by Bibek Debroy
‘Keshava, who always speaks the truth, again told the Yadavas, “Today is an auspicious day to leave, along with all those who follow us.” On Keshava’s instructions, all the Yadavas emerged. Because of the large number of soldiers and elephants, this looked like the waves in an ocean. With Vasudeva at the forefront, all the wives were assembled. There were armed crazy elephants, chariots and horses. All the drums were sounded. With their riches, kin and relatives, all the Yadavas abandoned Mathura and left. There were chariots decorated with gold, and crazy and supreme elephants. There were speedy horses, lashed with whips by the riders. O bull among the Bharata lineage! Cheerfully, the Vrishnis headed in a western direction, resplendent as they drove along their respective forces. The best among the Yadavas were ornaments in the field of battle. With Vasudeva860 leading the way, they were at the forefront of the army. They arrived at a spot that was colourful with creepers, with forests of coconut trees. There were groves of beautiful nagakeshara and ketaki flowers. There were pumnagas861 and many palm trees. There were some vines of grapes too. The bulls among the Yadus reached a marshy region that belonged to the king of Sindhu.862 They loved pleasure and this was an enchanting spot. All the Yadavas were delighted, like the gods when they reach heaven. Krishna, the slayer of enemy heroes, thought about constructing a city. He saw that extensive region, adorned by marshes along the ocean. It was good for the mounts and the ground was wet and red. It possessed all the signs required for setting up a prosperous city. Breezes blew from the ocean. There was water from the ocean. This beautiful dominion of the king of Sindhu bore all the auspicious signs required for a city. Not very far away, there was a mountain by the name of Raivataka. It dazzled in every direction and was like Mount Mandara. This was where Ekalavya resided and also the place where Drona lived for a long time. There were many men and all kinds of jewels. An excellent spot was created for the king’s pleasure. This extensive place was named Dvaravati.863 It was like a board for an ashtapada game.864 Keshava made up his mind to construct a city there. The Yadavas found the prospect of the soldiers residing there agreeable. While it was still day and the night was red, the bulls among the Yadavas and the commanders of the army made arrangements for camps to be set up. Keshava and the Yadavas were firm in their decision to live there. The lord, the foremost among the Yadus, resolved to build a city at the spot. Gada’s elder brother,865 best among men and supreme among the Yadavas, made up his mind to follow the instructions for construction and set up buildings that were named. O king! Having obtained the city of Dvaravati, with his relatives, he was delighted, like the large number of gods on reaching heaven, and decided to reside there. Knowing about Kalayavana and the fear that was caused by Jarasandha, Krishna, the slayer of Keshi, went to the city of Dvaravati.’
Chapter 85
Janamejaya said, ‘O illustrious one! I wish to hear in detail about the conduct of the great-souled and intelligent Vasudeva, best among the Yadus. Why did Madusudana abandon Mathura? It was an important place in the middle of the country and the residence of Lakshmi. It was seen to be like a summit of the earth, with a lot of riches and grain. It was the best of places for noble people to reside in. O supreme among brahmanas! Why did Dasharha abandon it without fighting? How did Kalayavana react to Krishna? Having reached Dvaraka, fortified with water, what did the mighty-armed, great-minded and great yogi, Janardana, do? What bravery did Kalayavana possess? Whom was the valiant one born to? Why did Janardana consider him to be irresistible?’
