Bala Kanda · Sarga 40 of 77 · 30 verses
Kapila Burns the Sons of Sagara
Brahma calms the gods: the earth belongs to Vasudeva, who in the form of the sage Kapila always upholds her. The sons of Sagara will be burned by the fire of his anger; the earth’s being dug open and their destruction were long foreseen.
The princes return to their father: they have dug through the earth and killed many beings but found neither horse nor thief. Sagara angrily orders them to dig again. Breaking into Rasatala, they find the great elephants who hold up the earth at each quarter: Virupaksha in the east (when he shakes his head in weariness, there is an earthquake), Mahapadma in the south, Saumanasa in the west, and the snow-white Bhadra in the north. They honour each and dig on. In the north-east they find the eternal Kapila, Vasudeva, and the horse grazing nearby. Thinking him the thief, they rush at him with spades, ploughs, trees and rocks, shouting “Stop! You stole our horse!” Kapila, filled with anger, utters a single “Hum!”, and all sixty thousand sons of Sagara are reduced to heaps of ashes.
Press › to begin with verse 1.
देवतानां वचः श्रुत्वा भगवान् वै पितामहः । प्रत्युवाच सुसंत्रस्तान् कृतान्तबलमोहितान् ॥ १ ॥
Hearing the gods’ words, the blessed Grandsire replied to them, terrified and bewildered by the power of the destroyer:
देवताओं के वचन सुनकर भगवान पितामह ने संहारक की शक्ति से भयभीत और भ्रमित उन देवताओं को उत्तर दिया:
Commentary on the whole sarga
Kapila Burns the Sons of Sagara 1 min read.
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture Brahma answers the frightened gods. They are “bewildered by the power of the destroyer”. The sons of Sagara have become a force of destruction.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
यस्येयं वसुधा कृत्स्ना वासुदेवस्य धीमतः । महिषी माधवस्यैषा स एव भगवन् प्रभुः ॥ २ ॥
“This whole earth belongs to the wise Vasudeva; she is the queen of Madhava. He alone is the lord, the blessed one.
“यह सारी पृथ्वी बुद्धिमान वासुदेव की है; वह माधव की रानी है। केवल वही स्वामी हैं, वही भगवान हैं।
CommentaryNot scripture “This earth belongs to Vasudeva; she is the queen of Madhava.” Vasudeva and Madhava are names of Vishnu. The earth (Bhudevi) is Vishnu’s consort. Whoever wounds her offends him.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
कापिलं रूपमास्थाय धारयत्यनिशं धराम् । तस्य कोपाग्निना दग्धा भविष्यन्ति नृपात्मजाः ॥ ३ ॥
“Taking the form of Kapila, he upholds the earth without cease. By the fire of his anger the princes will be burned.
“कपिल का रूप धारण करके वे निरंतर पृथ्वी को धारण करते हैं। उनके क्रोध की अग्नि से राजकुमार भस्म हो जाएँगे।
CommentaryNot scripture Vishnu, in the form of the sage Kapila, holds up the earth. Kapila is revered as the founder of the Sankhya philosophy, one of India’s oldest schools of thought. Here he appears as a form of Vishnu himself.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
पृथिव्याश्चापि निर्भेदो दृष्ट एव सनातनः । सगरस्य च पुत्राणां विनाशो दीर्घदर्शिनाम् ॥ ४ ॥
“The splitting of the earth was foreseen from eternity, and so was the destruction of the sons of Sagara, who do not look far ahead.”
“पृथ्वी का फटना सनातन से निश्चित था, और दूर तक न देखने वाले सगर-पुत्रों का विनाश भी।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Foreseen from eternity.” The destruction of the sons, “who do not look far ahead” (adirgha-darshin ), was inevitable. Short-sightedness destroys itself. Brahma sees what they cannot.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
पितामहवचः श्रुत्वा त्रयस्त्रिंशदरिंदमाः । देवाः परमसंहृष्टाः पुनर्जग्मुर्यथागतम् ॥ ५ ॥
Hearing the Grandsire’s words, the thirty-three gods, subduers of enemies, greatly relieved, went back as they had come.
