Gopal Champu

Chapter Thirteen - Binding Jarāsandha

O Kṛṣṇa! O Caitanya! O Rūpa and Sanātana! O Gopāla! O Raghunātha! O Vallabha who has attained Vraja! Please protect me! ||1||

[1] Having satisfied the desires of the residents of Vraja with Uddhava’s coming, we will now begin to satisfy their desires with Baladeva’s arrival.

[2] Madhukaṇṭha and Snigdhakaṇṭha have narrated two Campūs filled with stories of Kṛṣṇa from his birth, which intoxicate the minds of the saintly, and finally satisfied the desires of the people of Vraja by their attainment of Kṛṣṇa after the killing of Dantavakra, which brought them back to life. This event will be later narrated with the proof from scriptures like Hari-vaṁsa and Padma Purāṇa. This has been mentioned previously several times. All the other remaining stories will now be told.

[3-4] The next day when Nanda and others were waiting thirstily at the morning session, Madhukaṇṭha began to think. The time has come to describe Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes after going to Kubjā’s house, after having described other events.

“This pastime is not inappropriate from Kṛṣṇa—who is a wealth of compassion, showing ever-fresh mercy to persons like Pūtanā—after his mind became settled when Uddhava returned from Vraja and spoke consoling words. He performed this pastime to pacify Uddhava and others who were always eager that he go to Vraja to create happiness there. Śukadeva has not praised Kubjā’s love as being faultless because of a relation to lust whereas Śukadeva and others have extensively praised the Vraja gopīs’ prema in the highest terms. Kṛṣṇa accepted her love to emphasize the love of the gopīs which is universally praised as mahābhāva. Therefore this incident should not be described in the general and private (sakhīs’) assembly as it will cause embarrassment in both places.”

[5] After thinking this, he spoke aloud:

In this way Uddhava protected the people of Vraja.

[6] Desiring to hear about Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes in Mathurā, everyone in Vraja gathered respectfully.

Nanda engaged two pairs of praiseworthy reciters of Purāṇas and dynasties as messengers, seeing that they were qualified.

[7] The messengers had to meet Kṛṣṇa privately through Uddhava’s arrangement, hear the news and return with it. We know that Kṛṣṇa knows everything within everyone. He is now the combination of all omniscient people (and therefore will understand our position).

[8] The first two messengers went and returned. They reported the establishment of well-being in all aspects and the sending of Akrūra to meet the Pāṇḍavas. They brought the following letter to Nanda.

“You pampered me in my infant years, and because of my fickle nature I ordered worship of Govardhana and it assisted me by its mercy (by rising up in my hands). Attractive Govardhana increases our happiness at all times. O father, you should worship that hill every year.” ||2||

[9] When the second pair of messengers went, they only departed––they did not return immediately because Jarāsandha, gathering armies of many kings, broke Mathurā by many assaults.

[10] When the two messengers did not return, the people of Vraja became frightened and began moving far from Vraja, avoiding it with great consternation. After a long time, the two messengers returned. When they returned, all were frightened to ask anything. When friends with uncertainty looked at their faces, the two replied with three words, “Fine, fine, fine.” Welcoming them and surrounding them, friends with servants and Nanda said, “Tell us first in summary and then let us hear the news in detail.”

[11] The two messengers said, “Having destroyed all his armies, your two sons caught Jarāsandha and made him miserable. They later freed him out of contempt. He disappeared because of shame and returned home.”

[12] When a great uproar arose with the people of Vraja as they shouted, “Speak of Kṛṣṇa, speak of Kṛṣṇa, the destroyer of obstacles!” Nanda said with tears and hair standing on end, “Please describe the details completely.”

[13] The two messengers said, “Kaṁsa had two wives, named Asti and Prāpti, who were the daughters of Jarāsandha. When their husband died they went to their father.”

[14] Nanda said, “Why did they go? Though they were widows, were they not trusted by the Yadus?”

[15] The messengers spoke with a laugh: “With tattered clothing, unbound hair over their breasts, faded faces and worn head-cloaks, they left Mathurā incognito like misfortune personified. Arrogant travelers coming to Mathurā, seeing them and asking about them, laughed loudly. The two, Asti and Prāpti, equivalent to Kaṁsa’s infamy, came to their father’s house.” ||3||

[16] Nanda said, “Let that be. When the two widows, angry as Caṇḍī, came to their father what did they say?”

[17] The messengers said, “They spoke about matters relating to being left without protection by their husband, indicating that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma had acted unjustly.”

[18] Nanda said, “How is that?”

[19-21] The messengers said, “They said as follows: ‘Out of curiosity Kaṁsa brought the two boys through Akrūra. First they killed the dyer, broke the bow without fighting, and killed Kuvalayāpīḍa near the king’s gate while playing. Kaṁsa appeared splendid for a long time while excitedly watching the wrestling contest between the two boys and his wrestlers. They killed all the incompetent wrestlers. Let that be. They then killed the king with little effort. Ah! What should we say, with burnt faces? They pulled him by his hair.’”

[22] Nanda said, “Then what happened?”

[23] They said, “Their father could not tolerate this. With the zeal of Yamarāja, in order to deal with the intolerable Yadus, he surrounded beautiful, well-protected Mathurā on all sides with twenty-three akṣauhiṇīs under his control. What more can be said? Except for Bhīṣma and the Pāṇḍavas, all the kṣatriya kings from the Himalayas, Vindhyas and Sindhu appeared there with bows in their hands.”

[24] Nanda asked fearfully, “Then what happened?”

[25] The messengers said, “In great fear, as if afflicted by a forest fire, in great distress, the Yadus came before Kṛṣṇa, the result of their dynasty’s austerities, shining like the moon.”

[26] Nanda said, “Ha! The Yadus fell into misfortune.”

[27-29] The messengers said, “Hear what happened next. Thinking those armies to be like grass, Kṛṣṇa thought to himself, ‘As I have desired, fate has made arrangements. I have desired to punish all those who disobey the Vedas. Somewhere or other, the violent should be killed. Except for Jarāsandha I will gather and kill all these assembled ignorant armies. In order to kill all the demons I will not kill Jarāsandha first: A person should keep one crow cawing to kill all the crows.’” ||4||

[30] Knowing Balarāma agreed, Kṛṣṇa desired a suitable chariot. Suddenly a chariot equipped with cakra, conch, bow, club, lotus house and sitting place, carrying a flag with Garuḍa’s insignia, appeared from the sky with four horses which did not wander from the path and with a charioteer (Dāruka). Balarāma saw another even more remarkable chariot with plough, pestle, and a flag with a tāla tree insignia.

[31] Everyone said in astonishment, “What happened next?”

[32] Nanda said, “We have seen such astonishing events from Kṛṣṇa’s childhood. Nārāyaṇa is helping him. Now, please say what happened next.”

[33] The messengers said:

Seeing that war was unavoidable, gathering all the necessary weapons for warfare, putting on armor, the two faced the enemy with a few friends. Displaying amazing strength, they emerged from the fortress. As they emerged from the fort, the two appeared like the moon and sun arising from the edge of the Eastern Mountain. When they blew their conches they appeared like monsoon and autumn clouds. The sound was like deep roaring for their friends and like thunder for their enemies. Hear about another astonishing event.

The two boys were very tender and the enemy was frightening. But in the battle their qualities reversed. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma became frightening and the enemy became frightened. ||5||

Seeing Kṛṣṇa, Jarāsandha became frightened, but making a show of ignoring that fear, he displayed pride. ||6||

Leaving Kṛṣṇa aside, Jarāsandha fought with Balarāma. That bad strategy produced the Śiva-fever weapon after rejecting the Viṣṇu-fever weapon. ||7||

[34] When Jarāsandha spoke disrespectful words out of fear, Kṛṣṇa laughed loudly and spoke:

na vai śūrā vikatthante darśayanty eva pauruṣam |

na gṛhnīmo vaco rājan nāturasya mumūrṣataḥ ||

Real heroes do not simply boast but rather show their prowess in action. We cannot take seriously the words of one who is full of anxiety and who wants to die. SB 10.50.19

[35] What he said was quite proper. “The warrior does not boast. Boasting words demean one’s strength. Your boasting reveals your weakness. This way of fighting does not reveal bravery but the desire for death. This is befitting a sick man, not a great king. Since we see you are not steady, now we will not accept your proposition that we kill you.”

[36] Nanda said, “Then what happened?”

[37] The two messengers said, “Just as Kṛṣṇa criticized him, he criticized Kṛṣṇa. Since Jarāsandha promised to fight with Balarāma, he surrounded the two with twenty-three akṣauhiṇīs.”

[38] Nanda said in fear, “Then what happened?”

[39] They said:

As the sun dissipates icy fog, the two made them all powerless by their powers. All the armies became useless. Kṛṣṇa, accepting to be their enemy to destroy the darkness caused by their weapons, became a thunder bolt against the enemies who were like elephants. Disturbed by the immense clouds of dust, losing all knowledge of the events, suddenly not seeing the two chariots with insignia of Garuḍa and the tāla tree, the women in a distant place simultaneously fainted.

Seeing the enemy arrows falling like showers from the clouds upon his troops, Kṛṣṇa drew his Śārṅga bow at leisure and drove away the cloud of those arrows by the wind caused by the twanging of his bow string. ||8||

The armor of both parties became useless as it fell from their bodies. The enemy could not avoid being slaughtered. Kṛṣṇa’s troops warded them off from a distance with their arrows. ||9||

Kṛṣṇa crushed the host of kings composed of useless enemies. He became joyful, with hairs standing on end when fearful Jarāsandha came close. ||10||

When Kṛṣṇa pulled arrows from his quiver and shot them, people thought that he had divided himself into a million, ten million or a hundred million forms to shoot all those arrows. In that battle the limbs of the enemy were severed and lay scattered about. The competitive spirit of the enemy could be seen (though without success). ||11||

It was not astonishing that Kṛṣṇa was a cloud, his bow was a rainbow and his arrows were lightning bolts in that battle. The blood of the enemies was a river, and human bodies, horses and camels were like fish. ||12||

Seeing the pestle in Balarāma’s hand, the enemy laughed loudly with open mouths, “He is a village boy!” Later they lay dead with open mouths because Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma quickly crushed them with their strength. ||13||

The women of the city said, “The twenty-three akṣauhiṇīs quickly started the war and were quickly defeated.” Then nothing was left, because Kṛṣṇa alone appeared in front of everyone after defeating everyone. ||14||

All those killed by Kṛṣṇa’s arrows or Balarāma’s pestle were thrown by Balarāma into the river of blood using his plough. ||15||

[40] When all were killed—their pride crushed with the destruction of many cruel warriors—just as a lion pursues an elephant, Balarāma pursued Jarāsandha, without a chariot, who was trying to flee. Balarāma quickly grabbed the only surviving warrior, just as a lion grabs a running dog. Capturing him, he brought him to the slaughtering ground and bound him up with a noose to destroy his strength.

[41] Jarāsandha was bound with human ropes to insult him. But while all were watching, Kṛṣṇa released him because of his desire to destroy countless persons related to him.

[42] Though released, his neck remained bent as if still bound up. He fled and made attempts to perform austerities. With withered body, he went on a lonely path, without weapons or chariot. He was recognized by a person of his own city carrying a strong axe. He offered Jarāsandha respects and his full affection. But Jarāsandha felt ashamed. By word of mouth it was heard that many kings, feeling sympathy for him, met with him, coming from wherever they had fled. They made him give up the idea of performing austerities. They spoke to him.

“Understand that if a few Yadu troops could defeat our unlimited warriors, it is the work of fate. That is their strength. We think it has become stronger after many births. You are a king. You have a young body. Going to the forest does not suit you. Austerity in the forest which gives suffering, for protecting other people, is not proper.” ||16-17||

[43] Nanda said, “Let that be. Please glorify the activities of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.”

[44] The messengers said:

With their armies Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma entered the dense array of enemy troops. They were not injured at all. ||18||

[45] When victory was achieved, some gave up shyness, some gathered in joy. All the Yadus brought Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma home with a desire to celebrate.

[46] Becoming greatly joyful at seeing this prowess, through Uddhava we received permission from Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to tell you these events and then we came here.

[47] After recounting the messengers’ words, Madhukaṇṭha said, “Repeatedly Jarāsandha attempted to rid the world of the Yadus. The Yadus fought many battles with him. This was reported in Vraja by the two messengers. Some of the relevant details will be told.”

[48] Saying this, Madhukaṇṭha became choked up. Nanda, bringing Kṛṣṇa near, embraced him. The bards of Vraja then recited the following verses.

