05.009
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira spoke:
kathamindreṇa rājendra sabhāryeṇa mahātmanā। duḥkhaṃ prāptaṃ paraṃ ghorametadicchāmi veditum ॥5-9-1॥
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.
śalya uvāca॥
Shalya spoke:
śṛṇu rājanpurā vṛttamitihāsaṃ purātanam। sabhāryeṇa yathā prāptaṃ duḥkhamindreṇa bhārata ॥5-9-2॥
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.
tvaṣṭā prajāpatiḥ hy āsīd devaśreṣṭho mahātapāḥ। sa putraṃ vai triśirasam indradrohāt kilāsṛjat ॥5-9-3॥
Tvashta, known as Prajapati and revered as the best among the gods for his great penance, created a son named Trishiras to oppose Indra.
aindraṃ sa prārthayat sthānaṃ viśvarūpo mahādyutiḥ। taistribhirvadanairghoraiḥ sūryendujvalanopamaiḥ ॥5-9-4॥
Viśvarūpa, possessing great splendor, prayed for the position of Indra with his three terrifying faces that resembled the sun, moon, and fire.
vedānekena so'dhīte surāmekena cāpibat। ekena ca diśaḥ sarvāḥ pibanniva nirīkṣate ॥5-9-5॥
He studies the Vedas with one person, drinks liquor with another, and observes all directions as if he is drinking them in.
sa tapasvī mṛdurdānto dharme tapasi codyataḥ। tapo'tapyanmahattīvraṃ suduścaramariṃdama ॥5-9-6॥
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.
tasya dṛṣṭvā tapovīryaṃ sattvaṃ cāmitatejasaḥ। viṣādamagamacchakra indro'yaṃ mā bhavediti ॥5-9-7॥
Upon witnessing his immense austerity, strength, courage, and boundless energy, Indra became despondent, fearing that this person might become the new Indra.
kathaṁ sajjeta bhogeṣu na ca tapyenmahattapaḥ। vivardhamānastriśirāḥ sarvaṁ tribhuvanaṁ graset ॥5-9-8॥
How could one indulge in pleasures without undergoing great penance? As Trishira grows, he would consume all the three worlds.
iti sañcintya bahudhā buddhimānbharatarṣabha। ājñāpayatso'psarasastvaṣṭṛputrapralobhane ॥5-9-9॥
Thus, after much contemplation, the wise leader, O best of the Bharatas, commanded the celestial nymphs to seduce the son of Tvashta.
yathā sa sajjettriśirāḥ kāmabhogeṣu vai bhṛśam। kṣipraṃ kuruta gacchadhvaṃ pralobhayata māciram ॥5-9-10॥
Quickly go and entice Triśiras so that he becomes deeply attached to sensual pleasures without any delay.
śṛṅgāraveṣāḥ suśroṇyo bhāvairyuktā manoharaiḥ। pralobhayata bhadraṃ vaḥ śamayadhvaṃ bhayaṃ mama ॥5-9-11॥
Dressed in alluring garments and possessing beautiful hips, endowed with captivating emotions, may you bring auspiciousness and dispel my fear.
asvasthaṁ hyātmanātmānaṁ lakṣayāmi varāṅganāḥ। bhayametanmahāghoraṁ kṣipraṁ nāśayatābalāḥ ॥5-9-12॥
I feel unwell, O beautiful ladies. Please quickly dispel this great and terrible fear, O weak ones.
apsarasa ūcuḥ॥
The celestial nymphs spoke:
tathā yatnaṃ kariṣyāmaḥ śakra tasya pralobhane। yathā nāvāpsyasi bhayaṃ tasmādbalaniṣūdana ॥5-9-13॥
Thus, O Indra, we will try to entice him so that you will not have to fear from that, O destroyer of force.
nirdahanniva cakṣurbhyāṃ yo'sāvāste taponidhiḥ। taṃ pralobhayituṃ deva gacchāmaḥ sahitā vayam ॥ yatiṣyāmo vaśe kartuṃ vyapanetuṃ ca te bhayam ॥5-9-14॥
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.
