12.273
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said:
vṛtrasya tu mahārāja jvarāviṣṭasya sarvaśaḥ। abhavanyāni liṅgāni śarīre tāni me śṛṇu॥12-273-1॥
O great king, hear from me all the symptoms that appeared in Vṛtra's body when he was completely afflicted by fever.
jvalitāsyo'bhavadghoro vaivarṇyaṃ cāgamatparam। gātrakampaśca sumahāñchvāsaścāpyabhavanmahān ॥ romaharṣaśca tīvro'bhūnniḥśvāsaśca mahānnṛpa ॥12-273-2॥
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.
śivā cāśivasaṅkāśā tasya vaktrāt sudāruṇā। niṣpapāta mahāghorā smṛtiḥ sā tasya bhārata॥ ulkāś ca jvalitās tasya dīptāḥ pārśve prapedire॥12-273-3॥
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.
gṛdhra-kaṅka-vaḍāś-caiva vāco' muñcan-sudāruṇāḥ। vṛtrasya-upari saṃhṛṣṭāś-cakravat-paribabhramuḥ॥12-273-4॥
Vultures, herons, and crows uttered dreadful cries and, delighted, circled above Vṛtra like a wheel.
tatas taṃ ratham āsthāya devāpyāyitam āhave। vajrodyatakaraḥ śakras taṃ daityaṃ pratyavaikṣata ॥12-273-5॥
Then Śakra (Indra), having mounted that chariot and refreshed in battle, with his hand raised holding the thunderbolt, looked at that demon.
amānuṣam atho nādaṃ sa mumoca mahāsuraḥ। vyajṛmbhata ca rājendra tīvrajvarasamanvitaḥ॥ athāsya jṛmbhataḥ śakrastato vajram avāsṛjat॥12-273-6॥
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.
sa vajraḥ sumahātejāḥ kālāgnisadṛśopamaḥ। kṣiprameva mahākāyaṃ vṛtraṃ daityamapātayat ॥12-273-7॥
He, the thunderbolt of immense brilliance, resembling the fire of destruction, swiftly struck down the mighty demon Vṛtra.
tato nādaḥ samabhavat punar eva samantataḥ। vṛtraṃ vinihataṃ dṛṣṭvā devānāṃ bharatarṣabha ॥12-273-8॥
Then, O bull among the Bharatas, a sound arose again on all sides when the gods saw Vṛtra slain.
vṛtraṃ tu hatvā bhagavān dānavāriḥ mahāyaśāḥ। vajreṇa viṣṇuyuktena divam eva samāviśat ॥12-273-9॥
But after slaying Vṛtra, the illustrious Lord, destroyer of the Dānavas, using the thunderbolt empowered by Viṣṇu, entered heaven.
atha vṛtrasya kauravya śarīrād abhiniḥsṛtā। brahmahatyā mahāghorā raudrā lokabhayāvahā ॥12-273-10॥
Then, O Kauravya, from the body of Vṛtra, the very terrible and fierce Brahminicide emerged, causing fear throughout the world.
karāladaśanā bhīmā vikṛtā kṛṣṇapiṅgalā। prakīrṇamūrdhajā caiva ghoranetrā ca bhārata ॥12-273-11॥
O Bhārata, she was fearsome, deformed, with terrible teeth, dark and tawny, with disheveled hair and dreadful eyes.
kapālamālinī caiva kṛśā ca bharatarṣabha। rudhirārdrā ca dharmajña cīravastranivāsinī ॥12-273-12॥
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.
sābhinis kramya rājendra tādṛgrūpā bhayāvahā। vajriṇaṃ mṛgayāmāsa tadā bharatasattama ॥12-273-13॥
O best of the Bharatas, she, in that terrifying form, went out and then hunted the wielder of the thunderbolt, O king.
kasyacit tv atha kālasya vṛtrahā kurunandana। svargāyābhimukhaḥ prāyāl lokānāṃ hitakāmyayā ॥12-273-14॥
O Kurunandana, at a certain time, the Vṛtra-slayer, desiring the welfare of the worlds, departed facing heaven.
