THE FRUITS OF THE RECITATION OF HARIVAMSHA | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 49

CHAPTER LXIX

(THE FRUITS OF THE RECITATION OF HARIVAMSHA)

Janamejaya said:—O foremost of Munis, do you describe to me the fruits one can acquire by listening to Harivamsha and what gifts he should make.

THE FRUITS OF THE RECITATION OF THE BHARATA | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 48

CHAPTER LXVIII

(THE FRUITS OF THE RECITATION OF THE BHARATA)

Janamejaya said:—O Revered Sir, according to what rules the learned hear the Bhārata? What are the fruits thereof. What gods should be worshipped when it is complete? What charities should be made after every Parva? What sort of a reciter is desirable? Describe all this to me (1-2).

THE DANAVAS DESCRIBED | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 47

CHAPTER LXVII

(THE DANAVAS DESCRIBED)

Vaishampāyana said:—Hear now of the names, forms, accomplishments and the principal weapons of the Dānavas. Viprachitti, Shivi, Shanku, Ayashanku, Ayasshirā, Ashwashira, the powerful Hayagrivā, Ketumān, Ugra, Syogra, Vyavra, the great Asura Pushkara, Pushkala, Swashwa, Ashwapati, Prahāda, Ashwashirā, Kumbha, Sanglhāda, Gaganaprya, Anuhrāda, Harihara, Varāha, Sanhara, Aruja, Vrishaparva, Virupaksha, Munindra, Chandralochana, Nishprabha, Suprahva, Nirudara, Ekavaktra, Mahāvaktra Dwivaktra, Sherasa, Sharabha, Kunatha, Kupatha, Kvatha, Mahagarbha, Shankukarna, Mahādhwani, Dirghajish, Arkavadana, Mriduchāpa, Mriduprya, Vāyu, Garistha, Namachi, Shamvara, Viksharā, Chandrahanta, Krodhahanta, Krodhavardhanā, Kālaka, Kalakaksha, Vitra, Krodhavimokshana, Garistha, Havistha, Pralamva, Naraka, Pritha, Indratapana, Vatāpi, Ketumān, Asilomā, Vitomā, Vāskala, Pramada, Mada, Shrigālavavana, Keshi, Ekāksha, Rahu, Tuhunda, Samala, Sripa—these and many other Daityas appeared before the Great Vishnu who was about to place his feet (1-12). 

BALI PROMISES TO GIVE LANDS TO THE DWARF | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 45

CHAPTER LXVI

(BALI PROMISES TO GIVE LANDS TO THE DWARF)

Vishnu said:—"What a wonderful sacrifice is this undertaken by the king of Asuras. There are various sorts of well prepared edibles. O highly powerful Dānava king, your sacrifice has excelled that of the Great Creator Brahmā, that of Sakra the king of the celestials and that of Yama, and Varuna (1-2). This horse-sacrifice, the best of all sacrifices leading to the attainment of heaven, which you have undertaken for destroying your sins, is full of all desirable objects and approved by the Brahmavadins. The Sruti says that Ashwamedha is the best of sacrifices. This great Yajna, which is of the shape of a boar with golden horns, iron hoops and gait fleet like the mind, which has profuse gold and is the origin of the universe, is highly sacred. By performing this sacrifice a man rides the sacrificial horse and gets over his sins. The Vipras, well read in the Vedas, call this sacrificial horse fire. As the order of a householder is the best of all Ashramas, as the Brāhmanas are the best of mankind, as you are now the foremost of Asuras, so the horse-sacrifice is the best of all sacrifices."

VISHNU'S BIRTH AS A DWARF | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 45

CHAPTER LXV

(VISHNU'S BIRTH AS A DWARF)

