Virabhadra's Battle with the Five-Headed Rakshasa: Ash Revives the Gods

Verse 1 (padma.5.107.1)

शुचिस्मितोवाच- कश्यपं जमदग्निं च देवानां च पुरा कथम् । ररक्ष भस्म तद्ब्रह्मन्समाचक्ष्व मुने मम

śucismitovāca- kaśyapaṁ jamadagniṁ ca devānāṁ ca purā katham rarakṣa bhasma tadbrahmansamācakṣva mune mama

Shuchismita said: How did that ash formerly protect Kashyapa, Jamadagni, and the gods? Tell me that, O Brahmin sage.

Verse 2 (padma.5.107.2)

दधीच उवाच- कश्यपादियुता देवाः पूर्वमभ्यागमन्गिरिम् । शोकरं नाम विख्यातं गिरिमध्ये सुशोभनम्

dadhīca uvāca- kaśyapādiyutā devāḥ pūrvamabhyāgamangirim śokaraṁ nāma vikhyātaṁ girimadhye suśobhanam

Dadhichi said: The gods, together with Kashyapa and the rest, once came to a mountain renowned by the name Shokara, most beautiful.

Verse 3 (padma.5.107.3)

नानाविहंगसंकीर्णं नानामुनिगणाश्रयम् । वासुदेवाश्रयं रम्यमप्सरोगणसेवितम्

nānāvihaṁgasaṁkīrṇaṁ nānāmunigaṇāśrayam vāsudevāśrayaṁ ramyamapsarogaṇasevitam

Thronged with birds of every kind, the abode of many groups of sages, a lovely refuge of Vasudeva, served by hosts of apsarases—

Verse 4 (padma.5.107.4)

विचित्रवृक्षसंवीतं सर्वर्तुकुसुमोज्ज्वलम् । तथाविधं प्रविश्यैते गिरिं वयमथापरे

vicitravṛkṣasaṁvītaṁ sarvartukusumojjvalam tathāvidhaṁ praviśyaite giriṁ vayamathāpare

—wreathed with wondrous trees, resplendent with the flowers of every season. Entering that very mountain, we, and others too—

Verse 5 (padma.5.107.5)

स्तुवंतः केशवं तत्र गताः स्म गिरिशेश्वरम् । दृष्ट्वा तत्र महाज्वालां प्रविष्टाश्च वयं च ताम्

stuvaṁtaḥ keśavaṁ tatra gatāḥ sma giriśeśvaram dṛṣṭvā tatra mahājvālāṁ praviṣṭāśca vayaṁ ca tām

—praising Keshava, went there to the Lord of the mountain. Seeing there a great flame, we too entered into it—

Verse 6 (padma.5.107.6)

मामेकं तु तिरस्कृत्य ह्यदहद्देवता मुनीन् । मां ददाह ततः पश्चाद्भस्मीभूता वयं शुभे

māmekaṁ tu tiraskṛtya hyadahaddevatā munīn māṁ dadāha tataḥ paścādbhasmībhūtā vayaṁ śubhe

—it passed over me alone and burned the gods and sages; it burned me only afterward, O auspicious one; we all became reduced to ash.

Verse 7 (padma.5.107.7)

अस्मानेतादृशान्दृष्ट्वा वीरभद्रः प्रतापवान् । केनापिकारणेनासौ गतवान्पर्वतं च तम्

asmānetādṛśāndṛṣṭvā vīrabhadraḥ pratāpavān kenāpikāraṇenāsau gatavānparvataṁ ca tam

Seeing us in such a state, the mighty Virabhadra, having gone to that very mountain for some reason—

Verse 8 (padma.5.107.8)

भस्मोद्धूलितसर्वांगो मस्तकस्थशिवः शुचिः । एकाकी निःस्पृहः शान्तो हाहाशब्दमथाशृणोत्

bhasmoddhūlitasarvāṁgo mastakasthaśivaḥ śuciḥ ekākī niḥspṛhaḥ śānto hāhāśabdamathāśṛṇot

—his whole body smeared with ash, bearing Shiva upon his head, pure, alone, desireless, tranquil — heard then the sound of wailing.

Verse 9 (padma.5.107.9)

अथ चिंतापरश्चासीन्म्रियमाण शवध्वनिः । शवानामिवगंधश्च दृश्यते तन्निरीक्षणे

atha ciṁtāparaścāsīnmriyamāṇa śavadhvaniḥ śavānāmivagaṁdhaśca dṛśyate tannirīkṣaṇe

He became anxious — the sound seemed of the dying and of corpses; and, looking about, a stench as of corpses too seemed present.

Verse 10 (padma.5.107.10)

इति निश्चित्य मनसा जगामाग्निमतिप्रभम् । स वह्निर्वीरभद्रं च दग्धुमारब्धवानथ

iti niścitya manasā jagāmāgnimatiprabham sa vahnirvīrabhadraṁ ca dagdhumārabdhavānatha

Having thus resolved in his mind, he went toward that most radiant fire. That fire then began to try to burn Virabhadra too—

Verse 11 (padma.5.107.11)

तृणाग्निरिव शांतोऽभूदासाद्य सलिलं यथा । ततोऽपरां महाज्वालां वीरभद्रस्तु दृष्टवान्

tṛṇāgniriva śāṁto'bhūdāsādya salilaṁ yathā tato'parāṁ mahājvālāṁ vīrabhadrastu dṛṣṭavān

—but it became quenched like a fire of straw meeting water. Then Virabhadra saw another great flame—

Verse 12 (padma.5.107.12)

खं गच्छंतीं महाकालो ज्वालां निपतितामपि । मनसा चिंतयच्चापि वीरभद्रः प्रतापवान्

khaṁ gacchaṁtīṁ mahākālo jvālāṁ nipatitāmapi manasā ciṁtayaccāpi vīrabhadraḥ pratāpavān

