Gopal Champu

[41] After broadcasting this information, they drove the tusks firmly in the ground in front of Kaṁsa, as if driving stakes into his chest. Balarāma, whose fist punched Pralamba, was matched with Muṣṭika and Kṛṣṇa whose feet touch Garuḍa was matched with Cāṇūra.

It was like a glorious, frolicking lion freshly matched with a huge elephant possessed of great strength.

Displaying anger, they wrestled hand to hand, arm to arm, foot to foot, knee to knee, hip to hip, fist to fist and palm to palm. Imagine how many techniques Kṛṣṇa and Cāṇūra used! ||17||

Stopping him with his hand, Kṛṣṇa grabbed Cāṇūra and blocked his hand. Balarāma grabbed Muṣṭika. In choking the wrestlers, they choked Kaṁsa. ||18||

Something astonishing happened. When Kṛṣṇa pulled the wrestler’s limbs to his inconceivable limbs, the strong wrestler died though from a distance it appeared that he hit the wrestler many times to kill him. ||19||

When the two large wrestlers came to strike Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, they missed them. ||20||

[42] The wresters at first could not recognize but later understood Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma’s strength, and in either case they blamed Kaṁsa.

The wrestlers first thought, “These boys are very strong but do not know wrestling. Why did Kaṁsa not match us with someone who knows fighting?” ||21||

[43] Later they thought, “We can really understand that these two are most expert in wrestling and scriptures. Frightened Kaṁsa has foolishly matched us with them. ||22||”

[44] Others, along with the women, criticized Kaṁsa.

“These wrestlers are strong as mountains and thunderbolts. The two boys are so soft. Curse the king who permitted this fight. But why should they and we not be criticized in the assembly since we are seeing maltreatment of the righteous with curiosity?” ||23||

“We have not done any pious acts, for after seeing Kṛṣṇa for a few seconds with difficulty, calamity, like a demon, appears for those having affection for him. The women who experience happiness on seeing Kṛṣṇa go to the forest in the morning and return in the evening have accrued profuse pious acts.” ||24||

“We are cursed because out of fear of Kaṁsa we cannot chant Kṛṣṇa’s name. We offer unlimited respects to the women of Vraja who sing about his qualities constantly while doing household chores and who play in his heart at all times.” ||25||

“This form is a result of what incomparable piety? The gopīs drink this form, the incomparable essence of beauty, eternally perfect, the only shelter of power and good qualities, appearing ever fresh, with their eyes.” ||26||

“Who can describe the greatness of the gopīs’ prema? Look! Our hearts are following him, giving up our bodies. Govinda pulls everyone’s heart near with his beauty filled with fatigue from fighting. Balarāma also does this.” ||27||

“Running towards the angry enemy, Kṛṣṇa remains extraordinarily peaceful with his smiling lotus face, perspiration and enthusiasm for fighting. Since Balarāma’s eyes and face are red from anger at the opponent, it appears to be his nature—manifesting as Kṛṣṇa’s fiery brilliance.” ||28||

“All the righteous, including Vasudeva, Nanda, and Devakī, speaking like me with blazing hearts, with intense gazes, are continually agitated by Kaṁsa. It seemed that he will soon die.” ||29||

[45] Those who realized their great powers also criticized Kaṁsa.

“As a concealed hunter throws a dog to a lion, frightened Kaṁsa throws these wrestlers to Kṛṣṇa.” ||30||

“He who killed his troopers like Pūtanā, who completely cut down Indra’s pride, who inconceivably bewildered Brahmā, has promised to defeat Kaṁsa.” ||31||

“What is the comparison of self-manifesting Kṛṣṇa with ignorant wrestlers? Look at the amazing battle between light and darkness.” ||32||

“Though Kṛṣṇa and the wrestlers grapple each other they do not touch because of Kṛṣṇa’s special powers just as light and darkness do not mix.” ||33||

“In Kṛṣṇa’s heroic body there is not a trace of arrogance, panic or injury. See! His excellent prowess is like poison in front of Cāṇūra and crushes to bits his vital organs.” ||34||

“Look before you. As fire consumes grass, as a thunderbolt splits a mountain, as Agastya swallowed the ocean, as moonlight destroys darkness, as Viṣṇu’s name destroys all sin, Kṛṣṇa is victorious in the arena over the wrestler with ugly, huge, tough limbs.” ||35||

“See the amazing scene of Kṛṣṇa fighting. Afflicting Cāṇūra, he pierces the heart of Kaṁsa.” ||36||

“The fool punches Kṛṣṇa with his iron fist. When it touches Kṛṣṇa’s heart, Kṛṣṇa’s hairs stand on end in joy.” ||37||

[46] Thus with lamentation and criticism people watched.

Laughing once, Kṛṣṇa grabbed him, twirled him in the air, and on seeing him said, “Unfortunately, you are dead.” While Kaṁsa watched, he threw the wrestler on the earth with disrespect. ||38||

When Muṣṭika threw his punches, Balarāma was happy. Receiving a strike from Balarāma’s palm, he died. ||39||

In front, with his limbs quivering in pain, his distracted eyes trembling in terror, frightening to see, crushed by time in the form of Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa, indicating the path of Kaṁsa, Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika passed to another world, causing astonishment to all eyes. ||40||

When Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, playing with the wrestlers, threw the two on the ground carelessly, not showing knowledge of skill, Kūṭa immediately came with Śala and Tośala, but Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma danced, splitting them open by striking them with their left feet and left hands. ||41||

[47] Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma wanted to fight with all the assembled troops in the back and all the other wrestlers.

[48] When these wrestlers were killed the other wresters fled, making Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma and others laugh. ||42||

“Just as you sent your troops to kill me and I sent them to the other world; when you sent the elephant to the gate, I sent him to the other world, and then today, I have sent off the wrestlers. Now I will play with my friends on this comfortable road. In this way Kṛṣṇa instructed Kaṁsa in the assembly and played. ||43||

When they were playing with their friends, the friends defeated the two brothers. Seeing this defeat by their friends, Kaṁsa was troubled in his heart. ||44||

[49] The two caused astonishment in mock fighting with their friends as the praiseworthy four varṇas watched. The two who were respected equally, gave respect to their friends of the same age. They appeared glorious with the joy caused by the faultless heavenly and earthly music. They kept the beat while wrestling as the main dancers in a divine performance. They mounted the heavenly airplanes in a joyous festival. Their prestige increased by the shower of flowers. For half an hour they made everyone fix their minds on one object.

[50] Everyone was attached to Kṛṣṇa, but Kaṁsa, unable to tolerate him, showed pride. Noting that wealth and power were actually the same, and that he would soon order that all the cowherds’ wealth should be seized, he waved his hands several times to stop the music.

[51] When the heavenly music, though faultless, was stopped, Kṛṣṇa with brilliant moves began jumping attractively with his friends. Hearing the harsh words of Kaṁsa directed to Nanda, Vasudeva and Ugrasena, and aiming to remove the faults from Kaṁsa’s words and his stopping the music, the independent enemy of Kaṁsa, Kṛṣṇa, ran quickly with a laugh, jumped on Kaṁsa’s stage, and glanced about.

[52] Kṛṣṇa’s intolerable bodily effulgence fought with Kaṁsa and Kaṁsa was destroyed. Defeated, his mind became deflated. He lost all composure, and grasping his sword and shield, began pacing about. Unconquerable Kṛṣṇa, walking joyfully, grabbed Kaṁsa’s hair as if it was a natural action. Kaṁsa could not understand what happened, just as a rabbit cannot understand how it is caught by a hawk.

[53] People praise this:

As a hawk attacks a pigeon, as a lion attacks an elephant, as a thunderbolt splits a mountain, as Garuḍa catches a snake and plays with it, Kṛṣṇa, going to the sturdy podium, quickly grabbed Kaṁsa and, taking control, played with him. ||45||

[54] As people recited this verse, Kṛṣṇa just by taking him by the hair, released half his life airs. Grabbing him, he pulled him from the dais and released the other half of his life airs. Impassioned by the desire to fight, Kṛṣṇa did not realize how swiftly he could kill him.

Kṛṣṇa pulled Kaṁsa’s hair and held his life airs in his fist. But that is not astonishing. Remember how Kṛṣṇa as a baby pulled out the life airs in drinking from Pūtanā’s breast. ||46||

Kaṁsa’s sword and shield fell and his jeweled armor came off. His hair was scruffy and his crown was in disarray. The fool on whom Kṛṣṇa placed his feet fell from the dais in front of everyone. ||47||

Previously Kaṁsa was known to have stopped blinking his eyes out of fear. The fearful people however could not say, “Kṛṣṇa has killed him.” To make his death known, Kṛṣṇa, like a lion, dragged his body around the arena nonchalantly like the best of lions, making marks on the ground. ||48||

With shouts of “Victory! Victory”, music blared, flowers fell in thick showers, as heaven and earth offered praises. Kṛṣṇa, increasing Kaṁsa’s knowledge, worshiped by his relatives and well-wishers, became stunned in his intelligence. ||49||

.

Kṛṣṇa was worshiped by brilliant showers of flowers laden with the best perfumes, by heavenly music, assistants to words of the devatās spreading the news of Kaṁsa’s death everywhere. Though situated on the earth, Kṛṣṇa had profuse power and effulgence and was attractive with profuse streams of bliss. May he be everyone’s object of meditation! ||50||

When Kaṁsa’s brothers like Kaṅka arrived out of gratitude to him, Balarāma destroyed them all with his club to help Kṛṣṇa. ||51||

[55] We will now describe details of the story taking support from Bhāgavatam mixed with Hari-vaṁsa.

