वैशम्पायन उवाच कथान्तरमथासाद्य खड्गयुद्धविशारदः। नकुलः शरतल्पस्थमिदमाह पितामहम्॥
When this discourse was finished, Nakula who was an expert swordsman thus questioned the Kuru grandfather lying on his bed of arrows.
नकुल उवाच धनुः प्रहरणं श्रेष्ठमतीवात्र पितामह। मतस्तु मम धर्मज्ञ खड्ग एव सुसंशितः॥ विशीर्णे कार्मुके राजन् प्रक्षीणेषु च वाजिषु। खड्ड्रेन शक्यते युद्धे साध्वात्मा परिरक्षितुम्॥
Nakula said-The bow, O grand-father, known as the foremost of weapons in this world. I, however, prefer the sword, since when the bow, O king, is cut off or broken, when horses are dead or weakened, a good warrior, well-trained in the sword, can protect himself by means of his sword.
शरासनधरांश्चैव गदाशक्तिधरांस्तथा। एकः खड्गधरो वीरः समर्थः प्रतिबाधितुम्॥
A hero armed with the sword can, alone, withstand inany bowmen and many antagonists armed with maces and arrows.
अत्र मे संशयश्चैव कौतूहलमतीव च। किंस्वित् प्रहरणं श्रेष्ठं सर्वयुद्धषु पार्थिव॥
I have this doubt, and I am anxious to know the truth. Which, O king, is really the foremost of weapons in all battles.
कथं चोत्पादितः खड्गः कस्मै चाय केन च। पूर्वाचार्यं च खड्गस्य प्रब्रूहि प्रपितामह॥
How was the sword first created and why? Who also was the first teacher in that weapon? Tell me all this, O grandfather.
वैशम्पायन उवाच तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा माद्रीपुत्रस्य धीमतः। स तु कौशल संयुक्तं सूक्ष्मचित्रार्थसम्मतम्॥ ततस्तस्योत्तरं वाक्यं स्वरवर्णोपपादितम्। शिक्षया चोपपन्नाय द्रोणशिष्याय भारत॥ उवाच स तु धर्मज्ञो धनुर्वेदस्य पारगः। शरतल्पगतो भीष्मो नकुलाय महात्मने॥
Hearing these words of the intelligent son of Madri, the virtuous Bhishma, that perfect master of the science of the bow, lying upon his bed of arrows, answered in many refined words of great significance, of sweet cadence, and showing considerable skill, to the great Nakula, that discipline of Drona of skilful training.
भीष्म उवाच तत्त्वं शृणुष्व माद्रेय यदेतत् परिपृच्छसि। प्रबोधितोऽस्मि भवता धातुमानिव पर्वतः॥
Bhishma said Hear the truth, O son of Madri, about what you have asked me! I am worked up by this question of yours, like a hill of red chalk.
सलिलैकार्णवं तात पुरा सर्वमभूदिदम्। निष्पकम्पमनाकाशमनिर्देश्यमहीतलम्॥
In days of yore the universe was one vast sheet of water, fixed and skyless, and without this Earth existing in it.
तमसाऽऽवृतमस्पर्शमतिगम्भीरदर्शनम्। निःशब्दं चाप्रमेयं च तत्र जज्ञे पितामहः॥
Covered with darkness, and unseen, it presented a dreadful aspect. Perfect silence prevailed everywhere and it was immeasurable in extent. In his own proper time the Grandfather (of the universe) was born.
सोऽसृजद् वातमग्निं च भास्करं चापि वीर्यवान्। आकाशमसृजच्चोर्ध्वमधो भूमिं च नैर्ऋतीम्॥ नभः सचन्द्रतारं च नक्षत्राणि ग्रहांस्तथा। संवत्सरानृतून् मासान् पक्षानथ लवान् क्षणान्॥
He then created wind, and fire, and the highly powerful sun. He also created the sky, the heavens, the nether regions, Earth, the quarters, the firmament with the moon and the stars, the constellations, the planets, the year, the seasons, the months, the two fortnights and the smaller divisions of time.