—rising to the sky, though it was Mahakala's very flame, having fallen there. And the mighty Virabhadra thought within his mind—

Verse 13 (padma.5.107.13)

सर्वेषां नाशिनी ज्वाला प्राणिनां शतकोटिशः । तत्सर्वं रक्षणार्थं हि पिपासुश्चाप्यहं त्विमाम्

sarveṣāṁ nāśinī jvālā prāṇināṁ śatakoṭiśaḥ tatsarvaṁ rakṣaṇārthaṁ hi pipāsuścāpyahaṁ tvimām

—'This flame is the destroyer of all beings, hundreds of crores of them. For the protection of all of them, thirsting, I myself—'

Verse 14 (padma.5.107.14)

प्राश्नामि महतीं ज्वालां सलिलं तृषितो यथा । एतस्मिन्नंतरे वीरं वागाह चाशरीरिणी

prāśnāmi mahatīṁ jvālāṁ salilaṁ tṛṣito yathā etasminnaṁtare vīraṁ vāgāha cāśarīriṇī

—'—shall drink up this great flame, as a thirsty man drinks water.' Just then, a bodiless voice spoke to the hero.

Verse 15 (padma.5.107.15)

भारत्युवाच- वीर मा साहसं कार्षीः क्व तृषा क्वाशुशुक्षणिः । तृषितानां जलेनार्थो विपरीतो वनाग्निना

bhāratyuvāca- vīra mā sāhasaṁ kārṣīḥ kva tṛṣā kvāśuśukṣaṇiḥ tṛṣitānāṁ jalenārtho viparīto vanāgninā

Bharati said: "O hero, do not act rashly! What has thirst to do with flame? For the thirsty, water is what serves — not a forest-fire!"

Verse 16 (padma.5.107.16)

निकामं योजनशिराः प्रणष्टो राक्षसेश्वरः । शतयोजनवक्त्रश्च शतबाहुस्तथापरः

nikāmaṁ yojanaśirāḥ praṇaṣṭo rākṣaseśvaraḥ śatayojanavaktraśca śatabāhustathāparaḥ

"The lord of rakshasas, whose head measured a full yojana, perished by his own desire; and another, of a hundred-yojana mouth and a hundred arms—"

Verse 17 (padma.5.107.17)

अगस्त्यश्च महाभागो निःशेषं पीतसागरः । एतानन्यानसंख्याताञ्ज्वालेयं तानमारयत्

agastyaśca mahābhāgo niḥśeṣaṁ pītasāgaraḥ etānanyānasaṁkhyātāñjvāleyaṁ tānamārayat

"—and the greatly fortunate Agastya, who drank the entire ocean — this flame has slain these and countless others besides."

Verse 18 (padma.5.107.18)

वीरभद्र उवाच- भीषिकेयं महाज्वाला त्वदुक्ता न हि जायते । सरस्वति भवत्यां च ममरोषश्च जायते

vīrabhadra uvāca- bhīṣikeyaṁ mahājvālā tvaduktā na hi jāyate sarasvati bhavatyāṁ ca mamaroṣaśca jāyate

Virabhadra said: "This great flame is not so terrible as you describe it. And, O Sarasvati, anger indeed arises in me toward you."

Verse 19 (padma.5.107.19)

सर्वदेवार्चितपदं वीरभद्रमवेहि माम् । भारत्युवाच- मयोक्तं हितभावेन न द्वेषान्नान्यतो मुने

sarvadevārcitapadaṁ vīrabhadramavehi mām bhāratyuvāca- mayoktaṁ hitabhāvena na dveṣānnānyato mune

"Know me to be Virabhadra, whose feet are worshipped by all the gods." Bharati said: "What I said, O sage, was said out of goodwill, not out of hatred nor from any other cause."

Verse 20 (padma.5.107.20)

कोपमुत्सृज वीर त्वमात्मनोहितमाचर । इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे देवी भारती वीरभीतितः

kopamutsṛja vīra tvamātmanohitamācara ityuktvāṁtardadhe devī bhāratī vīrabhītitaḥ

"Set aside your anger, O hero, and do what is good for yourself." Having said this, the goddess Bharati vanished, fearing the hero.

Verse 21 (padma.5.107.21)

अथ वीरो महाज्वालामपासील्लीलयैव तु । क्षणेन महती ज्वाला शतयोजनविस्तृता

atha vīro mahājvālāmapāsīllīlayaiva tu kṣaṇena mahatī jvālā śatayojanavistṛtā

Then the hero drank up that great flame with mere ease. In an instant, that great flame, extending a hundred yojanas—

Verse 22 (padma.5.107.22)

एकेन वीरभद्रेण पीता परमदुःसहा । अथ चेंद्रमुखानां च मुनीनां भस्मराशयः

ekena vīrabhadreṇa pītā paramaduḥsahā atha ceṁdramukhānāṁ ca munīnāṁ bhasmarāśayaḥ

—most unbearable, was drunk by Virabhadra alone. Then he saw the heaps of ash that had been Indra and the sages and gods—

Verse 23 (padma.5.107.23)

दृष्टा वै वीरभद्रेण आहूताश्च महात्मना । न चाब्रुवन्प्रतिवचो मृता मुनिदिवौकसः

dṛṣṭā vai vīrabhadreṇa āhūtāśca mahātmanā na cābruvanprativaco mṛtā munidivaukasaḥ

That great soul saw them and called out to them; but the dead sages and gods gave no reply.

Verse 24 (padma.5.107.24)

वीरभद्रस्तु विज्ञाय नाशं मुनिदिवौकसाम् । दध्यावमून्कथं सर्वाञ्जीवयाम्यद्य कोविदः

vīrabhadrastu vijñāya nāśaṁ munidivaukasām dadhyāvamūnkathaṁ sarvāñjīvayāmyadya kovidaḥ

Virabhadra, knowing the destruction of the sages and gods, pondered: "How shall I revive all of these today?"

