Krishna's Lineage

by Simon Brodbeck

  56 As Bāna was speaking, Pradyumna’s undefeated son heard his words, looked up from the battle, and smiled. 57 He saw a massive chariot, ten furlongs long. Ringing with hundreds of tiny bells, it had red flags and a red standard, and its body was covered with bearskins. 58 And he saw the thousand horses that the great Kumbhānda had harnessed to Bāna’s chariot.

  Bāna now saw his opponent charging forwards holding a sword and shield, 59 and when Bāna saw Pradyumna’s son on foot holding a sword and shield, he became extremely excited, because he wanted to kill him. 60 As for the Yādava, he had a sword in his hand but he had no armour, and he could see that he wouldn’t be able to defeat the warrior who stood facing him for battle.

  61 They fought. Bāna rained masses of short arrows all around Aniruddha’s head, hoping to kill him, 62 but standing opposite him looking like the rising sun, Aniruddha used his shield to ward off those thousands of arrows.*63 The darling of the Yadus went closer to Bāna in battle and waited, just as a lion does in the forest when it sees a lone elephant opposite.

  64 Bāna then struck Pradyumna’s undefeated son with many thousands of keen and sharp arrows. They flew fast, and they cut him to the quick. 65 The strong-armed man was riddled with smooth-jointed arrows, and he flared up with anger, intending to do the difficult deed. 66 He’d been inundated and wounded by downpours of arrows and his limbs were bathed in streams of blood, but he charged towards Bāna’s chariot in a fierce fury. 67 In addition to the masses of arrows, Pradyumna’s son had been wounded by swords, clubs, spears, pikes, and javelins, but he didn’t waver. 68 The angry man sprang forwards quickly and used his sword to cut through the pole of Bāna’s chariot and kill the horses in front of it.

  69 Bāna was wise in the ways of war, and he once again made Aniruddha invisible behind torrents of arrows, as well as pikes and javelins. 70 The gangs of Nairrita demons began to roar, thinking Aniruddha must be dead, but he suddenly jumped forward and stood at the side of the chariot.

  71 The duel continued. Bāna, furious, grabbed a formidable spear. It looked vicious: it blazed brightly and was fitted with rows of bells. 72 It looked like the blazing sun, or like Yama’s staff. He launched that magnificent spear smoothly, as if it were a huge blazing meteor. 73 The supreme person watched the death-dealing spear as it came flying towards him, and then he jumped forward and grabbed it. 74 The powerful man then wounded Bāna with his very own spear. It went right through his body and stuck into the surface of the jewel-bearing earth.

  75 Bāna was overcome by a swoon. Kumbhānda said to him: Lord of Dānavas, why are you indulging an active enemy like this? 76 This man has proved himself a hero. The show he’s putting on today is nothing out of the ordinary for him. Fight using magic, otherwise you won’t be able to kill him. 77 Protect yourself, and protect me. Is it out of carelessness that you’re letting him have it his way? Kill him this very day, lest he bring us all down.

  78 The Dānava chief was a supreme orator, and when Kumbhānda had urged him on like this, in his rage he replied with blunt words, saying: 79 I myself shall arrange for Death to take away his life in battle. Indeed, I’ll carry him off like Garuda carrying off a snake.

  80 Saying that, he vanished there and then like a mirage, along with his chariot, horses, standard, and driver.

  81 Pradyumna’s undefeated son realised that Bāna had disappeared, and he surveyed the ten directions, full of manly courage.

  82 After the angry son of Bali had used the disappearing spell, that powerful sorcerer, now unseen, fired sharp arrows, 83 and Pradyumna’s son was imprisoned on all sides by arrows that were snakes. His body was completely enclosed by a mass of snakes. 84 With his whole body enveloped, Pradyumna’s son was held fast on the battlefield, and he stood there like Mount Maināka, fully conscious but unable to move. 85 As Pradyumna’s son stood there like a mountain on the battlefield, the snakes wound their coils around him and licked him with flames that came out of their mouths, but he wasn’t afraid. 86 He stood there unable to move, enveloped on all sides by arrows in the form of coiling serpents, but he was the soul of all beings, and he didn’t despair.

  87 Bāna, indignant, now abused him, using strong language. Then Bāna, irate, leaned against his standard and said: 88 Kumbhānda, kill this man quickly, this defiler of my family, who in his corrupt state has corrupted my reputation in the world.

