Sri Garga-samhita
The Killing of Kuvalayāpīḍa
Verse text
śrī-nārada uvāca
rajakasya śiraś-chedaṁ
kaṁso vai rakṣiṇāṁ vadham
dhanur-bhaṅgaṁ tataḥ śrutvā
paraṁ trāsam upāgamat
Synonyms
śrī-nārada uvāca
—
-Śrī Nārada said
;
rajakasya
—
of the washerman
;
śiraś-chedam
—
the beheading
;
kaṁsaḥ
—
Kaṁsa
;
vai
—
indeed
;
rakṣiṇām
—
of the guards
;
vadham
—
the killing
;
dhanur-bhaṅgam
—
the breaking of the bow
;
tataḥ
—
then
;
śrutvā
—
hearing
;
param
—
then
;
trāsam
—
fear
;
upāgamat
—
attained.
Translation
Śrī Nārada said: When he heard how the washerman was beheaded, the guards killed, and the bow broken, Kaṁsa became filled with fear.
Verse text
tat-kṣaṇād dur-nimittāni
vāmāṅga-sphuraṇāni ca
prapaśyann aṅga-bhaṅgāni
na nidrāṁ prāpa daitya-rāṭ
Synonyms
tat-kṣaṇāt
—
from that moment
;
dur-nimittāni
—
evil omens
;
vāmāṅga-sphuraṇāni
—
trembling on the left side of his body
;
ca
—
and
;
prapaśyann
—
seeing
;
aṅga-bhaṅgāni
—
the breaking of the body
;
na
—
not
;
nidrām
—
sleep
;
prāpa
—
attained
;
daitya-rāṭ
—
the demon king.
Translation
From that moment Kaṁsa saw many evil omens. The left side of his body trembled. In dreams he saw his limbs broken. Then he could not sleep.
Verse text
svapne pretaiḥ samāyuktas
tailābhyakto dig-ambaraḥ
japā-srāṅ mahisārūḍho
dakṣiṇāśāṁ jagāma saḥ
Synonyms
svapne
—
in dreams
;
pretaiḥ
—
by ghosts
;
samāyuktaḥ
—
possessed
;
tailābhyaktaḥ
—
anointed with oil
;
dig-ambaraḥ
—
naked
;
japā
—
of roses
;
srāk
—
wearing a garland
;
mahisārūḍhaḥ
—
rising on a huffalo
;
dakṣiṇāśām
—
to the south
;
jagāma
—
went
;
saḥ
—
he.
Translation
Then he dreamed of being attacked by ghosts, of being anointed with oil, of walking about naked, of being garlanded with roses, and of rising south on a buffalo.
Verse text
prātaḥ-kāle samutthāya
kārya-bhāra-karān janān
āhūya kārayām āsa
Synonyms
prātaḥ-kāle
—
in the morning
;
samutthāya
—
rising
;
kārya-bhāra-karān
—
to his servants
;
janān
—
people
;
āhūya
—
calling
;
kārayām āsa
—
arranged
;
malla-krīḍā-mahotsavam
—
a great festival of wrestling matches.
Translation
malla-krīḍā-mahotsavam
Rising in the morning, he called for his servants and had them make arrangements for the day's wrestling festival.
Verse text
raṅga-bhūmir babhūva ha
Synonyms
viśālājira-samyukte
—
with a great arena
;
hema-stambha-samanvite
—
with golden pillars
;
sabhā-maṇḍapa-deśāgre
—
before the royal assmebly
;
raṅga-bhūmiḥ
—
the arena
;
babhūva
—
was
;
ha
—
ineed.
Translation
viśālājira-samyukte
hema-stambha-samanvite
sabhā-maṇḍapa-deśāgre
Before the royal assembly building was a sports arena with a huge field and many golden pillars.
Verse text
vitānair hema-saṅkāśair
sopānair hema-maṣcaiś ca
raṅga-bhūmir babhau nṛpa
Synonyms
vitānaiḥ
—
with awnings
;
hema-saṅkāśaiḥ
—
of gold
;
muktā-dāma-vilambibhiḥ
—
decorated with pearls
;
sopānaiḥ
—
with stairs
;
hema-maṣcaiḥ
—
golden grandstands
;
ca
—
and
;
raṅga-bhūmiḥ
—
a field
;
babhau
—
was manifested
;
nṛpa
—
O king.
Translation
muktā-dāma-vilambibhiḥ
Om king, there were golden awnings decorated with pearls, great stairways, golden viewer's boxes, and a great field.
Verse text
rāja-maṣce ratna-maye
makarandārcite śubhe
śakra-siṁhāsanaṁ tatra
Synonyms
rāja-maṣce
—
in the oryal box
;
ratna-maye
—
golden
;
makarandārcite
—
decorated with jasmine flowers
;
śubhe
—
beautiful
;
śakra
—
of Indra
;
siṁhāsanam
—
the throne
;
tatra
—
there
;
sopabarhaṇa-maṇḍalam
—
in a circle of cushions.
Translation
sopabarhaṇa-maṇḍalam
In the splendid, golden, jamine-decorated royal box was Indra's throne holding a great circle of cushions.
Verse text
ātapatreṇa divyena
haṁsābhair vyajanair yuktais
cāmarair vajra-muṣṭibhiḥ
Synonyms
ātapatreṇa
—
with a parasol
;
divyena
—
splendid
;
candra-maṇḍala-cāruṇā
—
beautiful as the circle of the moon
;
haṁsābhaiḥ
—
with swan
;
vyajanaiḥ
—
fans
;
yuktaiḥ
—
endowed
;
cāmaraiḥ
—
with camaras
;
vajra-muṣṭibhiḥ
—
with diamond handles.
Translation
candra-maṇḍala-cāruṇā
Over the throne was a splendid parasol graceful as the circle of the moon, and by it were swan fans and cāmaras with diamond handles.
Verse text
daśa-hastocchritaṁ saśvad
tadāruhya babhau kaṁso
'dri-śṛṅge mṛgarāḍ iva
Synonyms
daśa-hasta
—
ten hastal ucchritaṁexpanded
;
saśvat
—
always
;
viśvakarma-vinirmitam
—
made by Viśvakarmā
;
tadā
—
then
;
āruhya
—
ascending
;
babhau
—
was manifested
;
kaṁsaḥ
—
Kaṁsa
;
adri-śṛṅge
—
on a mountaintop
;
mṛgarāḍ
—
a lion
;
iva
—
like.
