॥ ॐ श्रीसाम्बशिवाय नमः ॥ ॥ ॐ श्रीगणेशाय नमः ॥
श्रीशिवमहापुराण
रुद्रसंहिता — युद्धखण्डअथ अष्टमोऽध्यायः
Vyāsa, marveling at the wondrous tale he has just heard, asks Sanatkumāra to describe the making of the supreme, god-formed chariot that the wise Viśvakarman fashioned for Śiva's war against Tripura. Sūta notes that Sanatkumāra, remembering Śiva's lotus feet, takes up the account, and Sanatkumāra then describes, component by component, the cosmic chariot Viśvakarman built at the joint command of Brahmā and Viṣṇu. Made of all beings and of gold, its right wheel is the Sun and its left the Moon; the Sun-wheel's twelve spokes are the twelve Ādityas, the Moon-wheel's sixteen spokes are the Moon's own sixteen digits, the constellations adorn the left wheel, and the six seasons form the rims of both. The atmosphere is its front rail and Mount Mandara its seat; Mount Asta and Mount Udaya, the mountains of sunset and sunrise, are its two curved yoke-poles, Mount Meru its pedestal, and the surrounding ranges its supporting fringes. Units of time and cosmic cycles furnish further parts — the year its speed, the two solstitial courses the junction of its wheels, the muhūrtas its bindings, the kalās its pegs, the kāṣṭhās its yoke-tip, the kṣaṇas its axle-rod, the nimeṣas its underlying beam, and the lavas its pole. The sky is its iron shield, heaven and liberation its two banners, and the two tips of its yoke are named Bhrama and Kāmadugha. Metaphysical categories supply still more of the chariot: the unmanifest-made-manifest is its pole-shaft, growth its lower binding, ego (ahaṅkāra) its corners, and the five elements its strength, while the senses are its all-around ornaments and faith (śraddhā) its very motion. The six Vedāṅgas become its ornaments and the Purāṇas, Nyāya, Mīmāṃsā, and Dharmaśāstras its secondary ornaments; sacred formulas serve as its bells, and the varṇas and āśramas as its feet and their support. The thousand-hooded serpent Ananta is its binding, and the cardinal and intermediate directions its feet. The sacred fords beginning with Puṣkara become its golden, jewel-adorned banners, and the four oceans its covering cloths; the Gaṅgā and the other great rivers, personified as bejewelled women bearing chowries, take their places about the chariot to adorn it, while the seven cosmic winds beginning with Āvaha form its golden stairway, Mount Lokāloka its surrounding steps, and Lake Mānasa and similar waters its beautiful outer precincts. The boundary mountains of the varṣas become its encircling cords, and the dwellers of the netherworlds its floor. Brahmā himself is the charioteer, the gods hold the reins, and the syllable Oṃ, whose deity is Brahmā, is his goad; the syllable A is its great parasol, borne on a side-pole formed by Mount Mandara, the king of mountains serves as its bow and the lord of serpents as its bowstring, Sarasvatī in the form of the Vedic word is its bell, Viṣṇu its mighty arrow, and Agni that arrow's barb. The four Vedas are its horses, adorned by the heavenly luminaries; poison-born beings form its army, the winds its musicians, and the great sages headed by Vyāsa its bearers. Sanatkumāra concludes, briefly, that there is nothing at all in the universe not somehow present within this chariot — the whole of creation compressed, part for part, into the vehicle Viśvakarman built at Brahmā and Viṣṇu's command for Śiva's war on Tripura. व्यासजी अद्भुत कथा सुनकर सनत्कुमारजीसे उस परम देवमय रथके निर्माणका वर्णन पूछते हैं, जिसे बुद्धिमान् विश्वकर्माने त्रिपुरके विरुद्ध युद्धके लिये शिवजीके निमित्त बनाया था। सूतजी बताते हैं कि सनत्कुमारजी शिवजीके चरणकमलोंका स्मरण करके कथा आगे बढ़ाते हैं। सनत्कुमारजी ब्रह्मा और विष्णुकी आज्ञासे विश्वकर्माद्वारा निर्मित उस दिव्य रथका अंग-प्रत्यंग वर्णन करते हैं — वह सर्वभूतमय तथा सुवर्णका बना है, उसका दाहिना पहिया सूर्य और बायाँ पहिया चन्द्रमा है; सूर्य-पहियेके बारह अरे बारह आदित्य हैं, चन्द्र-पहियेके सोलह अरे चन्द्रमाकी सोलह कलाएँ हैं, नक्षत्र बायें पहियेकी शोभा बढ़ाते हैं तथा छहों ऋतुएँ दोनों पहियोंकी नेमि हैं। अन्तरिक्ष उसका अग्रभाग (पुष्कर) है और मन्दराचल उसका आसन (रथनीड); अस्ताचल तथा उदयाचल उसके दोनों कूबर हैं, महामेरु उसका अधिष्ठान तथा अन्य पर्वत उसके केसर हैं। काल तथा सृष्टि-चक्रके विभिन्न मान उसके यन्त्रांग बनते हैं — संवत्सर उसका वेग, दोनों अयन चक्रोंका संगम, मुहूर्त उसके बन्धन, कलाएँ उसकी कीलियाँ, काष्ठा उसका जूएका अग्रभाग, क्षण उसकी धुरी, निमेष उसका निचला काष्ठ तथा लव उसकी ईषा (डण्डा) हैं। द्युलोक उसका लौह-आवरण है, स्वर्ग और मोक्ष उसकी दोनों ध्वजाएँ हैं, तथा