by Bibek Debroy
Chapter 94
Vaishampayana said, ‘The one with eyes like a bull looked at such a Dvaraka. Krishna saw his own residence, adorned with one hundred palaces. There were thousands and tens of thousands of white pillars, encrusted with gems. There were blazing and excellent gates and resplendent trees decorated with jewels. Here and there, dazzling and colourful sacrificial altars could be seen, made out of gold. There were extensive and large pillars made out of crystal, decorated with gold everywhere. The pools had water lilies and red and fragrant lotuses. The steps were adorned with jewels and were colourful because of the gems and the gold. There were happy and excited groups of peacocks and cuckoos. There were excellent ponds with blooming lotuses. Vishvakarma arranged for the mountains, ramparts and buildings. These were one hundred cubits tall and the city was surrounded by a moat. That house for the lion among the Vrishnis was also constructed by Vishvakarma. In every direction, it extended for half a yojana and it was like the great Indra’s house. Astride Garuda’s shoulder, Shouri954 reached it and happily blew on his white conch shell, one that made the body hair of the enemies stand up. On hearing the sound of the conch shell, the ocean was greatly agitated. The entire sky was stupefied and was immobile, like a painting. The Kukuras and Andhakas heard Panchajanya’s955 roar. On seeing Garuda, all their sorrows were dispelled. The one with the conch shell, chakra and mace in his hand was seated astride Garuda. On seeing the one who was like the sun in his energy, the entire earth rejoiced. All the residents of the city sounded trumpets. The drums made a loud noise. All of them roared like lions. All the Dasharhas and all the Kukuras and Andhakas were delighted. They assembled to see Madhusudana. Placing Vasudeva956 at the forefront and with the sound of drums and conch shells, King Ugrasena went to Vasudeva’s957 house. Devaki happily welcomed them and tended to them, as did Rohini and all of Ahuka’s women who were present there. Astride Suparna, Krishna went to his own residence. As if he was followed by the gods, Hari roamed around in that spot. Krishna, the descendant of the Yadu lineage, got down at the gate of his house. As is proper, the bull among the Yadavas worshipped the Yadavas. Honoured by Rama, Ahuka, Gada, Akrura, Pradyumna and the others, Shouri accepted Maniparvata and entered. Pradyumna, Rukmini’s son brought the large tree, Parijata, loved by Shakra, and entered the house. Because of Parijata’s powers, all the people could see the superhuman properties of each other’s bodies and were delighted. The lords among the Yadavas cheerfully praised Govinda. The prosperous one entered the house that had been prepared by Vishvakarma. With the Vrishnis, Achyuta, the one whose soul is immeasurable placed the peak of Maniparvata in the inner quarters. The one who triumphs over enemies worshipped the divine Parijata, supreme among trees, in an excellent place that he liked. Keshava, the destroyer of enemy heroes, then took leave of his kin. He honoured the women with what had been taken away by Naraka—garments, ornaments, objects of pleasure, female servants, stores of wealth, necklaces that had the splendour of the moon’s beams and extremely radiant jewels that were like the sun. Vasudeva honoured the women with these. So did Devaki, Rohini, Revati and Ahuka. Satyabhama, supreme among women, brought good fortune. Rukmini, Bhishmaka’s daughter, became the mistress of the household. Depending on what they deserved, Krishna instructed that they should be given mansions, tall buildings, houses and everything else that was needed.’
