Scriptures

Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

BOOK 6 • CHAPTER 4
Ch 4 Verse 1 Verse
Sanskrit Text
६.४ चतुर्थोऽध्यायः । ब्रह्मनेतृत्वे सेन्द्रैः सुरैर्विष्णोः शरणगमनवर्णनम् । व्यास उवाच । निर्गतास्ते परावृत्तास्तपोविघ्नकराः सुराः । निराशाः कार्यसंसिद्ध्यै तं दृष्ट्वा दृढचेतसम् ॥ १ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :--- O King! The Suras that wanted to create hindrance in Vṛtra’s tapasyā, seeing him firmly resolved, became disappointed in the fulfilment of their objects and returned to their own abodes.
Ch 4 Verse 2-3 Verse
Sanskrit Text
जाते वर्षशते पूर्णे ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः । तत्राजगाम तरसा हंसारूढश्चतुर्मुखः ॥ २ ॥ आगत्य तमुवाचेदं त्वष्ट्टपुत्र सुखी भव । त्यक्त्वा ध्यानं वरं ब्रूहि ददामि तव वाञ्छितम् ॥ ३ ॥
English Translation
Thus full one hundred years passed away. The four-faced Brahmā, the Grandsire of the Lokas, came there mounted on his carrier the Swan, and said :-- “O Vṛtra! Be happy; now quit your meditation and ask boon; I will grant you the boon that you choose.
Ch 4 Verse 4 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तपसा तेऽद्य तुष्टोऽस्मि त्वां दृष्ट्वा चातिकर्शितम् । वरं वरय भद्रं ते मनोऽभिलषितं तव ॥ ४ ॥
English Translation
O Child! Your body has become very lean and thin through your penance. I am now very pleased to see your this very hard tapasyā. Welfare be to you. Now ask the boon that you desire.”
Ch 4 Verse 5-6 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । वृत्रस्तदातिविशदां पुरतो निशम्य वाचं सुधासमरसां जगदेककर्तुः । सन्त्यज्य योगकलनां सहसोदतिष्ठ- त्सञ्जातहर्षनयनाश्रुकलाकलापः ॥ ५ ॥ पादौ प्रणम्य शिरसा प्रणयाद्विधातु- र्बद्धाञ्जलिः पुरत एव समाससाद । प्रोवाच तं सुवरदं तपसा प्रसन्नं प्रेम्णातिगद्गदगिरा विनयेन नम्रः ॥ ६ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! Hearing thus the clearly distinct nectar-like sweet words of the Creator Brahmā, Vṛtra shed tears of joy and suddenly stood up. And going to him, bowed down gladly before His feet, and, with folded hands, spoke to Him, Who is desirous to grant him boons, in a tremulous voice.
Ch 4 Verse 7 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्राप्तं मया सकलदेवपदं प्रभोऽद्य यद्दर्शनं तव सुदुर्लभमाशु जातम् । वाञ्छास्ति नाथ मनसि प्रवणे दुरापा तां प्रब्रवीमि कमलासन वेत्सि भावम् ॥ ७ ॥
English Translation
O Lord! Today I have been fortunate to see Thee who art generally seen with great difficulty; and I have acquired thus the posts of all the Devas; O Lotus-seated One! I have got an insatiable desire burning within me. Thou art omniscient, Thou knowest everything; still I am speaking out my mind.
Ch 4 Verse 8 Verse
Sanskrit Text
मृत्युश्च मा भवतु मे किल लोहकाष्ठ- शुष्कार्द्रवंशनिचयैरपरैश्च शस्त्रैः । वृद्धि प्रयातु मम वीर्यमतीव युद्धे यस्माद्भवामि सबलैरमरैरजेयः ॥ ८ ॥
English Translation
O Lord! Grant that my death does not occur with iron, wood, dry or wet substances or with bamboos or any other weapons and let my strength and valour be increased very much in the battle; for, then, I will be unconquerable by all the Devas with all their armies.
