Harivamsha

by Bibek Debroy

  ‘His eyes were like that of a cow or a bull. On one occasion, while tending to the cows, he went to the banks of the Yamuna, adorned with creepers and trees. A pleasant breeze was blowing, touching the water. Because of the waves, the river seemed curved. He saw the river Yamuna, covered with lotuses and lilies. There were excellent steps that led down to the water. The water was tasty. There were ponds and the water had a great force. Because of the force of the water and the wind, the trees in that forest bent down. There were the sounds of swans, ducks and cranes. Those addicted to intercourse were engaged in unions with each other. The water possessed all the qualities and all kinds of aquatic creatures lived there. There were colourful aquatic plants and because of these, the water assumed a greenish tinge. The flowing water was her feet.690 The banks were her hips. The whirlpools were her deep navel. She was decorated with body hair made out of lotuses. The pools were like ripples on her stomach, with the waves marking three lines along it. The chakravaka birds were her breasts. The banks were like her lowered face. The foam was like her smiling teeth. When she was pleased, the swans were like her laughter. The beautiful red lotuses were like her eyelashes, when the one with the watery eyes lowered her eyebrows. The lakes constituted her extensive forehead. The beautiful one possessed moss for her hair. The currents were like her long arms. The bends were like her long ears. Ducks were her earrings. Beautiful lotuses were her eyes. Her garments were made out of the clear water, with swans as the auspicious signs on those garments. The banks were like ornaments and the shoals of fish were like sparkling girdles. The boats were like linen garments. The sound of cranes was like the tinkling of anklets. Crocodiles and alligators were like marks on her limbs. She was adorned with the auspicious mark of turtles. Predatory beasts and men drank her water, as if they were feeding at her breasts. Since many predatory beasts had drunk, the water was tainted. However, there were many hermitages. Krishna wandered around in every direction, looking at the beauty of the Yamuna, the queen of the ocean.

  ‘As he wandered along that excellent river, he saw a supreme pond. It was one yojana long and was difficult for even the gods to cross. The water was deep and without any agitation, as quiet as the ocean. The predatory beasts avoided this water. The shores were empty of any aquatic birds. Full of fathomless water, it looked like a sky that was full of clouds. The banks were difficult to climb and along these, there were the large holes of serpents. The place was full of poisonous smoke and fire that emanated from these serpents. The water was shunned by animals. Those who desired water, could not drink it. Virtuous ones, who bathed thrice a day, avoided the water. Birds who flew in the sky were incapable of flying above it. Even if a blade of grass fell into the water, it was consumed by the energy of the fire. From a distance of one yojana all around, the terrible banks were impossible to approach. The terrible bank blazed and flamed because of that poisonous fire. It was only one krosha, to the north of Vraja, which was unaffected. On seeing that gigantic lake, Krishna began to think. “Whom does this great and radiant lake belong to? This belongs to the one named Kaliya, who is like a mass of collyrium. That lord of serpents himself resides in this terrible lake. In ancient times, deprived by me of his residence in the ocean, he has started to live here. He is afraid of Suparna, the king of the birds who feeds on serpents. It is he who has poisoned everything in the Yamuna, the one who unites with the ocean. Because of their fear of the lord of the serpents, no one resides in this region. That is the reason the forest has assumed such a terrible shape here and is only covered by tall grass. This terrible spot is covered with the best of trees and has many other creepers and trees. All these are protected by the king of the serpents and by his advisers, who reside in the forest. That is the reason the forest has nothing in it. Like poison, it is impossible to touch. It has always been protected by them in every way. That is the reason the place is covered with moss, bushes, creepers and trees. It is my task to construct paths along both banks of the lake. It is therefore my duty to destroy the king of the serpents. The water of this river will then become clean and become an auspicious store of water. If I crush the serpent, the auspicious water will be enjoyed by Vraja. Everyone will then be able to roam around happily. This will become a tirtha and offer happiness in every way. That is the reason I was born as a gopa and started to dwell in Vraja, so as to uproot the deceitful and punish the evil-souled. Playing like a child, I will climb this kadamba tree. I will plunge into the terrible lake and chastise Kaliya.”’

