Krishna's Lineage

by Simon Brodbeck

  7 Truly, neither King Kubera, nor Shakra, nor Yama had ever before seen or heard of a jewel collection to match the mass of treasure that was found in Naraka’s house. 8–9 And after Bhauma and Nisunda and Hayagrīva the Horse-Necked Dānava had been killed, the surviving Dānavas, the guardians of the treasure hoard, delivered the jewels and the other precious palace items to Keshava Janārdana, which was no less than he deserved.

  10 The Dānavas said:

  There are gemstones and various treasures here. There are fierce-looking elephants here with elephant-hooks inlaid with coral 11 and thick girdles embroidered in gold, stocked with bows and lances and wearing various coloured cloths with beautiful designs. 12 There are twenty thousand of these, together with twice that number of female elephants, and eight hundred thousand splendid horses of good provenance. 13 And we’ll also bring as many cows as you might desire to the home of the Vrishnis and Andhakas, Janārdana. 14 There are also delicate woollen items here, and couches and chairs, and pretty birds that say whatever you want them to, 15 and sandalwood and agarwood, and dark agarwood too. You’ve lawfully acquired all the treasure in the three worlds, and we’ll bring it to the home of the Vrishnis and Andhakas. 16 The jewels of the gods and light-elves, and the treasures of the serpents—they’re all here, in Naraka’s hoard.

  17 Hrishīkesha received it all, inspected it, and had it all taken to the city of Dvārakā by the Dānavas, 18 except for the parasol of Varuna that rained showers of gold, which he kept for himself. Then Mādhava raised the parasol, mounted onto sky-ranging 19 Garuda the supreme bird, who was like a living cloud, and headed off to Jewel Mountain, the supreme mountain.

  20 When they got there, auspicious breezes blew, and the bright blaze of golden gems was more brilliant than the sun. 21 Madhusūdana saw coloured cat’s-eye gems there, and doorways with arches and signs, and couches. 22 Jewel Mountain was dotted with palaces and with flying chariots of wonderful gold, and it looked like a cloud beset with lightning. 23 Madhusūdana also found the beloved daughters of the main light-elves and demons there, looking like prize gold. 24 Hidden in the cave of the mountain, he found the broad-bottomed women who’d been collected by Naraka and kept completely hidden.

  25–26 As strong-armed Krishna stood there unconquered in that place like the third heaven, delectable goddesses surrounded him—women who’d been living deprived of pleasure and were wearing single plaits, all of them clothed in ochre, all with their senses suppressed 27 and their bodies slender from their vows and fasts. The women put their palms together in respect for Krishna the lion of the Yadus, and they all crowded together, trying to get a look at him. 28 Then, when they found out that Naraka had been killed, and the great demon Mura, and Hayagrīva Horse-Neck, and Nisunda, they mobbed Krishna. 29 And all the old Dānava elders who’d been guarding them folded their palms together in respect for the darling of the Yadus, and bowed down before him.

  30 As soon as she saw that bull-eyed man, each one of those glorious women was determined to marry him. 31 The women with their senses suppressed looked up at his face that was like the moon and were delighted, and they said to the strong-armed man:

  32 Ah! It’s coming true what we were once told by Vāyu the wind god, and by Nārada the divine seer, who understands the language of every creature. 33 Those two said that the god Vishnu Nārāyana, the bearer of conch, discus, mace, and sword, would kill Naraka Bhauma and become our husband. 34 Ah! We can now see the beloved foe-tamer we heard about long ago. Today we’ve been fulfilled by the sight of the great man.

  35 Those women were rampant and their eyes were like lotus petals, but Vāsava’s younger brother Mādhava calmed them all down with his eyes and his speech. 36 Keshava Madhusūdana calmed them down and spoke to them with the dignity they deserved, and then he had them taken away in vehicles that were harnessed to servant monsters. 37 The thousands of wind-swift servant monsters made a massive racket as they drew the carriages along on that occasion.

  38 The most highly regarded peak of majestic Jewel Mountain looked as bright as the sun and the moon. Its gateways were golden and jewelled, 39 it had elephants, flocks of birds, beasts of prey, deer, and snakes, it was home to troops of monkeys, it had nice plateaus, crags, and summits, 40 it was graced with antelopes, boar, and ruru deer, and it had steep cliffs, high ridges, and charming wooded outcrops. 41 It was so surpassingly marvellous that it’s hard to imagine, roiling with herds of deer and ringing with cries from the peacocks and the flurries of pheasants. 42 Vishnu was surpassingly strong, and he simply plucked up that shining peak with his two arms and placed it upon the supreme bird Garuda.

