Adhyaya 45

Verse 1

भीष्म उवाच । इदानीं श्रोतुमिच्छामि हिरण्यकशिपोर्वधम् । नरसिंहस्य माहात्म्यं तथा पापविनाशनम्

Bhīṣma said: Now I wish to hear of the slaying of Hiraṇyakaśipu—of the greatness of Narasiṁha, and likewise of the destruction of sin.

Verse 2

पुलस्त्य उवाच । पुरा कृतयुगे राजन्हिरण्यकशिपुः प्रभुः । दैत्यानामादिपुरुषश्चकार सुमहत्तपः

Pulastya said: In ancient times, in the Kṛta Yuga, O king, the mighty Hiraṇyakaśipu—the primeval leader of the Daityas—performed exceedingly great austerities.

Verse 3

दशवर्षसहस्राणि दशवर्षशतानि च । जलवासी समभवत्स्नानमौनधृतव्रतः

For ten thousand years, and for ten hundreds of years besides, he lived in the waters, observing vows—steadfast in bathing rites and the discipline of silence.

Verse 4

वृतः शमदमाभ्यां च ब्रह्मचर्येण चैव हि । ब्रह्मा प्रीतोऽभवत्तस्य तपसा नियमेन च

Endowed with tranquility and self-control, and established in brahmacarya, he indeed pleased Brahmā—by his austerity and disciplined observances.

Verse 5

ततः स्वयंभूर्भगवान्स्वयमागत्य तत्र हि । विमानेनार्कवर्णेन हंसयुक्तेन भास्वता

Then the Self-born Lord (Brahmā) himself came there, arriving in a radiant vimāna, sun-hued, shining, and drawn by swans.

Verse 6

आदित्यैर्वसुभिः साध्यैर्मरुद्भिर्दैवतैस्सह । रुद्रैर्विश्वसहायैश्च यक्षराक्षसपन्नगैः

Along with the Ādityas, the Vasus, the Sādhyas, and the Maruts—together with the hosts of the gods—and with the Rudras, the all‑supporting cosmic powers, and also with Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and the serpent‑beings called Pannagas.

Verse 7

दिग्भिश्चैव विदिग्भिश्च नदीभिः सागरैस्तथा । नक्षत्रैश्च मुहूर्तैश्च खचरैश्च महाग्रहैः

—by the directions and the intermediate directions, by rivers and oceans as well; by the constellations (nakṣatras) and the divisions of time (muhūrtas), and by the sky‑moving luminaries and the great planets.

Verse 8

देवैर्ब्रह्मर्षिभिः सार्द्धं सिद्धैः सप्तर्षिभिस्तथा । राजर्षिभिः पुण्यकृद्भिर्गंधर्वाप्सरसांगणैः

Along with the gods, with the Brahmarṣis, with the Siddhas and the Seven Sages as well; with royal sages, with doers of merit, and with hosts of Gandharvas and Apsarases.

Verse 9

चराचरगुरुः श्रीमान्वृतः सर्वैर्दिवौकसैः । ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मविदां श्रेष्ठो दैत्यं वचनमब्रवीत्

Then Brahmā—the illustrious teacher of all that moves and does not move, revered by all the denizens of heaven, and foremost among the knowers of Brahman—addressed the Daitya with these words.

Verse 10

प्रीतोस्मि तव भक्तस्य तपसाऽनेन सुव्रत । वरं वरय भद्रं ते यथेष्टं काममाप्नुहि

I am pleased with you, my devotee, by this austerity, O you of noble vows. Choose a boon—may auspiciousness be yours; obtain the desire you wish.

Verse 11

हिरण्यकशिपुरुवाच । न देवासुरगंधर्वा न यक्षोरगराक्षसाः । न मानुषाः पिशाचाश्च हन्युर्मां देवसत्तम

Hiraṇyakaśipu said: “Neither the gods, nor the asuras and gandharvas, nor the yakṣas, serpents, and rākṣasas, nor humans and piśācas shall be able to kill me, O best among the gods.”

Verse 12

ऋषयो मानवाः शापैर्न शपेयुः पितामह । यदि मे भगवान्प्रीतो वर एष वृतो मया

“O Grandfather, if the Blessed Lord is pleased with me, then I choose this boon: may the sages and human beings not be able to curse with their curses.”

Verse 13

न शस्त्रेण न चास्त्रेण गिरिणा पादपेन वा । न शुष्केण न चार्द्रेण न स्याच्चान्येन मे वधः

“My death shall not come by blade or weapon, nor by mountain or tree; not by anything dry or wet—nor indeed by anything else.”

Verse 14

भवेयमहमेवार्कः सोमो वायुर्हुताशनः । सलिलं चांतरिक्षं च नक्षत्राणि दिशो दश

“May I myself become the Sun, the Moon, the Wind, and Fire; and also the waters, the atmosphere, the stars, and the ten directions.”

Verse 15

अहं क्रोधश्च कामश्च वरुणो वासवो यमः । धनदश्च धनाध्यक्षो यक्षः किंपुरुषाधिपः

“I am (also) Wrath and Desire; I am Varuṇa, Vāsava (Indra), and Yama; I am Dhanada (Kubera), the lord of wealth, the Yakṣa, and the ruler of the Kiṃpuruṣas.”

Verse 16

ब्रह्मोवाच । एष दिव्यो वरस्तात मया दत्तस्तवाद्भुतः । सर्वकामप्रदो वत्स प्राप्स्यसि त्वं न संशयः

Brahmā said: “Dear child, this wondrous, divine boon has been granted to you by me. It bestows all desires, my son; you shall surely obtain it—of this there is no doubt.”

Verse 17

एवमुक्त्वा स भगवान्जगामाकाशमेव हि । वैराजं ब्रह्मसदनं ब्रह्मर्षिगणसेवितम्

Having spoken thus, the Blessed Lord indeed departed into the sky, going to Virāja’s Brahmā-abode—the seat of Brahmā—attended by hosts of brahmarṣis.

Verse 18

ततो देवाश्च गंधर्वा ऋषिभिः सह चारणाः । वरप्रदानं श्रुत्वैवं पितामहमुपस्थिताः

Then the gods, the Gandharvas, and the Cāraṇas—together with the sages—having thus heard of the granting of the boon, approached Pitāmaha (Brahmā).

Verse 19

देवा ऊचुः । वरप्रदानाद्भगवन्वधिष्यति स नोऽसुरः । तत्प्रसादश्च भगवन्वधोप्यस्य विचिंत्यताम्

The gods said: “O Blessed Lord, because of the boon that was granted, that asura will slay us. Therefore, O Lord, please consider how he may be slain, while your favor and the boon’s integrity are preserved.”

Verse 20

भगवान्सर्वभूतानामादिकर्त्ता स्वयंप्रभुः । स्रष्टा च हव्यकव्यानामव्यक्तप्रकृतिः परः

The Blessed Lord is the primal agent of all beings, self-luminous and sovereign. He is also the creator of the havya offerings to the gods and the kavya offerings to the ancestors; he is transcendent—his nature the unmanifest Prakṛti.

Verse 21

सर्वलोकहितं वाक्यं श्रुत्वा देवः प्रजापतिः । आश्वासयामास तदा सुशीतैर्वचनांबुभिः

Having heard the words that were for the welfare of all the worlds, the divine Prajāpati then consoled them with speech like cool, soothing waters.

Verse 22

अवश्यं त्रिदशानेन प्राप्तव्यं तपसः फलं । तपसोऽन्तेऽस्य भगवान्वधं विष्णुः करिष्यति

Surely, through this god—one of the Thirty-three—the fruit of austerity must be obtained; at the end of his tapas, the Blessed Lord Viṣṇu will bring about his death.

Verse 23

तच्छ्रुत्वा विबुधा वाक्यं सर्वे पंकजजाननात् । स्वानि स्थानानि दिव्यानि विप्रजग्मुर्मुदान्विताः

Hearing those words from the lotus-faced one, all the gods—filled with joy—departed for their own divine abodes.

