Karna Parva — The history of destruction of the triple city belonging to the Asuras

Duryodhana said When fearlessness was given to the whole class of the Pitris, the celestials and the Rishis by that high-souled one (Brahman), he (Brahman), after having adorned Shankara properly uttered these words beneficial to the people of the entire universe.

O lord of all, through your grace I have been established in this high situation, namely the creatorship of all creatures. Holding this, a very great boon was given by me to the Danavas.

O Lord of the past and the future, there exists no one, excepting yourself, who is fit to slaughter these who have gone beyond paying proper respects. Indeed, you are only person, who can slay these antagonists.

O God, when you are such, do you, therefore, achieve good to the celestials who have fallen into imminent danger and who also solicit your grace. O lord of the celestials. O wielder of the trident, Slaughter these Danavas.

O you, who give honor to all, through your kindness let the entire universes attain bliss. Indeed you are worthy to be taken protection of. O lord of the universe, we all seek your protection.

Sthanu said My opinion is that all your enemies should be slain. Being unassisted, I cannot dare slaughter them; for really the antagonists of the celestials are all very powerful.

Having been united, together, all of you, therefore, destroy these enemies in the field of battle with one-self of the strength possessed by me. For union is, indeed, an immense strength.

The celestials said I have observed energy and prowess of them (the Danavas). From this I am of opinion that the amount of energy and strength possessed by them, is twice the energy and prowess possessed by us.

Sthanu said These sinful persons, who have insulted you, all should be slaughtered. Do you kill all these antagonists with one-half of my energy and prowess.

The celestials said O Maheshvara, we are not capable of bearing half of your energy. Do you slaughter the antagonists with one-half of the entire strength, possessed by all of us.

Sthanu said If you have not really got the power of bearing my whole force, then, I, endued with only one half of your united energy, slay them all.

Thereupon, O foremost of monarchs, the chief of the celestials was thus addressed by the gods, saying-so be it; and he in this way became superior to all, after having added to his own one-half of the entire energy possessed by them (the celestials) all.

That god had really become much more powerful than all others in strength. Thereupon Shankara came to be celebrated under the title of Mahadeva from that time forward.

At this Mahadeva, who was armed with the bow and arrows, uttered these words; 'O celestials, mounted upon the car, I shall slaughter those enemies of yours in the field of battle.'

Do you all now behold my car, the bow and arrow, as also how I cast down today these antagonists upon the surface of the earth.

The celestials said O Lord of the celestials, having taken up all forms of the three worlds, we will construct a car for you, that will be endued with immense energy.

Thereupon the foremost of the celestials began to construct that car, which was conceived to be a very gigantic cue and also that was, with great intelligence designed by Vishvakarman himself (the celestial artificer).

Then they prepared arrows for him, that were identical with Vishnu, Soma and Hutasha. Agni became the staff of his arrow, and Soma became its head and ruler of earth, then again Vishnu constituted the point of that best of arrows.

Then they made his car to be the same as the goddess earth, that is adorned with garlands of magnificent towns and cities and that is furnished with the mountains, forests and islands and the contained creatures and also that is ornamented with innumerable ups and downs.

The Mandara mountain was made the axle of that car; and the great river (the Ganges) constituted its Jangha; and the different directions and the subsidiary points constituted its several ornaments.

The constellations constituted its shafts; and the Kritayuga constituted its yoke; and Vasuki, (the foremost of all snakes, constituted the Kubara of the car). Then the best of the celestials made the Apaskora and Adhistana of that car to be the same as the Himavat and the Vindhya mountains, and also made the Udaya and Asta mountains to be the wheels of that car.

The ocean, that was excellent abode of the Danavas, was made to be the other axle of the car; as also the body of the seven Rishis became the protectors of the wheels of that car.

The Ganga, the Sarasvati and the Sindhu, as well as the firmanent constituted the Dhara of that car; and the water (on the surface of the earth), as also all the other rivers became the Uparkaga of the car (the chains binding its several limbs).

The whole day and night and several other divisions of the time, namely the Kalas and Kushtas, as also the different seasons of the year constituted the Anakarsha of that car, and again the most resplendent planets and stars constituted its Varutha (the wooden fences).

Virtue, profit and desire, united together constituted its Trivena. And there the herbs, containing innumerable flowers and fruits, formed its rows of bells.

