03.213
मण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya said.
अग्नीनां विविधो वंशः कीर्तितस्ते मयानघ। शृणु जन्म तु कौरव्य कार्त्तिकेयस्य धीमतः ॥०३-२१३-१॥
O sinless one, I have described to you the varied lineages of the fires. Now, O descendant of Kuru, listen to the birth of the wise Kārttikeya. (03-213-1)
अद्भुतस्याद्भुतं पुत्रं प्रवक्ष्याम्यमितौजसम्। जातं सप्तर्षिभार्याभिर्ब्रह्मण्यं कीर्तिवर्धनम् ॥०३-२१३-२॥
I shall describe the wonderful son of the wondrous one, who possesses boundless energy, was born from the wives of the seven ṛṣis, is devoted to Brahman, and increases fame. (03-213-2)
देवासुराः पुरा यत्ता विनिघ्नन्तः परस्परम्। तत्राजयन्सदा देवान्दानवा घोररूपिणः ॥०३-२१३-३॥
In former times the gods and asuras were engaged in mutual conflict. There, the danavas of terrible form always defeated the gods. (03-213-3)
वध्यमानं बलं दृष्ट्वा बहुशस्तैः पुरंदरः। स्वसैन्यनायकार्थाय चिन्तामाप भृशं तदा ॥०३-२१३-४॥
Purandara, seeing his army being slain with many weapons, then became greatly anxious for the sake of his army's leader. (03-213-4)
देवसेनां दानवैर्यो भग्नां दृष्ट्वा महाबलः। पालयेद्वीर्यमाश्रित्य स ज्ञेयः पुरुषो मया ॥०३-२१३-५॥
He who, having seen the army of the devas defeated by the dānavas, would, relying on strength, protect (it) — that one should be known by me as a true man. (03-213-5)
स शैलं मानसं गत्वा ध्यायन्नर्थमिमं भृशम्। शुश्रावार्तस्वरं घोरमथ मुक्तं स्त्रिया तदा ॥०३-२१३-६॥
He went to Mount Mānasa and, while deeply meditating on this matter, then heard, at that moment, a terrible voice of distress uttered by a woman. (03-213-6)
अभिधावतु मा कश्चित्पुरुषस्त्रातु चैव ह। पतिं च मे प्रदिशतु स्वयं वा पतिरस्तु मे ॥०३-२१३-७॥
Let someone come to me, let some man indeed save me. And let someone give me a husband, or let a husband himself be mine. (03-213-7)
पुरंदरस्तु तामाह मा भैर्नास्ति भयं तव। एवमुक्त्वा ततोऽपश्यत्केशिनं स्थितमग्रतः ॥०३-२१३-८॥
But Indra said to her, "Do not be afraid; there is no danger for you." Having thus spoken, he then saw Keśin standing before him. (03-213-8)
किरीटिनं गदापाणिं धातुमन्तमिवाचलम्। हस्ते गृहीत्वा तां कन्यामथैनं वासवोऽब्रवीत् ॥०३-२१३-९॥
Wearing a crown and holding a mace, firm like a mountain rich in minerals, Vāsava (Indra), having taken that maiden by the hand, then spoke to him. (03-213-9)
अनार्यकर्मन्कस्मात्त्वमिमां कन्यां जिहीर्षसि। वज्रिणं मां विजानीहि विरमास्याः प्रबाधनात् ॥०३-२१३-१०॥
O you of unworthy deeds, why do you wish to take away this maiden? Know me to be the wielder of the thunderbolt. Cease harassing her. (03-213-10)
केश्युवाच॥
Keśyu said.
विसृजस्व त्वमेवैनां शक्रैषा प्रार्थिता मया। क्षमं ते जीवतो गन्तुं स्वपुरं पाकशासन ॥०३-२१३-११॥
You yourself should release her, O Śakra; she has been requested by me. It is appropriate for you, while alive, to go to your own city, O Pākaśāsana. (03-213-11)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya said.
एवमुक्त्वा गदां केशी चिक्षेपेन्द्रवधाय वै। तामापतन्तीं चिच्छेद मध्ये वज्रेण वासवः ॥०३-२१३-१२॥
Thus having spoken, Keśī hurled the mace to slay Indra; Vāsava (Indra) cut that rushing mace in the middle with his thunderbolt. (03-213-12)
अथास्य शैलशिखरं केशी क्रुद्धो व्यवासृजत्। तदापतन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य शैलशृङ्गं शतक्रतुः ॥ बिभेद राजन्वज्रेण भुवि तन्निपपात ह ॥०३-२१३-१३॥
Then, O king, Keśī, in anger, hurled his mountain peak; as that mountain summit came falling, Indra, the thousand-eyed, saw it and split it with his thunderbolt, so that it fell down to the ground. (03-213-13)
पतता तु तदा केशी तेन शृङ्गेण ताडितः। हित्वा कन्यां महाभागां प्राद्रवद्भृशपीडितः ॥०३-२१३-१४॥
But at that moment, Keśī, struck by that horn as he fell, left the highly fortunate maiden and ran away, greatly afflicted. (03-213-14)
अपयातेऽसुरे तस्मिंस्तां कन्यां वासवोऽब्रवीत्। कासि कस्यासि किं चेह कुरुषे त्वं शुभानने ॥०३-२१३-१५॥
When the asura had departed, at that time, Indra said to the maiden: "Who are you? Whose are you? What are you doing here, O beautiful-faced one?" (03-213-15)
कन्योवाच॥
The maiden said.
