The Origin and Worship of Mars

Verse 1 (padma.1.81.1)

वैशंपायन उवाच । उद्भवं लोहितांगस्य संतोषं तु जनेषु च । प्रभावं वैभवं तेजः श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः

vaiśaṁpāyana uvāca | udbhavaṁ lohitāṁgasya saṁtoṣaṁ tu janeṣu ca | prabhāvaṁ vaibhavaṁ tejaḥ śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ

Vaishampayana said: I wish to hear in truth of the origin of Lohitanga (Mars), his satisfaction among men, and his power, majesty, and splendor.

Verse 2 (padma.1.81.2)

व्यास उवाच । हरांशसंभवो देवः कुजातः पृथिवीसुतः । सत्त्वस्थस्सत्वसंपूर्णश्शूरः शक्तिधरो भुवि

vyāsa uvāca | harāṁśasaṁbhavo devaḥ kujātaḥ pṛthivīsutaḥ | sattvasthassatvasaṁpūrṇaśśūraḥ śaktidharo bhuvi

Vyasa said: The god born from a portion of Hara, born of the earth, dwelling in sattva, full of vigor, heroic, bearing the spear upon this earth—

Verse 3 (padma.1.81.3)

तीक्ष्णः क्रूरग्रहो देवो लोहितांगः प्रतापवान् । कुमारो रूपसंपन्नो विद्युत्पातमयः प्रभुः

tīkṣṇaḥ krūragraho devo lohitāṁgaḥ pratāpavān | kumāro rūpasaṁpanno vidyutpātamayaḥ prabhuḥ

—sharp, a malefic planet-god, Lohitanga, powerful, ever youthful, endowed with beauty, lord like the fall of lightning.

Verse 4 (padma.1.81.4)

अनेन भर्जिता दैत्याः क्रव्यादाय सुरद्विषः । दशायोगाच्च मनुजा उद्भिज्जाः पशुपक्षिणः

anena bharjitā daityāḥ kravyādāya suradviṣaḥ | daśāyogācca manujā udbhijjāḥ paśupakṣiṇaḥ

By him, the demons hostile to the gods are scorched for the flesh-eater's sake; through his dasha, men, plants, beasts, and birds are likewise affected.

Verse 5 (padma.1.81.5)

वैशंपायन उवाच । शंभोरेष कथं जातः कथं जातो महीसुतः । ग्रहो देवः कथं क्रूर एतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्

vaiśaṁpāyana uvāca | śaṁbhoreṣa kathaṁ jātaḥ kathaṁ jāto mahīsutaḥ | graho devaḥ kathaṁ krūra etadicchāmi veditum

Vaishampayana said: How was he born from Shambhu? How was this Son of the Earth born? How did this planetary god become malefic?

Verse 6 (padma.1.81.6)

कथमस्य भवेत्तुष्टिः सर्वलोकेषु सर्वदा । गुरो मय्याप्तभावे तु वद निस्संशयं मुखात्

kathamasya bhavettuṣṭiḥ sarvalokeṣu sarvadā | guro mayyāptabhāve tu vada nissaṁśayaṁ mukhāt

How is his satisfaction obtained, always, in all the worlds? O teacher, since you hold me trustworthy, tell me this, free of all doubt.

Verse 7 (padma.1.81.7)

व्यास उवाच । हिरण्याक्षकुले धीमानसुराणां च पार्थिवः । अंधकेति समाख्यातो दैत्यः सर्वसुरांतकृत्

vyāsa uvāca | hiraṇyākṣakule dhīmānasurāṇāṁ ca pārthivaḥ | aṁdhaketi samākhyāto daityaḥ sarvasurāṁtakṛt

Vyasa said: In the lineage of Hiranyaksha, there was a wise king of the demons, named Andhaka, a destroyer of all the gods.

Verse 8 (padma.1.81.8)

जातो विष्णुवरादेव जातो विष्णुपराक्रमः । तेनैव निर्जिता देवास्सेन्द्राः क्रतुभुजः क्रमात्

jāto viṣṇuvarādeva jāto viṣṇuparākramaḥ | tenaiva nirjitā devāssendrāḥ kratubhujaḥ kramāt

He was born by a boon of Vishnu himself, with the very valor of Vishnu; by him alone, the gods, together with Indra, were gradually vanquished.

