Harivamsha

by Bibek Debroy

  Chapter 52

  Vaishampayana said, ‘Krishna and Samkarshana thus passed through the period of childhood. They spent seven years in the land of Vraja. They were dressed in blue and yellow664 and respectively anointed with white and yellow sandalwood paste. They tended to calves and sported sidelocks.665 They had handsome faces. They played on whistles made out of leaves666 and these were extremely pleasant to hear. When they went to the forest, they were as beautiful as three-headed serpents. Their armlets were made out of peacock feathers and their crowns were made out leaves. Their breasts were adorned with garlands of wild flowers and they thus looked like blossoming trees. Their headdresses were made out of lotuses and their sacred threads were made out of ropes. They carried poles with pots slung at both ends. They played flutes among the gopas. They sometimes laughed at each other. Sometimes, they played. They lay down on beds made of leaves and sometimes, they slept. In this way, they protected the calves and were radiant in the great forest. They found delight in roaming around. They were young and restless.

  ‘Then, the handsome Damodara spoke to Samkarshana. “O noble one! We cannot play with these cowherds any more. We know everything about this place and have enjoyed everything that is to be enjoyed. Since the gopas have destroyed the trees, the grass and wood have also been exhausted. These groves and forests used to be dense. But since those have been destroyed, as one wills, one can see the sky. The doors to the cow pens used to be surrounded by trees. However, all those radiant trees have been consumed as firewood by the gopas. What used to be inexhaustible is now exhausted. Firewood and grass used to be available nearby. However, we now have to look for these in places that are far away. This forest only has a little bit of water and kindling left. Its foundation has been destroyed. Since trees are rare, we have to search for a place to rest. This is terrible. Now that the birds which rested on them have left, the trees have no more work to do. No happiness can be found here. There is nothing left that is succulent. The wind no longer serves any purpose. Like food without condiments, without birds, the forest is deserted. The wood and vegetables produced by the forest have been sold. Without the treasure of grass, this land of the gopas is like a city. The ornament for hills is pasture. The ornament for pasture is forests. Therefore, we should go to another forest where the best of kindling can be found. As they wish, the cows will then be able to graze on grass. Let us therefore go to a more prosperous land of Vraja, where the forest is full of new grass. That will not be a place where doors will have to be closed and houses and fields fenced. In this world, Vraja is famous as a place where one can roam around at will. Because of urine and excrement, caustic flows have been generated. The cows do not enjoy the grass and this is not good for the milk. The beautiful and new forests have generally become flat terrain. Let us quickly leave with the cows and create a Vraja somewhere else. It has been heard that there is a beautiful forest strewn with abundant pasture. It is named Vrindavana and there are succulent trees, fruits and water there. The forest there possesses all the qualities and the forest has no crickets and thorns. This is on the banks of the Yamuna and there are many kadamba trees there. A pleasant and cool breeze blows through the forest and the wind is auspicious in every direction. The gopa women will wander around happily. The interiors of the forest are colourful and wonderful. Not very far, there is a giant mountain named Govardhana. Its summit is tall and it is as radiant as Mandara in Nandana. In the midst of the forest, there is a nyagrodha tree667 with giant branches and it is one yojana tall. It is named Bhandira and it is as beautiful as a blue cloud in the sky. The river Kalindi runs through the middle,668 like the parting of hair on the head of a married woman. It flows like the supreme river Nalini in Nandana. We will roam around cheerfully there and see Govardhana, the tree Bhandira and the beautiful river Kalindi. Let us abandon this forest, which is devoid of qualities, and dwell in the pastureland there. All will be well if we go there. Let us think of an appropriate reason.” While the intelligent Vasudeva was speaking, hundreds of wolves appeared. They fed on flesh, blood and marrow. When he thought of them, those terrible ones appeared from his own body. Having thus manifested themselves, hundreds of them spread in every direction. On seeing the wolves appear and spread as they willed, there was great fright in Vraja, among the cows, the calves, the men and the gopa women. Some wolves were in packs of five, others in packs of ten. Some were in packs of twenty, others in packs of thirty. Still others were in packs of one hundred. They appeared from Krishna’s body, with the srivatsa mark on their bodies. They were black in visage. They increased the terror of the gopas. They devoured the calves and frightened the cows in Vraja. In the night, they seized young children. The wolves destroyed Vraja. They were unable to go to the forest, or protect the cows. They were unable to collect anything from the forest, or cross the river. The wolves were like tigers in their valour. In this fashion, they rendered Vraja immobile and everyone was forced to gather together in one place.’