  89 When he was told this, Kumbhānda said:

  I’m going to say something, your majesty, and as I say it you must listen to it, if you please. 90 We must find out whose son he is, and where he came here from, and who brought him here. He’s as bold as Shakra, 91 and I noticed time and time again in the battle—in this great battle, your majesty—that he fights as if he’s playing a game. He looks like the son of a god, 92 he’s strong, he has presence of mind, and he knows all the Shāstras: he doesn’t deserve the indignity of being put to death, supreme Daitya. Find out more about him, and then either kill him, or receive him with honours.

  93 It must be a great mistake to kill him and a very great virtue to protect him, for he’s a person of distinction, worthy of the utmost respect. 94 His body’s completely enveloped by coiled snakes, but he doesn’t mind. Behold a supreme person gifted with spirit and splendour, your majesty! Even though he’s faced with death, this mighty man takes no notice of any of us. 95 He’s enclosed by coiled snakes and his limbs are soaked in streams of blood, but with his brow wrinkled into three furrows, he pays no heed to us standing here. 96 Even though he’s been brought into this state, he trusts in the strength of his own arms and pays you no heed, your majesty. Who can this courageous youth be? 97 He’s ready to fight with his two arms against someone with a thousand arms! He’s full of strength and spirit, and if it pleases you, your majesty, we must find out who he is.

  98 Bāna listened to Kumbhānda’s speech, and then he left Aniruddha in the palace to fight to his utmost against the snakes, and retired to his own quarters.

  109. The Vrishnis Consult

  1 Vaishampāyana said:

  Unable to see their dear lord, all the women in Aniruddha’s house wept together, like female mountain-elves. They said:

  2 No! Alas! How can this happen when Lord Krishna is present in the world? Horrified and dizzy with fear, we weep as if we have no one to protect us.

  3 The deities—the gods led by Indra, including the Ādityas and the companies of Maruts—live in heaven trusting in the protection of Krishna’s arms. 4 He strikes terror into others, but now something very terrible for him has happened in the world, since someone’s abducted his bold grandson, our Aniruddha.

  5 Ha! Only a total idiot who isn’t afraid of anything in the world would ignite Vāsudeva’s irresistible fury! 6 Only an enemy who dallies in front of the fangs of open-mouthed Death would be so deluded as to rise up against Vāsudeva in battle! 7 How could anyone be released alive after committing this kind of offence against the bull of the Yadus, even if they were Shatakratu in person? 8 Someone who’s committed a sin certainly shouldn’t be mourned, but as for us, today we’ve been left bereft. Separation from our lord has placed us in Yama’s hands.

  9 Wailing and talking like this again and again, these magnificent women poured out the water of misfortune from their eyes. 10 When their eyes brimmed with tears they looked like lotus flowers bathed in water at the start of the monsoon, 11 and when their lovely curved eyelashes left streaks of kohl, their eyes looked like they were bathed in blood.

  12 Soon they were standing on the palace roof making a great racket, like thousands of female ospreys screeching in the sky. 13 Bulls of men heard the terrible noise, heard that an unforeseen disaster had occurred, and immediately rushed out of their houses 15 like disturbed lions coming out of their caves. Stammering out of agitation and affection, they said to each other: 14 What’s the reason for this massive racket that we can hear in Aniruddha’s house? How could disaster befall us when Krishna’s looking after us?

  16 Krishna’s kettledrum was beaten in the assem
bly hall to signal battle preparations, and at the sound of it everyone came to the assembly hall and presented themselves. 17 All the Yādavas asked each other what had happened and told each other what they could, 18 and then the Yādavas waited, sighing, spoiling for battle, their eyes filled with tears, their eyes red with fury.

  19 Krishna, the supreme assailant, was sighing again and again. Then, when everyone was quiet, Viprithu addressed him and said:

  20 Why are you so worried in this situation, leader of the people? All the Yādavas are confident in the vigour and strength of your arms. Individually and collectively, Krishna, they’re confident in you. 21 Likewise Shakra the destroyer of armies, having entrusted victory and defeat to you, sleeps happily without a care. So why are you worried? 22 All your relatives have come upon an unshakeable sea of sorrow, and they’re sinking in it. So save them, strong-armed man, all on your own! 23 Why are you so worried, and why don’t you say something? You shouldn’t be worried unduly, divine Mādhava.

