Critical Edition
अर्जुन उवाच निवर्तमानेन मया महद्दृष्टं ततोऽपरम् पुरं कामचरं दिव्यं पावकार्कसमप्रभम्
M. N. Dutt: Arjuna said: Then, while returning (to the abode of Indra), I beheld on my way a great celestials city, moving at will, endued with the splendour of the fire or the sun,
द्रुमै रत्नमयैश्चैत्रैर्भास्वरैश्च पतत्रिभिः पौलोमैः कालकेयैश्च नित्यहृष्टैरधिष्ठितम्
M. N. Dutt: Containing trees made of jewels, teeming with many-coloured birds of sweet voice, inhabited by the Paulomas and the Kalakanja ever merry,
गोपुराट्टालकोपेतं चतुर्द्वारं दुरासदम् सर्वरत्नमयं दिव्यमद्भुतोपमदर्शनम् द्रुमैः पुष्पफलोपेतैर्दिव्यरत्नमयैर्वृतम्
M. N. Dutt: Adorned with gate-ways, towers and four gates, impregnable, made of all sorts of jewels celestials wonderful to look at,
तथा पतत्रिभिर्दिव्यैरुपेतं सुमनोहरैः असुरैर्नित्यमुदितैः शूलर्ष्टिमुसलायुधैः चापमुद्गरहस्तैश्च स्रग्विभिः सर्वतो वृतम्
M. N. Dutt: Surrounded on all sides by the Asuras, always cheerful, adorned with garlands and holding in their hands maces, swords, darts, bows and clubs.
तदहं प्रेक्ष्य दैत्यानां पुरमद्भुतदर्शनम् अपृच्छं मातलिं राजन्किमिदं दृश्यतेति वै
M. N. Dutt: Beholding that city of the Daitya, wonderful to look at, O king, I asked Matali "What is it that looks so marvellous?"
मातलिरुवाच पुलोमा नाम दैतेयी कालका च महासुरी दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं ते चेरतुः परमं तपः तपसोऽन्ते ततस्ताभ्यां स्वयम्भूरददाद्वरम्
M. N. Dutt: Matali said : (Formerly) a Daitya-female, named Puloma and another great giantess, Kalaka (by name), practised severe austerities for a thousand celestials years.
अगृह्णीतां वरं ते तु सुतानामल्पदुःखताम् अवध्यतां च राजेन्द्र सुरराक्षसपन्नगैः
AI Translation: They granted the boon that their daughters would have little suffering and would be invincible to kings, gods, demons, and serpents.
रमणीयं पुरं चेदं खचरं सुकृतप्रभम् सर्वरत्नैः समुदितं दुर्धर्षममरैरपि सयक्षगन्धर्वगणैः पन्नगासुरराक्षसैः
M. N. Dutt: Full of all sorts of gems, unassailable even by immortals, the Maharshis, the Yakshas, the Gandharvas, the Pannagas, the Asuras and the Rakshasas,
सर्वकामगुणोपेतं वीतशोकमनामयम् ब्रह्मणा भरतश्रेष्ठ कालकेयकृते कृतम्
M. N. Dutt: Containing all the desirable objects and devoid of grief and desire. O best of the Bharatas, created by Brahma for the Kalakeyas,
तदेतत्खचरं दिव्यं चरत्यमरवर्जितम् पौलोमाध्युषितं वीर कालकेयैश्च दानवैः
M. N. Dutt: This is that celestials city, devoid of gods, which is moving about. O hero, it is inhabited by the Pauloma and he Kalakeya Danavas.
हिरण्यपुरमित्येतत्ख्यायते नगरं महत् रक्षितं कालकेयैश्च पौलोमैश्च महासुरैः
M. N. Dutt: This mighty city is called Hiranyapura and is guarded by the powerful Asuras, the Kalakeyas and the Paulomas.
त एते मुदिता नित्यमवध्याः सर्वदैवतैः निवसन्त्यत्र राजेन्द्र गतोद्वेगा निरुत्सुकाः मानुषो मृत्युरेतेषां निर्दिष्टो ब्रह्मणा पुरा
M. N. Dutt: O king of kings, there they dwell happily, indestructible by the gods, free from anxiety and having all their desires fulfilled.
