rule


 
 

Canto 8

Nârada Muni

 




Chapter 11: The Dânavas Annihilated and Revived

(1) S'rî S'uka said: 'When thereafter by the grace of the Supreme Personality the Suras had regained their spirits, Indra, Vâyu and the others without hesitation resumed the fight against the troops who formerly had driven them back in the battle. (2) When the so very mighty Indra angry with the son of Virocana [Bali] took up his thunderbolt, all his people cried: 'Alas, alas!' (3) Bali, who attentive and well equipped moved about on the great battlefield, was by him who carries the thunderbolt opposed and rebuked as follows: (4) 'You cheater, you fool, with your magic you try to be of control and win with illusions; you try to conquer us, who have mastered the illusion, as if we were children whose possessions you can take by diverting their attention! (5) Those who desire to advance and be free by deceptive means, such enemies of the gods, I bring down, such fools I deny the positions they have taken. (6) I am the one who today will put an end to you and your jugglery by severing your head with my hundred-jagged thunderbolt. You wicked soul with your buddies... bring it on!'

(7) Bali retorted: 'All present here on this battlefield are subjected to the rule of time and successively acquire with what they do a reputation, achieve a victory, suffer defeat and then find their death. (8) Because the entire world is moved by time, an enlightened soul who sees this will not rejoice or complain. In that sense you all pretty much lost your way [compare B.G. 2: 11]! (9) We, who manage to control ourselves in that respect, reject these embarrassing words of yours that the saintly feel sorry for.'

(10) S'rî S'uka said: 'After as a valiant hero thus having chided the mighty Indra, Bali, the subduer of the greatest, attacked him again with iron arrows on his bow that he tightened to his ear in the process. (11) The god, who thus was derided by his silver-tongued enemy, remained, just like an elephant beaten with a rod, unmoved under the lesson being taught. (12) When the master of destruction [Indra] used the infallible bolt against him [Bali] he, being struck, crashed with his heavenly vehicle to the ground like a mountain with its wings being clipped. (13) Seeing that his mate had fallen, his most intimate friend and well-wisher Jambha stepped forward in solidarity with his hurt companion. (14) He, a man of superpower riding the lion, took position with his club and hit Indra and his elephant with great force on the shoulder. (15) Struck by the great blow the elephant sank stunned down to its knees and fell unconscious to the earth. (16) When Indra's driver Mâtali thereupon brought his chariot, which was drawn by a thousand horses, he mounted the vehicle and left his elephant behind. (17) In appreciation of the chariot driver's service [Jambhâsura,] the best of the Dânavas smiled and struck him [the driver] in the fight with his fire blazing trident. (18) Mâtali bracing himself, managed to tolerate the excruciating pain, but Indra most infuriated decapitated Jambha with his thunderbolt. (19) When Jambhâsura's kin heard from Nârada rishi that he had been slain, Namuci, Bala and Pâka hurried over there as fast as they could. (20) With gross insults cursing Indra to hurt him in the heart, they besieged him with arrows that came down like a torrent of rain over a mountain. (21) The thousand horses of the king of heaven were assailed by as many arrows that were all quickly launched at once. (22) With the two hundred arrows that next to that by Pâka all at once were aimed and released against Mâtali and the chariot with all its upkeep, thus a most remarkable feat could be witnessed in the battle. (23) Namuci contributed with fifteen gold-feathered all-powerful arrows that cutting through the air made a noise over the field like a thundercloud full of rain. (24) The Asuras covered Indra and his chariot driver from all sides with a dense shower of arrows that covered the sun just like clouds during the rainy season do [see also 4.10: 13]. (25) Like traders shipwrecked in the middle of the ocean, the entire assembly of demigods and their retinue, who could not discern him any longer, bereft of their leader began to wail under the pressure and intimidation of the superiority of the enemy. (26) Indra, he who overpowers the mightiest, thereupon to their delight managed to free himself from the hull of arrows, together with his horses, chariot, flag and driver radiating, in all directions of the sky and the earth, with an effulgence resembling the sun at the end of the night.

(27) When the godhead saw how his army in the battle was oppressed by the enemy, he, fuming with anger, took up his thunderbolt to kill his opponents. (28) Before the eyes of their family members, he then, in order to create fear in them, oh King, with the bolt severed the heads of the trunks of Bala and Pâka. (29) Namuci [another demon] witnessing the two being slaughtered, grieved over them and enraged made a serious attempt to kill Indra, oh lord of men. (30) With in his hand an iron spear, hung with bells and decorated with gold, he strode in fury against Indra roaring like a lion: 'And now you're dead' and struck. (31) The lord [of the gods, Indra] who saw it descending from the sky with great speed, smashed it to pieces [in its flight], oh King, while the demon himself from a fuming Indra received the thunderbolt on his shoulder to cut off his head. (32) But the powerful bolt, the same weapon that in the past by the king of the gods so successfully was used to pierce Vritrâsura [6.12: 25], could not even scratch his skin. That defiance of Namuci's neck was an extraordinarily wondrous thing. (33) With the bolt thus rendered ineffective Indra became very afraid of the enemy and wondered: 'What is this? What superior force allows such a miraculous thing to happen on earth? (34)  With this same bolt I formerly cut off the wings of mountains flying with them, for they killed the people as they with their great weight came down on earth. (35) Vritrâsura, who was so powerful with the austerities of Tvashthâ [see 6.9: 11], was killed by it, just as many other powerful characters impervious to all other weapons. (36) And now that bolt, strong as a brahmâstra, is repelled after being released against a less important demon. Rendered as useless as a rod, I can wield it no longer.'

(37) Indra, lamenting thus, then out of the blue was addressed by a voice that said: 'This Dânava has an arrangement that he cannot be annihilated by anything dry or wet. (38) He would not die by something moist or dry because of a benediction I granted him and therefore, oh Indra, you must think of some other means to deal with your enemy.'

(39) After having heard that ominous voice, Lord Indra meditated most attentively and arrived thereupon at the insight that foam had to be the way that was neither dry nor wet. (40) Thus he took hold of Namuci's head [and killed him] with the weapon that was wet nor dry [by forcing it down his throat]. Thereupon all the sages most pleased covered the almighty one with flower garlands. (41) The two leading singers of heaven Vis'vâvasu and Parâvasu sang hymns, the godly souls sounded kettledrums and the heavenly dancers danced in bliss. (42) Vâyu, Agni, Varuna and others though vigorously started to eliminate the other belligerent Asuras, as if they were lions killing deer. (43) Devarishi Nârada Muni was by Lord Brahmâ sent to the demigods, oh King, to forbid the ones in power the total annihilation of the Dânavas he saw taking place. (44) S'rî Nârada said: 'Under the protection of the arms and the fortune [the goddess] of Nârâyana you all procured the nectar. Since you thus found your fortune you now must stop with this fighting!'

(45) S'uka said: 'Controlling their aggravation and anger they accepted the words of the sage and returned all to their heavenly abodes, while being praised by their followers. (46) They who had survived the battle picked up the lifeless body of Bali [as also the rest of those who had fallen] and all went, with Nârada's permission, to the mountain called Asta. (47) At that place the ones who still had their limbs and head were resuscitated by S'ukrâcârya [4.1: 45, 6.7: 18, 7.5: 1, 7.10: 33] by means of his knowledge of the Samjîvanî prayer, his science of reanimation. (48) Also Bali was brought back by the touch of Us'anâ, but despite being defeated he, with his experience in worldly affairs, did not complain [to have regained] his memory and senses.'

 

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Third revised edition, loaded July 30, 2019.


 
 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

S'rî S'uka said: 'When thereafter by the grace of the Supreme Personality the Suras had regained their spirits, Indra, Vâyu and the others without hesitation resumed the fight against the troops who formerly had driven them  back in the battle.
S'rî S'uka said: 'When next through the grace of the Supreme Personality all the Suras had regained their spirits, resumed Indra, Vâyu and the others the fight against the lot that before had baffled them in the struggle. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

When the so very mighty Indra angry with the son of Virocana [Bali] took up his thunderbolt, all his people cried: 'Alas, alas!'

The moment the so very mighty Indra, furious with the son of Virocana [Bali], took up his thunderbolt, began they [the Asuras] all to cry 'Alas, alas!'  (Vedabase)

 

Text 3

Bali, who attentive and well equipped moved about on the great battlefield, was by him who carries the thunderbolt opposed and rebuked as follows:

He who sober and well equipped moved about on the battlefield was by him who carries the thunderbolt opposed and rebuked as follows: (Vedabase)

 

Text 4

'You cheater, you fool, with your magic you try to be of control and win with illusions; you try to conquer us, who have mastered the illusion, as if we were children whose possessions you can take by diverting their attention!

'You cheater, you fool, with your magic you try to be of control with illusions and to win, conquering us as if we were children of whom one deceptively blindfolding them can take away their possessions! (Vedabase)

  

Text 5

Those who desire to advance and be free by deceptive means, such enemies of the gods, I bring down, such fools I deny the positions they have taken.

The ones desiring to attain the higher of heaven by illusory means and expect to find liberation that way, that bunch of lowly asses, I send down denying them the positions they have taken. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

I am the one who today will put an end to you and your jugglery by severing your head with my hundred-jagged thunderbolt. You wicked soul with your buddies... bring it on!'

I am the one who today will put an end to you and your jugglery by severing your head with my hundred-jagged thunderbolt; you poor soul and your buddies... just try to exist on this battlefield!' (Vedabase)

 

Text 7

Bali retorted: 'All present here on this battlefield are subjected to the rule of time and successively acquire with what they do a reputation, achieve a victory, suffer defeat and then find their death.

Bali retorted: 'All present here on this field are subjected to the rule of time and do all in due order, like anyone else does in his line of work, find reputation, victory, defeat and death. (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

Because the entire world is moved by time, an enlightened soul who sees this will not rejoice or complain. In that sense you all pretty much lost your way [compare B.G. 2: 11]! 

Because the whole world, moving onward, is running on time, does the Sura cognizant of this, rejoice nor lament; as such are you thus all of little study [compare B.G. 2.: 11]! (Vedabase)

 

Text 9

We, who manage to control ourselves in that respect, reject these embarrassing words of yours that the saintly feel sorry for.'

We who, no matter what might happen, are of respect for the self, cannot accept that heart-rending speech of yours which is pitied by the saintly'. (Vedabase)

 

Text 10

S'rî S'uka said: 'After as a valiant hero thus having chided the mighty Indra, Bali, the subduer of the greatest, attacked him again with iron arrows on his bow that he tightened to his ear in the process.

S'rî S'uka said: 'As a valiant hero thus chiding the mighty one with steel arrows of scorn, attacked Bali, the subduer of the greatest, him again drawing his bow to his ear in attack. (Vedabase)

 

Text 11

The god, who thus was derided by his silver-tongued enemy, remained, just like an elephant beaten with a rod, unmoved under the lesson being taught.

Like an elephant beaten by the rod lamented the god, who thus was defeated by his silver-tongued enemy, not over his lesson. (Vedabase)

 

Text 12

When the master of destruction [Indra] used the infallible bolt against him [Bali] he, being struck, crashed with his heavenly vehicle to the ground like a mountain with its wings being clipped.

The master of destruction used the infallible bolt against him so that he [Bali] struck with his wings clipped with his heavenly vehicle crashed to the ground like a mountain. (Vedabase)

 

Text 13

Seeing that his mate had fallen, his most intimate friend and well-wisher Jambha stepped forward in solidarity with his hurt companion.

