Shukra is Confined by Kftya inside Her Vulva

Narada said:

1-5. Then Jalandhara saw the battlefield which was fierce due to the heaps of headless trunks, and which was inaccessible due to flow of blood and flesh and due to marrow, fat and bones. There, on the battlefield, the demon Jalandhara who was dis­tressed due to his wife being kidnapped, saw Shiva, the lord of Parvati, who was mounted upon a bull, whose body was adorned with the hood of a fierce serpent, who was marked with the (crescent) moon on the mass of his matted hair, and whose body was graced with the flame coming out of his eye. The Ocean’s son saw him not fighting. Having quickly got into his chariot, the Ocean’s son, getting angry, then said to Sumbha: “You have not killed the ascetic.” Sumbha said to Jalandhara: “He has practised great (i.e. severe) austerities. Therefore, he cannot be killed. Shiva is invincible in the battle.”

6-11. Having heard these words of Sumbha, the Ocean’s son was violent with anger, and taking the Kalakedara bow, he (i.e. Jalandhara) went to Shiva, surrounded by a thousand padma army of the demons. In the battle the dreadful (demon) discharged many arrows that were sharp, very large and that had iron props, as a cloud showers (water) on its arrival. In the battle, Shiva’s attendants stopped the Ocean’s son who was coming (to Shiva). Then (the demon) was angrily struck by Shiva with volleys of fear­ful arrows. By Shiva’s arrows his armour was knocked down on the ground. He, even without the armour, looked like a mountain left by a cloud. The body of Jalandhara was again nailed by Shiva with arrows. From Jalandhara’s body much blood flowed. By means of the stream of blood the entire earth was moistened.

12-17. Then the gods were frightened and the demons trem­bled. The brave pramathas left the battlefield and fled. A great form like that of a river spread everywhere. Then the Ocean’s son said to Shiva: “You are the best among the archers. Now I shall do that by which you will perish.” Speaking like this, he took up the Kalakedara bow with the arrows and quickly filled (i.e. covered) Shiva with various kinds of arrows. On the battlefield Shiva with his body covered with crores (of arrows) shone like the sky with birds or a great mountain with trees. Seeing that Shiva was covered with those arrows discharged by the demon (Jalandhara), Virabhadra angrily ran to Jalandhara. The power­ful and magnanimous (Virabhadra) troubled the Ocean’s son.

18-23. Jalandhara, the brave son of the Ocean, whowasangry, piercing (Virabhadra) with thousands of arrows reduced to pieces as small as the Sheshamum-seeds, with his arrows, (Virabhadra’s) bow, arrows, chariot, umbrella and charioteer. Then Virabhadra* who was without his chariot, struck the Ocean’s son with a mace. In the same way he (i.e. Jalandhara) too struck him with a mace and knocked him down on the ground. Seeing him fallen due to the stroke with mace, and very much bewildered, Mapibhadra then ran to Jalandhara in the battle. Seeing him who ^as very angry, coming (to him), the demon, son of the River (Ganga) scattered his implements with his arrows. Then shaking off his bewilderment, he, roaring like a lion, got up. Then VIrabhadra and the valourous Manibhadra angrily struck with two rocks the River’s son remaining in the sky.

24-27. Seeing the two rocks to have fallen on his body, VIrabhadra roared and struck the River’s son (i.e. Jalandhara) with the blow of his fist. Manibhdra seized the Ocean’s son by his feet and whirled him from his chariot. That was a great wonder. The very powerful king of the demons, though seized by Manibhadra, struck Manibhadra with the blows of his feet and knocked him down. That mighty-armed Jalandhara also (knocked down) VIrabhadra with (the blow of) his fist. Then Nandikesvara surrounded by attendants came (there).

