26 Mādhava, Nārada said that you’re the marvel and the blessed one, and you replied by saying that you’re also accompanied by the gifts for the priests. 27 What is this? We don’t know the special celestial code-words. If the truth about this is allowed to be heard, Krishna, then we want to hear it.
28 In response, Krishna said to all those bulls of kings: This brahmin Nārada will tell you what you need to hear. 29 Nārada, explain to the kings the words that you said and that I said in reply. Reveal their full significance.
30 When he was nicely freshened up and sitting comfortably upon a splendid golden chair, Nārada started to explain the origin of those words. He said:
31 Great kings, as many as are gathered. Listen to how I got to the bottom of this difficult matter.
32 Three times a day I’m a guest at the bank of the Gangā, and once, when I went there alone at the end of the night, just as the sun was coming into view 33 I saw something that looked like a pile of rocks. Its body was made up of two dishes, it was completely round and as much as a league in diameter, 34 it had four feet, it was wet and encrusted with hornwort, it was the shape of my vīnā, and it looked like a heap of elephant hides. It was a turtle. 35 I touched that aquatic animal with my hand and said to it:
Turtle, your body is a marvel. In my opinion you’re the blessed one, 36 you who are enveloped by two unbreakable dishes like this. You can move through the water without fear, without a care in the world.
37 The aquatic turtle replied to me himself, in human speech. He said: What’s so marvellous about me, sage? How am I the blessed one, my lord? 38 The blessed one is this River Gangā, in whose water tens of thousands of creatures like me move around. What marvel is there beyond her?
39 Full of curiosity, I approached the River Gangā and said: Supreme river, you’re the blessed one, you who always look like a marvel. 40 You and your pools are decorated with such enormous wild beasts. Protecting the abodes of ascetics, you head for the sea.
41 Hearing this, the Gangā assumed a bodily form and replied to Shakra’s beloved celestial light-elf, the brahmin Nārada.* She said: 42 Supreme brahmin, I’m not the blessed one. I’m not the one who’s adorned with marvels. Your claim troubles me, coming as it does from someone intent on the truth. 43 The restless ocean, into which broad rivers like me go in their hundreds, is the world’s blessed one, brahmin, and the maker of the world’s marvels.
44 After hearing the words of she who travels on three paths, I approached the restless ocean and said: Great restless ocean, surely you’re the marvel of the worlds, and the blessed one. That must be how you can be the repository of the waters, the lord of the waves. 45 The water-bearing rivers work for the world’s welfare and are worshipped by the world in turn, but when the time comes for it they make love with you, as your wives.
46 When he heard this, the ocean was driven into agitation by the wind, and he broke through the surface of his own plentiful waters and said to me: 47 No, celestial light-elf, it isn’t so. I’m no marvel, supreme brahmin. The blessed one, sage, is this jewel-bearing earth, upon which I rest. What marvel is there in the world apart from the earth? What marvel is there beyond her?
48 Full of curiosity because of the ocean’s words, I stood on the surface of the earth and spoke to the earth, the wherewithal of the world. I said: 49 Beautiful earth, surely you, the repository of embodied creatures, are the blessed one and the marvel, you who are so very forgiving towards creatures. 50 That must be how you can be the supporter of the worlds and the matrix of humanity. Forgiveness originates from you, as do the deeds of the sky-going gods.*
51 The earth blushed at the speech of praise that I’d made. Then she abandoned her innate tolerance and replied to me: 52 No, it isn’t so, celestial light-elf fond of fights and quarrels. I’m not the blessed one, and I’m not the marvel. My constancy is not my own doing. 53 The mountains that hold me in place are the blessed ones, supreme brahmin. They’re the world’s boundary ridges, and marvels are found within them.
54 Because of what the earth had said, I approached the mountains and said: You, the stays of the earth, appear to be the blessed ones with many marvels. 55 That must be how you can all be on the earth forever as sources of jewels, as sources of the supreme jewel, gold, and above all as sources of mineral ores.
56 After listening to this speech of mine, the forest-dappled mountains, the supreme immovables, addressed me with conciliatory words. They said: 57 Brahmin seer, we’re not the blessed ones, and nor do we even have any marvels. Brahmā the patriarch is the blessed one—he’s the marvel even of the gods.