The Sun and the Moon, having been made equal, were constituted to be the two other wheels of that foremost and most excellent car. The day and the night were made to be the two auspicious wings on the right and left in that car.

The ten princes of snakes, headed by one, named Dhritarashtra, that were were all very powerful constituted the shafts of that car.

The sky was made to be its yoke; and the clouds, known by the names of Samvartakas and Balahakas, were made its leathern strings. Then also Kalaprishta, Nahusha, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya, as also several other snakes became the chords for binding the manes of those horses. The cardinal points and the subsidiary directions constituted the reins of those horses yoked to that car.

The Dhriti the Medha, the Sthiti and the Sannati and the firinament, covered over with the planets, constellations and stars, were made its variegated leathern covers.

The gods made horses for driving that chariot, the four lokapalas i.e. Indra, Varuna, Yama and Kubera. The adored goddesses of Sinivali, Anumati, Kuhu and Raka, all great resolutes were made the yoke for that chariot and the gods governing these goddesses were made the thorns of the bridle to direct those horses.

The chords of that car were constituted by Action, Truth, Devotion and Profit. The mind was the situation upon which the car rested; and speech formed its tacks. The beautiful flags of diverse colours undulated in the air and both the lightening and the Indra's bow (the Rainbow) enlightened that resplendent car.

The Vashatkara (the chief Vedic sound) formed the goad; and Gayatri formed the chord attacked to the goad.

That entire year, which was formerly fixed in the sacrifice of that high-minded Ishana, now constituted the bow of the car; whereas Savitri formed the high sounding bow-string.

A celestial coat of mail was constructed, that was adorned with the most valuable gems and that was impenetrable and that was most resplendent and also that had arisen from the wheel of time.

That handsome mountain of gold, called the Meru, formed the flag staff; and the chords, that were ornamented with the lightning, became the banners of that car. That car, being thus furnished with all its equipments, looked most resplendent like the blazing fire in the midst of the priests attending a sacrifice.

The celestials also, after having looked at that excellently equipt car, became greatly astonished. O sire, the celestials, after having seen that the energies of the entire universe were united together in one place, informed that high-souled one (Brahman) that the car was ready.

O great monarch, O foremost of persons, when that best of cars was thus prepared by all the celestials with a view to crush down their antagonists (the Danavas). Shankara then placed his celestial weapons upon the car; and also having made the entire firmament to be his flag-staff, he placed his bull (the symbol of the Deity) upon it.

Then the rod of Brahman, the rod of Death and the rod of Rudra, as also Fever formed the guards on the sides of that car, that were pointed towards all directions of the horizon.

The protectors of the car-wheels of that high-souled personage were the Athurvan and Angiras; and Rigveda, Samaveda and Purana stood at the front of that car.

All histories and the Yajurveda became the guards of the back of the car; and all divine speeches and the and the different branches of knowledge placed themselves on all sides of the car.

O king, the hymns and others, as also the principal Vedic sounds, namely, Vashatkara, stood round the car. And O monarch, the syllable Om, having placed at the front of it, became greatly hand-some.

Then having made the year, looking exceedingly beautiful with the six seasons, to be his bow, he prepared the string with his own shadow, that was indestructible in the field of battle.

Indeed, that illustrious Rudra is the same as Death himself. The year was his bow; and accordingly the death-night, which was but the shade of Rudra himself, was constituted to be the indestructible string at that bow.

Vishnu, Agni (the god of fire) and Soma formed the shaft of that bow. The entire was universe of nothing but Agni and Soma. The universe is also to consist of Vishnu.

The soul of that illustrious and highly energetic Bhava is identical with Vishnu. They (the Asuras), therefore, could not bear the tough of the bow-string of Hara (Bhava).

Then the fiercely wrathful Lord cast his fire of anger upon that arrow, which anger was most irresistible and also which had sprung from the very wrath of both Bhrigu and Angiras and which, which, again, most intolerable.

That dreadful God, dressed in skins, who was blue, red and of smoke color and who also resembled ten thousand suns in splendour and who again was shrouded over with the flames of energy and blazed forth most brightly.

Then that subduer of those, who can with difficulty be subdued, that victor that slayer of the antagonists of Brahman, that universal protector, that slayer of persons, with whom rest both righteousness and unrighteousness that One named Hara.

