Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 8 Chapter 10:38-57

Book 8: Chapter 10

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 8: Chapter 10: Verses 38-57 Outbreak of hostilities between the gods and the Asuras 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). 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 we II 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. 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. Bali assailed the mighty Indra with ten arrows, Airavata (his elephant) with three, the four guards of Airavata with four (each with one) and its driver with one. Quick in showing his valour, Sakra (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. 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). Bali thereupon took up a spear, then a Prasa 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). Going out of sight, the demon (Bali) next let loose his demoniacal Maya (illusion) and thereupon came into view mountain over (the heads of) the celestial forces, O king! 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. Further (from that mountain) rused forth large serpents and (other) snakes with scorpions, as well as lions, tigers and boars crushing gigantic elephants. There also appeared in hundreds nude ogresses with pikes in (their) hands, exclaiming "Cut down", "Break asunder!" and ogres too, O lord! Then large thundering clouds, buffeted by winds, rained live coals with a deep and terrific roar. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 Garuda (who had a pair of beautiful wings), and on whose person shone forth Goddess Sri (in the form of a golden streak on His bosom), the Kaustubha gem, a priceless crown and a pair of invaluable ear-rings. 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 Sri Hari is the (only) radical cure for all ills. Perceiving Lord Visnu (the Rider of Garuda) on the field of battle, and revolving his dart, (the demon) Kalanemi (who was reborn as Kamsa 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 Garuda's head, Visnu (the Lord of the three worlds) despatched with it, O protector of the people, the enemy (Kalanemi) along with his mount (the lion). Encountering the Lord, by whose discus (Sudarsana) the mighty Mali and Sumali (too) had their heads lopped off and fell on the battle-field, Malyavan (another general of the Asurika forces) was just going to strike Garuda (the king of birds) with a pointed mace when Sri Hari (the most ancient Person) severed the head of the roaning enemy with the same discus. 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 Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.