Gopala-campu
Gopal Champu
Chapter Eighteen - Killing of Naraka, Stealing the Pārijāta tree
And marrying Sixteen-thousand Maidens
[1] At Nanda’s assembly filled with joy from seeing the beauty of Kṛṣṇa’s face, Snigdhakaṇṭha began speaking.
One time when two messengers came as previously, Nanda said, “Please tell me what Kṛṣṇa is doing now.”
[2] The two messengers said:
His fame is now beyond human estimation. This is revealed through questions and answers between Nārada and Indra.
O Nārada! Who killed Naraka? O Indra, he who cuts down hell killed him. O Nārada, who rid Svarga of all enemies? O leader of Svarga, he who took the pārijāta from Svarga did this. ||1-2||
[3] Nanda said, “If there are details remaining, please tell us about this.”
[4] The messengers said:
One day in Dvārakā in the Sudharmā hall, filled with the best dharma at all times, Kṛṣṇa, protector of the three worlds, was making everyone happy with his jokes. While he was doing this, suddenly what resembled a white cloud with a black cloud appeared. Not only did it shine brilliantly but also appeared like a rain cloud. Rumbling of thunder even spread everywhere.
[5] Seeing this, everyone began describing it. “It is not a cloud because clouds come from above, not from the side.” When the people in the crowd were speculating in this way, from that form, sound appeared taking the form of syllables.
“Indra who accepted birth on our planet to protect us, destroying the demons completely and playing while performing his pastimes at will, making his appearance in a mystical manner, enters the Yadu assembly with the devatās with great devotion. May he see your lotus feet!” ||3||
[6] Hearing this everyone said, “This is Airāvata, not a white cloud. These are tears of joy, not a shower of rain. These are words of praise, not thunder. Indra has come to see Kṛṣṇa.” ||4||
[7] Nanda said, “Then what happened?”
[8] The messengers said:
On the order of Kṛṣṇa, the members of the assembly attentively called Indra. Indra, along with many reverent devatās came into the Sudharmā hall and offered respects. After respecting Indra, and asking why he had come, they took him to the hall. The devatās seated themselves, and with bowed heads and great devotion, remained silent for a few moments. At this time the sages began to think:
“As a huge sapphire shines in a pearl necklace, replacing a piece of glass, now Kṛṣṇa shines in the Sudharmā hall, though Indra was its master previously.” ||5||
[9] Kṛṣṇa spoke with modesty, “O Indra! We humans think that you, the protector of the three worlds have come here to protect the earth.” ||6||
[10] Hearing this, Indra spoke with a pale face, “The creator of all beings is Paramātmā alone. No one else is able to do what you do with your limbs.” ||7||
[11] Kṛṣṇa said, “Please tell us what we should do.”
[12] Indra said, “If there is cause for shame in a person it should quickly be alleviated. If there is no cause for shame, that shame (humility) becomes glorious in him. ||8||
[13] “Therefore I make a request. He who took birth in a contaminated place is living in Prāgjyotiṣa. He is named Naraka. All bad qualities are manifested in him. He has stolen Varuṇa’s umbrella and mountains of our jewels. O holder of the cakra and club! What should I say? He also stole Aditi’s earrings. Therefore we are ashamed.” ||9||
[14] Kṛṣṇa said, “His terrible acts are spread all over the world. It will be shameful if he cannot be stopped. If you permit, I can make ether into earth and earth into nothing. Therefore I can make your mother’s earrings exuding immortality into the cause of his death.”
[15] Indra said, “When Naraka stole my mother’s earrings, he also stole my ears. On hearing the news I became deaf.” ||10||
[16] Kṛṣṇa said, “He stole not only the earrings but your life airs. I have concluded that all the unrestrained enemies must be defeated. Please return to Svarga.”
[17] Touching Kṛṣṇa’s foot dust and putting it on their heads, joyful on seeing his merciful glance, they then said, “Our brother Garuḍa, deliverer of those in trouble, the snake eater, should be your sitting place when you go to defeat him.”
[18] Kṛṣṇa said, “How can humans like us use Nārāyaṇa’s seat?”
[19] They said while smiling, “By our desire, the mood of Nārāyaṇa will be very visible in you now.”
[20] Kṛṣṇa said, “This should not be displayed in humans.”
[21] They said again, “What you do not want will be possible.”