28-35a. Seeing him coming Kumbha with his soldiers obstructed him. Then the attendants (of Shiva) and the demons came to one another fighting duels. In the battle Sumbha went to (fight with) Siladaja, and Rahu to (fight with) Mahakala. Nisumbha ran to Kolahala and Ketu to Kala. Sailodara (ran) to Guha (i.e. Kartikeya) and the very mighty Jambha (rushed) to Malyavat. Mahaparsva went to Canda and Candlsa to Romakantaka. Vikatasya went to Bhrngi and Urunetra to Gajanana. In this way the chiefs of the attendants went (to fight with) the lordly demons. Then Siladaja, having an ape-like face, struck by the weapons and arrows of shumbha, bruised him with great peaks of mountains. Kumbha, afflicted by that, struck shiladaja with a sakti. Then in the battle Mahakala struck that Rahu with a sakti. He struck his chariot with a great rock. The brave Kolahala was struck with a sakti by Nisumbha. Taking a sakti, he struck his chariot with the charioteer.

35b-41. The very angry demon, the lord of demons, who was without a chariot, struck Kolahala with a sahasraphaijin (a serpent-like weapon). Having struck him, he speedily went to another chariot. Struck with the phariicakra in the battle, he, in a moment, shook off his swoon, quickly got down from his chariot, took a sword and shield, and cut off everything inclu­ding the chariot of NiSumbha. Again getting into his chariot, he struck the demon with arrows. The very strong NiSumbha too, amazed at his valour, very angrily destroyed with a sakti his chariot with the horses. Kolahala, the mighty one who was without his chariot, went running to Nisumbha and by chaining his arms rendered him who had a chariot, chariotless. Kala seized Ketu’s tail and whirled him into the sky. He too threw a rock. He (i.e. Kala) quickly cut off the rock.

42-45. Seeing the rock pounded, he struck him (i.e. Ketu) with his fist. Kala with his entire body bruised by Ketu, ran away through fear. In the same way Sailodara struck Kartikeya on his chest with a mace. Kartikeya also struck him with a sakti and knocked him down on the ground. Seeing the demon dead due to the stroke of the sakti, Kartikeya roared. There was a surprise as when Kraunca was rent asunder. With volleys of arrows Malyavat struck Jambha in the battle. Jambha too left him swooning after piercing him with sharp arrows.

46-5la. Then Mahaparsva seized the chariot with volleys of arrows and rendering it horseless easily took it into the sky and knocked down the horseless chariot at Can^a. Seeing the chariot without horses, Ca^da took up (i.e. mounted upon) an elephant. Сад4а struck with his mace Mahaparsva attacking him. That very fierce demon, ignoring the blow of the mace, struck Carida with his fist and knocked him on the ground. The great demon Romakantha, struck by the weapon of Candisa, seized Candlsa by the feet aud dropped him on the top of chariot. All of a sudden he fell on the ground, and he of fearful eyes, went to (attack) him. Gajanana was struck with arrows by Urunetra in the battle. He struck him with his tusk in his chest and knocked him down on the ground.

51b-57. In a moment Urunetra became pacified, quickly came to the chariot, and, with a mallet, struck (Gajanana) on his head adorned with red lead. (Gajanana) the lord of (Shiva’s) attendants struck the demon (Urunetra) on his chest with a spear having a sharp edge. From his mouth came out a great demon having nine heads and eighteen arms. О king, he too ran to (Gajiinana) the son of Shiva. Gajanana was obstructed by Navaslrsha and Urunetra. Though his body was wounded, he angrily took an axe. With that the chief of the attendants (of Shiva) cut off their weapons in the battle. Seeing that Gajanana was obstructed by the two (demons), Senani — Kartikeya — quickly came (there) and killed Navasirsa. Having killed Navasirsha in the battle, he ran to Urunetra. О king, with the blow of his (weapon called) sakti, Kartikeya knocked him down. Jalandhara, seeing Kartikeya, and surrounded by his army went to (attack) him.

58-62a. Shiva too through affection for his son and with his attendants (came there) to kill the demons. Then between the two armies a wouderful and very fierce battle took place. In the battle between Shiva and the Ocean’s son the heaven and earth were as if lifeless. Then the angry Jalandhara, the lord of the demons, fixed a fierce arrow and with that arrow adorned all round with feathers numbering a thousand hundreds, struck Shiva on his forehead. It sank up to its feathered part into Shiva’s head like the moon and like the sun in the evening in the autumn at the end of the summer.

