Philosophy and Religion / Harivamsa

Harivaṃśa

210. The beginning of fight between Devas and Daityas

VAISHAMPAYANA said:-The Rishis and Gandharvas, headed by Nārada, who were well-read in the Vedas and who were not visited by sins consequent upon the omission of rites, worshipped the Brahmanas with placing the sun and moon before them.

And they always worshipped the Grand father (Brahmā) in sacrifices as a son adores his father. Eulogised with sweet words by those Brāhmanas who had controlled their five senses,

who always did good by all creatures and wished them well the Lord Brahmā said:—“By good luck (you have undertaken those sacrifices)” (1–4).

Thereupon the omnipetent Lord addressed Kashyapa saying:—“you will, with your sons, celebrate sacrifices on earth. The Yakshas and the Asuras will all celebrate sacrifices with profuse gifts.”

Thereupon desirous of vanquishishing one another the Daityas, elated with the pride of their strength, and the Devas began to quarrel, saying “we will first celebrate sacrifices, we will adore,” and were about to fight with one another.

The Rishis, whose sins had been washed away by ascetic penances and the Brahmanas who had read the Vedas and their auxiliaries, prevented them all.

Although prevented like unto bulls in Gokula they began to fight with one another. Leaving aside sacrifices they began to fight in right earnest.

And when the battle set in they felt a desire for conquering their vital breath and met with death in the presence of all creatures.

Thereupon controlling their external senses through understanding and non-attachment engendered by true Jnana the Asuras and Suras, like unto birds with wings, controlled their own minds.

Thereupon as a boat sinks down under the pressure of the weight of men so the earth, the ground of sacrifices, was agitated with the flames of worldly objects.

Like unto roaring bulls the Yoga postures are broken and the tubes are agitated by the vital breaths. Afterwards Madhu, whose intellectual faculties were agitated and Vishnu,

identical with the quality of Sattwa, fought a dreadful battle which almost overturned the cycle and struck terror unto all creatures.

Thereupon as the cloud pacifies the forest set on fire so Vishnu controls all the mental energies. He, who recites the name of the Lord, appears in Sattwa-guna after controlling his mind (1-16).

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