by Bibek Debroy
792 The Critical Edition has a typo that we have corrected. It says udara (stomach), though it should be urasa (chest).
793 As Vishnu.
794 Krishna.
795 Kubja means someone who is crooked or hump backed.
796 As a common noun, mahamatra means chief adviser or chief minister. Here, it is being used as a proper noun and Mahamatra is the name of Kamsa’s mahout.
797 Mimusops elengi.
798 The parting in the hair, signifying the marital status.
799 Kshetra means field, signifying the mother. Kshetraja means someone born from the mother, in the father’s field.
800 Vishnu and Krishna’s name.
801 The one with a hala (plough) as ayudha (weapon), Balarama.
802 Garuda.
803 Mahamatra.
804 So that they can smear their bodies with dried cow dung and drink water when they are tired.
805 One person must fight against one person at a time. If the rival stands on the ground, one must also stand on the ground. If the rival stands somewhere other than on the ground, one must also stand there.
806 Chanura.
807 Also written as Toshalaka.
808 Mushtika and Tosalaka.
809 Mushtika.
810 Balarama.
811 Now meaning Chanura.
812 It happened too fast.
813 Varuna, the lord of the ocean.
814 That is, retire to the forest.
815 Ugrasena.
816 Kamsa’s dead body.
817 Today’s Ujjain.
818 The four elements are interpreted in different ways—elephants, horses, chariots and foot soldiers is one possibility. A more common interpretation is the four techniques of applying a weapon—invoking, applying, releasing and withdrawing. This interpretation is usually used for divine weapons. Yet another possible interpretation is initiation, comprehension, accomplishment and application, a template for all use of weapons.
819 In their studies.
820 When a student has completed studying, a fee (dakshina) must be paid to the guru (preceptor).
821 Yama.
822 There is abruptness in this shloka being here.
823 When he had died.
824 Jarasandha was the king of Magadha and his capital was in Rajagriha (Rajgir).
825 Elephants, horses, chariots, foot soldiers, stores of grain and shops.
826 Jarasandha, Jarasandha’s father was Brihadratha.
827 Ugrasena.
828 Kamsa.
829 Vasudeva’s father.
830 Vaasudeva, Krishna.
831 Alternatively, Shalva.
832 As in, flocks of birds.
833 Kanchuka, alternatively, jacket or armour.
834 Indra.
835 Because of its buildings and fortifications.
836 The Yadavas were fewer in number.
837 Jarasandha’s army.
838 Krishna and Balarama.
839 Alternatively, Sounanda.
840 Balarama.
841 Jarasandha’s.
842 That is, Chitrasena.
843 Chitrasena.
844 Balarama.
845 Since Yuyudhana is Satyaki’s name, this is inconsistent.
846 Krishna.
847 That is, equals fought with equals. One on a horse did not fight with one on a chariot.
848 As spectators.
849 The Yadavas.
850 Panchajana.
851 With Jarasandha.
852 Paste from the agallochum tree.
853 Dragged Yamuna with the plough.
854 Kind of grass.
855 The other rivers, all rivers are the wives of the ocean.
856 Krishna.
857 Krishna’s father.
858 Jarasandha.
859 Jarasandha.
860 Vaasudeva, Krishna.
861 Another name for the nagakeshara.
862 Sindhu should be interpreted as water here. The king of Sindhu thus means the king of the water, that is, the ocean.
863 Dvaraka. Dvaravati means a place with gates (dvara). The text suggests that the place already existed, but the Yadavas built a new city there.
