Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच कथान्तरमथासाद्य खड्गयुद्धविशारदः नकुलः शरतल्पस्थमिदमाह पितामहम्
M. N. Dutt: When this discourse was finished, Nakula who was an expert swordsman thus questioned the Kuru grandfather lying on his bed of arrows.
धनुः प्रहरणं श्रेष्ठमिति वादः पितामह मतस्तु मम धर्मज्ञ खड्ग एव सुसंशितः
AI Translation: The bow is the best weapon, says the grandfather. But, O knower of dharma, my opinion is that the well-sharpened sword is the best.
विशीर्णे कार्मुके राजन्प्रक्षीणेषु च वाजिषु खड्गेन शक्यते युद्धे साध्वात्मा परिरक्षितुम्
AI Translation: When the bow is broken, O king, and the horses are exhausted, in battle, one can protect oneself with a sword.
शरासनधरांश्चैव गदाशक्तिधरांस्तथा एकः खड्गधरो वीरः समर्थः प्रतिबाधितुम्
M. N. Dutt: A hero armed with the sword can, alone, withstand inany bowmen and many antagonists armed with maces and arrows.
अत्र मे संशयश्चैव कौतूहलमतीव च किं स्वित्प्रहरणं श्रेष्ठं सर्वयुद्धेषु पार्थिव
M. N. Dutt: I have this doubt, and I am anxious to know the truth. Which, O king, is really the foremost of weapons in all battles.
कथं चोत्पादितः खड्गः कस्यार्थाय च केन वा पूर्वाचार्यं च खड्गस्य प्रब्रूहि प्रपितामह
M. N. Dutt: How was the sword first created and why? Who also was the first teacher in that weapon? Tell me all this, O grandfather.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा माद्रीपुत्रस्य धीमतः सर्वकौशलसंयुक्तं सूक्ष्मचित्रार्थवच्छुभम्
AI Translation: Hearing the words of the wise son of Madri, endowed with all skill, subtle, beautiful and meaningful,
ततस्तस्योत्तरं वाक्यं स्वरवर्णोपपादितम् शिक्षान्यायोपसंपन्नं द्रोणशिष्याय पृच्छते
AI Translation: Then, in response to his question, he spoke in a voice adorned with syllables, endowed with the rules of grammar, to the disciple of Drona.
उवाच सर्वधर्मज्ञो धनुर्वेदस्य पारगः शरतल्पगतो भीष्मो नकुलाय महात्मने
AI Translation: The knower of all Dharma, the master of archery, Bhishma, lying on a bed of arrows, spoke to the noble Nakula.
तत्त्वं शृणुष्व माद्रेय यदेतत्परिपृच्छसि प्रबोधितोऽस्मि भवता धातुमानिव पर्वतः
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Hear the truth, O son of Madri, about what you have asked me! I am worked up by this question of yours, like a hill of red chalk.
सलिलैकार्णवं तात पुरा सर्वमभूदिदम् निष्प्रकम्पमनाकाशमनिर्देश्यमहीतलम्
M. N. Dutt: In days of yore the universe was one vast sheet of water, fixed and skyless, and without this Earth existing in it.
तमःसंवृतमस्पर्शमतिगम्भीरदर्शनम् निःशब्दं चाप्रमेयं च तत्र जज्ञे पितामहः
M. N. Dutt: Covered with darkness, and unseen, it presented a dreadful aspect. Perfect silence prevailed everywhere and it was immeasurable in extent. In his own proper time the Grandfather (of the universe) was born.
Supplementary Passages:
12.160.12 After 12, D4 ins.: *419 अव्यक्तेव गुणातीते कर्मव्यापारवर्जिते प्रादुर्बभूव जलजं ततो जज्ञे पितामहः
सोऽसृजद्वायुमग्निं च भास्करं चापि वीर्यवान् आकाशमसृजच्चोर्ध्वमधो भूमिं च नैरृतिम्
AI Translation: He created the wind, fire, and the powerful sun. He created space above, below the earth, and the south.
