Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 3 · Chapter 19
मैत्रेय उवाच अवधार्य विरिञ्चस्य निर्व्यलीकामृतं वच: । प्रहस्य प्रेमगर्भेण तदपाङ्गेन सोऽग्रहीत् ॥ १ ॥
maitreya uvaca avadharya virincasya nirvyalikamrtam vacah prahasya prema-garbhena tad apangena so ’grahit
Sri Maitreya said: After hearing the words of Brahma, the creator, which were free from all sinful purposes and as sweet as nectar, the Lord heartily laughed and accepted his prayer with a glance laden with love.
तत: सपत्नं मुखतश्चरन्तमकुतोभयम् । जघानोत्पत्य गदया हनावसुरमक्षज: ॥ २ ॥
tatah sapatnam mukhatas carantam akuto-bhayam jaghanotpatya gadaya hanav asuram aksajah
The Lord, who had appeared from the nostril of Brahma, sprang and aimed His mace at the chin of His enemy, the Hiranyaksa demon, who was stalking fearlessly before Him.
सा हता तेन गदया विहता भगवत्करात् । विघूर्णितापतद्रेजे तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥ ३ ॥
sa hata tena gadaya vihata bhagavat-karat vighurnitapatad reje tad adbhutam ivabhavat
Struck by the demon’s mace, however, the Lord’s mace slipped from His hand and looked splendid as it fell down whirling. This was miraculous, for the mace was blazing wonderfully.
स तदा लब्धतीर्थोऽपि न बबाधे निरायुधम् । मानयन् स मृधे धर्मं विष्वक्सेनं प्रकोपयन् ॥ ४ ॥
sa tada labdha-tirtho ’pi na babadhe nirayudham manayan sa mrdhe dharmam visvaksenam prakopayan
Even though the demon had an excellent opportunity to strike his unarmed foe without obstruction, he respected the law of single combat, thereby kindling the fury of the Supreme Lord.
गदायामपविद्धायां हाहाकारे विनिर्गते । मानयामास तद्धर्मं सुनाभं चास्मरद्विभु: ॥ ५ ॥
gadayam apaviddhayam haha-kare vinirgate manayam asa tad-dharmam sunabham casmarad vibhuh
As the Lord’s mace fell to the ground and a cry of alarm arose from the witnessing crowd of gods and rsis, the Personality of Godhead acknowledged the demon’s love of righteousness and therefore invoked His Sudarsana discus.
तं व्यग्रचक्रं दितिपुत्राधमेन स्वपार्षदमुख्येन विषज्जमानम् । चित्रा वाचोऽतद्विदां खेचराणां तत्र स्मासन् स्वस्ति तेऽमुं जहीति ॥ ६ ॥
tam vyagra-cakram diti-putradhamena sva-parsada-mukhyena visajjamanam citra vaco ’tad-vidam khe-caranam tatra smasan svasti te ’mum jahiti
As the discus began to revolve in the Lord’s hands and the Lord contended at close quarters with the chief of His Vaikuntha attendants, who had been born as Hiranyaksa, a vile son of Diti, there issued from every direction strange expressions uttered by those who were witnessing from airplanes. They had no knowledge of the Lord’s reality, and they cried, May victory attend You! Pray dispatch him.
स तं निशाम्यात्तरथाङ्गमग्रतो व्यवस्थितं पद्मपलाशलोचनम् । विलोक्य चामर्षपरिप्लुतेन्द्रियो रुषा स्वदन्तच्छदमादशच्छ्वसन् ॥ ७ ॥
sa tam nisamyatta-rathangam agrato vyavasthitam padma-palasa-locanam vilokya camarsa-pariplutendriyo rusa sva-danta-cchadam adasac chvasan
When the demon saw the Personality of Godhead, who had eyes just like lotus petals, standing in position before him, armed with His Sudarsana discus, his senses were overpowered by indignation. He began to hiss like a serpent, and he bit his lip in great resentment.
करालदंष्ट्रश्चक्षुर्भ्यां सञ्चक्षाणो दहन्निव । अभिप्लुत्य स्वगदया हतोऽसीत्याहनद्धरिम् ॥ ८ ॥
karala-damstras caksurbhyam sancaksano dahann iva abhiplutya sva-gadaya hato ’sity ahanad dharim
The demon, who had fearful tusks, stared at the Personality of Godhead as though to burn Him.