Hearing about the death of his son-in-law from his two daughters, Jarāsandha quickly came to Mathurā. Seeing him, Kṛṣṇa spoke while thinking of Balarāma. ||19||

“It is good that Jarāsandha has eagerly come.” From the heavens Kṛṣṇa obtained weapons and chariots. He considered them lucky signs. ||20||

Along with his brother he fought and defeated the enemy and tied up Jarāsandha. Just as the sun destroys snow, Kṛṣṇa destroyed the enemy armies. ||21||

From the broken bodies of the enemy, blood flowed like rivers. What more should be said? Kṛṣṇa caught Jarāsandha and tied him up nicely. ||22||

In this way sixteen times he defeated Jarāsandha and killed many others. Now he appears in Vraja, glancing upon it, nourishing the place with showers of nectar. ||23||

[49] Madhukaṇṭha then spoke in the assembly of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa:

“When the women of Vraja, his beloved gopīs, heard of his battle with the enemies, they forgot their suffering and their hearts began to tremble. O Rādhā! It is confirmed that the enemies of the devotees have been conquered, and he has now returned. He plays, engaging in newer and newer pastimes with you.” ||24-25||

[50] As previously, having pleased the listeners, the two reciters endowed with all good qualities went to their residences. Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa together entered their abode of love for accomplishing their fixed pastimes while feeling united and attained their desires fully.

Harivamsa

34 - atha chatustriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ jarāsaṁdhena mathuroparodhaḥ - Siege of Mathura by Jarasandha

vaiśampāyana uvāca

sa kṛṣṇastatra sahito rauhiṇeyena saṁgataḥ |

mathurāṁ yādavākīrṇāṁ purīṁ tāṁ sukhamāvasat |2-34-1

(Note 1)

vaiśampāyana said:

Thereafter, kṛṣṇa along with son of rohiṇī (balarāma) lived comfortably in the city of mathurā, full of yādavas.

prāptayauvanadehastu yukto rājaśriyā vibhuḥ |

cacāra mathurāṁ prītaḥ sa vanākarabhūṣaṇām ||2-34-2

(Note 2)

His youthful body combined with royal splendour, powerful kṛṣṇa traveled through mathurā, surrounded by beautiful forests.

kasyachittvatha kālasya rājā rājagṛheśavaraḥ |

śuśrāva nihataṁ kaṁsaṁ duhitṛbhyāṁ mahīpatiḥ ||2-34-3

After some time, the king and lord of rājagṛha (jarāsaṁdha) heard from his two daughters that kaṁsa was killed.

tato nāticirātkālājjarāsaṁdhaḥ pratāpavān |

ājagāma ṣaḍaṅgena balena mahatā vṛtaḥ ||2-34-4

Afterwards, without much delay, the powerful jarāsaṁdha arrived with his vast army having six divisions. (Six divisions - elephants, chariots, cavalry, and infantry plus wares like food and vendors. See nīlakaṇṭha commentary.) plus )

jighāṁsurhi yadūnkruddhaḥ kaṁsasyāpachitiṁ smaran |

asti prāptiścha nāmnā te māgadhasya sute nṛpa ||2-34-5

Thinking about the downfall of kaṁsa, he became angry to kill yādavas. O king! the daughters of the king of magadhā (jarāsaṁdha) were named as asti and prāpti.

jarāsaṁdhasya kalyāṇyau pīnaśroṇipayodhare |

ubhe kaṁsasya te bhārye prādādbārhadratho nṛpaḥ ||2-34-6

The daughters of jarāsaṁdha were beautiful with thin waist and large breasts. The king, bārhadratha (jarāsaṁdha) had given them to kaṁsa as wives.

sa tābhyāṁ mumude rājā baddhvā pitaramāhukam |

samāśritya jarāsaṁdhamanādṛtya ca yādavān |

śūraseneśvaro rāja yathā te bahushah śrutaḥ ||2-34-7

The king (kaṁsa) enjoyed with them. He imprisoned his father Ahuka (ugrasena). Depending on jarāsaṁdha, he neglected yādavas. You have heard many times about the king śūrasena.

jṣātikāryārthasiddhyarthamugrasenahite rataḥ |

vasudevo'bhavannityaṁ kaṁso na mamṛṣe ca tam ||2-34-8

vasudeva, considering the interests of ugrasena, always stood for the benefit of the relatives. kaṁsa did not approve this.

rāmakṛṣṇau samāśritya hate kaṁse durātmani |

ugraseno'bhavadrājā bhojavṛṣṇyadhakairvṛtaḥ ||2-34-9

With the support of rāma and kṛṣṇa, as the wicked soul kaṁsa was killed, ugrasena surrounded by bhojas, vṛṣṇi-s and andhaka-s became the king.

duhitṛbhyāṁ jarāsaṁdhaḥ priyābhyāṁ balavānnṛpaḥ |

nodito vīrapatnībhyāmupāyānmathurāṁ tataḥ ||2-34-10

prompted by his two dear daughters, who were wives of the valiant (kaṁsa), the powerful jarāsaṁdha arrived at mathurā.

kṛtvā sarvaṁ samudyogaṁ krodhādagnisamo jvalan |

Blazing with the fire of anger, jarāsaṁdha made all efforts.

pratāpāvanatā ye ca jarāsaṁdhasya pārthivāḥ ||2-34-11

mitrāṇi jṣātayaścaiva saṁyuktāḥ suhṛdastathā |

tamevānunayuḥ sarve sainyaiḥ samuditairvṛtāḥ ||2-34-12

jarāsamdha was accompanied by all the kings who were under his power, friends, relatives and acquaintances along with their armies.

maheṣvāsā mahāvīryā jarāsaṁdhapriyaiṣiṇaḥ |

kārūṣo dantavaktrashcha cedirājaścha vīryavān ||2-34-13

They were powerful, valiant and great. They did what jarāsaṁdha liked. dantavaktra of kārūṣa and the valiant king of chedi,

kāliṅgādhipatiścaiva pauṇḍraścha balināṁ varaḥ |

sāṅkṛtiḥ keshikashcaiva bhīṣmakaścha narādhipaḥ ||2-34-14

the ruler of kāliṅga, paundraka the great among the strong, the cunning kaushika and the king of men bhīṣmaka,

putrashcha bhīmakasyāpi rukmī mukhyo dhanurbhṛtām |

vāsudevārjunābhyāṁ yaḥ spardhate sa mahāhave ||2-34-15

also rukmi, the son of bhīṣmaka, the foremost of the bowmen, who was interested in fighting with vāsudeva and arjuna in the great war,

veṇudāriḥ śrutarvā ca krathaśchaivāṁśumānapi |

aṅgarājaścha balavānvaṅgānāmadhipastathā ||2-34-16

veṇudhāri, śrutarvā, kratha, aṁśumān, the powerful aṅgarāja and the ruler of vaṅga,

kauśalyaḥ kāśirājaścha daśārṇādhipatistathā |

sukheshvarashcha vikrānto videhādhipatistathā ||2-34-17

kaushalya, the king of kāśi, the ruler of daśārṇa, sukheshvara, the valiant ruler of videha,

madrarājaścha balavāṁstrigartānāmatheśvaraḥ |

śālvarājaścha vikrānto daradashcha mahābalaḥ ||2-34-18

the king of mādra, the powerful ruler of trigartas, the king śālva, the valiant and powerful darada,

yavanādhipatiścaiva bhagadattashcha vīryavān |

sauvīrarājaḥ shaibyashcha pāṇḍyaścha balināṁ varaḥ ||2-34-19

the ruler of yavana, the valiant bhagadatta, the king of sauvīra, shaibya, the great among powerful pāṇḍya,

gāndhārarājaḥ subalo nagnajiccha mahābalaḥ |

kāśmīrarājo gonardo daradādhipatirnṛpaḥ |

duryodhanādayaścaiva dhārtarāṣṭrā mahābalāḥ ||2-34-20

subala, the king of gāndhāra, the powerful nagnajit, gonarda the king of kāśmīr, the ruler of darada, the powerful sons of dhṛtarāṣtra starting with duryodhana,

ete cānye ca rājāno balavanto mahārathāḥ |

tamanvayurjarāsaṁdhaṁ vidviṣanto janārdanam ||2-34-21

and many other powerful and great kings opposing janārdana (kṛṣṇa) accompanied jarāsaṁdha.

te śūrasenānāviśya prabhūtayavasendhanān |

ūṣuḥ samrudhya mathurāṁ puraskṛtya balaṁ tadā ||2-34-22

Reaching the city of śūrasena, well equipped with enough grass and fuel, keeping the armies in front, they surrounded mathurā.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi mathuroparodhe chatustriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the thirty-fourth chapter of viṣṇuparva of harivaṁśa, khila of śrimahābhārata, siege of mathura by jarāsaṁdha.

(Note 1)

This śloka is almost the same as śloka 2-33-1 with sahito for balavān

sa kṛṣṇastatra balavānrauhiṇeyena saṁgataḥ |

mathurāṁ yādavākīrṇāṁ purīṁ tāṁ sukhamāvasat ||2-33-1

(Note 2)

This śloka is almost the same as śloka 2-33-2 with vibhu for jvalan; prītaḥ for vīraḥ and vanākara for ratnākara

prāptayauvanadehastu yukto rājaśriyā jvalan |

cacāra mathurāṁ vīraḥ sa ratnākarabhūṣaṇām ||2-33-2

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

athādhyāye chatustriṁśe duhitṛbhyāṁ prachoditaḥ |

jarāsandho yadūnhantuṁ pravṛtta iti varṇyate || 1 ||

· 2-34-1 sa kṛṣṇaḥ ||

· 2-34-3 rājagṛheśvaro jarāsandhaḥ duhitṛbhyāṁ astiprāpti saṁjṣāpyāṁ kaṁsabhāryābyāṁ nivedite sati ||

· 2-34-4 ṣaḍaṅgena rathagajaturagapadātipaṇyadhānyapaṇikākhyaiḥ ṣaḍbhiraṅgaiḥ rūpetena ||

· 2-34-5 apachitimānṛṇyam ||

· 2-34-6 bārhadratho jarāsandhaḥ ||

· 2-34-7 sa kaṁsa vikrāntaḥ Ahukaputramugrasenam ||

iti śrīharivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyām chatustriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ |

35 - atha paṣchatriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ yādavamāgadhayuddham - The Yadava-ṁagadha Battle

vaiśampāyana uvāca

mathuropavane gatvā niviṣṭāmstānnarādhipān |

apaśyanvṛṣṇayaḥ sarve puraskṛtya janārdanam ||2-35-1

vaiśampāyana said:

All vṛṣṇi-s led by janārdana (kṛṣṇa) saw the kings camping in the small forests around mathura.

tato hṛṣṭamanāḥ kṛṣṇo rāmaṁ vacanamabravīt |

tvarate khalu kāryārtho devatānāṁ na saṁśayaḥ ||2-35-2

Tshen kṛṣṇa, with a joyful mind, spoke these words to balarāma: The mission of deva-s will be accomplished quickly. There is no doubt.

yathāyaṁ saṁnikṛṣṭo hi jarāsaṁdho narādhipaḥ |

lakṣyante hi dhvajāgrāṇi rathānāṁ vātaraṁhasām ||2-35-3

King jarāsaṁdha has come to us. The tips of the flags of the chariots are seen flapping in the wind./div

etāni śaśikalpāni nṛpāṇāṁ vijigīṣatām |

chatrāṇyārya virājante procchritāni sitāni ca ||2-35-4

O Brother! The parasols, white in colour like moon, of the kings seeking victory, are sparkling high in the sky./div

aho nṛparathodagrā vimalāśchatrapaṅktayaḥ |

abhivartanti naḥ śubhrā yathā khe haṁsapaṅktayaḥ ||2-35-5

Alas! The series of white parasols at the top of the chariots of the kings are coming towards us like a series of swans in the sky.

kāle khalu nṛpaḥ prāpto jarāsaṁdho mahīpatiḥ |

āvayoryuddhanikaṣaḥ prathamaḥ samarātithiḥ ||2-35-6

King jarāsaṁdha has come at the right time. He is the first opponent for us in this battle.