Verse 9 (padma.1.81.9)

ततो देवा विधिं गत्वा वचनं चेदमब्रुवन् । अन्धकेनैव चास्माकं हृतं राज्यं सुखं मखः

tato devā vidhiṁ gatvā vacanaṁ cedamabruvan | andhakenaiva cāsmākaṁ hṛtaṁ rājyaṁ sukhaṁ makhaḥ

Then the gods went to Vidhi (Brahma) and spoke: 'By Andhaka alone, our kingdom, our happiness, and our sacrifices have been stolen from us.'

Verse 10 (padma.1.81.10)

तस्मात्तस्य वधोपाय उच्यतां तद्विधीयताम् । अथ धाताऽब्रवीद्वाक्यं देवानस्य च नैधनम्

tasmāttasya vadhopāya ucyatāṁ tadvidhīyatām | atha dhātā'bravīdvākyaṁ devānasya ca naidhanam

'Therefore, let the means of his slaying be declared.' Then Dhata (Brahma) spoke these words to the gods, concerning his destruction:

Verse 11 (padma.1.81.11)

नास्ति विष्णुवरादेव पीयूषस्य च भक्षणात् । किंतु तस्यासुरत्वस्य यथा परिभवो ध्रुवम्

nāsti viṣṇuvarādeva pīyūṣasya ca bhakṣaṇāt | kiṁtu tasyāsuratvasya yathā paribhavo dhruvam

'There is no means, owing to Vishnu's boon and his tasting of the nectar. But there is a way by which his demonic nature can surely be brought to ruin.'

Verse 12 (padma.1.81.12)

कुर्वे लोकहितार्थाय श्रद्धां कामसमन्विताम् । विचिकित्सा तु तत्रैव सर्वास्त्रीरतिगच्छति

kurve lokahitārthāya śraddhāṁ kāmasamanvitām | vicikitsā tu tatraiva sarvāstrīratigacchati

'For the good of the world I shall create Shraddha, joined with desire; and Vicikitsa, into every woman's affection.'

Verse 13 (padma.1.81.13)

त्यक्त्वैकां पार्वतीं दुर्गां न तस्य मानसं स्थिरम् । ततः क्रुद्धो जगत्स्वामी तं च वैरूप्यतां नयेत्

tyaktvaikāṁ pārvatīṁ durgāṁ na tasya mānasaṁ sthiram | tataḥ kruddho jagatsvāmī taṁ ca vairūpyatāṁ nayet

'Save for Parvati Durga, his mind will not remain steady; then the Lord of the universe, in wrath, will bring about his disfigurement.'

Verse 14 (padma.1.81.14)

ततोऽसुरत्वं संत्यज्य गणस्तस्य भविष्यति । एवमुक्त्वा प्रजाध्यक्षः श्रद्धां कामसमन्विताम्

tato'suratvaṁ saṁtyajya gaṇastasya bhaviṣyati | evamuktvā prajādhyakṣaḥ śraddhāṁ kāmasamanvitām

'Thereafter, abandoning his demonic nature, he shall become one of Shiva's ganas.' Having spoken thus, the Lord of Creatures sent forth Shraddha, joined with desire,

Verse 15 (padma.1.81.15)

विचिकित्सां स्वमायां च प्रेषयामास तं प्रति । ततो विचेष्टितः कामाद्योषान्वेषणतत्परः

vicikitsāṁ svamāyāṁ ca preṣayāmāsa taṁ prati | tato viceṣṭitaḥ kāmādyoṣānveṣaṇatatparaḥ

—and Vicikitsa, his own illusion, toward him. Then, agitated by desire, he became intent on seeking out women,

Verse 16 (padma.1.81.16)

स्वदारान्परयोषां च नापश्यद्विचिकित्सया । ततो मायाप्रयुक्तोसौ त्रैलोक्यं विचचार ह

svadārānparayoṣāṁ ca nāpaśyadvicikitsayā | tato māyāprayuktosau trailokyaṁ vicacāra ha

—and, through confusion, could no longer distinguish his own wife from another's; driven by that illusion, he wandered through the three worlds.