Vaishampayana replied, ‘The great ascetic, Gargya, was the preceptor of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas. He had earlier been a brahmachari and did not take a wife. Therefore, that undecaying one held up his seed. O lord of the earth! His brother-in-law accused Gargya of not being a man. O king! The one who had conquered everything was thus accused in that city. Desiring a son, he departed and performed extremely difficult austerities. For twelve years, he only survived on powdered iron. He thought of Mahadeva and worshipped the wielder of the trident. Rudra granted him the boon that he would obtain a son who would possess every kind of energy and would be able to vanquish the Vrishnis and the Andhakas in battle. The supreme lord of the Yavanas heard about this boon of the birth of a son. Through ill fortune, he didn’t have a son, but desired a son. The king had the best among brahmanas866 brought to him and reassured him. The king of the Yavanas kept him among the gopas and amidst gopa women. There was an apsara named Gopali there, disguised in the attire of a gopa woman. The undecaying Gargya’s seed was difficult to sustain, but she bore it in her womb. Through the desire of the wielder of the trident, a brave and extremely strong son was born to Gargya, through a wife who was in human form. His name was Kalayavana. This child was reared in the inner quarters of the king who didn’t have a son. When that king died, Kalayavana became the king. Desiring to fight, this king asked Narada, supreme among brahmanas, and was informed about the lineage of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas. Through Narada, Madhusudana got to know about the boon that had been granted. Therefore, he ignored the Yavana’s increasing energy. The mlechchha867 kings sought refuge with him and started to follow him. There were Shakas, Tusharas, Daradas, Paradas, Tanganas, Khashas, Pahlavas and other hundreds of mlecchas who were from the Himalayas. The king was surrounded by these bandits, as if by locusts. Attired in diverse garments and wielding fierce weapons, they attacked Mathura. There were thousands and tens of thousands of elephants, horses, mules and camels. Because of this large army, the earth trembled. That king enveloped the sun’s path with dust. Because of the urine and excrement released by the soldiers, a river was created. O lord of men! Since this river was created through the urine and excrement released by horses and camels, it came to have the name of Ashvashakrit.868 On hearing that a large army was advancing, Vasudeva, foremost among the Vrishnis and the Andhakas, summoned his relatives and said, “A terrible and great fear has arisen before the Vrishnis and the Andhakas. Because of the boon that has been granted by the wielder of the trident, this enemy cannot be killed by us. We have used all the recommended means of conciliation with him. However, he is intoxicated by the insolence of his strength and desires to fight. Narada has told me that our residence here is over. King Jarasandha is always intolerant towards us. There are other kings who cannot bear the power of the Vrishnis. Some kings are dissatisfied with us on account of Kamsa’s death. Having sought refuge with Jarasandha, they desire to restrain us too. Those kings have killed many relatives of the Yadus.” Keshava decided that they could no longer prosper in that city.
‘Having decided to leave, he sent a messenger.869 He placed a large serpent in a pot and it had the hue of lampblack. It was dark and fierce, with venomous poison. Krishna sent this. Govinda covered up the pot and sent this through a messenger, intending it as a sign that would frighten the king. The messenger showed Kalayavana the pot. O bull among the Bharata lineage! He said, “Krishna is like this black serpent.” Understanding that the Yadavas were trying to scare him, Kalayavana filled up the pot with fierce ants. That serpent was bitten all over by these fierce ants. With all its limbs bitten, it was reduced to nothing. Covering up the pot, the lord of the Yavanas sent it back to Krishna, as a sign of his superiority. Vasudeva saw the signs and understood. He decided to swiftly leave Mathura and go to Dvaraka. O king! Thinking of a means to bring an end to the enmity, the immensely illustrious Vasudeva made the Vrishnis reside in Dvaraka. Madhusudana, the great yogi and tiger among men, then went to Mathura on foot, taking only his arms as weapons. On seeing him, Kalayavana was delighted. The immensely strong one emerged and began to angrily follow Krishna, who was in front. Wherever Govinda went, the lord of the Yavanas followed, desiring to kill him. However, the king wasn’t able to seize the one whose dharma was yoga. The immensely illustrious Muchukunda was Mandhata’s son. In ancient times, the immensely strong one was successful in the battle between the gods and the asuras. Since he had been completely exhausted, he accepted a boon from the gods that he would be able to sleep and said, “O god
s! If anyone wakes me up while I am asleep, let me be able to burn him down through the flames of rage in my eyes.” He repeatedly said this. Shakra and the thirty gods agreed. With the permission of the gods, he went to a place that was inaccessible to men. Exhausted and tired, he entered a mountainous cave. He slept for a long time, until he was seen by Krishna. All of this had been narrated to Vasudeva by Narada, including the energetic boon that the gods had granted the king. Followed by the mlechchha enemy, Krishna humbly entered Muchukunda’s cave. Keshava, supreme among intelligent ones, stood near the royal sage’s head, avoiding his path of vision. The evil-minded Yavana entered and saw the sleeping king, who was like Death. Like an insect that is destroyed by a flame, taking him to be Vasudeva,870 he kicked the king with his feet. Rajarshi Muchukunda awoke at the touch of the feet. He was enraged at his sleep having been disturbed by the kick with the feet. Remembering the boon granted by Shakra, he looked at whoever was in front of him. Through the rage in the sight, everything was instantly consumed. In an instant, the fire generated from the energy in the eyes burnt up Kalayavana, like a fire consumes a dry tree. Having been successful, the intelligent and handsome Vasudeva spoke these excellent words to the king who had been sleeping for a long time. “O king! Narada told me that you have been sleeping for a long time. You have performed an extremely great task for me. May you be fortunate. I am leaving.” The king saw the sign that Vasudeva was short.871 He realized that a long period of time had elapsed.