ārya tiṣṭhāva sahitāvanuprāpte mahīpatau |

yuddhāraṁbhaḥ prayoktavyo balaṁ tāvadvimṛśyatām ||2-35-7

Brother! Let us stay together as the king approaches. Let us start the battle and test their strength.

evamuktvā tataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ svasthaḥ saṁgrāmalālasaḥ |

jarāsaṁdhabalaṁ prepsuścakāra baladarshanam ||2-35-8

Saying this, kṛṣṇa who was calm and keen to fight battles, viewed jarāsaṁdha's army to ascertain its strength.

vīkṣamāṇaścha tānsarvānnṛpānyaduvaro'vyayaḥ |

ātmanaivātmano vākyamuvāca hṛdi mantravit ||2-35-9

Looking at all the kings, the best among yādava-s (kṛṣṇa), the imperishable, skilled in counsel, spoke these words to himself in his mind.

ime te pṛthivīpālāḥ pārthive vartmani sthitāḥ |

ye vināśaṁ gamiṣyanti śāstradṛṣṭena karmaṇā ||2-35-10

These kings who are fixed in the path of kings will face destruction by actions seen in the scriptures.

prokṣitānkhalvimānmanye mṛtyunā nṛpapuṅgavān |

svargagāmīni cāpyeṣāṁ vapūṁṣi pracakāśire ||2-35-11

It is certain that death has sprinkled water on (formally accepted) these great kings. The bodies of these kings, proceeding to heaven, are dazzling.

sthāne bhārapariśrāntā vasudheyaṁ divaṁ gatā |

eṣāṁ nṛpāṇāṁ mukhyānāṁ balaughairabhipīḍitā ||2-35-12

It is appropriate that the earth, tired of the weight, went to heaven. She was suffering due to the vast armies of these principal kings.

mahī nirantarā cheyaṁ balarāṣṭrābhisaṁvṛtā |

svalpena khalu kālena vivivktaṁ pṛthivītalam ||2-35-13

bhaviṣyati narendraughaiḥ shatasho vinipātitaiḥ |

(Note 1)

The earth is full of kingdoms with armies. The surface of earth will become vacant within a short time by killing of hundreds of kings.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

jarāsaṁdhastataḥ kruddhaḥ prabhuḥ sarvamahīkṣitām ||2-35-14

vaiśampāyana said:

jarāsaṁdha, lord of all the kings on earth, was angry.

narādhipasahasraughairanuyāto mahādyutiḥ |

vyāyatodagraturagaiḥ suyānaiḥ susamāhitaiḥ ||2-35-15

jarāsaṁdha of great splendour was accompanied by a group of thousands of kings. There were long and tall horses able to run as fast as the wind.

rathaiḥ sāṁgrāmikairyuktairasaṅgagatibhiḥ kvachit |

hemakakṣairmahāghaṇṭairvāraṇāirvāridopamaiḥ ||2-35-16

At some place, there were chariots ready for battle, able to advance without stop. There were elephants, comparable to rain clouds, decorated with bells and golden chains.

mahāmātrottamārūḍhaiḥ kalpitai raṇakovidaiḥ |

svārūḍhaiḥ sādibhiryuktaiḥ preṁkhamāṇaiḥ pravalgitaiḥ ||2-35-17

Mahouts skilled in battle, were mounted upon the elephants. There were many soldiers mounted on horses which were swift and could jump high.

vājibhirmeghasaṅkāśaiḥ plavadbhiriva pattibhiḥ |

khaḍgacharmadharodagraiḥ pattibhirbalināṁ varaiḥ ||2-35-18

The horses were fast like wind. The powerful, best, infantry was ready to leap, holding swords and shields.

sahasrasaṅkhyāsaṁyuktairutpatadbhirivoragaiḥ |

evaṁ caturvidhaiḥ sainyaiḥ kaṁpamānairivāmbudaiḥ ||2-35-19

There were thousands of soldiers (causing fear) like falling snakes. In this manner the four divisions of the army, vibrating like rain clouds, approached.

nṛpaḥ prayāto balavāṣjarāsaṁdho dhṛtavrataḥ |

sa rathairmeghanirghoṣairgajaiścha madasaṁyutaiḥ ||2-35-20

The powerful king jarāsaṁdha, determined (to defeat the enemy) arrived along with chariots roaring like clouds and excited elephants.

heṣamāṇaiścha turagaiḥ kṣveḍamānaiścha pattibhiḥ |

nādayāno diśaḥ sarvāstasyāḥ puryā vanāni ca ||2-35-21

The sounds of neighing of the horses and the shouting of the infantry, filled all the directions, the city and the forests.

sa rājā sāgarākāraḥ sasainyaḥ pratyadṛśyata |

tadbalaṁ pṛthivīśānāṁ hṛṣṭayodhajanākulam ||2-35-22

(Note 2)

The king along with his army, appeared like a vast ocean. The army of the kings was with soldiers, experts in battle.

kṣveḍitāsphoṭitaravaṁ meghasainyamivābabhau |

Due to roaring and clapping (of the soldiers) that army, shone like an army of clouds.

rathaiḥ pavanasaṁpātairgajaiścha jaladopamaiḥ |

turagaishcha javopetaiḥ pattibhiḥ khagamopamaiḥ ||2-35-23

with chariots moving fast like winds, elephants like rain clouds, horses riding fast, infantry like (flocks of) birds,

vimiśraṁ sarvato bhāti mattadvipasamākulam |

gharmānte sāgaragataṁ yathābhrapaṭalaṁ tathā ||2-35-24

with a mixture of all these, the army with excited elephants sparkled, like the clouds reaching the ocean during the rainy season.

sabalāste mahīpālā jarāsaṁdhapurogamāḥ |

parivārya purīṁ sarve niveśāyopacakrire ||2-35-25

The kings lead by jarāsaṁdha, along with their army, surrounded the city and prepared to camp there.

babhau tasya niviṣṭasya phalaśrīḥ shibirasya vai |

śuklaparyantapūrṇāsya yathā rūpaṁ mahodadheḥ ||2-35-26

The rows of tents (made by the army) shone like a vast ocean complete with a white border.

vītarātre tataḥ kāle samuttasthurmahīkṣitaḥ |

ārohaṇārthaṁ puryāste samīyuryuddhalālasāḥ ||2-35-27

When the night passed, the kings got up early in the morning. They were keen to fight the battle to conquer the city.

samavāyīkṛtāḥ sarve yamunāmanu te nṛpāḥ |

niviṣṭā mantrayāmāsuryuddhakālakutūhalāḥ ||2-35-28

All the kings assembled near yamunā. Sitting there, the kings, made plans waiting for an opportunity to fight.

teśām sutumulaḥ śabdaḥ śuśruve pṛthivīkṣitām |

yugānte bhidyamānānāṁ sāgarāṇāmiva svanaḥ ||2-35-29

The loud roaring of the kings (and their army) could be heard, like the sound of oceans split during the end of the era (yuga).

teṣāṁ sakaṣchukoṣṇīṣāḥ sthavirā vetrapāṇayaḥ |

cherurmā śabda ityevaṁ vadanto rājaśāsanāt ||2-35-30

The macebearers, wearing jacket and turban, moved everywhere asking the soldiers to keep silence as per the royal order.

tasya rūpaṁ balasyāsīnniḥśabdastimitasya vai |

līnamīnagrahasyeva niḥśabdasya yathodadheḥ ||2-35-31

The entire army standing silent sparkled brightly, like a silent ocean, not agitated by the aquatic animals.

niḥśabdastimite tasminyogādiva mahārṇave |

jarāsaṁdho bṛhadvākyaṁ bṛhaspatirivādade ||2-35-32

As the army in full harness, remained silent like a vast ocean, jarāsaṁdha spoke these elaborate words like bṛhaspati:

śīghraṁ samabhivartantāṁ balāni pṛthivīkṣitām |

sarvato nagarī cheyaṁ janaughaiḥ parivāryatām ||2-35-33

The army of the kings shall quickly conquer the city. Groups of people shall surround the city everywhere.

aśmayantrāṇi yujyantāṁ kṣepaṇīyāścha mudgarāḥ |

kāryā bhūmiḥ samā sarvā jalaughaishcha pariplutā |

ūrdhvaṁ cāpā nivāhyantāṁ prāsā vai tomarāstathā ||2-35-34

You can use stone pelting machines, oars and iron clubs. Level all the land and drain all water. Keep your bows, knives and spears ready (for the battle).

dāryatāṁ caiva ṭaṅkādyaiḥ khanitraishcha purī drutam |

nṛpāścha yuddhamārgajṣā vinyasyantāmadūrataḥ ||2-35-35

Using weapons such as spade, shovel etc., this city shall be quickly smashed. Kings who are experts in fighting, shall be deployed not too far.

adyaprabhṛti sainyairme purīrodhaḥ pravartyatām |

From today, my army shall begin to blockade the city.

yāvadetau raṇe gopau vasudevasutāvubhau || 2-35-36

saṅkarṣaṇaṁ ca kṛṣṇaṁ ca ghātayāmi śitaiḥ śaraiḥ |

ākāśamapi bāṇaughairniḥsaṁpātaṁ yathā bhavet ||2-35-37

In the battle, I will kill these gopa-s, the two sons of vasudeva, saṅkarṣaṇa and kṛṣṇa with sharp arrows, in a way so that even the sky is filled with arrows, without any space.

mayānuśiṣṭāstiṣṭhantu purībhūmiṣu bhūmipāḥ |

teṣu teṣvavakāśeṣu śīghramāruhyatāṁ purī ||2-35-38

Let the kings designated by me, entering the city, position themselves in the land of the city, at the allocated places immediately.

madraḥ kaliṅgādhipatiśchekitānaḥ sabāhlikaḥ |

kāśmīrarājo gonardaḥ karūṣādhipatistathā ||2-35-39

king of madra, king of kaliṅga, chekitāna, bāhlika, gonarda the king of kāśmīra and the king of karūṣa,

drumaḥ kiṁpuruṣaścaiva pārvatīyo hyanāmayaḥ |

nagaryāḥ paśchimaṁ dvāraṁ śīghramārodhayantviti ||2-35-40

druma and the king of kiṁpuruṣa, anāmaya the king of mountainous regions, shall block the western entrance of the city immediately.

pauravo vaiṇudāriścha vaidarbhaḥ somakastathā |

rukmī ca bhojādhipatiḥ sūryākṣaścha samālavaḥ ||2-35-41

(The kings) veṇudāri of puru dynasty, vidharbha, somaka, rukmi, the king of bhoja, sūryākṣa the king of mālava,

vindānuvindāvāvantyau dantavaktrashcha vīryavān |

cāgaliḥ puramitrashcha virāṭaścha mahīpatiḥ ||2-35-42

vinda and anuvinda of avanti, the valiant dantavaktra, cāgali, puramitra and the king virāṭa,

kauravyo mālavaścaiva śatadhanvā vidūrathaḥ |

bhūriśravāstrigartaścha bāṇaḥ paṣchanadastathā ||2-35-43

kauravya, mālava, śatadhanvā, vidūratha, bhūriśrva, trigarta, bāṇa and paṣchanada

uttaraṁ nagaradvāramete durgasahā nṛpāḥ |

āruhya cābhimardantāṁ vajrapratimagauravāḥ || 2-35-44

who are as tough as vajra (diamond) shall attack and pound the fortified northern entrance of the city.

ulūkaḥ kaitavashcaiva vīraścāṁśumataḥ sutaḥ |

ekalavyo bṛhatkṣatraḥ kṣatradharmā jayadrathaḥ ||2-35-45

ulūka, kaitava, the valiant son of aṁśumān, ekalavya, bṛhatkṣatra, kṣatradharma, jayadratha,

uttamaujāścha shalyashcha kauravāḥ kaikayāstathā |

vaidisho vāmadevaścha sāṅkṛtiścha sinīpatiḥ ||2-35-46

uttamauja, shalya, kauravā, kaikayā, vaidisha, vāmadeva, sāṅkṛti, the king of sini,

pūrvaṁ nagaranirvyūhameteṣvāyattamastu naḥ |

dārayanto vidhāvantu vātā iva balāhakān ||2-35-47

shall conquer the eastern entrance of the city. Let them attack the city, splitting it like a powerful wind splits the rain clouds.

ahaṁ ca daradashcaiva cedirājaścha vīryavān |

dakṣiṇaṁ nagaradvāraṁ pālayāmaḥ sudaṁśitāḥ ||2-35-48

I, darada, the valiant king of chedi, fully armed, shall take care of (attack) the southern entrance of the city.

evameṣā purī kṣipraṁ samantādveṣṭitā balaiḥ |

vajrāvapātaviṣamaṁ prāpnotu tumulaṁ bhayam ||2-35-49

Being surrounded by the army from all sides in this way, the city will suffer a shock as though struck by thunderbolt.

gadino ye gadābhiste parighaiḥ parighāyudhāḥ |

apare vividhaiḥ śastrairdārayantu purīmimām ||2-35-50

Let mace fighters with maces and club fighters with clubs and others with other weapons attack the city.

adyaiva nagarī hyeṣā viṣamocchayasaṅkaṭā |

kāryā bhūmisamā sarvā bhavadbhirvasudhādhipaiḥ ||2-35-51

Today itself, you, the kings of lands, shall reduce this city of complex buildings to a plain land.

