The Story of Khanitra

Verse 1 (markandeya.114.1)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच तस्य तस्यां सुनन्दायां पुत्रा द्वादश जज्ञिरे । प्रांशुः प्रवीरः शूरश्च सुचक्रो विक्रमः क्रमः ॥ 114.1 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca tasya tasyāṁ sunandāyāṁ putrā dvādaśa jajñire prāṁśuḥ pravīraḥ śūraśca sucakro vikramaḥ kramaḥ

Markandeya said: To him, by that Sunanda, twelve sons were born: Pramshu, Pravira, Shura, Suchakra, Vikrama, Krama,

Verse 2 (markandeya.114.2)

बली बलाकश्चण्डश्च प्रचण्डश्च सुविक्रमः । सुनयश्च महाभागाः सर्वे संग्रामजित्तमाः ॥ 114.2 ॥

balī balākaścaṇḍaśca pracaṇḍaśca suvikramaḥ sunayaśca mahābhāgāḥ sarve saṁgrāmajittamāḥ

Bali, Balaka, Chanda, Prachanda, Suvikrama, and Sunaya — all illustrious, foremost among the victors in battle.

Verse 3 (markandeya.114.3)

तेषां ज्येष्ठो महावीर्यः प्रांशुरासीन्नराधिपः । इतरे भृत्यवत्तस्य बभूवुर्वशवर्त्तिनः ॥ 114.3 ॥

teṣāṁ jyeṣṭho mahāvīryaḥ prāṁśurāsīnnarādhipaḥ itare bhṛtyavattasya babhūvurvaśavarttinaḥ

Of them, the eldest, Pramshu, of great valor, became the ruler; the others became like servants, subject to his will.

Verse 4 (markandeya.114.4)

तस्य यज्ञे द्विजत्यक्तैरनेकैर्द्रव्यराशिभिः । न्यूनवर्णविसृष्टैश्च सत्यनामा वसुन्धरा ॥ 114.4 ॥

tasya yajñe dvijatyaktairanekairdravyarāśibhiḥ nyūnavarṇavisṛṣṭaiśca satyanāmā vasundharā

At his sacrifice, through the many heaps of wealth given up by the brahmins and distributed even to the lower classes, the earth lived up to her true name, Vasundhara — the wealth-bearer.

Verse 5 (markandeya.114.5)

सम्यक्पालयतस्तस्य प्रजाः पुत्रानिवौरसान् । योऽभूद्धनचयः कोशे तेन निष्पादितास्तु ये ॥ 114.5 ॥

samyakpālayatastasya prajāḥ putrānivaurasān yo'bhūddhanacayaḥ kośe tena niṣpāditāstu ye

By him, who tended his subjects well as though they were his own begotten sons — with whatever store of wealth lay in his treasury, these were accomplished:

Verse 6 (markandeya.114.6)

क्रतवः शतं सहस्रास्ते तेषां संख्या न विद्यते । अयुताद्येन कोटीभिर्न च पद्मादिभिर्मुने ॥ 114.6 ॥

kratavaḥ śataṁ sahasrāste teṣāṁ saṁkhyā na vidyate ayutādyena koṭībhirna ca padmādibhirmune

a hundred thousand sacrifices, whose number is not known — not in myriads, nor in crores, nor even in padmas and the like, O sage.

Verse 7 (markandeya.114.7)

प्रजातिस्तस्य षुत्रोऽभूद्यस्य यज्ञे शतक्रतुः । अवाप्य तृप्तिमतुलां यज्ञभागैः सुरैः सह ॥ 114.7 ॥

prajātistasya ṣutro'bhūdyasya yajñe śatakratuḥ avāpya tṛptimatulāṁ yajñabhāgaiḥ suraiḥ saha

Pramshu's son was Prajati, at whose sacrifice Shatakratu (Indra), having obtained unequalled satisfaction through his portion of the offering together with the gods,

Verse 8 (markandeya.114.8)

दानवानां सुवीर्याणां जघान नवतीर्नव । बलं च बलिनां श्रेष्ठो जम्भं चासुरसत्तमम् ॥ 114.8 ॥

dānavānāṁ suvīryāṇāṁ jaghāna navatīrnava balaṁ ca balināṁ śreṣṭho jambhaṁ cāsurasattamam

slew ninety-nine mighty danavas; and that foremost of the strong also slew Jambha, chief among the asuras.

