The story of Indra Tirtha (ch49)

CHAPTER 49
(Gadayuddha Parva)-Continued

The story of Indra Tirtha 

SYNOPSIS

The passage recounts a series of sacred pilgrimages and rituals performed by significant figures, highlighting the sanctity of various Tirthas (holy sites).

Vaishampayana narrates that Baladeva, a powerful Yadava leader, visited Indra-Tirtha, where Indra (Shakra) had performed a hundred horse sacrifices, earning the title Shatakratu. Indra’s sacrifices, guided by Brahmanas skilled in the Vedas, were performed on a grand scale, with immense wealth distributed.

Baladeva continued his pilgrimage to several holy sites, including:

• The Tirtha was named after Rama of Bhrigu’s lineage, who had vanquished Kshatriyas and offered the Earth as a sacrificial fee to his preceptor Kashyapa.

• The Yamuna Tirtha, where Varuna had performed the grand Rajasuya sacrifice after defeating celestial and earthly foes in battle.

• The Tirtha called Aditya, where the Sun God acquired dominion over all luminous bodies through his sacrifices.

At each site, Baladeva bathed, made offerings to Brahmanas, and honored ascetics and deities. The narrative also highlights significant events linked to these Tirthas, such as Vishnu’s triumph over the Asuras Madhu and Kaitabha and the attainment of extraordinary powers by sages like Vyasa and Asita-Deval through their penance and rituals.

The text emphasizes the sacredness of these Tirthas, their connection to divine acts, and their role in bestowing spiritual merit and powers.

CHAPTER 49

वैशम्पायन उवाच
इन्द्रतीर्थं ततो गत्वा यदूनां प्रवरो बलः ।
विप्रेभ्यो धनरत्नानि ददौ स्नात्वा यथाविधि ॥ | १ ||

vaiśampāyana uvāca
indratīrthaṃ tato gatvā yadūnāṃ pravaro balaḥ |
viprebhyo dhanaratnāni dadau snātvā yathāvidhi || | 1 ||

Vaishampayana said

"The powerful chief of the Yadus, having gone to Indra's Tirtha, bathed there according to due rites and distributed wealth and gems amongst the Brahmanas.

तत्र ह्यमरराजोऽसावीजे क्रतुशतेन च ।
बृहस्पतेश्च देवेशः प्रददौ विपुलं धनम् ॥ २ ॥

tatra hyamararājo’sāvīje kratuśatena ca |
bṛhaspateśca deveśaḥ pradadau vipulaṃ dhanam || 2 ||

There the chief of the celestials had performed hundreds of horse-sacrifices and given immense wealth to Brihaspati.

 
निरर्गलान् सजारूथ्यान् सर्वान् विविधदक्षिणान् ।
आजहार क्रतूंस्तत्र यथोक्तान् वेदपारगैः ॥ ३ ॥

nirargalān sajārūthyān sarvān vividhadakṣiṇān |
ājahāra kratūṃstatra yathoktān vedapāragaiḥ || 3 ||

Indeed, through the assistance of Brahmanas, who were conversant with the Vedas, Shakra performed all those sacrifices there, according to the rites sectioned by the scriptures. Those sacrifices were performed on a liberal scale. Horses of all breeds were brought there. The gifts to Brahmanas were immense.

तान् क्रतून् भरतश्रेष्ठ शतकृत्वो महाद्युतिः ।
पूरयामास विधिवत् ततः ख्यातः शतक्रतुः ॥ ४ ॥

tān kratūn bharataśreṣṭha śatakṛtvo mahādyutiḥ |
pūrayāmāsa vidhivat tataḥ khyātaḥ śatakratuḥ || 4 ||

Having duly completed those hundred sacrifices, O chief of the Bharatas, Shakra passed by the name of Shatakratu.

तस्य नाम्ना च तत् तीर्थं शिवं पुण्यं सनातनम् ।
इन्द्रतीर्थमिति ख्यातं सर्वपापप्रमोचनम् ॥ ५ ॥

tasya nāmnā ca tat tīrthaṃ śivaṃ puṇyaṃ sanātanam |
indratīrthamiti khyātaṃ sarvapāpapramocanam || 5 ||

That auspicious and sacred Tirtha, capable of dissipating every sin. came to be called after his name as Indra-Tirtha.

उपस्पृश्य च तत्रापि विधिवन्मुसलायुधः ।
ब्राह्मणान् पूजयित्वा च सदाच्छादनभोजनैः ॥ ६ ॥
शुभं तीर्थवरं तस्माद् रामतीर्थं जगाम ह ।

upaspṛśya ca tatrāpi vidhivanmusalāyudhaḥ |
brāhmaṇān pūjayitvā ca sadācchādanabhojanaiḥ || 6 ||
śubhaṃ tīrthavaraṃ tasmād rāmatīrthaṃ jagāma ha |

Having duly bathed there, Baladeva worshipped the Brahmanas with excellent food and raiment. He then went to that auspicious and foremost of Tirthas called after the name of Rama.

यत्र रामो महाभागो भार्गवः सुमहातपाः ॥ ७ ॥
असकृत् पृथिवीं जित्वा हतक्षत्रियपुङ्गवाम् ।

yatra rāmo mahābhāgo bhārgavaḥ sumahātapāḥ || 7 ||
asakṛt pṛthivīṃ jitvā hatakṣatriyapuṅgavām |

The highly blessed and ascetic Rama of Bhrigu's race repeatedly conquered the Earth and killed all the foremost Kshatriyas.

उपाध्यायं पुरस्कृत्य कश्यपं मुनिसत्तमम् ॥ ८ ॥
अयजद् वाजपेयेन सोऽश्वमेधशतेन च ।
प्रददौ दक्षिणां चैव पृथिवीं वै ससागराम् ॥ ९ ॥

upādhyāyaṃ puraskṛtya kaśyapaṃ munisattamam || 8 ||
ayajad vājapeyena so’śvamedhaśatena ca |
pradadau dakṣiṇāṃ caiva pṛthivīṃ vai sasāgarām || 9 ||

Then Rama performed in that Tirtha a Vajapeya sacrifice and a hundred horse sacrifices through the assistance of his preceptor Kashyapa. There, as the sacrificial fee, Rama gave to his preceptor the whole Earth with her oceans.