Verse 24

लब्धमात्रे वरे सोथ प्रजास्सर्वा अबाधत । हिरण्यकशिपुर्दैत्यो वरदानेन गर्वितः

As soon as he had obtained the boon, he began to oppress all the subjects—the demon Hiraṇyakaśipu, swollen with pride because that boon had been granted.

Verse 25

आश्रमेषु महाभागान्मुनीन्वै शंसितव्रतान् । सत्यधर्मपरान्दान्तान्धर्षयामास दानवः

In the hermitages, the dānava harassed the noble munis—renowned for their vows, devoted to truth and dharma, and steadfast in self-control.

Verse 26

देवांस्त्रिभुवनस्थांश्च पराजित्य महासुरः । त्रैलोक्यं वशमानीय स्वर्गे वसति दानवः

Having conquered the gods who dwell throughout the three worlds, the great asura brought the three worlds under his sway, and the dānava made his abode in heaven.

Verse 27

यदा वरमदोत्सिक्तश्चोदितः कालधर्मिणा । यज्ञियानकरोद्दैत्यानयज्ञीयांश्च दैवतान्

When, intoxicated with the pride of boons and impelled by Time’s ordained law, he made the Dāityas fit for yajña and rendered the Devas unfit for sacrifice.

Verse 28

तथा दैत्याश्च साध्याश्च विश्वे च वसवस्तथा । रुद्रा देवगणा यक्षा देवद्विजमहर्षयः

Likewise (were named) the Daityas and the Sādhyas, the Viśvedevas and the Vasus; the Rudras, the hosts of gods, the Yakṣas, and the divine-born sages and great seers.

Verse 29

शरण्यं शरणं विष्णुमुपतस्थुर्महाबलम् । देवदेवं यज्ञमयं वासुदेवं सनातनम्

They approached mighty Viṣṇu—the refuge of the helpless and the supreme shelter—Vāsudeva, the eternal God of gods, who is the very embodiment of yajña.

Verse 30

देवा ऊचुः । नारायण महाभाग देवास्त्वां शरणं गताः । त्रायस्व जहि दैत्येंद्रं हिरण्यकशिपुं प्रभो

The gods said: “O blessed Nārāyaṇa, we gods have taken refuge in you. Save us, O Lord—slay the king of the Daityas, Hiraṇyakaśipu.”

Verse 31

त्वं हि नः परमोदाता त्वं हि नः परमो गुरुः । त्वं हि नः परमो देवो ब्रह्मादीनां सुरोत्तमः

Truly, you are our supreme giver; truly, you are our highest teacher. Truly, you are our supreme God—the best of the gods, even among Brahmā and the rest.

Verse 32

विष्णुरुवाच । भयं त्यजद्ध्वममरा अभयं वो ददाम्यहम् । तथैव त्रिदिवं देवाः प्रतिपद्यत माचिरम्

Viṣṇu said: “Cast away your fear, O immortals; I grant you fearlessness. And so, O gods, quickly regain the heaven of the three worlds.”

Verse 33

एनं हि सगणं दैत्यं वरदानेन गर्वितम् । अवध्यममरेंद्राणां दानवेंद्रं निहन्म्यहम्

Indeed, I shall slay this Daitya, together with his followers—this lord of the Dānavas, swollen with pride because of a boon, and deemed invincible even by the lords of the gods.

Verse 34

एवमुक्त्वा तु भगवान्विश्वपो विष्णुरव्ययः । हिरण्यकशिपुस्थानं जगाम हरिरीश्वरः

Having spoken thus, the Blessed Lord—Vishnu, the imperishable protector of the universe—Hari, the Supreme Lord, went to the abode of Hiraṇyakaśipu.

Verse 35

तेजसा भास्काराकारः शशीकांत्येव चापरः । नरस्य कृत्वार्धतनुं सिंहस्यार्द्धतनुं तथा

In radiance he took on the form of the Sun, and in another aspect he shone with the Moon’s luster; making half a body of a man, and likewise half a body of a lion.

Verse 36

नारसिंहेन वपुषा पाणिं संगृह्य पाणिना । ततो ददर्श विस्तीर्णां दिव्यां रम्यां मनोरमाम्

Assuming the form of Narasiṃha, he took her hand in his hand; then he beheld a vast, divine, charming, and most delightful realm.

Verse 37

सर्वकामयुतां शुभ्रां हिरण्यकशिपोः सभाम् । विस्तीर्णां योजनशतं शतमध्यर्द्धमायताम्

The splendid, radiant assembly-hall of Hiraṇyakaśipu—endowed with every desirable comfort—was a hundred yojanas wide and one hundred and fifty yojanas in length.

Verse 38

वैहायसीं कामगमां पंचयोजनमुच्छ्रिताम् । जराशोकक्षमापेतां निष्प्रकम्प्यां शिवां सुखाम्

Aerial and moving at will, it rose to a height of five yojanas—free from old age, sorrow, and fatigue—unshaking, auspicious, and blissful.

Verse 39

वेश्मासनवतीं रम्यां ज्वलंतीमिव तेजसा । अंतःसलिलसंयुक्तां विहितां विश्वकर्मणा

A lovely structure, furnished with mansions and seats, blazing as if with radiance—supplied with water within—was fashioned by Viśvakarmā.

Verse 40

दिव्यवर्णमयैर्वृक्षैः फलपुष्पप्रदैर्युताम् । नीलपीतासितश्यामैः श्वेतैर्लोहितकैरपि

It was adorned with trees of wondrous colors, bearing fruits and flowers—blue, yellow, dark, blackish, white, and also red.

Verse 41

अवदातैस्तथा गुल्मै रक्तमंजरिधारिभिः । सिताभ्रघनसंकाशां प्लवंतीं च ददर्श सः

He then beheld her, surrounded by pure white shrubs bearing red clusters of blossoms; she looked like a dense mass of white clouds and seemed to be floating.

Verse 42

रश्मिमती स्वभावेन दिव्यगंधमनोरमा । सुसुखा न च दुःखा सा न शीता न च घर्मदा

By her very nature, Raśmimatī is delightful, lovely with a divine fragrance. She is supremely pleasant—neither sorrowful, nor cold, nor heat-giving.

Verse 43

न क्षुत्पिपासे ग्लानिं वा प्राप्यतां प्राप्नुवंति ते । नानरूपैरुपकृता सुचित्रैश्च सुभास्वरैः

They do not suffer hunger or thirst, nor do they fall into fatigue. They are cared for in many ways, with wondrous arrangements—beautifully varied and radiant.

Verse 44

अतिचंद्रातिसूर्याति शिखिकान्ति स्वयंप्रभा । दीप्यते नाकपृष्ठस्था भासयंती विभासुरा

Outshining the moon and even the sun, radiant like blazing fire and self-luminous, she shines upon the back of heaven—resplendent, illuminating all around.

Verse 45

सर्वे चकाशिरे तस्यां मुदिताश्चैव मानुषाः । रसवच्च प्रभूतं च भक्ष्यभोज्यान्नमुत्तमं

In that place, all the people shone with joy; and there was excellent food in abundance—richly flavored, with fine eatables and noble meals.

Verse 46

पुण्यगंधास्रजश्चापि नित्यकालफला द्रुमाः । उष्णे शीतानि तोयानि शीते चोष्णानि संति वै

There are also garlands of sacred fragrance, and trees that bear fruit in every season. In the heat, the waters are cool; and in the cold, they are indeed warm.

Verse 47

पुष्पिताग्रान्महाशाखान्प्रवालांकुरधारिणः । लतावितानसंछन्नान्कल्पानैक्षिष्ठ स प्रभुः

That Lord beheld the wish-fulfilling trees—great-branched, their tips in bloom, bearing tender shoots and new leaf-buds, and covered over by canopies of creepers.

Verse 48

गंधवंति च पुष्पाणि रसवंति फलानि च । तानि शीतानि चोष्णानि तत्रतत्र सरांसि च

There are fragrant flowers and juicy fruits; and there, in various places, are lakes—some cool and some warm.

Verse 49

अपश्यद्भूपतीर्थानि सभायां तस्य स प्रभुः । नलिनैः पुंडरीकैश्च शतपत्रैः सुगंधिभिः

That Lord beheld the royal sacred fords (tīrthas) in that assembly hall of his, adorned with lotuses—blue lotuses, white lotuses, and fragrant hundred-petalled blossoms.

