Severing of a thousands arms of Banasura

Janamejaya said — О Brahman, when Mahadeva and Shri Krishna, withdrew themselves from the battle ground, then how was the exciting war between then two enemies fought?

Vaishampayana said — Then Kartikeya whose chariot was being controlled by Kumbhanda, attacked simultaneously over Shri Krishna, Balarama and Pradyumna.

Kumara Kartikeya, the foremost of all the gods, getting enraged, then created a loud lion's roar, injured everyone in the battle field issuing sharp arrows at them.

All the limbs of all the three of them were injured and covered with the arrows. But all the three of them with their bodies soaked in blood continued to fight with Skanda.

The three great warriors, who were well- versed in waging the war, respectively used the wind arrows, fire arrows, besides the Parijanya weapons and shattered Skanda.

But the enraged Kartikeya, son of Agni, using three weapons of Parvati, Varuna and Savitra, shattered all the three weapons shot by the opponents and again injured all the three warriors.

The group of arrows of Skanda were quite sharp. He held a shining bow as well. But inspite of this, the arrows shot by Skanda, were shattered by all the three warriors with their Maya, which enraged Kartikeya very much. He became resplendent with his lustre.

Then the influential Skanda - the son of Agni, pressed his life in his teeth and picked up the weapon named Brahmasira, which was invincible like the god of deaths.

The Brahmasira weapon shining like the sun, which was extremely invincible and could cause terrific destructions, at the time of its use, there were cries everywhere. All the people started fleeing here and there. With the lustre of the weapon the people in the world felt disgusted. Then Shri Krishna the killer of KesI, took the cakra in his hand, which could negitivate the effect of all the weapons and the opponents were unable to face it. The cakra of the same Shri Krishna is well known in the world.

The said cakra on its own strength, neutralised the Brahmasira weapon in the same way as the sun disc fades out when the sky is over cast with the clouds.

When the powerful weapon of Brahmasira was thus made inaffective, the eyes of Skanda started burning in flames in anger. As the fire flames rise with the pouring of the ghee, similarly Skanda started burning in rage in the battle ground.

Then he picked up his favourite Sakti, which frightened the universe being divine, gold like, invincible, awful, was in flames from all the sides and could destroy all the enemies. The said divine Sakti, started burning immensely in the sky. It could destroy all the enemies. It was shining like the fire of the time of dissolution. It was decorated with the garland of bells. Then Kartikeya, shot the Sakti in rage uttering a loud lion's roar, which could cause pain in the hearts of the enemies.

The Sakti so shot by Kartikeya, started expanding in the sky advancing at the same time. Its forepart was in flame and it rushed towards Krishna for killing him.

Finding the Sakti in flames, even Indra who was surrounded by all the gods felt disturbed and uttered, "Alas! Shri Krishna (is going to) be burnt out."

But Shri Krishna rejected it merely with the uttering of a humkara, which fell down on the ground.

At the fall of the Maha Sakti all uttered, "well done, well done." These words were spread everywhere. At the same time Indra and other gods started uttering the lion's roar. When the gods were so roaring like the lions, the illustrious Vasudeva picked up the bow in his hands again, which destroyed the demons in the battlefield.

But the moment Shri Krishna was about to rotate the cakra, the goddess Kotavl, the eighth part of Parvati arrived unrobed in the battle field for the protection of Skanda and stood in between Shri Krishna and Skanda, at the command of lord Siva. She was hanging in the sky without any support. Now Sakti and Kotavl both were standing in between Shri Krishna and Skanda.

Finding the goddess standing between himself and Kumara, Madhusudana turned aside his face and said.

Shri Krishna said — О lady, get out from here, disgrace to you (for appearing naked in the battle) I have firmly resolved to kill the enemy. Then why are you creating obstruction in the accomplishment of my task?

Vaisarhpayana said — О king, inspite of hearing the words of lord Krishna, Kotavi did not cover her body for the sake of protection of Skanda.

Shri Krishna said — Removing yourself you also leave the place with Kartikeya and go somewhere else. Kartikeya can meet with welfare in case you act as I have spoken.

Finding Kotavi standing in the battle field, Shri Krishna removed his cakra from the battle ground.

Then Shri Krishna — the god of gods, when so commended Kotavi, she at once disappeared from the battle ground with Kartikeya and reached the place of Siva.

In the meantime when a great danger arose, and the goddess saved Skanda, then Banasura reached the place.