Translation
viśvakarma-vinirmitam
It was ten hastas high and was made by Viśvakarmā. At that moment Kaṁsa ascended the throne. He was like a lion on a mountaintop.
Note: One hasta is the distance between the elbow and the middle finger.
Verse text
gāyakaḥ prajagus tatra
nanṛtur vāra-yoṣitaḥ
nedur mṛdaṅga-paṭaha-
Synonyms
gāyakaḥ
—
singers
;
prajaguḥ
—
sang
;
tatra
—
there
;
nanṛtuḥ
—
danced
;
vāra-yoṣitaḥ
—
prostitutes
;
neduḥ
—
sounded
;
mṛdaṅga-paṭaha-tāla-bherya-nakādayaḥ
—
mṛdaṅgas, paṭahas, tālas, bheryas, nakas, and other instruments.
Translation
tāla-bherya-nakādayaḥ
Suddenly the singers sang, the dancing-girls danced, and the mṛdaṅgas, paṭahas, tālas, bheryas, nakas, and other musical instruments were sounded.
Verse text
rājāno maṇḍaleśāś ca
paurā janapadā nṛpa
dadṛśur malla-yuddhaṁ te
maṣce maṣce samāsthitāḥ
Synonyms
rājānaḥ
—
the kings
;
maṇḍaleśāś
—
governors of provinces
;
ca
—
and
;
paurā
—
the people of the city
;
janapadā
—
the people
;
nṛpa
—
O king
;
dadṛśuḥ
—
saw
;
malla-yuddham
—
the wrestling
;
te
—
they
;
maṣce maṣce
—
in viewers box after viewers box
;
samāsthitāḥ
—
situated.
Translation
In the many grandstands and viwers' boxes many kings, provincial governors, and the people of the city, observed the wrestling games.
Verse text
cāṇūro muṣṭikaḥ kūṭaḥ
śalas tośala eva ca
vyāyāma-mudgarair yuktā
yuyudhus te paraspaaram
Synonyms
cāṇūraḥ
—
Canura
;
muṣṭikaḥ
—
Mustika
;
kūṭaḥ
—
Kuta
;
śalaḥ
—
Sala
;
tośala
—
Tosala
;
eva
—
indeed
;
ca
—
and
;
vyāyāma-mudgaraiḥ
—
with clubs
;
yuktā
—
endowed
;
yuyudhuḥ
—
fought
;
te
—
they
;
paraspaaram
—
among themselves.
Translation
Then Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika, Kūṭa, Śala, and Tośala entered and began to fight each other with clubs.
Verse text
nanda-rājādayo gopāḥ
kaṁsāhūtā natānanāḥ
dattvā baliṁ paraṁ tasmā
ekasmin maṣca āśritāḥ
Synonyms
nanda-rājādayaḥ
—
headed by King Nanda
;
gopāḥ
—
the gopas
;
kaṁsāhūtā
—
called by Kaṁsa
;
natānanāḥ
—
with bowed heads
;
dattvā
—
offered
;
balim
—
gift
;
param
—
great
;
tasmai
—
to him
;
ekasmin
—
in one
;
maṣca
—
stand
;
āśritāḥ
—
situated.
Translation
Called forward by Kaṁsa, King Nanda and the other gopas bowed their heads and placed their gifts before him. Then they went to their own box.
Verse text
narakānāṁ purān nṛpa
anyeṣāṁ śambarādīnāṁ
sakāśād bhūbhujāṁ tathā
balayaś cāyayū rājan
yadu-rājāya tatra vai
atha tau rāma-kṛṣṇau dvau
malla-līlā-darśanārthaṁ yayatū raṅga-maṇḍapam
Synonyms
bāṇāsura-jarāsandha-narakānām
—
of Bāṇāsura, Jarāsandha, and Naraka
;
purān
—
from the city
;
nṛpa
—
O king
;
anyeṣām
—
of others
;
śambarādīnām
—
headed by Sambara
;
sakāśāt
—
in the presence
;
bhūbhujām
—
of the kings
;
tathā
—
so
;
balayaḥ
—
offerings
;
ca
—
and
;
āyayuḥ
—
came
;
rājan
—
O king
;
yadu-rājāya
—
to Kaṁsa
;
tatra
—
there
;
vai
—
indeed
;
atha
—
then
;
tau
—
They
;
rāma
—
Balarāma
;
kṛṣṇau
—
and Kṛṣṇa
;
dvau
—
both
;
māyā-bālaka-vigrahau
—
appearing like ordinary boys
Translation
bāṇāsura-jarāsandha-
māyā-bālaka-vigrahau
Many offerings also came to Kaṁsa from Bāṇāsura, Jarāsandha, Naraka, Śambara, and many other kings. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, who seemed to be ordinary human boys, also approached the arena to see the wrestling games.
Verse text
kastūrī-patra-bhṛn-mukhaṁ sravan-mada-mahā-mattaṁ ratna-kuṇḍala-maṇḍitam
gajaṁ kuvalayāpīḍaṁ
raṅga-dvāram avasthitam
vīkṣya kṛṣṇo mahā-mātraṁ
prāha gambhīrayā girā
Synonyms
gomūtra-caya
—
with abundant gomutra
;
sindūra
—
sindura
;
kastūrī
—
musk
;
patra
—
cups
;
bhṛt
—
holding
;
mukham
—
face
;
sravat
—
flowing
;
mada-mahā-mattam
—
maddened
;
ratna-kuṇḍala-maṇḍitam
—
decorated with jewel earrings
;
gajam
—
elephant
;
kuvalayāpīḍam
—
Kuvalayāpīḍa
;
raṅga-dvāram
—
the entrance to the arena
;
avasthitam
—
standing
;
vīkṣya
—
seeing
;
kṛṣṇaḥ
—
Kṛṣṇa
;
mahā-mātram
—
to the elphant trainer
;
prāha
—
said
;
gambhīrayā
—
in a deep
;
girā
—
voice.
