12.273
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said:
वृत्रस्य तु महाराज ज्वराविष्टस्य सर्वशः। अभवन्यानि लिङ्गानि शरीरे तानि मे शृणु ॥१२-२७३-१॥
O great king, hear from me all the symptoms that appeared in Vṛtra's body when he was completely afflicted by fever.
ज्वलितास्योऽभवद्घोरो वैवर्ण्यं चागमत्परम्। गात्रकम्पश्च सुमहाञ्श्वासश्चाप्यभवन्महान् ॥ रोमहर्षश्च तीव्रोऽभून्निःश्वासश्च महान्नृप ॥१२-२७३-२॥
His mouth blazed terribly, extreme pallor appeared, his body trembled, his breath became very heavy. His hair stood on end intensely, and he sighed deeply, O king.
शिवा चाशिवसङ्काशा तस्य वक्त्रात्सुदारुणा। निष्पपात महाघोरा स्मृतिः सा तस्य भारत ॥ उल्काश्च ज्वलितास्तस्य दीप्ताः पार्श्वे प्रपेदिरे ॥१२-२७३-३॥
O Bhārata, from his face, both auspicious and inauspicious in appearance, a very terrible and dreadful memory fell out. And blazing meteors, shining, approached at his side.
गृध्रकङ्कवडाश्चैव वाचोऽमुञ्चन्सुदारुणाः। वृत्रस्योपरि संहृष्टाश्चक्रवत्परिबभ्रमुः ॥१२-२७३-४॥
Vultures, herons, and crows uttered dreadful cries and, delighted, circled above Vṛtra like a wheel.
ततस्तं रथमास्थाय देवाप्यायितमाहवे। वज्रोद्यतकरः शक्रस्तं दैत्यं प्रत्यवैक्षत ॥१२-२७३-५॥
Then Śakra (Indra), having mounted that chariot and refreshed in battle, with his hand raised holding the thunderbolt, looked at that demon.
अमानुषमथो नादं स मुमोच महासुरः। व्यजृम्भत च राजेन्द्र तीव्रज्वरसमन्वितः ॥ अथास्य जृम्भतः शक्रस्ततो वज्रमवासृजत् ॥१२-२७३-६॥
The great asura then let out a superhuman sound and yawned, O king, afflicted by intense fever. As he was yawning, Indra hurled his thunderbolt at him.
स वज्रः सुमहातेजाः कालाग्निसदृशोपमः। क्षिप्रमेव महाकायं वृत्रं दैत्यमपातयत् ॥१२-२७३-७॥
He, the thunderbolt of immense brilliance, resembling the fire of destruction, swiftly struck down the mighty demon Vṛtra.
ततो नादः समभवत्पुनरेव समन्ततः। वृत्रं विनिहतं दृष्ट्वा देवानां भरतर्षभ ॥१२-२७३-८॥
Then, O bull among the Bharatas, a sound arose again on all sides when the gods saw Vṛtra slain.
वृत्रं तु हत्वा भगवान्दानवारिर्महायशाः। वज्रेण विष्णुयुक्तेन दिवमेव समाविशत् ॥१२-२७३-९॥
But after slaying Vṛtra, the illustrious Lord, destroyer of the Dānavas, using the thunderbolt empowered by Viṣṇu, entered heaven.
अथ वृत्रस्य कौरव्य शरीरादभिनिःसृता। ब्रह्महत्या महाघोरा रौद्रा लोकभयावहा ॥१२-२७३-१०॥
Then, O Kauravya, from the body of Vṛtra, the very terrible and fierce Brahminicide emerged, causing fear throughout the world.
करालदशना भीमा विकृता कृष्णपिङ्गला। प्रकीर्णमूर्धजा चैव घोरनेत्रा च भारत ॥१२-२७३-११॥
O Bhārata, she was fearsome, deformed, with terrible teeth, dark and tawny, with disheveled hair and dreadful eyes.
कपालमालिनी चैव कृशा च भरतर्षभ। रुधिरार्द्रा च धर्मज्ञ चीरवस्त्रनिवासिनी ॥१२-२७३-१२॥
O best of the Bharatas, she wore a garland of skulls, was emaciated, soaked in blood, a knower of dharma, and dwelled in garments of bark.
