Gopal Champu

Chapter Sixteen - Rukmiṇī’s Marriage

[1] After the evening session, Snigdhakaṇṭha began speaking (the next morning) another topic in Nanda’s assembly, lit by the smile from Kṛṣṇa’s moon-like face.

[2] When the many messengers were going and coming in this way, two other messengers arrived. As in previous cases, they announced the good condition and gave information. There was astonishing news from the most auspicious city called Vanamālī.

[3] Nanda said, “O messengers! Please describe this completely.”

[4] They said:

When some days had passed in complete happiness, one day while your son was sitting somewhat indifferently on a cot in a room made of jewels with a vacant mind, a brāhmaṇa who acted as if he had been cheated by evil men quickly approached. Kṛṣṇa had great faith in the person who had arrived because he was a brāhmaṇa, and according to proper conduct offered him respects, worshiped him by washing his feet and offering other services, fed him tasty food, gave him a bed, and held his feet for service. After inquiring about his well being he asked why he had come.

[5] Being shy, the brāhmaṇa was silent for some moments and then spoke. “There is a king named Bhīṣmaka living in Kuṇḍina in Vidarbha state. He is the abode of great fame. You know him. He is famous for being born in a famous dynasty. He has some demonic sons like Rukmī and a daughter named Rukmiṇī. Friends who know the king’s heart were thinking of offering her to you. But Rukmī has deceived them and has attempted to give her toŚiśupāla. This praiseworthy daughter, hearing of your qualities and confirming them through the scriptures, desires to accept you as her husband according to her impressions. What is to be said about her desire to accept you? She has already accepted you in her mind. Having done that, it is continually painful for her to see other marriage arrangements. Giving up shyness, she has sent me to you. She says this:

One should not be ashamed for a righteous cause. Shame because of sin or death is low. Those women are fortunate who worship Kṛṣṇa because of attraction, giving up local custom and dharma.” ||1||

[6] Kṛṣṇa began to think, “It is true. She has no alternative. Nārada, who gives happiness to all, has already said that she is attracted only to me. Let us leave that news of her attraction for now. Fixed in the instructions from saints like Nārada, she cannot give up the scriptural principle of being fully dedicated to me. She can even give up her body. I think she cannot reveal her desires for me to her parents unless she knows my agreement to marry her. If she knows I accept her, she will live. If she understands I will not accept her, then she will give up her life. This constant nature of mine manifests at all times: when someone shows anurāga for me, I cannot reject them. Because of the extraordinary emotions in my heart caused by the wealth of prema in Vraja I have no inclination for her. But now she is attempting service with great pain. My heart does not know what to do. I must again ask for news.”

[7] He asked, “What are the details of what she wants?”

[8] The brāhmaṇa said, “There is nothing. But she shyly gave me this letter. “

[9] Kṛṣṇa said, “Please read it.”

[10] The brāhmaṇa spoke in a choked voice:

O Kṛṣṇa, most beautiful in the universe! Your famous qualities have entered my heart through my ears. What to speak of hearing about you, on seeing your form you have entered my heart! ||2||

O lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa! My mind becomes absorbed in those qualities. Those qualities combine and remain in my mind, which thinks of you as the only goal. By those qualities, my heart gives up all shyness and constantly follows you. ||3||

O Lord! Let these qualities which destroy all suffering and your form which bestows all results not be given to me though I desire them! But I do not want to see other women in such a position. ||4||

What intelligent women, with good family and qualities, would not worship you? For there is no one equal to you in qualities and you attract the minds of all people in the three worlds. ||5||

Most worshipable Kṛṣṇa! Because you attract all, I have given up shyness. I immediately accept you as my husband. Śiśupāla cannot touch this body which has been offered to you. O lion among men! Is the lioness’s body fit for the jackal? ||6||

I have worshipped the Lord since childhood by various types of charity to serve you. If this is not accomplished or there is obstacle in my worship, let my body perish. But no one else should touch my body. ||7||

O Kṛṣṇa! The day after tomorrow I am to be married. Come to the marriage secretly tomorrow, surrounded by soldiers. Defeating Śiśupāla and others, take me away when I go out to worship Devī according to the custom. ||8||

If the Lord, the dust from whose lotus feet takes away all suffering, is not pleased, let me have the benediction of worshiping him and giving up my life for thousands of births! ||9||

[11] The people of Vraja said, “Ah! This young girl has fixed her mature intelligence on the most auspicious object. She has made such vow in the end.”

[12] Some women said, “How could she be a young girl? She was intelligent, for in fear she sent the messenger.”

[13] Others said, “Those of kṣatriya birth have no fear in their minds but they teach others by being fixed in dharma. Tell the rest of the story.”

[14] The messengers said:

Understanding her deep attachment, Kṛṣṇa again thought: “What should I do now, since I must prevent her from giving up her body? And this marriage will be an obstacle in going to Gokula. How should I marry her?”

[15] He again considered, “Anyway, I should kidnap her and later think about what to do.”

[16] Thinking in this way he said to the brāhmaṇa:

O best of brāhmaṇas! Please listen with attention. Since I heard from Nārada that she is attracted to me, my mind has been thinking of her constantly.

It is well known that the devotees follow after the qualities of the devatā they worship. But I also follow after the qualities of my devotees, just as a crystal mountain adopts the qualities of the object next to it. ||10||

[17] Therefore she must be delivered. Later I will consider what to do.

[18] Thinking in this way, with anxious heart he mounted his chariot with the brāhmaṇa. Understanding the time of the wedding, he arrived in one night in Kuṇḍina town, in the middle of Vidarbha. He decided that he should not take permission from anyone. He did not even take Balarāma because of fear and shame. Going in this way he arrived in the evening.

[19] Arriving at Kuṇḍina, he saw the joyful marriage arranged by the king according to the wishes of his son. He then understood that Śiśupāla had arrived expecting to be the groom. He also saw the great respect Bhīṣmaka gave to the groom as appropriate to the occasion, and saw Jarāsandha and others who had assembled to fix the proposal.

[20] Nanda in fear asked, “How did my son remain so close to them while being alone?”

[21] The messengers said, “O Nanda! You certainly know your son’s power which considers millions of enemies to be insignificant. If a lion is alone in an elephant herd, will the lion be afraid?” ||11||

[22-23] Nanda said, “Did anyone follow Kṛṣṇa? No one should follow him? Even Balarāma did not follow him? How could Balarāma also born in the milk ocean of Vraja give up affection for him? Did not the people of Dvārakā have affection for him as a relative?”

The two messengers said, “Only Balarāma followed. Hearing that his brother had arrived at Kuṇḍina to steal the bride and that the enemies were ready to prevent any interruption to the marriage, Balarāma was overcome with affection from being born in the ocean of affection in Vraja. Alarmed, we went to Kuṇḍina with an array of troops.” ||12||

[24] All then thought of the difference between Balarāma and the Yadus. They said, “Prema that appears from birth is svabhāva-siddha (according to the very nature of a person). Prema which arises incidentally is conditional. How can that artificial prema be compared with natural prema?” ||13||

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

[26] The messengers said, “When he arrived Kṛṣṇa was embarrassed. Balarāma became red like the rising moon because of anger and did not speak to Kṛṣṇa, thinking him to be like a thief. He remained there, surrounding him with the troops.”

[27] Nanda said in joy, “Where did the brāhmaṇa go? Afflicted by fear that her love for Kṛṣṇa would be destroyed, wondering where he was, what did Rukmiṇī think?”

[28] The messengers said, “Understanding that any requests made at night would be useless, the brāhmaṇa stayed awake all night thinking of auspicious subjects. Rukmiṇī was thinking that the brāhmaṇa would come in the evening. Thinking her aspirations were devastated, she became unsteady. The opportunity at the marriage, which she had narrated to him in the letter, did not materialize. ‘I cannot waste time’ she thought. She thought of looking at the road, but could not do so. With vacant mind, she bowed her head. Controlling herself by keeping her mouth firmly closed, she closed her tearful eyes. Some time passed. She was unable to tolerate the brāhmaṇa not returning, but her left eye, arm and foot began trembling as an auspicious sign. With those symptoms, her mind became alert and she opened her eyes. Opening her eyes she saw the brāhmaṇa in front of her. Seeing him, her mind became agitated with doubt whether Kṛṣṇa had come. Then she saw the joy on his face. Her mind and eyes became joyful. Becoming happy, she became cool.

By closeness to the brāhmaṇa who was fragrant with the aroma of Kṛṣṇa, Rukmiṇī became fragrant. She experienced such strong joy within that her hairs stood on end. ||14||

[29] The messengers continued: “She inquired from the brāhmaṇa in private. Asked, he explained clearly that Kṛṣṇa had accepted her proposal and he had come with him on the chariot by a pleasant route. But all the articles worthy of praise that she had arranged were not suitable to give the brāhmaṇa. In offering her head to him when she bowed down, she made him most exalted. Rukmiṇī’s moon-like body, lit by the cakra of Kṛṣṇa’s acceptance words, became free from Śiśupāla, who was like Rāhu on the seventh lunar day.” ||15||

[30] Nanda said, “How did Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma fool the others there, and how did the king treat them?”

[31] The messengers said, “They pretended that they had come to see the elaborate marriage celebration. Hearing that they had agreed to come to his daughter’s marriage, in joy the king worshiped them elaborately as suitable to guests.”

[32] Nanda said, “Since he treated them only like guests with some indifference, I think that all the inhabitants of the city must have been indifferent to them.”

[33] The messengers said, “No, no. The king could not show inclination to them because of his suffering condition, caused by his evil son’s advice. All others were unhappy with this situation. All the people gathered and drank through their eyes, like folded hands, the streams of sweetness form Kṛṣṇa’s blue lotus face, spreading constant, unlimited happiness. They said ‘Rukmiṇī is suitable to be Kṛṣṇa’s wife, and Kṛṣṇa is suitable to be her husband in all ways.’ They said this using the word “certainly” at every instance. Moreover they said, ‘Because of past, present and future pious acts we do not desire our own happiness. But we make this joyful prayer. O Lord of all results for all living beings! Let strong, lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa accept the lotus hand of Rukmiṇī by righteous or unrighteous means!’” ||16-17||

[34] Nanda and the people said in bliss, “Then what happened?”

[35] The messengers said:

After bathing in the morning and putting on her clothing, with joyful mind, as if getting permission to go to Dvārakā, Rukmiṇī then became eager to go to the Durgā temple according to the instructions of her parents, after she offered them respects, surrounded by friends, her brother’s wives, mothers-in-law, wives of the family priests, servants, eunuchs, and groups of foot soldiers with swords and armor. Horsemen armed with the best weapons, chief ministers on all-seeing elephants, processions of chariots, musicians carrying instruments, skillful dancers*, sūtas, māgadhas* and vandis distinguished by different colored costumes, and finally, the blissful common people watched the continuous spectacle. Since she held Kṛṣṇa in her heart, no one could impede her. Emerging from the palace guarded by guards, she went through the city according to Vedic rules and arrived at the dharmic Durgā temple. Wishing that Kṛṣṇa would destroy the enemies, she walked slowly to the temple.

[36] Rukmiṇī worshipped Durgā according to the proper method and, holding her prasāda (mercy) in her body and mind, left the sanctum. Taking the hand of her friend in her hand which had the beauty of Durgā’s jeweled hand position (mudrā), she went outside. Yogamāyā made Rukmiṇī, with teeth like kunda flowers, into two forms. The opposers of Kṛṣṇa saw a material form. The devotees saw her as Kṛṣṇa’s wife. The opposers of Kṛṣṇa became bewildered by māyā and the devotees of Kṛṣṇa became joyful with devotion to him. While this occurred, Kṛṣṇa remained seated in his chariot, higher than all the rest. The bride and groom gazed at each other as if eternally related, devoid of the glance of even the best of the public.

[37] After they glanced at each other again, Rukmiṇī deliberately delayed in order to climb into the chariot and glanced at him with the edge of her eye. Kṛṣṇa positioned on his swift chariot, then took her up. Persons at a distance thought that Garuḍa on his flag had quickly taken her off to Dvārakā. ||18||

[38] He took her and left. When he took her away, the unlimited people who had been bewildered by māyā such as Jarāsandha came back to consciousness, awakened by the sound of Kṛṣṇa’s chariot. They could not understand when Kṛṣṇa had come, when he left and where he went. ||19||

[39] After considering, they began to search. Accompanied by the harsh, terrifying sound caused by the thumping of drums, the neighing of horses, the trumpeting of elephants and the rattling of chariots, the best of soldiers began searching, following the path of the kidnapper of the king’s daughter, which was strewn with the bodies of all the enemies cut down by his chariot. Their bodies torn, they became filled with affliction. ||20||

Though the armies came in front of Kṛṣṇa, one cannot describe them because jackals only come in front of a lion out of insanity. ||21||

Though Rukmiṇī’s heart was shy from the first meeting because of her good upbringing, she embraced Kṛṣṇa’ face with her eyes, since she was fearful of the enemy’s strength. ||22||

“Though she knows my power, she is afraid because of her nature as a young girl.” Kṛṣṇa calmed her quickly by his words possessing increasing mercy. ||23||

It is true that the enemy approached the Yadus and fired arrows at them. But they were like a mass of clouds in a strong gale. ||24||

The Yadus clearly saw the enemies with their quivers behind. Amazingly, the enemy did not know the position of the Yadus’ limbs with their weapons. ||25||

The enemy had most valuable swords but they were like treasures locked in a miser’s storehouse. ||26||

The enemy did not lament when countless foot soldiers, horses, chariots and elephants fell in the battle. Because their bodies remained alive, they felt unequalled happiness. ||27||

The piles of bodies of the terrified enemies run over by Kṛṣṇa’s fast chariot were like steps to Svarga. ||28||

Some, seeing the bodies with severed heads, fled far away in fear, holding their heads with their hands, thinking that their own heads may have been severed. ||29||

They consoled Śiśupāla whose wife had been stolen, gave up enthusiasm for fighting through the excuse that victory and defeat depend only on karma, and then left. ||30||

“I was defeated by Kṛṣṇa seventeen times and I conquered him once. See how I remain calm.” Jarāsandha’s words did not make anyone laugh. ||31||

“I was defeated the seventeenth time, but I defeated him the eighteenth time.” Jarāsandha was in this way mistaken about his victory. ||32||

[40] Though Rukmī had been defeated with others like a tāla tree burned by a strong lightning bolt, he promised in front of the inauspicious rascals that if he did not defeat Kṛṣṇa and Rukmiṇī he would not return.

[41] We derive some happiness from their words. They say that your son, whom Vasudeva established as his son, is a cowherd. They do not deny it. Kṛṣṇa was satisfied with that.[1]

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

[43] The messengers said, “Rukmī was so thoughtless. But see the cowardly state of the others, since they vowed to help but fled without a show of strength, because they had hearts of frightened deer, not hearts dedicated to the Lord.”

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

[45] The messengers said:

Rukmī lamented. Giving up those who lamented their loss, he took only his own akṣauhiṇīs and went to battle, but, looking behind, he found he was his only helper. Since he could not depend on only himself, he thought and concluded he could only talk to Kṛṣṇa. From far off, behind Kṛṣṇa, he called “Stop, stop.” But Kṛṣṇa continued to move, not hearing him because of the sound of his chariot swallowed the sound of Rukmī’s chariot. When he heard the sound of his chariot, he stopped. Rukmī began firing abuse from his mouth and arrows from his bow. Kṛṣṇa deflected all the arrows of abuse by his smile and deflected Rukmī’s fury by his armor made of Yogamāyā.

Kṛṣṇa’s golden arrows with feathered ends, increasing in brilliance by the competition with Rukmī, simultaneously broke Rukmī’s bow and flag staff. The arrows immediately demolished the charioteer, Rukmī’s limbs, and his four horses at the same time. Rukmī watched as this happened. With difficulty, he took another bow. He released more arrows, but the same thing happened. Depressed and lamenting, Rukmī then gathered his iron club, spears, trident, shield, armor, sword and lance to make himself invincible against the enemy. His chariot broke and he alighted from it.

[46] Quickly making Rukmī devoid of his chariot, Kṛṣṇa on his chariot approached him with great speed like Śiva. ||33||

[47] When Rukmī took up his golden sword and colorful shield, in order to stop Kṛṣṇa’s advance, Kṛṣṇa pulverized them but not completely. Kṛṣṇa wanted to break his sword and shield, deflate his joy and cut him with his knife. But he did not kill him.

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

[49] The messengers said, “Rukmiṇī then showed her womanly nature. Giving up shyness, she protected her brother, trying to help him, out of pity. Rather than kill him because of audacity, Kṛṣṇa took the opportunity to have some fun which would inflict great pain on him.”

[50] Everyone said, “Tell us what happened next.”

[51-52] The messengers said, “So that the snake with deflated pride could not run away, expert, powerful Kṛṣṇa tied up the deceitful man with a torn piece of cloth like Bali so he could not get loose, as if ready to kill him. A shadow of mercy appeared in Kṛṣṇa’s mind because of Rukmiṇī’s pleas. Kṛṣṇa then disfigured him by cutting the tough forest of hair on his head with a quick movement of his sword, making zigzag patterns left and right as if lice were making new paths.”

[53] When the Vraja assembly laughed at this description, the messengers spoke again:

“Please listen. Balarāma felt pain for Rukmī like someone who wipes a person with cloth when that person breaks his nose. While Kṛṣṇa fought with Rukmī, Balarāma and other attendees of the wedding routed the opposing troops who caused a disturbing battle. When Kṛṣṇa tied up Rukmī, Balarāma was present. Seeing him bound by Kṛṣṇa like someone to be killed, Balarāma became touched with compassion, and, taking the bonds, released them and scolded Kṛṣṇa with many words. He brought Rukmiṇī, back to a normal state by giving instructions since she was trembling because of Rukmī’s plight:

asādhv idaṁ tvayā kṛṣṇa kṛtam asmaj-jugupsitam |

vapanaṁ śmaśru-keśānāṁ vairūpyaṁ suhṛdo vadhaḥ ||

maivāsmān sādhvy asūyethā bhrātur vairūpya-cintayā |

sukha-duḥkha-do na cānyo 'sti yataḥ sva-kṛta-bhuk pumān ||

bandhur vadho-'rha-doṣo 'pi na bandhor vadham arhati |

tyājyaḥ svenaiva doṣeṇa hataḥ kiṁ hanyate punaḥ ||

kṣatriyāṇām ayaṁ dharmaḥ prajāpati-vinirmitaḥ |

bhrātāpi bhrātaraṁ hanyād yena ghoratamas tataḥ ||

My dear Kṛṣṇa, you have acted improperly! This deed will bring shame on us, for to disfigure a close relative by shaving off his mustache and hair is as good as killing him.

Saintly lady, please do not be displeased with us out of anxiety for your brother’s disfigurement. No one but oneself is responsible for one’s joy and grief, for a man experiences the result of his own deeds.

A relative should not be killed even if his wrongdoing warrants capital punishment. Rather, he should be thrown out of the family. Since he has already been killed by his own sin, why kill him again?

The code of sacred duty for warriors established by Lord Brahmā enjoins that one may have to kill even his own brother. That is indeed a most dreadful law. SB 10.54.37-40

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

[55] The messengers said, “Gentle Rukmiṇī agreed with Balarāma’s instructions. Rukmī thought to himself that the instructions of Balarāma were more painful than being bound by Kṛṣṇa. He thus felt intensely aggrieved.”

[56] Nanda said, “Where did he go after this?”

[57] The messengers said, “After being freed by Balarāma, he met with his remaining devastated troops in a depressed mood.”

[58] Everyone said, “How could the cruel fellow, disfigured like that, go back to Kuṇḍina?”

[59] The messengers said, “Though thinking Rukmī should actually be doubly punished, Balarāma, to protect Rukmī’s honor, had him completely shaved by a barber as if he had gone on pilgrimage, and then put him on his chariot and sent him off. Holding strong enmity towards Kṛṣṇa and bad intentions on his return journey, he came to his residence and stayed there. What is the use of speaking about sinful persons? Enough said.”

[60] Nanda asked, “Did Kṛṣṇa return to an auspicious house?”

[61] The messengers said, “After he returned, as previously, he heard news of Vraja through Uddhava and taking Uddhava’s permission, sent us here quickly.”

[62] Nanda asked, “Was the marriage performed?”

[63] The messengers said, “No, no, it seemed to have been neglected. The reason was previously given. Hearing all the happy news from the mouth of Uddhava, how could Kṛṣṇa marry if it were not performed by you?” ||34||

[64] When Nanda and others were discussing in the assembly, two servants of Vasudeva from Dvārakā carrying a message approached Nanda, offered respects, inquired about his well-being and then addressed him as follows, “O lord! Vasudeva has sent this letter.”

[65] Nanda took the letter with respect and read it.

“You are my friend, always thinking of my happiness. You are the root of all auspiciousness named Nanda. Embracing you, I, Vasudeva, make a request with all humility:

Your son that you accept as your own I also take as my son. We have no difference. You know that I know that. Who could think otherwise about us? Because we have the same feelings for Kṛṣṇa as our son, we pray permission for his marriage, just as you repeatedly pray for permission with your hand-written letters.” ||35||

[66] Saying this, Nanda said, “Alright, arrange to feed the two messengers. Later we will send a suitable message.”

[67] When all gathered they considered as follows pleasantly:

Since Kṛṣṇa’s promise to return to Vraja cannot be false, he will be delayed as long as the enemy has not been destroyed. That has not yet been accomplished, but sometime in the future it will be. While Balarāma is enjoying family life, it is not proper that Kṛṣṇa remains in an unmarried state, for Kṛṣṇa has written these sweet words to us:

yāta yūyaṁ vrajaṁ tāta vayaṁ ca sneha-duḥkhitān |

jṣātīn vo draṣṭum eṣyāmo vidhāya suhṛdāṁ sukham ||

Now you should all return to Vraja, dear father. We shall come to see you, our dear relatives who suffer in separation from us, as soon as we have given some happiness to your well-wishing friends. SB 10.45.23

[68] This statement reveals the following:

One should make arrangements so that friends may be happy. That is included in the happiness of Kṛṣṇa, known as a Yadu and kṣatriya. ||36||

[69] If he does not appear as a Yadu kṣatriya, because of not having oneness with them, other events cannot take place. Therefore, like Vasudeva, we will pray for his marriage.

[70] Nanda wrote this message:

Embracing my most affectionate son whose beautiful face is worshipped by all happiness, I make the following request:

O child! You know my heart–that I consider myself non-different from Vasudeva. For that reason whatever you do as per Vasudeva’s desire, know that it is our desire as well. What a misfortune, if we were to ever think differently! How could I endure the poverty-stricken condition of your lotus face devoid of beauty? I could not endure it. ||37||

[71] Receiving the message, the two messengers, carrying it, left. After some days, as previously, two Vraja messengers arrived. After telling of the well-being of Dvārakā, they told what had happened in Dvārakā.

[72] Nanda asked, “After that what happened?”

[73] The messengers said, “O Nanda! When your son saw your letter, tears washed away the writing. Later he fixed in his heart the meaning of the letter.” ||38||

[74] Nanda with tears said, “Then what happened?”

[75] The messengers said, “He underwent the marriage that you permitted.

In Dvārakā there was profuse music in each house and in the heavens, spreading over the high waves of the ocean, with one sound competing with the others. Crowded with Kuntī, Yadus, Kekayas and Kurus, as well as the people of Vidarbha, the wedding of Rukmiṇī took place with great festivity, giving great joy.” ||39||

[76] Nanda asked, “Did all the people of Vidarbha come?”

[77] The messengers said, “All came except Bhīṣmaka’s sons.”

[78] Nanda said, “Was not Bhīṣmaka ashamed to come?”

[79] The messengers said, “He was ashamed. He feared being slighted by Vasudeva’s group and his daughter.”

[80] Nanda said, “Did all the groups of the bride and groom meet together?”

[81] The messengers said, “Yes. All matters of the wedding were performed perfectly. But without your presence, our minds remained without peace. What more should I say about the topic?”

[82] Hearing this, as previously when Nanda’s assembly became pale, Snigdhakaṇṭha concluded.

“O Nanda! Kṛṣṇa, whose splendid face gives all happiness, does not shine as much in the presence of his father, mother, and unlimited relatives and millions of houses with immense treasures as he does on attaining your sweet glance.” ||40||

[83] Hearing this and seeing the pleasing color of Kṛṣṇa’s eyes, Nanda’s color was restored. He embraced Kṛṣṇa and everyone’s’ hair stood on end.

[84] Blissful on seeing Kṛṣṇa, the bards of Vraja began reciting.

Kṛṣṇa curbed all desires because of the sweetness of Vraja and considered a king’s wealth to be useless. He had no desire to marry. At that time, a brāhmaṇa came to Kṛṣṇa.

He delivered the words of Rukmiṇī and relished the nectar of Kṛṣṇa’s clever words in response. The brāhmaṇa left Dvārakā joyfully, came to Kuṇḍina, and told Rukmiṇī that Kṛṣṇa would come.

Joyful Rukmiṇī, desiring the wedding, offered respects to the brāhmaṇa with no fear*.*

As a trick, she worshipped Durgā during the festival in order to be qualified to accept the feet of the Lord.

He shone perfectly when he took Rukmiṇī on his chariot and made the faces of the enemies’ pale with lamentation. When Jarāsandha and others were disinclined to fight and the enemy was defeated, Rukmī instigated a fight with Kṛṣṇa.

Kṛṣṇa did not kill him but disfigured him by shaving his head. Having defeated Rukmī with his allied kings, Kṛṣṇa went to Dvārakā with Rukmiṇī.

Respected for defeating various enemies, he now resides in Vraja by the desire of all. ||41||

[85] When the day’s topic was finished, the evening recital began by which Rādhā and her friends became happy.

[86] Snigdhakaṇṭha said:

When messengers arrived, the gopīs used to gather to hear, but not all the time, because among them, only a few of their assistants were present in the. Understanding the times when the topics would bring happiness to the sakhīs, they would bring the sakhīs to hear.

[87] They heard a little about the marriage with Rukmiṇī through others. Just as Vasudeva wrote a letter to Nanda, Uddhava wrote to the gopīs:

Kṛṣṇa decided that he would never marry among the Yadus. “But if I do not marry her, she will kill herself. I do not know what to do if this happens.” ||42||

[88] Understanding the situation, the gopīs, afraid of responsibility for a woman’s death, wrote an answer for Kṛṣṇa:

We endure all difficulties arising from unfortunate karma. But we pray that Kṛṣṇa’s fame, like the moon, will not be spoiled by the death of a woman. ||43||

[89] When Kṛṣṇa heard Nanda’s letter, and saw privately the letter written by the gopīs delivered by Uddhava, he accepted the letter without joy. There is no use in describing this. But listen to this:

O Rādhā! Bold because of intense love, he who gave you up because of unavoidable duties now puts you on his lap, excluding all other thoughts, and has given up his defamation. ||44||

[90] Having dissipated all pain for Rādhā and her friends, spreading joy to all, the two reciters went to their residence.

Having attained each other, Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, free of all worries, embracing each other, spread most splendid joy throughout Vraja. ||45||

[1] This refers to SB 10.54.22: This wicked-minded cowherd boy, infatuated with his prowess, has violently abducted my sister. But today I will remove his pride with my sharp arrows.

