युधिष्ठिर पितामह महाप्राज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद। आगमैर्बहुभिः स्फीतो भवान् नः प्रवरे कुले॥
Yudhishthira said O grandfather, you are endued with great wisdom. Indeed, you are fully conversant with every branch of learning. In our great family you are the only individual who have mastered sciences.
त्वत्तो धर्मार्थसंयुक्तमायत्यां च सुखोदयम्। आश्चर्यभूतं लोकस्य श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यरिंन्दम॥
I wish to hear from you discourses of Religion and Profit, which bring on happiness in the next world, and that are fraught with wonder to all creatures.
अयं च कालः सम्प्राप्तो दुर्लभो ज्ञातिबान्धवैः। शास्ता च न हि नः कश्चित् त्वामृते पुरुषर्षभ॥
The time that has come is full of distress. The like of it does not generally come to kinsmen and friends. Indeed, except you, O foremost of men, we have now none else who can take the place of an instructor.
यदि तेऽहमनुग्राह्यो भ्रातृभिः सहितोऽनघ। वक्तुमर्हसि नः प्रश्नं यत् त्वां पृच्छामि पार्थिव॥
If, O sinless one, I with my brothers deserve your labour, you should answer the questions I wish to ask you.
अयं नारायणः श्रीमान् सर्वपार्थिवसम्मतः। भवन्तं बहुमानेन प्रश्रयेण च सेवते॥
This one is Narayana who is gifted with every prosperity and is honoured by all the kings. Even he waits upon you, showing you every indulgence and honoring you greatly.
अस्य चैव समक्षं त्वं पार्थिवानां च सर्वशः। भ्रातृणां च प्रियार्थं मे स्नेहाद् भाषितुमर्हसि।॥
You should describe it to me, through affection, for my benefit as also for that of my brothers, in the presence of Vasudeva himself and of all these kings.
वैशम्पायन उवाच तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा स्नेहादागतसम्भ्रमः। भीष्मो भागीरथीपुत्र इदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
Vaishampayana said Hearing these words of king Yudhishthira, Bhishma, the son of the river Ganges, filled with joy on account of his affection for the monarch and his brothers, said what follows.
भीष्म उवाच अहं ते कथयिष्यामि कथामतिमनोहराम्। अस्य विष्णोः पुरा राजन् प्रभावो यो मया श्रुतः॥
Bhishma said I shall certainly recite to you discourses that are charming on the subject, o king, of the power of this Vishnu as displayed in days of yore and as I have heard (from my preceptors).
यश्च गोवृषभाङ्कस्य प्रभावस्तं च मे शृणु। रुद्राण्याः संश्यो यश्च दम्पत्योस्तं च मे शृणु।॥
Listen to me also as I describe the power of that great god who has a bull for his emblem. Listen to me as I describe also the doubt that filled the mind of the wife of Rudra and that of Rudra himself.
व्रतं चचार धर्मात्मा कृष्णो द्वादशवार्षिकम्। दीक्षितं चागतौ द्रष्टुमुभौ नारदपर्वतौ॥ कृष्णद्वैपायनश्चैव धौम्यश्च जपतां वरः। देवलः काश्यपश्चैव हस्तिकाश्यप एव च॥
Once on a time the virtuous Krishna observed a vow extending for two and ten years. For seeing him who had performed the rite of initiation for the observance of his great vow, there came to that place. Narada and Parvata, and Krishna Dvaipayana and Dhaumya that foremost of silent reciters, Devala, Kashyapa, and Hastikashyapa.
अपरे चर्षयः सन्तो दीक्षादमसमन्विताः। शिष्यैरनुगता: सिद्धैर्देवकल्पैस्तपोधनैः॥
Other Rishis also, gifted with initiation and self-restraint, followed by their disciples and accompanied by many Siddhas and many ascetics of great merit, came there.
तेषामतिथिसत्कारमर्चनीयं कुलोचितम्। देवकीतनयः प्रीतो देवकल्पमकल्पयत्॥
The son of Devaki offered them such laudable honors of hospitality as are offered to the gods alone.