साभिनिष्क्रम्य राजेन्द्र तादृग्रूपा भयावहा। वज्रिणं मृगयामास तदा भरतसत्तम ॥१२-२७३-१३॥
O best of the Bharatas, she, in that terrifying form, went out and then hunted the wielder of the thunderbolt, O king.
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य वृत्रहा कुरुनन्दन। स्वर्गायाभिमुखः प्रायाल्लोकानां हितकाम्यया ॥१२-२७३-१४॥
O Kurunandana, at a certain time, the Vṛtra-slayer, desiring the welfare of the worlds, departed facing heaven.
बिसान्निःसरमाणं तु दृष्ट्वा शक्रं महौजसम्। कण्ठे जग्राह देवेन्द्रं सुलग्ना चाभवत्तदा ॥१२-२७३-१५॥
But when she saw Indra, of great energy, emerging from the lotus, she seized the lord of the gods by the neck and became firmly attached to him at that moment.
स हि तस्मिन्समुत्पन्ने ब्रह्महत्याकृते भये। नलिन्यां बिसमध्यस्थो बभूवाब्दगणान्बहून् ॥१२-२७३-१६॥
He, indeed, out of fear that arose from the act of Brahmin-slaying, stayed for many years in the lotus-pond, hidden among the lotus-stalks.
अनुसृत्य तु यत्नात्स तया वै ब्रह्महत्यया। तदा गृहीतः कौरव्य निश्चेष्टः समपद्यत ॥१२-२७३-१७॥
But after being pursued with effort, he was seized by her, by Brahmahatyā; then, O Kauravya, he became motionless.
तस्या व्यपोहने शक्रः परं यत्नं चकार ह। न चाशकत्तां देवेन्द्रो ब्रह्महत्यां व्यपोहितुम् ॥१२-२७३-१८॥
Śakra (Indra) made supreme effort to remove her (the sin), but Devendra (Indra) was not able to remove the Brahma-hatya (the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa).
गृहीत एव तु तया देवेन्द्रो भरतर्षभ। पितामहमुपागम्य शिरसा प्रत्यपूजयत् ॥१२-२७३-१९॥
O best of the Bharatas, Indra, having been seized by her, approached the grandsire Brahmā and respectfully saluted him with his head.
ज्ञात्वा गृहीतं शक्रं तु द्विजप्रवरहत्यया। ब्रह्मा सञ्चिन्तयामास तदा भरतसत्तम ॥१२-२७३-२०॥
O best of the Bharatas, Brahmā, having realized that Indra was seized due to the slaying of the foremost Brāhmaṇa, began to reflect at that time.
तामुवाच महाबाहो ब्रह्महत्यां पितामहः। स्वरेण मधुरेणाथ सान्त्वयन्निव भारत ॥१२-२७३-२१॥
O Bhārata, the grandsire said to her, O mighty-armed, about the Brahminicide, then, as if consoling, with a sweet voice.
मुच्यतां त्रिदशेन्द्रोऽयं मत्प्रियं कुरु भामिनि। ब्रूहि किं ते करोम्यद्य कामं कं त्वमिहेच्छसि ॥१२-२७३-२२॥
Let this Indra be released; O beautiful lady, do what is dear to me. Tell me, what shall I do for you today? Which desire do you wish for here?
ब्रह्महत्योवाच॥
Brahminicide said.
त्रिलोकपूजिते देवे प्रीते त्रैलोक्यकर्तरि। कृतमेवेह मन्येऽहं निवासं तु विधत्स्व मे ॥१२-२७३-२३॥
O god, worshipped by the three worlds and creator of the three worlds, who is pleased, I believe that everything is accomplished here, but please arrange a residence for me.
त्वया कृतेयं मर्यादा लोकसंरक्षणार्थिना। स्थापना वै सुमहती त्वया देव प्रवर्तिता ॥१२-२७३-२४॥
O god, you, desiring the protection of the world, have established this great boundary; indeed, a very great order has been set in motion by you.
