Scriptures

Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

BOOK 4 • CHAPTER 9
Ch 9 Verse 1 Verse
Sanskrit Text
४.९ नवमोऽध्यायः । प्रह्लादनारायणयोर्युद्धे विष्णोरागमनवर्णनम् । व्यास उवाच । कुर्वंस्तीर्थविधिं तत्र हिरण्यकशिपोः सुतः । न्यग्रोधं सुमहच्छायमपश्यत्पुरतस्तदा ॥ १ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- After performing duly his religious rites there, the son of Hiranya Kaśipu saw before him an unbrageous peepul tree.
Ch 9 Verse 2-3 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ददर्श बाणानपरान्नानाजातीयकांस्तदा । गृध्रपक्षयुतांस्तीव्राच्छिलाधौतान्महोज्वलान् ॥ २ ॥ चिन्तयामास मनसा कस्येमे विशिखास्त्विह । ऋषीणामाश्रमे पुण्ये तीर्थे परमपावने ॥ ३ ॥
English Translation
There he saw along with the feathers of vultures, the terrible, sharpened under a stone, various glittering arrows, arrayed in due order; and he was surprised to think who could have kept such arrows, well guarded in this very holy hermitage of the Ṛṣis.
Ch 9 Verse 4-5 Verse
Sanskrit Text
एवं चिन्तयतानेन कृष्णाजिनधरौ मुनी । समुन्नतजटाभारौ दृष्टौ धर्मसुतौ तदा ॥ ४ ॥ तयोरग्रे धृते शुभ्रे धनुषी लक्षणान्विते । शार्ङ्गमाजगवञ्चैव तथाक्षय्यौ महेषुधी ॥ ५ ॥
English Translation
While Prahlāda was thus meditating in his mind, he saw before him, wearing the skin of a black antelope, the two sons of Dharma, the two Munis Nara Nārāyaṇa, loaded on their heads with high clots of hairs. Before them were placed the two white bows named Śārṅgam and Ājagavam, (Pināka) the bows of Viṣṇu and Śiva respectively, bearing their qualified marks, as well as their two inexhaustible big quivers.
Ch 9 Verse 6-10 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ध्यानस्थौ तौ महाभागौ नरनारायणावृषी । दृष्ट्वा धर्मसुतौ तत्र दैत्यानामधिपस्तदा ॥ ६ ॥ क्रोधरक्तेक्षणस्तौ तु प्रोवाचासुरपालकः । किं भवद्भ्यां समारब्धो दम्भो धर्मविनाशनः ॥ ७ ॥ न श्रुतं नैव दृष्टं हि संसारेऽस्मिन्कदापि हि । तपसश्चरणं तीव्रं तथा चापस्य धारणम् ॥ ८ ॥ विरोधोऽयं युगे चाद्ये कथं युक्तं कलिप्रियम् । ब्राह्मणस्य तपो युक्तं तत्र किं चापधारणम् ॥ ९ ॥ क्व जटाधारणं देहे क्वेषुधी च विडम्बनौ । धर्मस्याचरणं युक्तं युवयोर्दिव्यभावयोः ॥ १० ॥
English Translation
The Lord of the Daityas, then, saw those two blessed ones, the two Ṛṣis Nara Nārāyaṇa, the two sons of Dharma, deeply absorbed in meditation. Seeing this, he became very much enraged, his eyes became red, and he began to address them thus :-- O two Ascetics! Has vain arrogance possessed your mind to destroy religion? It is never seen nor even heard, that the practice of severe asceticism and the holding of the bows and arrows, were carried into effect simultaneously by one man in any of the Four Ages. These two are contradictory things. That may be worthy in the Kali Yuga? This asceticism is fit for the Brāhmaṇas; why, then are the bows and arrows held by you? There is an irreconcilable difference between the holding of clotted hairs on the head and the holding in the hand of the bows and arrows. Therefore, do you practise religious rites, with feelings befitting your divine positions!
