Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 8 Chapter 11:16-31

Book 8: Chapter 11

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 8: Chapter 11: Verses 16-31 Conclusion of the conflict between the gods and the demons Thereupon was brought by Matali (Indra's charioteer) a chariot drawn by a thousand horses; and, leaving the elephant, the mighty god mounted the chariot. Admiring that (prompt) action of the charioteer and smiling too, Jambha (the foremost of the Danavas) struck the latter with a burning dart in battle. Taking recourse to fortitude, Matali bore the pain (caused by the dart), which was most difficult to endure; and (greatly) enraged, Indra severed Jambha's head by means of his thunderbolt. Hearing from (the lips of) the sage Narada about Jambha having been slain (by Indra), his kinsmen, Namuci, Bala and Paka, arrived there in (great) haste. Stinging Indra to the quick with their pungent words, they struck him repeatedly with arrows even as clouds would assail a mountain with torrents. The swift-handed Bala simultaneously struck in battle (all) the thousand horses of Haryaswa (Indra) with as many arrows. With a hundred arrows each (the demon) Paka struck separately Matali (the charioteer) and the chariot with (all) its parts by fitting to the bow and discharging (all) the arrows at one and the same time. That was (indeed) a (great) marvel in that battle. Piercing Indra with fifteen large arrows furnished with hilts of gold, (the demon) Namuci roared on the field of battle like a cloud charged with water. The demons covered Sakra (Indra) including his chariot and charioteer on all sides with a network of arrows (even) as clouds would obscure the sun in the rains. Not perceiving him (on the battle-field) and extremely perturbed, the celestial troops with their retinue, who were (now) left without a leader and were utterly vanquished by the enemy, uttered a plaintive cry like merchants whose ship had been wrecked in mid-ocean. Presently Indra (who was capable of overpowering the mighty) issued out of the cage of arrows along with the horses, chariot, flag and charioteer. Illuminating the quarters, sky and earth with his splendour, he shone like the sun at the close of night. Observing his army overpowered by the enemies (the demons) in battle, the god (Indra), the wielder of the thunderbolt, lifted his thunderbolt in anger with intent to slay his enemy. With the same eight-edged weapon he severed the heads of (both) Bala and Paka, inspiring terror in (the heart of) their kinsfolk, who stood looking on, O Pariksit ! Perceiving their death, Namuci was filled with grief, indignation and rage; and in his eagerness to kill Indra, O ruler of men, he put forth his best energy. Taking up a lance of steel, furnished with bells and adorned with gold ornaments he dard, full of rage, threatening in the word "You are slaini" and flung it at indra (the ruler of the gods), roaring like a lion (the king of beasts). Hart (lndra) cut it with (his) arrows into a thousand pieces (even) as it flew towards him through the air with great speed. Full of anger, the ruler of the gods (then) struck him (Namuci) with his thunderbolt in the neck, aiming to chop off the tatter's head.