62b-66. Then Shiva took up a great arrow which resembled fire, in whose speed there was wind (i.e. which was speedy like wind), at the head of which remained fire and the sun, at whose knots remained death; in the arrow goddess Dhara (the earth) remain­ed. With that arrow Shiva quickly pierced the Ocean’s son in his chest. Due to the stroke of the arrow, he, with his body wounded by that arrow, and wet with a stream of blood, fell down like a mountain struck by thunderbolt. At that time the demons wailed, and the pramathas (the goblin-attendants of Shiva) roared. Seeing the Ocean’s son fainted, the demons obstructed Shiva. Some were eager to protect him, others stood around him.

67-70. While Jalandhara, the Ocean’s son was in a swoon, Shiva struck the army of Jalandhara with arrows. After a long time Jalandhara gave up the swoon (i.e. regained consciousness), and, full of fear, saw his army killed (by Shiva) and dispersed on the battlefield; he mentally remembered his great preceptor, Shukra. Remembered by him, Shukra quickly came to Jalandhara. Wish­ing him well, Shukra said to the Ocean’s son: “O great king, О mighty one, what mission of you should I do? ”

Narada said:

71. Hearing these words of Shukra, Jalandhara very much honoured Shukra, his preceptor, and saluting hinrsaid:

The king said:

72-76. О Shukra, bring back to life all these demons that are dead all around.

Thus addressed by the Ocean’s son in the battle, he observed the army which measured twentyfive thousand yojanas and which was further and further crowded with the bodies and chariots of the demons piled up on earth up to ninetyfive yojanas. (He) then (saw) the earth as it were full of the bodies of the warriors and horses (and elephants). Having sprinkled the demons with charmed water, Shukra made them rise up. While Shiva tied firmly the mass of his matted hair with serpents, Shukra made the army rise up by means of a charm.

77-80. Shiva thought on seeing the demons that had come, as lions do on seeing tigers or lordly elephants do on seeing pigs: ‘What has happened here? Somewhere he creates (i.e. brings back to life) the dead.’ Thinking like this on the battle­field, Shiva saw on the battlefield, Shukra bringing back the demons to life and running faster (i.e. very fast). Then Shiva who was angry, made up his mind to kill Shukra. Requesting the Tridentholder (Shiva) in private, Shukra said to him: ‘‘I am a brahmana. How do (i.e. can) you kill a brahmana skilled in all lores? О Shiva, you will incur (the sin of killing) a brahmana on killing me.”

81-84. Hearing these words of Shukra, Shiva gave up the trident. On remembering the former account, viz. the sticking of Brahma’s head (he thought: ) ‘A brahmana is not to be killed, even if he takes away one’s life dear to one. But this (Shukra) who is bring­ing the demons back to life, must be fully curbed by me. There­fore, I shall quickly throw him leading the life of a demon, into the vulva of a woman.’ From the third eye of Shiva who was thinking like this, a female deity to whom sacrifices are offered for des­tructive and magical purposes, quickly (came out). She was naked, very fierce; she had let loose her hair; her belly was big. Her breasts were big and hanging; Her vulva, fangs and eyes were fearful.

85-89. Shiva, who was addressed by her, ‘Order (me)’, said to her: “O Kytysh, put quickly the wicked-minded preceptor of the demons into your vulva; and carry (i.e. keep) him in your vulva till I kill Jalandhara. After the demon Jalandhara is killed, you take him out and release him.” That deity to whom sacrifices are offered for destructive and magical purposes, who was thus told by Shiva, ran to Shukra. On seeing her the demon fell on the ground; and the demons fled. Shaking Shukra by seizing his hair, she embraced Shukra, and laughing, she held him in her vulva, О Jayanandana. Seeing his preceptor put by the deity into her vulva when Jalandhara fixed the arrows, she disappeared.