Verse 25 (padma.5.107.25)

ध्यानेन दृष्टवांश्चापि जीवितं भस्मदेहिनाम् । अथाचम्य मृतानां तु भस्मान्यथ च भस्मना

dhyānena dṛṣṭavāṁścāpi jīvitaṁ bhasmadehinām athācamya mṛtānāṁ tu bhasmānyatha ca bhasmanā

Through meditation, he perceived the life still latent in those whose bodies had become ash. Then, having sipped water, he took the ash of the dead—

Verse 26 (padma.5.107.26)

मृत्युंजयेन मंत्रेण मंत्रितेन ह्यमंत्रयत् । अथोत्थिता मुनिवराः स्वं स्वं रूपमुपाश्रिताः

mṛtyuṁjayena maṁtreṇa maṁtritena hyamaṁtrayat athotthitā munivarāḥ svaṁ svaṁ rūpamupāśritāḥ

—consecrated with the Mrityunjaya mantra, and consecrated them again. Then the excellent sages rose up, each restored to his own form.

Verse 27 (padma.5.107.27)

अथ ते गतवंतश्च गिरिपार्श्वं महाप्रभम् । तत्रापि भक्षिताः सर्वे सर्पेणातिशरीरिणा

atha te gatavaṁtaśca giripārśvaṁ mahāprabham tatrāpi bhakṣitāḥ sarve sarpeṇātiśarīriṇā

Then they went to the side of that most radiant mountain; and there, all of them were devoured by a serpent of vast body.

Verse 28 (padma.5.107.28)

अथ वीरो महासर्पसमीपमगमत्प्रभुः । वीरमागतमालोक्य भुजगो योद्धुमारभत्

atha vīro mahāsarpasamīpamagamatprabhuḥ vīramāgatamālokya bhujago yoddhumārabhat

Then the hero went near that great serpent. Seeing the hero approach, the serpent began to fight.

Verse 29 (padma.5.107.29)

युयुधे वर्षमेकं तु नानारूपधरः फणी । अथ वीरः प्रगृह्यौष्ठयुगं करयुगेन च

yuyudhe varṣamekaṁ tu nānārūpadharaḥ phaṇī atha vīraḥ pragṛhyauṣṭhayugaṁ karayugena ca

That hooded serpent, assuming manifold forms, fought for a full year. Then the hero, seizing its pair of lips with his pair of hands—

Verse 30 (padma.5.107.30)

द्विधा चक्रे समस्तांगं देवांस्तत्र गतायुषः । दृष्ट्वाथ भस्मनैवैताञ्जीवयामास शंकरः

dvidhā cakre samastāṁgaṁ devāṁstatra gatāyuṣaḥ dṛṣṭvātha bhasmanaivaitāñjīvayāmāsa śaṁkaraḥ

—tore its whole body in two. Then, seeing there the gods whose lives had ended again, Shankara revived them all once more, with ash alone.

Verse 31 (padma.5.107.31)

अथ देवाः समुनयो वीरभद्रं प्रणम्य तु । गतवंतो यथामार्गं ददृशू रक्ष आगतम्

atha devāḥ samunayo vīrabhadraṁ praṇamya tu gatavaṁto yathāmārgaṁ dadṛśū rakṣa āgatam

Then the gods, together with the sages, having bowed to Virabhadra, went upon their way, and saw a rakshasa approaching—

Verse 32 (padma.5.107.32)

पंचमेढ्रं महाकायं दोर्भिश्च दशभिर्युतम् । पंचपादसमोपेतं शिरोभिर्युतमष्टभिः

paṁcameḍhraṁ mahākāyaṁ dorbhiśca daśabhiryutam paṁcapādasamopetaṁ śirobhiryutamaṣṭabhiḥ

—of five phalluses, of a vast body, endowed with ten arms, furnished with five legs, endowed with eight heads.

Verse 33 (padma.5.107.33)

कांक्षमाणं महाहारं युध्यमानो हि वालिना । महावराहवपुषो वासुदेवस्य यद्बलम्

kāṁkṣamāṇaṁ mahāhāraṁ yudhyamāno hi vālinā mahāvarāhavapuṣo vāsudevasya yadbalam

Craving a great feast, this rakshasa was fighting with Vali; the strength that belonged to Vasudeva in the form of the great boar—

Verse 34 (padma.5.107.34)

तादृशं द्विगुणीभूतं कपौ वालिनि निश्चितम् । तादृशं वानरश्रेष्ठं ससुग्रीवं सराक्षसः

tādṛśaṁ dviguṇībhūtaṁ kapau vālini niścitam tādṛśaṁ vānaraśreṣṭhaṁ sasugrīvaṁ sarākṣasaḥ

—was certainly doubled in the monkey Vali; and yet that foremost of monkeys, together with Sugriva—

Verse 35 (padma.5.107.35)

मुष्टियुद्धे पंचपादैः सहसा हत्य वालिनम् । सुग्रीवं च कराभ्यां स हंतुमेव प्रचक्रमे

muṣṭiyuddhe paṁcapādaiḥ sahasā hatya vālinam sugrīvaṁ ca karābhyāṁ sa haṁtumeva pracakrame

—in a fistfight, that rakshasa suddenly struck down Vali with his five feet, and then began to attempt to kill Sugriva with his hands—

Verse 36 (padma.5.107.36)

आस्ये निक्षिप्य सुग्रीवमग्रसत्कवलं यथा । वालिसुग्रीवग्रसनं दृष्ट्वा चिंतामवाप ह

āsye nikṣipya sugrīvamagrasatkavalaṁ yathā vālisugrīvagrasanaṁ dṛṣṭvā ciṁtāmavāpa ha

—casting Sugriva into his mouth, he swallowed him whole, like a mere morsel. Seeing Vali and Sugriva thus devoured, Virabhadra fell into anxious thought—

