Battle between Devas and Jalandhara

Sanatkumara said

The ocean's son, Vrinda's husband, was wide in intelligence. Once the brave one was seated with his wife, surrounded by all the asuras, when extremely radiant Bhargava arrived, happy, like a mass of energy in person lighting every direction. Seeing their guru come, all the asuras were delighted and quickly bowed to him, and the ocean's son lovingly did so too. Bhargava, a reservoir of energy, blessed them and sat on a beautiful seat, and they sat as before. Brave Jalandhara, the ocean's son, was pleased. He looked at his assembly hall and was glad that his excellent rule was unobstructed. He saw the king of the daityas, Rahu, with his head severed. The ocean's son quickly asked Bhargava.

Jalandhara said

Lord, who did this? Who cut off Rahu's head? Guru, tell me everything exactly as it happened.

Sanatkumara said

Hearing the ocean's son, Bhargava remembered Shiva's lotus feet and answered accurately.

Shukra said

Jalandhara, greatly valiant aide of all the asuras, listen; I will tell you accurately. Long ago there was brave Bali, powerful son of Virochana and grandson of Hiranyakashipu, supreme among those who knew dharma. Defeated by him, the gods took refuge with Rama's lord. Pursuing their own ends, they and Vasava told him what had happened to them. On his instruction the gods made an alliance with the asuras. Son, they were shrewd in deception and did this to serve their own aims. For amrita they churned the ocean, gods and asuras together, with Vishnu's help. The enemies of the daityas took all kinds of jewels. By deception the gods carefully drank the amrita, and so the asuras were defeated. Vishnu helped the gods, who, having drunk amrita, had become strong. In the midst of the gods, as Rahu was drinking amrita, Hari cut off his head. Hari is always partial.

Sanatkumara said

So Kavi told him of the severing of Rahu's head, the gods' churning of the ocean for amrita, the taking of jewels, the daityas' defeat and the gods' drinking of amrita, in detail. Hearing it, the immensely valiant, powerful ocean's son was enraged, and hearing how his father had been churned, his eyes turned red.

He called Ghasmara, an excellent messenger, told him all that his guru had said, and sent him to Shakra. Skilled, he honoured him lovingly in many ways and assured him of safety, and sent him to heaven. Sent by the ocean's son, Ghasmara, sparkling in intelligence, went to where all the gods were. There the messenger quickly reached Sudharma and, head held proudly high, spoke to Indra of the gods.

Ghasmara said

Jalandhara is the ocean's son and lord of all the daityas, extremely brave and powerful, with Kavi himself as his aide. I am that brave one's messenger. I am called Ghasmara, though I do not devour. Sent by him I have come to you. I will tell you the command of Jalandhara, pervasive in intelligence, who has conquered all the daityas' enemies. Hear what he says: "Why did you churn my father the ocean with a mountain? Worst of gods, you took away all the jewels from my father, which was not right. Return them all to me now. Think about it. Come with the gods and take refuge with me. Worst of gods, otherwise you will suffer great fear. I will destroy your kingdom. I speak the truth."

Sanatkumara said

Hearing the messenger, the lord of the gods was amazed. Remembering the past, Indra was filled with fear and rage.

Indra said

When the mountains were terrified of me, he gave them shelter within himself. Earlier he protected my enemies, Diti's sons. That is why I took away all the jewels found in him. Those who hate me cannot be happy; I tell you the truth. Earlier the daitya Shankha, born of the ocean, hated me. He was foolish in understanding. But since he kept the company of virtuous people, I ignored it. He was evil in understanding and harmed large numbers of the virtuous. So my younger brother Hari killed the sinner inside the ocean's belly. Messenger, go quickly to him and tell him the truth. Tell the ocean's son everything about why the ocean was churned.

Sanatkumara said

Clever Ghasmara, dismissed, quickly left Indra's place and went to where brave Jalandhara was, and told the daitya king all that Shakra had said.

Hearing it, the daitya's lips quivered with rage. He at once made arrangements to defeat all the gods. In that effort of the Indra among asuras, all Diti's sons from various directions and from Patala took part, coming in crores and crores. There were crores of army leaders, Shumbha, Nishumbha and others. With these the powerful, immensely valiant ocean's son set out, and surrounded by all his soldiers quickly reached heaven. He blew his conch shell, born from water, and in every direction all the brave ones did the same. Having reached heaven, the daitya took up position in Nandana. Surrounded by all his soldiers, he roared like a lion. The gods saw a large army ringing the city of Amaravati on every side and stationed there. They armoured themselves and came out to fight. Battle began between the gods' and danavas' soldiers. They rushed at each other and struck with clubs, bludgeons, arrows, maces, battle axes and spears. In a short time the soldiers on both sides were covered in torrents of blood. Elephants, horses, chariots and foot soldiers fell or were brought down. The battlefield shone like the pale red clouds of evening. Bhargava revived the daityas who died in battle; he knew the mritasanjivani and infused drops of water with the mantra. The son of Angiras also repeatedly revived the gods with divine herbs brought from Mount Drona. Seeing that they were being revived again and again, Jalandhara was enraged and spoke to Bhargava.

Jalandhara said

How is it that the gods I have killed in the battle rise again? We have not heard that the knowledge of mritasanjivani exists elsewhere.

Sanatkumara said

Bhargava heard the ocean's son, and the guru Shukra, pleased in mind, answered Jalandhara.

Shukra said

The son of Angiras is bringing divine herbs from Mount Drona for the gods, and with them he revives them. Know that my words are true. Son, if you want victory, listen to my auspicious words: uproot Mount Drona with your arms and fling it into the ocean.

Sanatkumara said

So addressed by his guru Bhargava, the Indra among daityas quickly went where the king among mountains was. The daitya fetched Drona quickly with his arms and hurled it into the ocean. Since he was born of Hara's energy, this was no wonder. Then immensely valiant, the ocean's son returned to the great battle and slaughtered the large army of the gods with many kinds of weapons. Seeing the gods being killed, their guru went to where Mount Drona used to be. He did not see the Indra among mountains, worshipped by the gods, there. Learning the daitya had taken Drona away, Dhishana was frightened. Anxious, Jiva returned and spoke to the gods.

The guru said

All you gods should run away. The great mountain Drona no longer exists. It is certain that the daitya, the ocean's son, has destroyed it. Jalandhara is a great daitya and no one can defeat him. Since he is born of a portion of Rudra, he will crush all the immortals. Gods, I know his powers since he is responsible for his own manifestation. Remember all about how Shakra insulted Shiva.

Sanatkumara said

The gods heard the gods' acharya, gave up hope of victory and were shaken with fear. In every direction the daitya king slaughtered them. Abandoning their perseverance, with Vasava, they fled in the ten directions. Seeing the gods routed, the daitya, the ocean's son, entered Amaravati. There were the sounds of conches and drums and shouts of "Victory". When the daitya entered the city, the gods with Shakra in front entered a cave in the golden mountain and lived there, tormented by daityas. The asura gave separate rights, those enjoyed by Indra and others, to separate excellent daityas, Shumbha and the rest. He himself went to the cave in the golden mountain.