(Note 3)

caturaṅgabalairvyūhya jarāsaṁdho vyavasthitaḥ |

athābhyayādyadūnkruddhaiḥ saha sarvairnarādhipaiḥ ||2-35-52

Angry jarāsaṁdha, assembled four divisions of his army and attacked the yādava-s, along with all the kings.

pratijagmurdaśārhāstaṁ vyūḍhānīkāḥ prahāriṇaḥ |

tadyuddhamabhavadghoraṁ teṣāṁ devāsuropamam |

The dāśārha-s (yādava-s) assembled the forces and counter-attacked. A fierce battle, equal to the battle of deva-s and asura-s occurred between them.

alpānāṁ bahubhiḥ sārdhaṁ vyatiṣaktarathadvipam ||2-34-53

The yādava-s, less in number, fought with many soldiers, combined with elephants and chariots.

nagarānnissṛtau dṛṣṭvā vasudevasutāvubhau |

kṣubhitaṁ nṛvarānīkaṁ trastasaṁmūḍhavāhanam ||2-35-54

vasudeva's two sons (kṛṣṇa and balarāma) were seen coming out of the city. The army of the kings became agitated and vehicles (along with drivers) trembled with fear.

rathasthau daṁśitau caiva ceratustatra yādavau |

makarāviva saṁrabdhau samudrakṣobhaṇāvubhau ||2-35-55

The yādava-s, (kṛṣṇa and balarāma) fully armed, moved in chariots. The two looked like two crocodiles agitating the ocean.

tayoḥ prayudhyatoḥ saṅkhye matirāsīnmahātmanoḥ |

āyudhānāṁ purāṇānāmādānakṛtalakṣaṇā ||2-35-56

The great souls about to fight the battle, had a desire to use their ancient weapons.

tataḥ khānnipatanti sma divyānyāhavasaṁplave |

lelihānāni dīptāni mahānti sudṛḍhāni ca ||2-35-57

Then divine weapons fell down from the sky in the battle field. The weapons were ready to use, bright, best and strong.

kravyādairanuyātāni mūrtimanti bṛhanti ca |

tṛṣitānyāhave bhoktuṁ nṛpamāṁsāni vai bhṛśam ||2-35-58

The weapons, greatly personified, were followed by raw flesh etc. The weapons were keen to relish the flesh of kings in the battle.

divyasragdhāmadhārīṇi trāsayanti ca khecarān |

prabhayā bhāsamānāni patamānāni cāmbarāt ||2-35-59

The weapons capable of trembling even the aerial beings, were decorated with divine flower garlands. They fell from the sky sparkling with their brightness.

halam saṁvartakaṁ nāma saunandaṁ musalaṁ tathā |

dhanuṣāṁ pravaraṁ śārṅgaṁ gadā kaumodakī tathā ||2-35-60

The plough (halam) named saṁvartaka, the club (musala) named saunandaṁ, the great bow śārṅgaṁ and the mace (gada), kaumodaki.

catvāryetāni tejāṁsi viṣṇupraharaṇāni ca |

tābhyāṁ samavatīrṇāni yādavābhyāṁ mahāmṛdhe ||2-35-61

All these four splendorous weapons of viṣṇu arrived for (assisting) the yādava-s in the great battle.

jagrāha prathamaṁ rāmo lalāmapratimaṁ halam |

sarpantamiva sarpendraṁ divyamālākulaṁ mṛdhe ||2-35-62

With his right hand, rāma (balarāma) picked up the plough looking like a flagstaff, adorned with divine garlands coiling like the king of snakes around it, for the battle.

saunandaṁ ca tataḥ śrīmānnirānandakaraṁ dviṣām |

savyena sātvatāṁ śreṣṭho jagrāha musalottamam ||2-35-63

Then, with his left hand, the great among sātvata (balarāma), picked up the best club (musala) saunandaṁ, which causes distress to the enemies.

darśanīyaṁ ca lokeṣu dhanurjaladaniḥsvanam |

nāmnā śārṅgamiti khyātaṁ kṛṣṇo jagrāha vīryavān ||2-35-64

The valiant kṛṣṇa, picked up the bow named śārṅgaṁ, famous and fascinating to be seen in the worlds, capable of producing a sound of the thunder of rain clouds.

devairnigaditārthasya gadā tasyāpare kare |

nikṣiptā kumudākṣasya nāmnā kaumodakīti sā ||2-35-65

With his other hand, kumudākṣa (kṛṣṇa), to whom the gods assigned their work, picked up the mace named kaumodakī.

tau sapraharaṇau vīrau sākṣādviṣṇutanūpamau |

samare rāmagovindau ripūṁstānpratyayuddhyatām ||2-35-66

The two valiant heroes, rāma (balarāma) and govinda (kṛṣṇa), appearing as powerful as viṣṇu himself, started fighting with their enemies.

sāyudhapragrahau vīrau tāvanyonyāśrayāvubhau |

pūrvajānujasaṁjṣau tau rāmagovindalakṣaṇau ||2-35-67

The two fully armed heroes were equal to each other. They, rāma (balarāma) and govinda (kṛṣṇa), were elder and younger brothers.

dviṣatsu pratikurvāṇau parākrāntau yatheshvarau |

viceraturyathā devau vasudevasutāvubhau ||2-35-68

The two sons of vasudeva, similar to gods, roamed freely in the battle field, attacking their enemies.

halamudyamya rāmastu sarpendramiva kopitaḥ |

cacāra samare vīro vidviṣāmantako yathā ||2-35-69

Angry and valiant rāma, picking up the plough (halam), equal to the king of snakes roamed in the battle field, like the god of death to the enemies.

vikarṣanrathavṛṁdāni kṣatriyāṇāṁ mahātmanām |

cakāra roṣaṁ saphalaṁ nāgeṣu ca hayeṣu ca ||2-35-70

Pulling the chariots of the kṣatriya kings with great souls, he showed his anger among the elephants and horses.

kunjarā.ṇllāṁgalakṣiptānmusalākṣepatāḍitān |

rāmo virājansamare nirmamantha yathācalān ||2-35-71

rāma (balarāma) governed the battle like a mountain, attacking the elephants by pulling them with his plough (halam) and beating with his club (musala).

te vadhyamānā rāmeṇa rane kṣatriyapuṁgavāḥ |

jarāsanṁdhāntikaṁ bhītāḥ samarātpratijagmire ||2-35-72

The leaders of the kṣatrya-s (kings) terrified to death by rāma in the battle, approached jarāsaṁdha with fear.

tānuvāca jarāsaṁdhaḥ kṣatradharme vyavasthitaḥ |

dhigetāṁ kṣatravṛttiṁ vaḥ samare kātarātmanām ||2-35-73

jarāsaṁdha, fixed in the duty of kṣatriya-s, told them: Getting afraid to fight the battle is a shame to you, followers of kṣatradharma.

parāvṛttasya samare virathasya palāyataḥ |

bhrūṇahatyāmivāsahyāṁ pravadanti manīṣiṇaḥ ||2-35-74

The wise men say that those who run away from the battle field, losing their chariots are equal to the killers of embryos.

bhītāḥ kasmānnivartadhvaṁ dhigetāṁ kṣatravṛttitām |

kṣipraṁ sarve nivartadhvaṁ mama vākyena choditāḥ ||2-35-75

The duty of kṣatriya-s is a shame to you. Why are you running away from fight, getting afraid? Listen to my words and return quickly to the battle field.

atha vā tiṣṭhata rathaiḥ prekṣakāḥ samavasthitāḥ |

yāvadetau raṇe gopau preṣayāmi yamakṣayam ||2-35-76

Otherwise, sitting on your chariots, watch as I proceed to send these gopa-s to the land of death in the battle.

tataste kṣatriyāḥ sarve jarāsaṁdhena noditāḥ |

sṛjantaḥ śarajālāni hṛṣṭā yoddhuṁ vyavasthitāḥ ||2-35-77

Then all those kṣatriya-s (kings), inspired by jarāsaṁdha, ready to fight, started showering arrows, happily.

te hayaiḥ kāṣchanāpīḍai rathaiścāṁbudanādibhiḥ |

nādaiścāmbudasaṁṅkāśairmahāmātraprachoditaiḥ ||2-35-78

The horses were decorated with gold, chariots roared in the battle like rain clouds, elephants thundered like rain clouds, prompted by the mahouts.

satanutrāḥ sanistriṁśāḥ sapatākāyudhadhvajāḥ |

svāropitadhanuṣmantaḥ satūṇīrāḥ satomarāḥ ||2-35-79

The soldiers were with swords, wearing jackets, holding flags and weapons, bows ready to shoot arrows, quivers and lances.

sacchatrāḥ sādinaścaiva cārucāmaravījitāḥ |

rane te'dhigatā rejuḥ syandanasthā mahīkṣitaḥ ||2-35-80

The kings were having parasols over their heads. They were fanned with plumes. The kings on the chariots, sparkled in the battle.

te yuddharāgā rathino vyāgāhanta yudhāṁ varāḥ |

gadābhiścaiva gurvībhiḥ kṣepaṇīyaiścha mudgaraiḥ ||2-35-81

The kings riding the chariots were experts in fighting. They were having the best maces, oars and hammers.

etasminnantare tatra devānāṁ nandivardhanaḥ |

suparṇadhvajamāsthāya kṛṣṇastu rathamuttamam ||2-35-82

Meanwhile, kṛṣṇa, who increases the happiness of the gods, arrived riding in a prominent chariot with garuḍa on the flag.

samabhyayājjarāsaṁdhaṁ śarairvivyādha cāṣṭabhiḥ |

sārathiṁ cāsya vivyādha paṣchabhirniśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||2-35-83

kṛṣṇa shot eight arrows towards jarāsaṁdha. He killed his charioteer with five arrows.

jaghāna turagāṁścājau yatamānasya vīryavān |

taṁ kṛcchragatamājṣāya citraseno mahārathaḥ ||2-35-84

Valiant kṛṣṇa killed his horses. Seeing jarāsaṁdha in danger, the great chariot fighter citrasena

senānīḥ kaishikashcaiva kṛṣṇaṁ vividhatuḥ śaraiḥ |

tribhirvivyādha saṁsaktaṁ baladevaṁ ca kaiśikaḥ ||2-35-85

and the chief of army kaushika shot arrows towards kṛṣṇa. kaushika shot three arrows towards baladeva (balarāma).

baladevo dhanuścāsya bhallenājau dvidhākarot |

javenābhyardayachcāpi tānarīṣcharavṛṣṭibhiḥ ||2-35-86

shooting a special arrow (bhalla), baladeva (balarāma) split his bow in two pieces. Shooting showers of arrows, balarāma oppressed the enemies.

bahubhirbahudhā vīrānsamantātsvarṇabhūṣaṇaiḥ |

taṁ citrasenaḥ saṁrabdho vivyādha navabhiḥ śaraiḥ ||2-35-87

He oppressed his valiant heroes decorated with gold in many ways. citrasena, getting angry, shot nine arrows on him.

kaiśikaḥ paṣchabhiścāpi jarāsaṁdhaścha saptabhiḥ |

tribhistribhishcha narācaistānbibheda janārdanaḥ ||2-35-88

kaushika shot five arrows and jarāsaṁdha shot seven. janārdana (kṛṣṇa) shooting three iron arrows each, wounded them.

paṣchabhiḥ paṣchabhiścaiva baladevaḥ shitaih śaraiḥ |

Also baladeva (balarāma) shot five sharp arrows each.

rathaṁ chaivāsya ciccheda citrasenasya vīryavān |

baladevo dhanuścāsya bhallenājau dvidhākarot ||2-35-89

Valiant balarāma broke the chariot of citrasena by shooting arrows. With a special arrow (bhalla), balarāma split his bow in two pieces.

sa ccinnadhanvā viratho gadāmādāya vīryavān |

abhyadhāvatsusaṁrabdho jighāṁsurmusalāyudham ||2-35-90

The valiant citrasena whose bow was split and whose chariot was broken, became angry and took up a mace and attacked balarāma whose weapon was musala (club).

sisṛkṣatastu nārācāṁścitrasenavadhaiṣiṇaḥ |

dhanuściccheda rāmasya jarāsaṁdho mahābalaḥ ||2-35-91

Powerful jarāsaṁdha broke the bow of rāma (balarāma) who was shooting iron arrows to kll citrasena.

gadayā ca jaghānāśvānkrodhātsa magadheśvaraḥ |

rāmaṁ cābhyadravadvīro jarāsaṁdho mahābalaḥ ||2-35-92

The angry lord of magadha (jarāsaṁdha) killed the horses with a mace. The powerful jarāsaṁdha turned his attention to balarāma.