Verse 37 (padma.5.107.37)

कथमेनं हनिष्यामि रक्षयिष्ये कथं कपिम् । एवं हि चिंतयानं तं वानरं राक्षसेश्वरः

kathamenaṁ haniṣyāmi rakṣayiṣye kathaṁ kapim evaṁ hi ciṁtayānaṁ taṁ vānaraṁ rākṣaseśvaraḥ

—"How shall I slay this one, and how shall I save the monkey?" While he thought thus, that rakshasa lord—

Verse 38 (padma.5.107.38)

अग्रसीदेकयत्नेन तथाभूतं च राक्षसम् । दृष्ट्वा देवर्षयः सर्वे पलायनपरास्तथा

agrasīdekayatnena tathābhūtaṁ ca rākṣasam dṛṣṭvā devarṣayaḥ sarve palāyanaparāstathā

—swallowed him too, in a single effort. Seeing this, all the gods and sages fled in fear.

Verse 39 (padma.5.107.39)

पलायमानांस्तान्दृष्ट्वा पंचमेढ्रः स राक्षसः । हस्तैः समस्तैस्तान्सर्वानादायाभक्षयत्तदा

palāyamānāṁstāndṛṣṭvā paṁcameḍhraḥ sa rākṣasaḥ hastaiḥ samastaistānsarvānādāyābhakṣayattadā

Seeing them fleeing, that five-phallused rakshasa seized all of them with all his hands, and devoured them then.

Verse 40 (padma.5.107.40)

वीरभद्रस्ततो दृष्ट्वा वानरर्षिसुरादनम् । पंचाशद्योजनशिलां करेणादाय तं रुषा

vīrabhadrastato dṛṣṭvā vānararṣisurādanam paṁcāśadyojanaśilāṁ kareṇādāya taṁ ruṣā

Virabhadra, seeing him devour the monkeys, sages, and gods, then, in anger, took up with his hand a rock of fifty yojanas—

Verse 41 (padma.5.107.41)

निजघान शिरोमध्ये मध्यमं पतितं शिरः । तत आदाय शैलस्य शृंगं तच्छतयोजनम्

nijaghāna śiromadhye madhyamaṁ patitaṁ śiraḥ tata ādāya śailasya śṛṁgaṁ tacchatayojanam

—and struck him upon the middle of his heads; the central head fell. Then, taking up a mountain-peak of a hundred yojanas—

Verse 42 (padma.5.107.42)

स्थापयित्वा दृढतरं राक्षसेंद्रं तथाहरत् । राक्षसोऽथ बभाषे तं वीरभद्रं त्रिलोचनम्

sthāpayitvā dṛḍhataraṁ rākṣaseṁdraṁ tathāharat rākṣaso'tha babhāṣe taṁ vīrabhadraṁ trilocanam

—he set it more firmly and struck the lord of the rakshasas with it. The rakshasa then spoke to that three-eyed Virabhadra.

Verse 43 (padma.5.107.43)

मम बाहुबलं पश्य वीक्षितं त्वद्बलं मया । असिद्वयं तैलधौतं पंचाशद्योजनोन्नतम्

mama bāhubalaṁ paśya vīkṣitaṁ tvadbalaṁ mayā asidvayaṁ tailadhautaṁ paṁcāśadyojanonnatam

"Behold the strength of my arms; I too have seen your strength. Take two oil-cleaned swords, fifty yojanas high—"

Verse 44 (padma.5.107.44)

एकयोजनविस्तारं सुदृढं लक्षणान्वितम् । एकं गृहाणाभिमतं विशिष्टं तन्ममप्रियम्

ekayojanavistāraṁ sudṛḍhaṁ lakṣaṇānvitam ekaṁ gṛhāṇābhimataṁ viśiṣṭaṁ tanmamapriyam

"—one yojana broad, most firm, endowed with excellent marks; take whichever one you wish, both being distinguished, and dear to me."

Verse 45 (padma.5.107.45)

वीरभद्रस्तथेत्युक्त्वा गृहीत्वासिं महाबलः । करेणाचालयत्तीक्ष्णं क्ष्वेलीं चक्रे ततः क्रुधा

vīrabhadrastathetyuktvā gṛhītvāsiṁ mahābalaḥ kareṇācālayattīkṣṇaṁ kṣvelīṁ cakre tataḥ krudhā

Virabhadra, saying "so be it," took up a sword, and, mighty as he was, brandished that sharp blade with his hand, and, in anger, let out a hissing challenge.

Verse 46 (padma.5.107.46)

गृहीतासिस्तथा क्ष्वेलद्यं चक्रे राक्षसपुंगवः । वीरभद्रं समभ्येत्य कंठं प्रतिसमर्पयत्

gṛhītāsistathā kṣveladyaṁ cakre rākṣasapuṁgavaḥ vīrabhadraṁ samabhyetya kaṁṭhaṁ pratisamarpayat

That foremost of rakshasas, having likewise taken up his sword and hissed in challenge, approached Virabhadra and struck at his neck.

Verse 47 (padma.5.107.47)

तद्गात्रं भिन्नमभवच्छोणितं निर्गतं बहु । राक्षसस्त्वेकहस्तेन पपौ तच्छोणितं ततः

tadgātraṁ bhinnamabhavacchoṇitaṁ nirgataṁ bahu rākṣasastvekahastena papau tacchoṇitaṁ tataḥ

His body was cut, and much blood flowed forth; the rakshasa then drank that blood with one hand.

