474
angry on account of the slaughter of their sons. And then various other princes of the Vidyádharas were slain by various men and Dánavas, darting forward from time to time.
And in the meanwhile a conflict went on between Prabhása and Dámodara, terrible from its unceasing exchange of missiles. Then Dámodara, though his bow was cleft asunder, and his charioteer slain, took another bow and fought on, holding the reins in his own hands. And when Brahmá applauded him, Indra said to him, " Revered one, why are you pleased with one who is getting the worst of it?" Then Brahmá answered him,— " How can I help being pleased with one, who fights for so long with, this Prabhása? Who but Dámodara, who is a portion of Hari, would do this? For all the gods would be a scant match for Prabhása in fight. For that Asura Namuchi, who was so hard for the gods to subdue, and who was then born again as Prabala, one entire and perfect jewel, has now been born as the invincible Prabhása son of Bhása, and Bhása too was in a former birth the great Asura Kálanemi, who afterwards became Hiranyakaśipu and then Kapinjala. And Súryaprabha is the Asura who was called Sumundíka. And the Asura who was before called Hiranyáksha is now this Sunítha. And as for Prahasta and others, they are all Daityas and Dánavas ; and since the Asuras slain by you have been born again in these forms, the other Asuras, Maya and others, have espoused their cause. And see, Bali has come here to look on, for his bonds have been broken by virtue of the great sacrifice to Śiva, duly performed by Súryaprabha and the others, but keeping his promise faithfully, he remains content with the realm of Pátála until your allotted period of rule is at an end, and then he will be Indra. These are now favoured by Śiva, so it is not now a time of victory for you, make peace with your foes." While Brahmá was saying this to the king of the gods, Prabhasa sent forth the great weapon of Śiva. When Vishnu saw that terrible all- destroying weapon let loose, he also sent forth, out of regard for his son, his discus called Sudarśana. Then there took place between those divine weapons, which had assumed visible shapes, a struggle which made the three worlds dread a sudden destruction of all creatures. Then Hari said to Prabhása— " Recall your weapon and I will recall mine," and Prabhása answered him,— " My weapon cannot be launched in vain, so let Dámodara turn his back, and retire from the fight, and then I will recall my weapon." When Prabhása said that, Vishnu answered— " Then do you also honour my discus, let not either of these weapons be fruitless." When Vishnu said this, Prabhása who possessed tact, said " So be it, let this discus of thine destroy my chariot." Vishnu agreed, and made Dámodara retire from the ii^ht, and, Prabhása withdrew his weapon, and the discus fell on his chariot. Then he mounted another chariot and went to Súryaprabha, and then Dámodara, for his part, repaired to Śrutaśarman.