Harivamsa

47 - rukmiṇīsvayaṁvarārthaṁ kṛṣṇasya kuṇḍinapuraṁ prati gamanam - kṛṣṇa goes to kuṇḍinapura to attend rukmiṇi's Svayamvara

vaiśampāyana uvāca

etasminnantare prāptā lokaprāvṛttikā narāḥ |

cakrāyudhagṛhaṁ sarve lokapālagṛhopamam ||2-47-1

vaiśampāyana said:

(O janamejaya!) Meanwhile, men, well acquainted with the affairs in the world, arrived at the house, dazzling like the houses of all the protectors of the world, of the one who has discus as his weapon (kṛṣṇa).

teṣvātyayikaśaṁsīṣu lokaprāvṛttikeṣviha |

kṛtasaṁjṣā yaduśreṣṭhāḥ sametāḥ kṛṣṇasaṁsadi ||2-47-2

As the men, well acquainted with affairs in the world wanted to inform about a destructive battle, the best among yādava-s, who were informed, arrived at the assembly in kṛṣṇa's house.

samāgateṣu sarveṣu yadumukhyeṣu saṁsadi |

prāvṛttikā narāḥ prāhuḥ pārthivātyayikaṁ vacaḥ ||2-47-3

When all the important leaders arrived at the assembly, the men acquainted with the affairs, spoke the words, regarding the destruction of the kings.

janārdana narendrāṇāṁ pārthivānāṁ samāgamaḥ |

bhaviṣyati kṣitīśānāṁ samūḍhānāmanekaśaḥ ||2-47-4

O janārdana! There will be an assembly of kings of men and the rulers of the earth. Many kings of the land are invited for this assembly.

tvaritāstatra gacchanti nānājanapadeśvarāḥ |

kuṇḍine puṇḍarīkākṣa bhojaputrasya śāsanāt |2-47-5

Kings of many regions are going quickly for this assembly at kuṇḍina, O One with eyes as beautiful as lotus (kṛṣṇa)! according to the invitation of the son of bhoja.

prakāśaṁ sma kathāstatra śrūyante manujeritāḥ |

rukmiṇī kila nāmāsti rukmiṇaḥ prathamā svasā ||2-47-6

As told by people, it is widely known and heard that, rukmi has an eminent sister named rukmiṇī.

bhāvī svayaṁvarastatra tasyāḥ kila janārdana |

ityarthamete sabalā gacchanti manujādhipāḥ ||2-47-7

O janārdana (kṛṣṇa)! Her marriage will be conducted there. All the rulers of men (kings) are going there for the marriage, along with their armies.

tasyāstrailokyasundaryāstṛtīye'hani yādava |

rukmabhūṣaṇabhūṣiṇyā bhaviṣyati svayaṁvaraḥ ||2-47-8

O yādava (kṛṣṇa)! The svayamvara mode of marriage of the most beautiful woman in the three worlds, decorated in golden ornaments, will be conducted there on the third day from today.

rājṣāṁ tatra sametāṇāṁ hastyaśvarathagāminām |

drakṣyāmaḥ shatashastatra śibirāṇi mahātmanām ||2-47-9

The kings mounted on elephants, horses and chariots will go there. Hundreds of camps of the great souls can be seen there.

simhaśārdūladṛptānāṁ mattadviradagāminām |

sadā yuddhapriyāṇāṁ hi parasparamamarṣiṇām ||2-47-10

The kings having pride like lions and tigers, moving like elephants in rut, always eager for battle, have hatred towards each other.

jayāya śīghraṁ sahitā balaughena samanvitāḥ |

niruddhāḥ pṛthivīpālāḥ kimekāntacarā vayam ||2-47-11

The rulers of earth (kings) accompanied by groups of their armies are expecting a quick victory, whereas we who are alone,

nirutsāhā bhaviṣyāmo gachcāmo yadunandana |

shrutvaitatkeshavo vākyaṁ hṛdi śalyamivārpitam |

nirjagāma yaduśreṣṭho yadūnāṁ sahito balaiḥ ||2-47-12

are without any enthusiasm. O son of yādava-s! Let us go. Hearing these words which struck his heart like arrows, keshava (kṛṣṇa), the best among yādava-s, started along with yādava-s and their armies.

yādavāste balodagrāḥ sarve saṁgrāmalālasāḥ |

niryayuḥ syandanavarairgarvitāstridaśā iva ||2-47-13

All the powerful yādava-s, eager for battle, started, mounting on the best chariots, proud like devas.

balāgreṇa niyuktena harirīśānasaṁmataḥ |

cakrodyatakaraḥ kṛṣṇo gadāpāṇirvyarochata ||2-47-14

kṛṣṇa, hari, who is dear to shiva, began his journey leading his army, dazzling with discus on one hand and mace on the other.

yādavāścāpare tatra vāsudevānuyāyinaḥ |

rathairādityasaṅkāśaiḥ kiṅkiṇīpratināditaiḥ ||2-47-15

Other yādava-s followed vāsudeva( kṛṣṇa), mounted on chariots, sparkling like sun rays, echoing with the sound of bells.

ugrasenaṁ tu govindaḥ prāha niśchitadarśanaḥ |

tiṣṭha tvaṁ nṛpaśārdūla bhrātrā me sahito'nagha ||2-47-16

Considering the decision (to proceed) govinda (kṛṣṇa) told ugrasena: O tiger among kings! Sinless One! Please stay back along with my brother (balarāma).

kṣatriyā vikṛtiprajṣāḥ śāstraniśchitadarśanāḥ|

purīṁ śūnyāmimāṁ vīra jaghanye'bhipatanti ha ||2-47-17

kṣatiya-s of crooked intellect, considering the situation technically, will enter this empty city through back door.

asmākaṁ śaṅkitāḥ sarve jarāsaṁdhavaśānugāḥ |

modante sukhinastatra devaloke yathāmarāḥ ||2-47-18

All the followers of jarāsaṁdha, who suspect us, enjoy comfortably there, like deva-s enjoy in heaven.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā bhojarājo mahāyaśāḥ |

kṛṣṇasnehena vikṛtaṁ babhāṣe vacanāmṛtam ||2-47-19

vaiśampāyana said:

Hearing these words of kṛṣṇa, the king of bhoja-s, having great fame, spoke the words sweet as nectar, in a voice, faltering due to affection for kṛṣṇa:

kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahābāho yadūnāṁ nandivarddhana |

śrūyatāṁ yadahaṁ tvadya vakṣyāmi ripusūdana ||2-47-20

O kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! One with great arms! One who increases the fortune of yādava-s! Oppressor of enemies! Hear what I am telling you now.

tvayā vihīnāḥ sarve sma na śaktāḥ sukhamāsitum |

pure'sminviṣayānte vā patihīnā iva striyaḥ ||2-47-21

Without you, it is not possible for any one of us to live in the city or land comfortably, like women without husbands.

tvatsanāthā vayaṁ tāta tvadbāhubalamāśritāḥ |

bibhīmo na narendrāṇāṁ sendrāṇāmapi mānada ||2-47-22

Son! We, having you as leader, depending on the strength of your arms, O one who respects others, are not afraid of the kings, even if indra is with them.

vijayāya yaduśreṣṭha yatra yatra gamiṣyasi |

tatra tvaṁ sahito'smābhirgacchethā yādavarṣabha ||2-47-23

O the best among yādava-s! Wherever you go seeking victory, you should go there, O the best of yādava-s along with us.

tasya rājṣo vacaḥ śrutvā sasmitaṁ devakīsutaḥ |

yatheṣṭaṁ bhavatāmadya tathā kartāsmyasaṁśayam ||2-47-24

(vaiśaṁpāyana said: O janamejaya!) Hearing these words of the king, the son of devakī (kṛṣṇa) said, with a smile: I shall do as you wish now. There is no doubt.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

evamuktvā tu vai kṛṣṇo jagāmāśu rathena vai |

bhīṣmakasya gṛhaṁ prāpto lohitāyati bhāskare ||2-47-25

vaiśaṁpāyana said:

Saying this, kṛṣṇa went riding in a chariot. He arrived at the residence of bhīṣmaka when the sun became red (at sunset).

prāpte rājasamāje tu śibirākīrṇabhūtale |

raṅgaṁ suvipulaṁ dṝṣtvā rājasīṁ tanumāviśat ||2-47-26

kṛṣṇa arrived at the assembly of kings on the ground covered with camps. Seeing the vast scene, he assumed a body of passion.

vitrāsanārthaṁ bhūpānāṁ prakāśārthaṁ purātanam |

manasā cintayāmāsa vainateyaṁ mahābalam ||2-47-27

For frightening the kings and to reveal his ancient form, kṛṣṇa thought of the highly powerful son of vinatā (garuḍa) in his mind.

tataśchintitamātrastu viditvā vinatātmajaḥ |

sukhalakṣyaṁ vapuḥ kṛtvā nililye keśavāntike ||2-47-28

Immediately upon his thought, the son of vinatā knew about it. He reached near (keshava) kṛṣṇa in a comfortable and presentable body.

tasya pakṣanipātena pavanodbhrāntakāriṇā |

kampitā manujāḥ sarve nyubjāścha patitā bhuvi ||2-47-29

With the strong wind generated by the waving of his wings, all men trembled, bent and fell down on earth.

garuḍābhihatāḥ sarve pracheṣṭanto yathoragāḥ |

All shook as though they were snakes attacked by garuḍa.

tānsaṁnipatitāndṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇo giririvācalaḥ ||2-47-30

Watching them falling down, kṛṣṇa stood immobile, like a mountain.

sa rājṣaḥ pakṣapātena mene patagasattamam |

dadarsha garuḍaṁ prāptaṁ divyasraganulepanam ||2-47-31

kṛṣṇa recognized the best among birds (garuḍa) by the waving of his wings and respected him mentally. kṛṣṇa saw garuḍa wearing divine garlands, his body smeared with divine pastes.

pakṣavātena pṛthivīṁ cālayantaṁ muhurmuhuḥ |

pṛṣṭhāsaktaiḥ praharaṇairlelihyantamivoragaiḥ ||2-47-32

He was shaking the earth again and again with the waving of his wings. Some divine weapons were set on his back, appearing like snakes.

vaiṣṇavaṁ hastasaṁśleṣaṁ manyamānairavāṅmukhaiḥ |

charaṇābhyāṁ prakarṣantaṁ pāṇḍuraṁ bhogināṁ varam ||2-47-33

He lowered his face out of respect, when viṣṇu touched him with his hand affectionately. He was dragging a best white serpent with his feet.

hemapatrairupachitaṁ dhātumantamivācalam |

amṛtāraṁbhahartāraṁ dvijihvendravināśanam ||2-47-34

His wings were golden. His body was sparkling with minerals like a mountain. He had forcefully taken amṛta. He was the destroyer of the king of those with two tongues (snakes).

trāsanaṁ daityasaṅghānāṁ vāhanaṁ dhvajalakṣaṇam |

taṁ dṛṣṭvā sa dhvajaṁ prāptaṁ sachivaṁ sāṁparāyikam ||2-47-35

He terrified the demons. He was on the flag of the chariot. kṛṣṇa saw that, garuḍa, the one who stays on the flag, one who helps with his intellect, one who performs the desirable when in danger, has arrived.

(see nīlakaṇṭha commentary)

dhṛtimantaṁ garutmantaṁ jagāda madhusūdanaḥ |

dṛṣṭvā paramasaṁhṛṣṭaḥ sthitaṁ devamivāparam ||2-47-36

Seeing garuḍa, who quickly arrived, the slayer of madhu (kṛṣṇa) spoke. Pleased to see garuḍa who was standing like another deva, kṛṣṇa said:

tulyasāmarthyayā vācā garutmantamavasthitam |

(kṛṣṇa) spoke to garuḍa with words equal in adequacy.

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca

svāgataṁ khecharaśreṣṭha surasenārimardana |

vinatāhṛdayānanda svāgataṁ keshavapriya ||2-47-37

śrīkṛṣṇa said:

Welcome to you, the best among birds! O the oppressor of deva army! One who brings happiness to the heart of vinatā! Welcome to you! One who is dear to keshava (kṛṣṇa)!

vraja patrarathaśreṣṭha kaishikasya niveshanam |

vayam tatraiva gatvādya pratīkṣāma svayaṁvaram ||2-47-38

O the best among birds! Let us go to the house of kaishika (father of bhīṣmaka). Let us go there today and await the marriage.

rājnāṁ tatra sametānāṁ hastyaśvarathagāminām |

drakṣyāmaḥ shatashastatra sametānāṁ mahātmanām ||2-47-39

There we can see kings, going on elephants, horses and chariots . We can see hundreds of similar great souls who assembled there.

evamuktvā mahābāhurvainateyaṁ mahābalam |

jagāmātha purīṁ kṛṣṇaḥ kaishikasya mahātmanaḥ ||2-47-40

(vaiśampāyana said: O janamejaya!) Speaking thus to the powerful son of vinatā (garuḍa), kṛṣṇa with great arms went to the city of kaishika, the great soul.

vainateyasakhaḥ śrīmānyādavaiścha mahārathaiḥ |

vidarbhanagarīṁ prāpte kṛṣṇe devakinandane ||2-47-41

The friend of vinatā's son (garuḍa), the splendorous kṛṣṇa, along with the yādava-s, the great chariot fighters, the son of devakī, kṛṣṇa, arrived at the city of vidarbha.

hṛṣṭāḥ pramuditāḥ sarve nivāsāyopacakramuḥ |

sarve śastrāyudhadharā rājāno balaśālinaḥ ||2-47-42

All, joyous, prepared to stay with a happy mind. All the powerful kings were holding arms and weapons.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

etasminneva kāle tu rājā nayaviśāradaḥ |

kaishikastata utthāya prahṛ+ṣṭenāntarātmanā ||2-47-43

vaiśampāyana said:

Meanwhile, the king kaishika, expert in policy, got up then, with a joyous mind.

arghyamācamanaṁ dattvā sa rājā kaiśikaḥ svayam |

satkṛtya vidhivatkṛṣṇaṁ svapuraṁ saṁpraveśayat ||2-47-44

The king kaishika himself offered respectful reception with ceremonial water and welcomed kṛṣṇa in the prescribed manner to his city.

pūrvameva tu kṛṣṇāya kāritaṁ divyamandiram |

vivesha sabalaḥ śrīmānkailāsaṁ śaṅkaro yathā |

Splendorous kṛṣṇa entered the divine house meant for him earlier along with his army like śaṅkara (shiva) enters kailāsa.

khādyapānādiratnaughairarchito vāsavānujaḥ ||2-47-45

The younger brother of vāsava (kṛṣṇa) was offered items to eat and drink along with jewels.

sukhena uṣitaḥ kṛṣṇastasya rājṣo niveshane |

pūjito bahumānena snehapūrṇena chetasā ||2-47-46

kṛṣṇa stayed comfortably in that house of the king, honoured and respected with love.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇī rukmiṇīsvayaṁvare saptacatvāriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the fortyseventh chapter of viṣṇuparva, harivaṁśa. khila of śrīmahābhārata , Krishna goes to Kundinapura to attend Rukmini's Svayamvara

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

saptacatvāriṁśake'smiṁścarāṇāṁ vacanādatha |

kṛṣṇasyechcā hi rukmiṇyāṁ kuṇḍine gamanaṁ tathā || 1 ||

· 2-47-1 etasminniti | prāvṛttikā pravṛttisūcakāḥ ||

· 2-47-2 ātyāyikaśaṁsāṁṣu virodhaśaṁsiṣu dairghyaṁ chando'nurodhāt ||

· 2-47-3 pārthivātyāyikaṁ rājṣāṁ vināśakāraṇam ||

· 2-47-5 bhojaputrasya rukmiṇaḥ śāsanāt nimantraṇāt ||

· 2-47-6 prathamā mukhyā ||

· 2-47-11 niruddhā rukmiṇī lipsyeti śeṣaḥ | tatra vayaṁ kiṁ bhillavadekāntacarāḥ yena nirutsāhā bhaviṣyāmaḥ | api tu atiprasiddhāstena sotsāhā eva tatra gachcāma iti sārdhaślokavākyam ||

· 2-47-17 vikṛtiprajṣāḥ kapaṭa buddhayaḥ śāstraniśchitadarśanāḥ rājanītividaḥ jaghanye mama pṛṣṭhataḥ śūnye ityarthaḥ ||

· 2-47-18 asmākam asmataḥ ||

· 2-47-26 rājasī tanuṁ kāmakrodhapradhānāṁ prakṛtiṁ ||

· 2-47-27 purātanaṁ prāksiddham ||

· 2-47-28 sukhalakṣyaṁ saumyam ||

· 2-47-29 saumyena līnenāpi yatkṛtaṁ tadāha tasyeti | nyubjāḥ adhomukhāstathā'cheṣṭanta yathoragā notthātuṁ śaknuvantītyarthaḥ |

· 2-47-31 tān rājṣā iti sambandhaḥ | mene manasā pūjitavān ||

· 2-47-35 sachivaṁ buddhisahāyaṁ sāṁparāyikam Apadi hitam ||

· 2-47-40 kaishikasya bhīṣmakapituḥ ||

iti śrīharivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyāṁ saptacatvāriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ

48 - vidarbhasabhāyāṁ jarāsaṁdhasunīthayorbhāṣaṇaṁ - presentations in the vidarbha council by jarāsandha and sunītha

vaiśampāyana uvāca

te kṛṣṇamāgataṁ dṛṣṭvā vainateyasahācyutam |

babhūvuścintayāviṣṭāḥ sarve nṛpatisattamāḥ ||2-48-1

vaiśampāyana said:

All the best of the kings, seeing that kṛ+ṣṇa, one who has no fall (or one who is immutable), has come along with the son of vinata (garuḍa) were immersed in thoughts.

te sametya sabhāṁ rājanrājāno bhīmavikramāḥ |

mantrāya mantrakuśalā nītiśāstrārthavittamāḥ ||2-48-2

O king (janamejaya)! vaiśampāyana said) The highly valiant kings, experts in counseling, and highly knowledgeable in the principles of political ethics, assembled for discussion.

bhīṣmakasya sabhāṁ gatvā ramyāṁ hemapariṣkṛtām |

simhāsaneṣu citreṣu vicitrāstaraṇeṣu ca |

Going to the beautiful golden assembly of bhīṣmaka, the kings sat on beautiful thrones with wonderful overhead covers.

niṣeduste nṛpavarā devā devasabhāmiva ||2-48-3

The best of the kings sat as deva-s sit in the assembly of devas.

teṣāṁ madhye mahābāhurjarāsaṁdho mahābalaḥ |

babhāṣe sa mahātejā devāndeveśvaro yathā ||2-48-4

Among them, the highly powerful, highly splendorous jarāsaṁdha, having strong arms spoke like the lord of deva-s (indra) speaking to the devas.

jarāsaṁdha uvāca

śrūyatāṁ bho nṛpaśreṣṭhā bhīṣamakaścha mahāmatiḥ |

kathyamānaṁ mayā buddhyā vacanaṁ vadatāṁ varāḥ ||2-48-5

jarāsaṁdha said:

O the best of kings! bhīṣmaka of great soul! The best among speakers! Hear the intelligent words spoken by me.

yo'sau kṛṣṇa iti khyāto vasudevasuto balī |

vainateyasahāyena saṁprāptaḥ kuṇḍinaṁ tviha ||2-48-6

The powerful son of vasudeva, known as kṛṣṇa has arrived here at kuṇḍina along with the son of vinatā (garuḍa).

kanyāhetormahātejā yādavairabhisaṁvṛtaḥ |

avaśyaṁ kurute yatnaṁ kanyāvāptiryathā bhavet ||2-48-7

kṛṣṇa of great splendour has come along with yādava-s because of the maiden. He will necessarily make efforts to get the maiden.

yadatra kāraṇaṁ kāryaṁ sunayopetamṛddhitam |

kurudhvaṁ nṛpaśārdūlā vinishchitya balābalam ||2-48-8

O tigers among kings, considering your strengths and weaknesses do with proper policy, what is to be done here.

padātinau mahāvīryau vasudevasutāvubhau |

vainateyaṁ vinā tasmingomante parvatottame |

kṛtavantau mahāghoraṁ bhavadbhirviditaṁ hi tat ||2-48-9

The highly frightful deeds done by both the highly valiant sons of vasudeva on gomanta, the best of mountains, moving on their feet, without the son of vinatā (garuḍa) are well known to all of you as well.

vṛṣṇibhiryādavaiścaiva bhojāndhakamahārathaiḥ |

sametya yuddhyamānasya kīdṛśo vigraho bhavet ||2-48-10

If he fights along with the chariot fighters of vṛṣṇi, yādava, bhoja and andhaka races, how (frightful) will the battle be?

kanyārthe yatatānena garuḍasthena viṣṇunā |

kaḥ sthāsyati raṇe tasminnapi śakraḥ suraiḥ saha ||2-48-11

If viṣṇu mounted on garuḍa tries to get the maiden, who is there to fight in that battle, even if he is śakra (indra) along with deva-s?

yadā cāsmai nāpi sutā kadācitsaṁpradīyate |

tato hyayaṁ balādenāṁ netuṁ śaktaḥ suraiḥ saha ||2-48-12

If the maiden is never given to him, then the powerful (kṛṣṇa) will take her by force along with the devas.

purā ekārṇave ghore śrūyate medinī tviyam |

pātālatalasaṁmagnā viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā ||2-48-13

It is heard that, formerly when the earth was immersed in ekāṛṇava, in the lower region, the highly splendorous viṣṇu,

vārāhaṁ rūpamāsthāya uddhṛtā jagadādinā |

hiraṇyākṣaścha daityendro varāheṇa nipātitaḥ ||2-48-14

the foremost in the universe, taking the form of the boar (varāha) lifted the earth. The indra (chief) of demons, hiraṇyākṣa was slain by the boar (varāha).

hiraṇyakaśipuścaiva mahābalaparākramaḥ |

avadhyo'maradaityānāmṛṣigandharvakinnaraiḥ ||2-48-15

The highly valiant and powerful hiraṇyakaśipu, who can not be killed by deva-s, daityās, sages, gandharvas, kinnaras,

yakṣarākṣasanāgānāṁ nākāśe nāvanisthale |

na cābhyantararātryahnorna śuṣkeṇārdrakeṇa ca ||2-48-16

supernatural beings, demons, serpents, neither in the sky nor on the earth, neither in the night nor in the day, nor in between, neither by dry nor by wet,

avadhyastriṣu lokeṣu daityendrastvaparājitaḥ |

nārasimhena rūpeṇa nihato viṣṇunā purā ||2-48-17

who can not be killed in the three worlds, the undefeatable king of daitya-s, was killed formerly by viṣṇu, in the form of man-lion (narasimha).

vāmanena tu rūpeṇa kaśyapasyātmajo balī |

adityā garbhasaṁbhūto balirbaddho'surottamaḥ ||2-48-18

satyarajjumayaiḥ pāśaiḥ kṛtaḥ pātālasaṁśrayaḥ |

In the form of vāmana, the powerful son of kashyapa, born to aditi, he tied up bali, the best among asura-s, with the rope of the truth (of bali's words) and made him reside in the pātāla (lower regions).

kārtavīryo mahāvīryaḥ sahasrabhujavigrahaḥ ||2-48-19

dattātreyaprasādena matto rājyamadena ca |

The highly valiant kārtavīrya , having thousand arms was excited with the pride of his country due to the boon given by dattātreya.

jāmadagnyo mahātejā reṇukāgarbhasaṁbhavaḥ ||2-48-20

tretādvāparayoḥ saṁdhau rāmaḥ śastrabhṛtāṁ varaḥ |

The splendorous son of jamadagni, born to reṇukā, rāma, the best among the experts of weapons, at the junction of the eras of tretā and dvāpara,

parśunā vajrakalpena saptadvīpeśvaro nṛpaḥ |

viṣṇunā nihato bhūyaḥ chadmarūpena haihayaḥ |2-48-21

killed the king, the lord of seven islands, with the axe, powerful as the thunderbolt (vajra). The king haihaya was slain by viṣṇu in the disguised form.

ikṣvākukulasaṁbhūto rāmo dāśarathiḥ purā |

trilokavijayaṁ vīraṁ rāvaṇaṁ saṁnyapātayat ||2-48-22

Formerly, rāma, born in the race of ikṣvāku, the son of daśaratha killed rāvaṇa who had conquered the three worlds.

purā kṛtayuge viṣṇuḥ saṁgrāme tārakāmaye |

ṣoḍaśārddhabhujo bhūtvā garuḍastho hi vīryavān ||2-48-23

Formerly, in the tārakā battle in the era of kṛta, the valiant viṣṇu with half of sixteen (eight) arms, mounting on garuḍa,

nijaghānāsurānyuddhe varadānena garvitān |

in the fight, killed the daitya-s, who were proud of the boons received by them.

kālanemiścha daiteyo devānāṁ ca bhayapradaḥ ||2-48-24

sahasrakiraṇābhena cakreṇa nihato yudhi |

The daitya, kālanemi, who was frightening even the deva-s, was killed (by viṣṇu) with the discus bright as the sun with thousand rays.

mahāyogabalenājau viśvarūpeṇa viṣṇunā |2-48-25

anena prāptakālāste nihatā bahavo'surāḥ |

In the battle, splendorous viṣṇu, combined with his great universal form killed many daitya-s whose time of death had come.

vane vanacarā daityā mahābalaparākramāḥ ||2-48-26

nihatā bālabhāvena pralambāriṣṭadhenukāḥ |

In the form of a child, he killed the highly powerful, valiant, forest-dwelling daitya-s, pralamba, ariṣṭa and dhenuka, in the forest.

śakunīṁ keśinaṁ caiva yamalārjunakāvapi ||2-48-27

nāgaṁ kuvalayāpīḍaṁ cāṇūraṁ muṣṭikaṁ tathā |

śakunī (pūtanā), keshi, even the trees yamala and arjunakā , the elephant kuvalayāpīḍa , the wrestlers cāṇūra and muṣṭika,

kaṁsaṁ ca balināṁ śreṣṭhaṁ sagaṇaṁ devakīsutaḥ ||2-48-28

nyahanadgopaveṣeṇa krīḍamāno hi keśavaḥ |

kaṁsa, the best among powerful, along with his followers - All were killed, by keshava, the son of devakī, taking the form of a gopa in a playful way.

evamādīni divyāni chadmarūpāṇi cakriṇā ||2-48-29

kṛtāni divyarūpāṇi viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā |

In this way, the splendorous viṣṇu, one who holds the discus, performed many divine acts, taking divine disguises.

tenāhaṁ vaḥ pravakṣyāmi bhavatāṁ hitakāmyayā ||2-48-30

Since I wish for your benefit, I am telling you that

taṁ manye keśavaṁ viṣṇuṁ surādyamasurāntakam |

nārāyaṇaṁ jagadyoniṁ purāṇaṁ puruṣaṁ dhruvam ||2-48-31

keshava (kṛṣṇa) is viṣṇu, the foremost of deva-s, and the destroyer of asurās. He is nārāyaṇa, the source of the universe, the ancient puruṣa, the unchangeable (permanent),

sraṣṭāraṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ vyaktāvyaktaṁ sanātanam |

adṛśyaṁ sarvalokānāṁ sarvalokanamaskṛtam ||2-48-32

the creator of all living beings, manifest and un-manifest, eternal, invisible to all people, and to whom all pay obeisance

anādimadhyanidhanaṁ kṣaramakṣaraśāśvatam |

svayaṁbhuvamajaṁ sthāṇumajeyaṁ sacarācaraiḥ ||2-48-33

the one with out having the beginning, middle or end, the visible (see nīlakaṇṭha commentary) and the imperishable, the eternal, the self manifested brahma, shiva, unconquerable by the movable and the immovable,

trivikramaṁ trilokeśaṁ tridaśendrārināśanam |

the one who strode over the three worlds in three steps, the lord of the three worlds, the destroyer of the enemies of the indra of devas.

iti me niśchitā buddhirjāto'yaṁ mathurāmadhi ||2-48-34

kule mahati vai rājṣāṁ vipule cakravartinām |

I firmly believe that he is born in the city of mathurā, in a great and vast race of kings and emperors.

kathamanyasya martyasya garuḍo vāhanaṁ bhavet ||2-48-35

viśeṣeṇa tu kanyārthe vikramasthe janārdane |

Otherwise will garuḍa become a vehicle for a human being, especially when janārdana (kṛṣṇa) tries to get the maiden?

kaḥ sthāsyati pumānadya garuḍasyāgrato balī ||2-48-36

svayaṁvarakṛtenāsau viṣṇuḥ svayamihāgataḥ |

Which powerful human being will stand today before garuḍa? viṣṇu himself has come here for the marriage (choosing of husband by the maiden).

viṣṇorāgamane caiva mahāndoṣaḥ prakīrtitaḥ ||2-48-37

bhavadbhiranuchintyedaṁ kṛyatāṁ yadanantaram |

I have also spoken about the great danger (to us) due to the arrival of viṣṇu. You should think about all these and do the needful further.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

evaṁ vibruvamāṇe tu magadhānāṁ janeshvare |2-48-38

sunītho'tha mahāprājṣo vacanaṁ chedamabravīt |

vaiśampāyana said:

(O janamejaya !) After the king of magadha (jarāsaṁdha), spoke as above, sunītha of great intellect said the following words:

sunītha uvāca

saṁyagāha mahābāhurmagadhādhipatirnṛpaḥ ||2-48-39

sunītha said:

The king of magadha (jarāsaṁdha) of great arms have spoken the right words.

samakṣaṁ naradevānāṁ yathāvṛttaṁ mahāhave |

gomante rāmakṛṣṇābhyāṁ kṛtaṁ karma suduṣkaram ||2-48-40

In the great battle that took place on the gomanta (mountain), the actions performed by (bala)rāma and kṛṣṇa, as happened in front of the kings, are difficult to be done.

gajāśvarathasaṁbādhā pattidhvajasamākulā |

nirdaghdā mahatī senā cakralāṅgalavahninā ||2-48-41

By the fire of discus and plough, they burned the great army of elephants, horses, chariots, infantry and flags.

tenāyaṁ māgadhaḥ śrīmānanāgatamacintayat |

bruvate rājasenāyāmanusmṛtya sudāruṇam ||2-48-42

Remembering the terrible destruction of the royal armies, the splendorous māgadha (jarāsaṁdha) thought and spoke about what is going to happen.

padātyoryudhyatostatra balakeshavayoryudhi |

durnivāryataro ghoro hyabhavadvāhinīkṣayaḥ ||2-48-43

The destruction of the armies became terrible and mostly unavoidable as bala(rāma) and keshava (kṛṣṇa) fought there in the battle, (standing) on their feet.

viditaṁ vaḥ suparṇasya svāgatasya nṛpottamāḥ |

pakṣavegānilodbhūtā babhramurgaganecarāḥ ||2-48-44

O the best of kings! You knew yourselves that when suparṇa (garuḍa) arrived, those who travel in the sky were spinning due to the wind generated by the fast flapping of his wings.

samudrāḥ kṣubhitāḥ sarve cacālādrirmahī muhuḥ |

vayaṁ sarve susaṁtrastāḥ kimutpāteti viklavāḥ ||2-48-45

All oceans were agitated. The mountains and the earth shook. All of us were afraid thinking, "what calamity is this?"

yadā saṁnahya yudhyeta ārūḍhaḥ keśavaḥ khagam |

kathamasmadvidhaḥ śaktaḥ pratisthātuṁ raṇājire ||2-48-46

As keshava (kṛṣṇa) fights, mounting on the bird (garuḍa), will people like us be capable of opposing him in the battle?

rājṣāṁ svayaṁvaro nāma sumahānharṣavardhanaḥ |

kṛto naravarairādyairyaśo dharmasya vai vidhiḥ ||2-48-47

For the kings, the choosing of husband by the maiden is a great and happy event, installed by the former kings as a means of establishing justice and fame.

idaṁ tu kuṇḍinagaramāsādya manujeśvarāḥ |

punarevaiṣyate kṣipraṁ mahāpuruṣavigraham ||2-48-48

O kings! In this manner, today, the battle of great men, again as desired, has quickly come to this city of kuṇḍina.

yadi sā varayedanyaṁ rājṣāṁ madhye nṛpātmajā |

kṛṣṇasya bhujayorvīryaṁ kaḥ pumānprasahiṣyati ||2-48-49

If the daughter of the king chooses some one else among the kings, which man will be able to bear the strength of kṛṣṇa's arms?

vijṣāpitamidaṁ doṣaṁ svayaṁvaramahotsavam |

tadarthamāgataḥ kṛṣṇo vayaṁ caiva narādhipāḥ ||2-48-50

This danger is widely known. kṛṣṇa as well as us, the kings, have come for the great festival of the choice of husband by the maiden.

kṛṣṇasyāgamanaṁ caiva nṛpāṇāmatigarhitam |

kanyāhetornarendrāṇāṁ yathā vadati māgadhaḥ ||2-48-51

Hence , kṛṣṇa's arrival here because of the maiden, is highly contemptible for the kings, as told by the king of magadha (jarāsaṁdha).

