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Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Unit 42 of 693Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 42Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 421 source entries

Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 42

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भीष्म उवाच। श्रुतः पद्मोद्भवो ब्रह्मन्विस्तरेण त्वयेरितः। समासाद्भवमाहात्म्यमुत्पत्तिं च गुहस्य च१। श्रोतुमिच्छामि ते ब्रह्मन्यथाभूतः कृतं च यत्। तारकश्च कथं भूतो दानवो बलवत्तरः२। कार्त्तिकेयेन स ब्रह्मन्कथं ध्वस्तो महासुरः। कथं रुद्रेण मुनयः प्रेषिता मंदरं गिरिम्३। कथं लब्धा उमा तत्र रुद्रेण परमेष्ठिना। एतदाख्याहि मे सर्वं यथाभूतं महामुने४। पुलस्त्य उवाच। कश्यपेन पुरा प्रोक्ता दितिर्दैत्यारणिः शुभा। वज्रसारमयैश्चांगैः पुत्रो देवि भविष्यति५। वज्रांगो नाम पुत्रस्तु भविता धर्मवत्सलः। सा च लब्धवरा देवी सुषुवे वज्रदुश्छिदम्६। स जातमात्र एवाभूत्सर्वशास्त्रार्थपारगः। उवाच मातरं भक्त्या मातः किं करवाण्यहम्७। तस्योवाच ततो हृष्टा दितिर्दैत्याधिपस्य तु। बहवो मे हताः पुत्राः सहस्राक्षेण पुत्रक८। तेषामपचितिं कर्तुं गच्छ शक्रवधाय तु। बाढमित्येव तां चोक्त्वा जगाम त्रिदिवं बलात्९। बध्वा ततः सहस्राक्षं पाशेनामोघवर्चसा। मातुरंतिकमागच्छद्व्याधः क्षुद्रमृगं यथा१०। एतस्मिन्नंतरे ब्रह्मा कश्यपश्च महातपाः। आगतौ तत्र यत्रास्तां मातापुत्रावभीतकौ११। दृष्ट्वा तु तावुवाचेदं ब्रह्मा कश्यप एव च। मुंचैनं पुत्र देवेंद्रं किमनेन प्रयोजनम्१२। अवमानो वधः प्रोक्तः पुत्र संभावितस्य तु। अस्मद्वाक्येन यो मुक्तस्त्वद्धस्तान्मृत एव सः१३। परस्य गौरवान्मुक्तः शत्रूणां शत्रुराहवे। सजीवन्नेव हि मृतो दिवसे दिवसे पुनः१४। एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वज्रांगः प्रणतो वाक्यमब्रवीत्। न मे कृत्यमनेनास्ति मातुराज्ञा कृता हि मे१५। त्वं सुरासुरनाथो वै मान्यश्च प्रपितामहः। करिष्ये त्वद्वचो देव एष मुक्तः शतक्रतुः१६। तपसेमेरतिर्देवनिर्विघ्नंतच्चमेभवेत्। त्वत्प्रसादेन भगवन्नित्युक्त्वा विरराम ह१७। तस्मिंस्तूष्णीं स्थिते दैत्ये प्रोवाचेदं पितामहः। ब्रह्मोवाच। तपस्त्वं कुरु मापन्नः सोस्मच्छासनसंस्थितः१८। अनया चित्तशुद्ध्या हि पर्याप्तं जन्मनः फलम्। इत्युक्त्वा पद्मजः कन्यां ससर्जायतलोचनाम्१९। तामस्मै प्रददौ देवः पत्न्यर्थे पद्मसंभवः। वरांगीति च नामास्याः कृत्वा यातः पितापहः२०। वज्रांगोपि तया सार्द्धं जगाम तपसे वनम्। ऊर्द्ध्वबाहुस्स दैत्येंद्रो चरद्वर्षसहस्रकम्२१। कालं कमलपत्राक्षः शुद्धबुद्धिर्महातपाः। तावच्चाधोमुखः कालं तावत्पंचाग्निमध्यगः२२। निराहारो घोरतपास्तपोराशिरजायत। ततः सोंतर्जले चक्रे वासं वर्षसहस्रकम्२३। जलांतरं प्रविष्टस्य तस्य पत्नी महाव्रता। तस्यैव तीरे सरसः स्थिताऽसौ मौनमाश्रिता२४। निराहारं तपो घोरं प्रविवेश महाद्युतिः। तस्यां तपसि वर्तंत्यामिंद्रश्चक्रे विभीषिकाम्२५। गत्वा तु मर्कटाकारस्तदाश्रमपदं महत्। ब्रसीं चकर्ष बलवान्गंधाद्यर्चाकरंडकम्२६। ततस्तु सिंहरूपेण भीषयामास भामिनीम्। ततो भुजंगरूपेणाप्यदशच्चरणद्वयम्२७। तपोबलवशात्सा तु नवध्यत्वं जगाम ह। भीषिकाभिरनेकाभिः क्लेशयन्पाकशासनः२८। विरराम यदा नैव वज्रांगमहिषी तदा। शैलस्यदुष्टतां मत्वा शापं दातुं समुद्यता२९। तां शापाभिमुखीं दृष्ट्वा शैलः पुरुषविग्रहः। उवाच तां वरारोहां वरांगीं भीतलोचनः३०। शैल उवाच। नाहं महाव्रते दुष्टः सेव्योहं सर्वदेहिनाम्। विप्रियं ते करोत्येष रुषितः पाकशासनः३१। एतस्मिन्नंतरे जातः कालो वर्षसहस्रकः। तस्मिन्ज्ञात्वा तु भगवान्काले कमलसंभवः३२। तुष्टः प्रोवाच वज्रांगं तदागत्य जलाशयम्। ब्रह्मोवाच। ददामि सर्वकामं त उत्तिष्ठ दितिनंदन३३। एवमुक्तस्तदोत्थाय स दैत्येंद्रस्तपोनिधिः। उवाच प्रांजलिर्वाक्यं सर्वलोकपितामहम्३४। वज्रांग उवाच। आसुरो मास्तु मे भावः संतु लोका