जूएके दोनों सिरे भ्रम और कामदुघ कहलाते हैं। तात्त्विक तत्त्व भी रथके अंग बनते हैं — व्यक्त (प्रकृति) उसका ईषादण्ड, वृद्धि उसका नड्वल, अहंकार उसके कोने तथा पञ्चमहाभूत उसका बल हैं; इन्द्रियाँ उसके चारों ओरके आभूषण तथा श्रद्धा उसकी गति है। छहों वेदांग उसके आभूषण तथा पुराण, न्याय, मीमांसा एवं धर्मशास्त्र उसके उपभूषण बनते हैं; मन्त्र उसकी घण्टियाँ तथा वर्ण और आश्रम उसके पग और उनका सहारा हैं। सहस्रफणधारी अनन्त नाग उसका बन्धन तथा दिशाएँ-उपदिशाएँ उसके पग हैं। पुष्कर आदि तीर्थ उसकी सुवर्णमय रत्नजड़ित पताकाएँ तथा चारों समुद्र उसके आवरण-वस्त्र बनते हैं; गंगा आदि श्रेष्ठ नदियाँ स्त्री-रूपमें चँवर लिये रथकी शोभा बढ़ाती हैं, आवह आदि सातों वायु उसकी सुवर्ण सीढ़ी, लोकालोक पर्वत उसकी उपसीढ़ियाँ तथा मानसरोवर आदि उसके बाहरी सुन्दर क्षेत्र बनते हैं। वर्षाचल उसकी चारों ओरकी रस्सियाँ तथा तललोकके निवासी उसका फर्श बनते हैं। भगवान् ब्रह्मा स्वयं सारथि हैं, देवगण लगाम थामे हैं, तथा ब्रह्मदैवत प्रणव (ॐकार) उनका चाबुक है; अकार उसका महान् छत्र है, जिसे मन्दराचलका पार्श्वदण्ड धारण करता है, पर्वतराज सुमेरु उसका धनुष तथा भुजंगराज शेषनाग उसकी डोरी हैं, श्रुतिस्वरूपा सरस्वती उसकी घण्टी, विष्णु उसका बाण तथा अग्नि उस बाणकी नोक हैं। चारों वेद उसके घोड़े हैं, जिन्हें समस्त ज्योतियाँ विभूषित करती हैं; विषसे उत्पन्न प्राणी उसकी सेना, वायुगण उसके वादक तथा व्यास आदि ऋषिगण उसे ढोनेवाले हैं। सनत्कुमारजी संक्षेपमें यह कहकर उपसंहार करते हैं कि ब्रह्माण्डमें ऐसी कोई वस्तु नहीं है जो इस रथमें विद्यमान न हो — सम्पूर्ण सृष्टि अंग-प्रत्यंगरूपमें इस रथमें समाहित है, जिसे विश्वकर्माने ब्रह्मा-विष्णुकी आज्ञासे शिवजीके त्रिपुर-युद्धके लिये निर्मित किया।
१ सनत्कुमार सर्वज्ञ शैवप्रवर सन्मते । अद्भुतेयं कथा तात श्राविता परमेशितुः ॥ १
sanatkumāra sarvajña śaivapravara sanmate | adbhuteyaṃ kathā tāta śrāvitā parameśituḥ 1 ||
व्यासजी बोले — हे सनत्कुमार! हे सर्वज्ञ! हे शैवप्रवर! हे सन्मते! हे तात! आपने परमेश्वरकी यह अद्भुत कथा मुझे सुनायी है।
[Vyāsa said:] "O Sanatkumāra, all-knowing, foremost among the devotees of Śiva, of true and noble mind — you have told me, dear one, this wondrous story of the Supreme Lord."
सनत्कुमार सर्वज्ञ (sanatkumāra sarvajña) — "O Sanatkumāra, all-knowing,शैवप्रवर सन्मते (śaivapravara sanmate) — foremost of Śiva's devotees, of true mind,अद्भुतेयं कथा तात (adbhuteyaṃ kathā tāta) — this wondrous story, O dear one,श्राविता परमेशितुः (śrāvitā parameśituḥ) — has been told, [the story] of the Supreme Lord"
२ इदानीं रथनिर्माणं ब्रूहि देवमयं परम् । शिवार्थं यत्कृतं दिव्यं धीमता विश्वकर्मणा ॥ २
idānīṃ rathanirmāṇaṃ brūhi devamayaṃ param | śivārthaṃ yatkṛtaṃ divyaṃ dhīmatā viśvakarmaṇā 2 ||
"अब आप उस परम देवमय रथके निर्माणका वर्णन कीजिये, जो शिवजीके लिये बुद्धिमान् विश्वकर्माद्वारा बनाया गया दिव्य रथ है।"
"Now tell me of the making of the chariot, supreme and formed of the gods, the divine [chariot] fashioned for Śiva's sake by the wise Viśvakarman."
इदानीं रथनिर्माणं (idānīṃ rathanirmāṇaṃ) — "now, the making of the chariot,ब्रूहि देवमयं परम् (brūhi devamayaṃ param) — tell me — the supreme one, formed of the gods,शिवार्थं यत्कृतं दिव्यं (śivārthaṃ yatkṛtaṃ divyaṃ) — the divine [chariot] made for Śiva's sakeधीमता विश्वकर्मणा (dhīmatā viśvakarmaṇā) — by the wise Viśvakarman"
३ इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य व्यासस्य स मुनीश्वरः । सनत्कुमारः प्रोवाच स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्बुजम् ॥ ३
ityākarṇya vacastasya vyāsasya sa munīśvaraḥ | sanatkumāraḥ provāca smṛtvā śivapadāmbujam 3 ||
सूतजी बोले — व्यासजीके इन वचनोंको सुनकर, मुनीश्वर सनत्कुमारजी शिवजीके चरणकमलोंका स्मरण करके बोले।
[Sūta said:] "Having heard these words of Vyāsa, that lord of sages, Sanatkumāra, remembering the lotus feet of Śiva, spoke."
इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य (ityākarṇya vacastasya) — "having heard these wordsव्यासस्य स मुनीश्वरः (vyāsasya sa munīśvaraḥ) — of Vyāsa, that lord of sages,सनत्कुमारः प्रोवाच (sanatkumāraḥ provāca) — Sanatkumāra spoke,स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्बुजम् (smṛtvā śivapadāmbujam) — having remembered Śiva's lotus feet"
४ शृणु व्यास महाप्राज्ञ रथादेर्निर्मितिं मुने । यथामति प्रवक्ष्येऽहं स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्बुजम् ॥ ४
śṛṇu vyāsa mahāprājña rathādernirmitiṃ mune | yathāmati pravakṣye'haṃ smṛtvā śivapadāmbujam 4 ||
सनत्कुमारजी बोले — हे व्यास! हे महाप्राज्ञ मुने! रथ आदिके निर्माणको सुनिये; शिवजीके चरणकमलोंका स्मरण करके मैं अपनी बुद्धिके अनुसार कहूँगा।
[Sanatkumāra said:] "Listen, O Vyāsa, greatly wise sage, to the making of the chariot and the rest; remembering Śiva's lotus feet, I shall tell it as far as my understanding allows."