Ch 9 Verse 11 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा नरः प्रोवाच भारत । का ते चिन्तात्र दैत्येन्द्र वृथा तपसि चावयोः ॥ ११ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O Descendant of Bharata! On hearing thus the Prahlāda’s words, the Nara Ṛṣi said :-- O Lord of the Daityas! What matters it to you? Why do you, for nothing, trouble yourself with our tapasyā.
Ch 9 Verse 12 Verse
Sanskrit Text
सामर्थ्ये सति यत्कुर्यात्तत्सम्पद्येत तस्य हि । आवां कार्यद्वये मन्द समर्थौ लोकविश्रुतौ ॥ १२ ॥
English Translation
An able man can accomplish any thing. It is widely known in the three worlds, that we are able to accomplish these two things contemporaneously. O thou of weak understanding!
Ch 9 Verse 13 Verse
Sanskrit Text
युद्धे तपसि सामर्थ्यं त्वं पुनः किं करिष्यसि । गच्छ मार्गे यथाकामं कस्मादत्र विकत्थसे ॥ १३ ॥
English Translation
In the battle field as well as in asceticism, we can shew our prowess. What have you got to do with us in these matters? The road before you is unobstructed, you can go wherever you like; why do you brag of your own merits?
Ch 9 Verse 14 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ब्रह्मतेजो दुराराध्यं न त्वं वेद विमोहितः । विप्रचर्चा न कर्तव्या प्राणिभिः सुखमीप्सुभिः ॥ १४ ॥
English Translation
You are very dull and stupid; what can you understand of a Brāhmaṇic glory that is very rare and attained with great difficulty? Those that want happiness need not meddle with the Brāhmaṇas.
Ch 9 Verse 15-16 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रह्लाद उवाच । तापसौ मन्दबुद्धी स्थो मृषा वां गर्वमोहितौ । मयि तिष्ठति दैत्येन्द्रे धर्मसेतुप्रवर्तके ॥ १५ ॥ न युक्तमेतत्तीर्थेऽस्मिन्नधर्माचरणं पुनः । का शक्तिस्तव युद्धेऽस्ति दर्शयाद्य तपोधन ॥ १६ ॥
English Translation
Prahlāda said :-- Blunt headed and vain braggarts are you! When I am present in this Tīrtha, I who am the upholder of Dharma, I won`t allow you to practise any irreligious things here! O Ascetics! Better show me your skill in fight to-day.
Ch 9 Verse 17 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । तदाकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य नरस्तं प्रत्युवाच ह । युद्धस्वाद्य मया सार्धं यदि ते मतिरीदृशी ॥ १७ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O king! The Ṛṣi Nara on hearing his words replied :-- Give us battle if you are so desirous. O wretched amongst the Asuras! In to-day’s battle, I will knock your head down, and then you shall never in future desire to fight with any body.
Ch 9 Verse 18-19 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अद्य ते स्फोटयिष्यामि मूर्धानमसुराधम । (युद्धे श्रद्धा न ते पश्चाद्भविष्यति कदाचन ।)॥ व्यास उवाच । तन्निशम्य वचस्तस्य दैत्येन्द्रः कुपितस्तदा ॥ १८ ॥ प्रह्लादो बलवानत्र प्रतिज्ञामारुरोह सः । येन केनाप्युपायेन जेष्यामि तावुभावपि ॥ १९ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- On hearing these words, the chief of the Daityas was very much angry and promised to conquer these two self controlled Ṛṣi ascetics, Nara Nārāyaṇa by any means whatsoever.
Ch 9 Verse 20-22 Verse
Sanskrit Text
नरनारायणौ दान्तावृषी तपिसमन्वितौ । व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा वचनं दैत्यः प्रतिगृह्य शरासनम् ॥ २० ॥ आकृष्य तरसा चापं ज्याशब्दञ्च चकार ह । नरोऽपि धनुरादाय शरांस्तीव्राञ्छिलाशितान् ॥ २१ ॥ मुमोच बहुशः कोधात्प्रह्लादोपरि पार्थिव ॥ २२ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- Thus saying, the Daitya took up his bow and quickly stretched it with arrow and the bow string made a terrible noise. Then Nara, too, too up with anger his bows and began to shoot arrows at Prahlāda lots of sharpened arrows and weapons.
