Machh Avatar Complete Translation

 ਅਥ ਪ੍ਰਥਮ ਮਛ ਅਵਤਾਰ ਕਥਨੰ ॥ 

Here begins the description of the first Machh Incarnation

ਚੌਪਈ ॥ 

Chaupai

ਸੰਖਾਸੁਰ ਦਾਨਵ ਪੁਨਿ ਭਯੋ ॥ ਬਹੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਕੈ ਜਗ ਕੋ ਦੁਖ ਦਯੋ ॥ ਮਛ ਅਵਤਾਰ ਆਪਿ ਪੁਨਿ ਧਰਾ ॥ ਆਪਨ ਜਾਪੁ ਆਪ ਮੋ ਕਰਾ ॥੩੯॥

Once there was a demon named Shankhasura, who tormented the world in many ways upon birth. To eradicate Shankhasura’s evil reign Vishnu took the form as Machh(fish) and recognized himself through meditating on it’s own name.

ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮੈ ਤੁਛ ਮੀਨ ਬਪੁ ਧਰਾ ॥ ਪੈਠਿ ਸਮੁੰਦ੍ਰ ਝਕਝੋਰਨ ਕਰਾ ॥ ਪੁਨਿ ਪੁਨਿ ਕਰਤ ਭਯੋ ਬਿਸਥਾਰਾ ॥ ਸੰਖਾਸੁਰਿ ਤਬ ਕੋਪ ਬਿਚਾਰਾ ॥੪੦॥

At first Machh’s form was minuscule. It became colossal overtime which shook the ocean fiercely. Shankhasur, living in the ocean with his Vedas, became infuriated. He thought to himself “Who is causing all of this upheaval?”

ਭੁਜੰਗ ਪ੍ਰਯਾਤ ਛੰਦ ॥ 

Stanza of Bhujang Prayaat

ਤਬੈ ਕੋਪ ਗਰਜਿਯੋ ਬਲੀ ਸੰਖ ਬੀਰੰ ॥ ਧਰੇ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਅਸਤ੍ਰੰ ਸਜੇ ਲੋਹ ਚੀਰੰ ॥ ਚਤੁਰ ਬੇਦ ਪਾਤੰ ਕੀਯੋ ਸਿੰਧੁ ਮਧੰ ॥ ਤ੍ਰਸ੍ਰਯੋ ਅਸਟ ਨੈਣੰ ਕਰਿਯੋ ਜਾਪੁ ਸੁਧੰ ॥੪੧॥

Being in great anger, the vigorous Shankhasur taunted loudly and adorned his body with various types of weapons and armour. He took the Vedas and hid them in the depths of the ocean. When Shankhasur took the Vedas Brahma was filled with fear and began meditating on the true saroop of Akal so that his Vedas can be returned back to him.

ਤਬੈ ਸੰਭਰੇ ਦੀਨ ਹੇਤੰ ਦਿਆਲੰ ॥ ਧਰੇ ਲੋਹ ਕ੍ਰੋਹੰ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕੈ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲੰ ॥ ਮਹਾ ਅਸਤ੍ਰ ਪਾਤੰ ਕਰੇ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਘਾਤੰ ॥ ਟਰੇ ਦੇਵ ਸਰਬੰ ਗਿਰੇ ਲੋਕ ਸਾਤੰ ॥੪੨॥

All those who were kind and well-wishers of Brahma held love for the poor and handled the situation. With the grace of the benevolent lord, They held sharp weapons and put on steel armour enraged. They swung the swords and bows began to shower causing chaos everywhere. All the Gods fled in fear, running anywhere they could as they fell from their seats. Even the Seven Worlds shook from this dreadful war.

ਭਏ ਅਤ੍ਰ ਘਾਤੰ ਗਿਰੇ ਚਉਰ ਚੀਰੰ ॥ ਰੁਲੇ ਤਛ ਮੁਛੰ ਉਠੇ ਤਿਛ ਤੀਰੰ ॥ ਗਿਰੇ ਸੁੰਡ ਮੁੰਡੰ ਰਣੰ ਭੀਮ ਰੂਪੰ ॥ ਮਨੋ ਖੇਲ ਪਉਢੇ ਹਠੀ ਫਾਗੁ ਜੂਪੰ ॥੪੩॥

Some laid on the ground wounded by cuts. The fly-whisks of the Gods fell along with their head garments. Warriors were injured and cut in pieces as their bodies fell to the ground, being trampled over by others amidst the war. The sharp arrows reigned supreme over the battlefield. Trunks were seen cut off as heads of elephants were rolling about. Through these events the warfare took on a horrific form. It’s as if the youth went into a deep slumber after playing Holi .

