The history of Indra's curse and expiation (ch43)

MAHABHARATA

CHAPTER 43

(GADAYUDDHA PARVA)-Continued

The history of Indra's curse and expiation

SYNOPSIS

The story narrated by Vaishampayana to King Janamejaya describes the transformation of the sacred river Sarasvati, the redemption of Rakshasas, and Indra's liberation from the sin of Brahmanicide.

Sarasvati, cursed by the sage Vishvamitra in anger, began to flow with a bloody current in a particular sacred tirtha (pilgrimage site). This attracted Rakshasas (demons), who thrived by drinking the blood. When a group of ascetic Rishis arrived on pilgrimage and saw the polluted Sarasvati and the demons, they resolved to purify the river and alleviate her plight. The ascetics invoked Sarasvati, who explained her curse and distress. Determined to help, the Rishis performed penances, prayed to Mahadeva (Shiva), and restored the river to her pure state.

The Rakshasas, stricken with hunger after the river's purification, appealed to the ascetics for help. The sages devised a new form of sustenance for them—food that was unclean or defiled—and laid down rules for humans to avoid consuming such food. The Rakshasas, bathing in the river's new sacred form (named Arjuna), renounced their demonic bodies and attained heaven.

Vaishampayana also explains how this tirtha later played a role in freeing Indra from the sin of Brahmanicide. Indra had broken a pact with the Asura Namuchi by killing him deceitfully, using foam as a weapon, neither wet nor dry, during twilight, neither night nor day. Namuchi's severed head pursued Indra, accusing him of treachery. Seeking guidance from Brahma, Indra was directed to bathe in the Aruna tirtha, sanctified by Sarasvati and the ascetics. There, he performed sacrifices, distributed gifts, and bathed in the sacred waters, cleansing himself of his sin.

The narrative transitions to describe Baladeva's visit to this tirtha. After bathing and offering gifts, he gained great virtue and proceeded to another sacred tirtha associated with Soma's Rajasuya sacrifice. This tirtha was also the site of a battle between the gods and the Asura Taraka, where Kartikeya (Skanda) became the celestial army's generalissimo and defeated Taraka. Under a massive Ashvattha tree in this tirtha, Kartikeya is said to reside eternally.

This tale highlights themes of redemption, divine intervention, and the sanctity of pilgrimage sites, demonstrating the transformative power of devotion, sacrifice, and purity.

CHAPTER 43

वैशम्पायन उवाच
सा शप्ता तेन क्रुद्धेन विश्वामित्रेण धीमता ।
तस्मिंस्तीर्थवरे शुभ्रे शोणितं समुपावहत् ॥ १ ॥

vaiśampāyana uvāca
sā śaptā tena kruddhena viśvāmitreṇa dhīmatā |
tasmiṃstīrthavare śubhre śoṇitaṃ samupāvahat || 1 ||

Vaishampayana said

"Cursed by the intelligent Vishvamitra in anger, Sarasvati, in that sacred and best of tirthas, flowed in bloody current.

अथाजग्मुस्ततो राजन् राक्षसास्तत्र भारत ।
तत्र ते शोणितं सर्वे पिवन्तः सुखमासते ॥ २ ॥

athājagmustato rājan rākṣasāstatra bhārata |
tatra te śoṇitaṃ sarve pivantaḥ sukhamāsate || 2 ||

Then, O king, many Rakshasas came and lived happily there, drinking the blood that flowed.

तृप्ताश्च सुभृशं तेन सुखिता विगतज्वराः ।
नृत्यन्तश्च हसन्तश्च यथा स्वर्गजितस्तथा ॥ ३ ॥

tṛptāśca subhṛśaṃ tena sukhitā vigatajvarāḥ |
nṛtyantaśca hasantaśca yathā svargajitastathā || 3 ||

Highly pleased with that blood, cheerfully and without anxiety of any kind, they danced and laughed there like persons that have (by virtue) attained heaven.