864 Ashtapada is a precursor to modern chess and was played on a 8x8 square. The city was in the shape of such a square.
865 Gada was Krishna’s younger brother.
866 Gargya.
867 A mlechchha is a barbarian, meaning that mlechchhas do not speak Sanskrit and are not aryas.
868 Literally, the excrement of horses.
869 To Kalayavana.
870 It was dark inside the cave.
871 Down the yugas, height decreases.
872 Yavana (Devayani’s son, along with Yadu) and Druhyu, Anu and Puru (Sharmishtha’s sons).
873 Not quite, it was still the end of dvapara yuga, though kali yuga was imminent.
874 Kalayavana’s soldiers.
875 To distinguish one kind of building from another.
876 Indra.
877 This is a reference to principles of vastu shastra. The gate to the north and the divinity there is known as Bhallata; to the east is Jayanta (Indra’s son, hence Aindra); to the west is Varuna (or Pushpadanta); and to the south is Grihakshetra.
878 Vishvakarma.
879 Shiva.
880 Meaning a celestial city.
881 Vaishravana means Kubera. Kubera has nine treasures (nidhi) and Shankha (literally, conch shell) is one of these.
882 The king of the guhyakas is technically Kubera, not Shankha.
883 The name of the assembly hall of the gods.
884 The translation cannot capture the pun. Sudharma means excellent in the pursuit of dharma and Krishna is referred to as Sudharma.
885 The one from Kashi, presumably Sandipani.
886 This Vasudeva is not to be confused with Krishna.
887 Because of the way shlokas have been excised out in the Critical Edition, this sentence is left dangling. These kings came for Rukmini’s svayamvara. Rukmini was the daughter of King Bhishmaka and her brother was Rukmi.
888 One of Vidarbha’s sons.
889 Bhishmaka.
890 This has been identified as the region of Kaundinyapura in Amaravati division of Vidarbha (Maharashtra).
891 Divine weapon named after Brahma.
892 That is, Shishupala. Sunitha was one of Shishupala’s names.
893 This is Uparichara Vasu.
894 Rajagriha or Rajgir.
895 Krishna’s father.
896 Jarasandha.
897 Shishupala.
898 That is, Bhishmaka gave word that he would bestow her on Shishupala.
899 Outside the city.
900 The text says Aindre. Since Jyeshtha nakshatra is associated with Indra, this means Jyeshtha.
901 The text uses the word shyama. The natural meaning of this is dark. However, shyama also means a woman who hasn’t been married (or is a virgin). Interpretations take this to mean sixteen years of age, but that isn’t warranted.
902 The text says Mridara. But this must be a typo and we have corrected it.
903 The text mentions Chitraka twice. Since non-Critical versions say Satyaka, this must also be a typo and should read Satyaka.
904 Since Shishupala has already been mentioned, it is not clear who this is.
905 This seems to be Chakradeva.
906 From what follows, this seems to be Poundraka’s son.
907 Jarasandha’s.
908 Literally, the southern path. In course of time, this was the southern part of the trade route that led from Bihar, through Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, to the ports in Gujarat.
909 Rukmi’s.
910 Rukmi.
911 This is Rama of the Ramayana. Poulami is Puloma’s daughter, Shachi, Indra’s wife.
912 There is an inconsistency in the numbers. The number (and names) of Krishna’s wives varies from text to text. If one sticks to the Harivamsha, Rukmini is not mentioned i
n a list of wives. She was too important and was equated with Shri or Lakshmi. The seven wives were Kalindi (Surya’s daughter), Mitravinda (the daughter of the king of Avanti), Satya (the daughter of Nagnajit), Jambavati (the daughter of Jambavat), Rohini (Shrutakirti’s daughter), Satyabhama (Satrajit’s daughter) and Lakshmana (daughter of the king of Madra). Rohini was also known as Bhadra and Shaibya was not one of the main wives.
913 There are different stories about Mudgala. He was both a king and a sage. In some accounts, Mudgala’s wife was Indrasena, referred to as Chandrasena here. In other accounts, Indrasena was his daughter-in-law. Indrasena was Narayana’s daughter.
914 Rukma is gold, which explains her name.
915 Aniruddha.
916 Pradyumna and Aniruddha.
917 Of gold coins.
918 Alternatively, in this place that is full of the rajas quality.
919 The text uses the word chaturaksha. This means a die with four spots. Therefore, it was a four-sided, not six-sided, one.
