Introduction
Sage Vishwamitra’s narration of Sagara’s legend is continued. Sagara’s sons dig out all the quarters of earth and when they enter northeast to find out the horse thief, there they find Sage Kapila, i.e., Vishnu in the semblance of a sage. When they wanted to attack that sage Kapila, he renders them to heaps of ashes by his yogic powers.
देवतानाम् वचः श्रुत्वा भगवान् वै पितामहः |
प्रत्युवाच सुसंत्रस्तान् कृतान्त बल मोहितान् || १-४०-१
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.1
“On hearing the words of gods, the esteemed Forefather Brahma spoke to them, who are very highly scared, and bewildered by the might of Sagara’s sons for they are effectuating the end of all beings.” Vishvamitra thus continued his narration. [1-40-1].
यस्य इयम् वसुधा कृत्स्ना वासुदेवस्य धीमतः|
महिषी माधवसय स एषा स एव भगवन् प्रभुः|| १-४०-२
कापिलम् रूपम् आस्थाय धारयत्य अनिशम् धराम् |
तस्य कोपाग्निना दग्धा भविष्यंति नृपात्मजा || १-४०-३
kaapilam ruupam aasthaaya dhaarayatya anisham dharaam |
tasya kopaagninaa dagdhaa bhaviShyaMti nR^ipaatmajaa || 1-40-3
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.2,1.40.3
” ‘To whom this Mother Earth belongs in all her entirety, he is that prescient Vasudeva, and she is also the consort of that Maadhava, and that Vishnu eternally props up Mother Earth. Hence, that reverential Vishnu donning the semblance of Sage Kapila will burn down the sons of emperor Sagara to ashes in a fire of fury. [1-40-2, 3]
The islands / continents on earth, dviipa-s, are ‘jambu- plaksha – shaalmali- kusha – kraunca – shaaka – puSkara. And they are the seven continents. Some say the earth is having nine continents, yet some others prefer eighteen. However entire globe bhuu devi belongs to Vishnu as she is his another consort.
पृथिव्याः च अपि निर्भेदो दृष्ट एव सनातनः |
सगरस्य च पुत्राणाम् विनाशो दीर्घ दर्शिनाम् ||१-४०-४
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.4
‘Even the complete cleavage of the earth, and the complete ruination of Sagara’s sons as well, are envisaged by the providentially farsighted ancients.” So said Brahma to gods. [1-40-4]
This is the cosmic routine. Every day of Brahma is one kalpa and in each kalpa Brahma starts to create the universe afresh. Though it is just like the bygone creation it is anew, but the presiding souls of each object of the universe will change. If one soul presides the Sun or the Moon in this era, in the next era they attain a higher step in the ladder of ‘snakes and ladders’ called vaikunTha paali and a soul-in-wait takes up the job of that Sun or Moon, just as good as the promotions of officials. In this cosmic destruction even the gods or godlike entities will be destroyed if they tend to cause unnecessary ruination to the living beings anena bahu praNi upadrava kaariNaam devaa api vadha upaayam abhiipsanti – daiva hataanaam ca teShaam avicaareNa naaso bhavatya eveti suucitam -dk This is the same even in the case of Indra. Vishnu in His Trivikrama incarnation blesses the demonic Emperor Bali with such Indra-hood in some era, when Bali’s sin is counted down, and when merit accrues.
पितामह वचः श्रुत्वा त्रयः त्रिंशत् अरिन्दमः |
देवाः परम संहृष्टाः पुनर् जग्मुर् यथा आगतम् || १-४०-५
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.5
“On hearing the words of the Forefather Brahma all the thirty three gods went away with utmost satisfaction, as they have came. [1-40-5]
The gods that have come to appeal to Brahma are said to be thirty-three in numbers. It is not that all the count of all the gods who have come. There are others besides the prominent groups of thirty-three god-groups. The thirty-three primary god-groups who have come here are aSTa vasu-s ‘eight Vasu gods’ ekaadasha rudraa-s ‘eleven Rudra gods’ ashvini dvaya twin brothers called ‘ashvini-gods,’ those that are mostly connected with the administration of earth.
सगरस्य च पुत्राणाम् प्रादुर् आसीत् महास्वनः |
पृथिव्याम् भिद्यमानायाम् निर्घात सम निःवनः || १-४०-६
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.6
“When the sons of Sagara are digging the earth then there emerged an unbearable noise similar to the crashing of a thunder. [1-40-6].
ततो भित्त्वा महीम् सर्वाम् कृत्वा च अपि प्रदक्षिणम् |
सहिताः सगराः सर्वे पितरम् वाक्यम् अब्रुवन् || १-४०-७
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.7
“Then on hollowing the entire earth, and on making trips around her without finding the horse, all of the sons of Sagara have come together and on going to their father they spoke these words to him. [1-40-7].
