दुर्योधन उवाच भूय एव तु मद्रेश यत्ते वक्ष्यामि तच्छृणु। यथा पुरावृत्तमिदं युद्धे देवासुरे विभो॥
Duryodhana said Do you. again, O chief of the Madras, O lord, hear all that I will relate to you, namely what had taken place in the days of old in the great war between the celestials and the Asuras.
यदुक्तवान् पितुर्मह्यं मार्कण्डेयो महानुषिः। तदशेषेण ब्रुवतो मम राजर्षिसत्तम॥ नितोध मनसा चात्र न ते कार्या विचारणा।
O foremost of the royal sages, do you not listen to what the great sage Markandeya had related to me as well as to my father which I will, again describe to you in detail. No doubt should be made by you in this.
देवानामसुराणां च परस्परजिगीषया॥ बभूव प्रथमो राजन् संग्रामस्तारकामयः।
O monarch, there had taken place a dreadful battle, that had its root in Taraka, between the celestials and the Asuras, each of which parties was most desirous of defeating : the other.
निर्जिताच तदा दैत्या दैवतैरिति नः श्रुतम्॥ निर्जितेषु च दैत्येषु तारकस्य सुतास्त्रयः। ताराक्षः कमलाक्षश्च विद्युन्माली च पार्थिव॥ तप उग्रं समास्थाय नियमे परमे स्थिताः।
Then it has been heard by us that the Daityas were subdued by the celestials. O monarch, when the Daityas were thus defeated by the celestials, the three sons of Taraka, named Taraksha, Kamalaksha and Vidyunmali. Who had place themselves under severe devotion.
तपसा कर्षयामसुर्देशन् स्वान् शत्रुतापन॥ दमेन तपसा चैव नियमेन समाधिना। तेषां पितामहः प्रीतो वरदः प्रददौ वरम्॥
Who, also, had submitted themselves to the strictest rules liberated their bodies by means of that austere devotion, ( scorcher of enemies. Who was ever the giver of boons, became highly gratified with them on account of their devotion, self-restraint, observance of strict rules and also of divine contemplation and offered them numerous boons.
अवध्यत्वं च ते राजन् सर्वभूतस्य सर्वदा। सहिता वरयामासुः सर्वलोकपितामहम्॥
O monarch, they, have united with one another, asked of the great grandsire of all the worlds that boon, namely that they would not attain death from all creatures always.
तानब्रवीत्तदा देवो लोकानां प्रभुरीश्वरः। नास्ति सर्वामरत्वं वै निवर्तध्वमितोऽसुराः॥ अन्यं वरं वृणीध्वं वै यादृशं सम्प्ररोचते।
Thereupon the lord, the God, that divine master of all the worlds, addressed to them, saying-"O Asuras, there exists no such thing, namely the freedom from death at the hands of all creatures, and therefore do you retain from such a solicitation. Indeed you ask another boon, that you like most.'
ततस्ते सहिता राजन् सम्प्रधार्यासकृत प्रभुम्॥ सर्वलोकेश्वरं वाक्यं प्रणम्येदमथाब्रुवन्। अस्मभ्यं त्वं वरं देव सम्प्रयच्छ पितामह॥
Thereafter, O monarch, those Asuras after having brooded over the matter conjointly for a long while and settled amongst themselves and also having bowed down to that Lord of all the worlds, addressed him with these words-'O God, O grandsire, do you give us this boon.'
दैत्या ऊचुः वयं पुराणि त्रीण्येव समास्थाय महीमिमाम्। विचरिष्याम लोकेऽस्मिस्त्वत्प्रसाद पुरुस्कृताः॥
Asuras said 'In this world having kept your grace always in the front we will, living in three different cities, wonder over this entire earth.
ततो वर्षसहस्रे तु समेष्याम:परस्परम्। एकीभावं गमिष्यन्ति पुराण्येतानि चानघ॥ समागतानि चैतानि यो हन्याद् भगवंस्तदा। एकेषुणाः देववरः स नो मृत्युभविष्यति॥
Then after one thousand years we will again unite together; and ( faultless one, these three cities, belonging to ourselves, will also attain the similar condition once more. Whenever, O lord, any one of the celestials will penetrate with a single arrow those cities united into the one that most excellent of celestials will become the cause of our death."
