The Skanda Purana

by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 2,545,880 words

This page describes Fight between Shiva and Jalandhara which is chapter 20 of the English translation of the Skanda Purana, the largest of the eighteen Mahapuranas, preserving the ancient Indian society and Hindu traditions in an encyclopedic format, detailling on topics such as dharma (virtous lifestyle), cosmogony (creation of the universe), mythology (itihasa), genealogy (vamsha) etc. This is the twentieth chapter of the Karttikamasa-mahatmya of the Vaishnava-khanda of the Skanda Purana.

Chapter 20 - Fight between Śiva and Jalandhara

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Nārada said:

1. On seeing Vīrabhadra fallen, the Gaṇas of Rudra left the battleground in great panic. Crying and lamenting, they went to Maheśvara.

2. On hearing the tumultuous sound of the Gaṇas, the Moon-crested Lord came to the battleground laughingly riding on his bull.

3. On seeing Rudra coming, the Gaṇas returned to the battlefield with leonine shouts. With showers of arrows they began killing the Daityas.

4. Just as sins run away out of fear on seeing a person observing the Kārttika Vrata, so also on seeing the terrible one (Śiva) all the Daityas fled.

5. On seeing those Daityas turning away from the battlefield, Jalandhara angrily rushed at the Lord of Caṇḍī discharging thousands of arrows.

6. Śuṃbha, Niśuṃbha, Aśvamukha, Kālanemi, Balāhaka, Khaḍgaromā, Pracaṇḍa, Ghasmara and others went to (i.e. attacked) Śiva.

7. On seeing the army of Gaṇas enveloped by the darkness caused by arrows, Śiva tore away the net (cluster) of arrows and covered the sky with his own arrows.

8. He afflicted the Daityas with stormy winds (in the form) of arrows. He made them fall on the ground by means of volleys of fierce arrows.

9. With his axe he severed the head of Khaḍgaromā from his body. With his Khaṭvāṅga (club with skull-shaped top), he split the head of Balāhaka into two.

10. He bound Daitya Ghasmara with noose and dashed him on the ground. Some (of the Daityas) were killed by the bull and some were struck down by means of arrows.

11-13. Like elephants tormented by a lion, the Asuras were unable, to stand. Thereupon Jalandhara whose anger was aroused, challenged Rudra to fight in the battle in a voice as loud as the terrible thunderbolt.

Jalandhara said:

Fight with me. What do you get even if these are killed. O one with matted hair, show me what little strength you have.

After saying thus, he struck the Bull-emblemed Lord with seventy arrows.

14. As those arrows arrived, Śiva laughingly cut them off with sharper arrows. Then with his Śaktis he cut off the horses, flagstaff, umbrella and bow (of Jalandhara).

15. With his bow broken and himself deprived of his chariot, he (Jalandhara) speedily raised his iron club and rushed (at Śiva). By that time, Śiva cut off the iron club into two by means of his arrows.

16. Still he raised his fist and went up to Rudra with a desire to kill him. By that time he was pushed away a Krośa (3 Kms.) by Śiva by means of a volley of arrows.

17. Thereupon, thinking that Rudra was superior to him in strength. Daitya Jalandhara created his Gāndharvī Māyā, that mysteriously fascinated Rudra.

18-19. In front of him groups of Gandharvas and celestial damsels sang and danced. Others played on various musical instruments such as cymbals, flutes, Mṛdaṅga drums etc. On seeing that wonderful spectacle Rudra became enchanted. He was not even aware that the weapons had dropped down from his hands.

20. On seeing that Rudra was fully engrossed in it. Daitya Jalandhara who was afflicted with lust, went immediately to the place where Gaurī was present.

21 -22a. Jalandhara had employed the two powerful Daityas named Śuṃbha and Niśuṃbha to continue the fight. He had then assumed the form of Śiva with three eyes, five faces and ten mighty arms and matted hair. He rode on a great bull.

22b-24a. On seeing Rudra coming the beloved one of Bhava came forward from the middle of her friends and chaperons and stood within the range of his vision.

No sooner did the lord of the Dānavas see Pārvatī of beautiful limbs, than he discharged his semen virile and all his limbs became stiff and benumbed.

24b-27a. On realizing that he was a Dānava, Gaurī became agitated with fear. She immediately vanished and went to Northern Mānasa. On seeing her vanished in a moment like the streak of lightning, the Daitya speedily returned to the battleground where the Bull-emblemed Lord was still present. Out of fear, Pārvatī mentally remembered Viṣṇu. Presently she saw that Lord firmly seated nearby.

Pārvatī said:

27b-28a. O Viṣṇu, Jalandhara the Daitya, has created something wonderfully mysterious. Was it not known to you? Were you not aware of the evil designs of that vicious fellow?

Viṣṇu said:

28b-29a. We too shall follow the path that has been pointed out by him. Otherwise he cannot be killed. He is protected by the chastity (of his wife).

Nārada said:

29b-30. After saying this Viṣṇu went once again to the city of Jalandhara. Rudra who was stationed in the battleground and followed the Gandharvas saw the Māyā vanish. Then he understood (everything).

31. Thereupon, Bhava who was mentally surprised (at his own perplexity) went once again towards Jalandhara furiously. On seeing that Śiva had come once again, the Daitya showered him with volleys of arrows in the battlefield.

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