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi rukmiṇīsvayaṁvare sunīthavākye aṣṭacatvāriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the forty-eigth chapter of viṣṇuparva of harivaṁśa, khila of śrimahābhārata, presentations in the vidarbha council by jarāsaṁdha and sunītha

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

aṣṭacatvāriṁśake'tha jarāsandhasunīthayoḥ |

vidarbasya sabhāyāṁ tu vacanaṁ rājasūcyate || 1 ||

· 2-48-1 te kṛṣṇamiti | vainateyetyatra tṛtīyālopa ārṣaḥ |

· 2-48-8 ṛddhitam ṛddhi saṁjāyate yena tat ||

· 2-48-18 yadetyārabhya suraiḥ sahetyanto'yaṁ ślokaḥ sarvapustakeṣu na dṛśyate yo'dityā garbhasaṁbhūto tenaiva viṣṇunā balirbaddhvā pātālasaṁśrayaḥ kṛta iti pūrveṇa saṁbandhaḥ ||

· 2-48-21 parśunā paraśunā ||

· 2-48-25 śakunīṁ pūtanām ||

· 2-48-29 divyāni karmāṇīti śeṣaḥ ||

· 2-48-33k ṣaraṁ dṛśyarūpam akṣaraṁ kūṭastham ||

· 2-48-48 eṣyate kāmyate | mahāpuruṣavigrahaṁ yudddham ||

iti śrīharivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyāmaṣtacatvāriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ ||

49 - dantavaktrasya bhāṣaṇaṁ bhīṣmakasya nirṇayaścha - dantavaktra's speech and bhīṣmaka's review

vaiśampāyana uvāca

ityevamukte vacane sunīthena mahātmanā |

karūṣādhipatirvīro dantavaktro'bhyabhāṣata ||2-49-1

vaiśampāyana said:

(O janamejaya!) After sunītha, the great soul, spoke these words, the king of karūṣa, the valiant dantavaktra spoke (as follows):

dantavaktra uvāca

yaduktaṁ māgadhenātra sunīthena narādhipāḥ |

yuktapūrvamahaṁ manye yadasmākaṁ vacho hitam ||2-49-2

dantavaktra said:

O kings! I consider the words spoken by the king of magadha (jarāsaṁdha) and king sunītha as appropriate, because the words are to our liking.

na ca vidveṣaṇenāhaṁ na cāhaṅkāravādinā |

na cātmavijigīṣutvāddūṣayāmi vacho'mṛtam ||2-49-3

I will not pollute my nectar like words with hatred, pride or the desire of self-victory.

vākyārṇavaṁ mahāgādhaṁ nītiśāstrārthabṛṁhitam |

ka eṣa nikhilaṁ vaktuṁ shakto vai rājasaṁsadi ||2-49-4

Who (else) will speak all these words like an ocean of great depth enriched with the principles of the science of political wisdom in this assembly of kings?

kiṁ tvanusmaraṇārthe'haṁ yadbravīmi śṛṇuṣva me |

āgato vāsudeveti kimāścaryaṁ narādhipāḥ ||2-49-5

But hear what I am saying, just to remind you. O kings! What is the surprise in vāsudeva's (kṛṣṇa) arrival?

yathā''gatā vayaṁ sarve kṛṣṇo'pīha tathā''gataḥ |

kimatra dosho gauṇyo vā kanyāhetoḥ samāgatāḥ ||2-49-6

kṛṣṇa has also come (for the same purpose) due to the reason of the maiden, for which all of us have come. What is bad or good in this?

yadasmābhiḥ sametyaikyātkṛtaṁ gomantarodhanam |

tatra yuddhakṛtaṁ doṣaṁ kathaṁ vai vaktumarhatha ||2-49-7

When all of us together surrounded the mountain of gomanta, what is bad about the fighting there, to be told?

vanavāse sthitau vīrau kaṁsavyāmohahetunā |

devarṣivacanādrājanvṛndāvanataṭe sthitau ||2-49-8

O king! These valiant lived in the forest, vṛndāvana on the banks (of the river yamunā) to confuse kaṁsa, as per the words of the deva sage (nārada).

tāvāhūya vadhārthena ubhau rāmajanārdanau |

nagenoddīpitau vīrau hatvā nāgaṁ viveśatuḥ ||2-49-9

Both (bala)rāma and janārdana (kṛṣṇa) were summoned (to mathurā) for killing them. The elephant was prompted (to kill them), but the valiant killed the elephant and entered (the city).

tataḥ svavīryamāśritya nihato raṅgasāgare |

gatāsuriva cāsīno mathureśaḥ sahānugaḥ ||2-49-10

Then, by their own valour, they killed the lord of mathurā (kaṁsa) along with his followers, who were as good as dead, on the stage, vast like an ocean.

kimatra vihito doṣo yenāsmābhirvayo'dhikaiḥ |

uparodhaparā rājanvayaṁ sarve sāmāgatāḥ ||2-49-11

O king! What is bad in this? All of us, who are older than them by age, gathered together to block them.

senātibalamālokya vitrastau rāmakeśavau |

puraṁ balaṁ samutsṛjya gomante ca gatāvubhau ||2-49-12

(bala)rāma and keshava (kṛṣṇa) were frightened, considering the large powerful army. Leaving the city and army, both went to the gomanta mountain.

tatrāpi gatamasmābhirhantuṁ samarayodhibhiḥ |

We, ready for fighting the battle, went there as well.

aprāptayauvanābhyāṁ ca padātibhyāṁ raṇājire ||2-49-13

rathāśvanaranāgena nāsmābhirvigrahaḥ kṛtaḥ |

On the battle field, we along with chariots, horses, men and elephants fought with them, who had not even attained youth, fighting on their feet.

kṛtvoparodhaṁ shailasya kṣatradharmeṇa dīpitaḥ ||2-49-14

We, prompted by our duty as kṣatriya-s, blocked the mountain (gomanta).

dāvāgnimukhamāviśya durvinītatapasvinau |

vinīta iti manyāmaḥ sarve kṣatriyapuṅgavāḥ |

We, all the kṣatriya leaders, thought that those two, humble and doing penance, were humbled by the raging forest fire.

pratiyuddhe kṛte tvevaṁ dūṣayāma janārdanam ||2-49-15

Fighting against him like this, we have acted wrongly against janārdana (kṛṣṇa).

yatra yatra prayāsyāmo vayaṁ tatra bhavetkaliḥ |

prītyarthaṁ prayatiṣyāmaḥ kṛṣṇena saha bhūmipāḥ ||2-49-16

Wherever we go, there will be a quarrel. O kings! Let us look for gratification with kṛṣṇa.

idaṁ kuṇḍipuraṁ kṛṣṇo nāgataḥ kalihetunā |

kanyānimittāgamane kasya yuddhaṁ prayacchati ||2-49-17

kṛṣṇa has come to this city of kuṇḍina not for quarrelling. When he has come here due to the maiden, with whom will he fight?

martye'sminpuruṣendro'sau na kaśchitprākṛto naraḥ |

devalokeṣu deveṣu pravaraḥ puruṣottamaḥ ||2-49-18

He is the best among men. He is not a mere ordinary man. In the world of deva-s, among the deva-s, he is the foremost. He is the best among men.

devānāmapi kartāsau lokānāṁ ca viśeṣataḥ |

na caiva bāliśā buddhirna cherṣyā nāpi matsaraḥ ||2-49-19

Specially he is the one who created even the deva-s and the men. His intellect is not childish as well. He is devoid of anger as well as competition.

na stabdho na kṛśo nārtaḥ praṇatārtiharaḥ sadā |

He is neither rigid nor insignificant. He is not struck by calamity. He always removes the pains of those who respect him.

eṣa viṣṇuḥ prabhurdevo devānāmapi daivatam ||2-49-20

He is viṣṇu, the lord, the deva. He is god even to the devas.

āgato garuḍeneha cchadmaprākāśyahetunā |

nānāstrasahito yāti kṛṣṇaḥ śatruvināśane ||2-49-21

For revealing his disguise, he came along with garuḍa. kṛṣṇa comes along with various weapons for destroying the enemies.

imāṁ yātrāṁ vijānīdhvaṁ prītyarthaṁ hyāgato hariḥ |

sahito yādavendraiścha bhojavṛṣṇyandhakairiha ||2-49-22

Understand that this journey of hari (kṛṣṇa) along with leaders of yādava=s, bhoja-s, vṛṣṇi-s and andhaka-s is for friendly disposition.

arghyamācamanaṁ dattvā ātithyaṁ ca narādhipāḥ |

kariṣyāmo vayaṁ sarve keśavāya mahātmane ||2-49-23

O kings! All of us should welcome the great soul keshava (kṛṣṇa) offering a respectful reception and water for purification.

evaṁ saṁdhānataḥ kṛtvā kṛṣṇena sahitā vayam |

vasāmo vigatodvegā nirbhayā vigatajvarāḥ ||2-49-24

After making peace with kṛṣṇa, all of us can stay without anxiety, fear and mental pain.

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā dantavaktrasya dhīmataḥ |

śālvaḥ pravadatāṁ śreṣṭhastānuvāca narādhipān ||2-49-25

(vaiśampāyana said: O janamejaya!) Hearing these words of the intelligent dantavaktra, śālva, the best among speakers, spoke to the kings.

śālva uvāca

kiṁ bhayenāsya naḥ sarve nyastaśastrā bhavāmahe |

saṁdhānakaraṇāddhetoḥ kṛṣṇasya bhayakampitāḥ ||2-49-26

śālva said:

Why should all of us become devoid of weapons, afraid of him? Are we trembling with fear so that we should make peace with kṛṣṇa?

parastavena kiṁ kāryaṁ vinindya balamātmanaḥ |

naiṣa dharmo narendrāṇāṁ kṣātre dharme ca tiṣṭhatām ||2-49-27

What is the use of praising others, despising our own strength? This can never be the duty of kings bound by the duty of kṣatriyas.

mahatsu rājavaṁśeṣu saṁbhūtāḥ kulavarddhanāḥ |

teṣāṁ kāpuruṣā buddhiḥ kathaṁ bhavitumarhati ||2-49-28

Is it appropriate for those born in the races of great kings, those who flourish the races, to have bad intellect?

ahaṁ jānāmi vai kṛṣṇamādidevaṁ sanātanam |

prabhuṁ sarvāmarendrāṇāṁ nārāyaṇaparāyaṇam ||2-49-29

I know that kṛṣṇa is the first god, the eternal, the lord of all the eternal deva-s, who are dependent on nārāyaṇa.

vaikuṇṭhamajayaṁ loke carācaraguruṁ harim |

saṁbhūtaṁ devakīgarbhe viṣṇuṁ lokanamaskṛtam ||2-49-30

He is hari, the resident of vaikuṇṭha, the undefeatable, the preceptor of the mobile and immobile beings in the world, viṣṇu, born to devakī, respected by the world.

kaṁsarājavadhārthāya bhārāvataraṇāya ca |

asmākaṁ ca vināśāya lokasaṁrakṣaṇāya ca ||2-49-31

For killing king kaṁsa, for reducing the load of earth, for destroying us and protecting the world,

aṁśāvataraṇe kṛtsnaṁ jāne viṣṇorvicheṣṭitam |

a portion of viṣṇu has descended in the world. I know that these are acts of viṣṇu.

saṅgrāmamatulaṁ kṛtvā viṣṇunā saha bhūmipāḥ ||2-49-32

cakrānalavinirdagdhā yāsyāmo yamasādanam |

O lords of the earth (kings)! Fighting an unequal war with viṣṇu and burning in the fire of discus, let us proceed to the house of death.

tattvaṁ jānāmi rājendrāḥ kālenāyuḥkṣayo bhavet ||2-49-33

kings! I know the truth that the duration of life decreases with time.

nākāle mriyate kaśchitprāpte kāle na jīvati |

evaṁ viniśchayaṁ kṛtvā na kuryātkasyachidbhayam ||2-49-34

One will never die without the arrival of the time (of death). When the time of death arrives, one will not live further. If one thinks like this, there is nothing to fear.

sa eva bhagavānviṣṇurālokya tapasaḥ kṣayam |

nihantā ditijendrāṇāṁ yathākālena yogavit ||2-49-35

Seeing the decline of the religious austerity in the world, lord viṣṇu, is killing the best ones born to diti (daitya-s), in combination with the suitable time.

baliṁ vairochaniṁ caivaṁ baddhvāvadhyaṁ mahābalam |

kṛtavāndevadeveśaḥ pātālatalavāsinam ||2-49-36

Tying up the highly powerful bali, the son of virochana, the supreme deva (viṣṇu), the lord of deva-s made him reside in pātāla, the lower region.

evamādīni vai viṣṇuśceṣṭāni ca narādhipāḥ |

tasmādayuktaṁ bhavatāṁ vigrahārthaṁ vicāraṇam ||2-49-37

O kings! These are the acts of the eternal viṣṇu. Hence it is not suitable for you to discuss about any battle (with him).

na ca saṅgrāmahetorhi kṛṣṇasyāgamanaṁ tviha |

Also, kṛṣṇa has not come here for the reason of battle.

yasya vā kasya vā kanyā varayiṣyati tasya sā |

kimatra vigraho rājṣāṁ prītirbhavatu vai dhruvam ||2-49-38

The maiden is for him, who is chosen by her. Why the kings are fighting for this? Definitely, there will be peace.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

evaṁ kathayamānānāṁ nṛpāṇāṁ buddhiśālinām |

na kiṣchidabravīdrājā bhīṣmakaḥ putrakāraṇāt ||2-49-39

vaiśampāyana said:

(O janamejaya!) When the kings with intellect spoke like this, king bhīṣmaka did not speak anything, because of his son.

mahāvīryamadotsiktaṁ bhārgavāstrābhirakṣitam |

raṇaprachaṇḍātirathaṁ vichintya manasā sutam ||2-49-40

The king thought about his son mentally, who was proud of his great valour, protected by the (expertise on) arrows gained from bhārgava(rāma), the ferocious chariot fighter.

bhīṣmaka uvāca

kṛṣṇaṁ na sahate nityaṁ putro me baladarpitaḥ |

nityābhimānī ca raṇe na bibheti ca kasyachit ||2-49-41

bhīṣmaka said:

My son, proud of his power, is always unable to bear kṛṣṇa. Always proud, he is not afraid of anyone in the battle.

kṛṣṇasya bhujavīryeṇa hriyate nātra saṁśayaḥ |

bhaviṣyati tato yuddhaṁ mahāpuruṣavigraham ||2-49-42

It is certain that the maiden will be taken by the power of arms of kṛṣṇa. Hence there will be a battle, a battle among great men.

dveṣī chaivābhimānī ca kuto jīvati me sutaḥ |

jīvitaṁ nātra paśyāmi mama putrasya keśavāt ||2-49-43

My son is angry as well as proud. Will he live? I do not see life for my son, because of keshava (kṛṣṇa).

kanyāhetoḥ sutaṁ jyeṣṭhaṁ pitṝṇāṁ nandivarddhanam |

kārayiṣye kathaṁ yuddham putreṇa saha keshavam ||2-49-44

Because of the maiden, why should I make my elder son, who increases the welfare of the father, fight with kṛṣṇa?

na ca nārāyaṇaṁ devaṁ varamicchati rukmavān |

rukmi does not wish the deva, nārāyaṇa to become the bridegroom (of his sister).

mūḍhabhāvo madonmattaḥ saṅgrāmeṣvanivartakaḥ |

niyataṁ bhasmasādyāti tūlarāśiryathānalāṭ ||2-49-45

My son is foolish and excited by pride. He does not retire from war. It is certain that he will become ashes like cotton burned by fire.

karavīreśvaraḥ śūraḥ śṛgālaścitrayodhinā |

kṣaṇena bhasmasānnītaḥ keshavena balīyasā ||2-49-46

The powerful keshava (kṛṣṇa), capable of fighting in strange ways, quickly reduced the valiant śṛgāla, the king of karavīra.

vṛndāvane'vasacchrīmānkeśavo balināṁ varaḥ |

uddhṛtyaikena hastena saptāhaṁ dhṛtavāngirim ||2-49-47

The auspicious keshava (kṛṣṇa), the best among the powerful, held the mountain (govarddhana) up with one hand for seven days, while he was living at vṛndāvana.

duṣkaraṁ karma saṁsmṛtya manaḥ sīdati me bhṛśam |2-49-48

Thinking about those difficult tasks, (performed by keshava), my mind is weakened.

nagendre sahasā''gamya devataiḥ saha vṛtrahā |

abhiṣichyābravītkṛṣṇamupendreti śacīpatiḥ ||2-49-49

The slayer of vṛtra (indra), the husband of śacī, arriving quickly on the king of mountains (govarddhana) along with deva-s, anointed kṛṣṇa as upendra.

yathā vai damino nāgaḥ kāliyo yamunāhrade |

viṣāgnijvālito ghoraḥ kālāntakasamaprabhaḥ ||2-49-50

At the pool of yamunā, kṛṣṇa conquered the serpent kāliya, terrible, blazing with poisonous flames, sparkling like the slayer of death.

keśī cāpi mahāvīryo dānavo hayavigrahaḥ |

nihato vāsudevena devairapi durāsadaḥ ||2-49-51

The great valiant daitya keśī in the form of horse, undefeatable even by the deva-s, was also killed by vāsudeva (kṛṣṇa).

sandīpanisutaścaiva ciranaṣṭo hi sāgare |

daityaṁ paṣchajanaṁ hatvā ānīto yamamandirāt ||2-49-52

killing the daitya paṣchajana, kṛṣṇa brought back the son of sāndīpani also, lost in the ocean long ago, from the residence of death.

gomante sumahadyuddhaṁ bahubhirveṣṭitāvubhau |

kṛtvā vitrāsajananaṁ nāgāśvarathasaṅkṣayam ||2-49-53

On the mountain gomanta, a great battle was fought by both (balarāma and kṛṣṇa), when they were surrounded by many people, destroying elephants, horses and chariots.

gajena gajavṛndāni rathena rathayodhinaḥ |

sādinaścāśvayodhena nareṇa ca padātinaḥ |

jaghnatustau mahāvīryau vasudevasutāvubhau ||2-49-54

Both the highly valiant sons of vasudeva (balarāma and kṛṣṇa) killed groups of elephants by striking them with elephants, charioteers by chariots, horse riders with horses and infantry with men.

na devāsuragandharvā na yakṣoragarākṣasāḥ |

na nāgā na ca daityendrā na piśācā na guhyakāḥ ||2-49-55

kṛtavantastathā ghoraṁ gajāśvarathasaṅkṣayam |

Such a terrible destruction of elephants, horses and chariots was never done by deva-s, daitya-s (asuras-), gandharva-s, yakṣa-s, snakes, rākṣasa-s, serpents, kings of daitya-s, flesh eating demons or demi-gods living in mountainous caverns.

tamanusmṛtya saṅgrāmaṁ bhṛśaṁ sīdati me manaḥ ||2-49-56

Thinking about that war, my mind is getting weakened.

na mayā śrutapūrvo vā dṛṣṭapūrvaḥ kuto'pi vā |

tādṛśo bhuvi martyo'nyo vāsudevātsurottamāt ||2-49-57

Neither I have heard before, nor I have seen before, anywhere on earth, another man like vāsudeva (kṛṣṇa), the best among devas.

saṁyagāha mahābāhurdantavaktro mahīpatiḥ |

sāntvayitvā mahāvīryaṁ saṁvidhāsyāma yatkṣamam ||2-49-58

dantavaktra, the one with great arms, the lord of earth spoke good. Let us concur with the great valiant kṛśṇa and do the needful further.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

iti saṣchintya manasā balābalaviniśchayam |

gamanāya matiṁ cakre prasādayitumachyutam ||2-49-59

vaiśampāyana said:

(O janamejaya!) Considering the strengths and weaknesses, thinking like this mentally, the king decided to proceed for pleasing the one who does not suffer any decline (kṛṣṇa).

cintayāno narendrastu bahubhirnayaśālibhiḥ |

sūtamāgadhabandibhyo bodhitaḥ stutimaṅgalaiḥ ||2-49-60

The king consulted with many other kings of men, who are experts in political wisdom on the matter. (In the morning), the king (bhīṣmaka) woke up, by (hearing) the praises and well wishes of (sūta-s) royal bards, (māgadha-s) panegyrists and also (bandi-s) heralders.

prabhātāyāṁ rajanyāṁ tu kṛtapūrvāhnikakriyāḥ |

upaviṣṭā nṛpāḥ sarve sveṣu viśrāmaveśmasu ||2-49-61

After performing the morning rituals in the early morning, all the kings remained at their respective rest houses.

ye visṛṣṭāstu rājāno vidarbhāyāṁ narādhipaiḥ |

tairāgamya svabhūpeṣu raho gatvā niveditam ||2-49-62

The kings (princes) deputed by the kings to the (city of) vidarbha, returned and informed their respective kings, privately (about the developments.)

śrutvā kṛṣṇābhiṣekaṁ tu kechiddhṛṣṭā narādhipāḥ |

kechiddīnatarā bhītā udāsīnāstathā pare ||2-49-63

Some of the kings were happy to hear about the (proposed) anointment of kṛṣṇa, some were depressed, some were pained, some were afraid and some were indifferent.

tridhā prabhinnā sā senā naranāgāśvamālinī |

mahārṇava iva kṣubdhā abhiṣekeṇa cālitā ||2-49-64

The kings (see nīlakaṇṭha commentary) having infantry, elephants and horses were separated into three groups. By the (proposed) anointment (of kṛṣṇa), the kings were agitated like a great ocean.

nṛpāṇāṁ bhedamālokya bhīṣmako rājasattamaḥ |

vyatikramamacintyaṁ ca kṛtaṁ nṛpatinā svayam ||2-49-65

Beholding the division of kings and considering the transgression committed by himself, bhīṣmaka, the best among kings,

vichintya manasā rājā dahyamānena chetasā |

jagāma naradevānāṁ samāje pratibodhitum ||2-49-66

thought in his mind and his consciousness was burning. He went to the assembly of kings to make them understand.

etasminnantare dūtāḥ saṁprāptāḥ krathakaishikau |

lekhamuddhṛtya śirasā vivishuste nṛpārṇavam ||2-49-67

Meanwhile, messengers (of indra - see nīlakaṇṭha commentary) arrived at the (courts of kings) kratha and kaishika. Holding a letter, heads lowered with humility, they entered the ocean (assembly) of kings.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi rukmiṇīsvayaṁvare ekonapaṣcāśattamo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the forty-ninth chapter of viṣṇuparva, harivaṁśa, khila of mahābhārata, dantavaktra's Speech and bhishmaka's review.

