Tvashtri's Counsel to Vritra on Worshipping Brahma

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.6.3.1)

व्यास उवाच । कृतस्वस्त्ययनो वृत्रो ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः । निर्जगाम रथारूढो हन्तुं शक्रं महाबलः

vyāsa uvāca | kṛtasvastyayano vṛtro brāhmaṇairvedapāragaiḥ | nirjagāma rathārūḍho hantuṁ śakraṁ mahābalaḥ

Vyasa said: Having had auspicious blessing-rites performed by brahmins learned in the Vedas, the mighty Vritra mounted his chariot and set forth to slay Shakra.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.6.3.2)

तदैव राक्षसाः क्रूराः पुरा देवपराजिताः । समाजग्मुश्च सेवार्थं वृत्रं ज्ञात्वा महाबलम्

tadaiva rākṣasāḥ krūrāḥ purā devaparājitāḥ | samājagmuśca sevārthaṁ vṛtraṁ jñātvā mahābalam

At that very moment, the cruel rakshasas who had earlier been defeated by the gods, learning of the mighty Vritra, gathered around to serve him.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.6.3.3)

इन्द्रदूतास्तु तं दृष्ट्वा युद्धाय तु समागतम् । वेगादागत्य वृत्तान्तं शशंसुस्तस्य चेष्टितम्

indradūtāstu taṁ dṛṣṭvā yuddhāya tu samāgatam | vegādāgatya vṛttāntaṁ śaśaṁsustasya ceṣṭitam

Indra's messengers, seeing him advancing toward battle, hurried swiftly to him and reported the whole account of Vritra's actions.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.6.3.4)

दूता ऊचुः । स्वामिञ्छीघ्रमिहायाति वृत्रो नाम रिपुस्तव । बलवान्स्यन्दने रूढस्त्वष्ट्रा चोत्पादितः किल

dūtā ūcuḥ | svāmiñchīghramihāyāti vṛtro nāma ripustava | balavānsyandane rūḍhastvaṣṭrā cotpāditaḥ kila

The messengers said: 'O lord, your enemy named Vritra is swiftly approaching — mighty, mounted upon a chariot, indeed begotten by Tvashtri.'

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.6.3.5)

अविचारेण नाशार्थं तव क्रोधान्वितेन वै । पुत्रघाताभितप्तेन दुःसहो राक्षसैर्युतः

avicāreṇa nāśārthaṁ tava krodhānvitena vai | putraghātābhitaptena duḥsaho rākṣasairyutaḥ

'— rash and consumed with rage, tormented by grief for his slain son, accompanied by rakshasas, unbearable, coming purely for your destruction —'

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.6.3.6)

यत्नं कुरु महाभाग शीघ्रमायाति साम्प्रतम् । मेरुमन्दरसङ्काशो घोरशब्दोऽतिदारुणः

yatnaṁ kuru mahābhāga śīghramāyāti sāmpratam | merumandarasaṅkāśo ghoraśabdo'tidāruṇaḥ

'Make ready, O fortunate one — he is coming swiftly, even now, vast as Mount Meru or Mandara, roaring terribly, and utterly dreadful.'

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.6.3.7)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र भीता देवगणा भृशम् । आगत्योचुः सुरपतिं शृण्वन्तं दूतभाषितम्

etasminnantare tatra bhītā devagaṇā bhṛśam | āgatyocuḥ surapatiṁ śṛṇvantaṁ dūtabhāṣitam

Meanwhile, the assembled gods, greatly afraid, came and spoke to the lord of the gods, even as he listened to the messengers' report.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.6.3.8)

गणाः ऊचुः । मघवन् दुर्निमित्तानि भवन्ति त्रिदशालये । बहूनि भयशंसीनि पक्षिणां विरुतानि च

gaṇāḥ ūcuḥ | maghavan durnimittāni bhavanti tridaśālaye | bahūni bhayaśaṁsīni pakṣiṇāṁ virutāni ca

The hosts of gods said: 'O Maghavan, ill omens are occurring throughout the realm of the gods — many portents of fear, along with the shrieking cries of birds.'

