by Bibek Debroy
‘Having entered, Akrura respectively asked about the residence of Keshava, Rohini’s son and Nandagopa. The immensely strong one was the equal of the Vasus. He descended from his chariot and entered Nandagopa’s house, wishing to dwell there. As he entered through the gate, he saw Krishna stationed amidst the calves, milking the cows. He looked like a bull among the calves. The one who knew about dharma called out in a voice that choked with emotion. “O Keshava! O son! Come here.” He had seen him lying down on his back, when youth had not manifested itself.779 He now saw him again, surrounded by prosperity. Akrura praised Krishna. “This is Pundarikaksha. He is like a lion or a tiger in valour. His complexion is like a cloud that is full of water. His form is like that of an excellent mountain. He cannot be assailed in a battle. His chest bears the srivatsa mark. His virtuous and excellent arms are capable of slaying enemies. Though his soul is mysterious, he has manifested himself. In the universe, he is the foremost one to be worshipped. He is Vishnu in the attire of a gopa, his body hair erect.780 He seems to wear a diadem and his head seems to be covered by a blazing umbrella. His ears are adorned and deserve to be decorated with earrings. His extremely broad chest deserves to be decorated with garlands. He possesses two long, thick and round arms. Stirred by Manmatha’s781 flames, thousands of women worship his body. He is the eternal Vishnu, attired in yellow garments. For the sake of creatures, the destroyer of enemies has graced the earth with his feet. These feet traversed the three worlds. For the sake of creatures, they have now resorted to earth. The beautiful hand in front782 is appropriate for wielding the chakra. The second, which is uplifted,783 wishes to be united with the mace. He is the foremost bearer of burdens. He is the best among the gods. He has incarnated himself on earth and is resplendent now. Those who are accomplished and learned in their foresight about the future have foreseen this incarnation. This cowherd will extend the Yadava lineage, which has weakened. Because of his energy, hundreds and thousands will extend the Yadava lineage, like rivers filling up the great ocean. Everything in the universe is based on his eternal rule. He will slay the enemy kings and bring about a prosperity which is like that in krita yuga. He will be based on earth and will place the entire universe under his subjugation. He will be above all the kings, but will not be a king himself. In earlier times, it is indeed true that he conquered the worlds in three strides and made Purandara the king of the gods in heaven. Just as he conquered earlier in three strides, he will vanquish the earth. There is no doubt that he will instate Ugrasena as the king. He has wiped away a lot of enmity. The sacred texts have asked questions about him in many ways. In ancient accounts, brahmanas who know about the brahman have sung about him. He is the Keshava whom the worlds desire. He has now arisen and has used his intelligence to manifest himself in human form. Following the prescribed rites, I will now worship his residence here. As if I am using mantras, I will worship Vishnu in my mind. Though I know that he has been born as a man, I know that he is superhuman and others who possess divine sight also know this. In the night, I will consult with Krishna, who himself knows everything. If he so agrees, I will go with him.”784 On seeing Krishna, he cited these and many other reasons. With Krishna and the others, he entered Nandagopa’s house.’
Chapter 69
Vaishampayana said, ‘The infinitely generous one785 entered Nandagopa’s house with Keshava and summoning all the gopa elders, spoke to them. Delighted to have met Krishna and Rohini’s son, he spoke to them too. “O son! For the sake of welfare, let us go to the city of Mathura tomorrow. Let all those in Vraja and all the cowherds also go. Kamsa has instructed that the appropriate yearly taxes must be paid. There is a great and grand bow sacrifice that Kamsa is organizing. You can see that grand sacrifice and meet your relatives. You will meet your father Vasudeva, who has always suffered and is incessantly miserable because his sons were killed. He has always been oppressed by the wicked-minded Kamsa. This oppression has tired him out. He is miserable and is suffering from old age too. Separated from you, he is terrified and scared of Kamsa. Day and night, he is consumed by anxiety in his heart. O Govinda! You will also see Devaki, who has not held sons at her breasts. She is like a goddess, but is suffering, bereft of all her radiance. Because of grief on account of hers sons, she has dried up. She wishes to see you. Because of the separation, she is tormented by grief. She is like Surabhi,786 without her calf. Her eyes are always