01.218
Pancharatra: Fearse war between Shakra and the dual Arjuna and Krishna.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
तस्याभिवर्षतो वारि पाण्डवः प्रत्यवारयत्। शरवर्षेण बीभत्सुरुत्तमास्त्राणि दर्शयन् ॥१-२१८-१॥
As he poured down water, the son of Pāṇḍu (Arjuna) warded it off with a shower of arrows, displaying his excellent weapons.
शरैः समन्ततः सर्वं खाण्डवं चापि पाण्डवः। छादयामास तद्वर्षमपकृष्य ततो वनात् ॥१-२१८-२॥
Arjuna, the Pāṇḍava, covered the entire Khāṇḍava forest on all sides with arrows, and then, having withdrawn that rain (of arrows), departed from the forest.
न च स्म किञ्चिच्छक्नोति भूतं निश्चरितुं ततः। सञ्छाद्यमाने खगमैरस्यता सव्यसाचिना ॥१-२१८-३॥
And indeed, no creature was able to escape from there, as the area was being covered with arrows by Savyasācin, that is, Arjuna.
तक्षकस्तु न तत्रासीत्सर्पराजो महाबलः। दह्यमाने वने तस्मिन्कुरुक्षेत्रेऽभवत्तदा ॥१-२१८-४॥
However, Takṣaka, the mighty serpent king, was not present there. At that time, while the forest in Kurukṣetra was burning, this occurred.
अश्वसेनस्तु तत्रासीत्तक्षकस्य सुतो बली। स यत्नमकरोत्तीव्रं मोक्षार्थं हव्यवाहनात् ॥१-२१८-५॥
Aśvasena, the strong son of Takṣaka, was there; he made intense efforts to be freed from Agni (the fire-god).
न शशाक विनिर्गन्तुं कौन्तेयशरपीडितः। मोक्षयामास तं माता निगीर्य भुजगात्मजा ॥१-२१८-६॥
Afflicted by the arrow of the son of Kunti, he was unable to go out. His mother, the daughter of the serpent, swallowed him and released him.
तस्य पूर्वं शिरो ग्रस्तं पुच्छमस्य निगीर्यते। ऊर्ध्वमाचक्रमे सा तु पन्नगी पुत्रगृद्धिनी ॥१-२१८-७॥
First his head was seized, and now his tail is being swallowed. The serpent-woman, greedy for sons, advanced upwards.
तस्यास्तीक्ष्णेन भल्लेन पृथुधारेण पाण्डवः। शिरश्चिच्छेद गच्छन्त्यास्तामपश्यत्सुरेश्वरः ॥१-२१८-८॥
The son of Pāṇḍu cut off her head with a sharp, broad-edged arrow as she was going; the lord of the gods saw her.
तं मुमोचयिषुर्वज्री वातवर्षेण पाण्डवम्। मोहयामास तत्कालमश्वसेनस्त्वमुच्यत ॥१-२१८-९॥
Desiring to release him, the wielder of the thunderbolt (Indra) used a storm of wind against the son of Pāṇḍu; at that moment, it is said, Aśvasena caused confusion.
तां च मायां तदा दृष्ट्वा घोरां नागेन वञ्चितः। द्विधा त्रिधा च चिच्छेद खगतानेव भारत ॥१-२१८-१०॥
O Bhārata, having then seen that terrible illusion, deceived by the serpent, he cut it into two and three parts, like those moving in the sky.
शशाप तं च सङ्क्रुद्धो बीभत्सुर्जिह्मगामिनम्। पावको वासुदेवश्च अप्रतिष्ठो भवेदिति ॥१-२१८-११॥
Greatly enraged, Arjuna cursed the one who followed a crooked path, declaring: "Let Agni and Kṛṣṇa also become unstable."
ततो जिष्णुः सहस्राक्षं खं वितत्येषुभिः शितैः। योधयामास सङ्क्रुद्धो वञ्चनां तामनुस्मरन् ॥१-२१८-१२॥
Then, greatly enraged and recalling that deceit, the victorious one stretched the sky with sharp arrows and fought Indra, the thousand-eyed.