Translation
gomūtra-caya-sindūra-
Seeing the maddened elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa anointed with gomūtra, sindūra, and musk, decorated with jewel earrings, and its ichor flowing, blocking the entrance to the arena, in a deep voice Lord Kṛṣṇa said to the elephant trainer:
Verse text
ākarṣayāṅga nāgendraṁ
mārgaṁ kuru mamecchayā
no cet tvāṁ pātayiṣyāmi
sa-nāgaṁ bhūmi-maṇḍale
Synonyms
ākarṣaya
—
pull back
;
aṅga
—
sir
;
nāgendram
—
this great elephant
;
mārgam
—
a path
;
kuru
—
make
;
mama
—
of Me
;
icchayā
—
by the desire
;
naḥ
—
not
;
cet
—
if
;
tvām
—
you
;
pātayiṣyāmi
—
I will make fall
;
sa-nāgam
—
the elephant
;
bhūmi-maṇḍale
—
to the ground.
Translation
Sir, please pull back this great elephant, and give Me a path as I wish. If you do not, I will throw you and your elephant to the ground.
Verse text
mahā-mātras tadā kruddho
nodayām āsa taṁ gajam
cītkāram utkaṭaṁ dikṣu
kurvantaṁ nanda-sūnave
Synonyms
mahā-mātraḥ
—
the elerphant trainer
;
tadā
—
then
;
kruddhaḥ
—
angry
;
nodayām āsa
—
made to charge
;
tam
—
him
;
gajam
—
the elaphant
;
cītkāram
—
trumpeting
;
utkaṭam
—
great
;
dikṣu
—
in the directions
;
kurvantam
—
doing
;
nanda-sūnave
—
at Kṛṣṇa.
Translation
Angered, the elephant-trainer made the elephant, trumpeting in all directions, charge Lord Kṛṣṇa, the son of Nanda.
Verse text
gṛhītvā taṁ hariṁ sadyaḥ
śuṇḍā-daṇḍena nāga-rāṭ
ujjahāra tatas tasmān
nirgato bhāra-bhṛd dhariḥ
Synonyms
gṛhītvā
—
taking
;
tam
—
Him
;
harim
—
Lord Kṛṣṇa
;
sadyaḥ
—
at once
;
śuṇḍā-daṇḍena
—
with its trunk
;
nāga-rāṭ
—
the king of elephants
;
ujjahāra
—
lifted
;
tataḥ
—
then
;
tasmān
—
from there
;
nirgataḥ
—
gone
;
bhāra-bhṛt
—
holding the burden
;
hariḥ
—
Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Translation
The regal elephant grabbed Kṛṣṇa in its trunk and lifted Him high, but in a moment Kṛṣṇa slipped from the elephant's grasp.
Verse text
tat-pādeṣu vilīno 'bhūt
prabhraman sann itas tataḥ
vṛkṣeṣu ca yathā hariḥ
Synonyms
tat-pādeṣu
—
among its feet
;
vilīnaḥ
—
hiding
;
abhūt
—
was
;
prabhraman
—
wandering
;
sann
—
was
;
itaḥ
—
here
;
tataḥ
—
and there
;
vṛndāvana-nikuṣjeṣu
—
in the forests of Vṛndāvana
;
vṛkṣeṣu
—
among the trees
;
ca
—
and
;
yathā
—
as
;
hariḥ
—
Kṛṣṇa.
Translation
vṛndāvana-nikuṣjeṣu
As He used to do among the trees in Vṛndāvana's forests, Kṛṣṇa, quickly going here and there, played hide-and-seek behind the elephant's legs.
Verse text
kare jagrāha taṁ nāgaḥ
śuṇḍā-daṇḍena cāṅghriṣu
niṣpīḍya śuṇḍāṁ haṣṭābhyāṁ
hariḥ paścād vinirgataḥ
Synonyms
kare
—
in the trunk
;
jagrāha
—
grabbed
;
tam
—
Him
;
nāgaḥ
—
the elephant
;
śuṇḍā-daṇḍena
—
with its trunk
;
ca
—
and
;
aṅghriṣu
—
among its feet
;
niṣpīḍya
—
pressing
;
śuṇḍām
—
the trunk
;
haṣṭābhyām
—
with both hands
;
hariḥ
—
Kṛṣṇa
;
paścāt
—
behind
;
vinirgataḥ
—
went.
Translation
Pushing its trunk between its legs, the elephant grabbed Kṛṣṇa. Pressing the trunk hard with both hands, Kṛṣṇa ran behind the elephant.
Verse text
tiryag-bhūtaś ca taṁ nāgo
gṛhītum upacakrame
muṣṭinā taṁ ghātayitvā
puro dudrāva mādhavaḥ
Synonyms
tiryag-bhūtaḥ
—
disoriented
;
ca
—
and
;
tam
—
Him
;
nāgaḥ
—
the elephant
;
gṛhītum
—
to grab
;
upacakrame
—
approached
;
muṣṭinā
—
with a fish
;
tam
—
it
;
ghātayitvā
—
punching
;
puraḥ
—
in front
;
dudrāva
—
ran
;
mādhavaḥ
—
Kṛṣṇa.
Translation
Its trunk and body twisted into an awkward position, the disoriented elephant tried to grab Kṛṣṇa, but Kṛṣṇa punched it with His fist and ran to the front.
Verse text
tam anvadhāvan nāgendro
mathurāyāṁ videha-rāṭ
kolāhale tadā jāte
haris tasmād ito yayau
Synonyms
tam
—
Him
;
anvadhāvan
—
chasing
;
nāgendraḥ
—
the royal elephant
;
mathurāyām
—
in Mathurā
;
videha-rāṭ
—
O king of Videha
;
kolāhale
—
a tumult
;
tadā
—
then
;
jāte
—
was manifested
;
hariḥ
—
Kṛṣṇa
;
tasmāt
—
from it
;
itaḥ
—
here
;
yayau
—
went.
Translation
O king of Videha, when Kṛṣṇa fled and the elephant chased Him through Mathurā City, there was great uproar.
Verse text
pucche gṛhītvā taṁ nāgaṁ
baladevo mahā-balaḥ
cakarṣa bhuja-daṇḍābhyāṁ
phaṇināṁ garuḍo yathā
Synonyms
pucche
—
the tail
;
gṛhītvā
—
grabbing
;
tam
—
that
;
nāgam
—
elephant
;
baladevaḥ
—
Balarāma
;
mahā-balaḥ
—
very strong
;
cakarṣa
—
dragged
;
bhuja-daṇḍābhyām
—
with both arms
;
phaṇinam
—
a snake
;
garuḍaḥ
—
Garuḍa
;
yathā
—
as.
Translation
Then very powerful Lord Balarāma grabbed the elephant's tail and with both arms dragged it here and there as Garuḍa drags a snake.
Verse text
prahasan bhagavān kṛṣṇo
gṛhītvā taṁ kare balāt
cakarṣa bhuja-daṇḍābhyāṁ
kūpa-rajjuṁ yathā naraḥ
Synonyms
prahasan
—
laughing
;
bhagavān
—
Lord
;
kṛṣṇaḥ
—
Kṛṣṇa
;
gṛhītvā
—
grabbing
;
tam
—
it
;
kare
—
on the trunk
;
balāt
—
forcibly
;
cakarṣa
—
dragged
;
bhuja-daṇḍābhyām
—
with both arms
;
kūpa-rajjum
—
the rope in a well
;
yathā
—
as
;
naraḥ
—
a person.
Translation
Laughing, Lord Kṛṣṇa grabbed the elephant's trunk and pulled it with both hands as one pulls the rope in a well.
Verse text
dvayor ākarṣanān nāgo
vihvalo 'bhūn nṛpeśvara
mahā-mātrās tadā sapta
ruruhus taṁ gajaṁ balāt
Synonyms
dvayoḥ
—
of the Two of Them
;
ākarṣanān
—
by the pulling
;
nāgaḥ
—
the elephant
;
vihvalaḥ
—
agitated
;
abhūt
—
became
;
nṛpeśvara
—
O king of kings
;
mahā-mātraḥ
—
the elephant-trainer
;
tadā
—
then
;
sapta
—
seven
;
ruruhuḥ
—
grew
;
tam
—
that
;
gajam
—
elephant
;
balāt
—
forcibly.
Translation
O king of kings, pulled in both directions by Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, the elephant was in great distress. Seven elephant trainers quickly came to its rescue.
Verse text
nītā gajās tathā cānyaiḥ
kṛṣṇaṁ hantuṁ śata-trayam
aṅkuśāsphālanāt kruddhaṁ
mattebhaṁ punar āgatam śrī-kṛṣṇo bhagavān sākṣād baladevasya paśyataḥ
śuṇḍā-daṇḍe saṅgṛhītvā
bhrāmayitvā tv itas tataḥ
pātayām āsa bhū-pṛṣṭhe
kamaṇḍalum ivārbhakaḥ
Synonyms
nītā
—
brought
;
gajāḥ
—
elephants
;
tathā
—
then
;
ca
—
and
;
anyaiḥ
—
byu others
;
kṛṣṇam
—
Kṛṣṇa
;
hantum
—
to kill
;
śata-trayam
—
three hundred
;
aṅkuśāsphālanāt
—
hit with goads
;
kruddham
—
angry
;
mattebham
—
maddened
;
punaḥ
—
again
;
āgatam
—
come
;
śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ
—
Śrī Kṛṣṇa
;
bhagavān
—
the Supreme Personality of Godhead
;
sākṣāt
—
directly
;
baladevasya
—
as Balarāma
;
paśyataḥ
—
watched
;
śuṇḍā-daṇḍe
—
the trunk
;
saṅgṛhītvā
—
grabbing
;
bhrāmayitvā
—
whirling around
;
tv
—
indeed
;
itaḥ
—
here
;
tataḥ
—
and there
;
pātayām āsa
—
threw
;
bhū-pṛṣṭhe
—
to the ground
;
kamaṇḍalum
—
a kamandalu
;
iva
—
as
;
arbhakaḥ
—
a child.
Translation
Then other trainers brought three hundred elephants to kill Lord Kṛṣṇa. As Lord Balarāma watched, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, approached the elephant maddened by the pinching goad, grabbed it by the trunk, whirled around and around, and finally threw it to the ground as a small child throws a kamaṇḍalu.
Verse text
dūre prapatitās tasya
mahā-mātra itas tataḥ
satāṁ prapaśyatāṁ nāgaḥ
sadyo vai nidhanaṁ gataḥ
Synonyms
dūre
—
far away
;
prapatitāḥ
—
thrown
;
tasya
—
of it
;
mahā-mātra
—
the trainer
;
itaḥ
—
here
;
tataḥ
—
and there
;
satām
—
as the saintly people
;
prapaśyatām
—
watched
;
nāgaḥ
—
the elephgant
;
sadyaḥ
—
at once
;
vai
—
indeed
;
nidhanam
—
death
;
gataḥ
—
attained.
Translation
As the saintly people of Mathurā watched and the trainer fled, the elephant suddenly died.
Verse text
taj-jyotiḥ śrī-ghana-śyāme
līnaṁ jātaṁ videha-rāṭ
dantāv utpatya tasyāpi
rāma-kṛṣṇau mahā-balau nijaghnatur mahā-mātrān mṛgān keśariṇau yathā
Synonyms
taj-jyotiḥ
—
its effulgence
;
śrī-ghana-śyāme
—
dark as a cloud
;
līnam
—
entered
;
jātam
—
manifested
;
videha-rāṭ
—
O king of Videha
;
dantau
—
the two tusks
;
utpatya
—
uprooting
;
tasya
—
of it
;
api
—
—also
;
rāma-kṛṣṇau
—
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma
;
mahā-balau
—
very powerful
;
nijaghnatuḥ
—
attacked
;
mahā-mātrān
—
the elephnat-trainers
;
mṛgān
—
deer
;
keśariṇau
—
two lions
;
yathā
—
as.
Translation
O king of Videha, an effulgence left the elephant's dead body and suddenly entered Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is dark as a monsoon cloud. Then very powerful Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma uprooted the elaphant's tusks and with them as weapons attacked the elephant-trainers as two lions attack a flock of deer.