Then having been surrounded by innumerable beings, who were all very powerful to crush the enemies and who were possessed of fierce prowess and dreadful appearances and who, again, were fleet as the mind and who, at last, were endued with the different (fourteen) physical faculties, illustrious Sthanu blazed forth with great splendour.

Then having taken refuge under the different phases of his body, this entire universe, both mobile and immobile, standing beside him, blazed forth and presented a very extraordinary appearance, O monarch,

Seeing that car furnished with all its equipment's, he, coated himself with the armour and armed with the bow, took up that celestial arrow sprung from the deities, Soma, Vishnu and Agni.

Thereupon, O monarch, O king, all the celestials ordered Wind, that foremost of the gods, to carry to that highly powerful Deity his pure and fragrant breeze,

Then having taken hold of the car, Mahadeva mounted upon it, thus terrifying even the very celestials, and therefrom he caused the whole earth to tremble with dread.

The great Rishis, the Gandharvas, the whole body of the celestials, as well as the different tribes of the Apsaras praised that Lord of the gods, when he was desirous to ascend the car.

Then the Lord was highly praised by the Brahmanical sages; and he was worshipped by the eulogists; as also he was pleased with the dance of numerous Apsaras, who were all very well-acquainted with the art of dancing.

Thereupon that beautiful boon-giver, who was excellently armed with the sword, arrow and bow, smilingly addressed the celestials saying-"Who will become my charioteer"'?

The celestials replied him, saying-"O Lord of the gods, he will be your charioteer, whomever you will be pleased to appoint. There is no doubt about it."

Then the God, again, replied them (the celestials), saying, “Having meditated upon the matter yourselves, without the least hesitation, do you appoint him as my charioteer, who will prove himself superior to myself.”

Thereupon the celestials, after having listened to these speeches uttered by that highsouled god and also having repaired to the grandsire propitiated him and said to him these words.

O God, what instruction, imparted by you as regards the destruction of the antagonists of the celestials, was thoroughly acted up to by all of us. That Deity having the bovine hull for his symbol, was gratified with us.

Also a car had been constructed by us, that was furnished with the most beautiful and diverse kinds of weapons. But we do not know who will make the best charioteer in this foremost of cars.

In consequence thereof, do you appoint some such best of the celestials as the charioteer. O illustrious one, it is necessary for you to make good of that word said to us.

O illustrious one, you have said to us before to this effect that you would do us some good. Now it is necessary for you to fulfill that promise.

That most invincible and foremost of cars was constructed by us with the best parts of all the celestials in such a way that it was capable of routing our enemies; and that Deity, having Pinaka in his hand, was made the warrior to fight upon it. This One, having terrified the Danavas, is now ready for battle.

So also, the four Vedas have become the four horses, the best of their species, of that high-souled Deity; and the Earih, among with the numerous mountains, had become his car. The equipments of that car were the constellations. The warrior (who will fight from that car) is Hara. But who will be the charioteer, is still unfound.

For that car's charioteer is to be sought, who will prove himself a specialist amongst all these (celestials). O Lord, this car is constructed to such an importance, as also Hara is the warrior who will fight from it.

O Grandsire, armours, along with the weapons and the bow, have already been obtained. Save yourself, there exists no other charioteer, whom we can find out. O illustrious one, you are, indeed, attended with all accomplishments; and you are superior to all the celestials.

Having immediately mounted upon that car, do you guide the horses of the best species with the object of bringing about the victory of the celestials and the destruction of their antagonists.

It has been heard by us that after bowing down with their heads to the Grandsire, who is the lord of the three worlds, all the celestials began to appease him in order to appoint him as the charioteer (of that car).

The grandsire said O dwellers of heaven, there is nothing like untruth in this speech uttered by you. While, indeed, Kapardin will engage in battle, I will surely hold the reins of his horses.

Thereupon that illustrious person-age, that God, the creator of all creatures, the Grandsire was appointed to the charioteership of highsouled Ishana by the celestials.

Thus while he was immediately ascending that car, which was revered by all persons, those horses, that were as fleet as the wind, bowed down upon the ground with their heads.

Having mounted upon that car, the illustrious Grandsire, that God who blazed forth with the splendour of his own, then indeed took up the reins of the horses, as well as the goad.

