rule


 

Canto 6

Manah S'ikshā

 

 

Chapter 12: Vritrāsura's Glorious Death

Indra in battle(1) The honorable rishi said: 'He [Vritrāsura] who thus eager to give up his body, oh ruler of man, thought that dying in battle was better than a victory, took up his trident and attacked Indra, the king of the demigods, the way Kaithabha attacked the Supreme Personality when the world was inundated. (2) Like the fire at the end of the yuga, the king of the demons with great force hurled the sharp pointed trident twirling at the great Indra, while he in great anger loudly roared: 'Dead you are thou sinner!'

(3) Even though the sight of the rotating trident flying towards him like a star falling from the sky was difficult to bear, it did not scare Indra. With his thunderbolt with a hundred hooks, he cut it, together with the arm of Vritra that resembled the body of the serpent king, in a hundred pieces. (4) With one arm missing he angrily took up his mace of iron against the thunderbolt and approaching Indra and his elephant struck him on the jaw with it so that the thunderbolt slipped from the hand of the generous one. (5) That grand and wonderful accomplishment of Vritra was praised by the gods and the demons, the heavenly singers and the association of the perfected souls, but seeing that Indra was in danger, they sincerely lamented 'Alas, oh alas!' (6) With Indra, his enemy, in front of him, not taking up his thunderbolt from being embarrassed that it had slipped from his hands, Vritrāsura said: 'Oh lord, take up your thunderbolt and kill your enemy, this is no time for regrets. (7) Except for the One of creation, annihilation and maintenance, the Lord who knows everything, the Original and Eternal Person, those, who in their dependence desiring to fight sometimes gather with their weapons, are not always assured of a victory. (8) Like birds caught in a net, all worlds and their rulers sigh powerlessly under the time factor that is the cause out here.  (9) People not aware of that [time factor, Him, the Lord of Time, the] strength of our senses, mind, body, life force, death ąnd immortality, consider their indifferent body the cause. (10) Oh sir [dear Indra], please understand that all things thus, oh generous one, just like a wooden doll [a 'woman made of wood'] or a cuddly animal [of 'straw and leaves'], depend on Īs'a [the Power, the Lord and master of Time constituting their life and coherence]. (11) Without His mercy the person [the purusha], the material energy [prakriti], the manifest reality [mahat-tattva], the self [or false ego, ātmā or ahankara], the elements [bhūtas], the senses [of action and perception, the indryas] and what belongs to them [the mind - manas, intelligence - buddhi and consciousness - cit], are not capable of bringing about anything or do whatever [like maintenance and destruction]. (12) Not knowing [the Lord, the time factor] one considers oneself - despite being fully dependent - to be the one in control, but it is He who creates beings by other living beings and it is He who devours them through others. (13) The blessings of longevity, opulence, fame and power arise when the time is ripe [His time], just as the opposite is found without having chosen for it. (14) Therefore one should be equal about fame and infamy, victory and defeat, misery and happiness and dying and living [see also B.G. 6: 7 & 12: 17]. (15) [The modes of] goodness, passion and ignorance are found in material nature, they are not the qualities of the spiritual soul. He who knows the soul as the one in the position of the witness, will be free from bondage [compare B.G. 18: 54]. (16) Look at me, defeated in battle with my weapon and arm cut off, oh enemy, I am still trying the best I can to take your life. (17) In the game of this battle our lives are the stakes, the arrows are the dice, our carriers are the game board and it is not known who will win and who will lose.'

(18) S'rī S'uka said: 'King Indra hearing the straightforward, reverent words of Vritra, took up the thunderbolt and addressed him with a smile without further wondering [about what he had said]. (19) Indra said: 'Oh Dānava, with this kind of consciousness you have attained perfection. You are a devotee perfectly focussed on the Supersoul who is the greatest friend and the ruler of the universe [see B.G. 6: 20-23]. (20) You managed to surmount the māyā of Lord Vishnu that deludes the common man. In your giving up the Asura mentality, you have obtained the position of an exalted devotee [see 2.4: 18]. (21) It is truly a great miracle to see how you, as someone driven by passion, have a strong consciousness, now that you are in Vāsudeva, the Supreme Lord of pure goodness! [see also Vritra's prayer 6.11: 25]. (22) Being devoted to the Supreme Lord Hari, the bestower of beatitude, you are swimming in an ocean of nectar. What would the use be then of small ditches of water [of small material happiness]?'

