05.009
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira spoke:
कथमिन्द्रेण राजेन्द्र सभार्येण महात्मना। दुःखं प्राप्तं परं घोरमेतदिच्छामि वेदितुम् ॥५-९-१॥
O king of kings, I wish to know how Indra, along with his wife, the great soul, came to experience this extreme and terrible suffering.
शल्य उवाच॥
Shalya spoke:
शृणु राजन्पुरा वृत्तमितिहासं पुरातनम्। सभार्येण यथा प्राप्तं दुःखमिन्द्रेण भारत ॥५-९-२॥
Listen, O King, to the ancient story of what happened in the past, about how Indra, along with his wife, experienced sorrow, O descendant of Bharata.
त्वष्टा प्रजापतिर्ह्यासीद्देवश्रेष्ठो महातपाः। स पुत्रं वै त्रिशिरसमिन्द्रद्रोहात्किलासृजत् ॥५-९-३॥
Tvashta, known as Prajapati and revered as the best among the gods for his great penance, created a son named Trishiras to oppose Indra.
ऐन्द्रं स प्रार्थयत्स्थानं विश्वरूपो महाद्युतिः। तैस्त्रिभिर्वदनैर्घोरैः सूर्येन्दुज्वलनोपमैः ॥५-९-४॥
Viśvarūpa, possessing great splendor, prayed for the position of Indra with his three terrifying faces that resembled the sun, moon, and fire.
वेदानेकेन सोऽधीते सुरामेकेन चापिबत्। एकेन च दिशः सर्वाः पिबन्निव निरीक्षते ॥५-९-५॥
He studies the Vedas with one person, drinks liquor with another, and observes all directions as if he is drinking them in.
स तपस्वी मृदुर्दान्तो धर्मे तपसि चोद्यतः। तपोऽतप्यन्महत्तीव्रं सुदुश्चरमरिंदम ॥५-९-६॥
He, the gentle and self-controlled ascetic, was engaged in righteousness and penance, performing a great and intense penance that was very difficult, O subduer of enemies.
तस्य दृष्ट्वा तपोवीर्यं सत्त्वं चामिततेजसः। विषादमगमच्छक्र इन्द्रोऽयं मा भवेदिति ॥५-९-७॥
Upon witnessing his immense austerity, strength, courage, and boundless energy, Indra became despondent, fearing that this person might become the new Indra.
कथं सज्जेत भोगेषु न च तप्येन्महत्तपः। विवर्धमानस्त्रिशिराः सर्वं त्रिभुवनं ग्रसेत् ॥५-९-८॥
How could one indulge in pleasures without undergoing great penance? As Trishira grows, he would consume all the three worlds.
इति सञ्चिन्त्य बहुधा बुद्धिमान्भरतर्षभ। आज्ञापयत्सोऽप्सरसस्त्वष्टृपुत्रप्रलोभने ॥५-९-९॥
Thus, after much contemplation, the wise leader, O best of the Bharatas, commanded the celestial nymphs to seduce the son of Tvashta.
यथा स सज्जेत्त्रिशिराः कामभोगेषु वै भृशम्। क्षिप्रं कुरुत गच्छध्वं प्रलोभयत माचिरम् ॥५-९-१०॥
Quickly go and entice Triśiras so that he becomes deeply attached to sensual pleasures without any delay.
शृङ्गारवेषाः सुश्रोण्यो भावैर्युक्ता मनोहरैः। प्रलोभयत भद्रं वः शमयध्वं भयं मम ॥५-९-११॥
Dressed in alluring garments and possessing beautiful hips, endowed with captivating emotions, may you bring auspiciousness and dispel my fear.
अस्वस्थं ह्यात्मनात्मानं लक्षयामि वराङ्गनाः। भयमेतन्महाघोरं क्षिप्रं नाशयताबलाः ॥५-९-१२॥
I feel unwell, O beautiful ladies. Please quickly dispel this great and terrible fear, O weak ones.
अप्सरस ऊचुः॥
The celestial nymphs spoke:
तथा यत्नं करिष्यामः शक्र तस्य प्रलोभने। यथा नावाप्स्यसि भयं तस्माद्बलनिषूदन ॥५-९-१३॥
Thus, O Indra, we will try to entice him so that you will not have to fear from that, O destroyer of force.
निर्दहन्निव चक्षुर्भ्यां योऽसावास्ते तपोनिधिः। तं प्रलोभयितुं देव गच्छामः सहिता वयम् ॥ यतिष्यामो वशे कर्तुं व्यपनेतुं च ते भयम् ॥५-९-१४॥
The treasure of penance, who seems to burn with his eyes, resides there. O god, let us go together to tempt him. We shall try to bring him under control and dispel your fear.