Chapter 95
Vaishampayana said, ‘Then, Vasudeva honoured Garuda and treating him like a friend, gave him permission to return home. Having obtained permission, Garuda honoured and bowed down before Janardana. The bird who roams around in the sky rose up and then went wherever he desired. Because of the wind raised by his wings, the ocean, the abode of the makaras, was agitated. With great speed, he reached the eastern ocean. Before departing, Garuda said that he would return whenever he was needed for some task. Then, Krishna met his father, the aged Anakadundubhi. Madhava also met King Ugrasena, Baladeva, Sandipani from Kashi and the brahmana, Gargya. In a similar way, he met the other aged Vrishnis, Bhojas and Andhakas and honoured each of those Dasharhas by giving them jewels obtained through his own valour. “The Andhakas and Vrishnis have become victorious and all those who hate brahmanas have been killed. Madhusudana has returned unscathed from the battle. A man who was adorned with earrings and who was extremely respected all over Dvaravati made this announcement at all the crossroads.958 Janardana approached Sandipani first. Then he humbly worshipped Ahuka, the king of the Vrishnis. After this, with Rama, Vasava’s younger brother worshipped his father, whose eyes were overflowing with tears and who was senseless with joy. He then approached all those who remained and honoured them, depending on what they deserved. Adhokshaja959 addressed all the Dasharhas by name. With Upendra at the forefront, all of them sat down on the best of divine seats, adorned with all kinds of jewels. On Krishna’s instruction, men brought the infinite store of riches that had been accumulated by the servants to the assembly hall.960 To the sound of drums being beaten, Janardana honoured and worshipped all the best of Dasharhas and Yadus. On Krishna’s instructions, the best of Dasharhas entered the beautiful assembly hall, decorated with jewels, trees and gates, and seated themselves on excellent seats. Surrounded in all directions by lions among men and by the Yadus, he dazzled and sparkled even more, like a lion in a mountain cavern. With Rama, and placing the Vrishnis ahead of him, Govinda worshipped Ugrasena, who was seated on a large and golden seat. All those brave ones were happily seated there, according to age. Madhusudana addressed the best among Yadus who were in that assembly hall.’
Chapter 96
‘Vasudeva said, “The evil-souled Bhouma Naraka has been slain because of your good deeds, the strength of your austerities and meditation and because of the intentions you bore against him. The maidens who were imprisoned and protected in that great city have been freed. The summit of Maniparvata has been uprooted and brought here. The servants collected an extremely great store of riches and I have brought it here. That belongs to you.”’
Vaishampayana said, ‘Having said this, he stopped. On hearing Vasudeva’s words, the Bhojas, Vrishnis and Andhakas were filled with joy and their body hair stood up. They worshipped Janardana. The best among men joined their hands in salutation and said, “O mighty-armed one! O Devaki’s son! It is not extraordinary that you should accomplish this extremely difficult task, which even the gods would have found most difficult. You have yourself obtained objects of pleasure and jewels and are nurturing your relatives with these.” All the women among the Dasharhas and all of Ahuka’s wives joyously came to the assembly hall, desiring to see Vasudeva. With Devaki as the seventh, the seven daughters of Devaka were there,961 and so was Rohini, beautiful in face. They saw Krishna and the mighty-armed Rama, seated. Ignoring the precedence of age, Rama and Keshava first greeted Rohini and then, Devaki, Devaka’s daughter. Because of these two sons, she962 looked even more radiant, like Aditi, the mother of the gods, with Mitra and Varuna. At that time, her963 daughter approached those two best among men. Men knew her as Ekamsha, the one who could assume any form at will. She was born at the same instant as the lord964 and it was because of her acts that Purushottama was able to slay Kamsa and his soldiers. This maiden was brought up among the Vrishnis, worshipped by them. Because of Vasudeva’s965 instructions, she had been reared as a son. She was born at the same instant and men knew her as Ekamsha. This maiden, Yogamaya, was invincible and was born for Keshava’s protection. Cheerful in their minds, all the Yadavas worshipped her. Divine in form, she was born so that she could protect the god, Krishna. Madhava saw that his beloved friend had come, and like a friend, held her with his right hand. In that way, the extremely strong Rama also embraced the beautiful one. He inhaled the fragrance of her head and held her with his left hand. Between Rama and Krishna, everyone saw their beloved sister. Her hands held a golden lotus and she was like Shri, whose abode is the lotus. All the women who had assembled showered down a great shower of parched grain and many kinds of auspicious flowers. They then departe
d to wherever they had come from. All the Yadavas worshipped Janardana. They happily sat down and praised his extraordinary deeds. The mighty-armed one, who enhanced the affection of the citizens, was worshipped. Because of his great deeds, he amused himself among them, like a god.