देवराडपि तं दृष्ट्वा संरब्धमिव फल्गुनम्। स्वमस्त्रमसृजद्दीप्तं यत्ततानाखिलं नभः ॥१-२१८-१३॥
The king of the gods, seeing Phalguna (Arjuna) appearing enraged, released his own brilliant weapon, which spread throughout the whole sky.
ततो वायुर्महाघोषः क्षोभयन्सर्वसागरान्। वियत्स्थोऽजनयन्मेघाञ्जलधारामुचोऽऽकुलान् ॥१-२१८-१४॥
Then the wind, with a mighty roar, stirred all the oceans; stationed in the sky, it generated clouds that poured forth torrents of water in a tumultuous manner.
तद्विघातार्थमसृजदर्जुनोऽप्यस्त्रमुत्तमम्। वायव्यमेवाभिमन्त्र्य प्रतिपत्तिविशारदः ॥१-२१८-१५॥
To counteract that, Arjuna, being highly skilled, also released the excellent wind-missile after duly invoking it with mantras.
तेनेन्द्राशनिमेघानां वीर्यौजस्तद्विनाशितम्। जलधाराश्च ताः शोषं जग्मुर्नेशुश्च विद्युतः ॥१-२१८-१६॥
By him, the strength and energy of the clouds struck by Indra's thunderbolt was destroyed. The streams of water dried up, and the lightnings disappeared.
क्षणेन चाभवद्व्योम सम्प्रशान्तरजस्तमः। सुखशीतानिलगुणं प्रकृतिस्थार्कमण्डलम् ॥१-२१८-१७॥
In an instant, the sky cleared of dust and darkness; the sun's disk, naturally possessing the qualities of pleasant and cool wind, remained visible.
निष्प्रतीकारहृष्टश्च हुतभुग्विविधाकृतिः। प्रजज्वालातुलार्चिष्मान्स्वनादैः पूरयञ्जगत् ॥१-२१८-१८॥
The fire, delighted and unopposed, took on various forms and blazed forth with incomparable radiance, filling the world with its sounds.
कृष्णाभ्यां रक्षितं दृष्ट्वा तं च दावमहङ्कृताः। समुत्पेतुरथाकाशं सुपर्णाद्याः पतत्रिणः ॥१-२१८-१९॥
When they saw him protected by the two Kṛṣṇas, those proud as a forest fire, Suparṇa and the other birds then rose up into the sky.
गरुडा वज्रसदृशैः पक्षतुण्डनखैस्तथा। प्रहर्तुकामाः सम्पेतुराकाशात्कृष्णपाण्डवौ ॥१-२१८-२०॥
The Garudas, whose wings, beaks, and claws were like thunderbolts, swooped down from the sky, eager to strike at Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna.
तथैवोरगसङ्घाताः पाण्डवस्य समीपतः। उत्सृजन्तो विषं घोरं निश्चेरुर्ज्वलिताननाः ॥१-२१८-२१॥
Likewise, groups of serpents near Pāṇḍava came forth, releasing deadly poison, their faces blazing.
तांश्चकर्त शरैः पार्थः सरोषान्दृश्य खेचरान्। विवशाश्चापतन्दीप्तं देहाभावाय पावकम् ॥१-२१८-२२॥
Arjuna, seeing the angry sky-dwellers, struck them with arrows. The helpless ones fell into the blazing fire for the destruction of their bodies.
ततः सुराः सगन्धर्वा यक्षराक्षसपन्नगाः। उत्पेतुर्नादमतुलमुत्सृजन्तो रणार्थिणः ॥१-२१८-२३॥
Then the gods, along with the Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and serpents, rose up, producing an incomparable sound as they yearned for battle.
अयःकणपचक्राश्मभुशुण्ड्युद्यतबाहवः। कृष्णपार्थौ जिघांसन्तः क्रोधसंमूर्च्छितौजसः ॥१-२१८-२४॥
Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, with arms raised and weapons such as iron pellets, discs, stones, and maces, driven by anger and intent on killing, advanced with overwhelming energy.
तेषामभिव्याहरतां शस्त्रवर्षं च मुञ्चताम्। प्रममाथोत्तमाङ्गानि बीभत्सुर्निशितैः शरैः ॥१-२१८-२५॥
As they uttered cries and released a shower of weapons, Bībhatsu (Arjuna) smashed their heads with sharp arrows.
