The Slaying of the Demon Bala

The sages said:

1-2. O you best among speakers, you have told us this wonderful, meritorious, excellent tale, bringing about glory, and destroying all sins. Please tell us the propriety of the creation.

1. Yayati — Name of a celebrated king of the lunar race. He was the son o Nahusa. He married Shukra's daughter Devayani, who was cursed by Kaca that she would marry a Ksatriya. Sarmistha, daughter of the king of Asuras was told by her father to be Devayani's servant as a sort of recompense for her formerly having slapped and thus insulted Devayani. Yayati fell in love with Sarmistha and secretly married her. Devayani came to know about the marriage, and complained to her father of the conduct of Yayati. Shukra cursed him that he would be prematurely old. Yayati propitiated him and obtained from him permission to transfer his infirmity to anyone who would accept it. His youngest son Puru agreed to take it. Yayati enjoyed youth for a thousand years. With a strenuous effort he renounced his sensual life and restoring youth to Puru, and appointing him as his successor, he left for a forest to lead a pious and meditating life. Nahusa — He was Ayus' son, Pururavas' grandson, and Yayati's father. He was a very wise and powerful king. For some time, he deputed Indra at latter's request. He made the Seven Sages to carry him in a palanquin to Indrani's house, whose love, he thought, he would win. On his way, he insulted the Sages by ordering them to move on (sarpa, sarpa). One of the Sages cursed him to be a sarpa (serpent). He fell down on the earth and remained as a serpent, till he was freed by Yudhishthira from that condition. O son of Suta, telljus in detail, as to how the creation (took place) formerly. Suta said:

3-5. I shall tell in detail the cause of creation and destruction, merely by hearing which a man would become omniscient. Hiranyakasipu occupied the three worlds. Having propitiated Brahma by penance, he obtained a boon, difficult to obtain, and also immortality from that noble god. He, having pervaded gods and the worlds secured mastery (over all).

6-9. Then gods with Gandharvas, sages who had mastered the Vedas, and Nagas, Kinnaras, Siddhas, Yaksas and others, led by Brahma, went to lord Narayana, who was enjoying his sleep at the end of a Yuga in the Milky Ocean. With the palms of their hands joined, the gods awakened him with (i.e. by singing) hymns of praise. When the lord of the gods awoke, O you very wise one(s), they told him the account of that wicked one (i.e. Hiranyakasipu). Having heard it, the lord of the world, resorting to the form of Nrsimha, killed Hiranyakasipu.

10-15. Then with the Boar-form he killed the very powerful Hiranyaksa. He lifted up the auspicious Earth, and killed that demon at that time. He also killed other fierce-looking demons. When thus the great demons had perished, when the others i.e. Diti's sons had (also) perished, when the gods had attained great positions, when sacrifices and other religious rites had proceeded (i.e. were being performed), when all the worlds had well-settled, that Diti who was oppressed by grief, who was tormented by the bereavement of her sons, who cried 'alas, alas, ', and had become senseless, devoutly saluted her husband Kasyapa who resembled the sun, who was endowed with the lustre of penance, who was a donor and was magnanimous, and said to that very intelligent best brahmana:

16-20. " O revered sir, that god — the holder of the dischas made me sonless. Gods have struck down all the sons of Diti (i.e. of me) and of Danu. O best sage, I am burnt by the fire of grief (due to the loss) of my sons. O lord, give me a son, who would delight (everyone), who would remove the lustre of all, who would be very powerful and charming in all limbs, who would be lustrous like the king of gods, who would be very

990 Padma Purana intelligent and omniscient, who would be learned and wise, who would be endowed with the lustre of penance, who would be strong and would have auspicious marks, who would be wellversed in the Vedas, who would be knowing (i.e. possessing knowledge), who would honour gods and brahmanas, who would be the conqueror of all worlds, and, who would, O brahmana, give me joy, and who would, O lord, be endowed with all (good) characteristics."

21 -23a. Having heard these excellent words of her, the noble Kasyapa with his mind full of pity and pleased with her who was grieved, who was helpless and whose mind had become distressed, and having put his hand through great love for her, on her head, said to her: " O glorious one, a son, as desired by you, will be (born to you)."

