Description of Ganesha's Battle

Brahma said

Hearing the lord, the ganas became utterly resolute. They armoured themselves and went to Shiva's house. Ganesha saw the fine ganas coming to fight, stood his ground and spoke to them: "Ganas, all of you obey Shiva. Come on. I am alone and a child, but I will carry out Shivaa's command. Let Devi Parvati see her son's strength, and let Shiva see the strength of his ganas. In this fight, those on Bhavani's side and those on Shiva's, it will be a child against the strong. You have all fought before and are expert; I am a child and have never fought, but I will now. If you are shamed it reflects on both Girija and Shiva, and so it does if I lose. Lords among ganas, knowing this, it is our duty to fight. You look to your master and I to my mother. What kind of battle will it be? Whatever is destined to happen is certain, and no one in the three worlds can counter it." Rebuked so, they took up many weapons and rushed forward, staffs in their hands, gnashing their teeth and roaring again and again: "Look! Behold!"

Nandi arrived first, caught one of Ganesha's legs and tugged. Bhringi came next and caught another leg. Before they could pull, Ganesha struck both with his hands and freed his legs. Then Devi's brave son took a great club, stood at the gate and flattened them all. Some had their hands broken, some were hit on the back, some on the head or forehead, some on the knees, others on the shoulders. All who faced him were struck on the chest. Some fell to the ground, some fled in all directions, some with mangled legs ran to Sharva. None faced him from the front in the battle; it was like deer fleeing in all ten directions at the sight of a lion. So thousands of ganas ran off. Having beaten them, he took his post at the gate again, terrible to see, like Kala at the end of a kalpa, looking to everyone like one who would bring dissolution.

At that moment, urged by Narada, all the gods came, Rama's lord and the lords among the gods, wishing Shiva well. They stood before Shiva, bowed and told him: "Lord, command us. You are the supreme brahman, Sarvesha, and all of us are your servants. Parameshvara is ever creator, preserver and destroyer, without qualities, yet in play you take the forms of sattva, rajas and tamas. Tell us, lord, what is this pastime you have devised?" Best of sages, Maheshvara heard them, saw that the ganas were routed and told them everything.

Then Sarveshvara Shankara laughed and spoke to Brahma.

Shiva said

Brahma, listen. A solitary child stands at my gate, immensely strong, staff in hand, stopping anyone from entering the house. He hits very well and has driven off my attendants. He has used his strength to beat all my ganas. Brahma, go there and try to pacify this very strong one. Vidhatri, do everything to chastise him.

Brahma said

I was deluded by want of knowledge. Son, hearing the lord's words without understanding, I went near him with all the excellent rishis. Seeing me advance, immensely strong Ganesha grew angry, came up and pulled my beard. I said, "Divinity, forgive me. I have not come to fight. I am a brahmana. Show me your favour. I have come to make peace, not to harm you." Brahmana, Ganesha was extremely valiant, and though a child his valour was not a child's. While I was speaking, he seized a club. Seeing it I quickly ran away. Others were struck by the club and cried, "Go, leave!" Some fell by themselves, others were thrown down by him. Some ran at once to Shiva and told him in detail what had happened. He saw them in that state and heard it. Hara is skilled in pastimes, and he was filled with infinite rage. He ordered Indra and the other gods, the ganas with the six-faced one first, and all the bhutas, pretas and pishachas. They all raised their proper weapons and came from every direction, wishing at Shiva's command to kill Ganesha. Each one came up and forcefully hurled his own weapon at Ganesha. There were great cries of lament in the three worlds, among all things moving and still, and all the people were filled with anxiety: "Brahma's lifespan is not yet over, yet the universe is being destroyed at the wrong time. This must surely be because it is subject to Shiva's wishes." They all arrived there, the six-faced one included, but the weapons of all the gods were made useless and they were filled with wonder.

At that time Devi Jagadamba, who awakens understanding, learned everything and was filled with infinite rage. Lord among sages, Devi created two Shaktis there to help her own gana. Great sage, one took a terrible form and stood there like a dark mountain, her mouth open like a cave. The other took the form of lightning and had many arms, a terrible Mahadevi who ensures chastisement of the wicked. The gods and ganas hurled many weapons; she quickly caught them in her mouth and threw them back. None of the gods' weapons could be seen anywhere near the club. So those two did this very wonderful deed. A solitary child shook that impassable army as, in ancient times, the supreme mountain shook the ocean. Alone he struck Shakra and the other immortals. Shankara's ganas grew anxious, sighed repeatedly and gathered, and, suffering from the blows, spoke to each other. The gods and ganas said: "What shall we do? Where shall we go? We cannot make out the ten directions. On both left and right he is whirling the club."

At that time the best of the apsaras came with flowers and sandal paste in their hands. You and all the rishis also came, very eager to watch the fight. Supreme among sages, all of them came to watch, and all the routes in the sky were filled with them. Watching the clash, they were filled with wonder, for none had seen so excellent a battle before. The earth with all its oceans trembled. Because of the battle mountains fell. All the planets and nakshatras were shaken and the sky whirled. All the gods and ganas fled. Only the six-faced valiant one did not run but stayed, immensely brave, in front, trying to hold everyone back. The two Shaktis repulsed everyone in the battle, and all the weapons hurled by the immortals and ganas were countered. Those who remained went to Shiva. All the gods and ganas who had fled assembled, bowed repeatedly to Shiva and said quickly: "Lord, who is this supreme gana? We have heard of many battles in the past and there are many now, but we have never heard of or seen anything like this. Divinity, let us reflect on this a little, or no victory is possible. Lord, you are without doubt the protector of the whole universe."

Hearing them, Rudra was filled with great rage and went there angrily with his own ganas. The large army of gods, with Vishnu wielding the chakra, followed Shiva eagerly. Meanwhile you, Narada, bowed devotedly to Maheshvara and, joining your hands, spoke to the lord of the gods.

Narada said

Lord of the gods, Mahadeva, listen to my words. You alone are the lord who goes everywhere and plays many pastimes. You have played this great pastime, whereby the ganas' pride has been destroyed. Shankara, by giving him great strength you have destroyed the gods' pride. Protector, you have shown the world your own wonderful strength. Shambhu, you rule yourself and have destroyed everyone's pride. Isha, kind to your devotees, please play no longer. Let your own ganas and the noble gods regain their great respect. Giver of the brahman state, do not let him play any longer. Kill him.

Brahma said

Narada, after saying this you vanished from the spot.