Chapter 10 - Jubilation of the gods at the death of Tāraka

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Brahmā said:—

1. After preventing Vīrabhadra, Kumāra, the slayer of enemies, desired the destruction of Tāraka after remembering the lotuslike feet of Śiva.

2. Then the powerful Kārttikeya of great splendour roared. Angrily he got ready for the fight. He was surrounded by a vast army.

3. Shouts of victory were raised by the gods and the Gaṇas. He was eulogised by the celestial sages with pleasing words.

4. The fight between Tāraka and Kumāra was terrific and unbearable. All the living beings were afraid.

5. O sage, even as all the persons stood gazing wonderingly, both of them fought each other with spears in their hands.

6. Each was wounded in the heart by the other with the spear. Each tried to escape from the other’s. thrust. Both were equally strong like two lions. Both were fully equipped for the fight.

7. They fought and hit each other’s spear taking recourse to the mantras Vaitālika, Khecaraka, Prāptika etc.^[1]

8. With these mantras they were possessed of magical properties. They wonderfully fought each other using their full strength and exploits.

9. They were equally good adepts in fighting. Each wanted to kill the other. They utilised all their power. With the edges of spears they hit each other.

10. They hit or cut each other’s head, neck, thighs, knees, hips, heart, chest and the back.

11. They continued the fight swaggering and vaunting with heroic words. They were experts in different tactics of warfare. They were equally strong. They desired to kill each other.

12. All the gods Gandharvas and Kinnaras stood as mere onlookers. “Who will win this battle?” they asked each other.

13. Then a celestial voice rose appeasing the gods—“In this battle Kumāra will kill the Asura Tāraka.

14. None of the gods need be anxious. All shall rest assured. For your welfare Śiva Himself is standing here in the form of His son.”

15. On hearing the auspicious words uttered by the celestial voice, Kumāra became happy. He was surrounded by the Pramathas. He resolved to kill Tāraka, the king of Asuras.

16. The infuriated Kumāra of powerful arms used his full strength and hit Asura Tāraka in between his nipples.

17. Slighting that blow, the leading demon Tāraka, hit Kumāra angrily with his spear.

18. At the blow of the spear, the son of Śiva became unconscious. He regained his consciousness in a few minutes. He was eulogised by the great sages.

19. Kumāra became furious like a maddened lion and was desirous of killing the Asura. The powerful Kumāra hit Tāraka with his spear.

20. Thus both Kumāra and Tāraka equally inflamed and equally well versed in the battle of spears fought each other.

21. Both appeared to possess plenty of practice. Both had the desire to gain the upper hand. Both fought on foot, had wonderful forms and features and were equally courageous.

22. With massive heaps of fatal missiles they hit each other. They had various ways of attack. They roared. They exhibited their all exploits.

23. The onlookers, the gods, the Gandharvas and the Kinnaras were much surprised. They did not speak anything there.

24. The wind did not blow. The sun became dim. The earth quaked along with mountains and forests.

25. In the meantime Himālaya and other mountains anxious to see Kumāra out of affection came there.

26. On seeing the mountains extremely terrified, Kumāra the son of Śiva and Pārvatī spoke enlightening them thereby.

Kumāra said:—

27. O mountains, O fortunate sirs, do not be vexed, or worried. Even as you stand looking on I will kill this sinner.

28. Consoling the mountains, the gods and the Gaṇas thus, and bowing to Śiva and Pārvatī he took up his brilliant spear.

29. The heroic Kumāra, son of Śiva the great lord, with the spear in his hand shone in his resolve to kill Tāraka.

30. Possessing the brilliance of Śiva, Kumāra with his spear struck Tāraka who had harrassed the worlds.

31. Immediately the Asura Tāraka the ruler of the hosts of Asuras, although very heroic, fell on the ground with all his limbs shattered.

32. The great warrior Tāraka was slain by Kumāra. O sage, even as all were looking on, he passed away.

33. On seeing the powerful Asura fallen dead in the battle, the hero did not go and attack him again.

34. When the powerful Asura was slain, other Asuras were killed by gods and Gaṇas.

35. Some of the Asuras who were afraid joined their palms in reverence. In the battle the limbs of many Asuras were chopped off and severed. Thousands were killed too.

36. Some of the Asuras shrieking “O save O save” with palms joined in reverence sought refuge in Kumāra.

37. Numberless Asuras were killed. Many fled. The fleeing Asuras were beaten and harassed by the gods and the Gaṇas.

38. Thousands of them fled to Pātāla for their life. Those who tried to flee were disappointed and put to distress.

39. O great sage, thus the entire army of the Asuras disappeared. None dared to remain there for fear of the gods and the Gaṇas.

40. When the wicked Asura was killed, the whole universe became freed of thorns, freed from the danger and nuisance of the Asuras. Indra and other gods became happy.

41. Thus when Kumāra came out victorious the gods were happy. The three worlds attained great pleasure.

42. On knowing about the victory of Kārttikeya, Śiva came there joyously with his beloved and the Gaṇas.

43. He took his son on his lap and fondled him with pleasure. Pārvatī in her flutter of affection took Kumāra, resplendent as the sun, on her lap and fondled him with pleasure.

44. Then Himavat came there along with his sons, kinsmen and servants. He eulogised Śiva and Guha.

45. The delighted gods, Gaṇas and sages, Siddhas and Cāraṇas eulogised Pārvatī, Śiva and the son of Śiva.

46. The secondary gods poured a great shower of flowers. The chiefs of Gandharvas sang. The celestial damsels danced.

47. The musical instruments were played sweetly then. Frequent loud shouts of “Victory” and “Obeisance” were raised.

48. Viṣṇu too in my company was very glad. He respectfully eulogised Śiva, Pārvatī and Kumāra.

49. Keeping Kumāra in front, Brahmā, Indra and other gods performed the rite of Nirājana lovingly. Other sages too did likewise.

50. Then there was great jubilation with vocal and instrumental music and chantings of the Vedas. Hymns too were sung.

51. The lord of the universe was eulogised, O sage, by the delighted gods and Gaṇas by means of vocal and instrumental music.

52. Then eulogised by all, lord Śiva along with Pārvatī the mother of the universe, went to his mountain surrounded by the Gaṇas.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Vaitālika, Khecaraka and Prāpti signify the various attainments of magical or supernatural type which can be exploited for various purposes.