śalya uvāca॥
Śalya spoke:
indreṇa tāstvanujñātā jagmustriśiraso'ntikam। tatra tā vividhairbhāvairlobhayantyo varāṅganāḥ ॥ nṛtyaṃ saṃdarśayantyaśca tathaivāṅgeṣu sauṣṭhavam ॥5-9-15॥
Permitted by Indra, the beautiful women approached Trishiras. There, they enticed him with various expressions, showcasing their dance and gracefulness.
viceruḥ sampraharṣaṃ ca nābhyagacchanmahātapāḥ। indriyāṇi vaśe kṛtvā pūrṇasāgarasaṃnibhaḥ ॥5-9-16॥
The great ascetics, having their senses under control, wandered without approaching great joy, resembling a full ocean.
tāstu yatnaṃ paraṃ kṛtvā punaḥ śakramupasthitāḥ। kṛtāñjalipuṭāḥ sarvā devarājamathābruvan ॥5-9-17॥
After making their utmost effort, they approached Indra once more. With folded hands, they all addressed the king of gods.
na sa śakyaḥ sudurdharṣo dhairyāccālayituṃ prabho। yatte kāryaṃ mahābhāga kriyatāṃ tadanantaram ॥5-9-18॥
He cannot be shaken from his resolve, O lord. O fortunate one, proceed with your duty thereafter.
sampūjyāpsarasaḥ śakro visṛjya ca mahāmatiḥ। cintayāmāsa tasyaiva vadhopāyaṃ mahātmanaḥ ॥5-9-19॥
After worshipping the celestial nymphs and dismissing them, Indra, the wise one, contemplated the means to destroy the great soul.
sa tūṣṇīṃ cintayanvīro devarājaḥ pratāpavān। viniścitamatirdhīmānvadhe triśiraso'bhavat ॥5-9-20॥
The glorious and wise king of gods, silently contemplating, resolved to kill Trishira.
vajramasya kṣipāmyadya sa kṣipraṃ na bhaviṣyati। śatruḥ pravṛddho nopekṣyo durbalo'pi balīyasā ॥5-9-21॥
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.
śāstrabuddhyā viniścitya kṛtvā buddhiṃ vadhe dṛḍhām। atha vaiśvānaranibhaṃ ghorarūpaṃ bhayāvaham ॥ mumoca vajraṃ saṅkruddhaḥ śakrastriśirasaṃ prati ॥5-9-22॥
Indra, having firmly resolved with scriptural wisdom to kill, released his thunderbolt, which was like fire and terrifying, towards Triśiras in anger.
sa papāta hatastena vajreṇa dṛḍhamāhataḥ। parvatasyeva śikharaṃ praṇunnaṃ medinītale ॥5-9-23॥
He fell, struck firmly by the thunderbolt, just like a mountain peak is pushed down to the ground.
taṃ tu vajrahataṃ dṛṣṭvā śayānamacalopamam। na śarma lebhe devendro dīpitastasya tejasā ॥ hato'pi dīptatejāḥ sa jīvanniva ca dṛśyate ॥5-9-24॥
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.
abhitastatra takṣāṇaṃ ghaṭamānaṃ śacīpatiḥ। apaśyadabravīccaīnaṃ satvaraṃ pākaśāsanaḥ ॥ kṣipraṃ chindhi śirāṃsyasya kuruṣva vacanaṃ mama ॥५-९-२५॥
Indra, observing the carpenter working there, quickly instructed him, "Indra, swiftly sever his heads as per my command."
takṣovāca॥
Taksha spoke:
mahāskandho bhṛśaṃ hyeṣa paraśurna tariṣyati। kartuṃ cāhaṃ na śakṣyāmi karma sadbhirvigarhitam ॥5-9-26॥
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.
