by Bibek Debroy
‘Narada continued, “Hearing the words of the one with the three courses,1004 I presented myself before the ocean and said, ‘O great ocean! You are indeed extraordinary in the worlds. You are blessed. O lord of the waters! You are the origin of all aquatic creatures. The rivers that nurture the worlds convey their water to you. These wives,1005 revered by the worlds, come here.’ Stirred by the wind, the waves rose up from the surface of the water. Thus addressed, the ocean replied to me in these words. ‘O supreme among brahmanas! The gods and the gandharvas do not regard me as wonderful. O sage! The earth provides me a foundation and it is blessed. With the exception of the earth, what is supremely wonderful in this world?’ The ocean indeed possessed the earth as a foundation. On hearing the ocean’s words, I was overcome with curiousity. I spoke to the earth, the refuge of the universe. ‘O earth! O beautiful one! You are the origin of all creatures. You are blessed. With your immense forgiveness, you are extraordinary among creatures. You truly sustain the worlds and are the origin of humans. Forgiveness was born from you. Those who head to heaven commit their acts on you.’ At these words of praise spoken by me, she was ashamed. Discarding her natural patience, she replied to me. ‘O one who likes fights and dissension! The gods and the gandharvas do not regard me in this way. I am not blessed. Nor am I wonderful. My fortitude is like that of others. O best among brahmanas! These mountains, which hold me up, are blessed. Since they act like bridges for the worlds, they are seen to be blessed.’ Because of the earth’s words, I presented myself before the mountains and said, ‘O those who hold up the earth! You are seen to be blessed and extremely wonderful. All of you are the stores of jewels—gold, the best among gems and minerals. You will remain eternally on earth.’ Hearing my words, the best among mountains, decorated with forests, spoke these words of assurance. ‘O brahmana rishi! We are not blessed. Nor are we wonderful. Brahma Prajapati is blessed. He is wonderful, even among the gods.’ Therefore, I presented myself before the four-faced Svayambhu, the god who is the creator of the worlds. I lowered my face and progressively bowed down before him.1006 When I finished speaking to the preceptor of the world and the one who had created himself, I said, ‘O illustrious one! You are extraordinary and blessed. I do not see any other creature who is your equal. Everything, mobile and immobile, has been generated from you. O lord of the gods! The gods, the danavas, the mortals in the worlds, every other kind of creature with senses and a body, and everything else has originated from you. The gods have indeed resulted from you. You are the eternal god of the gods. That is the reason you are the creator and the origin of the worlds.’ The illustrious Brahma, the grandfather of the worlds, replied, ‘O Narada! Why are you speaking to me in these words, addressing me as blessed and extraordinary? The Vedas are supremely wonderful. The Vedas are blessed. The truth and vision of the Vedas sustain the worlds. My view is that the truth exists in the Rig Veda, the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda and the Atharva Veda. O brahmana! Know that I am pervaded by them and that I am sustained by them.’ Hearing Parameshthi’s words and urged by Svayambhu, my mind turned towards a detailed exposition of the Vedas. Because of Svayambhu’s words, I presented myself before the four Vedas. Honouring them with mantras and words, I said, ‘You are blessed. You are auspicious. You are always wonderful and famous. Prajapati said that you are the foundation for all the brahmanas. Svayambhu has settled the question about who is supreme in this world. In learning or in austerities, there is nothing that is superior to you.’ The Vedas stood before me and replied in these words. ‘The sacrifices performed by those who are devoted to the atman are extraordinary and blessed. O Narada! We have been created by the creator for sacrifices. Therefore, sacrifices are superior to us and we are not under our own control. The Vedas are superior to Svayambhu, but that supreme objective is superior to them too.’ At this, I spoke to the sacrifices, with the fire that burn in households as the foremost. ‘O sacrifices! Your energy is indeed seen to be supreme. Those are the words of Brahma, repeated to me by the Vedas. In this world, I cannot think of anything more extraordinary than you. You are blessed, because you keep the brahmanas under your control. You are the ones who satisfy the fire and it is through you that all the gods obtain their shares and are satisified, just as the maharshis are with mantras.’ After I had spoken these words, agnishtoma and the other sacrifices, with all the sacrificial altars and stakes, spoke these excellent words to me. ‘O sage! The expressions extraordinary and blessed are not appropriate for us. The supreme wonder is Vishnu and he is our supreme destination. Everything that is offered as oblations into the sacred fire and is consumed by us is given to Pundarikaksha, who is an embodiment of the worlds.’ My destination is also Vishnu and I descended on earth to see him. I have seen Vishnu, surrounded by all of you. O kings! In the midst of all of you, I told him, ‘O Janardana! You are extraordinary. You are blessed.’ With dakshina, he gave an appropriate response to my words and thus my words were rendered complete. All the sacrifices, with dakshina, have Vishnu as a destination. With the dakshina, my question was answered. What was initially stated by the tortoise thus progressively came to this. With the dakshina, all the words terminated in that being. This is the decisive answer to what you asked me. I have told you everything. I will now return to wherever I have come from.”’