Ch 9 Verse 23 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तान्दैत्यराजस्तपनीयपुङ्खै- श्चिच्छेद बाणैस्तरसा समेत्य । समीक्ष्य छिन्नांश्च नरः स्वसृष्टा- नन्यान्मुमोचाशु रुषान्वितो वै ॥ २३ ॥
English Translation
The lord of the Daityas quickly selected the arrows, glittering like gold, and with them tore asunder the arrows thrown by Nara. Nara, seeing his arrows, cut asunder, became infuriated with anger and began to hurl as quickly lots of other arrows.
Ch 9 Verse 24 Verse
Sanskrit Text
दैत्याथिपस्तानपि तीव्रवेगै- श्छित्त्वा जघानोरसि तं मुनीन्द्रम् । नरोऽपि तं पञ्चभिराशुगैश्च कुद्धोऽहनद्दैत्यपतिं बाहुदेशे ॥ २४ ॥
English Translation
Prahlāda then cut asunder with arrows, of quick velocity, the Nara’s weapons and struck violently on the breast of Nara. Nara, too, with anger pierced the arms of Prahlāda with five quick arrows.
Ch 9 Verse 25 Verse
Sanskrit Text
सेन्द्राः सुरास्तत्र तयोर्हि युद्धं द्रष्टुं विमानैर्गगनस्थिताश्च । नरस्य वीर्यं युधि संस्थितस्य ते तुष्टुवुर्दैत्यपतेश्च भूयः ॥ २५ ॥
English Translation
Indra and the other Devas came on their respective aeroplanes to see their fight and began to give cheers sometimes to Nara and sometime to Prahlāda from above the skies.
Ch 9 Verse 26 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ववर्ष दैत्याधिप आत्तचापः शिलीमुखानम्बुधरो यथापः । आदाय शार्ङ्ग धनुरप्रमेयं मुमोच बाणाञ्छितहेमपुङ्खान् ॥ २६ ॥
English Translation
The Lord of the Daityas taking up his bow, began out of furious anger to hurl various weapons on Nara as incessantly as clouds give rain over the mountain peaks. The Nara Muni now became very much exhausted and weary, being struck with Prahlāda’s arrows.
Ch 9 Verse 27 Verse
Sanskrit Text
बभूव युद्धं तुमुलं तयोस्तु जयैषिणोः पार्थिव देवदैत्ययोः । ववर्षुराकाशपथे स्थितास्ते पुष्पाणि दिव्यानि प्रहृष्टचित्ताः ॥ २७ ॥
English Translation
Nārāyaṇa then seeing Nara exhausted, became very much amazed and bolding his unequalled Śārṅga bow, began to quit arrows, shining with with golden lustre.
Ch 9 Verse 28 Verse
Sanskrit Text
चुकोप दैत्याधिपतिर्हरौ स मुमोच बाणानतितीव्रवेगान् । चिच्छेद तान्धर्मसुतः सुतीक्ष्णै- र्धनुर्विमुक्तैर्विशिखैस्तदाऽऽशु ॥ २८ ॥
English Translation
O Lord of the earth! Then Narāyaṇa and Prahlāda both were desirous to win the victory, and a terrible fight ensued. The Devas gladly poured forth flowers on their heads from the skies.
Ch 9 Verse 29-30 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ततो नारायणं बाणैः प्रह्लादश्चातिकर्षितैः । ववर्ष सुस्थितं वीरं धर्मपुत्रं सनातनम् । नारायणोऽपि तं वेगान्मुक्तैर्बाणैः शिलाशितैः ॥ २९ ॥ तुतोदातीव पुरतो दैत्यानामधिपं स्थितम् । सन्निपातोऽम्बरे तत्र दिदृक्षूणां बभूव ह ॥ ३० ॥
English Translation
The king of the Daityas got very much enraged and began to hurl arrows with tremendous quickness. Nārāyaṇa, the son of Dharma, immediately cut asunder those weapons with his very sharp arrow. 30-32. Nārāyaṇa too, threw arrows sharpened under stones with high velocity and very much troubled the lord of the Daityas, who now became very much restless.
Ch 9 Verse 31-32 Verse
Sanskrit Text
देवानां दानवानाञ्च कुर्वतां जयघोषणम् । उभयोः शरवर्षेण छादिते गगने तदा ॥ ३१ ॥ दिवापि रात्रिसदृशं बभूव तिमिरं महत् । ऊचुः परस्परं देवा दैत्याश्चातीव विस्मिताः ॥ ३२ ॥
English Translation
The sky was covered over with arrows and arrows from both the parties and the day looked like the night. Then the Devas and the Daityas were very much astonished and told each other, “We never saw before a terrible fight like this.”
Ch 9 Verse 33 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अदृष्टपूर्वं युद्धं वै वर्ततेऽद्य सुदारुणम् । देवर्षयोऽथ गन्धर्वा यक्षकिन्नरपन्नगाः ॥ ३३ ॥
English Translation
Then the Devarṣis, Gandarbhas, Yakṣas, Kinnaras, Pannagas, Vidyādharas and Cāraṇas were all very much confounded.
Ch 9 Verse 34-35 Verse
Sanskrit Text
विद्याधराश्चारणाश्च विस्मयं परमं ययुः । नारदः पर्वतश्चैव प्रेक्षणार्थं स्थितौ मुनी ॥ ३४ ॥ नारदः पर्वतं प्राह नेदृशं चाभवत्पुरा । तारकासुरयुद्धञ्च तथा वृत्रासुरस्य च ॥ ३५ ॥
English Translation
The two Ṛṣis Nārada and Parvata came also to witness their fight; the Devarṣi Nārada told the Parvata Ṛṣi he never saw before such a dreadful fight. There were awful battles with Tārakāsura and Vritrāsūra and also the battle between Hari and Madhukaiṭava; but they were all inferior and cannot stand in comparison.
Ch 9 Verse 36 Verse
Sanskrit Text
मधुकैटभयोर्युद्धं हरिणा चेदृशं कृतम् । प्रह्लादः प्रबलः शूरो यस्मान्नारायणेन च ॥ ३६ ॥
English Translation
It seemed that Prahlāda was very powerful; otherwise how could an equal fight last so long a time with such an accomplished person, perfect with all the supernatural powers and of such heroic deeds as Nārāyaṇa.
Ch 9 Verse 37-43 Verse
Sanskrit Text
करोति सदृशं युद्धं सिद्धेनाद्भुतकर्मणा । व्यास उवाच । दिने दिने तथा रात्रौ कृत्वा कृत्वा पुनः पुनः ॥ ३७ ॥ चक्रतुः परमं युद्धं तौ तदा दैत्यतापसौ । नारायणस्तु चिच्छेद प्रह्लादस्य शरासनम् ॥ ३८ ॥ तरसैकेन बाणेन स चान्यद्धनुराददे । नारायणस्तु तरसा मुक्त्वान्यञ्च शिलीमुखम् ॥ ३९ ॥ तदैव मध्यतश्चापं चिच्छेद लघुहस्तकः । छिन्नं छिन्नं पुनर्दैत्यो धनुरन्यत्समाददे ॥ ४० ॥ नारायणस्तु चिच्छेद विशिखैराशु कोपितः । छिन्ने धनुषि दैत्येन्द्रः परिघं तु समाददे ॥ ४१ ॥ जघान धर्मजं तूर्णं बाह्वोर्मध्येऽतिकोपनः । तमायान्तं स बलवान्मार्गणैर्नवभिर्मुनिः ॥ ४२ ॥ चिच्छेद परिघं घोरं दशभिस्तमताडयत् । गदामादाय दैत्येन्द्रः सर्वायसमयीं दृढाम् ॥ ४३ ॥
English Translation
Thus, then, when all the bows of Prahlāda were destroyed, the Daitya Rājā took up Parigha (iron club), became enraged and threw it on Nārāyana’s arm. The powerful Bhagavān Nārāyana, seeing the dreadful iron club, cut it asunder with nine arrows and pierced Prahlāda with ten arrows.
