CHAPTER XLVIII
(KALANEMI GOES TO VISHNU)
VAISHAMPAYANA said: - On account of his irreligious actions the Vedas, virtue, forgiveness, truth and the prosperity of Nārāyana, these five did not follow him (Kālanemi) (1). Owing to the absence of the Veda and others that king of Dānavas approached Nārāyana in order to attain to his dignity (2). He saw him there seated on Suparna with conch, discus and club in his hands. He was whirling a beautiful mace for the destruction of the Dānavas (3). That god, having the hue of a cloud surcharged with water and wearing a raiment resembling lighting, was seated at ease on the bird the son of Kashyapa; gifted with golden wings and a tuft of down on the forepart of head (4).
Beholding the irrepressible Vishnu stationed in battle for the destruction of the demons, Kālanemi, with a heavy heart, said: - (5). “This is our most dreadful enemy. They say he cannot be vanquished by any means. He is the enemy of our Dānava forefathers and that of Madhu and Kaitava living in the ocean. He has slain many of our forest-born Daityas. This man, armed with weapons, is highly ruthless in battle and extremely shameless like a boy. He had the hairs of the Dānava women shaved (6-8). He is the Vishnu of the gods, the Vaikuntha of the celestials, the Ananta of the serpents living in the water and the Creator of the creators himself (9). He is the worshipful of the gods and in ever engaged in doing us wrong. Incurring his displeasure Hiranyakasipu was slain (10). Following him the gods are entitled to the best portion of the sacrificial offerings and three-fold oblations are offered to fire by the great saints (11). He is the instrument of the death of all those who are inimical towards the gods. By his discus all the Dānavas, born in our race, have been slain in battle (12). Risking his life even for the gods it is he who hurls his discus, effulgent like the sun, at the enemies in battle (13). This wicked-minded one is like the death unto the Daityas. Myself, resembling the very Kala himself, living, he will soon meet with inevitable death (14). By a mere accident Vishnu has appeared before me to-day. Being grinded by me in battle he will be humiliated before me (15). Having slain in battle this Nārāyana, the source of fear unto the Dānavas I shall worship to-day my predecessors (16). I shall soon kill also the followers of Nārāyana. Even when born again he oppresses the Dānavas (17).
In the days of yore this Ananta again became celebrated by the same of Padmanābha (lotus-navelled). When the whole universe was converted into one sheet of water, he, placing the two Dānavas, Madhu and Kaitava within his knee-joints, killed them (18). Dividing his own body into two and assuming the form of a man-lion he, in the days of yore, killed my father Hiranyakasipu (19). Auspiciously did Aditi, the mother of gods, conceive him who, assuming the form of a dwarf at the sacrifice of the king Bali, occupied the three worlds with his foot-steps and then killed him (20). Now encountering me again in this war of Tāraka, he along with the gods will meet with death (21).
Thus villifying Nārāyana in the field of battle in various unbecoming words Kālanemi expressed his desire for fighting (22). Although censured by the king of Asuras Gadādhara (Vishnu) was not angry on account of his extraordinary forgiveness. Rather smilingly he said (23). "O Daitya, limited is thy strength, still out of anger thou art villifying me. Since thou hast transgressed forgiveness, thou shall be slain by thy own fault (24). Wretched thou art indeed and fie on thy vaunting words. Men do not live where the females roar (25). O Daitya, I see thou shalt follow the footsteps of thy predecessors. Disregarding the orders instituted by Prajāpati who can be at ease ? (26). I shall slay thee to-day who hast disturbed the gods. And I shall again place the celestials in their respective positions" (27).
