Karna Parva — The history of the three cities of the Danavas

Duryodhana said Do you. again, O chief of the Madras, O lord, hear all that I will relate to you, namely what had taken place in the days of old in the great war between the celestials and the Asuras.

O foremost of the royal sages, do you not listen to what the great sage Markandeya had related to me as well as to my father which I will, again describe to you in detail. No doubt should be made by you in this.

O monarch, there had taken place a dreadful battle, that had its root in Taraka, between the celestials and the Asuras, each of which parties was most desirous of defeating : the other.

Then it has been heard by us that the Daityas were subdued by the celestials. O monarch, when the Daityas were thus defeated by the celestials, the three sons of Taraka, named Taraksha, Kamalaksha and Vidyunmali. Who had place themselves under severe devotion.

Who, also, had submitted themselves to the strictest rules liberated their bodies by means of that austere devotion, ( scorcher of enemies. Who was ever the giver of boons, became highly gratified with them on account of their devotion, self-restraint, observance of strict rules and also of divine contemplation and offered them numerous boons.

O monarch, they, have united with one another, asked of the great grandsire of all the worlds that boon, namely that they would not attain death from all creatures always.

Thereupon the lord, the God, that divine master of all the worlds, addressed to them, saying-"O Asuras, there exists no such thing, namely the freedom from death at the hands of all creatures, and therefore do you retain from such a solicitation. Indeed you ask another boon, that you like most.'

Thereafter, O monarch, those Asuras after having brooded over the matter conjointly for a long while and settled amongst themselves and also having bowed down to that Lord of all the worlds, addressed him with these words-'O God, O grandsire, do you give us this boon.'

Asuras said 'In this world having kept your grace always in the front we will, living in three different cities, wonder over this entire earth.

Then after one thousand years we will again unite together; and ( faultless one, these three cities, belonging to ourselves, will also attain the similar condition once more. Whenever, O lord, any one of the celestials will penetrate with a single arrow those cities united into the one that most excellent of celestials will become the cause of our death."

Then that god, having replied to them, saying-So be it, ascended to heaven. Thereupon they (the three Asuras), being highly gratified for having obtained the boons and also having settled everything amongst themselves, called Maya, who was a mighty Asura and who was the celestial architect and who was also without decay or death and highly respected by the whole lot of the Daityas and the Danavas with a view to have those three cities constructed.

Thereupon Maya, who was of superior intelligence, constructed the three cities with the help of his own asceticism, the one of the three was inade of gold, the second of silver and the third of black iron.

The city that was constructed of gold rested in the heaven; and that one of silver was placed in the firmament; and where as the third, that was made of black iron, was established upon the earth. But, O lord of earth, they all were made to rest upon a wheel.

Each one of them (the three cities) were measured to be one hundred yojanas broad; and contained numerous buildings and houses, as also lofty walls and perches.

Although the foremost of the buildings in them were very closely situated to one another yet the high roads were very spacious and far off from one another. They also were very excellently furnished with the diverse kinds of palaces and beautiful perches.

O monarch, separate kings lived in those cities. The one of gold that was most beautiful had been in the possession of the high-souled Tarakaksha.

And the other made of silver had been in the possession of Kamalaksha; and the third of black iron belonged to Vidyunmalin. And those three Dailya inonarchs immediately attacked the three worlds with the aid of their prowess and continued to reside; they said also these words, who is that one called Prajapati। (or the creator).

Thereupon millions and millions of from all directions proceeded against those best of the Danavas who had no hordes to come against them.

The greatly hanghty and flesh-eating Danavas, who were in the days of yore vanquished by the celestials, now having dwelt in those three well fortified cities, became highly desirous of obtaining immense property.

Now Maya had became the supporter of them all, who have thus united together. Indeed, all of them having been under his protection (Maya's) lived there with perfect fearlessness.

Thenceforth whoever amongst those dwelling in those cities entertained whatever wish in his heart it was then Maya who fulfilled their desires by aid of his illusory energy.

The heroic and the most powerful son of Tarakaksha, who was known by the name of Hari, practised the most severe devotion, in consequence of which the Grandsire became highly satisfied with him.

Thus when the God was satisfied with him, he (Hari) asked him the following boon-'Let there be a lake in our city, in which the persons, greatly struck by the weapons, having been dipped, will revive with resembled vigor.

O lord, after having obtained the boon, that war-like son of Tarakaksha, named Hari, created a lake in that city, which possessed the power of reviving the dead.

Indeed, the Daityas, in whatever form and whatever guise they were slaughtered, after having been dipped into that lake, had come back to their life in the same form and guise.

Thus after having regained their dead, they (the Daityas), who attained to their ascetic success by means of great devotion and who also enhanced the terrors of all the celestials, now began to oppress all the different worlds. O monarch, there had never been the slightest diminution of their number in the field of battle.

Thereupon they, who had been involved both by covetousness and insensibility and who also were deprived of their sense, now began to destroy the cities and the towns, that were settled upon the whole universe.

Having routed all the celestials, along with their attendants, at all times and in all places, those Danavas, who had been rendered hanghty by the attainment of the boons, wandered, according to their option.

All over the celestials, forests and different other regions that had been very dear to celestials themselves and the scared asylums belonging to the sages, as also the most excellent abodes of men. Moreover these Danavas, who behaved most cruelly, had damaged the honour of all.

While thus all the worlds were very greatly oppressed (by the Danavas), then Shakra (Indra), who had been encompassed by all the Maruts, fought against those cities by hurling his thunder (upon them) from all sides.

When, O foremost of monarchs, Purandara became incapable to pierce cities, which had been made impenetrable by that creator and which also had received the boons, Then, O subduer of enemies, the terror struck lord of the gods abandoning these cities and celestials, went to the Grandsire with a view to relate to him the great insults wrought out by the Asuras.

They then, having described who whole history and also having bowed down to him with their heads, asked the lord grandsire the fitting means of their destruction.

Having listened to all that, the lord god addressed all the celestials, saying this. That injurious fellow, who offends you, does surely offend me too.'

Indeed the Asuras are all very wickedsouled; and also they are dead against the celestials. And when they commit oppressions against you; they thus afflict me always. can

I am, indeed, equally disposed towards all the creatures. There is no doubt about it. My fixed vow is that the unrighteous ones should ever be slaughtered.

Those three fortresses only be penetrated by means of a single shafts; but in no other way can they be pierced. There exists no other person cxcept Stana, who is able to pierce them with a single arrows.

Then you, O Adityas, select that heroic warrior Stana, also called Ishana, as well as Jishnu, who can hardly be afflicted in the battle. He will surely slaughter these Asuras.

Hearing this speech of his, all the celestials, under the leadership of Shakra, placing Brahman at their front, went to scek shelter of that god, who had a bull for his symbol.

Being accompanied by these Rishis (sages), who practised severe devotion and who also uttered the eternal words of the Vedas, all these righteous gods repaired to Bhava with their whole soul directed towards him.

Then, O monarch, they began to satisfy him with the high speeches (as found in the Vedas), who is the giver of fearlessness in all fears and who is the soul of all and who himself is highsouled and by whom, again, the entire universe is pervaded through with his eternal soul.

That one, who knows how to meditate upon the Soul by means of special devotional performances and who also knows the capability of the soul, that is, the difference between soul and matter, as also whose soul is ever under his control. That one, named Ishana, that mass of fiery energy, that lord of Uma, that one having had no equal in the world, that cause of all causes, that faultless one, they (the celestials) saw.

Then there lords conceived innumerable forms in him, although he was but one. Thereafter they all, after having found out all these numerous form as each of them had respectively conceived in their minds, became highly astonished.

All the celestials, as well as all the regenerate sages, after having seen that embodiment of all creatures, that unborn person, who was the most supreme of the entire universe, touched the earth with their heads.

Then having received them by uttering the worlds you are welcome and also having raised their heads, Lord Shankara smilingly addressed them, saying-do you tell me the purpose of your coming here.

Thereupon having been commanded by the three-eyed deity, the celestials, who became highly gratified, uttered these words to hiin-O lord, let our repeated salutations be to you.

Let our salutations be to you, who are the lord of all the celestials; let our salutations be to you, who are mighty bowman and to you, who are subject to great rage and also to you, who are the destroyer of the sacrifices of the creator; and to you, again, who are worshipped by all the lords of the creatures. Let our salutations be to you, who are ever present; and to you, who are worthy to be prayed; and to you, who are continuously praised; and to you, who are the death himself; and

You are possessed of red splendour; and to you, who are dreadful; and to you who are endued with blue throat; and to you, who are furnished with the symbol of a trident; and to you, who are never to be prostrated; and to you, who are furnished with the eyes of a yazelle; and to you, who battle with the best weapons;

And to you, who are worthy of all praises; and to you, who are pure; and to you, who are the very death himself; and to you also, who are the destroyer of all; and to you, who can with difficulty be resisted; and to you who are Shakra himself; and to you, who are also Brahman; and to you who behave like a Brahmachari; and to you who are Ishana; and to you, who are immeasurable; and to you, who are the leader of all; and to you, who are dressed with rages; and to you, who practise cternal vows; and to you, who are tawnycolored; and to you, who carry on severe vows; and to you, who are dressed with the skins of animal:

And to you, who are the father of Kumara; and to you, who are furnished with the three eyes, and to you, who are armed with the best of weapons, and to you, who destroy the afflictions of those who have sought your protection; and to you, who bring about the death of those who are enemies to the regenerate persons;

You are nourisher to vegetation and king to human-beings. You are the defender of cows and governor to all offerings (yajna). Frequent salute to you.

Let our salutations be to you, who are the leader of the troops; and to you, who are furnished with three eyes; and to you, who are possessed of fierce energy; O god, let our salutations be to you with our whole heart, speech and acts. Be you kind to us, who seek your shelter.

Thereupon the lord, who became highly gratified, having received them with the words you are welcome, addressed them, saying let your fears be all gone; tell me what am I to do for you all.