Chapter 10 - Dhruva invades Alakā

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Maitreya said:

1. Dhruva married Bhrami, the daughter of Prajāpati Śiśumāra. They had two sons, Kalpa and Vatsara.

2. And by his second wife Ilā, the daughter of Vāyu, the mighty Dhruva begot a son by name Utkala who was covetable to women like a jewel.^[1]

3. But Uttama, who was yet unmarried, was killed in a hunting expedition, in the Himālayas, by a more powerful Yakṣa. His mother, Suruci, also followed his course.

4. Having heard of his brother’s death, Dhruva was filled with wrath, revenge and sorrow. Mounting his victorious chariot, he marched against the abode of Yakṣas, the city of Alakā.

5. Proceeding to the northern direction, he saw, in a valley of the Himālayas, the city, Alakā, crowded with Yakṣas, and frequented by the followers of Rudra (Such as goblins, spirits).

6. The stout-armed Dhruva blew his conch, resounding the sky and all the quarters. Oh Vidura, thereby the demigoddesses (women of the Yakṣa tribe) became greatly terrified and looked bewildered.

7. Incensed at the blast of the conch, the mighty and great warriors among the Yakṣas sallied forth from the city, and with uplifted weapons, fell upon him.

8. While the Yakṣas were dashing towards him the great warrior^[2] with a formidable bow, simultaneously hit each one of them with three arrows.

9. With those arrows planted on their foreheads, all of

43. yoṣid-ratna [ratnam]—(he got) a daughter who was like a jewel among women—Bhāvāratha Dīpikā Padaratnāvalī accepts the v.l. yogeśvaram [yogeśvara]—(the son Utkala) who was the master of Yoga and possessed supernatural powers (siddhis like aṇimā).

44. mahāratha—An expert who, riding his chariot, can engage ten thousand archers simultaneously.

eko daśa-sahasrāṇi yodhayed yas tu dhanvinām /
astra-śastra-pravīṇas'ca vijñeyaḥ sa mahārathaḥ //

them felt definitely vanquished, and verily appreciated that heroic deed.

10. Being enraged like serpents trodden under feet, the Yakṣas also, desiring to do the double of what he did, simultaneously shot at him double the number of arrows (six each).

11-12. Then fired with anger, and desirous of retaliation those one lakh and thirty-thousand Yakṣas showered on him, his chariot and charioteer iron bars, swords, darts, spears, axes, lances, double-edged swords, bhuśuṇḍi missile and arrows with variegated feathers.

13. At that time, being covered with the heavy volley of weapons, Dhruva, the son of Uttānapāda, could not be seen, just as a hill is hidden by a thick shower of rain.

14. Immediately arose the cry ‘Alas! Alas’ from the Siddhas who were witnessing the fight from the sky. ‘This Sun of Manu’s race, drowned in the ocean of Yakṣa-army, is killed’.

15. While Yakṣas and Rākṣasas (Yātudhānas)^[3] were shouting and proclaiming their victory, the chariot of Dhruva came into view, like the Sun from behind the mist.

16. Twanging his divine bow, he struck terror in his enemies. He shattered to pieces their volley of missiles, like strong wind dispersing the army of clouds.

17. Sharp arrows discharged from his bow, pierced through the armours of the Rākṣasas into their bodies, just as thunderbolts (vajras) into the mountains.

18-19. When they were mowed down with Dhruva’s arrows of bhalla type, the battlefield was covered with their heads adorned with beautiful ear-rings; with their thighs resembling golden palms; with arms beautiful with bracelets; with precious necklaces, armlets, crowns and costly turbans, and it appeared attractive to warriors

20. Most of the survivers of the Rākṣasa army who escaped death, got the limbs of their bodies cut off with the arrows of Dhruva, the foremost among the Kṣatriyas, and they

45. The Bhāgavata Purāṇa mixes up Yakṣas and Rākṣasas, as Alakā was inhabited by all kinds of demigods and their army was composed of these.

fled away from the field of battle, like the elephant-leaders discomfited in their fight with a lion (king of beasts).

21. At that time, Dhruva, the best among Manu’s race, did not see anyone with a weapon in hand, on the great battlefield. Though he desired to see the city of the enemies, he did not enter it. ‘A man cannot know the intentions of those expert in black magic’.

22. Telling this to his charioteer, Dhruva of wonderful chariot, apprehended an attack from the enemies and remained alert. He heard a noise like the roaring of the sea, and saw on all sides dust raised by a strong wind.

23. In a moment, the sky was overcast on all sides by a host of clouds accompanied with flashes of lightening and terrible thunders rattling, in all directions

24. They (the clouds) showered blood, phlegm, puss, excreta, fat and urine. Headless bodies fell down from heaven before him, Oh sinless (Vidura)!

25. Then a mountain appeared in the sky; and from all directions were showered maces, iron clubs, swords, pestles along with a volley of stones.

26. Serpents with thunderous hissing and emitting fire from eyes with rage, rushed at him. Intoxicated elephants, lions and tigers attacked him in multitudes.

27. Terrific like the ocean at the time of deluge, at the end of a Kalpa, a loudly roaring terrible sea, engulfing the earth on all sides with waves, approached him.

28. By means of their special power of black magic, the Asuras (Yakṣas)of cruel disposition, created many kinds of such phenomena which strike terror into unthinking men.

29. Hearing that insuperable type of black magic had been employed against Dhruva by the Asuras, sages assembled there praying for his welfare.

Sages said:

30. Oh Dhruva, son of Uttānapāda! May the glorious Viṣṇu (wielder of the Śārṅga bow), your God who removes afflictions of the suppliants, destroy your enemies—the Lord by uttering or hearing whose name, people easily overcome death which is so very difficult to conquer.

46. VC. and Bhāvārtha-dīpikā-prakāśa add: What of dispelling the Māyā of Yakṣas. Hereby, they (sages) suggested him to use the missile Nārāyaṇāstra.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

yoṣid-ratna [ratnam]—(he got) a daughter who was like a jewel among women—Bhāvāratha Dīpikā Padaratnāvalī accepts the v.l. yogeśvaram [yogeśvara]—(the son Utkala) who was the master of Yoga and possessed supernatural powers (siddhis like aṇimā).

[2]:

mahāratha—An expert who, riding his chariot, can engage ten thousand archers simultaneously.

eko daśa-sahasrāṇi yodhayed yas tu dhanvinām /
astra-śastra-pravīṇas'ca vijñeyaḥ sa mahārathaḥ //

[3]:

The Bhāgavata Purāṇa mixes up Yakṣas and Rākṣasas, as Alakā was inhabited by all kinds of demigods and their army was composed of these.