[56] Kṛṣṇa, rejoicing, offered respects to Vasudeva and Nanda. Since he had freed Vasudeva, everyone was pleased. Searching for Devakī, going to her house, he met all the elder women. He met all other relatives and made them all happy. He spoke to others in order to free Ugrasena who had been imprisoned and had had his wealth stolen by Kaṁsa. Using his left hand, with little effort, Kṛṣṇa had pulled Kaṁsa by his hair, though he could not be pulled by a herd of elephants. He pulled him along a road boarding a canal. Followed by Vasudeva and Nanda, who were surrounded by rejoicing crowds, he then took rest at Viśrānti-tīrtha.

[57] Balarāma and others, dragging Kaṇka and other enemies around, showered joy on everyone and then killed them all.

[58] The respectable people saw that those who had been killed fell from Bhuvar-loka as if from a demonic planet. At this, the devotees’ minds became peaceful.

When the messenger that Nanda quickly sent to Vraja to inform them of Kaṁsa’s death arrived there, the joyful music in Vraja not only reached Mathurā but some people of Mathurā became one with that music. ||52||

[59] Kaṁsa’s wives became almost lifeless, and pounded their foreheads with their fists. Coming to the place, and seeing no alternative, they embraced their husband. Hating their life airs, they wailed and shed tears. Their mothers also lamented.

Previously the wives had concealed the signs of their husband’s death. Now they revealed all the signs in the pain of their lamentation, giving up all shyness in front of Kṛṣṇa. ||53||

Hearing their cries and seeing their tears, he felt remorse, criticized himself, and consoled them thoroughly with gentle words. ||54||

Though he consoled the women, they did not accept his consolation. The Yādavas then engaged others in this and took him into the city. ||55||

[60] There the Yadus were delayed by various disturbances. When Akrūra expressed desire to bring Kṛṣṇa to his house, Nanda, the best follower of etiquette, refused and instead took Kṛṣṇa along with Balarāma to Vasudeva’s house and made them sit down there.

Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were in the middle, with Vasudeva and Nanda on either side. In front of them, the best of the Yadus, full of longing, crowded together to meet them. ||56||

In front of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma stood Nanda to introduce the elders and Akrūra to introduce the younger generation. ||57||

[61] Kṛṣṇa was troubled by the prolonged sobbing of Kaṁsa’s wives. Ugrasena, the moon of whose face was eclipsed by the offenses of his son Kaṁsa, met Kṛṣṇa. Along with his relatives, seeing no alternative, he held in front of him the ornaments of a king, including an umbrella with a golden staff. He remained standing with head bowed down.

[62] Understanding that Ugrasena was the king, Vasudeva and Nanda stood up. When they rose, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma also rose and acknowledged Ugrasena. Acknowledging them, Ugrasena felt distressed, but greeted them with respect. While offering respects, Vasudeva and Nanda placed Ugrasena, shaking with fear, in front of the city to establish his position.

[63] Ugrasena, feeling fear and discomfort because of the offenses of his son Kaṁsa, spoke while lamenting,

“Though the relative of an offender should not speak to the righteous, an urgent situation will make him speak.” ||58||

[64] Kṛṣṇa said, “Please give us the order.”

[65-66] Ugrasena said, “He who destroys ignorance is the king of the world. Who can be king of the day except the sun, since it alone destroys darkness? He who is experienced follows the path of old age. Dependent on the speed of time, no one can oppose time. Let the umbrella and other insignia of the king be taken by yourself.” ||59-60||

[67] Kṛṣṇa said:

All have heard that I killed your son. How can I reverse that now? But it appears that his destruction was dependent on me. But the real cause is time which takes the form of the violence inflicted on people like you. Though I knew about his enmity when I attained intelligence and strength in an independent condition, I did not give it much regard. I didn’t know it at all when I was a child. Kaṁsa then sent his cohorts including Pūtanā and was destroyed by that same time.

Pūtanā, giving me pain while offering her breasts, died. Cruel Tṛṇāvarta, trying to take me away by trickery, was killed. Vatsāsura, desiring to kill me, died. Baka, desiring to swallow me, died. Vyomāsura, trying to separate me from my friends, died. Agha, desiring to eat me with my friends, died. Pralamba, stealing Balarāma, died. Vṛṣāsura, desiring to kill me, died. Keśi, coming to devour me, died of his own accord. What is my fault in this? ||61||

Your son sent Akrūra and tried to kill me by the elephant and the wrestlers. Hearing his abusive scolding I became frightened. I desired to do atonements. When I grabbed a portion of his hair, he died. ||62||

[68] The cause of death for the snake-like uncle who devours his relatives and others is his own sinful acts. I did not desire it. If I killed him, then how can ruling this kingdom be pleasing to me?

[69] If I accept the kingdom, my vow will be broken. But my vow is never broken at any time. The devotees will gossip about my position as the speaker of truth.

ahaṁ sa eva go-madhye gopaiḥ saha vanecaraḥ |

prītimān vicariṣyāmi kāmacārī yathā gajaḥ

etāvac chataśopy evaṁ satyenaiva bravīmi te |

na me kāryaṁ nṛpatvena vijṣāpyaṁ kriyatām idam |

bhavān mānyostu rājā ye yadūnām agrajaḥ prabhuḥ ||

I live in the forest and in joy wander about among the cows with the cowherds as I please like an elephant. I speak the truth. I have hundreds of vows. It is not necessary that I rule the kingdom. I request that you rule the kingdom. Since you are respected, the eldest of the Yadus and capable, you should rule. Hari-vaṁsa 78.35-37 ||63-64||

[70] Everyone appreciated his proper conduct and remained standing for some moments with tears in their eyes, which were filled with the sweetness of his face. Vasudeva was afraid and Nanda was joyful. Seeing Ugrasena frightened because of his own people and his enemies, Kṛṣṇa then said, “This warrior family is now endowed with a king. If you accept to be the protector of this land I will help you for some days. Otherwise I will return immediately to Gokula and become fully happy.”

[71] Absorbed in Kṛṣṇa and knowing that everyone would suffer without a king, Ugrasena remained silent. Kṛṣṇa, craving the prema of Gokula, firmly put the crown on Ugrasena’s head.

[72] Giving up pride, everyone bowed their heads to him. Kṛṣṇa then made an announcement. “Putting you in front, we will all perform the rites for your son who has attained the destination of warriors. Vasudeva and Nanda, being tired, should go to their houses.” Speaking to Śrīdāma he said, “Balarāma and I will do the funeral rites. You should follow Nanda and go to the cart encampment for the night.”

[73] Sending everyone off and taking some rest, Kṛṣṇa then took the dead bodies by boat to the northern bank of the Yamunā and performed the death rites. He then went with Balarāma to Vasudeva’s house.

[74] Going there, Kṛṣṇa passed through the impassable doors and attentively offered respects to Vasudeva and Devakī. Experiencing Kṛṣṇa’s powers, their sentiments as mother and father disappeared and they felt uncomfortable accepting respects from Kṛṣṇa. Understanding their feelings, Kṛṣṇa sat down with sadness. Then with hearts filled with compassion like Nanda’s and Yaśodā’s, they strongly embraced Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma and remained seated like inanimate objects for some moments.

As long as a devotee does not experience Kṛṣṇa’s sweetness, strong feelings of the Lord’s power arising from fear and respect will arise in his heart. How can it be otherwise? Śukadeva has continually and excellently praised Kṛṣṇa’s sweetness in Vraja. ||65||

[75] Going out with Vasudeva, Kṛṣṇa, affectionate to his servants, giving joy to all by his fame, on remembering Uddhava remained with unblinking eyes, having a desire to see him. Kṛṣṇa immediately called him from the house by sending men to him, since Uddhava was watching him at a distance because of his reserve.

When they met for the first time, they lost awareness. “Who am I? Where am I? When did this happen? Who are these people?” If people nearby could not understand the cause of their loss of consciousness, who could understand? Only their prema understood their feeling. ||66||

[76] Kṛṣṇa with Balarāma then went a slight distance from Vasudeva on some pretext and met with Uddhava. Bringing him close, Kṛṣṇa embraced him in joy while gazing at his face constantly, soaking him with his cool streams of tears, which made a pond, which arose from his heart full of separation.

[77] Taking permission from Vasudeva, Kṛṣṇa, along with Balarāma and Uddhava, went to Ugrasena’s house. While Kaṁsa’s wives wept, he brought Ugrasena to the assembly with the Yadu troops, convinced him that he should accept the kingdom, and placed him on the throne. He then returned to Vasudeva’s house.

Why would Kṛṣṇa desire Kaṁsa’s wealth, when his wealth made lordship over millions of universes and the wealth of Vaikuṇṭha insignificant? ||67||

[78] Vasudeva, mounting a huge chariot with Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma and Uddhava, manifesting great joy, and fulfilling all desires, went to the impenetrable cart encampment to meet Nanda. When he arrived, the two met with deep embraces. Meeting Nanda’s younger brothers, they discussed the spying and disturbances caused by Kaṁsa, now dead. Vasudeva then requested that as long as Nanda remained there Nanda and the cowherds should eat at his house as if it were theirs.

[79] Every day there was a great festival. Kṛṣṇa with Balarāma attended the assemblies of Ugrasena or of Vasudeva at the time of establishing a new, long-lasting kingdom, by unifying the Yadus who had fled in fear of Kaṁsa. Then going to the cart encampment he would play with his friends in amazing ways.

[80] Finishing the story for the day, Snigdhakaṇṭha spoke.

“O Nanda! Kṛṣṇa who previously killed Kaṁsa rests on your lap. Look at Kṛṣṇa, like a treasure gathered from one of the continents.” ||68||

[81] When the story was finished the bards of Vraja in great bliss spoke as follows.

O Kṛṣṇa, creating auspiciousness for yourself, creating auspiciousness for the people of Mathurā. Victory to you!