परिक्रांता मही सर्वा सत्त्ववन्तः च सूदिताः |
देव दानव रक्षांसि पिशाच उरग पन्नगाः || १-४०-८
न च पश्यामहे अश्वम् ते अश्व हर्तारम् एव च |
किम् करिष्याम भद्रम् ते बुद्धिः अत्र विचार्यताम् || १-४०-९
na ca pashyaamahe ashvam te ashva hartaaram eva ca |
kim kariShyaama bhadram te buddhiH atra vicaaryataam || 1-40-9
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.8,1.40.9
” ‘Entire earth is trekked and mighty beings like gods, demons, monsters, evil-spirits, fiends, serpents, naga-s are also eliminated, but we have not seen the ritual-horse or its stealer. What we have to do next. Let a thought be given in this matter. Let safeness betide you.’ So said those princes to their father Sagara. [1-40-8, 9].
तेषाम् तत् वचनम् श्रुत्वा पुत्राणाम् राज सत्तमः |
समन्युः अब्रवीत् वाक्यम् सगरो रघुनंदन || १-४०-१०
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.10
“On hearing that sentence of his sons, oh, Rama, descendent of Raghu, that exalted king Sagara infuriately spoke these words. [1-40-10].
भूयः खनत भद्रम् वो विभेद्य वसुधा तलम्
अश्व हर्तारम् आसाद्य कृतार्थाः च निवर्तत || १-४०-११
ashva hartaaram aasaadya kR^itaarthaaH ca nivartata || 1-40-11
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.11
” ‘Let the earth be dug further, may safety be with you, and verily splitting open the surface of the earth you catch hold of the thief of the horse, and on achieving your purpose you may return to me.’ In this way Sagara ordered his sons. [1-40-11].
पितुर् वचनम् आसाद्य सगरस्य महात्मनः |
षष्टिः पुत्र सहस्राणि रसातलम् अभिद्रवन् || १-४०-१२
ShaShTiH putra sahasraaNi rasaatalam abhidravan || 1-40-12
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.12
“On catching up the words of their father, the great-souled Sagara, his sixty thousand sons rushed towards the surface of the rasaa tala, the netherworld. [1-40-12]
The last but one mantle of the earth from its crust to its inner core, is called rasaa tala, in the seven-tier planes called, atala, vitala, sutala, talaatala, rasstala, paataala.. These are not hells.
खन्यमाने ततः तस्मिन् ददृशुः पर्वत उपमम् |
दिशा गजम् विरूपाक्षम् धारयंतम् महीतलम् || १-४०-१३
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.13
“While digging the earth there they beheld a mountain similar easterly elephant named Viruupaaksha, which is bearing the eastern side of earth’s surface on its head. [1-40-13].
स पर्वत वनाम् कृत्स्नाम् पृथिवीम् रघुनंदन |
धारयामास शिरसा विरूपाक्षो महागजः || १-४०-१४
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.14
“Oh, Rama, the legatee of Raghu, that great easterly elephant Viruupaaksha is bearing the entire eastern earth along with its mountains and forests on its head. [1-40-14].
यदा पर्वणि काकुत्स्थ विश्रमार्थम् महागजः |
खेदात् चालयते शीर्षम् भूमि कंपः तदा भवेत् || १-४०-१५
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.15
“On certain occasions, oh, Rama of Kakutstha, when that great-elephant moves its head desiring respite in tiresomeness then earthquakes will occur on earth. [1-40-15].
ते तम् प्रदक्षिणम् कृत्वा दिशा पालम् महागजम् |
मानयन्तो हि ते राम जग्मुर् भित्त्वा रसातलम् || १-४०-१६
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.16
“They circumambulated the great elephant in supplication, oh Rama, and on worshipping that elephant which is the protector of easterly direction they proceeded to netherworld duly splitting the earth. [1-40-16].
ततः पूर्वाम् दिशम् भित्त्वा दक्षिणाम् बिभिदुः पुनः |
दक्षिणस्याम् अपि दिशि ददृशुः ते महागजम् || १-४०-१७
महा पद्मम् महात्मानम् सुमहा पर्वतोपमम् |
शिरसा धारयंतम् गाम् विस्मयम् जग्मुर् उत्तमम् || १-४०-१८
mahaa padmam mahaatmaanam sumahaa parvatopamam |
shirasaa dhaarayaMtam gaam vismayam jagmur uttamam || 1-40-18
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.17,1.40.18
“After splitting the eastern direction then they split opened the southern direction, and even in southern direction they beheld an elephant that is similar to a very great mountain, and that is sustaining southerly side of earth on its head, and on seeing that mammoth elephant of venerable character, namely Mahapadma, they went into an inordinate astonishment. [1-40-17, 18].
ते तम् प्रदक्षिणम् कृत्वा सगरस्य महात्मनः |
षष्टिः पुत्र सहस्राणि पश्चिमाम् बिभिदुर् दिशम् || १-४०-१९
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.19
“On circumabulating that elephant Mahaapada in supplication, they the sixty thousand sons of great-souled Sagara scooped out the westerly direction. [1-40-19].
पश्चिमायाम् अपि दिशि महांतम् अचलोपमम् |
दिशा गजम् सौमनसम् ददृशुः ते महा बलाः || १-४०-२०
dishaa gajam saumanasam dadR^ishuH te mahaa balaaH || 1-40-20
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.20
“Even in the westerly direction those great mighty sons of Sagara beheld an infinite and mountain similar elephant of western direction, called Sumanasa. [1-40-20].
ते तम् प्रदक्षिणम् कृत्वा पृष्ट्वा च अपि निरामयम् |
खनंतः समुपक्रांता दिशम् सोमवतीम् तदा || १-४०-२१
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.21
“Circumabulating that elephant namely Sumanasa in western side, and even on asking about its well-being, then they reached the northern direction duly digging the earth. [1-40-21].
उत्तरस्याम् रघुश्रेष्ठ ददृशुर् हिम पाण्डुरम् |
भद्रम् भद्रेण वपुषा धारयंतम् महीम् इमाम् || १-४०-२२
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.22
“In the northern direction, oh, Rama, they beheld Bhadra, a snow-white elephant with an auspicious body bearing northern side of this earth. [1-40-22].
समालभ्य ततः सर्वे कृत्वा च एनम् प्रदक्षिणम् |
षष्टिः पुत्र सहस्राणि बिभिदुर् वसुधा तलम् || १-४०-२३
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.23
“On touching that elephant reverently and also circumambulating it, those sixty thousands sons of Sagara further burrowed to the surface of the earth. [1-40-23].
ततः प्राक् उत्तराम् गत्वा सागराः प्रथिताम् दिशम् |
रोषात् अभ्यखनन् सर्वे पृथिवीम् सगर आत्मजाः || १-४०-२४
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.24
“The sons of Sagara have then gone to the auspicious northeast direction, iishaana digbhaaga, Shiva sthaana, and all those sons of Sagara have tunnelled the earth rancorously. [1-40-24].
ते तु सर्वे महत्मानो भिमवेग महबलाः |
ददृशुः कपिलम् तत्र वासुदेवम् सनातनम् || १-४०-२५
हयम् च तस्य देवस्य चरन्तम् अविदूरतः |
प्रहर्षम् अतुलम् प्रप्तः सर्वे ते रघुनंदन || १-४०-२६
dadR^ishuH kapilam tatra vaasudevam sanaatanam || 1-40-25
hayam ca tasya devasya carantam aviduurataH |
praharSham atulam praptaH sarve te raghunaMdana || 1-40-26
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.25,1.40.26
“But all those great-souled and great-mighty ones with terrible dash have seen the Infinite Vasudeva in the form of sage Kapila there in the northeast, and oh, descendant of Raghu, they have also seen the ritual-horse moving nearby that sage Kapila, thus all of the sons of Sagara obtained a matchless delight. [1-40-25, 26].
ते तम् हय हरम् ज्ञात्वा क्रोध पर्याकुल ईक्षणाः |
खनित्र लांगला धर नाना वृक्ष शिला धराः || १-४०-२७
अभ्यधावन्त संक्रुद्धाः तिष्ठ तिष्ठ इति च अब्रुवन् |
abhyadhaavanta saMkruddhaaH tiShTha tiShTha iti ca abruvan |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.27,1.40.28a
“The eyes of the princes are agitated in fury in construing the sage Kapila as the stealer of ritual-horse, and they furiously dashed towards him wielding crowbars, ploughs, and various trees and boulders, and shouting at him, ‘stay, stay.’ [1-40-27, 28a].
अस्माकम् त्वम् हि तुरगम् यज्ञियम् हृतवान् असि || १-४०-२८
दुर्मेधः त्वम् हि संप्राप्तान् विद्धि नः सगरात्मजान् |
durmedhaH tvam hi saMpraaptaan viddhi naH sagaraatmajaan |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.28b,1.40.29a
“You the malicious one, you have indeed stolen our ritual-horse, and in fact, you should know that we who arrived here are the sons of Sagara.’ Thus Sagara’s sons shouted at sage Kapila. [1-40-28b, 29a].
श्रुत्वा तत् वचनम् तेषाम् कपिलो रघुनंदन || १-४०-२९
रोषेण महता आविष्टो हुम् कारम् अकरोत् तदा |
roSheNa mahataa aaviShTo hum kaaram akarot tadaa |
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.29b,1.40.30a
“On hearing their words, oh, Rama, the descendant of Raghu, then sage Kapila is beset with high wrath, and he boomed a ‘hum’ sound at them. [1-40-29b, 30a].
ततः तेन अप्रमेयेण कपिलेन महात्मना |
भस्म राशी कृताः सर्वे काकुत्स्थ सगरात्मजाः || १-४०-३०
bhasma raashii kR^itaaH sarve kaakutstha sagaraatmajaaH || 1-40-30
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 1.40.30b,1.40.30c
“Oh, Rama of Kakutstha, then that great-souled sage Kapila, rather Vishnu with unimaginable power, has rendered all of those sons of Sagara as heaps of ashes by virtue of his ‘hum’ sound.” Thus Sage Vishvamitra is narrating the legend of Sagara to Rama and others. [1-40-30b, c].
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