Fourth Skandha · Chapter 9
Sourceव्यास उवाच कुर्वंस्तीर्थविधिं तत्र हिरण्यकशिपोः सुतः । न्यग्रोधं सुमहच्छायमपश्यत्पुरतस्तदा ॥ १ ॥ ददर्श बाणानपरान्नानाजातीयकांस्तदा । गृध्रपक्षयुतांस्तीव्राच्छिलाधौतान्महोज्वलान् ॥ २ ॥ चिन्तयामास मनसा कस्येमे विशिखास्त्विह । ऋषीणामाश्रमे पुण्ये तीर्थे परमपावने ॥ ३ ॥ एवं चिन्तयतानेन कृष्णाजिनधरौ मुनी । समुन्नतजटाभारौ दृष्टौ धर्मसुतौ तदा ॥ ४ ॥ तयोरग्रे धृते शुभ्रे धनुषी लक्षणान्विते । शार्ङ्गमाजगवञ्चैव तथाक्षय्यौ महेषुधी ॥ ५ ॥ ध्यानस्थौ तौ महाभागौ नरनारायणावृषी । दृष्ट्वा धर्मसुतौ तत्र दैत्यानामधिपस्तदा ॥ ६ ॥ क्रोधरक्तेक्षणस्तौ तु प्रोवाचासुरपालकः । किं भवद्भ्यां समारब्धो दम्भो धर्मविनाशनः ॥ ७ ॥ न श्रुतं नैव दृष्टं हि संसारेऽस्मिन्कदापि हि । तपसश्चरणं तीव्रं तथा चापस्य धारणम् ॥ ८ ॥ विरोधोऽयं युगे चाद्ये कथं युक्तं कलिप्रियम् । ब्राह्मणस्य तपो युक्तं तत्र किं चापधारणम् ॥ ९ ॥ क्व जटाधारणं देहे क्वेषुधी च विडम्बनौ । धर्मस्याचरणं युक्तं युवयोर्दिव्यभावयोः ॥ १० ॥ व्यास उवाच इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा नरः प्रोवाच भारत । का ते चिन्तात्र दैत्येन्द्र वृथा तपसि चावयोः ॥ ११ ॥ सामर्थ्ये सति यत्कुर्यात्तत्संपद्येत तस्य हि । आवां कार्यद्वये मन्द समर्थौ लोकविश्रुतौ ॥ १२ ॥ युद्धे तपसि सामर्थ्यं त्वं पुनः किं करिष्यसि । गच्छ मार्गे यथाकामं कस्मादत्र विकत्थसे ॥ १३ ॥ ब्रह्मतेजो दुराराध्यं न त्वं वेद विमोहितः । विप्रचर्चा न कर्तव्या प्राणिभिः सुखमीप्सुभिः ॥ १४ ॥ प्रह्लाद उवाच तापसौ मन्दबुद्धी स्थो मृषा वां गर्वमोहितौ । मयि तिष्ठति दैत्येन्द्रे धर्मसेतुप्रवर्तके ॥ १५ ॥ न युक्तमेतत्तीर्थेऽस्मिन्नधर्माचरणं पुनः । का शक्तिस्तव युद्धेऽस्ति दर्शयाद्य तपोधन ॥ १६ ॥ व्यास उवाच तदाकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य नरस्तं प्रत्युवाच ह । युद्धस्वाद्य मया सार्धं यदि ते मतिरीदृशी ॥ १७ ॥ अद्य ते स्फोटयिष्यामि मूर्धानमसुराधम । ( युद्धे श्रद्धा न ते पश्चाद्भविष्यति कदाचन ।) ॥ व्यास उवाच तन्निशम्य वचस्तस्य दैत्येन्द्रः कुपितस्तदा ॥ १८ ॥ प्रह्लादो बलवानत्र प्रतिज्ञामारुरोह सः । येन केनाप्युपायेन जेष्यामि तावुभावपि ॥ १९ ॥ नरनारायणौ दान्तावृषी तपिसमन्वितौ । व्यास उवाच इत्युक्त्वा वचनं दैत्यः प्रतिगृह्य शरासनम् ॥ २० ॥ आकृष्य तरसा चापं ज्याशब्दञ्च चकार ह । नरोऽपि धनुरादाय शरांस्तीव्राञ्छिलाशितान् ॥ २१ ॥ मुमोच बहुशः कोधात्प्रह्लादोपरि पार्थिव ॥ २२ ॥ तान्दैत्यराजस्तपनीयपुङ्खै- श्चिच्छेद बाणैस्तरसा समेत्य । समीक्ष्य छिन्नांश्च नरः स्वसृष्टा- नन्यान्मुमोचाशु रुषान्वितो वै ॥ २३ ॥ दैत्याथिपस्तानपि तीव्रवेगै- श्छित्त्वा जघानोरसि तं मुनीन्द्रम् । नरोऽपि तं पञ्चभिराशुगैश्च कुद्धोऽहनद्दैत्यपतिं बाहुदेशे ॥ २४ ॥ सेन्द्राः सुरास्तत्र तयोर्हि युद्धं द्रष्टुं विमानैर्गगनस्थिताश्च । नरस्य वीर्यं युधि संस्थितस्य ते तुष्टुवुर्दैत्यपतेश्च भूयः ॥ २५ ॥ ववर्ष दैत्याधिप आत्तचापः शिलीमुखानम्बुधरो यथापः । आदाय शार्ङ्ग धनुरप्रमेयं मुमोच बाणाञ्छितहेमपुङ्खान् ॥ २६ ॥ बभूव युद्धं तुमुलं तयोस्तु जयैषिणोः पार्थिव देवदैत्ययोः । ववर्षुराकाशपथे स्थितास्ते पुष्पाणि दिव्यानि प्रहृष्टचित्ताः ॥ २७ ॥ चुकोप दैत्याधिपतिर्हरौ स मुमोच बाणानतितीव्रवेगान् । चिच्छेद तान्धर्मसुतः सुतीक्ष्णै- र्धनुर्विमुक्तैर्विशिखैस्तदाऽऽशु ॥ २८ ॥ ततो नारायणं बाणैः प्रह्लादश्चातिकर्षितैः । ववर्ष सुस्थितं वीरं धर्मपुत्रं सनातनम् । नारायणोऽपि तं वेगान्मुक्तैर्बाणैः शिलाशितैः ॥ २९ ॥ तुतोदातीव पुरतो दैत्यानामधिपं स्थितम् । सन्निपातोऽम्बरे तत्र दिदृक्षूणां बभूव ह ॥ ३० ॥ देवानां दानवानाञ्च कुर्वतां जयघोषणम् । उभयोः शरवर्षेण छादिते गगने तदा ॥ ३१ ॥ दिवापि रात्रिसदृशं बभूव तिमिरं महत् । ऊचुः परस्परं देवा दैत्याश्चातीव विस्मिताः ॥ ३२ ॥ अदृष्टपूर्वं युद्धं वै वर्ततेऽद्य सुदारुणम् । देवर्षयोऽथ गन्धर्वा यक्षकिन्नरपन्नगाः ॥ ३३ ॥ विद्याधराश्चारणाश्च विस्मयं परमं ययुः । नारदः पर्वतश्चैव प्रेक्षणार्थं स्थितौ मुनी ॥ ३४ ॥ नारदः पर्वतं प्राह नेदृशं चाभवत्पुरा । तारकासुरयुद्धञ्च तथा वृत्रासुरस्य च ॥ ३५ ॥ मधुकैटभयोर्युद्धं हरिणा चेदृशं कृतम् । प्रह्लादः प्रबलः शूरो यस्मान्नारायणेन च ॥ ३६ ॥ करोति सदृशं युद्धं सिद्धेनाद्भुतकर्मणा । व्यास उवाच दिने दिने तथा रात्रौ कृत्वा कृत्वा पुनः पुनः ॥ ३७ ॥ चक्रतुः परमं युद्धं तौ तदा दैत्यतापसौ । नारायणस्तु चिच्छेद प्रह्लादस्य शरासनम् ॥ ३८ ॥ तरसैकेन बाणेन स चान्यद्धनुराददे । नारायणस्तु तरसा मुक्त्वान्यञ्च शिलीमुखम् ॥ ३९ ॥ तदैव मध्यतश्चापं चिच्छेद लघुहस्तकः । छिन्नं छिन्नं पुनर्दैत्यो धनुरन्यत्समाददे ॥ ४० ॥ नारायणस्तु चिच्छेद विशिखैराशु कोपितः । छिन्ने धनुषि दैत्येन्द्रः परिघं तु समाददे ॥ ४१ ॥ जघान धर्मजं तूर्णं बाह्वोर्मध्येऽतिकोपनः । तमायान्तं स बलवान्मार्गणैर्नवभिर्मुनिः ॥ ४२ ॥ चिच्छेद परिघं घोरं दशभिस्तमताडयत् । गदामादाय दैत्येन्द्रः सर्वायसमयीं दृढाम् ॥ ४३ ॥ जानुदेशे जघानाशु देवं नारायणं रुषा । गदया चापि गिरिवत्संस्थितः स्थिरमानसः ॥ ४४ ॥ धर्मपुत्रोऽतिबलवान्मुमोचाशु शिलीमुखान् । गदां चिच्छेद भगवांस्तदा दैत्यपतेर्दृढाम् ॥ ४५ ॥ विस्मयं परमं जग्मुः प्रेक्षका गगने स्थिताः । स तु शक्तिं समादाय प्रह्लादः परवीरहा ॥ ४६ ॥ चिक्षेप तरसा क्रुद्धो बलान्नारायणोरसि । तामापतन्तीं संवीक्ष्य बाणेनैकेन लीलया ॥ ४७ ॥ सप्तधा कृतवानाशु सप्तभिस्तं जघान ह । दिव्यवर्षशतं चैव तद्युद्धं परमं तयोः ॥ ४८ ॥ जातं विस्मयदं राजन् सर्वेषां तत्र चाश्रमे । तदाऽऽजगाम तरसा पीतवासाश्चतुर्भुजः ॥ ४९ ॥ प्रह्लादस्याश्रमं तत्र जगाम च गदाधरः । चतुर्भुजो रमाकान्तो रथाङ्गदरपद्मभृत् ॥ ५० ॥ दृष्ट्वा तमागतं तत्र हिरण्यकशिपोः सुतः । प्रणम्य परया भक्त्या प्राञ्जलिः प्रत्युवाच ह ॥ ५१ ॥ प्रह्लाद उवाच देवदेव जगनाथ भक्तवत्सल माधव । कथं न जितवानाजावहमेतौ तपस्विनौ । संग्रामस्तु मया देव कृतः पूर्णं शतं समाः ॥ ५२ ॥ सुराणां न जितौ कस्मादिति मे विस्मयो महान् । विष्णुरुवाच सिद्धाविमौ मदंशौ च विस्मयः कोऽत्र मारिष ॥ ५३ ॥ तापसौ न जितात्मानौ नरनारायणौ जितौ । गच्छ त्वं वितलं राजन् कुरु भक्तिं ममाचलाम् ॥ ५४ ॥ नाभ्यां कुरु विरोधं त्वं तापसाभ्यां महामते । व्यास उवाच इत्याज्ञप्तो दैत्यराजो निर्ययावसुरैः सह ॥ ५५ ॥ नरनारायणौ भूयस्तपोयुक्तौ बभूवतुः ॥ ५६ ॥
vyāsa uvāca kurvaṃstīrthavidhiṃ tatra hiraṇyakaśipoḥ sutaḥ | nyagrodhaṃ sumahacchāyamapaśyatpuratastadā || 1 || dadarśa bāṇānaparānnānājātīyakāṃstadā | gṛdhrapakṣayutāṃstīvrācchilādhautānmahojvalān || 2 || cintayāmāsa manasā kasyeme viśikhāstviha | ṛṣīṇāmāśrame puṇye tīrthe paramapāvane || 3 || evaṃ cintayatānena kṛṣṇājinadharau munī | samunnatajaṭābhārau dṛṣṭau dharmasutau tadā || 4 || tayoragre dhṛte śubhre dhanuṣī lakṣaṇānvite | śārṅgamājagavañcaiva tathākṣayyau maheṣudhī || 5 || dhyānasthau tau mahābhāgau naranārāyaṇāvṛṣī | dṛṣṭvā dharmasutau tatra daityānāmadhipastadā || 6 || krodharaktekṣaṇastau tu provācāsurapālakaḥ | kiṃ bhavadbhyāṃ samārabdho dambho dharmavināśanaḥ || 7 || na śrutaṃ naiva dṛṣṭaṃ hi saṃsāre'sminkadāpi hi | tapasaścaraṇaṃ tīvraṃ tathā cāpasya dhāraṇam || 8 || virodho'yaṃ yuge cādye kathaṃ yuktaṃ kalipriyam | brāhmaṇasya tapo yuktaṃ tatra kiṃ cāpadhāraṇam || 9 || kva jaṭādhāraṇaṃ dehe kveṣudhī ca viḍambanau | dharmasyācaraṇaṃ yuktaṃ yuvayordivyabhāvayoḥ || 10 || vyāsa uvāca iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā naraḥ provāca bhārata | kā te cintātra daityendra vṛthā tapasi cāvayoḥ || 11 || sāmarthye sati yatkuryāttatsaṃpadyeta tasya hi | āvāṃ kāryadvaye manda samarthau lokaviśrutau || 12 || yuddhe tapasi sāmarthyaṃ tvaṃ punaḥ kiṃ kariṣyasi | gaccha mārge yathākāmaṃ kasmādatra vikatthase || 13 || brahmatejo durārādhyaṃ na tvaṃ veda vimohitaḥ | vipracarcā na kartavyā prāṇibhiḥ sukhamīpsubhiḥ || 14 || prahlāda uvāca tāpasau mandabuddhī stho mṛṣā vāṃ garvamohitau | mayi tiṣṭhati daityendre dharmasetupravartake || 15 || na