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वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
कथान्तरमथासाद्य खड्गयुद्धविशारदः। नकुलः शरतल्पस्थमिदमाह पितामहम् ॥१२-१६०-१॥
Then Nakula, the expert in sword-fighting, approached the grandsire lying on the bed of arrows and said this.
धनुः प्रहरणं श्रेष्ठमिति वादः पितामह। मतस्तु मम धर्मज्ञ खड्ग एव सुसंशितः ॥१२-१६०-२॥
O grandsire, the argument is that the bow is the best weapon. But in my opinion, O knower of dharma, the well-sharpened sword alone is indeed superior.
विशीर्णे कार्मुके राजन्प्रक्षीणेषु च वाजिषु। खड्गेन शक्यते युद्धे साध्वात्मा परिरक्षितुम् ॥१२-१६०-३॥
O king, when the bow is broken and the horses are exhausted, it is still possible to defend oneself well in battle with a sword.
शरासनधरांश्चैव गदाशक्तिधरांस्तथा। एकः खड्गधरो वीरः समर्थः प्रतिबाधितुम् ॥१२-१६०-४॥
There were warriors bearing bows, as well as those with maces and spears; there was one heroic swordsman, capable of resisting.
अत्र मे संशयश्चैव कौतूहलमतीव च। किं स्वित्प्रहरणं श्रेष्ठं सर्वयुद्धेषु पार्थिव ॥१२-१६०-५॥
Here, I am filled with doubt and great curiosity; O king, what truly is the best weapon in all battles?
कथं चोत्पादितः खड्गः कस्यार्थाय च केन वा। पूर्वाचार्यं च खड्गस्य प्रब्रूहि प्रपितामह ॥१२-१६०-६॥
Great-grandfather, tell me how the sword was produced, by whom, and for what purpose, and also about the former teacher of the sword.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा माद्रीपुत्रस्य धीमतः। सर्वकौशलसंयुक्तं सूक्ष्मचित्रार्थवच्छुभम् ॥१२-१६०-७॥
Having listened to that speech of the wise son of Mādrī, which was endowed with all skill, subtlety, variety, meaning, and auspiciousness.
ततस्तस्योत्तरं वाक्यं स्वरवर्णोपपादितम्। शिक्षान्यायोपसम्पन्नं द्रोणशिष्याय पृच्छते ॥१२-१६०-८॥
Then he gave his reply, composed with proper accent and sound, and endowed with the principles of phonetics and logic, to Droṇa's disciple who was asking.
उवाच सर्वधर्मज्ञो धनुर्वेदस्य पारगः। शरतल्पगतो भीष्मो नकुलाय महात्मने ॥१२-१६०-९॥
Bhishma, the master of all dharmas and the science of archery, lying on his bed of arrows, spoke to Nakula, the noble-hearted one.
तत्त्वं शृणुष्व माद्रेय यदेतत्परिपृच्छसि। प्रबोधितोऽस्मि भवता धातुमानिव पर्वतः ॥१२-१६०-१०॥
O son of Madri, listen to the truth which you ask. I have been awakened by you, like a mountain full of ores.
सलिलैकार्णवं तात पुरा सर्वमभूदिदम्। निष्प्रकम्पमनाकाशमनिर्देश्यमहीतलम् ॥१२-१६०-११॥
O dear, in ancient times, all this became a single ocean of water; the surface of the earth was motionless, without sky, and indescribable.
तमःसंवृतमस्पर्शमतिगम्भीरदर्शनम्। निःशब्दं चाप्रमेयं च तत्र जज्ञे पितामहः ॥१२-१६०-१२॥
In that place, enveloped in darkness, untouchable, of profound aspect, silent and immeasurable, the Grandfather (Brahmā) was born.
सोऽसृजद्वायुमग्निं च भास्करं चापि वीर्यवान्। आकाशमसृजच्चोर्ध्वमधो भूमिं च नैरृतिम् ॥१२-१६०-१३॥
He, being powerful, created wind, fire, and the sun; he also created the sky, the upward and downward directions, the earth, and the region of Nairṛti (southwest).
नभः सचन्द्रतारं च नक्षत्राणि ग्रहांस्तथा। संवत्सरानहोरात्रानृतूनथ लवान्क्षणान् ॥१२-१६०-१४॥
The sky, along with the moon, stars, constellations, and planets, as well as years, days and nights, seasons, instants, and moments.