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.6.3.9)

काकगृध्रास्तथा श्येनाः कङ्काद्या दारुणाः खगाः । रुदन्ति विकृतैः शब्दैरुत्कारैर्भवनोपरि

kākagṛdhrāstathā śyenāḥ kaṅkādyā dāruṇāḥ khagāḥ | rudanti vikṛtaiḥ śabdairutkārairbhavanopari

Crows, vultures, hawks, herons, and other dreadful birds are shrieking in distorted, harsh cries above the dwellings.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.6.3.10)

चीचीकूचीति निनदान् कुर्वन्ति विहगा भृशम् । वाहनानां च नेत्रेभ्यो जलधाराः पतन्त्यधः

cīcīkūcīti ninadān kurvanti vihagā bhṛśam | vāhanānāṁ ca netrebhyo jaladhārāḥ patantyadhaḥ

Birds are making harsh, piercing cries, and streams of water are pouring down from the eyes of the mounts.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.6.3.11)

श्रूयतेऽतिमहाञ्छब्दो रुदतीनां निशासु च । राक्षसीनां महाभाग भवनोपरि दारुणः

śrūyate'timahāñchabdo rudatīnāṁ niśāsu ca | rākṣasīnāṁ mahābhāga bhavanopari dāruṇaḥ

At night, O fortunate one, an exceedingly loud and dreadful sound of rakshasi-women wailing is heard above the dwellings.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.6.3.12)

प्रपतन्ति ध्वजास्तूर्णं विना वातेन मानद । प्रभवन्ति महोत्पाता दिवि भूम्यन्तरिक्षजाः

prapatanti dhvajāstūrṇaṁ vinā vātena mānada | prabhavanti mahotpātā divi bhūmyantarikṣajāḥ

Banners are toppling swiftly even without any wind, O honored one; great calamities are arising in the sky, on the earth, and in the atmosphere.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.6.3.13)

कृष्णाम्बरधरा नार्यो भ्रमन्ति च गृहे गृहे । यान्तु यान्तु गृहात्तूर्णं कुर्वन्त्यो विकृताननाः

kṛṣṇāmbaradharā nāryo bhramanti ca gṛhe gṛhe | yāntu yāntu gṛhāttūrṇaṁ kurvantyo vikṛtānanāḥ

Women clad in black garments wander from house to house, their faces contorted, crying out, 'Leave, leave the house at once!'

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.6.3.14)

रात्रौ स्वप्नेषु कान्तानां सुप्तानां निजमन्दिरे । केशाँल्लुनन्ति राक्षस्यो भीषयन्त्यो भृशातुराः

rātrau svapneṣu kāntānāṁ suptānāṁ nijamandire | keśā~llunanti rākṣasyo bhīṣayantyo bhṛśāturāḥ

At night, in the dreams of wives sleeping in their own homes, dreadful rakshasi-women, causing great affliction, pull at their hair and fill them with terror.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.6.3.15)

एवंविधानि देवेश भूकम्पोल्कादयस्तथा । गोमायवो रुदन्ति स्म निशायां भवनाङ्गणे

evaṁvidhāni deveśa bhūkampolkādayastathā | gomāyavo rudanti sma niśāyāṁ bhavanāṅgaṇe

Such things are occurring, O lord of the gods — earthquakes, falling meteors, and the like — and jackals are howling by night in the courtyards of the dwellings.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.6.3.16)

सरटानां च जालानि प्रभवन्ति गृहे गृहे । अङ्गप्रस्फुरणादीनि दुर्निमित्तानि सर्वशः

saraṭānāṁ ca jālāni prabhavanti gṛhe gṛhe | aṅgaprasphuraṇādīni durnimittāni sarvaśaḥ

Swarms of lizards are appearing in house after house, and twitching limbs and other such ill omens are occurring everywhere.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.6.3.17)

व्यास उवाच । इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा चिन्तामाप सुरेश्वरः । बृहस्पतिं समाहूय पप्रच्छ च मनोगतम्

vyāsa uvāca | iti teṣāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā cintāmāpa sureśvaraḥ | bṛhaspatiṁ samāhūya papraccha ca manogatam

Vyasa said: Hearing these words of theirs, the lord of the gods fell into anxiety; summoning Brihaspati, he asked him what was troubling his mind.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.6.3.18)

इन्द्र उवाच । ब्रह्मन् किमुत घोराणि निमित्तानि भवन्ति वै । वाताश्च दारुणा वान्ति प्रपतन्त्युलकाः खतः

indra uvāca | brahman kimuta ghorāṇi nimittāni bhavanti vai | vātāśca dāruṇā vānti prapatantyulakāḥ khataḥ

Indra said: 'O brahmin, why are such terrible omens occurring? Fierce winds are blowing, and meteors are falling from the sky.'

