by fierce wind and its hundreds of whirlpools spreading wide.
Passage 67
इत्थमेवेतरैर्दैत्यैस्तन्यमाना रणाङ्गणे। कूटमाया व्यदृश्यन्त सुरसैन्यभयावहाः॥६७॥
Other Daityas likewise projected deceptive illusions across the battlefield, terrifying the divine army.
Passage 68
विषीदन्ति स्म तां दृष्ट्वा मायामसुरसम्भवाम्। देवाः प्रत्यक्षकर्माणः कूटरूपामलक्षिताम्॥६८॥
Seeing that unseen, deceptive magic produced by the Asuras, the gods, accustomed to direct action, despaired. Viṣṇu Appears and Dispels the Illusion
Passage 69
ततो विषण्णाः सुरलोकसैनिका हतोद्यमाः सस्मरुरिन्दिरापतिम्। अथाविरासीद्भगवान् स्मृतिक्षणे सगेन्द्रपृष्ठाहितपादपल्लवः॥६९॥
Their effort broken, the despondent heavenly soldiers remembered Lakṣmī's Lord; the instant they remembered, he appeared with lotus feet set upon Garuḍa's back.
Passage 70
स पुङ्गवरागारुणपद्मलोचनः पिशङ्गवासा गलकौस्तुभाञ्चितः। किरीटरुक्कुण्डलभानुमण्डितः श्रीवत्सलक्ष्माष्टभुजो धृतायुधः॥७०॥
His lotus eyes were red as the finest ruby; clad in yellow, adorned with Kaustubha, crown, and radiant earrings, the eight-armed, weapon-bearing Lord bore Śrīvatsa.
Passage 71
तस्मिन्नाविर्भूतमात्रे महौजस्यासुर्यस्ताः कूटमाया विनेशुः। यावन्मैवोदेति भानुर्जगत्यां तावद्विष्वग् दृश्यते ह्यन्धकारः॥७१॥
The instant that mighty Lord appeared, the Asuras' illusions vanished, just as darkness remains only until the sun rises.
Passage 72
प्रकटेऽखिलमायेशे मायिनामपि मायिनि। कुतस्तुच्छैः कृता माया स्वरूपं दर्शयेदपि॥७२॥
When the manifest Lord of all illusion, magician even over magicians, stands revealed, how could magic made by petty beings display itself?
Passage 73
अरिष्टनेम्युत्कलकालनेमिसुमालिमालिप्रमुखा महोग्राः। स्वस्वायुधक्षेपकरा महाजौ सुघोरदर्शा हरिणा न्ययुध्यन्॥७३॥
Ariṣṭanemi, Utkala, Kālanemi, Sumāli, Māli, and other fierce champions hurled their weapons and fought Hari.
Passage 74
खगपरिवृढवाहस्तानसुसंरम्भभीमान् सुरवरभटाग्र्यानातताप्युग्रवीर्यान्। अमितबलनिधीशो लीलया संनिवार्य प्रकटितनिजचक्रज्योतिरुच्चैर्विरेजे॥७४॥
Mounted on the foremost bird, the Lord and treasury of immeasurable strength effortlessly checked those furious, formidable champions; manifesting the brilliance of his discus, he shone supreme.