"In the days of yore this Ananta again became celebrated by the name of
Padmanābha (lotus-navelled). When the whole universe was converted into
one sheet of water, he, placing the two Dānavas, Madhu and Kaitava
within his knee-joints, killed them (18). Dividing his own body into two
and assuming the form of a man-lion he, in the days of yore, killed my
father Hiranyakasipu (19). Auspiciously did Aditi, the mother of gods,
conceive him who, assuming the form of a dwarf at the sacrifice of the
king Bali, occupied the three worlds with his foot-steps and then killed
him (20). Now encountering me again in this war of Tāraka, he along with
the gods, will meet with death (21)".
Thus villifying Nārāyana in the field of battle in various unbecoming
words Kālanemi expressed his desire for fighting (22). Although censured
by the king of Asuras Gadādhara (Vishnu) was not angry on account of his
extraordinary forgiveness. Rather smilingly he said (23). "O Daitya,
limited is thy strength, still out of anger thou art villifying me.
Since thou hast transgressed forgiveness, thou shalt be slain by thy own
fault (24). Wretched thou art indeed and fie on thy vaunting words. Men
do not live where the females roar (25). O Daitya, I see thou shalt
follow the footsteps of thy predecessors. Disregarding the orders
instituted by Prajapati who can be at ease? (26). I shall slay thee
to-day who hast disturbed the gods. And I shall again place the
celestials in their respective positions" (27). After Nārāyana, bearing
the mystic mark of Srivatsa on his breast, had said this in the
battle-field, the Dānava took up the weapons in anger and began to smile
(28). Uplifting his hundred arms capable of handling all the weapons,
he, with eyes reddened with anger, struck at the breast of Vishnu (29).
The other Dānavas, headed by Maya and Tāra, ran towards Vishnu (30).
Although assailed by the highly powerful Daityas armed with various
weapons the lord Nārāyana remained unshaken in the battle like a
mountain (31). Being engaged in a conflict with Suparna and taking up,
with all his strength, a huge and dreadful club burning with the
concussion of arms, the highly enraged great Asura Kālanemi hurled it at
Garuda. Even Vishnu was filled with wonder seeing that feat of the
Daitya (32). When that club fell on the head of Suparna, that king of
birds, with a wounded body, fell down on earth (33). Thereupon in that
great encounter the Dānavas began to strike Vishnu and Garuda with clods
of earth, stones and thunder bolts. When Nārāyana moved about in the
battle field the gods chanted his glories. "Glory unto thee, O thou of
great arms, O destroyer of Madhu and Kaitava. With thy nails thou didst
tear off Hiranyakasipu." Thus eulogised by the deities Nārāyana rose up
from the battle-field. Considering Vishnu slain the king of Dānavas blew
his conch. The great Asuras began to play on the three sorts of
Mridangas and dance in accompaniment with the music. It appeared that a
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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