Brahma Purana — Chapter 71
BrP 71.1
त्रिदैवत्यं तु यत् तीर्थं सर्वेभ्यो ह्य् उक्तम् उत्तमम् तस्य स्वरूपभेदं च विस्तरेण ब्रवीतु मे ॥
tridaivatyaṃ tu yat tīrthaṃ sarvebhyo hy uktam uttamam tasya svarūpabhedaṃ ca vistareṇa bravītu me //
But that tīrtha which belongs to the three deities is said to be the highest of all; tell me in detail the distinctions of its nature.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.2
तावद् अन्यानि तीर्थानि तावत् ताः पुण्यभूमयः तावद् यज्ञादयो यावत् त्रिदैवत्यं न दृश्यते ॥
tāvad anyāni tīrthāni tāvat tāḥ puṇyabhūmayaḥ tāvad yajñādayo yāvat tridaivatyaṃ na dṛśyate //
Other tīrthas last only so long, those holy grounds only so long, sacrifices and the rest only so long, as the three-deity (tīrtha) is not seen.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.3
गङ्गेयं सरितां श्रेष्ठा सर्वकामप्रदायिनी त्रिदैवत्या मुनिश्रेष्ठ तदुत्पत्तिम् अतः शृणु ॥
gaṅgeyaṃ saritāṃ śreṣṭhā sarvakāmapradāyinī tridaivatyā muniśreṣṭha tadutpattim ataḥ śṛṇu //
This Gaṅgā is the best of rivers, granting every wish, belonging to the three deities, O best of sages; hear therefore of her origin.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.4
वर्षाणाम् अयुतात् पूर्वं देवकार्य उपस्थिते तारको बलवान् आसीन् मद्वराद् अतिगर्वितः ॥
varṣāṇām ayutāt pūrvaṃ devakārya upasthite tārako balavān āsīn madvarād atigarvitaḥ //
Ten thousand years ago, when a task for the gods had arisen, there was Tāraka, mighty, made exceedingly proud by a boon (obtained) through intoxication.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 71.5
देवानां परमैश्वर्यं हृतं तेन बलीयसा ततस् ते शरणं जग्मुर् देवाः सेन्द्रपुरोगमाः ॥
devānāṃ paramaiśvaryaṃ hṛtaṃ tena balīyasā tatas te śaraṇaṃ jagmur devāḥ sendrapurogamāḥ //
The supreme sovereignty of the gods was taken away by that stronger one; then the gods, with Indra at their head, went for refuge.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.6
क्षीरोदशायिनं देवं जगतां प्रपितामहम् कृताञ्जलिपुटा देवा विष्णुम् ऊचुर् अनन्यगाः ॥
kṣīrodaśāyinaṃ devaṃ jagatāṃ prapitāmaham kṛtāñjalipuṭā devā viṣṇum ūcur ananyagāḥ //
To the god who lies on the milk-ocean, the great-grandfather of the worlds, the gods, with hollowed palms joined, having no other recourse, spoke to Viṣṇu:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.7
त्वं त्राता जगतां नाथ देवानां कीर्तिवर्धन सर्वेश्वर जगद्योने त्रयीमूर्ते नमो ऽस्तु ते ॥
tvaṃ trātā jagatāṃ nātha devānāṃ kīrtivardhana sarveśvara jagadyone trayīmūrte namo 'stu te //
"You are the protector of the worlds, O Lord, increaser of the fame of the gods; O Lord of all, womb of the world, embodiment of the three Vedas, homage be to you.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.8
लोकस्रष्टासुरान् हन्ता त्वम् एव जगतां पतिः स्थित्युत्पत्तिविनाशानां कारणं त्वं जगन्मय ॥
lokasraṣṭāsurān hantā tvam eva jagatāṃ patiḥ sthityutpattivināśānāṃ kāraṇaṃ tvaṃ jaganmaya //
You are the creator of the world and the slayer of the demons; you alone are the lord of the worlds; you are the cause of (their) maintenance, arising and destruction, O you who are the world itself.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.9
त्राता न कोप्य् अस्ति जगत्त्रये ऽपि शरीरिणां सर्वविपद्गतानाम् त्वया विना वारिजपत्त्रनेत्र तापत्रयाणां शरणं न चान्यत्