(23) S'rī S'uka said: 'Thus having discussed the ins and outs of dharma, oh King, the great commanders Indra and Vritra, who were well matched, fought [again]. (24) Whirling dangerously with his iron club Vritra, [who saw a chance] to subdue his enemy, with his left hand hurled it at Indra, oh best of kings. (25) But the demigod cut with the S'ataparvanā [the 'hundred hooked'] thunderbolt simultaneously the club to pieces as also the hand that was as strong as an elephant's trunk. (26) Being struck by [Indra] the carrier of the bolt he, profusely bleeding with the wings of his arms cut off by the root [from his trunk], fell from the sky like a mountain. (27-29) Because of his great life force and uncommon prowess the demon [was able to] put his lower jaw on the ground and his upper jaw in the sky so that his mouth became a huge opening. With his tongue and teeth he, like a fearful snake wishing to eat an elephant, seemed to devour, as if he were time itself, the three worlds with his preposterous body. Pounding and shaking the earth he then moved his feet as if they were the Himalayas, whereupon he, thus reaching Indra, swallowed him together with his thunderbolt and elephant. (30) Seeing him swallowed by Vritra all the demigods, together with the founding fathers and the great sages, in great grief lamented: 'Alas, what a misery!'

(31) Even though he was swallowed by the king of the demons he did not die in his belly, because he, arriving there, was protected by the Supreme Personality as also by his own power of yoga to master the illusion [see S.B. 6.8]. (32) The slayer of Bala, the mighty one, got out by piercing the abdomen with his thunderbolt, whereupon he with great force cut off the head of the enemy that was like a mountain peak. (33) But when the thunderbolt, in order to sever the head, in its entirety quickly revolved around the neck to cut it through, it took as many days as it takes the luminaries to move over both sides of the equator  [a year] to reach the time that it fell. (34) At that moment in the sky the sound could be heard of the kettledrums of the denizens of heaven and the perfected souls. Together with the saints who had gathered, they celebrated the prowess of the victor [Indra] by joyously praising him with various mantras and a shower of flowers. (35) From Vritrāsura's body the light of his soul rose up, oh subduer of the enemies, that before the eyes of all the gods achieved the supreme abode.'

   

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Third revised edition, loaded October 26, 2011.
 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

The honorable rishi said: 'He [Vritrāsura] who thus eager to give up his body, oh ruler of man, thought that dying in battle was better than a victory, took up his trident and attacked Indra, the king of the demigods, the way Kaithabha attacked the Supreme Personality when the world was inundated.
The honorable rishi said: 'Thus eager to give up the body, o ruler of man, considering death in battle better than a victory in thought, took he [Vritrāsura] up his trident and attacked he Indra the King of the Enlightened just as the Supreme Person was attacked by Kaitabha at the time of the inundation. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

Like the fire at the end of the yuga, the king of the demons with great force hurled the sharp pointed trident twirling at the great Indra, while he in great anger loudly roared: 'Dead you are thou sinner!'

Like the fire at the end of the yuga hurled the King of the Demons with great force the sharp pointed trident twirling at the great Indra roaring as the hero loudly at him in great anger: 'Dead you are thou sinner!' (Vedabase)

 

Text 3

Even though the sight of the rotating trident flying towards him like a star falling from the sky was difficult to bear, it did not scare Indra. With his thunderbolt with a hundred hooks, he cut it, together with the arm of Vritra that resembled the body of the serpent king, in a hundred pieces.

The rotating trident flying towards him like a star falling from the sky did, although the sight was difficult to bear, not scare Indra who with his thunderbolt cut it, as well as the arm of Vritra that resembled the body of the serpent king, in a hundred pieces. (Vedabase)

  

Text 4

With one arm missing he angrily took up his mace of iron against the thunderbolt and approaching Indra and his elephant struck him on the jaw with it so that the thunderbolt slipped from the hand of the generous one.

With one arm missing he angrily aimed with a mace of iron taking it up against the thunderbolt and stroke he Indra as well as his elephant on the jaw so that the thunderbolt slipped from the hand of the generous one. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5

That grand and wonderful accomplishment of Vritra was praised by the gods and the demons, the heavenly singers and the association of the perfected souls, but seeing that Indra was in danger, they sincerely lamented 'Alas, oh alas!'

That very great accomplishment of Vritra was lauded by Sura and Asura and glorified by the heavenly singers and the association of the perfect, but seeing the danger Indra was in, they sincerely lamented 'Alas, alas' over it. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

With Indra, his enemy, in front of him, not taking up his thunderbolt from being embarrassed that it had slipped from his hands, Vritrāsura said: 'Oh lord, take up your thunderbolt and kill your enemy, this is no time for regrets.

Unto Indra his enemy who in front of him was ashamed of the thunderbolt that had slipped from his hands said Vritrāsura: 'O lord take up your thunderbolt and kill your enemy, this is no time for regrets. (Vedabase)

 

Text 7

Except for the One of creation, annihilation and maintenance, the Lord who knows everything, the Original and Eternal Person, those who in their dependence desiring to fight sometimes gather with their weapons, are not always assured of a victory.

Except for the One of creation, annihilation and maintenance, the Controller who knows everything, the Original and Eternal Person, are the belligerent, who are themselves subordinate souls, being armed with weapons not always assured of a victory on the spot.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

Like birds caught in a net, all worlds and their rulers sigh powerlessly under the time factor that is the cause out here. 

The worlds with all their rulers, of whom all those who live in dependence are under control, are, just like birds caught in a net, bound to the timefactor [the Lord] that is the cause in this. (Vedabase)


Text 9

People not aware of that [time factor, Him, the Lord of Time, the] strength of our senses, mind, body, life force, death ąnd immortality, consider their indifferent body the cause.

Without knowing Him, the strength of our senses, mind, body, life force, immortality and surely also our mortality, considers a man his indifferent body the cause. (Vedabase)

 

Text 10

Oh sir [dear Indra], please understand that all things thus, oh generous one, just like a wooden doll [a 'woman made of wood'] or a cuddly animal [of 'straw and leaves'], depend on Īs'a [the Power, the Lord and master of Time constituting their life and coherence].

O sir, please understand that all things thus, o generous one, just like a wooden doll or a stuffed animal, depend on the Strong One [Īs'a, the Controller, the Lord of Time]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 11

Without His mercy the person [the purusha], the material energy [prakriti], the manifest reality [mahat-tattva], the self [or false ego, ātmā or ahankara], the elements [bhūtas], the senses [of action and perception, the indryas] and what belongs to them [the mind - manas, intelligence - buddhi and consciousness - cit], are not capable of bringing about anything or do whatever [like maintenance and destruction].

The person of generation [the purusha], the material energy, the principles of creation, the ego, the elements, the senses [of knowledge and perception] and what belongs to them [the mind, intelligence and consciousness] are without the mercy of Him not capable of anything in the creation of this universe. (Vedabase)

 
  

Text 12

Not knowing [the Lord, the time factor] one considers oneself - despite being fully dependent - to be the one in control, but it is He who creates beings by other living beings and it is He who devours them through others.

An ignoramus thus considers himself, although he is fully dependent, to be the one in control, but it is He who creates beings by other living beings and it is He who devours them Himself through others. (Vedabase)

 

Text 13

The blessings of longevity, opulence, fame and power arise when the time is ripe [His time], just as the opposite is found without having chosen for it.

Longevity, opulence, fame, power and the benedictions of a living being are sure to arise when the time is ripe indeed, just as do the reverse conditions without having an inclination for them. (Vedabase)

 

Text 14

Therefore one should be equal about fame and infamy, victory and defeat, misery and happiness and dying and living [see also B.G. 6: 7 & 12: 17].

Therefore should one in fame or infamy, victory or defeat be equal and even with the distress and happiness of dying or living as well. (Vedabase)
 
Text 15

[The modes of] goodness, passion and ignorance are found in material nature, they are not the qualities of the spiritual soul. He who knows the soul as the one in the position of the witness, will be free from bondage [compare B.G. 18: 54].

Goodness, passion and slowness are found by the material of nature, they are not the qualities of the spiritual soul that is the observer to the reality of them; anyone who knows it as such is a person free from bondage [compare B.G. 18: 54]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 16

Look at me, defeated in battle with my weapon and arm cut off, oh enemy, I am  still trying the best I can to take your life.

Look at me, with my weapon and arm cut off I'm already defeated, o enemy, and still I'm trying the best I can to give you battle with the desire to take your life. (Vedabase)

 

Text 17

In the game of this battle our lives are the stakes, the arrows are the dice, our carriers are the game board and it is not known who will win and who will lose.'

Life is the stake at this battle, the arrows are the dice, our carriers are the game board and in this game it is not known whose is the victory and whose is the defeat.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 18   

S'rī S'uka said: 'King Indra hearing the straightforward, reverent words of Vritra, took up the thunderbolt and addressed him with a smile without further wondering [about what he had said].

S'rī S'uka said: 'King Indra hearing the straightforward, reverent words of Vritra, took up the thunderbolt and addressed him with a smile without further wondering about them. (Vedabase)

 

Text 19

Indra said: 'Oh Dānava, with this kind of consciousness you have attained perfection. You are a devotee perfectly focussed on the Supersoul who is the greatest friend and the ruler of the universe [see B.G. 6: 20-23].

Indra said: 'How astonishing o Dānava, now you are as perfect as this in your consciousness, now you are such a devotee who is all soul in relating to the Supersoul who is the greatest friend and the Ruler of the Universe [see B.G. 6: 20-23]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 20

You managed to surmount the māyā of Lord Vishnu that deludes the common man. In your giving up the Asura mentality, you have obtained the position of an exalted devotee  [see 2.4: 18].

Your good self indeed has surmounted the illusory energy of Lord Vishnu which deludes the common man; in your giving up the asura mentality, have you obtained the position of the exalted devotee [see 2.4: 18]. (Vedabase)

  

Text 21

It is truly a great miracle to see how you, as someone driven by passion, have a strong consciousness, now that you are in Vāsudeva, the Supreme Lord of pure goodness! [see also Vritra's prayer 6.11: 25].

This is truly a great miracle: of you, whose nature it is to be driven by passion, is there now, with your being in Vāsudeva, the Lord Supreme of pure goodness, a strong consciousness! [see Vritra's prayer 6.11: 25] (Vedabase)

 

Text 22

Being devoted to the Supreme Lord Hari, the bestower of beatitude, you are swimming in an ocean of nectar. What would the use be then of small ditches of water [of small material happiness]?'

What is the use of water in small ditches to someone who's swimming in an ocean of nectar in his being devoted to the Supreme Lord Hari who is the Controller of the perfection of life?' (Vedabase)

 

Text 23

S'rī S'uka said: 'Thus having discussed the ins and outs of dharma, oh King, the great commanders Indra and Vritra, who were well matched, fought [again].

S'rī S'uka said: 'Thus having talked over the ins and outs of dharma, o King, resumed the great  commanders Indra and Vritra who were equal in power, the battle. (Vedabase)

 

Text 24

Whirling dangerously with his iron club Vritra, [who saw a chance] to subdue his enemy, with his left hand hurled it at Indra, oh best of kings.

Whirling dangerously threw Vritra, able to defeat him, with his left hand the club of iron at Indra, o best of kings. (Vedabase)

 

Text 25

But the demigod cut with the S'ataparvanā [the 'hundred hooked'] thunderbolt simultaneously the club to pieces as also the hand that was as strong as an elephant's trunk.

But with the S'ataparvanā [hundredfold hooked] thunderbolt cut he, the demigod, simultaneously the club and the hand as strong as an elephant's trunk to pieces. (Vedabase)

 

Text 26

Being struck by [Indra] the carrier of the bolt he, profusely bleeding with the wings of his arms cut off by the root [from his trunk], fell from the sky like a mountain.

Struck by the carrier of the bolt fell he, profusely bleeding with the wings of his arms cut from the root, like a mountain from the sky. (Vedabase)

 

Text 27-29

Because of his great life force and uncommon prowess the demon [was able to] put his lower jaw on the ground and his upper jaw in the sky so that his mouth became a huge opening. With his tongue and teeth he, like a fearful snake wishing to eat an elephant, seemed to devour, as if he were time itself, the three worlds with his preposterous body. Pounding and shaking the earth he then moved his feet as if they were the Himalayas, whereupon he, thus reaching Indra, swallowed him together with his thunderbolt and elephant.

Of his great life-force and uncommon prowess and being alike the biggest snake and elephant, put the demon his lower jaw on the ground and his upper jaw in the sky so that his mouth became huge. With a tongue and teeth like that of a fearful snake did he, as if he were time itself, devour the three worlds with his preposterous body. As if they were the Himalayas moved he his feet pounding and shaking the earth and swallowed he upon reaching him, Thunderbolt Indra, together with his elephant. (Vedabase)

 

Text 30

Seeing him swallowed by Vritra all the demigods, together with the founding fathers and the great sages, in great grief lamented: 'Alas, what a misery!'

Him seeing swallowed by Vritra lamented all the demigods with the founding fathers and the great sages: 'Alas, what a tribulation', thus being very morose. (Vedabase)

 

Text 31

Even though he was swallowed by the king of the demons, he did not die in his belly, because he, arriving there, was protected by the Supreme Personality as also by his own power of yoga to master the illusion [see S.B. 6.8].

Though he was swallowed by the king of the demons did he not die in his belly, because getting there he was protected by the Supreme Personality as well as by his own power of yoga over the illusion [see S.B. 6.8]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 32

The slayer of Bala, the mighty one, got out by piercing the abdomen with his thunderbolt, whereupon he with great force cut off the head of the enemy that was like a mountain peak.

With his thunderbolt pierced the slayer of Bala, the powerful one, the abdomen and got he out to cut with great force off the head of the enemy that was like a mountain peak. (Vedabase)

 

Text 33

But when the thunderbolt, in order to sever the head, in its entirety quickly revolved around the neck to cut it through, it took as many days as it takes the luminaries to move over both sides of the equator [a year] to reach the time that it fell.

But, although it, very speedily cutting his neck, revolved all around to make it fall, took it as many days as it takes the luminaries to move over both sides of the equator to put an end to his time of living. (Vedabase)


Text 34

At that moment in the sky the sound could be heard of the kettledrums of the denizens of heaven and the perfected souls. Together with the saints who had gathered, they celebrated the prowess of the victor [Indra] by joyously praising him with various mantras and a shower of flowers.

At that very time could in the sky the sound of the kettledrums of the indwellers of heaven and the perfected be noticed who with the gathering of the saintly celebrated the prowess of the victor, in glee praising him with various mantras and a shower of flowers. (Vedabase)

 

Text 35

From Vritrāsura's body the light of his soul rose up, oh subduer of the enemies, that before the eyes of all the gods achieved the supreme abode.'

From Vritrāsura's body came forth the light of his soul, o subduer of the enemies, and with all the gods watching did it achieve the supreme abode. (Vedabase)

 

 

 

 

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The text and audio are offered under the conditions of the
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
The relief shows Lord Indra on his elephant in battle,
raising his thunderbolt  weapon.
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Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time


    

  

 

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