yuktametattīrthe'sminnadharmācaraṇaṃ punaḥ | kā śaktistava yuddhe'sti darśayādya tapodhana || 16 || vyāsa uvāca tadākarṇya vacastasya narastaṃ pratyuvāca ha | yuddhasvādya mayā sārdhaṃ yadi te matirīdṛśī || 17 || adya te sphoṭayiṣyāmi mūrdhānamasurādhama | ( yuddhe śraddhā na te paścādbhaviṣyati kadācana |) || vyāsa uvāca tanniśamya vacastasya daityendraḥ kupitastadā || 18 || prahlādo balavānatra pratijñāmāruroha saḥ | yena kenāpyupāyena jeṣyāmi tāvubhāvapi || 19 || naranārāyaṇau dāntāvṛṣī tapisamanvitau | vyāsa uvāca ityuktvā vacanaṃ daityaḥ pratigṛhya śarāsanam || 20 || ākṛṣya tarasā cāpaṃ jyāśabdañca cakāra ha | naro'pi dhanurādāya śarāṃstīvrāñchilāśitān || 21 || mumoca bahuśaḥ kodhātprahlādopari pārthiva || 22 || tāndaityarājastapanīyapuṅkhai- ściccheda bāṇaistarasā sametya | samīkṣya chinnāṃśca naraḥ svasṛṣṭā- nanyānmumocāśu ruṣānvito vai || 23 || daityāthipastānapi tīvravegai- śchittvā jaghānorasi taṃ munīndram | naro'pi taṃ pañcabhirāśugaiśca kuddho'hanaddaityapatiṃ bāhudeśe || 24 || sendrāḥ surāstatra tayorhi yuddhaṃ draṣṭuṃ vimānairgaganasthitāśca | narasya vīryaṃ yudhi saṃsthitasya te tuṣṭuvurdaityapateśca bhūyaḥ || 25 || vavarṣa daityādhipa āttacāpaḥ śilīmukhānambudharo yathāpaḥ | ādāya śārṅga dhanuraprameyaṃ mumoca bāṇāñchitahemapuṅkhān || 26 || babhūva yuddhaṃ tumulaṃ tayostu jayaiṣiṇoḥ pārthiva devadaityayoḥ | vavarṣurākāśapathe sthitāste puṣpāṇi divyāni prahṛṣṭacittāḥ || 27 || cukopa daityādhipatirharau sa mumoca bāṇānatitīvravegān | ciccheda tāndharmasutaḥ sutīkṣṇai- rdhanurvimuktairviśikhaistadā''śu || 28 || tato nārāyaṇaṃ bāṇaiḥ prahlādaścātikarṣitaiḥ | vavarṣa susthitaṃ vīraṃ dharmaputraṃ sanātanam | nārāyaṇo'pi taṃ vegānmuktairbāṇaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ || 29 || tutodātīva purato daityānāmadhipaṃ sthitam | sannipāto'mbare tatra didṛkṣūṇāṃ babhūva ha || 30 || devānāṃ dānavānāñca kurvatāṃ jayaghoṣaṇam | ubhayoḥ śaravarṣeṇa chādite gagane tadā || 31 || divāpi rātrisadṛśaṃ babhūva timiraṃ mahat | ūcuḥ parasparaṃ devā daityāścātīva vismitāḥ || 32 || adṛṣṭapūrvaṃ yuddhaṃ vai vartate'dya sudāruṇam | devarṣayo'tha gandharvā yakṣakinnarapannagāḥ || 33 || vidyādharāścāraṇāśca vismayaṃ paramaṃ yayuḥ | nāradaḥ parvataścaiva prekṣaṇārthaṃ sthitau munī || 34 || nāradaḥ parvataṃ prāha nedṛśaṃ cābhavatpurā | tārakāsurayuddhañca tathā vṛtrāsurasya