[22] Kṛṣṇa said, “I take the order of the masters of sacrifice.”
[23] In jubilation they offered respects, and, remembering the Lord’s pleasure, departed on the path by which they came.
[24] Nanda said, “Then what?”
[25] The messengers said, “This was the opportunity for fulfilling the promise Kṛṣṇa made to Satyabhāmā to get her a pārijāta tree. Among all of his beloved queens, he proposed to give the tree to her. Mounting Garuḍa with Satyabhāmā, Kṛṣṇa, who can refute all scriptures, carrying Nandaka, the best of swords, went to Prāgjyotiṣa. He went with her in order to show the enemy that he could perform pastimes at will. There was also another astonishing event in this connection.”
[26] Nanda said, “Please tell us.”
[27] The messengers said, “When he mounted Garuḍa with his four weapons and departed, two more arms appeared on his body like reflections.”
[28] Nanda said, “We have understood that previously (at Garga’s name giving ceremony). By the mercy of Nārāyaṇa, he shows similarity. Garga said, ‘Your child will have qualities like Nārāyaṇa.’” (SB 10.8.19)
[29] The messengers said, “True, true. Satyabhāmā, seeing those extra arms, touched them and, covering her mouth with her cloth, began to laugh privately.”
[30] Nanda said, “Let that be. You should satisfy us with other topics.”
[31] The messengers said, “Seeing your son and his wife, personifications of emerald and gold, on golden Garuḍa, the devatās said, ‘A bird-like golden mountain is flying in the sky. Look at the couple. The couple is like a cloud embellished with lightning.’” ||11||
[32] Everyone said, “Oh! We have heard that her complexion was like Kṛṣṇa’s. Why have you described her differently?”
[33] The messengers said, “You have understood correctly. But it cannot be understood so clearly. That is the skill of Kṛṣṇa.”
[34] Nanda said, “Then what happened?”
[35] The messengers said:
He then came to the fortress city which the devatās could not enter. The fortress was surrounded by mountains, weapons, lakes, natural fire, insurmountable wind, and nooses made by Muras, who could change their form at will. Seeing that fort while on Garuḍa, Kṛṣṇa was amazed and he made Satyabhāmā’s hairs stand on end for fun. ||12||
[36-37] Kṛṣṇa considered, “I will enter this fort which the devatās could not pass by riding on Garuḍa.” By this trick he entered the fort, not by strength. “Show of strength is for warriors. I should also show that.”
[38] Nanda said, “Then what happened?”
[39] The messengers said, “When he curiously entered the city from above, while traversing the whole city, he thought of smashing the fort completely.” ||13||
[40] Nanda said, “Oh! How did he do that?”
[41] The messengers said, “First he began destroying the five elements. With his club he smashed the mountains and with his arrows he pulverized the weapons. He submerged the earthly portions in the water tanks. Then with his cakra he merged the water into fire, the fire into air and the air into ether.”
[42] The people of Vraja said in amazement, “Then what happened?”
[43] The messengers said:
He then took the portions of earth which were separated as six thousand terrible nooses with sharp points, and shredded them with his sword, like cotton. After this, events occurred without a break.
Not only did the sound of his conch make all weapons useless, it made the hearts of all the best men useless, since it was the cause of fear. ||14||
He destroyed the walls with his club Kaumodakī. The stones from the walls fell on the backs and limbs of the enemy and killed them. ||15||
[44] A battle arose to cross the moats. The terrifying demon named Mura, who despised death itself, was sleeping in the oceanic moat. When Kṛṣṇa blew his conch while roving about, the demon woke up.
Two things bewilder me in this event: the bellowing of the conch and the sleeping of Mura.
The sound of the conch was equal to the thunder at the time of final devastation. Mura’s sleep was also the shelter of complete destruction. ||16||
[45] When he rose from the water and stood with his trident, it appeared that five-headed Śiva was about to destroy the universe. When he blocked the path with the fire arising from his anger, it appeared that fire and the sun were colliding at the time of annihilation. When he displayed his five heads, it appeared that Kālāgni Rudra, extending his tongues to swallow everything, had appeared for causing catastrophe. When he ran forward as if to burn up Garuḍa, it seemed that snakes had burst out of Rudra’s chest. When he moved about and threw his trident at Garuḍa, bellowing loudly with his five mouths, you also could experience it. It spread throughout all the places in the universe including Vraja.