अहं प्रजापतेः कन्या देवसेनेति विश्रुता। भगिनी दैत्यसेना मे सा पूर्वं केशिना हृता ॥०३-२१३-१६॥
I am the daughter of Prajāpati, well known as Devaseṇā. My sister Daityaseṇā—she was formerly taken away by Keśin. (03-213-16)
सहैवावां भगिन्यौ तु सखीभिः सह मानसम्। आगच्छावेह रत्यर्थमनुज्ञाप्य प्रजापतिम् ॥०३-२१३-१७॥
Let us two sisters, together with our friends, go to Lake Mānasā here for enjoyment, after seeking permission from Prajāpati. (03-213-17)
नित्यं चावां प्रार्थयते हर्तुं केशी महासुरः। इच्छत्येनं दैत्यसेना न त्वहं पाकशासन ॥०३-२१३-१८॥
Always, Keśī, the great asura, requests to seize both of us; the daitya army wants him, but not I, O Pākaśāsana (Indra). (03-213-18)
सा हृता तेन भगवन्मुक्ताहं त्वद्बलेन तु। त्वया देवेन्द्र निर्दिष्टं पतिमिच्छामि दुर्जयम् ॥०३-२१३-१९॥
O venerable one, I, who was carried away by him, am now released by your power. O Indra, I wish for the husband appointed by you— the invincible one. (03-213-19)
इन्द्र उवाच॥
Indra said.
मम मातृष्वसेया त्वं माता दाक्षायणी मम। आख्यातं त्वहमिच्छामि स्वयमात्मबलं त्वया ॥०३-२१३-२०॥
You are my maternal cousin, my mother Dākṣāyaṇī. I wish you to declare your own strength yourself to me. (03-213-20)
कन्योवाच॥
The maiden said.
अबलाहं महाबाहो पतिस्तु बलवान्मम। वरदानात्पितुर्भावी सुरासुरनमस्कृतः ॥०३-२१३-२१॥
I am weak, O mighty-armed one, but my husband is strong. By my father's boon, he will be honored by gods and asuras. (03-213-21)
इन्द्र उवाच॥
Indra said.
कीदृशं वै बलं देवि पत्युस्तव भविष्यति। एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं तव वाक्यमनिन्दिते ॥०३-२१३-२२॥
O goddess, I wish to hear your statement, O blameless one: What kind of strength will your husband have? (03-213-22)
कन्योवाच॥
The maiden said.
देवदानवयक्षाणां किंनरोरगरक्षसाम्। जेता स दृष्टो दुष्टानां महावीर्यो महाबलः ॥०३-२१३-२३॥
He, the conqueror of gods, demons, yakṣas, kiṃnaras, serpents, and rākṣasas, endowed with great energy and great strength, is seen among the wicked. (03-213-23)
यस्तु सर्वाणि भूतानि त्वया सह विजेष्यति। स हि मे भविता भर्ता ब्रह्मण्यः कीर्तिवर्धनः ॥०३-२१३-२४॥
But he who will conquer all beings together with you, he indeed will be my husband, one devoted to Brahman, and an increaser of fame. (03-213-24)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
इन्द्रस्तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा दुःखितोऽचिन्तयद्भृशम्। अस्या देव्याः पतिर्नास्ति यादृशं सम्प्रभाषते ॥०३-२१३-२५॥
Indra, having heard her words, became deeply afflicted and thought intensely: "This lady seems to have no husband, judging by the way she speaks." (03-213-25)
अथापश्यत्स उदये भास्करं भास्करद्युतिः। सोमं चैव महाभागं विशमानं दिवाकरम् ॥०३-२१३-२६॥
Then he saw at sunrise the brilliant sun, and the most fortunate moon as it was fading away, the sun. (03-213-26)
अमावास्यां सम्प्रवृत्तं मुहूर्तं रौद्रमेव च। देवासुरं च सङ्ग्रामं सोऽपश्यदुदये गिरौ ॥०३-२१३-२७॥
On the new moon day, he saw at sunrise on the mountain the fierce battle between the gods and asuras. (03-213-27)
लोहितैश्च घनैर्युक्तां पूर्वां सन्ध्यां शतक्रतुः। अपश्यल्लोहितोदं च भगवान्वरुणालयम् ॥०३-२१३-२८॥
Śatakratu saw the eastern twilight covered with red clouds and also the blessed abode of Varuṇa, which had red waters. (03-213-28)
भृगुभिश्चाङ्गिरोभिश्च हुतं मन्त्रैः पृथग्विधैः। हव्यं गृहीत्वा वह्निं च प्रविशन्तं दिवाकरम् ॥०३-२१३-२९॥
