12.272
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
अहो धर्मिष्ठता तात वृत्रस्यामिततेजसः। यस्य विज्ञानमतुलं विष्णोर्भक्तिश्च तादृशी ॥१२-२७२-१॥
O dear, how righteous was Vṛtra of immeasurable brilliance! His knowledge was incomparable, and his devotion to Viṣṇu was of the highest kind.
दुर्विज्ञेयमिदं तात विष्णोरमिततेजसः। कथं वा राजशार्दूल पदं तज्ज्ञातवानसौ ॥१२-२७२-२॥
O dear one, this is difficult to comprehend regarding Viṣṇu of immeasurable splendor. O tiger among kings, how did he come to know that state?
भवता कथितं ह्येतच्छ्रद्दधे चाहमच्युत। भूयस्तु मे समुत्पन्ना बुद्धिरव्यक्तदर्शनात् ॥१२-२७२-३॥
O Acyuta, what you have spoken, I do indeed believe. Yet, my understanding has again arisen from perceiving the unmanifest.
कथं विनिहतो वृत्रः शक्रेण भरतर्षभ। धर्मिष्ठो विष्णुभक्तश्च तत्त्वज्ञश्च पदान्वये ॥१२-२७२-४॥
O best of the Bharatas, how was Vṛtra, who was righteous, a devotee of Viṣṇu, and a knower of truth, slain by Śakra? Please explain in detail.
एतन्मे संशयं ब्रूहि पृच्छतो भरतर्षभ। वृत्रस्तु राजशार्दूल यथा शक्रेण निर्जितः ॥१२-२७२-५॥
O bull among the Bharatas, tell me this doubt as I ask you. O tiger among kings, how was Vṛtra conquered by Śakra (Indra)?
यथा चैवाभवद्युद्धं तच्चाचक्ष्व पितामह। विस्तरेण महाबाहो परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥१२-२७२-६॥
O grandsire, please tell me in detail how the battle happened, for I, O mighty-armed one, have great curiosity about it.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
रथेनेन्द्रः प्रयातो वै सार्धं सुरगणैः पुरा। ददर्शाथाग्रतो वृत्रं विष्ठितं पर्वतोपमम् ॥१२-२७२-७॥
Once, Indra departed in his chariot together with the hosts of gods. Then, in front of him, he saw Vṛtra stationed, resembling a mountain.
योजनानां शतान्यूर्ध्वं पञ्चोच्छ्रितमरिंदम। शतानि विस्तरेणाथ त्रीण्येवाभ्यधिकानि तु ॥१२-२७२-८॥
O subduer of enemies, it is five hundred yojanas high; and in breadth, it exceeds by three hundred yojanas.
तत्प्रेक्ष्य तादृशं रूपं त्रैलोक्येनापि दुर्जयम्। वृत्रस्य देवाः सन्त्रस्ता न शान्तिमुपलेभिरे ॥१२-२७२-९॥
When the gods saw Vṛtra's form, so formidable that even the three worlds could not overcome it, they were seized with terror and found no peace.
शक्रस्य तु तदा राजन्नूरुस्तम्भो व्यजायत। भयाद्वृत्रस्य सहसा दृष्ट्वा तद्रूपमुत्तमम् ॥१२-२७२-१०॥
But then, O king, Indra's thigh appeared suddenly out of fear of Vṛtra, upon seeing that supreme form.
ततो नादः समभवद्वादित्राणां च निस्वनः। देवासुराणां सर्वेषां तस्मिन्युद्ध उपस्थिते ॥१२-२७२-११॥
Then, as the battle commenced, the sound of musical instruments and the resounding cries of all the gods and asuras arose.
अथ वृत्रस्य कौरव्य दृष्ट्वा शक्रमुपस्थितम्। न सम्भ्रमो न भीः काचिदास्था वा समजायत ॥१२-२७२-१२॥
Then, O Kauravya, when Indra arrived before Vṛtra, there was neither confusion, nor any fear, nor any regard that arose.
ततः समभवद्युद्धं त्रैलोक्यस्य भयङ्करम्। शक्रस्य च सुरेन्द्रस्य वृत्रस्य च महात्मनः ॥१२-२७२-१३॥
Then a dreadful battle broke out across the three worlds between Śakra, the lord of the gods, and the great-souled Vṛtra.
असिभिः पट्टिशैः शूलैः शक्तितोमरमुद्गरैः। शिलाभिर्विविधाभिश्च कार्मुकैश्च महास्वनैः ॥१२-२७२-१४॥
They fought with swords, spears, pikes, lances, javelins, maces, stones, various other weapons, and bows, all producing great sounds.
अस्त्रैश्च विविधैर्दिव्यैः पावकोल्काभिरेव च। देवासुरैस्ततः सैन्यैः सर्वमासीत्समाकुलम् ॥१२-२७२-१५॥
The entire field was thrown into confusion by various divine missiles, fire-meteors, and the armies of gods and asuras.
पितामहपुरोगाश्च सर्वे देवगणास्तथा। ऋषयश्च महाभागास्तद्युद्धं द्रष्टुमागमन् ॥१२-२७२-१६॥
All the gods, headed by the grandsire, and the greatly fortunate sages, came together to witness that battle.
विमानाग्र्यैर्महाराज सिद्धाश्च भरतर्षभ। गन्धर्वाश्च विमानाग्र्यैरप्सरोभिः समागमन् ॥१२-२७२-१७॥
O great king, the Siddhas and Gandharvas, O bull among the Bharatas, came together in excellent aerial cars along with the Apsarases.
ततोऽन्तरिक्षमावृत्य वृत्रो धर्मभृतां वरः। अश्मवर्षेण देवेन्द्रं पर्वतात्समवाकिरत् ॥१२-२७२-१८॥
Then Vṛtra, the foremost among the upholders of dharma, covered the sky and, from the mountain, showered stones upon Indra, lord of the gods.
ततो देवगणाः क्रुद्धाः सर्वतः शस्त्रवृष्टिभिः। अश्मवर्षमपोहन्त वृत्रप्रेरितमाहवे ॥१२-२७२-१९॥
Then, enraged, the hosts of gods from all sides repelled the stone shower unleashed by Vṛtra in the battle.
वृत्रश्च कुरुशार्दूल महामायो महाबलः। मोहयामास देवेन्द्रं मायायुद्धेन सर्वतः ॥१२-२७२-२०॥
O tiger among the Kurus, Vṛtra, possessing great illusion and great strength, bewildered Indra, the lord of the gods, by illusory warfare on all sides.
तस्य वृत्रार्दितस्याथ मोह आसीच्छतक्रतोः। रथन्तरेण तं तत्र वसिष्ठः समबोधयत् ॥१२-२७२-२१॥
Then, Śatakratu (Indra), afflicted by Vṛtra, fell into delusion. There, Vasiṣṭha awakened him by means of the Rathantara Sāman.
वसिष्ठ उवाच॥
Vasiṣṭha said.
देवश्रेष्ठोऽसि देवेन्द्र सुरारिविनिबर्हण। त्रैलोक्यबलसंयुक्तः कस्माच्छक्र विषीदसि ॥१२-२७२-२२॥
O Indra, you are the foremost among the gods, the destroyer of the enemies of the gods, and endowed with the strength of the three worlds; why then, O Śakra, do you despair?
एष ब्रह्मा च विष्णुश्च शिवश्चैव जगत्प्रभुः। सोमश्च भगवान्देवः सर्वे च परमर्षयः ॥१२-२७२-२३॥
This is Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva, the lord of the world; Soma, the venerable god, and all the supreme seers.
मा कार्षीः कश्मलं शक्र कश्चिदेवेतरो यथा। आर्यां युद्धे मतिं कृत्वा जहि शत्रुं सुरेश्वर ॥१२-२७२-२४॥
O Śakra, do not fall into dejection like any other; make a noble resolve in battle and conquer the enemy, O lord of the gods.
एष लोकगुरुस्त्र्यक्षः सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः। निरीक्षते त्वां भगवांस्त्यज मोहं सुरेश्वर ॥१२-२७२-२५॥
This teacher of the world, the three-eyed one, revered by all worlds, is watching you, O blessed one; give up delusion, O lord of the gods.
एते ब्रह्मर्षयश्चैव बृहस्पतिपुरोगमाः। स्तवेन शक्र दिव्येन स्तुवन्ति त्वां जयाय वै ॥१२-२७२-२६॥
These Brahmarṣis, led by Bṛhaspati, praise you, O Śakra, with a divine hymn for victory.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
एवं सम्बोध्यमानस्य वसिष्ठेन महात्मना। अतीव वासवस्यासीद्बलमुत्तमतेजसः ॥१२-२७२-२७॥
Thus, when Vasiṣṭha, the great-souled sage, addressed him, the strength of Vāsava (Indra), endowed with supreme brilliance, became exceedingly great.
ततो बुद्धिमुपागम्य भगवान्पाकशासनः। योगेन महता युक्तस्तां मायां व्यपकर्षत ॥१२-२७२-२८॥
Then the venerable Indra, having approached with intellect and being engaged in great yoga, dispelled that illusion.
ततोऽङ्गिरःसुतः श्रीमांस्ते चैव परमर्षयः। दृष्ट्वा वृत्रस्य विक्रान्तमुपगम्य महेश्वरम् ॥ ऊचुर्वृत्रविनाशार्थं लोकानां हितकाम्यया ॥१२-२७२-२९॥
Then, the prosperous son of Aṅgiras and the supreme sages, having witnessed Vṛtra's valor, approached the great lord and spoke, seeking the destruction of Vṛtra for the welfare of all worlds.
