12.274
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
pitāmaha mahāprājña sarvaśāstraviśārada। asti vṛtravadhādeva vivakṣā mama jāyate ॥12-274-1॥
O grandfather, greatly wise and expert in all śāstras, a desire to speak about the slaying of Vṛtra indeed arises in me.
jvareṇa mohito vṛtraḥ kathitaste janādhipa। nihato vāsaveneha vajreṇeti mamānagha ॥12-274-2॥
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.
kat h ameṣa mahāprājña jvaraḥ prādurabhūtkutaḥ। jvarotpattiṃ nipuṇataḥ śrotumicchāmyahaṃ prabho ॥12-274-3॥
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.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
śṛṇu rājan jvarasya iha sambhavam loka-viśrutam। vistaram ca asya vakṣyāmi yādṛśam ca eva bhārata॥12-274-4॥
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.
purā merormahārāja śṛṅgaṃ trailokyaviśrutam। jyotiṣkaṃ nāma sāvitraṃ sarvaratnavibhūṣitam ॥ aprameyamanādhṛṣyaṃ sarvalokeṣu bhārata ॥12-274-5॥
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.
tatra devo giri-taṭe hema-dhātu-vibhūṣite। paryaṅka iva vibhrājan-upaviṣṭo babhūva ha ॥12-274-6॥
There, the god sat shining like a couch on the mountain slope adorned with gold ore.
śailarājasutā cāsya nityaṃ pārśve sthitā babhau। tathā devā mahātmāno vasavaśca mahaujasaḥ ॥12-274-7॥
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.
tathaiva ca mahātmānāvaśvinau bhiṣajāṃ varau। tathā vaiśravaṇo rājā guhyakairabhisaṃvṛtaḥ ॥12-274-8॥
Similarly, the two noble Aśvins, foremost among physicians, and King Vaiśravaṇa, attended by the Guhyakas, were present.
yakṣāṇām-adhipaḥ śrīmān kailāsa-nilayaḥ prabhuḥ। aṅgiraḥ-pramukhāś-caiva tathā devarṣayaḥ-apare ॥12-274-9॥
The prosperous lord of the Yakṣas, the master residing at Kailāsa, and also the divine sages headed by Aṅgiras and others.
viśvāvasuś ca gandharvas tathā nāradaparvatau। apsarogaṇasaṅghāś ca samājagmur anekaśaḥ ॥12-274-10॥
Viśvāvasu, the Gandharva, Nārada, Parvata, and many groups of Apsarases all gathered together.
vavau śivaḥ sukho vāyur nānā-gandha-vahaḥ śuciḥ। sarva-ṛtu-kusuma-upetāḥ puṣpa-vantaḥ mahā-drumāḥ ॥12-274-11॥
A pure and pleasant wind, carrying many fragrances, blew auspiciously. The great trees were covered in blossoms of every season, full of flowers.
tathā vidyādharāś caiva siddhāś caiva tapodhanāḥ। mahādevaṃ paśupatiṃ paryupāsanta bhārata ॥12-274-12॥
In that manner, the Vidyādharas, Siddhas, and ascetics whose wealth is austerity, all worshipped Mahādeva, the lord of beings, O Bhārata.
bhūtāni ca mahārāja nānārūpadharāṇyatha। rākṣasāśca mahāraudrāḥ piśācāśca mahābalāḥ ॥12-274-13॥
O great king, there were beings of various forms; then there were also very fierce rākṣasas and very powerful piśācas.
bahurūpadharā hṛṣṭā nānāpraharaṇodyatāḥ। devasyānucarās tatra tasthire cānalopamāḥ॥12-274-14॥
The god's attendants, bearing many forms, joyful, and armed with various weapons, stood there like fire.
nandī ca bhagavāṃs tatra devasyānumate sthitaḥ। pragṛhya jvalitaṃ śūlaṃ dīpyamānaṃ svatejasā ॥12-274-15॥
Nandī, with the consent of the god, stood there; he took up the blazing trident, shining with his own radiance.