 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Jalandhara Is Killed

Shri Narada said:

1-8. Then Jalandhara said to Shiva: “O Shiva, protect your­self now. О Shiva, I shall today throw you there where Vishnu lives. Then, having dragged Brahma, I shall throw him into the ocean. When all of you are seized (by me) I am then the lord of all.” Having spoken like this, he entrusted the responsibility of the army on the demons Sumbha etc. The warriors like Nisumbha guarded the endless four-limbed army. Seeing all the excellent demons like Sumbha, Nisumbha, Phemkara, Pherunda, Dhiimralocana, Ketu, Bidalajangha, Rahu, Durvaraija and Yama, so also Kalasura, Lavana, Bhumiretas and the demon Andhaka, and Raktavirya and others, Can^in and Camundin, ready to fight in the battle, the attendants of Shiva like Virabhadra and others, confronted them in the battle, О king. Then a horrible, fierce and thrilling battle took place, in which even the principal demons, suffering from wounds, fell (down). О king, the attendants (of Shiva) struck with all weapons by Sumbha and others in the great war, fell and others fled.

9-12. The demons, having vanquished the attendants, con­fronted Shiva. They showered him with volleys of arrows, as the clouds shower the Meru mountain. Then Shiva, seated upon his bull (Nandin), drew his bow and struck with volleys of arrows the demons on the battlefield. The powerful one struck the demons with arrows with sharp horse-shoe-shaped heads. He quickly killed the remaining army on the battlefield with wea­pons and missiles. The battlefield was covered with elephants, men and horses that had fallen (in the battlefield).

13-18a. It appeared like the earth (covered) with mountains cut off by thunderbolt. Then the Ocean’s son fashioned an illusory (form of) Gauri that was endowed with the quality of beauty and adorned with all ornaments. Making an illusory (form of) Jaya the Ocean’s son said: “Quickly go in front of Shiva, and quickly fascinate him on the battlefield.” The illusory Jaya thus addressed, went (to

Shiva). Having gone to the battle­field and with her hair let loose she wept. Asked by Shiva, she said: “From the mountain north of Manasa your dear wife, Parvati, О god, has been kidnapped by the Ocean’s son.” Hear­ing these words of her, the bull-bannered (god Shiva) said to her: “O Jaya, you go to the bull (Nandin). The demons will kidnap you.”

18b-24. Then, Java, mounting upon the bull (Nandin) and embracing Shiva, said: “О Нага, I (shall) go. I cannot live with­out Parvati.” Taking the moon that had entered the matted hair of Shiva, she — the illusory form — quickly got down from the bull. Clasped by the illusory form, he went to the battlefield. Then hearing that Parvati was kidnapped, Shiva became worried. О king, encircled by the demon’s illusion, he did not recognise himself. In the meanwhile, the Ocean’s son surrounded by a great army, came after having put the illusory Parvati in his chariot to Shiva. In the same way, there was the sound of musi­cal instruments in (i.e. declaring) the victory of Jalandhara, due to which the earth shook and the mountains echoed. The Ocean’s son showed Parvati to Shiva. Rudra (i.e. Shiva) too saw his dear wife who was distressed due to separation (from him), who was helpless, who was slim and whose eyes were over­anxious, sitting in his enemy's chariot.

25-30a. She was again and again crying, “O lord, О dear Rudra.” Shiva saw Par\ati seated in the strong enemy’s chariot like the sacred text remaining in the possession of a heretic. ‘How shall I get (back) my beloved? ’ (Like this), Sambhu deluded by the demon’s illusion lamented. ‘O dear one, the demons deluded me. How have you been kidnapped? ’

The Ocean’s son, seeing Shiva bewildered with grief and delusion, laughed and uttered (these) words as kind (person would do). “You are without any authority. You are without sexual love. Though you are the lord, you have become miserable without Parvati. О Shiva, do not weep. I (shall) give you your dear wife. Having taken Parvati, I have spared you the fight.”

