Bhagavatapurana 3.19: athaikonaviṃśo'dhyāyaḥ

3.19.1

/0 maitreya uvāca
avadhārya viriñcasya nirvyalīkāmṛtaṃ vacaḥ /
prahasya prema-garbheṇa tad apāṅgena so 'grahīt //

1. Maitreya said :—Having heard Brahma’s sincere words agreeable as nectar and with a laugh (at his fear regarding Himself), He accepted his prayer with a glance full of affection.

3.19.2

tataḥ sapatnaṃ mukhataś carantam akuto-bhayam /
jaghānotpatya gadayā hanāv asuram akṣajaḥ //

2. Thereupon the Lord Varaha who manifested Himself through Brahma’s nostrils, sprang at the enemy and with His

Gada struck the Asura on his chin—the Asura who was moving in front of him in absolute fearlessness.

3.19.3

sā hatā tena gadayā vihatā bhagavat-karāt /
vighūrṇitāpatad reje tad adbhutam ivābhavat //

3. That Gada, struck by that of the enemy, flew out of the Lord's hand and looked splendid as it fell down whirling; and it was a wonderful sight.

3.19.4

sa tadā labdha-tīrtho 'pi na babādhe nirāyudham /
mānayan sa mṛdhe dharmaṃ viṣvaksenaṃ prakopayan //

4. Though he gained an opportunity, he did not strike at the enemy who stood weaponless and he respected the law of the battlefield, kindling the anger of Vishvaksena (Hari).

3.19.5

gadāyām apaviddhāyāṃ hāhā-kāre vinirgate /
mānayām āsa tad-dharmaṃ sunābhaṃ cāsmarad vibhuḥ //

5. When the Gada was blown off and there was wild shouting (at the wonderful feat), the Lord esteemed (him for) his righteous disposition and remembered his weapon Chakra.

3.19.6

taṃ vyagra-cakraṃ diti-putrādhamena sva-pārṣada-mukhyena viṣajjamānam /
citrā vāco 'tad-vidāṃ khe-carāṇāṃ tatra smāsan svasti te 'muṃ jahīti //

6. Over Him who was now wielding the impatient Chakra and was in close engagement with the chief of his attendants, now born as the wicked son of Diti were uttered various expressions such as 'Hail to thee, Pray slay him' by celestials passing through the sky who did not understand the nature and power of the Lord in that form.

3.19.7

sa taṃ niśāmyātta-rathāṅgam agrato vyavasthitaṃ padma-palāśa-locanam /
vilokya cāmarṣa-pariplutendriyo ruṣā sva-danta-cchadam ādaśac chvasan //

7. Seeing the Lord with eyes as broad as the petals of a lotus standing before him with His Chakra in His hand, the enemy with his senses excited through rage panted violently and bit his lips in anger.

3.19.8

karāla-daṃṣṭraś cakṣurbhyāṃ sañcakṣāṇo dahann iva /
abhiplutya sva-gadayā hato 'sīty āhanad dharim //

8. The enemy having fearful tusks looked at Him with his fierce eyes as if he would burn Him, sprang at Him, and aimed a blow with his Gada saying "Thou art killed."

3.19.9

padā savyena tāṃ sādho bhagavān yajña-sūkaraḥ /
līlayā miṣataḥ śatroḥ prāharad vāta-raṃhasam //

9. O righteous one, the glorious Lord as Yagna Varaha playfully struck down the weapon coming with great force like the tempest, the enemy watching it with eyes wide open.

3.19.10

āha cāyudham ādhatsva ghaṭasva tvaṃ jigīṣasi /
ity uktaḥ sa tadā bhūyas tāḍayan vyanadad bhṛśam //

10. The Lord says to him, "Take the weapon, try, thou art eager to conquer"; thus addressed he again aimed a blow at the Lord and roared aloud.