The Bhṛgus and the Aṅgiras, having performed the offerings with various mantras, take the oblations and fire and enter into the Sun. (03-213-29)
पर्व चैव चतुर्विंशं तदा सूर्यमुपस्थितम्। तथा धर्मगतं रौद्रं सोमं सूर्यगतं च तम् ॥०३-२१३-३०॥
And at the twenty-fourth junction, then the sun had arrived. Also, in the manner of dharma, in the manner of Rudra, Soma, and in the manner of the Sun, him. (03-213-30)
समालोक्यैकतामेव शशिनो भास्करस्य च। समवायं तु तं रौद्रं दृष्ट्वा शक्रो व्यचिन्तयत् ॥०३-२१३-३१॥
Śakra (Indra), having seen the dreadful combination—the unity of the Moon and Sun—reflected upon it. (03-213-31)
एष रौद्रश्च सङ्घातो महान्युक्तश्च तेजसा। सोमस्य वह्निसूर्याभ्यामद्भुतोऽयं समागमः ॥ जनयेद्यं सुतं सोमः सोऽस्या देव्याः पतिर्भवेत् ॥०३-२१३-३२॥
This fierce and great union, endowed with brilliance, the wonderful coming together of Soma and Agni and Sūrya—whichever son Soma begets, he shall become the husband of this goddess. (03-213-32)
अग्निश्चैतैर्गुणैर्युक्तः सर्वैरग्निश्च देवता। एष चेज्जनयेद्गर्भं सोऽस्या देव्याः पतिर्भवेत् ॥०३-२१३-३३॥
Agni, endowed with all these qualities, is indeed a divinity; if he generates offspring, he would become the husband of this goddess. (03-213-33)
एवं सञ्चिन्त्य भगवान्ब्रह्मलोकं तदा गतः। गृहीत्वा देवसेनां तामवन्दत्स पितामहम् ॥ उवाच चास्या देव्यास्त्वं साधु शूरं पतिं दिश ॥०३-२१३-३४॥
Having reflected in this way, the blessed one went to Brahma's world at that time. Taking Devasena with him, he reverently saluted the Grandfather (Brahma). And he said, "To this goddess, you should provide a worthy and valiant husband." (03-213-34)
ब्रह्मोवाच॥
Brahmā said.
यथैतच्चिन्तितं कार्यं त्वया दानवसूदन। तथा स भविता गर्भो बलवानुरुविक्रमः ॥०३-२१३-३५॥
O slayer of Dānavas, just as you have conceived this plan, so the offspring will be mighty, strong, and of vast power. (03-213-35)
स भविष्यति सेनानीस्त्वया सह शतक्रतो। अस्या देव्याः पतिश्चैव स भविष्यति वीर्यवान् ॥०३-२१३-३६॥
He will become the commander together with you, O Śatakratu; he will also be the husband of this goddess, and he will be powerful. (03-213-36)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya said.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा नमस्तस्मै कृत्वासौ सह कन्यया। तत्राभ्यगच्छद्देवेन्द्रो यत्र देवर्षयोऽभवन् ॥ वसिष्ठप्रमुखा मुख्या विप्रेन्द्राः सुमहाव्रताः ॥०३-२१३-३७॥
Hearing this, he offered obeisance to him; then, together with the maiden, Indra went there where the divine sages were present—Vasiṣṭha and other foremost Brāhmaṇas, great in their vows. (03-213-37)
भागार्थं तपसोपात्तं तेषां सोमं तथाध्वरे। पिपासवो ययुर्देवाः शतक्रतुपुरोगमाः ॥०३-२१३-३८॥
The gods, headed by Shatakratu (Indra), who were thirsty, went to the Soma acquired by their austerity in the sacrifice for their share. (03-213-38)
इष्टिं कृत्वा यथान्यायं सुसमिद्धे हुताशने। जुहुवुस्ते महात्मानो हव्यं सर्वदिवौकसाम् ॥०३-२१३-३९॥
The great-souled ones, having performed the sacrifice as prescribed, offered oblations in the well-kindled fire for all the dwellers of heaven. (03-213-39)
समाहूतो हुतवहः सोऽद्भुतः सूर्यमण्डलात्। विनिःसृत्याययौ वह्निर्वाग्यतो विधिवत्प्रभुः ॥ आगम्याहवनीयं वै तैर्द्विजैर्मन्त्रतो हुतम् ॥०३-२१३-४०॥
Summoned, the wonderful Fire emerged from the solar disc; the lordly Fire, invoked by speech and duly, came forth. Having arrived at the ahavaniya altar, he was offered oblations with mantras by those Brahmins. (03-213-40)
