Adhyaya 41

Verse 1

इति श्रीब्रह्माण्डे महापुराणे वायुप्रोक्ते मध्यमभागे तृतीय उपोद्धातपादे भार्गवचरिते कार्त्तवीर्यवधो नाम चत्वारिंशत्तमो ऽध्यायः // ४०// वसिष्ठ उवाच दृष्ट्वा पितुर्वधं घोरं तत्पुत्रास्ते शतं त्वरा / वारयामासुरत्युग्रं भार्गवं स्वबलेः पृथक्

Thus, in the Śrī Brahmāṇḍa Mahāpurāṇa, in the middle section spoken by Vāyu, within the third introductory division of the Bhārgava narrative, is the fortieth chapter called “The Slaying of Kārttavīrya.” Vasiṣṭha said: Seeing the dreadful killing of their father, his hundred sons swiftly, each with his own force, sought to restrain the exceedingly fierce Bhārgava.

Verse 2

एकैकाक्षैहिणीयुक्ताः सर्वे ते युद्धदुर्मदाः / संग्रामं तुमुलं चक्रुः संरब्धास्तु पितुर्वधात्

All of them, each commanding a full akṣauhiṇī host, were maddened by the pride of war. Enraged by their father’s death, they raised a tumultuous battle.

Verse 3

रामस्तु दृष्ट्वा तत्पुत्राञ्छूरान्रणविशारदान् / परश्वधं समादाय युयुधे तैश्च संगरे

Rāma, seeing those sons—heroes skilled in the arts of war—took up his axe (paraśu) and fought them on the field of battle.

Verse 4

तां सेनां भगवान्रामः शताक्षौहिणिसंमिताम् / निजघान त्वरायुक्तो मुहुर्त्तद्वयमात्रतः

Bhagavan Rama, swift in action, struck down that army—equal to a hundred akṣauhiṇīs—in the span of only two muhūrtas.

Verse 5

निःशेषितं स्वसैन्यं तु कुठारेणैव लीलया / दृष्ट्वा रामेण तेसर्वे युयुधुर्वीर्यसंमताः

Seeing their own host utterly wiped out by the axe as if in mere sport, all those famed for valor set upon Rama in battle.

Verse 6

नानाविधानि दिव्यानि प्रहरन्तो महोजसः / परितो मण्डलं चक्रुर्भार्गवस्य महात्मनः

Mighty warriors, hurling many kinds of divine weapons, formed a ring all around the great-souled Bhargava.

Verse 7

अथ रामो ऽपि बलवांस्तेषां मण्डलमध्यगः / विरेजे भगवान्साक्षाद्यथा नाभिस्तु चक्रगा

Then mighty Rama, standing in the midst of their ring, shone like the Lord Himself—like the hub set within a wheel.

Verse 8

नृत्यन्निवाचौ विरराज रामः शतं पुनस्ते परितो भ्रमन्तः / रेजुश्च गोपी गणमध्यसंस्थः कृष्णो यथा ताः परितो भ्रमन्त्यः

As though dancing, Rama shone upon the battlefield, while they again—by the hundred—whirled around him. So too does Krishna gleam amid the host of gopis, as they circle about Him.

Verse 9

तदा तु सर्वे द्रुहिणप्रधानाः समागताः स्वस्वविमानसंस्थाः / समाकिरन्नन्दनमाल्यवर्षैः समन्ततो राममहीनवीर्यम्

Then all the foremost gods, led by Druhiṇa (Brahmā), assembled upon their own vimānas and, from every side, showered Rāma—whose valor was beyond measure—with garlands raining from Nandana.

Verse 10

यः शस्त्रपादादुदतिष्ठत ध्वनिर् हुंकारगर्भो दिवमस्पृशन्स वै / तौर्यत्रिकस्येव शरक्षतानि भान्तीव यद्वन्नखदन्तपाताः

From the stamping clash of weapons arose a roar filled with war-cries, as though it touched the very heavens; and the strikes of claws and fangs gleamed, like arrow-wounds shining amid the music of the triple instruments.