ca || 35 || madhukaiṭabhayoryuddhaṃ hariṇā cedṛśaṃ kṛtam | prahlādaḥ prabalaḥ śūro yasmānnārāyaṇena ca || 36 || karoti sadṛśaṃ yuddhaṃ siddhenādbhutakarmaṇā | vyāsa uvāca dine dine tathā rātrau kṛtvā kṛtvā punaḥ punaḥ || 37 || cakratuḥ paramaṃ yuddhaṃ tau tadā daityatāpasau | nārāyaṇastu ciccheda prahlādasya śarāsanam || 38 || tarasaikena bāṇena sa cānyaddhanurādade | nārāyaṇastu tarasā muktvānyañca śilīmukham || 39 || tadaiva madhyataścāpaṃ ciccheda laghuhastakaḥ | chinnaṃ chinnaṃ punardaityo dhanuranyatsamādade || 40 || nārāyaṇastu ciccheda viśikhairāśu kopitaḥ | chinne dhanuṣi daityendraḥ parighaṃ tu samādade || 41 || jaghāna dharmajaṃ tūrṇaṃ bāhvormadhye'tikopanaḥ | tamāyāntaṃ sa balavānmārgaṇairnavabhirmuniḥ || 42 || ciccheda parighaṃ ghoraṃ daśabhistamatāḍayat | gadāmādāya daityendraḥ sarvāyasamayīṃ dṛḍhām || 43 || jānudeśe jaghānāśu devaṃ nārāyaṇaṃ ruṣā | gadayā cāpi girivatsaṃsthitaḥ sthiramānasaḥ || 44 || dharmaputro'tibalavānmumocāśu śilīmukhān | gadāṃ ciccheda bhagavāṃstadā daityapaterdṛḍhām || 45 || vismayaṃ paramaṃ jagmuḥ prekṣakā gagane sthitāḥ | sa tu śaktiṃ samādāya prahlādaḥ paravīrahā || 46 || cikṣepa tarasā kruddho balānnārāyaṇorasi | tāmāpatantīṃ saṃvīkṣya bāṇenaikena līlayā || 47 || saptadhā kṛtavānāśu saptabhistaṃ jaghāna ha | divyavarṣaśataṃ caiva tadyuddhaṃ paramaṃ tayoḥ || 48 || jātaṃ vismayadaṃ rājan sarveṣāṃ tatra cāśrame | tadā''jagāma tarasā pītavāsāścaturbhujaḥ || 49 || prahlādasyāśramaṃ tatra jagāma ca gadādharaḥ | caturbhujo ramākānto rathāṅgadarapadmabhṛt || 50 || dṛṣṭvā tamāgataṃ tatra hiraṇyakaśipoḥ sutaḥ | praṇamya parayā bhaktyā prāñjaliḥ pratyuvāca ha || 51 || prahlāda uvāca devadeva jaganātha bhaktavatsala mādhava | kathaṃ na jitavānājāvahametau tapasvinau | saṃgrāmastu mayā deva kṛtaḥ pūrṇaṃ śataṃ samāḥ || 52 || surāṇāṃ na jitau kasmāditi me vismayo mahān | viṣṇuruvāca siddhāvimau madaṃśau ca vismayaḥ ko'tra māriṣa || 53 || tāpasau na jitātmānau naranārāyaṇau jitau | gaccha tvaṃ vitalaṃ rājan kuru bhaktiṃ mamācalām || 54 || nābhyāṃ kuru virodhaṃ tvaṃ tāpasābhyāṃ mahāmate | vyāsa uvāca ityājñapto daityarājo niryayāvasuraiḥ saha || 55 || naranārāyaṇau bhūyastapoyuktau babhūvatuḥ || 56 ||
English translation
1. Vyasa said After performing duly his religious rites there, the son of Hiranya Kas'ipu saw before him an unbrageous peepul tree.
