Harivamsha

by Bibek Debroy

  ‘In wrath, he looked towards the cows and thought. The one who was pleasant in speech spoke these words to himself. “I will now uproot the mountain, with its groves and forests. The rain is impossible to withstand and I will find a shelter for the cattle. I will hold up the mountain and it will be like a shelter made out of earth for them. This is under my control and I will save Vraja and the cows.” Vishnu, for whom truth is valour, thought in this way. He exhibited the strength of his arms. He approached the mountain and held it up. When he uprooted the mountain with his arms, Krishna looked like another mountain. The mountain, surrounded by clouds, was held up in his left hand. It was like a radiant house and would perform the role of a shelter. The earth was dislodged from the summit of the mountain. As he raised it up, rocks and boulders were dislodged and trees uprooted. The summit was whirled around and staggered in every way. The summit was raised up into the sky, like a bird. The streams that flowed down its flanks became one. The mountain moved, as if it had been struck by the vajra. Under it, people could no longer feel the roar of the wind. Rain from the clouds did not penetrate. There was no shower of rocks and boulders. There were clouds around the summit, mixed with flows of water. Therefore, the mountain looked as resplendent as a peacock spreading its feathers. The vidyadharas,724 serpents, gandharvas and rishis spoke in melodious words and said that the mountain, flooded with water, looked like a bird. It was severed from its foundation and separated from the ground. It rested on Krishna’s hand. The base revealed iron, gold, antimony and silver. Some of these minerals were separated, others cracked. The mountain penetrated the clouds and looked like their summit. Because the mountain trembled, so did the branches of trees. Flowers were loosened and scattered on the ground everywhere. The offspring of birds became angry. They emerged, thick in the middle and with svastika marks on their upper bodies.725 These travellers in the sky took to the sky. Numerous birds were terrified and afflicted by the rain. They rose up into the sky, but fell down again, distressed. Lions roared in rage, like clouds thundering. The best of tigers roared, like the noise of rods inside churning pots. When the mountain was raised, its form became beautiful. Uneven spots, even those that were difficult of access, became flat. Showered by rain, the mountain seemed immobile. It looked like Tripura, stupefied by Rudra.726 Using his hand like a staff, Krishna held up the giant mountain. Covered by blue and pink clouds, it looked like an umbrella. Covered by clouds, the caverns in the mountain seemed to be asleep. Indeed, the mountain seemed to be asleep, using Krishna’s arm as a pillow. The sounds of birds in the trees ceased. Peacocks did not call in the forests. Without its summit, the mountain seemed to be without a support. As they were whirled around and moved, the mountain’s peaks and forests seemed to be suffering from fever. Goaded by the great Indra and borne along by the wind, the clouds continued to incessantly shower down on the summit. Resting on the tip of Krishna’s hand and encircled by clouds, the mountain seemed to be riding astride a chakra. It looked like a country invaded by a king. The large number of clouds continued to surround the mountain. It was like a large and prosperous kingdom, surrounding the capital city.

  ‘With the mountain nestling on his hand, Krishna smiled. Stationed like Prajapati, the protector of the gopas spoke. “This is incapable of being performed by the gods. I have ordained this, using my divinity. O gopas! I have created a house out of this mountain. The cattle will find a refuge here, beyond the scope of the storm. Quickly bring the herds here, so that the cattle can find some peace. Let them happily reside in a spot where there is no wind. Vraja is where the herds are, where happiness can be found. I have repulsed the rain. Divide up this region among yourselves. Raising up the mountain, I have created a great expanse. I am capable of devouring the three worlds. Why leave this spot?” There was a great uproar. The cows mooed. The gopas entered, while the tumultuous roar of the clouds went on outside. The gopas divided the cows into herds and they entered. The recess under the stomach of the mountain was extensive. Krishna stood under the mountain, like a pillar, and raising up the mountain. He carried the mountain on his hand, as if it were a beloved guest. All Vraja’s vessels, yokes and carts entered and found shelter there. In that house, carved out of the mountain, there was no fear from the rain. The wielder of the vajra saw that Krishna had performed a feat that was beyond the gods. His attempt having failed, the lord stopped the showers. Seven nights passed. Yet, his festival was not performed on earth. With the clouds, Vritra’s slayer returned to supreme heaven. Seven nights passed and Shatakratu was dislodged from his attempt. The clouds departed. The sky was clear. The blazing sun shone during the day. Freed from exhaustion, the cows returned to their respective places, following the appointed paths. Vraja returned to its earlier spot. Krishna restored the best among mountains to its rightful place. The lord who is certainly the granter of boons was pleased.’