  Chapter 53

  Vaishampayana said, ‘On seeing the invincible wolves spread thus, all the gopa men and women consulted each other and said, “We should no longer dwell here. We should leave for another great forest that is auspicious and pleasant, so that we can reside happily there, with our cows. Why should we tarry? Let us leave, with our treasure of cattle. Otherwise, the terrible wolves will kill all of us. We should leave for another Vraja. These wolves are fanged and have limbs that are smokey red. They drag us away with their mouths. Their faces are black. They cause terror by howling in the night. Because of the calamity brought about by the wolves, in every house, there are lamentations of, ‘My son. My brother. My calf. My cow.’” Concerned by the sounds of weeping and the mooing of the cows, the gopa elders gathered together and decided to move Vraja. Nandagopa was like Brihaspati.669 He ascertained that they had decided to leave for Vrindavana and establish another Vraja there, for the happiness of the cattle. He found out that they had decided to reside in Vrindavana. Therefore, he spoke these great words. “Since we have made up our minds, let us leave now. Without any delay, let everyone in gopa be instructed to make the arrangements.” The ordinary men in gopa were accordingly informed. “Swiftly prepare the cows and yoke the wagons. Tether the calves and pack the vessels. Make arrangements to leave and reside in Vrindavana.” They heard Nandagopa’s words, which were spoken well. Everyone in Vraja arose, desiring to leave quickly. When everyone in Vraja arose, there was a great uproar among the gopas. People awoke and the carts were readied. The noise heard among the gopas was like the great roar of tigers, or like the sound of the ocean roaring. There were arrays of gopa women, with pots of milk and buttermilk carried on their heads and it seemed as if a row of stars had fallen down on Vraja. They were attired in garments that were blue, yellow and red. As the gopa women advanced in rows, they resembled Indra’s bow.670 The gopa men advanced along the road, with ropes and bundles of ropes tied to their bodies and they were as beautiful as trees with roots.671 As that caravan of carts advanced, Vraja was radiant. These672 looked like turbulent waves on the ocean, tossed around by the wind. In a short while, Vraja became empty. Throngs of crows circled around, amidst the discarded objects that were strewn everywhere.

  ‘In due course, the group of gopas reached the forest of Vrindavana. For the benefit of the cows, they spread out their habitations over a large area. The carts were stretched along the boundary, in the shape of a half-moon. The area was one yojana in the middle and two yojanas in length. In every direction, it was protected by tall branches of trees and bushes and trees covered with thorns. The churning rods673 were erected and tied down with ropes. The vessels for storing milk were cleaned with water. Pegs were driven into the ground and ropes and nooses were fastened to these. In every direction, poles were erected and the carts were tied to these. The vessels for storing milk were tied to the tops of these poles with ropes. Grass was gathered and mats of grass were used to cover these up. Branches were gathered from the trees. Spots were cleaned and th
e mortars set up. The eastern direction was sprinkled with water and fires were ignited. Beds covered with the hides of calves were unloaded. Some gopa women gathered the excellent water, others gazed at the forest. Others pulled down branches. The young and aged gopa employed their hands skilfully. Some used axes to collect firewood from the trees. Consequently, surrounded by groves, this new Vraja seemed even more beautiful. This new residence in the forest was blessed with rain that was like amrita. The forest had pasture in every season and the cows yielded milk, as one desired. They reached Vrindavana, which was like the pleasure garden of Nandana. Krishna, who roamed around in the forest, always sought to ensure what was good for the cattle. In his mind, he had earlier thought of this auspicious forest. This was the second fortnight in a hot summer month. Even then, because the god674 showered down rain that was like amrita, grass grew there. The calves did not suffer there, nor did the cows, or the other men. Where Madhusudana is present, people prosper there. Having reached a place that was approved of by Krishna, the cows, the gopas and the young Samkarshana happily resided there.’