हरितेषु सुवर्णेषु बर्हिष्केषु नवेषु च। उपोवविविशुः प्रीता विष्टेरेषु महर्षयः॥
Those great Rishis sat themselves down upon seats some of which were green and some were goldhued and some were made of the plumes of the peacock and some were perfectly new and fresh.
कथाश्चक्रुस्ततस्ते तु मधुरा धर्मसंहिताः। राजर्षीणां सुराणां च ये वसन्ति तपोधनाः॥
Thus seated, they began to converse sweetly with one another on subjects of Religion and Duty as also with many royal sages and celestials.
ततो नारायणं तेजो व्रतचर्येन्धनोत्थितम्। वक्त्रानिःसृत्य कृष्णस्य वह्निरद्भुतकर्मणः॥
At that time the energy, in the form of fire, of Narayana, rising from the fuel that consisted of the rigid observance of his vow, came out of the mouth of Krishna of wonderful deeds.
सोऽग्निर्ददाह तं शैलं सदुमं सलताक्षुपम्। सपक्षिमृगसंघातं सश्वापदसरीसृपम्॥
That fire began to consume those mountains with their trees and creepers and little plants, as also with their birds and deer and beasts of prey and reptiles.
मृगैश्च विविधाकारैर्हाहाभूतमचेतनम्। शिखरं तस्य शैलस्य मथितं दीनदर्शनम्॥
Soon the summit of that mountain presented a distressing and pitiful sight. Inhabited by animals of various kinds which began to utter cries of woe and pain, the summit soon became bereft of every living creature. more
स तु वहिर्महाज्वालो दग्ध्वा सर्वमशेषतः। विष्णो:समीप आगम्य पादौ शिष्यवदस्पृशत्॥
That fire of powerful flames, having consumed everything without living a residue, at last returned to Vishnu and touched his feet like a docile disciple.
ततो विष्णुर्गिरिं दृष्ट्वा निर्दग्धमरिकर्शनः। सौम्यैदृष्टिनिपातैस्तं पुनः प्रकृतिमानयत्॥
That crusher of enemies, viz., Krishna, seeing that mountain burnt, cast a benignant look upon it and thereby brought it back to its former condition.
तथैव स गिरिभूर्यः प्रपुष्पितलताद्रुमः। सपक्षिगणसंघुष्टः सश्वापदसरीसृपः॥
That mountain thereupon once becaine bedecked with flowering trees and creepers, and once more echoed with the notes and cries of birds and deer and animals of prey and reptiles.
तमद्भुतमचिन्त्यं च दृष्ट्वा मुनिगणस्तदा। विस्मितो दृष्टरोमा च बभूवास्राविलेक्षणः॥
Seeing that wonderful and inconceivable spectacle, al the ascetics became filled with wonder. Their hair stood erect and their vision was disturbed with tears.
ततो नारायणो दृष्ट्वा तानृषीन् विस्मयान्वितान्। प्रश्रितं मधुरं स्निग्धं पप्रच्छ वदतां वरः॥
Seeing those Rishis thus stricken with wonder, that foremost of speakers. Narayana, addressed them in these sweet and refreshing words:
किमर्थमृषिपूगस्य त्यक्तसङ्स्य नित्यशः। निर्ममस्यागमवतो विस्मयः समुपागतः॥
Why, indeed, has wonder filled the hearts of this collection of Rishis, these ascetics who are always free from attachment of every kind, who are divested of the idea of mineness, and who are fully conversant with every sacred science.
एतन्मे संशयं सर्वे याथातथ्यमनिन्दिताः। ऋषयो वक्तुमर्हन्ति निश्चितार्थं तपोधनाः॥
These Rishis having penances for wealth and freed from every stain, should explain to me truly this doubt which has originated in my mind.