[46] All the people of the assembly in Vraja, remembering previous incidents said, “What happened after that?”
[47] The messengers said, “Kṛṣṇa, who acts for the welfare of the devatās, simultaneously quelled all the disturbances and remained jovial. He cut Mura’s trident in three pieces with two sharp arrows and stuffed the demon’s mouths with five arrows of various shapes as if its mouths were quivers.”
[48] Everyone said in astonishment, “Then what happened?”
[49] The messengers said, “The demon, desiring to show his skills, but actually desiring to die, threw his club at Kṛṣṇa, but the club, though strong, was smashed in thousand pieces by Kṛṣṇa’s club. Then Kṛṣṇa scattered his limbs by the power of his cakra, giving astonishment to all.”
[50] Nanda said, “Then what happened?”
[51] The messengers said:
Kṛṣṇa then confronted Mura’s seven sons, like elephants of the directions, exemplifying the elephants by showing pride. Their pride became more uncontrollable with the assistance of eight commanders-in-chief. He killed them also. Then Naraka, his pride deflated on seeing remarkable actions beyond human skill, felt hopeless. Seeing no alternative, he came in front with quickly moving troops and began fighting fiercely and fearlessly with all his hands. In that battle Kṛṣṇa shot all the enemies with his arrows.
Naraka had emerged from his fortress equipped with ten thousand hands like the ocean. Accompanied by unlimited troops, he hurled fiery arrows equipped with the śataghni. Firing three arrows at each weapon simultaneously in all directions Kṛṣṇa destroyed those weapons. Just by his glance he destroyed the foreheads and other limbs of the warriors. ||17||
When the enemy troops moved crookedly like snakes, calculating that they were not violent, Kṛṣṇa used Garuḍa and moved close. ||18||
By flapping his wings, Garuḍa dissipated Naraka’s powers. The two powers merged so that Naraka could do nothing. ||19||
When Naraka was about to hurl Śiva’s invincible weapon, from a distance Kṛṣṇa destroyed it and destroyed Naraka’s attractive forehead. Naraka could not understand where, how, when, why, what or who did it? ||20||
When Naraka died, the demons lamented and the devatās rejoiced. ||21||
[52] Keeping Satyabhāmā on the back of Garuḍa, Kṛṣṇa landed on earth. Engaging men to gather the strong victory elephants, Kṛṣṇa experienced curiosity for a moment.
[53] Free of the burden created by Naraka, the earth became satisfied but lamented for her son. She brought all the articles stolen by her son including Aditi’s earrings and placed them in front of Kṛṣṇa, offering beautiful garlands of various colors while the devatās praised him.
Approaching him and praising him, she made a request. “Being merciful you have liberated my son Naraka, unfit to receive a name, from bodily bondage. This is his son, living in fear from childhood. I bring this son to your lotus feet which are beneficial for all people. If you, riding on Garuḍa, touch his head with your lotus hand, not only his past sins will be destroyed, but future sins as well.”
[54] Wanting to relieve the earth of fear, Kṛṣṇa just by his words spread fearlessness. As attractive flowers from Svarga fell on his body, Kṛṣṇa, of soft nature, entered Naraka’s house. Entering, he saw heavenly wealth that surpassed the treasures of Indra, and saw what looked like moons (faces) with desire creepers (bodies). But when he saw those creepers were withered as if by the hot summer winds laden with dust, he lost his joy. But when Kṛṣṇa came in front of the creepers, they took on extraordinary qualities, as the streams of flowing nectar from his beauty washed away the contaminating clouds of dust.
[55] When this happened, after a moment, they recognized each other. They were his eternal consorts. He was their eternal husband.
At a distance, Kṛṣṇa shed tears. They began to tremble. Those women had suffered the heat of separation. “Look now at Kṛṣṇa’s cooling form.” ||22||
[56] Everyone said, “Who were they?”