ममाक्षयाः। तपस्यभिरतिर्मेऽस्तु शरीरस्यास्य वर्तनम्३५। एवमस्त्विति तं देवो जगाम स्वकमालयम्। वज्रांगोपि समाप्ते तु तपसि स्थिरसंयमः३६। संगंतुमिच्छन्स्वां भार्यां न ददर्शाश्रमे स्वके। क्षुधाविष्टः स शैलस्य गहनं प्रविवेश ह३७। आदातुं फलमूलानि स च तस्मिन्व्यलोकयत्। रुदन्तीं स्वां प्रियां दीनां तरुप्रच्छादिताननाम्३८। तां विलोक्य ततो दैत्यः प्रोवाच परिसांत्वयन्। वज्रांग उवाच। केन तेऽपकृतं भद्रे यमलोकं यियासुना३९। कं वा कामं प्रयच्छामि शीघ्रं प्रब्रूहि मानिनि। वरांग्युवाच। त्रासितास्म्यपविद्धास्मि ताडिता पीडितास्मि च४०। रौद्रेण देवराजेन नष्टनाथेव भूरिशः। दुःखस्यांतमपश्यंती प्राणांस्त्यक्तुं व्यवस्थिता४१। पुत्रं मे तारकं देहि तस्माद्दुःखमहार्णवात्। एवमुक्तस्तु दैत्येंद्रः कोपव्याकुललोचनः४२। शक्तोपि देवराजस्य प्रतिकर्तुं महासुरः। तप एव पुनश्चर्तुं व्यवस्यत महाबलः४३। ज्ञात्वा तस्य तु संकल्पं ब्रह्मा क्रूरतरं पुनः। आजगाम त्वरायुक्तो यत्रासौ दितिनंदनः४४। ब्रह्मोवाच। किमर्थं पुत्र भूयस्त्वं कर्तुं नियममुद्यतः। तदहं ते पुनर्दद्मि कांक्षितं पुत्रमोजसा४५। वज्रांग उवाच। उत्थितेन मया दृष्टा समाधानात्त्वदाज्ञया। त्रासितेंद्रेण मामाह सा वरांगी सुतार्थिनी४६। पुत्रं मे तारकं देहि तुष्टो मे त्वं पितामह। ब्रह्मोवाच। अलं ते तपसा वीर मा क्लेशे दुस्तरे विश४७। पुत्रस्तु तारको नाम भविष्यति महाबलः। देवसीमंतिनीनां तु धम्मिल्लक विमोक्षकः४८। इत्युक्तो दैत्यनाथस्तु प्रणम्य प्रपितामहम्। गत्वा तां नंदयामास महिषीं कर्शितांतराम्४९। तौ दंपती कृतार्थौ तु जग्मतुः स्वाश्रमं तदा। आहितं तु तदा गर्भं वरांगी वरवर्णिनी1.42.५०। पूर्णं वर्षसहस्रं तु दधारोदर एव हि। ततो वर्षसहस्रांते वरांगी सा प्रसूयत५१। जायमाने तु दैत्ये तु तस्मिन्लोकभयंकरे। चचाल सर्वा पृथिवी प्रोद्भूताश्च महार्णवाः५२। चेलुर्धराधराश्चापि ववुर्वाताश्च भीषणाः। जेपुर्जप्यं मुनिवरा नेदुर्व्यालमृगा अपि५३। जहौ कांतिश्चंद्रसूर्यौ नीहारच्छादिता दिशः। जाते महासुरे तस्मिन्सर्वे चापि महासुराः५४। आजग्मुर्हर्षितास्तत्र तथा चासुरयोषितः। जगुर्हर्षसमाविष्टा ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः५५। ततो महोत्सवे जाते दानवानां महाद्युते। विषण्णमनसो देवाः सहेंद्रा अभवंस्तदा५६। वरांगी तु सुतं दृष्ट्वा हर्षेणापूरिता तदा। बहुमेने च दैत्येंद्रो विजातं तं तदा तया५७। जातमात्रस्तु दैत्येंद्रस्तारकश्चोग्रविक्रमः। अभिषिक्तो सुरैर्मुख्यैः कुजंभमहिषादिभिः५८। सर्वासुरमहाराज्ये पृथिवीतुलनक्षमे। स तु प्राप्तमहाराज्यस्तारको नृपसत्तम५९। उवाच दानवश्रेष्ठो युक्तियुक्तमिदं वचः। तारक उवाच। शृणुध्वमसुराः सर्वे वाक्यं मम महाबलाः६०। वंशक्षयकरा देवाः सर्वेषामेव दानवाः। अस्माकं जातिधर्मेण विरूढं वैरमक्षयम्६१। वयं तपश्चरिष्यामः सुराणां निग्रहाय तु। स्वबाहुबलमाश्रित्य सर्व एव न संशयः६२। तच्छ्रुत्वा संमतं कृत्वा पारियात्रं ययौ गिरिं। निराहारः पंचतपाः पत्रभुग्वारिभोजनः६३। शतंशतं समानां तु तपांस्येतान्यथाकरोत्। एवं तु कर्शिते देहे तपोराशित्वमागते६४। ब्रह्मागत्याह दैत्येंद्रं वरं वरय सुव्रत। स वव्रे सर्वभूतेभ्यो न मे मृत्युर्भवेदिति६५। तमुवाच ततो ब्रह्मा देहिनां मरणं ध्रुवम्। यतस्ततोपि वरय मृत्युं यस्मान्न शंकसे६६। ततः संचिंत्य दैत्येंद्रः शिशोर्वै सप्तवासरात्। वव्रे महासुरो मृत्युं मोहितो ह्यवलेपतः६७। जगामोमित्युदाहृत्य ब्रह्मा दैत्यो निजं गृहम्। अथाह मंत्रिणस्तूर्णं बलं मे संप्रयुज्यताम्६८। यदि वो मत्प्रियं कार्यं निग्राह्याः सुरसत्तमाः। निगृहीतेषु मे प्रीतिर्जायते चातुलाऽसुराः६९। तारकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा ग्रसनो नाम दानवः। सेनानीर्दैत्यराजस्य सज्जं चक्रे बलं च तत्७०। आहत्य भेरीं गंभीरां दैत्यानाहूय सत्वरः। दशकोटीश्वरा दैत्या दैत्यानां चंडविक्रमाः७१। तेषामग्रेसरो जंभः कुजंभोनंतरोऽसुरः। महिषः कुंजरो मेघः कालनेमिर्निमिस्तथा७२। मंथनो जंभकः शुम्भो दैत्येंद्रा दशनायकाः। अन्ये