दत्त्वा च दानं विविधं नानारत्नसमन्वितम्।
सगोहस्तिकदासीकं साजावि गतवान् वनम् ॥ १० ॥

dattvā ca dānaṃ vividhaṃ nānāratnasamanvitam|
sagohastikadāsīkaṃ sājāvi gatavān vanam || 10 ||

The great Rama, having duly bathed there, made presents to the Brahmanas, O Janamejaya, and adored them. Having made diverse presents consisting of various kinds of gems, kine, elephants, female slaves, sheep, and goats, he then retired into the woods.

पुण्ये तीर्थवरे तत्र देवब्रह्मर्षिसेविते ।
मुनीश्चैवाभिवाद्याथ यमुनातीर्थमागमत् ॥ ११॥

puṇye tīrthavare tatra devabrahmarṣisevite |
munīścaivābhivādyātha yamunātīrthamāgamat || 11||

Having bathed in that sacred and foremost of Tirthas, which was the resort of gods and Rishis, Baladeva duly adored the ascetics there and then went to the Tirtha called Yamuna.

यत्रानयामास तदा राजसूयं महीपते ।
पुत्रोऽदितेर्महाभागो वरुणो वै सितप्रभः ।। १२ ।

yatrānayāmāsa tadā rājasūyaṃ mahīpate |
putro’ditermahābhāgo varuṇo vai sitaprabhaḥ || 12 |

The highly effulgent and blessed son of Aditi, Varuna, had in days of yore performed in that Tirtha the Rajasuya sacrifice, O king.

 
तत्र निर्जित्य संग्रामे मानुषान् देवतास्तथा ।
वरं क्रतुं समाज वरुणः परवीरहा ॥ १३ ॥
तस्मिन् क्रतुवरे वृत्ते संग्रामः समजायत ।
देवानां दानवानां च त्रैलोक्यस्य भयावहः ॥ १४ ॥

tatra nirjitya saṃgrāme mānuṣān devatāstathā |
varaṃ kratuṃ samāja varuṇaḥ paravīrahā || 13 ||
tasmin kratuvare vṛtte saṃgrāmaḥ samajāyata |
devānāṃ dānavānāṃ ca trailokyasya bhayāvahaḥ || 14 ||

Having subjugated both men and celestials in battle, Gandharvas and Rakshasas, Varuna, O king, that slayer of hostile heroes, celebrated his grand sacrifice in that Tirtha. Upon the commencement of that foremost of sacrifices, a battle took place between the gods and the Danavas, terrorizing the three worlds.

राजसूये क्रतुश्रेष्ठे निवृत्ते जनमेजय।
जायते सुमहाघोरः संग्रामः क्षत्रियान् प्रति ।। १५ ।

rājasūye kratuśreṣṭhe nivṛtte janamejaya|
jāyate sumahāghoraḥ saṃgrāmaḥ kṣatriyān prati || 15 |

After the termination of that foremost of sacrifices, viz., the Rajasuya (of Varuna), a terrible battle, O Janamejaya, ensued amongst the Kshatriyas.

तत्रापि लाङ्गली देव ऋषीनभ्यर्च्य पूजया ।
इतरेभ्योऽप्यदाद् दानमर्थिभ्यः कामदो विभुः ॥ १६ ॥

 
tatrāpi lāṅgalī deva ṛṣīnabhyarcya pūjayā |
itarebhyo’pyadād dānamarthibhyaḥ kāmado vibhuḥ || 16 ||

Having worshipped the Rishis there, the ever-liberal and powerful Baladeva, made many presents to those that desired them.

 
वनमाली ततो हृष्टः स्तूयमानो महर्षिभिः ।
तस्मादादित्यतीर्थं च जगाम कमलेक्षणः ॥ १७ ॥

vanamālī tato hṛṣṭaḥ stūyamāno maharṣibhiḥ |
tasmādādityatīrthaṃ ca jagāma kamalekṣaṇaḥ || 17 ||

Filled with joy and lauded by the great Rishis, Baladeva, that hero ever decked with garlands of wildflowers and possessed of eyes like lotus leaves, then went to the Tirtha called Aditya.

यत्रेष्ट्वा भगवाञ्ज्योतिर्भास्करो राजसत्तम ।
ज्योतिषामाधिपत्यं च प्रभावं चाभ्यपद्यत ॥ १८ ॥

yatreṣṭvā bhagavāñjyotirbhāskaro rājasattama |
jyotiṣāmādhipatyaṃ ca prabhāvaṃ cābhyapadyata || 18 ||

There, O best of kings, having performed a sacrifice, the worshipful and effulgent Sun, obtained the sovereignty of all luminous bodies (in the universe) and acquired also his great energy.

तस्या नद्यास्तु तीरे वै सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः ।
विश्वेदेवाः समरुतो गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्च ह ।
द्वैपायनः शुकश्चैव कृष्णश्च मधुसूदनः ।
यक्षाश्च राक्षसाश्चैव पिशाचाश्च विशाम्पते ॥ २० ॥
एते चान्ये च बहवो योगसिद्धाः सहस्रशः ।
तस्मिंस्तीर्थे सरस्वत्याः शिवे पुण्ये परंतप ॥ २१ ॥
तत्र हत्वा पुरा विष्णुरसुरौ मधुकैटभौ ।
आप्लुत्य भरतश्रेष्ठ तीर्थप्रवर उत्तमे ॥ २२ ॥

tasyā nadyāstu tīre vai sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ |
viśvedevāḥ samaruto gandharvāpsarasaśca ha |
dvaipāyanaḥ śukaścaiva kṛṣṇaśca madhusūdanaḥ |
yakṣāśca rākṣasāścaiva piśācāśca viśāmpate || 20 ||
ete cānye ca bahavo yogasiddhāḥ sahasraśaḥ |
tasmiṃstīrthe sarasvatyāḥ śive puṇye paraṃtapa || 21 ||
tatra hatvā purā viṣṇurasurau madhukaiṭabhau |
āplutya bharataśreṣṭha tīrthapravara uttame || 22 ||

There, in that Tirtha situated on the bank of that river, all the gods with Vasava at their head, the Vishvedevas, the Maruts, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, the Island-born Vyasa, Shuka, Krishna the slayer of Madhu, the Yakshas, the Rakshasas and the Pisachas, O king and various others. thousands in numbers, all crowned with ascetic success, always live. Indeed, in that auspicious and sacred Tirtha of the Sarasvati, Vishnu himself having in days of yore slain the Asuras, Madhu, and Kaitabha, had, O chief of the Bharatas, performed his ablutions.

