by Bibek Debroy
1202 That is, sages who should not be punished by the king.
1203 Valmiki.
1204 The name of the other son is not stated. Elsewhere, it is stated in different places as Chandraketu or Angada.
1205 Raghupati is Rama’s name, the lord of Raghu.
1206 The word chaitya has several meanings—sacrificial shed, temple, altar, sanctuary and a tree that grows along the road.
1207 The village (grama) of Kalapa has been speculatively located in various places, including near Badarikashrama. The last remaining kings of the solar and lunar dynasties are respectively Maru and Devapi. It is believed that they meditate and reside there, waiting for kali yuga to be over.
1208 Abhimanyu killed Brihadbala in the Kurukshetra war.
1209 There is a slight problem of tense. Brihadrana must already have been born.
1210 To be an officiating priest at Indra’s sacrifice.
1211 Nimi.
1212 That is, time would pass.
1213 That is, Vasishtha. Vasishtha was Shuka’s great-great-grandfather, Vasishtha to Shakti, Shakti to Parashara, Parashara to Vedavyasa and Vedavyasa to Shuka. Mitra and Varuna’s semen impregnated Urvashi.
1214 Nimi’s.
1215 Nimisha is the opening and closing of the eye, the twinkling. Nimi resides there.
1216 The word Janaka is derived from janma (birth). One without a body (deha) is vi-deha. Vaideha is derived from this. Mithila is derived from mathana (churning). Janaka is Mithila, the city is Mithilaa.
1217 This is Rama’s wife, Sita. All kings of the lineage were referred to as Janaka. Shira/sira means plough, while dhvaja means flag. The flag signifies fame. He became famous because of the plough.
1218 Pururava, Ila’s son.
1219 Brahma.
1220 The tears of joy in Atri’s eyes.
1221 Shiva’s preceptor was Angiras, Brihaspati’s father.
1222 The battle over Tara.
1223 Brihaspati.
1224 About whose son this was.
1225 The intelligent and wise one.
1226 Chapter 9(1).
1227 Narada.
1228 The god of love, Kama, Madana.
1229 The word sukta is used because this is a reference to Rig Veda 10.95.1. There is also an allusion to 10.95.15 in Urvashi’s reply.
1230 It is possible to translate this in more than one way.
1231 Other than through me.
1232 A vessel for keeping fire.
1233 The three Vedas.
1234 Arani, fire is generated by rubbing them against each other.
1235 Urvashyam Urvashi Pururavah—Pururava is on Urvashi’s bosom.
1236 Jataveda is a name for Agni, the Vedas being generated from Agni’s mouth. Here, the three Jatavedas (the three fires of ahavaniya, garhapatya and dakshinagni) are being thought of as the sons of Pururava and Urvashi.
1237 When the Ganga was flowing down, she disturbed the sage Jahnu and he drank up the water, subsequently released on Bhagiratha’s plea. Ganga is therefore known as Jahnavi.
1238 Richika was descended from Bhrigu’s lineage.
1239 For his wife, the mantra for a brahmana son was uttered. For his mother-in-law, the mantra for a kshatriya son was uttered.
1240 Yama.
1241 The river Koshi.
1242 Parashurama.
1243 Kartavirya Arjuna.
1244 Dattatreya.
1245 Narmada.
1246 A garland that signifies victory.
1247 Ravana’s.
1248 Kartavirya Arjuna.
1249 Kartavirya Arjuna’s capital.
1250 One who possesses/supplies oblations, an indirect reference to a kamadhenu, a cow that provides all the objects of desire. Jamadagni could provide the hospitality because of this cow.
1251 Jamadagni’s.
1252 The leader of an elephant herd.
1253 Arjuna.
1254 An akshouhini is an army, consisting of 21,870 chariots, 21,870 elephants, 65,610 horse riders and 109,350 foot soldiers.
1255 A shataghni was a weapon that could kill one hundred at the same time and could have been a giant catapult.
1256 Arjuna.
1257 Brahma.
1258 Chitraratha.
1259 Jamadagni.
1260 The heads of Arjuna’s sons.
1261 Samantapanchaka is the area around Kurukshetra. It is known as Samantapanchaka because it extends for five yojanas in every direction. Alternatively, it is known as Samantapanchaka because Parashurama created five lakes of blood there. The usual number given is therefore five, not nine.
1262 This does not mean the physical body.
1263 In the list of saptarshis Jamadagni’s name is sometimes mentioned.
1264 Vishvamitra.
1265 Vishvamitra.
1266 Shunahshepa.
1267 Literally, protected by the gods.
1268 Barbarians, those who did not speak Sanskrit.
1269 That is, Shunahshepa.
1270 Vishvamitra.
1271 Shunaka’s son.
1272 Raji.
1273 Raji’s sons.
1274 Brihaspati.
1275 Indra.
1276 The comparison is with the five senses and the mind.
1277 Temporarily, Indra was dislodged from his position as the king of the gods and Nahusha became Indra. However, he desired Indrani/Shachi, Indra’s wife, and caused offence to both her and brahmanas. The brahmanas cursed him that he would fall down from heaven and become a python (ajagara) on earth.
1278 Kavya/Shukracharya was the preceptor of the danavas and his daughter was Devayani. Vrishaparva was the king of the danavas and his daughter was Sharmishtha.
1279 Pratiloma means against the natural order and applies to progeny where the mother is superior in varna to the father.
1280 Parvati.
1281 Balibhuja, a creature feeding on leftovers and scraps. Usually, this means a crow, but can also mean a sparrow.
1282 Kacha was Brihaspati’s son. Shukra knew the art of sanjivani, also known as mrita-sanjivani, the knowledge that brings the dead back to life. When the gods and the demons fought, the demons were brought back to life by Shukra and the gods, deprived of the knowledge, suffered. Kacha was sent to Shukra, to become his disciple and learn this art. In the process, Devayani fell in love with Kacha. But Kacha refused her, arguing that since she was his preceptor’s daughter, she was like his sister. At this, Devayani cursed Kacha that his knowledge would prove to be futile and Kacha cursed Devayani that no brahmana would marry her.
1283 There are grains left after a crop has been harvested, or after grain has been milled. If one subsists on these leftovers, this is known as unchavritti. The mode of subsistence followed by a pigeon refers to this, picking up grain from the ground.
1284 Devayani.
1285 That it might be adharma to refuse a lady.
1286 Yadu wanted to renounce everything. However, he wanted to experience material pleasures first.
1287 A father’s.
1288 Yayati.
1289 Hari is all pervasive, like the sky.
1290 Yayati.
1291 A fire.
1292 The five senses and the mind.
1293 The three gunas.
1294 About the goat.
1295 Travellers meet temporarily at a watering hole. Relatives are no more than that.
1296 Interpreted as the gross and/or subtle bodies.
1297 Five senses of perception and five organs of action.
1298 Lakshmi.
1299 The apsara Menaka was her mother.
1300 Meaning that she agreed.
1301 In the gandharva form of marriage, the groom and bride fall in love and marry.
1302 Literally, a vessel made out of leather.
1303 Dirghatama.
1304 One badva numbers 13,084.
1305 The celestial women.
1306 The wives thought their husband would suspect them of infidelity.
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1307 Bharata.
1308 Mamata. Brihaspati’s elder brother was Utathya. Because of Brihaspati’s curse, Utathya and Mamata’s child, Dirghatama, was born blind. Brihaspati and Mamata’s child was Bharadvaja.
1309 Bharadvaja.
1310 The shloka is terse and has to be expanded and explained. The gods made Brihaspati and Mamata speak these words to each other. This is the natural explanation. The word dvaja means born from two people and both Brihaspati and Mamata use this word. Brihaspati means that the child has been born from his semen and his brother’s kshetra. Mamata means that the child has been born from Brihaspati’s semen and herself. The word bhara means to nurture. Hence, Bharadvaja.
1311 Bharata’s.
1312 Bharadvaja’s name, after he was adopted by Bharata.
1313 Made out of wheat flour, sugar, ghee and milk.
1314 Of yoga.
1315 The pulkasa.
1316 The brahmana, vrishala, master of dogs and pulkasa.
1317 From pancha or five.
1318 That is, Panchalas. Panchala was divided into a North Panchala and a South Panchala. This is a description of North Panchala. The South Panchala lineage was through Bhallada.