58 I thought that if I went to the Grandfather, the eternal source of everything, then the circulation of the claim would be completed. 59 So, with my face bent down in salutation as per the tradition, I approached the self-born god, the four-faced origin of the worlds, 60 and for the sake of completing the claim I said to the self-born god: My lord, you are the sole marvel, the blessed one, and the world’s guru. 61 I can’t see any other being to match you. The whole world was born from you, with its moving and stationary creatures. 62 In the world there are mortals made of elements and sense-faculties, lord of all gods, and there are gods and Dānavas, and the whole visible world is beautiful. 63 That must be how you’re the eternal god of the gods’ gods, since as well as creating the worlds, you created them too.
64 Lord Brahmā the world’s Grandfather said to me: Nārada, when you address me, why do you resort to calling me the marvel and the blessed one? 65 The Vedas are the greatest marvel, Nārada. The Vedas are the blessed ones. The Vedas have always sustained the worlds and shown what the truth means. 66 Brahmin, you should know that I’m fashioned out of the truth in the verses, chants, and formulae, and the idea behind the spells. I survive through them, and they survive through me.
67 All things considered, I made up my mind to approach the Vedas, as advised by self-born Brahmā in his preeminent speech. 68 Prompted by what the self-born had said, I approached the four Vedas, whose hymns and explanations are revered, and I said to them: 69 You are the blessed and the holy ones, famous forever as marvels, and you’re also the donations to the brahmins. The patriarch said so. 70 But even if there’s something in the world that’s higher than the self-born, I put it to you that there’s nothing higher than yourselves, either in terms of utterance or in terms of observance.
71 The Vedas stood before me and replied: The sacrifices are the marvels, the blessed ones, and the self’s final refuge. 72 We were created by means of sacrifice and for the sake of sacrifice, Nārada, so the sacrifices are higher than us. In this world we may be higher than self-born Brahmā, but we don’t stand at our own beck and call.
There’s a destination beyond the Vedas! 73 So I said to the sacrifices that are honoured by the household fire: 74 Ahoy there, sacrifices. The splendour that you show is surely supreme. That’s what I’ve been told by Brahmā, and by the Vedas here. 75 There’s no marvel in the worlds to match you. You, who belong to the families of the brahmins, are surely the blessed ones. 76 That must be how the fires can achieve true satisfaction when they’re satisfied by you, and all the thirty gods can achieve true satisfaction when they’re satisfied by their shares, and the great seers can achieve true satisfaction when they’re satisfied by the Vedic hymns.
77 Standing under the banner of the sacrificial post, all the sacrifices—the praise-of-the-fire rite, and so on—replied to me as soon as I’d spoken. They said: 78 The term marvel doesn’t fit us, sage, and nor does the term blessed. The supreme marvel is Vishnu. He’s our supreme destination. 79 The holy ghee that’s offered into the fires, and that we enjoy, is all bestowed by lotus-eyed Vishnu, who is the worlds in person.
80 So, seeking the destination of Vishnu, I rushed here to the earth, and I saw this man Vishnu, surrounded by yourselves. 81 And when, standing here in your midst, kings of the earth, I said to Janārdana that he’s the marvel and the blessed one, 82 the response he gave me today was the remainder of that claim. When
he said that he is also accompanied by the gifts for the priests, my claim was completed.
83 Vishnu, together with the gifts for the priests, is the destination of all sacrifices, and when he said that he’s also accompanied by the gifts for the priests, my question was answered.*84 The claim that was first made to the turtle came here step by step, circulating until it reached this man and the gifts for the priests. 85 You asked me to explain what Janārdana and I said to each other, and I’ve told you all about it. I’ll now leave by the way that I came.
86 Once Nārada had departed for heaven, all the kings departed for their own realms with their armies and their retinues, amazed. 87 Brave Janārdana the bull of the Yadus returned to his own home as well, accompanied by the Yadus, who blazed like fires.
101. The Theft of the Brahmin’s Sons
1 Janamejaya said:
Supreme and strong-armed brahmin, I’d like to hear once more about the surpassing greatness of Krishna the lord of the world. 2 For as I sit here listening to you exploring the deeds of that great wise ancient, I’ve not yet had my fill.