नभः सचन्द्रतारं च नक्षत्राणि ग्रहांस्तथा संवत्सरानहोरात्रानृतूनथ लवान्क्षणान्
AI Translation: The sky with the moon and stars, the planets, The years, days, nights, seasons, moments, and instants,
ततः शरीरं लोकस्थं स्थापयित्वा पितामहः जनयामास भगवान्पुत्रानुत्तमतेजसः
M. N. Dutt: Assuming a visible form the divine Grandfather then begot (by the power of his will) some highly energetic sons.
मरीचिमृषिमत्रिं च पुलस्त्यं पुलहं क्रतुम् वसिष्ठाङ्गिरसौ चोभौ रुद्रं च प्रभुमीश्वरम्
AI Translation: Marīci, Ṛṣi, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Vasiṣṭha, Aṅgiras, both of them, Rudra, the lord, the lord.
प्राचेतसस्तथा दक्षः कन्याः षष्टिमजीजनत् ता वै ब्रह्मर्षयः सर्वाः प्रजार्थं प्रतिपेदिरे
AI Translation: Pracetas and Daksha generated sixty daughters. All of them were taken by the Brahmarishis for the sake of progeny.
ताभ्यो विश्वानि भूतानि देवाः पितृगणास्तथा गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैव रक्षांसि विविधानि च
AI Translation: From them all beings, gods, groups of ancestors, Gandharvas, apsarases, and various demons.
पतत्रिमृगमीनाश्च प्लवंगाश्च महोरगाः नानाकृतिबलाश्चान्ये जलक्षितिविचारिणः
AI Translation: Birds, animals, fish, monkeys, and great serpents, and others of various forms and powers, who live in the water and on the earth,
औद्भिदाः स्वेदजाश्चैव अण्डजाश्च जरायुजाः जज्ञे तात तथा सर्वं जगत्स्थावरजङ्गमम्
AI Translation: The plants, the sweat-born, the egg-born, and the womb-born, O father, thus the whole world, the immovable and the moving, was born.
भूतसर्गमिमं कृत्वा सर्वलोकपितामहः शाश्वतं वेदपठितं धर्मं च युयुजे पुनः
M. N. Dutt: Having thus created all mobile and immobile creatures, then the universal Grandfather preached the eternal religion of the Vedas.
तस्मिन्धर्मे स्थिता देवाः सहाचार्यपुरोहिताः आदित्या वसवो रुद्राः ससाध्या मरुदश्विनः
AI Translation: The gods, together with their teachers and priests, abide in that Dharma. The Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Sadhyas, Maruts, and Ashvins.
भृग्वत्र्यङ्गिरसः सिद्धाः काश्यपश्च तपोधनः वसिष्ठगौतमागस्त्यास्तथा नारदपर्वतौ
AI Translation: Bhṛgu, Atri, Aṅgiras, the Siddhas, Kāśyapa, the ascetic, Vasiṣṭha, Gautama, Agastya, Nārada, Parvata,
ऋषयो वालखिल्याश्च प्रभासाः सिकतास्तथा घृताचाः सोमवायव्या वैखानसमरीचिपाः
AI Translation: The Valakhilyas, the Prabhasas, the Sikatas, the Ghritacas, the Soma Vayavyas, the Vaikhanasa Marichipas,
अकृष्टाश्चैव हंसाश्च ऋषयोऽथाग्नियोनिजाः वानप्रस्थाः पृश्नयश्च स्थिता ब्रह्मानुशासने
AI Translation: The unploughed rice, the swans, the sages born from fire, The hermits, the Prśniyas, abide in the instruction of Brahman.
दानवेन्द्रास्त्वतिक्रम्य तत्पितामहशासनम् धर्मस्यापचयं चक्रुः क्रोधलोभसमन्विताः
M. N. Dutt: Disregarding the cominands of the Grandfather, and giving way to anger and covetousness, the foremost of the Danavas, however, began to bring about the destruction of virtue.
हिरण्यकशिपुश्चैव हिरण्याक्षो विरोचनः शम्बरो विप्रचित्तिश्च प्रह्रादो नमुचिर्बलिः
M. N. Dutt: They were Hiranyakashipu, Hiranyaksha, Virochana, Shamvara, Viprachitti, Prahlada, Namuchi and Vali.
एते चान्ये च बहवः सगणा दैत्यदानवाः धर्मसेतुमतिक्रम्य रेमिरेऽधर्मनिश्चयाः
M. N. Dutt: Disregarding all restraints of duty and religion, these and many other Daityas and Danavas sported and found pleasure in all sorts of wicked acts.
