The Creator, Brahmā, said to Parameshwara, “You established Me in the sacred office of Prajāpati and entrusted Me with its solemn responsibilities. In accordance with that charge, and moved by the severe austerities performed by the three demon brothers, I granted them an extraordinary boon. By the authority vested in My position and by My independent will, I bestowed upon them three impregnable celestial cities. Yet they have perverted that blessing into an instrument of tyranny. Inflated with pride, they have become dreadful oppressors, subjugating the three worlds and tormenting every realm without restraint. The hosts of the gods and the assemblies of the sages have therefore approached Me, seeking refuge. I have now come to you for assistance. Out of your boundless compassion, support this righteous cause, for you are the protector and sustainer of all living beings. Apart from you, there is none capable of preserving the worlds and safeguarding the lives of their inhabitants.”
Again, the Supreme Lord declared, “Those demons indeed deserve destruction. Yet they have become immeasurably powerful through the merit of their penance. I shall bestow upon you half of My own strength and invincible prowess. United by that divine power, all of you shall wage war against them and bring their reign of terror to an end. This is your immediate duty.”
The gods, however, bowed in humility and replied, “O Lord, the courage, heroism, and strength of those demons surpass ours many times over. Even if You were to grant us half of Your immeasurable power, we would still be unable to bear its greatness. Therefore, let us instead surrender half of our own valor and physical strength to You. You alone should accomplish the destruction of the demons, for only You possess the might worthy of such a task. Protect us from every direction, for we are forever dependent upon Your grace.”
The Lord of the Universe answered with serene majesty, “I behold gods and demons with equal vision. Indeed, My compassion extends equally to every living being throughout all realms. Because of this impartiality, I am known as Śiva, the Auspicious One. All creation recognizes My justice and My equal regard for every creature. Yet when any being abandons righteousness and delights only in causing suffering to others, punishment becomes necessary. Those who oppress the innocent without reason deserve correction. Since you gods and sages uphold virtue and protect righteousness, I shall destroy those demons who afflict you and restore peace throughout the worlds.”
The Lord continued, “Offer unto Me half of your valor and half of your physical strength. There is yet another mystery I shall reveal. Let the universe become filled with the instinctive condition known as paśu-bhāva, while My eternal sovereignty shall be established as Paśupati, the Lord of all beings. Thus, in slaying these demonic forces, I shall incur no stain of violence, for I remain the compassionate Lord who redeems every bound soul. Now prepare for Me a divine chariot, an incomparable charioteer, noble steeds, a mighty bow, and a single irresistible arrow. With these I shall shatter the fortresses of Tripura.”
Hearing these profound words, the gods and sages became distressed. They wondered how the worlds could endure when all beings were veiled by the condition of animal instinct. Perceiving their anxiety, Lord Parameśvara smiled and said, “Do not fear. Liberation from the bondage of paśu-bhāva shall be attained through the observance of the sacred Pāśupata Vrata. Whoever performs this holy vow with unwavering devotion shall attain deliverance. Its complete observance extends over twelve years, yet according to the sincerity and concentration of the devotee, its fruits may also be attained through one year, six months, two months, or even twelve days of perfect discipline.”
Filled with reverence, the hosts of the gods and the sages accepted His divine ordinance. They proclaimed, “You alone are Paśupati, the Lord of all beings.” Then, with hearts overflowing with devotion, they surrendered half of their valor and half of their physical strength to Him. Lord Śiva accepted their offering, and immediately His divine form blazed with immeasurable brilliance, illuminating the heavens. They performed a magnificent consecration in preparation for His sacred mission to destroy the Tripurāsuras and humbly requested that a celestial chariot be fashioned for the fulfillment of this divine purpose.
By the power of profound austerities, Viśvakarma, the celestial architect, had attained unsurpassed mastery over every sacred art. Employing both divine skill and unwavering devotion, he fashioned the entire universe into the Lord’s chariot. The Earth itself became its mighty body, while the radiant Sun and Moon were established as its two resplendent wheels. The vast ocean formed its axle, and the sacred mountains Himācala, Hastācala, Vindhyācala, and Udayācala became its steadfast supports. The three sacred fires of the Vedic sacrifices served as its principal pillars, while Mount Meru rose magnificently as its banner. The four Vedas became the celestial horses drawing the chariot, Time itself, in the form of the year, became the mighty bow, and Lord Viṣṇu assumed the form of the single irresistible arrow destined to destroy the three cities.
This wondrous chariot symbolized the entire moving and unmoving universe under the eternal supervision of the Supreme Lord, whose all-seeing eye upon His forehead revealed His omniscience as Nītalākṣa. His celestial armor was fashioned from the planetary spheres harmoniously joined within the vastness of space. Clad in this cosmic armor, Lord Paśupati grasped the divine bow in one hand and the irresistible arrow in the other before ascending the magnificent chariot to bring an end to the dominion of the demons.
Upon the lofty banner fluttered the sacred emblem of the bull, inspiring unshakable faith among the gods and the sages. Celestial maidens danced with exquisite grace while filling the heavens with joyful songs. The great sages chanted sublime Vedic hymns in praise of Lord Paśupati. Smiling graciously upon the assembled hosts, the Lord turned His attention to the question of the charioteer.
The gods respectfully asked, “O Lord, whomsoever You desire, command him to guide Your divine vehicle.” Lord Śiva replied, “Reflect carefully and determine who among all beings possesses the strength, wisdom, and dignity worthy to guide My chariot.”
Unable to decide, the gods and sages assembled together and approached the Creator Brahmā with profound humility. Bowing before him in deep devotion, they said, “By your grace and by the favor of Lord Nīlakaṇṭha we have completed the divine chariot and every instrument required for His sacred mission. Yet we have found no charioteer worthy of guiding such a vehicle. The chariot itself is the Earth, its horses are the eternal Vedas, and its warrior is Rudra Himself. Who can possibly possess greater strength of body and steadiness of mind than the Lord who stands upon it? Terror grips us because of the demons. Protect us, O Creator. By your kindness alone we continue to exist.”
They prostrated themselves before Brahmā. Looking upon them with immeasurable compassion, the Creator gently raised them from the ground. He placed his ascetic water pot beside him, firmly fastened his matted locks into a sacred knot, wrapped his precious deer skin securely about his body, took the whip into his hand, mounted the driver’s seat, and grasped the reins with majestic composure, accepting the exalted office of charioteer.
As this ancient history was narrated by Sañjaya to inspire King Śalya, he recalled how Brahmā had assumed the reins for the welfare of the worlds. Śalya, the noble king of Madra, reflected that even the mighty horses could scarcely bear together the immeasurable glory of both Brahmā and Rudra. Yet through divine wisdom and supernatural prowess, Brahmā strengthened the celestial steeds by the very reins he held, infusing them with renewed courage, steadfastness, and unconquerable valor.
Thereupon the Creator guided the cosmic chariot with supreme mastery. Lord Śiva, the destroyer of Kāma, praised the extraordinary skill of His divine charioteer and declared, “Drive swiftly toward the cities of the demons. This very day I shall free the worlds from the terror of their oppression. Witness now the irresistible power of My arm.”
With the swiftness of the wind, Brahmā urged forward the Vedic steeds. The venerable sages Atharvan and Aṅgiras stood as vigilant guardians beside the wheels of the celestial chariot as it advanced toward the three fortified cities of Tripura. Thus, the universe itself moved as the vehicle of divine justice, carrying the Supreme Lord toward the decisive moment when righteousness would triumph over arrogance, and the tyranny of the Tripurāsuras would be brought to its glorious and everlasting end.