23b-28. Having said so, he went to Meru, the best mountain. He of a great vow, all alone practised great penance (there). In the meanwhile, she conceived an excellent embryo. That high-minded Diti, knowing all rules of conduct, doing good deeds, remained with a pure heart for a period of hundred years. She gave birth to a son who was endowed with Brahmanic lustre. Then Kasyapa, full of great joy, came there; (and) the best and intelligent one named him. He called his son 'Bala', who, the great one, was like (i.e. true to) his name. Thus he named him, and performed his thread-ceremony. He said to him: " O (my) glorious son, practise celibacy."

29. (Bala said): " O best brahmana, I shall just do as you tell me. O best one, with (i.e. practising) celibacy, I would study the Vedas."

30-31. Thus an entire century of years passed while he was practising penance. He, endowed with the lustre of penance, came to the presence of (i.e. came to) his mother. Diti, full of great joy saw the divine celibacy, full of the power of penance, of her magnanimous son.

32-35. She said to that son (of her) viz. Bala, who was magnanimous, who was possessed of penance, who was intelligent, who was great-souled, who was well-versed in judgement and knowledge: " O intelligent one, as long as you live, my sons like Hiranyakasipu killed by him who holds a disc in his hand (i.e. by Vishnu), will live onward. O my boy, conclude the hostility (i.e. take revenge), kill in battle (our) enemies — the gods." That Danu said to that very powerful Bala these words: " Son, first quickly kill Indra, the lord of gods. Then strike down gods, and after that (strike down) him, whose vehicle is Garuda (i.e. Vishnu)."

36. Having heard (the words) of the two (i.e. Diti and Danu), Aditi, who looked upon her husband as a god, and who was full of great grief, said to her son, Indra:

37-38a. " Diti's son, of a huge body, is increasing with brahmanic lustre. For killing gods, he practised penance in (honour of) Shiva. Understand like this, O lord of gods, if you desire happiness here."

38b-39. Having thus heard those words of his mother, Indra, the lord of gods, was extremely worried due to uneasiness. Being tormented by great grief, he then thought:

40-45. 'How shall I kill this (Bala) who is polluting the piety of gods? ' Thus the lord of gods decided to kill Bala. Once that Bala resorted (i.e. went) to the ocean to offer his daily prayers. He shone with a divine skin of an antelop and a piece of stick, and with spotless merit and that (i.e. undescribable) celibacy. Indra saw him seated upon the seat meant for daily prayers, near the ocean, muttering prayers and extremely tranquil. That Diti's son was hit (by Indra) with that divine thunderbolt. Seeing Bala fallen dead on the ground, the king of gods full of great joy was then delighted. The pious Indra, having thus struck down that demon, Diti's son, ruled happily.

 

CHAPTER TWENTYFOUR

Vritra Duped

Suta said:

1-2. Having heard that her very powerful son Bala was killed, Diti piteously wept saying: " Oh, I am facing a great misery." Having thus very piteously wept for a long time, the

992 Padma Purana miserable, glorious one went to Kasyapa, her husband, and said to him:

3-4a. " Seeing your son who had gone to the ocean, the very sinful Indra, the lord of the host of gods, with his thunderbolt killed him having the characteristics of a brahmana and just practising sandhyd (i.e. the daily prayer)."

4b-5. Having heard thus, (Kasyapa) Marici's son got angry at that time, and was full of great anger, as it were, burnt with fire. The best brahmana plucked a hair from his matted hair, (and putting it into) pure fire (said: )

6-10a. " I shall create a son just for killing Indra." From that fire-pool, from the mouth of fire was produced a fierce figure, full of black collyrium (i.e. very dark), and tawny-eyed, with the interior of his mouth fearful on account of the fangs, causing fear to the worlds, capable of giving a big blow with the flat of his hand, holding a sword and a shield, bright with lustre of the entire body, resembling a large cloud and strong. He said to the brahmana viz. Kasyapa: " Give me an order. O brahmana, tell me the purpose for which I was produced; I shall accomplish it through your favour, O you of a good vow." Kasyapa said:

10b-ll. O you highly intelligent one, fulfil the desire of this Aditi (Diti? ) and of me also. Kill the wicked Indra; and when that king of gods (i.e. Indra) is killed, enjoy Indra's position.

12-14. Thus ordered by that noble Kasyapa, Vritra exerted to kill Indra. Endowed with valour, he practised archery. The thousand-eyed one (i.e. Indra), seeing the demon's strength, power and his lustre with courage befitting a ksatriya, was afflicted by fear. He thought of a means to kill that wicked Vritra.