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.6.3.19)

सर्वज्ञोऽसि महाभाग समर्थो विघ्ननाशने । बुद्धिमाञ्छास्त्रतत्त्वज्ञो देवतानां गुरुस्तथा

sarvajño'si mahābhāga samartho vighnanāśane | buddhimāñchāstratattvajño devatānāṁ gurustathā

'You, O fortunate one, are all-knowing, capable of destroying every obstacle, wise, versed in the truth of the scriptures, and the very preceptor of the gods.'

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.6.3.20)

कुरु शान्तिं विधानज्ञ शत्रुक्षयविधायिनीम् । यथा मे न भवेद्दुःखं तथा कार्यं विधीयताम्

kuru śāntiṁ vidhānajña śatrukṣayavidhāyinīm | yathā me na bhavedduḥkhaṁ tathā kāryaṁ vidhīyatām

'O knower of the proper rites, perform a rite of peace that will bring about the enemy's destruction; act in such a way that no sorrow befalls me.'

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.6.3.21)

बृहस्पतिरुवाच । किं करोमि सहस्राक्ष त्वयाद्य दुष्कृतं कृतम् । अनागसं मुनिं हत्वा किं फलं समुपार्जितम्

bṛhaspatiruvāca | kiṁ karomi sahasrākṣa tvayādya duṣkṛtaṁ kṛtam | anāgasaṁ muniṁ hatvā kiṁ phalaṁ samupārjitam

Brihaspati said: 'What can I do, O thousand-eyed one? You have committed a wicked act this very day. What fruit have you gained by slaying an innocent sage?'

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.6.3.22)

अत्युग्रं पुण्यपापानां फलं भवति सत्वरम् । विचार्य खलु कर्तव्यं कार्यं तद्भूतिमिच्छता

atyugraṁ puṇyapāpānāṁ phalaṁ bhavati satvaram | vicārya khalu kartavyaṁ kāryaṁ tadbhūtimicchatā

'The fruit of merit and sin is exceedingly severe and comes swiftly upon one. Whoever desires his own welfare must always act only after careful deliberation.'

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.6.3.23)

परोपतापनं कर्म न कर्तव्यं कदाचन । न सुखं विन्दते प्राणी परपीडापरायणः

paropatāpanaṁ karma na kartavyaṁ kadācana | na sukhaṁ vindate prāṇī parapīḍāparāyaṇaḥ

'One should never perform an act that torments another; a being intent on causing pain to others never attains happiness.'

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.6.3.24)

मोहाल्लोभाद्ब्रह्महत्या कृता शक्र त्वयाधुना । तस्य पापस्य सहसा फलमेतदुपागतम्

mohāllobhādbrahmahatyā kṛtā śakra tvayādhunā | tasya pāpasya sahasā phalametadupāgatam

'Out of delusion and greed, O Shakra, you have just now committed the killing of a brahmin; this is the fruit of that very sin, come upon you with such swiftness.'

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.6.3.25)

अवध्यः सर्वदेवानां जातोऽसौ वृत्रसंज्ञकः । हन्तुं त्वां स समायाति दानवैर्बहुभिर्वृतः

avadhyaḥ sarvadevānāṁ jāto'sau vṛtrasaṁjñakaḥ | hantuṁ tvāṁ sa samāyāti dānavairbahubhirvṛtaḥ

'That one named Vritra who has been born is unslayable by all the gods together; surrounded by many danavas, he is now coming to kill you.'

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.6.3.26)

आयुधानि च सर्वाणि वज्रतुल्यानि वासव । त्वष्ट्रा दत्तानि दिव्यानि गृहीत्वा समुपस्थितः

āyudhāni ca sarvāṇi vajratulyāni vāsava | tvaṣṭrā dattāni divyāni gṛhītvā samupasthitaḥ

'Having taken up all the divine weapons Tvashtri gave him, each equal to the thunderbolt itself, he now stands there ready, O Vasava.'

