“The Gandharva said, ‘(Rishi) Vasishtha
after this, continued the narration saying, ‘O child (Rishi Paraashara), hearing these words of the Pitris, (Rishi)
Aurva replied to them to this effect:
‘O Pitris, the vow (Pratignya in Sanskrit) I have made from anger for the destruction of all the worlds, must not
go in vain. I cannot consent to be one whose anger and vows (Pratignya in
Sanskrit) are fruitless. Like fire
consuming dry woods, this anger of mine will certainly consume me if I do not
accomplish my vow. The man that suppresses his anger
that has been excited by (a proper) cause, becomes incapable of duly completing
the three ends of life (viz., Dharma, Arthaa and Kaamaa). The anger that kings desirous of
subjugating the whole earth exhibit, is not without its uses. It serves to control
the wicked and to protect the honest. While lying unborn within my mother’s thigh, I heard the sorrowful
cries of my mother and other women of the Bhrigu race who were then being killed
by the Kshatriyas. O Pitris (ancestors in English), when those wretches of Kshatriyas began to destroy the Bhrigus
together with unborn children of their race, it was then that angry filled my
soul. My mother and the other women of our race, each in an advanced state of
pregnancy, and my father, while terribly alarmed, did not find in all the
worlds a single protector. Then when the Bhrigu women did not found a single
protector, my mother held me in one of her thighs. If
there be a punisher of crimes in the worlds no one in all the worlds would dare
commit a crime; if he finds not a punisher, the number of sinners becomes
large. The man who having the power to prevent or punish sin does not do so
knowing that a sin has been committed, is himself infected by that sin.
When kings and others, capable of protecting my fathers, did not protect them,
postponing that duty preferring the pleasures of life, I have proper cause to
be enraged with them. I am the lord of the creation, capable of punishing its wickedness.
I am incapable of obeying your command. Capable of punishing this crime, if I
abstain from so doing, men will once more have to undergo a similar oppression.
The fire of my anger too that is ready to consume the worlds, if repressed,
will certainly consume by its own energy my own self. O masters (Pitris), I know that you ever seek the good of the
worlds: direct me, therefore, as to what may benefit both myself and the
worlds.’
“(Rishi) Vasishtha
continued, ‘O (Paraashara), the
Pitris replied saying throw this fire that is born of your anger and that
desires to consume the worlds, into the waters. That will do you good. The
worlds, indeed, are all dependent on water (as their elementary cause). Every juicy substance contains water,
indeed the whole universe is made of water. Therefore, O you best of Brahmanas (Rishi
Aurva), you throw this fire of your anger
into the waters. O Brahmana (Rishi Aurva), if, therefore, you desire it let this fire born of your anger remain
in the great ocean, consuming the waters thereof, for it has been said that the
worlds are made of water. In this way, O you sinless one, your word will be
rendered true, and the worlds with the Devas will not be destroyed.’
“(Rishi) Vasishtha
continued, ‘O child (Paraashara), then
(Rishi) Aurva put the fire of his anger
into the abode of Varuna (the Ocean).
That fire which consumes the waters of the great ocean,
became like to a large horse’s head which persons knowledgeable with the Vedas
call by the name of Vadaavamukha (Vadavamukha
meaning Horse-faced) (Vadavamukha actually indicates the subterranean fire
present under the ocean). Emitting itself from that mouth it
consumes the waters of the mighty ocean. Blessed be you (Paraashara)! , therefore, it is your responsibility to
destroy the worlds. O you Paraashara, who are acquainted with the higher
regions, you foremost of wise men!’”
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