द्वैपायनच धर्मात्मा तत्रैवाप्लुत्य भारत ।
सम्प्राप्य परमं योगं सिद्धिं च परमां गतः ॥ २३॥

dvaipāyanaca dharmātmā tatraivāplutya bhārata |
samprāpya paramaṃ yogaṃ siddhiṃ ca paramāṃ gataḥ || 23||

The Island-born Vyasa also, O Bharata, having bathed in that Tirtha, acquired great Yoga powers and Siddhi.

असितो देवलचैव तस्मिन्नेव महातपाः ।
परमं योगमास्थाय ऋषिर्योगमवाप्तवान् ॥ २४ ॥

asito devalacaiva tasminneva mahātapāḥ |
paramaṃ yogamāsthāya ṛṣiryogamavāptavān || 24 ||

Having bathed in that very Tirtha with a concentrated mind, the Rishi Asita-Deval also obtained great Yoga powers.

How Bharadvaja's Daughter Became the Wife of Indra (ch48)

 

MAHABHARATA

Shalya parva

CHAPTER 48
(Gadayuddha Parva ) – Continued

The story of Indra Tirtha

SYNOPSIS

The story narrates the tale of Shrutavati, the daughter of the sage Bharadvaja, born from a miraculous event involving the Apsara Ghritachi.

Renowned for her beauty and ascetic devotion, Shrutavati undertook severe penances to win the favor of Indra, the king of the celestials. Pleased with her devotion, Indra visited her hermitage, disguised as the sage Vashishtha. Upon meeting him, Shruvavati expressed her unwavering commitment to her ascetic vows aimed at winning Indra's favor. As a test of her devotion, Indra, disguised as a sage, instructed her to boil jujubes.

Despite obstacles, including the fire's extinguishing and the lack of fuel, Shrutavati demonstrated unwavering commitment, even burning her own limbs to complete the task. Acknowledging her dedication, Indra assured her that her penances would lead to the fulfillment of her desires, emphasizing that all achievements are rooted in penance. Impressed by her devotion, Indra appeared in his true form and granted her wish. He declared the site, later known as Vadarapachana, as a sacred Tirtha capable of cleansing sins.

Additionally, the story recounts the similar ascetic efforts of Arundhati, the wife of a sage, who won the favor of Lord Shiva through her penances during a twelve-year drought, also contributing to the sacredness of the site.

Shrutavati, after renouncing her body, became the celestial consort of Indra. The narrative highlights themes of devotion, perseverance, and the sanctification of sacred sites through ascetic practices and divine blessings.

वैशम्पायन उवाच
ततस्तीर्थवरं रामो ययौ बदरपाचनम् ।
तपस्विसिद्धचरितं यत्र कन्या घृतव्रता ॥१॥
भरद्वाजस्य दुहिता रूपेणाप्रतिमा भुवि ।
श्रुतावती नाम विभो कुमारी ब्रह्मचारिणी ॥ २ ॥

 
vaiśampāyana uvāca
tatastīrthavaraṃ rāmo yayau badarapācanam |
tapasvisiddhacaritaṃ yatra kanyā ghṛtavratā || 1 ||
bharadvājasya duhitā rūpeṇāpratimā bhuvi |
śrutāvatī nāma vibho kumārī brahmacāriṇī || 2 ||

Vaishampayana said

Rama then proceeded to the Tirtha called Vadarapachana where dwell many ascetics and Siddhas, there the daughter of Bharadvaja peerless on Earth for beauty, named Shruvavati, practiced severe austerities. She was a maiden who led the life of a Brahmacharini.

तपश्चचार साऽत्युग्रं नियमैर्बहुभिर्वृता ।
भर्ता मे देवराजः स्यादिति निश्चित्य भामिनी ॥ ३ ॥

tapaścacāra sā’tyugraṃ niyamairbahubhirvṛtā |
bhartā me devarājaḥ syāditi niścitya bhāminī || 3 ||

That beautiful damsel, observing various kinds of vows, practiced the austerest of penances, moved by the desire of obtaining the Lord of the celestials for her husband.

समास्तस्या व्यतिक्रान्ता बह्वयः कुरुकुलोद्वह ।
चरन्त्या नियमांस्तांस्तां स्त्रीभिस्तीव्रान् सुदुश्चरान् ॥४॥

 
samāstasyā vyatikrāntā bahvayaḥ kurukulodvaha |
carantyā niyamāṃstāṃstāṃ strībhistīvrān suduścarān || 4 ||

Many years passed away, O chief of Kuru's race, during which that damsel continually practiced those various kinds of exceedingly difficult for women to practice.

 
तस्यास्तु तेन वृत्तेन तपसा च विशाम्पते।
भक्त्या च भगवान् प्रीतः परया पाकशासनः ॥ ५ ॥

tasyāstu tena vṛttena tapasā ca viśāmpate|
bhaktyā ca bhagavān prītaḥ parayā pākaśāsanaḥ || 5 ||

The worshipful chastiser of Paka at last became pleased with her, for her penances and reverence shown to him.

आजगामाश्रमं तस्यास्त्रिदशाधिपतिः प्रभुः ।
आस्थाय रूपं विप्रर्षेर्वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः ॥ ६ ॥

ājagāmāśramaṃ tasyāstridaśādhipatiḥ prabhuḥ |
āsthāya rūpaṃ viprarṣervasiṣṭhasya mahātmanaḥ || 6 ||

The powerful Lord of the celestials then came to that hermitage, having assumed the form of the great Rishi Vashishtha.

सा तं दृष्ट्वाग्रतपसं वसिष्ठं तपतां वरम् ।
आचारैर्मुनिभिर्दृष्टैः पूजयामास भारत ॥ ७ ॥

sā taṃ dṛṣṭvāgratapasaṃ vasiṣṭhaṃ tapatāṃ varam |
ācārairmunibhirdṛṣṭaiḥ pūjayāmāsa bhārata || 7 ||

Seeing that best of ascetics, viz., Vashishtha, of the austerest penances, she adored him, O Bharata, according to the rites observed by ascetics.