‘The king asked Govinda, “Who are you and why have you come here? How long have I been asleep? If you know, tell me.” Vasudeva replied, “In the solar dynasty, there was a king named Yayati and he was the son of Nahusha. His eldest son was Yadu. He had four other brothers who were younger.872 O lord! I am Vasudeva’s son and have been born in Yadu’s lineage. O king! I am known as Vasudeva and I am the one who has come here. I got to know from Narada that you were born in treta yuga. Know that it is kali yuga now.873 What else can I do for you? O king! My enemy was granted a boon by the gods. Consequently, he could not be slain by me in battle, even if I tried for one hundred years. He has been burnt down by you.” Having said this, Krishna emerged through the mouth of the cave and he was followed by the king. The intelligent Krishna was satisfied at his success. The king saw that the earth was full of short men. They were limited in enterprise, limited in strength and limited in bravery and valour. He saw that someone else was ruling in his kingdom. Taking his leave of Govinda, he entered a great forest. Having made up his mind to perform austerities, the king went to the Himalayas. Resorting to austerities, he freed himself from his body. Because of the auspicious deeds that he himself had done, the king ascended to heaven. The great-minded Vasudeva, with dharma in his soul, had thought of a means to destroy his enemy and returned to the soldiers.874 Now that the lord of the soldiers had been killed, the intelligent one seized large numbers of chariots, elephants, horses, armour, weapons, armaments and standards. With a contented mind, Janardana went to the city of Dvaravati, filled it with these copious riches and told King Ugrasena everything.’
Chapter 86
Vaishampayana said, ‘The sun arose and the morning sparkled. Hrishikesha seated himself near the boundary of the forest and performed the morning meditation. He roamed around in that region, searching for a place for the fort. The foremost among the Yadava lineage were also present with the descendant of the Yadu lineage. It was the best day, with the nakshatra Rohini in the ascendant. Supreme brahmanas pronounced benedictions. With a great deal of auspicious words, work commenced for building the fort. The lotus-eyed slayer of Keshi, supreme among eloquent ones, spoke these best of words to the Yadavas, like Vritra’s enemy speaking to the gods. “Look at the spot that I have chosen. It is like a residence of the gods. I have also thought of a name that will make the city famous. This city constructed by me on earth will be known by the name of Dvaravati. This will be a beautiful city, like Shakra’s Amaravati. I will have buildings constructed here, with signs and measurements.875 There will be four royal roads and level grounds for the inner quarters. Devoid of anxiety and like the gods, all of you will enjoy yourselves. With Ugrasena at the forefront, you will be able to restrain the large numbers of enemies. Take the equipment used for construction and mark out three crossroads. Mark out the measurements for the royal roads and the walls. Let the best of artisans be summoned and employed in the construction of the houses. Let men be sent to different countries to fetch artisans.” They were eager to begin the construction of the houses and Krishna instructed them in this way. Cheerfully, they started on their tasks. The best among Yadavas had measuring tapes in their hands. O great king! On this auspicious day, they worshipped the brahmanas. For the gods, Vasudeva had the ordained rites performed. The immensely intelligent Govinda spoke these words to the architects. “This is the spot where you must construct an excellent temple for us, where our gods can be worshipped. Mark out the crossroads and the roads.” The architects agreed to what the mighty-armed one had said. They followed the prescribed instructions and brought the material required for building the fort. The gates and the buildings were measured out properly. In due order, places were laid out for Brahma and the other gods. Four altars were laid out for four divinities—water, fire, the lord of the gods876 and millstone and mortar. There were four gates for the four gods—Grihakshetra, Aindra, Bhallata and Pushpadanta.877 The great-souled Yadavas engaged themselves in constructing the houses.