कस्यचित् त्वथ कालस्य ऋषयः सुतपोधनाः ।
तीर्थयात्रां समाजग्मुः सरस्वत्यां महीपते ॥ ४ ॥

kasyacit tvatha kālasya ṛṣayaḥ sutapodhanāḥ |
tīrthayātrāṃ samājagmuḥ sarasvatyāṃ mahīpate || 4 ||

After some time had passed away, some Rishis, having asceticism for their wealth, came to the Sarasvati, O king, on pilgrimage.

 
तेषु सर्वेषु तीर्थेषु स्वाप्लुत्य मुनिपुङ्गवाः ।
प्राप्य प्रीति परां चापि तपोलुब्धा विशारदाः ॥ ५ ॥
प्रर्हि ततो राजन् तेन तीर्थमसृग्वहम्।
अथागम्य महाभागास्ततं तीर्थं दारुणं तदा ॥ ६ ॥

teṣu sarveṣu tīrtheṣu svāplutya munipuṅgavāḥ |
prāpya prīti parāṃ cāpi tapolubdhā viśāradāḥ || 5 ||
prarhi tato rājan tena tīrthamasṛgvaham|
athāgamya mahābhāgāstataṃ tīrthaṃ dāruṇaṃ tadā || 6 ||

Those foremost of ascetics, having bathed in all the tirthas and obtained great delight, became desirous of acquiring more merit. Those learned sages at last came. O king, to that tirtha where the Sarasvati flowed in a bloody current. Those highly blessed Rishis, arriving at that frightful tirtha.

दृष्ट्वा तोयं सरस्वत्याः शोणितेन परिप्लुतम् ।
पीतमानं च रक्षोभिर्बहुभिर्नृपसत्तम ॥ ७ ॥

dṛṣṭvā toyaṃ sarasvatyāḥ śoṇitena pariplutam |
pītamānaṃ ca rakṣobhirbahubhirnṛpasattama || 7 ||

Beheld the water of the Sarasvati mixed with blood and numberless Rakshasas, O king, drinking it.

तान् दृष्ट्वा राक्षसान् राजन् मुनयः संशितव्रताः ।
परित्राणे सरस्वत्याः परं यत्नं प्रचक्रिरे ॥ ८ ॥

tān dṛṣṭvā rākṣasān rājan munayaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ |
paritrāṇe sarasvatyāḥ paraṃ yatnaṃ pracakrire || 8 ||

Seeing those Rakshasas, O king, those ascetics of rigid vows tried much to rescue the Sarasvati from that condition.

ते तु सर्वे महाभागाः समागम्य महाव्रताः ।
आहूय सरितां श्रेष्ठामिदं वचनमब्रुवन् ॥ ९ ॥
कारणं ब्रूहि कल्याणि किमर्थं ते हृदो ह्ययम् ।
एवमाकुलतां यातः श्रुत्वा ध्यास्यामहे वयम्॥१०॥

te tu sarve mahābhāgāḥ samāgamya mahāvratāḥ |
āhūya saritāṃ śreṣṭhāmidaṃ vacanamabruvan || 9 ||
kāraṇaṃ brūhi kalyāṇi kimarthaṃ te hṛdo hyayam |
evamākulatāṃ yātaḥ śrutvā dhyāsyāmahe vayam||10||

Arriving there, those Rishis invoked that foremost of rivers and said to her - "Tell us the reason, O auspicious lady, why this lake in you has been distressed with such a plight. Hearing it, we shall use our efforts to restore its pristine condition.

ततः सा सर्वमाचष्ट यथावृत्तं प्रवेपती।
दुःखितामथ तां दृष्ट्वा ऊचुस्ते वै तपोधनाः ॥ ११॥

tataḥ sā sarvamācaṣṭa yathāvṛttaṃ pravepatī|

duḥkhitāmatha tāṃ dṛṣṭvā ūcuste vai tapodhanāḥ || 11||

Thus accosted, Sarasvati, trembling as she spoke, informed them of everything that had taken place. Seeing her thus woe-begone, those ascetics told her -

कारणं श्रुतमस्माभिः शापश्चैव श्रुतोऽनघे ।
करिष्यन्ति तु यत् प्राप्तं सर्वं एव तपोधनाः ॥ १२ ॥

 
kāraṇaṃ śrutamasmābhiḥ śāpaścaiva śruto’naghe |
kariṣyanti tu yat prāptaṃ sarvaṃ eva tapodhanāḥ || 12 ||

"We have heard of your curse, O sinless lady! All of us shall try."

एवमुक्त्वा सरिच्छ्रेष्टामूचुस्तेऽथ परस्परम् ।
विमोचयामहे सर्वे शापादेतां सरस्वतीम् ॥ १३ ॥

evamuktvā saricchreṣṭāmūcuste’tha parasparam |
vimocayāmahe sarve śāpādetāṃ sarasvatīm || 13 ||

Having said so to that foremost of rivers, they then consulted with one another - "All of us shall release Sarasvati from her curse."

सर्वे ब्राह्मणा राजंस्तपोभिर्नियमैस्तथा ।
उपवासैश्च विविधैर्यमैः कष्टव्रतैस्तथा ॥ १४ ॥
आराध्य पशुभर्तारं महादेवं जगत्पतिम् ।
तां देवीं मोक्षयामासुः सरिच्छ्रेष्ठां सरस्वतीम् ॥ १५ ॥
तेषां तु सा प्रभावेण प्रकृतिस्था सरस्वती ।
प्रसन्नसलिला जज्ञे यथापूर्वं तथैव हि ॥ १६ ॥
निर्मुक्ता च सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा विबभौ सा यथा पुरा ।

sarve brāhmaṇā rājaṃstapobhirniyamaistathā |
upavāsaiśca vividhairyamaiḥ kaṣṭavrataistathā || 14 ||
ārādhya paśubhartāraṃ mahādevaṃ jagatpatim |
tāṃ devīṃ mokṣayāmāsuḥ saricchreṣṭhāṃ sarasvatīm || 15 ||
teṣāṃ tu sā prabhāveṇa prakṛtisthā sarasvatī |
prasannasalilā jajñe yathāpūrvaṃ tathaiva hi || 16 ||
nirmuktā ca saricchreṣṭhā vibabhau sā yathā purā |

O king, adoring Mahadeva, that Lord of the universe and protector of all creatures, with penances, vows, fasts, abstinences, and painful observances, all those Brahmanas emancipated that foremost of rivers, viz., the divine Sarasvati.

दृष्ट्वा तोयं सरस्वत्या मुनिभिस्तैस्तथा कृतम् ॥ १७ ॥
तानेव शरणं जग्मू राक्षसाः क्षुधितास्तथा ।

dṛṣṭvā toyaṃ sarasvatyā munibhistaistathā kṛtam || 17 ||
tāneva śaraṇaṃ jagmū rākṣasāḥ kṣudhitāstathā |

Beholding the water of Sarasvati purified by those ascetics, the Rakshasas (that lived there), stricken with hunger, sought the protection of those ascetics themselves.

 
कृत्वाञ्जलिं ततो राजन् राक्षसाः क्षुधयाऽर्दिताः ॥ १८ ॥
ऊचुस्तान् वै मुनीन् सर्वान् कृपायुक्तान् पुनः पुनः।
वयं च क्षुधिताचैव धर्माद्धीनाश्च शाश्वतात् ॥१९॥
न च नः कामकारोऽयं यद् वयं पापकारिणः ।

kṛtvāñjaliṃ tato rājan rākṣasāḥ kṣudhayā’rditāḥ || 18 ||
ūcustān vai munīn sarvān kṛpāyuktān punaḥ punaḥ|
vayaṃ ca kṣudhitācaiva dharmāddhīnāśca śāśvatāt ||19||
na ca naḥ kāmakāro’yaṃ yad vayaṃ pāpakāriṇaḥ |

Stricken with hunger, the Rakshasas, with clasped hands, repeatedly said to those ascetics filled with compassion viz. "All of us are hungry? We have deviated from the path of virtue! That we are sinful is not of our own free will!”

युष्माकं चाप्रसादेन दुष्कृतेन च कर्मणा ॥ २० ॥
यत् पापं वर्धतेऽस्माकं ततः स्मो ब्रह्मराक्षसाः ।
योषितां चैव पापेन योनिदोषकृतेन च ॥ २१॥
एवं हि वैश्यशूद्राणां क्षत्रियाणां तथैव च ।
ब्राह्मणान् प्रद्विषन्ति ते भवन्तीह राक्षसाः ॥ २२ ॥
आचार्यमृत्विजं चैव गुरुं वृद्धजनं तथा ।
प्राणिनो येऽवमन्यन्ते ते भवन्तीह राक्षसाः ॥ २३॥

yuṣmākaṃ cāprasādena duṣkṛtena ca karmaṇā || 20 ||
yat pāpaṃ vardhate’smākaṃ tataḥ smo brahmarākṣasāḥ |
yoṣitāṃ caiva pāpena yonidoṣakṛtena ca || 21||
evaṃ hi vaiśyaśūdrāṇāṃ kṣatriyāṇāṃ tathaiva ca |
brāhmaṇān pradviṣanti te bhavantīha rākṣasāḥ || 22 ||
ācāryamṛtvijaṃ caiva guruṃ vṛddhajanaṃ tathā |
prāṇino ye’vamanyante te bhavantīha rākṣasāḥ || 23||

Through the want of your grace and our own evil deeds, as also for the sexual sins of our women, our sins multiply and we have become Brahma-Rakshasas! So amongst Vaishyas and Shudras and Kshatriyas, those that hate and injure Brahmanas became Rakshasas.'

तत् कुरुध्वमिहास्माकं तारणं द्विजसत्तमाः ।
शक्ता भवन्तः सर्वेषां लोकानामपि तारणे ॥ २४॥

tat kurudhvamihāsmākaṃ tāraṇaṃ dvijasattamāḥ |
śaktā bhavantaḥ sarveṣāṃ lokānāmapi tāraṇe || 24||

O best of Brahmanas, arrange for our relief then. You are capable of saving all the worlds!'

तेषां तु वचनं श्रुत्वा तुष्टुवुस्तां महानदीम् ।
मोक्षार्थं रक्षसां तेषामूचुः प्रयतमानसाः ॥ २५ ॥
क्षुतं कीटावपनं च योच्छिष्टाचितं भवेत् ।
सुकेशमवधूतं च रुदितोपहतं च यत् ॥ २६ ॥

teṣāṃ tu vacanaṃ śrutvā tuṣṭuvustāṃ mahānadīm |
mokṣārthaṃ rakṣasāṃ teṣāmūcuḥ prayatamānasāḥ || 25 ||
kṣutaṃ kīṭāvapanaṃ ca yocchiṣṭācitaṃ bhavet |
sukeśamavadhūtaṃ ca ruditopahataṃ ca yat || 26 ||

Hearing these words of theirs, those ascetics lauded the great river. For the rescue of those Rakshasas, with contracted minds, those ascetics said - "The food over which one will sneeze, that in which there are worms and insects, that which may be mixed with refuges of food, that which is mixed with hair, that which is trampled. That which is mixed with tears shall make up the food of these Rakshasas! '

एभिः संसृष्टमन्नं च भागोऽसौ रक्षसामिह।
तस्माज्ज्ञात्वा सदा विद्वानेतान् यत्नाद् विवर्जयेत् ॥ २७ ॥
राक्षसान्नमसौ भुङ्क्ते यो भुङ्क्ते ह्यन्नमीदृशम् ।

ebhiḥ saṃsṛṣṭamannaṃ ca bhāgo’sau rakṣasāmiha|
tasmājjñātvā sadā vidvānetān yatnād vivarjayet || 27 ||
rākṣasānnamasau bhuṅkte yo bhuṅkte hyannamīdṛśam |

Knowing all this, the learned man shall carefully avoid these kinds of food. He that shall take such food shall be considered as partaking of the food of Rakshasas.'