Verse 9 (markandeya.114.9)

अन्यांश्च सुमहावीर्यानाजघानामरद्विषः । प्रजातेस्तनयाः पञ्च खनित्रप्रमुखा मुने ॥ 114.9 ॥

anyāṁśca sumahāvīryānājaghānāmaradviṣaḥ prajātestanayāḥ pañca khanitrapramukhā mune

And he slew many other danavas of very great valor, enemies of the immortals. Prajati had five sons, O sage, headed by Khanitra.

Verse 10 (markandeya.114.10)

तेषां खनित्रो राजाभूत्प्रख्यातो निजविक्रमैः । स शान्तः सत्यवाक्छूरः सर्वप्राणिहिते रतः ॥ 114.10 ॥

teṣāṁ khanitro rājābhūtprakhyāto nijavikramaiḥ sa śāntaḥ satyavākchūraḥ sarvaprāṇihite rataḥ

Of them, Khanitra became king, renowned for his own valor; he was peaceful, truthful in speech, valiant, and devoted to the welfare of all beings.

Verse 11 (markandeya.114.11)

स्वधर्माभिरतो नित्यं वृद्धसेवी बहुश्रुतः । वाग्मी विनयसम्पन्नः कृतास्त्रोऽप्यविकत्थनः ॥ 114.11 ॥

svadharmābhirato nityaṁ vṛddhasevī bahuśrutaḥ vāgmī vinayasampannaḥ kṛtāstro'pyavikatthanaḥ

Ever devoted to his own duty, a server of elders, widely learned, eloquent, endowed with humility — though skilled in weapons, he never boasted.

Verse 12 (markandeya.114.12)

सर्वलोकप्रियो नित्यमुवाचैतदहर्निशम् । नन्दन्तु सर्वभूतानि स्निह्यन्तु विजनेष्वपि ॥ 114.12 ॥

sarvalokapriyo nityamuvācaitadaharniśam nandantu sarvabhūtāni snihyantu vijaneṣvapi

Beloved by all the world, he would say this continually, day and night: "May all beings rejoice; may they show affection even to those who are alone;

Verse 13 (markandeya.114.13)

स्वस्त्यस्तु सर्वभूतेषु निरातङ्कानि सन्तु च । मा व्याधिरस्तु भूतानामाधयो न भवन्तु च ॥ 114.13 ॥

svastyastu sarvabhūteṣu nirātaṅkāni santu ca mā vyādhirastu bhūtānāmādhayo na bhavantu ca

may there be well-being for all beings, may they be free of dread; let there be no disease for beings, nor any mental anguish.

Verse 14 (markandeya.114.14)

मैत्रीमशेषभूतानि पुष्यन्तु सकले जने । शिवमस्तु द्विजातीनां प्रीतिरस्तु परस्परम् ॥ 114.14 ॥

maitrīmaśeṣabhūtāni puṣyantu sakale jane śivamastu dvijātīnāṁ prītirastu parasparam

May all beings nurture friendship among all people; may there be well-being for the twice-born, and mutual affection among all.

Verse 15 (markandeya.114.15)

समृद्धिः सर्ववर्णानां सिद्धिरस्तु च कर्मणाम् । भो लोकाः सर्वभूतेषु शिवा वोऽस्तु सदा मतिः ॥ 114.15 ॥

samṛddhiḥ sarvavarṇānāṁ siddhirastu ca karmaṇām bho lokāḥ sarvabhūteṣu śivā vo'stu sadā matiḥ

May there be prosperity for all the varnas, and may their undertakings succeed; O people, may your disposition toward all beings ever be auspicious.

