28 - Viśhukra and Visanga Slain 

Hayagriva said: 

1. On hearing that his brother, the great Daitya, had been vanquished in the battle, and that his army was slaughtered, Bhanda, the Daitya, became extremely distressed with great anxiety. 

2. Bhanda, the Daitya, sent both of his brothers together to the battle along with all the soldiers. 

3. The two Daityas, Visanga and Viśhukra became excessively angry and directed by Bhanda, the Daitya, they strained themselves to the utmost. 

4. An army that shook the three worlds followed Viśhukra, the crown prince of great strength, accompanied by his younger brother. 

5. The crown prince surrounded by four hundred Aksauhinls of soldiers increased in great vigour. 

6-8. Ten haughty nephews beginning with Ulūkajit, born of Dhūminī, the sister of Bhanda, swaggered on account of their valour. They had been trained in the use of weapons by, their great uncle. As generals, they started on making ten directions reverberate on account of loud twanging sounds of their bows. These nephews increased the pleasure of both the maternal uncles (on account of these activities). 

9. They had their several vehicles which they got in full of pride. They kept their weighty bows ready drawn and followed Viśhukra. 

10. Viśhukra reached the battle-field riding on his elephant. He was fully rendered splendid with the umbrella and chowries that constituted the symbol of glory of the status of being the Crown Prince. 

11. Thereupon, surrounded by the army making an uproarious tumultuous sound, Vishukra roared terrifically like a lion. 

12. Śhaktis were excited within their hearts on account of their agitation. Proudly and excitedly, they went out of enclosure of fiery rampart-wall in rows. 

13. By their physical splendour, they appeared to make the sky full of lightning streaks. The circle of firmament was rendered enveloped with red lotuses, as they lifted up their faces eager to carry on battle. 

14-18a. Then the younger brothers of Bhanda, very, ferocious in fighting, had come (to the battlefield). Mantrini and Dandanāyikā came to fight, seated in their excellent chariots Kiri-chakra as well as Jñeyachakra (Geyachakra) the crest-jewel of all chariots. They came there simultaneously with the circular (royal umbrella held aloft and being fanned by chowries. Their great victory was being sung by the dancing celestial damsels. They set out to carry on war. At the bidding of Lalitā, an army of a hundred Aksauhinīs had been placed by both of them for the purpose of protecting the glorious Chakraratharāja. Excepting this army, the entire remaining divisions of the army set out eagerly for the battle. 

186-20a. Seated in her chariot, Dandanāthā went ahead. With only a single finger of one hand, she was whirling her weapons of ploughshare and with the other hand she was brandishing the pestle frequently. Her lotus-like face resembling the snout of a boar, shone with the sparkling digit of the moon as its crest-jewel. In the battle, she was (genuinely) proud of her exploits. She was striking the enemy from the front. 

200-25. (Mantrini) seated in the chariot Geyachakra followed her. Highly proud as she was, she filled the universe with the sound of her bow. Her tresses were braided, and the moon shone like a tender blossom placed within it. Three eyes ('The third eye’in N.) shone (in her forehead) with the lustre of a sacred mark of saffron. Her hands resembling lotus were made more beautiful with bangles studded with jewels. 

She was whirling an arrow drawn from the quiver. Dancing celestial sages were excited with great delight. They felicitated her with nectarine words of blessings like "Be victorious. Be exalted". By means of the (creaking) sounds produced by friction of the rims of wheels of the leading chariot Geyachakra, she tore up (as it were) the surface of the Earth along with the hearts of Daityas. 

By means of musical compositions that surpassed every thing else in the world and that enchanted the minds of the entire universe, many celestial ladies sang her glory. 

26. Eight thousand Aksauhinis of soldiers, haughty of their ability to wage war, led by her, resembled the limitless ocean at the close of a Kalpa. 

27. Among the multitudes of troops of her Śhaktis, some had the refulgence of gold, some resembled the pomegranate flowers, and some had the lustre of clouds. 

28. Others were saffron-complexioned. A few were pink coloured like the Pătala (Trumpet) flowers; some had robes (shining) like the crystal mountain, and some were pleasingly tender and beautiful though dark in colour. 

29-3la. Others had the lustre of diamonds; some others were comparable to emeralds. Some displayed their bodily lustre wielding different kinds of weapons including the five arrows (of cupid) opposed to one another and mingled with hundred-edged thunderbolts. 

Thus, innumerable Shaktis moved on. 

31b-33. O Pot-born sage, warlike preparations and equipments of Mantrinī were similar to those of Dandanāthā. 