gaṅgā ca saritāṃ śreṣṭhā sarvatīrthajalodbhavā। paryupāsata taṃ devaṃ rūpiṇī kurunandana ॥12-274-16॥
O Kurunandana, Gaṅgā, the best among rivers and born from the waters of all sacred places, worshipped that god in person.
evaṃ sa bhagavāṃs tatra pūjyamānaḥ surarṣibhiḥ। devaiś ca sumahābhāgair mahādevo vyatiṣṭhata ॥12-274-17॥
Thus, Mahadeva, being worshipped there by the divine sages and the highly fortunate gods, stood present.
kasyacit tv atha kālasya dakṣo nāma prajāpatiḥ। pūrvoktena vidhānena yakṣyamāṇo'nvapadyata ॥12-274-18॥
At a certain time, Dakṣa, the Prajāpati, following the previously stated procedure, proceeded to perform a sacrifice.
tatas tasya makhaṃ devāḥ sarve śakrapurogamāḥ। gamanāya samāgamya buddhim āpedire tadā ॥12-274-19॥
Then all the gods, headed by Śakra, gathered together to decide about going to his sacrifice.
te vimānair mahātmāno jvalitair jvalanaprabhāḥ। devasyānumate'gacchan gaṅgādvāram iti śrutiḥ ॥12-274-20॥
It is said that those great-souled ones, shining like fire, went to Gaṅgādvāra in blazing aerial chariots with the god's consent.
prasthitā devatā dṛṣṭvā śailarājasutā tadā। uvāca vacanaṃ sādhvī devaṃ paśupatiṃ patim ॥12-274-21॥
Then, having seen the deities depart, the virtuous daughter of the king of mountains spoke to her husband, the god Paśupati (Śiva).
bhagavan kva nu yānty ete devāḥ śakra-purogamāḥ। brūhi tattvena tattva-jña saṃśayaḥ me mahān ayam ॥12-274-22॥
O Lord, where are these gods, led by Indra, going? Please tell me truly, O knower of truth; I have this great doubt.
maheśvara uvāca॥
The great lord Maheshvara said.
dakṣo nāma mahābhāge prajānāṃ patiruttamaḥ। hayamedhena yajate tatra yānti divaukasah ॥12-274-23॥
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.
umā uvāca॥
Umā said.
yajñam etaṃ mahābhāga kimarthaṃ nābhigacchasi। kena vā pratiṣedhena gamanaṃ te na vidyate ॥12-274-24॥
O highly fortunate one, why do you not come to this sacrifice? Is there some prohibition or reason that prevents you from going?
maheśvara uvāca॥
The great lord said.
surair eva mahābhāge sarvam etad anuṣṭhitam। yajñeṣu sarveṣu mama na bhāga upakalpitaḥ ॥12-274-25॥
O greatly fortunate one, all this has indeed been performed by the gods, but in all the sacrifices, my share has not been allotted.
pūrvopāyopapannena mārgeṇa varavarṇini। na me surāḥ prayacchanti bhāgaṃ yajñasya dharmataḥ ॥12-274-26॥
O fair lady, by the previously established means, on this path, the gods do not grant me the rightful share of the sacrifice.
umā uvāca॥
Umā said.
bhagavansarvabhūteṣu prabhavābhyadhiko guṇaiḥ। ajeyaścāpradhṛṣyaśca tejasā yaśasā śriyā ॥12-274-27॥
O Lord, among all beings, you are superior in origin and qualities, unconquerable and unassailable, endowed with brilliance, fame, and prosperity.
anena te mahābhāga pratiṣedhena bhāgataḥ। atīva duḥkham utpannaṃ vepathuś ca mam anagha ॥12-274-28॥
O greatly fortunate one, because of this opposition, I have suffered greatly and am trembling, O sinless one.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
evam-uktvā tu sā devī devaṃ paśupatiṃ patim। tūṣṇīṃ-bhūtā abhavat rājan dahyamānena cetasā ॥12-274-29॥
O king, after saying this to her husband Paśupati, the goddess became silent, her mind burning with anguish.