  Chapter 54

  Vaishampayana said, ‘Thus, both of Vasudeva’s sons reached Vrindavana. They wandered around, tending to the herds of calves. They spent their time happily in the forest, until summer was over. They played with the cowherds and bathed in the Yamuna. The monsoon season, which ignites desire in the mind, arrived. There was the great roar of clouds, adorned with Shakra’s bow on their stomachs. They showered down. The sun could no longer be seen, nor the earth and the grass. Torrents of new water showered down from stormy clouds. This force made it seem as if the earth had obtained a new youth. Large numbers of shakragopas675 were drenched with these new showers. Forest conflagarations and the resultant smoke were extinguished. The forest looked radiant. It was the time for peacocks with feathers to dance. The sounds of their engaging in intercourse could be heard. With the new rain, the trunks of young kadamba trees, which provided food for bees,676 looked beautiful and it was as if these had assumed new bodies. Blossoming kutaja677 flowers laughed. The fragrances of kadambas wafted through the forest. The earth was satisfied with the water and the heat was frightened by the clouds. The mountains had been scorched by the rays of the sun and forest conflagarations. The rain released from the clouds made them breathe again. Giant storms were created. There were masses of gigantic clouds. The earth, covered by the sky, looked like a great royal city.678 In some places, kadamba flowers blossomed. In others, mushrooms sprouted. With the blossoming nipa flowers,679 the forest seemed to be on fire. Sprinkled by Indra’s water and spread by the wind, there was a new scent on earth. On inhaling this, the minds of people were agitated. Deer called proudly, frogs croaked. The earth seemed to be coloured with the new feathers on peacocks. Since copious quantities of water resulted from the rain, there were powerful whirlpools. The rivers broadened, uprooted trees from their banks and flowed downwards. The feathers of the birds got wet in the rain and they couldn’t move them. Exhausted, they didn’t wish to leave the tops of the trees. The clouds were dense with water. They showered and roared. The sun seemed to be submerged in the bellies of these new clouds. The earth’s body was covered with green grass and it was beautiful, garlanded with moss and lichen. However, because of that torrent of water, it was difficult to discern paths. The mountains were adorned with trees. But because of the flood, those trees seemed to be severed by the vajra and fell down, as did the summits. The rain from the clouds flowed along the low ground and there were floods there, spreading through the forests. Following the roar of the clouds and drenched by the rain, wild elephants raised their faces and their trunks and it seemed as if the clouds had themselves descended on earth.

  ‘On seeing that the monsoon had arrived and that there were dense clouds in the sky, Rohini’s son680 addressed Krishna in words that were appropriate for the occasion. “O Krishna! Behold these dark clouds, which seem to be adorned with cranes. They are the stealers of complexions. They have stolen your complexion and are in the sky. It is the time for you to sleep.681 The sky has assumed your hue. Just as you cannot be discerned during the monsoon season, neither can the moon. The blue lotus is dark and the sky has assumed the shining complexion of a blue lotus, as if it is a bad day in a bad season. O Krishna! Behold. Mount Govardhana, which makes cows prosper, is beautiful. It is covered densely with clouds. In every direction, because water has descended from the rains, the dark antelopes are intoxicated and are happily roaming around in the forests. O one with eyes like a lotus! Delighted by the water, soft grass is covering the earth with new blades. Water is flowing through the mountains. There is water in the forests. The fields are covered with crops. Prosperity can be seen everywhere. O Damodara! The clouds are eloquent with their loud rumbling and swift winds have arisen, making those who are absent from home anxious.682 O Hari! O Trivikrama!683 Your middle foot was placed in the sky. Though it possessed no arrows and no bowstring, it seemed to be decorated by the three colours of Indra’s bow. The sun, the eye of the sky, roams in the sky, but does not shine.684 The clouds have robbed it of its heat. The one with rays is bereft of rays. The clouds are pouring down incessantly and the roar of the clouds is like the roar of the oceans. The line that joins the sky with the earth seems to have been severed by these clouds. Thanks to the rain, the fragrance of nipa, arjuna and kadamba trees is spreading through the earth. As this wind roars, it ignites desire. It has been raining heavily and the large clouds are hanging over the ground. Because of these clouds, it seems as if the oceans have merged into the sky. The sky seems to have prepared for a battle. The sparkling lightning is like armour. The shining rain is like arrows and the rainbows are like bows. O one with the beautiful face! The mountains, the forests, the trees and the summits are covered by dense clouds and are beautiful. They have the colour of the ocean. As the clouds shower down rain, they look like a herd of elephants scattering water from their trunks. The cool wind has arisen from the ocean and is mixed with drops of water. As this harsh wind blows, it makes the creepers tremble. Because of the water released by the clouds, the moon has disappeared in the night. The sun is submerged in the sky and the ten directions cannot be seen. Everything is adorned by water from the clouds and the ill effects of the summer have been abandoned. O Krishna! Look at Vrindavana. It looks like the Chaitraratha forest.” In this way, Krishna’s prosperous elder brother praised all the qualities of the monsoon. Having spoken in this way, the powerful one returned to Vraja.685 At that time, with all the kin, Krishna and Samkarshana sported in that great forest, enjoying themselves.’