शोधयित्वा ततस्तीर्थमृषयस्ते तपोधनाः ॥ २८ ॥
मोक्षार्थं राक्षसानां च नदीं तां प्रत्यचोदयन् ।

śodhayitvā tatastīrthamṛṣayaste tapodhanāḥ || 28 ||
mokṣārthaṃ rākṣasānāṃ ca nadīṃ tāṃ pratyacodayan |

Having thus purified the tirtha, those ascetics thus prayed to that river for the relief of those Rakshasas.

महर्षीणां मतं ज्ञात्वा ततः सा सरितां वरा ।। २९ ।।
अरुणामानयामास स्वां तनूं पुरुषर्षभ ।

maharṣīṇāṃ mataṃ jñātvā tataḥ sā saritāṃ varā || 29 ||
aruṇāmānayāmāsa svāṃ tanūṃ puruṣarṣabha |

Understanding the wishes of those great Rishis, that best of rivers caused her body, O foremost of men, to assume a new form called Arjuna.

तस्यां ते राक्षसाः स्नात्वा तनूस्त्यक्त्वा दिवं गताः ॥
अरुणायां महाराज ब्रह्मवध्यापहा हि सा ।

tasyāṃ te rākṣasāḥ snātvā tanūstyaktvā divaṃ gatāḥ ||
aruṇāyāṃ mahārāja brahmavadhyāpahā hi sā |

Bathing in that new river the Rakshasas renounced their bodies and went to heaven.

एतमर्थमभिज्ञाय देवराजः शतक्रतुः ॥ ३१ ॥
तस्मिंस्तीर्थे वीरे स्नात्वा विमुक्तः पाप्मना किल ।

etamarthamabhijñāya devarājaḥ śatakratuḥ || 31 ||
tasmiṃstīrthe vīre snātvā vimuktaḥ pāpmanā kila |

Ascertaining all this, the king of the celestials, viz., Indra, of a hundred sacrifices, bathed in that best of tirthas and was freed of a grievous sin.”

जनमेजय उवाच
किमर्थं भगवान् शक्रो ब्रह्मवध्यामवाप्तवान् ॥ ३२ ॥
कथमस्मिंश्च तीर्थे वै आप्लुत्याकल्मषोऽभवत्।

janamejaya uvāca
kimarthaṃ bhagavān śakro brahmavadhyāmavāptavān || 32 ||
kathamasmiṃśca tīrthe vai āplutyākalmaṣo’bhavat|

Janamejaya said

"Why was Indra affected by the sin of Brahmanicide? How also did he become freed by bathing in that tirtha?”

वैश्मपायन उवाच
शृणुष्वैतदुपाख्यानं यथावृत्तं जनेश्वर ॥ ३३ ॥
यथा बिभेद समयं नमुचेर्वासवः पुरा ।

vaiśmapāyana uvāca
śṛṇuṣvaitadupākhyānaṃ yathāvṛttaṃ janeśvara || 33 ||
yathā bibheda samayaṃ namucervāsavaḥ purā |

Vaishampayana said

"Listen to that history, O king, listen to those events as they took place. Hear how Indra formerly broke his treaty with Namuchi.

 
नमुचिर्वासवाद् भीत: सूर्यरश्मि समाविशत् ॥ ३४ ॥
तेनेन्द्रः सख्यमकरोत् समयं चेदमब्रवीत् ।
न चाद्रेण न शुष्केण न रात्रौ नापि चाहनि ॥ ३५ ॥
धिष्याम्यसुरश्रेष्ठ सखे सत्येन ते शपे ।

namucirvāsavād bhīta: sūryaraśmi samāviśat || 34 ||
tenendraḥ sakhyamakarot samayaṃ cedamabravīt |
na cādreṇa na śuṣkeṇa na rātrau nāpi cāhani || 35 ||
dhiṣyāmyasuraśreṣṭha sakhe satyena te śape |

The Asura Namuchi, from fear of Vasava, had entered into a ray of the Sun. Indra then made friends with Namuchi and made a contract with him, saying - "O king, of Asuras, I shall not kill you, O friend, with anything that is wet or dry. I shall not kill you in the night or in the day! Forsooth I swear this to you."