atha devyā mataṃ jñātvā hṛdgataṃ yaccikīrṣitam। sa samājñāpayāmāsa tiṣṭha tvamiti nandinam ॥12-274-30॥
Then, understanding the goddess's intention and what she wished in her heart, he commanded Nandin, saying, "You stand here."
tato yogabalaṃ kṛtvā sarvayogeśvareśvaraḥ। taṃ yajñaṃ sumahātejā bhīmair anucaraiḥ tadā॥ sahasā ghātayāmāsa devadevaḥ pinākadhṛk॥12-274-31॥
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.
kecinnādānamuñcanta keciddhāsāṃśca cakrire। rudhireṇāpare rājaṃstatrāgniṃ samavākiran ॥12-274-32॥
Some made sounds, some performed offerings, and others, O king, covered the fire there with blood.
kecidyūpānsamutpāṭya babhramurvikṛtānanāḥ। āsyairanye cāgrasanta tathaiva paricārakān ॥12-274-33॥
Some uprooted the sacrificial posts and wandered about with distorted faces; others, using their mouths, devoured the attendants in the same manner.
tataḥ sa yajño nṛpate vadhyamānaḥ samantataḥ। āsthāya mṛgarūpaṃ vai khamevābhyapatattadā ॥12-274-34॥
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.
taṃ tu yajñaṃ tathārūpaṃ gacchantamupalabhya saḥ। dhanur ādāya bāṇaṃ ca tadānvasarata prabhuḥ॥12-274-35॥
But having perceived him going to such a sacrifice, he, the lord, then took up his bow and arrow and followed.
tatas tasya sureśasya krodhādamitatejasaḥ। lalāṭāt prasṛto ghoraḥ svedabindur babhūva ha ॥12-274-36॥
Then, from the forehead of that lord of the gods of immeasurable brilliance, a terrible drop of sweat emerged due to his anger.
tasminpatitamātre tu svedabindau tathā bhuvi। prādurbabhūva sumahānagniḥ kālānalopamaḥ ॥12-274-37॥
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.
tatra cājāyata tadā puruṣaḥ puruṣarṣabha। hrasvo'timātraraktākṣo hariśmaśruḥ vibhīṣaṇaḥ ॥12-274-38॥
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.
ūrdhvakeśo'tilomāṅgaḥ śyenolūkastathaiva ca। karālaḥ kṛṣṇavarṇaśca raktavāsāstathaiva ca ॥12-274-39॥
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.
taṃ yajñaṃ sa mahāsattvo'dahatkakṣamivānalaḥ। devāścāpyadravansarve tato bhītā diśo daśa ॥12-274-40॥
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.
tena tasmin vicaratā puruṣeṇa viśāṃ pate। pṛthivī vyacalad rājan atīva bharatarṣabha॥12-274-41॥
O lord of the people, O bull among the Bharatas, as that man wandered there, the earth trembled exceedingly, O king.
hāhābhūte pravṛtte tu nāde lokabhayaṅkare। pitāmaho mahādevaṃ darśayanpratyabhāṣata ॥12-274-42॥
When the dreadful wailing sound arose, terrifying the world, the grandsire showed Mahadeva and spoke to him.
bhavato'pi surāḥ sarve bhāgaṃ dāsyanti vai prabho। kriyatāṃ pratisaṃhāraḥ sarvadeveśvara tvayā ॥12-274-43॥
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.
imā hi devatāḥ sarvā ṛṣayaś ca parantapa। tava krodhān mahādeva na śāntim upalebhire ॥12-274-44॥
O great god, because of your anger, all these deities and sages, O scorcher of foes, have not attained peace.