15-16. Having called the Seven Great Sages, the god of gods sent them to Vritra, the lord of demons: " O best sages, you may please go (to the place) where Vritra is staying, and bring about a treaty between them (i.e. the demons and me)."

17. Thus ordered and urged by that thousand-eyed (Indra) the Seven Sages then said to that demon Vritra:

18-21a. " Indra offers to make friendship (with you), O best demon; make that friendship." The Seven Sages, knowing the fact, said to the very powerful Vritra: " O best one, the very wise Indra desires your friendship. Then how is it that you do not do it (i.e. do not accept his offer)? O hero, enjoy happily half the position (i.e. kingdom) of Indra; let Indra have the (remaining) half. Giving up their enmity, let all demons and gods live happily." Vritra said:

21b-23a. If the best lord of the gods really desires friendship, I (too) shall do (the same) by resorting to truth (i.e. truthfully); there is no doubt about this. O brahmanas, if, by putting forward (i.e. by resorting to) dishonesty, Indra plays mischief, then what is the surety in this matter?

23b-24a. The sages said to Indra: " Give certainty about this. Tell us the truth if you desire friendship here (with Vritra)." Indra said:

24b-25a. If I behave with you falsely and dishonestly, then I shall be stained with the sins of killing brahmanas etc. There is no doubt about it.

25b-27a. The very powerful (brahmanas) again spoke to Vritra, the lord of demons: " 'I shall be stained with the sins of killing brahmanas etc. There is no doubt about it.' Thus, O very wise one, Indra has said to you. O you very intelligent one, form friendship (with Indra), with this (i.e. taking those words to be the) surety." Vritra said:

27b-28a. O best brahmanas, on account of your respectable manner and this truthfulness of him, I shall likewise form friendship with him.

28b-33. The chief brahmanas took Vritra into the vicinity of Indra. Seeing Vritra, ready for friendship, having arrived, the pious Indra got up from his seat, and taking the material of worship quickly, offered (the same) to Vritra: " O very wise one, enjoy half of this great position of Indra. O best of demons, we two should stay happily." O best brahmana, having thus pi oduced confidence through friendship of Vritra, the wicked-minded one always saw his weak point. Vritra loo was always cautious. Indra also would think day and night (to find out his weak point). He did not find out the weak point of the noble Vritra.

34-43a. He thought of a stratagem to kill him. He sent Rambha (after telling her: ) " With this or that trick, delude the great demon. O auspicious one, do that to delude the great demon, so that by killing him I shall get happiness." (Rambha resorted to Nandanavana — Indra's garden, ) the garden which was auspicious, very divine, resorted to by pious trees, full of many trees with fruits, full of beasts and birds, looking beautiful all around with divine heavenly cars, always full of divine music of the Gandharvas and bees, full of auspicious, sweet and prolonged cooings of cuckoos everywhere, full of the notes of peacocks and the sounds of antelopes at every place, everywhere adorned with divine sandal trees and also with charming wells, pools and lakes full of water and lotuses in bloom; it looked beautiful with gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas and Kinnaras as well; also with divine sages and with an excellent garden. It was crowded with hosts of celestial nymphs; and with various curious and auspicious objects. It was thronged with golden palaces, and was everywhere adorned with staffs, umbrellas and chowries, and with pitchers and banners. It was full of the sounds (of the recitation) of the Vedas and with the sounds of songs.

43b-44a. Reaching the Nandana like this, that sportive Rambha, smiling charmingly sported there with celestial nymphs. Suta said:

44b-51. Once that Vritra, dragged by death, went very joyfully with some demons, to that forest. The lord of gods and brahmanas, looking for his weak point, moved unnoticed by the side of that noble one. That very wise Vritra, confiding (in Indra) in all matters, and knowing Indra to be a great friend, was not afraid of him. Moving (i.e. he moved) in the great auspicious forest. The forest was very charming and (full of ) curious objects and crowded with bevies of women. That glorious and noble Rambha., of large eyes, who had resorted to the cool and very auspicious shade of a sandal-tree, was seated on a swing and was playing dice with her friends. She (also) sang a melodious song, infatuating the entire universe. Vritra, having come there, saw that Rambha, with charming, large eyes with his mind full of sexual desire.

 

CHAPTER TWENTYFIVE

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