Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.439

c5.439

DEVĀSURAYUDDHA(S) Wars between the gods and asuras. Altogether twelve wars were fought between the Devas and the asuras, viz. Narasimha, Vāmana, Varāha, Amṛtamathana, Tārakāmaya, Ādibaka, Tripura, Andhaka, Vadha, Vṛtravadha, Dhvajapāta, Hālāhala and Kolāhala. Hiraṇyakaśipu, the daitya was killed by Narasimha. Vāmana took Mahābali captive after measuring the three worlds in one stride. Hiraṇyākṣa was killed in fighting in the sea by Varāha with its tusks. Indra defeated Prahlāda and in the Tārakāmaya war also killed his son Virocana who had planned to kill him (Indra). As the Devas could not kill the dānavas of Tripura, Trilocana killed them. Vṛtra who was aided by the dānavas was killed by Indra with the help of Viṣṇu. Indra himself killed Vipracitti and his followers who became invisible by māyā after the felling of the dhvaja (flag staff), and in the course of celebrating their victory the Devas defeated Saṇḍāmarka at the yajñāvabhṛtha (Bathing at the close of the yajña). Thus were waged twelve wars between the Devas and the Asuras. (Padma Purāṇa, Part 4, Chapter 13).