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युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
पितामह महाप्राज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद। अस्ति वृत्रवधादेव विवक्षा मम जायते ॥१२-२७४-१॥
O grandfather, greatly wise and expert in all śāstras, a desire to speak about the slaying of Vṛtra indeed arises in me.
ज्वरेण मोहितो वृत्रः कथितस्ते जनाधिप। निहतो वासवेनेह वज्रेणेति ममानघ ॥१२-२७४-२॥
O sinless one, it is told to you, O lord of people, that Vṛtra, deluded by fever, was slain here by Vāsava (Indra) with the thunderbolt.
कथमेष महाप्राज्ञ ज्वरः प्रादुरभूत्कुतः। ज्वरोत्पत्तिं निपुणतः श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यहं प्रभो ॥१२-२७४-३॥
O greatly wise one, how did this fever arise and from where? O lord, I wish to hear in detail about the origin of fever.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
शृणु राजञ्ज्वरस्येह सम्भवं लोकविश्रुतम्। विस्तरं चास्य वक्ष्यामि यादृशं चैव भारत ॥१२-२७४-४॥
O king, listen to the origin of fever here, which is renowned in the world. I will explain its details and its nature, O Bhārata.
पुरा मेरोर्महाराज शृङ्गं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम्। ज्योतिष्कं नाम सावित्रं सर्वरत्नविभूषितम् ॥ अप्रमेयमनाधृष्यं सर्वलोकेषु भारत ॥१२-२७४-५॥
O Bhārata, in ancient times, there was a peak of Meru, renowned throughout the three worlds, called Sāvitra, shining with all kinds of gems, immeasurable and unassailable in all the worlds.
तत्र देवो गिरितटे हेमधातुविभूषिते। पर्यङ्क इव विभ्राजन्नुपविष्टो बभूव ह ॥१२-२७४-६॥
There, the god sat shining like a couch on the mountain slope adorned with gold ore.
शैलराजसुता चास्य नित्यं पार्श्वे स्थिता बभौ। तथा देवा महात्मानो वसवश्च महौजसः ॥१२-२७४-७॥
The daughter of the king of mountains always stood by his side, shining. Similarly, the gods, the great-souled ones, and the mighty Vasus were also present.
तथैव च महात्मानावश्विनौ भिषजां वरौ। तथा वैश्रवणो राजा गुह्यकैरभिसंवृतः ॥१२-२७४-८॥
Similarly, the two noble Aśvins, foremost among physicians, and King Vaiśravaṇa, attended by the Guhyakas, were present.
यक्षाणामधिपः श्रीमान्कैलासनिलयः प्रभुः। अङ्गिरःप्रमुखाश्चैव तथा देवर्षयोऽपरे ॥१२-२७४-९॥
The prosperous lord of the Yakṣas, the master residing at Kailāsa, and also the divine sages headed by Aṅgiras and others.
विश्वावसुश्च गन्धर्वस्तथा नारदपर्वतौ। अप्सरोगणसङ्घाश्च समाजग्मुरनेकशः ॥१२-२७४-१०॥
Viśvāvasu, the Gandharva, Nārada, Parvata, and many groups of Apsarases all gathered together.
ववौ शिवः सुखो वायुर्नानागन्धवहः शुचिः। सर्वर्तुकुसुमोपेताः पुष्पवन्तो महाद्रुमाः ॥१२-२७४-११॥
A pure and pleasant wind, carrying many fragrances, blew auspiciously. The great trees were covered in blossoms of every season, full of flowers.
तथा विद्याधराश्चैव सिद्धाश्चैव तपोधनाः। महादेवं पशुपतिं पर्युपासन्त भारत ॥१२-२७४-१२॥
In that manner, the Vidyādharas, Siddhas, and ascetics whose wealth is austerity, all worshipped Mahādeva, the lord of beings, O Bhārata.
