05.098

नारद उवाच॥

Nārada said:

हिरण्यपुरमित्येतत्ख्यातं पुरवरं महत्। दैत्यानां दानवानां च मायाशतविचारिणाम् ॥५-९८-१॥

This great and excellent city, known as Hiranyapura, belonged to the Daityas and Danavas, who were masters of a hundred magical arts. (5-98-1)

अनल्पेन प्रयत्नेन निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा। मयेन मनसा सृष्टं पातालतलमाश्रितम् ॥५-९८-२॥

Constructed by Viśvakarman with immense effort, created through Maya's thought, and dwelling in the netherworld region. (5-98-2)

अत्र मायासहस्राणि विकुर्वाणा महौजसः। दानवा निवसन्ति स्म शूरा दत्तवराः पुरा ॥५-९८-३॥

Here, in ages past, valiant Dānavas endowed with boons, possessed of great strength and displaying thousands of magical powers, used to dwell. (5-98-3)

नैते शक्रेण नान्येन वरुणेन यमेन वा। शक्यन्ते वशमानेतुं तथैव धनदेन च ॥५-९८-४॥

These cannot be brought under control by Śakra, or by any other, nor by Varuṇa, Yama, or Dhanada (Kubera). (5-98-4)

असुराः कालखञ्जाश्च तथा विष्णुपदोद्भवाः। नैरृता यातुधानाश्च ब्रह्मवेदोद्भवाश्च ये ॥५-९८-५॥

The Asuras, the Kālakhānjās, those also born from Viṣṇu’s feet, the Nairṛtas, the Rākṣasas, those who arose from the Brahmaveda— (5-98-5)

दंष्ट्रिणो भीमरूपाश्च निवसन्त्यात्मरक्षिणः। मायावीर्योपसम्पन्ना निवसन्त्यात्मरक्षिणः ॥५-९८-६॥

Fanged and terrifying in appearance, endowed with magical power and might, these self-defenders dwell here. (5-98-6)

निवातकवचा नाम दानवा युद्धदुर्मदाः। जानासि च यथा शक्रो नैताञ्शक्नोति बाधितुम् ॥५-९८-७॥

The arrogant daityas known as the Nivātakavacas—you know how even Indra is unable to subdue them. (5-98-7)

बहुशो मातले त्वं च तव पुत्रश्च गोमुखः। निर्भग्नो देवराजश्च सहपुत्रः शचीपतिः ॥५-९८-८॥

Many times, Mātali, you and your son Gomukha, and even the king of the gods himself—the husband of Śacī together with his son—were defeated. (5-98-8)

पश्य वेश्मानि रौक्माणि मातले राजतानि च। कर्मणा विधियुक्तेन युक्तान्युपगतानि च ॥५-९८-९॥

Look, Mātali, at these palaces of gold and silver, furnished and attained by actions rightly performed. (5-98-9)

वैडूर्यहरितानीव प्रवालरुचिराणि च। अर्कस्फटिकशुभ्राणि वज्रसारोज्ज्वलानि च ॥५-९८-१०॥

Green as beryl, brilliant as coral, pure as rock crystal, and gleaming with the brightness of diamond essence. (5-98-10)

पार्थिवानीव चाभान्ति पुनर्नगमयानि च। शैलानीव च दृश्यन्ते तारकाणीव चाप्युत ॥५-९८-११॥

Some shine like earthly objects, some like mountains, and some appear like stars as well. (5-98-11)

सूर्यरूपाणि चाभान्ति दीप्ताग्निसदृशानि च। मणिजालविचित्राणि प्रांशूनि निबिडानि च ॥५-९८-१२॥

Some shine like the sun and some like blazing fire; some are lofty, dense, and adorned with networks of gems. (5-98-12)

नैतानि शक्यं निर्देष्टुं रूपतो द्रव्यतस्तथा। गुणतश्चैव सिद्धानि प्रमाणगुणवन्ति च ॥५-९८-१३॥

These cannot be described—whether by their form, their substance, or their qualities; they are perfected, possess measures, and have qualities. (5-98-13)

आक्रीडान्पश्य दैत्यानां तथैव शयनान्युत। रत्नवन्ति महार्हाणि भाजनान्यासनानि च ॥५-९८-१४॥

See the playgrounds of the Dānavas, and likewise their sleeping places; vessels and seats adorned with jewels, all extremely precious. (5-98-14)

जलदाभांस्तथा शैलांस्तोयप्रस्रवणान्वितान्। कामपुष्पफलांश्चैव पादपान्कामचारिणः ॥५-९८-१५॥

Also, cloud-like mountains adorned with flowing water, and trees bearing whatever flowers and fruits are desired, moving at will. (5-98-15)

मातले कश्चिदत्रापि रुचितस्ते वरो भवेत्। अथ वान्यां दिशं भूमेर्गच्छाव यदि मन्यसे ॥५-९८-१६॥

Mātali, if there is any place here that you like, let it be so. Or, if you prefer, shall we go to another part of the earth? (5-98-16)

कण्व उवाच॥

Kaṇva said:

मातलिस्त्वब्रवीदेनं भाषमाणं तथाविधम्। देवर्षे नैव मे कार्यं विप्रियं त्रिदिवौकसाम् ॥५-९८-१७॥

Then Mātali said to him, as he was speaking in that way: "O sage of the gods, I have no purpose that is offensive to the dwellers of heaven." (5-98-17)

नित्यानुषक्तवैरा हि भ्रातरो देवदानवाः। अरिपक्षेण सम्बन्धं रोचयिष्याम्यहं कथम् ॥५-९८-१८॥

For the gods and the Dānavas are brothers, but are bound in perpetual enmity; so how could I approve of an alliance with the side of the enemy? (5-98-18)

अन्यत्र साधु गच्छावो द्रष्टुं नार्हामि दानवान्। जानामि तु तथात्मानं दित्सात्मकमलं यथा ॥५-९८-१९॥

Let us go somewhere else; I do not wish to see the Dānavas. But I know myself, that I am indeed of a generous nature, worthy as such. (5-98-19)