920 This needs explanation. Rukmi had flung the dice, without waiting for Balarama to offer a stake, or accept the challenge. Balarama had not said anything. Hence, the formalities of the challenge being accepted had not been completed.
921 That is, Rukmi.
922 After all, Rukmi was his relative and matrimonial ally and the historical enmity had ended.
923 Parashurama.
924 Nagasahvya is another name for Hastinapura. Samba was imprisoned.
925 When he peacefully asked for Samba.
926 Shura’s descendant, Balarama.
927 Demons, rakshasas.
928 Naraka was the son of the earth (bhumi) and lived in Pragjyotishapura. Murtilinga is identified as Pragjyotishapura. As a son of the earth, he was known as Bhouma. Murtilinga can also be interpreted as his having adopted an earthy form.
929 Alternatively, the city was known as Maniparvata.
930 The text uses the word tamasa. This primarily means darkness, but a secondary meaning is a city. It is possible that there is a typo and this should read tapasa. That makes better sense. Having performed austerities, the great asura obtained a boon.
931 Aditi was the mother of the gods and Naraka stole her earrings.
932 Ugrasena.
933 This was Brahma’s boon.
934 This is clearly the Brahmaputra river.
935 Demon killed by Vishnu.
936 Kaliyaka. It is possible that this should actually be kaleyaka, a kind of fragrant wood.
937 The women.
938 Satyabhama.
939 Garuda.
940 Shachi.
941 To take it with him.
942 As a result of the ocean.
943 Akshaka is a creeping plant (Dalbergia oujeinensis), bijaka is the citron tree and mandara is the tree of paradise.
944 Shukracharya.
945 Krishna.
946 The other two houses, of Rukmini and Satyabhama.
947 The wife known as Satya, daughter of Nagnajit, the king of Gandhara.
948 Bhima probably means Kalindi, Surya’s daughter. But later, there is a reference to Subhima, who seems to be equated with Madri. However, Madri should be Lakshmana.
949 The daughter of the king of Madra.
950 The daughter of the king of Avanti.
951 Sudatta’s name has not featured earlier. Since Rohini’s house has not been mentioned so far, Sudatta could be one of Rohini’s names. But later, there is a suggestion that Sudatta was Shaibya’s name.
952 The peak.
953 Vishvakarma’s name.
954 Krishna.
955 Krishna’s conch shell.
956 Krishna’s father.
957 Krishna’s, Vaasudeva’s.
958 This was clearly on royal instructions.
959 Vishnu’s and Krishna’s name.
960 The men are servants of the Yadavas, while the servants in the text refer to Narakasura’s servants.
961 This requires interpretation. Devaka had seven daughters—Sahadeva, Shantideva, Shrideva, Devarakshita, Vrikadevi, Upadevi and Devaki. Devaki was the youngest. All of them were married to Vasudeva, Krishna’s father.
962 Devaki.
963 Devaki’s, and because of what has been mentioned earlier, Yashoda’s. Her daughter is Yogamaya.
964 Krishna.
965 Krishna’s.
966 Krishna’s father.
967 Despite being under the cart, Krishna wasn’t killed. In that sense, he was born again. Adha means under and aksha means wheel. Adhokshaja is one who is born under the wheels.
968 Someone with rope (dama) around his stomach (udara).
969 The same as Arishta.
970 There are thirteen samskaras or sacraments. The list varies a bit. But one list is vivaha (marriage), garbhalambhana (conception), pumshavana (engendering a male child), simantonnayana (parting the hair, performed in the fourth month of pregnancy), jatakarma (birth rites), namakarana (naming), chudakarma (tonsure), annaprashana (first solid food), keshanta (first shaving of the head), upanayana (sacred thread), vidyarambha (commencement of studies), samavartana (graduation) and antyeshti (funeral rites).