शल्य उवाच॥
Śalya spoke:
इन्द्रेण तास्त्वनुज्ञाता जग्मुस्त्रिशिरसोऽन्तिकम्। तत्र ता विविधैर्भावैर्लोभयन्त्यो वराङ्गनाः ॥ नृत्यं संदर्शयन्त्यश्च तथैवाङ्गेषु सौष्ठवम् ॥५-९-१५॥
Permitted by Indra, the beautiful women approached Trishiras. There, they enticed him with various expressions, showcasing their dance and gracefulness.
विचेरुः सम्प्रहर्षं च नाभ्यगच्छन्महातपाः। इन्द्रियाणि वशे कृत्वा पूर्णसागरसंनिभः ॥५-९-१६॥
The great ascetics, having their senses under control, wandered without approaching great joy, resembling a full ocean.
तास्तु यत्नं परं कृत्वा पुनः शक्रमुपस्थिताः। कृताञ्जलिपुटाः सर्वा देवराजमथाब्रुवन् ॥५-९-१७॥
After making their utmost effort, they approached Indra once more. With folded hands, they all addressed the king of gods.
न स शक्यः सुदुर्धर्षो धैर्याच्चालयितुं प्रभो। यत्ते कार्यं महाभाग क्रियतां तदनन्तरम् ॥५-९-१८॥
He cannot be shaken from his resolve, O lord. O fortunate one, proceed with your duty thereafter.
सम्पूज्याप्सरसः शक्रो विसृज्य च महामतिः। चिन्तयामास तस्यैव वधोपायं महात्मनः ॥५-९-१९॥
After worshipping the celestial nymphs and dismissing them, Indra, the wise one, contemplated the means to destroy the great soul.
स तूष्णीं चिन्तयन्वीरो देवराजः प्रतापवान्। विनिश्चितमतिर्धीमान्वधे त्रिशिरसोऽभवत् ॥५-९-२०॥
The glorious and wise king of gods, silently contemplating, resolved to kill Trishira.
वज्रमस्य क्षिपाम्यद्य स क्षिप्रं न भविष्यति। शत्रुः प्रवृद्धो नोपेक्ष्यो दुर्बलोऽपि बलीयसा ॥५-९-२१॥
Today, I will hurl the thunderbolt; he will not exist for long. An enemy who has grown strong should not be neglected, even if he appears weak, by someone stronger.
शास्त्रबुद्ध्या विनिश्चित्य कृत्वा बुद्धिं वधे दृढाम्। अथ वैश्वानरनिभं घोररूपं भयावहम् ॥ मुमोच वज्रं सङ्क्रुद्धः शक्रस्त्रिशिरसं प्रति ॥५-९-२२॥
Indra, having firmly resolved with scriptural wisdom to kill, released his thunderbolt, which was like fire and terrifying, towards Triśiras in anger.
स पपात हतस्तेन वज्रेण दृढमाहतः। पर्वतस्येव शिखरं प्रणुन्नं मेदिनीतले ॥५-९-२३॥
He fell, struck firmly by the thunderbolt, just like a mountain peak is pushed down to the ground.
तं तु वज्रहतं दृष्ट्वा शयानमचलोपमम्। न शर्म लेभे देवेन्द्रो दीपितस्तस्य तेजसा ॥ हतोऽपि दीप्ततेजाः स जीवन्निव च दृश्यते ॥५-९-२४॥
Indra, upon seeing him struck down by the thunderbolt and lying like a mountain, found no peace, as he was dazzled by his brilliance. Even in death, he appeared to be alive, glowing with splendor.
अभितस्तत्र तक्षाणं घटमानं शचीपतिः। अपश्यदब्रवीच्चैनं सत्वरं पाकशासनः ॥ क्षिप्रं छिन्धि शिरांस्यस्य कुरुष्व वचनं मम ॥५-९-२५॥
Indra, observing the carpenter working there, quickly instructed him, "Indra, swiftly sever his heads as per my command."
तक्षोवाच॥
Taksha spoke:
महास्कन्धो भृशं ह्येष परशुर्न तरिष्यति। कर्तुं चाहं न शक्ष्यामि कर्म सद्भिर्विगर्हितम् ॥५-९-२६॥
The mighty one will not be able to overcome this axe with great intensity. And I will not be able to perform an action that is condemned by the virtuous.
इन्द्र उवाच॥
Indra spoke:
मा भैस्त्वं क्षिप्रमेतद्वै कुरुष्व वचनं मम। मत्प्रसादाद्धि ते शस्त्रं वज्रकल्पं भविष्यति ॥५-९-२७॥
Do not be afraid, just quickly follow my words. By my grace, your weapon will indeed become as powerful as a thunderbolt.