  Chapter 62

  Vaishampayana said, ‘Govardhana was raised and Gokula was saved. On seeing this, Shakra was astounded and wished to meet Krishna. He ascended the elephant named Airavata, which was like a cloud without water, but intoxicated and wet with musth, and arrived on earth. Puruhuta Purandara saw that Krishna, unsullied in his deeds, was seated on a rock near Govardhana. He saw the child, blazing in great energy and undecaying in his radiance. Purandara recognized Vishnu, attired in the garb of a gopa. He was as dark as a palm tree and was marked with the srivatsa sign. Shakra, with eyes everywhere,727 looked him up and down. He saw that he was united with prosperity and was like an immortal in the world of the mortals. On seeing him seated on the rock, Shakra was ashamed. He was cheerfully seated there. The excellent bird, who feeds on serpents,728 was invisible, but used his wings to cast a shadow over him. Krishna, who knew about the progress of the worlds, was seated alone, near the mountain. The slayer of Bala729 abandoned his elephant and approached. With the vajra in his hand, the lord who was the king of the gods was radiant. He was decorated with divine garlands and unguents. His crown had the complexion of the sun and sparkled like lightning. He approached and spoke in a delicate and celestial voice. “O Krishna! O mighty-armed one! O one who enhances the delight of kin! O Krishna! The task you accomplished to please the cows is one that is beyond the gods. I created clouds that were like the clouds that arrive at the end of a yuga. Nevertheless, you protected the cows. I am satisfied at this. With yoga you created yourself, you raised this supreme mountain up into the sky, like a house. Who will not be astounded at this? I was angry when my sacrifice was stopped. O Krishna! For seven nights, I showered down excessively on the cattle. The rain generated from the clouds is based on me. It is certain and is difficult for even the gods and the danavas to withstand. But you countered it. O Krishna! When you are enraged, the Vaishnava energy emerges. But I am extremely happy that you are able to conceal all of it in your human body. I think that the undecaying task of the gods has been accomplished. Though you have become a man, you are united with your own energy. O brave one! You are the leader of the gods. In all the tasks, you are at the forefront. Therefore, all the objectives will be accomplished and no one will be able to laugh at them. In the world of the gods, you alone are eternal. I do not see a second one who can hold up this burden. When there is a heavy burden, the best bulls are yoked. O one who has a bird as a mount! In that way, the gods seek refuge with you. O Krishna! The universe is in your body and you are its weapon. When he said that you are like gold among minerals, Brahma spoke well. The illustrious Svayambhu730 himself, despite his intelligence and his age, is unable to follow you. He is like a lame person, running after someone who is fleet of foot. Himalaya is the best among mountains and Varuna’s abode731 the best among waterbodies. Garuda is the best among birds and you are supreme among gods. In the world, water is at the bottom and the mountains are above it. The earth is above mountains and men are above the earth. It is said that the path of the birds is above the world of men. The sun is above the sky and the sun is the gate to heaven. The world of the gods is beyond this and this gr
eat and secret region can be accessed through celestial vehicles. O Krishna! I am instated there, as Indra among the gods. Brahma’s world, served by large numbers of brahmana rishis, is above heaven. The moon and the great-souled stellar bodies travel there. Goloka, protected by the Sadhyas, is above that. O Krishna! This great region is beyond everything and beyond the great sky. Your world of austerities is progressively above that too. Though all of us asked the grandfather, we are unable to comprehend that. The terrible world of the nagas, meant for the performers of evil deeds, is below all the worlds. The earth is a field for action. It is a field for all action. The sky is a restless region. Its conduct is like that of the wind. Heaven is the destination for the performers of virtuous deeds, those who are upright and self-controlled. The world of Brahma is the supreme destination for those who follow Brahma in austerities. Cows go to Goloka and it is extremely difficult to reach that destination. O Krishna! When that world was afflicted,732 you acted on your own. O patient one! O brave one! You resorted to your perseverance and destroyed the calamity the cows confronted. Urged by the cows and by the immensely fortunate Brahma, I have come here, to honour you. O Krishna! I am the lord of all creatures. I am Purandara, the king of the gods. In earlier times, I was born in Aditi’s womb, as your elder brother. In the form of the clouds, I tried to show that my energy was superior to your energy. O lord! You should pardon me. O Krishna! Because of your own amiable energy, you should pardon me. O one who is like an elephant in valour! Listen to the words of Brahma and the cows. The illustrious Brahma and the cows who are in the firmament and heaven have addressed you. They are pleased at your divine act of protecting the cows. “You have protected the cows. You have protected Goloka. Therefore, with the bulls, we will also prosper and grow. Farmers are pleased when there are bulls in the fields. The gods are pleased through oblations at sacrifices. Shri, who goes where she wants, becomes content through sacred cow dung. O immensely strong one! Therefore, since you have granted us our lives, you are our preceptor. Henceforth, you will be the king. You will be Indra.”733 Therefore, in my hands, I have brought his golden and celestial pot that is full of milk. Consecrate yourself with this. I will be Indra for the gods. You become Indra for the cows. In the worlds, and on earth, you will eternally be praised as Govinda.734 The cows have established you as Indra and have placed you above me. O Krishna! In heaven, the gods will sing of you as Upendra.735 In the year, four months have been earmarked for my worship.736 I grant you the second half of these, to be known as autumn. From now on, men will know that two of these months are mine. My standard will always be worshipped in mid-year. At that time, because of the power of my water, peacocks will cast aside their pride. At other times, clouds will not roar and will possess little energy and pride. Depending on the rains and the season, all will be calm. In the months when Trishanku and Agastya wander, the one with the thousand rays will not scorch with his energy.737 When it is autumn, the peacocks will become silent. They will only be happy as long as the water floods everything. Curlews will be excited and will sing and bulls will also be excited.738 The cows will be happy and will yield a lot of milk. When the clouds retreat, the water will leave the earth. Resembling weapons, swans will fly around in the sky. Lotuses will grow in the water in ponds and rivers. Paddy will ripen in the fields and their tips will bend down. When rivers get swollen only in the middle, crops grow within the boundaries of their fields and the minds of sages are enchanted. When monsoon is over, it will be beautiful and there will be prosperous kingdoms on earth. The roads will be radiant and there will be fruit on the trees. The land will be full of sugar cane and sacrifices will be initiated. When auspicious autumn manifests itself, you will awake. O Krishna! Everything on this earth will be exactly as it is in heaven. On earth, men will worship you and me, Mahendra and Upendra, in the form of standards and poles. Men who know Mahendra and Upendra, base their conduct on us and bow down before us, will never face hardships.” Shakra then grasped the pot, filled with divine milk, and consecrated Govinda, the one who knew yoga.