  43 The supreme winged bird Garuda carried the peak of Jewel Mountain, and Janārdana and his wife, as if it were a game. 44 Looking like the peak of a great rocky mountain, the king of birds made a din in every direction with the flapping of his powerful wings. 45 He loosened rocky promontories and tossed trees around. He brought some massive clouds together, and pushed others apart. 46 Travelling as fast as the wind and following Janārdana’s command, the winged one crossed beyond the range of the sun and moon gods.

  47 Madhusūdana reached Mount Meru where the gods and light-elves live, and he saw all the gods’ houses. 48 The scorcher of the foe passed over the glittering houses of the Vishva gods, your majesty, and those of the Maruts, the Sādhyas, and the two Ashvins. 49 Janārdana the tamer of the foe saw the heavens for people who’ve done good deeds, he saw the world of the gods, and then he reached Shakra’s compound and landed. 50 He dismounted from Garuda Tārkshya, and there was the king of the gods.

  Shatakratu the king of the gods was delighted to welcome him. 51 Lofty Janārdana proffered the celestial earrings, and then, in the company of his wife, the best of men paid his respects to the best of gods, 52 and the king of the gods saluted him back and honoured him with jewels, and Shachī Paulomī greeted Satyabhāmā in the proper fashion.

  53 Then Vāsava and Vāsudeva went together to the sumptuous and holy home of Aditi, the mother of gods. 54 There the two great ones found the austere and illustrious Aditi being waited upon by celestial nymphs on all sides. 55 Shachī’s husband gave her the earrings and saluted her, and he also pushed Janārdana forward and praised his deed. 56 Aditi embraced her two sons affectionately and welcomed them, addressing both of them with suitable blessings. 57 Paulomī and Satyabhāmā too were overjoyed to touch the pure feet of such an esteemed goddess, 58 and the glorious mother of gods talked to them tenderly. To Janārdana she spoke these fitting words:

  59 As surely as this universally revered king of the gods is unconquered, you’ll continue to be invincible and unassailable to all beings. 60 And lucky Satyabhāmā, the best of women, will remain youthful: as long as you’re a human being, Krishna, your wife won’t get old.

  61 After the mother of gods had hymned mighty Krishna in this way, the king of the gods approved his departure and honoured him with jewels, 62 and then, taking Satyabhāmā with him, Krishna mounted onto the son of Vinatā.

  While the gods and seers were entertaining them they had strolled around the gods’ pleasure-gardens, 63 and in Vāsava’s pleasure-garden the strong-armed man had spotted a celestial tree that was sacred and revered: the great Pārijāta Tree. 64 Divine and sweet-smelling, there’s nothing better: it bears blossoms constantly, and everyone who comes across it remembers their previous birth. 65 There were gods guarding that great tree, but nonetheless the immeasurably bold Vishnu prevailed, plucked it up, and took it away. 66 Hari glanced at his glorious celestial nymph Satyabhāmā, and then he set out for Dvāravatī, travelling by the wind’s favourite route. 67 When the strong-armed king of the gods heard what Krishna had done he allowed it, saying that what was done was done. 68 So Krishna the tamer of the foe left the realm of the gods and set out for Dvārakā with the thirty gods and the ranks of great seers still praising him.

  69 After the king of the gods had honoured him, strong-armed Krishna flew a long distance as if it were a short one, and then he spied the c
ity of the Yādavas. 70 Thus, with Garuda as his vehicle, Vāsava’s glorious younger brother Lord Vishnu approached Dvārakā, having done a great deed.

  93. Description of Dvārakā

  1 Vaishampāyana said:

  While he was mounted upon Garuda, Krishna surveyed the city of Dvārakā. It looked like a home for gods, and it was surrounded by a hubbub on all sides.

  2 After the son of Devakī had departed on his journey to Jewel Mountain, the king of the gods had summoned Vishvakarman and said to him: 3 If you’d like to do me a favour, supreme artisan, you should make Dvārakā still more beautiful, in order to bring pleasure to Krishna. 4 Fill Dvārakā with gardens and groves so she looks like heaven, supreme god. Make her just like my own city. 5 If you see anything in the three worlds that’s as precious as a jewel, you should immediately decorate the city of Dvāravatī with it. 6 For mighty Krishna is always dedicated to everything that the gods need doing, and plunges into fearsome-looking fights.