  Chapter 56

  Vaishampayana said, ‘Having reached the banks of the river, Krishna firmly tied up his waistband. The young and quick one climbed the top of the kadamba. His form was like that of a cloud and his eyes were like lotuses. Krishna hung from a branch of the kadamba and then jumped into the middle of the lake, creating a noise. When Krishna jumped, the giant lake was agitated and overflowed. It was as if the ocean had been shattered with the force. The large residence of the serpent was agitated by that sound. Eyes dilated with rage, the serpent arose from the water. The lord of the serpents was angry and his complexion was like that of a mass of clouds. The ends of his eyes were as red as blood. Kaliya showed himself. He possessed five faces and flames issued with his breath. His tongues flickered and there were flames in his faces. There were five terrible hoods on all sides and these were large. The serpent was like the fire in his radiance and he covered the entire lake. He trembled in rage and blazed in energy. Because of his anger, all the water seemed to be boiling. Terrified, the river Yamuna seemed to flow backwards. The breath that issued from his faces was full of rage and fire. He saw Krishna playing like a child in the lake. At this, flames of fire and smoke issued from the mouths of the Indra among serpents. His anger created such a fire that the trees that were near the banks were instantly reduced to ashes, as if they had been conveyed at the end of a yuga. The Indra among serpents was infinitely energetic. His sons, wives, servants and other great serpents spouted terrible flames and poison emerged from their mouths, mixed with smoke. Those serpents coiled their bodies around Krishna and sought to crush him. His legs and arms could not move and he was like an immobile mountain. They bit him with their sharp fangs and water mixed with poison flowed. However, though the serpents descended on him, the valiant Krishna did not die.

  ‘At this time, all the cowherds were terrified. Weeping, they rushed to Vraja. In voices choking with tears, they said, “Krishna has been submerged in the Kaliya lake and is unconscious. The king of serpents will devour him. Let us quickly go there.” Hurrying, they told the cowherd Nandagopa, “The serpent is dragging your son into the great lake.” Nandagopa heard these words. These words were as if the vajra had descended on him. He was distressed and distraught. Scared, he rushed towards the supreme lake. The young and the aged, maidens, the young Samkarshana and other people also went to the spot where the Indra among serpents was playing. With Nandagopa at the forefront, all the gopas had tears in their eyes. They lamented on the banks of that lake. They were ashamed and astounded. Stricken by grief, they repeatedly said, “Alas! Where is Krishna? Shame on us.” Others wept in great sorrow and said, “We have been destroyed.” The women looked towards Yashoda and shrieked, “You have been destroyed. Behold your beloved son. He is under the subjugation of the king of the serpents. He is being dragged in the coils of the snake, as if he is a deer. It is evident that your heart has an essence that is made out of stone. O Yashoda! On seeing your son in this state, how is it that it has not been shattered? We can see the miserable Nandagopa near the lake. His sight is fixed on his son’s face and he seems to be unconscious. O Yashoda! We will follow you to the serpent’s residence in this lake. All of us will submerge ourselves and not return without Damodara. What is day without the sun? What is night without the moon? What is a cow without a bull? What is Vraja without Krishna? Like cows without calves, we will not return without Krishna.” Samkarshana was nothing but one body divided into two and knew that they691 were two parts of the same body. On hearin
g the lamentations of the women and the residents of Vraja, he was enraged and addressed the undecaying Krishna. “O Krishna! O mighty-armed one! O Krishna! O extender of delight of the gopas! Swiftly destroy the king of the serpents, who has poison as his weapon. O son!692 O lord! These relatives are of the view that you are an ordinary human. Human in their intelligence, all of them are grieving piteously.” On hearing the words of Rohini’s son, his consciousness was aroused. He moved and stretched his hands and destroyed the coils of the serpents. He used his feet to crush the serpents that had arisen from the water. Krishna caught the hood with his own hand and lowered it. He then violently ascended the hood that was in the middle. Wearing beautiful armlets, Krishna stationed himself on that hood and started to dance. Crushed by Krishna, the serpent was exhausted. Blood emerged from its mouths. It lowered its heads and uttered these piteous words. “O Krishna! O one with the beautiful face! I was ignorant and exhibited my rage. I have been crushed. My poison has been destroyed. I have been subjugated. With my wives, sons and relatives, command me about what I should do. Whose subjugation should I accept? Please grant me my life.” On seeing that the serpent had lowered his five hoods, the illustrious one, with the enemy of snakes on his banner,693 lost his anger and replied to the lord of the serpents. “I will not grant you a place in these waters of the Yamuna. O snake! With your wives and relatives, go to the waters of the ocean. If I again see a snake on this ground or in these waters, I will slay him, even if he is your servant or son. Let these waters be auspicious. Leave for the great ocean. There is a sin in your residing here and it will bring about your great destruction. O snake! In the ocean, my footmark will be seen on your hood. Garuda, the enemy of serpents, will not strike you.” The bull among the serpents accepted the mark of Krishna’s footprints on his hood. While the gopas looked on, he vanished from the lake. When the snake had been vanquished and departed, Krishna arose and stood there. The astounded gopas praised him and circumambulated him. All of them, those who roamed around in the woods, were extremely delighted and told Nandagopa, “You are blessed. Since you possess such a son, you have been favoured. O unblemished one! From today, the gopas, the cows, the pasture and the water will be protected by Krishna, the lord with the long eyes. All the waters of the Yamuna, frequented by the sages, have become auspicious. Every place has become as agreeable as a tirtha and our cows will cheerfully roam here. It is evident that we gopas in the forest did not recognize what a great being Krishna is. In Vraja, he was like a hidden fire.” Astounded, all of them praised the undecaying Krishna in this way. The large number of gopas then returned to Vraja, like the gods from Chaitraratha.’

  Chapter 57

  Vaishampayana said, ‘When the king of the serpents was subdued in the lake in Yamuna, Rama694 and Keshava roamed around in that region. One day, with cows that they were attached to, the two sons of Vasudeva went to the beautiful Mount Govardhana. To the north of Govardhana and on the banks of the Yamuna, the two brave ones saw a large and beautiful forest of palm trees. The beautiful forest of palm trees was covered by palm leaves. Extremely delighted, they wandered around there, like two young bulls. That region was plain and pleasant, without stones and rocks. Most of the extremely large ground was covered with darbha grass and dark earth. The palm trees possessed large trunks and their dark joints rose up. Because of the shining fruit that was at the top, they looked like elephants with their trunks raised up. There, Damodara, supreme among eloquent ones, spoke these words. “Wonderful. This forest region is full of ripe palm fruit. O noble one! They are tasty, fragrant, dark and juicy. With a little bit of effort, we should be able to bring down some ripe palm fruit. Since there is such a pleasant fragrance and such a sweet scent, it is my view that the juice will be like amrita.” On hearing Damodara’s words, Rohini’s son laughed. Resolving to bring down the ripe palm fruit, they began to shake the trees.

  ‘That forest of palm trees was not frequented by men and it was impossible to enter. The desolate plain was as if it had been constructed by ghosts. It was like an abode of maneaters. There was a terrible daitya named Dhenuka, assuming the form of an ass. Surrounded by a large herd of asses, it resided there. That terrible forest of palm trees was protected by the ass. That evil-minded one was a source of terror to men, birds and large numbers of predatory beasts. It heard the sound of the palm trees being shaken and the palm fruit falling. It was like an enraged elephant and could not tolerate this sound of the palm fruit. It angrily followed the sound and its face was suffused with insolence. Its eyes did not blink. It was skilled in neighing and it tore the earth with its hooves. It raised its tail and neighed. Its gaping mouth was like that of Death. On descending there, it saw that Rohini’s son was stationed there. The evil ass saw Rohini’s undecaying son amidst the palm fruit, erect like a standard. Using its teeth as a weapon, it bit him. Rohini’s son was unarmed. The daitya turned its back. Facing the west, it struck him on the chest with its hind feet. Thereupon, he695 caught the hindlegs of the ass who was a daitya. He whirled it and struck its face and shoulders on the top of the palm trees. Its waist and neck was broken. Its back was shattered. With its body deformed, the ass fell down on the ground, with the palm fruit. The ass was bereft of life and lost all its enterprise. He then flung its relatives also among the palm trees. The bodies of those asses fell down on the ground, with the palm fruit. It was as if the clouds had been dispersed from the autumn sky. The daitya who was an ass and its relatives were killed. The beautiful forest of palm trees seemed to become even more beautiful. Freed from all danger, it became auspicious and the desolate regions could now be seen. Cattle cheerfully started to graze in that supreme forest of palm trees. All the gopas who resided in the forest also went there. They were without sorrow and all of them began to happily roam around in the forest. The cows grazed happily. Those two,696 who were like kings of elephants in their valour, seated themselves on comfortable seats made out of the leaves of trees.’

