{"collection":"myth-cosmogony","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_61937/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_61937","id":"gutenberg_61937","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/61937","summary":null,"tags":["Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore","Category: Religion/Spirituality","Mahabharata. Harivamsa -- Adaptations"],"text":"Produced by James Simmons.\n\nThis file was produced from page images at the Internet Archive.\n\n\n\n\nTranscriber\u2019s Note\n\n\nThis book was transcribed from a scan of the original found at Google\nBooks. Words in italics in this etext were italicized in the original\nbook. I have corrected obvious misspellings but I\u2019ve left variant\nspellings alone.\n\n\n\n\n                                   A\n\n                       PROSE ENGLISH TRANSLATION\n\n                                   OF\n\n                              HARIVAMSHA.\n\n\n               (TRANSLATED LITERALLY INTO ENGLISH PROSE.)\n\n\n                        EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY\n\n                  MANMATHA NATH DUTT, M.A., M.R.A.S.,\n\n                        RECTOR, KESHUB ACADEMY;\n\n     _Author of the English Translations of Ramayana, Mahabharata,_\n\n           _Srimadbhagavatam, Vishnupuran, Markandeyapuran,_\n\n                 _Bhagavat-Gita and many other works._\n\n\n\n\n                                CALCUTTA\n\n                         PRINTED BY H. C. DASS,\n\n                  Elysium Press, 6.5/2 Beadon Street.\n\n                                  1897\n\n\n\n\n    A PROSE ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF HARIVAMSHA .........................\n    HARIVAMSHA ........................................................\n      THE PRELUDE. ....................................................\n      CHAPTER I. AN ACCOUNT OF THE PRIMEVAL CREATION ..................\n      CHAPTER II. THE ORIGIN OF MEN: THE BIRTH OF DAKSHA. .............\n      CHAPTER III. AN ACCOUNT OF VARIOUS FAMILIES; DAKSHA\u2019S OFFSPRING. .\n      CHAPTER IV. A QUERY REGARDING THE ORIGIN OF THE ARTICLES OF FOOD.\n      CHAPTER V. AN ACCOUNT OF VENA AND PRITHU. .......................\n      CHAPTER VI. THE ORIGIN OF THE EARTH. ............................\n      CHAPTER VII. AN ACCOUNT OF MANWANTARAS. .........................\n      CHAPTER VIII. DIVISION OF TIME. .................................\n      CHAPTER IX. ACCOUNT OF THE SUN\u2019S OFFSPRING. .....................\n      CHAPTER X. VAIVASWATA MANU\u2019S OFFSPRING. .........................\n      CHAPTER XI. ACCOUNT OF RAIVATA AND HIS SONS. ....................\n      CHAPTER. XII. THE STORY OF SATYAVRATA. ..........................\n      CHAPTER XIII. THE SAME STORY CONTINUED. .........................\n      CHAPTER XIV. AN ACCOUNT OF SAGARA. ..............................\n      CHAPTER XV. THE SAME STORY CONTINUED. ...........................\n      CHAPTER XVI. THE ORIGIN OF PITRIS AND FRUITS OF SRADDHAS. .......\n      CHAPTER XVII. THE SAME STORY CONTINUED. .........................\n      CHAPTER XVIII. AN ACCOUNT OF PITRIS. ............................\n      CHAPTER XIX. BHARADWAJA\u2019s FAMILY. ...............................\n      CHAPTER XX. ACCOUNT OF BRAHMADATTA AND THE STRANGE BIRD. ........\n      CHAPTER XXI. AN ACCOUNT OF THE SEVEN BRAHMANAS. .................\n      CHAPTER XXII. THE CURSE OF THE BIRDS. ...........................\n      CHAPTER XXIII. THE STORY OF THE BIRDS\u2014CONTINUED. ................\n      CHAPTER XXIV. BRAHMADATTA RETIRES FROM THE WORLD. ...............\n      CHAPTER XXV. AN ACCOUNT OF THE BIRTH OF THE MOON. ...............\n      CHAPTER XXVI. AN ACCOUNT OF PURURAVA. ...........................\n      CHAPTER XXVII. AN ACCOUNT OF ILA\u2019S FAMILY. ......................\n      CHAPTER XXVIII. AN ACCOUNT OF RAJI AND HIS SONS. ................\n      CHAPTER XXIX. AN ACCOUNT OF KASHI KINGS. ........................\n      CHAPTER XXX. ACCOUNT OF THE KING YAYATI. ........................\n      CHAPTER XXXI. AN ACCOUNT OF PURU\u2019S FAMILY. ......................\n      CHAPTER XXXII. AN ACCOUNT OF RICHEYU\u2019S FAMILY. ..................\n      CHAPTER XXXIII. AN ACCOUNT OF HAIHAYAS AND KARTAVIRYA. ..........\n      CHAPTER XXXIV. KROUSTHU\u2019S FAMILY. ...............................\n      CHAPTER XXXV. VASUDEVA\u2019S FAMILY. ................................\n      CHAPTER XXXVI. KROUSHTHU\u2019S FAMILY. ..............................\n      CHAPTER XXXVII. AN ACCOUNT OF VABHRU\u2019S FAMILY. ..................\n      CHAPTER XXXVIII. AN ACCOUNT OF SWYAMANTAKA JEWEL. ...............\n      CHAPTER XXXIX. AN ACCOUNT OF AKRURA. ............................\n      CHAPTER XL. A DESCRIPTION OF VISHNU. ............................\n      CHAPTER XLI. THE INCARNATIONS OF VISHNU. ........................\n      CHAPTER XLII. VISHNU\u2019S APPEARANCE. ..............................\n      CHAPTER XLIII. THE PREPARATION OF THE DANAVAS FOR THE BATTLE. ...\n      CHAPTER XLIV. ARRANGEMENT OF THE CELESTIAL ARMY. ................\n      CHAPTER XLV. THE FIGHT BETWEEN THE GODS AND DEMONS. .............\n      CHAPTER XLVI. THE BATTLE OF THE GODS. ...........................\n      CHAPTER XLVII. THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF DANAVAS. ....................\n      CHAPTER XLVIII. KALANEMI GOES TO VISHNU. ........................\n      CHAPTER XLIX. ATTRIBUTES OF NARAYANA ............................\n      CHAPTER L. AN ACCOUNT OF NARAYANASHRAMA. ........................\n      CHAPTER LI. THE PROPOSAL OF RELIEVING THE EARTH OF HER BURDEN. ..\n      CHAPTER LII. THE ASSEMBLY OF THE GODS. ..........................\n      CHAPTER LIII. AN ACCOUNT OF SANTANU\u2019S FAMILY. ...................\n      CHAPTER LIV. THE BIRTH OF THE DAITYAS. ..........................\n      CHAPTER L.V. VISHNU\u2019S REPLY. ....................................\n      CHAPTER LVI. KANSA IS INFORMED OF HIS DEATH BY NARADA. ..........\n      CHAPTER LVII. AN ACCOUNT OF THE BIRTH OF DEMONS .................\n      CHAPTER LVIII. ATTRIBUTES OF THE GODDESS. .......................\n      CHAPTER LIX. BIRTH OF KRISHNA AND BALADEVA. .....................\n      CHAPTER LX. A DESCRIPTION OF VILLAGE VRAJA ......................\n      CHAPTER LXI. SUPERHUMAN DEEDS OF KRISHNA. HE UPSETS A CARRIAGE AND\n      KILLS PUTANA. ...................................................\n      CHAPTER LXII. THE CHILDISH FREAKS OF KRISHNA. ...................\n      CHAPTER LVIII. KRISHNA WISHES TO GO TO VRINDAVANA AND PRODUCES\n      WOLVES. .........................................................\n      CHAPTER LXIV. THEIR DEPARTURE FOR VRINDAVANA. ...................\n      CHAPTER LXV. AN ACCOUNT OF THE RAINY SEASON. ....................\n      CHAPTER LXVI. AN ACCOUNT OF KALYA. ..............................\n      CHAPTER LXVII. KRISHNA SUBDUES KALYA. ...........................\n      CHAPTER LXIII. THE DESTRUCTION OF KHARA AND DHENUKA. ............\n      CHAPTER LXIV. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE DEMON PRALAMVA .............\n      CHAPTER LXX. AN ACCOUNT OF INDRA-YAJNA. .........................\n      CHAPTER LXXI. KRISHNA PROTESTS AGAINST INDRA-YAJNA: AN ACCOUNT OF\n      AUTUMN. .........................................................\n      CHAPTER LXXII. THE REPLY OF THE GOPAS. ..........................\n      CHAPTER LXXIII. INDRA SENDS DOWN PUNISHMENT. ....................\n      CHAPTER LXXIV. INDRA COMES AND EULOGISES KRISHNA. ...............\n      CHAPTER LXXV. RASA DANCE. .......................................\n      CHAPTER LXXVI. DEATH OF ARISTHA. ................................\n      CHAPTER LXXVII. KANSA INVITES KRISHNA AND SENDS AKRURA TO BRING\n      HIM. ............................................................\n      CHAPTER LXXVIII. ANDHAKA\u2019S ADVICE TO KANSA. .....................\n      CHAPTER LXXIX. THE DESTRUCTION OF KESHI. ........................\n      CHAPTER LXXX. AKRURA GOES TO VRAJA ..............................\n      CHAPTER LXXXI. AKRURA DESCRIBES TO HIM THE MISERIES OF HIS\n      PARENTS. ........................................................\n      CHAPTER LXXXII. KRISHNA\u2019S ARRIVAL. ..............................\n      CHAPTER LXXXIII. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MATCH. ....................\n      CHAPTER LXXXIV. A DESCRIPTION OF THE ARENA. .....................\n      CHAPTER LXXXV. TRIAL OF ARMS. ...................................\n      CHAPTER LXXXVI. LAMENTATIONS OF KANSA\u2019S WIVES. ..................\n      CHAPTER LXXXVII. KRISHNA\u2019S REPLY TO UGRASENA. ...................\n      CHAPTER LXXXVIII. KRISHNA BRINGS BACK HIS PRECEPTOR\u2019S SON FROM THE\n      OCEAN. ..........................................................\n      CHAPTER LXXXIX. JARASANDHA PREPARES TO ATTACK MATHURA. ..........\n      CHAPTER XC. JARASANDHA\u2019S ARMY. ..................................\n      CHAPTER XCII. THE BATTLE BETWEEN KRISHNA AND JARASHANDHA. .......\n      CHAPTER XCIII. AN ACCOUNT OF HARYASHWA. .........................\n      CHAPTER XCIV. THE SONS OF YADU AND THEIR CONQUESTS. .............\n      CHAPTER XCV. KRISHNA MEETS WITH PARASURAMA. .....................\n      CHAPTER XCVI. A DESCRIPTION OF THE MOUNT GOMANTA. ...............\n      CHAPTER XCVII. BALARAMA GETS DRUNK. .............................\n      CHAPTER XCVIII. JARASANDHA\u2019S INSTRUCTIONS TO THE KINGS. .........\n      CHAPTER XCIX. KRISHNA MEETS HIS ENEMY. ..........................\n      CHAPTER C. BATTLE WITH SHRIGALA. ................................\n      CHAPTER CI. KRISHNA\u2019S ARRIVAL AT MATHURA. .......................\n      CHAPTER CII. BALADEVA VISITS VRAJA. .............................\n      CHAPTER CIII. RUKSHMINI\u2019S SWAYAMVARA ............................\n      CHAPTER CIV. THE MEETING OF KRISHNA AND GARUDA. .................\n      CHAPTER CV. JARASANDHA\u2019S ADRESS TO THE KINGS. ...................\n      CHAPTER CVI. DANTAVAKRAS SPEECH. ................................\n      CHAPTER CVII. KAISHIKA WORSHIPS KRISHNA. ........................\n      CHAPTER CVIII. CONVERSATION BETWEEN KRISHNA AND BHISHMAKA. ......\n      CHAPTER CIX. JARASANDHA\u2019S PROPOSAL TO INVITE KALAYAVANA. ........\n      CHAPTER CX. SHALYA MEETS KALAYAVANA. ............................\n      CHAPTER CXI. KALAYAVANA AGREES TO KILL KRISHNA. .................\n      CHAPTER CXII. UGRASENA RECEIVES KRISHNA. ........................\n      CHAPTER CXIII. KRISHNA\u2019S PROPOSAL TO GO TO DWARAKA. .............\n      CHAPTER CXIV. ACCOUNT OF KALAYAVANA. ............................\n      CHAPTER CXV. THE LAYING OUT OF DWARKA. ..........................\n      CHAPTER CXVVI. AN ACCOUNT OF RUKSHMI: KRISHNA TAKES AWAY\n      RUKSHMINI. ......................................................\n      CHAPTER CXIVII. RUKSHMI ATTACKS KRISHNA AND IS DEFEATED. ........\n      CHAPTER CXVIII. MARRIAGE OF RUKSHMAVATI. ........................\n      CHAPTER CXIX. BALADEVA\u2019S GLORIOUS DEEDS DESCRIBED. ..............\n      CHAPTER CXX. THE DEFEAT OF THE ASURA NARAKA. ....................\n      CHAPTER CXXI. KRISHNA VISIT WITH ADITI. .........................\n      CHAPTER CXXII. THE PRESENT OF THE PARIJATA BY KRISHNA TO\n      RUKSHMINI. ......................................................\n      CHAPTER CXXIII. SATYABHAMA\u2019S RESENTMENT AND KESHAVA\u2019S CONSOLATION\n      TO HER. .........................................................\n      CHAPTER CXXIV. SATYABHAMA\u2019S GRIEF. ..............................\n      CHAPTER CXXV. THE HISTORY OF THE PARIJATA TREE THE COLOQUY BETWEEN\n      KRISHNA AND NARADA. .............................................\n      CHAPTER CXXVI. THE COLLOQUY BETWEEN NARADA AND INDRA REGARDING THE\n      TRANSPLANTATION OF THE PARIJATA. ................................\n      CHAPTER CXXVII. NARADA\u2019S ADVICE AND INDRA\u2019S ANSWERS. ............\n      CHAPTER CCXVIII. NARADA\u2019S ADVICE. ...............................\n      CHAPTER CCXIX. ATTRIBUTES OF HARI. ..............................\n      CHAPTER CCXX. THE FIGHT BETWEEN KRISHNA AND INDRA. ..............\n      CHAPTER CCXXI. THE FIGHT BETWEEN GARUDA AND AIRAVATA ............\n      CHAPTER CCXXII. INDRA FIGHTS WITH KRISHNA .......................\n      CHAPTER CCXXIII. SATYA PERFORM THE RITE. ........................\n      CHAPTER CCXXIV. THE HISTORY OF THE PUNYAKA RITE. ................\n      CHAPTER CCXXV. PUNYAKA DESCRIBED BY UMA. ........................\n      CHAPTER CCXXVI. THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED. .....................\n      CHAPTER CCXXVII. THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED. ....................\n      CHAPTER CCXXVIII. NARADA GIVES A HISTORY OF VRATAS PERFORMED BY\n      OTHER LADIES. ...................................................\n      CHAPTER CCXXIX. AN ACCOUNT OF THE CITY OF ASURAS. ...............\n      CHAPTER CCXXX. THE ASURAS OBSTRUCTING A YAJNA. ..................\n      CHAPTER CCXXXI. WAR BETWEEN KRISHNA AND ASURAS. .................\n      CHAPTER CCXXXII. DEFEAT OF THE ASURAS: THEY FIGHT AGAIN. ........\n      CHAPTER CCXXXIII. THE HISTORY OF THE ASURA ANDHAKA. .............\n      CHAPTER CCXXXIV. ANDMAKA GOES TO THE MOUNT MANDARA. .............\n      CHAPTER CCXXXV. THE YADAVAS SPORT IN THE OCEAN. .................\n      CHAPTER CCXXXVI. THE SPORT OF THE YADUS CONTINUED. ..............\n      CHAPTER CCXXXVII. NIKUMBHA CARRIES AWAY BHANUMATI. ..............\n      CHAPTER CCXXXVIII. THE DESTRUCTION OF VAJRANABHA: AN ACCOUNT OF\n      PRABHAVATI. .....................................................\n      CHAPTER CCXXXIX. THE CELESTIAL SWANS GO TO THE CITY OF VAJRA ....\n      CHAPTER CCXL. THE YADAVAS ARRIVE AT THE CITY OF ASURAS AS ACTORS.\n      CHAPTER CCXLI. PRADYUMNA APPEARS BEFORE PRABHAVATI AND MARRIES\n      HER. ............................................................\n      CHAPTER CCXLII. A DESCRIPTION OF THE RAINY SEASON. ..............\n      CHAPTER CCXLIII. VAJRANABHA WANTS TO CONQUER THE CELESTIAL REGION.\n      CHAPTER CCXLIV. THE DESTRUCTION OF VAJRANABHA ...................\n      CHAPTER CCXLV. THE CELESTIAL ARCHITECT BUILDS DWARAKA ...........\n      CHAPTER CCXLVI. KRISHNA\u2019S ENTRANCE INTO DWARAKA AND RECEPTION. ..\n      CHAPTER CCXLVII. KRISHNA INVITES A MEETING OF HIS KINSMEN. ......\n      CHAPTER CCXLVIII. NARADA DESCRIBES THE FEAT OF KRISHNA. .........\n      CHAPTER CCXLIX. THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED. .....................\n      CHAPTER CCL. KRISHNA\u2019S CHILDREN. ................................\n      CHAPTER CCLI. AN ACCOUNT OF PRADYUMNA. ..........................\n      CHAPTER CCLII. BATTLE BETWEEN PRADYUMNA AND SHAMVARA\u2019S SONS. ....\n      CHAPTER CCLIII. SHAMVARA COMES TO THE BATTLE-FIELD. .............\n      CHAPTER CCLIV. SHAMVARA\u2019S DEATH. ................................\n      CHAPTER CCLV. PRADYUMNA GOES TO DWARAKA AND HIS PARENTS RECOGNIZE\n      HIM. ............................................................\n      CHAPTER CCLVI. BALADEVA\u2019S MANTRA FOR PROTECTING PRADYUMNA. ......\n      CHAPTER CCLVII. NARADA PUTS QUESTIONS: AND THE MYSTERY IS\n      EXPLAINED. ......................................................\n      CHAPTER CCLVIII. ARJUNA DESCRIBES ANOTHER WONDERFUL WORK. .......\n      CHAPTER CCLIX. ARJUNA GOES TO RESCUE THE BRAHMANA AND BECOMES\n      UNSUCCESSFUL. ...................................................\n      CHAPTER CCLX. KRISHNA RESCUES THE BRAHMANA\u2019S SONS. ..............\n      CHAPTER CCLXI. KRISHNA EXPLAINS THE MYSTERY. ....................\n      CHAPTER CCLXII. KRISHNA\u2019S FEATS DESCRIBED. ......................\n      CHAPTER CCLXIII. VANA\u2014THE GREAT ASURA. ..........................\n      CHAPTER CCLXIV. BHAVA\u2019S SPORT AND VANA\u2019S DAUGHTER OBTAINS A BOON.\n      CHAPTER CCLXV. USHA MEETS HER LOVER WHILE ASLEEP AND EXHORTS HER\n      FRIENDS TO BRING HIM. ...........................................\n      CHAPTER CCLXVI. CHITRALEKHA UNITES ANIRUDDHA WITH USHA:\n      ANIRUDDHA\u2019S FIGHT WITH VANA\u2019S SOLDIERS. .........................\n      CHAPTER CCLXVII. THE GODDESS CONSOLES ANIRUDDHA. ................\n      CHAPTER CCLXVIII. ANXIETY OF THE YADAVAS FOR ANIRUDDHA. .........\n      CHAPTER CCLXIV. KRISHNA GOES TO SONITPURA AND FIGHTS WITH RUDRA\u2019S\n      FOLLOWERS ON THE WAY. ...........................................\n      CHAPTER CCLXX. KRISHNA\u2019S BATTLE WITH JVARA (FEVER). .............\n      CHAPTER CCLXXI. KRISHNA\u2019S BOON TO JVARA. ........................\n      CHAPTER CCLXXII. THE FIGHT BETWEEN KRISHNA AND SHANKARA. ........\n      CHAPTER CCLXXIII. THE EARTH GOES TO BRAHMA: MARKANDEYA EXPLAINS\n      HOW BRAHMA, VISHNU, SIVA ARE ONE. ...............................\n      CHAPTER CCLXXIV. KARTIKEYA GOES TO THE BATTLE-FIELD. ............\n      CHAPTER CCLXXV. THE BATTLE BETWEEN VANA AND KRISHNA. ............\n      CHAPTER CCLXXVI. KRISHNA FINDS ANIRUDDHA: GIVES THE KINGDOM TO\n      KUMBHANDA AND FIGHTS WITH VARUNA FOR COWS. ......................\n      CHAPTER CCLXXVII. ANIRUDDHA\u2019S WEDDING AND RECEPTION. ............\n    BHAVISHYA PARVA OR THE BOOK OF FUTURE. ............................\n      CHAPTER I. AN ACCOUNT OF JANAMEJAYA\u2019S FAMILY. ...................\n      CHAPTER II. VYASA\u2019S PRESENCE AT JANAMEJAYA\u2019S SACRIFICE. .........\n      CHAPTER III. AN ACCOUNT OF KALI-YUGA. ...........................\n      CHAPTER IV. KALI-YUGA DESCRIBED. ................................\n      CHAPTER V. INDRA RAVISHES VAPUSTHAMA: VISHWAVASU PACIFIES\n      JANAMEJAYA\u2019S WRATH. .............................................\n      CHAPTER VI. JANAMEJAYA LIVES HAPPILY: EFFECT OF THE RISHI\u2019S WORDS.\n      CHAPTER VII. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD. .............................\n      CHAPTER VIII. THE DURATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF YOGA. .........\n      CHAPTER IX. THE WORK OF DISSOLUTION DESCRIBED. ..................\n      CHAPTER X. THE GOD AFTER DISSOLUTION. ...........................\n      CHAPTER XI. THE CREATION OF A LOTUS AFTER DISSOLUTION. ..........\n      CHAPTER XII. A DESCRIPTION OF THE EARTH. ........................\n      CHAPTER XIII. THE WORLD OF CREATION BEGINS: THE BIRTH OF MADHU AND\n      KAITABHA. .......................................................\n      CHAPTER XIV. BRAHMA\u2019S CREATION. .................................\n      CHAPTER XV. JANAMEJAVA\u2019s QUERY. .................................\n      CHAPTER XVI. THE GREAT BRAHMAN DESCRIBED. .......................\n      CHAPTER XVII. THE CREATION OF RIVERS. ...........................\n      CHAPTER XVIII. THE CREATION OF GANDHARVAS ETC. ..................\n      CHAPTER XIX. KSHATRA YUGA DESCRIBED. ............................\n      CHAPTER XX. THE FRUITS OF YOGA. .................................\n      CHAPTER XXI. THE PROCESS OF PRANAYAMA. ..........................\n      CHAPTER XXII. KURUKSHETRA AND THE DUTY OF THE BRAHMANAS. ........\n      CHAPTER XXIII. THE BEGINNING OF FIGHT BETWEEN DEVAS AND DAITYAS. .\n      CHAPTER XXIV. THE FIGHT BETWEEN MADHU AND VISHNU. ...............\n      CHAPTER XXV. VISHNU KILLS MADHU. ................................\n      CHAPTER XXVI. AN ACCOUNT OF PIRTHU AND THE CHURNING OF THE OCEAN.\n      CHAPTER XXVII. THE DESTRUCTION OF BALI. .........................\n      CHAPTER XXVIII. SIVA OBSTRUCTS DAKSHA\u2019S SACRIFICE AND HARI FIGHTS\n      WITH HIM. .......................................................\n      CHAPTER XXIX. THE BOAR INCARNATION OF VISHNU. ...................\n      CHAPTER XXX. THE WORK OF CREATION AND UPRAISING OF THE EARTH. ...\n      CHAPTER XXXI. THE CREATION OF MOUNTAINS AND RIVERS. .............\n      CHAPTER XXXII. THE CREATION OF THE VEDAS. .......................\n      CHAPTER XXXIII. VARIOUS KINGS ARE APPOINTED BY BRAHMA. ..........\n      CHAPTER XXXIV. THE MOUNTAINS SET ASURAS FIGHTING WITH THE GODS. .\n      CHAPTER XXXV. THE LORD COMES OUT AS A BOAR. .....................\n      CHAPTER XXXVI. RELEASE OF THE CELESTIALS. .......................\n      CHAPTER XXXVII. THE MAN-LION INCARNATION OF VISHNU\n      HIRANYAKASHIPU\u2019S PRAYER TO BRAHMA. ..............................\n      CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE ASURAS ARE FILLED WITH SURPRISE AT SEEING THE\n      MAN-LION FORM. ..................................................\n      CHAPTER XXXIX VISHNU KILLS HIRANYAKASHIPU. ......................\n      CHAPTER XL. THE BEGINNING OF THE DWARF INCARNATION: BALI BECOMES\n      KING. ...........................................................\n      CHAPTER XLI. BALI\u2019S PROSPERITY. .................................\n      CHAPTER XLII. THE GODS GO TO KASHYAPA FOR FINDING OUT MEANS FOR\n      THE DESTRUCTION OF BALI. ........................................\n      CHAPTER XLII. BRAHMA INSTRUCTS THE DEVAS TO GO TO VISHNU. .......\n      CHAPTER XLIII. VISHNU PROMISES HELP TO THE GODS. ................\n      CHAPTER XLIV. VISHNU\u2019S BIRTH AS A DWARF. ........................\n      CHAPTER XLV. BALI PROMISES TO GIVE LANDS TO THE DWARF. ..........\n      CHAPTER XLVI. THE DANAVAS DESCRIBED. ............................\n      CHAPTER XLVII. THE FRUITS OF THE RECITATION OF THE BHARATA. .....\n      CHAPTER XLVIII. THE FRUITS OF THE RECITATION OF HARIVAMSHA. .....\n\n\n\n\nA PROSE ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF HARIVAMSHA\n\n\nINTRODUCTION.\n\n\nHarivamsha or the family of Hari (Srikrishna) is properly speaking a\nsequel of the great Epic Mahabharata. The work opens with a request made\nby Sounaka to Souti for an account of the two great clans namely,\nVrishnis and Andhakas. He says:\u2014\"O son of Lomaharshana, while describing\nthe birth and history of the Kurus you forgot to narrate the history of\nVrishnis and Andhakas. It becomes you to relate their history.\" Chapter\nI, Sloka 9. The work in which an account of the Kurus is given is\nundoubtedly the Mahabharata though we meet with a little confusion in\nthe text, when it is mentioned as a Purana. This passage clearly shows\nthat the object of the author is evidently to give a detailed account of\nthe family of Krishna which is not to be found in Mahabharata.\n\nIt is very difficult to ascertain the true nature of this work\u2014whether\nit is to be called a Purana or an epic poem. It is not mentioned in the\nlist of _Puranas_ or _Upapuranas_, though in style, form and character\nit resembles the Puranas. As in the Puranas and more particularly in\nVishnu Purana so in Harivamsha we find an account of creation, the\ndimension of the earth, the division of the time and the history of the\npatriarchal and regal dynasties. They so much resemble each other that\nsometimes it appears, that one is the paraphrase of the other. The\naccount of Krishna\u2019s early life and some of his miracles are merely the\ncounterparts of the same in Vishnupuran. Thus it is evident that though\nthis work is not included in the list of Puranas it is in reality one of\nthem written with the same object and in the same style. It is called a\nsequel of the Mahabharata only because it gives a profuse account of\nwhat has been left off in that work. The greatest interest however lies\nin the fact that it gives an elaborate account of the life of Srikrishna\nand as such it is always regarded as an authority.\n\nIt is almost impossible to ascertain the date of the composition of this\nwork as it is of other ancient Sanskrit works. We have no regular\nhistory of our literatures and there are so many contradictory\nstatements in various works that we cannot safely rely on internal\nevidence for the solution of the question of date. The popular belief is\nthat Mahabharata Ramayna and Puranas were written long after the Vedas.\nBut we have references to these works even in the Vedic literature.\n\nIn the Atharva Veda we have the names of _Itihasa_, _Purana_ and\n_Gatha_. We meet with another passage in _Satpata Br\u0101hmana_ wherein\n_Itihasas_ and _Puranas_ have been mentioned. The text is:\n\n\"The Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda, Itihasis, Purana, Upanishads,\nSutras, Slokas, etc.\"\n\nThere are many other similar passages which clearly prove that the class\nof literature passing under the appelation of _Puranas_ and _Itihasas_\nwere in existence even in the Vedic period. From these statements it is\nvery difficult to arrive at a conclusion when these works were really\nwritten. The various episodes of these works passed orally from one\ngeneration to another for many centuries before they were committed to\nwriting. And even after this many interpelations had been added by\nvarious writers in the shape of references to contemporaneous events.\nThe ancient Hindu writers were so very modest that they never liked the\nidea of making their names known as authors. Many works written by those\nunknown writers passed in the names of their Gurus or spiritual guides.\nThus from internal evidence it is not safe to make any attempt for the\ndetermination of date or authorship. The only safe course is to give an\napproximate date based upon the development of thought that is to be\nseen in various works, making use of the internal evidence as a test for\nthe accuracy of our conclusions. Taking a survey of the various\ndepartments of Hindu literature we find that the theory of incarnation\nand sectarial worship were absolutely unknown to the Vedic writers and\ntook a very meagre proportion even when the Ramayana and the Mahabharata\nwere written. In the Puranas however we see that the entire theology is\nbased on the doctrine of incarnation-the various sects have their\nrituals and ceremonies definitely laid down and the caste rules\nintroduced with all their severity and force. Besides we also find the\ndoctrines of Vedanta and Sankya explained popularly in the shape of\nepisodes. This clearly proves that whatever may be the actual date of\nthe composition of these works they are long posterior to the\nMahabharata and the Ramayana. From the evidence of style, the treatment\nof subject matter, the account of Creation and Patriarchal families it\nis clear, that Harivamsha, although it is a sequel to the Mahabharata,\nwas written long after that great work. If it was not written in the\nsame period when the Puranas were composed it was not at least written\nearlier.\n\nI have said before that Harivamsha consists of the life and miracles of\nSrikrishna together with an account of his family. I think, I should say\na few words whether the central hero of this great work as well as of\nmany other works is a historical person or a myth. Foreigners who have\nno access to the literature of the Hindus consider him as a creation of\nimagination, an ideal of lust. Several poetical works and Brahma\nVaivarta Purana in the list of Puranas are responsible for this opinion.\nAny impartial student, of Mahabharata and other authentic writings\nregarding his life, will admit that he was a real historical personage\u2014a\nman of wonderful power and superhuman intellect. He was a great\npolitician and a great prophet. Such a combination is rare in the\nhistory of men. If the battle of Kurukshetra is a historical incident\nwhich many inscriptions prove we fail to see why the central figure\nshould not be a historical character. Srikrisna is a grand figure in the\nhistory of the Aryans\u2014his life teems with lofty moral precepts which\nhave been still shedding lustre upon the greatness of our forefathers;\nhis teachings have been not only swaying over the vast millions of India\nbut have arrested the admiration and veneration of the people of the\nWest. Writers like Messrs Dupuis and Volney have even gone the length of\narguing in their respective works that the history of life and miracles\nof Christ have been borrowed from those of Indian Krishna. If then for\nmany miracles attributed to him he is to be considered a myth, what\nclaim then can any other prophet have for being considered a historical\ncharacter whose life also has been interwoven with many such miracles?\n\nHarivamsha is an account of the life and family of this Greatest Prophet\nof the Hindus and therefore it is hoped an English Translation of such a\nwork will be welcome to the public.\n\n\n\n\n            With His Highness\u2019 kind permission this English\n\n                       Translation of Harivamsha\n\n              Is most humbly and respectfully dedicated to\n\n                          Col. H. H. Maharajah\n\n          Sir Pertab Sing, Inday Mahindar Bahadur G. G. S. T.\n\n                         Maharajah of Cashmere\n\n        As a token of appreciation of His Highness\u2019 sympathy for\n\n            Such works, his vast scholarship and liberality\n\n                    By his most obedient and humble\n\n                          Servant and admirer\n\n                              The author.\n\n\n\n\nHARIVAMSHA\n\n\n\nTHE PRELUDE.\n\n\nSalutation unto Ganesha.\u00b9 Salutation unto Veda Vyasa.\u00b2 Having saluted\nN\u0101r\u0101yana and the best of male beings Nara as well as the goddess of\nlearning Saraswati let us cry success (1). What is the use of bathing at\nthe sacred shrine of Pushkara\u00b3 for him who listens to the recitation of\nthe Mah\u0101bh\u0101rata, dropped off the lips of Dwaipayana, wondrous,\ndestructive of sins, auspicious and highly sacred (2). May Vyasa, the\nson of Par\u0101\u00e7ara and the delighter of Satyavati, be crowned with success,\nfrom whose lotus mouth the wordy ambrosia has come down which the world\ndrinks (3). He, who listens to the sacred theme of Bh\u0101rata, acquires the\nsame fruit with him who makes a gift of a hundred kine with golden horns\nunto a Br\u0101hmana conversant with the Vedas and many Srutis (4). By making\na gift of Harivamsha a man acquires far more everlasting piety than what\nis acquired by the celebration of a hundred horse sacrifices, or by the\ndistribution of inexhaustive food, or by doing what secures the dignity\nof Indra. This has been recounted by the great Rishi Vyasa (5). This\nbestows the same fruit as is given by _Bajpeya_\u2074 or R\u0101jashuya\u2075 Yagnas or\nby making a gift of a car with elephants. Vyasa\u2019s word is the proof\nhereof and this has also been said by the great Rishi V\u0101lmiki (6). The\ngreat ascetic, who duly commits to writing Harivamsha, speedily\napproaches the lotus-feet of Hari like a bee moving towards a lotus,\ndrawn by the smell of honey (7). I consider Dwaip\u0101yana as the supreme\ncause of all, who is the sixth in descent from Brahm\u0101, who is a Rishi\nendued with eternal spiritual greatness, who has descended from a\nportion of N\u0101r\u0101yana and who has only Suka for his son (8).\n\n    \u00b9 The deity Ganesha, according to the Hindus, confers the\n      accomplishment of all objects. It is customary with them to offer\n      him worship at the beginning of every ceremony,\n\n    \u00b2 Vyasa is a generic term meaning compiler. Here it refers to the\n      person who arranged the Vedas and compiled the Puranas.\n\n    \u00b3 It is a lake situated in the District of Ajmir, Marwar, where\n      thousands of pilgrims resort every year for bathing.\n\n    \u2074 A particular sacrifice at which the acetous fermentation of meat\n      and water is drunk by the gods.\n\n    \u2075 A sacrifice at which all the tributary kings assemble to pay\n      homage to their Emperor.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER I. AN ACCOUNT OF THE PRIMEVAL CREATION\n\n\nHaving saluted Hari, the master of senses and the preceptor or the\nmobile and immobile, the Prime Purusha Ic\u0101na, who is eulogised and\npropitiated with oblations by many in sacrifices, who is real, who is\nBrahman, shorn of all attachments, is both manifest and not manifest,\nwho does exist for ever, who is above the real and unreal and from whom\nhas emanated this universe, visible and invisible, who is above all, the\ncreator of all, ancient, great and undecaying; who is joy and the giver\nof joy, who is Vishnu, the worshipful of all, sinless and pure, the\nvirtuous-souled great Muni Kulapati\u2076 Sounaka, well-read in all\nscriptures, said to Souti in the forest of Naimisha (1-4).\n\nSounakla said:\u2014O Souti, you have recounted the great history of the\ndescendants of Bharata as well as that of other kings; of the gods,\ndemons, Gandharvas, serpents, R\u0101kshasas, Daityas, Siddhas and of\nGuhyakas as well (5-6). You have described in sweet words the most\nexcellent and sacred Pur\u0101na, dealing with their wondrous deeds, heroic\nfeats and religious practices and their births. This nectarine theme,\naffording pleasure unto the mind and ears, O Souti, has given us\nsatisfaction. O son of Lomaharshana, while describing the birth and\nhistory of the Kurus, you forgot to narrate the history of Vrishnis and\nAndhakas.\u2077 It becomes you to relate their history (7\u20139).\n\nSouti said:\u2014I shall now relate to you the story of the birth of Vrishnis\nfrom the very beginning about which the pious disciples of Vyasa,\nVaishamp\u0101yana was accosted by Janamejaya (10). Hearing the complete\nhistory of the descendants of Bharata, the highly wise Janamejaya, born\nin their race, said to Vaishamp\u0101yana (11).\n\nJanemejaya said:\u2014You described before in full and I heard the story of\nMah\u0101bh\u0101rata full of many meanings and Historical accounts (12). Therein\nyou mentioned the names and deeds of many mighty car-warriors and heroes\nof the Vrishni and Andhaka families (13). O foremost of the twice born,\nyou have described briefly and fully their many excellent deeds (14).\nThough this ancient story has been recounted again and again, still I\nhave not been satiated with it. The P\u0101ndavas and Vrishnis are related to\neach other; you are competent enough to describe their families and you\nhave with your own eyes seen everything. Therefore, O you having\nasceticism for your wealth, do you describe their family at length\n(15\u201316). I wish to know who were born in which families. Therefore, O\ngreat ascetic, beginning with the Patriarch and recollecting their\nprevious creations, do you describe truly everything at length (17).\n\nSouti said:\u2014Having been welcomed and accosted by him, the high-souled\nascetic of rigid austerities described in full the whole story from the\nvery beginning (18).\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Listen, O king, to the sacred theme, as narrated by\nme, heavenly, destructive of sins, wonderful and abounding in various\nmeanings and sacred stories (19). He, who circulates this story or\nlistens to it constantly, multiplies his own family and is spoken high\nof in the celestial region (20). This universe, permeated by Isvara\n(God), emanated from Pradh\u0101na Purusha who is the unmanifest cause,\neternal and identical with the existent and non-existent (21). Know him,\nO monarch, as Brahm\u0101 (Creator) of incomparable energy, the creator of\nall beings and ever devoted to N\u0101r\u0101yana (Vishnu) (22). From _Mahat_ has\nemanated _Ahankara_; from the latter the five subtle elements have\nsprung and from them the grosser elements: thus the eternal work of\ncreation is carried on.\u2078 Hear, I shall relate as I have heard and as I\nthink, of the long extending genealogies of families increasing the\nglory of their fore-fathers (23\u201324). The account of these pious men of\neverlasting glory always gives fruit and leads to the multiplication of\nrace and attainment of heaven (25). On account of this theme being\nfruitful and because you are competent to hear it and are pure I shall\nrelate, to you, beginning with the family of Vrishnis the most excellent\ncreation of beings (26).\n\nThereupon desirous of creating various creatures the Divine Self-sprung\n(Brahm\u0101) at first created waters and then created seeds therein (27).\nThe waters are designated as N\u0101r\u0101 for they are the offspring of Nara.\nThe deity first rested thereon and is therefore called N\u0101r\u0101yana (28).\nThe egg, lying in the waters, assumed golden hue\u2014from that sprang\nBrahm\u0101, of his own accord and he is (therefore) called Self-sprung (29).\nHaving lived there for many years the divine Hiranyagarbha divided the\negg into two and they were called the heaven and earth (30). The Lord\ncreated Ak\u0101sa or space between the two portions and in the waters he\ncreated the floating earth and the ten quarters (31). There-upon\ndesirous of creating the Patriarchs or lords of creation he created\ntime, mind, speech, passion, anger and desire (32). The highly effulgent\ndeity then created his seven mind-born sons\u2014Marichi, Atri, Angiras,\nPulastya, Pulaha, Kratu and Vashistha. (33). These seven have been\nascertained as Br\u0101hmanas in the Puranas. These seven created by Brahm\u0101,\nare like N\u0101r\u0101yana himself (34). There-upon Brahm\u0101 created Rudra born of\nhis anger and Sanat Kumar, the predecessor of those born before (35). O\ndescendant of Bharata, these seven and Rudra engaged in the work of\ncreation. Skanda and Sanat Kumar sustained the energy of creation (36).\nTheir seven great families consisted of Yakshas, Pishachas, the\ncelestials and others who all performed heavenly deeds and created\nprogeny and were adorned with Ka\u00e7yapa and other leading saints (37). He\nthen created lightning, thunderbolt, the straight and bent rainbows, the\nrangers of the sky and clouds (38). He, then for the successful\ncelebration of Paynas, created Riks, Yuyush and S\u0101man; he then created\nthe gods from his mouth and the ancestral manes from his breast (39). He\nthen engendered human beings from his organ of generation and from his\nhips the Asuras, S\u0101dhyas and other classes of gods. This we have heard\n(40). From the body of the Patriarch Vashishtha when he was desirous of\ncreating progeny, sprang the various kinds of elemental creations (41).\nWhen the progeny, created by his mind, did not multiply he divided his\nown body into two and with the half he created man (42). With the other\nhalf he created woman and through her he engendered various kinds of\nprogeny. He resides enveloping the heaven and earth with his own glory\n(43). Vishnu created a universal form which again created a Purusha: You\nshould know him as Manu and his regeme is known as Manwantara (44). The\nsecond creation of Washishtha is called Manwantara. The great Virat\nPurusha created the progeny. He is the creation of N\u0101r\u0101yana and his\nprogeny are not born in any sex (45). Having known this primaeval\ncreation a man gains longevity, fame, wealth, progeny and his wished-for\nregion (46).\n\n    \u2076 The head of the family of Rishis of the same name.\n\n    \u2077 Two clans representing two royal families of ancient India.\n\n    \u2078 According to Sankhya _Mahat_ is the intellect. It is the\n      intellectual principle which appertains to individual beings.\n      _Ahankara_ is self consciousness or the consciousness of _ego_.\n      The five subtle elements are _Akasa_ or ether, air, fire, water\n      and earth. By them are produced the four kinds of grosser elements\n      such as _Viviparous_ born from the womb as man and other animals;\n      _oviparous_, or born of the egg as birds, fishes and serpents;\n      those engendered by heat and damp as insects and worms; and those\n      springing from the earth\u2014as vegetables, trees &c.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER II. THE ORIGIN OF MEN: THE BIRTH OF DAKSHA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014When the work of his creation of progeny was\ncomplete the Patriarch Vashishtha obtained Shatarup\u0101, not born of a\nwoman, as his spouse (1). While he resided covering the etherial region,\nhe created Shatarup\u0101, O monarch, by his greatness and Yoga power (2).\nHaving carried on rigid austerities for a million of years she obtained\nher husband of burning asceticism (3). That Purusha, O my child, is\ncalled Swayambhuva Manu. His own Manwantara in this world consists of\nseventy-one Yugas (4). The Universal Purusha begat on Shatarup\u0101 a son by\nname Veera who begat on K\u0101my\u0101 two sons by name Pryavrata and Utt\u0101nap\u0101da\n(5). K\u0101my\u0101, the daughter of the Patriarch Kardama, gave birth to four\nsons, O you of large arms, namely Samr\u0101t, Kukshi, Vir\u0101t, and Prabhu.\nObtaining Pryavrata as her husband she gave birth to them (6) The\nPatriarch Atri adopted Utt\u0101nap\u0101da as his son. Sunrit\u0101 gave birth to four\nsons through Utt\u0101nap\u0101da (7). The youthful daughter of Dharma was known\nas Sunrit\u0101. She originated from a horse sacrifice and that pure damsel\nwas the mother of Dhruva (8). The Patriarch Uttanap\u0101da begat on Sunrit\u0101,\nfour sons by name, Dhruva, Kirtiman, Ayushm\u0101n, and Vasu (9). O\ndescendant of Bharata, O monarch, with a view to obtain the great\nBrahman, Vishnu, Dhruva carried on hard austerities for three thousand\ncelestial years (10). Being propitiated the Patriarch Brahm\u0101 conferred\non him a permanent region, peerless on earth, in the front of the region\nof the seven Rishis (11). Beholding his great prosperity and greatness\nthe preceptor of the gods and demons, (Ushan\u0101) sang the following hymn\n(12). \"Oh, wonderful is his energy of asceticism, knowledge of\nscriptures and prowess, placing whom before them the seven Rishis are\nliving (13)\". From Dhruva were born Shlishthi, Bhavya and Shumbha.\nShlishthi begat on Suchay\u0101 seven sinless sons (14). They were Ripu,\nRipunjaya, Pushpa, Vrikala and Vrikatej\u0101. Ripu begat on Vrihati, a son,\ngifted with all energies, by the name of Ch\u0101kshusha (15). The noble\nCh\u0101kshusha begat Muni on Pushkarini, a mother of heroes and the daughter\nof the Patriarch Aranya (16). O foremost of Bharatas, Muni begat ten\nhighly powerful sons on Nadval\u0101, the daughter of the Patriarch Vairaj\n(17), Uru, Puru, Shata dyumna, Tapaswi, Satyav\u0101n, Kavi, Agnistut and\nAtir\u0101tra; and Sudyumna was the ninth (18). The tenth was Abhimanyu;\nthese were the sons of Nadval\u0101. Uru begat on Agneyi six highly powerful\nsons-Anga, Sumanas, Swati, Kratu, Angiras and Gaya (19). Anga begat only\none son on Sunith\u0101, by name Vena. By the irregularities of Vena (the\nRishis) were highly irritated (20). For creating progeny the Rishis\nchurned his right arm. When Vena\u2019s right arm was churned by the\nascetics, therefrom originated Prithu (21). Seeing him the Rishis said\nin delight, \"This highly powerful one will delight his subjects and will\nattain to fame (22)\". As if burning all with his energy he took his\nbirth with a bow and a coat of mail. Born first in the race of\nKshatriyas, Vena\u2019s son Prithu protected this earth (23). That lord of\nthe earth was the first born of those who are sprinkled with water at\nthe Rajshuya sacrifices. For him were born Suta and Magadha, experts in\nsinging the glories of kings (24). O descendant of Bharata, to give\nlivelihood to his subjects by him the earth was milched for corns in the\ncompany of the gods, Rishis, the ancestral manes, D\u0101navas, Gandharvas,\nApsar\u0101s, serpents, Guyakas, creepers and mountains (25\u201326). When milched\nthe earth gave wished-for milk in their respective vessels; by it they\nmaintain their lives (27). Two sons, conversant with religion, were born\nto Prithu, Antardhi and P\u0101lita. Antardhi begat Havirdh\u0101na on Shikhandin\n(28). Havirdhana begat on Agneyidhishan\u0101 six sons\u2014Pr\u0101china varhis,\nSukra, Gaya, Krishna, Vraja and Ajina (29). Thus O monarch,\nPr\u0101chinavarhis, gifted with great spiritual power, was born of\nHavirdh\u0101na. He was a great Patriarch and multiplied the progeny (30). O\nJanamejaya, the tips, of the Ku\u00e7a grass in his sacrificial ground, were\ndirected towards the east and they covered the entire earth. And\ntherefore he was celebrated by the name of Pr\u0101chinavarhis (31). Having\ncarried on great austerities that king espoused Savarn\u0101 the daughter of\nthe ocean, who gave birth to ten sons for Pr\u0101chinavarhis who were all\ncalled Prachetas and had mastered the science of archery (32\u201333).\nObserving the same religion and lying in the waters of the ocean they\ncarried on great austerities for ten thousand years (34).\n\nWhen the Prachetas were engaged in carrying on penances the trees\ncovered the unprotected earth and so the creatures were being destroyed\n(35). The wind could not blow and the sky was covered with trees. The\ncreatures could set forth no exertion for ten thousand years (36).\nPerceiving this and getting angry all those Prachetas, observant of\nrigid austerities, created air and fire from their mouths (37). Having\nuprooted those trees the wind dried them up and the fire then burnt them\nup\u2014thus their was a dreadful destruction of trees (38). Informed of the\ndestruction of trees and when a few plants still survived the king Soma,\napproaching the Patriarchs, said (39). \"O Ye kings of the family of\nPr\u0101chinavarhis, do ye control your anger. The earth is shorn of trees\nand so let fire and air be pacified (40). This beautiful daughter of the\ntrees is like a jewel. Knowing the future I begat her (41). This girl is\ncalled Marish\u0101 and is created for the trees. Let this great one,\nmultiplying the race of Soma, be your wife (42). By the half of your\nenergy and that of mine, your son, the Patriarch Daksha will be born of\nher (43). That one, effulgent like fire, will multiply the creation\nwell-nigh destroyed by your fire-like energy (44)\".\n\nThereupon in accordance with the words of Soma restraining their anger\nagainst the trees the Prachetas duly married Marisha (45). Then they all\nmentally thought of conception in Marisha. O Bh\u0101rata, the Patriarch\nDaksha was born of Marisha through the tenth Prachetas with a portion of\nSoma\u2019s energy (46). Then to multiply the race of Soma he created various\noffspring, mobile, immobile, two legged and four legged sons. Having\ncreated mentally first the sons Daksha created his daughters (47). Of\nthem Dharma espoused ten and Kagyapa thirteen. The Lord Daksha then\nconferred on the king Soma the remaining ones called Nakshatras or\nplanets (48), They gave birth to gods, sky-rangers, cows, Nagas,\nDanavas, Gandharvas, Apsaras and various other beings (49). Since then,\nO king, creatures are being engendered by sexual intercourse. Their\npredecessors were created by (mere) thinking, seeing and touching (50).\n\nJanemejaya said:\u2014You had described before the birth of the gods, demons,\nGandharvas, serpents and Rakshasas as well as that of the high-souled\nDaksha (51). O sinless one, you have said that Daksha sprang from the\nright thumb of Brahm\u0101 and his wife from the left. How could they then\nenter into a matrimonial alliance? (52) How could the great ascetic\nDaksha attain to the energy of Prachetas? Being a grand-son of Soma how\ncould he become his father-in-law? I have grave doubts in this, O Vipra,\nit behoves you to remove them (53).\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Origin and destruction are always present in the\nelemental creation. The Rishis and the wise are not bewildered at it\n(54). O king, the Dakshas are born in every yuga. There is one Daksha in\none yuga and another in another. The learned make no mistakes in it\n(55). O king, there was formerly no priority of birth among them\u2014they\nwere considered elder by asceticism and their prowess was the cause\nthereof (56). He, who knows the mobile and immobile creation of Daksha,\ngets offspring and when the lease of his life runs out is worshipped in\nthe celestial region (57).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER III. AN ACCOUNT OF VARIOUS FAMILIES; DAKSHA\u2019S OFFSPRING.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O Vaishamp\u0101yana, do thou describe at length the origin\nof the gods, D\u0101navas, Gandharvas, serpents and Rakshasas (1).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O king, hear how Daksha created progeny when he was\ncommanded by Swayambhuva, saying \"create progeny.\" (2) The capable\nDaksha first created his mental offspring\u2014the Rishis, gods, Gandharvas,\nAsuras, R\u0101kshasas, Yakshas, goblins, Pish\u0101chas, beasts, birds, and\nreptiles (3). When this his mind-born creation did not multiply, for\nsuch was the thought of the intelligent Mah\u0101deva, the Patriarch,\nthinking again of the multiplication of his creation and desirous of\ncreating progeny by sexual intercourse, married Asniki, the daughter of\nthe Patriarch Virana, engaged in a penance for a son and capable of\ngiving birth to a great race (4\u20136). Thereupon the energetic Patriarch\nDaksha begat five thousand sons on Asniki, the daughter of Virana (7).\nBeholding those great men desirous of multiplying progeny, the celestial\nsaint N\u0101rada, ever fond of carrying news, for their destruction and for\nhis own imprecation, said (8). Afraid of Daksha and his imprecation the\nascetic Ka\u00e7yapa begat on his daughter the same celestial saint N\u0101rada\nwho had been begotten by Brahm\u0101 (9). N\u0101rada was formerly begotten by\nBrahm\u0101; and then that foremost of celestial saints (Ka\u00e7yapa) again begat\nthat best of ascetics on Asniki, daughter of Virana (10). Undoubtedly by\nhim the sons of Daksha, celebrated under the name of Haryaswas were\nfreed from attachment to body through scriptural knowledge and rendered\ninvisible (11). When Daksha, of immeasurable prowess, was ready to\ndestroy N\u0101rada, Parameshti (Brahm\u0101), with leading saints before him,\nbegged him (not to do it) (12). Thereupon Daksha made this contract with\nParameshti that his son N\u0101rada would be born as the son of his\n(Daksha\u2019s) daughter (13). Thereupon Daksha gave away his daughter unto\nParameshti: and the Rishi, in fear of the imprecation of Daksha, begat\nN\u0101rada on her (14).\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O foremost of the twice-born, I wish to hear truly why\nDaksha\u2019s sons were killed by the great saint N\u0101rada (15).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014When the highly energetic sons of Daksha called\nHaryaswas came there with a view to multiply the progeny N\u0101rada said to\nthem (19), \"O ye sons of Daksha, how stupid you are all, since you do\nnot know the cause of all and still desire to create progeny; with out\nknowing him who is in heaven, earth and nether region how do you wish to\ncreate progeny?\" (17) Hearing his words those descendants of Daksha,\nwithout caring for each other, repaired to various directions to see the\ncause of all (18). Having restrained vital airs, and attained to the\npure Brahman they secured emancipation. Even now they have not returned\nlike the rivers from the ocean (19). When the Haryaswas were thus lost\nsight of, Daksha, the son of Prachetas, capable of creating progeny,\nagain begat one thousand sons on the daughter of Virana (20). When those\nShavalashwas were again desirous of multiplying progeny they were\naddressed by Narada with the self-same words (21). They then spoke\namongst themselves, \"The great saint N\u0101rada has spoken the just thing.\nWe should follow the footsteps of our brothers; there is no doubt about\nthat (22). Learning the dimension of the earth, we will, at ease and\nwith whole minded attention, create progeny in due order (23)\". They, by\nthe same way, repaired to various directions. Even now they have not\nreturned like the rivers from the ocean (24). When the Shaval\u0101shwas too\nwere lost sight of, Daksha, possessed by anger, said to N\u0101rada:\u2014\"Do thou\nmeet with destruction and experience the pain of living in the womb\n(25)\". Since then, O king, if a brother issues out in quest of another\nhe meets with destruction. So the learned should not do it (26). Knowing\nhis sons thus exiled and destroyed the Patriarch Daksha again begat\nsixty daughters on the daughter of Virana. This we have heard (27). O\ndescendant of Kuru, the Patriarch Ka\u00e7yapa, the Moon, Dharma and other\nRishis took their wives from among those daughters of Daksha (28). Of\nthem Daksha conferred ten on Dharma, thirteen on Ka\u00e7yapa, twenty seven\non the Moon, four on Arishtanemi, two on Vahuputra, two on Angiras and\ntwo on the learned Kris\u0101shwa. Hear from me their names (29\u201330).\nArundhuti, Vasu, Yami, Lamv\u0101, Bh\u0101nu, Marutvati, Sankalpa Muhurta, S\u0101dhy\u0101\nand Vishw\u0101, these ten, O descendant of Bharata, were the wives of\nDharma. Hear from me of their offspring (31). Vishwadevas were the sons\nof Vishw\u0101 and S\u0101dhy\u0101 gave birth to S\u0101dhyas. Marutvati was the mother of\nMaruts and V\u0101sus were the sons of Vasu (32). Bh\u0101nus were the sons of\nBh\u0101nu and the Muhurttas of Muhurtta (33). Gosha was born of Lamv\u0101 and\nN\u0101gavithi of Yami. Arundhuti gave birth to all the herbs of the earth\n(34). The Deity of determination, the soul of all, took his birth from\nSankalpa and Vrihalamva took his birth from N\u0101gabitha (35). O king, all\nthe daughters, whom Daksha conferred on the Moon, have been celebrated\nby the name of _Nakshatras_ or _planets_ in astrology (36). The\ncelestials, who have profuse effulgence before them, were celebrated by\nthe name of eight Vasus. I will mention their names at length (37). Apa,\nDhruva, Soma, Dhara, Anila, Anala, Pratyusha, and Pravasha\u2014these eight\nare known as eight Vasus (38), Apa\u2019s sons were Vaitandya, Sr\u0101nta and\nMuni. Dhruva\u2019s son was the Divine K\u0101la, the destroyer of creatures (39).\nSoma\u2019s son was the Divine Varchas who begat Varcaaswi. Dhara\u2019s son was\nDravina the carrier of sacrificial oblations. He begat on his wife\nManohar\u0101, Sishira, Pr\u0101na and Ramana (40). Anila\u2019s wife was Shiv\u0101 whose\nson was Manojava. Anila, whose course is not known, had two sons (41).\nAgni\u2019s son Kumara shone in the thickets of Sara grass. His names are\nShakha, Vishakha, Naigameya and Prishthaja (42). And on account of his\nbeing an offspring of Kirtik\u0101s\u2079 he was called Kartikeya: With the fourth\npart of his energy Agni created Skanda and Sanat Kumar (43).\n\nPratyusha\u2019s son was the Rishi Devala whose two sons were forgiving and\nobservant of hard austerities (44). Shorn of attachment Vrihaspati\u2019s\nsister, the beautiful Yogasiddh\u0101, who led a life of celibacy, ranged all\nover the earth (45). She became the wife of the eighth Vasu Prabhasa.\nThe noble Patriarch Vishwakarma was born of her (46). He made chariots\nfor the celestials, was their architect, the maker of thousands of fine\nthings and dresses and the foremost of artizans. Adopting his art as\ntheir profession mankind are now making their livelihoods (47-48). By\nthe grace of Siva and having her heart purified by virtue of asceticism,\nSurabhi gave birth, through Ka\u00e7yapa, to the eleventh Rudra (49). O\ndescendant of Bharata, Ajaikap\u0101t, Ahir-Budhna, Rudrashwa, Tasta, Srim\u0101n\nand Vishwarupa, those were the highly illustrious sons of Tastu (50).\nHara, Vahurupa, Tryamvaka, Apar\u0101jita, Vrish\u0101kapi, Sambhu, Kapardi,\nRaivata, Mrigavyadha, Sarpa and Kap\u0101li\u2014these are known as the eleven\nRudras who lord over the three worlds (51-52). O foremost of Bh\u0101ratas,\nin Pur\u0101nas, hundreds, of such Rudras of incomparable energy, have been\nmentioned who have spread over the mobile and immobile creation (53). O\nforemost of Bh\u0101ratas, hear from me of the wives of Ka\u00e7yapa who have\nspread over all the worlds: They are Aditi, Diti, Dana, Aristha, Surav\u0101,\nSurabhi, Vinat\u0101, T\u0101mr\u0101, Krodhavash\u0101, Ir\u0101, Kadru, Muni and Swas\u0101; hear\nnow of their offspring (54-55). In the previous Manwantara they were\ntwelve leading celestials. In the Manwantara of Vaivaswata they used to\naddress one another by the name of Tushita (56). During the reign of the\npresent highly illustrious Manu Chakshusha, they all assembled together\nfor the benefit of all creatures and said (57). \"Let us all enter into\nthe womb of Aditi to be born in the Manwantara of Vaivaswata and we will\nattain well-being (58)\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having said this during the Manwantara of Manu\nChakshusha, they were begotten on Aditi, daughter of Daksha by Kagyapa\nthe son of Marichi (59). Sakra and Vishnu were also born of her.\nBesides, O descendant of Bharata, Aryam\u0101, Dh\u0101t\u0101, Twast\u0101, Push\u0101,\nVivashm\u0101n, Savit\u0101, Mitra, Varuna, Ansha, and the highly effulgent\nBhaga\u2014these eight were also born of Aditi; so it is said (60-61). Those\nwho passed by the name of _Tushita_ during the Manwantara of Chakshusha\nwere known as twelve Adityas during the Manwantara of Vaivaswata (62).\nThe twenty seven wives of Soma, observant of vows and of incomparable\nenergy, gave birth to luminous bodies as their offspring (63).\nArishthanemi\u2019s wives had sixteen sons. The learned Patriarch Vahuputra\nhad four sons:\u2014Vidyut (lightning), A\u00e7ani (thunder-bolt), Megha (cloud)\nand Indradhanu (rain-bow) (64). The best of works _Riks_ originated from\nPratyangiras and the celestial saint Krish\u0101swa begat deities presiding\nover various celestial weapons (65).\n\nO child, these deities take their births again after a thousand Yugas.\nOf them thirty three\u00b9\u2070 take birth of their own accord (66). As in this\nworld the sun rises and sets, so O king, the origin and disappearance of\nall these gods are also mentioned. They appear and disappear at every\nYuga (67-68).\n\nKa\u00e7yapa begat on Diti two sons, the powerful Hiranyakashipu and\nHiranyaksha. This we have heard (69). He had a daughter (also) by name\nSinhik\u0101 whom Viprachitti espoused. Her highly powerful sons were\ncelebrated by the name of Saihinkeyas. It is said, O king, that their\nnumber was ten thousand (70). They had, O thou having mighty arms,\nhundreds and thousands of sons and grandsons. Hear now from me of the\nchildren of Hiranykashipu (71). He had four sons of well-known\nprowess\u2014Anurh\u0101da, Hr\u0101da, and the energetic Pralh\u0101da (72). And Sanghr\u0101da\nwas the fourth. Hr\u0101da\u2019s son was Hrada. Sangrada\u2019s sons were Sunda and\nNisunda (73). Anurahada\u2019s sons were Ayu, Sivi and K\u0101la. Virochana was\nPralhada\u2019s son; and his son was Vali (74). O king, Vali had a hundred\nsons, of whom V\u0101na was the eldest. Dhritarashtra, Surya, Chandram\u0101,\nIndratapana, Kumbhanabha, Gardhabhaksha, Kukshi and others were their\nnames. Of them V\u0101na was the eldest, powerful and a beloved votary of\nPa\u00e7upati (75\u201376). In the previous Kalpa, V\u0101na, having propitiated the\nDivine Lord of Uma, prayed to him for the boon \"I shall remain by your\nside.\" (77). V\u0101na begat on his wife Lohita, a son, by name Indradamana.\nHundreds and thousands of Asuras yielded to his power (78). The five\nsons of Hiranyaksha were learned and highly powerful\u2014they were Jarjara,\nSakuni, Bhutasant\u0101pana, the powerful Mah\u0101n\u0101bha and K\u0101lanabha. Hundred\nsons of dreadful prowess were born to Danu. They were all ascetic and\nendued with great energy. Hear their names in order of precedence\n(79\u201380). Dwimurdh\u0101, Shakuni, Shankushira, Vibhu, Shankukarna, Virava,\nGaveshtha, Dundubhi, Ayomukha, Shamvara, Kapila, V\u0101mana Marichi,\nMaghav\u0101na, Ira, Vrika, Vikshovana, Ketu, Ketuvirya, Shatahrada,\nIndrajit, Satyajit, Vajran\u0101bha, the powerful Mah\u0101n\u0101bha, K\u0101lanabha\nEkachakra, the highly powerful and mighty-armed Taraka, Vaishvanara,\nPulom\u0101, Victravana, Mah\u0101sura, Swarbhanu, Vrishaparva, the great Asura\nTuhunda, Sukhshma, Nichandra, Urnanabha, Mah\u0101giri, Asilom\u0101, Sukeshi,\nShatha, Valaka, Mada, Gaganamurdha, the great ascetic Kumbhan\u0101bha,\nPramada, Daya, Kupatha, the energetic Hayagriva, Vaisripa, Virupaksha,\nSupatha, Hara, Ahara, Hiranyakashipu, Salya and the energetic\nViprachitta\u2014these sons of Danu were begotten by Ka\u00e7yapa. Amongst those\nhighly powerful Dinavas Viprachitta was the head (81-89). O king, I\ncannot enumerate the offspring, sons and grandsons, of all these D\u0101navas\n(90). Sarvana\u2019s daughter was Prabh\u0101, Puloma\u2019s daughter was Sachi,\nHayasira\u2019s daughter was Upad\u0101navi and Vrishaparva\u2019s daughter was\nSharmishth\u0101 (91).\n\nVaishw\u0101nara had two daughters Pulom\u0101 and Kalik\u0101-they were both highly\npowerful, gave birth to many children and were the wives of Ka\u00e7yapa, the\nson of Marichi (92). They gave birth to sixty thousand D\u0101navas; of them\nfourteen thousand lived in the city of Hiranya (93). Being observant of\nrigid austerities Ka\u00e7yapa begat highly powerful D\u0101navas called Poulamas\nand K\u0101lakey\u0101s (94). Those living in the city of Hiranya were placed by\nBrahm\u0101 above destruction even by the gods. They were afterwards killed\nby Savyasachi in battle (95). Nahusha was Prabh\u0101\u2019s son, Jayanta was\nSachi\u2019s son, Sarmisth\u0101 gave birth to Puru and Upad\u0101navi gave birth to\nDushmanta (96). Viprachitta begat on Singhik\u0101 another class of highly\ndreadful D\u0101navas (97). By the union of Daity and Danava energies they\ngrew of dreadful prowess. Those thirteen highly powerful D\u0101navas were\ncelebrated by the name of Sainghikeyas (98). They were the powerful\nAisha, Nabha, Vala, Vat\u0101pi, Namuchi, Ilvala, Khasrima, Anjika, Naraka,\nK\u0101lan\u0101bha, Shara, Potarana, and the energetic Vajran\u0101bha (99-100). Of\nthem R\u0101hu, the represser of the sun and the moon, was the eldest. Hr\u0101da\nhad two sons, Suka and Tuhunda (101). Sunda begat on T\u0101raka a son by\nname M\u0101rachi, another (by name) Sivamana, energetic like a celestial\n(102). All these D\u0101navas, multiplying the race of Danu, were great.\nTheir sons and grandsons were hundreds and thousands in number (103).\nThe noble Niv\u0101takavachas endued with great asceticism were born in the\nrace of the Daitya Sanghr\u0101da(104). Those Danavas, living in the city of\nManimati, begat three Koti offspring. The gods could not destroy them\nand they were slain by Arjuna (105). It is said that T\u0101mr\u0101 gave birth to\nsix highly powerful daughters\u2014Kake, Sweni, Bh\u0101si, Sugrivi, Suchi, and\nGidhrika (106). K\u0101ki gave birth to crows, Uluki to owls, Sweni to Swena\nbirds, Bh\u0101si to Bh\u0101sa birds, Gidhri to vultures, Suchi to waterfowls and\nSugrivi to horses, camels and asses. Such is the description of T\u0101mr\u0101\u2019s\nfamily (107-108). Vinata had two sons, Aruna and Garuda. Suparna, the\nforemost of birds, grew immensely powerful by his own action (109).\nSuras\u0101 gave birth to a thousand highly powerful serpents and high-souled\nsky-rangers of many heads (110). Powerful, and many headed Nagas endued\nwith immeasurable energy, the offspring of Kadru, were born as being\nsubject to Suparna (111). Amongst them Sesha, V\u0101suki, Takshaka,\nAiravata, Mah\u0101padma, Kamvala, Aswatara, Ekapatra, Shankha, Karko taka,\nDhananj\u0101ya, Moh\u0101neela, Mah\u0101karna, Dhritarashtra, Val\u0101haka, Kuhara,\nPushpapangstra, Durmukha, Sumukha, Shankhapala, Kapil\u0101, V\u0101mana, Nahusha,\nSangkaroma and Manu were the heads. Fourteen thousand sons and grand\nsons of these dreadful serpents were devoured by Garuda, living on\nserpents. Know this class to be full of anger. All animals having teeth,\nthose born on land, birds and those produced by water are the offspring\nof Dhara. Surabhi gave birth to kine and buffaloes (112-117). Ira\nproduced trees, creepers, groves and all kinds of grasses and Khasa gave\nbirth to Yakshas, Rakshas, Munis and Apsar\u0101s (118). Aristha gave birth\nto the powerful Gandharvas of unmitigated prowess and the mobile and\nimmobile creation is said to have originated from Ka\u00e7yapa (119).\nHundreds and thousands of sons and grandsons have been born to them.\nSuch was the creation, O my child, in Swarochisha Manwantara (120). I\nshall now describe to you the creation of the Patriarch Brahm\u0101 who\noffered oblation to fire at the long-extending sacrifice of Varuna in\nVaivaswata Manwantara (121). Formerly when seven Rishis were procreated\nby his mind the grand-father considered them as his sons (122).\n\nO descendant of Bharata, when the conflict between the gods and demons\nraged on, Diti, who had her sons slain, began to propitiate Ka\u00e7yapa\n(123). Being duly adored by her and propitiated, Ka\u00e7yapa pleased her by\ngiving a boon. She too prayed for a highly powerful son for killing\nIndra. That great ascetic, when thus begged, conferred on her the same\nboon (124-125). Having conferred on her the boon without the least\nanxiety the son of Marichi said:\u2014\"If being pure and observant of vows\nyou can hold your conception for one hundred years you will give birth\nto such a son as will slay Indra (126\u2013127).\" O monarch, saying so be it\nand being pure Diti obtained her conception from her that great ascetic\nhusband (128). Thinking of one of the leadings gods of immeasurable\npower and infusing energy which the immortals even can not destroy he\nknew Diti. Then that one of great vows repaired to a hilly region for\ncarrying on penances (129-130). From that day the slayer of P\u0101ka (Indra)\nbegan to seek her fault. One day before hundred years were complete\nDiti, without washing her feet, lay down on her bed. Beholding her\nimpure state the king of gods entered into her abdomen and made her\nasleep (131-132).\n\nThen the holder of thunderbolt sundered the embryo into seven pieces.\nCut into pieces with the thunderbolt the embryo began to cry (133).\nSakra again and again prevented him saying \"Do not cry! Do not cry!\" The\nembryo was then divided into seven pieces. Indra too, the slayer of\nenemies, worked up with anger, again cut every piece into seven portions\nwith his thunder-bolt. From them originated the gods called Maruts, O\nforemost of Bharatas (134-135). Because they were addressed by Maghavan\n(saying \"Do not weep\" _Ma ruda_) so the Maruts were born and they all\nbecame of help to the holder of thunder-bolt (136). When creatures thus\nmultiplied, O Janamejaya, Hari consoled that foremost of gods of\nimmeasurable energy, and then conferred kingdoms on various Patriarchs\nof whom Prithu was first installed as king (137-138). That Hari is the\nheroic person Vishnu, Jishnu, the Patriarch, the king of rains and is\nthe air in his visible form. The whole universe is His (139). O foremost\nof Bharatas, he, who is informed of this creation of creatures, and he\nwho reads or hears the auspicious birth of the Maruts, has no fear of\nbeing born again in this world\u2014what of fear in the next world (140)?\n\n    \u2079 They are nymphs and the nurses of Kumara.\n\n   \u00b9\u2070 The thirty three gods are:\u20148 Vasus, 11, Rudras, 12 Adityas, Brahma\n      and Indra.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER IV. A QUERY REGARDING THE ORIGIN OF THE ARTICLES OF FOOD.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014Having installed Prithu the son of Vena, in the office\nof the Lord Paramount the Patriarch began to confer kingdoms on Soma and\nothers (1). He placed Soma in charge of the twice-born, herbs, planets,\nstars, sacrifices and hard austerities (2). He then installed Varuna as\nthe king of waters, Vaishravana as the lord of kings, Vishnu the king of\nAdityas, P\u0101vaka the king of Vasus, Laksha the king of Patriarchs, V\u0101sava\nthe king of Maruts, Pralh\u0101da of incomperable energy the king of Daityas,\nand and Danavas, Yama, the offspring of the sun, as the king of the\ndeparted manes, N\u0101r\u0101yana as the king of M\u0101tris, vows, Mantr\u0101s, kine,\nYakshas, R\u0101kshasas and kings and Siva, having the emblem of a bull, as\nthe king of S\u0101dhyas and Rudras (3\u20137). He then ordered Viprachitta to\nbecome the king of the D\u0101navas and made Girisha (Siva) the holder of\nmace, the king of all ghosts and goblins (8). He made Himav\u0101n, the king\nof mountains, and the ocean the king of rivers and appointed the greatly\npower V\u0101yu as the king of smell, bodiless creatures, sound, ether and\nearth (9). He made the lord Chitraratha the king of Gandarvas, V\u0101suki,\nthe king of N\u0101gas and Takshaka the king of serpents (10). He ordered\nAiravat to become the king of the elephants, Ushaishrava, of the horses\nand Garuda the king of birds, tiger the king of beasts and the bull, the\nking kine, Plaksha the king of trees, and, installed Parjanya as the\nking of ocean, rivers, showers and Adityas (11\u201413). He installed Sesha\nas the king of wild animals and Takshaka, the king of reptiles and\nserpents (14). He made K\u0101madeva the king of Gandharvas and Asuras and\nSamvatsara the king of seasons, months, days, fortnights, moments,\nconjunctions of planets, Parvas, K\u0101las, K\u0101shth\u0101s, Pram\u0101sha, Ayanas,\nMathematics and all conjunctions. Having divided the kingdom in such an\norder Brahm\u0101 placed all the guardians of the quarters. He installed\nSudhanna, the son of the Patriarch Vairaja as the Protector of the\neastern quarter. He placed in the South the high-souled Sankhap\u0101da, the\nson of the Patriarch Kardama. He installed the high-souled Ketuman, the\nson of Raja, as the king of the West. And he made the irrepressible,\nHirany roma, the son of the Patriarch Prajanya, the king of the North.\nEven now they have been piously ruling over their respective provinces\nof the earth consisting of seven insular continents and mountains. By\nall those kings Prithu was appointed as the Lord P\u0101ramonnt in a Rajshuya\nsacrifice according to rites laid down in the Vedas, O king (15\u201323).\nAfter the expiration of the highly vigorous Manwantara of Chakshusha the\nPatriarch Brahm\u0101 conferred the kingdom on Manu Vaivaswata. If you wish\nto listen, O sinless king, I shall give you at length an account (of his\nlife) for your help. This has been described fully in Purana. It is\nsacred and confers fame, longevity, residence in heaven and auspicious\nness (24\u201325).\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O Vaishamp\u0101yana, do thou describe in full, the birth of\nPrithu and how by that high-souled one this earth was milched (26); how\nwas she milched by the ancestral manes, gods, Rishis, Daityas, Nagas,\nYakshas, serpents, mountains, Pishachas, Gandharvas, the leading\nBr\u0101hmanas, Rakshasas, and other great creatures, (27\u201328). Do thou also\ndescribe fully, O Vaishamp\u0101yana, their various vessels, the calves and\nthe various articles in order, for which she was milched (29). Do thou\nalso relate, why formerly Vena\u2019s arm was churned by the angry Rishis\n(30).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O Janamejaya, listen, with attention and\nconcentrated mind, I shall give you a detailed account of Prithu, the\nson of Vena (31). O monarch, I do not describe this unto him, who is\nimpure, little-witted, who is not a worthy disciple, who does not\nobserve vows, who is ungrateful and injures people (32). O king, do thou\nlisten duly to this theme described by the god-like Rishis which secures\nheaven, longevity, fame and riches (for all) (33). He, who having\nsaluted the Br\u0101hmanas daily, listens to the birth story of Vena\u2019s son,\nPrithu, does not grieve for iniquities committed by him (34).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER V. AN ACCOUNT OF VENA AND PRITHU.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Formerly the Patriarch Anga, born in the race of\nAtri, and equally all-powerful like him, became the protector of\nreligion (1). A highly impious son by name Vena was born to him. That\nPatriarch was begotten on Sunith\u0101 the daughter of Death (2). Imbibing\nthe defect of his maternal grand-father, that son of K\u0101la\u2019s daughter\ndeviated from his own duties and preached freedom of conduct in the\nworld (3). That king established an irreligious order and disregarding\nVedic observances he engaged in impious actions (4). During his\nadministration the study of the Vedas and the performance of the Vedic\nrites were suspended. And the celestials did not get Soma juice\nconsecrated in Yajnas (5). Such was the dreadful promise of the\nPatriarch that no one would perform, even at the time of destruction,\neither Homa or Yajna (6). O foremost of Kurus, (he said) I am worthy of\nbeing adored, I am the agent of Yajna, I am identical with Yajna\u2014you\nshould dedicate all your Yajnas and Homas unto me (7). Beholding him\nthus transgress the order and partake unduly and unfairly of the\nsacrificial offerings the great Rishis, headed by Marichi, said (8):\u2013\"We\nshall enter upon the initiation ceremony for many long years\u2014therefore\ndo not act irreligiously, O Vena, for such is the eternal religion (9).\nAfter the death of Atri you have forsooth been born as a Patriarch. And\nyou made the contract that you would govern the subjects\" (10). After\nthey had said this the wicked and ill-disposed Vena, laughing, said to\nall those great Rishis, the following evil words (11). Vena said \"Who\nelse will be the founder of religion? Whom shall I hear? Who else is\nsuperior to me on this earth in learning, energy, prowess, asceticism\nand truth (12)? All creatures and especially all forms of religion have\noriginated from me. You are all stupid and void of consciousness and\ntherefore you do not know me (13). If I wish I can burn down the earth\nor overflow it with water. I can obstruct the heaven and earth: there is\nno need of discussing it (14)\". When the noble Rishis could not make\nVena humble on account of his pride and egotism, they, worked up with\nanger, belaboured that highly powerful king and began to churn his left\nthigh (15\u201316). When the thigh of that king was thus churned there arose\nfrom it a greatly short and dark person (17). O Janamejaya, he stood\nthere, stricken with fear and folding his arms. Beholding him thus\npossessed by fear Atri said to him \"Nishida\" _Sit down_ (18). O foremost\nof speakers, he became the originator of the race of Nishadas (hunters)\nand procreated the race of fishermen begotten of the sins of Vena (19).\nAnd Tukh\u0101ras, Tumuras and other races taking delight in impiety who live\non the Vindhya mountain were also born of Vena (20). Thereupon, those\nhigh-souled Rishis, worked up with anger, began to churn the right arm\nof Vena like a piece of wood used for kindling fire (21). From that arm\noriginated Prithu resembling the very flame, and burning in effulgence\nlike the fire itself (22). The highly illustrious Prithu was born with\nhis most excellent prime bow _Ajagava_, heavenly arrows and a highly\nlustrous coat of mail to protect his body (23-24). At his birth all the\ncreatures were filled with delight and Vena too, O monarch, repaired to\nthe celestial region (25). O descendant of Kuru, the great Prithu, a\ngood son, being born he saved Vena from the hell called _Put_\u00b9\u00b9 (26).\nTaking all the jewels the oceans came to him with water for his\ninstallation (27). The Divine Brahm\u0101 with the Devas, the offspring of\nAngiras, and all other creatures, mobile and immobile, came there and\ninstalled the effulgent king, the son of Vena, the lord of an extensive\nkingdom (28-29). The highly energetic and powerful son of Vena, Prithu,\nwas installed as the first king by the leading Rishis conversant with\nthe Vedas and other scriptures (30) By him were pleased the subjects who\nhad been dissatisfied by his father. On account of his being the object\nof their love he was called R\u0101j\u0101 (king) (31). When he used to make a\nvoyage in the ocean the water used be grow hard as land and the\nmountains made way for him and the branches of the trees were not broken\ndown (32). The earth grew easy of production and yielded articles of\nfood as soon as thought of. The kine gave milk whenever milched and\nhoney grew in every leaf (33). In the meantime at the sacred Yajna of\nBrahm\u0101, was born the highly intelligent Suta (34). At that great Yajna\nwas also born the wise M\u0101gadha. They were invited by the celestial\nsaints for chanting the glories of Prithu (35). All the Rishis said to\nthem \"Do ye sing the glories of this king. This is a work that befits\nyou and this king too is also an worthy subject for it (36)\". Then Suta\nand M\u0101gadha said to all those Rishis:\u2014\"We shall, with our own actions,\ndelight the gods and Rishis (37). O ye twice born ones, we are not\ncognizant of the actions, characteristics and fame of this energetic\nking. How shall we then chant his glories (38)?\" They were then engaged\nby the Rishis (to chant his glories) saying \"Do ye chant his glories by\nthe deeds which the highly powerful Prithu did in the previous Kalpa\n(39). This king speaks truth, has a good character, keeps his promise,\nis modest, does good unto all, is forgiving, powerful, represses the\nwicked, observes his duties, is grateful, merciful, always speaks sweet\nwords and respects those who deserve it, performs Yajnas, is devoted to\nBr\u0101hmanas, is of a quiet temperament, and observes the rules of\nsociety.\" Since then, O Janmejaya, at the time of chanting glories Sutas\nand M\u0101gadhas (panegyrists) pour their benedictions in this world\n(40-42). Being highly pleased with their eulogy the king Prithu\nconferred upon Suta the province of Arupa, and on M\u0101gadha, that of\nMagadha (43). Thereat delighted the great Rishis and the subjects said\n\"The king will forsooth grant us maintenances in abundance (44)\".\nThereupon at the words of the great saints, the subjects approached the\nson of Vena and begged of him their maintenances (45). Thus approached\nby his subjects and with a view to do them good the powerful king took\nup his bow and assailed the earth (46). Thereupon assuming the form of a\ncow the earth fled away in fear of Vena\u2019s son. Prithu too, taking up his\nbow, pursued her (47). Traversing the region of Brahm\u0101 and all other\nregions in fear of Vena\u2019s son she saw him everywhere before her with the\nbow in his hand (48). He looked effulgent like the burning eternal fire\nwith his sharpened arrows and even the immortals could not repress that\nhigh-souled one (49). Even when repairing to the region of Brahm\u0101 she\ncould not find safety; the earth, adored even by the three worlds with\nfolded hands then said to the son of Vena:\u2014\"You should not perpetrate\nthe iniquity of slaying a woman. Without me, how will you be able, O\nking, to protect your subjects (50-51). O king, all the worlds are\nsituated on me, and this universe is sustained by me. Know this, O king,\nthat with my destruction all the creatures will be destroyed (52). O\nking, if you wish to encompass the well being of your subjects it does\nnot behove you to kill me. Listen to these words of mine (53). If works\nare undertaken commensurate with their means they are crowned with\nsuccess. Do you, O king, find out the means by which you will protect\nyour subjects (54). By slaying me, O king, you will not be able to\nprotect your subjects by any means. O you of great effulgence, I will\nfind it out; do you restrain your anger (55). Even women of inferior\nbirths should not be slain. Therefore, O king, you should not forsake\nyour morality (56).\"\n\nHearing those various words of the earth the high-souled and pious king,\nrestraining his anger, said to her (57).\n\n   \u00b9\u00b9 It is a hell where all those who have no son born to them go after\n      death. It is for this that the Hindus look so eagerly to the birth\n      of a son.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER VI. THE ORIGIN OF THE EARTH.\n\n\nPrithu said:\u2014He, who for one individual destroys many lives either\nbelonging to his own side or to his opposite party, commits a sin in\nthis world (1). By slaying that harmful person at whose death many\nbecome happy one is not visited by sin, either great or small (2). If by\nthe destruction of one wicked person the well-being of many is secured\nsuch an act leads to the acquisition of virtue (3). I shall therefore,\nfor the behoof of my subjects, kill you, O earth. If you do not satisfy\nthis command of mine conducive to the well-being of the world I shall\nkill you with this arrow who have neglected my command. And having\nburied my own self (under the earth) I shall uphold my subjects forever\n(4-5). O you ever observant of pious rites, do you, during my regeme,\ngive life to my subjects for you are capable of protecting them (6). Do\nyou give milk for me and then I will withdraw the dreadful arrow that I\nhave taken up for your destruction (7).\n\nThe earth said:\u2014O hero, forsooth shall I carry out all that you have\nsaid. If works are undertaken along with the means they always prove a\nsuccess (8). So do you resort to the means by which all the subjects may\nbe protected. Behold this my calf. Being attached to it I shall give\nmilk (9), O you foremost of the pious, do you level my surface all over,\nso that my milk may reach everywhere (10).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon Vena\u2019s son, with the end of his bow,\nuprooted thousands of hills for which they multiplied greatly (in\nnumber) (11). Vena\u2019s son Prithu then levelled the surface of the earth.\nIn the past Manwantara she was of uneven surface (12). The earth was by\nnature both even and uneven; such was her state in Chakshusha Manwantara\n(13). The earth having been uneven in the previous Manwantara there\nexisted no regular division of the cities and villages (14). There was\nno corn, no rearing of kine, agriculture or trade. There was neither\ntruth, untruth, avarice nor pride (15). O king, now with the advent of\nVaivaswata Manwantara, agriculture, trade and the keeping of kine have\noriginated from Vena\u2019s son Prithu (16). O sinless one, at that time\npeople desired to makes their habitations at all those places of the\nearth which were levelled (17). Then with great difficulty people could\nlive upon fruits and roots. This I have heard (18). Having converted the\nManu Swayambhuva into a calf the powerful son of Vena, Prithu, the\nforemost of men, milched the earth for all sorts of corns with his own\nhands (19). On that food, O my child, the people are daily living even\nnow. I have heard the earth was again milched by the Rishis. Soma became\ntheir calf; the son of Angiras, the highly energetic Vrihaspati, milched\nher. The Vedas were the vessels, O descendant of Bharata, and the\neternal devotion to Brahman was the incomparable milk (20-21). I have\nheard she was again milched by all the celestials headed by Purandara\nwith golden vessels (in their hands) (22). Then Maghav\u0101n (Indra) became\nthe calf and the lord Sun milched her. A continued flow of milk came out\non which the Devas are living (23). I have heard the earth was again\nmilched by the ancestral manes of unlimited prowess, with silver vessels\n(in their hands) (24). The powerful son of Vivaswat became the calf and\nAntaka, the destroyer of Lokas (worlds), milched her (26). O foremost of\nmen, I have heard, that making Takshaka the calf, the N\u0101gas milched her\nwith the cavity of their palms as vessels and got poison for the milk\n(26). O foremost of Bharatas, O king, the powerful Airavata\nDhritarashtra became the milcher when the N\u0101gas and serpents milched her\n(27). By that poison the huge serpents of deadly venom are living their\ndreadful lives. They live on poison, they give out poison and poison\nconstitutes their energy (23). I have heard that the earth was again\nmilched by Asuras with iron vessels for the illusory power capable of\nover-powering the enemies (29). Pralh\u0101da\u2019s son Virochana became their\ncalf and the highly powerful, two-headed Madhu, the priest of the\nDaityas milched her (30). By that M\u0101y\u0101 (illusory power) the Asuras have\nbeen rendered adepts in illusion. The Asuras, endued with immeasurable\nwisdom, are therefore so very powerful (31). I have heard, O monarch,\nthat the earth was again, in the days of yore, milched by Yakshas for\neternal disappearance from view with uncouth vessels (32). The highly\neffulgent and pious Yakshas made Vaisravana their calf. The ascetic\nthree-headed son of Yaksha, by name Rajatan\u0101bha, the father of\nManin\u0101bha, milched (the earth). By that (power of disappearance into\nanother\u2019s body) they are now still living. This the great saint N\u0101rada\nhas said (33-34). O foremost of men, with a view to afford gratification\nto their children the earth was again milched by the R\u0101kshasas and\nPish\u0101chas with the skulls of dead bodies (35). O glory of the Kuru race,\nRajatan\u0101bha milched (the earth) for them. Sum\u0101li became the calf and\nblood came out for the milk (36). By that bloody milk the immortal\nYakshas, Rakshasas, Pish\u0101chas and other ghosts are keeping their lives\n(37). O foremost of men, having made Chitraratha their calf the\nGandharvas and Apsar\u0101s again milched her with lotus vessels for sweet\nperfume (38). O foremost of Bharatas, the greatly powerful and the\nhigh-souled king of Gandharvas, Suruchi, resembling the Sun itself,\nmilched (her) for them (39). O king, I have heard that the mountains\nagain milched her for the herbs in forms and various jewels (40).\nHimav\u0101na became the calf and the great mountain Sumeru milched (her).\nOther great mountains were the vessels and by that the mountains are\nincreasing in proportions (41). I have heard, O king, that the trees, in\nthe days of yore, once milched her with Pal\u0101sa leaves as vessels for\nreviving the scorched and burnt trees and creepers (42). The blossoming\nS\u0101la tree milched her and the Plaksha tree became the calf. That\npurifying Earth, who sustains all, is the instrument of the birth and\npreservation of the entire mobile and immobile creations. When milched\nshe gives all desired-for objects and produces all corns (43-44).\nExtending up to the ocean she was celebrated under the name of _Medini_.\nHer entire surface was filled with the fat (of the demons) Madhu and\nKatabha. Therefore was she called _Medini_ by Brahm\u0101 and others (45). O\ndescendant of Bharata, when she was brought under the subjection of the\nking Prithu, the son of Vena and became his daughter\u00b9\u00b2 she came by the\nname of Prithivi. Being divided and purified by Prithu the earth has\nbecome full of corns, mines, cities and provinces. O best of kings, such\na powerful king was the son of Vena (46\u201347). Undoubtedly he is an object\nof reverence and adoration of all creatures. Prithu, born of eternal\nBrahm\u0101, is worthy of the adoration even of the great Br\u0101hmanas,\nwell-read in the Vedas and all their divisions. The powerful prime king\nPrithu, the son of Vena, deserves also the adoration of the great kings\nwho desire kingdoms. The first king of the heroes, Prithu, is also\nworthy of the adoration of the valiant warriors who wish for victory in\nbattle (48\u201350). The warrior, who issues out for battle after reciting\nthe name of the king Prithu, is crowned with success and glory even in\ndreadful battles (51). The illustrious king Prithu, who conferred\nlivelihood on all, is worthy of the adoration of the wealthy Vaisyas who\ncarry on trade (52). The first king is also worthy of the adoration of\nthe pure Sudras who serve the three other Varnas and who wish for\nsupreme well-being (53). O monarch, I have thus described the various\ncalves, those who milched, the various sorts of milk and vessels. What\nmore shall I describe to you? (54)\n\n   \u00b9\u00b2 Literally it means \u2019when she was milched by him\u2019. She was milched\n      by the king Prithu and became his daughter and therefore she was\n      called Prithivi.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER VII. AN ACCOUNT OF MANWANTARAS.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O Vaishampayana, O you having asceticism for your\nwealth, do you describe at length all the Manwantaras and the creations\nprevious to them (1). O. Brahman, I wish to hear, in sooth, of all the\nManus and the extent of their reigns (2).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O descendant of Kuru, I cannot give a detailed\naccount of Manwantaras even in hundreds of years. Do you hear from me in\nbrief (3). O descendant of Kuru, Swayambhuva, Sw\u0101rochisha, Auttami,\nT\u0101masa, Raivata, Chakshusha, the present Manu Vaivaswata, the four Manus\nSavarne, Bhoutya, Rouchya and Manu S\u0101varna\u2014these all are Manus. I have\ndescribed, as I have heard, of Manus, present, past and future. I will\nnow describe the Rishis, the sons of Manus, and the celestials who were\nborn in the various Manwantaras (4-7). Marichi, the reverend Atri,\nAngira, Puloha, Kratu, Pulastya and Vasishtha\u2014these seven are the sons\nof Arahm\u0101 (8). O king, during Sw\u0101yambhava Manwantara there were seven\nRishis and the celestials by the name of Yamas in the north. Agnidhra,\nAgniv\u0101hu, Medha, Medh\u0101tithi, Vasu, Yotishman, Dyutiman, Havya, Savana\nand Putra: these were the ten highly powerful sons of Manu Swayambhuva.\nI have thus described to you, O king, the first Manwantara (9\u201311). O\nchild, during Sw\u0101rochisha Manwantara narrated by Vayu, Aurva, the son of\nVasistha, Stambha, the son of Kagyapa, Pr\u0101na, Vrihaspati, Datta, Atri\nand Chyavana\u2014these were the great Rishis of great vows and Tushitas were\nthe gods (12-13). Havirdhra, Sukriti, Jyoti, Apomurti, Ayaprathita,\nNabhasya, Nabha and Urja\u2014these were the sons of the high-souled\nSwarochisha Manu. They have been described, O king, as being gifted with\nhigh energy and prowess (14\u201315). I have thus described to you the second\nManwantara. Hear, O king, I shall describe the third (16). The seven\nsons of Vasishtha, celebrated under the name of Vasishtha and the highly\nenergetic sons of Hiranyagarbha by name Sutejas were the seven Rishis,\nas I have said. O monarch, Auttama had ten beautiful sons. Hear I shall\ndescribe them (17\u201318). They were Isha, Urja, Tanurjja, Madhu, M\u0101dhava,\nSuchi, Sukra, Saha, Nabharya and Nabha (19). It is said that the Bhanus\nwere the celestials in that Manwantara. Hear, I shall describe the\nfourth Manwantara (20). O descendant of Bharata, K\u0101vya, Prithu, Agni,\nJahnu, Dh\u0101ta, Kapivan and Akapiv\u0101n\u2014these were the seven Rishis (21), O\ndescendant of Bharata, in Puranas their sons and grandsons have been\nmentioned. Satyas were the celestials in T\u0101masa Manwantara (22). O king,\nI shall now enumerate the sons of Tamasa Manu-Dyuti, Tapasya, Sutapa,\nTapomula, Tapogana, Taporati, Akalm\u0101sha, Tanvi, Dhanvi and\nParantapa\u2014these ten were the sons of the highly powerful Manu T\u0101masa. So\nVayu has said (23-24). During the fifth Manwantara Vedav\u0101hu, Yadudhra,\nMuni, Veda\u00e7ira, Hiranyaroma, Parijanya, Somasuta, Urdhavahu, Atreya and\nSatyanetra were the seven Rishis. The celestials of that period passed\nunder the name of Abhutarajas\u2014having their nature not permeated by the\nquality of darkness. There were also two other classes of celestials by\nthe name of P\u0101riplava and Raivya (25\u201327). Hear, I shall enumerate the\nnames of their sons\u2014Dhritim\u0101n, Avya, Yukta, Tatwadarshi, Nirutsuka,\nArany, Prak\u0101sha, Nirmoha, Satyav\u0101k and Kadi were the sons of Manu\nRaivata-and this is the fifth Manwantara (28-29). Hear, O king, I shall\ndescribe the sixth Manwantara. Bhrigu, Nabha, Vivasw\u0101n, Sudh\u0101m\u0101, Viraj\u0101,\nAtinam\u0101 and Sahishnu these were the seven Rishis in the sixth\nManwantara. Hear the names of the celestials who flourished in\nCh\u0101kshusha Manwantara (30\u201331). O king, Adya, Prasuta, Rishabha\nPrithokbhava and Lekha\u2014these have been recorded as the five classes of\ndeities. The high-souled and the highly energetic sons of Angiras were\nthe Rishis (32). O monarch, those ten sons, Uru and others, passed under\nthe name of N\u0101dvaley\u0101s. This is known as the sixth Manwantara (33).