Verse 17 (padma.1.81.17)

दृष्टं च हिमवत्पृष्ठे स्त्रीरत्नं चातिशोभनं । दृष्ट्वा च पार्वतीं दैत्यः कामस्य वशगोऽभवत्

dṛṣṭaṁ ca himavatpṛṣṭhe strīratnaṁ cātiśobhanaṁ | dṛṣṭvā ca pārvatīṁ daityaḥ kāmasya vaśago'bhavat

Upon the slopes of the Himalaya he saw a most beautiful jewel of a woman; and seeing Parvati, the demon fell wholly under the sway of desire.

Verse 18 (padma.1.81.18)

ज्ञानलोपात्ततो दुर्गां ग्रहीतुं तां स चेच्छति । उमा च कोटवीरूपं कृत्वा देहस्य चात्मनः

jñānalopāttato durgāṁ grahītuṁ tāṁ sa cecchati | umā ca koṭavīrūpaṁ kṛtvā dehasya cātmanaḥ

With his understanding lost, he desired to seize Durga; but Uma, transforming her own body into the form of a fearsome Kotavi,

Verse 19 (padma.1.81.19)

ईश्वरस्यांतिकस्था च ग्रहीतुं तां ससार सः । ततः कामविचेताश्च उन्मत्तीकृतचेतनः

īśvarasyāṁtikasthā ca grahītuṁ tāṁ sasāra saḥ | tataḥ kāmavicetāśca unmattīkṛtacetanaḥ

—remained close by Ishvara's side; yet still he rushed forward to seize her. Then, bereft of sense through desire, his mind driven to madness—

Verse 20 (padma.1.81.20)

न जहाति शिवां धात्रीं पार्वतीं दैत्यपुंगवः । ततो ध्यानात्समागम्य मिलितः पार्वतीं धवः

na jahāti śivāṁ dhātrīṁ pārvatīṁ daityapuṁgavaḥ | tato dhyānātsamāgamya militaḥ pārvatīṁ dhavaḥ

—that bull among demons would not give up Mother Parvati. Then her husband, arriving from his meditation, joined Parvati.

Verse 21 (padma.1.81.21)

दृष्ट्वा तं च स दैत्येन्द्रः प्रगतस्तु स्वमालयम् । सज्जीकृत्य स्वयोधांश्च शंभुं जेतुं समुत्सुकः

dṛṣṭvā taṁ ca sa daityendraḥ pragatastu svamālayam | sajjīkṛtya svayodhāṁśca śaṁbhuṁ jetuṁ samutsukaḥ

Seeing him, that lord of the demons withdrew to his own abode; and, arraying his warriors, became eager to conquer Shambhu—

Verse 22 (padma.1.81.22)

गौरीमेव समानेतुं काममोहादचेतनः । एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु त्रिदशा गत्वा तं नंदिनेरिताः

gaurīmeva samānetuṁ kāmamohādacetanaḥ | etacchrutvā tu tridaśā gatvā taṁ naṁdineritāḥ

—solely to carry off Gauri, senseless through desire's delusion. Hearing this, the gods, sent by Nandi, went to him,

Verse 23 (padma.1.81.23)

अकुर्वंश्च महद्युद्धं घोरं लोकभयंकरम् । दैत्यान्रणे मृतांस्तत्र दैत्याचार्यो ह्यजीवयत्

akurvaṁśca mahadyuddhaṁ ghoraṁ lokabhayaṁkaram | daityānraṇe mṛtāṁstatra daityācāryo hyajīvayat

and waged a great and terrible battle there, terrifying to all the worlds; the demons who died were revived by the teacher of the demons.

Verse 24 (padma.1.81.24)

एतद्वृत्तं तु कैलासे सर्वे चैव न्यवेदयन् । क्रोधाच्छंभुस्तदा वाक्यं नंदिनं निजगाद ह

etadvṛttaṁ tu kailāse sarve caiva nyavedayan | krodhācchaṁbhustadā vākyaṁ naṁdinaṁ nijagāda ha

All this news they reported at Kailasa; and Shambhu, in wrath, spoke these words to Nandi:

Verse 25 (padma.1.81.25)