trātā na kopy asti jagattraye 'pi śarīriṇāṃ sarvavipadgatānām tvayā vinā vārijapattranetra tāpatrayāṇāṃ śaraṇaṃ na cānyat
There is no protector at all in the three worlds for embodied beings fallen into every calamity, except you, O lotus-petal-eyed one; nor is there any other refuge for (those afflicted by) the three torments.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.10
पिता च माता जगतो ऽखिलस्य त्वम् एव सेवासुलभो ऽसि विष्णो प्रसीद पाहीश महाभयेभ्यो श्मदार्तिहन्ता वद कस् त्वदन्यः
pitā ca mātā jagato 'khilasya tvam eva sevāsulabho 'si viṣṇo prasīda pāhīśa mahābhayebhyo śmadārtihantā vada kas tvadanyaḥ
You alone are the father and mother of the whole world; you are easily attained by service, O Viṣṇu; be gracious, protect (us), O Lord, from great terrors; say, who other than you is the destroyer of our affliction?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 71.11
आदिकर्ता वराहस् त्वं मत्स्यः कूर्मस् तथैव च इत्यादिरूपभेदैर् नो रक्षसे भय आगते ॥
ādikartā varāhas tvaṃ matsyaḥ kūrmas tathaiva ca ityādirūpabhedair no rakṣase bhaya āgate //
You are the first maker; you are the Boar, the Fish, and likewise the Tortoise; by such distinctions of form you protect us when danger has come.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.12
हृतस्वाम्यान् सुरगणान् हृतदारान् गतापदः कस्मान् न रक्षसे देव अनन्यशरणान् हरे ॥
hṛtasvāmyān suragaṇān hṛtadārān gatāpadaḥ kasmān na rakṣase deva ananyaśaraṇān hare //
Why do you not protect, O God, the hosts of gods whose lordship has been taken away, whose wives have been carried off, who have fallen into misfortune and have no other refuge, O Hari?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.13
ततः प्रोवाच भगवाञ् शेषशायी जगत्पतिः कस्माच् च भयम् आपन्नं तद् ब्रुवन्तु गतज्वराः ततः श्रियः पतिं प्राहुस् तं तारकवधं प्रति ॥
tataḥ provāca bhagavāñ śeṣaśāyī jagatpatiḥ kasmāc ca bhayam āpannaṃ tad bruvantu gatajvarāḥ tataḥ śriyaḥ patiṃ prāhus taṃ tārakavadhaṃ prati //
Then the Lord who lies on Śeṣa, master of the world, spoke: "From what has this fear come upon (you)? Speak that, free of your distress." Then they told the husband of Śrī about the slaying of Tāraka.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.14
तारकाद् भयम् आपन्नं भीषणं रोमहर्षणम् न युद्धैस् तपसा शापैर् हन्तुं नैव क्षमा वयम् ॥
tārakād bhayam āpannaṃ bhīṣaṇaṃ romaharṣaṇam na yuddhais tapasā śāpair hantuṃ naiva kṣamā vayam //
"The danger that has come upon (us) from Tāraka is terrifying, making the hair bristle; we are not able to kill him by battles, by austerity, or by curses."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.15
अर्वाग्दशाहाद् यो बालस् तस्मान् मृत्युम् अवाप्स्यति तस्माद् देव न चान्येभ्यस् तत्र नीतिर् विधीयताम् ॥
arvāgdaśāhād yo bālas tasmān mṛtyum avāpsyati tasmād deva na cānyebhyas tatra nītir vidhīyatām //
"A child who is less than ten days old — from him he will meet his death; therefore, O god, not from others: let a policy be devised in this matter."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.16
पुनर् नारायणः प्राह नाहं बलोत्कटः सुराः न मत्तो मदपत्याच् च न देवेभ्यो वधो भवेत् ॥
punar nārāyaṇaḥ prāha nāhaṃ balotkaṭaḥ surāḥ na matto madapatyāc ca na devebhyo vadho bhavet //