3 Vaishampāyana said:
The last word about Govinda’s power cannot be spoken even in a hundred years, great king. But listen to this, his greatest deed.
4–5 At the behest of Bhīshma, who was lying on his bed of arrows, Arjuna the terrifier, the Gāndīva bowman, told his victorious elder brother Yudhishthira about Keshava’s greatness, your majesty, with the kings gathered around.† Listen to what he said, Kaurava.
6 Arjuna said:
Once I travelled to Dvārakā to visit our relations, and I stayed there, honoured by the principal Bhojas, Vrishnis, and Andhakas. 7 During that period there was a time when Madhusūdana, the strong-armed soul of propriety, underwent the preparatory consecration for a one-day rite as detailed in the Shāstras. 8 And while Krishna was sitting in his consecrated state, a distinguished brahmin came up and spoke to him, asking for help.
9 The brahmin said:
Protection is your prerogative, so protect me, my lord. For the protector is rewarded with one quarter of any merit that is accrued under their protection.
10 Vāsudeva said:
Have no fear, supreme and blameless brahmin. From whom shall I protect you? Tell me truly what would help you, even if it’s something very difficult.
11 The brahmin said:
Strong-armed lord, my sons are stolen as soon as they’re born. Three have been taken, Krishna, and you must protect the fourth. 12 My brahmin wife is due to give birth today. Protect that place, Janārdana, and make sure that my child stays with us.
13 Arjuna said:
Govinda said to me: I’m in a state of consecration for a ritual, but a brahmin must be protected no matter what circumstances one finds oneself in.
14 When I heard Krishna say this, best of men, I spoke up and said: Leave it to me, Govinda. I’ll protect the brahmin from danger.
15 Janārdana listened, smiled, and asked me: Will you be able to?
When he asked me that, your majesty, I was embarrassed. 16 But when he realised that I was embarrassed, Janārdana spoke again and said: Best of the Kauravas, if it’s possible to protect him, then go and do it. 17 All the great Vrishni and Andhaka warriors will accompany you, except for strong-armed Rāma and mighty Pradyumna.
18 So the great Vrishni army surrounded me, and with the brahmin leading the way, I set off with my troops.
102. Arjuna’s Attempt to Save the Brahmin’s Son
1 Arjuna said:
When we arrived at the village a good while later, Bhārata, all our animals were exhausted and glad of a rest. 2 Then, once the settlement was completely surrounded by the Vrishni army, I, the darling of the Kurus, ventured into the village.
3 In one blazing direction, blazing birds and beasts announced my peril, shrieking in inauspicious tones. 4 The sun was gloomy, rose-coloured with the blush of twilight. Huge meteors fell, and the earth trembled. 5 Those were dreadful portents that made people’s hairs stand on end and made their hearts uneasy, and when I saw them I gave the order to prepare for battle. 6 So all the great Vrishni and Andhaka warriors followed Yuyudhāna in hitching up their chariots and stringing their bows, and I did so myself as well.
7 After the midnight hour had passed, the fear-stricken brahmin came up to us in terror and said: 8 The time has come for my brahmin wife to give birth. Your lordships must make sure there’s no mischief.
9 Soon after that, I heard a pitiful weeping sound in the brahmin’s house, and a voice yelled: He’s been taken! He’s been taken!
10 I heard another voice in the sky—evidently the voice of the child crying out as it was being stolen. But I couldn’t see a monster. 11 So we completely filled every direction with downpours of arrows, brother, but the child was taken away even so.
12 After his little boy had been abducted, the brahmin gave voice to his affliction and addressed me with sharp and stinging words. 13 The Vrishnis’ intentions had been foiled, I was completely at a loss, and the brahmin admonished me in particular when he said:
14 You said you’d protect my son, but you didn’t. Now listen to what else I’ve got to say—which is what you deserve, you dolt! 15 It’s futile for you constantly to try to emulate Krishna, whose intelligence is infinite. If Govinda had been here, this disaster wouldn’t have happened. 16 Just as the protector is rewarded with a quarter of any merit that is accrued under their protection, likewise the fool who fails to protect gets a share of the sin. 17 You said you’d protect, but you’re incapable of doing it. This Gāndīva of yours is useless. Your valour and your reputation are useless!