Ch 4 Verse 9-10 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । इत्थं सम्प्रार्थितो ब्रह्मा तमाह प्रहसन्निव । उत्तिष्ठ गच्छ भद्रं ते वाञ्छितं सफलं सदा ॥ ९ ॥ न शुष्केण न चार्द्रेण न पाषाणेन दारुणा । भविष्यति च ते मृत्युरिति सत्यं ब्रवीम्यहम् ॥ १० ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! Thus prayed for, Brahmā said to him smiling :-- “O Child! get up; I grant that your desired boon will always be fulfilled; now go to your own place. Your death won’t occur with dry or wet substances or with stones or wood. I say this truly unto you.” Thus granting the boon, Brahmā went to His Brahmāloka.
Ch 4 Verse 11-13 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इति दत्त्वा वरं ब्रह्मा जगाम भुवनं परम् । वृत्रस्तु तं वरं लब्धा मुदितः स्वगृहं ययौ ॥ ११ ॥ शशंस पितुरग्रे तद्वरदानं महामतिः । त्वष्टा तु मुदितः प्राप्तं पुत्रं प्राप्तवरं तदा ॥ १२ ॥ स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु महाभाग जहि शक्रं रिपुं मम । हत्वागच्छ त्रिशिरसो हन्तारं पापसंयुतम् ॥ १३ ॥
English Translation
Vṛtra, too, became very glad on receiving his desired object, and returned to his own abode. The highly intelligent Vṛtra informed the father about the boon granted to him; Viśvakarmā became very glad to hear it. O highly fortunate One! Let all bliss and good fortune come unto you; kill Indra, my greatest enemy. Go and kill the murderer of my son Triśirā, the vicious Indra and return to me.
Ch 4 Verse 14 Verse
Sanskrit Text
भव त्वं त्रिदशाधीशः सम्प्राप्य विजयं रणे । ममाधिं छिन्धि विपुलं पुत्रनाशसमुद्भवम् ॥ १४ ॥
English Translation
Be victorious in the battle and become the Lord of all the Devas and remove my mental agony due to the killing of my son.
Ch 4 Verse 15-16 Verse
Sanskrit Text
जीवतो वाक्यकरणात्क्षयाहे भूरिभोजनात् । गयायां पिण्डदानाच्च त्रिभिः पुत्रस्य पुत्रता ॥ १५ ॥ तस्मात्पुत्र ममात्यर्थं दुःखं नाशितुमर्हसि । त्रिशिरा मम चित्तात्तु नापसर्पति कर्हिचित् ॥ १६ ॥
English Translation
A son becomes then really a son when he obeys the commands of his father and when he feeds plentifully good many people on the Srāddha day (after his father’s death) and when he offers Piṇḍa at Gayā. Therefore, O Son! Keep my words and try to remove my sorrows.
Ch 4 Verse 17 Verse
Sanskrit Text
सुशीलः सत्यवादी च तापसो वेदवित्तमः । अपराधं विना तेन निहतः पापबुद्धिना ॥ १७ ॥
English Translation
Know this as certain that Triśirā never vanishes from my mind. Triśirā was very truthful, amiable and good-natured; he was an ascetic and foremost amongst the Vedic scholars. The wicked Indra killed my dear son without any offence.
Ch 4 Verse 18 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा वृत्रः परमदुर्जयः । रथमारुह्य तरसा निर्जगाम पितुर्गृहात् ॥ १८ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! Hearing the father’s words, that extremely indomitable Vṛtrāsura mounted on his chariot and quickly got out of his father’s house.
Ch 4 Verse 19 Verse
Sanskrit Text
रणदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषं शङ्खनादं महाबलम् । कारयित्वा प्रयाणं स चकार मदगर्वितः ॥ १९ ॥
English Translation
The proud Asura, then, marched to the battle, accompanied with his vast army, to the sounding of the conch-shells and war drums.
Ch 4 Verse 20 Verse
Sanskrit Text
निर्ययौ नयसंयुक्तः सेवकानिति संवदन् । हत्वा शक्रं ग्रहीष्यामि सुरराज्यमकण्टकम् ॥ २० ॥
English Translation
Vṛtra, versed in politics and morals, exhorted his soldiers before marching and said :-- “To-day we will kill Indra and possess the kingdom of the Immortals, freed of all enemies.”