Many things in Dandini were of the same nature as in the great queen, such as ornaments, dress etc., the characteristics of prowess and influence, possession of good qualities, according of protection to those who seek refuge, ability to kill Daityas, worthy of being worshipped by all and other powers. One thing specially to be mentioned in the case of Dandini was the signet ring of order held in her hand as a symbol of ministership granted by the great queen. 

34. When the armies of Mantrini and Dandanātha moved on thus, the earth reached a breaking point due to their burden and it heaved like a swing. 

35. Thereupon, a chaotic and uproarious battle ensued. It caused horripilation. The waters of the seven oceans turned into a slushy moss by the dust particles that rose up. 

36. The cavalry fought with those on horse-back. Those riding in the chariots fought with those stationed in chariots. The elephant-riders fought with those who rode on elephants. The infantry fought with swords. 

37. In the course of the battle Dandanāthā fought with Visanga. Drawing her jewel-studded bow, śhyāmā fought with Viśhukra. 

38. Aśhvārūdhā (Deity seated on a horse) powerfully fought with Ulūkajit. With a great desire for fighting, Sampadīšhā came into clash with the Demon Purusena. 

39. The deity Nakuli challenged and came into a clash with Kuntisena. 

40. Unmattabhairavi fought with Malada. Laghuśhyāmā fought with Kuśhūra. 

41. Svapneśhī waged war with the leading Daitya named Mangala. Vāgvādinī clashed with Draghana in the battle. 

42. Chandakāli fought with the wicked Kolāta. The hundred Aksauhinīs of deities fought with the Aksauhinīs of the Daityas. Highly furious both the armies fought a great battle mutually. 

43-44. As the fight went on, Vishukra, the wicked Dānava, observed the army of Shaktis increasing in power and his own army decreasing in power. Overwhelmed with great indignation, he drew his heavy bow and discharged Trsāstra¹ (the missile of thirst) over the army of Shaktis. 

1. The author's ingenuity in converting vices, virtues, physical and mental handicaps into Astras "missiles" appears now and then. It reached it climax in Bhandāsura's fight with Lalitā, infra ch. 29. Here this Astra is capable of making the whole army thirsty. Its effect is described in VV.45-53. 

45. The whole army was afflicted by that (missile) as brilliant as the flames of a forest-fire. 

On the third day ofthe battle, when only a Yāma (about three hours) had passed since sunrise, Shaktis became afflicted and over-powered by the Trsāstra (missile of thirst) discharged by Viśhukra. 

46-47. An acute fever of thirst raged amidst Śhaktis. It stirred up and agitated the sense organs. It made the root of the palate parched. It rendered the ear cavities rough and arid. It caused feebleness and fatigue all over the body. It caused their bodies fall flat on the ground with the weapons dropping off one by one. 

48. The army of Shaktis was excessively afflicted by a thirst that made them inactive in the battles and destroyed their enthusiasm. On seeing this, Mantrini and Potrinī became extremely anxious. 

49-52. Seated in her chariot (Mantrinī said to Dandanāthā who was also seated in her chariot and who was suspicious and afraid of great calamity. She wanted her to find a remedy for the same. She said "Dear friend Potrinī, this missile of thirst of the wicked fellow weakens and impairs our army. Alas! the adverse activity of fate! The battle has been abandoned by the troops of Shaktis, the roots of whose palates have been parched up, whose refulgence has been dispelled and whose weapons have been dropped down. None of them is fighting nor even holding the weapon. Dear friend, they are incapable of even speaking since the (roots of their) palates have been dried up. What will Maheśhvarī say on hearing about this miserable plight of ours. Injurious disservice has been done by the Daityas. Let the remedy be thought of. 

53. Among the sixteen thousand Aksauhinīs, dear Potrinī, there is not even a single Śhakti who is not afflicted by thirst. 

54. On seeing this opportunity when the army has cast off its weapons, the Dānavas, ever eager to strike at weak and vulnerable points, are alas! striking and killing by means of arrows. 

55-56. In this matter some means of activising them in war must be devised by you and me. There is an ocean of cold water in one of the steps of your chariot. Command him to dispel the thirst of all Śhaktis. The thirst of these cannot be quenched by means of small quantities of water beverages. 

57. That Madirāsindhu (ocean of liquor) alone will satisfy the troops of Śhaktis. Command that noble-souled one who is capable of encouraging them to fight, who can dispel their entire thirst and who can enhance their great strength." 

58. When this was advised, Dandanāthā was delighted by the suggestion of a good means. The deity called Sura sindhu (ocean of liquor) commanded him thus on the battlefield. 

