ब्रह्मोवाच शृणुध्वं भोः सुरश्रेष्ठा यूयं सर्वे समाहिताः
Brahma said: 'Hear me, O best of gods, all of you gathered here with focused minds.'
द्वावेव सचिवौ दांतौ विष्णुवेषधरावुभौ
There are only two attendants, both restrained, both bearing the form of Vishnu.
एकदा वै मुनिश्रेष्ठ ब्रह्मणो मानसात्मजाः
Once, O best of sages, the mind-born sons of Brahma—
सनकादयो महाभागा भगवद्दर्शनलालसाः
The greatly fortunate Sanaka and his brothers, eager for a vision of the Blessed Lord—
मुमुहुश्च तदा व्यास कुमारा भृशदुःखिताः
At that time, Vyasa, the young sages became bewildered and deeply distressed.
ददर्श सहसा विष्णुः कुमारान्भुवि दुःखितान्
Suddenly, Vishnu beheld the sorrowful sages upon the earth.
मूर्ध्नि चाघ्राय बाहुभ्यां परिष्वज्य ह्युवाच ह 5.1.52.
He smelled their heads, embraced them with his arms, and spoke to them.
सर्वं तत्कारणं बाला ब्रूत नो धर्मवित्तमाः
Children, most learned in righteousness, tell us the whole reason for this.
येन प्राप्ता वयं ब्रह्मन्दशामेतां शृणुष्व ह
Hear now how we came to this state of the cosmic egg.
आयाता भ्रातरो ह्येते चत्वारो लोकपर्यटाः
These four brothers, wanderers of the worlds, arrived.
निवारिताश्च सहसा ताभ्यां वै द्वारपालनात्
But they were suddenly prevented by those two from guarding the gate.
भगवानुवाच अतः प्रभृति स्थानेस्मिन्स्थितिर्नास्ति च शाश्वती
The Blessed Lord said: From that moment onward, there is no eternal stay in this place.
सद्यः प्राप्तौ तदा व्यास आसुरीं योनिमेव तौ
Then, Vyāsa, those two immediately obtained a demonic birth.
जन्मांतरसहस्रेण तपोदानसमाधिभिः
After a thousand cycles of birth, through austerity, charity, and meditation,
दुष्टभावेन सद्यो वै जन्मभिर्जायते त्रिभिः
But with evil intent, one is born in just three lifetimes.
जन्मजन्मांतरे जातौ तामसीं योनिमुद्धतौ
In each successive birth, they took on a dark, tamasic womb.
तथैव कुंभकर्णाख्यो रावणो लोकरावणः 5.1.52.
Thus, Kumbhakarṇa by name, and Rāvaṇa, the terror of the worlds,
योऽसौ महाबली दैत्यो हिरण्याक्ष इति स्मृतः
He who is known as the mighty demon Hiraṇyākṣa,
जित्वा च सकलान्देवान्स्वयमेवाधितिष्ठति
Having conquered all the gods, he himself took possession.
स्वर्गान्निराकृताः सर्वे भ्रष्टराज्याः पराजिताः
All were cast out from heaven, deprived of kingdoms, and defeated.
स्वधाकारो वषट्कारः स्वाहाकारो न दृश्यते
The svadhā-invocation, the vaṣaṭ-call, and the svāhā-offering were not seen.
नैव तीर्थं प्रकाशेत पुण्यान्यायतनानि च
No holy place was revealed, nor were the sacred shrines.
उच्छिन्ना हि तदा जातास्तस्मिन्राज्ञि दुरात्मनि
At that time, when that wicked king ruled, all were destroyed.
पाखंडिनोऽपरा क्रांताः सर्वे धर्मबहिर्मुखाः
Other heretics arose, all turning away from righteousness.
बहुम्लेच्छा बहुक्लेशा बह्वाबाधावनी कृता
Many foreigners, much suffering, and great affliction came upon the earth.
तमीभूतं जगत्सर्वं दृश्यते वसुधातले 5.1.52.
The whole world appeared shrouded in darkness upon the face of the earth.
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत
Whenever there is a decline of righteousness, O descendant of Bharata,
इति ज्ञात्वा महाविष्णुर्वाराहं वपुरात्मवान्
Knowing this, the great Vishnu, possessing self-mastery, took the form of a Boar.
यूपदंष्ट्रो हविर्गंधो बीजौषधितनूरुहः
With sacrificial post as his tusk, the fragrance of oblations, and his body composed of seeds, herbs, and plants,
अंतरास्यरुचादार्ढो यज्ञकायः सुदक्षिणः
Firm with the radiance within his mouth, his body was that of sacrifice, and he was supremely generous.