पितामह के वचन सुनकर शत्रुओं का दमन करने वाले तैंतीस देवता अत्यंत आश्वस्त होकर जैसे आए थे वैसे ही लौट गए।
CommentaryNot scripture The gods are relieved and return home. The matter will be settled without them.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
सगरस्य च पुत्राणां प्रादुरासीन्महास्वनः । पृथिव्यां भिद्यमानायां निर्घातसमनिस्वनः ॥ ६ ॥
From Sagara’s sons, as the earth was split, arose a great noise, like the sound of thunder.
पृथ्वी के फटने पर सगर के पुत्रों से बादल की गड़गड़ाहट जैसा एक बड़ा शब्द उठा।
CommentaryNot scripture The sound of the digging is like thunder. Valmiki keeps the noise in our ears: violent, relentless.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
ततो भित्त्वा महीं सर्वां कृत्वा चापि प्रदक्षिणम् । सहिताः सागराः सर्वे पितरं वाक्यमब्रुवन् ॥ ७ ॥
Then, having split the whole earth and gone all round it, all the sons of Sagara together said to their father:
फिर सारी पृथ्वी को फाड़कर और उसके चारों ओर घूमकर सगर के सब पुत्रों ने मिलकर अपने पिता से कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture Having dug the whole earth, the sons report to their father. They have done everything except find what they were looking for.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
परिक्रान्ता मही सर्वा सत्त्ववन्तश्च सूदिताः । देवदानवरक्षांसि पिशाचोरगपन्नगाः ॥ ८ ॥
“We have gone over the whole earth and killed powerful creatures: gods, danavas, rakshasas, pishachas, serpents and nagas.
“हमने पूरी पृथ्वी छान मारी और बलवान प्राणियों को मारा: देवताओं, दानवों, राक्षसों, पिशाचों, सर्पों और नागों को।
CommentaryNot scripture “We have killed gods, danavas, rakshasas, pishachas, serpents and nagas.” They list their killings almost proudly. They do not see that they have done wrong.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
न च पश्यामहेऽश्वं ते अश्वहर्तारमेव च । किं करिष्याम भद्रं ते बुद्धिरत्र विचार्यताम् ॥ ९ ॥
“But we do not see your horse, nor the one who stole the horse. What shall we do? Bless you; let a plan be considered.”
“पर न हमें आपका घोड़ा दिखता है, न घोड़ा चुराने वाला। हम क्या करें? आपका कल्याण हो; कोई उपाय सोचा जाए।”
CommentaryNot scripture “We do not see the horse or the thief. What shall we do?” Their strength has reached its limit, and they ask for direction.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पुत्राणां राजसत्तमः । समन्युरब्रवीद् वाक्यं सगरो रघुनन्दन ॥ १० ॥
Hearing those words of his sons, Sagara, best of kings, said angrily, delight of the Raghus:
रघुनंदन, पुत्रों के ये वचन सुनकर राजाओं में श्रेष्ठ सगर ने क्रोध से कहा:
CommentaryNot scripture Sagara answers in anger. The father is now as reckless as the sons.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
भूयः खनत भद्रं वो विभेद्य वसुधातलम् । अश्वहर्तारमासाद्य कृतार्थाश्च निवर्तत ॥ ११ ॥
“Dig again, bless you, splitting the surface of the earth. Find the horse-thief, and come back with your purpose achieved.”
“तुम्हारा कल्याण हो, पृथ्वी की सतह फाड़ते हुए फिर से खोदो। घोड़े के चोर को खोजो, और अपना प्रयोजन पूरा करके लौटो।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Dig again.” Sagara doubles down. A command given in anger often makes things worse, and this one will be fatal.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
पितुर्वचनमासाद्य सगरस्य महात्मनः । षष्टिः पुत्रसहस्राणि रसातलमभिद्रवन् ॥ १२ ॥
Receiving the word of their great-souled father Sagara, the sixty thousand sons rushed down toward Rasatala.