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

ūnapaṣchasapttame'thādhyāye māgadhabhāṣitāt |

dantavaktrasya śālvasya vacanaṁ samyagucyate || 1 ||

· 2-49-1 ityevamiti ||

· 2-49-5 vāsudeveti sandhirārṣaḥ ||

· 2-49-6 gauṇyaḥ guṇaḥ ||

· 2-49-9 nāgena kuvalayāpīḍena uddīpitau kopitau viveśatuḥ | raṅgamiti śeṣaḥ ||

· 2-49-10 gatāsurivetyasāvadhānatvamasyoktam ||

· 2-49-11 yena kaṁsaṁ nighnatā vayodhikairasmābhiḥ saha vairaṁ kṛtaṁ tasya uparodhaparā yadi vayaṁ tadā kimatra doṣo vihitaḥ nako'pītyarthaḥ ||

· 2-49-14 rathādibalena upetairasmābhiḥ saha tena vigraho yuddhaṁ na kṛtam | athoparodhashcha kṛtastatra daṇḍo dahanameva yuktamityāśayaḥ ||

· 2-49-15 na cāpyayamadharma ityāha - dāvāgnīti | tapasvino dāvāgnimaraṇaṁ śreya iti etau ca durvinītatapasvinau | ata etayormukhyo durvinītataraḥ san etena maraṇena vinītaḥ suśikṣitaḥ syāditi manyām iti yojanā | atha yuddhakaraṇaṁ śreyovimukhasya dūṣaṇamiti tṛtīyārdhārthaḥ | sārdhaślokavākyam |

· 2-49-16 evaṁ svasthānaparādhitvamuktvā samprati virodhe hetvantaramāha yatra yatredyādinā ||

· 2-49-18 pūrvavairaṁ smṛtvā yuddhaṁ dāsyatītyāpi netyāśayenāha martya iti | martye manuṣyaloke ||

· 2-49-19 īrṣyāḥ akṣamā matsaraḥ parotkarṣāsahanam ||

· 2-49-21 chadmaprakāśyahetunā svayamvarāgamanavyājena svarūpaṁ prakāśanīyamiti hetoḥ ||

· 2-49-22 yādavendrāṇāṁ mukyairbhojādibhiḥ |

· 2-49-24 saṁdhānata sāmnā vigata udvego yeṣāṁ te vigatodvegaḥ ||

· 2-49-26 kimiti | asya asmāt no'smākaṁ bhaye sati kiṁ nyastaśastrāḥ na bhavāmahe api tu bhavāmahe eva | bhītena śastratyāgapūrvakaṁ saṁdhānamavaśyaṁ kartavyaṁ na tu vayaṁ bhītā sma ityarthaḥ ||

· 2-49-33 yamasādhanaṁ mṛtyormṛtyuṁ | viṣṇumityarthaḥ |

· 2-49-37 ceṣṭāni karmaṇi |

· 2-49-38 yasya yaṁ tasya tam ||

· 2-49-41 kasyachit kasmācchit ||

· 2-49-42 hriyate kanyeti śeṣaḥ | yadvā'yameva hriyate kāleneti śeṣaḥ |

· 2-49-44 jyeṣṭhaṁ sutaṁ keshavena saha keśavaṁ ca putreṇa saha kathaṁ yuddhaṁ kārayiṣye iti yojyam ||

· 2-49-45 rukmavān rukmī ||

· 2-49-48 mahāvīryaṁ śrīkṛṣṇam ||

· 2-49-60 narendro bhīhmakaḥ ||

· 2-49-64 senā nṛpamaṇḍalī ||

· 2-49-65 vyatikramaṁ rājṣo'nādṛtya saṁkaram ||

· 2-49-67 dūtāḥ indrasyeti śeṣaḥ | lekhaṁ rājendratva sarvaiḥ kṛṣṇo'bhiṣicyatāmityevaṁsvayam uddhṛtya krathakaishiko samarpitavanta iti śeṣaḥ ||

iti śrīharivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyāmekonapaṣcāśatamo'dhyāyaḥ ||

50 - bhīṣmakasaṁsadi kṛṣṇenāśvāsanam - kṛṣṇa's assuranace in bhīṣmaka's assembly

janamejaya uvāca

hatvā kaṁsaṁ mahāvīryaṁ devairapi durāsadam |

nābhiṣiktaḥ svayaṁ rājye nopaviṣṭo nṛpāsane ||2-50-1

janamejya said:

After killing the highly valiant kaṁsa, who was difficult to be conquered even by deva-s, kṛṣṇa did not anoint himself (as the king). Neither did he sit on the king's throne.

kanyārthe cāgataḥ kṛṣṇastatrāpi na kṛto'tithiḥ |

amānamatulaṁ prāpya kṣāntavānkena hetunā ||2-50-2

kṛṣṇa had arrived there for the maiden. Even then, he was not welcomed. He received unequalled disrespect. What was reason for him to bear this?

vinatāyāḥ sutashcaiva mahābalaparākramaḥ |

vinatā's son (garuḍa) is highly powerful as well as valiant.

sa cāpi kṣamayā yuktaḥ kāraṇaṁ kimapekṣitaḥ |

etadākhyāhi bhagavanparaṁ kautūhalaṁ hi me ||2-50-3

What was the reason for him also to bear this patiently? Tell me this, O lord (vaiśampāyana)! I am mostly curious about this.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

vidarbhanagarīṁ prāpte vainateye sahācyute |

manasā cintayāmāsa vāsudevāya kaiśikaḥ || 2-50-4

vaiśampāyana said:

(O janamejaya !) As the one who does not have any decline (kṛṣṇa) reached the city of vidarbha along with the son of vinata (garuḍa ), kaishika thought in his mind regarding vāsudeva (kṛṣṇa).

dṛṣṭvā''ścaryaṁ hi naḥ sarvān [ rājanyānpravadāmyaham |

vasudevasute dṛṣṭe ] dhruvaṁ pāpakṣayo bhavet ||2-50-5

I have seen wonder everywhere. I will tell all the kings that on seeing the son of vasudeva, all sins will definitely decline.

viśuddhabhāvaḥ kṛṣṇasya āvayordṛṣṭatattvataḥ |

ataḥ pātrataraḥ ko'nyastriṣu lokeṣu vidyate ||2-50-6

kṛṣṇa's pure form seen by us is real. Who else is there in the three worlds,

kṛṣṇātkamalapatrākṣāddevadevājjanārdanāt |

tasyāvāṁ kiṁ pradāsyāva ātithyakaraṇe nṛpa ||2-50-7

other than kṛṣṇa, with eyes as beautiful as lotus, lord of deva-s, janārdana? O king! What shall we offer him, as a guest?

pātramāsādya vai rājanyathā dharmo na lupyate |

evamanyonyaṁ saṁchintya bhrātarau krathakaishikau ||2-50-8

O king! We shall not fail in our duty with a perfect receiver available. The brothers, kratha and kaishika discussed in this manner among themselves.

svaṁ rājyaṁ dātukāmau tu jagmatuḥ keśavāntikam |

devamāsādya tau vīrau vidarbhanagarādhipau ||2-50-9

Deciding to offer their kingdom, they approached kṛṣṇa. Going to deva (kṛṣṇa), those valiant kings of the city of vidarbha,

ūcatustau mahābhāgau praṇamya śirasā harim |

those illustrious men, paid obeisance to hari (kṛṣṇa) by lowering their heads and said:

adyāvāṁ saphalaṁ janma adyāvāṁ saphalaṁ yaśaḥ |

adyāvāṁ pitarastṛptā deve cāvāṁ gṛhāgate ||2-50-10

Today our births are fruitful, today our fame is fruitful, today our ancestors are satisfied since the lord (kṛṣṇa) has come to our house.

cāmaraṁ vyajanaṁ chatraṁ dhvajaṁ simhāsanaṁ balam |

sphītakośā purī cheyamāvābhyāṁ suhitā tava ||2-50-11

The yalk plume, fan, umbrella, flag staff, throne, army and the treasury along with the city of ours are yours.

upendrastvaṁ mahābāho devendreṇābhiṣiktavān |

āvāmiha hi rājye tvāmabhiṣiktaṁ dadāmi te ||2-50-12

O the one with great arms! You were anointed as upendra by indra of deva-s (devendra). We have anointed you as the king of this kingdom.

āvayoryatkṛtaṁ kāryaṁ bahubhiḥ pārthivairapi |

na śakyate'nyathā kartuṁ jarāsaṁdhena vā svayam ||2-50-13

What is done by us and also by many other kings cannot be reversed even by jarāsaṁdha himself.

shatruste māgadho rājā jarāsaṁdho mahādyutiḥ |

kathām te bruvate nityaṁ nṛpāṇāmabhayapradaḥ ||2-50-14

The king of magadha, jarāsaṁdha of great splendour is your enemy. He who protects the kings, tells your story every day (as follows):

simhāsanamanadhyāsyaṁ puraṁ cāsya na vidyate |

kathaṁ rājasamāje'sminnāsyate devakīsutaḥ ||20-50-15

He cannot ascent the royal throne. He does not have a city. How the son of devakī can remain in this assembly of kings?

kṛṣṇo'pi sumahāvīryo hyabhimānī mahādyutiḥ |

na cāgamiṣyate vāsminkanyārthe ca svayaṁvare ||2-50-16

kṛṣṇa is of great valour. He is proud. He has great splendour. He may have come here neither for the maiden nor for her svayaṁvara mode of marriage.

pārthiveṣūpaviṣṭeṣu sveṣu simhāsaneṣu vai |

kathamāsyati nīcheṣu āsaneṣu mahādyutiḥ ||2-50-17

As the kings sit on their own royal thrones, how can he, having great splendour, sit on the lower seat?

iti saṁchintyamānastu śrutvāsau bhīṣmako nṛpaḥ |

āvayoḥ saha saṁmantrya vigrahopaśamārthinā ||2-50-18

Having heard that he was thinking in this manner, king bhīṣmaka, discussed with us for resolving the differences

tava viśrāmahetorhi kāritedaṁ gṛhottamam |

devānāmādidevo'si sarvalokanamaskṛtaḥ ||2-50-19

and made this best house for you to take rest. You are the principal deva of the deva-s, to whom all the worlds pay obeisance.

mānuṣye martyaloke'sminrājendratvaṁ samācara |

samāje manujendrāṇāṁ mā bhūdāsanasaṅkaṭam ||2-50-20

In this world of men, you be the king in the human form. In the assembly of kings, let there be no problem regarding the seat.

vidarbhanagare chaiṣāṁ rājendratvaṁ vicheṣṭaya |

āsyatāmāsane śubhre śvaḥ prabhāte mahādyute ||2-50-21

You be the king of the city of vidarbha. O One with great splendour! Tomorrow morning, you take the auspicious white seat.

adhivāsyādya cātmānaṁ vidhidṛṣṭena karmaṇā |

yathā gamiṣyanti nṛpāḥ kariṣye devaśāsanāt ||2-50-22

Let the anointment be done after summoning and installing the soul as per the required procedure and rituals as ordered by deva (indra) as the kings arrive.

evamuktvā suraśreṣṭhaṁ praṇipatya kṛtāṣjalī |

preṣayāmāsaturvīrau raṅgamadhye nṛpairvṛte ||2-50-23

(vaiśampāyana said: O janamejaya!) Speaking thus to the best among deva-s and paying obeisance to him with folded hands, they (kratha and kaishika) sent a messenger to the assembly of kings.

evaṁ dūtasya vacanaṁ yathoktaṁ vajrapāṇinā |

likhitvā sumahātejāḥ kaiśikaḥ prāha śāsanam ||2-50-24

The words of the messenger as said by the one holding vajra (indra) were conveyed as order by kaishika with great splendour.

kaishika uvāca

viditaṁ vo nṛpāḥ sarve vainateyasahācyutaḥ |

āgato'tithirūpeṇa vidarbhanagarīṁ hariḥ ||2-50-25

kaishika said:

It is known to all the kings that the one who does not have any decline (achyuta - kṛṣṇa), hari, along with the son of vinatā, has arrived at the city of vidarbha as a guest.

prāptamālokya pātro'yamiti saṣchintya bhūpatiḥ |

pradadau vāsudevāya svaṁ rājyaṁ dharmahetunā ||2-50-26

Seeing that he has arrived and considering that he is an eligible receiver, the king has offered his kingdom to the son of vasudeva (kṛṣṇa) due to dharma.

idamāsanamāsveti bhrātrā me chodite tataḥ |

vāguktā cāśarīreṇa kenāpi vyomacāriṇā ||2-50-27

As my brother was requesting kṛṣṇa to take over the throne, some body-less traveller in the sky spoke these words.

devadūta uvāca

na yuktamāsanaṁ dātuṁ tvayā''sīnaṁ narādhipa |

idamasyāsanaṁ divyaṁ sarvaratnavibhūṣitam ||2-50-28

The messenger of deva-s said:

O king! it is not proper to offer the seat on which you were seated. Here is a divine seat, decorated by all jewels.

jāmbūnadamayaṁ śubhraṁ rachitaṁ viśvakarmaṇā |

preṣitaṁ devarājena simhalakṣaṇalakṣitam ||2-50-29

This white seat, made by viśvakama with jambūnada gold, is sent by the king of deva-s, (indra). The seat has images of lions.

atropaviṣṭaṁ deveśaṁ carācaranamaskṛtam |

abhiṣiṣchantu rājendraṁ bahubhiḥ pārthivaiḥ saha ||2-50-30

Let many kings anoint kṛṣṇa, lord of deva-s, to whom the mobile and immobile beings pay obeisance, seated on this (divine) seat as the indra of kings.

āgatāḥ kuṇḍinagare kanyāhetornarādhipāḥ |

nāgamiṣyati yaḥ kaśchitso'sya vadhyo bhaviṣyati ||2-50-31

The kings arrived at the city of kuṇḍina because of the maiden. If some one does not come here, he will become deserved to be killed.

ime chaivāṣṭakalaśā nidhīnāmaṁśasaṁbhavāḥ |

akṣayā rājarājasya dhaneshasya mahātmanaḥ ||2-50-32

Here are the eight pots containing the portions of eternal treasures, belonging to the lord of wealth, the great soul, the king of kings.

divyāḥ kāṣchanaratnāḍhyā divyābharaṇayonayaḥ |

rājendrasyābhiṣekārthamāgacchanti nṛpairvṛtāḥ ||2-50-33

The divine ornaments, decorated with divine gold and jewels are also here for the anointment of the king of kings, surrounded by the kings.

eṣa śakrasya saṁdeśaḥ kathito vo narādhipāḥ |

lekhenāhūya tānsarvānabhiṣiṣchantu keshavam ||2-50-34

O kings! This is the message of śakra (indra), which I conveyed to you. Anoint keshava (kṛṣṇa) after inviting all with letters.

kaishika uvāca

iti saṁchodya khastho'sau devadūto gato divam |

dattvā''sanaṁ ca kṛṣṇāya bālārkasadṛśaprabham ||2-50-35

kashika continued:

After saying this, and giving the seat, sparkling like the morning sun, for kṛṣṇa, the messenger of deva-s returned to the sky and went to heaven.

tenāhaṁ nodayiṣyāmi bhavadbhirye samāgatāḥ |

durnivāryataraṁ ghoraṁ śakrasya svayamīritam ||2-50-36

Hence I urge you who have arrived here (to see) the terrible, difficult to comprehend, as told by śakra (indra)

yuṣmābhirdarśane yuktamadbhutaṁ bhuvi durlabham |

kalaśairabhiṣiṣchantaṁ svayameva nabhastalāt ||2-50-37

You should also see, the wonderful deva, rare on earth, being anointed with the pots received from the sky.

dṛṣṭvā 'ścaryaṁ hi naḥ sarvān dhruvaṁ pāpakṣayo bahvet |

It is certain that seeing the wonderful personality, all our sins will decline.

snāpanārthaṁ ca kṛṣṇāya devadevāya viṣṇave ||2-50-38

āgacchadhvaṁ nṛpaśreṣṭhā na bhayaṁ kartumarhatha |

O the best of kings! please come to the ritual bath for the anointment of kṛṣṇa, the lord of deva-s, viṣṇu. You need not be afraid.

āvayoḥ kṛtasandhāno yuṣmadarthe janārdanaḥ ||2-50-39

sarveṣāṁ manujendrāṇāmabhayaṁ kurute hariḥ |

We have appeased janārdana (kṛṣṇa) for you. Hari (kṛṣṇa) will grant protection to all the kings.

viśudddhabhāvaḥ kṛṣṇastu āvayordṛṣṭatattvataḥ ||2-50-40

kṛṣṇa's pure form seen by us is real.

māgadhasya viśeṣeṇa na vairaṁ hṛdi dṛśyate |

yadatra kāraṇaṁ kāryaṁ tadbhavadbhirvichintyatām ||2-50-41

There is no enmity visible in the mind of māgadha (jarāsaṁdha), especially, Here you may think further about appropriate cause and effect.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

evaṁ saṣcintayāmāsurnṛpāḥ śāpabhayārditāḥ |

bhūyaḥ śuśruvū rājendrāḥ keśavāya mahatmane ||2-50-42

vaiśampāyana said:

The kings, worried by the fear of curse, thought like this. The kings again heard about the great soul, keshava (kṛṣṇa).

meghagambhīranādena svareṇāpūrayannabhaḥ |

vāguvācāśarīreṇa devarājasya śāsanāt ||2-50-43

With the great sound of (rain) cloud, the voice filling the sky, the order of the king of deva-s was heard, with the body comprised of words:

citrāṅgada uvāca

trailokyādhipatiḥ śakraḥ prajāpālanahetunā |

ājṣāpayati yuṣmākaṁ nṛpāṇāṁ hitakāmyayā ||2-50-44

citrāṅgada said:

The king of the three worlds, śakra (indra), for protecting his subjects, for your benefit, is ordering you, the kings.

na yuktaṁ vasatānyonyaṁ kṛṣṇena saha vairiṇā |

vasadhvaṁ prītimutpādya svarāṣṭreṣu nṛpottamāḥ ||2-50-45

It is not suitable for you to have enmity with kṛṣṇa and with each other. O the best of kings! Stay in your own kingdoms, making peace.

praṇatārtiharaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ pratisenāntako'nalaḥ |

anena saha saṁprītyā modadhvaṁ vigatajvarāḥ ||2-50-46

kṛṣṇa, who destroys the sorrow of those who seek protection, is the fire that kills the armies of enemies. Leave your anxieties, make peace with him and be happy.

mānuṣāṇāṁ nṛpā devā nṛpāṇāṁ devatāḥ surāḥ |

surāṇāṁ devatā śakraḥ śakrasyāpi janārdanaḥ ||2-50-47

Kings are gods for men. deva-s are gods for kings. śakra (indra) is the god of deva-s and janārdana (kṛṣṇa) is the god of even śakra.

eṣa viṣṇuḥ prabhurdevo devānāmapi daivatam |

jāto'yaṁ mānuṣe loke nararūpeṇa keśavaḥ ||2-50-48

This is lord viṣṇu, the god of devas. keshava (kṛṣṇa) is born in the form of a man in the world of human beings.

ajeyaḥ sarvalokeṣu devadānavamānavaiḥ |

kārtikeyasahāyasya api śūlabhṛtaḥ svayam ||2-50-49

viṣṇu can not be conquered among all worlds by deva-s, demons (dānava-s), men and even by the one who holds the trident (shiva), assisted by kārtikeya.

tasmai devādhidevāya keśavāya mahātmane |

abhiṣektuṁ suraiḥ sārdhaṁ kimiccheyamataḥ param ||2-50-50

As my best opinion, along with deva-s, I desire the anointment of keshava (kṛṣṇa) the great soul, the supreme lord of devas.

na cādhikāro devānāṁ rājendrasyābhiṣechane |

tenāhaṁ nābhiṣiṣcāmi sarvalokanamaskṛtam |

deva-s do not have the authority for anointing the king of kings. Hence we do not anoint the one to whom all the worlds pay obeisance.

nṛpāṇāmadhikāro'yaṁ rājendrasya niveshane ||2-50-51

The authority for installing the king of kings belong to the kings.

gatvā yūyaṁ vidarbhāyāṁ krathakaiśikayoḥ saha |

saṁchintya vidhidṛṣṭena kurudhvaṁ nṛpasattamāḥ ||2-50-52

O the best of kings! Go to vidarbha along with kratha and kaishika. Considering all this do the needful as ordained.

prītisandhānakālo'yamiti saṁchintya vāsavaḥ |

bodhanārthaṁ visṛṣṭo'haṁ yuṣmākaṁ manujeśvarāḥ ||2-50-53

indra (vāsava), considering that this is the time for peace, O the kings of men, deputed me to appraise you.

vidarbhanagare kṛṣṇaḥ śrāvito'syādhivāsanam |

rājendratvābhiṣekārthaṁ rājānau krathakaishikau |

In the city of vidarbha, the kings kratha and kaishika, for the purpose of anointing kṛṣṇa as the indra of kings, told kṛṣṇa about his proposed installation.

tābhyāṁ saha nṛpaśreṣṭhāḥ kṛtvā sumahadutsavam ||2-50-54

O the best of kings! along with them (kratha and kaishika) perform the auspicious, great festival (of anointment).

abhiṣekeṇa satkṛtya pratigṛhyāsya dakṣiṇām |

āgamiṣyatha saṁhṛṣṭāḥ punareva svayaṁvaram ||2-50-55

Honouring kṛṣṇa with anointment and accepting what he offers as dakṣiṇa be happy and come again for the svayaṁvara mode of marriage of the maiden.

jarāsaṁdhaḥ sunīthaścha rukmī caiva mahārathaḥ |

śālvaḥ saubhapatishcaiva catvāro rājasattamāḥ |

raṅgasyāśūnyahetorhi tiṣṭhantu iha pārthivāḥ ||2-50-56

Let the kings, the four great kings, jarāsaṁdha, sunītha, rukmi the great chariot fighter, śālva the lord of saubha, stay here so that the stage does not become empty.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

evamājṣāṁ sureshasya śrutvā citrāṅgaderitām |

gamanāya matiṁ cakruḥ sarva eva nṛpottamāḥ ||2-50-57

vaiśampāyana said:

Hearing the order of the lord of deva-s as this, as told by citrāṅgada, all the best kings made up their mind to proceed.

anujṣātā narendreṇa jarāsaṁdhena dhīmatā |

bhīṣmakaṁ purataḥ kṛtvā prayātāḥ svabalairvṛtāḥ ||2-50-58

Ordered by the indra of the kings, jarāsaṁdha, with bhīṣmaka in the front, they proceeded along with their armies.

bhīṣmakaścha mahābāhuḥ svabalena samanvitaḥ |

jagāma pārthivaiḥ sārdhaṁ dahyamānena chetasā ||2-50-59

bhīśmaka of great arms, accompanied by his army, along with the kings, proceeded with his mind burning (with anxiety)

yatra kṛṣṇo mahābāhuḥ kaishikasya niveshane |

dūrādeva prakāśantī patākādhvajamālinī ||2-50-60

to where, kṛṣṇa of great arms, was residing in the house of kaishika. The entourage was shining, even from a great distance, with the flags and flag staffs.

śubhā devasabhā ramyā snānahetorihāgatā |

divyaratnaprabhākīrṇā divyadhvajasamākulā ||2-50-61

The auspicious assembly, ready for the anointment, looked as beautiful as the assembly of deva-s, decorated with divine jewels and divine flag staffs.

divyāmbarapatākāḍhyā divyābharaṇabhūṣitā |

divyasragdāmakalilā divyagandhādivāsitā ||2-50-62

It was decorated with divine clothes, flags and divine ornaments, divine flower garlands and divine fragrance.

vimānayānaiḥ śrīmadbhiḥ samantātparivāritā |

divyāpsarogaṇāścaiva vidyādharagaṇāstathā ||2-50-63

Auspicious vehicles for traveling in the sky sparkled brightly. There were divine women and groups of vidyādharas.

gandharvā munayashcaiva kinnarāścha samantataḥ |

upagāyanti deveśamambarāntaramāśritāḥ ||2-50-64

There were gandharva-s, sages and kinnara-s who were singing, the glories of the lord of deva-s, kṛṣṇa.

stuvanti munayashcaiva siddhāścha paramarṣayaḥ |

devadundubhayashcaiva svayamevānadandivi ||2-50-65

The sages and the great sages who are siddha-s were praising. The divine musical instruments were playing on their own in the sky.

paṣchayonisamutthāni gandhacūrṇānyanekaśaḥ |

samantātpātyamānāni cākāśasthairdivaukasaiḥ ||2-50-66

The deva-s distributed many varieties of divine fragrant powders produced from five sources (the root, bark, leaf, flower and fruits of divine trees and creepers - see nīlakaṇṭha commentary) in the sky.

svayamāgatya devendro devaiḥ saha śacīpatiḥ |

vimānavaramāruhya saprakāśaḥ sthito'mbare ||2-50-67

īndra, the husband of śacī, of deva-s came on his own along with devas. He was dazzling in the sky, mounted on his best aerial vehicle.

aṣṭau ye lokapālāste svāsu dikṣu samāsthitāḥ |

upagāyanti nṛtyanti stuvanti ca samantataḥ ||2-50-68

The eight protectors of the world who had arrived from their respective directions were singing, dancing and praising everywhere.

śrutvā satumulaṁ nādaṁ sarva eva narādhipāḥ |

vismayotphullanayanā vivishuste sabhāṁ śubhām ||2-50-69

Hearing the great sound, all the kings entered the auspicious assembly with their eyes wide open with wonder.

kaishikashcha mahābāhurupagamya narādhipān |

praveśayāmāsa balī pratipūjya yathāvidhi ||2-50-70

kaishika, having great arms went and received the kings. The powerful king led them inside (the assembly hall) and honoured them as ordained.

nivedite suraśreṣṭhe pārthivānāṁ samāgame |

nirjagāma hariḥ śrīmānsarvamaṅgalapūjitaḥ ||2-50-71

As the best among deva-s (kṛṣṇa) was informed about the arrival of kings, auspicious hari (kṛṣṇa) started, duly honoured auspiciously.

tato'mbarasthāste divyāḥ kalaśāśchailakaṇṭhinaḥ |

sahakārasamāyuktā vavarṣurjaladā iva ||2-50-72

Then divine pots, their necks tied with cloths, decorated by mango blossoms (sahakāra), started pouring water from the sky, like rain clouds.

divyakāṣchanaratnaughairdivyapuṣpasamanvitaiḥ |

gandhacūrṇavimiśraiścha rājendrasyābhiṣechane ||2-50-73

The anointment of the king of kings (kṛṣṇa) was complete with divine golden jewels, divine flowers, mixed with fragrant powders.

yathoktavidhipūrveṇa abhiṣicya janārdanam |

darśayitvā narendrāṇāṁ divyairāvaraṇaiḥ śubhaiḥ ||2-50-74

janārdana (kṛṣṇa) was anointed in the prescribed manner as ordained. He was visible to the best of kings, covered with an auspicious divine garment.

divyāmbaravicitraiścha divyamālyānulepanaiḥ

satkṛtya vidhivadrājṣa upaviṣṭo janārdanaḥ ||2-50-75

The kings were presented with wonderful, divine clothes and divine pastes and honoured as ordained. janārdana (kṛṣṇa) was seated.

śubhe devasabhe ramye snānahetorihāgate |

upāsyamāno yadubhirvidarbhaishcha narādhipaiḥ ||2-50-76

kṛṣṇa, anointed and served by yādava-s, people from vidarbha and the kings, dazzled in the assembly, as beautiful and auspicious as the assembly of devas.

vainateyashcha balavānkāmarūpī narākṛtiḥ |

dakṣiṇaṁ pārśvamāśritya Asanastho mahābalaḥ ||2-50-77

The powerful son of vinatā (garuḍa), with great power, who can take forms as desired, sat, in human form, on the right side of kṛṣṇa on a seat.

krathashcha kaishiko vīro vāmapārśve tathāsane |

upaviṣṭau mahātmānau devasyānumate nṛpau ||2-50-78

The valiant kratha and kaishika were seated on the left side. The kings, the great souls sat as permitted by the lord.

tathaiva vāmapārśve tu vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ |

sātyakipramukhā vīrā upaviṣṭā mahābalāḥ ||2-50-79

In the same way, the great chariot fighters of vṛṣṇi and andhaka race, valiant, powerful and prominent men such as sātyaki sat, on the left side.

bhāskarapratime divye divyāstaraṇavistṛte |

sukhopaviṣṭaṁ śrīmantaṁ devairiva śacīpatim ||2-50-80

On the divine seat sparkling brightly as the sun, covered with a divine cover, auspicious kṛṣṇa was seated comfortably (by the kings), like indra, the husband of śacī was seated by devas.

sachivaiḥ śrāvitāḥ sarve praviṣṭāste narādhipāḥ |

yathārheṇa ca saṁpūjya rājānaḥ sarva eva te ||2-50-81

All the kings who arrived as told by the ministers, and all the kings who were honoured as required

sukhopaviṣṭāste sveṣu āsaneṣu narādhipāḥ |

and all the kings sat comfortably on their own seats.

kaishikastu mahāprājṣaḥ sarvaśāstrārthavittamaḥ ||2-50-82

pūjayitvā yathānyāyamuvāca vadatāṁ varaḥ |

kaishika of great intellect, expert in the principles of all scriptures, offered his worship as required and said:

kaishika uvāca

avijṣātā nṛpāḥ sarve mānuṣo'yamiti prabhā ||2-50-83

bhavantamuparuddhānāṁ deva tvaṁ kṣantumarhasi |

kaishika said:

O lord! All the kings, being ignorant, considered you as a human being and blocked you. Lord, kindly pardon them.

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca

na me vairaṁ pravasati ekāhamapi kaishika ||2-50-84

viśeṣeṇa narendrāṇāṁ kṣatradharme'vatiṣṭhatām |

śrīkṛṣṇa said:

O kaishika! I will not have enmity even for a day, especially with the kings, being fixed in the kṣatriya dharma.

yoddhavyamiti dharmeṇa adharme tu parāṅmukhe ||2-50-85

As per the kṣatriya dharma, one should fight against adharma.

teṣāṁ kiṁhetunā kopaḥ kartavyastvavanīśvarāḥ |

yadgataṁ tadatikrāntaṁ ye mṛtāste divaṁ gatāḥ ||2-50-86

O lords of kings ! Why should I get angry on the kings? What has gone by, has gone by. The dead have reached heaven.

eṣa dharmo nṛloke'smiṣjāyante ca mriyanti ca |

This is the dharma in the human world - to be born and die.

tasmādaśocyaṁ bhavatāṁ mṛtārthe ca narādhipāḥ |

kṣantavyaṁ rochate'smākaṁ vītavairā bhavantu te ||2-50-87

Hence O kings! Do not lament about the dead. It is better for us to pardon and leave the enmity.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

evamuktvā narendrāṁstānāśvāsya madhusūdanaḥ |

kaishikasya mukhaṁ vīkṣya virarāma mahādyutiḥ ||2-50-88

vaiśampāyana said:

(O janamejaya!) Speaking like this, the slayer of madhu (kṛṣṇa) consoled the best of the kings. The one with great splendour (kṛṣṇa), retired looking at the face of kaishika.

etasminneva kāle tu bhīṣmako nayakovidaḥ |

pūjayitvā yathānyāyamuvāca vadatāṁ varaḥ ||2-50-89

In the meanwhile, bhīṣmaka, expert in policies, best among speakers, honoured kṛṣṇa as ordained and spoke as follows.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇī rukmiṇīsvayaṁvare paṣcāśattamo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the fiftieth chapter of viṣṇuparva, harivaṁśa, khila of mahābhārata, kṛ+ṣṇa's assuranace in bhīṣmaka's assembly.

