(This is an excerpt from my book “Four Eras of The Battling Gods & Mortals.” The book can be obtained from Amazon. The is also available at Kitab Ghar, Gaiety, Shimla. The Amazon link is given below):
https://www.amazon.in/dp/9390758173?ref=myi_title_dp
Twelve Major Devasur Sangram (Fights between Devatas and Daityas)
(It is the righteousness that is victorious at the end, not the unrighteousness; truth stands triumphant and not the falsehood; it is the forgiveness that wins praises and not the anger.)
Vishnu, Agni, Matasya, Kurm, Skand, Ling, Padam, Narsinh, Devibhagvat Mahapuran and others throw some light on this Devasur Sangram. Itihas literature like Ramayan and Mahabharat, also allude to these battles fought between Devatas and Asuras. Though the fight between Devatas and Asuras never ceased, but altogether major twelve battles were fought between Devatas and Asuras from time to time[1] said to be in the following chronological order:
The Twelve Major Wars
1. Narsinh—Hiranyakashipu, a very dominant Daitya, after defeating Devatas was enthroned as Indra. Devatas were left with no choice except to reside in the inferior world of common mortals while Hiranyakshipu enjoyed listening to his praises from Gandharvas. His son Prahlad indulged in the praises and worshiping of Vishnu that he could not withstand at all and tried all imaginable resources and tactics to kill him. Finally at the rescue plea of Prahlad he was killed by Narsinh, half human and half lion incarnation of Mahavishnu. Prahlad was enthroned in his place and once again Indra and Devatas returned to Amravati.[2] Narsinh killed many thousands of Daityas before slaying Hiranyakashipu at the time of sunset.[3]
Narsinh also killed Ambaryay, the Daitya king of Dandakaranya in a very fierce battle by the north side of Godavari River.[4]
2. Vaaman—Noticing that Devatas have grown lethargic and weaker after winning over battles with Asuras following Samudramanthan, Shukracharya persuaded Bali to engage the Devatas once again in a battle. Bali defeated Devatas completely in a pitched battle.
As the whole of heaven came under the sway of Bali, the Devatas began to leave the country one by one. Everybody was happy and comfortable under the rule of Bali, but the Devatas and Brahmans were denied the privileges they deserved. They approached Vishnu and represented their grievances. Vishnu assured them that he would take the incarnation of Vaaman and resolve the issues.
In course of time the Asuras and their countries began to be weakened. Perceiving the destructive indications king Bali approached Prahlad for guidance. Prahlad spiritually foresaw that since Vishnu has entered the womb of Aditi for his incarnation as Vaaman, the Asuras and their country would be subjected to destruction. In an effort to revert this ominous forecast, Mahabali started performing a Yagya on the bank of the river Narmada. Vaaman came to the place of Yagya as a hermit boy and requested for only three steps measure of land as offering to a Brahman. With first step Vaaman measured the whole of the Earth and with the second step he took the whole of heaven. Then he asked Bali, where he should place his third step. Mahabali said that he had only his body left as his own, and that Vaaman might take it and complete the third step.
Vaaman placed his foot on the head of Bali and blessed him. Bali was instructed to rule Patal only, and give away the kingdom of world thus received to Indra.[5]
3. Varaha—Hiranyaksh, son of Kashyap from Diti, and younger brother of Hiranyakashipu, immersed the land under sea. Due this havoc caused by him, written knowledge until that time in the shape of Vedas was also lost.
It seems that this event coincides with the great flood when the large portion of the globe was immersed in overflowing seawater. He was killed fighting in the sea by Varaha, an incarnation of Mahavishnu in the form of boar, The land was refurbished once again out of the sea and Vedas were rescued.[6]
4. Amritmathan—Once under the leadership of Bali Daityas occupied the throne of Indra and the glory of Devlok began to decline. The three worlds became dull and the performance of Yagya came to an end. For helping out the situation thus created Devatas went to seek help of Vishnu. He advised them to entice Daityas to agree to indulge in common effort for the churning of the ocean of knowledge under the leadership of king Bali. Vishnu promised that this is the only recourse to get back their lost glory and other possessions.