अपने महात्मा पिता सगर का वचन पाकर साठ हज़ार पुत्र रसातल की ओर टूट पड़े।
CommentaryNot scripture The sixty thousand rush down toward Rasatala, the deepest underworld.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
खन्यमाने ततस्तस्मिन् ददृशुः पर्वतोपमम् । दिशागजं विरूपाक्षं धारयन्तं महीतलम् ॥ १३ ॥
As they dug there, they saw one like a mountain: the elephant of the quarter, Virupaksha, holding up the surface of the earth.
वहाँ खोदते हुए उन्होंने पर्वत जैसा एक प्राणी देखा: दिशा का हाथी विरूपाक्ष, जो पृथ्वी की सतह को उठाए हुए था।
CommentaryNot scripture They meet Virupaksha, the elephant of the eastern quarter, holding up the earth. In Hindu cosmology, four (or eight) great elephants (dig-gaja ) stand at the directions and support the world.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
सपर्वतवनां कृत्स्नां पृथिवीं रघुनन्दन । धारयामास शिरसा विरूपाक्षो महागजः ॥ १४ ॥
The great elephant Virupaksha held on his head the whole earth with its mountains and forests, delight of the Raghus.
रघुनंदन, महान हाथी विरूपाक्ष पर्वतों और वनों सहित सारी पृथ्वी को अपने सिर पर धारण किए हुए था।
CommentaryNot scripture The whole earth, with its mountains and forests, rests on his head. An image of the world held by patient strength.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
यदा पर्वणि काकुत्स्थ विश्रमार्थं महागजः । खेदाच्चालयते शीर्षं भूमिकम्पस्तदा भवेत् ॥ १५ ॥
When at the change of the moon, Kakutstha, the great elephant shakes his head out of weariness, to rest, an earthquake occurs.
काकुत्स्थ, जब अमावस्या-पूर्णिमा के पर्व पर वह महान हाथी थकान से, विश्राम के लिए, अपना सिर हिलाता है, तब भूकंप आता है।
CommentaryNot scripture When he shakes his head to rest at the change of the moon, an earthquake comes. An ancient explanation of earthquakes: the world-elephant growing tired.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
ते तं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा दिशापालं महागजम् । मानयन्तो हि ते राम जग्मुर्भित्त्वा रसातलम् ॥ १६ ॥
They walked around that great elephant, guardian of the quarter, honouring him, Rama, and went on, splitting Rasatala.
राम, उन्होंने दिशा के रक्षक उस महान हाथी की परिक्रमा करके उसका सम्मान किया, और रसातल को फाड़ते हुए आगे बढ़े।
CommentaryNot scripture They honour the elephant by walking around him. Even in their fury, they recognise something holy. Then they dig on.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
ततः पूर्वां दिशं भित्त्वा दक्षिणां बिभिदुः पुनः । दक्षिणस्यामपि दिशि ददृशुस्ते महागजम् ॥ १७ ॥
Then, having split the eastern quarter, they split the southern again, and in the southern quarter too they saw a great elephant,
फिर पूर्व दिशा को फाड़कर उन्होंने फिर दक्षिण दिशा को फाड़ा, और दक्षिण दिशा में भी उन्होंने एक महान हाथी देखा,
CommentaryNot scripture To the south, another great elephant.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
महापद्मं महात्मानं सुमहत्पर्वतोपमम् । शिरसा धारयन्तं गां विस्मयं जग्मुरुत्तमम् ॥ १८ ॥
great-souled Mahapadma, huge as a mountain, holding the earth on his head, and they were filled with the greatest wonder.
महात्मा महापद्म, पर्वत जैसा विशाल, जो सिर पर पृथ्वी धारण किए था, और वे परम विस्मय से भर गए।
CommentaryNot scripture Mahapadma, “great lotus”, huge as a mountain. They are filled with wonder. For a moment, awe interrupts their anger.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
ते तं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा सगरस्य महात्मनः । षष्टिः पुत्रसहस्राणि पश्चिमां बिभिदुर्दिशम् ॥ १९ ॥
Walking around him in reverence, the sixty thousand sons of great-souled Sagara split the western quarter.
