05.010
indra uvāca॥
Indra spoke:
sarvaṁ vyāptamidaṁ devā vṛtreṇa jagadavyayam। na hyasya sadṛśaṁ kiñcitpratighātāya yadbhavet ॥5-10-1॥
O gods, Vritra has pervaded the entire imperishable world. There is nothing that can oppose him.
samartho hyabhavaṁ pūrvamasamartho'smi sāmpratam। kathaṁ kuryāṁ nu bhadraṁ vo duṣpradharṣaḥ sa me mataḥ ॥5-10-2॥
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.
tejasvī ca mahātmā ca yuddhe cāmitavikramaḥ। grasettribhuvanaṃ sarvaṃ sadevāsuramānuṣam ॥5-10-3॥
He is brilliant, great-souled, and possesses immeasurable valor in battle; he could consume all three worlds, including gods, demons, and humans.
tasmādviniścayamimaṃ śṛṇudhvaṃ me divaukasaḥ। viṣṇoḥ kṣayamupāgamya sametya ca mahātmanā ॥ tena saṃmantrya vetsyāmo vadhopāyaṃ durātmanaḥ ॥5-10-4॥
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.
śalya uvāca॥
Śalya spoke:
evamukte maghavatā devāḥ sarṣigaṇāstadā। śaraṇyaṃ śaraṇaṃ devaṃ jagmurviṣṇuṃ mahābalam ॥5-10-5॥
Upon hearing these words from Maghavan, the gods along with the groups of sages sought refuge in the mighty Vishnu.
ūcuśca sarve deveśaṃ viṣṇuṃ vṛtrabhayārditāḥ। tvayā lokāstrayaḥ krāntāstribhirvikramaṇaiḥ prabho ॥5-10-6॥
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."
amṛtaṃ cāhṛtaṃ viṣṇo daityāśca nihatā raṇe। baliṃ baddhvā mahādaityaṃ śakro devādhipaḥ kṛtaḥ ॥5-10-7॥
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.
tvaṁ prabhuḥ sarvalokānāṁ tvayā sarvamidaṁ tatam। tvaṁ hi deva mahādevaḥ sarvalokanamaskṛtaḥ ॥5-10-8॥
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.
gatirbhava tvaṃ devānāṃ sendrāṇāmamarottama। jagadvyāptamidaṃ sarvaṃ vṛtreṇāsurasūdana ॥5-10-9॥
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.
viṣṇuruvāca॥
Vishnu said:
avaśyaṃ karaṇīyaṃ me bhavatāṃ hitamuttamam। tasmādupāyaṃ vakṣyāmi yathāsau na bhaviṣyati ॥5-10-10॥
I must certainly do what is best for your welfare. Therefore, I will tell you the means by which he will not exist.
gacchadhvaṁ sarṣigandharvā yatrāsau viśvarūpadhṛk। sāma tasya prayuñjadhvaṁ tata enaṁ vijeṣyatha ॥5-10-11॥
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.
bhaviṣyati gatirdevāḥ śakrasya mama tejasā। adṛśyaśca pravekṣyāmi vajramasyāyudhotamam ॥5-10-12॥
The gods will move by the power of Indra, and I will invisibly enter this supreme weapon, the thunderbolt.
gacchadhvamṛṣibhiḥ sārdhaṃ gandharvaiśca surottamāḥ। vṛtrasya saha śakreṇa sandhiṃ kuruta māciram ॥5-10-13॥
Proceed with the sages, celestial musicians, and the best of gods to make peace with Vritra and Indra without delay.
śalya uvāca॥
Śalya spoke:
evamuktāstu devena ṛṣayastridaśāstathā। yayuḥ sametya sahitāḥ śakraṃ kṛtvā puraḥsaram ॥5-10-14॥
Thus addressed by the god, the sages and the gods assembled together and went, with Indra leading them.
samīpam etya ca tadā sarva eva mahaujasaḥ। taṃ tejasā prajvalitaṃ pratapantaṃ diśo daśa ॥5-10-15॥
Then, all the mighty ones approached him, who was blazing with brilliance, burning in all ten directions.
grasantamiva lokāṃstrīnsūryācandramasau yathā। dadṛśustatra te vṛtraṃ śakreṇa saha devatāḥ ॥5-10-16॥
The gods saw Vritra there with Indra, as if he were devouring the three worlds like the sun and moon.