Verse 50

रक्तैः कुवलयैश्चैव कल्हारैरुत्पलैस्तथा । नानाश्चर्यसमोपेतैः पुष्पैरन्यैश्च सुप्रियैः

It was adorned with red kuvalaya lotuses, and also with kalhāra and utpala lotuses, and with other very lovely flowers endowed with many wondrous qualities.

Verse 51

कारंडवैश्चक्रवाकैः सारसैः कुररैरपि । विमलस्फटिकाभानि पांडुरच्छदनैर्द्विजैः

With karandava shelducks, chakravāka geese, sarasa cranes, and even kurara ospreys—those pale-plumaged birds—the scene appeared like spotless crystal.

Verse 52

बहुहंसोपगीतानि सारसानां रुतानि च । गंधयुक्ता लतास्तत्र पुष्पमंजरिधारिणीः

There, many hamsas sang sweetly, and the calls of the sarasa cranes were heard as well; fragrant creepers were present, bearing clusters of blossoms.

Verse 53

दृष्टवान्भगवान्हृष्टः खदिरान्वेतसार्जुनान् । चूतानिम्बानागवृक्षाः कदंबा बकुला धवाः

Seeing them, the Blessed Lord rejoiced—beholding khadira trees, vetasa and arjuna trees, mango and neem, nāga-trees, as well as kadamba, bakula, and dhava.

Verse 54

प्रियंगवः पाटलाख्याः शाल्मल्यस्स हरिद्रवाः । शालास्तालास्तमालाश्च चंपकाश्च मनोरमाः

There were priyaṅgu trees, those known as pāṭala, śālmali and haridrava; and also śāla, tāla, tamāla, and delightful campaka trees.

Verse 55

तथैवान्ये व्यराजंत सभायां पुष्पिता द्रुमाः । एलाक कुभकंकोल लवली कर्णपूरकाः

Likewise, other flowering trees shone splendidly in the assembly hall—ela (cardamom), kubhaka, kankola, lavalī, and karṇapūraka.

Verse 56

मधुकाः कोविदाराश्च बहुतालसमुच्छ्रयाः । अंजनाशोकपर्णासा बहवश्चित्रका द्रुमाः

There were madhūka and kovidāra trees, and many lofty palms; likewise, there were aṃjanā trees, aśoka trees with abundant foliage, and many other variegated trees.

Verse 57

वरुणाश्च पलाशाश्चा पनसास्सह चंदनैः । नीलास्सुमनसश्चैव नीपाश्चाश्वत्थतिंदुकाः

There are varuṇa trees, palāśa trees, and jackfruit trees along with sandalwood; and also nīla (blue-flowering) trees, sumanasa (fragrant flowering) trees, as well as nīpa, aśvattha (sacred fig), and tinduka trees.

Verse 58

पारिजाताश्च तरवो मल्लिका भद्रदारवः । अटरूषाः पीलूकाश्च तथा चैवैलवालुकाः

There are also pārijāta trees, jasmine (mallikā), auspicious timber trees (bhadradārava), aṭarūṣā plants, pīlū trees, and likewise the sandy tracts of the Ilvala region.

Verse 59

मंदारकाः कुरवका पुन्नागाः कुटजास्तथा । रक्ताः कुरवकाश्चैव नीलाश्चागरुभिः सह

There were mandāra trees, kuravaka plants, punnāga trees, and kuṭaja as well—along with red kuravakas, and blue blossoms together with agaru (aloeswood).

Verse 60

किंशुकाश्चैव भव्याश्च दाडिमा बीजपूरकाः । कालेयका दुकूलाश्च हिंगवस्तैलवर्त्तिकाः

Also (there are) kiṁśuka trees, bhavya plants, pomegranates, citron trees; likewise kāleyaka (fragrant) substances, fine cloth, asafoetida, and oil-wicks (for lamps).

Verse 61

खर्जूरा नालिकेराश्च हरीतक मधूककाः । सप्तपर्णाश्च बिल्वाश्च सयावाश्च शरावताः

Date palms and coconut palms; the harītakī and madhūka trees; saptaparṇa and bilva trees; together with sayāva and śarāvatā—thus they are enumerated.

Verse 62

असनाश्च तमालाश्च नानागुल्मसमावृताः । लताश्च विविधाकाराः पुष्पपत्रफलोपगाः

There were asana trees and tamāla trees, encompassed by many kinds of shrubs; and creepers of diverse forms, bearing flowers, leaves, and fruits.

Verse 63

एते चान्ये च बहवस्तत्र काननजा द्रुमाः । नानापुष्पफलोपेता व्यराजंत समंततः

These, and many other forest-born trees, were there; endowed with diverse flowers and fruits, they shone forth on every side.

Verse 64

चकोराः शतपत्राश्च मत्तकोकिलशारिकाः । पुष्पितान्पुष्पिताग्रांश्च संपतंति महाद्रुमान्

Chakora birds, the śatapatra birds, and intoxicated cuckoos and mynas swooped down upon the great trees—trees in full bloom and with flowering tops.

Verse 65

रक्तपीतारुणास्तत्र पादपाग्रगताः खगाः । परस्परमवैक्षंत प्रहृष्टा जीवजीविकाः

There, birds of red, yellow, and tawny hues perched on the tops of the trees; delighted, living by their own livelihood, they looked at one another.

Verse 66

तस्यां सभायां दैत्येंद्रो हिरण्यकशिपुस्तदा । आसीन आसने चित्रे दशनल्वे प्रमाणतः

In that assembly hall, the lord of the Daityas, Hiraṇyakaśipu, was then seated upon a splendid, ornate throne, measured to the span of ten cubits.

Verse 67

दिवाकरनिभे दिव्ये दिव्यास्तरणसंस्तृते । हिरण्यकशिपुर्दैत्य आस्ते ज्वलितकुंडलः

In that divine hall, radiant like the sun and spread with celestial coverings, the Daitya Hiraṇyakaśipu sat, his earrings blazing with splendor.

Verse 68

उपचेरुर्महादैत्या हिरण्यकशिपुं तदा । दिव्यतालानि गीतानि जगुर्गंधर्वसत्तमाः

Then the mighty Daityas attended upon Hiraṇyakaśipu, while the foremost Gandharvas sang celestial songs set to divine rhythms.

Verse 69

विश्वाची सहजन्या च प्रम्लोचेति च पूजिता । दिव्याथ सौरभेयी च समीची पुंजिकस्थला

Viśvācī, Sahajanyā, and the revered Pramlocā; likewise Divyā, Saurabheyī, Samīcī, and Puñjikasthalā.

Verse 70

मिश्रकेशी च रंभा च चित्रभा श्रुतिविभ्रमा । चारुनेत्रा घृताची च मेनका चोर्वशी तथा

Miśrakeśī and Rambhā, Citrabhā and Śrutivibhramā; Cārunetrā and Ghṛtācī, and also Menakā and Urvaśī.

Verse 71

एतास्सहस्रशश्चान्या नृत्यगीतविशारदाः । उपातिष्ठंत राजानं हिरण्यकशिपुं प्रभुम्

And thousands of other women, skilled in dance and song, attended upon the king—Hiraṇyakaśipu, the Lord.

Verse 72

उपासते दितेः पुत्राः सर्वे लब्धवरास्तथा । बलिर्विरोचनस्तत्र नरकः पृथिवीसुतः

All the sons of Diti worship him, having likewise obtained boons; there too are Bali, Virocana, and Naraka, the son of the Earth.

Verse 73

प्रह्लादो विप्रचित्तिश्च गविष्ठश्च महासुरः । सुरहन्ता दुःखकर्ता समनास्सुमतिस्तथा

Present there were Prahlāda, Vipracitti, and Gaviṣṭha—the great asura—along with Surahantā, Duḥkhakartā, and also Samanā and Sumati.

Verse 74

घटोदरो महापार्श्वः क्रथनः पिठरस्तथा । विश्वरूपस्वरूपश्च विश्वकायो महाबलः

He is Ghaṭodara, Mahāpārśva of broad sides, Krathana, and Piṭhara; by nature he is of universal form, of cosmic body, and of great strength.