एवमस्त्विति तान् देवः प्रत्युक्त्वा प्राविशद् दिवम्। तु लब्धवराः प्रीताः सम्प्रधार्य परस्परम्॥ पुरत्रयबिसृष्टयर्थ मयं वदुर्महासुरम्। विश्वकर्माणमजरं दैत्यदानवपूजितम्॥
Then that god, having replied to them, saying-So be it, ascended to heaven. Thereupon they (the three Asuras), being highly gratified for having obtained the boons and also having settled everything amongst themselves, called Maya, who was a mighty Asura and who was the celestial architect and who was also without decay or death and highly respected by the whole lot of the Daityas and the Danavas with a view to have those three cities constructed.
ततो मयः स्वतपसा चक्रे धीमान् पुराणि च। त्रीणि काञ्चनमेकं वै रौप्यं कार्णायसं तथा॥ ते
Thereupon Maya, who was of superior intelligence, constructed the three cities with the help of his own asceticism, the one of the three was inade of gold, the second of silver and the third of black iron.
काञ्चनं दिवि तत्रासीदन्तरिक्षे च राजतम्। आयसं चाभवद् भौमं चक्रस्थं पृथिवीपते॥
The city that was constructed of gold rested in the heaven; and that one of silver was placed in the firmament; and where as the third, that was made of black iron, was established upon the earth. But, O lord of earth, they all were made to rest upon a wheel.
एकैकं योजनशतं विस्तारायामतः समम्। गृहाट्टालकसंयुक्तं बहुप्राकारतोरणम्॥
Each one of them (the three cities) were measured to be one hundred yojanas broad; and contained numerous buildings and houses, as also lofty walls and perches.
गृहप्रवहसम्बाधमसम्बाधमहापथम्। प्रासादैर्विविधैश्चापि द्वारैश्चैवोपशोभितम्॥
Although the foremost of the buildings in them were very closely situated to one another yet the high roads were very spacious and far off from one another. They also were very excellently furnished with the diverse kinds of palaces and beautiful perches.
पुरेषु चाभवन् राजन् राजानो वै पृथक्-पृथक्। काञ्चनं तारकाक्षस्यचित्रमासीन्महात्मनः॥
O monarch, separate kings lived in those cities. The one of gold that was most beautiful had been in the possession of the high-souled Tarakaksha.
राजतं कमलाक्षस्य विद्युन्मालिन आयसम्। त्रयस्ते दैत्यराजानस्त्रील्लोकानस्त्रतेजसा॥ आक्रम्य तस्थुरूचुश्च कश्च नाम प्रजापतिः।
And the other made of silver had been in the possession of Kamalaksha; and the third of black iron belonged to Vidyunmalin. And those three Dailya inonarchs immediately attacked the three worlds with the aid of their prowess and continued to reside; they said also these words, who is that one called Prajapati। (or the creator).
तेषां दानवमुख्यानां प्रयुतान्तयर्बुदानि च॥ कोट्यश्चाप्रतिवीराणां समाजग्मुस्ततस्ततः।
Thereupon millions and millions of from all directions proceeded against those best of the Danavas who had no hordes to come against them.
मांसाशिनः सुद्दप्ताश्च सुरैर्विनिकृताः पुरा॥ महदैश्चर्यमिच्छन्तस्त्रिपुरं दुर्गमाश्रिताः।
The greatly hanghty and flesh-eating Danavas, who were in the days of yore vanquished by the celestials, now having dwelt in those three well fortified cities, became highly desirous of obtaining immense property.
सर्वेषां च पुनश्चैषां सर्वयोगवहो मयः॥ तमाश्रित्य हि ते सर्वे वर्तयन्तेऽकुतोभयाः।
Now Maya had became the supporter of them all, who have thus united together. Indeed, all of them having been under his protection (Maya's) lived there with perfect fearlessness.
यो हि यन्मनसा कामं दध्यौ त्रिपुरसंश्रयः॥ तस्मै कामं मयस्तं त विदधे मायया तदा।
Thenceforth whoever amongst those dwelling in those cities entertained whatever wish in his heart it was then Maya who fulfilled their desires by aid of his illusory energy.