पदा सव्येन तां साधो भगवान् यज्ञसूकर: । लीलया मिषत: शत्रो: प्राहरद्वातरंहसम् ॥ ९ ॥
pada savyena tam sadho bhagavan yajna-sukarah lilaya misatah satroh praharad vata-ramhasam
O saintly Vidura, while His enemy looked on, the Lord in His boar form, the enjoyer of all sacrificial offerings, playfully knocked down the mace with His left foot, even as it came upon Him with the force of a tempest.
आह चायुधमाधत्स्व घटस्व त्वं जिगीषसि । इत्युक्त:स तदा भूयस्ताडयन् व्यनदद् भृशम् ॥ १० ॥
aha cayudham adhatsva ghatasva tvam jigisasi ity uktah sa tada bhuyas tadayan vyanadad bhrsam
The Lord then said: Take up your weapon and try again, eager as you are to conquer Me Challenged in these words, the demon aimed his mace at the Lord and once more loudly roared.
तां स आपततीं वीक्ष्य भगवान् समवस्थित: । जग्राह लीलया प्राप्तां गरुत्मानिव पन्नगीम् ॥ ११ ॥
tam sa apatatim viksya bhagavan samavasthitah jagraha lilaya praptam garutman iva pannagim
When the Lord saw the mace flying toward Him, He stood firmly where He was and caught it with the same ease as Garuda, the king of birds, would seize a serpent.
स्वपौरुषे प्रतिहते हतमानो महासुर: । नैच्छद्गदां दीयमानां हरिणा विगतप्रभ: ॥ १२ ॥
sva-pauruse pratihate hata-mano mahasurah naicchad gadam diyamanam harina vigata-prabhah
His valor thus frustrated, the great demon felt humiliated and was put out of countenance. He was reluctant to take back the mace when it was offered by the Personality of Godhead.
जग्राह त्रिशिखं शूलं ज्वलज्ज्वलनलोलुपम् । यज्ञाय धृतरूपाय विप्रायाभिचरन् यथा ॥ १३ ॥
jagraha tri-sikham sulam jvalaj-jvalana-lolupam yajnaya dhrta-rupaya viprayabhicaran yatha
He now took a trident which was as rapacious as a flaming fire and hurled it against the Lord, the enjoyer of all sacrifices, even as one would use penance for a malevolent purpose against a holy brahmana.
तदोजसा दैत्यमहाभटार्पितं चकासदन्त:ख उदीर्णदीधिति । चक्रेण चिच्छेद निशातनेमिना हरिर्यथा तार्क्ष्यपतत्रमुज्झितम् ॥ १४ ॥
tad ojasa daitya-maha-bhatarpitam cakasad antah-kha udirna-didhiti cakrena ciccheda nisata-nemina harir yatha tarksya-patatram ujjhitam
Hurled by the mighty demon with all his strength, the flying trident shone brightly in the sky. The Personality of Godhead, however, tore it to pieces with His discus Sudarsana, which had a sharp-edged rim, even as Indra cut off a wing of Garuda.
वृक्णे स्वशूले बहुधारिणा हरे: प्रत्येत्य विस्तीर्णमुरो विभूतिमत् । प्रवृद्धरोष: स कठोरमुष्टिना नदन् प्रहृत्यान्तरधीयतासुर: ॥ १५ ॥
vrkne sva-sule bahudharina hareh pratyetya vistirnam uro vibhutimat pravrddha-rosah sa kathora-mustina nadan prahrtyantaradhiyatasurah
The demon was enraged when his trident was cut to pieces by the discus of the Personality of Godhead. He therefore advanced toward the Lord and, roaring aloud, struck his hard fist against the Lord’s broad chest, which bore the mark of Srivatsa. Then he went out of sight.
तेनेत्थमाहत: क्षत्तर्भगवानादिसूकर: । नाकम्पत मनाक् क्वापि स्रजा हत इव द्विप: ॥ १६ ॥
tenettham ahatah ksattar bhagavan adi-sukarah nakampata manak kvapi sraja hata iva dvipah
Hit in this manner by the demon, O Vidura, the Lord, who had appeared as the first boar, did not feel the least quaking in any part of His body, any more than an elephant would when struck with a wreath of flowers.