indra uvāca॥
Indra spoke:
mā bhaistvaṃ kṣiprametadvai kuruṣva vacanaṃ mama। matprasādāddhi te śastraṃ vajrakalpaṃ bhaviṣyati ॥5-9-27॥
Do not be afraid, just quickly follow my words. By my grace, your weapon will indeed become as powerful as a thunderbolt.
takṣovāca॥
Taksha spoke:
kaṁ bhavantamahaṁ vidyāṁ ghorakarmāṇamadya vai। etadicchāmyahaṁ śrotuṁ tattvena kathayasva me ॥5-9-28॥
What knowledge of terrible deeds do you possess today? I wish to hear this truly, so please tell me.
indra uvāca॥
Indra spoke:
ahamindro devarājastakṣanviditamastu te। kuruṣvaitadyathoktaṃ me takṣanmā tvaṃ vicāraya ॥5-9-29॥
I, Indra, the king of gods, inform you, carpenter, to do this as I have instructed. Do not deliberate, just act.
takṣovāca॥
Taksha said:
krūreṇa nāpatrapase kathaṃ śakreha karmaṇā। ṛṣiputramimaṃ hatvā brahmahatyābhayaṃ na te ॥5-9-30॥
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?
indra uvāca॥
Indra spoke:
paścāddharmaṃ cariṣyāmi pāvanārthaṃ suduścaram। śatrureṣa mahāvīryo vajreṇa nihato mayā ॥5-9-31॥
Afterwards, I shall undertake the duty for purification, which is extremely difficult. This mighty enemy has been slain by me with a thunderbolt.
adyāpi cāhamudvignastakṣannasmādbibhemi vai। kṣipraṃ chindhi śirāṃsi tvaṃ kariṣye'nugrahaṃ tava ॥5-9-32॥
Even today, I am distressed and indeed fear this cutting. Quickly, cut off the heads, and I will do you a favor.
śiraḥ paśoste dāsyanti bhāgaṃ yajñeṣu mānavāḥ। eṣa te'nugrahastakṣankṣipraṃ kuru mama priyam ॥5-9-33॥
Humans will offer the head of the animal as your share in the sacrifices. This is your favor, carpenter, so quickly fulfill my desire.
śalya uvāca॥
Shalya spoke:
etacchrutvā tu takṣā sa mahendravacanaṃ tadā। śirāṃsyatha triśirasaḥ kuṭhāreṇācchinat tadā ॥5-9-34॥
Upon hearing Indra's words, the carpenter immediately cut off the heads of Trishiras with his axe.
nikṛtteṣu tatasteṣu niṣkrāmaṃstriśirāstvatha। kapiñjalāstittirāśca kalaviṅkāśca sarvaśaḥ ॥5-9-35॥
After they were cut off, Trishiras emerged, followed by francolins, partridges, and sparrows, all coming out together.
yena vedānadhīte sma pibate somameva ca। tasmādvaktrānviniṣpetuḥ kṣipraṃ tasya kapiñjalāḥ ॥5-9-36॥
By which he studied the Vedas and drank only Soma, from his mouth quickly emerged partridges.
yena sarvā diśo rājanpibanniva nirīkṣate। tasmādvaktrādviniṣpetustittirāstasya pāṇḍava ॥5-9-37॥
O Pāṇḍava, from his mouth emerged partridges, and by that, O king, all directions appeared as if being consumed.
yatsurāpaṃ tu tasyāsīdvaktraṃ triśirasastadā। kalaviṅkā viniṣpetustenasya bharatarṣabha ॥5-9-38॥
O best of the Bharatas, at that time, from the mouth of Trishiras, which was filled with liquor, Kalavinka birds emerged.
tatasteṣu nikṛtteṣu vijvaro maghavānabhūt। jagāma tridivaṃ hṛṣṭastakṣāpi svagṛhānyayau ॥5-9-39॥
After the enemies were defeated, Indra, relieved of his fever, joyfully returned to heaven, and Taksha also went back to his own abode.
