भीष्म उवाच शरीरे तानि मे शृणु।॥ वृत्रस्य तु महाराज ज्वराविष्टस्य सर्वशः। अभवन् यानि लिङ्गानि
Bhishma said-Hear me, O king, I describe the symptoms that appeared on the body of Vritra when he was possessed by that fever.
ज्वलितास्योऽभवद् घोरो वैवयं चागमत् परम्। गात्रकम्पश्च सुमहाश्वासश्चाप्यभवन्महान्॥
The heroic Asura's mouth began to send out flames of fire. He became greatly pale. His body began to tremble all over. His breath became hard.
रोमहर्षश्च तीव्रोऽभूनिःश्वासश्च महान् नृप। शिवा चाशिवसंकाशा तस्य वक्त्रात् सुदारुणा॥ निष्पपात महाघोरा स्मृतिः सा तस्य भारत। उल्काश्च ज्वलितास्तस्य दीप्ताः पार्श्वे प्रपेदिरे॥
His hairs stood erect. His breath was very hard. His memory, O Bharata, went out of his mouth in the shape of a dreadful, and inauspicious jackal. Burning and blazing meteors dropped on his right and left.
गृध्राः कङ्का बलाकाश्च वाचोऽमुञ्चन् सुदारुणाः। वृत्रस्योपरि संसृष्टाश्चक्रवत् परिबभ्रमुः॥
Vultures, Kankas, and cranes yelled fierce cries, as they moved over Vritra's head.
ततस्तं रथमास्थाय देवाप्यायित आहवे। वज्रोद्यतकरः शक्रस्तं दैत्यं समवैक्षत॥
Then, in that battle, Indra, worshipped of the gods, and armed with the thunderbolt, looked hard at the demon as the latter sat on his car.
आमनुषमथो नादं स मुमोच महासुरः। व्यजृम्भच्चैव राजेन्द्र तीव्रज्वरसमन्वितः॥
Possessed by that dreadful fever, the powerful Asura, O king, yawned and uttered inhuman cries.
अथास्य जम्भतः शक्रस्ततो वज्रमवासृजत्। स वज्रः सुमहातेजा: कालाग्निसदृशोपमः॥ क्षिप्रमेव महाकायं वृत्रं दैत्यमपातयत्।
While the Asura was yawning, Indra discharged his thunderbolt at him. Endued with great enrgy and resembling the fire that destroys the creation at the end of the cycle, that thunderbolt overthrew in a moment Vritra of gigantic form.
ततो नादः समभवत् पुनरेव समन्ततः॥ वृत्रं विनिहतं दृष्ट्वा देवानां भरतर्षभः।
The gods on all sides cried aloud when they saw Vritra killed, O foremost of Bharata's race.
वृत्रं तु हत्वा मघवा दानवारिर्महायशाः॥ वज्रेण विष्णुयुक्तेन दिवमेव समाविशत्।
Having killed Vritra, Mghavat, that enemy of the Danavas, of great entered heaven with that thunderbolt pervaded by Vishnu,
अथ वृत्रस्य कौरव्य शरीरादभिनिःसृता॥ ब्रह्मवध्या महाघोरा रौद्रा लोकभयावहा।
Just then, O you of Kuru's family, the sin of Brahmanicide, fierce and dreadful and striking all the worlds with fear, came out of the person of the killed Vritra.
करालदशना भीमा विकृता कृष्णपिङ्गला॥ प्रकीर्णमूर्धजा चैव घोरनेत्रा च भारता कपालमालिनी चैव कृत्येव भरतर्षभ॥ रुधिरार्द्रा च धर्मज्ञ चीरवल्कलवासिनी। साभिनिष्क्रम्य राजेन्द्र तादृगूपा भयावहा॥ वज्रिणं मृगमायास तदा भरतसत्तम।
Of terrible teeth and dreadful countenance, hideous for ugliness, and dark and tawny, with hair dishevelled, and dreadful eyes, O Bharata, with a garland of skulls round her neck, and loO king like Incantation incarnate, O foremost of Bharatas, bathed in blood, and clad in rags and barks of trees, O you of righteous soul, she came out of Vritra's body. Of such dreadful form and countenance, O king, she sought the holder of the thunderbolt.