च शतशस्तत्र पृथिवीतुलनक्षमाः७३। गरुडानां सहस्रेण चक्राष्टकविभूषितः। सकूबरपरीवारश्चतुर्योजनविस्तृतः७४। स्यंदनस्तारकस्यासीत्व्याघ्रसिंहखरार्वभिः। युक्ता रथास्तु ग्रसन जंभकौ जंभकुंभिनां७५। मेघस्य द्वीपिभिर्युक्तः कूष्मांडैः कालनेमिनः। पर्वताभश्चतुर्दंष्ट्रो निमेश्चैव महागजः७६। शतहस्ततुरंगस्थो मंथनो नाम दैत्यराट्। जंभकस्तूष्ट्रमारूढो गिरींद्राभं महाबलः७७। शुंभो मेषं समारूढोऽन्येप्येवं चित्रवाहनाः। प्रचंडाश्चित्रवर्माणः कुंडलोष्णीषभूषिताः७८। तद्बलं दैत्यसिंहस्य भीमरूपं व्यजायत। प्रमत्तमत्तमातंगतुरंगरथसंकुलम्७९। प्रतस्थेऽमरयुद्धाय बहुपत्तिपताकिकम्। एतस्मिन्नंतरे वायुर्देवदूतोऽसुरालये८०। दृष्ट्वा तद्दानवबलं जगामेंद्रस्य शंसितुं। स गत्वा तु सभां दिव्यां महेंद्रस्य महात्मनः८१। शशंस मध्ये देवानां तत्कार्यं समुपस्थितम्। तच्छ्रुत्वा देवराजस्तु निमीलितविलोचनः८२। बृहस्पतिमुवाचेदं वाक्यं काले महाभुजः। इंद्र उवाच। संप्राप्नोति विमर्दोयं देवानां दानवैः सह८३। कार्यं किमत्र तद्ब्रूहि नीत्युपायोपबृंहितम्। एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं महेंद्रस्य गिरां पतिः८४। इत्युवाच महाभागो बृहस्पतिरुदारधीः। बृहस्पतिरुवाच। सामपूर्वा श्रुता नीतिश्चतुरंगा पताकिनी८५। जिगीषतां सुरश्रेष्ठ स्थितिरेषा सनातनी। सामभेदस्तथा दानं दंडश्चांगचतुष्टयम्८६। न सांत्वगोचरे लुब्धानभेद्यास्त्वेकधर्मिणः। न दानमत्त्र संसिद्ध्यै प्रसह्यैवापहारिणाम्८७। एकोभ्युपायो दंडोऽत्र भवतां यदि रोचते। एवमुक्तः सहस्राक्ष एवमेतदुवाच ह८८। कर्त्तव्यतां च संचिंत्य प्रोवाचामरसंसदि। इंद्र उवाच। अवधानेन मे वाचं शृणुध्वं नाकवासिनः८९। भवंतो यज्ञभोक्तारो दिव्यात्मानो हि सान्वयाः। स्वे महिम्नि स्थिता नित्यं जगतः पालने रताः९०। क्रियतां समरोद्योगः सैन्यं संयोज्यतां मम। आह्रियंतां च शस्त्राणि पूज्यंतां शस्त्रदेवताः९१। वाहनानि विमानानि योजयद्ध्वं ममेश्वराः। यमं सेनापतिं कृत्वा शीघ्रमेव दिवौकसः९२। इत्युक्तास्समनह्यंत देवानां ये प्रधानतः। वाजिनामयुतेनाजौ हेमघंटा परिष्कृतम्९३। नानाश्चर्यगुणोपेतं संप्राप्तं देवदानवैः। रथं मातलिना युक्तं देवराजस्य दुर्जयम्९४। यमो महिषमास्थाय सेनाग्रे समवर्त्तत। चंडकिंकरवृंदेन सर्वतः परिवारितः९५। कल्पकालोद्गतज्वाला पूरितोम्बरगोचरः। हुताशनस्त्वजारूढः शक्तिहस्तो व्यवस्थितः९६। पवनोऽङकुशहस्तश्च विस्तारित महाजवः। भुजगेंद्रसमारूढो जलेशो भगवान्स्वयम्९७। नरयुक्ते रथे देवो राक्षसेशो वियच्चरः। तीक्ष्णखड्गयुतो भीमः समरे समवस्थितः९८। महासिंहरथे देवो धनाध्यक्षो गदायुधः। चंद्रादित्यावश्विनौ च चतुरंगबलान्विताः९९। सेनान्यो देवराजस्य दुर्जया भुवनत्रये। कोटयस्तास्त्रयस्त्रिंशद्देवदेवनिकायिनाम्1.42.१००। हिमाचलाभे सितचारुचामरे सुवर्णपद्मामलसुंदरस्रजि। कृताभिरामो ज्वलकुंकुमांकुरे कपोललीलालिकदंबसंकुले१०१। स्थितस्तदैरावणनाम कुंजरे महामनाश्चित्रविभूषणांबरः। विशालवज्रः सुवितानभूषितः प्रकीर्णकेयूरभुजंगमंडलः१०२। सहस्रदृग्वंदितपादपल्लवस्त्रिविष्टपे शोभत पाकशासनः। तुरंग मातंग कुलौघसंकुला सितातपत्त्रद्ध्वजशालिनी च१०३। बभूव सा दुर्जयपत्तिसंतता विभाति नानायुधयोधदुस्तरा। ततोश्विनौ च मरुतः ससाध्याः सपुरंदराः१०४। यक्षराक्षसगंधर्वा दिव्य नानास्त्रपाणयः। जघ्नुर्दैत्येश्वरं सर्वे संभूय तु महाबलाः१०५। न चैवास्त्राण्यसज्जंत गात्रे वज्राचलोपमे। अथो रथादवप्लुत्य तारको दानवाधिपः१०६। जघान कोटिशो देवान्करपार्ष्णिभिरेव च। हतशेषाणि सैन्यानि देवानां विप्र दुद्रुवुः१०७। दिशो भीतानि संत्यज्य रणोपकरणानि च। दृष्ट्वा तान्विद्रुतान्देवांस्तारको वाक्यमब्रवीत्१०८। मा वधिष्ठ सुरान्दैत्या वज्रांगाय च मंदिरे। शीघ्रमानीय दर्श्यंतां बद्धान्पश्यत्वयं सुरान्१०९। लोकपालांस्ततो दैत्यो बद्ध्वा चेंद्रमुखान्रणे। सरुद्रान्सुदृढैः पाशैः पशुपालः पशूनिव११०। स भूयो रथमास्थाय जगाम स्वकमालयं। सिद्धगंधर्वसंघुष्टं विपुलाचलमस्तकम्१११। स्तूयमानो दितिसुतैरप्सरोभिः सुसेवितः।