ततः शरीरं लोकस्थं स्थापयित्वा पितामहः। जनयामास भगवान् पुत्रानुत्तमतेजसः॥
Assuming a visible form the divine Grandfather then begot (by the power of his will) some highly energetic sons.
मरीचिमृषिमत्रिं च पुलस्त्यं पुलहं ऋतुम्। वसिष्ठाङ्गिरसौ चोभौ रुद्रं च प्रभुमीश्वरम्॥ प्राचेतसस्तथा दक्षः कन्याषष्टिमजीजनत्। ता वै ब्रह्मर्षयः सर्वाः प्रजार्थं प्रतिपेदिरे॥
They are the sages Marichi, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Vashishtha, Angiras, and the mighty and powerful lord Rudra, and Prachetas. The last beget Daksha, who in his turn beget sixty daughters. All those daughters were accepted by the twice-born sages for the purpose of begetting children upon them.
ताभ्यो विश्वानि भूतानि देवाः पितृगणास्तथा। गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैव रक्षांसि विविधानि च॥ पतत्रिमृगमीनाश्च प्लवङ्गाश्च महोरगाः। तथा पक्षिगणाः सर्वे जलस्थलविचारिणः॥ उद्भिदः स्वेदजाश्चैव साण्डजाश्च जरायुजाः। जज्ञे तात जगत्सर्वं तथा स्थावरजङ्गमम्॥
From them originated all the creatures of the universe, including the gods, Pitris, Gandharvas, Apsaras all sorts of Rakshasas, birds, animals, fishes, monkeys, great snakes, and various species of fowl ranging in the air or the water and vegetables, and all oviparous or viviparous being or those or born of filth. In this wise the whole universe consisting of mobile and immobile creatures came into being.
भूतसर्गमिमं कृत्वा सर्वलोकपितामहः। शाश्वतं वेदपठितं धर्म प्रयुयुजे ततः॥
Having thus created all mobile and immobile creatures, then the universal Grandfather preached the eternal religion of the Vedas.
तस्मिन् धर्मे स्थिता देवा: सहाचार्यपुरोहिताः। आदित्या वसवो रुद्राः ससाध्या मरुदतश्विनः॥ भृग्वत्र्यङ्गिरसः सिद्धाः काश्यपाश्च तपोधनाः। वसिष्ठगौतमागस्त्यास्तथा नारदपर्वतौ॥ ऋषयो वालखिल्याश्च प्रभासा: सिकतास्तथा। घृतपा: सोमवायव्या वैश्वानरमरीचिपाः॥ अकृष्टाश्चैव हंसाश्च ऋषयो वाग्नियोनयः। वानप्रस्थाः पृश्नयश्च स्थिता ब्रह्मानुशासने॥
That religion was accepted by the gods, with their preceptors and priests, the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Saddhyas, the Maruts, the Ashvins, Bhrigu, Atri, Angiras, the Siddhas, Kashyapa of Penances, Vashishtha, Gautama, Agastya, Narada, Parvata, the Valkhilya Rishis, those other Rishis known as Prabhasas, the Sikatas, the Ghritapas, the Somavayavyas, the Vaishvanaras, the Marichipas, the Akrishtas, the Hansas, those born of Fire, the Vanaprasthas, and the Prashins. All of them followed the commands of Brahman.
दानवेन्द्रास्त्वतिक्रम्य तत् पितामहशासनम्। धर्मस्यापचयं चक्रुः क्रोधलोभसमन्विताः॥
Disregarding the cominands of the Grandfather, and giving way to anger and covetousness, the foremost of the Danavas, however, began to bring about the destruction of virtue.
हिरण्यकशिपुश्चैव हिरण्याक्षो विरोचनः। शम्बरो विप्रचित्तिश्च विराधो नमुचिर्बलिः :॥
They were Hiranyakashipu, Hiranyaksha, Virochana, Shamvara, Viprachitti, Prahlada, Namuchi and Vali.
एते चान्ये च बहवः सगणा दैत्यदानवाः। धर्मसेतुमतिक्रम्य रेमिरेऽधर्मनिश्चयाः॥
Disregarding all restraints of duty and religion, these and many other Daityas and Danavas sported and found pleasure in all sorts of wicked acts.
सर्वे तुल्याभिजातीया यथा देवास्तथा वयम्। इत्येवं धर्ममास्थाय स्पर्धमानाः सुरर्षिभिः॥
Considering themselves equal in point of birth with the gods, they began to challenge them and the pure sages.
न प्रियं नाप्यनुक्रोशं चक्रुर्भूतेषु भारत। त्रीनुपायानतिक्रम्य दण्डेन रुरुधुः प्रजाः॥
They never did any good to the other creatures of the universe or showed mercy for any of them. Neglecting the three well-known means, they began to persecute and assail all creatures by holding only the rod of chastisement.
न जग्मुः संविदं तैश्च दर्पादसुरसत्तमाः॥ तदा हिमवतः शृङ्गे सुरम्ये पद्मतारके। शतयोजनविस्तारे मणिरत्नचयाचिते॥
Indeed, those foremost of Asuras, filled with pride did not treat other creatures as friends. Accompanied by the twice-born ones the divine Brahman, proceeded to a delightful summit of Himavat, extending for a hundred Yojanas in area, adorned with various sorts of jewels and gems, and upon whose surface the stars existed like so many lotuses on a lake.
तस्मिन् गिरिवरे पुत्र पुष्पितद्रुमकानने। तस्थौ स विबुधश्रेष्ठो ब्रह्मा लोकार्थसिद्धये॥
On that king of mountains, O sire, filled with forests of blossoming trees, that foremost of the gods, viz., Brahmana, lived for sometime for accomplishing the business of the world.
ततो वर्षसहस्रान्ते वितानमकरोत् प्रभुः। विधिना कल्पदृष्टेन यथावच्चोपपादितम्॥
After the expiration of a thousand years, the powerful lord made arrangements for a grand sacrifice according to the ordinances prescribed in the scriptures.
ऋषिभिर्यज्ञपटुभिर्यथावत् कर्मकर्तृभिः। समिद्भिः परिसंकीर्णं दीप्यमानैश्च पावकैः॥
The sacrificial altar was adorned with Rishis skilled in sacrifice and capable of performing all acts, with sacrificial fuel, and with burning fires.
काञ्चनैर्यज्ञभाण्डैश्च भ्राजिष्णुभिरलंकृतम्। वृतं देवगणैश्चैव प्रवरैर्यज्ञमण्डलम्॥
And it looked highly beautiful for the sacrificial plates and vessels having been all made of gold. All the leading gods sat there.
तथा ब्रह्मर्षिभिश्चैव सदस्यैरुपशोभितम्। तत्र घोरतमं वृत्तमृषीणां मे परिश्रुतम्॥
The platform was further adorned with Sadasyas who were all high regenerate Rishis. I have heard from the Rishis that something very awful soon took place in that sacrifice.
चन्द्रमा विमलं व्योम यथाभ्युदिततारकम्। विकीर्याग्निं तथा भूतमुत्थितं श्रूयते तदा॥
It is heard that a creature came out (from the sacrificial fire) scattering the flames around him, and whose effulgence equalled that of the Moon himself when he rises in the sky be spangled with stars.
नीलोत्पलसवर्णाभं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्र कृशोदरम्। प्रांशुं सुदुर्धर्षतरं तथैव ह्यमितौजसम्॥
His complexion was dark like that of the petals of the blue lotus. His teeth were keen. His stomach was lean. His stature was tall. He appeared highly irresistible and energetic.
तस्मिन्नुतपतमाने च प्रचचाल वसुन्धरा। महोर्मिकलितावर्तश्चुक्षुभे स महोदधिः॥
When that being appeared, the Earth shook. The Ocean became agitated with mountain billows and dreadful eddies.
पेतुरुल्का महोत्पाताः शाखाश्च मुमुचुर्दुमाः। अप्रशान्ता दिशः सर्वाः पवनश्चाशिवो ववौ॥ मुहुर्मुहुश्च भूतानि प्राव्यथन्त भयात् तथा।
Meteors, foreboding great calamities, passed through the sky. The branches of trees began to fall down. All the points of the horizon became unquite. Inauspicious winds blew. All creatures began to tremble with fear every moment.
तत: स तुमुलं दृष्ट्वा तं च भूतमुपस्थितम्॥ महर्षिसुरगन्धर्वानुवाचेदं पितामहः।
Seeing that dreadful agitation of the universe and that Being originated from the sacrificial fire, the Grandfather said to the great Rishis, the gods, and the Gandharvas.
मयैवं चिन्तितं भूतमसि मैष वीर्यवान्।॥ रक्षणार्थाय लोकस्य वधाय च सुरद्विषाम्।
This Being was thought of by me. Highly energetic his name is Asi (sword or scimitar). I have created him for the protection of the world and the destruction of the enemies of the celestials.
ततस्तद्रूपमुत्सृज्य बभौ निस्त्रिंश एव सः॥ विमलस्तीक्ष्णधारश्च कालान्तक इवोद्यतः।
Leaving off the form he had first assumed, that being then took the shape of a sword of great effulgence, highly polished, sharp-edged, and sprang like the all-destructive Being at the end of the cycle.
ततः स शितिकण्ठाय रुद्रायाभिकेतवे॥ ब्रह्मा ददावसिं तीक्ष्णमधर्मप्रतिवारणम्।
Then Brahman handed over that sharp weapon to the blue-throated Rudra who has for his emblem the foremost of bulls, for empowering him to suppress irreligion and sin.
ततः स भगवान् रुद्रो महर्षिजनसंस्तुतः॥ प्रगृह्यासिममेयात्मा रूपमन्यच्चकार ह।
At this, the divine and great Rudra, praised by the great Rishis, took up that sword and assumed a different forin.
चतुर्बाहुः स्पृशन् मूर्खा भूस्थितोऽपि दिवाकरम्॥ उर्ध्वदृष्टिर्महालिङ्गो मुखाज्ज्वालाः समुत्सृजन्।
Displaying four arms, he became so tall that though he stood on the Earth he touched the very sun with his head. With eyes turned upwards, and with every limb extended wide, he began to eject flames of fire from his mouth.
विकुर्वन् बहुधा वर्णान् नीलपाण्डुरलोहितान्॥ बिभ्रत्कृष्णाजिनं वासो हेमप्रवरतारकम्। नेत्रं चैकं ललाटेन भास्करप्रतिमं वहन्॥ शुशुभातेऽतिविमले द्वे नेत्रे कृष्णपिङ्गले।
Assuming various hues such as blue, white and red, and wearing a black deer-skin set with stars of gold, he bore on his forehead a third eye resembling the effulgent sun. His two other eyes, one of which was black and the other twany, shone very brilliantly.
ततो देवो महादेवः शूलपाणिर्भगाक्षिहा॥ सम्प्रगृह्य तु निस्त्रिंशं कालाग्निसमवर्चसम्। त्रिकूटं चर्म चोद्यम्य सविद्युतमिवाम्बुदम्। चचार विविधान् मार्गान् महाबलपराक्रमः॥ विधुन्वन्नसिमाकाशे तथा युद्धचिकीर्षया।
Taking up the sword which was effulgent like the all-destructive Yuga fire, and wielding a large shield with three high bosses which shone like a mass of dark clouds stricken with flashes of lightning, the divine Mahadeva, the bearer of the Shula, the tearer of Bhaga's eye, began to perform various kinds of evolutions. Endued with great with great prowess, he began to whirl the sword in the sky, seeking an encounter. an
तस्य नादं विनदतो महाहासं च मुञ्चतः॥ बभौ प्रतिभयं रूपं तदा रुद्रस्य भारत।
He uttered loud roars and awful was the sound of his laughter. Indeed, O Bharata, then Rudra assumed exceedingly terrible appearance.