‘Madhava thought about how the city could be swiftly constructed. His intelligence was divine and he thought of a means for firm and swift construction. “This city will be agreeable and will enhance the prosperity of the Yadavas. The lord Vishvakarma is Prajapati’s son and is foremost among the artisans of the gods. He will use his intelligence to construct this city.” Krishna stood there alone, facing the gods. He thought of him878 in his mind, so that he might arrive. At that instant, the immensely intelligent Vishvakarma, preceptor of artisans and best among the gods, stood in front of Krishna. Vishvakarma said, “O Vishnu! O one who is firm in his vows! I have been summoned here by your divine mind. I have come here as a servant. Instruct me about what I should do. O god! You are the lord of the gods. You are as undecaying as Tryambaka.879 O god! O lord! I revere you and there is no difference between him and you. O one who knows about the three worlds! O mighty-armed one! All knowledge comes from your words. I can see the truth about this. Instruct me about what must be done.” Keshava heard Vishvakarma’s humble words. The best among the Yadus, Kamsa’s enemy, spoke these unmatched words in reply. “You know about the meanings of the sacred texts, mysterious even to the gods. O best among the gods! We are going to reside here and it is certainly your task to build a residence for us. O one who is excellent in vows! You must construct a residence on earth. In every way, the houses must reflect my powers. It must be the best on earth, just as Amaravati is in heaven. O immensely intelligent one! You alone are capable of performing this task. It is your task to build me a place that is like heaven. Let mortal people see my prosperity in this city of the Yadu lineage.” Vishvakarma heard these words, spoken by the lord of intelligence, Krishna, whose deeds were unsullied and who was the destroyer of the enemies of the gods. He said, “O lord! I will do everything that you have asked me to. But this city will not be sufficient to house all your people. This beautiful city will extend in the future and become prosperous. However, the four oceans will also freely roam around here. O Purushottama! If the ocean, the lord of the waters, withdraws and leaves some space, this city will bear all the signs of being extensive.” Krishna, the intelligent one, was addressed in this way and he had already thought about this. The supreme among eloquent ones spoke these words to the ocean, the lord of the rivers. “O ocean! O store of the waters! If you have any respect for me, withdraw on your own and leave a space of twelve yojanas. If you grant me this space, the city and the area will be sufficient to support and sustain all my soldiers.” Hearing Krishna’s words, the great ocean, the lord o
f the male and female rivers united with the wind and withdrew. Vishvakarma was delighted that a space sufficient for the city had been created. The ocean thus showed its respect towards Govinda. Vishvakarma spoke these words to Krishna, the descendant of the Yadu lineage. “O Govinda! Let everyone occupy the residences today. O lord! Without any delay, I have used the powers of my mind to construct this city. It is garlanded with houses and walls. It is a beautiful city, with excellent gates and the best of walls. There are multi-storeyed buildings that are like armlets, standing out like humps on the earth.” There were extensive inner quarters that could cater to Krishna’s needs. That city was constructed at a spot that was worshipped by the gods. This is how the beautiful city of Dvaravati was constructed at that time. Vishvakarma used his Vaishnavi mental powers.
‘There were beautiful men and women there. Merchants were like adornments, with many kinds of wares. It was as if something travelling around in the sky880 had come down to earth. There was clean water in the ponds. There were handsome gardens. It was beautiful in all its limbs, like a woman with large eyes. There were prosperous squares and the best of houses looked like clouds. The beautiful palaces rose indistinctly up into the sky. The place resounded with the noise of large numbers of people who came from all the extensive kingdoms on earth. Cool breezes wafted in from the waves of the lord of the waters. There were beautiful groves and agreeable and pleasant people. Dvaraka was as radiant as the sky with its stars. The walls had the complexion of the sun and were decorated with molten gold. The grand houses were full of gold and their chambers echoed. The gates were like white clouds. Along the extensive roads, there were beautiful and excellent palaces in some places. Krishna, and all the descendants of the Yadava lineage, resided in that city. With people desiring to live there, it sparkled like the moon in the sky. Vishvakarma created the city and made it like Shakra’s city. Having done this and worshipped by Govinda, that god left for heaven.