yaś caiṣa puruṣo jātaḥ svedāt te vibudhotama। jvaro nām aiṣa dharmajña lokeṣu pracariṣyati ॥12-274-45॥
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.
ekībhūtasya na hy asya dhāraṇe tejasah prabho। samarthā sakalā pṛthvī bahudhā sṛjyatām ayam ॥12-274-46॥
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.
ityukto brahmaṇā devo bhāge cāpi prakalpite. bhagavantaṃ tathetyāha brahmāṇamamitaujasam ॥12-274-47॥
Thus, when addressed by Brahmā and the portion had also been arranged, the god said these words to the venerable Brahmā of immeasurable energy.
parāṃ ca prītim agamad utsmayaṃś ca pinākadhṛk। avāpa ca tadā bhāgaṃ yathoktaṃ brahmaṇā bhavaḥ ॥12-274-48॥
Śiva, the wielder of Pināka, experienced supreme delight and smiled, and then Bhava (Śiva) received his share as declared by Brahmā.
jvaraṃ ca sarvadharmajño bahudhā vyasṛjattadā। śāntyarthaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ śṛṇu taccāpi putraka ॥12-274-49॥
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.
śīrṣābhitāpo nāgānāṃ parvatānāṃ śilājatuḥ। apāṃ tu nīlikāṃ vidyān nirmokaṃ bhujageṣu ca ॥12-274-50॥
For serpents, head-burning; for mountains, shilajatu; among waters, the bluish substance should be known, and among serpents, the slough (cast-off skin).
khorakaḥ saurabheyāṇāmūṣaraṃ pṛthivītale। paśūnāmapi dharmajña dṛṣṭipratyavarodhanam ॥12-274-51॥
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.
randhrāgatam atha aśvānām śikhod-bhedaś ca barhiṇām। netrarogaḥ kokilānām jvaraḥ prokto mahātmanā ॥12-274-52॥
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.
abjānāṃ pittabhedaś ca sarveṣām iti naḥ śrutam। śukānām api sarveṣāṃ hikkikā procyate jvaraḥ ॥12-274-53॥
It is heard by us that among lotuses, bile-disorder is found in all. Among parrots also, in all, fever is called 'hiccup.'
śārdūleṣvatha dharmajña śramo jvara ihochyate। mānuṣeṣu tu dharmajña jvaro nāmaiṣa viśrutaḥ ॥ maraṇe janmani tathā madhye cāviśate naram ॥12-274-54॥
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.
etan-māheśvaraṃ tejo jvaro nāma sudāruṇaḥ। namasyaś-caiva mānyaś-ca sarva-prāṇibhir-īśvaraḥ ॥12-274-55॥
This is the energy of Maheśvara, a fever of very terrible nature. He is the Lord, worthy of worship and honor by all beings.
anena hi samāviṣṭo vṛtro dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ। vyajṛmbhata tataḥ śakrastasmai vajramavāsṛjat ॥12-274-56॥
By this, Vṛtra, the foremost among the upholders of dharma, was entered and expanded. Then Śakra hurled the thunderbolt at him.
praviśya vajro vṛtraṃ tu dārayāmāsa bhārata। dāritaś ca sa vajreṇa mahāyogī mahāsuraḥ ॥ jagāma paramaṃ sthānaṃ viṣṇor amitatejasaḥ ॥12-274-57॥
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.
viṣṇubhaktyā hi tenedaṃ jagad vyāptam abhūt purā। tasmāc ca nihato yuddhe viṣṇoḥ sthānam avāptavān ॥12-274-58॥
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.
ityeṣa vṛtramāśritya jvarasya mahato mayā। vistaraḥ kathitaḥ putra kimanyatprabravīmi te ॥12-274-59॥
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?
imāṃ jvarotpattimadīnamānasaḥ; paṭhetsadā yaḥ susamāhito naraḥ। vimuktarogaḥ sa sukhī mudā yuto; labheta kāmānsa yathāmanīṣitān ॥12-274-60॥
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.