तद्रूपधारिणं रुद्रं रौद्रकर्मचिकीर्षया।॥ निशम्य दानवाः सर्वे हृष्टाः समभिदुद्रुवुः। अश्मभिश्चाभ्यवर्षन्त प्रदीप्तैश्च तथोल्मुकैः॥
Hearing that Rudra had assumed that form for performing dreadful deeds, the Danavas, filled with joy, began to come towards him quickly, showering huge rocks upon him as they came, and burning brands of wood, and various kinds of terrible weapons made of iron cach sharp as of a razor.
घोरैः प्रहरणैश्चान्यैः क्षुरधारैरयोमयैः। ततस्तु दानवानीकं सम्प्रणेतारमुच्यतम्॥
However, seeing that foremost of all beings, the indestructible powerful Rudra, swelling with might, the Danavas army became stupefied and began to tremble.
रुद्रं दृष्ट्वा बलोद्भूतं प्रमुमोह चचाल च। चित्रं शीघ्रपदत्वाच्च चरन्तमसिपाणिनम्॥ तमेकमसुराः सर्वे सहस्रमिति मेनिरे।
Although Rudra was alone and singlehanded, yet so quickly did he move about on the field of battle with the sword in his hand that the Asuras thought there were a thousand Rudras fighting with them.
छिन्दन भिन्दन् रुजन् कृन्तन् दारयन् पोथयन्नपि॥ अचरद् वैरिसङ्केषु दावाग्निरिव कक्षगः।
Tearing and piercing and assailing and cutting and lopping off and grinding down, the great god moved about quickly among the large number of his enemies like a forest-fire amid heaps of dry grass spread around.
असिवेगप्रभग्नास्ते छिन्नबाहूरुवक्षसः॥ सम्प्रकीर्णान्त्रगात्राश्च पेतुरुआं महाबलाः।
Assailed by the god with his sword, with arms and thighs and chests cut off and pierced, and with heads cut off, the powerful Asuras began to drop down on the Earth.
अपरे दानवा भग्नाः खड्गपातावपीडिताः॥ अन्योन्यमभिनर्दन्तो दिशः सम्प्रतिपेदिरे।
Stricken with strokes of the sword, other Danavas broke and fled in all directions, cheering up one another as they fled.
भूमि केचित् प्रविविशुः पर्वतानपरे तथा॥ अपरे जग्मुराकाशमपरेऽम्भः समाविशन्।
Some entered into the bowels of the Earth; others got into the caves of mountains. Some went upwards; others entered into the sea.
तस्मिन् महति संवृत्ते समरे भृशदारुणे॥ बभूव भूः प्रतिभया मांसशोणितकर्दमा।
During that dreadful and fierce battle, the Earth was covered with flesh and blood, and dreadful spectacles appeared on all sides.
दानवानां शरीरैश्च पतितैः शोणितोक्षितैः॥ समाकीर्णा महाबाहो शैलैरिव सकिंशुकैः।
Covered with the fallen bodies of Danavas bathed in blood, the Earth looked as if overspread with mountain summits filled with Kinshukas.
स रुद्रो दानवान् हत्वा कृत्वा धर्मोत्तरं जगत्॥ रौद्र रूपमथोत्क्षिप्य चक्रे रूपं शिवं शिवः।
Having killed the Danavas and reestablished virtue on Earth, the auspicious Rudra cast off his dreadful form and put on his beneficient shape.