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

atha paṣcāśattame tu kṛṣṇenāśvāsanaṁ kṛtam |

nṛpāṇāṁ samavetānaṁ kuṇḍine bhīṣmasamsadi || 1 ||

· 2-50-1 hatveti ||

· 2-50-2 atithirna kṛtaḥ Atithyena nārchitaḥ amānaṁ apamānam ||

· 2-50-3 kāraṇaṁ nimittam apekṣitaḥ āśritaḥ ||

· 2-50-4 kṣamāmūlaṁ krathakaishikayo kṛpetyāha - vidarbheti ||

· 2-50-5 dṛṣṭveti | āścaryaṁ kṛṣṇābhiṣekaṁ no'smākaṁ pāpakṣaya iti ||

· 2-50-6 sarvān viśuddhabhāva Avishediti cādhyāhṛtya yojyam | krathakaiśikayoḥ dṛṣṭatattvataḥ dṛṣṭatattvāt kṛṣṇasya tattvabhāvābhyāṁ dṛṣṭamastītyarthaḥ ||

· 2-50-10 āvaṁ āvayoḥ ||

· 2-50-11 suhitā supuṣṭā tava tvadīyaivetyarthaḥ ||

· 2-50-12 abhiṣiktam abhiṣekastadvān dadāmi dadvaḥ ||

· 2-50-13 āvayoḥ āvābhyāṁ jarāsaṁdho'pi nānyatha kartuṁ shaknoti vipariṇāmena yojyam ||

· 2-30-15 anadhyāsyam adhyāsituṁ yojyaṁ nāsti ||

· 2-30-17 Asyati āsiṣyati upavekṣyatīti yāvat ||

· 2-50-19 kāritaṁ vibhaktilopa ārṣaḥ ||

· 2-50-20 na kevalaṁ rājatvamapi kiṁ tu rājendratvam || āsanasaṁkaṭaṁ upveshane saṁśayaḥ | arājā kathamucchatamamāsanamārokṣyatītyevaṁrūpaḥ ||

· 2-50-21 eṣāṁ jarāsaṁdhādīnāṁ vicheṣṭaya vicālaya ||

· 2-50-22 adhivāsya pūrvāṅgena saṁskāreṇa saṁyojya devaśāsanāt pūrvādhyāyānte uktāt indrājṣāpanāt āgamiṣyanti abhiṣekārthamiti śeṣaḥ ||

· 2-50-23 preṣayāmāsatuḥ devaśāsanamiti vipariṇāmeṇānuṣaṅgaḥ ||

· 2-50-24 devadūtasya vacanaṁ svayaṁ patre likhitvā lekhadvāraiva āha tathā śāsanamapi devendrājṣāpatramapi prāha ||

· 2-50-25 tadanusāri svakṛtaṁ tāvadāha viditamiti ||

· 2-50-26 bhūpati krathaḥ ||

· 2-50-28 devadūtasya vākyamāha devadūta uvācetyādinā ||

· 2-50-30 abhiṣiśchantu paṭṭābhiṣekeṇa yojayantu ||

· 2-50-31 asya indrasya ||

· 2-50-33 divyābharaṇā divyayonayo divyāsanā ||

· 2-50-36 ye samāgatāstairbhavadbhiḥ śakrasya dūteritaṁ durnivāryataramityanvayaḥ ||

· 2-50-37 abhiṣiṣcyantam abhiṣicyamānaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ yuṣmābhidarśane yuṣmadkartṛke darshane yuktaṁ prekṣyatamaṁ manyāmahe iti śeṣaḥ ||

· 2-50-38 dṛṣṭveti prāgvyākhyātam ||

· 2-50-42 śuśruvuḥ atra dīrghābhāva ārṣa ||

· 2-50-43 aśarīreṇa adṛśyena prayuktā ||

· 2-50-45 vairiṇā kṛṣṇena saha yat vasata tat vo'nyonyaṁ na yuktamiti yojanā ||

· 2-50-49 kārtikeyetyatra tritīyālopa ārṣaḥ || svayaṁ jetuṁ na shakta iti śeṣaḥ ||

· 2-50-50 abhiṣektuṁ iccheyamityapakṛṣya yojyam ||

· 2-50-53 vasūnāmayaṁ vāsavao devānāṁ dūto'smītyarthaḥ ||

· 2-50-56 tiṣṭhantu catvāraḥ kṛṣṇadveṣiṇaḥ ityāśayaḥ ||

· 2-50-59 dahyamānena putradoṣādityāśayaḥ ||

· 2-50-61 snānahetoḥ paṭṭābhiṣekārtham ||

· 2-50-66 paṣchayonisamutthāni mūlatvakpatrapuṣpaphalāni yonayaḥ kāraṇāni tebhyaḥ samutthāni paṣchamandārapārijātakasantānakalpavṛkṣaharicandanākhyā devatarava eva yonayastebhyaḥ samutthāni ||

· 2-50-71 suraśreṣṭhe kṛṣṇe ||

· 2-50-74 darśayitvā darśanīyaṁ kṛtvā'laṁkṛtyetyarthaḥ ||

· 2-50-75 rājṣa āgatān satkṛtya mānayitvā teṣāmājṣāṁ gṛhītyetyarthaḥ |

· 2-50-76 devasabhe siṁhāsane upaviṣṭhaḥ ||

· 2-50-83 avijṣātāḥ jṣānahīnāḥ ||

· 2-50-89 uparuddhānām aparādhavatāṁ bhavantamuddishya ||

iti śrīharivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyāṁ paṣcāśatamo'dhyāyaḥ ||

Note-

verse 35, line 1 : avagraha must be there

verse 38, line 1 : sarvā ? or sarvaṁ ?

verse 46, line 1 : I think it should be analaḥ . Pl check with other editions

verse 50, line 2 verse 59, line 2 : sārddhaṁ is wrong

verse 38, line 1 : sarvān (gītā press)

verse 46, line 1: analaḥ (gītā press)

verse 50, line 2: sārddhaṁ (gītā press)

51 - kṛṣṇabhīṣmakasaṁvādaḥ - conversation between kṛṣṇa and bhīṣmaka

bhīṣmaka uvāca

putro me bālabhāvena bhaginīṁ dātumicchati |

svayaṁvare narendrāṇāṁ na cāhaṁ dātumutsahe ||2-51-1

bhīṣmaka said:

My son, in a childish manner, would like to give away his sister. However, in the svayaṁvara mode of marriage, I am not keen to give her to the kings.

atīva bālabhāvatvāddātumicchenmatirmama |

ekā hyekaṁ samālokya varayiṣyati me matiḥ ||2-51-2

According to my opinion, the svayaṁvara mode of marriage is highly childish (see nīlakaṇṭha commentary). I wish she will marry some one on her own.

ataḥ prasādayiṣye tvāṁ putradurnayahetunā |

prasādaṁ kuru devesha kṣantumarhasi me prabho ||2-51-3

To correct the defective policies of my son, I will please you. O the lord of deva-s, be pleased and pardon me.

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca

bālabhāvena putreṇa cālitaṁ nṛpamaṇḍalam |

yadā bhavati vai prāuḍhaḥ kīdṛśo'vinayo bhavet ||2-51-4

śrīkṛṣṇa said:

As a youth, your son has shaken the assembly of kings. As he attains the age, not being humble, how badly will he behave?

sūryendusadṛśāllokāṁstapasopārjitaśriyaḥ |

loke'sminnaradevānāṁ mahākulasamudbhavān ||2-51-5

The kings, the lords of men, who are here, are born in great races, having worlds shining auspiciously like suns rays, gained by penance.

ekasyāpi nṛpasyāgre mohādyo vitathaṁ vadet |

na sa tiṣṭhati loke'sminnirdaheddaṇḍavahninā |2-51-6

If one lies in front of even a king due to greed, he will not remain alive in the world. He will be burned in the fire of punishment.

eṣa dharmo narendrāṇāmiti te viditaṁ prabho |

lokadharmaṁ puraskṛtya purā gītaṁ svayaṁbhuvā ||2-51-7

O Lord! You know that this is the dharma of the kings. This was proclaimed before by (svāyaṁbhuva) brahma considering the dharma of the world.

kathaṁ tava sutasteṣāmagrato manujeśvaraḥ |

vaktumarhati rājendra vitathaṁ rājasaṁsadi ||2-51-8

O the lord of men! In the assembly of kings, O the indra of kings, is it appropriate that your son speaks a lie , in front of the kings?

tādṛśaṁ raṅgamatulaṁ kārayaṁstanayastava |

kathaṁ tvayā hyavijṣāta iti me saṁśayo mahān ||2-51-9

Your son has created such a difficult situation. My great doubt is about how you did not come to know about this.

āgatānāṁ narendrāṇāmanalārkenduvarchasām |

yathārheṇa tu saṁpūjya ātithyaṁ kṛtavānasi ||2-51-10

Have you not honoured the kings who have arrived who are similar to the sun and moon in splendour and offered them hospitality?

rathāśvanaranāgānāṁ vimardamatulaṁ tathā |

kathaṁ na jṣātavānrājaṁstava putrasya cheṣṭitam ||2-51-11

O king! Also were you not aware of the crowd of chariots, horses, men and elephants and about the deeds of your son?

viṣādo na bhavedatra caturaṅgabalāgame |

kathaṁ na jṣāyate rājanniti me buddhisaṁśayaḥ ||2-51-12

Will you not suffer due to the arrival of the armies with four divisions? O king! My intellect is doubting how you did not come to know about this.

mamāgamanameveha prāyeṇa na hitaṁ tava |

ato na kṛtamātithyamapātrāya nareshvara ||2-51-13

My arrival here is also mostly not to your liking. That is why, O lord of men, you did not offer proper hospitality (to me).

pātrebhyo dīyatāṁ kanyā māmapāsya nareshvara |

mamāgamanadoṣeṇa kathaṁ kanyāṁ na dāsyase ||2-51-14

O Lord of men! Reject me and offer your daughter to the deserving. Why are you not offering your daughter, due to the harm of my arrival?

kanyāvighnaṁ ca kurvāṇo narake paripacyate |

iti dharmavidairgītaṁ manvādibhirnarottamaiḥ ||2-51-15

One who blocks the offering of daughter in marriage burns in hell. This is said by the best among men like manu who are experts in dharma.

ato'rthaṁ na praviṣṭo'haṁ raṅgamadhye viśāṁpate |

viditvā na kṛtātithyaṁ naradeva tavālayam ||2-51-16

O the lord of earth! That is why I did not enter the assembly. Knowing that I was not offered hospitality at your house, O lord of men,

hriyābhibhūto rājendra pārthivo'haṁ narādhipa |

vidarbhanagare rājanbalaviśrāmahetunā ||2-51-17

I, who is not a king, was ashamed, O the indra of kings. O king! In the city of vidarbha , for the reason of providing rest to the army,

āvābhyāṁ kṛtamātithyaṁ kaishikastu priyātithiḥ |

uṣitau ca yathā svarge purā garuḍakeśavau ||2-51-18

the dear guest kaishika offered hospitality to us. There, we, garuḍa and keshava (kṛṣṇa) stayed, as in heaven before.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

evameva bruvāṇaṁ tu kṛṣṇaṁ vāgvajrachoditam |

ślakṣṇavācāmbunā 'sicya śamitogniriva jvalan ||2-51-19

vaiśampāyana said:

(O janamejaya!) The king contained kṛṣṇa, who was speaking words like this, harsh as vajra, by words cool as water, like a blazing fire is contained by water.

bhīṣmaka uvāca

prasīda devalokesha pāhi māṁ lokaśāsana |

ajṣānatamasāviṣṭaṁ jṣānacakṣuḥprado bhava ||2-51-20

bhīṣmaka said:

O the lord of deva-s, be pleased. One who rules the world! Please protect me. I am blind by ignorance. Please grant me the eye of wisdom.

mānuṣye māṁ sacakṣuṣṭvādasamyagviditā vayam |

na prasiddhyanti karmāṇi kriyatāmavicāraṇāt ||2-51-21

As human beings, confounded by human eye, our vision is not true. Since we perform actions without thinking, we are unable to get the results.

bhavantaṁ śaraṇaṁ prāpya devānāmapi daivatam |

samyagbhavatu me dṛṣṭiḥ saṁpaśyantu ca me kriyāḥ ||2-51-22

Taking refuge on you, the lord of even the deva-s, let our vision be true and let (the results of) our actions be visible to us.

aniṣpannāmapi kriyāṁ nayopetāṁ vichakṣaṇāḥ |

phaladāṁ hi prakurvanti mahāsenāpatiryathā ||2-51-23

The people with clear sight, in combination with proper policies, make even the un-fruitful actions fruitful, as a general makes an army useful.

bhavantaṁ śaraṇaṁ prāpya nāti bādhati me bhayam |

yanmayā chintitaṁ kāryaṁ tadbhavāṣchrotumarhati ||2-51-24

Taking refuge on you, fear does not affect me. Please hear what I have thought about.

na dātumicche kanyāṁ vai pārthivebhyaḥ svayaṁvare |

prasādaṁ kuru devesha na kopaṁ kartumarhasi ||2-51-25

I do not wish to give the maiden to the kings in the svayaṁvara mode of marriage. O the lord of deva-s! Be pleased with me. Please do not get angry.

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca

ena kimuktena tvayā rājanmahāmate |

svakanyāṁ dāsyase neti ko'tra netā tavānagha ||2-51-26

ṣrīkṛṣṇa said:

O king of great intellect! Why are you saying this? O the one without any sin! Who is there to say that you should not give your maiden in the svayaṁvara mode of marriage?

mā dehīti na cākhyeyaṁ dadasveti na me vacaḥ |

rukmiṇyā divyamūrtitvaṁ saṁbandhe kāraṇaṁ mama ||2-51-27

Neither will I say that you should not give the maiden, nor will I say that you should give her to me. My reason is my divine relation with rukmiṇī.

merukūṭe purā devaiḥ kṛtamaṁśāvatāraṇam |

tadā nisṛṣṭā sā pūrvaṁ gaccha tvaṁ patinā saha ||2-51-28

Long before, on the mountain meru, the deva-s decided on the incarnation in parts. Then she was directed: go with your husband.

mānuṣye kuṇḍinagare bhīṣmakasyāṅganodare |

jāyasva vipulaśroṇi pratyavekṣya ca vāsavam || 2-51-29

O the one with a broad hip! Do a favour to the deva-s and be born in the human world, in the city of kuṇḍina, from the womb of the queen of king bhīṣmaka.

tenāhaṁ vaḥ pravakṣyāmi rājannakṛtakaṁ vacaḥ |

śrutvā svayaṁ vinishchitya yaduktaṁ tatkariṣyati ||2-51-30

Hence O king! I am telling you the truth. Hear this and decide yourself what is appropriate and do accordingly.

rukmiṇī nāma te kanyā na sā prākṛtamānuṣī |

śrīreṣā brahmavākyena jātā kenāpi hetunā ||2-51-31

Your maiden named rukmiṇī is not an ordinary human being. She is the goddess śrī, born due to the reason of brahmā's words.

na ca sā mānujendrāṇāṁ svayaṁvaravidhikṣamā |

ekā tvekāya dātavyā iti dharmo vyavasthitaḥ ||2-51-32

She is not suitable for the svayaṁvara mode of marriage for the kings of men. It is decided in dharma that she is to be given to one alone.

na ca tāṁ shakyase rāja.ṇllakṣmīṁ dātuṁ svayaṁvare |

sadṛśaṁ varamālokya dātumarhasi dharmataḥ ||2-51-33

O king! lakṣmī can not be given in the svayaṁvara mode of marriage. She deserves to be given to a suitable bridegroom as per dharma.

ato'rthaṁ vainateyo'yaṁ vighnakāraṇahetunā |

āgataḥ kuṇḍinagare devarājena choditaḥ ||2-51-34

That is why the son of vinatā (garuḍa), prompted by the king of deva-s, has arrived here in the city of kuṇḍina, for the reason of creating obstacles.

ahaṁ chaivāgato rājṣāṁ draṣṭukāmo mahotsavam |

tāṁ ca kanyāṁ varārohāṁ padmena rahitāṁ shriyam ||2-51-35

Also I have come to see the grand festival for the kings and the maiden śrī who is staying without the lotus flower.

kṣantavyamiti yatproktaṁ tvayā rājanmamāgrataḥ |

yuktipūrvamahaṁ manye kaluṣāya na pārthiva ||2-51-36

O king! In front of me you said: pardon me. O king! I consider it to be proper and not for any wrath.

pūrvameva mayā''khyātaṁ yenāsmi viṣaye tava |

āgataḥ saumyarūpeṇa tenaiva kṣāntavān vibho ||2-51-37

I have already spoken on your topic. O Lord! I have come here in a gentle form. Hence I have already pardoned you.

kṣānteṣu guṇabāhulyaṁ doṣāpaharaṇaṁ kṣamā |

kathamasmadvidhe rājankaluṣo vasate hṛdi ||2-51-38

Those with patience have many qualities. Patience removes all bad qualities. O king! Will one like me ever retain wrath in his heart?

kulaje sattvasaṁpanne dharmajṣe satyavādini |

bhavādṛśe kathaṁ rājankaluṣo bhuvi vartate ||2-51-39

O king! Will there be any wrath on earth on a person like you, who is born in a good race, with all good qualities, who is fixed in dharma and who speaks the truth?

kṣanto'yamiti mantavyaṁ mama senāsahāgatam |

na cāhaṁ senayā sārdhaṁ yāsyāmi ripuvāhinīm ||2-51-40

Remember that I have pardoned already. My army has also arrived with me. I will not attack the enemy's army with my army.

akṣāntaścārisenāyāṁ yāsyāmi dvijavāhane |

sthitaḥ somārkasaṅkāśānyāyudhāni karairvṛtaḥ ||2-51-41

If I have not pardoned, I will enter the enemy's army, mounting on the bird (garuḍa) and holding weapons sparkling like the sun and moon.

mānyo'smākaṁ tvayā rājanvayasā ca pitā samaḥ |

pālayasva purīṁ samyakkṣatreṣu pitṛvadvasa ||2-51-42

O king! My father is respectable to you. He is equal to you by age as well. Govern the city well. Respect the kings well like your father.

kaluṣo nāma rājendra vasetkāpuruṣeṣu vai |

śūreṣu śuddhabhāveṣu kaluṣo vasate katham ||2-51-43

O the king of kings! Wrath resides in wretched men. How wrath can ever reside in valiant and pure men?

jānīdhvameṣā me vṛttiḥ putreṣu pitṛvadvayam |

know that this is my mode of conduct. We are like father to sons.

imāvapi ca rājānau vidarbhanagarādhipau ||2-51-44

ātithyakaraṇe'smākaṁ svarājyaṁ dadatāvubhau |

Both these kings, the kings of the people of vidarbha city, have offered me their kingdom in hospitality.

tena dānaphalenāsya daśapūrvā divaṁ gatāḥ ||2-51-45

As a result of their offering, their ten ancestors, have attained heaven.

bhaviṣyāścaiva rājānaḥ putrapautrā daśāvarāḥ |

te'pi tatraiva yāsyanti devalokaṁ narādhipāḥ ||2-51-46

Ten generations of future kings, their sons and grandsons, these kings of men will also attain the world of deva-s (heaven) (as a result of this offering).

anayoḥ suciraṁ kālaṁ bhuktvā rājyamakaṇṭakam |

yadābhilāṣo mokṣasya yāsyete nirvṛtiṁ sukham ||2-51-47

These kings will govern the kingdoms, without any obstacle, for a long time. If they wish for liberation, they will definitely obtain complete, comfortable bliss.

narendrāścha mahābhāgā ye'bhiṣechitumāgatāḥ |

kālena te'pi yāsyanti devalokaṁ triviṣṭapam ||2-51-48

The highly distinguished kings who arrived for the anointment will also attain the world of deva-s, heaven, in due course of time.

svasti vo'stu gamiṣyāmi vainateyasahāyavān |

nagarīṁ mathurāṁ ramyāṁ bhojarājena pālitām ||2-51-49

Let there be good to you. Along with the son of vinatā (garuḍa), I am going to the beautiful city of mathurā, governed by the bhoja king.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

evamuktvā tu rājānaṁ bhīṣmakaṁ yadunandanaḥ |

rājṣaścaivamupāmantrya vaidarbhābhyāṁ viṣeṣataḥ |

sabhānniṣkramya devesho jagāma rathamantikam ||2-51-50

vaiśampāyana said:

(O janamejaya!) Saying this to king bhīṣmaka, the kings and specially to the vidarbha kings (kratha and kaishika), the son of yadu (kṛṣṇa), the lord of deva-s went near his chariot.

tataḥ prahṛṣṭo rājarṣirbhīṣmakaḥ kila keshavam |

te sarve ca mahīpālā viṣaṇṇavadanābhavan ||2-51-51

Then only the royal sage bhīṣmaka was happy. All the other kings had sad faces (became sad).

ādyaṁ svāyaṁbhuvaṁ rūpaṁ surāsuranamaskṛtam |

sahsrapātsahasrākṣaṁ sahasrabhujavigraham ||2-51-52

The first god, who is in the form of self existing, who is worshipped by deva-s and daitya-s, one with thousand feet, one with thousand eyes, one with thousand arms,

sahasraśirasaṁ devaṁ sahsramukuṭojjvalam |

divyamālyāmbaradharaṁ divyagandhānulepanam ||2-51-53

one with thousand heads, one who sparkles with thousand crowns, one who wears divine garlands, one who is smeared with divine pastes,

divyābharaṇasaṁyuktaṁ divyānekodyatāyudham |

kṛṣṇaṁ raktāravindākṣaṁ candrasūryāgnilocanam ||2-51-54

wearing divine ornaments, holding many divine weapons, kṛṣṇa, with eyes as beautiful as red lotus flower, with fiery eyes like moon and sun,

dṛṣṭvā sa rājā rājendraṁ praṇipatya kṛtāṣjaliḥ |

vāṅmanaḥkāyasaṁyuktaṁ stotumārabdhavāṁstadā ||2-51-55

kṛṣṇa, the indra of kings, was seen to the kings. King bhīṣmaka, with folded hands, paid obeisance to kṛṣṇa and began to praise him with words, mind and body.

bhīṣmaka uvāca

devadeva namastubhyamanādinidhanāya vai |

śāśvatāyādidevāya nārāyaṇa parāyaṇa ||2-51-56

bhīṣmaka said:

O deva of deva-s, I pay obeisance to you, who does not have beginning or end, who is eternal, the first god, nārāyaṇa (viṣṇu), the last resort,

svayṁbhuve ca viśvāya sthāṇave vedhasāya ca |

padmanābhāya jaṭine daṇḍine piṅgalāya ca ||2-51-57

the self existing, the omnipresent (viṣṇu), the fixed (motionless), the sacred, one with twisted hair, one with the lotus on his navel, one who punishes , the gold coloured (like fire) one,

haṁsaprabhāya hamsāya cakrarūpāya vai namaḥ |

vaikuṇṭhāya namastasmai ajāya paramātmane ||2-51-58

I pay obeisance to one who sparkles with universal or individual spirit, hamsā, one who is in the form of discus. I pay obeisance to one who resides in vaikuṇṭha, one who is not born, one who is the supreme soul.

sadasadbhāvayuktāya purāṇapuruṣāya ca |

puruṣottamāya yuktāya nirguṇāya namo'stu te ||2-51-59

I pay obeisance to the one who is always with a good disposition, who is the ancient puruṣa, who is the best among men, who is combined with the best, who is without any qualities.

varado bhava me nityaṁ tvadbhaktāya surottama |

lokanātho'si nātha tvaṁ viṣṇustvaṁ viditātmanām ||2-51-60

O the best among deva-s, always be the one who gives a boon to me, your devotee. You are the lord of the worlds, the lord. For the wise, you are viṣṇu.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

evaṁ stutvā mahādevaṁ nṛpāṇāmagrato nṛpaḥ |

mahārhamaṇimuktābhirvajravaidūryahāsinam ||2-51-61

śātakumbhasya nichayaṁ kṛṣṇāya pradadau nṛpaḥ |

vaiśampāyana said:

(O janamejaya!) Praising the great deva in this manner, in front of all the kings, king bhīṣmaka offered kṛṣṇa, an assemblage of golden pots, which were shining like diamonds and jewels and other precious jewels.

punashcakre namaskāraṁ vainateye mahābale ||2-51-62

Then he paid obeisance to the greatly powerful son of vinatā (garuḍa).

bhīṣmaka uvāca

namastasmai khagendrāya namo mārutaraṁhase |

kāmarūpāya divyāya kāśyapāya ca vai namaḥ ||2-51-63

bhīṣmaka said : I pay obeisance to the indra ( king ) of birds ( garuḍa ) . I pay obeisance to the one who travels as fast as air. I pay obeisance to the one who can take forms as he likes, the divine one, the son of kashyapa .

vaiśampāyana uvāca

iti saṅkṣepataḥ stutvā satkṛtya varabhūṣaṇaiḥ |

tato visarjayāmāsa kṛṣṇaṁ kamalalocanam ||2-51-64

vaiśampāyana said:

(O janamejaya!) After praising him briefly in this manner, the king offered great ornaments and bid farewell to kṛṣṇa, having eyes, as beautiful as the lotus.

anujagmurnṛpāścaiva prasthitaṁ vāsavānujam |

pratigṛhya ca satkāraṁ nṛpānāmantrya vīryavān ||2-51-65

The kings followed the younger brother of vāsava (indra), (kṛṣṇa) who was leaving. Accepting the offerings, valiant kṛṣṇa spoke to the kings.

jagāma mathurāṁ kṛṣṇo dyotayāno disho daśa |

vainateyaṁ puraskṛtya saumyarūpaṁ khagottamam ||2-51-66

kṛṣṇa proceeded to mathurā, sparkling all the ten directions, with the son of vinatā (garuḍa), the best among the birds, in his gentle form, in the lead.

mahatā rathavṛndena parivārya samantataḥ |

bherīpaṭahanādena śaṅkhadundubhiniḥsvanaiḥ ||2-51-67

Surrounded by a group of great chariots, accompanied by the sounds of kettle drums (bherī), and war drums (paṭaha), and the auspicious sounds of conch and large kettle drums (dundubhi),

bṛṁhitena ca nāgānāṁ hayānāṁ heṣitena ca |

simhanādena śūrāṇāṁ rathanemisvanena ca ||2-51-68

nourished by the trumpeting of elephants and neighing of horses, shouting of valiant men, equal to the roaring of lions and the sounds of the rolling chariots,

tumulaḥ sumahānāsīnmahāmegharavopamaḥ |

the great procession, accompanied by auspicious sounds, appeared like thundering clouds.

gate kṛṣṇe mahāvīrye ādāya varamāsanam ||2-51-69

sabhāmādāya devāścha prayayustridaśālayam |

As kṛṣṇa left, taking the great seat given to him, the deva-s returned to heaven along with the assembly.

mahatā caturaṅgeṇa balena parivāritāḥ ||2-51-70

krośamātramupavrajya anujṣāte janārdane |

All the kings accompanied by their great armies with four divisions, followed janārdana (kṛṣṇa) just for a distance of one krosha and

prayayuste nṛpāḥ sarve punareva svayaṁvaram ||2-51-71

returned to the stage of the svayaṁvara mode of marriage of the maiden with his consent.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇī kṛṣṇābhiṣeko nāmaikapaṣcāśattamo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the fifty-first chapter of viṣṇuparva of harivaṁśa, khila of śrimahābhārata, Conversation between Krishna and Bhishmaka

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

ekapaṣcāsattame'tha kṛṣṇabhīṣmakayoriha |

uktipratyuktitaḥ proktā krathakaiśikasatkriyā || 1 ||

· 2-51-1 putre me iti ||

· 2-51-2 mama matistu svayaṁvare dānamatīva bālyam ekā ekaṁ vṛrṇīteti yuktamityarthaḥ ||

· 2-51-3 athāpi mama mataṁ prasiddhayatītyāśayenāha - ata iti ||

· 2-51-4 cālitam cālitavān | kartari kttaḥ | avinayaḥ iti cchedaḥ ||

· 2-51-5 yo vitathaṁ vadet sa svān lokān daṇḍavahninā yamayātanāgninā nirdahediti dvayoḥ saṁbandhaḥ | kīdṛśān lokān sūryeṁduvatprakāśamānān mahākulotpannatvena viśvajidādikratubhavān yato dehadatasteṣāṁ lokānāṁ madhye'sminnekasminnekasminnapi loke na tiṣṭhati sarveṣāṁ dagdhatvādityarthaḥ |

· 2-51-9 āsthāṁ tāvad putravārtā tvamapi mithyaiva bravīṣītyāha - tādṛśāmiti ||

· 2-51-16 nakṛtātithyamiti samastaṁ padam | ātithyahīnaṁ tavālayaṁ viditvetyarthaḥ ||