[57] The messengers said, “Oh! From childhood they understood that Kṛṣṇa was their eternal husband. When they were taken unlawfully by Naraka one day, they thought they were in hell. These girls, daughters of upadevatās, devatās and kings, were fortunate to maintain their vows.
nirviśantyo yathā devyaḥ sukhinyaḥ kāma-varjitāḥ |
parivavrur mahābāhum eka-veṇī-dharāḥ striyaḥ ||
sarvāḥ kāṣāya-vāsinyaḥ sarvāś ca niyatendriyāḥ |
vratopavāsa-tattva-jṣāḥ kāṅkṣantyaḥ kṛṣṇa-darśanam ||
These joyful girls, daughters of devatās, devoid of material desires, wearing one braid, sitting there, surrounded Kṛṣṇa. They were wearing reddish cloth, and were controlling their senses. Knowing the truth, performing austerities, they desired to see Kṛṣṇa.” Hari-vaṁśa 2.64.26-27
[58] Everyone said, “How did they maintain vows while excessively cruel Naraka was lurking around?”
[59] The messengers said, “Those who have studied the Kālikā Purāṇa tell us the following:
Nārada, knowing that they had great attraction for Kṛṣṇa, came to them and instructed them. Thus Naraka’s future death was known to them and Brahmā. With that understanding, their time of marriage was established. When it was time for him to die, Nārada came there and spoke to Naraka. When Naraka revealed his attraction for the girls, Nārada said, ‘Today is the fifth lunar day. If you come on the ninth day, then you can marry them on the thirteenth day.’”
[60] They all laughed a little and said, “After they saw Kṛṣṇa, what happened?”
[61] The messengers said, “Kṛṣṇa accepted them in his mind.”
[62] Everyone said, “Mental acceptance does not complete the marriage. It seems Kṛṣṇa was not so eager.”
[63] The messengers said, “Being most compassionate, he was eager to accept them. That is why he did not have Satyabhāmā descend from Garuḍa. Seeing their actions and understanding their love, he had them bathe and ornamented like devatās, put them on new vehicles, and sent them to Dvārakā with attractive chariots, elephants which defeated the elephants of the directions, horses faster than arrows, and caskets of treasure—all of which were like dowry gifts. After that he got on Garuḍa with his wife Satyabhāmā and through her hands delivered to Aditi the two earrings, had her wear them, and received her blessings. Accepting the worship of Indra and his wife, he left. On going, he took the pārijāta tree from Nandana forest.”
[64] Everyone said, “Oh! How did he do that?”
[65] The messengers said:
First Kṛṣṇa asked Nārada for the pārijāta, but did not get it. He asked permission from Indra, and Indra asked him to destroy his enemies. On doing so, he came to Indra’s house with his wife Satyabhāmā to take the tree. Indra did not give the tree. When leaving, Kṛṣṇa took the tree. ||23||
Kṛṣṇa, who appeared to protect the wealth of Indra and destroy his enemies, was sitting there. He asked for the tree as a reward, but Indra refused. Kṛṣṇa then displayed his warrior spirit, and fought with the devatās and Indra. He defeated them all and took the tree himself. See who has what kind of dharma! ||24||
[66] We two messengers have thought about this and come to this conclusion. Your maternal grandfather was of vaiśya ābhīra lineage. Your paternal grandfather (Devamiḍha), Vasudeva’s grandfather also, was very famous in the assembly of the great.[1] Kṛṣṇa’s identity as a Yadu is shown in verses like, “I lifted Govardhana for the benefit of the Yadus.” (Skanda Purāṇa) The knowers of Purāṇas also emphasize the connection of the two brothers (Śura and Parjanya) like, “Nanda, the brother of Vasudeva, came and listened.” (SB 10.5.20) In the scriptures dealing with real identity, by predominance of the father’s side, the child becomes a kṣatriya, exhibiting courage. But according to the opinion of dharma-śāstra, the son becomes mixed caste, following after the mother, where the caste of mother and father are different. Thus the authorities have established that you have the nature of the vaiśya ābhīras. Anyway, now your son gives bliss to the Yadus and is worshiped by the world, because of his extraordinary powers. His present identity as a kṣatriya is approved by the wise, but this is not actually connected to his being of kṣatriya birth.
[67] Hearing this with pleasure, everyone in joy said, “Return to the subject.”
[68] The messengers said:
Some describe Indra’s cheating propensity. When Satyabhāmā desired the pārijāta tree and went to the house of Indra’s wife, she saw a desirable, beautiful pārijāta brought by a forest goddess. Śacī put the flower on her head and said, “You are not qualified for this because you are human. But riding on Garuḍa, who makes the sound of the Vedas by flapping his wings, bewilders everyone (including you).”