कृष्णश्च सुमहातेजाश्चक्रेणारिनिहा तदा। दैत्यदानवसङ्घानां चकार कदनं महत् ॥१-२१८-२६॥
Kṛṣṇa, endowed with immense brilliance, then used his discus to inflict great slaughter upon the hosts of Daityas and Dānavas.
अथापरे शरैर्विद्धाश्चक्रवेगेरितास्तदा। वेलामिव समासाद्य व्यातिष्ठन्त महौजसः ॥१-२१८-२७॥
Then, other warriors, pierced by arrows and driven by the speed of the chariot wheels, approached the shore like waves and stood there firmly, displaying great energy.
ततः शक्रोऽभिसङ्क्रुद्धस्त्रिदशानां महेश्वरः। पाण्डुरं गजमास्थाय तावुभौ समभिद्रवत् ॥१-२१८-२८॥
Then Śakra, the mighty lord of the gods, mounted his white elephant and, filled with wrath, charged at both of them.
अशनिं गृह्य तरसा वज्रमस्त्रमवासृजत्। हतावेताविति प्राह सुरानसुरसूदनः ॥१-२१८-२९॥
Taking up the thunderbolt with great force, the slayer of asuras (Indra) discharged the thunderbolt-missile. He then said to the gods, "These two are slain."
ततः समुद्यतां दृष्ट्वा देवेन्द्रेण महाशनिम्। जगृहुः सर्वशस्त्राणि स्वानि स्वानि सुरास्तदा ॥१-२१८-३०॥
Then, seeing Indra raise the great thunderbolt, all the gods each took up their own weapons.
कालदण्डं यमो राजा शिबिकां च धनेश्वरः। पाशं च वरुणस्तत्र विचक्रं च तथा शिवः ॥१-२१८-३१॥
The staff of time is Yama, the king; the palanquin is Dhaneśvara; the noose is Varuṇa there; and likewise, the discus is Śiva.
ओषधीर्दीप्यमानाश्च जगृहातेऽश्विनावपि। जगृहे च धनुर्धाता मुसलं च जयस्तथा ॥१-२१८-३२॥
The shining herbs were taken, and the Aśvins also took them; Dhātā took the bow, and Jaya likewise took the club.
पर्वतं चापि जग्राह क्रुद्धस्त्वष्टा महाबलः। अंशस्तु शक्तिं जग्राह मृत्युर्देवः परश्वधम् ॥१-२१८-३३॥
The mighty and enraged Tvaṣṭṛ seized a mountain. Aṃśa took up a spear, while Mṛtyu, the god of death, seized an axe.
प्रगृह्य परिघं घोरं विचचारार्यमा अपि। मित्रश्च क्षुरपर्यन्तं चक्रं गृह्य व्यतिष्ठत ॥१-२१८-३४॥
Aryaman, having seized the terrible iron club, moved about; and Mitra, having taken the razor-edged discus, stood firm.
पूषा भगश्च सङ्क्रुद्धः सविता च विशां पते। आत्तकार्मुकनिस्त्रिंशाः कृष्णपार्थावभिद्रुताः ॥१-२१८-३५॥
Pūṣan, Bhaga, and the enraged Savitṛ, O lord of the peoples, with bows and swords drawn, Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna rushed forward.
रुद्राश्च वसवश्चैव मरुतश्च महाबलाः। विश्वेदेवास्तथा साध्या दीप्यमानाः स्वतेजसा ॥१-२१८-३६॥
The Rudras, Vasus, and the mighty Maruts, as well as the Viśvedevas and the Sādhyas, all shone with their own brilliance.
एते चान्ये च बहवो देवास्तौ पुरुषोत्तमौ। कृष्णपार्थौ जिघांसन्तः प्रतीयुर्विविधायुधाः ॥१-२१८-३७॥
These, along with many other gods, and those two best among men, Kṛṣṇa and Pārtha, advanced, desiring to slay, with various weapons.
तत्राद्भुतान्यदृश्यन्त निमित्तानि महाहवे। युगान्तसमरूपाणि भूतोत्सादाय भारत ॥१-२१८-३८॥
O Bhārata, there in the great battle, wondrous omens appeared, resembling the end of an age, portending the destruction of beings.