2-3. There he saw along with the feathers of vultures, the terrible, sharpened under a stone, various glittering arrows, arrayed in due order; and he was surprised to think who could have kept such arrows, well guarded in this very holy hermitage of the Risis.
4-5. While Prahlada was thus meditating in his mind, he saw before him, wearing the skin of a black antelope, the two sons of Dharma, the two Munis Nara Narayana, loaded on their heads with high clots of hairs. Before them were placed the two white bows named S'arngam and Ajagavam, (Pinaka) the bows of Visnu and S'iva respectively, bearing their qualified marks, as well as their two inexhaustible big quivers.
6-10. The Lord of the Daityas, then, saw those two blessed ones, the two Risis Nara Narayana, the two sons of Dharma, deeply absorbed in meditation. Seeing this, he became very much enraged, his eyes became red, and he began to address them thus O two Ascetics! Has vain arrogance possessed your mind to destroy religion? It is never seen nor even heard, that the practice of severe asceticism and the holding of the bows and arrows, were carried into effect simultaneously by one man in any of the Four Ages. These two are contradictory things. That may be worthy in the Kali Yuga? This asceticism is fit for the Brahmanas; why, then are the bows and arrows held by you? There is an irreconcilable difference between
the holding of clotted hairs on the head and the holding in the hand of the bows and arrows. Therefore, do you practise religious rites, with feelings befitting your divine positions!
11. Vyasa said O Descendant of Bharata! On hearing thus the Prahlada's words, the Nara Risi said O Lord of the Daityas! What matters it to you? Why do you, for nothing, trouble yourself with our tapasya.
12. An able man can accomplish any thing. It is widely known in the three worlds, that we are able to accomplish these two things contemporaneously. O thou of weak understanding!
13. In the battle field as well as in asceticism, we can shew our prowess. What have you got to do with us in these matters? The road before you is unobstructed, you can go wherever you like; why do you brag of your own merits?
14. You are very dull and stupid; what can you understand of a Brahmanic glory that is very rare and attained with great difficulty? Those that want happiness need not meddle with the Brahmanas.
15-16. Prahlada said Blunt headed and vain braggarts are you! When I am present in this Tirtha, I who am the upholder of Dharma, I won't allow you to practise any irreligious things here! O Ascetics! Better show me your skill in fight to-day.
17-18. Vyasa said O king! The Risi Nara on hearing his words replied Give us battle if you are so desirous. O wretched amongst
the Asuras! In to-day's battle, I will knock your head down, and then you shall never in future desire to fight with any body.
19-20. Vyasa said On hearing these words, the chief of the Daityas was very much angry and promised to conquer these two self controlled Risi ascetics, Nara Narayana by any means whatsoever.
21-22. Vyasa said Thus saying, the Daitya took up his bow and quickly stretched it with arrow and the bow string made a terrible noise. Then Nara, too, too up with anger his bows and began to shoot arrows at Prahlada lots of sharpened arrows and weapons.
23. The lord of the Daityas quickly selected the arrows, glittering like gold, and with them tore asunder the arrows thrown by Nara. Nara, seeing his arrows, cut asunder, became infuriated with anger and began to hurl as quickly lots of other arrows.
24. Prahlada then cut asunder with arrows, of quick velocity, the Nara's weapons and struck violently on the breast of Nara. Nara, too, with anger pierced the arms of Prahlada with five quick arrows.
25. Indra and the other Devas came on their respective aeroplanes to see their fight and began to give cheers sometimes to Nara and sometime to Prahlada from above the skies.
26. The Lord of the Daityas taking up his bow, began out of furious anger to hurl various weapons on Nara as incessantly as clouds give
rain over the mountain peaks. The Nara Muni now became very much exhausted and weary, being struck with Prahlada's arrows.