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.6.3.27)

समागच्छति दुर्धर्षो रथारूढः प्रतापवान् । देवेन्द्र प्रलयं कुर्वन्नास्य मृत्युर्भविष्यति

samāgacchati durdharṣo rathārūḍhaḥ pratāpavān | devendra pralayaṁ kurvannāsya mṛtyurbhaviṣyati

'He is coming, O lord of the gods — unassailable, mounted on his chariot, full of might, bringing havoc like the dissolution itself; and he shall have no death.'

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.6.3.28)

कोलाहलस्तदा जातस्तथा ब्रुवति वाक्पतौ । गन्धर्वाः किन्नरा यक्षा मुनयश्च तपोधनाः

kolāhalastadā jātastathā bruvati vākpatau | gandharvāḥ kinnarā yakṣā munayaśca tapodhanāḥ

Even as the lord of speech was speaking thus, an uproar arose; the gandharvas, kinnaras, yakshas, and the sages rich in austerity —

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.6.3.29)

सदनानि विहायैवामराः सर्वे पलायिताः । तद्दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यं शक्रश्चिन्तापरायणः

sadanāni vihāyaivāmarāḥ sarve palāyitāḥ | taddṛṣṭvā mahadāścaryaṁ śakraścintāparāyaṇaḥ

— all the immortals abandoned their own abodes and fled. Beholding this great wonder, Shakra sank into deep anxiety.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.6.3.30)

आज्ञापयामास तदा सेनोद्योगाय सेवकान् । आनयध्वं वसून् रुद्रानश्विनौ च दिवाकरान्

ājñāpayāmāsa tadā senodyogāya sevakān | ānayadhvaṁ vasūn rudrānaśvinau ca divākarān

He then commanded his attendants to prepare the army: 'Bring the Vasus, the Rudras, the two Ashvins, and the sons of the sun.'

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.6.3.31)

पूषणं च भगं वायुं कुबेरं वरुणं यमम् । विमानेषु समारुह्य सायुधाः सुरसत्तमाः

pūṣaṇaṁ ca bhagaṁ vāyuṁ kuberaṁ varuṇaṁ yamam | vimāneṣu samāruhya sāyudhāḥ surasattamāḥ

'And Pushan, Bhaga, Vayu, Kubera, Varuna, and Yama too — let the finest of the gods mount their aerial chariots, fully armed.'

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.6.3.32)

समागच्छन्तु तरसा शत्रुरायाति साम्प्रतम् । इत्याज्ञाप्य सुरपतिः समारुह्य गजोत्तमम्

samāgacchantu tarasā śatrurāyāti sāmpratam | ityājñāpya surapatiḥ samāruhya gajottamam

'Let them gather at once, for the enemy is approaching even now.' Having given this command, the lord of the gods mounted his finest elephant.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.6.3.33)

बृहस्पतिं पुरोधाय निर्गतो निजमन्दिरात् । तथैव त्रिदशाः सर्वे स्वं स्वं वाहनमास्थिताः

bṛhaspatiṁ purodhāya nirgato nijamandirāt | tathaiva tridaśāḥ sarve svaṁ svaṁ vāhanamāsthitāḥ

Placing Brihaspati at his head, he set forth from his own palace, and likewise all the gods took their places, each mounted on his own vehicle.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.6.3.34)

युद्धाय कृतसङ्कल्पा निर्ययुः शस्त्रपाणयः । वृत्रोऽथ दानवैर्युक्तः सम्प्राप्तो मानसोत्तरम्

yuddhāya kṛtasaṅkalpā niryayuḥ śastrapāṇayaḥ | vṛtro'tha dānavairyuktaḥ samprāpto mānasottaram

Resolved on battle, weapons in hand, they marched forth; meanwhile Vritra, accompanied by the danavas, arrived at Mount Manasottara.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.6.3.35)

पर्वतं देवतावासं रम्यं पादपशोभितम् । इन्द्रोऽप्यागत्य सङ्ग्रामं चकार मानसोत्तरे

parvataṁ devatāvāsaṁ ramyaṁ pādapaśobhitam | indro'pyāgatya saṅgrāmaṁ cakāra mānasottare

— a mountain that served as the dwelling place of the gods, delightful and adorned with trees. Indra too arrived there and joined battle at Manasottara.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.6.3.36)

पर्वते देवतायुक्तो वाचस्पतिपुरःसरः । तत्राभूद्दारुणं युद्धं वृत्रवासवयोस्तदा

parvate devatāyukto vācaspatipuraḥsaraḥ | tatrābhūddāruṇaṁ yuddhaṁ vṛtravāsavayostadā

On that mountain, together with the gods and with the lord of speech leading the way, a fierce battle then broke out there between Vritra and Vasava.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.6.3.37)

गदासिपरिघैः पाशैर्बाणैः शक्तिपरश्वधैः । मानुषेण प्रमाणेन सङ्ग्रामः शरदां शतम्

gadāsiparighaiḥ pāśairbāṇaiḥ śaktiparaśvadhaiḥ | mānuṣeṇa pramāṇena saṅgrāmaḥ śaradāṁ śatam

With maces, swords, iron clubs, nooses, arrows, javelins, and axes — the battle, reckoned in human years, raged on for a hundred years.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.6.3.38)

बभूव भयदो नॄणामृषीणां भावितात्मनाम् । वरुणः प्रथमं भग्नस्ततो वायुगणः किल

babhūva bhayado nṝṇāmṛṣīṇāṁ bhāvitātmanām | varuṇaḥ prathamaṁ bhagnastato vāyugaṇaḥ kila

It became so terrifying that it frightened even men and sages of purified soul; first Varuna was routed, and then the host of Vayu as well.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.6.3.39)

यमो विभावसुः शक्रः सर्वे ते निर्गता रणात् । पलायनपरान् दृष्ट्वा देवानिन्द्रपुरोगमान्

yamo vibhāvasuḥ śakraḥ sarve te nirgatā raṇāt | palāyanaparān dṛṣṭvā devānindrapurogamān

Yama, Vibhavasu (Agni), and Shakra — all of them fled from the field of battle. Seeing the gods, with Indra at their head, bent on retreat —

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.6.3.40)

वृत्रोऽपि पितरं प्रागादाश्रमस्थं मुदान्वितम् । प्रणम्य प्राह त्वष्टारं पितः कार्यं मया कृतम्

vṛtro'pi pitaraṁ prāgādāśramasthaṁ mudānvitam | praṇamya prāha tvaṣṭāraṁ pitaḥ kāryaṁ mayā kṛtam

Vritra himself, filled with joy, then went before his father in the hermitage and, bowing to Tvashtri, said: 'Father, I have accomplished the task.'

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.6.3.41)

देवा विनिर्जिताः सर्वे सेन्द्राः समरसंस्थिताः । विद्रुतास्ते गताः स्थानं यथा सिंहान्मृगा गजाः

devā vinirjitāḥ sarve sendrāḥ samarasaṁsthitāḥ | vidrutāste gatāḥ sthānaṁ yathā siṁhānmṛgā gajāḥ

'All the gods, Indra among them, who stood their ground in battle, have been utterly routed; they fled to their own abodes just as deer and elephants flee before a lion.'

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.6.3.42)

इन्द्रः पदातिरगमन्मयानीतो गजोत्तमः । ऐरावतोऽयं भगवन् गृहाण द्विरदोत्तमम्

indraḥ padātiragamanmayānīto gajottamaḥ | airāvato'yaṁ bhagavan gṛhāṇa dviradottamam

'Indra has fled on foot; I have brought this finest of elephants, Airavata, along with me — O lord, accept this excellent elephant.'

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.6.3.43)

न हतास्ते मया यस्मादयुक्तं भीतमारणम् । आज्ञापय पुनस्तात किं करोमि तवेप्सितम्

na hatāste mayā yasmādayuktaṁ bhītamāraṇam | ājñāpaya punastāta kiṁ karomi tavepsitam

'I did not kill them, for it is wrong to slay one who is fleeing in fear. Command me again, father — what would you have me do?'

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.6.3.44)

निर्जरा निर्गताः सर्वे भयभीता श्रमातुराः । इन्द्रोऽप्यैरावतं त्यक्त्वा भयभीतः पलायितः

nirjarā nirgatāḥ sarve bhayabhītā śramāturāḥ | indro'pyairāvataṁ tyaktvā bhayabhītaḥ palāyitaḥ

All the immortals fled, terrified and worn out with exertion; Indra too abandoned Airavata and fled away in fear.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.6.3.45)

व्यास उवाच । इति पुत्रवचः श्रुत्वा त्वष्टा प्राह मुदान्वितः । पुत्रवानद्य जातोऽस्मि सफलं मम जीवितम्

vyāsa uvāca | iti putravacaḥ śrutvā tvaṣṭā prāha mudānvitaḥ | putravānadya jāto'smi saphalaṁ mama jīvitam

Vyasa said: Hearing his son's words, Tvashtri said, filled with joy: 'Today I have truly become a father; my life has become fruitful.'

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.6.3.46)

त्वयाहं पावितः पुत्र गतो मे मानसो ज्वरः । निश्चलं मे मनो जातं दृष्ट्वा वीर्यं तवाद्भुतम्

tvayāhaṁ pāvitaḥ putra gato me mānaso jvaraḥ | niścalaṁ me mano jātaṁ dṛṣṭvā vīryaṁ tavādbhutam

'You have purified me, my son; the fever in my mind is gone. Seeing your wondrous valor, my heart has grown steady and calm.'

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.6.3.47)

शृणु वक्ष्याम्यहं पुत्र हितं तेऽद्य निशामय । तपः कुरु महाभाग सावधानः स्थिरासनः

śṛṇu vakṣyāmyahaṁ putra hitaṁ te'dya niśāmaya | tapaḥ kuru mahābhāga sāvadhānaḥ sthirāsanaḥ

'Listen, my son — I shall tell you now what is for your good; heed it well. O fortunate one, perform austerity with great care, seated in a firm posture.'

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.6.3.48)

विश्वासो नैव कर्तव्यः केषाञ्चित्पाकशासनः । शत्रुस्ते छलकर्तास्ति नानाभेदविशारदः

viśvāso naiva kartavyaḥ keṣāñcitpākaśāsanaḥ | śatruste chalakartāsti nānābhedaviśāradaḥ

'Never place your trust in certain ones — Pakashasana (Indra) is your enemy, skilled in deceit and every kind of division.'

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.6.3.49)

तपसा प्राप्यते लक्ष्मीस्तपसा राज्यमुत्तमम् । तपसा बलवृद्धिः स्यात्सङ्ग्रामे विजयस्तथा

tapasā prāpyate lakṣmīstapasā rājyamuttamam | tapasā balavṛddhiḥ syātsaṅgrāme vijayastathā

'By austerity, prosperity is gained; by austerity, the highest kingship. By austerity comes the growth of strength, and by it, victory in battle as well.'

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.6.3.50)

आराध्य द्रुहिणं देवं लब्ध्वा वरमनुत्तमम् । जहि शक्रं दुराचारं ब्रह्महत्यासमावृतम्

ārādhya druhiṇaṁ devaṁ labdhvā varamanuttamam | jahi śakraṁ durācāraṁ brahmahatyāsamāvṛtam

'Worship the god Brahma, obtain an unequalled boon from him, and then slay the evil-conducted Shakra, wrapped as he is in the sin of killing a brahmin.'

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.6.3.51)

सावधानः स्थिरो भूत्वा दातारं भज शङ्करम् । वाञ्छितं स वरं दद्यात्सन्तुष्टश्चतुराननः

sāvadhānaḥ sthiro bhūtvā dātāraṁ bhaja śaṅkaram | vāñchitaṁ sa varaṁ dadyātsantuṣṭaścaturānanaḥ

'Remaining watchful and steady, worship that beneficent giver of boons (Brahma); when pleased, the four-faced one will grant you the boon you desire.'