bisānniḥsaramāṇaṃ tu dṛṣṭvā śakraṃ mahaujasaṃ। kaṇṭhe jagrāha devendraṃ sulagnā cābhavattadā॥12-273-15॥
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.
sa hi tasmin samutpanne brahmahatyākṛte bhaye। nalinyāṃ bisamadhyastho babhūvābdaganānbahūn ॥12-273-16॥
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.
anusṛtya tu yatnātsa tayā vai brahmahatyayā। tadā gṛhītaḥ kauravya niśceṣṭaḥ samapadyata ॥12-273-17॥
But after being pursued with effort, he was seized by her, by Brahmahatyā; then, O Kauravya, he became motionless.
tasyā vyapohane śakraḥ paraṃ yatnaṃ cakāra ha। na cāśakattāṃ devendro brahmahatyāṃ vyapohitum ॥12-273-18॥
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).
gṛhīta eva tu tayā devendro bharatarṣabha। pitāmaham upāgamya śirasā pratyapūjayat ॥12-273-19॥
O best of the Bharatas, Indra, having been seized by her, approached the grandsire Brahmā and respectfully saluted him with his head.
jñātvā gṛhītaṃ śakraṃ tu dvijapravarahatyayā। brahmā sañcintayāmāsa tadā bharatasattama ॥12-273-20॥
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.
tām uvāca mahābāho brahmahatyāṃ pitāmahaḥ। svareṇa madhureṇātha sāntvayann iva bhārata॥12-273-21॥
O Bhārata, the grandsire said to her, O mighty-armed, about the Brahminicide, then, as if consoling, with a sweet voice.
mucyatāṃ tridaśendro'yaṃ matpriyaṃ kuru bhāmini। brūhi kiṃ te karomyadya kāmaṃ kaṃ tvamihecchasi ॥12-273-22॥
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?
brahmahatyovāca॥
Brahminicide said.
trilokapūjite deve prīte trailokyakartari। kṛtameveha manye'haṃ nivāsaṃ tu vidhatsva me ॥12-273-23॥
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.
tvayā kṛteyaṃ maryādā lokasaṃrakṣaṇārthinā। sthāpanā vai sumahatī tvayā deva pravartitā ॥12-273-24॥
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.
prīte tu tvayi dharmajña sarvalokeśvare prabho। śakrādapagamiṣyāmi nivāsaṃ tu vidhatsva me ॥12-273-25॥
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.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
tatheti tāṃ prāha tadā brahmahatyāṃ pitāmahaḥ। upāyataḥ sa śakrasya brahmahatyāṃ vyapohata ॥12-273-26॥
Thus, the Grandfather (Brahmā) then said to her. Having approached, he removed the Brahminicide of Śakra (Indra).
tataḥ svayambhuvā dhyātastatra vahnirmahātmanā। brahmāṇamupasaṅgamya tato vacanamabravīt ॥12-273-27॥
Then, after Svayambhū meditated there, Agni, the great-souled one, approached Brahmā and spoke these words.
prāpto'smi bhagavan deva tvat-sakāśam ariṃdama। yat kartavyaṃ mayā deva tad bhavān vaktum arhati ॥12-273-28॥
O Lord, O god, I have come into your presence, O subduer of enemies. Please tell me what I should do.
brahmovāca॥
Brahmā said.
bahudhā vibhajiṣyāmi brahmahatyām imām aham। śakrasya adya vimokṣārthaṃ caturbhāgaṃ pratīccha me ॥12-273-29॥
I will divide this act of Brāhmaṇa-killing in many ways; for Śakra's release today, accept a fourth part from me.
agniruvāca॥
Agni said.
mama mokṣasya ko'nto vai brahmaṃdhyāyasva vai prabho। etadicchāmi vijñātuṃ tattvato lokapūjita ॥12-273-30॥
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.
brahmovāca॥
Brahmā said.
yastvāṃ jvalantam āsādya svayaṃ vai mānavaḥ kvacit। bījauṣadhirasair vahne na yakṣyati tamovṛtaḥ ॥12-273-31॥
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.
