05.010
इन्द्र उवाच॥
Indra spoke:
सर्वं व्याप्तमिदं देवा वृत्रेण जगदव्ययम्। न ह्यस्य सदृशं किञ्चित्प्रतिघाताय यद्भवेत् ॥५-१०-१॥
O gods, Vritra has pervaded the entire imperishable world. There is nothing that can oppose him.
समर्थो ह्यभवं पूर्वमसमर्थोऽस्मि साम्प्रतम्। कथं कुर्यां नु भद्रं वो दुष्प्रधर्षः स मे मतः ॥५-१०-२॥
I used to be capable in the past, but now I find myself incapable. How can I possibly do good for you? In my opinion, he is difficult to overcome.
तेजस्वी च महात्मा च युद्धे चामितविक्रमः। ग्रसेत्त्रिभुवनं सर्वं सदेवासुरमानुषम् ॥५-१०-३॥
He is brilliant, great-souled, and possesses immeasurable valor in battle; he could consume all three worlds, including gods, demons, and humans.
तस्माद्विनिश्चयमिमं शृणुध्वं मे दिवौकसः। विष्णोः क्षयमुपागम्य समेत्य च महात्मना ॥ तेन संमन्त्र्य वेत्स्यामो वधोपायं दुरात्मनः ॥५-१०-४॥
Therefore, listen to my decision, O gods. After reaching Vishnu's abode and assembling with the great soul, we will deliberate with him to find a way to kill the wicked one.
शल्य उवाच॥
Śalya spoke:
एवमुक्ते मघवता देवाः सर्षिगणास्तदा। शरण्यं शरणं देवं जग्मुर्विष्णुं महाबलम् ॥५-१०-५॥
Upon hearing these words from Maghavan, the gods along with the groups of sages sought refuge in the mighty Vishnu.
ऊचुश्च सर्वे देवेशं विष्णुं वृत्रभयार्दिताः। त्वया लोकास्त्रयः क्रान्तास्त्रिभिर्विक्रमणैः प्रभो ॥५-१०-६॥
All the gods, afflicted by the fear of Vṛtra, addressed Viṣṇu, the lord of the gods: "O lord, you traversed the three worlds in three strides."
अमृतं चाहृतं विष्णो दैत्याश्च निहता रणे। बलिं बद्ध्वा महादैत्यं शक्रो देवाधिपः कृतः ॥५-१०-७॥
Vishnu brought the nectar, and the demons were slain in battle. After binding the great demon Bali, Indra was established as the lord of the gods.
त्वं प्रभुः सर्वलोकानां त्वया सर्वमिदं ततम्। त्वं हि देव महादेवः सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः ॥५-१०-८॥
You are the lord of all worlds, and everything here is pervaded by you. Indeed, you are the god, the great god, revered by all worlds.
गतिर्भव त्वं देवानां सेन्द्राणाममरोत्तम। जगद्व्याप्तमिदं सर्वं वृत्रेणासुरसूदन ॥५-१०-९॥
You are the refuge of the gods, including Indra, O supreme among the immortals. The entire universe is enveloped by Vritra, O destroyer of the demons.
विष्णुरुवाच॥
Vishnu said:
अवश्यं करणीयं मे भवतां हितमुत्तमम्। तस्मादुपायं वक्ष्यामि यथासौ न भविष्यति ॥५-१०-१०॥
I must certainly do what is best for your welfare. Therefore, I will tell you the means by which he will not exist.
गच्छध्वं सर्षिगन्धर्वा यत्रासौ विश्वरूपधृक्। साम तस्य प्रयुञ्जध्वं तत एनं विजेष्यथ ॥५-१०-११॥
Proceed with the sages and gandharvas to the place where he, who holds the universal form, resides. Use his song, and then you shall overcome him.
भविष्यति गतिर्देवाः शक्रस्य मम तेजसा। अदृश्यश्च प्रवेक्ष्यामि वज्रमस्यायुधोत्तमम् ॥५-१०-१२॥
The gods will move by the power of Indra, and I will invisibly enter this supreme weapon, the thunderbolt.