कस्यचित् त्वथ कालस्य वृत्रहा कुरुनन्दन॥ स्वर्गायाभिमुखः प्रायाल्लोकानां हितकाम्यया।
A little while after, O you of Kuru's race, the killer of Vritra, for the behoof of the three worlds, was proceeding towards heaven.
सा विनिः :सरमाणं तु दृष्ट्वा शक्रं महौजसम्॥ जग्राह वध्या देवेन्द्रं सुलग्ना चाभवत् तदा।
Seeing Indra of great energy thus proceeding on his mission, she caught the king of the gods and from that moment stuck to him.
स हि तस्मिन् समुत्पन्ने ब्रह्मवध्याकृते भय॥ नलिन्या बिसमध्यस्थ उवासाब्दगणान् बहून्।
When the sin of Brahmanicide thus stuck to his body and filled him with terror, Indra entered the fibres of a lotus-stalk and lived there for many years.
अनुसृत्य तु यत्नात् स तथा वै ब्रह्महत्यया॥ तदा गृहीतः कौरव्य निस्तेजाः समपद्यत।
But the sin of Brahmanicide followed him closely. Indeed, O son of Kuru, seized by her, Indra became shorn of all his energies.
तस्या व्यपोहने शक्रः परं यत्नं चकार ह॥ न चाशकत् तां देवेन्द्रो ब्रह्मवध्यां व्यपोहितुम्।
He tried much for driving her from him, but all those attempts proved useless,
गृहीत एव तु तया देवेन्द्रो भरतर्षभ।॥ पितामहमुपागम्य शिरसा प्रत्यपूजयत्।
Seized by her, O foremost of Bharata's race, the king of the gods at last presented himself before the Grandfather and adored him by bending low his head.
ज्ञात्वा गृहीतं शक्रं स द्विजप्रवरवध्यया।॥ ब्रह्मा स चिन्तयामास तदा भरतसत्तम।
Knowing that Indra was possessed by the sin of Brahmanicide, Brahman began to think, 0 best of the Bharatas, (of the measures for freeing him).
तामुवाच महाबाहो ब्रह्मवध्यां पितामहः॥ स्वरेण मधुरेणाथ सान्त्वयन्निव भारत। मुच्यतां विदशेन्द्रोऽयं मत्प्रियं कुरु भाविनि॥ ब्रूहि किं ते करोम्यद्य कामं किं त्वमिहेच्छसि॥
The Grandfather at last, O you of great arms, addressed Brahmanicide in sweet words as if from the desire of pacifying her, and said.-0 amiable one, let the king of the gods, who is a favourite of mine, be freed from you. Tell me, what shall I do for you? What wish of yours shall I satisfy?
ब्रह्मवध्योवाच त्रिलोकपूजिते देवे प्रीते त्रैलोक्यकर्तरि। कृतमेव हि मन्यामि निवासं तु विधत्स्व मे॥
Brahmanicide said When the Creator of the three worlds, when the illustrious god worshipped of the universe, has been pleased with me, I consider my wishes as already fulfilled. Let my residence be now fixed.
त्वया कृतेयं मर्यादा लोकसंरक्षणार्थिना। स्थापना वै सुमहती त्वया देव प्रवर्तिता॥
Desirous of preserving the worlds, this rule has been laid down by you. It was you, O lord, who had introduced this important rule.
प्रीते तु त्वयि धर्मज्ञ सर्वलेकेश्वर प्रभो। शक्रादपगमिष्यामि निवासं संविधत्स्व मे॥
As you have been pleased with me, O righteous Lord, O powerful Master of all the worlds, I shall surely leave Shakra! But grant me an abode to live in.
भीष्म उवाच तथेति तां प्राह तदा ब्रह्मवध्यां पितामहः। उपायतः स शक्रस्य ब्रह्मवध्यां व्यपोहत॥
Bhishma said. The Grandfather replied to Brahmanicide, saying,-So be it! Indeed, the Grandfather found out means for removing Brahmanicide from the body of Indra.
ततः स्वयम्भुवा ध्यातस्तत्र वह्निर्महात्मना। ब्रह्माणमुपसंगम्य ततो वचनमब्रवीत्॥ प्राप्तोऽस्मि भगवन् देव त्वत्सकाशमनिन्दित। ततः स्वयम्भुवा ध्यातस्तत्र वह्निर्महात्मना। यत् कर्तव्यं मया देव तद् भवान् वक्तुमर्हसि॥
The Self-sprung thought of the great Agni. The latter immediately appeared before Brahman and said:-O illustrious and divine Lord, O defeatless one, I have appeared before you. You should say what I shall have to do.
ब्रह्मोवाच बहुधा विभजिष्यामि ब्रह्मवध्यामिमामहम्। शक्रस्याघविमोक्षार्थं चतुर्भागं प्रतीच्छ वै॥
Bhishma said I shall divide this sin of Brahmanicide into several parts. For freeing Shakra from her, do you take a fourth portion of that sin.
अग्निरुवाच मम मोक्षस्य कोऽन्तो वै ब्रह्मन् ध्यायस्व वै प्रभो। एतदिच्छामि विज्ञातुं तत्त्वतो लोकपूजित॥
How shall I be saved from her, O Brahman? O powerful Lord, do you appoint the way. I wish to know the means fully, O worshipped of all the worlds.
ब्रह्मोवाच यस्त्वांज्वलन्तमासाद्य स्वयं वै मानवः क्वचित्। बीजौषधिरसैर्वते न यक्ष्यति तमोवृतः॥ तमेषा यास्यति क्षिप्रं तत्रैव च निवत्स्यति। ब्रह्मवध्या हव्यवाह व्येतु ते मानसो ज्वरः॥
That portion of Brahmanicide which you will take upon yourself shall immediately enter into, and leaving you shall live in, that man who, overwhelmed by the quality of darkness, will abstain from offering your blazing form, seeds, herbs, and juices. O carrier of oblations, let the fever of your heart be dispelled.
इत्युक्तः प्रतिजग्राह तद् वचो हव्यकव्यभुक्। पितामहस्य भगवांस्तथा च तदभूत् प्रभो॥
Bhishma said Thus addressed by the Grandfather, the eater of oblations and sacrificial offerings accepted his order. A fourth of that sin then entered his body, O king.
ततो वृक्षौषधितृणं समाहूय पितामहः। इममर्थं महाराज वक्तुं समुपचक्रमे॥
The Grandfather then summoned the tree, the herbs, and all sorts of grass to him, and begged them to take upon themselves a fourth of that sin.
ततो वृक्षौषधितृणं तथैवोक्तं यथातथम्। व्यथितं वह्निवद् राजन् ब्रह्माणमिदमब्रवीत्॥ अस्माकं ब्रह्मवध्यायाः कोऽन्तो लोकपितामह। दैवेनाभिहतानस्मान् न पुनर्हन्तुमर्हसि॥
Addressed by him, the trees and herbs and grasses became as much moved as Agni had been at the command and they replied to the Grandfather, saying, How shall we, O grandfather of all the worlds, be ourselves saved from this sin? You should not afflict us that have already been assailed by the fates.
वयमग्नि तथा शीतं वर्षं च पवनेरितम्। सहामः सततं देव तथा च्छेदनभेदने।॥
O god, we have always to bear heat and cold and the showers driven by the winds, besides the cutting and tearing.
ब्रह्मवध्यामिमामद्य भवतः शासनाद् वयम्। ग्रहीष्यामस्त्रिलोकेश मोक्षं चिन्तयतां भवान्॥
We are willing, O lord of the three worlds, to take at your order this sin of Brahmancide. May you point out the means of our rescue.
ब्रह्मोवाच पर्वकाले तु सम्प्राप्ते यो वै च्छेदनभेदनम्। करिष्यति नरो मोहात् तमेषानुगमिष्यति॥
This sin that you shall take, shall assail the man who through stupefaction of judgement will cut or tear any of you on a full-moon day.
भीष्म उवाच ततो वृक्षौषधितृणमेवमुक्तं महात्मना। ब्रह्माणमभिसम्पूज्य जगामाशु यथागतम्॥
Thus addressed by the great Brahman, the trees, herbs and grasses worshipped the Creator and then went away without waiting there.
आहूयाप्सरसो देवस्ततो लोकपितामहः। वाचा मधुरया प्राह सान्त्वयन्निव भारत॥ इयमिन्द्रादनुप्राप्ता ब्रह्मवध्या वराङ्गनाः। चतुर्थमस्या भागांशं मयोक्ताः सम्प्रतीच्छत॥
The Grandfather of all the worlds then sent for the Apsaras and pleasing them with sweet words, O Bharata, said,-This foremost of ladies, viz., Brahmanicide, has come out of Indra's body. Begged by me, do you take a fourth part of her into your own body.
अप्सरस ऊचुः ग्रहणे कृतबुद्धीनां देवेश तव शासनात्। मोक्षं समयतोऽस्माकं चिन्तयस्व पितामह॥
The Apsaras said O Lord of all the gods, at your command We are fully willing to take a portion of this sin. But, O Grandfather our compact is that you do think of the means by which we ourselves may be rescued from this.
ब्रह्मोवाच रजस्वलासु नारीषु यो वै मैथुनमाचरेत्। तमेषा यास्यति क्षिप्रं व्येतु वो मानसो ज्वरः॥
Brahman said Let the fever of your hearts be removed. The portion of this sin that you will take upon yourselves shall leave you and immediately possess that men who will seek cohabitation with women in their menses.
भीष्म उवाच तथेति हृष्टमनस इत्युक्त्वाप्सरसां गणाः। स्वानि स्थानानि सम्प्राप्य रेमिरे भरतर्षभ॥
Bhishma said Thus addressed by the Grandfather, O foremost of Bharata's race, the various clans of the Apsaras, with delighted hearts repaired to their respective places and began to sport in joy.
ततस्त्रिलोककृद् देवः पुनरेव महातपाः। अप:संचिन्तयामास ध्यातास्ताश्चाप्यथागमन्॥
The illustrious Creator of the three worlds, gifted with great ascetic merit, then thought of the Waters which immediately came to him.
तास्तु सर्वाः समागम्य ब्रह्माणममितौजसम्। इदमूचुर्वचो राजन् प्रणिपत्य पितामहम्॥ इमाः स्म देव सम्प्राप्तास्त्वत्सकाशमरिंदम्। शासनात् तव लोकेश समाज्ञापय नः प्रभो॥
Arrived before Brahman of great energy, thc Waters bowed to him and said:-We have come before you, O chastiser of enemies, at your behest! O powerful Master of all the worlds, tell us what we are to do.
ब्रह्मोवाच इयं वृत्रादनुप्राप्ता पुरुहूतं महाभया। ब्रह्मवध्या चतुर्थांशमस्या यूयं प्रतीच्छत॥
Brahman said-This dreadful sin has possessed Indra on account of his having killed Vritra. Take you a fourth part of Brahmanicide.
आप ऊचुः एवं भवतु लोकेश यथा वदसि नः प्रभो। मोक्षं समयतोऽस्माकं संचिन्तयितुमर्हसि॥
The Waters said Let it be as you order, O master of all the worlds. You should, however, O powerful Lord of ours, concert the means by which we may be rescued from this.