Verse 48 (padma.5.107.48)

वीरभद्रः कंठदेशे राक्षसं प्राहरद्रुषा । शिरोद्वयं तथाच्छिन्नं पतमानं ततोऽग्रहीत्

vīrabhadraḥ kaṁṭhadeśe rākṣasaṁ prāharadruṣā śirodvayaṁ tathācchinnaṁ patamānaṁ tato'grahīt

Virabhadra, in fury, struck the rakshasa upon the neck; two heads were thus severed, and, as they fell, he caught them—

Verse 49 (padma.5.107.49)

न्यभक्षयदमेयात्मा सिंहनादं चकार ह । तेन नादेन महता क्षुब्धमासीज्जगत्त्रयम्

nyabhakṣayadameyātmā siṁhanādaṁ cakāra ha tena nādena mahatā kṣubdhamāsījjagattrayam

—and that immeasurable soul devoured them, and let out a lion's roar. By that mighty roar, the three worlds were shaken.

Verse 50 (padma.5.107.50)

अन्योन्यमसिघातेन भिन्नगात्रौ विकस्वरौ । किंशुकाविव दृश्येते पुष्पितौ रुधिरोक्षितौ

anyonyamasighātena bhinnagātrau vikasvarau kiṁśukāviva dṛśyete puṣpitau rudhirokṣitau

Both, their bodies cut open by mutual sword-blows, drenched in blood, appeared like two flowering kimshuka trees.

Verse 51 (padma.5.107.51)

वर्षमेकं तु संयुध्य सासीदेवासुरौ तदा । अतःपरं वर्षमेकं गदायुद्धमभूत्तयोः

varṣamekaṁ tu saṁyudhya sāsīdevāsurau tadā ataḥparaṁ varṣamekaṁ gadāyuddhamabhūttayoḥ

Having fought thus for a full year, the god and the demon then grew weary. After this, for a further year, they fought with maces.

Verse 52 (padma.5.107.52)

असिपुत्रिकया पश्चाद्वर्षमेकमभूद्रणः । पुनर्गृहीत्वासियुगं युयुधाते परस्परम्

asiputrikayā paścādvarṣamekamabhūdraṇaḥ punargṛhītvāsiyugaṁ yuyudhāte parasparam

Then, with small daggers, the battle continued for a further year. Again, taking up their pair of swords, they fought each other.

Verse 53 (padma.5.107.53)

शं ब्रुवाणो महाखड्गं दंष्ट्राकारो गणेश्वरः । सरोषरक्तनयनश्चालयित्वासिमग्रतः

śaṁ bruvāṇo mahākhaḍgaṁ daṁṣṭrākāro gaṇeśvaraḥ saroṣaraktanayanaścālayitvāsimagrataḥ

That lord of ganas, whose form bore great tusks, crying out an incantation over his great sword, his eyes red with fury, brandishing it before him—

Verse 54 (padma.5.107.54)

तस्य कंठवनं सर्वं चिच्छेद कदलद्यं यथा । शिरांसि सर्वाण्यादाय बभक्ष भगनेत्रहा

tasya kaṁṭhavanaṁ sarvaṁ ciccheda kadaladyaṁ yathā śirāṁsi sarvāṇyādāya babhakṣa bhaganetrahā

—cut through the whole forest of that rakshasa's necks, as one cuts down plantain-trees; and, taking up all the heads, that slayer of Bhaga's eye devoured them.

Verse 55 (padma.5.107.55)

तस्य गात्रं कररुहैर्विदार्याहृत्य देवताः । कपींद्रौ च तथा चान्या अद्राक्षीत्परमेश्वरीम्

tasya gātraṁ kararuhairvidāryāhṛtya devatāḥ kapīṁdrau ca tathā cānyā adrākṣītparameśvarīm

Having torn open his body with his nails and taken out from it the gods, the two lords of monkeys, and others as well — he then beheld the Supreme Goddess.

Verse 56 (padma.5.107.56)

एतद्युद्धं महाघोरं नारदो वीक्ष्य चाभ्यगात् । ब्रह्मणे वासुदेवाय शंकराय व्यजिज्ञपत्

etadyuddhaṁ mahāghoraṁ nārado vīkṣya cābhyagāt brahmaṇe vāsudevāya śaṁkarāya vyajijñapat

Narada, having witnessed this most terrible battle, went and reported it to Brahma, to Vasudeva, and to Shankara.

Verse 57 (padma.5.107.57)

मुनयो रक्षिता देवा वालिसुग्रीव वानरौ । एतौ संजीवयामास ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवात्मकः

munayo rakṣitā devā vālisugrīva vānarau etau saṁjīvayāmāsa brahmaviṣṇuśivātmakaḥ

The sages and gods were protected; and the two monkeys, Vali and Sugriva, were revived by him whose very self is Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Verse 58 (padma.5.107.58)

रक्षसे शंभुना दत्तो वरः परमदारुणः । हिरण्यकशिपोराज्ये बलवानेक राक्षसः

rakṣase śaṁbhunā datto varaḥ paramadāruṇaḥ hiraṇyakaśiporājye balavāneka rākṣasaḥ

Earlier, a most terrible boon had been given by Shambhu to that rakshasa. In the reign of Hiranyakashipu, there was one mighty rakshasa—

Verse 59 (padma.5.107.59)

देवैः सार्द्धं तु युयुधे वर्षाणां शतमद्भुतम् । पलायिताश्च बहुधा मृताश्च शतशोसुराः

devaiḥ sārddhaṁ tu yuyudhe varṣāṇāṁ śatamadbhutam palāyitāśca bahudhā mṛtāśca śataśosurāḥ

—who fought with the gods for a wondrous hundred years; and many of the gods fled, and hundreds of them died.

Verse 60 (padma.5.107.60)

शुक्रेण रक्षितः सोऽथ गुरुणाचिंतयत्त्विदम् । मृतोऽस्मि शतशः शुक्र जीवितोऽस्मि त्वयैव हि

śukreṇa rakṣitaḥ so'tha guruṇāciṁtayattvidam mṛto'smi śataśaḥ śukra jīvito'smi tvayaiva hi

He, protected by Shukra, his guru, then thought this: "I have died hundreds of times, O Shukra; I have been revived by you alone."