Verse 75

दशग्रीवश्च वाली च मेघवासा महासुरः । घटाभो विटरूपश्च ज्वलनश्चेंद्रतापनः

Also named are Daśagrīva (Rāvaṇa), Vālī, Meghavāsā the great Asura, Ghaṭābha, Viṭarūpa, Jvalana, and Indratāpana.

Verse 76

दैत्यदानवसंघास्ते सर्वे ज्वलितकुंडलाः । स्रग्विणो वर्मिणः सर्वे सर्वे च चरितव्रताः

Those hosts of Daityas and Dānavas all wore blazing earrings; all were garlanded and armored, and all were steadfast in the vows they had undertaken.

Verse 77

सर्वे लब्धवराः शूरास्सर्वे विहितमृत्यवः । एते चान्ये च बहवो हिरण्यकशिपुं प्रभुम्

All were valiant heroes who had obtained boons; all had deaths fixed only by ordained conditions. These and many others served their lord Hiraṇyakaśipu.

Verse 78

उपासते महात्मानं सर्वे दिव्यपरिच्छदाः । विमानैर्विविधाकारैर्भ्राजमानैरिवाग्निभिः

All of them, adorned with divine attire and ornaments, worshipped that great-souled one—arriving in aerial chariots of many forms, blazing like fires.

Verse 79

महेन्द्रवपुषः सर्वे विचित्रांगदबाहवः । भूषितांगा दितेः पुत्रास्तमुपासत सर्वतः

All of Diti’s sons—bearing forms like Indra’s, with arms adorned by wondrous armlets and bodies richly ornamented—worshipped him from every side.

Verse 80

ऐश्वर्यं दैत्यसिंहस्य यथा तस्य महात्मनः । न श्रुतं नैव दृष्टं च कस्यापि भुवनत्रये

Such was the majesty of that great-souled “lion among the Daityas” that in the three worlds nothing like it was ever heard of or even seen by anyone.

Verse 81

रजतकनकचित्रवेदिकायां परिकृतरत्नविचित्रवीथिकायाम् । स ददर्श मृगाधिपः सभायां सुरुचिर जालगवाक्षशोभितायाम्

In that hall, whose platforms were artfully inlaid with silver and gold and whose avenues were adorned with exquisitely varied jewels, the lord of beasts beheld a splendid assembly-chamber, beautified with charming lattice-work windows.

Verse 82

कनकवलयहारभूषितांगं दितितनयं स मृगाधिपो ददर्श । दिवसकरकरप्रभं ज्वलंतं दितिजसहस्रशतैर्निषेव्यमाणम्

The lord of beasts beheld Diti’s son, his limbs adorned with golden bracelets and necklaces—blazing with the radiance of the sun’s rays, and attended upon by hundreds of Dānava warriors.

Verse 83

ततो दृष्ट्वा महाभागं कालचक्रमिवागतम् । नारसिंहवपुश्छन्नं भस्मच्छन्नमिवानलम्

Then, seeing that most illustrious One—appearing as though the wheel of Time itself had come forth—cloaked in the form of Narasiṃha, like fire covered over with ash.

Verse 84

हिरण्यकशिपोः पुत्रः प्रह्लादो नाम वीर्यवान् । दिव्येन वपुषा सिंहमपश्यद्देवमागतम्

Prahlāda, the valiant son of Hiraṇyakaśipu, beheld the God who had arrived in a lion-form with a divine body.

Verse 85

तं दृष्ट्वा रुक्मशैलाभमपूर्वां तनुमाश्रितम् । विस्मिता दानवाः सर्वे हिरण्यकशिपुश्च सः

Seeing Him—having assumed an unprecedented form, resembling a golden mountain—all the Dānavas were astonished, and so too was Hiraṇyakaśipu.

Verse 86

प्रह्लाद उवाच । महाराज महाबाहो दैत्यानामादिसंभव । न श्रुतं नैव मे दृष्टं नारसिंहमिदं वपुः

Prahlāda said: O great king, mighty-armed one, prime progenitor of the Daityas—never have I heard of, nor have I ever seen, this Narasiṃha form.

Verse 87

अव्यक्तं परमं दिव्यं किमिदं रूपमागतम् । दैत्यांतकरणं घोरं शंसतीव मनो मम

“Unmanifest, supreme, and divine—what is this form that has appeared? My mind seems to foretell a dreadful power that will bring the Daityas to their end.”

Verse 88

अस्य देवाः शरीरस्थाः सागराः सरितस्तथा । हिमवान्पारियात्रश्च ये चान्ये कुलपर्वताः

Within his body abide the gods, as well as the oceans and the rivers; and also Himavān, Pāriyātra, and the other lineage-mountains.

Verse 89

चंद्रमास्सहनक्षत्रैरादित्या रश्मिभिः सह । धनदो वरुणश्चैव यमः शक्रः शचीपतिः

The Moon along with the constellations, and the Ādityas together with their rays; Kubera (Dhanada), Varuṇa, Yama, and Śakra—Indra, the lord of Śacī—are present.

Verse 90

मरुतो देवगंधर्वा ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः । नागा यक्षाः पिशाचाश्च राक्षसा भीमविक्रमाः

The Maruts, the divine Gandharvas, and the sages rich in austerity; the Nāgas, Yakṣas, Piśācas, and the Rākṣasas of dreadful prowess are present.

Verse 91

ब्रह्मा देवाः पशुपतिर्ललाटस्था भ्रमंति हि । स्थावराणि च सर्वाणि जंगमानि तथैव च

Indeed, Brahmā, the devas, and Paśupati—abiding upon the forehead—continually wander; and so too do all beings, both immobile and mobile.

Verse 92

भवांश्च सहितोस्माभिः सर्वैर्दैत्यगणैर्वृतः । विमानशतसंकीर्णा सर्वा या भवतः सभा

You too are accompanied by us, surrounded by all the hosts of the Daityas; and your entire assembly hall is crowded with hundreds of vimānas, aerial chariots.

Verse 93

सर्वं त्रिभुवनं राजन्लोकधर्मश्च शाश्वतः । दृश्यते नरसिंहेस्मिंस्तथेदं निखिलं जगत्

O King, the entire threefold world and the eternal order (dharma) of the worlds are beheld in this Narasiṁha; so too is this whole universe.

Verse 94

प्रजापतिश्चात्र मनुर्महात्मा ग्रहाश्च योगाश्च मही नभश्च । उत्पातकालश्च धृतिर्मतिश्च रतिश्च सत्यं च तपो दमश्च

Here are also Prajāpati and the great-souled Manu; the planets and the yogas; the earth and the sky; the time of portents; steadfastness and intelligence; love; truth; austerity (tapas); and self-restraint (dama).

Verse 95

सनत्कुमारश्च महानुभावो विश्वे च देवा ॠषयश्च सर्वे । क्रोधश्च कामश्च तथैव हर्षो दर्पश्च मोहः पितरश्च सर्वे

Sanatkumāra, the great-souled one, the Viśvedevas, and all the ṛṣis were there; and also anger, desire, and joy; pride and delusion; and all the Pitṛs, the ancestral fathers—all of these were included.

Verse 96

प्रह्लादस्य वचः श्रुत्वा हिरण्यकशिपुः प्रभुः । उवाच दानवान्सर्वान्गणांश्च सगणाधिपः

Having heard Prahlāda’s words, the lord Hiraṇyakaśipu addressed all the Dānavas and the assembled hosts, together with their leaders.

Verse 97

मृगेंद्रो गृह्यतामेष अपूर्वां तनुमास्थितः । यदि वा संशयः कश्चिद्वध्यतां वनगोचरः

“Seize this lord of beasts—he has assumed an unprecedented form. Or, if there is any doubt, then let this forest-roamer be slain.”

Verse 98

ते दानवगणास्सर्वे मृगेंद्रं भीमविक्रमम् । परिक्षिपंतो मुदितास्त्रासयामासुरोजसा

All those hosts of Dānavas, delighted, surrounded the lion—the one of fearsome valor—and, by sheer might, set about terrifying him.