You make the citizens of Mathurā blissful by your various pastimes. You are expert at bewildering the minds of the Mathurā women. You took Kaṁsa’s clothing from the dyer. When the weaver made you beautiful, you made him beautiful.

Showering mercy on the devotees, you fulfilled the desires of the garland maker.

You made your body beautiful with Kubjā’s sandalwood, and made her crooked body beautiful.

You asked the whereabouts of the bow at Kaṁsa’s sacrifice and gave happiness to all the city folk. You broke the sacrificial bow of Kaṁsa and defeated the proud warriors who could not tolerate this.

You asked the mahouts to make way and when they became angry you killed the elephant. Balarāma and you were decorated with the elephant’s tusks. You ornamented the Bhoja dynasty when you entered the arena.

You were covered in elephant’s blood. You are known in various ways by various people. You have no opponent in the universe. In front of Kaṁsa you killed all his wrestlers.

In the whole assembly no one can compare to you. You enchanted the word by dressing as a wrestler. You became angry on hearing the criticisms of Kaṁsa’s men and defeated them all with the lightning of your glance.

You shook the grandstands with your jumping. You agitated Kaṁsa by the prowess of your playing. You quickly threw Kaṁsa from the podium and destroyed the affliction of the three worlds.

You freed everyone from suffering and immediately gave Kaṁsa liberation. You freed Vasudeva from prison. You were determined to give happiness to the devotees. You pulled Kaṁsa to the Viśrānti-ghāṭa. You exceed all with your manifested powers.

You gave the acquired kingdom to Ugrasena. You gave joy to all by your fame.

You deliver all those whom you protect. You give joy to Vraja.

Victory! Victory! Victory! Victory! Victory! Victory! Victory! Victory!

Victory! Victory! Victory! Victory! Victory! Victory! Victory! Victory! ||69||

[82] Everyone, who had become increasingly attentive because of the recitation by the two reciters , the praises of the bards, and because of the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa’s constant association, developed happiness sympathetic to the reciters and bards.

[83] When the evening recitation took place, Snigdhakaṇṭha spoke before Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa:

When the happy news came to Vraja, from there a message came to Kṛṣṇa. That message from the devotees will be described tomorrow. Now hear the confidential, auspicious message of the gopīs whose devastation from long separation mixed with fear had decreased slightly on hearing that Kṛṣṇa had offered the kingdom to Ugrasena.

O beloved Kṛṣṇa! Separation from you afflicts your wives, the gopīs. Ah! Will this separation not separate them from their life airs? ||70||

For the gopīs the forest has become their home, and their home has become a forest. For the gopīs, will not separation from you, make death into life and life into death? ||71||

For the gopīs, sandalwood and the moon produces heat. In separation from you, will not fire (death) bring relief? ||72||

Separation is good. It reduces the pain. But your making the bold promise to return creates an obstacle to our relief. ||73||

Killer of Agha! Time which you have regulated for keeping order has become a destroyer. For us a moment is as long as a kalpa. ||74||

[84] Rādhā’s sakhīs wrote verses in this vein:

O destroyer of Agha! The wounds of separation never give us pain. But if Rādhā’s beauty withers away we will not accept that separation. ||75||

[85] There may be other causes, but this is most intolerable.

“O parrot! You and I will take a little of that food soaked in ghee that Rādhā brings for Kṛṣṇa to eat. May the sweet sound of Kṛṣṇa’s name spread everywhere.” Saying this, and every morning repeating “O king of Mathurā!” the śārikā bird living in Vṛndāvana gives intense pain to Rādhā. ||76||

When Kṛṣṇa heard the letters of the sakhīs his tears stopped and he became steady. ||77||

[86] Seeing the gopīs exhaling heavily when this talk started, Snigdhakaṇṭha concluded with enthusiasm.

“O Rādhā! How can your lover who has such attachment to you be callous? Look! Kṛṣṇa, dark as a rain cloud, is showering your creeper body with tears.” ||78||

[87] Concluding the madhura-rasa with these words, the two reciters, giving bliss to all and filled with the highest bliss themselves, went to their dwellings and Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa went to Cupid’s chamber.

[1] Mada is juice that drips from the forehead of a rutting male elephant.

[2] Devatās are called asvapat or sleepless, seeing everything.

Harivamsa

30 – kaṁsavadhaḥ - Slaying of Kamsa

vaiśampāyana uvāca

praviśantaṁ tu vegena mārutāvalgitāṁbaram |

pūrvajaṁ purataḥ kṛtvā kṛṣṇaṁ kamalalocanam ||2-30-1

vaiśaṁpāyana said:

(O janamejaya), (The son of ugrasena (kaṁsa) saw), kṛṣṇa with lotus eyes, who approached (the arena) quickly, with his elder brother (balarāma) in front, his clothes swaying in the wind.

gajadantakṛtollekhaṁ subhujaṁ devakīsutam |

līlākṛtāṅgadaṁ vīraṁ madena rudhireṇa ca ||2-30-2

(The son of ugrasena (kaṁsa) saw) the son of devakī (kṛṣṇa) with auspicious (powerful) arms carrying the tusks of the elephant. After the fight, valiant kṛṣṇa's limbs, were covered with sweat and blood.

valgamānaṁ yathā simhaṁ vyūhamānaṁ yathā ghanam |

bāhuśabdaprahāreṇa cālayantaṁ vasuṁdharām ||2-30-3

(The son of ugrasena (kaṁsa) saw) kṛṣṇa leaping like a lion, moving forward, like a cloud from a group of clouds, shaking the earth by clapping his hands.

augraseniḥ samālokya dantidantodyatāyudham |

kṛṣṇaṁ bhṛśāyastamukhaḥ saroṣaṁ samudaikṣata ||2-30-4

The son of ugrasena (kaṁsa) saw (kṛṣṇa) carrying the tusks of the elephant as his weapon. With his pale face, kaṁsa looked at kṛṣṇa angrily.

bhujāsaktena shuśubhe gajadantena keśavaḥ |

candrārdhabimbasaṁsakto yathaikashikharo giriḥ ||2-30-5

keshava (kṛṣṇa) dazzled with the tusks of the elephant in his hands, like a mountain with only one peak, supporting the half moon.

valgamāne tu govinde sa kṛtsnoragasāgaraḥ |

janaughapratinādena pūryamāṇa ivābabhau ||2-30-6

As govinda (kṛṣṇa) leaped about, the arena, looking like an ocean (with people) was filled with sounds and echoes from the crowd.

tataḥ krodhābhitāmrākṣaḥ kaṁsaḥ paramakopanaḥ |

cāṇūramādiśadyuddhe kṛṣṇasya sumahābalam ||2-30-7

Then kaṁsa with his eyes, red with anger, being extremely angry ordered the powerful cāṇūra to fight with kṛṣṇa.

andhraṁ mallaṁ ca nikṛtiṁ muṣṭikaṁ ca mahābalam |

baladevāya sakrodho dideśādrichayopamam ||2-30-8

kaṁsa also angrily ordered the cunning, powerful, mountain like andhra wrestler muṣṭika to fight with baladeva (balarāma).

kaṁsenāpi samājṣaptaścāṇūraḥ pūrvameva tu |

yoddhavyaṁ saha kṛṣṇena tvayā yatnavateti vai ||2-30-9

Earlier kaṁsa had already ordered cāṇūra: You shall make effort to fight with kṛṣṇa.

sa roṣeṇā tu cāṇūraḥ kaṣāyīkṛtalocanaḥ |

abhyāvartata yuddhārthamapāṁ pūrṇo yathā ghanaḥ ||2-30-10

cāṇūra with his eyes becoming brown with anger faced kṛṣṇa to fight like a rain cloud full of water.

avaghuṣṭe samāje tu nishśabdastimite jane |

yādavāḥ sahitāstatra idaṁ vacanamabruvan ||2-30-11

The assembled people were asked to be silent. All the yādava-s together announced as follows:

bāhuyuddhamidam raṁge saprāśnikamakātaram |

kriyābalasamājṣātamaśastraṁ nirmitaṁ purā ||2-30-12

On the arena, the fight will be with (bare) arms as per the rules (set by the judges) without any cowardice. It was decided earlier to hold the fight without any weapons to show the strength (of arms) due to exercise.

adbhiścātiśramo nityaṁ vineyaḥ kāladarśibhiḥ |

karīṣeṇa ca mallasya satataṁ satkriyā smṛtā ||2-30-13

The experienced men should exercise with water daily. The wrestlers should exercise with cow dung as well.

sthito bhūmigatenaiva yo yathā mārgataḥ sthitaḥ |

saṁyujyataścha paryāyaḥ prāśnikaiḥ samudāhṛtaḥ ||2-30-14

The wrestler should stand on the ground and fight against one at a time, as per the rules set by the judges.

bālo vā yadi vā vṛddho madhyo vāpi kṛśo'pi vā |

balastho vā sthito raṁge jṣeyaḥ kakṣāntareṇa vai ||2-30-15

Whether the wrestler is a boy, elder, middle aged, thin or a strong man standing on the arena, the fight shall be between people of similar nature.

balatashcha kriyātaścha bāhuyuddhaviśāradaiḥ |

nipātānantaraṁ kiṁcinna kartavyaṁ vijānatā ||2-30-16

If the wrestling expert with bare arms fell the opponent by strength or action, then the wise men should not do anything further.

tadidaṁ prastutaṁ raṁge yuddhaṁ kṛṣṇāndhramallayoḥ |

bālāḥ kṛṣṇo mahānandhraḥ kathaṁ na syādvicāraṇā ||2-30-17

The fight between kṛṣṇa and the andhra wrestler is about to start on the arena. Why do we think that kṛśṇa is a child and the andhra (wrestler) is huge?

