Shankhachuda's Origin

Sanatkumara said

Sage, listen lovingly to another account of Shambhu's conduct; as soon as it is heard, devotion to Shiva becomes firm. There was a brave danava called Shankhachuda, a thorn to the gods. In the field of battle Shiva killed him with his trident. Shambhu's conduct is divine and sacred and destroys sins. Vyasa, listen lovingly; out of affection for you I will tell it. The sage Kashyapa was son of Marichi, Vidhatri's son, and devoted to dharma. Engaged in creation, he was called a Prajapati. Pleased with him, Daksha gave him thirteen of his daughters. Their offspring spread in many directions and cannot be described. The gods and all moving and still things in the universe came from them. Who in the three worlds can narrate all this? But hear that part of the story that concerns Shambhu's pastimes, which I will tell now. Listen; it increases devotion.

One of Kashyapa's wives was beautiful Danu, extremely beautiful and virtuous, who increased her husband's good fortune. Danu had many exceedingly strong sons. Sage, for fear their names are not spoken in detail. She had an immensely valiant son, Viprachitti, whose son Dambha was devoted to dharma and Vishnu and had conquered his senses. He had no son, and the brave one thought about this. He went to his guru Shukracharya, learned a mantra to Krishna and with it performed supreme austerities at Pushkara for a hundred thousand years. For a long time he sat in a firm fixed posture doing japa of the Krishna mantra. As he did these austerities a blaze came from his head. That energy spread everywhere, impossible to bear. All the gods, sages and humans were scorched by it. With Sunasira at their head they went and took refuge with Brahma. They bowed to Vidhatri, giver of every prosperity, and, shaken, praised him and told him especially what had happened to them. Hearing it, Vidhatri went with them to Vaikuntha to tell Vishnu everything. Vishnu is the supreme preserver and lord of the three worlds. When they reached him they all lowered their heads, clasped their hands and bowed.

The devas said

Lord of the gods, we do not know the reason. Whose energy is tormenting all of us? Tell us. We are being scorched. You are a friend to the distressed and our livelihood depends on you. Save us, Rama's lord; protect us. You are the refuge and we have taken refuge in you.

Sanatkumara said

Vishnu heard Brahma and the other residents of heaven. Kind to those who take refuge, he smiled affectionately and spoke.

Vishnu said

Immortals, do not be anxious. You will be well. Do not be afraid. No deluge will come. The time for dissolution has not yet arrived. There is a danava named Dambha, my devotee, doing austerities for a son. I will pacify him by granting him a boon.

Sanatkumara said

Sage, so addressed, all the gods held to their fortitude and, reassured, went with Brahma to their own abodes.

To give the boon, Achyuta went to Pushkara, where the danava Dambha was doing austerities. Going there, he reassured his devotee, who was doing japa, clearly naming Hari. He told him, "Ask a boon." Hearing it, Dambha saw Vishnu standing before him, bowed with great devotion and praised him again and again.

Dambha said

Lord of the gods, I bow to you, lotus-eyed consort of Rama, lord of the three worlds. Show me compassion. I am your devotee. Grant me an extremely strong and valiant son, a brave one, who will conquer the three worlds and the residents of heaven.

Sanatkumara said

When the Indra among danavas said this, Hari granted him a boon so as to restrain him from the austerities, and, sage, vanished. When Hari left, the Indra among danavas bowed in the direction in which he had gone. Successful, his wishes satisfied, he went home. In a short time his fortunate wife conceived. She blazed with energy and made the house beautiful. There was a gopa named Sudama, foremost among Krishna's companions. Sage, cursed by Radha, he entered her womb. When the time for delivery came, the virtuous lady bore an extremely radiant son. To perform the jatakarma rites his father invited many sages. Supreme among brahmanas, many great festivities were held at his birth. On an auspicious day his father named him Shankhachuda. Like the moon in the bright fortnight, he grew up in his father's house. As a child the extremely radiant one received various kinds of learning. He played childish games and constantly delighted his father and mother, and was especially loved by everyone in the family.