Ch 9 Verse 44-45 Verse
Sanskrit Text
जानुदेशे जघानाशु देवं नारायणं रुषा । गदया चापि गिरिवत्संस्थितः स्थिरमानसः ॥ ४४ ॥ धर्मपुत्रोऽतिबलवान्मुमोचाशु शिलीमुखान् । गदां चिच्छेद भगवांस्तदा दैत्यपतेर्दृढाम् ॥ ४५ ॥
English Translation
Then Prahlāda, enraged, threw the iron gadā on Nārāyaṇa’s thighs. The exceedingly powerful Dharma’s son was not at all agitated and stood firm like a rock and taking up arrows quickly cut asunder the iron gadā of the Daitya. Then the visitors were much startled.
Ch 9 Verse 46-47 Verse
Sanskrit Text
विस्मयं परमं जग्मुः प्रेक्षका गगने स्थिताः । स तु शक्तिं समादाय प्रह्लादः परवीरहा ॥ ४६ ॥ चिक्षेप तरसा क्रुद्धो बलान्नारायणोरसि । तामापतन्तीं संवीक्ष्य बाणेनैकेन लीलया ॥ ४७ ॥
English Translation
Then Prahlāda, intent on killing his enemy, became very much angry and threw the Śakti darts, spears and missiles instantly on Nārāyaṇa’s thighs with great velocity. Nārāyaṇa with one arrow cut that easily into seven parts and with seven arrows pierced Prāhladā.
Ch 9 Verse 48 Verse
Sanskrit Text
सप्तधा कृतवानाशु सप्तभिस्तं जघान ह । दिव्यवर्षशतं चैव तद्युद्धं परमं तयोः ॥ ४८ ॥
English Translation
Thus for one thousand Deva years the terrible fight lasted between Prahlāda and Nārāyaṇa in that hermitage; and the whole universe was struck with surprise.
Ch 9 Verse 49-50 Verse
Sanskrit Text
जातं विस्मयदं राजन् सर्वेषां तत्र चाश्रमे । तदाऽऽजगाम तरसा पीतवासाश्चतुर्भुजः ॥ ४९ ॥ प्रह्लादस्याश्रमं तत्र जगाम च गदाधरः । चतुर्भुजो रमाकान्तो रथाङ्गदरपद्मभृत् ॥ ५० ॥
English Translation
Then Gadādhara with yellow robes and four hands quickly came there and called Prahlāda. The son of Hiraṇya Kaśipoo, Prahlāda, seeing the Lord of Lakṣmi, four armed, Nārāyaṇa with lotus and disc in His hands come there, bowed low, and, with folded hands, began to speak to him with great devotion.
Ch 9 Verse 51-52 Verse
Sanskrit Text
दृष्ट्वा तमागतं तत्र हिरण्यकशिपोः सुतः । प्रणम्य परया भक्त्या प्राञ्जलिः प्रत्युवाच ह ॥ ५१ ॥ प्रह्लाद उवाच । देवदेव जगनाथ भक्तवत्सल माधव । कथं न जितवानाजावहमेतौ तपस्विनौ । सङ्ग्रामस्तु मया देव कृतः पूर्णं शतं समाः ॥ ५२ ॥
English Translation
O Deva of the Devas! You are the Lord of the universe and devoted to your devotees. O Mādhava! I have fought for full one hundred Deva years; still I have not not been able to defeat these ascetics. I do not know why. I am surprised at it.