tataḥ kilakilāśabdaḥ samāje samavartata |

prāvalgata ca govindo vākyaṁ chedamuvāca ha ||2-30-18

Then sounds (of talking) were heard from the assembly. Leaping about, govinda (kṛṣṇa) said the following words:

ahaṁ bālo mahānandhro vapuṣā parvatopamaḥ |

yuddhaṁ mamānena saha rochate bāhuśālinā ||2-30-19

I am a child and the andhra (wrestler) is huge, comparable to a mountain by his body. I agree for a fight with one having strong arms.

yuddhavyatikramaḥ kashcinna bhaviṣyati matkṛtaḥ |

na hyahaṁ bāhuyodhānāṁ dūṣayiṣyāmi yanmatam || 2-30-20

I will never deviate from the rules set for wrestling. I will not spoil the fame of wrestlers who fight with bare arms.

yo'yaṁ karīṣadharmaścha toyadharmashcha raṁgajaḥ |

kaṣāyasya ca saṁsargaḥ samayo hyeṣa kalpitaḥ ||2-30-21

On this arena purified by cow dung and water, adorned with brown clothes, all these regulations have been laid down.

samyamaḥ sthiratā śauryaṁ vyāyāmaḥ satkriyā balam |

raṁge ca niyatā siddhiretadyuddhavidāṁ matam ||2-30-22

As per the opinion of expert wrestlers, control, firmness, bravery, exercise, good methods and power are considered as the factors of expertise in the arena.

avairamevaṁ yadayaṁ savairaṁ kartumudyataḥ |

atra vai nigrahaḥ kāryastoṣayiṣyāmyahaṁ jagat ||2-30-23

If I consider the opponent, who is not my enemy, as my enemy, I may have to kill him and make the world happy.

karūṣeṣu prasūto'yaṁ cāṇūro nāma nāmataḥ |

bāhuyodhī śarīreṇa karmabhiścāru chintyatām ||2-30-24

He is born at karūṣa, well known with the name cāṇūra. Endowed with his body, he has fought several fights. Wrestling is considered as his work.

etena bahavo mallā nipātānantaraṁ hatāḥ |

raṅgapratāpakāmena mallamārgaścha dūṣitaḥ ||2-30-25

He has felled many wrestlers in fights and killed them. By adopting wrong methods in the arena, he has brought bad name for wrestling.

śastrasiddhistu yodhānāṁ saṁgrāme śastrayodhinām |

raṅgasiddhistu mallānāṁ pratimallanipātajā ||2-30-26

The skilled wrestlers shall fight as per the rules and regulations. If the wrestler fells his opponent in the arena, it is considered as his expertise.

raṇe vijayamānasya kīrtirbhavati śāśvatī |

hatasyāpi raṇe śastrairnākapṛṣṭhaṁ vidhīyate ||2-30-27

The winner of this fight will get eternal fame. He who is killed by a weapon in the fight, will also get fame.

raṇe hyubhayataḥ siddhirhatasyeha ghnato'pi vā |

sā hi prāṇāntikī yātrā mahadbhiḥ sādhu pūjitā ||2-30-28

Both the killer and the killed get fame in the fight. That journey which leads to death is honored by the good and wise alike.

ayaṁ tu mārgo balataḥ kriyātaścha viniḥsṛtaḥ |

mṛtasya raṅge kva svargo jayato vā kuto ratiḥ ||2-30-29

This method is by force and action. The one who is killed in the arena will go to heaven. What is the fate of the winner?

ye tu kechitsvadoṣeṇa rājṣaḥ paṇḍitamāninaḥ |

pratāpārthe hatā mallā mallahanturvadho hi saḥ ||2-30-30

Due to the anger of the king who thinks himself wise, if wrestlers are killed, the killer deserves death.

evaṁ saṣjalpatāmeva tābhyāṁ yuddhaṁ sudāruṇam |

ubhābhyāmabhavadghoraṁ vāraṇābhyāṁ yathā vane ||2-30-31

As they talked thus, a terrible fight took place between them. It was like a terrible fight between two elephants in the forest.

kṛtapratikṛtaiścitrairbāhubhiścha sakaṇṭakaiḥ |

sannipātāvadhūtaiścha pramāthonmathanaistathā ||2-30-32

The wrestlers pulled and pushed against each other. They felled, lifted the opponent and dashed on the floor.

tāvubhāvapi saṁśliṣṭau yathā shailamayau tathā |

kṣepaṇairmuṣṭibhiścaiva varāhodbhūtaniḥsvanaiḥ ||2-30-33

They clasped together tightly like two huge mountains. They attacked with their fists making sounds like two boars.

kīlairvajranipātaiścha prasṛṣṭābhistathaiva ca |

śalākānakhapātaiścha pādodbhūtaiścha dāruṇaiḥ ||2-30-34

They jabbed each other with their elbows and knees. They slapped and attacked with nails. They kicked against each terribly.

jānubhiścāśmanirghoṣaiḥ śirābhyāṁ cāvaghaṭṭitaiḥ |

tadyuddhamabhavadghoramaśastraṁ bāhutejasā ||2-30-35

They kicked with arms and legs making sound. They hit with heads. A terrible fight with bare arms, without using weapons took place.

bāhughrāṇena śūrāṇāṁ samājotsavasannidhau |

arajyata janaḥ sarvaḥ sotkriṣṭaninadotthitaḥ ||2-30-36

In front of the assembly, like a festival, the valiant wrestlers dazzled with their skill. The entire crowd enjoyed the fight, howling, shouting and standing up.

sādhuvādāṁścha maṣcheṣu ghoṣayantyapare janāḥ |

Some of the spectators on the platforms said, well done.

tataḥ prasvinnavadanaḥ kṛṣṇāpraṇihitekṣaṇaḥ |

nyavārayata tūryāṇi kaṁsaḥ savyena pāṇinā ||2-30-37

Then kaṁsa with his sweating face, fixed his eyes on kṛṣṇa. With a gesture of his left hand, kaṁsa indicated that the musical instruments shall stop playing.

pratiṣiddheṣu tūryeṣu mṛdaṣgādiṣu teṣu vai |

khe saṅgatānyavādyanta devatūryāṇyanekaśaḥ ||2-30-38

As kaṁsa stopped playing of musical instruments such as mṛdaṣga, many divine musical instruments started playing from the sky.

yuddhyamāne hṛṣīkeśe puṇḍarīkanibhekṣaṇe |

svayameva pravādyanta tūryaghoṣāstu sarvaśaḥ ||2-30-39

As hṛṣīkeśa (kṛṣṇa) with lotus eyes was fighting , the musical instruments started playing themselves all around.

antardhānagatā devā vimānaiḥ kāmarūpibhiḥ |

cherurvidyādharaiḥ sārdhaṁ kṛṣṇasya jayakāṅkṣiṇaḥ ||2-30-40

The deva-s and vidyādhara-s, who took forms as they liked, desiring kṛṣṇa's victory encircled the sky in their celestial vehicles, remaining invisible.

jayasva kṛṣṇa cāṇūraṁ dānavaṁ mallarūpiṇam |

iti saptarṣayaḥ sarve Uchushcaiva nabhogatāḥ ||2-30-41

All the saptarṣi-s standing in the sky said: kṛṣṇa! Win over the dānava cānūra, in the form of wrestler.

cāṇūreṇa ciraṁ kālaṁ kRīḍitvā devakīsutaḥ |

balamāhārayāmāsa kaṁsasyābhāvadarśivān ||2-30-42

The son of devakī (kṛṣṇa) played with cāṇūra for a long time. Seeing the end of kaṁsa, kṛṣṇa accumulated all his energy.

tataścacāla vasudhā maṣcāścaiva jughūrṇire |

mukuṭāścāpi kaṁsasya papāta maṇiruttamaḥ ||2-30-43

Then the earth shook. The platforms also shook. The best bell fell off from kaṁsā's crown.

dorbhyāmānamya kṛṣṇastu cāṇūraṁ śīrṇajīvitam |

prāharanmuṣṭinā mūrdhni vakṣasyāhatya jānunā ||2-30-44

With his strong arms, kṛṣṇa bent cāṇūra, whose life was leaving. kṛṣṇa struck cāṇūra on his head with his fist. He struck him on his chest with his knee.

nissṛte sāśrurudhire tasya netre sabandhane |

tāpanīye yathā ghaṇṭe kakṣopari vilambite ||2-30-45

Blood and tears came from his eyes. His eyes came out like golden bells hung on the arms.

papāta sa tu raṅgasya madhye niḥsṛtalocanaḥ |

cāṇūro vigataprāṇo jīvitānte mahītale ||2-30-46

cāṇūra fell down at the centre of the arena with eyes protruding. cāṇūra, lost his life on the ground, at the end of his life.

dehena tasya mallasya cāṇūrasya gatāyuṣaḥ |

sanniruddho mahāraṅgaḥ sa shaileneva lakṣyate ||2-30-47

Due to the huge body of the wrestler cāṇūra who fell down dead, the large arena appeared as though blocked by a mountain.

rauhiṇeyo hate tasmiṁścāṇūre baladarpite |

jagrāha muṣṭikaṁ raṁge kṛṣṇastośalakaṁ punaḥ ||2-30-48

When cāṇura, who was proud of his strength, was killed, the son of rohiṇī caught muṣṭika and kṛṣṇa caught toshalaka.

sannipāte tu tau mallau prathame krodhamūrcchitau |

sameyātāṁ rāmakṛṣṇau kālasya vashavartinau ||2-30-49

In the first round itself, both the wrestlers, mad with anger, fought with rāma (balarāma) and kṛṣṇa under the influence of time.

nirghātāvanatau bhūtvā raṅgamadhye vavalgatuḥ |

kṛṣṇastośalamudyamya giriśṛṅgopamaṁ balī |

They shouted like thunder and leaped about in the arena. kṛṣṇa captured toshala, who was huge like a mountain.