भूतानि च महाराज नानारूपधराण्यथ। राक्षसाश्च महारौद्राः पिशाचाश्च महाबलाः ॥१२-२७४-१३॥
O great king, there were beings of various forms; then there were also very fierce rākṣasas and very powerful piśācas.
बहुरूपधरा हृष्टा नानाप्रहरणोद्यताः। देवस्यानुचरास्तत्र तस्थिरे चानलोपमाः ॥१२-२७४-१४॥
The god's attendants, bearing many forms, joyful, and armed with various weapons, stood there like fire.
नन्दी च भगवांस्तत्र देवस्यानुमते स्थितः। प्रगृह्य ज्वलितं शूलं दीप्यमानं स्वतेजसा ॥१२-२७४-१५॥
Nandī, with the consent of the god, stood there; he took up the blazing trident, shining with his own radiance.
गङ्गा च सरितां श्रेष्ठा सर्वतीर्थजलोद्भवा। पर्युपासत तं देवं रूपिणी कुरुनन्दन ॥१२-२७४-१६॥
O Kurunandana, Gaṅgā, the best among rivers and born from the waters of all sacred places, worshipped that god in person.
एवं स भगवांस्तत्र पूज्यमानः सुरर्षिभिः। देवैश्च सुमहाभागैर्महादेवो व्यतिष्ठत ॥१२-२७४-१७॥
Thus, Mahadeva, being worshipped there by the divine sages and the highly fortunate gods, stood present.
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य दक्षो नाम प्रजापतिः। पूर्वोक्तेन विधानेन यक्ष्यमाणोऽन्वपद्यत ॥१२-२७४-१८॥
At a certain time, Dakṣa, the Prajāpati, following the previously stated procedure, proceeded to perform a sacrifice.
ततस्तस्य मखं देवाः सर्वे शक्रपुरोगमाः। गमनाय समागम्य बुद्धिमापेदिरे तदा ॥१२-२७४-१९॥
Then all the gods, headed by Śakra, gathered together to decide about going to his sacrifice.
ते विमानैर्महात्मानो ज्वलितैर्ज्वलनप्रभाः। देवस्यानुमतेऽगच्छन्गङ्गाद्वारमिति श्रुतिः ॥१२-२७४-२०॥
It is said that those great-souled ones, shining like fire, went to Gaṅgādvāra in blazing aerial chariots with the god's consent.
प्रस्थिता देवता दृष्ट्वा शैलराजसुता तदा। उवाच वचनं साध्वी देवं पशुपतिं पतिम् ॥१२-२७४-२१॥
Then, having seen the deities depart, the virtuous daughter of the king of mountains spoke to her husband, the god Paśupati (Śiva).
भगवन्क्व नु यान्त्येते देवाः शक्रपुरोगमाः। ब्रूहि तत्त्वेन तत्त्वज्ञ संशयो मे महानयम् ॥१२-२७४-२२॥
O Lord, where are these gods, led by Indra, going? Please tell me truly, O knower of truth; I have this great doubt.
महेश्वर उवाच॥
The great lord Maheshvara said.
दक्षो नाम महाभागे प्रजानां पतिरुत्तमः। हयमेधेन यजते तत्र यान्ति दिवौकसः ॥१२-२७४-२३॥
Dakṣa, so named, O greatly fortunate one, is the supreme lord of beings; he performs the horse-sacrifice there, and the dwellers of heaven go there.
उमा उवाच॥
Umā said.
यज्ञमेतं महाभाग किमर्थं नाभिगच्छसि। केन वा प्रतिषेधेन गमनं ते न विद्यते ॥१२-२७४-२४॥
O highly fortunate one, why do you not come to this sacrifice? Is there some prohibition or reason that prevents you from going?
महेश्वर उवाच॥
The great lord said.
सुरैरेव महाभागे सर्वमेतदनुष्ठितम्। यज्ञेषु सर्वेषु मम न भाग उपकल्पितः ॥१२-२७४-२५॥
O greatly fortunate one, all this has indeed been performed by the gods, but in all the sacrifices, my share has not been allotted.