अथोरुधासृजन्मायां योगमायेश्वरे हरौ । यां विलोक्य प्रजास्त्रस्ता मेनिरेऽस्योपसंयमम् ॥ १७ ॥
athorudhasrjan mayam yoga-mayesvare harau yam vilokya prajas trasta menire ’syopasamyamam
The demon, however, employed many conjuring tricks against the Personality of Godhead, who is the Lord of yogamaya. At the sight of this the people were filled with alarm and thought that the dissolution of the universe was near.
प्रववुर्वायवश्चण्डास्तम: पांसवमैरयन् । दिग्भ्यो निपेतुर्ग्रावाण: क्षेपणै: प्रहिता इव ॥ १८ ॥
pravavur vayavas candas tamah pamsavam airayan digbhyo nipetur gravanah ksepanaih prahita iva
Fierce winds began to blow from all directions, spreading darkness occasioned by dust and hail storms; stones came in volleys from every corner, as if thrown by machine guns.
द्यौर्नष्टभगणाभ्रौघै: सविद्युत्स्तनयित्नुभि: । वर्षद्भि: पूयकेशासृग्विण्मूत्रास्थीनि चासकृत् ॥ १९ ॥
dyaur nasta-bhaganabhraughaih sa-vidyut-stanayitnubhih varsadbhih puya-kesasrg- vin-mutrasthini casakrt
The luminaries in outer space disappeared due to the sky’s being overcast with masses of clouds, which were accompanied by lightning and thunder. The sky rained pus, hair, blood, stool, urine and bones.
गिरय: प्रत्यदृश्यन्त नानायुधमुचोऽनघ । दिग्वाससो यातुधान्य: शूलिन्यो मुक्तमूर्धजा: ॥ २० ॥
girayah pratyadrsyanta nanayudha-muco ’nagha dig-vasaso yatudhanyah sulinyo mukta-murdhajah
O sinless Vidura, mountains discharged weapons of various kinds, and naked demonesses armed with tridents appeared with their hair hanging loose.
बहुभिर्यक्षरक्षोभि: पत्त्यश्वरथकुञ्जरै: । आततायिभिरुत्सृष्टा हिंस्रा वाचोऽतिवैशसा: ॥ २१ ॥
bahubhir yaksa-raksobhih patty-asva-ratha-kunjaraih atatayibhir utsrsta himsra vaco ’tivaisasah
Cruel and savage slogans were uttered by hosts of ruffian Yaksas and Raksasas, who all either marched on foot or rode on horses, elephants or chariots.
प्रादुष्कृतानां मायानामासुरीणां विनाशयत् । सुदर्शनास्त्रं भगवान् प्रायुङ्क्त दयितं त्रिपात् ॥ २२ ॥
praduskrtanam mayanam asurinam vinasayat sudarsanastram bhagavan prayunkta dayitam tri-pat
The Lord, the personal enjoyer of all sacrifices, now discharged His beloved Sudarsana, which was capable of dispersing the magical forces displayed by the demon.
तदा दिते: समभवत्सहसा हृदि वेपथु: । स्मरन्त्या भर्तुरादेशं स्तनाच्चासृक् प्रसुस्रुवे ॥ २३ ॥
tada diteh samabhavat sahasa hrdi vepathuh smarantya bhartur adesam stanac casrk prasusruve
At that very moment, a shudder suddenly ran through the heart of Diti, the mother of Hiranyaksa. She recalled the words of her husband, Kasyapa, and blood flowed from her breasts.
विनष्टासु स्वमायासु भूयश्चाव्रज्य केशवम् । रुषोपगूहमानोऽमुं ददृशेऽवस्थितं बहि: ॥ २४ ॥
vinastasu sva-mayasu bhuyas cavrajya kesavam rusopaguhamano ’mum dadrse ’vasthitam bahih
When the demon saw his magic forces dispelled, he once again came into the presence of the Personality of Godhead, Kesava, and, full of rage, tried to embrace Him within his arms to crush Him. But to his great amazement he found the Lord standing outside the circle of his arms.