उवाच नियमज्ञा च कल्याणी सा प्रियंवदा ।
भगवन् मुनिशार्दूल किमाज्ञापयसि प्रभो ॥ ८ ॥

uvāca niyamajñā ca kalyāṇī sā priyaṃvadā |
bhagavan muniśārdūla kimājñāpayasi prabho || 8 ||

Conversant with vows, the auspicious and sweet-speech damsel addressed him, saying - "O worshipful one, O foremost of ascetics, tell me your commands, O lord.

सर्वमद्य यथाशक्ति तव दास्यामि सुव्रत ।
शक्रभक्त्या च ते पाणिं न दास्यामि कथंचन । ९ ॥

sarvamadya yathāśakti tava dāsyāmi suvrata |
śakrabhaktyā ca te pāṇiṃ na dāsyāmi kathaṃcana || 9 ||

O you of excellent vows, I shall serve you, as much as I can. I will, however, not be able to marry you, for I seek Shakra.

व्रतैश्च नियमैश्चैव तपसा च तपोधन।
शक्रस्तोषयितव्यो वै मया त्रिभुवनेश्वरः ॥ १० ॥

vrataiśca niyamaiścaiva tapasā ca tapodhana |
śakrastoṣayitavyo vai mayā tribhuvaneśvaraḥ || 10 ||

I am propitiating Shakra, the lord of the three worlds, with vows and rigid observances and ascetic penances."

इत्युक्तो भगवान् देवः स्मयन्निव निरीक्ष्य ताम् ।
उवाच नियमं ज्ञात्वा सांत्वयन्निव भारत।। ११ ॥
उग्र तपश्चरसि वै विदिता मेऽसि सुव्रते ।
यदर्थमयमारम्भस्तव कल्याणि हृद्गतः ॥ १२ ॥

ityukto bhagavān devaḥ smayanniva nirīkṣya tām |
uvāca niyamaṃ jñātvā sāṃtvayanniva bhārata || 11 ||
ugra tapaścarasi vai viditā me’si suvrate |
yadarthamayamārambhastava kalyāṇi hṛdgataḥ || 12 ||

Thus addressed by her, the illustrious god, smiling as he looked at her and knowing her observances, addressed her sweetly, saying, "Your practices of penances are known to me, O you of excellent vows. The object cherished in your heart, for which you have been trying your best, O auspicious one, shall be accomplished. Everything is attained by penance. Everything depends on penances.

तच सर्वं यथाभूतं भविष्यति वरानने ।
तपसा लभ्यते सर्वं यथाभूतं भविष्यति ॥ १३ ॥
था स्थानानि दिव्यानि विबुधानां शुभानने ।
तपसा तानि प्राप्याणि तपोमूलं महत् सुखम् ॥ १४ ॥

taca sarvaṃ yathābhūtaṃ bhaviṣyati varānane |
tapasā labhyate sarvaṃ yathābhūtaṃ bhaviṣyati || 13 ||
thā sthānāni divyāni vibudhānāṃ śubhānane |
tapasā tāni prāpyāṇi tapomūlaṃ mahat sukham || 14 ||

All those sacred regions, O you beautiful damsel, that belong to the gods can be obtained by penances. Penances are the root of great happiness.

इति कृत्वा तपो घोरं देहं संन्यस्य मानवाः ।
देवत्वं यान्ति कल्याणि शृणुष्वैकं वचो मम ॥ १५ ॥

iti kṛtvā tapo ghoraṃ dehaṃ saṃnyasya mānavāḥ |
devatvaṃ yānti kalyāṇi śṛṇuṣvaikaṃ vaco mama || 15 ||

Those men who renounce their bodies after having practiced austere penances, obtain the status of gods, O auspicious one. Remember these words of mine.

पञ्च चैतानि सुभगे बदराणि शुभवते ।
पचेत्युक्त्वा तु भगवाञ्जगाम बलसूदनः ॥ १६ ॥
आमन्त्रयतां त कल्याणीं ततो जप्यं जजाप सः ।
तु अविदूरे ततस्तस्मादाश्रमात् तीर्थमुत्तमम् ॥ १७ ॥
इन्द्रतीर्थेति विख्यातं त्रिषु लोकेषु मानद ।

pañca caitāni subhage badarāṇi śubhavate |
pacetyuktvā tu bhagavāñjagāma balasūdanaḥ || 16 ||
āmantrayatāṃ ta kalyāṇīṃ tato japyaṃ jajāpa saḥ |
tu avidūre tatastasmādāśramāt tīrthamuttamam || 17 || 

indratīrtheti vikhyātaṃ triṣu lokeṣu mānada |

Do you now, O blessed damsel, boil these five jujubes, O you of excellent vows.' Having said these words, the worshipful slayer of Vala went away, taking leave, to recite mentally certain mantras at an excellent Tirtha not far from that hermitage. That Tirtha passed in the three worlds after the name of Indra, O giver of honors.

तस्या जिज्ञासनार्थं स भगवान् पाकशासनः ॥ १८ ॥
बरदाणामपचनं चकार विबुधाधिपः ।

tasyā jijñāsanārthaṃ sa bhagavān pākaśāsanaḥ || 18 ||
baradāṇāmapacanaṃ cakāra vibudhādhipaḥ |

Indeed, it was to test the damsel's devotion that the king of the celestials acted in that way to obstruct the boiling of the jujubes.

ततः प्रतप्ता सा राजन् वाग्यता विगतकुमा ॥ १९ ॥
तत्परा शुचिसंवीता पावके समधिश्रयत् ।

tataḥ prataptā sā rājan vāgyatā vigatakumā || 19 ||
tatparā śucisaṃvītā pāvake samadhiśrayat |

The damsel, O king, having purified himself, began her task; restraining speech and with fixed attention, she sat to her task, without experiencing the least fatigue.

अपचद् राजशार्दूल बदराणि महाव्रता ॥ २० ॥
तस्याः पतन्त्याः सुमहान् कालोऽगात् पुरुषर्षभ ।

apacad rājaśārdūla badarāṇi mahāvratā || 20 ||
tasyāḥ patantyāḥ sumahān kālo’gāt puruṣarṣabha |

Thus that damsel of high vows, O best of kings, began to boil those jujubes. As she sat employed in her work, O foremost of men, the day was almost gone, yet those jujubes showed no signs of softening.

न च स्म तान्यपच्यन्त दिनं च क्षयमभ्यगात् ॥ २१ ॥
हुताशनेन दग्धश्च यस्तस्याः काष्ठसंचयः ।

na ca sma tānyapacyanta dinaṃ ca kṣayamabhyagāt || 21 ||
hutāśanena dagdhaśca yastasyāḥ kāṣṭhasaṃcayaḥ |

The fuel she had there was all consumed. Seeing the fire about to extinguish owing to want of fuel, she began to burn her limbs.

 
अकाष्ठमग्नि सा दृष्ट्वा स्वशरीरमथादहत् ॥ २२ ॥
पादौ प्रक्षिप्य सा पूर्वं पावके चारुदर्शना ।
दग्धौ दग्धौ पुनः पादावुपावर्तयतानघ ॥ २३ ॥

akāṣṭhamagni sā dṛṣṭvā svaśarīramathādahat || 22 ||
pādau prakṣipya sā pūrvaṃ pāvake cārudarśanā |
dagdhau dagdhau punaḥ pādāvupāvartayatānagha || 23 ||

The beautiful maiden first dropped her feet into the fire. The innocent damsel sat still while her feet began to be consumed.

चरणौ दह्यमानौ च नाचिन्तयदनिन्दिता ।
कुर्वाणा दुष्करं कर्म महर्षिप्रियकाम्यया ॥ २४ ॥

caraṇau dahyamānau ca nācintayadaninditā |
kurvāṇā duṣkaraṃ karma maharṣipriyakāmyayā || 24 ||

The beautiful girl did not at all mind her burning feet. Though it was hard work, she did it out of the desire to do good to Rishi who had been her guest.

न वैमनस्यं तस्यास्तु मुखभेदोऽथवाभवत्।
शरीरमग्निनादीप्य जलमध्येऽव वहर्षिता ॥ २५ ॥

na vaimanasyaṃ tasyāstu mukhabhedo’thavābhavat|
śarīramagninādīpya jalamadhye’va vaharṣitā || 25 ||

Her face did not change its color under its agony, nor did she feel sorrow for it. Having thrust her limbs into the fire, she felt as much joy as if she had put them into cool water.

तच्चास्या वचनं नित्यमवर्तद्वृदि भारत ।
सर्वथा बदराण्येव पक्तव्यानीति कन्यका ॥ २६ ॥

taccāsyā vacanaṃ nityamavartadvṛdi bhārata |
sarvathā badarāṇyeva paktavyānīti kanyakā || 26 ||

The words of the Rishi, viz. -Cook these jujubes well were remembered by her, O Bharata.

सा तन्मनसि कृत्वैव महर्षेर्वचनं शुभा ।

अपचद् वदराण्येव न चापच्यन्त भारत ॥ २७ ॥

sā tanmanasi kṛtvaiva maharṣervacanaṃ śubhā |
apacad vadarāṇyeva na cāpacyanta bhārata || 27 ||

The auspicious damsel, recollecting those words of the great Rishi, began to cook those jujubes although the latter, O king, showed no signs of softening.

तस्यास्तु चरणौ वह्निर्ददाह भगवान् स्वयम् ।
न च तस्या मनो दुःखं स्वल्पमप्यभवत् तदा ॥ २८ ॥

 
tasyāstu caraṇau vahnirdadāha bhagavān svayam |
na ca tasyā mano duḥkhaṃ svalpamapyabhavat tadā || 28 ||

The worshipful Agni himself consumed her feet. For this, however, the maiden did not feel the slightest pain.

अथ तत् कर्म दृष्ट्वास्याः प्रीतिस्त्रिभुवनेश्वरः ।
ततः संदर्शयामास कन्यायै रूपमात्मनः ॥ २९ ॥

 
atha tat karma dṛṣṭvāsyāḥ prītistribhuvaneśvaraḥ |
tataḥ saṃdarśayāmāsa kanyāyai rūpamātmanaḥ || 29 ||

Beholding this act of her, the lord of the three worlds, became highly pleased. He then appeared in his own proper form before the damsel.

उवाच च सुरश्रेष्ठस्तां कन्यां सुदृढव्रताम् ।
प्रीतोऽस्मि ते शुभे भक्त्या तपसा नियमेन च ॥ ३० ॥

uvāca ca suraśreṣṭhastāṃ kanyāṃ sudṛḍhavratām |
prīto’smi te śubhe bhaktyā tapasā niyamena ca || 30 ||

The king of the celestials then addressed that maiden of very austere vows, saying - "I am pleased with your devotion, penances, and vows.

तस्माद् योऽभिमतः कामः स ते सम्पत्स्यते शुभे ।
देहं त्यक्त्वा महाभागे त्रिदिवे मयि वत्स्यसि ॥ ३१ ॥

tasmād yo’bhimataḥ kāmaḥ sa te sampatsyate śubhe |
dehaṃ tyaktvā mahābhāge tridive mayi vatsyasi || 31 ||

Your wish, therefore, O auspicious one, shall be accomplished. Renouncing body, O blessed one, you shall in heaven live with me.

 
इदं च ते तीर्थवरं स्थिरं लोके भविष्यति ।
सर्वपापापहं सुभ्रु नाम्ना बदरपाचनम् ॥ ३२ ॥
विख्यातं त्रिषु लोकेषु ब्रह्मर्षिभिरभिप्लुतम्।

idaṃ ca te tīrthavaraṃ sthiraṃ loke bhaviṣyati |
sarvapāpāpahaṃ subhru nāmnā badarapācanam || 32 ||
vikhyātaṃ triṣu lokeṣu brahmarṣibhirabhiplutam |

This hermitage, again, shall become the foremost of Tirthas in the world, capable of cleansing from every sin. O you of the fair eyebrows and shall pass by the name of Vadarapachana. It shall be celebrated in the three worlds and shall be lauded by great Rishis.

अस्मिन् खलु महाभागे शुभे तीर्थवरेऽनघे ॥ ३३ ॥
त्यक्त्वा सप्तर्षयो जग्मुर्हिमवन्तमरुन्धतीम् ।

asmin khalu mahābhāge śubhe tīrthavare’naghe || 33 ||
tyaktvā saptarṣayo jagmurhimavantamarundhatīm |

In this very Tirtha, O auspicious, sinless, and highly blessed one, the seven Rishis had once left Arundhati (the wife of one of them) while they went to Himavat.

ततस्ते वै महाभागा गत्वा तत्र सुसंशिताः ॥ ३४ ॥
वृत्त्यर्थं फलमूलानि समाहर्तुं ययुः किल ।

tataste vai mahābhāgā gatvā tatra susaṃśitāḥ || 34 ||
vṛttyarthaṃ phalamūlāni samāhartuṃ yayuḥ kila |

Those regenerate ones, of very rigid vows, had gone there to collect fruits and roots for their sustenance.

तेषां वृत्यर्थिना तत्र वसतां हिमवद्वने ॥ ३५ ॥

अनावृष्टिरनुप्राप्ता तदा द्वादशवार्षिकी ।

teṣāṃ vṛtyarthinā tatra vasatāṃ himavadvane || 35 ||
anāvṛṣṭiranuprāptā tadā dvādaśavārṣikī |

While they thus lived in a forest of Himavat to procure their food, a drought took place extending for twelve years.

ते 'कृत्वा चाश्रमं तत्र न्यवसन्त तपस्विनः ॥ ३६ ॥
अरुन्धत्यपि कल्याणी तपोनित्याभवत् तदा ।

te 'kṛtvā cāśramaṃ tatra nyavasanta tapasvinaḥ || 36 ||
arundhatyapi kalyāṇī taponityābhavat tadā |

Those ascetics, having made a hermitage for themselves, continued to live there. Meanwhile, Arundhati devoted herself to ascetic penances.

अरुन्धतीं ततो दृष्ट्वा तीव्रं नियममास्थिताम् ॥३७॥
अथागमत् त्रिनयनः सुप्रीतो वरदस्तदा ।

arundhatīṃ tato dṛṣṭvā tīvraṃ niyamamāsthitām || 37 ||
athāgamat trinayanaḥ suprīto varadastadā |

Beholding Arundhati practicing the austerest of vows, the boon-giving and three-eyed deity Mahadeva, highly gratified, came there.

ब्राह्मं रूपं ततः कृत्वा महादेवो महायशाः ॥ ३८ ॥
तामभ्येत्याब्रवीद् देवो भिक्षामिच्छाम्यहं शुभे ।

brāhmaṃ rūpaṃ tataḥ kṛtvā mahādevo mahāyaśāḥ || 38 ||
tāmabhyetyābravīd devo bhikṣāmicchāmyahaṃ śubhe |

Assuming the form of a Brahmana, the illustrious Mahadeva, came to her and said -I desire almas, O auspicious one!

प्रत्युवाच ततः सा तं ब्राह्मणं चारुदर्शना ॥ ३९ ॥
श्रीणाऽत्रसंचयो विप्र बदराणीह भक्षय ।

pratyuvāca tataḥ sā taṃ brāhmaṇaṃ cārudarśanā || 39 ||
śrīṇā’trasaṃcayo vipra badarāṇīha bhakṣaya |

The beautiful Arundhati said to him -Our food has been exhausted, O Brahmana. Do you eat jujubes?

ततोऽब्रवीन्महादेवः पचस्वैतानि सुव्रते ॥ ४० ॥
इत्युक्ता साऽपचत् तानि ब्राह्मणप्रियकाम्यया ।

tato’bravīnmahādevaḥ pacasvaitāni suvrate || 40 ||
ityuktā sā’pacat tāni brāhmaṇapriyakāmyayā |

Mahadeva replied -Cook these jujubes, O you of excellent vows. After these words, she began to cook those jujubes to please that Brahmana.

अधिश्रित्य समिद्धेऽग्नौ बदराणि यशस्विनी ॥ ४१ ॥
दिव्या मनोरमाः पुण्याः कथाः शुश्राव सा तदा ।
अतीता सा त्वनावृष्टिर्घोरा द्वादशवार्षिकी ॥ ४२ ॥

adhiśritya samiddhe’gnau badarāṇi yaśasvinī || 41 ||
divyā manoramāḥ puṇyāḥ kathāḥ śuśrāva sā tadā |
atītā sā tvanāvṛṣṭirghorā dvādaśavārṣikī || 42 ||

Placing those jujubes on the fire, the celebrated Arundhati listened to various excellent sounds, and sacred discourses (from the lips of Mahadeva). That twelve years, drought then passed away.

अनश्नन्त्याः पचन्त्याश्च शृण्वन्त्याश्च कथाः शुभाः ।
दिनोपमः स तस्याथ कालोऽतीतः सुदारुणः ॥ ४३ ॥

anaśnantyāḥ pacantyāśca śṛṇvantyāśca kathāḥ śubhāḥ |
dinopamaḥ sa tasyātha kālo’tītaḥ sudāruṇaḥ || 43 ||

Without food and employed in cooking and listening to those sacred topics, that terrible period passed away as if like a single day.

 
ततस्तु मुनयः प्राप्ताः फलान्यादाय पर्वतात् ।
ततः स भगवान् प्रीतः प्रोवाचारुन्धतीं ततः ॥ ४४ ॥
उपसर्गस्व धर्मज्ञे यथापूर्वमिमानृषीन् ।
प्रीतोऽस्मि तव धर्मज्ञे तपसा नियमेन त ॥ ४५ ॥

tatastu munayaḥ prāptāḥ phalānyādāya parvatāt |
tataḥ sa bhagavān prītaḥ provācārundhatīṃ tataḥ || 44 ||
upasargasva dharmajñe yathāpūrvamimānṛṣīn |
prīto’smi tava dharmajñe tapasā niyamena ta || 45 ||

Having collected fruits from the mountain, the seven Rishis returned there. The wonderful Mahadeva, highly pleased with Arundhati, said to her -Approach, as formerly, these Rishis, O righteous one! I have been satisfied with your penances and vows.

ततः संदर्शयामास स्वरूपं भगवान् हरः ।
ततोऽब्रवीत् तदा तेभ्यस्तस्याश्च चरितं महत् ॥ ४६॥

tataḥ saṃdarśayāmāsa svarūpaṃ bhagavān haraḥ |
tato’bravīt tadā tebhyastasyāśca caritaṃ mahat || 46 ||

The adorable Hara appeared there in his own form. Pleased, he spoke to them about the noble conduct of Arundhati (in these words).

