Vayu Purana

वयं तपश्चरिष्यामः संवृता वल्कलैर्वने। प्रह्लादस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सत्यव्याहरणं तु तत् ।। ३५.

We shall undertake austerities, withdrawn in the forest, clad in bark garments, having heard Prahlada's words, which are indeed truthful.

ततो देवा निवृत्ता वै विज्वरा मुदिताश्च ह। न्यस्तशस्त्रेषु दैत्येषु स्वान् वै जग्मुर्यथागतान् ।। ३५.

Then the gods withdrew, free from distress and joyful; with the Daityas having laid down their weapons, they returned to their own places as before.

ततस्तानब्रवीत्काव्यः कञ्चित्कालमुपास्यताम्। निरुत्सुकैस्तपोयुक्तैः कालं कार्यार्थसाधकैः। पितुर्ममाश्रमस्था वै सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः ।। ३५.

Then Kavya spoke to them: 'Let some time be spent in worship, with those intent on austerity and without desire, fulfilling the purpose of the task; all the gods, along with Indra, are dwelling in my father's hermitage.'

स सन्दिश्यासुरान् काव्यो महादेवं प्रपद्य च। प्रणम्येनसुवाचाथ जगत्प्रभवमीश्वरम् ।। ३५.

Then Kavya, having instructed the Asuras, approached Mahadeva, and after bowing, addressed the lord, the origin of the universe, with pleasing words.

मन्त्रानिच्छाम्यहं देव मे नसन्ति बृहस्पतौ। पराभवाय देवानामसुरेष्वभयावहान् ।। ३५.

O god, I desire mantras which are not possessed by Brihaspati; for the defeat of the gods and to bring fearlessness to the Asuras.

एवमुक्तोऽब्रवीद्देवो मन्त्रानिच्छसि वै द्विज। व्रतं चर मयो द्दिष्टं ब्रह्मचारी समाहितः ।। ३५.

Thus addressed, the god spoke: 'You desire mantras, O twice-born; undertake the vow I prescribe, as a devoted celibate.'

पूर्णं वर्षसहस्रं वै कुण्डधूममवाक्शिराः। यद्युपास्यसि भद्रन्ते मत्तो मन्त्रमवाप्स्यसि ।। ३५.

If you worship for a full thousand years, with your head lowered to the smoke of the altar, then, O blessed one, you will obtain the mantra from me.

तथोक्तो देव देवेन स शुक्रस्तु महातपाः। पादौ संस्पृश्य देवस्य बाढमित्यभ्यभाषत ।। ३५.

Thus addressed by the god, Shukra, of great austerity, touched the feet of the deity and replied, 'So be it.'

व्रतं चराम्यहं शेषं यथोद्दिष्टोऽस्मि वै प्रभो। ततो नियुक्तो देवेन कुण्डधारोऽस्य धूमकृत् ।। ३५.

I shall undertake the remaining vow as prescribed by you, O lord; then, appointed by the god, he became the keeper of the altar and maker of smoke.

असुराणां हितार्थाय तस्मिञ्छुक्रे गते तदा। मन्त्रार्थं तत्र वसति ब्रह्मचर्ये महेश्वरः ।। ३५.

For the welfare of the Asuras, when Shukra had departed, Maheshvara dwelt there in celibacy, for the purpose of the mantra.

तद्बुद्ध्वा नातिपूर्वन्तु राज्यं न्यस्तं तदासुरैः। तस्मिञ्छिद्रे तदामर्षा देवास्तान् समभिद्रवन्। निशितात्तायुधाः सर्वे बृहस्पतिपुरोगमाः ।। ३५.

Knowing this, not long after, the Asuras relinquished the kingdom; in that interval, the gods, angered, attacked them, all armed with sharp weapons, led by Brihaspati.

दृष्ट्वासुरगणा देवान् प्रगृहीतायुधान् पुनः। उत्पेतुः सहसा सर्वे सन्त्रस्तास्ते ततोऽभवन् ।। ३५.

Seeing the gods, all the Asura hosts, armed, suddenly fled; then they became fearful.

न्यस्तशस्त्रे जये दत्ते आचार्यव्रतमास्थिते। सन्त्यज्य. समयं देवास्ते सपत्नजिघांसवः ।। ३५.

With weapons laid down, victory granted, and the teacher engaged in his vow, the gods, abandoning the agreement, sought to destroy their rivals.

अनाचार्यास्तु भद्रं वो विश्वस्तास्तपसि स्थिताः। चीरवल्काजिनधरा निष्क्रिया निष्परिग्रहाः ।। ३५.

Without a teacher, may good fortune be yours; trusting, established in austerity, wearing bark, skins, and garments, inactive and without possessions.

रणे विजेतुं देवान् वै नशक्ष्यामः कथञ्चन। अशुद्धेन प्रपद्यामः शरणं काव्यमातरम् ।। ३५.