18 Without replying to the brahmin, I then departed, together with the sons of the Vrishnis and Andhakas, and returned to where glorious Krishna was.
19 As soon as I arrived in Dvāravatī and saw Govinda the killer of Madhu, he could tell I was embarrassed and burning with sorrow. 20 Mādhava saw that I was embarrassed, and he consoled me, then he reassured the brahmin, and then he said: 21 Hitch up the horses Sugrīva, Shaibya, Meghapushpa, and Balāhaka!
He said that to Dāruka, 22 and then Shūra’s grandson Krishna made the brahmin get aboard, and then he made Dāruka dismount and told me to be the driver. 23 And when Krishna and the brahmin and I had boarded the chariot, we set off in the auspicious northerly direction, bull of the Kauravas.
103. The Retrieval of the Brahmin’s Sons
1 Arjuna said:
After crossing mountain ranges, rivers, and lakes, I beheld the ocean, the lair of the sea-monsters. 2 The ocean gave Janārdana a proper reception in person. Standing there with his palms together in respect, he said: What can I do for you?
3 Janārdana accepted the honours and said to him: Lord of male and female rivers, I want you to provide a path for my chariot.
4 With his palms together, the ocean said to the man with the Garuda banner:
Please, my lord, not this. If I grant your request, anyone else will be able to travel that way too. 5 You’re the one who established me as deep in the first place, Janārdana. If you make me shallow I’ll become crossable by anyone, 6 and others, kings befuddled by pride, will travel that way too. So take that into consideration, Govinda, and do as you see fit.
7 Vāsudeva said:
For the sake of this brahmin and for my sake, ocean, do what I said. Apart from me, no other man will violate you.
8 This time the ocean, frightened of being cursed, said to Janārdana: Yes indeed, that’s how it’ll be. 9 I’ll dry up a path for you, Keshava my boy, and you can proceed along it on your chariot, with your driver and your banner.
10 Vāsudeva said:
Previously I granted you your wish, that you should never dry up in this world, so that human beings might never discover the full range of your jewel hoards. 11 So simply solidify a path over your waters, noble ocean, and then I’ll proceed on my chariot, and no human being will know the extent of your treasures.
12 The ocean agreed, and we set off as if on dry land, b
ut actually across solidified water that sparkled with the colour of jewels. 13 Then we left the ocean behind, and we even left the land of the Northern Kurus behind, and a moment later we went over Mount Gandhamādana itself. 14 Then Keshava was approached by the seven mountains—by Mount Jayanta, Mount Vaijayanta, Mount Nīla the Blue, Mount Rajata the Silver, 15 great Mount Meru, Mount Kailāsa, and Mount Indrakūta, to be precise. With their diverse and marvellous contours and colours, 16 they stood before Govinda and said: What can we do for you?
Madhusūdana greeted them in the proper fashion, 17 and then, while they were still bowed down in respect, Hrishīkesha said to them: Today you must yield a path for my chariot, a gap to travel through.
18 When they heard Krishna’s request the mountains agreed to it, and they yielded a path for him to travel along as he desired, bull of the Bhāratas. 19 There and then they withdrew themselves, and that was even more of a marvel to me than what the ocean had done. The chariot proceeded unimpeded, like the sun shining between banks of clouds.
20 At one point the horses started finding it difficult to pull the chariot, faultless king, and you could tell by sense of touch that the darkness was turning into mud. 21 The darkness thickened until it had turned back into the mountain, your majesty, and when that happened the horses stopped, unable to move. 22 So Govinda used his discus to tear through the darkness and make the sky and the splendid chariot-path visible again. 23 When we’d come out of the darkness and the sky was visible again I knew I would survive, and my fear left me.
24 Then, great statesman, I saw a blazing light standing there in the shape of a person, lighting up the whole world. 25 Hrishīkesha entered that shining repository of energy, while the noble brahmin and I waited on the chariot. 26 And after a short while, Lord Krishna re-emerged with the brahmin’s four young sons.
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