· 2-51-17 he narādhipa rājendrāṇāṁ pārthivo'pyahaṁ hriyāmibhūto'smi || tatra heturvidarbheti || yadyatra viśrāmo na kṛta syāttadānarcānibhito mamābhibhavo na jātaḥ syāditi bhāvaḥ |

· 2-51-18 evamapyāvābhyāṁ kṛṣṇagarudābhyāṁ kṛtaṁ pūrṇam ātithyaṁ labdameveti śeṣaḥ | tatra hetumāha - kaishikastviti ||

· 2-51-19 vāgvajraṁ choditaṁ yena taṁ kṛṣṇam Asicya sa eva śamitaḥ śāntiṁ nītaḥ ||

· 2-51-21 asamyagviditāḥ viparītajṣānāḥ kriyatāṁ kurvatāṁ

· 2-51-22 saṁpaśyantu saṁpannāḥ santu |

· 2-51-24 bādhati bādhate | me mām ||

· 2-51-25 svayaṁvaraṇaṁ yatra kriyāyāṁ tathā svayaṁvaraṁ me kanyā dātuṁ ne iccheputra iti śeṣaḥ | svayaṁvare hi sati tvāmeva sā vṛṇuyādityabhipretya tvapyāgate putro me svayaṁvaraṁ na icchedityarthaḥ ||

· 2-51-26 netā niyantā ||

· 2-51-27 me mayā mā dehi anyasmai dadasva mahyaṁ ityubhayamapi nākhyeyam | saṁbandhe svayambhāvini kṣamaivāsmākaṁ karaṇaṁ pradhānamityarthaḥ |

· 2-51-28 etadevāha - merukūṭa ityādinā | kṛtaṁ svīkṛtaṁ nisṛṣṭā ājṣaptā śrīpatinā viṣṇunā ||

· 2-51-29 pratyavekṣya anukampya vāsavaṁ indram ||

· 2-51-32 ekāya ekasmai ||

· 2-51-38 asmadvidhe asmadvidhasya hṛdi ||

· 2-51-42 asmākaṁ pita mānyaḥ vayasā ca tvayā samaḥ ||

· 2-51-44 eṣā niṣkaluṣā me vṛttiriti jānidhvam ||

· 2-51-50 vaidarbhābhyāṁ krathakaiśikābhyāṁ saha sabhāt sabhāsthānāt ||

iti śrīharivaṁśe viṣṇupurāṇe ṭīkāyāmekapāṣcāśatamo'dhyāyaḥ ||

58 – dvāravatīnagaranirmāṇam - building the city of dvāravati

vaiśampāyana uvāca

tataḥ prabhāte vimale bhāskare udite tadā |

kṛtajāpyo hṛṣīkeśo vanānte niṣasāda ha ||2-58-1

vaiśampāyana said:

(O janamejaya!) Afterwards, in the (early) morning, devoid of impurities, as the sun was rising, the lord of sages (kṛṣṇa) performed the morning rituals and sat in the interior forest.

paricakrāma taṁ deśaṁ durgasthānadidṛkṣayā |

upatasthuḥ kulaprāgryā yādavā yadunandanam ||2-58-2

Then he roamed in the area to see a suitable place for the fortress. The leaders of the yādava race were also present along with the son of yadu (kṛṣṇa).

rohiṇyāmahani śreṣṭhe svasti vācya dvijottamān |

puṇyāhaghoṣairvipulairdurgasyārabdhavānkriyām ||2-58-3

On the best auspicious day, under the asterism of rohiṇi, with the auspicious words pronounced by the best of brāhmins, the activities for the construction of the fort started with a grand purification ceremony.

tataḥ paṅkajapatrākṣo yādavānkeśisūdanaḥ |

provāca vadatāṁ śreṣṭho devānvṛtraripuryathā ||2-58-4

Then the slayer of keshi (kṛṣṇa) with eyes beautiful as the leaves of lotus flower, the best among speakers, spoke to yādava-s, like the enemy of vṛtra (indra) speaks to devas.

kalpiteyaṁ mayā bhūmiḥ paśyadhvaṁ devasadmavat |

nāma cāsyāḥ kṛtaṁ puryāḥ khyātiṁ yadupayāsyati ||2-58-5

(kṛṣṇa said:) Look at this land selected by me. It is like heaven. I have also assigned a name for the city by which it will be famous.

iyaṁ dvāravatī nāma pṛthivyāṁ nirmitā mayā |

bhaviṣyati purī ramyā śakrasyevāmarāvatī ||2-58-6

This city made by me on the earth, named dvāravatī (city with gates) will be marvellous like the city, amarāvatī of śakra (indra).

tānyevāsyāḥ kārayiṣye chihnānyāyatanāni ca |

catvārānrājamārgāṁścha samyagantaḥpurāṇi ca ||2-58-7

I will also get symbols, houses, four cross squares, royal paths and complete quarters for women, made.

devā ivātra modantu bhavanto vigatajvarāḥ |

bādhamānā ripūnugrānugrasenapurogamāḥ ||2-58-8

All of you, starting with ugrasena, conquering the enemies, shall enjoy without any concern, like devas.

gṛhyantāṁ veśmavāstūni kalpyantāṁ trikachatvarāḥ |

mīyantāṁ rājamārgāścha prāsādasya ca yā gatiḥ ||2-58-9

Take household items, make three cross junctions, measure the royal paths and the paths for buildings.

preṣyantāṁ śilpimukhyānāṁ yuktānāṁ veshmakarmasu |

niyujyantāṁ ca deśeṣu preṣyakarmakarā janāḥ ||2-58-10

Send for expert builders suited for construction of houses. Send men to places for getting workers.

evamukte tu yadavo gṛhasaṅgrahatatparāḥ |

yathāniveśaṁ saṁhṛṣṭāścakrurvāstuparigraham ||2-58-11

(vaiśampāyana said: O janamejaya !) The yādava-s interested in constructing the houses were told thus. Happily they started with the construction work.

sūtrahastāstato mānaṁ cakruryādavasattamāḥ |

puṇye'hani mahārāja dvijātīnabhipūjya ca ||2-58-12

Having threads in their hands, the excellent yādava-s took measurements (of the city). On this auspicious day, O great king (janamejaya)! (vaiśampāyana said) they required (some brāhmins)

(Note 1)

vāstudaivatakarmāṇi vidhinā kārayanti ca |

sthapatīnatha govindastatrovāca mahāmatiḥ ||2-58-13

to perform the rites for the deities of the site according to the rules. Then the very wise govinda (kṛṣṇa) told the architects:

asmadarthe suvihitaṁ kriyatāmatra mandiram |

viviktacatvārapathaṁ suniviṣṭeṣṭadaivatam ||2-58-14

In this place, (there) must be built for all of us a palace, well planned with cross roads and well ordered highways, in which our selected deities can be installed.

te tatheti mahābāhumuktvā sthapatayastadā |

durgakarmāṇi saṁskārānupakalpya yathāvidhi ||2-58-15

Having given their agreements to this long armed (kṛṣṇa), the architects provided all the materials necessary for building of the fortress according to the rules.

yathānyāyaṁ nirmimire durgāṇyāyatanāni ca |

sthānāni nidadhuścātra brahmādīnāṁ yathākramam ||2-58-16

They measured the gates and buildings properly and laid the seats for brahma and so forth in the proper order.

apāmagneḥ sureshasya dṛṣadolūkhalasya ca |

cāturdaivāni catvāri dvārāṇi nidadhushcha te ||2-58-17

śuddhākṣamaindraṁ bhallāṭaṁ puṣpadantaṁ tathaiva ca |

They made four gates for the four deities - water(god), fire(god), lord of devs-s (indra) and millstone and mortar, namely śuddākṣa, indra, bhallāṭa and puṣpadanta.

teṣu veshmasu yukteṣu yādaveṣu mahātmasu ||2-58-18

As the yādavās having great souls were engaged in the construction,

puryāḥ kṣipraṁ niveśārthaṁ cintayāmāsa mādhavaḥ |

tasya daivotthitā buddhirvimalā kṣiprakāriṇī ||2-58-19

mādhava (kṛṣṇa) thought about quick construction of the city. Then a divine idea leading to quick construction occurred to him.

puryāḥ priyakarī sā vai yadūnāmabhivarddhinī |

shilpimukhyastu devānāṁ prajāpatisutaḥ prabhuḥ ||2-58-20

viśvakarmā svamatyā vai purīṁ saṁsthāpayiṣyati |

The city, likely to fulfill all the yādava-s wishes and leading to their progress, shall be made by, the best architect of deva-s, the lord, son of prajāpati, viśvakarma, out of his mind.

manasā samanudhyāya tasyāgamanakāraṇāt |

tridaśābhimukhaḥ kṛṣṇo vivikte samapadyata ||2-58-21

For him (viśvakarma) to come, contemplating in his mind, kṛṣṇa stood alone facing the devas.

tasminneva tataḥ kāle śilpācāryo mahāmatiḥ |

viśvakarmā suraśreṣṭhaḥ kṛṣṇasya pramukhe sthitaḥ ||2-58-22

At that moment itself, the preceptor of architects, visvakarmā, the best among deva-s, having great intellect, stood before kṛṣṇa.

viśvakarmovāca

śakreṇa preṣitaḥ kṣipraṁ tava viṣṇo dhṛtavrata |

kiṅkaraḥ samanuprāptaḥ śādhi māṁ kiṁ karomi te ||2-58-23

viśvakarma said:

O Viṣṇu (kṛṣṇa)! One who is firmly resolute! Quickly sent by śakra (indra), I have come here as your servant. Tell me what should I do.

yathāsau devadevo me śaṅkaraścha yathāvyayaḥ |

tathā tvaṁ deva mānyo me viśeṣo nāsti vaḥ prabho ||2-58-24

O deva! You are the same as, the god of gods, the one without any decline, śaṅkara (shiva) is, to me. O lord! There is no difference between both of you.

trailokyajṣāpikāṁ vācamutsṛjasva mahābhuja |

eṣo'smi paridṛṣṭārthaḥ kiṁ karomi praśādhi mām ||2-58-25

O the one with great arms (kṛṣṇa)! Speak the words for all the three worlds to know. I can see the matter. Tell me what shall I do.

śrutvā vinītaṁ vacanaṁ keshavo viśvakarmaṇaḥ |

pratyuvāca yaduśreṣṭhaḥ kaṁsāriratulaṁ vacaḥ ||2-58-26

(vaiśampāyana said: O janamejaya!) Hearing the humble words of viśvakarma, the best among yadu-s, the enemy of kaṁsa (kṛṣṇa) spoke these words in reply.

śrutārtho devaguhyasya bhavānyatra vayaṁ sthitāḥ |

avaśyaṁ tviha kartavyaṁ sadanaṁ me surottama ||2-58-27

(kṛṣṇa said) You are knowledgeable about the meaning of secret of devas. We are living here. O the best among deva-s! It is essentially your duty to construct a house for me here.

tadiyaṁ pūḥ prakāśārthaṁ niveśyā mayi suvrata |

matprabhāvānurūpaiścha gṛhaiścheyaṁ samantataḥ ||2-58-28

O one who is resolute! Construct a city for me, suitable to my splendour, along with houses showing your skill.

uttamā ca pṛthivyāṁ vai yathā svarge'marāvatī |

tatheyaṁ hi tvayā kāryā shakto hyasi mahāmate ||2-58-29

Your work is to construct this city as the best on earth, like amarāvatī in heaven. O one with great intellect, you are capable of doing that.

mama sthānamidaṁ kāryaṁ yathā vai tridive tathā |

martyāḥ pashyantu me lakṣmīṁ puryā yadukulasya ca ||2-58-30

Make this place of mine as it is in heaven. Let men see my city, the seat of prosperity of the yadu race.

evamuktastataḥ prāha viśvakarmā matīśvaraḥ |

kṛṣṇamakliṣṭakarmāṇaṁ devāmitravināśanam ||2-58-31

(vaiśampāyana said: O janamejaya !) Hearing this, viśvakarma, the lord of intellect told kṛṣṇa, who performed difficult tasks, the destroyer of enemies of devas.

sarvametatkariṣyāmi yattvayābhihitaṁ prabho |

purī tviyaṁ janasyāsya na paryāptā bhaviṣyati ||2-58-32

(viśvakarma said) O lord! I will do all this as you wish. This area of city will be insufficient for your people.

bhaviṣyati ca vistīrṇā vṛddhirasyāstu śobhanā |

catvāraḥ sāgarā hyasyāṁ vichariṣyanti rūpiṇaḥ ||2-58-33

This (city) will be enlarged, prosperity will be a beauty of this (city). In this (city) all four oceans, in their form, will roam freely,

yadīcchetsāgaraḥ kiṁchidutkraṣṭumapi toyarāṭ |

tataḥ svāyatalakṣaṇyā purī syātpuruṣottamā ||2-58-34

if the king of water desires to leave some space, O the best among men!, then the city, all along will be proper with all good signs.

evamuktastataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ prāgeva kṛtaniśchayaḥ |

sāgaraṁ saritāṁ nāthamuvāca vadatāṁ varaḥ ||2-58-35

(vaiśampāyana said: O janamejaya !) Hearing what was said, kṛṣṇa, the best among speakers, who had already decided, spoke to the ocean, the lord of rivers.

samudra daśa ca dve ca yojanāni jalāśaye |

pratisaṁhriyatāmātmā yadyasti mayi mānyatā ||2-58-36

O Ocean! Please leave (a place of) ten and two (twelve) yojanā-s (one yojana= 9 miles) in your self, if you respect me.

avakāśe tvayā datte purīyaṁ māmakaṁ balam |

paryāptaviṣayā raṁyā samagraṁ visahiṣyati ||2-58-37

With the place given by you, this city will be sufficient to support my entire army.

tataḥ kṛṣṇasya vacanaṁ śrutvā nadanadīpatiḥ |

sa mārutena yogena utsasarja jalāśayam ||2-58-38

Hearing the words of kṛṣṇa, the lord of rivers, combined with the help of wind, left the place (occupied by) the water body.

viśvakarmā tataḥ prītaḥ puryāḥ saṁlakṣya vāstu tat |

govinde caiva sanmānaṁ kṛtavānsāgarastadā ||2-58-39

Then viśvakarma was pleased seeing the site for the city. The ocean showed high respect for govinda (kṛṣṇa).

viśvakarmā tataḥ kṛṣṇamuvāca yadunanadanam |

adyaprabhṛti govinda sarve samadhirohata ||2-58-40

Then viśvakarma spoke to kṛṣṇa, the son of yadus. Govinda (kṛṣṇa)! From today itself, let all occupy the residences.

manasā nirmitā cheyaṁ mayā pūḥ pravarā vibho |

achireṇaiva kālena gṛhasaṁbādhamālinī ||2-58-41

O lord! I have already made this great city conceptually with my mind without any delay of time. Decorated with houses,

bhaviṣyati purī ramyā sudvārā prāgryatoraṇā |

chayāṭṭālakakeyūrā pṝthivyāṁ kakudopamā ||2-58-42

and beautified by good arches, gates and an assembly of watch towers like bracelets worn on the upper arm, this city will be comparable to a an ensign (symbol of royalty) of (goddess) earth.

antaḥpuraṁ ca kṛṣṇasya paricaryākṣayaṁ mahat |

cakāra tasyāṁ puryāṁ vai deshe tridaśapūjite ||2-58-43

For attending to kṛṣṇa, a large women's quarters was also made in the city at a place worshipped by the gods.

tataḥ sā nirmitā kāntā purī dvāravatī tadā |

mānasena prayatnena vaiṣṇavīḥ viśvakarmaṇā ||2-58-44

Then the beautiful city, the city of gates (dvāravatī) of viṣṇu was marvelously made by viśvakarma by his mental efforts.

vidhānavihitadvārā prākāravaraśobhitā |

parikhācayasaṁguptā sāṭṭaprākāratoraṇā ||2-58-45

The best walls of the fort shined with sculptured doors along with trenches, door frames and archways.

kāntanārīnaragaṇā vaṇigbhirupaśobhitā |

nānāpaṇyagaṇākīrṇā khecharīva ca gāṁ gatā ||2-58-46

With beautiful women, men and merchants along with varieties of commodities as though the sky-travellers (birds) have come down on earth

prapāvāpīprasannodā udyānairupaśobhitā |

samantataḥ saṁvṛtāṅgī vanitevāyatekṣaṇā ||2-58-47

with wells of drinking water, beautiful ponds, shining with gardens, beautiful like a woman having long eyes,

samṛddhachatvaravatī veśmottamaghanācitā |

rathyākoṭisahasrāḍhyā śubhrarājapathottarā ||2-58-48

flourishing with squares, endowed with an assembly of best houses, large number of pathways, decorated with white royal paths,

bhūṣayantī samudraṁ sā svargamindrapurī yathā |

pṛthivyāṁ sarvaratnānāmekā nichayaśālinī ||2-58-49

this city is beautified on earth by the ocean, like the city of indra beautifies heaven with an assembly of important jewels.

surāṇāmapi sukṣetrā sāmantakṣobhakāriṇī |

aprakāśaṁ tadākāśaṁ prāsādairupakurvatī ||2-58-50

An auspicious place even for the gods, causing anxiety to the tribute paying princes, with its skyline filled with buildings,

pṛthivyāṁ pṛthurāṣṭrāyāṁ janaughapratināditā |

oghaishcha vārirājasya śiśirīkṛtamārutā ||2-58-51

filled with the sound of groups of people on earth having many kingdoms, the wind cooled by the currents of the ocean,

anūpopavanaiḥ kāntaiḥ kāntyā janamanoharā |

satārakā dyauriva sā dvārakā pratyarājata ||2-58-52

beautified with wet lands and gardens, with beautiful people, the city of dvāraka sparkled like the sky shining with stars.

prākāreṇārkavarṇena śātakaumbhena saṁvṛtā |

hiraṇyaprativarṇaiścha gṛhairgambhīraniḥsvanaiḥ ||2-58-53

The fort shining with the colour of sun and pots of gold, with sounds from many grand houses sparkling with golden colour,

śubhrameghapratīkāśairdvāraiḥ saudhaishcha śobhitā |

kvachitkvachidudagrāgrairupāvṛtamahāpathā ||2-58-54

shining with many buildings having doors with the colour of white clouds, standing high here and there, indicating the grand route,

tāmāvasatpurīṁ kṛṣṇaḥ sarve yādavanandanāḥ |

abhipretajanākīrṇāṁ somaḥ khamiva bhāsayan ||2-58-55

kṛṣṇa along will all sons of yādava-s, resided in that city, making it sparkle like the moon sparkles the sky.

viśvakarmā ca tāṁ kṛtvā purīṁ śakrapurīmiva |

jagāma tridivaṁ devo govindenābhipūjitaḥ ||2-58-56

viśvakarma made the city like the city of śakra (indra). The lord, govinda (kṛṣṇa) entered the temple of deva-s for worshipping.

bhūyaścha buddhirabhavatkṛṣṇasya viditātmanaḥ |

janānimāndhanaughaiścha tarpayeyamahaṁ yadi ||2-58-57

Again an idea occurred to kṛṣṇa, who knows the soul, to make the people prosperous by offering them lots of wealth.

sa vaiśravaṇasaṁspṛṣṭaṁ nidhīnāmuttamam nidhim |

śaṅkhamāhvayatopendro nishi sve bhavane prabhuḥ ||2-58-58

In the night, the lord, upendra (kṛṣṇa) invoked śaṅkha, the best treasure of all treasures, the best given by vaiśravaṇa (the lord of wealth).

sa śaṅKhaḥ keśavāhvānaṁ jṣātvā hi nidhirāṭsvayam |

ājagāma samīpaṁ vai tasya dvāravatīpateḥ ||2-58-59

That śaṅkha, the king of treasure himself, knowing the invocation of keshava (kṛṣṇa), came near the lord of dvāraka (city of gates) (kṛṣṇa).

sa śaṅkhaḥ prāṣjalirbhūtvā vinayādavaniṁ gataḥ |

kṛṣṇaṁ vijṣāpayāmāsa yathā vaiśravaṇaṁ tathā ||2-58-60

That śaṅkha, joined his hands with humility and fell (performed namaskāra) on the earth. He informed kṛṣṇa, as he informed vaiśravaṇa (lord of wealth).

bhagavankiṁ mayā kāṛyaṁ surāṇāṁ vittarakṣiṇā |

viyojaya mahābāho yatkāryaṁ yadunandana ||2-58-61

(śaṅkha said:) Lord! I am the protector of the wealth of devas. What shall I do? O the son of yādu, O the one with great arms! Order me what shall I do?

tamuvāca hṛṣīkeśaḥ śaṅkhaṁ guhyakamuttamam |

janāḥ kṛśadhanā ye'smiṁstāndhanenābhipūraya ||2-58-62

Then the lord of sages (kṛṣṇa) told śaṅkha, the best of guhyaka-s: Offer wealth to those people here, who are having less wealth.

nechcāmyanaśitaṁ draṣṭuṁ kṛśaṁ malinameva ca |

dehīti caiva yācantaṁ nagaryāṁ nirdhanaṁ naram ||2-58-63

I do not like to see thin, untidy people, people who ask for alms, people who do not have wealth in this city.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

gṛhītvā śāsanaṁ mūrdhnā nidhirāṭ keshavasya ha |

nidhīnājṣāpayāmāsa dvāravatyāṁ gṛhe gṛhe ||2-58-64

dhanaughairabhivarṣadhvaṁ cakruḥ sarvaṁ tathā ca te |

vaiśampāyana said:

Accepting the order of keshava (kṛṣṇa), nodding his head, the king of treasure, ordered the treasures: Shower wealth in all the houses of the city of gates (dvāravatī). All did as told.

nādhano vidyate tatra kṣīṇabhāgyo'pi vā naraḥ ||2-58-65

There was none without wealth. There was no luckless man.

kṛśo vā malino vāpi dvāravatyāṁ kathaṣchana |

dvāravatyāṁ puri purā keshavasya mahātmanaḥ ||2-58-66

There never was any thin or untidy person in dvāravatī, the city dvāravatī, of great soul keshava (kṛṣṇa).

cakāra vāyorāhvānaṁ bhūyaścha puruṣottamaḥ |

tatrastha eva bhagavānyādavānāṁ priyaṅkaraḥ ||2-58-67

Again the best among men (kṛṣṇa) invoked the lord of wind. The lord (of wind) dear to yādava-s, went there.

prāṇayonistu bhūtānāmupatasthe gadādharam |

ekamāsīnamekānte devaguhyadharaṁ prabhum ||2-58-68

The soul of all physical beings (lord of wind) served the one who holds the mace (kṛṣṇa), the one who stays alone, the lord, holder of secrets of all devas.

kiṁ mayā deva kartavyaṁ sarvagenāśugāminā |

yathaiva dūto devānāṁ tathaivāsmi tavānagha ||2-58-69

Lord! What is my duty, who goes to all? O the one without any sin! I am your messenger, like I am messenger to the devas.

tamuvāca tataḥ kṛṣṇo rahasyaṁ puruṣo hariḥ |

mārutaṁ jagataḥ prāṇaṁ rūpiṇaṁ samupasthitam ||2-58-70

Then kṛṣṇa, hari told the secret to the lord of wind, the soul of the world, who was standing nearby in his bodily form.

gaccha māruta deveśamanumānya sahāmaraiḥ |

sabhāṁ sudharmāmādāya devebhyastamihānaya ||2-58-71

(kṛṣṇa said :) O wind! Proceed. Make śakra along with deva-s agreeable and bring the assembly of sudharma of deva-s here.

yādavā dhārmikā hyete vikrāntāścha sahasraśaḥ |

tasyāṁ visheyurete vai na tu yā kṛtrimā bhavet ||2-58-72

The yādava-s are righteous people. They are valiant. They are thousands in number. They should remain in that assembly. It is not possible to be in an artificial one.

yā hyakṣayā sabhā ramyā kāmagā kāmarūpiṇī |

sā yadūndhārayetsarvānyathaiva tridaśāṁstathā ||2-58-73

As it supports the deva-s, that beautiful assembly, without any decline, granting desires and capable of taking any desired form shall support all yādavas.

saṁgṛhya vacanam tasya kṛṣṇasyākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ |

vāyurātmopamagatirjagāma tridivālayam ||2-58-74

(vaiśampāyana said) Understanding the words of kṛṣṇa, who performs difficult tasks, the lord of wind, with a speed suitable to him, went to heaven.

so'numānya surānsarvānkṛṣṇavākyaṁ nivedya ca |

sabhāṁ sudharmāmādāya punarāyānmahītalam ||2-58-75

Honouring all the deva-s and after informing them about the words of kṛṣṇa, he returned to earth, taking the assembly of sudharmā with him.

sudharmāya sudharmāṁ tāṁ kṛṣṇāyākliṣṭakāriṇe |

devo devasabhāṁ datvā vāyurantaradhīyata ||2-58-76

Giving sudharmā, the assembly of deva-s, to the one who lives by good dharma, kṛṣṇa, the lord, the one who performs difficult tasks, the lord of wind disappeared.

dvāravatyāstu sā madhye keshavena niveśitā |

sudharmā yadumukhyānāṁ devānāṁ tridive yathā ||2-58-77

keshava (kṛṣṇa) installed sudharmā, at the centre of dvāravati for prominent yādava-s, like it was installed in heaven for the devas.

evaṁ divyaishcha bhogaishcha jalajaiścāvyayo hariḥ |

dravyairalaṅkaroti sma purīṁ svāṁ pramadāmiva ||2-58-78

In this way, hari (kṛṣṇa), without having any decline, divinely decorated his city, with divine items, like a woman is decorated.

maryādāścaiva saṣcakre śreṇīścha prakṛtīstathā |

balādhyakṣāṁścha yuktāṁścha prakṛtīśāṁstathaiva ca ||2-58-79

He established the code of conduct, set up rows and standards, engaged generals of army and managers for nature.

ugrasenaṁ narapatiṁ kāśyaṁ cāpi purohitam |

senāpatimanādhṛṣṭiṁ vikadruṁ mantripuṅgavam ||2-58-80

ugrsena was made the king, kāśya (sāndīpani) was made the priest, adhṛṣṭi was made the chief of army and vikadru the chief minister.

yādavānāṁ kulakarānsthavirāndaśa tatra vai |

matimānsthāpayāmāsa sarvakāryeṣvanantarān ||2-58-81

kṛṣṇa with great intellect, made, ten aged people, the chieftains of yādava race as ministers for all matters.

ratheshvatiratho yantā dārukaḥ keshavasya vai |

yodhamukhyashcha yodhāṇāṁ pravaraḥ sātyakiḥ kṛtaḥ ||2-58-82

dāruka, the best charioteer, was engaged for driving the chariot of keshava (kṛṣṇa). The best fighter sātyaki was appointed as the chief fighter.

vidhānamevaṁ kṛtvātha kṛṣṇaḥ puryāmaninditaḥ |

mumude yadubhiḥ sārdhaṁ lokasraṣṭā mahītale ||2-58-83

kṛṣṇa, who is never despised, made these arrangements in the city. The creator of the world (kṛṣṇa) enjoyed thus with yādava-s on the face of earth.

raivatasyātha kanyāṁ ca revatīṁ śīlasammatām |

prāptavānbaladevastu kṛṣṇasyānumate tadā ||2-58-84

Then, with the consent of kṛṣṇa, baladeva (balarāma) obtained (married) revatī, the daughter of (king of) raivata endowed with good behaviour.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi dvāravatīnirmāṇe'ṣṭapaṣcāśattamo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the fifty-eighth of viṣṇuparva, khila of śrīmahābhārata, building the city of dvāravati

(Note 1:) Translation of ślokas 12 to 16 given by

Andre Couture: Dvaraka: The making of a sacred place, Pilgrims, Patrons and Place: Localising Sanctity in Asian Religions,

edited by Phyllis Granoff and Koichi Shinohara, chapter 7, pages 224 - 248, UBC Press (2003).