Verse 11

क्रन्दन्ति शस्त्रैः क्षतविक्षताङ्गा गायन्ति यद्वत्किल गीतविज्ञाः / एवं प्रवृत्तं नृपयुद्धमण्डलं पश्यन्ति देवा भृशविस्मिताक्षः

Those whose limbs were cut and torn by weapons cried out, yet sang as though they were masters of song; thus the gods beheld the kings’ circle of battle as it raged on, their eyes filled with astonishment.

Verse 12

ततस्तु रामो ऽवनिपालपुत्राञ्जिघांसुराजौ विविधास्त्रपूगैः / पृथक्चकारातिब लांस्तु मण्डलद्विच्छिद्य पङ्क्तिं प्रभुरात्तचापः

Then Rāma, the Lord, intent on slaying the princes of the kings, took up his bow and with volleys of varied astras split the battle-circle in two, severing the line of the mightiest warriors.

Verse 13

एकैकशस्तान्निजघान वीराञ्छतं तदा पञ्च ततः पलायिताः / शूरो वृषास्यो वृषशूरसेनौ जयध्वजश्चापि विभिन्नधैर्याः

Then he struck down a hundred heroes, one with each blow; thereafter five—Śūra, Vṛṣāsya, Vṛṣa, Śūrasena, and Jayadhvaja—their courage shattered, fled the field.

Verse 14

महाभयेनाथ परीतचिता हिमाद्रिपादान्तरकाननं च / पृथग्गतास्ते सुपरीप्सवो नृपा न को ऽपि कांस्विद्ददृशे भृशार्त्तः

Overwhelmed by great fear, those kings scattered apart into the forest at the foot of Himavat; in grievous distress, none saw another anywhere.

Verse 15

रामो ऽपि हत्वा नृपचक्रमाजौ राज्ञः सहायर्थमुपागतं च / समन्वितो ऽसावकृतव्रणेन सस्नौ मुदागत्य च नर्मदायाम्

Rama too, having slain in battle the encircling host of kings and joined by those who had come to aid the ruler, unwounded, came in joy and bathed in the Narmada.

Verse 16

स्रात्वा नित्यक्रियां कृत्वा संपूज्य वृषभध्वजम् / प्रतस्थे द्रष्टुमुर्वीश शिवं कैलासवासिनम्

Having bathed and performed his daily rites, and duly worshipped the Bull-bannered Lord, the king set forth to behold Shiva, who dwells on Kailasa.

Verse 17

गुरुपत्नीमुमां चापि सुतौ स्कन्दविनायकौ / मनोयायी महात्मासावकृतव्रणसंयुतः

That great-souled one, holding in mind Uma, the Guru’s consort, and the sons Skanda and Vinayaka, moved on with the speed of thought, unwounded.

Verse 18

कृतकार्यो मुदा युक्तः कैलासं प्राप्य तत्क्षणम् / ददर्श तत्र नगरीं महतीमलकाभिधम्

His purpose fulfilled and filled with joy, he reached Kailasa at once and beheld there the great city called Alaka.

Verse 19

नानामणिगणाकीर्णभवनैरुपशोभिताम् / नानारुपधरैर्यक्षैः शोभितां चित्रभूषणैः

That city was splendid with mansions studded with countless clusters of gems, and adorned by Yakṣas of many forms, wearing wondrous and variegated ornaments.

Verse 20

नानावृक्षसमाकीणैर्वनैश्चोपवनैर्युताम् / दीर्घिकाभिः सुदीर्घाभिस्तडागैश्चोपशोभिताम्

It was graced with forests and groves thick with many kinds of trees, and beautified by long canals and splendid ponds and lakes.

Verse 21

सर्वतो ऽप्यावृतां बाह्ये सीतयालकनन्दया / तत्र देवाङ्गनास्नानमुक्तकुङ्कुमपिञ्जरम्

Even outwardly it was enclosed on every side by the pale Alakanandā; there, the kuṅkuma washed from the bathing of celestial maidens tinted the waters with a rosy hue.