1319 Jarasandha means joined by Jara; Jara was a demoness.
1320 The word for peace is shanti.
1321 A parivetta is someone who marries or accepts a share in a sacrifice before his elder brother.
1322 On the basis of Devapi’s story, recounted elsewhere, we have deviated from standard translations. The words are such that they do require some interpretation. Devapi had leprosy and was unworthy to succeed Pratipa. That is the reason he retired to the forest. Interpretations often suggest Devapi deviated from the norms. On the contrary, Devapi abided by the norms and it is the ministers and brahmanas who deviated. When Devapi refused the kingdom, Indra, the god of rains, showered down.
1323 Parashurama.
1324 Shantanu’s wife was Satyavati. Chitrangada and Vichitravirya were her sons. Satyavati was the daughter of a king of fishermen, hence the use of the word dasha, meaning lowly class.
1325 Satyavati. This son was Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa.
1326 The Bhagavata Purana.
1327 By Bhishma.
1328 The wind god.
1329 A putrika is a daughter who is regarded as a son. After marriage, she lives in her father’s household. Her son is regarded as her father’s son and becomes the heir. Chitrangadaa, the princess of Manipura, was a putrika. Therefore, Babhruvahana came to be regarded as the son of the king of Manipura.
1330 An atiratha is a great warrior, superior to a maharatha.
1331 The three Vedas.
1332 Hastinapura.
1333 Yayati’s son.
1334 Rishyashringa was the son of the sage Vibhandaka and a doe.
1335 Romapada. Romapada performed a sacrifice for offspring and Rishyashringa was brought to the sacrifice. Indra immediately showered down.
1336 Indra.
1337 Adhiratha.
1338 This son was Karna.
1339 Druhyu was Yayati’s son.
1340 Turvasu was Yayati’s son.
1341 This adopted son was Dushyanta.
1342 Not to be confused with Kunti, Pandu’s wife.
1343 Bhadrasena is the same as Bhadrasenaka.
1344 That is, Arjuna.
1345 The five senses and the mind.
1346 With Parashurama.
1347 Meaning Sagara.
1348 An elephant, a horse, a chariot, women, an arrow, a treasury, a garland, garments, a tree that yielded objects of desire, a javelin, a noose, a jewel, an umbrella and a vimana.
1349 She was a courtesan.
1350 Not to be confused with Pandu’s wife.
1351 Devavridha and Babhru.
1352 Thus known as Satyaki.
1353 The text doesn’t make it clear that these were Andhaka’s sons.
1354 Tumburu was a gandharva.
1355 Viduratha was Chitraratha’s son.
1356 Dundubhi is a kettledrum and anaka is a larger drum.
1357 Shura.
1358 Pritha is also known as Kunti.
1359 Hiranyaksha.
1360 Vinda and Anuvinda.
1361 The same as Rashtrapalikaa.
1362 As will be apparent, this is not a complete listing of all of Vasudeva’s wives.
1363 Bhadra’s name.
1364 There are eight Vasus.
1365 Since Balarama was Shesha.
1366 This is very similar to Bhagavad Gita 4.7.
1367 Since Krishna’s birth is still in the future, there is a slight tense problem in the text.
1368 The simile makes the English sound strange. The hands joined in salutation are cupped palms used to touch the water of tirthas, while the ears are used to hear.
1369 This is the King Nimi, who made them blink.
1370 Jaya is Arjuna’s name. Krishna announced this as Arjuna’s victory.
1371 Meaning Balarama.
1372 For a pointless reason.
1373 Goshpada literally means the mark of a cow’s foot in the soil and the small puddle of water that fills up such a mark, that is, a trifle. The text uses the word vatsapada, which is stronger, since it means the mark of a calf’s foot in the soil.
1374 Dvaraka.
1375 That is, Shounaka.
1376 Parikshit.
1377 The Ganga, which flows in the three worlds.
1378 Shiva.
1379 In this context, Vrishakapi is Vishnu or Krishna’s name. Etymologically, it means someone whose virtue cannot be agitated. Purusha sukta is a reference to hymn 10.90 in Rig Veda.
