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खड्गोत्पत्तिकथन (khaDgotpattikathana)

 
Mahabharata
English
[Khaḍgotpattikathana(ṃ)]
(the narrative of the origin of the sword). § 656 (cf. Āpaddh.): Nakula (b) questioned Bhīshma as to which (the sword or the bow) is really the foremost of weapons, and how the sword was first created and for what purpose, and who was the first instructor in the use of that weapon. Bhīshma related that in ancient times the universe was one vast expanse of water, enveloped in darkness, etc. There Pitāmaha (i.e. Brahmán) took his birth, he then created wind, fire, etc., and then assuming a visible form he begot Marīci, etc. () [and Pracetas
the last begot]
Daksha (c). When Sarvalokapitāmaha (i.e. Brahmán) had called into existence all creatures he promulgated the eternal religion laid down in the Vedas. That religion was accepted by the gods with their preceptors and priests, and by Ā., V., R., S., M., A., Bhṛgu, Atri, Aṅgiras, Si., the Kāśyapas, Vasishṭha, etc. ()
all of them lived in obedience to Brahmán. But the foremost of the Dānavas, Hiraṇyakaśipu, etc. (), and many other Daityas and Dānavas, filled with wrath and covetousness, took delight in all kinds of wicked acts, etc., wielding only the rod of chastisement
those foremost of Asuras forsook every kindly intercourse with other creatures. Then Brahmán with the Brahmarshis proceeded to a delightful summit of Himavat, and after 1, 000 years he arranged a sacrifice. From the sacrificial fire arose Asi (“the sword”) (d), which Brahmán gave to Rudra (i.e. Śiva) in order to enable him to put down irreligion. Rudra (description) with the sword destroyed and dispersed the Asuras (Dānavas)
some of them penetrated into the bowels of the earth, others got under the cover of the mountains, some went upwards, others entered the depths of the sea. Rudra then gave the sword to Vishṇu, Vishṇu to Marīci, Marīci to the maharshis, the maharshis to Vāsava (i.e. Indra), Mahendra (i.e. Indra) to the lokapālas, the lokapālas to Manu (e) the son of Sūrya. He gave it to his son Kshupa. Thence it passed successively to Ikshvāku, etc. (), from Droṇa to Kṛpa, from Kṛpa to thee (Nakula) and thy brothers. Kṛttikāḥ is the nakshatra of the sword, Agni its deity, Rohiṇī its gotra, Rudra its high preceptor. Its eight mysterious names are Asi, etc. (). Of all weapons the sword is the foremost
the Purāṇas truly declare that it was first wielded by Maheśvara (i.e. Śiva). Pṛthu (Vainya) (f) created the first bow. Persons skilled in weapons should always worship the sword. Blessing to the reader (XII, 166).