Due to contrivance of Vishnu the ocean of milk was churned by both Devatas and Asuras. Vishnu assumed the form of Tortoise to support the weight of Mandrachal pravat which acted as the churning rod. Vasuki serpent was utilised as the churning rope. Many precious things emerged out of the sea which they got distributed among themselves. Amrit was the most sought after thing to have for which there ensued a struggle, but again due to contrivance of Vishnu Devatas got the major portion of this elixir. In the following up battle thousands of Asuras were killed. Indra once again became the chief of Devatas.[7] Indra defeated Prahlad once again getting back his capital at Amravati.[8]
5. Tarakamay—Once Som eloped Tara, the wife of Brihaspati but despite repeated requests from devguru Som did not return her. He even ignored the advice of Brahma and Marudganas and even Shiv. A terrible war ensued between Som and Shiv; Som, being supported by Daityas, Asuras; and Shiv by his army of Bhuteshwaras, Siddhas, eighty-four Ganas, Yakshraj Kuber with his huge army of Vetal, Yaksh, Nag and Kinners etc. Apprehensive of terrible consequences, Brahma once again intervened and pleaded Som to retreat and surrender Tara to devguru Brihaspati. Next year Tara gave birth to a child whom Som claimed to be his. The child named Budh was handed over to Som. This Budh laid the foundation of Chandervanshi clan of Kshatriyas.[9] In this Tarakamay battle Indra killed Virochan, the son of Prahlad.[10]
6. Aadivak—Atri, Vasisth and Vishwamitra were instrumental in killing of Asuras and salvaging Devatas at numerous instances.[11]
Mahavishnu who was the protector of Indra, came to Shukracharya’s ashram and killed his mother Kavya. Seeing this impudence of Mahavishnu, Bhrigu Mahrishi was enraged and cursed that he should be born many times in human wombs. Mahavishnu had to take many incarnations including Dattatreya as the son of Atri.[12] Dattatreya cursed Ravan, “Since the sanctified water has fallen on your head, a vanar will pollute your head by treading on it.”[13] Ram killed thousands of Rakshasas in battle against Ravan.
Once there was a fierce battle between Devatas and Asuras. Owing to the burst of arrows from the Asuras, the Sun and Moon became dim and darkness spread everywhere. The Devatas requested Atri Mahrishi to find a remedy for this. Moved by their anguish, he suddenly transformed himself into the Sun and Moon. The Moon gave light to the Devatas but Sun burnt up the Asuras by its intense heat. Thus the Devatas were saved.[14] Enraged Asuras put Atri into the dark chamber of Shatdwar yantra (a machine of torture with a hundred doors) to burn him down to ashes. He prayed to the Ashwani Kumars to liberate and cure his burns.[15]
It was a period when Vasisth and Vishwamitra were in a state of mutual ill will. King Kalmashpaad was going about in the forest on a hunting expedition when he met Shakti, the eldest son of Vasisth. The King did not respect him properly but ridiculed. Shakti transformed Kalmashpaad into a Rakshas by his curse but metamorphosed Rakshas instead swallowed Shakti himself. Kalmashpaad ate all the hundred sons of Vasisth. Prashar, son of Shakti, when he grew up, came to know that his father Shakti was devoured by a Rakshas, avowed to annihilate the whole race of Rakshasas. As his attempt to kill gained intensity and force Atri Muni arrived there with certain other Mahrishis to dissuaded Parashar to give up anger and stop the Yagya.[16]
Once Ravan asked Vasisth to teach him the Vedas and the other scriptures but Vasisth did not comply with his request. Angrily Ravan made him captive, but was rescued by Ikshvaku King Kuvlayashwa. The rescued Vasisth cursed Ravan that his family will one day be exterminated by those born of the Suryavanshi dynasty.[17]
Muchkund, just to try the might of Kuber attacked him, but was badly defeated by the Asuras. Vasisth helped Muchkund in defeating the Asura army of Kuber.[18] Muchkund was so tired of this Devasur Sangram that he only wanted to sleep undisturbed in a cave, which later occasioned the sweltering of Kalyavan in fire.[19]
Vishwamitra taught Ram and Lakshman all that he knew and made them proficient in wielding all types of weapons. Through Ram he eliminated many of the Rakshasas who were creating nuisance for them.[20]
7. Tripur—Kamalaksh, Tarakaksh and Vidyunmali, sons of Tarakasur, did severe penance and demanded a boon from Brahma that they would never be killed by anybody in any of the three worlds. Brahma told them to ask any boon other than that. Then after much pondering they asked to have three cities that may travel about freely in the three worlds; and if at all death is imminent, it should occur only when three brothers are together, by single arrow shot by a child of seven days only.
Then Brahma approached Maiy, architect of Asuras, to build three separate cities for them, one with gold, second with silver and the third one with iron. Tarakaksh took the golden one, Kamalaksh took the silver one and Vidyunmali took the iron one. It is said that three cities were respectively placed in heaven, sky and on land itself, but each city had the option to travel to any other place at will.
On request from Hari, son of Tarkasur, Maiy also built a lake wonderful in nature filled with life rejuvenating nectar. If any Asura died, it was enough to put him in the lake and the dead Asura would soon come to life with added strength and vigour. Asuras became immortal; they started troubling Devatas and men fearlessly with increased ferocity.
Devatas approached Brahma and Vishnu to find a solution to this menace. Brahma told them that Tarkasur may be killed by son of Shiv only, but since Shiv is not married, they would have to first collectively convince Shiv to get married. Time passed on and due to their prayers Parvati was born to king Himvan. Sometime after marriage of Shiv and Parvati Kartikey was born, who killed Tarkasur.
Shiv had to make grand preparations for a fight with three brothers and destroy their impenetrable cities. He invoked the strength of Devatas, demigods, and four Vedas, to make himself more powerful. Vishwakarma constructed a special chariot for him to ride.
Riding this chariot, when the three cities aligned together in the sky, Shiv split the cities by his Trishul. Bad premonitions began to appear in Tripura. People became lifeless in the cities. Soon an arrow from Shiv burnt down Tripur cities, the three brothers, along with all the remaining Asuras.[21]
8. Andhak—Andhak, foster son of Hiranyaksh, tried to kidnap Parvati. Prahlad tried to convince him that Parvati, in fact was his mother and that he was really a son of Shiv, born as effect of darkness while Shiv was in meditation. Andhak was not convinced. Then Prahlad explained to him the gravity of the sin of desiring other people's wives. Even this had no effect on Andhak. Andhak sent his accomplish Sambarasur to Shiv to ask for and bring Parvati to him. Shiv sent a message to Andhak that if the latter would defeat him in the game of dice Parvati would be sent to him. Andhak got enraged and rushed to Kailash for a battle against Shiv.
Defeated in the encounter, Andhak pleaded for pardon and admitted that Parvati was his mother. He also prayed for blessings so that he gets rid of his evil predispositions. Shiv granted him the prayers and offered him rank of Ganeshatwa. During the battle Shiv killed all the Danavas, Asuras and Pisachas with the help of Devatas, pitraganas and humans.[22]
9. Vritravighatak—Indra had beheaded his priest Vishwaroop, who was the son of Vishwakarma, because Vishwaroop used to surreptitiously offer part of the homa sacrifice in the name of Asuras and simple mortals, to his dislike. Infuriated Vishwakarma created another Daitya son named Vrit. He was so powerful that all the Asuras, except king Bali, followed him accepting his supremacy.