bhīṣma uvāca| śrutaḥ padmodbhavo brahmanvistareṇa tvayeritaḥ| samāsādbhavamāhātmyamutpattiṃ ca guhasya ca1| śrotumicchāmi te brahmanyathābhūtaḥ kṛtaṃ ca yat| tārakaśca kathaṃ bhūto dānavo balavattaraḥ2| kārttikeyena sa brahmankathaṃ dhvasto mahāsuraḥ| kathaṃ rudreṇa munayaḥ preṣitā maṃdaraṃ girim3| kathaṃ labdhā umā tatra rudreṇa parameṣṭhinā| etadākhyāhi me sarvaṃ yathābhūtaṃ mahāmune4| pulastya uvāca| kaśyapena purā proktā ditirdaityāraṇiḥ śubhā| vajrasāramayaiścāṃgaiḥ putro devi bhaviṣyati5| vajrāṃgo nāma putrastu bhavitā dharmavatsalaḥ| sā ca labdhavarā devī suṣuve vajraduśchidam6| sa jātamātra evābhūtsarvaśāstrārthapāragaḥ| uvāca mātaraṃ bhaktyā mātaḥ kiṃ karavāṇyaham7| tasyovāca tato hṛṣṭā ditirdaityādhipasya tu| bahavo me hatāḥ putrāḥ sahasrākṣeṇa putraka8| teṣāmapacitiṃ kartuṃ gaccha śakravadhāya tu| bāḍhamityeva tāṃ coktvā jagāma tridivaṃ balāt9| badhvā tataḥ sahasrākṣaṃ pāśenāmoghavarcasā| māturaṃtikamāgacchadvyādhaḥ kṣudramṛgaṃ yathā10| etasminnaṃtare brahmā kaśyapaśca mahātapāḥ| āgatau tatra yatrāstāṃ mātāputrāvabhītakau11| dṛṣṭvā tu tāvuvācedaṃ brahmā kaśyapa eva ca| muṃcainaṃ putra deveṃdraṃ kimanena prayojanam12| avamāno vadhaḥ proktaḥ putra saṃbhāvitasya tu| asmadvākyena yo muktastvaddhastānmṛta eva saḥ13| parasya gauravānmuktaḥ śatrūṇāṃ śatrurāhave| sajīvanneva hi mṛto divase divase punaḥ14| etacchrutvā tu vajrāṃgaḥ praṇato vākyamabravīt| na me kṛtyamanenāsti māturājñā kṛtā hi me15| tvaṃ surāsuranātho vai mānyaśca prapitāmahaḥ| kariṣye tvadvaco deva eṣa muktaḥ śatakratuḥ16| tapasemeratirdevanirvighnaṃtaccamebhavet| tvatprasādena bhagavannityuktvā virarāma ha17| tasmiṃstūṣṇīṃ sthite daitye provācedaṃ pitāmahaḥ| brahmovāca| tapastvaṃ kuru māpannaḥ sosmacchāsanasaṃsthitaḥ18| anayā cittaśuddhyā hi paryāptaṃ janmanaḥ phalam| ityuktvā padmajaḥ kanyāṃ sasarjāyatalocanām19| tāmasmai pradadau devaḥ patnyarthe padmasaṃbhavaḥ| varāṃgīti ca nāmāsyāḥ kṛtvā yātaḥ pitāpahaḥ20| vajrāṃgopi tayā sārddhaṃ jagāma tapase vanam| ūrddhvabāhussa daityeṃdro caradvarṣasahasrakam21| kālaṃ kamalapatrākṣaḥ śuddhabuddhirmahātapāḥ| tāvaccādhomukhaḥ kālaṃ tāvatpaṃcāgnimadhyagaḥ22| nirāhāro ghoratapāstaporāśirajāyata| tataḥ soṃtarjale cakre vāsaṃ varṣasahasrakam23| jalāṃtaraṃ praviṣṭasya tasya patnī mahāvratā| tasyaiva tīre sarasaḥ sthitā'sau maunamāśritā24| nirāhāraṃ tapo ghoraṃ praviveśa mahādyutiḥ| tasyāṃ tapasi vartaṃtyāmiṃdraścakre vibhīṣikām25| gatvā tu markaṭākārastadāśramapadaṃ mahat| brasīṃ cakarṣa balavāngaṃdhādyarcākaraṃḍakam26| tatastu siṃharūpeṇa bhīṣayāmāsa bhāminīm| tato bhujaṃgarūpeṇāpyadaśaccaraṇadvayam27| tapobalavaśātsā tu navadhyatvaṃ jagāma ha| bhīṣikābhiranekābhiḥ kleśayanpākaśāsanaḥ28| virarāma yadā naiva vajrāṃgamahiṣī tadā| śailasyaduṣṭatāṃ matvā śāpaṃ dātuṃ samudyatā29| tāṃ śāpābhimukhīṃ dṛṣṭvā śailaḥ puruṣavigrahaḥ| uvāca tāṃ varārohāṃ varāṃgīṃ bhītalocanaḥ30| śaila uvāca| nāhaṃ mahāvrate duṣṭaḥ sevyohaṃ sarvadehinām| vipriyaṃ te karotyeṣa ruṣitaḥ pākaśāsanaḥ31| etasminnaṃtare jātaḥ kālo varṣasahasrakaḥ| tasminjñātvā tu bhagavānkāle kamalasaṃbhavaḥ32| tuṣṭaḥ provāca vajrāṃgaṃ tadāgatya jalāśayam| brahmovāca| dadāmi sarvakāmaṃ ta uttiṣṭha ditinaṃdana33| evamuktastadotthāya sa daityeṃdrastaponidhiḥ| uvāca prāṃjalirvākyaṃ sarvalokapitāmaham34| vajrāṃga uvāca| āsuro māstu me bhāvaḥ saṃtu lokā mamākṣayāḥ| tapasyabhiratirme'stu śarīrasyāsya vartanam35| evamastviti taṃ devo jagāma svakamālayam| vajrāṃgopi samāpte tu tapasi sthirasaṃyamaḥ36| saṃgaṃtumicchansvāṃ bhāryāṃ na dadarśāśrame svake| kṣudhāviṣṭaḥ sa śailasya gahanaṃ praviveśa ha37| ādātuṃ phalamūlāni sa ca tasminvyalokayat| rudantīṃ svāṃ priyāṃ dīnāṃ tarupracchāditānanām38| tāṃ vilokya tato daityaḥ provāca parisāṃtvayan| vajrāṃga uvāca| kena te'pakṛtaṃ bhadre yamalokaṃ yiyāsunā39| kaṃ vā kāmaṃ prayacchāmi śīghraṃ prabrūhi mānini| varāṃgyuvāca| trāsitāsmyapaviddhāsmi tāḍitā pīḍitāsmi ca40| raudreṇa devarājena naṣṭanātheva bhūriśaḥ| duḥkhasyāṃtamapaśyaṃtī prāṇāṃstyaktuṃ vyavasthitā41| putraṃ me tārakaṃ dehi tasmādduḥkhamahārṇavāt| evamuktastu daityeṃdraḥ kopavyākulalocanaḥ42| śaktopi devarājasya pratikartuṃ mahāsuraḥ| tapa eva punaścartuṃ vyavasyata mahābalaḥ43| jñātvā tasya tu saṃkalpaṃ brahmā krūrataraṃ punaḥ| ājagāma tvarāyukto yatrāsau ditinaṃdanaḥ44| brahmovāca| kimarthaṃ putra bhūyastvaṃ kartuṃ niyamamudyataḥ| tadahaṃ te punardadmi kāṃkṣitaṃ putramojasā45| vajrāṃga uvāca| utthitena mayā dṛṣṭā samādhānāttvadājñayā| trāsiteṃdreṇa māmāha sā varāṃgī sutārthinī46| putraṃ me tārakaṃ dehi tuṣṭo me tvaṃ pitāmaha| brahmovāca| alaṃ te tapasā vīra mā kleśe dustare viśa47| putrastu tārako nāma bhaviṣyati mahābalaḥ| devasīmaṃtinīnāṃ tu dhammillaka vimokṣakaḥ48| ityukto daityanāthastu praṇamya prapitāmaham| gatvā tāṃ naṃdayāmāsa mahiṣīṃ karśitāṃtarām49| tau daṃpatī kṛtārthau tu jagmatuḥ svāśramaṃ tadā| āhitaṃ tu tadā garbhaṃ varāṃgī varavarṇinī1.42.50| pūrṇaṃ varṣasahasraṃ tu dadhārodara eva hi| tato varṣasahasrāṃte varāṃgī sā prasūyata51| jāyamāne tu daitye tu tasminlokabhayaṃkare| cacāla sarvā pṛthivī prodbhūtāśca mahārṇavāḥ52| celurdharādharāścāpi vavurvātāśca bhīṣaṇāḥ| jepurjapyaṃ munivarā nedurvyālamṛgā api53| jahau kāṃtiścaṃdrasūryau nīhāracchāditā diśaḥ| jāte mahāsure tasminsarve cāpi mahāsurāḥ54| ājagmurharṣitāstatra tathā cāsurayoṣitaḥ| jagurharṣasamāviṣṭā nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ55| tato mahotsave jāte dānavānāṃ mahādyute| viṣaṇṇamanaso