Bhagavatapurana 4.19: athaikonaviṃśo'dhyāyaḥ

4.19.1

/0 maitreya uvāca
athādīkṣata rājā tu hayamedha-śatena saḥ /
brahmāvarte manoḥ kṣetre yatra prācī sarasvatī //

/0 maitreya uvāca
athādīkṣata rājā tu hayamedha-śatena saḥ
brahmāvarte manoḥ kṣetre yatra prācī sarasvatī

1. Maitreya said.—Thereafter the king Prithu consecrated himself to enter upon a course of hundred Aśwamedhas in

Brahmāvarta, the land of Manu, where Sarasvati flows towards the east.

4.19.2

tad abhipretya bhagavān karmātiśayam ātmanaḥ /
śata-kratur na mamṛṣe pṛthor yajña-mahotsavam //

tad abhipretya bhagavān karmātiśayam ātmanaḥ
śata-kratur na mamṛṣe pṛthor yajña-mahotsavam

2 & 3. Seeing that Prithu would excel him by his performances the glorious Indra (the lord of hundred sacrifices) grew jealous of his great sacrificial festivities, during which the Supreme Lord, the glorious Hari, the soul of all creatures, the most powerful father of all the world and the one to whom all sacrifices are dedicated, was directly seen by all.

4.19.3

yatra yajña-patiḥ sākṣād bhagavān harir īśvaraḥ /
anvabhūyata sarvātmā sarva-loka-guruḥ prabhuḥ //

yatra yajña-patiḥ sākṣād bhagavān harir īśvaraḥ
anvabhūyata sarvātmā sarva-loka-guruḥ prabhuḥ

4.19.4

anvito brahma-śarvābhyāṃ loka-pālaiḥ sahānugaiḥ /
upagīyamāno gandharvair munibhiś cāpsaro-gaṇaiḥ //

anvito brahma-śarvābhyāṃ loka-pālaiḥ sahānugaiḥ
upagīyamāno gandharvair munibhiś cāpsaro-gaṇaiḥ

4. The Lord Hari was accompanied by Brahma and Siva and by Indra and other protectors of the world with their attendants while the Gandharvas, sages and Apsara-women followed him singing his praises.

4.19.5

siddhā vidyādharā daityā dānavā guhyakādayaḥ /
sunanda-nanda-pramukhāḥ pārṣada-pravarā hareḥ //

siddhā vidyādharā daityā dānavā guhyakādayaḥ
sunanda-nanda-pramukhāḥ pārṣada-pravarā hareḥ

5 & 6. Also the Siddhas, Vidyādharas, Daityas, Dānavas, Yakshas, Sunanda, Nanda and other great attendants of Hari; Kapila, Nārada, Datta, the great masters of Yoga, Sanaka and others—all these and other great votaries of Hari accompanied him.

4.19.6

kapilo nārado datto yogeśāḥ sanakādayaḥ /
tam anvīyur bhāgavatā ye ca tat-sevanotsukāḥ //

kapilo nārado datto yogeśāḥ sanakādayaḥ
tam anvīyur bhāgavatā ye ca tat-sevanotsukāḥ

4.19.7

yatra dharma-dughā bhūmiḥ sarva-kāma-dughā satī /
dogdhi smābhīpsitān arthān yajamānasya bhārata //

yatra dharma-dughā bhūmiḥ sarva-kāma-dughā satī
dogdhi smābhīpsitān arthān yajamānasya bhārata

7. All these came to that great (Brahmāvarta) where the Earth eager to yield the materials for the righteous performance actually yielded everything desired and supplied the master of sacrifice with all that he wanted, O Vidura.

4.19.8

ūhuḥ sarva-rasān nadyaḥ kṣīra-dadhy-anna-go-rasān /
taravo bhūri-varṣmāṇaḥ prāsūyanta madhu-cyutaḥ //

ūhuḥ sarva-rasān nadyaḥ kṣīra-dadhy-anna-go-rasān
taravo bhūri-varṣmāṇaḥ prāsūyanta madhu-cyutaḥ

8. All the streams bore floods of various tasteful liquids, namely, milk, curd, rice, ghee and buttermilk; and trees of gigantic dimensions rained honey and yielded delicious fruits in abundance.

4.19.9

sindhavo ratna-nikarān girayo 'nnaṃ catur-vidham /
upāyanam upājahruḥ sarve lokāḥ sa-pālakāḥ //

sindhavo ratna-nikarān girayo 'nnaṃ catur-vidham
upāyanam upājahruḥ sarve lokāḥ sa-pālakāḥ

9. Oceans brought him tributes of precious stones and jewels; and mountains produced foodstuffs of four kinds, and all peoples and their rulers waited upon him with presents.