गच्छ दैत्यालयं वीर द्रुतमेव ममाज्ञया । पश्यतां सर्वदैत्यानां दैत्येंद्रस्य च संसदि

gaccha daityālayaṁ vīra drutameva mamājñayā | paśyatāṁ sarvadaityānāṁ daityeṁdrasya ca saṁsadi

'Go, O hero, swiftly to the demons' abode by my command, before the eyes of all the demons, in the very assembly of their lord,'

Verse 26 (padma.1.81.26)

गृहीत्वा चिकुरेऽत्यर्थं भार्गवं तं दुरात्मकम् । लब्ध्वा चास्मत्सकाशं वै विह्वलं चानय क्षणात्

gṛhītvā cikure'tyarthaṁ bhārgavaṁ taṁ durātmakam | labdhvā cāsmatsakāśaṁ vai vihvalaṁ cānaya kṣaṇāt

'—and seizing that evil-souled Bhargava (Shukracharya) by the hair, bring him at once to my presence, utterly bewildered.'

Verse 27 (padma.1.81.27)

ततो नंदीश्वरः श्रीमान्पार्वतीपतिनेरितः । काव्यं तं कुंतले धृत्वा दैत्यानां पुरतो बलात्

tato naṁdīśvaraḥ śrīmānpārvatīpatineritaḥ | kāvyaṁ taṁ kuṁtale dhṛtvā daityānāṁ purato balāt

Then glorious Nandishvara, commanded by Parvati's lord, seized Kavya (Shukra) by his hair, by force, before all the demons,

Verse 28 (padma.1.81.28)

आनयंतं च तं दैत्या जघ्नुः प्रहरणैः शरैः । न शेकुस्ते रुजां कर्तुं नंदिनो बलशालिनः

ānayaṁtaṁ ca taṁ daityā jaghnuḥ praharaṇaiḥ śaraiḥ | na śekuste rujāṁ kartuṁ naṁdino balaśālinaḥ

—and as he was carrying him off, the demons struck at him with weapons and arrows; but they were unable to wound mighty Nandi at all.

Verse 29 (padma.1.81.29)

देवानामग्रतो नंदी गृहीत्वा तं च कुंतले । हरस्य पुरतो हृष्टः सह तेन समाययौ

devānāmagrato naṁdī gṛhītvā taṁ ca kuṁtale | harasya purato hṛṣṭaḥ saha tena samāyayau

Nandi, holding him by the hair, before the eyes of the gods, came joyfully with him before Hara.

Verse 30 (padma.1.81.30)

गृहीत्वा भार्गवं शंभुरसुराणां गुरुं रुषा । अगिलद्रौद्रमूर्तोऽसौ कालांतकसमः प्रभुः

gṛhītvā bhārgavaṁ śaṁbhurasurāṇāṁ guruṁ ruṣā | agiladraudramūrto'sau kālāṁtakasamaḥ prabhuḥ

Shambhu, seizing Bhargava, the teacher of the demons, in wrath, that Lord of terrible form, like Death the Destroyer himself, swallowed him.

Verse 31 (padma.1.81.31)

ततो दैत्यपतिः क्रुद्धः सर्वसैन्यवृतो बली । दुद्राव शंकरं तत्र घोरैः प्रहरणादिभिः

tato daityapatiḥ kruddhaḥ sarvasainyavṛto balī | dudrāva śaṁkaraṁ tatra ghoraiḥ praharaṇādibhiḥ

Then the mighty lord of the demons, enraged, surrounded by his entire army, rushed at Shankara with terrible weapons.

Verse 32 (padma.1.81.32)

त्रिदशाश्च तथा क्रुद्धास्ततो विद्याधरादयः । प्रययुः समरं तत्र दैत्यानां च भृशं रुषा

tridaśāśca tathā kruddhāstato vidyādharādayaḥ | prayayuḥ samaraṁ tatra daityānāṁ ca bhṛśaṁ ruṣā

The gods too, likewise enraged, and the Vidyadharas and the rest, went forth into that battle against the demons, in great wrath.

Verse 33 (padma.1.81.33)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे घोरं युद्धं भीष्मं समुत्थितम् । देवदानवयोरेवं सर्वलोकभयंकरम्

etasminnaṁtare ghoraṁ yuddhaṁ bhīṣmaṁ samutthitam | devadānavayorevaṁ sarvalokabhayaṁkaram

At that moment, a terrible, fearsome battle arose between the gods and the danavas, terrifying to every world.