devāḥ saheṃdrā abhavaṃstadā56| varāṃgī tu sutaṃ dṛṣṭvā harṣeṇāpūritā tadā| bahumene ca daityeṃdro vijātaṃ taṃ tadā tayā57| jātamātrastu daityeṃdrastārakaścogravikramaḥ| abhiṣikto surairmukhyaiḥ kujaṃbhamahiṣādibhiḥ58| sarvāsuramahārājye pṛthivītulanakṣame| sa tu prāptamahārājyastārako nṛpasattama59| uvāca dānavaśreṣṭho yuktiyuktamidaṃ vacaḥ| tāraka uvāca| śṛṇudhvamasurāḥ sarve vākyaṃ mama mahābalāḥ60| vaṃśakṣayakarā devāḥ sarveṣāmeva dānavāḥ| asmākaṃ jātidharmeṇa virūḍhaṃ vairamakṣayam61| vayaṃ tapaścariṣyāmaḥ surāṇāṃ nigrahāya tu| svabāhubalamāśritya sarva eva na saṃśayaḥ62| tacchrutvā saṃmataṃ kṛtvā pāriyātraṃ yayau giriṃ| nirāhāraḥ paṃcatapāḥ patrabhugvāribhojanaḥ63| śataṃśataṃ samānāṃ tu tapāṃsyetānyathākarot| evaṃ tu karśite dehe taporāśitvamāgate64| brahmāgatyāha daityeṃdraṃ varaṃ varaya suvrata| sa vavre sarvabhūtebhyo na me mṛtyurbhavediti65| tamuvāca tato brahmā dehināṃ maraṇaṃ dhruvam| yatastatopi varaya mṛtyuṃ yasmānna śaṃkase66| tataḥ saṃciṃtya daityeṃdraḥ śiśorvai saptavāsarāt| vavre mahāsuro mṛtyuṃ mohito hyavalepataḥ67| jagāmomityudāhṛtya brahmā daityo nijaṃ gṛham| athāha maṃtriṇastūrṇaṃ balaṃ me saṃprayujyatām68| yadi vo matpriyaṃ kāryaṃ nigrāhyāḥ surasattamāḥ| nigṛhīteṣu me prītirjāyate cātulā'surāḥ69| tārakasya vacaḥ śrutvā grasano nāma dānavaḥ| senānīrdaityarājasya sajjaṃ cakre balaṃ ca tat70| āhatya bherīṃ gaṃbhīrāṃ daityānāhūya satvaraḥ| daśakoṭīśvarā daityā daityānāṃ caṃḍavikramāḥ71| teṣāmagresaro jaṃbhaḥ kujaṃbhonaṃtaro'suraḥ| mahiṣaḥ kuṃjaro meghaḥ kālanemirnimistathā72| maṃthano jaṃbhakaḥ śumbho daityeṃdrā daśanāyakāḥ| anye ca śataśastatra pṛthivītulanakṣamāḥ73| garuḍānāṃ sahasreṇa cakrāṣṭakavibhūṣitaḥ| sakūbaraparīvāraścaturyojanavistṛtaḥ74| syaṃdanastārakasyāsītvyāghrasiṃhakharārvabhiḥ| yuktā rathāstu grasana jaṃbhakau jaṃbhakuṃbhināṃ75| meghasya dvīpibhiryuktaḥ kūṣmāṃḍaiḥ kālaneminaḥ| parvatābhaścaturdaṃṣṭro nimeścaiva mahāgajaḥ76| śatahastaturaṃgastho maṃthano nāma daityarāṭ| jaṃbhakastūṣṭramārūḍho girīṃdrābhaṃ mahābalaḥ77| śuṃbho meṣaṃ samārūḍho'nyepyevaṃ citravāhanāḥ| pracaṃḍāścitravarmāṇaḥ kuṃḍaloṣṇīṣabhūṣitāḥ78| tadbalaṃ daityasiṃhasya bhīmarūpaṃ vyajāyata| pramattamattamātaṃgaturaṃgarathasaṃkulam79| pratasthe'marayuddhāya bahupattipatākikam| etasminnaṃtare vāyurdevadūto'surālaye80| dṛṣṭvā taddānavabalaṃ jagāmeṃdrasya śaṃsituṃ| sa gatvā tu sabhāṃ divyāṃ maheṃdrasya mahātmanaḥ81| śaśaṃsa madhye devānāṃ tatkāryaṃ samupasthitam| tacchrutvā devarājastu nimīlitavilocanaḥ82| bṛhaspatimuvācedaṃ vākyaṃ kāle mahābhujaḥ| iṃdra uvāca| saṃprāpnoti vimardoyaṃ devānāṃ dānavaiḥ saha83| kāryaṃ kimatra tadbrūhi nītyupāyopabṛṃhitam| etacchrutvā tu vacanaṃ maheṃdrasya girāṃ patiḥ84| ityuvāca mahābhāgo bṛhaspatirudāradhīḥ| bṛhaspatiruvāca| sāmapūrvā śrutā nītiścaturaṃgā patākinī85| jigīṣatāṃ suraśreṣṭha sthitireṣā sanātanī| sāmabhedastathā dānaṃ daṃḍaścāṃgacatuṣṭayam86| na sāṃtvagocare lubdhānabhedyāstvekadharmiṇaḥ| na dānamattra saṃsiddhyai prasahyaivāpahāriṇām87| ekobhyupāyo daṃḍo'tra bhavatāṃ yadi rocate| evamuktaḥ sahasrākṣa evametaduvāca ha88| karttavyatāṃ ca saṃciṃtya provācāmarasaṃsadi| iṃdra uvāca| avadhānena me vācaṃ śṛṇudhvaṃ nākavāsinaḥ89| bhavaṃto yajñabhoktāro divyātmāno hi sānvayāḥ| sve mahimni sthitā nityaṃ jagataḥ pālane ratāḥ90| kriyatāṃ samarodyogaḥ sainyaṃ saṃyojyatāṃ mama| āhriyaṃtāṃ ca śastrāṇi pūjyaṃtāṃ śastradevatāḥ91| vāhanāni vimānāni yojayaddhvaṃ mameśvarāḥ| yamaṃ senāpatiṃ kṛtvā śīghrameva divaukasaḥ92| ityuktāssamanahyaṃta devānāṃ ye pradhānataḥ| vājināmayutenājau hemaghaṃṭā pariṣkṛtam93| nānāścaryaguṇopetaṃ saṃprāptaṃ devadānavaiḥ| rathaṃ mātalinā yuktaṃ devarājasya durjayam94| yamo mahiṣamāsthāya senāgre samavarttata| caṃḍakiṃkaravṛṃdena sarvataḥ parivāritaḥ95| kalpakālodgatajvālā pūritombaragocaraḥ| hutāśanastvajārūḍhaḥ śaktihasto vyavasthitaḥ96| pavano'ṅakuśahastaśca vistārita mahājavaḥ| bhujageṃdrasamārūḍho jaleśo bhagavānsvayam97| narayukte rathe devo rākṣaseśo viyaccaraḥ| tīkṣṇakhaḍgayuto bhīmaḥ samare samavasthitaḥ98| mahāsiṃharathe devo dhanādhyakṣo gadāyudhaḥ| caṃdrādityāvaśvinau ca caturaṃgabalānvitāḥ99| senānyo devarājasya durjayā bhuvanatraye| koṭayastāstrayastriṃśaddevadevanikāyinām1.42.100| himācalābhe sitacārucāmare suvarṇapadmāmalasuṃdarasraji| kṛtābhirāmo jvalakuṃkumāṃkure kapolalīlālikadaṃbasaṃkule101| sthitastadairāvaṇanāma kuṃjare mahāmanāścitravibhūṣaṇāṃbaraḥ| viśālavajraḥ suvitānabhūṣitaḥ prakīrṇakeyūrabhujaṃgamaṃḍalaḥ102| sahasradṛgvaṃditapādapallavastriviṣṭape śobhata pākaśāsanaḥ| turaṃga mātaṃga kulaughasaṃkulā sitātapattraddhvajaśālinī ca103| babhūva sā durjayapattisaṃtatā vibhāti nānāyudhayodhadustarā| tatośvinau ca marutaḥ sasādhyāḥ sapuraṃdarāḥ104| yakṣarākṣasagaṃdharvā divya nānāstrapāṇayaḥ| jaghnurdaityeśvaraṃ sarve saṃbhūya tu mahābalāḥ105| na caivāstrāṇyasajjaṃta gātre vajrācalopame| atho rathādavaplutya tārako dānavādhipaḥ106| jaghāna koṭiśo devānkarapārṣṇibhireva ca| hataśeṣāṇi sainyāni devānāṃ vipra dudruvuḥ107| diśo bhītāni saṃtyajya raṇopakaraṇāni ca| dṛṣṭvā tānvidrutāndevāṃstārako vākyamabravīt108| mā vadhiṣṭha surāndaityā vajrāṃgāya ca maṃdire| śīghramānīya darśyaṃtāṃ baddhānpaśyatvayaṃ surān109| lokapālāṃstato daityo baddhvā ceṃdramukhānraṇe| sarudrānsudṛḍhaiḥ pāśaiḥ paśupālaḥ paśūniva110| sa bhūyo rathamāsthāya jagāma svakamālayaṃ| siddhagaṃdharvasaṃghuṣṭaṃ vipulācalamastakam111| stūyamāno ditisutairapsarobhiḥ susevitaḥ|