Supplementary Passages:
3.170.12 After 12cd, S ins.: *854 सुरासुरैरवध्यानां दानवानां धनंजय After 12, B (B1 marg.) D (except D1.3.5) ins.: *855 एतानपि रणे पार्थ कालकञ्जान्दुरासदान् वज्रास्त्रेण नयस्वाशु विनाशं सुमहाबलान्
अर्जुन उवाच सुरासुरैरवध्यांस्तानहं ज्ञात्वा ततः प्रभो अब्रुवं मातलिं हृष्टो याह्येतत्पुरमञ्जसा
M. N. Dutt: Arjuna said: O lord of earth, learning that they were indestructible by the gods and Asuras. I gladly said to Matali "do you go to this city speedily.
त्रिदशेशद्विषो यावत्क्षयमस्त्रैर्नयाम्यहम् न कथंचिद्धि मे पापा न वध्या ये सुरद्विषः
M. N. Dutt: I will bring about the destruction of all these enemies of the celestials with weapons. There exist no wicked enemies of the gods whom I do not consider my victims."
उवाह मां ततः शीघ्रं हिरण्यपुरमन्तिकात् रथेन तेन दिव्येन हरियुक्तेन मातलिः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, Matali had me speedily conveyed by that celestials car, yoked with steeds, towards the-neighbourhood of Hiranyapura.
ते मामालक्ष्य दैतेया विचित्राभरणाम्बराः समुत्पेतुर्महावेगा रथानास्थाय दंशिताः
M. N. Dutt: On beholding me, those sons of Diti, wearing various sorts of garments and mounted on chariots, rushed at me with great violence.
ततो नालीकनाराचैर्भल्लशक्त्यृष्टितोमरैः अभ्यघ्नन्दानवेन्द्रा मां क्रुद्धास्तीव्रपराक्रमाः
M. N. Dutt: Then those foremost of the Danavas (possessed) of fiery prowess, angrily assailed me with Nalikas, Narachas, Bhallas, Maces, swords and Tomaras.
तदहं चास्त्रवर्षेण महता प्रत्यवारयम् शस्त्रवर्षं महद्राजन्विद्याबलमुपाश्रितः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O king, availing myself of the strength of my knowledge (in arms), I warded off that shower of weapons by mighty discharges of arrows;
व्यामोहयं च तान्सर्वान्रथमार्गैश्चरन्रणे तेऽन्योन्यमभिसंमूढाः पातयन्ति स्म दानवाः
M. N. Dutt: And coursing through the field of battle on the car, bewildered them. Thus confounded, the Danavas began to fell down one another.
तेषामहं विमूढानामन्योन्यमभिधावताम् शिरांसि विशिखैर्दीप्तैर्व्यहरं शतसंघशः
M. N. Dutt: (And) with blazing arrows I cut off, by hundreds, the heads of those who, getting confounded, were rushing at one another.
ते वध्यमाना दैतेयाः पुरमास्थाय तत्पुनः खमुत्पेतुः सनगरा मायामास्थाय दानवीम्
M. N. Dutt: Thus smitten (by me) those sons of Diti, taking refuge in that city, again rose up in the air with it, by the help of illusion peculiar to the Danavas.
ततोऽहं शरवर्षेण महता प्रत्यवारयम् मार्गमावृत्य दैत्यानां गतिं चैषामवारयम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O descendant of the Kurus, covering the passage of the Daityas by heavy shower of arrows, I obstructed their movement.
तत्पुरं खचरं दिव्यं कामगं दिव्यवर्चसम् दैतेयैर्वरदानेन धार्यते स्म यथासुखम्
M. N. Dutt: (But) the sons of Diti, on the strength of their boon, easily supported themselves on that celestials and aerial city of sun-like splendour and moving at will.
अन्तर्भूमौ निपतितं पुनरूर्ध्वं प्रतिष्ठते पुनस्तिर्यक्प्रयात्याशु पुनरप्सु निमज्जति
M. N. Dutt: At one time it plunged into the earth and then rose up in the air again, now it took a curved direction and then again submerged under water.
अमरावतिसंकाशं पुरं कामगमं तु तत् अहमस्त्रैर्बहुविधैः प्रत्यगृह्णं नराधिप
M. N. Dutt: (Then), O tormentor of foes, I surrounded with various weapons that mighty moving about at will.
ततोऽहं शरजालेन दिव्यास्त्रमुदितेन च न्यगृह्णं सह दैतेयैस्तत्पुरं भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: And, O best of the Bharatas, I assailed that city together with the Daityas by showers of arrows, shot from celestials weapons.
विक्षतं चायसैर्बाणैर्मत्प्रयुक्तैरजिह्मगैः महीमभ्यपतद्राजन्प्रभग्नं पुरमासुरम्
M. N. Dutt: (And), O king, that city of the Asuras, riven and broken by straight-coursing steels darts shot by me, fell to the ground.
ते वध्यमाना मद्बाणैर्वज्रवेगैरयस्मयैः पर्यभ्रमन्त वै राजन्नसुराः कालचोदिताः
M. N. Dutt: Those Asuras too, O king, wounded by my iron shafts, fleet as the thunder and propelled by Fate, began to rove about.
ततो मातलिरप्याशु पुरस्तान्निपतन्निव महीमवातरत्क्षिप्रं रथेनादित्यवर्चसा
M. N. Dutt: Then, Matali, soaring to the heavens, as if taking a leap in front, speedily came down to the earth on that chariot effulgent as the sun.
ततो रथसहस्राणि षष्टिस्तेषाममर्षिणाम् युयुत्सूनां मया सार्धं पर्यवर्तन्त भारत
M. N. Dutt: O Bharata, then, desirous of fighting with me, they furiously hemmed me in with sixty thousand cars. (But) I destroyed those (cars) by sharpened arrows adorned with vulture feathers.
तानहं निशितैर्बाणैर्व्यधमं गार्ध्रवाजितैः ते युद्धे संन्यवर्तन्त समुद्रस्य यथोर्मयः
AI Translation: I pierced them with sharp arrows with vulture-feathers. They retreated from the battle like waves of the ocean.
नेमे शक्या मानुषेण युद्धेनेति प्रचिन्त्य वै ततोऽहमानुपूर्व्येण सर्वाण्यस्त्राण्ययोजयम्
AI Translation: Having thought, "These cannot be fought with by a human being," Then I gradually applied all the weapons.
ततस्तानि सहस्राणि रथानां चित्रयोधिनाम् अस्त्राणि मम दिव्यानि प्रत्यघ्नञ्शनकैरिव
AI Translation: Then those thousands of chariots of the colorful warriors repulsed my divine weapons as if with a slight effort.
रथमार्गान्विचित्रांस्ते विचरन्तो महारथाः प्रत्यदृश्यन्त संग्रामे शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः
AI Translation: Those great warriors, roaming around on the chariot paths, were seen in hundreds and thousands in the battle.
विचित्रमुकुटापीडा विचित्रकवचध्वजाः विचित्राभरणाश्चैव नन्दयन्तीव मे मनः
AI Translation: Wearing various crowns, armor, and flags, and adorned with various ornaments, they seem to delight my mind.
अहं तु शरवर्षैस्तानस्त्रप्रमुदितै रणे नाशक्नुवं पीडयितुं ते तु मां पर्यपीडयन्
AI Translation: But I, with showers of arrows, delighted by those weapons in battle, was not able to afflict them, but they afflicted me.
तैः पीड्यमानो बहुभिः कृतास्त्रैः कुशलैर्युधि व्यथितोऽस्मि महायुद्धे भयं चागान्महन्मम
AI Translation: Being afflicted by them, who were skilled in fighting and had performed austerities, I was distressed in the great battle and great fear arose in me.