‘When all of the Yadavas were seated around Janardana, on the instructions of Indra of the gods, Narada came to that assembly hall. He deserved worship and was worshipped by all the descendants of Shura, the bulls among the Yadus. Govinda was seated on a grand seat and he touched him with his hand. After he was happily seated, he spoke to the Vrishnis, who were also seated. “O bulls among men! Know that I have come here because of Shakra’s words. O tigers among kings! Hear about Krishna’s valour. Since his childhood, Keshava has performed these deeds. Kamsa, Ugrasena’s son, crushed all his relatives. The evil-minded one seized the kingdom and bound his father, Ahuka. The worst of the lineage sought refuge with Jarasandha, his father-in-law. The evil-minded one showed disrespect to all the Bhojas, Vrishnis and Andhakas. The powerful Vasudeva966 wished to accomplish the task of his kin. To protect Ugrasena, he protected his own son. Madhusudana, the one with dharma in his soul, resided in the groves of Mathura, with the gopas and performed extremely extraordinary deeds. All the Shurasenas saw these extremely wonderful deeds. Hear about them. When he was lying down, he flung up his legs and destroyed a cart. There was a fierce demoness who had assumed the form of a bird. She was terrible and her name was Putana. She was extremely large and extremely strong. She was killed. Her breast was tinged with poison and she offered it to the great-souled one. Those who roam around in the forest saw that this demoness was killed. Since he was born again, he came to be known as Adhokshaja.967 As a child, Purushottama was extremely extraordinary. While playing, he overturned the cart with his toe. He was tied to a mortar with rope and did something that was quite unlike a child. Therefore, Vasudeva came to be known as Damodara.968 The great serpent, Kaliya, was impossible to withstand and extremely strong. In the pool in the Yamuna, Vasudeva playfully vanquished him. Akrura saw the lord go to the abode of the nagas. He assumed a divine form and was worshipped by the serpents there. The intelligent Krishna saw the cattle were afflicted by the cold and the wind. For seven nights, the great-souled one held up Mount Govardhana. That is because Vasudeva wanted to save the cows and the calves. Arishtaka969 was extremely wicked and extremely strong. He was giant in form and killed men. Vasudeva, the lord of cattle, killed him and flung him down on the ground. The danava Dhenuka was giant in form and extremely strong. To save cattle, Vasudeva killed the evil-minded one. Sunama had come, at the head of an army of soldiers, to sieze him. But the slayer of enemies used wolves to drive him away. He then again roamed around in the forest, in the company of Rohini’s son, causing fear to Kamsa. The king of Bhoja sent a horse, which was capable of fighting, to the forest. However, Shouri Purushottama killed it. Kamsa’s aide was the danava Pralamba, giant in form. Rohini’s intelligent son brought him down with a blow of the fist. Vasudeva’s two sons are like sons of the gods. Those two great-souled ones grew up and were taught good conduct by the brahmana Gargya. Since their birth, the supreme rishi Gargya, who knew about the truth, performed their samskaras at the appropriate time.970 When these best among men attained youth, they were like crazy lion cubs on the slope of the Himalayas. These two immensely strong ones stole the hearts of the gopa women. Those two brave ones were as radiant as the gods and roamed around in Vraja. Nandagopa’s cowherds were incapable of looking at them.971 Their chests were broad and their arms were large. They were like the trunks of sala trees. On hearing about them, Kamsa and his advisers were distressed. When Kamsa was unable to seize Bala and Keshava, he became angry and imprisoned Vasudeva972 and his relatives. Like a thief, along with Ugrasena, Anakadundubhi suffered that severe imprisonment and hardship for a long period of time. With the support of Jarasandha, Ahvriti and Bhishmaka, Kamsa imprisoned his father and ruled over the kingdom of Shurasena. After some