overflowing with tears. She is always dressed in old garments. She is like the moon’s radiance, when it has been eclipsed by Svarbhanu.787 Desiring your arrival, she always wishes to see you. Because of grief on account of you, that ascetic lady is suffering. Since she has been separated from you, she has not heard your childhood conversation. O lord! She is unaware of your beauty and the radiance of your moon-like face. O Krishna! Though Devaki gave birth to you, she suffers. What is the point of having given birth? It would have been better for her to be childless. It is said that women who have no children only suffer from one kind of grief. But one who has a son, and does not obtain fruits through that son, is tormented by the birth. In qualities and granting others freedom from fear, you are a son who is Shakra’s equal. Such a mother should not suffer. Your aged mother and father are the servants of others. Because of you, Kamsa, who doesn’t possess foresight, abuses them. Having delivered you, Devaki should be revered, like the earth. However, she is immersed in an ocean of grief and should be saved. O Krishna! Vasudeva is immensely strong. He is aged and loves his son. If you unite him with his son, you will act in accordance with dharma. In the lake in Yamuna, you crushed the extremely evil-minded serpent. You raised up a large mountain788 from the ground. You brought down the powerful and insolent Arishta. You killed the evil-souled Keshi, who robbed the lives of others. You must make efforts to save those aged and miserable ones. O Krishna! You should think about the means of following dharma. O Krishna! Your father was abused in the assembly and all those who witnessed it were extremely miserable and shed tears from their eyes. O Krishna! Your mother, Devaki, is incapacitated. She has suffered from many miseries on account of Kamsa destroying her conceptions. As has been indicated, it is said that everyone who is born must quietly repay the debt to the mother and the father. O Krishna! If you do this, you will show favours to your mother and your father. Unmatched dharma will be done and they will abandon their grief.” Krishna knew what the infinitely generous one was saying. The energetic Keshava was not enraged, but restrained him. With Nandagopa at the forefront, the assembled gopas heard Akrura’s words and prepared to follow Kamsa’s instructions. All the residents of Vraja made arrangements for departure. The aged gopas readied everything. As could be afforded, taxes were arranged—bulls, ghee, buffaloes, other gifts, milk and curds. All these components of tribute to Kamsa were arranged. All the leaders among the gopas made these arrangements for departure. Akrura remained awake, conversing with Krishna. Rohini’s son was the third one present and the night passed in this way.’
Chapter 70
Vaishampayana said, ‘The morning sparkled and the birds began to make a noise. When night was over, the moon withdrew its beams. The sky turned red and all the stellar bodies vanished. It was dawn and the surface of the earth became wet with dew. The stars dimmed, as if they were about to go to sleep. As the night disappeared, the form of the sun made its appearance. The beams of the moon lost their lustre and melted away. There were many cows in the grounds that had been readied for departure. There were the sounds of milk being churned in the pots. The young calves were tied up with ropes. All the roads in Vraja were filled with gopas. There were many heavy vessels that were loaded on the carts. The chariots and mounts left quickly, leaving everything else behind. Krishna, Rohini’s son and the infinitely generous one—these three departed on a chariot, like lords of the three worlds. When they reached the banks of the Yamuna, Akrura told Krishna, “O son! Let us stop the chariot here. Tend to the horses. Give fodder to the horses. The vessel for the horses is on the chariot. O son! Make these efforts and wait for me fo
r a short while. I will worship the lord of the serpents and the lord of all the worlds789 in this pool in the Yamuna, using the divine Bhagavat mantra. I will bow down before the handsome serpent who bears the svastika mark on his hood. He is the divine and thousand-headed Ananta, attired in blue garments. I will consume all the poison that flows out from that god of dharma, like the immortals partaking of amrita. He bears the svastika mark and his tongue is forked. He is the one who is adorned with prosperity. For the sake of peace, he is surrounded by all the snakes. Until I return from the pool and from that Indra among serpents, both of you be seated here and wait for me.” Happily, Krishna replied, “O one who follows dharma! Go, without any delay. Without you, we are incapable of being well.” The infinitely generous one immersed himself in the pool in the Yamuna.