Seeing that his mate had fallen stepped, as a matter of principle, his most intimate friend and well-wisher Jambha forward in compassion with his hurt companion.  (Vedabase)

  

Text 14

He, a man of superpower riding the lion, took position with his club and hit Indra and his elephant with great force on the shoulder.

He of superpower, riding the lion took position with his club and hit Indra including his elephant with great force on the shoulder. (Vedabase)

 

Text 15

Struck by the great blow the elephant sank stunned down to its knees and fell unconscious to the earth.

Suffering the great blow sank the elephant severely injured down to his knees and fell he hitting the earth unconscious. (Vedabase)

 

Text 16

When Indra's driver Mâtali thereupon brought his chariot, which was drawn by a thousand horses, he mounted the vehicle and left his elephant behind.

Thereupon, when his driver Mâtali brought him [Indra] his chariot drawn by a thousand horses, left he his elephant behind and mounted he the cart. (Vedabase)

 

Text 17

In appreciation of the chariot driver's service [Jambhâsura,] the best of the Dânavas smiled and struck him [the driver] in the fight with his fire blazing trident.

In appreciation of that service of the chariot driver, smiled the best of the Dânavas and struck he him in combat with his with fire blazing trident. (Vedabase)

 

Text 18

Mâtali bracing himself, managed to tolerate the excruciating pain, but Indra most infuriated decapitated Jambha with his thunderbolt.

Bracing himself managed Mâtali to tolerate the excruciating pain, but Indra most incensed decapitated Jambha with his thunderbolt. (Vedabase)

 

Text 19

When Jambhâsura's kin heard from Nârada rishi that he had been slain, Namuci, Bala and Pâka hurried over there as fast as they could.

When Jambhâsura's kin heard from Nârada rishi that he had been killed, hurried Namuci, Bala and Pâka over there as fast as they could. (Vedabase)

 

Text 20

With gross insults cursing Indra to hurt him in the heart, they besieged him with arrows that came down like a torrent of rain over a mountain.

With cruel words scolding Indra to hurt him in the heart, besieged they him with arrows that fell like a torrent of rain over a mountain. (Vedabase)

 

Text 21

The thousand horses of the king of heaven were assailed by as many arrows that were all quickly launched at once.

The thousand horses of the king of heaven were plagued by as many arrows, all quickly launched at once. (Vedabase)

 

Text 22

With the two hundred arrows that next to that by Pâka all at once were aimed and released against Mâtali and the chariot with all its upkeep, thus a most remarkable feat could be witnessed in the battle.

With the two hundred more coming towards Mâtali, that by Pâka all at once were aimed and released against the chariot with all its upkeep, could thus a most remarkable feat be witnessed in the battle. (Vedabase)

 

Text 23

Namuci contributed with fifteen gold-feathered all-powerful arrows that cutting through the air made a noise over the field like a thundercloud full of rain.

Namuci contributed with fifteen gold-feathered all-powerful arrows which cutting through the air made a noise over the field like a loaded cloud of rain. (Vedabase)

 

Text 24

The Asuras covered Indra and his chariot driver from all sides with a dense shower of arrows that covered the sun just like clouds during the rainy season do [see also 4.10: 13].

All the Asuras covered Indra and his chariot from all around with a dense shower of arrows, that covered the sun just like clouds in the rainy season do [see also 4.10: 13].  (Vedabase)

  

Text 25

Like traders shipwrecked in the middle of the ocean, the entire assembly of demigods and their retinue, who could not discern him any longer, bereft of their leader began to wail under the pressure and intimidation of the superiority of the enemy.

Like traders shipwrecked in the middle of the ocean began the demigods and their retinue, unable to discern him any longer, bereft of their leader to wail, oppressed and heavily daunted by the enemy superiority as they were. (Vedabase)

 

Text 26

Indra, he who overpowers the mightiest, thereupon to their delight managed to free himself from the hull of arrows, together with his horses, chariot, flag and driver radiating, in all directions of the sky and the earth, with an effulgence resembling the sun at the end of the night.

