Hearing it the heroic son of Bali, Vāna, the slayer of his enemies, ordered his servant soldiers to kill Aniruddha. He said:—"Do you all soon proceed and kill that sinful, wicked wretch who has sullied the character of our family. Alas, Ushā being ravished our great family has been contaminated. Alas, what is the strength, patience and pride of that stupid person who has entered into my city and palace and has ravished my daughter by force though I did not give her away." Saying this Vāna again urged on his soldiers. They issued out, obeying his command and putting on their coats of mail. In great anger those highly dreadful and powerful Dānavas, taking up various weapons, came speedily where Aniruddha was in order to kill him (80–85).
Hearing the uproar of that approaching army the heroic son of Pradyumna said "What is this?" and rose up all on a sudden. Thereupon he saw that the soldiers, taking up various weapons, stood encircling that big house. Beholding that army, the illustrious daughter of Vāna began to weep fearing the death of Aniruddha. Her eves were filled with tears. Then beholding the deer-eyed Ushā cry piteously "Oh my husband! Oh my husband!" and tremble. Aniruddha said:—"May your fear disappear. O you of a beautiful waist, you need not fear as long as I am here. O illustrious lady, you have not the least ground for fear. Rather the time of your joy has arrived. If the entire collection of Vāna's servants arrives here I am not the least anxious. Witness my power to-day, O timid girl" (86–89). Hearing the uproar of the soldiers Pradyumna's son rose up all on a sudden and said "What is this?" (90) Thereupon he saw the soldiers encircling with various weapons all sides of that big palace (91). Saying this and taking up his arms Aniruddha, biting his lips in anger, speedily went where the soldiers were (92). Thereupon understanding that an encounter would soon take place with the followers of Vāna Chitralekhā thought of the god-like Rishi Nārada (93). Recollected by Chitralekhā that foremost of Munis, within a moment, arrived at the city named Shonita (94). Stationed in the sky he said to Aniruddha:—"Do not fear, O hero, I have come to this city" (95). Thereupon beholding Nārada and saluting him the highly powerful Aniruddha grew delighted and made himself ready for the battle (96). Thereupon hearing the uproar of the soldiers he, all on a sudden, rose up like an elephant goaded with a pike (97). Beholding that large-armed hero come down from the palace biting his lips they fled away stricken with fear (98). Seeing it Pradyumna's son, expert in various forms of war-fare, took up a Parigha, lying at the door of the inner appartment and hurled it at them (99). Those soldiers, masters of fighting, struck Aniruddha with a downpour of clubs, maces, swords, darts and arrows (100). Although completely wounded with Nārachas and Parighas by those expert Dānavas Pradyumna, roaring like an evening cloud, was not over-powered (101). As the sun ranges in the midst of clouds in the sky, so he, taking up a dreadful Parigha, stood in their midst (102). Seeing it Nārada, carrying a staff and a black antelope skin, delightedly said to Aniruddha "Well-done! Well-done!" (103) Thus assailed with the dreadful Parigha by Pradyumna of incomparable power, the soldiers fled away like clouds dispersed by the wind (104). Having driven with Parigha the Dānavas from the battle-field the highly powerful hero Aniruddha delightedly set up a leonine shout as the clouds mutter in the sky after the termination of the rainy season (105). Saying to the Dānavas, dreadful in battle "Wait, wait"! Pradyumna's son, the slayer of his enemies, began to smile. Thus assailed by that high-souled hero in battle they, flying from the battle-field and stricken with fear, went where Vāna was. And even going near Vāna, those Danāvas, bathed in blood and having their eyes dilated with fear, could not enjoy peace. They began to sigh heavily again and again; they were urged on by Vanā saying "No fear! No fear! O ye leading Danavas, casting off fear, do ye fight again." Vāna again said to them who had their eyes dilated with fear:—(106-110). "Throwing off your glory well known in three worlds, why are you bewildered like eunuchs (111)? Who is he, of whom you are so much afraid, you who are born in well known families and who are clever in fighting? (112). You need not help me to today. Avaunt, quit my sight" (113). Censuring them thus with very many harsh words the powerful Vāna ordered millions of other soldiers to proceed to the battle-field, (114). He then appointed Rudar's army consisting of many Pramathas with various weapons in vanquishing Aniruddha (115). Thereupon the entire firmament was covered with Vāna's soldiers having burning eyes and resembling clouds surcharged with lightning (116). Some of them stood on the surface of the earth roaring like elephants and some appeared like clouds of the rainy season (117). Thereupon when that huge army again assembled there were heard on all sides cries of "Wait! Wait!" (118). The hero Aniruddha ran towards them. It was really a wonder, O king, that he fought then single-handed with many (119). Engaged in the encounter with the highly powerful Dānavas he snatched away their Parighas and Tomaras and killed them with them. Taking up his most excellent Parigha again and again in the battle-field the highly powerful Aniruddha killed the Daityas endued with great power (120-121). At that time Kāma's son, the slayer of his enemies, taking up his Nistringsha and leathern protector, was seen moving about in twelve ways. Thus when he moved about in the battle-field in a thousand different ways the enemies saw him as the playing Death with thousands of mouth wide open.