Vaishampāyana said:—When that Deity was born the seven Patriarchs, Marichi and others and the seven saints bowed unto him, Bharadwāja, Kashyapa, Goutama, Vishwāmitra, Jamadagni, Vasistha, and the lord Atri, who comes into view when the sun is completely clouded, came there. Marichi, Angira, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu and the patriarch Daksha bowed unto him. Aurva, Vashistha's son Stamva, Kashyapa, Kapivan, Akapivan, Dattoli, Chyavana, and Vasistha's seven other sons who passed by the name of Vāsishthas, Hiranyagarbha's son, the highly energetic Aurvajāta, Gārgya, Prithu, Agrya, Janya, Vāmana, Devavāshu, Yadudhra, Somaja, Parjanya, Hiranyroma, Vedashira, Satyanetra, Nimva, Atimbimva, Chyavana, Sudhātmā, Virajā, Atinamā and Sahishnu bowed unto him. Apsaras, having shining persons adorned with various ornaments, danced before Nārāyana. The Gandharvas played on bugles in the sky (1-9). Tumvaru, with other Gandharvas, began to sing. Mahāsruti, Chitrashirā, Urnāyu, Anagha, Gomāyu, Suryavarchā, Somavarchā, Yugapa, Trinapa, Karshni, Nandi, Chitraratha, Shāslishira, Parjanya, Kali, Nārenda, Hāhā, Huhu, and the highly effulgent Gandharva Hansa began to sing before Keshava. There beautiful Apsaras, of large eyes, endued with all auspicious marks and adorned with various ornaments began to dance. Sumadhyā, Chārumadhyā, Pryamukhya, the beautiful Anuka, Jāmi, Mishra keshi, Alamvushā, Marichi, Sruhika, Vidyutparna, Tilottama, Atrika, Lakshmanā, Rambhā, the charming Asitā, Suvāhu, Supnjā, Subhagā, Urvashi, Chitralekhā, Sugrivā, Sulochanā, Pundarikasugandhā, Surathā, Pramāthini, Nanda, Sarashwati, Menaka, Sahajanyā, Parnikā, Punjikasthali and thousands of other Apsaras danced there. Dhātā, Aryamā, Mitrā, Varuna, Angsha, Bhaga, Indra, Vivashwān, Pushā, Twasthā, Savitā and Vishnu, these twelve Adityas, who are known as Kāshyapeyas and effulgent like the sun bowed unto the high souled lord of celestials.

VISHNU PROMISES HELP TO THE GODS | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 44

CHAPTER LXIV

(VISHNU PROMISES HELP TO THE GODS)

Vaishampāyana said:—Hearing those most excellent eulogistic verses recited by the foremost of the twice-born Kashyapa the Lord Nārāyana, having a grave but sweet voice, delightedly and distinctly said to the great gods through the muttering of clouds. The words were heard from the sky, but nobody could see the Lord. Iswara said it with great delight (1-3).

BRAHMA INSTRUCTS THE DEVAS TO GO TO VISHNU | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 43

CHAPTER LXIII

(BRAHMA INSTRUCTS THE DEVAS TO GO TO VISHNU)

Brahmā said:—O ye highly powerful gods, I have learnt the object of your arrival here. O leading Suras, your object will be accomplished. That lord of the universe, who will vanquish Bali the foremost of Dānavas, is not only the victor of the Daityas but is the conqueror of three worlds and is worshipful unto the gods. That eternal origin of the universe is the ordainer of the worlds. People call him omniscient and Hemagarbha. The great Lord, who will destroy the world and the Asura-chief Bali, is the origin of all and is our first born. That Yogin, that soul of the universe is above the reach of thought. Even the Devas do not know that great one: but that Purusottama knows the gods, ourselves and the whole universe. By His grace we fare well. And establishing communion with Him people practise hard austerities in this world.

THE GODS GO TO KASHYAPA FOR FINDING OUT MEANS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF BALI | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 42

CHAPTER LXII

(THE GODS GO TO KASHYAPA FOR FINDING OUT MEANS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF BALI)

Janamejaya said:—O foremost of the twice-born and Munis, vanquished by the Daityas what did the gods do? And how did they regain their heavenly kingdom (1)?

BALI'S PROSPERITY | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 41

CHAPTER LXI

(BALI'S PROSPERITY)

Vaishampāyana said:—The gods were (accordingly) defeated by the Daityas and the worlds were occupied by them. Maya and Samvara announced the victory of the highly powerful Bali. 

THE BEGINNING OF THE DWARF INCARNATION: BALI BECOMES KING | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 40

CHAPTER LX

(THE BEGINNING OF THE DWARF INCARNATION: BALI BECOMES KING)

Vaishampāyana said:—I have thus described to you the man-lion incarnation. I will now describe the dwarf incarnation. Formerly the powerful Vishnu, assuming the form of a dwarf, occupied the kingdom of the three worlds with three footsteps in the sacrifice of the powerful Bali. Having released the earth he conferred it on the king of the celestials (1–3).

VISHNU KILLS HIRANYAKASHIPU | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 39

CHAPTER XXXIX

(VISHNU KILLS HIRANYAKASHIPU)

Vaishampāyana said:—Hearing the words of Pralhāda Hiranyakashipu said to the Daityas:—"Hold this lion assuming a wonderful form. And if you entertain any doubt kill this forest-ranger." Hearing those words and delighted the Danavas surrounded that huge-bodied lion and showed him fear. 

