12.273
Bhīṣma said:
O great king, hear from me all the symptoms that appeared in Vṛtra's body when he was completely afflicted by fever.
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.
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.
Vultures, herons, and crows uttered dreadful cries and, delighted, circled above Vṛtra like a wheel.
Then Śakra (Indra), having mounted that chariot and refreshed in battle, with his hand raised holding the thunderbolt, looked at that demon.
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.
He, the thunderbolt of immense brilliance, resembling the fire of destruction, swiftly struck down the mighty demon Vṛtra.
Then, O bull among the Bharatas, a sound arose again on all sides when the gods saw Vṛtra slain.
But after slaying Vṛtra, the illustrious Lord, destroyer of the Dānavas, using the thunderbolt empowered by Viṣṇu, entered heaven.
Then, O Kauravya, from the body of Vṛtra, the very terrible and fierce Brahminicide emerged, causing fear throughout the world.
O Bhārata, she was fearsome, deformed, with terrible teeth, dark and tawny, with disheveled hair and dreadful eyes.
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.
O best of the Bharatas, she, in that terrifying form, went out and then hunted the wielder of the thunderbolt, O king.
O Kurunandana, at a certain time, the Vṛtra-slayer, desiring the welfare of the worlds, departed facing heaven.
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.
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.
But after being pursued with effort, he was seized by her, by Brahmahatyā; then, O Kauravya, he became motionless.
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).
O best of the Bharatas, Indra, having been seized by her, approached the grandsire Brahmā and respectfully saluted him with his head.
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.
O Bhārata, the grandsire said to her, O mighty-armed, about the Brahminicide, then, as if consoling, with a sweet voice.
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?
Brahminicide said.
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.
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.
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 said.
Thus, the Grandfather (Brahmā) then said to her. Having approached, he removed the Brahminicide of Śakra (Indra).
Then, after Svayambhū meditated there, Agni, the great-souled one, approached Brahmā and spoke these words.
O Lord, O god, I have come into your presence, O subduer of enemies. Please tell me what I should do.
Brahmā said.
I will divide this act of Brāhmaṇa-killing in many ways; for Śakra's release today, accept a fourth part from me.
Agni said.
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.
Brahmā said.
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.
This (sin) will quickly leave him and remain there itself. O Fire, may the sin of Brahmin-slaying and your mental fever depart.
Bhīṣma said.
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.
Then the grandsire, having summoned the trees, herbs, and grasses, began to speak about this matter, O great king.
Then, O king, the trees, herbs, and grasses, being afflicted just as described, spoke thus to Brahmā, like fire.
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.
O god, we constantly endure fire, cold, rain driven by wind, as well as cutting and breaking.
O Lord of the three worlds, by your command, we shall accept this Brahminicide today; you should consider liberation for those who desire it.
Brahmā said.
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 said.
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.
O Bhārata, the grandsire of the worlds, having summoned the celestial nymphs, then spoke with sweet words, as if to soothe.
O noble women, this Brahminicide, having come from Indra, her fourth part has indeed been declared by me; accept it.
The apsarases said.
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.
Brahmā said.
If anyone has intercourse with a menstruating woman, this (trouble) will quickly befall him; may your mental distress subside.
Bhīṣma said.
Thus, O best of the Bharatas, the groups of apsarases, having spoken joyfully, returned to their own places and rejoiced.
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.
O king, all those women, having assembled, bowed down to the grandsire Brahmā of immeasurable energy and spoke these words.
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.
Brahmā said.
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.
The Waters said.
"So be it, O Lord of the world, as you have said, O Master; at the appointed time, please consider granting us liberation."
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?
Brahmā said.
If a man, whose intellect is deluded, considers you as insignificant, he will discharge phlegm, urine, and feces upon you.
She will quickly go to him and remain there; thus, liberation will be yours. This is the truth I tell you.
Bhīṣma said.
Then, Yudhishthira, having released Indra from Brahminicide, went to that place as directed by the gods.
Thus, when Brahminicide was brought by Śakra to the lord of men, after obtaining permission from the grandsire, he arranged for the horse-sacrifice.
It is said, O great king, that Indra, having incurred the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa, later attained purification by performing the horse-sacrifice.
O king, having slain thousands of enemies and attained prosperity, Indra experienced incomparable joy.
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.
O Kurunandana, always do what is dear to these twice-born, for these Brahmins are indeed renowned as gods on earth.
Thus, O Kauravya, Vṛtra, the great asura, was slain by Śakra through subtle intelligence and strategic means, by his immeasurable brilliance.
In this way, you too, O Kauravya, will become unconquered on earth, just like the god Indra, the destroyer of enemies.
But those who recite this divine tale of Śakra on every festival day in the midst of Brāhmaṇas, they will not incur any sin.
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?