Verse 99

सिंहनादं विमुच्याथ नरसिंहो महाबलः । बभंज तां सभां सर्वां व्यादितास्य इवांतकः

Then the mighty Narasiṃha, releasing a lion-like roar, shattered that entire assembly hall—like Death (Antaka) with gaping mouth.

Verse 100

सभायां भज्यमानायां हिरण्यकशिपुः स्वयम् । चिक्षेपास्त्राणि सिंहस्य रोषव्याकुललोचनः

As the assembly was being shattered, Hiraṇyakaśipu himself—his eyes agitated with rage—hurled weapons at the Lion.

Verse 101

सर्वास्त्राणामथ श्रेष्ठं दंडमस्त्रं सुदारुणम् । कालचक्रं तथा घोरं विष्णुचक्रं तथापरं

Then he described the foremost of all weapons: the terribly fierce Daṇḍa-weapon; the dreadful Wheel of Time (Kālacakra); and also Viṣṇu’s supreme discus, the Sudarśana-cakra.

Verse 102

पैतामहं महात्युग्रं त्रैलोक्यनिर्मितं महत् । विचित्रामशनिं चैव शुष्काद्रं चाशनिद्वयम्

“(I beheld) the Paitāmaha—Brahmā’s weapon—exceedingly fierce and mighty, vast and fashioned for the three worlds; along with the wondrous thunderbolt (aśani), the ‘Dry Mountain,’ and the pair of thunderbolts.”

Verse 103

रौद्रं तथोग्रशूलं च कंकालं मुसलं तथा । अस्त्रं ब्रह्मशिरश्चैव ब्राह्ममस्त्रं तथैव च

“There are the Raudra (Rudra’s weapon), the Ugraśūla (fierce trident), the Kaṅkāla, the Musala (mace), and also the weapon called Brahmaśiras, as well as the Brāhma weapon.”

Verse 104

नारायणास्त्रमैंद्रं च आग्नेयं शैशिरं तथा । वायव्यं मथनं चैव कपालमथ किंकरम्

The Nārāyaṇa weapon, the Indra-weapon, the Agni-weapon, and likewise the Śaiśira; the Vāyu-weapon, the Churning weapon (Mathana), and also the Kapāla weapon, and then the Kiṅkara weapon as well.

Verse 105

तथा प्रतिहतां शक्तिं क्रौंचमस्त्रं तथैव च । मोहनं शोषणं चैव संतापनविलापने

Likewise, the repelled missile called Śakti, and also the Krauñca-weapon; and further the deluding spell (Mohana), the drying-up spell (Śoṣaṇa), as well as the powers that torment and bring forth lamentation.

Verse 106

कंपनं शातनं चैव महास्त्रं चैव रोधनम् । कालमुद्गरमक्षोभ्यं तापनं च महाबलम्

“Kampana (the Tremorer), Śātana (the Shatterer), Mahāstra (the Great Weapon), and Rodhana (the Obstructor); Kālamudgara (the Mace of Time), Akṣobhya (the Unshakable), Tāpana (the Scorcher)—all of these are mighty in power.”

Verse 107

संवर्तनं मोहनं च तथा मायाधरं वरम् । गान्धर्वमस्त्रं दयितमसिरत्नं च नंदकम्

“(He took up) Saṃvartana, Mohana, and the excellent Māyādhara; the beloved Gāndharva weapon, and also the jewel-like sword Nandaka.”

Verse 108

प्रस्वापनं प्रमथनं वारुणं चास्त्रमुत्तमम् । अस्त्रं पाशुपतं चैव यस्या प्रतिहता गतिः

The Prasvāpana (sleep-inducing) weapon, the Pramathana (crushing) weapon, the excellent Vāruṇa weapon, and even the Pāśupata weapon—yet in her case their course was checked and rendered ineffective.

Verse 109

एतान्यस्त्राणि दिव्यानि हिरण्यकशिपुस्तदा । असृजन्नरसिंहस्य दीप्तस्याग्नेरिवाहुतिम्

Then Hiraṇyakaśipu hurled these celestial weapons at Narasiṁha—like an offering cast into a blazing fire.

Verse 110

अस्त्रैः प्रज्वलितैः सिंहमावृणोदसुरोत्तमः । विवस्वान्घर्मसमये हिमवंतमिवांशुभिः

With blazing weapons, the foremost of the asuras enveloped the Lion, as the Sun, in the season of heat, covers Himavat with his rays.

Verse 111

स ह्यमर्षानिलोद्भूतो दैत्यानां सैन्यसागरः । क्षणेनाप्लावयत्सर्वं मैनाकमिव सागरः

For the ocean-like host of the Daityas—born of the wind of wrath—flooded all in an instant, as the sea overwhelms (Mount) Maināka.

Verse 112

प्रासैः पाशैश्च खड्गैश्च गदाभिर्मुसलैस्तथा । वज्रैरशनिभिश्चैव बहुशाखैर्महाद्रुमैः

With spears and nooses, with swords, with maces and clubs as well; with thunderbolts and lightning too, and with great many-branched trees.

Verse 113

मुद्गरैः कूटपाशैश्च शिलोलूखलपर्वतैः । शतघ्नीभिश्च दीप्ताभिर्दंडैरपि सुदारुणैः

With mallets, with nooses and snares, with rocks, mortars, and mountains; with blazing śataghnī weapons, and with exceedingly cruel staffs as well.

Verse 114

ते दानवाः पाशगृहीतहस्ता महेंद्रतुल्याशनितुल्य वेगाः । समंततोभ्युद्यतबाहुकायाः स्थिताः सशीर्षा इव नागपोताः

Those Dānavas, with nooses grasped in their hands—swift as Indra and as fast as a thunderbolt—stood on every side with their arms raised, like young serpents lifting up their hoods.

Verse 115

सुवर्णमालाकुलभूषितांगाः सुतीक्ष्णदंष्ट्राकुलवक्त्रगर्ताः । स्फुरत्प्रभास्ते च सशृंगदेहाश्चीनांशुका भांति यथैव हंसाः

Adorned all over with garlands of gold, with faces set with very sharp tusks, they shone with flashing radiance; and, having horned bodies and wearing Chinese silks, they appeared like swans indeed.

Verse 116

सोसृजद्दानवो मायामग्निं वायुं समीरितम् । तमिंद्रस्तोयदैः सार्धं सहस्राक्षो महाद्युतिः

Then the Dānava unleashed a power of māyā, stirring up fire and wind. Indra, the thousand‑eyed one of great radiance, confronted it together with the rain‑bearing clouds.

Verse 117

महता तोयवर्षेण शमयमास पावकम् । तस्यां प्रतिहतायां तु मायायां युधि दानवः

With a mighty downpour of water, he quenched the fire. But when that māyā was thwarted in the battle, the Dānava then…

Verse 118

असृजद्घोरसंकाशं तमस्तीव्रं समंततः । तमसा संवृते लोके दैत्येष्वात्तायुधेषु च

He unleashed on every side an intense darkness, fierce in appearance. When the world was shrouded by that gloom, the Daityas too stood with weapons raised.

Verse 119

स्वतेजसा परिवृतो दिवाकर इवोद्गतः । त्रिशिखां भ्रुकुटीमस्य ददृशुर्दानवा रणे

Surrounded by his own radiance, he rose up like the sun. In the battle, the Dānavas beheld his brow knit into a three-peaked frown.

Verse 120

ललाटस्थां त्रिकूटस्थां गंगां त्रिपथगामिव । ततः सर्वासु मायासु हतासु दितिनंदनाः

He beheld the Gaṅgā—resting upon the forehead and stationed at Trikūṭa—like the river that flows along the three paths; then, when all their māyās were destroyed, the sons of Diti were slain.

Verse 121

हिरण्यकशिपुं दैत्या विषण्णाश्शरणं ययुः । ततः प्रज्वलितः क्रोधात्प्रदहन्निव तेजसा

The Daityas, dejected, went to Hiraṇyakaśipu for refuge. Then, inflamed with anger, he blazed forth, as though burning all things with the splendor of his radiance.