Thereupon that illustrious God, after having hitted those horses, that resembled the wind in swiftness, they addressed the foremost of the celestials Sthanu saying “Do you ascend.”

After this, Sthanu, after having taken up that shaft, which was born of Vishnu, Soma and Agni and then also having caused by his bow the numerous enemies to tremble, mounted upon

The great Rishis, that Gandharvas, the whole of the celestials, as also large numbers of the Apsaras, uttered prayers to that Lord of the gods, who had already mounted upon that that car. car.

That handsome personage, that giver of boons, that holder of the sword, arrow and bow rested upon that car and looked most resplendent with his own energy shedding lustre upon the three worlds.

Thereupon the God once more addressed all the celestials, headed by Indra himself, saying-"Grief should never be felt by you considering that I shall not slaughter the Asuras. Now do you understand that the Asuras have already been slaughtered by this arrow."

Thereupon those gods considered it to be true; and uttered those words-"That they (Asuras) have been all slaughtered.” Then, indeed, those celestials, considering that the speech what the illustrious Lord had uttered could not be untrue, attained to the highest gratification.

Thereupon, O monarch, that lord of the celestials, riding upon that mighty car, which had no equal, proceeded on, having been encompassed by the whole lot of, the celestials.

Then that highly famous God was worshipped by all his companions, as well as by others, who were dancing in his front and who lived on meat and who were invincible in battle and who also were running on all sides of that God and who again shouted with joy at one another.

Thus the great Rishis, who were highly fortunate and who were endued with ascetic merit and best qualities, as well as all the celestials, blessed in every way Mahadeva with Success.

O foremost of persons, when that boongiving Lord, who destroys the terrors of all creatures of the entire universe, was thus proceeding onwards; the whole universe, as also all the celestials became highly satisfied.

There the great Rishi began to praise that Lord of the celestials with numerous kinds of hymns; as also they were repeatedly increasing His energy and stood up there, O monarch.

While the Lord was proceeding; millions and millions of the Gandharvas began to play innumerable kinds of musical instruments.

Thereupon when the boon-giving Lord, after mounting upon the car, was advancing towards the Asuras, the Lord of the universe smilingly addressed him saying-"Most excellent! Most excellent!"

O Lord, do you advance to the spot where the Daityas are waiting. Being highly enlivened, do you urge the heroes. Do you observe the strength of my arms today, while slaughter the antagonists in the field of battle.

Thereupon, O monarch, the Lord urged those horses, that were possessed of the fleetness of wind or mind, towards that triple city, which was excellently protected by both the Daityas and the Danavas.

Accompanied by those horses, that were highly revered by all the three worlds and also that seemed to drink the skies by their speed, the Lord, endued with great lustre, started immediately with a view to secure victory for the denizens of heaven.

When Bhaga, riding upon that car, proceeded towards that triple city, his bull (symbol of Bhava) uttered a very excellent and loud roar, filling thereby the different directions with the noise.

Having heard that dreadful and loud roar of his (Lord's) bull, there the descendants of Taraka, who were all the enemies of the celestials, attained to their destruction (died).

Then others also took their stations there in his front with the object of battle. Upon this Sthanu, O mighty monarch, that wielder of the trident, became senseless with rage.

All the creatures were filled with terror; and the three worlds began to tremble. And while he was aiming that shaft, numerous dreadful omens appeared there.

On account of the pressure of Soma Agni and Vishnu in that shaft and that caused by both Brahman and Rudra, as also of great weight of that formidable bow, that car began to sink.

Thereupon Narayana came out of the pointed head of that arrow; and then having taken-up the form of a bull lifted up that huge car.

While, indeed, that car was going down and the enemies were uttering loud roars, then the illustrious lord, who was possessed of immense prowess, made a very tremendous roar out of rage.

O giver of honors, while that illustrious lord Rudra was thus standing at the head of his bull and ou the back of his horses, then he beheld the city belonging to the Danavas.

O foremost of men, while Rudra was thus standing upon his bull and horses, then he severed the tenis of his horses, then he severed the tents of his horses and separated into two parts the hoofs of his bull.

May you be blessed; from that time forward the hoofs of all animals belonging to the bevine species came to be cloven (into two parts). O monarch, froin that time also the teats of horses, that were highly oppressed by that most powered Rudra. performing miraculous deeds, ceased to appear.