English translation

Bhiṣma said :

1-4. O brahman , I have listened to (the account of) the rise of the lotus which you described in detail. O brahman, (now) I desire to hear from you about the greatness of Bhava (i.e. Śiva ) and the birth of Guha (i.e. Kārttikeya )—how he was born and what he did; how Tāraka the demon became more powerful and how that great demon was killed (by Kārttikeya); how Rudra sent the sages to the Mandara mountain; how Rudra, the supreme lord, obtained Umā there. O great sage, tell me all this as it took place.

Pulastya said :

5-6a. Formerly Kaśyapa said to Diti , the auspicious origin (i.e. the mother) of demons: “O respectable lady, you will obtain a son having limbs as strong as thunderbolt. You will have a son by named Vajrāṅga , devoted to piety.”

6b-7. The honourable lady, who had (thus) obtained a boon, got a son difficult to be cut (i.e. destroyed) like thunderbolt. As soon as he was born, he became the master of the significance of all sciences (i.e. branches of learning). He said devoutly to his mother: “O mother, what should I do?”

8-9a. Diti, hearing (these) words of the lord of demons, became delighted, and said: “O son, Indra has killed many of my sons. Go to kill (i.e. go and kill) Indra to make up the loss due to (i.e. to avenge) them.”

9b-10. Saying, “All right”, to her, he forcibly went to the heaven. Then having tied Indra with a noose of unfailing power, he came to his mother as a hunter (would bring) a poor deer.

11. In the meanwhile, Brahmā and Kaśyapa of great penance came there where the fearless mother and son remained.

12-14. Seeing them Brahmā as well as Kaśyapa said these words: “O son, release this lord of gods. What have you to do with him? O son, for a respected person his insult is said to be his murder. He who is freed from your hand on our telling (you to release him) is certainly dead. That enemy, who is released in the battle through generosity by his enemy, is, though alive, dead, day after day.”