After Nārāyana, bearing the mystic mark of Srivatsa on his breast, had said this in the battle-field, the Dānava took up the weapons in anger and began to smile (28). Uplifting his hundred arms capable of handling all the weapons, he, with eyes reddened with anger, struck at the breast of Vishnu (29). The other Dānavas, headed by Maya and Tāra, ran towards Vishnu (30). Although assailed by the highly powerful Daityas armed with various weapons the lord Nārāyana remained unshaken in the battle like a mountain (31). Being engaged in a conflict with Suparna and taking up, with all his strength, a huge and dreadful club burning with the concussion of arms, the highly enraged great Asura Kālanemi hurled it at Garuda. Even Vishnu was filled with wonder seeing that feat of the Daitya (32). When that club fell on the head of Suparna, that king of birds, with a wounded body, fell down on earth (33) Thereupon in that great encounter the Dānavas began to strike Vishnu and Garuda with clods of earth, stones and thunder-bolts. When Nārāyana moved about in the battlefield the gods chanted his glories. "Glory unto thee, O thou of great arms, O destroyer of Madhu and Kaitava. With thy nails thou didst tear off Hiranyakasipu." Thus eulogised by the deities Nārāyana rose up from the battle-field. Considering Vishnu slain the king of Dānavas blew his conch. The great Asuras began to play on the three sorts of Mridangas and dance in accompaniment with the music. It appeared that a great festivity was taking place at that time. Beholding Suparna wounded and his own body unscathed, Vaikuntha, with eyes reddened in anger, took up his discus (31-35). The lord then grew highly impetuous along with Suparna. His arms multiplied covering the ten quarters (36). Filling up all the quarters, the etherial region and the earth he increased his energy as if being desirous of attacking again all the worlds (37). The Rishis, along with the Gandharvas, began to chant the glories of Madhusudana who had then assumed a huge proportion in the sky for the victory of the gods (33).
The Lord covered the celestial region with his Kiritin, the sky and the clouds, with his raiment, the earth with his feet and all the quarters with his arms. Thereupon worked up with anger Gadādhara, taking up his discus capable of performing unparalleled feats and effulgent like the sun, destroyed with it, by virtue of his own energy, the effulgence of the Dānavas in battle and chopped off the arms of Kālanemi. It was dreadful like the burning fire of a thousand fames resembling the rays of the sun and at the same time beautiful and covered with golden wheels. It was strong like a thunder-bolt, dreadful and besmeared with the blood, fat and bones of the Dānavas. It had none to equal it in the matter of striking, was sharpened like a razor, could go anywhere and could assume any form at will. It was made by the Self-born himself, was a terror to the enemies, possessed by the anger of the great Rishis and was haughty in the battle field. When it is thrown, all the creatures, mobile and immobile, are stupified and creatures, living on flesh, derive greatest satisfaction (36-46). Then with his strength Hari began to grind the hundred dreadful faces of that demon with wild laughs like the grinding of fire (47). Although his arms were chopped off and his heads were cut off the Dānava did not tremble the least in the battle and stood there like a tree shorn of all its branches (48).
Thereupon spreading his two huge wings and assuming the velocity of the wind Garuda, with the stroke of his breast, felled down Kalanemi. Thereupon rolling and leaving the celestial region his body, shorn of heads and arms, fell down on earth from the sky (49-50). When that Daitya was killed the Rishis, together with the gods, began to praise Vaikuntha saying "well done! Well done!" (51). The other Daityas, who were witnessing his prowess in battle, were hemmed in by the arms of Vishnu and could not move in the field (52). The Lord held some Daityas by the hair, held some by the throat, wounded some on the face and took up some by the waist (53). Entirely destroyed by the club and discus and deprived of their energy and life they fell down on earth from the sky (54). After all the Daityas had been slain, that foremost of Purushas Gadādhara, scoring success, stood there doing good to the king of gods (55). After the termination of that dreadful war with Tāraka where many had been grinded the grand-father of all, Brahmā speedily came there along with all the Brāhmana saints, Gandharvas and Apsarās. Worshipping Hari the god of gods said (56-57).
BRAHMA said: "O lord, thou hast accomplished a great work; the dart of the celestials has been uprooted. By the destruction of the Daityas we have been pleased (58). Thou alone art the only destroyer of this Kālanemi whom thou hast just slain in battle. Save thee there is none else who could kill him (59). Vanquishing the gods and all the creatures mobile and immobile this Dānava used to assail the Rishis; even he used to roar at me (60). Therefore by this thy powerful feat I have been greatly pleased, since thou hast destroyed this death-like Kālanemi (61). Mayst thou fare well; let us now repair to the most excellent celestial region, where the Brāhmana saints, the members of thy court, are waiting for thee (62). O Achyuta, O foremost of speakers, I shall worship thee there along with the Maharshis with heavenly hymns (63). O thou the foremost of boon-givers, although thou dost confer boons on the celestials and Daityas I shall bestow one on thee (64). O Nārāyana, in this war thou hast freed the three worlds of the thorns and therefore do thou now confer upon the high-souled Sakra the prosperous kingdom over the three worlds" (65).
