01.026
Library: Gods take positions to protect amrita from Garuda.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
स्पृष्टमात्रा तु पद्भ्यां सा गरुडेन बलीयसा। अभज्यत तरोः शाखा भग्नां चैनामधारयत् ॥१-२६-१॥
As soon as the mighty Garuda touched it with his feet, the branch of the tree broke, and he held the broken branch.
तां भग्नां स महाशाखां स्मयन्समवलोकयन्। अथात्र लम्बतोऽपश्यद्वालखिल्यानधोमुखान् ॥१-२६-२॥
He smiled as he looked around and saw the great broken branch. Then, he noticed the Valakhilyas hanging upside down here.
स तद्विनाशसन्त्रासादनुपत्य खगाधिपः। शाखामास्येन जग्राह तेषामेवान्ववेक्षया ॥ शनैः पर्यपतत्पक्षी पर्वतान्प्रविशातयन् ॥१-२६-३॥
The lord of birds, fearing destruction, carefully seized a branch with his beak and slowly flew towards the mountains, ensuring their safety.
एवं सोऽभ्यपतद्देशान्बहून्सगजकच्छपः। दयार्थं वालखिल्यानां न च स्थानमविन्दत ॥१-२६-४॥
Thus, he traveled through many regions inhabited by elephants and turtles, seeking to help the Vālakhilyas, but he could not find a suitable place.
स गत्वा पर्वतश्रेष्ठं गन्धमादनमव्ययम्। ददर्श कश्यपं तत्र पितरं तपसि स्थितम् ॥१-२६-५॥
He went to the best of mountains, the imperishable Gandhamadana, and saw his father Kashyapa there, engaged in penance.
ददर्श तं पिता चापि दिव्यरूपं विहङ्गमम्। तेजोवीर्यबलोपेतं मनोमारुतरंहसम् ॥१-२६-६॥
The father saw the divine bird, radiant and powerful, swift as the mind and wind.
शैलशृङ्गप्रतीकाशं ब्रह्मदण्डमिवोद्यतम्। अचिन्त्यमनभिज्ञेयं सर्वभूतभयङ्करम् ॥१-२६-७॥
It stood like a mountain peak, raised like the staff of Brahma; it was inconceivable, unknowable, and terrifying to all beings.
मायावीर्यधरं साक्षादग्निमिद्धमिवोद्यतम्। अप्रधृष्यमजेयं च देवदानवराक्षसैः ॥१-२६-८॥
He who bears magical power, directly like a kindled fire raised, is invincible and unconquerable by gods, demons, and demons.
भेत्तारं गिरिशृङ्गाणां नदीजलविशोषणम्। लोकसंलोडनं घोरं कृतान्तसमदर्शनम् ॥१-२६-९॥
The one who can break mountain peaks, dry up river waters, shake the world, and is as terrible as death itself.
तमागतमभिप्रेक्ष्य भगवान्कश्यपस्तदा। विदित्वा चास्य सङ्कल्पमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१-२६-१०॥
Upon seeing him arrive, the venerable Kaśyapa, understanding his intention, spoke these words.
पुत्र मा साहसं कार्षीर्मा सद्यो लप्स्यसे व्यथाम्। मा त्वा दहेयुः सङ्क्रुद्धा वालखिल्या मरीचिपाः ॥१-२६-११॥
Son, do not act rashly, or you will soon find yourself in pain. Do not let the angry Valakhilyas and Maricipas harm you.
प्रसादयामास स तान्कश्यपः पुत्रकारणात्। वालखिल्यांस्तपःसिद्धानिदमुद्दिश्य कारणम् ॥१-२६-१२॥
Kaśyapa appeased the Vālakhilyas, who were perfected in penance, addressing them for the reason of obtaining a son.
प्रजाहितार्थमारम्भो गरुडस्य तपोधनाः। चिकीर्षति महत्कर्म तदनुज्ञातुमर्हथ ॥१-२६-१३॥
O ascetics, Garuda wishes to undertake a great task for the welfare of the people; you should grant him permission.
एवमुक्ता भगवता मुनयस्ते समभ्ययुः। मुक्त्वा शाखां गिरिं पुण्यं हिमवन्तं तपोर्थिनः ॥१-२६-१४॥
Having been addressed by the Lord, the sages left the sacred branch of the Himalaya mountain, seeking penance.
ततस्तेष्वपयातेषु पितरं विनतात्मजः। शाखाव्याक्षिप्तवदनः पर्यपृच्छत कश्यपम् ॥१-२६-१५॥
After they had left, Vinata's son, looking disturbed, questioned his father Kaśyapa.
भगवन्क्व विमुञ्चामि तरुशाखामिमामहम्। वर्जितं ब्राह्मणैर्देशमाख्यातु भगवान्मम ॥१-२६-१६॥
O Lord, please tell me where I should release this tree branch, and which place is forbidden by the Brahmins.
ततो निष्पुरुषं शैलं हिमसंरुद्धकन्दरम्। अगम्यं मनसाप्यन्यैस्तस्याचख्यौ स कश्यपः ॥१-२६-१७॥
Then, Kaśyapa described to him the mountain with snow-blocked caves, which was devoid of people and inaccessible even to the minds of others.
तं पर्वतमहाकुक्षिमाविश्य मनसा खगः। जवेनाभ्यपतत्तार्क्ष्यः सशाखागजकच्छपः ॥१-२६-१८॥
The bird Tarkshya, focusing its mind, entered the vast interior of the mountain swiftly, accompanied by branches, elephants, and turtles.
न तां वध्रः परिणहेच्छतचर्मा महानणुः। शाखिनो महतीं शाखां यां प्रगृह्य ययौ खगः ॥१-२६-१९॥
The impotent one with a hundred skins, known as the great atom, should not marry that which the bird, having seized the great branch of the tree, flew away with.
ततः स शतसाहस्रं योजनान्तरमागतः। कालेन नातिमहता गरुडः पततां वरः ॥१-२६-२०॥
Then Garuda, the best of the birds, swiftly covered a distance of a hundred thousand yojanas.
स तं गत्वा क्षणेनैव पर्वतं वचनात्पितुः। अमुञ्चन्महतीं शाखां सस्वनां तत्र खेचरः ॥१-२६-२१॥
Following his father's words, he swiftly went to the mountain and there, the bird released a large, resonant branch.
पक्षानिलहतश्चास्य प्राकम्पत स शैलराट्। मुमोच पुष्पवर्षं च समागलितपादपः ॥१-२६-२२॥
The mighty mountain king trembled as the wind from the wings struck him, releasing a shower of flowers as the trees around him fell.
शृङ्गाणि च व्यशीर्यन्त गिरेस्तस्य समन्ततः। मणिकाञ्चनचित्राणि शोभयन्ति महागिरिम् ॥१-२६-२३॥
The peaks of the mountain were scattered all around, and jewelled and golden images adorned the great mountain.
शाखिनो बहवश्चापि शाखयाभिहतास्तया। काञ्चनैः कुसुमैर्भान्ति विद्युत्वन्त इवाम्बुदाः ॥१-२६-२४॥
The many trees, struck by the branch, shine with golden flowers like clouds illuminated by lightning.
ते हेमविकचा भूयो युक्ताः पर्वतधातुभिः। व्यराजञ्शाखिनस्तत्र सूर्यांशुप्रतिरञ्जिताः ॥१-२६-२५॥
The trees, adorned with golden blossoms and mountain minerals, shone brightly there, illuminated by the rays of the sun.
ततस्तस्य गिरेः शृङ्गमास्थाय स खगोत्तमः। भक्षयामास गरुडस्तावुभौ गजकच्छपौ ॥१-२६-२६॥
Then Garuda, the best of birds, ascended the mountain peak and devoured both the elephant and the tortoise.
ततः पर्वतकूटाग्रादुत्पपात मनोजवः। प्रावर्तन्ताथ देवानामुत्पाता भयवेदिनः ॥१-२६-२७॥
Then, from the mountain peak, a being as swift as the mind leaped forth. Then, ominous signs appeared among the gods, foretelling fear.
इन्द्रस्य वज्रं दयितं प्रजज्वाल व्यथान्वितम्। सधूमा चापतत्सार्चिर्दिवोल्का नभसश्च्युता ॥१-२६-२८॥
Indra's cherished thunderbolt blazed fiercely, afflicted with distress. Accompanied by smoke and flames, the meteor descended from the sky.
तथा वसूनां रुद्राणामादित्यानां च सर्वशः। साध्यानां मरुतां चैव ये चान्ये देवतागणाः ॥ स्वं स्वं प्रहरणं तेषां परस्परमुपाद्रवत् ॥१-२६-२९॥
Thus, all the groups of deities, including the Vasus, Rudras, Ādityas, Sādhyas, and Maruts, attacked each other with their respective weapons.
अभूतपूर्वं सङ्ग्रामे तदा देवासुरेऽपि च। ववुर्वाताः सनिर्घाताः पेतुरुल्काः समन्ततः ॥१-२६-३०॥
Then, in the unprecedented battle, even the gods and demons witnessed fierce winds blowing with thunder, and meteors falling all around.
निरभ्रमपि चाकाशं प्रजगर्ज महास्वनम्। देवानामपि यो देवः सोऽप्यवर्षदसृक्तदा ॥१-२६-३१॥
Even the clear sky roared with a mighty sound, and the supreme god also caused blood to rain down at that time.
मम्लुर्माल्यानि देवानां शेमुस्तेजांसि चैव हि। उत्पातमेघा रौद्राश्च ववर्षुः शोणितं बहु ॥ रजांसि मुकुटान्येषामुत्थितानि व्यधर्षयन् ॥१-२६-३२॥
The garlands of the gods withered, and their splendors dimmed. Ominous clouds fiercely rained a lot of blood. The dust from their crowns rose and attacked.
ततस्त्राससमुद्विग्नः सह देवैः शतक्रतुः। उत्पातान्दारुणान्पश्यन्नित्युवाच बृहस्पतिम् ॥१-२६-३३॥
Then, Indra, troubled by fear and accompanied by the gods, constantly witnessing dreadful omens, spoke to Brihaspati.
किमर्थं भगवन्घोरा महोत्पाताः समुत्थिताः। न च शत्रुं प्रपश्यामि युधि यो नः प्रधर्षयेत् ॥१-२६-३४॥
O Lord, why have these terrible omens appeared? I see no enemy in battle who could threaten us.
बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥
Bṛhaspati spoke.
तवापराधाद्देवेन्द्र प्रमादाच्च शतक्रतो। तपसा वालखिल्यानां भूतमुत्पन्नमद्भुतम् ॥१-२६-३५॥
O Indra, due to your mistake and carelessness, a miraculous being has been created by the penance of the Vālakhilyas.
कश्यपस्य मुनेः पुत्रो विनतायाश्च खेचरः। हर्तुं सोममनुप्राप्तो बलवान्कामरूपवान् ॥१-२६-३६॥
The son of the sage Kaśyapa and Vinatā, who dwells in the sky, arrived with the intent to steal Soma, possessing great strength and the ability to change his form.
समर्थो बलिनां श्रेष्ठो हर्तुं सोमं विहङ्गमः। सर्वं सम्भावयाम्यस्मिन्नसाध्यमपि साधयेत् ॥१-२६-३७॥
The bird, being the most capable and strongest, can take the Soma. I believe that even the impossible can be achieved in this context.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said.
श्रुत्वैतद्वचनं शक्रः प्रोवाचामृतरक्षिणः। महावीर्यबलः पक्षी हर्तुं सोममिहोद्यतः ॥१-२६-३८॥
Upon hearing these words, Indra addressed the protectors of nectar, saying that the mighty bird is ready here to take the Soma.
युष्मान्सम्बोधयाम्येष यथा स न हरेद्बलात्। अतुलं हि बलं तस्य बृहस्पतिरुवाच मे ॥१-२६-३९॥
Bṛhaspati said to me that I am addressing you so that he may not forcibly take away anything, as his strength is indeed incomparable.
तच्छ्रुत्वा विबुधा वाक्यं विस्मिता यत्नमास्थिताः। परिवार्यामृतं तस्थुर्वज्री चेन्द्रः शतक्रतुः ॥१-२६-४०॥
Upon hearing that speech, the wise ones were astonished and made efforts. Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt and performer of a hundred sacrifices, stood surrounding the nectar.
धारयन्तो महार्हाणि कवचानि मनस्विनः। काञ्चनानि विचित्राणि वैडूर्यविकृतानि च ॥१-२६-४१॥
The high-minded ones wore very precious armors that were golden, variegated, and adorned with cat's eye gems.
विविधानि च शस्त्राणि घोररूपाण्यनेकशः। शिततीक्ष्णाग्रधाराणि समुद्यम्य सहस्रशः ॥१-२६-४२॥
There are various and numerous weapons with terrible forms and sharp edges, wielded in thousands.
सविस्फुलिङ्गज्वालानि सधूमानि च सर्वशः। चक्राणि परिघांश्चैव त्रिशूलानि परश्वधान् ॥१-२६-४३॥
There were sparks and flames everywhere, accompanied by smoke; there were discs, clubs, tridents, and battle-axes all around.
शक्तीश्च विविधास्तीक्ष्णाः करवालांश्च निर्मलान्। स्वदेहरूपाण्यादाय गदाश्चोग्रप्रदर्शनाः ॥१-२६-४४॥
They wielded various sharp spears and spotless swords, having assumed their own bodily forms, and displayed fierce maces.
तैः शस्त्रैर्भानुमद्भिस्ते दिव्याभरणभूषिताः। भानुमन्तः सुरगणास्तस्थुर्विगतकल्मषाः ॥१-२६-४५॥
The radiant groups of gods, adorned with divine ornaments and armed with radiant weapons, stood free from impurities.
अनुपमबलवीर्यतेजसो; धृतमनसः परिरक्षणेऽमृतस्य। असुरपुरविदारणाः सुरा; ज्वलनसमिद्धवपुःप्रकाशिनः ॥१-२६-४६॥
The gods, with incomparable strength, valor, and brilliance, and firm minds dedicated to protecting the nectar, are the destroyers of the demon city, shining with bodies kindled like fire.
इति समरवरं सुरास्थितं; परिघसहस्रशतैः समाकुलम्। विगलितमिव चाम्बरान्तरे; तपनमरीचिविभासितं बभौ ॥१-२६-४७॥
Thus, the excellent battlefield, where the gods were present and crowded with thousands of barriers, appeared as if it was melting in the sky, illuminated by the sun's rays, and shone brilliantly.