Thereupon again assailed by Aniruddha the Asuras, bathed in blood, again fled away from the battle-field and went where Vāna was. Crying plaintively those highly powerful Asuras fled away on all sides riding elephants, horses and cars. At that time the Dānavas, who had fled from the battle-field, were so much overwhelmed with sorrow and fear that one fell upon the other and they all vomitted blood. While fighting with Aniruddha the Dānavas experienced such a fear as they had not even while fighting with the gods in the days of yore. Some vomitted blood and some fell down on earth amongst those Danavas, resembling mountain summits who had clubs, maces and swords in their hands. Leaving behind Vāna in the battle-field those vanquished Danavas fled away in fear to the welkin. Beholding his army thus routed to a man Vāna was inflamed with ire like unto sacrificial fire when fuels are put to it. Ranging all over the welkin, Nārada, pleased with seeing Aniruddha's fight, began to dance exclaiming "Well-done! Well-done!"
In the meantime, powerful Vāna, worked up with anger, ascending the car, brought by Kumbhānda, drove with uplifting sword where Aniruddha was. As Sakra shines with his thousand standards so that Asura appeared beautiful there holding by his thousand hands Pattiças, swords, clubs, darts and axes (122–134). Having his thousand hands adorned with gloves, finger-protectors and various weapons that best of Dānavas shone there in exceeding beauty (135). Sending up a leonine shout in anger that Asura, having eyes reddened in anger, drew his huge bow and exclaimed "Wait! Wait!" Hearing those words of Vāna in the battle-field that unconquerable son of Pradyumna saw his face and smiled (136–137). Like unto Hiranyakashipu's car formerly in the battle between gods and Asuras the chariot of the highly powerful Vāna was drawn by thousand horses, set with hundreds of small bells, adorned with red standards and flags, coated with bear-skin and was ten furlongs in length. Beholding that Asura about to attack him, Aniruddha, the foremost of Yadus, was highly pleased and filled with anger. Like unto Narahari prepared to kill the prince of Daityas in the days of yore he stood impassionately for battle with his sword and armour on (138-141). Vāna then saw him approach with sword and leathern-protector. Beholding him thus approach on foot with dagger and leathern protector Vāna attained to an excess of joy thinking that he would kill him. That Yādava had a sword in his hand, but no coat of mail. Still thinking Aniruddha invincible the powerful Vāna confronted him for battle (142–144). He exclaimed in anger "Arrest him! Kill him!" While he thus cried in the battle-field Pradyumna's son looked, in anger, at his face and laughed. At that time stricken with fear Ushā began to weep. Aniruddha, consoling her with a smile, stood for the battle.
Thereupon filled with anger, Vāna, desirous of killing Aniruddha, discharged in numerable arrows by name Khshudraka. Aniruddha too, desirous of defeating him, cut them off (145–148). Thereupon desiring that he would kill Aniruddha in the battle-field Vāna aimed at his head many Kshudraka arrows. Aniruddha too baffled them with his leathern-protector and appeared before him like the rising sun (149-150). Afterwards Vāna, with a thousand quick coursing and sharpened arrows, pierced the invincible son of Pradyumna to the quick. As in the forest a lion over powers an elephant on seeing it before him so the Yadu prince Aniruddha overpowered Vāna (151–152). There upon thus wounded with those arrows the larged-armed Aniruddha was inflamed with anger for displaying a wonderful feat. Assailed with that downpour of arrows and having his body covered with blood he went before Vanā’s car (153–155). The soldiers then assailed Prādyumna's son with sharpened swords, maces, darts, Pattiças and Tomaras. And although sorely wounded he did not tremble (156). Then leaping up in anger in that battle-field he, with his dagger, cut off the reins of Vāna's car and struck the horses. Seeing it Vāna, an expert in fighting, threw him down from there with a shower of arrows, Pattiças and Tomaras. Then desisting from the fight, the Dānavas, regarding Aniruddha dead, sent up a leonine shout and jumped up on the car. (157–159). Thereupon Vāna, irate, took up the dreadful and grim-looking Sakti, effulgent like the sun and burning fire-brand and set with bells and discharged it not carrying for Ushā's widowhood. Beholding that life-ending Sakti about to fall on him the highly powerful Kāma's son, foremost of men, leaped up, took hold of the Sakti and pierced Vāna with that. Cutting through his body it entered into the earth. Wounded sorely thereby Vāna supported himself on a standard. Thereupon seeing him unconscious Kumbhānda said (160-164). "O king of Dānavas, why do you disregard this rising enemy? We see this hero has gained his aim and is impassionate. Resorting to your illusory prowess, fight with him or else he will not be slain. Do not disregard such an enemy out of indulgence. Save yourself and us by virtue of your illusory power. If you cannot defeat him by your illusory power forsooth he will kill all the Asuras. Kill him, O hero, before he destroys us all. Killing hundreds of others he will carry away Ushā" (165-167).
