03.194
Markandeya said;
O best of the Kauravas, the unconquered royal sage, having thus been addressed by Uttaṅka, then with joined palms, spoke to Uttaṅka. (03-194-1)
O Brahman, your coming here will not be in vain. This son of mine, O revered one, is known as Kuvalāśva. (03-194-2)
He, possessed of fortitude, swift to act, and unrivaled in prowess on earth, will certainly do everything dear to you—there is no doubt. (03-194-3)
O Brahman, surrounded on all sides by sons, by all these heroic men with arms like iron rods, release me now—for at present I am one who has laid down his weapon. (03-194-4)
When the sage of immeasurable splendor spoke, 'So be it,' he, after instructing his son to attend to the great-souled Uttaṅka and saying 'let it be done,' the royal sage departed to the excellent forest. (03-194-5)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O revered one, who is this Daitya of great power and rich in austerity? Whose son or grandson is he? I wish to know this. (03-194-6)
O possessor of austerities, I have not heard of such a mighty Daitya. I wish, O venerable one, to know this truly from you. Please tell me everything in detail, O greatly wise one, O possessor of austerities. (03-194-7)
Markandeya said;
Listen, O king, to all this as it happened, O lord of men. When everything–immobile and mobile beings–was destroyed in the dreadful single ocean, and all creatures were lost, O best of the Bharatas. (03-194-8)
He who is the origin of all beings, the eternal and imperishable person, the revered Viṣṇu, slept alone on the water-bed, truly, on the great coil of the serpent Śeṣa of boundless radiance. (03-194-9)
Hari, the creator of the worlds and greatly fortunate illustrious one, having fallen, embraced this earth with the great coil of the serpent. (03-194-10)
From that god's own body, a lotus as radiant as the sun issued forth from his navel. There, the grandsire (Brahmā), the direct guru of the world, was born on that lotus shining with the brilliance of the sun and the moon. (03-194-11)
He is the knower of the four Vedas, has four forms, likewise is four-faced; by his own power he is invincible, and is possessed of great strength and valor. (03-194-12)
At a certain time, then, the two most powerful Dānavas, Madhu and Kaiṭabha, saw Hari, the Lord. (03-194-13)
He was lying on a divine bed, formed of serpent-coils, possessing great radiance, vast in width and length, each measuring many yojanas. (03-194-14)
He, adorned with a crown and the Kaustubha gem, dressed in yellow silk, shining with splendor, O king, with radiance and form thus, appeared wondrous, resembling the brilliance of a thousand suns (03-194-15).
Then, very great astonishment arose in Madhu and Kaiṭabha when they saw the Grandfather (Brahmā) seated in the lotus with his lotus-like eyes. (03-194-16)
Then those two instilled fear in Brahmā of boundless splendour; Brahmā, greatly renowned, being repeatedly frightened by them, shook the lotus stalk; then Keśava awoke. (03-194-17)
Then Govinda beheld the two exceedingly powerful Dānavas. Seeing them, the god said: "Welcome, mighty ones! I shall grant you both a supreme boon, for indeed affection arises within me." (03-194-18)
Those two mighty Asuras, after laughing, together replied to Hṛṣīkeśa, O great king, to Madhusūdana. (03-194-19)
O god, you, the best of gods, choose a boon from us two, the bestowers of boons; as our gift to you, speak out what boon you desire, without hesitation. (03-194-20)
The Blessed Lord said.
I accept the boon, O heroes, and even the boon that is not desired is mine. For you two are truly full of heroic strength; there is no man equal to you two. (03-194-21)
May my truly valiant sons become liable to be slain; this is what I desire, indeed, in order to secure the welfare of the world. (03-194-22)
Madhu and Kaiṭabha both said.
O best of men, know that both of us have never spoken untruth before—not even in moments of freedom; we are devoted to truth and righteousness. (03-194-23)
In strength, beauty, heroism, and tranquility, none are equal to us; nor in righteousness, austerity, charity, conduct, strength, or self-control. (03-194-24)
A great calamity has come upon us, Keśava. Fulfill what was said; for time is indeed impossible to overcome. (03-194-25)
O god, we two wish to carry out a deed—by you, O mighty one—namely, to slay (someone) in this open sky, O best among the chief gods. (03-194-26)
O beautiful-eyed one, let us indeed become your sons. This boon is chosen, O god; know that, O best of the gods. (03-194-27)
The Blessed One said.
"Certainly, I will do thus; all this will come to pass." Mārkaṇḍeya said.
After reflecting, Govinda (Madhusūdana) did not see any open space, either on earth or in the heavens. (03-194-29)
O king, then the greatly renowned Madhusūdana, seeing the thighs of Madhu and Kaiṭabha covered by their own skin, cut off their heads with his sharp-edged discus. (03-194-30)
