Varāha Mahā Purana
94 - The fight between gods and demons
Varäha said:
1. Then the mighty demon Mahisha, who could assume any form at will, started for mountain Meru on an elephant.
2. Reaching Indra’s city, he challenged Indra and gods for battle.
3. Taking their weapons and riding on their battle vehicles, the gods accepted the challenge.
4. Then started the exciting battle between great warriors full of war cries from both sides.
5. The (eight) Vasus were attacked by eight Rakshasa, namely Añjana, Valähaka, Udaräksha, Lalätäksha, Subhima and Svarbhänu.
6-9. The twelve Ädityas were engaged by twelve Räkshasas, namely, Bhima, Dhvanksha, Dhvastakshruna, Šhañkukarna, Vajraka, Jyotivirya, Vidyunmäli, Raktäksha, Vidyujjihva, Atikäya, Mahäkäya and Dirghabähü.
10-12. Similarly, the eleven Rudras were to face eleven Räkshasas by name Käla, Krutänta, Raktäksha, Harana, Mitrahä, Nala, Yajñahä, Brahmahä, Goghna, Strighna and Samvartaka.
13. The other Räkshasas engaged the other devas and Mahisha himself engaged Indra.
14. Mahisha was very valiant and was highly haughty that he could not be killed by any male, because of a boon from Brahma, be he Shiva himself.
15. Numerous Asuras were killed by Ädityas, Vasus and Rudras. Many in the army of Devas were also killed by the Räkshasas.
16. In the end Indra was defeated, and the gods, unable to face the piercing weapons, took to their heels.
17. The Asuras reached Brahmaloka and began to harass Devas further.
Summary of chapter 94 of the Varāha Mahā Purana is as follows:
Maharshi Pulastya highlights the sacred Kamyaka forest and the Saptasārasvata-tīrtha, where Sage Mankanaka resided in deep spiritual meditation. The chapter extols the serene solitude of the forest, where wild animals abandon their natural ferocity and celestial beings sing praises of Bhagavān Nārāyaṇa. Pilgrims who retreat to Kamyaka forest for devotional prayer experience profound peace, mental clarity, and spiritual elevation.