ਬਹੇ ਖਗਯੰ ਖੇਤ ਖਿੰਗੰ ਸੁ ਧੀਰੰ ॥ ਸੁਭੈ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਸੰਜਾਨ ਸੋ ਸੂਰਬੀਰੰ ॥ ਗਿਰੇ ਗਉਰਿ ਗਾਜੀ ਖੁਲੇ ਹਥ ਬਥੰ ॥ ਨਚਿਯੋ ਰੁਦ੍ਰ ਰੁਦ੍ਰੰ ਨਚੇ ਮਛ ਮਥੰ ॥੪੪॥

Warriors swung their blades ferociously as they were mounted on their steeds in the battlefield. Weapons complimented their heroic masters who were holding them tightly. Elephants laid lifeless everywhere along with steeds. Other warriors lay deserted with their arms and legs scattered away from their body. Shiv in his terrifying form danced across the ocean as Machh is wreaked havoc all around dancing along.

ਰਸਾਵਲ ਛੰਦ ॥ 

Stanza of Rasaval

ਮਹਾ ਬੀਰ ਗਜੇ ॥ ਸੁਭੰ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਸਜੇ ॥ ਬਧੇ ਗਜ ਗਾਹੰ ॥ ਸੁ jiਹੂਰੰ ਉਛਾਹੰ ॥੪੫॥

Mighty Warriors and Gods were roaring loudly. They were equipped with numerous types of auspicious weapons and arms which complimented them in return. Their heads were decorated with intricate jewels of war. By seeing their beautiful forms, the heavenly Goddesses waited eagerly for their return in order to wed them.

ਢਲਾ ਢੁਕ ਢਾਲੰ ॥ ਝਮੀ ਤੇਗ ਕਾਲੰ ॥ ਕਟਾ ਕਾਟ ਬਾਹੈ ॥ ਉਭੈ ਜੀਤ ਚਾਹੈ ॥੪੬॥

Sounds of swords bashing against shields could be heard. Blades met one another and bloomed in the sky just how lighting reveals itself in the dark clouds. Swords were cutting away anything in their way while Shankhasur and Machh both fought for a hopeful victory.

ਮੁਖੰ ਮੁਛ ਬੰਕੀ ॥ ਤਮੰ ਤੇਗ ਅਤੰਕੀ ॥ ਫਿਰੈ ਗਉਰ ਗਾਜੀ ॥ ਨਚੈ ਤੁੰਦ ਤਾਜੀ ॥੪੭॥

Brave Warriors twirled their mustaches with their hands proudly. Filled with anger they held frightening blades in their hands. Such Warriors roam the battlefield as their enraged horses danced with them jumping around.

ਭੁਜੰਗ ਛੰਦ ॥ 

Stanza of Bhujang

ਭਰਿਯੋ ਰੋਸ ਸੰਖਾਸੁਰੰ ਦੇਖ ਸੈਣੰ ॥ ਤਪੇ ਬੀਰ ਬਕਤ੍ਰੰ ਕੀਏ ਰਕਤ ਨੈਣੰ ॥ ਭੁਜਾ ਠੋਕ ਭੂਪੰ ਕਰਿਯੋ ਨਾਦ ਉੱਚੰ ॥ ਸੁਣੇ ਗਰਭਣੀਆਨ ਕੇ ਗਰਭ ਮੁਚੰ ॥੪੮॥

Seeing the army of the Gods Shankhasur became even more furious. Warriors' faces began to heat up as their eyes turned crimson red. Shankhasur proudly knocked his muscles and shouted out once again. Some women bearing a child heard the horrifying noises of the demon, causing their wombs to collapse.

ਲਗੇ ਠਾਮ ਠਾਮੰ ਦਮਾਮੰ ਦਮੰਕੇ ॥ ਖੁਲੇ ਖੇਤ ਮੋ ਖਗ ਖੂਨੀ ਖਿਮੰਕੇ ॥ ਭਏ ਕ੍ਰੂਰ ਭਾਤੰ ਕਮਾਣੰ ਕੜਕੇ ॥ ਨਚੇ ਬੀਰ ਬੈਤਾਲ ਭੂਤੰ ਭੁੜਕੇ ॥੪੯॥

Wardrums began to sound and all held their position. The blades colored in blood came out from their sheaths and began to glisten on the battlefield. The cracking of the cruel bows was heard. The Warriors took on a sinister form. Unearthly spirits and goblins started dancing.

ਗਿਰਿਯੋ ਆਯੁਧੰ ਸਾਯੁਧੰ ਬੀਰ ਖੇਤੰ ॥ ਨਚੇ ਕੰਧਹੀਣੰ ਕਮਧੰ ਅਚੇਤੰ ॥ ਖੁਲੇ ਖਗ ਖੂਨੀ ਖਿਆਲੰ ਖਤੰਗੰ ॥ ਭਜੇ ਕਾਤਰੰ ਸੂਰ ਬਜੇ ਨਿਹੰਗੰ ॥੫੦॥

All around the Warriors fell to their death and their weapons along with them. Somewhere headless forms were dancing to the chaos unconsciously. Cowards were running away in fear to the thought of blades dyed with blood and the rain of arrows. Those who are brave continued to fight while taunting their opponents.

ਕਟੇ ਚਰਮ ਬਰਮੰ ਗਿਰਿਯੋ ਸਤ੍ਰ ਸਸਤ੍ਰੰ ॥ ਭਕੈ ਭੈ ਭਰੇ ਭੂਤ ਭੂਮੰ ਨ੍ਰਿਸਤ੍ਰੰ ॥ ਰਣੰ ਰੰਗ ਰਤੇ ਸਭੀ ਰੰਗ ਭੂਮੰ ॥ ਗਿਰੇ ਜੁਧ ਮਧੰ ਬਲੀ ਝੂਮਿ ਝੂਮੰ ॥੫੧॥

Shields and other weapons are fell to the ground along with the warriors within the war. The spirits once fearful were now boldly shouting out loud. Those without any arms that lay on the ground wounded were also shouting. Everyone is dyed in warfare. Warriors continued to fight and fall while swinging and reeling.

ਭਯੋ ਦੁੰਦ ਜੁਧੰ ਰਣੰ ਸੰਖ ਮਛੰ ॥ ਮਨੋ ਦੋ ਗਿਰੰ ਜੁਧ ਜੁਟੇ ਸਪਛੰ ॥ ਕਟੇ ਮਾਸ ਟੁਕੰ ਭਖੇ ਗਿਧਿ ਬ੍ਰਿਧੰ ॥ ਹਸੈ ਜੋਗਣੀ ਚਉਸਠਾ ਸੂਰ ਸੁਧੰ ॥੫੨॥

Such a horrible war began to take place between Shankhasur and Machh. It is as if two mountains had gone head to head in combat. Machh cut Shankhasur’s flesh into pieces and vultures began to feast on his skin. The sixty-four vampires (yoginis) laughed as they observe the war between them two.

ਕੀਯੋ ਉਧਾਰ ਬੇਦੰ ਹਤੇ ਸੰਖਬੀਰੰ ॥ ਤਜ੍ਯੋ ਮਛ ਰੂਪੰ ਸਜ੍ਯੋ ਸੁੰਦ੍ਰ ਚੀਰ ॥ ਸਬੈ ਦੇਵ ਥਾਪੇ ਕੀਯੋ ਦੁਸਟ ਨਾਸੰ ॥ ਟਰੇ ਸਰਬ ਦਾਨੋ ਭਰੇ ਜੀਵ ਤ੍ਰਾਸੰ ॥੫੩॥

Machh killed Shankhasur and retrieved the Vedas. Vishnu forsook the Machh form and adorned himself in beautiful garments. After the destruction of Shankhasur and the demons, which everyone feared, the lord reinstated all the Gods.

ਤ੍ਰਿਭੰਗੀ ਛੰਦ ॥ 

Stanza is Tribhangi

ਸੰਖਾਸੁਰ ਮਾਰੇ ਬੇਦ ਉਧਾਰੇ ਸਤ੍ਰ ਸੰਘਾਰੇ ਜਸੁ ਲੀਨੋ ॥ ਦੇਵੇ ਸੁ ਬੁਲਾਯੋ ਰਾਜ ਬਿਠਾਯੋ ਛਤ੍ਰ ਫਿਰਾਯੋ ਸੁਖ ਦੀਨੋ ॥ ਕੋਟੰ ਬਜੇ ਬਾਜੇ ਅਮਰੇਸੁਰ ਗਾਜੇ ਸੁਭ ਘਰਿ ਸਾਜੇ ਸੋਕ ਹਰੇ ॥ ਦੈ ਕੋਟਕ ਦਛਨਾ ਕ੍ਰੋਰ ਪ੍ਰਦਛਨਾ ਆਨਿ ਸੁ ਮਛ ਕੇ ਪਾਇ ਪਰੇ ॥੫੪॥

Machh received great approbation after killed Shankhasur, retrieving the Vedas, and putting an end to all Demons. Machh called Indira and blessed him with the throne along with royal comfort. Millions of trumpets and drums began to sound and sorrows of every house were lifted. All the Gods bowed down to Machh and offered many gifts and tokens of gratitude.

ਇਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਬਚਿਤ੍ਰ ਨਾਟਕ ਗ੍ਰੰਥੇ ਮਛ ਪ੍ਰਥਮ ਅਵਤਾਰ ਸੰਖਾਸੁਰ ਬਧਹ ਸਮਾਪਤਮ ਸਤੁ ਸੁਭਮ ਸਤੁ ॥੧॥

End of the description of the first Machh (fish) Incarnation and Killing of Shankhasura in Bachittar Nattak.