Thereupon, to the delight of all the directions of the sky and the earth, managed Indra, the excel of the truth, to free himself together with his horses, chariot, flag and driver from the hull of arrows, by his personal effulgence shining like the sun at the end of the night. (Vedabase)

 

Text 27

When the godhead saw how his army in the battle was oppressed by the enemy, he, fuming with anger, took up his thunderbolt to kill his opponents.

When the godhead saw how his attendants by the enemy were embarrassed in the fight took he fuming of anger his thunderbolt up to kill the opponents. (Vedabase)

 

Text 28

Before the eyes of their family members, he then, in order to create fear in them, oh King, with the bolt severed the heads of the trunks of Bala and Pâka.

With the help of that thunderbolt did he before the eyes of their family members, in order to create fear in them, o King, sever the heads of the trunks of Bala and Pâka.  (Vedabase)


Text 29

Namuci [another demon] witnessing the two being slaughtered, grieved over them and enraged made a serious attempt to kill Indra, oh lord of men.

Namuci witnessing the two being slaughtered, grieved over them and made, o lord of men, enraged a great attempt to kill Indra. (Vedabase)

 

Text 30

With in his hand an iron spear, hung with bells and decorated with gold, he strode in fury against Indra roaring like a lion: 'And now you're dead' and struck.

With a steel spear hung with bells and decorated with gold in his hand he strode in fury against Indra roaring like a lion: 'And now you're dead' and struck. (Vedabase)

 

Text 31

The lord [of the gods, Indra] who saw it descending from the sky with great speed, smashed it to pieces [in its flight], oh King, while the demon himself from a fuming Indra received the thunderbolt on his shoulder to cut off his head.

The mighty thing like a meteor falling from the sky was then by the supreme personality [of Indra] smashed to pieces o King, while the demon himself got the thunderbolt on his shoulder from a fuming Indra who tried to cut off his head. (Vedabase)


Text 32

But the powerful bolt, the same weapon that in the past by the king of the gods so successfully was used to pierce Vritrâsura [6.12: 25], could not even scratch his skin. That defiance of Namuci's neck was an extraordinarily wondrous thing.

But the powerful bolt, the same weapon that before by the king of the gods so successfully had been used in piercing Vritrâsura [6.12: 25], could not even scratch his skin. That defiance by Namuci's neck was an extraordinarily wondrous thing. (Vedabase)

 

Text 33

With the bolt thus rendered ineffective Indra became very afraid of the enemy and wondered: 'What is this? What superior force allows such a miraculous thing to happen on earth?

And so with the bolt returning without effect grew Indra very apprehensive of the enemy to which he wondered: 'What is this? By what supreme force could this, to each his eyes so wondrous thing, happen? (Vedabase)

 

Text 34

With this same bolt I formerly cut off the wings of mountains flying with them, for they killed the people as they with their great weight came down on earth.

With this same bolt I formerly clipped the wings of so many mountains that, flying high, weighing far too heavy and pestering the common people, happened to fall.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 35

Vritrâsura, who was so powerful with the austerities of Tvashthâ [see 6.9: 11], was killed by it, just as many other powerful characters impervious to all other weapons.

Vritrâsura so powerful of the austerities of Tvashthâ [see 6.9: 11] was killed by it just as were many other powerful characters impervious to all other weapons. (Vedabase)

 

Text 36

And now that bolt, strong as a brahmâstra, is repelled after being released against a less important demon. Rendered as useless as a rod, I can wield it no longer.'

And now is that bolt, though strong as a brahmâstra, released against a less important demon repelled; as useless as a rod I can wield it no longer.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 37

Indra, lamenting thus, then out of the blue was addressed by a voice that said: 'This Dânava has an arrangement that he cannot be annihilated by anything dry or wet.

Unto Indra who this way was lamenting spoke a voice out of the blue: 'To this Dânava it is arranged that he can not be annihilated by anything dry or wet. (Vedabase)

 

Text 38

He would not die by something moist or dry because of a benediction I granted him and therefore, oh Indra, you must think of some other means to deal with your enemy.'