Verse 61 (padma.5.107.61)

अमृत्यवे त्वमेतस्मादुदरस्थमृताय च । अन्यथा मरणं मह्यं भविष्यति न संशयः

amṛtyave tvametasmādudarasthamṛtāya ca anyathā maraṇaṁ mahyaṁ bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

"Grant me freedom from death, including from death occurring within another's belly; otherwise, death shall certainly come to me."

Verse 62 (padma.5.107.62)

गुरो यमेन साकं मे युद्धमासीत्सुदारुणम् । मयासौ ग्रसितो युद्धे यमराजः प्रतापवान्

guro yamena sākaṁ me yuddhamāsītsudāruṇam mayāsau grasito yuddhe yamarājaḥ pratāpavān

"O guru, I once had a most terrible battle with Yama himself; in that battle I swallowed that mighty Yamaraja."

Verse 63 (padma.5.107.63)

ममोदरं प्रविश्यासौ बिभेद च ननाद च । अहं मृतस्तदा चासं त्वया संजीवितः पुनः

mamodaraṁ praviśyāsau bibheda ca nanāda ca ahaṁ mṛtastadā cāsaṁ tvayā saṁjīvitaḥ punaḥ

"Entering my belly, he tore through it and roared; I died then, and was revived again by you."

Verse 64 (padma.5.107.64)

तस्मादुदरसंस्थानां मरणाय तपे तपः । शुक्र उवाच- एवमेतन्न संदेहो यथावत्त्वं समाचर

tasmādudarasaṁsthānāṁ maraṇāya tape tapaḥ śukra uvāca- evametanna saṁdeho yathāvattvaṁ samācara

"Therefore I shall perform austerity, for freedom from death even from enemies who lodge within my belly." Shukra said: "So be it, without doubt; perform it duly."

Verse 65 (padma.5.107.65)

स्यमंतपंचकं तीर्थं तत्र त्वं तप्तुमर्हसि । राक्षस उवाच- तपे महत्तपो घोरं यन्न चीर्णं सुरासुरैः

syamaṁtapaṁcakaṁ tīrthaṁ tatra tvaṁ taptumarhasi rākṣasa uvāca- tape mahattapo ghoraṁ yanna cīrṇaṁ surāsuraiḥ

"At the sacred ford of Syamantapanchaka, there you should perform your austerity." The rakshasa said: "I shall perform a great and terrible austerity, such as neither gods nor demons have ever practiced."

Verse 66 (padma.5.107.66)

गुल्फप्रदेशे पादान्ते त्वयःपाशैः प्रबध्य च । अयःस्तंभयुगं कृत्वा अयःपट्टिकयान्वितम्

gulphapradeśe pādānte tvayaḥpāśaiḥ prabadhya ca ayaḥstaṁbhayugaṁ kṛtvā ayaḥpaṭṭikayānvitam

"Having bound my ankles, at the end of my feet, with iron chains, and having made a pair of iron pillars, joined by an iron beam—"

Verse 67 (padma.5.107.67)

पट्टिकायां पादबंधं कृत्वाधः शीर्षतां तथा । विवृतास्यं तथा कल्पं कृत्वाधोमुखमुच्चकैः

paṭṭikāyāṁ pādabaṁdhaṁ kṛtvādhaḥ śīrṣatāṁ tathā vivṛtāsyaṁ tathā kalpaṁ kṛtvādhomukhamuccakaiḥ

"—binding my feet to that beam, my head hanging downward, my mouth wide open, my face pointed steeply downward—"

Verse 68 (padma.5.107.68)

स्तंभोत्तरेण ज्वालायां चक्रिकायामितस्ततः । अधःशिरास्तथा तिष्ठन्नुन्मील्यैव विलोचने

staṁbhottareṇa jvālāyāṁ cakrikāyāmitastataḥ adhaḥśirāstathā tiṣṭhannunmīlyaiva vilocane

"—above the pillar, over a whirling wheel of flame, here and there — thus remaining, head downward, my eyes wide open—"

Verse 69 (padma.5.107.69)

एवं तपश्चरिष्यामि वरदः कोपि मे भवेत् । ब्रह्मा वा वरदः सोऽस्तु शंकरो विष्णुरेव च

evaṁ tapaścariṣyāmi varadaḥ kopi me bhavet brahmā vā varadaḥ so'stu śaṁkaro viṣṇureva ca

"—thus shall I practice austerity, until someone becomes my boon-giver — be it Brahma who grants the boon, or Shankara, or Vishnu."

Verse 70 (padma.5.107.70)

वरदे न तु मे भाव्यं यो वा कोवा वरप्रदः । इत्थमाभाष्य मुनिना गुरुणा भार्गवेण सः

varade na tu me bhāvyaṁ yo vā kovā varapradaḥ itthamābhāṣya muninā guruṇā bhārgaveṇa saḥ

"Whoever it may be that grants the boon, I care not who." Having spoken thus, and consecrated by the sage, his guru, the Bhargava—

Verse 71 (padma.5.107.71)

तथातपच्च षण्मासं पुनरन्यच्चकार ह । नखाभ्यां स्वशिरश्छित्त्वा जुहावाग्नौ समंत्रकम्

tathātapacca ṣaṇmāsaṁ punaranyaccakāra ha nakhābhyāṁ svaśiraśchittvā juhāvāgnau samaṁtrakam

—he practiced austerity for six months, and then did something further: cutting off his own head with his nails, he offered it into the fire, with mantras—

Verse 72 (padma.5.107.72)

नमो भद्राय मंत्रेण चत्वारि च शिरांसि सः । पंचमं तु शिरो हातुं यतमाने च राक्षसे

namo bhadrāya maṁtreṇa catvāri ca śirāṁsi saḥ paṁcamaṁ tu śiro hātuṁ yatamāne ca rākṣase

—with the mantra "homage to Bhadra," he offered four heads thus; and when the rakshasa was striving to sever the fifth head as well—

Verse 73 (padma.5.107.73)

वह्निमध्यात्समुत्तस्थौ भगवानंबिकापतिः । शुद्धस्फटिकसंकाशो बालचन्द्र विभूषणः

vahnimadhyātsamuttasthau bhagavānaṁbikāpatiḥ śuddhasphaṭikasaṁkāśo bālacandra vibhūṣaṇaḥ

—the blessed Lord of Ambika arose from the midst of the fire, radiant as pure crystal, adorned with the crescent moon.