Again Nārāyaṇa said: "I am not one of surpassing strength, O gods; his death cannot come from me, nor from a child of mine, nor from the gods."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.17
ईश्वराद् यदि जायेत अपत्यं बहुशक्तिकम् तस्माद् वधम् अवाप्नोति तारको लोकदारुणः ॥
īśvarād yadi jāyeta apatyaṃ bahuśaktikam tasmād vadham avāpnoti tārako lokadāruṇaḥ //
"If from Īśvara a child of great power should be born, from him Tāraka, cruel to the world, meets his death."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.18
तद् गच्छामः सुराः सर्वे यतितुम् ऋषिभिः सह भार्यार्थं प्रथमो यत्नः कर्तव्यः प्रभविष्णुभिः ॥
tad gacchāmaḥ surāḥ sarve yatitum ṛṣibhiḥ saha bhāryārthaṃ prathamo yatnaḥ kartavyaḥ prabhaviṣṇubhiḥ //
"So let us all, gods, go together with the seers to make the effort; the first effort must be made by the capable ones for the sake of a wife (for him)."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.19
तथेत्य् उक्त्वा सुरगणा जग्मुस् ते च नगोत्तमम् हिमवन्तं रत्नमयं मेनां च हिमवत्प्रियाम् ॥
tathety uktvā suragaṇā jagmus te ca nagottamam himavantaṃ ratnamayaṃ menāṃ ca himavatpriyām //
Saying "so be it," the hosts of gods went to the best of mountains, jewel-filled Himavat, and to Menā, Himavat's beloved.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.20
इदम् ऊचुः सर्व एव सभार्यं तुहिनं गिरिम् ॥
idam ūcuḥ sarva eva sabhāryaṃ tuhinaṃ girim //
All of them together said this to the snowy mountain along with his wife:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.21
दाक्षायणी लोकमाता या शक्तिः संस्थिता गिरौ बुद्धिः प्रज्ञा धृतिर् मेधा लज्जा पुष्टिः सरस्वती ॥
dākṣāyaṇī lokamātā yā śaktiḥ saṃsthitā girau buddhiḥ prajñā dhṛtir medhā lajjā puṣṭiḥ sarasvatī //
"She who is Dākṣāyaṇī, mother of the world, the Śakti established on the mountain — (who is) intelligence, wisdom, steadfastness, insight, modesty, nourishment, Sarasvatī —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.22
एवं त्व् अनेकधा लोके या स्थिता लोकपावनी देवानां कार्यसिद्ध्यर्थं युवयोर् गर्भम् आविशत् ॥
evaṃ tv anekadhā loke yā sthitā lokapāvanī devānāṃ kāryasiddhyarthaṃ yuvayor garbham āviśat //
"— she who thus abides in the world in many forms, the purifier of the world, has entered the womb of you two, for the accomplishment of the gods' purpose.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.23
समुत्पन्ना जगन्माता शंभोः पत्नी भविष्यति अस्माकं भवतां चापि पालनी च भविष्यति ॥
samutpannā jaganmātā śaṃbhoḥ patnī bhaviṣyati asmākaṃ bhavatāṃ cāpi pālanī ca bhaviṣyati //
"Once born, the mother of the world will become the wife of Śambhu, and she will be the protectress of us and of you as well."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.24
हिमवान् अपि तद् वाक्यं सुराणाम् अभिनन्द्य च मेना चापि महोत्साहा अस्त्व् इत्य् एवं वचो ऽब्रवीत् ॥
himavān api tad vākyaṃ surāṇām abhinandya ca menā cāpi mahotsāhā astv ity evaṃ vaco 'bravīt //
Himavat too, welcoming that speech of the gods, and Menā as well, full of great eagerness, spoke these words: "Let it be so."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.25
तदोत्पन्ना जगद्धात्री गौरी हिमवतो गृहे शिवध्यानरता नित्यं तन्निष्ठा तन्मनोगता ॥
tadotpannā jagaddhātrī gaurī himavato gṛhe śivadhyānaratā nityaṃ tanniṣṭhā tanmanogatā //
Then the world's sustainer, Gaurī, was born in Himavat's house, ever devoted to meditation on Śiva, fixed on him, her mind gone to him.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.26