tameṣā yāsyati kṣipraṃ tatraiva ca nivatsyati। brahmahatyā havyavāha vyetu te mānaso jvaraḥ ॥12-273-32॥
This (sin) will quickly leave him and remain there itself. O Fire, may the sin of Brahmin-slaying and your mental fever depart.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
ityuktaḥ pratijagrāha tadvaco havyakavyabhuk। pitāmahasya bhagavāṃstathā ca tadabhūtprabho ॥12-273-33॥
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.
tato vṛkṣauṣadhitṛṇaṃ samāhūya pitāmahaḥ। imam arthaṃ mahārāja vaktuṃ samupacakrame ॥12-273-34॥
Then the grandsire, having summoned the trees, herbs, and grasses, began to speak about this matter, O great king.
tato vṛkṣauṣadhitṛṇaṃ tathaivoktaṃ yathātatham। vyathitaṃ vahnivad rājann brahmāṇam idam abravīt ॥12-273-35॥
Then, O king, the trees, herbs, and grasses, being afflicted just as described, spoke thus to Brahmā, like fire.
asmākaṃ brahmahatyāto ko'nto lokapitāmaha। svabhāvanihatānasmānna punarhantumarhasi ॥12-273-36॥
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.
vayam agniṃ tathā śītaṃ varṣaṃ ca pavaneritām। sahāmaḥ satataṃ deva tathā chedanabhedanam ॥12-273-37॥
O god, we constantly endure fire, cold, rain driven by wind, as well as cutting and breaking.
brahmahatyām imām adya bhavataḥ śāsanād vayam। grahīṣyāmaḥ trilokeśa mokṣaṃ cintayatāṃ bhavān॥12-273-38॥
O Lord of the three worlds, by your command, we shall accept this Brahminicide today; you should consider liberation for those who desire it.
brahmovāca॥
Brahmā said.
parvakāle tu samprāpte yo vai chedanabhedanam। kariṣyati naro mohāttameṣānugamiṣyati ॥12-273-39॥
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).
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
tato vṛkṣauṣadhitṛṇamevamuktaṃ mahātmanā। brahmāṇamabhisampūjya jagāmāśu yathāgatam ॥12-273-40॥
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.
āhūyāpsaraso devas tato lokapitāmahaḥ। vācā madhurayā prāha sāntvayann iva bhārata ॥12-273-41॥
O Bhārata, the grandsire of the worlds, having summoned the celestial nymphs, then spoke with sweet words, as if to soothe.
iyam indrād anuprāptā brahmahatyā varāṅganāḥ। caturtham asyā bhāgaṃ hi mayoktāḥ sampratīcchata ॥12-273-42॥
O noble women, this Brahminicide, having come from Indra, her fourth part has indeed been declared by me; accept it.
apsarasa ūcuḥ॥
The apsarases said.
grahaṇe kṛtabuddhīnāṃ deveśa tava śāsanāt। mokṣaṃ samayato'smākaṃ cintayasva pitāmaha ॥12-273-43॥
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.
brahmovāca॥
Brahmā said.
rajasvalāsu nārīṣu yo vai maithunam ācaret। tam eṣā yāsyati kṣipraṃ vyetu vo mānaso jvaraḥ॥12-273-44॥
If anyone has intercourse with a menstruating woman, this (trouble) will quickly befall him; may your mental distress subside.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
tatheti hṛṣṭamanasa uktvāthāpsarasāṃ gaṇāḥ। svāni sthānāni samprāpya remire bharatarṣabha ॥12-273-45॥
Thus, O best of the Bharatas, the groups of apsarases, having spoken joyfully, returned to their own places and rejoiced.
tatas trilokakṛd devaḥ punar eva mahātapāḥ। apaḥ sañcintayām āsa dhyātās tāś cāpy athāgaman ॥12-273-46॥
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.
tāstu sarvāḥ samāgamya brahmāṇam amitaujasaṃ। idam ūcur vaco rājan praṇipatya pitāmaham ॥12-273-47॥
O king, all those women, having assembled, bowed down to the grandsire Brahmā of immeasurable energy and spoke these words.
imāḥ sma deva samprāptās tvat-sakāśam ariṁdama। śāsanāt tava deveśa samājñāpaya no vibho ॥12-273-48॥
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.
brahmovāca॥
Brahmā said.
iyaṃ vṛtrādanuprāptā puruhūtaṃ mahābhayā। brahmahatyā caturthāṃśamasya yūyaṃ pratīcchata ॥12-273-49॥
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.