3.19.11

tāṃ sa āpatatīṃ vīkṣya bhagavān samavasthitaḥ /
jagrāha līlayā prāptāṃ garutmān iva pannagīm //

11. Seeing the weapon come towards Him, the Lord stood firm and playfully caught hold of it as it came near just as garuda seizes a cobra.

3.19.12

sva-pauruṣe pratihate hata-māno mahāsuraḥ /
naicchad gadāṃ dīyamānāṃ hariṇā vigata-prabhaḥ //

12. When his prowess thus proved futile, the great Asura whose pride was put down lost his spirit and splendour and was unwilling to take back his weapon offered by Hari.

3.19.13

jagrāha tri-śikhaṃ śūlaṃ jvalaj-jvalana-lolupam /
yajñāya dhṛta-rūpāya viprāyābhicaran yathā //

13. Then he took the three-forked _Soola_ that seemed to grasp everything like a flaming fire and he aimed it at Vishnu in the Varaha form like one who employs the arts of black magic against a pious Brahmin.

3.19.14

tad ojasā daitya-mahā-bhaṭārpitaṃ cakāsad antaḥ-kha udīrṇa-dīdhiti /
cakreṇa ciccheda niśāta-neminā harir yathā tārkṣya-patatram ujjhitam //

14. With His keen-edged Chakra Sri Hari cut down the Soola which the Daiteya hero darted at Him with all his strength and which came glowing through the sky and waxed in brilliancy as it advanced, just as Indra cut down the wings of Garuda.

3.19.15

vṛkṇe sva-śūle bahudhāriṇā hareḥ pratyetya vistīrṇam uro vibhūtimat /
pravṛddha-roṣaḥ sa kaṭhora-muṣṭinā nadan prahṛtyāntaradhīyatāsuraḥ //

15 When by Hari's Chakra his Soola was shattered to pieces he advanced towards Hari, in great rage, roared aloud, and with his hard fist hit Him on His spacious chest of wonderful splendour (the abode of Lakshmi), and then the Asura vanished out of sight.

3.19.16

tenettham āhataḥ kṣattar bhagavān ādi-sūkaraḥ /
nākampata manāk kvāpi srajā hata iva dvipaḥ //

16. O Vidura when thus hit by him (the Asura), the glorious Lord, the First (ancient) Varaha, was not in the least shaken in any manner or respect like an elephant struck with a wreath of flowers.

3.19.17

athorudhāsṛjan māyāṃ yoga-māyeśvare harau /
yāṃ vilokya prajās trastā menire 'syopasaṃyamam //

17. Then he (the Asura) made use of his magic in various forms against Hari who rules over all kinds of _Yogamaya_—at the sight of this all creatures were cast in great fear and thought the destruction of the world had come.

3.19.18

pravavur vāyavaś caṇḍās tamaḥ pāṃsavam airayan /
digbhyo nipetur grāvāṇaḥ kṣepaṇaiḥ prahitā iva //

18. Fierce blasts blew and spread the darkness of dust ; and pieces of stone fell in volleys as if thrown from slings.

3.19.19

dyaur naṣṭa-bhagaṇābhraughaiḥ sa-vidyut-stanayitnubhiḥ /
varṣadbhiḥ pūya-keśāsṛg- viṇ-mūtrāsthīni cāsakṛt //

19. The sky seemed to be without planets and stars, being overcast with clouds, attended with flashes of lightning and pealing thunder, and frequently raining puss, hair, blood, excretion, urine and bones.

3.19.20

girayaḥ pratyadṛśyanta nānāyudha-muco 'nagha /
dig-vāsaso yātudhānyaḥ śūlinyo mukta-mūrdhajāḥ //

20. O sinless one, mountains were seen to discharge various weapons, and the Rakshasa women appeared naked, bearing _Soolas_ and with their hair hanging loose.