Verse 34 (padma.1.81.34)

ततः प्रत्ययितास्त्रैश्च देवा निघ्नंति दानवान् । दनुजा निर्जरांस्तत्र विनिघ्नंति महाहवे

tataḥ pratyayitāstraiśca devā nighnaṁti dānavān | danujā nirjarāṁstatra vinighnaṁti mahāhave

Then the gods struck down the danavas with their trusted weapons; and the sons of Danu likewise struck down the immortals in that great battle.

Verse 35 (padma.1.81.35)

शातकुंभमयाङ्गैस्ते शरैर्वज्रसमानकैः । बिभिदू रत्नपुंखैश्च परस्परजयैषिणः

śātakuṁbhamayāṅgaiste śarairvajrasamānakaiḥ | bibhidū ratnapuṁkhaiśca parasparajayaiṣiṇaḥ

With shafts of fine gold, equal to thunderbolts, feathered with jewels, each desiring victory, they pierced one another.

Verse 36 (padma.1.81.36)

दीपयंति भृशं कांतैस्तद्गात्राणि नभांसि च । वीर्यवंतो महादैत्या न मोघैरस्त्रसंचयैः

dīpayaṁti bhṛśaṁ kāṁtaistadgātrāṇi nabhāṁsi ca | vīryavaṁto mahādaityā na moghairastrasaṁcayaiḥ

Their lovely weapons set ablaze both their bodies and the sky; the mighty, valiant demons fought with an unfailing multitude of weapons.

Verse 37 (padma.1.81.37)

हत्वा च पातयामासुः काश्यपाः सुरसत्तमाः । जगद्व्याप्तं महासैन्यं बलायुधसुसंवृतम्

hatvā ca pātayāmāsuḥ kāśyapāḥ surasattamāḥ | jagadvyāptaṁ mahāsainyaṁ balāyudhasusaṁvṛtam

The sons of Kashyapa, the best of gods, slew and felled that vast army, which had pervaded the world, well guarded with strength and weapons.

Verse 38 (padma.1.81.38)

नीतं क्षयं सुरैः सर्वैः शस्त्रैः प्रत्ययितैः क्षणात् । स्वयं च युध्यमानेन महादेवेन यत्नतः

nītaṁ kṣayaṁ suraiḥ sarvaiḥ śastraiḥ pratyayitaiḥ kṣaṇāt | svayaṁ ca yudhyamānena mahādevena yatnataḥ

It was brought to destruction instantly by all the gods with their trusted weapons, and by Mahadeva himself, fighting diligently.

Verse 39 (padma.1.81.39)

शूलोद्धृतोपि सुचिरमविनष्टोऽथ नम्रधीः । अन्धको गणतां नीत्वा कृतो भृंगीरिटिर्द्विज

śūloddhṛtopi suciramavinaṣṭo'tha namradhīḥ | andhako gaṇatāṁ nītvā kṛto bhṛṁgīriṭirdvija

Andhaka, though impaled upon the trident, remained undestroyed for a long while; then, humbled, he was brought into the ganas and made Bhringiriti, O Brahmin.

Verse 40 (padma.1.81.40)

ततो देवान्समाभाष्य शुक्रमुद्गीर्णवान्शिवः । भूमौ निपतितो गर्भस्ततो भौम इति स्मृतः

tato devānsamābhāṣya śukramudgīrṇavānśivaḥ | bhūmau nipatito garbhastato bhauma iti smṛtaḥ

Then, having spoken with the gods, Shiva vomited forth Shukra; the germ that fell upon the earth is thence remembered as Bhauma.

Verse 41 (padma.1.81.41)

शुक्रश्शिवं समाभाष्य गतो दैत्यान्मुदान्वितः । एवं भौमस्समुत्पन्नो हरांशो भूसमुद्भवः

śukraśśivaṁ samābhāṣya gato daityānmudānvitaḥ | evaṁ bhaumassamutpanno harāṁśo bhūsamudbhavaḥ

Shukra, after conversing with Shiva, went back to the demons, filled with joy. Thus Bhauma came into being, a portion of Hara, born of the Earth.