Verse text
dvipe hate 'pi ye cānye
mahā-mātra itas tataḥ
vidudruvur yathā meghā
varṣa-kāle gate sati
Synonyms
dvipe
—
when the elephant
;
hate
—
was killed
;
api
—
even
;
ye
—
who
;
ca
—
and
;
anye
—
other
;
mahā-mātra
—
elephant-trainers
;
itaḥ
—
here
;
tataḥ
—
and there
;
vidudruvuḥ
—
ran
;
yathā
—
as
;
meghā
—
clouds
;
varṣa-kāle
—
during the monsoon
;
gate
—
come
;
sati
—
is.
Translation
When the elephant was killed, the trainers fled in all directions as rainclouds flee at the end of the monsoon.
Verse text
evaṁ hatvā dvipaṁ gopaiḥ
śeṣais taiḥ prekṣanotsukaiḥ
jayārāvai rāma-kṛṣṇau
raṅgaṁ viviśatur tvaram
danta-pāṇī mahā-vegau
yathāśām anilānalau
Synonyms
evam
—
thus
;
hatvā
—
having killed
;
dvipam
—
the elepbant
;
gopaiḥ
—
with the gopas
;
śeṣaiḥ
—
remaining
;
taiḥ
—
with them
;
prekṣanotsukaiḥ
—
eager to see
;
jayārāvaiḥ
—
with sounds of Victory!
;
rāma-kṛṣṇau
—
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma
;
śrama-vāri-madāṅkitau
—
anopinted with drops of perspiration and elephant's rut
;
pariśramāruṇa-mukhau
—
Their faces red with exhaustion
;
raṅgam
—
the arena
;
viviśatuḥ
—
entered
;
tvaram
—
quickly
;
danta-pāṇī
—
with the tusks in Their hands
;
mahā-vegau
—
very powerful
;
yathā
—
as
;
āśām
—
in the dirtection
;
anila
—
fanned by the wind
;
analau
—
two fires.
Translation
śrama-vāri-madāṅkitau
pariśramāruṇa-mukhau
After killing the elephant, very powerful Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, covered with perspiration and elephant's rut, clutching the two elephant's tusks, and Their faces red with stress, quickly entered the arena like two forest-fires fanned by great winds. Following Them were the remaining gopas, who loudly called out "Victory!" and were eager to see what would happen next.
Verse text
mallāś ca mallaṁ ca narā narendraṁ
striyaḥ smaraṁ gopa-gaṇā vrajeśam
pitā sutaṁ daṇḍa-dharaṁ hy asanto
mṛtyuṁ ca kaṁso vibudhā virājam
tattvaṁ paraṁ yogi-varāś ca bhojā
devaṁ tadā raṅga-gataṁ balena
pṛthak pṛthag bhāvanayā hy apaśyan
sarve janās taṁ paripūrṇa-devam
Synonyms
mallāḥ
—
the wrestlers
;
ca
—
and
;
mallam
—
a wrestler
;
ca
—
and
;
narā
—
the people
;
narendram
—
a king
;
striyaḥ
—
the women
;
smaram
—
Kāmadeva
;
gopa-gaṇāḥ
—
the gopas
;
vrajeśam
—
the master of Vraja
;
pitā
—
His father
;
sutam
—
a son
;
daṇḍa-dharam
—
Yamarāja
;
hy
—
indeed
;
asantaḥ
—
the impious
;
mṛtyum
—
death
;
ca
—
and
;
kaṁsaḥ
—
Kaṁsa
;
vibudhā
—
the wise
;
virājam
—
a renounced sage
;
tattvam
—
the truth
;
param
—
supreme
;
yogi-varāś
—
the great yogis
;
ca
—
and
;
bhojā
—
the Bhojas
;
devam
—
the Lord
;
tadā
—
then
;
raṅga-gatam
—
come to the arena
;
balena
—
with Balarāma
;
pṛthak pṛthak
—
each in their own way
;
bhāvanayā
—
with the ideaq
;
hy
—
indeed
;
apaśyan
—
saw
;
sarve
—
all
;
janāḥ
—
the people
;
tam
—
Him
;
paripūrṇa-devam
—
the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Translation
When, accompanied by Balarāma, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, entered the arena, the people saw Him in different ways. The wrestlers saw Him as a wrestler, the people in general saw Him as a great king, the women saw Him as Kāmadeva, the gopas saw Him as the master of Vraja, King Nanda saw Him as his son, the impious saw Him as Yamarāja, Kaṁsa saw Him as death personified, the wise saw Him as a great renounced sage, the yogīs saw Him as the Supreme Truth, and the members of the Bhoja dynasty saw Him as their Lord.
Verse text
hataṁ dvipaṁ vīkṣya ca tau mahā-balau
kaṁso manasvī bhayam āpa cetasi
maṣca-sthitā harṣita-mānasaś ca
candraṁ cakora iva te sukhaṁ yayuḥ
Synonyms
hatam
—
killed
;
dvipam
—
the elephant
;
vīkṣya
—
seeing
;
ca
—
and
;
tau
—
They
;
mahā-balau
—
very powerful
;
kaṁsaḥ
—
Kaṁsa
;
manasvī
—
thoughtful
;
bhayam
—
fear
;
āpa
—
attained
;
cetasi
—
in the heart
;
maṣca-sthitā
—
the people in the grandstands
;
harṣita-mānasaś
—
their hearts filled with joy
;
ca
—
and
;
candram
—
the moon
;
cakorāḥ
—
cakora birds
;
iva
—
like
;
te
—
they
;
yayuḥ
—
attained.
Translation
When Kaṁsa saw that the elephant had been killed, he became pensive and frightened at heart. When the people in the grandstands saw it, they became happy at heart like cakora birds gazing at the moon.
Verse text
karṇe ca karṇaṁ vinidhāya nāgarā
mahotsukās te hy avadan parasparam
etau ki sākṣāt parameśvarau parau
babhūvatur vai vasudeva-nandanau
Synonyms
karṇe
—
ear
;
ca
—
and
;
karṇam
—
to ear
;
vinidhāya
—
placing
;
nāgarā
—
the people
;
mahotsukāḥ
—
eager
;
te
—
they
;
hy
—
indeed
;
avadan
—
said
;
parasparam
—
among themselves
;
etau
—
They
;
ki
—
indeed
;
sākṣāt
—
directly
;
parameśvarau
—
the two Supreme Personality of Godheads
;
parau
—
the Supremes
;
babhūvatuḥ
—
have become
;
vai
—
indeed
;
vasudeva-nandanau
—
the two sons of Vasudeva.