Ch 4 Verse 21 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इत्युक्त्वा निर्जगामाशु स्वसैन्यपरिवारितः । महता सैन्यनादेन भीषयन्नमरावतीम् ॥ २१ ॥
English Translation
O King! Thus, accompanied by his soldiers, and raising a tremendous war-cry terrifying to the Devas, the Asura set out for battle.
Ch 4 Verse 22-23 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तमागच्छन्तमाज्ञाय तुराषाडपि सत्वरः । सेनोद्योगं भयत्रस्तः कारयामास भारत ॥ २२ ॥ सर्वानाहूय तरसा लोकपालानरिन्दमः । युद्धार्थं प्रेरयन्सर्वान्व्यरोचत महाद्युतिः ॥ २३ ॥
English Translation
O Bhārata! The King of the Devas, knowing that the Asura is quite at hand, became overwhelmed with terror and ordered at once the soldiers to be ready for the battle and called quickly all the Lokapālas and sent them all for the battle.
Ch 4 Verse 24-25 Verse
Sanskrit Text
गृध्रन्व्यूहं ततः कृत्वा संस्थितः पाकशासनः । तत्राजगाम वेगात्तु वृत्रः परबलार्दनः ॥ २४ ॥ देवदानवयोस्तावत्सङ्ग्रामस्तुमुलोऽभवत् । वृत्रवासवयोः सङ्ख्ये मनसा विजयैषिणोः ॥ २५ ॥
English Translation
The highly lustrous Indra, the tormentor of the foes, arrayed his troops in order according to Gridhra Vyūha (the method in which the vultures arrange themselves while flying) and stayed there. On the other hand Vṛtra, the slayer of enemies, dashed unto that place with all swiftness. A dreadful fight then ensued between the Devas and Dānavas; the two parties, desirous to get victory over the other, fought awfully hard.
Ch 4 Verse 26-27 Verse
Sanskrit Text
एवं परस्परं युद्धे सन्दीप्ते भयदे भृशम् । आकूतं देवताः प्रापुर्दैत्याश्च परमां मुदम् ॥ २६ ॥ तोमरैर्भिन्दिपालैश्च खड्गैः परशुपट्टिशैः । जघ्नुः परस्परं देवदैत्या स्वस्ववरायुधैः ॥ २७ ॥
English Translation
When the blaze of the battle fire shone to a very high pitch, the Devas dropped with sorrow while the Asuras became excited with joy. The Devas and Dānavas struck each other with Tomaras, Bhindipālas, axes, Paraśus, Pattiśas, and various other weapons.
Ch 4 Verse 28-29 Verse
Sanskrit Text
एवं युद्धे वर्तमाने दारुणे लोमहर्षणे । शक्रं जग्राह सहसा वृत्रः क्रोधसमन्वितः ॥ २८ ॥ अपावृत्य मुखे क्षिप्त्वा स्थितो वृत्रः शतक्रतुम् । मुदितोऽभून्महाराज पूर्ववैरमनुस्मरन् ॥ २९ ॥
English Translation
When the dreadful battle rose to a high pitch causing horripilation, Vṛtra became very angry and suddenly caught hold of Indra and denuding him of all clothes and armours swallowed him; he, then, remembering his former enmity, became very glad and stayed there.
Ch 4 Verse 30-32 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शक्रे ग्रस्तेऽथ वृत्रेण सम्भ्रान्ता निर्जरास्तदा । चुक्रुशः परमार्तास्ते हा शक्रेति मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ ३० ॥ अपावृतं मुखे शक्रं ज्ञात्वा सर्वे दिवौकसः । बृहस्पतिं प्रणम्योचुर्दीना व्यथितचेतसः ॥ ३१ ॥ किं कर्तव्यं द्विजश्रेष्ठ त्वमस्माकं गुरुः परः । शक्रो ग्रस्तस्तु वृत्रेण रक्षितो देवतान्तरैः ॥ ३२ ॥
English Translation
When Indra was thus devoured by Vṛtra, the Devas were overwhelmed with terror and cried out frequently, with great distress :-- “O Indra! O Indra!” All the Devas became very dejected and grieved in their hearts to see Indra denuded of his armour and clothes in the belly of Vṛtra and bowed down to Bṛhaspati and said :-- “O Indra of the Brāhmans! You are our best Guru what are we to do now? Though the gods tried their best to save Indra still Vṛtra has devoured him.