Verse 16 (markandeya.114.16)

यथात्मनि यथा पुत्रे हितमिच्छथ सर्वदा । तथा समस्तभूतेषु वर्त्तध्वं हितबुद्धयः ॥ 114.16 ॥

yathātmani yathā putre hitamicchatha sarvadā tathā samastabhūteṣu varttadhvaṁ hitabuddhayaḥ

As you always wish for the good of yourself and your own child, so too conduct yourselves toward all beings with a mind bent on their welfare.

Verse 17 (markandeya.114.17)

एतद्वो हितमत्यन्तं को वा कस्यापराध्यते । यत्करोत्यहितं किञ्चित्कस्यचिन्मूढमानसः ॥ 114.17 ॥

etadvo hitamatyantaṁ ko vā kasyāparādhyate yatkarotyahitaṁ kiñcitkasyacinmūḍhamānasaḥ

This is your utmost good — for who really offends against whom, when it is only some deluded-minded person who does some harm to another?

Verse 18 (markandeya.114.18)

तं समभ्येति तन्न्यूनं कर्तृगामिफलं यतः । इति मत्वा समस्तेषु भो लोका हितबुद्धयः ॥ 114.18 ॥

taṁ samabhyeti tannyūnaṁ kartṛgāmiphalaṁ yataḥ iti matvā samasteṣu bho lokā hitabuddhayaḥ

That very harm returns upon its doer, since the fruit goes back to the one who acts. Knowing this, O people, hold a mind bent on the good of all.

Verse 19 (markandeya.114.19)

सन्तु मा लौकिकं पापं लोकाः प्राप्स्यथ वै बुधाः । यो मेऽद्य स्निह्यते तस्य शिवमस्तु सदा भुवि ॥ 114.19 ॥

santu mā laukikaṁ pāpaṁ lokāḥ prāpsyatha vai budhāḥ yo me'dya snihyate tasya śivamastu sadā bhuvi

Let there be no worldly sin; you, O wise ones, shall attain good worlds. May there be well-being always on this earth for whoever shows affection to me today,

Verse 20 (markandeya.114.20)

यश्च मां द्वेष्टि लोकेऽस्मिन्सोऽपि भद्राणि पश्यतु । एवं स्वरूपः पुत्रोऽभूत्खनित्रस्तस्य भूपते ॥ 114.20 ॥

yaśca māṁ dveṣṭi loke'sminso'pi bhadrāṇi paśyatu evaṁ svarūpaḥ putro'bhūtkhanitrastasya bhūpate

and may whoever hates me in this world also behold only what is good." Such in nature was that son, Khanitra, born to that king.

Verse 21 (markandeya.114.21)

समस्तगुणसम्पन्नः श्रीमानब्जदलेक्षणः । तेन ते भ्रातरः प्रीत्या पृथग्राज्येषु योजिताः ॥ 114.21 ॥

samastaguṇasampannaḥ śrīmānabjadalekṣaṇaḥ tena te bhrātaraḥ prītyā pṛthagrājyeṣu yojitāḥ

Endowed with every virtue, glorious, with eyes like lotus petals — he, out of affection, established his brothers each in a separate kingdom,

Verse 22 (markandeya.114.22)

स्वयं च पृथिवीमेतां बुभुजे सागराम्बराम् । प्राच्यां तेन कृतः शौरिर्दक्षिणस्यामुदावसुः ॥ 114.22 ॥

svayaṁ ca pṛthivīmetāṁ bubhuje sāgarāmbarām prācyāṁ tena kṛtaḥ śaurirdakṣiṇasyāmudāvasuḥ

while he himself enjoyed this whole earth, girdled by the ocean. He established Shauri in the east, and Udavasu in the south.