Excited at these words of Kumbhānda, the king of Dānavas, the foremost of speakers, filled with great anger, gave vent to the following harsh words:—"I will kill him in this battle. I will catch him as Garuda catches a serpent" (168-169). Saying this the powerful Vāna, with his chariot standard and horses resembling the city of Gandharvas, disappeared therefrom showering sharpened arrows and covering him with them. Seeing Vāna invisible the unconquerable son of Pradyumna, endued with manliness, cast his looks on the ten quarters. Thereupon resorting to his Tamasik learning and covered with illusory form that highly powerful Dānava, filled with anger, began to discharge sharpened arrows. Gradually Pradyumna's son was fettered with serpentine shafts. His body was chained with various serpents. Thus, with all his limbs bound with serpents Pradyumna's son stood inert like the mount Maināka in the battle. Although motionless like a mountain encircled by serpents of burning fangs he was not stricken with fear. And although completely fettered with serpentine shafts and rendered inactive and motionless, that one, identical with all, did not experience the least pain.
Thereupon supporting himself on a standard Vāna, filled with anger, remonstrated with Aniruddha in harsh words and said:—"O Kumbhānda, kill soon this sinful wretch of his family having a vitiated soul who has sullied our character in the world". Thus addressed Kumbhānda said (170–179)—"O king, I wish to speak a few words. Hear them if you wish. Whose son is this hero endued with the prowess of Indra? Learn first from where he has come and who has brought him here. O king, when he fought in the great battle, I marked him fighting like a celestial prince. He is powerful, endued with energy and a master of weapons (180–182). O foremost of Daityas, he does not deserve to be slain. He has espoused your daughter in Gandharva marriage (183). You can take her from him because you did not give her away. You should kill him after thinking over this. Knowing this, either kill him or adore him (184). I see a great mistake in killing him and a great virtue in protecting him. He is one of the best of men and every way deserves honor (185). His body is fettered with serpents and still he does not feel pain. He has a good birth, valour, energy and accomplishments (186). Behold, O king, this best of men, endued with great prowess. This powerful hero, although chained, does not care for us all (187). Had he not been fettered by virtue of your illusory power forsooth he would have fought with all the Asuras (188). He knows all forms of warfare and is more powerful than you. His person is fettered with serpents and covered with blood; still frowning with his forehead stricken with three marks he is as if aiming at us all. Reduced to such a plight and yet dependant on the strength of his own arms he does not care for any thing, O king. Who is this young man? Although gifted with two hands he still stands for an encounter with you having a thousand hands and does not think of your prowess. Who is he endued with such a prowess (189-191)? Besides, O king, while your daughter is attached to him you will not be able to give her away to another person. On the other hand, the hero has been known as one of great prowess (193). O foremost of Asuras, if this desirable person is born in the family of a great man he is worthy of receiving adoration from you (193). I request you, save him." Thus addressed by the high-souled Kumbhādha, Vāna, the slayer of his enemies said "So be it." Thereupon handing over Aniruddha to the guards the intelligent and illustrious son of Bali repaired to his own palace. Seeing the highly powerful Aniruddha fettered through illusory power Nārada, the foremost of Rishis, set out for the city of Dwaravati. Having arrived at Dwāravati through the etherial way that best of Munis communicated to Keshava, the rider of Garuda, about the imprisonment of Aniruddha. When that foremost of Rishis Nārada set out for Dwārakā Aniruddha thought: "This cruel Dānava will forsooth be slain in battle, for Nārada will speak many things truly to Keshava the holder of conch-shell, discus and club." At that time while Ushā, having her eyes full of tears on seeing her husband bound with serpents, cried he said to her:—"O timid girl, why do you weep thus? Do not fear, O you having fair eyes; you will soon see the slayer of Madhu arrive here for me. Hearing the sound of his conch shell and of the striking of his arms the Dānavas will be destroyed and the Asura women will abort." Thus addressed by Aniruddha the youthful Ushā was consoled and began to bewail for her ruthless father (194–203).
CHAPTER CCLXVII. THE GODDESS CONSOLES ANIRUDDHA.
Vaishampāyana said:—While the heroic Aniruddha was imprisoned in the city of Shonita along with Ushā by Bali's son king Vāna, he, seeking refuge with goddess Koumāri for his own safety, sang a hymn in her praise. Having saluted the endless, undecaying, eternal prime deity the Lord Narayana, I chant the glories of Chandi, the worshipful goddess Katyāyani, worshipped of all the gods and worlds and adored by the gods, Rishis and Rakshasas, reciting the names sung by Hari (1-5).
Aniruddha said:—For my well being I bow unto the sister of Mahendra and Vishnu. Being cleansed and with my mind purified I chant her glories with folded hands I bow unto thee who dost confer honors, do thou release me from my bonds and give me life and health.