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Yudhiṣṭhira said.
These mighty protectors of the earth, who now lie on the ground, have lost their lives in the midst of battle.
One by one, these warriors of terrible strength, possessing the might of ten thousand elephants, have indeed been slain in battle by men of equal energy and strength.
I do not see among these anyone who was formerly a slayer of living beings in battle; they are endowed with valor, brilliance, and strength.
Now, these greatly wise ones indeed lie here, their life-breath having departed. The word 'dead' is used for these whose life-breath has left them.
These kings, most of whom were of terrible prowess, are dead. There arises in me a doubt: why is the designation 'dead' used?
O grandsire, tell me: Whose is death, from where does death arise, by whom does death take away creatures here, O one resembling the immortals?
Bhīṣma said.
Long ago, in the Kṛta Yuga, O dear one, there was a king named Avikampaka. In battle, his vehicle depleted, he fell under the control of the enemy.
There, the son named Hari, who was as strong as Nārāyaṇa, was killed along with his army and followers by the enemies in battle.
The king, who was under the control of his enemies and afflicted with grief for his son, happened to see Nārada on the earth while he was absorbed in unrest.
The lord of men told him everything as it had happened: how the enemies captured (him) in battle and also about the death of his son.
Having heard those words, Nārada, the ascetic, then narrated this story, which removes the grief caused by the loss of a son.
O king, listen today to this very extensive narration, as it happened and as I also heard it, O lord of the earth.
Having created the offspring, the illustrious grandsire, at the time of creation, saw that the exceedingly old and numerous beings could not be endured again.
O Acyuta, there was not the slightest interval anywhere among beings. The three worlds, as if raised and breathless, became so, O king.
O king, he became concerned about destruction. While pondering, he also understood the cause and reason for destruction.
O king, from his anger, fire arose from the skies, and by that fire, the grandsire burned all the directions.
Then, O king, the fire that arose from the Lord's anger burned heaven, earth, sky, and the entire world with all its moving and unmoving beings.
There, all beings, both moving and unmoving, were consumed by the intense force of anger when the great-grandfather Brahmā became enraged.
Then Śiva, the one with tawny matted hair, steadfast and lord of Veda and sacrifice, spoke to Brahmā, the destroyer of enemy heroes, offering him refuge.
At that time, having approached Sthāṇu for the welfare of the beings, the god who grants boons, blazing like fire, spoke to Śiva.
Today, I shall fulfill whichever desire you have, O Śambhu, for you are worthy of a boon and esteemed by me. Indeed, I am the one who will do whatever dear wish abides in your heart.