Supplementary Passages:
3.170.37 After 37, T G ins.: *856 ततोऽहं परमायस्तो मातलिं परिपृष्टवान् किमेते मम बाणौघैर्दिव्यास्त्रपरिमन्त्रितैः न वध्यन्ते महाघोरैस्तत्त्वमाख्याहि पृच्छतः स मामुवाच पर्याप्तस्त्वमेषां भरतर्षभ तानुद्दिश्याथ मर्माणि प्रतिघातं तदाचर एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु राजेन्द्र संप्रहृष्टस्तमूचिवान् निवर्तय रथं शीघ्रं पश्य चैतान्निपातितान् एवमुक्तो रथं तत्र मातलिः पर्यवर्तयत् ततो मत्वा रणे भग्नं दानवाः प्रतिहर्षिताः विचुक्रुशुर्महाराज स्वरेण महता तदा अभग्नः कैश्चिदप्येष पाण्डवो रणमूर्धनि अस्माभिः समरे भग्न इत्येवं संघशस्तदा
ततोऽहं देवदेवाय रुद्राय प्रणतो रणे स्वस्ति भूतेभ्य इत्युक्त्वा महास्त्रं समयोजयम् यत्तद्रौद्रमिति ख्यातं सर्वामित्रविनाशनम्
M. N. Dutt: Saying "may all beings remain in place," and sent that mighty weapon which is named Rudra and is destructive of all enemies.
Supplementary Passages:
3.170.38 After 38ab, G1 ins.: *857 प्रयतः प्रणतो भूत्वा नमस्कृत्य महात्मने After 38, S ins.: *858 अहं पाशुपतं दिव्यं सर्वलोकनमस्कृतम्
ततोऽपश्यं त्रिशिरसं पुरुषं नवलोचनम् त्रिमुखं षड्भुजं दीप्तमर्कज्वलनमूर्धजम् लेलिहानैर्महानागैः कृतशीर्षममित्रहन्
M. N. Dutt: Then I beheld a person with three heads, nine eyes, three faces, six arms and with hair blazing as the sun or the fire.
Supplementary Passages:
3.170.39 After 39; T G ins.: *859 भक्तानुकम्पिनं देवं नागयज्ञोपवीतिनम्
विभीस्ततस्तदस्त्रं तु घोरं रौद्रं सनातनम् दृष्ट्वा गाण्डीवसंयोगमानीय भरतर्षभ
AI Translation: Seeing that terrible, fierce, eternal weapon, the bull of the Bharata lineage took it and strung it to the Gandiva.
नमस्कृत्वा त्रिनेत्राय शर्वायामिततेजसे मुक्तवान्दानवेन्द्राणां पराभावाय भारत
AI Translation: Having bowed to the three-eyed, to Shiva of immeasurable splendor, I have spoken for the defeat of the lords of demons, O descendant of Bharata.
मुक्तमात्रे ततस्तस्मिन्रूपाण्यासन्सहस्रशः मृगाणामथ सिंहानां व्याघ्राणां च विशां पते ऋक्षाणां महिषाणां च पन्नगानां तथा गवाम्
M. N. Dutt: (Such as), O lord of the earth, those of deer, of lions, of tigers, of bears, of buffaloes, of serpents, of cows.
गजानां सृमराणां च शरभाणां च सर्वशः ऋषभाणां वराहाणां मार्जाराणां तथैव च शालावृकाणां प्रेतानां भुरुण्डानां च सर्वशः
AI Translation: of elephants, camels, and rhinoceroses, of bulls, boars, and cats, of jackals, ghosts, and bhūruṇḍas,
Supplementary Passages:
3.170.43 After 43cd, T2 G2-4 ins.: *860 ऋक्षाश्वमेषवक्त्राणामुलूकानां तथैव च मीनवायसरूपाणां नानावक्त्रप्रचारिणाम् After 43, G1 ins.: *861 शार्दूलानां वराहाणां शरभाणां प्रवल्गताम्
गृध्राणां गरुडानां च मकराणां तथैव च पिशाचानां सयक्षाणां तथैव च सुरद्विषाम्
AI Translation: of vultures, garuḍas, and crocodiles, of demons, yakṣas, and enemies of the gods,
Supplementary Passages:
3.170.44 After 44ab, Dc ins.: *862 वृक्षाणां पर्वतानां च समुद्राणां तथैव च On the other hand, B Dn D2.4.6 ins. after 44ab: Dc cont.: *863 देवानां च ऋषीणां च गन्धर्वाणां च सर्वशः
गुह्यकानां च संग्रामे नैरृतानां तथैव च झषाणां गजवक्त्राणामुलूकानां तथैव च
M. N. Dutt: Of the Guhyakas in battle, of the Nirritas, of elephant-mouthed sharks, of owls,
मीनकूर्मसमूहानां नानाशस्त्रासिपाणिनाम् तथैव यातु धानानां गदामुद्गरधारिणाम्
M. N. Dutt: Of the creatures having the shapes of fishes and horses, of beings armed with various weapons and swords and of the Rakshasas, armed with maces and clubs.