30b-36. Speaking like this to Shiva, he got down Parvati from the chariot. Then he sent his army towards Shankara. To take Parvati who was crying “Protect (me), protect (me)”, Shiva too, along with (his) bull (Nandin), quickly ran towards his (i.e. Jalandhara’s) army. When Shiva seized Parvati with his hand, the demon Sumbha quickly seized her and remained in the sky. The mighty Shiva discharged his spear to kill the demon Sumbha. Sumbha left her and she fell on the spear. She, beautiful in all limbs and weeping, when left, fell along with the spear in front of Shiva, and saying “All right” died (there only). Rudra, seeing the illusory Parvati dead, was full of grief and delusion, and wailing “O dear one”, he fell in a swoon on the ground. Having regained consciousness (after) a moment, he cursed Sumbha and others on the battlefield: “Parvati will kill you.”

Narada said:

37-42. О king, in the previous age of Manu the demons Sumbha and others were knocked down by the goddess due to Shiva’s curse. Having cursed them and having gone out he wailed, “O dear one, where have you gone after abandoning me, the distressed one, on the battlefield? Giving up attachment for me, I Shankara, am made distressed by separation from you. О dear one, even Vishshu does not know me to be abandoned by you (i.e. does not know that you have left me). О goddess, in the fire-vessel of Daksha, you had offered your head. You were again obtained by me. (Then) how do you abandon me again? О you of a beautiful body, О Girija, get up, get up. Communi­cate with me.” In the meanwhile, Brahma remaining in the group of deities, knowing that Shiva was deluded by the demon’s illusion, came (there). He who was invisible, spoke to the wailing Shiva:

Brahma said:

43-45. You are without grief, delusion, father and mother. You do not have pain, pleasure, son, a wife, or an enemy. You are not born of a father, nor will you be born (of a father). You are looked upon (like this) by the sages? (Then) whence this delusion? О lord, you are one; you have taken up various forms, as the sun is seen (to be many) in the waves of the water. Those who observe restraint, reach by means of meditation your feet, the great form, unintelligible, and quite indescribable. This your beloved is not distressed like you. О god, give up the illusion fashioned by Jalandhara. That Parvati has gone into the bud of a lotus. Fight; kill the multitude of enemies. Protect us.

46-52. Having heard these words of Brahma, Shiva knew (the illusion). Knowing the demon’s illusion, he threw a large rock (at the demons). With that he killed three hundred crores of demons. О king, then having very angrily mounted upon his bull (i.e. Nandin), Shiva took his Pinaka bow and arrows. Then the son of the Ocean (i.e. Jalandhara), seeing Shiva, free from the illusion, manifested quickly another group of illusions which deluded the lord of gods, which was very wonderful, which was very powerful. Jalandhara turned into (one) having a crore of arms and fought Shiva with trees, weapons and missiles; and he, the Ocean’s son, put the earth that was decorated with the red chalk into the intermediate space; and the Ocean’s son made the earth adorned with many charming temples of deities, full of various (kinds of) flowers. Celestial nymphs, more lovely than Menaka danced there. Sambhu, forgot (to fight) and instantly abandoned the bow, and deluded by (the sound of) musical instruments and songs and by the tafltfava dance of the lord of demons, started, being mounted upon the bull.

53-60. Seeing Shiva seated on the bull deluded, the Ocean in an embodied form, to delude him, roared with tafltfava, songs, musical instruments, and dances. He, constantly being rejoiced, threw the beings into the ocean; “Where are all those deities? Where are the attendants led by Nandin? You who are respect­able, are deluded by the demon’s illusion. О lord Sambhu, why do you neglect (him)? Taking out the disc remaining in your belly, and fashioned for killing him only, О Mahesa, kill Jalandhara with that in the battle.” By (i.e. on hearing) these words of Krishna, and recollecting himself to be the lord, he quickly mounted upon the bull and came to the great battle. Seeing that Shiva coming, that angry demon Jalandhara surro­unded by his entire army, stopped him. The form of aiva, who was angry, (was one that) would destroy the creation. Tn his third eye there were fires and the demons were like moths. О king, seeing the lord’s form full of fierce flames, the demons like Sumbha, so also those like Rahu seeing Shiva, were frigh­tened and through fear they entered the nether world.

61-66. Seeing many soldiers killed in the great war, and seeing certain demons like Sumbha that were spared, and (seeing a few) who had fled away, Jalandhara remained on the battle­field like a mountain. Seeing actually the true form of Rudra, he was delighted. Then Jalandhara laughed and said to Shiva: “Withdraw your (fierce) form with which you are burning (the world with) the mobile and the immobile. Give up your divine power and fight with a weapon.” Hearing these words of Jalandhara, Shiva then said (to him: ) “O lord of demons, ask for a boon. I am pleased with your deed that you are fearless even after having seen such a (fierce) form. О demon, even the entire universe is not able to look at this form of me and at my lustre. (But) you are fearless in that respect.”

Narada said:

67-71. Regarding this to be a favour of Shiva, Jalandhara, having no desire for the mundane existence, asked from him release as a boon in the form of absorption into him.

Shri Mahadeva said:

О demon, this your divine body endowed with all pleasures and divine powers, and lovely due to Vfnda and charming remaining here will meet with death here. Not knowing the highest soul that is one and immutable, for a while, how do you give it up? How do you desire salvation? Your dear queen Vj-nda has been taken away through divine power. Having known the nature of Brahman, she has reached that highest position. Now she is difficult to obtain, so also that position is difficult to obtain. Ask for a boon in the worldly existence between heaven and salvation.

Jalandhara said:

72-75. О god, the position of salvation is obtained by a blessed one. Now I am blessed, since, struck by you I am seeing you.

Shiva said:

О demon, if you are eager to go to my place, a holy place, then (striking me) with strong arrows, quickly make me angry. Then, О sinless one, I shall kill you, (and) you will go to my place.

Hearing the words of the great god, Jalandhara said to Shiva: “1 shall not first strike you who are adorable to the whole world.”

Narad a said:

76-81. Thus addressed, Shiva quickly struck the Ocean’s son with arrows and those arrows stuck to the Ocean’s son’s body shone as the bamboos blazing with fire shine on the skirt of Lohagiri. Jalandhara filled the body of Shiva with arrows. With those arrows Rudra shone like the sky full of birds. Then, О king, a duel took place between Jalandhara and god (Shiva). There is no other striker than Shiva. There is no other one than the Ocean’s son who bears (the strokes). With thousands of crores of mountains taken out from the cavity of the earth, the Ocean’s son filled the lord of Piirvatl in the battle. Then the demon (Jalandhara) was struck on his chest with a spear by Shiva. From his mouth fearful and yawning Jvara emerged. He having the face of a lion and a human figure was (called) Virajvara.

82-92. Seeing Jvara having a lion’s face, moving out of the demon’s body, (Shiva) made a ‘hum’ sound. From it a Sarabha1 came out. He was knocked down by the Sarabha, sent out by Shiva. Seeing that Shankara, along with the lord of bulls (viz. Nandin) invincible, that Ocean’s son speedily came near the bull. Seizing the bull by his tail, he whirled him into the sky. (That) mighty-armed Jalandhara threw him on the Himalaya mountain. Then Girija’s husband (i.e. Shiva) discharged the very fierce trident. Catching it with his hand near Shiva, the lord of the demons, the Ocean’s son, mounted upon his chariot, took the bow (called) Kalakedara, and filled with arrows Shiva standing on the earth. Shiva cut off his weapons and arrows and pounded with arrows his chariot which was ten yojanas extensive, along with the charioteer and horses. Jalandhara too, who was chario­tless, ran to Shiva in the battle. A fierce, wonderful and thrilling battle took place between the two. Seeing it. the deities, through fear of the unexpected deluge, trembled. The two, of a fearful valour, shaking the earth by means of their foot(-steps) and making the sky tremble with the sounds struck each other with all missiles.Then seeing the great might of the lord of demons, Shiva, through his divine power, took a multitude of weapons. Then a demon, having a crore of arms and with eyes fearful due to the fangs, though without a weapon, quickly ran to Shiva.