tvaṣṭā prajāpatiḥ śrutvā śakreṇātha hataṃ sutam। krodhasaṃraktanayana idaṃ vacanamabravīt ॥5-9-40॥
Tvashta, the lord of creatures, upon hearing that his son was killed by Shakra, spoke with eyes inflamed with anger.
tapyamānaṃ tapo nityaṃ kṣāntaṃ dāntaṃ jitendriyam। anāparādhinaṃ yasmātputraṃ hiṃsitavānmama ॥5-9-41॥
Because of whom my son, who was always practicing austerities, penance, forgiving, self-controlled, and had conquered the senses, was harmed, despite being innocent.
tasmācchakravadhārthāya vṛtram utpādayāmy aham। lokāḥ paśyantu me vīryaṃ tapasaś ca balaṃ mahat॥ sa ca paśyatu devendro durātmā pāpacetanaḥ॥5-9-42॥
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.
upaspṛśya tataḥ kruddhastapasvī sumahāyaśāḥ। agniṃ hutvā samutpādya ghoraṃ vṛtramuvāca ha ॥ indraśatro vivardhasva prabhāvāttapaso mama ॥5-9-43॥
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."
so'vardhata divaṃ stabdhvā sūryavaiśvānaropamaḥ। kiṃ karomīti covāca kālasūrya ivoditaḥ ॥ śakraṃ jahīti cāpyukto jagāma tridivaṃ tataḥ ॥5-9-44॥
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.
tato yuddhaṃ samabhavadvṛtravāsavayostadā। saṅkruddhayormahāghoraṃ prasaktaṃ kurusattama ॥5-9-45॥
Then, O best of the Kurus, a very terrible and intense battle took place between the enraged Vritra and Indra.
tato jagrāha devendraṃ vṛtro vīraḥ śatakratum। apāvṛtya sa jagrāsa vṛtraḥ krodhasamanvitaḥ ॥5-9-46॥
Then the heroic Vritra, filled with anger, seized and swallowed Indra, also known as Shatakratu, after opening his mouth.
graste vṛtreṇa śakre tu sambhrāntāstridaśāstadā। asṛjaṃste mahāsattvā jṛmbhikāṃ vṛtranāśinīm ॥5-9-47॥
When Indra was captured by Vritra, the gods, in their confusion, created powerful beings to yawn and destroy Vritra.
vijṛmbhamāṇasya tato vṛtrasyāsyādapāvṛtāt। svānyaṅgānyabhisaṅkṣipya niṣkrānto balasūdanaḥ ॥ tataḥ prabhṛti lokeṣu jṛmbhikā prāṇisaṃśritā ॥5-9-48॥
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.
jahṛṣuśca surāḥ sarve dṛṣṭvā śakraṃ viniḥsṛtam। tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ vṛtravāsavayoḥ punaḥ ॥ saṃrabdhayostadā ghoraṃ suciraṃ bharatarṣabha ॥5-9-49॥
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.
yadā vyavardhata raṇe vṛtro balasamanvitaḥ। tvaṣṭustapobalādvidvāṃstadā śakro nyavartata ॥5-9-50॥
When Vritra, empowered by the strength from Tvashta's austerity, grew formidable in battle, the wise Indra chose to retreat.
nivṛtte tu tadā devā viṣādamagamanparam। sametya śakreṇa ca te tvaṣṭuste jovimohitāḥ ॥ amantrayanta te sarve munibhiḥ saha bhārata ॥5-9-51॥
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.
kiṁ kāryamiti te rājanvicintya bhayamohitāḥ। jagmuḥ sarve mahātmānaṁ manobhirviṣṇumavyayam ॥ upaviṣṭā mandarāgre sarve vṛtravadepsavaḥ ॥5-9-52॥
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.