  ‘On seeing that he was thus consecrated, with their herds, the cows sprinkled the undecaying Krishna with milk from their breasts. In every direction, from the sky, clouds showered down pearls and amrita, sprinkling the undecaying one with showers of water and consecrating him. All the trees exuded sap that was as white as milk. From the sky, flowers were showered down and trumpets were sounded. All the sages, eloquent and skilled in mantras, praised him. Freed from the form of a single ocean, the earth assumed its own form. The oceans were pacified. The winds blew such that the welfare of the universe could be ensured. The sun was on its path and the moon followed the conjunctions. Speckled shoots, flowers and fruit appeared on the trees. The elephants exuded musth. Animals in the forest were satisfied. The mountains were resplendent, decorated with minerals flowing from their bodies. The entire world was satisfied, as if satisfied with amrita, and became like the world of the gods. When Krishna was consecrated, it was as if divine juices flowed from heaven. The undecaying Govinda, clad in celestial and white garments, was consecrated by the cows.

  ‘Shakra, the king of the gods, spoke to him. “O Krishna! This was my first task, having been appointed by the cows. Now hear the second reason behind my arrival. Act so as to establish your dominion. Let Kamsa, Keshi, worst among horses, and the intoxicated Arishta be killed quickly. Through your father’s sister, my portion has been born.739 He is like me. Protect him, respect him and make him your friend. Favoured by you, he will follow your instructions. Remaining under your control, he will obtain great fame. He will be the best archer in the Bharata lineage. He will be like you and will not find delight in anyone other than you. O Purushottama! Bharata740 will be attached to you and you will be attached to him. When both of you unite together, the kings will confront their destruction. O Krishna! In the midst of the rishis and the gods, I pledged this. My son will be born to Kunti and he will be named Arjuna. He will be an extender of the Kuru lineage. He will be accomplished in the use of weapons and will be the best among archers. All the kings who fight with weapons will be vanquished by him. He will follow the dharma of kings and in the battle, fight the armies of brave kings who love fighting. He will send them to their death. O lord! With your exception, in the techniques he follows in wielding weapons and in dexterity with the bow, no kings and gods will be able to advance against him. He will be your friend and aide in battles. O Govinda! For my sake, instruct him about yoga. Regard him as my own self and always show him respect. You always know everything about the worlds and about Arjuna. In great battles, he will always be protected by you. Protected by you, death will not be able to exert its influence over him. O Krishna! Know me to be Arjuna and me to be your own self. Just as I am to you, let Arjuna eternally be like that to you. Earlier, for the sake of the gods, in three strides, you conquered and wrested the worlds out of Bali’s hands. However, because I was elder, you made me the king. You are known to be full of truth. You are worshipped as truth. Truth is your valour. Resorting to truth, the gods invoke you for the destruction of their enemies. My son is named Arjuna. He is the son of your father’s sister. In earlier times, he was your companion. Let there be friendship between you. O Krishna! Whether he is fighting, in his own place, in his own home, or in the field of battle, like a bull, always bear his burden. O Krishna! You can see into the future. When Kamsa is killed, there will be a great battle among the kings. There, brave men will perform superhuman deeds. Arjuna will enjoy victory and you will also obtain fame. O Krishna! You should act exactly in accordance with what I have said. O Achyuta! You should do this if you love me, the gods and truth.” Krishna, who had become Govinda, heard Shakra’s words. Pleased in his mind, he spoke these affectionate words. “O god! O Shakra! O Shachi’s lord! I am pleased at having met you. In everything that you have said, there is nothing to be slighted. I know your sentiments. I know about Arjuna’s birth. I know that my father’s sister has been bestowed on Pandu, the lord of the earth. I know abo
ut Yudhishthira, the son obtained through Dharma. I know about Bhimasena, the son born from Vayu’s body. I know that the virtuous Ashvins have had two righteous sons named Nakula and Sahadeva, born through Madri’s womb. I know that my father’s sister had a son named Karna, born through Surya while she was still a virgin, and that he has been sent to a suta household. I know about all the sons of Dhritarashtra, who desire to fight. I know that Pandu died because of a curse, as if he had been struck by thunder. O Shakra! Therefore, for the pleasure of the residents of heaven, return to heaven. In front of me, not a single one of Arjuna’s enemies will be able to show his prowess. For Arjuna’s sake, all the Pandavas will remain unharmed in battle. When the Bharata battle is over, I will return them to Kunti. O Shakra! Like a servant, I will do whatever your son, Arjuna, asks me to do. I am tied to you by affection.” Krishna was always fixed to the truth. On hearing these agreeable words, spoken in a pleasant voice, and after meeting him, the lord of the gods returned to heaven.’