59-63. The golden-coloured ocean of liquor was languid with intoxication and with reddened eyes. He was adorned with garlands. He saluted Dandanāthā and stood ready to carry out her behests. He divided himself into various units of various colours. Some were of pale red hue like the youthful (i.e., midday) sun. Some were dark coloured like Tapiccha (Indian cinnamon), Some were white in colour. The king of oceans split into many units by the wind, showered crores of sweet currents (of liquor) as thick as trunks of elephants. The ocean fell in the midst of the army of Shaktis, being poured down by the Balāhaka clouds at the close of a Kalpa, beginning with Puskarāvartaka. 

64. The ocean of liquor showered those (beverages), by the mere fragrance of which even the dead man might rise up perfectly well and the weak ones would become very strong. 

65. Quaffing those series of liquor torrents surpassing Parārdha (1 followed by 17 zeroes) in number, by means of their mouths distressed by thirst, Śhaktis rose up. 

66-67. By means of volleys of thousands of arrows deterously discharged, Kadambavanavāsinī (Resident of Kadamba Forest), the deity of wonderfully miraculous performances built a great rampart wall all round the army (of Shaktis) lest the shower of liquor should fall amidst Daityas. 

68-70. By this action all Devas became surprised. In the midst of the battle Śhaktis drank plenty of liquor of various kinds capable of increasing strength and enthusiasm. They drank it as they pleased selecting the liquor of particular taste they liked. On the third day of the battle, till the end of the second Prahara (i.e., till midday) (or, for a period of two Praharas i.e., for six hours) the ocean of liquor showered torrents of liquor continuously.¹

1. The battle seems to have come to a standstill for some time while Śhaktis were drinking wine. The period is recorded in V. 70 and 77 and effects of drinking in Vv. 82-84, 96-97. 

71-76. The oceans of liquors showered torrents of liquors of various kinds², such as Gaudi (spirit distilled from molasses), Paistī (spirit distilled from meal), Madhvi (liquor made from honey), the excellent Kadambarī (spirit distilled from Kadamba flowers (Nauclea Chadamba,) Haintālī (spirit from the palm of the variety), Hintāla (elatepaludosa) Lāngaleya (spirit from the palm of the variety Lāngala (Mithonia superba) many varieties of palm-made spirits, divine liquors made from the Kalpa tree. Liquors coming from various countries, liquors with good taste, fragrance, liquors with pleasant odour, liquors rendered sweet smelling by means of Bakula flowers (Mimusops Elengi), liquors sparkling with foams and bubbles, liquors made pleas ing by means of Bakula flowers (Mimusops Elengi), liquors sparkling with foams and bubbles, liquors with a pleasing sound when the foams rise, liquors with all types of tastes such as Katuka (pungent), Kasāya (astringent), Madhura (sweet), Tikta (bitter), Isadamla (slightly sour), Katvāmla (pungent and sour), Madhurāmla (sweet and sour), liquors with diverse colours, liquors of slimy nature, Chedinis (? those that pierce and tear); liquors dispelling the pain of wounds of weapons, liquors that bring about union in a broken bone, cool liquors that dispel vertigo and giddiness while fighting. Liquor’s light and lukewarm and different varieties of liquors that dispel distress and bestow victory. The Madirārnava (ocean of liquor) showered different kinds of liquors in torrents. 

            2. Varieties of wine in ancient India. 

77. Each one of the Yoginis (i.e., Śhaktis) joyously drank the torrent of liquor as big as the trunk of Airāvata elephant uninterruptedly for the period of one full Yāma. (3 hours). 

78. Shaktis went on drinking liquor joyously with their eyes closed. Their faces were supine and moving to and fro with lolling tongues. 

79. After propitiating them by means of torrents of liquors of various kinds in this manner, the ocean of liquor assumed a divine form and came there. 

80. He approached Dandanāthā and after bowing to her spoke these words in a pleasant and majestic tone. 

81. "Look, O great queen, o deity, the leader of Dandamandalā (Multitudes of troops), the army of Shaktis that had been stupefied before had been revived and gladdened by me. 

82. Some of them are dancing and singing with their girdles and waistbands tinkling sweetly. Some of them are clapping their hands in front of those who dance. 

83. Some are laughing (boisterously) with their beautiful breasts shaking and bouncing. A few of them lean on one another's bodies with the laziness and slackness due to delight. 

84. Some begin to swagger as girdles and garments begin to slip down from their hips. Some have got up ready for fighting but without any weapon. They simply shake and shiver". 

