Vayu Purana

असिमावेश्य चाङ्गेषु पाण्डुराम्बर धारिणी। उरश्छदेन महता मौक्तिकेन विराजिता। चतुर्भुजा महाभागा विजया लोकसम्मता ।। ३९.

Clad in white garments, adorned with a great pearl-covered breast-cloth, and holding a sword against her limbs, the four-armed, highly fortunate, and universally esteemed Vijayā stood there.

देव्या आद्यः प्रतीहारी श्रीरिवाप्रतिमा परा। विभ्राजती स्थिता चैव कृत्वा देवस्य चाञ्जलिम् ।। ३९.

The goddess’s foremost attendant, incomparable like Śrī herself, stood there resplendent, having joined her palms in reverence to the god.

तस्याः पृष्ठानुगाश्चान्याः स्त्रियोऽप्सरोगणान्विताः। ताः खल्वभिनवैः कान्तैरुपतिष्ठन्ति शङ्करम् ।। ३९.

Other women, accompanied by groups of celestial nymphs, followed behind her; they, adorned with fresh beauty, attend upon Śaṅkara.

सर्वलक्षणसम्पन्ना वादित्रै रुपबृंहिताः। उपगायन्ति देवेशं गणा गन्धर्वयोनयः ।। ३९.

Endowed with all auspicious marks, enhanced by musical instruments and beauty, the hosts of Gandharvas and other divine beings sing praises to the Lord of the gods.

अभ्युन्नतो महोरस्कः शरन्मेघसमद्युतिः। शोभते नन्दमानश्च गोपतिस्तस्य वेश्मनि ।। ३९.

There, a cowherd, broad-chested and radiant like an autumn cloud, shines joyfully in his dwelling.

स्कन्दश्च सपरीवारः पुत्रोऽस्यामितवीर्य्यवान्। रक्ताम्बरधरः श्रीमान्वराम्बुजदलेक्षणः ।। ३९.

Skanda, his son of immeasurable might, stands there with his retinue, adorned in red garments, illustrious, and with eyes like the finest lotus petals.

तस्य शाखो विशाखश्च नैगमेयश्च चाष्टवान्। व्यपेतव्यसनाक्रूराः प्रजानां पालने रताः ।। ३९.

His branches—Viśākha and Naigameya—are also present, free from vice and cruelty, devoted to the protection of beings.

तैः सार्द्धं स महावीर्य्यः शोभते शिखिवाहनः । व्यालक्रीडनकैस्तत्र क्रीडते विश्वतोमुखः ।। ३९.

Together with them, the mighty Skanda, the peacock-rider, shines forth; there, the all-faced one plays with toys shaped like serpents.

ये नृपा विभुधेन्द्राणां काञ्चनस्य प्रदायिनः। ये च स्वायतना विप्रा गृहस्था ब्रह्मवादिनः ।। ३९.

Those kings who give gold to the lords of the gods, and those householders among the Brahmins devoted to their own sacred rites—

गूढस्वाध्याय तपसस्तथा चैवोञ्छवृत्तयः। एते सभासदस्तस्य देवेशस्य च सम्मताः ।। ३९.

Those who are secretly devoted to study and austerity, and those who live by gleaning—these are the honored assembly members of the Lord of the gods.

मन्वन्तराण्यनेकानि व्यवर्त्तन्त पुनः पुनः। श्रूयतां देवदेवस्य भविष्याश्चर्यमुत्तमम् ।। ३९.

Many cycles of Manu have passed again and again; now listen to the supreme and wondrous future deeds of the God of gods.

व्याघ्राश्चैवानुगास्तत्र काञ्चनाभास्तरस्विनः। स्वच्छन्दचारिणः सर्वे स्वयं देवेन निर्म्मिताः।। ३९.

There, tigers, radiant like gold and full of vigor, roam freely, all created by the god himself.

मृत्योर्मृत्युसमास्ते तु यमदर्पापहारिणः । विभूतिमप्यसंख्येयां को न खल्वभिधास्यते ।। ३९.

He stands as the death of Death himself, the remover of Yama’s pride; who indeed could recount all his countless powers?

अतःपरमिदं भूयो भवेनाद्भुतमुत्तमम्। भूतानामनुकंपार्थं यत्कृतं तन्निबोधत ।। ३९.

Now, listen further to this most marvelous and excellent event, which was done out of compassion for the beings.

मन्दरादिप्रकाशानां बलेनाप्रतिमौजसाम्। हारकुन्देन्दुवर्णानां विद्युद्वननिनादिनाम् ।। ३९.