bhrāmayitvā śataguṇaṁ niṣpipeṣa mahītale ||2-30-50

After swirling hundred times, he was felled on the ground.

tasya kṛ+ṣṇābhipannasya pīḍitasya balīyasaḥ |

mukhādrudhiramatyarthamujjagāma mumūrṣataḥ ||2-30-51

As kṛṣṇa caught and kicked him, blood came out of the mouth of the strong man, who was dying.

saṁkarṣaṇastu suciraṁ yodhayitvā mahābalaḥ |

andhramallaṁ mahāmallo maṇḍalāni vyadarshayat ||2-30-52

The strong saṅkarṣaṇa fought for a long time. The great andhra wrestler exhibited many types of wrestling.

muṣṭinaikena tejasvī sāśanistanayitnunā |

śirasyabhyahanadvīro vajreṇeva mahāgirim ||2-30-53

With one strike of his powerful fist, suddenly, the valiant balarāma struck him on his head, like a mountain is struck with the weapon vajra.

sa niṣpatitamastiṣko visrastanayano bhuvi |

papāta nihatastena tato nādo mahānabhūt ||2-30-54

His head cracked and the brain came out on the ground. The eyes came out as he fell down with a loud sound.

andhratoshalakau hatvā kṛṣṇasaṁkarṣaṇāvubhau |

krodhasaṁraktanayanau raṁgamadhye vavalgatuḥ ||2-30-55

After killing the wrestlers, andhra and toshalaka, kṛṣṇa and saṅkarṣaṇa leaped in the centre of the arena with their eyes, red with anger.

samājavāṭo nirmallaḥ so'bhavadbhīmadarśanaḥ |

andhre tadā mahāmalle muṣṭike ca nipātite ||2-30-56

With the great wrestler, andhra and muṣṭika felled, devoid of the wrestlers, the arena appeared desolate.

ye ca saṁprekṣakā gopā nandagopapurogamāḥ |

bhayakṣobhitasarvāṅgāḥ sarve tatrāvatasthire ||2-30-57

All the gopa spectators, lead by nandagopa, stood at their places, with their limbs trembling with fear.

harṣajaṁ vāri netrābhyāṁ varṣamāṇā pravepatī |

prasravotpīḍitā kṛṣṇaṁ devakī samudaikṣata ||2-30-58

devakī, trembling, with tears of happiness flowing from her eyes, looked at her victorious son. Milk flowed from her breasts due to affection.

kṛṣṇadarśanajātena bāṣpeṇākulitekṣaṇā |

vasudevo jarāṁ tyaktvā snehena taruṇāyate ||2-30-59

Seeing kṛṣṇa, her eyes became full of tears. Due to affection, vasudeva became young leaving his old age.

vāramukhyāścha tāḥ sarvāḥ kṛṣṇasya mukhapaṅkajam |

papurhi netrabhramarairnimeṣāntaragāmibhiḥ ||2-30-60

All the prominent courtesans drank kṛṣṇa's face with their eyes between twinkling (of the eyes) like the (honey from) lotus by bees.

kaṁsasyātha mukhe svedo bhrūbhedāntaragocharaḥ |

abhavadroṣaniryāsaḥ kṛṣṇasaṁdarśaneritaḥ ||2-30-61

Between the twinkling of his eyes, kaṁsa's face was sweating. Since he saw kṛṣṇa, fire of anger flared from his eyes.

keśavāyasadhūmena roṣaniśvāsavāyunā |

dīptamantargataṁ tasya hṛdayaṁ mānasāgninā ||2-30-62

His heart was lighted by the fire of his mind, fanned by the air and smokes of breathes of anger towards kṛṣṇa.

tasya prasphuritauṣṭhasya svinnālikatalasya vai |

kaṁsavaktrasya roṣeṇa raktasūryāyate vapuḥ ||2-30-63

His lips trembled and his forehead soaked with perspiration. Due to anger, kaṁsā's face looked like the red sun.

krodharaktānmukhāttasya niḥsṛtāḥ svedabindavaḥ |

yathā ravikaraspṛṣṭā vṛkṣāvaśyāyabindavaḥ ||2-30-64

From the face which was red due to anger, drops of sweats emanated, like drops of dew from (the leaves of) a tree, warmed by the rays of sun.

so'jṣāpayata saṁkruddhaḥ puruṣānvyāyatānbahūn |

gopāvetau samājaughānniṣkrāmyetāṁ vanecharau ||2-30-65

Getting angry, he ordered many servants with huge body: Expel these gopa-s who live in the forest, from this assembly.

na chaitau draṣṭumicchāmi vikṛtau pāpadarśanau |

gopānāmapi me rājye na kaśchitsthātumarhati ||2-30-66

I do not want to see these inauspicious and sinful people. None of the gopa-s deserve to live in my country any more.

nandagopashcha durmedhāḥ pāpeṣvabhirato mama |

āyasairnigaḍākārairlohapāśairnigṛhyatāṁ ||2-30-67

nandagopa of wicked intelligence sees me as one enjoying sins. Bind him up with a metal chain made of iron.

vasudevashcha durvṛtto nityaṁ dveṣakaro mama |

avṛddhārheṇa daṇḍena kṣipramadyaiva śāsyatām ||2-30-68

vasudeva of wicked actions always despises me. I will quickly order punishment suitable for the old man.

ye cheme prākṛtā gopā dāmodaraparāyaṇāḥ |

hriyantāṁ gāva eteṣāṁ yachcāsti vasu kiṣchana ||2-30-69

All these rural gopa-s depend on dāmodara (kṛṣṇa). Confiscate all their cows, wealth and whatsoever they have.

evamājṣāpayānaṁ taṁ kaṁsaṁ paruṣabhāṣiṇam |

dadarśāyastanayanaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ satyaparākramaḥ ||2-30-70

kṛṣṇa, valiant in truth, turning his eyes, saw kaṁsa who issued these orders with harsh words.

kṣipte pitari chukrodha nandagope ca keśavaḥ |

jṣātīnāṁ ca vyathāṁ dṛṣṭvā visaṁjṣāṁ caiva devakīm ||2-30-71

keshava (kṛṣṇa) became angry when he heard (kaṁsa) insulting his father and nandagopa. He saw the sorrow of his relatives and friends. He also saw davakī, sad.

sa simha iva vegena keshavo jātavikramaḥ |

ārurukṣurmahābāhuḥ kaṁsanāśārthamachyutaḥ ||2-30-72

keshava (kṛṣṇa), valiant from birth, climbed up quickly as a lion. achyuta (kṛṣṇa) with strong arms, quickly climbed up to destroy kaṁsa.

raṅgamadhyādutpapāta kṛṣṇaḥ kaṁsāsanāntikam |

asajjadvāyunākṣipto yathā svastho ghanāghanaḥ ||2-30-73

From the center of the arena, kṛṣṇa leaped up towards the seat of kaṁsa, like a still rain cloud in the sky, swept up by a strong wind.

dadṛśurna hi taṁ sarve raṅgamadhyādavaplutam |

kevalaṁ kaṁsapārśvasthaṁ dadṛśuḥ puravāsinaḥ ||2-30-74

No one saw kṛṣṇa leaping up from the centre of the arena. The citizens only saw that kṛṣṇa was standing near kaṁsa.

so'pi kaṁsastathāyastaḥ parītaḥ kāladharmaṇā |

ākāśādiva govindaṁ mene tatrāgataṁ prabhum ||2-30-75

kaṁsa, under the influence of time, was stunned. He thought that lord govinda (kṛṣṇa) has come from the sky.

sa kṛṣṇenāyataṁ kṛtvā bāhuṁ parighasannibham |

mūrdhajeṣu parāmṛṣṭaḥ kaṁso vai raṣgasaṁsadi ||2-30-76

Immediately kṛṣṇa caught kaṁsa with his arms, powerful as an iron bludgeon. In the assembly of arena, kṛṣṇa caught kaṁsa's head.

mukuṭaścāpatattasya kāṣchano vajrabhūṣitaḥ |

shirasastasya kṛṣṇena parāmṛṣṭasya pāṇinā ||2-30-77

The gold crown, decorated with diamonds, fell down from his head, when he was caught by kṛṣṇa's strong arms.

sa grahagrastakeshashcha kaṁso niryatnatāṁ gataḥ |

tathaiva ca visaṁmūḍho vaikalyaṁ samapadyata ||2-30-78

kaṁsa who was caught on his hair became immobile as though gabbed by an evil planet. He lost his senses as if he was affected by a deficiency.

nigṛhītaścha keśeṣu gatāsuriva niḥśvasan |

na śaśāka mukhaṁ draṣṭuṁ kaṁsaḥ kṛṣṇasya vai tadā ||2-30-79

Caught on his hair, kaṁsa lost his breath. kaṁsa was unable to look at kṛṣṇa's face then.

vikuṇḍalābhyāṁ karṇābhyāṁ cinnahāreṇā vakṣasā |

pralambābhyāṁ ca bāhubhyāṁ gātrairvisṛtabhūṣaṇaiḥ ||2-30-80

With ears losing the earrings, chest with broken garland, arms hanging down and limbs losing the ornaments,

bhraṁśitenottarīyeṇa sahasāvalitānanaḥ |

cheṣṭamānaḥ samākṣiptaḥ kaṁsaḥ kārṣṇena tejasā ||2-30-81

kaṁsa, his upper garment displaced, his face leaning to sides, his body trembling, was dragged forcefully by kṛṣṇa.

chakarṣa ca mahāraṅge maṣcānniṣkramya keśavaḥ |

keśeṣu taṁ balādgṛhya kaṁsaṁ kleśārhatāṁ gatam ||20-30-82

pushing him down from his seat on the platform, keshava dragged kaṁsa, who deserves to be tortured, to the arena, catching and pulling his hair forcefully.

kṛṣyamāṇaḥ sa kṛṣṇena bhojarājo mahādyutiḥ |

samājavāṭe parikhāṁ dehakṛṣṭāṁ cakāra ha ||2-30-83

The bhoja king (kaṁsa) of great splendor, dragged by kṛṣṇa, made craters on the ground of the arena with his body.

samājavāṭe krīḍitvā vikṛṣya ca gatāyuṣam |

kṛṣṇo visarjayāmāsa kaṁsadehamadūrataḥ ||2-30-84

As his life ended being dragged on the ground of the arena, kṛṣṇa flung kaṁsa's body far away.

dharaṇyāṁ mṛditaḥ shishye tasya dehaḥ sukhochitaḥ |

krameṇa viparītena pāṁsubhiḥ paruṣīkṛtaḥ ||2-30-85

His tortured body, used to comforts, fell down on the earth. In contrast, the mutilated body was covered with dust.

tasya tadvadanaṁ śyāmaṁ suptākṣaṁ mukuṭaṁ vinā |

na vibhāti viparyastaṁ vipalāśaṁ yathāmbujam ||2-30-86

His black face, mangled, with closed eyes devoid of the crown, stopped shining like a lotus without the leaves.

asaṁgrāmahataḥ kaṁsaḥ sa bāṇairaparikṣataḥ |

keśagrāhānnirastāsurvīramārgānnirākṛtaḥ ||2-30-87

Without any fight, without being wound by arrows, kaṁsa died by pulling of his hair, deviating from the path of valiant men.

tasya dehe prakāśante sahasā keśavārpitāḥ |

māṁsacchedaghanāḥ sarve nakhāgrā jīvitacchidaḥ ||2-30-88

Several marks of nail made by kṛṣṇa forcefully scratching his flesh, leading to loss of life, were seen on his body.

taṁ hatvā puṇḍarīkākṣaḥ praharṣāddviguṇaprabhaḥ |

vavande vasudevasya pādau nihatakaṇṭakaḥ ||2-30-89

killing him, kṛṣṇa with lotus eyes, became doubled with qualities, due to joy. kṛṣṇa, after killing kaṁsa who was like a thorn, fell on the feet of vasudeva.

mātuścha śirasā pādau nipīḍya yadunandanaḥ |

sāsiṣchatprasravotpīḍaiḥ kṛṣṇamānandaniḥsṛtaiḥ ||2-30-90

The son of yadu (kṛṣṇa) kept his head on the feet of his mother (devakī). kṛṣṇa became drenched in the milk which flowed due to joy.

yādavāṁścaiva tānsarvānyathāsthānaṁ yathāvayaḥ |

papraccha kuśalaṁ kṛṣṇo dīpyamānaḥ svatejasā ||20-30-91

kṛṣṇa blazing with his splendor, enquired about the well being of all yadava-s according to the order of their status and age.

baladevo'pi dharmātmā kaṁsabhrātaramūrjitam |

bāhubhyāmeva tarasā sunāmānamapothayat ||20-30-92

baladeva, the righteous soul, with his hands, felled forcefully, the powerful brother of kaṁsa, named sunāma.

tau jitārī jitakrodhau ciraviproṣitau vraje |

svapiturbhavanaṁ vīrau jagmaturhṛṣṭamānasau || 2-30-93

The two brothers, conquering the enemies, conquering anger, who grew up in vraja for a long time, went to their father's residence, with joyful mind.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi kaṁsavadhe triṁśo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the thirtieth chapter of viṣṇuparva of harivaṁśa, khila of śrimahābhārata, slaying of kaṁsa.

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

triṁśe'muṣminnathādhyāye mallayuddhaṁ parasparam ||

mallānāṁ hananaṁ proktaṁ kaṁsasya sānugasya ca || 1 ||

· 2-30-1 pravishantam pūrvajaṁ purataḥ kṛtvā praviśantamityanvayaḥ ||

· 2-30-2 madena hastisaṁbandhinā liptabāhudeśamityarthaḥ ||

· 2-30-3 vyūhamānaṁ kaṁsaṁ hantuṁ viśeṣataḥ tarkayantaṁ taṁ dhanamiva saṁcarantam | vā pakṣe ||

· 2-30-4 āyāstamukhaḥ mlānamukhaḥ ||

· 2-30-8 andhram andhayitāraṁ cāṇūrāparanāmānāṁ kṛṣṇāya dideshati saṁbandhaḥ | baladevāya muṣṭikamiti ca nikṛtiṁ kapaṭavantamityubhayatra saṁbandhanīyam ||

· 2-30-11 avaguṣṭe rājājṣayā niḥśabdā bhavateti śrāvite ||

· 2-30-12 saprāśnikaṁ saparīkṣakam akātaraṁ bhīrurahitaṁ nirmitaṁ vidhinā ||

· 2-30-13 vineyaḥ parihartavyaḥ ||

· 2-30-14 sthitaḥ sthitena samyujyato niyudhyataḥ ||

· 2-30-15 evaṁ bālo bālenatyādikakṣāntareṇa svasvakaṣāmadhyata evetyarthaḥ ||

· 2-30-17 prakṛte viśeṣamāha tadidamiti ||

· 2-30-19 evaṁ saṁdehamānaṁ janaṁ bhagavānāśvāsayati | ahamiti ||

· 2-30-21 ya iti | karīṣeṇodvartanaṁ jalena kṣālanaṁ kaṣāyeṇa gaurikeṇānulepanaṁ cheti mallānāṁ saṁpradāya ityarthaḥ ||

· 2-30-22 saṁyamaḥ | anyonyaṁ apasāraṇaṁ | sthiratā anapasāraṇaṁ vyāyāmaḥ sthirayorapi hastapādādicālanam satkriyā cālane'pi marmāsparśitvaṁ satkriyāyāmapi balādikyena raṅge niyatā siddhirjayākhyā ṣaḍbhiḥ sādhanairbhavatītyarthaḥ ||

· 2-30-23 yadyapi raṅgayuddhamavairaṁ tathāpyayaṁ andhraḥ | kaṁso vā savairaṁ kartumudyato'to'sya vadhenaiva jagattoṣayāmi mā viṣādaṁ kuruteti bhāvaḥ ||

· 2-30-25 nipātānantaram na hantavyamiti niyamamatikramya hatāḥ ||

· 2-30-26 tadevāha shastreti | śastraṁ śastrorvidāraṇaṁ tadeva siddhiḥ| mallānāṁ tu pātanamātraṁ siddhirna vadha ityarthaḥ ||

· 2-30-30 hantuḥ prayojyasya prayojakasya vadho vadhajaṁ pāpam ||

· 2-30-31 tābhyāṁ tayoḥ ||

· 2-30-32 kaṅkaṭaḥ āliṅganenāvarodhasaṁnipātaḥ ubhābhyāṁ vakṣaḥsaṁśleṣanāvarodhaḥ avadhūtaṁ tayorbalavatā anyasya dūrīkaraṇaṁ pramātho bhūmau pātanam unmātha udṛhya nipātanam ||

· 2-30-33 shailamayau gaṇḍaśailopamau kaṭhinau | kṣepaṇairāsphālanaiḥ muṣṭibhiḥ | mudrikāṅgulibhirhastāgraiḥ varāhoddhūtaṁ pādayormadhye praviśyāpakṣepaṇam | niḥsvanaḥ nihīnasvano vācā nyakkaraṇaṁ taiḥ ||

· 2-30-34 kīlavajranipātaḥ kūrparajānubhyāmāghātaḥ | prasṛṣṭaḥ anyonyamaṅgulipradāḥ śalākā nakhapātāḥ jatrudeshe aṅguṣṭena kukṣideśe itarāṅgulibhiścha sahākramaṇaṁ padauddhūtaiḥ tiryakyādaprakṣepeṇa śatroścālanaṁ sthānāt ||

· 2-30-35 avaghaṭṭitaiḥ tiryagāsphālitaiḥ ||

· 2-30-45 tāpanīye sauvarṇamaye netre netrapiṇḍau ||

· 2-30-54 mastiṣkau gaṇḍapradeśastau māṁsapiṇḍau ||

· 2.30.61 bhrūbhedo bhrūdvayānantaraṁ madhyaṁ tadgocharastatrodbhūtaḥ roṣāgnerniryāso jvālākalāpa ivetyarthaḥ ||

· 2-30-62 mānasāgninā krodhāgninā keśavāyasadhūmena keshave yat āyasaṁ kāṭhinyaprakaṭīkaraṇaṁ tadeva dhūmavat gamakaṁ yasya tena keśavāyasadhūmena roṣaḥ | dviṣo'pakārakṣamatvena yastāpaḥ sa eva niḥśvāsavāyuryasya ||

· 2-30-63 svinnālikatalasya prasvinnalalāṭasya |

· 2-30-64 yathā vṛkṣapatragatāḥ vṛkṣavaśyābindavo bālasūryakaraspṛṣṭā bhānti tadvadityarthaḥ |

· 2-30-65 ājṣāpayata ājṣāpitavānsandhirārṣaḥ || vyāyatān atighorān ||

· 2-30-67 pāpeṣu kapaṭeṣu nigaḍākāraiḥ ||

· 2-30-70 āyastanayanaḥ krodhaprasāritanetraḥ ||

· 2-30-73 ghanāghanaḥ mahāmeghaḥ ||

· 2-30-75 āyastaḥ vyākulīkṛtaḥ ||

· 2-30-80 visṛtabhūṣaṇaiḥ bhraṣṭābharaṇaiḥ ||

· 2-30-81 uttarīyeṇa valitaṁ veṣṭitam ānanaṁ kaṇṭho yasya ||

· 2-30-82 maṣcānniṣkramya adhastānnipātya tadupari svayaṁ ca nipatya keśeṣu taṁ gṛhya chakarṣa ||

· 2-30-83 dehakṛṣṭāṁ dehena lāṅgaleneva karṣitām ||

· 2-30-84 gatāyuṣamiti gatāsorapi karṣaṇaṁ mitrāṇāṁ santoṣārthamityarthaḥ ||

· 2-30-85 viparītena śūrānarheṇa krameṇa prakāreṇa ||

· 2-30-86 viparyastaṁ kandharāyāstruṭitatvenānyathābhūtam ||

· 2-30-87 asaṁgrāmeti | svargaḥ kīrtiścha vīramārga tadubhayabhraṣṭa ityarthaḥ ||

· 2-30-88 athāpyasya sadgatirastītyāha tasyeti ||

· 2-30-90 prasravotpīḍaiḥ prasravasyātibharaiḥ ||

· 2-30-92 kaṁsabhrātaraṁ drumilotpannameva kaṁsāmitībhūtaṁ na taugrasenim ||

· 2-30-93 tāviti | bāhyābhyantara śatrujayināviti viśeṣaṇadvayārthaḥ ||

iti śrīharaivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyāṁtridaśo'dhyāyaḥ ||

31 - atha ekatriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ kaṁsayoṣitāṁ vilāpaḥ - Kamsa's Wives Express Grief

vaiśampāyana uvāca

bhartāraṁ patitaṁ dṛṣṭvā kṣīṇapuṇyamiva graham |

kaṁsapatnyo hataṁ kaṁsaṁ samantātparyavārayan ||2-31-1

vaiśaṁpāyana said:

(O janamejaya!) Seeing their husband dead, as planets whose merit has elapsed, wives of kaṁsa surrounded the body of kaṁsa who was killed.

taṁ mahīśayane suptaṁ kśitināthaṁ gatāyuṣam |

bhāryāḥ sma dṛṣṭvā shochanti mṛgyo mṛgapatiṁ yathā ||2-31-2

Seeing kaṁsa, the lord of earth, lying on the ground losing his life, his wives lamented like female deer lament the death of a male deer.

hā hatāḥ sma mahābāho hatāśā hatabāṁdhavāḥ |

vīrapatnyo hate vīre tvayi vīra vratapriye ||2-31-3

O Man of strong arms! We are finished. We, the wives of a valiant man, have lost all hopes and relatives as you, fond of vows, are killed.

imāmavasthāṁ paśyantyaḥ paśchimāṁ tava naiṣṭhikīm |

kṛpaṇaṁ rājaśārdūla vilapāmaḥ sabāndhavāḥ ||2-31-4

Those who see your pathetic condition like this, O tiger among kings, lament along with relatives.

cinnamūlāḥ sma saṁvṛttāḥ parityaktāstvayā vibho |

tvayi paṣchatvamāpanne nāthe'smākaṁ mahābale ||2-31-5

O lord! As you abandon us, you, the strong man, our lord, leave us, our roots are severed.

ko naḥ kopaparītāṅgī ratisaṁsargalālasāḥ |

latā iva vicheṣṭantīḥ śayanīyāni neṣyati ||2-31-6

Who will pamper lying in a bed, us who act angry and who enjoy sexual union and who act like creepers without leaves?

idaṁ te'sadṛśaṁ saumya hṛdyaniśvāsamārutam |

dahatyarko mukhaṁ kāntaṁ nistoyamiva paṅkajam ||2-31-7

O gentle one! Accepting your breath of air, the sun is withering your face as beautiful as a lotus in a pond devoid of water.

ime te śravaṇe śūnye na shobhete vikuṇḍale |

śirodharāyāṁ saṁlīne satataṁ kuṇḍalapriye ||2-31-8

Your ears, which were always fond of earrings, do not shine without earrings. Your head is clinging to earth (or covered in dust).

kva te sa mukuṭo vīra sarvaratnavibhūṣitaḥ |

atyarthaṁ shiraso lakṣmīṁ yo dadhārārkasaprabhām ||2-31-9

O valiant! Where is your crown, decorated with all kinds of ornaments? The crown was imparting lakṣmī and bright sunshine to the person who wears it.

anena hi kalatreṇā tavāntaḥpuraśobhinā |

kathaṁ dīnena kartavyaṁ tvayi lokāntaraṁ gate ||2-31-10

What do we, many of your lamenting wives, who enhanced the beauty of your inner palace, do as you leave this world?

nanu nāma striyaḥ sādhvyaḥ priyabhogeṣvavaṣchitāḥ |

patīnāmaparityājyāḥ sa tvaṁ nastyajya gacchasi ||2-31-11

Husbands should not leave the good women who do not deceive them. Leaving us, where are you going?

aho kālo mahāvīryo yena paryāyakarmaṇā |

kālatulyaḥ sapatnānāṁ tvaṁ kṣipramapanīyase ||2-31-12

Time is immensely powerful. Only time makes changes. Time has quickly taken you from us, as a king takes away the life of his enemies.

vayaṁ duḥkheṣvanuchitāḥ sukheṣveva tvayaidhitāḥ |

kathaṁ vatsyāma vidhavā nātha kārpaṇyamāśritāḥ ||2-31-13

You always provided comfort to us. Hence we can not bear any distress. Lord! How can we live as widows in a pathetic condition?

strīṇāṁ cāritralubdhānāṁ patirekaḥ parā gatiḥ |

tvaṁ hi naḥ sā gatiścinnā kṛtāntena balīyasā ||2-31-14

Husband is the only aim in life for chaste women. As sacrifice, Time has taken away you, our only aim in life.

vaidhavyenābhibhūtāḥ smaḥ śokasaṁtaptamānasāḥ |

roditavyahrade magnāḥ kva gachcāmastvayā vinā ||2-31-15

(Note 1)

Widowhood has come to all of us, with our minds distressed by sorrow. Where shall we go, immersed in the pool of sorrow?

saha tvayā gataḥ kālastvadaṅke krīḍitaṁ kṛtam |

kṣaṇena tadvihīnāḥ sma anityā hi nṛṇāṁ gatiḥ ||2-31-16

Time has left us along with you. Our play on your body has ended. You left us quickly. Fate of human beings is temporary.

aho balavihīnāḥ sma vipanne tvayi mānada |

ekaduṣkṛtakāriṇyaḥ sarvā vaidhavyalakṣaṇāḥ || 2-31-17

O One who gives honor to all! As you die, We are without any strength. All of us have become widows because of a single act of sin.

tvayā svargapraticchandairlālitāḥ sma ratipriyāḥ |

tvayi kāmavaśāḥ sarvāḥ sa nastyajya kva gacchasi ||2-31-18

Where are you going, leaving all of us, who were attached to you, who like pleasure and who were looked after by you with heavenly comforts.

asmākaṁ tvamanāthānāṁ nātho hyasi suropama |

You, comparable to deva-s, are the only lord of us, who are without any lords.

āsāṁ vilapamānānāṁ kurarīṇāmiva prabho |

prativākyaṁ jagannātha dātumarhasi mānada ||2-31-19

O lord of the universe! O One who gives honor to all! Please reply to us who are lamenting like osprey birds.

evamārtakalatrasya śāmyamāneṣu bandhuṣu |

gamanaṁ te mahābhāga dāruṇe pratibhāti naḥ ||2-31-20

O illustrious soul! As your wives lament and as your relative grieve, we think that your departure is harsh and severe.

nūnaṁ kāntatarāḥ kānta paraloke varastriyaḥ |

yatastvaṁ prasthito vīra vihāyemaṁ gṛhe janam ||2-31-21

O Dear! The women of the other world must be more beautiful. That is why, O Valiant! you are leaving the people of your house.

kiṁ nu te kāraṇaṁ vīra bhāryāsvetāsu bhūrida |

ārtanādaṁ rudantīṣu yanmohānnāvabudhyase ||2-31-22

O Valiant! What is the reason that you are not waking up from sleep even though your wives are crying loudly?

aho niṣkaruṇā yātrā narāṇāmaurdhvadehikī |

yatparityajya dārānsvānnirapekṣā vrajanti hi ||2-31-23

Alas! The journey to the upper world is cruel for men. They are leaving, abandoning their wives.

apatitvaṁ striyāḥ śreyo na tu śūraḥ patiḥ striyāḥ |

svargastrīṇāṁ priyāḥ śūrāsteṣāmapi ca tāḥ priyāḥ ||2-31-24

It is better for a woman not to have a husband. It is better for women that their husbands are not valiant. The women of heaven prefer valiant men and valiant men prefer women of heaven.

aho kṣipramadṛśyena nayatāṁ tvāṁ raṇapriyam |

prahṛtaṁ naḥ kṛtāntena savāsāmantarātmasu ||2-31-25

Alas! Death has quickly taken away you, who was fond of fighting. Remaining invisible, death took you away, striking our souls internally.

hatvā jarāsandhabalaṁ jitvā yakṣāṁścha saṁyuge |

kathaṁ mānuṣamātreṇa hatastvaṁ jagatītale ||2-31-26

You have defeated the army of jarāsandha. You won the yakṣa-s in war. How could you be killed on earth by a mere human being?

indreṇā saha saṁgrāmaṁ kṛtvā sāyakavigraham |

amartyairajito yuddhe martyenāsi kathaṁ hataḥ ||2-31-27

You fought with indra and destroyed the arrows. You won the immortals in war. How could you be killed by a mere human being?

tvayā sāgaramakṣobhyaṁ vikṣobhya śaravṛṣṭibhiḥ |

ratnasarvasvaharaṇaṁ jitvā pāśadharaṁ kṛtam ||2-31-28

You agitated the calm ocean with your shower of arrows. You won the lord of ocean and plundered the jewels.

tvayā paurajanasyārthe mandaṁ varṣati vāsave |

sāyakairjaladāṣjitvā balādvarṣaṁ pravartitam ||2-31-29

when vāsava (indra) was showering rain slowly, you won the rain clouds with arrows and forcefully caused good rain, for the benefit of the citizens.

pratāpāvanatāḥ sarve tava tiṣṭhanti pārthivāḥ |

preṣayanto varārhāṇi ratnānyāccādanāni ca ||2-31-30

All other kings remain under you. They send expensive clothes and jewels to you.

tavaivaṁ devakalpasya dṛṣṭavīryasya śatrubhiḥ |

kathaṁ prāṇāntakaṁ ghoramīdṛśaṁ bhayamāgatam ||2-31-31

Even the enemies considered you as valiant as devas. How could a death-causing, terrible fear like this come to you?

prāptāḥ smo vidhavāśabdaṁ tvayi nāthe nipātite |

apramattāḥ pramattena kṛtāntena nirākṛtāḥ ||2-31-32

As you, our lord, die, we attain widowhood. Death has made us heedless and negligent who were not so till now.

yadyevaṁ nātha gantavyaṁ yadi vā vismṛtā vayam |

vāṅmātreṇāpi yāmīti vaktavye kaḥ pariśramaḥ ||2-31-33

Lord! If you must go or if you want to forget us, why don't you at least try to say with words that "I am leaving"?

prasīda natha bhītāḥ sma pādau te yāma mūrddhabhiḥ |

alaṁ dūrapravāsena nivartasva narādhipa ||2-31-34

Lord! Be pleased with us. We are frightened. We keep our heads on your feet. O Ruler of men! Stop living at a distant place. Please return.

aho vīra kathaṁ śeṣe niṣaṇṇastṛṇapāṁsuṣu |

śayānasya hi te bhūmau kasmānnodvijate vapuḥ ||2-31-35

Alas! O Valiant! How are you lying on a place full of grass and dust? Is your body not hurting by lying on the earth?

kena suptaprahāro'yaṁ datto'smākamatarkitaḥ |

pradattaṁ kena sarvāsu nārīṣvevaṁ sudāruṇam ||2-31-36

Who struck us in sleep without thinking? Who struck this terrible blow on women?

ruditānuśayo nāryā jīvantyāḥ paridevanam |

kiṁ vayaṁ sati gantavye saha bhartrā rudāmahe ||2-31-37

As long as a woman (widow) lives in this world she has to cry and lament. Why are we, who should accompany our husband lamenting?

etasminnantare dīnā kaṁsamātā pravepatī |

kva me vatsaḥ kva me putra iti rorūyatī bhṛśam ||2-31-38

Meanwhile, kaṁsa's mother, crying and trembling, arrived there lamenting loudly, "Where is my dear child? Where is my son?"

sāpaśyannihataṁ putraṁ niṣprabhaṁ śaśinaṁ yathā |

hṛdayena vidīrṇena bhrāmyamāṇā punaḥ punaḥ ||2-31-39

She saw her dead son looking like a shine-less moon. She lamented again and again with a broken heart.

putraṁ samabhivīkśantī hā hatāsmīti vāśatī |

snuṣāṇāmārtanādena vilalāpa ruroda ca ||2-31-40

Seeing her son, she cried loudly, "I am doomed". She cried loudly along with the wives of her son who were lamenting.

sā tasya vadanaṁ dīnamutsaṅge putragṛddhinī |

kṛtvā putreti kāruṇyaṁ vilalāpārtayā girā ||2-31-41

Fond of her son, she lifted her son's miserable head and put it on her lap. She lamented pathetically saying "My dear son".

putra śūravrate yukta jṣātīnāṁ nandivarddhana |

kimidaṁ tvaritaṁ vatsa prasthānaṁ kṛtavānasi ||2-31-42

Son! You belong to the order of valiant. You increase the happiness of relatives. Why are you leaving this world quickly?

prasuptaścātivivṛte kiṁ putra niyamaṁ vina |

vatsa naivaṁvidhā bhūmau sherate kṛtalakṣaṇāḥ ||2-31-43

Son! Why are you sleeping in the open place without any rule? Dear child, a person of status like you does not sleep on ground like this.

rāvaṇena purā gītaḥ śloko'yaṁ sādhusaṁmataḥ |

balajyeṣṭhena lokeṣu rākṣasānāṁ samāgame ||2-31-44

This verse, cited long ago in the assembly of rākṣasa-s by rāvaṇa who won the worlds by force, is agreed by all good men:

evamūrjitavīryasya mama devanighātinaḥ |

bāndhavebhyo bhayaṁ ghoraṁ durnivāryaṁ bhaviṣyati ||2-31-45

Although I am most powerful and capable of killing the dava-s, an unavoidable terrible fear will come to me, due to relatives.

tathaiva jṣātilubdhasya mama putrasya dhīmataḥ |

jṣātibhyo bhayamutpannaṁ śarīrāntakaraṁ mahat |2-31-46

In the same way, my intelligent son, devoid of relatives, also faced a great fear, leading to death, from relatives.

sā patiṁ bhūpatiṁ vṛddhamugrasenaṁ vichetasam |

uvāca rudatī vākyaṁ vivatsā hariṇī yathā ||2-31-47

Crying like a deer who lost her child, she said the following words to her husband, aged ugrasena, the king who had lost his mind.

ehyehi rājaṣchuddhātmanpaśya putraṁ janeshvaram |

śayānaṁ vīraśayane vajrāhatamivācalam ||2-31-48

O pure soul! Come and see your son, the king, lying like a valiant, like a mountain struck by thunder (vajra).

asya kurmo mahārāja niryāṇasadṛśīṁ kriyām |

pretatvamupapannasya gatasya yamasādanam ||2-31-49

O King! Perform the suitable funeral rites for him, who is dead and who has gone to the abode of death (yama).

vīrabhogyāni rājyāni vayaṁ cāpi parājitāḥ |

gaccha vijṣāpyatāṁ kṛṣṇaḥ kaṁsasatkārakāraṇāt ||2-31-50

The valiant enjoy their kingdoms. We are defeated. Go and inform kṛṣṇa that arrangements for kaṁsa's funeral has to be made.

maraṇāntāni vairāṇi śānte śāṁtirbhaviṣyati |

pretakāryāṇi kāryāṇi mṛtaḥ kimaparādhyate ||2-31-51

All enmities cease with death. As the enemy is dead, the enmity comes to an end. The funeral rites should be performed. What is the fault of the dead?

evamuktvā patiṁ bhojaṁ keśānārujya duḥkhitā |

putrasya mukhamīkṣantī vilalāpaiva sā bhṛśam ||2-31-52

Speaking these words to her husband, the bhoja king, she began to pull her hair, and lamented looking at the face of her son.

imāste kiṁ kariṣyanti bhāryā rājansukhoṣitāḥ |

tvāṁ patiṁ supatiṁ prāpya yā vipannamanorathāḥ ||2-31-53

What will your wives do, who were living comfortably? Even though they had the best husband, all their hopes are shattered.

imaṁ te pitaraṁ vṛddhaṁ kṛṣṇasya vashavartinam |

kathaṁ drakṣyāmi śuṣyantaṁ kāsārasalilaṁ yathā ||2-31-54

Are you not seeing your father, the old man, looking thin like water drying up in a pond, who is under the control of kṛṣṇa?

aham te jananī putra kimarthaṁ nābhibhāṣase |

prasthito dīrghamadhvānaṁ parityajya priyaṁ janam ||2-31-55

Son! I am your mother. Why are you not speaking to me? You are proceeding on a long journey leaving your dear ones.

aho vīrālpabhāgyāyāḥ kṛtāntenābhivartinā |

ācchidya mama saṁdāyo nīyase nayakovidaḥ ||2-31-56

O Valiant! My fortune is lost. You were a lawful ruler. Death is taking away my son from me.

dānamānagṛhītāni tṛptānyetāni tairguṇaiḥ |

rudanti tava bhṛtyānāṁ kulāni kulayūthapa ||2-31-57

O Leader of the race! Your servants, blessed by your gifts and respect and satisfied by your qualities are lamenting.

utttiṣṭha naraśārdūla dīrghabāho mahābala |

trāhi dīnaṁ janaṁ sarvaṁ puramantaḥpuraṁ yathā ||2-31-58

O Tiger among men! Get up! O Long and mighty armed valiant! Protect all who are lamenting as well as the city and palace.

rudatīnāṁ bhṛśārtānaṁ kaṁsastrīṇāṁ suvistaram |

jagāmāstaṁ dinakaraḥ saṁdhyārāgeṇa raṣjitaḥ || 2-31-59

As the women of kaṁsa were lamenting profusely, the sun decorated by the colors of dusk, set.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi kaṁsastrīvilāpe ekatriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the thirtyfirst chapter of viṣṇuparva of harivaṁśa, khila of śrimahābhārata, kaṁsa's wives express grief.

(Note 1): harivaṁsa, critically edited by P.L. Vaidya Vol I, page 491 has the following footnote:

N2 V1.2 B Ds ins after 15 ab, D2 after 12

aho kṛtāntasya vaśaṁ gantavyaṁ sarvajantubhiḥ |

Alas! All beings should go to death (at last).

The malayālam translation of this line is given in bhāṣābhārataṁ, kuṣṣikkuṭṭan taṁpurān. Vol 6, Page 429, sloka 15, DC Books (2007)

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

athaikatriṁśe tvadhyāye vilāpaḥ kaṁsayoṣitām |

mātuścha mantraṇaṁ patyurvijṣaptiḥ kaṁsaghātinaḥ ||

· 2-31-1 bhartāraṁ patitaṁ dṛṣṭvetyādi | spaṣṭārthaḥ ||

· 2-31-37 rudite anuśayaḥ āśayo'ntaḥkaraṇaṁ ruditānuśayaḥ ||

iti harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyāmekatriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ ||