01.172
Library: Parashara stops the sacrifice to kill demons, asked by Pulastya.
गन्धर्व उवाच॥
The gandharva said.
एवमुक्तः स विप्रर्षिर्वसिष्ठेन महात्मना। न्ययच्छदात्मनः कोपं सर्वलोकपराभवात् ॥१-१७२-१॥
Thus, when addressed by the great-souled Vasiṣṭha, the Brāhmaṇa-sage restrained his anger that arose from the defeat of all worlds.
ईजे च स महातेजाः सर्ववेदविदां वरः। ऋषी राक्षससत्रेण शाक्तेयोऽथ पराशरः ॥१-१७२-२॥
Parāśara, the son of Śakti, the illustrious sage and foremost among all knowers of the Vedas, performed a sacrifice against the rākṣasas.
ततो वृद्धांश्च बालांश्च राक्षसान्स महामुनिः। ददाह वितते यज्ञे शक्तेर्वधमनुस्मरन् ॥१-१७२-३॥
Then the great sage, recalling the killing of Śakti, burned both the old and young rākṣasas in the extended sacrifice.
न हि तं वारयामास वसिष्ठो रक्षसां वधात्। द्वितीयामस्य मा भाङ्क्षं प्रतिज्ञामिति निश्चयात् ॥१-१७२-४॥
Vasiṣṭha did not stop him from killing the Rākṣasas, firmly resolved that the second vow should not be broken.
त्रयाणां पावकानां स सत्रे तस्मिन्महामुनिः। आसीत्पुरस्ताद्दीप्तानां चतुर्थ इव पावकः ॥१-१७२-५॥
In that sacrifice, the great sage was present before the three blazing fires, like a fourth fire himself.
तेन यज्ञेन शुभ्रेण हूयमानेन युक्तितः। तद्विदीपितमाकाशं सूर्येणेव घनात्यये ॥१-१७२-६॥
By that pure sacrifice, which was being offered properly, the sky was illuminated, just as it is by the sun when the clouds have cleared.
तं वसिष्ठादयः सर्वे मुनयस्तत्र मेनिरे। तेजसा दिवि दीप्यन्तं द्वितीयमिव भास्करम् ॥१-१७२-७॥
All the sages there, including Vasiṣṭha, considered him to be shining in the sky with brilliance, like a second sun.
ततः परमदुष्प्रापमन्यैरृषिरुदारधीः। समापिपयिषुः सत्रं तमत्रिः समुपागमत् ॥१-१७२-८॥
Then, the noble-minded sage Atri, wishing to complete that sacrifice which was nearly impossible for others, came there.
तथा पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुश्चैव महाक्रतुम्। उपाजग्मुरमित्रघ्न रक्षसां जीवितेप्सया ॥१-१७२-९॥
Thus, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, and the great Kratu approached the destroyer of enemies of the Rākṣasas, seeking to preserve their lives.
पुलस्त्यस्तु वधात्तेषां रक्षसां भरतर्षभ। उवाचेदं वचः पार्थ पराशरमरिंदमम् ॥१-१७२-१०॥
But Pulastya, O best of the Bharatas, after the destruction of those Rākṣasas, spoke these words to Parāśara, O son of Pṛthā, destroyer of enemies.
कच्चित्तातापविघ्नं ते कच्चिन्नन्दसि पुत्रक। अजानतामदोषाणां सर्वेषां रक्षसां वधात् ॥१-१७२-११॥
Dear son, I hope nothing is obstructing your happiness; I hope you are not rejoicing, dear child, at the killing of all the innocent and ignorant Rākṣasas.
प्रजोच्छेदमिमं मह्यं सर्वं सोमपसत्तम। अधर्मिष्ठं वरिष्ठः सन्कुरुषे त्वं पराशर ॥ राजा कल्माषपादश्च दिवमारोढुमिच्छति ॥१-१७२-१२॥
O Parāśara, you, being the most excellent and best of Soma-drinkers, are committing this most unrighteous act of total destruction of my progeny. King Kalmāṣapāda also desires to ascend to heaven.
ये च शक्त्यवराः पुत्रा वसिष्ठस्य महामुनेः। ते च सर्वे मुदा युक्ता मोदन्ते सहिताः सुरैः ॥ सर्वमेतद्वसिष्ठस्य विदितं वै महामुने ॥१-१७२-१३॥
O great sage, those who are the descendants of Śakti, the sons of Vasiṣṭha, all of them rejoice together with the gods in happiness. All this is indeed known to Vasiṣṭha, O great sage.
रक्षसां च समुच्छेद एष तात तपस्विनाम्। निमित्तभूतस्त्वं चात्र क्रतौ वासिष्ठनन्दन ॥ स सत्रं मुञ्च भद्रं ते समाप्तमिदमस्तु ते ॥१-१७२-१४॥
O son of Vasiṣṭha, this destruction of the rākṣasas and of the ascetics has you as its cause here in the sacrifice, O dear one. Now release the sacrifice; may good be to you; let this be completed for you.
एवमुक्तः पुलस्त्येन वसिष्ठेन च धीमता। तदा समापयामास सत्रं शाक्तिः पराशरः ॥१-१७२-१५॥
Thus, when Pulastya and the wise Vasiṣṭha had spoken, Śākti and Parāśara then completed the sacrificial session.
सर्वराक्षससत्राय सम्भृतं पावकं मुनिः। उत्तरे हिमवत्पार्श्वे उत्ससर्ज महावने ॥१-१७२-१६॥
The sage gathered fire for the destruction of all rākṣasas and released it in the great forest on the northern side of the Himalayas.
स तत्राद्यापि रक्षांसि वृक्षानश्मान एव च। भक्षयन्दृश्यते वह्निः सदा पर्वणि पर्वणि ॥१-१७२-१७॥
Even today, there, fire is always seen devouring demons, trees, and stones, especially on every festival.