ऋषिरुवाच भवान् विसृजते लोकान् भवान् संहरते पुनः। भवान् शीतं भवानुष्णं भवानेष च वर्षति॥
The Rishis said You are the creator of all the worlds, and the destroyer of them again. You are Winter, you are Summer, and you are the season of Rains.
पृथिव्यां यानि भूतानि स्थावराणि चराणि च। तेषां पिता त्वं माता त्वं प्रभुः प्रभव एव च॥
Of all the creatures, mobile and immobile, that exist on Earth, you are the father, you are the mother, you are the master, and you are the origin.
एवं नो विस्मयकरं संशयं मधुसूदन। त्वमेवार्हसि कल्याण वक्तुं वह्नर्विनिर्गमम्॥
Even this, O destroyer of Madhu, is a matter of wonder and doubt with us. O source of all auspiciousness, you should explain to us that doubt, viz., the issue of fire from your mouth.
ततो विगतसंत्रासा वयमप्यरिकशन। यच्छुतं यच्च दृष्टं नस्तत् प्रवक्ष्यामहे हरे॥
Our fears being removed, we shall then, O Hari, recite to you what we have heard and seen.
वासुदेव उवाच एतद् वै वैष्णवं तेजो मम वक्त्राद् विनिःसृतम्। कृष्णवा युगान्ताभो येनायं मथितो गिरिः॥
Vasudeva said The fire that came out from my mouth and that resembles the all destroying Yuga Fire in splendour, and by which this mountain has been crushed and scorched is nothing else than the power of Vishnu.
ऋषयश्चार्तिमापन्ना जितक्रोधा जितेन्द्रियाः। भवन्तो व्यथिताश्चासान् देवकल्पास्तपोधनाः॥
Ye Rishis, ye are persons who have governed anger, who have brought your senses under complete control, who are gifted with wealth of penances, and who are very gods in power. Yet you have allowed yourselves to be agitated and distressed.
व्रतचर्यापरीतस्य तपस्विव्रतसेवया। मम वह्निः समुद्भूतो न वै व्यथितुमर्हथ॥
I am now engaged wholly with the observances about a rigid: vow. Indeed, on account of my observing the vows of an ascetic, a fire came out from my mouth. You should not allow yourselves to be agitated therefor.
व्रतं चर्तुमिहायातस्त्वहं गिरिमिमं शुभम्। पुत्रं चात्मसमं वीर्ये तपसा लब्धुमागतः॥
It is for observing a rigid vow that I came to this charming and sacred mountain. The object that has brought me here is to acquire, by the help of penances, a son that would be my equal in power.
ततो ममात्मा यो देहे सोऽग्निर्भूत्वा विनिः सृतः। गतश्च वरदं द्रष्टुं सर्वलोकपितामहम्॥
On account of iny penances, the Soul existing in my body became changed into fire and came out of my mouth. That fire had gone to see the boongiving Grandfather all the universe.
तेन चात्मानुशिष्टो मे पुत्रत्वे मुनिसत्तमाः। तेजसोऽर्धेन पुत्रस्ते भवितेति वृषध्वजः॥
The Grandfather, ye foremost of ascetics, told my soul that the energy of the great god having the bull for his embalmer would take birth as my son.
सोऽयं वह्निरुपागम्य पादमूले ममान्तिकम्। शिष्यवत् परिचर्यार्थं शान्तः प्रकृतिमागतः॥
That fire returning from its mission, has come back to me and approached my feet like a disciple desirous of attending to me dutifully. Indeed, renouncing its fury it has come back to its own proper nature.
एतदेव रहस्यं वः पद्मनाभस्य धीमतः। मया प्रोक्तं समासेन न भी: कार्या तपोधनाः॥
I have thus told you, in brief, a mystery belonging to Him who has the lotus for the origin and who is gifted with great intelligence. Ye Rishis having penances for wealth, you should not yield to fear.
सर्वत्र गतिरव्यग्रा भवतां दीर्घदर्शनात्। तपस्वितसंदीप्ता ज्ञानविज्ञानशोभिताः॥
You are gifted with farreaching vision. You can proceed to every place without any obstacle. Radiant with vows observed by ascetics, you are adorned with knowledge and science.
