Shankhachuda's Rule and Earlier Birth

Sanatkumara said

Having married, Shankhachuda went home. Since he had done austerities and won a boon, the danavas and others rejoiced. Instructed by their own guru, all the asuras quickly came out of their world, assembled and went to him. Humbly they bowed to him and, by the proper norms, lovingly praised him. Taking him for an extremely energetic lord, they stayed there gladly. Dambha's son saw that the guru of his line had come and, with great devotion and love, did sashtanga pranama. Shukra, the acharya of the line, saw his excellent disciple. He told him the story of the gods and danavas, their natural enmity, the asuras' defeat, the immortals' victory and the help Jiva gave. With the asuras' consent the guru made him lord of all the danavas and asuras, and there were festivities. The asuras were delighted by them and, extremely happy, gave him gifts of many kinds. Brave, powerful Shankhachuda, Dambha's son, was installed in the kingdom, and as king of the asuras he shone.

He gathered a large army of daityas, danavas and rakshasas, and spiritedly advanced on his chariot to conquer Shakra's city. As the Indra among danavas went forth among his followers, he shone like the moon among the stars or the lord of planets among planets. Hearing that Shankhachuda had come, Akhandala, king of heaven, came out with all the immortals ready to fight. A tumultuous battle between gods and asuras followed, making the hair stand on end, delighting heroes and scaring cowards. As the brave roared in the battle there was a tumultuous noise, and music played to heighten courage. The angry gods were stronger at first and beat the asuras, who began to run in fear. Lord Shankhachuda saw them fleeing. Roaring like a lion, he fought the immortals and quickly caused great slaughter among the residents of heaven. Unable to bear his energy, all the gods ran away. Dejected, they took refuge in mountain caves, lost their independence and came under his sway, like the ocean when it is faded. Brave, powerful Dambha's son, Indra among danavas, conquered all the worlds and took the gods' rights. He brought the three worlds under his control and seized all the shares in sacrifices. He became Indra himself and ruled the whole world. As his capacity allowed, he did the tasks of Kubera, Indu, Surya, Agni, Yama and Vayu. Extremely brave and strong Shankhachuda became lord of gods, asuras, danavas, rakshasas, gandharvas, nagas, kinnaras, the dwellers of the nether world and everyone in the three worlds. So Shankhachuda became emperor over all the worlds and enjoyed the kingdom a long time. There was no famine or epidemic in his kingdom. The planets were never inauspicious. There were no ailments of body or mind. The subjects were always happy. Without tilling, the earth yielded many crops and grains. The various herbs grew well and were always full of juices. The oceans, stores of jewels, ceaselessly gave many kinds of gems. Trees were always full of flowers and the rivers carried water. Except for the gods, all living beings were happy and suffered no disturbance. All the varnas and ashramas were established in their own dharmas. While he ruled the three worlds so, no one grieved. Though they were brothers, only the immortals were miserable and turned to enmity. Powerful Shankhachuda was a great friend of Krishna, who lives in Goloka, always virtuous and always devoted to Krishna. It was because of the power of an earlier curse that he had been born a danava. Sage, though he was a danava his leanings were not a danava's.

The host of gods, defeated and deprived of their kingdom, consulted the rishis, son, and went to Brahma's assembly hall. Seeing Vidhatri there they bowed and specially praised him. Shaken, they told Brahma all that had happened. Brahma comforted all the gods and sages and went with them to the world of Vaikuntha, which gives the virtuous happiness. With the host of gods Brahma saw Lakshmi's lord there, wearing a diadem and earrings and a garland of wild flowers. The divinity was four-armed, holding conch, chakra, mace and lotus, in yellow garments, served by Sanandana and other siddhas. Seeing the lord Vishnu, Brahma, all the gods and the lords among sages bowed, clasped their hands and praised him devotedly.

The devas said

Lord of the gods, Jagannatha, lord of Vaikuntha, Shri Hari, guru of the three worlds, Achyuta, you protect the universe. You are lord of the three worlds and abode of Lakshmi. Govinda, you are devoted to your devotees. We bow to you.

Sanatkumara said

Praising him so, all the gods wept before Hari. Hearing it, Bhagavan Vishnu spoke to Brahma.

Vishnu said

Why have you come to Vaikuntha, which even yogis find hard to reach? What misery has arisen? Tell me in my presence.

Sanatkumara said

Hearing Hari, Brahma bowed repeatedly, clasped his hands and humbly lowered his shoulders, and told him all that Shankhachuda had done, describing the gods' miseries to Vishnu the paramatman. Hari knew everything and every feeling. Hearing him, Bhagavan laughed and told Vidhatri the secret.

Shri Bhagavan said

Lotus-born one, I know everything about Shankhachuda's conduct. Earlier he was an extremely energetic gopa devoted to me. Hear the whole account; it is ancient history and need not be doubted. Shankara will ensure what is auspicious. Shiva's world is greater than the greatest and above all. Shambhu Parameshvara, the supreme brahman, shines there. He is the one who established Purusha and Prakriti and bears the three Shaktis. He is without qualities yet has them; his own form is supreme refulgence. The three, Brahma who creates and the others, were born from his body. With the gunas sattva, rajas and tamas he is called Brahma, Vishnu and Hara. He is the paramatman and sports there with Uma, free of maya, the one who thinks of the eternal and the transient. Near it is Goloka, where Shankara's cattle pen is. By his command my form of Krishna lives there, always happy, guarding his cattle by obeying his order, delighted to have found him, sporting and finding pleasure. There is a woman there named Radha, mother of the universe, whose form is the fifth. She is beyond Prakriti and finds excellent pleasures there. Many gopas and gopis born from her body are there, always engaged in great play, following Radha and Krishna. This one was deluded by the pastimes of Shambhu and others. By Radha's curse he has met these miseries and been born as a danava. Krishna decreed earlier that his death will come at Rudra's trident, and then he will give up his body and be an attendant again. Lord of the gods, knowing this, you should not be afraid. Let us take refuge with Shankara. He will ensure what is good. I, you and all the immortals can stay here without fear.

Sanatkumara said

Having said this, Vishnu went with Vidhatri to Shiva's world, remembering in his mind Shambhu Sarvesha, kind to his devotees.