10.018
Pancharatra-Ext and Core: Krishna asks Yudhishthira not to attribute the cause of killings to Ashwatthama as all things happen as per Shiva's divine will.
Vasudeva said.
After the age of the gods had passed, the gods together decided that they wished to perform a sacrifice properly, following the authority of the Vedas.
Then, the eager ones arranged the places suitable for sacrifice, the deities worthy of shares, and also the sacrificial materials.
O king, the gods, not truly knowing Rudra, did not assign a share to the god Sthāṇu (Rudra).
But when his share was not assigned, Krittivasa (Shiva), in the sacrifice by the gods, forcefully, seeking his share, first created the bow.
The sacrifice for the world, the sacrifice of actions, and the household sacrifice are eternal; the sacrifice consisting of the five elements and the sacrifice for mankind are considered the fifth.
Through the world's sacrifice, Kapardī (Śiva), desiring sacrifice, fashioned a bow. That bow, when created, was of the size of five kiskus.
O Bhārata, the exclamation 'vaṣaṭ' became the bowstring, and the four parts of the sacrifice formed its construction.
Then, the enraged Mahadeva, taking up that bow, arrived at the very place where the gods had gathered.
When the imperishable celibate was seen with his bow drawn, the goddess Earth became agitated and the mountains trembled.
The wind did not blow, nor did the fire blaze though kindled. Even the constellation of stars in the sky moved about in agitation.
Neither the sun nor the moon with its radiant, pearl-like disk shone; the entire sky was enveloped in darkness.
Then, overpowered, the gods could not recognize the objects of the senses. The sacrifice did not appear to them, and at that time, the Vedas were lost.
Then he struck the sacrifice in the heart with a fierce arrow. The sacrifice, taking the form of a fire-bearing deer, departed from there.
But he, retaining that very form, reached heaven and shone. Yudhishthira, followed by Rudra, was in the sky.
After the sacrifice ended, the gods lost consciousness, and nothing was perceived among them.
The three-eyed god (Śiva) angrily struck off Savitṛ's arms, Bhaga's eyes, and Pūṣan's teeth with the tip of his bow.
Then the gods fled in all directions with the sacrificial implements. Some of them, reeling right there, appeared as if lifeless.
But after scattering all of that, Śitikaṇṭha (Śiva) laughed, took up the end of his bow, and then restrained the gods.
Then, as spoken by the immortals, the string of his bow was cut. Suddenly, O king, that bow with its string cut began to quiver.
Then the gods, seeking refuge and favor, approached the supreme lord with the bow, together with the sacrifice.
Then, the Lord, being pleased, cast away his anger into the water. That anger, having become fire, constantly dries up the water, O Lord.
O Pāṇḍava, the eyes and arms were given from Bhaga, and also from Savitṛ; the teeth from Pūṣan, and again, the sacrifice.
Then everything was restored to its proper state again. The gods allotted the shares of the oblations.
When he was angry, O Lord, the entire world was thrown into turmoil; but when he was pleased again, everything returned to peace. He, whose favor restores harmony, is truly powerful.
Then, all your sons, the great chariot-warriors, were killed. Many other heroes and the Panchalas along with their followers were also slain.
Do not keep that in your mind, for it was not done by Drona's son. By the grace of Mahadeva, do your task at once.