1. Sarabha: A fabulous animal said to have eight legs and be stronger than a lion.

93-99. On the battlefield he bound Shiva with the bond of his large arms. Then with a sword he cut off the jungle (i.e. multitude) of his hands. Rudra, overpowered by the arms of the Ocean’s son, became dark blue. The Ocean’s son easily fought with him. Though his hands were cut off, he fought as Rahu (would fight) with his head. The River’s son (Jalandhara) pleased Shiva with his fighting. Shiva who was pleased, said: “Ask for a difficult boon.” Jalandhara too said to him: “Give me your position. Please do not insult me who am without arms and weapons. Quickly give me a divine power; otherwise I shall destroy you.” Saying so, and being equipped with arms he struck him on his chest. Then, vomitting from his mouth the Sudarsana disc which he himself had formerly fashioned, he took it in his hand and angrily raised it. Its brilliance was like that of a crore of suns and it was swallowing (the world includ­ing) the mobile and the immobile.

100-106. With that disc the head of Jalandhara was cut off (by Shiva). Then that head flew into the sky to (the distance of) a hundred yojanas. О king, then it having a terrible mouth with a hundred fangs, having eyes of heaven and earth, went, with the speed of a tiger to the house of Brahma. Then again seeing the head in heaven Shiva ran to the head, from which blood was oozing and which was making a fearful sound. Then the quarters disappeared, and the sky (too) disappeared. The light of the luminaries was not there, and the earth trembled through fear. Rudra, with the disc, quickly cut off the head coming to him. Being cut into two it fell upon the Himalaya mountain. Then the pieces of Jalandhara’s head quickly entered Shiva when all the beings were watching it.

107-112. That trunk of Jalandhara, red due to blood, danced. Again and again demons sprang up from his throat. They were repeatedly struck by Shiva with the disc. The entire earth was filled with the marrow of the Ocean’s son. О king, due to the marrow only, Medini(i.e. the earth) got that name. In the northern region of Kailasa, where the blood of the excellent demon turned into a hill, the city (called) Soriitapura was (situated). Then seeing the heaps of flesh covering every place, the lord (i.e. Shiva) remembered his sixtyfour attendants. Due to the discerning recollection the goddesses also reached the vicinity of Shiva. With the palms of their hands folded they said: “O Shiva, what do (i.e. should) we do? ”

Mahadeva said:

113-120. Together you who are permitted by me, should quick­ly eat the heaps of the demon’s flesh which resemble mountains.

Brahml, Mahesvari and Kaumari so also Vaisshavi and Varahi, and Mahendri, (all) thus ordered by Shiva, and shining with their own attendants, looked at the heaps of flesh with a cruel eye, and in a moment they vanished. Then the weak body of Jalandhara was powerfully approached by Saktis. When his body was seized by them, from his body came out a lustre; it reached Shiva and in a moment it dis­appeared. That lustre resembling the sun’s lustre, got merged into Shiva. Thus the enemy of gods met his destruction from Shiva. Mahesvara being pleased, said to them all: “Ask fora boon.” Then all those female attendants asked the lord of the world: “Those men in the mortal worlds, who desire enjoyments and salvation and boons, will always worship the group of your attendants (the Yoginis) in their house. Due tq your favour all that is desired by them will come about.”

Mahadeva said:

121-128. I am the giver of a boon to him on the earth, who­soever will every day devoutly worship your group. To my devotee or that of Vishnu who hates the group of Yoginis, I shall be terrible and will take away his religious merit.

Thus were boons given to the Yoginis in the battle. In the meanwhile Shiva remembered that Bhavani (his wife) and his bull (Nandin). On just being remembered Parvati and the bull came there in a moment. Shiva’s beloved (i.e. Parvati) came there along with her friends. Giving up her Bhramari form, she mounted upon half the portion of (the body of) Нага. Then, О king, with Parvati, Shiva rejoiced. To the Yoginis he said: “Drink the blood on the trunk of Jalandhara. Hearing it they were very much delighted. The Yoginis, after (eating and) drinking the flesh, marrow and blood danced with joy. Then seeing their sport, Shiva was pleased; and taking up his Bhairava form, he drank it in the midst of them. The group of the Yoginis were of sharp fangs and huge bodies.