He would not die by something moist or dry because of a benediction I granted him and therefore, o Indra, must you think of some other means to deal with your enemy.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 39

After having heard that ominous voice Lord Indra meditated most attentively and arrived thereupon at the insight that foam had to be the way that was neither dry nor wet.

After he heard that ominous voice meditated Lord Indra with great scrutiny and arrived he thereupon at the insight that something of foam had to be the means that was neither dry or wet. (Vedabase)

 

Text 40

Thus he took hold of Namuci's head [and killed him] with the weapon that was wet nor dry [by forcing it down his throat]. Thereupon all the sages most pleased covered the almighty one with flower garlands.

Thus he forced through Namuci's throat a weapon wet nor dry, upon which all the sages pleased covered the almighty one with flowergarlands. (Vedabase)

 

Text 41

The two leading singers of heaven Vis'vâvasu and Parâvasu sang hymns, the godly souls sounded kettledrums and the heavenly dancers danced in bliss.

The two chief singers of heaven Vis'vâvasu and Parâvasu sang hymns, the kettledrums were sounded by the godly and the heavenly dancers danced in bliss. (Vedabase)

 

Text 42

Vâyu, Agni, Varuna and others though vigorously started to eliminate the other belligerent Asuras, as if they were lions killing deer.

Vâyu, Agni, Varuna and others though started to eliminate vigorously, as if they were lions killing deer, the other belligerent Asuras. (Vedabase)

 

Text 43

Devarishi Nârada Muni was by Lord Brahmâ sent to the demigods oh King, to forbid the ones in power the total annihilation of the Dânavas he saw taking place.

Devarishi Nârada Muni was by Lord Brahmâ sent to the demigods, o King, to forbid the ones in power the total annihilation of the Dânavas he saw taking place. (Vedabase)

 

Text 44

S'rî Nârada said: 'Under the protection of the arms and the fortune [the goddess] of Nârâyana you all procured the nectar. Since you thus found your fortune you now must stop with this fighting!'

S'rî Nârada said: 'Under the protection of the arms and the fortune [the goddess] of Nârâyana you all procured the nectar; since you all thus flourished must you now stop with this fighting!' (Vedabase)

 

Text 45

S'uka said: 'Controlling their aggravation and anger they accepted the words of the sage and returned all to their heavenly abodes, while being praised by their followers.

S'uka said: 'Controlling the aggravation of their anger accepted they the words of the sage and returned they, hailed by their followers, all to their heavenly abodes.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 46

They who had survived the battle picked up the lifeless body of Bali [as also the rest of those who had fallen] and all went, with Nârada's permission, to the mountain called Asta.

They who remained after the fight took up Bali and all who had fallen and went, with Nârada's permission, to the mountain called Asta. (Vedabase)

 

Text 47

At that place the ones who still had their limbs and head were resuscitated by S'ukrâcârya [4.1: 45, 6.7: 18, 7.5: 1, 7.10: 33] by means of his knowledge of the Samjîvanî prayer, his science of reanimation.

There at that place were the slain and maimed who still had their heads by S'ukrâcârya [4.1: 45, 6.7: 18, 7.5: 1, 7.10: 33] resuscitated through his knowledge of the Samjîvanî ['animation'] prayer. (Vedabase)

 

Text 48

Also Bali was brought back by the touch of Us'anâ, but despite being defeated he, with his experience in worldly affairs, did not complain [to have regained] his memory and senses.'

Bali, also brought back on the touch of Us'anâ, realized what had happened and although he was defeated did he, as the smartest with the ways of the world, not lament. (Vedabase)



 

 

 

 

 

 

Creative Commons License
The text and audio are offered under the conditions of the
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
The source of the picture showing Namuci swallowing the foam, is unknown.
Production: Filognostic Association of The Order of Time


  

 

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