ततो महर्षयः सर्वे सर्वे देवगणास्तथा॥ जयेनाद्भुतकल्पेन देवदेवं तथार्चयन्।
Then all the Rishis and all the gods adored that god of gods with loud cries of his victory.
ततः स भगवान् रुद्रो दानवक्षतजोक्षितम्॥ असिं धर्मस्य गोप्तारं ददौ सत्कृत्य विष्णवे।
After this the divine Rudra gave the sword, that protector of religion, covered with the blood of Danavas, to Vishnu with proper adorations.
विष्णुर्मरीचये प्रादान्मरीचिर्भगवानपि॥ महर्षिभ्यो ददौ खड्गमृषयो वासवाय च।
Vishnu gave it to Marichi. The divine Marichi gave it to all the great Rishis. the latter gave it to Vasava.
महेन्द्रो लोकपालेभ्यो लोकपालास्तु पुत्रका।६७।। मनवे सूर्यपुत्राय ददुः खड्गं सुविस्तरम्।
Vasava gave it to the Regents of the quarters. The Regents, O son, gave that large sword to Manu the son of the Sun-god.
उचुश्चैनं तथा वाक्यं मानुषाणां त्वमीश्वरः॥ असिना धर्मगर्भेण पालयस्व प्रजा इति।
At the time of giving it to Manu, they said-You are the lord of all men. Protect all creatures with this sword having religion within its womb.
धर्मसेतुमतिक्रान्ताः स्थूलसूक्ष्मात्मकारणात्॥ विभज्य दण्डं रक्ष्यास्तु धर्मतो न यदृच्छया।
Properly punishing those who have disregarded the restraints of virtue for the sake of the body or the mind, they should be protected according to the ordinances but never according to caprice.
दुर्वाचा निग्रहो दण्डो हिरण्यबहुलस्तथा॥ व्यङ्गता च शरीरस्य वधो वानल्पकारणात्।
Some should be punished with rebukes, fines and forfeitures. Loss of limb or death should never be inflicted for slight offences.
असेरेतानि रूपाणि दुरादीनि निर्दिशेत्॥ असेरेवं प्रमाणानि परिपाल्य व्यतिक्रमात्।
These punishments, having rebukes as their first, are considered as so many forms of the sword. They are the forms that the sword assumes for the sins of persons under the protection (of the king).
स विसृज्याथ पुत्रं स्वं प्रजानामधिपं ततः॥ मनुः प्रजानां रक्षार्थं क्षुपाय प्रददावसिम्।
In time Manu installed his own son Kshupa as the king of all creatures, and gave him the sword for their protection.
क्षुपाज्जग्राह चेक्ष्वाकुरिक्ष्वाकोश्च पुरूरवाः॥ आयुश्च तस्माल्लेभे तं नहुषश्च ततो भुवि।
Kshupa gave it to Ikshaku, and Ikshaku to Pururavas. Pururavas gave it to Ayus, and Ayus to Nahusha.
ययातिनहुषाच्चापि पूरुस्तस्माच्च लब्धवान्॥ अमूर्तरयसस्तस्मात्ततो भूमिशयो नृपः।
Nahusha gave it to Yayati, and Yayati to Puru. Puru gave it to Amurttaraya. From Amurttaraya it went to the royal Bhumishaya.
भरतश्चापि दौष्यन्तिर्लेभे भूमिशयादसिम्॥ तस्माल्लेभे च धर्मज्ञो राजन्नैलविलस्तथा।
Bhumishaya gave it to Dhushmanta's son Bharata. Bharata, O king, gave it to the righteous Ailavila.
ततस्त्वैलविलाल्लेभे धुन्धुमारो नरेश्वरः॥ धुन्धुमाराच्च काम्बोजो मुचुकुन्दस्ततोऽलभत्।
Ailavila gave it to king Dhundumara. Dhundumara gave it to Kamvoja, and Kamvoja to Muchukunda.