एतैश्चान्यैश्च बहुभिर्नानारूपधरैस्तथा सर्वमासीज्जगद्व्याप्तं तस्मिन्नस्त्रे विसर्जिते
M. N. Dutt: These and numerous other (beings), wearing various shapes, filled the universe when the weapon was discharged.
त्रिशिरोभिश्चतुर्दंष्ट्रैश्चतुरास्यैश्चतुर्भुजैः अनेकरूपसंयुक्तैर्मांसमेदोवसाशिभिः अभीक्ष्णं वध्यमानास्ते दानवा ये समागताः
AI Translation: With three heads, four tusks, four faces, and four arms, United with many forms, eating flesh, fat, and marrow, The demons who had gathered were repeatedly slain,
अर्कज्वलनतेजोभिर्वज्राशनिसमप्रभैः अद्रिसारमयैश्चान्यैर्बाणैररिविदारणैः न्यहनं दानवान्सर्वान्मुहूर्तेनैव भारत
AI Translation: With arrows that were like the blazing sun, the fire, and the lightning, and with others made of mountain essence, capable of piercing the enemy, I struck all the demons in an instant, O descendant of Bharata.
गाण्डीवास्त्रप्रणुन्नांस्तान्गतासून्नभसश्च्युतान् दृष्ट्वाहं प्राणमं भूयस्त्रिपुरघ्नाय वेधसे
M. N. Dutt: (And) seeing them cut to pieces by the Gandiva weapon, deprived of life and thrown down from the sky. I again bowed down to that god, the slayer of the (Asura), Tripura,
तथा रौद्रास्त्रनिष्पिष्टान्दिव्याभरणभूषितान् निशाम्य परमं हर्षमगमद्देवसारथिः
M. N. Dutt: The charioteer of the gods (Matali), beholding them, that were decked with celestials ornaments, crushed by the Rudra weapon was highly pleased.
तदसह्यं कृतं कर्म देवैरपि दुरासदम् दृष्ट्वा मां पूजयामास मातलिः शक्रसारथिः
M. N. Dutt: Seeing that I performed this unbearable feat (of arms), unachievable even by the celestials, Matali, the charioteer of Shakra, eulogised me;
उवाच चेदं वचनं प्रीयमाणः कृताञ्जलिः सुरासुरैरसह्यं हि कर्म यत्साधितं त्वया न ह्येतत्संयुगे कर्तुमपि शक्तः सुरेश्वरः
M. N. Dutt: And with great delight, said these words with joined-hands-the feat, that you have achieved, is incapable of being borne (even) by the gods and the Asuras.
Supplementary Passages:
3.170.53 After 53ab, S ins.: *864 हतांस्तान्दानवान्दृष्ट्वा मया संख्ये सहस्रशः After 53, T G ins.: *865 ध्रुवं धनंजय प्रीतस्त्वयि शक्रः पुरार्दन
सुरासुरैरवध्यं हि पुरमेतत्खगं महत् त्वया विमथितं वीर स्ववीर्यास्त्रतपोबलात्
AI Translation: This great city of the birds, which is invincible to gods and demons, has been destroyed by you, O hero, by the power of your own valour, weapons, austerities and strength.
विध्वस्तेऽथ पुरे तस्मिन्दानवेषु हतेषु च विनदन्त्यः स्त्रियः सर्वा निष्पेतुर्नगराद्बहिः
AI Translation: When the city was destroyed and the demons killed, all the women, crying, came out of the city.
प्रकीर्णकेश्यो व्यथिताः कुरर्य इव दुःखिताः पेतुः पुत्रान्पितॄन्भ्रातॄञ्शोचमाना महीतले
AI Translation: Their hair disheveled, they were distressed, like dogs in pain. They fell to the ground, lamenting their sons, fathers, and brothers.