 
एवं स कृत्वा समयं दृष्ट्वा नीहारमीश्वरः ॥ ३६ ॥
चिच्छेदास्य शिरो राजन्नपां फेनेन वासवः ।

evaṃ sa kṛtvā samayaṃ dṛṣṭvā nīhāramīśvaraḥ || 36 ||
cicchedāsya śiro rājannapāṃ phenena vāsavaḥ |

Having made this understanding, the lord Indra one day beheld a fog. He then, O king, sundered Namuchi's head, using the foam of water as his weapon.

तच्छिरो नमुचेश्छिन्नं पृष्ठतः शक्रमन्वियात् ॥ ३७ ॥
भो भो मित्रघ्न पापेति ब्रुवाणां शक्रमन्तिकात्।

tacchiro namuceśchinnaṃ pṛṣṭhataḥ śakramanviyāt || 37 ||
bho bho mitraghna pāpeti bruvāṇāṃ śakramantikāt|

The severed head of Namuchi thereupon pursued Indra from behind, saying repeatedly from a nearby place — "O killer of a friend, O wretch!"

एवं स शिरसा तेन चोद्यमानः पुनः पुनः ॥ ३८ ॥
पितामहाय संतप्त एतमर्थं न्यवेदयत् ।

evaṃ sa śirasā tena codyamānaḥ punaḥ punaḥ || 38 ||
pitāmahāya saṃtapta etamarthaṃ nyavedayat |

Thus addressed repeatedly by that head; Indra went to grandfather and informed him, sorrowfully of what had taken place.

 
तमब्रवील्लोकगुरुररुणायां यथाविधि ॥ ३९ ॥
वोपस्पृश देवेन्द्र तीर्थे पापभयापहे ।

tamabravīllokagururaruṇāyāṃ yathāvidhi || 39 ||
vopaspṛśa devendra tīrthe pāpabhayāpahe |

The supreme lord of the universe said to him - "Performing a sacrifice, bathe duly, O king of gods, in Aruna, the tirtha which saves all from the fear of sin!

एषा पुण्यजला शक्र कृता मुनिभिरेव तु ॥ ४० ॥
निगूढमस्यागमनमिहासीत् पूर्वमेव तु ।

eṣā puṇyajalā śakra kṛtā munibhireva tu || 40 ||
nigūḍhamasyāgamanamihāsīt pūrvameva tu |

The water of that river, O Shakra, has been sanctified by the ascetics! Formerly the river lay there concealed.

ततोऽभ्येत्यारुणां देवीं प्लावयामास वारिणा ॥ ४१ ॥
सरस्वत्यारुणायाश्च पुण्योऽयं संगमो महान्।

tato’bhyetyāruṇāṃ devīṃ plāvayāmāsa vāriṇā || 41 ||
sarasvatyāruṇāyāśca puṇyo’yaṃ saṃgamo mahān|

The divine Sarasvati, repaired to the Aruna and overflowed it with her waters. This confluence of Sarasvati and Aruna is highly sacred!

इह त्वं यज देवेन्द्र दद दानान्यनेकशः ॥ ४२ ॥
अत्राप्लुत्य सुघोरात् त्वं पातकाद् विप्रमोक्ष्यसे ।

iha tvaṃ yaja devendra dada dānānyanekaśaḥ || 42 ||
atrāplutya sughorāt tvaṃ pātakād vipramokṣyase |

There, O king of gods performs a sacrifice. Distribute enough presents. Performing thy ablutions there, you shall be freed of your sin.’