27. Narayana then seeing Nara exhausted, became very much amazed and bolding his unequalled S'arnga bow, began to quit arrows, shining with with golden lustre.
28. O Lord of the earth! Then Narayana and Prahlada both were desirous to win the victory, and a terrible fight ensued. The Devas gladly poured forth flowers on their heads from the skies.
29. The king of the Daityas got very much enraged and began to hurl arrows with tremendous quickness. Narayana, the son of Dharma, immediately cut asunder those weapons with his very sharp arrow.
30-32. Narayana too, threw arrows sharpened under stones with high velocity and very much troubled the lord of the Daityas, who now became very much restless.
33-34. The sky was covered over with arrows and arrows from both the parties and the day looked like the night. Then the Devas and the Daityas were very much astonished and told each other, “We never saw before a terrible fight like this.”
35. Then the Devarsis, Gandarbhas, Yaksas, Kinnaras, Pannagas, Vidyadharas and Charanas were all very much confounded.
36-37. The two Risis Narada and Parvata came also to witness their fight; the Devarsi Narada told the Parvata Risi he never saw before such a dreadful fight. There were awful battles with Tarakasura and Vritrasura and also the battle between Hari and Madhukaitava; but they were all inferior and cannot stand in comparison.
38. It seemed that Prahlada was very powerful; otherwise how could an equal fight last so long a time with such an accomplished person, perfect with all the supernatural powers and of such heroic deeds as Narayana.
39-42. Vyasa said O king! Day and night the Daityas and the ascetic Narayana went on fighting terribly with each other. Then Narayana cut off, with the arrow, the bow of Prahlada; Prahlada soon took another bow; the expert handed Narayana quickly broke into two that bow. Thus though Prahlada's arrows were repeatedly cut asunder still he began to take up fresh bows and Narayana began to cut them repeatedly.
43-44. Thus, then, when all the bows of Prahlada were destroyed, the Daitya Raja took up Parigha (iron club), became enraged and threw it on Narayana's arm. The powerful Bhagavan Narayana, seeing the dreadful iron club, cut it asunder with nine arrows and pierced Prahlada with ten arrows.
45-47. Then Prahlada, enraged, threw the iron gada on Narayana's thighs. The exceedingly powerful Dharma's son was not at all agitated and stood firm like a rock and taking up arrows quickly cut asunder the iron gada of the Daitya. Then the visitors were much startled.
48-49. Then Prahlada, intent on killing his enemy, became very much angry and threw the S’akti darts, spears and missiles instantly on Narayana's thighs with great velocity. Narayana with one arrow cut that easily into seven parts and with seven arrows pierced Prahlada.
50. Thus for one thousand Deva years the terrible fight lasted between Prahlada and Narayana in that hermitage; and the whole universe was struck with surprise.
51-52. Then Gadadhara with yellow robes and four hands quickly came there and called Prahlada. The son of Hiranya Kas'ipoo, Prahlada, seeing the Lord of Laksmi, four armed, Narayana with lotus and disc in His hands come there, bowed low, and, with folded hands, began to speak to him with great devotion.
53-54. O Deva of the Devas! You are the Lord of the universe and devoted to your devotees. O Madhava! I have fought for full one hundred Deva years; still I have not not been able to defeat these ascetics. I do not know why. I am surprised at it.
55-56. Visnu said O Forgiving One! These two Risis Nara Narayana are, the perfect ascetics, self controlled and born of my Amsas. Therefore you have not been able to defeat them. What wonder is there! O king! Better go now to your Patala and keep your steadfast devotion on me. O Intelligent one! Do not quarrel any more with these two ascetics.
57. Vyasa said O king! The Daitya king Prahlada then advised by Visnu went out of that place with his Asura followers; and the two
Nara Narayanas began again to practise their Tapasyas.
Here ends the Ninth Chapter of the Fourth Book of S’ri Mad Devi Bhagavatam, the Maha Puranam; of 18,000 verses, on the fight between the Risis and Prahlada by Maharsi Veda Vyasa.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 24764, revision 75630 (2016-08-04T00:03:44Z). English is Swami Vijñanananda’s complete 1921–23 public-domain translation, controlled against the archival OCR and its chapter page at https://sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk04ch09.htm. Historic spelling and transliteration are lightly normalized; no verse-by-verse alignment is asserted.