तां वै प्रोचुः सुरगणा ईशार्थे तप आविश तथा हिमवतः पृष्ठे गौरी तेपे तपो महत् ॥
tāṃ vai procuḥ suragaṇā īśārthe tapa āviśa tathā himavataḥ pṛṣṭhe gaurī tepe tapo mahat //
The hosts of gods said to her: "Undertake austerity for the sake of Īśa"; and so on the back of Himavat Gaurī performed great austerity.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.27
पुनः संमन्त्रयाम् आसुर् ईशो ध्यायति तां शिवाम् आत्मानं वा तथान्यद् वा न जानीमः कथं भवः ॥
punaḥ saṃmantrayām āsur īśo dhyāyati tāṃ śivām ātmānaṃ vā tathānyad vā na jānīmaḥ kathaṃ bhavaḥ //
Again they took counsel: "Does Īśa meditate on that Śivā, or on himself, or on something else? We do not know how Bhava is."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.28
मेनकायाः सुतायां तु चित्तं दध्यात् सुरेश्वरः तत्र नीतिर् विधातव्या ततः श्रैष्ठ्यम् अवाप्स्यथ ततः प्राह महाबुद्धिर् वाचस्पतिर् उदारधीः ॥
menakāyāḥ sutāyāṃ tu cittaṃ dadhyāt sureśvaraḥ tatra nītir vidhātavyā tataḥ śraiṣṭhyam avāpsyatha tataḥ prāha mahābuddhir vācaspatir udāradhīḥ //
"(A way) by which the lord of the gods would fix his mind on Menakā's daughter — in that matter a plan must be devised; thereby you will attain pre-eminence." Then the greatly intelligent Vācaspati, of noble mind, spoke.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.29
यस् त्व् अयं मदनो धीमान् कन्दर्पः पुष्पचापधृक् स विध्यतु शिवं शान्तं बाणैः पुष्पमयैः शुभैः ॥
yas tv ayaṃ madano dhīmān kandarpaḥ puṣpacāpadhṛk sa vidhyatu śivaṃ śāntaṃ bāṇaiḥ puṣpamayaiḥ śubhaiḥ //
"This wise Madana, Kandarpa, bearer of the flower-bow — let him pierce the tranquil Śiva with his fair arrows made of flowers.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.30
तेन विद्धस् त्रिनेत्रो ऽपि ईशायां बुद्धिम् आदधेत् परिणेष्यत्य् असौ नूनं तदा तां गिरिजां हरः ॥
tena viddhas trinetro 'pi īśāyāṃ buddhim ādadhet pariṇeṣyaty asau nūnaṃ tadā tāṃ girijāṃ haraḥ //
"Pierced by him, even the three-eyed one would set his mind on Īśā; then Hara will surely wed that daughter of the mountain.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.31
जयिनः पञ्चबाणस्य न बाणाः क्वापि कुण्ठिताः तथोढायां जगद्धात्र्यां शंभोः पुत्रो भविष्यति ॥
jayinaḥ pañcabāṇasya na bāṇāḥ kvāpi kuṇṭhitāḥ tathoḍhāyāṃ jagaddhātryāṃ śaṃbhoḥ putro bhaviṣyati //
"The arrows of the victorious five-arrowed one are nowhere blunted; and when the world's sustainer has thus been wedded, a son of Śambhu will come to be.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.32
जातः पुत्रस् त्रिनेत्रस्य तारकं स हनिष्यति वसन्तं च सहायार्थं शोभिष्ठं कुसुमाकरम् ॥
jātaḥ putras trinetrasya tārakaṃ sa haniṣyati vasantaṃ ca sahāyārthaṃ śobhiṣṭhaṃ kusumākaram //
"Born as the son of the three-eyed one, he will slay Tāraka. And (give him) Spring, most splendid, the flower-abounding, for help,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.33
आह्लादनं च मनसा कामायैनं प्रयच्छथ ॥
āhlādanaṃ ca manasā kāmāyainaṃ prayacchatha //
"and gladdening of mind: grant this to Kāma."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 71.34
तथेत्य् उक्त्वा सुरगणा मदनं कुसुमाकरम् प्रेषयाम् आसुर् अव्यग्राः शिवान्तिकम् अरिंदमाः ॥
tathety uktvā suragaṇā madanaṃ kusumākaram preṣayām āsur avyagrāḥ śivāntikam ariṃdamāḥ //