ādāya musalaṁ rāmo jarāsaṁdhamupādravat |

tayostadyuddhamabhavatparasparavadhaiṣiṇoḥ ||2-35-93

balarāma took his musala (club) and attacked jarāsaṁdha. There was a battle between them who wished to kill each other.

citrasenastu saṁsaktaṁ dṛṣṭvā rāmeṇa māgadham |

rathamanyaṁ samāruhya jarāsaṁdhamavārayat ||2-35-94

Seeing māgadha (jarāsaṁdha) engaged in war with balarāma, citrasena arrived in a different chariot and tried to stop the king from fighting.

tato balena mahatā gajānīkena cāpyatha |

ubhayorantare tābhyāṁ saṅkulaṁ samapadyata ||2-35-95

Then a great army of elephants arrived. A terrible battle took place between them.

tataḥ sainyena mahatā jarāsaṁdho'bhisaṁvṛtaḥ |

rāmakṛṣṇāgragānbhojānāsasāda mahābalaḥ ||2-35-96

Then the powerful jarāsaṁdha, supported by a great army, fought with bhoja-s led by balarāma and kṛṣṇa.

tatra prakṣubhitasyeva sāgarasya mahāsvanaḥ |

prādurbabhūva tumulaḥ senayorubhayorapi ||22-35-97

There huge sounds could be heard as both the armies, similar to a great ocean, were fully agitated.

veṇubherīmṛdaṅgānāṁ śaṅkhānāṁ ca sahasraśaḥ |

ubhayoḥ senayo rājanprādurāsīnmahāsvanaḥ ||2-35-98

(vaiśaṁpāyana said) O king (janamejaya)! Huge sounds could be heard in both armies due to the playing of thousands of flutes, drums, mṛdaṅga-s and conches.

kṣveḍītāsphoṭitotkruṣṭaistumulaḥ sarvato'bhavat |

utpapāta rajaścāpi khuranemisamuddhatam ||2-35-99

Due to the soldiers roaring and clapping their hands, there were huge sounds all over. The sky was filled with dust rising from the hooves of the horses and the wheels of the chariots.

samudyatamahāśastrāḥ pragṛhītaśarāsanāḥ |

anyonyamabhigarjantaḥ śūrāstatrāvatasthire ||2-35-100

Valiant soldiers armed with weapons, holding bows in their hands fought against each other.

rathinaḥ sādinaścaiva pattayashcha sahsraśaḥ |

gajāścātibalāstatra samutpetuḥ samantataḥ ||2-35-101

Thousands of soldiers riding on chariots, cavalry, infantry and mighty elephants ran against each other and fought.

sa sannipātastumulastyaktvā prāṇānavartata |

vṛṣṇibhiḥ saha yodhānāṁ jarāsaṁdhasya dāruṇaḥ ||2-35-102

A terrible battle took place between the soldiers of jarāsaṁdha and vṛṣṇi-s resulting in a great commotion and loss of life.

tataḥ śiniranādhṛṣṭirbabhrurvipṛthurāhukaḥ |

baladevaṁ puraskṛtya sainyasyārddhena daṁśitāḥ ||2-35-103

Then shini, adhṛṣṭi, babhru, vipṛthu and Ahuka, led by baladeva (balarāma) fully armed, along with half the army,

dakṣiṇaṁ pakṣamāseduḥ shatrusainyasya bhārata |

O bhārata (janamejaya)! attacked the south side of the enemy's army.

pālitaṁ cedirājena jarāsaṁdhena vā vibho ||2-35-104

udīcyaiścha mahāvīryaiḥ śalyaśālvādibhirnṛpaiḥ |

O Lord (janamejaya)! That army was protected by the king of chedi and jarāsaṁdha and also by the great valiant northern kings, shalya and sālva.

sṛjantaḥ śaravarṣāṇi samabhityaktajīvitāḥ ||2-35-105

Terrified and leaving their hopes to live, the yādav-s showered a rain of arrows.

avagāhaḥ pṛthuḥ kaṅkaḥ shatadyumno vidūrathaḥ |

hṛṣīkeśaṁ puraskṛtya sainyasyārddhena damśitāḥ ||2-35-106

avagāha, pṛ+thu, kaṅka, shatadyumna and vidūratha with kṛṣṇa (hṛṣīkeśa) in the front, fully armed, along with half the army

bhīṣmakeṇābhiguptaścha rukmiṇā ca mahātmanā |

attacked the portion protected by bhīṣmaka and the great soul rukmi.

devakenāpi rājendra tathā madreśvareṇa ca ||2-35-107

prācyaiścha dākṣiṇātyaiścha guptavīryabalānvitaiḥ |

The lord of kings devaka and the lord of mādra, the easterners and the southerners, protected the portions with powerful armies.

teṣāṁ ca yuddhamabhavatsamabhityaktajīvitam |

śaktyṛṣṭiprāsabānaughānsṛjatāmaśanisvanān ||2-35-108

Between them also a terrible battle occurred, leading to loss of life, showering lances. spears, knives and arrows along with loud sounds.

sātyakiścitrakaḥ śyāmo yuyudhānaścha vīryavān |

rājādhidevo mṛduraḥ shvaphalkashcha mahārathaḥ ||2-35-109

sātyaki, citraka, śyāma, the valiant yuyudhāna, rājādideva, mṛdura and the great chariot fighter shvaphalka,

satrājiccha prasenashcha balena mahatā vṛtāḥ |

vyūhasya pakṣaṁ te sarve pratīyurdviṣatāṁ mṛdhe ||2-35-110

satrājit and prasena, along with powerful armies, attacked the enemy's armies in the battle.

vyūhasyārddhaṁ samāsedurmṛdureṇābhirakṣitam |

rājabhiścāpi bahubhirvaiṇudārimukhaiḥ saha ||2-35-111

veṇudhāri and others attacked in the middle of the army, which was protected by mṛdura along with many other kings.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi mathuroparodhe yuddhavarṇane paṣchatriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the the thirty-fifth chapter of viṣṇuparva of harivaṁśa, khila of śrimahābhārata, the yādava-māgadha battle.

(Note 1)

The harivaṁśa vol.ī, critically edited by P.L. Vaidya, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona (1969) has, on page No.513, footnotes, the following line

(T 1,3, G 1,3,5, M4)

evaṁ cintayatastasya kṛṣṇasyādbhutakarmaṇaḥ

kṛṣṇa, who performs wonderful actions thought in this manner.

The ṁalayalam translation of this line is given on page 440, sloka 14, bhāṣābhārataṁ, vol 6, translation by kuṣṣikkuṭṭan taṁpurān, DC.Books, Kottayam (2007)

(Note 2)

The harivaṁśa vol.ī, critically edited by P.L. Vaidya, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona (1969) has, on page No.514, footnotes, after the first line of śloka 22, the following line (T 1,3 , G 3,5 , M, G ( ed ))

akṣauhiṇyā ca viṁśatyā anuyāto narādhipaḥ

The king was accompanied by twentyone akṣauhiṇis.

The ṁalayalam translation of this line is given on page 441, sloka 22, bhāṣābhārataṁ, vol 6, translation by kuṣṣikkuṭṭan taṁpurān, DC.Books, Kottayam (2007)

(Note 3)

The harivaṁśa vol.ī, critically edited by P.L. Vaidya, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona (1969) has, on page No.514, footnotes, after śloka 51, the following line (T 1,3 , G 3,5 , G (ed))

evamuktvā jarāsaṁdhaḥ śakratulyaparākrama

saying this, jarāsaṁdha, valiant equal to śakra (indra)

The ṁalayalam translation of this line is given on page 443, śloka 5, bhāṣābhārataṁ, vol 6, translation by kuṣṣikkuṭṭan taṁpurān, DC.Books, Kottayam (2007).

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

paṣchatrīṁśe tvathādhyāye mathurāmetya māgadhaḥ |

rurodha nagaraṁ sainyaiścaturaṅgairitīyate || 1 ||

· 2-35-1 mathuretyādi |

· 2-35-6 nikaṣa svarṇanikaṣavadbalābalanirṇayahetuḥ ||

· 2-35-7 balaṁ pareṣāṁ sainyaṁ gatāyuḥ cirāyurveti vimṛśyatāṁ vicāraṇīyamityarthaḥ ||

· 2-35-10 pārthive pṛthivīsthajanayobhye mṛtyumārge ityarthaḥ ||

· 2-35-11 prokṣitānyajṣapaśuvadāsannamṛtyūn ||

· 2-35-12 sthāne yuktaṁ asyāḥ bhārāvataraṇamityarthaḥ | yataḥ iyaṁ divaṁ gatā divisthaṁ brahmāṇaṁ prati śaraṇaṁ gatā ||

· 2-35-13 viviktaṁ nirjanam ||

· 2-35-16 hemakakṣaiḥ suvarṇaśṛṅkhalaiḥ ||

· 2-35-18 preṅkhamāṇaiḥ kūrdamānaiḥ ||

· 2-35-21 vanāni ca nādayānaḥ ||

· 2-35-24 vimiśraṁ sainyamiti śeṣaḥ ||

· 2-35-25 niveśyāya sthānaparigrahāya ||

· 2-35-26 shibirasya senāgṛhasys paṭamayasya jātyābhiprāyamekavacanam ||

· 2-35-30 sakaṣchukoṣṇīṣāḥ pratīhārāḥ ||

· 2-35-32 yogāt vṛttinirodhāt ||

· 2-35-34 prāsāḥ hastakṣepyamallaḥ | ūrdhvaṁ durge prākāropari nivāhyantāṁ prāpayantu ||

· 2-35-37 niḥsaṁpātaṁ kīlitāmiva ||

· 2-35-44 durgasahā durgayuddhaṁ kartuṁ kṣamāḥ ||

· 2-35-61 tābhyāṁ tayorathe ||

· 2-35-62 lalāmapratimaṁ dhvajavaducchritaṁ

"lalāmaṁ lāṣchane dhvaje"

iti medinī ||

iti harivaṁśe ṭīkāyāṁ paṣchtriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ ||

36 – jarāsaṁdphapayānam - Jarāsaṁdha Retires from Battlefield

vaiśampāyana uvāca

tato yuddhāni vṛṣṇīnāṁ babhūvuḥ sumahāntyatha |

māgadhasya mahāmātrairnṛpaiśchaivānuyāyibhiḥ ||2-36-1

vaiśampāyana said:

Then there was a terrible battle between the vṛṣṇi-s and the mahouts of the great kings accompanying māgadha (jarāsaṁdha).

rukmiṇā vāsudevasya bhīṣmakeṇāhukasya ca |

krathasya vasudevena kaishikasya tu babhruṇā ||2-36-2

rukmi fought with vāsudeva (kṛṣṇa), bhīṣmaka with Ahuka, kratha with vasudeva and kaishika with babhru.

gadena cedirājasya dantavaktrasya śaṅkunā |

tathānyairvṛṣṇivīrāṇāṁ nṛpāṇāṁ ca mahātmanām ||2-36-3

The king of chedi fought with gada, dantavaktra with śaṅku and other great kings fought with the leaders of vṛṣṇis.

yuddhamāsīddhi sainyānāṁ sainikairbharatarṣabha |

ahāni paṣcha chaikaṁ ca ṣaṭ saptāṣṭau ca dāruṇam ||2-36-4

(vaiśampāyana said) O the bull of bharata race (janamejaya)! The armies fought terrible battles with each other. Terrible battles were fought for five days and one, then six, seven and eight days (twenty-seven days).

gajairgajā hayairaśvāḥ padātāścha padātibhiḥ |

rathai rathā vimiśrāścha yodhā yuyudhire nṛpa ||2-36-5

(vaiśampāyana said) O king (janamejaya)! elephants fought with elephants, horses with horses, infantry with infantry, chariot with chariot and soldiers fought with soldiers.

jarāsaṁdhasya nṛpate rāmeṇāsītsamāgamaḥ |

mahendrasyeva vṛtreṇa dāruṇo romaharṣaṇaḥ ||2-36-6

king jarāsaṁdha fought with balarāma. It was terrible, like the fight indra had with vṛtra.

avekṣya rukmiṇīṁ kṛṣṇo rukmiṇaṁ na vyapothayat |

Considering rukmiṇi, kṛṣṇa did not kill rukmi.

jvalanārkāṁśusaṅkāśānāśīviṣaviṣopamān ||2-36-7

vārayāmāsa kṛṣṇo vai śarāṁstasya tu śikṣayā |

He (rukmi) shot arrows with tips having snake poison, similar to blazing sun. With his training, kṛṣṇa blocked them.

ityeṣāṁ sumahānāsīdbalaughānāṁ parikṣayaḥ ||2-36-8

ubhayoḥ senayo rājanmāṁsaśoṇitakardamaḥ |

O king! In this manner, there was a terrible battle between the two powerful armies. (Mangled) flesh mixed up with blood and piled up as dirt on both sides of the armies.

kabandhāni samuttasthuḥ subahūni samantataḥ ||2-36-9

tasminvimarde yodhānāṁ saṅkhyāvṛttikarāṇi ca |

Vast number of headless bodies arose in that battlefield. The number of soldiers killed in that battle were enermous, impossible to count.

rathī rāmo jarāsaṁdhaṁ śarairāśīviṣopamaiḥ ||2-36-10

āvṛṇvannabhyayādvīrastaṁ ca rājā sa māgadhaḥ |

abhyavartata vegena syandanenāśugāminā ||2-36-11

balarāma, expert in chariot battle, showered a group of arrows with snake poison on jarāsaṁdha. Then the king of magadha counter attacked with a fast moving chariot.

anyonyaṁ vividhairastrairviddhvā viddhvā vinedatuḥ |

tau kṣīṇaśastrau virathau hatāśvau hatasārathī ||2-36-12

Shooting various arrows against each other, they fought. Their arrows were exhausted, their chariots were lost, their horses and charioteers were killed.