Supplementary Passages:
3.170.56 After 56ab, T2 G ins.: *866 कुरर्य इव वाशन्त्यो दुःखिताश्च मुहुर्मुहुः
रुदन्त्यो दीनकण्ठ्यस्ता विनदन्त्यो हतेश्वराः उरांसि पाणिभिर्घ्नन्त्यः प्रस्रस्तस्रग्विभूषणाः
AI Translation: Crying, their throats choked, they wailed, their lords slain. Striking their breasts with their hands, their garlands and ornaments fallen,
तच्छोकयुक्तमश्रीकं दुःखदैन्यसमाहतम् न बभौ दानवपुरं हतत्विट्कं हतेश्वरम्
AI Translation: The city of the demons, bereft of its leaders and its lord, did not shine, being afflicted with grief, devoid of splendor, and struck by sorrow and misery.
गन्धर्वनगराकारं हतनागमिव ह्रदम् शुष्कवृक्षमिवारण्यमदृश्यमभवत्पुरम्
AI Translation: The city became invisible, like a lake with dead elephants, like a forest with dry trees.
मां तु संहृष्टमनसं क्षिप्रं मातलिरानयत् देवराजस्य भवनं कृतकर्माणमाहवात्
AI Translation: But Mātalı quickly brought me, with a delighted mind, to the abode of the king of the gods, after the battle was over.
हिरण्यपुरमारुज्य निहत्य च महासुरान् निवातकवचांश्चैव ततोऽहं शक्रमागमम्
AI Translation: Having attacked the city of gold and killed the great demons, and having killed the Nivatakavacas, I then went to Shakra.
मम कर्म च देवेन्द्रं मातलिर्विस्तरेण तत् सर्वं विश्रावयामास यथा भूतं महाद्युते
AI Translation: And he told the lord of the gods in detail about my deeds, all of it, just as it had happened, O you of great splendor.
हिरण्यपुरघातं च मायानां च निवारणम् निवातकवचानां च वधं संख्ये महौजसाम्
AI Translation: The destruction of Hiranyapura and the prevention of the Māyā demons, And the killing in battle of the mighty Nivatakavacas,
Supplementary Passages:
3.170.63 After 63, T G ins.: *867 कालकेयवधं चैव अद्भुतं रोमहर्षणम्
तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान्प्रीतः सहस्राक्षः पुरंदरः मरुद्भिः सहितः श्रीमान्साधु साध्वित्यथाब्रवीत्
AI Translation: Hearing that, the thousand-eyed, glorious, and pleased Lord Purandara, along with the Maruts, said, "Well done! Well done!"
Supplementary Passages:
3.170.64 After 64, T G ins.: *868 परिष्वज्य च मां प्रेम्णा मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय सस्मितम्
ततो मां देवराजो वै समाश्वास्य पुनः पुनः अब्रवीद्विबुधैः सार्धमिदं सुमधुरं वचः
AI Translation: Then the king of the gods, having repeatedly reassured me, spoke these very sweet words to me along with the gods:
अतिदेवासुरं कर्म कृतमेतत्त्वया रणे गुर्वर्थश्च महान्पार्थ कृतः शत्रून्घ्नता मम
AI Translation: You have performed this deed in the battle, which is beyond the gods and demons. O Partha, you have done a great deed for your guru, by killing my enemies.
एवमेव सदा भाव्यं स्थिरेणाजौ धनंजय असंमूढेन चास्त्राणां कर्तव्यं प्रतिपादनम्
AI Translation: Thus, O Dhananjaya, one should always be firm and unconfused in battle. One should be unconfused in the use of weapons.
अविषह्यो रणे हि त्वं देवदानवराक्षसैः सयक्षासुरगन्धर्वैः सपक्षिगणपन्नगैः
AI Translation: You are invincible in battle to gods, demons, and rākṣasas, to yakṣas, asuras, gandharvas, birds, and serpents.
वसुधां चापि कौन्तेय त्वद्बाहुबलनिर्जिताम् पालयिष्यति धर्मात्मा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः
AI Translation: And, O son of Kunti, the earth, conquered by the strength of your arms, will be protected by the righteous son of Kunti, Yudhiṣṭhira.