14.011
The speech of Vasudeva
Vaiśampāyana said.
When Vyāsa of marvelous deeds thus addressed the king, Vāsudeva, who is of great splendor, then made a statement. (14-11-1)
That king, whose mind was sorrowful, his kinsmen and friends having been slain, afflicted like the sun overshadowed, like fire accompanied by smoke. (14-11-2)
Seeing Pārtha (Arjuna) dispirited, the foremost of the Vṛṣṇis began to console the son of Dharma (Yudhiṣṭhira) and started to speak. (14-11-3)
Vasudeva said.
Everything crooked belongs to the realm of death; straightness is the domain of Brahman. This is all that knowledge concerns; what will idle talk accomplish? (14-11-4)
Your actions are not truly established, nor have you really conquered your enemies. How is it that you do not recognize the enemy dwelling in your own body, the self? (14-11-5)
Here, I will tell you, as is right and as I have heard, how the battle between Indra and Vṛtra took place. (14-11-6)
O prince, in former times indeed, the earth was covered by Vṛtra. Seeing the earth thus covered, when the fragrance was removed from the realm, after the earth was seized, the realm became filled with foul odor. (14-11-7)
Śatakratu (Indra) then became angry when the fragrance was taken away; thereupon, filled with rage at Vṛtra, he hurled his terrible thunderbolt. (14-11-8)
While being struck by the thunderbolt, he of great energy entered the earth, suddenly entered the waters, and then seized the object. (14-11-9)
When those waters had been pervaded by Vṛtra, and their sap and enjoyment had been taken away, then Śatakratu (Indra), filled with great rage, hurled the thunderbolt among them. (14-11-10)
He, being struck by the thunderbolt in the water by the one of great brilliance, suddenly entered; then the light seized the object. (14-11-11)
When the luminary was pervaded by Vṛtra and the form as well as the object had been taken away, then Indra, being extremely enraged, there hurled his thunderbolt. (14-11-12)
While being struck severely by the thunderbolt with immense brilliance, he suddenly entered the wind and thereafter assumed its form. (14-11-13)
But when Vṛtra had pervaded the wind and taken away touch and domain, Indra, enraged, there let loose his thunderbolt. (14-11-14)
He, being struck by the thunderbolt from him of immeasurable splendor, rushed toward the sky and then seized a region. (14-11-15)
In the sky, when Vṛtra had become one with sound and the object had been taken away, the greatly enraged Śatakratu (Indra) thereupon hurled his thunderbolt. (14-11-16)
While being struck with the thunderbolt by that one of immeasurable splendor, he suddenly entered (into) Śakra and then seized his domain. (14-11-17)
When great delusion arose in him, having been seized by Vṛtra, Vasiṣṭha, O dear one, awakened him through Rathantara. (14-11-18)
Then, O best of the Bharatas, Śatakratu (Indra) struck Vṛtra, who was abiding in his body, with an unseen thunderbolt; thus we have heard here. (14-11-19)
O king, understand this dharma secret, which was spoken by Śakra among great sages, and also declared by me and the sages. (14-11-20)