15-17. Hearing this, Vajrāṅga, bowed (to them) and said (these) words: “I have nothing to do with him. I have (simply) obeyed my mother’s order. You are the lord of the gods and demons; and you are (my) respectable great grandsire. O god, I shall do as you say: this Śatakratu (i.e. Indra) is released (by me). O god, I have a liking for penance; O lord, let it be practised without any obstacle through your favour.”

18a. Saying so, he ceased (speaking). When the demon remained silent, the grandsire said these (words):

Brahmā said :

18b-19a. Being free from difficulty, remaining. under my command, practise penance. With this purification of the mind (i.e. having thus purified your mind) you (will) have obtained the fruit of your existence.

19b-20. Saying so, the Lotus-born (Brahmā) created a broad-eyed daughter. The Lotus-born god gave her to him as his wife. Having named her Varāṅgi, the grandsire went (back).

21-23a. Vajrāṅga too went to a forest with her for (practising) penance. The lord of demons, having eyes like lotus leaves, of a pure mind, and having a great penance (to his credit), practised penance for a period of a thousand years with raised hands. Till that (period was over), he remained a great ascetic with his face hung down and remaining in the midst of five fires [1] , not eating anything and practising severe penance.

23b-25a. Then for a thousand years he resided in water. The great-vowed wife of him, who had entered the water, remained, observing silence, at the bank of that lake only. Without eating anything, the very lustrous one entered upon a severe penance.

25b-26. When she was practising penance, Indra scared her. Going in the form of a monkey to that great hermitage, he snatched her holy seat and casket containing sandal etc.—(the material of) worship.

27-28a. Then, he, taking up the form of a lion, frightened her; then taking up the form of a serpent he bit both her feet; but due to the power of penance she did not die.

28b-30. When Indra, troubling her with many scares, did not stop (from doing so), the queen of Vajrāṅga, thinking it to be the wickedness of the mountain (on which she was seated), set about to curse the mountain. Seeing her about to pronounce a curse, the mountain, in a human form, with frightened eyes, said to that beautiful Varāṅgī :

The mountain said :

31. O you lady of a great vow, I am not wicked. I deserve to be resorted to by all human beings. This angry Indra is doing what is disagreeable to you.

32-33a. In the meantime the period of a thousand years was over. Knowing it, the Lotus-born (i.e. Brahmā) came to the lake and being delighted said to Vajrāṅga:

Brahmā said :

33b. O son of Diti, I shall satisfy all your desires; get up.

34. Thus addressed, the lord of demons, the treasure of penance, with the palms of his hands folded in obeisance said (these) words to the grandsire:

Vajrāṅga said :

35. Let me not have the demonish disposition. Let me have (i.e. let me go to) the eternal worlds. Let me be interested in penance. Let the body stay (as it is). [2]

36-37. Saying, “Let it be so,” the lord (Brahmā) went home. Vajrāṅga too, of a firm control, completed his penance. Desiring to meet his wife (i.e. he desired to meet his wife, but) did not see her in his own hermitage. Afflicted with hunger, he entered a thicket of the forest.

38-39a. (When he looked here and there) in the thicket to obtain fruits and roots, he saw his dear helpless wife, whose face was covered with a tree. Seeing her, the demon, consoling her, said:

Vajrāṅga said :

39b-40a. O good one, who, desiring to go to the world of Yama , has harmed you? O you proud one, quickly say which desire you want to be satisfied.

Varāṅgī said :

40b-42a. I am repeatedly scared, tossed away, beaten up and harassed, like one without a husband, by the fearful lord of gods. Not seeing the end of my grief, I am determined to give up my life. Give me a son, who would save me from the ocean of misery.

42b-44. The very mighty lord of demons, thus addressed, and with his eyes full of anger, though capable of retaliating the king of gods, set about to practise penance again. Knowing his harder intention, Brahmā again hurriedly came to the place where the son of Diti remained.

Brahmā said :

45. O son, why are you again setting about to practise the vow? I shall give you the son (endowed) with vigour, (as) desired by you.

Vajrāṅga said :

46-47a. I, who got up by your order from the profound meditation saw my wife scared by Indra. The beautiful lady, said to me (that) she desired a son. O grandsire, you, who are pleased with me, give a saviour son (Tāraka) to me.

Brahmā said :

47b-48. O hero, enough of your penance; do not get into insuperable suffering. A very powerful son, who will loose the braided and ornamented hair of divine ladies will be (born to you).

49-51. Thus addressed, the lord of demons, having saluted the great grandsire, and having gone to his queen delighted her, whose mind was distressed. The fortunate couple then went to their own hermitage. That Varāṅgī, of an excellent complexion, carried in her womb for a thousand years, the embryo (i.e. the seed) deposited (by Vajrāṅga). At the end of a thousand years Varāṅgī brought forth (a son).

52-53. When that demon, fearful to all the world, was being born, the whole earth trembled, the great oceans were agitated, the mountains shook, and fierce winds blew; the best sages muttered prayers, and fierce beasts roared.

54-55. Lustre left the Moon and the Sun, and the directions were covered over with mist. When that great demon was born, all great demons, being delighted, came there, and also the demon-females. Full of joy they sang, and hosts of celestial nymphs danced.

56. O you of great lustre, when the great festival of the demons was (being celebrated), gods along with Indra, became mentally dejected.

57. At that time seeing the son, Varāṅgī was filled with joy. The lord of the demons also greatly prized that (newly-) born son.

58-59a. As soon as Tāraka, the lord of demons, was born he was consecrated as the sovereign emperor of the entire kingdom of the Asuras , which was capable of being compared with the earth, by the chief demons like Kujambha , Mahiṣa etc.

59b-60a. O great king, when Tāraka got the great kingdom (i.e. when he became the emperor), he, the greatest among the demons, said these proper words:

Tāraka said :

60b-62. O mighty demons, listen, all of you, to my words. O demons, gods would destroy all the families (of us). (Between gods and us) eternal enmity due to the practice of our families has mounted. All of us, resorting to (i.e. depending upon) the might of our own arms will practise penance for curbing gods. There is (i.e. should be) no doubt about this.

63-64a. Saying so, and getting their consent, he went to the Pāriyātra mountain. For a hundred years he practised all the penances like not eating at all, honouring the five (fires), eating leaves of trees (only) or subsisting on water (alone).

64b-65. When thus his body was emaciated and his penance grew in strength, Brahmā, having come there, said to the lord of demons: “O you of a good vow, ask for a boon”. He chose (the following boon): “I should not die (i.e. be immune to death) from all beings”.

66. To him then Brahmā said: “Since death is certain to beings, (you may) ask for death at the hands of him of whom you are not afraid.”

67. The great demon, the lord of demons, deluded by pride, thought (for a while) and chose death from a child seven days old.