ततः शरीरं लोकस्थं स्थापयित्वा पितामहः। जनयामास भगवान्पुत्रानुत्तमतेजसः ॥१२-१६०-१५॥
Then the grandsire, having established a body in the world, created sons of supreme brilliance.
मरीचिमृषिमत्रिं च पुलस्त्यं पुलहं क्रतुम्। वसिष्ठाङ्गिरसौ चोभौ रुद्रं च प्रभुमीश्वरम् ॥१२-१६०-१६॥
Marīci, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Vasiṣṭha, Aṅgiras, Rudra, and the supreme lord are mentioned here as revered sages and deities.
प्राचेतसस्तथा दक्षः कन्याः षष्टिमजीजनत्। ता वै ब्रह्मर्षयः सर्वाः प्रजार्थं प्रतिपेदिरे ॥१२-१६०-१७॥
Similarly, Dakṣa, the son of Pracetas, begot sixty daughters. All those daughters were accepted by the Brahmarṣis for the purpose of progeny.
ताभ्यो विश्वानि भूतानि देवाः पितृगणास्तथा। गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैव रक्षांसि विविधानि च ॥१२-१६०-१८॥
To those women, all beings—including gods, ancestors, gandharvas, apsarases, and various kinds of demons—are devoted.
पतत्रिमृगमीनाश्च प्लवङ्गाश्च महोरगाः। नानाकृतिबलाश्चान्ये जलक्षितिविचारिणः ॥१२-१६०-१९॥
There were winged creatures, beasts, fishes, jumpers, great serpents, and others of various forms and strengths, wandering in water and on earth.
औद्भिदाः स्वेदजाश्चैव अण्डजाश्च जरायुजाः। जज्ञे तात तथा सर्वं जगत्स्थावरजङ्गमम् ॥१२-१६०-२०॥
O dear, thus all beings in the world—whether immobile or mobile—were born: those born from plants, from sweat, from eggs, and from wombs.
भूतसर्गमिमं कृत्वा सर्वलोकपितामहः। शाश्वतं वेदपठितं धर्मं च युयुजे पुनः ॥१२-१६०-२१॥
After creating this world of beings, the grandsire of all worlds once again established the eternal dharma as recited in the Vedas.
तस्मिन्धर्मे स्थिता देवाः सहाचार्यपुरोहिताः। आदित्या वसवो रुद्राः ससाध्या मरुदश्विनः ॥१२-१६०-२२॥
In that dharma, the gods, along with their teachers and priests—the Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, Sādhyas, Maruts, and Aśvins—stood together.
भृग्वत्र्यङ्गिरसः सिद्धाः काश्यपश्च तपोधनः। वसिष्ठगौतमागस्त्यास्तथा नारदपर्वतौ ॥१२-१६०-२३॥
Bhṛgu, Atri, Aṅgiras, the perfected sages, Kāśyapa and the ascetic, as well as Vasiṣṭha, Gautama, Agastya, and also Nārada and Parvata.
ऋषयो वालखिल्याश्च प्रभासाः सिकतास्तथा। घृताचाः सोमवायव्या वैखानसमरीचिपाः ॥१२-१६०-२४॥
The seers, including the Vālakhiḷya, Prabhāsa, Sikatā, Ghṛtāca, Somavāyavya, Vaikhānasa, and Marīcipa sages, were present.
अकृष्टाश्चैव हंसाश्च ऋषयोऽथाग्नियोनिजाः। वानप्रस्थाः पृश्नयश्च स्थिता ब्रह्मानुशासने ॥१२-१६०-२५॥
Those who do not till the soil, the Hamsas, the sages, those born from fire, the forest-dwellers, the Pṛśni sages, all were established in the discipline of Brahman.
दानवेन्द्रास्त्वतिक्रम्य तत्पितामहशासनम्। धर्मस्यापचयं चक्रुः क्रोधलोभसमन्विताः ॥१२-१६०-२६॥
But the lords of the Dānavas, disregarding their grandfather's command, caused the decline of dharma, being overcome by anger and greed.