Ch 4 Verse 33 Verse
Sanskrit Text
विना शक्रेण किं कुर्मः सर्वे हीनपराक्रमाः । अभिचारं कुरु विभो सत्वरः शक्रमुक्तये ॥ ३३ ॥
English Translation
We are all powerless, what can we do without Indra? O Lord! Perform quickly magic spells (Abhicāra process) which will lead to our Indra’s liberation.”
Ch 4 Verse 34 Verse
Sanskrit Text
बृहस्पतिरुवाच । किं कर्तव्यं सुराः क्षिप्तो मुखमध्येऽस्ति वासवः । वृत्रेणोत्सादितो जीवन्नस्ति कोष्ठान्तरे रिपोः ॥ ३४ ॥
English Translation
Bṛhaspati said :-- “O Suras! The king of the gods is swallowed by Vṛtra, he has been quite disabled; but Indra is living in his bowels; attempt therefore must be made that he comes out while living.”
Ch 4 Verse 35 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । देवाश्चिन्तातुराः सर्वे तुरासाहं तथाकृतम् । दृष्ट्वा विमृश्य तरसा चक्रुर्यत्नं विमुक्तये ॥ ३५ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! The Devas became very anxious to see Indra in that plight and took all the ways and means carefully how he might be freed.
Ch 4 Verse 36 Verse
Sanskrit Text
असृजन्त महासत्त्वां जृम्भिकां रिपुनाशिनीम् । ततो विजृम्भमाणः स व्यावृतास्यो बभूव ह ॥ ३६ ॥
English Translation
Then they created a state tending to cause yawning, very powerful and irresistible and calculated to destroy one’s enemy.
Ch 4 Verse 37 Verse
Sanskrit Text
विजृम्भमाणस्य ततो वृत्रस्यास्यादवापतत् । स्वान्यङ्गान्यपि सङ्क्षिप्य निष्क्रान्तो बलसूदनः ॥ ३७ ॥
English Translation
Vṛtrāsura then yawned and his mouth got widely opened and extended. In the meanwhile Indra, the destroyer of one’s enemieś strength, contracted all his limbs and came out of the expanded mouth of the Asura and fell down.
Ch 4 Verse 38 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ततः प्रभृति लोकेषु जृम्भिका प्राणिसंस्थिता । जहृषुश्च सुराः सर्वे शक्रं दृष्ट्वा विनिर्गतम् ॥ ३८ ॥
English Translation
Since that time, this state of yawning has become prevalent amongst the beings. The Devas were all glad to see Indra thus come out.
Ch 4 Verse 39 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तयोर्लोकभयप्रदम् । वर्षाणामयुतं यावद्दारुणं लोमहर्षणम् ॥ ३९ ॥
English Translation
When Indra thus got out, he fought again with Vṛtra for 10,000 years (Ajuta years). The fight was very dreadful, causing horripilation.
Ch 4 Verse 40 Verse
Sanskrit Text
एकतश्च सुराः सर्वे युद्धाय समुपस्थिताः । एकतो बलवांस्त्वाष्ट्रः सङ्ग्रामे समवर्तत ॥ ४० ॥
English Translation
On one side all the Devas joined in the battle; on the other side, the pre-eminently powerful Vṛtra, the son of Viśvakarmā fought.