68-69. Saying, “All right”, Brahmā went home, and also the demon. Then he said to his ministers: “Make ready my army quickly. If you desire to do what I like, then you must supress the best gods. O demons, I shall have uncommon joy when they will be suppressed.”

70. Having heard Tāraka’s words, a demon named Grasana , the general of the king of demons, made ready the army.

71. Having beaten the deep (-sounding) kettle-drum, he quickly called the demons, and also very brave ten crores of lords of demons.

72-73. Leading them was Jambha . Next was the demon Kujambha. Mahiṣa, Kuñjara , Megha , Kālanemi , and Nimi , (and also) Manthana , Jambhaka , Śumbha —these ten lords of the demons were the leaders. There were hundreds of others, who were capable of being compared with the earth.

74. The chariot of Tāraka was decorated (i.e. yoked) with a thou sand eagles, and with eight wheels; it had a train of poles and its expanse was four yojanas .

75. The chariots of Grasana, Jambha, Kujambha and Kumbha were yoked with tigers, lions, donkeys and horses.

76. The chariot of Megha was yoked with elephants; that of Kālanemin with a demon. Nimi’s great elephant had four tusks (like the Airāvata ) and resembled a mountain.

77. The lord of demons, named Manthana, was seated in a chariot, having its horses a hundred cubits in length. The very mighty Jambhaka had mounted a camel resembling the lord of mountains.

78-79. Śumbha was mounted upon a ram. Thus, other mighty demons, seated in various vehicles, had put on bright armours and were decorated with bracelets and turbans. That army of the lion of demons (i.e. of the brave demon) appeared to be of a terribe form. The army had very intoxicated elephants and was crowded with horses and chariots, a number of foot-soldiers and banners.

80-83a. In the meanwhile, Vāyu , the messenger of gods, seeing that army of the demons in the residence of the demons went to report it to Indra. Having gone to the divine assembly of the great-souled Indra, he told (him) among the gods, the time for action that had approached. Hearing it, the greatarmed lord of gods, having closed his eyes, said these words to Bṛhaspati at that time.

Indra said :

83b-84a. Now comes this fight of the gods with demons. Tell (us) that should be done (whicḥ is) supported by political wisdom.

84b-85a. Hearing these words of Indra, the lord of speech, the magnanimous, the highly intelligent Bṛhaspati said these words:

Bṛhaspati said :

85b-88a. O best among gods, this is said to be ancient, natural state of those who wish to be victorious: political stratagem preceded by negotiations, and (keeping ready) the army with its four divisions. [3] These are the four constituents (of political wisdom) [4] : negotiation, creating dissension, bribery and punishment (i.e. open attack). The greedy cannot be won over by negotiation (or conciliation); those having same qualities (i.e. belonging to a homogeneous group) cannot be won over by creating dissension; here bribery will not lead to success; if you like (i.e. if you please), in this case, openly attacking the plunderers by force is the only remedy.

88b-89a. Indra, thus addressed, giving thought to what should be done, said these words in the assembly of gods:

Indra said :

89b-92. O you residents of heaven, listen attentively to my words. You, of divine souls, are the enjoyers of sacrifices; and always remaining in (i.e. adhering to) your own greatness with your families, you are always engaged in protecting the world. Be prepared to fight; unite my army; get (your) weapons; worship the deities of weapons. O you lords of gods, having made Yama the General, quickly bring together the vehicles and the aeroplanes.

93-94. Thus addressed, those who were prominent among the gods armed themselves. The invincible chariot of the lord of gods was yoked with a myriad horses, was decorated with golden bells; it had many wonderful properties; it was approached by gods and demons: it was harnessed by Mātalin.

95-96a. Yama, surrounded on all sides by fierce servants, filled with flames that would rise at the time of the universal destruction, having seated himself upon a he-buffalo, and moving in the sky, remained at the head of the army.

96b. Agni , mounted upon a goat, and having a kind of missile in his hand, settled himself.

97. Vāyu, with a goad in his hand, increased his speed. The revered lord of water (i.e. Varuṇa ) had mounted upon a lordly serpent.

98. The lord of demons, moving in the sky, and (looking) terrible on account of having a sharp sword, occupying a chariot, to which men were yoked, got settled in the battle.

99-100. The lord of wealth (i.e. Kubera ) with a mace in his hand, (was seated) in a chariot to which large lions were yoked. The Moon, the Sun, the two Aśvins , the invincible generals of the divine army in the three worlds were endowed with the army having four divisions. That assemblage of the divine army numbered thirty-three crores.

101-103a. Indra was seated upon the elephant named Airāvaṇa , which looked like Himālaya , (decorated with) white charming chowries, and (with) golden lotuses and spotless, beautiful garlands, made charming (i.e. decorated) with sprouts (i.e. lines) of saffron and with his temples crowded with sporting swarms of bees. He, of a magnanimous mind, who had put on variegated ornaments and garments, whose thunderbolt was big, who was decorated with a cushion, who had serpentlike scattered armlets, whose sproutlike feet were honoured by a thousand eyes, looked charming in the heaven.

I 03b-104a. That army was thronged withstreams of groups of horses and elephants; its umbrella and banner were white; it had continuous (streams) of invincible foot-soldiers; it was difficult to be subdued on account of warriors having various weapons.

104b-105. Then the very mighty Aśvins, Maruts , with Sādhyas and Indra, Yakṣas , goblins, Gandharvas , having many missiles in their hands, all came together and struck the lord of demons.

106-108a. However, the missiles did not cling to his body resembling thunderbolt and a mountain. Then having jumped down from his chariot, Tāraka, the king of the demons, hit crores of gods with his hands and kicks. The armies of gods, that escaped being killed, being afraid, and having given up weapons, fled in (various) directions.

108b. Seeing the gods fleeing, Tāraka said (these) words:

109. “O demons, do not kill the gods. Tying them, bring them quickly, and show them to Vajrāṅga. Let him see gods.”

110-112. Then the demon, being praised by Diti’s sons and well-served by the celestial damsels, having tied, in the battle, the regents of quarters led by Indra and with Rudra, with strong bonds, as a herdsman leading the beasts, again went, after getting into his chariot, to his own house, beautified with Siddhas and Gandharvas, and having a top like the Vipula mountain.

[1]: [1] : Pañcāgni—See note on 41.83. above.

[2]: [2] : Śarīrasya.... text is not quite clear.

[3]: [3] : The fourfold army: (1) Elephants, (2) Chariots, (3) Cavalry and Infantry.

[4]: [4] : Aṅgacatuṣṭaya: (1) Sāman (conciliation or negotiation), (2) Dāna (bribery), (3) Daṇḍa (punishment, open attack), (4) Bheda (creating dissension).

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 35910, revision 334532 (2022-04-05T10:56:46Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc364165.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.