gade gṛhītvā vikrāntāvanyonyamabhidhāvatāt |

kaṁpayantau bhuvaṁ vīrau tāvudyatagadāvubhau ||2-36-13

Picking up maces, they attacked each other. Fighting with their maces, those valiant fighters shook the earth.

dadarśāte mahātmānau girī saśikharāviva |

vyupāramanta yuddhāni paśyatāṁ tau mahābhujau |

saṁrabdhāvabhidhāvantau gadāyuddheṣu vishrutau ||2-36-14

Those great souls appeared like mountains decorated with peaks. Those seeing them with great arms forgot the battle. They, famous in mace-fight, attacked each other angrily.

ubhau tau paramācāryau loke khyātau mahābalau |

mattāviva gajau yuddhe tāvanyonyamayuddhyatām ||2-36-15

Both supreme teachers were famous in the world as having great power. They fought against each other like intoxicated elephants.

tato devāḥ sagandharvāḥ siddhāścha samaharṣayaḥ |

samantataścāpsarasaḥ samājagmuḥ sahasraśaḥ ||2-36-16

Then deva-s along with gandharva-s, siddha-s and great sages and celestial women assembled in thousands (to watch the fight).

taddevayakṣagandharvamaharṣibhiralaṅkṛtam |

śuśubhe'bhyadhikaṁ rājandivaṁ jyotigaṇairiva ||2-36-17

(vaiśampāyana said) O king (janamejaya)! Then the sky, decorated with the assembly of deva-s, yakṣas, gandharvas and the sages, appeared shining as though with sparkling stars.

abhidudrāva rāmaṁ tu jarāsaṁdho mahābalaḥ |

savyaṁ maṇḍalamāśritya baladevastu dakṣiṇam ||2-36-18

Powerful jarāsaṁdha ran towards balarāma and attacked him turning from the left side. In the same way, balarāma attacked from the right side.

praharantau tato'nyonyaṁ gadāyuddhaviśāradau |

dantābhyāmiva mātaṅgau nādayantau disho daśa ||2-36-19

Then the two experts in mace-fight struck against each other, like two elephants fighting with their tusks, the sound filling all the ten directions.

gadānipāto rāmasya śuśruve'śaniniḥsvanaḥ |

jarāsaṁdhasya charaṇe parvatasyeva dīryataḥ ||2-36-20

balarāma's mace strike was heard like the sound of thunder. jarāsamdha's mace strike was heard as though splitting a mountain.

na sma kaṁpayate rāmaṁ jarāsaṁdhakarachyutā |

gadā gadābhṛtāṁ śreṣṭhaṁ vindhyaṁ girimivānilaḥ ||2-36-21

The mace thrown by jarāsaṁdha was unable to move balarāma, best among mace fighters, like the wind is unable to shake the mountain, vindhya.

rāmasya tu gadāvegaṁ vīryātsa magadheśvaraḥ |

sehe dhairyeṇa mahatā śikṣayā ca vyapohayat ||2-36-22

The lord of magadha (jarāsaṁdha) was able to withstand the speed of the mace of balarāma due to his valiancy and training.

evaṁ tau tatra saṅgrāme vicarantau mahābalau |

maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi viceraturarindamau ||2-36-23

O oppressor of enemies (janamejaya)! In this manner, the powerful fighters fought the battle using a variety of strange techniques.

vyāyacchantau ciraṁ kālaṁ pariśrāntau ca tasthatuḥ |

samāśvāsya muhūrtaṁ tu punaranyonyamāhatām ||2-36-24

Fighting for a long time, they became exhausted. They stopped and relaxed for a while. Again they struck against each other.

evaṁ tau yodhamukhyau tu samaṁ yuyudhatushciram |

na ca tau yuddhavaimukhyamubhāveva prajagmatuḥ ||2-36-25

In this way the great fighters fought for a long time. No one was ready to retire from the fight accepting defeat.

athāpaśyadgadāyuddhe viśeṣaṁ tasya vīryavān |

rāmaḥ kruddho gadāṁ tyaktvā jagrāha musalottamam ||2-36-26

Realising that jarāsaṁdha was skilled in mace fight, valiant balarāma became angry. He abandoned the mace and picked up his best club.

tamudyantaṁ tadā dṛṣṭvā musalaṁ ghoradarshanam |

amoghaṁ baladevena kruddhena tu mahāraṇe ||2-36-27

Seeing the angry balarāma picking up the infallible club, terrible at sight, in the great battle,

tato'ntarikṣe vāgāsitsusvarā lokasākṣiṇī |

uvāca baladevaṁ tam samudyatahalāyudham ||2-36-28

the voice of the witness of the world, was heard in the sky, telling baladeva (balarāma), who had picked up his weapon, the club.

na tvayā rāma vadhyo'yamalaṁ khedena māgadhe |

vidito'sya mayā mṛtyustasmātsādhu vyupārama |

O rāma (balarāma)! māgadha (jarāsaṁdha) is not to be killed by you. You need not lament. I have foreseen his death. Hence control yourself.

achireṇaiva kālena prāṇāṁstyakṣyati māgadhaḥ ||2-36-29

In a short time, the lord of magadha (jarāsaṁdha) will lose his life.

jarāsaṁdhastu tacchrutvā vimanāḥ samapadyata |

na prajahre tatastasmai punareva halāyudhaḥ ||2-36-30

Hearing this, jarāsaṁdha became disappointed as if he lost his mind. balarāma, having club as his weapon, did not strike jarāsaṁdha again.

tau vyupāramatāṁ yuddham vṛṣṇayaste ca pārthivāḥ |

asaktamabhavadyuddhaṁ teṣāmeva sudāruṇam ||2-36-31

Both stopped fighting. The vṛṣṇi-s and the kings also stopped fighting. In this way the terrible battle between them became devoid of any interest.

dīrghakālam mahārāja nighnatāmitaretaram |

(vaiśampāyana said) O great king (janamejaya)! (In this way, the terrible battle that resulted in ) killing each other for a long time came to an end.

parājite tvapakrānte jarāsaṁdhe mahīpatau ||2-36-32

astaṁ yāte dinakare nānusasrustadā nishi |

When jarāsaṁdha was defeated, he left the battlefield. As the sun set, the yādava-s did not chase him in the night.

samānīya svakaṁ sainyaṁ labdhalakṣyā mahābalāḥ ||2-36-33

purīṁ praviviśurhṛṣṭāḥ keśavenābhipālitāḥ |

Assembling their forces, the (yādava-s) warriors of great power, protected by keshava (kṛṣṇa), achieving their aim, happily entered the city.

khācchyutānyāyudhānyevaṁ tānyevāntardadhustadā ||2-36-34

All the weapons that came from the sky disappeared.

jarāsaṁdho'pi nṛpatirvimanāḥ svapurīṁ yayau |

rājānaścānugā ye'sya svarāṣṭrāṇyeva te yayuḥ ||2-36-35

king jarāsaṁdha, disappointed, returned to his city. The kings who followed him also returned to their kingdoms.

jarāsaṁdhaṁ tu te jitvā menire naiva nirjitam |

vṛṣṇayaḥ kuruśārdūla rājā hyatibalaḥ sa vai ||2-36-36

O tiger of the kuru race (janamejaya)! Even though they defeated jarāsaṁdha, the vṛṣṇī-s did not think so. The king jarāsaṁdha is most powerful.

daśa cāṣṭau ca saṅgrāmāṣjarāsaṁdhasya yādavāḥ |

dadurna chainaṁ samare hantuṁ śekurmahābalāḥ ||2-36-37

The yādava-s fought with jarāsaṁdha ten and eight (eighteen) battles. The powerful yādava-s were unable to kill him.

akṣauhiṇyaścha tasyāsanviṁśatiścha mahāmate |

jarāsaṁdhasya nṛpatestadarthaṁ yāḥ samāgatāḥ ||2-36-38

O One with great intellect (janamejaya)! king jarāsaṁdha has twenty akṣauhiṇi-s who came for fighting the battle for him.

alpatvādabhibhūtāstu vṛṣṇayo bharatarṣabha |

bārhadrathena rājendra rājabhiḥ sahitena vai ||2-36-39

O the bull of bharata race! Compared to jarāsaṁdha's army, the army of vṛṣṇi-s is meager. O the king of kings (janamejaya)! they were baffled on being attacked by jarāsaṁdha along with other kings.

bhūyaḥ kṛtvodyamam prāyādyādavānkṛṣṇapālitān |

jarāsaṁdha again came prepared and attacked yādavas, protected by kṛṣṇa.

jitvā tu māgadhaṁ saṅkhye jarāsaṁdhaṁ mahīpatim |

viharanti sma sukhino vṛṣṇisiṁhā mahārathāḥ ||2-36-40

After defeating jarāsaṁdha, the king of magadha in the battle, the lions of the vṛṣṇi race, the great chariot fighters lived comfortably.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇī jarāsaṁdhāpayānaṁ nāma ṣaṭtriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

śaṭtriṁśe'tha jarāsandhodvandayuddhe parājitaḥ |

balabhadreṇa taṁ hitvā palāyana itiryate || 1 ||

· 2-36-1 tato yudhānīti |

· 2-36-4 āhāni paṣchetyādi sarvasaṁkhyāsaṁkalane saptaviṁśatidināni yuddhamāsīdityarthaḥ ||

· 2-36-7 avekṣya rukmiṇīmityato jṣāyate itaḥ pūrvaṁ rukmiṇīharaṇamiti | anāgatāvekṣaṇaparaṁ vā idam ||

· 2-36-9 lakṣasya vadhe ekaikabandhasamuthānam | atra tu saṁkhyāyā āvṛttiḥ | kabandhsaṁkhyaiva kartuṁ na śakyā ityarthaḥ ||

· 2-36-17 divaṁ sthānam ||

· 2-36-24 āhatāṁ ājaghnatuḥ ||

· 2-36-31 asaktaṁ niranukrośaṁ praśāntamiti prājṣaḥ ||

· 2-36-38 akṣauhiṇyā iti |

"sā senā'kṣauhiṇī nāma svāṅkāṣṭaikadvikairgajaiḥ 21890 rathairetaiḥ 21890 hayerstrighnaiḥ 65670 paṣchaghnaiścha 109450 padātibhiḥ"

iti ||

· 2-36-39 abhibhūtāḥ punaḥ punarāveṣṭitāḥ ||

iti śrīharivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyāṁ śaṭtrimśo'dhyāyaḥ ||

37 - haryaśvarājakathā yadorutpattishcha - The Story of King Haryashva, and the Birth of Yadu

vaiśampāyana uvāca

sa kṛṣṇastatra balavānrauhiṇeyena saṅgataḥ |

mathurāṁ yādavākīrṇāṁ purīṁ tāṁ sukhamāvasat ||2-37-1

vaiśampāyana said:

Powerful kṛṣṇa, along with the son of rohiṇī (balarāma) lived comfortably in the city of mathurā, full of yādavas.

prāptayauvanadehastu yukto rājaśriyā vibhuḥ |

cacāra mathurāṁ prītaḥ savanākarabhūṣaṇām ||2-37-2

With his youthful body, the lord (kṛṣṇa) with royal splendour, highly pleased, roamed in mathurā, wearing beautiful ornaments.

kasyachittvatha kālasya rājā rājagṛheśvaraḥ |

sasmāra nihataṁ kaṁsaṁ jarāsaṁdhaḥ pratāpavān ||2-37-3

After some time, the king, the lord of rājagṛha, the majestic jarāsaṁdha remembered the killing of kaṁsa.

yuddhāya yojito bhūyo duhitṛbhyāṁ mahīpatiḥ |

The daughters again persuaded the king for battle.

daśa sapta ca saṅgrāmāṣjarāsaṁdhasya yādavāḥ |

dadurna chainaṁ samare hantuṁ śekurmahārathāḥ ||2-37-4

Ten and seven (seventeen) battles took place between jarāsaṁdha and yādavas. But, the great chariot fighters (yādava-s) were unable to kill him in the battles.

tato māgadharāṭ śrīmāṁścaturaṅgabalānvitaḥ |

bhūyo'pyaṣṭādaśaṁ kartuṁ saṅgrāmaṁ sa samārabhat ||2-37-5

Then the majestic king of magadha, along with four divisions of army, again prepared for battle for the eighteenth time.

vailakṣyātpunarevāsau rājā rājagṛheśvaraḥ |

jarāsaṁdho balī śrīmānpākaśāsanavikramaḥ ||2-37-6

The mighty, majestic king, jarāsaṁdha, lord of rājagṛha, valiant like indra, ashamed, again made arrangements.

sa sādhanena mahatā bṛhadrathasuto balī |

kṛṣṇasya vadhamanvicchanbhūyo vai saṁnyavartata ||2-37-7

Along with many great items, the powerful son of bṛhadratha (jarāsaṁdha) again started (preparations) desiring to kill kṛṣṇa.

taṁ śrutvā sahitāḥ sarve nivṛttaṁ magadheshvaram |

yādavā mantrayāmāsurjarāsaṁdhabhayārditāḥ ||2-37-8

Hearing that the lord of magadha has started, all the yādava-s, worried due to the fear of jarāsaṁdha, discussed among themselves.

tataḥ prāha mahātejā vikadrurnayakovidaḥ |

kṛṣṇaṁ kamalapatrākṣamugrasenasya śṛṇvataḥ ||2-37-9

Then vikadru of great splendour, expert in policy making, told kṛṣṇa with lotus eyes, as ugrasena was listening.

