The priest who offers oblations (hotA) to the sacrificial fire was namuchi and vR^itra was the strotropakalpaka (prastota), the priest who chants the hymns of sacrifice). The sons of diti were the sacrificial mantras in the battle-sacrifice performed there.

anuyAtashcha pitR^ibhiradhiko vA parAkramaiH |
yaj~ne tatrAbhavadbANaH saMyuge chopatiShThate ||3-54-6

bANa, the one who is supported by his forefathers and exceeded all of them in valiance, became the performer of the battle-sacrifice and established himself in the battle field.

aindraM pAshupataM brAhmaM sthUNAkarNaM sudurjayam |
mantrAstatrAbhyavartanta sAddhvanuhrAdayojitAH ||3-54-7

anuhrAda followed and chanted the mantras, aindraM, pAshupataM, brAhmaM and sthUNakarNaM which are difficult to conquer in the battle-sacrifice.

udgAtA cha mayaH shrImAnsthitaH shatrubhaya~NkaraH |
vinadanditijashreShTho devAnIkaM vyadArayat ||3-54-8

The auspicious maya, who is terrible to the enemies became the udgAtA. The best among those born from diti, roared loudly and split the army of deva-s.

balistu rAjA dyutimAntsvayaM tatra mahAsuraH |
jApyairhomaishcha saMyukto brahmatvamakarotprabhuH ||3-54-9

The splendorous king bali, the great demon, the lord, attaining the status of brahma performed the battle-sacrifice along with chanting and offering oblation to the fire.

raNAgnirjvalito ghoro vairendhanasamIritaH |
hUyate tvasuraistatra devo viShNuH suraiH saha ||3-54-10

The fire of the battle-sacrifice blazed terribly, flourished by the fuel of enmity. The demons along with the deva-s offered oblations in the fire of the battle-sacrifice to lord viShNu.

sha~NkhashabdaiH sutumulairbherINAM cha mahAsvanaiH |
udghuShTaM vimalaM chaiva brahmaNyaM suprayujyate ||3-54-11

With the sound of conches and the tumultuous loud sounds of kettle drums, brahma was praised loudly in the battle-sacrifice.

balashcha balakashchaiva pulomA cha mahAsuraH |
prashastaM cha samaM kR^itvA satraM samyakprachakrire ||3-54-12

bala, balaka and also the great demon pulomA conducted the battle-sacrifice in a commendable and equal manner in the battle field.

kalmAShadaNDavimalA vipulA rathapa~NktayaH |
yUpAshscha samakalpanta yuddhayaj~ne mahAphale ||3-54-13

The vast row of chariots with pure black spotted poles were considered as the sacrificial posts in the battle-sacrifice, yielding great fruits.

karNanAlIkanArAchA vatsadantopabR^iMhikAH |
tomarAH somakalashA vichitrANi dhanUMShi cha ||3-54-14

The arrows such as karNa, nAlIka, nArAcha, vatsadanta, upabR^iMhikA, tomarA and strange and beautiful bows were the pots of soma juice in the battle-sacrifice.

asthInyatra kapAlAni puroDAshAH shirAMsi cha |
AjyaM cha raudraM rudhiraM tasminyaj~ne.abhihUyate ||3-54-15

The bones were the dishes (kapAla) for offering the oblations of heads (puroDAsa). Terrible blood was the clarified butter (AjyaM) in the battle-sacrifice.

idhmAH paridhayastatra prastArA vipulA gadAH |

In the battle-sacrifice , the fuel (for sacrifice - idhma) was arrows and the huge maces were the protection around the sacrificial fire (paridhi - three fresh sticks madhyama, dakshina and uttara).

hayagrIvosilomA cha rAhuH keshI cha dAnavaH ||3-54-16
virochanashcha jambhashcha kujambhashcha mahAbalaH |
sadasyAstatra tu makhe viprachittistu vIryavAn ||3-54-17

hayagrIva, asilomA and also rAhu, the demon keshI, virochana, jambha, the greatly powerful kujambha, and the valiant viprachitti were the audience (sadasya) of the battle-sacrifice.

iShavastu sruvAstatra rathAkShasadR^ishAH shubhAH |
dhanuShkoTyo dhanujyAshcha sruvastatra mahAmakhe ||3-54-18