Then having filled his bow with the string and also having aimed that arrow and again having united his Pasupata weapon with that shaft, Hare reflected for a while that triple city.

O most powerful monarch, while Rudra was thus standing, grasping his bow, then by that time, those three cities became united together.

Thus then the three cities had come to be of similar character after having lost their individual features, there had taken place loud shouts of joy amongst the high-souled celestials.

Thereupon all the celestials, the Siddhas and the high-class Rishis uttered the word, success whilst thus praying Maheshvara.

Thereafter that triple city appeared just at the front of that slayer of the Asuras, that deity of dreadful and indescribable form, that god who was indescribable from, that god who was endued with energy that he bore with great difficulty.

Then that illustrious lord of the three worlds, after having stretched that celestial bow, shot that arrow, which was made of the essence of the three worlds, at the triple city.

O highly fortunate one, when that best of arrows was shot at the triple city, there had arisen loud wails of grief's as those three cities were trembling down upon the earth. Then having burnt those Asuras, he cast them down in the western ocean.

Thus three cities were burnt and the Danavas were all destroyed by wrathful Maheshvara, who had wrought it having the desire for benefiting the three worlds.

That fire, springing from his own wrath, was sooni quenched by the god, saying stop, stop. Then three-eyed deity addressed the fire, saying-O, do you reduce to ashes three worlds.

Thereupon all the celestials, the entire universe and the great Rishis, who had now attained to their natural conditions, began to greatly Sthanu, who is endued with unequalled prowess, with the most excellent speeches.

When their desires well all fulfilled by such great efforts; and the celestials, headed by the creature, having been permitted by that illustrious lord, went to their respective abodes, they came from.

Thus the illustrious god, that creator of the universe, that superior lord of the gods and the Assuras Maheshvara achieved good for all the worlds.

Even as the illustrious Brahman, the creator of the universe, the Grandsire, that supreme being, that celestial one, acted as the charioteer of Rudra, So do you hold immediately the reins of the horses, belonging to that high-souled son of Radha, like the Grandsire holding the reins of horses belonging to Rudra.

Chiefly you are, indeed, superior to Krishna and to Karna, as well as to Phalguna, O foremost of monarch, there is no doubt about this.

In the field of battle, this one does really resemble Rudra; and in policy you resemble Brahman. In consequence of this you two, united together, are capable of vanquishing our enemies, who are like those Assuras.

O Shalya, even this should immediately be performed, by following which this Karna today, having crushed the son of Kunti, who possesses white horses and has Krishna for his charioteer, should slaughter him.

O king of Madra country! I am dependent with an ambition to yicld of the state and hope for survival. The victory in anvil as a result of your participation to war as charioteer to Karna also depends on your skilled execution.

The fate of Karna, our kingdom and we ourselves, a well as our victory in the field, rest entirely upon you. Do you, therefore, hold the reins of the foremost of the horses belonging to this warrior.

Do you listen to another story, which I will once more relate to you. This (story) a virtuous regenerate person told in the presence of my father.

O Shalya, having listened to that beautiful story, which is full of causes and consequences of actions and also having settled all, do this immediately. There should be made no doubt about this.

There was one, named Jamadagni, born in the race of Bhrigu and practising severe asceticism. He had a son, celebrated by the name of Rama and who also was endued with energy and excellent qualities.

severe Having practised the most asceticism, that cheerful souled personage, who always observed strict vows and who also had his soul under control, began to gratify Bhava in order to obtain weapon.

Mahadeva became highly gratified with him for his devotional performances and coolness of mind and Shankara, becoming conscious of the object in his mind showed himself to him.

Mahadeva said O Rama, are you happy? I am exceedingly satisfied with you; and what you desire is known to me. Do you make your soul sanctified. You will obtain all your desire.

I will give you all these weapons, when you will become pure. For, O son of Bhrigu, these weapons burn that person, who is incompetent and incapable.

The son of Jamadagni, having been thus addressed by the lord of the celestials, that wielder of the trident; reaped to that lord, who was endued with a lofty soul, after bowing down his head to him.

When I worshipped you always, then you the lord of the celestials, know it very well that I am competent to wield those weapons. So it is necessary for you to give me these weapons.