THE ASURAS ARE FILLED WITH SURPRISE AT SEEING THE MAN-LION FORM | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 38

CHAPTER XXXVIII

(THE ASURAS ARE FILLED WITH SURPRISE AT SEEING THE MAN-LION FORM)

Vaishampāyana said:—O Bhārata, thereupon when Hiranyakashipu and all the Danavas saw that mighty-armed one like unto the wheel of time and fire covered with ashes, the beauty, of that man-lion form covered with matted wells and effulgent like the moon, filled every where of that spacious Hall. Seeing that form resembling a conch-shell, a kunda flower and the moon the Dānavas exclaimed "What a wonderful form!" With their celestial vision however Hiranyakashipu and Pralhāda could perceive that the Lord, in the shape of a lion, had come there. 

THE MAN-LION INCARNATION OF VISHNU HIRANYAKASHIPU'S PRAYER TO BRAHMA | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 37

CHAPTER XXXVII

(THE MAN-LION INCARNATION OF VISHNU HIRANYAKASHIPU'S PRAYER TO BRAHMA)

Vaishampāyana said:—O king, I have thus described to you the boar incarnation of Vishnu. I will next describe the man-lion incarnation in which form the Lord killed Hiranyakashipu. Formerly in the Krita Yuga the founder of the Daitya race, the king Hiranyakashipu practised great penances. Living under water he observed the vow of silence like an immoveable object for five thousand and five hundred years. Pleased with his self-control, mastery over his senses and regulations Brahma was highly pleased. Afterward in his white sunny car drawn by swans the Lord Brahmā himself came there and said to the king of Daityas "O you of firm vows, you are my votary. I am pleased with you for your ascetic penances. May you fare well. Pray for a desirable boon" (1-10).

RELEASE OF THE CELESTIALS | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 36

CHAPTER XXXVI

(RELEASE OF THE CELESTIALS)

Vaishampāyana said:—Having thus routed all the Asuras in battle, Hari released Purandara and all the celestials (1). Having regained their natural temperament all the gods, placing Purandara before them, approached Nārāyana (2).

THE LORD COMES OUT AS A BOAR | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 35

CHAPTER XXXV

(THE LORD COMES OUT AS A BOAR)

Vaishampāyana said:—When the gods were assailed and their king became motionless the holder of discus (Vishnu) made up his mind for the destruction of Hiranyaksha the holder of club (1). Assuming the form of a huge boar, described before, the Lord, the slayer of Asuras, came there (2). He took up his conch-shell shining like the moon and his discus of a thousand blades resembling the Chakra mountain (3). The immortals always recite the secret names of this undecaying Purusha, such as Mahadeva Mahabudhi, Mahayogin and Maheshwara. He is the foremost of those conversant with the knowledge of Atman. He is always served by the pious. That ancient Purusha, the creator of the universe, is worshipped in the three worlds. He is the Vaikuntha of the celestials, Ananta of Bhogis, Vishnu of the Yogins, and the presiding god of the sacrificial rites. By his grace the celestials partake of the three-fold sacrificial offerings. Having struck that foremost of Daityas with his discus the Lord blew his most excellent conch-shell. Hearing that dreadful blare of the conch-shell which strikes terror unto the Asuras the Dānavas fled away on all sides.

THE MOUNTAINS SET ASURAS FIGHTING WITH THE GODS | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 34

CHAPTER XXXIV

(THE MOUNTAINS SET ASURAS FIGHTING WITH THE GODS)

Vaishampāyana said:—Once on a time influenced by the Lord's Māyā all the winged mountains, the upholders of the Earth, left it. Thereupon coming to the eastern quarter they dropped into the abode of the Asuras governed by Hiranyaksha as the elephants are drowned into a lake. They then asked the Asuras about the sovereignty over the celestial region. (They said) "Although born after you the gods have acquired the sovereignty: you are not kings although you are born first." Hearing those words the Asuras made most excellent preparations (1–3). And setting their mind upon possessing the earth they took recourse to their incomparable wily understanding. The Asuras, of dreadful prowess, took up various weapons, such as, discus, thunder-bolt, sword, Bhushundi, bow, noose, Prāsa, Sakti, Mushala and club. Some, accoutered in coats of mail, rode upon infuriated elephants. Some great car-warriors drove chariots drawn by horses. Some rode on horses, some, depending on the strength of their own arma, rode on camels, some on bulls, some on buffaloes, some on asses and others proceeded on foot. The soldiers, desirous of fighting, issued out delightedly encircling Hiranyakasha (4–8).