time, King Kamsa decided to hold a great festival in Mathura in honour of Pinaki973 and issued instructions. O lord of the earth! Wrestlers, dancers, singers and those accomplished in singing and dancing assembled there from many countries. Following proper rites, the greatly energetic Kamsa made skilled artisans construct an extremely expensive arena. There were thousands of galleries there, for the residents of the city and the countryside. These were filled with spectators, like stellar bodies in the sky. Kamsa, the prosperous king of Bhoja, ascended the extremely expensive royal gallery, like a person of virtuous deeds climbing on to a celestial vehicle. Kamsa stationed a brave and crazy elephant at the gate to the arena, stocked with a large supply of weapons and attended by valiant and brave guards. The great Bhoja had heard that Rama and Krishna, tigers among men, had arrived, like the sun and the moon. To ensure his protection, the king made every kind of effort. Thinking of Rama and Krishna, he could not sleep happily at night. Having heard about that supreme assembly, the brave Rama and Krishna entered there, like tigers entering a pen of cows. The guards prevented the bulls among men from entering. However, those slayers of enemies killed Kuvalayapida and its rider. Those invisible ones then entered the arena. Keshava and Bala crushed Chanura and Andhra. They brought down Ugrasena’s evil-souled son974 and his younger brother. The tasks accomplished by the lion among the Yadus are extremely difficult, even for the gods. Where is the other man who is capable of undertaking the other tasks that Keshava has done? Shouri has brought a wealth of riches here for you and, earlier, even the likes of Prahlada, Bali and Shambara could not accumulate anything like this. He is the one who attacked the daityas Mura and Panchajana. He crossed over a range of mountains and slew Nisunda and his followers. He killed Bhouma Naraka, who had seized the auspicious earrings. Amidst the gods in heaven, Keshava earned great fame. Resorting to the strength of Krishna’s arms, you are devoid of sorrow, fear and obstructions. O Yadavas! Without any anger, perform many kinds of sacrifices. The intelligent Krishna has performed a great task for the gods. I have told you what is beneficial and do this quickly. May you be fortunate. O best among the Yadus! I will attentively do whatever you desire. I am established in you and you are established in me. These are the words conveyed by the chastiser of Paka to Krishna. Pleased, the best among the gods has sent me and I am also content. Wherever there is humility, prosperity exists there. Wherever there is prosperity, good behaviour exists there. Wherever the great-souled Krishna exists, good behaviour, humility and prosperity are always present.”’
Chapter 97
‘Narada said, “He destroyed Mura’s noose and killed Nisunda and Naraka. He again made the route towards the city of Pragjyotisha peaceful. Through the twang of his bow and the roar of Panchajanya, Shouri terrified kings who challenged him in battle. Keshava, bull among the Vrishnis, swiftly abducted Rukmini, who was protected by those from the southern regions, with battle formations that were as large as the clouds. The wielder of the conch shell, chakra and mace, who was on a chariot that was as radiant as the sun and roared like clouds, obtained the daughter of Bhoja975 as his queen. He vanquished Ahvriti976 in Jaruthi, Kratha and Shishupala. In his rage, he killed Indradyumna and the yavana Kasheruman. The one who wields a firm bow destroyed Salva, the lord of Soubha, and Soubha. With his chakra, Purushottama shattered thousands of mountains. Pundarikaksha brought down Dyumatsena. In the twinkling of an eye, the tiger among men went to the summit of Mount Mahendra and slew Ravana’s followers, who roamed around fearlessly there. On the banks of the Iravati, the great Bhoja, the wielder of the Sharnga bow, killed Gopati and Talaketu, who were like the fire and the sun in battle. In Akshaprapatana, Krishna brought down the danavas Nimi977 and Hamsa and destroyed their kingdoms. The great-souled Keshava burnt down Varanasi. He slew the king of Kashi and his relatives and destroyed his kingdom. Krishna, the performer of extraordinary deeds, used arrows with drooping tufts to defeat Yama in a battle and brought back Indrasena’s son. Having reached the summit of Lohita, Krishna defeated Varuna, the immensely strong