‘He saw rasatala, the world of the snakes, as it indeed was. He saw him790 with his one thousand faces, a standard with a golden palm tree held aloft his head. A plough was held in one hand and there was a club near his stomach. He was attired in dark garments. He was fair, with a pale face. He was adorned in a single earring. He was intoxicated and his eyes were like the petals of a lotus that was asleep. The serpent was seated on a white seat, made out of the coils of his own body. He was seated with the svastika mark and looked like the best of mountains. His head, decorated in gold, was inclined towards the left. His chest was adorned with a garland of lotus flowers that were made out of gold. The scorcher of enemies was mighty-armed and his limbs were smeared with red sandalwood paste. He was fair in complexion and there was a lotus on his navel. The powerful one blazed in energy. He saw the lord of the serpents, the lord who was there when everything was a single ocean. The lord, the Indra among those who forked tongues, was being worshipped by Vasuki and other serpents. The serpents Kambala and Ashvatara fanned him with whisks. The divine lord, who has no origin, was seated on a throne of dharma. Vasuki, the lord of serpents, was stationed near him. He was surrounded by snakes who were advisers, Karkotaka being the foremost. They bathed him and consecrated him as the king, with waters from the single ocean, poured from divine and golden pots that were strewn with lotus flowers. He saw Vishnu seated on his791 lap, attired in yellow garments and with an extremely dark complexion, with the srivatsa mark on his chest.792 He saw another lord, Samkarshana, who was seated, with a complexion that was like that of the moon. However, he wasn’t seated on a divine seat. At this, he suddenly tried to speak to Krishna.793 But Krishna used his own energy to stop him from speaking. He saw the undecaying and illustrious lord amidst all those serpents. Astounded, the infinitely generous one surfaced again. He saw Bala and Keshava, extraordinary in forms, seated on the chariot and glancing at each other. Filled with curiosity, Akrura immersed himself again and saw the eternal god, attired in blue garments, being worshipped. He saw him seated on the lap of the one with the one thousand hoods. Akrura saw Krishna being worshipped according to the proper rites. Having surfaced again, the infinitely generous one chanted the mantra in his mind and returned to the chariot along the same route. When Akrura returned, Keshava cheerfully asked him, “What happened in the Bhagavat pool? How was the world of the serpents? You took a long time. Is your delay because of some distraction? I think you must have seen something extraordinary and did not wish to leave.” He replied to Krishna, “There are no marvels without you. There is nothing in the mobile or immobile worlds that occurs otherwise. O Krishna! There, I saw a marvel that is extremely rare on earth. Here, it is exactly as it was there, and I am delighted. O Krishna! I saw a form that is extraordinary in the worlds. After this, there is no other wonder that I wish to see. O lord! Therefore, let us proceed to Kamsa’s royal city. We should leave so as to reach before the sun signals the end of the day.”’
Chapter 71
Vaishampayana said, ‘All those infinitely energetic ones yoked that supreme chariot and entered that foremost city when the sun was turning red. The intelligent Akrura, who was like the sun in his energy, took the brave Krishna and Samkarshana to his own house. Danapati was scared. He told the two, who were excellent in complexion, “O sons! You should abandon all desire of going to Vasudeva’s house. Because of you, Kamsa abuses the aged one. Day and night, he censures him, asking him to leave the place.” Krishna replied, “O one who follows dharma! We will not debate this with you. O brave one! We will go and see the royal roads of Mathura.” Having obtained permission, those two brave ones left, desiring to see. They were like two elephants that had been tied up, but were now released, desiring to fight. Along the road, they saw a washerman who had dyed some clothes. They asked him to give them bright clothes. The washerman said, “Who are you? You are foolish residents of the forest who are asking for royal garments. You don’t seem to have any fear. I ensure that Kamsa obtains clothes from many different countries. I dye hundreds of garments with many colours that one wants. Who are you? Which forest were you born in? You have been reared with animals. On seeing these many red garments, you seem to be attracted to them. Alas! You have abandoned your lives. You are foolish, ordinary and ignorant people. Having come here, you are asking for inappropriate clothes.” Krishna became angry with the washerman who was limited in intelligence. He was stupid and desired his own harm. That is the reason he spoke words that were like poison. He794 struck the washerman on the head with a palm that was like the vajra and he fell down, having lost his life. His head was shattered. On seeing that he was dead, his wives started to lament and shriek. With dishevelled hair, they swiftly went to Kamsa’s house. Those two chose some excellent garments. Seeking garlands, they went to the road along which there were shops that sold garlands. They were attracted to the fragrances, like elephants. There was a man named Gunaka. He earned his living from selling garlands and he was pleasant in speech. Though he earned his living from selling garlands, he was wealthy. There were many garlands in the shop. Gently, Krishna spoke these words