पूर्वोपायोपपन्नेन मार्गेण वरवर्णिनि। न मे सुराः प्रयच्छन्ति भागं यज्ञस्य धर्मतः ॥१२-२७४-२६॥
O fair lady, by the previously established means, on this path, the gods do not grant me the rightful share of the sacrifice.
उमा उवाच॥
Umā said.
भगवन्सर्वभूतेषु प्रभवाभ्यधिको गुणैः। अजेयश्चाप्रधृष्यश्च तेजसा यशसा श्रिया ॥१२-२७४-२७॥
O Lord, among all beings, you are superior in origin and qualities, unconquerable and unassailable, endowed with brilliance, fame, and prosperity.
अनेन ते महाभाग प्रतिषेधेन भागतः। अतीव दुःखमुत्पन्नं वेपथुश्च ममानघ ॥१२-२७४-२८॥
O greatly fortunate one, because of this opposition, I have suffered greatly and am trembling, O sinless one.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
एवमुक्त्वा तु सा देवी देवं पशुपतिं पतिम्। तूष्णीम्भूताभवद्राजन्दह्यमानेन चेतसा ॥१२-२७४-२९॥
O king, after saying this to her husband Paśupati, the goddess became silent, her mind burning with anguish.
अथ देव्या मतं ज्ञात्वा हृद्गतं यच्चिकीर्षितम्। स समाज्ञापयामास तिष्ठ त्वमिति नन्दिनम् ॥१२-२७४-३०॥
Then, understanding the goddess's intention and what she wished in her heart, he commanded Nandin, saying, "You stand here."
ततो योगबलं कृत्वा सर्वयोगेश्वरेश्वरः। तं यज्ञं सुमहातेजा भीमैरनुचरैस्तदा ॥ सहसा घातयामास देवदेवः पिनाकधृक् ॥१२-२७४-३१॥
Then, the god of gods, Śiva, the wielder of Pināka, having applied the power of yoga, suddenly destroyed that great and brilliant sacrifice along with its terrible attendants.
केचिन्नादानमुञ्चन्त केचिद्धासांश्च चक्रिरे। रुधिरेणापरे राजंस्तत्राग्निं समवाकिरन् ॥१२-२७४-३२॥
Some made sounds, some performed offerings, and others, O king, covered the fire there with blood.
केचिद्यूपान्समुत्पाट्य बभ्रमुर्विकृताननाः। आस्यैरन्ये चाग्रसन्त तथैव परिचारकान् ॥१२-२७४-३३॥
Some uprooted the sacrificial posts and wandered about with distorted faces; others, using their mouths, devoured the attendants in the same manner.
ततः स यज्ञो नृपते वध्यमानः समन्ततः। आस्थाय मृगरूपं वै खमेवाभ्यपतत्तदा ॥१२-२७४-३४॥
Then, O king, as the sacrifice was being destroyed on all sides, it assumed the form of a deer and immediately flew up into the sky.
तं तु यज्ञं तथारूपं गच्छन्तमुपलभ्य सः। धनुरादाय बाणं च तदान्वसरत प्रभुः ॥१२-२७४-३५॥
But having perceived him going to such a sacrifice, he, the lord, then took up his bow and arrow and followed.
ततस्तस्य सुरेशस्य क्रोधादमिततेजसः। ललाटात्प्रसृतो घोरः स्वेदबिन्दुर्बभूव ह ॥१२-२७४-३६॥
Then, from the forehead of that lord of the gods of immeasurable brilliance, a terrible drop of sweat emerged due to his anger.
तस्मिन्पतितमात्रे तु स्वेदबिन्दौ तथा भुवि। प्रादुर्बभूव सुमहानग्निः कालानलोपमः ॥१२-२७४-३७॥
But as soon as the sweat-drop fell on the earth, a very great fire arose, resembling the fire of destruction at the end of time.