Verse 74 (padma.5.107.74)

अधःशिरस्कं तद्रक्ष इदमाह महेश्वरः । मा साहसं कृथा रक्षो वरदोऽस्मि वरं वृणु

adhaḥśiraskaṁ tadrakṣa idamāha maheśvaraḥ mā sāhasaṁ kṛthā rakṣo varado'smi varaṁ vṛṇu

To that rakshasa, his head still downward, Maheshvara said this: "Do not act rashly, O rakshasa; I am the boon-giver — ask for your boon."

Verse 75 (padma.5.107.75)

राक्षस उवाच- बहूनां च वराणां त्वं दाता नूनं महेश्वरः । हतशीर्षसमुत्पत्तिं ग्रस्तजीवमृतिं तथा

rākṣasa uvāca- bahūnāṁ ca varāṇāṁ tvaṁ dātā nūnaṁ maheśvaraḥ hataśīrṣasamutpattiṁ grastajīvamṛtiṁ tathā

The rakshasa said: "You are surely the giver of many boons, O Maheshvara. Grant that a severed head grow again, and that even one swallowed and dying within another revive likewise."

Verse 76 (padma.5.107.76)

वराहवपुषो विष्णोरस्तु शक्तिश्चतुर्गुणा । मयि तेन हि रोषः स्यात्संनिधिस्तु सदा मम

varāhavapuṣo viṣṇorastu śaktiścaturguṇā mayi tena hi roṣaḥ syātsaṁnidhistu sadā mama

"Let the strength of Vishnu in his boar-form be, in me, fourfold — let there be even enmity with him through that, yet let his presence be ever near me."

Verse 77 (padma.5.107.77)

त्वज्जटोत्पाटनेनैकः पुरुषः संभविष्यति । तेनैव मरणं नान्यैरिदमस्तु वृतं मम

tvajjaṭotpāṭanenaikaḥ puruṣaḥ saṁbhaviṣyati tenaiva maraṇaṁ nānyairidamastu vṛtaṁ mama

"Let one single being, born from the plucking-out of your own matted hair, come to exist; let my death be by him alone, and by none other — this is the boon I choose."

Verse 78 (padma.5.107.78)

भविष्यत्येवमेवैतदित्युक्त्वांतर्हितोहरः । एवंलब्धवरः पापी राक्षसो निहतस्त्वया

bhaviṣyatyevamevaitadityuktvāṁtarhitoharaḥ evaṁlabdhavaraḥ pāpī rākṣaso nihatastvayā

"It shall be exactly so," said Hara, and vanished. Thus, having obtained this boon, that sinful rakshasa has now been slain by you.

Verse 79 (padma.5.107.79)

अथालिंग्य हरिर्वीरं शंकरश्च पितामहः । यथागतमथोजग्मुरथ देवादियोषितः

athāliṁgya harirvīraṁ śaṁkaraśca pitāmahaḥ yathāgatamathojagmuratha devādiyoṣitaḥ

Then Hari embraced the hero, and Shankara and the Grandsire too; then they went back as they had come, and the women of the gods likewise.

Verse 80 (padma.5.107.80)

निपत्य दंडवद्भूमौ वीरभद्रमथाब्रुवन् । नमस्ते देवदेवेश नमस्ते करुणाकर

nipatya daṁḍavadbhūmau vīrabhadramathābruvan namaste devadeveśa namaste karuṇākara

Falling like rods upon the ground, they said to Virabhadra: "Homage to you, O Lord of the Lord of gods; homage to you, O fount of compassion."

Verse 81 (padma.5.107.81)

नमस्ते शाश्वतानंत नमस्ते वरदो भव । वीरभद्र उवाच- भस्मना जीवयिष्यामि सुरान्समुनि वानरान्

namaste śāśvatānaṁta namaste varado bhava vīrabhadra uvāca- bhasmanā jīvayiṣyāmi surānsamuni vānarān

"Homage to you, eternal, infinite one; become our boon-giver." Virabhadra said: "I shall revive the gods, together with the sages and the monkeys, with ash."

Verse 82 (padma.5.107.82)

भवतीभिः प्रतोष्टव्यं शोकः कार्यो न चाधुना । इत्युक्त्वा वीरभद्रस्तु भस्मनाजीवयत्सतान्

bhavatībhiḥ pratoṣṭavyaṁ śokaḥ kāryo na cādhunā ityuktvā vīrabhadrastu bhasmanājīvayatsatān

"You should be content; grief is not to be indulged in now." Having said this, Virabhadra revived them all with ash.

Verse 83 (padma.5.107.83)

उत्थिता मुनिदेवाश्च वानरौ चोत्थितौ ततः । इदमूचुर्वचो हृष्टाः शिरःस्थांजलयो नमन्

utthitā munidevāśca vānarau cotthitau tataḥ idamūcurvaco hṛṣṭāḥ śiraḥsthāṁjalayo naman

The sages and gods rose up, and the two monkeys rose up as well. Delighted, bowing, their joined palms raised to their heads, they spoke this word.

Verse 84 (padma.5.107.84)

त्वयात्र जीवितास्तात पिता त्वं धर्मतो हि नः । अस्माकं शरणं नित्यं भव शंकरसंभव

tvayātra jīvitāstāta pitā tvaṁ dharmato hi naḥ asmākaṁ śaraṇaṁ nityaṁ bhava śaṁkarasaṁbhava

"By you here we have been given life, O father; by rights, you are indeed our father. Be our eternal refuge, O one born of Shankara."