4.19.10

iti cādhokṣajeśasya pṛthos tu paramodayam /
asūyan bhagavān indraḥ pratighātam acīkarat //

iti cādhokṣajeśasya pṛthos tu paramodayam
asūyan bhagavān indraḥ pratighātam acīkarat

10. Of such prosperity of Prithu who was devoted to one Lord Adhokshaja, the powerful Indra became jealous and threw obstacles in his way.

4.19.11

carameṇāśvamedhena yajamāne yajuṣ-patim /
vainye yajña-paśuṃ spardhann apovāha tirohitaḥ //

carameṇāśvamedhena yajamāne yajuṣ-patim
vainye yajña-paśuṃ spardhann apovāha tirohitaḥ

11. When Prithu the son of Vena as a sacrificer began to propitiate the Lord of Yajus (Hari) by the last (hundredth) Aśwamedha, the jealous Indra invisibly carried away the consecrated animal.

4.19.12

tam atrir bhagavān aikṣat tvaramāṇaṃ vihāyasā /
āmuktam iva pākhaṇḍaṃ yo 'dharme dharma-vibhramaḥ //

tam atrir bhagavān aikṣat tvaramāṇaṃ vihāyasā
āmuktam iva pākhaṇḍaṃ yo 'dharme dharma-vibhramaḥ

12. The venerable sage Atri saw him hastening away through the sky like a Pākhanda protected by an armour, who is one that regards unrighteous to be righteousness.

4.19.13

atriṇā codito hantuṃ pṛthu-putro mahā-rathaḥ /
anvadhāvata saṅkruddhas tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti cābravīt //

atriṇā codito hantuṃ pṛthu-putro mahā-rathaḥ
anvadhāvata saṅkruddhas tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti cābravīt

13. At the instance of Atri, the enraged son of Prithu, a great warrior, pursued him with the object of attacking him and shouted "stop, stop."

4.19.14

taṃ tādṛśākṛtiṃ vīkṣya mene dharmaṃ śarīriṇam /
jaṭilaṃ bhasmanācchannaṃ tasmai bāṇaṃ na muñcati //

taṃ tādṛśākṛtiṃ vīkṣya mene dharmaṃ śarīriṇam
jaṭilaṃ bhasmanācchannaṃ tasmai bāṇaṃ na muñcati

14. (But) he saw Indra to be by appearance a very pious person wearing matted locks and covered with sacred ashes, so that he was not inclined to aim his arrow at him.

4.19.15

vadhān nivṛttaṃ taṃ bhūyo hantave 'trir acodayat /
jahi yajña-hanaṃ tāta mahendraṃ vibudhādhamam //

vadhān nivṛttaṃ taṃ bhūyo hantave 'trir acodayat
jahi yajña-hanaṃ tāta mahendraṃ vibudhādhamam

15. Though the prince was averse to do so (refrained from doing any violence), Atri again incited him to strike him saying 'O son, kill Indra the worst one among the gods, (as) he has spoilt the sacrifice.'

4.19.16

evaṃ vainya-sutaḥ proktas tvaramāṇaṃ vihāyasā /
anvadravad abhikruddho rāvaṇaṃ gṛdhra-rāḍ iva //

evaṃ vainya-sutaḥ proktas tvaramāṇaṃ vihāyasā
anvadravad abhikruddho rāvaṇaṃ gṛdhra-rāḍ iva

16. Thus urged by Atri, the son of Prithu, pursued the enemy hurrying through the sky, even as the great kite in rage pursued Ravana.

4.19.17

so 'śvaṃ rūpaṃ ca tad dhitvā tasmā antarhitaḥ svarāṭ /
vīraḥ sva-paśum ādāya pitur yajñam upeyivān //

so 'śvaṃ rūpaṃ ca tad dhitvā tasmā antarhitaḥ svarāṭ
vīraḥ sva-paśum ādāya pitur yajñam upeyivān

17. Indra the lord of Svarga abandoned the horse and the form (he had assumed) and became invisible to him; and the warrior recovered the animal and returned (to the place of) his father's sacrifice.

4.19.18

tat tasya cādbhutaṃ karma vicakṣya paramarṣayaḥ /
nāmadheyaṃ dadus tasmai vijitāśva iti prabho //

tat tasya cādbhutaṃ karma vicakṣya paramarṣayaḥ
nāmadheyaṃ dadus tasmai vijitāśva iti prabho

18. O great Vidura, the great Rishis observed that wonderful exploit of the prince and they conferred on him the surname 'Vijitāśva' (one that recovered the horse).