85. On seeing Shaktis thus pointed out by the ocean of liquor, Dandini was extremely satisfied, and she said to him. 

86. "I am gratified, O ocean of liquor. A good help and assistance have been rendered by you. This is a work on behalf of the Devas. It has been achieved without any hindrance. 

87. Due to my favour henceforth, in the age of Dvāpara you will be extremely worthy of being used by Yājflikas (priests who perform sacrifices) in their sacrifices like the drinking of soma.¹ 

1. Soma-j\i\ce is equated with wine and the use of Soma in sacrifices is attributed to the wine-ocean's provision of wine to Shaktis in this battle vide VV. 87-89. 

88-89. All the deities will drink you after you have been sanctified by means of Mantras in the course of sacrifice. After drinking you, purified by the Mantras, let the people attain Siddhi (spiritual achievement), Rddhi (prosperity), strength, heavenly bliss and salvation. All these great people will drink you-viz: Maheśhvarī, Mahādeva, Baladeva, Bhārgava, Dattātreya, Vidhi and Vishnu. 

90-93. On being worshipped in the course of Yāga, you will bestow all kinds of Siddhis." 

After gratifying the ocean of liquor by granting boons thus Dandini urged Mantrini for fighting once again and asked her to hasten it. 

Again, the fight between Shaktis and Dānavas was resumed. The loud and boisterous laughter of joy pierced the eight cardinal points and mountains. Intoxicated due to the fresh wine and with their eyes rendered red, Shaktis fell upon the troops of Daityas in a body and sportively. 

94. Śhaktis had the refulgence of beaming pride. Two things connected with them shone on account of two other things—the eyes sparkled on account of redness due to inebriation and the weapons due to the blood of Daityas. 

95. The war between Shaktis and demons was so tumultuous that it was as if the god of death himself began to annihilate the subjects undaunted. 

96-97. Due to inebriation, Śhaktis were stumbling in their steps. Their eyes had become reddened. They were uttering heroic words though theysyllables faltered now and then. They were proud of their ability to wage war. All their limbs and eyes became delighted with hairs standing on their ends like the buds in the Kadamba plant (Nauclea Chandamba) that appear simultaneously. These Śhaktis annihilated the armies of the crown Prince. 

98. Dandini shattered a hundred Aksauhinīs; Mantrini annihilated a hundred and fifty Aksauhinīs. 

99. Aśhvārūdhā and others with their eyes red due to inebriation (collectively) led a hundred and fifty Aksauhinīs to the, mansion of god of Death. 

100. In the course of the battle, the deity Turagārohini smashed and shattered Ulūkajit with the excessively sharp goad and made him a guest in the other world (i.e., killed him). 

101. Sampatkarī and others, generals of the divisions of the army of Shaktis, checked and restrained others the chief of whom was Purusena (?) and ultimately tore them up. 

102. When the sun set, the entire army had been killed. Thereupon, Shyāmalā became excessively angry and fought with Vishukra. 

103. By discharging missiles and counter missiles Mantriní displayed a great deal of war-like activity dreadful even to the heaven-dwellers and continued the war. 

104-106a. One by one she cut off and split the keen and sharp weapons of Viśhukra of great prowess. She cut his flagstaff, charioteer, bowstring, the staff of the bow etc. by means of arrows. With the miraculous missile named Brahmasiras that had the brilliance and splendour of the sparkling fire she shattered Viśhukra. He fell down with his body ground to powder. 

106b-107. Dandanāthā who was extremely proud of her ability fought with Visanga, the great Daitya. She hit him with a dreadful iron club. That wicked Dānava raised with his hand a mace resembling the staff of Kāla and fought an extremely dreadful battle. 

108-110. Engaged in fighting with maces, they shattered each other's limbs. Their dreadful and boisterous laughter reverberated (in the battlefield). They went round and round (everywhere). They displayed different kinds of strategic movements. They heaved from side to side. They encircled each other quickly. By striking each other by means of batons and rods, they stupefied each other frequently. Both of them were equally proud and keenly observed the weak and vulnerable points in attacking each other. Their garments were stirred up when the great iron club and the tip of the rod came into a clash. Thus, both of them equally unassailable fought with one another. 

111. She fought with him till mid-night. Dandanayikā who became very furious began to strike at Visanga. 

112^ She dragged her enemy with the ploughshare that pierced and went deep into his head. Potrinī struck a hard blow with her ironclub. 

113. On account of the blow from the iron club, the great Asura had to abandon his vital airs. With his body shattered into a hundred pieces he fell on the ground. 

114. After completing the great task thus, Mantrini and Dandanāyikā spent the remaining part of the night there itself in the direction of the camp.