तक्षोवाच॥
Taksha spoke:
कं भवन्तमहं विद्यां घोरकर्माणमद्य वै। एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं तत्त्वेन कथयस्व मे ॥५-९-२८॥
What knowledge of terrible deeds do you possess today? I wish to hear this truly, so please tell me.
इन्द्र उवाच॥
Indra spoke:
अहमिन्द्रो देवराजस्तक्षन्विदितमस्तु ते। कुरुष्वैतद्यथोक्तं मे तक्षन्मा त्वं विचारय ॥५-९-२९॥
I, Indra, the king of gods, inform you, carpenter, to do this as I have instructed. Do not deliberate, just act.
तक्षोवाच॥
Taksha said:
क्रूरेण नापत्रपसे कथं शक्रेह कर्मणा। ऋषिपुत्रमिमं हत्वा ब्रह्महत्याभयं न ते ॥५-९-३०॥
How can you, being cruel, not feel ashamed, Indra? By this act of killing the sage's son here, do you not fear the sin of Brahminicide?
इन्द्र उवाच॥
Indra spoke:
पश्चाद्धर्मं चरिष्यामि पावनार्थं सुदुश्चरम्। शत्रुरेष महावीर्यो वज्रेण निहतो मया ॥५-९-३१॥
Afterwards, I shall undertake the duty for purification, which is extremely difficult. This mighty enemy has been slain by me with a thunderbolt.
अद्यापि चाहमुद्विग्नस्तक्षन्नस्माद्बिभेमि वै। क्षिप्रं छिन्धि शिरांसि त्वं करिष्येऽनुग्रहं तव ॥५-९-३२॥
Even today, I am distressed and indeed fear this cutting. Quickly, cut off the heads, and I will do you a favor.
शिरः पशोस्ते दास्यन्ति भागं यज्ञेषु मानवाः। एष तेऽनुग्रहस्तक्षन्क्षिप्रं कुरु मम प्रियम् ॥५-९-३३॥
Humans will offer the head of the animal as your share in the sacrifices. This is your favor, carpenter, so quickly fulfill my desire.
शल्य उवाच॥
Shalya spoke:
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु तक्षा स महेन्द्रवचनं तदा। शिरांस्यथ त्रिशिरसः कुठारेणाच्छिनत्तदा ॥५-९-३४॥
Upon hearing Indra's words, the carpenter immediately cut off the heads of Trishiras with his axe.
निकृत्तेषु ततस्तेषु निष्क्रामंस्त्रिशिरास्त्वथ। कपिञ्जलास्तित्तिराश्च कलविङ्काश्च सर्वशः ॥५-९-३५॥
After they were cut off, Trishiras emerged, followed by francolins, partridges, and sparrows, all coming out together.
येन वेदानधीते स्म पिबते सोममेव च। तस्माद्वक्त्रान्विनिष्पेतुः क्षिप्रं तस्य कपिञ्जलाः ॥५-९-३६॥
By which he studied the Vedas and drank only Soma, from his mouth quickly emerged partridges.
येन सर्वा दिशो राजन्पिबन्निव निरीक्षते। तस्माद्वक्त्राद्विनिष्पेतुस्तित्तिरास्तस्य पाण्डव ॥५-९-३७॥
O Pāṇḍava, from his mouth emerged partridges, and by that, O king, all directions appeared as if being consumed.
यत्सुरापं तु तस्यासीद्वक्त्रं त्रिशिरसस्तदा। कलविङ्का विनिष्पेतुस्तेनास्य भरतर्षभ ॥५-९-३८॥
O best of the Bharatas, at that time, from the mouth of Trishiras, which was filled with liquor, Kalavinka birds emerged.
ततस्तेषु निकृत्तेषु विज्वरो मघवानभूत्। जगाम त्रिदिवं हृष्टस्तक्षापि स्वगृहान्ययौ ॥५-९-३९॥
After the enemies were defeated, Indra, relieved of his fever, joyfully returned to heaven, and Taksha also went back to his own abode.
त्वष्टा प्रजापतिः श्रुत्वा शक्रेणाथ हतं सुतम्। क्रोधसंरक्तनयन इदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥५-९-४०॥
Tvashta, the lord of creatures, upon hearing that his son was killed by Shakra, spoke with eyes inflamed with anger.
तप्यमानं तपो नित्यं क्षान्तं दान्तं जितेन्द्रियम्। अनापराधिनं यस्मात्पुत्रं हिंसितवान्मम ॥५-९-४१॥
Because of whom my son, who was always practicing austerities, penance, forgiving, self-controlled, and had conquered the senses, was harmed, despite being innocent.