  Chapter 55

  Vaishampayana said, ‘Krishna, the one with the beautiful face, could assume any form at will. On one occasion, he was wandering around in that supreme forest, without his senior, Samkarshana. He had sidelocks of hair. He was handsome and dark. His eyes were like the petals of lotuses. He had the srivatsa mark on his chest and looked like the moon with its mark.686 There were anklets on his feet687 and he was as radiant as a lotus. His delicate form was coppery in complexion and his tread was valorous. His yellow garments were like the filaments of lotuses and caused pleasure to men. In these thin garments, he looked like a cloud in the evening sky. His arms, worshipped by the residents of heaven, were anxiously engaged in virtuous tasks associated with forest pursuits and thus carried poles and ropes. In his childhood, Pundarikaksha’s beautiful lips and face were like a lotus in their fragrance. His beautiful face, with its flowing tresses and crest, was like a lotus. It looked as if a lotus flower had been circled by a throng of bees. There was a garland made out of arjuna, kadamba and nipa flowers on his beautiful head and these looked like stars in the sky. The brave one was radiant with another such garland688 made out of all possible flowers. He looked like the sky personified, dark with clouds during the monsoon. The sacred thread around his beautiful throat was adorned with a single sparkling peacock feather and this was gently tossed around by the wind. Sometimes, he sang. Sometimes, he played. Sometimes, he roamed
around. Sometimes, in that forest, he whistled on a whistle that was made out of leaves and this was pleasant to hear. Sometimes, when he so wished, he played on a flute used by gopas and this was extremely pleasant to hear. Sometimes, to bring delight to the cows, the handsome one went to the forest. The radiant lord, dark as a cloud, roamed around in Gokula.689 He roamed around there, finding delight in the colourful forests. The sounds of the large number of peacocks ignited desire. In every direction, clouds rumbled and echoed. The paths were covered with green grass and the mushrooms were like ornaments. Water dripped from the new shoots, as if from the tusks of elephants. On every side, the forest inhaled the fragrance of the new blossoms, which was like the breath of a young woman at the time of desire. Krishna derived pleasure from that peaceful forest. He inhaled the new scents that were created by trees rubbing against each other.

  ‘On one occasion, while roaming around with the cows, he saw a tree that was tall and huge and was supreme among trees. Though it stood on the ground, its thick store of leaves was like a cloud dense with water. It was populated by a large number of birds that had blue and colourful feathers. Covered with red fruit, the tree looked like a cloud tinged with the rainbow. The branches looked like houses and there were creepers and flowers. The large roots spread out and it rose up, holding up the wind and the clouds. It was like a lord of all the trees that were in that region. It performed the auspicious task of offering eternal protection against the rain. This nyagrodha tree, which was like a mountain, had the name of Bhandira. On seeing its beautiful form, the divine lord decided to reside there. For several days, with his friends, the cowherds, the unblemished Krishna sported himself there, as he used to do in heaven in earlier times. Krishna, residing in Bhandira, played with the cowherds. Some of them caused him pleasure by fashioning forest toys. Cheerful in their minds, other gopas sang. Taking pleasure in sporting, Krishna and the other cowherds sang to each other. While they sang, the brave one played on a whistle made of leaves, or on a flute or a lute.