हिरण्यकशिपुश्चैव हिरण्याक्षो विरोचनः। शम्बरो विप्रचित्तिश्च प्रह्रादो नमुचिर्बलिः ॥१२-१६०-२७॥
Hiraṇyakaśipu, Hiraṇyākṣa, Virocana, Śambara, Vipracitti, Prahlāda, Namuci, and Bali.
एते चान्ये च बहवः सगणा दैत्यदानवाः। धर्मसेतुमतिक्रम्य रेमिरेऽधर्मनिश्चयाः ॥१२-१६०-२८॥
These and many other Daityas and Dānavas, along with their groups, having crossed the bounds of righteousness, rejoiced, being intent on unrighteousness.
सर्वे स्म तुल्यजातीया यथा देवास्तथा वयम्। इत्येवं हेतुमास्थाय स्पर्धमानाः सुरर्षिभिः ॥१२-१६०-२९॥
All of us are of equal birth, just like the gods; thus, adopting this reasoning, we competed with the divine sages.
न प्रियं नाप्यनुक्रोशं चक्रुर्भूतेषु भारत। त्रीनुपायानतिक्रम्य दण्डेन रुरुधुः प्रजाः ॥ न जग्मुः संविदं तैश्च दर्पादसुरसत्तमाः ॥१२-१६०-३०॥
O Bhārata, they neither acted with kindness nor with compassion towards beings. Having disregarded the three means, they controlled the people by punishment. The chief Asuras, out of pride, did not come to an agreement with them.
अथ वै भगवान्ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मर्षिभिरुपस्थितः। तदा हिमवतः पृष्ठे सुरम्ये पद्मतारके ॥१२-१६०-३१॥
Then, the blessed Brahmā, together with the Brahmarṣis, arrived and was present on the delightful ridge of the Himalaya, at the place called Padmatāraka.
शतयोजनविस्तारे मणिमुक्ताचयाचिते। तस्मिन्गिरिवरे पुत्र पुष्पितद्रुमकानने ॥ तस्थौ स विबुधश्रेष्ठो ब्रह्मा लोकार्थसिद्धये ॥१२-१६०-३२॥
On that excellent mountain, stretching a hundred yojanas and heaped with jewels and pearls, in the forest of flowering trees, Brahmā, the foremost among the gods, stood there for the accomplishment of the world's purpose.
ततो वर्षसहस्रान्ते वितानमकरोत्प्रभुः। विधिना कल्पदृष्टेन यथोक्तेनोपपादितम् ॥१२-१६०-३३॥
Then, after a thousand years had passed, the lord constructed a canopy, performing it exactly as prescribed in the Kalpa ritual and as stated in the instructions.
ऋषिभिर्यज्ञपटुभिर्यथावत्कर्मकर्तृभिः। मरुद्भिः परिसंस्तीर्णं दीप्यमानैश्च पावकैः ॥१२-१६०-३४॥
It was completely covered by sages skilled in sacrifice, proper performers of rites, the Maruts, and blazing fires.
काञ्चनैर्यज्ञभाण्डैश्च भ्राजिष्णुभिरलङ्कृतम्। वृतं देवगणैश्चैव प्रबभौ यज्ञमण्डलम् ॥१२-१६०-३५॥
The sacrificial arena, decorated with brilliant gold and ritual vessels, and surrounded by hosts of gods, shone resplendently.
तथा ब्रह्मर्षिभिश्चैव सदस्यैरुपशोभितम्। तत्र घोरतमं वृत्तमृषीणां मे परिश्रुतम् ॥१२-१६०-३६॥
Thus, when the place was adorned by the Brahmarṣis and the assembly members, I heard there about the most dreadful event concerning the sages.
चन्द्रमा विमलं व्योम यथाभ्युदिततारकम्। विदार्याग्निं तथा भूतमुत्थितं श्रूयते ततः ॥१२-१६०-३७॥
Just as the moon shines in the spotless sky with the stars risen, so it is heard that a being arose after splitting the fire.
नीलोत्पलसवर्णाभं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रं कृशोदरम्। प्रांशु दुर्दर्शनं चैवाप्यतितेजस्तथैव च ॥१२-१६०-३८॥
He had the appearance of the color of a blue lotus, sharp fangs, a thin belly, was tall, difficult to look at, and exceedingly radiant.