स तत्र विविधं हव्यं प्रतिगृह्य हुताशनः। ऋषिभ्यो भरतश्रेष्ठ प्रायच्छत दिवौकसाम् ॥०३-२१३-४१॥
Having received the various oblations there, Agni (the fire), O best of the Bharatas, offered them to the gods on behalf of the sages. (03-213-41)
निष्क्रामंश्चाप्यपश्यत्स पत्नीस्तेषां महात्मनाम्। स्वेष्वाश्रमेषूपविष्टाः स्नायन्तीश्च यथासुखम् ॥०३-२१३-४२॥
Going out, he also saw the wives of those great-souled men, seated in their own hermitages and bathing at their ease. (03-213-42)
रुक्मवेदिनिभास्तास्तु चन्द्रलेखा इवामलाः। हुताशनार्चिप्रतिमाः सर्वास्तारा इवाद्भुताः ॥०३-२१३-४३॥
They shone with the radiance of a golden altar, immaculate like moonbeams, resembling the flames of the sacred fire, and were all as wonderful as stars. (03-213-43)
स तद्गतेन मनसा बभूव क्षुभितेन्द्रियः। पत्नीर्दृष्ट्वा द्विजेन्द्राणां वह्निः कामवशं ययौ ॥०३-२१३-४४॥
With his mind absorbed there, he became agitated in his senses. Seeing the wives of the foremost twice-born, Agni fell under the sway of desire. (03-213-44)
स भूयश्चिन्तयामास न न्याय्यं क्षुभितोऽस्मि यत्। साध्वीः पत्नीर्द्विजेन्द्राणामकामाः कामयाम्यहम् ॥०३-२१३-४५॥
He thought again, "It is not right; I am disturbed because I desire the virtuous wives of the best of the twice-born, though they do not desire me." (03-213-45)
नैताः शक्या मया द्रष्टुं स्प्रष्टुं वाप्यनिमित्ततः। गार्हपत्यं समाविश्य तस्मात्पश्याम्यभीक्ष्णशः ॥०३-२१३-४६॥
These are not possible for me to see or to touch even without cause. Therefore, after entering the gārhapatya sacred fire, I see (them) again and again. (03-213-46)
संस्पृशन्निव सर्वास्ताः शिखाभिः काञ्चनप्रभाः। पश्यमानश्च मुमुदे गार्हपत्यं समाश्रितः ॥०३-२१३-४७॥
As if touching all those (sacrificial fires) with flames of golden radiance, and seeing (them), he rejoiced, having approached the gārhapatya fire. (03-213-47)
निरुष्य तत्र सुचिरमेवं वह्निर्वशं गतः। मनस्तासु विनिक्षिप्य कामयानो वराङ्गनाः ॥०३-२१३-४८॥
After listening there for a long time, the fire came under control. Desiring, he fixed his mind on those beautiful women. (03-213-48)
कामसन्तप्तहृदयो देहत्यागे सुनिश्चितः। अलाभे ब्राह्मणस्त्रीणामग्निर्वनमुपागतः ॥०३-२१३-४९॥
Tormented by desire and firmly determined to give up his body, Agni, finding no Brāhmaṇa women, went into the forest. (03-213-49)
स्वाहा तं दक्षदुहिता प्रथमं कामयत्तदा। सा तस्य छिद्रमन्वैच्छच्चिरात्प्रभृति भामिनी ॥ अप्रमत्तस्य देवस्य न चापश्यदनिन्दिता ॥०३-२१३-५०॥
Svāhā, Dakṣa's daughter, at first desired him. That shining woman sought for his weakness for a long time, but the blameless woman did not find any fault in the vigilant god. (03-213-50)
सा तं ज्ञात्वा यथावत्तु वह्निं वनमुपागतम्। तत्त्वतः कामसन्तप्तं चिन्तयामास भामिनी ॥०३-२१३-५१॥
The radiant lady, knowing him to be truly afflicted by desire and having gone into the forest like fire, began to ponder upon him. (03-213-51)
अहं सप्तर्षिपत्नीनां कृत्वा रूपाणि पावकम्। कामयिष्यामि कामार्तं तासां रूपेण मोहितम् ॥ एवं कृते प्रीतिरस्य कामावाप्तिश्च मे भवेत् ॥०३-२१३-५२॥
I will assume the forms of the wives of the seven sages, and as Agni, I will desire the one troubled by desire and deluded by their beauty. In this way, when this is done, his affection and my attainment of the desired aim may occur. (03-213-52)