Excaping alive at the hands of Shri Krishna, Kartikeya went for away from the battle ground observing this Banasura then resolved, that he himself would fight with Madhava.

Vaisarhpayana said — О Janamejaya, at that point of time the groups of bhUtas and yaksasas besides all the soldiers of Banasura, were panic striken and started fleeing towards all the directions.

The army in which the pramathas were in majority, cracks were found therein. Therefore Banasura himself marched out for waging the war with anxiety.

As Indra — the carrier of Vajra is surrounded by the gods, similarly, Banasura — the carrier of terrific weapons, was surrounded by the terrific demons.

At that point of time several of the priest and the Brahmanas, who were quite well- versed in the scriptures, blessed Banasura for achieving victory, reciting mantras with osadhis and svastivacana.

Then with the huge sound of the playing of the musical instruments, the beating of kettla drums, roaring of the Daityas, Banasura attacked Shri Krishna.

Finding that Banasura has set out for waging the war, Shri Krishna also moved out riding over Garuda and reached before him.

Observing the arrival of Shri Krishna in the battle ground, mounted over Garuda, before him, Banasura said to him getting enraged.

Bana said — "Keep on standing, you will not be able to return alive today nor would you be able to reach Dvaraka and meet your people there.

О Madhava, today, you in the battle ground, getting defeated at my hands, will fall prey to the god of death and the foreparts of the trees would become red.

You are the one with Garuda banner, you have only eight arms, how will you be able to face me in the battle ground with a thousand arms.

Today you, getting defeated with your kiths and kins remember Dvaraka while dying at Shonitpur.

Look here, my thousand arms adorned with armlets turn into crores of arms in th battle ground.

The words were emerging from the mouth of the Daitya, while thundering as with the force of the wind the high waves appear in the ocean.

Both his eyes were filled with anger. He appeared like the sun desirous of reducing the entire world to ashes.

Listening to the valorous words of Banasura, Narada the divine saints, tearing out of the sky, started laughing aloud.

The sage Narada was seated in yogasana in the sky, with the desire of watching the war. He wandered there with his anxious eyes.

Shri Krishna said — О Band, why are you thundering in seclusion. The valorous people don't thunder like this, come on and have a fight in the battle ground, what is the use of your thundering so loudly? О son of Did, in case one could be successful with the speaking of the words, then you shall always be victorious. You are talking non­sense.

О Bana come on, you either defeat me in the war, or otherwise getting defeated from me you lay down on the ground you will sleep for ever with other Daityas.

Thereafter Shri Krishna, shooting infallible arrows, which injured the sensitive spots of Bana.

Shri Krishna's arrows, which shattered Banasura, who smilingly covered him with the arrows.

In the terrific war, Shri Krishna who was already wounded with the arrows of Banasura was further attacked by the Daitya King using parighas, swords, gadas, tomaras, Saktis, miisala and pattisas.

Banasura who was arrogant of his thousand arms, kept on fighting with his arms Shri Krishna.

Banasura, the son of Bali was enraged at the swiftness of Shri Krishna. Then the Daitya in anger picked up a weapon which had been created by Brahma, with the performing of tapas and which never became infractuous in the battle field and was capable of destroying all the enemies, shot at Shri Krishna.

With the shooting of the said weapon, all the directions were filled with darkness. Bad omens started appearing in all the directions.

Since the entire universe was covered with darkness, nothing was visible. All the Danavas then shouted "well done, well done", praising Banasura at the same time, while the gods started crying with pain calling it disgraceful. These words were heard everywhere.

Thereafter, with the strength of the weapon, coupled with the terrific arrows, tarrential rain started falling.

With the shooting of the weapon of Banasura, lord Kes'ava, appeared to be in flames. At that point of time neither the wind was blowing nor were the clouds moving in the sky.

Then lord Madhusudana picked up the Parjanya weapon and shot it.

As a result of this the darkness of the world was removed. The fire of Banasura's arrows was extinguished and all the plans of the demons were dashed to the ground.

With the sanctifying of the Parjanya weapon, the danavas weapon was subsided and the gods started roaring like the lions, laughing at the same time.

O king, finding the destruction of his own weapon, the Daitya was fainted in anger. He again, in anger, covered Shri Krishna with musalas, and pattisas.

Then Kesava, the killer of enemies, smilingly removed the rain of weapons shot by the Daitya.

Then a great war between Shri Krishna and Banasura started. At that point of time Shri Krishna, with the vajra like arrows shot from the Saranga bow, cut bit by bit, the horses, the flags, and banners besides the chariot.

Thereafter the immensely illustrious Kesava, cut off the coat of arms from his body, the crown from his head, the bow from the hands besides the gloves. Then he severely hurt him in his chest.

With the inflicting of the severe wound in the body he started losing consciousness. Thereafter he fell down fainted. Fixiding that Banasura was badly wounded with the arrows of Shri Krishna, and had also fallen on earth fainted, Narada, the divine saint started gazing at him again and again. At that point of time, he patting his arms, started uttering, "good fortunes, good fortune".

Then Narada said, "My life has met with success today. This life is the best, because the excellent valor of Shri Krishna has been witnessed by me today.

Then he said, "O lord, you better defeat this Daitya who is the enemy of the gods, you have incarnated on earth for this purpose alone. Make it a success."

In this way praising Shri Krishna, watching the arrows falling here and there, then started roaming about in the battle field.

When the great war between Shri Krishna and Banasura was going on, at the same time the flags and the chariots of both of them also started fighting. Both the chariots of the lord and the Daityas fought with each other.

The intelligent Garuda and the peacock too started fighting with wings, beaks, claws, faces as well as the nails.

Both the peacock and Garuda started fighting forcefully in anger. Thereafter the enraged Garuda, jumped while flying and caught the head of the peacock. Then tossing him, he started beating him with his wings.

He attacked him with both his paws separately, the valorous Garuda started attacking him repeatedly. At time he forcibly dragged him towards himself and sometimes he pushed him back with force. In this way the peacock was fainted and fell down on the ground, as if the sun dice had fallen from the sky.

With the fall of peacock, Banasura too, was upset with the apparant result of the war and fell down on earth, fainted.

(Banasura started thinking, "Alas! I with the arrogance of my strength, have not listened with advice of my well wishes and because of the same, I in full view of the gods and the Daityas have fallen in great danger.

On the other hand finding Banasura having fallen in a precauious condition, lord Siva felt concerned and thought of ways and means to protect him.

Thereafter Mahadeva, spoke to Nandi in deep voice. "O Nandihesvara, you go to the battle field, where Banasura is found and give him the chariot in which the lions are yoked. О sinless Nandi the chariot is enough for the battle.

I shall remain here among the Pramathas. I am no more interested in waging the war. You go and protect Banasura.

Then Nandi, the best of the charioteers said, "very well". Then he reached the place of Banasura with the chariot. Reaching there, he slowly said to Banasura, "O valorous Daitya, you at once mount this chariot and then fight with Krishna — the destroyer of the Danavas in the batde field."

On hearing the words of Nandi, Banasura, mounted over the chariot sent to him by lord Mahadeva. The illustreous chariot of Mahadeva had been built by Brahma himself. Mounted over the chariot Banasura, getting enraged, shot a terrific weapon named Brahmasira which could destroy all the weapons.

With the lighting of the Brahmasira weapon, the universe was disturbed. Brahma had created the weapon for the protection of the earth. Shri Krishna destroyed the weapon of Brahma with his cakra and then spoke to Banasura, who had been quite glorious and could display his atmost prowess in the battle ground.

"O excellent one, where is your useless talk now? О Banasura, why don’t you now indulge in tall talk. Look here, I am standing for waging the war. Be a valorous man by fighting with me.

In earlier times Arjuna, the son of Kartavirya had a thousand arms, but in the battle field Parasurama, made him to possess two arms alone, in the battle ground.

Similarly your arrogance has emerged out of your thousand arms. Therefore, I am going to shatter your pride in the battle ground.

Till I shatter your pride in the battle ground, you keep on standing here. In the battle field today, you will not be able to escape alive from my hands."

Thereafer, like the great war between the gods and the demons, the sage Narada started dancing, witnessing the unique battle.

On the other hand Mahatma Pradyumna defeated all the Rudra-ganas. All of them deserting the battle field, fled back to Mahadeva.

Thereafter Shri Krishna thundered like the clouds of the rainy season, picked up the cakra with a thousand spokes, which could destroy Banasura in the battle field.

At that point of time the lustre of planets as well as the constalltions, the influence of vajra and lightning besides the glamour of Indra had been enshrined in the cakra.

The tejas of the fires, Brahmacaris and the divine knowledge of the Rishis, were all enshrived in the cakra.

The lustre of the chaste women, the essense of the animals and the birds, the strength of the carriers of cakra were all entrused in the cakra.

The prana-Sakti of Nagas, Raksasas, Yaksasas, Gandharvas, and apsaras, besides the Prana Sakti of the three worlds were also established in the cakra.

With the combination of that lustre, the cakra started shining like the sun. Then appearing before Banasura it started absorbing the prowess of Banasura in itself.

The Shri Krishna who was infallible in the battle field, picked up the unfailing cakra in his hands. Observing this Parvati said to Siva, "O lord, the cakra held by Shri Krishna is infallible in the universe. Therefore before he shoots the cakra, you better save Banasura.

Listening to the words of Parvati, lord Siva said to the goddess Lamba, "O Lamba, you at once proceed for the protection of Banasura."

Thereafter, Uma — the daughter of Himalaya, making use of Yoga, became invisible and went to Shri Krishna. She in that form could be seen by Shri Krishna alone.

Finding Shri Krishna holding the cakra, she again becoming invisible, unrobing herself, and reached before Shri Krishna.

Finding Parvati the beloved of Rudra in company of Lamba Shri Krishna said, "you have again reached in the battle ground naked with red eyes and are making efforts to save Banasura. But I am surely going to kill him there is no doubt about it."

At these words of Shri Krishna, the goddess said, "O lord, I know you well. You are the creator of all the living beings. О Purusottama, lord Mahadeva possesses enormous fortunes had dark complexion and is an eternal Purusa Brahma on lotus appeared from your navel. You are the controller of all the sense organs and are the initial cause of the universe. О Deva, Banasura can display unique prowess in the battle ground. Therefore you need not kill him.

О lord, you kindly drive him out of fear. You make me the mother of a living son. I have given a boon to him, therefore, I have arrived here to save him. О Madhava, you need not make my efforts infructuous."

Hearing the words of the goddess, Shri Krishna who conquered the enemy cities said, "you listen to my truthful words.

Banasura wanders with pride because of his thousand arms. Therefore it is my duty to cut off his thousand arms today. There is no doubt about it. О goddess, you will hence forth be the mother of alive Banasura with a couple of arms alone. Thus Banasura shall never take refuge with me because of his arrogance."

At these words of Shri Krishna who performed his deeds without much efforts, the goddess replied, "Let this Banasura be my adopted son, given by lord Siva."

Thus talking to the mother of Karttikeya, the valorous Shri Krishna — the foremost of the orators, spoke to Banasura in anger in the battle ground.

"O Bana, you better fight in the battle field. The mother Kotavl is standing here for the protection of a helpless person like you. Disgrace to your prowess."

Thus speaking the valorous Shri Krishna having controlled his mind shot the cakra at Banasura closing his eyes to in order to cast a look at the naked goddess.

The one with the influence of whom all the mobile and immobile people in world get confused and the flesh eating creations feel satisfied, the performer of such unique deeds lifted up the cakra shining like the sun, lord Shridhara, extracted the lustre and strength of Banasura with his own strength and lustre cut off his arms with cakra.

Aiming at Banasura in the battle ground, the cakra was shot by the lord Vasudeva, which started moving like the cakra of the setting sun. It moved with such a speed that its form became invisible.

At the start of the battle ground, the cakra cut off all the thousand arms of Banasura, one by one.

Then Banasura was left with two arms only like the tree the branches of which are clipped. Thereafter the cakra reached Shri Krishna again.

Vaishampayana said — О Janamejaya, the cakra — the killer of the Daityas, finishing its task returned in the hand of Shri Krishna streams of blood started flowing out of the body of Banasura. The Daityas having his arms cut off, appeared like the mountain soaked in blood. Then he started thundering like the cloud.

Kesava — the killer of enemies was immensely enraged with the roaring of Banasura and he got ready to kill him. He was about to shoot his cakra again, when, Kumara Kartikeya and lord Siva reached before Shri Krishna and said to him.

Lord Siva said — О Krishna, О Krishna, О valorous one, I know you fully well. You are the eternal Purusottama — the killer of Madhu and Kaitabha.

О Deva, you are the movement of all the lokas. The Universe has emerged out of you. You are invincible from the gods, asuras, and the three lokas.

Therefore you withhold the cakra which has been raised by you. There is none else in the battle ground to face it. It is extremely terrific for the enemies.

О killer of Kesi, I have given protection to Banasura. In order to save falsification of my words, I beg forgiveness from you.

Shri Krishna said — О Deva, I have taken back the cakra. Let Banasura live for long. You happen to be the god of gods and are adorable by all the asuras.

О lord Mahesvara, salutation to you. I shall return now. The task of killing of Banasura which was to be performed by me, will no more be accomplished hereafter. Therefore you kindly allow me to return."

Thus speaking to lord Siva, Shri Krishna at once went to the place Pradyumna and others who were bound with arrows.

At the departure of Shri Krishna Nandi spoke the auspicious words to Bana, "O Bana, you go to the delighted lord Siva."

On hearing the words of Nandi Banasura at once moved. Finding him with his arms having been cut off, Nandi made him mount the chariot, which was driven to the place of lord Siva.

Thereafter, Nandi again, spoke excellently to Bana, " О Bana, you better dance before lord Siva, and you will then meet with welfare. Lord Siva being compassionate on you will shower his grace on you.

Getting inspired with the words of Nandi, Banasura, desirous of having long life, getting frightened, with his body soaked in blood was looking like fainted but still he started dancing before Siva.

At the advice of Nandi, becoming upset out of fear, he forcefully kept on dancing again and again. Siva then looked at him, and since the devotees are loved by him, he was over powered with compassion and then spoke to him.

Isvara said — О Bana, you ask for a boon you desire, from me. I feel delightful to shower my grace on you. О Danava, you are liked by me.

Bana said — О all pervading Deva, I intend to remain eternal and everlasting. I shall desire this boon alone, in case it is acceptable to you.

Siva said — О Banasura, you are like gods and death is not for you. Now you ask for another boon because you had always been my favourite.

Bana said — О lord, I am wounded and in a miserable condition, but even then I am dancing. Therefore the devotees who dance like this, should celebrate the festival of the birth of a son.

Shri Нага said — Such of my devotees who, while fasting, are pardenable, are thruthful with simplicity and shall dance with a concentrated mind for my pleasure, they will surely get whatever is desired by them.

О son Banasura, now you desire for another boon from me. I shall fulfil your desire. By my grace you will always be successful in you life.

Bana said — О sinless Mahadeva, I am feeling extremely painful because of the strikes of cakra, therefore you kindly subside my pain as the third boon.

Rudra said — О son, be it so. Let you meet with welfare you will no more feel painful. All the wounds will be removed from your body.

О excellent one, i am now granting you a fourth boon. You ask for it if you so desire. I am not opposed to you. I always feel delighted by showering my grace on you.

Bana said — О lord, let me become a part of your pramatha gatias and should always be known as Mahakala in future.

Vaishampayana said — Then lord Mahadeva said to Banasura, "O Bana, because of your taking refuge with me, you will have no ailments and your body shall remain uninjured. You shall have a divine form.

О Banasura possessing the famous strength and prowess, you be fearless with the boon granted by me to you. You will have no danger from my source. Now I give you the fifth boon. Let you meet with welfare. You better ask for another boon as desired by you.

Bana said — О lord Siva, my body should never develop ugliness. My body should not look ugly with two arms.

Lord Hare said — You will get what ever is desired by you. All these things shall be easily available to you. There is nothing with me which I cannot give for my devotees.

Vaishampayana said — О Janamejaya, thus speaking, the three eyed lord Siva, having been surrounded by his ganas, in full view of all the people present there, disappeared.

Here ends chapter — 126, of Harivarhsa Parva of the Harivamsa Purana, a supplement of the epic of Mahabharata relating to the severing of the thousand arms of Banasura (Vrs. 1-164, P.T. = 10,629)

Chapter 127

Система охраняемых территорий в США Изучение особо охраняемых природных территорий(ООПТ) США представляет особый интерес по многим причинам...

Что делать, если нет взаимности? А теперь спустимся с небес на землю. Приземлились? Продолжаем разговор...

Конфликты в семейной жизни. Как это изменить? Редкий брак и взаимоотношения существуют без конфликтов и напряженности. Через это проходят все...

Что делает отдел по эксплуатации и сопровождению ИС? Отвечает за сохранность данных (расписания копирования, копирование и пр.)...

Не нашли то, что искали? Воспользуйтесь поиском гугл на сайте: