Vishnu and Jalandhara Fight

Sanatkumara said

The immensely valiant daityas slaughtered all the gods with battle axes, tridents and spears. The bodies of the gods, Vasava included, were pierced by daitya weapons and their minds shaken by fear. Terrified, all of them fled the field. Hrishikesha saw the gods running, mounted Garuda and quickly advanced to fight. The rays of Sudarshana chakra blazed in every direction. A shining lotus was in his radiant hand, the one that gives devotees freedom from fear. He held conch, sword, mace and the Sharnga bow, full of anger, immensely valiant, harsh in using weapons and skilled in fighting. He twanged the Sharnga bow and roared, and, sage, that great sound filled the three worlds. Enraged, Bhagavan Vishnu cut off the heads of crores of Diti's sons with arrows shot from the Sharnga bow. Aruna's younger brother made them suffer by beating his wings, and the gusts blew the daityas away like clouds from the sky. Jalandhara saw it. The great daitya, enraged, terrified large numbers of gods. Seeing the daityas crushed, his lips quivered. The brave one advanced rapidly to fight Hari, and gave a loud roar that terrified both gods and asuras, a roar that shattered ears and filled everything. Mighty Jalandhara made the whole world tremble.

A great battle began between Vishnu and the Indra among daityas. Their arrows left no space in the sky. Sage, the battle amazed and frightened the gods, asuras, rishis and siddhas. With a shower of arrows Vishnu cut down the daitya's standard, umbrella, bow and arrows, then pierced him in the heart with a single arrow. The daitya at once got up and took a club in hand, struck Garuda on the head and brought him down to the ground. Lips quivering with rage, the daitya angrily struck Vishnu in the heart with a spear that shed sparks. As Vishnu cut that club with his sword he seemed to smile. The slayer of daityas pierced him with sparkling arrows from the Sharnga bow. Then Vishnu, full of rage, quickly struck Jalandhara with a very sharp, terrifying arrow. The immensely strong daitya saw it flying toward him, cut it down and swiftly struck Vishnu on the chest. The mighty-armed asura shot an arrow, but brave Keshava broke it into fragments as small as sesame seeds and roared. Trembling in rage, the immensely strong one again fitted an arrow to his bow and cut down an arrow whose head had been whetted on stone. Enraged, to destroy the gods' enemy, Vasudeva again fitted an arrow and roared like a lion. Powerful Jalandhara, Indra among daityas, bit his lips in rage and with an arrow cut Vishnu's bow, Sharnga, then pierced Madhusudana with a very sharp arrow. The immensely brave one, fierce in prowess, terrified the gods. Bhagavan Keshava protects the worlds, but his bow was cut. To destroy Jalandhara he hurled his own supreme mace, which blazed like fire. Its force was unstoppable and it crashed against his body, but though struck the great daitya did not tremble in the least; crazed and drunk, Jalandhara felt as if struck by a garland of flowers. Invincible in battle, he was filled with rage. The terror of the gods hurled a trident like fire at Hari, but Vishnu remembered Shiva's lotus feet and with the sword Nandaka cut the trident. When the trident was cut, the Indra among daityas suddenly leapt down, advanced and struck Vishnu hard on the chest with his fists. Immensely valiant Vishnu ignored the pain and struck Jalandhara on the chest with his own firm fists. Then the two very strong ones wrestled with arms, fists and thighs, making the earth suffer. Best of sages, having fought the asura so long, Vishnu was amazed and his heart was dejected.

Yet Bhagavan has maya and is supreme among its knowers. He spoke pleasantly to the king of daityas in a voice like rumbling clouds.

Vishnu said

Best of the best daityas, you are blessed and unconquerable in battle. As a great lord you do not fear the greatest weapons, which have killed many fierce, indomitable and energetic daityas, brave men whose bodies were torn apart. Great daitya, fighting you has pleased me. You are great, and in the three worlds with all that moves and stands I have seen none so brave. Indra among daityas, your valour pleases me. Ask a boon; say what is in your mind. I will give you even what ought not be given.

Sanatkumara said

The immensely intelligent king of the daityas heard Vishnu Hari, master of maya, and replied.

Jalandhara said

Brother-in-law, if you are pleased with me, give me this boon: live in my house with me, with your companions and my sister.

Sanatkumara said

Hearing the great daitya, Hari, lord of the gods, was not glad, but Bhagavan agreed. With his companions and all the gods, Vishnu went with Rama to the city called Jalandhara and lived there. Because Vishnu and his sister came and lived in his house, the daitya Jalandhara was delighted. Jalandhara placed danavas in the rights meant for the gods and returned, rejoicing, to earth. The ocean's son took whatever the gods, gandharvas and siddhas had gathered and stayed there. He set up the very strong daitya Nishumbha in Patala. The powerful one brought Shesha and others to earth. He made large numbers of gods, gandharvas, siddhas, sarpas, rakshasas and humans residents of his own city and ruled the three worlds. So Jalandhara brought the gods under his sway. By dharma he ruled his subjects as if they were his own sons. No one suffered disease, no one was miserable or emaciated, no one was seen in distress. Following dharma, he ruled the kingdom.