Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.1977

c9.1977

Nārāyaṇa plucked a blade of grass and recited some mantras. It became a paraśu (axe). He threw it at Śiva, who broke it into pieces, which act gave him the additional name of Khaṇḍaparaśu also. The fighting became fierce and the world began burning. Fire refused to receive offerings made; Ṛṣis could not recollect the Vedas; Rajas and Tamas attacked Devas; the earth shook; planets became dim and dark; Brahmā fell down from his seat; sky came down; oceans got dry; the Himālayas crumbled. On the continuous appearance of such ill omens Brahmā and all the Devas came to the battlefield. Saluting Rudra Brahmā told him thus: "Oh! Lord! Let good happen to the world. In the interests of the welfare of the world. you would please give up arms. The Naranārāyaṇas are upholders of righteousness; they are the incarnations of the indestructible and supreme sages. I was born from their pleasure. You were born from their wrath."