Verse 23 (markandeya.114.23)

दिशि प्रतीच्यां मुनय उत्तरस्यां महारथाः । तेषां तस्य च भूपस्य पृथग्गोत्राः पुरोहिताः ॥ 114.23 ॥

diśi pratīcyāṁ munaya uttarasyāṁ mahārathāḥ teṣāṁ tasya ca bhūpasya pṛthaggotrāḥ purohitāḥ

In the west, sages [were placed], and in the north, mighty chariot-warriors. Of them, and of that king himself, there were family priests of separate gotras,

Verse 24 (markandeya.114.24)

बभूवुर्मुनयश्चैव मन्त्रिवंशक्रमागताः । शौरेरत्रिकुलोद्भूतः सुहोत्रो नाम वै द्विजः ॥ 114.24 ॥

babhūvurmunayaścaiva mantrivaṁśakramāgatāḥ śaureratrikulodbhūtaḥ suhotro nāma vai dvijaḥ

who were sages, and who had also come down through a line of ministers. Shauri's priest was a brahmin born in the Atri lineage, named Suhotra.

Verse 25 (markandeya.114.25)

उदावसोः कुशावर्त्तो गौतमान्वयजोऽभवत् । काश्यपः प्रमतिर्नाम सुनयस्य पुरोहितः ॥ 114.25 ॥

udāvasoḥ kuśāvartto gautamānvayajo'bhavat kāśyapaḥ pramatirnāma sunayasya purohitaḥ

Udavasu's priest was Kushavarta, born in the Gautama lineage. Sunaya's priest was Pramati, of the Kashyapa gotra.

Verse 26 (markandeya.114.26)

महारथस्य वासिष्ठः पुरोधाऽभून्महीभृतः । बुभुजुस्ते स्वराज्यानि चत्वारोऽपि नराधिपाः ॥ 114.26 ॥

mahārathasya vāsiṣṭhaḥ purodhā'bhūnmahībhṛtaḥ bubhujuste svarājyāni catvāro'pi narādhipāḥ

Maharatha's family priest was of the Vasishtha lineage. Thus all four of these kings enjoyed their own separate realms.

Verse 27 (markandeya.114.27)

खनित्रश्चाधिपस्तेषामशेषवसुधाधिपः । तेषु भ्रातृष्वशेषेषु खनित्रः स महीपतिः ॥ 114.27 ॥

khanitraścādhipasteṣāmaśeṣavasudhādhipaḥ teṣu bhrātṛṣvaśeṣeṣu khanitraḥ sa mahīpatiḥ

And Khanitra was their overlord, sovereign over the entire earth. Among all those brothers, that Khanitra, lord of the earth,

Verse 28 (markandeya.114.28)

प्रजासु च समस्तासु पुत्रेष्विव सदा हितः । एकदा मन्त्रिणा शौरिः स प्रोक्तो विश्ववेदिना ॥ 114.28 ॥

prajāsu ca samastāsu putreṣviva sadā hitaḥ ekadā mantriṇā śauriḥ sa prokto viśvavedinā

was always as beneficent toward all his subjects as toward his own sons. Once, that Shauri was addressed by his minister, Vishvavedin:

Verse 29 (markandeya.114.29)

विविक्ते पृथिवीपाल किञ्चिद्वक्तव्यमस्ति नः । यस्येयं पृथिवी कृत्स्ना यस्य भूपा वशानुगाः ॥ 114.29 ॥

vivikte pṛthivīpāla kiñcidvaktavyamasti naḥ yasyeyaṁ pṛthivī kṛtsnā yasya bhūpā vaśānugāḥ

"O protector of the earth, in private we have something to say. Whose this whole earth is, whose kings are all subject to his will —

Verse 30 (markandeya.114.30)

स राजा तस्य पुत्रश्च तत्पौत्राश्चान्वयस्ततः । इतरे भ्रातरस्तस्य प्राक्त्वल्पविषयाधिपाः ॥ 114.30 ॥

sa rājā tasya putraśca tatpautrāścānvayastataḥ itare bhrātarastasya prāktvalpaviṣayādhipāḥ

he is the true king — and his son, and after him his grandsons in succession, likewise. His other brothers were, from the start, rulers of only small territories;

Verse 31 (markandeya.114.31)

तत्पुत्राश्चाल्पकास्तस्मात्तत्पौत्राश्चाल्पकाल्पकाः । कालेन ह्रासमासाद्य पुरुषात्पुरुषान्तरम् ॥ 114.31 ॥

tatputrāścālpakāstasmāttatpautrāścālpakālpakāḥ kālena hrāsamāsādya puruṣātpuruṣāntaram

their sons smaller still, and their grandsons smaller yet — diminishing with time, from one generation to the next.

Verse 32 (markandeya.114.32)

कृष्योपजीविनो भूप भवन्तीति तदन्वयाः । नोद्धारं कुरुते भ्राता भ्रातृस्नेहबलार्पणः ॥ 114.32 ॥

kṛṣyopajīvino bhūpa bhavantīti tadanvayāḥ noddhāraṁ kurute bhrātā bhrātṛsnehabalārpaṇaḥ

In this way, O king, their descendants become mere tillers of the soil, living by farming. No brother undertakes to raise up a brother on the strength of brotherly affection alone.

Verse 33 (markandeya.114.33)

स्नेहः कः पृथिवीपाल परयोर्भ्रातृपुत्रयोः । तत्पुत्रयोः परतरा मतिर्भवति पार्थिव ॥ 114.33 ॥

snehaḥ kaḥ pṛthivīpāla parayorbhrātṛputrayoḥ tatputrayoḥ paratarā matirbhavati pārthiva

O protector of the earth, what affection is there really between two distant cousins? Toward their sons in turn, O king, that disposition becomes even more remote.

Verse 34 (markandeya.114.34)

तत्पुत्रः केन कार्येण प्रीतियुक्तो भविष्यति । अथवा येन तेनैव सन्तोषं कुरुते नृपः ॥ 114.34 ॥

tatputraḥ kena kāryeṇa prītiyukto bhaviṣyati athavā yena tenaiva santoṣaṁ kurute nṛpaḥ

By what cause will that distant son come to feel affection? Or the king simply contents himself with whatever meagre share he gets.

Verse 35 (markandeya.114.35)

क्रियते तत्किमर्थं तु भूपैर्मन्त्रिपरिग्रहः । भुज्यते सकलं राज्यं मया ते मन्त्रिणा सता ॥ 114.35 ॥

kriyate tatkimarthaṁ tu bhūpairmantriparigrahaḥ bhujyate sakalaṁ rājyaṁ mayā te mantriṇā satā

Then why do kings undertake to keep ministers at all? The entire kingdom is, in effect, enjoyed by me, your faithful minister —

Verse 36 (markandeya.114.36)

तत्किं मुधा धारयसे सन्तोषं कुरुते यदि । कार्यनिष्पादकं राज्यं करणं कर्तुरिष्यते ॥ 114.36 ॥

tatkiṁ mudhā dhārayase santoṣaṁ kurute yadi kāryaniṣpādakaṁ rājyaṁ karaṇaṁ karturiṣyate

then why do you hold it in vain? If that contents you, consider: a kingdom is desired as an instrument for accomplishing a purpose, and an instrument exists for its wielder.

Verse 37 (markandeya.114.37)

राज्यलब्धुश्च ते कार्यं त्वं कर्त्ता करणं वयम् । सोऽस्माभिः करणै राज्यं पितृपैतामहं कुरु । । फलप्रदा भविष्यामः परलोकेन ते वयम् ॥ 114.37 ॥

rājyalabdhuśca te kāryaṁ tvaṁ karttā karaṇaṁ vayam so'smābhiḥ karaṇai rājyaṁ pitṛpaitāmahaṁ kuru | phalapradā bhaviṣyāmaḥ paralokena te vayam

The purpose belongs to the one who wins the kingdom — you are the doer, we are merely the instrument. So, using us as your instruments, secure for yourself this kingdom of your fathers and grandfathers — and we shall become, for you, the bestowers of its fruit in the world beyond."

