देवतानां वचः श्रुत्वा भगवान्वै पितामहः | प्रत्युवाच सुसंत्रस्तान् कृतान्तबलमोहितान् || १-४०-१
devataanaam vacaH shrutvaa bhagavaan vai pitaamahaH | pratyuvaaca susaMtrastaan kR^itaanta bala mohitaan || 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]
यस्येयं वसुधा कृत्स्ना वासुदेवस्य धीमतः| महिषी माधवस्यैषा स एव भगवान् प्रभुः|| १-४०-२ कापिलं रूपमास्थाय धारयत्यनिशं धराम् | तस्य कोपाग्निना दग्धा भविष्यन्ति नृपात्मजाः || १-४०-३
yasya iyam vasudhaa kR^itsnaa vaasudevasya dhiimataH| mahiShii maadhavasaya sa eShaa sa eva bhagavan prabhuH|| 1-40-2 kaapilam ruupam aasthaaya dhaarayatya anisham dharaam | tasya kopaagninaa dagdhaa bhaviShyaMti nR^ipaatmajaa || 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]
पृथिव्याश्चापि निर्भेदो दृष्ट एव सनातनः | सगरस्य च पुत्राणां विनाशो दीर्घदर्शिनाम् ||१-४०-४
pitaamaha vacaH shrutvaa trayaH triMshat arindamaH | devaaH parama saMhR^iShTaaH punar jagmur yathaa aagatam || 1-40-5
'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]
पितामह वचः श्रुत्वा त्रयस्त्रिंशदरिन्दम | देवाः परमसंहृष्टाः पुनर्जग्मुर्यथागतम् || १-४०-५
sagarasya ca putraaNaam praadur aasiit mahaasvanaH | pR^ithivyaam bhidyamaanaayaam nirghaata sama niHvanaH || 1-40-6
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]
सगरस्य च पुत्राणां प्रादुरासीन्महास्वनः | पृथिव्यां भिद्यमानायां निर्घातसमनिःस्वनः || १-४०-६
tato bhittvaa mahiim sarvaam kR^itvaa ca api pradakShiNam | sahitaaH sagaraaH sarve pitaram vaakyam abruvan || 1-40-7
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 महीं सर्वां कृत्वा चापि प्रदक्षिणम् | सहिताः सगराः सर्वे पितरं वाक्यमब्रुवन् || १-४०-७
parikraaMtaa mahii sarvaa sattvavantaH ca suuditaaH | deva daanava rakShaaMsi pishaaca uraga pannagaaH || 1-40-8 na ca pashyaamahe ashvam te ashva hartaaram eva ca | kim kariShyaama bhadram te buddhiH atra vicaaryataam || 1-40-9
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 सत्त्ववन्तश्च सूदिताः | देवदानवरक्षांसि पिशाचोरगपन्नगाः || १-४०-८ न च पश्यामहेऽश्वं तमश्वहर्तारमेव च | किं करिष्याम भद्रं ते बुद्धिरत्र विचार्यताम् || १-४०-९
teShaam tat vacanam shrutvaa putraaNaam raaja sattamaH | samanyuH abraviit vaakyam sagaro raghunaMdana || 1-40-10
'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]
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पुत्राणां राजसत्तमः | समन्युरब्रवीद्वाक्यं सगरो रघुनंदन || १-४०-१०
pitur vacanam aasaadya sagarasya mahaatmanaH | ShaShTiH putra sahasraaNi rasaatalam abhidravan || 1-40-12
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 भद्रं वो विभेद्य वसुधातलम् अश्वहर्तारमासाद्य कृतार्थाश्च निवर्तत || १-४०-११
khanyamaane tataH tasmin dadR^ishuH parvata upamam | dishaa gajam viruupaakSham dhaarayaMtam mahiitalam || 1-40-13
'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]
पितुर्वचनमासाद्य सगरस्य महात्मनः | षष्टिः पुत्रसहस्राणि रसातलमभिद्रवन् || १-४०-१२
sa parvata vanaam kR^itsnaam pR^ithiviim raghunaMdana | dhaarayaamaasa shirasaa viruupaakSho mahaagajaH || 1-40-14
On catching up the words of their father, the great-souled Sagara, his sixty thousand sons rushed towards the surface of the rasaatala, the netherworld. [1-40-12]
खन्यमाने ततस्तस्मिन् ददृशुः पर्वतोपमम् | दिशागजं विरूपाक्षं धारयन्तं महीतलम् || १-४०-१३
yadaa parvaNi kaakutstha vishramaartham mahaagajaH | khedaat caalayate shiirSham bhuumi kaMpaH tadaa bhavet || 1-40-15
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]
सपर्वतवनां कृत्स्नां पृथिवीं रघुनंदन | धारयामास शिरसा विरूपाक्षो महागजः || १-४०-१४
te tam pradakShiNam kR^itvaa dishaa paalam mahaagajam | maanayanto hi te raama jagmur bhittvaa rasaatalam || 1-40-16
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 विश्रमार्थं महागजः | खेदाच्चालयते शीर्षं भूमिकंपस्तदा भवेत् || १-४०-१५
tataH puurvaam disham bhittvaa dakShiNaam bibhiduH punaH | dakShiNasyaam api dishi dadR^ishuH te mahaagajam || 1-40-17 mahaa padmam mahaatmaanam sumahaa parvatopamam | shirasaa dhaarayaMtam gaam vismayam jagmur uttamam || 1-40-18
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 तं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा दिशापालं महागजम् | मानयन्तो हि ते राम जग्मुर्भित्त्वा रसातलम् || १-४०-१६
te tam pradakShiNam kR^itvaa sagarasya mahaatmanaH | ShaShTiH putra sahasraaNi pashcimaam bibhidur disham || 1-40-19
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 पूर्वां दिशं भित्त्वा दक्षिणां बिभिदुः पुनः | दक्षिणस्यामपि दिशि ददृशुस्ते महागजम् || १-४०-१७ महापद्मं महात्मानं सुमहत्पर्वतोपमम् | शिरसा धारयन्तं गां विस्मयं जग्मुरुत्तमम् || १-४०-१८
pashcimaayaam api dishi mahaaMtam acalopamam | dishaa gajam saumanasam dadR^ishuH te mahaa balaaH || 1-40-20
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 तं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा सगरस्य महात्मनः | षष्टिः पुत्रसहस्राणि पश्चिमां बिभिदुर्दिशम् || १-४०-१९
uttarasyaam raghushreShTha dadR^ishur hima paaNDuram | bhadram bhadreNa vapuShaa dhaarayaMtam mahiim imaam || 1-40-22
On circumabulating that elephant Mahaapada in supplication, they the sixty thousand sons of great-souled Sagara scooped out the westerly direction. [1-40-19]
पश्चिमायामपि दिशि महांतमचलोपमम् | दिशागजं सौमनसं ददृशुस्ते महाबलाः || १-४०-२०
samaalabhya tataH sarve kR^itvaa ca enam pradakShiNam | ShaShTiH putra sahasraaNi bibhidur vasudhaa talam || 1-40-23
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 तं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा पृष्ट्वा चापि निरामयम् | खनंतः समुपक्रांता दिशं सोमवतीं तदा || १-४०-२१
tataH praak uttaraam gatvaa saagaraaH prathitaam disham | roShaat abhyakhanan sarve pR^ithiviim sagara aatmajaaH || 1-40-24
Circumambulating 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]
उत्तरस्यां रघुश्रेष्ठ ददृशुर्हिमपाण्डुरम् | भद्रं भद्रेण वपुषा धारयन्तं महीमिमाम् || १-४०-२२
te tu sarve mahatmaano bhimavega mahabalaaH | dadR^ishuH kapilam tatra vaasudevam sanaatanam || 1-40-25 hayam ca tasya devasya carantam aviduurataH | praharSham atulam praptaH sarve te raghunaMdana || 1-40-26
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 चैनं प्रदक्षिणम् | षष्टिः पुत्रसहस्राणि बिभिदुर्वसुधातलम् || १-४०-२३
te tam haya haram GYaatvaa krodha paryaakula iikShaNaaH | khanitra laaMgalaa dhara naanaa vR^iksha shilaa dharaaH || 1-40-27 abhyadhaavanta saMkruddhaaH tiShTha tiShTha iti ca abruvan |
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 प्रागुत्तरां गत्वा सागराः प्रथितां दिशम् | रोषादभ्यखनन्सर्वे पृथिवीं सगरात्मजाः || १-४०-२४
asmaakam tvam hi turagam yaGYiyam hR^itavaan asi || 1-40-28 durmedhaH tvam hi saMpraaptaan viddhi naH sagaraatmajaan |
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 भीमवेगा महबलाः | ददृशुः कपिलं तत्र वासुदेवं सनातनम् || १-४०-२५ हयं च तस्य देवस्य चरन्तमविदूरतः | प्रहर्षमतुलं प्राप्ताः सर्वे ते रघुनंदन || १-४०-२६
shrutvaa tat vacanam teShaam kapilo raghunaMdana || 1-40-29 roSheNa mahataa aaviShTo hum kaaram akarot tadaa |
ones; dadR^ishuH+kapilam+tatra= descried, Kapila, there; vaasudevam+sanaatanam= at Vasudeva, the Infinite. "All of them are great-souled and great-mighty ones with terrible dash, and there [in northeast direction,] they descried Kapila, the Infinite Vasudeva [Lord Vishnu in the form of Kapila...]
ते तं हयहरं ज्ञात्वा क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणाः | खनित्रलांगलधरा नानावृक्षशिलाधराः || १-४०-२७ अभ्यधावन्त संक्रुद्धास्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रुवन् |
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]
अस्माकं त्वं हि तुरगं यज्ञियं हृतवानसि || १-४०-२८ दुर्मेधस्त्वं हि संप्राप्तान् विद्धि नः सगरात्मजान् |
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 तद्वचनं तेषां कपिलो रघुनंदन || १-४०-२९ रोषेण महताविष्टो हुं कारमकरोत्तदा |
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]
ततस्तेनाप्रमेयेण कपिलेन महात्मना | भस्मराशीकृताः सर्वे काकुत्स्थ सगरात्मजाः || १-४०-३०
"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]