 
भवद्भिर्हिमवत्पृष्ठे यत् तपः समुपार्जितम् ।
अस्याश्च यत् तपो विप्रा न समं तन्मतं मम ॥ ४७॥

bhavadbhirhimavatpṛṣṭhe yat tapaḥ samupārjitam |
asyāśca yat tapo viprā na samaṃ tanmataṃ mama || 47 ||

The ascetic merit, you Rishis, that this lady has acquired, is, I think, much greater than what you have earned on the breast of Himavat!

अनया हि तपस्विन्या तपस्तप्तं सुदुश्चरम् ।
अनश्नन्या पचन्त्या च समा द्वादश पारिताः ॥ ४८ ॥

 
anayā hi tapasvinyā tapastaptaṃ suduścaram |
anaśnanyā pacantyā ca samā dvādaśa pāritāḥ || 48 ||

The penances practiced by this lady have been highly austere, for she passed twelve years in cooking, herself fasting all the time.

ततः प्रोवाच भगवांस्तामेवारुन्धतीं पुनः ।
वरं वृणीष्व कल्याणि यत् तेऽभिलषितं हृदि ॥ ४९ ॥

tataḥ provāca bhagavāṃstāmevārundhatīṃ punaḥ |
varaṃ vṛṇīṣva kalyāṇi yat te’bhilaṣitaṃ hṛdi || 49 ||

Then, addressing Arundhati, Mahadeva said, Pray for any boon, O auspicious dame, you like.

साऽब्रवीत् पृथुताम्राक्षी देवं सप्तर्षिसंसदि ।
भगवान् यदि मे प्रीतस्तीर्थं स्यादिदमद्भुतम्॥५०॥
सिद्धदेवर्षिदयितं नाम्ना वरदपाचनम् ।
तथास्मिन् देवदेवेश त्रिरात्रमुषितः शुचिः ॥ ५१ ॥

sā’bravīt pṛthutāmrākṣī devaṃ saptarṣisaṃsadi |
bhagavān yadi me prītastīrthaṃ syādidamadbhutam || 50 || 

siddhadevarṣidayitaṃ nāmnā varadapācanam |
tathāsmin devadeveśa trirātramuṣitaḥ śuciḥ || 51 ||

Then that lady of large and red eyes addressed that god amid the seven Rishis, saying -If, O divine one, you are pleased with me, then let this place be an excellent Tirtha. Let it be known by the name of Vadarapachana and let it be the favorite resort of Siddhas and celestial Rishis!

प्राप्नुयादुपवासेन फलं द्वादशवार्षिकम् ।
एवमस्त्विति तां देवः प्रत्युवाच तपस्विनीम्॥ ५२ ॥

prāpnuyādupavāsena phalaṃ dvādaśavārṣikam |
evamastviti tāṃ devaḥ pratyuvāca tapasvinīm || 52 ||

May he, O god of gods, who observes a fast here and lives for three nights after having purified himself, obtain the fruit of a twelve-year fast.

सप्तर्षिभिः स्तुतो देवस्ततो लोकं ययौ तदा ।
ऋषयो विस्मयं जग्मुस्तां दृष्ट्वा चाप्यरुन्धतीम् ॥ ५३ ॥

saptarṣibhiḥ stuto devastato lokaṃ yayau tadā |
ṛṣayo vismayaṃ jagmustāṃ dṛṣṭvā cāpyarundhatīm || 53 ||

The gods answered her, saying -Let it be so. Lauded by the seven Rishis, the god then went to heaven.

अश्रान्तां चाविवर्णां च क्षुत्पिपासासमायुताम् ।
एवं सिद्धिः परा प्राप्ता अरुन्धत्या विशुद्धया ॥ ५४ ॥

aśrāntāṃ cāvivarṇāṃ ca kṣutpipāsāsamāyutām |
evaṃ siddhiḥ parā prāptā arundhatyā viśuddhayā || 54 ||

Indeed, the Rishis have been stricken with wonder on seeing the god and the chaste Arundhati herself as hale and hearty and capable of bearing hunger and thirst.

यथा त्वया महाभागे मदर्थं संशितव्रते ।
विशेषो हि त्वया भद्रे व्रते ह्यस्मिन् समर्पितः ॥ ५५ ॥

yathā tvayā mahābhāge madarthaṃ saṃśitavrate |
viśeṣo hi tvayā bhadre vrate hyasmin samarpitaḥ || 55 ||

Thus the pure-souled Arundhati, formerly, obtained the highest success, like you, O highly blessed lady, for my sake, O damsel of rigid Vows!

तथा चेदं ददाम्यद्य नियमेन सुतोषितः ।
विशेषं तव कल्याणि प्रयच्छामि वरं वरे ॥ ५६ ॥

अरुन्धत्या वरस्तस्या यो दत्तो वै महात्मना ।

तस्य चाहं प्रभावेण तव कल्याणि तेजसा ॥ ५७॥
प्रवक्ष्यामि परं भूयो वरमत्र यथाविधि ।
यस्त्वेकां रजनीं तीर्थे वत्स्यते सुसमाहितः ॥ ५८ ॥
स स्नात्वा प्राप्स्यते लोकान् देहन्यासात् सुदुर्लभान्।

tathā cedaṃ dadāmyadya niyamena sutoṣitaḥ |
viśeṣaṃ tava kalyāṇi prayacchāmi varaṃ vare || 56 ||
arundhatyā varastasyā yo datto vai mahātmanā |
tasya cāhaṃ prabhāveṇa tava kalyāṇi tejasā || 57 ||
pravakṣyāmi paraṃ bhūyo varamatra yathāvidhi |
yastvekāṃ rajanīṃ tīrthe vatsyate susamāhitaḥ || 58 ||
sa snātvā prāpsyate lokān dehanyāsāt sudurlabhān |

O amiable maiden, you have practiced severer penances. Gratified with your vows, I shall also grant you this special boon, O auspicious one, a boon that is superior to what was granted to Arundhati. Through the power of the great god who had granted that boon to Arundhati and through your own energy, O amiable one, I shall duly grant you another boon now, viz., that the person who will live in this Tirtha for only one night and bathe here with his mind concentrated, will, after renouncing his body, obtain many blissful regions that are difficult of acquisition.

 
इत्युक्त्वा भगवान् देवः सहस्राक्षः प्रतापवान् ॥ ५९ ॥
श्रुतावतीं ततः पुण्यां जगाम त्रिदिवं पुनः ।

ityuktvā bhagavān devaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ pratāpavān || 59 ||
śrutāvatīṃ tataḥ puṇyāṃ jagāma tridivaṃ punaḥ |

Having said these words of the pure Shrutavati, the thousand-eyed Shakra then went back to heaven.

गते वज्रधरे राजंस्तत्र वर्षं पपात ह ॥ ६० ॥
पुष्पाणां भरतश्रेष्ठ दिव्यानां पुण्यगन्धिनाम् ।

gate vajradhare rājaṃstatra varṣaṃ papāta ha || 60 ||
puṣpāṇāṃ bharataśreṣṭha divyānāṃ puṇyagandhinām |

After the wielder of the thunderbolt, O king, had gone, a shower of celestial flowers of sweet fragrance fell there, O Bharata's chief.

 
देवदुन्दुभयश्चापि नेदुस्तत्र महास्वनाः ।। ६१ ।।
मारुतश्च ववौ पुण्यः पुण्यगन्धो विशाम्पते ।

devadundubhayaścāpi nedustatra mahāsvanāḥ || 61 ||
mārutaśca vavau puṇyaḥ puṇyagandho viśāmpate |

Celestial kettle drums also, of loud sound, were beat there. Auspicious and perfumed breezes also blew there, O king.

उत्सृज्य तु शुभा देहं जगामास्य च भार्यताम् ॥ ६२ ॥
तपसोग्रेण तं लब्ध्वा तेन रेमे सहाच्युत ।

utsṛjya tu śubhā dehaṃ jagāmāsya ca bhāryatām || 62 ||
tapasogreṇa taṃ labdhvā tena reme sahācyuta |

The auspicious Shrutavati then renouncing her body, became the wife of Indra. Obtaining that dignity through austere penances, she began to pass her time, sporting with him."

जनमेजय उवाच
का तस्या भगवन् माता क्व संवृद्धा च शोभना ।
श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यहं विप्र परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥ ६३ ॥

janamejaya uvāca
kā tasyā bhagavan mātā kva saṃvṛddhā ca śobhanā |
śrotumicchāmyahaṃ vipra paraṃ kautūhalaṃ hi me || 63 ||

Janamejaya said

"Who was the mother of Shrutavati and how was that fair damsel brought up? I desire to hear this, O Brahmana, for great is my curiosity.”

वैशम्पायन उवाच
भरद्वाजस्य विप्रर्षे: स्कन्नं रेतो महात्मनः ॥ ६४॥
दृष्ट्वाऽप्सरसभायान्तीं घृताचीं पृथुलोचनाम् ।

 
vaiśampāyana uvāca
bharadvājasya viprarṣe: skannaṃ reto mahātmanaḥ || 64 ||
dṛṣṭvā’psarasabhāyāntīṃ ghṛtācīṃ pṛthulocanām |

Vaishampayana said

"The vital seed of the great Rishi Bharadvaja fell upon beholding the large-eyed Apsara Ghritachi as the latter was passing by at one time.

स तु जग्राह तद्रेतः करेण जपतां वरः ॥ ६५ ॥
तदाऽपतत् पर्णपुटे तत्र सा समभवत् सुता ।

sa tu jagrāha tadretaḥ kareṇa japatāṃ varaḥ || 65 ||
tadā’patat parṇapuṭe tatra sā samabhavat sutā |

That foremost of ascetics thereupon held it in his hand. It was then kept in a cup made of the leaves of a tree. In that cup was born the girl Shruvavati.

तस्यास्तु जातकर्मादि कृत्वा सर्वं तपोधनः ।। ६६ ॥
नाम चास्याः स कृतवान् भरद्वाजो महामुनिः ।

tasyāstu jātakarmādi kṛtvā sarvaṃ tapodhanaḥ || 66 ||
nāma cāsyāḥ sa kṛtavān bharadvājo mahāmuniḥ |

Having performed the usual birth rites, the great ascetic Bharadvaja, gave her a name.

 
श्रुतावतीति धर्मात्मा देवर्षिगणसंसदि ।

स्वे च तामाश्रमे न्यस्य जगाम हिमवद्वनम् ॥ ६७॥

śrutāvatīti dharmātmā devarṣigaṇasaṃsadi |
sve ca tāmāśrame nyasya jagāma himavadvanam || 67 ||

The name the pious Rishi gave her in the presence of the gods and Rishis was Shruvavati. Leaving the girl in his hermitage, Bharadvaja went to the forest of Himavat.

 
तत्राप्युपस्पृश्य महानुभावो
वसूनि दत्त्वा च महाद्विजेभ्यः ।
जगाम तीर्थं सुसमाहितात्मा
शक्रस्य वृष्णिप्रवरस्तदानीम् ॥ ६८ ॥

tatrāpyupaspṛśya mahānubhāvo
vasūni dattvā ca mahādvijebhyaḥ |
jagāma tīrthaṃ susamāhitātmā
śakrasya vṛṣṇipravarastadānīm || 68 ||

That best of the Yadus, the heroic Baladeva, of great dignity, having bathed in that Tirtha and distributed much wealth amongst the Brahmanas, then went with a concentrated mind to the Tirtha of Shakra.'

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."

Indra mantras

Indra gayatri mantra

ॐ सहस्रनेत्राय विद्महे 
वज्रास्त्राय धीमहि 
तन्नो इन्द्रः प्रचोदयात्॥

oṃ sahasranetrāya vidmahe 
vajrāstrāya dhīmahi 
tanno indraḥ pracodayāt

 

Sahasranetraaya Vidmahe: We meditate upon the one with a thousand eyes.

This refers to Indra, symbolizing his omnipresent vision and vigilance over the cosmos.
Vajraastraaya Dhimahi: We focus our mind on the wielder of the Vajra (thunderbolt). 

The Vajra is Indra’s divine weapon, representing strength, power, and destruction of ignorance and evil.
Tanno Indrah Prachodayat: May that Lord Indra inspire and guide us.

It is a plea for divine guidance, courage, and strength.