lord of the ocean, along with all the aquatic creatures. He went to the great Indra’s abode and performed an unthinkable task. He seized the Parijata tree, protected by the great-souled gods, from Indra of the gods. Janardana killed all the kings from Pandya, Poundra, Matsya, Kalinga and Vanga. Having slain one hundred and one great-souled kings in battle, the intelligent one obtained the beautiful Gandhari978 as his queen. In that way, in Kunti’s presence, the lord Madhusudana played with the wielder of the Gandiva979 and defeated him. Purushottama defeated Drona, Drona’s son, Kripa, Karna, Bhimasena,980 Suyodhana and all their assembled followers. Desiring to accomplish what was agreeable to Babhru,981 the lord, the wielder of the conch shell, chakra and sword abducted the daughter of the king of Souvira. For the sake of Venudari, Purushottama conquered the entire earth, with all its horses, chariots and elephants. In an earlier body, Bhoja Hari Madhava obtained energy and strength through austerities and won the three worlds from Bali. Along the road towards the city of Pragjyotisha, the danavas attacked him with thunder, lightning, clubs and summits of mountains and tried to terrify him with the threat of death. The immensely strong Krishna defeated Bana, the immensely brave and supremely prosperous son of Bali, along with his followers. The mighty-armed and immensely strong Janardana killed Kamsa’s advisers—Pitha, Paithika and Asiloma. The tiger among men, the slayer of enemies, killed the immensely illustrious Jambha, Airavata and Virupa. In the water, Pundarikaksha vanquished the greatly energetic Kaliya, lord of the serpents, and despatched him to the ocean. Hari, tiger among men, defeated Vaivasvata Yama and brought Sandipani’s dead son back to life. In this way, the mighty-armed one chastised all the evil-souled ones. He slew Bhouma Naraka and seized the bejewelled earrings. To bring pleasure to the one with the vajra in his hand, he gave these to the mother of the gods. In this fashion, the lord Krishna, the immensely illustrious lord of all the worlds, caused terror among the daityas, who tried to create fear among the gods. After establishing dharma in the mortal world, performing an infinite number of tasks for the gods and observing sacrifices and rites with copious quantities of dakshina, he will return to his own abode. The immensely illustrious Krishna will bring about the end of the beautiful and prosperous Dvaraka through some reeds, make it merge into his own self and submerge in the ocean. Dvaraka is full of many jewels and is marked with hundreds of sanctuaries982 and sacrificial altars. With all its groves, it will be sent to Varuna’s abode. Those who know take it to be like the sun god’s abode. However, abandoned by Vasudeva, the wielder of the Sharnga bow, it will be flooded by the ocean. Among gods, asuras and men, there has not been, nor will there ever be, a resident of the city who is Madhusudana’s equal. Vishnu Narayana is himself the moon and the sun. In this way, he will bring about what has been ordained for the Dasharhas. He is immeasurable. He is uncontrollable. He is under his own control and goes wherever he wishes. Like a child playing with toys, he always amuses himself with creatures. We are incapable of gauging the mighty-armed Madhusudana. He is supreme among the supreme and there is nothing other than his universal form. He should be praised in hundreds of ways and in hundreds and thousands of ways. No one has ever been able to see an end to his deeds. With Samkarshana as an aide, in childhood and middle age, Pundarikaksha has performed such deeds. The great yogi, Vyasa, is immensely intelligent and can see everything directly. Because of his foresight, he possesses foresight and he spoke about all this long ago.”’