प्रीते तु त्वयि धर्मज्ञ सर्वलोकेश्वरे प्रभो। शक्रादपगमिष्यामि निवासं तु विधत्स्व मे ॥१२-२७३-२५॥
O knower of dharma, lord of all worlds, when you are pleased, O master, I shall depart from Indra; but please arrange a residence for me.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
तथेति तां प्राह तदा ब्रह्महत्यां पितामहः। उपायतः स शक्रस्य ब्रह्महत्यां व्यपोहत ॥१२-२७३-२६॥
Thus, the Grandfather (Brahmā) then said to her. Having approached, he removed the Brahminicide of Śakra (Indra).
ततः स्वयम्भुवा ध्यातस्तत्र वह्निर्महात्मना। ब्रह्माणमुपसङ्गम्य ततो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१२-२७३-२७॥
Then, after Svayambhū meditated there, Agni, the great-souled one, approached Brahmā and spoke these words.
प्राप्तोऽस्मि भगवन्देव त्वत्सकाशमरिंदम। यत्कर्तव्यं मया देव तद्भवान्वक्तुमर्हति ॥१२-२७३-२८॥
O Lord, O god, I have come into your presence, O subduer of enemies. Please tell me what I should do.
ब्रह्मोवाच॥
Brahmā said.
बहुधा विभजिष्यामि ब्रह्महत्यामिमामहम्। शक्रस्याद्य विमोक्षार्थं चतुर्भागं प्रतीच्छ मे ॥१२-२७३-२९॥
I will divide this act of Brāhmaṇa-killing in many ways; for Śakra's release today, accept a fourth part from me.
अग्निरुवाच॥
Agni said.
मम मोक्षस्य कोऽन्तो वै ब्रह्मन्ध्यायस्व वै प्रभो। एतदिच्छामि विज्ञातुं तत्त्वतो लोकपूजित ॥१२-२७३-३०॥
O Brahman, O Lord revered by the world, what is the end of my liberation? Please meditate and tell me this; I wish to know the truth of it.
ब्रह्मोवाच॥
Brahmā said.
यस्त्वां ज्वलन्तमासाद्य स्वयं वै मानवः क्वचित्। बीजौषधिरसैर्वह्ने न यक्ष्यति तमोवृतः ॥१२-२७३-३१॥
Any human who, having come near you blazing, does not offer oblations to the fire with the juices of seeds and herbs at any time, being enveloped in darkness, will not perform the sacrifice.
तमेषा यास्यति क्षिप्रं तत्रैव च निवत्स्यति। ब्रह्महत्या हव्यवाह व्येतु ते मानसो ज्वरः ॥१२-२७३-३२॥
This (sin) will quickly leave him and remain there itself. O Fire, may the sin of Brahmin-slaying and your mental fever depart.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
इत्युक्तः प्रतिजग्राह तद्वचो हव्यकव्यभुक्। पितामहस्य भगवांस्तथा च तदभूत्प्रभो ॥१२-२७३-३३॥
Thus addressed, the enjoyer of oblations to gods and ancestors accepted those words. The revered one of the Grandfather (Brahmā) also became that, O lord.
ततो वृक्षौषधितृणं समाहूय पितामहः। इममर्थं महाराज वक्तुं समुपचक्रमे ॥१२-२७३-३४॥
Then the grandsire, having summoned the trees, herbs, and grasses, began to speak about this matter, O great king.
ततो वृक्षौषधितृणं तथैवोक्तं यथातथम्। व्यथितं वह्निवद्राजन्ब्रह्माणमिदमब्रवीत् ॥१२-२७३-३५॥
Then, O king, the trees, herbs, and grasses, being afflicted just as described, spoke thus to Brahmā, like fire.
अस्माकं ब्रह्महत्यातो कोऽन्तो लोकपितामह। स्वभावनिहतानस्मान्न पुनर्हन्तुमर्हसि ॥१२-२७३-३६॥
O grandsire of the world, what end is there for us from Brāhmaṇa-slaughter? You ought not to kill us again, who have already been destroyed by our own nature.
वयमग्निं तथा शीतं वर्षं च पवनेरितम्। सहामः सततं देव तथा छेदनभेदनम् ॥१२-२७३-३७॥
O god, we constantly endure fire, cold, rain driven by wind, as well as cutting and breaking.