  24 After hearing this, Krishna kept on sighing for quite some time. Then, expert speaker that he was, he spoke as if he were Brihaspati himself:

  25 Thinking about this emergency, Viprithu, I’m worried. So even though it was you that asked me, I couldn’t think what to say in reply. 26 But now, amid the ranks of the Dāshārhas, I’m going to make an important speech. Listen, all you Yādavas, as I explain why I’m so worried.

  27 Now that brave Aniruddha has been kidnapped, every prince on earth will think that we and our relatives are all effectively impotent. 28 Our king, Ugrasena the son of Āhuka, was once kidnapped too, of course, by Shālva, and on that occasion we fetched him back only after a very cruel war.*29 Our Pradyumna, the son of Rukminī, was kidnapped too when he was a baby, by Shambara, and returned only after killing him in battle. 30 But this is really deep trouble. Where has Pradyumna’s son disappeared to?

  I can’t recall a crime like this, bulls of men. 31 But whoever it is that has trodden on my head with his ash-covered foot, I’ll kidnap his life in battle, along with those of his allies!

  32 After Krishna had said this, Sātyaki said: Krishna, we must instruct our spies to look for Aniruddha.

  33 Krishna smiled and said to the son of Āhuka: We must commission spies both inside and outside the kingdom, your majesty.

  34 So the glorious king dispatched his spies, saying: Search everywhere, both inside and outside the kingdom. 35 Swiftly, using horses, search Mount Venumat, Mount Latāveshta, and Mount Raivataka, and also Mount Rikshavat. 36 Search the parks in those areas thoroughly, one by one. Visit every park without discriminating. 37 Hurry, all of you, mount your thousands of horses and your many chariots, and search for the darling of the Yadus.

  38 With considerable trepidation, Anādhrishti, the commander of the army, addressed the irrepressible and indefatigable Krishna. He said:

  39 Listen to these words for my sake, mighty Krishna, if you don’t mind. I’ve been intending to say this to you for a long time now.

  40 You killed Asiloman and Puloman, Nisunda and Naraka. You killed Shālva and destroyed Saubha. You killed Mainda and Dvivida. You also killed the huge Hayagrīva Horse-Neck and his allies. 41 When such terrible strife occurred, you performed all these deeds without exception on account of the gods, Govinda, in battle after battle. But you have no rearguard.

  42 You did a difficult deed when you stole the Pārijāta Tree, but that deed that you did in battle has consequences, Krishna. 43 On that occasion,* Krishna, you defeated war-wise Shakra himself with the strength of your arms, when he was mounted behind Airāvata’s head. 44 He must bear a grudge against you, no doubt about it. In this regard, he has an important score to settle with you. 45 So surely it was Maghavat himself who kidnapped Aniruddha, for no one else would have the power to avenge a grievance against you.

  46 After hearing these words, wise Krishna, hissing like a snake, replied to mighty Anādhrishti:

  47 No, not so, army commander. Gods don’t do dastardly deeds, my dear sir. They’re not ingrates or cowards, and nor are they proud or stupid. 48 I take great pains to destroy Dānavas for the sake of the deities. It’s as a favour for them that I kill great mad demons in battle. 49 I’m dedicated to them, mindful of them, devoted to them, and intent upon their pleasure. So how could they do me harm when they know that’s what I’m like? 50 They’re noble and truthful, and they always attend to those who pay them homage. The fault that you mention can’t be found in them, you fool.

  51 When he heard what Krishna said, Akrūra, who was skilled in speaking sense, made a nice speech in a gentle tone of voice:

  52 We certainly have the same objective as Shachī’s mighty husband Shakra, and he has the same objective as us. 53 We need to be looked after by the gods, and the deities need to be looked after by us. Moreover, it was for the sake of the deities that we became human beings.

  54 These words of Akrūra’s prompted Krishna the supreme person to speak once more, in a deep and tender voice:

  55 Pradyumna’s son wasn’t taken by gods or light-elves, nor even by dark-elves or monsters. He was taken by a woman—a courtesan. 56 Courtesans who are female Daityas or Dānavas are clever with their magic. He was taken by them, no doubt about it. There’s no danger from anywhere else.

  57 As soon as these words were spoken, a sweet sound became audible in Mādhava’s house: the sound of storytellers, praise-singers, and bards.