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

aṣṭapaṣcāśattame'thādhyāye tvaṣṭāramāhvayat |

dvārakātiviśeṣānyo haristena vinirmame || 1 ||

· 2-58-1 tata iti ||

· 2-58-3 rohiṇyāṁ rohiṇīnakṣatre ṣreṣṭhe ahani mandavāsare -

shanu hi susamārambhaṁ kṛtavānīśvaraḥ svyam

- iti vacanāt ||

· 2-58-9 trikaṁ tisṛbhiḥ aṣṭapaṅktibhiḥ kalpitaṁ trikoṇaṁ trikaṁ chatvaraṁ chatasṛbhiścaturasraṁ tadevaṁ rājamārgaḥ dvābhyāṁ paṣyapaṅktibhyāṁ kalpita dīrgharathyārūpaḥ ||

· 2-58-10 śilpimukhyānāṁ āhvāyakā iti śeṣaḥ ||

· 2-58-13 sthapatīn vāstukarmajṣān sūtradhārān ||

· 2-58-15 saṁskārān kaṁṭakādyudvāsanavaṭārodhādīn ||

· 2-58-16 brahmādīnāṁ,

dvāre pitāmahaṁ vidyāt

ityādi śāstroktānāṁ gṛhabalidevatānām ||

· 2-58-17 caturdevānīti pāṭhe devāḥ śuddhākṣādayastadvanti tāmścha tattasthānapūrvakaṁ pūjayedityarthaḥ ||

· 2-58-24 yathā me brahmādayo mānyāstathā tvaṁ devamānyo brahmādīnāṁ mānyo'si | vaḥ yuṣmataḥ pūjāyāṁ bahutvaṁ viśeṣo viśiṣṭatvaṁ nāsti ||

· 2-58-28 prakāśārthaṁ svakaushalasya mayi mannimittam ||

· 2-58-30 mama sthānaṁ vaikuṇṭhamidaṁ rahasyaṁ kāryam ||

· 2-58-31 matīśvaraḥ matimatāṁ prabhuḥ ||

· 2-58-32 purī puryarthā bhūmiḥ ||

· 2-58-38 mārutena yogena vāyusaṁkochanapradhānenaṁ ||

· 2-58-42 prāgyatoraṇā śreṣṭhavandanamālikā ||

· 2-58-43 paricaryākṣayaṁ snānādigṛham ||

· 2-58-46 gāṁ pṛthivīm ||

· 2-58-48 veśmottameṣu ucchaveshmasu ghanācitā meghavyāptā atyucchetyarthaḥ ||

· 2-58-49 nichaśālinī samṛddhimatī ||

· 2-58-50 sukṣetrā puṣyādhivasatiḥ ||

· 2-58-54 udagrāgrairatyucchasaudhaiḥ upāvṛtaḥ cāyayā pihitaḥ mahāpatho yasyāṁ sā ||

· 2-58-63 anaśitaṁ nirannam ||

· 2-58-80k āśyaṁ sāndīpanim ||

· 2-58-81 sthavirāndaśeti vakṣyamāṇān |

uddhavo vāsudevaścha kaṅko vipṛthureva ca |

shvaphalkashcitrakashcaiva gadaḥ satyaka eva ca |

balabhadra pṛthuścaiva mantreṣvabhyantarā daśa

iti ||

iti śrīharivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyāmaṣṭapaṣcāśattamao'dhyāyaḥ ||

Note:Spelling mistakes have been corrected in verse 59, line 1 and verse 64, line 1

59 – rukmiṇīharaṇam - carrying-off of rukmiṇi

vaiśampāyana uvāca

etasminneva kāle tu jarāsandhaḥ pratāpavān |

nṛpānudyojayāmāsa cedirājapriyepsayā ||2-59-1

vaiśampāyana said:

(O janamejaya !) During this time, jarāsandha with great splendour, prompted the kings, due to his desire to do good for the king of chedi.

sutāyā bhīṣmakasyātha rukmiṇyā rukmabhūṣaṇaḥ |

śiśupālasya nṛpatervivāho bhavitā kila ||2-59-2

He informed everyone about the proposed marriage of the daughter of bhīṣmaka, rukmiṇī decorated with golden ornaments, with the king śiśupāla.

dantavaktrasya tanayaṁ suvaktramamitaujasam |

sahasrākṣasamam yuddhe māyāśataviśāradam ||2-59-3

The son of dantavaktra, suvaktra with great splendour, equal to the one with thousand eyes (indra) in battle, expert in hundreds of illusions,

pauṇḍrasya vāsudevasya tathā putraṁ mahābalam |

sudevaṁ vīryasaṁpannaṁ pṛthagakṣauhiṇīpatim ||2-59-4

the son of pauṇḍra vāsudeva, with great power, the valiant sudeva, the leader of another akṣauhiṇi,

ekalavyasya putraṁ ca vīryavantaṁ mahābalam |

putraṁ ca pāṇḍyarājasya kaliṅgādhipatiṁ tathā ||2-59-5

the valiant son of ekalavya, with great power, the son of pāṇḍya king, the king of kaliṅga,

kṛtāpriyaṁ ca kṛṣṇena vaiṇudāriṁ narādhipam |

aṁśumantaṁ tathā krāthaṁ śrutadharmāṇameva ca ||2-59-6

the king veṇudhāri on whom kṛṣṇa did what is not liked, aṁśumān, krātha, śrutadharmā,

nirvṛttaśatruṁ kāliṅgaṁ gāndhārādhipatiṁ tathā |

prasahya ca mahāvīryaṁ kauśāmbyadhipameva ca ||2-59-7

kāliṅga who repelled the enemies, king of gāndhāra, the great valiant king of kauśāṁbi,

bhagadatto mahāsenaḥ śalaḥ śālvo mahābalaḥ |

bhūriśravā mahāsenaḥ kuntivīryaścha vīryavān |

svayamvarārthaṁ saṁprāptā bhojarājaniveśane ||2-59-8

bhagadatta with great army, shala, shalya the powerful, bhūriśrava with great army and valiant kuntivīrya arrived at the residence of the bhoja king for svayaṁvara (choosing of husband by the maiden).

janamejaya uvāca

kasmindeshe nṛpo jajṣe rukmī vedavidāṁ varaḥ |

kasyānvavāye dyutimānsaṁbhūto dvijasattma ||2-59-9

janamejaya said:

In which place was the king rukmī, the best among those who know veda-s, born? O the best among brahmins (vaiśampāyana)! In which race was the one with splendour born?

vaiśampāyana uvāca

rājarṣeryādavasyāsīdvidarbho nāma vai sutaḥ |

vindhyasya dakṣiṇe pārśve vidarbhāyāṁ nyaveshayat ||2-59-10

vaiśampāyana said:

A son named vidarbha was born to the royal sage yādava. He resided in vidarbha, on the south side of vindhya.

krathakaiśikamukhyāstu putrāstasya mahābalāḥ |

babhūvurvīryasaṁpannāḥ pṛthagvaṁśakarā nṛpāḥ ||2-59-11

His sons, named kratha and kaishika, were having great power. There were also valiant kings of other races.

tasyānvavāye bhīmasya jajṣire vṛṣṇayo nṛpāḥ |

krathasya tvaṁśumānvaṁśe bhīṣmakaḥ kaishikasya tu ||2-59-12

The vṛṣṇi kings were born in that race as sons of king bhīma. aṁśumān was born in the race of kratha and bhīṣmaka in the race of kaishika.

hiraṇyarometyāhuryaṁ dākṣiṇātyeśvaraṁ nṛpāḥ |

agastyaguptāmāśāṁ yaḥ kuṇḍinastho'nvaśānnṛpaḥ ||2-59-13

kings call (bhīṣmaka), the lord of south, as hiraṇyaroma. The king bhīṣmaka, living in kuṇḍina ruled the south protected by sage agastya.

rukmī tasyābhavatputro rukmiṇī ca viśāṁpate |

rukmī cāstrāṇi divyāni drumātprāpa mahābalaḥ ||2-59-14

O king (janamejaya)! He had the son rukmi and daughter rukmiṇī. rukmi, having great power, obtained divine arrows from druma.

He had the son rukmī and daughter rukmiṇī. rukmī, having great power , obtained divine arrows from druma.

jāmadagnyāttathā rāmādbrāhmamastramavāptavān |

prāsparddhata sa kṛṣṇena nityamadbhutakarmaṇā ||2-59-15

He obtained brahmāstra from rāma, son of jamadagni. He was ever in conflict with kṛṣṇa who always performs wonderful deeds.

rukmiṇī tvabhavadrājanrūpeṇāsadṛśī bhuvi |

chakame vāsudevastāṁ śravādeva mahādyutiḥ ||2-59-16

O king (janamejaya)! (vaiśampāyana said) There was none similar in beauty as rukmiṇī on earth. The son of vasudeva (kṛṣṇa) with great splendour, only by hearing about her, desired her.

sa tathā cābhilaṣitaḥ śravādeva janārdanaḥ |

tejovīryabalopetaḥ sa me bhartā bhavediti ||2-59-17

In the same manner, only by hearing, she also desired that janārdana (kṛṣṇa) with splendour, valiancy and power shall become her husband.

tāṁ dadau na ca kṛṣṇāya dveṣādrukmī mahābalaḥ |

kaṁsasya vadhasantāpātkṝṣṇāyāmitatejase |

yācamānāya kaṁsasya dveṣyo'yamiti cintayan ||2-59-18

Even though kṛṣṇa had asked for her, considering that kṛṣṇa is the killer of kaṁsa, due to the sorrow of kaṁsa's killing , rukmī of great power, did not give her to kṛṣṇa of unlimited splendour, due to hatred.

caidyasyārthe sunīthasya jarāsaṁdhastu bhūmipaḥ |

varayāmāsa tāṁ rājā bhīṣmakaṁ bhīmavikramam ||2-59-19

king jarāsaṁdha asked the great valiant king bhīṣmaka for her, for the son of king of chedi, sunītha.

cedirājasya tu vasorāsītputro bṛhadrathaḥ |

magadheṣu purā yena nirmito'sau girivrajaḥ ||2-59-20

bṛhadratha is the son of vasu, the king of chedi. Long ago, he made girivraja in magadha.

tasyānvavāye jajṣe'sau jarāsaṁdho mahābalaḥ |

vasoreva tadā vaṁśe damaghoṣo'pi cedirāṭ ||2-59-21

jarāsaṁdha of great power was born in that race. The king of chedi damaghoṣa also belong to the race of vasu.

damaghoṣasya putrāstu paṣcha bhīmaparākramāḥ |

bhaginyāṁ vasudevasya shrutashravasi jajṣire ||2-59-22

damaghoṣa had five great valiant sons by (his wife) shrutashrava, the sister of vasudeva( kṛṣṇa's father).

śiśupālo daśagrīvo raibhyo'thopadiśo balī |

sarvāstrakuśalā vīrā vīryavanto mahābalāḥ ||2-59-23

They are śiśupāla, daśagrīva, raibhya, upadisha and bali - All were experts in arrows, valiant and having great power.

jṣāteḥ samānavaṁśasya sunīthaḥ pradadau sutam |

jarāsaṁdhastu sutavaddadarśainaṁ jugopa ca ||2-59-24

king sunītha gave his son to his kinsman of the same race, jarāsaṁdha, who considered him as his own son.

jarāsaṁdhaṁ puraskṛtya vṛṣṇiśatruṁ mahābalam |

kṛtānyāgāṁsi chaidyena vṛṣṇīnāṁ cāpriyaiṣiṇā ||2-59-25

keeping the powerful jarāsaṁdha, the enemy of vṛṣṇi-s, in front, the king of chedi desiring harm for vṛṣṇi-s, did many things against vṛṣṇis.

jāmātā tvabhavattasya kaṁsastasminhate yudhi |

kṛṣṇārthaṁ vairamabhavajjarāsaṁdhasya vṛṣṇibhiḥ ||2-59-26

As kaṁsa, the husband of jarāsaṁdha-s daughters was killed in fight, jarāsaṁdha had enmity with vṛṣṇi-s due to kṛṣṇa.

bhīṣmakaṁ varayāmāsa sunīthārthe ca rukmiṇīm |

tāṁ dadau bhīṣmakaścāpi śiśupālāya vīryavān ||2-59-27

jarāsaṁdha asked bhīṣmaka for rukmiṇī for the son of sunītha. The valiant bhīṣmaka gave (word to give) her to śiśupāla.

tataścaidyamupādāya jarāsaṁdho narādhipaḥ |

yayau vidarbhānsahito dantavaktreṇa yāyinā ||2-59-28

king jarāsaṁdha arrived at vidarbha along with king of chedi, accompanied by dantavaktra.

anujṣātaścha pauṇḍreṇa vāsudevena dhīmatā |

aṅgavaṅgakaliṅgānāmīśvaraḥ sa mahābalaḥ ||2-59-29

The intelligent pauṇḍra vāsudeva who was agreeable, and the powerful kings of aṅga, vaṅga and kaliṅga also arrived at vidarbha.

mānayiṣyaṁścha tānrukmī pratyudgamya narādhipān |

varayā pūjayopetāṁstānnināya purīṁ prati ||2-59-30

rukmi received the kings and honoured them. They were taken to the city after proper reception.

pitṛṣvasuḥ priyārthaṁ ca rāmakriṣṇāvubhāvapi |

prayayurvṛṣṇayaścānye rathaistatra balānvitāḥ ||2-59-31

In view of the wishes of their father-s sister, both bala(rāma) and kṛṣṇa along with other vṛṣṇī-s, also arrived accompanied by chariots and army.

krathakaiśikabhartā tānpratigṛhya yathāvidhi |

pūjayāmāsa pūjārhānbahiścaiva nyaveshayat ||2-59-32

Receiving them as required, the leader of kratha and kaishika honoured the guests who were honourable and arranged for their stay.

śvo bhāvini vivāhe ca rukmiṇī niryayau bahiḥ |

caturyujā rathenaindre devatāyatane śubhe ||2-59-33

Saying that the marriage can be held tomorrow, rukmiṇī went out to the auspicious temple, on the day of jyeṣṭha star (aindre - see nīlakaṇṭha commentary), in a chariot yoked with four horses.

indrāṇīmarchayiṣyantī kṛtakautukamaṅgalā |

dīpyamānena vapuṣā balena mahatā vṛtā ||2-59-34

She, with a sparkling body, surrounded by a great army, wearing the auspicious head band, went to worship indrāṇī.

tāṁ dadarsha tadā kṛṣṇo lakṣmīṁ sākṣādiva sthitām |

rūpeṇāgryeṇa sampannāṁ devatāyatanāntike ||2-59-35

kṛṣṇa saw her near the temple as though lakṣmī herself was stationed. She was endowed with a beautiful form.

vahnireva śikhāṁ dīptāṁ māyāṁ bhūmigatāmiva |

pṛthivīmiva gaṁbhīrāmutthitāṁ pṛthivītalāt ||2-59-36

She was blazing like a flame of fire, as an illusion on earth, as the beautiful and majestic (goddess) earth arising out of earth.

marīchimiva somasya saumyāṁ strīvigrahām bhuvi |

śrīmivāgryāṁ vinā padmaṁ bhaviṣyāṁ śrīsahāyinīm |

She was beautiful as though the gentle rays of moon has taken the form of woman on earth. She was like lakṣmī leaving the lotus. She was to assist (kṛṣṇa) as śrī of future.

kṛṣṇena manasā dṛṣṭāṁ durnirīkṣyāṁ surairapi ||2-59-37

śyāmāvadātā sā hyāsītpṛthucārvāyatekṣaṇā |

She who was difficult to be seen even by deva-s, was seen by kṛṣṇa with his mind. She was of sixteen years old. She was of white complexion. Her eyes were long and beautiful.

tāmrauṣṭhanayanāpāṅgī pīnorujaghanastanī ||2-59-38

She had red lips and beautiful eyes. She was beautiful with full waist, thigh, hips and breasts.

bṛhatī cārusarvāṅgī tanvī śaśisitānanā |

She was a fully grown maiden with beautiful limbs and a white face like moon.

tāmratuṅganakhī subhrūrnīlakuṣchitamūrdhajā ||2-59-39

Her nails were red. She was beautiful with eyebrows and abundant hair.

atyartham rūpataḥ kāntā pīnaśroṇipayodharā |

tīkṣṇaśuklaiḥ samairdantaiḥ prabhāsadbhiralaṅkṛtā ||2-59-40

She was most beautiful with full hips and breasts. She was sparkling with her smooth white teeth.

ananyā pramadā loke rūpeṇa yaśasā śriyā |

rukmiṇī rūpiṇī devī pāṇḍurakśaumavāsinī ||2-59-41

She was a match-less woman in the world in beauty, fame and prosperity. rukmiṇī appeared like a goddess adorning a beautiful white dress.

tām dṛṣṭvā vavṛdhe kāmaḥ kṛṣṇasya priyadarśanām |

haviṣevānalasyārchirmanastasyāṁ samādadhat ||2-59-42

Seeing her who was beautiful to be seen, kṛṣṇa-s desire for her increased, as the flames of fire flourish with the offering of oil.

rāmeṇa saha nishchitya keshavastu mahābalaḥ |

tatpramāthe'karodbuddhiṁ vṛṣṇibhiḥ praṇidhāya ca ||2-59-43

keshava (kṛṣṇa) of great power, along with bala(rāma ), decided to carry her off along with vṛṣṇis.

kṛte tu devatākārye niṣkrāmantīṁ surālayāt |

unmathya sahasā kṛṣṇaḥ svaṁ nināya rathottamam ||2-59-44

As she was coming out of the temple, after worshipping the deva-s , suddenly, kṛṣṇa caught her and took her in his best chariot.

vṛkṣamutpāṭya rāmo'pi jaghānāpatataḥ parān |

samanahyanta dāśārhāstadājṣaptāścha sarvaśaḥ ||2-59-45

(bala)rāma pulled out a tree to beat the approaching enemies. By his (balarāmā) order all dāśārha-s prepared themselves.

te rathairvividhākāraiḥ samucchritamahādhvajaiḥ |

vājibhirvāraṇaiścaiva parivavrurhalāyudham ||2-59-46

Chariots of many forms with tall great flags, horses and elephants encircled the one having plough as weapon (balarāma).

ādāya rukmiṇīṁ kṛṣṇo jagāmāśu purīṁ prati |

rāme bhāraṁ tamāsajya yuyudhāne ca vīryavān || 2-59-47

rukmiṇī was taken towards his city by kṛṣṇa. valiant kṛṣṇa left the load (task of dealing with the enemies) to (bala)rāma, yuyudhāna (sātyaki),

akrūre vipṛthau caiva gade ca kṛtavarmaṇi |

cakradeve sudeve ca sāraṇe ca mahābale ||2-59-48

akrūra, vipṛ+thu, gada, kṛtavarma, cakradeva, sudeva, the powerful sāraṇa,

nivṛttaśatrau vikrānte bhaṅgākāre vidūrathe |

ugrasenātmaje kaṅke shatadyumne ca keśavaḥ ||2-59-49

nivṛttaśatru, vikrānta, bhaṅgakāra, vidūratha, son of ugrasena, kaṅka, shatadyumna,

rājādhideve mṛdure prasene citrake tathā |

atidānte bṛhaddurge shvaphalke satyake pṛthau ||2-59-50

raJadhideva, mṛdura, prasena, citraka, atidānta, bṛhaddurga, shvaphalka, satyaka and pṛthu.

vṛṣṇyandhakeṣu cānyeṣu mukhyeṣu madhusūdanaḥ |

gurumāsajya taṁ bhāraṁ yayau dvāravatīṁ prati ||2-59-51

The slayer of madhu (kṛṣṇa) left the heavy load (of fighting the enemies) to other best and chief men among vṛṣṇi-s and andhaka-s and went towards dvāravatī.

dantavaktro jarāsaṁdhaḥ śiśupālaścha vīryavān |

sannaddhā niryayuḥ kruddhā jighāṁsanto janārdanam ||2-59-52

dantavaktra, jarāsaṁdha and the valiant śiśupāla became angry and proceeded, ready to kill janārdana (kṛṣṇa).

aṣgavaṅgakaliṅgaiścha sārdhaṁ pauṇḍraiścha vīryavān |

niryayau cedirājastu bhrātṛbhiḥ sa mahārathaiḥ ||2-59-53

aṣga, vaṅga, kaliṅga along with valiant paunḍra, the king of chedi along with his brothers who were great charioteers also proceeded.

tānpratyagṛhṇansaṁrabdhā vṛṣṇivīrā mahārathāḥ |

saṅkarṣaṇaṁ puraskṛtya vāsavaṁ māruto yathā ||2-59-54

vṛṣṇi-s, the great charioteers, keeping saṅkarṣaṇa (balarāma) in front, like the deva-s keep indra in front, fought against the enemies.

āpatantaṁ hi vegena jarāsaṁdhaṁ mahābalam |

ṣaḍbhirvivyādha nārācairyuyudhāno mahāmṛdhe ||2-59-55

In the great fight, yuyudhāna shot six arrows on the powerful jarāsaṁdha, who arrived with great speed.

akrūro dantavaktraṁ tu vivyādha navabhiḥ śaraiḥ |

taṁ pratyaviddhyatkārūṣo bāṇairdaśabhirāśugaiḥ ||2-59-56

akrūra shot nine arrows on dantavaktra. kārūṣa shot ten arrows on him in retaliation.

vipṛthuḥ śiśupālaṁ tu śarairvivyādha saptabhiḥ |

aṣṭabhiḥ pratyaviddhyattaṁ śiśupālaḥ pratāpavān ||2-59-57

vipṛthu shot seven arrows on śiśupāla. The splendorous śiśupāla shot eight arrows against him.

gaveṣaṇastu caidyaṁ tu śaḍbhirvivyādha mārgaṇaiḥ

atidāntastathāṣṭābhirbṛhaddurgaiścha paṣchabhiḥ ||2-59-58

gaveṣaṇa shot six arrows on the chedi king, atidānta shot eight arrows and bṛhaddurga shot five arrows.

prativivyādha tāṁścaidyaḥ paṣchabhiḥ paṣchabhiḥ śaraiḥ |

jaghānāśvāṁścha caturaścaturbhirvipṛthoḥ śaraiḥ ||2-59-59

The king of chedi shot five arrows each against them. Shooting four arrows, he felled the four horses of vipṛthu.

bṛhaddurgasya bhallena śiraściccheda cārihā |

gaveṣaṇasya sūtaṁ tu prāhiṇodyamasādanam ||2-59-60

Shooting bhalla, he severed the head of bṛhaddurga. He sent the charioteer of gaveṣaṇa to the house of yama (death).

hatāśvaṁ tu rathaṁ tyaktvā vipṛthustu mahābalaḥ |

āruroha rathaṁ śīghraṁ bṛhaddurgasya vīryavān ||2-59-61

vipṛthu of great power left the chariot with dead horses and the valiant (vipṛ+thu) mounted on the chariot of bṛhaddurga.

vipṛthoḥ sārathiścāpi gaveṣaṇarathaṁ drutam |

āruhya javanānaśvānniyantumupacakrame ||2-59-62

Immediately, the charioteer of vipṛthu mounted on the chariot of gaveṣaṇa to control the horses which were running forward.

te kruddhāḥ śaravarṣeṇa sunīthaṁ samavākiran |

nṛtyantaṁ rathamārgeṣu cāpahastāḥ kalāpinaḥ ||2-59-63

They became angry and holding arrows and bows in their hands, shot a rain of arrows on sunītha who was frolicking on the path of chariots.

cakradevo dantavaktraṁ bibhedorasi patriṇā |

ṣaḍrathaṁ paṣchabhiścaiva vivyādha yudhi mārgaṇaiḥ ||2-59-64

cakradeva split the chest of dantavaktra by shooting arrows. Then he shot five arrows at ṣaḍratha in the battle.

tābhyāṁ sa viddho dhaśabhirbāṇairmarmātigaiḥ śitaiḥ |

tato balī cakradevaṁ bibheda daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ |2-59-65

They shot ten sharp arrows at the weak spots. Then bali shot ten arrows and split cakradeva.

paṣchabhiścāpi vivyādha so'pi dūrādvidūratham |

vidūratho'pi taṁ ṣaḍbhirvivyādhājau śitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||2-59-66

He also shot five arrows at vidūratha from a distance. Then vidūratha shot six sharp arrows on him.

triṁśatā pratyavidhyattaṁ balī bāṇairmahābalam |

kṛtavarmā bibhedājau rājaputraṁ tribhiḥ śaraiḥ ||2-59-67

He shot thirty arrows against bali, having great power. kṛtavarma shot three arrows and split the son of the king (pauṇḍraka vāsudeva - see nīlakaṇṭha commentary).

nyahanatsārathiṁ cāsya dhvajaṁ ciccheda socchritam |

prativivyādha taṁ krudddhaḥ pauṇḍraḥ ṣaḍbhiḥ śilīmukhaiḥ ||2-59-68

He killed the charioteer and broke the tall flag staff. Then the angry pauṇḍraka (vāsudeva) shot six arrows against him.

dhanuḥ ciccheda cāpyasya bhallena kṛtavarmaṇaḥ |

nivṛttaśatruḥ kāliṅgaṁ bibheda niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ |

With bhalla, he broke the bow of kṛtavarma. The one who repells enemies, tore kaliṅga with sharp arrows.

tomareṇāṁsadeśe taṁ nirbibheda kaliṅgarāṭ ||2-59-69

The king of kaliṅga struck a lance on his neck.

gajenāsādya kaṅkastu gajamaṅgasya vīryavān |

tomareṇa bibhedāṅgaṁ bibhedāṅgaścha taṁ śaraiḥ ||2-59-70

The valiant kaṅka fought with the elephant of aṅga with elephant and struck a lance on aṅga. aṅga shot arrows against him.

citrakashcha shvaphalkashcha satyakashcha mahārathaḥ |

kaliṅgasya tathānīkaṁ nārācairbibhiduḥ śataiḥ ||2-59-71

The great charioteers, citraka, shvaphalka and satyaka shot arrows at kaliṅga's army and scattered it all around.

taṁ nisṛṣṭadrumeṇājau vaṣgarājasya kuṣjaram |

jaghāna rāmaḥ saṅkruddho vaṅgarājaṁ ca saṁyuge ||2-59-72

Angry (bala)rāma killed the elephant of the king of vaṅga by throwing a tree at it. He also killed the king vaṅga in battle.

taṁ hatvā rathamāruyhya dhanurādāya vīryavān |

saṣKarṣaṇo jaghānograirnārācaiḥ kaiśikāṇbahūn ||2-59-73

After killing him, the valiant saṣkarṣaṇa (balarāma) mounted on a chariot. Taking a bow he killed many kaishika-s by shooting sharp arrows.

ṣaḍbhirnihatya kārūṣānmaheṣvāsānsa vīryavān |

śataṁ jaghāna saṁkruddho māgadhānāṁ mahābale ||2-59-74

The valiant (balarāma) killed kārūṣa bowmen by shooting six arrows. Becoming angry, he killed hundred māgadha men, having great power.

nihatya tānmahābāhurjarāsaṁdhaṁ tato'bhyayāt |

tamāpatantaṁ vivyādha nārācairmāgadhastribhiḥ ||2-59-75

Killing them, balarāma with great arms fough against jarāsaṁdha. The king of magadha shot three arrows as he approached.

taṁ bibhedāṣṭabhiḥ kruddho nārācairmusalāyudhaḥ |

ciccheda cāsya bhallena dhvajaṁ hemapariṣkṝtam ||2-59-76

Then the angry one with club as his weapon (balarāma) shot eight arrows against him (jarāsaṁdha). With bhalla, he broke his flagstaff decorated with gold.

tadyuddhamabhavadghoraṁ teṣāṁ devāsuropamam |

sṛjatāṁ śaravarṣāṇi nighnatāmitaretaram ||2-59-77

Then there was a terrible battle between them, comparable to the battle between deva-s and asuras. They were showering arrows, keen on killing each other.

gajairgajā hi saṁkruddhāḥ saṁnipetuḥ sahasraśaḥ |

rathai rathāścha saṁrabdhāḥ sādinaścāpi sādibhiḥ ||2-59-78

Angry elephants fought against each other in thousands. Chariots fought against chariots and horsemen against horsemen.

padātayaḥ padātīṁścha śakticharmāsipāṇayaḥ |

chindantaśchottamāṅgāni vicheruryudhi te pṛthak ||2-59-79

Infantry fought against infantry. Those holding lances, swords etc., roamed around cutting off heads.

asīnāṁ pātyamānānāṁ kavacheṣu mahāsvanaḥ |

śarāṇāṁ patatāṁ śabdaḥ pakṣiṇāmiva śuśruve ||2-59-80

The great sounds of swords hitting the shields and the sounds of arrows falling, similar to the sound of birds could be heard.

bherīśaṅkhamṛdaṅgānāṁ veṇūnāṁ ca mṝdhe dhvanim |

jugūha ghoṣaḥ śastrāṇāṁ jyāghoṣaścha mahātmanām || 2-59-81

In the battle, the sounds of kettle drums, conch shells, drums and flutes were drowned by the sound of weapons used by the great warriors.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇī rukmiṇīharaṇe ekonaṣaṣṭitamo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the fifty-ninth chapter of viṣṇuparva, harivaṁśa, khila of śrīmahābhārata, carrying-off of rukmiṇī.