Duryodhana said Thereupon he, by means of severe penances, by subduing his souls and by the observance of vows, as also by means of performing worship, offerings and sacrifices, followed by the performance of Homa; attended with the utterance of the Mantras, began to worship Bhava through many long years.

Then Mahadeva, who became highly gratified with that lofty minded descendant of Bhrigu's race, enumerated the innumerable virtues of him just in the presence of his divine wife. This Rama is always very devotional towards me and is of firm vows.

The lord, therefore, being thus satisfied with him, enumerated his several virtues in the presence of all the celestials and the Pitris, O slayer of enemies.

During this time, all the Daityas had really become very powerful. By them who we darkened with pride and senselessness, all the dwellers of heaven were greatly oppressed.

Thereupon all the celestials, having united together, were determined upon to slaughter them; and also made attempts to bring about the destruction of these antagonists. But they, however, were incapable of vanquishing them.

All gods then got vicinity to Maheshvara, the husband of Uma, obtained his grace with ter salute in keen devotion and submitted O sovereign god! Slaughter please, our enemies.

Thereupon that god Shankara, after having promised all the celestials the destruction of their enemies and also having called Rama, that descendent of Bhrigu's race before him, addressed him in the following language.

O descendant of Bhrigu race, do you slaughter all the antagonists of the celestials, who have assembled here, out of desire for benefiting all the worlds, as also for the satisfaction of myself.

Being thus addressed, he (Bhargava) replied to that boon-giving and three-eyed Lord.

Rama said O Lord of the celestials, what might have I got, who am quite unfit for the management of all weapons, that I may slaughter all the Danavas, who are very well-acquainted with the use of weapons, as also who are most invincible in the field of battle.

Maheshvara said Being commanded by me, do you start at once. You will slaughter these enemies. Having thus subdued all these enemies, you will surely gain innumerable excellent virtues.

Hearing these words and also accepting them in all ways, Rama performed all the propitiatory ceremonies; as also he advanced against the Danavas. Then he addressed those enemies of the celestials, who were possessed of insensibility, pride and enormous strength,

Most invincible in battle as you are, O Daityas, do you give me battle. I had been sent by the lord of the celestials to subdue the mighty Asuras.

Having been thus addressed by that descendent of Bhrigu's race, all the Daityas began to fight with him (Bhargava). Then that descendant of Bhrigu's race, that delighter of the race of Bhrigu, after having slaughtered those Daityas in the field of battle by means of strokes, that were like the touches of the thunder belonging to Indra.

Was greatly wounded in the body by the Danavas. But thereafter that son of Jamadagni, that foremost of regenerate persons, being immediately touched by Sthanu, became wholly freed from these wounds.

Thereupon the illustrious lord, being gratified by that deed of his, gave to that highsouled descendant of Bhrigu's race various kinds of boons.

The wounds, caused upon your body by the falling of innumerable weapons testify to the u superhuman act performed by you. O delighter of Bhrigu's race, do you, therefore, accept these numerous celestial weapons from me, according to your desire.

Duryodhana said Thereupon, having obtained all the diverse kinds of weapons and boons desired in his heart, Rama performed the ceremony of bowing down his head to Shiva. Thus having received the command from the lord of the celestials, that great devotee went away.

This is the old story, which then; the Rishi narrated (to my father). O foremost of persons, the son of Bhrigu handed over all that knowledge of archery to the high-souled Karna, being gratified in his inner heart.

O ruler, of earth, if Karna had the slightest fault, in that case the descendant of Bhrigu's race would not have given him these celestial weapons.

I do not think that Karna was ever born in the family of a charioteer. Rather I think that he is the son of a god, or he is come of the race of the Kshatriyas. My opinion is that he was abandoned (in his infancy), lest his race be ascertained.

O Shalya, this one, namely Karna, is, indeed, by no means born of the family of a charioteer. This mighty car-warrior resembling the very Sun, is furnished with the (natural) ear-rings, armour and long arms; could is be possible that the she deer had given birth to a tiger.

O monarch, Indeed, his two arms are very massive; and they are like the trunk of the prince of elephants. Do you behold his broad chest, which is powerful enough to resist all sorts of enemies. This Karna, the son of Vikartana, can never be an ordinary individual. O lord of kings, this high-souled disciple of Rama is really a very powerful warrior.