सर्वे स्म तुल्यजातीया यथा देवास्तथा वयम् इत्येवं हेतुमास्थाय स्पर्धमानाः सुरर्षिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Considering themselves equal in point of birth with the gods, they began to challenge them and the pure sages.
न प्रियं नाप्यनुक्रोशं चक्रुर्भूतेषु भारत त्रीनुपायानतिक्रम्य दण्डेन रुरुधुः प्रजाः न जग्मुः संविदं तैश्च दर्पादसुरसत्तमाः
M. N. Dutt: They never did any good to the other creatures of the universe or showed mercy for any of them. Neglecting the three well-known means, they began to persecute and assail all creatures by holding only the rod of chastisement.
अथ वै भगवान्ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मर्षिभिरुपस्थितः तदा हिमवतः पृष्ठे सुरम्ये पद्मतारके
AI Translation: Then the Blessed One, attended by the Brahmarṣis, at that time on the delightful peak of the Himalayas, in the lotus-star,
शतयोजनविस्तारे मणिमुक्ताचयाचिते तस्मिन्गिरिवरे पुत्र पुष्पितद्रुमकानने तस्थौ स विबुधश्रेष्ठो ब्रह्मा लोकार्थसिद्धये
M. N. Dutt: On that king of mountains, O sire, filled with forests of blossoming trees, that foremost of the gods, viz., Brahmana, lived for sometime for accomplishing the business of the world.
ततो वर्षसहस्रान्ते वितानमकरोत्प्रभुः विधिना कल्पदृष्टेन यथोक्तेनोपपादितम्
M. N. Dutt: After the expiration of a thousand years, the powerful lord made arrangements for a grand sacrifice according to the ordinances prescribed in the scriptures.
ऋषिभिर्यज्ञपटुभिर्यथावत्कर्मकर्तृभिः मरुद्भिः परिसंस्तीर्णं दीप्यमानैश्च पावकैः
M. N. Dutt: The sacrificial altar was adorned with Rishis skilled in sacrifice and capable of performing all acts, with sacrificial fuel, and with burning fires.
काञ्चनैर्यज्ञभाण्डैश्च भ्राजिष्णुभिरलंकृतम् वृतं देवगणैश्चैव प्रबभौ यज्ञमण्डलम्
M. N. Dutt: And it looked highly beautiful for the sacrificial plates and vessels having been all made of gold. All the leading gods sat there.
तथा ब्रह्मर्षिभिश्चैव सदस्यैरुपशोभितम् तत्र घोरतमं वृत्तमृषीणां मे परिश्रुतम्
M. N. Dutt: The platform was further adorned with Sadasyas who were all high regenerate Rishis. I have heard from the Rishis that something very awful soon took place in that sacrifice.
चन्द्रमा विमलं व्योम यथाभ्युदिततारकम् विदार्याग्निं तथा भूतमुत्थितं श्रूयते ततः
M. N. Dutt: It is heard that a creature came out (from the sacrificial fire) scattering the flames around him, and whose effulgence equalled that of the Moon himself when he rises in the sky be spangled with stars.
नीलोत्पलसवर्णाभं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रं कृशोदरम् प्रांशु दुर्दर्शनं चैवाप्यतितेजस्तथैव च
M. N. Dutt: His complexion was dark like that of the petals of the blue lotus. His teeth were keen. His stomach was lean. His stature was tall. He appeared highly irresistible and energetic.
तस्मिन्नुत्पतमाने च प्रचचाल वसुंधरा तत्रोर्मिकलिलावर्तश्चुक्षुभे च महार्णवः
M. N. Dutt: When that being appeared, the Earth shook. The Ocean became agitated with mountain billows and dreadful eddies.