तथा तु दृष्ट्वा संरब्धं शक्रं देवैः सहाच्युतौ। अभीतौ युधि दुर्धर्षौ तस्थतुः सज्जकार्मुकौ ॥१-२१८-३९॥
But thus, seeing the enraged Śakra (Indra) with the gods, the two Acyutas (Krishna and Arjuna), fearless and unassailable in battle, stood with their bows ready.
आगतांश्चैव तान्दृष्ट्वा देवानेकैकशस्ततः। न्यवारयेतां सङ्क्रुद्धौ बाणैर्वज्रोपमैस्तदा ॥१-२१८-४०॥
Seeing the gods arriving, the two, greatly enraged, then blocked each of them one by one with arrows as hard as thunderbolts.
असकृद्भग्नसङ्कल्पाः सुराश्च बहुशः कृताः। भयाद्रणं परित्यज्य शक्रमेवाभिशिश्रियुः ॥१-२१८-४१॥
The gods, whose resolutions were repeatedly broken and who were made to flee many times, abandoned the battle out of fear and sought refuge only in Indra.
दृष्ट्वा निवारितान्देवान्माधवेनार्जुनेन च। आश्चर्यमगमंस्तत्र मुनयो दिवि विष्ठिताः ॥१-२१८-४२॥
When the sages situated in heaven saw the gods being driven away by Mādhava and Arjuna, they were filled with wonder.
शक्रश्चापि तयोर्वीर्यमुपलभ्यासकृद्रणे। बभूव परमप्रीतो भूयश्चैतावयोधयत् ॥१-२१८-४३॥
Indra, having repeatedly observed the strength of the two in battle, was greatly pleased and once more made them fight.
ततोऽश्मवर्षं सुमहद्व्यसृजत्पाकशासनः। भूय एव तदा वीर्यं जिज्ञासुः सव्यसाचिनः ॥ तच्छरैरर्जुनो वर्षं प्रतिजघ्नेऽत्यमर्षणः ॥१-२१८-४४॥
Then Indra unleashed a tremendous shower of stones. Once more, wishing to test Arjuna's strength, he did so. Arjuna, unyielding, repelled that rain with his arrows.
विफलं क्रियमाणं तत्सम्प्रेक्ष्य च शतक्रतुः। भूयः संवर्धयामास तद्वर्षं देवराडथ ॥१-२१८-४५॥
Seeing that the effort was fruitless, Indra, the king of the gods, again caused that rain to grow.
सोऽश्मवर्षं महावेगैरिषुभिः पाकशासनिः। विलयं गमयामास हर्षयन्पितरं तदा ॥१-२१८-४६॥
At that time, the wielder of the thunderbolt (Indra), using arrows of great speed, destroyed the stone-rain, bringing joy to his father.
समुत्पाट्य तु पाणिभ्यां मन्दराच्छिखरं महत्। सद्रुमं व्यसृजच्छक्रो जिघांसुः पाण्डुनन्दनम् ॥१-२१८-४७॥
But Śakra (Indra), desiring to kill Arjuna, uprooted the great peak of Mandara with his hands, along with its trees, and hurled it at the son of Pāṇḍu.
ततोऽर्जुनो वेगवद्भिर्ज्वलिताग्रैरजिह्मगैः। बाणैर्विध्वंसयामास गिरेः शृङ्गं सहस्रधा ॥१-२१८-४८॥
Then Arjuna shattered the mountain peak into a thousand pieces with his swift, blazing-tipped, straight-flying arrows.
गिरेर्विशीर्यमाणस्य तस्य रूपं तदा बभौ। सार्कचन्द्रग्रहस्येव नभसः प्रविशीर्यतः ॥१-२१८-४९॥
The appearance of the mountain, as it was being shattered, shone at that moment, just like the sun, moon, and planets scattered across the sky.
तेनावाक्पतता दावे शैलेन महता भृशम्। भूय एव हतास्तत्र प्राणिनः खाण्डवालयाः ॥१-२१८-५०॥
By his act of hurling down the great mountain into the forest fire, once again, the living beings dwelling in Khāṇḍava were utterly destroyed there.