उसकी परिक्रमा करके महात्मा सगर के साठ हज़ार पुत्रों ने पश्चिम दिशा को फाड़ा।
CommentaryNot scripture Walking around him in reverence, they dig west.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
पश्चिमायामपि दिशि महान्तमचलोपमम् । दिशागजं सौमनसं ददृशुस्ते महाबलाः ॥ २० ॥
In the western quarter too, the mighty ones saw a great elephant of the quarter, like a mountain, Saumanasa.
पश्चिम दिशा में भी उन बलवानों ने पर्वत जैसा एक महान दिशा-हाथी सौमनस देखा।
CommentaryNot scripture In the west, the elephant Saumanasa.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
तं ते प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा पृष्ट्वा चापि निरामयम् । खनन्तः समुपक्रान्ता दिशं सोमवतीं तदा ॥ २१ ॥
Walking around him and asking after his health, they went on digging toward the northern quarter, the quarter of Soma.
उसकी परिक्रमा करके और उसका कुशल पूछकर वे खोदते हुए सोम की दिशा, उत्तर दिशा की ओर बढ़े।
CommentaryNot scripture They honour him and even ask after his health. A touch of courtesy amid destruction. Then they turn north, “the quarter of Soma”, the moon.
Scene 1 of 2 · Deep under the earth the sons of Sagara meet the great elephants of the four quarters, who hold the world on their heads.
उत्तरस्यां रघुश्रेष्ठ ददृशुर्हिमपाण्डुरम् । भद्रं भद्रेण वपुषा धारयन्तं महीमिमाम् ॥ २२ ॥
In the north, best of the Raghus, they saw Bhadra, pale as snow, holding up this earth with his auspicious body.
रघुश्रेष्ठ, उत्तर में उन्होंने हिम जैसे श्वेत भद्र को देखा, जो अपने शुभ शरीर से इस पृथ्वी को उठाए हुए था।
CommentaryNot scripture In the north, Bhadra, white as snow, holding the earth on his auspicious body.
Scene 2 of 2 · They find the horse grazing near the meditating sage Kapila, charge him, and are burned to ash by a single “Hum”.
समालभ्य ततः सर्वे कृत्वा चैनं प्रदक्षिणम् । षष्टिः पुत्रसहस्राणि बिभिदुर्वसुधातलम् ॥ २३ ॥
Touching him and walking around him in reverence, all the sixty thousand sons split the surface of the earth.
उसे छूकर और उसकी परिक्रमा करके सब साठ हज़ार पुत्रों ने पृथ्वी की सतह फाड़ी।
CommentaryNot scripture They touch him, honour him, and dig on. Four directions, four elephants, four moments of reverence. And still they do not stop.
Scene 2 of 2 · They find the horse grazing near the meditating sage Kapila, charge him, and are burned to ash by a single “Hum”.
ततः प्रागुत्तरां गत्वा सागराः प्रथितां दिशम् । रोषादभ्यखनन् सर्वे पृथिवीं सगरात्मजाः ॥ २४ ॥
Then, going to the famous north-eastern quarter, all the sons of Sagara dug the earth in fury.
फिर प्रसिद्ध उत्तर-पूर्व दिशा में जाकर सगर के सब पुत्रों ने क्रोध में पृथ्वी खोदी।
CommentaryNot scripture In the north-east, the most sacred direction, they dig “in fury”. Their anger has only grown.
Scene 2 of 2 · They find the horse grazing near the meditating sage Kapila, charge him, and are burned to ash by a single “Hum”.