तारकाक्षसुतो वीरो हरिर्नाम महाबलः॥ तपस्तेपे परमकं येनातुष्यत् पितामाहः।
The heroic and the most powerful son of Tarakaksha, who was known by the name of Hari, practised the most severe devotion, in consequence of which the Grandsire became highly satisfied with him.
संतुष्टवृणोद् देवं वापी भवतु नः पुरे॥ शस्त्रैर्विनिहता यत्र क्षिप्ताः स्युर्बलवत्तरा।
Thus when the God was satisfied with him, he (Hari) asked him the following boon-'Let there be a lake in our city, in which the persons, greatly struck by the weapons, having been dipped, will revive with resembled vigor.
स तु लब्धा वरं वीरस्तारक्षसुतो हरिः॥ ससृजे तत्र वापी तां मृतानां जीविनीं प्रभो।
O lord, after having obtained the boon, that war-like son of Tarakaksha, named Hari, created a lake in that city, which possessed the power of reviving the dead.
येन रूपेण दैत्यस्यु येन वेषेण चैव ह॥ मृतस्तस्यां परिक्षिप्तस्तादृशेनैव जज्ञिवान्।
Indeed, the Daityas, in whatever form and whatever guise they were slaughtered, after having been dipped into that lake, had come back to their life in the same form and guise.
तां प्राप्य तेपुनस्तास्तु लोकान् सर्वान् बबाधिरे॥ महता तपसा सिद्धाः सुराणां भय वर्धना। न तेषामभवद् राजन् क्षयो युद्धे कदाचन॥
Thus after having regained their dead, they (the Daityas), who attained to their ascetic success by means of great devotion and who also enhanced the terrors of all the celestials, now began to oppress all the different worlds. O monarch, there had never been the slightest diminution of their number in the field of battle.
ततस्ते लोभमोहाभ्यामभिभूता विचेतसः। निर्टीका: संस्थिताः सर्वे स्थापिताः समलूलुपन्॥३३
Thereupon they, who had been involved both by covetousness and insensibility and who also were deprived of their sense, now began to destroy the cities and the towns, that were settled upon the whole universe.
विद्राव्य सगणान् देवांस्तत्र तत्र तदा तदा। विचेसः स्वेन कामेन वरदानेन दर्पिताः॥
Having routed all the celestials, along with their attendants, at all times and in all places, those Danavas, who had been rendered hanghty by the attainment of the boons, wandered, according to their option.
देवोद्यानानि सर्वाणि प्रियाणि च दिवोकसाम्। ऋषीणामाश्रमान् पुण्यान् रभ्याजनपदांस्तथा॥ व्यनाशयन्नमर्यादा दानवा दुष्टचारिणः।
All over the celestials, forests and different other regions that had been very dear to celestials themselves and the scared asylums belonging to the sages, as also the most excellent abodes of men. Moreover these Danavas, who behaved most cruelly, had damaged the honour of all.
पीड्यमानेषु लोकेषु ततः शक्रो मरुवृतः॥ पुराण्यायोधयांचक्रे वज्रपातैः समन्ततः।
While thus all the worlds were very greatly oppressed (by the Danavas), then Shakra (Indra), who had been encompassed by all the Maruts, fought against those cities by hurling his thunder (upon them) from all sides.
नाशकत् तान्यभेद्यानि यदा भेत्तुः पुरंदरः॥ पुराणि वरदत्तानि धात्रा तेन नराधिप। तदा भीतः सुरपतिर्मुक्त्वा तानि पुराण्यथ॥ तैरेव विबुधैः सार्ध पितामहमरिदम्। जगामाथ तदाख्यातुं विप्रकारं सुरेतरैः॥
When, O foremost of monarchs, Purandara became incapable to pierce cities, which had been made impenetrable by that creator and which also had received the boons, Then, O subduer of enemies, the terror struck lord of the gods abandoning these cities and celestials, went to the Grandsire with a view to relate to him the great insults wrought out by the Asuras.
ते तत्त्वं सर्वमाख्याय शिरोभिः सम्प्रणम्य च। वधोपायमपृच्छन्त भगवन्तं पितामहम्॥
They then, having described who whole history and also having bowed down to him with their heads, asked the lord grandsire the fitting means of their destruction.
श्रुत्वा तद् भगवान् देवो देवानिदमुवाच ह। ममापि सोऽपरानोति यो युष्माकामसौम्यकृत्य्॥
Having listened to all that, the lord god addressed all the celestials, saying this. That injurious fellow, who offends you, does surely offend me too.'
असुरा हि दुरात्मानः सर्व एव सुरद्विष। अपराध्यन्ति सततं ये युष्मान् पीडयन्त्युत॥
Indeed the Asuras are all very wickedsouled; and also they are dead against the celestials. And when they commit oppressions against you; they thus afflict me always. can
अहं हि तुल्यः सर्वेषां भूतानां नात्र संशयः। अधार्मिकास्तु हन्तव्या इति मे व्रतमाहितम्॥
I am, indeed, equally disposed towards all the creatures. There is no doubt about it. My fixed vow is that the unrighteous ones should ever be slaughtered.
एकेषुणा विभेद्यानि तानि दुर्गाणि नान्यथा। न च स्थाणुमते शक्तो भेत्तुमेकेषुणा पुरः॥
Those three fortresses only be penetrated by means of a single shafts; but in no other way can they be pierced. There exists no other person cxcept Stana, who is able to pierce them with a single arrows.
ते यूयं स्थाणुमीशानं जिष्णुमक्लिष्टकारिणम्। योद्धारं वृणुतादित्याः स तान् हन्तासुरेतरान्॥
Then you, O Adityas, select that heroic warrior Stana, also called Ishana, as well as Jishnu, who can hardly be afflicted in the battle. He will surely slaughter these Asuras.
इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा देवाः शक्रपुरोगमाः। ब्रह्माणमग्रतः कृत्वा वृषाङ्कं शरणं ययुः॥
Hearing this speech of his, all the celestials, under the leadership of Shakra, placing Brahman at their front, went to scek shelter of that god, who had a bull for his symbol.
तपो नियममास्थाय गृणन्तो ब्रह्म शाश्वतम्। ऋषिभिः सह धर्मज्ञा भवं सर्वात्मना गताः॥
Being accompanied by these Rishis (sages), who practised severe devotion and who also uttered the eternal words of the Vedas, all these righteous gods repaired to Bhava with their whole soul directed towards him.
तुष्टवुर्वाग्भिरिष्टाभिर्भयेष्वभयदं नृप। सर्वात्मानं महात्मानं येनाप्तं सर्वमात्मना॥
Then, O monarch, they began to satisfy him with the high speeches (as found in the Vedas), who is the giver of fearlessness in all fears and who is the soul of all and who himself is highsouled and by whom, again, the entire universe is pervaded through with his eternal soul.
तपोविशेषैर्विविधैर्योगं यो वेद चात्मनः। यः सांख्यमात्मनो वेत्ति यस्य चात्मा वशे सदा॥४९ तं ते ददृशुरीनां तेजोराशिमुमापतिम्। अनन्यसदृशं लोके भगवन्तमकल्मषम्॥
That one, who knows how to meditate upon the Soul by means of special devotional performances and who also knows the capability of the soul, that is, the difference between soul and matter, as also whose soul is ever under his control. That one, named Ishana, that mass of fiery energy, that lord of Uma, that one having had no equal in the world, that cause of all causes, that faultless one, they (the celestials) saw.
एकं भगवन्तं ते नानरूपमकल्पयन्। आत्मनः प्रतिरूपाणि रूपाण्यथ महात्मनि॥ परस्परस्य चापश्यन् सर्वे परमविस्मिताः।
Then there lords conceived innumerable forms in him, although he was but one. Thereafter they all, after having found out all these numerous form as each of them had respectively conceived in their minds, became highly astonished.
सर्वभूतमयंदृष्ट्वा तमजं जगतः पतिम्॥ देवा ब्रह्मर्षयश्चैव शिरोभिर्धरणीं गताः।
All the celestials, as well as all the regenerate sages, after having seen that embodiment of all creatures, that unborn person, who was the most supreme of the entire universe, touched the earth with their heads.