to him. “Give us some garlands.” At that time, without any hesitation, the garland maker told them that he would give them some. The person who earned his living from selling garlands was happy and gave them many garlands. The handsome one replied, “Everything that I have is yours.” Delighted in his mind, Krishna granted Gunaka a boon. “O amiable one! Because you have sought refuge with me, you will obtain riches and prosperity.” The garland maker was happy at having received this boon. He lowered his face. He prostrated his head before Krishna and received the boon. The one who earned his living from selling garlands thought that they might be yakshas. Therefore, he was also scared and anxious and did not reply. Vasudeva’s two sons continued to proceed along the royal road. They saw Kubja,795 who was carrying a plate laden with pastes. Krishna told Kubja, “O one with eyes like lotus petals! Who are these pastes for? You should quickly tell us.” She used to walk in a crooked way, like lightning. She stood and looked at him. She then replied to the lotus-eyed Krishna, whose voice was like the rumbling of a cloud. “I am carrying these pastes to the king’s bathing chamber. O fortunate ones! Come and spend some time with me. There is love in my heart for you. O amiable ones! Since you do not know me, where have you come from? I am loved by the great king and an employed for the purpose of pastes.” As Kubja stood there, smiling, Krishna told her, “Give us pastes that are appropriate for our bodies. O one with the beautiful face! We are wrestlers and have come to this country as guests. We have come to see this great and prosperous kingdom and this divine and grand bow sacrifice.” She replied to Krishna, “Now that I have seen you, you have become my beloved. Accept this excellent paste, which is fit to be given to the king.” They smeared the pastes on their limbs and started to dazzle. They looked like two bulls in a tirtha in the Yamuna, limbs covered with mud. As if playing, Krishna gently pressed the hump with two fingers of his hand. When Krishna pressed, the crooked body straightened and the one with the beautiful smiles stood upright. The one with the large breasts was as straight as a creeper around a pole and laughed out aloud. Intoxicated and in love with Krishna, she said, “O beloved one
! Where are you going? I will detain you. Remain here and accept me.” They clapped their hands and smiled at each other. On seeing this and hearing about it, the onlookers laughed a great deal at Kubja. Krishna smiled and took his leave of Kubja, who was overcome by desire.
‘Having taken their leave of Kubja, they entered the king’s assembly. They had been reared in Vraja and were adorned and attired like cowherds. They entered the king’s abode, their faces hiding their intentions. Without being suspected, those two children entered the chamber where the bows were kept. Proud of their strength, they were like two lions who had been born in the forests in the Himalayas. They wished to see the giant bow, which had been appropriately decorated. Those two brave ones asked the person who was in charge of the weapons. “O one who guards Kamsa’s bow! Hear our words. O amiable one! Where is Kamsa’s great and decorated bow kept? If you so desire, show it to us.” He showed them the bow, which was like a pillar. No man was capable of wielding it, not to speak of the gods, along with Vasava. The valiant Krishna seized it and raised it. Cheerful in his mind, the lotus-eyed one grasped it in his hands. He raised the bow, worshipped by the daityas, as he wished. The strong one tried to bend the bow, but he was unsuccessful in bending it. It was like a serpent and though Krishna tried to bend it, he couldn’t. Instead, that decorated bow snapped in the middle. Krishna, who was swift in his valour, broke that excellent bow. With Samkarshana, the youth then departed at great speed. The sound of the bow shattering resounded in the air. This filled all the directions and made the inner quarters tremble. The man who was in charge of the weapons was terrified by this speed and valour. Trembling like a crow, he went to the king and said, “Listen to what I have to say. An extraordinary event has occurred in the chamber where the bow was kept. It has just happened and it deserves the respect of the universe. There were two men who came together, wearing locks of hair. They were dressed in blue and yellow garments. They were smeared with yellow and white paste. They were as brave as sons of the gods. Those children were like fires. Those two amiable ones stood in the chamber meant for the bow, as if they had suddenly arrived from the firmament. I saw that they were attired in beautiful garments and garlands. One among them possessed eyes like a lotus. He was dark and was attired in yellow garments and garlands. He seized that jewel among bows, which is impossible for even the gods to grasp. With great strength, the child picked up the giant bow, as if it was the entrails of a crow. As if he was playing, he applied force to the bow, but could not bend it. Using the strength of his hands, he tried to bend it, though there was no arrow attached. As he grasped it in his hand, it made a great sound and broke into two parts. That jewel among bows shattered, as if it had been struck by an elephant. Having broken it, the infinitely valorous one departed with the speed of the wind. O king! Having broken it, he has left. I do not know who he is.” Hearing about how the bow had been broken, Kamsa was anxious in his mind. He allowed the guard of the weapons to leave and entered his excellent house.’