āpa ūcuḥ॥
The Waters said.
evaṃ bhavatu lokeśa yathā vadasi naḥ prabho। mokṣaṃ samayato'smākaṃ sañcintayitumarhasi ॥12-273-50॥
"So be it, O Lord of the world, as you have said, O Master; at the appointed time, please consider granting us liberation."
tvaṃ hi deveśa sarvasya jagataḥ paramo guruḥ। ko'nyaḥ prasādo hi bhaved yaḥ kṛcchrān naḥ samuddharet ॥12-273-51॥
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?
brahmovāca॥
Brahmā said.
alpā iti matiṃ kṛtvā yo naro buddhimohitaḥ। śleṣmamūtrapurīṣāṇi yuṣmāsu pratimokṣyati ॥12-273-52॥
If a man, whose intellect is deluded, considers you as insignificant, he will discharge phlegm, urine, and feces upon you.
tameṣā yāsyati kṣipraṃ tatraiva ca nivatsyati। tathā vo bhavitā mokṣa iti satyaṃ bravīmi vaḥ ॥12-273-53॥
She will quickly go to him and remain there; thus, liberation will be yours. This is the truth I tell you.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
tato vimucya devendraṃ brahmahatyā yudhiṣṭhira। yathānisṛṣṭaṃ taṃ deśam agacchad devaśāsanāt ॥12-273-54॥
Then, Yudhishthira, having released Indra from Brahminicide, went to that place as directed by the gods.
evaṃ śakreṇa samprāptā brahmahatyā janādhipa। pitāmahamanujñāpya so'śvamedhamakalpayat ॥12-273-55॥
Thus, when Brahminicide was brought by Śakra to the lord of men, after obtaining permission from the grandsire, he arranged for the horse-sacrifice.
śrūyate hi mahārāja samprāptā vāsavena vai। brahmahatyā tataḥ śuddhiṃ hayamedhena labdhavān ॥12-273-56॥
It is said, O great king, that Indra, having incurred the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa, later attained purification by performing the horse-sacrifice.
samavāpya śriyaṃ devo hatvārīṃś ca sahasraśaḥ। praharṣam atulaṃ lebhe vāsavaḥ pṛthivīpate ॥12-273-57॥
O king, having slain thousands of enemies and attained prosperity, Indra experienced incomparable joy.
vṛtrasya rudhirāccaiva khukhuṇḍāḥ pārtha jajñire। dvijātibhirabhakṣyāste dīkṣitaiśca tapodhanaiḥ ॥12-273-58॥
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.
sarvāvasthaṃ tvam apy eṣāṃ dvijātīnām priyaṃ kuru। ime hi bhūtale devāḥ prathitāḥ kurunandana ॥12-273-59॥
O Kurunandana, always do what is dear to these twice-born, for these Brahmins are indeed renowned as gods on earth.
evaṃ śakreṇa kauravya buddhisaukṣmyānmahāsuraḥ। upāyapūrvaṃ nihato vṛtro'thāmitatejasā ॥12-273-60॥
Thus, O Kauravya, Vṛtra, the great asura, was slain by Śakra through subtle intelligence and strategic means, by his immeasurable brilliance.
evaṃ tvam api kauravya pṛthivyām aparājitaḥ। bhaviṣyasi yathā devaḥ śatakratur amitrahā ॥12-273-61॥
In this way, you too, O Kauravya, will become unconquered on earth, just like the god Indra, the destroyer of enemies.
ye tu śakrakathāṃ divyām imāṃ parvasu parvasu। vipramadhye paṭhiṣyanti na te prāpsyanti kilbiṣam ॥12-273-62॥
But those who recite this divine tale of Śakra on every festival day in the midst of Brāhmaṇas, they will not incur any sin.
ity etad vṛtram āśritya śakrasya atyadbhutam mahat। kathitam karma te tāta kiṃ bhūyaḥ śrotum icchasi ॥12-273-63॥
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?