ṛṣayo'tha tato'bhyetya vṛtramūcuḥ priyaṃ vacaḥ। vyāptaṃ jagadidaṃ sarvaṃ tejasā tava durjaya ॥5-10-17॥
Then the sages approached Vritra and spoke to him with kind words, acknowledging that his brilliance pervades the entire world and is invincible.
na ca śaknoṣi nirjetuṃ vāsavaṃ bhūrivikramam। yudhyatoścāpi vāṃ kālo vyatītaḥ sumhāniha ॥5-10-18॥
You are unable to defeat the mighty Indra. Moreover, a significant amount of time has passed here while you were engaged in battle.
pīḍyante ca prajāḥ sarvāḥ sadevāsuramānavāḥ। sakhyaṃ bhavatu te vṛtra śakreṇa saha nityadā ॥ avāpsyasi sukhaṃ tvaṃ ca śakralokāṃśca śāśvatān ॥5-10-19॥
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.
ṛṣivākyaṃ niśamyātha sa vṛtraḥ sumahābalaḥ। uvāca tāṃstadā sarvānpraṇamya śirasāsuraḥ ॥5-10-20॥
Upon hearing the sage's words, the mighty Vritra respectfully bowed his head and addressed them all.
sarve yūyaṃ mahābhāgā gandharvāścaiva sarvaśaḥ। yadbrūta tacchrutaṃ sarvaṃ mamāpi śṛṇutānaghāḥ ॥5-10-21॥
O fortunate ones and Gandharvas, all of you listen to what I have heard, just as you have spoken, O sinless ones.
sandhiḥ kathaṁ vai bhavitā mama śakrasya cobhayoḥ। tejasorhi dvayordevāḥ sakhyaṁ vai bhavitā katham ॥5-10-22॥
How can there be a union between my energy and that of Śakra? How can there be friendship between the two gods?
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ॥
The sages spoke:
sakṛtsatāṃ saṅgataṃ lipsitavyaṃ; tataḥ paraṃ bhavitā bhavyameva। nātikrametsatpuruṣeṇa saṅgataṃ; tasmātsatāṃ saṅgataṃ lipsitavyam ॥5-10-23॥
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.
dṛḍhaṃ satāṃ saṅgataṃ cāpi nityaṃ; brūyāccārthaṃ hyarthakṛcchreṣu dhīraḥ। mahārthavatsatpuruṣeṇa saṅgataṃ; tasmātsantaṃ na jighāṃseta dhīraḥ ॥5-10-24॥
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.
indraḥ satāṃ saṃmataśca nivāsaśca mahātmanām। satyavādī hyadīnaśca dharmavitsuviścitaḥ ॥5-10-25॥
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.
tena te saha śakreṇa sandhirbhavatu śāśvataḥ। evaṃ viśvāsamāgaccha mā te bhūdbuddhiranyathā ॥5-10-26॥
Let your alliance with Indra be eternal. Thus, come to trust and do not let your mind think otherwise.
śalya uvāca॥
Śalya said:
maharṣivacanaṃ śrutvā tānuvāca mahādyutiḥ। avaśyaṃ bhagavanto me mānanīyāstapasvinaḥ ॥5-10-27॥
Upon hearing the words of the great sages, the illustrious one addressed them, acknowledging, "Indeed, O revered ones, my ascetics deserve respect."
bravīmi yadahaṃ devāstatsarvaṃ kriyatāmiha। tataḥ sarvaṃ kariṣyāmi yadūcurmāṃ dvijarṣabhāḥ ॥5-10-28॥
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.
na śuṣkeṇa na cārdreṇa nāśmanā na ca dāruṇā। na śastreṇa na vajreṇa na divā na tathā niśi ॥5-10-29॥
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.
vadhyo bhaveyaṃ viprendrāḥ śakrasya saha daivataiḥ। evaṃ me rocate sandhiḥ śakreṇa saha nityadā ॥5-10-30॥
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.
bāḍhamityeva ṛṣayastamūcurbharatarṣabha। evaṃ kṛte tu sandhāne vṛtraḥ pramudito'bhavat ॥5-10-31॥
The sages addressed him, 'Certainly, O best of the Bharatas.' With the agreement thus made, Vritra was very pleased.