तं मुष्टिभिर्विनिघ्नन्तं वज्रसारैरधोक्षज: । करेण कर्णमूलेऽहन् यथा त्वाष्ट्रं मरुत्पति: ॥ २५ ॥
tam mustibhir vinighnantam vajra-sarair adhoksajah karena karna-mule ’han yatha tvastram marut-patih
The demon now began to strike the Lord with his hard fists, but Lord Adhoksaja slapped him in the root of the ear, even as Indra, the lord of the Maruts, hit the demon Vrtra.
स आहतो विश्वजिता ह्यवज्ञया परिभ्रमद्गात्र उदस्तलोचन: । विशीर्णबाह्वङ्घ्रिशिरोरुहोऽपतद् यथा नगेन्द्रो लुलितो नभस्वता ॥ २६ ॥
sa ahato visva-jita hy avajnaya paribhramad-gatra udasta-locanah visirna-bahv-anghri-siroruho ’patad yatha nagendro lulito nabhasvata
Though struck indifferently by the Lord, the conqueror of all, the demon’s body began to wheel. His eyeballs bulged out of their sockets. His arms and legs broken and the hair on his head scattered, he fell down dead, like a gigantic tree uprooted by the wind.
क्षितौ शयानं तमकुण्ठवर्चसं करालदंष्ट्रं परिदष्टदच्छदम् । अजादयो वीक्ष्य शशंसुरागता अहो इमां को नु लभेत संस्थितिम् ॥ २७ ॥
ksitau sayanam tam akuntha-varcasam karala-damstram paridasta-dacchadam ajadayo viksya sasamsur agata aho imam ko nu labheta samsthitim
Aja (Brahma) and others arrived on the spot to see the fearfully tusked demon lying on the ground, biting his lip. The glow of his face was yet unfaded, and Brahma admiringly said: Oh, who could meet such blessed death?
यं योगिनो योगसमाधिना रहो ध्यायन्ति लिङ्गादसतो मुमुक्षया । तस्यैष दैत्यऋषभ: पदाहतो मुखं प्रपश्यंस्तनुमुत्ससर्ज ह ॥ २८ ॥
yam yogino yoga-samadhina raho dhyayanti lingad asato mumuksaya tasyaisa daitya-rsabhah padahato mukham prapasyams tanum utsasarja ha
Brahma continued: He was struck by a forefoot of the Lord, whom yogis, seeking freedom from their unreal material bodies, meditate upon in seclusion in mystic trance. While gazing on His countenance, this crest jewel of Diti’s sons has cast off his mortal coil.
एतौ तौ पार्षदावस्य शापाद्यातावसद्गतिम् । पुन: कतिपयै: स्थानं प्रपत्स्येते ह जन्मभि: ॥ २९ ॥
etau tau parsadav asya sapad yatav asad-gatim punah katipayaih sthanam prapatsyete ha janmabhih
These two personal assistants of the Supreme Lord, having been cursed, have been destined to take birth in demoniac families. After a few such births, they will return to their own positions.
देवा ऊचु: नमो नमस्तेऽखिलयज्ञतन्तवे स्थितौ गृहीतामलसत्त्वमूर्तये । दिष्टया हतोऽयं जगतामरुन्तुद- स्त्वत्पादभक्त्या वयमीश निर्वृता: ॥ ३० ॥
deva ucuh namo namas te ’khila-yajna-tantave sthitau grhitamala-sattva-murtaye distya hato ’yam jagatam aruntudas tvat-pada-bhaktya vayam isa nirvrtah
The demigods addressed the Lord: All obeisances unto You! You are the enjoyer of all sacrifices, and You have assumed the form of a boar, in pure goodness, for the purpose of maintaining the world. Fortunately for us, this demon, who was a torment to the worlds, has been slain by You, and we too, O Lord, are now at ease, in devotion to Your lotus feet.
मैत्रेय उवाच एवं हिरण्याक्षमसह्यविक्रमं स सादयित्वा हरिरादिसूकर: । जगाम लोकं स्वमखण्डितोत्सवं समीडित: पुष्करविष्टरादिभि: ॥ ३१ ॥
maitreya uvaca evam hiranyaksam asahya-vikramam sa sadayitva harir adi-sukarah jagama lokam svam akhanditotsavam samiditah puskara-vistaradibhih
Sri Maitreya continued: After thus killing the most formidable demon Hiranyaksa, the Supreme Lord Hari, the origin of the boar species, returned to His own abode, where there is always an uninterrupted festival. The Lord was praised by all the demigods, headed by Brahma.