Verse 85 (padma.5.107.85)

शिशूनां दुष्टचरितं दृष्ट्वा शिक्षेस्तथा च तान् । रक्षेः परकृता बाधा व्याधिभ्यश्च यथौरसान्

śiśūnāṁ duṣṭacaritaṁ dṛṣṭvā śikṣestathā ca tān rakṣeḥ parakṛtā bādhā vyādhibhyaśca yathaurasān

"Seeing children's wayward conduct, correct them too; protect them from harm caused by others and from diseases, as though they were your own children."

Verse 86 (padma.5.107.86)

दक्षाध्वरे कृतागस्काः शिक्षिता भवतानघ । इदानीं रक्षितास्तात वयं शिशुवदेव ते

dakṣādhvare kṛtāgaskāḥ śikṣitā bhavatānagha idānīṁ rakṣitāstāta vayaṁ śiśuvadeva te

"At Daksha's sacrifice, having committed offense, we were corrected by you, O sinless one; now, O father, we have been protected by you, just as children are."

Verse 87 (padma.5.107.87)

वीरभद्र उवाच- सत्यमेतन्न संदेहो यत्र बाधा भवेत्तु वः । तत्र मां स्मरत क्षिप्रं बाधानाशं गमिष्यति

vīrabhadra uvāca- satyametanna saṁdeho yatra bādhā bhavettu vaḥ tatra māṁ smarata kṣipraṁ bādhānāśaṁ gamiṣyati

Virabhadra said: "True is this, without doubt: wherever harm may come to you, remember me there, and the harm shall swiftly go to its destruction."

Verse 88 (padma.5.107.88)

वीरभद्रं पदं येपि पठंत्यष्टशतं ततः । प्रणवादि नमोंऽतं च चतुर्थीसहितं तथा

vīrabhadraṁ padaṁ yepi paṭhaṁtyaṣṭaśataṁ tataḥ praṇavādi namoṁ'taṁ ca caturthīsahitaṁ tathā

"And those who recite the name 'Virabhadra,' preceded by the syllable Om and ending in 'namah,' in the dative case, a hundred and eight times—"

Verse 89 (padma.5.107.89)

तेषां राक्षसपीडानां नाशनं च भविष्यति । ब्रह्मराक्षसपीडासु पिशाचादिभयेषु च

teṣāṁ rākṣasapīḍānāṁ nāśanaṁ ca bhaviṣyati brahmarākṣasapīḍāsu piśācādibhayeṣu ca

"—for them there shall come the destruction of afflictions caused by rakshasas; and in afflictions from Brahma-rakshasas, and in fears of pishachas and the like—"

Verse 90 (padma.5.107.90)

नामानुस्मरणात्सर्वबाधानां च विनाशनम्

nāmānusmaraṇātsarvabādhānāṁ ca vināśanam

"—through the mere remembrance of the name, the destruction of all afflictions comes about."

Verse 91 (padma.5.107.91)

विद्युत्प्रभालोचनमुग्रमीशं बालेंदुदंष्ट्रारुणशोभिताधरम् । सुनीलगात्रं च जटाकृतस्रजं दधानमंगे भसितत्रिपुंड्रकम्

vidyutprabhālocanamugramīśaṁ bāleṁdudaṁṣṭrāruṇaśobhitādharam sunīlagātraṁ ca jaṭākṛtasrajaṁ dadhānamaṁge bhasitatripuṁḍrakam

The fierce Lord, his eyes flashing like lightning, his lower lip glowing red with the crescent-moon-like curve of his tusk, his body deep blue, his matted locks bound as a garland, bearing on his body the triple line of sacred ash—

Verse 92 (padma.5.107.92)

ब्रह्मराक्षसमुक्त्यर्थं स्मरणं त्विदमीरितम् । मंत्रे च वीरभद्रस्य सर्वमेतदुदीरितम्

brahmarākṣasamuktyarthaṁ smaraṇaṁ tvidamīritam maṁtre ca vīrabhadrasya sarvametadudīritam

—this remembrance is declared for freedom from Brahma-rakshasas. All of this has been declared as belonging to the mantra of Virabhadra.

Verse 93 (padma.5.107.93)

दधीच उवाच- अथैवं विदधे वीरो मुनिदेवास्तथागताः । एतत्त्रियायुषं प्रोक्तं भस्ममाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्

dadhīca uvāca- athaivaṁ vidadhe vīro munidevāstathāgatāḥ etattriyāyuṣaṁ proktaṁ bhasmamāhātmyamuttamam

Dadhichi said: Thus did the hero act, and the sages and gods came to be as they were. This, called Triayusha, has been declared — the supreme greatness of ash.

Verse 94 (padma.5.107.94)

पठतः शृण्वतो वापि स्मरतोऽघविनाशनम् । शिवभक्तिप्रदं पुण्यमायुरारोग्यवर्द्धनम्

paṭhataḥ śṛṇvato vāpi smarato'ghavināśanam śivabhaktipradaṁ puṇyamāyurārogyavarddhanam

For one who recites it, or hears it, or even merely remembers it, it destroys sin; it bestows devotion to Shiva, is meritorious, and increases life and health.

Verse 95 (padma.5.107.95)

शुचिस्मितोवाच-। अहं कृतार्था धन्या च नारीणामुत्तमास्म्यहम् । हतपापा तथा चास्मि नमस्ते मुनिपुंगव

śucismitovāca- ahaṁ kṛtārthā dhanyā ca nārīṇāmuttamāsmyaham hatapāpā tathā cāsmi namaste munipuṁgava

Shuchismita said: I am fulfilled, and blessed, and I am now foremost among women; my sins too have been destroyed. Homage to you, O bull among sages.