Verse 38 (markandeya.114.38)

राजोवाच ज्येष्ठो भ्राता महीपालो वयं तस्यानुजा यतः । ततः स भुङ्क्ते पृथिवीं वयं चाल्पवसुन्धराम् ॥ 114.38 ॥

rājovāca jyeṣṭho bhrātā mahīpālo vayaṁ tasyānujā yataḥ tataḥ sa bhuṅkte pṛthivīṁ vayaṁ cālpavasundharām

The king said: "The eldest brother is the lord of the earth, since we are his younger brothers; therefore he enjoys the whole earth, and we only a small portion of it.

Verse 39 (markandeya.114.39)

वयं तु भ्रातरः पञ्च पृथ्वी चैका महामते । अतोऽस्याः पृथगैश्वर्यं कथं कृत्स्नं भविष्यति ॥ 114.39 ॥

vayaṁ tu bhrātaraḥ pañca pṛthvī caikā mahāmate ato'syāḥ pṛthagaiśvaryaṁ kathaṁ kṛtsnaṁ bhaviṣyati

But we are five brothers, O wise one, and the earth is one; so how can complete, separate lordship over it come about?"

Verse 40 (markandeya.114.40)

विश्ववेद्युवाच एवमेतद्भवत्वत्र यद्येका वसुधा नृप । तां त्वमेवाभिपद्यस्व ज्येष्ठः शास्तु यथा भवान् ॥ 114.40 ॥

viśvavedyuvāca evametadbhavatvatra yadyekā vasudhā nṛpa tāṁ tvamevābhipadyasva jyeṣṭhaḥ śāstu yathā bhavān

Vishvavedin said: "So be it, O king — if the earth is one, then take possession of it yourself; being the eldest, rule it as is fitting for you.

Verse 41 (markandeya.114.41)

सर्वाधिपत्यः सर्वेभ्यो भव त्वमखिलेश्वरः । यतन्ते च यथाहं ते तेषामपि हि मन्त्रिणः ॥ 114.41 ॥

sarvādhipatyaḥ sarvebhyo bhava tvamakhileśvaraḥ yatante ca yathāhaṁ te teṣāmapi hi mantriṇaḥ

Become sovereign over all, master of the whole; and their ministers too will exert themselves for you, just as I do."

Verse 42 (markandeya.114.42)

राजोवाच ज्येष्ठो राजा यथा प्रीत्या भजतेऽस्मान्सुतानिव । कथं तस्य करिष्यामि ममत्वं जगतीगतम् ॥ 114.42 ॥

rājovāca jyeṣṭho rājā yathā prītyā bhajate'smānsutāniva kathaṁ tasya kariṣyāmi mamatvaṁ jagatīgatam

The king said: "Since the eldest king treats us with affection, as though we were his own sons, how can I feel possessiveness toward what belongs to the whole world?"

Verse 43 (markandeya.114.43)

विश्ववेद्युवाच राज्ये स्थितः पूजयेथा ज्येष्ठं भूपार्हणैर्धनैः । कनिष्ठज्येष्ठता केयं राज्यं प्रार्थयतां नृणाम् ॥ 114.43 ॥

viśvavedyuvāca rājye sthitaḥ pūjayethā jyeṣṭhaṁ bhūpārhaṇairdhanaiḥ kaniṣṭhajyeṣṭhatā keyaṁ rājyaṁ prārthayatāṁ nṛṇām

Vishvavedin said: "While remaining established in your own kingdom, honor the eldest with gifts and wealth befitting a king. For men who desire a kingdom, what is this notion of younger and elder anyway?"