ब्रह्महत्यामिमामद्य भवतः शासनाद्वयम्। ग्रहीष्यामस्त्रिलोकेश मोक्षं चिन्तयतां भवान् ॥१२-२७३-३८॥
O Lord of the three worlds, by your command, we shall accept this Brahminicide today; you should consider liberation for those who desire it.
ब्रह्मोवाच॥
Brahmā said.
पर्वकाले तु सम्प्राप्ते यो वै छेदनभेदनम्। करिष्यति नरो मोहात्तमेषानुगमिष्यति ॥१२-२७३-३९॥
But at the time of a festival, if a man, out of delusion, performs cutting or splitting, he will follow the fate of these (beings).
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
ततो वृक्षौषधितृणमेवमुक्तं महात्मना। ब्रह्माणमभिसम्पूज्य जगामाशु यथागतम् ॥१२-२७३-४०॥
Then, after the great soul had thus spoken about the trees, herbs, and grasses, and having duly worshipped Brahmā, he quickly departed as he had come.
आहूयाप्सरसो देवस्ततो लोकपितामहः। वाचा मधुरया प्राह सान्त्वयन्निव भारत ॥१२-२७३-४१॥
O Bhārata, the grandsire of the worlds, having summoned the celestial nymphs, then spoke with sweet words, as if to soothe.
इयमिन्द्रादनुप्राप्ता ब्रह्महत्या वराङ्गनाः। चतुर्थमस्या भागं हि मयोक्ताः सम्प्रतीच्छत ॥१२-२७३-४२॥
O noble women, this Brahminicide, having come from Indra, her fourth part has indeed been declared by me; accept it.
अप्सरस ऊचुः॥
The apsarases said.
ग्रहणे कृतबुद्धीनां देवेश तव शासनात्। मोक्षं समयतोऽस्माकं चिन्तयस्व पितामह ॥१२-२७३-४३॥
O grandsire, at the time of the eclipse, please consider granting liberation to us, whose minds are resolved, by your command, O lord of the gods.
ब्रह्मोवाच॥
Brahmā said.
रजस्वलासु नारीषु यो वै मैथुनमाचरेत्। तमेषा यास्यति क्षिप्रं व्येतु वो मानसो ज्वरः ॥१२-२७३-४४॥
If anyone has intercourse with a menstruating woman, this (trouble) will quickly befall him; may your mental distress subside.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
तथेति हृष्टमनस उक्त्वाथाप्सरसां गणाः। स्वानि स्थानानि सम्प्राप्य रेमिरे भरतर्षभ ॥१२-२७३-४५॥
Thus, O best of the Bharatas, the groups of apsarases, having spoken joyfully, returned to their own places and rejoiced.
ततस्त्रिलोककृद्देवः पुनरेव महातपाः। अपः सञ्चिन्तयामास ध्यातास्ताश्चाप्यथागमन् ॥१२-२७३-४६॥
Then the god, the creator of the three worlds and of great austerity, once again began to contemplate the waters; as he meditated upon them, they also appeared.
तास्तु सर्वाः समागम्य ब्रह्माणममितौजसम्। इदमूचुर्वचो राजन्प्रणिपत्य पितामहम् ॥१२-२७३-४७॥
O king, all those women, having assembled, bowed down to the grandsire Brahmā of immeasurable energy and spoke these words.
इमाः स्म देव सम्प्राप्तास्त्वत्सकाशमरिंदम। शासनात्तव देवेश समाज्ञापय नो विभो ॥१२-२७३-४८॥
O god, these have indeed come to your presence, O subduer of enemies. O lord of gods, by your command, instruct us, O mighty one.
ब्रह्मोवाच॥
Brahmā said.
इयं वृत्रादनुप्राप्ता पुरुहूतं महाभया। ब्रह्महत्या चतुर्थांशमस्या यूयं प्रतीच्छत ॥१२-२७३-४९॥
This portion of Brahminicide, which has come from Vṛtra and is greatly to be feared, O Indra, you all accept a fourth part of it.
आप ऊचुः॥
The Waters said.
एवं भवतु लोकेश यथा वदसि नः प्रभो। मोक्षं समयतोऽस्माकं सञ्चिन्तयितुमर्हसि ॥१२-२७३-५०॥
"So be it, O Lord of the world, as you have said, O Master; at the appointed time, please consider granting us liberation."
