03.192
The narrative of Dhundhumāra
Vaiśampāyana said.
Yudhiṣṭhira, the king of righteousness, asked Mārkaṇḍeya, who was advanced in austerity, long-lived, and free from sin, O bull among the Bharatas. (03-192-1)
You, knower of dharma, are aware of the devas, dānavas, rākṣasas, royal lineages, and the various ancient lineages of sages. There is nothing unknown to you in this world, O best of the twice-born. (03-192-2)
O twice-born, I wish to hear from you, truly told, the divine story of humans, serpents, and rākṣasas, which you know, O sage. (03-192-3)
Kuvalāśva, thus known as the unconquered Ikṣvāku, how indeed did he—by reversal—come to be known as Dhundhumāra? (03-192-4)
O best of the Bhārgavas, I wish to know in truth how the wise Kuvalāśva came to be reversed. (03-192-5)
Markandeya said.
Indeed, I will tell you, listen, O king Yudhiṣṭhira. Listen to this most righteous story of Dhundhumāra. (03-192-6)
As the king Ikṣvāku, Kuvalāśva, lord of the earth, became Dhundhumāra, hear that, O king. (03-192-7)
O Bhārata, the famed great seer named Uttaṅka, O dear one, had his hermitage in the delightful regions of the desert, O Kaurava. (03-192-8)
But Uttanka, O great king, performed austerities very difficult to accomplish, wishing to propitiate Viṣṇu, for many years, O mighty one. (03-192-9)
Pleased with him, the Blessed Lord appeared directly. On seeing him, the sage, bowing down, praised him with various hymns. (03-192-10)
O god, by you all creatures, including gods, asuras, and men, as well as stationary and moving beings, are created; Brahma, the Vedas, and that which is to be known are also created by you, O greatly radiant one. (03-192-11)
O Lord, your head is the sky; your eyes are the moon and the sun; your breath is the wind, your light is fire, O Acyuta. All the directions are your arms; your abdomen is also the great ocean. (03-192-12)
O Madhusūdana, your thighs are the mountains, O god; the sky is your navel; your feet are the earth goddess; and your hairs, likewise, are the plants. (03-192-13)
Indra, Soma, Agni, Varuṇa, the gods, asuras, and great serpents approach you humbly, praising you with various hymns. (03-192-14)
O Lord of the worlds, all beings are pervaded by you. The yogis of immense power and the great sages praise you. (03-192-15)
When you are pleased, the world remains in harmony; when you are angered, there is great fear. You alone are the remover of all fears, O foremost among men. (03-192-16)
You are the bringer of happiness to all beings, to the gods and men alike. By your three strides, O god, the three worlds were taken by you. The destruction of the prosperous asuras was also accomplished by you. (03-192-17)
By your heroic deeds, the gods attained supreme liberation; and the lords of the Daityas suffered defeat when you, O greatly radiant one, became angry. (03-192-18)
For you indeed are the creator and transformer of all beings here in every way; having worshipped you, the gods wholly thrive in happiness. (03-192-19)
Thus, when Hṛṣīkeśa had been praised by the great-souled Uttaṅka, Viṣṇu, being pleased, said to Uttaṅka: "I am pleased with you. Choose a boon." (03-192-20)
Uttaṅka said.
This boon is enough for me, for I have now seen Hari—the eternal, divine Person, the creator and master of the world. (03-192-21)
Viṣṇu said.
O best of twice-born, pleased by your freedom from greed and your devotion, I declare: certainly, O brāhmaṇa, you must accept a boon from me, O twice-born. (03-192-22)
O best of the Bharatas, thus, when Hari offered him a boon, Uttanka, with joined palms, chose his boon. (03-192-23)
If the Lord, whose eyes are like lotuses, is pleased with me, may I always possess understanding in righteousness, truth, and self-control. And may I always practice devotion to you, O Maheshvara. (03-192-24)
Viṣṇu said.
All this will surely happen for you through my grace, O Brāhmaṇa. The yoga by which you are endowed will become manifest among the gods, and you will accomplish a great task for the three worlds. (03-192-25)
Dhundhu, the great asura, by name, is performing terrible austerity for the destruction of the worlds; hear, who will kill him. (03-192-26)
Bṛhadaśva, so named, will become a renowned king. His son, pure and self-restrained, will be known as Kuvalāśva. (03-192-27)
He, the best among my kings, having resorted to the power of yoga, at your command, O foremost of Brāhmaṇas, will become Dhundhumāra. (03-192-28)
Markandeya said.
Having thus spoken to Uttanka, Viṣṇu disappeared.