At this crucial time, when Indra hid himself in the underground water channels of Mansarovar Lake after committing heinous crimes of killing a Brahman and molesting the wife of Gautam, Nahush occupied his throne of Amravati. Devatas sought the help of Dadhichi rishi and gained Vajrastra crafted out of his bones to kill Vritrasur. Devatas killed Namuchi, one of his powerful Daitya allies. Encouraged by his death, and helped by Devatas, mortals and Pitriganas, Vritrasur was also killed by Indra in Halahal battle.[23]
10. Jit/Dhatra/Dhvajpata—Viprachitti was the eldest of the sons of Danu from Kashyap.[24] Sinhika, the sister of Hiranyakshipu and Hiranyaksh, and daughter of Kashyap and Diti, was his wife.[25] Two sons named Rahu and Ketu were born to them. It was this Sinhika who confronted and caught hold of Hanuman by his shadow and swallowed him, while crossing over the sea in his journey towards Lanka.[26]
He stayed in the court and palace of Varun praising and glorifying him.[27] When Mahavishnu took the form of Vaaman and began to measure the three worlds, Viprachitti with some Asuras surrounded and tried to confront him.[28]
In this war Indra killed Viprachitti and his followers who became invisible by maya after the felling of the dhvaj (flag staff), and in the course of celebrating their victory Devatas defeated Sand and Amark, the two purohit of Daityas, at the Yagya Avbhrith (Bathing at the close of the Yagya).[29]
In Agni Puran, Jit battle is said to be that in which Shrihari took avtar of Parshuram, gained victory over Shalav Daitya, and killed wicked Kshatriyas.[30]
Jamadagni was killed by Kartvirya Arjun despite getting due attention from him at his ashram. Angered upon this, Parshuram avowed to destroy all the Haihaya and Kshatriyas. He first went to Brahma according to the advice of Bhrigu but Brahma guided him to seek the help of Shiv saying that without the help of Shiv he would not be able to fulfil his vow. Only Shiv could give him the Pashupat weapon by which he could fulfil his desire. Shiv gave him a weapon Farsha, an axe and Pashupatashtra through which he exterminated Kshatriyas in twenty one major wars. Parshuram also killed Shalav Daitya and helped Devatas in their endeavors.[31]
11. Halahal—At the request of Vishnu Shiv killed Halahal Daitya, who was the embodiement of a deadly poison, and thus he dispelled the fear of Devatas.[32] Vritrasur was also killed by Indra in Halahal battle.
12. Ghor Kolahal—In Devasur Sangram Vishnu killed Kolahal Daitya and thus protected Devatas. Indra killed rest of the Daityas and Asuras.[33]
Witnesses to and Participants in Devasur Sangram
Most of these battles were fought in the time of Asura purohit Shand and Amark,[34] both sons of Shukracharya.[35]
Muchukund was a witness and participant to these wars. He fought with Tarkasur whom Kartikey killed.[36] Muchukund was sleeping in a cave to shed off his tiredness after his participation in Devasur Sangram. He was given a boon that who so ever will disturb his sleep will be burnt down to ashes by his mere glance. Kaalyavan invaded Mathura revengefully, but through a well planned trick of Shri Krishan, Kaalyavan was burnt down to ashes by the glance of Muchukund. Muchukund was foretold by Gargya rishi about the birth of Shri Krishan in Dwapar Yug.[37]
Sampati, the elder brother of Jatayu, was a witness to the places where Vaaman had placed his foot to measure the three worlds in three strides. He had seen the event of Samudramanthan going on and had seen Devasur Sangram also.[38]
Jambvant went round the earth twenty one times when Vaaman avtar measured the whole cosmos in three strides. Obeying the orders of Devatas, he collected all the medicinal plants and herbs growing on earth, to be used for churning of ocean. In those days he had extreme valor.[39] He helped Indra in Devasur Sangram and secured many benedictions.[40]
Dashrath also participated in some Devasur Sangram in which Kaikayee helped him save his life. Dashrath was being badly wounded by the arrows of enemies.[41]
[1] Agni Puran, Gita Press Gorakhpur, Adhyay 276, Shlok 10-12.