त्वं हि देवेश सर्वस्य जगतः परमा गतिः। कोऽन्यः प्रसादो हि भवेद् यन्नः कृच्छ्रात् समुद्धरेत्।।५३
You are the Lord of all the gods, and the supreme refuge of the universe. Who else is there whom we may worship so that he may save us from distress.
ब्रह्मोवाच अल्पा इति मतिं कृत्वा यो नरो बुद्धिमोहितः। श्लेष्ममूत्रपुरीषाणि युष्मासु प्रतिमोक्ष्यति।॥ तमियं यास्यति क्षिप्रं तत्रैव च निवत्स्यति। तथा वो भविता मोक्ष इति सत्यं ब्रवीमि वः॥
Brahman said This one shall forthwith go to, and thenceforth live in, that man who stupefied by his understanding and regarding you lightly will throw into you phlegm and urine and excreta. It is this, verily true do I say to you, that your rescue shall be brought about.
ततो विमुच्य देवेन्द्रं ब्रह्मवध्या युधिष्ठिर। यथा विसृष्टं तं वासमगमद्देवशासनात्॥
Bhishma said Then, leaving the king of the deities, the sin of Brahmanicide, O Yudhishthira, proceeded to the abodes that were settled for her at the Grandfather's behest.
एवं शक्रेण संप्राप्ता ब्रह्मवध्या जनाधिप। पितामहमनुज्ञाप्य सोऽश्वमेधमकल्पयत्॥
It was thus, O king, that Indra had become attacked by that dreadful sin. With the Grandfather's permission Indra then resolved to celebrate a Horse-sacrifice.
श्रूयते च महाराज संप्राप्ता वासवेन वै। ब्रह्मवध्या ततः शुद्धिं हयमेधेन लब्धवान्॥
O king! It is listen to that Indra have got relieved from the sin of Brahmanicide by celebrating a Horse-sacrifice.
समवाप्य श्रियं देवो हत्वारीश्च सहस्रशः। प्रहर्षमतुलं लेभे वासवः पृथिवीपते॥
Regaining his prosperity and killing thousands of enemies, that Vasava acquired great joy, O lord of Earth.
वृत्रस्य रुधिराच्चैव शिखण्डाः पार्थ जज्ञिरे। द्विजातिभिरभक्ष्यास्ते दीक्षितैश्च तपोधनैः॥
From the blood of Vritra, O son of Pritha, were born high-crested cocks. Therefore, those fowls are unclean (as food) for the twice-born ones, and those ascetics that have undergone the rite of initiation.
सर्वावस्थं त्वमप्येषां द्विजातीनां प्रियं कुरु। इमे हि भूतले देवाः प्रथिताः कुरुनन्दन॥
Under all circumstances, O king, do you encompass what is agreeable to the twice-born, for these, O king, are known as gods on Earth.
एवं शक्रेण कौरव्य बुद्धिसौक्ष्म्यान्महासुरः। उपायपूर्वं निहतो वृत्रो ह्यमिततेजसा॥
It was thus, O Kuru chief, that the powerful Asura Vritra was killed by Shakra of great energy by the help of subtle intelligence and through the application of means. son
एवं त्वमपि कौन्तेय पृथिव्यामपराजितः। भविष्यसि यथा देवः शतक्रतुरमित्रहा॥
You will, also, O of Kunti, unvanquished on Earth, become another Indra and the killer of all your enemies.
ये तु शक्रकथां दिव्यामिमां पर्वसु पर्वसु। विप्रमध्ये वदिष्यन्ति न ते प्राप्स्यन्ति किल्बिषम्॥
Those men who, on every Parva day, will recite this sacred narrative of Vritra in the midst of Brahmanas shall never be sullied by any sin.
इत्येतद् वृत्रमाश्रित्य शक्रस्यात्यद्भुतं महत्। कथितं कर्म ते तात किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि॥
I have now recited to you one of the greatest and most wonderful feats of Indra about Vritra, What else do you wish to hear."