Vayu Purana

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—"

राजतेषु महान्तेषु शातकौम्भमयेषु च। सन्ध्याभ्रसन्निकाशेषु कैलासप्रतिमेषु च ।। ३९.

"In splendid, lofty palaces made of gold, resembling the twilight clouds, and like Kailāsa itself—"

इष्टैः शब्दादिभिर्भागैर्ये भवस्यानुसारिणः । प्रासादवर पुष्पेषु तेषु मोदन्ति सुव्रताः ।। ३९.

"Those who follow Bhava, delight in those excellent palaces, enjoying the desired pleasures of sound and the like, and in the flowers there, O virtuous ones."

ब्रह्मघोषैरविरताः कथाश्च विविधाः शुभाः । गीतवादित्रघोषाश्च संस्तवाश्च समन्ततः ।। ३९.

There are unceasing chants of Brahman, various auspicious stories, the sounds of singing and instruments, and hymns of praise resounding everywhere.

संहताश्चैवमतुला नानाश्रयकृतास्तथा। एवमादीनि वर्त्तन्ते तेषां प्रासादमूर्द्धनि ।। ३९.

In this way, incomparable gatherings and assemblies, formed from many sources, take place upon the summit of their palace.

सहस्रपादः प्रासादस्तपनीयमयः शुभः। अनौपम्यैर्वरै रत्नैः सर्वतः परिभूषितः ।। ३९.

The palace, with a thousand pillars, is splendid and made of gold, adorned on all sides with matchless and precious gems.

स्फटिकैश्चन्द्रसङ्काशैर्वैढूर्यमणिसम्प्रभैः। बालसूर्यमयैश्चापि सौवर्णैश्चाग्निसम्प्रभैः ।। ३९.

It is decorated with crystals shining like the moon, with beryl stones radiating brilliance, with young sun-like golden ornaments, and with gold gleaming like fire.

चुक्रुशुऋषयः श्रुत्वा नैमिषेयास्तपस्विनः। आपन्नसंशयाश्चेमं वाक्यमूचुः समीरणम् ।। ३९.

Hearing this, the ascetic sages of Naimisha, filled with doubt, addressed these words to Vāyu.

ऋषय ऊचुः।। के तु तत्र महात्मानो ये भवस्यानुसारिणः। अनुग्राह्यतमाः सम्यक् प्रमोदन्ते पुरोत्तमे। ऋषीणां वचनं श्रुत्वा वायुर्वाक्यमथाब्रवीत् ।। ३९.

The sages said: Who are those great souls there who follow Bhava, who are most worthy of grace and rejoice in the supreme city? Hearing the words of the sages, Vāyu then spoke.

वायुरुवाच।। श्रूयतां देवदेवस्य भक्तिर्यैरनुकल्पिता। ह्रीमन्तः सूर्जिता दान्ताः शौर्ययुक्ता ह्यलोलुपाः ।। ३९.

Vāyu said: Listen to those by whom devotion to the God of gods has been cultivated—modest, self-conquered, restrained, endowed with heroism, and free from greed.

मध्याहाराश्च मात्राश्च ह्यात्मारामा जितेन्द्रियाः। जितद्वन्द्वा महोत्साहाः सौम्या विगतमत्सराः ।। ३९.

They eat in moderation, are content with what is allotted, delight in the Self, have mastered their senses, have overcome dualities, are of great enthusiasm, gentle, and free from envy.