KHANDOBA - JEJURI

When these prominent generals fell the wrath of Mani knew no bounds.He charged straightaway on Martand. He assumed various forms, that of a horse, of an elephant and so on and his fight with Martand was very stiff. The daitya was well versed in the trade of war and had the power of creating illusions (Maya). But all this was of no avail before the God who was determined to put an end to the nuisance. Ultimately he brought down the daitya and put his foot on his head with a view to cut off the neck. At this juncture the asur was suddenly repentant and prayed Shiva. He asked for a boon. He begged that he be associated with the Martand Bhairav form of Shiva. Bhairav then thought that he could spare Malla the fate that had befallen-his brother Mani and sent Vishnu with a message.

Shiva asked him to take away the remnants of his army to the Patala Loka and stay there and let the matters on the earth run as before. However, this advice had the effect of inflaming the demon who vowed to avenge the death of his brother. He told Vishnu that within no time he would find this Bhairav as dead as Mani, that he would not be satisfied as long as any of the gods was alive. Vishnu tried to dissuade the daitya from the suicidal course on which he was launching. But Malla was in no mood to listen and he marched forth towards the field.

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