मुचुकुन्दान्मरुत्तश्च मरुत्तादपि रैवतः॥ रैवताद् युवनाश्वश्च युवनाश्वात्ततो रघुः।
Muchukunda gave it to Marutta, and Marutta to Raivata. Raivata gave it to Yuvanashva, and Yuvanashva to Raghu.
इक्ष्वाकुवंशजस्तस्माद्धरिणाश्वः प्रतापवान्॥ हरिणावादसि लेभे शुनकः शुनकादपि। उशीनरो वै धर्मात्मा तस्माद् भोजः स यादवः॥
Raghu gave it to the valiant Harinashva. Harinashva gave the sword to Sunaka, and Sunaka to the righteous-souled Ushinara. From the last it was taken by the Bhojas and the Yadavas.
यदुभ्यश्च शिबिर्लेभे शिबेश्चापि प्रतर्दनः। प्रतर्दनादष्टकश्च पृषदश्वोऽष्टकादपि॥
The Yadus gave it to Shivi. Shivi gave it to Pratarddana. Pratarddana gave it to Ashtaka, and Ashtaka to Prishadashva.
पृषदश्वाद् भरद्वाजो द्रोणस्तस्मात् कृपस्ततः। ततस्त्वं भ्रातृभिः सार्धं परमासिमवाप्तवान्॥
Prishadashva gave it to Bharadwaja, and Bharadwaja to Drona. Drona gave it to Kripa. Kripa gave that best of swords to you and your brothers.
कृत्तिकास्तस्य नक्षत्रमसेरग्निश्च दैवतम्। रोहिणी गोत्रमस्याथ रुद्रश्च गुरुरुत्तमः॥
The constellation under which the sword was born in Kritika. Agni is its god, and Rohini is its Gotra. Rudra is its great preceptor.
असेरष्टौ हि नामानि रहस्यानि निबोध मे। पाण्डवेय सदा यानि कीर्तयन् लभते जयम्॥
The sword has eight names which are not generally known. Hear as I name them to you. If one mentions these names, O son of Pandu, one may always acquire victory.
असिर्विशसनः खड्गस्तीक्ष्णधारो दुरासदः। श्रीगर्भो विजयश्चैव धर्मपालस्तथैव च॥
Those names then are Asi, Vaishasana, Khadga, Sharp-edged, hard of acquisition, Shrigarbha, victory and protector of virtue.
अग्रयः प्रहरणानां च खड्गो माद्रवतीसुत। महेश्वरप्रणीतश्च पुराणे निश्चयं गतः॥
Of all weapons, O son of Madravati, the sword is the greatest. The Puranas truly say that it was first held by Mahadeva.
पृथुस्तूत्पादयामास धनुराधमरिंदमः। तेनेयं पृथिवी दुग्धा सस्यानि सुबहून्यपि। धर्मेण च यथापूर्वं वैन्येन परिरक्षिता॥
Regarding the bow, again, O chastiser of enemies, it was Prithu who first created it. It was with the help of this weapon that that son of Vena, while he ruled the Earth virtuously for many years, milked her profusely of crops and grain.
तदेतदाएं माद्रेय प्रमाणं कर्तुमर्हसि। असेच पूजा कर्तव्या सदा युद्धविशारदैः॥
You should, O son of Madri, consider what the Rishis have said as sufficient proof. All persons skilled in battle should adore the sword.
इत्येष प्रथमः कल्पो व्याख्यातस्ते सुविस्तरात्। असेरुत्पत्तिसंसर्गो यथावद् भरतर्षभ॥
I have now told you truly the first portion of your question fully, about the origin and creation of the sword, O foremost of Bharata's family.
सर्वथैतदिदं श्रुत्वा खड्गसाधनमुत्तमम्। लभते पुरुषः कीर्ति प्रेत्य चानन्त्यमश्नुते॥
By hearing of this excellent story of the origin of the sword, a man acquires fame in this world and eternal happiness in the next.'