VARIOUS KINGS ARE APPOINTED BY BRAHMA | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 33

CHAPTER XXXIII

(VARIOUS KINGS ARE APPOINTED BY BRAHMA)

Vaishampāyana said:—O Bharata, the Lord appointed Sakra, effulgent like the sun, as the king of the three worlds and of the gods (1). Jishnu, the wielder of thunder-bolt, clad in a coat of mail, was given birth to by Aditi. That intelligent patron of Srmitis is eulogised by Adhyaryus (2). As soon as he was born from Aditi the Lord Sakra was covered with Kuça grass and therefore the king of gods passed by the name of Koushika (3). Having installed the thousand-eyed Purandara as the Lord Paramount Brahmā began gradually to distribute other kingdoms. He installed Soma as the king of Yajnas, asceticism, stars, planets, the twice-born and herbs. He appointed Daksha the king of patriarchs, Varuna the lord of waters, the all-destroyer Vaishwānara, the king of the departed manes and Vayu that of smell, bodiless creatures, sound and ether (4-7). He conferred on Mahādeva the sovereignty over the goblins, Pishacas, Matris, cows, evil portends, diseases, calamities, profuse rain, other disturbances and the evil spirits. He appointed Vaishravana Kuvera as the king of Yakshas, Rakshasas, Guhyakas, all the jewels and wealth. He appointed Sesha as the king of all animals having teeth, Vāsuki as that of Nāgas and Takshaka as that of serpents. He appointed the ocean as the lord of rivers, rain and waters and Avuryā as the lord of Adityas. He appointed Chitraratha as the king of Gandharvas and Kāma that of Apsaras. He appointed the bull, the carrier of Mahadeva, the king of all quadrupeds. The highly effulgent Hiranyakashipu was appointed the king of Daityas and Hiranyāksha as the heir apparent. The highly powerful and first born Viprachitti was appointed the king of Dānavas and Asuras. Prajāpati appointed Mahākala as the king of Kalakeyas and Vitra that of the sons of Anāyusha the wife of Twasthā. He appointed the great Asura Rahu, the son of Sinhikā as the king of all portends and evil omens (8-16).

THE CREATION OF THE VEDAS | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 32

CHAPTER XXXII

(THE CREATION OF THE VEDAS)

Vaishampāyana said:—Thus desirous of creating the universe the Lord began to think. While he was thus meditating a Purusha came out of his mouth. Arriving before the Lord, the Purusha asked "What shall I do?" The Lord, the master of the universe, smilingly replied:—"Divide yourself into two." Saying this, the Lord disappeared. O Bhārata, when the Lord disappeared bodily no relic of his movement was seen there like unto a lamp put out. Then the Hiranyagarbha, who is sung in the Vedas, began to meditate on the words uttered by Him. Formerly the Lord of the universe was the only Patriarch therefore he alone is entitled to sacrificial offerings.

THE CREATION OF MOUNTAINS AND RIVERS | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 31

CHAPTER XXXI

(THE CREATION OF MOUNTAINS AND RIVERS)

Vaishampāyana said:—The earth floated over that vast expanse of water like a boat. On account of the heaviness of her body she did not sink down (1). The Lord then thought of making divisions of the earth. He then thought of the height of mountains, the courses of rivers and their sizes, small or less. Having divided the earth into four continents like unto four petals of a lotus and separated the oceans he created the golden mountain Meru (2-4).

THE WORK OF CREATION AND UPRAISING OF THE EARTH | BHAVISHYA PARVA SECTION - 30

CHAPTER XXX

(THE WORK OF CREATION AND UPRAISING OF THE EARTH)

Vaishampāyana said:—The Vedic Sruti says that formerly this universe of Brahmā existed in the shape of a golden egg. Thereupon for creating the world the omnipotent Lord cut off the egg which had its mouth upwards. The Lord, who was conversant with the knowledge of all divisions, again divided it into eight parts. The etherial hole which was on the surface of the egg was converted into the most excellent Brahma region intended for the virtuous. And the hole underneath was converted into Rasātala. As the material cause of the universe the Lord created that egg with eight sorts of holes; and he then divided senses, in the shape of holes, into gross and subtle elements. And the various parcels of the egg dyed with diverse colors were converted into variegated clouds. The liquid substance, that was in the egg, became gold on earth.