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.6.3.52)

तोषयित्वा विश्वयोनिं ब्रह्माणममितौजसम् । अविनाशित्वमासाद्य जहि शक्रं कृतागसम्

toṣayitvā viśvayoniṁ brahmāṇamamitaujasam | avināśitvamāsādya jahi śakraṁ kṛtāgasam

'Having pleased Brahma, the source of the universe, boundless in splendor, and having obtained indestructibility from him, slay Shakra, the offender.'

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.6.3.53)

वैरं मनसि मे पुत्र वर्तते सुतघातजम् । न शान्तिमनुगच्छामि न स्वपामि सुखेन ह

vairaṁ manasi me putra vartate sutaghātajam | na śāntimanugacchāmi na svapāmi sukhena ha

'In my heart, my son, the enmity born of my son's killing still remains; I find no peace, nor can I sleep in comfort.'

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.6.3.54)

तापसो मे हतः पुत्रो निरागाः पाप्मना यतः । न विन्दामि सुखं वृत्र त्वं मामुद्धर दुःखितम्

tāpaso me hataḥ putro nirāgāḥ pāpmanā yataḥ | na vindāmi sukhaṁ vṛtra tvaṁ māmuddhara duḥkhitam

'My innocent ascetic son was slain by that sinful one; I find no happiness, O Vritra — deliver me from this sorrow.'

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.6.3.55)

व्यास उवाच । तदाकर्ण्य पितुर्वाक्यं वृत्रः क्रोधयुतस्तदा । आज्ञामादाय च पितुर्जगाम तपसे मुदा

vyāsa uvāca | tadākarṇya piturvākyaṁ vṛtraḥ krodhayutastadā | ājñāmādāya ca piturjagāma tapase mudā

Vyasa said: Hearing his father's words, Vritra was filled with anger; taking his father's command, he went off joyfully to perform austerity.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.6.3.56)

गन्धमादनमासाद्य पुण्यां देवधुनीं शुभाम् । स्नात्वा कुशासनं कृत्वा संस्थितश्च स्थिरासनः

gandhamādanamāsādya puṇyāṁ devadhunīṁ śubhām | snātvā kuśāsanaṁ kṛtvā saṁsthitaśca sthirāsanaḥ

Reaching Mount Gandhamadana and the sacred, auspicious river of the gods (the Ganga), he bathed, spread a seat of kusha grass, and settled into a firm posture.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.6.3.57)

त्यक्त्वान्नं वारिपानं च योगाभ्यासपरायणः । ध्यायन्विश्वसृजं चित्ते सोपविष्टः स्थिरासने

tyaktvānnaṁ vāripānaṁ ca yogābhyāsaparāyaṇaḥ | dhyāyanviśvasṛjaṁ citte sopaviṣṭaḥ sthirāsane

Renouncing food and even the drinking of water, devoted wholly to the practice of yoga, meditating in his heart upon the creator of the universe, he remained seated in that firm posture.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.6.3.58)

मघवा तं तपस्यन्तं ज्ञात्वा चिन्तातुरो ह्यभूत् । गन्धर्वान्प्रेषयामास विघ्नार्थं पाकशासनः

maghavā taṁ tapasyantaṁ jñātvā cintāturo hyabhūt | gandharvānpreṣayāmāsa vighnārthaṁ pākaśāsanaḥ

Learning that he was performing austerity, Maghavan grew deeply anxious; Pakashasana sent gandharvas to create obstacles.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.6.3.59)

यक्षांश्च पन्नगान्सर्पान्किन्नरानमितौजसः । विद्याधरानप्सरसो देवदूताननेकशः

yakṣāṁśca pannagānsarpānkinnarānamitaujasaḥ | vidyādharānapsaraso devadūtānanekaśaḥ

And he sent yakshas, nagas, serpents, kinnaras of boundless splendor, vidyadharas, apsarases, and many divine messengers as well.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.6.3.60)

उपायास्तैः कृताः सम्यक् तपोविघ्नाय मायिभिः । न चचाल ततो ध्यानात्त्वाष्ट्रः परमतापसः

upāyāstaiḥ kṛtāḥ samyak tapovighnāya māyibhiḥ | na cacāla tato dhyānāttvāṣṭraḥ paramatāpasaḥ

Those masters of illusion employed every device to obstruct his austerity — yet Tvashtri's son, the supreme ascetic, did not waver in the least from his meditation.