We will never be able to defeat the gods in battle; being impure, we seek refuge in Kavya, our mother.

ज्ञापयामस्ततमिदं यावदागमनं गुरोः। विनिवृत्ते ततः काव्ये योत्स्यामो युधि तान् सुरान् ।। ३५.

Let us inform the teacher of this matter until his arrival; when he returns, we shall engage in battle against those gods in the contest of poetry.

एवमुक्त्वा सुरान् योग्यं शरणं काव्यमातरम्। प्रापद्यन्त ततो भीतास्तदा चैव तदाऽभयम् ।। ३५.

Having spoken thus to the gods, they sought refuge with Kāvyamātā, as was proper; then, being afraid, they received safety at that time.

दत्तन्तेषान्तु भीतानां दैत्या नामभयार्थिनाम्। न भेतव्यं न भेतव्य भयन्त्यजत दानवाः ।। ३५.

To those fearful ones, the demons who sought freedom from fear, assurance was given: 'Do not be afraid, do not be afraid,' and the Dānavas abandoned their fear.

मत्सन्निधौ वर्ततां वो न भीर्भवितुमर्हति। भयाच्चाप्यभिपन्नांस्तान् दृष्ट्वा देवासुरांस्तदा ।। ३५.

While you remain in my presence, fear should not arise for you; seeing those who were afflicted by fear, the gods and demons at that time—

अभिजग्मुः प्रसह्यैतानविचार्य बलाबलम्। तांस्त्रस्तान् वध्यमानांश्च देवैर्दृष्ट्वासुरांस्तदा ।। ३५.

They attacked them forcibly, considering their strength and weakness; seeing the terrified and those being slain by the gods, the demons at that time—

देवी क्रुद्धाब्रवीदेनाननिन्द्रत्वं करोम्यहम्। संस्तभ्य शीघ्रं संरम्भादिन्द्रं साऽभ्यचरत्ततः ।। ३५.

The goddess, enraged, spoke: 'I shall make you powerless, Indra!' Quickly, with wrath, she confronted Indra.

ततः संस्तम्भितं दृष्ट्वा शक्रंदेवास्तु यूपवत्। व्यद्रवन्त ततो भीता दृष्ट्वा शक्रं वशीकृतम् ।। ३५.

Then, seeing Indra immobilized like a sacrificial post, the gods fled in fear, having seen Indra subdued.

गतेषु सुरसङ्घेषु विष्णुरिन्द्रमभाषत। मांत्वं प्रविश भद्रन्ते नेष्यामि त्वां सुरेश्वर ।। ३५.

When the host of gods had departed, Viṣṇu spoke to Indra: 'Enter into me, O blessed one; I shall protect you, Lord of the gods.'

एवमुक्तस्ततो विष्णुं प्रविवेश पुरन्दरः। विष्णुना रक्षितं दृष्ट्वा देवी क्रुद्धा वचोऽवदत् ।। ३५.

Thus addressed, Purandara entered Viṣṇu; seeing Indra protected by Viṣṇu, the goddess, enraged, spoke these words.

एषा त्वां विष्णुना सार्द्धं दहामि मघवानिव। मिषतां सर्वभूतानां दृश्यतां मे तपोबलम् ।। ३५.

'Together with Viṣṇu, I shall burn you, O Maghavan, in the sight of all beings; let my power of austerity be witnessed.'

तयाभिभूतौ तौ देवाविन्द्रविष्णू जजल्पतुः। कथं मुच्येव सहितौ विष्णुरिन्द्रमभाषत ।। ३५.

Overpowered by her, the two gods, Indra and Viṣṇu, conferred together; Viṣṇu spoke to Indra: 'How shall we escape together?'

इन्द्रोऽब्रवीज्जहि ह्येनां यावन्नौ न दहेद्विभो। विशेषेणाभिभूतोऽहमतस्त्वञ्च हि मा चिरम् ।। ३५.

Indra said: 'Slay her before she burns us, O mighty one; I am especially overpowered, so do not delay.'

ततः समीक्ष्य तां विष्णुः स्त्रीवधं कर्त्तुमास्थितः। अभिध्याय ततश्चक्रमापन्नः सत्वरं प्रभुः ।। ३५.

Then, observing her, Viṣṇu resolved to commit the killing of a woman; having contemplated, the Lord swiftly summoned his discus.

तस्याः सत्वरमाणायाः शीघ्रकारी सुरारिहा। स्त्रिया विष्णुस्ततो देव्या क्रूरं बुद्ध्वा चिकीर्षितम्। क्रुद्धस्तदस्त्रमाविद्ध्य शिरश्चिच्छेद माधवः ।। ३५.

As she rushed swiftly, the slayer of enemies of the gods, perceiving the cruel intent of the goddess, Viṣṇu, angered, invoked his weapon and severed her head.