Translation
The eager people whispered in each other's ears, The Supreme Personality of Godhead has become the two sons of Vasudeva."
Verse text
aho 'ti-ramyaṁ vraja-maṇḍalaṁ paraṁ
yatraiṣa sākṣād vicacāra mādhavaḥ
kṛtvā hi yad-darśanam adya durlabhaṁ
vayaṁ kṛtārthās tu bhavema sarvataḥ
Synonyms
ahaḥ
—
Oh
;
ati-ramyam
—
very beautiful
;
vraja-maṇḍalam
—
the circle of Vraja
;
param
—
great
;
yatra
—
where
;
eṣa
—
He
;
sākṣāt
—
directly
;
vicacāra
—
walked
;
mādhavaḥ
—
Kṛṣṇa
;
kṛtvā
—
doing
;
hi
—
indeed
;
yad-darśanam
—
the sight of whom
;
adya
—
now
;
durlabham
—
rare
;
vayam
—
we
;
kṛtārthāḥ
—
sucessful
;
tu
—
indeed
;
bhavema
—
have become
;
sarvataḥ
—
in all respects.
Translation
We are now gazing on Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who wandered in the beautiful circle of Vraja, and who is so difficult to see. Now our lives have become a perfect success.
Verse text
śrī-nārada uvāca
vadatsu paura-lokeṣu
nadat-tūryeṣu maithila
cāṇūras tāv upavrajya
rāma-kṛṣṇāv uvāca ha
Synonyms
śrī-nārada uvāca
—
Śrī Nārada said
;
vadatsu
—
speaking
;
paura-lokeṣu
—
the people of the city
;
nadat-tūryeṣu
—
as the turyas sounded
;
maithila
—
O mking of Mithilā
;
cāṇūraḥ
—
Canura
;
tāv
—
Them
;
upavrajya
—
approaching
;
rāma-kṛṣṇāv
—
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma
;
uvāca
—
said
;
ha
—
certainly.
Translation
Śrī Nārada said: O king of Mithilā, as the people of Mathurā spoke in this way, and as the turyas sounded, Cāṇūra approached Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma and addressed Them with these words.
Verse text
cāṇūra uvāca
he rāma he kṛṣṇa yuvāṁ mahā-balau
rājṣaḥ puro vai kurutaṁ mṛdhaṁ balāt
praharṣite rājani ced yadūttame
kiṁ kiṁ na bhadraṁ bhavatīha vaś ca naḥ
Synonyms
cāṇūra uvāca
—
Canura said
;
he
—
O
;
rāma
—
Balarāma
;
he
—
O
;
kṛṣṇa
—
Kṛṣṇa
;
yuvām
—
You both
;
mahā-balau
—
very powerful
;
rājṣaḥ
—
of the king
;
puraḥ
—
in the presence
;
vai
—
indeed
;
kurutam
—
please do
;
mṛdham
—
a fight
;
balāt
—
powerfully
;
praharṣite
—
pleased
;
rājani
—
when the king
;
cet
—
if
;
yadūttame
—
the best of the Yādavas
;
kim
—
what?
;
kim
—
what?
;
na
—
not
;
bhadram
—
good thing
;
bhavati
—
will be
;
iha
—
here
;
vaś
—
of You
;
ca
—
and
;
naḥ
—
of us.
Translation
Cāṇūra said: O Balarāma, O Kṛṣṇa, You are both very strong. Please fight with us before the king. If King Kaṁsa is pleased what good thing will not come both to You and to us.
Verse text
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
puraiva bhadraṁ nṛpateḥ prasādato
bālā vayaṁ tulya-balaiś ca bālakaiḥ
bhūyān mṛdho no balavān yathocitaṁ
adharma-yuddhaṁ kila mā bhaved iha
Synonyms
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
—
the Supreme Personality of Godhead said
;
purā
—
before
;
eva
—
indeed
;
bhadram
—
good
;
nṛpateḥ
—
of the king
;
prasādataḥ
—
by the mefcy
;
bālā
—
boys
;
vayam
—
we
;
tulya-balaiś
—
with boys that Our equal
;
ca
—
amd
;
bālakaiḥ
—
with boys
;
bhūyān
—
may be
;
mṛdhaḥ
—
fight
;
naḥ
—
not
;
balavān
—
powerful
;
yathā
—
as
;
ucitam
—
proper
;
adharma
—
irreligious
;
yuddham
—
fight
;
kila
—
indeed
;
mā
—
not
;
bhavet
—
should be
;
iha
—
here.
Translation
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: By the king's grace we will happily fight with other boys that are our equals in strength. It is not right for Us to fight with those who are much stronger than We. There should not be such an impious fight.
Verse text
cāṇūra uvāca
bhavān na bālo na ca vā kiśoro
balaś ca sākṣād balināṁ balīyān
sahasra-mattebha-balaṁ dadhāno
dvipo bhavadbhyāṁ nihataḥ sa-līlam
Synonyms
bhavān
—
You
;
na
—
not
;
bālaḥ
—
a boy
;
na
—
not
;
ca
—
and
;
vā
—
or
;
kiśoraḥ
—
a youth
;
balaś
—
the strength
;
ca
—
and
;
sākṣāt
—
directly
;
balinām
—
than the strngest
;
balīyān
—
stroinger
;
sahasra-mattebha-balam
—
the strength of a thousand maddened elephants
;
dadhānaḥ
—
placing
;
dvipaḥ
—
the elephant
;
bhavadbhyām
—
by You two
;
nihataḥ
—
killed
;
sa-līlam
—
easily.
Translation
Cāṇūra said: You are not a boy. Nor are You a youth. You are stronger than the strongest. The two of You easily killed an elephant stronger than thousands of furious elephants.
Verse text
śrī-bahulāśva uvāca
ko 'yaṁ kuvalayāpīḍaḥ
pūrva-janmani nārada
kathaṁ gajatvam āpannaḥ
śrī-kṛṣṇe līnatāṁ gataḥ
Synonyms
śrī-bahulāśva uvāca
—
Śrī Bahulāśva said
;
kaḥ
—
who?
;
ayam
—
he
;
kuvalayāpīḍaḥ
—
Kuvaslayapida
;
pūrva-janmani
—
in his previous birth
;
nārada
—
O Nārada
;
katham
—
why?
;
gajatvam
—
the status of an elephant
;
āpannaḥ
—
attained
;
śrī-kṛṣṇe
—
in Śrī Kṛṣṇa
;
līnatām
—
merged
;
gatah
—
*attained.
Translation
Śrī Bahulāśva said: O Nārada, who was Kuvalayāpīḍa in his previous birth? Why did he become an elephant? Why did he merge into Śrī Kṛṣṇa?
Verse text
śrī-nārada uvāca
bali-putro mahā-kāyo
nāmnā mandagatir balī
sarva-śastra-bhṛtāṁ śreṣṭho
lakṣa-nāga-samo balī
Synonyms
śrī-nārada uvāca
—
Śrī Nārada said
;
bali-putraḥ
—
the son of Bali
;
mahā-kāyaḥ
—
with a great body
;
nāmnā
—
by name
;
mandagatiḥ
—
Mandagati
;
balī
—
powerful
;
sarva-śastra-bhṛtām
—
of they who wield weapons
;
śreṣṭhaḥ
—
the best
;
lakṣa-nāga-samaḥ
—
equal to a hundred thousand elephants
;
balī
—
*strong.
Translation
Śrī Nārada said: Bali Mahārāja's son was a giant named Mandagati. Strong as a hundred thousand elephants, he was the best of warriors bearing weapons.
Verse text
ekadā nirgataḥ so 'pi
raṅga-yātrāṁ janeṣu ca
mattebha-vaj janān vegād
bhujābhyāṁ parimardayan
Synonyms
ekadā
—
one day
;
nirgataḥ
—
gone
;
saḥ
—
he
;
api
—
also
;
raṅga-yātrām
—
on a pilgrimage to Ranga-ksetra
;
janeṣu
—
among the people
;
ca
—
and
;
mattebha-vaj
—
like a maddened elephant
;
janān
—
the people
;
vegāt
—
forcibly
;
bhujābhyām
—
with both arms
;
parimardayan
—
*crushing.
Translation
One day, when he was on a pilgrimage to Raṅga-kṣetra, he pushed his way through a crowd, pressing people with both arms as if he were a maddened wild elephant.
Verse text
tad-bahu-vegāt patitaḥ
pathi vṛddhas trito muniḥ
kruddhaḥ saśāpa taṁ mattaṁ
baliṣṭhaṁ bali-nandanam
Synonyms
tad-bahu-vegāt
—
by the power of his arms
;
patitaḥ
—
fallen
;
pathi
—
on the path
;
vṛddhaḥ
—
elderly
;
tritaḥ
—
Trita
;
muniḥ
—
Muni
;
kruddhaḥ
—
angry
;
saśāpa
—
cursed
;
tam
—
him
;
mattam
—
maddened
;
baliṣṭham
—
powerful
;
bali-nandanam
—
*the son of Bali.
Translation
Pushed to the ground in this way, the elderly sage Trita Muni became angry and cursed Bali's wild and powerful son.
Verse text
śrī-trita uvāca
gajavat tvaṁ madonmatto
'bhūr janān parimardayan
vicaran raṅga-yatrāyāṁ
tvaṁ gajo bhava durmate
Synonyms
śrī-trita uvāca
—
Śrī Trita said
;
gajavat
—
like an elephant
;
tvam
—
you
;
madonmattaḥ
—
wild
;
abhūḥ
—
have become
;
janān
—
the people
;
parimardayan
—
pushing
;
vicaran
—
going
;
raṅga-yatrāyām
—
an a pilgrimage ot Raṅga-kṣeyra
;
tvam
—
you
;
gajaḥ
—
an elephant
;
bhava
—
become
;
durmate
—
*fool.
Translation
Śrī Trita said: Pushing the people on the way to Raṅga-kṣetra, you have become like a wild elephant. Fool, then I curse you to become an elephant.
Verse text
evaṁ śaptas tadā daityo
nāmnā mandagatir balī
patat kaṣcuka-vad deho
bhraṣṭa-teja babhūva ha
Synonyms
evam
—
thus
;
śaptaḥ
—
cursed
;
tadā
—
then
;
daityaḥ
—
the Daitya
;
nāmnā
—
by name
;
mandagatiḥ
—
Mandagati
;
balī
—
powerful
;
patat
—
falling
;
kaṣcuka-vat
—
like a garment
;
dehaḥ
—
the body
;
bhraṣṭa-teja
—
lost its splendor
;
babhūva
—
became
;
ha
—
*indeed.
Translation
Cursed in this way, the powerful Daitya named Mandagati at once shed his body as one sheds a garment. Now his power and splendor were all gone.
Verse text
muneḥ prabhāva-vit sadyo
daityo bhūtvā kṛtāṣjaliḥ
natvā pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya
tritaṁ munim uvāca ha
Synonyms
muneḥ
—
of the sage
;
prabhāva-vit
—
knowing the power
;
sadyaḥ
—
at once
;
daityaḥ
—
the Daitya
;
bhūtvā
—
becoming
;
kṛtāṣjaliḥ
—
with folded hands
;
natvā
—
bowing
;
pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya
—
circumambulating
;
tritam
—
Trita
;
munim
—
Muni
;
uvāca
—
said
;
ha
—
*indeed.
Translation
Now aware of the sage's great power, Mandagati bowed with folded hands before him, circumambulated him, and then spoke.
Verse text
mandagatir uvāca
he mune he kṛpā-sindho
tvaṁ yogīndro dvijottamaḥ
gajatvān me kadā muktir
bhaviṣyati vadāśu mām
Synonyms
mandagatiḥ
—
Mandagati
;
uvāca
—
said
;
he
—
O
;
mune
—
sage
;
he
—
O
;
kṛpā-sindhaḥ
—
ocean of mercy
;
tvam
—
you
;
yogīndraḥ
—
the king of yogis
;
dvijottamaḥ
—
the best of brāhmaṇas
;
gajatvāt
—
from being an elephant
;
me
—
of me
;
kadā
—
when?
;
muktiḥ
—
freedom
;
bhaviṣyati
—
will be
;
vada
—
please tell
;
āśu
—
now
;
mām
—
*to me.
Translation
Mandagati said: O sage, O ocean of mercy, You are the king of yogīs. You are the the best of brāhmaṇas. When will I become free from being an elephant. Please tell me.
Verse text
tvādṛśānāṁ satāṁ mābhūd
dhelanaṁ me kvacin mune
tvādṛśā munayo brahman
samarthā vara-śapayoḥ
Synonyms
tvādṛśānām
—
like you
;
satām
—
of saints
;
mā
—
should not
;
abhūt
—
have been
;
helanam
—
offense
;
me
—
of me
;
kvacin
—
at any time
;
mune
—
O sage
;
tvādṛśā
—
like you
;
munayaḥ
—
sages
;
brahman
—
O brāhmaṇa
;
samarthā
—
able
;
vara-śapayoḥ
—
*to bless or to curse.
Translation
O sage, I should never have offended a great saint like yourself. O brāhmaṇa, sages like yourself have the power to bless or to curse.
Verse text
śrī-nārada uvāca
evaṁ prasāditas tena
trito nāma mahā-muniḥ
gata-krodho 'bravīd daityaṁ
kṛpālur brāhmaṇottamaḥ
Synonyms
śrī-nārada uvāca
—
Śrī Nārada said
;
evam
—
thus
;
prasāditaḥ
—
pacified
;
tena
—
by that
;
tritaḥ
—
Trita
;
nāma
—
named
;
mahā-muniḥ
—
the great sage
;
gata-krodhaḥ
—
his anger gone
;
abravīt
—
spoke
;
daityam
—
to the Daitya
;
kṛpāluḥ
—
merciful
;
brāhmaṇottamaḥ
—
*the best of brāhmaṇas.
Translation
Śrī Nārada said: Pacified by this, and his anger now gone, the kind and exalted brāhmaṇa sage Trita Muni spoke to the Daitya.
Verse text
śrī-trita uvāca
vacanaṁ me mṛṣā na syāt
tvad-bhaktyā harṣito 'smy aham
te dāsyāmi varaṁ divyaṁ
devānām api durlabham
Synonyms
śrī-trita uvāca
—
Śrī Trita said
;
vacanam
—
words
;
me
—
of me
;
mṛṣā
—
false
;
na
—
not
;
syāt
—
may be
;
tvad-bhaktyā
—
by your devotion
;
harṣitaḥ
—
pleased
;
asmi
—
am
;
aham
—
I
;
te
—
to youi
;
dāsyāmi
—
I will give
;
varam
—
blessing
;
divyam
—
transcendental
;
devānām
—
by the demigods
;
api
—
even
;
durlabham
—
*unattainable.
Translation
Śrī Trita said: I am pleased by your devotion. Still, my words cannot become false. I will give you a transcendental blessing even the demigods cannot attain.
Verse text
mā śokaṁ kuru daityendra
mathurāyāṁ hareḥ puri
śrī-kṛṣṇa-hastāt te muktir
bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ
Synonyms
mā
—
don't
;
śokam
—
lamentation
;
kuru
—
do
;
daityendra
—
O king of the Daityas
;
mathurāyām
—
in Mathurā
;
hareḥ
—
of Lord Kṛṣṇa
;
puri
—
the city
;
śrī-kṛṣṇa
—
of Śrī Kṛṣṇa
;
hastāt
—
by the hand
;
te
—
of you
;
muktiḥ
—
liberation
;
bhaviṣyati
—
will be
;
na
—
no
;
saṁśayaḥ
—
*doubt.
Translation
O king of the Daityas, don't lament. In Lord Kṛṣṇa's city of Mathurā you will attain liberation from Lord Kṛṣṇa's own hand.
Verse text
śrī-nārada uvāca
so 'yaṁ mandagatir daityo
gajo 'bhūd vindhyā-parvate
nāmnā kuvalayāpīḍo
nāgāyuta-samo bale
Synonyms
śrī-nārada uvāca
—
Śrī Nārada said
;
saḥ
—
he
;
ayam
—
he
;
mandagatiḥ
—
mandagati
;
daityaḥ
—
the Daitya
;
gajaḥ
—
an elephant
;
abhūt
—
became
;
vindhyā-parvate
—
in the Vindya mountains
;
nāmnā
—
by the name
;
kuvalayāpīḍaḥ
—
Kuvalayapida
;
nāgāyuta-samaḥ
—
equao to tne thousand elephants
;
bale
—
*in strength.
Translation
Śrī Nārada said: In this way the Daitya Mandagati became an elephant in the Vindhyā Hills. He was as strong as ten thousand other elephants.
Verse text
gṛhīto māgadhendreṇa
balāl lakṣa-gajair vane
so 'yaṁ dattas tu kaṁśāya
pāribarhe videha-rāṭ
Synonyms
gṛhītaḥ
—
taken
;
māgadhendreṇa
—
by the king of Magadha
;
balāl
—
forcibly
;
lakṣa-gajaiḥ
—
with a hundred thousand elephants
;
vane
—
in the forest
;
so 'yam
—
he
;
dattaḥ
—
given
;
tu
—
indeed
;
kaṁśāya
—
to Kaṁsa
;
pāribarhe
—
as a wedding present
;
videha-rāṭ
—
*O king of Videha.
Translation
O king of Videha, with the aid of a hundred thousand elephants King Jarāsandha captured him and eventually gave him to Kaṁsa as a wedding present.
Verse text
trita-vākyāt tasya dhāma
śrī-kṛṣṇe līnatāṁ gatam
idaṁ mayā te kathitaṁ
kiṁ bhūyaḥ śrotum icchasi
Synonyms
trita
—
of Trita
;
vākyāt
—
from the statement
;
tasya
—
of him
;
dhāma
—
the abode
;
śrī-kṛṣṇe
—
in Śrī Kṛṣṇa
;
līnatām
—
merging
;
gatam
—
attained
;
idam
—
this
;
mayā
—
by me
;
te
—
to you
;
kathitam
—
spoken
;
kim
—
what?
;
bhūyaḥ
—
more
;
śrotum
—
to hear
;
icchasi
—
*you wish.
Translation
Because of the blessing spoken by Trita Muni, he merged into Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Now I have told you this pastime. What more do you wish to hear?