2023-09-10 12:46:02 by ambuda-bot
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xxxvi
Bhaktimandākinī
Śārnga, the bow of Viṣṇu
Let the loud (thundering) noise of the bow [Śarnga of Visņu] protect us,
terrible like a thunderbolt, when it is filled with the blow of the wind of the
arms of Visņu, as the Gods release shouts of applause with their eyes wide
open, when it pours forth the shower of rain in the form of arrows into the
ocean of battle at the end of time (kalpānta), producing loud vibrations of
sound when He desires to destroy the Universe of the crowds of enemies.[3]48
Nandaka, the sword of Viṣṇu
The luminescent form of Nandaka, the sword (of Viṣṇu) causes hallucina-
tions as it is swung up during battles, in his Lord's arm possessed of the blue
colour of a cloud, looks like the lightning all around. May this Nandaka,
which pleases the mind of Vișņu, the slayer of (the demon) Madhu, and
which is never content with tasting the blood from the body of the demons,
the Gods' enemies with their perplexed eyes out of terror, be forever-lasting
happiness to us. [4] 4⁹
Kaumodakī, the club of Viṣṇu
The club of Vișnu (the enemy of the demon, Mura), with its beautiful form
(attractive figure), is passionately held in his hand (received by hand out of
passion), globe-shaped (of good character), present in front (battle front),
never tolerates the sight of the enemies (of people other than her husband),
even for a while. Let this Kaumodakī (the mace), shining like his love,
merry with intoxication from the liquor of the life of demons (the children
of Diti), wet with the anointment of blood (smeared with red pigment used
for decoration), glittering like the sun (covered with a colourful veil) fulfil
our desires. [5]50
48 In this verse, the bow Sarnga is identified with a rain cloud showering arrows; the
sound produced while shooting arrows is compared to the sound of thunder; the battlefield
is conceived as the ocean in which the shower of arrows falls.
49 The form of the sword Nandaka held up by Vişnu's blue arm is compared to the
lightning of a cloud. The commentator takes this sword in its sheath to represent the Real
Knowledge of Brahman conceived by ignorance.
50 Here, the club Kaumodakī is compared to the spouse of Vișnu. All the adjectives can
be applied both to the beloved spouse, loving woman devoted to her husband and to the
mace. Double entity meanings are given within brackets. The club represents the intellect
or buddhitattva according to the commentator.
Bhaktimandākinī
Śārnga, the bow of Viṣṇu
Let the loud (thundering) noise of the bow [Śarnga of Visņu] protect us,
terrible like a thunderbolt, when it is filled with the blow of the wind of the
arms of Visņu, as the Gods release shouts of applause with their eyes wide
open, when it pours forth the shower of rain in the form of arrows into the
ocean of battle at the end of time (kalpānta), producing loud vibrations of
sound when He desires to destroy the Universe of the crowds of enemies.[3]48
Nandaka, the sword of Viṣṇu
The luminescent form of Nandaka, the sword (of Viṣṇu) causes hallucina-
tions as it is swung up during battles, in his Lord's arm possessed of the blue
colour of a cloud, looks like the lightning all around. May this Nandaka,
which pleases the mind of Vișņu, the slayer of (the demon) Madhu, and
which is never content with tasting the blood from the body of the demons,
the Gods' enemies with their perplexed eyes out of terror, be forever-lasting
happiness to us. [4] 4⁹
Kaumodakī, the club of Viṣṇu
The club of Vișnu (the enemy of the demon, Mura), with its beautiful form
(attractive figure), is passionately held in his hand (received by hand out of
passion), globe-shaped (of good character), present in front (battle front),
never tolerates the sight of the enemies (of people other than her husband),
even for a while. Let this Kaumodakī (the mace), shining like his love,
merry with intoxication from the liquor of the life of demons (the children
of Diti), wet with the anointment of blood (smeared with red pigment used
for decoration), glittering like the sun (covered with a colourful veil) fulfil
our desires. [5]50
48 In this verse, the bow Sarnga is identified with a rain cloud showering arrows; the
sound produced while shooting arrows is compared to the sound of thunder; the battlefield
is conceived as the ocean in which the shower of arrows falls.
49 The form of the sword Nandaka held up by Vişnu's blue arm is compared to the
lightning of a cloud. The commentator takes this sword in its sheath to represent the Real
Knowledge of Brahman conceived by ignorance.
50 Here, the club Kaumodakī is compared to the spouse of Vișnu. All the adjectives can
be applied both to the beloved spouse, loving woman devoted to her husband and to the
mace. Double entity meanings are given within brackets. The club represents the intellect
or buddhitattva according to the commentator.