By the power of those shining like Mandara and other mountains, possessing incomparable strength, adorned with garlands, earrings, and moon-like radiance, and resounding like thunderclouds—

चूडामणिधराणां वै मेघसन्निभवाससाम्। श्रीवत्साङ्कितवज्राणामङ्गुलीशूलपाणिनाम् ।। ३९.

Wearing crest-jewels, clad in garments resembling clouds, marked with the Śrīvatsa and thunderbolt, bearing tridents and weapons in their hands—

एवं दिशानां देवानां रूपेणोत्तमशालिनाम्। तस्य प्रासादमुख्यस्य स्तम्भेषूत्तमशोभिषु ।। ३९.

In this way, the gods of the directions, possessing supreme forms, were depicted on the splendid pillars of that foremost palace.

संयताग्निमयीभिस्तु श्रृङ्खलाभिः पृथक्पृथक्। मायासहस्रं सिंहानां सुखं तत्र निवासिनाम् ।। ३९.

There, lions—each comfortably residing—were bound separately with chains made of fire, controlled and restrained.

स्तम्भेऽप्यपासृताषष्टं(?) त्र्यम्बकस्य निवेशने। अथ तत्प्रतिसंपूज्य वायोर्वाक्यं सुविस्मिताः। ऋषयः प्रत्यभाषन्त नैमिषेयास्तपस्विनः ।। ३९.

On the pillar, at the abode of Tryambaka, the sixth (lion?) was also set apart; then, after duly honoring that, the sages of Naimisha, filled with wonder, addressed Vāyu.

भगवन्सर्वभूतानां प्राण सर्वत्रग प्रभो। के ते सिंहमहाभूताः क्व ते जाताः किमात्मकाः ।। ३९.

"O Lord, breath of all beings, all-pervading master, who are those great lion-beings? Where were they born, and what is their nature?"

सिंहाः केनापराधेन भूतानां प्रभविष्णुना। वैश्वानरमयैः पाशैः संरुद्धास्तु पृथक्पृथक् ।। ३९.

"By what offense were the lions, by the powerful lord of beings, bound separately with fetters made of fire?"

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वायुर्वाक्यं जगाद ह । यद्वै सहस्रं सिंहानामीश्वरेण महात्मना। व्यपनीय स्वकाद्देहात्क्रोधास्ते सिंहविग्रहाः ।। ३९.

Hearing their words, Vāyu spoke: "That thousand lions, by the great Lord, were cast off from his own body in anger, taking the form of lions."

भूतानामभयं दत्त्वा पुराबद्धाग्निबन्धने। यज्ञभागनिमित्तं च ईश्वरस्याज्ञया तदा ।। ३९.

"Having granted safety to the beings, they were formerly bound with fiery bonds, by the command of the Lord, for the sake of a share in the sacrifice."

तेषां विधानमुक्तेन सिंहेनैकेन लीलया। देव्या मन्युं कृतं ज्ञात्वा हतो दक्षस्य स क्रतुः ।। ३९.

"According to the prescribed arrangement, by a single lion in sport, knowing the wrath of the goddess, the sacrifice of Dakṣa was destroyed."

निःसृता च महादेव्या महाकाली महेश्वरी। आत्मनः कर्म्मसाक्षिण्या भूतैः सार्द्धं तदानुगैः ।। ३९.

"And from the great goddess, Mahākālī, Maheśvarī, emerged, as the witness of her own action, together with attendant beings."

स एष भगवान्क्रोधो रुद्रावासकृतालयः। वीरभद्रोऽप्रमेयात्मा देव्या मन्युप्रमार्ज्जनः ।। ३९.

"This is that blessed Wrath, the abode of Rudra, the immeasurable Vīrabhadra, the purifier of the goddess's anger."

तस्य वेश्म सुरेन्द्रस्य सर्वगुह्यतमस्य वै। सन्निवेशस्त्वनौपम्यो मया वः परिकीर्त्तितः ।। ३९.

"The residence of that Indra among gods, most secret of all, has been described to you by me, its arrangement beyond compare."

अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि ये तत्र प्रति वासिनः। रम्ये पुरवरश्रेष्ठे तस्मिन्वैहायभूमिषु ।। ३९.

"Now I shall tell you about those who dwell there, in that most delightful and excellent city, in the aerial realms."

नानारत्नविचित्रेषु पताकाबहुलेषु च। सर्वकामसमृद्धेषु वनोपवनशोभिषु ।। ३९.

"In mansions adorned with various jewels, abundant with banners, filled with every enjoyment, and beautified by groves and gardens—"