  7 So Vishvakarman travelled to the city at Indra’s insistence, and he beautified her all over, like Indra’s city of Amarāvatī. 8 And now the lord of the Dāshārhas, arriving on the bird, noticed that she’d been decorated in accordance with divine wishes carried out by Vishvakarman. 9 Lord Hari Nārāyana understood the whole business, and he was full of joy as he looked over the city of Dvārakā and prepared to land.

  10 Now that Vishvakarman had beautified Dvārakā, the Dāshārha saw lovely copses of trees there that were a delight to behold. 11 He saw that the city was surrounded by moats that looked like the River Sindhu or the Gangā—they teemed with masses of lotuses, and had geese living on their waters— 12 and by a wall that sat on top of a rampart, shining with the golden colour of the sun. Surrounded by these, the city looked like the sky surrounded by a wreath of clouds. 13 Dvārakā also looked like the sky scattered with clouds, since she was nicely scattered with wooded groves as lovely as the pleasure-groves of Indra and Kubera.

  14 Visible in the eastern direction was a handsome golden and jewelled gateway, and Mount Raivataka with its lovely ridges, caves, and clearings. 15 Mount Latāveshta could be seen to the south. To the west were Mount Panchavarna Five-Colours, which looked like Indra’s banner, and Mount Akshaya. 16 And pale Mount Venumat dominated the northern direction looking like Mount Mandara, bull among kings.

  17 Visible near Mount Raivataka were the great Forest of Panchajana, which was coloured like a patterned cloth, and Sarvartuka Forest, the Forest of All Seasons. 18 Surrounding Mount Latāveshta were the great Meruprabha Forest, the Bhārga Forest, and the great Pushpaka Forest. 19 The Shatāvarta Forest to the west was home to rosewood trees, citron trees, and coral trees, and oleander and fennel grew there too. 20 And around Mount Venumat Kubera’s pleasure-grove could be seen, as could Indra’s, which was large, beautiful, and wholesome.

  21 The Celestial Gangā was visible in the eastern direction, Bhārata, a river of delights, its waters full of lotuses with petals like cat’s-eye gems. 22 At Vishvakarman’s instigation, the mountain ridges in that direction were lined with numerous gods and light-elves who were wishing Keshava well. 23 The great river of pure water entered Dvāravatī as a delta of fifty channels, refreshing her all over.

  24–25 He looked down at the city of Dvārakā. She was tall and expansive, with deep moats and a superb wall. She was painted with whitewash and decorated with numerous contraptions, including huge iron wheels and vicious mechanical weapons that could kill a hundred people at once. 26 In the city there were eight thousand chariots fitted with little bells and tall banners, just as there are in the city of the gods.

  27 He looked down at the city of Dvārakā. Eight yojanas wide, twelve yojanas long, and with suburbs covering twice that area, she was immovable. 28 As if designed by Ushanas in person, she had eight highways within the walled area, sixteen major intersections, and a single perimeter road. In that city even the women could fight, to say nothing of the great Vrishni warriors! 29 As decreed by Vishvakarman in person, there in the city of the famous Dāshārhas—the finest of the finest cities—there were seven different broad highways that were ideal for military formations.

  30 Then the heart of Devakī’s son soared as he spotted the houses with golden and jewelled staircases of the kind that people adore, 31 and the flags that had been put up at the crossroads and on the finest mansions and were flapping with a tremendous great racket, 32 and the shining golden rooves that looked like the peaks of Mount Meru. The rooves had yellow and white turrets with golden fittings. The turrets looked like wonderful mountains with crags, caves, and sweet summits, 33 and they were the same colour as Mount Panchavarna Five-Colours, as if they’d been showered with blossoms. Those turrets were like a collection of mountains that rumbled like rainclouds. 34 As bright as blazing forest fires and brighter than the sun and moon, the turrets that Vishvakarman had built almost scraped the sky.

  35 There was Dvārakā, adorned with distinguished Dāshārhas and flooded with palaces, its houses like clouds whose rain god was Vāsudeva. 36–37 Dvārakā looked like a sky full of pretty clouds.

  The compound that Vishvakarman had built for Lord Vāsudeva was clearly visible. It was four yojanas long and the same distance wide, but immeasurable in the wealth of its treasures. 38 Prompted by Vāsava, the great Tvashtri Vishvakarman had aligned its most splendid palaces with the earth’s mountains.