[69] Seeing their ingratitude, and having done as Indra had requested, Kṛṣṇa took the jewel mountain along with the pārijāta to his house. ||25||
[70] Everyone said, “Indra acts like someone who has fallen in the mud. How many times must Kṛṣṇa wash him up? Please continue your discussion.”
[71] The messengers said, “The marriages were conducted. Nārada describes this:
citraṁ bataitad ekena vapuṣā yugapat pṛthak |
gṛheṣu dvy-aṣṭa-sāhasraṁ striya eka udāvahat ||
It is quite amazing that in a single body Lord Kṛṣṇa simultaneously married sixteen thousand women, each in a separate palace.” SB 10.69.2
[72] Nanda said, “All has happened according to what Garga said. Now tell the rest of the story.”
[73] The messengers said, “Giving a message, Kṛṣṇa then sent us here.”
[74] Everyone said, “What is the message?”
[75] The messengers said, “Understand that all these forms I take here are to satisfy Vasudeva. After giving him my attractive expansions and taking his auspicious permission, I will come back to Vraja. The pain produced by fire is reduced by fire. I thus lament in order to get relief from the pains of separation.” ||26-27||
[76] Snigdhakaṇṭha concluded, “O Nanda! Do not listen to all the description of your son’s previous lamentations. Let your bee-like eyes see the sweetness of your son’s lotus face.” ||28 ||
[77] Hearing this, Nanda placed Kṛṣṇa’s head in his lap and soaked it with tears. He remained stunned for some time.
[78] The bards of Vraja began to sing.
Indra told you about Naraka’s misdeeds. You are always engaged in defeating the crooked kings. You rode on Garuḍa with Satyabhāmā. All sin is destroyed by accidental chanting of your name.
Out of curiosity you looked at Naraka’s fortress. You were waiting to give joy to the captive young women. You destroyed the fortress which gave fear to the brave. You were astonished on seeing the castle.
You create and then destroy all the elements of the earth. Seeing the son of the earth, Naraka, you destroyed him completely. Defeating him, you have unconquerable power. Quickly killing him, you showed no fatigue.
You gave his son the kingdom and city. Everywhere you satisfy the devotees. You completed the vow of the young women and sent the fortunate women to Dvārakā.
Indra worshiped you with duplicity. You desired to steal his pārijāta tree. Taking the tree, you were su rrounded by Indra’s troops. While fighting intensely, Satyabhāmā was in your lap.
You showed your prowess in taking the tree. Leaving Indra, you roamed about. You sent back Varuṇa’s umbrella and showed the special pastime of stealing the jewel mountain.
You show affection for your devotees and conquer the demons. Then you came back to your eternal home, Vraja. O hero! Victory to you! ||29||
[79] As previously Snigdhakaṇṭha spoke in the assembly of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa:
After killing Naraka in the company of Satyabhāmā who was compliant and happy with various conversations and strongly desired to see the fighting, after taking the jewel mountain and the pārijāta tree, Kṛṣṇa, the abode of all joy, the king of the merciful, went to Dvārakā. At that time, he carefully sent heavenly ornaments and jewels to Rādhā and other gopīs through assistant women of Vraja. Among the jewels and ornaments piled together, displaying two or three colors, an amazing letter was seen.
“To pass time I have accepted many types of women as representatives of you. But at every moment I feel lamentation and indifference. Whatever attractive bonds I have made I will cut with force and come to Vraja. O beloveds! Stay alive until I come.” ||30||
[80] This was written from an external perspective. Actually however he meant, “O Rādhā! Whatever acts I perform away from Vraja, consider them to be external. Internally I am engaging in pastimes with you.” ||31||
[81] Snigdhakaṇṭha concluded with enthusiasm:
“O Rādhā! Consider the mental anguish from separation to be illusory. See! Kṛṣṇa with eager heart is here looking at your face with joy.” ||32||
[82] The two reciters, dispelling all sorrow, returned to their residences with the others. Rādhā and Mādhava ornamented the Mādhavī bower with their wealth of pastimes.
[1] Devamiḍha had a kṣatriya wife and a vaiśya wife. Śura was the son of the kṣatriya wife. Śura’s son was Vasudeva. Parjanya was the son of the vaiśya wife. Parjanya’s son was Nanda.