तत्र चाजायत तदा पुरुषः पुरुषर्षभ। ह्रस्वोऽतिमात्ररक्ताक्षो हरिश्मश्रुर्विभीषणः ॥१२-२७४-३८॥
There, O best of men, at that time a man was born—short in stature, with very red eyes, and a tawny beard and moustache—Vibhīṣaṇa.
ऊर्ध्वकेशोऽतिलोमाङ्गः श्येनोलूकस्तथैव च। करालः कृष्णवर्णश्च रक्तवासास्तथैव च ॥१२-२७४-३९॥
He has hair standing upwards, an excessively hairy body, the face of a hawk or owl, a terrible appearance, a black complexion, and wears red garments.
तं यज्ञं स महासत्त्वोऽदहत्कक्षमिवानलः। देवाश्चाप्यद्रवन्सर्वे ततो भीता दिशो दश ॥१२-२७४-४०॥
He, the great-souled one, burned up that sacrifice like fire burns dry grass. Then, all the gods, terrified, fled in all ten directions from there.
तेन तस्मिन्विचरता पुरुषेण विशां पते। पृथिवी व्यचलद्राजन्नतीव भरतर्षभ ॥१२-२७४-४१॥
O lord of the people, O bull among the Bharatas, as that man wandered there, the earth trembled exceedingly, O king.
हाहाभूते प्रवृत्ते तु नादे लोकभयङ्करे। पितामहो महादेवं दर्शयन्प्रत्यभाषत ॥१२-२७४-४२॥
When the dreadful wailing sound arose, terrifying the world, the grandsire showed Mahadeva and spoke to him.
भवतोऽपि सुराः सर्वे भागं दास्यन्ति वै प्रभो। क्रियतां प्रतिसंहारः सर्वदेवेश्वर त्वया ॥१२-२७४-४३॥
O lord, all the gods will indeed give you a share as well. Therefore, O lord of all gods, let the withdrawal be performed by you.
इमा हि देवताः सर्वा ऋषयश्च परन्तप। तव क्रोधान्महादेव न शान्तिमुपलेभिरे ॥१२-२७४-४४॥
O great god, because of your anger, all these deities and sages, O scorcher of foes, have not attained peace.
यश्चैष पुरुषो जातः स्वेदात्ते विबुधोत्तम। ज्वरो नामैष धर्मज्ञ लोकेषु प्रचरिष्यति ॥१२-२७४-४५॥
O best of the wise, this being who has arisen from your sweat, known as 'fever', will move about in the worlds as a knower of dharma.
एकीभूतस्य न ह्यस्य धारणे तेजसः प्रभो। समर्था सकला पृथ्वी बहुधा सृज्यतामयम् ॥१२-२७४-४६॥
O Lord, the entire earth is not capable of sustaining the energy of this one who has become united; let this be created in many forms.
इत्युक्तो ब्रह्मणा देवो भागे चापि प्रकल्पिते। भगवन्तं तथेत्याह ब्रह्माणममितौजसम् ॥१२-२७४-४७॥
Thus, when addressed by Brahmā and the portion had also been arranged, the god said these words to the venerable Brahmā of immeasurable energy.
परां च प्रीतिमगमदुत्स्मयंश्च पिनाकधृक्। अवाप च तदा भागं यथोक्तं ब्रह्मणा भवः ॥१२-२७४-४८॥
Śiva, the wielder of Pināka, experienced supreme delight and smiled, and then Bhava (Śiva) received his share as declared by Brahmā.
ज्वरं च सर्वधर्मज्ञो बहुधा व्यसृजत्तदा। शान्त्यर्थं सर्वभूतानां शृणु तच्चापि पुत्रक ॥१२-२७४-४९॥
O son, hear also how the knower of all dharmas then sent forth fever in many ways for the sake of the peace of all beings.
