Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 8 Chapter 10:1-17

Book 8: Chapter 10

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 8: Chapter 10: Verses 1-17
Outbreak of hostilities between the gods and the Asuras

Sri Suka resumed: In this way the Danavas 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 Vasudeva. Having caused nectar to be obtained, O king, and made His devotees, the gods, drink of it, the Lord mounted on (the back of) Garuda (the king of birds) and departed, while all living beings stood gazing. 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. Reinvigorated by the nectar drunk by them and having taken shelter in the feet of Lord Narayana, all the gods thereupon offered a united resistance with their weapons.

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 ! 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. 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. In that battle car-warriors closed with car-warriors,infantrymen with infantrymen, horses with horses and elephants with elephants. Some warriors fought on the back of camels, some on elephants and others on donkeys, (still) others fought on the back of Gauramrgas, bears, panthers and lions. Others fought on (the back of) vultures, buzards, herons, hawks and Bhasas (a bird of prey soaring very high in the skies), Timingilas (whales), Sarabhas (an eight-footed animal said to be stronger than a lion, the species of which has now become extinct), bisons, rhinoceroses, bulls, Gayals and Arunas. 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. 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).

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. In that battle the celebrated Bali, son of Virocana, was the commander-in-chief of the Asura forces. Seated in his famous vehicle, Vaihayasa 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, 0 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,

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