3.19.21

bahubhir yakṣa-rakṣobhiḥ patty-aśva-ratha-kuñjaraiḥ /
ātatāyibhir utsṛṣṭā hiṃsrā vāco 'tivaiśasāḥ //

21. By numerous Yakshas and Rakshasas, foot soldiers, horses, chariots, and elephants and by ruffians, very cruel

expressions such as "Kill, Break etc." were continually and loudly uttered.

3.19.22

prāduṣkṛtānāṃ māyānām āsurīṇāṃ vināśayat /
sudarśanāstraṃ bhagavān prāyuṅkta dayitaṃ tri-pāt //

22. The glorious Lord of three feet (the three Savanas in the Yagna being considered the three feet of the Lord of whom the Yajna is a form) discharged the Astra (missile) called Sudarsana, his favourite weapon, capable of averting and destroying the Mayas or magical forces manifested by the Asuras.

3.19.23

tadā diteḥ samabhavat sahasā hṛdi vepathuḥ /
smarantyā bhartur ādeśaṃ stanāc cāsṛk prasusruve //

23. At that hour a shudder suddenly arose in the heart of Diti who remembered the command of her lord and from her breast blood flowed.

3.19.24

vinaṣṭāsu sva-māyāsu bhūyaś cāvrajya keśavam /
ruṣopagūhamāno 'muṃ dadṛśe 'vasthitaṃ bahiḥ //

24. When all his Mayas were dispelled, he (the asura) again came to the presence of Kesava, and in rage he embraced him, but he found the Lord standing outside his enclosed arms.

3.19.25

taṃ muṣṭibhir vinighnantaṃ vajra-sārair adhokṣajaḥ /
kareṇa karṇa-mūle 'han yathā tvāṣṭraṃ marut-patiḥ //

25. With His hand (fist) Adhokshaja gave a heavy blow at the root of the ear of the Daitya who dealt blows with his fists of adamantine strength, just as Indra the lord of Maruts struck down Vritra the Asura.

3.19.26

sa āhato viśva-jitā hy avajñayā paribhramad-gātra udasta-locanaḥ /
viśīrṇa-bāhv-aṅghri-śiroruho 'patad yathā nagendro lulito nabhasvatā //

26. Being struck but indifferently by the Lord, the Conqueror of all, he fell like a huge tree uprooted by the tempest, his body rolling about, his eye-balls shot out, his arms, feet and hair shattered and thrown into disorder.

3.19.27

kṣitau śayānaṃ tam akuṇṭha-varcasaṃ karāla-daṃṣṭraṃ paridaṣṭa-dacchadam /
ajādayo vīkṣya śaśaṃsur āgatā aho imaṃ ko nu labheta saṃsthitim //

27. Looking at him who lay on the ground with his splendour undiminished, with his fearful tusks, and with his lips firmly bit, Brahma and other gods who had come thither (with a sense of regard), spoke of his death thus:—"Oh who could attain to such a death?"

3.19.28

yaṃ yogino yoga-samādhinā raho dhyāyanti liṅgād asato mumukṣayā /
tasyaiṣa daitya-ṛṣabhaḥ padāhato mukhaṃ prapaśyaṃs tanum utsasarja ha //

28. "This great Daitya was fortunate enough to cast off his body struck with the foot of the Lord, and looking on the face of Him whom Yogins contemplate in solitude by means of concentration in Yoga with the desire of liberating themselves from the unreal body investing them.

3.19.29

etau tau pārṣadāv asya śāpād yātāv asad-gatim /
punaḥ katipayaiḥ sthānaṃ prapatsyete ha janmabhiḥ //

29. These two are his attendants who attained to this miserable state on account of a curse; they will be restored to their original position after some births here (in this world)"

3.19.30

/0 devā ūcuḥ
namo namas te 'khila-yajña-tantave sthitau gṛhītāmala-sattva-mūrtaye /
diṣṭyā hato 'yaṃ jagatām aruntudas tvat-pāda-bhaktyā vayam īśa nirvṛtāḥ //

30. The gods said:—We bow to Thee, O Lord, we bow to Thee who art the source of all Yajnas, who hast assumed a form of pure Satvaguna for the purpose of maintaining the world. Fortunately, this Daitya who subjected the worlds to great affliction is slain; and O Lord, we are free from anxiety through our devotion to Thy feet.