ततो भगवतस्तेजो ज्वरो भूत्वा जगत्पतेः। समाविशन्महारौद्रं वृत्रं दैत्यवरं तदा ॥१२-२७२-३०॥
Then, the divine energy of the Lord, having assumed the form of fever, entered into the dreadful Vṛtra, the chief among the Daityas, at that moment.
विष्णुश्च भगवान्देवः सर्वलोकाभिपूजितः। ऐन्द्रं समाविशद्वज्रं लोकसंरक्षणे रतः ॥१२-२७२-३१॥
Viṣṇu, the revered god honored by all worlds, entered into Indra's thunderbolt, intent on protecting the worlds.
ततो बृहस्पतिर्धीमानुपागम्य शतक्रतुम्। वसिष्ठश्च महातेजाः सर्वे च परमर्षयः ॥१२-२७२-३२॥
Then Bṛhaspati, the wise, approached Indra; Vasiṣṭha, of great splendor, and all the supreme sages also came.
ते समासाद्य वरदं वासवं लोकपूजितम्। ऊचुरेकाग्रमनसो जहि वृत्रमिति प्रभो ॥१२-२७२-३३॥
They approached Indra, the bestower of boons, honored by the worlds, and with focused minds said, "O lord, slay Vṛtra."
महेश्वर उवाच॥
The great lord Maheshvara said.
एष वृत्रो महाञ्शक्र बलेन महता वृतः। विश्वात्मा सर्वगश्चैव बहुमायश्च विश्रुतः ॥१२-२७२-३४॥
O Śakra, this Vṛtra is enveloped by great strength. He is the soul of all, all-pervading, possessed of many illusions, and renowned.
तदेनमसुरश्रेष्ठं त्रैलोक्येनापि दुर्जयम्। जहि त्वं योगमास्थाय मावमंस्थाः सुरेश्वर ॥१२-२७२-३५॥
O lord of the gods, do not despise him who is the best among Asuras and difficult to conquer even by the three worlds; slay him, resorting to yoga.
अनेन हि तपस्तप्तं बलार्थममराधिप। षष्टिं वर्षसहस्राणि ब्रह्मा चास्मै वरं ददौ ॥१२-२७२-३६॥
O lord of the immortals, by this, austerity was indeed performed for the sake of strength. For sixty thousand years, Brahmā granted him a boon.
महत्त्वं योगिनां चैव महामायत्वमेव च। महाबलत्वं च तथा तेजश्चाग्र्यं सुरेश्वर ॥१२-२७२-३७॥
O lord of the gods, greatness, supreme illusion, immense strength, splendor, and excellence are attributes of yogins.
एतद्वै मामकं तेजः समाविशति वासव। वृत्रमेनं त्वमप्येवं जहि वज्रेण दानवम् ॥१२-२७२-३८॥
O Vāsava, my energy now enters you. Slay this demon Vṛtra with your thunderbolt in this way.
शक्र उवाच॥
Indra said.
भगवंस्त्वत्प्रसादेन दितिजं सुदुरासदम्। वज्रेण निहनिष्यामि पश्यतस्ते सुरर्षभ ॥१२-२७२-३९॥
O Lord, by your grace, I shall slay the son of Diti, who is very difficult to approach, with the thunderbolt, while you watch, O best of the gods.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
आविश्यमाने दैत्ये तु ज्वरेणाथ महासुरे। देवतानामृषीणां च हर्षान्नादो महानभूत् ॥१२-२७२-४०॥
But as the fever entered the Daitya, the great Asura, a great sound of joy arose from the gods and sages.
ततो दुन्दुभयश्चैव शङ्खाश्च सुमहास्वनाः। मुरजा डिण्डिमाश्चैव प्रावाद्यन्त सहस्रशः ॥१२-२७२-४१॥
Then thousands of kettle-drums, conch-shells, drums, and tabors of great sound were sounded together.
असुराणां तु सर्वेषां स्मृतिलोपोऽभवन्महान्। प्रज्ञानाशश्च बलवान्क्षणेन समपद्यत ॥१२-२७२-४२॥
But for all the asuras, there was a great loss of memory, and a powerful loss of wisdom overtook them instantly.
तमाविष्टमथो ज्ञात्वा ऋषयो देवतास्तथा। स्तुवन्तः शक्रमीशानं तथा प्राचोदयन्नपि ॥१२-२७२-४३॥
Then, having known him to be possessed, the sages and gods, praising Indra the lord, also urged him.
रथस्थस्य हि शक्रस्य युद्धकाले महात्मनः। ऋषिभिः स्तूयमानस्य रूपमासीत्सुदुर्दृशम् ॥१२-२७२-४४॥
At the time of battle, the form of the great-souled Śakra, standing on the chariot and being praised by the sages, was very difficult to behold.