4.19.19

upasṛjya tamas tīvraṃ jahārāśvaṃ punar hariḥ /
caṣāla-yūpataś channo hiraṇya-raśanaṃ vibhuḥ //

upasṛjya tamas tīvraṃ jahārāśvaṃ punar hariḥ
caṣāla-yūpataś channo hiraṇya-raśanaṃ vibhuḥ

19. Indra created dense darkness and under its cover he again carried away the horse adorned with gold chains from the top of the sacrificial post decked with wooden rings called chashālas.

4.19.20

atriḥ sandarśayām āsa tvaramāṇaṃ vihāyasā /
kapāla-khaṭvāṅga-dharaṃ vīro nainam abādhata //

atriḥ sandarśayām āsa tvaramāṇaṃ vihāyasā
kapāla-khaṭvāṅga-dharaṃ vīro nainam abādhata

20. Again Atri showed him (Indra) armed with Kapāla, Khatvānga and hastening away through the sky; but the warrior did not attack him.

4.19.21

atriṇā coditas tasmai sandadhe viśikhaṃ ruṣā /
so 'śvaṃ rūpaṃ ca tad dhitvā tasthāv antarhitaḥ svarāṭ //

atriṇā coditas tasmai sandadhe viśikhaṃ ruṣā
so 'śvaṃ rūpaṃ ca tad dhitvā tasthāv antarhitaḥ svarāṭ

21. But urged by Atri and in great rage he fixed an arrow in the bow aiming it at Indra; and Indra abandoned the horse and his form and stood invisible.

4.19.22

vīraś cāśvam upādāya pitṛ-yajñam athāvrajat /
tad avadyaṃ hare rūpaṃ jagṛhur jñāna-durbalāḥ //

vīraś cāśvam upādāya pitṛ-yajñam athāvrajat
tad avadyaṃ hare rūpaṃ jagṛhur jñāna-durbalāḥ

22. Thereupon the hero took the horse back to his father's sacrifice; while men of poor understanding thought that form of Indra to be reproachful (they thought Indra to be powerless.)

4.19.23

yāni rūpāṇi jagṛhe indro haya-jihīrṣayā /
tāni pāpasya khaṇḍāni liṅgaṃ khaṇḍam ihocyate //

yāni rūpāṇi jagṛhe indro haya-jihīrṣayā
tāni pāpasya khaṇḍāni liṅgaṃ khaṇḍam ihocyate

23. The various forms which Indra assumed for the purpose of carrying away the horse are the marks of sin and the word Khanda here means *a mark*.

4.19.24

evam indre haraty aśvaṃ vainya-yajña-jighāṃsayā /
tad-gṛhīta-visṛṣṭeṣu pākhaṇḍeṣu matir nṛṇām //

evam indre haraty aśvaṃ vainya-yajña-jighāṃsayā
tad-gṛhīta-visṛṣṭeṣu pākhaṇḍeṣu matir nṛṇām

24 & 25. When thus Indra was carrying away the horse in order to interrupt Prithu's sacrifice and when he frequently seized and abandoned the horse, the mind of men was taken up with sinful theories of seeming righteousness such as those of Digambara Jainas, Buddhas of red clothes and others, which appeared righteous in their view and very charming and eloquent through misapprehension.

4.19.25

dharma ity upadharmeṣu nagna-rakta-paṭādiṣu /
prāyeṇa sajjate bhrāntyā peśaleṣu ca vāgmiṣu //

dharma ity upadharmeṣu nagna-rakta-paṭādiṣu
prāyeṇa sajjate bhrāntyā peśaleṣu ca vāgmiṣu

4.19.26

tad abhijñāya bhagavān pṛthuḥ pṛthu-parākramaḥ /
indrāya kupito bāṇam ādattodyata-kārmukaḥ //

tad abhijñāya bhagavān pṛthuḥ pṛthu-parākramaḥ
indrāya kupito bāṇam ādattodyata-kārmukaḥ

26. On perceiving that, the glorious Prithu of great prowess was enraged at Indra and took up his bow and arrow to aim at him;

4.19.27

tam ṛtvijaḥ śakra-vadhābhisandhitaṃ vicakṣya duṣprekṣyam asahya-raṃhasam /
nivārayām āsur aho mahā-mate na yujyate 'trānya-vadhaḥ pracoditāt //

tam ṛtvijaḥ śakra-vadhābhisandhitaṃ vicakṣya duṣprekṣyam asahya-raṃhasam
nivārayām āsur aho mahā-mate na yujyate 'trānya-vadhaḥ pracoditāt

27. Finding that Prithu intended to slay Indra and appeared irresistible by his force and too formidable to look at, the priests prevented him saying "O, king of great wisdom! it is not proper to slay anything in the sacrifice other than the animal that is consecrated.

4.19.28

vayaṃ marutvantam ihārtha-nāśanaṃ hvayāmahe tvac-chravasā hata-tviṣam /
ayātayāmopahavair anantaraṃ prasahya rājan juhavāma te 'hitam //

vayaṃ marutvantam ihārtha-nāśanaṃ hvayāmahe tvac-chravasā hata-tviṣam
ayātayāmopahavair anantaraṃ prasahya rājan juhavāma te 'hitam

28. Now we will invoke (and compel him to come) here Indra, the Lord of Maruts, who has interrupted your object and has lost his glory in the presence of your glory—invoke him by force of our Vedic recitation of unimpaired virtue and then we would pour offerings to your enemy (India), O king!

4.19.29

ity āmantrya kratu-patiṃ vidurāsyartvijo ruṣā /
srug-ghastān juhvato 'bhyetya svayambhūḥ pratyaṣedhata //

ity āmantrya kratu-patiṃ vidurāsyartvijo ruṣā
srug-ghastān juhvato 'bhyetya svayambhūḥ pratyaṣedhata

29. O Vidura! when the priests in great rage thus addressed the master of the sacrifice and prepared to pour offerings with Sruch in their hands, the Self-born Brahma came and warned them not to do so.

4.19.30

na vadhyo bhavatām indro yad yajño bhagavat-tanuḥ /
yaṃ jighāṃsatha yajñena yasyeṣṭās tanavaḥ surāḥ //

na vadhyo bhavatām indro yad yajño bhagavat-tanuḥ
yaṃ jighāṃsatha yajñena yasyeṣṭās tanavaḥ surāḥ

30. Indra ought not to be killed by you, for Indra called Yagna is an avatār of the glorious Lord Hari; and he (Indra) whom you think of killing by means of the sacrifice is really the abode of all the gods whom you worship by sacrifices.

4.19.31

tad idaṃ paśyata mahad- dharma-vyatikaraṃ dvijāḥ /
indreṇānuṣṭhitaṃ rājñaḥ karmaitad vijighāṃsatā //

tad idaṃ paśyata mahad- dharma-vyatikaraṃ dvijāḥ
indreṇānuṣṭhitaṃ rājñaḥ karmaitad vijighāṃsatā

31. O Brahmans! Observe this great violation of Dharma committed by Indra who thinks of spoiling this performance of the king.

4.19.32

pṛthu-kīrteḥ pṛthor bhūyāt tarhy ekona-śata-kratuḥ /
alaṃ te kratubhiḥ sviṣṭair yad bhavān mokṣa-dharma-vit //

pṛthu-kīrteḥ pṛthor bhūyāt tarhy ekona-śata-kratuḥ
alaṃ te kratubhiḥ sviṣṭair yad bhavān mokṣa-dharma-vit

32. Then may Prithu of wide renown become a performer of hundred Aswamedhas less one *i.e.*, ninety-nine. Enough with thy sacrifices however well performed as they are, and thou also knowest the *Dharma* leading to Moksha.

4.19.33

naivātmane mahendrāya roṣam āhartum arhasi /
ubhāv api hi bhadraṃ te uttamaśloka-vigrahau //

naivātmane mahendrāya roṣam āhartum arhasi
ubhāv api hi bhadraṃ te uttamaśloka-vigrahau

33. It is not fit that thou thyself givest offence to the lordly Indra; both of you, god bless thee, are the embodiments of the highest reputation.

4.19.34

māsmin mahārāja kṛthāḥ sma cintāṃ niśāmayāsmad-vaca ādṛtātmā /
yad dhyāyato daiva-hataṃ nu kartuṃ mano 'tiruṣṭaṃ viśate tamo 'ndham //

māsmin mahārāja kṛthāḥ sma cintāṃ niśāmayāsmad-vaca ādṛtātmā
yad dhyāyato daiva-hataṃ nu kartuṃ mano 'tiruṣṭaṃ viśate tamo 'ndham

34. O king! do not make thyself anxious about it; with faith listen to our words; for the mind, given to rage, of the man who thinks of doing anything condemned by the gods is doomed to darkness *i.e.*, confusion and misery.