मया यथानूक्तमवादि ते हरे: कृतावतारस्य सुमित्र चेष्टितम् । यथा हिरण्याक्ष उदारविक्रमो महामृधे क्रीडनवन्निराकृत: ॥ ३२ ॥
maya yathanuktam avadi te hareh krtavatarasya sumitra cestitam yatha hiranyaksa udara-vikramo maha-mrdhe kridanavan nirakrtah
Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, I have explained to you the Personality of Godhead’s coming down as the first boar incarnation and killing in a great fight a demon of unprecedented prowess as if he were just a plaything. This has been narrated by me as I heard it from my predecessor spiritual master.
सूत उवाच इति कौषारवाख्यातामाश्रुत्य भगवत्कथाम् । क्षत्तानन्दं परं लेभे महाभागवतो द्विज ॥ ३३ ॥
suta uvaca iti kausaravakhyatam asrutya bhagavat-katham ksattanandam param lebhe maha-bhagavato dvija
Sri Suta Gosvami continued: My dear brahmana, Ksatta (Vidura) the great devotee of the Lord achieved transcendental bliss by hearing the narration of the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead from the authoritative source of the sage Kausarava (Maitreya), and he was very pleased.
अन्येषां पुण्यश्लोकानामुद्दामयशसां सताम् । उपश्रुत्य भवेन्मोद: श्रीवत्साङ्कस्य किं पुन: ॥ ३४ ॥
anyesam punya-slokanam uddama-yasasam satam upasrutya bhaven modah srivatsankasya kim punah
What to speak of hearing the pastimes of the Lord, whose chest is marked with Srivatsa, people may take transcendental pleasure even in hearing of the works and deeds of the devotees, whose fame is immortal.
यो गजेन्द्र झषग्रस्तं ध्यायन्तं चरणाम्बुजम् । क्रोशन्तीनां करेणूनां कृच्छ्रतोऽमोचयद् द्रुतम् ॥ ३५ ॥
yo gajendram jhasa-grastam dhyayantam caranambujam krosantinam karenunam krcchrato ’mocayad drutam
The Personality of Godhead delivered the king of the elephants, who was attacked by an alligator and who meditated upon the lotus feet of the Lord. At that time the female elephants who accompanied him were crying, and the Lord saved them from the impending danger.
तं सुखाराध्यमृजुभिरनन्यशरणैर्नृभि: । कृतज्ञ: को न सेवेत दुराराध्यमसाधुभि: ॥ ३६ ॥
tam sukharadhyam rjubhir ananya-saranair nrbhih krtajnah ko na seveta duraradhyam asadhubhih
What grateful soul is there who would not render his loving service to such a great master as the Personality of Godhead? The Lord can be easily pleased by spotless devotees who resort exclusively to Him for protection, though the unrighteous man finds it difficult to propitiate Him.
यो वै हिरण्याक्षवधं महाद्भुतं विक्रीडितं कारणसूकरात्मन: । शृणोति गायत्यनुमोदतेऽञ्जसा विमुच्यते ब्रह्मवधादपि द्विजा: ॥ ३७ ॥
yo vai hiranyaksa-vadham mahadbhutam vikriditam karana-sukaratmanah srnoti gayaty anumodate ’njasa vimucyate brahma-vadhad api dvijah
O brahmanas, anyone who hears, chants, or takes pleasure in the wonderful narration of the killing of the Hiranyaksa demon by the Lord, who appeared as the first boar in order to deliver the world, is at once relieved of the results of sinful activities, even the killing of a brahmana.
एतन्महापुण्यमलं पवित्रं धन्यं यशस्यं पदमायुराशिषाम् । प्राणेन्द्रियाणां युधि शौर्यवर्धनं नारायणोऽन्ते गतिरङ्ग शृण्वताम् ॥ ३८ ॥
etan maha-punyam alam pavitram dhanyam yasasyam padam ayur-asisam pranendriyanam yudhi saurya-vardhanam narayano ’nte gatir anga srnvatam
This most sacred narrative confers extraordinary merit, wealth, fame, longevity, and all the objects of one’s desire. On the field of battle it promotes the strength of one’s vital organs and organs of action. One who listens to it at the last moment of his life is transferred to the supreme abode of the Lord, O dear Saunaka.