यच्छुतं यच्च वो दृष्टं दिवि वा यदि वा भुवि। आश्चर्यं परमं किंचित् तद् भवन्तो ब्रुवन्तु मे॥
I now ask you to tell me something that is highly wonderful which you have heard of or seen on Earth or in the celestial region.
तस्यामृतनिकाशस्य वाङ्भधोरस्ति मे स्पृहा। भवद्भिः कथितस्येह तपोवननिवासिभिः॥
I am anxious to taste the honey of words which will drop from your lips and which, I am sure, will be as sweet as a jet of nectar itself.
यद्यप्यहमदृष्टं वो दिव्यमद्युतदर्शनम्। दिवि वा भुवि वा किंचित् परयाम्यमरदर्शनाः॥ प्रकृतिः सा मम परा न क्वचित् प्रतिहन्यते। न चात्मगतमैश्वर्यमाश्चर्यं प्रतिभाति मे॥
If I see anything on Earth or in the celestial region, which is highly delightful and wonderful but which is unknown to all of you, O god like Rishis, that is on account of my own supreme Nectar which is incapable of being obstructed by anything. Anything wonderful which I know by nature or by my own inspiration, ceases to appear wonderful to me.
श्रद्धेयः कथितो ह्यर्थं: सज्जनश्रवणं गतः। चिरं तिष्ठति मेदिन्यां शैले लेख्यामिवार्पितम्॥
Anything, however, that is recited by pious persons and that is heard from those who are good, deserves to be accepted with respect and faith. Such discourses exist on Earth for a long time and will last like characters engraved on rocks.
तदहं सज्जनमुखान्निःसृतं तत्समागमे। कथयिष्याम्यहमहो बुद्धिदीपकरं नृणाम्॥
I wish, therefore, to hear at this meeting of ourselves, something dropping from the lips of persons who are good and who cannot fail to be productive of good to men.
ततो मुनिगणाः सर्वे विस्मिताः कृष्णसंनिधौ। नेत्रैः पद्मदलप्रख्यैरपश्यंस्तं जनार्दनम्॥
Hearing these words of Krishna, all those ascetics became filled with wonder. They began to look at Janardana with those eyes of theirs that were as beautiful and large as the petals of the lotus.
वर्धयन्तस्तथैवान्ये पूजयन्तस्तथाऽपरे। वाग्भिर्ऋग्भूषितार्थाभिः स्तुवन्तो मधुसूदनम्॥
Some of them began to glorify him and some began to adore him with respect. Indeed, all of them then sang the praises of the destroyer of Madhu with words whose meanings were adorned with the eternal Richs.
ततो मुनिगणाः सर्वे नारदं देवदर्शनम्। तदा नियोजयामासुर्वचने वाक्यकोविदम्॥
all those ascetics then appointed Narada, that foremost of all persons conversant with words, to satisfy the request of Vasudeva.
मुनयः ऊचुः यदाश्चर्यमचिन्त्यं च गिरौ हिमवति प्रभो। अनुभूतं मुनिगणैस्तीर्थयात्रापरैर्मुने॥ तद् भवानृषिसंघस्य हितार्थं सर्वमादितः। यथा दृष्टं हृषीकेशे सर्वमाख्यातुमर्हसि॥
The Ascetics said You should, O Narada, describe in full, from the beginning, to Hrishikesha, that wonderful and inconceivable incident which took place, O powerful one, on the mountains of Himavat and which, O 'ascetic, was seen by those of us who had gone there in course of our sojourn to the sacred waters. Indeed, for the behoof of all the Rishis here collected, you should recite that incident.
एवमुक्तः स मुनिभिर्नारदो भगवान् मुनिः। कथयामास देवर्षिः पूर्ववृत्तामिमां कथाम्॥
Thus addressed by those ascetics, the celestial Rishi, viz., the divine Narada, then recited the following story whose incidents had ken place sometime before.