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ADI PARVA
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together masses of clouds in the sky, charged with torrents of rain. Those masses of clouds began to vomit thunder and terrible flashes of lightning charged with the thunder-roar. Then Arjuna, possessing a knowledge of means, hurled the excellent weapon called Vayavyo with proper mantras to dispel those clouds. With that weapon the energy and force of Indra's thunder-bolt and of those clouds were destroyed. And the torrents of rain with which those clouds were charged were all dried up, and the lightning that played amongst them was also destroyed. Within a moment the sky was cleared of dust and darkness. and a delicious, cool breeze began to blow and the disc of the sun resumed its normal state. Then the eater of clarified butter (Agni), glad because none could baffle him, assumed various forms, and sprinkled over with the fat exuded by the bodies of creatures, blazed forth with all his flames, filling the universe with his roar. Then numerous birds of the Garuda tribe beating excellent feathers, beholding that the forest was protected by Krishna and Arjuna, descended filled with pride, from the upper skies, desirous of striking those heroes with their thunderlike wings, beaks and claws. Innumerable Nagas also, with faces emitting fire descending from high, approached Arjuna, vomitting the most virulent poison all the while. Beholding them approach, Arjuna cut them into pieces by means of arrows steeped in the fire of his own wrath. Then those birds and snakes, deprived of life, fell into the burning element below, And there came also, desirous of battle, innumerable Asuras with Gandharvas and Yakshas and Rakshasas and Nagas sending forth terrific yells. Armed with machines vomitting from their throats (mouths ?) iron balls and ballets, and catapults for propelling huge stones, and rockets, they approached to strike Krishna and Partha, their energy and strength increased by wrath. But though they tained a perfect shower of weapons, Vibhatsu, addressing them reproachfully, struck off their heads with his owu sharp arrows. That slayer of foes, Krishna, also, endued with great energy, made a great slaughter of the Daitya and the Danava hosts with his discus. Many Asuras of immea. surable might, pierced with Krishna's arrows and smitten with the force of his discus, became morionless like waifs and strays stranded on the bank by the violence of the waves. Then Sakra the lord of the celes. tials, riding on his white elephant, rushed at those heroes, and taking up his thunder-bolt which could never go in vain, huiled it with great force. And the slayer of Asuras said unto che gods,- 'These two are slain." Beholding the fierce thunder-bolt about to be hurled by their chief, the celestials all took up their respective weapons. Yama, O king, took up the death-dealing mace, and Kuvera his spiked club, and Varuna his nopse and beautiful missile. And Skanda (Kartikeya) took up bis

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