971 In the sense of glancing towards them with eyes of rivalry.
972 Krishna’s father.
973 The wielder of pinaka, Shiva.
974 Kamsa.
975 Meaning Bhishmaka.
976 The Mahabharata refers to him as Ahuti.
977 In non-Critical versions, this name is written as Dimbha.
978 Not to be confused with Dhritarashtra’s wife.
979 Arjuna. This is the straight translation, with some contest between Krishna and Arjuna. In a convoluted translation, one can interpret this to mean that Krishna ensured that Arjuna was victorious.
980 This is incongruous. Non-Critical versions say Bhishma, which fits better.
981 Another name for Akrura.
982 Chaityas. The word chaitya has several meanings—sacrificial shed, temple, altar, sanctuary and a tree that grows along the road.
983 These are the names of the eight wives and the sentence is left incomplete. This list causes more problems, with nine names rather than eight. More importantly, Sudatta seems to be equated with Shaibya, Subhima with Madri and Jambavati’s name seems to be Pouravi. None of this fits.
984 Not to be confused with Krishna’s wife Mitravindaa.
985 This is another wife, Shrutasenaa, whose name has not been mentioned earlier.
986 That is, Kalindi and Shrutasena.
987 Not to be confused with Krishna’s younger brother.
988 That is, Shvetaa.
989 The mother was Chitrasenaa and the son was Chitrasena.
990 This wife’s name is stated as Somaa.
991 Obviously not to be confused with the Pandava Yudhishthira.
992 This is addressed to Janamejaya and we have corrected the text a bit. As stated, the text describes Pradyumna as supreme among kings, which can’t be right.
993 Krishna.
994 Krishna’s father.
995 Also known as Satyaki.
996 Kama.
997 Pradyumna.
998 Manmatha or Kama is the god of love. He was burnt down by Shiva’s rage and became Ananga, the one without a body.
999 Pradyumna.
1000 Enemy kings.
1001 Hastinapura.
1002 Krishna.
1003 Narada.
1004 Ganga, flowing in heaven, on earth and in the nether regions.
1005 Of the ocean.
1006 The progressively suggests that Narada bowed down before each of the four faces in turn.
1007 Arjuna’s name.
1008 In the sense of matrimonial allies.
1009 Yudhishthira.
1010 The word used is tata.
1011 The names of Krishna’s horses. Daruka was Krishna’s charioteer.
1012 The word used is tata.
1013 The mass of energy.
1014 Ukthyas are verses (us
ually from the Yajur and Sama Vedas) that are recited, while brihadrathas are verses that are sung.
1015 Kshapa means night and also means a day of twenty-four hours. Kshana is a measurement of time, with differing interpretations. A second or an instant is accurate enough. Muhurta is forty-eight minutes. Kala is a small unit of time, roughly one minute, though interpretations vary.
1016 Arjuna is now speaking to Yudhishthira.
1017 The word used is tata.
1018 Kings who were enemies.
1019 Described in the Mahabharata.
1020 Described in the Mahabharata.
1021 Described in the Mahabharata, Puruhuta is Indra’s name.
1022 The battle of Kurukshetra.
1023 King Nriga inadvertently donated the same cow to two brahmanas. He was cursed and became a lizard that lived in a well. Krishna rescued him from this curse.
1024 Parikshit.
1025 A reference to the Mahabharata.
1026 Krishna.
1027 Bana.
1028 Ganas are companions of Shiva.
1029 The one thousand arms.
1030 The word used is tata.
1031 Shiva’s name.
1032 Kumbhanda.
1033 The word used is tata.
1034 Shiva.
1035 Shonita was the name of Bana’s city. Since shonita also means blood, there is a pun.
1036 Mars.
1037 Shiva.
1038 Bhava is Shiva and Guha is Kartikeya.
1039 Parvati.
1040 Parvati.
1041 The same as the apsara mentioned earlier.
1042 Chitralekha.