शृणु व्यास महाप्राज्ञ (śṛṇu vyāsa mahāprājña) — "listen, O Vyāsa, greatly wiseरथादेर्निर्मितिं मुने (rathādernirmitiṃ mune) — sage, to the making of the chariot and the rest;यथामति प्रवक्ष्येऽहं (yathāmati pravakṣye'haṃ) — I shall tell it as my understanding allows,स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्बुजम् (smṛtvā śivapadāmbujam) — having remembered Śiva's lotus feet"
५ अथ देवस्य रुद्रस्य निर्मितो विश्वकर्मणा । सर्वलोकमयो दिव्यो रथो यत्नेन सादरम् ॥ ५
atha devasya rudrasya nirmito viśvakarmaṇā | sarvalokamayo divyo ratho yatnena sādaram 5 ||
"तत्पश्चात् विश्वकर्माने भगवान् रुद्रके लिये यत्नपूर्वक तथा आदरसहित सर्वलोकमय दिव्य रथका निर्माण किया।"
"Then, for the god Rudra, a divine chariot, formed of all the worlds, was fashioned by Viśvakarman with great effort and reverence."
अथ देवस्य रुद्रस्य (atha devasya rudrasya) — "then, for the god Rudra,निर्मितो विश्वकर्मणा (nirmito viśvakarmaṇā) — was fashioned by Viśvakarmanसर्वलोकमयो दिव्यो रथो (sarvalokamayo divyo ratho) — a divine chariot formed of all the worlds,यत्नेन सादरम् (yatnena sādaram) — with effort and reverence"
६ सर्वभूतमयश्चैव सौवर्णः सर्वसम्मतः । रथाङ्गं दक्षिणं सूर्यस्तद्वामं सोम एव च ॥ ६
sarvabhūtamayaścaiva sauvarṇaḥ sarvasammataḥ | rathāṅgaṃ dakṣiṇaṃ sūryastadvāmaṃ soma eva ca 6 ||
"वह रथ सर्वभूतमय, सुवर्णका बना तथा सबको मान्य था; उसका दाहिना पहिया सूर्य था और बायाँ पहिया चन्द्रमा था।"
"Made likewise of all beings, golden, and esteemed by all — of this chariot the right wheel was the Sun, and the left, the Moon."
सर्वभूतमयश्चैव (sarvabhūtamayaścaiva) — "made likewise of all beings,सौवर्णः सर्वसम्मतः (sauvarṇaḥ sarvasammataḥ) — golden, esteemed by all;रथाङ्गं दक्षिणं सूर्यः (rathāṅgaṃ dakṣiṇaṃ sūryaḥ) — the chariot's right wheel was the Sun,तद्वामं सोम एव च (tadvāmaṃ soma eva ca) — and its left, the Moon"
७ दक्षिणं द्वादशारं हि षोडशारं तथोत्तरम् । अरेषु तेषु विप्रेन्द्र आदित्या द्वादशैव तु ॥ ७
dakṣiṇaṃ dvādaśāraṃ hi ṣoḍaśāraṃ tathottaram | areṣu teṣu viprendra ādityā dvādaśaiva tu 7 ||
Doubtful readingThis verse's closing numeral is printed as "९" — an evident slip, since it interrupts the sequence between verses ६ and ८. The Sanskrit text itself is unaltered; only the verse-number label is corrected here to ७ to match the true sequence, consistent with the chapter's total of 30 verses per the colophon.
"दाहिना पहिया बारह अरोंवाला था और दूसरा (बायाँ) सोलह अरोंवाला; हे विप्रेन्द्र! उन (बारह) अरोंमें बारहों आदित्य विराजमान थे।"
"The right [wheel] had twelve spokes, and the other [the left] sixteen; in those [twelve] spokes, O foremost of brāhmaṇas, were the twelve Ādityas."
दक्षिणं द्वादशारं हि (dakṣiṇaṃ dvādaśāraṃ hi) — "the right [wheel] indeed had twelve spokes,षोडशारं तथोत्तरम् (ṣoḍaśāraṃ tathottaram) — and the other [wheel] sixteen;अरेषु तेषु विप्रेन्द्र (areṣu teṣu viprendra) — in those spokes, O foremost of brāhmaṇas,आदित्या द्वादशैव तु (ādityā dvādaśaiva tu) — were the twelve Ādityas indeed"
८ शशिनः षोडशारास्तु कला वामस्य सुव्रत । ऋक्षाणि तु तथा तस्य वामस्यैव विभूषणम् ॥ ८
śaśinaḥ ṣoḍaśārāstu kalā vāmasya suvrata | ṛkṣāṇi tu tathā tasya vāmasyaiva vibhūṣaṇam 8 ||
"हे सुव्रत! बायें पहियेके सोलह अरे चन्द्रमाकी सोलह कलाएँ थीं, और सभी नक्षत्र उसी बायें पहियेके आभूषण थे।"
"The sixteen spokes of the left [wheel], O one of good vows, were the sixteen digits of the Moon; and the constellations were the very ornament of that left [wheel]."