4.19.35

kratur viramatām eṣa deveṣu duravagrahaḥ /
dharma-vyatikaro yatra pākhaṇḍair indra-nirmitaiḥ //

kratur viramatām eṣa deveṣu duravagrahaḥ
dharma-vyatikaro yatra pākhaṇḍair indra-nirmitaiḥ

35 & 36. Let this sacrifice now come to a stop, as it is not acceptable to the gods when there is violation of Dharma brought about by the miscreants employed by Indra. By these Pākhaṇdas employed as his agents by Indra and looking very charming. See this animal being carried away by Indra who is the obstacle to your sacrifice and who has stolen your consecrated horse.

4.19.36

ebhir indropasaṃsṛṣṭaiḥ pākhaṇḍair hāribhir janam /
hriyamāṇaṃ vicakṣvainaṃ yas te yajña-dhrug aśva-muṭ //

ebhir indropasaṃsṛṣṭaiḥ pākhaṇḍair hāribhir janam
hriyamāṇaṃ vicakṣvainaṃ yas te yajña-dhrug aśva-muṭ

4.19.37

bhavān paritrātum ihāvatīrṇo dharmaṃ janānāṃ samayānurūpam /
venāpacārād avaluptam adya tad-dehato viṣṇu-kalāsi vainya //

bhavān paritrātum ihāvatīrṇo dharmaṃ janānāṃ samayānurūpam
venāpacārād avaluptam adya tad-dehato viṣṇu-kalāsi vainya

37. Thou hast made an Avatāra here in order to protect Dharma among men according to the times—Dharma which has now declined on account of wickedness and fault of Vena; thou hast issued from his body and art a ray of Vishnu, O son of Vena.

4.19.38

sa tvaṃ vimṛśyāsya bhavaṃ prajāpate saṅkalpanaṃ viśva-sṛjāṃ pipīpṛhi /
aindrīṃ ca māyām upadharma-mātaraṃ pracaṇḍa-pākhaṇḍa-pathaṃ prabho jahi //

sa tvaṃ vimṛśyāsya bhavaṃ prajāpate saṅkalpanaṃ viśva-sṛjāṃ pipīpṛhi
aindrīṃ ca māyām upadharma-mātaraṃ pracaṇḍa-pākhaṇḍa-pathaṃ prabho jahi

38. Such as thou art, do thou consider the origin of this Universe, O lord of men, and fulfil the wishes of the progenitors;

O powerful one! put down the illusion of Indra which is the mother of seeming Righteousness as well as the path of miscreants.

4.19.39

/0 maitreya uvāca
itthaṃ sa loka-guruṇā samādiṣṭo viśāmpatiḥ /
tathā ca kṛtvā vātsalyaṃ maghonāpi ca sandadhe //

/0 maitreya uvāca
itthaṃ sa loka-guruṇā samādiṣṭo viśāmpatiḥ
tathā ca kṛtvā vātsalyaṃ maghonāpi ca sandadhe

39. Maitreya said:—Thus counselled by the father (preceptor) of the universe, the lord of men cherished a friendship to Indra and made peace with him.

4.19.40

kṛtāvabhṛtha-snānāya pṛthave bhūri-karmaṇe /
varān dadus te varadā ye tad-barhiṣi tarpitāḥ //

kṛtāvabhṛtha-snānāya pṛthave bhūri-karmaṇe
varān dadus te varadā ye tad-barhiṣi tarpitāḥ

40. Those that were propitiated during that sacrifice and capable of conferring boons bestowed many a boon upon Prithu who had performed the concluding ablutions after his numerous sacrifices.

4.19.41

viprāḥ satyāśiṣas tuṣṭāḥ śraddhayā labdha-dakṣiṇāḥ /
āśiṣo yuyujuḥ kṣattar ādi-rājāya sat-kṛtāḥ //

viprāḥ satyāśiṣas tuṣṭāḥ śraddhayā labdha-dakṣiṇāḥ
āśiṣo yuyujuḥ kṣattar ādi-rājāya sat-kṛtāḥ

41. O Vidura! Brahmins whose blessings always prove true became satisfied on receiving the gifts of money made with perfect faith and pronounced their benediction upon the first King, when they were properly honoured.

4.19.42

tvayāhūtā mahā-bāho sarva eva samāgatāḥ /
pūjitā dāna-mānābhyāṃ pitṛ-devarṣi-mānavāḥ //

All those whom You had invited, O mighty-armed one, duly arrived— / ancestors, divine sages, and mortals—and were honored with gifts and respect.

42. O warrior of powerful arms! all who were invited by you have come in, and the Pitris, Danavas and men are properly honoured with gifts and due deference.