तस्मिन्नुत्पतमाने च प्रचचाल वसुन्धरा। तत्रोर्मिकलिलावर्तश्चुक्षुभे च महार्णवः ॥१२-१६०-३९॥
As that (being) was rising, the earth trembled; there, the wave-churned whirlpools and the great ocean were agitated.
पेतुरुल्का महोत्पाताः शाखाश्च मुमुचुर्द्रुमाः। अप्रसन्ना दिशः सर्वाः पवनश्चाशिवो ववौ ॥ मुहुर्मुहुश्च भूतानि प्राव्यथन्त भयात्तथा ॥१२-१६०-४०॥
Meteors and great portents fell; branches and trees broke off. All directions became unfavorable, and the wind blew ominously. Again and again, all beings were seized with fear.
ततः सुतुमुलं दृष्ट्वा तदद्भुतमुपस्थितम्। महर्षिसुरगन्धर्वानुवाचेदं पितामहः ॥१२-१६०-४१॥
Then, seeing that extraordinary and tumultuous event, the grandsire spoke these words to the great sages and divine Gandharvas.
मयैतच्चिन्तितं भूतमसिर्नामैष वीर्यवान्। रक्षणार्थाय लोकस्य वधाय च सुरद्विषाम् ॥१२-१६०-४२॥
I have conceived this powerful sword called 'Asi' for the protection of the world and for the destruction of the enemies of the gods.
ततस्तद्रूपमुत्सृज्य बभौ निस्त्रिंश एव सः। विमलस्तीक्ष्णधारश्च कालान्तक इवोद्यतः ॥१२-१६०-४३॥
Then, abandoning that form, he appeared as a sword—pure, sharp-edged, and raised aloft like Death himself.
ततस्तं शितिकण्ठाय रुद्रायर्षभकेतवे। ब्रह्मा ददावसिं दीप्तमधर्मप्रतिवारणम् ॥१२-१६०-४४॥
Then Brahmā gave that shining sword to the blue-throated Rudra, the bull-bannered one, for the prevention of unrighteousness.
ततः स भगवान्रुद्रो ब्रह्मर्षिगणसंस्तुतः। प्रगृह्यासिममेयात्मा रूपमन्यच्चकार ह ॥१२-१६०-४५॥
Then the venerable Rudra, praised by the assembly of Brahmarṣis, took up his sword and indeed assumed another immeasurable form.
चतुर्बाहुः स्पृशन्मूर्ध्ना भूस्थितोऽपि नभस्तलम्। ऊर्ध्वदृष्टिर्महालिङ्गो मुखाज्ज्वालाः समुत्सृजन् ॥ विकुर्वन्बहुधा वर्णान्नीलपाण्डुरलोहितान् ॥१२-१६०-४६॥
Though standing on the earth, the four-armed great symbol, with his head touching the sky and gaze turned upward, emitted flames from his mouth and manifested many colors—dark-blue, pale, and red—in various ways.
बिभ्रत्कृष्णाजिनं वासो हेमप्रवरतारकम्। नेत्रं चैकं ललाटेन भास्करप्रतिमं महत् ॥ शुशुभाते च विमले द्वे नेत्रे कृष्णपिङ्गले ॥१२-१६०-४७॥
He wore a garment of black-deerskin adorned with excellent golden star-like marks; one great eye on his forehead, resembling the sun, and his two clear eyes, dark-brown, shone brilliantly.
ततो देवो महादेवः शूलपाणिर्भगाक्षिहा। सम्प्रगृह्य तु निस्त्रिंशं कालार्कानलसंनिभम् ॥१२-१६०-४८॥
Then Mahadeva, the god with the spear, destroyer of Bhaga's eye, firmly seized the sword that shone like time, the sun, and fire.
त्रिकूटं चर्म चोद्यम्य सविद्युतमिवाम्बुदम्। चचार विविधान्मार्गान्महाबलपराक्रमः ॥ विधुन्वन्नसिमाकाशे दानवान्तचिकीर्षया ॥१२-१६०-४९॥
He lifted his three-peaked shield, which resembled a cloud with lightning, and, full of immense strength and valor, moved along various paths, wielding his sword in the sky, intent on bringing about the end of the demon.