तस्माच्छक्रवधार्थाय वृत्रमुत्पादयाम्यहम्। लोकाः पश्यन्तु मे वीर्यं तपसश्च बलं महत् ॥ स च पश्यतु देवेन्द्रो दुरात्मा पापचेतनः ॥५-९-४२॥
Therefore, I am creating Vritra to kill Indra. Let the worlds witness my strength and the immense power of my penance. Let that wicked and evil-minded Indra also see.
उपस्पृश्य ततः क्रुद्धस्तपस्वी सुमहायशाः। अग्निं हुत्वा समुत्पाद्य घोरं वृत्रमुवाच ह ॥ इन्द्रशत्रो विवर्धस्व प्रभावात्तपसो मम ॥५-९-४३॥
Then, the very famous and angry ascetic, after touching and offering to the fire, created the terrible Vritra and said: "O enemy of Indra, grow strong through the power of my penance."
सोऽवर्धत दिवं स्तब्ध्वा सूर्यवैश्वानरोपमः। किं करोमीति चोवाच कालसूर्य इवोदितः ॥ शक्रं जहीति चाप्युक्तो जगाम त्रिदिवं ततः ॥५-९-४४॥
He grew immense, blocking the sky, resembling the sun and fire. He asked, "What should I do?" like a rising time-sun. He was instructed, "Conquer Indra," and then he proceeded to heaven.
ततो युद्धं समभवद्वृत्रवासवयोस्तदा। सङ्क्रुद्धयोर्महाघोरं प्रसक्तं कुरुसत्तम ॥५-९-४५॥
Then, O best of the Kurus, a very terrible and intense battle took place between the enraged Vritra and Indra.
ततो जग्राह देवेन्द्रं वृत्रो वीरः शतक्रतुम्। अपावृत्य स जग्रास वृत्रः क्रोधसमन्वितः ॥५-९-४६॥
Then the heroic Vritra, filled with anger, seized and swallowed Indra, also known as Shatakratu, after opening his mouth.
ग्रस्ते वृत्रेण शक्रे तु सम्भ्रान्तास्त्रिदशास्तदा। असृजंस्ते महासत्त्वा जृम्भिकां वृत्रनाशिनीम् ॥५-९-४७॥
When Indra was captured by Vritra, the gods, in their confusion, created powerful beings to yawn and destroy Vritra.
विजृम्भमाणस्य ततो वृत्रस्यास्यादपावृतात्। स्वान्यङ्गान्यभिसङ्क्षिप्य निष्क्रान्तो बलसूदनः ॥ ततः प्रभृति लोकेषु जृम्भिका प्राणिसंश्रिता ॥५-९-४८॥
Then, from the open mouth of the yawning Vritra, the destroyer of Bala emerged after contracting his limbs. From that time, yawning became inherent in all creatures across the worlds.
जहृषुश्च सुराः सर्वे दृष्ट्वा शक्रं विनिःसृतम्। ततः प्रववृते युद्धं वृत्रवासवयोः पुनः ॥ संरब्धयोस्तदा घोरं सुचिरं भरतर्षभ ॥५-९-४९॥
All the gods were delighted to see Indra emerge. Then, a fierce and prolonged battle ensued once more between Vritra and Indra, O best of the Bharatas.
यदा व्यवर्धत रणे वृत्रो बलसमन्वितः। त्वष्टुस्तपोबलाद्विद्वांस्तदा शक्रो न्यवर्तत ॥५-९-५०॥
When Vritra, empowered by the strength from Tvashta's austerity, grew formidable in battle, the wise Indra chose to retreat.
निवृत्ते तु तदा देवा विषादमगमन्परम्। समेत्य शक्रेण च ते त्वष्टुस्तेजोविमोहिताः ॥ अमन्त्रयन्त ते सर्वे मुनिभिः सह भारत ॥५-९-५१॥
After the cessation, the gods were overwhelmed with great sorrow. They gathered with Indra and were confused by Tvaṣṭṛ's energy. Together with the sages, they deliberated, O Bhārata.
किं कार्यमिति ते राजन्विचिन्त्य भयमोहिताः। जग्मुः सर्वे महात्मानं मनोभिर्विष्णुमव्ययम् ॥ उपविष्टा मन्दराग्रे सर्वे वृत्रवधेप्सवः ॥५-९-५२॥
Overcome by fear and contemplating what action to take, O king, they all went with their minds to the great soul, the imperishable Vishnu. They sat on the peak of Mandara, all desiring the slaying of Vritra.