तान् स्वतिवादेनाभ्यर्च्य समुत्थाप्य च शङ्करः॥ ब्रूत ब्रूतेति भगवान् स्मयमानोऽभ्यभाषत।
Then having received them by uttering the worlds you are welcome and also having raised their heads, Lord Shankara smilingly addressed them, saying-do you tell me the purpose of your coming here.
त्र्यम्बकेणाभ्यनुज्ञातास्ततस्ते स्वस्थचेतसः॥ नमो नमो नमस्तेऽस्तु प्रभो इत्यब्रुवन् वचः।
Thereupon having been commanded by the three-eyed deity, the celestials, who became highly gratified, uttered these words to hiin-O lord, let our repeated salutations be to you.
नमो देवाधिदेवाय धन्विने वनमालिने॥ प्रजापतिखध्नाय प्रजापतिभिरीड्यते। नमः स्तुताय स्तुत्याय स्तूयमानाय शम्भवे॥
Let our salutations be to you, who are the lord of all the celestials; let our salutations be to you, who are mighty bowman and to you, who are subject to great rage and also to you, who are the destroyer of the sacrifices of the creator; and to you, again, who are worshipped by all the lords of the creatures. Let our salutations be to you, who are ever present; and to you, who are worthy to be prayed; and to you, who are continuously praised; and to you, who are the death himself; and
विलोहिताय रुद्राय नीहग्रीबाय शूलिने। अमोघाय मृगाक्षाय प्रवरायुधयोधिने॥
You are possessed of red splendour; and to you, who are dreadful; and to you who are endued with blue throat; and to you, who are furnished with the symbol of a trident; and to you, who are never to be prostrated; and to you, who are furnished with the eyes of a yazelle; and to you, who battle with the best weapons;
अर्हाय चैव शुद्धाय क्षयाय क्रथनाय च। दुर्वारणाय शुक्राय ब्रह्मणे ब्रह्मचारिणे॥ ईशानायाप्रमेयाय नियन्त्रे चर्मवाससे। तपोरताय पिङ्गाय वतिने कृत्तिवाससे॥
And to you, who are worthy of all praises; and to you, who are pure; and to you, who are the very death himself; and to you also, who are the destroyer of all; and to you, who can with difficulty be resisted; and to you who are Shakra himself; and to you, who are also Brahman; and to you who behave like a Brahmachari; and to you who are Ishana; and to you, who are immeasurable; and to you, who are the leader of all; and to you, who are dressed with rages; and to you, who practise cternal vows; and to you, who are tawnycolored; and to you, who carry on severe vows; and to you, who are dressed with the skins of animal:
कुमारपित्रे त्र्यक्षाय प्रवकायुधधारिणे। प्रपन्नार्तिविनाशाय ब्रह्मद्विसंघघातिने॥
And to you, who are the father of Kumara; and to you, who are furnished with the three eyes, and to you, who are armed with the best of weapons, and to you, who destroy the afflictions of those who have sought your protection; and to you, who bring about the death of those who are enemies to the regenerate persons;
वनस्पतीनां पतये नराणां पतये नमः। गवां च पतये नित्यं यज्ञानां पतये नमः॥
You are nourisher to vegetation and king to human-beings. You are the defender of cows and governor to all offerings (yajna). Frequent salute to you.
नमोस्तुते ससैन्याय त्र्यम्बकायामितौजसे। मनोवाक्वर्मभिर्देव त्वां प्रपन्नान् भजस्व नः॥
Let our salutations be to you, who are the leader of the troops; and to you, who are furnished with three eyes; and to you, who are possessed of fierce energy; O god, let our salutations be to you with our whole heart, speech and acts. Be you kind to us, who seek your shelter.
ततः प्रसन्नो भगवान् स्वागतेनाभिनन्द्य च। प्रोवाच व्येतु वस्त्रासो ब्रूतं किं करवाणि वः॥
Thereupon the lord, who became highly gratified, having received them with the words you are welcome, addressed them, saying let your fears be all gone; tell me what am I to do for you all.