इत्युक्तः स सरस्वत्याः कुञ्जे वै जनमेजय ॥ ४३॥
इष्ट्वा यथावद् बलभिदरुणायामुपस्पृशत् ।
स मुक्तः पाप्मना तेन ब्रह्मवध्याकृतेन च ॥ ४४ ॥
जगाम संहृष्टमनास्त्रिदिवं त्रिदशेश्वरः ।

ityuktaḥ sa sarasvatyāḥ kuñje vai janamejaya || 43||
iṣṭvā yathāvad balabhidaruṇāyāmupaspṛśat |
sa muktaḥ pāpmanā tena brahmavadhyākṛtena ca || 44 ||
jagāma saṃhṛṣṭamanāstridivaṃ tridaśeśvaraḥ |

Thus addressed, Indra, in the words of Brahman, O Janamejaya, performed various sacrifices in the abode of Sarasvati. Distributing many presents and bathing in that tirtha, he of a hundred sacrifices, the destroyer of Vala, duly performed certain sacrifices and then bathed in the Aruna. He became freed from the sin caused by Brahmanicide. The king of the celestial region then returned to heaven with a joyful heart.

शिरस्तच्चापि नमुचेस्तत्रैवाप्लुत्य भारत।
लोकान् कामदुघान् प्राप्तमक्षयान् राजसत्तम ॥४५॥

śirastaccāpi namucestatraivāplutya bhārata|
lokān kāmadughān prāptamakṣayān rājasattama ||45||

The head of Namuchi also dropped into that stream O Bharata and Asura gained many blessed regions, O best of kings, that granted ever wish."

वैशम्पायन उवाच
तत्राप्युपस्पृश्य बलो महात्मा दत्त्वा च दानानि पृथग्विधानि ।
अवाप्य धर्मं परमार्थकर्मा जगाम सोमस्य महत् सुतीर्थम्॥ ४६ ॥

vaiśampāyana uvāca
tatrāpyupaspṛśya balo mahātmā dattvā ca dānāni pṛthagvidhāni |
avāpya dharmaṃ paramārthakarmā jagāma somasya mahat sutīrtham|| 46 ||

Vaishampayana said

"The great Baladeva, having bathed in that tirtha and given away many kinds of gifts, acquired great virtue. Of righteous deeds, he then proceeded to the great tirtha of Soma.

यत्रायजद् राजसूयेन सोमः साक्षात् पुरा विधिवत् पार्थिवेन्द्रः ।
अत्रिर्धीमान् विप्रमुख्यो बभूव होता यस्मिन् क्रतुमुख्ये महात्मा ॥ ४७ ॥
यस्यान्तेऽभूत् सुमहद् दानवानां दैतेयानां राक्षसानां च देवैः ।
यस्मिन् युद्धं तारकाख्यं सुतीव्रं यत्र स्कन्दस्तारकाख्यं जघान ॥ ४८ ॥

yatrāyajad rājasūyena somaḥ sākṣāt purā vidhivat pārthivendraḥ |
atrirdhīmān vipramukhyo babhūva hotā yasmin kratumukhye mahātmā || 47 ||
yasyānte’bhūt sumahad dānavānāṃ daiteyānāṃ rākṣasānāṃ ca devaiḥ |
yasmin yuddhaṃ tārakākhyaṃ sutīvraṃ yatra skandastārakākhyaṃ jaghāna || 48 ||

There, formerly Soma himself, O emperor, had celebrated the Rajasuya sacrifice. The great Atri, that foremost of Brahmanas, endued with great intelligence, became the sacrificial priest in that grand sacrifice. Upon the termination of that sacrifice, a great battle took place between the gods and the Danavas, the Daityas, and the Rakshasas. That fierce battle is known after the name of the Asura Taraka. In that battle Skanda killed Taraka.

सैनापत्यं लब्धवान् देवतानां महासेनो यत्र दैत्यान्तकर्ता ।
साक्षाच्चैव न्यवसत् कार्तिकेयः सदा कुमारो यत्र स प्लक्षराजः ॥ ४९ ॥

saināpatyaṃ labdhavān devatānāṃ mahāseno yatra daityāntakartā |
sākṣāccaiva nyavasat kārtikeyaḥ sadā kumāro yatra sa plakṣarājaḥ || 49 ||

There, on the occasion, Mahasena, that destroyer of Daityas, became the generalissimo of the celestial forces. In that tirtha is a huge Ashvattha tree. Under its shade, Kartikeya, otherwise called Kumara, always lives in person."