त्वं हि देवेश सर्वस्य जगतः परमो गुरुः। कोऽन्यः प्रसादो हि भवेद्यः कृच्छ्रान्नः समुद्धरेत् ॥१२-२७३-५१॥
You truly are the supreme teacher of all the world, O lord of the gods. Who else but your grace could deliver us from our hardships?
ब्रह्मोवाच॥
Brahmā said.
अल्पा इति मतिं कृत्वा यो नरो बुद्धिमोहितः। श्लेष्ममूत्रपुरीषाणि युष्मासु प्रतिमोक्ष्यति ॥१२-२७३-५२॥
If a man, whose intellect is deluded, considers you as insignificant, he will discharge phlegm, urine, and feces upon you.
तमेषा यास्यति क्षिप्रं तत्रैव च निवत्स्यति। तथा वो भविता मोक्ष इति सत्यं ब्रवीमि वः ॥१२-२७३-५३॥
She will quickly go to him and remain there; thus, liberation will be yours. This is the truth I tell you.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
ततो विमुच्य देवेन्द्रं ब्रह्महत्या युधिष्ठिर। यथानिसृष्टं तं देशमगच्छद्देवशासनात् ॥१२-२७३-५४॥
Then, Yudhishthira, having released Indra from Brahminicide, went to that place as directed by the gods.
एवं शक्रेण सम्प्राप्ता ब्रह्महत्या जनाधिप। पितामहमनुज्ञाप्य सोऽश्वमेधमकल्पयत् ॥१२-२७३-५५॥
Thus, when Brahminicide was brought by Śakra to the lord of men, after obtaining permission from the grandsire, he arranged for the horse-sacrifice.
श्रूयते हि महाराज सम्प्राप्ता वासवेन वै। ब्रह्महत्या ततः शुद्धिं हयमेधेन लब्धवान् ॥१२-२७३-५६॥
It is said, O great king, that Indra, having incurred the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa, later attained purification by performing the horse-sacrifice.
समवाप्य श्रियं देवो हत्वारींश्च सहस्रशः। प्रहर्षमतुलं लेभे वासवः पृथिवीपते ॥१२-२७३-५७॥
O king, having slain thousands of enemies and attained prosperity, Indra experienced incomparable joy.
वृत्रस्य रुधिराच्चैव खुखुण्डाः पार्थ जज्ञिरे। द्विजातिभिरभक्ष्यास्ते दीक्षितैश्च तपोधनैः ॥१२-२७३-५८॥
O Pārtha, owls originated from the blood of Vṛtra; they are considered unfit for consumption by the twice-born, by the initiated, and by ascetics.
सर्वावस्थं त्वमप्येषां द्विजातीनां प्रियं कुरु। इमे हि भूतले देवाः प्रथिताः कुरुनन्दन ॥१२-२७३-५९॥
O Kurunandana, always do what is dear to these twice-born, for these Brahmins are indeed renowned as gods on earth.
एवं शक्रेण कौरव्य बुद्धिसौक्ष्म्यान्महासुरः। उपायपूर्वं निहतो वृत्रोऽथामिततेजसा ॥१२-२७३-६०॥
Thus, O Kauravya, Vṛtra, the great asura, was slain by Śakra through subtle intelligence and strategic means, by his immeasurable brilliance.
एवं त्वमपि कौरव्य पृथिव्यामपराजितः। भविष्यसि यथा देवः शतक्रतुरमित्रहा ॥१२-२७३-६१॥
In this way, you too, O Kauravya, will become unconquered on earth, just like the god Indra, the destroyer of enemies.
ये तु शक्रकथां दिव्यामिमां पर्वसु पर्वसु। विप्रमध्ये पठिष्यन्ति न ते प्राप्स्यन्ति किल्बिषम् ॥१२-२७३-६२॥
But those who recite this divine tale of Śakra on every festival day in the midst of Brāhmaṇas, they will not incur any sin.
इत्येतद्वृत्रमाश्रित्य शक्रस्यात्यद्भुतं महत्। कथितं कर्म ते तात किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥१२-२७३-६३॥
Thus, the most wonderful and great deed of Śakra, accomplished by resorting to Vṛtra, has been told to you, O dear one; what more do you wish to hear?