129-132. Even today at (this) time they are seizing the flesh. Therefore, demon Jalandhara killed in battle, does not get up. Then there came the groups of deities like Brahma. The sages, the Maruts and the gods praised the great lord (Shiva). The quarters were bright; fragrant breezes blew; showers of flowers fell from the sky. The drums also, that were beaten, produ­ced sound above (i.e. in the sky) when he was consecrated. Then the earth was sprinkled with the continuous showers of honey by the swarms of bees going over it and humming sweetly, being blinded by the fragrance. In his assembly fell the shower of flowers dropped by gods.

133-136. When the Ocean’s son was killed by Shiva with the strokes of the arrows, shower of flowers appeared (there), beautiful women danced and, yakshas led by gods and kinnaras sang (songs). Shiva, having great fame due to his victory, and then being praised by groups of gods, siddhas and Caracas, went to his own mountain. From the mountain, Parvati also surrounded by her friends, went to the

3veta mountain. The divine damsels waited upon her with a shower of flowers. Lord Shiva, the kind god, knowing (this) established the groups of gods in their own positions, and gave them his wealth. What more should be said when great pity would be shown by the lord? Or which other god is there who would bring under his control the earth on all sides? Gods having got (back) their kingdom, shone as before. Being the regents of quarters (again) they shared portions in sacrifices.

Narad a said:

137-142. О king, I have thus narrated in a sequence to you the very wonderful account of Jalandhara, hero of the world. Even now Vishnu being under his sway, does not leave the Milky Ocean. Know that everyone enjoys the fruit of his own act(s). To remove your grief I have told you this excellent account. As long as the body lasts, a man being influenced, experiences (the fruits of) his actions — pains and pleasures. О king, there is no greater refuge than knowledge. Even Krishna and others when bound in a body have pleasure, pain etc. Then what can be said about others who are averse to detachment? Knowing that such is the course of acts, which is the strongest of all, be patient, wait for the arrival of auspicious acts again. At (the proper) time, you will, after vanquishing your enemies, regain your kingdom.

143-148. Having heard this account, (a man) is not over­come by griefs. Here (the four goals of human life, viz.) right­eousness, material welfare, sensual enjoyments and salvation are properly told. A brahmaria gets the auspicious knowledge leading to heaven, removing sins, destroying delusion, and a ksatriya obtains a kingdom. Hearing (it) a vaisya would obtain wealth, and a shudra happiness. A weak king who is deprived of his kingdom but remains on the good path, again obtains his kingdom by hearing it every day. О King, after hearing this, the good do not like to hear anything else, as a man does not like to hear the harsh crying of crows after hearing the sweet notes of cuckoos. Having heard this guileless account, he who is dear to the hearts of the good, should please the reader (of this account) by (giving him) gold, Sheshamum-seeds, garments etc. and land. When he is pleased, he would get the (desired) fruit.

149-155. When the reader — the preceptor — is honoured, the deities also would be pleased. He should give gifts of food and honour brahmaijas. He, being prosperous with sons and grand­sons, is always victorious. He who listens to this excellent account, is born in Vishnu’s world. О king, those best men who, under this pretext, listen to the cause of the rise of Tulasi, have no sin anywhere. By listening to or telling this auspicious, sinremoving greatness of Tulasi (a man) undoubtedly attains salvation. By seeing Tulasi destroying sins, planted in one’s house, the sin of a brahmana’s murder perishes. There is no doubt about this. (A man) should worship Vishnu with Tulasi (leaves) in Kartika and Magha. Vishnu’sh worship in Vaishakha is especially laid down. Even by once going round it, all the sin goes (away). Those shudras who are always engaged in (giving) gifts, are purified within (due) time. Their bodies also become worthy of worshipping deities. Those devotees of Vishriu, now very rare in this Kali age, have gone far away from sins.

 

CHAPTER NINETEEN

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