yattaḥ sadābhavaccāpi śakro'marṣasamanvitaḥ। vṛtrasya vadhasaṃyuktānupāyān anucintayan ॥ randhrānveṣī samudvignaḥ sadābhūd balavṛtrahā ॥5-10-32॥
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.
sa kadācitsamudrānte tamapaśyanmahāsuram। sandhyākāla upāvṛtte muhūrte ramyadāruṇe ॥5-10-33॥
Once, at the edge of the ocean, he saw the great demon during the twilight, at a moment that was both beautiful and terrible.
tataḥ sañcintya bhagavānvaradānaṃ mahātmanaḥ। sandhyeyaṃ vartate raudrā na rātrirdivasaṃ na ca ॥ vṛtraścāvaśyavadhyo'yaṃ mama sarvaharo ripuḥ ॥5-10-34॥
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.
yadi vṛtraṃ na hanmyadya vañcayitvā mahāsuram। mahābalaṃ mahākāyaṃ na me śreyo bhaviṣyati ॥5-10-35॥
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.
evaṃ sañcintayanneva śakro viṣṇumanusmaran। atha phenaṃ tadāpaśyatsamudre parvatopamam ॥5-10-36॥
While contemplating thus, Indra, remembering Vishnu, then saw foam in the ocean that appeared like a mountain.
nāyaṃ śuṣko na cārdro'yaṃ na ca śastramidaṃ tathā। enaṃ kṣepsyāmi vṛtrasya kṣaṇādeva naśiṣyati ॥5-10-37॥
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.
savajramatha phenaṃ taṃ kṣipraṃ vṛtre nisṛṣṭavān। praviśya phenaṃ taṃ viṣṇuratha vṛtraṃ vyanāśayat ॥5-10-38॥
Then, with the thunderbolt, he quickly sent the foam towards Vritra. Vishnu entered the foam and destroyed Vritra.
nihate tu tato vṛtre diśo vitimirābhavan। pravavau ca śivo vāyuḥ prajāśca jahṛṣustadā ॥5-10-39॥
After Vritra was slain, the darkness lifted from all directions. A gentle and auspicious breeze began to blow, and all beings rejoiced.
tato devāḥ sagandharvā yakṣarākṣasapannagāḥ। ṛṣayaśca mahendraṃ tamastuvanvividhaiḥ stavaiḥ ॥5-10-40॥
Then the gods, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Pannagas, and sages praised the great Indra with various hymns.
namaskṛtaḥ sarvabhūtaiḥ sarvabhūtāni sāntvayan। hataśatruḥ prahṛṣṭātmā vāsavaḥ saha daivataiḥ ॥ viṣṇuṃ tribhuvanaśreṣṭhaṃ pūjayāmāsa dharmavit ॥5-10-41॥
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.
tato hate mahāvīrye vṛtre devabhayaṅkare। anṛtenābhibhūto'bhūcchakraḥ paramadurmanāḥ ॥ traiśīrṣayābhibhūtaśca sa pūrvaṃ brahmahatyayā ॥5-10-42॥
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.
so'ntamāśritya lokānāṃ naṣṭasañjño vicetanaḥ। na prājñāyata devendrastvabhibhūtaḥ svakalmaṣaiḥ ॥ praticchanno vasatyapsu ceṣṭamāna ivoragaḥ ॥5-10-43॥
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.
tataḥ pranaṣṭe devendre brahmahatyābhayārditē। bhūmiḥ pradhvastasaṅkāśā nirvṛkṣā śuṣkakānanā ॥ vicchinnasrotaso nadyaḥ sarāṁsyanudakāni ca ॥5-10-44॥
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.
saṅkṣobhaścāpi sattvānāmanāvṛṣṭikṛto'bhavat। devāścāpi bhṛśaṃ trastāstathā sarve maharṣayaḥ ॥5-10-45॥
There was agitation among beings caused by drought. The gods and all the great sages were greatly frightened.
arājakaṃ jagatsarvamabhibhūtamupadravaiḥ। tato bhītābhavandevāḥ ko no rājā bhavediti ॥5-10-46॥
The world was in chaos without a king, overwhelmed by troubles. The gods, in fear, wondered who would become their king.
divi devarṣayaścāpi devarājavinākṛtāḥ। na ca sma kaściddevānāṃ rājyāya kurute manaḥ ॥5-10-47॥
In heaven, even the divine sages, without the king of gods, no one among the gods is inclined towards ruling the kingdom.