ते तु सर्वे महात्मानो भीमवेगा महाबलाः । ददृशुः कपिलं तत्र वासुदेवं सनातनम् ॥ २५ ॥
All those great-souled ones, of terrible speed and great strength, saw there Kapila, the eternal Vasudeva,
भयानक वेग और महान बल वाले उन सब महात्माओं ने वहाँ सनातन वासुदेव कपिल को देखा,
CommentaryNot scripture There they see Kapila, “the eternal Vasudeva”. The sage sits in meditation. The god they are looking for without knowing it.
Scene 2 of 2 · They find the horse grazing near the meditating sage Kapila, charge him, and are burned to ash by a single “Hum”.
हयं च तस्य देवस्य चरन्तमविदूरतः । प्रहर्षमतुलं प्राप्ताः सर्वे ते रघुनंदन ॥ २६ ॥
and, not far away, that god’s horse grazing. All of them felt matchless delight, delight of the Raghus.
और उनसे कुछ ही दूर उस देव का घोड़ा चरता हुआ। रघुनंदन, सबको अनुपम आनंद हुआ।
CommentaryNot scripture Not far away, the horse is grazing. They are filled with joy. They have found what they wanted, and they misread everything.
Scene 2 of 2 · They find the horse grazing near the meditating sage Kapila, charge him, and are burned to ash by a single “Hum”.
ते तं यज्ञहनं ज्ञात्वा क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणाः । खनित्रलाङ्गलधरा नानावृक्षशिलाधराः ॥ २७ ॥
अभ्यधावन्त संक्रुद्धास्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रुवन् । अस्माकं त्वं हि तुरगं यज्ञियं हृतवानसि ॥ २८ ॥
Thinking him the destroyer of the sacrifice, their eyes wild with anger, holding spades and ploughs and trees and rocks of every kind, they rushed at him in fury and shouted, “Stop! Stop! You have stolen our sacrificial horse!
उन्हें यज्ञ का विनाशक मानकर, क्रोध से उन्मत्त आँखों वाले, कुदालें, हल, वृक्ष और हर प्रकार के पत्थर लिए वे क्रोध में उन पर झपटे और चिल्लाए, “रुको! रुको! तुमने हमारा यज्ञ का घोड़ा चुराया है!
CommentaryNot scripture They think Kapila is the thief. Eyes wild, armed with spades, ploughs, trees and rocks, they charge: “Stop! You stole our horse!” They attack a meditating sage, the very form of Vishnu. Indra, the real thief, is long gone.
Scene 2 of 2 · They find the horse grazing near the meditating sage Kapila, charge him, and are burned to ash by a single “Hum”.
दुर्मेधस्त्वं हि संप्राप्तान् विद्धि नः सगरात्मजान् । श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं तेषां कपिलो रघुनन्दन ॥ २९ ॥
रोषेण महताविष्टो हुंकारमकरोत् तदा । ततस्तेनाप्रमेयेण कपिलेन महात्मना । भस्मराशीकृताः सर्वे काकुत्स्थ सगरात्मजाः ॥ ३० ॥
“Fool, know that we who have come are the sons of Sagara!” Hearing their words, Kapila, delight of the Raghus, filled with great anger, uttered a “Hum!” And by that immeasurable, great-souled Kapila all the sons of Sagara were made into heaps of ashes, Kakutstha.
“मूर्ख, जान लो कि हम जो आए हैं, सगर के पुत्र हैं!” उनके वचन सुनकर, रघुनंदन, कपिल अत्यंत क्रोध से भरकर ‘हुं’ बोले। और काकुत्स्थ, उन अपार, महात्मा कपिल द्वारा सगर के सब पुत्र राख के ढेर बना दिए गए।
CommentaryNot scripture “Fool, know that we are the sons of Sagara!” Their pride is complete. Kapila utters a single sound, “Hum”, and all sixty thousand become heaps of ash. The same syllable with which Shiva burned Kama. Arrogance that will not look ahead ends in a moment. The next sarga tells how their grandnephew comes to find them.
Scene 2 of 2 · They find the horse grazing near the meditating sage Kapila, charge him, and are burned to ash by a single “Hum”.