Thus addressed by the Divine Brahmā, the Lord Hari said to Indra and other gods in auspicious words (66). "Listen attentively, all ye gods headed by Purandara, who have assembled here (67). We have slain, in this battle, many powerful Dānavas, Kālanemi and others, who are superior even to the king of gods himself (68). In this terrible encounter came out both Virochana's son Bali and the huge-bodied Rāhu (69). Let now the king of gods and Varuna repair to their wished for regions. Let Yama occupy the south and the king of riches protect the north (70). As before let the moon be united with the stars in proper season. Let the sun, being united with equinoctial points, distribute the seasons all through the year (71). Let sacrifices be duly undertaken honoured by the ascetic courtiers and let the Vipras, according to the rituals laid down in the Vedas, offer oblations to fire (72), Let the gods attain gratification from Vali oblations, the Maharshis from the chanting of the Vedas and the ancestral manes from the performance of Srādhas as before (73). Let the wind blow in its own course, let the fire be enkindled in its three-fold forms, and let the three Varnas, by their natural qualities, bring about the gratification of the world (74). Let sacrifices be undertaken by the Brāhmanas who are worthy of performing initiatory rites and let all the proper sacrificial gifts be distributed (75). Let the sun afford gratification to all the eyes and let the moon afford delight to all the juices and let the air delight the vital breaths of all creatures, and let them all undertake good and auspicious works (76). Let the rivers, carrying water from the huge mountains and the mother of the three worlds, gradually in proper order, proceed to the ocean (77). Let the gods cast off all fear of the Dānavas and let them enjoy peace. May you fare well, O ye gods, I repair to the eternal region of Brahmā (78). Do not live always confidently in your celestial region and specially in the battle-field for the demons are highly deceiptful (79). They strike people as soon as they find a weak point. This order of the world is not permanent. You are all gentle and simple and your mind always moves in innocent matters. O gods, I bring about the stupefaction of all these wicked demons who cherish a desire of injuring you (81). Whenever you will cherish a dreadful fear of the Dānavas I will immediately come and promise you safety (82)."
Having thus addressed the gods, the highly illustrious Nārāyana, having truth for his prowess, repaired with Brahmā to his own region (83). This was the wonderful encounter, of which you asked, of Nārāyana and the Dānavas in the war of which Tāraka was the root (84).
Beholding the irrepressible Vishnu stationed in battle for the destruction of the demons, Kālanemi, with a heavy heart, said: - (5). “This is our most dreadful enemy. They say he cannot be vanquished by any means. He is the enemy of our Dānava forefathers and that of Madhu and Kaitava living in the ocean. He has slain many of our forest-born Daityas. This man, armed with weapons, is highly ruthless in battle and extremely shameless like a boy. He had the hairs of the Dānava women shaved (6-8). He is the Vishnu of the gods, the Vaikuntha of the celestials, the Ananta of the serpents living in the water and the Creator of the creators himself (9). He is the worshipful of the gods and in ever engaged in doing us wrong. Incurring his displeasure Hiranyakasipu was slain (10). Following him the gods are entitled to the best portion of the sacrificial offerings and three-fold oblations are offered to fire by the great saints (11). He is the instrument of the death of all those who are inimical towards the gods. By his discus all the Dānavas, born in our race, have been slain in battle (12). Risking his life even for the gods it is he who hurls his discus, effulgent like the sun, at the enemies in battle (13). This wicked-minded one is like the death unto the Daityas. Myself, resembling the very Kala himself, living, he will soon meet with inevitable death (14). By a mere accident Vishnu has appeared before me to-day. Being grinded by me in battle he will be humiliated before me (15). Having slain in battle this Nārāyana, the source of fear unto the Dānavas I shall worship to-day my predecessors (16). I shall soon kill also the followers of Nārāyana. Even when born again he oppresses the Dānavas (17).
In the days of yore this Ananta again became celebrated by the same of Padmanābha (lotus-navelled). When the whole universe was converted into one sheet of water, he, placing the two Dānavas, Madhu and Kaitava within his knee-joints, killed them (18). Dividing his own body into two and assuming the form of a man-lion he, in the days of yore, killed my father Hiranyakasipu (19). Auspiciously did Aditi, the mother of gods, conceive him who, assuming the form of a dwarf at the sacrifice of the king Bali, occupied the three worlds with his foot-steps and then killed him (20). Now encountering me again in this war of Tāraka, he along with the gods will meet with death (21).