Verse 122

तस्मिन्क्रुद्धे तु दैत्येंद्रे तमोभूतमभूज्जगत् । आवहः प्रवहश्चैव विवहोथ समीरणः

But when that lord of the Daityas grew enraged, the whole world was shrouded in darkness; then the winds—Āvaha, Pravaha, Vivaha, and Samīraṇa—arose and began to blow.

Verse 123

परावहस्संवहश्च उद्वहश्च महाबलः । तथा परिवहः श्रीमानुत्पातभयशंसिनः

There arose Parāvaha, Saṁvaha, and Udvaha—mighty in strength—and likewise the illustrious Parivaha, who proclaims the fearful portents of calamity.

Verse 124

इत्येवं क्षुभिताः सप्त मरुतो गगनेचराः । ये ग्रहास्सर्वलोकस्य क्षये प्रादुर्भवंति हि

Thus those seven agitated Maruts, moving through the sky—those very ‘seizers’ (grahas)—indeed manifest at the time of the destruction of all worlds.

Verse 125

ते सर्वे गगने हृष्टाव्यचरंश्च यथासुखम् । अयोगतश्चाप्यचरद्योगं निशि निशाचरः

All of them, delighted, moved about in the sky as they pleased. And the night-roamer (the demon), though not truly disciplined, also practiced a kind of ‘yoga’ in the night.

Verse 126

सग्रहः सह नक्षत्रैस्तारापतिररिंदम । विवर्णतां च भगवान्गतो दिवि दिवाकरः

Along with the planets and the constellations, the Lord of the stars—the Moon, O subduer of foes—grew pale; and in heaven the revered Sun too lost his color.

Verse 127

कृष्णः कबंधश्च तदा लक्ष्यते सुमहान्दिवि । असृजच्चासितां सूर्यो धूमवत्तां विभावसुः

Then, in the sky, a vast black, headless form was seen. The Sun poured forth a dark, smoke-like haze, blazing like fire.

Verse 128

गगनस्थश्च भगवानभीक्ष्णं परिविष्यते । सप्तधूमनिभा घोराः सूर्यादि विसमुत्थिताः

And the Blessed Lord, stationed in the sky, is again and again surrounded. Seven dreadful, smoke-like forms arise from the Sun and the other luminaries.

Verse 129

सोमस्य गगनस्थस्य ग्रहास्तिष्ठंति शृंङ्गगाः । वामे च दक्षिणे चैव स्थितौ शुक्रबृहस्पती

When Soma (the Moon) is stationed in the sky, the planets stand upon its horns; and on the left and on the right are situated Śukra (Venus) and Bṛhaspati (Jupiter).

Verse 130

शनैश्चरो लोहितांगो लोहितांगसमद्युतिः । समं समधिरोहंत सर्वे वै गगनेचराः

Śanaiścara (Saturn) was red-limbed, shining with a radiance like that very redness; and all those celestial wanderers (the planets) indeed rose up together in the sky.

Verse 131

शृंगाणि शनकैर्घोरा युगांता वर्त्तन ग्रहाः । चंद्रमाश्च सनक्षत्रो ग्रहैः सह तमोनुदः

Terrifying portents rise up little by little: the dread grahas that govern the turning of time at the end of an age. The Moon too—together with the constellations—along with the planets, becomes a dispeller of darkness.

Verse 132

चराचरविनाशाय रोहिणीं नाभ्यनंदत । गृहीतो राहुणा चन्द्र उल्काभिरभिहन्यते

For the destruction of all that moves and does not move, Rohiṇī did not rejoice. The Moon, seized by Rāhu, is struck by falling meteors.

Verse 133

उल्काः प्रज्वलिताश्चंद्रे व्यचरंत यथासुखम् । देवानामधिपो देवः सोप्यवर्षत शोणितम्

Blazing meteors moved about the Moon at will; and even the god who is lord of the gods rained down blood.

Verse 134

अपतद्गगनादुल्का विद्युद्रूपा महास्वना । अकाले च द्रुमास्सर्वे पुष्प्यंति च फलंति च

A meteor, lightning-like in form and thunderous in sound, fell from the sky; and, out of season, all the trees began to flower and bear fruit.

Verse 135

लताश्च सफलाः सर्वा या आहुर्दैत्यनाशिकाः । फले फलान्यजायंत पुष्पे पुष्पं तथैव च

And all those creepers—called the ‘destroyers of the Daityas’—became fully fruitful: from fruit, more fruits were produced, and from blossoms, blossoms likewise arose.

Verse 136

उन्मीलंति निमीलंति हसंति प्ररुदंति च । विक्रोशंति च गंभीरं धूमायंते ज्वलंति च

They open their eyes and close them; they laugh and also weep. They cry out in a deep voice; they smoke and they blaze.

Verse 137

प्रतिमास्सर्वदेवानां कथयंत्यो महद्भयम् । आरण्यैः सह संसृष्टा ग्राम्याश्च मृगपक्षिणः

The images of all the gods were proclaiming a great fear; and the wild creatures, mingled together with the domesticated, were—animals and birds alike.

Verse 138

चुक्रुशुर्भैरवं तत्र मृगयुद्ध उपस्थिते । नद्यश्च प्रतिकूलानि वहंति कलुषोदकाः

There, as the battle among the beasts drew near, they cried out in a dreadful manner; and the rivers flowed against their natural course, carrying turbid waters.

Verse 139

न प्राकाशंत च दिशो रक्तरेणुसमाकुलाः । वानस्पत्या न पूज्यंते पूजनार्हाः कथंचन

The directions did not shine, being filled with red dust. Nor were the trees—though worthy of worship—honoured in any way at all.

Verse 140

वायुवेगेन हन्यंते भज्यंते प्रणमंति च । तथा च सर्वभूतानां छाया न परिवर्त्तते

Struck by the force of the wind, (things) are battered, broken, and made to bow down; yet the shadow of all beings does not change.

Verse 141

अपरेण गते सूर्ये सलोकानां युगक्षये । तदा हिरण्यकशिपोर्दैत्यस्योपरिवेश्मनः

When the sun had passed into the western quarter, and the age of the worlds drew to its end, then—upon the upper palace of the Daitya Hiraṇyakaśipu—the ensuing event came to pass.

Verse 142

भांडागारायुधागारे निविष्टमभवन्मधु । असुराणां विनाशाय सुराणां विजयाय च

Madhu entered the storehouse and the armory, for the destruction of the Asuras and for the victory of the Devas.

Verse 143

दृश्यंते विविधोत्पाता घोराघोरनिदर्शनाः । एते चान्ये च बहवो घोररूपाः समुत्थिताः

Many kinds of portents are seen—terrifying, and yet not terrifying in what they signify. These, and many others besides, dreadful in form, have arisen.

Verse 144

दैत्येंद्रस्य विनाशाय दृश्यंते रणशंसिनः । मेदिन्यां कंपमानायां दैत्येंद्रेण महात्मनः

For the destruction of the lord of the Daityas, the battle-heralding omens became visible; and as that great Daitya-lord advanced, the earth itself trembled.

Verse 145

महीधरा नागगणा निपेतुरमितौजसः । विषज्वालाकुलैर्वक्त्रैर्विमुंचंतो हुताशनम्

Mighty serpent-hosts, bearing the weight of the earth and possessed of immeasurable power, fell down—spitting forth fire from mouths crowded with flames of poison.

Verse 146

चतुःशीर्षाः पंचशीर्षाः सप्तशीर्षाश्च पन्नगाः । वासुकिस्तक्षकश्चैव कर्कोटकधनंजयौ

There were serpents with four heads, five heads, and seven heads; and among the nāgas were Vāsuki, Takṣaka, as well as Karkoṭaka and Dhanaṃjaya.

Verse 147

एलामुखः कालियश्च महापद्मश्च वीर्यवान् । सहस्रशीर्षश्शुद्धांगो हेमतालध्वजः प्रभुः

Elāmukha, Kāliya, and the mighty Mahāpadma; Sahasraśīrṣa of pure limbs; and the lord Hematāladhvaja—these are the named beings.

Verse 148

शेषोनंतो महानागो ह्यप्रकंप्यश्च कंपिताः । दीप्यंतेंतर्जलस्थानि पृथिवीविवराणि वै

Śeṣa, the endless great serpent—though himself unshakable—causes tremors; and the fissures and cavities within the earth, whose places lie beneath the waters, indeed blaze forth.

Verse 149

सप्तदैत्येंद्रकोपेन कंपितानि समंततः । नानातेजोधराश्चापि पातालतलचारिणः

Through the wrath of the seven Daitya-lords, everything all around was shaken; and the beings who move through the levels of Pātāla—bearers of many kinds of fiery splendor—were likewise thrown into upheaval.

Verse 150

पाताले सहसा क्षुब्धे दुष्प्रकंप्याः प्रकंपिताः । हिरण्यकशिपुर्दैत्यस्तदा संस्पृष्टवान्महीम्

When Pātāla was suddenly thrown into turmoil, even what is hard to shake began to tremble. At that time the daitya Hiraṇyakaśipu came into contact with the earth and pressed upon it.

Verse 151

संदष्टौष्ठपुटः क्रुद्धो वराह इव पूर्वजः । गंगा भागीरथी चैव कौशिकी सरयूरपि

The elder forefather, enraged and with lips tightly clenched, appeared like a boar; and there too were the rivers Gaṅgā, Bhāgīrathī, Kauśikī, and Sarayū.

Verse 152

यमुना चाथ कावेरी कृष्णवेणी च निम्नगा । तुंगभद्रा महावेगा नदी गोदावरी तथा

There were the Yamunā, and also the Kāverī, the Kṛṣṇaveṇī and the river Nimnagā; the Tuṅgabhadrā with its mighty current, and likewise the river Godāvarī.

Verse 153

चर्मण्वती च सिंधुश्च तथा नदनदीपतिः । मेलकप्रभवश्चैव शोणो मणिनिभोदकः

Also present were the Carmanvatī and the Sindhu, and likewise the lord of rivers and streams; and the river born of Melaka as well, and the Śoṇa whose waters gleam like jewels.

Verse 154

नर्मदा च शुभस्रोतास्तथा वेत्रवती नदी । गोमती गोकुलाकीर्णा तथा पूर्वा सरस्वती

And there were the Narmadā, the Śubhasrotā, and likewise the river Vetravatī; the Gomatī, filled with the cowherd settlements of Gokula, and also the ancient Sarasvatī.

Verse 155

महाकालमहीचैव तमसा पुष्पवाहिनी । जंबूद्वीपं रत्नवच्च सर्वरत्नोपशोभितम्

There were Mahākāla and Mahī, and also Tamasā, the flower-bearing river; and Jambūdvīpa, like a heap of jewels, adorned with every kind of precious gem.

Verse 156

सुवर्णपुटकं चैव सुवर्णाकरमंडितम् । महानदश्च लौहित्यश्शैलः कांचनशोभितः

And there is also Suvarṇapuṭaka, adorned with mines of gold; and the great river Mahānadā; and the mountain Lauhitya, resplendent with golden radiance.

Verse 157

पत्तनं कोशकाराणां कशं च रजताकरम् । मगधाश्च महाग्रामाः पुण्ड्रा उग्रास्तथैव च

There is the town of the cocoon-makers, and Kaśa as well—the mine of silver; and the Magadhas, the great villages, and likewise the Puṇḍras and the Ugras too.

Verse 158

स्रुघ्ना मल्ला विदेहाश्च मालवाः काशि कोसलाः । भवनं वैनतेयस्य दैत्येंद्रेणाभिकंपितम्

Srughna, the Mallas, the Videhas, the Malavas, Kāśī, and Kosala—all these regions were shaken; and so too was the dwelling of Vainateya, by the lord of the Daityas.

Verse 159

कैलासशिखराकारं यत्कृतं विश्वकर्मणा । रत्नतोयो महाभीमो लौहित्यो नाम सागरः

There is an ocean named Lauhitya—shaped like the peak of Kailāsa, fashioned by Viśvakarman—whose waters are gem-like, vast and awe-inspiring.

Verse 160

उदयश्च महाशैल उच्छ्रितः शतयोजनम् । सवर्णवेदिकः श्रीमान्मेघपंक्तिनिषेवितः

And there is the great mountain Udaya, rising to a height of a hundred yojanas—splendid, with terraces of matching hue, frequented by rows of clouds.

Verse 161

भ्राजमानोर्कसदृशैर्जातरूपमयैर्द्रुमैः । सालैस्तालैस्तमालैश्च कर्णिकारैश्च पुष्पितैः

It shone with trees like the radiant sun, as though wrought of gold—sālas, tāla palms, tamālas, and karṇikāras in bloom.

Verse 162

अयोमुखश्च विख्यातः सर्वतो धातुमंडितः । तमालवनगंधश्च पर्वतो मलयः शुभः

Ayomukha is renowned, adorned on every side with mineral ores; and the auspicious Malaya mountain is fragrant with tamāla groves.

Verse 163

सुराष्ट्राश्च सबाह्लीकाश्शूद्राभीरास्तथैव च । भोजाः पांड्याश्च वंगाश्च कलिंगास्ताम्रलिप्तकाः

Also (there were) the people of Surāṣṭra along with the Bāhlīkas; likewise the Śūdras and the Ābhīras; the Bhojas, the Pāṇḍyas, the Vaṅgas, the Kaliṅgas, and the people of Tāmralipta.

Verse 164

तथैव पौंड्राः शुभ्राश्च वामचूडास्सकेरलाः । क्षोभितास्तेन दैत्येन देवाश्चाप्सरसां गणाः

Likewise, the Pauṇḍras, the Śubhras, the Vāmacūḍas, and the Keralas—together with the hosts of the devas and the companies of Apsarases—were all thrown into agitation by that demon.

Verse 165

अगस्त्यभवनं चैव यदगस्त्यकृतं पुरा । सिद्धचारणसंघैश्च विप्रकीर्णं मनोहरम्

And there too was Agastya’s hermitage—built long ago by Agastya himself—delightful, and thronged with companies of Siddhas and Cāraṇas.

Verse 166

विचित्रनानाविहगं सपुष्पितमहाद्रुमम् । जातरूपमयैः शृंगैरप्सरोगणसेवितम्

It was filled with many wondrous and varied birds, adorned with great trees in bloom, crowned with peaks of gold, and attended by hosts of Apsarās.

Verse 167

गिरिः पुष्पितकश्चैव लक्ष्मीवान्प्रियदर्शनः । उत्थितः सागरं भित्वा विश्रामश्चंद्रसूर्ययोः

A mountain—flowering, prosperous, and pleasing to behold—rose up, cleaving the ocean, and became a resting-place for the Moon and the Sun.

Verse 168

रराज स महाशृंगैर्गगनं विलिखन्निव । चंद्रसूर्यांशुसंकाशैः सागरांबुसमावृतैः

It shone forth—its lofty peaks seeming as though they were scratching the sky—radiant like the beams of the moon and the sun, and encircled by the waters of the ocean.

Verse 169

विद्युत्त्वान्पर्वतः श्रीमानायतः शतयोजनम् । विद्युतां यत्र संपाता निपात्यंते नगोत्तमे

There is a splendid mountain called Vidyuttvān, extending for a hundred yojanas; on that best of mountains, masses of lightning are seen to strike and fall.

Verse 170

ऋषभः पर्वतश्चैव श्रीमानृषभसंस्थितः । कुंजरः पर्वतः श्रीमानगस्त्यस्य गृहं शुभम्

There is also the mountain Ṛṣabha—auspicious and glorious—where Ṛṣabha is established. And the glorious mountain Kuñjara is the blessed abode of Agastya.

Verse 171

विमलाख्या च दुर्द्धर्षा सर्पाणां मालती पुरी । तथा भोगवती चापि दैत्येंद्रेणाभिकंपिता

Vimalākhyā—hard to assail—and Mālatī, the city of the serpents, and likewise Bhogavatī too, were shaken by the lord of the Daityas.

Verse 172

महासेनगिरिश्चैव पारियात्रश्च पर्वतः । चक्रवांश्च गिरिश्रेष्ठो वाराहश्चैव पर्वतः

And (there are) Mahāsena Mountain, and Pāriyātra Mountain; and Cakravān—the best of mountains—and also Vārāha Mountain.