तस्य नादं विनदतो महाहासं च मुञ्चतः। बभौ प्रतिभयं रूपं तदा रुद्रस्य भारत ॥१२-१६०-५०॥
O Bhārata, at that time, as he uttered a loud sound and released a great laughter, the terrifying form of Rudra shone forth.
तद्रूपधारिणं रुद्रं रौद्रकर्म चिकीर्षवः। निशम्य दानवाः सर्वे हृष्टाः समभिदुद्रुवुः ॥१२-१६०-५१॥
When they saw Rudra assuming that form and wishing to perform a terrible deed, all the Dānavas, delighted, rushed together towards him.
अश्मभिश्चाप्यवर्षन्त प्रदीप्तैश्च तथोल्मुकैः। घोरैः प्रहरणैश्चान्यैः शितधारैरयोमुखैः ॥१२-१६०-५२॥
They rained down stones, blazing firebrands, terrible weapons, and other sharp-edged, iron-pointed missiles.
ततस्तद्दानवानीकं सम्प्रणेतारमच्युतम्। रुद्रखड्गबलोद्धूतं प्रचचाल मुमोह च ॥१२-१६०-५३॥
Then that army of demons, led by Acyuta (Krishna), was shaken by the strength of Rudra's sword, trembled, and became bewildered.
चित्रं शीघ्रतरत्वाच्च चरन्तमसिधारिणम्। तमेकमसुराः सर्वे सहस्रमिति मेनिरे ॥१२-१६०-५४॥
Because of his wonderful and extraordinary speed, all the asuras thought that the one sword-bearer was a thousand.
छिन्दन्भिन्दन्रुजन्कृन्तन्दारयन्प्रमथन्नपि। अचरद्दैत्यसङ्घेषु रुद्रोऽग्निरिव कक्षगः ॥१२-१६०-५५॥
Rudra moved among the groups of Daityas, cutting, splitting, breaking, severing, tearing apart, and crushing them, just as fire moves through the undergrowth.
असिवेगप्ररुग्णास्ते छिन्नबाहूरुवक्षसः। सम्प्रकृत्तोत्तमाङ्गाश्च पेतुरुर्व्यां महासुराः ॥१२-१६०-५६॥
The great asuras, their arms, thighs, and chests severed by the swift sword, and their heads completely cut off, fell to the ground.
अपरे दानवा भग्ना रुद्रघातावपीडिताः। अन्योन्यमभिनर्दन्तो दिशः सम्प्रतिपेदिरे ॥१२-१६०-५७॥
Other Dānavas, shattered and oppressed by Rudra's blows, attacked each other and fled in all directions.
भूमिं केचित्प्रविविशुः पर्वतानपरे तथा। अपरे जग्मुराकाशमपरेऽम्भः समाविशन् ॥१२-१६०-५८॥
Some entered the earth, others the mountains, others went to the sky, and others entered the water.
तस्मिन्महति संवृत्ते समरे भृशदारुणे। बभौ भूमिः प्रतिभया तदा रुधिरकर्दमा ॥१२-१६०-५९॥
In that great and fierce battle, the earth at that time shone brilliantly, being muddy with blood.
दानवानां शरीरैश्च महद्भिः शोणितोक्षितैः। समाकीर्णा महाबाहो शैलैरिव सकिंशुकैः ॥१२-१६०-६०॥
O mighty-armed one, the place was covered with the great blood-smeared bodies of the dānavas, resembling mountains adorned with kiṃśuka trees.
रुधिरेण परिक्लिन्ना प्रबभौ वसुधा तदा। रक्तार्द्रवसना श्यामा नारीव मदविह्वला ॥१२-१६०-६१॥
At that time, the earth, soaked with blood and with her garments moistened and darkened, shone like an intoxicated woman.
स रुद्रो दानवान्हत्वा कृत्वा धर्मोत्तरं जगत्। रौद्रं रूपं विहायाशु चक्रे रूपं शिवं शिवः ॥१२-१६०-६२॥
Rudra, after destroying the Dānavas and establishing the world in supreme dharma, swiftly abandoned his terrible form and assumed the auspicious form of Śiva.
ततो महर्षयः सर्वे सर्वे देवगणास्तथा। जयेनाद्भुतकल्पेन देवदेवमथार्चयन् ॥१२-१६०-६३॥
Then all the great sages and all the groups of gods likewise, with victorious and wondrous arrangements, worshipped the god of gods.