Thus villifying Nārāyana in the field of battle in various unbecoming words Kālanemi expressed his desire for fighting (22). Although censured by the king of Asuras Gadādhara (Vishnu) was not angry on account of his extraordinary forgiveness. Rather smilingly he said (23). "O Daitya, limited is thy strength, still out of anger thou art villifying me. Since thou hast transgressed forgiveness, thou shall be slain by thy own fault (24). Wretched thou art indeed and fie on thy vaunting words. Men do not live where the females roar (25). O Daitya, I see thou shalt follow the footsteps of thy predecessors. Disregarding the orders instituted by Prajāpati who can be at ease ? (26). I shall slay thee to-day who hast disturbed the gods. And I shall again place the celestials in their respective positions" (27).
After Nārāyana, bearing the mystic mark of Srivatsa on his breast, had said this in the battle-field, the Dānava took up the weapons in anger and began to smile (28). Uplifting his hundred arms capable of handling all the weapons, he, with eyes reddened with anger, struck at the breast of Vishnu (29). The other Dānavas, headed by Maya and Tāra, ran towards Vishnu (30). Although assailed by the highly powerful Daityas armed with various weapons the lord Nārāyana remained unshaken in the battle like a mountain (31). Being engaged in a conflict with Suparna and taking up, with all his strength, a huge and dreadful club burning with the concussion of arms, the highly enraged great Asura Kālanemi hurled it at Garuda. Even Vishnu was filled with wonder seeing that feat of the Daitya (32). When that club fell on the head of Suparna, that king of birds, with a wounded body, fell down on earth (33) Thereupon in that great encounter the Dānavas began to strike Vishnu and Garuda with clods of earth, stones and thunder-bolts. When Nārāyana moved about in the battlefield the gods chanted his glories. "Glory unto thee, O thou of great arms, O destroyer of Madhu and Kaitava. With thy nails thou didst tear off Hiranyakasipu." Thus eulogised by the deities Nārāyana rose up from the battle-field. Considering Vishnu slain the king of Dānavas blew his conch. The great Asuras began to play on the three sorts of Mridangas and dance in accompaniment with the music. It appeared that a great festivity was taking place at that time. Beholding Suparna wounded and his own body unscathed, Vaikuntha, with eyes reddened in anger, took up his discus (31-35). The lord then grew highly impetuous along with Suparna. His arms multiplied covering the ten quarters (36). Filling up all the quarters, the etherial region and the earth he increased his energy as if being desirous of attacking again all the worlds (37). The Rishis, along with the Gandharvas, began to chant the glories of Madhusudana who had then assumed a huge proportion in the sky for the victory of the gods (33).
The Lord covered the celestial region with his Kiritin, the sky and the clouds, with his raiment, the earth with his feet and all the quarters with his arms. Thereupon worked up with anger Gadādhara, taking up his discus capable of performing unparalleled feats and effulgent like the sun, destroyed with it, by virtue of his own energy, the effulgence of the Dānavas in battle and chopped off the arms of Kālanemi. It was dreadful like the burning fire of a thousand fames resembling the rays of the sun and at the same time beautiful and covered with golden wheels. It was strong like a thunder-bolt, dreadful and besmeared with the blood, fat and bones of the Dānavas. It had none to equal it in the matter of striking, was sharpened like a razor, could go anywhere and could assume any form at will. It was made by the Self-born himself, was a terror to the enemies, possessed by the anger of the great Rishis and was haughty in the battle field. When it is thrown, all the creatures, mobile and immobile, are stupified and creatures, living on flesh, derive greatest satisfaction (36-46). Then with his strength Hari began to grind the hundred dreadful faces of that demon with wild laughs like the grinding of fire (47). Although his arms were chopped off and his heads were cut off the Dānava did not tremble the least in the battle and stood there like a tree shorn of all its branches (48).