Verse 173

प्राग्ज्योतिषपुरं चापि जातरूपमयं शुभम् । यस्मिन्नुवास दुष्टात्मा नरको नाम दानवः

And there was also the auspicious city of Prāgjyotiṣa, made of gold, in which dwelt the wicked-souled demon named Naraka.

Verse 174

मेघश्च पर्वतश्रेष्ठो मेघगंभीरनिस्स्वनः । षष्टिस्तत्र सहस्राणि पर्वतानां विशांपते

And the mountain named Megha is the foremost of mountains, resonant with a deep, cloud-like roar. There, O lord of the people, there are sixty thousand mountains.

Verse 175

तरुणादित्यसंकाशो मेरुश्चैव महान्गिरिः । यक्षराक्षसगंधर्वैर्नित्यं सेवितकंदरः

Mount Meru, the great mountain, shines like the youthful sun; its caves and ravines are constantly frequented by Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and Gandharvas.

Verse 176

हेमगर्भो महासेनस्तथा मेघसखो गिरिः । कैलासश्चैव शैलेंद्रो दानवेंद्रेण कंपितः

Hemagarbha, Mahāsena, and the mountain called Meghasakha—together with Kailāsa, lord of mountains—were shaken by the king of the Dānavas.

Verse 177

हेमपुष्करसञ्छन्नं तेन वैखानसं सरः । कंपितं मानसं चैव हंसकारंडवाकुलम्

By that, the Vaikhānasa lake, covered with golden lotuses, was stirred; and the Mānasa lake too trembled, crowded with swans and kāraṇḍava birds.

Verse 178

त्रिशृंगः पर्वतश्रेष्ठः कुमारी च सरिद्वरा । तुषारचयसंच्छन्नो मंदरश्चापि पर्वतः

Triśṛṅga is the foremost of mountains, and Kumārī the most excellent of rivers; Mandara too is a mountain, covered with heaps of snow.

Verse 179

उशीरबीजश्च गिरिर्भद्रप्रस्थस्तथाद्रिराट् । प्रजापतिगिरिश्चैव तथा पुष्करपर्वतः

Uśīrabīja Mountain, Bhadraprastha, and Adriraṭ; likewise Prajāpatigiri, and also the Puṣkara Mountain.

Verse 180

देवाभः पर्वतश्चैव तथा वै वालुकागिरिः । क्रौंचः सप्तर्षिशैलश्च धूम्रवर्णश्च पर्वतः

Also there are the mountains Devābha, Vālukāgiri, Krauñca, Saptarṣi-śaila, and the mountain called Dhūmravarṇa.

Verse 181

एते चान्ये च गिरयो देशा जनपदास्तथा । नद्यः ससागराः सर्वाः दानवेनाभिकंपिताः

These and many other mountains, regions, and inhabited lands—as well as all rivers together with the seas—were shaken by the Dānava.

Verse 182

कपिलश्च महीपुत्रो व्याघ्रवांश्च प्रकंपितः । खेचराश्च निशापुत्राः पातालतलवासिनः

Kapila, the son of the Earth, and the lineage of Vyāghra were shaken; and so too were the Khecaras, the sons of the Night, and the dwellers of the subterranean regions of Pātāla.

Verse 183

गणस्तथापरो रौद्रो मेघनामांकुशायुधः । ऊर्द्ध्वगो भीमवेगश्च सर्व एतेभिकंपिताः

And there was yet another troop—fierce and wrathful—named Megha, bearing a goad as his weapon, along with Ūrdhvaga and Bhīmavega. All of these were set trembling.

Verse 184

गदी शूली करालश्च हिरण्यकशिपुस्तथा । जीमूतघननिर्घोषो जीमूत इव वेगवान्

Bearing a mace and a spear, and of fearsome form—like Hiraṇyakaśipu—he thundered with the roar of dense storm-clouds, swift as a cloud itself.

Verse 185

देवारिर्दितिजो दृप्तो नृसिंहं समुपाद्रवत् । स तु तेन ततस्तीक्ष्णैर्मृगेंद्रेण महानखैः

The proud Dānava—an enemy of the gods—rushed at Narasiṁha; but the lion-lord struck him with his sharp, mighty claws.

Verse 186

तदोंकारसहायेन विदार्य निहतो युधि । मही च कालश्च शशीनभश्च ग्रहास्स सूर्याश्च दिशश्च सर्वाः

With the aid of the sacred syllable Oṁ, he was pierced and slain in battle; and the Earth, Time, the Moon, the sky, the planets, the Sun, and all the directions were shaken.

Verse 187

नद्यश्च शैलाश्च महार्णवाश्च गताः प्रसादं दितिपुत्रनाशात् । ततः प्रमुदिता देवा ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः

Rivers, mountains, and even the great oceans found relief because the son of Diti was destroyed. Thereupon the gods and the austerity-rich sages rejoiced.

Verse 188

तुष्टुवुर्नामभिर्दिव्यैरादिदेवं सनातनम् । यत्त्वया विधृतं देव नारसिंहमिदं वपुः

They praised the eternal Primeval Lord with divine names, saying: “O God, this Narasiṁha form has been assumed by you.”

Verse 189

एतदेवार्चयिष्यंति परापरविदो जनाः । ब्रह्मोवाच । भवान्ब्रह्मा च रुद्रश्च महेंद्रो देवसत्तमः

Those who know the higher and the lower realities will worship this alone. Brahmā said: “You are Brahmā, and Rudra, and Mahendra—the best among the gods.”

Verse 190

भवान्कर्त्ता विकर्त्ता च लोकानां प्रभवोऽव्ययः । परां च सिद्धिं च परं च सत्वं परं रहस्यं परमं हविश्च

You are the creator and the transformer, the imperishable source of the worlds. You are the supreme attainment and the highest purity, the highest mystery, and the supreme sacrificial offering as well.

Verse 191

परं च धर्मं परमं यशश्च त्वामाहुरग्र्यं परमं पुराणम् । परं च सत्यं परमं तपश्च परं पवित्रं परमं च मार्गं

They proclaim you the supreme Dharma and the highest renown, the foremost and most excellent Purāṇa. You are also the supreme Truth and the highest tapas, the greatest purifier and the highest path.

Verse 192

परं च यज्ञं परमं च होत्रं त्वामाहुरग्य्रं परमं पुराणम् । परं शरीरं परमं च ब्रह्म परं च योगं परमां च वाणीम्

They declare you the supreme sacrifice and the highest oblation; they call you the foremost, the supreme Purāṇa. You are the supreme body and the supreme Brahman; you are the highest yoga and the most exalted speech.

Verse 193

परं रहस्यं परमां गतिं च त्वामाहुरग्य्रं परमं पुराणम् । एवमुक्त्वा तु भगवान्सर्वलोकपितामहः

They proclaim you the supreme secret and the highest goal, the foremost and greatest Purāṇa. Having spoken thus, the revered Grandfather of all the worlds (Brahmā)…

Verse 194

स्तुत्वा नारायणं देवं ब्रह्मलोकं गतः प्रभुः । ततो नदत्सु तूर्येषु नृत्यंतीष्वप्सरःसु च

Having praised Nārāyaṇa, the Lord went to Brahmaloka. Then, amid the resounding of musical instruments and the dancing of the Apsarases, (the scene unfolded).

Verse 195

क्षीरोदस्योत्तरं कूलं जगाम हरिरीश्वरः । नारसिंहं वपुर्देवः स्थापयित्वा सुदीप्तिमान्

Hari, the Supreme Lord, went to the northern shore of the Ocean of Milk; the radiant God, having established (assumed) the Narasiṃha form, shone forth brilliantly.

Verse 196

पौराणं रूपमास्थाय प्रययौ गरडध्वजः । अष्टचक्रेण यानेन भूतियुक्तेन भास्वता

Assuming a Purāṇic form, the Lord whose banner bears Garuḍa set forth, riding in a radiant, auspicious conveyance with eight wheels.

Verse 197

अव्यक्तप्रकृतिर्देवः स्वस्थानं गतवान्प्रभुः

The Lord—whose nature is the unmanifest Prakṛti—returned to His own abode.