  39 Vāsudeva saw a palace that would charm any creature, shining with gold, as large and as tall as the peak of Mount Meru. This was Kānchana the Golden Palace, the splendid home that Vishvakarman had built for Rukminī. 40 Satyabhāmā lived in a different palace, the white one that they called Bhogavat, the Winding Palace, which had amazing jewelled staircases and was decorated with flags the colour of the bright sun. 41 The grand palace that Jāmbavatī adorned surpassed all others in splendour, just as the sun does. It was indicated by clear signposts, and had tall banners at the four cardinal points. 42 Vishvakarman had tucked it in between the other two, where it shone the colour of the rising sun, looking as divine as a pinnacle of Mount Kailāsa.

  43 The palace known as the Meru Palace stood there like shining gold, like a blazing fire, or like an ocean. 44 There Keshava had settled Gāndhārī, supreme Bhārata. She was from a good family, being the daughter of the king of Gāndhāra. 45 Vāsudeva saw the palace called the Padmakūta Palace, brilliant and lotus-coloured, a highly esteemed great pile which was home to Subhīmā. 46 The man with the Shārnga bow had established Lakshmanā in Sūryaprabha the Sunshine Palace, which was furnished with every desirable feature, best of the Kurus. 47 The palace that all beings knew as the Paramount Palace, Bhārata, the greenish one that sparkled with coloured cat’s-eye gems, 48 was where Vāsudeva’s wife Mitravindā lived, and it was a jewel among dwellings, admired by companies of gods and seers, 49 a really charming grand palace built by Vishvakarman and standing as steady as a mountain. 50 And the home of Vāsudeva’s wife Sudattā, which all deities also admired, was known as the Ketumat Palace. 51 There it was, a grand palace indeed, built by Tvashtri himself. A yojana long, a yojana wide, and built of every gemstone, it was magnificent.

  52 There too was the gorgeous and glorious place where the great Keshava had his reception hall. It was called the Viraja Palace, and it sparkled. 53 Golden poles had been set up at various places in that house of Vāsudeva, all of them decked out, some with flags, some with signs saying which way to go. And there were hosts of jewels there too.

  54 The Yadu lion had appropriated the great Mount Vaijayanta, a peak as tall as sixty palm-trees and half a yojana across, taken from Mount Hamsakūta in the region of Lake Indradyumna. 55 The immeasurably brilliant man had fetched that world-famous peak, complete with its mountain-elves and great serpents, while all beings looked helplessly on. 56 And for Krishna’s sake Vishvakarman had plucked up and fetched a lofty celestial peak from Mount Meru. Made of gold and famous across the three worlds, it tracked the path of the sun, 57 sparkled with a fierce glare, and was adorned wit
h every herb. Tvashtri had fetched that peak at Indra’s behest because it was his duty, but Keshava had seized the Pārijāta Tree and was bringing it there of his own accord. 58 The Pārijāta Tree was covered with flying chariots made of gold, and with hundreds of lotus petals, and as Krishna of the miraculous deeds was fetching it he’d fought for it, for there had been gods guarding that superb tree.

  59 Lotus-ponds and lakes had been supplied for Vāsudeva’s sake. Mature trees marked the holy sites on their banks, their waters were packed with lotuses, their water-lilies had superlative fragrances, and they were dotted with golden and jewelled boats. 60 Mature trees decorated their splendid banks: sal trees, palm trees, and kadam trees, tall ones with hundreds of branches, 61 as well as trees from the Himālaya and trees that grew on Mount Meru, fetched and arranged by Vishvakarman for the sake of the Yadu lion. 62 At the edges of the groves there were trees bright with red, yellow, and orange, and trees flowering in white, and trees that bore fruit in every season.

  63 In that superb city there were beaches with yellow sand and pebbles and pounding surf, and there were freshwater rivers and lakes, 64 and there were other beaches with golden sand and pebbles, and rivers whose waters were crammed with flowers, crowded around by mangroves and all kinds of trees. 65 In that city there were trees well stocked with flocks of amorous peacocks, and with ever-excited cuckoos, 66 and there were also herds of elephants right there in the city, and cows and buffaloes, and birds, deer, and boar made their homes there too. 67 And in that delightful city there was of course the golden rampart which Vishvakarman had built a hundred cubits high, 68 the earthwork that surrounded the great bits of mountain, the rivers and lakes, and the parks and groves.