  58 In due course all the spies came to the door of the assembly hall from all directions, and quietly, in stammering voices, they said: 59 We’ve searched hundreds of parks, crags, mountains, caves, rivers, and lakes one by one, your majesty, but we couldn’t find him. 60 Quickly, cheer of the Yadus, tell us what further steps we should take in order to find Aniruddha.

  61 After that all the Yādavas were downhearted, and with their eyes full of tears they asked each other what more could now be done. 62 Those brave men thought the matter over, some with their lips bitten together, some with their eyes clouded with tears, some with their brows furrowed . . .

  63 Strong-armed Krishna was woken up, in his own house, by the playing of musical instruments, and by great blasts on conch shells. 64 Then, when the morning was bright and the sun had appeared, Nārada entered the assembly hall on his own, smiling slightly, 65 and so Lord Krishna stood up, heartbroken but invincible in battle, and gave Nārada a guest-gift of milk and honey, and a cow. 66 The visitor settled into a magnificent couch that was covered with valuable cushions, and when he was properly seated he made a suitable and significant speech. He said:

  67 Why are you all like this—anxious, unmotivated, distracted, and sunk in gloom? Judging by your loss of potency, you might as well be eunuchs.

  68 After noble Nārada had said this, Vāsudeva replied, saying: Listen to this, my lord. 69 Someone’s abducted Aniruddha in the night, faithful brahmin. Each and every one of us has had a mind full of worry on his account.

  70 After noble Keshava had said this, Nārada burst out laughing and said:

  Listen, Madhusūdana. 71 A fantastic battle has taken place, witnessed by a highly distinguished audience. In that great battle, Aniruddha fought alone against Bāna. 72 Bāna, whose power is unparalleled, has a daughter named Ushā, and it was for her sake that Chitralekhā, a celestial nymph, swiftly abducted Aniruddha. 73 In the battle that ensued between Pradyumna’s son and Bāna, the fighting was fierce and terrible. It was like the fight between Vāsava and Bali. 74 Bāna never retreats from battles, but out of fear he resorted to sorcery and restrained mighty Aniruddha using snakes.

  75 You must leap into action immediately, for the sake of fame and victory. This is not the time for those who seek victory to protect their lives, my boy.

  76 As soon as these words were spoken, Vāsudeva, bold and majestic, ordered preparations to be made for his departure. 77 Then strong-armed Janārdana set out from his house, while sandalwood powder and dry rice were scattered over him from all sides.*

  78 Nārada said:

  Yo
u should call the son of Vinatā to mind, strong-armed Krishna, for no one else is capable of making the journey. 79 Pradyumna’s son is currently in Shonitapura, which is eleven thousand yojanas from here, Janārdana. 80 The majestic and powerful son of Vinatā travels as fast as thought, so it’ll take him about one hour to bring Bāna into view.

  81 Hari listened to what Nārada said, and then he thought about Garuda. Garuda arrived at Krishna’s side and happily awaited his instructions.

  82 The conqueror was dark-haired, dark in colour, and wore bracelets. He had four front teeth and four arms, he was versed in the four Vedas and the six auxiliary sciences, 83 and he was marked with the shrīvatsa. His eyes were like lotuses, his hair stuck out upwards, his skin was soft, his fingers straight, his nails even, the underneaths of his fingernails were pink, 84 his voice was deep and tender, and his arms were strong, round, and reached down to his knees. He looked youthful, he was as solid as a lion and had the face of a lion, and he shone as brightly as a thousand suns. 85 The lord who was visible there was the soul of all beings, the lord who nurtures beings, the one whose eight types of supernormal power the patriarch grants to people when he’s pleased.†

  86 While he was being lauded with hymns of praise by all and sundry—by the patriarchs, the Sādhya gods, the thirty gods, the storytellers, praise-singers, and bards, and by the momentous seers who had mastered the Vedas and their auxiliary sciences—the eternal 87 Vāsudeva, strong-armed and glorious, issued instructions for the management of Dvārakā, and then he turned his mind to departure. 88 The god got onto Garuda, and Halāyudha got on behind him, and at the back, behind Bala, Pradyumna the bane of his foes got on too.

  89 Defeat Bāna in battle, strong-armed man. For when battle is in full flow no one is capable of standing before you, and that includes his companions. 90 Fortune is fixed in your favour, and power will prevail. You’ll trounce your enemy the Daitya chief in battle, and his army.