Ch 4 Verse 41-43 Verse
Sanskrit Text
यदा व्यवर्धत रणे वृत्रो वरमदावृतः । पराजितस्तदा शक्रस्तेजसा तस्य धर्षितः ॥ ४१ ॥ विव्यथे मघवा युद्धे ततः प्राप्य पराजयम् । विषादमगमन्देवा दृष्ट्वा शक्रं पराजितम् ॥ ४२ ॥ जग्मुस्त्यक्त्वा रणं सर्वे देवा इन्द्रपुरोगमाः । गृहीतं देवसदनं वृत्रेणागत्य रंहसा ॥ ४३ ॥
English Translation
When Vṛtrāsura got more and more energy in the battle, Indra became gradually dwindled and was at last defeated. Indra became very much grieved when he found himself defeated; the Devas also were very dejected to see this. Indra and the other Devas quitted the battle-field and fled away.
Ch 4 Verse 44-46 Verse
Sanskrit Text
देवोद्यानानिसर्वाणि भुङ्क्तेऽसौ दानवो बलात् । ऐरावतोऽपि दैत्येन गृहीतोऽसौ गजोत्तमः ॥ ४४ ॥ विमानानि च सर्वाणि गृहीतानि विशाम्पते । उच्चैःश्रवा हयवरो जातस्तस्य वशे तदा ॥ ४५ ॥ कामधेनुः पारिजातो गणश्चाप्सरसां तथा । गृहीतं रत्नमात्रं तु तेन त्वष्ट्टसुतेन ह ॥ ४६ ॥
English Translation
O King! The Asura, the son of Tvastā, took away all Vimānas (the self-moving chariots of gods), Uccaiśrava, the best of horses, the heavenly cow, the giver of desires, the Pārijāta tree, the Apsarās, and all other jewels of the Heavens.
Ch 4 Verse 47-48 Verse
Sanskrit Text
स्थानभ्रष्टाः सुराः सर्वे गिरिदुर्गेषु संस्थिताः । दुःखमापुः परिभ्रष्टा यज्ञभागात्सुरालयात् ॥ ४७ ॥ वृत्रः सुरपदं प्राप्य बभूव मदगर्वितः । त्वष्टातीव सुखं प्राप्य मुमोद सुतसंयुतः ॥ ४८ ॥
English Translation
The Devas, on the other hand, deprived of their shares in sacrifices and driven away from their Heavens, suffered very much. Vṛtrāsura became puffed up with vanity, when he got possession of the Heavens. Viśvakarmā, too, became very happy at that time and began to enjoy pleasures along with his son.
Ch 4 Verse 49-51 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अमन्त्रयन्हितं देवा मुनिभिः सह भारत । किं कर्तव्यमिति प्राप्ते विचिन्त्य भयमोहिताः ॥ ४९ ॥ जग्मुः कैलासमचलं सुराः शक्रसमन्विताः । महादेवं प्रणम्योचुः प्रह्वाः प्राञ्जलयो भृशम् ॥ ५० ॥ देवदेव महादेव कृपासिन्धो महेश्वर । रक्षास्मान्भयभीतांस्तु वृत्रेणातिपराजितान् ॥ ५१ ॥
English Translation
O Bharata! The Devas, then, united with the Munis and they began to consult about their own welfare. When the Devas took Indra with them and went to Mahā Deva in the Mount Kailāśa and bowed down to His feet very humbly and, with folded hands, spoke thus :-- O Deva of the Devas! O Mahā Deva! Thou art the Maheśvara and the unbounded Ocean of Mercy! We are defeated by Vṛtrāsura and we are very much terrified.
Ch 4 Verse 52 Verse
Sanskrit Text
गृहीतं देवसदनं तेन देव बलीयसा । किं कर्तव्यमतः शम्भो ब्रूहि सत्यं शिवाद्य नः ॥ ५२ ॥
English Translation
Save us, O Śambhu! Thou dost good to all the beings; dost thou tell us, therefore, truly what are we to do now, when that powerful Dānava has dispossessed us of our Heavens.
Ch 4 Verse 53 Verse
Sanskrit Text
किं कुर्मः क्व च गच्छामः स्थानभ्रष्टा महेश्वर । दुःखस्य नाधिगच्छामो विनाशोपायमीश्वर ॥ ५३ ॥
English Translation
O Maheśa! Now dislodged, where are we to go? We are not finding any remedy by which our miseries can be destroyed.