Verse 22

तृषाविर हिताश्चांभः पिबन्ति करिणो मुदा / यत्र संगीतसंनादा श्रूयन्ते तत्रतत्र ह

With their thirst quenched, the elephants drank the waters in delight; and wherever the reverberation of music was heard, there and there it rang out.

Verse 23

गन्धर्वैरप्सरोभिश्च सततं सहकारिभिः / तां दृष्ट्वा भार्गवो राजन्मुदा परमया युतः

Beholding that city, ever attended by Gandharvas and Apsarās as companions, O King, Bhārgava was filled with the highest joy.

Verse 24

ययौ तदूर्ध्वं शिखरं यत्र शेवपरं गृहम् / ततो ददर्श राजेन्द्र स्निग्धच्छायं महावटम्

He went up to that lofty peak where stood a dwelling devoted to Śiva. Then, O king, he beheld a great banyan with soft, sheltering shade.

Verse 25

तस्याधस्ताद्वरावासं सुसेव्यं सिद्धसंयुतम् / ददर्ंश तत्र प्राकारं शतयोजनमण्डलम्

Beneath it lay an excellent abode, worthy of reverent approach and attended by siddhas. There he saw an enclosing wall that spanned a circuit of a hundred yojanas.

Verse 26

नानारत्नाचितं रम्यं चतुर्द्वारं गणावृतम् / नन्दीश्वरं महाकालं रक्ताक्षं विकटोदरम्

It was a lovely place inlaid with many jewels, with four gates and surrounded by the gaṇas—Nandīśvara, Mahākāla, Raktākṣa, and Vikaṭodara.

Verse 27

पिङ्गलाक्षं विशालाक्षं विरूपाक्षं घटोदरम् / मन्दारं भैरवं बाणं रुरुं भैरवमेव च

There were Pingalākṣa, Viśālākṣa, Virūpākṣa, and Ghaṭodara; Mandāra, Bhairava, Bāṇa, Ruru, and Bhairava himself as well.

Verse 28

वीरकं वीरभद्रं च चण्डं भृङ्गिं रिटिं मुखम् / सिद्धेन्द्रनाथरुद्रांश्च विद्याधरमहोरगान्

There were Vīraka and Vīrabhadra, Caṇḍa, Bhṛṅgi, Riṭi, and Mukha; and also Siddhendra, Nātharudra, the Vidyādharas, and the great serpents (Mahoragas).

Verse 29

भूतप्रेतपिशाचांश्च कूष्माण्डान्ब्रह्मराक्षसान् / वेतालान्दानवेन्द्रांश्च योगीन्द्रांश्च जटाधरान्

He beheld bhūtas, pretas, and piśācas; kūṣmāṇḍas and brahmarākṣasas; vetālas, lords of the dānavas, and yogīndras bearing matted jata.

Verse 30

यक्षकिंपुरुषांश्चैव डाकिनीयो गिनीस्तथा / दृष्ट्वा नन्द्या५या तत्र प्रविष्टो ऽन्तर्मुदान्वितः

He saw as well the yakṣas and kiṃpuruṣas, the ḍākinīs and the gini; and, by Nandī’s command, he entered there, filled with inward joy.

Verse 31

ददर्श तत्र भुवनैरावृतं शिवमन्दिरम् / चतुर्योजनविस्तीर्णं तत्र प्राग्द्वारसंस्थितौ

There he beheld the temple of Śiva, encompassed by the worlds, spreading four yojanas in extent; and there, at the eastern gate, they stood.

Verse 32

दृष्ट्वा वामे कार्त्तिकेय दक्ष चैव विनायकम् / ननाम भार्गवस्तौ द्वौ शिवतुल्यपराक्रमौ

Seeing Kārttikeya on the left and Vināyaka on the right, Bhārgava bowed to those two, whose prowess was equal to Śiva’s.

Verse 33

पार्षदप्रवरास्तत्र क्षेत्रपालाश्च संस्थिताः / रत्नसिंहासनस्थाश्च रत्नभूषमभूषिताः

There stood the foremost of Śiva’s attendants and the guardians of the sacred precinct; seated upon jeweled thrones, they were adorned with radiant gem-ornaments.