Matasya Puran, Adhyay 47, Shlok 42-45.
[3] Narsinh Puran, Adhyay 44, Shlok 27.
[4] Brahm Puran, Adhyay 150.
[6] Padam Puran, Gita Press Gorakhpur, Shristi Khand, Adhyay 2-3.
Narsinh Puran, Adhyay 39.
[7] Padam Puran, Gita Press Gorakhpur, Shristi Khand, p. 12-14.
Matasya Puran, Adhyay 249-251.
Agni Puran, Adhyay 3.
[8] Matasya Puran, Adhyay 47, Shlok 48.
[9] Matasya Puran, Adhyay 23-24.
[10] Matasya Puran, Adhyay 47, Shlok 48-49.
[11] Agni Puran, Adhyay 276, Shlok 18.
[12] Devi Bhagavat, Skandh 4, Adhyay 11-12.
[13] Puranic Encyclopedia, Vettam Mani, see Dattatreya.
[14] Mahabharat, Anushashan Parv, Adhyay 156.
[15] Rig Ved, Mandal 1, Sukt 51, Shlok 3; Sukt 112, Shlok 7; Sukt 116, Shlok 8.
[16] Mahabharat, Adi Parv, Adhyay 181.
[17] Kamb Ramayan, Yudh Kand. Ref. Puranic Encyclopedia, Vettam Mani, see Vasistha.
[18] Mahabharat, Shanti Parv, Adhyay 74.
[19] Vishnu Puran, Ansh 5, Adhyay 23, Shlok 21-22.
[20] Valmiki Ramayan, Balkand, Sarg 20-30.
[21] Matasya Puran, Adhyay 129-140.
Padam Puran, Shristhi Khand, Adhyay 32-34.
Mahabahrat, Karn Parv, Adhyay 33-34.
Shiv Puran, Rudra Sanhita, Yudh Khand, Adhyay 1-4.
[22] Vaaman Puran, Adhyay 63-70.
Matasya Puran, Adhyay 179.
[23] Skand Puran, Maheshwar Khand, Kedar Khand, Gita Press Gorakhpur, Adhyay 8-9.
Matasya Puran, Adhyay 47, Shlok 51.
[24] Mahabharat, Adi Parv, Adhyay 65, Shlok 25.
[25] Vishnu Puran, Ansh 1, Adhyay 15; Agni Puran, Adhyay 19.
[26] Valmiki Ramayan, Sundar Kand, Sarg 1.
[27] Mahabharat, Sabha Parv, Adhyay 9, Shlok 12.
[28] Mahabharat, Sabha Parv, Dakshinatya Path, Adhyay 38.
[29] Mahabharat, Shanti Parv, Adhyay 47, Shlok 11; Shalya Parv, Adhyay 31, Shlok 12.
Matsaya Puran, Adhyay 47, Shlok 52.
[30] Agni Puran, Adhyay 276, Shlok 22.
[31] Brahmvaivart Puran, Ganpati Khand, Adhyay 27-40.
[32] Agni Puran, Gita Press Gorakhpur, Adhyay 276, Shlok 12 & 23.
[33] Agni Puran, Gita Press Gorakhpur, Adhyay 276, Shlok 12 & 24.
[34] Matasya Puran, Adhyay 47, Shlok 41.
[35] Vishnu Puran, Gita Press Gorakhpur, Ansh 1, Adhyay 17, Shlok 48.
Dharmshashtra Ank, Gita Press Gorakhpur, Adhyay 17, p. 32.
[36] Skand Puran, Maheshwar Khand, Kedar Khand, Adhyay 29, Shlok 5-6.
[37] Vishnu Puran, Ansh 5, Adhyay 23.
[38] Valmiki Ramayan, Kishkindha Kand, Sarg 58, Shlok 13.
[39] Valmiki Ramayan, Kishkindha Kand, Sarg 66, Shlok 32-33.
[40] Valmiki Ramayan, Yudh Kand, Sarg 27, Shlok 12.
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