śrūyatāṁ tāta govinda kulasyāsya samudbhavaḥ |

śrūyatāmabhidhāsyāmi prāptakālamahaṁ tataḥ ||2-37-10

(vikadru said)

Son! govinda (kṛśṇa)! I shall narrate the origin of this race. Listen! I shall narrate it according to the time.

yuktaṁ chenmanyase sādho karisṣyasi vacho mama |

O well born! If it is suitable, do according to my words.

yādavasyāsya vaṁśasya samudbhavamaśeṣataḥ || 2-37-11

yathā me katithaḥ pūrvaṁ vyāsena viditātmanā |

As told by the learned soul vyāsa long ago, I shall tell you about the origin of yādava race without leaving anything.

āsīdrājā manorvaṁśe śrīmānikṣvākusaṁbhavaḥ |

haryashva iti vikhyāto mahendrasamavikramaḥ ||2-37-12

In the race of manu, there was a famous majestic ikṣvāku king, named haryashva, valiant as mahendra (indra).

tasyāsīddayitā bhāryā madhordaityasya vai sutā |

devī madhumatī nāma yathendrasya śacī tathā ||2-37-13

His wife, was named madhumatī, daughter of the daitya, madhu. She was beautiful as a goddess, like śacī, the wife of indra.

sā yauvanaguṇopetā rūPeṇāpratimā bhuvi |

manorathakarī rājṣaḥ prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasī ||2-37-14

Bestowed with all qualities of youth, incomparable in beauty on earth, dear to the king more than his life, she did as per the wishes of the king.

dānavendrakule jātā suśroṇī kāmarūpiṇī |

ekapatnīvratadharā khecarā rohiṇī yathā ||2-37-15

Born in the race of the daitya king, she was beautiful with abundant hair. Like divine rohiṇī, she observed the vow of single wife.

sā tamikṣvākuśārdūlaṁ kāmayāmāsa kāminī |

The beautiful woman saw the tiger among ikṣvāku kings and desired him.

sa kadācinnaraśreṣṭho bhrātra jyeṣṭhena mādhava ||2-37-16

rājyānnirasto viśvastaḥ so'yodhyāṁ saṁparityajat |

O Madhava (kṛṣṇa)! Once that best among men, that faithful king, was expelled from the kingdom by his elder brother. He left ayodhya.

sa tadālpaparīvāraḥ priyayā sahito vane ||2-37-17

reme sametya kālajṣaḥ provāca kamalekṣaṇaḥ |

The king along with his small retinue, lived happily with his wife in the forest. His beautiful wife with lotus eyes, knowledgeable about time, told him .

bhrātrā viniṣkṛtaṁ rājyātprovāca kamalekṣaṇā ||2-37-18

The beautiful wife with lotus eyes told the king , expelled from the kingdom by his brother.

ehyāgaccha naraśreṣṭhā tyaja rājyakṛtāṁ spṛhām |

gaccāvaḥ sahitau vīra madhormama piturgṛham ||2-37-19

(madhumatī said)

Come, come, the best among men! Leave your desire for the kingdom. Let us both go together to the house of my father madhu.

ramyaṁ madhuvanaṁ nāma kāmapuṣpaphaladrumam |

sahitau tatra raṁsyāvo yathā divi gatau tathā ||2-37-20

The forest of madhu is beautiful, full of trees with desirable flowers and fruits. Together let us enjoy there, as though in heaven.

piturme dayitastvaṁ hi māturmama ca pārthiva |

matpriyārthaṁ priyataro bhrātuścha lavaṇasya vai ||2-37-21

O king! You are dear to my father as well as to my mother. You are dearer to my brother lavaṇa, as per my liking.

raṁsyāvastatra sahitau rājyasthāviva kāmagau |

tatra gatvā naraśreṣṭha hyamarāviva nandane |

Let us enjoy there together, ruling the land as you like. O the best among men, let us go there and enjoy like the deva-s enjoy in the nandana.

bhadraṁ te vihariṣyāvo yathā devapure tathā ||2-37-22

Let there be good to you. Let us enjoy there as though in the city of gods.

taṁ tyajāva mahārāja bhrātaraṁ te'bhimāninam |

āvayordveṣiṇaṁ nityaṁ mattaṁ rājyamadena vai ||2-37-23

O great king! leave your proud brother who always hates us and who is intoxicated with the royal authority.

dhigimaṁ garhitaṁ vāsaṁ bhṛtyavaccha parāśrayam |

gachcāvaḥ sahitau vīra piturme bhavanāntikam ||2-37-24

This living, like a servant depending on others, is contemptible. O valiant! let us go together to my father's house.

tasya samyakpravṛttasya pūrvajaṁ bhrātaraṁ prati |

kāmārtasya narendrasya patnyāstadruruche vacaḥ ||2-37-25

(vikadru said)

(O kṛṣṇa!) The king among men, who always worked for the good of his elder brother and who was weakened by love (of his wife), liked these words spoken by his wife.

tato madhupuraṁ rājā haryaśvaḥ sa jagāma ca |

bhāryayā saha kāminyā kāmī puruṣapuṅgavaḥ ||2-37-26

Then the loving king haryashva, leader among men, went to the city of madhu, along with his dear wife.

madhunā dānavendreṇa sa sāmnā samudāhṛtaḥ |

svāgataṁ vatsa haryashva prīto'smi tava darśanāt ||2-37-27

madhu, the king of dānava-s, told him in conciliation: welcome to you, son, haryashva. I am pleased to see you.

yadetanmama rājyaṁ vai sarvaṁ madhuvanaṁ vinā |

dadāmi tava rājendra vāsaścha pratigṛhyatām ||2-37-28

O indra among kings! I give you all my land, except the forest of madhu. Accept this residence.

vane'smi.ṇllavaṇaścāyaṁ sahāyaste bhaviṣyati |

amitranigrahe caiva karṇadhāratvameṣyati ||2-37-29

In this forest, lavaṇa will be of assistance to you. He will be the leader in the killing of enemies.

pālayainaṁ śubhaṁ rāṣṭraṁ samudrānūpabhūṣitam |

gosamṛddhaṁ śriyā juṣṭamābhīraprāyamānuṣam ||2-37-30

Look after this auspicious kingdom, beautifully located on the seashore, enriched with cows, prosperity and cowherds.

atra te vasatastāta durgaṁ giripuraṁ mahat |

bhavitā pārthivāvāsaḥ surāṣṭraviṣayo mahān ||2-37-31

Son! For you who rules over here, the great fort, the city of giri, will become the residence of the king, engaged in the great affairs of the kingdom.

anūpaviṣayaścaiva samudrānte nirāmayaḥ |

ānartaṁ nāma te rāṣṭraṁ bhaviṣyatyāyataṁ mahat ||2-37-32

The marshy land, situated on the seashore, your great vast kingdom, will be known as Anartam.

tadbhaviṣyamahaṁ manye kālayogena pārthiva |

adhyāsyatāṁ yathākālaṁ pārthivaṁ vṝttamuttamam ||2-37-33

O king! This shall happen in due course of time. Accept this incomparable kingship, suitable to the occasion.

yāyātamapi vaṁśaste sameṣyati ca yādavam |

anu vaṁśaṁ ca vaṁśaste somasya bhavitā kila ||2-37-34

The yādava race of king yayāti will come to you. The race of moon (soma) will be a sub-race to you.

eṣa me vibhavastāta tavemaṁ viṣayottamam |

dattvā yāsyāmi tapase sāgaraṁ lavaṇālayam ||2-37-35

My son! This is my wealth (property). This is best suited to you. After giving you this (kingdom), I shall proceed to the salt ocean for penance.

lavaṇena samāyuktastvamimaṁ viṣayottamam |

pālayasvākhilaṁ tāta svasya vaṁśasya vṛddhaye ||2-37-36

You, along with lavaṇa, look after the entire best kingdom for the progress of your race.

bāḍhamityeva haryaśvaḥ pratijagrāha tatpuram |

sa ca daityastapovāsaṁ jagāma varuṇālayam ||2-37-37

(vikadru said:) (O kṛṣṇa!) king haryashva accepted that kingdom, saying: let it be so. The daitya king went to the residence of varuṇa (ocean) for penance.

haryashvashcha mahātejā divye girivarottame |

niveśayāmāsa puraṁ vāsārthamamaropamaḥ ||2-37-38

haryashva, with great splendour, established a city, on the divine, the best among mountains, for residence, similar to (the city of) devas.

ānartaṁ nāma tadrāṣṭraṁ surāṣṭraṁ godhanāyutaṁ |

achireṇaiva kālena samṛddhaṁ pratyapadyata ||2-37-39

Without losing much time, that auspicious nation named ānartaṁ, with the wealth of cows, became wealthy and prosperous.

anūpaviṣaye caiva velāvanavibhūṣitam |

vicitraṁ kṣetrasasyāḍhyaṁ prākāragrāmasaṅkulam ||2-37-40

The marshy land, decorated by forests along the border was enriched with strange plants, along with forts and villages.

śaśāsa nṝpatiḥ sphītaṁ tadrāṣṭraṁ rāṣṭravarddhanaḥ |

rājadharmeṇa yaśasā prajānāṁ nandivarddhanaḥ ||2-37-41

The king, interested in the progress of the nation, ruled the wealthy nation. The king, who increased the happiness of his subjects, ruled as per the royal duty and fame.

tasya saṁyakpracāreṇa haryashvasya mahātmanaḥ |

vyavardhata tadakṣobhyaṁ rāṣṭraṁ rāṣṭraguṇairyutam ||2-37-42

Due to the good governing of the great soul haryashva, that nation prospered well with all required good qualities.

sa hi rājā sthito rājye rājavṛttena śobhitaḥ |

prāptaḥ kulochitāṁ lakṣmīṁ vṛttena ca nayena ca ||2-37-43

That king governing the kingdom sparkled with his royal duty and obtained wealth suited to his race with his duties and policies.

tasyaiva ca suvṛttasya putrakāmasya dhīmataḥ |

madhumatyāṁ suto jajṣe yadurnāma mahāyaśāḥ ||2-37-44

That king with high intellect and good nature, desiring a son, got a son named yadu with great fame, from madhumatī.

so'vardhata mahātejā yadurdundubhiniḥsvanaḥ |

rājalakṣaṇasaṁpannaḥ sapatnairduratikramaḥ ||2-37-45

yadu with great splendour, having a voice similar to a large drum (dundubhi) grew up. He was blessed with all royal signs, undefeated by enemies.

yadurnāmābhavatputro rājalakṣaṇapūjitaḥ |

yathāsya pūrvajo rājā pūruḥ sa sumahāyaśāḥ ||2-37-46

The king had a son named yadu, adorned with royal signs. Yadu was as famous as the earlier king pūru.

sa eka eva tasyāsītputraḥ paramaśobhanaḥ |

ūrjitaḥ pṝthivībhartā haryashvasya mahātmanaḥ ||2-37-47

This splendorous son of the king, sparkling utmost, became the most suitable lord of the kingdom of haryashva.

daśa varṣasahasrāṇi sa kṛtvā rājyamavyayam |

jagāma tridivaṁ rājā dharmeṇāpratimo bhuvi ||2-37-48

king haryashva ruled the kingdom for ten thousand years without any decline. The king, incomparable on earth in royal duty, left for heaven.

tato yaduradīnātmā prajābhistvabhyaṣicyata |

pitaryuparate śrīmānkrameṇārka ivoditaḥ ||2-37-49

Then, in course of time, the subjects, crowned yadu, who was courageous, and who was shining as the rising sun, as the king, when his father expired.

śaśāsa cemāṁ vasudhāṁ praśāntabhayataskarām |

yadurindrapratīkāśo nṛpo yenāsma yādavāḥ ||2-37-50

yadu governed the land so that there was no fear of thieves. King yadu was similar to indra. yādava-s followed his path.

sa kadācinnṛpaścakre jalakrīḍāṁ mahodadhau |

dāraiḥ saha guṇodāraiḥ satāra iva candramāḥ ||2-37-51

Once the king went to the ocean for playing in the water along with his good wives, like the moon accompanied by his wife tāra.

sa tatra sahasā kṣiptastitīrṣuḥ sāgarāṁbhasi |

dhūmravarṇena nṛpatiḥ sarparājena vīryavān ||2-37-52

There, all of a sudden, dhūmravarṇa, the king of serpents, dragged the valiant king who was swimming in the sea.

so'pākṛṣyata vegena jale sarpapuraṁ mahat |

maṇistambhagṛhadvāraṁ muktādāmavibhūṣitam ||2-37-53

In the water, the king was dragged quickly by force to the great city of serpents, whose entrance had pillars with bells and which was decorated by garlands of pearls.

kīrṇaṁ śaṅkhakulaiḥ śubhrai ratnarāśivibhūṣitam |

pravālāṅkurapatrāḍhyaiḥ pādapairupaśobhitam ||2-37-54

The city was decorated with white conches and variety of jewels. The city had trees with tender leaves, buds and flowers.

kīrṇaṁ pannagavaryaughaiḥ samudrodaravāsibhiḥ |

svarṇavarṇena bhāsvantaṁ svastikenenduvarchasā ||2-37-55

The city was inhabited by great serpents living in the sea. The city was shining with golden colour, svastika and moon.

sa taṁ dadarsha rājendro vimale sāgarāmbhasi |

pannagendrapuraṁ toye jagatyāmiva nirmitam ||2-37-56

The great king saw the city in clear ocean water. The city of serpents appeared as though it was made on land.

svacchaścaiva pure tatra pravivesha nṛpo yaduḥ |

agādhaṁ toyadākāraṁ pūrṇaṁ sarpavadhūgaṇaiḥ ||2-37-57

The king yadu entered the clean city. The city, deep inside water, had many serpent women.

tasya dattaṁ maṇimayaṁ jalajaṁ paramāsanam |

svāstīrṇaṁ padmapatraishcha padmasūtrottaracchadam ||2-37-58

The king was offered a seat decorated with bells, made of lotus. Lotus leaves were spread on the seat. The cover was of lotus threads.

tamāsīnaṁ nṛpaṁ tatra parame pannagāsane |

dvijihvapatiravyagro dhūmravarṇo'bhyabhāṣata ||2-37-59

dhūmravarṇa, the king of serpents spoke to the king seated on the great serpent seat:

pitā te svargatiṁ prāptaḥ kṛtvā vaṁśamimaṁ mahat |

bhavantaṁ tejasā yuktamutpādya vasudhādhipam ||2-37-60

(dhūmravarṇa said)

Your father, who created you, the splendorous ruler of land and who established this great race, has gone to heaven.

yādavānāmayaṁ vaṁśastvannāmnā yadupuṅgava |

pitrā te maṅgalārthāya sthāpitaḥ pārthivākaraḥ ||2-37-61

O leader of yadu race! Your father established this race of kings for the benefit of yādava race, in your name.

vaṁśe cāsmiṁstava vibho devānāṁ tanayāvyayāḥ |

ṛṣīṇāmuragāṇāṁ ca utpatsyante nṛyonijāḥ ||2-37-62

In your race, O lord! children will be born to the deva-s, sages and serpents, in women.

tanmamemāḥ sutāḥ paṣcha kumāryo vṛttasaṁmatāḥ |

utpannā yauvanāśvasya bhaginyāṁ nṛpasattama ||2-37-63

Hence, the best of kings! (please accept) my five daughters having good qualities, who are born to the sister of yauvanāśva,

pratīccemāḥ svadharmeṇa prājāpatyena karmaṇā |

varaṁ ca te pradāsyāmi varārhastvamato mama ||2-37-64

as per your duty, according to the rituals of marriage. I will grant a boon to you. You deserve a boon. This is my opinion.

bhaumāścha kukurāścaiva bhojāścāndhakayādavāḥ |

dāśārhā vṛṣṇayaścheti khyātiṁ yāsyanti sapta te ||2-37-65

The progeny will become famous as seven races: bhauma-s, kukura-s, bhoja-s, andhaka-s, yādava-s, dāśārha-s and vṛṣṇis.

sa tasmai dhūmravarṇo vai kanyāḥ kanyāvrate sthitāḥ |

jalapūrṇena yogena dadāvindrasamāya vai ||2-37-66

Along with (sanctified) water (as ordained) dhūmravarṇa gave those virgins who were observing the vow of virgins, to the king, (splendorous) as indra.

varaṁ cāsmai dadau prītaḥ sa vai pannagapuṅgavaḥ |

śrāvayankanyakāḥ sarvā yathākramamadīnavat ||2-37-67

The leader of serpents, pleased, also gave a boon to the king. Without feeling sad, he gave all his daughters as per the order.

etāsu te sutāḥ paṣcha sutāsu mama mānada |

utpatsyante pitustejo mātuścaiva samāśritāḥ ||2-37-68

(dhūmravarṇa said): O one who respects others! In these five daughters, you will have sons having the splendour of both the father and the mother.

asmatsamayabaddhāścha salilābhyantarecarāḥ |

tava vaṁśe bhaviṣyanti pārthivāḥ kāmarūpiṇaḥ ||2-37-69

Bound by decision of me, capable of traveling in water, the kings in your race shall be able to assume forms as per their wish.

sa varaṁ kanyakāścaiva labdhvā yaduvarastadā |

udatiṣṭhata vegena salilāccandramā iva ||2-37-70

(vikadru said:)

(O kṛṣṇa!) The best of yadu race accepted the virgins and the boon. Quickly he rose from water like the moon.

sa paṣchakanyāmadhyastho dadṛśe tatra pārthivaḥ |

paṣchatāreṇā saṁyukto nakṣatreṇeva candramāḥ ||2-37-71

The king appeared surrounded by the five virgins, beautiful like the moon surrounded by five stars.

sa tadantaḥpuraṁ sarvaṁ dadarsha nṛpasattamaḥ |

vaivāhikena veṣeṇa divyasraganulepanaḥ ||2-37-72

The best of the kings, attired as a bridegroom, adorning divine garlands and smeared with divine pastes, saw all the inner palaces.

samāśvāsya ca tāḥ sarvāḥ sapatnīḥ pāvakopamāḥ |

jagāma svapuraṁ rājā prītyā paramayā yutaḥ ||2-37-73

The king consoled all his wives, similar in splendour to fire. Highly pleased, the king returned to his city.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi vikadruvākyaṁ nāma saptatriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the thirty-seventh chapter of viṣṇuparva of harivaṁśa, khila of śrimahābhārata, the story of king haryashva and the birth of yadu.

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

saptatriṁśe tvathādhyāye saṁbandhāya vikadruṇā |

sūryavaṁśādyadorvaṁśaprasaṅgo'thāvatāritaḥ || 1 ||

· 2-37-1 sa kṛṣṇaḥ saṁgataḥ sakhībhūta itareṣāmityarthāt ||

· 2-37-5 pāṭhāntare aṣṭādaśamam aṣṭādaśam ||

· 2-37-6 vailakṣyāt lajjātaḥ ||

· 2-37-7 saṁnyavartata parāvṛttaḥ ||

· 2-37-10 śrūyatāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ puraḥ prāptakālochitam ||

· 2-37- 11 me mamāgre ||

· 2-37-17 viśvasto jyeṣṭhe bhrātari lubdho'pi śraddhāvān saṁparityajat saṁparyatyajat

· 2-37-25 samyakpravṛttasyetyasya śvaśurapakṣabalena bhrāturvadhamanicchata ityarthaḥ ||

· 2-37-34 yāyātamapīti | yādavaṁ yayātiputrasya yadoḥ saṁbandhinaṁ vaṁśaṁ te tava vaṁśaḥ sameṣyati pravekṣyati | ata eva somasya vaṁśam anu te tava vaṁśo bhaviṣyati sūryavaṁśāt chyuto bhaviṣyatītyarthaḥ | nanu ihaiva yayātito yaduḥ yadoḥ kroṣṭā kroṣṭuḥ devamīḍhaḥ devamīḍhāt śūraḥ śūrādvasudevo vasudevātkṛṣṇaḥ iti vaṁśaḥ prāguktaḥ | punaḥ sūryavaṁśīyāt haryaśvāt yaduryadormādhavo mādhavātsatvān, sātvatobhīmaḥ, bhīmāt andhakaḥ, andhakātraivato raivatādṛkṣa, ṛkṣādvisvagarbhaḥ stasmāt vasuḥ vasoḥ vasudevo vasudevātkṛṣṇa īti tatkathaṁ yadoḥ | ṣaṣṭhasyaivaikādaśatvaṁ na ca kalpabhedābhiprāyamidam | ekagranthapaṭhitatvāditi duḥsamādheyo'yaṁ virodhaḥ | satyam | tathā'pyamatra samādhiḥ | yāyātamapi vaṁśaste ityetasmādeva vacanāt eka eva yaduḥ gṛhāt gṛhāntarapraveśavat yogabalena sūryavaṁśe'pi āvirbhūya sūryavamśaṁ svapakṣe ānītavān | yathā brahmaṇo mānasaputro vasiṣṭhaḥ kenacinnimittena punarmitrāvaruṇobhyāmapi janma lebhe vasiṣṭhatvaṁ ca na jahau | evaṁ yadureka eva līlāvaśāt krameṇa dehadvayaṁ vṛtavānna tāvatā dvau yadū jātau | tatashcha eka eva yadurdvayovaṁśayoḥ kartā | evaṁ vasudevo'pi sūrāṣcha vasorścāvirbhavanneka eva | kvachidyadoḥ paṣchamaḥ kvachiddaśama iti yathāyogaṁ jṣeyam | kṛṣṇastu vaṁśadvayānugatādvasudevājjāta eka eva san vasorapi pautraḥ śūrasya ca pautraḥ | vasuśūrayorapi pitṛbhedānnāmabhede'pi skandasanatkumāravatdvayatyaikyaṁ jṣeyam | tena pṛthāyāḥ pāṇḍavamātuḥ śūrotpannatvaṁ vasūtpannatvaṁ ca saṁgacchate | evamanyatrāpi vamśavirodhe'pyūhyam | yādavānāṁ devatātvena ekasyāpyubhayasaṁbandhasya yugapatsaṁbhavāccheti dik | ayamatra saṁgrahaḥ |

"nāmarūpe asaṁtyajya yadurharyaśvato'bhavat |

svarūpeṇa vasurnāṁa śūro'bhūtvisvagarbhataḥ ||

yadudyūnadyā dvau jātau vaṁśau vai bahudhā tatau |

dvināṁni vasudevāya pitṛtīrthe ca saṁgatau" ||

iti | ata eva vaikuṇṭhesyendrasya saptaṁmunā stūyamānasya saṁbodhanaṁ

"vasūyavo vasupate vasūnāṁ" iti |

"vighnā hi tvā gopatiṁ śūragonām"

* iti |

"vasūnāṁ vasuvaṁśyānāṁ vasugotre bhavānāṁ vasupate mukhyasvāmin"

iti |

śūreti śūragotratvena ca pṛthaksaṁbodhanadvayaṁ mantravarṇaḥ sūchayati | tathā indravākyamapi

"ahaṁ bhuvaṁ vasunaḥ pūrvaspatiḥ |"

iti

"praśrāvayaṁ śavasāturvaṁśaṁ yadum"

iti ca |

svasya haryashva santānajavasusaṁbandhitvaṁ tu vasusahacaritatayā tasya saṁbaṁdhitvaṁ ca darshayati | ete ca mantrā nāgnājityāḥ satyāyāḥ pāṇigrahaṇaprasaṅge vyākhyāsante | vasunaḥ vasoḥ bhuvam abhūvam ||

· 2-37-35 vibhavo manoratha | tamevāha - tavemamiti ||

· 2-37-44 yāyātaṁ vaṁśamityatra sūchitamarthaḥ vivṛṇoti - tasyaivamiti | tasya putrakāmatāmālakṣya yāyāto'yaṁ yaduḥ svayameva haryashvasya putro jajṣe jāto yogabalāt parachittāvijṣatvātccha |

· 2-37-62 tanayāvyayā iti sandhirārṣa ||

· 2-37-63 tanmameti | yauvanāśvasya yā bhaginī sā | tatkaniṣṭhasya haryaśvasyāpi bhaginīti yadoḥ sā pitṛsvasā tadīyāṁ kumārīṁ yaduḥ kathaṁ pariṇetuṁ kṣameta sāpiṇḍyasyānivṛteriti | tathāpi mātuladuhitṛpariṇayanasamatvena vigītamapi varalobhātsarparājena etatkāritaṁ yadunā cātyantadoṣābhāvādapyupagatamiti mantavyaṁ | yadvānya eva sa yauvanāśva iti kalpyam ||

· 2-37-64 spaṣṭārtho'dhyāyaśeṣaḥ | prājāpatyena vidhinā vivāhavidhinā |

· 2-37-66 jalapūrṇena yogena saṁkalpena ||

· 2-37-68 etāsu mama sutāsu te tava paṣcha sutāḥ utpatsyanta ityanvayaḥ ||

· 2-37-69 asmatsamayabaddhā asmadvaradānānugṛhītāḥ ||

· 2-37-73 sa yaduḥ tāḥ patnīḥ samāśvāsya pitṛgṛhaviyogaduḥkhamapanīya ||

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyāṁ saptatriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ |