* The story of the dwarf manifestation is told quite cryptically in this chapter, but it is apparently known to Janamejaya already (Hv 30.9, 12, 19–20). In his dwarf form Vishnu is promised whatever he can cover in three strides. Then, before and as he takes them, he becomes absolutely enormous.
* For Arjuna Kārtavīrya’s wishes, compare Hv 23.139–42 above.
* These parts are the four sons of Dasharatha (Rāma, Lakshmana, Shatrughna, and Bharata).
† For the story of Rāma son of Dasharatha see the Rāmāyana or, for a shorter version, Mbh 3.258–75. Rāma features also in Hv 44 below.
‡ At Janasthāna, Rāma’s dealings with Rāvana’s siblings prompt Rāvana to abduct Sītā. This development is here assumed but not narrated.
* Rāvana’s wish was to be invulnerable to various powerful types of being. See v. 122 above; Mbh 3.259.25–26; Rāmāyana 7.10.10–20.
* Warriors wear earrings in battle.
* The four oceans are the eastern, southern, western, and northern oceans; see Rāmāyana 6.116.46–52.
* To free himself and his mother from slavery to the snakes, Garuda fetched the nectar for them, stealing it from heaven. See Mbh 1.18–30.
* Brihaspati and Ushanas are priests to the gods and the demons respectively; see above, Hv 20.29–36.
* Indra cut off the mountains’ wings, as narrated at Rāmāyana 5.1.108–10.
* These three livelihoods are: officiating at rituals, teaching the Veda, and receiving gifts.
† Exposure to five fires—one at each cardinal point, plus the sun overhead—is mentioned at Manusmriti 6.23.
* Aurva means ‘son of Ūrva’, and also ‘son of the thigh (ūru)’.
† The underwater fire, which functions as a standard poetic figure in the Shishupālavadha, may serve to explain how the ocean can receive water continuously from the rivers without its level changing. At Hv 30.14 above, Janamejaya associates the underwater fire with Vishnu rather than with Brahmā.
* For a different version of the Aurva story, see Mbh 1.169–71: there, Aurva Bhārgava’s mother conceals her unborn son in her thigh to save him during a massacre perpetrated by kshatriyas. His incendiary anger is a response to their misbehaviour; but his ancestors intervene, persuading him to put it underwater for safety.
* The month of Nabhasya includes parts of August and September.
* Compare Hv 34.46 above: Garuda is considered to be part of Vishnu.
* For Bali and Virochana, compare Hv 3.60–61 above. Regarding Bali’s escape, compare Hv 23.27–31 above.
* The three places refer to the three fires of the solemn ritual: the householder’s fire, the offertory fire, and the southern fire.
† The three classes are: brahmins, kshatriyas, and vaishyas.
‡ This refers back to Janamejaya’s multifaceted question at Hv 30.
* These four groups are the four social classes.
* This seems to refer to Mbh 3.186 where, between one cosmos and another, Mārkandeya enters Vishnu’s mouth and witnesses the unmanifest cosmos within his body.
* For those exempt from paying tax, see Manusmriti 7.133 (Vedic scholars); 8.394 (the blind, idiotic, crippled, aged, and those who look after Vedic scholars).
† A fourfold army includes warriors on foot, on chariots, on horses, and on elephants (compare pawns, bishops, knights, and rooks).
‡The six strategies are making peace, initiating hostilities, staying put, marching into battle, seeking refuge, and duplicity. See Arthashāstra 7.
* Some Mahābhārata passages suggest that the four ages do not necessarily have a set sequence, but that the age is dependent on the king’s behaviour. See e.g. Mbh 12.70.
* For Vishvakarman, see Hv 3.39–41 above.
* Hv 31.18 mentioned that Vishnu granted Madhu and Kaitabha a wish of their choosing. Their speech here at Hv 42.28–29 seems to be in response to this offer.
* The backstory of Shantanu given here differs from that of Mbh 1.91, where King Mahābhisha is posthumously cursed to return to earth and become Shantanu.
* The method of the patriarchs is one of the eight standard marriage-methods listed at Manusmriti 3.20–35. Its name suggests an emphasis on progeny.
† The eighth Vasu is Gangā’s son Bhīshma.
‡ Shantanu’s second wife was Satyavatī. For her backstory, see again Hv 13.24–40 above.
* Shankara’s character is Ashvatthāman. This verse describes the events of Mbh 10.
† These two, Yudhishthira and Duryodhana, are the eldest sons of the two brothers and the leaders of the two sets of cousins.
* This refers to Mbh 1.61, where full details were given of who became manifest as whom.
† This cohort comprises the five Pāndavas and Karna, their elder brother.
‡ According to Mbh 1.61.63, Brihaspati, the priest of the gods, becomes Drona.
* A vīnā is a musical instrument whose strings are played with the fingers.
* Aditi and Surabhi are just two of Kashyapa’s many wives; see Hv 2.47; 3.24, 45–93.
* Vishnu will be embodied as both Baladeva and Krishna.
The Book of Vishnu
The Killing of Kamsa
46. Nārada Visits Kamsa
1 Vaishampāyana said:
Once he knew that Vishnu and the portions of the gods were coming to earth, Nārada went to Mathurā to announce Kamsa’s destruction. 2 He descended from heaven, landed in the parklands of Mathurā, and sent word to Ugrasena’s son Kamsa.
3 Hearing that Nārada had arrived, Kamsa the demon came striding swiftly out of his fortress with eyes like lotuses. 4 He saw his honourable guest: a flawless divine seer, so brilliant that he looked like a flame, and so handsome that he shone like the sun. 5 Kamsa introduced himself to the seer, honoured him in the proper fashion, and produced and proffered a seat that shone with the colour of fire. 6 So Shakra’s friend the sage sat on the seat, and then he said to Ugrasena’s extremely irritable son:
7 You’ve honoured me with the rite that’s prescribed by rule, brave man. But now, things being as they are, you must hear and heed what I say. 8 I frequent the heavenly worlds up to the world of Brahmā. I’ve been to great Meru, the mountain that’s friends with the sun, my boy. 9 I’ve seen Indra’s pleasure-grove, and Kubera’s, and in the company of deities I’ve bathed in rivers that are rich in holy sites. 10 I’ve seen the celestial river, the sacred one with the three streams and the three paths,* and I’ve bathed at all the celestial holy sites, one after the other. 11 I’ve seen the court of Brahmā ranged with the ranks of brahmin seers and ringing with the racket of gods, light-elves, and celestial nymphs.
12 One time, taking my vīnā along with me, I went to Brahmā’s great hall on the summit of Mount Meru, to a meeting of the gods. 13 I saw the gods sitting there on divine seats with the Grandfather, wearing white turbans and flashing with various jewels. 14 And that’s how, while the deities were consulting there, I heard about a terrible plan to kill you and those who’ve followed you here.
15 This Devakī, your cousin* here in Mathurā—her eighth child will be your death, Kamsa. 16 He’s the sum total of all the gods, the refuge of the third heaven, and the gods’ biggest secret, and he’ll be your death. 17 He’s higher than the highest of the gods, and among the self-born he’s the truly self-born, so I’m not going to describe that great divine being to you. 18 But you should respect him, for he’s been your death before. Remember him! If he can be dealt with while he’s still an infant, Kamsa, then you should try to arrange that. 19 This is a favour from me to you, and it’s the reason why I came. Good luck to you. May you enjoy all pleasures and treasures. I must go.
20 After Nārada had said that and departed, Kamsa thought about what he’d said, and he laughed about it loudly for a long time, grinning with his teeth showing.
21 He stood up in front of his staff, and with a slight smirk he said:
That Nārada really is the most ridiculous of creatures. He knows nothing. 22 Not even the god
s together with Vāsava can frighten me, whether I’m engaged in battle, or asleep, or enjoying myself, or even when I’m drunk. 23 I’m the one who makes the earth anxious when I raise my arms, so who is there in the human realm who could make me anxious?
24 As of today, I’m instituting a great cull of the creatures that obey the gods—whether they rank among humans, birds, or beasts. 25 Keshin the horse, Pralamba, Dhenuka, Arishta the bull, Pūtanā, and Kāliya are instructed as follows. 26 Roam across the whole earth, however you want and in whatever form you want, and attack those who disparage our side, wherever they may be. 27 And ascertain the status of creatures who are on earth but still in the womb, for Nārada mentioned a danger to us from an infant.
28 You must enjoy yourselves however you wish to, without anxiety, for when you depend on me as your lord, the gods can’t cause you any trouble. 29 That brahmin Nārada is in the habit of making mischief. He’s amusing himself. He gets pleasure from sowing discord across the worlds, especially between close allies. 30 He’s always roaming restlessly around the worlds, scratching away, strumming quarrels on the strings of the kings.
31 As Kamsa entered his palace he was still prattling away like this, but it was sheer talk and nothing more. His mind was burning.
47. The Arrangement with the Goddess Sleep
1 Vaishampāyana said:
In a state of agitation, Kamsa gave orders to his loyal associates:
You must all endeavour to destroy Devakī’s offspring. 2 All her children must be killed without exception, beginning with the first one. For when there’s danger, the adversity must be destroyed right at the root.
3 Monitored when she’s at home, watched over by secret agents, Devakī must go about as she pleases without suspecting anything, while my forces stand at the ready. 4 My women must count the months since her last period, so that we’ll know how much time remains before any child is due. 5 Wherever they may be, Vasudeva and his wife must be watched, absolutely night and day, by vigilant people loyal to me, without any women or eunuchs mentioning the reason for this.
6 This is a plan for dealing with a human, so we can accomplish it as mere humans. Listen to how people like me can foil the will of the gods. 7 When many secret details have been properly arranged, when the medicines have been properly administered, and when the effort is fitted to the facts, then even the will of the gods falls into line.
8 So that’s how Kamsa heard about this business from Nārada, took counsel in his fear, and put a plan in place to destroy Devakī’s offspring. 9 But valiant Vishnu, in a state of invisibility, heard about Kamsa’s plan and the fatalities it foretold. He thought to himself: 10 The Bhoja’s son is going to kill seven of Devakī’s babies, and I must deposit myself in the eighth embryo.
11 As he was reflecting on this, his thoughts turned to the underworld, where the Dānavas called the Sixkids were sleeping in the form of embryos. 12 They were glorious and had strong bodies, as if they’d been feeding on nectar. They could have matched the immortals in a fight—they were, after all, the sons of Kālanemi.
13 Once upon a time, these Daityas paid homage to the world’s Grandfather by wearing knotted dreadlocks and performing fearsome austerities. 14 Brahmā was pleased with the Sixkids, and granted them a wish. He said: Tell me which of you wants what. What wish shall I grant you?
15 Those Daityas all had the same objective. They said to Brahmā: If your holiness is pleased with us, then listen to our most fervent wish. 16 May it be impossible for us to be killed by deities or great serpents, your holiness, or by supreme self-disciplined seers armed with curses. 17 And if you grant our wish, your holiness, then may we also not be killed by light-elf or dark-elf masters, or by perfected saints, celestial singers, or human beings.
18 Then, with joy in his heart, Brahmā told them that everything would be as they’d specified. 19 And having granted the Sixkids their wish, the self-born god departed for the third heaven.
But Hiranyakashipu was offended, and said: 20 Because you overlooked me and asked for a wish from the lotus-born god, I’ve lost my love for you. I renounce you. You’ve become my enemies. 21 So because this name of yours—the Sixkids—was given to you by your father, that same father will kill all of you himself, when you’ve become kids. 22 The great Sixkid demons will become exactly six kids of Devakī, and Kamsa will kill you when you’re kids.
23 So now Vishnu went to the underworld, where the Sixkid demons were tucked up resting in their home, a womb of water. 24 He saw the Sixkids lying in their womb, sleeping in the water, as if they’d all been hidden away by the goddess Sleep, who takes the form of death. 25 Then Vishnu entered their bodies in the form of a dream. He extracted their souls and gave them to Sleep. 26 Vishnu, whose power is his truth, said to Sleep:
Sleep, I’m sending you off. Travel until you get to Devakī’s house. 27 These living souls are called the Sixkids: take them and put them, one after another, into Devakī’s six embryos. 28 When they’ve been born as infants and led to the house of Yama, and Kamsa’s plan has proved to be fruitless, and Devakī’s labours have borne fruit, 29 I’ll do you a favour on earth that matches the favour you’ve done me, and as a result, goddess, you’ll become the goddess of the whole world.
30 Devakī’s seventh foetus, an auspicious portion, will be my elder brother. In the seventh month, you must transfer him to Rohinī. 31 Because the foetus was extracted, that youngster—my elder brother, the image of the cool-rayed moon—will be called Sankarshana the Extraction. 32 Thinking that Devakī’s seventh foetus has miscarried because of her anxiety, Kamsa will concentrate his efforts onto the eighth: myself, in the form of a foetus.