  Chapter 58

  Vaishampayana said, ‘The two sons of Vasudeva were delighted. They left that forest of palm trees and went to Bhandira again. The ones with handsome faces tended to the herds of cattle and made them prosper. They looked at the forest, which was full of crops and trees. They challenged each other and sang. They gathered trees. Those scorchers of enemies addressed the calves and the cows by name. The ones with the auspicious marks bore the tethering ropes on their shoulders. They wore garlands made of wild flowers on their chests. They looked like two young and horned bulls. One had the complexion of gold, the other of black pigment. They wore clothes that resembled each other.697 They looked like white and black clouds, decorated with the great Indra’s weapon. Their ears were beautifully adorned with the tips of kusha grass and flowers. Wearing forest garb, they wandered along forest paths. With their followers, they roamed around in the forest that was near Govardhana. Accomplished in many ordinary games, they remained undefeated in these games. Though they were worshipped by the gods, they had consecrated themselves to be born as men. Following that vow, they indulged in pastimes that were appropriate to those qualities.698 On one occasion, while playing, they approached Bhandira. They approached that supreme nyagrodha tree, which was the best among trees. Accomplished in fighting, they stood together and swung from the branches. They flung stones and indulged in other forms of exercise. With the cowherds, they exhibited diverse techniques of fighting. Delighted, and as valiant as lions, they roamed around as they wished.

  ‘Pralamba was supreme among asuras. While they were amusing themselves there, he arrived there, desiring to find a weakness in them. He donned the attire of a cowherd and adorned himself with wild flowers. He laughed and played and challenged the two brave ones. Pralamba, supreme among danavas, adopted the form of a human. Therefore, without any hesitation, he immersed himself in the midst of these men. All of them played with this enemy of the immortals. Since he was in the form of a cowherd, the gopas took him to be one of their relatives. Searching for a weakness, Pralamba
had assumed the form of a gopa. He cast his terrible eye towards Krishna and Rohini’s son. He was of the view that Krishna was extraordinary in valour and impossible to withstand. Therefore, the supreme among danavas made efforts to kill Rohini’s son. There is a children’s game known as harinakridana.699 In pairs, all of them indulged in this game. Krishna jumped with Shridama, the son of a cowherd. The unblemished Samkarshana jumped with Pralamba. Some cowherds challenged other cowherds to a duel. With the least bit of effort, they jumped over each other. Krishna defeated Shridama and Rohini’s son defeated Pralamba. The cowherds who were on Krishna’s side defeated the ones who were on the other side. Cheerfully and quickly, they bore each other. Following the agreement, they ran up to the trunk of Bhandira and returned. The danava swiftly raised Samkarshana on his shoulder. However, he quickly advanced in the reverse direction, like the moon being borne by a cloud. But he was unable to bear the weight of Rohini’s intelligent son. Therefore, he expanded his body into a gigantic size, like the moon being invaded by clouds. Pralamba, supreme among danavas, exhibited his own form, which was like the banyan tree Bhandira, or like a black mountain that had been burnt down by fire. He wore a crown that was as fiery as the sun, with five tassels. The daitya’s face was as radiant as a cloud when it has been lit up by the sun. He possessed a gigantic face and a large beak. He was as large as Death personified. He was terrible and his eyes were like the wheels of a wagon. The earth suffered from his footsteps. Pralamba was naked.700 As adornment, he sported a long garland of flowers. Pralamba advanced gradually, like a cloud that is long and heavy with rain. The great asura seized Rohini’s son with great force. He was like Death, when all the worlds are submerged in the great flood of the ocean. The young Samkarshana was abducted by Pralamba and looked like the moon, being carried away by a single cloud of destruction.