ततः स भगवान्रुद्रो दानवक्षतजोक्षितम्। असिं धर्मस्य गोप्तारं ददौ सत्कृत्य विष्णवे ॥१२-१६०-६४॥
Then the revered Rudra respectfully gave to Viṣṇu the sword, smeared with the blood from the demon's wound, as the protector of dharma.
विष्णुर्मरीचये प्रादान्मरीचिर्भगवांश्च तम्। महर्षिभ्यो ददौ खड्गमृषयो वासवाय तु ॥१२-१६०-६५॥
Viṣṇu gave the sword to Marīci; Marīci, the venerable sage, gave it to the great sages; the sages then gave the sword to Vāsava (Indra).
महेन्द्रो लोकपालेभ्यो लोकपालास्तु पुत्रक। मनवे सूर्यपुत्राय ददुः खड्गं सुविस्तरम् ॥१२-१६०-६६॥
O son, great Indra gave a very broad sword to Manu, the son of the Sun, through the guardians of the worlds.
ऊचुश्चैनं तथैवाद्यं मानुषाणां त्वमीश्वरः। असिना धर्मगर्भेण पालयस्व प्रजा इति ॥१२-१६०-६७॥
They said to him: "Thus, indeed, you are now the foremost lord of men; therefore, with this sword imbued with dharma, protect your subjects."
धर्मसेतुमतिक्रान्ताः सूक्ष्मस्थूलार्थकारणात्। विभज्य दण्डं रक्ष्याः स्युर्धर्मतो न यदृच्छया ॥१२-१६०-६८॥
Those who have crossed the bounds of dharma, for subtle or gross reasons, should have punishment apportioned and protection given according to dharma, not arbitrarily.
दुर्वाचा निग्रहो दण्डो हिरण्यबहुलस्तथा। व्यङ्गनं च शरीरस्य वधो वानल्पकारणात् ॥१२-१६०-६९॥
Restraint, punishment, fines of gold, mutilation of the body, or even death may be imposed for serious offenses of evil speech.
असेरेतानि रूपाणि दुर्वाचादीनि निर्दिशेत्। असेरेव प्रमाणानि परिमाणव्यतिक्रमात् ॥१२-१६०-७०॥
One should indicate these forms of 'as', which are difficult to express and others. Only the measures of 'as' are due to excess of quantity.
अधिसृज्याथ पुत्रं स्वं प्रजानामधिपं ततः। मनुः प्रजानां रक्षार्थं क्षुपाय प्रददावसिम् ॥१२-१६०-७१॥
After appointing his own son as the ruler of the people, Manu then gave a sword to Kṣupa for the protection of the subjects.
क्षुपाज्जग्राह चेक्ष्वाकुरिक्ष्वाकोश्च पुरूरवाः। आयुश्च तस्माल्लेभे तं नहुषश्च ततो भुवि ॥१२-१६०-७२॥
Ikṣvāku seized the kingdom from Kṣupa, and from Ikṣvāku came Purūravas; Āyu was born from him, and from him Nahuṣa was born on earth.
ययातिर्नहुषाच्चापि पूरुस्तस्माच्च लब्धवान्। आमूर्तरयसस्तस्मात्ततो भूमिशयो नृपः ॥१२-१६०-७३॥
Yayati was born from Nahusha, and from Yayati, Puru was born; from Puru, the king Bhūmiśaya, of unmanifested glory, was then born.
भरतश्चापि दौःषन्तिर्लेभे भूमिशयादसिम्। तस्माच्च लेभे धर्मज्ञो राजन्नैडबिडस्तथा ॥१२-१६०-७४॥
Bharata, the descendant of Duhshanta, also obtained a sword from lying on the ground; and from that, O king, the dharma-knower Idabida likewise obtained one.
ततश्चैडबिडाल्लेभे धुन्धुमारो जनेश्वरः। धुन्धुमाराच्च काम्बोजो मुचुकुन्दस्ततोऽलभत् ॥१२-१६०-७५॥
Then, Dhundhumāra, the lord of men, was born from Aiḍabiḍāla. From Dhundhumāra came Kāmboja, and from him, Mucukunda was born.