33 There’s a woman, brought up in a cowherding family, who’s the beloved wife of cowherd Nanda, the keeper of Kamsa’s cows. She’s named Yashodā, the Giver of Glory, if you please. 34 You’ll be her child, the ninth in our group, born on the ninth day—of the dark (krishna) fortnight,* naturally— 35 during the moon’s conjunction with the constellation Abhijit the Victorious, at midnight when the night is no longer young. I’ll make the delivery go smoothly. 36 The two of us will be born at the same time, after eight months in the womb. Then, Kamsa’s orders being as they are, we’ll be exchanged while we’re infants. 37 I’ll go to Yashodā, and you, goddess, must go to Devakī. When we’re exchanged as infants, Kamsa has to be deceived by it. 38 Then he’ll take you by the foot and throw you down onto the stone, and as you’re thrown down you’ll attain a permanent position in the sky.
39 On earth you’ll be as dark-skinned as me, with a face like Sankarshana’s, and with thick arms like my own arms, 40 holding a three-pronged spear, a sword with a golden hilt, a pot full of honey, and an immaculate lotus flower.*41 Wearing dark blue linen and a yellow upper garment, you’ll have a pearl necklace shining like moonbeams on your chest, 42 and both ears decorated with large heavenly earrings. You’ll be glorious, with a face fit to rival the moon, 43 looking magnificent with a three-ringed crown binding your hair up. Your arms will be as solid as iron bars, with hissing snakes coiled around them. 44 You’ll have a standard of peacock tail-feathers erected nearby, and a splendid peacock-feather armband, 45 and you’ll be surrounded by fearsome gangs of sprites.
Keeping a vow of celibacy in obedience to my command, you’ll travel to the third heaven 46 and you’ll be installed there by hundred-eyed Shakra and the deities, using a celestial consecration rite that I’ve devised. 47 On that same occasion Vāsava will take you as his sister, and through the family of Kushika† you’ll become known as Kaushikī. 48 He’ll give you a permanent dwelling-place on the Vindhya, the finest of mountain ranges, and after that you’ll decorate the earth with thousands of your dwelling-places. 49 Then, with your mind focused on me, you’ll destroy the two mountain-roaming Dānavas Shumbha and Nishumbha, and their followers.
50 You’re the one who’ll range across the three worlds changing your form at will, illustrious woman, answering prayers and dispensing rewards on earth. 51 With a retinue of
sprites and a fixed preference for flesh offerings, you’ll be worshipped on the ninth lunar day, with animal sacrifices. 52 And when people who know my power pay homage to you, nothing will be hard for them to obtain, least of all children and wealth. 53 When people are lost in the wastelands, or sinking in the great restless ocean, or waylaid by brigands, you’ll be their highest recourse. 54 You’ll be success, fortune, resolve, renown, modesty, learning, humility, and judgement; you’ll be twilight, night, light, and sleep; and you’ll also be the night of destruction at the end of the world. 55 When you’re worshipped, you’ll rescue people from imprisonment, death, sorcery, loss of children, loss of wealth, or fear of sickness and death.
56 Once Kamsa’s been stymied, you’ll enjoy the world like no one else, and I, for the sake of my own advancement, will kill Kamsa.
57 After the lord had given her these instructions, she agreed to them, paid him her respects, and departed, and he disappeared.
48. The Birth of Lord Krishna
1 Vaishampāyana said:
Once the plans for her womb had been made, Devakī, who was like a goddess, duly conceived the seven aforementioned embryos.
2 The Sixkids were born, and Kamsa smashed them on the stone floor.
When the seventh child was on the way, Sleep took it to Rohinī. 3 In the middle of the night, Sleep suddenly entered Devakī. As her established foetus was taken from her, Devakī fell to the ground, bleeding. 4 As if in a dream, she saw the foetus that had come out of her body. A short while later she couldn’t find the child, and she became distressed.
5 Vasudeva’s Rohinī was as precious to him as the moon’s Rohinī was to him.* Rohinī was frightened, and in the darkness of the night Sleep said to her: 6 Because this foetus that’s been deposited in your womb was extracted from another, you will have a son named Sankarshana the Extraction, pretty woman.
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