Verse 42 (padma.1.81.42)

तस्य पूजा चतुर्थ्यां तु भौमवारे च सुव्रतैः । दशाद्यरिष्टे च तथा गोचरेऽनिष्टराशिगे

tasya pūjā caturthyāṁ tu bhaumavāre ca suvrataiḥ | daśādyariṣṭe ca tathā gocare'niṣṭarāśige

His worship is performed on the fourth day and on Tuesday by those devoted to good vows; likewise at the onset of an inauspicious dasha, or an unfavorable transit—

Verse 43 (padma.1.81.43)

त्रिकोणे मंडले चैव रक्तपुष्पानुलेपनैः । एवं वै पूजितो भौमः प्रयच्छति मतिं धनम्

trikoṇe maṁḍale caiva raktapuṣpānulepanaiḥ | evaṁ vai pūjito bhaumaḥ prayacchati matiṁ dhanam

—in a triangular mandala, with red flowers and unguents. Thus worshipped, Bhauma bestows wisdom and wealth,

Verse 44 (padma.1.81.44)

पुत्रान्सुखंयशश्चैवकिंभूयःश्रोतुमिच्छसि । व्यास उवाच । एतद्वः कथितं शिष्या धर्माख्यानं शुभावहम्

putrānsukhaṁyaśaścaivakiṁbhūyaḥśrotumicchasi | vyāsa uvāca | etadvaḥ kathitaṁ śiṣyā dharmākhyānaṁ śubhāvaham

—sons, happiness, and fame. What more do you wish to hear? Vyasa said: This, O disciples, is the auspicious discourse on dharma I have told you,

Verse 45 (padma.1.81.45)

यच्छ्रुत्वा न पुनर्भूयो जायते म्रियतेपि वा । द्विजातीनां पुण्यदं च संसेव्यं च शुभेप्सुभिः

yacchrutvā na punarbhūyo jāyate mriyatepi vā | dvijātīnāṁ puṇyadaṁ ca saṁsevyaṁ ca śubhepsubhiḥ

—hearing which, one is no longer born again, nor dies again; it bestows merit upon the twice-born, and is to be practiced by those who desire what is auspicious.

Verse 46 (padma.1.81.46)

यथासुखं च गच्छध्वं कृतकृत्या ममाज्ञया । ब्रह्मोवाच । एवं विश्राव्य भगवान्व्यासः सत्यवतीसुतः

yathāsukhaṁ ca gacchadhvaṁ kṛtakṛtyā mamājñayā | brahmovāca | evaṁ viśrāvya bhagavānvyāsaḥ satyavatīsutaḥ

'Now go in happiness, your task accomplished, by my leave.' Brahma said: Having thus proclaimed this, the blessed Vyasa, son of Satyavati,

Verse 47 (padma.1.81.47)

निर्णीय धर्मं विविधं शम्याप्रासमगात्सुत । त्वमपि श्रद्धया वत्स ज्ञात्वा तत्त्वं यथासुखम्

nirṇīya dharmaṁ vividhaṁ śamyāprāsamagātsuta | tvamapi śraddhayā vatsa jñātvā tattvaṁ yathāsukham

—having thus expounded dharma in its many forms, went, my son, to Shamyaprasa. You too, my child, having learned this truth with faith, at ease—

Verse 48 (padma.1.81.48)

विहरस्व यथाकालं गायमानो हरिं मुदा । लोकान्धर्मं चोपदिशन्प्रीणयन्जगतां गुरुम्

viharasva yathākālaṁ gāyamāno hariṁ mudā | lokāndharmaṁ copadiśanprīṇayanjagatāṁ gurum

—wander as time allows, singing of Hari with joy, teaching dharma to the people, delighting the teacher of the worlds.

Verse 49 (padma.1.81.49)

पुलस्त्य उवाच । इत्युक्तः प्रययौ भूप नारदो गंधमादनम् । नारायणं मुनिवरं द्रष्टुं बदरिकाश्रमे

pulastya uvāca | ityuktaḥ prayayau bhūpa nārado gaṁdhamādanam | nārāyaṇaṁ munivaraṁ draṣṭuṁ badarikāśrame

Pulastya said: Thus addressed, O king, Narada went to Gandhamadana, to see the great sage Narayana at the Badarika hermitage.