1380 The desires are carried forward into the next body. This shloka has been interpreted in other ways too.
1381 Either from enemies in this life, or from consequences in the next life.
1382 Sama is conciliation, this bit is obvious. Bheda probably means the prospect of being harmed by others.
1383 Kamsa.
1384 My son may kill him.
1385 Shura’s son, Vasudeva.
1386 Meaning Nanda and Vasudeva.
1387 Vishnu. There is a contradiction with what has been said about Kirtiman.
1388 Kamsa.
1389 From Narada.
1390 Meaning Aghasura.
1391 Bana is Banasura. Bhouma is the earth’s son, that is, Narakasura. Magadha is Jarasandha, the king of Magadha.
1392 Joy at the birth, misery at the prospect of the son being killed.
1393 Gokula means a settlement of cattle and is part of the broader region of Vraja.
1394 Vasudeva’s other wives.
1395 Krishnaa.
1396 Samkarshana means to draw away or attract. He was taken away from Devaki’s womb and placed in Rohini’s. Rama is based on the word that means to cause delight. Bala means strength.
1397 Yogamaya.
1398 Vasudeva.
1399 Devaki.
1400 Past, present and future, or during creation, preservation and destruction.
1401 Satyam and ritam, with ritam being translated as the personified form of truth. Alternatively, ritam is divine truth and satyam is the more usual kind of truth.
1402 This simile has diverse interpretations. A possible one is the following. The single base is the universe/human body, the two fruits are happiness and unhappiness, the three roots are sattva, rajas and tamas, the four saps are dharma, artha, kama and moksha, the five attributes are the five elements, the six states are birth, existence, growth, maturity, decay and destruction, the seven sheaths are skin, blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow and semen, the eight branches are the five senses, mind, intelligence and ahamkara, the nine holes are two ears, two eyes, two nostrils, mouth, genitals and anus, the ten coverings are the ten breaths of life prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana, naga, kurma, krikala, devadatta and dhananjaya and the two birds are the jivatman and the paramatman.
1403 The reservoir after destruction and the favours are for
preservation.
1404 The imprint left by a calf’s foot.
1405 There are different interpretations of this shloka.
1406 Hayagriva.
1407 Rama.
1408 Parashurama.
1409 Vamana.
1410 This shloka is addressed to Devaki.
1411 That is, Rohini (Aldebaran) was in the ascendant. The divinity associated with Rohini is Brahma, Prajapati. The text refers to Brahma in an indirect way, as the son of the one without birth (Aja or Vishnu).
1412 The chakra; one hand held a lotus.
1413 He was not in a position to physically give them the cows. Therefore, he gave them mentally. That is the interpretation.
1414 There are different ways of interpreting this shloka and some of the succeeding ones.
1415 The universe.
1416 The birth is only an appearance and is not real. Similarly, Krishna’s birth is also not real, but appears that way.
1417 As sattva.
1418 Ashesha means one who is complete, without anything left.
1419 The unmanifest here refers to Prakriti. Hence, the one who directs/controls Prakriti.
1420 Measure of time, three lavas are known to constitute a nimesha.
1421 The night of universal destruction.
1422 Vasudeva.
1423 Meaning, born from Prishni’s womb.
1424 Shesha’s hoods were like an umbrella.
1425 The river Yamuna.
1426 Shri’s lord is Vishnu and the reference to the ocean is a reference to the incident in the Ramayana.
1427 Yogamaya was born after Krishna.
1428 It is left implicit that Yogamaya vanished after saying this.
1429 Trusted their prophecy.
1430 This is specifically addressed to Devaki.
1431 The text uses the word Yoganidra, which for these purposes, is the same as Yogamaya.
1432 Ishvara means Shiva and the four-faced one is Brahma.
1433 The sutas were charioteers, as well as raconteurs of tales. Magadhas were minstrels and bards. So were bandis. But magadhas seem to have also composed, while bandis sung the compositions of others.
1434 With water.
1435 Kanchukas.
1436 Tending to the guests.
1437 Vasudeva.
1438 Nanda.
1439 Vasudeva.
1440 Krishna and Balarama.
1441 Balarama.
1442 Rohini.
1443 Dharma, artha and kama.
1444 About disturbances in Gokula.
1445 Yashoda and Rohini.
1446 A gavyuti is a measure of distance, equal to two kroshas (four miles) or one krosha (two miles).