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The Ninth Book. Chapter 23

The Ninth Book

Chapter Xxiii

On The Killing Of Sankhachda

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1-6.
Nryana said : -- Siva, versed in the knowledge of the Higher Reality, hearing all this, went himself with His whole host to the battle. Seeing Him, Sankhachda alighted from his chariot and fell prostrate before him. With great force he got up and, quickly putting on his armour he took up his huge and heavy bow case. Then a great fight ensued between

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Siva and Sankhachda for full one hundred years but there was no defeat nor victory on either side. The result was stalemate. Both of them, Bhagavn and the Dnava quitted their weapons. Sankhachda, remained on his chariot and Mahdeva role on His Bull. Hundreds and hundreds of Dnavas were slain. But extraordinarily endowed with divine power, Sambhu restored to life all those of His party that were slain.

7-30.
In the meanwhile, an aged Brhmana, very distressed in his appearance, came to the battlefield and asked Sankhachda, the King of Dnavas :-- "O King! Grant me what I beg of you; you give away in charity all sorts of wealth and riches; give me also what I desire; give me, a Brhmin, something also. I am a quiet peaceable aged Brhmin, very very thirsty. Make your Promise first and then I will speak to you what I desire." (Note :-- The Brhmins only are fit for receiving frauds and cheatings.)

The King Sankhachda, with a gracious countenance and pleasing eyes swore before him that He would give him what he would desire. Then the Brhmin spoke to the King with great affection and My :-- "I am desirous of your Kavacha (amulet)." The King, then, gave him the Kavacha (the amulet, mantra written on a Bhurja bark and located in a golden cup). Bhagavn Hari (in the form of that Brhmin) took that Kavacha and, assuming the form of Sankhachda came to Tulas. Coming there, He made His My (magic) manifest and held sexual intercourse with her. At this time Mahdeva took up the Haris trident-aiming at the king of the Dnavas. The trident looked like the Mid-day Sun of summer, flaming like a Pralaya fire. It looked irresistible and invincible as if quite powerful to kill the enemies. In brilliance it equalled the Sudarsan Chakra (disc) and it was the chief of all the weapons. No other body than Siva and Kesava could wield such a weapon. And everybody feared that but Siva and Kesava. In length it was one thousand Dhanus and in width it was one hundred hands. It seemed lively, of the nature of Brahm, eternal and not capable to be noticed, whence and how it proceeded. The weapon could destroy, by its own free Ll (Will) all the worlds. When Siva held it aloft and aiming at Sankhachda, He hurled it on him, the King of the Demons quitted his bows and arrows and with mind collected in a yoga posture, began to meditate on the lotus-feet of Sr Krisna with great devotion. At that moment, the trident, whirling round fell on Sankhachda and easily burnt him and his chariot to ashes. He, then assuming the form of a two-armed Gopa, full of youth, divine, ornamented with jewels, holding flute, mounted on a Divine Chariot, surrounded by kotis

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and kotis of Gopas who came there from the region of Goloka, whose bodies were built up of excellent jewels, and Sankhachda then went up to the Heavens (Goloka, where Sr Brindbana is located in the middle). He went to Vrindban, full of Rsas (sentiments) and bowed down at the lotus feet of Rdh Krisna with devotion. Both of them were filled with love when they saw Sudm, and, with a gracious countenance and joyful eyes, they took him on their laps. On the other hand the Sla weapon came with force and gladness back again to Krisna. The bones of Sankhachda, O Narada! were transformed into conch-shells. These conch-shells are always considered very sacred and auspicious in the worship of the Devas. The water in the conch-shell is also very holy and pleasing to the Devas. What more than this, that the water in the conch-shell is as holy as the water of any Trtha. This water can be offered to all the Gods but not to Siva. Wherever the conch-shell is blown, there Laksm abides with great pleasure. If bathing be done with conch-shell water, it is equivalent to taking bath in all the Trthas. Bhagavn Hari resides direct in the conch-shell. Where Sankha is placed, there Hari resides. Laksm also resides there and all inauspicious things fly away from there. Where the females and Sdras blow the Sankhas, Laksm then gets vexed and, out of terror, She goes away to other places. O Nrada! Mahdeva, after killing the Dnava, went to His own abode. When He gladly went away on His Vehicle, on the Bulls back, with His whole host, all the other Devas went to their respective places with great gladness. Celestial drums were sounded in the Heavens. The Gandharbas and the Kinnaras began to sing songs. And showers of flowers were strewn on Sivas head. All the Munis and Devas and their chiefs began to chant hymns to Him.

Here ends the Twenty-Third Chapter of the Ninth Book on the killing of Sankhachda in Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
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