सेनोद्योग पर्व — उपश्रुतिका दान

Shalya said Then did Nahusha, the king of the gods, seeing her address her thus-“I am the Indra of the three worlds, O you of sweet smiles." me as

o you with slender waist, O you with bright complexion, choose your husband." The chaste goddess being thus spoken to by Nahusha.

Literally trembled with fear as the plantain tree does during a storm and bowing her head to Brahma and clasping her hands together.

Said to the (now) terrific looking king of the gods. “I want time to get information on certain points, O lord of the gods.

I do not know where Shakra now is, nor where he has gone to. If after trying to get information on these points, I do not get them, Olord.

Then shall I attend on you; I speak sincerely." Being thus addressed by the queen of Indra, Nahusha became highly pleased.

Nahusha said O you with beautiful things, let it be as you tell me here; but remember your plighted word.

Shalya said Then did the beautiful one, thus dismissed by Nahusha, came out and the renowned one went to the abode of Brihaspati.

Having heard her words, the gods with Agni at their head, began to deliberate earnestly on the means of attaining to Shakra's good, O best among kings.

Having met the god among the gods, the Lord Vishnu, the anxious ones, who wore adepts at speeches, thus addressed him.

Shakra, the lord of the gods, is overpowered by the crime of slaying a Brahmana. You, O lord, O lord of the gods, are our refuge, O you born before the universe.

You assumed the form of Vishnu for protecting all the beings. Vritra being slain through (the aid of) your strength, Vasava, the chief among all the gods, is overpowered by the sin of slaying a Brahmana. Indicate to us the means of his salvation. Vishnu, having

"Let Shakra offer sacrifice to me, I shall purity the one with the thunderbolt. Having duly worshipped me, by the holy sacrifice of a horse, shall the chastiser of the Paka.

Regain the position of the king of the gods without any fear. And the evil-minded Nahusha will meet with destruction, as the effect of his own deeds.

For some time, O gods, must you be patient and watchful." Hearing these words of Vishnu which were true, auspicious and like nectar.

All the gods, with the preceptors and the Rishis, went to the spot where Shakra lay stricken with fear.

There did they perform the sacrifice of a horse on a large scale, capable of absolving one from the sin of having slier of Brahmana, for the absolution of the large minded Mahendra.

Then, O Yudhishthira was the crime of slaying that Brahmana divided among the trees, the rivers and the mountains and the world and the women.

(This sin) being thus divided among all beings having left the lord of the gods, Vasava was cured of his disorder and getting rid of his sins, came to himself.

Form that place the slayer of Bala saw Nahusha, who was not afraid of him and who absorbed the power of all beings and who could not be approached through the boon granted him.

Then the god, the husband of Sachi again melted himself into the air and invisible by all beings he remained for a fitting opportunity.

Shakra having rendered himself invisible, Sachi, being stricken with grief and the goddess, exceedingly sad thus lamented for him, Alas Shakra.

If ever a gift has been made by me or an offering (made by me) or my superiors satisfied by me and if there is any truth in me, let me be with one husband only.

I bow to this holy, godly goddess night who is now on the northern solstice; let my wish be satisfied.

Then did she making her body and soul pure, offer due worship to the goddess night and for the sake of her truth and chastity she had recourse to divination.

Show me the spot where stays he the king of gods. Show me truth by means of truth. Thus did she ask of Upashruti.