Verse 34

भार्गवं प्रविशन्तं तु ह्यपृच्छञ्शिवमन्दिरम् / विनायको महाराज क्षणं तिष्ठेत्युवाच ह

As Bhārgava was about to enter Śiva’s shrine, Vināyaka questioned him and said, “O great king, wait here for a moment.”

Verse 35

निद्रितो ह्युमया युक्तो महादेवो ऽधुनेति च / ईश्वराज्ञां गृहीत्वाहमत्रागत्यक्षणान्तरे

Mahādeva is now asleep, united with Umā; having received the Lord’s command, I came here in but a moment.

Verse 36

त्वया सार्द्धं प्रवेक्ष्यामि भ्रातस्तिष्ठात्र सांप्रतम् / विनायकचश्चैवं श्रुत्वा भार्गवनन्दनः

Brother, I shall enter along with you; for now, stand here. Hearing Vināyaka’s words, Bhārgava’s son…

Verse 37

प्रवक्तुमुपचक्राम गणेशं त्वरयान्वितः / राम उवाच गत्वा ह्यन्तःपुरं भ्रातः प्रणम्य जगदीश्वरौ

In haste he began to speak to Gaṇeśa. Rāma said, “Brother, go into the inner chambers and, bowing to the two Lords of the world…”

Verse 38

पार्वतीशङ्करौ सद्यो यास्यामि निजमन्दिरम् / कार्त्तवीर्यः सुचन्द्रश्च सपुत्रबलबान्धवः

Having at once bowed to Pārvatī and Śaṅkara, I shall go to my own temple. Kārttavīrya and Sucandra too, with sons, forces, and kinsmen…

Verse 39

अन्ये सहस्रशो भूपाः कांबोजाः पङ्लवाः शाकाः / कान्यकुब्जाः कोशलेशा मायावन्तो महाबलाः

Thousands of other kings—Kambojas, Pahlavas, Shakas, rulers of Kanyakubja and Kosala—masters of illusion and mighty in strength.

Verse 40

निहताः समरे सर्वे मया शंभुप्रसादतः / तमिमं प्रणिपत्यैव यास्यामि स्वगृहं प्रति

All were slain by me in battle through the grace of Lord Shambhu. Only after bowing to Him will I return to my own home.

Verse 41

इत्युक्त्वा भार्गवस्तत्र तस्थौ गणपतेः पुरः / प्रोवाच मधुरं वाक्यं भार्गवे स गणाधिपः

Having spoken thus, Bhargava stood there before Ganapati. That Lord of Ganas then spoke sweet words to Bhargava.

Verse 42

विनायक उवाच ज्ञणं तिष्ट महाभाग दर्शनं ते भविष्यति / अद्य विश्वेश्वरो भ्रातर्भवान्या सह वर्त्तते

Vinayaka said: "Wait for a moment, O illustrious one, you will get the darshan. Today, O brother, the Lord of the Universe is with Bhavani."

Verse 43

स्त्रीपुंसोर्युक्त योस्तात सहैकासनसंस्थयोः / करोति सुखभङ्गं यो नरकं स व्रजेद्ध्रुवम्

"O dear one, he who disturbs the happiness of a man and woman joined together, sitting on a single seat, surely goes to hell."

Verse 44

विशेषतस्तु पितरं गुरुं वा भूपतिं द्विजः / र७स्यं समुपासिनं न पश्येदिति निश्चयः

Especially, a dvija should not look upon his father, his guru, or the king when he is engaged in secret observance and worship; this is the settled rule.

Verse 45

कामतो ऽकामतो वापि पश्येद्यः सुरतोन्मुखम् / स्त्रीविच्छेदो भवेत्तस्य ध्रुवं सप्रसु जन्मसु

Whoever, whether deliberately or inadvertently, looks upon one intent on sexual sport—surely for him there will be separation from women, even across many births.