Ch 4 Verse 54 Verse
Sanskrit Text
साहाय्यं कुरु भूतेश व्यथिताः स्म कृपानिधे । वृत्रं जहि मदोत्सिक्तं वरदानबलाद्विभो ॥ ५४ ॥
English Translation
O Bhūta Bhāvana! We are very much pained; help us; O merciful One! That Vṛtrāsura has become intoxicated with vanity due to his being granted the boon. Therefore destroy him.
Ch 4 Verse 55 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शिव उवाच । ब्रह्माणं पुरतः कृत्वा वयं सर्वे हरेः क्षयम् । गत्वा समेत्य तं विष्णुं चिन्तयामो वधोद्यमम् ॥ ५५ ॥
English Translation
Śaṅkara said :-- “O Devas! We will keep Brahmā in the front and let all of us go to the residence of Hari and there consult with Him how to destroy this unruly Vṛtra.
Ch 4 Verse 56 Verse
Sanskrit Text
स शक्तश्च छलज्ञश्च बलवान्बुद्धिमत्तरः । शरण्यश्च दयाब्धिश्च वासुदेवो जनार्दनः ॥ ५६ ॥
English Translation
The Janārdana Vāsudeva is fully capable to do all actions. He is powerful, knower of pretexts, highly intelligent, ocean of mercy, and fit to be asked by all for protection.
Ch 4 Verse 57 Verse
Sanskrit Text
विना तं देवदेवेशं नार्थसिद्धिर्भविष्यति । तस्मात्तत्र च गन्तव्यं सर्वकार्यार्थसिद्धये ॥ ५७ ॥
English Translation
Without Him, the Deva of the Devas, no success is possible in any action. Therefore all of us ought to go there for the success in our undertaking.”
Ch 4 Verse 58 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । इति सञ्चिन्त्य ते सर्वे ब्रह्मा शक्रः सशङ्करः । जग्मुर्विष्णोः क्षयं देवाः शरण्यं भक्तवत्सलम् ॥ ५८ ॥
English Translation
Vyasa said :-- O King! Thus settling their plan of action, Indra and other Devas took Śaṅkara and Brahmā with them and went to the abode of Hari, who protects all and is gracious to His devotees.
Ch 4 Verse 59 Verse
Sanskrit Text
गत्वा विष्णुपदं देवास्तुष्टुवुः परमेश्वरम् । हरिं पुरुषसूक्तेन वेदोक्तेन जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ५९ ॥
English Translation
They, then, began to chant Puruṣasūkta hymns to Him and thus they praised the God Hari, the Guru of this Universe.
Ch 4 Verse 60-61 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रत्यक्षोऽभूज्जगन्नाथस्तेषां स कमलापतिः । सम्मान्य च सुरान्सर्वानित्युवाच पुरःस्थितः ॥ ६० ॥ किमागताः स्म लोकेशा हरब्रह्मसमन्विताः । कारणं कथयध्वं वः सर्वेषां सुरसत्तमाः ॥ ६१ ॥
English Translation
The Janārdan Hari, the Lord of Kamalā, then, appeared before them and, after showing his respect, addressed them thus :-- O Lord of the several Lokas! What have brought you all together with Brahmā and Śaṅkara hither? O best of Suras! Please tell me the reason of your coming here.
Ch 4 Verse 62-63 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । इति श्रुत्वा हरेर्वाक्यं नोचुर्देवा रमापतिम् । चिन्ताविष्टाः स्थिताः प्रायः सर्वेप्राञ्जलयस्तथा ॥ ६२ ॥
Sanskrit Colophon
इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां षष्ठस्कन्धे ब्रह्मनेतृत्वे सेन्द्रैः सुरैर्विष्णोः शरणगमनवर्णनं नाम चतुर्थोऽध्यायः ॥ ६.४॥
English Translation
Vyasa said :-- O King! Thus hearing Hari’s words, the Devas could not reply anything; rather almost all of them remained with an anxious look with their hands folded, overwhelmed with cares. Here ends the Fourth Chapter of the Sixth Book on the defeat of the Devas by Vṛtra in the Mahā Purāṇam Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.