Verse 44 (markandeya.114.44)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच तथेति च प्रतिज्ञाते भूभुजा तेन सत्तम । विश्ववेदी ततो मन्त्री तद् भ्रातॄननयद्वशम् ॥ 114.44 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca tatheti ca pratijñāte bhūbhujā tena sattama viśvavedī tato mantrī tad bhrātṝnanayadvaśam

Markandeya said: Thus, O excellent one, that king having agreed, saying "So be it," the minister Vishvavedin then brought the other brothers as well under his sway.

Verse 45 (markandeya.114.45)

तेषां पुरोहितांश्चैव आत्मनः शान्तिकादिषु । नियोजयामास ततः खनित्रस्याभिचारके ॥ 114.45 ॥

teṣāṁ purohitāṁścaiva ātmanaḥ śāntikādiṣu niyojayāmāsa tataḥ khanitrasyābhicārake

He then appointed their family priests, for his own peace-rites and the like, and thereafter to sorcery-rites directed against Khanitra.

Verse 46 (markandeya.114.46)

विभेद तस्य निभृतान्सामदानादिभिस्तथा । चक्रे च परमोद्योगं निजदण्डप्रभावने ॥ 114.46 ॥

vibheda tasya nibhṛtānsāmadānādibhistathā cakre ca paramodyogaṁ nijadaṇḍaprabhāvane

He divided that king's close, loyal followers through conciliation, bribery, and the like, and made the utmost effort to increase the power of his own influence.

Verse 47 (markandeya.114.47)

आभिचारिकमत्युग्रमहन्यहनि कुर्वताम् । पुरोधसां चतुर्णां च जज्ञे कृत्याचतुष्टयम् ॥ 114.47 ॥

ābhicārikamatyugramahanyahani kurvatām purodhasāṁ caturṇāṁ ca jajñe kṛtyācatuṣṭayam

As those four priests performed, day after day, an exceedingly fierce sorcery-rite, a fourfold Kritya (a sorcery-demoness) arose from it —

Verse 48 (markandeya.114.48)

विकरालं महावक्त्रमतिभीषणदर्शनम् । समुद्यतमहाशूलं प्रभूतमतिदारुणम् ॥ 114.48 ॥

vikarālaṁ mahāvaktramatibhīṣaṇadarśanam samudyatamahāśūlaṁ prabhūtamatidāruṇam

terrifying, with a huge mouth, most fearsome to behold, bearing a great trident aloft, immense and most dreadful.

Verse 49 (markandeya.114.49)

ततस्तदागतं तत्र खनित्रो यत्र पार्थिवः । निरस्तं चाप्यदुष्टस्य तस्य पुण्यचयेन तत् ॥ 114.49 ॥

tatastadāgataṁ tatra khanitro yatra pārthivaḥ nirastaṁ cāpyaduṣṭasya tasya puṇyacayena tat

Then it came to that place where King Khanitra was; but on account of that blameless one's store of merit, it was repelled from there.

Verse 50 (markandeya.114.50)

कृत्याचतुष्टयं तेषु निपपात दुरात्मसु । पुरोहितेषु भूपानां तथा वै विश्ववेदिनि ॥ 114.50 ॥

kṛtyācatuṣṭayaṁ teṣu nipapāta durātmasu purohiteṣu bhūpānāṁ tathā vai viśvavedini

That fourfold Kritya then fell instead upon those very evil-souled ones — upon the priests of those kings, and upon Vishvavedin as well.

Verse 51 (markandeya.114.51)

ततो निहन्त्या निर्दग्धाः कृत्यया ते पुरोहिताः । विश्ववेदी तथा मन्त्री स शौरेर्दुष्टमन्त्रदः ॥ 114.51 ॥

tato nihantyā nirdagdhāḥ kṛtyayā te purohitāḥ viśvavedī tathā mantrī sa śaurerduṣṭamantradaḥ

Then those priests were burned up by that very Kritya they had raised — and so too was Vishvavedin, that minister who had given Shauri such wicked counsel.