शशिनः षोडशारास्तु (śaśinaḥ ṣoḍaśārāstu) — "the sixteen spokesकला वामस्य सुव्रत (kalā vāmasya suvrata) — of the left [wheel], O good ascetic, were the Moon's sixteen digits;ऋक्षाणि तु तथा तस्य (ṛkṣāṇi tu tathā tasya) — and the constellations, likewise, of thatवामस्यैव विभूषणम् (vāmasyaiva vibhūṣaṇam) — left [wheel] alone, were its ornament"
९ ऋतवो नेमयः षट् च तयोर्वै विप्रपुङ्गव । पुष्करं चान्तरिक्षं वै रथनीडश्च मन्दरः ॥ ९
ṛtavo nemayaḥ ṣaṭ ca tayorvai viprapuṅgava | puṣkaraṃ cāntarikṣaṃ vai rathanīḍaśca mandaraḥ 9 ||
"हे विप्रपुङ्गव! छहों ऋतुएँ उन दोनों पहियोंकी नेमि (घेरा) थीं; अन्तरिक्ष उस रथका अग्रभाग (पुष्कर) हुआ और मन्दराचल उसका रथनीड (आसन) हुआ।"
"The six seasons, O bull among brāhmaṇas, were indeed the rims of the two [wheels]; the antarikṣa [mid-region of the sky] was its front rail (puṣkara), and Mandara was its seat (rathanīḍa)."
NoteHere पुष्कर is used in its technical sense of the "front rail/frame" of a chariot, identified with the antarikṣa (atmosphere). This is a different sense from पुष्कर in verse 19, where it names the sacred tīrtha of that name — the two should not be conflated.
ऋतवो नेमयः षट् च (ṛtavo nemayaḥ ṣaṭ ca) — "the six seasons wereतयोर्वै विप्रपुङ्गव (tayorvai viprapuṅgava) — indeed the rims of the two [wheels], O bull among brāhmaṇas;पुष्करं चान्तरिक्षं वै (puṣkaraṃ cāntarikṣaṃ vai) — the antarikṣa indeed was its puṣkara [front rail],रथनीडश्च मन्दरः (rathanīḍaśca mandaraḥ) — and Mandara was its rathanīḍa [seat]"
१० अस्ताद्रिरुदयाद्रिस्तु तावुभौ कूबरौ स्मृतौ । अधिष्ठानं महामेरुराश्रयाः केशराचलाः ॥ १०
astādrirudayādristu tāvubhau kūbarau smṛtau | adhiṣṭhānaṃ mahāmerurāśrayāḥ keśarācalāḥ 10 ||
"अस्ताचल तथा उदयाचल — ये दोनों उसके कूबर (जूएके मुड़े हुए भाग) कहे गये; महामेरु उसका अधिष्ठान (आधार) था और अन्य पर्वत उसके आश्रयभूत केसर थे।"
"Mount Asta [of sunset] and Mount Udaya [of sunrise] — these two were remembered as its two kūbaras [curved yoke-poles]; Mahāmeru was its pedestal (adhiṣṭhāna), and the [other] mountains were its supporting manes (keśara)."
अस्ताद्रिरुदयाद्रिस्तु (astādrirudayādristu) — "Mount Asta and Mount Udaya,तावुभौ कूबरौ स्मृतौ (tāvubhau kūbarau smṛtau) — these two were remembered as its two kūbaras;अधिष्ठानं महामेरुः (adhiṣṭhānaṃ mahāmeruḥ) — Mahāmeru was its pedestal,आश्रयाः केशराचलाः (āśrayāḥ keśarācalāḥ) — [other] mountains were its supporting manes"
११ वेगः संवत्सरास्तस्य अयने चक्रसङ्गमौ । मुहूर्ता बन्धुरास्तस्य शम्याश्चैव कलाः स्मृताः ॥ ११
vegaḥ saṃvatsarāstasya ayane cakrasaṅgamau | muhūrtā bandhurāstasya śamyāścaiva kalāḥ smṛtāḥ 11 ||
"संवत्सर (वर्ष) उसका वेग था; दोनों अयन (उत्तरायण-दक्षिणायन) उसके चक्रोंका संगम-स्थान थे; मुहूर्त उसके बन्धुर (मुड़े हुए बन्धन) और कलाएँ उसकी कीलियाँ कही गयी हैं।"
"The year was its speed; the two ayanas [solstitial courses] were the junction of its wheels; the muhūrtas were remembered as its curved bindings, and the kalās [time-digits] as its pegs."
वेगः संवत्सरास्तस्य (vegaḥ saṃvatsarāstasya) — "the year was its speed;अयने चक्रसङ्गमौ (ayane cakrasaṅgamau) — the two ayanas were the junction of the wheels;मुहूर्ता बन्धुरास्तस्य (muhūrtā bandhurāstasya) — the muhūrtas were its curved bindings,शम्याश्चैव कलाः स्मृताः (śamyāścaiva kalāḥ smṛtāḥ) — and the kalās were remembered as its pegs"
१२ तस्य काष्ठाः स्मृता घोणाश्चाक्षदण्डाः क्षणाश्च वै । निमेषाश्चानुकर्षाश्च ईषाश्चानुलवाः स्मृताः ॥ १२
tasya kāṣṭhāḥ smṛtā ghoṇāścākṣadaṇḍāḥ kṣaṇāśca vai | nimeṣāścānukarṣāśca īṣāścānulavāḥ smṛtāḥ 12 ||
"उसकी काष्ठाएँ घोण (जूएका अग्रभाग) कही गयीं और क्षण अक्षदण्ड (धुरी) कहे गये; निमेष उसका अनुकर्ष (नीचेका काष्ठ) था और लव उसकी ईषा (डण्डा) कही गयी।"
"Its kāṣṭhās [units of time] were remembered as the ghoṇa [tip of the yoke], and the kṣaṇas indeed as the axle-rod; the nimeṣas were its underlying beam (anukarṣa), and the lavas were remembered as its pole (īṣā)."