Saying "So be it," the hosts of gods, untroubled, subduers of foes, sent Madana, whose weapon is flowers, into Śiva's presence.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.35
स जगाम त्वरा कामो धृतचापो समाधवः रत्या च सहितः कामः कर्तुं कर्म सुदुष्करम् ॥
sa jagāma tvarā kāmo dhṛtacāpo samādhavaḥ ratyā ca sahitaḥ kāmaḥ kartuṃ karma suduṣkaram //
That Kāma went in haste, holding his bow, with (his companion) Mādhava (spring); and Kāma, accompanied by Rati, (went) to do a deed most hard to do.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.36
गृहीत्वा सशरं चापम् इदं तस्य मनो ऽभवत् मया वेध्यस् त्व् अवेध्यो वै शंभुर् लोकगुरुः प्रभुः ॥
gṛhītvā saśaraṃ cāpam idaṃ tasya mano 'bhavat mayā vedhyas tv avedhyo vai śaṃbhur lokaguruḥ prabhuḥ //
Having taken up his bow with its arrow, this thought came to him: "He is to be pierced by me — yet Śambhu, the teacher of the worlds, the mighty lord, is not to be pierced.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.37
त्रैलोक्यजयिनो बाणाः शंभौ मे किं दृढा न वा तेनासौ चाग्निनेत्रेण भस्मशेषस् तदा कृतः ॥
trailokyajayino bāṇāḥ śaṃbhau me kiṃ dṛḍhā na vā tenāsau cāgninetreṇa bhasmaśeṣas tadā kṛtaḥ //
My arrows conquer the three worlds — are they firm against Śambhu or not?" And then he was reduced to a remnant of ashes by that fire-eyed one.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.38
तद् एव कर्म सुदृढम् ईक्षितुं सुरसत्तमाः आजग्मुस् तत्र यद् वृत्तं शृणु विस्मयकारकम् ॥
tad eva karma sudṛḍham īkṣituṃ surasattamāḥ ājagmus tatra yad vṛttaṃ śṛṇu vismayakārakam //
To behold that very deed, so hard (to do), the best of the gods came there; hear what happened, a thing that caused amazement.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.39
शंभुं दृष्ट्वा सुरगणा यावत् पश्यन्ति मन्मथम् तावच् च भस्मसाद्भूतं कामं दृष्ट्वा भयातुराः तुष्टुवुस् त्रिदशेशानं कृताञ्जलिपुटाः सुराः ॥
śaṃbhuṃ dṛṣṭvā suragaṇā yāvat paśyanti manmatham tāvac ca bhasmasādbhūtaṃ kāmaṃ dṛṣṭvā bhayāturāḥ tuṣṭuvus tridaśeśānaṃ kṛtāñjalipuṭāḥ surāḥ //
Having seen Śambhu, the hosts of gods looked for Manmatha; and just then, seeing Kāma turned to ashes, the gods, afflicted with fear, with hollowed palms joined, praised the lord of the thirty (gods).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.40
तारकाद् भयम् आपन्नं कुरु पत्नीं गिरेः सुताम् ॥
tārakād bhayam āpannaṃ kuru patnīṃ gireḥ sutām //
"Danger has come upon (us) from Tāraka: make the mountain's daughter (your) wife."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.41
विद्धचित्तो हरो ऽप्य् आशु मेने वाक्यं सुरोदितम् अरुन्धतीं वसिष्ठं च मां तु चक्रधरं तथा ॥
viddhacitto haro 'py āśu mene vākyaṃ suroditam arundhatīṃ vasiṣṭhaṃ ca māṃ tu cakradharaṃ tathā //
Hara too, his mind pierced, at once assented to the speech spoken by the gods; (and) Arundhatī and Vasiṣṭha, and me, and likewise the bearer of the discus —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 71.42
प्रेषयाम् आसुर् अमरा विवाहाय परस्परम् संबन्धो ऽपि तथाप्य् आसीद् धिमवल्लोकनाथयोः ॥
preṣayām āsur amarā vivāhāya parasparam saṃbandho 'pi tathāpy āsīd dhimavallokanāthayoḥ //
— these the immortals sent to one another for the marriage; and so the alliance came about between Himavat and the lord of the worlds.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition