,
beholding that he was about to hurl that mass of rock at them, fled in
confusion. But they were pursued by Mahisha, who hurled that hillock at
them. And, O lord of the world, by the falling of that mass of rock, ten
thousand warriors of the celestial army were crushed to the ground and
breathed their last. And this act of Mahisha struck terror into the
hearts of the gods, and with his attendant Danavas he fell upon them like
a lion attacking a herd of deer. And when Indra and the other celestials
observed that Mahisha was advancing to the charge, they fled, leaving
behind their arms and colours. And Mahisha was greatly enraged at this,
and he quickly advanced towards the chariot of Rudra; and reaching near,
he seized its pole with his hands. And when Mahisha in a fit of rage had
thus seized the chariot of Rudra, all the Earth began to groan and the
great Rishis lost their senses. And Daityas of huge proportions, looking
like dark clouds, were boisterous with joy, thinking that victory was
assured to them. And although that adorable god (Rudra) was in that
plight, yet he did not think it worth while to kill Mahisha in battle; he
remembered that Skanda would deal the deathblow to that evil-minded
Asura. And the fiery Mahisha, contemplating with satisfaction the prize
(the chariot of Rudra) which he had secured, sounded his war-cry, to the
great alarm of the gods and the joy of the Daityas. And when the gods
were in that fearful predicament, the mighty Mahasena, burning with
anger, and looking grand like the Sun advanced to their rescue. And that
lordly being was clad in blazing red and decked with a wreath of red
flowers. And cased in armour of gold he rode in a gold-coloured chariot
bright as the Sun and drawn by chestnut horses. And at his sight the army
of the daityas was suddenly dispirited on the field of battle. And, O
great king, the mighty Mahasena discharged a bright Sakti for the
destruction of Mahisha. That missile cut off the head of Mahisha, and he
fell upon the ground and died. And his head massive as a hillock, falling
on the ground, barred the entrance to the country of the Northern Kurus,
extending in length for sixteen Yojanas though at present the people of
that country pass easily by that gate.

"It was observed both by the gods and the Danavas that Skanda hurled his
sakti again and again on the field of battle, and that it returned to his
hands, after killing thousands of the enemy's forces. And the