Thereupon spreading his two huge wings and assuming the velocity of the wind Garuda, with the stroke of his breast, felled down Kalanemi. Thereupon rolling and leaving the celestial region his body, shorn of heads and arms, fell down on earth from the sky (49-50). When that Daitya was killed the Rishis, together with the gods, began to praise Vaikuntha saying "well done! Well done!" (51). The other Daityas, who were witnessing his prowess in battle, were hemmed in by the arms of Vishnu and could not move in the field (52). The Lord held some Daityas by the hair, held some by the throat, wounded some on the face and took up some by the waist (53). Entirely destroyed by the club and discus and deprived of their energy and life they fell down on earth from the sky (54). After all the Daityas had been slain, that foremost of Purushas Gadādhara, scoring success, stood there doing good to the king of gods (55). After the termination of that dreadful war with Tāraka where many had been grinded the grand-father of all, Brahmā speedily came there along with all the Brāhmana saints, Gandharvas and Apsarās. Worshipping Hari the god of gods said (56-57).
BRAHMA said: "O lord, thou hast accomplished a great work; the dart of the celestials has been uprooted. By the destruction of the Daityas we have been pleased (58). Thou alone art the only destroyer of this Kālanemi whom thou hast just slain in battle. Save thee there is none else who could kill him (59). Vanquishing the gods and all the creatures mobile and immobile this Dānava used to assail the Rishis; even he used to roar at me (60). Therefore by this thy powerful feat I have been greatly pleased, since thou hast destroyed this death-like Kālanemi (61). Mayst thou fare well; let us now repair to the most excellent celestial region, where the Brāhmana saints, the members of thy court, are waiting for thee (62). O Achyuta, O foremost of speakers, I shall worship thee there along with the Maharshis with heavenly hymns (63). O thou the foremost of boon-givers, although thou dost confer boons on the celestials and Daityas I shall bestow one on thee (64). O Nārāyana, in this war thou hast freed the three worlds of the thorns and therefore do thou now confer upon the high-souled Sakra the prosperous kingdom over the three worlds" (65).
Thus addressed by the Divine Brahmā, the Lord Hari said to Indra and other gods in auspicious words (66). "Listen attentively, all ye gods headed by Purandara, who have assembled here (67). We have slain, in this battle, many powerful Dānavas, Kālanemi and others, who are superior even to the king of gods himself (68). In this terrible encounter came out both Virochana's son Bali and the huge-bodied Rāhu (69). Let now the king of gods and Varuna repair to their wished for regions. Let Yama occupy the south and the king of riches protect the north (70). As before let the moon be united with the stars in proper season. Let the sun, being united with equinoctial points, distribute the seasons all through the year (71). Let sacrifices be duly undertaken honoured by the ascetic courtiers and let the Vipras, according to the rituals laid down in the Vedas, offer oblations to fire (72), Let the gods attain gratification from Vali oblations, the Maharshis from the chanting of the Vedas and the ancestral manes from the performance of Srādhas as before (73). Let the wind blow in its own course, let the fire be enkindled in its three-fold forms, and let the three Varnas, by their natural qualities, bring about the gratification of the world (74). Let sacrifices be undertaken by the Brāhmanas who are worthy of performing initiatory rites and let all the proper sacrificial gifts be distributed (75). Let the sun afford gratification to all the eyes and let the moon afford delight to all the juices and let the air delight the vital breaths of all creatures, and let them all undertake good and auspicious works (76). Let the rivers, carrying water from the huge mountains and the mother of the three worlds, gradually in proper order, proceed to the ocean (77). Let the gods cast off all fear of the Dānavas and let them enjoy peace. May you fare well, O ye gods, I repair to the eternal region of Brahmā (78). Do not live always confidently in your celestial region and specially in the battle-field for the demons are highly deceiptful (79). They strike people as soon as they find a weak point. This order of the world is not permanent. You are all gentle and simple and your mind always moves in innocent matters. O gods, I bring about the stupefaction of all these wicked demons who cherish a desire of injuring you (81). Whenever you will cherish a dreadful fear of the Dānavas I will immediately come and promise you safety (82)."
Having thus addressed the gods, the highly illustrious Nārāyana, having truth for his prowess, repaired with Brahmā to his own region (83). This was the wonderful encounter, of which you asked, of Nārāyana and the Dānavas in the war of which Tāraka was the root (84).
Source: https://archive.org/details/AProseEnglishTranslationOfHarivamsh
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