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

athaikona ṣaṣṭitame gatvā kuṇḍinamojasā |

rāmo'parān samāsajya rukmiṇīmaharaddhariḥ || 1 ||

· 2-59-1 etasminniti | cedirājo damaghoṣaḥ tasya priyaṁ śiśupālākhya putrasya vivāhastadīpsyayā ||

· 2-59-2 tadevāha sutāyā iti |

· 2-59-7 nivṛttāḥ niṣpracārāḥ shatravo yasya nivṛttaśatruṁ kīlitaśatrumityarthaḥ ||>/li>

· 2-59-16 śravādākarṇāt ||

· 2-59-19 sunīthasya sunīthaputrasya śiśupālasya ||

· 2-59-24 sunīthaḥ sutaṁ śiśupālaṁ dadau tavāyaṁ sahakāro bhūyāditi ||

· 2-59-25 vṛṣṇīnāṁ dukhaḥdāniti śeṣaḥ ||

· 2-59-26 tatra nimittamāha -jāmāteti ||

· 2-59-27 varayāmāsa jarāsaṁdhaḥ sunīthārthe śiśupālārthe ||

· 2-59-28 yāyinā gacchatā saha sahāyena vā ||

· 2-59-32 krathakaiśikānāṁ deśānāṁ bhartā jyeṣṭho damaghoṣaḥ ||

· 2-59-33 caturyujā caturaśvatā aindre jyeṣṭhā nakṣatre ||

· 2-59-40 prabhāsadbhiḥ prakarṣeṇa māsamānaiḥ ||

· 2-59-43 pramāthe haraṇe praṇidhāya nivedya ||

· 2-59-47 yuyudhāne sātyako ||

· 2-59-56 kāruṣo dantavaktraḥ ||

· 2-59-63 kalāpināḥ bāṇahastāḥ ||

· 2-59-65 balī śiśupālabhrātā ||

· 2-59-67 rājaputraṁ pauṇḍRakavāsudevasutam ||

· 2-59-72 nisṛṣṭena prakṣiptena drumeṇa niṣpatravṛkṣeṇa ||

· 2-59-81 jugūha samāvṛṇot ||

iti śrīharivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyāmekonaṣaṣṭitamo'dhyāyaḥ ||

60 – rukmiparājayaḥ - rukmi defeated

vaiśampāyana uvāca

kṛṣṇena hriyamāṇāṁ tāṁ rukmī śrutvā tu rukmiṇīm |

pratijṣāmakarotkruddaḥ samakṣaṁ bhīṣmakasya ha ||2-60-1

vaiśampāyana said:

(O janamejaya !) Hearing that kṛṣṇa has taken away rukmiṇī, rukmi became angry. He took a pledge in front of (king) bhīṣṁaka.

[rukmyuvāca]

ahatvā yudhi govindamanānīya ca rukmiṇīm |

kuṇḍinaṁ na pravekṣyāmi satyametadbravīmyaham ||2-60-2

rukmī said:

Without killing govinda (kṛṣṇa) in battle and without bringing rukmiṇī, I will not enter kuṇḍina. I am saying this truth.

āsthāya sa rathaṁ vīraḥ samudagrāyudhadhvajam |

javena prayayau kruddho balena mahatā vṛtaḥ ||2-60-3

The valiant rukmi, mounting on a chariot ready with important weapons and a flagstaff, started quickly, accompanied by a great army.

tamanvayurnṛpāścaiva dakṣiṇāpathavartinaḥ |

krātho'ṁśumāṣchrutarvā ca vaiṇudāriścha vīryavān ||2-60-4

He was escorted by the kings of the southern route, kratha, aṁśumān, śrutarvā, the valiant veṇudāri,

bhīṣmakasya sutāścānye rathena rathināṁ varāḥ |

krathakaiśikamukhyāścha sarva eva mahārathāḥ ||2-60-5

the sons of bhīṣṁaka and other best chariot fighters and the great chariot fighters kratha and kaishika.

te gatvā dūramadhvānaṁ saritaṁ narmadāmanu |

govindaṁ dadṛśuḥ kruddhāḥ sahaiva priyayā sthitam ||2-60-6

They traveled for some distance. On the way, along the banks of river narmadā, those angry men saw govinda (kṛṣṇa) along with his dear lady.

avasthāpya ca tatsainyaṁ rukmī madabalānvitaḥ |

chikīrṣurdvairathaṁ yuddhamabhyayānmadhusūdanam ||2-60-7

Halting the army, rukmī , proud of his power, confronted the slayer of madhu for a battle of two chariots.

sa vivyādha chatuḥṣaṣṭyā govindaṁ niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ |

taṁ pratyavidhyatsaptatyā bāṇairyudhi janārdanaḥ ||2-60-8

He shot sixtyfour sharp arrows at govinda (kṛṣṇa). Against this, janārdana (kṛṣṇa) shot seventy arrows in the battle.

patamānasya ciccheda dhvajaṁ cāsya mahābalaḥ |

jahāra ca śiraḥ kāyātsārathestasya vīryavān ||2-60-9

The one with great power (kṛṣṇa), broke his (rukmi's) flag staff, who was approaching fast. The valiant one ( kṛṣna) cut off the head of his charioteer from the body.

taṁ kṛcchragatamājṣāya parivavrurjanārdanam |

dākṣiṇātyā jighāṁsanto rājānaḥ sarva eva hi ||2-60-10

Seeing that rukmi is in trouble, all the kings of the southern route surrounded janārdana (kṛṣṇa) to kill him.

tamaṁśumānmahābāhurvivyādha daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ |

śrutarvā paṣchabhiḥ kruddho vaiṇudāriścha saptabhiḥ ||2-60-11

Then aṁśumān of great arms shot ten arrows at him (kṛṣṇa). Angry shrutarva shot five arrows and veṇudāri shot seven arrows (at kṛṣṇa).

tato'ṁśumantaṁ govindo bibhedorasi vīryavān |

niśasāda rathopasthe vyathitaḥ sa narādhipaḥ ||2-60-12

Then valiant govinda (kṛṣṇa) split the chest of aṁśumān. That king, becoming weak, sat on the chariot.

śrutarvaṇo jaghānāśvāṁścaturbhiścaturaḥ śaraiḥ |

veṇudārordhvajaṁ cittvā bhujaṁ vivyādha dakṣiṇam ||2-60-13

Shooting four arrows, kṛṣṇa fell all the four horses of shrutarva. He broke the flagstaff of veṇudāri and shot arrows on his right hand.

tathaiva ca śrutarvāṇaṁ śarairvivyādha paṣchabhiḥ |

shishriye sa dhvajaṁ śānto nyaṣīdaccha vyathānvitaḥ ||2-60-14

In the same way, kṛṣṇa shot five arrows at shrutarva. Tired, the king sat, leaning against the flagstaff, in pain.

muṣchantaḥ śaravarṣāṇi vāsudevaṁ tato'bhyayuḥ |

krathakaiśikamukhyāścha sarva eva mahārathāḥ ||2-60-15

kratha, kaishika and all the great chariot fighters rushed against vāsudeva (kṛṣṇa), showering a rain of arrows.

bāṇāirbāṇāṁścha ciccheda teṣāṁ yudhi janārdanaḥ |

jaghāna chaiṣāṁ saṁrabdhaḥ patamānaścha tāṣcarān ||2-60-16

In the battle, janārdana split the arrows shot by them with arrows. In the battle, he killed those who were shooting arrows with anger.

punarānyāṁśchatuḥṣaṣṭyā jaghāna niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ |

kruddhānāpatato vīrānadrivatsa mahābalaḥ ||2-60-17

Then kṛṣṇa of great arms rushed forward. Shooting sixty four sharp arrows, he killed others who were approaching with anger.

vidrutaṁ svabalaṁ dṛṣṭvā rukmī krodhavaśaṁgataḥ |

paṣchabhirniśitairbāṇairvivyādhorasi keshavam ||2-60-18

Seeing that his army is defeated, rukmi became angry. He shot five sharp arrows on the chest of keshava (kṛṣṇa).

sārathiṁ cāsya vivyādha sāyakairniśitaistribhiḥ |

ājaghāna śareṇāsya dhvajaṁ ca nataparvaṇā ||2-60-19

He shot three sharp arrows at the charioteer also. He broke the flagstaff with arrows without tip.

keśavastvaritaṁ dṛṣṭvā kruddho vivyādha mārgaṇaiḥ |

dhanuściccheda cāpyasya patamānasya rukmiṇaḥ ||2-60-20

Seeing the speed of his hands, keshava became angry. Shooting a bunch of arrows, he cut down rukmi's bow.

athānyaddhanurādāya rukmī kṛṣṇajighāṁsayā |

prāduścakāra cānyāni divyānyastrāṇi vīryavān ||2-60-21

Then rukmi took another bow, hoping to kill kṛṣṇa. Valiant rukmi shot other divine arrows.

astrairastrāṇī saṁvārya tasya kṛṣṇo mahābalaḥ |

punaściccheda tachcāpaṁ rathināṁ ca tribhiḥ śaraiḥ ||2-60-22

kṛṣṇa of great power removed his arrows with arrows. Shooting three arrows, he again cut down that bow as well as the chariot.

sa ccinnadhanvā virathāḥ khaḍgamādāya charma ca |

utpapāta rathādvīro garutmāniva vīryavān ||2-60-23

With the bow and the chariot broken, the valiant (rukmi) taking a sword and a shield, jumped out of the chariot, like garuda.

tasyābhipatataḥ khaḍgaṁ ciccheda yudhi keśavaḥ |

nārācaiścha tribhiḥ kruddho bibhedainamathorasi ||2-60-24

As he jumped out, keshava (kṛṣṇa) cut off his sword in the battle. With three sharp arrows, angry keshava (kṛśṇa) split his chest.

sa papāta mahābāhurvasudhāmanunādayan |

visaṁjṣo mūrcchito rājā vajreṇeva mahāsuraḥ ||2-60-25

rukmi of great arms fell down with a huge noise shaking the earth. The king lost his consciousness like a great asura struck by (indra's) vajra.

tāṁścha rājṣaḥ śaraiḥ sarvānpunarvivyādha mādhavaḥ |

rukmiṇaṁ patitaṁ dṛṣṭvā vyadravanta narādhipāḥ ||2-60-26

Again mādhava (kṛṣṇa) shot arrows against all the kings. Seeing rukmi felled, the kings ran away.

vicheṣṭamānaṁ taṁ bhūmau bhrātaraṁ vīkṣya rukmiṇī |

pādayornyapatadviṣṇorbhrāturjīvitakāṅkṣiṇī ||2-60-27

Seeing her brother lying on earth and struggling, rukmiṇī fell on viśṇu's (kṛṣṇa) feet, desiring to protect her brother's life.

tāmutthāpya pariṣvajya sāntvayāmāsa keśavaḥ |

abhayaṁ rukmiṇe dattvā prayayau svapurīṁ tataḥ ||2-60-28

keshava (kṛṣṇa) lifted her up, embraced and consoled her. Giving protection to rukmi, he went to his city.

vṛṣṇayo'pi jarāsaṁdhaṁ bhaṅktvā tāṁścaiva pārthivān |

prayayurdvārakāṁ hṛṣṭāḥ puraskṛtya halāyudham ||2-60-29

The vṛṣṇi-s defeated jarāsaṁdha as also the kings. They, keeping the one with plough as his weapon (balarāma) in front, reached dvāraka happily.

prayāte puṇḍarīkākṣe śrutarvābhyetya saṅgare |

rukmiṇaṁ rathamāropya prayayau svāṁ purīṁ prati ||2-60-30

As soon as the one whose eyes are as beautiful as lotus (kṛṣṇa) left, shrutarva came to the battlefield , took rukmi on a chariot and went towards his city.

anānīya svasāraṁ tu rukmī mānamadānvitaḥ |

hīnapratijṣo naicchatsa praveṣṭuṁ kuṇḍinaṁ puram ||2-60-31

Since he was unable to bring back his sister, rukmi, proud of his honour, with his pledge unfulfilled, did not wish to enter the city of kuṇḍina.

vidarbheṣu nivāsārthaṁ nirmame'nyatpuraṁ mahat |

tadbhojakaṭamityeva babhūva bhuvi vishrutam ||2-60-32

In vidarbha, he made another great city to reside. That city became famous in the world by the name bhojakaṭam.

tatraujasā mahātejā dakṣiṇāṁ diśamanvagāt |

bhīṣmakaḥ kuṇḍine caiva rājovāsa mahābhujaḥ ||2-60-33

Reigning there, rukmi with great splendour protected the southern side. King bhīṣmaka with great arms reigned in kunḍina.

dvārakāṁ cāpi saṁprāpte rāme vṛṣṇibalānvite |

rukmiṇyāḥ keśavaḥ pāṇiṁ jagrāha vidhivatprabhuḥ ||2-60-34

After the arrival of (bala)rāma at dvāraka along with the vṛṣṇī army, lord keshava (kṛṣṇa) took rukmiṇī's hand (married) as per the rules.

tataḥ saha tayā reme priyayā prīyamāṇayā |

sītayeva purā rāmaḥ paulomyeva purandaraḥ ||2-60-35

Then highly pleased, kṛṣṇa enjoyed with his dear lady as rāma with sīta long ago and as purandara (indra) with paulomi (śacī).

sā hi tasyābhavajjyeṣṭhā patnī kṛṣṇasya bhāminī |

pativratā guṇopetā rūpaśīlaguṇānvitā ||2-60-36

She herself is the eldest wife of kṛṣṇa, a beautiful woman, loyal to her husband with all good qualities, beauty and behaviour.

tasyāmutpādayāmāsa putrāndaśa mahārathān |

cārudeṣṇaṁ sudeṣṇaṁ ca pradyumnaṁ ca mahābalam ||2-60-37

kṛṣṇa had ten valiant sons with her, great chariot fighters named cārudeṣṇa, sudeṣṇa, pradyumna with great power,

suṣeṇaṁ cāruguptaṁ ca cārubāhuṁ ca vīryavān |

cāruvindaṁ sucāruṁ ca bhadracāruṁ tathaiva ca ||2-60-38

suṣeṇa, cārugupta, cārubāhu the valiant, cāruvinda, sucāru, bhadracāru,

carūṁ ca balināṁ śreṣṭhaṁ sutāṁ cārumatīṁ tathā |

dharmārthakuśalāste tu kṛtāstrā yuddhadurmadāḥ ||2-60-39

and the best among the powerful, cāru. kṛṣṇa also had a daughter cārumatī (with rukmiṇī). Experts in the principles of morality and wealth and trained in the use of arrows, they were ready for battle.

mahiṣīḥ sapta kalyāṇīstato'nyā madhusūdanaḥ |

upayeme mahābāhurguṇopetāḥ kulodbhavāḥ ||2-60-40

The slayer of madhu then married other seven woman of high rank. The one with great arms married women with good qualities born in good races.

kālindīṁ mitravindāṁ ca satyāṁ nāgnajitīmapi |

sutāṁ jāmbavataścāpi rohiṇīṁ kāmarūpiṇīm ||2-60-41

They are kālindī, mitravinda, satya the daughter of nagnajit, daughter of jāmbavat and rohiṇī of beautiful form,

madrarājasutāṁ cāpi suśīlāṁ śubhalochanām |

sātrājitīṁ satyabhāmāṁ lakśmaṇāṁ cāruhāsinīm ||2-60-42

the daughter of the king of madra with good behaviour and auspicious eyes, daughter of satrājit, satyabhāmā, lakśmaṇa, who smiles beautifully

shaibyasya ca sutāṁ tanvīṁ rūpeṇāpsarasopamām |

strīsahasrāṇi cānyāni ṣoḍaśātulavikramaḥ ||2-60-43

and the daughter of shaibya who is equal in beauty to a divine woman. kṛṣṇa, the one who has no equal in valiancy also married other sixteen thousand women.

Translator's note: According to nīlakaṇṭha commentary, (1) kālindī, (2) mitravindā, (3) satyā, (4) jāmbavatī, (5) rohiṇī (also known as bhadrā), (6) lakṣmanā, (7) satyabhāmā and (8) gāndhārī constitute the eight wives. The chief wife rukmiṇī is not counted here because she is śrī herself.

This counting however apparently causes an inconsistency with the statement "mahiṣīḥ sapta kalyāṇīstato'nyā madhusūdanaḥ" in śloka 2-60-40.

Gita Press edition reads "mahiṣīraṣṭa kalyāṇīstado'nyā madhusūdanaḥ" which is consistent with the counting.

BORI (chapter 88), as citrashala editon, reads "mahiṣīḥ sapta kalyāṇīstato'nyā madhusūdanaḥ" and do not record any variation in the number.

See the detailed note below.

upayeme hṛṣīkeśaḥ sarvā bheje sa tāḥ samam |

parārdhyavastrābharaṇāḥ kāmaiḥ sarvaiḥ sukhochitāḥ |

The lord of sages married all of them, dressed in beautiful clothes and decorated with ornaments, in equal way with all comforts.

jajṣire tāsu putrāścha tasya vīrāḥ sahasraśaḥ ||2-60-44

He had many valiant sons in these wives.

śāstrārthakuśalāḥ sarve balavanto mahārathāḥ the det|

yajvānaḥ puṇyakarmāṇo mahābhāgā mahābalāḥ ||2-60-45

All of them were experts in the meanings of scriptures, powerful and great chariot fighters. All were illustrious and powerful who performed sacrifices and other good deeds.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi rukmiṇīharaṇaṁ nāma ṣaṣṭitamo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the sixtieth chapter of viṣṇuparva, harivaṁśa, khila of śrīmahābhārata, rukmi defeated.

A note on kṛṣṇa's wives - based on harivaṁśa, viṣṇupurāṇa and bhāgavata

A: Shloka 2-60-40, harivaṁśa (Hindi translation by JP Mishra)

Text: mahiṣī saptakalyāṇī ...

Hindi translation:

śloka 40 - madhusūdankī sāt paṭrāni thī unkobhī mahābāhu śrīkṛṣṇane guṇayukta jānkar grahan kiyā thā |

śloka 41 - kālindī, mitravindā, satyā nāgnajitī, jāmbavant kī kanyā kāmarūpadhāriṇī, rohiṇī jisko śrutikīrtibhī kahte hai |

śloka 42 - madrarāj kī kanyā suśīlā sundar netravālī, satrājit ki kanyā satyabhāmā, sundar hāsyavālī lakṣmaṇā

śloka 43 - śaibyakī kanyā sūkṣmaśarīravālī jiske rūpavān koī pṛthvī meṁ nahī thī sākṣāt apsaravoṁ ke samān rūpavālī thī

Thus apart from rukmiṇī, the seven wives are (1) kālindī (2) mitravindā (3) satyā (daughter of nagnajit) (4) daughter of jāmbavant (5) rohiṇī (daughter of śrutakīrti) (6) satyabhāma (satya, daughter of satrājit) and (7) lakṣmaṇā (daughter of king of madra).

madrarāj kī kanyā, suśīlā, sundar netravālī, sundar hāsyavālī appear to be adjectives for lakṣmaṇā

shaibya appears to be not among the eight wives. (?)

B. The commentator of harivaṁśa, gītā press edition gives the following list ( page 556 ) of eight wives apart from rukmiṇī. The text says mahiṣīraṣṭakalyāṇī (2-60-41)

1. (sūryaputrī) kālindī 2. mitravindā (rājādhidevī ki putrī) 3. (ayodhyānareś nagnajit ki putrī) satyā 4. jāmbavatī 5. rohiṇī (bhadrā, kaikeyī, śrutakīrti ki kanyā) 6. madrarāj ki putrī lakṣmaṇa 7. satyabhāmā 8. rājā shaibya ki putrī gāndhāri.

C. ṁalayalam translations of the śloka-s by kuṣṣikuṭṭan tampurān (he refers to other seven wives) (page 541, volume 6, bhāṣābhārataṁ, DC Books (2007) are as follows:

veṛṭṭumezhu mahiṣimāreyā madhusūdanan

guṇameṛuṁ salkkulajamārE veṭṭū mahābhujan 2-60- 40

kāLinditān mitravinda nagnajilputri satyayuṁ

ājjāmbavatiyuṁ pinnekkāmarūpiṇī rohiṇi 2-60-41

madrarājāvinṭe makaL suśīla śubhalocana

sātṛājitī satyabhāma caruhāsini lakṣaṇa 2-60-42

rūpaṁ koṇḍapsarassokkuṁ śaibyanṭe makaLaṅṅine

patināṛāyiraṁ veRe strīkaLebbhūrivikraman 2-60-43

Here shaibya appears to become ninth wife.

There is a footnote given on page 541 by the editor:

The seven wives are (1) kālindī (daughter of sun god) (2) mitravindā (daughter of king of avantī) (3) satyā ( daughter of nagnajit, king of kosala) (4) jāmbavatī (daughter of jāmbavān) (5) rohiṇī (also known as bhadrā, kaikeyī, daughter of śrutakīrti (sister of vasudeva) (6) lakṣmaṇā (daughter of king of madra) and (7) satyabhāmā (daughter of satrājit).

D. viṣṇupurāṇa paṣcaṁ aṁśa, 28th chapter (page 383, gitā press, 2006) mentions seven wives other than rukmiṇī:

anyāścha bhāryāḥ kṛṣṇasya babhūvuḥ sapta śobhanāḥ |

kālindī mitravindā ca satyā nāgnajitī tathā || 5-28-3

devī jāmbavatī cāpi rohiṇī kāmarūpiṇī

madrarājasutā cānyā suśīlā śīlamaṇḍanā || 5-28-4

sātrājitī satyabhāmā lakṣmaṇā cāruhāsinī |

ṣoḍaśāsan sahasrāṇi strīṇāmanyāni cakriṇaḥ || 5-28-5

viṣṇupurāṇa do not mention shaibya in this context. Shaibya is mentioned in chapter 32 which indicates the names of kṛṣṇa's sons.

Wilson's translation of these śloka-s (page 456) mentions virtuous nāgnajiti (the name satya is not mentioned). The daughter of king of madra is mentioned as mādrī (the Sanskrit śloka does not have this). Lakṣmaṇā is mentioned separately.

The footnote on page 457 identifies mitravindā (daughter of kṛṣṇa's maternal aunt rājādhidevi) as shaibya as well. bhadrā, princess of kekaya, is also kṛṣṇa-s cousin, daughter of śrutakīrti.

In the foot note, Wilson says "Harivamsa does not name rohiṇī". This statement is not clear considering that the words rohiṇī kāmarūpiṇī mentioned in viṣṇupurāṇa are almost identical with the words rohiṇīṁ kāmarūpiṇīm found in harivaṁśa.

The ślokas of viṣṇupurāṇa are almost same as the corresponding ślokas of harivaṁśa:

kālindīṁ mitravindāṁ ca satyāṁ nāgnajitāmapi |

sutāṁ jāmbavataścāpi rohiṇīṁ kāmarūpiṇīm || 2-60-41

madrarājasutāṁ cāpi suśīlāṁ śubhalocahanām |

satrājitīṁ satyabhāmaṁ lakṣamanāṁ cāruhāsinīm || 2-60-42

E. kṛṣṇa's wives according to bhāgavata

1. rukmiṇī (three chapters in bhāgavata, 10-52, 10-53 and 10-54)

2. jāmbavatī (ityuktaḥ svāṁ duhitaraṁ kanyāṁ jāmbavatīṁ mudā, bhāgavata 10-56 -32)

3. satyabhāmā (tāṁ satyabhāmāṁ bhagavānupayeme yathāvidhi, bhāgavata 10-56 - 44)

4. kālindī (bhāgavata 10-58) (Note 1)

5. mitravindā (bhāgavata 10-58-31) (Note 2)

6. satyā (bhāgavata 10-58-32) (Note 3)

7. bhadrā (śrutakīrtisutāṁ, bhāgavata 10-58-56) (Note 4)

8. lakṣmaṇā (bhāgavata 10-58-57) (Note 5)

(Note 1): In bhāgavata, canto 10, chapter 58 is named aṣṭamahiṣyudvāha . In this chapter, kṛṣṇa goes to indraprastha to see pāṇḍavas. kṛṣṇa stays there during the rainy season as requested by king (yudhiṣṭhira) ( iti vai vārṣikān māsān rājṣā so'bhyarthitaḥ sukham, bhāgavata 10-58-12). kṛṣṇa and arjuna goes for hunting where they see kālindī. Prompted by his friend (kṛṣṇa), arjunaā asks the best among ladies about her details (papraccha preṣitaḥ sakhyā phālgunaḥ pramadottamām, bhāgavata 10-58-18) and arjunā informs kṛṣṇa (tathāvadad guḍākeśo vāsudevāya so'pt tām, bhāgavata 10-58-23-1), who takes the maiden in the chariot to yudhiṣṭhira (rathamāropya tadvidvān dharmarājamupāgamat bhāgavata 10- 58-23-2).

Incidentally, ślokas 24, 25, 26 and 27 of chapter 58 mentions the burning of khāṇḍava forest, construction of indraprastha and the jalasthaladṛśibhramaḥ of duryodhana in the assembly made by maya .

(Note 2): rājādhidevastanayām mitravindāṁ pitṛṣvasuḥ |

prasahya hṛtavān kṛṣṇo rājan rājṣāṁ nyaṣedhatām || (10-58-31)

(Note 3): nagnajinnāma kausalya āsīd rājātidhārmikaḥ |

tasya satyābhavat kanyā devī nāgnajitī nṛpa || (10-58-32)

(Note 4): śrutakīrtiḥ sutāṁ bhadrāmupayeme pitṛṣvasuḥ |

kaikeyīṁ bhrātṛbhirdattāṁ kṛṣṇa santardanādibhiḥ (10-58-56)

(Note 5) sutāṁ ca madrādhipater lakṣṁaṇāṁ lakṣaṇairyutām |

svayaṁvarae jahāraikaḥ sa suparṇaḥ sudhāmiva || (10-58-57)

Further in bhāgavata, canto 10, chapter 83, draupadī asks kṛṣṇa's wives to describe how kṛṣṇa married them:

he vaidarbhyachyto bhadre he jāmbavati kausale |

he satyabhāme kālindi shaibye rohiṇi lakṣmaṇe || ( bhāgavata 10-83-6)

draupadī mentions nine names in this śloka:

1. vaidarbhī (rukmiṇī)

2. bhadrā (daughter of śrutakīrti, kaikeyī)

3. jāmbavatī

4. kausalā (satyā)

5. satyabhāmā

6. kālindī

7. śaibyā

8. rohiṇī

9. lakṣṁaṇā

Responding to draupadī's question, answers are given by only eight wives, namely rukmiṇī, satyabhāmā, jāmbavatī, kālindī, mitravindā, satyā, bhadrā and lakṣṁaṇa.

If rohiṇī and bhadrā are considered the same and mitravindā is śaibyā, then there are eight wives including rukmiṇī

Thus kṛṣṇa's eight wives may be identified as

(1) rukmiṇī

(2) jāmbavatī (daughter of jāmbavān)

(3) satyabhāmā (daughter of satrājit)

(4) kālindī (daughter of sun god)

(5) mitravindā (daughter of rājādhidevi (vasudeva's sister) and king of avantī, also known as śaibyā)

(6) satyā (daughter of nagnajit, king of kosala, kausalā)

(7) bhadrā (also known as rohiṇī, kaikeyī, daughter of śrutakīrti, sister of vasudeva)

(8) lakṣmaṇā (daughter of king of madra)

April 18, 2010

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

atha ṣaṣṭitame'dhyāye rukmiṇe śrīhariḥ svayam |

jitvā muktvā'tha vaidarbhīmupayema itīryate || 1 ||

· 2-60-1 kṛṣṇeneti ||

· 2-60-10 taṁ rukmiṇam | janārdanaṁ jighāsantaḥ ||

· 2-60-41 kālindīṁ sūryasya putrīṁ yamunāṁ prathamāṁ, mitravindāṁ rājādhidevyāṁ pitṛṣvāsari avantyājjātāṁ dvitīyāṁ, satyāṁ ayodhyāpaternagnajiteḥ putrīṁ nagnajitīṁ tṛ+tīyāṁ, jāmbavataḥ sutāṁ jāmbavatīṁ caturthīṁ, rohiṇīṁ śrutakīrtau pitṛṣvasariṁ kaikayājjātāṁ bhadrāparanāmnīṁ paṣchamīṁ |

·

· 2-60-42 madrarājasutāṁ lakṣmaṇāmiti vyavahitenānvayastāṁ ṣaṣṭhīṁ, sātrājitāṁ satyabhāmāṁ saptamīṁ |

· 2-60-43 shaibhyasa sutāṁ tanvīṁ nāmataḥ gāndhāryābhidhānamaṣṭamām, etāḥ paṭṭanāyikā rukmiṇī tu sākṣāt śrīrevyetyāsu na gaṇitā | samaṁ eksamayāvacchedena na tu paryāyeṇa bheje upayeme ca mūrtibhedena yogeśvaratvāt ||

iti śrīharivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi tīkāyāṁ ṣaṣṭitamo'dhyāyaḥ

Note: sloka 18, line 1: Only rukmī, not rukmīḥ