तस्य काष्ठाः स्मृता घोणाः (tasya kāṣṭhāḥ smṛtā ghoṇāḥ) — "its kāṣṭhās were remembered as the ghoṇa,चाक्षदण्डाः क्षणाश्च वै (cākṣadaṇḍāḥ kṣaṇāśca vai) — and the kṣaṇas indeed as the axle-rod;निमेषाश्चानुकर्षाश्च (nimeṣāścānukarṣāśca) — the nimeṣas as its underlying beam,ईषाश्चानुलवाः स्मृताः (īṣāścānulavāḥ smṛtāḥ) — and the lavas were remembered as its pole"
१३ द्यौर्वरूथं रथस्यास्य स्वर्गमोक्षावुभौ ध्वजौ । युगान्तकोटितौ तस्य भ्रमकामदुघौ स्मृतौ ॥ १३
dyaurvarūthaṃ rathasyāsya svargamokṣāvubhau dhvajau | yugāntakoṭitau tasya bhramakāmadughau smṛtau 13 ||
"द्युलोक (स्वर्ग) इस रथका वरूथ (लौह-आवरण) था; स्वर्ग और मोक्ष इसकी दोनों ध्वजाएँ थीं; इसके जूएके दोनों सिरे भ्रम और कामदुघ कहे गये।"
"Heaven was this chariot's shielding rail (varūtha); heaven and liberation were its two banners; the two tips of its yoke were remembered as Bhrama and Kāmadugha."
Noteभ्रम and कामदुघ are given here as descriptive names for the two tips (yugānta-koṭi) of the chariot's yoke, not as identifiable proper deities or places — rendered here simply as names, without further identification.
द्यौर्वरूथं रथस्यास्य (dyaurvarūthaṃ rathasyāsya) — "heaven was this chariot's shielding rail;स्वर्गमोक्षावुभौ ध्वजौ (svargamokṣāvubhau dhvajau) — heaven and liberation were its two banners;युगान्तकोटितौ तस्य (yugāntakoṭitau tasya) — the two tips of its yokeभ्रमकामदुघौ स्मृतौ (bhramakāmadughau smṛtau) — were remembered as Bhrama and Kāmadugha"
१४ ईषादण्डस्तथा व्यक्तं वृद्धिस्तस्यैव नड्वलः । कोणास्तस्याप्यहङ्कारो भूतानि च बलं स्मृतम् ॥ १४
īṣādaṇḍastathā vyaktaṃ vṛddhistasyaiva naḍvalaḥ | koṇāstasyāpyahaṅkāro bhūtāni ca balaṃ smṛtam 14 ||
"व्यक्त (प्रकृति) उसका ईषादण्ड (डण्डा) था; वृद्धि उसका नड्वल (निचला बन्धन) था; अहंकार उसके कोने थे, और पञ्चमहाभूत उस रथका बल कहे गये।"
"The Vyakta [the manifest primal matter] was likewise its pole-shaft; growth (vṛddhi) was its lower binding (naḍvala); ahaṅkāra [the ego-principle] its corners; and the [five] elements were remembered as its strength."
ईषादण्डस्तथा व्यक्तं (īṣādaṇḍastathā vyaktaṃ) — "the Vyakta likewise was its pole-shaft;वृद्धिस्तस्यैव नड्वलः (vṛddhistasyaiva naḍvalaḥ) — growth was its very lower binding;कोणास्तस्याप्यहङ्कारो (koṇāstasyāpyahaṅkāro) — ahaṅkāra was also its corners,भूतानि च बलं स्मृतम् (bhūtāni ca balaṃ smṛtam) — and the elements were remembered as its strength"
१५ इन्द्रियाणि च तस्यैव भूषणानि समन्ततः । श्रद्धा च गतिरस्यैव रथस्य मुनिसत्तम ॥ १५
indriyāṇi ca tasyaiva bhūṣaṇāni samantataḥ | śraddhā ca gatirasyaiva rathasya munisattama 15 ||
"हे मुनिसत्तम! समस्त इन्द्रियाँ ही उस रथके चारों ओरके आभूषण थीं, और श्रद्धा ही इस रथकी गति थी।"
"The senses, O foremost of sages, were its ornaments all around; and faith (śraddhā) was the very motion of this chariot."
इन्द्रियाणि च तस्यैव (indriyāṇi ca tasyaiva) — "and the senses of it, indeed,भूषणानि समन्ततः (bhūṣaṇāni samantataḥ) — were its ornaments on every side;श्रद्धा च गतिरस्यैव (śraddhā ca gatirasyaiva) — and faith was the very motionरथस्य मुनिसत्तम (rathasya munisattama) — of this chariot, O foremost of sages"
१६ तदानीं भूषणान्येव षडङ्गान्युपभूषणम् । पुराणन्यायमीमांसाधर्मशास्त्राणि सुव्रताः ॥ १६
tadānīṃ bhūṣaṇānyeva ṣaḍaṅgānyupabhūṣaṇam | purāṇanyāyamīmāṃsādharmaśāstrāṇi suvratāḥ 16 ||
"हे सुव्रतो! उस समय छहों वेदांग (शिक्षा, कल्प, निरुक्त, व्याकरण, छन्द तथा ज्योतिष) उसके आभूषण बने और पुराण, न्याय, मीमांसा तथा धर्मशास्त्र उसके उपभूषण (गौण आभूषण) बने।"
"Then the six Vedāṅgas [auxiliary Vedic disciplines: śikṣā, kalpa, nirukta, vyākaraṇa, chandas, jyotiṣa] became its ornaments, O ones of good vows, and the Purāṇas, Nyāya, Mīmāṃsā, and the Dharmaśāstras its secondary ornaments."
तदानीं भूषणान्येव (tadānīṃ bhūṣaṇānyeva) — "then, its very ornamentsषडङ्गान्युपभूषणम् (ṣaḍaṅgānyupabhūṣaṇam) — were the six Vedāṅgas, [and its] secondary ornaments,पुराणन्यायमीमांसा- (purāṇanyāyamīmāṃsā-) — the Purāṇas, Nyāya, Mīmāṃsā,धर्मशास्त्राणि सुव्रताः (dharmaśāstrāṇi suvratāḥ) — and the Dharmaśāstras, O ones of good vows"
१७ बलाशया वराश्चैव सर्वलक्षणसंयुताः । मन्त्रा घण्टाः स्मृतास्तेषां वर्णपादास्तदाश्रमाः ॥ १७
balāśayā varāścaiva sarvalakṣaṇasaṃyutāḥ | mantrā ghaṇṭāḥ smṛtāsteṣāṃ varṇapādāstadāśramāḥ 17 ||
"सब शुभ लक्षणोंसे युक्त वर (आशीर्वाद) उसके बलके आश्रय थे; मन्त्र उसकी घण्टाएँ कही गयीं; वर्ण उसके पग (पैर) और आश्रम उनका सहारा थे।"
"The boons, endowed with every auspicious mark, were the abode of its strength; the mantras were remembered as its bells; the varṇas [social classes] were its feet, and the āśramas [stages of life] their support."
Noteवर्णपादास्तदाश्रमाः is a compressed compound; it is rendered here as वर्णाश्रमधर्म — the four varṇas as the chariot's four feet and the āśramas as their support.
बलाशया वराश्चैव (balāśayā varāścaiva) — "the boons, the abode of [its] strength,सर्वलक्षणसंयुताः (sarvalakṣaṇasaṃyutāḥ) — endowed with every auspicious mark;मन्त्रा घण्टाः स्मृतास्तेषां (mantrā ghaṇṭāḥ smṛtāsteṣāṃ) — the mantras were remembered as its bells;वर्णपादास्तदाश्रमाः (varṇapādāstadāśramāḥ) — the varṇas were its feet, the āśramas their support"
१८ अथो बन्धो ह्यनन्तस्तु सहस्रफणभूषितः । दिशः पादा रथस्यास्य तथा चोपदिशश्च ह ॥ १८
atho bandho hyanantastu sahasraphaṇabhūṣitaḥ | diśaḥ pādā rathasyāsya tathā copadiśaśca ha 18 ||
"तत्पश्चात् सहस्रों फणोंसे विभूषित शेषनाग अनन्त ही उसका बन्धन थे; दिशाएँ इस रथके पग थीं और उपदिशाएँ भी।"
"Then its binding was indeed Ananta [the serpent], adorned with a thousand hoods; the directions were the feet of this chariot, and likewise the intermediate directions too."
अथो बन्धो ह्यनन्तस्तु (atho bandho hyanantastu) — "then, its binding indeed was Ananta,सहस्रफणभूषितः (sahasraphaṇabhūṣitaḥ) — adorned with a thousand hoods;दिशः पादा रथस्यास्य (diśaḥ pādā rathasyāsya) — the directions were this chariot's feet,तथा चोपदिशश्च ह (tathā copadiśaśca ha) — and likewise the intermediate directions too"
१९ पुष्कराद्याः पताकाश्च सौवर्णा रत्नभूषिताः । समुद्रास्तस्य चत्वारो रथकम्बलिनःस्मृताः ॥ १९
puṣkarādyāḥ patākāśca sauvarṇā ratnabhūṣitāḥ | samudrāstasya catvāro rathakambalinaḥsmṛtāḥ 19 ||
"पुष्कर आदि तीर्थ उसकी सुवर्णमय, रत्नजड़ित पताकाएँ थीं; चारों समुद्र इस रथके आवरण-वस्त्र कहे गये।"
"The [sacred fords] beginning with Puṣkara were its golden, jewel-adorned banners; the four oceans were remembered as the covering-cloths of this chariot."
पुष्कराद्याः पताकाश्च (puṣkarādyāḥ patākāśca) — "the [tīrthas] beginning with Puṣkara were its banners,सौवर्णा रत्नभूषिताः (sauvarṇā ratnabhūṣitāḥ) — golden and adorned with jewels;समुद्रास्तस्य चत्वारो (samudrāstasya catvāro) — the four oceans of itरथकम्बलिनःस्मृताः (rathakambalinaḥsmṛtāḥ) — were remembered as the chariot's covering-cloths"
२० गङ्गाद्याः सरितश्रेष्ठाः सर्वाभरणभूषिताः । चामरासक्तहस्ताग्राः सर्वाः स्त्रीरूपशोभिताः ॥ २०
gaṅgādyāḥ saritaśreṣṭhāḥ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitāḥ | cāmarāsaktahastāgrāḥ sarvāḥ strīrūpaśobhitāḥ 20 ||
"गंगा आदि श्रेष्ठ नदियाँ सब प्रकारके आभूषणोंसे विभूषित, हाथोंके अग्रभागमें चँवर लिये, सब स्त्री-रूपमें सुशोभित थीं —"
"The Gaṅgā and the other foremost rivers, adorned with every ornament, their fingertips holding chowries, all of them resplendent in the form of women —"
गङ्गाद्याः सरितश्रेष्ठाः (gaṅgādyāḥ saritaśreṣṭhāḥ) — "the Gaṅgā and the other foremost rivers,सर्वाभरणभूषिताः (sarvābharaṇabhūṣitāḥ) — adorned with every ornament,चामरासक्तहस्ताग्राः (cāmarāsaktahastāgrāḥ) — their fingertips holding chowries,सर्वाः स्त्रीरूपशोभिताः (sarvāḥ strīrūpaśobhitāḥ) — all resplendent in the form of women —"
२१ तत्र तत्र कृतस्थानाः शोभयाञ्चक्रिरे रथम् । आवहाद्यास्तथा सप्त सोपानं हैममुत्तमम् ॥ २१
tatra tatra kṛtasthānāḥ śobhayāñcakrire ratham | āvahādyāstathā sapta sopānaṃ haimamuttamam 21 ||
"— जगह-जगह अपना स्थान बनाकर उस रथकी शोभा बढ़ाने लगीं; तथा आवह आदि सातों वायु उसकी उत्तम सुवर्णमय सीढ़ी बने।"
"— taking their places here and there, they adorned the chariot; and the seven [cosmic winds] beginning with Āvaha became its excellent golden stairway."
तत्र तत्र कृतस्थानाः (tatra tatra kṛtasthānāḥ) — "having taken their places here and there,शोभयाञ्चक्रिरे रथम् (śobhayāñcakrire ratham) — they adorned the chariot;आवहाद्यास्तथा सप्त (āvahādyāstathā sapta) — and the seven [winds] beginning with Āvahaसोपानं हैममुत्तमम् (sopānaṃ haimamuttamam) — became [its] excellent golden stairway"
२२ लोकालोकाचलस्तस्योपसोपानाः समन्ततः । विषयश्च तथा बाह्यो मानसादिस्तु शोभनः ॥ २२
lokālokācalastasyopasopānāḥ samantataḥ | viṣayaśca tathā bāhyo mānasādistu śobhanaḥ 22 ||
"लोकालोक पर्वत उसके चारों ओरकी उपसीढ़ियाँ बना; और मानसरोवर आदि बाहरी सुन्दर विषय (क्षेत्र) बने।"
"Mount Lokāloka formed its side-steps all around; and the outer region — [Lake] Mānasa and the other [waters] — was its beautiful outlying precinct."
लोकालोकाचलस्तस्य (lokālokācalastasya) — "Mount Lokāloka, of it,उपसोपानाः समन्ततः (upasopānāḥ samantataḥ) — formed the side-steps on every side;विषयश्च तथा बाह्यो (viṣayaśca tathā bāhyo) — and the outer region likewise,मानसादिस्तु शोभनः (mānasādistu śobhanaḥ) — [Lake] Mānasa and the rest, was beautiful"
२३ पाशाः समन्ततस्तस्य सर्वे वर्षाचलाः स्मृताः । तलास्तस्य रथस्याऽथ सर्वे तलनिवासिनः ॥ २३
pāśāḥ samantatastasya sarve varṣācalāḥ smṛtāḥ | talāstasya rathasyā'tha sarve talanivāsinaḥ 23 ||
"सभी वर्षाचल (सीमापर्वत) उसके चारों ओरके पाश (रस्से) कहे गये; और तललोकके सभी निवासी इस रथके तलके भाग (फर्श) थे।"
"All the varṣa-mountains [the boundary ranges of the world's regions] were remembered as its cords, all around; and all the dwellers of the netherworlds were then the floor of this chariot."
पाशाः समन्ततस्तस्य (pāśāḥ samantatastasya) — "the cords, all around it,सर्वे वर्षाचलाः स्मृताः (sarve varṣācalāḥ smṛtāḥ) — were remembered as all the varṣa-mountains;तलास्तस्य रथस्याऽथ (talāstasya rathasyā'tha) — the floor of this chariot, then,सर्वे तलनिवासिनः (sarve talanivāsinaḥ) — were all the dwellers of the netherworlds"
२४ सारथिर्भगवान्ब्रह्मा देवा रश्मिधराः स्मृताः । प्रतोदो ब्रह्मणस्तस्य प्रणवो ब्रह्मदैवतम् ॥ २४
sārathirbhagavānbrahmā devā raśmidharāḥ smṛtāḥ | pratodo brahmaṇastasya praṇavo brahmadaivatam 24 ||
"भगवान् ब्रह्मा उसके सारथि थे और देवगण रस्सी (लगाम) पकड़नेवाले कहे गये; ब्रह्मदैवत प्रणव (ॐकार) ब्रह्माका चाबुक (प्रतोद) था।"
"The Lord Brahmā was its charioteer; the gods were remembered as holders of the reins; the syllable Oṃ, whose deity is Brahmā, was Brahmā's goad."
सारथिर्भगवान्ब्रह्मा (sārathirbhagavānbrahmā) — "the Lord Brahmā was the charioteer;देवा रश्मिधराः स्मृताः (devā raśmidharāḥ smṛtāḥ) — the gods were remembered as holders of the reins;प्रतोदो ब्रह्मणस्तस्य (pratodo brahmaṇastasya) — the goad of that Brahmāप्रणवो ब्रह्मदैवतम् (praṇavo brahmadaivatam) — was the praṇava, whose deity is Brahmā"
२५ अकारश्च महच्छत्रं मन्दरः पार्श्वदण्डभाक् । शैलेन्द्रः कार्मुकं तस्य ज्या भुजङ्गाधिपः स्वयम् ॥ २५
akāraśca mahacchatraṃ mandaraḥ pārśvadaṇḍabhāk | śailendraḥ kārmukaṃ tasya jyā bhujaṅgādhipaḥ svayam 25 ||
"अकार उसका महान् छत्र था; मन्दराचल उस छत्रको धारण करनेवाला पार्श्वदण्ड था; पर्वतराज सुमेरु उसका धनुष था और स्वयं भुजंगराज शेषनाग उसकी डोरी (प्रत्यंचा) थे।"
"The syllable A was its great umbrella; Mandara bore its side-pole; the Lord of Mountains [Sumeru] was its bow, and the Lord of Serpents [Śeṣa] himself its bowstring."
अकारश्च महच्छत्रं (akāraśca mahacchatraṃ) — "the syllable A was the great umbrella;मन्दरः पार्श्वदण्डभाक् (mandaraḥ pārśvadaṇḍabhāk) — Mandara held its side-pole;शैलेन्द्रः कार्मुकं तस्य (śailendraḥ kārmukaṃ tasya) — the Lord of Mountains was its bow,ज्या भुजङ्गाधिपः स्वयम् (jyā bhujaṅgādhipaḥ svayam) — and the Lord of Serpents himself, its bowstring"
२६ घण्टा सरस्वती देवी धनुषः श्रुतिरूपिणी । इषुर्विष्णुर्महातेजास्त्वग्निः शल्यं प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ २६
ghaṇṭā sarasvatī devī dhanuṣaḥ śrutirūpiṇī | iṣurviṣṇurmahātejāstvagniḥ śalyaṃ prakīrtitam 26 ||
"श्रुतिस्वरूपा देवी सरस्वती उस धनुषकी घण्टी थीं; महातेजस्वी विष्णु उसका बाण थे, और अग्निको उस बाणका शल्य (नोक) कहा गया।"
"The goddess Sarasvatī, in the form of the Śruti [Veda], was the bell of the bow; the greatly radiant Viṣṇu was its arrow, and Agni was declared to be the barb of that arrow."