पेतुरुल्का महोत्पाताः शाखाश्च मुमुचुर्द्रुमाः अप्रसन्ना दिशः सर्वाः पवनश्चाशिवो ववौ मुहुर्मुहुश्च भूतानि प्राव्यथन्त भयात्तथा
M. N. Dutt: Meteors, foreboding great calamities, passed through the sky. The branches of trees began to fall down. All the points of the horizon became unquite. Inauspicious winds blew. All creatures began to tremble with fear every moment.
ततः सुतुमुलं दृष्ट्वा तदद्भुतमुपस्थितम् महर्षिसुरगन्धर्वानुवाचेदं पितामहः
M. N. Dutt: Seeing that dreadful agitation of the universe and that Being originated from the sacrificial fire, the Grandfather said to the great Rishis, the gods, and the Gandharvas.
मयैतच्चिन्तितं भूतमसिर्नामैष वीर्यवान् रक्षणार्थाय लोकस्य वधाय च सुरद्विषाम्
M. N. Dutt: This Being was thought of by me. Highly energetic his name is Asi (sword or scimitar). I have created him for the protection of the world and the destruction of the enemies of the celestials.
ततस्तद्रूपमुत्सृज्य बभौ निस्त्रिंश एव सः विमलस्तीक्ष्णधारश्च कालान्तक इवोद्यतः
M. N. Dutt: Leaving off the form he had first assumed, that being then took the shape of a sword of great effulgence, highly polished, sharp-edged, and sprang like the all-destructive Being at the end of the cycle.
ततस्तं शितिकण्ठाय रुद्रायर्षभकेतवे ब्रह्मा ददावसिं दीप्तमधर्मप्रतिवारणम्
M. N. Dutt: Then Brahman handed over that sharp weapon to the blue-throated Rudra who has for his emblem the foremost of bulls, for empowering him to suppress irreligion and sin.
ततः स भगवान्रुद्रो ब्रह्मर्षिगणसंस्तुतः प्रगृह्यासिममेयात्मा रूपमन्यच्चकार ह
M. N. Dutt: At this, the divine and great Rudra, praised by the great Rishis, took up that sword and assumed a different forin.
चतुर्बाहुः स्पृशन्मूर्ध्ना भूस्थितोऽपि नभस्तलम् ऊर्ध्वदृष्टिर्महालिङ्गो मुखाज्ज्वालाः समुत्सृजन् विकुर्वन्बहुधा वर्णान्नीलपाण्डुरलोहितान्
M. N. Dutt: Displaying four arms, he became so tall that though he stood on the Earth he touched the very sun with his head. With eyes turned upwards, and with every limb extended wide, he began to eject flames of fire from his mouth.
बिभ्रत्कृष्णाजिनं वासो हेमप्रवरतारकम् नेत्रं चैकं ललाटेन भास्करप्रतिमं महत् शुशुभाते च विमले द्वे नेत्रे कृष्णपिङ्गले
M. N. Dutt: Assuming various hues such as blue, white and red, and wearing a black deer-skin set with stars of gold, he bore on his forehead a third eye resembling the effulgent sun. His two other eyes, one of which was black and the other twany, shone very brilliantly.
ततो देवो महादेवः शूलपाणिर्भगाक्षिहा संप्रगृह्य तु निस्त्रिंशं कालार्कानलसंनिभम्
AI Translation: Then the god Mahadeva, the wielder of the trident, the destroyer of the eyes of Bhaga, Taking up a sword resembling the time, the sun, and the fire,
त्रिकूटं चर्म चोद्यम्य सविद्युतमिवाम्बुदम् चचार विविधान्मार्गान्महाबलपराक्रमः विधुन्वन्नसिमाकाशे दानवान्तचिकीर्षया
AI Translation: Taking up his bow, which was like a cloud with lightning, he roamed along various paths, with great strength and valor, wielding his sword in the sky, desiring to destroy the demons.
तस्य नादं विनदतो महाहासं च मुञ्चतः बभौ प्रतिभयं रूपं तदा रुद्रस्य भारत
M. N. Dutt: He uttered loud roars and awful was the sound of his laughter. Indeed, O Bharata, then Rudra assumed exceedingly terrible appearance.
तद्रूपधारिणं रुद्रं रौद्रकर्म चिकीर्षवः निशम्य दानवाः सर्वे हृष्टाः समभिदुद्रुवुः
M. N. Dutt: Hearing that Rudra had assumed that form for performing dreadful deeds, the Danavas, filled with joy, began to come towards him quickly, showering huge rocks upon him as they came, and burning brands of wood, and various kinds of terrible weapons made of iron cach sharp as of a razor.
अश्मभिश्चाप्यवर्षन्त प्रदीप्तैश्च तथोल्मुकैः घोरैः प्रहरणैश्चान्यैः शितधारैरयोमुखैः
AI Translation: And they showered down blazing stones and burning torches, And other terrible weapons with sharp edges and iron mouths,
ततस्तद्दानवानीकं संप्रणेतारमच्युतम् रुद्रखड्गबलोद्धूतं प्रचचाल मुमोह च
AI Translation: Then that army of demons, the leader of which was Achyuta, was shaken and bewildered by the power of Rudra's sword.
चित्रं शीघ्रतरत्वाच्च चरन्तमसिधारिणम् तमेकमसुराः सर्वे सहस्रमिति मेनिरे
M. N. Dutt: Although Rudra was alone and singlehanded, yet so quickly did he move about on the field of battle with the sword in his hand that the Asuras thought there were a thousand Rudras fighting with them.
छिन्दन्भिन्दन्रुजन्कृन्तन्दारयन्प्रमथन्नपि अचरद्दैत्यसंघेषु रुद्रोऽग्निरिव कक्षगः
M. N. Dutt: Tearing and piercing and assailing and cutting and lopping off and grinding down, the great god moved about quickly among the large number of his enemies like a forest-fire amid heaps of dry grass spread around.
असिवेगप्ररुग्णास्ते छिन्नबाहूरुवक्षसः संप्रकृत्तोत्तमाङ्गाश्च पेतुरुर्व्यां महासुराः
M. N. Dutt: Assailed by the god with his sword, with arms and thighs and chests cut off and pierced, and with heads cut off, the powerful Asuras began to drop down on the Earth.
अपरे दानवा भग्ना रुद्रघातावपीडिताः अन्योन्यमभिनर्दन्तो दिशः संप्रतिपेदिरे
M. N. Dutt: Stricken with strokes of the sword, other Danavas broke and fled in all directions, cheering up one another as they fled.
भूमिं केचित्प्रविविशुः पर्वतानपरे तथा अपरे जग्मुराकाशमपरेऽम्भः समाविशन्
M. N. Dutt: Some entered into the bowels of the Earth; others got into the caves of mountains. Some went upwards; others entered into the sea.
तस्मिन्महति संवृत्ते समरे भृशदारुणे बभौ भूमिः प्रतिभया तदा रुधिरकर्दमा
M. N. Dutt: During that dreadful and fierce battle, the Earth was covered with flesh and blood, and dreadful spectacles appeared on all sides.
दानवानां शरीरैश्च महद्भिः शोणितोक्षितैः समाकीर्णा महाबाहो शैलैरिव सकिंशुकैः
M. N. Dutt: Covered with the fallen bodies of Danavas bathed in blood, the Earth looked as if overspread with mountain summits filled with Kinshukas.
रुधिरेण परिक्लिन्ना प्रबभौ वसुधा तदा रक्तार्द्रवसना श्यामा नारीव मदविह्वला
AI Translation: The earth was drenched with blood and looked beautiful. She looked like a woman intoxicated with wine, wearing a red garment.
स रुद्रो दानवान्हत्वा कृत्वा धर्मोत्तरं जगत् रौद्रं रूपं विहायाशु चक्रे रूपं शिवं शिवः
M. N. Dutt: Having killed the Danavas and reestablished virtue on Earth, the auspicious Rudra cast off his dreadful form and put on his beneficient shape.
ततो महर्षयः सर्वे सर्वे देवगणास्तथा जयेनाद्भुतकल्पेन देवदेवमथार्चयन्
M. N. Dutt: Then all the Rishis and all the gods adored that god of gods with loud cries of his victory.
ततः स भगवान्रुद्रो दानवक्षतजोक्षितम् असिं धर्मस्य गोप्तारं ददौ सत्कृत्य विष्णवे
M. N. Dutt: After this the divine Rudra gave the sword, that protector of religion, covered with the blood of Danavas, to Vishnu with proper adorations.
विष्णुर्मरीचये प्रादान्मरीचिर्भगवांश्च तम् महर्षिभ्यो ददौ खड्गमृषयो वासवाय तु
M. N. Dutt: Vishnu gave it to Marichi. The divine Marichi gave it to all the great Rishis. the latter gave it to Vasava.
महेन्द्रो लोकपालेभ्यो लोकपालास्तु पुत्रक मनवे सूर्यपुत्राय ददुः खड्गं सुविस्तरम्
M. N. Dutt: Vasava gave it to the Regents of the quarters. The Regents, O son, gave that large sword to Manu the son of the Sun-god.
ऊचुश्चैनं तथैवाद्यं मानुषाणां त्वमीश्वरः असिना धर्मगर्भेण पालयस्व प्रजा इति
M. N. Dutt: At the time of giving it to Manu, they said-You are the lord of all men. Protect all creatures with this sword having religion within its womb.
धर्मसेतुमतिक्रान्ताः सूक्ष्मस्थूलार्थकारणात् विभज्य दण्डं रक्ष्याः स्युर्धर्मतो न यदृच्छया
M. N. Dutt: Properly punishing those who have disregarded the restraints of virtue for the sake of the body or the mind, they should be protected according to the ordinances but never according to caprice.
दुर्वाचा निग्रहो दण्डो हिरण्यबहुलस्तथा व्यङ्गनं च शरीरस्य वधो वानल्पकारणात्
M. N. Dutt: Some should be punished with rebukes, fines and forfeitures. Loss of limb or death should never be inflicted for slight offences.
असेरेतानि रूपाणि दुर्वाचादीनि निर्दिशेत् असेरेव प्रमाणानि परिमाणव्यतिक्रमात्
M. N. Dutt: These punishments, having rebukes as their first, are considered as so many forms of the sword. They are the forms that the sword assumes for the sins of persons under the protection (of the king).
अधिसृज्याथ पुत्रं स्वं प्रजानामधिपं ततः मनुः प्रजानां रक्षार्थं क्षुपाय प्रददावसिम्
M. N. Dutt: In time Manu installed his own son Kshupa as the king of all creatures, and gave him the sword for their protection.
क्षुपाज्जग्राह चेक्ष्वाकुरिक्ष्वाकोश्च पुरूरवाः आयुश्च तस्माल्लेभे तं नहुषश्च ततो भुवि
M. N. Dutt: Kshupa gave it to Ikshaku, and Ikshaku to Pururavas. Pururavas gave it to Ayus, and Ayus to Nahusha.
ययातिर्नहुषाच्चापि पूरुस्तस्माच्च लब्धवान् आमूर्तरयसस्तस्मात्ततो भूमिशयो नृपः
M. N. Dutt: Nahusha gave it to Yayati, and Yayati to Puru. Puru gave it to Amurttaraya. From Amurttaraya it went to the royal Bhumishaya.
Supplementary Passages:
12.160.73 After 73c, V1 B Da Dn1 D5 ins.: *420 गयाय प्रत्यपादयत् गयाच्च लब्धवान्राजा
भरतश्चापि दौःषन्तिर्लेभे भूमिशयादसिम् तस्माच्च लेभे धर्मज्ञो राजन्नैडबिडस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: Bhumishaya gave it to Dhushmanta's son Bharata. Bharata, O king, gave it to the righteous Ailavila.
ततश्चैडबिडाल्लेभे धुन्धुमारो जनेश्वरः धुन्धुमाराच्च काम्बोजो मुचुकुन्दस्ततोऽलभत्
M. N. Dutt: Ailavila gave it to king Dhundumara. Dhundumara gave it to Kamvoja, and Kamvoja to Muchukunda.
मुचुकुन्दान्मरुत्तश्च मरुत्तादपि रैवतः रैवताद्युवनाश्वश्च युवनाश्वात्ततो रघुः
M. N. Dutt: Muchukunda gave it to Marutta, and Marutta to Raivata. Raivata gave it to Yuvanashva, and Yuvanashva to Raghu.
इक्ष्वाकुवंशजस्तस्माद्धरिणाश्वः प्रतापवान् हरिणाश्वादसिं लेभे शुनकः शुनकादपि
M. N. Dutt: Raghu gave it to the valiant Harinashva. Harinashva gave the sword to Sunaka, and Sunaka to the righteous-souled Ushinara. From the last it was taken by the Bhojas and the Yadavas.
उशीनरो वै धर्मात्मा तस्माद्भोजाः सयादवाः यदुभ्यश्च शिबिर्लेभे शिबेश्चापि प्रतर्दनः
AI Translation: Uśīnara, the righteous one, was his son. From him were born the Bhojas and the Yadus. From Yadu was born Śibi, and from Śibi was born
प्रतर्दनादष्टकश्च रुशदश्वोऽष्टकादपि रुशदश्वाद्भरद्वाजो द्रोणस्तस्मात्कृपस्ततः ततस्त्वं भ्रातृभिः सार्धं परमासिमवाप्तवान्
M. N. Dutt: Prishadashva gave it to Bharadwaja, and Bharadwaja to Drona. Drona gave it to Kripa. Kripa gave that best of swords to you and your brothers.
कृत्तिकाश्चास्य नक्षत्रमसेरग्निश्च दैवतम् रोहिण्यो गोत्रमस्याथ रुद्रश्च गुरुरुत्तमः
M. N. Dutt: The constellation under which the sword was born in Kritika. Agni is its god, and Rohini is its Gotra. Rudra is its great preceptor.
असेरष्टौ च नामानि रहस्यानि निबोध मे पाण्डवेय सदा यानि कीर्तयँल्लभते जयम्
M. N. Dutt: The sword has eight names which are not generally known. Hear as I name them to you. If one mentions these names, O son of Pandu, one may always acquire victory.
असिर्विशसनः खड्गस्तीक्ष्णवर्त्मा दुरासदः श्रीगर्भो विजयश्चैव धर्मपालस्तथैव च
M. N. Dutt: Those names then are Asi, Vaishasana, Khadga, Sharp-edged, hard of acquisition, Shrigarbha, victory and protector of virtue.
अग्र्यः प्रहरणानां च खड्गो माद्रवतीसुत महेश्वरप्रणीतश्च पुराणे निश्चयं गतः
M. N. Dutt: Of all weapons, O son of Madravati, the sword is the greatest. The Puranas truly say that it was first held by Mahadeva.
Supplementary Passages:
12.160.83 D5 ins. after 82: D7 T1 G2.5 after 83: T2 G1 M after 83ab: *421 एतानि चैव नामानि पुराणे निश्चितानि वै
पृथुस्तूत्पादयामास धनुराद्यमरिंदम तेनेयं पृथिवी पूर्वं वैन्येन परिरक्षिता
M. N. Dutt: Regarding the bow, again, O chastiser of enemies, it was Prithu who first created it. It was with the help of this weapon that that son of Vena, while he ruled the Earth virtuously for many years, milked her profusely of crops and grain.
Supplementary Passages:
12.160.84 After 84ab, K5 V1 m B (B2 orig.) Da Dn3 D2.3.5.8 ins.: *422 तेनेयं पृथिवी दुग्धा सस्यानि सुबहून्यपि धर्मेण च यथा पूर्वं
तदेतदार्षं माद्रेय प्रमाणं कर्तुमर्हसि असेश्च पूजा कर्तव्या सदा युद्धविशारदैः
M. N. Dutt: You should, O son of Madri, consider what the Rishis have said as sufficient proof. All persons skilled in battle should adore the sword.
इत्येष प्रथमः कल्पो व्याख्यातस्ते सुविस्तरः असेरुत्पत्तिसंसर्गो यथावद्भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: I have now told you truly the first portion of your question fully, about the origin and creation of the sword, O foremost of Bharata's family.
सर्वथैतदिह श्रुत्वा खड्गसाधनमुत्तमम् लभते पुरुषः कीर्तिं प्रेत्य चानन्त्यमश्नुते
M. N. Dutt: By hearing of this excellent story of the origin of the sword, a man acquires fame in this world and eternal happiness in the next.'