Vaishampayana continued, ‘When Narada had departed for heaven, all the lords of the earth were astounded. With their soldiers and their mounts, they returned to their own kingdoms. With the Yadus, who were like the fire, the brave Janardana, bull among the Yadus, entered his own residence.’
Chapter 101
Janamejaya said, ‘O supreme among brahmanas! I wish to again hear about the supreme greatness of the mighty-armed Krishna, the lord of the universe. I am not yet satisfied with hearing about the great-souled and intelligent one’s deeds, as can be ascertained from the Puranas.’
Vaishampayana replied, ‘Even if I speak for one hundred years, I am incapable of describing all his powers. O great king! However, hear about the supreme Govinda. When Bhishma was lying down on his bed of arrows, he urged Bibhatsu,1007 the wielder of Gandiva, to describe Keshava’s greatness. O great king! O Kourava! In the midst of the kings, he spoke to his elder brother Yudhishthira, who had vanquished his enemies. Listen to this.
‘Arjuna said, “On an earlier occasion, with my soldiers, I had gone to Dvaraka to visit my allies.1008 Worshipped by the best of Bhojas, Vrishnis and Andhakas, I lived there. During that time, on one occasion, the mighty-armed Madhusudana, with dharma in his soul, followed the rites mentioned in the sacred texts and initiated himself in a vow that lasted for a day. While he was thus initiated in that vow and seated, a supreme brahmana came to Krishna and exclaimed, ‘Save me.’ The brahmana said, ‘O lord! You have the right to protect me. Protect me. One-fourth of the fruits that come from following the dharma of protection go to the protector.’ Vasudeva replied, ‘O best among brahmanas! Do not be frightened. O unblemished one! What will I save you from? O fortunate one! Tell me the truth and I will act, even if it is extremely difficult to do so.’ The brahmana said, ‘O mighty-armed one! O lord! My sons die the instant they are born. O Krishna! Three have already died and you must save the fourth. My brahmana wife is in the delivery chamber now and protection must be ensured there. O Janardana! Act so that my offspring does not die.’ At this, Govinda told me, ‘I have initiated myself in a vow. However, it is one’s task to protect a brahmana in every possible situation.’ O supreme among men! On hearing Krishna’s words, I replied, ‘O Govinda! Engage me. I will protect the brahmana from fear.’ O lord of men! Hearing this, Janardana smiled and replied, ‘Who will protect you?’ I was ashamed. Knowing that I was ashamed, Janardana again said, ‘O best among Kouravas! If you are capable of protecting, go. The maharatha Vrishnis and Andhakas will advance in front of you, with the exception of the mighty-armed Rama and the immensely strong Pradyumna.’ I was surrounded by a great army of Vrishni soldiers. Placing the brahmana in front, I left with these soldiers.�
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Chapter 102
‘Arjuna said, “O descendant of the Bharata lineage! At an auspicious moment, we reached that village. All the mounts were exhausted and arrangements were made for staying. O descendant of the Kuru lineage!1009 I dwelt in the middle of the village, with the Vrishni soldiers spread out on every side of the habitation. The directions were ablaze and flaming birds and animals that shrieked in harsh tones scared and distressed me by the noise they made. The sun had turned pale and the twilight assumed the complexion of a red hibiscus. Large meteors showered down and made the earth tremble. I saw that large and terrible meteors were showering down, making the body hair stand up. The people were anxious and I commanded that all the arrangements should be made. Yuyudhana was at the forefront of the Vrishni and Andhaka maharathas. All of them yoked and readied their chariots and so did I. When midnight had passed, the brahmana was weak with fear. Scared, he came to me and spoke these words. ‘The time has come for my brahmana wife to deliver. Remain steady and attentive, so that we are not deceived.’ In a short while, I heard a piteous and distressed lamentation from the brahmana’s house. ‘Being taken away. Being taken away.’ Then, I heard the child’s cry from the sky, ‘Alas!’ Though he was being taken away, I did not see the rakshasa. O father!1010 We showered arrows in all the directions and blocked all the directions. Nevertheless, that child was taken away. When the infant child was abducted, the brahmana cried piteously. He spoke to me in harsh and terrible words. The Vrishnis were bereft of their senses and did not know what to do. The brahmana specially addressed me. ‘You told me that you would protect. Nevertheless, you did not protect my son. O evil-minded one! Hear the other words that I have to say and you deserve them. Krishna is infinite in his intelligence and you always seek to rival him. Had Govinda been here, this unfortunate incident wouldn’t have happened. O foolish one! A protector obtains one-fourth of the fruits of dharma that result from the act of protection. But a person who fails to protect obtains a share of the sin. You pledged that you would protect. However, you were incapable of protecting. This Gandiva of yours is not invincible. Your prowess and fame are also not inviolate.’ I departed without saying anything to the brahmana. With the sons of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas, I went to the immensely radiant Krishna. Having gone to Dvaravati, I saw the slayer of Madhu. Govinda noticed that I was ashamed and tormented by grief. On seeing that I was ashamed, Madhava comforted me. He reassured the brahmana and spoke these words. He told Daruka, ‘Yoke the horses, Sugriva, Shaibya, Meghapushpa and Balahaka.’1011 Krishna Shouri made Daruka descend and asked me to be the charioteer, asking the brahmana to climb on to the chariot. O bull among the Kourava lineage! Krishna, the brahmana and I left for the northern direction, the one that belongs to Soma.”’
Chapter 103
‘Arjuna said, “We crossed over clusters of mountains, rivers and lakes and I saw the ocean, the abode of makaras. The ocean himself arose and welcomed Janardana, hands joined in salutation. Offering arghya, he asked, ‘What can I do for you?’ Accepting the worship, Janardana replied, ‘O lord of the male and female rivers! I desire a path for my chariot.’ The ocean joined his hands in salutation and spoke to the one who has Garuda on his standard. ‘O illustrious one! Be pacified. If I give you a path, others will also proceed along that same route. O Janardana! Earlier, I have been established by you as someone who is fathomless. If you make me shallow, it will be a path that can be travelled on. Others will also proceed, including kings who are intoxicated because of their insolence. O Govinda! Bearing this in mind, do whatever is beneficial.’ Vasudeva replied, ‘O ocean! For the sake of the brahmana and for my sake, act in accordance with my words. With my exception, no other man will ever be able to transgress you.’ Should he continue to be an obstruction, the ocean was scared of being cursed. Therefore, the ocean again spoke to Janardana and agreed. ‘O father!1012 O Keshava! I am drying up and providing a path for you to traverse on. Proceed along that, with your chariot, your charioteer and your standard.’ Vasudeva replied, ‘Earlier, I have given you the boon that you will never dry up. Men will never know about the many kinds of riches that are stored inside you. O virtuous one! Stupefy the waters, so that I can pass on my chariot. A man will never be able to discern any sign of your jewels.’ The ocean agreed and the stupefied waters retreated. We proceeded along a ground that was radiant with the hue of jewels.
‘“Having crossed over the ocean, we crossed over Uttara Kuru. In a short while, we passed over Gandhamadana too. Seven mountains presented themselves before Keshava—they were named Jayanta, Vaijayanta, Nila, Mount Rajata, the giant Meru, Kailasa and Indrakuta. They were many-complexioned and radiant and were wonderful in many other ways. They presented themselves before Govinda and asked, ‘What shall we do?’ Madhusudana welcomed them back in the prescribed way. They prostrated themselves before Hrishikesha, who spoke to them. ‘Grant me a passage now, so that my chariot can proceed along that.’ O bull among the Bharata lineage! On hearing Krishna’s words, the mountains agreed. They gave him the desired path. They then vanished and this seemed even more extraordinary to me. Without any obstructions, the chariot proceeded, like the sun through a net of clouds. O unblemished one! However, the horses dragged the chariot along with difficulty. There was a darkness that was like mud and one could only feel one’s way through touch. The darkness that arose was like a mountain. O king! On confronting this, the horses stood stationary, unable to move. At this, Govinda shattered the darkness with his chakra. The sky could again be seen and so could the supreme path for the chariot. Having emerged from that darkness, I could see the sky again. I regained my consciousness and my fear was dispelled. O supreme among eloquent ones! I next saw a blazing energy. It pervaded all the worlds and stationed itself, in the form of an embodied being. Hrishikesha entered that blazing mass of energy. I, and the excellent brahmana, remained on the chariot. In an instant, the supreme lord, Krishna, emerged, carrying with him the four sons of the brahmana. Janardana gave all these sons to the brahmana, the three who had been abducted earlier and the newborn son. O father! O lord! O king! On seeing the sons again, the brahmana was delighted. I was also supremely delighted and astounded. O bull among the Bharata lineage! After this, all of us, including the brahmana’s sons, returned the way we had gone. O supreme among kings! In a short while, we reached Dvaraka again. It was surprising that we returned before half a day was over. The immensely illustrious Krishna fed the brahmana and his sons. He satisfied them with riches and sent them home.”’
Chapter 104
‘Arjuna said, “Having been successful, Krishna fed many hundreds of brahmanas who were like rishis. With them, I, and all the Vrishnis and Bhojas, also ate. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! We conversed about divine and wonderful accounts. When these tales were over, I approached Janardana. I asked Krishna about what had happened and about what I had seen. ‘O lotus-eyed one! How did you manage to stupefy the ocean? O Achyuta! How could you create a path through the mountains? How could you shatter the terrible darkness of the clouds with your chakra? You then entered a supreme energy. Where did that come from? O lord! Why were the children taken away? After that, how did you make the long journey brief? How did we manage to go and return in such a short while? O Keshava! Please tell me everything about what happened.’
‘“Vasudeva replied, ‘That great-souled one1013 stole the children so that he could see me. He knew that Krishna would do this for the sake of a brahmana and not otherwise. O best among the Bharata lineage! You saw a mass of extraordinary brahman energy. That was I and that was my eternal energy. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! That is my supreme nature, manifest and unmanifest. O supreme among the Bharata lineage! In this world, those who enter that are emancipated. O Partha! That is the supreme destination of those who practise sankhya, of yogis and ascetics. That is the state of the supreme brahman and that divides up everything in the universe. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! You should know that the mass of energy is me. I am t
he stupefied water of the ocean. I am the one who stupefied the water. I am the seven mountains that were progressively seen by you. I am the dense mass of darkness and I am the one who shattered them. I am the destiny for all creatures. I am spoken of as dharma. The four varnas have originated from me and so have the four ashramas. All the four directions are nothing but four different aspects of my soul. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Know that I am the one who created the four Vedas.’”
‘Arjuna said, “O illustrious one! O lord of all the creatures. O lord! I wish to comprehend you. O Purushottama! I am seeking refuge with you and am asking you. I bow down before you.”
‘“Vasudeva replied, ‘O descendant of the Bharata lineage! O Pandava! Know that Brahma, brahmanas, austerities, truth, ukthyas and brihadrathas1014 have originated in me. O mighty-armed one! O Dhananjaya! I love you and you love me. O unblemished one! You should know the truth about me and that is the reason I am telling you this. I am the Yajur, Sama, Rig and Atharva Vedas. O bull among the Bharata lineage! The rishis, the gods and sacrifices come from my energy. So do the earth, the wind, space, water, energy as the fifth, the moon, the sun, days, nights, fortnights, months, kshapas,1015 muhurtas, kalas and years. O Partha! The different kinds of mantras, all the sacred texts and the different kinds of knowledge that are to be known—all these have originated in me. O Kounteya! O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Know that creation and destruction are immersed in me. Existence, non-existence, and the state that is neither existence nor non-existence—all these are aspects of my soul.’”
‘Arjuna said,1016 “Pleased with me, Krishna told me all this. Since then, my mind has always been submerged in Janardana. This is how I heard about, and witnessed, Keshava’s greatness. O Indra among kings! Everything else that you have asked me about is also immersed in Janardana.”’