Verse 46

श्रोणिं वक्षः स्थलं वक्त्रं यः पश्यति परस्त्रियः / मातुर्वापि भगिन्या वा दुहितुः स नराधमः

He who looks upon the hips, the breasts, or the face of another’s woman—even if she be mother, sister, or daughter—he is the lowest of men.

Verse 47

भार्गव उवाच अहो श्रुतमपूर्वं किं वचनं तव वक्त्रतः / ब्रान्त्या विनिर्गतं वापि हास्यार्थमथवोदितम्

Bhārgava said: “Alas! What unheard-of words have I just heard from your mouth? Did they slip out in delusion, or were they spoken in jest?”

Verse 48

कामिनां सविकाराणामेतच्छास्त्रनिदर्शनम् / निर्विकारास्य च शिशोर्न दोषः कश्चिदेव हि

This is a śāstric indication for the lustful who are subject to passions and distortions; but for a child who is without such change, there is truly no fault at all.

Verse 49

यास्याम्यन्तः पुरं भ्रातस्तव किं तिष्ठ बालक / यथादृष्टं करिष्यामि तत्र यत्समयोचितम्

O brother, I shall enter the inner palace; why do you stand there, child? I shall act as I have seen, and there do what is fitting to the time.

Verse 50

तत्रैव माता तातश्च त्वया नाम निरूपितौ / जगतां पितरौ तौ च पार्वतीपरमेश्वरौ

There itself you named the Mother and the Father; those two are the parents of the worlds—Pārvatī and Parameśvara.

Verse 51

इत्युक्त्वा भार्गवो राजन्नन्तर्गन्तुं समुद्यतः / विनायकस्तदोत्थाय वारयामास सत्वरम्

Having said this, O king, Bhārgava prepared to go within; then Vināyaka rose at once and swiftly restrained him.

Verse 52

वाग्युद्धं च तयोरासीन्मिथो हस्तविकर्षणम् / दृष्ट्वा सकन्दस्तु संभ्रान्तो बोधयामास तौ तदा

Between the two there arose a battle of words and a mutual pulling of hands; seeing it, Skanda grew alarmed and then admonished them both.

Verse 53

बाहुभ्यां द्वौ समुद्गृह्य पृथगुत्सारितौ तथा / अथ क्रुद्धो गणेशाय भार्गवः परवीरहा / परश्वधं समादाय सप्रक्षेप्तुं समुद्यतः

With his arms he lifted the two and thrust them apart; then Bhārgava, slayer of opposing heroes, enraged at Gaṇeśa, seized his axe (paraśu) and prepared to hurl it.

Verse 54

तं दृष्ट्वा गजाननो भृगुवरं क्रोधात्क्षिपन्तं त्वरा स्वात्मार्थं परशुं तदा निजकरेणोद्धृत्य वेगेन तु / भूर्लोकं भुवः स्वरपि तस्योर्ध्वं महर्वैजनं लोकं चापि तपो ऽथ सत्यमपरं वैकुण्ठमप्यानयत्

Seeing him, Gajānana beheld the noble Bhṛgu, in wrath hurling the axe; for his own protection he raised the axe in his hand and, with swift force, bore him through Bhūrloka, Bhuvaḥ, and Svarga, then upward to Maharloka, Vaijana-loka, Tapoloka, Satyaloka, and even to the supreme Vaikuṇṭha.

Verse 55

तस्योर्ध्वं च विदर्शयन्भृगुवरं गोलोकमीशात्मजो निष्पात्याधरलोकसप्तक मपीत्थं दर्शयामास च / उद्धृत्याथ ततो हि गर्भसलिले प्रक्षप्तमात्रं त्वरा भीतं प्राणपरिप्सुमानयदथो तत्रैव यत्रास्थितः

Showing Bhṛgu the realms above, the Lord’s son revealed Goloka as well, and even drew forth the seven nether worlds to display them likewise. Then, the moment he was cast into the waters of the cosmic womb, he lifted him out; and the frightened one, yearning to preserve his life, he swiftly brought back to the very place where he stood.