201 - Fight between Rākshasas and Yama’s men

The Sage’s son (Nachikelas) said: 

1. Then Yama’s men of different forms gathered together and went to Chitragupta with folded hands. 

The men said: 

2. “We have become weak and tired (by this work in which we are now engaged). So please entrust this work to others. We shall do some other work, however difficult it may be. 

3. Save us, O Lord. Please see how much wearied we are. Others will do this work to your satisfaction.” 

4. Enraged at these words, Chitragupta heaved a sigh like a serpent and looked all around with eyes red with anger. 

5. His eyes fell on an uncouth figure standing not far from him and immediately that person came near him. 

6. The angry Chitragupta sent him on an errand. He was the Rakshasa named Mandcha¹ and he departed immediately. 

1. The chief of the group of demons called Mandehas. 

7. He went to the giant Räkşhasas who were in various forms, wearing many ornaments and standing ready to bring about any kind of destruction. 

8. They were the persons meant to be brought there by Chitragupta who looks at all beings alike. 

9. Then those cannibalic Rakshasas having numerous forms mounted elephants and horses, 

10. Donned armour and gloves, took their weapons and led by their servants, bowed at his feet. 

11. Awaiting his order in great joy, they said, “O Lord, tell us what we should do. We are here to carry out your orders. Whose life should we cut?” 

12. Hearing their words, Chitragupta said choked with anger, heaving again and again. 

13. “O you warriors, Mandehas, who always do what I wish, bind these (my men) and bring them here. 

14. You are all highly valiant and you are the annihilators of all beings. Bring these that disobey me, wounded or bound.” 

15. Hearing these words, they said: 

The Rākşhasas said: 

16. “Wearied, hungry or sorrowful sages, should be considered as ministers, so too the thousands of servants. 

17. They are ordered to be killed by your great self. It is not proper that they should become the source of our destruction. 

18. Just as they have arisen thinking of dharma, so too are we. You are also for the same purpose. 

19. Let there be no false resolve for one remaining in dharma. If you are pleased, give up this idea of our fight. 

20. Protect us from those mighty servants who will be struck by us Rākşhasas in the battle-field.” 

21. Then fierce diseases with forms at their will soon came ready there. 

22. Some came on elephants, some on horses, some in chariots, some on swans and some on lions. 

23. Others came on deer, jackals, buffaloes, tigers, asses and goats, also on vultures, eagles, peacocks, cocks and serpents. 

24. In vehicles in this manner, armed with numerous weapons and mutually challenging, they all appeared there. 

25. The warriors on either side, in their eagerness to gain victory, brandished their weapons and raised shouts which seemed to make the earth shudder. 

26-27. Then started the battle, and in its darkness shone the crowns, bangles and ear-rings all over the place. 

28-29. The battle became exciting and frightful with clashing tridents, spears, swords, clubs and other weapons. 

30. Hand to hand fight was followed by each dragging the other by the hair and thus swelled the battle. 

31. The Rākşhasas were vanquished by the valiant men of Yama and Loud utterances like ‘give, give’, ‘strike’, ‘hold’, ‘stand’ etc. could be heard. 

32. Those who were fleeing were caught hold of and challenged by their opposites with eyes red with rage. 

33. “Wait, Wait, where do you go?” “I am not going, be assured.” “I have released this weapon to destroy your body”. 

34. “O fool, you have not released any weapon to injure me.” “I have aimed those arrows. Receive them. Why do you run? 

35. “What do you say, O wicked man? I am an adept in battle. Tell me whether you can live facing this weapon which I release.” 

36. The Mandeha Räkşhasas soon came to be caught in their thousands. 

37. Then they resorted to magical means as they could assume any form at will. 

38. Their army became covered with darkness and they could be visible as well as invisible. Then Yama’s men resorted to Jvara, the fierce fever, for help. 

39. He was uneven-eyed, held the trident in his hand and was the destroyer of all beings. 

40. “Ordered by Chitragupta, the Räkşhasas called Mandehas are killing and eating us. They are in the form of a thousand ailments and we are as ourselves. O Lord of the worlds, protect us.” 

41. Hearing these words of Yama’s men, the black, squint eyed Jvara holding the iron rod in his hand, became angry. 

42. He then called a large number of his mighty soldiers who were shining like fire. They stood before him with folded hands. He commanded them: 

43. “Burn these Rakshasas by your physical strength as well as yogic power”. 

44. At this command of Jvara, they rushed to the place of these Räkşhasas shouting like thunder. 

45. They struck with their numerous weapons the haughty Rakshasas in large number. 

46. They became seriously wounded and drenched in blood. 

47. Yama himself then interceded, stopped the battle and saved the Rakshasas who were being thus killed. 

48. He then went to Jvara in all humility, honoured him holding his hand and pacified him. 

49. He led him into his house and wiped off the sweat on. his face. 

50. After he had calmed down, Yama said, “O lord, you are full of penance and you pervade everywhere. But what have you done? 

51. You are worshipped by the whole world. O lord, you and I control this whole world as we should, as we have see and heard. 

52-53. I am to be received by you when my end comes although I am the annihilator of all beings. So be pleased to go to your abode and to put an end to this battle. 

54. The six crores of Rakshasas will be revived and they will become decayless but will not go to you.” 

55. Thus bringing the war to a close, Yama restored friendship between Chitragupta and his men. 

56. They then requested Chitragupta to allot them their duties as before regarding the good and the bad the mortals acquire. 

57. Then they went to Rudra by the side of Chitragupta and bowing to him, said: 

58-59. “As the worlds, as the king and as Death, O lord, rise-up. Forgive us, forgive us.”