मुचुकुन्दान्मरुत्तश्च मरुत्तादपि रैवतः। रैवताद्युवनाश्वश्च युवनाश्वात्ततो रघुः ॥१२-१६०-७६॥
Marutta was born from Mucukunda, Raivata from Marutta, Yuvanāśva from Raivata, and then Raghu from Yuvanāśva.
इक्ष्वाकुवंशजस्तस्माद्धरिणाश्वः प्रतापवान्। हरिणाश्वादसिं लेभे शुनकः शुनकादपि ॥१२-१६०-७७॥
The powerful Hariṇāśva was born from the descendant of Ikṣvāku. From Hariṇāśva, Śunaka obtained Asi, and from Śunaka as well.
उशीनरो वै धर्मात्मा तस्माद्भोजाः सयादवाः। यदुभ्यश्च शिबिर्लेभे शिबेश्चापि प्रतर्दनः ॥१२-१६०-७८॥
Uśīnara was indeed a righteous king; from him descended the Bhojas along with the Yādavas; from the Yadus, Śibi was born; and from Śibi, Pratardana was also born.
प्रतर्दनादष्टकश्च रुशदश्वोऽष्टकादपि। रुशदश्वाद्भरद्वाजो द्रोणस्तस्मात्कृपस्ततः ॥ ततस्त्वं भ्रातृभिः सार्धं परमासिमवाप्तवान् ॥१२-१६०-७९॥
From Pratardana came Aṣṭaka, and from Aṣṭaka, Ruśadaśva; from Ruśadaśva, Bharadvāja; from Bharadvāja, Droṇa; from Droṇa, Kṛpa. Then you, along with your brothers, obtained the supreme sword.
कृत्तिकाश्चास्य नक्षत्रमसेरग्निश्च दैवतम्। रोहिण्यो गोत्रमस्याथ रुद्रश्च गुरुरुत्तमः ॥१२-१६०-८०॥
The Kṛttikā constellation is his star, with Agni as its deity. His clan is the Rohiṇī, and Rudra is his supreme teacher.
असेरष्टौ च नामानि रहस्यानि निबोध मे। पाण्डवेय सदा यानि कीर्तयँल्लभते जयम् ॥१२-१६०-८१॥
O son of Pāṇḍu, listen to the eight secret names of the sword from me. Whoever always recites them attains victory.
असिर्विशसनः खड्गस्तीक्ष्णवर्त्मा दुरासदः। श्रीगर्भो विजयश्चैव धर्मपालस्तथैव च ॥१२-१६०-८२॥
He is the sword, the destroyer, the scimitar with a sharp edge, difficult to approach, the one who holds prosperity within, victory itself, and indeed the protector of dharma, likewise.
अग्र्यः प्रहरणानां च खड्गो माद्रवतीसुत। महेश्वरप्रणीतश्च पुराणे निश्चयं गतः ॥१२-१६०-८३॥
O son of Mādravatī, it is certain in the Purāṇa that among weapons, the sword is foremost, and it was composed by Maheśvara.
पृथुस्तूत्पादयामास धनुराद्यमरिंदम। तेनेयं पृथिवी पूर्वं वैन्येन परिरक्षिता ॥१२-१६०-८४॥
But Pṛthu, the destroyer of enemies, created the original bow. By him, this earth was formerly protected as Vainya.
तदेतदार्षं माद्रेय प्रमाणं कर्तुमर्हसि। असेश्च पूजा कर्तव्या सदा युद्धविशारदैः ॥१२-१६०-८५॥
O son of Madri, you ought to act according to this authority of the ṛṣis. And worship should always be performed by those skilled in battle.
इत्येष प्रथमः कल्पो व्याख्यातस्ते सुविस्तरः। असेरुत्पत्तिसंसर्गो यथावद्भरतर्षभ ॥१२-१६०-८६॥
Thus, O best of the Bharatas, the first section has been explained to you in detail, describing the origin and connection of Asu as it truly is.
सर्वथैतदिह श्रुत्वा खड्गसाधनमुत्तमम्। लभते पुरुषः कीर्तिं प्रेत्य चानन्त्यमश्नुते ॥१२-१६०-८७॥
Whoever hears here, in every way, this supreme practice of the sword, gains fame and, after death, attains immortality.
