________________
TRANSLATION
113
your undivided love for those who seek your shelter ! For, look here, it makes you, O Bhava (i.e., Śankara) stand at the gate of the demon Bāna — it makes you forget your residence on the Mountain Himālaya !
47.
I shall certainly not kill the son of Bali – the demon Bāņa but only smash his excessive vanity. It would be regarded as a serious blunder if bloated villains were to be ignored !
48.
As I was importuned by Prahlāļa with abjuration I shall surely not kill even the wicked born in his family. Let this Bāna, a favourite of yours live long, O Śiva, with no more than two arms only.
49.
To the Four-armed one (i.e., Vişnu-Kțsna) who remained silent after saying this, bowed that Bāna, with his body quivering with fear, folding well the pair of palms which were left intact — unimpaired and then said as follows :
50.
“Victory, victory to you, O lord of the Yadus (i.e., Kșsna) - you who are always and ever devoted to the mission of protecting the helpless and who possess eagle as your symbol. (Pakșirāja - Ketu). Show favour to me. I seek the shelter of the pair of your feet. My homage to you who are the ocean of the nectar of compassion !
"Kindly forgive me, my compassionate Lord, o lotusnavelled (Vişnu-Krsna) one ! I have committed an offence against you indiscreetly out of vanity caused by my overbearing attitude.
52.
“The high-souled Prahlāda, my grand-father, achieved
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