The auspicious arrows (iShva) (used in the battle) appearing similar to the thick axles of the chariot were the small wooden ladles (sruva) used to pour clarified molten butter to the large ladle (sruk) for the sacrificial fire of the battle). (Ten) millions of bows and bow strings were large ladles (sruk) in that great sacrifice (of battle).

pratiprAsthAnikaM karma vR^iShaparvAkarodiha |
dIkShitastatra tu balistasya patnI mahAchamUH ||3-54-19

The task of official related to departure of prati (pratiprasthAnika) was performed by vR^iShaparva. The one who performed (dIkShita) the battle-sacrifice was bali and bali's wife was the great army (of demons).

shambarastatra shAmitramakarodditinandanaH |
atirAtre mahAbAhurvitate yaj~nakarmaNi ||3-54-20

The son of diti, shambara, the one with great arms, performed the duties of the official who cuts up the sacrificial victim (shAmitra) in the sacrificial tasks performed in atirAtra, the battle-sacrifice.

dakShiNAstasya yaj~nasya kAlanemirmahAsuraH |
vaitAne karmaNi vibhoryaH khyAto havyavADiva ||3-54-21

O lord! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) kAlanemi, the great demon, who is famous as the consumer of oblations (fire) in the sacrifice performed with three fires (vaitAna), was the tribute of the battle-sacrifice.

tridashAnAM tu sainyasya sharIrairgatajIvitaiH |
tasminyaj~ne tu savanaM vardhate daityanirmitam ||3-54-22

The act of pressing out soma juice and its libation (savana) performed by the sons of diti (demons) progressed in the battle-sacrifice, with the lifeless bodies of the army of deva-s.

devAnAM rudhiraM sa~Nkhye papurugrA diteH sutAH |
nardamAnAH pramuditAH somapAnaM raNAdhvare ||3-54-23

The terrible sons of diti (demons) drank the blood of deva-s in the battle-sacrifice, like drinking the soma juice in a sacrifice. Becoming joyful, they roared with happiness.

yadA balirmahAdaityo vijetA samare surAn |
tadA hyavabhR^itho yaj~ne bhaviShyati na saMshayaH ||3-54-24

As bali, the great son of diti, conquers the deva-s in the battle, there is no doubt that the concluding bath of battle-sacrifice will take place.

mahAsurendrapatayo yajvAno bhUridakShiNAH |
vedavanto vR^ittavantaH shUrAH sarve tanutyajaH ||3-54-25

The great indra-s, the lords of demons who offer plenty of tributes were the performers of the battle-sacrifice. All of them were knowledgeable on veda-s, well-behaved, valiant who were ready to abandon their bodies.

trailokyaharaNe sR^iShTA yuddhayaj~nAya dIkShitAH |
baddhakR^iShNAjinAH sarve vratino mu~njadhAriNaH ||3-54-26

They, determined to conquer the three worlds, had taken vows to perform the battle-sacrifice. All of them were covered with the skin of black antelopes. All had taken vows and all were wearing girdles.

ekanishchayakAryAshcha trailokyajayakA~NkShiNaH |
suradAnavadaityAnAM shabdaH samabhavanmahAn ||3-54-27

All had determined to achieve their goal, desiring to conquer the three worlds. The great sounds of deva-s and the sons of danu and diti could be heard from the battle-field.

nAnAyudhavihastAnAM tvaritAnAM pradhAvatAm |
kShveDitotkruShTaninadairgajabR^iMhitaniHsvanaiH ||3-54-28

They were carrying many weapons in their hands. They were moving with great speed. They were roaring with great sounds accompanied with the roar of elephants.

rathanemisvanairghoraistumulaH sarvato.abhavat |
sha~NkhadundubhinirghoshairhayaheShitaniHsvanaiH ||3-54-29

The terrible, tumultuous sounds of the wheels of chariots could be heard from everywhere. The sounds of conches, trumpets and sounds of horses could be heard from all over.

hayANAM heShamANAnAM dAnavAnAM cha garjatAm |
kShveDitotkruShTaninadaiH pANipAdaravaistathA ||3-54-30

All over from the battle field, the sounds of horses and the roars of the sons of danu and shouting sounds and the sounds of hands and feet could be heard.

dAnavAnAM pareShAM cha shastravanti mahAnti cha |
samare bhImakarmANi sainyAni prachakAshire ||3-54-31

The sons of danu and their enemies were armed with great weapons. The terrible actions of armies became evident in the battle.

tato nAgA rathAshchaiva jAmbUnadavibhUShitAH |
bhrAjamAnA vyarAjanta meghA iva savidyutaH ||3-54-32

Then elephants and chariots decorated with gold were sparkling in the battle field like clouds with lightning in the sky.

R^iShTishaktigadAstIkShNashUlashaktiparashvadhAH |
chAru vibhrAjire tatra teShvanIkeShu bhAgashaH ||3-54-33

Lances/swords (R^iShTi), spears named shakti, maces, sharp spears, large spears and axes - these weapons sparkled separately in both armies.

rathA bahuvidhAkArAH shatasho.atha sahasrashaH |
hemaprachChannashikharA jvalanta iva pAvakAH ||3-54-34

Hundreds and thousands of chariots of many shapes, having golden covers blazed like fire in the battle field.

dAnavAnAM surANAM cha samAlokyanta sainikAH |
kA~nchanaiH kavachaiH sarve jvalitArkasamaprabhaiH ||3-54-35

The soldiers of the sons of danu (demons) and the deva-s were seen wearing golden shields sparkling as the blazing sun.

sannaddhAH samadR^ishyanta jyotIMShi gagane yathA |
udyatairAyudhaishchitraistalabaddhAH kalApinaH |

The soldiers wearing hand gloves were seen holding strange weapons, appearing ready for battle like stars in the sky.

R^iShabhAkShAH suragaNAshchamUmukhagatA babhuH | 3-54-36

The groups of deva-s, having large beautiful eyes like bull sparkled at the front of the army.

nAnAvarNAH patAkAshcha dhvajamAlAshcha saMyuge ||3-54-37
yuddhyatAM raNashauNDAnAmIrayAmAsa mArutaH |

The wind made the flags of many colours and the garlands on the flagstaff of the experts of battle, flutter, as they were fighting the battle.

dhvajAla~NkAravastrANi kavachAni cha rashmibhiH ||3-54-38
bhAsayAmAsa sarvANi rashmivarNAni rashmivAn |

The one with rays, the sun brightened all the decorations of the flagstaffs, clothes and the shields in variety of colours with his rays and made them sparkle.

sarveShAmaprameyANAM balAnAM pAdachAriNAm ||3-54-39
rajaH prachChAdayAmAsa patrorNaM pANDuraM dishaH |

The heads of the unlimited number of foot soldiers of both armies decorated by white silk turbans covered all directions and the atmosphere.

divyAyudhadharAH sarve dIptAyudhaparichChadAH ||3-54-40
pratitastambhire.anyonyamanIkaM pratyanIkataH |

All were holding divine weapons. All were with blazing weapons, garments and paraphernalia. Among them, members of one army were blocking the members of the other army (not allowing to proceed forward).

girikUTochChrayAH sarve tadA te devadAnavAH ||3-54-41
anyonyamabhinighnanto raNasthAshchitrayodhinaH |
[udyatairAyudhaishchitraistalabaddhAH patAkinaH ]

All the deva-s and the sons of danu (demons) as tall as the peaks of mountains, fighting against each other in strange ways in the battle, killed each other with strange weapons decorated beautifully with flags.

bANaiH suruchiraistIkShNaiH patravAjairdurAsadaiH ||3-54-42
mudgarairmusalaiH shUlairayastuNDairulUkhalaiH |

Using weapons such as sharp arrows, difficult to defeat and capable of moving quickly with wings, hammers, maces, clubs, spears with iron tips and wooden poles,

vajrairashanikalpaishcha khaDgavR^ikShAdibhistathA ||3-54-43
tathA pravartite teShAM vimarde.adbhutavikrame |
sAvitrasya vadhaM prepsurbANo jagrAha kArmukam ||3-54-44

and the weapon vajra similar to thunderbolts, swords and trees, as the fighters fought each other with wonderful valiance, bANa took up the bow for killing sAvitra.

sharajAlena divyena chChAdayAnaH surottamam |
mantrairhuta ivArchiShmAnsaMprajajvAla tejasA ||3-54-45

The demon bANa covered the best among deva-s (sAvitra) with a group of divine arrows. bANa dazzled with splendor like the god of fire who is offered oblation of ghee along with mantras.

sAgarAbhAM mahAsenAM devAnAM daityapu~NgavaH |
saMshoShayati bANaughairarkAMshubhirivArNavam ||3-54-46

bANa, prominent among the sons of diti, destroyed the great army of deva-s, having the splendor of an ocean, by shooting groups of arrows like the rays of the sun dries up the ocean.

mArutaH sumahAvegaH sAvitraH shaktimuttamAm |
chikShepa baliputrAya shakro.ashanimivAdraye ||3-54-47

sAvitra, who is fast and who belongs to the group of maruts, threw the spear shakti, the best among spears at the son of bali (bANa) like shakra (indra) throws the thunder bolt (vajra) on a mountain.

apAtantI cha sA shaktirmaholkajvalitA iva |
dvidhA ChinnA kShurapreNa bANenAdbhutakarmaNA ||3-54-48

As the spear shakti approached like a blazing meteor, bANa, the one who performs wonderful deeds, split it into two by shooting the knife arrow.

hatAyAmatha shaktyAM tu sAvitro devasattamaH |
vishvakarmakR^itaM divyaM sutIkShNaM dAnavArdanam ||3-54-49
supInadhAraM vimalaM vipulaM chandravarchasam |
agR^ihNAnnishitaM khaDgamAshIviShamivoragam ||3-54-50

As the spear shakti was destroyed, sAvitra, the best among the devs-s, took up the divine sword, made by vishvakarma, having a highly sharp edge which suppresses the sons of danu, whose edge is sharpened, which is pure and wide, having the splendor of the moon, poisoned with serpent poison, which is strengthened.

taM gR^ihItvA raNamukhe prajvalantaM mahAprabham |
bANAbhyAshe mahAtejAH khaDgapANiravasthitaH ||3-54-51

sAvitra took up the sword, which was blazing and splendorous. The one with great splendor (sAvitra) stood before bANa in the battle field, holding the sword in his hand.

sa taM sthitamathAlakShya sAvitraM balinandanaH |
lohitAkShaM mahAkAyaM chikShepa cha nanAda cha ||3-54-52

Seeing sAvitra having a huge body and red eyes standing in the battle field, the son of bali insulted and shouted at him.

tato.arkakiraNAkArAnashanipratimA~nChitAn |
saMdadhe chAshu baNaughAnAshIviShashilImukhAn ||3-54-53

Then bAna shot a group of arrows similar in shape to the rays of the sun, terrible like thunderbolts, having the poison of serpents at the tips.

rukmapu~NkAnpradIptAgrAnugravegAnala~NkR^itAn |
AkarNapUrAMshchikShepa sharAnugrAntsamantataH ||3-54-54

The arrows had golden knots and blazing tips. The arrows having terrible speed were decorated. Placing the terrible arrows on the bow, he pulled the bow string upto his ear and shot them all around.

dR^iDhachApaprayuktAste sharA vaishvAnaraprabhAH |
sAvitraM ChAdayAmAsuH kailAsamiva toyadAH ||3-54-55

The arrows having splendor of fire, shot from the strong bow, engulfed sAvitra like the rain clouds cover the mountain kailAsa.

sa~nChAdyamAnaH shastraughairbANena balisUnunA |
parA~NmukhaH suravaraH prayAtaH sarathadhvajaH ||3-54-56

sAvitra, the best among deva-s, who was covered by the group of arrows shot by bANa, the son of bali, turned his face back and ran away along with his chariot and flagstaff.

parAjitya sa sAvitraM bANaH paramaharShitaH |
pragR^ihya kArmukaM ghoraM gataH shakrarathaM prati ||3-54-57

By defeating sAvitra, bANa became most happy. Taking up his terrible bow, bANa went towards the chariot of shakra (indra).

balashchApyasurashreShThaH pragR^ihya mahatIM gadAm |
dhruvAya vasave mUrdhni raudrAM chikShepa dAnavaH ||3-54-58

bala, the best among the demons, took up a great mace. The son of danu (bala) threw the terrible mace on the head of dhruva, the vasu.

tasya nirmathitaM tvaMse hemachitraM cha varma vai |
gadAvegena bhImena dhruvasya samare tadA ||3-54-59

dhruva's shoulder was broken along with his shield decorated with gold because of the fast moving mace during the battle.

sheShAshcha vasavaH sarve divyAstrairghoradarshanaiH |
prAchChAdayanraNe daItyamAdityamiva toyadAH ||3-54-60

Then all the remaining vasu-s covered the son of diti (bala) with terrible divine arrows in the battle like the sun is covered by the rain clouds.

tataH saMmardito bANairbalo dAnavasattamaH |
avAtaradrathAttasmAdgadAmudyamya vegavAn ||3-54-61

The best among demons, bala, oppressed by the arrows, the one with high speed, alighted from the chariot, holding his mace.

pAtayAmAsa shatrUNAM samAvidhya mahAsuraH |
dishaH prAdrAvayatsarvAMstridashAntsA mahAgadA ||3-54-62

The great demon (bala) threw the great mace, spinning, towards his enemies and made the deva-s scatter in all directions.

indrAshanirivendreNa pravR^iddhAH sumahAsvanAH |
tasyAH savidyudghoShAyAstena shabdena vepitAH ||3-54-63

Trembled by the sound of the mace, which arrived quickly like lightning, like the thunderbolt sent by indra,

vyadravanta paribhraShTA rathebhyo rathinastadA |

those who were riding the chariot, abandoned them and ran away.

tadudIrNaM rathAnIkaM sUryAbhaM meghaniHsvanam ||3-54-64
devAnAM sharadhArAbhiH samantAdabhyavarShata |

The army of chariots of the deva-s, having the splendor of the sun and roaring like thunder, showered arrows all around.

kShurakairvishikhairbhallairvatsadantaiH shilImukhaiH ||3-54-65
muhurmuhurmahAtejAH pratyavidhyanmahAsurAn |

The great deva, having high splendor, shot a variety of arrows such as knife (kShuraka), an arrow (vishikha), arrow with a point of particular shape (bhalla), arrows having a point like the calf's tooth (vatsadanta) and arrow having a point like a female frog (shilImukha).

balAkastu gadApANirvyAditAsya ivAntakaH ||3-54-66
taDidgaNArkasadR^isho vaishvAnara ivAparaH |
pibanniva sharaughAMstAndevachApasamuchChritAn ||3-54-67

balAka, holding the mace in his hand, with his mouth wide open, like the god of death, like lightning, like the sun, like another god of fire, swallowed all the groups of arrows as the deva shot them from the bows held high.

abhyadravata daityendro mahArNava ivAparaH |
avasphUrjandishaH sarvAH svena vIryeNa dAnavaH ||3-54-68

The indra of the sons of diti ran towards the deva-s like another great ocean. The son of danu shook all the directions with his splendor.

arujaMstridashAndaityaH siMdhuvegAnnagA iva |
samudrastarasA devAnvAyurvR^ikShAnivaujasA ||3-54-69

The son of diti stopped the deva-s like a mountain breaks the speed of rivers. With his power, he oppressed the deva-s like the wind oppresses the trees with it's power.

shamayaMshcha maheShvAsAnvasubhyAM samasajjata |
ApashchaivAnilashchaiva vavarShaturariMdamau ||3-54-70
sharavarShANi dIptAni meghAviva paraMtapau |

The vasu-s, Apa as well as anila, the oppressors of enemies, opposed the great demon by shooting a shower of blazing arrows all around, like clouds.

kShiptAMstAnvishikhAndIptAnantarikShe sa chichChide ||3-54-71

The demon balAka cut off the blazing arrows in the sky.

amR^iShyamANastatkarma dhruvastamabhidudruve |
tau pR^ithakCharavarShAbhyAmanyonyamabhijaghnatuH ||3-54-72
uttamAbhijanau shUrau devadaityau yashaskarau |

Not bearing that feat, dhruva opposed him. The deva-s and the sons of diti, both valiant, famous and having born in great races, shot showers of arrows against each other.

tau nakhairiva shArdUlau dantairiva mahAdvipau ||3-54-73
rathashaktibhiranyonyaM vishikhaishchApyakR^intatAm |

They fought against each other with nails like tigers, with tuskers like great elephants and wounded each other with chariots, spears as well as arrows.

nirbhindantau cha gAtrANi vilikhantau cha sAyakaiH ||3-54-74
stambhayantau cha balinau pratudantau sthitau raNe |

They split bodies in the battle. They tore bodies with arrows. The powerful valiants stunned and hurt each other during the battle.

charantau vividhAnmArgAnmaNDalAni cha bhAgashaH ||3-54-75
mudgarairjaghnatuH kruddhAvanyonyamabhimAninau |

In the battle, they adopted many methods and techniques of warfare. The highly proud valiants, became angry and killed each other with hammers.

asibhyAM charmaNI divye vipule cha sharAsane ||3-54-76
nikR^ityAchalasaMkAshau bAhuyudhaM prachakratuH |

Cutting off the shields and the huge divine bows with swords, the deva-s and the demons with bodies as large as mountains, began fighting with arms.

vyUDhoraskau dIrghabhujau niyuddhakushalAvubhau ||3-54-77
bAhubhiH samasajjetAmAyasaiH parighairiva |

Having wide chest , long arms, the experts in fighting with arms fought each other with arms strong like iron bars.

tayorAsIdbhujAghAtairnigrahaH pragrahastathA ||3-54-78
atIva bhImaH saMhrAdo vajraparvatayoriva |

Between them they had strikes with arms as well as blocking with arms. There was a loud sound as thunderbolts were striking mountains.

dvipAviva viShANAgraiH sR^i~Ngairiva mahAvR^iShau |
anyonyamabhisaMrabdhau muhUrtaM paryakarShatAm ||3-54-79

Like elephants fighting with tusks and great bulls fighting with horns, they attacked each other with anger at each moment.

tataH parAjito devo balAkena tathA dhruvaH |
rathaM tyaktvA bhayAttasya pranaShTaH prA~Nmukho vasuH ||3-54-80

Then the deva, the vasu dhruva, defeated by balAka and afraid of him in the battle, abandoning his chariot, ran towards the eastern direction.

iti shrImahAbhArate khileShu harivaMshe bhaviShyaparvaNi vAmanaprAdurbhAve devAsurayuddhe chatuHpa~nchAshattamo.adhyAyaH

This is the fiftyfourth lesson of bhaviShyaparva, harivaMsha, khila of mahAbhArata, in the manifestation of vAmana, description of the battle between deva-s and asura-s in the form of a sacrifice.

Note 1: Note the names of 16 R^itvija from nIlakaNTha commentary to shloka 3-10-9 (from puShkara prAdurbhAva section of bhaviShyaparva)
brahmA || 1 || udgAtA ||2 ||hotA || 3 || adharyuH || 4 || brAhmaNAchChaMsI || 5 || prastotA || 6 || maitrAvaruNaH || 7 || pratiprathAtA || 8 || pratihartA || 9 || potA || 10 || achChAvAkaH || 11 || neShTA || 12 || AgnIdhra || 13 || subrahmaNyaH || 14 || grAvastotA || 15 || unnetA || 16 || ete R^itvijaH |

nIlakaNTha commentary

3-54-1 ubhayoriti | ubhayorgomukhAdinAM nAdena protsAhitayoH senayoH
3-54-2 gomukhAdayastUryavisheShAH |
3-54-5 stotropakalpakaH prastotA |
3-54-16 idhmAH prastArAH sharapaMktayaH parighayo gadA iti saMbandhaH |
3-54-40 UrNAH pANDurA shvetorNavachChuklam | patrorNeti pAThe dhautakausheyavachChuklAH
patrorNaM dhautakausheyam ityamaraH |
3-54-42 patravAjaiH sharapuMkhavegitaiH |
3-54-51 bAnAbhyAshe bANasamIpe |
3-54-52 sAvitraM chikShepa |
3-54-62 shatrUNAM shatruShu ||

iti mahAbhArate haruvaMshe bhaviShyaparvaNi TIkAyAM chatuHpa~nchAshattamo.adhyAyaH

## Itranslated by G. Schaufelberger, schaufel @ wanadoo.fr November 18, 2008
Proof-read by K S Ramachandran, ramachandran_ksr @ yahoo.ca.
If you find any errors compared to Chitrashala Press edition, send corrections to A. Harindranath harindranath_a @ yahoo.com
Translated to English by A. Purushothaman [purushothaman_avaroth @ yahoo.com] and A. Harindranath
July 21, 2012 ##