शीर्षाभितापो नागानां पर्वतानां शिलाजतुः। अपां तु नीलिकां विद्यान्निर्मोकं भुजगेषु च ॥१२-२७४-५०॥
For serpents, head-burning; for mountains, shilajatu; among waters, the bluish substance should be known, and among serpents, the slough (cast-off skin).
खोरकः सौरभेयाणामूषरं पृथिवीतले। पशूनामपि धर्मज्ञ दृष्टिप्रत्यवरोधनम् ॥१२-२७४-५१॥
O knower of dharma, a pit belonging to the descendants of Saurabheya, barren on the earth's surface, is also an obstruction to the sight of cattle.
रन्ध्रागतमथाश्वानां शिखोद्भेदश्च बर्हिणाम्। नेत्ररोगः कोकिलानां ज्वरः प्रोक्तो महात्मना ॥१२-२७४-५२॥
It is said by the great soul that when something enters the cavity, it causes crest rupture in horses, eye disease in peacocks, and fever in cuckoos.
अब्जानां पित्तभेदश्च सर्वेषामिति नः श्रुतम्। शुकानामपि सर्वेषां हिक्किका प्रोच्यते ज्वरः ॥१२-२७४-५३॥
It is heard by us that among lotuses, bile-disorder is found in all. Among parrots also, in all, fever is called 'hiccup.'
शार्दूलेष्वथ धर्मज्ञ श्रमो ज्वर इहोच्यते। मानुषेषु तु धर्मज्ञ ज्वरो नामैष विश्रुतः ॥ मरणे जन्मनि तथा मध्ये चाविशते नरम् ॥१२-२७४-५४॥
O knower of dharma, among tigers, fatigue is called fever; but among humans, this fever is well-known by name. At death, at birth, and in between, it enters a man.
एतन्माहेश्वरं तेजो ज्वरो नाम सुदारुणः। नमस्यश्चैव मान्यश्च सर्वप्राणिभिरीश्वरः ॥१२-२७४-५५॥
This is the energy of Maheśvara, a fever of very terrible nature. He is the Lord, worthy of worship and honor by all beings.
अनेन हि समाविष्टो वृत्रो धर्मभृतां वरः। व्यजृम्भत ततः शक्रस्तस्मै वज्रमवासृजत् ॥१२-२७४-५६॥
By this, Vṛtra, the foremost among the upholders of dharma, was entered and expanded. Then Śakra hurled the thunderbolt at him.
प्रविश्य वज्रो वृत्रं तु दारयामास भारत। दारितश्च स वज्रेण महायोगी महासुरः ॥ जगाम परमं स्थानं विष्णोरमिततेजसः ॥१२-२७४-५७॥
The thunderbolt entered and tore Vṛtra apart, O Bhārata. Having been struck by the thunderbolt, the great yogi and asura went to the supreme abode of Viṣṇu, whose splendor is immeasurable.
विष्णुभक्त्या हि तेनेदं जगद्व्याप्तमभूत्पुरा। तस्माच्च निहतो युद्धे विष्णोः स्थानमवाप्तवान् ॥१२-२७४-५८॥
Indeed, by his devotion to Viṣṇu, this world was once pervaded by him; therefore, having been slain in battle, he attained the abode of Viṣṇu.
इत्येष वृत्रमाश्रित्य ज्वरस्य महतो मया। विस्तरः कथितः पुत्र किमन्यत्प्रब्रवीमि ते ॥१२-२७४-५९॥
Thus, O son, I have told you in detail the account of the great fever, having resorted to Vṛtra; what else shall I say to you?
इमां ज्वरोत्पत्तिमदीनमानसः; पठेत्सदा यः सुसमाहितो नरः। विमुक्तरोगः स सुखी मुदा युतो; लभेत कामान्स यथामनीषितान् ॥१२-२७४-६०॥
Whoever man, always well-concentrated, recites this account of the origin of fever, though feeble-minded, he becomes free from disease, happy, and endowed with joy, and may obtain whatever desires he wishes.