गच्छध्वमृषिभिः सार्धं गन्धर्वैश्च सुरोत्तमाः। वृत्रस्य सह शक्रेण सन्धिं कुरुत माचिरम् ॥५-१०-१३॥
Proceed with the sages, celestial musicians, and the best of gods to make peace with Vritra and Indra without delay.
शल्य उवाच॥
Śalya spoke:
एवमुक्तास्तु देवेन ऋषयस्त्रिदशास्तथा। ययुः समेत्य सहिताः शक्रं कृत्वा पुरःसरम् ॥५-१०-१४॥
Thus addressed by the god, the sages and the gods assembled together and went, with Indra leading them.
समीपमेत्य च तदा सर्व एव महौजसः। तं तेजसा प्रज्वलितं प्रतपन्तं दिशो दश ॥५-१०-१५॥
Then, all the mighty ones approached him, who was blazing with brilliance, burning in all ten directions.
ग्रसन्तमिव लोकांस्त्रीन्सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ यथा। ददृशुस्तत्र ते वृत्रं शक्रेण सह देवताः ॥५-१०-१६॥
The gods saw Vritra there with Indra, as if he were devouring the three worlds like the sun and moon.
ऋषयोऽथ ततोऽभ्येत्य वृत्रमूचुः प्रियं वचः। व्याप्तं जगदिदं सर्वं तेजसा तव दुर्जय ॥५-१०-१७॥
Then the sages approached Vritra and spoke to him with kind words, acknowledging that his brilliance pervades the entire world and is invincible.
न च शक्नोषि निर्जेतुं वासवं भूरिविक्रमम्। युध्यतोश्चापि वां कालो व्यतीतः सुमहानिह ॥५-१०-१८॥
You are unable to defeat the mighty Indra. Moreover, a significant amount of time has passed here while you were engaged in battle.
पीड्यन्ते च प्रजाः सर्वाः सदेवासुरमानवाः। सख्यं भवतु ते वृत्र शक्रेण सह नित्यदा ॥ अवाप्स्यसि सुखं त्वं च शक्रलोकांश्च शाश्वतान् ॥५-१०-१९॥
All beings, including gods, demons, and humans, are suffering. May there always be friendship between you, Vritra, and Indra. You will gain happiness and the eternal realms of Indra.
ऋषिवाक्यं निशम्याथ स वृत्रः सुमहाबलः। उवाच तांस्तदा सर्वान्प्रणम्य शिरसासुरः ॥५-१०-२०॥
Upon hearing the sage's words, the mighty Vritra respectfully bowed his head and addressed them all.
सर्वे यूयं महाभागा गन्धर्वाश्चैव सर्वशः। यद्ब्रूत तच्छ्रुतं सर्वं ममापि शृणुतानघाः ॥५-१०-२१॥
O fortunate ones and Gandharvas, all of you listen to what I have heard, just as you have spoken, O sinless ones.
सन्धिः कथं वै भविता मम शक्रस्य चोभयोः। तेजसोर्हि द्वयोर्देवाः सख्यं वै भविता कथम् ॥५-१०-२२॥
How can there be a union between my energy and that of Śakra? How can there be friendship between the two gods?
ऋषय ऊचुः॥
The sages spoke:
सकृत्सतां सङ्गतं लिप्सितव्यं; ततः परं भविता भव्यमेव। नातिक्रमेत्सत्पुरुषेण सङ्गतं; तस्मात्सतां सङ्गतं लिप्सितव्यम् ॥५-१०-२३॥
The company of the virtuous should be sought after at least once; thereafter, it will lead to auspiciousness. A noble person should not disregard such association; hence, the company of the virtuous is to be desired.
दृढं सतां सङ्गतं चापि नित्यं; ब्रूयाच्चार्थं ह्यर्थकृच्छ्रेषु धीरः। महार्थवत्सत्पुरुषेण सङ्गतं; तस्मात्सन्तं न जिघांसेत धीरः ॥५-१०-२४॥
A wise person should always maintain firm association with the good and speak meaningfully, especially in times of difficulty. Therefore, one should not harm a good person, as association with them is of great value.
इन्द्रः सतां संमतश्च निवासश्च महात्मनाम्। सत्यवादी ह्यदीनश्च धर्मवित्सुविनिश्चितः ॥५-१०-२५॥
Indra is respected among the virtuous and serves as a refuge for the great souls. He speaks the truth, is not miserable, understands dharma, and is well-determined.
तेन ते सह शक्रेण सन्धिर्भवतु शाश्वतः। एवं विश्वासमागच्छ मा ते भूद्बुद्धिरन्यथा ॥५-१०-२६॥
Let your alliance with Indra be eternal. Thus, come to trust and do not let your mind think otherwise.
शल्य उवाच॥
Śalya said:
महर्षिवचनं श्रुत्वा तानुवाच महाद्युतिः। अवश्यं भगवन्तो मे माननीयास्तपस्विनः ॥५-१०-२७॥
Upon hearing the words of the great sages, the illustrious one addressed them, acknowledging, "Indeed, O revered ones, my ascetics deserve respect."
ब्रवीमि यदहं देवास्तत्सर्वं क्रियतामिह। ततः सर्वं करिष्यामि यदूचुर्मां द्विजर्षभाः ॥५-१०-२८॥
I declare that whatever I, the gods, have said here, let it all be done. Then I shall accomplish everything that the best of the twice-born have instructed me to do.
न शुष्केण न चार्द्रेण नाश्मना न च दारुणा। न शस्त्रेण न वज्रेण न दिवा न तथा निशि ॥५-१०-२९॥
It cannot be destroyed by dry or wet means, nor by stone or wood, nor by weapon or thunderbolt, neither by day nor by night.
वध्यो भवेयं विप्रेन्द्राः शक्रस्य सह दैवतैः। एवं मे रोचते सन्धिः शक्रेण सह नित्यदा ॥५-१०-३०॥
O best of the Brahmins, I am willing to be sacrificed alongside Indra and the gods. This alliance with Indra is always pleasing to me.
बाढमित्येव ऋषयस्तमूचुर्भरतर्षभ। एवं कृते तु सन्धाने वृत्रः प्रमुदितोऽभवत् ॥५-१०-३१॥
The sages addressed him, 'Certainly, O best of the Bharatas.' With the agreement thus made, Vritra was very pleased.
यत्तः सदाभवच्चापि शक्रोऽमर्षसमन्वितः। वृत्रस्य वधसंयुक्तानुपायाननुचिन्तयन् ॥ रन्ध्रान्वेषी समुद्विग्नः सदाभूद्बलवृत्रहा ॥५-१०-३२॥
Indra, always alert and filled with anger, was constantly contemplating the means to kill Vritra, seeking weaknesses and was always disturbed, being the strong slayer of Vritra.
स कदाचित्समुद्रान्ते तमपश्यन्महासुरम्। सन्ध्याकाल उपावृत्ते मुहूर्ते रम्यदारुणे ॥५-१०-३३॥
Once, at the edge of the ocean, he saw the great demon during the twilight, at a moment that was both beautiful and terrible.
ततः सञ्चिन्त्य भगवान्वरदानं महात्मनः। सन्ध्येयं वर्तते रौद्रा न रात्रिर्दिवसं न च ॥ वृत्रश्चावश्यवध्योऽयं मम सर्वहरो रिपुः ॥५-१०-३४॥
Then, after contemplating the boon given by the great soul, the fierce twilight prevails, which is neither night nor day. Vritra, my all-destroying enemy, must be slain.
यदि वृत्रं न हन्म्यद्य वञ्चयित्वा महासुरम्। महाबलं महाकायं न मे श्रेयो भविष्यति ॥५-१०-३५॥
If I do not kill Vritra today by deceiving the great demon with immense strength and a huge body, it will not be for my benefit.
एवं सञ्चिन्तयन्नेव शक्रो विष्णुमनुस्मरन्। अथ फेनं तदापश्यत्समुद्रे पर्वतोपमम् ॥५-१०-३६॥
While contemplating thus, Indra, remembering Vishnu, then saw foam in the ocean that appeared like a mountain.
नायं शुष्को न चार्द्रोऽयं न च शस्त्रमिदं तथा। एनं क्षेप्स्यामि वृत्रस्य क्षणादेव नशिष्यति ॥५-१०-३७॥
This is neither dry nor wet, nor is it a weapon. I will cast this at Vṛtra, and it will be destroyed in an instant.
सवज्रमथ फेनं तं क्षिप्रं वृत्रे निसृष्टवान्। प्रविश्य फेनं तं विष्णुरथ वृत्रं व्यनाशयत् ॥५-१०-३८॥
Then, with the thunderbolt, he quickly sent the foam towards Vritra. Vishnu entered the foam and destroyed Vritra.
निहते तु ततो वृत्रे दिशो वितिमिराभवन्। प्रववौ च शिवो वायुः प्रजाश्च जहृषुस्तदा ॥५-१०-३९॥
After Vritra was slain, the darkness lifted from all directions. A gentle and auspicious breeze began to blow, and all beings rejoiced.
ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वा यक्षराक्षसपन्नगाः। ऋषयश्च महेन्द्रं तमस्तुवन्विविधैः स्तवैः ॥५-१०-४०॥
Then the gods, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Pannagas, and sages praised the great Indra with various hymns.
नमस्कृतः सर्वभूतैः सर्वभूतानि सान्त्वयन्। हतशत्रुः प्रहृष्टात्मा वासवः सह दैवतैः ॥ विष्णुं त्रिभुवनश्रेष्ठं पूजयामास धर्मवित् ॥५-१०-४१॥
Indra, having been saluted by all beings and consoling them, with his enemies defeated and joyful in spirit, along with the gods, worshipped Vishnu, the greatest in the three worlds, who is the knower of dharma.
ततो हते महावीर्ये वृत्रे देवभयङ्करे। अनृतेनाभिभूतोऽभूच्छक्रः परमदुर्मनाः ॥ त्रैशीर्षयाभिभूतश्च स पूर्वं ब्रह्महत्यया ॥५-१०-४२॥
After the mighty Vritra, who was a terror to the gods, was slain, Indra, overwhelmed by deceit, became deeply troubled. He had previously been overcome by Trishiras and the sin of Brahminicide.
सोऽन्तमाश्रित्य लोकानां नष्टसञ्ज्ञो विचेतनः। न प्राज्ञायत देवेन्द्रस्त्वभिभूतः स्वकल्मषैः ॥ प्रतिच्छन्नो वसत्यप्सु चेष्टमान इवोरगः ॥५-१०-४३॥
He, having reached the end of the worlds, lost all awareness and became unconscious. Indra, overwhelmed by his own faults, was unaware of his surroundings. Hidden, he resides in the waters, moving like a serpent.
ततः प्रनष्टे देवेन्द्रे ब्रह्महत्याभयार्दिते। भूमिः प्रध्वस्तसङ्काशा निर्वृक्षा शुष्ककानना ॥ विच्छिन्नस्रोतसो नद्यः सरांस्यनुदकानि च ॥५-१०-४४॥
Then, when Indra, the lord of gods, was destroyed and afflicted by the fear of killing a Brahmin, the earth appeared devastated, treeless, with dry forests, broken streams, and rivers and lakes without water.
सङ्क्षोभश्चापि सत्त्वानामनावृष्टिकृतोऽभवत्। देवाश्चापि भृशं त्रस्तास्तथा सर्वे महर्षयः ॥५-१०-४५॥
There was agitation among beings caused by drought. The gods and all the great sages were greatly frightened.
अराजकं जगत्सर्वमभिभूतमुपद्रवैः। ततो भीताभवन्देवाः को नो राजा भवेदिति ॥५-१०-४६॥
The world was in chaos without a king, overwhelmed by troubles. The gods, in fear, wondered who would become their king.
दिवि देवर्षयश्चापि देवराजविनाकृताः। न च स्म कश्चिद्देवानां राज्याय कुरुते मनः ॥५-१०-४७॥
In heaven, even the divine sages, without the king of gods, no one among the gods is inclined towards ruling the kingdom.