3.19.31

/0 maitreya uvāca
evaṃ hiraṇyākṣam asahya-vikramaṃ sa sādayitvā harir ādi-sūkaraḥ /
jagāma lokaṃ svam akhaṇḍitotsavaṃ samīḍitaḥ puṣkara-viṣṭarādibhiḥ //

31. Maitreya said:—Having thus struck down Hiranyaksha of irresistible prowess, Hari as Adi Varaha returned to His region (abode) of uninterrupted happiness, while Brahma (seated on the lotus) and other gods were singing His praises.

3.19.32

mayā yathānūktam avādi te hareḥ kṛtāvatārasya sumitra ceṣṭitam /
yathā hiraṇyākṣa udāra-vikramo mahā-mṛdhe krīḍanavan nirākṛtaḥ //

32. O good friend, I have told you, as it was told by my *guru*, of the deeds of Hari who made this Avatara and by whom Hiranyaksha of great prowess was vanquished like a plaything in the great fight.

3.19.33

/0 sūta uvāca
iti kauṣāravākhyātām āśrutya bhagavat-kathām /
kṣattānandaṃ paraṃ lebhe mahā-bhāgavato dvija //

33. Suta said:—On hearing the story of the Lord thus related by Kausharava (Maitreya), O Saunaka, Vidura, the great devotee, was extremely delighted.

3.19.34

anyeṣāṃ puṇya-ślokānām uddāma-yaśasāṃ satām /
upaśrutya bhaven modaḥ śrīvatsāṅkasya kiṃ punaḥ //

34. Great is the rejoicing that arises when we hear of other righteous persons of hallowed name and glorious reputation. What then need be said of hearing of the deeds of the Lord who bears the mark of Srivatsa?

3.19.35

yo gajendraṃ jhaṣa-grastaṃ dhyāyantaṃ caraṇāmbujam /
krośantīnāṃ kareṇūnāṃ kṛcchrato 'mocayad drutam //

35. He is the Lord who quickly rescued from distress the great elephant who, seized by the crocodile, contemplated His lotus-like feet, while his female companions (elephants) stood roaring aloud.

3.19.36

taṃ sukhārādhyam ṛjubhir ananya-śaraṇair nṛbhiḥ /
kṛtajñaḥ ko na seveta durārādhyam asādhubhiḥ //

36. Which grateful man (capable of appreciating good deeds), would not worship the Lord who is easily pleased by men that are sincere and seek no other shelter, though it is difficult for the unrighteous to please Him?

3.19.37

yo vai hiraṇyākṣa-vadhaṃ mahādbhutaṃ vikrīḍitaṃ kāraṇa-sūkarātmanaḥ /
śṛṇoti gāyaty anumodate 'ñjasā vimucyate brahma-vadhād api dvijāḥ //

37. O Brahmins, that man is completely absolved even from the sin of killing a brahmin, who listens to, sings, or rejoices in, this story of His marvellous deed of destroying Hiranyaksha, which was a sport of Hari, who appeared as Varaha for some (grand) purpose.

3.19.38

etan mahā-puṇyam alaṃ pavitraṃ dhanyaṃ yaśasyaṃ padam āyur-āśiṣām /
prāṇendriyāṇāṃ yudhi śaurya-vardhanaṃ nārāyaṇo 'nte gatir aṅga śṛṇvatām //

38. This is a highly sacred story which confers great merit, happiness, reputation, long life and many other blessings on the hearer, which is the source of the (strength) of life and senses and which promotes heroic spirit on the battlefield; and to those that listen to it Narayana will be the resort at the end.