घण्टा सरस्वती देवी (ghaṇṭā sarasvatī devī) — "the bell was the goddess Sarasvatī,धनुषः श्रुतिरूपिणी (dhanuṣaḥ śrutirūpiṇī) — of the bow, in the form of the Śruti;इषुर्विष्णुर्महातेजाः (iṣurviṣṇurmahātejāḥ) — the arrow was the greatly radiant Viṣṇu,त्वग्निः शल्यं प्रकीर्तितम् (tvagniḥ śalyaṃ prakīrtitam) — and Agni was declared its barb"
२७ हयास्तस्य तथा प्रोक्ताश्चत्वारो निगमा मुने । ज्योतींषि भूषणं तेषामवशिष्टान्यतः परम् ॥ २७
hayāstasya tathā proktāścatvāro nigamā mune | jyotīṃṣi bhūṣaṇaṃ teṣāmavaśiṣṭānyataḥ param 27 ||
"हे मुने! उसके घोड़े चारों वेद कहे गये; ज्योतियाँ उन अश्वोंका आभूषण थीं, और इसके अतिरिक्त शेष सब भी थे।"
"Its horses, O sage, were declared to be the four Vedas; the heavenly luminaries were their ornament, and beyond that, all the rest [besides]."
हयास्तस्य तथा प्रोक्ताः (hayāstasya tathā proktāḥ) — "its horses were likewise declaredचत्वारो निगमा मुने (catvāro nigamā mune) — to be the four Vedas, O sage;ज्योतींषि भूषणं तेषाम् (jyotīṃṣi bhūṣaṇaṃ teṣām) — the luminaries were their ornament,अवशिष्टान्यतः परम् (avaśiṣṭānyataḥ param) — and beyond that, all that yet remained"
२८ अनीकं विषसम्भूतं वायवो वादकाः स्मृताः । ऋषयो व्यासमुख्याश्च वाहवाहास्तथाभवन् ॥ २८
anīkaṃ viṣasambhūtaṃ vāyavo vādakāḥ smṛtāḥ | ṛṣayo vyāsamukhyāśca vāhavāhāstathābhavan 28 ||
"सेना विषसे उत्पन्न प्राणियोंकी बनी थी; वायुगण उसके बाजा बजानेवाले कहे गये; और व्यास आदि ऋषिगण उसे ढोनेवाले हुए।"
"The host [army] was made of poison-born beings; the winds were remembered as its musicians; and the sages headed by Vyāsa became its bearers."
अनीकं विषसम्भूतं (anīkaṃ viṣasambhūtaṃ) — "the host was made of poison-born beings;वायवो वादकाः स्मृताः (vāyavo vādakāḥ smṛtāḥ) — the winds were remembered as its musicians;ऋषयो व्यासमुख्याश्च (ṛṣayo vyāsamukhyāśca) — and the sages headed by Vyāsaवाहवाहास्तथाभवन् (vāhavāhāstathābhavan) — became, likewise, its bearers"
२९ स्वल्पाक्षरैः सम्ब्रवीमि किं बहूक्त्या मुनीश्वर । ब्रह्माण्डे चैव यत्किञ्चिद्वस्तुतद्वै रथे स्मृतम् ॥ २९
svalpākṣaraiḥ sambravīmi kiṃ bahūktyā munīśvara | brahmāṇḍe caiva yatkiñcidvastutadvai rathe smṛtam 29 ||
"हे मुनीश्वर! मैं थोड़े शब्दोंमें ही कहता हूँ, अधिक कहनेसे क्या लाभ? ब्रह्माण्डमें जो कुछ भी वस्तु है, वह सब इस रथमें विद्यमान कही गयी है।"
"In brief I tell it, O lord of sages — what use is there in speaking at length? Whatever thing exists in the universe, that indeed is held to be present in the chariot."
स्वल्पाक्षरैः सम्ब्रवीमि (svalpākṣaraiḥ sambravīmi) — "in brief words I tell,किं बहूक्त्या मुनीश्वर (kiṃ bahūktyā munīśvara) — what use in speaking at length, O lord of sages?ब्रह्माण्डे चैव यत्किञ्चिद् (brahmāṇḍe caiva yatkiñcid) — whatever thing exists in the universe,वस्तु तद्वै रथे स्मृतम् (vastu tadvai rathe smṛtam) — that indeed is held to be present in the chariot"
३० एवं सम्यक्कृतस्तेन धीमता विश्वकर्मणा । सरथादिप्रकारो हि ब्रह्मविष्ण्वाज्ञया शुभः ॥ ३०
evaṃ samyakkṛtastena dhīmatā viśvakarmaṇā | sarathādiprakāro hi brahmaviṣṇvājñayā śubhaḥ 30 ||
"इस प्रकार बुद्धिमान् विश्वकर्माने ब्रह्मा और विष्णुकी आज्ञासे इस शुभ रथ आदिके प्रकारको भलीभाँति बनाया।"
"Thus was this auspicious manner of the chariot and the rest [of the war-implements] properly wrought by the wise Viśvakarman, at the command of Brahmā and Viṣṇu."
एवं सम्यक्कृतस्तेन (evaṃ samyakkṛtastena) — "thus properly was it made by him,धीमता विश्वकर्मणा (dhīmatā viśvakarmaṇā) — the wise Viśvakarman;सरथादिप्रकारो हि (sarathādiprakāro hi) — this manner of the chariot and the rest,ब्रह्मविष्ण्वाज्ञया शुभः (brahmaviṣṇvājñayā śubhaḥ) — auspicious, by the command of Brahmā and Viṣṇu"
इति श्रीशिवमहापुराणे द्वितीयायां रुद्रसंहितायां पञ्चमे युद्धखण्डे रथादियुद्धप्रकारवर्णनं नामाष्टमोऽध्यायः॥ ८॥
Thus ends the eighth chapter, called "The Description of the Chariot and the Manner of War," in the Yuddha-khaṇḍa — the fifth section of the second Rudra-saṃhitā, in the glorious Śiva Mahāpurāṇa.
॥ इस प्रकार श्रीशिवमहापुराणके अन्तर्गत द्वितीय रुद्रसंहिताके पञ्चम युद्धखण्डमें रथादियुद्धप्रकारवर्णन नामक आठवाँ अध्याय पूर्ण हुआ॥ ८॥