\nAtri, the reverend Vasistha, the great saint Ka\u00e7yapa, Goutama\nBharadwaja, Vishw\u0101mitra, the reverend Jamadagni, the son of the\nhigh-souled Richika-these seven Rishis are now living in heaven (34\u201335).\nThe S\u0101dhyas, Vishwas, Rudras, Vasus, Maruts, Adityas, Vaivasw\u0101n, the two\nA\u00e7winis are now all living during the present Manwantara of Vaivaswat.\nHe had ten high-souled sons headed by Ikshw\u0101ku (36\u201337). O descendant of\nBharata, the sons and grandsons of those great Rishis of great energy\nare living in all the quarters (38). In all the Manwantaras, as in the\nprevious Kalpa, exist the forty nine Maruts for protecting and governing\nthe people (39). After the expiration of a Manwantara twenty Maruts,\nhaving performed heavenly deeds, attain to the region of Brahm\u0101 freed\nfrom all dangers (40). Thereupon others, observing rigid austerities,\nsucceed them. O descendant of Bharata, I have thus described to you the\npast and present Manwantaras as well as the seven Manus, O descendant of\nKuru. Hear, I shall describe the Manwantara that is to come (41\u201342).\nHear from me an account of the five S\u0101varni Manus; of them one is the\nson of the Sun and the four are the offspring of Prajapati Paramesthi. O\nking, they are the grandsons of Daksha and sons of Pry\u0101. Because those\nmighty and energetic ones carried on hard austerities on the mount Meru\nthey were called Meru S\u0101varni (43\u201344). The son of the Patriarch Ruchi\nwas celebrated by the name of Rouchya. The son whom Ruchi begat on Bhuti\ncame by the name of Bhoutya (45). Hear now of the seven Rishis of\nS\u0101varni Manwantara, who have not come as yet and who are said to be\nliving in the celestial region (46). R\u0101ma, Vy\u0101sa, the effulgent and\ncelebrated Atreya, the highly energetic Aswathama, the son of Drona, the\nson of Bharadw\u0101ja, Kripa, the son of Goutama\u2019s son Saradv\u0101n, G\u0101lava, the\nson of Kushika and Ruru, the son of Ka\u00e7yapa\u2014these seven high souled ones\nare the future Munis. These seven Rishis are equal to Brahm\u0101 and\nfortunate (47-49). By asceticism practised from their very birth, by\ntheir knowledge of sacred formulae and grammar they will secure a\nposition in the region of Brahm\u0101 and will be celebrated as pure Br\u0101hmana\nsaints (50). Being repeatedly born in every Yuga beginning with the\ngolden, the noble and truthful seven Rishis institute the various orders\nand lay down their duties. They are endued with the knowledge of the\npresent, past and future, have themselves become, by means of their\nasceticism, well known, just and considerate. By the knowledge of\nformulae, and grammar and by their spiritual insight they see everything\nlike an emblic myrobalam in their hands. They are known as seven Rishis\nby their sevenfold qualities. They are long-lived, far-sighted and have\nseen the God. They are the first born, well-versed in various duties and\nthe founders of various families (51-55). When virtue suffers any\ndeterioration, the Rishis, the originators of _Mantras_ (mystic\nformulae) and Br\u0101hmanas are repeatedly born in their families (56). When\nall the Rishis are capable of conferring boons and are all respectively\ngreat there is no evidence of the time when they flourished and of their\nage (57). O king, I have thus described to you the seven Rishis. O best\nof the Bh\u0101rata race, hear now of the future sons of Manu S\u0101varni (58).\nVarian, Avarian, Sammala, Dhritim\u0101n, Vasu, Varishna, Arya, Dhrishnu,\nR\u0101ja and Sumati, these are the ten future sons of Manu S\u0101varni, O\ndescendant of Bharata (59). Hear, I shall enumerate the names of the\nMunis of the reign of the first Manu S\u0101varni. Medhatithi, the son of\nPalastya, Kavyapa\u2019s son Vasu, Bhrigu\u2019s son Yotism\u0101na, Angira\u2019s son\nDyutim\u0101na, Vasistha\u2019s son Savana, Atri\u2019s son Havyav\u0101hana and\nPoulaha\u2014these seven Rishis flourished in Rohita Manwantara. O king,\nthese were the three classes of deities (60\u201362). They were the sons of\nthe Patriarch Rohita,\u2014the son of Dhksha, Manu\u2019s son Dhrishthaketu,\nPanchahotra, Nirakriti, Prithu, Shrav\u0101, Bhuridyumna, Richaka, Vrihata\nand Gaya, these were the sons of the highly energetic first Manu Savarni\nduring the second Manwantara of the tenth order. Pulaha\u2019s son Havishm\u0101n,\nBhrigu\u2019s son Sukriti, Atri\u2019s son Apomurti, Vasishtha\u2019s son Ashwath\u0101ma,\nPulastya\u2019s son Pramati, Kagyapa\u2019s son Nabh\u0101ga and Angira\u2019s son Nabhasa\nSatya\u2014these were the seven great saints (63\u201366). The two classes of the\ndeities and the Rishis have (already) been enumerated. Manusuta,\nUttamanj\u0101, Kunishanja, Viry\u0101v\u0101n, Sat\u0101nika, Niramitra, Vrishasena,\nJayadratha, Bhuridyumna and Suvarcha\u2014these ten were Manu\u2019s sons (67\u201368).\nHear, I shall enumerate the names of the seven Rishis who flourished\nduring the eleventh period of the third Manwantara. Ka\u00e7yapa\u2019s son\nHavishm\u0101n, Bhrigu\u2019s son Havishman, Atri\u2019s son Taruna, Vasishtha\u2019s son\nTaruna, Angira\u2019s son Urudhisna, Pulastya\u2019s son Nischara, Pulaha\u2019s son\nAgnitej\u0101,\u2014these are the future seven great Rishis (69\u201371). It is said\nthat Br\u0101hma\u2019s sons, the deities were divided into three classes.\nSarvatraga, Susharm\u0101, Dev\u0101nika, Purudvaha, Kshemadanva, the long-lived\nAdarsha, Parudaka and Manu\u2014these were the nine sons of the third Manu\nS\u0101varni (72\u201373). Hear from me the names of the seven Rishis of the\nfourth Manwantara.\n\nThey were Vasishtha\u2019s son Dyuti, Atri\u2019s son Sutapa, Pulastya\u2019s son\nTaposhana, and Pulaha\u2019s son Taporavi. Know Bhrigu\u2019s son Tapovriti as\ntheir seventh. It is said, there were five classes of deities\u2014the\nmind-born sons of Brahm\u0101 (74\u201376). Devav\u0101yu, Adura, Devasreshtha,\nViduratha, Mitrav\u0101n, Mitradeva, Mitrasena, Mitrakrit, Mitravaha, and\nSuvarcha\u2014these are the sons of the twelfth Manu (77). During the\nthirteenth Manwantara that is to come Angira\u2019s son Dhritiman, Pulastya\u2019s\nson Havyapa, Pulaha\u2019s son Tatwadarshi, Bhrigu\u2019s son Nirutsuka, Atri\u2019s\nson Nishprakampa, Kacyapa\u2019s son Nirmoha and Vasishtha\u2019s son Sutapa will\nbe the seven Rishis and three classes of deities as mentioned by the\nself-sprung (Brahm\u0101) (78\u201380). During the thirteenth Manwantara Manu\u2019s\nsons were the sons of Ruchi, Chitrasen, Vichitra, Naya, Dharmacrit,\nDhrita, Sunetra, Kshatra, Vriddhi, Sutapa, Nirbhaya, and Drida\u2014these\nwere the sons of Manu Rouchaya in the thirteenth Manwantara (81-82).\nDuring the fourteenth Manwantara of Manu Bhoutya, Kacyapa\u2019s son\nAgnidhra, Pulasta\u2019s son Bhargava, Bhrigu\u2019s son Ativahu, Angira\u2019s son\nSuchi, Atri\u2019s son-Yukta, Vasistha\u2019s son Asukra, and Pulaha\u2019s son Ajita\nwere the last seven Rishis (83\u201384). Chanting the glory of their period a\nman attains happiness, great renown and long life (85.) He, who recites\nalways the names of the great Rishis, past and present, becomes\nlong-lived and gains renown. O foremost of the Bharatas, five classes of\ndeities, it is said, flourished then (86). Tarangabhir\u0101, Bushma,\nTarashm\u0101n, Ugra, Abhim\u0101ni, Pravira, Jishuu, Sangkrandana, Tejashi, and\nSavala are the sons of Manu Bhoutya. With the completion of Bhoutya\nManwantara one Kalpa will be complete (87-88) I have thus enumerated the\nnames of the past and future Manus. O king, these Manus with with their\nchildren, rule over the earth extending to the ocean for thousands of\nYugas and govern the subjects with asceticism. And they also in time\nperish away as usual (89\u201390).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER VIII. DIVISION OF TIME.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O you highly intelligent twice-born one, you should\nenumerate the Yugas and mention the extent of Brahm\u0101\u2019s day (1).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O subduer of enemies, hear, I shall enumerate the\ndays of Brahm\u0101 by the same calculation by which men make divisions of\nday and night (2). Five _Nimeshas_ make one _K\u0101stha_, thirty _K\u0101shthas_\nmake one _Kal\u0101_ and thirty _Kal\u0101s_ make one _Muhurtta_. And the\nintelligent consider thirty _Muhurttas_ constituting one day and night\ncomprising the motion of the sun and moon. Such days and nights daily\ntake place in all the countries around the mount Meru (3\u20134). Fifteen\ndays and nights make one _Paksha_ (fortnight); two fortnights make one\nmonth\u2014two months make one _Ritu_ (season) (5). Three _Ritus_ make one\n_Ayana_ and two _Ayanas_ make one year. Those, conversant with the\nscience of enumeration, divide _Ayana_ (course) into two\u2014northern and\nsouthern (6). Those, who have mastered (the various divisions of) time,\nconsider a month, consisting of two fort-nights, as the one day and\nnight of the ancestral manes (7). The dark-half of the month is their\nday and the light half is their night. Therefore, O king, Sr\u0101dhas, for\nthe departed manes, are performed in the dark half of the month (8).\nThat which is considered as a _Samvatsara_ (year) for human beings is a\nday and night for the celestials. Of them the northern course is\nconsidered by the learned as their day and the southern course as their\nnight (9). When a celestial year is multiplied ten-fold it is considered\nas one day and night of Manu. A day and a night, when multiplied\nten-fold, constitute one _Paksha_ (fortnight) of Manu (10). A _Paksha_,\nwhen multiplied tenfold, forms one month; and twelve months are regarded\nby the wise, discriminating truth, as forming a season of Manu. Three\n_Ritus_ (seasons) make one _Ayana_ and two _Ayanas_ make one\n_Samvatsara_ (year) (11). Their four thousand years constitute the\nextent of Krita Yuga (golden age). O king, four hundred years form the\n_Sandhy\u0101_\u00b9\u00b3 and four hundred such form the _Sandhy\u0101ngsha_\u00b9\u2074 (12). The\nextent of the Treta Yuga is three thousand years. Its _Sandhy\u0101_ and\n_Sandhy\u0101ngsha_ severally extend over three hundred years (13). It is\nsaid that the duration of Dw\u0101para Yuga is two thousand years. Its\n_Sandhy\u0101_ and _Sandhy\u0101ngsha_ are said to extend each over two hundred\nyears (14). The wise have enumerated the duration of Kali Yuga as\nextending over a thousand years. Its _Sandhy\u0101_ and _Sandhy\u0101ngsha_ too\nextend over one hundred years each (15). I have thus described the\nextent of Yugas comprising twelve thousand years. Hear, from me, the\nenumeration of Yugas measured by celestial Ayanas (16). Krita, Treta,\nDw\u0101para and Kali these are the four Yugas. O foremost of kings, with\nsuch seventy-one Yugas one Manwantara is completed. So is said by those\nwho are versed in the science of enumeration. The _Ayana_, that has been\nmentioned before, is two-fold, northern and southern (17\u201318). When one\nManu disappears his _Ayana_ is completed, and then another reigns. In\nthis way when many a Manu rise and disappear one _Samvatsara_ of Brahm\u0101\nis completed. His one _Samvatsara_ has been described by the\ntruth-observing ascetics as consisting of one million of years (19\u201320).\nBrahm\u0101\u2019s one day is said to be tantamount to one Kalpa. The earth, with\nher mountains, woods, and forests, sinks into water in the night which\nis enumerated by the wise as extending over a thousand Yugas. O foremost\nof Bharatas, at the completion of that one thousand Yugas, Brahm\u0101\u2019s one\nday is completed and the termination of a Kalpa is said to be brought\nabout. I have thus described to you the preceding seventy Yugas (21\u201323).\nKrita, Tret\u0101 and other Yugas are said to constitute one Manwantara. I\nhave also described to you fourteen Manus, enhancing their (own) glory\n(24). O king, all these patriarchs were masters of the Vedas and\nPuranas. Even the chanting of their glories is crowned with success\n(25). At the termination of a Manwantara sets in the dissolution (of the\nuniverse) after which again begins the work of creation. Even with\nhundred years I cannot enumerate this period (26), O foremost of\nBharatas, during these Man wantaras, the termination of the creation and\ndestruction of creatures is brought about. This I have heard (27). At\nthat time there exist the gods with gross and subtle elements and the\nseven Rishis, who carry on penances, lead a life of celibacy and are\nendued with the knowledge of scriptures (28). One _Kalpa_ terminates\nwith the completion of a thousand Yugas. Then scorched by the rays of\nthe sun, all the creatures, placing the lord Brahm\u0101 before them, and\naccompanied by the Adityas, approached the omnipotent lord N\u0101r\u0101yana, the\nforemost of gods, ever engaged in Yoga, the master of Yogins, unborn,\neternal, the soul of all, who repeatedly engenders all creatures at\nvarious Kalpas. He is the unseen and eternal God to whom belongs the\nwhole universe (29\u201331). Then there sets in night when all are converted\ninto one ocean. They all sleep in the belly of N\u0101r\u0101yana for one thousand\nyears of Brahm\u0101 (32). That extent of time goes by the name of night when\nthe Grandfather (Brahm\u0101) enters upon the Yoga of sleep (33). After the\nexpiration of that night extending over a thousand Yugas awakes the\nDivine Brahm\u0101, the Grand-father of all (34). Desirous of engendering\nprogeny again he sets his mind on the work of creation. There comes into\nexistence the same ancient recollection, the same character, the same\nenergy for action, the same abode for the gods, but only a change in\norder of things takes place. O foremost of Bharatas, then are born again\nat the commencement of Yuga, the celestials saints, Yakshas, Gandharvas,\nPish\u0101chas, serpents and Rakshas, that had (before) been consumed by the\nrays of the sun (35\u201337). As the signs of various seasons are changed\nwith the change of cycles, so the various orders of creations are\nmetamorphosed in Brahm\u0101\u2019s night (38). Having come out (of the lotus\nnavel of N\u0101r\u0101yana) Prajapati engages, for sooth, in the work of\ncreation. O my child, O foremost of Bharatas, those gods, men and\nsaints, who renouncing all attachment for the body, and being pure of\nmind, are united with Great Brahman, are never born in the next cycle\n(39\u201340). Having divided his own day into a thousand Yugas (cycles) and\nhis night into an equal number of cycles in due order, the Divine\nBrahm\u0101, the ordainer of all, well-versed in the enumeration of time,\ncreates and destroys the creatures again and again (41\u201342). The Great\nGod the Lord N\u0101r\u0101yana, Hari exists both in his subtle and gross form. I\nshall relate the history of Manu Vaivaswata born of a portion of his\nenergy (43). O foremost of Bharatas, hear the ancient story of the\nhighly effulgent Manu described incidentally along with the description\nof Vrishni race (44). Here the omnipotent, Great Lord, Hari was born for\nthe destruction of all the demons and the behoof of all the worlds (45).\n\n   \u00b9\u00b3 The period that elapses between the expiration of one Yuga or age\n      and the commencement of another.\n\n   \u00b9\u2074 The period at the end of each Yuga.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER IX. ACCOUNT OF THE SUN\u2019S OFFSPRING.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O subduer of foes, Ka\u00e7yapa begat Vivaswan on Aditi,\nthe daughter of Daksha. He espoused the goddess Sajn\u0101 (1). That\nbeautiful damsel was celebrated over the three worlds by the name of\nSurenu. The wife, of that high-souled, divine M\u0101rtanda (sun) gifted with\nbeauty and youth (as she was) was, not satisfied with the beauty of her\nhusband. Amongst females on this earth Sajn\u0101 was gifted with great\nascetic powers. Having her body scorched by the rays of the sun she did\nnot look beautiful (2-4). Ka\u00e7yapa affectionately said (to Aditi) who was\nignorant \"your embryo\u00b9\u2075 is not dead\" and so he is called M\u0101rtanda (5).\nThe rays of the sun are always very powerful, O my child, and the son of\nKa\u00e7yapa oppresses the three worlds therewith (6). Q foremost of\nKouravas, that best of luminous bodies, Aditya begat on Sajna three\nchildren, one daughter and two sons who became patriarchs (7). First was\nborn Manu Vaivaswata and then the patriarch Sr\u0101ddhadeva, then Yama and\nYamun\u0101 were born as twins (8). Thereupon beholding the pale countenance\nof Vivasw\u0101n and unable to bear her own form she created Savarn\u0101 out of\nher own shadow (9). Sajn\u0101 was an adept in illusion and so, O king, her\nshadow at once sprang up and bowing with folded hands said to her (10).\n\nShe said:\u2014\"O thou of pure smiles, tell me what I am to do. Command me, O\nfair one, I am at your service (11)\".\n\nSajna said:\u2014\"May good betide you, I shall now go to my father\u2019s house.\nDo you now live in this my house without any anxiety (12). You should\nlook after these my boys and my youthful daughter. Never give out this\nsecret to the Divine (Sun) (13)\".\n\nThe shadow said:\u2014\"I shall not give out your secret so long the sun does\nnot hold me by the hair or imprecate a curse on me. Go now at your\npleasure, O goddess (14)\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having said carefully \"so be it\". to Sarvan\u0101, the\nascetic Sajn\u0101 went to Twasta as if in shame (15). When she met her\nfather he remonstrated with her repeatedly and asked her to go to her\nhusband again (16). Then hiding her beauty and assuming the form of a\nmare, that faultless (damsel) repaired to the (province of) Uttarakuru\nand began to graze there (17). Then taking the second Sajna for the\n(real) one, Aditya begat a son on her after his own self (18). This lord\nwas like the first-born Manu and people designate him as Manu S\u0101varni\n(19). He became Manu S\u0101varni. Her second son was known by the name of\nSani (20). O child, the immitation Sajn\u0101 did not show that affection\ntowards the first-born children which she did towards her own son (21).\nManu forgave her for that but Yama could not do so. Out of childishness,\nanger and future glory, Vivaswata\u2019s son Yama threatened Sajn\u0101 with a\nstroke of his foot (22). O king, greatly stricken with sorrow S\u0101varni\u2019s\nmother (accordingly) cursed him in anger, saying \"your foot shall drop\"\n(23). Then worked up with anxiety on account of the imprecation and\nassailed by Sajn\u0101\u2019s words, Yama, with folded hands, communicated\neverything unto his sire (24). He said to his father:\u2014\"Do thou so\narrange as to withdraw the curse. It is the duty of a mother to show\naffection equally towards all her sons (25). Disregarding us she always\nloves the youngest son. So I did lift up my foot but it did not fall on\nher body (26). You should forgive me for the offence that I have\ncommitted out of childishness or ignorance; since I have insulted her,\nbeing a son, who is worthy of my respect, forsooth shall my foot drop\noff. A son may prove a bad son, but never does the mother. O foremost of\nluminous bodies, O lord of the worked, I have been cursed by my mother.\nLet not my foot drop by your favour (27-29)\".\n\nVivaswat said:\u2014\"Undoubtedly, my son, there must be a mighty cause for\nit, since anger has possessed you who are truthful and pious (30). I\nshall not be able to make otherwise your mother\u2019s words; taking flesh\nfrom your foot the worms shall fall on the surface at the earth, O\nhighly wise one, and you will, accordingly attain to happiness. This\nbeing done the words of your mother shall prove true (31\u201332). And you\nwill also be saved from the effect of the imprecation\". Aditya then said\nto Sajn\u0101:\u2014\"Equal affection should be shown towards all children. Why are\nyou then again and again showing partiality towards one?\" In order to\nevade it she made no reply to the sun (33\u201334). Then having concentrated\nhis own self by virtue of Yoga, he found out the truth. O descendant of\nKuru, then to imprecate a curse of destruction on her the lord sun held\nher by the hair. The terms of contract being thus transgressed she\ncommunicated the truth unto Vivasw\u0101n (35-36). Hearing all Vivasw\u0101n got\nenraged and approached Twasta. He too, having eulogized him (the sun)\nproperly who was bent upon consuming him, pacified his anger (37).\n\nTwasta said:\u2014\"This your highly effulgent form does not look graceful.\nUnable to bear your lustre Sajn\u0101 is wandering in the yellow forest (38).\nTo-day will you behold your wife of pure conduct, who is daily engaged\nin hard austerities under the guise of a mare (39). Living on leaves,\nand a life of a female anchorite, she has grown emaciated and poorly;\nher hairs have grown into matted locks and she has been agitated like a\nlotus crushed by the trunk of an elephant. O lord of rays, if you accept\nmy view, I may, for that praiseworthy damsel endued with ascetic power,\nresorting to Yoga, O king of gods, convert this form of yours into a\nbeautiful one, O slayer of enemies (40\u201341).\" The rays of the sun were\ncrooked and extended above. Gifted with such a celestial form the sun\nwas not of a gentle look (42). So the Patriarch (sun) attached great\nimportance to Twasta\u2019s words and gave order to the celestial Architect\nfor beautifying his own form (43). Thereupon Twasta approached the\neffulgent M\u0101rtanda. And then placing him on a chisel, O descendant of\nBharata, he cut lose his lustre (44). When his effulgence was thus\nreduced and he appeared in his new form he looked superbly beautiful and\nmore than it (45). The beautiful form of that lord of rays was thus\neasily formed. Since then the countenance of the deity, sun, is red. The\ntwelve Adityas, originated from his mouth, sprang from the portions of\nhis effulgence dropped from the countenance of M\u0101rtanda when the act of\nchiselling was performed; they were Dh\u0101ta, Aryam\u0101, Mitra, Varuna,\nAngsha, Bhaga, Indra, Vivaswan, Pusha, the tenth Parjanya, the eleventh\nTwasta and the youngest Vishnu (46-47). Thereupon beholding the Adityas\nbegotten of his own body he attained delight. Then Twasta worshipped him\nwith scents, flowers, ornaments and a brilliant crown and said to\nhim:\u2014\"O god, go to your own wife in Uttarakuru, who, assuming the form\nof a mare, is grazing in the forest of green grass.\" Thereupon assuming\nsportively a similar form, he, by virtue of his Yoga power, espied his\nown wife in the form of a mare. O king, assuming the form of a mare she\nwas fearlessly wandering there and no one could distress her on account\nof her energy and pious observances. Then the powerful sun, in his horse\nform, knew her by his mouth (48\u201353). Taking him for another man the mare\ndid not yeild to his desire. Then from his nostril the two Aswinis, the\nforemost of the physicians, were born. They were the sons of the eighth\nPatriarch M\u0101rtanda. Aditya begat the two Aswinis on Sajn\u0101 in the guise\nof a mare and he then appeared before his wife in his beautiful form\n(54\u201356).\n\nO Janamejaya, beholding her husband she (Sajn\u0101) was greatly delighted.\nYama, greatly sorry at heart on account of his own mis-deed, began to\nplease his subjects with his pious rule and he was accordingly called\n_Dharmar\u0101j_. By his holy act of pleasing his subjects he was appointed\nthe regent of the ancestral manes and elevated to the dignity of a\npatriarch. The ascetic S\u0101varni Manu was a patriarch and in the future\nSavarni Manwantara he will be the Manu. The all-powerful Manu, even now,\nis carrying on penances on the summit of the mount Meru (57-60). His\nbrother Shanischara has attained to the status of a planet. Those, who\nwere known as Aswinis, became the physicians of the celestial region\n(61). O king, Sevata too became the physician of the horses. Twasta,\nwith that effulgence, created the discus of Vishnu (62). With a view to\ndestroy the D\u0101navas that discus is never baffled in a warfare. Their\nillustrious twin sister Yamun\u0101 became the foremost of rivers of that\nname purifying the world. Manu was known as S\u0101varni Manu in the world\n(63-64). His second son, Manu\u2019s brother Sanischara attained to the\nstatus of a planet, worshipped of all the worlds (65). He, who listens\nto this story of the birth of gods or meditates on it, is freed from all\ncalamities and attains great renown (66).\n\n   \u00b9\u2075 The allusion is:\u2014When Aditi was _enciente_ Budha went to her for\n      alms. For her condition she was late in complying with his request\n      and Budha imprecated a curse on her saying \"the child will be\n      dead.\" At this she grew pale, and Ka\u00e7yapa, knowing all this by his\n      ascetic power, preserved the child.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER X. VAIVASWATA MANU\u2019S OFFSPRING.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O foremost of Bharatas, Vivaswata Manu had nine sons\nafter him\u2014Ikshw\u0101ku, N\u0101bhaga, Dhrishnu, Shary\u0101ti, Narishyan, Prangsha,\nN\u0101bhagarishtha, Korusha and Prishadhra (1\u20132). O king, desirous of\nprogeny the patriarch Manu performed a sacrifice before Mitra and Varuna\n(3). O descendant of Bharata, before the birth of these nine sons of\nhis, Muni offered oblation to the portions of Mitra and Varuna in the\npresent sacrifice. When this oblation was offered, the gods, Gandharvas,\nmen and ascetics attained to great delight and exclaimed. \"Oh! wonderful\nis his ascetic energy! Oh! Wonderful is his knowledge of scriptures\n(4\u20136).\" The tradition is, that in that sacrifice was born Il\u0101, clad in a\ncelestial raiment, adorned with celestial ornaments and equipped with a\ncelestial armour (7). Manu, with a rod of chastisement in his hand, said\nto her: \"Follow me, O fair one.\" She gave the following moral reply to\nthat Patriarch desirous of offspring (8).\n\nIl\u0101 said:\u2014\"O best of speakers, I am born of the energy of Mitra and\nVaruna and so I shall go to them. Do not destroy my morality (9).\"\n\nHaving said this to Manu Il\u0101 approached Mitra and Varuna and that fair\none with folded hands said to them, \"I am born of your energy; Manu has\nasked me to follow him. Tell me what I shall do (10-11)\". Hear from me\nwhat Mitra and Varuna did say to the pious and chaste Il\u0101 who had\naddressed them thus (12). \"O you fair one of beautiful hips, we have\nbeen pleased with your virtue, humility, self restraint and truthfulness\n(13). Therefore O great lady, you will be celebrated as our daughter, O\nfair one, you will be the son of Manu, perpetuating his race, celebrated\nin the three worlds by the name of Sudyumna. You will be pious, beloved\nof the world and multiply the race of Manu (14\u201315).\" While she, on\nhearing this, was about to return to her father (Manu), she was invited,\non the way, by Buddha, for conjugal purposes (16). Then Soma\u2019s son\nBuddha begat on her Pururava. Having given birth to that son Il\u0101 became\nPradyumna (17). O descendant of Bharata, the three kinsmen of\nSudyumna-Uutkala, Gaya and the energetic Vinatashwa were greatly pious\n(18), O king, the northern quarter was under Utkala, the western under\nVinatashwa and the city Gay\u0101 was under Gaya (19). O subduer of foes,\nManu having entered the sun, his sons divided the earth into ten parts\n(20). The eldest of them Ikshwaku obtained the central portion by whose\nsacrificial stakes the earth, with her forests and mines, has been\nmarked (21). On account of his partaking of the nature of a female\nSudyumna did not obtain this (central region). According to the words of\nVasishtha, the high-souled pious king Sudyumna was installed in the\nprovince of Pratisht\u0101na.\u00b9\u2076 O foremost of Kurus. Having obtained that\nkingdom the highly illustrious Sudyumna conferred it on Pururava and he\nhimself reigned in Partishtana. Utkala had three sons celebrated in the\nthree worlds Dhristaka, Amvarisha and Danda (22-24). Amongst them the\nnoble Danda founded the most excellent _Dandak\u0101ranya_ (the forest of\nDanda) celebrated in the world as the abode of the ascetics (25). As\nsoon as a man enters there he is freed from sins. O descendant of\nBharata, having begotten Aila, Sudyumna repaired to heaven (26), O\nmonarch, that son of Manu, who was endowed with the characteristics of\nboth a man and woman, and who took the name of Il\u0101, was celebrated by\nthe name of Sudyumna (27). O descendant of Bharata, Shakas were the sons\nof Narishwanta, and Amvarisha, the foremost of kings, was the son of\nN\u0101bh\u0101ga (28). Dhrishnu\u2019s son Dharshtaka and Ranadhrishta became known as\nKshatra. And Karusha\u2019s sons were the Kshatrya K\u0101rushas, dreadful in\nbattle (29). In this way a thousand mighty powerful Kshatryas were born,\nO descendant of Bharata. The sons of N\u0101bh\u0101garishtha, although Kshatryas\n(by birth), came by the status of Vaishyas (30). Pr\u0101ngshu had one son\ncelebrated by the name of Sharyati. Narishwanta\u2019s son was the powerful\nDanda. Sary\u0101ti had a twin son and daughter. The son was named Anartta\nand the daughter Sukanya became the wife of Chyavana. Anartta\u2019s\nsuccessor was the highly effulgent Reva (31\u201332). His city Kusasthali was\nin the province of Anartta. Reva\u2019s son Raivata passed by the name of\nKukudmi and was pious (32). Having obtained the kingdom of Kusasthali he\nbecame the father of a hundred sons. He, along with his daughter,\nreceived from Brahm\u0101 instructions in music. And O lord, many a Yuga\npassed away to him like a moment. He then, in his youthful state,\nreturned to his own city filled with Y\u0101davas (33\u201335). The city of\nDwaravati, charming with many damsels, was protected by the descendants\nof Bhoja and Vrishni races headed by Vasudeva (36).\n\nO slayer of foes, then informed of all these details Raivata conferred\nupon Baladeva that vow-observing maiden by name Revati (37). Having\ngiven away (his daughter) he repaired to the summit of the mount Sumeru\nfor carrying on hard austerities. R\u0101ma too lived happily in the company\nof Revati (38).\n\n   \u00b9\u2076 Pratishtana or Pray\u0101ga is the modern Allahabad, the seat of the\n      Government of N. W. P.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XI. ACCOUNT OF RAIVATA AND HIS SONS.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O foremost of the twice-born, why were not Revati and\nRevata\u2019s son Kukudmi, visited by decrepitude although they lived for\nmany years (1). Why does Sary\u0101ti\u2019s grandson, even after his retirement\nto Meru, still live in this world? I wish to hear all this in sooth (2).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O sinless one, O foremost of Bharatas, there is\nneither decrepitude, hunger, thirst, death, nor the change of seasons in\nthe region of Brahm\u0101 (3). After the departure of Revata\u2019s son Kukudmi,\nhis city Kushasthali was destroyed by demons and goblins (4). That\nhigh-souled and pious king had a hundred brothers. When the R\u0101kshasas\nbegan to carry on the work of destruction they fled away in various\ndirections (5). O king of kings, when after their escape all the hundred\nbrothers settled in various parts the Kshatriyas thereof were stricken\nwith fear (6), O king, their families extended to all those countries\nand are known as Shary\u0101tas (7). O foremost of Bharatas, in all the\nquarters those pious Kshatriyas reside; O descendant of Kurus, amongst\nthem many entered into mountainous regions (8). The two sons of\nNabh\u0101g\u0101ristha, although born of a Vaishya mother, attained to the status\nof a Br\u0101hmana. The sons of Karusha, Kshatriyas dreadful in battle,\npassed by the name of K\u0101rushas (9). Only one son of Pr\u0101ngshu is\nmentioned by the name of Prajapati. O Janamejaya, having killed the cow\nof his preceptor, Prishata is said to have come by the birth of a Sudra.\nO fore most of Bh\u0101ratas, I have thus given an account of the nine sons\nof Manu Vaivaswata (10\u201311). When Manu sneezed there came out from his\nnostril a son by name Iksh\u0101wku. He had a hundred sons who gave away\nprofuse gifts (12). The eldest of them Vikukshi, on account of his huge\nabdomen, could not make a warrior and so that pious king reigned as the\nlord of Ayodhya (13). He had fifty excellent sons headed by Sakuni. They\nall reigned, O king, protecting the province of Uttarapatha (14). O\nking, thirty-eight sons headed by Shash\u0101da protected the southern\nquarter (15). On an _Ashtaka_\u00b9\u2077 day Ikshw\u0101ku commanded Vikukshi by\nsaying \"O you of great strength, do you bring meat for the Sr\u0101ddha after\nkilling deer (16).\" Having taken the meat of a hare before the\nperformance of the _Sr\u0101ddha_ for which it was collected he returned from\nhunting with the name of _Shash\u0101da_\u00b9\u2078 (17). He was forsaken by Ikshw\u0101ku\nat the words of Vashishtha. After the demise of Ikshw\u0101ku Shash\u0101da began\nto live in the city (of Ayodhya) (18). Shash\u0101da\u2019s son was the powerful\nKakutstha. Seated on the hump of Indra in the guise of a bull he\ndefeated the Asuras in the days of yore in battle and accordingly he was\ncalled Kakutstha. Kakustha\u2019s son was Anen\u0101 and his son was Prithu\n(19\u201320). Prithu\u2019s son was Vishtar\u0101shwa and from him was born Adra.\nAdra\u2019s son was Yuvan\u0101shwa and his son was Shr\u0101va (21). The king Shr\u0101va\nmade a city by the name of Shr\u0101vasti. And his son was highly illustrious\nVrihad\u0101shwa (22). His son was the highly pious king Kuvalashwa, who, by\nkilling (the demon) Dhundhu, came by the name of king Dhundhum\u0101ra (23).\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O Brahman, I wish to hear the true account of the\ndestruction of Dhundhu for which Kuvalashwa came by the name of\nDhundhum\u0101ra (24).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Kuval\u0101shwa had a hundred sons all skillful archers;\nthey were all well-educated, powerful irrepressible and pious and\nperformed sacrifices and gave away profuse gifts. Kuval\u0101shwa installed\nhis son Vrihad\u0101shwa in the kingdom (25\u201326). Having made over the charge\nof his kingdom to his son he repaired to the forest. But the saint\nUttanka prevented him (from doing that) (27). He said:\u2014\"O king, it\nbehoves you to protect your subjects; you should not carry on penances,\nrelieved of all anxiety (for the state) (28). O king, high-souled as you\nare, the earth should be protected by you. Setting aside all cares you\nshould not enter into woods (29). It is seen that great virtue consists\nin protecting the subjects, but not so, in repairing to the forest (30)\nSuch is upheld to be the duty of a king and even the former saintly\nkings used to protect their subjects. Therefore, you should look after\nyour subjects (31). On the even ground near my hermitage, all desert and\nwith little water, there is a tract full of the sands of the ocean\ncalled _Ujj\u0101naka_.\u00b9\u2079 There entered into the ground full of sand a\nhuge-bodied and highly powerful (demon) whom it was beyond (the power of\nthe) gods even to destroy. That son of the Rakshasa, Madhu, also passed\nby the name of the huge Asura, Dhundhu. Resorting to dreadful penances,\nhe is lying there for the destruction of men (32-33). When he breathes\nafter the expiration of a year the earth trembles with her mountains,\nforest and wood (34). The heavy dust, raised by his breath, obstructs\nthe path of the sun\u2014the earth-quake continues for one week\u2014and there\ncomes out smoke with scintillations of fire and cinders. At that time, O\nmy child, I cannot live at my hermitage (35-36). Therefore, for the\nbehoof of mankind, do you slay that huge-bodied demon. On the\ndestruction of that demon people will be at ease (37). O king, you alone\nare competent to kill him. O sinless one, in the previous Yuga Vishnu\nconferred a boon on me (38). \u2019You will welcome his energy with a boon\nwho will kill that dreadful and highly powerful great Asura\u2019 (39). O\nking, even in a hundred celestial years trifling energy cannot consume\nthat highly powerful Dhundhu. Great is his energy which even the gods\ncannot with difficulty overcome (40)\". Thus accosted by the high-souled\nUttanka the royal saint despatched his son Kuval\u0101shwa for suppressing\nDhundhu (41).\n\nVrihadashwa said:\u2014\"O Reverend Sir, I have given up the use of weapons.\nHe is my son, and forsooth, O foremost of the twice-born, he will\ndestroy Dhundhu (and acquire the name of Dhundhum\u0101ra) (42)\".\n\nHaving ordered his son for the destruction of Dhundhu, the\nself-controlled royal saint went to the mountain for carrying on\npenances (43). O king, Kuval\u0101shwa, with his hundred sons and the\nascetic, issued out to destroy Dhundhu (44). For the behoof of mankind\nand at the behest of Uttanka the Lord Divine Vishnu entered into him by\nhis own energy (45). After his departure a terrible sound was heard in\nthe sky. \"This graceful prince will be _Dhundhamara_ (46)\".\u00b2\u2070 Then the\ncelestials engarlanded him with heavenly garlands. The celestial bugles\nwere also sounded, O foremost of Bharatas (47).\n\nHaving gone there, that best of victors, the energetic (Kuval\u0101shwa) made\nhis sons dig up the un-ending sandy ocean (48). O descendant of Kuru,\nbeing invigorated by N\u0101r\u0101yana\u2019s energy he became highly powerful and\nenergetic (49). Digging up the sandy ocean his sons, O king, found out\nDhundhu, lying in the west (50). He seemed, as if, to have burnt down\nthe quarters in anger with fire coming out of his mouth. O foremost of\nBharatas, as the ocean swells up with the rise of the moon, so (by the\nmovement of that demon) mighty torrents of water began to flow.\nExcepting three the hundred sons of that king were consumed by that\nR\u0101kshasa (51\u201352). Thereupon, O descendant of Kuru, the highly energetic\nking Dhundhum\u0101ra confronted the highly powerful R\u0101kshasa Dhundhu (53).\nThen having drunk up, by his Yoga power, his (Rakshasa\u2019s) watery energy\nthe ascetic (king) quenched the fire with water (54). Then having slain\nwith his strength that demon of the water the king proved himself\nsuccessful to Uttanka (55). Uttanka too conferred a boon on the high\nsouled king\u2014via endless riches, victory over his enemies, inclination to\nvirtue and eternal habitation in heaven, as well as the attainment to\nthe eternal region of those of his sons who were killed by the R\u0101kshasa\n(56\u201357).\n\n   \u00b9\u2077 The eighth day of three months on which the progenitors are\n      worshipped.\n\n   \u00b9\u2078 Meaning one who eats the meat of a hare.\n\n   \u00b9\u2079 Literally _Ut_ and _Janaka_ or collection of men, i.e., divested\n      of men. It means that in that tract of land there was no human\n      habitation.\n\n   \u00b2\u2070 Lit: Destroyer of (the Demon) Dhundhu. This will be his surname\n      after the destruction of the demon Dhundhu by him.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER. XII. THE STORY OF SATYAVRATA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Of his three surviving sons Dridh\u0101shwa is spoken of\nas the eldest; Chandr\u0101shwa and Kapil\u0101shwa were the two younger sons (1).\nHaryashwa was the son of Dhundhum\u0101ra\u2019s son Dridh\u0101shwa. His son was\nNikumbhu always observant of the duties of the Kshatryas (2). Nikumbhu\u2019s\nson was Sanghat\u0101shwa, well-versed in the art of warfare. O king,\nSanghat\u0101shwa had two sons Krish\u0101shwa and Akrish\u0101shwa (3). Himalaya\u2019s\ndaughter Drishadvati, respected by the good and celebrated in the three\nworlds, was his spouse. Her son was Prasenajit (4) Prasenajit got a wife\nby name Gouri ever devoted to her husband. Cursed by her husband she\nbecame a river by name V\u0101hud\u0101 (5). His son was the emperor Yuvan\u0101shwa\nwhose son was M\u0101ndh\u0101t\u0101, the victor of the three worlds (6). His wife was\nChaitrarathi the daughter of Shashavindhu\u2014her another name was the\nchaste Vindumati unequalled in beauty in the world (7). She was chaste\nand the eldest of ten million brothers. O king, M\u0101ndh\u0101t\u0101 begat on her\ntwo sons\u2014the pious Purukutsa and the virtuous Muchukunda. Purukutsa\u2019s\nson was the emperor Tr\u0101sadasyu (8\u20139). He begat a son on Narmad\u0101 by name\nSambhuta whose son was the king Sudhanw\u0101 (10). Sudhanw\u0101\u2019s son was\nTridhanw\u0101, the represser of foes; the educated powerful king Trayy\u0101runa\nwas Tridhanw\u0101\u2019s son (11). His highly powerful son, of vicious\nunderstanding, by name Satyavrata, put obstacles to the nuptial mantras\n(12). On account of his childishness, fickleness, lust, ignorance and\njoy he took as his wife the duly wedded spouse of another man (13). Out\nof lust he stole away the daughter of another citizen. Pierced by the\ndart of iniquity and worked up with anger (therefore) the king\nTrayy\u0101runa renounced him saying. \"Go to rack and ruin.\" Forsaken by his\nsire he again and again said to him \"Where shall I go?\" (14\u201315).\n\nThe father then said to him \"Go and live with the _Chandalas_.\u00b2\u00b9 O you\nwho have sullied your family, I do not like to be the father of a son\nlike you (16)\". Thus spoken to by his father he issued out of the city.\nThe omniscient Rishi Vasishtha did not prevent him (however) (17) O\nchild, thus forsaken by his father the heroic Satyavrata repaired to\nwhere the _Chandalas_ were living. His father too left for the forest\n(18). On account of his iniquity the chastiser of Pak\u0101\u00b2\u00b2 (Indra), did\nnot pour rain in his kingdom for twelve long years (19). Having made\nover the kingdom to his wives the great ascetic Visw\u0101mitra carried on\nhard penances near the sea (20). Having tied a rope round the neck of\nhis own begotten second son his wife sold him for a hundred coins for\nthe maintenance of the remaining sons (21). O descendant of Bharata,\nwhen he saw the ascetic\u2019s son thus bound for sale the pious prince\nreleased him (22). For encompassing Visw\u0101mitra\u2019s pleasure and for his\nfavour the mighty-armed Satyavrata maintained his sons (23). On account\nof his being bound by the neck the great ascetic passed by the name of\nG\u0101lava. And that great saint Kausika was released by that heroic (king)\n(24).\n\n   \u00b2\u00b9 A low caste people, by living with whom the people are outcasted.\n\n   \u00b2\u00b2 This refers to Indra the god of rain. He received this appellation\n      by destroying a demon by name Paka.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XIII. THE SAME STORY CONTINUED.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thus on account of his Bhakti, mercy and promise\u00b2\u00b3\nSatyavrata, ever stationed in humility, took charge of Vishw\u0101mitra\u2019s\noffspring (1). Having killed wild deer, bear and buffaloes he used to\nkeep meat tied to the trees near the hermitage of Vishw\u0101mitra (2). After\nthe king had left for the forest he, taking the vow of not taking\nanother\u2019s wife, passed twelve years at the behest of his sire as a\nprobationer (3). On account of his being the royal priest the ascetic\nVashishtha protected the city of Ayodhy\u0101 and the kingdom (4). Satyavrata\ntoo, on account of his childishness and future greatness, foolishly got\ngreatly enraged with Vashishtha (5). O king, when his father renounced\nhis own son Satyavrata, Vashishtha, for some reason, did not prevent\nhim.(6). By proceeding seven footsteps all the nuptial _mantras_ are\nannulled. Satyavrata, however, could not hear those muttering prayers\n(7). O descendant of Bharata, thinking \"although Vashishtha is pious\nstill he is not saving me\" Satyavrata got highly enraged with him (8).\nThinking well however the great Vashishtha did not prevent him then; but\nSatyavrata could not understand his intention (9). His high-souled sire\nwas not satisfied with him and therefore the slayer of P\u0101ka did not send\nshowers for twelve years (10). By carrying on those hard austerities now\non earth he is releasing his family (from that sin) (11). When he was\nforsaken by his father Vashishtha did not prevent him because the\nascetic had in view of placing his (Satyavrata\u2019s) son on the throne\n(12). Carrying on hard austerities for twelve years, one day the\npowerful prince Satyavrata, stricken with anger, ignorance, labour and\nhunger, for not finding meat, saw the high-souled Vashishtha\u2019s milch-cow\nconferring the grant of all desires (13-14). O Janamejaya, possessed by\ndrunkenness, madness, exhaustion, anger, hunger, hastiness, cowardice,\navarice and lust he killed that cow (15). He himself took the meat and\nmade Vishw\u0101mitra\u2019s children partake of it. Hearing it Vashishtha was\nenraged. The revered Rishi, worked up with anger, then said to the\nprince (16). \"O wicked man, I discharge at you this javelin (of sin); if\nyou had not two other javelins of sin (stuck to you) forsooth I would\nnot have discharged it\u00b2\u2074 (17). You have committed threefold\ntransgressions, namely the incurring of your father\u2019s displeasure, the\nkilling of your preceptor\u2019s milch-cow and the eating of forbidden meat\"\n(18).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The incurring of his father\u2019s displeasure, the\nkilling of his preceptor\u2019s cow and the eating of forbidden meat formed\nas it were three javelins to him and therefore he was called Trishankhu\n(19). After his return Vishw\u0101mitra found his wife and children looked\nafter by him and pleased accordingly the ascetic conferred a boon on\nTrishankhu (20). When that ascetic was about to confer a boon on him the\nprince begged of him (the boon) of going bodily to heaven (21). Then the\nfear of draught, extending over twelve years, was gone and the ascetic,\nhaving installed him on the throne, began to act as his priest (22). The\nall-powerful son of Kushika took him bodily to heaven in the presence of\nall the gods and the great saint Vashishtha (23). He had a wife by name\nSatyarath\u0101 born in the race of Kekayas. He begat on her the sinless\nprince Harishchandra (24). The king Harishchandra was called\nTraishankava.\u00b2\u2075 Having celebrated a a Rajasuya sacrifice he became the\nLord Paramount (25). Harishchandra had a powerful son by name Rohita by\nwhom, for the advancement of his kingdom, the city of Rohitapura was\nfounded (26). Having governed his kingdom and the subjects and been\nconvinced of the worthlessness of the world the royal saint (Rohita)\ngave away that city unto the Br\u0101hmanas (27). Rohita\u2019s son was Harita,\nwhose son was Chanchu who had two sons, by name Vijaya and Sudeva (28).\nVijaya defeated all the Kshatryas and therefore he got that name. His\nson was Ruruka who was virtuous-souled and studied the Vedas (29).\nRuruka\u2019s son was Vrika and of him was born Vahu. Haihaya, Talajangha and\nother Kshatriya clans accompanied by Shaka, Javana, K\u0101mvoja, P\u0101rada\nPalhava and other clans discomfitted that king for he was not greatly\nvirtuous even in golden age (30\u201331). V\u0101hu\u2019s son was born with poison and\ntherefore he was called Sagara. Coming to the hermitage of Aurva he was\nprotected by Bh\u0101rgava (32). O foremost of Kurus, having obtained a fiery\nweapon from Bh\u0101rgava the pious king Sagara, endued with great strength,\nslew all the Haihayas and Talajanghas, conquered all the world and put\ndown the religious practices of Shaka, Palhava and P\u0101rada Kshatryas\n(33\u201334).\n\n   \u00b2\u00b3 The promise refers to that of his no longer being a disciple of\n      Vashishtha.\n\n   \u00b2\u2074 This passage requires a little elucidation. He had already been\n      visited by two transgressions, namely the incurring of his\n      father\u2019s displeasure and the killing of his preceptor\u2019s cow. Now\n      he commits another transgression, namely the eating of forbidden\n      meat\u2014these three transgressions are compared to three javelins.\n\n   \u00b2\u2075 The son of Trishankhu.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XIV. AN ACCOUNT OF SAGARA.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014Why was the powerful king Sagara born with poison? And\nwhy did he, worked up with anger, put down the religious practices of\nShakas and other highly powerful Kshatriya clans as laid down by their\nrespective orders. And why was he not injured by poison? Describe all\nthis at length, O great ascetic (1-2).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O king, when V\u0101hu grew addicted to vice, Haihaya,\nwith T\u0101laj\u0101nghas and Shakas spoliated his territories (3). Yavanas,\nP\u0101radas, K\u0101mbhojas, Palhavas and Shakas\u2014these five classes (of Mlechhas)\ndisplayed their prowess for Haihaya (4). Deprived of his kingdom, the\nking V\u0101hu retired into a forest life. Followed by his wife he gave up\nhis life there in great misery (5). His wife of the Yadu race was (at\nthat time) enciente and she followed her husband whose other wife had\nadministered poison unto her before (her departure) (6). When she,\nmaking a funeral pyre for her husband in that forest, got upon it Aurva,\nborn in the family of Bhrigu, out of compassion, prevented her (7). In\nhis hermitage she gave birth to the highly powerful and mighty-armed\nking Sagara together with poison (8). Having performed all the rites\nconsequent upon the birth of that high-souled (king) Aurva taught him\nthe Vedas and then gave him at last the fiery weapon which even the\nimmortals cannot withstand. Gifted with great strength he, by dint of\nthe prowess of that weapon, in no time destroyed the Haihayas like unto\nenraged Rudra slaying the beasts. That foremost of the illustrious\n(kings) spread his own fame in the world (9-11). Thereupon he made up\nhis mind for extirpating the race of the Shakas, K\u0101mbhojas and Palhavas\n(12). When about to be slain by the high-souled hero, they, seeking\nrefuge with the intelligent Vasishtha, bowed unto him (13). Seeing them\narrived in proper time the highly effulgent Vasishtha promised them\nsecurity and prevented Sagara (14). Considering his own promise and the\nwords of his preceptor Sagara violated their religious practices and\nmade them change their dress (15). Having made the Shakas shave half of\ntheir heads he dismissed them. He made the Yavanas and K\u0101mbhojas shave\ntheir entire head (16). P\u0101radas used to have their hairs dishevelled and\nPalhavas kept beards. They were prohibited from studying the Vedas, and\noffering oblation to fire by the high-souled (Sagara) (17). O my child,\nShakas, Yavanas, K\u0101mbhojas, Paradas, Kolasapyas, Mahishas, D\u0101rvas,\nCholas and Keralas were all Kshatriyas. O king, at the words of\nVasishtha their religious practices were put down by the high-souled\nSagara (18-19). Having conquered the entire earth consisting of (the\nprovinces of) Khasa, Tukh\u0101ra, China, Madra, Kishkindhaka, Kountala,\nBanga, Sh\u0101lwa, Konkashaka and others, that king, who had put down other\nreligious forms, entered upon the performance of B\u0101japeya sacrifice and\nlet loose a horse (20\u201321). The horse, while it was roaming near the bank\nof the south eastern ocean, was pilfered and made to enter into the\nearth (22). Then the king had that portion of the country dug by his\nsons. When that mighty ocean was thus dug up they arrived at a place\nwhere the prime deity, the Patriarch Hari, the best of male beings, in\nthe shape of Kapila, was sleeping (23\u201324). O great king, when he awoke\nall the sons (of Sagara), with the exception of four, were all consumed\nby the fire coming out of his eyes (25). O king, they were Varhaketu,\nSuketu, Dharmar\u0101tha and the heroic Panchajana\u2014they perpetuated the race\nof Sagara (36). The Omniscient Hari N\u0101r\u0101yana conferred on him many boons\nviz.\u2014unending family, the eternal glory of the Ikshw\u0101ku family, the\nbirth of the ocean as his son, eternal habitation in heaven, and the\nascension into the eternal region of those of his sons who had been\nconsumed by the fiery looks of Kapila (27\u201328). Thereupon the ocean\nworshipped that king with Arghya, and for this it obtained the\nappellation of S\u0101gara (29). He obtained from the ocean that horse\ndestined for the Aswamedha sacrifice (30). The highly illustrious king\nperformed a hundred horse sacrifices and we have heard that he had sixty\nthousand sons (31).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XV. THE SAME STORY CONTINUED.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014By what observance, O twice-born one, did the sixty\nthousand heroic and powerful sons of Sagara attain to greatness? (1)\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Sagara had two wives whose sons had been consumed by\nascetic observances. The oldest of them, the daughter of the king of\nVidarbha, was celebrated by the name Keshini (2). His youngest wife was\nthe pious daughter of Arishthanemi, who was unequalled on earth in\nbeauty (3). Hear, O king, what boons Aurva conferred upon them. He\nwanted one of them to take sixty thousand sons and the other to pray for\none son (only) after her heart who will perpetuate the race. Of them\nshe, who was avaricious, prayed for many mighty sons (4-5). The other\nprayed for only one son, who will keep up the prestige of the family.\nThe ascetic conferred on her the same boon. Sagara begat on Keshini a\nson named Asmanj\u0101 (6). That highly powerful king also passed by the name\nof Panchajana. The other, as the rumour is, gave birth to a long gourd\nconsisting of seeds (7). Therein lay like corns sixty thousand embryos.\nThey grew up duly in proper time (8). The father threw those embryos\ninto vessels full of clarified butter and appointed equal number of\nnurses to look after them (9). When ten months were complete thence came\nout with ease and in proper time those sons of Sagara enhancing his\ndelight (10). In this way, O king, there originated from bottle gourd\nthe sixty thousand sons of Sagara (11). When they were consumed by\nN\u0101r\u0101yana\u2019s energy one of them only survived namely, Panchajana who\nbecame the king (12). Panchajana\u2019s son was the energetic Angsum\u0101n. His\nson Dilipa also passed by the name of Khatt\u0101nga (13). Coming down to\nthis earth from heaven and taking birth there he, within a moment,\nransacked the three worlds by virtue of his intelligence and\ntruthfulness, O sinless one (14). Dilipa\u2019s son was the great king\nBhagiratha who, powerful as he was, brought down the best of rivers\nGang\u0101 (15). That noble and illustrious king, equal to Sakra in prowess,\nbrought her to the ocean and then considered her as his daughter.\nTherefore by the Rishis who keep account of families she has been styled\nBh\u0101girathi (16). Bhagiratha\u2019s son was the celebrated king Shruta. The\nhighly pious N\u0101bh\u0101ga was Shruta\u2019s son (17) N\u0101bh\u0101ga\u2019s son was Ambarisha\nwho was the father of Sindhudwipa, whose son was the powerful Ayutajit\n(18). The illustrious Rituparna was Ayutajit\u2019s son. He was powerful,\nwell-versed in the game of celestial dice and a friend of king Nala\n(19). The king Artaparni was Rituparna\u2019s son, whose son was the king\nSud\u0101sa who became the friend of Indra (20). The king Soud\u0101sa was\nSud\u0101sa\u2019s son. He was celebrated by the name of Kalmashap\u0101da and was\ngreatly attached to his friends (21). Kalm\u0101shap\u0101da\u2019s son was known by\nthe name of Sarvakarm\u0101 whose son was the celebrated Anaranya (22).\nAnaranya\u2019s son was Nighna who had two sons, both leading kings, by name\nAnamitra and Raghu (23). Anamitra\u2019s son was the educated and pious\nDuliduho. His son was Dilipa, the grandfather of R\u0101ma (24). Dilipa\u2019s son\nwas the large-armed Raghu. The highly powerful king Raghu reigned in\nAyodhya (24). Aja was born of Raghu and Aja\u2019s son was Dasharatha whose\nson was the virtuous-souled and illustrious R\u0101ma (26). R\u0101ma\u2019s son passed\nby the name of Kusha whose son was Atithi and whose son was Nishadha\n(27). Nishadhas son was Nala whose son was Nabha. Nabha\u2019s son was\nPundarika whose son passed by the name of Kshemadhanw\u0101 (28).\nKshemadhanw\u0101\u2019s son was the powerful Dev\u0101nika whose son was the great\nAhinagu (29). Ahinagu\u2019s good son was the king Sudhanw\u0101, as whose son was\nborn the king Anala (30). Anala\u2019s son was the virtuous Uktha, the son of\nwhich high souled (king) was Vajran\u0101bha (31). His son Shankha was\ncelebrated for his great learning and passed by the name of\nDhyushit\u0101shwa. His son was the learned Pushpa, whose son was Arthasiddhi\n(32). His son was Sudarshana, whose son was Shighra and whose son was\nMaru (33). Maru practised Yoga in the island of Kala. His son was the\nillustrious king Vrihadvala (34). O foremost of Bharatas, in Pur\u0101na,\nthere are two kings celebrated by the name of Nala. Of them one was the\nson of Veerasena and the other was a descendant of Ikshw\u0101ku (35). I have\nthus described (to you) in order of precedence the leading members of\nthe Ikshw\u0101ku race. These kings, of immeasurable energy, belonged to the\nsolar dynasty (36). By reading the account of creation by the\nillustrious Sr\u0101dhadeva Adity\u0101 who confers nourishment upon creatures a\nman gets offspring, attains to the same status with the sun, is freed\nfrom sins and haughtiness and obtains longevity (37-38).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XVI. THE ORIGIN OF PITRIS AND FRUITS OF SRADDHAS.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014How did the illustrious Aditya become the (presiding)\ndeity of Sr\u0101ddhas? What is the most excellent mode of performing them? I\nwish to hear all this, O Vipra. (1). What is the origin of the Pitris\nand who are they? We have heard from the conversation of the Br\u0101hmanas\nthat the Pitris (ancestral manes), stationed in heaven, are even the\ngods of the gods. This is said by those well read in the Vedas. I\ntherefore wish to know this (2-3). I wish to hear of the most excellent\ncreation of Pitris, their various orders, their great strength, how are\nthey propitiated by the Sr\u0101ddhas performed by us, and how they,\ndelighted, shower benedictions on us (4-5).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014I will now describe to you the most excellent\ncreation of the Pitris; how they are propitiated by Sr\u0101ddhas performed\nby us and how they, being pleased, pour blessings on us. M\u0101rkandeya\ndescribed this when he was accosted by Bhishma. The question, that you\nhave asked me, was put to Bhishma by the pious king (Yudhisthira) when\nthe former was lying on the bed of arrows (5-9).\n\nYudhisthira said:\u2014O you conversant with virtue, how people, seeking\nnourishment, get it? By doing what do they not grieve I wish to hear\nthis (9).\n\nBhishma said:\u2014O Yudhishthira, he, who propitiates the departed manes by\nthe performance of Sr\u0101ddhas that secure all desired for objects, who\nalways performs them with a concentrated mind, attains to delight both\nin this world and in the next. The Pitris confer virtue on him who seeks\nit, children on him who wants them and nourishment on him who desires\nfor it (10\u201311).\n\nYudhisthira said:\u2014The departed manes of some persons live in heaven, and\nthose of others live in hell. The fruits of Karma, it is said, eternally\nexist with people. Persons, in expectation of fruits, perform Sr\u0101ddhas\nfor their father, grand-father, and great-grand-father. How those\nofferings reach the ancestral manes (12\u201314)? How can they, while living\nin hell, grant them the fruits (thereof)? Who are those ancestral manes\nWho else are others? To whom do we offer our offerings (15)? We have\nheard that even the gods, in the celestial region, dedicate offerings to\nthe ancestral manes. I wish to hear all this at length O you of great\neffulgence (16). You are endued with immeasurable intelligence, do you\ndescribe to me, how by making gifts to the ancestral manes we are\nreleased (from worldly trammels) (17).\n\nBhishma said:\u2014O slayer of foes, I shall describe to you what I have\nheard on this subject from my deceased father\u2014who are those ancestral\nmanes and who are others to whom we dedicate our offerings (18). When on\nthe occasion of my father\u2019s Sr\u0101ddha I was about to offer him Pinda\u00b2\u2076 my\nfather, rending assunder the earth, begged it of me with his hand (19).\nHis arm was adorned with bracelet and other ornaments\u2014his fingers and\npalm were as red as I had seen them before (20). Thinking that no such\npractice is seen in Kalpa\u00b2\u2077 I offered the Pinda at the Kusa grass,\nwithout any consideration (21). O sinless one, then my father\ndelightedly said to me in sweet accents:\u2014\"O foremost of Bharatas, I have\nbeen blessed with a son like you, both in this world and the next-a good\nson, pious and learned as you are (22-23). You are also of firm vows, O\nsinless one; with a view to lay down the religious practices of people,\nI issued this command (24). As a man, observing the religious practices,\nis entitled to a fourth part of the virtue thereof, so a stupid person,\ntransgressing them, is visited by one fourth of the sin (consequent\nthereon) (25). The subjects follow the example set by the king in\nreligious practices (26). O foremost of Bharatas, you have observed the\npractices laid down in the eternal Vedas and incomparable is my\nsatisfaction therefore (27). Greatly pleased with you I will confer upon\nyou a most excellent boon\u2014do you pray for it which it is hard to get in\nthe three worlds (28). As long as you will wish to live Death will not\nbe able to extend his influence on you. When you will permit him he will\noverpower you then only (29). O foremost of Bharatas, if there is any\nother boon which you wish to pray for, tell me and I shall grant it\n(30).\"\n\nOn (my father) saying this, I, saluting him with folded hands, said \"O\nmost exalted person, with your being propitiated I have achieved all my\nobjects (31). O you of great effulgence, if I am again entitled to a\nfavour, I wish to put a question which I desire you to answer yourself\n(32).\" My virtuous-souled father then said to me \"O Bhishma, tell me\nwhatever you like. O Bh\u0101rata, I will remove your doubt about what you\nwill ask me\" (35). Filled with curiosity I asked my father who had\nrepaired to the region of the performers of good deeds and who then\ndisappeared from that place (34).\n\nBhishma said:\u2014\"I have heard that the ancestral manes are the gods of the\ngods. Are they the gods or they are others to whom we offer our\nadoration (35)? How the _Pindas_ offered at Sr\u0101ddhas propitiate the\nPitris who have gone to the other world? What are the fruits of a\nSr\u0101ddha (36)? To whom the people, accompanied by the gods, D\u0101navas,\nY\u0101kshas, R\u0101kshasas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras and huge serpents, dedicate\ntheir offerings (37)? O you conversant with virtue, I consider you as\nomniscient\u2014I have grave doubts in this and great is my curiosity\u2014do you\nexplain it to me.\" Hearing these words of Bhishma his father said (38).\n\nShantanu said:\u2014Hear, O sinless descendant of Bharata, I will describe in\nbrief the origin of the Pitris and the fruits of Sr\u0101ddhas. Do you hear\nwith a concentrated mind the object of performing Sr\u0101ddhas for the\nPitris. The sons of the Prime Deity are known in heaven as Pitris\n(39\u201340). The gods, Asuras, men, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras\nand huge serpents, dedicate offerings to them (41). Propitiated by\nSr\u0101ddhas they please the world with the gods and the Gandharvas\u2014such is\nthe command of Brahm\u0101 (42). Therefore, \"O great one, worship them with\nexcellent Sr\u0101ddhas. They grant all desired-for objects and they will\nencompass your well-being (43). When you will worship them by reciting\ntheir names and families, we also, O Bharata, will be welcomed by them\nin heaven (44). Markandeya will explain to you the remaining portion. O\ndescendant of Bharata, this ascetic, devoted to his father and having a\nknowledge of atman, is present to-day at the Sr\u0101ddha for extending his\nfavour unto me. Ask him, O great one, about this.\" Saying this he\ndisappeared (45\u201346).\n\n   \u00b2\u2076 An oblation to deceased ancestors as a ball or lump of meat or\n      rice mixed up with milk curds, flowers etc and offered to the\n      manes at the several _Sraddhas_ by the nearest surviving\n      relations.\n\n   \u00b2\u2077 One of the six _Vedangas_ and comprehending the description of\n      religious rites. It is called _Kalpa Sutra_.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XVII. THE SAME STORY CONTINUED.\n\n\nBhishma said:\u2014Thereupon at the words (of my father) I put to Markandeya\nwith attention the same question which I had put to my father before\n(1). The great and virtuous ascetic Markandeya too said to me:\u2014\"O\nsinless Bhishma, hear with attention, I will describe everything\" (2).\n\nMarkandeya said:\u2014I have attained longevity by my father\u2019s favour. For my\ndevotion to my father, I attained great fame in the world in the days of\nyore (3). At the termination of the cycle extending over many thousand\nyears, I carried on hard penances on the mount Sumeru (4). Thereupon one\nday I espied a huge car coming from the north of the mountain and\nlighting the heaven with its lustre (5). Therein, a vehicle in the midst\nof fire, I saw a person measuring a thumb effulgent like fire or the\nSun. Saluting that lord with my head touching the ground I worshipped\nhim, lying in the vehicle, with _arghya_ and water for washing feet. I\nasked that unthought-of (person). \"How can I know thee, O lord (6\u20138)?\nMethinks thou hast originated from ascetic energy endued with the\nqualities of N\u0101r\u0101yana. Thou art the god of gods\" (9). O Sinless one,\nthat virtuous-souled one as if surprisingly said to me: \"You have not\npractised well hard penances, so you cannot recognize me (10).\" Within a\nmoment he assumed another most excellent form, the like of which I had\nnot seen before (11). Sanatkumar said:\u2014\"Know me as the first\nmind-begotten son of the all-powerful Brahm\u0101. From ascetic energy I have\nbeen born with the essential characteristics of N\u0101r\u0101yana (12). I am that\nSanatkumar who had been celebrated in the Vedas in the days of yore. O\nBh\u0101rgava, may good betide you and what desire of yours shall I fulfill\n(13)? The other seven irrepressible sons of Brahm\u0101 are my younger\nbrothers. Their families have been established (on this earth) (14).\nThey are Kretu, Vasishtha, Pulaha, Pulastya, Atri, Angira, and the\nlearned Marichi\u2014the gods and Gandharvas worship them also. Those\nascetics, worshipped of the gods and D\u0101navas, are upholding the three\nworlds (15). I am leading the life of a _Yatin_.\u00b2\u2078 Having controlled my\nownself and my passions I was born, O great Muni, and I am still living\nso. Know me as an unmarried person. And therefore I have obtained the\nappellation of Sanatkumar (16\u201317). Out of devotion to me, you have been\ncarrying on hard penances to behold me. Therefore I have come to you,\ntell me what desire of yours I can fulfill\" (18). On his saying this and\ncommanded by that all-powerful deity who was pleased with me, I replied\nto that eternal god, O descendant of Bharata (19), O sinless one, I then\naccosted the ever-existent (deity) regarding the origin of the Pitris\nand the fruits of Sr\u0101ddhas (20). O Bhishma, that foremost of gods has\nremoved all my doubts. After holding conversation for many years that\nvirtuous-souled deity said to me:\u2014\"O Br\u0101hmana saint, I have been pleased\n(with your question), hear from me all in due order (21). O descendant\nof Bhrigu, Brahm\u0101 created all the gods, thinking that they would\ndedicate offerings to him. But leading aside they began to perform\nsacrifices in expectation of fruits (22). Then imprecated by Brahm\u0101, the\ninhabitants of heaven lost all sense and consciousness. They could not\nunderstand any thing and the entire world was bewildered (23). Then\nprostrating themselves before the Grand-Father (Brahm\u0101) they again\nprayed to him for the behoof of the world. There upon he (Brahm\u0101) said\nto them (14):\u2014\u2019You should undergo a penance for you have committed a\ntransgression.\u00b2\u2079 Do ye accost your sons and you will come by true\nknowledge (25)\u2019. (Thereupon) for the purpose of going through a penance\nthey, in great misery, asked their sons, who, self-controlled as they\nwere, communicated to them (the truth) (26). \u2019Persons conversant with\nreligious practices lay down penances for sins committed by words, deeds\nand thoughts and they daily perform them (27).\u2019 Then informed of the\ntrue import of _Pr\u0101yaschitta_ (penance) the gods regained their\nconsciousness and were accosted by the sons, saying \u2019Go ye sons\u2019 (28).\nThus cursed and reviled the gods, at the words of sons, approached the\ngrand-father (Brahm\u0101) to have their doubts\u00b3\u2070 removed (29). The Deity\n(Brahm\u0101) then said to them:\u2014\u2019Ye are all Brahmav\u0101dins.\u00b3\u00b9 So what they\nhave said will come to pass and it will not be otherwise (30). O gods,\nye have given them the body and they have given ye the knowledge and are\nundoubtedly your fathers (31). Ye are gods and they are the Pitris and\nundoubtedly you are their fathers and they are yours\u2019\" (32).\n\nThereupon the dwellers of heaven returned and said to the sons:\u2014\"Our\ndoubts have been snapped by Brahm\u0101 and so we shall be loving towards\neach other (33). Since ye, being conversant with religious merit, have\nconferred upon us knowledge, you are our fathers. Tell us what do you\nseek and what boons may we confer upon you (34). What you have said will\nforsooth prove true and not be otherwise. Since you have addressed us as\nsons undoubtedly you will be our fathers (35). The Rakshasas, D\u0101navas\nand N\u0101gas will be entitled to the fruits of an action which a man will\nperform without propitiating the Pitris with the performance of\nSr\u0101ddhas\u00b3\u00b2 (36). Being propitiated by Sr\u0101ddhas the Pitris will\npropitiate the eternal. Moon. And being propitiated by you, they will\ncontinue flourishing every day (37). Being propitiated by Sr\u0101ddha the\nMoon will afford delight to all the worlds consisting of oceans,\nmountains, forests and all creatures both mobile and immobile (38). The\nPitris will always confer nourishment and progeny upon those men, who\ndesirous of nourishment, will perform Sr\u0101ddhas (39). Being propitiated\nwith oblations afforded at Sr\u0101ddhas, the Pitris with the Omnipresent\nGrand-Father will advance the prosperity of those who will offer three\n_Pindas_ uttering their names and _Gotras_ at the time of Sr\u0101ddha (40).\nThis order was formerly announced by Parameshthi Brahm\u0101. Let his words\nprove true to-day, O gods, and we are now respectively fathers and\nsons\".\n\nSanatkumar said:\u2014Those Pitris are the gods and the gods are the gods,\nand they are respectively each other\u2019s fathers (42).\n\n   \u00b2\u2078 A sage whose passions are completely under subjection.\n\n   \u00b2\u2079 For the negligence of not worshipping the true object of\n      adoration.\n\n   \u00b3\u2070 The doubt, referred to, is why they were addressed by their sons,\n      as sons.\n\n   \u00b3\u00b9 _Brahmavadins_ means conversant with the knowledge of Br\u0101hmana.\n      The sentence is elliptical, the full import is: ye are all\n      conversant with the knowledge of Br\u0101hmana but not gifted with Yoga\n      powers.\n\n   \u00b3\u00b2 It is for this reason the usual practice amongst the Hindus is\n      that they perform the Sr\u0101ddha of their ancestral manes before the\n      commencement of any ceremony.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XVIII. AN ACCOUNT OF PITRIS.\n\n\nMarkandeya said:\u2014Hear from me everything from the very beginning, O son\nof Ganga, of my doubts which I again referred to that reverend eternal\ndeity Sanatkumar the foremost of immortals after having been addressed\nby that effulgent god of gods (1-2). What is the number of those\nancestral manes and in what region are they stationed? And where do live\nthe leading gods who derive nourishment from Soma (juice)? (3)\n\nSanatkumar said:\u2014O foremost of those who perform sacrifices, it is laid\ndown in Scriptures, that there are seven ancestral manes who all live in\nheaven. Of them four are with forms and three without them (4). O you\nhaving asceticism for your wealth, hear, I will describe at length their\nregion, creation, prowess and greatness (5). Of them the most excellent\nthree assumed the form of Dharma (virtue). Hear, I shall describe their\nnames and regions (6). The regions, where the effulgent and formless\nancestral manes, the sons of Praj\u0101pati live, are (designated as) eternal\n(7). O foremost of the twice-born, the region of Vir\u0101ja is known by the\nname of Vair\u0101ja. The celestials adore them with ceremonies laid down in\nScriptures (8). These Brahmav\u0101dins, when they deviate from the paths of\nYoga come down to _Sanatana_ (eternal) regions and after the expiration\nof a thousand yugas they take their birth (9). Then obtaining again the\nrecollection of the most excellent S\u0101nkhya Yoga and securing the\nconsummate development of their powers they again attain to that Yoga\nstate which it is so hard to acquire (10). O my child, they are the\nPitris who enhance the ascetic powers of the Yogins and they, by their\nYoga, propitiated Soma in the days of yore (11). Therefore Sr\u0101ddhas\nshould be performed particularly for the Yogins. This is the first\ncreation of the high-souled drinkers of Soma (12). Their mind-begotten\ndaughter Mena was the first wife of the mountain chief Himalaya. Her son\nwas called Main\u0101ka (13). His son was the effulgent great mountain\nKrauncha. This best of mountains was white and abounded in various sorts\nof jewels (14). The mountain-king begat on Mena three daughters, namely,\nAparna, Ekaparn\u0101\u2014and the third was Ekapat\u0101la (15). Having carried on\nhard austerities, which even the Gods and D\u0101navas cannot practise with\ndifficulty, those three daughters disturbed all the worlds consisting of\nmobile and immobile creatures (16). Ekaparn\u0101 used to live upon one leaf\nonly and Ekap\u0101tala used to live upon one Patala flower only (17). And\nwhen Aparn\u0101 divorced from food began to carry on hard austerities, her\nmother, stricken with sorrow, consequent upon her motherly affection,\nprevented her, saying \"_U. Ma._\" (18). Thus addressed by her mother,\nthat fair goddess, carrying on hard penances, became celebrated in the\nthree worlds by the name of _Uma_ (19). She also became celebrated by\nthe name of _Yogadharmin_.\u00b3\u00b3 O Bhargava, this world consisting of three\nmaidens shall (for ever) exist (20). All the three were endued with yoga\nenergy and bodies\u00b3\u2074 perfected by hard austerities. They were all\nconversant with the knowledge of Brahman and had controlled their carnal\ndesires (21). The beautiful Um\u0101 was the eldest and foremost of them.\nGifted with great yoga powers she approached the Great Deity Siva (22).\nEkaparn\u0101 was given away as a wife unto the high-souled, intelligent and\nthe great Yogin and preceptor, the black Devala (23). Know Ekap\u0101tala as\nthe wife of Jaigishavya. Those two noble maidens approached those two\npreceptors of yoga (24). The celestials offer watery oblations for all\nthose regions of _Somayagins_\u00b3\u2075 that are called Somapad\u0101 and where dwell\nthe sons and ancestral manes of the Patriarch Marichi (25). They all\npass by the name of Agnisvatta and are gifted with immeasurable energy.\nThey have a mind-born daughter by name Achhod\u0101 who travels underneath\u00b3\u2076\n(26). From that (river) has sprung a lake by the name of Achhoda. She\nhad never seen her ancestral manes before (27). That one of beautiful\nsmiles (thou) saw her bodiless ancestral manes. She was begotten of\ntheir mind and did not know her. For this misfortune that beautiful\ndamsel was greatly ashamed. Beholding the ancestral mane Vasu, the\nillustrious son of Ayu by the name of Am\u0101vasu, who was passing through\nthe etherial region in a car along with the Apsar\u0101 Adrik\u0101, she thought\nof him\u00b3\u2077 (first) (28\u201330). On account of her this frailty, that she\nthought of another and not her own father, that one capable of assuming\nforms of her will lost her Yoga power and fell down (31). When she fell\ndown from the celestial region she behold three cars of the size of\n_Esarenu_ and espied in them her ancestral manes (32). They looked\nexceedingly subtle, indistinct and like fire offered into clarified\nbutter. While she was in distress and falling down with her head\ndownwards she exclaimed \"Save me\" (33). The ancestral manes stationed on\nthe cars said to their girl who was in the etherial region \"do not\nfear.\" Then with purely words she began to propitiate the ancestral\nmanes (34). The ancestral manes then said to that girl who was divested\nof all her merits on account of this transgression:\u2014\"O thou of pure\nsmiles, for thy own folly, thou hast been divested of all thy merits\n(35). The celestials attain, in heaven, to the fruits of their actions\nwhich they perform with their bodies in this world (36). (Sometimes)\u00b3\u2078\nthe celestials, by their (mere) determination attain to the fruits of\ntheir actions but mankind reap them only when they repair to the next\nworld. Therefore, O daughter, by practising hard austerities in this\nworld thou shalt reap the fruits thereof in the next (37).\"\n\nThus accosted by her own Pitris the maiden began propitiating them. Then\nrealising the truth in their own minds, they all, out of compassion,\nbecame pleased with her (38). Knowing that all this is inevitable they\nasked that maiden to act (in that way) and said to her:\u2014\"Thou shalt be\nborn as the daughter of the high-souled king Vasu who is born on earth\namong men. Being born as his daughter thou shalt again attain to thy own\nregions which it is so hard to gain (39-40). Thou shalt give birth to\nthe illustrious son of Par\u0101shara.\u00b3\u2079 That great Br\u0101hmana saint shall\ndivide the one Veda into four parts (41). Two sons, the illustrious and\npious Vichitravirya and Chitrangada, will be born unto the king\nSh\u0101ntanu, who was (in another birth the king) Mah\u0101bhisha. Having given\nbirth to these sons thou shalt again attain to thy own regions. On\naccount of thy transgressions towards thy ancestral manes thou shalt\ncome by these inferior births (42-43). Thou shalt be begotten as his\ndaughter by this king on his wife Adrik\u0101. In the eighteenth Dw\u0101para\ncycle thou shalt be born as a fish\" (44). Thus spoken to by her\nancestral manes that maiden was born in Dasha family as Satyavati. First\nborn as a fish she became the daughter of the king Vasu (45).\n\nThe picturesque region Vaibhr\u0101ja, where dwell the Pitris celebrated in\nheaven as Varhishadas, is situate in Dyuloka (46). The highly effulgent\ncelestials, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Rakshasas, N\u0101gas, Sarpas (serpents),\nSuparnas (birds) offer oblations for (the attainment of those) regions\n(47). They are the offspring of the high-souled Patriarch Pulastya. They\nwere all great, highly meritorious, energetic and used to carry on\nascetic observances. Their mind-born daughter was known as Pivari. She\nwas (herself) a great ascetic, the wife of an ascetic, and the mother of\nan ascetic (48\u201349).\n\nO you foremost of the pious, at the commencement of Dw\u0101para Yuga, the\ngreat ascetic and Yogin Suka, the foremost of Br\u0101hmanas born in the race\nof Parashara, will take birth in that Yuga. He will be begotten by Vyasa\non _Arani_ like fire divested of smoke (50\u201351). He will beget on that\ndaughter of the ancestral manes four sons, _viz_, the highly powerful\nYoga-teacher Krishna, Goura, Prabhu and Shambhu, and a daughter by name\nKritw\u0101, who will be the mother of Brahmadatta and the queen of king\nAnuha (52\u201353). Having begotten these vow-observing teachers of Yoga and\nlistened to various forms of religion from his own sire Vyasa, the\nimmeasurably intelligent, pious and ascetic Rishi Suka repaired to the\nregion from where no one returns\u2014the eternal, undecaying region of\nBrahman shorn of all troubles, where reside the shape-less Pitris in the\nform of virtue, and where has originated this theme of Vrishnis and\nAndhakas (54\u201355). The ancestral manes of the Patriarch Vasishtha, known\nas Suk\u0101tas, live eternally in heaven and the region lighted by the\neffulgence that grants the consummation of all desires. The Br\u0101hmanas\nalways offer them oblations (57). Their mind born daughter is known as\nGo in the region of celestials, who will be given (in marriage) to your\nfamily and be the other beloved wife of Suka. The S\u0101dhyas have a\nwell-known daughter, ever enhancing their fame, by name Ekashring\u0101.\n(58). She lives in the regions effulgent like the rays of the Sun. The\nKshatriyas, who wish to reap the fruits of their actions, propitiate the\nsons of Angiras, who had formerly been rendered prosperous by S\u0101ddhyas.\nTheir mind-born daughter is known as Yashod\u0101 (59\u201360). She was the wife\nof Vishwamahata, daughter-in-law of Vriddhasharm\u0101 and the mother of the\nhigh-souled royal saint Dilipa (61). O my son, formerly in the cycle of\ngods, at the great horse-sacrifice of the king Dilipa the great saints\nchanted various themes with joy (62). Hearing of the birth of Agni\n(fire-god) from some descendant of Shandili, those men, who will behold\nthe truthful and high-souled performer of sacrifices Dilipa, will\nconquer the celestial region (63). The ancestral manes of the Patriarch\nKarddama, Sudhanw\u0101s by name, came into being from the noble Br\u0101hmana\nPulaha (64). They, gifted with etherial movements, are living in the\nregions where the dwellers move about of their own will. The Vaishyas\nwho wish to reap the fruits of their actions, offer oblations unto them\n(65). Their mind-born daughter is celebrated by the name of Viraja. O\nBrahman, she will be the mother of Yayati and the wife of Nahusha (66).\nThus I have described to you the three orders: hear from me of the\nfourth order. The drinkers of Soma juice, who were begotten on Swadh\u0101\nthe daughter of Kavi, were the offspring of Hiranyagarbha. The Sudras\nencompass their gratification (67). The etherial region where they dwell\nis called M\u0101nasa. Their mind-born daughter is Narmad\u0101 the foremost of\nstreams (68). Traversing the southern way she is purifying the\ncreatures. She is the wife of Purukutsa and the mother of Tr\u0101sadasyu\n(59). The ancestral manes are to be adored\u2014and when this is neglected at\nvarious cycles the Patriarch Manu introduces the performance of Sr\u0101ddha\nin their honour (70).\n\nO foremost of the twice-born, of all the ancestral manes Yama was first\nborn and he protected all created beings by his own virtue. Therefore he\nis designated in the Vedas as Sr\u0101ddhadeva (71). When after reciting the\nmystic formulae, oblation is offered in silver or silver-plated vessels\nto the ancestral manes it encompasses their gratification (72). Having\nfirst propitiated Yama the son of Vivasw\u0101n and then Soma, one should\noffer oblation unto fire; and in the absence of fire unto water (73).\nThe ancestral manes are pleased with him who reverentially brings about\ntheir gratification, and confer upon him nourishment, innumerable\noffspring, wealth and all other desired-for objects. O ascetic, the\nworship of the ancestral manes is preferred to that of the celestials\n(74\u201375). It is ordained by scriptures that before the celestials the\nancestral manes should be gratified. The latter are easily pleased,\nfreed from anger and they confer the most excellent gratification on men\n(76). O descendant of Bhrigu, the gratification of ancestral manes is\never constant. Therefore do thou bow unto them. Thou art ever devoted\nunto thy ancestral manes and specially unto me (77). I shall do what\nconduces to thy well-being. Do thou witness it thyself. O sinless one, I\nshall confer on thee celestial vision together with discriminative\nknowledge (78). Listen attentively, O Markandeya, to the means thereof.\nThis is not the Yoga state of the celestials but the most excellent\nstate of the celestials (79). Such persons of consummate ascetic powers\nbehold me with their own eyes. Having thus spoken to me who was present\nbefore him and conferred upon me celestial vision together with\ndiscriminative knowledge, which even the celestials can with difficulty\nacquire, the Lord of celestials (Sanatkumar) repaired to his wished-for\nregion like the second burning fire (80\u201381). O foremost of Kurus, hear\nnow, what I had heard, by the favour of that God\u2014(things) above the\ncomprehension of men in this world (12).\n\n   \u00b3\u00b3 This is a name of the Goddess Uma. It literally means _who is\n      naturally intent on carrying on Yoga practises_.\n\n   \u00b3\u2074 The word in the text is _Tapamaya_ body. It is very difficult to\n      render the expression into English. _Tapas_ means hard religious\n      practises, such as, placing one\u2019s self in the midst of burning\n      fire, exposing one\u2019s self day and night under the Sun and to cold.\n      By such practises a yogin can acclimatise his body to the\n      influences of climate and restrain his passions. Thus _Tapamaya_\n      body means a body that is used to both heat and cold and all other\n      climatic influences and that has mastered all the functions,\n\n   \u00b3\u2075 Those who invoke the deities by offering them Soma juice\u2014a\n      delicious drink which is much liked by the gods according to Hindu\n      ideas.\n\n   \u00b3\u2076 This mind-born daughter refers to a river of the same name that\n      has come down from that region to earth.\n\n   \u00b3\u2077 The word in the text is _Vabre_ which literally means to choose as\n      a husband. It may also mean to offer benedictory offerings to a\n      deity or person. As it is impossible for a daughter to choose one\n      of her ancestors as her husband the word evidently means here \"to\n      accept him and give him offerings as her father\". The context\n      proves that the maiden was anxious to behold her ancestral manes\n      and so when she first saw Vasu, she took him for her father and\n      offered him adoration. Later she perceived that he was not her\n      father and her real Pitris were in the three cars. This was\n      evidently a transgression, for which, as is seen later on, she was\n      doomed to take birth as the daughter of Vasu.\n\n   \u00b3\u2078 We have put in _Sometimes_ only for preserving consistency. In the\n      previous sloka it is mentioned that even the celestials perform\n      actions in this world and then attain to the fruits thereof in the\n      next. Thus the gods also are under the influence of Karma. Whereas\n      in this sloka it is said that by mere determination they attain to\n      the fruits of their actions. Therefore the consistency is not\n      preserved unless we put in the word \u2019_Sometimes_\u2019. The author\n      evidently had in view that the celestials, though under the\n      influence of Karma, are sometimes freed therefrom. But that is not\n      the case with men. They cannot avoid the consequences of their\n      actions under any circumstances whatever.\n\n   \u00b3\u2079 This refers to Veda Vyasa who compiled and arranged the four\n      Vedas. The word Vyasa means \"an arranger\" Veda Vyasa is the\n      surname of a Rishi, the son of Parashara, who compiled the four\n      Vedas. The Vedas originally existed in the shape of hymns that\n      were sung by the ancient Aryans and passed from one family to\n      another as sacred heir-looms. For some centuries they existed in\n      this form. It was this great Rishi who first committed them to\n      writing and arranged them in the order in which they are now\n      found. The four divisions are his own creation. On account of this\n      great work he received the appellation \u2019Veda-Vyasa\u2019.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XIX. BHARADWAJA\u2019s FAMILY.\n\n\nMarkandeya said:\u2014\"O my child, in the previous Yuga, the Br\u0101hmanas, the\nsons of Bharadw\u0101ja, although carrying on Yoga practices, were polluted\nby their transgressions (1). On account of their degradation consequent\nupon the violation of Yoga practices they will remain in an unconscious\nstate on the other side of the huge lake called M\u0101nasa (2). Stupified by\nthe thought that the transgressions (they had committed) had been washed\naway and having failed to attain to the state of union (with Brahman)\nthey became invested with the characteristics of time\u2074\u2070 (3). And\nalthough they had deviated from the path of Yoga, they lived for a long\ntime in the land of celestials. They will be born in the land of Kurus\nas foremost of men, the sons of Kushika (4). They will carry on\nreligious practices by slaying creatures for the ancestral manes. And\nagain being (thus) degraded they will come by the most inferior birth\n(5). On account of the favour of ancestral manes and their pristine\nbirth they will have recollection of those inferior births (6). They\nwill be of controlled minds and always carry on religious practices. And\nagain by their own Karma they will acquire the status of Br\u0101hmanas (7).\nThey will then acquire the knowledge of unification (of the human soul\nwith the divine soul) on account of their pristine birth. And then\nhaving attained perfection again they will acquire the eternal region\n(8). Thus you will repeatedly pay attention towards religion and acquire\na most consummate mastery of Yoga (9). It is very difficult for men of\nlimited understanding to acquire mastery of Yoga. If they happen to\nacquire it, that even is destroyed on account of their being\ncontaminated by vices. Those who commit iniquities and torture their\nelders (also lose their Yoga) (10). Those, who do not beg by unfair\nmeans, who protect those seeking refuge with them, who do not disregard\nthe poor, who are not elated with pride on account of their riches, who\nare of regular habits both as regards diet and other appetites, who\nenergetically carry on their own work, who are bent upon carrying on\nmeditation and studies, who do not seek to recover their stolen\nproperties, who do not always seek enjoyments, who do not take meat or\ndrink intoxicating liquors, who are not addicted to sexual pleasures,\nwho serve the Br\u0101hmanas, who do not take pleasure in impure\nconversation, who are not idle, who are not haughty and egoistic, such\naccomplished persons acquire Yoga, which it is so hard to acquire in\nthis world. Persons of quiescent souls, who have mastered anger, who are\nshorn of egotism and pride and who are observant of vows, are crowned\nwith blessings. Such were the Br\u0101hmanas of that period (11-16). They\nused to remember their follies consequent upon their mistakes, engage in\nstudy and meditation and walk in the path of peace (17) There is no\nother religious rite, O you conversant with religion, superior to Yoga.\nIt reigns supreme over all other religious observances. Practise it\ntherefore, O descendant of Bhrigu (18). With the advancement of years,\none, who lives upon restricted diet, who has mastered his senses and who\nis respectful, acquires Yoga\" (19). Having said this the reverend\nSanatkum\u0101ra disappeared therefrom. Eighteen years appeared to me as one\nday (20). Having worshipped that lord of deities for eighteen years, by\nthe grace of that divine person, I did not suffer any pain (21). O\nsinless one, I did not feel then hunger and thirst nor (the progress of)\ntime. Afterwards I learnt about time from my disciple (22).\n\n   \u2074\u2070 _i. e._ They became mortal like other creatures who become subject\n      to death in time.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XX. ACCOUNT OF BRAHMADATTA AND THE STRANGE BIRD.\n\n\nMarkandeya said:\u2014After the disappearance of that deity and according to\nthe words of that lord, I acquired discriminative knowledge along with\ncelestial vision (1). Thereupon, O son of Gang\u0101, I saw at Kurukshetra,\nall those Br\u0101hmanas, the descendants of Koushika of whom that lord\n(Sanatkum\u0101r) spoke to me (2). Of them the seventh Br\u0101hmana became the\nking Brahmadatta. By his name, character and action he also became\ncelebrated by the name Pitridatta (3). In an excellent city by name\nK\u0101mpilya, the foremost of kings Anuha begat that monarch on Suka\u2019s\ndaughter Kritvi (4).\n\nBhishma said:\u2014O king, hear I shall describe the family of that king as\nrecounted by the highly regenerate great Rishi M\u0101rkandeya (5).\n\nYudhisthira said:\u2014Whose son was Anuha, the foremost of the pious? In\nwhat age was he born? How powerful was he? Whose son was the highly\nillustrious king Brahmadatta? How did the seventh Br\u0101hmana become a king\n(6-7)? (Certainly) the self-controlled, omnipotent sage Suka, respected\nby all the world, did not give away his illustrious daughter Kritvi to\nan effeminate person (8). O thou of great effulgence, I wish to hear at\nlength the account of Brahmadatta; it behoves thee to describe it (9).\nDo thou describe unto me how the Br\u0101hmanas, mentioned by M\u0101rkandeya, are\nliving in the world (10).\n\nBhishma said:\u2014I have heard that this king (Brahmadatta) was contemporary\nof my grand-father the royal saint Pratipa (II). The noble ascetic\nBrahmadatta, the foremost of royal saints, was grateful unto all\ncreatures and engaged in their well-being (12). He made (that division\nof the Vedas) which is called _Siksh\u0101_\u2074\u00b9 by means of his Tapas and\ninstituted an order of study. The highly illustrious teacher of Yoga,\nG\u0101lava, was his friend and the ascetic Kandarik was his minister (13).\nIn another birth they all help each other. As narrated by the noble and\ngreat ascetic M\u0101rkandeya they, in the seventh birth, were all gifted\nwith unlimited energy (14). Hear, O king, I shall describe to you the\nancient family of the high-souled king Brahmadatta born in the race of\nPuru (16).\n\nThe pious son of Vrihatkshetra was celebrated by the name of Suhotra.\nSuhotra\u2019s son was known by the name of Hasti (16). By him in the days of\nyore the most excellent city of Hastin\u0101pur was founded. Hasti had three\nhighly pious sons (17). Of them the eldest was Aj\u0101mida, the second\nDwimida and the youngest Paramida. Aj\u0101mida begat on Dhumini the king\nVrihadishu whose son was the highly illustrious Vrihaddhanu (18). His\nson Vrihadbharma was known as a highly pious king. His son was Satyajit\nwhose son was Viswajit (19). His son was the king Senajit who had four\nsons celebrated in the world (20). Ruchira, Swetaketu, Mahim n\u0101ra and\nVatsa, the king of Avanti\u2014these were his four sons (21). Ruchira\u2019s son\nwas the highly illustrious Prithusena whose son was P\u0101ra, from whom was\nborn Neepa (22). Neepa had a hundred sons who all were of unlimited\nenergy, mighty car-warriors, heroic and powerful. All these kings were\nknown by the name of Neepa (23). The illustrious descendant of those\nNeepas was known as Samara in the Province of K\u0101mpilya. He was greatly\nfond of Dar (24). Samara had three sons\u2014Para, P\u0101ra and Sadashwa, who\nwere all greatly pious. Para\u2019s son was Prithu (25). Prithu\u2019s son was\nSukrita, who, by good actions, was endued with all accomplishments. His\nson was Vibhr\u0101ja (26). His son was the king Anuha. He was the\nillustrious son-in-law of Suka and the husband of Kritvi (27). Anuha\u2019s\nson was the royal saint Brahmadatta. His son was the ascetic Viswaksena,\nthe subduer of foes (28). By his own actions Vibhr\u0101ja was again born (as\nthe son of Brahmadatta). He had another son by the name of Sarvasena\n(29). His eyes, O king, were torn by a sparrow known by the name of\nPujany\u0101 (worshipful) that lived in the house of Brahmadatta for a long\ntime (30). Brahmadatta had an other highly powerful son by the name of\nViswaksena (31). His son was the king Dandasena. His son was Bhattata\nwho was formerly killed by Karna (32). This son of Dandasena was heroic\nand perpetuated his race. O Yudhishthira, Bhattata\u2019s son was evil-minded\n(33). O king, he brought about the fall of the house of Neepas. For him\nall the Neepas were destroyed by Ugrayudha (34). I have killed\nUgr\u0101yudha, in battle, on account of his being elated with pride. He was\nproud and took delight in haughtiness and sinful ways (35).\n\nYudhisthira said:\u2014Whose son was Ugrayudha? And in whose family was he\nborn? For what did you kill him? Tell me all this (36).\n\nBhishma said:\u2014Ajamida\u2019s son was the learned king Yavinara. His son was\nDhritim\u0101n whose son was Satyadhriti (37). His son was the powerful\nDridanemi whose son was the king Sudharm\u0101 (38). His son was the king\nS\u0101rvabhouma. He was the only Lord Paramount of the world and was\n(therefore) called S\u0101rvabhouma (39). In his family was born Mah\u0101n, the\ndescendant of Puru. Mah\u0101n\u2019s son was known as the king Rukmaratha (40).\nHis son was the king Sup\u0101rshwa, whose son was the pious Sumati (41). His\nson was the virtuous-souled and powerful Sannati. His son was the\nvaliant king Krita (42). He was the disciple of the high-souled\nHiranyan\u0101bha. By him the Sanhita of the S\u0101ma Veda has been sung in\ntwenty-four ways (43). For this reason the western Saman and the\nchanters thereof are known under the appellation of K\u0101rti. Krita\u2019s son\nwas the heroic Ugrayudha, born in the race of Puru (44). By displaying\nhis prowess he slew the highly energetic king of P\u0101nchala, Neepa by\nname, the grand-father of Prishata (45). Ugr\u0101yudha\u2019s son was the highly\nillustrious king Kshemya, whose son was Suvira and whose son was\nNripanjaya (46). From Nripanjaya was born Vahuratha\u2014all these kings are\ncalled Pauravas. O my son, Ugrayudha grew highly vicious (47). Having\nburnt down all the Neepas he brought about their extinction. Slaying all\nthe Neepas and other kings he was filled with pride (48). After the\ndeath of my father he told me (many) sinful words. O king, while I was\nlying down on earth encircled by my courtiers Ugr\u0101yudha\u2019s messenger came\nto me and said:\u2014\"O foremost of Kurus, do thou give me thy illustrious\nmother Gandhak\u0101li, the jewel of a female, as my wife (49\u201350). Forsooth\nshall I confer upon thee a prosperous kingdom and riches. I have\nacquired jewels, according to my desire, on earth (51). O descendant of\nBharata, by merely hearing of this my effulgent and irrepressible discus\nor at the very sight of it the enemies fly away from the field of battle\n(52). If dost thou seek thy kingdom, life and the well-being of thy\nfamily, obey my command or else thou shalt have no peace\" (53).\n\nI heard these words resembling the flames of fire from the messenger\ndespatched by him while I was lying down on earth on a Ku\u00e7\u0101 bed (54). O\nundeteriorating one, thus informed of the desire of that vicious-minded\none, I ordered my commander-in-chief to undertake a war (55). As\nVichitravirja was a boy and under my protection, I was filled with rage\nand made up my mind for engaging in a war (56). But, O sinless one, all\nmy ministers, well-versed in counsels, the god-like Ritwikas,\nwell-meaning friends and companions well-read in scriptures, all\nrequested me to desist and pointed out sound reasonings too (57\u201358).\n\nThe ministers said:\u2014\"O lord, this vicious-souled (Ugr\u0101vudha) is carrying\non the work of devastation and thou, too, art impure.\u2074\u00b2 So thou shouldst\nnot undertake a war as thy first work (59). We shall first resort to the\nexpedients of conciliation, gifts and sowing dissension. And afterwards\nwhen thou shalt be pure,\u2074\u00b3 thou shouldst bow unto the gods, make the\nBr\u0101hmanas perform benedictorv rites and then having saluted them and\nobtained their permission, thou shouldst set out for victory (60\u201361). It\nhas been laid down by the elderly sages that a man, when he is in\nmourning, should not take up a weapon or enter into a contract (62).\nFirst thou shouldst try the expedient of conciliation and gift and then\ntry to sow dissension. And afterwards thou shouldst slay him,\nmanifesting thy prowess, as Indra killed (the demon) Samvara (63). O\nking, the words of the elderly sages should be obeyed in proper time.\"\nHearing this I desisted from fightlng (64).\n\nThereupon those ministers, well-versed in counsels, tried all the\nexpedients. O foremost of Kurus, at that time the most excellent work\nbegan (65). Although solicited by the expedients of conciliation and\nothers settled upon by the sages that wicked-minded one was not won over\n(66). Though the discus of that sinful one was set in motion, it\nimmediately stopped on account of his longing for others\u2019 wives (67). .\nI did not perceive then that his most excellent discus had stopped,\nwhich, spoken ill of by the pious, had been rendered abortive by its own\naction (68). Then being purified and having benedictorv rites performed\nby the Br\u0101hmanas, I set out from the city in a car with my bow and\narrows and engaged in a fight with my enemy (69). Thereupon encountering\nthe army strengthened by weapons there took place a mad fight which\nlasted for three days like that between the gods and demons (70). When\nthe battle raged to its highest pitch, that hero, consumed completely by\nthe might of my weapons, gave up his ghost and fell down with his face\ndownwards (71). In the meantime, O my son, Prishata started for the\nprovince of K\u0101mpilya. On the king Neepa and Ugrayudha being slain that\nhighly effulgent one obtained his ancestral kingdom Ahichhatra. O king,\nhe was the father of king Drupada and an ally of mine (72\u201373).\nAfterwards having defeated Drupada by force in battle, Arjuna conferred\nthe province of K\u0101mpilya together with that of Ahichchatra on Drona\n(74). Having accepted both the kingdom, Drona, the foremost of victors,\ngave away K\u0101mpilya to Drupada. This is known to you (75). I have thus\ndescribed to you in detail the race of Brahmadatta, the ancestor of\nDrupada and that of the hero Ugr\u0101yudha (76).\n\nYudhisthira said:\u2014O son of Gang\u0101, why did the bird Pujanya put out the\neyes of the eldest son of the Brahmadatta (77)? She lived for a long\ntime in his house. Why did she (then) commit such a mischief by that\nhigh-souled king (78)? Why did Pujanya contract friendship with him? Do\nthou duly satisfy all these my doubts (79).\n\nBhishma said:\u2014O Emperor! O Yudhishthira! hear in due order what took\nplace formerly in the house of Brahmadatta (80), O king, a certain\nfemale bird was the companion of Brahmadatta. Her two wings were white,\nhead red and back and abdomen were black (81). Brahmadatta was greatly\nattached to that female companion. O best of men, she made a nest in his\nhouse and lived there (82). She every day used to go out of the palace\nand roam at large on the bank of ocean, in lakes and ponds (83). Having\nranged over the rivers, mountains, woods, pleasure gardens, ponds\nperfumed with fragrant white water-lilies and places the air whereof is\nimpregnated with the perfume of lilies and lotuses and abounding in\nswans, S\u0101rasas and K\u0101randavas, she used to come back in the night to the\ncity of K\u0101mpilya and live in the house of the intelligent king\nBrahmadatta (84\u201386). O king, whatever strange things she saw in her\nperegenations in various parts of the country, she used to describe them\nto the king in her conversation in the night. O descendant of Kuru, once\non a time a son, the foremost of kings, was born to Brahmadatta,\ncelebrated by the name of Sarvasena. Pujany\u0101 also gave birth to an egg\nthere (87\u201389). In time that egg opened and thence came out a lump of\nflesh with legs, arms and face (90). O king, its face was tawny coloured\nand had no eyes. Gradually that young one got its eyes and its wings\ngrew a little (91). Pujany\u0101 used to love equally her young one and the\nPrince, and gradually became fond of them (92). And she every evening\nused to pick up with her beaks two ambrosial fruits for (the prince)\nSarvasena and her young one (93). Brahmadatta\u2019s son and the young one\ndelightedly lived upon those two fruits (94). By daily partaking of\nthose fruits they began to grow up. When during the day Pujany\u0101 used to\ngo away the nurse gave play to Brahmadatta\u2019s son in the company of that\nyoung one of the bird (95\u201396). When Pujany\u0101 went out of the nest the\nPrince used to take away that young sparrow for play (97). Once on a\ntime the Prince held fast the young bird by the neck for which, O king,\nit immediately died (98). Beholding the young bird set free a little\nwith its mouth wide open, that had been killed by the boy, the king was\ngreatly sorry and remonstrated with the nurse. He was filled with great\ngrief for that young sparrow (97-100). Pujany\u0101 too, who used to range in\nthe forest, came at that time to the palace of Brahmadatta with two\nfruits (101). Coming there she saw the child, that came out of her body,\ndead (102). Beholding her dead young one she at first lost consciousness\nbut afterwards gradually regained it. Regaining her consciousness the\npoor bird began to bewail (103).\n\nPujany\u0101 said:\u2014\"O my child, when I used to come back to my nest emitting\nmy cries you were wont to come to me with your thousand indistinct\naccents (104). Why do you not come to me to-day with your mouth open,\nyellow face and black throat (105)? I always cry embracing you with my\nwings. Why do I not hear to-day your inarticulate sound (106)? I had\nalways this desire that some day or other I shall see my young one\nbegging water with its mouth open and shaking its wings (107). That\ndesire of mine is now frustrated with your death.\" Having thus bewailed\nin various ways she said to the king (108). \"O king, you are a\nKshatriya,\u2074\u2074 you know the eternal ways of religion. Then why have you\ngot my young one slain by the nurse (109) O wretch of a Kshasriya, why\ndid your son take away my young one and kill it? Methinks, you have not\nlistened to Sruti of Angiras (110). One who seeks shelter, one who is\nhungry, one who is assailed by his enemies and one who lives for ever in\nhis house should be protected by a man (111). He who neglects this duty\ngoes without any doubt to the hell Kumbhip\u0101ka. How can the deities and\nthe manes accept Havi and food consecrated with Swadha mantras offered\nby him (112)?\"\n\nHaving thus said to the great king, (the bird), stricken with grief and\npossessed by ten-fold\u2074\u2075 characteristics, tore off the eyes of the boy\n(113). Thereupon the eyes of the prince were put out. Having thus\nblinded him the bird Pujany\u0101 flew away into the sky (114).\n\nThereupon beholding his own son the king said to the bird:\u2014\"Renounce\nyour grief, O auspicious one. You have done well, O timid bird. (115).\nGive up your sorrow and come back; may your friendship become\neverlasting. Live in my city and enjoy. May good betide you (16). For\nthe misfortune of my son I have not the least anger for you. Be my\nfriend. May you fare well. You have done your duty (117).\" Pujany\u0101\nsaid:\u2014\"I know how much love you have for your son like me. Making your\nson blind I do not wish to live here (118). Hear I shall recount the\nthemes narrated by the preceptor Sukra. \u2019One should always leave at a\ndistance a bad friend, a bad country, a bad son and a bad wife. There\ncan be no friendship for an evil friend and attachment for a bad wife.\nOne cannot expect Pinda from: a bad son and one cannot rely on a bad\nking (119-120). Who can trust a bad friend? One cannot live in a bad\ncountry. People are always afraid of a bad king and a bad son always\nbrings on misery (121). That wretch of a man, who being weak and having\nnone to protect him, confides in a man who does him injury, does not\nlive long (122). Do not trust a faithless man and do not place too much\nconfidence even on a man who is faithful. Fear, begotten by confidence,\ndestroys all the roots (123). That stupid man, who serves a man and\nconfides in a low caste, does not survive long (124). As earthworms are\ndevoured by birds as soon as they are born, so men, obtaining\nadvancement from a king, undoubtedly meet with destruction soon (125).\nAs a creeper destroys a huge tree so even a learned man, resorting to\nmildness of nature and destroying his body, daily brings about the\ndestruction of his enemies (126). An enemy, first becoming mild,\ndelicate and emaciated, gradually makes the body lean and then kills us\nas an earth-worm gradually eradicates a tree (127). Having made this\npromise in the presence of the ascetics \u2019I shall not destroy anybody\u2019\nHari, afterwards, O king, killed Namuchi with a foam (128). A man\ndestroys his enemy either with poison, fire or water whether he be\nasleep, drunk or careless (129) In fear of future enmity men do not\nleave the remnant of enemies. Remembering this, example, O king, they\nbring about the entire extermination of their enemies (130)\u2019\".\n\nO king, the remnant of enemies, debt and fire, becomes again united and\nassumes proportion. Therefore the remnant of these three should never be\nkept (131). An enemy laughs, talks, takes food from the same plate, sits\non the same seat, but he always keeps in mind that sin (132). Even\ncontracting a relationship with an enemy one should not trust him. The\nking of gods, though himself a son-in-law, killed Puloma (133). As a\ndeer does not approach a hunter so a wise man should not near him who\nspeaks sweet words keeping enmity at heart (134). It is not proper to\nlive near an enemy who has prospered. He brings about our destruction as\na river destroys a tree (135). Even obtaining advancement from an enemy\none should not trust him. Securing prosperity from him one meets with\ndestruction like an earth-worm (136). Learned persons, who are to\nprotect themselves, should always keep in mind these verses chanted by\nthe preceptor Sukra, O king, (137). By making your son blind I have\ncommitted a great iniquity so I place no confidence in you (138).\n\nHaving said all this the bird at once flew up into the sky. I have thus\nO king, described to you, what took place formerly between Pujany\u0101 and\nthe king Brahmadatta. O highly intelligent one, O Yudhisthira, I shall\ndescribe to you the ancient history of Sr\u0101dha as accosted by you which\nwas recounted by Sanatkumar in response to a question from M\u0101rkandeya\n(139-141). O king, hear what happened in the days of yore to G\u0101lava,\nKundarika and Brahmadatta the three Brahmacharins in their seventh birth\nwho longed for the fruit of Sr\u0101ddha and good actions (142-143).\n\n   \u2074\u00b9 This is one of the parts of Vedanga\u2014a sacred science, considered\n      as subordinate to and in some sense a part of the Vedas; six\n      sciences come under this denomination; _Siksha_ or the science of\n      pronounciation and articulation; _Kalpa_, the detail of religious\n      ceremonies; _Vyakarana_ or grammar; _Chhandas_, prosody;\n      _Jyotish_, astronomy; and _Nirukta_, or the explanation of the\n      difficult and obscure words and phrases that occur in the Vedas.\n\n   \u2074\u00b2 _i.e._ Thou art in mourning on account of the death of thy father.\n\n   \u2074\u00b3 After the performance of thy father\u2019s Sr\u0101ddha.\n\n   \u2074\u2074 The word in the text is _Murdh\u0101bhisikta_. Literally it means _on\n      whose head water is sprinkled_. The Kshatriyas go through this\n      ceremony at the time of installation.\n\n   \u2074\u2075 _i.e._ Those of a drunkard, a madman, of one exhausted with\n      fatigue, hungry, angry, hasty, of one afraid, stupified and\n      passionate.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXI. AN ACCOUNT OF THE SEVEN BRAHMANAS.\n\n\nMarkandeya said:\u2014The people perform Sr\u0101dha and even the Yogins do the\nsame. So I shall describe to you its most excellent fruit (1). O\ndescendant of Bharata, religious knowledge gradually evolved from what\nBrahmadatta had obtained in his seventh birth (2). O you of great\nintellect shorn of sins, hear what in the days of yore the Br\u0101hmanas\nobtained by performing Sr\u0101dhas to the neglect of religion (3). O my son,\nI saw with my celestial vision at the field of Kurukshetra the seven\nimpious Br\u0101hmanas engaged in performing religious rites for ancestral\nmanes as pointed out by Sanatkum\u0101r (4). V\u0101gdustha, Krodhana, Hingsra,\nPishuna, Kavi, Khasrima and Pitrivarti\u2014these seven Br\u0101hmanas, by name\nand action, were the sons of Koushika and the disciples of Garga. When\nafter imprecating a curse their father left the house, they, taking the\nvow of celibacy, began to live in the house of Garga (5\u20136). Once on a\ntime at the command of their preceptor they all went to the forest to\ntend the milch-cow Kapil\u0101 with its calf that had been obtained fairly\n(7). O descendant of Bharata, being stricken with hunger on the way they\ncherished the sinful desire of killing the cow (8). Kavi and Khasrima,\nhowever, did not wish it then and they two could not prevent the other\nBr\u0101hmanas (9). Of these the Br\u0101hmana Pitrivarti, who used to perform\ndaily Sr\u0101dha and other evening rites and abide by virtuous ways, said in\nanger to his brothers (10):\u2014\"If you are all bent upon slaying this cow\nthen we all, with our minds controlled, dedicate it to the ancestral\nmanes (11). By this, even this cow will acquire virtue no doubt. And if\nwe perform a pious rite for our ancestral manes we shall not commit an\niniquity (12).\"\n\nThereupon, O descendant of Bharata, they all, having agreed to this,\nkilled the cow and having dedicated it to the ancestral manes, took its\nmeat (13). Having taken the meat of the cow they all said to their\npreceptor:\u2014\"The cow has been killed by a tiger and here is her calf\"\n(14). Out of simplicity the Br\u0101hmana took the calf. Having imposed on\ntheir preceptor by a false story all those Br\u0101hmanas, on the expiration\nof their lease of life, met with death (15). On account of their that\nsinful conduct towards their preceptor and for the destruction of the\ncow, they, possessed by envy, ruthlessness and anger, were born as the\nsons of a hunter. They were all strong and liberal-minded. On account of\ntheir duly worshipping the ancestral manes and killing the cow they\ncarried with them the knowledge of their pristine birth and actions.\nThose learned seven Br\u0101hmanas were born as hunters in the province of\nDash\u0101rna (16-18). They were all intent upon performing their own duties,\nwere truthful and shorn of avarice. They used to work only for the time\nthat was necessary to keep their body and soul together (19). The rest\nof the time they used to spend in meditation. Their names, O king, were\nrespectively Nirvaira, Nivirta, Kshanta, Nirmangu, Kriti, Vaighasa and\nM\u0101trivarti. They were all very highly pious hunters (20\u201322). Thus living\nand performing the duties of a hunter they worshipped and satisfied\ntheir old parents (22). When in time their parents died, they, leaving\naside their bows and arrows, renounced their lives in the forest (23).\nBy those pious actions they, in the next birth, became deer carrying\nwith them the recollection of their pristine birth. Because they used to\nstrike terror and slay (the deer) they, filled with fear, were born in\nthe beautiful K\u0101lanjara mountain as deer, named Unmakha, Nityavitrasta,\nStabdhakarna, Vilochana, Pandit, Ghasmar and N\u0101di (24\u201325). Recollecting\ntheir former birth and species they used to roam in the forest. They\nwere all of subdued minds, peaceful, unmarried and used to perform good\nworks and observe the same religious rites. Adopting the life of a Yogin\nthey used to live there (26\u201327). Leading the life of ascetics and taking\na small quantity of food they gave up their lives in a desert. O king, O\ndescendant of Bharata, even now in the desert attached to the K\u0101lanj\u0101ra\nmountain their footsteps are seen (28). By those pious actions, O my\nson, they were divested of all evils\u2014and they were born in a more\nauspicious species, namely that of Chakrav\u0101kas (29). Leading a life of\ncelibacy those pious ascetics were born in the holy island of Shara as\nseven water-fowls (30). Their names were Nispriha, Nirmama, Ksh\u0101nta,\nNirdanda, Nisparigraha, Nivritti and Nivrita (31). Those pious\nChakravakas were all Brahmach\u0101rins. Abstaining from food and carrying on\nhard austerities they died on the bank of a river (32). Those seven\nbrothers have become these ganders ranging at will. These are the seven\nintelligent Brahmach\u0101rins carrying the recollection of their pristine\nbirth (33). Because born as Br\u0101hmanas they, by false words, imposed on\ntheir preceptor, they are now born as birds moving about in the world\n(34). And because though for their selfish ends they worshipped their\nancestral manes they have obtained a knowledge of their previous birth\n(35). These ganders are respectively named Suman\u0101, Suchiv\u0101k, Sudha,\nPanchama, Chinnadarshana, Sunetra and Swatantra (36). Of them the fifth\ncame by the name of P\u0101nchika in his seventh birth, the sixth by that of\nPandarika, and the seventh by that of Brahmadatta (37). On account of\nthe hard austerities performed by them in seven births, of the Yoga\npractices carried on by them and of their good Karma they listened to\nthe recitation of the Vedic hymns in their first birth in the house of\ntheir preceptor. In consequence thereof their inclination remained pure\nthough they lived in the world, (38\u201339). All these Brahmach\u0101rins had the\nknowledge of Brahman; and having been engaged in meditation they lived\nthere (40). While all those birds were living together there, the highly\nprosperous, all-powerful and the effulgent king Vibhr\u0101ja, the head of\nNeepas, born in the race of Puru, along with the females of his house,\ncame to that forest (41\u201342). Beholding that prosperous king the bird\nSwatantra was possessed by envy and wished to become so (43). (He\nthought):\u2014\"If I have done any good deed and practised _Tapas_, forsooth\nI shall become such a king. I have been greatly emaciated by\nhard-austerities yielding no fruits nor happiness (44).\"\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXII. THE CURSE OF THE BIRDS.\n\n\nMarkandeya said:\u2014Thereupon his comrades the other two Chakrav\u0101kas said\nto him:\u2014\"We shall be your ministers ever doing you good\" (1). Having\nsaid \"So be it\" his mind was engaged in Yoga. After they had entered\ninto this contract Shuchiv\u0101k said to them (2). \"While deviating from the\npath of a Yogin and possessed by desire you pray for such a boon, hear\nwhat I have got to say in this matter (3). Undoubtedly you will become\nthe king of K\u0101mpilya and these two will be your ministers\" (4). With\nthese words the four ganders imprecated a curse on the other three. And\non account of their falling off from Yoga consequent upon their praying\nfor a kingdom they did not converse with those three (5). Losing their\nYoga (acquirements) and having their senses bewildered the cursed\nganders prayed to their comrades for relief (6). They were propitiated\nand Suman\u0101, as the spokesman of all, communicated to them the following\nwords of grace (7). \"Undoubtedly there will be an end of your curse.\nFreed from this birth you will be again born as men and practise Yoga\n(8). Swatantra will be able to understand the sound of all animals. By\nhis counsels we have secured the favour of the ancestral manes (9). On\naccount of our dedicating the cow to the ancestral manes after killing\nwe have all acquired knowledge and been practising Yoga (10).\" Hearing\nthis only sloka, containing the story of those (seven) men, recited one\nshall acquire most excellent Yoga (11).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXIII. THE STORY OF THE BIRDS\u2014CONTINUED.\n\n\nMarkandeya said:\u2014Those seven ganders, ever practising Yoga and ranging\nin the M\u0101nasa lake, namely Padmagarbha, Aravindaksha, Kshiragarbha,\nSulochana, Uruvindu, Suvindu and Hemagarbha, used always to live upon\nair and water and nourish their body (1\u20132). At that time shining in the\ngrace of his person and surrounded by his female companions the king was\nranging in that forest like the king of celestials in the pleasure\ngarden of Nandana (3). By their earnestness and other external marks the\nking perceived that those birds were Yogins. Then out of shame\u2074\u2076 and\nthinking upon it he returned to his own city (4). He had a highly pious\nson by name Anuha. He had his eye on the minutest details of morality\nand accordingly became the Defender of Faith (5). Sukha conferred upon\nhim his accomplished and worshipful daughter Kritvi gifted with all\nauspicious marks and endued with the quality of goodness (6). O Bhishma,\nformerly Sanatkum\u0101r mentioned that beautiful damsel to me as Pivari, the\ndaughter of the ancestral manes Vahirshadas (7). She was the foremost of\nthe truthful, beyond the comprehension of persons of uncontrolled mind,\nwas herself an ascetic, the wife of a Yogin and the mother of a Yogin\n(8). I had described this to you before while giving an account of the\nancestral manes. Having placed Anuha on the throne, welcomed the\ncitizens with a delighted heart and made the Br\u0101hmanas perform the\nbenedictory rite the king Vibhr\u0101ja repaired to the M\u0101nasa lake, where\nthe ganders were ranging, for carrying on hard austerities (9\u201310).\nHaving renounced all desires, abstained from food and living on air only\nhe began to practise penances on one side of that lake (11). O\ndescendant of Bharata, his resolution was that he might become the son\nof one of them and thus acquire Yoga (12). Having made this resolution\nhe began to carry on hard austerities and shone there like the sun (13).\nO foremost of Kurus, on account of its being rendered brilliant by\nVibhr\u0101ja that forest, where the four ascetic ganders and the other three\nwho had deviated from the path of Yoga gave up their lives, became\ncelebrated by the name Vaibhr\u0101ja (14\u201315). Being freed from sins those\nseven high-souled men (born as birds) were born in the city of K\u0101mpilya\nunder the names of Brahmadatta and others (16). Amongst them four, by\nknowledge, meditation and asceticism, mastered the holy Vedas and\nVedangas and had (a good) memory. The other three remained in ignorance\n(17). Swatantra was born as the highly illustrious son of Anuha by the\nname of Brahmadatta. According to his resolution in the previous birth\nas a bird he was endued with knowledge, meditation and Tapas and\nmastered the Vedas and Vedangas (18). Chitradarshi and Sunetra were born\nas _Srotrya_\u2074\u2077 Br\u0101hmanas, well read in the Vedas with all their\nauxiliaries, in the races V\u0101bhravya and Vatsa (19). For having lived\nwith him in the previous birth they became helpmates to Brahmadatta. The\nothers were born as P\u0101nch\u0101la, Pinchika and Kandarika (20). Of them\nP\u0101nch\u0101la was well versed in the Rig Veda and (accordingly) performed the\nduties of a preceptor. Kandarika was well read in the other two Vedas\nand acted as _Chhandoga_\u2074\u2078 and _Adhvaryu_\u2074\u2079 (21). Anuha\u2019s son, the king\n(Brahmadatta), was conversant with the voice of all animals. He was a\ngreat friend of P\u0101nchala and Kandarika (22). Although they were addicted\nto vulgar pleasures they, on account of their pristine good deeds, were\nconversant with morality, temporal profit and desires (23). Having\ninstalled the sinless Brahmadatta on the throne the foremost of ascetic\nkings, Anuha attained to the most excellent state (24). Brahmadatta\u2019s\nwife, who was the daughter of Devala, was a great female anchorite. Her\nname was Sunnati (25). Thus from Devala Brahmadatta obtained his\ndaughter the high-minded ascetic Sunnati who was of the same temperament\nwith him (26).\n\nO descendant of Bharata, in his seventh birth Panchika was the fifth,\nKandarika the sixth and Brahmadatta the seventh. The remaining ganders\nwere born as brothers in a poor Srotrya family in the city of K\u0101mpilya\n(27\u201328). Their names were Dhritim\u0101n, Suman\u0101, Vidv\u0101n and Tatwadarshi.\nThey were well read in the Vedas and gifted with keen observation (29).\nThey were all endowed with the recollection of their pristine birth.\nWhen after having attained to the consummation of Yoga practices and\nwelcomed their father they were about to depart he said to them \"Verily\nby your renouncing me you will commit a mighty iniquity. How can you\n(all) depart, without removing my poverty and satisfying the other\nduties of a son viz\u2014the spreading of progeny, the performing of Sr\u0101ddha\nat Gya, and attending upon me (in my old age) (30-32).\"\n\nThe twice-born ones again said to their father:\u2014\"We will make\narrangements by which you will live (33). Do you go to the sinless king\nBrahmadatta and recite before him and his minister the Sloka pregnant\nwith great import (34). He will then, with great joy, confer upon you\nmany villages and desired-for objects. Therefore O father, go there\"\n(35). Having said this and worshipped their father they attained to\nbeatitude as the result of the practices of Yoga (36).\n\n   \u2074\u2076 He thought\u2013\"These are birds and they are practising yoga while I,\n      being a man, am only seeking pleasure.\" He was thus ashamed of his\n      own conduct and came back to his city.\n\n   \u2074\u2077 There are two classes of Brahmins, one of them who are the\n      superior is called _Kulsa_ and another next to them is called\n      _Srotrya_.\n\n   \u2074\u2078 A reciter or chanter of the _Sama Veda_ from _Chhandas_ the metre\n      of the _Vedas_ and _Ga_ who sings.\n\n   \u2074\u2079 A Brahman versed in the Yayurveda.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXIV. BRAHMADATTA RETIRES FROM THE WORLD.\n\n\nMarkandeya said:\u2014One of (those ganders) Vaibhr\u0101ja, an ascetic and\nanchorite as he was, was born as the son of Brahmadatta by name\nViswaksena (1). Once on a time Brahmadatta was sporting delightedly in a\nforest in the company of his wife like Indra in the company of Sachi\n(2). Thereupon the king heard the noise made by an ant who was\nsoliciting a female-ant and displaying his displeasure (3). Hearing that\nthe poor female ant was expressing her disgust at the request of her\nhusband Brahmadatta laughed aloud (4). Thereat his wife Saunati was\nstricken with sorrow and shame. That beautiful damsel had been\nabstaining from food for a long time (5). When her husband attempted to\nplease her, that one of pure smiles said \"O king, while you laughed at\nme I do not like to live\" (6). The king however communicated to her the\ncause of his laughter but she placed no confidence in his words but\nrather said in anger \"This is not within the power of a man (7). What\nman can decipher the sound of an ant save by the favour of the\nProvidence or by the good deeds of his pristine birth (8)? O king, if by\nvirtue of _Tapas_ or any other knowledge you have acquired the power of\nunderstanding the sound of animals, then by some means create confidence\nin me by which I may know it. Otherwise, O king, I shall renounce my\nlife. I do swear truly\" (9-10).\n\nHearing those harsh words of the queen the highly illustrious king\nBrahmadatta was greatly distressed. He then reverentially sought the\nprotection of the Omnipotent N\u0101r\u0101yana, the lord of all the worlds.\nHaving controlled his senses and abstaining from food the highly\nillustrious king, within six nights, saw the Omnipotent Deity N\u0101r\u0101yana.\nThe Lord, compassionate unto all creatures, said to him (11-13). \"O\nBrahmadatta, after the night has passed away you will attain to\nwell-being.\" Having said this the lord disappeared there from (#4).\nHaving learnt a Sloka from his sons the father, of those four\nhigh-souled Br\u0101hmanas, considered himself blessed (15). He then desired\nto go to the King and his Minister. Going there, he however found no\nopportunity of reciting the sloka to them (16).\n\nThereupon having bathed in the tank and obtained the boon from N\u0101r\u0101yana,\nhe, delightedly ascending a golden chariot, entered the city (17).\nKandarik\u0101, the foremost of the twice-born, acted as his charioteer and\nP\u0101nchala held the chowries (18). Considering that to be a favourable\nmoment the Br\u0101hmana recited the sloka before the King and the two\nministers (19).\n\n\"Having been born as seven hunters in the Province of Dash\u0101rna they\nwere, in their next birth, born as deer on the Kalanjara mountain,\u2014and\nthen they were born as Chakrav\u0101kas in the island of Shara. Then they\nwere born as ganders in the M\u0101nasa lake. And at last they were born in\nKurukshetra as Br\u0101hmanas well read in the Vedas. Amongst them the four,\nthat where born of a good family, have gone to a distant region. You,\ndeviating from the path of Yoga, are sinking\" (20\u201321). O descendant of\nBharata, hearing this the king Brahmadatta was stupified, and the reins\nof the horses and chowries slipped off respectively from the hands of\nKandarika and P\u0101nch\u0101la. Seeing this the citizens and friends were all\ngreatly agitated (22\u201323). Having waited for a moment with his two\nministers on the car the king, after regaining his consciousness,\nreturned to the palace (24).\n\nThereupon recollecting the tank mentioned and regaining the Yoga power\npractised in the previous birth he honored the Br\u0101hmana with various\nenjoyable things and chariots (25). Then placing on the throne his son\nViswaksena, the subduer of enemies, Brahmadatta retired to a forest with\nhis wife (26). After the king had gone to the forest for practising Yoga\nDevala\u2019s daughter, the good-natured Sunnati said with great delight to\nthe king (27):\u2014\"O monarch, you can understand the sound of the ants and\nstill you are addicted to sexual desires; therefore in great anger I\nwanted to work you up (28). From this birth we must attain to the most\nexcellent state. You had deviated from the practice of Yoga and\naccordingly I reminded you of it\" (29). Hearing the words of his wife\nthe king was highly pleased. And having acquired Yoga power he attained\nto a state which it is very difficult to obtain (30). Having purified\nhimself by his own actions and acquired the most excellent Sankhya Yoga\nhe attained to a consummate state (31). Having instituted only Siksh\u0101\nand laid down the order of the Vedas the great ascetic P\u0101nch\u0101lya\nacquired renown and the status of a Yoga preceptor (32). O son of Gang\u0101,\nall this happened in the days of yore before my very eyes. Meditate on\nthis and you will meet with well-being (23). Others also, who will\nmeditate on this most excellent account, will never be visited by\ninferior births (34). O descendant of Bharata, listening to this highly\nmomentous history, one has his mind always bent on practising Yoga (35).\nHe, who will meditate on this, shall always enjoy peace and gradually\nattain to the pure state of a Yogin which it is difficult to acquire in\nthis world (36). Vaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014In order to propagate the practice\nof Yoga the intelligent M\u0101rkandeya thus spoke in the days of yore by way\nof describing the fruits of a Sr\u0101ddha (37). The Divine Soma confers\nnourishment on all creatures. Therefore hear from me an account of the\nlunar family while describing the family of Vrishnis (38).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXV. AN ACCOUNT OF THE BIRTH OF THE MOON.\n\n\nVaisampayana said:\u2014O king, Soma\u2019s father the Divine Rishi Atri was the\nmind-begotten son of Brahm\u0101 when, in the days of yore, he grew desirous\nof creating progeny (1). Atri, with all his sons, began to do good unto\nall creatures, by his words, mind and action (2). That innocent, highly\neffulgent and virtuous-souled Rishi, of firm vows, formerly pratised,\nwith his arms raised, the most excellent penance of silence for three\nthousand celestial years. This we have heard (3\u20134).\n\nO descendant of Bharata, when that Rishi, having controlled his senses,\nbegan to practise penances steadfastly his person assumed the mild\nlustre of the moon (5). This moon-like lustre, of the person of that one\nof controlled senses, soon spread over the sky. Then from his eyes tears\nbegan to trickle down and flood the ten quarters (6). Thereupon the ten\ngoddesses delightedly conceived in ten different ways. Though they all\ndid it unitedly they however could not keep it (7). Thereupon the\neffulgent, all-protecting moon in the embryo fell down lighting up all\nthe quarters (8). When the quarters could not bear this conception any\nmore the embryo, along with them, fell down on earth (9). Beholding the\nmoon thus fallen Brahm\u0101, the grand-father of all, got on his chariot for\ndoing good unto all people (10) That chariot was made of the Vedas; its\nform was virtue and it carried Brahm\u0101; thousands of _Mantra_ horses wore\nyoked to it; this we have heard (11). When that great soul, the son of\nAtri, came down on earth, all the deities and the seven mind-begotten\nsons of Brahm\u0101 began to chant his glories (12). In the same way, O my\nchild, Angira\u2019s sons and Bhrigu with his sons began to hymn his glories\nwith Rik and Yayush _Mantras_ (13). Having his glories thus chanted by\nthe Rishis the effulgent moon had his increasing lustre stationed in a\ncircular form in the sky. It fully lighted up the three worlds (14). In\nhis that most excellent chariot the highly illustrious moon\ncircumambulated, for twenty-one times, the world bounded by the sea\n(15). His lustre, that melted down on earth on account of the motion of\nhis car, became plants that shone in their effulgence (16). O king,\nthose plants conduce to the nourishment of the gods, ancestral manes,\nmen, beasts, birds, reptiles and other creatures; the moon is thus the\nnourisher of the universe (17). O great one, having acquired lustre\nthrough his own deeds and the chanting of his glories by the Rishis the\ndivine moon carried on hard austerities for one thousand _Padma_ years\n(18). The moon was the asylum of all those silvery goddesses in the\nshape of water who upheld the universe. He became celebrated by his own\nactions.\n\nThereupon, O Janamejaya, Brahm\u0101, the foremost of those conversant with\nthe Vedas, conferred upon him the sovereignty over seeds, plants, the\nBr\u0101hmanas and water (20). After his installation on the throne, O\nmonarch, the lord of rays lighted up the three worlds with his rays\n(21). Daksha had twenty-seven daughters of great vows. People knew them\nas stars. Pracheta\u2019s son Daksha conferred them all on him (22). Having\nobtained that great kingdom the moon, the lord of ancestral manes, made\narrangements for a Rajsuya sacrifice in which ten million kine were\ngiven away as presents (23). The divine Atri was the _Hota_\u2075\u2070 thereof,\nBhrigu _Adhvaryu_\u2075\u00b9 Hiranyagarbha, _Udgata_\u2075\u00b2 and Brahm\u0101 himself was\nBrahma\u2075\u00b3 (24). And the Divine N\u0101r\u0101yana, surrounded by Sanatkum\u0101r and\nother Prime Rishis, became the member thereof (25). O descendant of\nBharata, we have heard that the Divine Soma conferred presents on the\nleading Br\u0101hmana saints and all other Rishis of the three worlds who had\nassembled there (26). Siniv\u0101li, Kuhu, Dyuti, Pushti, Prabh\u0101, Vasu,\nDhriti, Kirti and Lakshmi, these nine goddesses attended upon him (27).\nHaving bathed after the termination of the Yagna the foremost of kings,\nthe moon, worshipped of all the gods and Rishis, began steadily to light\nup the ten quarters (28). O my child, having been honored by the sages\nand acquired prosperity which it is very difficult to obtain his mind\nbegan to deviate from humility. And accordingly sullied by immorality he\nlost all control over himself (29). Having disregarded Vrihaspati, the\nson of Angiras, the moon by force carried away his illustrious wife T\u0101r\u0101\n(30). And albeit solicited by the gods and Rishis he did not return her.\nVrihaspati, the the preceptor of the gods, was accordingly enraged with\nhim (31). Ushan\u0101 (Suka) began to protect his sides. The illustrious\ndeity Rudra was formerly a disciple of Vrihaspati\u2019s father. Out of\nreverence for him he (Rudra) protected his rear, taking his Ajagava bow\nin his hands (32\u201333). A terrible battle, destructive of the gods and\ndemons on account of T\u0101r\u0101, was fought at the place where the high-souled\nSiva discharged his mighty weapon Brahmasiras\u2014for the destruction of the\ndemons and where their glory was (accordingly) destroyed (34\u201335).\n\nO descendant of Bharata, in that battle the gods, well read in the\nprecepts of religion who had sided Vrishaspati, and the deities\nTushitas, who belonged to Soma\u2019s party who had stolen away his\npreceptor\u2019s wife, sought refuge with the Prime Deity the Eternal Brahm\u0101\n(36). Thereupon the Grand-father himself came there, prevented Sukra and\nSankara (to fight) and gave back T\u0101r\u0101 to Vrihaspati (37). Beholding T\u0101r\u0101\n_enciente_ Vrihaspati said to her:\u2014\"You must not give birth to this\nchild at my house\" (38). She then gave birth to a son, the destroyer of\nrobbers, effulgent like a burning flame, on a bundle of fibrous sticks\n(39). As soon as he was born that beautiful boy overclouded the beauty\nof the celestials. Filled with suspicion accordingly the deities\nenquired of T\u0101r\u0101 saying \"Who is he? Tell us truly if he is Vrihaspati\u2019s\nson or Soma\u2019s.\" When she was thus questioned by the gods she could give\nno reply out of shame (40\u201441). Thereupon her son, the slayer of robbers,\nwas about to imprecate a curse on her. Preventing him Brahm\u0101 himself\nasked T\u0101r\u0101 for the solution of the doubt (42). \"Tell us, O T\u0101t\u0101, what\nthe truth is. Whose son is he?\" Thereupon with folded hands she said to\nthe Lord Brahm\u0101, the conferrer of boons:\u2014\"(He is) Soma\u2019s.\" Then his\nfather the Patriarch Soma smelt the crown of his high-souled son, the\ndestroyer of robbers (43\u201344). The intelligent (Soma) named his son\nBudha. He always rises in the sky in a hostile direction (45) Budha\nbegat a son on Vair\u0101ja\u2019s daughter Il\u0101. His son was the great king\nPururava (46). He begat on Urvashi seven high-souled sons. On account of\nhis arrogance the Moon was attacked with consumption (47). On account of\nhis thus being subject to this disease his orbit suffered decrease. He\nthen sought refuge with his father Atri (48). The great ascetic Atri\nreleased him from his sins. And accordingly freed from consumption he\nagain shone in his effulgence (49). O monarch, I have thus described to\nyou, the account of the birth of the Moon enhancing glory. I shall now\ndescribe his family (50). On hearing of the story of the birth of the\nMoon ever giving blessedness, freedom from diseases, long life and\nprogeny one is freed from all his sins (51).\n\n   \u2075\u2070 A priest who at a sacrifice recites the prayers of the Rig-Veda.\n\n   \u2075\u00b9 A Br\u0101hmana versed in the rituals of the Yayur-Veda.\n\n   \u2075\u00b2 A reciter of the prayers &c. of the Sama Veda.\n\n   \u2075\u00b3 The Superintending or presiding priest of the sacrifice.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXVI. AN ACCOUNT OF PURURAVA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014O great king, Budha\u2019s son Pururava was learned,\nenergetic, and charitably disposed. He performed many sacrifices and\ngave away many presents (1). He was conversant with the knowledge of\nBrahman and powerful and the enemies could not defeat him in battle.\nThat king kept up perpetual fire in his house and celebrated many\nsacrifices (2). He was truthful, pious and highly handsome. He had an\nentire control over his sexual appetites. At that time there was none in\nthe three worlds equal to him in glory (3). Having cast off her pride\nthe illustrious Urvashi selected, as her lord, that forgiving and pious\nking conversant with the knowledge of Brahman (4). O descendant of\nBharata, the king Pururava lived with Urvashi at the charming\nChaitraratha garden for ten years, on the banks of the river Mand\u0101kini\nfor five years, in the city of Alak\u0101 for five years, in the forest of\nVadari for six, in the best of gardens Nandana for seven, in the\nprovince of Uttara kuru where the trees bear fruits whenever desired for\neight, at the foot of the mount G\u0101ndham\u0101dana for ten and on the summit\nof the North Sumeru for eight years (5\u20137). In these most beautiful\ngardens resorted to by the gods the king Pururava sported most\ndelightedly with Urvashi (8). That king ruled over the sacred province\nof Pr\u0101yaga, so highly spoken of by the great Rishis (9). His seven sons\nwere all high-souled and like the sons of the gods born in the celestial\nregion. They were named Ayu, Dhiman, Amavasu, the pious-souled Vishv\u0101yu,\nShrutayu, Dridayu, Val\u0101yu and Shat\u0101yu. They were all given birth to by\nUrvashi (10-11).\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O you well-read in various Srutis, why did Urvashi, who\nwas an Apsara, leave aside the gods and come to a human king? Do you\nrelate this to me (12).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having been imprecated with a curse by Brahm\u0101 and\nabiding by the time the most beautiful Urvashi came to a man, the son of\nIl\u0101 (13). In order to free herself from the curse Urvashi made a\ncontract with the king saying \"O king, I shall not see you naked and you\nshould associate with me whenever you will find me filled with desire\n(14). Two lambs should always be kept near my bed and you should always\nlive on a small quantity of clarified butter during the day (15). O\nking, if you satisfy this contract and as long as you will remain true\nto it so long I shall live with you. This is our contract (16).\" The\nking satisfied all her conditions. Thus under the influence of a curse,\nthat damsel, out of reverence towards Pururav\u0101, lived with him at the\nabove-mentioned places for fifty-nine years. On account of Urvashi\u2019s\nliving with a man all the Gandharvas were filled with anxiety (17). The\nGandharvas said:\u2014\"O you great ones, concert some measure, by which that\nbest of damsels Urvashi, the ornament of the celestial region, may come\nback to the gods\" (19). Amongst them a Gandharva by name Visw\u0101vasu, the\nforemost of speakers said:\u2014\"I heard them when they entered into the\ncontract (20). As soon as the king will violate that contract Urvashi\nwill forsake him. I know full well how that king will be divorced from\nUrvashi (21). I shall therefore depart with a companion for\naccomplishing your work.\" Having said this the highly illustrious\n(Gandharva) repaired to the city of Pratisth\u0101na (22). Having reached\nthere during the night he pilfered away a lamb. That damsel, of\nbeautiful smiles, was like a mother to that pair of lambs (23). Hearing\nof the arrival of the Gandharva and understanding that the hour of the\ntermination of the curse had come, that illustrious (damsel) said to the\nking, \"Who has stolen away one of my sons\" (24)? Although thus accosted\nby her he did not get up for he was naked, thinking \"If the goddess\nbeholds me without any raiment on then the terms of our contract will be\ncancelled\" (25).\n\nThereupon the Gandharvas again stole away the other lamb. When the\nsecond was carried away the damsel said to the son of Il\u0101 (26). \"O king,\nO lord, who is stealing away my sons as if I have none to look after\nme?\" Thus addressed the king, although he had no cloth on, ran away in\nsearch of the lambs. In the meantime the Gandharvas created lightnings.\nWhen the king was going out of the place lighted up by lightnings she,\nall on a sudden, saw him naked. Beholding him thus without any cloth on\nthat Apsar\u0101, coursing at her will, went away (27\u201329). Beholding the pair\nof lambs left there the king took them and came to his house. (On his\nreturn), he did not see Urvashi and greatly stricken with grief began to\nbewail (30). He travelled over the entire earth in search of her. Then\nthe highly powerful king saw her bathing at a tank called Haimavati at\nthe sacred shrine of Plaksha in the province of Kurukshetra. That\nbeautiful damsel was sporting with five other Apsar\u0101s (31\u201332). Beholding\nher thus sport the king, filled with mighty sorrow, began to bewail.\nSeeing the king at a distance Urvashi too said to her companions. \"This\nis the foremost of men with whom I lived for some time.\" Saying this she\npointed out the king to them (33\u201334). O king, the Apsaras then grew\nanxious lest she might go back. The king then addressed her in sweet\nwords saying:\u2014\"O cruel lady, you may show yourself cruel in words but\nremain my wife at heart.\" Urvashi then said to the son of Il\u0101, \"O lord,\nthrough you I have become _enciente_. Forsooth within a year all your\nsons will be born. O king live with me for one night more\" (35\u201337).\nHearing this the highly illustrious king was pleased and returned to his\nown city. After the expiration of a year Urvashi again came to him (38).\nThe highly illustrious king lived with her for one night. Thereupon\nUrvashi said to the son of Ila:\u2014\"The Gandharvas will confer a boon on\nyou (39). O king, beg of them a boon and tell them that you want equal\nbeauty with the high-souled Gandharvas\" (40). Then the king prayed for a\nboon from the Gandharvas and they too said \"so be it.\" Thereupon filling\na bag with fire the Gandharvas said to him (41):\u2014\"O king, having\ncelebrated a Yajna with this fire you will attain to our region.\"\nThereupon taking the princes with him the king left for his city (42).\nHaving thrown away that fire into the forest the king, with his sons,\nwent to his own city. He did not see there the _Treta_ fire\u2075\u2074 but only\nsaw a fig tree (43). Beholding that fig tree of Sami species he was\nstricken with surprise. He then communicated to the Gandharvas the\ndestruction of fire (44). Hearing the whole story they ordered for a\npiece of wood to enkindle it. Then taking a piece of wood from the fig\ntree, churning the fire duly and worshipping the gods with various\n_Yajnas_ there with, he attained the region of the Gandharvas (45\u201346).\nHaving obtained the boon from the Gandharvas he placed _Treta_ fire. The\nfire was at first one. The son of Il\u0101 divided it into three (47). So\npowerful was that foremost of men the royal son of Il\u0101. The greatly\nillustrious king Pururav\u0101 reigned in the city of Pratishth\u0101na situate on\nthe northern bank of the Ganges in the Province of Pray\u0101ga, so highly\nspoken of by the Rishis (48-49).\n\n   \u2075\u2074 The three sacred fires collectively or the southern, household and\n      sacrificial fires.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXVII. AN ACCOUNT OF ILA\u2019S FAMILY.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Il\u0101\u2019s son had seven high-souled sons resembling the\nsons of the celestials born in the celestial region (1). They were Ayu,\nDhim\u0101n, Amavasu, the high-souled Vishw\u0101yu, Srut\u0101yu, Dridayu, Val\u0101yu, and\nShatayu. They were all Urvashi\u2019s sons. Am\u0101vasu\u2019s sons were Bhima and\nNagnajit (2). Bhima\u2019s son was the king K\u0101nchanaprabha. K\u0101nchana\u2019s son\nwas the highly powerful and learned Suhotra who begat on Keshini a son\nby name Janhu who celebrated the great sacrifice Sarvamedha (3\u20134). Gang\u0101\nsolicited him to become her husband but on account of his refusal she\nflooded the Yajna ground (5). O foremost of the Bharata race, beholding\nthe ground thus flooded by Gang\u0101 Suhotra\u2019s son Janhu became enraged and\nsaid to her (6), \"I shall exhaust your water by drinking it up and you\nwill thus meet with punishment for your arrogance (7).\" The royal saint\nhaving drunk up Gang\u0101 the great Rishis designated her as his daughter by\nname J\u0101nhavi (8). Janhu espoused Yuvan\u0101shwa\u2019s daughter K\u0101veri. On\naccount of Yuvan\u0101shwa\u2019s curse Gang\u0101 made, with one half of her person,\nthat foremost of rivers, Janhu\u2019s wife the blameless K\u0101veri (9). Janhu\nbegat on K\u0101veri a beloved and pious son by name Susaha whose son was\nAj\u0101ka (10). Ajaka\u2019s son the king Val\u0101k\u0101shwa was greatly fond of hunting.\nHis son was Kusha (11). He had four sons effulgent like the gods. They\nwere Kushika, Kushan\u0101bha, Kushashwa and Murtim\u0101n (12). The king Kushika\ngrew up with _Pazhavas_\u2075\u2075 ranging in the forest. He carried on hard\npenances for obtaining a son like Indra. Out of fear, accordingly the\nking of gods was born as a son to him (13). After he had carried on\npenances for one thousand years Sakra saw that royal saint of hard\nausterities. Seeing him the thousand-eyed Purandara thought him capable\nof creating progeny and accordingly entered into his energy. When the\nking of celestials was thus begotten by Kushika as his son he became the\nking G\u0101dhi who was born of Purukutsa\u2019s daughter who was the wife of\nKushika (14\u201316). G\u0101dhi\u2019s daughter was the noble and amiable Satyavati.\nHe gave her away to Bhrigu\u2019s son Richika (17). Bhrigu\u2019s son was pleased\nwith her and therefore made _Charu_ for his own and Gadhi\u2019s sons (18).\nThen calling his own wife Bhrigu\u2019s son Richika said to her \"you and your\nmother should eat this _Charu_ (19). (Your mother) will give birth to an\neffulgent son the foremost of Kshatryas. No other Kshatriya in this\nworld will be able to vanquish him and he will destroy all the leading\nheroes of the military caste (20). O auspicious damsel, this _Charu_\nwill make your son intelligent, a great ascetic of controlled senses and\nthe foremost of the twice born (21).\"\n\nHaving said this to his wife Bhrigu\u2019s son Richika entered into woods for\ncarrying on hard austerities without any interruption (22). At that time\nstarting on pilgrimage with his family the king G\u0101dhi arrived at\nRichika\u2019s hermitage for seeing his own daughter (23). Taking the two\ncups of _Charu_ from the Rishi, Satyavati with great care gave one to\nher mother (24). By a mere accident the mother unwittingly gave her own\n_Charu_ to her daughter and ate herself the one intended for the latter\n(25). Thereupon Satyavati conceived the dreadful offspring whereof was\ndestined to slay all the Kshatryas. She then shone in great effulgence\n(26). Seeing her and knowing every thing by meditation the foremost of\nthe twice-born Richika said to his beautiful wife (27), \"By the change\nof Charu you have been imposed on by your mother. You will give birth to\na highly terrible and ruthless son (28). Your brother will be born as a\ngreat ascetic conversant with all the Vedas. By virtue of my _Tapas_ I\nhave handed over my entire knowledge of the Vedas to him (29).\" Thus\naddressed by her husband the great Satyavati said to him \"I do not wish\nto have such a wretch of a Br\u0101hmana as my son from you\" and began to\npropitiate him. Thus accosted the ascetic again said to her (30). \"O you\nauspicious dame, I myself did not wish for such a son. On account of the\nfather and mother the son becomes cruel.\" Satyavati again replied to him\n(31). \"You can create the worlds if you like, what to speak of a son.\nYou should therefore give me a simple-minded son capable of controlling\nhis senses (32). O lord, O foremost of the twice-born, if you cannot\nundo this, may a grandson be born after my heart (33).\"\n\nThereupon by virtue of his _Tapas_ he became propitiated with her and\nsaid \"O fair one, I make no distinction between a son and a grandson.\nTherefore what you have said will come to pass\" (34).\n\nSatyavati then gave birth to a son by name Jamadagni always controlling\nhis senses and intent upon carrying on hard austerities (35). On account\nof the change of Bhrigu\u2019s _Charu_ and the union (of the energies) of\nRudra and Vishnu Jamadagni was born from the energy of the latter. And\nthe truthful and pious Satyavati now passes as the celebrated river\nKoushiki (36\u201337).\n\nThere was another powerful king of the Ikshw\u0101ku race by name Renuka. His\ndaughter was the great Renuk\u0101. The great ascetic Jamadagni begat on that\nRenuk\u0101 a dreadful and highly effulgent son by name R\u0101ma, the destroyer\nof all the Kshatryas, a master of all sciences and specially that of\narchery (38\u201340). Thus by virtue of _Tapas_ Richika begat on Satyavati\nthe highly illustrious Jamadagni\u2014the foremost of those conversant with\nthe Vedas (41). His second son was Shunasepha and his youngest son was\nShunapuchha. Kushika\u2019s son G\u0101dhi begat as his son Visw\u0101mitra endued with\n_Tapas_ and the quality of self-control. Having obtained the status of\nBr\u0101hmana saints he became one of the seven Rishis (42\u201343). The virtuous\nsouled Visw\u0101mitra also passed by the name of Viswaratha. By Bhrigu\u2019s\nfavour he took his birth from Koushika as the multiplier of his race\n(44). Visw\u0101mitra\u2019s sons were Devar\u0101t and others celebrated in the three\nworlds. Hear from me their names (45). He begat Kati on Devasrav\u0101 from\nwhom K\u0101ty\u0101nas received their name. He begat Hiranyaksha on Sh\u0101l\u0101vati and\nRenum\u0101n on Renu. S\u0101ngkriti G\u0101lava and Mudgala are also well-known.\nMadhuchhanda and other Devalas, Ashtaka, Kachhapa and Purita are all the\noffspring of Visw\u0101mitra. The families of the high-souled descendants of\nKushika are all well-known (46\u201348). P\u0101nis, Vabhrus, Karajap\u0101s and other\nkings are the descendants of Devarat. Sh\u0101lank\u0101y\u0101nas, V\u0101skalas, Lohityas,\nY\u0101madutas, Karishis, Soushrutas and besides Saindav\u0101yanas are all the\ndescendants of Koushika. Devalas and Renus are the grandsons of Renuk\u0101.\nY\u0101jnawalka, Aghamarshana, Udumvara, Abhigl\u0101na, T\u0101rak\u0101yana and Chunchula\nare the grandsons of S\u0101lavati and sons of Hirany\u0101ksha. S\u0101nskritya,\nG\u0101lava, B\u0101drayana and others are the offspring of the intelligent\nVisw\u0101mitra. Thus the family of Koushika is well-known to all. They are\nmarried according to grades. The connection, between the Br\u0101hmanas and\nKshatryas amongst the family of Puru and the Br\u0101hmana saint Vasishtha\nand of Koushikas, is well known for ever (49\u201353). Of the sons of\nVisw\u0101mitra Sunasepha was the eldest. The foremost of saints Bh\u0101rgava\nbecame also a Koushika (54). Visw\u0101mitra\u2019s son Sunasepha was destined to\nbe killed at the sacrifice of Haridashwa (55). The gods again returned\nSunasepha unto Viswamitra and for this he passed by the name of\nDevar\u0101ta. Devar\u0101ta and six others were the sons of Viswamitra, who begat\non Drishadvati another son by name Ashtaka. Ashtaka\u2019s son was Louhi.\nThus I have described the family of Janhu and I shall now describe the\nprogeny of Ayu (56-58).\n\n   \u2075\u2075 The name of one of the degraded Kshatrya races sentenced by Sagara\n      to wear beards, perhaps a _Parthian_.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXVIII. AN ACCOUNT OF RAJI AND HIS SONS.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014O king, Ayu had five sons who were all heroic and\nmighty car-warriors. They were begotten on Swarbh\u0101nu\u2019s daughter (1). Of\nthem Nahusha was born first and next to him Vriddhasharm\u0101. Afterwards\nRambha, Raji and Anena were born; they were all well-known in the three\nworlds (2). Raji begat five hundred sons who were known on earth by the\nname of R\u0101jeyas. Those Kshatriyas made even Indra terrified (3). When\nthe terrible battle, between the gods and demons, came to pass they went\nto the Grandfather and said \"O lord of all the gods, say who amongst us\nwill be crowned with victory. We wish to hear it from you (4-5).\"\n\nBrahma said:\u2014\"Forsooth they will conquer the three worlds on whose\nbehalf the king Raji will take up arms in battle (6). Wherever Raji is,\nthere is forbearance; and wherever forbearance reigns there is\nprosperity. And wherever forbearance and prosperity are there exist\nmorality and victory (7).\" O foremost of Bharatas, pleased with what\nthey heard from the Grandfather, the gods and demons, with a view to\ngain victory, went to Raji for making him their commander (8). Raji was\nthe grandson of Swarbh\u0101nu and was begotten on his daughter Prabh\u0101. That\nhighly powerful king multiplied the race of Soma (9). The gods and\ndemons, all with delighted minds, said to Raji:\u2014\"Do you, for\naccomplishing own victory, take up a most excellent bow and arrows\n(10)\". Then identifying his own interest with that of theirs and\ndisplaying his own glory the king Raji said to the gods and demons (11).\n\"O Indra and gods, I shall then only engage in fight if I can attain to\nthe dignity of Indra after vanquishing the demons in battle (12).\" The\ngods were at first delighted and said, \"O king, whatever you wish it\nwill be; your desire shall be fulfilled (13).\" Hearing the words of the\ngods the king Raji said to the leading Asuras what he had spoken to the\ngods (14). Thinking it conducive to their own interest the haughty\nD\u0101navas, with great indignation, replied to that king (15). \"Pralh\u0101da is\nour lord for whom we seek victory. O foremost of kings, fulfill the\ncontract that you have made with the gods for obtaining the kingdom\n(16).\" Having said \u2019so be it\u2019 he was appointed by the gods (their\ncommander). Then entering upon the contract that he would become Indra\nthe king slew all the D\u0101navas whom the wielder of thunderbolt could not\nkill (17). Having brought about the destruction of all the D\u0101navas the\nhighly beautiful, powerful and self-controlled king Raji regained the\nlost prosperity of the gods (18). Then Satakratu,\u2075\u2076 with all the gods,\nsaid to Raji \"I am Raji\u2019s son.\" He again addressed him saying:\u2014\"Forsooth\nyou have become the lord of all creatures, O sire, I, Indra, have become\nyour son and I shall gain renown by this action\" (19\u201320). Hearing the\nwords of Satakratu and having been imposed on by his M\u0101y\u0101 the king Raji\ndelightedly said to the king of gods \"Let it be so\" (21). After the\nascension to heaven of that god-like king his sons took away from the\nlord of gods his celestial kingdom following the practice that ancestral\nproperties should be equally distributed amongst all the sons (22).\nRaji\u2019s five hundred sons simultaneously attacked Trivisthapa and the\ncelestial kingdom of Indra (23). After the lapse of many years the king\nof gods, being deprived of his kingdom and share in the sacrificial\nofferings, grew very feeble. He then said to Vrihaspati \"O Brahmarshi,\ndo thou arrange for me clarified butter of the weight of a Jujube fruit\nso that I may live on its strength (24\u201325). O lord, having snatched away\nmy kingdom from me the sons of the king Raji have made me emaciated,\nabsent-minded, shorn of seat and energy, weak and stupid\" (26).\n\nVrihaspati said:\u2014\"O sinless one, if you had said this to me before I\nwould not have been required to do an unfair work for your well-being\n(27). I shall however, O king of gods, surely strive to do you good and\nyou will soon regain your kingdom and due share of the sacrificial\nofferings (28). O my child, I will make arrangements for this and let\nnot your mind be possessed by stupefaction.\" He then did something for\nincreasing the energy of the king of gods (29). The foremost of the\ntwice-born then brought about the derangement of their (Raji\u2019s sons\u2019)\nunderstanding. For this purpose he wrote a treatise on atheism, the best\nof all works on Tarka, dealing with attacks against religion and much\nliked by the impious. Those, who regard religion as the supreme (end of\nlife), do not like this system (30\u201331). Listening to the contents of\nthat treatise written by Vrihaspati the ignorant sons of Raji began\nexpressing their disgust at the previous works on Dharma s\u0101stra (32).\nThey began respecting highly that atheistical system of their preceptor.\nBy this irreligious act those sinners met with destruction (33). Having\ngained, by the favour of Vrishapati, the kingdom of the three worlds\nwhich it is so hard to acquire the king of gods was highly pleased (34).\nThe sons (of the king Raji) grew foolish, maddened with anger and\nirreligious. They began to hate the Br\u0101hmanas and were shorn of energy\nand prowess. Thereupon slaying those sons of Raji possessed by anger and\nlust the king of the celestials regained his prosperity and kingdom\n(35-36). He, who listens to or meditates on the account of the loss of\nkingdom by the king of gods and of the restitution of his prestige, is\nnever visited by any oppression (37).\n\n   \u2075\u2076 Literally performer of hundred sacrifices, a name of Indra.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXIX. AN ACCOUNT OF KASHI KINGS.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Rambh\u0101 had no issue. I shall describe the progeny of\nAnen\u0101. His son was the highly illustrious king Pratikshatra (1). His son\npassed by the name of Srinjaya whose son was Jaya and his son was Vijaya\n(2). His son was Kriti whose son was Haryaswan. His son was the powerful\nking Sahadeva. Sahadeva\u2019s son was the virtuous-souled Nadina whose son\nwas Jagatsena whose son was Satkriti. Satkriti\u2019s son was the\npious-souled and highly illustrious Kshatravriddha ever satisfying the\nduties of a Kshatrya. I have thus described the progeny of Anen\u0101. Hear\nnow of the descendants of Kshatravriddha (3-5). Kshatravriddha\u2019s son was\nthe highly illustrious Sunahotra. He had three highly pious sons whose\nnames were K\u0101sha, Sh\u0101la and Gritsamada. Gritsamada\u2019s son was Shunaka,\nwhose offspring, the Saunakas, were Br\u0101hmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and\nSudras. Sh\u0101la\u2019s son was Arshnisena whose son was Sutapa. O king, K\u0101sha\u2019s\nsons were K\u0101shya and Dirghatap\u0101. The latter\u2019s son was the learned\nDhanwantari. At the termination of the rigid penances of the intelligent\nold king Dirghatap\u0101 Dhanwantari arose from the ocean and took his birth\nfor the second time in this world (6\u201310).\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O lord, why was Dhanwantari born in the land of men? I\nwish to know this duly and truly from you. Describe it therefore (11).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O foremost of Bharatas, hear of the birth of\nDhanwantari. When ambrosia was being churned out in the days of yore\nDhanwantari arose from the ocean. Enveloped completely with personal\ngrace he came out of the vessel of ambrosia. Meditating on Vishnu who\ngrants success in business he stood up as soon as he saw Him (11\u201313).\nVishnu said to him \"As you have come out of water you will be known by\nthe name of _Avja_.\" And so he passed by the name of Avja (14). Avja\nthen replied:\u2014\"O lord I am your son. Confer upon me therefore, O lord of\ncelestials, a share in the sacrificial offerings and a place in this\nworld.\" Thus addressed and seeing him the Divine Lord spoke to him the\ntruth (15). \"The gods, who present themselves at _Yajnas_, have already\nmade apportionments of sacrificial offerings amongst themselves. The\ngreat saints too have dedicated various articles of oblation to various\ngods. Know therefore, I shall not be able to give you any thing however\ntrifling it may be, that is not mentioned in the Vedas. O my son, you\nhave been born after the gods and so you will not be able to partake of\nsacrificial offerings (16\u201317). In your second birth you will gain renown\nin the world. While in the womb you will acquire _Anim\u0101 Siddhi_\u2075\u2077 (18).\nWith that body you will acquire the dignity of a god. The twice-born\nones will worship you with _Charu_, _Mantra_, vows and _Japas_ (19). You\nwill propagate Ayurveda with its eight divisions. This work, which is\nsure to come off, is known to you in your watery birth (20). When the\nsecond Yuga Dw\u0101para will set in you will undoubtedly take your birth\nagain.\" Having conferred this boon on Dhanwantari Vishnu disappeared\nagain (21). Thereupon when the second Dw\u0101para Yuga set in Sunohotra\u2019s\nson Dirghatap\u0101, the king of Kashi, desirous of having a son, began\ncarrying on hard austerities affording delight to his worshipful deity\nsaying (22)\u2014\"I shall lay myself under the protection of that god who\nwill confer on me a son.\" That king worshipped the deity Avja for a son\n(23). Thereupon that Divine lord, being pleased with the king, said to\nhim \"O you of good vows, I shall grant you any boon that you may choose\nto have\" (24). The king said \"O lord, if thou art pleased be born unto\nme as my illustrious son.\" Then saying \"Let it be so\" he disappeared\ntherefrom (25). The deity Dhanwantari was then born in his house. He\nbecame the king of K\u0101shi who could destroy all diseases (26). Having\nacquired the kowledge of Ayurveda from Bharadw\u0101ja he divided the work of\nthe physicians into eight classes and then conferred it upon his\ndisciples (27). Dhanwantari\u2019s son was known by the name of Ketum\u0101n whose\nson was the heroic Bhimaratha (28). His son was the king Divod\u0101sa. The\npious-souled Divod\u0101sa became the king of B\u0101r\u0101nashi (29). O king, at this\ntime the Rakshasa Kshemaka, an attendant of Rudra, made the city of\nB\u0101r\u0101nashi divested of its inhabitants (30). The intelligent and\nhigh-souled Nikumbha uttered a curse against B\u0101r\u0101nashi saying, \"Thou\nshalt forsooth have none to live in thee for one thousand years\" (31).\nAs soon as this curse was pronounced against B\u0101r\u0101nashi the king Divod\u0101sa\nlaid out his charming capital on the bank of Gomati (near B\u0101r\u0101nashi)\n(32). Formerly B\u0101r\u0101nashi belonged to Bhadrashenya, son of Mahishm\u0101n, of\nthe Yadu race. Having slain the hundred sons of Bhadrasenya who were all\nmost excellent bowmen Divod\u0101sa acquired that city. Thus Bhadrasenya was\ndeprived forcibly of his kingdom by the (king Divod\u0101sa) (33\u201334).\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014Why did the powerful Nikumbha imprecate a curse on\nB\u0101r\u0101nasi? Who is the virtuous Nikumbha who pronounced a curse on that\nholy land (25)?\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having acquired that prosperous city the highly\npowerful emperor, the royal saint Divod\u0101sa began to live there (36). At\nthis time, having accepted a gift the lord Siva was living at his\nfather-in-law\u2019s residence for pleasing the goddess (his wife Durg\u0101)\n(37). At the command of the god (Siva) the great saints P\u0101rshadas, born\nin a respectable family, in this above mentioned form and dress, were\npropitiating P\u0101rvati (38). The great goddess P\u0101rvati was highly pleased\nthereby but not so was Menak\u0101. She began continually villifying that god\nand goddess (39). She said to P\u0101rvati:\u2014\"Your husband Maheswara is always\ndoing vile things in the company of P\u0101rshadas. He is always poor and his\ncharacter is not good\" (40).\n\nThus spoken to by his mother the goddess became enraged as is usually\nthe case with women. Smiling a little she came to Bhava (41). With her\ncountenance pale the goddess said to Mah\u0101deva:\u2014\"O lord, I shall not live\nhere; take me to your own house\" (42). In order to find out a house for\nhimself Mah\u0101deva eyed all the world. O descendant of Kuru, the highly\npowerful Maheswara selected B\u0101r\u0101nashi where every body attains to the\nconsummation of religious culture. Learning that Divod\u0101sa had occupied\nthe city, Bhava said to Nikumbha who was by him:\u2014\"O king of _Ganas_, go\nto the city of Beneres, and make it shorn of its inhabitants by mild\nmeans for the king there is very powerful.\"\n\nThereupon going to the city of B\u0101r\u0101nasi Nikumbha appeared in a dream to\na barber by name Kanduka and said to him. \"O sinless one, I shall\nencompass your well-being. Place a faithful image of mine in the city.\"\nO king, what he commanded in a dream was all carried out (43\u201348). Having\nduly made an announcement to the king at the gate of the city he began\ndaily to worship him (Nikumbha) with scents, garland, incense, lamps,\nfood, and drink. This appeared to be extremely wondrous (49\u201350). Thus\nthe lord of _Ganas_ was daily worshipped. Thereupon he began to confer\nthousands of boons on the citizens, such as sons, gold, long life and\nvarious desired-for objects (51). The eldest queen of the king Divod\u0101sa\nwas celebrated by the name of Suyasha. Despatched by her husband that\nchaste damsel appeared there for a son (52). Offering him a grand _Puj\u0101_\nshe prayed for a son. Thus did she daily come there for a son (53). But\nfor some reason Nikumbha did not give her a son, thinking \"If the king\ngets enraged I shall accomplish my object\" (54). Thereupon after a long\ntime the king was possessed by anger. He said \"This ghost, stationed at\nthe main gate, is delightedly conferring hundreds of boons on my\ncitizens; why does he not confer one on me? My people in this city are\nalways worshipping him. I requested of him for a son for my queen. Why\ndoes not that ungrateful wretch confer a son on me (55\u201357)? So this\nghost does not deserve good treatment from any, especially from me. I\nshall therefore have the habitation of this vicious-souled one\ndestroyed\" (58). Having made this resolution that vicious-souled, wicked\nking sacked the house of that king of _Ganas_ (59). Having seen his own\nhouse destroyed Nikumbha imprecated a curse on the king saying, \"I have\ncommitted no offence; and still while my house has been ruined, this\ncity, all on a sudden, shall be shorn of its people\" (60).\n\nThereupon by his curse the city of B\u0101r\u0101nasi was divested of its people.\nHaving pronounced that curse against the city Nikumbha went to Mahadeva\n(61). The inhabitants of B\u0101r\u0101nasi suddenly fled away to different\ndirections. The God Siva then built his own house in that city (62).\nMah\u0101deva lived there sporting with the daughter of the Mountain-king. On\naccount of the liberation being given even to those who did not deserve\nit the goddess did not like that place. She then said \"I shall not live\nhere\" (63). Siva said:\u2014\"I do not live in my house. My house (body)\nremains always intact. I shall not go there. Go you, O goddess, to your\nhouse (64).\" The three-eyed lord, the slayer of Tripura said these words\nwith a smile. From that time that city has been spoken of as _Avimukta_\nby the god Siva himself (65). Thus B\u0101r\u0101nasi has been described as\nAvimukta (66). The pious-souled Deity Maheswara, adored of all the gods,\nlived there in the company of the goddess for the three Yugas, Satwa,\nTret\u0101, and Dwapara (67). The city of that high-souled god disappeared in\nthe Kali Yuga. When that city disappeared Maheswara lived there\ninvisible. Thus B\u0101r\u0101nasi was cursed and peopled again (68). Bhadrasenya\nhad a son by name Durdama. Having slain the hundred sons of Bhadrasenya\nDivod\u0101sa spared him out of mercy considering him a child (69). O great\nking, the emperor Durdama was adopted by Haihaya as his son. In order to\nput an end to hostilities, Bhadrasenya\u2019s son the high souled Kshatriya\nking Durdama took back again his ancestral kingdom which had been\nforcibly occupied by Divod\u0101sa (70-71). Divod\u0101sa begat on Vrishadvati the\nheroic Pratardana. That boy son of his again defeated Durdama (72).\nPratardana had two sons by name Vatsa and Bh\u0101ga. Vatsa\u2019s son was Alarka\nwhose son was Sannati (73). Alarka, the king of K\u0101shi, was truthful and\ndevoted to Brahman. The ancient sages composed the following hymn in\npraise of the royal saint Alarka (74). \"This foremost of the rulers of\nKashi will enjoy youth and beauty for sixty thousand and sixty hundred\nyears (75)\". By the favour of Lopamudr\u0101 he gained that longevity. That\nyouthful and beautiful king had an extensive kingdom. After the\ntermination of the curse that mighty-armed king slew the Rakshasa\nKshemaka and laid out again the picturesque city of B\u0101r\u0101nasi. Sannati\u2019s\nson was the pious Sunitha (76-77). Sunitha\u2019s son was the highly\nillustrious Kshemya whose son was Ketum\u0101n whose son was Suketu (78). His\nson passed by the name of Dharmaketu, whose son was the mighty\ncar-warrior Satya ketu. His son was the king Bibhu whose son was Avarta,\nand whose son was Sukum\u0101ra. His son was the highly pious Dhristaketu,\nwhose son was the king Venuhotra, and whose son was the king Bharga. The\nprovince of Vatsa belonged to Vatsa and the land of Bhrigu derived its\nname from Bhargava (79\u201382). These sons of Angiras were born in the race\nof Bhrigu. He had thousands of sons amongst the Br\u0101hmanas, Kshatriyas\nand Vaisyas. Thus I have described to you the family of Kashi kings. I\nshall now describe the progeny of Nahusha (83\u201386).\n\n   \u2075\u2077 Final emancipation from existence.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXX. ACCOUNT OF THE KING YAYATI.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014The highly energetic Nahusha begat on his father\u2019s\ndaughter Viraj\u0101 six sons gifted with the effulgence of Indra (1). They\nwere Yati, Yay\u0101ti, Sang y\u0101ti, Ayati and Y\u0101ti. And the sixth was Suy\u0101ti;\nof them Yay\u0101ti became the king (2). Yati was the eldest of all. Next to\nhim was Yay\u0101ti. On account of his being the foremost of the pious he\nobtained a daughter of Kakuthsthas by name Go. Yati was an ascetic.\nHaving acquired final liberation he was united with Brahman (3). Of the\nother five Yay\u0101ti conquered this world. He espoused Sukr\u0101charya\u2019s\ndaughter Devayani as well as Sharmisth\u0101 the daughter of an Asura by name\nVrishaparva (4). Devay\u0101ni gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu and\nVrishaparva\u2019s daughter Sharmishth\u0101 to Drahyu, Anu, and Puru (5). Being\npleased Sakra gave him a highly effulgent, celestial, golden chariot\ngoing every where without any interruption. White celestial and\nexcellent horses, fleet like the mind, were yoked to it. By that chariot\nhe used to accomplish every work. Ascending that car, Yay\u0101ti,\nirrepressible in battle, within six nights conquered the entire earth\nand even the gods with V\u0101sava (6-7). That car was in the possession of\nthe Pauravas till Sun\u0101m\u0101 was born, O Janamejaya (8). Kuru\u2019s son the king\nParikshit lost that car by the imprecation of the intelligent G\u0101rgya\n(9). O Janamejaya, that king slew the harsh-speeched boy of G\u0101rgya and\naccordingly he was guilty of the crime of Brahmanicide (10). With a\nstench all about his body that royal saint moved about hither and\nthither. Then cast off both by the citizens and villagers he could not\nenjoy happiness anywhere (11). Thereupon stricken with grief he could\nnot find relief anywhere. He then sought refuge with the ascetic Indrota\nborn in the race of Shounaka (12). Indrota then undertook the\ncelebration of a horse-sacrifice for purifying that king (13). When he\nbathed after the termination of a Yajna, that stench disappeared from\nhis body. Then O king, the lord of gods, with pleasure, gave away that\ncelestial car to Vasu the king of Chedis; from him Vrihadratha acquired\nit (14). From him that car gradually passed into the hands of\nJar\u0101sandha. Thereupon slaying Jar\u0101sandha Bhima, the descendant of Kuru,\ndelightedly conferred that most excellent car on V\u0101sudeva.\n\nHaving conquered the earth consisting of seven insular continents with\nits oceans Yay\u0101ti divided it (amongst his sons). Nahusha\u2019s son installed\nTurvasa as the king of the south-eastern quarter, Anu and Druhya as the\nkings of the northern and eastern divisions respectively, the eldest\nYadu as the king of the north-east, and Puru as the king of the Central\ndivision. Even now they are righteously ruling over the earth consisting\nof seven insular continents and various cities in their respective\nprovinces. O foremost of kings, I shall afterwards describe their\nprogeny (15\u201320). Having been thus blessed with five sons and conferred\nupon them his bows, arrows and the charge of the kingdom, the foremost\nof men, that king Yay\u0101ti was possessed by decrepitude. Divested of\nweapons when that ever victorious king cast his eyes on the earth he\nfelt joy. Having thus divided the earth he said to Yadu\n(21\u201322):\u2014\"Retiring from thy office, O my son, do thou take this\ndecrepitude of mine upon thee. Making over my decrepitude to thee and\nbeing gifted with thy youth and beauty I shall range over the earth.\"\nWhereto Yadu replied (23):\u2014\"I have promised to give alms to a Br\u0101hmana.\nIt has not been decided as yet. Without ascertaining this I cannot\naccept your decrepitude (24). There are many inconveniences regarding\nfood and drink in decrepitude. Therefore, O king, I do not like to take\nyour decrepitude on me (25). O king, you have many other sons who are\nmore beloved than I. Therefore, O pious king, command any other son of\nyours to take your decrepitude\" (26).\n\nThus accosted by Yadu the king was filled with anger. Then blaming his\nson Yay\u0101ti, the foremost of speakers, said (27):\u2014\"O you of vicious\nintellect, disregarding me who am your preceptor and who have given you\neducation, whom else can you seek and what religion can you follow?\"\n(28) Having addressed Yadu thus in anger he imprecated a curse on him,\nsaying, \"O foolish wight, your sons will be deprived of their kingdom\"\n(29).\n\nThat king, the foremost of Bharatas, likewise requested Turvasu, Drahyu\nand Anu and was equally dishonoured by them all (30). Being enraged that\never victorious Yay\u0101ti cursed them all as I had described to you before,\nO foremost of the royal saints (31). Having thus cursed his four sons\nwho preceded Puru the king said to him, O descendant of Bharata (32). \"O\nPuru, if you agree, I shall transfer this my decrepitude to you and\nbeing invested with your beauty and youth I shall roam over this world\"\n(33). His powerful son Puru accepted his decrepitude. Yay\u0101ti too, endued\nwith Puru\u2019s beauty, ranged over the earth (34). Seeing the termination\nof pleasures, O foremost of Bharatas, that lord lived in the\nChaitraratha forest with Vishr\u0101vy\u0101 (35). When he was satiated with\nenjoyments the king came to Puru and took back from him his decrepitude\n(36). Hear, O great king, the songs sung there by Yay\u0101ti. Hearing them a\nman withdraws himself from pleasures as a tortoise draws in its limbs\n(37). \"Desire is never satiated with the enjoy ment of its object. It\nrather assumes proportions like a fire when clarified butter is thrown\ninto it (38). Rice, barley, gold, animals and women, that are on earth,\nare not sufficient to afford satisfaction to one man. Seeing this even\nmen are not brought to their senses (39). When a man does not commit\ninjury to any creature even by his action, thought and words, he is\nunified with Brahman (40). When a man is not afraid of another, when no\none is afraid of him, when he cherishes no desire or malice he is\nunified with Brahman (41). Verily does he attain to happiness when a man\nrelinquishes thirst, which wicked people can never cast off, which does\nnot wear out even when a man is possessed by decrepitude and which is\nlike a fatal malady (42). When a man is worn out with age his hairs and\nteeth fall off but the desire for life and wealth never disappears (43).\nWhatever pleasure is there in this world derivable from the satisfaction\nof sensual appetites, whatever great heavenly pleasure is there none of\nthem is equal to the one sixteenth of the pleasure derived from the\nextinction of desire\" (44). Having said this the royal saint Yay\u0101ti\nretired into the forest with his wife and for many long years he carried\non hard austerities (45). Having carried on his penances on the Bhrigu\nhill that great ascetic, renouncing his body, attained to heaven with\nhis wife (46).\n\nO great king, in his family five royal saints were born. By them the\nwhole earth was occupied as by the rays of the sun (47). Hear now of the\nfamily of Yadu honored by all the royal saints. In his family N\u0101r\u0101yana\nHari, the perpetuator of Vrishni race, took his birth (48), O king, he,\nwho listens to the sacred biography of the king Y\u0101y\u0101ti or reads it,\nacquires health, offspring, long life and renown (49).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXI. AN ACCOUNT OF PURU\u2019S FAMILY.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O Brahman, I wish to hear truly and separately of the\nfamilies of Puru, Drahyu, Anu, Yadu, and Turvasu. Do you describe them\nat length from the very beginning while describing the race of Vrishnis\n(1\u20132). Vaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O king, hear first of your own family, the\nbrave Puru race, from the very beginning in which you have been born\n(3). O king, I shall describe to you the most excellent family of Puru\nas well as those of Drahyu, Anu, Yadu and Turvasu (4). O Janamejaya,\nPuru\u2019s son was a highly powerful king; his son was Prachinv\u0101n who\nconquered the eastern quarter (5). Prachinv\u0101na\u2019s son was Pravira whose\nson was Manasyu. His son was the king Abhayada whose son was the king\nSudhanw\u0101. His son was Vahugava whose son was Shamy\u0101ti (6-7). His son was\nRahaswati whose son was Roudr\u0101shwa. The latter had ten sons and\ndaughters (8). The sons were respectively named Dash\u0101rneyu, Krikaneyu,\nKaksheyu, Sthandileshu, Saunateshu, Richeyu, Sthaleyu, the highly\nillustrious Jalayeu, Dhaneyu and Vaneyu. The daughters were named Rudr\u0101,\nShudra, Bhadr\u0101, Shalad\u0101, Malad\u0101, Khal\u0101, Chal\u0101, Valad\u0101, Suratha and\nGochapata. These ten daughters defeated, with their beauty, Urvashi and\nother jems of women (9-11). The Rishi Prabh\u0101kara, born in the race of\nAtri, was their husband. He begat on Rudr\u0101 his illustrious son, Soma\n(12). When defeated by R\u0101hu the sun falls down on earth, and when the\nwhole world is accordingly enveloped with darkness he spreads his rays\nall over (13). When that sage said \"May good betide you\" the sun,\naccording to his words, did not fall from the sky (14). The great\nascetic Atri was the founder of great families. At his sacrifice even\nthe celestials carried the riches (15). This high-souled Rishi begat on\nthe ten daughters of Roudr\u0101shwa ten sons ever engaged in carrying on\nhard penances (16). O king, those Rishis, who had mastered the Vedas,\nwere the founders of families. They passed by the name of Swastatreya.\nBut Atri had no money (17). Kasheyu had three sons who were all mighty\ncar-warriors\u2014they were Subh\u0101nava, Ch\u0101kshusa and Parmekshu (18). The\nlearned king K\u0101l\u0101nala was Subhanav\u0101\u2019s son. His son was the pious\nSrinjaya (19). The heroic king Puranjaya was Srinjaya\u2019s son. O king,\nJanamejaya was Puranjaya\u2019s son (20). The royal saint Mah\u0101sh\u0101la was\nJanamejaya\u2019s son. He was well-read in the Vedas and renowned on earth\n(21). The pious Mah\u0101man\u0101 was Mah\u0101sh\u0101la\u2019s son. He was heroic,\nliberal-minded and honoured of all gods (22). O descendant of Bharata,\nMah\u0101man\u0101 begat two sons, the pious Ushinara and Titikshu, endued with\ngreat strength (23). Ushinara had five wives born in the families of\nroyal saints\u2014Nrig\u0101, Krimi, Nav\u0101, Darvi and Drisadvati (24). He begat on\nthose wives five sons who perpetuated his race. By carrying on hard\nausterities he got all those sons in his old age, O descendant of\nBharata (25). Nrig\u0101\u2019s son was Nriga, Krimi\u2019s son was Krima, Nav\u0101\u2019s son\nwas Nava, Darvi\u2019s son was Suvrata and from Drisadvati was born the king\nSivi. Sivi\u2019s sons passed by the name of Sivis, and Nrig\u0101\u2019s sons by that\nof Youdheyas (26\u201327), Nava\u2019s capital was Navar\u0101shtra and that of Krimi\nwas Krimita; whereas the metropolis of Suvrata was celebrated by the\nname of Amvastha. Hear from me the names of Sivi\u2019s sons (28). He had\nfour sons who were famous in the three worlds for their heroism. They\nwere Drishadarbha, Saviria, Kaikaya and Madrap\u0101 (29). Their prosperous\ncities passed by the names of Kaikeya, Madrapa and others. Vrishadarbha\nand others were all very heroic. Hear now the names of the sons of\nTitikshu (30). O scion of the Bharata race, Titikshu\u2019s son Ushadratha\nwas the king of the eastern division. His son was Phena whose son was\nSutapa from whom Bali was born. That (demon) king was born as man. He\nhad a golden quiver (31\u201332). The king Bali was a great ascetic in the\ndays of yore. He begat five sons in the world who multiplied his progeny\n(33). Of them Anga was born first. Then were born Banga and Sumha. Next\nto them were born Pundra and Kalinga. These were the Kshatriya sons of\nBali. Br\u0101hmana descendants of Bali also flourished on this earth. O\ndescendant of Bharata, being pleased Brahm\u0101 confered on him several\nboons (34\u201335). (They were)\u2014the dignity of a great ascetic, a long life\nextending over a _Kalpa_, invincibleness in a battle, leadership of a\nreligious order, the vision of three worlds, supremacy in issuing\ncommands, an insight into the subtleties of religion and matchlessness\nin strength (36\u201337). The king Bali was then addressed by Brahm\u0101 saying\n\"You will always be a defender of the four castes in this world.\"\nThereat he attained to a great equanimity of mind (38). (Bali led a life\nof celibacy) and accordingly the highly powerful and leading ascetic\nDirghatam\u0101 begat on his wife Sudeshn\u0101 all those _Kshetraja_ sons\u2014the\nforemost of Munis (39). Having installed his five sinless sons on the\nthrone Bali thought himself blessed. Thereupon practising Yoga that\ngreat ascetic, irrepressible unto all, began to wait for time. After a\nlong time, O king, he returned to his own region (40\u201341). His sons had\nfive provinces, namely Anga, Banga, Sumha, Kalinga and Pundraka. Hear\nnow of the sons of Anga (42). The great emperor Dadhiv\u0101hana was Anga\u2019s\nson. His son was the king Diviratha (43). His son was the learned king\nDharmaratha equal to Indra in prowess. His son was Chitraratha (44).\nHaving celebrated a Yajna on the mount Vishnupada the high-souled\nChitraratha drank Soma juice with the king of gods (45). Chitraratha\u2019s\nson was Dasharatha who passed by the name of Lomapada whose daughter was\nShant\u0101 (46). By Rishyasringa\u2019s favour he got a highly illustrious and\nheroic son by name Chaturanga who perpetuated his race (47).\nChaturanga\u2019s son passed by the name of Prithul\u0101ksha whose son was the\nhighly illustrious king Champa (48). Champa\u2019s capital was Champ\u0101 which\nformerly passed by the name of M\u0101lini. By the favour of the ascetic\nPurnabhadra Haryanga was born as his son (49). Thereupon Vibh\u0101ndaka\u2019s\nson, the ascetic Rishyasringa, brought down, by virtue of incantation,\nIndra\u2019s elephant Air\u0101vata to carry him in this world (50). Haryanga\u2019s\nson was the king Bhadraratha whose son was the king Vrihadkarm\u0101 (51).\nHis son was Vrihadarbha from whom was born Vrihan man\u0101, who begat the\nheroic king Jayadratha whose son was Dridaratha. O Janamejaya,\nDridaratha\u2019s son was Viswajita (52-53). His son was Karna whose son was\nVikarna. He had a hundred sons who multiplied the race of Anga.\nVrihadarbha\u2019s son Vrihanman\u0101 had two wives in the two beautiful\ndaughters of Chaidya. They were Yashodevi and Satvi who divided the\nfamily (54\u201355). O king, Jayadratha was born of Yashodevi. And from Satvi\nwas born the celebrated king Vijaya, who (by his equanimity of mind and\nother qualities) was superior to the Br\u0101hmanas and (by heroism and other\naccomplishments was superior to) the Kshatriyas (56). Vijaya\u2019s son was\nDhriti whose son was Dhritavrata. His son was the highly illustrious\nSatyakarma (57). His son was the mighty car-warrior Suta who adopted\nKarna as his son. It is therefore Karna was called the son of a\ncharioteer (58). The family of the highly powerful Karna has thus been\ndescribed. Karna\u2019s son was Vrishasena whose son was Vrisha (59). I have\nthus described to you the truthful and noble kings of the Anga family\nwho had all many sons and were mighty car-warriors (60). O king, hear\nnow of the family of Roudr\u0101swa\u2019s son Richeyu in which you have been born\n(61).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXII. AN ACCOUNT OF RICHEYU\u2019S FAMILY.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014The invincible king Richeyu had none to equal him.\nHis wife was Ivalan\u0101, the daughter of Takshaka (1). That saintly queen\ngave birth to the saintly emperor Matin\u0101ra. He had three highly pious\nsons (2). Of them the first was Tangsu, the second Pratiratha and the\nyoungest was Suv\u0101hu. He had another well-known daughter by name Gouri\nwho was the mother of M\u0101ndh\u0101ta (3). They were all well-read in the\nVedas, conversant with the knowledge of Brahman, truthful, well-versed\nin the use of arms, powerful and skillful in war-fare (4). O king,\nPratiratha\u2019s son was Kanwa whose son was Medh\u0101tithi. From him the\ntwice-born ones derived the family of K\u0101ny\u0101yana (5). O Janamejaya, he\nhad a daughter by name Ilini. Tangsu, far more powerful than even the\nBrahmav\u0101dins, espoused her (6). His son was the royal saint Surodha, who\npropagated religion, was Brahmav\u0101dhin, powerful and heroic. His wife was\nUpad\u0101navi (7). She had four warrior sons. They were Dushmanta,\nSushvanta, Pravira and Anagha (8). The heroic Bharata was Dushmanta\u2019s\nson. (In his boyhood) he passed by the name of Sarvadamana, was\nhigh-souled and gifted with the strength of ten million elephants (9).\nNoble Dushmanta begat on Sakuntal\u0101 a son by name Bharata who became Lord\nParamount. From him you have all derived the name of Bh\u0101ratas (10). A\nvoice from heaven spoke to the king Dushmanta. \"The mother is only a\nleathern case. The son belongs to the father. He takes after him by whom\nhe is begotten (11). O Dushmanta, take care of your son and do not\ndisregard Sakuntal\u0101. O king, a son, born of a portion of the father,\nreleases him from the abode of Death (12). Through you she has\nconceived. Sakuntal\u0101 has spoken the truth.\" As described by me before\nwhen the sons of the king Bharata were all destroyed by the anger of\ntheir mother, the great ascetic Bharadwaja, the son of Angira\u2019s son\nVrihaspati, was chosen as a son of Bharata by Marutas, the presiding\ndeities of Yajnas (13\u201314). This instance, of the Marutas assigning this\nduty to the intelligent Bharadw\u0101ja on behalf of Bharata, is often cited\n(15). Bharadw\u0101ja honored the Marutas with sacrifices. When the power of\nprocreating sons was withdrawn from Bharata, Bharadw\u0101ja begat a son\nwhose name was Vitatha. When his grandson Vitatha was born Bharata\nrepaired to heaven (16-17).\n\nThereupon placing Vitatha on the throne Bharadw\u0101ja retired into woods.\nHe again begat five sons-Suhotra, Suhota, Gaya, Garga and the\nhigh-souled Kapila. Suhotra had two sons (18\u201319), the highly powerful\nK\u0101shika and the king Gritsamati. The latter had sons amongst the\nBr\u0101hmanas, Kshatriyas, and Vaisyas (20). K\u0101shika\u2019s sons were K\u0101sheya and\nDirghatap\u0101; by the latter the learned Dhanwantari was begotten (21).\nDhanwantari\u2019s son passed by the name of Ketum\u0101n. His son was the heroic\nking Bhimaratha. His son was the celebrated king of B\u0101r\u0101nashi by name\nDivod\u0101sa who slew all the R\u0101kshasas (22\u201323). At this time, O king, a\nR\u0101kshasa, by name Kshemaka, depopulated the city of B\u0101r\u0101nashi for the\nhigh-souled and intelligent Nikumbha imprecated a curse against that\ncity saying that it would be without any inhabitants for one thousand\nyears. As soon as this curse was pronounced against the city of\nBar\u0101n\u0101shi the king Divod\u0101sa laid a most beautiful city on the bank of\nGomati (24\u201325). Formerly the city of B\u0101r\u0101nashi was in the possession of\nthe ascetic king Bhadrasenya born in the race of Yadu. Having slain his\nhundred sons who were all excellent bowmen the king Divod\u0101sa laid out\nhis kingdom there (26-27). The heroic king Pratardanna was Divod\u0101sa\u2019s\nson. He had two sons, Vatsa and Bharga (28). Vatsa\u2019s son was Alarka from\nwhom Sannatim\u0101n was born. Bhadrasenya\u2019s son, the high-souled Durdama was\nadopted by Haihaya as his son. He regained his ancestral kingdom that\nwas forcibly invaded by Divod\u0101sa. He was out of mercy spared by\nDivod\u0101sa, who thought him a mere child (28\u201330). The king Ashtaratha was\nthe son of Bhimaratha. By putting an end to hostilities that Kshatriya\nkilled all the little boys of (Durdama). Alarka, the king of K\u0101shi, was\ntruthful and looked after the well-being of the Br\u0101hmanas (31\u201332). That\nyouthful and beautiful king ruled over his kingdom for sixty thousand\nand sixty hundred years (35). The king of K\u0101shi was endued both with\nbeauty and youth. By Lopamudr\u0101\u2019s favour he acquired a long life (34).\nAfter the termination of the curse that mighty-armed king slew the\nR\u0101kshasa Kshemaka and laid out again the charming city at B\u0101r\u0101nashi\n(35). The king Sunitha was Alarka\u2019s son. The highly illustrious Kshemya\nwas Sunitha\u2019s son (36). Kshemya\u2019s son was Ketum\u0101n whose son was\nVarshaketu; the latter\u2019s son was the king Bibhu (37). Bibhu\u2019s son was\nAnartha from whom was born Sukum\u0101ra. His son was the mighty car-warrior,\nthe highly energetic and pious king Satyaketu. From Vatsa his province\nwas called Vatsa and from Bh\u0101rgava his province was name Bh\u0101rga. These\nwere all born as the sons of Angiras in the Bh\u0101rgava race. O foremost of\nBh\u0101ratas, they were Br\u0101hamanas, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas (38\u201340).\n\nSuhotra\u2019s son was Vrihat who had three sons, Ajamida, Dwimida and the\nenergetic Purumida. Ajamida had three beautiful wives namely Nilini,\nKeshin\u0101 and the beautiful damsel Bhumini (41\u201342). Ajamida begat the\npowerful Janhu on Keshni. He undertook the celebration of the great\nsacrifice Sarvamedha. Gang\u0101 solicited him to become her husband. But on\nhis refusing to accept her proposals she flooded his sacrificial ground\n(43\u201344), O foremost of Bharatas, beholding his sacrificial ground thus\nflooded by Gang\u0101, Janhu, the slayer of enemies, grew enraged and said to\nher:\u2014\"O Gang\u0101, I shall exhaust all your waters in the three worlds, by\ndrinking them. You will pay then dearly for your arrogance\" (45\u201346).\n\nBeholding Gang\u0101 then drunk up by Janhu the high-souled Rishis made her\nhis daughter by the name of J\u0101nhavi (47). Janhu espoused Yuvan\u0101shwa\u2019s\ndaughter K\u0101veri. By imprecating a curse on her, Gang\u0101 afterwards\nconverted one-half of her body into a river (48). Janhu\u2019s favourite son\nwas the emperor Bal\u0101k\u0101shwa (49). He was very fond of hunting. His son\nwas Kushika who grew up with the _Panhavas_ in the forest (50). Kushika\ncarried on hard austerities with the desire that he would obtain as\npowerful a son as Indra. Therefore Sakra, out of fear, took his birth as\nhis son (51). Maghav\u0101n, born of his own accord in the race of Kushika,\npassed by the name of king G\u0101dhi. His sons were Vishw\u0101mitra,\nVishwaratha, Viswajit and Viswakrit. O king, their youngest daughter was\nSatyavati. Richika begat Jamadagni on her (52\u201353). Vishwamitra\u2019s sons\nDevar\u0101ta and others are celebrated over the three worlds. Hear their\nnames from me (54). Devashrava\u2019s son was Kati from whom the K\u0101tyayanas\nreceived their name. Hirany\u0101ksha was begotten on Sh\u0101l\u0101vatt and Renum\u0101n\non Renu (55). Besides, O king, there were Sangskritya, Galava and\nMoudgalya. The families of those high-souled Koushikas are still\nwell-known (56). The Panis, Babhrus, Dhyanaj\u0101pyas, the king Devar\u0101ta and\nothers, Satangkayana, Soushrava, Louhitya, Y\u0101madul\u0101, Karishis and\nSonshrutas were all descendants of Koushika. Besides there are\nSaindhavayanas and others. They contract matrimonial alliances amongst\nthemselves according to the distinction of grades. O emperor, the\nalliance, between the Br\u0101hmana saints Koushikas and the Pouravas is\nknown as the intermarriage between the Br\u0101hmanas and Kshatriyas. Amongst\nthe sons of Visw\u0101mitra Sunasepha was the eldest (57-60). Although born\nin the race of Bhrigu, that foremost of Munis attained to the station of\na Koushika. Visw\u0101mitra had other sons too Devar\u0101ta and others (61).\nVisw\u0101mitra begat a son on Drishadvati by name Ashtaka whose son was\nLouha. I have thus described the progeny of Janhu (62).\n\nO foremost of men, hear of the other sons of Aj\u0101mida. He begat Sushanti\non his wife Nilini (63). From Sushanti was born Puruj\u0101ti from whom again\nwas V\u0101hy\u0101shwa. The latter had five sons resembling the immortals (64).\nThey were Mudgala, the king Srinjaya, Vrihadishu, Yavanira and the\npowerful Krimit\u0101shwa (65). We have heard that the five of them were\ncapable of protecting their country\u2014and they were the lords of the\nPanch\u0101la Province consisting of prosperous villages (66). Because the\nfive of them were capable of protecting their land therefore it is\ncalled Panchala. Mudgala\u2019s sons were the highly illustrious Moudgalyas\n(67). They were all noble, twice-born and abided by the duties of\nKshatriyas. The descendants of Kanwa and Mudgala took the side of\nAngiras (68). Mudgala\u2019s eldest son was the highly illustrious Br\u0101hmana\nsaint Indrasena from whom was born Badhyashwa (69). He begat twins on\nMenak\u0101; such we have heard. One of them was the royal saint Livod\u0101sa and\nthe other was the illustrious Ahaly\u0101 (70). Sharadv\u0101na begat on Ahaly\u0101\nthe foremost of Rishis Shatanada. His son the highly illustrious\nSatyadhriti was a master of the science of archery. Seeing a nymph\nbefore him he was possessed by desire, the out-come of which was a twin.\nGoing out a-hunting the king Sh\u0101ntanu, out of mercy, took them up.\nAccordingly the son was named Kripa and the daughter Kripi, they are\ncalled Sh\u0101radwatas and known as Goutamas (71\u201374).\n\nI shall now describe the progeny of Divod\u0101sa. The saintly king Mitreyu\nwas Divod\u0101sa\u2019s son (75). From him branched off the Matrayani line and\nafter him were named the Matreyas. These descendants of Bhrigu took the\nside of Kshetropota (76). The high-souled Srinjaya had a son by name\nPanchajana, whose son was the king Somadatta. His son was the highly\nillustrious Sahadwa whose son was the king Somaka (77\u201378). When the\nfamily was verging on extinction Somaka was again born of the twins of\nAjamida. His son was Jantu who had a hundred sons (79). Of them the\nyoungest was Prishata who was Drupada\u2019s father. Drupada\u2019s son was\nDhaistadyumna whose son was Dhristaketu (80). These high-souled Somak\u0101s\nare known as Ajamidas. And the sons of the high-souled Ajamida became\nknown by the name of Somakas (81).\n\nO king, the mother of your fore-fathers, Dhumini, desirous of having\nsons, was the third queen of Ajamida (82). That lady, ever observant of\nvows, practised, for having a son, hard austerities which it is\ndifficult for women to perform, extending over a million of years (83).\nO Janamejaya, living on pure and restricted fare, offering duly oblation\nto fire she used to lie down on Kusa grass intended for fire-worship.\nAjamida knew the lady Dhumini and she gave birth to a smoky coloured\nbeautiful son by name Riksha. From him was born Samvarana who again\nbegat Kuru, who passing by Prayaga, laid out the city of Kurukshetra\n(84\u201385). After that high-minded king had carried on penances for many\nthousand years and cultivated that holy and charming province resorted\nto by the pious, Sakra conferred on him a boon. His family was highly\ngreat from whom the Kouravas received their appellation (86\u201387). Kuru\nhad four sons, namely, Sudhanwa, Sudhana, the mighty armed Parikshit and\nPravara at whose name the enemies used to tremble (88). Sudhanwa\u2019s son\nwas the intelligent Suhotra. His son was Chyavana who was well read in\nthe Vedas and other scriptures (89). Chyavana\u2019s son was Krityajna.\nCelebrating many sacrifices that pious king begat a son equal to Indra\nin glory (90). He was Vasu the king of Chedis who could range in the sky\nand move about in the air. He begat on Girika seven sons (91). They were\nthe mighty car-warrior Vrihadratha the king of Magadha, Pratyagraha,\nKusha, who passed by the name of Manivahana, Maruta, Yadu the fish K\u0101li\nand Sattama. Vrihadratha\u2019s son was known by the name of Kush\u0101gra\n(92\u201393). His son was the learned and powerful Brishabha whose son was\nthe pious Puspav\u0101ri. His powerful son passed by the name of king\nSatyatul\u0101 (94-95). His son was the virtuous souled Urja whose son was\nSambhava. A powerful son was born to Sambhava in two portions which were\nsewed up by Jar\u0101. And this son was accordingly named Jar\u0101sandha (96-97).\nThat highly powerful Jar\u0101sandha defeated all the Kshatriyas. His son was\nthe powerful Sahadeva (98). His son was the beautiful and highly\nillustrious Udayu who begat a highly pious son (99). His name was\nSrutadharm\u0101 who lived in the country of Magadha. Parikshita\u2019s son was\nthe pious Janamejaya (100). He had three sons who were all mighty\ncar-warriors; they were Srutasena, Ugrasena and Bhimasena (101). They\nwere all highly prosperous, powerful and brave. Besides these three sons\nJanamejaya begat on Manimati another two who were named Suratha and\nMatim\u0101n (102). Suratha\u2019s son was the powerful Viduratha whose son was\nthe mighty car-warrior Riksha (103). Though he was the second Riksha he\nwas illustrious like the first. O king, in your family were born two\nRikshas, two Parikshits, three Bhimasenas and two Janamejayas. Riksha\nthe second had a son by name Bhimasena whose son was Pratipa. His sons\nwere Sh\u0101ntanu, Devapi and V\u0101lhika who were all mighty car-warriors\n(104-106).\n\nO king, the family, in which you have been born, is Sh\u0101ntanu\u2019s family. O\nking, Valhika had seven kingdoms (107). Valhika\u2019s son was the highly\nillustrious Somadatta whose sons were Bhuri, Bhurishrava and Shala\n(108). The ascetic Devapi was the priest of the gods. He was the\nfavourite son of the high-souled Chyavana (109). The king Sh\u0101ntanu was\nthe foremost of the Kuru kings. The family in which, O great king, you\nhave been born as Sh\u0101ntanu\u2019s race (110). He begat on Gang\u0101 a son by name\nDevavrata. He was celebrated by the name of Bhishma the grand-father of\nthe P\u0101ndavas (111). K\u0101li (Satyavati) gave birth to Vichitravirya who was\nthe most favourite, virtuous-souled and sinless son of Sh\u0101ntanu (112).\nKrishnadwaip\u0101yana begat on Vichitravirya\u2019s wife Dhritar\u0101stra, P\u0101ndu and\nVidura. Dhritarastra begat on G\u0101ndh\u0101ri a hundred sons, of whom\nDuryodhana was the eldest and became king (113-114). Pandu\u2019s son was\nDhananjaya whose son was Abhimanyu who was given birth to by Subhadr\u0101. O\nking, your father Parikshit is Abhimanyu\u2019s son (115). O king, such is\nthe account of the Puru race in which you have been born. I shall\npresently describe the families of Turvasu, Drahyu, Puru and Yadu (116).\nTurvasu\u2019s son was Vanhi, whose son was Gobh\u0101nu, whose son was the\nirrepressible king Trais\u0101nu. His son was Karandhama whose son was\nMarutha. I have mentioned before the name of another Marutta who was the\nson of Avikshit. This king Marutta had no issue and accordingly he\ncelebrated many Yajnas accompanied with profuse presents. O king, he had\na daughter by name Sarmat\u0101. He made a gift of her to the high-souled\nSamvarta. Afterwards he obtained the sinless Puru king Dushmanta as his\nson (117-120).\n\nO foremost of kings, thus on account of Yay\u0101ti\u2019s curse and of his\ntransferring of his decrepitude Turvasu\u2019s line became identified with\nthat of Kurus. Dushmanta\u2019s son was the king Karuth\u0101ma whose son was\nAkrida. He (again) had four sons whose names were P\u0101ndya, Kerala, Kola\nand Chola. Their prosperous territories were respectively named P\u0101ndya,\nChola and Kerala. O king, Drahyu\u2019s sons were Babhru and Setu. Setu\u2019s son\nwas Ang\u0101ra who was also known as lord of Maruts. That powerful king was\nslain, with difficulty, by Youv\u0101n\u0101shwa in battle. He fought with him a\ndreadful combat for fourteen months (121-125). The king G\u0101ndh\u0101ra was\nAng\u0101ra\u2019s son, after whose name the celebrated G\u0101ndh\u0101ra kingdom still\npasses. The horses of that province are the best of their kind. Anu\u2019s\nson was Dharma whose son was Ghrita. Ghrita begat Duduha whose son was\nPrachet\u0101. Suchet\u0101 was Prachet\u0101\u2019s son. I have thus described the family\nof Anu. Hear, I shall now describe at length the most excellent and\npowerful family of the eldest Yadu (126-129).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXIII. AN ACCOUNT OF HAIHAYAS AND KARTAVIRYA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Yadu had five sons equal unto the sons of the\ncelestials. They were Sahasrada, Payoda, Kroshta, Neela and Anjika. O\nking, Sahasrada had three highly pious sons\u2013Haihaya, Haya and Venuhaya.\nHaihaya\u2019s son was celebrated by the name of Dharmanetra. His son was\nK\u0101rta whose son was S\u0101hanja (1\u20133). That king founded a city named\nS\u0101hanjani. The king Mahishm\u0101n was his son. By him the city of Mahishmati\nwas founded. The powerful Bhadrasenya was Mahishm\u0101n\u2019s son. As recount ed\nby me before he was the ruler of B\u0101r\u0101nashi. Bhadrasenya\u2019s son was\nDurdama (4\u20136). Durdama\u2019s son was Kanka who was very intelligent. Kanka\nhad four sons well-known in the world, namely Kritavirya, Kritouj\u0101,\nKritavarm\u0101 and Krit\u0101gni. From Kritavirya, Arjuna was born who had a\nthousand arms and became the emperor of the seven insular continents. He\nalone, in his car effulgent like the sun, conquered the world (7\u20139).\nHaving carried on hard austerities for a million of years that royal son\nof Kritavirya succeeded in pleasing Atri\u2019s son Datta who conferred on\nhim four very powerful boons. The first of these, was that he would get\none thousand arms (10\u201311). The second was that the sages would prevent\nhim from imbibing irreligious thoughts. The third was that having\nconquered the world with fierce Kshatriya energies he would please his\nsubjects duly. The fourth was that when he would gain many battles and\ndestroy thousands of enemies he would be killed in battle by a highly\npowerful man (12\u201313). O king, when that ascetic king engaged in a\nbattle, he, by virtue of asceticism and illusory energy, acquired\nthousand arms. By his dreadful prowess he conquered the earth consisting\nof seven insular continents, many mountains and oceans. O Janamejaya, we\nhave heard that king duly celebrated seven hundred Yajnas in the seven\ninsular continents (14\u201316). O large-armed one, in those _Yajnas_\nthousands of presents were given away. In those _Yajnas_ golden\nsacrificial posts and altars were set up. They were all adorned with\ngods in celestial cars, with Gandharvas and Apsar\u0101s. In his Yajnas, the\nGandharvas and N\u0101rada sang hymns. Seeing his glory Baridasa was struck\nwith wonder (17-19).\n\nNarada said:\u2014None, among the kings, will attain to the dignity of\nK\u0101rtavirya by celebrating Yajnas, making presents, by his prowess and\nknowledge of scriptures (20). People saw him ranging in his car\nsimultaneously, by virtue of his Yoga power, over the seven insular\ncontinents with his armour, sword and bow (21). On account of his\nrighteously protecting his subjects that great king lost nothing, never\nfelt any grief nor made a mistake (22). He was the owner of all sorts of\njewels and Lord Paramount. He ruled for eighty-five thousand years (23).\nHe performed many _Yajnas_ and owned extensive lands. He was like Indra\non account of profuse showers and like Arjuna for his ascetic powers\n(24). Like the sun shining with all its thousand rays during the autumn\nhe shone with his thousand arms with armours on and hardened by the\nstrokes of his bow-string (25). Having defeated the sons of the N\u0101ga\u2075\u2078\nKarkotaka that highly effulgent king occupied his city, by name\nMahishmati, for the habitation of mankind (26). While sporting in the\nwater during the rains that lotus-eyed king changed the current of the\nocean with his thousand arms (27). While he sported and bathed in the\nwater of the river Narmad\u0101 engarlanded with her foam she used to\napproach him in fear with her thousand waves (28). When he used to\nagitate the mighty deep with his thousand arms the great Asuras, living\nin the nether region, became inert and silent (29). As the mount\nMand\u0101ra, when thrown off by the gods and demons, (agitated) the ocean of\nmilk so did the king Arjuna, the son of Kritavirya, crush down the waves\nof the ocean, shake the fish and other huge acquatic animals, whirl the\nfoam with air and create whirlpools of water. Awakened by the motion of\nthe mount Mand\u0101ra, terrified by the production of ambrosia and troubled\nall on a sudden, the huge Uragas became motionless and humble at the\nsight of that terrible man. They trembled before him like plantain\nleaves shaken by the evening breeze (30\u201333). Having vanquished, with his\nmight, the haughty king of Lanka, R\u0101vana with his army and made him\nsenseless with five arrows he bound him with his bow-string, brought him\nto the city of Mahishmati and kept him in chains there (34).\n\nHearing that his son R\u0101vana had been kept in chains by Arjuna Pulastya\nwent to him. Then solicited by him Kritavirya\u2019s son Arjuna set free\nPulastya\u2019s son R\u0101vana (35). The twang of his bow, when drawn by his\nthousand arms, was like the clapping of thunder-bolts accompanied by\nclouds at the time of the universal dissolution (36). But how great was\nthe power of Bhrigu\u2019s son (Parashur\u0101ma) who sundered in battle the\nthousands arms of that king resembling a forest of golden palm trees\n(37). Once on a time Chitrabh\u0101nu, stricken with thirst, begged of him\n(something). Arjuna conferred on Vibh\u0101vasu the seven insular continents.\nThe fire god (some time after) wished to consume his cities and\nvillages. With the help of that foremost of men, the great K\u0101rtavirya he\nsucceeded in destroying the mountains and forests (38\u201340). The effulgent\nVasishtha, whom Varuna obtained as his son in the days of yore, passed\nby another name Apava. The fire-god, together with K\u0101rtavirya burnt down\nthe charming hermitage of Varuna\u2019s son. He was therefore greatly\nterrified. The ascetic Apava, in anger, imprecated a curse on Arjuna,\nsaying:\u2014\"Since O Haihaya, you have not left out my hermitage, another\nman will destroy your work so acquired by you with difficulty. The\nascetic, powerful and the mighty-armed Br\u0101hmana, R\u0101ma, the son of\nJamadagni born in the Bhrigu race, will chop off your thousand arms and\nslay you (41-43.)\"\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O king, O subduer of enemies, on account of the\nimprecation of the ascetic Apava Kritavirya\u2019s son the king Arjuna, under\nwhose righteous rule even his subjects did not lose anything, met with\nhis death. O descendant of Kuru, he himself prayed to Dat\u0101treya for this\nboon (46\u201347). Amongst the hundred sons of that high-souled one only five\nsurvived him. They were all powerful, heroic, virtuous and intelligent,\nand were proficient in the use of weapons. They were Shurasena, Shura,\nDhristokta, Krishna and Jayadhwaja, king of Avanti (48\u201349). K\u0101rtavirya\u2019s\nsons were all powerful, and mighty car-warriors. Jayadhwaja\u2019s son was\nthe highly powerful T\u0101lajangha. His sons passed by the name of\nT\u0101lajanghas. O king, in the race of the high-souled Haihayas, Vitihotra,\nSuj\u0101ta, Bhoja, Avanti, the powerful Toundika, and several others were\nknown by the name of T\u0101lajanghas (50\u201352). It is needless to describe the\ndescendants of Bharata and Suj\u0101ta. The pious Vrisha and others, O king,\nwere born in the Yadu race (53). Vrisha was the head of the family and\nhis son was Madhu. He had a hundred sons of whom Vrishana perpetuated\nthe race. From Vrishana were born the Vrishnis, from Madhu the M\u0101dhavas\nand from Yadu the Yadavas. These were the various branches of the\nHaihaya family (51\u201355). Shura, Shurasena and Shuravira passed by the\nname of Haihayas. The country, of those high-souled ones, was celebrated\nby the name of Shurasena. He, who in this world, recounts daily the\nbirth of Kritavirya\u2019s son, Arjuna, does not lose his property. And even\nif he loses it he acquires it again (56\u201357).\n\nO king, thus I have described the families of the five heroic sons of\nYay\u0101ti, celebrated in the world. They are like the five elements\npreserving the mobile and immobile creation (58). A king, well read in\nthe Vedas and other religious scriptures, becomes the master of five\nsenses and god-like and obtains the five boons which it is difficult to\nget in this world, if he listens to the various creations of those five\nkings. By listening to an account of the families of these five kings\nAyu acquired renown, riches, sons, power and prosperity (59\u201360).\n\nHear, O king, now of the most excellent and powerful family of the pious\nKrousthu, the head of the Yadu family who performed Yajnas. In his\nfamily the lord of the Vrishni race, Vishu was born as Krishna. By\nhearing of an account of Krousthu\u2019s family a man is freed from all his\nsins (61\u201363.)\n\n   \u2075\u2078 The Nagas were evidently an aboriginal race amongst whom many\n      powerful kings flourished.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXIV. KROUSTHU\u2019S FAMILY.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2013Krousthu had two wives G\u0101ndhri and Madri; of them\nG\u0101ndhari gave birth to the highly powerful Anamitra and M\u0101dri to\nYudh\u0101jit and Devamidusha. There came into being three offshoots of the\nVrishni race, (1-2). M\u0101dri\u2019s son begat two sons Vrishni and Andhaka.\nVrishni\u2019s sons were Shaphalka and Chitraka (3). Wherever, O king, the\nvirtuous souled Shaphalka lived there existed no fear of disease or of\ndraught (4). O foremost Bharatas, once on a time Indra, the god of rain,\npoured no showers in the territories of the king of K\u0101shi for three\nyears (5). The king accordingly brought the reverend Shaphalka to his\nkingdom. In consequence of his living there Indra showered rain (6).\nShaphalka obtained as his wife G\u0101ndini the daughter of the king of\nK\u0101shi. She every day used to distribute kine amongst the Br\u0101hmanas (7).\nShe lived in her mother\u2019s womb for many years. For her living in her\nmother\u2019s womb for many years, her father said to her:\u2014\"Be born very\nsoon. May you farewell, why do you live there?\" The daughter from the\nwomb replied \"I shall daily give away a cow. If you agree to this I\nshall take my birth.\" The father, saying \"So be it,\" satisfied the\nwishes of his daughter (8-10). Shaphalka begat on G\u0101ndini the heroic and\nliberal Akrura, who was well read in Shastras, celebrated many Yajnas,\ngave away many presents and was fond of guests (11). Up\u0101sanja, Shadgu,\nMridara, Arimejaya, Arikshipta, Upeksha, Shatrughna, Arimarddana,\nDharmadhrik, Yatidharm\u0101, Gidhramoja, Andhaka, Av\u0101hu, and Prativahu were\nAkrura\u2019s brothers. And the beautiful Sundari was his sister (12\u201313).\n\nO descendant of Kuru, Akrura begat on Sug\u0101tri the daughter of Ugrasena,\nPrasena and Upadeva powerful like the celestials (14) Prithu, Viprithu,\nAshwagriva, Ashwav\u0101hu, Sup\u0101rshwaka, Gaveshi, Aristhanemi, Ashwa,\nSudharm\u0101, Dharmavrit, Suv\u0101hu and Vahuv\u0101hu were the sons of Akrura\u2019s\nbrother Chitraka. He had also two daughters by name Shravisht\u0101 and\nSravan\u0101. Kroushthu\u2019s third son Devamidusha begat on Ashmaki a son by\nname Shura. He begat ten sons on his Bhoja queen (15\u201317). Amongst them\nthe mighty armed Vasudeva, surnamed An\u0101kadunduvi was born first. At the\ntime of his birth bugles were sounded in heaven and the great sound of\nkettle-drums arose on earth. A great shower of flowers took place at the\nhouse of Shura. Vasudeva\u2019s beauty was matchless in the world of men.\nThat foremost of men was beautiful like the moon (18\u201320). Then were born\nin order Devabh\u0101ga, Devashrav\u0101, An\u0101drishti, Kanavaka, Vatsav\u0101n,\nGrinjima, Shy\u0101ma, Shamika and Gandusha. These were the ten sons of\nShura. Besides he had five beautiful daughters, namely Prithukirti,\nPrithu, Shr\u0101tadev\u0101, Shrutashrav\u0101 and R\u0101j\u0101dhidevi. Every one of them gave\nbirth to heroic sons. O descendant of Kuru, the king Kunti wanted Prith\u0101\n(21\u201323). Therefore Shura conferred her on the aged and worshipful\nKuntibhoja. On her thus being adopted by Kuntibhoja she passed by the\nname of Kunti (24). Anta begat Jagrehu on Shrutadeva. The king of Chedi\nbegat on Shrutashrava the highly powerful Shishupala (25). He was in his\nprevious birth the Daitya king Hiranyakashipu. Vriddhasharm\u0101 begat on\nPrithukirti the highly powerful hero Dantavakra the king of Karusha.\nKuntibhoja adopted Prith\u0101 as his daughter. P\u0101ndu married her (26\u201327).\nDharma begat on her the pious Yudhishthira, V\u0101yu (Wind-god) begat\nBhimasena and Indra the foremost of heroes Dhananjaya,\u2075\u2079 equally\npowerful like him and celebrated in the world. From Anamitra, the\nyoungest of Vrishni\u2019s sons was born Shini (28\u201329). His son was Satyaka\nwhose sons were Yuyudh\u0101na and S\u0101tyaki. Yuyudh\u0101na\u2019s son was Asanga whose\nson was Bhumi. His son was Yugandhara with whom the family ended. The\ngreat Uddhava was Devabh\u0101ga\u2019s son. He was known as the foremost of the\nlearned and was illustrious like a celestial (30\u201331). Anadhrishthi begat\non his wife Ashmaki an illustrious son by name Nivartashatru. Devashrav\u0101\nbegat a son by name Shatrughna (32). Devashrav\u0101\u2019s son Ekalavya was\nbrought up by Nish\u0101das\u2076\u2070 and was accordingly called Naish\u0101di (33).\nVatsav\u0101n had no issue and therefore Shura\u2019s son the powerful Vasudeva\ngave him his own be gotten heroic son Koushika (34). Gandusha too had no\nissue and therefore Vishwaksena gave him his four sons namely\nCh\u0101rudeshna, Such\u0101ru, P\u0101nch\u0101la and Kritalakshmana (35). The heroic\n(Ch\u0101rudeshna) never used to come back from a battle without fighting. O\nforemost of men, the large-armed Roukshmineya was the youngest of all\n(36). Whenever he used to travel thousands of crows followed him with\nthe hope \"We shall feed upon the sweet meat of various animals slain by\nCh\u0101rudeshna\" (37). Kanavaka had two sons Tantrija and Tantrip\u0101la.\nAvagrinjima had two sons Vira and Ashwahanu. Both of them were heroes.\nShy\u0101ma\u2019s sons were Sumitra and Shamika. The latter obtained the kingdom.\nHe considered himself unworthy for being the king of one province and\naccordingly undertook the celebration of a R\u0101jashuya\u2076\u00b9 sacrifice\n(38\u201339). Having secured the help of Yudhishthira who had no enemies he\nslew all his foes. Hear, I shall now describe the descendants of\nVasudeva (40). He who meditates on this very powerful threefold Vrishni\nrace consisting of many branches is never visited by any misfortune in\nthis world (41).\n\n   \u2075\u2079 Another name of Arjuna. He was named so because he defeated the\n      god of riches, Kuvera.\n\n   \u2076\u2070 A low caste people.\n\n   \u2076\u00b9 It is a religious ceremony which only an Emperor can perform when\n      he becomes Lord Paramount after subjugating all the Powers. The\n      king Shamika was not satisfied with his being the king of one\n      Province only.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXV. VASUDEVA\u2019S FAMILY.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Of the fourteen beautiful wives of Vasudeva, Rohini,\nof Puru\u2019s race, was the first Madir\u0101, the second, Vaish\u0101khi the third,\nBhadr\u0101 the fourth, Sun\u0101m\u0101 the fifth, Sahadev\u0101 the sixth, Devaki the\nseventh, Sh\u0101ntidev\u0101 the eighth, Shridev\u0101 the ninth, Devarakshita the\ntenth, Vrikadevi the eleventh, Upadevi the twelfth, Sutanu the\nthirteenth, and Badarv\u0101 the fourteenth. The last two were his female\nattendants (1\u20133). Rohini, of Puru\u2019s race, was the daughter of V\u0101lhika. O\nking, she was the first and most beloved wife of An\u0101kadundhuvi (4).\nVasudeva begat on Rohini his eldest son R\u0101ina, Sh\u0101rana, Shatha,\nDurdhama, Damana, Swabhra, Pind\u0101raka, Ushinara, and a daughter by name\nChitr\u0101. O descendant of Kuru, it was Chitr\u0101 who passed by the name of\nSubhadr\u0101 (5\u20136). Vasudeva begat on Devaki the highly illustrious\nShouri.\u2076\u00b2 R\u0101ma begat on Revati his beloved son Nishatha. Arjuna begat on\nSubhadr\u0101 the mighty car-warrior Abhimanyu. Akrura begat Satyaketu on the\ndaughter of the king of K\u0101shi (7-8). Hear, now, of the heroic sons whom\nVasudeva begat on his seven noble wives (9). Bhoja and Viyaya were the\nsons of Sh\u0101ntideva. Vrika deva and Gada were the sons of Sun\u0101m\u0101 (10).\nDevarakshit\u0101 obtained Up\u0101sangavara as his son. Vrikadevi, the daughter\nof the Trigarta king, gave birth to the high-souled Ag\u0101vaha. His priest\nShaishir\u0101yana once grew desirous of testing the manhood (of his\nbrother-in-law G\u0101rgya, the priest of the Y\u0101davas) (11\u201312). On account of\na false charge being laid home to him\u2076\u00b3 G\u0101rgya was filled with anger and\nremained like black iron for twelve years (13). He then began to live\nwith a cow-herd\u2019s daughter. A nymph, by name Gop\u0101li, came to him in this\nguise (14). By the command of Shulap\u0101ni\u2076\u2074 G\u0101rgya, made his human wife\nconceive, the embryo whereof was irrepresible and never to die (15). She\ngave birth to a highly powerful king by name K\u0101layavana. Horses, having\ntheir heads like those of bulls, used to carry him in battle (16). O\nking that child grew up in the city of the king of Yavanas\u2076\u2075 who had no\nissue. And accordingly he was named K\u0101layavana (17). Growing desirous of\nentering into a battle that king questioned the twice born ones. Thereat\nthe omniscient N\u0101rada asked him to fight with the members of Vrishni and\nAndhaka families (18). Thereupon starting for Mathur\u0101 with one\nAkshouhini\u2076\u2076 of soldiers K\u0101layavana sent his messenger to the house of\nVrishnis and Andhakas (19). Thereupon being united the Vrishnis and\nAndhakas, making the highly intelligent Krishna their president, held a\nconference in fear of K\u0101layavana (20). Then honoring Pinaki\u2076\u2077 thev\nresolved upon flying away from the charming city of Mathur\u0101 and thought\nof settling down in Kushasthali Dwark\u0101.\u2076\u2078 He, who being pure and\nself-controlled, listens to the story of Krishna\u2019s birth, becomes\nlearned, happy and freed from debts (21\u201322).\n\n   \u2076\u00b2 A name of Krishna.\n\n   \u2076\u00b3 The sentences are very elliptical. The purport is, Saishirayana\n      put his brother-in-law Gargya to test and found him\n      self-controlled. He however put a wrong construction on this fact\n      and thought that he had no manhood in him. This enraged Gargya\n      very much whose anger was pacified after twelve years.\n\n   \u2076\u2074 A name of Siva. The word literally means one who has a mace in his\n      hand.\n\n   \u2076\u2075 A class of non-Aryans. The nymph Gopali, after giving birth to\n      that son, left the king.\n\n   \u2076\u2076 A complete army consisting of 1,09,350 foot, 65,610 horses, 21,870\n      chariots, and 21,870 elephants.\n\n   \u2076\u2077 A name of Siva. Literally it means the _holder of Pinaka_, a\n      trident or three-pronged spear.\n\n   \u2076\u2078 Dwarka situated in the country of Kanyakuhia or Kanoui.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXVI. KROUSHTHU\u2019S FAMILY.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014The highly illustrious Vrijiniv\u0101n was Kroushthu\u2019s\nson. His son was Sw\u0101ji the foremost of those celebrating Yajnas (1).\nSw\u0101hu\u2019s son was the king Ushadgu the foremost of speakers. Desiring to\nhave a most excellent son he propitiated the celestials with various\ngrand sacrifices accompanied with profuse presents. By performing\nvarious religious ceremonies he obtained a son by name Chitraratha\n(2\u20133). His son was the royal saint Sashavindu who was a hero, performed\nYajnas duly and gave away profuse presents (4) The highly illustrious\nking Prithushrav\u0101 was Sashavindu\u2019s son. Sages, well-read in Pur\u0101nas,\ndesignate Prithushrav\u0101\u2019s son as Antara. His son was Suyajna whose son\nwas Ushata. He was the foremost of all men desirous of celebrating\nsacrifices according to the prescribed modes of their respective orders\n(5\u20136). Shineyu, the repressor of his enemies, was Ushata\u2019s son. The\nroyal saint Marutta was Shineyu\u2019s son (7). Marutta obtained\nKamvalavarhisha as his eldest son. He, in anger, performed various\nreligious ceremonies securing excellent fruits in the next world (8).\nKamvalavarhisha obtained Sutaprasuti as his son who again begat a son by\nname Rukshmak\u0101v\u0101cha (9). Having slain in battle a very clever warrior\nwearing a hundred coats of mail with sharpened arrows Sutaprasuti\nattained to most excellent prosperity (10). From Rukshmakavacha was born\nPar\u0101jit the slayer of hostile heroes. Par\u0101jit begat five highly powerful\nsons, namely Rukshmeshu, Prithurukshma, Jy\u0101mogha, P\u0101lita and Hari. Their\nfather gave away P\u0101lita and Hari to the king of Videha (11-12).\nRukshameshu became the king assisted by Prithurukshma. Having been\nexiled by them both from the kingdom, Jy\u0101mogha lived in a hermitage\n(13). Living in the forest and acquiring equanimity of mind he was\ninstructed by the Br\u0101hmanas.\n\nThereupon ascending his car that car-warrior conquered foreign countries\nand then lived alone in the city of Mirthikavati situate on the bank of\nNerbuda. Then conquering the mount Rikshavatam he lived in the city of\nShuktimati (14\u201315). Jy\u0101mogha\u2019s wife Shaivy\u0101 was very strong and chaste.\nThe king, although he had no issue, did not espouse any other wife (16).\nHe became victorious in a certain battle and obtained a daughter there.\nThen the king, in a great hurry, said to his wife \"She will be your\ndaughter-in law.\" Hearing this the queen said \"Whose daughter-in-law\nwill she be?\" Thereat Jyamogha, the foremost of kings, said \"This\nUpad\u0101navi will be the wife of a son that will be born to you.\" On\naccount of the hard austerities of that girl that fortunate Shaivy\u0101, in\nher advanced years, gave birth to a son by name Vidarbha (17-19).\nVidarbha begat on that girl two heroic and learned sons well-acquainted\nwith the various modes of warfare by name Kratha and Kaishika (20). His\nthird son Lomap\u0101da was highly pious. His son was Vabhru whose son was\nAhvriti. His son Kaishika was learned and highly pious. His son was\nChedi after whose name pass the kings of the Chaidya race (21-22).\nVidarbha\u2019s son was Bhima whose son was Kunti. He begat two sons, namely,\nDhrishta and the powerful Anadhristha. Dhrishtha had three highly pious\nand heroic sons, namely, Avanta, Dhsh\u0101rha and the powerful Vishahara.\nDash\u0101rha\u2019s son was Vyom\u0101 from whom was born Jeemuta (23\u201324). His son was\nVrehati whose son again was Bhimaratha. And his son was Navaratha (25).\nHis son was Dasharatha whose son was Shakuni. From the latter was born\nKarambha. The king Devar\u0101ta was Karambha\u2019s son. His son was Devakshatra.\nThe highly illustrious, god-like and sweet-speeched king Madhu, the\nglory of his race, was Devakshatra\u2019s son. Madhu begat on his wife\nVaidarbhi a son by name Maruvasa (26\u201328). Purudv\u0101na, the foremost of\nmen, was Maruvasa\u2019s son. O foremost of Kurus, he begat on his\nBhadravati, born in the race of Vaidarbhas, a son by name Madhu (29).\nMadhu married a lady of the Ikshw\u0101ku family from whom was born Satv\u0101na.\nHe was endued with the quality of goodness and enhanced the glory of the\nS\u0101twatas (30). The man, who knows this account of the family of the\nhigh-souled Jy\u0101mogha, gets offspring and highest felicity (31).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXVII. AN ACCOUNT OF VABHRU\u2019S FAMILY.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014O king, S\u0101twata, endued with the quality of\ngoodness, begat on Koushaly\u0101 several sons, namely Bhajina, Bhajam\u0101na,\nDivya, Devavridha, the mighty armed Andhaka, and Yadu\u2019s son Vrishni.\nListen to a detailed account of theirs progenitors (1-2). Bhajam\u0101na had\ntwo wives, daughters of Srinjaya, by name V\u0101hyak\u0101 and Upav\u0101hvak\u0101. He had\na number of sons by those two wives. Krami, Kramina, Drishta, Shura and\nPuranjava were begotten on V\u0101hyka. And Ayutajit, Sahasr\u0101jit, Shatajit,\nand D\u0101saka were begotten on Srinjaya\u2019s daughter Upav\u0101hvak\u0101 by Bhajamana\n(3-5). Resolving \"I must have a son endued with all accomplishments\" the\nking Devavridha, the performer of Yajnas, carried on hard austerities\n(6). Controlling his mind he used to bathe in the water of the river\nParn\u0101sh\u0101 and rinse his mouth there with. On account of his constant\ntouch, the river accomplished what he liked (7). Thinking alone, that\nforemost of rivers Parn\u0101sh\u0101 resolved upon doing some good by that king.\nMeditating thus she could not set his eye upon a woman capable of giving\nbirth to such an accomplished son. She accordingly made up her mind to\nbecome herself the wife of that king (8\u20139). Thereupon becoming a maiden\nand assuming a most handsome form she selected that king as her husband.\nHe too liked her (10). She then conceived through that liberal-minded\nking. In the tenth month, she, from king Dev\u0101vridha, gave birth to a\nhighly accomplished son by name Vabhru. In this family while describing\nthe accomplishments of the noble Dev\u0101vridha the sages, well-read in the\nPuranas, used to say:\u2014Before us, at a distance from us and near us we\nbehold the king Devavridha range assuming various forms by virtue of his\nillusive energy (11-13). Vabhru was the foremost of men, and Dev\u0101vridha\nwas equal unto the celestials. Being slain in battle by Dev\u0101vridha and\nVabhru four hundred and sixty two thousand men attained to the region of\nBrahma. Vabhru celebrated many Yajnas, made away gifts, was learned and\nconversant with the knowledge of Brahman. His weapon was very strong.\nBesides he was of glorious deeds, highly effulgent and the foremost of\nS\u0101twatas. His family was extensive and his descendants were M\u0101rtikavata\nBhojas (14\u201316). From Andhaka K\u0101shya\u2019s daughter obtained four sons,\nnamely Kukura, Bhajam\u0101na, Shama and Kamvalavarhisha (17). Kukura\u2019s son\nwas Dhrishnu and Drishnu\u2019s son was Kapotaroma. His son again was Tittiri\n(18). From him was born Punarvasu, whose son was Abhijit who had two\nchildren (19). Both Ahuka (a son) and Ahuki (a daughter) were well-known\nand the foremost of all celebrated persons. The following hymn was\nchanted in Ahuka\u2019s praise (20). \"Encircled by his pure souled\ndescendants he (was noble and energetic) like a young horse\". When that\nking first went out on his excursion he was protected by the gods\u2076\u2079\n(21). There was none amongst those who followed this Bhoja king who had\nno issue, who had not made away a hundred presents, who had not a life\nextending over a thousand years, who was not of pure deeds and who did\nnot perform Yajnas (22). At the command of Ahuka ten thousand cars with\nten thousand elephants, having yokes, pieces of wood at their bottom,\nflags attached to them, with sounds like the muttering of clouds and\ngolden and silver chains, used to proceed to the eastern quarter\n(23\u201324). An equal number of cars and elephants was placed in the\nnorthern quarter. Having brought under subjection all his commanders\nAshuka used to go about with his kinsmen in his car adorned with a\ngridle of small bells (25). The Andhakas conferred on Avanti king\nAhuka\u2019s sister Ahuki. Ahuka begat two sons on the daughter of the king\nof K\u0101shi (26). They were Devaka and Ugrasena who were both like the sons\nof celestials. Devaka had four god-like sons (27). They were Devav\u0101n,\nUpadeva, Sudeva, and Devarakshit. He had seven daughters of all whom he\nconferred on Vasudeva (28). They were Devaki, Sh\u0101ntideva, Sridev\u0101,\nDevarakshita, Vrikadevi, Upadevi and Sun\u0101mni was the seventh (29).\nUgrasena had nine sons of whom Kangsa was the eldest. Others were\nNyagrodha, Sun\u0101m\u0101, Kanka, Shambhu, Subhamija, R\u0101shtrap\u0101la, Sudhanu,\nAnadhrishti and Pushtiman. They had five sisters, namely, K\u0101ngs\u0101,\nKangsavati, Sutanu, R\u0101shtrap\u0101li, and the beautiful Kangk\u0101. I have\ndescribed the family of Ugrasena, born in the Kuru race (30\u201331).\nMeditating on this highly energetic Kuru race, a man, having offspring,\ngets a big family (32).\n\n   \u2076\u2079 There is another meaning of this text. He used to go out on a\n      conveyance drawn by eighty men. _Ashiti_ means eighty. _Charma_\n      means a wooden conveyance and _Yukta_ means seated. The meaning\n      that we have adopted is thus made out. _Ashitayas_ means gods,\n      _Charma_ leathern protector of arrows; _Yukta_ protected _i.e._ he\n      was protected by the gods as arrows are protected by leathern\n      cases _i.e._ the gods were like leathern cases to him. Both the\n      meanings are equally good. The former gives an idea of his\n      splendour. The latter shows that he was in the good grace of the\n      celestials.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXVIII. AN ACCOUNT OF SWYAMANTAKA JEWEL.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Bhajam\u0101na\u2019s son was Viduratha, the foremost of\ncar-warriors. The heroic Raj\u0101dhideva was Viduratha\u2019s son (1).\nR\u0101j\u0101dhideva had a number of highly powerful sons, namely the powerful\nDatta, Atidatta, Shonaswa, Swetav\u0101hana, Shami, Dandasharm\u0101, Dattashatru\nand Shatrujit. They had two sisters by name Shravana and Shravishtha\n(2\u20133). Shami\u2019s son was Pratikshtra whose son was Swayamboja and whose\nson was Hridika (4). His sons were of dreadful prowess. Of them\nKritavarm\u0101 was the eldest and Shatadhanw\u0101 was the second (5). The\ncelestial saint Chy\u0101vana begat for him four sons and two daughters. The\nsons were Vishak, Vaitarana, Suv\u0101nt\u0101 and Adhid\u0101nta. The daughters were\nKamad\u0101 and K\u0101madantika (6). Kamvalavarhisha had a learned son named\nDevav\u0101n who had three sons namely Asamouja, Veera and N\u0101samouj\u0101 (7).\nAsamouja had no issue and therefore Andhaka conferred on him his three\nsons namely Sudangstra, Suv\u0101hu and Krishna (8). These and various others\nmembers of the Andhaka family have been described to you. He, who daily\nmeditates upon Andhaka family, forsooth gets his family multiplied.\nKrousthu had two wives, G\u0101ndh\u0101ri and M\u0101dri (9-10). Gandh\u0101ri gave birth\nto the highly powerful Anamitra and M\u0101dri gave birth to Yudh\u0101jit and\nDevamidusha (11). Anamitra was ever irrepressible and subduer of his\nenemies. His son was Nighna who had two sons Prasena and Satr\u0101jit both\nof whom were subduers of hostile armies. Living in the city of Dwark\u0101\nPrasena obtained from the ocean the peerless celestial jewel called\n_Swyamantaka_. The sun was his friend as valuable as his life (12\u201314).\nOnce on a time after the expiration of the night that foremost of\ncar-warriors, ascending his chariot, went to the bank of the ocean for\nbathing and worshipping the sun (15). When he worshipped the god of rays\nthe invisible lord Vivaswan appeared in effulgence before him (16).\nThereupon the king said to the Lord Vibhakara before him\u2014\"O lord of\nrays, I see thee although before me in thy same circular effulgent form\nas I always behold thee in the sky. Thou hast appeared before me as a\nfriend but what special favour have I got (17-18)?\" Hearing this, the\nlord took out from his neck the peerless jewel _Swyamantaka_ and gave it\nto him (19). Thereupon the king saw him in his form. Seeing him he was\npleased and conversed with him for a moment (20). While Vivasw\u0101n was\nabout to go away the king again said to him:\u2014\"O lord, it behoveth thee\nto confer upon me this jewel with which thou dost always light the\nworlds\" (21). Thereupon Bh\u0101skara gave him the jewel _Swyamantaka_.\nHolding it the king entered his own city (22). All the people followed\nhim thinking that the sun was going. Filling all the citizens with\nwonder the king entered the inner appartment (23). The king Satrajit,\nwith great delight, conferred that peerless celestial jewel\n_Swyamantaka_ on his brother Prasena (24). That jewel used to produce\ngold in the palace of Vrishnis and Andhakas. (By its power) the god of\nrains used to pour shower in due season and there was no fear of disease\n(25). Govinda grew desirous of acquiring that peerless jewel\n_Swyamantaka_ from Prasena. Although capable he did not take it by force\nor pilfer it (26). Once on a time adorned with that jewel Prasena went\nout a-hunting. He was, for that _Swyamantaka_, slain by a wild lion\n(27). Killing that flying lion a highly powerful bear took that jewel\nand entered into his den (28).\n\nHearing of the death of Prasena, all the members of Vrishni and Andhaka\nfamilies entertained suspicions against Krishna, because they knew that\nhe had a fancy for that jewel (29). Knowing their suspicion and thinking\nthat he himself was innocent the virtuous-souled Krishna, resolving \"I\nmust bring the jewel\" set out for the forest where Prasena went for\nhunting. Following his foot-seps along with his followers and ransacking\nthe mountains Rikshavan and Vindhya the great Krishna was stricken with\nfatigue. He then saw Prasena and his horse killed there but did not find\nthe jewel. He then saw near Prasena the lion killed by the bear. It was\nsurmised by the footsteps. Following them he searched for the den of the\nrunning bear (30\u201334). He heard the voice of a female in the huge den of\nthat bear. A nurse was giving play with that jewel to Jamvav\u0101n\u2019s son and\nsaying \"Do not weep\" (35).\n\nThe nurse said:\u2014\"The lion killed Prasena and he has been killed by\nJamvav\u0101n. Therefore, O my good boy, do not weep. This Swyamantaka\nbelongs to you (36)\".\n\nThereupon keeping all the Yadavas with Baladeva at the mouth of the den\nand displaying a beautiful form and voice Krishna, with Sharnga bow,\nsilently entered into it. And having entered there by force the Lord\nbeheld the bear (37\u201338), Govinda wrestled with J\u0101mvav\u0101n in that den for\ntwenty-one days (39). After Krishna had entered the den all the Y\u0101davas,\nheaded by Baladeva, returned to Dwark\u0101 and announced that he had been\nslain (40).\n\nHaving vanquished the highly powerful J\u0101mvavan he married the most\nbeloved daughter of the king of bears by name Jamvavati and took away\nthe jewel for clearing himself (of the charge) (41). Then saluting the\nking of Rikshas he came out of the den. Enveloped with great beauty, he,\nafterwards, returned to the city of Dwark\u0101 (42). Having thus brought the\njewel and cleared himself of the charge he handed over Swyamantaka to\nSatrajit in an assembly of the S\u0101twatas (43). Having thus acquired the\njewel Swyamantaka Krishna, the slayer of enemies, who had been accused\nof a false charge, cleared himself of the guilt (44). Satrajit had ten\nwives who gave birth to a hundred sons. Of them three were well-known.\nBhangakara was the eldest, the heroic B\u0101tapati was the second, and\nViyatsn\u0101ta was the third. O king, he had three daughters well-known in\nall the quarters (45\u201346). They were Satyabh\u0101m\u0101, the most excellent of\nwomen, Bratini, of firm vows and Prasw\u0101pini. S\u0101trajit married them all\nwith Krishna (47). Bhangakara had two sons, the foremost of men,\nSabh\u0101ksha and N\u0101reya. Both of them were accomplished, and well-known for\ntheir beauty (48). Madri\u2019s son Yudhajit had a son by name Vrishni. He\nhad two sons, Shaphalk\u0101 and Chitraka (49). Shaphalka married the\ndaughter of the King of Kashi. Her name was G\u0101ndini and her father used\nto give away a cow every day(50). She gave birth to the great Akrura who\nwas fond of guests and performed sacrifices accompanied with profuse\ngifts, Upasanja, Mangu, Mridura, Arimejaya, Girikshipa, Upiksha,\nShatruh\u0101, Arimardana, Dharmabhrit, Yatidharm\u0101, Gridhra, Bhoja, Andhaka,\nSuvahu and Prativ\u0101hu and to a beautiful daughter by name Sundari. That\nbeautiful girl was the queen of Virutashwa, was endued with beauty and\nyouth and was charming unto all (51-54). O descendant of Kuru, Akrura\nbegat on Ugraseni two sons, Sudeva and Upadeva, who were both powerful\nlike the celestials (55). Chitraka had many sons, namely, Prithu,\nViprithu, Aswagriva, Ashwav\u0101hu, Sup\u0101rshwa, Gaveshi, Aristhnemi, Aswa,\nSudharm\u0101, Dharmabhrit, Suv\u0101hu and Vahuv\u0101hu and two daughters by name\nShravishth\u0101 and Shravan\u0101. He, who reads of this false accusation against\nSrikrishna, suffers from no such thing in his life (56\u201358).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXIX. AN ACCOUNT OF AKRURA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Akrura had that peerless jewel which Krishna\nconferred on Satr\u0101jit, stolen by Shatadhanw\u0101 (1). Akrura always wished\nto have the beautiful Satyabh\u0101m\u0101.\u2077\u2070 As soon as he got an opportunity he\ndesired to possess that valuable jewel (2). Thereupon, having slain\nSatr\u0101jit at the dead of night the highly powerful Shatadhanw\u0101 took away\nthe jewel and made a present of it to Akrura (3). Taking that jewel he\nmade Shatadhanw\u0101 promise that he would never give out that the jewel was\nin his (Akrura\u2019s) possession (4). (He said):\u2014\"If Krishna attacks you I\nshall follow you. Forsooth the whole of Dwark\u0101 is now under my control\n(5).\" On her father (Satr\u0101jit) being slain the illustrious Satyabh\u0101m\u0101,\nstricken with grief, got on a chariot and repaired to the city of\nBaraw\u0101vata (6). She then communicated to her husband what had been\nperpetrated by Shatadhanwa of the Bhoja race. Then stricken with grief\nand standing by his side she began shedding tears (7). Having performed\nthe watering ceremony of the P\u0101ndavas burnt in the house of lac\u2077\u00b9\nKrishna engaged Satwaki to perform their obsequial rites (8).\n\nThereupon hurrying on to the city of Dwark\u0101 the graceful slayer of\nMadhu\u2077\u00b2 said to his elder brother Haladhar\u2077\u00b3 (9) \"Prasena has been\nkilled by a lion and Satr\u0101jit has been slain by Shatadhanw\u0101. Therefore I\nam the master of the jewel Sywamantaka (10). Therefore speedily get on\nyour car, O mighty armed hero. After slaying the highly powerful Bhoja\nSwyamataka will be ours (11)\". Thereupon there arose a terrible\nencounter between Krishna and Shatadhanw\u0101 The latter saw Akrura on all\nsides (12). Thereupon beholding both Krishna and Shatadhanw\u0101 enraged\nAkrura, though capable, out of wickedness did not help the son of\nHridika (13). Thereat stricken with fear Shatadhanw\u0101 took to his heels.\nWith one mare he travelled over a distance of more than a hundred\n_Yojanas_\u2077\u2074 (14). O king, Shatadanwa, of the Bhoja race, had a mare that\ncould go over a distance of a hundred _Yojanas_, by name\n_Vijn\u0101t\u0101hriday\u0101_. With her he fought with Krishna (15). Having travelled\nover a distance of a hundred _Yojanas_ Shatadhanwa found her motionless\nand seeing the increased motion of the car he left her off (16).\nThereupon, O descendant of Bharata, on account of the exhaustion and\nmisery of that mare all his vital breaths went up to the sky. Then\nKrishna said to R\u0101ma. (17). \"Wait here, O you of large arms. I have seen\nthe wretched plight of the mare. Going on foot I shall carry away the\njewel Swyamantaka (18)\". Thereupon, O king, going on foot, Achyuta\n(Krishna), highly skilled in the use of arms, killed Shatadhanwa on the\nway to Mithila (19). Having slain the highly powerful Bhoja king he did\nnot see Swyamantaka. And seeing Krishna return Balar\u0101ma said to him\n\"Give me the jewel\" (20).\n\nKrishna said:\u2014\"I have not got it.\" Thereat Rama was filled with anger.\nRepeatedly exclaiming \"Fie on you, Fie on you,\" he replied to Janarddana\n(21). \"I forgive you because you are my brother. May you farewell. I go\naway. I have nothing to do with you or other Vrishnis of Dwark\u0101 (22).\"\nThereupon R\u0101ma, the subduer of enemies, entered the city of Mithil\u0101. He\nwas then honored with all becoming presents after his heart by the king\nof Mithil\u0101 (23). In the interval the most intelligent Vabhru began to\ncollect various articles for the performance of sacrifices (24). The\nhighly illustrious son of G\u0101ndini, on account of the jewel Swyamantaka,\nentered into the initiation-like coat of mail\u2077\u2075 for protecting himself\n(25). He devoted most excellent jewels and various other articles to the\nperformance of sacrifices for sixty thousand years (25). That sacrifice,\nof the high-souled Akrura consisting of food and various presents, was\ncalled the Akrura Yajna (27). Thereupon repairing to the city of Mithil\u0101\nthe king Duryodhana received from Balabhadra the most excellent\ninstructions in the use of clubs (28). Thereupon propitiating Balar\u0101ma\nall the mighty car warriors of the Vrishni race and the high-souled\nKrishna brought him back to the city of Dwark\u0101 (29). Then the foremost\nof men Akrura, with Andhakas, left Dwark\u0101. Slaying the highly powerful\nSatr\u0101jit in battle with all his friends Krishna, in feat of dissension\namongst his kinsmen, neglected him (Akrura). After the departure of\nAkrura P\u0101kashasana\u2077\u2076 did not pour rain (30\u201331). When the whole country\nwas devastated by draught the Kukuras and Andhakas began to propitiate\nAkrura (32). When the liberal Akrura returned to Dwark\u0101 the\nthousand-eyed Indra began to discharge showers on the bank of the ocean\n(33). O foremost of Kurus, in order to please Krishna the intelligent\nAkrura gave him in marriage his sister Sushil\u0101 (34). Guessing by his\nriches and liberality that Swyamantaka was with Akrura, Janarddana said\nto him in the midst of an assembly \"O lord, the jewel is in thy\npossession. Do thou give it to me. O giver of honors; do not cheat me. O\nsinless one, the anger, that possessed me sixty years before, is now\nenkindled all on a sudden. A long time has elapsed. Give me the Jewel\ntherefore (35\u201337).\"\n\nThereupon at the words of Krishna the high-minded Akrura, without\nexperiencing the least pain, gave him the jewel in the midst of the\nassembled S\u0101twatas (38). Receiving from Akrura the jewel who gave it\naway with all simplicity, Hari, the repressor of enemies, returned it to\nhim with a delighted heart (39). Obtaining the jewel from Krishna\u2019s\nhands and placing it on his breast, Akrura shone there like the sun\n(40).\n\n   \u2077\u2070 The sentence is elliptical and requires a little elucidation.\n      Akrura had in view of marrying Satyabhama. But when he found that\n      she had been given away to Krishna he was mortified. He was then\n      seeking for an opportunity of getting the jewel Swyamantaka.\n\n   \u2077\u00b9 This refers to an incident in the Mahabharata. Duryodhana\n      treacherously invited the Pandavas to a house of lac constructed\n      for that purpose and set fire to it. They, however, being informed\n      of it beforehand, escaped. Duryodhana, however, thought that they\n      had been consumed and Krishna, to keep up an appearance, was\n      performing the obsequial rites. [_See Jatugrihadaha Parva_.]\n\n   \u2077\u00b2 The word in the text is Madhusudana, a name of Krishna. He was\n      called so on account of his killing the demon king Madhu.\n\n   \u2077\u00b3 A name of Balarama because he always used to carry a plough-share\n      in battle.\n\n   \u2077\u2074 A measure of distance equal to four _Kroras_ which at 8,000 cubits\n      or 4,000 yards to the _Krora_ or _Kos_ will be exactly nine miles;\n      other computations make the _Yojana_ but about five miles, or even\n      no more than four miles and a half.\u2014Wilson.\n\n   \u2077\u2075 He initiated himself for the performance of sacrifices, for any\n      one so doing is a proof against all misfortunes.\n\n   \u2077\u2076 A name of Indra, the god of rain. He obtained this appellation\n      after slaying a demon by name Paka. The word literally means, \"the\n      chastiser of Paka.\"\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XL. A DESCRIPTION OF VISHNU.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O Brahman, the sages describe in the Puranas, the\nincarnations of Vishnu of unlimited energy We have heard from them that\nthe Lord incarnated himself as a boar. But we do not know fully his\nhistory, his commands, his deeds, his accomplishments, his objects, his\nconduct and prowess when he assumed before (this form) (1\u20133). We have\nheard that Krishna Dwaip\u0101yana\u2077\u2077 described this great boar-incarnation\nbefore the twice-born ones when they assembled at a sacrifice (4), O\nBrahman, I have heard how Madhusudana, incarnating himself as a boar,\nsaved with his tusks, the earth sunk in the ocean (5). O Brahman, now I\nwish to hear at length the various deeds performed by the intelligent\nHari the slayer of enemies in his boar and various other incarnations\u2077\u2078\n(6). You alone are capable of describing in order the various deeds of\nthe lord and his character, O Brahman (7). Why did the lord Vishnu, the\nking of the celestials and the slayer of his enemies, take his birth as\nV\u0101sudeva in Vasudeva\u2019s family (8)? Why did He, leaving the land of gods,\nabounding with immortals and pious men, come down on earth (9)? Why did\nHe, who is the king of gods and men and from whom the earth has\nemanated, convert his celestial body into a human form (10). Why did He,\nwho is alone turning the healthy circle of mankind, and who is the\nforemost of the holders of discus, set his heart upon assuming a human\nform (11)? Why did the lord Vishnu, who protects all the great men of\nthe world, come down on earth as a milkman (12)? Why was Shrigarbha\u2077\u2079\nidentical with elements, who is the cause of the great elements\nconceived by a woman ranging on earth (13)? He, desired by the\ncelestials, occupied the three worlds with his three foot-steps\u2078\u2070 and\nthus laid down on earth the three roads of three Vargas\u2078\u00b9 (14). He, at\nthe time of the universal dissolution, drank up the earth and assumed\nthe form of water. He then converted the whole earth into one sheet of\nwater\u2078\u00b2 (15). He assumed in the days of yore the form of a boar and\nsaved the earth with his tusks (16). Having vanquished the Asuras on\nbehalf of Puruhuta\u2078\u00b3 that foremost of gods conferred upon the celestials\nthe three worlds in the days of yore (17). Assuming the form of a\nman-lion he killed the prime Daitya the highly energetic Hiranyakasipu\u2078\u2074\n(18). Assuming the form of the submarine fire Samvartaka the lord, in\nthe days of yore, drank the watery oblations of the submarine region\n(19). O Brahman, in various thousands of Yugas that Lord appeared with a\nthousand heads, a thousand eyes and a thousand feet (20). When the whole\nworld was converted into one sheet of water, when the entire mobile and\nimmobile creations were destroyed there sprang from his navel a lotus on\nwhich Brahm\u0101 (Grand-father) rested (21). In the encounter with T\u0101raka,\nhe, assuming a form consisting of all gods and holding all weapons, slew\nthe demons (22). Seated on Garuda and assuming a huge proportion he\nkilled the great demon K\u0101lanemi and vanquished the great Asura Taraka\n(23). Being engaged in eternal Yoga and resorting to his illusive energy\nhe lay on the northern side of the ocean of milk from which came out\nambrosia (24). On account of the consummation of her hard austerities\nAditi conceived that celestial ancient Purusha who was like the churning\nrod of the celestials. Coming out of her womb as a dwarf he satisfied\nthe desire of Indra who had been confined by the demons (25). Placing\nhis feet in all the worlds he placed all the demons in the water. And\nmaking the gods playful in heaven he conferred upon Indra the kingdom of\ngods (26). He laid down the rules of G\u0101rhapatya\u2078\u2075 and Anw\u0101harya\u2078\u2076 works,\ncreated the various articles of sacrifice such as Dakshina,\u2078\u2077 Diksha,\u2078\u2078\nChamasa\u2078\u2079 and Ulukhula,\u2079\u2070 created the fire where oblations could be\noffered, made the sacrificial altar, Kusha,\u2079\u00b9 Sruva,\u2079\u00b2 Prokshaniya,\u2079\u00b3\nand Dhruva\u2079\u2074 created the three sorts of ambrosia beneficial to the bath\nafter the celebration of a sacrifice, made the twice born ones offer\nHavya\u2079\u2075 and Kavya,\u2079\u2076 and the celestials to partake of the former and the\nancestral manes of the latter. After the lines laid down by Parameshthi\n(Brahm\u0101) He, in the days of yore, by various sacrificial _Mantras_,\u2079\u2077\nmade divisions of _Yupas_,\u2079\u2078 _Samidhas_,\u2079\u2079 _Srukas_,\u00b9\u2070\u2070 _Soma_,\u00b9\u2070\u00b9 the\nsacred _Paridhri_,\u00b9\u2070\u00b2 and of various other sacrificial articles, of the\nroom for placing sacrificial fire of the members, of _Yajam\u0101nas_\u00b9\u2070\u00b3 and\na classification of _Medha_\u00b9\u2070\u2074 and other excellent sacrifices. Having\nmade various classifications of Yugas and displaying his prowess before\nall men he created Kshana,\u00b9\u2070\u2075 Lava,\u00b9\u2070\u2076 K\u0101shtha,\u00b9\u2070\u2077 Kal\u0101,\u00b9\u2070\u2078 the present,\npast and future, divisions of time, Muhutta,\u00b9\u2070\u2079 Tithi,\u00b9\u00b9\u2070 months,\nfortnights, years and seasons, the three divisions of the length of\nlife, the multiplication of the characteristics and the beauty of the\nmobile and immobile creations, the three Varnas,\u00b9\u00b9\u00b9 the three Lokas\u00b9\u00b9\u00b2\nthe three Vedas,\u00b9\u00b9\u00b3 the three fires,\u00b9\u00b9\u2074 three K\u0101las,\u00b9\u00b9\u2075 the threefold\nactions,\u00b9\u00b9\u2076 the three Up\u0101y\u0101s\u00b9\u00b9\u2077 (means), and the threefold Gunas\u00b9\u00b9\u2078\n(30\u201335). By his endless actions these three worlds had been created by\nHim before. He is the creator of all the elements and Gunas and\nidentical with them all (36). By introducing birth and death amongst\nmankind he makes them move about in the universe. He sports everywhere\nin the shape of an animal. He is the lord of the universe (37). He is\nthe refuge of the pious and he (only) punishes the wicked. He is the\norigin of the four Varnas and the protector of the four Hotras\u00b9\u00b9\u2079 (38).\nHe is the master of the four-fold knowledge and the preserver of the\nfour Asramas.\u00b9\u00b2\u2070 He is identical with the various directions, with the\nsky, with the air, fire and water (39). He is identical with the sun,\nthe moon and the rays. He is the lord of Yogins and He only brings about\nthe termination of the night. He is identical with the most excellent\nlustre and _tapas_ of which we hear (40). The sages designate him as the\nthread that connects all the souls; and the whole universe is His form.\nThe Vedas and all the works exist in N\u0101r\u0101yana (41). N\u0101r\u0101yana is the\ngreatest virtue and is the most most excellent condition. Truth exists\nin N\u0101rayan\u0101 and _Tapas_ exists in Him (42) Salvation exists in N\u0101r\u0101yana\nand N\u0101r\u0101yana is the most excellent refuge. He is the Aditya and other\ngods and he is the slayer of demons (43). At the time of the universal\ndissolution he destroys all. He is the death unto the regent of the dead\nwho destroys all. He is the lord of (Manu and others) who have\ninstituted various orders of honour amongst mankind and he is more\nsacred than (Ganga and others), who purify the mankind (44). He is the\nobject of learning unto those who are conversant with the Vedas; he is\nthe lord of the self-controlled (Rishis); he is more handsome than all\nhandsome objects, he is like fire unto those who are endued with\nfire-like effulgence (45). He is the mind of men, the ascetic energy of\nthe ascetics, the morality of those who are strict moralists, the energy\nof the energetic, the creator of all creations and the most excellent\norigin of all the worlds (46). He is the idol ef those who seek the\nidols and he is the motion of those who are endued with it. Ether is the\norigin of air and air is the life of fire (47). The vital power of the\ngods is fire and the life of fire is Madhusudana. Blood is engendered by\njuice and by blood is created flesh (48). From flesh originates fat and\nfrom fat originate the bones and from the bones originate the veins and\nfrom veins originates the seminal fluid (49). And the seminal fluid is\nthe instrument of conception. By the process of action at the root of\nwhich is the juice all this is created. Of them the water is the first\nportion therefore it is called _Soumya_.\u00b9\u00b2\u00b9 The second ingredient is the\nfire in the womb (50). Thus the seminal fluid, indential with fire, is\nalso made of blood. Thus the essence of all juice, the seminal fluid, is\ncreated by an excess of cough and blood is created by an excess of\nbillious matter. The seat of cough is the heart and the seat of bile is\nthe navel. The heart, which is in the body, is known as the seat of the\nmind. The fire exists as hunger behind the cavity of the navel. Mind is\nknown as Praj\u0101pati (Brahm\u0101), the cough as Soma and the bile as Agni\n(fire-god). Thus the whole world is identical with fire (51\u201354). When a\nconception, as is the formation of a cloud, takes place, the air,\naccompanied by Param\u0101tman, enters there\u00b9\u00b2\u00b2 (55). It then creates the\nvarious limbs and nourishes them. The vital air, inside the body,\ndivides itself into five and gradually assumes proportions (56). The\nfive vital airs are Pr\u0101na, Ap\u0101na, Sam\u0101na, Ud\u0101na, and Vy\u0101na. Pr\u0101na\nnourishes the most important portion of the body namely, the heart (57).\nAp\u0101na nourishes the lower portion of the body up to the feet. Ud\u0101na\nnourishes the breast and the upper portion of the body. The vital air,\nby which works, requiring great strength, are performed, is called\nVy\u0101na. And the vital air, Sam\u0101na which exists all over the body, remains\nat the navel and distributes to their proper places whatever is drunk or\neaten. (After the distribution of the vital airs) the creatures acquire\nthe knowledge of the earth through their senses (58). Earth, air, ether,\nwater and light, are converted into senses. And then they occupy their\nrespective portions in the body and perform their respective functions.\nThe tongue, which has the water in it, draws the juice; the eye, which\nhas the light in it, sees the forms; the skin, which has the air in it,\nhears sound. The hardest portion of the body is the transformation of\nthe earth. The vital air is the metamorphosis of the air; all the holes\noriginate from ether; the liquid portion is but water; the eye is the\nform of light and the mind, which is the energy of the five elements, is\nthe lord of the senses. It is the mind, that, by its energy, makes the\nsenses perceive their respective objects (59\u201361). Having thus created\nthe ever-existing worlds why did the Great Purusha take his birth as a\nman in this mortal world (62)? This is my doubt, this is what surprises\nme. O Brahman, why did He, who is the energy of mankind, take his birth\nas a man (63)? I have heard an account of my own family as well as of\nthose of my ancestors. I wish now to hear in due order of the families\nof Vishnu and Vrishnis (64). That Vishnu is a great wonder is said by\nthe gods and demons. Do you, O great Muni, describe to me the wondrous\norigin of Vishnu (65). Do you describe to me truly the wonderful and\ndelightful account of the highly energetic Vishnu of well-known deeds\nand prowess who surprised the whole world by his actions (66).\n\n   \u2077\u2077 Dwaipayana is the surname of Krishna. The word literally means\n      _island-born_, the place of his nativity being a small island in\n      the Ganges.\n\n   \u2077\u2078 The ten principal forms which Vishnu assumed at various periods\n      are called his _Avataras_; they are the fish, tortoise, the bear,\n      the man-lion, the dwarf, the two Ramas, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki.\n\n   \u2077\u2079 Another name of Vishnu from Shree fortune and garbha womb.\n\n   \u2078\u2070 The allusion is. Bali, a demon king, performed many sacrifices for\n      which he was about to attain to the dignity of Indra. The gods\n      accordingly grew very anxious and prayed to Vishnu for succour.\n      He, at their request, assumed the form of a dwarfish Br\u0101hmana and\n      went to Bali for alms. After Bali had promised him that he would\n      give him whatever he would like to have Vishnu assumed a large\n      proportion with three legs and asked Bali to give him room for\n      placing his three feet. He placed one in heaven and the other on\n      the earth. There was no room for the third which he placed on\n      Bali\u2019s head.\n\n   \u2078\u00b9 Three-fold objects of life, namely, Dharma (Virtue), Artha,\n      worldly profit, Kama, Desire. These three roads were laid down by\n      him for mankind. With virtue they can attain to heaven, worldly\n      profit secures, for them, the earth and desire the region\n      underneath it.\n\n   \u2078\u00b2 _i e._, He assumed one form of universal intelligence.\n\n   \u2078\u00b3 A name of Indra from _Puru_ much _Huta_ worshipped or invoked.\n\n   \u2078\u2074 This refers to the celebrated episode of Pralhada. He was the son\n      of the Demon king Hiranyakasipu. He began worshipping Vishnu who\n      was an enemy of Hiranykasipu. He prosecuted his son in various\n      ways and afterwards was killed by Vishnu in his man-lion form.\n\n   \u2078\u2075 A sacred fire perpetually maintained by a householder, received\n      from his father and transmitted to his descendants, and from which\n      fires for sacrificial purposes are lighted.\n\n   \u2078\u2076 The monthly Sr\u0101ddha or funeral repast in honour of the manes held\n      on the day of new moon.\n\n   \u2078\u2077 Gifts.\n\n   \u2078\u2078 Initiation.\n\n   \u2078\u2079 A vessel used at sacrifices for drinking the juice of the acid\n      asclepias; a kind of ladle or spoon.\n\n   \u2079\u2070 A wooden mortar used for cleaning rice.\n\n   \u2079\u00b9 A species of grass used in many solemn and religious observances;\n      hence called sacrificial grass.\n\n   \u2079\u00b2 A ladle with a double extremity or two oval collateral excavations\n      made of wood and used to pour ghee upon the sacrificial fire.\n\n   \u2079\u00b3 An object of immolation.\n\n   \u2079\u2074 A Sacrificial vase made in the shape of the Indian fig-leave, and\n      of the wood of the Flacourtia sapida.\n\n   \u2079\u2075 Fit or proper to be offered in oblation. An offering to the gods.\n\n   \u2079\u2076 An oblation or offering of food to deceased ancestors.\n\n   \u2079\u2077 Hymns recited at the time of the celebration of a religious\n      ceremony.\n\n   \u2079\u2078 A sacrificial post or pillar usually made of bamboos or the wood\n      of the Khadira to which the victim at a sacrifice is bound.\n\n   \u2079\u2079 Fuel, wood, grass, &c., so employed for enkindling fire.\n\n  \u00b9\u2070\u2070 A ladle or spoon.\n\n  \u00b9\u2070\u00b9 The juice of a plant of the same name used for drinking purposes.\n\n  \u00b9\u2070\u00b2 A wooden frame round the hole in which a sacrificial fire is\n      lighted.\n\n  \u00b9\u2070\u00b3 Those who perform sacrifices.\n\n  \u00b9\u2070\u2074 A kind of sacrifice.\n\n  \u00b9\u2070\u2075 A measure of time equal to thirty Kalas or four minutes.\n\n  \u00b9\u2070\u2076 A minute division of time, the sixtieth part of the twinkling of\n      an eye.\n\n  \u00b9\u2070\u2077 A measure of time the thirtieth part of a _Kala_ or eighteen\n      twinklings of the eye.\n\n  \u00b9\u2070\u2078 A division of time.\n\n  \u00b9\u2070\u2079 A division of time, the thirtieth part of the day and night or an\n      hour of forty-eight minutes.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b9\u2070 A lunar day, one-thirtieth of a whole lunation.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b9\u00b9 Three castes, Br\u0101hmanas, or the priestly caste, Kshatriyas, the\n      military caste and Vaishyas the mercantile caste.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b9\u00b2 Three regions, heaven, earth and the region underneath the earth.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b9\u00b3 The three Vedas are Rik, Yajush and Saman.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b9\u2074 Three fires are (1) _Dakshin\u0101gni_ or a kind of sacred fire that\n      which is taken from the domestic or consecrated fire and is placed\n      to the south (2) _Garhapatya_ or a perpetual domestic fire (3)\n      _Ahavaniya_ _i.e._, a fire into which oblation is offered.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b9\u2075 The three Kalas are the present, past and future.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b9\u2076 The three-fold actions are those partaking of the quality of\n      goodness, darkness, and ignorance respectively.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b9\u2077 The three-fold means of attaining salvation are, the destruction\n      of self, the acquisition of wealth and hard study.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b9\u2078 The three-fold qualities are namely, those of goodness, darkness\n      and ignorance.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b9\u2079 Four classes of priests.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b2\u2070 Four stages of life namely that of a religious student, that of a\n      householder, that of the anchorite, and that of the beggar.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b2\u00b9 (In anatomy) the blood before it receives the red particles, the\n      Serum.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b2\u00b2 The meaning is; as the cloud increases by the help of smoke,\n      light, water and air so the embryo is nourished by food, fire and\n      water. The air mentioned here refers to the vital power. The soul\n      enters in the shape of the vital power.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLI. THE INCARNATIONS OF VISHNU.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014O my child, the question that you have put regarding\nHari, the holder of Sranga bow, is indeed very great. Listen, I shall\nstill describe the glory of Vishnu as much as lies in my power(1).\nFortunately for you that our mind is bent upon listening to Vishnu\u2019s\nprowess. Hear, I shall describe the celestial origin of the lord (2).\nThe Br\u0101hmanas, well read in the Vedas, describe him as having a thousand\neyes, thousand faces, thousand feet, thousand heads, thousand hands, as\neternal, as having thousand tongues, as effulgent, as wearing thousand\ncrowns, as giving away thousands presents, as having thousand origins\nand thousand arms (3\u20134); as sacrifice, oblation, Havya,\u00b9\u00b2\u00b3 Hot\u0101,\u00b9\u00b2\u2074 the\nsacred vessels, the sacrificial altar, the initiation, charu,\u00b9\u00b2\u2075 Sruva\n(5); as Sruk, Soma, Shurpa,\u00b9\u00b2\u2076 Musala,\u00b9\u00b2\u2077 Prakshanam, Dakshin\u0101yanam,\u00b9\u00b2\u2078\nAdveryu, S\u0101maga Br\u0101hmana, as Sadasya,\u00b9\u00b2\u2079 Sadanam Sadas\u00b9\u00b3\u2070 (6); as Yupa,\nSamid, Kusha, Darvi,\u00b9\u00b3\u00b9 Chamasa, Ulukhala, Pr\u0101gvangsham,\u00b9\u00b3\u00b2 sacrifice,\nsacrificial ground, priest and Chayana\u00b9\u00b3\u00b3 (7); as the small and big\nchariots, as the mobile creation, as the penance, as the good fruit\nthereof, as Sthandila\u00b9\u00b3\u2074 and Kush\u0101 (8); as _Mantra_, as fire that\ncarries sacrificial offering, as Bh\u0101ga,\u00b9\u00b3\u2075 Bhagavaha,\u00b9\u00b3\u2076 Agrebhuj,\u00b9\u00b3\u2077\nSomabhuj,\u00b9\u00b3\u2078 Ghritarchi,\u00b9\u00b3\u2079 Udaniya\u00b9\u2074\u2070 (9); and in the sacrifice as the\neternal Lord. That intelligent Lord of gods, Vishnu, having the mystic\nmark of Sriv\u0101tsa on his breast, incarnated himself in thousands of\nforms. And thousands of his incarnations shall take place in future,\nBrahm\u0101 has said this (10-11). O great king, I shall describe at length,\nas accosted by you, the sacred and celestial theme, why the Divine lord\nVishnu, the king of gods and the slayer of his enemies, took his birth\nleaving the celestial region, in the race of Vasudeva. For encompassing\nthe well-being of the gods and men and the prosperity of all the worlds,\nthe Soul of all, for a great work of his own, went through various\nincarnations (12\u201314). I shall describe the sacred and celestial\nincarnations of the Lord fraught with many virtues that have been\nrecorded in metres and great Srutis (15). Purifying yourself and\ncontrolling your speech, listen to them, O Janamejaya. This highly\nsacred Pur\u0101na is equal to the Vedas (16). Hear, I shall describe this\ncelestial story of Vishnu. O Bharata, whenever virtue suffers\ndeterioration the Lord, for establishing it, incarnates Himself (17). O\ngreat king, he had one form partaking of the quality of goodness. In\nthis form He is constantly practising hard austerities in Heaven (18).\nHis second form\u00b9\u2074\u00b9 is possessed by yoga sleep for bringing about the\ndestruction of creatures; and from this sleep originate persons of\nmisconceived spiritual culture (19). Having slept for a thousand _yugas_\nHe again appears for work. And after the completion of a thousand\n_yugas_, the god of gods, the lord of the universe, Vishnu, the\nGrandfather Brahm\u0101, the Regents of all the worlds, the moon, the sun,\nthe fire, Brahma, Kapila, Paramesthi, the gods, the seven Rishis, the\nhighly illustrious, three-eyed god Siva, the air, the oceans and the\nmountains exist in His form (20\u201322). The great Sanatkumar and the\nhigh-souled Manu, the father of creation (also exist in His form). That\nancient Lord, effulgent like the fire, has created all the forms (23).\nAfter the destruction of all creatures mobile and immobile, after the\ndestruction of the gods and demons, serpents and Rakshasas that highly\npowerful Purusha killed the two irrepressible D\u0101navas, Madhu and Kaitava\nin the midst of the ocean and conferred upon them the boon of final\nliberation (24-25).\n\nWhile in the days of yore the lotus-navelled Lord lay in the water of\nthe ocean there sprang from His navel the gods and the Rishis (26). This\nis the Lotus incarnation of the Lord as recorded in the Vedas and Srutis\n(27). Next the Boar incarnation of the Lord is recorded in Srutis, where\nVishnu, the foremost of the celestials, assumed the form of a boar and\nraised up the earth with her forests and mountains, with His tusks sunk\nin the all-spreading ocean. The (four) Vedas were his feet, the\nsacrificial altar was his tusk, the sacrifices were his teeth, the\nfuneral pile was his mouth, the fire was his tongue, and the Darbhas\nwere the hairs of his body. The great ascetic Brahm\u0101 was his head, the\ndays and nights were the eyes of that eldest Purusha, the various\ndivisions of the Vedas were the ornaments of his ears, the progenitors\nwere his nose, the chanting of the Sama Veda was his great voice. He was\nidentical with virtue and truth. Penance was his nostril; dreadful\nbeasts were his nails and he had long arms. The air was his soul, the\n_mantra_ was his hip, the sanctified Soma juice was his blood, the\nsacrificial altars were his shoulders. Havi was his smell, Havy and\nKavya were his energies, Nagvangsha was his body. He was effulgent and\nsanctified by various forms of initiation. Dakshin\u0101 or gift was his\nheart. He was ascetic and great and the recitation of the Vedic hymns\nwas the ornament of his lips. The great heroes, who stand in the way of\nvirtue, were his ornaments. The various metres were his motion. The\nsacred Upanishad was his seat. The image of his wife was his help and he\nwas tall like the summit of the mount Meru. This thousand-headed Prime\nDeity re-established the earth (28\u201337). Thus in the days of yore for\nencompassing the well-being of creatures the Lord, assuming the shape of\na sacrificial boar, raised up the earth from the water of the ocean\n(38). This is an account of the boar incarnation. Listen now to an\naccount of His man-lion incarnation where assuming the form of a lion he\nkilled Hiranyakashipu.\n\nO king, in the days of yore in the golden age, the first of the Daityas\nborn, Hiranyakesipu, an enemy of the gods, practised most excellent\npenances (40). Observing the vow of silence and steadfastly carrying it\non he alone, placed in the midst of water, spent eleven thousand and\nfive hundred years (41). O sinless one, thereupon Brahm\u0101 was pleased\nwith his self-control, equanimity of mind, asceticism and observance of\nrules and the vow of celibacy (42). O great king then the lord of all,\nthe divine self-sprung Brahm\u0101, the foremost of all, having the knowledge\nof Brahman, himself, in his effulgent and sun like car drawn by swans,\ncame to him encircled by all the Adityas, Vasus, S\u0101dhyas, Maruds, gods,\nRudras, Viswas, Yakshas, Rakshas, Kinnaras, rivers, oceans, stars,\nMuhurthas, creatures ranging in the sky, planets, celestial saints, old\nascetic Siddhas, the seven Rishis, the great royal saints and Apsaras.\nHe then said to the Daitya:\u2014\"O you of firm vows, you are a disciple of\nmine. I have been pleased with your asceticism. Pray for a boon; may you\nfare well and acquire your wished-for objects (43\u201348).\"\n\nHiranyakasipu said;\u2014O grand-father, I pray for this boon, that the gods,\nAsuras, Gandharvas, Yakshas, N\u0101gas, Rakshasas, men and goblins may not\nby any means kill me and that the Rishis, when enraged, may not\nimprecate a curse on me, and that the weapons, mountains, trees, dry or\nwet articles or any other things may not bring about my destruction. Let\nhim alone be my destroyer who will be able, with his servants and army,\nto kill me only with the strokes of his arms. I, myself, shall be the\nmoon, the sun, the air, the fire, air, ether, the stars, the ten\nquarters, desire, anger, Varuna, V\u0101sava, Yama, the lord of riches and\nYaksha, the king of Kimpurushas (49-54).\n\nThus addressed by the king of Daityas, O emperor, the self-sprung Deity\nsmilingly said;\u2014\"O my child, I confer upon you these most wonderful and\ncelestial boons. Undoubtedly you will attain to all your desired-for\nobjects (55\u201356).\" Having said this the divine grand-father repaired, by\nthe etherial region, to his habitation Vairaja resorted to by the\nBr\u0101hmana saints. Hearing that the water-sprung deity, the foremost of\nthe celestials, had conferred this celestial boon on Daitya-king\nHiranyakasipu, the gods, headed by Indra, communicated it to the\nCreator. Hearing of this conferring of the boons the Devas, the N\u0101gas,\nthe Gandharvas and the Munis appeared before the grand-father (57\u201356).\n\nThe Gods said\u2014\"O lord, by this boon the Asura will oppress us. Be thou\npropitiated and concert a measure for his destruction\" (60). Hearing\nthose words beneficial unto all the lord Prajapati, the omniscient,\nself-sprung Deity, the invisible and immortal creator of Havy, Kavya and\nall other creatures said to the gods (61\u201362). \"Forsooth he must attain\nto the fruits of his asceticism. After he enjoys them the lord Vishnu\nwill kill him.\" Hearing these words from the lotus-sprung Deity all the\ngods, filled with delight, repaired to their respective celestial\nhabitations (63\u201364). As soon as he obtained the boon the Daitya\nHiranyakasipu, elated with the pride thereof, began oppressing all the\ncreatures (65). He first of all carried his work of oppression on the\ngreat, truthful and self-controlled Munis of firm vows living in the\nhermitages (66). Having vanquished all the gods of the three worlds and\nhaving brought them all under subjection the Daitya Hiranyakasipu lived\nin the celestial region (67). As long as he, elated with pride, lived in\nthe celestial region the gods could not partake of the sacrificial\nofferings and the Daityas were entitled thereto (68).\n\nThereupon the Adityas, Viswas and Vasus sought refuge with the highly\npowerful N\u0101r\u0101yana Vishnu, the lord of protection, who is Brahman\nidentical with the gods and sacrifices, who is the presiding god of the\nBr\u0101hmanas, who is eternal, the present and past and future and who is\nomniscient and adored of all the worlds (69\u201370).\n\nThe Gods said:\u2014O. king of gods, O foremost of the celestials, do thou\nsave us from the fear of Hiranyakasipu. Thou art the Supreme Lord of us\nall and of Brahm\u0101 and others. Thou art our Great God and Great\nPreceptor. O thou having eyes like the full-blown lotuses, O thou the\ndestroyer of enemies, do thou become our help for bringing about the\ndestruction of the demons (71\u201372).\n\nVishnu said:\u2014O ye immortals, do ye renounce your fear. I promise you\nsafety. O gods, you will, in no time, acquire as before the celestial\nregion. I will slay this king of D\u0101navas, elated with pride, who is\nunslayable even by the immortals (73\u201374).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having said this and left the company of the king of\ngods and others the Lord Hari assumed the form of a half-lion and a\nhalf-man. Having pressed his one palm against another Hari, in his\nman-lion form, repaired to the court of Hiranyakasipu (75\u201376). His\ncolour was like that of clouds and his voice was like the muttering\nthereof. He also became effulgent and fleet like a cloud (77). He, with\nhis own hand, killed the highly powerful and proud Daitya, gifted with\nthe prowess of a tiger and protected by the mighty Daityas (78). This is\nthe man-lion incarnation. Next is that of a dwarf. Assuming this form\ndestructive of the Daityas in the days of yore the powerful Vishnu, with\nhis three foot steps, assailed the Asuras in the sacrifice of Bali\n(79\u201380).\n\nViprachitti, Shivi, Sangkaraya, Shangku, Ayashir\u0101s, the powerful\nHayagriva, the fierce Ketum\u0101n, Ugra, Sogra, Vyagra, Mah\u0101sura, Pushkara,\nPushkala, Sayoshya, Aswapati, Pralh\u0101da, Aswasir\u0101, Kumbha, Sanghr\u0101da,\nGaganapriya, Amihr\u0101da, Hari, Hara, Var\u0101ha, Sankara, Ruja, Sharabha,\nSalabha, Kupana, Kopana, Kratha, Vrihatkirti, Mah\u0101gihva, Sankukarna,\nMah\u0101swana, Dirghajlbha, Arkanayana, Mriduch\u0101pa, Mriduprya, V\u0101yu,\nGarishtha, Namuchi, Saruvara, Vijvara Mah\u0101n, Chakrahanta, Krodhahant\u0101,\nKrodhavardhana, K\u0101laka, K\u0101lakeya, Vritta, Krodha, Virochana, Garishtha,\nVaristha, Pralamva, Naraka, Indrat\u0101pana, V\u0101t\u0101pi, Valadarpita, Ketum\u0101n,\nAsiloma, Pulom\u0101, V\u0101shkala, Pramada, Mada, Vaishika, K\u0101lavadana, K\u0101rala,\nKoushika, Shara, Ek\u0101ksha, Chadrah\u0101, Rahu, Sanh\u0101r\u0101shwa, Mahiswan,\nShataghni, Chakrahasta, Parighap\u0101ni, demons with Ashma and Vindip\u0101la\nweapons in their hands, with those maces and mortars in their hands,\nthose with Parashwa weapon, maces, clubs spikes and various other\nweapons in their hands, those assuming various dreadful forms, those\nassuming the forms of tortoise and fowl, the faces of hares, asses,\ncamels, boars, dreadful Makaras, jackals, mice, frogs leopards, cats,\nelephants, crocodiles, lambs, hogs, kine, buffaloes, Godhas, deer,\nGaruda, those having faces like swords and peacocks, those having\narmours made of the skin of elephants, some wearing antelope skin, some\ncovering their bodies with barks, some wearing head-dresses, some\nwearing crowns, some wearing Asura ear-rings, some wearing Kiritins,\nsome with long tufts of hair, some with conch-like necks\u2014thus a\nnumberless Daityas, wearing various dresses, adorned with diverse\ngarlands and taking up their burning weapons, surrounded on all sides\nthe powerful Hrishikesha (81-98). Assuming a highly dreadful form and\ngrinding them all with his hands and feet the Lord immediately freed the\nearth of the demons (99). When he placed his foot-step on the earth, the\nsun, and the moon remained on his breast, and when he placed his\nfoot-step in the sky they lay in his navel (100). And when he placed his\nfoot-step on a better place (than all these) they lay on the knees of\nthe highly powerful Vishnu. This has been related by the twice-born ones\n(101). Having thus slain all the leading Asuras the Lord Vishnu, the\nforemost of all the gods, saved the earth and conferred the celestial\nkingdom on the king of gods (102). Thus have I described the dwarf\nincarnation of the Great Vishnu. The Br\u0101hmanas, well-read in the Vedas,\ndescribe it as the glorious conduct of Vishnu (103).\n\nThe Great Vishnu, the soul of all, next incarnated himself as the highly\nforgiving Datt\u0101treya. When the gods disappeared, the religious works,\nsacrifices and the four castes suffered deterioration, when truth was\nlost and untruth flourished, when all the creatures were about to\nperish, when virtue was on the verge of extinction the Lord\nre-established the four Vedas with sacrifices as well as the four castes\n(104-107). The boon-giving, intelligent Datt\u0101treya conferred a boon on\nthe Haihaya king K\u0101rtavirya, saying:\u2013\"O king, these your two arms, by\nthe power of my boon, shall be thousand-fold. O lord of the earth, you\nwill rule over the entire earth and be conversant with virtue. Your\nenemies shall not be able to look at you\" (108-110). O slayer of\nenemies, O emperor, as heard by me, I have described to you the most\nwonderful and auspicious incarnation of Vishnu. The Great Lord next\nincarnated himself as J\u0101madagni (111). In this incarnation R\u0101ma killed\nin battle Arjuna in the midst of his irrepressible army who were filled\nwith wonder at his thousand arms (112). Having brought the king Arjuna\non earth from his car and assailed that king roaring like clouds with\nall his kinsmen, Bhrigu\u2019s son R\u0101ma chopped off his thousand arms with\nhis sword (113-114). The earth, adorned with the mountains Meru and\nMandara, contained _Kotis_ of Kshatryas. He divested the earth of the\nKshatryas for twenty one times (115). Having divested the earth of the\nKshatriyas the great ascetic son of Bhrigu undertook the celebration of\na horse-sacrifice for the expiation of all his sins (116). In that\nsacrifice consisting of profuse gifts Bhrigu\u2019s son, with great delight,\nmade a gift of the earth to Marichi\u2019s son Kashyapa (117). In that horse\nsacrifice the highly liberal and illustrious R\u0101ma, the foremost of\ncar-warriors, made presents of quick-coursing horses, cars, endless\ngold, kine and elephants (118). Even now practising hard austerities,\nBhrigu\u2019s son, effulgent like a celestial, is living on the most\nexcellent mountain Mahendra (119). This is the account of the J\u0101madagni\nincarnation of the great and intelligent Vishnu, the foremost of gods,\nbearing the mystic mark of Srivatsa on his breast (120).\n\nIn the twenty fourth Yuga, sending Visw\u0101mitra before him and dividing\nhimself into four parts the mighty-armed Lord Isvara became celebrated\nin the world as the king Dasaratha\u2019s son R\u0101ma. He had eyes like lotuses\nand was effulgent like the sun (121-122). For extending his favour to\nthe world, for destroying the R\u0101kshasas and increasing virtue the highly\nillustrious Lord was thus born (123). The sages designate that king of\nmen as the body of the masters of Bhutas. Viswamitra instructed that\nintelligent one in the use of various weapons for the destruction of the\nenemies of the gods who were irrepressible even unto them and who put\nobstacles in the sacrifices of the self-controlled ascetics. On their\nbehalf that high-souled (prince) the foremost of the strong killed the\ntwo Rakshasas (M\u0101richi and Suv\u0101hu) (124\u2013126). Formerly in the sacrifice\nof the high-souled Janaka, he, easily out of sport, snapped the bow of\nHara (127). Living in the forest for fourteen years in the company of\nLakshmana R\u0101ghava, ever engaged in the well-being of all creatures and\nconversant with all the forms of religion, carried on austerities for\nfourteen years (128). The beautiful Sit\u0101, well-known in the world used\nto remain by his side always. She was the Lakshmi known before and\nfollowed her husband (129). Living in Janasth\u0101na he accomplished the\nwork of the gods. R\u0101ghava practised these hard penances for fourteen\nyears. Lakshmana followed the foot-steps of Sita and remained there as\nhis servant (130). There were two R\u0101kshasas, Vir\u0101dha and Kavandha of\ndreadful prowess. They became so by the imprecation of a Gandharva.\nDischarging at them burning arrows effulgent like the fire, the rays of\nthe sun or lightning, strong as the thunder-bolt of Indra, and the\nfeathers whereof were made of gold R\u0101ma killed them both (131-132). On\nbehalf of Sugriva the highly-powerful R\u0101ma killed Bali in battle and\ninstalled Sugriva on the throne (133). The gods, the Asuras, the\nRakshasas and the Pisacas were not capable of slaying R\u0101vana. He was\ndifficult of being vanquished by any in the battle-field. R\u0101vana, having\nthe hue of a collection of red collyrium, had millions of R\u0101kshasas as\nhis guards. The three worlds were terrorized by him. He was invincible,\nirrepressible, proud and powerful like a tiger. Even the celestials\ncould not look at him and he was elated with pride on account of the\nboon. He, assisted by his ministers, killed in battle this highly\npowerful and huge bodied R\u0101vana, the king of Rakshasas, resembling a\nmassive cloud, along with his army (134-137). In the days of yore, R\u0101ma\nkilled R\u0101vana the son of Pulastya, with his brothers, sons, ministers\nand army, who was a confirmed villain, committed a great iniquity and\nwas invincible in battle. Madhu\u2019s son the great Asura Lavana, a heroic\nD\u0101nava, who was elated with pride on account of the boon (conferred on\nhim), was killed in battle in the forest of Madhu, by R\u0101ma, who was an\nexpert in battle. Other R\u0101kshasas were also slain by him (138-140).\nHaving performed these feats R\u0101ma, the foremost of the pious, collected\ncontinually materials for the celebration of ten horse sacrifices (141).\nDuring R\u0101ma\u2019s regeme, not a single inauspicious sound was heard, hostile\nwinds did not blow and no body lost his property (142). No widows\nbewailed, nobody met with misfortune and the whole world\u00b9\u2074\u00b2 enjoyed\npeace during R\u0101ma\u2019s rule (143). Creatures had no fear from the\nobstruction of water and air and the aged people had not to perform the\nobsequial rites of the boys (144). The Kshatriyas used to serve the\nBr\u0101hmanas, the Vaisyas used to follow the Kshatriyas, and the Sudras,\ndivested of pride, used to serve the three superior castes. The women\nnever disregarded their husbands, and the husbands never ill-treated\ntheir wives. The whole world was in peace, and freed from robbers. R\u0101ma\nalone was the lord and protector of all (145\u2013146). During R\u0101ma\u2019s rule\npeople lived for a thousand years and had a thousand sons and no\ncreature suffered from any disease (147). During Rama\u2019s rule, the gods,\nthe Rishis and men assembled together in the world (148). Persons,\nwell-read in the Puranas who consider R\u0101ma as the source of all truths,\nhave sung this hymn in honor of that intelligent one (149). \"Ratha, the\nking of Ayodhy\u0101, had a green hue, black eyes, nectarine speech, a\nshining face, arms extending up to the knees, a beautiful countenance\nand leonine shoulders\". He ruled for eleven thousand years. In the\nkingdom of that high-souled king were continually heard the chanting of\nthe Rig, Yajush and Sama Vedas, the twang of bows and the utterances\n\"make gifts and eat\" (150\u2013152). The energetic and accomplished son of\nDasaratha, R\u0101ma, shining in his own effulgence, surpassed even the sun\nin his lustre (153). Having celebrated hundreds of holy sacrifices with\nperfect and most excellent gifts the highly powerful Raghava left\nAyodhya and repaired to the celestial region (154). Having thus brought\nabout the destruction of R\u0101vana with all his kinsmen, the omniscient and\nmighty-armed R\u0101ma, the descendant of Iksh\u0101ku, returned to the region of\nthe celestials (155).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said;\u2014In the M\u0101thura Kalpa the high-souled Keshava, for\nthe behoof of mankind, went through this incarnation which I have been,\nat present, describing (156). In this incarnation the powerful lord slew\nSalwa, Mainda, Dwivida, Kansa, Aristha, Vrishabha, Keshi, the demoness\nPutan\u0101, the elephant Kuvalayapida, Ch\u0101nura, Musthi and other demons in\nhuman forms (157-158). By Him of wonderful deeds the thousand arms of\nV\u0101na were chopped off. The Asura, Naraka and highly powerful Yavana were\nslain by him, in battle (159). He carried away by force all the jewels\nof the kings. And all the wicked kings of the earth were slain, by him\n(160). After the expiration of the ninth incarnation of the Dwapara Yuga\nincluded within the eighteenth Mah\u0101yuga, the lord Vishnu, having sent\nbeforehand J\u0101tukarna, took his birth as Veda-Vyasa\u00b9\u2074\u00b3 (161). The one\nVeda was divided into four by that high-souled one. This Vyasa, the son\nof Satyavati,\u00b9\u2074\u2074 procreated the race of Bharatas (162).\n\nO king these incarnations, of the Lord, undertaken for the behoof of\nmankind, have been described. I shall now present an account of the\nfuture incarnations (163). The Lord again, for the well-being of\nmankind, will appear as Kalki in the house of a Br\u0101hmana by name\nVishnuyashas in the village of Sambhala (164). After the expiration of\nthe tenth incarnation He will send Yajnavalka before Him and then engage\nin a discussion with the followers of Buddhism, who believe in the\ntranscient science, who always praise the present and speak ill of the\nsacrifices. After defeating them he will disappear at the confluence of\nthe Ganges and Yamuna with his followers. When all the families will be\nruined, when all the kings, with their ministers and soldiers will be\ndestroyed there will be none to look after the people. When they will\nall be killed by internal dessensions and when their riches will be\npilfered by one another, they will begin to weep, being stricken with\ngrief. Thus assailed by misfortune at the end of the Kaliyuga all the\ncreatures will meet with destruction along with the Yuga itself\n(165\u2013168).\n\nAfter the termination of the Kali Yuga the Satya Yuga will again appear\nin due order. This is the outcome of the natural sequence and there can\nno perversion of it (169). These and various other celestial\nincarnations, consisting of gods, have been recorded in the Puranas by\nthe Rishis conversant with the knowledge of Brahman (170). I have only\ngiven an outline of the incarnations of the Lord the preceptor of all\nthe worlds, by the chanting of which even the gods are charmed and in\nwhich exist all the Srutis and Puranas (171-172). The ancestral manes of\nthe person are delighted who, with folded palms, listens to or recites\nthe incarnations of Vishnu of unlimited power. If a man listens to the\nillusive sports of this Lord of Yoga he is freed from all his sins and\nacquires, by the favour of the Lord, virtue, prosperity, ascetic wealth\nand various objects of enjoyment (173-174).\n\n  \u00b9\u00b2\u00b3 A food for gods.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b2\u2074 A priest.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b2\u2075 A kind of food.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b2\u2076 A winnowing basket.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b2\u2077 A wooden pestle used for cleaning rice.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b2\u2078 Offering of oblation.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b2\u2079 Members of a sacrifice.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b3\u2070 A house for the assembly of priests.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b3\u00b9 A ladle or spoon.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b3\u00b2 The room opposite to that which contains the materials for an\n      oblation and in which the family and friends of the sacrificer\n      assemble.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b3\u00b3 A level square piece of ground made of bricks prepared for a\n      sacrifice.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b3\u2074 The same as the previous footnote\n\n  \u00b9\u00b3\u2075 A portion of fire.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b3\u2076 Gayatri and other metrical verses.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b3\u2077 Fire\n\n  \u00b9\u00b3\u2078 A name of fire.\n\n  \u00b9\u00b3\u2079 A name of fire.\n\n  \u00b9\u2074\u2070 A name of fire. Other words have been explained in previous notes.\n\n  \u00b9\u2074\u00b9 This refers to His _Rajasik_ form or the form partaking of the\n      quality of darkness.\n\n  \u00b9\u2074\u00b2 By the word _world_ the author evidently means the whole of Rama\u2019s\n      dominion which extended over the entire northern and southern\n      India and even the far-off Ceylon. It is frequently seen in\n      Sanskrit works that the word _world_ is generally put for _whole\n      of India_.\n\n  \u00b9\u2074\u00b3 The Vedas are the earliest work on our theology. According to the\n      tradition they were coeval with creation which had itself taken\n      place according to the laws of a pre-existing Veda. They were\n      however scattered; some legends state they were lost; and it was\n      not till after many years that a Rishi or sage arranged them and\n      gave them the form in which they are known. These are Rik, Yajush,\n      Saman and Atharvan. The Rig-Veda, from the radical rich to laud,\n      is intended to be read on occasions when encomiastic prayers and\n      hymns to the elemental deities are prescribed, by the law; the\n      Yajush relates chiefly to oblations and sacrifices and contains\n      prayers adapted for certain rites to be performed at the full and\n      change of the moon and hymns and directions character to be\n      recited with melody; and the Atharva Veda, which is considered to\n      be of a late date, consists of various hymns and incantations, the\n      greater part of which are intended for the destruction and\n      perdition of enemies. This arrangement procured to the editor the\n      name of Vyasa or arranger.\n\n  \u00b9\u2074\u2074 Satyavati was the daughter of a Apsara in the form of a fish. She\n      passed into the hands of a fisherman. A Rishi, Parasara by name,\n      grew amorous on seeing her. He knew her and in time she gave birth\n      to a son on an island in the Yamuna. This son is Vyasa. See\n      Mahabharata, Adi Parva chapter LXIII.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLII. VISHNU\u2019S APPEARANCE.\n\n\nVaishampayana said;\u2014Listen, O king, duly to the dignity of Vishnu as\nViswa (the lord of protection) to that of Hari in the Satya Yuga, to\nthat of Vaikunta amongst the gods, to that of Krishna amongst men, to\nthat of Iswara, and to the motive of his various actions past and future\n(1\u20132). Although invisible the lord assumed forms (at various periods).\nNar\u0101yana is the cause of all creations and is eternal (3). This N\u0101r\u0101yana\nassumed the form of Hari in the Krita Yuga. Brahm\u0101, Indra, the moon,\nDharma, Sukra and Vrihaspati are all the forms of N\u0101r\u0101yana (4). Yadu\u2019s\nson Vishnu became the son of Aditi and passed by the name of king\nIndr\u0101varaja (5). For encompassing the destruction of the Daityas,\nD\u0101navas and R\u0101kshasas, the enemies of the celestials, N\u0101r\u0101yana, out of\nfavour, became the son of Aditi (6). This Supreme Soul created Brahm\u0101 in\nthe days of yore. And that Prime Purusha, in the first Kalpa, created\nall the Praj\u0101patis (7). They, assuming various forms, became the\nfounders of many most excellent Br\u0101hmana families. From these\nhigh-souled ones emanated, the eternal Veda\u00b9\u2074\u2075 consisting of various\nbranches (8). I have thus recounted the names of the wonderful Vishnu.\nNow hear from me the subject that is worthy of being recounted (9).\nAfter the Asura Vitra had been slain and even when Satya Yuga was not\nover there took, place the world-renowned war with T\u0101raka (10). Being\nelated with success in war and assisted by the Gandharvas, Yakshas,\nUragas, and R\u0101kshasas the dreadful D\u0101navas engaged in an onslaught of\nthe gods, (11). When all the weapons were destroyed in battle, they were\nabout to be killed by the D\u0101navas. Accordingly being baffled they sought\nrefuge with the omniscient, Lord N\u0101r\u0101yana, the God of protection (12).\nIn the meantime were heard the dreadful mutterings of clouds pouring,\nshowers of embers that covered the sky with, the-sun, moon and planets\nand that were accompanied by lightnings. And seven kinds of wind were\ndriven against one another (13\u201314). Assailed by boiling water currents,\nthe fall of lightnings and the winds, endued with the velocity of\nlightnings, and as if being consumed by them the earth began to emit\nterrible sounds. Thousands of fire-brands fell down from the sky. Cars\nbegan to fall down and go up. Beholding those portends the people were\nstricken with fear as they become at the termination of the four Yugas\n(15\u201317). The whole world was enveloped with darkness and nothing was\nvisible. The ten cardinal points, being covered with darkness, did not\nbecame visible (18). It appeared as if the incarnate form of the night\nof the dark half of the month was veiled by the cloud of dissolution.\nThe sun being overclouded the whole sky was enveloped with darkness\n(19). Dispersing these clouds together with darkness the Divine\nblack-hued Hari displayed his celestial form (20). His body was\ndark-hued like a cloud and his hairs were black like collyrium. In his\ndark form Krishna appeared like a dark mountain (21). He put on a\nburning yellow raiment and was bedecked with gold. It appeared as if a\nbody, enveloped with the darkness of smoke, arose like the fire of\ndissolution (22). His shoulders had grown eightfold, his heads were\ncovered with head-gears and his fists were adorned with golden weapons\n(23). His hand was delighted with a sword by name Nandaka which was\nimmoveable like a mountain stricken with the rays of the sun and the\nmoon and which was tied to a waist-cloth of the hue of Menas stone. The\narrows were like the serpents (24). He held mace, thunderbolt, a\nploughshare, a conch, a discus and a club in his hands. Vishnu was like\na mountain of which the base was forgiveness and the tree was Sree. He\nheld the Sranga bow in his hand. He was seated on a car to which were\nyoked yellow-hued horses, on which were hoisted flags having the emblem\nof Garuda painted on them, which had the effulgence of the moon, had\nbeautiful wheels, of which Mandara mountain was the axle, and the\nserpent Ananta was the rein. It had Meru and Kuvera on it, was filled\nwith stars and planets and adorned with variegated flowers. That lord of\ngods, who always gives protection, was seen seated in the sky on an\neffulgent celestial car by the gods defeated by the Daityas at a time\nwhen they were stricken with fear (25\u201328). All the gods, headed by\nIndra, at first sent up a shout of exclamation and then sought refuge\nwith the lord to whom all resort for shelter (29). Hearing this loud\nexclamation the kind Deity Vishnu made up his mind for destroying the\ngods in that great encounter (30). Stationed in the pure sky, Vishnu,\nthat foremost of gods, promised to the celestials, saying, \"O ye Maruts,\nmay you fare well, do not fear. Be at ease. I have defeated the D\u0101navas.\nDo ye take back the three worlds.\" Thus welcomed by the words of the\ntruthful Hari the gods attained to that supreme delight which they\nenjoyed when they obtained ambrosia out of the ocean (31\u201333).\n\nThereupon the darkness was removed and the cranes emitted cries.\nAuspicious winds blew and the ten directions were cleared up. Shinning\nstars began to circumambulate the moon, and other luminous bodies began\nto move round the sun. The planets did not oppose one another and all\nthe rivers grew delightful. Etherial and celestial roads appeared\nbeautiful (34\u201336). The rivers began to flow quietly and the oceans did\nnot suffer any agitation. The internal organs of men worked well (37).\nThe great saints were shorn of grief and began to chant the Vedic hymns.\nHearing the promise of the Lord that he would slay all the enemies in\nbattle the fire began to eat sweet and nourishing oblations. Sacrifices\nwere duly undertaken and the minds of men were delighted (38\u201336).\n\n  \u00b9\u2074\u2075 The Hindus have received their religion through revelation, the\n      Vedas. They hold that the Vedas are without beginning and end. It\n      may sound ludicrous how a book can be, without beginning or end.\n      But by the Vedas no books are meant. They mean the accumulated\n      treasury of spiritual laws discovered by different persons in\n      different times. Just as the law of gravitation existed before its\n      discovery land would exist if all humanity forgot it, so with the\n      laws that govern the spiritual world. The moral, ethical and\n      spiritual relation between souls and souls and between individual\n      spirits and the Father all spirits were there before their\n      discovery and would remain even if we forget them. The discoverers\n      of these laws are called Rishis and they are honored by the\n      Hindus.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLIII. THE PREPARATION OF THE DANAVAS FOR THE BATTLE.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014O sinless one, thereupon, hearing of the fear from\nVishnu, the Daityas and D\u0101navas, irrepressible in battle, began to make\npreparations for war on a great scale (1). Being desirous of a battle\nthe D\u0101nava Maya ascended a golden car as the sun rises over the mount\nMeru. It had four strong wheels twelve hundred cubits in circumference,\ncould go anywhere, contained many huge weapons, was filled with the\ntinkling of small bells, was matted with leopard skins, adorned with\njewels and gold, artificial figures of animals and various collections\nof birds, contained many celestial weapons and quivers, had the sound\nlike the muttering of clouds, had beautiful axles, was the best of the\nmost excellent cars, was filled with beautiful nests, and mountain-like\nclubs. It was huge like the very ocean itself, and its joints were\nadorned with golden Keyuras and bracelets. Its poles were made of gold\nand it was adorned with huge pennons and flags. It looked like the mount\nMand\u0101ra when the sun rises over it, like the prince of elephants and the\nocean. It contained thousands of bears and the sound of its wheels was\nlike the roaring of the ocean. It was effulgent, could course in the sky\nand strike the cars of the enemies. The D\u0101nava T\u0101ra got upon a most\nexcellent iron car. It was two miles in dimension, was huge like a\ncollection of mountains, was black like red collyrium and was made of\nstrong and well seasoned iron. It had eight wheels, axles and poles and\nwas dark like an ember. Its sound was like the roaring of an ocean and\nits windows were covered with iron nets. It contained iron Parighas,\nKshepanyas, clubs, Pr\u0101sas, maces, various other wooden weapons, Tomaras\nand Parashwadas. It was a dread to the enemies and was drawn by a\nthousand of mules huge like the mount Mandara. On its flag there was an\nemblem of a crow (2-12). Being highly enraged and taking up a club\nVirochana stood before the army like a mountain with shining summits\n(13). The D\u0101nava Hayagriva, the repressor of the hostile armies, began\nto drive a car drawn by a thousand steeds (14). Stretching his huge bow,\nmany thousand cubits in dimension, the D\u0101nava V\u0101raha stood before the\narmy like a fig tree covered with its branches (15), Shedding tears of\nanger out of haughtiness and with his lips and teeth trembling the\nD\u0101nava Khara stood for the battle (16). Ascending a car drawn by twelve\nhorses and surrounded by D\u0101nava Vyuhas the energetic Aristha began to\nmove about in the battle-field (17). Adorned with golden ear-rings,\nViprachitti\u2019s son Swet\u0101 stood before the battle-field like a white\nmountain (18). Armed with most excellent weapons made of stone and being\ntired thereby Bati\u2019s son Aristha stood there for battle like a mountain\n(19). A D\u0101nava, by name Kishora, resembling a young charger in pride,\nappeared like the sun in the midst of the Daitya army (20). Being\ndressed with a long raiment resembling a cloud the D\u0101nava Lamva appeared\nin the midst of the Daitya Vyuhas\u00b9\u2074\u2076 like the sun possessed by R\u0101hu\u00b9\u2074\u2077\n(21). Taking up weapons in the shape of teeth, lips and eyes the\nhuge-bodied and terrible warrior Sharbh\u0101nu smilingly stood before the\nDaityas (22). Some shone on the horses and others on the elephants. Some\nsat on the lions and tigers and others on boars and bears (23). Some\nrode the asses and camels and others rode the clouds. And others rode on\nvarious birds and some the winds\u00b9\u2074\u2078 (24). Other Daitya proceeded on\nfoot. Some Daityas, with dreadful faces, some with one foot and some\nwith two feet began to dance for battle (25). Some began to strike their\narms. Thus the leading D\u0101navas began to roar there like proud tigers\n(26). The Daityas, expert in the use of bows, began to assail the gods\nwith fierce clubs, Parighas and their Parigha-like arms (27). And\nsporting with maces, Pr\u0101shas, clubs hooks, swords, Sataghnies, sharpened\ndaggers, excellent iron Parighas and discuses they delighted the\nsoldiers (28\u201329). The D\u0101navas, irrepressible in battle, desired for\nvictory. Thus the D\u0101navas, proud of their various weapons, confronted\nthe gods like rising clouds (30). That Daitya army, consisting of\nthousands of D\u0101navas, resembling the air, the fire, the cloud and the\nmountain and filled with war-like speed and advancement, was maddened\nwith desire for battle (31).\n\n  \u00b9\u2074\u2076 The arrangement of troops in various positions, as the array in\n      line, that in column, that in circle, and that in mixed order.\n\n  \u00b9\u2074\u2077 This is the mythological account of the solar eclipse.\n\n  \u00b9\u2074\u2078 _i.e._ were fleet like the wind.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLIV. ARRANGEMENT OF THE CELESTIAL ARMY.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014O my child, you have thus heard of the arrangement\nof the Daitya army in the war between the gods and demons. Hear, now of\nan account of the arrangement of the army of the gods as well as that of\nVishnu\u2019s army (1). The Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras and the two highly\npowerful Aswinis took charge of their respective soldiers and\nattendants. The commander of the whole celestial army, the thousand-eyed\nPatriarch P\u0101kash\u0101na sat on his elephant Airavata in front (of the army).\nOn his left was kept in readiness a car, quick coursing like Garuda,\nwith beautiful wheels and adorned with gold and diamonds (2-4).\nThousands of gods and Gandharvas and Yakshas followed him. And the\neffulgent Br\u0101hmana saints, members of his court, began to chant his\nglories (5). Protected by Val\u0101hakas, carrying weapons, accompanied by\nlightnings produced by the hurling of Indra\u2019s thunder-bolt and\nresembling mountains moving about at will, the Divine Maghav\u0101n began to\nproceed on his elephant. The Vipras, who live at a place where Havi is\nkept in Soma\u2019s sacrifice, sing his glories (6-7). When the king of gods\nrepaired to the celestial region bugles were sounded. Thousands of\nApsaras began to dance before him (8). As the sun shines, protected by\nKetu, born in his own family so that chariot, protected by M\u0101tali,\u00b9\u2074\u2079\nappeared beautiful. That car, drawn by a thousand horses, was fleet like\nthe mind or the air. It appeared as if the mount Meru was enveloped with\nthe rays of the sun (9-10). Raising up his rod and mace and terrifying\nthe Daityas Yama stood in the midst of the celestial army (11). Varuna,\nwith the mace in his hand, also stood there in the midst of the army of\ngods. He was surrounded by four oceans and Pannagas. His person was full\nof water and he was adorned with conch, jems and Angadas.\u00b9\u2075\u2070 He always\nused to roam with the noose of K\u0101la in his hand. He made thousands of\nsports with the horses resembling the rays of the moon and waves\nagitated by the wind. His raiment was black and he put on beautiful\nAngadas made of corals. His person had the hue of sapphire and a\nnecklace hung round his neck. He stood there in expectation of the\nbattle as the ocean becomes agitated when it is separated from its bank\n(12\u201315). Kuvera, having a body dark-blue like sapphire, and men to carry\nhim, was seen there along with the Yakshas, R\u0101kshasas and Guhyakas (16).\nThat lord of riches, that king of kings, was armed with conch, Padma\u00b9\u2075\u00b9\nand a club (17). That graceful king of riches\u00b9\u2075\u00b2 was stationed in his\ncar Pushpaka. That king of kings, that friend of Siva, that lord having\nmen to carry him, appeared there for battle like the very Siva himself\n(18). The thousand-eyed Indra protected the eastern wing of the\ncelestial army, Yama, the king of the ancestral manes, protected the\nsouthern wing, Varuna, the western wing and Kuvera, the northern wing\n(19). The four Regents of the quarters, dreadful in battle, protected\nthe four sides of the celestial army and kept a vigilant watch over\ntheir respective quarters. (20). The sun shone there burning in his own\neffulgent rays, on his car, drawn by seven horses that course in the\nwelkin (21), Shining in his own effulgence of thousand rays, and\nascending the car in which he, conferring heat on all the eternal\nregions, goes to the rising and setting mountains, the _Dw\u0101dash\u0101tma_\u00b9\u2075\u00b3\nlord of rays began to move about in the midst of the celestials (23\u201324).\nDelighting the universe with his cool and watery rays the moon, of cool\nrays, shone on his car drawn by white horses (24). The Danavas saw, in\nthe battle-field, Soma, of cool rays who is the presiding deity of the\nBr\u0101hmanas, is encircled by the stars, whose body is marked by the shadow\nof the earth, who dispells the nocturnal darkness, who is the lord of\nall luminous bodies in the sky, who is the source of all the juices, who\nis the lord and protector of all the plants, who is the source of\nnectar, who is the first source of food to the world, who is identical\nwith gentle and cool juice and who distributes dews (25\u201327). Being\nexcited by his own energy and joined by the cloud Vayu, the life of all\ncreatures, began to blow there in contrary directions and assail the\nDaityas. He is the life of all creatures and lives in man as five vital\nairs; and being divided into seven it is sustaining the three worlds\nconsisting of mobile and immobile creations. People call him the\ncharioteer of fire and he is the cause and, lord of all. The source of\nhis origin is the seven musical notes which are used in singing. He is\ncalled the most excellent element and is bodiless. He courses in the\nsky, goes very quickly and has sound for his origin (28\u201339). The Maruts,\naccompanied by the Devas, Gandharvas and Vidyadharas, began to sport\nthere with unsheathed swords white as the serpents (32). Pouring, in\nanger, deadly venom the leading serpents became as it were the arrows of\nthe gods, and began, with their mouths open, to range in the sky (33).\nAll the mountains appeared before the gods to grind the D\u0101navas with\ntheir rocky summits and with trees consisting of hundreds of branches\n(34). The highly illustrious and intelligent lord Hari, the holder of\ndiscus and mace, who is the lotus-navelled Hrishikesha of three\nfoot-steps, who is highly effulgent like the fire of dissolution, who is\nthe master of the universe, who is Madhusudana, born from the ocean, who\nfeeds on Havya and is honored by sacrifies, who is identical with earth,\nwater and ether, who is at one with the elements, who gives peace and\nequanimity of mind, who destroys his enemies, who is the source and seed\nof the universe, who is the preceptor of the world and who has the\nemblem of Garuda on his flag, took up, in the midst of the celestial\narmy, his enemy-killing discus, effulgent like the rising fire in the\nrising solar disc, the maces Vrihati and Mahati, that kill all the\nAsuras, in his left hand, the bow Sranga and other burning weapons in\nhis remaining hands. The Lord Hari rode that huge-bodied younger brother\nof Aruna, the foremost of birds, Suparna, who was the best of the twice\nborn living on serpents, who was the son of Kashyapa, who was superior\neven to the wind in fleetness, who used to agitate the sky, who had big\nserpents hanging from his mouth, who was huge like the mount Mandara\nthat was set free after the churning of the ocean for ambrosia, who\ndisplayed his prowess hundreds of times in the encounter between the\ngods and demons, whose body was marked with thunder-bolt by the king of\ngods for ambrosia, who had tufts of down, who was adorned with shining\near-rings, who had a raiment of variegated feathers, who was huge like a\nmountain consisting of metals and who had on his spacious breast\nserpents of moon-like lustre shining with brilliant jems. He remained\neasily in the sky with his two beautifully painted wings like two clouds\nwith rain-bow at the time of the universal dissolution. He was dreadful\nin the enemy\u2019s camp adorned with red, dark and yellow flags. The gods\nfollowed him in battle. The great ascetics sang the glories of Gad\u0101dhara\nwith excellent hymns (35\u201348). Assisted by Kuvera, headed by Vivaswan\u2019s\nson Yama, encircled by Varuna the king of water, presided over by the\nking of gods, beautified by the rays of the moon, strengthened by the\nwar-like gods, accompanied by the sounds of the wind, rendered brilliant\nby fire, and enveloped with Jishnu, Prahishnu, Bhr\u0101jishnu, and Vishnu\nenergies the celestial army stood wonderfully for the battle. Angiras\nprayed for the well-being of the gods and Sukra, the preceptor of the\nDaityas, prayed for their well-being (49\u201352).\n\n  \u00b9\u2074\u2079 The charioteer of Indra.\n\n  \u00b9\u2075\u2070 A kind of ornament for the Arms.\n\n  \u00b9\u2075\u00b9 One of Kuvera\u2019s treasures or jems.\n\n  \u00b9\u2075\u00b2 The word in the text is _Nidhipati_ a name of Kuvera. _Nidhi_\n      means divine treasures nine of which are enumerated, _viz._, the\n      Padma, Mahapadma, Sankha, Makara, Kachchpa, Mukunda, Nanda, Nila\n      and Kharba: their nature is not exactly defined though some of\n      them appear to be precious jems; according to the Tankrik system,\n      they are personified and worshipped as demigods attendant either\n      upon Kuvera or upon Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity.\n\n  \u00b9\u2075\u00b3 An appellation of the sun. _Dwadasha_, twelve and _Atman_ means\n      identity; being represented in and identified with the twelve\n      _Adityas_ or the sun in each month of the year.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLV. THE FIGHT BETWEEN THE GODS AND DEMONS.\n\n\nThereupon there took place a terrible encounter between the armies of\nthe gods and demons desirous of vanquishing each other (1). Armed with\nvarious weapons the D\u0101navas fought with the gods as if the mountains\nwere fighting with the mountains (2). Thus there took place a wonderful\nencounter between the gods and demons, with fairness and unfairness,\nhumility and pride (3). Then there fell on all sides from the sky cars\ndrawn by quick-coursing horses, and soldiers with swords in their hands.\nMaces were scattered all over. With these and arrows, full drawn bows\nand clubs that war, of the gods and demons, grew exceedingly terrible.\nIt created terror all over the world and assumed a dreadful form like\nthe whirling clouds at the hour of the universal dissolution (4\u20136).\nThrowing with their hands Parighas and stones the D\u0101navas began to\nassail Indra and the other gods in battle (7). In that great encounter\nthe gods were greatly assailed by the highly powerful D\u0101navas with whom\nappeared all the signs of success and their (faces) grew pale. They were\ngrinded by the network of weapons of Diti\u2019s sons; their heads were cut\noff by their Parighas, their bodies were mutilated and the wounds made\ncopious discharges of blood (8). Being fettered by the nooses of the\nDanavas, wounded by their arrows and possessed by the illusions of their\nwomen the gods stood motionless (10). They were stupified and showed no\nsigns of life. The Asuras made the celestial army inert so that they\ncould not use their weapons (11).\n\nThrowing away the nooses of illusion of the D\u0101navas, withstanding and\ncutting off their arrows with his thunder-bolt the thousand-eyed king of\ngods entered into the dreadful army of the D\u0101navas (12). Having slain\nall the Daityas who were stationed in front with his dark weapons he\ncovered the entire demon-army with darkness. Being thus enshrouded with\ndarkness through the energy of the king of gods they could not make any\ndistinction between the gods and demons. Thereupon being freed from the\nnooses of illusion and being very careful the gods began to slay the\nD\u0101navas who were overpowered with darkness. Thereat being assailed,\nbereft of consciousness and dark-hued on account of the darkness, the\nD\u0101navas began to fall down like mountains having their wings cut off\n(13\u201316). Then the palace, of the king of D\u0101navas, consisting of\ncloud-like demons and resembling an ocean stricken with darkness,\nappeared as the very form of darkness itself (17). Thereupon consuming\nthat illusion of darkness the D\u0101nava Maya created a highly dreadful\nillusion of forest-fire resembling the fire of dissolution. When that\nillusion, created by Maya, destroyed all darkness, the Daityas, assuming\nforms, effulgent like the sun, again appeared in that battle-field\n(18-19).\n\nBeing consumed by the illusory forest-fire the gods appeared before Soma\nlying on the dews. Having their lustre destroyed by the forest-fire and\nbeen consumed thereby the gods, stricken with grief and seeking refuge,\ncommunicated it to their king the holder of thunder-bolt. When the\ncelestial soldiers were assailed by the illusion of Maya and consumed by\nthe D\u0101navas, Varuna, commanded by the king of gods, thus said (20\u201322).\n\nVaruna said:\u2014O king of gods, in the days of yore, the energetic Urva,\nthe son of the Br\u0101hmana saint Bhrigu, adorned with accomplishments like\nthose of Brahm\u0101, practised hard austerities. Like the eternal sun he\nassailed the whole world with his penances. The Br\u0101hmana saints, with\nthe gods and ascetics, appeared before him (23\u201324). The D\u0101nava-king\nHiranyakasipu communicated it to that highly energetic Rishi (25). The\nBr\u0101hmana saints then addressed to him the following sacred words; \"This\nfamily, of the Rishis, is about to be extinct now, since, you, being\nalone and having no issue, are not thinking of perpetuating your race.\nAdopting a life of celibacy you are practising these hard penances\n(26\u201327). Many familes of self-controlled Rishis, are on the verge of\nextinction on account of the absence of of any offspring. Only one body\nexists (28). If all these families disappear for want of descendants\nthere is no chance of their being multiplied. You are the foremost of\nascetics and are effulgent like Brahm\u0101 (29). Therefore think of\nmultiplying your race and you yourself multiply yourself. Devote your\ngreat energy and produce your second body (30).\"\n\nThus addressed by the Rishis and having his mind agitated that\nself-controlled ascetic blamed them and said (31).\n\n\"This had been laid down in the days of yore as the eternal duty of the\nMunis living in the forest on roots and following the religion of the\nAryans (32). The well-practised vow of celibacy of the Br\u0101hmanas, born\nfrom Brahm\u0101, agitated even Brahm\u0101 himself. To officiate as priests, to\nteach and to accept fees are the three-fold duties of the Br\u0101hmanas\nliving as house-holders. To live in the forest is our duty who,\n(observing the vow of celibacy) live in hermitage (33-34). Practising\nhard penances and giving preference to chastity in thought, words and\ndeeds, the Munis, living on water, those living on air, the\nDantolukhalikas,\u00b9\u2075\u2074 Ashmakuttas,\u00b9\u2075\u2075 Dashanap\u0101s,\u00b9\u2075\u2076 and Panchatap\u0101s,\u00b9\u2075\u2077\nattain to the most excellent state (35-96). Through this chastity in\nthought, words and deeds the Br\u0101hmanas attain to their Br\u0101hmanahood. The\nBrahmav\u0101dins, living in the most excellent region, have recorded this\n(37).\n\n\"Patience resides in Brahmacharyya,\u00b9\u2075\u2078 asceticism exists in\nBrahmacharyya and those Br\u0101hmanas, who practise it, attain to the\ncelestial region (38). Without Siddhi,\u00b9\u2075\u2079 there is no yoga, and without\nyoga there is no fame. There is no other glorious asceticism in this\nworld than Brahmacharyya (39). Having subdued the five elements and five\norgans of sense one should practise Brahmacharyya. What other greater\nTapas is there than Brahmacharyya (40)? The shaving of the hairs in the\nabsence of yoga which the Sanyasins are bound to practise, the\nobservance of the difficult (Chandr\u0101yana) vow (for pleasing the people)\nin the absence of determination (to go to the next world), the practice\nof religion in the absence of Brahmacharyya\u2014these three are designated\nas Dambha\u00b9\u2076\u2070 (41). When Brahm\u0101 created his mind-begotten progeny where\nhad he his wife and where was his co-habitation and where was the\nagitation of his mind (42)? You, self-controlled Rishis, have a great\nascetic energy. Therefore create your mind-born progeny by your\npatriarchal works (43). The ascetics should procreate progeny through\ntheir mind-born source. They should not marry and beget children on\ntheir wives (44). What you have said, being yourselves all pious men,\nabout the different religious practices, appears to me as thoroughly\nimmoral (45). By this my effulgent body consisting of soul and identical\nwith mind, I shall pro-create a son, begotten of my body, without\nespousing a wife (46). By the forest, regulations\u00b9\u2076\u00b9 I shall create, out\nof this body of mine, a second body capable of consuming the creatures\n(47).\"\n\nThereupon being engaged in Tapas and placing his thigh into the fire\nUrva began to churn an _Arani_,\u00b9\u2076\u00b2 capable of giving a son, with a\n_Darbha_.\u00b9\u2076\u00b3 Thereupon all on a sudden enveloped with flames there came\nout the fire in the shape of a son desirous of consuming the universe\n(48-49). Riving the thigh of Urva there came into being the all-ending\nand the wrathful fire Aurva as if desirous of consuming the three worlds\n(50).\n\nAs soon as he was born, he said to his father in burning words:\u2014\"O\nfather, I am stricken with hunger. Leave me, I shall eat up the whole\nworld (51)\". At that time yawning with flames that had gone up to the\ncelestial region the all-ending fire completely consumed the ten\nquarters and all the elements and thus increased itself (52). In the\nmeantime the Lord Brahm\u0101, the master of all creatures, went where that\nMuni begat that most excellent son (53). He saw there the worlds along\nwith the Rishis blazing up with the thigh-begotten fiery son of Urva and\nassailed by Aurva\u2019s fire of anger (54).\n\nThereupon honouring the Rishi Urva Brahm\u0101 said to him:\u2014\"Bear this energy\nof your son out of compassion for the world (55). O Vipra, I shall\nconfer upon this son of yours the most excellent virtue of patience. And\nI shall bestow on him the best of habitations and nectarine food. Hear\nthese my truthful words, O foremost of speakers\" (56).\n\nUrva said:\u2014\"Blessed I am. I have received a great favour since the Lord\nhas conferred a great grace on my child and given him this inclination\n(57). How will this my son, when he will attain to the desirable youth,\nacquire happiness on being honoured with Havyas? Where will be his house\nand what will be his food? What sort of food will you arrange for this\nhighly powerful one commensurate with his strength (58\u201359).\"\n\nBrahma said:\u2014This boy will live in the mouth of the ocean resembling\nthat of a mare. O Vipra, I am born of water, so his body will be made of\nwater (60). Always living on watery food I live in the water. I shall\ngive your son this food. Let him bring it (61). O you of firm vows, at\nthe time of the termination of a yuga this fire will consume all the\nworlds. United with him I shall repeatedly eat up the worlds (62). This\nfire has been made by me to live upon the water of dissolution. He will\nconsume all the creatures with the gods, Asuras and R\u0101kshasas (63).\nSaying \"So be it,\" and casting off his effulgence before his father\nAurva, enveloped with consecrated flames of fire, entered into the mouth\nof the ocean (64).\n\nThereupon Brahm\u0101 and other great Rishis returned to their respective\nhabitations. And being informed of the power of Aurva fire they resorted\nto their respective courses (65). Beholding the wondrous affair\nHiranyakasipu, placing all his limbs on the ground, worshipped Urva and\nsaid the following words (66) \"O Reverend Sir, wonderful is this affair\nthat has been witnessed by all the worlds. O foremost of Munis, the\ngrand-father has been pleased with your penances (67). O you of great\nvows, if I am worthy of being praised for my actions know me as your and\nyour son\u2019s servant (68). Behold me as engaged in worshipping you. If I\nmeet with discomfiture, O foremost of Munis, it will be your defeat\n(69).\"\n\nUrva said:\u2014\"I have been also blessed and honored since you have accepted\nme as your preceptor. O you of firm vows, you have no longer any fear of\nascetic observances (70). Do you take this fiery illusion which even the\nfires, without fuels that have been created my son, cannot easily touch\n(71). This illusion will help you in killing the enemies of your family;\nit will protect your own army and consume the enemies\" (72).\n\nSaying \u2019may it be so\u2019 and saluting that foremost of Munis Hiranyakasipu,\nthe king of D\u0101navas, was pleased and returned to the celestial region\n(73).\n\nVaruna said:\u2014This is that illusion, which the deities cannot bear, and\nthat had been created in the days of yore by Urva\u2019s son Aurva (74). With\nthe death of that Daitya it has undoubtedly been shorn of its power. It\nhad been imprecated with a curse in the days of yore by him who had\ncreated it (75) If we can strike against this illusion the king of gods\nwill be happy. Give me, O Sakra, my friend Nishakara (the moon) who is\nborn of water (76). Being united with him and Yados\u00b9\u2076\u2074 and controlling\nmy senses, I shall by your favour, undoubtedly destroy this illusion\n(77).\n\n  \u00b9\u2075\u2074 One who eats grain without its having been threshed, anchorite.\n\n  \u00b9\u2075\u2075 Breaking or bruising anything with a stone.\n\n  \u00b9\u2075\u2076 Those who practise penances on the peak of a mountain.\n\n  \u00b9\u2075\u2077 Those who practise penances in the midst of fire.\n\n  \u00b9\u2075\u2078 Chastity in thought, words and deeds.\n\n  \u00b9\u2075\u2079 The consummation of the Yoga practices and the attainment of the\n      object thereof.\n\n  \u00b9\u2076\u2070 It means here hypocrisy.\n\n  \u00b9\u2076\u00b9 Regulations observed by Rishis living in the forest.\n\n  \u00b9\u2076\u00b2 Wood for kindling a fire exciting it by attrition.\n\n  \u00b9\u2076\u00b3 Kusa or sacrificial grass.\n\n  \u00b9\u2076\u2074 Aquatic animals.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLVI. THE BATTLE OF THE GODS.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Saying so be it the king of gods, the multiplier of\nthe deities, delightedly, first of all, sent for Soma in battle, who had\nthe dews for his weapons (1).\n\nSakra said;\u2014O Sudh\u0101kara,\u00b9\u2076\u2075 proceed for the destruction of the demons\nand for accomplishing the victory of the gods and help the holder of\nnoose\u00b9\u2076\u2076 (2). You are gifted with incomparable energy, the lord of all\nthe luminous bodies, the lord of even the sun. The persons, who have a\nknowledge of the juices, consider you as identical with all the juices\n(3). Increase and decrease are manifest in the ocean and your orbit.\nAttaching time to the universe you are creating days and nights (4). The\nshadow of the earth, resembling a hair, exists in your body. The\nSomadevas even, who are born of the stars, do not know this (5). You\nexist above the road of the sun and other luminous bodies. Dispelling\ndarkness with your own body and rays you light up the world (6). You are\nof white rays and cool body, the master of the luminous bodies, have a\nhare on your lap, the ivisible soul of the time, are worshipped in\nsacrifices, the juice of the sacrifices, eternal, the king of plants,\nthe source of action, water-born, of cool rays, the mine of ambrosia,\nfickle and have white horses. You are the grace of the beautiful beings,\nthe Soma of the Somadevas and the most beautiful in all the worlds. You\ndispell darkness and are the king of rays Do you accompany Varuna and\nhis army and destroy the demonaic illusion by which we have been burnt\ndown in battle (7-10).\n\nSoma said:\u2014O lord of the universe, O king of gods, I shall do what you\nhave asked me for the battle. I pour the dews which can dispell the\ndemonaic illusion (11). Behold in this great encounter the D\u0101navas\nconsumed with my cold, covered with dues, divested of their illusive\npowers and haughtiness (12).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Like unto masses of clouds the smoky showers of\ndues, discharged by the moon, enveloped all the dreadful D\u0101navas (13).\nWith the pouring of dews and strokes of nooses, Varuna, the holder of\nnoose and the moon of white rays began to slay the demons in that great\nbattle (14). Pouring water in the battle-field and fighting with the\nnoose and cold those two lords of water began to range like two swelling\noceans (15). As the world is enveloped with Pravartaka cloud discharging\ncopious showers of rain at the time of the universal dissolution so that\nDanava army was covered with water by Varuna and Soma (16). Taking up\nthe rays and the noose the moon and Varuna destroyed the illusion of the\nDaitya (17). Being exhausted with cold water and fettered by the noose\nthe Daityas, like mountains bereft of their peaks, became (extremely)\ninactive (18). Being slain by the moon, crushed down by cold and having\ntheir bodies covered with dews those Daityas began to fall down like\nextinguished fire (19). The various cars of the demons, shorn of lustre,\nbegan to fall down and go up in the sky (20). The D\u0101nava Maya again\ndisplayed another huge illusion before the D\u0101navas who had been covered\nwith dews and bound down with the noose (21). He then spread in the sky\nan extensive mountainous illusion coursing every where at will created\nby his son Krouncha. It was covered with stones, and rocks. Its peaks\nwere covered with huge trees, its caves were filled with trees and it\nwas infested with lions, tigers and elephants. It abounded in deer\nemitting cries and trees shaken by the wind (22\u201324). With a downpour of\nrocks and trees that mountainous illusion slew the gods and revived the\nD\u0101navas (25). Thereupon the illusion, created by the moon and Varuna,\nwas dispelled and Maya\u2019s illusion covered the gods in the battle-field\nwith iron clouds and rocks (26). The earth, already uneven with the\ncollection of mountains and filled with trees, was so thickly covered\nwith mountains that any one could hardly traverse it (27). Some gods\nwere wounded with rocks, some were assailed with stones and some were\nhemmed in with trees in that battle (28). Excepting the holder of club\n(Vishnu) all the celestial soldiers lost their bows and had their\nweapons broken. And they all became inactive (29). But that beautiful\nlord of the universe, Gadh\u0101dhara, although stationed in the battle, was\nnot the least agitated or worked up with anger on account of his\npatience (30). In order to witness the assailing of the gods and demons,\nJ\u0101n\u0101rddana, conversant with the knowledge of proper time, resembling the\ncloud that appears at the time of the universal dissolution, waited for\nthe proper hour in the battle-field (31).\n\nThereupon in the battle-field he ordered the fire and air to destroy the\nillusion created by Maya (32). Being united with each other and\nincreased the increasing fire of flames and air, at the command of\nVishnu, destroyed that illusion (33). By that increasing fire of wild\ncourse and the air that mountainous illusion was consumed and destroyed\nin that great battle (34). The air, assisted by fire, increased like\nthat at the time of the universal dissolution. And the fire assisted by\nair consumed the army of demons (35). As soon as the wind blew the fire\nfollowed it; it appeared as if the fire and air were sporting in the\nmidst of the army of demons (36). When all the D\u0101navas were consumed and\ntheir cars began to fall down, when the fire was successful in\naccomplishing its work, when the cars desisted from slaying the demons\nfalling down an all sides quickly like the air, when the Daityas grew\ninactive and the three worlds were freed from bonds, the gods\ndelightedly sent up from all sides shouts of victory (37\u201339). When the\nthousand-eyed god achieved victory and the demon Maya met with\ndiscomfiture all the quarters became clear and the religious\nperformances began to extend (40). The path of the moon was cleared up,\nthe sun was placed in its course, all the elements were restored to\ntheir natural orders and men, fond of good conduct, were at ease (41).\nThe Regent of the dead began to carry on his work without any\ndistinction, oblations were offered to fire, the gods were entitled to\npartake of their portions in the sacrificial offerings and find out the\nutility of the celestial region (42). The regents, of the quarters,\nbegan to range in their respective provinces, pure persons, intent on\ncarrying on Tapas, began to flourish and there was absence of impious\nmen (43). The partizans of the gods were delighted and those of the\nDaityas were depressed. Virtue assumed the form of three legs and vice\nthat of one leg (44). The great gate was kept open and ways to morality\ncame into being and all the Ashramas and Varnas of the world began to\nobserve their own duties (45). The wandering kings began to protect\ntheir own subjects, and hymns, in praise of the gods, were sung (46).\nAll the sins were removed, dreadful pride was pacified and that battle\nof the fire and air was brought to a close. People accorded superiority\nto them because they accomplished the victory (47).\n\nHearing of the fear of the air and fire entertained by the Asuras, the\nwell-known D\u0101nava, by name K\u0101lanemi, appeared in the battle-field (48).\nHis crown was adorned with crests effulgent like the sun; he was adorned\nwith Angada and his hundred arms were bedecked with hundred silvery\nweapons huge as the mount Mand\u0101ra. He had a hundred faces and a hundred\nheads. That beautiful demon appeared there like a mountain with a\nhundred peaks (49\u201356). He shone there like an increasing fire on a heap\nof grass in the summer season. His hairs were smoky, his beards were\ngreen; he had huge teeth and his face was adorned with lips. He was\nliving in the intervening space of the three worlds with a huge body of\nvery great dimension. With his hands he was raising up the sky, with his\nfeet he was throwing away the mountains, and with his breath he was\ndissipating the clouds surcharged with watery contents (51\u201353). That\nD\u0101nava, of expansive and red eyes looking awry, and powerful like Indra,\nwas as if consuming and roaring at the gods and covering the ten\nquarters. They saw that D\u0101nava approach like the proud and hungry Death\nat the time of the universal dissolution (54-55). Raising up the fingers\nof his right band having a beautiful palm, elevated, adorned with\nwell-polished finger-protectors, covered with garlands and high like\nmoving mountains that D\u0101nava was, as if, saying \"raise up the slain\ndemons\" (56-57).\n\nThe celestials, stricken with fear, saw in the battle K\u0101lanemi, like\nDeath himself unto his enemies (58). Creatures saw that K\u0101lanemi proceed\nlike the second N\u0101r\u0101yana of three foot-steps (59). Raising up his front\nfoot and having his raiment shaken by the wind that demon, striking\nterror to the gods, came to the battle-field (60). United with the Asura\nking Maya K\u0101lanemi began to proceed in battle. They appeared like Indra\nand Vishnu (61). Thereupon beholding the dreadful K\u0101lanemi approach like\ndeath himself all the gods were filled with anxiety (62).\n\n  \u00b9\u2076\u2075 This is a name of the moon. According to the Hindu mythology the\n      moon is the mine of nectar.\n\n  \u00b9\u2076\u2076 This is a name of Varuna whose weapon is a noose.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLVII. THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF DANAVAS.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014In order to welcome the D\u0101navas the highly powerful\ngreat Asura K\u0101lanemi assumed proportions like clouds in the end of\nsummer (1). As by acquiring most excellent ambrosia, people are relieved\nof their exhaustion so the leading Danavas, on beholding K\u0101lanemi living\nin the intervening space of the three worlds, rose up as if they had\nnever been tired (2). Then the terrified D\u0101navas, headed by Maya and\nT\u0101ra, irrepressible in battle, who always wished victory in T\u0101raka\u2019s\nbattle, shone there in the battle-field (3). Beholding K\u0101lanemi all\nthose D\u0101navas, throwing weapons and entering into Vyuhas, were greatly\ndelighted (4). Of them, the principal soldiers of Maya, who were\nwell-skilled in fighting, cast off fear and delightedly appeared there\nfor battle (5). Maya, T\u0101ra, Varaha, the powerful Hayagriva,\nViprachitti\u2019s sons Sweta, Khera and Lamva, Bali\u2019s son Arishtha, Kishora,\nUshtra, the immortal-like Sharbh\u0101nu and the great Asura Vakrayodhi, who\nwere all experts in the use of weapons, were devoted to the practice of\nTapas, and skilled in fighting, appeared before Kalanemi the foremost of\nthem all. Taking up huge clubs, axes, death-like maces, Kshepanyas, huge\nrocks, stones, Pattishas, Vindip\u0101las, Parighas made of best steel,\ndreadful Gh\u0101tanis, Sataghnis, Yugas, Yantras, Argalas, Pr\u0101sas, nooses,\nserpents, swords, thunder-bolts, blazing Tomaras, unsheathed daggers and\nsharpened weapons and having their minds worked up with zeal, they,\ntaking K\u0101lanemi before them, stood in front of the battle-field (6\u201314).\nThat Daitya army, adorned with many excellent shining weapons, shone\nthere like the cloudy sky bespangled with stars (15). Emblazoned with\nthe cool and hot rays of the moon and the sun, the celestial army,\nreared by the king of gods, also shone there (16). There appeared that\nbeautiful and great army of gods consisting of dreadful Yakshas and\nR\u0101kshasas, fleet as the wind, having the stars for the steamers, the\nclouds for their raiments, abounding in smiling stars and planets,\nprotected by Indra, Varuna and the intelligent Kuvera, the king of\nriches, accompanied by the fire and air, devoted to N\u0101r\u0101yana, gifted\nwith the velocity of the ocean, and adorned with celestial weapons\n(17\u201319). As at the revolution of cycles heaven and earth are united so\nthe celestial and demon armies met with each other (20). That encounter,\nbetween the gods and demons displaying humility and pride, forgiveness\nand prowess, grew exceedingly dreadful (21). As the swollen rivers\ngenerally issue out of the oceans so the dreadful gods and Asuras came\nout of both the armies (22). As the elephants come out of two\nmountainous forests covered with flowers so issuing out of both the\narmies the hosts of the gods and demons began delightedly to range there\n(23). They confronted each other and repeatedly blew their conches and\nbugles. That sound filled the heaven, earth and all the quarters (24).\nThe sound, of the bow-strings against the palms, the twang of the bows\nand the sound of the bugles rose above the noise of the Daityas (25).\nThe gods and demons felled and confronted one another. Some grew\ndesirous of fighting duels. Some broke the arms of others with their own\n(26). The gods began to throw, in battle, dreadful thunder-bolts and\nexcellent Ayasas and Parighas and the D\u0101navas began to discharge Gurvis,\nclubs and Nistringshas (27). Some fell down with their limbs mutilated\nby the strokes of clubs and with their bodies bent down (28).\n\nThereupon worked up with anger, some on cars, some on horse back and\nsome on quick-coursing chariots, ran towards one another in the battle\n(29). Some stood in the battle-field and some fled away. The\ncar-warriors were obstructed by cars and the infantry were obstructed by\nthe foot-soldiers (30). The sound, of the wheels of those cars, grew\nterrible like the muttering of clouds in the sky (31). Some broke down\nthe cars, some hurled chariots against chariots and some could not\nproceed unitedly in the midst of that collection of cars (32). Striking\none another with their arms and sending up shouts, warriors, armed with\nswords and leathern coats of mail and elated with pride, began to\nproceed in battle (33). Some, mutilated and wounded by weapons in\nbattle, began to vomit blood like clouds discharging water in the rains\n(34). Filled with those weapons and clubs thrown up and down that\nencounter of the gods and demons looked exceedingly terrible there (35).\nThat unfair day of the encounter set in there with celestial weapons for\nthe lightnings, the downpour of arrows for showers and the D\u0101navas for\nthe massive clouds (36). In the mean time the great Asura K\u0101lanemi,\nbeing worked up with anger, began to increase his body like clouds\nfilled with water by the waves of the ocean (37). The Val\u0101hakas,\nconsisting of flickering flames like the lightnings, discharging\nthunder-bolts and huge like the mountains, were crushed down as soon as\nthey fell on his body (38). When he breathed in anger and sweated on\naccount of the frowning of his eyebrows there came out of his mouth\nscintillations of fire, accompanied by lightning and air (39). His arms\nbegan to grow up straight and awry to the sky. It appeared as if the\nfive-hooded black serpents were repeatedly licking their bodies (40).\nThat D\u0101nava enshrouded the sky with various weapons, bows and Parighas\nhigh as the mountains (41). Wearing a raiment shaken by the wind\nK\u0101lanemi stood in front of the battle-field like the second Sumeru\nfilled with flames and covered by the rays of the setting sun (42). As\nthe king of gods fells down the huge mountains with his thunder-bolt so\ndid he knock down the gods with the mountain peaks and huge trees\nuprooted by the strokes of his thighs (43). Having been wounded by\nK\u0101lanemi in battle and having their heads and breasts mutilated by\ndiverse weapons and swords the gods could not move about (44). Some,\nkilled by the stroke of his foot and others grinded by him, fell down\nwith the leading Yakshas, Gandharvas and the great Uragas arranged in\nVyuhas (45). Thus terrorized by K\u0101lanemi in battle the gods, bereft of\nconsciousness, could not set forth their exertions although they were\ncapable of doing it (46). Being fettered by him with arrows, the\nthousand-eyed Sakra, seated on his elephant Air\u0101vata, could not move\nabout in the battle-field (47). In that battle the demon K\u0101lanemi\nconstrained Varuna, resembling a watering cloud and effulgent like the\nwaterless ocean, desist from displaying any feats and deprived him of\nhis noose (48). Bewailing in the battle-field the Patriarch Vaishravana,\nthe king of riches, was rendered, by him through illusory weapons,\ninactive in the battle-field (49). Yama, who spreads death and destroys\neverything, was deprived of his consciousness by K\u0101lanemi and fled to\nhis own quarter (50). Having thus assailed the Patriarchs and protecting\ntheir respective quarters K\u0101lanemi divided, then his body, into four\nparts (51). Thereupon repairing to the celestial road of stars pointed\nout by Sharbh\u0101nu that demon took, by force, the grace of the moon and\nhis great object (52). Proceeding to the celestial region he began to\ndirect the sun of burning rays and then occupied for himself his object\nSayana\u00b9\u2076\u2077 and his daily duties (53). Beholding fire in the mouth of the\ngods K\u0101lanemi placed it in his own and having vanquished the air by his\nown strength kept it under his subjection (54). Having brought the\nrivers from the ocean by his own strength and power that demon kept them\nunder his own control and all the seas remained there like his body\n(55). Having brought under his subjection all the rivers born in heaven\nand earth K\u0101lanemi established the world well protected by the mountains\n(56). That Daitya, identical with all the worlds and a terror unto all\ncreatures, shone there like the self-born Deity the master of all the\nelemental deities (57). That D\u0101nava, the one body of all the\nLokp\u0101kas,\u00b9\u2076\u2078 indentical with the sun, moon and the planets and\nresembling the fire and air, began to move about in the battle-field\n(58). When that Daitya occupied the position of Paramesthi, the source\nof the origin and destruction of all the worlds the demons began to\nchant his glories as the gods hymn the glories of the grand-father\n(Brahm\u0101).\n\n  \u00b9\u2076\u2077 The longitude of a planet reckoned from the vernal equinoctial\n      point from _Sa_ with and _Ayana_, the equinoctial point.\n\n  \u00b9\u2076\u2078 He defeated the Lokap\u0101las and became himself the one regent of all\n      the quarters.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLVIII. KALANEMI GOES TO VISHNU.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014On account of his irreligious actions the Vedas,\nvirtue, forgiveness, truth and the prosperity of Narayana, these five\ndid not follow him (K\u0101lanemi) (1). Owing to the absence of the Veda and\nothers that king of D\u0101navas approached N\u0101r\u0101yana in order to attain to\nhis dignity (2). He saw him there seated on Suparna with conch, discus\nand club in his hands. He was whirling a beautiful mace for the\ndestruction of the D\u0101navas (3). That god, having the hue of a cloud\nsurcharged with water and wearing a raiment resembling lighting, was\nseated at ease on the bird the son of Kashyapa, gifted with golden wings\nand a tuft of down on the forepart of head (4).\n\nBeholding the irrepressible Vishnu stationed in battle for the\ndestruction of the demons, K\u0101lanemi, with a heavy heart, said:\u2014(5).\n\"This is our most dreadful enemy. They say he cannot be vanquished by\nany means. He is the enemy of our D\u0101nava forefathers and that of Madhu\nand Kaitava living in the ocean. He has slain many of our forest-born\nDaityas. This man, armed with weapons, is highly ruthless in battle and\nextremely shameless like a boy. He had the hairs of the D\u0101nava women\nshaved (6\u20138). He is the Vishnu of the gods, the Vaikuntha of the\ncelestials, the Ananta of the serpents living in the water and the\nCreator of the creators himself (9). He is the worshipful of the gods\nand is ever engaged in doing us wrong. Incurring his displeasure\nHiranyakasipu was slain (10). Following him the gods are entitled to the\nbest portion of the sacrificial offerings and three-fold oblations are\noffered to fire by the great saints (11). He is the instrument of the\ndeath of all those who are inimical towards the gods. By his discus all\nthe D\u0101navas, born in our race, have been slain in battle (12). Risking\nhis life even for the gods it is he who hurls his discus, effulgent like\nthe sun, at the enemies in battle (13). This wicked-minded one is like\nthe death unto the Daityas. Myself, resembling the very Kala himself,\nliving, he will soon meet with inevitable death (14). By a mere accident\nVishnu has appeared before me to-day. Being grinded by me in battle he\nwill be humiliated before me (15). Having slain in battle this N\u0101r\u0101yana,\nthe source of fear unto the D\u0101navas I shall worship to-day my\npredecessors (16). I shall soon kill also the followers of N\u0101r\u0101yana.\nEven when born again he oppresses the D\u0101vanas (17).\n\n\"In the days of yore this Ananta again became celebrated by the name of\nPadman\u0101bha (lotus-navelled). When the whole universe was converted into\none sheet of water, he, placing the two D\u0101navas, Madhu and Kaitava\nwithin his knee-joints, killed them (18). Dividing his own body into two\nand assuming the form of a man-lion he, in the days of yore, killed my\nfather Hiranyakasipu (19). Auspiciously did Aditi, the mother of gods,\nconceive him who, assuming the form of a dwarf at the sacrifice of the\nking Bali, occupied the three worlds with his foot-steps and then killed\nhim (20). Now encountering me again in this war of T\u0101raka, he along with\nthe gods, will meet with death (21)\".\n\nThus villifying N\u0101r\u0101yana in the field of battle in various unbecoming\nwords K\u0101lanemi expressed his desire for fighting (22). Although censured\nby the king of Asuras Gad\u0101dhara (Vishnu) was not angry on account of his\nextraordinary forgiveness. Rather smilingly he said (23). \"O Daitya,\nlimited is thy strength, still out of anger thou art villifying me.\nSince thou hast transgressed forgiveness, thou shalt be slain by thy own\nfault (24). Wretched thou art indeed and fie on thy vaunting words. Men\ndo not live where the females roar (25). O Daitya, I see thou shalt\nfollow the footsteps of thy predecessors. Disregarding the orders\ninstituted by Prajapati who can be at ease? (26). I shall slay thee\nto-day who hast disturbed the gods. And I shall again place the\ncelestials in their respective positions\" (27). After N\u0101r\u0101yana, bearing\nthe mystic mark of Srivatsa on his breast, had said this in the\nbattle-field, the D\u0101nava took up the weapons in anger and began to smile\n(28). Uplifting his hundred arms capable of handling all the weapons,\nhe, with eyes reddened with anger, struck at the breast of Vishnu (29).\nThe other D\u0101navas, headed by Maya and T\u0101ra, ran towards Vishnu (30).\nAlthough assailed by the highly powerful Daityas armed with various\nweapons the lord N\u0101r\u0101yana remained unshaken in the battle like a\nmountain (31). Being engaged in a conflict with Suparna and taking up,\nwith all his strength, a huge and dreadful club burning with the\nconcussion of arms, the highly enraged great Asura K\u0101lanemi hurled it at\nGaruda. Even Vishnu was filled with wonder seeing that feat of the\nDaitya (32). When that club fell on the head of Suparna, that king of\nbirds, with a wounded body, fell down on earth (33). Thereupon in that\ngreat encounter the D\u0101navas began to strike Vishnu and Garuda with clods\nof earth, stones and thunder bolts. When N\u0101r\u0101yana moved about in the\nbattle field the gods chanted his glories. \"Glory unto thee, O thou of\ngreat arms, O destroyer of Madhu and Kaitava. With thy nails thou didst\ntear off Hiranyakasipu.\" Thus eulogised by the deities N\u0101r\u0101yana rose up\nfrom the battle-field. Considering Vishnu slain the king of D\u0101navas blew\nhis conch. The great Asuras began to play on the three sorts of\nMridangas and dance in accompaniment with the music. It appeared that a\ngreat festivity was taking place at that time. Beholding Suparna wounded\nand his own body unscathed, Vaikuntha, with eyes reddened in anger, took\nup his discus (34\u201335). The lord then grew highly impetuous along with\nSuparna. His arms multiplied covering the ten quarters (36). Filling up\nall the quarters, the etherial region and the earth he increased his\nenergy as if being desirous of attacking again all the worlds (37). The\nRishis, along with the Gandharvas, began to chant the glories of\nMadhusudana who had then assumed a huge proportion in the sky for the\nvictory of the gods (33).\n\nThe Lord covered the celestial region with his Kiritin, the sky and the\nclouds, with his raiment, the earth with his feet and all the quarters\nwith his arms. Thereupon worked up with anger Gad\u0101dhara, taking up his\ndiscus capable of performing unparalleled feats and effulgent like the\nsun, destroyed with it, by virtue of his own energy, the effulgence of\nthe D\u0101navas in battle and chopped off the arms of K\u0101lanemi. It was\ndreadful like the burning fire of a thousand flames resembling the rays\nof the sun and at the same time beautiful and covered with golden\nwheels. It was strong like a thunder-bolt, dreadful and besmeared with\nthe blood, fat and bones of the D\u0101navas. It had none to equal it in the\nmatter of striking, was sharpened like a razor, could go any where and\ncould assume any form at will. It was made by the Self-born himself, was\na terror to the enemies, possessed by the anger of the great Rishis and\nwas haughty in the battle field. When it is thrown, all the creatures,\nmobile and immobile, are stupified and creatures, living on flesh,\nderive greatest satisfaction (36\u201346). Then with his strength Hari began\nto grind the hundred dreadful faces of that demon with wild laughs like\nthe grinding of fire (47). Although his arms were chopped off and his\nheads were cut off the D\u0101nava did not tremble the least in the battle\nand stood there like a tree shorn of all its branches (48).\n\nThereupon spreading his two huge wings and assuming the velocity of the\nwind Garuda, with the stroke of his breast, felled down K\u0101lanemi.\nThereupon rolling and leaving the celestial region his body, shorn of\nheads and arms, fell down on earth from the sky (49\u201350). When that\nDaitya was killed the Rishis, together with the gods, began to praise\nVaikuntha saying \"Well done! Well done!\" (51). The other Daityas, who\nwere witnessing his prowess in battle, were hemmed in by the arms of\nVishnu and could not move in the field (52). The Lord held some Daityas\nby the hair, held some by the throat, wounded some on the face and took\nup some by the waist (53). Entirely destroyed by the club and discus and\ndeprived of their energy and life they fell down on earth from the sky\n(54). After all the Daityas had been slain, that foremost of Purushas\nGadadhara, scoring success, stood there doing good to the king of gods\n(55). After the termination of that dreadful war with T\u0101raka where many\nhad been grinded the grand-father of all, Brahm\u0101 speedily came there\nalong with all the Br\u0101hmana saints, Gandharvas and Apsar\u0101s. Worshipping\nHari the god of gods said (56\u201357).\n\nBrahma said:\u2014\"O lord, thou hast accomplished a great work; the dart of\nthe celestials has been uprooted. By the destruction of the Daityas we\nhave been pleased (58). Thou alone art the only destroyer of this\nK\u0101lanemi whom thou hast just slain in battle. Save thee there is none\nelse who could kill him (59). Vanquishing the gods and all the creatures\nmobile and immobile this D\u0101nava used to assail the Rishis; even he used\nto roar at me (60). Therefore by this thy powerful feat I have been\ngreatly pleased, since thou hast destroyed this death-like K\u0101lanemi\n(61). Mayst thou fare well; let us now repair to the most excellent\ncelestial region, where the Br\u0101hmana saints, the members of thy court,\nare waiting for thee (62). O Achyuta, O foremost of speakers, I shall\nworship thee there along with the Maharshis with heavenly hymns (63). O\nthou the foremost of boon givers, although thou dost confer boons on the\ncelestials and Daityas I shall bestow one on thee (64). O N\u0101r\u0101yana, in\nthis war thou hast freed the three worlds of the thorns and therefore do\nthou now confer upon the high-souled Sakra the prosperous kingdom over\nthe three worlds\" (65).\n\nThus addressed by the Divine Brahm\u0101, the Lord Hari said to Indra and\nother gods in auspicious words (66). \"Listen attentively, all ye gods\nheaded by Purandara, who have assembled here (67). We have slain, in\nthis battle, many powerful Danavas, Kalnemi and others, who are superior\neven to the king of gods himself (68). In this terrible encounter came\nout both Virochana\u2019s son Bali and the huge-bodied R\u0101hu (69). Let now the\nking of gods and Varuna repair to their wished-for regions. Let Yama\noccupy the south and the king of riches protect the north (70). As\nbefore let the noon be united with the stars in proper season. Let the\nsun, being united with equinoctial points, distribute the seasons all\nthrough the year (71). Let sacrifices be duly undertaken honoured by the\nascetic courtiers and let the Vipras, according to the rituals laid down\nin the Vedas, offer oblations to fire (72). Let the gods attain\ngratification from Vali oblations, the Maharshis from the chanting of\nthe Vedas and the ancestral manes from the performance of Sr\u0101dhas as\nbefore (73). Let the wind blow in its own course, let the fire be\nenkindled in its three-fold forms, and let the three Varnas, by their\nnatural qualities, bring about the gratification of the world (74). Let\nsacrifices be undertaken by the Br\u0101hmanas who are worthy of performing\ninitiatory rites and let all the proper sacrificial gifts be distributed\n(75). Let the sun afford gratification to all the eyes and let the moon\nafford delight to all the juices and let the air delight the vital\nbreaths of all creatures, and let them all undertake good and auspicious\nworks (76). Let the rivers, carrying water from the huge mountains and,\nthe mother of the three worlds, gradually in proper order, proceed to\nthe ocean (77). Let the gods cast off all fear of the D\u0101navas and let\nthem enjoy peace. May you fare well, O ye gods, I repair to the eternal\nregion of Brahm\u0101 (78). Do not live always confidently in your celestial\nregion and specially in the battle-field for the demons are highly\ndeceitful (79). They strike people as soon as they find a weak point.\nThis order of the world is not permanent. You are all gentle and simple\nand your mind always moves in innocent matters. O gods, I bring about\nthe stupefaction of all these wicked demons who cherish a desire of\ninjuring you (81). Whenever you will cherish a dreadful fear of the\nD\u0101navas I will immediately come and promise you safety (32).\"\n\nHaving thus addressed the gods the highly illustrious N\u0101r\u0101yana, having\ntruth for his prowess, repaired with Brahm\u0101 to his own region (83). This\nwas the wonderful encounter, of which you asked, of N\u0101rayana and the\nD\u0101navas in the war of which T\u0101raka was the root (84).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLIX. ATTRIBUTES OF NARAYANA\n\n\nJane=amejaya said:\u2014O Brahman, after repairing with the water-born Brahm\u0101\nto his own region what did the god of gods Vaikuntha do (1)? After the\ncompletion of the massacre of the Daityas why did the water-born deity\ntake away Vishnu, who had been honored by the gods, to his own region\n(2)? What sort of Yoga does the Lord Brahm\u0101, the Creator of creatures,\npractise and what sort of regulations does he observe And what sort of\nregions is that of Brahm\u0101 (3) How does this great universe attain to the\nprosperity adored by the gods and Asuras when he does not remain there\n(4) How does he lie down for rest at the end of the summer and awake\nwith the approach of the rains? How does he, living in the Brahm\u0101\nregion, carry on the work of the world (5)? O foremost of Br\u0101hmanas, I\nwish to hear truly of the celestial conduct of this Lord in the land of\ngods (6).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hear now at length of the deeds of N\u0101r\u0101yana before\nyou listen to how he sported with Brahm\u0101 after repairing to his region\n(7). His course is very subtle according to his desire which even the\ngods cannot know. Hear, O king, what I shall relate (8). This Lord\nN\u0101r\u0101yana is identical with the three worlds and the three worlds too are\nalso permeated by him. He is identical with the gods in heaven and they\ntoo are identical with him (9). Many persons, desirous of going to the\nother end of the world, cannot see his end. This M\u0101dhava is the end of\nall (10). Hear of an account of his deeds in the Brahmaloka in the days\nof yore whose true form is hidden by the senses as if with darkness and\nwhom the gods seek (11),\n\nRepairing to the region of Brahm\u0101 and beholding the dignity of the\nGrand-Father Vishnu honored all the Rishis with works sanctioned by the\nVedas (12). Having performed the rites of the first part of the day the\nhighly energetic Vishnu came to the fire where oblations were being\noffered in the morning by the great Rishis (13). He saw his own body\nmost excellently placed in the midst of the sacrifice, worshipped with\noblations by the great Rishis and eating his own share of the\nsacrificial offerings (14). Having saluted the worshipful Rishis of\nBrahma energy N\u0101r\u0101yana, who is beyond the comprehension of thought,\nbegan to range in the eternal Brahma region (15). Walking there in the\nsacrifice he saw hundreds of sacrificial posts adorned with the tops of\nChash\u0101las\u00b9\u2076\u2079 and marked by the Br\u0101hmana saints (16). Smelling the smoke\nof oblations, hearing the sound of the chanting of the Vedas by the\ntwice-born ones, and beholding his own self worshipped in the shape of a\nsacrifice he began to range there (17). Taking the sacred grass and\nArghya\u00b9\u2077\u2070 in their hands the courtier deities and the Rishis said to him\n(18):\u2014\"Whatever power exists in the gods it emanates from N\u0101r\u0101yana and\nwhatever is undertaken by the deities that also proceeds from\nMadhusudana (19). That eternal Vishnu is the region of Soma and fire\nabout which the people hear from learned men (20). As curd is produced\nfrom milk and clarified butter from curd so when the body and senses are\nagitated by virtue of meditation the world originates from Jan\u0101rddana\n(21). As the great soul is comprehended by the senses and the five great\nelements so Hari is comprehended by the gods, the Vedas and all the\nworlds (22). As in this world of men the relation between the five\nelements and senses is perceived so the strength and prosperity of the\ngods in the celestial region originate from Vishnu (23). This\nindependent and highly sacred N\u0101r\u0101yana, who is the thread of the worlds\nand who confers fruits of sacrifices on those who perform them, is\nworshipped with Mantras like Mantra itself (24).\"\n\nThe Rishis said:\u2014O foremost of the celestials, O thou of great\neffulgence, O lotus-navelled deity, hast thou come with ease? Do thou\naccept this sacrificial offering offered according to the _Mantras_\n(25). Thou art the sacred vessel of this water sanctified in the\nsacrifice. Thou wert always known as the guest mentioned in the\n_Mantras_ and hast now become visible (26). O N\u0101r\u0101yana, after thy\ndeparture to the battle-field, our works were not undertaken, for a\nsacrifice, without Vishnu, is never sanctioned (27). To-day we will\nacquire the fruit of the sacrifice celebrated with presents. Thou art\nbeholding thyself worshipped by us all (28). Saying \"So be it\" the Lord,\nin return, worshipped the Br\u0101hmanas. The Grand-father Brahm\u0101 who was in\nhis region, was delighted thereat (29).\n\n  \u00b9\u2076\u2079 A wooden ring on the top of a sacrificial post.\n\n  \u00b9\u2077\u2070 Water to wash feet.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER L. AN ACCOUNT OF NARAYANASHRAMA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Having been thus worshipped by the Rishis the Lord\nentered into the celestial habitation of Brahm\u0101, the hermitage of\nN\u0101r\u0101yana as described in the Puranas (1). Having honored delightedly all\nthose Rishis and bowed unto the Prime Deity the Lotus-sprung Brahm\u0101 he\nentered into the region mentioned before (2). Having entered the\nNarayana hermitage which was so named after Him the Lord left off all\nhis weapons (3). He saw there his own abode resembling an ocean, filled\nwith the gods and the immortal Rishis (4). That abode was covered with\nSamvartaka and other clouds, enshrouded with the darkness of the starry\nregion and was beyond the reach of the gods and demons (5). There the\nwinds do not blow and the sun and the moon do not shine. It was\nenveloped with the effulgence of the body of the Lotus-navelled Deity\n(6). Entering there, carrying matted locks and being thousand-headed the\nLord began to make arrangements for lying down (7). The death-like\nsleep, having dark eyes and being informed of the last days of men,\nappeared before that high-sould deity (8). On account of his acquiring a\nmastery over his senses, Hari, the foremost of those observant of vows,\nlaid himself on a celestial bed cool like the water of the Ocean (9).\u00b9\u2077\u00b9\nThe Rishis and the Gods began to worship the great Omnipotent Vishnu,\nthus gone to sleep for the creation of the universe (10).\u00b9\u2077\u00b2 When he was\nasleep there sprang from his navel a lotus, highly effulgent like the\nsun (intended for the) seat of the Patriarch Brahm\u0101, who is both the\nbeginning and the end (11). That lotus had a thousand petals, a\nbeautiful hue, was tender and well-adorned. Raising up his hand which is\nthe thread of the pristine desire the great Muni Brahm\u0101 whirls the wheel\nof the changes of all the worlds brought about by time (12).\u00b9\u2077\u00b3 From his\nmouth the Patriarchs come out shaken by the wind of his breath.\nSometimes they fall down and sometimes they go up (13). Human beings,\nthus created by him, are again divided by Brahm\u0101 into four orders. And\nthen by performing works laid down in the Vedas they reach their\nrespective goals (14). Even Brahm\u0101 himself and the immortal Rishis\ncannot understand Vishnu, thus engaged in the Yoga of sleep and covered\nwith _Tamas_\u00b9\u2077\u2074 (15). Those Br\u0101hmana saints, headed by the Grand-father,\ncannot find out when N\u0101r\u0101yana is asleep and when he does sit up on his\nbed (16). Who is awake in this body? Who is asleep? Who, being capable,\ndoes not perform a work? Who enjoys the various objects of pleasure? Who\nis effulgent? And who is subtler than the subtle itself (17)?\n\nBy the various arguments laid down in Srutis the Rishis seek to find out\nHis existence. By birth or action none can find Him out (18). The\nancient Rishis have sung his glories in the Pur\u0101nas and his history can\nbe known by the songs composed by him (19). His ancient history is also\nheard amongst the gods. After the great Pur\u0101nas there exists no other\nrecord of his doings (20). All the Srutis, relating to the Vedas and the\ncustoms and practices of mankind, are filled with an account of the\nprowess of that god of gods (21). The Lord, the origin of all creatures,\nappears at the time of the creation of all the worlds. And Madhusudana\nremains awake for the destruction of the D\u0101navas (22). When this\nimmortal Purusha goes to sleep even the gods cannot look at him. He goes\nto sleep at the end of the summer and awakes after the termination of\nthe rains (13). He is identical with the Vedas, the sacrifices and\nvarious other supplementary rites. This foremost of Purushas is the\ncourse of the sacrifices that has been described (24). When he falls\nasleep all the sacrifices, sanctified by _Mantras_, are brought to a\nclose. And Madhusudana rises up when the autumnal sacrifices are\nundertaken (25). When Vishnu goes to sleep, Purandara, the lord of\nwaters, performs all his duties and pours water (26). The illusion of\ndarkness, sleep, that exists in the world and that is like a night of\ndeath to the kings, brings ruination upon them who kill one another by\nfighting (27). By its body of darkness it destroys the nights and days.\nAnd this dreadful illusion pilfers half of the life of all creatures in\nthe world (28). Being possessed by this sleep and yawning repeatedly\nsome people cannot bear its power as if they are almost drowned in a\nvast ocean (29). This sleep, engendered by the food or toil of the\nmortals in this world, does not conduce to the well-being of all (30).\nIt grows enfeebled after the termination of the dream of creatures in\nthis world; and this, at the time of their death, destroys all their\nvital airs (31). Amongst the gods, none, but N\u0101r\u0101yana, can withstand the\npower of this sleep. This M\u0101y\u0101 or illusion is the female companion,\nbegotten by his own body, of Vishnu who destroys all (32). That one, of\nlotus eyes, was seen on the face of N\u0101r\u0101yan\u0101. This one, who stupifies\nall the creatures, eats up all the worlds in no time (33). For the\nbehoof of mankind she is kept by Vishnu. She is adored of all as a\nchaste lady serves her husband (34). Being possessed by this sleep and\nhaving stupified the eternal world the Lord Vishnu slept in the N\u0101r\u0101yana\nhermitage (35). When that high-souled deity was thus asleep thousands of\nyears passed away with the most excellent of cycles _Satya_ and _Tret\u0101_\n(36). That highly effulgent deity awoke at the close of the _Dw\u0101para\nYuga_, when the great saints, on witnessing the distress of mankind,\nbegan to chant his glories (37).\n\nThe Rishis said:\u2014O lord, do thou cast off this sleep begotten of thy own\nself as a garland, already enjoyed, is left off. All the gods, along\nwith Brahm\u0101, are waiting to see thee (38). O Hrishikesha, all these\nself-controlled Rishis, well-versed in the knowledge of Brahman, and in\nsinging His glories, are welcoming thee (39). O Vishnu, hear the\nauspicious words of these Rishis who are identical with the five\nelements, namely, the earth, ether, fire, air and water (40). O gods,\nthe seven Rishis, along with all these saints, are chanting with\ncelestial and becoming hymns thy glories (41). Rise up, O thou of great\neffulgence, O thou having a navel of a lotus of a hundred petals, some\nimportant work of the gods requires thee (42).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having lessened the quantity of water and dispelled\ndarkness Hrishikesha rose up shining in his great beauty (43). He saw\nthere all the gods assembled along with the Grand-Father, greatly\naggrieved for the world and desirous of speaking something to him (44).\nThe Lord N\u0101r\u0101yana, with eyes relieved of exhaustion by sleep, addressed\nto them words fraught with sound reasoning and far-sightedness (45).\n\nVishnu said:\u2014\"Where have you got your quarrel, O gods? From whom does\nyour fear proceed? Who feels a necessity and for what? And haw can I\nhelp you (46)? Has any calamity befallen the world through the D\u0101navas?\nHave men met with any misfortune on account of their weakness? I wish to\nknow all this without any delay (47). Having renounced my most excellent\nbed I stand amongst the Brahmav\u0101dins for encompassing your well-being.\nWhat can I do for you (48)?\"\n\n  \u00b9\u2077\u00b9 This is an allegorical account of Vishnu\u2019s Samadhi or devout\n      meditation.\n\n  \u00b9\u2077\u00b2 Thus engaged in Samadhi.\n\n  \u00b9\u2077\u00b3 The meaning is that the creation of the universe is carried on by\n      Brahm\u0101. All the changes, that are manifest in the world, are his\n      works. And this creation is the outcome of his desire. He first\n      cherishes the desire and then engages in the work of creation.\n\n  \u00b9\u2077\u2074 The quality of darkness. The meaning of the passage is that when\n      Vishnu, possessed by the desire of creation, is engaged in\n      meditating upon his own true form. When _Satwa_, or the quality of\n      goodness, reigns supreme in him, he absolutely retires from the\n      work of creation and when he is possessed by the desire of\n      creation the quality of _Tamas_ or darkness predominates in him.\n      The origin of this _desire_ in him is the root of creation, for\n      the whole universe before us is the outcome of his will. According\n      to the Hindu mythology the work of creation and dissolution is\n      perpetually going on, And each of these work is dependant on the\n      pure and absolute will of the Lord. When Vishnu, the Supreme Lord,\n      happens to cherish a desire for creation he engages in meditating\n      upon his true form. Thus meditation is allegorically represented\n      as his sleep. From this meditation proceeds Brahm\u0101 who is to make\n      arrangements for this great work. But he is dependant on the will\n      of the Lord. Brahm\u0101 next creates the Patriarchs who are to be the\n      originators of the various families.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LI. THE PROPOSAL OF RELIEVING THE EARTH OF HER BURDEN.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Hearing these words of Vishnu, Brahm\u0101, the\nGrand-Father of all, gave vent to words fraught with the well-being of\ngods (1). \"There is no fear, from the Asuras, of the gods whom you give\nprotection by becoming their leader in various battles (2). When you\nyourself, the slayer of your enemies, and the king of gods, are crowned\nwith victory, what fear do men, engaged in religious observances,\ncherish (3)? Truthful and pious men are always freed from ills. Death\ncannot prematurely visit the pious (4). Enjoying their sixth portion,\nthe kings, the foremost of men, do not fear one another (5). Doing good\nto their subjects and realizing duly tributes from their tributary kings\nwithout being blamed by them, they fill up their treasuries with wealth\n(6). Meting out mild punishment and being forbearing they govern their\nrespective prosperous provinces and protect the four Varnas (7). Without\ncreating disturbance amongst their subjects and being adored well by\ntheir ministers and protected by the four divisions of army they are\nenjoying the six means\u00b9\u2077\u2075 (8). They are all well-versed in the science\nof archery, observant of the Vedic rites and they all worship the gods\nwith sacrifices accompanied by profuse gifts (9). Having performed the\nceremony of initiation and studied the Vedas they propitiate the great\nsaints with chastity in thought, words and deeds and the ancestral\nmanes, hundreds of times, with holy Sr\u0101ddhas (10). There is no such\nobject in the world, Vedic, customary, and scriptural that is not known\nto them (11). Believing in the great Brahman, all those kings, effulgent\nlike the great Rishis, are endeavouring to bring back the golden age\n(12). By their power V\u0101sava is pouring good showers, and the winds, with\ndust removed, are duly blowing in the ten quarters (13). The earth is\nfreed of all the evil portends and the planets are ranging at ease in\nthe sky. United with the stars the moon is beautifully moving about in\nthe sky (14). The sun, that produces regular successions, is moving in\nits two paths. Being propitiated by various oblations the fire has\nbecome sweet scented (15). The sacrifices being thus duly undertaken and\nmultiplied the entire world is propitiated and men cherish no fear of\ndeath (16). The earth has been oppressed by the power of those powerful\nkings of brilliant fame following one another (17). The earth, exhausted\nwith this weight and assailed by the kings, has come before us like a\nboat on the verge of being drowned (18). Oppressed by the kings\nresembling the fire of dissolution and having the mountains shaken and\nthe oceans agitated the earth is repeatedly perspiring (19). With the\nbody, energy, strength and the extensive territories of the Kshatriyas\nthe earth is ever enjoying peace (20). In every city the king is\nsurrounded by ten millions of soldiers; in every kingdom, hundreds and\nthousands of villages are growing prosperous and the earth has been\ncompletely covered with thousands of kings, their powerful army and\nmillions of villages (21-22). Placing before her the Time, freed of all\ndiseases and being shorn of energy the Earth has come to my house. O\nVishnu, thou art her most excellent refuge (23). This Earth, the land of\nhuman actions, has been greatly assailed. It behoves thee to do that by\nwhich the eternal Earth, the stay of the universe, may not suffer\ndeterioration (24). O Madhusudana, great is the iniquity in oppressing\nher, since on her being assailed all the works of the humanity will come\nto a close and the universe will fare ill (25). Being oppressed by the\nkings the earth has become evidently exhausted. Renouncing her firmness\nand natural forbearance she has grown impatient (26). We have heard her\nhistory. Thou hast listened to it also. We shall therefore consult with\nthee for relieving her of her load (27).\n\n\"Wending righteous ways all these kings are multiplying their\nterritories. Amongst men the three other Varna are following the\nBr\u0101hmanas (28). All the words are truthful, all the Varnas are observing\ntheir respective duties, all the Br\u0101hmanas are studying the Vedas and\nall other men are devoted to Br\u0101hmanas (29). Thus exist men in the world\nwho are the instruments of righteousness. Let such practices be observed\nby which virtue may not suffer deterioration (30). This earth is the\ngoal of the pious and none else. Virtue is the most excellent object\nthey should endeavour to secure. Therefore to relieve the earth of her\nburden it is meet to destroy the kings. Therefore, O great one, come\nwith us to hold a consultation. With the earth before us let us go to\nthe summit of the mount Meru (31\u201332).\" Having said this, O foremost of\nkings, the self-controlled Grand Father of all, Brahm\u0101, of great\neffulgence, began to take rest with the earth (33).\n\n  \u00b9\u2077\u2075 The six acts of a king, in his military character, are peace, war,\n      marching, halting, sowing dissension and seeking protection.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LII. THE ASSEMBLY OF THE GODS.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Saying \u2019so be it\u2019 the Lord, having the hue of a\ncloud and voice like its muttering in an unfair day, went away with the\ngods like a mountain covered with clouds (1). At that time Hari, having\na dark-blue person, put on shining matted locks crested with jems and\npearls like a cloud with the moon (2). On his spacious breast, the hairs\nwhereof stood erect, there was the mystic mark of Srivatsa (3). Wearing\ntwo pieces of yellow raiment that eternal Hari, the preceptor of the\nworld, looked like a mountain covered with evening clouds (4). When he\nbegan to proceed on the back of Garuda the Lotus-born Deity (Brahm\u0101) and\nthe gods, having their eyes fixed on him, began to follow him (5).\nHaving reached the jewelled mountain in no time they saw the assembly\nhall built after their own hearts (6). It was built on the summit of the\nmount Sumeru, and was effulgent like the sun. Its pillars were made of\ngold and its gateways were crested with diamonds. It contained diverse\npaintings on account of its being constructed by the mind and hundreds\nof cars. Its windows were covered with the jewelled nets. It could go\nany where at will and was embellished with jems. It was filled with many\nsorts of jewels and flowers made of various metals. That celestial\nassembly hall, filled with celestial illusion, was constructed by\nViswakarm\u0101n\u00b9\u2077\u2076 (7\u20139). All the gods, with delighted minds, sat duly on\nthe seats properly assigned to each of them, in that auspicious assembly\nhall (10). They sat on cars, seats, Bhadr\u0101sanas,\u00b9\u2077\u2077 Pithas,\u00b9\u2077\u2078 and seats\nof Kutha\u00b9\u2077\u2079 (11). Thereupon at the command of Brahm\u0101, the wind\nPrabhanjana began to patrol on all sides of the assembly hall so that\nthere might not arise any sound (12). When everything was silent and\ncalm in that assembly of the gods the Earth plaintively began to address\nthem in piteous accounts (13).\n\nThe Earth said:\u2014O god, do thou uphold me. By thee the whole universe has\nbeen sustained. Thou art protecting the creatures and three worlds (14).\nWhatever thou dost sustain by thy energy and strength, I do afterwards\nhold it by thy favour (15). Whatever thou dost hold I do hold it and\nwhatever thou dost not sustain I too do not keep it. There is no element\nin the universe which thou canst not sustain (16). O lord N\u0101r\u0101yana, at\nvarious cycles thou dost relieve me of my burthen for the behoof of the\nworld (17). Being possessed by thy energy I have gone to the region\nunderneath. O foremost of gods, I am at thy mercy. Do thou save me (18).\nI have been assailed by the wicked D\u0101navas and R\u0101kshasas. Thou art my\neternal saviour and I am always at thy mercy (19). I know it for hundred\ntimes that as long as I shall not seek refuge with N\u0101r\u0101yana who relieves\nme of all loads so long I shall be under the influence of a mighty fear\n(20). Before agriculture, merchandise and other means of livelihood were\ninstituted by the lotus-sprung Brahm\u0101, in the days of yore, I was\nreduced in dimension. Binding me two great Asuras, made of earth, were\nborn before (21). While this high-souled Vishnu was sleeping in the\nmighty deep they originated from the dirt of his ears and remained like\ntwo logs of wood (22). Despatched by the Grand-Father, air, in the shape\nof vital breath, entered into the body of those two D\u0101navas. Thereupon\ncovering the sky those two great Asuras began to grow up (23). Brahma\ngradually touched them both who were gifted with vital breaths. One of\nthem appeared to be soft and the other hard (24). The water-born Lord\nBrahm\u0101 then gave them names. The one, who was soft, was named Madhu and\nthe other, who was hard, was called Kaitava (25). When those two Daityas\nwere thus named they, elated with the pride of their strength and being\nfearless, began to range in the world converted into one sheet of water,\nseeking battle (26). Beholding them thus approach Brahm\u0101, the\ngrand-father of all, disappeared in the water of the universal ocean\n(27). The four-mouthed grand-father desired to live secretly in the\nlotus sprung from the navel of the lotus-navelled Vishnu (28). When\nN\u0101r\u0101yana\u2019s grand-sons, Madhu and Kaitava thus lived in the water, they,\nliving there for many long years, were not the least agitated (29).\nThereupon after many years, those two demons, Madhu and Kaitava, came\nwhere Brahm\u0101 was stationed (30). Beholding those two dreadful,\nhuge-bodied and irrepressible D\u0101navas, Brahm\u0101, with the stalk of the\nlotus, disturbed N\u0101r\u0101yana. Thereat the highly-effulgent lotus-navelled\nDeity rose up from his bed (31). At that time the three worlds were\ncovered with water and so in that one sheet of water there took place a\nterrible encounter between N\u0101r\u0101yana and Madhu and Kaitava (32). That\ndreadful battle continued for thousand years and those two D\u0101navas did\nnot experience least exhaustion in the encounter (33). After a long time\nthose two D\u0101navas, dreadful in battle, with a delighted heart, said to\nthe Lord N\u0101r\u0101yana. \"We have been greatly pleased with fighting with\nthee. Thou art our most desirable death. Do thou bring about our\ndestruction at a place on earth which is not filled with water (34-35).\nO foremost of gods, slain by thee we shall become thy sons who\nvanquishes us in battle\" (35).\n\nCatching these two demons with his arms in battle N\u0101r\u0101yana assailed\nthem. Thereat Madhu and Kaitava met with death (37). Thus killed those\ntwo D\u0101ityas were saturated with water. Their two bodies were then fused\ninto one. And then churned by the waves of the water they began to\ndischarge fat. The water was covered with fat.\n\nO sinless one, thereupon they disappeared and the Lord N\u0101r\u0101yana again\nengaged in the work of creation (38-39). On account of my being covered\nwith the fat of the demons Madhu and Kaitava I have passed by the name\nof _Medini_. I have become the eternal universe by the power of the\nlotus-navelled deity (40).\n\nAgain assuming the form of a boar in the presence of the Muni M\u0101rkandeya\nthe Lord raised me up from the water with one tusk (41). Again at\nanother time before your fiery presence the powerful Vishnu released me\nfrom the Daitya chief Bali (42). Now being oppressed and having none to\nprotect me I have sought refuge with the Lord of the universe Gad\u0101dhara\nwho is ever fond of his votaries (43). Fire is the cause of gold, the\nsun is the cause of stars and so N\u0101r\u0101yana is my support (44). I am alone\nholding this universe consisting of mobile and immobile creations. And\nG\u0101dadhara is supporting all these held by me (45). Desirous of relieving\nme of my burden Jamadagni\u2019s son R\u0101ma, out of anger, divested me, for\ntwenty-one times, of the Kshatriyas (46). Raising up a pillar of\nvictory, Bhrigu\u2019s son R\u0101ma propitiated me with royal blood at the\nobsequial rites of his father and then communicated it to Kashyapa (47).\nFilled with a bad stench coming out of fat, flesh and bones and\nsaturated with the blood of the Kshatriyas I appeared before Kashyapa\nlike a youthful damsel in her course (48). The Br\u0101hmana saint Kashyapa\nthen said to me:\u2014\"O earth, why art thou so depressed? Why dost thou,\nbeing the wife of a hero, observe the vow of humiliation\" (49). Thereat\nI said to Kashyapa, the Patriarch of the world:\u2014\"O Br\u0101hman, the great\nBh\u0101rgava has killed all my husbands (50). I have been divested of all\nthe powerful Kshatriyas who live on arms, and have lost my husband. I do\nnot wish to carry on me empty cities (51). Therefore, O Reverend Sir,\nconfer upon me such a king as will be able to protect me abounding in\nvillages and cities and engarlanded by oceans\" (52).\n\nHearing my words the Omnipotent Lord said \"Let it be so.\" Thereupon he\ngave me away to Manu, the king of men (53). Thereupon obtaining the\ngod-like kings of the Iksh\u0101ku race, originating from Manu, I, under the\ninfluence of powerful time, passed from the hands of one king to those\nof another (54). When the Lord bestowed me upon the intelligent Manu,\nthe king of men, many kings, born in the families of great saints, ruled\nover me (55). Having conquered me many heroic Kshatriyas have gone to\nthe celestial region. Under the influence of time they have disappeared\nin me (56). The powerful Kshatriyas, ever victorious in battle, fought\nfor me in this world with one another and they have been still fighting\neven now (57). This is the end of destiny despatched by thee. If thou\nhast commisseration for me, if thou dost wish to relieve me of my burden\ndo thou organise a war for the destruction of the kings for the behoof\nof the world. May the beautiful holder of discus alone grant me\nprotection (58\u201359). May N\u0101r\u0101yana command me to whom I have come for help\noppressed with a load, if he thinks proper to relieve me of it (60).\n\n  \u00b9\u2077\u2076 He was the architect of the gods.\n\n  \u00b9\u2077\u2077 Most excellent seat.\n\n  \u00b9\u2077\u2078 The seat of the religious student made properly of Kusa grass.\n\n  \u00b9\u2077\u2079 A kind of tree.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LIII. AN ACCOUNT OF SANTANU\u2019S FAMILY.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Thereupon hearing the words of the earth and\nthinking minutely on her object the gods said to the grand-father (1).\n\"O Lord, thou hast created the bodies of all creatures. Thou art the\nlord of all the worlds. Do thou therefore relieve the earth of her load.\nO lord, if thou dost wish to accomplish the object of the earth in this\nher calamity do thou, without delay, ascertain the duties of Mahendra,\nYama, Varuna, the king of riches, N\u0101r\u0101yana, the moon, the sun, the air,\nthe Adity\u0101s, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Patriarchs of the world, the\ncelestial physicians, the Aswinis, of the S\u0101ddhyas, of Vrihaspati,\npreceptor Sukra, of K\u0101la, of Kali, of Maheswara, of K\u0101rtikeya, of\nYakshas, R\u0101kshasas, Gandharvas, Ch\u0101ranas, great serpents, of birds, huge\nmountains and oceans consisting of great waves of rivers headed by Gang\u0101\n(2\u20138). O grand-father, how shall we send down our portions? Let us\ncreate bodies, not born of any woman, in the family of those kings who\nrange in the sky, in that of the kings who tread the earth and in that\nof courtier Br\u0101hmanas and other princes (9-10)\". Hearing this great\nresolution of the gods assembled together for one common cause the\ngrand-father of all, eulogised by the celestials, said to them (11). \"O\nye leading celestials, I like very much your resolution. Do you create\nportions of your body on earth with your energy (12). Ye are all leading\ncelestials, do ye, with your energy, descend on earth. And acquiring the\nprosperity of the three worlds do you relieve the earth of her burden\n(13). Listen to what I did in the days of yore for removing the load of\nher burden when I was informed of it (14).\n\n\"In the days of yore I was seated on the western bank of the eastern\nocean along with my grand-son the great Kashyapa (15). I was describing\nvarious themes relating to the Vedas described before, as well as many\nother episodes of the Pur\u0101nas (16). While I was thus discoursing, you\nall, accompanied by Maruts and the ocean and Gang\u0101 in their forms, came\nto me (17). With rushing waves, clad in a variegated raiment of acquatic\nanimals, with a body shining with shells and pearls, adorned with corals\nand jewels, accompanied by the moon and roaring like a cloud surcharged\nwith water, the ocean, as if vanquishing me, came to its bank. And\nthrowing up its salt waters he greatly distressed that place (18\u201320).\nWhen the ocean was about to assail that place with his water I said to\nhim in angry words \u2019be quiet\u2019 (21). No sooner I said \u2019be quiet\u2019 than he\nassumed a form. And with all his waves stilled he shone there in right\nregal grace (22). Desirous of encompassing your well-being and relieving\nthe earth of her burden I imprecated a curse on the ocean and Gang\u0101,\nsaying \u2019O ocean, since you have come in a regal form, go, you will be a\nking. Performing many feats with your own power on earth, you will be\nborn in the race of the great Bharata and be a protector of men.\nAlthough impatient you assumed a form as soon as I asked you to be\nquiet. Therefore gifted with a beautiful person you will be celebrated\non earth by the name of Sh\u0101ntanu. And this foremost of rivers, Gang\u0101, of\nunblemished limbs and expansive eyes, will go to you in a beautiful form\n(23-27)\u2019. When I said this, the ocean, being depressed at heart, looked\nat me. He said \u2019O Lord, O god of gods, why dost thou imprecate a curse\non me? I always obey thy commands. I have been made by thee and am\nalways under thy protection. I am therefore thy son. Why hast thou then\ncursed me in unbecoming words? (28\u201329). O lord, by thy favour, my waves\nincreased with the tides and so I was agitated. O Br\u0101hman, how am I to\nblame for this? (30). If during that time thou hast been touched by\nwater thrown up by the wind, what reason is there for thy imprecating a\ncurse on me (31)? I was agitated by three-fold instruments namely the\nblowing wind, the increasing cloud and _Parva_ accompanied by the moon\n(32). O Brahman, if I have committed any offence for these three\ninstruments set to work by thee it behoves thee to forgive me and let\nthere be an end of this curse (33). If dost thou find any evidence, O\nlord of gods, do thou show me mercy who have been depressed by a curse\nfor no offence of mine (34). O lord, by thy command, this Gang\u0101 will\ndescend on earth. I am guilty but thou shouldst show mercy on this\ninnocent one (35).\u2019\n\n\"Thereupon I said in sweet accents to the great ocean who had been\nterrified and moved by the curse of the gods who were innocent of the\ncause thereof. \u2019O you of great mind, O lord of rivers, be thou at ease,\ndo not fear, I have been propitiated with thee, Listen now to the future\nobject of this imprecation (36\u201337). O lord, renouncing this thy ocean\nbody, go to the race of Bharata. Then, O great ocean, O great king, you\nwill be enveloped with regal grace. There, O lord of waters, you will\ngovern the four Varnas and be pleased (38\u201339). And assuming, a beautiful\nform of a woman, this Gang\u0101, the foremost of rivers, will serve you\n(40). Sporting with J\u0101nhavi, by my command you will not experience human\nmiseries (41). O ocean, be you soon united with Gang\u0101 in wed-lock and\ncarry out my command (42). Exiled from the celestial region the Vasus\nhave entered the _Ras\u0101tala_. I appoint you for procreating them (43).\nLet J\u0101nhavi, for having offspring, conceive those eight Vasus who are\neffulgent like fire and increase the joy of the celestials (44). Having\nprocreated the Vasus, multiplied the Kuru race and cast off your human\nbody, you will, in no time, assume your ocean body\u2019 (45).\n\n\"O foremost of gods, thus in the days yore beholding the future burden\nof the earth, I sowed the seeds of Sh\u0101ntanu\u2019s race for your well-being\nin which have been born the Vasus who live in the celestial region\n(46\u201347). Even now in the celestial region exists Gang\u0101\u2019s son Bhishma as\nthe eighth Vasu. The seven other Vasus have repaired to their respective\nregions and only Vishnu is now living (48). The king Sh\u0101ntanu begat on\nhis second wife the highly effulgent and powerful king Vichitravirya\n(49). The two sons of Vichitravirya were the two famous kings of the\nworld Dhritar\u0101stra and P\u0101ndu, the two foremost of men (50). Of them\nP\u0101ndu had two beautiful and youthful wives. The first was named Kunti\nand the second was named M\u0101dri. And both of them were like the wives of\nthe celestials (51). Dhritar\u0101shtra had one wife, by name G\u0101ndh\u0101ri, who,\nby stead-fastly serving her husband, became celebrated in the world\n(52). Herein that house will be divided into two hostile parties and a\nterrible dissension will take place amongst the sons of those two kings\n(53). On account of the internal dissensions of these kings all the\nroyal families will be destroyed. A terrible fear, like the hour of\nuniversal dissolution will then prevail (54). When all the kings, with\ntheir armies, will be slain by one another the cities and kingdoms will\nbe shorn of their inhabitants and Earth will enjoy relief (55). I have\nread in the Puranas that in the end of the Dw\u0101para Yuga, all the kings,\nwith their armies, will be destroyed by weapons. Then Ashwathama, a\nportion incarnate of Sankara, with the fire of weapon, will consume the\nremnant of humanity in battle lying unconscious, at night, in sleep\n(56\u201357). When that one of cruel deeds, the like of death himself, will\ndesist, this story relating to the the Dw\u0101para Yuga, will come to a\nclose (58). When Ashwath\u0101m\u0101, a portion of Siva, will disappear, the\ndreadful Kali Yuga of Maheswara will set in (59). In this Yuga people\nwill perpetrate many iniquities and there will flourish only a portion\nof virtue. Truth will disappear and falsehood will be stored up (60). In\nthis Yuga, people will worship only Maheswara and Skanda; old and\nlong-lived men will not exist on the earth (61). I have thus described\nthe most excellent annihilation of the kings of this world. Therefore, O\nye celestials, descend on earth, without delay in your respective\nportions (62). Let Kunti and Madri conceive portions of Dharma and let\nGandh\u0101ri conceive Kali the instrument of all dissensions (63). These\nkings, urged on by destiny, will form two parties and being desirous of\nsecuring the earth, will seek a war (64). Let Earth, who upholds all the\nworlds, enter into her own native source. This sacred and well-known\nmeans of the kings is thus created (65).\" Hearing the words of the\nGrand-father Earth with K\u0101la went away happily for encompassing the\ndestruction of the kings (66).\n\nThereupon Brahm\u0101 despatched the gods for slaying their enemies. The\nancient Rishi Nara the (Serpent) Sesha, that upholds the earth,\nSanatkum\u0101r, the Sadhyas, Agni, and other gods, Varuna, the Vasus, the\nsun, the moon, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, the Rudras, the Viswas, the\ntwo Aswinis all descended on earth in their respective portions (67\u201369).\nAs described by me before the incarnations of the portions of gods,\nthose foremost of Purushas were born, through women or otherwise, on\nearth as the destroyers of the Daityas and D\u0101navas. Some of them\nmultiplied their families like fig-trees. And some of them were\nhard-bodied like thunder-bolts (70\u201371). Some of them were endued with\nthe strength of a million of elephants. Some of them were powerful like\nmighty currents and some were capable of handling clubs, Parighas and\nother weapons (72). All of them were capable of striking with the\nsummits of the mountains. Hundreds and thousands of men, having arms\nlike Parighas, were born in the race of Vrishnis. And the gods were born\nin the races of Kuru and Panchala as kings. There were born in the\nprosperous family of Yadus and those of Br\u0101hmanas many sacrificers of\npious deeds, well read in the scriptures, mighty bow-men, observant of\nVedic rituals and endued with prosperity and accomplishments (73\u201375).\nWhenever angry they could shake the mountains, the rivers, the surface\nof the earth, rise up in the sky and agitate the mighty deep (76).\n\nHaving thus commanded the gods the Grand-father Brahm\u0101, the master of\npresent, past, and future, consigned all the worlds to N\u0101r\u0101yana and\nattained peace (77). Listen again to what the Omnipotent N\u0101r\u0101yana,\nVishnu, of sacred fame, the lord of wealth and life, did for the behoof\nof creatures after incarnating himself on earth and taking birth in the\nfamily of the intelligent Vasudeva, the descendant of Yay\u0101ti (78\u201379).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LIV. THE BIRTH OF THE DAITYAS.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014After N\u0101r\u0101yana, on his being successful, had\nrepaired to a house on the earth becoming his position, after the gods\nhad incarnated their portions in the race of Bharata, after the portions\nof Dharma, Indra, Pavana, the celestial physicians the two Aswinis, and\nthe sun had descended on earth, after the priest, of the gods, had come\ndown on earth, in a portion of his, after the eighth portion of Vasus\nhad come down on earth, after the portion of Death, Kali had been on\nearth, after the portion of Sukra, Varuna, Sankara, Mitra, Kuvera,\nGandharvas, Uragas and Yakshas had come down earth N\u0101rada came out of a\nportion of N\u0101r\u0101yana\u2019s energy\u00b9\u2078\u2070 (1-6). He was effulgent like fire, had\neyes like the rising sun and had huge and all-spreading matted locks. He\nwore a raiment white like the rays of the moon and was adorned with\ngolden ornaments (7). He carried a big _Vina_\u00b9\u2078\u00b9 like a female companion\nalways confined in room, had an antelope skin thrown on his body and a\nsacred thread made of gold. With a staff and _Kamandalu_\u00b9\u2078\u00b2 in his hands\nhe appeared like second Sakra (8). That great sage always used to pick\nup quarrels, was learned, well-read in _Gandharva-Veda_\u00b9\u2078\u00b3 and was\ncapable of deciphering the secret cause of dissensions in this world.\nThat Br\u0101hmana used to create enemies of his own accord and was like the\nsecond Kali himself. That great Muni was the first speaker in the land\nof gods and Gandharvas, was the chanter of the four Vedas and was the\nreciter of the first Rik. That immortal sage N\u0101rada, ever ranging in the\nregion of Brahm\u0101, with a depressed heart said to Vishnu in the midst of\nthe assembled gods. \"O N\u0101r\u0101yana, useless have been the incarnations of\nthe gods for the destruction of the kings (9-13). O lord of the\ncelestial region, thyself existing here, this dissension of the kings\nwill be productive of no fruit. Methinks their work cannot be\naccomplished without N\u0101r\u0101yana\u2019s Yoga (14). O god of gods, thou art wise\nand observant of the true essence of things. It has not been proper for\nthee to institute such a work for the earth (15). Thou art the vision of\nthe eyes and the lord of the powerful. Thou art the foremost of the\nYogins and the refuge of all (16). Beholding the incarnation of the gods\non earth why didst not thou send, first of all, a portion of thy energy\nto relieve the earth of her burden? (17). Making thee their help, and\nbeing identical with and guided by thee all the gods will swim on this\nearth from one action to another (18). I have therefore hastened to the\npresence of these assembled gods to send thee, O Vishnu; hear the reason\nthereof (19). O N\u0101r\u0101yana, hear of the movements of those Daityas who,\namongst many that had been slain by thee in the war of which T\u0101rak\u0101 was\nthe root, have gone to the face of the earth (20). There is a delightful\ncity on the face of the earth by name Mathur\u0101. It is situate on the bank\nof Yamun\u0101 and abounds in many prosperous, villages. There was a great\nD\u0101nava, irrepressible in battle, by name Madhu. He was highly powerful\nand a terror to all creatures (21\u201322). There was a vast and dreadful\nforest by name Madhu abounding in huge trees where he used to live\nformerly (23). The great D\u0101nava Lavana was Madhu\u2019s son. He was gifted\nwith profuse strength and was a terror to all creatures (24). Sporting\nthere for many years, that D\u0101nava, elated with pride, terrorized all the\ngods and others (26). When the pious son of Dasharatha, R\u0101ma, a terror\nto the R\u0101kshasas, was ruling in Ayodhya, that D\u0101nava, eulogised by all\nthe Daityas, repaired to a dreadful forest. Lavana despatched to R\u0101ma, a\nharsh-speeched emissary. He said \u2019O R\u0101ma, I am living near your\nterritory. The D\u0101nava Lavana is your enemy. The kings do not wish to\nhave a powerful enemy (26\u201328). A king, who seeks the well-being of his\nsubjects, observes his royal duties and wishes to multiply his\nterritories and riches, should always defeat his enemies (29). That\nking, desirous of pleasing his subjects, who has his hairs wet with the\nwater of installation,\u00b9\u2078\u2074 should first of all conquer his senses, for\nmastery over senses is the sure victory (30), The king, who wishes to\nkeep his position always intact and strong, should instruct his men in\nmoral laws for there is no other preceptor like him to the people (31).\nIf when placed in the midst of dangers and vices, an intelligent king\nstrengthens himself by his army he is not to entertain any fear of his\nenemies (32). All men are killed by their senses, the powerful enemies\nborn with them. An impatient king is slain by the false notion of good\ndone to them by their enemies (33). On account of your wife, you have,\nout of foolish attachment, killed R\u0101vana with his army. I do not\nconsider that sinful action of yours as great and becoming (34). Living\nin a forest and observing a vow you have killed a mean Rakshasa. Such a\nconduct is not seen in the pious (35). Virtue, begotten of forbearance,\ntakes the pious to an auspicious and righteous station. Out of ignorance\nyou have killed R\u0101vana and honoured the forest ranging Vanaras\u00b9\u2078\u2075 (36).\nIndeed R\u0101vana is blessed, since you, while observing a vow, killed him\nin battle for your wife, in pursance of the conduct of ordinary men\n(37). That wicked-minded R\u0101vana, who has not controlled his senses, has\nbeen killed by you in battle. You are therefore capable of fighting.\nCome and fight with me to-day\u2019 (38).\n\n\"Hearing those words of that harsh-speeched emissary, R\u0101ma, out of\nforbearance, smilingly said to him:\u2014\u2019O Emissary, what you have said, out\nof honor to that night-ranger, is unfair, since you have been blaming me\nand considering yourself at ease (39\u201340). What is there to blame, if,\nwending the ways of righteousness, I have been stupified, if R\u0101vana has\nbeen slain and my wife has been carried away (41), The virtuous, always\nfollowing the ways of morality, do not blame others even with their\nwords. As the God is always awake for the pious, He is equally so for\nthe wicked (42), You have done what is the duty of a messenger. Go now\nand make no delay. Persons like me do not hurt the mean: who are fond of\nmaking too much of themselves (43). Here is my younger brother\nSatrughna, the repressor of enemies in battle. He will wait for that\nwicked-minded demon (44).\u2019 Thus addressed by R\u0101ma and commanded by that\nking that messenger set out with Satrughna. Ascending upon a\nquick-coursing car, Sumitra\u2019s son Satrughna repaired to the huge forest\nof Madhu and desirous of entering into a battle pitched a tent there\n(45\u201346).\n\n\"Thereupon hearing the words of that messenger the demon Lavana was\nbeside himself with anger. Leaving behind the Madhu forest he started\nfor battle. Then there took place a terrible encounter between Satrughna\nand Lavana. They were both heroic and mighty bowmen. Both of them struck\neach other with sharpened arrows. None of them fled back from the\nbattle-field and none of them felt himself tired (47-49).\n\n\"Thereupon greatly assailed in battle by Satrughna\u2019s shafts the D\u0101nava\nLavana met with discomfiture for he had not his mace with him (50).\nAfterwards taking up a celestial Sankhusha, that was given to him as a\nboon and was capable of grinding all creatures, Lavana began to shout in\nthe battle (51). He caught of hold Satrughna\u2019s turban with it and began\nto draw in R\u0101ghava\u2019s younger brother (52). Thereat taking up a most\nexcellent dagger having a golden handle Satrughna cut off with it\nLavana\u2019s head in that great battle (52). Having slain that demon Lavana\nin battle, that heroic son of Sumitra, who gives delight to his friends,\ncleared off his forest with his weapons (54). Having cleared that forest\nthat pious son of Sumitr\u0101, Satrughna, built a city there for the\nwell-being of that province and desired to live there. Having killed, in\nthe days of yore, the demon Lavana in Mudhu forest Setrughna built a\ncity there by name Mathur\u0101 (55\u201356). That great city was adorned with\nwalls, gate ways and doors. It contained many villages, high buildings\nand gardens. Its boundaries were well laid and it was beautifully built.\nThe walls were very high. The ditches were like the ornament that a\nwoman uses round her waist. The buildings, made of stone and bricks,\nwere like Keyuras. Beautiful palaces were like the ear-rings. The\nwell-protected gates were like the veils and the prominades were like\nsmiles. It contained many healthy heroes, elephants, horses and cars. It\nresembled a crescent and was situate on the bank of Yamuna. It contained\nbeautiful markets and was proud of her collection of jems. The fields\nthere were full of corns. The king of gods (Indra) used to pour showers\nin proper season. Men and women there were always delightful. The highly\npowerful king Surasena, born in the race of Bhojas, reigned there. He\nwas powerful like Mah\u0101sena and was celebrated by the name of Ugrasena\n(57\u201363).\n\n\"He whom thou hast killed, O Vishnu, is his son. The Daitya, by name\nK\u0101lanemi, whom thou didst slay in the battle of which T\u0101raka was the\nroot, is born as Kansa, and is the scion of the Bhoja race. That king,\nwho treads like a lion, is celebrated in the world (64\u201365). He is a\nterror to all the kings of the world and a dread to all creatures. He is\nalways beyond the path of righteousness (66). He is highly persevering\nand ruthless. He is so very haughty to his subjects that seeing him\ntheir hairs stand erect (67). He never observes his royal duties and is\nnever a source of pleasure to his own men. He never does any good to his\nkingdom and behaves always like a tyrant (68). He, who was vanquished by\nthee in T\u0101raka battle, is now born as Kansa in the Bhoja race. That one,\nliving on meat, is oppressing all the worlds, with his demonaic heart\n(69). He, who was like a horse and known by the name, Hayagriva, is born\nas Keshi the youngest brother of Kansa (70). That wicked bodiless demon\nwith manes, neighing like a horse, is now living alone in Vrind\u0101vana. He\nlives on human flesh (71). Bali\u2019s son Aristha is born as the great Asura\nKakudmi, capable of assuming forms of his own accord. Adopting the form\nof a bull he has become an enemy of the kine (72). Diti\u2019s son Ristha,\nthe foremost of Danavas, is born as Kansa\u2019s elephant (73). That dreadful\ndemon Lamva is born as Pralamva. He is living under a fig-tree by name\nBhandara (74). That demon, who was known by the name of Khara, is born\nas the dreadful Asura Dhanuka. Living in the forest of palm-trees he is\nmaking a havoc of creatures (75). Those two foremost of Danavas, by name\nVaraha and Kishora, have been born as wrestlers Chanuka and Musthika who\nare always at the arena (76). Those two Danavas Maya and Tara, who were\nlike death even to the demons, are now living in the city of Bhumi\u2019s son\nNaraka, by name Pr\u0101gyotish (77).\n\n\"O N\u0101r\u0101yana, thou didst slay all these Danavas and divest them of their\nforms. Assuming human bodies they are now oppressing the people of the\nworld (78). They oppose the chanting of thy name and destroy thy\nvotaries. By thy favour only they will meet with destruction (79). In\nheaven they are afraid of thee, in ocean they are afraid of thee and\neven on earth they afraid of thee. There is no other source of fear to\nthem (80). O Sridhar, thou dost slay the wicked D\u0101navas; none else can\naccomplish their destruction. The Daityas, who are sent away from\nheaven, find refuge on earth (81).\n\n\"O Keshava, thou being awake, it is difficult for that demon to go again\nto heaven, who, on his being slain in the celestial region, again rises\nup assuming a human body (82). Therefore, O N\u0101r\u0101yana, do thou come to\nthe world. We are also descending on earth. Do thou create your own self\nfor the destruction of D\u0101navas (83). The forms of thine, which are not\nmanifest, are both visible and invisible to the celestials. In those\nforms, the gods, created by thee, shall descend on earth (84).\n\n\"O Vishnu, when thou shalt come down on earth, Kansa will not be able to\nreign and the object, for which the earth has come, will also be\naccomplished (85). Thou art the preceptor of all works in the land of\nBharata, thou art the eye of all and the supreme refuge. Therefore, O\nHrishikesha do thou come on earth and slay those wicked D\u0101navas (86)\".\n\n  \u00b9\u2078\u2070 Dharma\u2019s incarnation was Yudhishthira, Sakra\u2019s was Arjuna and\n      Pavana\u2019s was Bhimasena. The two Aswinis incarnated themselves as\n      Nakula and Sahadeva. The sun incarnated himself as Karna, the\n      priest of the gods Vrihaspati as Drona, the eighth Vasu as\n      Bhishma, death as Vidura, Kali as Duryodhana, Soma as Abhimanyu,\n      Sukra as Bhurisrava, Varuna as Srutayudha, Sankara as Ashwathama,\n      Mitra as Kanika, Kuvera as Dhritarashtra. The Gandharva and others\n      incarnated themselves as Ugrasena, Dushasana and others.\n\n  \u00b9\u2078\u00b9 A stringed musical instrument.\n\n  \u00b9\u2078\u00b2 A vessel to carry water.\n\n  \u00b9\u2078\u00b3 The art of music. This was the special gift of the Gandharvas.\n\n  \u00b9\u2078\u2074 The usual practice is that at the time of installation sacred\n      water is sprinkled on the head of a king. The meaning is that who\n      has gone through the ceremony of installation.\n\n  \u00b9\u2078\u2075 Properly speaking they were not monkeys but a barbarous race\n      living in a province of the Southern India.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER L.V. VISHNU\u2019S REPLY.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Hearing the words of N\u0101rada the Lord Madhusudana,\nthe master of gods, smilingly said in auspicious words (1):\u2014\"O N\u0101rada,\nlisten to a proper reply to all these words which you have addressed to\nme for the well-being of the three worlds (2). It is known to me that\nall these D\u0101navas, assuming human forms, have been born on earth (3). I\nknow too that Kansa is born as the son of Ugrasena on earth. I know also\nthat Keshi is born as a horse (4). I know also the elephant\nKuvalayapida, the wrestlers Ch\u0101nura and Mushthika and the demon Arishtha\nin the shape of a bull (5). Khara and the great Asura Pralamva are also\nknown to me. Bali\u2019s daughter Putan\u0101 is also well known to me (6). I know\nalso K\u0101liya who is living in the lake of Yamun\u0101 and who has entered\nthere in fear of Vinat\u0101\u2019s son\u00b9\u2078\u2076 (7). I know also Jar\u0101sandha who is the\nhead of all kings; and the demon Naraka, who is living in the city of\nPr\u0101gyotish, is also very well-known to me (8). In the city of Shonitpura\non earth B\u0101na is born as a man. That energetic and haughty demon, of\nthousand arms, is invincible even unto the gods. I know also that the\ngreat charge of Bh\u0101ratvarsa lies with me (9-10). I know also how all\nthese kings will disappear. The destruction of those danavas, in human\nforms, who never come back from battle-field and the rejoicing of the\nregion of Sakra has also been seen by me (11). For myself and for others\nI shall enter into Yoga. Going to the region of men and assuming a human\nform I shall bring about the destruction of all those mighty demons\nheaded by Kansa. I shall slay him by that means by which he will enjoy\npeace (12\u201313). By my Yoga I shall resort to all these means. It is my\nincumbent duty to destroy all those enemies of the gods in battle (14).\nI shall kill the foes of all those great ones who have sacrificed\nthemselves on behalf of the earth, of all those gods, Rishis and\nGandharvas who have come down on earth at my behest (15). O N\u0101rada, I\nhave already formed this resolution. Let the grand-father Brahm\u0101 make a\nhouse there for me (16). O grand-father, do thou relate to me, how, born\nin what country and living in what house I shall kill them (17)\".\n\nBrahma said:\u2014O lord, O N\u0101r\u0101yana, hear from me of that key to success and\nwho your parents will be on earth (18). In order to glorify their family\nyou will be born in the race of Y\u0101davas (19). Eradicating these Asuras\nfor good and multiplying your great family you will establish the orders\nof mankind. Hear from me about this (20).\n\nO N\u0101r\u0101yana, in the days of yore, in the great sacrifice of the\nhigh-souled Varuna, Kashyapa stole away all the cows giving milk for the\nsacrifice (21). Kashyapa had two wives, Aditi and Surabhi who did not\nwish to accept the kine from Varuna (24). Thereupon coming to me and\nbowing with his head down Varuna said \"O revered one, the preceptor has\nstolen away all my kine (23). Having accomplished his object, even, O\nfather, he has not ordered the return of those kine. He is under the\ncontrol of his two wives Aditi and Surabhi (24). O lord, all those my\nkine give heavenly and eternal milk whenever wished. Protected by their\nown power they range in the seas (25). They perpetually yeild milk like\nunto the ambrosia of gods. Save Kashyapa there is none else who can\ncharm them (26). O Brahm\u0101, a master, a preceptor or whoever he may be if\none goes astray thou dost control him. Thou art our supreme refuge (27).\nO preceptor of the world, if punishment is not meted out to powerful\npersons who do not know their own work, then the order of the world will\nnot exist (28). Thou art omnipotent and lord of all. Do thou give me my\nkine, I will go then to the ocean (29). These kine are my soul\u2014they are\nmy endless strength. Of all thy creation the kine and the Br\u0101hmanas are\nthe eternal sources of energy (30). First of all the kine should be\nsaved. When they are saved they protect the Br\u0101hmanas. The world is\nupheld by the protection of the kine and Br\u0101hmanas\" (31).\n\nO Achyuta, thus addressed by Varuna, the king of water, and being truly\ninformed of the pilfering of the kine I imprecated a curse on Kashyapa\n(32). With that portion, in which the high-souled Kashyapa stole the\nkine, he will be born as a milkman on earth (33). His two wives Surabhi\nand Aditi, who are like pieces of wood for the birth of gods, will also\ngo with him (34). Being born as a milkman with them he will live there\nhappily. That portion of Kashyapa, equally powerful like himself, will\npass by the name of Vasudeva and will live amongst the kine on earth.\nNear Mathur\u0101 there is a mountain by name Govardhana (35-36). Paying\ntribute to Kansa he lives there being attached to kine. His two wives\nAditi and Surabhi are born as the two wives of Vasudeva by name Devaki\nand Rohini. Being born there as a boy having all the characteristics of\na milkman he there grew up as thou didst do before in thy form with\nthree footsteps. Then covering thyself with the form (of Yoga), O\nMadhusudana, do thou go there for the well-being of the world. With\nexclamations of thy victory and benediction all these gods are welcoming\nthee. Descending on earth and taking thy birth from Rohini and Devaki do\nthou please them. Thousands of milk maids will also cover the earth\n(37-42). O Vishnu, when thou shalt range in the forest tending kine they\nwill see thy beautiful form adorned with garlands of wild flowers (43).\nO thou having eyes like lotus petals, O large-armed N\u0101r\u0101yana, when thou\nwilt go as a boy to the villages of milkmen all people will become boys\n(44). O thou having lotus eyes, being milkmen with their minds devoted\nto thee all thy votaries will help thee; tending kine in the forest,\nrunning in pastures and bathing in the water of Yamun\u0101 they will acquire\na great attachment for thee. And Vasudeva\u2019s life will be a blessed one\n(45\u201346). Thou wilt address him as thy father and he will address thee as\nhis son. Save Kashyapa whom else canst thou accept as thy father (47)? O\nVishnu, save Aditi who else can conceive thee? Therefore by thy\nself-begotten Yoga do thou proceed for victory, O Madhusudana. We too\nrepair to our respective habitations (48).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having ordered the gods to repair to the celestial\nregion the Lord Vishnu went to his own abode on the northern side of the\nocean of milk (49). In this quarter there is a cave of the mount Sumeru\ndifficult of being trodden, which is worshipped with his three\nfoot-steps during the solistice (60). Having left there, in the cave,\nhis old body the omnipotent and intelligent Hari despatched his soul to\nthe house of Vasudeva (61).\n\n  \u00b9\u2078\u2076 Garuda who used to eat up serpents.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LVI. KANSA IS INFORMED OF HIS DEATH BY NARADA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Being informed of the descension of Vishnu and of\nthe portions of other gods, the celestial saint N\u0101rada repaired to the\ncity of Mathur\u0101 to communicate the future death of Kansa (1). Coming\ndown from the celestial region and arriving at the garden of Mathur\u0101,\nthat foremost of Munis sent a messenger to Kansa, the son of Ugrasena\n(2). He communicated the arrival of the Muni at the garden. Hearing of\nthe arrival of N\u0101rada, that Asura, having lotus-like eyes, speedily went\nout of his city. He saw there his guest, the praiseworthy Br\u0101hmana saint\nN\u0101rada, shorn of all sins, powerful like the sun and effulgent like\nfire. Having bowed unto him and worshipped him duly he brought for him a\ngolden seat shining like fire. That Muni, the friend of Sakra, sat on\nthat seat (3\u20136).\n\nHe then said to the highly wrathful son of Ugrasena:\u2014O hero, you have\nduly worshipped me with works laid down in the scriptures. Hear now and\naccept what I say. O my son, ranging in Nandana and Chaitraratha\ngardens, in Brahm\u0101 and other celestial regions I arrived at the great\nmount Sumeru, the friend of the sun (7\u20139). The gods also followed me.\nHaving bathed in the holy water of all the sacred rivers I saw the\ncelestial Gang\u0101 of three courses and streams, who dissipates all sins as\nsoon as she is recollected. Thereupon having bathed, in order, at all\nthose sacred shrines I saw Brahm\u0101\u2019s palace, resorted to by the Br\u0101hmana\nsaints and filled with the music of the gods, Gandharvas and Apsaras\n(10-12).\n\nOnce on a time the Grand-Father held a meeting of the gods on the summit\nof the mount Sumeru. I, too, taking up my Vin\u0101, set to tune, came to\nthat meeting of Brahm\u0101 and saw that the Grand-Father and the gods,\nadorned with white turbans and diverse jewels, and seated on celestial\nseats, were holding counsels (13\u201314). O great king, I heard there that\nthey, with their followers, were concerting dreadful measures for your\ndestruction (15). The child, of the eighth conception of your youngest\nsister Devaki who lives in Mathur\u0101, will be your death (16). O hero, it\nhas been ascertained that your death will proceed from that self-born\n(Vishnu) who is the stay of heaven, is the great mystery of the gods and\nis identical with all (17), O Kansa, to meet with death at the hands of\nthat god of Gods, as has been settled upon, is a matter of glory to you.\nTherefore remember him now. Try to destroy the conception of Devaki and\nenjoy all your wealth and articles of pleasure. I love you very much and\ntherefore I have come here and described to you what took place on the\nsummit of the mount Sumeru. I; now leave you. May you fare well (17\u201320).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014After N\u0101rada had said this and gone away Kansa,\nmeditating on his words, began to laugh aloud with his lips open, and\nsmilingly said to his servants who were before him. \"Truly the gods make\nfun with Narada and he has no knowledge of things (21\u201322). Even when I\nam seated on my throne, asleep, mad or intoxicated, the gods headed by\nV\u0101sava cannot terrify me the least (23). Who is there in the land of men\nwho can dare make me angry? I can even agitate the earth with these two\nmy huge arms (24). From to-day I shall greatly oppress men, beasts,\nbirds and all other creatures who follow the gods (25). Do ye issue this\ncommand to Keshi, in the shape of a horse, Pralamva, Dhenuka, Aristha,\nin the form of a bull, Putan\u0101, Kaliya and other demons (26). Assuming\ndiverse forms do ye range all over the world and destroy them whom you\nwill find against me (27). N\u0101rada has said that our fear proceeds from\nconception and therefore you should always be informed of the movements\nof all those who have been conceived by women (28). When I am your\nmaster you need not be afraid of any accidental calamity. Therefore\nfreed of all anxiety do ye enjoy objects of pleasure of your own accord\n(29). Narada is greatly fond of quarrels and is intent on creating\ndissensions. In order to set one against another that Br\u0101hmana, with a\nrestive mind, travels in all the worlds, creates dissensions even\namongst men of highly quiet temparament and works out enmity amongst\nkings by various means\" (30\u201331).\n\nHaving vauntingly said this Kansa entered his own palace but his heart\nwas burning with the fire of anger (32).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LVII. AN ACCOUNT OF THE BIRTH OF DEMONS\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Thereupon worked up with anger Kansa said to all his\nwell-meaning ministers:\u2014\"Do ye always be on your guard for destroying\nthe (eight born) children of Devaki (1). The calamity, which we suspect,\nshould be eradicated. Therefore from the very beginning destroy all the\nembryos of Devaki (2). Let Devaki, well guarded in the inner appartment\nby the warders, range there confidently. And when she conceives keep her\nwith care (3). As soon as she will conceive, the women of my harem will\ncount the months from the very first, and being informed of the time of\ndelivery we will do what we think proper (4). Let Vasudeva too be kept\nunconsciously day and night in the inner appartment by eunuchs and women\nengaged in my well being. Let no body disclose to him the secret (5).\nWith these human efforts people should accomplish their objects. Hear\nhow persons like me avert the course of destiny (6). Even an adverse\ndestiny is made propitious by well employed _mantras_, properly\nadministered medicines, care and devotion (7).\"\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana continued:\u2014Hearing from N\u0101rada, the account of his death,\nKansa, out of fear, began to hold counsels as to how he should destroy\nDevaki\u2019s embryo (8). On the other hand, being informed of the portendous\nand dreadful efforts of Kansa while out of sight, the powerful Vishnu\nbegan to think (9) \"Bhoja\u2019s descendant Kansa will destroy the first\nseven children of Devaki. In her eighth conception I shall have to live\nin her womb\" (10). While thus meditating his mind flew where the\nSaragarbha Danavas, by name, Hansa, Suvikr\u0101tha, Damana, Ripunardana, and\nKrodhahart\u0101 were living in the water (11). These immortal-like\nSaragarbhas, the sons of K\u0101lanemi, were powerful like the celestials,\nwere of effulgent persons and experts in battle (12). Leaving their own\ngrand-father Hiranyakasipu and wearing mantted locks those Saragarbha\nDaityas worshipped the Grand-father of all, Brahm\u0101, with hard penances\nwho, being pleased, conferred on them the following boon (13-14).\n\nBrahma said:\u2014\"O ye foremost of D\u0101navas, I have been greatly pleased with\nyour ascetic austerities. Express to me clearly your wishes, I shall\ngrant them to you all.\" (15). Encouraged by Brahm\u0101\u2019s words the Daityas\nsaid \"O lord, if thou art pleased with us do thou confer upon us this\nbest of boons. O Brahman, if thou art ready to confer upon us a boon, do\nthou grant us such a one as may render us unslayable by the gods, the\nhuge Uragas, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Siddhas, Ch\u0101ranas, men and by the\ngreat Rishis ever engaged in penances, whose weapons are their curses\"\n(16\u201318).\n\nThe Grand-father was greatly delighted at heart with their ascetic\nobservances and therefore affectionately said to them:\u2014\"What you have\nprayed for will all be accomplished.\" Having conferred this boon on\nSaragarbhas the self-born repaired to the celestial region.\n\nThereupon Hiranyakasipu addressed them in angry words saying (19\u201320).\n\"By your disregarding me and praying for a boon to the lotus-sprung\nBrahm\u0101, you have become my enemies. I therefore have no affection for\nyou and forsake you all. That father, who has given you the high\nsounding name of _Saragarbha_, will kill you all while in embryo\n(21\u201322.) O ye great Asuras Saragarbhas, you all six will be born in\norder from Devaki and Kansa will kill you (23).\"\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Thereupon repairing to the nether region Vishnu\narrived where Saragarbha Asuras, on account of the imprecation of\nHiranyakasipu, were living in the womb of water. He saw them lying there\npossessed by death-like sleep (24\u201325). Thereupon entering into the body\nof the Saragarbhas in a state of dream, Vishnu, having truth for his\nprowess, caught hold of their vital breaths and consigned them to the\ncare of sleep. He said \"O sleep, by my command take the vital airs of\nall these leading D\u0101navas Saragarbhas and place them in order in the\nwomb of Devaki (26-28). They will be born of her womb and proceed to the\nabode of Death. Kansa\u2019s efforts will be baffled and Devaki\u2019s labour will\nbe crowned with success (29). I will show you such a favour that like me\nyou will be powerful on earth and adored of all creatures (30).\nThereupon when my gentle portion will be conceived by Devaki in her\nseventh conception, take that eldest brother of mine in the seventh\nmonth and place him within Rohini\u2019s womb (31). On account of his thus\nbeing taken away from the womb, that moon-like elder brother of mine\nwill pass, in his youth, by the name of Sangkarsana (32). Thereupon\nthinking that \u2019Devaki has untimely given birth to a child out of fear in\nthe seventh time\u2019 Kansa will be very careful for the eighth time when I\nwill be in her womb (33). O goddess, may you fare-well; as being the\nninth of our race, you will be conceived by Yashod\u0101, the best of\nmilk-women, the most beloved wife of Nanda the master of Kansa\u2019s kine.\nYou will be born on the ninth day of the dark half of the month (34\u201335).\nI too, in the middle of the night under the influence of Abhijit,\u00b9\u2078\u2077\nwill come out happily of the womb (36). O sleep, highly dreadful is\nKansa\u2019s rule. Therefore in the eighth month, we will be simultaneously\nborn (and exchanged by Vasudeva) (37). I will be taken to Yashod\u0101 and\nyou will be taken to Devaki. By this our interchange Kansa will be\nstupified (38). Then taking you by the leg he will dash you against a\nstone; you will then at once go up to the sky and attain to your eternal\nregion (39). O goddess, there the effulgence of your face will be like\nthat of Sangkarshana and your body will be dark-blue like mine and your\narms will be as huge as those of mine (40). O sleep, when armed with an\nuplifted mace of three heads, and with a dagger of golden handles, when\nwith a cup full of wine and a clean lotus, when adorned with a blue\nraiment and a yellow cloth thrown round your breast, you will occupy the\nroad of the celestials, your breast will adorned with a necklace shining\nlike the rays of the moon, your two ears will be adorned with two\ncelestial _Kundalas_ and your countenance will shine like the moon\n(41-43). O goddess, adorned, at my command, with a wonderful crown and\nhair nets, with flags of peacock feather and _Angadas_, embellishing the\nten quarters, with your dreadful arms resembling the serpents, encircled\nby terrible goblins and observing the vow of celibacy you will enter\ninto the celestial region (44\u201346). When you will reach the land of gods,\nthe thousand-eyed Indra will confer upon you the dignity of a god by\nsprinkling you with water according to the rules laid down by me and\naccept you as his sister. Having been adopted in the family of Kushika\nyou will pass by the name of Koushika (47\u201348). Afterwards when V\u0101sava\nwill assign to you the mount Vindhy\u0101 for your habitation you will adorn\nthe world with thousand provinces (49). On whomever on earth you will\nbestow a boon while ranging of your own accord in the three worlds, he\nwill at once attain to the fruit thereof (50). O goddess, there thinking\nof me in your mind, and starting with the goblins you will kill the two\ndemons Shumbha and Nishumbha living in mountain, with all their\nattendants (51). O sleep, you are greatly fond of an offering of meat.\nYou will therefore, on a _Navami_,\u00b9\u2078\u2078 receive, on earth, worship\naccompanied by the sacrifice of beasts (52). Children or wealth, it will\nnot be difficult to acquire any of these for him, who, amongst men\ncognizant of my prowess, will bow unto you (53). You will save them all\nfrom danger, those who will be tired in a huge forest, those who will be\ndrowned in a mighty deep, those who will be attacked by robbers (54). O\nauspicious lady, I will not kill him who will propitiate you with\ndevotion nor will he meet with ruin at my hands (55)\".\n\n  \u00b9\u2078\u2077 One of the _Nakshatras_ or lunar asterisms.\n\n  \u00b9\u2078\u2078 The ninth day of the dark half of the month.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LVIII. ATTRIBUTES OF THE GODDESS.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Having saluted the goddess N\u0101r\u0101yani, the mistress of\nthe three worlds I shall recite the sacred hymn as sung by the ancient\nRishis (1).\n\n\"O goddess, thou art the salvation, intelligence, glory, bashfulness,\nlearning, advancement and inclination of all the worlds. Thou art\nidentical with twilight, night, ray, sleep and the night of death (2).\nThou art designated as the worshipful goddess K\u0101ty\u0101yani, Koushiki,\nobservant of the vow of celibacy and the mother of K\u0101rtikeya. Thou art\nhighly powerful and dost practise hard austerities (3). O goddess, thou\nart Jay\u0101, Vijay\u0101, satisfaction, nourishment, forgiveness and mercy. Thou\nart clad in a blue silken raiment and the eldest sister of Yama (4).\nThou art of various forms, art without any, hast dreadful and large eyes\nand art the protector of thy votaries (5). O great goddess, living on\nthe summits of fearful mountains, in rivers, caves, and forest and being\nadored by Savaras,\u00b9\u2078\u2079 Varvaras\u00b9\u2079\u2070 and Pulindas\u00b9\u2079\u00b9 thou dost traverse the\nworlds in a car consisting of peacock-feathered flags (6-7). Surrounded\nby cocks, goats, lambs, lions and tigers and worshipped by the ringing\nof bells thou dost always live in the mount Vindhy\u0101 (8). Thou dost hold\ntrident, Pattisha and other weapons. The sun and the moon are thy flags.\nThou art the ninth day of the dark half of the month and the eleventh\nday of the light half (9). Thou art the quarrelsome Rajani, the sister\nof Baladeva, the abode of all creatures, the death and the supreme end\nof all animals and the daughter of the milk-man Nanda who carries the\nvictory of the gods. Thou dost wear bark, excellent cloth and art the\ndreadful twilight (10-11). Thou art of dishevelled hairs and the death.\nThou art fond of wine and meat. Although thou art Lakshmi (of beautiful\nform) thou dost assume a dreadful form for the destruction of the\nD\u0101navas (12). Thou art S\u0101vitri\u00b9\u2079\u00b2 of the Vedas, the mother of _mantras_,\nthe celibacy of the maidens, the good luck of women, the external altar\nof the sacrifices, the gift of the priest, the plough of the\ncultivators, the earth of all creatures, the success of sea-faring\nmerchants, the bank of the ocean, the first woman of the Yakshns,\u00b9\u2079\u00b3\nSurasa\u00b9\u2079\u2074 of N\u0101gas, art conversant with the knowledge of Brahman,\ninitiation and great beauty. Thou art the effulgence of luminous bodies,\nRohini of stars, the consummate prosperity in courts, forts, confluences\nof rivers and the full-moon (13\u201317). Thou art the goddess of learning in\nValmiki,\u00b9\u2079\u2075 the memory of Dwaipayana\u00b9\u2079\u2076 the intellect of the Rishis in\nreligious matters, the determination of the gods and dost live in all\ncreatures as the goddess of wine adored by thy own deeds (18). O\ngoddess, thou art the charming look of the thousand eyes of the king of\ngods, the Arani of the Agnihotra ascetics, the hunger of all creatures,\nthe gratification, oblation, intellect and brain of the celestials, the\nreceptable of all the Vasus, the hope of men and the pleasure of all\nthose who are crowned with success. Thou art the direction, the contrary\ndirection, the flame of fire, ray, Shakuni, Putan\u0101, the terrible Revati,\nthe over-powering sleep of all creatures and Kshatrya (19-22). Thou art\nBrahmavidya\u00b9\u2079\u2077 in learning, Om\u00b9\u2079\u2078 and Vasha\u00b9\u2079\u2079. The Rishis know thee as\nthe ancient Parvati amongst women (23). As said by Brahm\u0101 thou art\nArundhati\u00b2\u2070\u2070 amongst chaste women. Truly thou hast been designated by\nthe gods as Indrani\u00b2\u2070\u00b9 (24). This universe, mobile and immobile, is\npermeated by thee. Undoubtedly thou art the saviour in battle, burning\nfire, rivers, fear of thieves, caves, foreign countries, courts, in\nassailing the enemies and in all other matters where life is at stake\n(25\u201326). My heart, mind and reasoning faculty are all devoted to thee.\nDo thou save me from all sins; show me this favour (27).\n\n\"O goddess, thou art always propitiated with him, who, rising up early\nin the morning, purifying himself and controlling his mind, will read\nthis heavenly hymn (28). Thou dost give their desired-for objects to\nthose who recite it for three months, and a most excellent boon to those\nwho do it for six months, and celestial vision to those who continue it\nfor nine months and _Siddhi_ as they desire to those who sing it for one\nfull year (29\u201330). O goddess, as recorded by the great saint Krishna\nDwaipayana thou art the supreme Brahman identical with truth. Thou dost\ndrive away the fear of men, proceeding from chains, death, the\ndestruction of children and wealth and disease. Assuming various forms\nat thy will, thou dost confer boons (31\u201332). Stupifying Kansa thou shalt\nalone enjoy the world. And I shall adopt the life of a milk-man amongst\nkine. For accomplishing my own work I shall become Kansa\u2019s milk-man\"\n(33).\n\nHaving thus addressed (the goddess of sleep) the lord disappeared and\nshe too, saluting him, expressed her consent by saying, \"So be it\" (34).\n\n  \u00b9\u2078\u2079 A barbarian race inhabiting the mountainous districts of India and\n      wearing the feathers of the peacock as decorations.\n\n  \u00b9\u2079\u2070 One of a degraded tribe or occupation.\n\n  \u00b9\u2079\u00b9 A barbarian using an uncultivated and unintelligible dialect.\n\n  \u00b9\u2079\u00b2 The holy verse of the repetition of which forms an essential part\n      of the ceremonies, enjoined to the Br\u0101hmanas for daily\n      observances.\n\n  \u00b9\u2079\u00b3 The mother of Kuvera.\n\n  \u00b9\u2079\u2074 The mother of the Nagas.\n\n  \u00b9\u2079\u2075 According to tradition Valmiki obtained a boon from the goddess of\n      learning and composed his great work Ramayana.\n\n  \u00b9\u2079\u2076 Dwaipayana Vyasa was celebrated for his memory for he had by heart\n      all the Vedas and Puranas.\n\n  \u00b9\u2079\u2077 Knowledge of spirit which is regarded as the best of all forms of\n      learning.\n\n  \u00b9\u2079\u2078 The mystic name of the deity, prefacing all the prayers and most\n      of the writings of the Hindus, from A a name of Vishnu, U Siva and\n      Ma Brahma. It therefore implies the Indian triad and expresses the\n      three in one.\n\n  \u00b9\u2079\u2079 oblation with fire.\n\n  \u00b2\u2070\u2070 The wife of the sage Vasistha.\n\n  \u00b2\u2070\u00b9 The queen of gods, the wife of Indra.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LIX. BIRTH OF KRISHNA AND BALADEVA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Under these arrangements the celestial-like Devaki\nconceived for seven times as described before (1). Kansa killed the\n_Sargarbhas_ by dashing them against a stone, as soon as they came out.\nThe embryo of the seventh conception was transferred to Rohini (2). Once\non a time at the dead of night while Rohini was sleeping a sound sleep\nthere took place a discharge of blood followed by an abortion (3).\nRohini, in a dream, saw the falling of her embryo and when she awoke, a\nlittle after, she was greatly pained on not seeing it (4). In that dark\nnight Vasudeva\u2019s wife Rohini, resembling the moon, was worked up with\ngreat anxiety; thereat the goddess of sleep said to her (5). \"O fair\none, I have extracted the embryo out of Devaki\u2019s womb and placed it in\nyours. Therefore this your son will be celebrated by the name of\nSangkarshana\" (6). Obtaining that son she was pleased and with her head\ndown she entered her own house like the beautiful wife of the moon (7).\n\nWhen people grew anxious of instituting enquiries about the seventh\nconception of Devaki she conceived him for the eighth time for whom\nKansa had killed her seven children (8). Kansa\u2019s servants began to watch\nit with great care wherein the Lord Hari was living of his own accord\n(9). Yashod\u0101 too conceived the goddess of sleep, begotten of a portion\nof Vishnu\u2019s energy and intent on carrying out his command (10). Before\nthe period of conception was complete, in the eighth month both Devaki\nand Yashod\u0101 simultaneously gave birth to their children (11). In the\nsame night in which Krishna was born in the race of Vrishnis, Yashod\u0101\ngave birth to her daughter (12). Vasudeva\u2019s wife Devaki and Nanda\u2019s wife\nYashoda, both of them, conceived at the same time (13). In the\nauspicious midnight and in _Abkijit Muhurtta_, Devaki gave birth to\nVishnu and Yashod\u0101 to that daughter (14). When Jan\u0101rddana was born, the\noceans were agitated, the pillars of the earth were shaken, the fires,\nthat had been extinguished, began to burn, auspicious winds began to\nblow, the dust was removed and the luminous bodies manifested themselves\n(15\u201316). When the invisible, eternal and powerful Lord Hari of subtle\nsoul, who encompasses the well-being of the world, was born, the night\nwas Jayanti, the _Nakshatra_ was Abhijit and Muhurtta was Vijaya. As\nsoon as he was born he overpowered all the worlds with his looks. The\ncelestial bugles began to produce sound without being struck and the\nking of gods showered flowers from the etherial region. The great\nsaints, accompanied by the Gandharvas and Apsaras, chanted the glories\nof the slayer of Madhu in auspicious hymns. When Hrishikesha was born\nthe whole universe was in an ecstacy of joy (17\u201320). Indra too, along\nwith the gods, eulogised the glories of Madhusudhana. Seeing, in that\nnight, Vishnu\u00b2\u2070\u00b2 born as his son, bearing the mystic mark of Srivasta\nand other signs of divinity Vasudeva said to him, \"O lord, do thou\nwithdraw this form of thine. O thou having lotus-eyes, I have been\ngreatly terrified, on account of my sons, your elder brothers, being\nslain by Kansa and therefore I speak thus\" (21\u201323).\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Hearing the words of Vasudeva the lord withdrew his\nform of four arms and addressing him as his father asked him to take him\nto the house of the milkman Nanda (24). Taking that boy, Vasudeva too,\nfond of his sons, speedily repaired to the house of Yashod\u0101 (25).\nPlacing his son in her house against her knowledge he brought her\ndaughter and placed her on Devaki\u2019s bedstead (26).\n\nAfter the children had been exchanged Anakadundhubi Vasudeva, having\naccomplished his work and his mind filled with fear, issued out of his\nhouse and communicated to Ugrasena\u2019s son Kansa the birth of a beautiful\ndaughter (27-28). Hearing it the powerful Kansa quickly arrived at\nVasudeva\u2019s door and enquired of him about what was born. He then ordered\nhim to hand over the new born babe, and remonstrated with him severely\n(26-30).\n\nHearing this all the women of Devaki\u2019s family cried aloud and she,\nherself shedding tears, prayed humbly to him; \"O lord, you have already\nkilled my seven beautiful sons. I have taken this new-born daughter for\nalready slain. Do what you think proper.\" Seeing that girl and drawing\nher out the wicked-minded Kansa said:\u2014\"While a daughter is born she is\nalready killed.\" That girl, equal to the earth herself, who was wearied\non account of her living in the womb and whose hairs were wet with the\nwater thereof, was placed before him on the ground. Taking her with\ncontempt by the legs and whirling her Kansa dashed her against a stone.\nAlthough thrown on a rock in derision, that girl, who is daily\nworshipped by the gods, was not crushed. On the other hand, casting off\nher human from and being adorned with celestial garlands, pastes, and a\nshining crown she, with dishevelled hairs and remonstrating with Kansa,\nrose up in the sky (31\u201338). She was clad in a dark blue raiment, her\nbreasts were rising, her hip was spacious like a car and she had four\narms. Her colour was shining like lightning, her eyes were like the\nrising sun, and she was like a clouded evening. That dreadful girl,\nhaving a moon-like countenance, and roaring like a cloud, was surrounded\nby ghosts and goblins. Dancing and laughing in that dark night she rose\nup in the sky. Drinking most excellent wine and laughing aloud she, in\nanger, said to Kansa (39\u201342).\n\n\"O Kansa, for thy own destruction thou hast whirled and dashed me\nagainst a rock. Therefore at the time of thy death when thy enemy will\nattack thee I will tear off thy body with my hands and drink thy hot\nblood\" (43-44).\n\nGiving vent to these dreadful words, the goddess, by her own wished-for\nway, rose up in the sky; and encircled by her own followers and in that\nform she began to range in the celestial region (45). That girl,\nworshipped by Vrishnis, grew up there. By the command of their kings the\ngods brought her up like a child (46). That daughter, who was formerly\ncreated by Brahm\u0101 through his yoga, was born with the Lord for\nprotecting Keshava (47). The Y\u0101d\u0101vas daily worship her, who in her\ncelestial form, protected Krishna (48). After her departure Kansa took\nher for the instrument of his death. And being ashamed he secretly said\nto Devaki (49).\n\nKansa said:\u2014\"O Sister, I have made endless attempts to escape the hand\nof death, and for this, I have destroyed many of your children. O Madam,\nmy death has now come from another quarter (50). Alas! being ruthless, I\nhave, with care, slain my own kinsmen, but have not been able to\nsupersede destiny by my manliness (51). Under the influence of bad time,\nI have been the instrument of their death. Therefore cast off your\nanxiety for the destruction of your embryos and your sorrow for the\ndeath of your sons (52). It is Time that is the enemy of all and brings\nabout their destruction. It is Time that moves every thing. People, like\nme, are merely the instruments (53). O lady, calamities, the inevitable\nout-come of one\u2019s own deeds, arrive of them selves in proper time. But\npity it is that (they think) \u2019I am the doer\u2019 (54). Do not lament for\nyour sons and renounce your grief. Such is the course of men and no body\ncan undo the work of Time (55). The mischiefs, that I have done to you,\nare all present in my mind. I throw myself at your feet like a son. Be\nnot offended with me\" (56).\n\nAfter Kansa had said this, the poor Devaki, with her face bathed in\ntears, and casting her looks upon her husband said\u2014\"Rise up, my brother,\nrise up.\" And then she addressed to him the following (57).\n\nDevaki said:\u2014\"Being like the veritable Death, you have killed, before my\nvery eyes, all my children. You are not to blame for this. Death himself\nis the instrument hereof (58). I forgive you for the sin that you have\ncommitted by destroying my children, since, touching my feet with your\nhead you are repenting for your mis-deeds (59). Death, in old age and\nwhile in the womb, is however inevitable. And it is equally difficult to\nescape its hand even in boyhood and youth (60). This is all the work of\nTime; you are merely an instrument. One, who is not born, is not to be\nseen like air. One, who being born attains to the condition of one not\nborn is to be considered as such.\u00b2\u2070\u00b3 All this is the work of Providence.\nDeath first carries away all and next the instrument is pointed out.\nTherefore, go, my child, you are not the cause of my children\u2019s death.\nOn account of various rites,\u00b2\u2070\u2074 pristine actions, the time of creation,\nthe works of parents, people meet with death.\"\n\nHearing the words of Devaki, Kansa, worked up with anger and his heart\nconsuming, entered his own house. His object being baffled he went there\ndepressed and absent-minded (61\u201365).\n\n  \u00b2\u2070\u00b2 The word in the text is _Adhokshaja_, a name of Vishnu. It\n      literally means, being produced by or produced to such as have\n      subdued or cast down their passions.\n\n  \u00b2\u2070\u00b3 As no love is cherished for a son who is not born so no attachment\n      should be felt for him, who is dead as soon as he is born.\n\n  \u00b2\u2070\u2074 The various rites that are performed beginning with the birth of a\n      child.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LX. A DESCRIPTION OF VILLAGE VRAJA\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Vasudeva had already heard of the son, more\nbeautiful than the moon, given birth to by Rohini in the village of\nVraja (1). He, without delay, said to the milkman Nanda, in sweet words\n\"Quickly go to Vraja with Yashod\u0101. Having performed the various rites\nconsequent upon their birth do you happily bring up in Vraja those two\nboys (2-3). Do you carefully protect in Vraja that son of mine whom\nRohini has given birth to. My name will then be mentioned as having a\nson in the list of the ancestral manes (4). Alas, I have not been able\nto see the face of my only son. Although I am wise this is stealing away\nmy wisdom (5). I specially fear this woked Kansa for he does not feel\nthe least mercy when he kills the children. Besides various other\ndangers threaten the children in this world. Therefore, O Nanda, take\ncare of Rohini\u2019s son as you do of your own (6-7). My son is the eldest\nand your son is the youngest. The import of their names is also the\nsame. Therefore bring them up with equal care (8). They are both of\nequal age. Please see, O milkman, that they may grow up under your\nfostering care and grace Vraja (9). In their childhood, everybody takes\nhis own way, becomes naughty and commits mistakes. Therefore train them\nwith great care (10). Never make your cow-sheds in Vrindavana for there\nis every fear of the wicked Keshi, of various reptiles, insects and\nvultures. Protect those two boys against the cows and calves in the\ncow-shed (11-12). O Nanda, night is almost over. Go soon to Vraja. See,\nthe birds in the south are also asking you to do so\" (13).\n\nHearing of this secret intelligence from the large-minded Vasudeva,\nNanda was greatly pleased and ascended his conveyance along with Yashoda\n(14). He placed the baby prince on a vehicle carried by men on their\nshoulders (15). He then proceeded by a road situate on the bank of\nYamun\u0101, sprinkled with profuse water and filled with cool air (16).\n\nThus proceeding to some distance he saw Vraja, the charming village of\ncows, situated on the bank of Yamun\u0101 near the mount Govarddhana and\nfilled with cool air (17). It was adorned with animals emitting sweet\ncries, huge trees covered with creepers, and kine, giving milk and\ngrazing (18). That place was so beautifully level that the kine could\nrange there at ease and the tanks there had all well-levelled stairs.\nThe trees were scratched by the humps and horns of the bulls (19).\nVultures, wild cats, falcons and other birds, who are fond of flesh and\nalways follow them, and other beasts more powerful than they, such as\njackals, leopards and lions always live there. And for this that place\nwas filled with fat, marrow and bones (20). That place, covered with\nprofuse grass, was filled with birds of various species and the roaring\nof tigers, was well adorned with trees crested with sweet fruits and was\nresonant with the auspicious sound of kine, and calves. That charming\nvillage was filled with milk-maids (21\u201322). The roads, for carriage,\nwere spacious there. It was covered with thorns and its outside was\nfilled with fallen huge trees (23).\n\nAll through the circumference there were stakes fixed on the ground an\nropes for the calves; and it was filled with cow-dungs. The temples and\ncottages there were covered with grass (24). It was filled with the\nsound of churning. State officials, possessing all the signs of\nprosperity and well-developed and delighted persons always live there\n(25). The ground there was saturated with the leavings of curd and the\ndrains were covered with moss and it was filled with the sound of the\nchurning bangles of milk-women (26). The cow-sheds were all properly\nprotected by well-shut doors; inside them were the houses for cows. It\nwas filled with the play-grounds of milk-men and abounded in boys\nwearing feathers of crows (27). The youthful damsels of milk-men, clad\nin blue raiments, prepare clarified butter and accordingly there blows\nsweet-scented air (28). Having their heads adorned with garlands of wild\nflowers and their breasts covered with jackets, the milk-maids, with\njars of milk on their heads, always walk about there (29). The road, on\nthe bank of Yamun\u0101, was also filled with milk-maids, carrying water.\nWhen the milk-man Nanda, with a delighted heart, entered by this way to\nhis village there arose a great shout of joy amongst the men of his\nclan. The elderly milk men and women came out and received him in the\ncity. He also went to that delightful place of his own accord. Thereupon\ngoing to the beloved wife of Vasudeva Rohiai, he placed there the mystic\nPurusha Krishna, resembling the rising sun (30\u201332).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXI. SUPERHUMAN DEEDS OF KRISHNA. HE UPSETS A CARRIAGE AND KILLS\nPUTANA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Without showing himself properly the Lord spent a\nconsiderable time as a milk-man in the village of Nanda (1). Of those\ntwo boys the eldest was named Sangkarshana and the youngest Krishna.\nThey grew up there most happily (2). Incarnating himself as Krishna the\nLord Hari, assuming the dark-blue hue of the cloud, grew up there in the\nmidst of milk-men like a cloud in the ocean (3).\n\nOne day while Krishna fell asleep under a carriage, Yashoda, fond of her\nsons, went to the river Yamun\u0101 leaving him there (4). Thereupon to sport\nthere like a child Krishna began to cry and throw up his arms. Then\nraising up his legs he overturned the carriage with one of them. And\nthen crawling on his legs he began to cry for milk (5\u20136). In the\nmeantime, Yashod\u0101, having finished her bath and her person wetted with\nthe milk of her breast like a milch cow, when its calf is tied, came\nthere with her mind stricken with fear (7). She saw there the carriage\nover turned without any wind. And then crying aloud she speedily took up\nher child (8). She could not truly make out how the carriage was\noverturned; and then filled with fear she said to her boy (9) \"O my\nchild, your father is highly wrathful. I do not know what he will say\nwhen he will come to know of your sleeping under the carriage and of its\nbeing overturned (10). What is the use of my bathing? What business had\nI to go to go the river. On account of this foolish act of mine I saw\nyou under the overturned carriage (11).\"\n\nClad in a silken raiment Nanda had gone to the forest to tend his kine.\nWhen he returned to his own house in Vraja he saw the carriage upset.\nIts two wheels were raised up. The axles, the pitcher and the rod were\nall broken (12-13) Seeing this he was greatly terrified and coming\nquickly with eyes full of tears he repeatedly asked \"Is my son all\nright?\" (14). When he saw his son sucking the breast of Yashod\u0101 he was\nrelieved of his anxiety and asked how the carriage was upset without the\nfighting of the bulls (15). Terrified and with a suppressed voice\nYashoda replied: \"O gentle one, I do not know who has upset this\ncarriage. I had been to the river to wash my cloth. When I came back I\nsaw it overturned (16\u201317)\".\n\nWhile they were thus talking, the boys, who were present there,\nsaid:\u2014\"When we came here of our own accord we saw this boy upsetting the\ncarriage with his feet\". Hearing this the milkman Nanda was filled with\ngreat surprise (18\u201319). Pleased and terrified he began to think how\ncould this be. The other milkmen, having the ordinary intelligence of\nmen, placed no confidence in the words of the boys (20). Filled with\nwonder and having their eyes expanded accordingly they replaced the\ncarriage and tied its wheels (21).\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Once on a time in the mid-night, Kansa\u2019s nurse, the\ndreadful Putan\u0101, creating the fear of life, went in the shape of a bird,\ncapable of assuming forms at will, to village of milkmen, shaking her\nwings (22\u201323). Entering, in the mid-night, into Vraja, roaring like a\ntiger, Putan\u0101 assumed the form of a woman. And having her breast pressed\nby milk she lay down under the wheel of the carriage. When all the\ninhabitants of Vraja fell asleep she began to give milk to Krishna\n(24\u201325). Thereupon drink ing up all her vital breaths together with her\nmilk Krishna set up a terrible sound. She too, having her breast\nsundered, fell down earth (26). At that sound, Nanda, other milk-men and\nYashod\u0101 awoke. And they were all beside themselves with fear (27). They\nsaw there Putan\u0101 lying down on the ground, bereft of her consciousness\nand breast, as if she had been crushed down by a thunder-bolt (23).\nExclaiming \"What is this? Who has done it?\" all the milkmen headed by\nNanda stood around her (29). They however could not, by any means, find\nout the cause. Exclaiming repeatedly \"Wonder! Wonder!\" they went to\ntheir own houses (30). After the milkmen had gone away to their\nrespective homes filled with wonder, Nanda respectfully said to\nYashod\u0101:\u2014\"O timid lady, I have been struck with great wonder and have\nnot been able to trace out its cause. What ever it may be, I am really\nafraid. Is there any danger for my son (31\u201342)?\"\n\nYashoda, too, stricken with fear, replied:\u2014\"O reverend Sir, I was asleep\nwith my son and was roused up by this terrible sound. So I do not know\nwhat took place before\" (33). Hearing the reply of Yashod\u0101, Nanda,\ntogether with his friends, was filled with surprise and anticipated fear\nfrom Kansa (34).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXII. THE CHILDISH FREAKS OF KRISHNA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014As time went on those two boys, named Krishna and\nSangkarshana, began to crawl on their legs. Those two beautiful boys,\nresembling the rising sun, the same person in two bodies, as if turned\nout by one mould, began to assume the same form, to lie down on the same\nbed, to live on the same food, and to put on the same dress. They thus\nsported there like boys (1\u20133). Those two great energies, identical with\nthe witness of the worlds, although of one body, assumed two human forms\nfor the destruction of the demons and for accomplishing the only great\nwork of the resuscitation of sacrifices. Although they were the\nprotectors of the entire universe they were born, for this, as cow-herds\n(4-5). While they sported there they appeared like the sun and moon in\nthe sky possessed by each other\u2019s rays (6). Going every where, they,\nhaving arms like serpents, appeared like two proud young elephants\ncovered with dust (7). And sometimes with their persons pasted with\nashes and powdered cow-dung they shone like two princes of fire (8).\nSometimes they used to walk on knees and enter cow-sheds and used to\nsport there with their persons and hairs covered with cow-dung (9).\nSometimes committing mischiefs to the inhabitants of Vraja those two\nboys used to create the delight of their sire with their laughing (10).\nThose two beautiful boys, of moon-like countenances, used to appear more\ncharming when filled with curiosity and their locks disturbing their\neyes (11). They grew exceedingly playful and naughty and used to walk\nall over Vraja. And Nanda could not (by any means) check them (12). One\nday Yasoda, worked up with anger, brought the lotus-eyed Krishna near\nthe carriage. And fastening a rope round his waist and tying it to a\nmortar she repeatedly remonstrating with him, said \"Go, if you are\ncapable of doing it.\" Saying this she engaged in her work (13\u201314). When\nYashod\u0101 was engaged in her household works, Krishna, with a view to\nsurprise the inhabitants of Vraja and play, issued out of the courtyard\n(15).\n\nGoing out of the courtyard with that mortar Krishna went to the forest\nwhere the huge trees Yamala and Arjuna were (16). Placing that mortar\nbetween the two trees he began to drag it. For his thus dragging it the\nmortar was firmly fixed at the root of the trees. He then began to drag\nthe trees Arjuna and Yamala. Being thus drawn by him with great force\nthose two Arjuna trees were uprooted with their roots and branches. In\norder to show this to the milk-men the Lord, resorting to his heavenly\nstrength, began to laugh there. That rope, by his power, became stronger\n(17-19). The milk-women, who were then going to the bank of the river\nYamun\u0101, saw the child in that condition and were filled with wonder. And\nweepingly they approached Yashod\u0101 (20). The women, with sorry faces,\nsaid to her:\u2014\"Tarry not a moment, O Yashod\u0101 and come with us quickly\n(21). The two huge trees, that are being worshipped as gods on account\nof their granting objects of desire, have fallen on your son (22). Being\nbound by a rope like a calf under the belly (of the cow) your boy is\nlaughing between the two trees (23). Get up and go, O foolish woman. You\nthink you are wise but you are stupid. Your son is alive as if he has\nbeen released from the mouth of Death\" (14).\n\n(Hearing this) she was stricken with fear and began to bewail. She then\nwent where the two trees were uprooted (25). She saw there her child\nplaced between the two trees with the rope round his waist and dragging\nthe mortar (26). All the milk-men and women, aged or youthful, of Vraja\nwent there quickly to witness this wonderful scene (27). Those milk-men,\nwho range in the forest, began to speak amongst themselves \"Who has\nuprooted these two huge trees as if forming the extent of our village\n(28)? There is no storm, no rain, no fall of thunderbolt and no mischief\ncreated by elephants. Then why have these two trees, all on a sudden,\nfallen down (29)? Alas! being felled down on the ground these two trees\nare shorn of beauty like clouds divested of water. O Nanda, these two\nArjuna trees are very favourably disposed towards you and bent upon\ndoing you good. Although they are huge they have fallen in such a way\nsaving your child that his body has not been wounded in the least\n(30\u201331). Before this Putan\u0101 had been slain and the carriage broken. And\nthis uprooting of the trees is the third portend in Vraja (32). It is\nnot meet for the milkmen to live any longer in this village, for these\nportends do not auger well\" (33).\n\nThereupon releasing the lotus-eyed Krishna from the mortar, taking him\nup on his lap and looking at him again and again as if he had returned\nfrom the land of the dead Nanda could not attain to the consummation of\nhappiness. Remonstrating then with Yashoda, he, followed by all\nmilk-men, returned to Vraja (34\u201335). From that day in which he was bound\nwith the rope Krishna was called _D\u0101modara_ by all the milk-men of that\nvillage (36). O foremost of Bharatas, while living amongst milk-men,\nalthough a mere boy, he performed all these wonderful feats\u00b2\u2070\u2075 (37).\n\n  \u00b2\u2070\u2075 These miracles of Krishna\u2019s early life have been also described in\n      _Srimadbhagavatam_, the greatest of all Vaishnava works. They have\n      been recorded with the purpose of showing Krishna\u2019s superhuman\n      power. The Hindus regard him as the incarnation of Vishnu and\n      these miracles are meant to show that unless he had divinity in\n      him he could not have performed these wonderful feats. The early\n      writers took a special fancy for recording wonderful deeds\n      performed by their hero for proving his superhuman power and\n      origin. It was not only a practice with the early Hindu authors\n      but was so with the western writers too. The miracles, of the Old\n      Testament, will attest this argument. The early life, of Krishna,\n      when he worked these miracles, is described in three most\n      important works, Vishnupurana, Bhagvatpurana and Harivamsha.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LVIII. KRISHNA WISHES TO GO TO VRINDAVANA AND PRODUCES WOLVES.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014In this way, Krishna and Sangkarshana passed their\nchildhood in Vraja and became seven years old (1). They used to put on\ndark-blue and yellow raiments, paste their persons with yellow and white\npaints and used to wear feathers of crows while tending kine (2). While\ngone to the forest those two beautiful boys used to play on Pan\u0101vas, the\nmusic of which is sweet to the ears, and shone there like three-hooded\nserpents (3). Sometimes putting peacock feathers on their ears, crowns\nof leaves on their heads and garlands of wild flowers on their breast\nthey shone there like two growing trees (4). Sometimes placing a crown\nof lotuses on their heads, converting a rope into a sacred thread and\ngourds with a string suspended, in their hands, they used to play on\nflutes (5). Sometimes sporting with one another, laughing and lying down\non a bed of leaves they used to enjoy sleep (6). Thus leading the life\nof a cow-herd boy and moving about delightedly hither and thither like\ntwo young horses they beautified that forest (7).\n\nOne day the beautiful D\u0101modara said to Sangkarshana: \"O Sir, by sporting\neverywhere in the forest we have well nigh spoilt it. We cannot play\nhere any more with the cow-herd boys (8). It has been divested of grass\nand twigs and the milk-men have up-rooted the trees. This beautiful\nforest has been destroyed by us (9). All the forests and woods, that\nwere thick (with trees), are now all looking blank like the sky. All\nthese eternally beautiful trees, that were in the cow-sheds\nwell-protected by walls and wooden bolts, have been destroyed by the\nfire of cow-sheds (10-11). The trees and grass, that were near us, have\nbeen all thrown away on the ground at a great distance (12). Water,\ntrees, groves and other resorts have now become scarce in this forest.\nEven by searching we cannot get at a place for rest. It has become very\ndreary and trees are not to be seen (13). The trees have been destroyed\nby the people of this extensive village. The birds have fled away from\nthe useless trees (14). This forest, divested of birds, has become\ndisgusting like rice without curry and other vegetable dishes. Even the\ndelightful winds do not blow here (15). Woods and vegetables, grown in\nthe forest, are now being sold. The grass is all destroyed and this\nvillage has taken the appearance of a city (16). The ornament of the\nmountain is the village of herdsmen, the forest is its ornament and the\ncows are the ornaments of the forest. And they are our most excellent\nrefuge (17). Let the wealthy inhabitants of Vraja repair to another\nforest filled with new trees and grass; when the extensive villages, of\nmilkmen, are shut out by doors and when the fields are covered with\nhouses they do not look beautiful like the Chakrachari\u00b2\u2070\u2076 birds (19).\nWhen excrement and urine fall on grass its juice becomes poisonous. The\ncows do not like to graze on it and it is unwholesome for milk (20). We\nwish to range, with our kine, in the charming new woods which are almost\nlike dry ground. Let this station of milk-men be also transferred there\n(21). I have heard that there is a charming forest on the bank of Yamun\u0101\nabounding in profuse grass, endued with all the virtues and freed of\nthorns and insects. It is named Vrind\u0101vana. It is filled with fruits,\nwater and Kadamba trees (22-23). Cool winds always blow there in the\nforest as if it is an asylum of all the seasons. All the woods there are\nso very charming that the milk-men will be able to range there happily\n(24). Near it is the huge mountain Govardhana with a high summit like\nthe mount Mand\u0101ra near the celestial garden Nandana (25). In the centre\nof that mountain there is a huge fig-tree, by name Bh\u0101ndira, consisting\nof high branches and extending over a _yojana_. It shone there like a\ndark-blue cloud in the sky (26). Like unto the river Nalini flowing in\nthe garden of Nandana, K\u0101lindi, the foremost of streams, passes through\nits middle as if forming a line for separating hairs on each side of the\nhead (27). With great joy we will always behold there the mount\nGovardhana, the tree Bh\u0101ndira and the charming river K\u0101lindi (28). O\nSir, mayst thou fare well. Leaving this forest which has no attractions\ndo thou lay out there the station of milk-men. Let us now, creating some\ncalamity, terrify the milk-men\" (29).\n\nWhile thus talking the intelligent Vasudeva engaged himself in a\nthought. From the hairs of his body there arose hundreds of wolves\nliving on fat, blood and flesh. As soon as they came out they ran in all\ndirections as if it to devasstate the village Vraja. Beholding them fall\nupon calves, kine and their women the milk-men were stricken with great\nfear. Forming themselves into groups of five, ten, thirty, twenty and a\nhundred those dark-faced wolves, bearing the mystic mark of Srivatsa,\nthat had come out of the body of Krishna, began to range there and\nincrease the fear of milkmen. Thus striking terror to the entire land of\nmilkmen, those wolves, eating up calves, stealing away the boys in the\nnight, well nigh devastated it. None, then, dared enter into woods, tend\nhis kine, fetch any thing from the forest and go to the river. In fact,\nstricken with fear and motionless, they, with an anxious mind, began to\nlive there. Those wolves, powerful like tigers, created such a fear in\nthe inhabitants of Vraja, that they were afraid of even moving their\nlimbs or shaking their body. And they used all to live together (30\u201338).\n\n  \u00b2\u2070\u2076 A kind of wild fowls. As when they are shut up in a cage\u2014they do\n      not feel themselves at ease, so when the villages are well\n      protected by gates like cities they lose their native beauty.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXIV. THEIR DEPARTURE FOR VRINDAVANA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Seeing the number of those irrepressible wolves,\ndaily increased, all the men and women living in that village held a\nconsultation amongst themselves (1):\u2014\"It is not proper for us to live\nany more in this forest. Let us go to another great forest where we may\nlive happily and the kine may range of their own accord (2). Even today\nwithout any delay we will depart with our precious kine, before these\ndreadful wolves destroy the entire Vraja (3). These black-faced wolves,\nwith tawny-coloured limbs, teeth and nails, set up a terrible roar in\nthe night (4). \u2019My son, my brother, my calf, my cow have been eaten by\nthe wolves.\u2019 Such cries are heard in every house\" (5). Hearing the cries\nof the milk-women and the doleful noise of the kine, the assembled\ncow-herds wished to transfer, without any delay, their station. Being\ninformed of their desire to go to Vrindavana for fixing their station\nelsewhere for the well-being of the kine and finding them resolute in\nthis matter, Nanda, like the preceptor of the gods, gave vent to the\nfollowing weighty accents (6-8):\u2014\"If you are resolved upon going away\neven this very day, then ask the inhabitants of Vraja to get themselves\nready without any delay\" (9).\n\nThereupon the menials announced in the village, saying: \"This station\nwill be transfared to Vrind\u0101vana. Therefore collect your own cows and\ncalves, get ready your carts and place your own vessels thereon\"\n(10\u201311). Hearing those well-meaning words of Nanda they all rose up for\ngoing away speedily (12). Then there was set up a tumult of \"Come; let\nus go: what is the delay? Make your carts ready. Rise up. Go\" (13). With\nbusy cowherds and milk-women, with their innumerable carts ready that\nvillage assumed the appearance of a roaring ocean (14). The milk-women,\nwith jars on their heads, and being arranged in rows, like stars coming\nout of the sky, issued out of Vraja (15). Having their breasts covered\nwith blue, yellow, and shining jackets, those milk-women, while going on\nthe road, appeared like a rain-bow (16). Carrying the load of ropes\nhanging on their body some milk-men imitated the beauty of trees covered\nwith branches and leaves (17). The shining carts moving all around, that\nvillage of cowherds appeared like an ocean abounding in boats upset by\nthe wind (18). Thus divested of all articles in no time and filled with\ncrows it appeared like a desert (19).\n\nThereupon having gradually arrived at the forest of Vrind\u0101vana, they,\nfor the well-being of the kine, set up many extensive stations there\n(20). With roads laid out for carts and situate like a crescent that\nforest was one Yoyana in breadth and two in circumference (21). It was\nprotected on all sides with thorny creepers and trees, ditches and\nflying branches (22). It was beautified with charming posts and rods,\nwith jars full of water for washing, stakes tied round with ropes and\nnooses, with upraised pillars, overturned carts, chords thrown upon the\npillars of vessels, grass for covering the huts, sheds made of grass,\nwith branches of trees, playing hither and thither and trees abounding\nin nests, cleansed cow-sheds, well-placed mortars, the burning fire\nplaced in the west, and well stretched beds consisting of clothes and\nleather coatings (23\u201327). Bringing water and removing the branches of\nthe trees the milk-women began to cleanse the forest (28). Youthful and\nold milk-men with axes, began lightly to fell down the trees (29). This\nstation of the milk-men, abounding in woods, charming habitations, sweet\nroots, fruits and water, appeared more beautiful (30). While ranging in\nthe forest before, Krishna, with a delighted heart, looked at that\nforest for the well-being of the kine. And so obtaining that forest of\nVrind\u0101vana, filled with the nests of various birds and resembling the\ngarden of Nandana, all the cows, giving milk whenever milched, were\nhighly pleased (31\u201332). In the last month of the dreadful summer season,\nthe king of gods used to pour there nectarine showers. And accordingly\nthe people there did not suffer from any disease and all the vegetables\ngrew in profusion. The calves and ignorant people do not suffer any\ndisease or meet with destruction where the Lord Madhusudana lives\nhimself for the behoof of mankind (33\u201334).\n\nIn this way the youthful Sangkarshana, the milk-men and the cows began\nto live there where Krishna thought of fixing the station (34).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXV. AN ACCOUNT OF THE RAINY SEASON.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Thus living in Vrind\u0101vana the two highly beautiful\nsons of Vasudeva began to range there tending kine (2). Sporting with\nthe milk-men and bathing in the river Yamun\u0101 they spent the summer there\nhappily (2). Thereupon with the advent of the rainy season that creates\ndesire in the mind of men, clouds, containing rainbow, began to\ndischarge their watery contents (3). The sun was enshrouded by the\nscattering clouds drawing in new water. The ground was rendered\ninvisible by the new grown grass (4). With her surface brushed by the\nnew clouds the earth appeared like a youthful damsel (5). Watered by the\nnew showers, the forests and the forest-roads were divested of dust and\nfilled with _Sakragopas_\u00b2\u2070\u2077 (6). This was the dancing season of the\npeacocks emitting sweet notes. And elated with passion they began to\npour their _Kek\u0101_ notes (7). The clouds began to embellish the persons\nof the beautiful Kadamva flowers, that had attained their youth in the\nwonderful rainy season and which is the only food of the bees (8). The\nforest was scented with the fragrance of Kadamva\u00b2\u2070\u2078 flowers and rendered\nsmiling by the Kutaja\u00b2\u2070\u2079 flowers. Its heat was destroyed by the clouds\nand the earth was satisfied by the showers of rain. Being sprinkled with\nwater by the clouds the mountains, that had been scorched by the rays of\nthe sun and the forest were, as it were, emitting smokes. With terrible\nwinds and huge clouds rising in the sky the earth assumed the appearance\nof the city of a great king (9-10). Adorned hither and thither with\nKadamba and plantain flowers, that forest, abounding in delightful Nipa\ntrees, shone there like the burning fire (11). Smelling the fragrance of\nthe earth wet with the showers of Indra, and scattered by the wind the\npeople were stricken with desire (12). The earth was filled with the\nnotes of the maddened bees, the sound of the frogs and the wonderful\n_Kek\u0101_ notes of the peacocks (13). With their currents increased by the\ndownpour of rain the rivers, expanding themselves, began to carry away\nthe trees grown on their banks. And there were seen all over them\nquickly moving whirlpools (14). Stupified by the continuous showers and\nhaving their wings distressed, the birds, as if on account of their\nquiet nature, did not leave the branches of the trees (15). The sun, as\nif, began to drown himself in the womb of the new clouds surcharged with\nwater and filled with the noise of the falling torrents (16). The earth\nput on, as if, a garland of fresh grass. The huge trees, forming the\nland marks, were uprooted and every where was enveloped with water. And\nit was difficult, accordingly, to find out the paths (17). The\nmountains, abounding in huge trees, were as it were, assailed by\nthunderbolts and their summits were being carried down by the torrents\n(18). The forest-land was filled with the torrents of rain flowing down\nand overflowing the banks of the lakes (19). Following the muttering of\nclouds, raising up their trunks and running to and fro during the rainy\nseason the elephants looked like clouds coming down on earth (20).\n\nIn this way when the rains set in Ronini\u2019s son, in order to see the\nclouds surcharged with water, said to Krishna in private (21). \"O\nKrishna, look at the dark clouds in the sky adorned with the shining\nornaments of lightning. They have, as if, stolen away the hue of your\nperson (22). This is the time for your sleep. The sky is like your body.\nAs you every year live secretly in this season so the moon is doing\n(23). With the advent of the rains, the sky, covered with clouds,\ngrowing dark-blue on account of blue clouds and shining like the\nred-blue lotuses, is appearing more beautiful (24). Behold, O Krishna,\nthe charming mountain Govardhana, covered with dark clouds surcharged\nwith water, is giving a lie to its own name of _bringing up kine_\u00b2\u00b9\u2070\n(25). Greatly worked up with passion on account of the falling of the\nshowers the black-bees are ranging happily all over the forest (26). O\nyou having lotus-like eyes, the highly tender green grass, vegetating\nprofusely by the new water, are, as if, trying to cover the earth (27).\nThis rainy season has not been able to increase the beauty of the\nmountain, abounding in fountains, that of the forest filled with water,\nand that of cultivated fields enveloped with corns (28). O D\u0101modara,\ndriven by the quick-coursing winds, these clouds, with their dreadful\nmutterings, are increasing the desire of those living in foreign\ncountries for returning home and are thus displaying shamelessness (29).\nO Hari, O you of three foot-steps, behold, your second foot-step\u00b2\u00b9\u00b9 is\nembellished with rain-bow of three colors without arrows and string\n(30). In this month of Sr\u0101vana the sun is shorn of his beauty. His\nscorching rays being cooled down by the clouds, he, although of thousand\nrays, appears to have none (31). The all-spreading clouds, agitated like\nthe water of the ocean and accompanied by continuous showers, have, as\nit were, united the earth and sky (32). The torrents of rain flowing on\nearth, and the air, perfumed with the fragrance of Nipa, Arjuna and\nKadamva flowers and capable of exciting passion, blowing with sound on\nhigh, the sky, covered with extensive and heavily showering clouds, is\nappearing like a deep and vast ocean (33\u201334). Armed with effulgent\nN\u0101r\u0101chas in the shape of showers, having the cloud for his coat of mail,\nand the rain-bow for his bow, the sky is, as if, ready for battle (35).\nO you of a beautiful countenance, covered with clouds, the mountains,\nforest and the tops of the trees are looking highly beautiful (56).\nEnveloped with clouds pouring down their watery contents and resembling\nan army of elephants the sky is imitating the color of the ocean (37).\nBlowing there with drops of water the dread ful blasts of winds, that\nshake the tender plants and destroy the gravity of the oceans, are\noppressing all with cold (38). The moon disappearing from view in night\nafter the sun-set, and the clouds continually discharging showers, no\nquarter of the sky, appears beautiful (39). Filled with passing clouds\nresembling leathern bags full of air, the sky appears moving like an\nanimate object (40). People can make out very little difference between\nday and night. What shall I speak more, O Krishna, see, Vrindavana,\nrelieved of heat and adorned with showers, is looking beautiful like\nChaitraratha garden\" (41).\n\nThus describing the advantages of the rainy season, Krishna\u2019s elder\nbrother, the beautiful Balar\u0101ma entered Vraja. Pleasing each other\nKrishna and Sangkarshana began to range there in that vast forest in the\ncompany of their then kinsmen the cowherds (42-43).\n\n  \u00b2\u2070\u2077 An insect (coccinella of various kinds).\n\n  \u00b2\u2070\u2078 A plant commonly Kadamba (Nancha Kadamba)\n\n  \u00b2\u2070\u2079 A medicinal plant.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b9\u2070 The word _Govardhana_ literally means one who nourishes kine from\n      _Go_ kine and _Vardhana_ to nourish. The mountain is so\n      beautifully situated that the kine grow up there without any\n      hitch. But in the rains the mountain has been so covered with\n      clouds that they cannot graze there at ease. It has thus given a\n      lie to the true import of its name.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b9\u00b9 This refers to the sky, because at the sacrifice of the demon\n      Bali, he placed his first foot on earth and the second in the sky.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXVI. AN ACCOUNT OF KALYA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014One day the lotus-eyed Krishna, having a dark-blue\nhue and a beautiful countenance, capable of assuming forms at will and\nwearing a feather of crow, without being united with Sangkarshana, began\nto range alone in that charming forest. Bearing the mystic mark of\nSrivatsa on his breast he shone there like the moon with the mark of a\nhare (1\u20132). His arms, bedecked with Angadas and his tawny colored two\nlittle moving feet shone there like brilliant lotuses (3). His two\npieces of yellow raiments, creating delight of the world and resembling\nthe filaments of a lotus, shone there like the evening clouds (4). Ropes\nand rods were shining in his two plump and moving hands engaged in the\nwork of tending kine and worshipped by the celestials (5). Charming\nfragrance, resembling that of a dark-blue lotus, was coming out from his\nbeautiful and lotus-like mouth adorned with picturesque lips (6) His\ncountenance, embellished with dishevelled locks, was shining like a\nlotus encircled by black-bees (7). Garlands of new grown buds of Arjuna,\nKadamba and Nipa flowers were shining on his head like a garland of\nstars in the sky (8). That hero, of dark-blue hue of the clouds of the\nrainy season, with a garland of the same colour around his neck, shone\nthere like the month of Bh\u0101dra incarnate (9). The clean leaves, tied to\nthe thread round his neck, shone there beautiful when shaken by the\ngentle breeze raised by peacock feathers (10).\n\nThus ranging every day in the forest that youth used some where to sing,\nsome where to sport and walk and some where to make, of his own accord,\nthe charming music of of Parna and bugle for pleasing his kine. Ranging\nin that wonderful forest and fanned by the charming wind proceeding from\nthe trees that powerful and effulgent Krishna, dark blue like cloud,\nattained to most excellent delight. It was resonant with the notes of\npeacocks, its caves were echoed with the muttering of clouds that excite\nlust in men, it was adorned with plantain trees and covered with new\ngrown grass, twigs and lotuses. It abounded in many fountains and was\nfragrant with the filaments of lotuses like the treath of females\nexpressing their desire (11\u201317). While, ranging in that forest one day,\nalong with his kine, he saw there a foremost of trees with high branches\n(18). Enveloped with thick leaves it was stationed on earth like a\ncloud. With its height it traversed half of the sky and if contained as\nit were the enjoyment of the wind (19). Covered with fruits of blue and\ndiverse other colors and resorted to by various birds it appeared like a\ncloud accompanied by rain-bow (20). The wind and cloud were as if\nsimultaneously living in the trees resembling houses, adorned with\ncreepers and flowers and bent down on account of their huge roots (21).\nAs if by his pristine good deeds, that great tree, who could give\nprotection against rain and the rays of the sun, was ruling over others\nthere (22). Beholding this Bh\u0101ndiraka fig-tree resembling the summit of\na mountain the sinless Lord Krishna desired to live there (23).\nThereupon engaged in sport there along with other cow-herd boys of his\nown age, as in the city of the celestials, he spent the day there (24).\n\nWhile Krishna began to sport there under Bh\u0101ndiraka tree the other\ncow-herds amused him with various wild plays (25). The milkmen began to\nsing there and the boys, fond of amusing, sang there many songs relating\nto Krishna (26). When they thus began to sing in accompaniment with the\nmusic of Panava, the powerful Krishna, too at times, played on his flute\nand Tumvi (27).\n\nOne day while tending his kine, Krishna, having the eyes of a bull,\nrepaired to the bank of Yamun\u0101 abounding in trees adorned with creepers\n(28). He saw the delightful wind blowing on the water; and the foremost\nof rivers Yamun\u0101, embellished with lilies and lotuses, was as if with\nher waves, casting her glances (29). All her landing stairs were\nwell-levelled and her water was sweet; she had many lakes and her\ncurrent was strong. And all the trees (on her bank) were shaken by the\nwatery air (30). It was resonant with the notes of swans, Karandavas and\nS\u0101rasas and resorted to by Chakrav\u0101kas and other fowls that range in\npairs (31) Her water was filled with acquatic animals, was endued with\nall the good qualities, was variegated with various water-born flowers\nand was rendered yellow by water-born corals (32). The passing currents\nwere her feet, the bank was her hip, the whirlpool was her navel, the\nlotuses were her hairs, the cavity of the bank was her belly, the three\ncurves of the wave were her three marks on the fore-head, the sides of\nthe bank were her expansive face, the foams were her teeth, the swans\nwere her smiles, the dark-blue lotuses were her lips, the water-born\nflowers were her eyes having bent down eye-brows, the lakes were her\nforehead, the corals were her beautiful hairs, the long extending\ncurrents were her high arms, the serpents were her ears, the geese were\nher ear-rings, the lotuses were her beautiful eyes, the trees grown on\nher banks were her ornaments, the fishes were her ornaments for the\nwaist, the other sorts of corals were her silken raiment, the notes of\nS\u0101rasas were the sound of her Nupuras, the K\u0101sa flowers were her cloth,\nthe Swans and tortoises were the auspicious marks, fishes and crocodiles\nwere her pastes; the animals were playing in the ditch and men formed\nher rising breasts. The animals were agitating her water and her banks\nwere filled with hermitages. Seeing this beautiful river Yamun\u0101, the\nqueen of the ocean, Krishna, as if to beautify her the more, was ranging\nthere (33\u201441). Ranging thus he saw there a vast lake filled with deep\nwater and resembling the sky crested with clouds. It extended over a\n_Yojana_ and even the celestials could not cross it. Its water was deep\nand motionless like that of the ocean. It was cast off by beasts,\nacquatic animals and water-fowls. There being many ponds with serpents\non its bank, people, with very great difficulty, could traverse it. It\nwas enveloped with smoke proceeding from poisonous trees. The sages,\ndesirous of performing three oblations in a day, could not enjoy its\nwater. What to speak of its being used by men requiring water it was\nunworthy even of the beasts. Even the birds could not range in the sky\noverhanging it and the grass burnt up in no time as soon as it fell into\nit. Even the gods could not approach that lake extending over a _Yojana_\non all sides. And the trees there were being consumed by the dreadful\npoisonous fire (42\u201347). Beholding in that province freed from all\ncalamities, such a huge lake at a distance of a Krosa north of Vraja\nKrishna began to think (48). \"To whom does this huge and deep lake\nbelong? Methinks that dreadful king of serpents Kalya, resembling a heap\nof collyrium of whom I had heard before and who has left the ocean in\nfear of the king of birds Garuda, who feeds on serpents, is living here.\nBy him this Yamun\u0101, flowing to the ocean, has been polluted (49\u201351). And\nin fear of that king of serpents no one lives here. Protected by the\nministers of that serpent king, doing him good, this dreadful forest,\nfilled with grass and various trees and creepers, has become unworthy of\nbeing resorted to like the sky and being touched like a poisonous food\n(52\u201354). The banks, filled with corals, trees and creepers, are being\nprotected by his attendants, doing him good. And two artificial roads\nare seen running over its two banks (55). I should, however, vanquish\nthis king of serpents. I should defeat the serpent in such a way as may\nrender the water of lake useful to the inhabitants of Vraja, and so that\ndelightful winds may blow here and the landing stairs may become worthy\nof use (56\u201357). In order to vanquish these wicked ones always following\nthe wrong ways I have taken my birth as a milkman and am living amongst\nthe cow-herds (58). Therefore sporting like a child I shall climb this\nKadamba tree, jump into the lake and vanquish Kalya (59). Doing this my\nsuperior power of arms will be known to all\" (60).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXVII. KRISHNA SUBDUES KALYA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Thinking thus Krishna repaired to the bank of the\nriver. Tying his cloth firmly he, with delight, got upon the Kadamba\ntree (1). Climbing up to the top of the tree and emitting a leonine roar\nthe cloud-hued and lotus-eyed Krishna jumped headlong down into the lake\n(2). That lake, of the river Yamun\u0101, was agitated by his fall. And the\nwater thereof overflowed (on all sides) like scattering clouds (3). The\nhuge abode of the serpent (K\u0101lya) was shaken by that sound. And the\nserpents, with their eyes reddened with anger, rose up from the water\n(4). Thereupon was seen the king of serpents K\u0101lya endued with the hue\nof clouds, having eyes reddened with ire, five hoods, a fiery\ncountenance and tongue and effulgent like the flames of fire (5\u20136). The\nentire lake was covered with his hood burning like fire and five huge\nand dreadful faces were seen above (the water) (7). When that king of\nserpents was burning in his energy and anger the water there appeared as\nif boiling and the river Yamun\u0101, stricken with fear, flew in her\nopposite course (8). Beholding Krishna coming to the lake and sporting\nlike a boy he had powerful winds issue out of his mouth filled with the\nfire of anger (9). Scintiliations of fire, accompanied by smoke, came\nout from the mouth of that king of serpents. All the huge trees, which\nwere grown on the bank near him, were in no time consumed by the fire of\nanger discharged by that king of serpents, resembling the very\nincarnation of the end of a Yuga.\u00b2\u00b9\u00b2 Thereupon his son D\u0101ra and his\nservants, the other leading serpents of incomparable energy, came there\nvomitting the dreadful fire of venom accompanied by smokes (10-12).\nThereupon they made Krishna enter into a circle of their hoods. Having\nhis hands and feet made incapable of putting forth any exertion he stood\nthere motionless like a mountain (13). The leading serpents began to\nsprinkle Krishna with water vitiated by their teeth. The powerful\nKrishna however did not die (14). In the meantime the cow-herd boys,\nfilled with fear, returned weeping to Vraja and with suppressed voice\nsaid (15):\n\n\"Out of foolishness Krishna is drowned in the lake K\u0101lya. The king of\nserpents is devouring him. Do ye all come without delay (16). Do ye\nspeedily go and communicate to Nanda and his followers that Krishna is\nbeing dragged into the lake by the serpent\" (17).\n\nHearing those words like unto the fall of a thunderbolt the milk-man\nNanda was greatly distressed with sorrow and speedily went to that most\nexcellent lake (18). All the inhabitants of Vraja, accompanied by the\nyouthful Sangkarshana, boys, old men and young ladies, arrived at the\nwatery abode of that king of serpents (19). Having reached the the bank\nof that lake all the milkmen, headed by Nanda, stricken with shame,\nsurprise and sorrow, began to bewail with their eyes full of tears. Some\ncried, exclaiming \"Oh, son!\" while others said \"Alas! woe to us!\"\n(20\u201321). Whereas others, assailed greatly by fear, cried \"Alas! We are\nall slain!\" The women, crying aloud, said to Yashod\u0101 \"Alas! We are all\nkilled. Behold your son brought under the control of the king of\nserpents. He is trembling there as if churned, like ambrosia, by the\nhood of the serpent (22\u201323). Forsooth, your heart is made of stone,\nsince it is not breaking assunder even beholding your son in this plight\n(24). See, the milkman Nanda, filled with grief, is standing on the bank\nof the lake like one unconscious, fixing his look on the face of his son\n(25). Following Yashod\u0101 we shall rather enter into this lake, the abode\nof the serpents. And still we will not return to Vraja without D\u0101modara\n(26). Without Krishna Vraja shall never appear beautiful like the day\nshorn of the sun, or the night shorn of the moon or the cow divorced\nfrom the bull. Separated from Krishna we shall not go there like a cow\nwithout her calf\" (27).\n\nHearing the lamentations of the male and female inhabitants of Vraja,\nand of Nanda and the cries of Yashod\u0101, Sangkarshana, who though of one\nmind, one body and one intelligence, was still a separate person, said\nin anger to Krishna (28\u201329):\u2014\"O Krishna, O thou of large-arms, O thou\nwho dost enhance the delight of the milkmen, do thou soon destroy this\nvenomous serpent-king (30). O my brother, O my lord, all these our\nrelations have human understandings and so they are bewailing for thee\nconsidering thee a human being\" (31).\n\nHearing those wise words of Rohini\u2019s son, Krishna sportively raised up\nhis arms and rose up snapping the fetters of the serpents (32). And\nplacing his feet on the hoods of the serpent-king that were above the\nwater he got hold of his bead with his hands (33). Then rising up, by\nforce, on his middle head, Krishna, who was adorned with a beautiful\nAngada, began to dance there (34). Thus grinded by Krishna the hoods of\nthat serpent-king became pale and blood came out therefrom. (K\u0101lya) then\nwith dreadful accents said to him (35). \"O Krishna of a beautiful\ncountenance, unwittingly did I display anger against thee. But now I\nhave been vanquished and subdued by thee and my venom has been\ndestroyed. Do thou give me my life and command me whom I am to serve\nalong with my wife, children and friends (36\u201337).\"\n\nBeholding that five-hooded serpent-king and hearing his distressful\nwords, the Lord Krishna, having the enemy of serpents\u00b2\u00b9\u00b3 as his carrier,\nreplied like one having no anger (38):\u2014\"O serpent, I do not wish to\nallow you to live in this water of Yamun\u0101. Therefore repair to the ocean\nwith your wife and kinsmen (39). After this whoever amongst your sons\nand servants shall be seen either in the water or on the land of this\nprovince he will be killed by me (40). O king of serpents, let this\nwater prove wholesome unto all and yourself proceed to the mighty deep.\nIf you remain here after this you will be visited by a great calamity\nthat will bring about the termination of your life (41). If Garuda, the\nenemy of serpents, behold in the ocean, my foot-marks on your head he\nwill not kill you\" (42).\n\n(Thus accosted by the Lord) that foremost of serpents Kalya, carrying on\nhis head Krishna\u2019s foot-marks, fled away stealthily from the lake in the\nvery presence of the milk-men (43). After the king of serpents had thus\nfled away vanquished the Lord came out from the water and stood on the\nbank. Filled with surprise the milk-men chanted his glories and\ncircumambulated him (44). Thereupon those milk-men, living in the\nforest, delightedly said to Nanda: \"Indeed thou art fortunate and a\nfavourite of the gods since your son is (so very powerful) (45). From\nto-day, O sinless one, the powerful Krishna, having large eyes, will be\na refuge of the milk-men in their perils and a protector of the kine in\nthe cow-shed (46). The water of the Yamun\u0101 has become everywhere\ndelightful and wholesome. From now all our kine will happily range in\nevery landing stair (47). Really we are milk-men for we have not been\nable to know Krishna truly in Vraja like fire covered with ashes\" (48).\nThereupon eulogising the immortal Krishna the milk-men, filled with\nsurprise, entered their hamlet like unto the celestials entering the\nChitraratha garden (49).\n\n  \u00b2\u00b9\u00b2 When a cycle terminates every thing in the world is destroyed. The\n      serpent is compared to this termination for every thing there was\n      destroyed by his dreadful venom.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b9\u00b3 This refers to Garuda whom Vishnu used to ride. Garuda used to\n      devour serpents and was thus their enemy.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXIII. THE DESTRUCTION OF KHARA AND DHENUKA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014After the king of serpents had been vanquished by\nKrishna in the lake of Yamun\u0101 R\u0101ma and Keshava began to range there (1).\nThereupon going to the mountain Govarddhana\u00b2\u00b9\u2074 along with their precious\nkine, those two heroic sens of Vasudeva beheld a huge forest of palm\ntrees, situate, on its north, on the bank of Yamun\u0101 (2-3). They were\ngreatly delighted at its sight and began to range in that charming\nforest of palm trees covered with palm leaves like two new grown plants\n(4). It was well levelled, cool, coated with black earth and profuse\ngrass and was freed from stones and clods of earth. Dark-blue and tall\npalm trees, with fruits and branches hanging, shone there like the\ntrunks of elephants (5\u20136).\n\nWhile thus ranging D\u0101modara, the foremost of speakers, said to\nSangkarshana:\u2014\"O reverend sir, this forest-land is perfumed with the\nfragrance of ripe palm fruits. Let us both quickly pluck the sweet, ripe\nand dark-blue fruits. While its smell is so very sweet and pleasing to\nthe odiferous organ it must undoubtedly be delicious like ambrosia. This\nis (in short) my conviction (7\u20139).\"\n\nHearing the words of D\u0101modara, Rohini\u2019s son smilingly shook the trees\nwith a view of felling down the fruits (10). Appearing like a desert,\nalthough very useful, that forest of palm trees was unworthy of being\nresorted to and traversed by men like a habitation of the R\u0101kshasas\n(11). For encircled by a herd of mules that huge and dreadful demon\nDhenuka used always to live there, in the shape of an ass (12).\nTerrifying men, beasts and birds there that wicked minded ass used to\nprotect the forest of palm trees (13). Hearing the sound of the fall of\npalm fruits he grew exceedingly enraged and could not bear it like unto\nan elephant (14). Shaking his manes in anger, lifting up his tail in\ndelight and scratching the earth with his hoof that Daitya, of\nmotionless eyes and wide lips, followed the sound of palm fruits and\narrived where the son of Rohini was (15\u201316). Beholding under the palm\ntree that immortal son of Rohini resembling a flag in form, that\nDaitya-chief Khara, having the teeth for his weapon, all on a sudden bit\nhim; and then turning back his face he struck his breast with his long\nlegs (17\u201318) Then holding that demon in the shape of an ass by the legs\nand whirling his head and shoulders (Sangkarshana) threw him up on the\ntop of the palm tree (16). He too, with his thighs, waist, neck and back\nmutilated and a disfigured form, fell down on earth along with palm\nfruits (20). Beholding that ass thus dead and shorn of beauty Baladeva\nthrew up his other relations too on the top of the tree (21). At that\ntime the ground there was covered with palm fruits and bodies of the\nasses and it shone there like the autumnal sky covered with clouds (22).\n\nThus when that Daitya, in the form of an ass, was slain with all his\nfollowers that forest of palm trees assumed again a picturesque view\n(23). When that most excellent white forest of palm trees was shorn of\nfear the kine began to range there with great glee (24). And entering\nthat forest the milkmen, rangers of woods, began to move about on all\nsides divested of sorrow and fear (25). Observing the kine roam on all\nsides at ease the two sons of Vasudeva, powerful like elephants, spread\nthere seats of grass and sat down at ease (26).\n\n  \u00b2\u00b9\u2074 There is still a mountain of the same name within a few miles\u2019\n      distance from the town of Mathura in N. W. P.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXIV. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE DEMON PRALAMVA\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Thereupon leaving off that forest of palm trees the\ntwo sons of Vasudeva again came to the Bhandira tree (1). Traversing\nthat prosperous forest land and tending the ever increasing flock of\nkine those two beautiful subduers of enemies began to strike their arms\nand sing. Sometimes they collected the trees and called the kine with\ntheir calves by names (2\u20133). They had ropes hanging on their shoulders\nand their breasts were adorned with garlands of auspicious wild flowers.\nAnd they looked like two bulls with new-grown horns (4). Having the hue\nof gold and powdered collyrium and clad in apparels of the same color\nwith their respective persons, those two boys appeared like white and\nblack clouds accompanied by rain-bow\u00b2\u00b9\u2075 (5). Traversing the forest-ways\nalong with their comrades, making beautiful ear-rings with the tips of\nKu\u00e7\u0101 grass or flowers, and putting on wild dresses they sometimes\nsported on the mount Govardhana, sometimes in the forest and some times\nin the table-land. They thus engaged in a sport which was celebrated all\nover the world (6-7). Thus following human conduct and engaging in a\nplay introduced by milk-men they, who were worshipful even unto the\ncelestials, began to range in the forest (8).\n\nThus sporting, they, within a short time, reached the Bh\u0101ndiraka\nfig-tree covered with growing branches\u2014the best of the kind (9). They,\nwho were experts in fighting, began to play there with cradles, nets and\nstones (10). Those two heroes, powerful like lions, began to display\nthere, in the company of cow-herd boys, of their own accord and with\ndelight, many a martial feat (11). While they were thus playing, the\nforemost of Asuras, by name Pralamva, came there with a view to kill\nthem and began to find out their weak points (12). Assuming the form of\na cow-herd and adorned with wild flowers that Asura began to tempt the\ntwo brothers with his play and smiles (13). Adopting a human form,\nalthough not born in the race of men that foremost of D\u0101navas,\nfearlessly joined their company (14). Considering him, who came there in\nthe form of a milk-man, as their friend, those cow-herds began to play\nwith that enemy of the immortals (15). Searching their weak points\nPralamva too, who had assumed the guise of a milk-man, cast his dreadful\nlooks at Krishna and Rohini\u2019s son (16). Then considering Krishna of\nwonderful prowess as irrepressible he gave him up and made up his mind\nfor destroying Baladeva (17). O sinless one, at that time the Lord\nintroduced a new of play of leaping in pairs. And all of them engaged in\nit (18). Krishna jumped with another milk-boy by name Srid\u0101ma and\nSangkarshana with Pralamva, O sinless one (19). The other milk-boys, of\ninferior strength, began to leap with great force in the company of\ntheir comrades (20). Krishna defeated Srid\u0101ma and Rohini\u2019s son Pralamva\nand other boys were vanquished by those of Krishna\u2019s party (21).\nThereupon carrying on their shoulders the victorious those, who were\nvanquished, came delightedly and quickly to the root of the Bh\u0101ndiraka\ntree and soon reached their appointed quarter. And carrying on his\nshoulders Baladeva, the foremost of D\u0101navas, Pralamva, began to proceed\nquickly in an opposite direction like a cloud with the moon (22\u201323).\nBeing unable to carry the weight of the intelligent son of Rohini that\nhuge-bodied (demon) increased (his body) like a cloud attacked by Sakra\n(24). Then that foremost of Danavas Pralamva displayed his own body huge\nas the Bhandiraka fig-tree and effulgent like a mountain of burnt\ncollyrium (25). Then that huge-faced and huge-necked dreadful demon,\nhaving eyes like unto the wheels of a car, a head adorned with a\nsun-like coronet of five layers and resembling Death himself, shone like\na cloud attacked by the sun. The earth sank under the weight of his feet\n(26-27). As Death carries away men sunk in the waves of the ocean, so\nthe great demon Pralamva, the foremost of heroes, adorned with long\ngarlands and other ornaments and clad in a long raiment, carried away\nquickly and stealthily Rohini\u2019s son like a cloud surcharged with water.\nWhile thus carried away by him Sangkarshana shone there like the moon in\nthe sky carried by dreadful clouds (28\u201330). Beholding himself on the\nshoulders of the demon the dreadful Sangkarshana began to cherish\nsuspicions in his mind and said to Krishna (31).\n\n\"O Krishna, I am being carried away by this Daitya huge like a mountain\nand clad in a coat of mail who has displayed a great illusion and\nassumed the form of a man (32). This wicked-minded Pralamva has grown\nexceedingly in pride and his power has doubled itself. How shall I\nvanquish him?\" (33)\n\nKrishna knew very well the character and strength of Rohini\u2019s son and\ntherefore smilingly and quietly said to him in joyous words (34):\u2013\"O\ngod, thou art identical with the universe and art subtler than the\nsubtle. Thou art merely showing the conduct of a man (35). Do thou\nmeditate thy own N\u0101r\u0101yana form at the time of the revolution of the\nworlds. Do thou now know of thy own true form and body (which thou didst\nmanifest at the time of the) union of the ancient Rishis, powerful on\naccount of their own faculties, of the oceans, Brahm\u0101 and water (36\u201337).\nThe sky is thy head, the water is thy form, the earth is thy\nforgiveness, the fire is thy mouth, the life of all the worlds is thy\nbreath, the air is thy abode, and thy mind is the creator all (38). Thou\nart of thousand faces, thousand limbs, thousand feet, thousand eyes,\nthousand lotus-navels and thousand rays, and the slayer of thy enemies\n(39). The celestials behold what thou didst display before. None can\nfind out what had not been said by thee before (40). Whatever is capable\nof being known in this world thou hast made them all known. All the\ncelestials do not know what thou alone dost know (41). The deities see\nthy own natural etherial form and worship that artificial form of thine,\nbegotten of thy own self (which thou didst assume in the golden age)\n(42). The gods can not see thy end and therefore thou dost pass by the\nappellation of Ananta.\u00b2\u00b9\u2076 Thou art alone subtle and beyond the\ncomprehension of the subtle (43). O god, thou art the pillar of this\nuniverse. And stationed in thee this world, the source of the origin of\nall creatures, is upholding all the regions (44). My body extends over\nthe four oceans\u00b2\u00b9\u2077 and thou hast instituted the division of the four\nVarnas.\u00b2\u00b9\u2078 Thou art the lord of the four Yugas\u00b2\u00b9\u2079 and the eater of the\nfruits of the four Hotras\u00b2\u00b2\u2070 (45). Although we both are of one body, we\nhave assumed two different forms for protecting the universe, mobile and\nimmobile. As I am the Lord of the universe so thou art (46). I am the\neternal Krishna and thou art the ancient Sesha.\u00b2\u00b2\u00b9 Thou art the\never-existent god Sesha of the world. The world is upheld by our body\ndivided in twain (47). I am identical with thee and thou art at one with\nme. Both of us are highly powerful and of one body (48). What is the\nuse, O God, of waiting like one having no sense? Do thou strike\nforcibly, with thy fist, firm as a thunder-bolt, the head of this\nD\u0101nava, the enemy of the celestials\" (49).\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Hearing those words of Krishna and recollecting the\nancient history the mighty-armed son of Rohini was filled with his own\nstrength pervading the three worlds and with his well-formed fist\nresembling a thunder-bolt struck the wicked Pralamva on the head\n(50-51). His head, shorn of its fore part, entered into the body of the\nDanava and he too, divested of his life, touched the ground with his\nknees (52). Thereupon, with his body out-stretched on the ground\nPralamva looked like a cloud scattered on the sky (53). As streams of\nwater, mixed with various minerals, come out of the summit of a mountain\nso blood came out of his body shorn of head (54).\n\nHaving thus slain Pralamva and withdrawn his own strength the powerful\nson of Rohini embraced Krishna (55). Thereupon Krishna, along with the\ngods stationed in the sky and milkmen began to chant the glories of the\nhighly powerful Baladeva with benedictory hymns bespeaking his victory\n(56). In the sky was heard an invisible voice of the celestials\ndeclaring \"This Daitya has been by force killed by a boy of unwearied\nactions\" (57). Thus on that Daitya, irrepressible unto the deities,\nbeing slain, the celestials, stationed in the sky, gave him the name\nBaladeva after his action. Therefore all the worlds call him by the name\nof Baladeva (58\u201359).\n\n  \u00b2\u00b9\u2075 The word in the text literally means the _bow of Indra_. According\n      to the Hindu mythology the rain-bow is supposed to be the bow of\n      Indra who is the presiding deity of rain and showers.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b9\u2076 Literally means one having no end. The God has no beginning or\n      end.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b9\u2077 According to the Hindu mythology the world is bounded by the four\n      oceans on the four sides. This figuratively refers to the\n      universal form of the God.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b9\u2078 There are four principal _Varnas_ or castes, the _Br\u0101hmanas_,\n      _Kshatriyas_, _Vaisyas_ and _Sudras_. The Br\u0101hmanas are said to\n      have sprung from the mouth of Brahma and belong to the sacerdotal\n      class. The Kshatriyas, or the military caste, are said to have\n      arisen from His arms. The Vaisyas or the trading class are said to\n      have sprung from His thighs and the Sudra or the servile class\n      from His feet. The earliest reference to the origin of caste is\n      seen in a hymn of the Rig-Veda called _Purusha Sukta_. There are\n      various other accounts seen in the various Puranas.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b9\u2079 _Yuga_ is an age of the world of which there are four namely,\n      Satya, Treta, Dwapara and Kali.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b2\u2070 An article intended as fit for offering with fire. Burnt offering,\n      oblation with fire.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b2\u00b9 A name of Balaveda. It is also the name of the serpent-king, the\n      thousand-headed snake who was the couch and canopy of Vishnu.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXX. AN ACCOUNT OF INDRA-YAJNA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Thus ranging and sporting in the forest Krishna and\nBaladeva spent the two\u00b2\u00b2\u00b2 months of the rainy season (1). Thereupon\nreturning to Vraja those two heroic brothers heard that arrangements\nwere being made for performing a _Yajna_ in honor of Indra and that the\nmilkmen were busily engaged in merriments (2). Seeing this, Krishna,\nfilled with curiosity, asked \"What is that Sakra sacrifice for which you\nare all filled with delight?\" (3) Amongst them an elderly milk-man\nreplied:\u2014\"Hear, why Indra\u2019s flag is worshipped (4). O subduer of thy\nenemies, Indra, the king of the celestials and the lord of the world, is\nthe master of clouds. For this reason from time immemorial and coming\ndown from one family to another, this festival is being celebrated (5).\nCommanded by him and embellished by his bow the clouds produce corns\nwith new showers of rain (6). Pleased with witnessing this festival the\nLord Purandara, the giver of clouds and water, and the partaker of many\nsacrifices, brings about the gratification of the entire world (7). We\nand other men live by the corns produced by him and the celestials are\nalso gratified thereby (8). Corns grow up when the king of gods sends\ndown showers. And when the earth is gratified with oblations the whole\nuniverse appears as if full of ambrosia (9). Fed by the grass produced\nby him the kine, with the bulls and calves, have attained to nourishment\nand easiness (10). Wherever the cloud, pouring down water, is seen,\nthere is observed neither a piece of ground shorn of grass and corns nor\nan hungry animal (11). The nectarine rays, of the sun that are milched\nby the Lord Sakra, are discharged by the clouds in the form of\nambrosia-like showers of rain (12). The mighty leonine roar, announced\nby the air, which he emits with force from the clouds, is designated by\nthe people as the muttering of clouds (13). The terrible sound, that he\nsends forth when carried by clouds accompanied by the wind, is heard\nlike the clap of a thunder-bolt that shatters the mountains (14). O my\nchild, as the great Lord Siva is encircled by the goblins, so Indra,\nsurrounded by clouds coursing at will, and stationed in the sky, sends\ndown showers accompanied by the clap of a thunder-bolt (15). Sometimes\nresembling an unfair day, sometimes resembling scattered gold, sometimes\nresembling collyrium and sometimes pouring water in drops the clouds\npaint the sky. Thus extracting water from the earth through the rays of\nthe sun, Indra, the giver of water, sends it down again on earth for the\nbehoof of all creatures (16\u201318).\u00b2\u00b2\u00b3 For these reasons O Krishna, this\nrainy season has been fixed upon as the time for worshipping Indra. The\nkings and others men with delight worship Indra in the rainy season. We\ntoo do so (19)\".\n\n  \u00b2\u00b2\u00b2 In India the year is divided into six seasons of two months each.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b2\u00b3 This shows that the ancient Hindus were not ignorant of the\n      scientific formation of clouds.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXI.\u00b2\u00b2\u2074 KRISHNA PROTESTS AGAINST INDRA-YAJNA: AN ACCOUNT OF\nAUTUMN.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Hearing the words of the aged milk-men regarding the\nfestivity of Indra, D\u0101modara well-informed of Sakra\u2019s might, said to him\n(1). \"We are all milk-men who range in the forest. The precious kine\nconstitute our subsistence. We should therefore worship the kine, the\nmountains and the forests (2). Cultivation is the means of subsistence\nto the cultivators, merchandise is to the merchants and the cow is the\nbest means of livelihood to us. This has been laid down by the scholars\nwell-read in the three Vedas (3). The respective profession of each\ncaste is their great God, is worshipful, adorable and beneficial unto\nthem. He, who, benefitted by one, worships another, is visited by two\nfold calamities in this world, and in the next after death. The fields\nare protected by cultivation, the forests are preserved by fields and\nthe mountains are supported by forests and these mountains are our only\nrefuge. I have heard that the mountains, which exist in this forest,\nassume forms at their will. And adopting various shapes they sport in\ntheir table-lands (4\u20136). Sometimes assuming the forms of tigers, the\nforemost of those having claws or those of lions adorned with manes,\nthey frighten those who devastate the forest and thus protect their\nrespective woods (7). When tribes living in the forest\u00b2\u00b2\u2075 or those\nobtaining their livelihood through it\u00b2\u00b2\u2076 disfigure a wood, they, with\ntheir work of eating up manliness, destroy them in no time (8). The\nBr\u0101hmanas perform _Yajnas_ wherein the _Mantras_ play an important part,\nthe cultivators should perform a sacrifice in honor of a furrow and we\nmilk-men should celebrate one in honor of the mountains. Therefore we\nshould worship the mountains in the forest (9). Methinks, therefore, O\nmilk-men, that engaged in celebrating a Yajna in honor of the mountains\ndo ye engage in actions after your own hearts either at the foot of a\ntree or of a mountain (10). Digging wells and setting up sheds in that\nauspicious place and slaying beasts of sacrifice let the milk-men carry\non their festivity. There is no need of holding a discussion over it\n(11). Circumambulating that best of mountains embellished with autumnal\nflowers the kine will again return to Vraja (12). Every one is filled\nwith delight in this charming autumn shorn of clouds, endued with many\nvirtues and abounding in delicious water affording satisfaction to the\nkine and in grass (13). Somewhere rendered white by blossoming Pryaka\nflowers and somewhere made dark blue by B\u0101nasanas the forest, abounding\nin full-grown grass and shorn of peacocks, is appearing greatly\nbeautiful (14). Clear clouds, shorn of water and lightnings, are moving\nin the sky like a herd of elephants (15). The trees, enveloped with new\ngrown foliage, are as if being pleased by the continual muttering of\nclouds drawing in new water (16). Having the white cloud for its\nhead-gear, fanned by the swan-like chowries and with the full-moon for\nits umbrella the sky is shining like a newly installed king (17). After\nthe termination of the rainy season all the tanks and pools are as if\nsmiling with the rows of swans. And as if filled with the cries of\nS\u0101rasas, they are daily decreasing in size (18). The rivers, flowing\ntowards the ocean having the Chakravakas for their breast, the banks for\ntheir waist and the swans for their smiles, are as if going to their\nhusbands (19). The water, beautified by the full blown lilies and the\nsky crested with stars, as if mock each other in the night (20).\nBeholding the highly charming forest resonant with the notes of\nKraunchas and blued with the ripe Kalama paddy one attains to delight of\nmind (21). The tanks, pools, lakes and rivers and fields, embellished\nwith blossoming trees, are appearing highly beautiful (22). Copper\ncoloured and dark-blue lotuses are appearing in the beauty of new water\n(23). The peacocks are freed of haughtiness, the sky is divested of\nclouds, the oceans are full of water and the wind is gradually assuming\nproportions (24). The earth is appearing as if of many eyes by the\nfeathers cast off by the peacocks after their dancing in the rainy\nseason (25). With her banks full of mud and covered with K\u0101sa flowers\nand creepers and abounding in swans and S\u0101rasas the river Yamun\u0101 is\nappearing highly beautiful (26). Ranging in fields filled with corns\nripened in proper season and in the forest, the birds, living on corns\nand water, are emitting notes in excitement (27). The tender corns, on\nwhich the clouds poured their watery contents in the rainy season, have\ngrown hardened (28). Casting off his cloudy raiment and illumined by the\nautumn the moon is, as if, ranging with a delighted heart, in the clear\nsky (29). Now the kine have been yielding milk in double the quantity,\nthe bulls have become two-fold maddened, the forest has become twice\nbeautiful and the earth has become highly accomplished with corns (30).\nThe luminous bodies, divested of clouds, the water beautified with\nlotuses, and the mind of men are daily becoming delightful (31).\nDivested of clouds and shining in autumnal effulgence the sun, of\npowerful rays, is spreading its lustre on all sides and drawing the\nwater (32). Having excited their respective armies the kings, the\nprotectors of the world, desirous of achieving victory, are proceeding\nagainst one another (33). The variegated and charming woods, with the\nmud dried up and reddened by _Vandhujiva_ flowers, are creating the\ndelight of the mind (34). The blossoming Asana, Saptaparna and K\u0101nchana\ntrees are beautifying the forest (35). V\u0101n\u0101sana, Dantivitapa, Pryaka\nSvarnaparna, and Ketaki trees have been covered with flowers and the\nshe-owls and black-bees are moving about hither and thither (36). As if\nassuming the beauty of a harlot the autumnal season is walking in Vraja\nand cow-sheds filled with the sound of churning rods (37). The foremost\nof the celestials (Vishnu), having the emblem of Garuda on his flag, was\nhappily sleeping during the rainy season. The deities are now trying to\nawaken him (38).\n\n\"O ye milk-men, in this autumn abounding in beautiful corns, we will\nworship the foremost of mountains, resembling the abode of the wind-god,\nresorted to by white, red and blue birds, filled with fruits like clouds\nadorned with the bow of Indra, crested with groves of creepers and trees\nand adorned with expansive table-lands. We will, in particular, worship\nthe kine (39\u201341). Adorning the cows with ear-rings, horns, chaplets of\npeacock feathers, bells hanging around their necks and autumnal flowers,\ndo ye worship them for your well-being. And let the _yajna_, in honor of\nthe mountain, be undertaken. We will celebrate a _yajna_ in honor of the\nmountain as Sakra is worshipped by the celestials. And forsooth we will\ncompel you to perform the _yajna_ for the cows. If you have any love for\nme, and if I am your friend, then do ye all worship the kine. Do not\ncherish any doubt in this. If you cherish these my conciliating words,\nyou will meet with your well-being. Therefore without questioning its\npurpose do ye fulfill my words\" (42-45).\n\n  \u00b2\u00b2\u2074 In this Chapter it will be seen that Krishna attempts to put a\n      stop to Indra-Yajna or a sacrifice in honor of the god of rain. It\n      is evident from the manner in which he preaches against it that he\n      was opposed to lifeless rituals and ceremonials. He exhorts all\n      the people of his clan to believe that every body\u2019s calling, on\n      which depends his livelihood, is a god to him. He was not for\n      useless ceremonies and rituals and always tried to present before\n      his country a higher form of faith, freed from the prevailing\n      superstitions. But he introduced it in a very mild form and for\n      this he did not revolutionize the existing modes of things. This\n      his stand against Indra-Yajna, and his introduction of the worship\n      of mountain, forest &c ultimately developed itself into the great\n      religion of _Duty_ which he preached in his after life. To worship\n      one\u2019s own means of livelihood, when stripped off metaphor, means\n      to perform one\u2019s own duty considering it as sacred as the worship\n      of a deity. This incident of introducing a new form of religion\n      also proves his superhuman power. Being a mere boy he produced so\n      great an influence over his people that they left off their\n      established form of religion and followed him.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b2\u2075 The Bheels or other barbarous tribes who live in the forest.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b2\u2076 The milk-men or others who obtain their means of livelihood either\n      by tending their kine in the forest or selling the produce of the\n      forest.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXII. THE REPLY OF THE GOPAS.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Hearing the words of D\u0101modara the Gopas were greatly\ndelighted; and being informed of the true import of his nectarine words\nthey unhesitatingly replied (1):\n\n\"O boy, we have been highly pleased seeing this thy understanding\nconducive to the multiplication of the kine and the well-being of the\nmilk-men (2). O Krishna, thou art our course, delight and refuge. Thou\ndost understand our hearts and art our saviour in great disasters. Thou\nart the friend of our friends (3). By thy favour, this entire hamlet of\nmilk-men the delightful Gokula\u00b2\u00b2\u2077 has been shorn of her enemies. And\nfilled with auspiciousness she is living with joy and happiness like the\ncity of the celestials (4). Witnessing these thy deeds worthy of being\nseen and which it is impossible for others to perform, beginning with\nthy birth and hearing thy haughty words our minds have been filled with\nsurprise (5). As Purandara is amongst the celestials so thou hast\nacquired supremacy amongst men by thy matchless strength, power, and\nfame (6). By thy fierce power and consummate effulgence thou hast\nacquired superiority amongst the mortals like unto the sun amongst the\ndeities (7). As is the moon amongst the gods, so thou hast acquired\nprominence amongst men by thy grace, beauty, delightful countenance and\nsmiles (8). In strength, energy, body, and feats performed in boyhood\nonly K\u0101rtikeya\u00b2\u00b2\u2078 can equal thee. There is none to match thee amongst\nmen (9). As the great ocean cannot overleap its bank so who can\ndisregard your proposal regarding the performance of a _yajna_ in honor\nof the mountain (10)? Let now for the well-being of the kine and milkmen\nthe Giri-yajana,\u00b2\u00b2\u2079 instituted by thee, be undertaken by us in the place\nof the Indra-yajna (11). Let delightful viands of milk be prepared and\nlet beautiful jars be placed at the drinking-place\u00b2\u00b3\u2070 (12). Let spacious\nrivers and _Dronis_\u00b2\u00b3\u00b9 be filled with milk and take such a quantity of\nfried meat and various sorts of food and drink to the mountain that the\nGopas may spend three nights (13\u201314). Let this _yajna_, consisting of\nall milkmen and abounding in the meat of buffalo and other beasts, be at\nonce undertaken (15)\".\n\nThereupon the entire village of milkmen was filled with glee along with\nthe delighted kine. Then with the sound of trumpets, the roar of the\nbulls and the cries of the calves the Gopas were greatly rejoiced. Lakes\nof curd, whirlpools of clarified butter and rivers of milk were made\nthere. A heap of meat and a mountain-like collection of of boiled rice\nwere taken to the mountain. Thus the Giri-Yajna was undertaken by all\nthe milkmen there. There were present the delighted Gopas and the\nbeautiful milk-women. Hundreds of eating-places were set up there. It\nabounded in garlands, various sorts of perfumeries and incense. Various\narticles of sacrifice were spread there duly. And thus in the auspicious\nhour the Gopas, along with the Br\u0101hmanas, celebrated the Giri-Yajna\n(16\u201320). After the termination of the _yajna_, Krishna, assuming, by his\nillusive energy, the form of a mountain, feasted on that most excellent\nrice, meat, curd and milk (21). The Br\u0101hmanas too were pleased with\neating there and all their desires were accomplished. And uttering there\ndelightedly the verses of benediction they went away (22). Assuming a\ncelestial form and partaking of the food and drink after his own heart\nin that sacrifice the Lord Krishna smilingly said \"I am satisfied\" (23).\nThen beholding on the top of the hill Krishna in the form of a mountain\nembellished with celestial garlands and pastes, the leading Gopas,\nbowing, sought refuge with him (24). The omnipotent Lord Krishna, having\nhis true form hidden by the mountain, himself adored his own self along\nwith the bowing Gopas (25).\n\nThe Gopas, filled with surprise, said to that god stationed on the best\nof mountains:\u2014\"O lord, we are thy devoted servants, command us what we\nare to do\" (26). He replied to them in words originating from the\nmountain:\u2014\"If you have compassion for the kine, engage in my worship\nfrom to-day (27). I am your well-meaning first deity who grant all\nobjects of desire and by my favour you have got, in your possession, ten\nmillions of precious kine (28). If you all become my votaries, I will\nencompass your well-being in the forest and enjoy, as in the celestial\nregion, in your company (29). Being delighted I will confer on Nanda and\nother leading Gopas immense wealth that is worthy of being acquired by\nmilk-men (30). Let the cows along with their calves circumambulate me. I\nwill forsooth then attain to highest felicity\" (31).\n\nThereupon to embellish that best of mountains the cows, with all the\nbulls, in flocks, encircled it (32). Thereupon with their horns adorned\nwith garlands and be-decked with chaplets on their heads and flowery\nAngadas, numberless cows delightedly began to circumambulate it quickly\n(33). Having their limbs pasted with pastes of diverse colors and clad\nin red, crimson and yellow raiments the milk-men followed those cows in\norder to govern them (34). In that wonderful assembly shone there the\nmilk-men adorned with peacock-feathered Angadas, and chords well\narranged for tying their hairs and with weapons in their hands. Some\nmilk-men hastened to control the kine, some danced in joy and some rode\nthe bulls. Thus in due order when that festivity terminated the\nincarnate god of the hill all on a sudden disappeared and Krishna, too,\nwith the Gopas, returned to Vraja. Thus when the Giri-Yajna was\ninstituted all the milk-men, boys and elderly people were filled with\nsurprise, on witnessing that wonderful scene and began to chant the\nglories of Madhusudana (35\u201339).\n\n  \u00b2\u00b2\u2077 Gokula is another name of Vraja, the village of milk-men. There is\n      still now a village of the same name about five or six miles from\n      Mathura. It is very doubtful whether this is the site of the\n      ancient Gokula which is described to have been situate near\n      Govardhana mountain.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b2\u2078 The deity of war and son of Siva. Derived from Kirtika the\n      personified Pleiades: according to the legend having been fostered\n      and brought up by the nymphs so called. He was so great an adept\n      in the art of war that he was appointed the commander of the\n      celestial army in the war between the gods and demons.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b2\u2079 A sacrifice in honor of the mount Govardhana.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b3\u2070 The word in the text is _Udapana_\u2014from _Uda_ water, and the root\n      _pa_ to drink. It may also mean a well. Here it means a place\n      where water is drunk. Near a well, as is still seen in many place,\n      there is a spacious pavement where people may sit at ease and\n      drink.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b3\u00b9 Any real vessel made of wood, stone and in the shape of a boat and\n      used for holding or pouring out water, as a bathing tub, a bathing\n      vessel, a bucket or watering pot &c.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXIII. INDRA SENDS DOWN PUNISHMENT.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014While in this wise the festivity, in his honor, was\nsuppressed, Sakra, the king of the celestials said to the clouds called\nSamvartaka (1):\u2014\"O ye clouds, and elephants, if you cherish any respect\nfor your king and if you consider it as your duty to do what pleases me\n(listen then to my words) (2). All these inhabitants of Vrind\u0101vana are\nattached to D\u0101modara. Nanda and other Gopas have grown inimical towards\nmy festival (3). Therefore within seven nights, distress, with rain and\nwinds, the precious kine which constitute their life-long subsistence\nand for which they pass by the name of Gopas\u00b2\u00b3\u00b2 (4). I myself, stationed\non (my elephant) Airavata, shall discharge dreadful rain, winds and\nshowers effulgent like thunder and lightning (5). With dreadful showers\nand winds you will kill all the kine and the inhabitants of Vraja and\nleave them after they all kiss the ground\" (6).\n\nOn account of his festival being put down by Krishna the powerful\nP\u0101kash\u0101sana thus issued his mandate to the clouds (7). Thereupon, the\ndreadful dark-blue clouds, resembling a mountain in size and muttering\nawfully, covered the sky on all sides (8). Producing lightnings\ncontinually the clouds, adorned with the bow of Indra, enshrouded the\nwelkin with darkness (9). Touching one another, all the clouds, some\nresembling the elephants, some the Makaras\u00b2\u00b3\u00b3 and some the serpents,\nbegan to move about in the sky (10). Coming in contact with one another\nthe clouds, resembling a million of elephants, covered the sky and\ncreated a very unfair day (11). Showers of equal size, some resembling\nthe hands of men, some the trunks of elephants and some bamboos the\nclouds began to pour down their watery contents (12). People took that\ndreadful weather as a deep, unpassable and limitless ocean stationed in\nthe sky (13). Hearing the dreadful mutterings of the mountain like\nclouds, the birds could not come out of their nests and the animals\nbegan to fly away on all sides (14). By the excessive showers discharged\nby the dreadful clouds resembling the hour of the universal dissolution\nthe bodies of men grew discoloured (15). The planets and stars\ndisappearing from view, the sky, shorn of the rays of the sun and the\nmoon was divested of its lustre (16). With the continual showers of rain\nlet off by the clouds the ground there assumed the form of a tank (17).\nThe peacocks began to cry aloud and the other birds began to emit their\nfeeble notes. And the rivers, increasing their size, carried away the\ntrees grown on their banks (18). As if remonstrated with by the\nmutterings of clouds and the clap of thunderbolts the grass and trees\nbegan to tremble there (19). Beside themselves with fear the milk-men\nbegan to speak amongst themselves: \"We think the end of the world is at\nhand and the earth will be converted into one sheet of water (20).\" The\ncows were greatly distressed by that dreadful downpour of rain. And they\nstood motionless and began to cry aloud (21). Their body was soaked,\nthighs and feet were motionless, hoops and mouth inert, the hairs stood\nerect and their belly and udders grew lean (22). Some died out of\nexhaustion, some took to their heels in fear and some with their calves\nsank under frost (23). Some cows, of emaciated belly on account of\nhunger and wearied thighs, lay to sleep embracing their calves (24). The\ncows and calves, thus assailed by rain, fell down trembling and with\npoor and distressing countenance looked towards Krishna and cried \"Save\nus! Save us! (25)\"\n\nBeholding this dreadful oppression over the cows on account of that\ninclemeny and the impending death of the Gopas the sweet-speeched\nKrishna was greatly worked up with anger. And meditating for a while he\nbegan to speak to himself (26\u201327):\u2014\"I knew before that this will come to\npass. However to protect them against this downpour of rain I will\nuproot this best of mountains Govardhana containing forests and woods\nand convert it into an asylum for the kine (28). There is not a shadow\nof doubt that this mountain, a veritable planet on earth, when upheld by\nme, will be able to protect the kine and milk-men\" (29).\n\nThus meditating and displaying the strength of his arms Krishna, having\ntruth for his prowess and resembling the best of mountains, uprooted\nthat hill with his hands (30). Then that foremost of mountains,\ncontaining clouds, upheld by Krishna with his left hand, shone there\nlike a house on account of its caves (41). When that mountain was\nuprooted the rocks, at its table-land, were shaken and the trees fell\ndown (32). And although that mountain was immoveable still, on account\nof Krishna\u2019s power, with its whirling summits, falling trees and\ntrembling tops it went up to the sky (33). All the clouds, united, were\npouring down their watery contents in its side. With their\nquick-coursing streams the rocks were loosened and the mountain too was\ncontinually agitated (34). The milk-men however could not perceive the\nraining clouds, the rock-pouring mountain and the roaring wind (35). The\nclouds, attached to the mountain, coming in contact with the springs\nthat best of mountains shone there as if bedecked with peacock feathers\n(36). Vidyadharas, Uragas, Gandharvas and Apsar\u0101s began to exclaim from\nall sides\u2014\"Gifted with wings the mount Govardhana is flying up\" (37).\nWhite, crimson and dark mineral substances began to trickle down from\nthe earthen layer of that uprooted mountain containing a thousand of\nlayers (38). Some of the summits of that best of mountain were\nslackened, some were shattered and the highly elevated ones entered into\nclouds (39). With the shaking of the mountains, the trees also shook,\nand their flowers fell down on all sides of the ground (40). The\nbig-hooded serpents, having half of their body adorned, issued out of\ntheir holes and the birds began to fly up in the sky (41). Out of fear\nconsequent upon the raising up of the mountain and of heavy downpour\nthese sky rangers began continually to fly up and come down (42). The\nlions in anger began to roar like clouds surcharged with water and the\ntigers like that of the churning rods (43). Having its form\nmetamorphosed that mountain, consisting of even, uneven and impassable\nplaces, appeared like another mountain (44). On account of the excessive\ndownpour of showers it appeared like Tripura\u00b2\u00b3\u2074 stupified by Rudra in in\nthe sky (45). Upheld by the rod-like hand of Krishna that huge mountain,\ncovered with dark-blue clouds, appeared there like an umbrella (46). The\nmuttering of the clouds making him dream, Govardhana slept there placing\nhis cave-like face on the pillow of Krishna\u2019s arm (47). Having its\nsummit covered with trees divested of the notes of the birds and soaked\nwith the showers and shorn of the cries of peacocks, that mountain shone\nthere like the sky (48). The summit and forest of that high mountain\nwere as if possessed by fever on account of its table-lands shaking and\ntrembling (49). Hastened by the king of gods and driven by the wind the\nclouds began to pour down before it continually their contents (50).\nUpheld by Krishna\u2019s hand that mountain, covered with clouds, appeared\nlike a country marked with the signs of wheels when oppressed by a king\n(51). As a populous village places before it a city so the clouds stood\nencircling that mountain (52).\n\nFor protecting the Gopas like unto Brahm\u0101 the Lord Krishna raised up\nthat mountain and kept it on the tip of his finger. He then smilingly\nsaid (53).\n\n\"By some heavenly means which is even beyond the comprehension of the\ngods I have constructed this mountainous house, an asylum for the cows\nwhere no wind blows (54). Let the flocks of cows speedily enter into it\nand peacefully and happily live there where no violent wind blows. Do\nye, of your own accord, make divisions of the room proportionate to your\nsuperiority of position and the number of flocks and put a stop to the\ndownpour of showers. The big house, that I have constructed by uprooting\nthis hill extending over five _Kos_ and one _Kos_ in breadth, can even\naccommodate the three worlds, what to speak of Vraja (55-57)\".\n\nThere arose a great tumult of the Gopas accompanied by the mutterings of\nclouds outside and the noise of the cows. And arranged in rows by the\nmilk-men the kine entered into the huge cave of that best of mountains\n(58\u201359). And standing at the foot of that mountain like a rising pillar\nof stone Krishna held that hill with one hand like a beloved guest (60).\n\nThereupon taking with them their carts and vessels the inhabitants of\nVraja, afraid of rain, entered into that rocky house (61). Beholding\nthis superhuman feat of Krishna and finding his words falsified the\npowerful Satakratu asked the clouds to desist (62). And surrounded by\nclouds which deprived the earth of all festivities for seven nights he\nreturned again to the celestial region (63). Thus after seven nights\nwhen the king of gods desisted and the sky was freed of clouds and\nbecome clear the sun rose in its full effulgence (64). The cows and the\nmilk-men returned to their respective quarters by the same road by which\nthey had entered (the cave) (63). For the well-being of all the worlds\nthe Lord Krishna, the giver of boons and identical with all the\nelements, established, with a delighted heart, that best of mountains\u00b2\u00b3\u2075\n(66).\n\n  \u00b2\u00b3\u00b2 Literally the word means one who protects kine from _go_, kine and\n      the root _pa_, to protect.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b3\u00b3 A root of acquatic animal resembling a crocodile.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b3\u2074 The Danava chief who was defeated by Rudra or Siva in the war\n      between the gods and demons.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b3\u2075 This miracle of Krishna\u2019s holding up of the mountain Govardhana on\n      one of his fingers has been described in almost all the Puranas\n      and even in the Sabha Parva of the Mahabharata. This incident, no\n      doubt, on the face of it, appears highly incredible for, it is not\n      possible for a man, nay for a boy of ten years of age to raise up\n      a huge mountain like Govardhana. It is undoubtedly an allegory\n      signifying the wonderful power of Krishna displayed by him for\n      protecting the Gopas. The following explanation may be safely\n      vouchsafed of the allegory. When he suppressed the worship of\n      Indra and all his followers attacked the Gopas, Krishna placed\n      them all, with their cattle and goods, on that hill and himself\n      fought with the followers of Indra. It is mentioned in the latter\n      portion of this Chapter that the Gopas entered into the hollow of\n      the mountain, their \u2019hilly house\u2019 and so forth. This probably may\n      suggest an explanation that they took shelter in one of the huge\n      caves of the mountain and Krishna guarded them against the attack\n      of the worshippers of Indra. Whatever may be the explanation it is\n      undoubtedly true that he displayed a superhuman feat on this\n      occasion.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXIV. INDRA COMES AND EULOGISES KRISHNA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Beholding the mount Govardhana thus held up and the\nkine saved Purandara, the king of the celestials, was filled with great\nsurprise and felt a desire for seeing Krishna (1). And seated on his\nelephant Airavata with temporal juice trickling down and resembling a\ncloud without water he came down on earth (2). Purandara saw Krishna, of\nunwearied actions, seated at the foot of the Govardhana hill (3). He saw\nthere the immortal Vishnu, assuming the guise of a milk-man and shining\nin his great effulgence and attained to great delight (4). Sakra, having\nmany eyes, saw, with all his eyes, Krishna bearing the mystic mark of\nSrivatsa and resembling a dark-blue lotus in hue (5). Beholding him\nseated happily at the foot of the hill who was gifted with beauty and\nwas like an immortal in the land of mortals Sakra was ashamed (6).\nDisappearing from view, that foremost of birds (Garuda), feeding on\nserpents, was protecting him, seated at ease, against the rays of the\nsun with his wings (7). Leaving behind his elephant, Indra, the slayer\nof Bala, approached Krishna who was playing in the forest being engaged\nin human actions (8). His face was embellished with a crown effulgent\nlike the sun that gives lustre to lightning, and with a pair of\ncelestial ear-rings. His breast was adorned with a neck-lace of five\nlayers of Padmak\u0101nta jewel constituting the ornament of the body.\nBeholding V\u0101sudeva with his thousand eyes the powerful Vasava, the\nwielder of thunder-bolt, approached Upendra and looked more beautiful\nwith his celestial garlands and pastes (9\u201311). Then with his sweet\nvoice, deep as the muttering of clouds that always issues commands to\nthe deities, he said (12):\u2014\n\n\"O Krishna, O thou of large arms, O thou the enhancer of the delight of\nthy kinsmen, what, thou hast accomplished on thy being pleased with thy\nkine, is beyond the power of the gods (13). I have been highly pleased\nwith thy saving the kine from the clouds created by me which bring about\nthe dissolution of the world (14). Whose mind is not filled with\nsurprise on seeing thee hold up this best of mountains by thy\nown-begotten Yoga power like a house in the sky(15)? O Krishna, I was\nenraged on account of the suppression of my sacrifice. And therefore I\nsent down this excessive rain extending over seven nights and\ndestructive of the kine which even the Devas and D\u0101navas cannot\nwithstand. But thou hast, by thy own power, put down this terrible\nshower in my very presence (16\u201317). I am highly pleased, O Krishna, for\nthy, in anger, settling the entire Vaishnava energy in thy human form\n(18). On account of thy being endued with thy own energy although in a\nhuman form, the work of the gods appears to have been well accomplished\n(19). O hero, while thou art at the head of all the works of the gods\nand their guide, forsooth, every thing will be accomplished and nothing\nwill remain undone (20). Thou art alone eternal amongst the gods and in\nall other worlds. I do not see a second capable of carrying the weight\nthou hast held (21). As the best of wheels is placed before a pole so\ndost thou engage in relieving the distress of the gods sunk in an ocean\nof misery, O thou having a bird for thy carrier (22). O Krishna, as gold\nis among the metals, so this universe, created by the Grand-father\n(Brahm\u0101) exists, in thy body (23). As a cripple cannot follow one who\nruns fast so even the Lord, Self-sprung (Brahma) cannot follow thee in\nintelligence or age (24). As the Himalaya is amongst the mountains, as\nthe great ocean is amongst the watery expanses, as Garuda is amongst the\nbirds so thou art the foremost of the celestials (25). O Krishna,\nunderneath all is the region of water; above it are afloat the pillars\nof the earth; above them is the region of man; above it is the etherial\nregion; above it is the effulgent region of the sun constituting the\ngate of heaven; above it is the great region of the gods forming the\nabode of the celestials; here I occupy the position of the king of gods;\nabove it is the Brahmaloka where the Brahmarshis live and where move\nabout the high-souled Soma (moon) and other luminous bodies. Above it is\nthe Goloka stationed in the great etherial region. O Krishna, Golaka is\nthe foremost of all regions and is protected by the S\u0101dhyas. There dost\nthou live carrying on _Tapas_ which we cannot learn even when accosting\nthe Grand-Father about it (26\u201331). This earth is the region of actions\nfor those who engage in them. Underneath it is the dreadful region of\nthe iniquitous (32). The etherial region is the refuge of moving objects\nlike the air and heaven is the excellent refuge of the pious endued with\nthe qualities of self-control and forbearance (33). Those, who worship\nBrahm\u0101, live in the Brahmaloka. Goloka is attainable only by the kine;\neven by hard austerities no one else can obtain it (34). O intelligent\nand heroic Krishna, in order to protect these kine, thou didst hold up\nthe mount Govardhana and suppress the calamities sent down by me (35).\nTherefore at the request of the Grand Father and the cows and out of\nrespect for thee I have come here (36).\n\n\"O Krishna, I am the lord of Bhutas\u00b2\u00b3\u2076 and of the gods and I am\nPurandara. Being born of Aditi I am thy elder brother (37). Do thou\nforgive me for displaying my own energy in the shape of clouds which is\nbut the outcome of thy power (38). O Krishna of the gait of an elephant,\nbe thou delighted now by thy own gentle energy and listen to the words\ngiven vent to by Brahm\u0101 and the cows (39). Pleased with thy heavenly\ndeeds, hymning of their glories and with the work of protection the Lord\nBrahm\u0101 and the cows of the sky have communicated this unto thee (40).\nThyself protecting the great Goloka region and all the cows, our race,\nthrough the help of the bulls, will multiply itself (41). We all,\ncoursing at our will, shall propitiate the cultivators with bulls, their\nbeasts of burden, the celestials with the oblation of Havi and Sri with\nthe profusely increasing corns (42). O lord, O thou of great strength,\nthou art our preceptor and saviour. Becoming our king and lord do thou\nsprinkle thy self to-day with this golden jar full of heavenly water\nbrought by me with my own hands (43\u201344). I am the king of the celestials\nand thou hast, although eternal, become now the king of the cows.\nTherefore the people of this world will hymn thee as Govinda (45). As\nthe dignity of Indra has been bestowed on me so thou art the king of\ncows. O Krishna, the gods will celebrate thy name as Upendra (46). Of\nthe four months of my rainy season, I confer the latter half\nconstituting the autumn on thee (47). From to-day people will recognize\nthe first two months as mine. After the termination of the rains they\nwill take down my flag and thou shalt receive adoration. Shorn of\nexcitement and emitting notes occasionally the peacocks will give up\ntheir pride begotten by my clouds. And all other creatures, ranging in\nmy season and emitting notes at the view of clouds, will be silent\n(48\u201349). Agastya, the regent of the star Canopus, will range like a bird\nin the southern quarter and the sun, of thousand rays, will distress all\nwith his own effulgence (50). Thus with the beginning of autumn the\npeacocks will become silent, the birds will hanker after water, the\nfrogs will desist from leaping, the brinks of the rivers will be filled\nwith swans and S\u0101rasas, the Krounchas will emit their notes, the bulls\nwill become excited, the cows will be pleased and yield profuse milk,\nthe clouds will disappear after filling the earth with water, the cranes\nwill range in the dark sky, the picturesque lakes, pools and rivers will\nbe adorned with clean water and new grown lotuses, the dark-blue fields\nwill be full of corns, the rivers will have waters flowing in their\nmiddle\u00b2\u00b3\u2077 the hermitages of the ascetics will also be filled with\nbeautiful corns, the earth, abounding in many provinces, will grow\ncharming after the rains, the roads will look beautiful, the trees will\nbe covered with fruits, the country will be full of sugarcane and\nVajapeya and other sacrifices will be undertaken. And thus the sacred\nautumn will set in. Thou shalt then get up from thy bed. Men in this\nworld and the immortals in the celestial region will worship me as\nMahendra and thee as Upendra in the flag-staffs on the earth (51-59).\nThe man, who reciting the great and eternal theme of our conduct as\nMahendra and Upendra, will bow unto us, will not be visited by any\nmisery\" (60).\n\nThereupon taking those jars full of heavenly water the king of gods,\nconversant with Yoga, sprinkled\u00b2\u00b3\u2078 Govinda (61). Beholding the eternal\nKrishna thus annointed, the cows, stationed in the celestial region,\nalong with the bulls, sprinkled him also with a downpour of their milk\nthrough clouds (62). The clear clouds in the sky sprinkled him with\nnectarine showers. From trees fell down moon-like drops of water. And\nfrom the sky the gods set up a leonine sound, made a downpour of flowers\nand blew the bugles (63\u201364). The Maharshis, who always follow _mantras_,\nchanted his glories with becoming verses and the body of the earth was\nseparated from one all-extending ocean (65). The seas grew delightful\nand the winds began to blow for bringing about the well-being of the\nworld. And the sun and the moon accompanied by stars stood in their\nrespective roads (66). The kings were freed of their enemies and the\ncalamity of excessive rain was pacified. And the trees were embellished\nwith leaves and flowers of various colours. The deer grew delighted in\nthe forest and the elephants began to yield temporal juice and the\nmountains shone with trees grown on them and with metals (67\u201368). And\nthe land of mortals was satisfied with ambrosia-like juice like unto the\ncelestial region. Thus when the ceremony of the royal unction, of the\nLord Krishna, accompanied by the nectarine showers coming down from the\ncelestial region, was over the king of gods Purandara said to the\neternal Govinda, wearing celestial garlands and installed in the\nsovereignty of the cows (69\u201370).\n\n\"O Krishna, the first work, of installing thee as the king of cows, is\nnow over. Listen now to the next object of my coming here (71). Slaying\nspeedily Kansa, the wretch of a horse Keshi, and Aristha, always\ncommitting mischief do thou engage in governing thy own kingdom (72).\nFrom thy father\u2019s sister, a portion of my energy is born as a son by\nname Arjuna. Contracting friendship with him do thou always protect him\n(73). Thou shalt favour him and he, too, acting on thy advice and\nfollowing thee, will acquire great fame (74). He will be the foremost of\nbowmen among the descendants of Bharata and will take after thee. And\nwithout thy help he alone will never be pleased with his work (75). This\nfuture war of Bharata\u00b2\u00b3\u2079 depends on him and thee the foremost of men.\nWhen you both will be united all the kings will be slain (76). O\nKrishna, I have spoken to the gods and Rishis, that the son, begotten by\nme on Kunti, will be an adept in the use of weapons, the foremost of\narchers and the greatest of the Kurus. All the warrior-kings will speak\nof his learning (77-78). Ever abiding by the duties of a Kshatrya he\nalone will be able to kill one Akshouhini of kings skilled in fighting\n(79). Save thee there is none among the kings or gods who will be able\nto weaken the power of his bow or follow the path of his weapons, O lord\n(80). O Govinda, he will be thy friend and help in battle. Therefore at\nmy request, do thou instruct him in spiritual knowledge (81). Thou dost\nknow well Arjuna and all the worlds. So thou shouldst always regard and\ntake care of him as thou dost me (82). If thou dost protect him in the\ngreat battle Death will not be able to extend its influence over him\n(83). O Krishna, know Arjuna as me and me as identical with thy own\nself. As I am at one with thee, so is Arjuna (84). I am thy elder\nbrother and therefore thou didst, in the days of yore, acquiring the\nthree worlds from Bali with thy three footsteps, install me in the\nsovereignty over the gods (85). I know thee as fond of truth, as having\ntruth for thy prowess and as identical with truth. And because thou art\nbound to the gods by a promise they have engaged thee in this work of\nthe destruction of their enemies (86). O Krishna, Arjuna, the son of thy\nfather\u2019s sister, is my son. As he did become thy companion in the days\nof yore\u00b2\u2074\u2070 and so now he will contract friendship with thee (87). O\nM\u0101dhava, as a bull carries a burden, so thou shalt always take care of\nhim when either living in his house, your house or while fighting with\nthe enemies in the battle-field (88). When Kansa will be slain by thee,\never observant of the real purpose of things there will take place a\ngreat war of the kings (89). Arjuna will vanquish those heroic men of\nsuperhuman deeds and thou shalt adorn him with glory (90). O Keshava, if\ntruth, myself and the celestials are thy favourites thou shouldst carry\nout whatever I have said\" (91).\n\nHearing the words of Sakra, Krishna, who had become a cow-keeper, with a\ndelighted mind replied (92). \"O lord of Sachi, I am happy to see you.\nNothing, of whatever you have said, will be left off (93). O Sakra, I\nknow your heart. It is not unknown to me that my father\u2019s sister has\nbeen given away to the high-souled Pandu and that she has given birth to\nArjuna (94). I know also the prince Yudhisthira begotten by Dharma. I\nknow Bhimasena, the multiplier of V\u0101yu\u2019s (wind-god\u2019s) race. I know also\nNakula and Sahadeva begotten on M\u0101dri by the two Aswinis\u00b2\u2074\u00b9 (95-96). I\nknow also Karna, now known as a charioteer\u2019s son, begotten on my\nfather\u2019s sister in her maidenhood by the Sun\u00b2\u2074\u00b2 (97). That Pandu is dead\non account of the thunder-like imprecation\u00b2\u2074\u00b3 and that the sons of\nDhiitarashtra are desirous of fighting are all known to me (98), O king\nof gods, returning now to the city of the celestials increase their\ndelight. No enemy will be able to trouble Arjuna when he will be before\nme (99). When the great war of Bh\u0101rata will come to its close, I shall,\non account of Arjuna, consign unscathed unto Kunti all the sons of Pandu\n(100). O king of gods, I am bound by affection and therefore I shall\naccomplish like a servant what your son Arjuna will command me (101).\"\nHearing these words of truthful Krishna, the king of gods returned to\nthe city of the celestials (102).\n\n  \u00b2\u00b3\u2076 A demi-god of a particular class.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b3\u2077 _i.e._ the waters will not overflood their banks as in the rainy\n      season.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b3\u2078 _i.e._ installed him as the king of cows. At the time of\n      installation sacred water is sprinkled on the head of a king.\n\n  \u00b2\u00b3\u2079 It refers to the battle of Kurukshetra in which all the kings of\n      the world took part.\n\n  \u00b2\u2074\u2070 When Vishnu assumed the form of N\u0101rayana Arjuna became his\n      companion as Nara.\n\n  \u00b2\u2074\u00b9 For a detailed account of the birth of all these sons see chapter\n      CXXIII of Adi Parva of Mahabharata.\n\n  \u00b2\u2074\u00b2 Kunti, while a maid, obtained a boon from the Rishi Durvasa that\n      whomever she would wish to have as her consort, he would at once\n      come to her. To make an experiment she invoked the sun and Karna\n      is the issue of her union with him. The account of his birth is\n      described in one hundred and eleventh chapter of Adi Parva in the\n      Mahabharata.\n\n  \u00b2\u2074\u00b3 Once on a time Pandu went out into a forest for hunting. He struck\n      a Rishi\u2019s son who was coupling with his mate in the form of a\n      deer. He imprecated a curse on Pandu saying \"As you have killed me\n      in the form of a deer when I was full of desire, so you, O foolish\n      man, will certainly meet with the fate that has fallen me. When\n      you will go to your dear one, full of desire as was the case with\n      me, you will at that time, certainly go to the land of the dead.\n      Your wife will also follow you.\" See slokas 30, 31, in chapter\n      CXVIII in Sambhava Parva of Adi Parva in the Mahabharata.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXV. RASA DANCE.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Thereupon after the departure of Sakra, the\nbeautiful Krishna the holder of Gavardhana, entered Vraja honored by the\ninhabitants, thereof (1). The elderly Gopas and his kinsmen and\ncomrades, assembled together, welcomed him and said.\n\n\"O Govinda, we have been honored and favoured by thy conduct and as well\nas that of the best of mountains (2). Indeed thy prowess is like that of\nthe celestials. By thy favour the kine have tided over the fear of\nexcessive rain and we too have been relieved of the great fear (3). O\nKrishna, O lord of kine, beholding thy superhuman feat of raising up the\nmountain we consider thee as a divinity (4). O thou of great strength,\nart thou Rudra, Marut, or one of the Vasus? Why hast thou taken thy\nbirth as the son of Vasudeva (5)? Beholding this thy low birth amongst\nus, this thy prowess, sport and feat in thy boyhood our minds are filled\nwith fear (6). We see, thou art like one of the Lokap\u0101las. But why art\nthou, in thy wretched guise of a milk-man, engaged in sport with us and\nin protecting kine (7)? Art thou a Deva, a D\u0101nava or a Gandharva now\nborn as our friend? Whatever thou mayst be we bow unto thee (8). If thou\nart present here, of thy own accord, for any work of thine, do thou\nconsider us as thy dependants and votaries (9).\"\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing the words of Gopas, the lotus-eyed Krishna,\nsmiling a little, said to his assembled kinsmen:\u2014(10)\n\n\"Ye of dreadful prowess, let not the conviction, that you have all\nformed about me, take root in your hearts. I am one of your clan and a\nfriend (11). If however you are all bent upon hearing then wait you will\nsoon listen to an account of (my origin) and see my true form (12). I am\none of your respected friends like unto a god. If you have any affection\nfor me, do not wish to learn any thing more about me (13).\"\n\nThus accosted by Vasudeva\u2019s son and covering their own faces and\nresorting to silence the milk-men went away in in various directions\n(14).\n\nThereupon beholding the charming autumnal night and the beautiful moon\nthe powerful Krishna felt a desire of sporting (15). Sometimes he made\nthe haughty bulls fight with one another in the roads of Vraja adorned\nwith cow-dung pastes. He again set the powerful cow-herds against one\nanother. He sometimes got hold of the kine in the forest like a\ncrocodile. (16\u201317). Sometimes thinking of his boyhood and bringing the\nyouthful women of Gopas under his control at night he used to enjoy\nthere (18). With their glances those Gopa women used to drink as if the\nambrosia of his beautiful face who was like the moon come down on earth\n(19). Krishna was by nature beautiful but clad in a silken raiment of\nshining yellow colour he appeared more beautiful (20). Having his arms\nadorned with Angadas and bedecked with garlands of wild flowers Govinda\nbeautified the entire Vraja (21). Filled with surprise at witnessing the\nwonderful conduct of that powerful (being) the beautiful Gopa women used\nto call him by the name of D\u0101modara (22). And casting again and again\ntheir glances accompanied by various gestures they began to assail him\nwith their rising breasts (23). After a few days had passed away in this\nway the parents of those milk-women prevented them (from doing so).\nThose damsels however, fond of amusements, used to hunt Krishna at night\n(24). Sometimes arranging themselves in rows and sometimes in circles\nthey, singing hymns relating to Krishna\u2019s glories, used to satisfy him.\nAnd all of them appeared in pairs with Krishna (25). Casting loving\nglances at Krishna and following his course those youthful damsels of\nVraja imitated all his sports (26). Sometimes striking their palms in\nthe forest they used to imitate him and sometimes they used to take\ndelight in imitating his songs and dances accompanied by lovely smiles\nand looks (27-28). Singing sweet songs describing the profuse love for\nKrishna these beautiful women, devoted to D\u0101modara, used to range at\nPleasure in Vraja (29). As she-elephants, covered with dust, enjoy with\nan infuriated elephant so those milk-women, their limbs covered all over\nwith dust and cow-dung, used to sport with Krishna encircling him on all\nsides (30). Drinking repeatedly his ambrosia-like beauty with their eyes\naccompanied by side-long and smiling looks the Gopa-women, having\nantelope eyes, could not attain to the consummation of delight (31).\nWhen Damodara used to exclaim \"O! Alas!\" the damsels anxiously and\ndelightedly used to listen to the words given vent to by him (33). Thus\nencircled by the milk-women Krishna used to sport, of his own accord, in\nthe autumnal night adorned by the moon\u00b2\u2074\u2074 (35).\n\n  \u00b2\u2074\u2074 This is one of the principal incidents of Krishna\u2019s life on which\n      innumerable poets of India have exhausted their skill and\n      ingenuity. This incident has also been recorded in several\n      Puranas. Some hostile critics interpret this R\u0101sa dance as one of\n      the blemishes of Krishna\u2019s character and proceed to prove that he\n      was an emblem of carnality. They draw upon certain Indian scholars\n      in support of their argument. It is therefore necessary to throw a\n      few suggestions before our readers so that they may understand Sri\n      Krishna aright. This _R\u0101sa_ dance is described in a few words in\n      Harivamsha, a little more profusely in Vishnu Puran, but very\n      elaborately in Srimadbhagavatam. There is no mention however to\n      this incident in the Mahabharata. In Vishnu Puran it is described\n      as the out-burst of a tender love of a number of young girls for\n      their youthful companion. In Harivamsha it is the love of youthful\n      damsels for a handsome young man. In Bhagvata it is the passionate\n      love of some women for a young man. In all these books however the\n      different phases of love have been described with a grand esoteric\n      meaning behind them. This R\u0101sa was nothing but a \"Ball\" dance in\n      which all the youthful damsels and girls took part and which was\n      introduced by Krishna. It was a favourite pastime with the Aryans\n      and frequent references to this dance are seen in Mahabharata and\n      other classical works of note. That it was a purely innocent\n      amusement freed from every shade of carnality is beyond all\n      doubts. From the internal evidences of the three great works on\n      Krishna\u2019s life, namely Harivamsa, Vishnu Purana and\n      Srimadbhagavatam it is evident that Krishna, at this period, was\n      merely a boy of ten years of age or so. It is impossible for a boy\n      of this tender age to be so very carnal as he is depicted to have\n      been. All the youthful maidens and girls of Vraja were fond of\n      Krishna. It was not only on them that he exercised his wonderful\n      influence but he did so on the elderly men too. This is clear\n      enough from the incident that he succeeded in suppressing the\n      great Indra-yajna. Krishna used to invent and organise varions\n      sorts of sports for his comrades, both boys and girls. In the\n      previous Chapter his wonderful influence over his male companions\n      and elderly men has been described. This Chapter is introduced by\n      the poet to show that his influence over the women was equally\n      marvellous. All these incidents go to prove more his super human\n      origin. In all these three works no mention is made of the name of\n      a particular woman for whom he cherished a special fancy as\n      _Radha_. There is a occasional mention of this word in Bhagavat\n      and only once in Harivamsha where it means a worshipper. This\n      story of the carnal love of Krishna for his various companions is\n      described at a length in _Brahma Vaivarta Purana_ which is\n      regarded as a spurious production and is not considered as an\n      authentic record of his life. The esoteric meaning underlying this\n      incident is the union between the human soul and the Supreme Soul.\n      Krishna is the impersonation of the Supreme Soul and _Radha_ or\n      the worshipper is the emblem of the human soul. The worshipper can\n      secure unification with the Supreme Soul by love\u2014earnest and\n      deep-seated devotion. This love, this devotion has been described\n      by various poets in various forms.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXVI. DEATH OF ARISTHA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014One day in the first part of the night while Krishna\nwas sporting, the dark-hued D\u0101nava, Aristha by name, assuming the form\nof an infuriated bull and resembling Death himself, was seen there\nterrifying all the inmates of the cow-sheds (1). His body was like\nextinguished ember and cloud, his horns were sharpened, his eyes were\neffulgent like the sun, his feet were endued with sharpened hoops and\nhis hump was extremely hard (2). He was repeatedly licking his lips with\nhis tongue and moving his tail with pride. And for breaking down many\npalaces with his hump it became exceedingly hardened (3). Incapable of\nbeing repulsed on account of his own huge body, with his body covered\nwith excreta and urine, that D\u0101nava, of huge waist, fleshy mouth, hard\nknees and long abdomen, terrified all the cows with his skin hanging\nfrom his neck and horns (4-5). That Daitya Aristha, of huge body, the\nslayer of inimical bulls and the injurer of the cows, assuming the form\nof a bull, was running about in the cow-sheds and pasture grounds. His\nface was marked with strokes against the trees and his horns were\nadorned as if for a fight (6-7). He used to approach the kine, when big\nwith their young ones and cause abortion and used to know them\nimmediately after their delivery (8). Without fighting with the bulls\nand cows that irrepressible, and dreadful Daitya, always intent on\nstriking them with his horns, could not derive pleasure in pasture\ngrounds (9).\n\nAccidentally on that day, the proud bull, under the influence of\nVaivasw\u0101n (the regent of the departed), came before Keshava (10).\nDivesting the cow-sheds of bulls, calves and young bulls that one,\nelated with proud, used to assail the kine (11). At that time, that one\nof wicked soul, under influence of Vaivasw\u0101n, terrified the cows that\nwere near Krishna roaring like a cloud accompanied by Indra\u2019s\nthunderbolt. Thereat striking his palms and setting up a leonine shout\nGovinda ran after him, increasing the anger of the demon in the shape of\na bull. Beholding Krishna and enraged with the sound of the strokes of\nhis palms against his arms, moving his tail and expanding his eyes in\ndelight that bull issued out a shout expressing his desire for fight.\nBeholding that wicked demon of the form of a bull approach Krishna did\nnot move out from where he stood and rather remain there firm like a\nmountain (12-15). With a view to slay Krishna, that bull too, raising up\nhis face and aiming at his belly, came there quickly (16). Vasudeva,\nresembling a bull, confronted that irrepressible and collyruim-like bull\nbefore him (17). As a bull faces a huge bull so Arishtha met Krishna and\nfrom his nostril came out foams with a sound (18). Thereupon Krishna and\nthe bull confronting each other they appeared like two clouds, touching\neach other in the rains (19). Placing his feet on the space between the\nhorns Krishna humiliated his pride and struck him at the neck resembling\nthe sky (20). Then uprooting his left horn resembling the rod of Yama he\nstruck him on the face with it; thereat that foremost of bulls breathed\nhis last (21). With his horns, head and shoulders shattered that demon\nfell down vomiting blood like a cloud sending down showers (22).\n\nThereupon beholding the proud D\u0101nava in the shape of a bull slain by\nGovinda all the people began to eulogise him exclaiming \"Well done! Well\ndone!\" (23). Slaying that bull demon in that moon light the lotus-eyed\nUpendra again engaged in sport (24). Like the immortals adoring their\nking in the celestial region the Gopas began to worship delightedly the\nlotus-eyed Krishna.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXVII. KANSA INVITES KRISHNA AND SENDS AKRURA TO BRING HIM.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Hearing that Krishna was advancing in power like\nfire in Vraja, Kansa, anticipating fear from him, was filled with\nanxiety (1). On Putana being slain, the two trees being dragged by the\nboy of no boy-like deeds, Kalya being vanquished, Dhenuka being killed,\nPralamva being discomfitted, the mount Govardhana being raised up,\nIndra\u2019s commandment being disregarded, the kine being protected by\nenviable deeds and Kakudmi and Arishtha being destroyed the Gopas were\nfilled with delight. Beholding these highly terrible portends indicating\nhis impending death and these unthought of feats amongst his rising\nenemies Mathura\u2019s king Kansa considered himself as brought under the\ninfluence of death. And his organs and mind being deprived of\nconsciousness he appeared like one dead (2-6). Thereupon in the\nnoiseless dead of night, Mathura\u2019s king Kansa, the son of Ugrasena of\nfierce commands, summoned his father and kinsmen to his city (7).\nSummoning god-like Vasudeva, Kangka, Satyaka, D\u0101ruka, Kanka\u2019s youngest\nbrother, Bhoja, Vaitarana, the highly powerful Vikadru, the king\nBhayesakha, Viprithu of great prosperity, the liberal Kritavarma, the\nhighly energetic and bold Bhurishrav\u0101 and various other descendants of\nYadu race and welcoming them all in due order he said:\u2014\"Listen, O ye\nY\u0101davas, ye are all business-like, devoted to the Vedas, expert in\nascertaining the proper rules of conduct, the introducers of the three\nVargas\u00b2\u2074\u2075, ever observant of your duties, like gods in this world, and\never wending the good ways and firm as the mountains (8-13). Ye are all\nshorn of haughtiness and you have all lived properly in the families of\nyour preceptors\u00b2\u2074\u2076, ye are all therefore proficient in archery and\ncapable of holding royal counsels (14). Besides ye are all like lamps of\nglory in all these worlds, conversant with the real purport of the\nVedas, the true import of the Ashramas (conditions of life), with the\norder of Varnas (castes), the propounder of the beautiful rules of\nconduct, the leaders of the givers of laws, the conquerors of foreign\nkingdoms, and the protectors of those seeking refuge with you (15\u201316).\nYou are all so very vivacious in your conversation and endued with such\nan unimpeachable character, what to speak of the earth even the\ncelestial region may feel itself honored (by your presence) (17). Your\nconduct resembles that of the Rishis, your power is like that of the\nMaruts, your anger is like that of Rudras and your effulgence is like\nthat of the fire (18). As the earth is supported by the mountains so the\ndecaying race of Yadus is upheld by you all, heroes of far-famed glory\n(19) You all follow my will, why then are you at present disregarding\nthe rising calamity of mine, (20)? Like unto a rising a cloud, Nanda\nGopa\u2019s son, the celebrated Krishna of Vraja is about to strike at the\nroot (of the race) (21). I have lost my heart and four eyes and I have\nno able ministers. And therefore that boy was kept secretly in Nanda\nGopa\u2019s house (22). Like a malady disregarded, the swelling ocean and the\nroaring clouds of the rainy season that wicked-minded one is rising in\npower (23). I have not been able to find out the means of subduing or to\nunderstand the movements of that boy of wonderful deeds born in Nanda\nGopa\u2019s house (24). That boy is either the offspring of a god or born of\nany other powerful being. I however do not know any thing\u2014but I surmise\nso by his superhuman deeds which even the celestials can not perform\n(25). While asleep in his infancy he drank up the life of Putan\u0101 (going\nthere in the form of a) bird under the pretext of sucking her breast\n(26). Vanquished in no time in the lake of Yamuna, that N\u0101ga Kalya,\nranging in the region underneath, has disappeared (27). But Nanda\u2019s son,\nby his Yoga power, has risen up again. Dropped down from the top of a\npalm tree Dhenuka has breathed his last (28). Pralamva too, whom even\nthe gods could not surpass in battle, has been slain like an ordinary\nanimal, by that powerful one with the strokes of his fist (29).\nSuppressing the festivity in honor of Indra, and putting a stop to\nexcessive rain consequent upon his anger that boy held up the mount\nGovardhana for affording shelter to the kine (30). The powerful Aristha,\nwith his horns shattered, has been slain by him in Vraja. From the\nactions of that boy living in the village of milk-men it appears that he\nis not a boy, but assuming the false guise of a child, is sporting there\nmerely. While he stands before me for a battle, forsooth, I know that he\nis my Death\u2014(the destroyer) of my former body (31\u201333). There is a vast\ndifference between the birth as a wretched milkman amongst men, weak for\ntheir death and his sporting in my cow-settlement with the power of a\ngod (34). It appears to me as certain that a god, covering his own true\nform with a Gopa body, is sporting here like fire in the cremation\nground (35). I have heard that in the days of yore in order to\naccomplish the work of the celestials, Vishnu, assuming the form of a\ndwarf, took away the earth from Bali (36). At another time assuming the\nform of a lion that powerful Vishnu killed Hiranyakashipu the\ngrand-father of the D\u0101navas (37). Assuming a form, surpassing the range\nof thought, Bh\u0101va (Siva) the destroyer of Tripura killed all the Daityas\non the Sweta mountain (38). Being shaken off his promise\u00b2\u2074\u2077 by his\npreceptor Angira\u2019s son (Kacha) resorting to a frog\u2019s illusion\u00b2\u2074\u2078\nBhrigu\u2019s son (Sukra) caused a drought (in the land of the D\u0101navas) (39).\nAssuming the form of a boar that thousand-headed eternal deity Vishnu\nraised up the earth from the great ocean (40). When the gods and Asuras,\nassembled for (churning) for ambrosia, Vishnu, in the shape of a\ntortoise in the ocean, held up the Mandara mountain (41). And when there\narose ambrosia he, assuming the form of a beautiful woman, created a\nhighly terrible battle between the gods and demons (42). Assuming a\nwretched dwarf form in the days of yore he rescued the three worlds\nincluding the land of the celestials, with his three foot-steps from\nBali (43). It was he, who having divided himself into four portions and\ntaking his birth as R\u0101ma in Dasharatha\u2019s house, killed Ravana (44). For\naccomplishing the work of gods Vishnu assumes various forms and\ndeceitfully does his own work (45). Forsooth Vishnu, of whom N\u0101rada\nspoke to me, or Sakra, the king of gods, has now come for bringing about\nmy death (46). In this matter our fear proceeds from Vasudeva; this is\neven my firm conviction. By his sense we have been reduced to this\nstrait (47). When I met N\u0101rada again in Khatw\u0101nga forest that Br\u0101hmana\nsaid to me \"O Kansa, Vasudeva, in the night, has baffled your great care\nregarding Devaki\u2019s child (48\u201349). The daughter, whom you dashed against\na stone in that night, is Yashod\u0101\u2019s daughter and know Krishna as\nVasudeva\u2019s son (50). Vasudeva, your enemy in the guise of a friend,\nafter due consultation, exchanged the children in night for bringing\nabout your death (51). Having slain on the Vindhya mountain the two\nsky-ranging D\u0101navas, Shumbha and Nisumbha, that daughter of Yashoda,\nsprinkled by the gods, is being worshipped by the dreadful robbers and\nvarious animals. She is fond of human and animal sacrifices and confers\nboon (upon her worshippers) after their hearts (52\u201353). Embellished with\ntwo jars full of wine and blood and adorned with peacock-feathers she\nhas made her own abode, by her own power, in the forest of the Vindhya\nrange. It is filled with cries of proud cocks and crows, abounds in free\nbirds and deer, echoes with the roars of lions, tigers and boars, is\nthick with trees and covered entirely with woods. The temple is filled\nwith golden vases, chowries, mirrors and is resonant with the sound of\nthousands of trumpets. The beautiful goddess, the mother of fear unto\nthe enemies, daily lives there with great delight and even the\ncelestials adore her. N\u0101rada has said that the boy who is known as the\nson of Nanda Gopa, Krishna, will be the agent of many important deeds.\nThe second son that will be born of Vasudeva and pass by the name of\nV\u0101sudeva, that kinsman of yours will easily put you to death. He is\nVasudeva, the powerful son of Vasudeva. Morally he is my kins-man, but\nat heart a dreadful enemy (54\u201361). As a crow, with its beaks fond of\nflesh, distresses the eyes of a man on whose head it sets its foot, so\nthis Vasudeva, brought up by me in my house, along with his son, kinsmen\nand fruits, is trying to strike at the root of my family (62\u201363). A man,\nafter killing an embryo or a cow or a woman, can somehow save himself,\nbut there is no region for an ungrateful person (64). An ungrateful man,\nwho for a selfish end, gives vent to sweet words which prove dangerous\nin the long run, wends the way of out-castes (65). He, who having his\nmind bent on iniquity, injures an innocent man, is constrained to wend\nthe way leading to hell (66). On account of our rules of conduct and\naccomplishments, we are worthy of praise to persons like you seeking\nfriendship. And such sons are more worthy of praise (67). As by the\ndreadful fight of the elephants, trees are destroyed which, after the\nclose of the combat, become their food, so when dissensions take place\namongst kinsmen, either relatives or inferior arbitrators meet with\ndestruction (68\u201369). Vasudeva, while you are about to sow dissensions in\nthis family, I now understand forsooth that without knowing you I fed\nyou who are like death (70). O foolish man, you are always angry by\nnature, fond of creating enemies, sinful and of false humility. It is\nyou who have brought this Yadu race into a pitiable strait (71). O\nVasudeva, your old age is of no use. Unknowingly did I reward you who,\nin his hundred years with all his hairs grey, do not become old (72)? He\nis aged in this world whose sense is ripe. But he is not aged whose\nhairs are grey (73). You are of a harsh temper; your intellect is not\nripe and you are merely old in age like an autumnal cloud (74). O vain\nVasudeva, you have thought. \u2019On Kansa being slain my son will govern\nMathura\u2019 (75). Your hope is already frustrated, O you who have uselessly\ngrown old and your resolution is falsified. No, one who has the desire\nof living, will live before me (76). By this wicked mind you have\nthought of injuring me who have confided in you; I will take steps\nagainst it in the presence of your two sons (77). I have never killed an\nold man, a Br\u0101hmana, a woman, or any one specially amongst my kinsmen,\nand I shall never do it (78). You are born here and have been brought up\nby my father. Besides you are my sister\u2019s husband and the first\npreceptor of the Yadus (79). Born in the great family of the well-known\nLords Paramount of the world you are being worshipped as a preceptor by\nthe noble and religious Y\u0101davas (80). Old man, what shall we do? For\nsuch a conduct of a leading Yadava like your self, all the members of\nthe Yadu race have become the butt of peoples\u2019 talk (81). O Vasudeva, if\nI am dead or defeated, for your improper conduct, it will put the\nYadavas to shame before the pious (82). By concerting this measure for\nmy destruction you have made yourself an object of distrust and the\nY\u0101davas of redicule (83). What more, you have created such an enmity\nbetween me and Krishna that there will be no peace in the Yadu family\nunless one of us dies (84).\n\n\"Whatever it may be, O giver of gifts, go to Vraja, at my command and\nbring these two boys, Nanda and other Gopas who pay tributes to me (85).\nTell Nanda to come quickly to Mathura with his annual tribute along with\nother milk-men (86). Kansa, surrounded by his servants and priests,\nwants to see Krishna and Sangkarshana, the two sons of Vasudeva (87). He\nhas heard that, that both of them are of hard limbs, powerful, careful,\nclever in fighting and well up in holding a match in the arena (83).\nWell-armed the two wrestlers of mine are rejoicing to combat with them.\nThey are also experts in fighting and will match them (89). Besides\nthese two boys, ranging in the woods of Vraja, the two immortal-like\nbest of warriors are my sister\u2019s sons and therefore I should see them\n(90). Tell the inhabitants of Vraja that the king, of his own accord, is\ncelebrating a bow festivity (91). Therefore let them come with necessary\nmilk, curd, butter, &c., to cater the invited persons after their hearts\nand live at ease in the forest attached to the city. (62\u201393). O Akrura,\nI am filled with curiosity to see Krishna and Sangkarshena. Do you go\nsoon, bring them here and satisfy my command (94). If they come here I\nshall attain to supreme delight. Beholding those two highly powerful\nboys I shall engage in a work conducive to my well-being (95). If they\ndo not come here at my behest I shall subdue them in time (96). O\nAkrura, it is better to use conciliatory words first towards the boys.\nDo you soon bring them here with sweet words (97). O you of firm vows,\nif you are not alienated from me by Vasudeva, do you accomplish this\ngreat work conducive to my pleasure (98). Do that by which they may come\nhere.\"\n\nThus villified, Vasudeva, resembling a Vasu, resorting to gravity and\npatience, stood there motionless like an ocean (99). Assailed by foolish\nKansa, with these shaft-like words, he, resorting to forgiveness, did\nnot give any reply (100). Those, who saw him thus insulted at that time,\nall exclaimed, bending low their heads, \"Oh fie Oh fie!\" (101). With his\ncelestial vision the liberal Akrura could know everything. And so he was\nfilled with great delight like a thirsty man on seeing water. And in\norder to see the lotus-eyed Krishna he left Mathura in that very moment\n(102-103).\n\n  \u00b2\u2074\u2075 The three-fold objects of life, namely, Dharma, Artha and Kama.\n\n  \u00b2\u2074\u2076 It was the practice in ancient India that the kings used to send\n      their sons to their preceptors to recieve proper instructions.\n      These princes lived in the family of their preceptors.\n\n  \u00b2\u2074\u2077 Sukra promised not to consign the _mantras_ of reviving a dead man\n      to any body but this promise was falsified.\n\n  \u00b2\u2074\u2078 As a frog revives as soon as he is dead so Kacha rose up many\n      times alive after his death. The allusion, contained in this\n      chapter, is as follows:\u2014Vrihaspati (Angirasa) was the priest of\n      the gods and Sukra that of the Danavas. There was a rivalry\n      between these two Br\u0101hmanas. Sukra knew the _mantra_ of reviving a\n      dead man with which he revived many Daityas. Vrihaspati did not\n      know it. Thereat Kacha, the eldest son of Vrihaspati, was sent to\n      Sukra to learn it. Kacha became his disciple and began to please\n      him and his daughter Devajani. By and by he exercised a great\n      influence on Sukra\u2019s daughter who was greatly attached to him. One\n      day while Kacha was tending kine the Danavas, learning that he was\n      the son of Vrihaspati, hacked him into pieces, which were eaten up\n      wolves. Devajani grew mad after him and pressed her father to\n      revive him which Sukra did. Next time he was burnt to ashes and\n      they were mixed up with liquor which Sukra drank up. Devajani\n      again wanted her father to revive Kacha; this was a question of\n      life, and death to him. He therefore taught Kacha the mantra first\n      who came out of his womb and then revived again Sukra. Thus did\n      Kacha learn the art of reviving a dead man. See Mahabharata,\n      chapters LXXV and VI, Adiparva.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXVIII. ANDHAKA\u2019S ADVICE TO KANSA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Beholding Vasudeva thus insulted and covering their\nears with their hands the leading Y\u0101davas took him for one having his\nlease of life run out (1). Resorting to patience, although his mind was\nworked up with anxiety Andhaka, the foremost of speakers, addressed,\nmildly in the midst of that assembly, powerful words to Kansa (2).\n\n\"O my son, it is unworthy of you to give vent to such words. To use such\nwords to relatives is considered unbecoming and culpable by the pious\n(3). O hero, if you consider yourself as one, not born in the family of\nthe Yadavas listen to what I say. The Y\u0101davas do not by force wish to\nregard you as one of them (4). Rather a person like you becoming their\nmaster they have become censurable to all. What more, it appears, that\nthe king Asamanja, of the Ikshaku race, has returned in your person (5).\nO my son, you may wear matted locks, may have your head shaved, may take\nany appellation, Bhoja, Y\u0101dava or Kansa, your head will remain in its\nnatural shape (6). Cursed is that Ugrasena who has begotten a son like\nyou, a wretch and curse of our family (7). O my son, the wise never make\nthemselves a parade of their own accomplishments. The qualities,\nrecognized by the Vedas, attain to fructification when spoken of by\nothers (8). A stupid boy, the destroyer of his race like you, becoming\nour king the family of Yadus has become degraded among the royal\nfamilies of the world (9). The vilifications, that you have given vent\nto, considering them as proper, have not been able to accomplish your\nobject rather you have laid bare your character before the public (by\nit) (10). Will you consider the insulting of a highly worshipful\ninnocent preceptor, like the destruction of a Br\u0101hmana, as conducive to\nwell-being (11)? O my son, the aged ought to be adored and worshipped\nlike fire\u00b2\u2074\u2079 for their anger can consume even the regions acquired by\nYoga (12). Self-controlled and learned men, of advanced intellect,\nshould enquire into the conduct of the people as they watch the\nmovements of fish in water (13). Like an oblation not consecrated by\n_mantras_ you always pain the fire-like aged people with heart-rending\nwords (14). You are remonstrating with Vasudeva for his son. We speak\nill of your these useless and abominable words (15). If a son becomes\nwicked the father is not so, rather he falls into many difficulties on\naccount of his son (16). You might think that Vasudeva did not do his\nduty by hiding his own baby son. But ask your own father about it (17).\nChiding Vasudeva and speaking ill of the Yadu race you have acquired\npoison consequent upon the enmity of the Y\u0101davas (18). If Vasudeva has\nacted unfairly by doing this for his son why did not Ugrasena kill you\nin your infancy (19)? Persons, conversant with moral laws, have given\nthe name of _Putra_\u00b2\u2075\u2070 to a son because he saves the departed ancestors\nfrom falling into the hell of Put (20).\n\n\"From the very beginning of their birth you have been cherishing enmity\ntowards the youthful Sankarshana and Krishna although born in the race\nof the Y\u0101davas and they too consider you as their enemy (21). On account\nof your chiding Vasudeva and exciting the anger of V\u0101sudeva the hearts\nof all the Yadavas are trembling (22).\n\n\"On account of your thus remonstrating with Vasudeva Krishna has become\nyour enemy and therefore these evil omens are declaring your future fear\n(23). Evil dreams in the end of night and dreadful portends like the\nvision of of serpents are all declaring that this city will soon be a\nwidow\u00b2\u2075\u00b9 (24). Behold in the sky the dreadful planet _Rahu_, by his own\neffulgence, is possessing the star _Sw\u0101ti_\u00b2\u2075\u00b2 and is waiting in your\ntenth star _Chitra_.\u00b2\u2075\u00b3 The dreadful planet _Mangala_\u00b2\u2075\u2074 is united with\nthem in its oblique course (25). By its dreadful effulgence _Budha_\u00b2\u2075\u2075\nhas covered the western sky in the evening. And going beyond its course\nSukra is ranging in the sky (26). Separated by the tail of _Ketu_\u00b2\u2075\u2076\n_Bharani_\u00b2\u2075\u2077 and other twelve planets are following the moon (27).\nEncircled by a disc the dawn with its effulgence is obstructing the sun\nand the birds and animals are going in contrary directions with cries\n(23) Crying continually and emitting ember-like breaths the dreadful\njackals are coming out of the cremation-grounds and going towards the\ncity both in the morning and evening (29). Fire-brands are falling on\nearth with a terrible sound and the earth and mountain summits are\nshaking all on a sudden (30). The sun being possessed by Rahu the day is\nappearing like a night and all the quarters are filled with portendous\nsmoke and thunder-bolts (31). The thick clouds, accompanied by\nlightnings, are pouring down blood\u2014the gods are being shaken off their\nstations and the birds are leaving their resting trees (32). What more,\nall the evil omens, described by the astrologers as indicating the\nfuture death of a king, have set in (33). You are always harmful towards\nyour relatives, backward in observing your royal duties and wrathful for\nnothing. Therefore your death is imminent (34). When you have out of\nyour foolishness insulted the aged and god-like Vasudeva resembling a\nVasu, there is no peace for you (35). You are an enemy of our race. From\nto-day we drive away the love that we had for you. After this we shall\nnot adore you even for a moment (36). That giver, of gifts among us, is\nblessed who will behold the lotus-eyed Krishna of unwearied actions\n(now) ranging in the forest (37). For you this Yadu race is uprooted.\nKrishna will again unite his own kinsmen (38). Your sense has been\nentirely destroyed by Destiny. Speak whatever you like. Vasudeva will\nforgive you for all (39). O Kansa, I think it proper now that aided by\nVasudeva, you should go to Krishna and ingratiate yourself to his good\ngraces\" (40).\n\n  \u00b2\u2074\u2079 Fire was an object of worship with the ancient Aryans. It was\n      compulsory for three higher castes to preserve consecrated fire in\n      their house. It was kept perpetually and handed down from one\n      generation to another. From the Vedic writings it appears that the\n      ancient Aryans used to worship fire as a sacred element. This\n      fire-worship still prevails amongst the followers of Zoroaster.\n      This fact goes to prove that the Parsis and the Hindus are of the\n      same stock.\n\n  \u00b2\u2075\u2070 Putra is derived from _Put_ the name of a hell and the root _tra_\n      to save from the hell _Put_.\n\n  \u00b2\u2075\u00b9 _i.e._ The master of the city will soon die.\n\n  \u00b2\u2075\u00b2 The star Arcturus or fifteenth lunar asterism consisting of but\n      one star. Mythologically it is one of the wives of the sun.\n\n  \u00b2\u2075\u00b3 A star in the virgin\u2019s spike. _Swati_ is the star under whose\n      influence Kansa was born. _Chitra_ was then in the tenth place.\n      Rahu was inimical there. From this, it is evident that all his\n      attempts will prove futile and he will meet with death.\n\n  \u00b2\u2075\u2074 The planet Mars.\n\n  \u00b2\u2075\u2075 The planet Mercury. This portends that his adminstration will come\n      to an end.\n\n  \u00b2\u2075\u2076 The dragon\u2019s tail or descending node, in astronomy the ninth of\n      the planets. The rising of a comet is an evil omen.\n\n  \u00b2\u2075\u2077 The name of the sacred lunar asterism containing three stars.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXIX. THE DESTRUCTION OF KESHI.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Hearing the words of Andha ka, Kansa\u2019s eyes were\nreddened with anger. Without giving vent to a single word he entered\ninto his own house (1). Having their resolution thus frustrated,\nY\u0101davas, well-versed in Srutis, repaired to their respective habitations\ntalking over the ill-conduct of Kansa (2).\n\nAkrura too, as commanded, and desirous of seeing Krishna, set out for\nMathura in an excellent car fleet like the mind (3). Many good signs\nappeared on Krishna\u2019s limbs bespeaking of his union with a father-like\nrelative (4). Before Akrura\u2019s departure, Ugrasena\u2019s son king Kansa sent\nan emissary to Keshi for destroying Krishna (4). Hearing the words of\nthe messenger, the irrepressible Keshi, always oppressing the people, at\nonce went to Vrind\u0101vana and began to torture the Gopas (6), Feeding upon\nhuman flesh in anger that dreadful and wicked demon, in the shape of a\nhorse, began to assail all greatly (7). Killing the cows and cow-herds,\nthat irrepressible D\u0101nava began to feed on beef of his own accord (8).\nWherever in the forest the vicious-souled D\u0101nava Keshi lived it was\nfilled with the dead bodies of men and appeared like a cremation ground\n(9). He used to scratch the earth with his hoofs, weaken the trees with\nhis velocity, leap up into the sky and trifle at the wind with his\nneighing (10). Thus shaking his manes and ranging in the forest, that\nhighly proud, foolish and wicked demon, assuming the form of a horse,\nbegan to act there as desired by Kansa (11). Destroying the Gopas, that\nhorse demon, of wicked deeds, made the forest empty (12). That wicked\none so much vitiated the forest that the Gopas, who derive their\nsustenance through woods and the kine left it (13). With his mind worked\nup with pride he continually fed on human flesh so much so that the\nanimals could not wend the forest roads (14).\n\nOnce during the day, following in anger the noise of men, that Daity, as\nif urged on by Destiny, arrived at the settlement of the milk-men (15).\nAs soon as they saw him the Gopa-women, with their children, and the\nGopas, setting up a cry, fled away to their master Krishna, the lord of\nthe universe (16). Hearing the cries of the Gopas and of their women\nKrishna promised them safety and went out to meet Keshi (17). Keshi,\ntoo, of powerful course, expanding his eyes and teeth and raising up his\nneck, ran towards Krishna with a great sound (18). Seeing the\nhorse-demon Keshi fall on him Govinda confronted him as a cloud\napproaches the moon (19). Beholding Krishna at that time approach Keshi,\nthe Gopas, endued with human sense, said to him for his well-being (20):\n\n\"O child, O Krishna, do thou not all on a sudden approach this wretch of\na horse, for thou art a boy and that one of evil ways is beyond the\npower of all (21). This highly powerful D\u0101nava, peerless in battle, is\nborn with Kansa, and is his life though ranging outward. He is a dread\nof the horses and soldiers, cannot be killed by any animal and the\nforemost of the sinful\" (22\u201323).\n\nHearing these words given vent to by the Gopas, Madhusudana, the slayer\nof his enemies cherished a desire of fighting with Keshi (24). Thereupon\nturning reversely to the southern direction in anger that horse-demon\nbegan to break down the trees with his two feet (25). Then from his long\nmouth, the thick manes on his neck and those falling on his forehead\nlike streams of water began to trickle down drops of perspiration\nbegotten by anger (26). As the moon pours down dews in the sky during\nthe winter so from his mouth came out loams produced by the strokes of\nreins (27). With neighings coming out of his mouth and foams sent out by\nhim like dews, he, as if, O Bh\u0101rata, sprinkled M\u0101dhava (28). Covered\nwith yellowish dust resembling powdered Madhuka (panic seed) raised up\nby his horns Krishna\u2019s locks became tawny (29). Trotting and leaping and\nriving the earth, Keshi, biting his teeth, ran towards Krishna (30).\nWhile engaged in fighting with Krishna, the powerful D\u0101nava Keshi, the\nforemost of horses, struck him on the breast with his fore-feet, and\nwounded him, of unmitigated prowess, repeatedly with his hoofs (31\u201332).\nThereupon in anger, with his sharpened teeth, forming the weapons of his\ndreadful mouth he bit the upper part of V\u0101sudeva\u2019s arm (33). At that\ntime fighting with Krishna, Keshi, with long manes, shone like the sun\nin sky united with clouds (34).\n\nWith his strength doubled by anger that powerful horse, with great\nmotion, attempted to strike Krishna on the breast (35). Thereat,\nlengthening his arms, Krishna of great prowess, in anger caught hold of\nthe mouth of that demon. (36). Keshi could not therefore eat up or break\ndown his arms. On the other hand, his teeth being uprooted and broken\ndown he began to vomit foamy blood (37). His lips were shattered, his\njaws were smashed, and his eyes were disfigured. They came out all being\ndisjointed (38). His jaws were broken and his eyes were filled with\nblood. Raising up his ears in anger and having his mind agitated he set\nforth many an exertion (39). Jumping up again and again with his legs,\nhe discharged urine and excreta, his hairs were soaked with perspiration\nand feet grew motionless (40). Thereupon Krishna\u2019s arm, thrown round\nKeshi\u2019s head, shone like a cloud stricken with the rays of the half-moon\nafter the termination of the rainy season (41). With his limbs wearied\nout Keshi too, while engaged in a conflict with Krishna, appeared like\nthe declining and exhausted moon on the mount Meru in the dawn (42). His\nteeth, uprooted by Krishna\u2019s hands, from his mouth fell down like white\nautumnal clouds shorn of water (43).\n\nThereupon when Keshi was greatly worn out with fatigue Krishna,\nstretching his hands a good deal, sundered him in twain (44). Thus\nsmashed down by Krishna, the face of the D\u0101nava Keshi became disfigured\nand he began to cry most plaintively (45). All his limbs were shaken and\nshattered and blood came out of his mouth. He appeared there,\naccordingly, disfigured like a mountain, with a half of it being chopped\noff (46). Thus smothered by Krishna\u2019s hands and with his mouth expanded\nthat highly dreadful Asura fell down like an elephant cut into two\nhalves (47). The dreadful figure of Kehsi, mutilated by Krishna\u2019s hand,\nappeared like a beast slain by Rudra, with trident in his hand (78). His\nbody being sundered into two equal halves each portion bearing two legs,\nhalf of his back and tail, one eye and one nostril, remained on earth\n(49). Krishna\u2019s arms too, wounded by Keshi\u2019s teeth, shone like a growing\npalm tree in the forest scratched by an elephant\u2019s tusks (50). Having,\nin this wise, slain Keshi in the battle-field and divided his body into\ntwo parts the lotus-eyed Krishna stood there smiling (51). Beholding\nKeshi slain, the Gopas and their women, with all their troubles and\nweariness gone, were greatly delighted (52). And welcoming the beautiful\nD\u0101modara according to their respective position and age they honored him\nagain and again with sweet words (53).\n\nThe Gopas said:\u2014\"O child, O Krishna, having slain the Daitya, assuming\nthe form of a horse and ranging on earth\u2014the thorn of people, thou hast\nperformed an arduous work (54). On this vicious horse being slain by\nthee Vrind\u0101vana is now full of auspiciousness and men, animals and birds\nare at ease (55). This vicious-minded one has destroyed many of our\nmilk-men, cows fond of calves and villages (56). Perhaps divesting the\nworlds of men this sinful (demon) is about to bring about a universal\ndissolution for ranging himself at ease (57). O Krishna, what to speak\nof mortal men, even amongst the celestials, one, desirous of living,\ncannot stand before him (58).\"\n\nThereupon the Br\u0101hmana N\u0101rada, disappearing from view in the sky, said\n\"O Vishnu, O god, O Krishna, I am pleased (59). The arduous work, that\nyou have performed by destroying Krishna, is in thy power and in that of\nthe three-eyed Deity (Siva) amongst the celestials (60). O my child, my\nmind is devoted to thee, and therefore desirous of witnessing this\ncombat between a man and a horse I have come here from the celestial\nregion (61). O Govinda, beholding thy deeds as the destruction of Putan\u0101\n&c., and this thy present feat I have been highly pleased (68). When\nthis wicked-minded horse-demon Keshi used to increase his body, even\nMahendra, the slayer of Bali, was stricken with fear (63). With thy\noutstretched hands thou hast sundered him. This death was ordained for\nhim by Brahm\u0101, the root of the universe (64). Listen now to my\ndeclaration, O Vishnu. Since thou hast slain Keshi, thou shalt pass by\nthe name of Keshava in the world (65). May good betide thee, O Keshava,\nI shall soon depart. Thou hast many works still to accomplish and thou\nart capable of doing them. Do thou perform them therefore, without any\ndelay (66). O god, thyself being engaged in another work, other deities,\ndependant on thy power, are sporting like men imitating thy feats (67).\nThe time for the mighty deep of the Bharata war, the battle of the\nkings, who are about to repair to the celestial region, is near at hand\n(68). Because the kings will repair to the region of Sakra, houses are\nbeing built for them there, the etherial roads are being cleared off and\nthe cars are being embellished with pennons (69). O Keshava, when\nUgrasena\u2019s son will be killed and thou wilt be in thy position this\nterrible and all-destroying war of kings will commence (70). O M\u0101dhava,\nunparalleled are thy deeds; therefore at the time of the war the\nP\u0101ndavas will seek refuge with thee and thou too shalt espouse their\ncause (71). When thou shalt be on the royal throne, undoubtedly the\nkings will renounce their most excellent and auspicious prosperity (72),\nO Krishna, O lord of the universe, thus I have communicated unto thee\nthe intelligence of the gods living in the celestial region and of the\nuniverse. Although this history is recorded in Srutis it will become\nfamous in the world (73). O lord, I have witnessed thy deeds and have\nseen thee. I now depart and shall return when Kansa will be slain\" (74).\n\nSaying this N\u0101rada wended the etherial way. And hearing the words of\nN\u0101rada, proficient in celestial music, the Gopas too, along with\nKrishna, repaired to Vraja (75\u201376).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXX. AKRURA GOES TO VRAJA\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Thereupon when, the sun, with weakened rays, set,\nwhen in the evening crimson sky, the disc of the moon became tawny\ncoloured, when the birds entered into their nests, when the fire was\nenkindled by the sacrificers, when the quarters were enshrouded a little\nwith darkness, when in that delightful night of the spring, Sukas,\nValakas and other birds fell asleep in the village of the milk-men, when\nthe night-rangers, fond of meat, became delighted, when the delightful\nnight of Indra Gopas, when the study of the Vedas is stopped, set in,\nwhen the hour for boiling milk\u2014a necessary adjunct of an Agnihotra\nceremony for the householders, appeared, when the hermits began to offer\noblations to fire, when the cows came back, and having their calves\nbound (to stakes) at the time of yielding milk began to bellow, when the\nmilk-men, with long ropes for binding cows, and setting up a noise,\nbegan to call their kine, by names and collect them, when fire was set\nto dried cow-dung by Gopas returned from the forest and having their\nshoulders bent down by the weight of woods, when after the termination\nof the day and with the beginning of night the moon rose and shone, when\nwith the disappearance of the rays of the sun the day passed away and\nwith the shining rays of the moon the night set in, when the sky grew\neffulgent like burning fire, Akrura, as if along with birds about to\nenter into their nests, arrived at Vraja in his car, with a view of\ncommunicating happy news of union with friends. Having entered there\nthat giver of gifts frequently enquired after Keshava, Rohini\u2019s son and\nNanda Gopa (1-14).\n\nThereupon coming down from the chariot that highly powerful and liberal\nprince, resembling a Vasu, entered Nanda\u2019s house (15). As soon as he\nentered the gate with his face full of joy and eyes full of tears he saw\nKrishna stationed at the milking-place in the midst of calves like a\nbull. Greatly delighted at seeing Krishna, the pious Akrura with heavy\naccents, said \"Come to me, O Keshava.\" And beholding V\u0101sudeva, at the\njunction of boyhood and youth who lay on a fig-leaf at the time of the\nuniversal dissolution, and who assumed the form of a dwarf at the time\nof imposing on Bali, served by the prosperity of the three worlds, he\npraised him again and again and said within himself:\u2014\"This is the\nlotus-eyed Krishna of the size of a huge mountain, resembling an ocean\noverflowed with water and endued with the prowess of a lion and tiger.\nIrrepressible in battle he has the mystic mark of Srivatsa on his breast\nand his well-adorned arms are like a ground where the enemies are being\nkilled (16-20). He is the incarnation of Vishnu under the guise of a\nmilk-man who is the first worshipful of the universe and whose form is\nUpanishad. His hairs have stood erect (on seeing a votary) (21). His\nhead, resembling an umbrella, is worthy of a crown, his ears of two most\nexcellent Kundalas and his spacious breast of a neck-chain. And his two\nplump and long arms have increased his beauty (22-23). Clad in a yellow\nraiment, his body, looked after by a thousand of women can even cut\nMadana (Cupid) to the quick. He is the eternal Vishnu (24). The lord,\nwhose two feet are the refuge of the earth, and which covered the three\nworlds, has himself descended on earth (25). His beautiful right hand is\nfit for holding the discus and his left hand is, as if, willing to hold\na club (26). With his first foot\u00b2\u2075\u2078 he has descended on earth. And that\nforemost of the celestials is shining on earth (27).\n\n\"The Br\u0101hmanas, conversant with the knowledge of future, have said that\nthe Lord Gop\u0101la will multiply the almost extinct Yadu race (28). As the\ntorrents fill up the great ocean, so hundreds and thousands of Yadavas\nby his power will fill up their respective families (29). When the\ncommander of the enemies will be slain the entire, eternal and\nprosperous universe will abide by his commands, as in the golden age\n(30). While on earth he will subjugate the entire world; and though not\na king he will rule over all the crowned heads (31). As in the days of\nyore, vanquishing Bali with his three foot-steps he installed Purandara\nas the king of gods in the celestial region, so subjugating the three\nworlds with his two feet he will forsooth now install Ugrasena as the\nLord Paramount (32-33). While Keshava, the Creator of ocean-like\nhostilities, who is well-versed in many lores regarding the kings, the\nAncient Purusha, whom the Br\u0101hmanas have hymned in the Vedas, has become\ndesirous of living like a man, forsooth he will be an object of\nimitation to all the worlds (34\u201335). To-day with _mantras_ I shall duly\nadore in my mind the divinity and the person of Vishnu (36). The\nMaharshis, endued with spiritual knowledge, know him as superhuman. That\nhe has appeared amongst men and has become one of our kinsmen is\nundoubtedly superhuman (37). However holding a consultation with Krishna\nin the night, I shall, if he likes, take him and the Gopas to Mathur\u0101\"\n(38).\n\nBeholding Krishna and thus recapitulating within himself thoughts\npregnant with reasoning and high significance he entered into the court\nof Nanda Gopa (39).\n\n  \u00b2\u2075\u2078 In his true Brahma form devoid of all qualities. The four feet are\n      Viswa, Taijasa, Prajna and Turya.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXXI. AKRURA DESCRIBES TO HIM THE MISERIES OF HIS PARENTS.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014That giver of liberal gifts, having entered Nanda\u2019s\nhouse with Keshava and collected all the elderly milk-men, said\ndelightedly to Krishna and Rohini\u2019s son \"O my sons, early in the morning\nto-morrow, we will all repair to Mathur\u0101 (1\u20132). Under Kansa\u2019s command,\nthe Gopa inhabitants of Vraja, with their family and annual tributes,\nare to go there (3). Kansa is celebrating there a prosperous\nbow-sacrifice.\n\n\"You will all witness it and be united with your kinsmen (4). O my sons,\nyour father Vasudeva is overwhelmed with sorrow consequent upon the\ndestruction of his sons. You will be united with him there (5). O\nKrishna, he has grown old and all his limbs have become lean on account\nof decrepitude. And he is being always oppressed by Kansa of sinful\ndesigns (6). Out of Kansa\u2019s fear and your absence his mind is always\nburning in anxiety (7). O Govinda, you will also see the sorrowful and\ngoddess-like Devaki. Her breast has not been handled by her sons and she\nis growing lean out of grief for her sons. She is anxious to see you.\nAnd stricken with the sorrow of separation she is there like a cow\nwithout her calf (8\u20139). Like unto the moon possessed by R\u0101hu her eyes\nhave run into their sockets and clad in a soiled raiment she is poorly\nspending her days (10). O Krishna, that ascetic lady is being exhausted\nwith your sorrow. She is anxious to see you. And the desire for your\nreturn is reigning supreme in her mind (11). O lord, being separated\nfrom thee from thy very infancy she could not listen to thy child-like\ntalks nor could she see the beauty of thy moon-like countenance (12). If\nby giving birth to thee Devaki is to repent thus what necessity had she\nthen of a son? It would have been better for her not to have any\noffspring (13). Women, having no children, are subject to one grief\nonly\u2014but there is no end of their miseries, if they, on having\noffspring, have not their ends accomplished and fie on such sons (14). O\nM\u0101dhava, thou art the saviour of even thy enemies, art gifted with\nprowess like unto that of Indra and art endued with matchless\naccomplishments. She does not desire such a grief whose son thou art\n(15). Although aged thy parents are now serving another man and Kansa,\nof a sinful mind, is now insulting them on thy account (16). If like\nunto earth who holds thee Devaki deserves thy respect it behoves thee to\nsave that goddess sunk into the water of sorrow (17). O Krishna,\nsubjecting old Vasudeva, ever fond of his son and used to luxuries, to\nsorrow consequent upon the separation of his sons what religious merit\nwilt thou acquire (18)? O M\u0101dhava, as thou didst vanquish the wicked\nN\u0101ga Kalya in the lake of Yamun\u0101, as thou didst uproot the mount\nGovardhana for the behoof of the cows, destroy the powerful Arishtha\nelated with pride, kill the wicked-minded Keshi ever intent upon killing\nothers so do thou now make such an exertion with great care for saving\nthy aged parents overwhelmed with grief that thou mayst acquire piety\n(19\u201321). Those, who saw thy father insulted in the court of Kansa, are\nall, laden with sorrow, continually shedding tears (22). Brought under\nthe control of Kansa thy mother is suffering diverse miseries as the\ndestruction of her sons (23). A son, born of his parents, should satisfy\nall the debts due by him as laid down in the scriptures (24). O sinless\nKrishna, if dost thou show this favour towards thy parants they will\ncast off their grief and thou shalt too satisfy thy duty\" (25).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The powerful Krishna knew everything so without\ntaking any offence at the words of the liberal prince he said \"So be it\"\n(26). Hearing the words of Akrura, all the Gopas, headed by Nanda,\ndesired to follow the orders of Kansa (27). Determined upon going to\nMathur\u0101 the elderly Gopa inhabitants of Vraja dressed themselves. And\narranging their presents they all proceeded along (28). Desiring of\noffering tributes unto Kansa, the heads of the various Gopa clans\narranged according to their herds and quality, buffaloes and bull, curd,\nmilk and clarified butter. And with these their tributes they all set\nout (29\u201330). Conversing with Krishna and Rohini\u2019s son Akrura spent the\nnight without sleep (31). Thereupon in the dawn resonant with the notes\nof the birds and after the termination of the night all the rays of the\nmoon were withdrawn. All the luminous bodies disappeared from the welkin\ncovered with the rays of the sun. The earth was soaked with drops of\ndews driven by the morning breeze. The fading stars fell asleep on their\nbeds of sky and were shorn of lustre. Thus did the night disappear and\nthe sun rose. As if seeing the increasing body of the sun, the moon, of\ncool rays, withdrew his own form in shame. Thereupon the outskirts of\nVraja were filled with cows, the churning vessels were setting up a\nsound, the young ones were bound down with ropes and the high-ways of\nVraja were filled with Gopas. At that time placing on carts their\nvessels filled with various materials and themselves also getting on\nthem the Gopas set out speedily (32\u201333).\n\nThereupon Krishna, Rohini\u2019s son, and Akrura, the giver of liberal\npresents proceeded on chariots like three Patriarchs (39). When they\nreached the bank of Yamun\u0101 Akrura said to Krishna:\u2014\"Stop the carriage\nhere and look after the horses (40). Offer with care barley to the\nhorses in the vessel that is on the car and wait for me for a moment\n(41). Ananta, the king of serpents and the protector of all the worlds,\nis the lord of the universe. Therefore going to the river Yamun\u0101, I\nshall, with celestial _mantras_, worship him (42). When I shall bow unto\nthat mystic lord Ananta, clad in blue a apparel, having an auspicious\ncrown and a thousand heads, nectarine poison will come out of the mouth\nof that god and I shall drink it like unto the celestials drinking\nambrosia (43\u201344). For the peace of the serpents Shesha will convene a\nmeeting and let me behold that king of serpents endued with prosperity\nand the very abode of auspiciousness (45). As long as I do not come back\nfrom the lake of the king of serpents you both wait here for me\" (46).\n\nHearing this Krishna was pleased and said \"Go but do not delay; for\nwithout you, we shall not be able to wait here\" (47).\n\nThereupon sinking into the lake of Yamun\u0101 the liberal prince saw the\nregion of N\u0101gas in Ras\u0101tala like unto this world (48). He saw there the\nthousand-headed Deity Ananta having a golden ball for his insignia. In\nhis hand was a plough-share and by his belly was a mace (49). He was of\nyellow hue and was seated on a yellow seat. He was clad in a dark-blue\nraiment and on his ear was shining a Kundala resembling the bud of a\nlotus. And his lotus-like eye-lids were closed (50). That serpent was\nembellished with two Swastikas\u00b2\u2075\u2079 and he was seated at ease on a\nbeautiful white seat made by his own body (51). His breast was adorned\nwith a garland of golden lotuses and his head was decked with a golden\ntiara bent a little towards left (52). The body, resembling a white\ncloud of that large-armed king of serpents the slayer of his enemies,\nwas besmeared with crimson-colour ed sandal and adorned with lotus\ngarlands. The four quarters were filled with the lustre (of his person)\n(53). Vasuki and other leading serpents were worshipping their only\nking, the powerful Sesha, master of one all spreading ocean (54). The\ntwo N\u0101gas, Kamvala and Ashwatara, by name, were fanning with chowries\nthat king of N\u0101gas, seated on a throne of righteousness (55). The\nPannaga king V\u0101suki, encircled by his serpent ministers, headed by\nKarkotaka, was shining near him (56). With celestial and golden jars\ncovered with lotuses other leading Nagas were sprinkling that king\nalready bathed in one sheet of water (57). He saw there the dark blue\nhued Vishnu\u00b2\u2076\u2070 clad in a yellow raiment and bearing the mystic mark of\nSrivatsa, seated at ease on the lap of that king of serpents (58).\nAnother powerful celestial form, resembling Sankarshana, gifted with the\nbeauty of the moon, was seated there without any seat (59). That giver\nof presents was about to address a few words to Krishna there but his\npower of speech was suppressed by his (Krishna\u2019s) prowess (60).\n\nBeholding such eternal and divine prosperity in the serpents that giver\nof liberal presents was filled with surprise. And coming to the bank\nfrom the water he saw Rama and Krishna of wonderful forms seated on the\ncar and looking towards each other (61-62). Seeing this Akrura, again\nout of curiosity, plunged into the lake and saw that the king of gods,\nAnanta, having a white face and clad in a blue raiment, was being\nworshipped as before; and that the powerful Krishna too was seated on\nthe lap of that thousand-headed king of serpents and being worshipped as\nbefore (63\u201364). Then again coming out all on a sudden and reciting in\nhis mind that _mantra_ he went to the car by the same way by which he\nhad come (65). Thereupon Krishna delightedly said to Akrura who was\nbefore him:\u2014\"What did you see of the N\u0101ga region situate in this\nBhagavat lake? I think you have seen something wonderful for you waited\nfor a long time in the lake and your mind too has been agitated\n(66-67).\"\n\nHearing the words of Krishna Akrura replied:\u2014\"O Krishna, what wonder is\nthere in the entire world, mobile and immobile, which can be\naccomplished without thee (68)? The wonder which I saw there, although\nrare on earth, I am seeing here and enjoying delight. O Krishna, I am\nunited with the wonder incarnate in the world and therefore do not like\nto see a greater wonder than this. O lord, let us go to the city of king\nKansa before the sun sets (69\u201371).\"\n\n  \u00b2\u2075\u2079 A kind of mystical figure the inscription of which on any person\n      or thing is generally considered to be lucky. The Sesha Naga was\n      the couch of Vishnu on whose thousand hoods he lay asleep.\n\n  \u00b2\u2076\u2070 The Vaishnava writers have variously interpreted this incident.\n      According to them the anecdote is that when Vasudeva was carrying\n      Krishna he slipped off his hand and fell into the water. He\n      however at once picked up the boy. But this time Krishna did not\n      come but Vishnu in Krishna form. When Akrura went to bathe in the\n      Yamuna Krishna came out and went to Mathura while Vishnu lived in\n      Gokula.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXXII. KRISHNA\u2019S ARRIVAL.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Thereupon yoking (the horses to the) car and\nascending thereon the liberal giver Akrura set out with Krishna and\nSangkarshana and reached the charming city of Mathur\u0101 protected by\nKansa. And before evening when the sun was in its crimson colour he\nentered that beautiful city (1-2).\n\nTaking the heroic Krishna and Sangkarshana of beautiful colour first to\nhis own house the intelligent giver of liberal presents, effulgent like\nthe sun, said to them:\u2014\n\n\"O sire, for the present you are to relinquish the desire of going to\nVasudeva\u2019s house (3-4). For you, your old father is being day and night\nchiden by Kansa. So you should not wait here long (5). You should do\nsuch a good and pleasant work on his behalf that your father may attain\nto happiness (6).\"\n\nHearing this Krishna said:\u2014\"If you like O pious (Akrura) we, while\nvisiting Mathura and her highways, will enter unperceived into Kansa\u2019s\nhouse (7).\"\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Bowing unto Krishna in his mind Akrura too, with a\ndelighted mind, went to Kansa (8). Thus instructed those two heroes went\non visiting all the high-ways like two elephants let free from their\nposts and desirous of fighting (9). Seeing a washer-man on the way they\nasked of him beautiful clothes (10). The washer man replied to them,\nsaying \"Who are you? Out of ignorance you have been fearlessly wanting\nthe robes of the king. It seems you are rangers of the forest (11). I\ndye, as he desires, all the clothes of the king Kansa which he gets from\nvarious countries (12). Methinks, born in a forest you have grown up\nwith the deer. Otherwise why do long for and pray for the various dyed\nclothes (13). You are stupid and of inferior intellect, or else why do\nyou desire for king\u2019s clothes. Perhaps giving up all hopes of your life\nyou have come here (14).\"\n\nDestiny was against that stupid washer-man of feeble understanding and\ntherefore he discharged such poisonous words. Krishna grew offended with\nhim and struck him on the head with his fist strong as the thunder-bolt.\nWith his head sundered he fell down lifeless on earth (15-16). Thereupon\nthe wives of that washer-man, bewailing for their dead husband\nindignantly and with dishevelled hairs, soon approached Kansa\u2019s house\n(17).\n\nLike two elephants attracted by smell those two sweet speeched brothers\nwent to a shop for garlands (18). There lived a wealthy, sweet-speeched\nand good-looking garland dealer by name Gunaka. He had a large stock of\ngarlands (19). Desirous of having garlands Krishna, with sweet words and\nwithout any hesitation, said to the shop-keeper \"Give me some garlands\n(20).\" Hearing this the garland-dealer was pleased and conferred upon\nthose two beautiful brothers a number of garlands and said \"These are\nall yours (21).\" Being pleased Krishna conferred upon Gunaka a boon\nsaying \"O gentle one, the goddess of prosperity, who is my dependant,\nshall always live by you with profuse riches (22).\" With his head\nbending low and touching the feet of Krishna that garland-dealer\npatiently accepted the boon (23). Then thinking \"They are Yakshas,\" the\ngarland-dealer, stricken with great fear, did not give any reply (24).\n\nThereupon again going to the high-way the two sons of Vasudeva espied\nKuvj\u0101 with pastes in her hands (25). Seeing her Krishna said:\u2014\"O\nlotus-eyed Kuvj\u0101, tell me quickly for whom you are carrying these\nunguents\" (26). Hearing this Kuvj\u0101, going obliquely like a lightning,\nwith delightful eyes and smiles said to the lotus-eyed Krishna in words\ngrave as the clouds (27). \"May you fare-well. I was going to the king\u2019s\nbath-room. I am waiting here because you are a darling of my heart; come\nand accept this unguent. O you of lotus-eyes, of you of a beautiful\nface, seeing you I am filled with surprise (28\u201329). O gentle one, whence\nhave you come that you do not know me. I am a favourite of the king and\nengaged in the work of smearing his body\" (30).\n\nKrishna then replied to Kuvj\u0101 who stood there smiling: \"Give us unguents\nbefitting our body (31). O you of a beautiful face, we are wrestlers who\ntravel over the countries. We have come here at present to see this\nhappy and prosperous kingdom and to witness this bow-sacrifice (32)\".\nShe said to Krishna \"No sooner I have seen you than you have become my\nfavourite. Without any hesitation accept this unguent becoming a king\n(33).\" Thereupon besmearing their beautiful persons with unguents those\ntwo brothers shone like two bulls covered all over their body with the\nmud of Yamuna (34). Thereupon Krishna, conversant with the art of\narranging for sports, softly touched the haunch of Kuvj\u0101 with his\nfingers (35). Knowing her haunch (thus) broken, the beautiful and sweet\nsmiling Kuvj\u0101, like unto a straight creeper, said with love to Krishna\ndisplaying her gestures and laughing aloud \"Where wilt thou go? Wait\nhere, requested by me. Take me (36\u201337).\" The eternal Krishna and R\u0101ma\nhad a knowledge of Kuvj\u0101\u2019s accomplishments and therefore looking at each\nother they began to laugh striking their palms (38). Thereupon smiling a\nlittle Krishna sent away Kuvj\u0101 who was stricken with desire. Thus\nliberated from Kuvj\u0101\u2019s (grasp) they set out for the court (39).\n\nThereupon those two brothers, dressed like milk-men and brought up in\nVraja, entered the palace without betraying the designs they had at\nheart by the gestures of their faces (40). Like two proud lions, born in\nthe Himalaya forests, those two boys, unnoticed, reached the house of\nbows (41). Desirous of seeing that bow embellished with celebrity those\ntwo heroes said to the keeper of the house of weapons (42). \"O keeper of\nKansa\u2019s bows, hear our words. O gentle one, where is that bow for which\nthis sacrifice is being celebrated (43)? If you like, show us that\ncelebrated bow.\" He then showed them the bow resembling a pillar, to\nwhich even the gods headed by V\u0101sava cannot set a string and which\ncannot be broken down. The powerful Krishna took it up with his hand\n(44\u201345). Taking up with his hand with a delighted mind that bow\nworshipped of the Daityas the powerful lotus-eyed Krishna stretched and\nbent it continually. Bent with force by Krishna that celebrated bow,\nresembling a serpent, broke in twain. Having thus broken that best of\nbows, the quick-coursing youth V\u0101sudeva issued out of that room along\nwith Sangkarshana (46-48). At that time all the quarters were filled\nwith the sound of the snapping of the bow resembling that of the wind\nand the entire inner appartment shook at it (49). Thereupon terrified\nthe guard, coming out of the room of weapons, speedily approached the\nking and breathing like a crow said\u2014\"Hear, I shall relate what wonderful\nincident, like unto the dissolution of the world, has taken place in the\nhouse of bows. Two heroic men, capable of assuming forms at will and\nresembling the sons of gods, clad in blue and and yellow raiments and\nbesmeared with such unguents, at once entered into the inner appartment\nunnoticed by men. The effulgence of their body is like new fire and\ntheir locks are adorned with spreading tufts of hair (50\u201353). They were\nadorned with beautiful raiments and garlands. Those two gentle heroes,\nas if at once came, down from the sky and stationed themselves in the\nbow-room. I have seen this myself distinctly (54). Of them the\nlotus-eyed and dark hued hero, who wore yellow apparel and garlands,\ntook up that best of bows which even the gods cannot (55), O king,\nalthough a boy, he easily and speedily with force stringed and bent that\nhuge iron bow (56). When that large armed hero drew that bow without\narrows with a great sound it broke into two pieces in its middle (57).\nWith the sound of the snapping of that bow the sun was shorn of its\neffulgence, the earth was agitated and the sky was as if displaced (58).\nO you, a terror of your enemies, beholding this great super-human deed I\nam filled with surprise and in fear come have to communicate to you this\nnews. Of those two heroes of unmitigated prowess, one is like the mount\nKail\u0101sa and the other is like a mountain of collyrium in hue. I do not\nknow who they are. As an elephant breaks down a pillar so that hero, of\ngreat prowess, shattered that precious bow in twain and went away\nspeedily like air with his companion. I do not know who he is, O king\"\n(59\u201361). Kansa knew everything from before, so hearing of the breaking\nof the bow he did not say any thing. Dismissing the guard he entered\ninto his most excellent room (62).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXXIII. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MATCH.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Meditating on the incident of the breaking of the\nbow Kansa, of Bhoja race, was greatly stricken with grief and\nabsent-mindedness (1). He began to think:\u2014\"How could a boy fearlessly\nbreak down an iron bow guarded by men and go out (2). None can withstand\ndestiny by manliness for now, as predicted by N\u0101rada, that has come to\npass for which out of fear I perpetrated a dreadful and highly\ncensurable deed and destroyed the six heroic sons of Devaki\" (3-4).\n\nThus thinking and issuing out of his own apartment the king went to the\narena for examining the platforms (5). This hall was constructed by\nclever artizans, abounded in well fixed platforms and was adorned with\nturrets consisting of beautiful rooms. It had a spacious courtyard and a\nnumber of pillars of the same size. It was bedecked on all sides with\nstrong tusks of elephants and with spacious, high and royal seats. It\nhad many passages, could carry the burden of many men and was filled\nwith altars. Beholding this spacious well-built, and strong arena that\nintelligent best of kings issued the mandate \"(tomorrow) the bow\nsacrifice will take place. Let the platforms, turrets and passages be\nembellished with garlands, flags and covers and be sweet-scented (6-11).\nLet the enclosures be adorned with bells, covers and becoming edibles\nand place there profuse cow-dung (12). Let excellent golden jars full of\nwater be placed in due order (13). Let jars full of edibles and scents\nbe placed and invite all those who are clever judges of warfare and the\ncitizens (14). Issue my mandate to the wrestlers and visitors and let\nbeautifully decked and enclosed platforms be set apart (15).\" Issuing\nthis command regarding the arrangement of the party Kansa left the arena\nfor his own appartment (16).\n\nHaving entered his own room Kansa sent for Ch\u0101nura and Mushthika the two\nwrestlers of unequalled strength (17). Following Kansa\u2019s order those two\nhighly powerful energetic and large armed wrestlers entered his room\nwith a delighted heart (18). Beholding those two world-renowned\nwrestlers before him king Kansa addressed to them the following words\npregnant with propriety (19). \"You are both my heroic wrestlers\nwell-known (in the world). You are worthy particularly of good treatment\nand therefore I always regard you (20). If you remember the honors I\nhave showered upon you then engage in a great work with your energy on\nmy behalf (21). Forsooth, fighting in the arena with those two\nforest-ranging cow-herd boys Krishna and Sangkarshana who have grown in\nVraja for me you will be able to throw them on earth and kill them\n(22\u201323). You will be perfectly careful in killing them; do not disregard\nthem as boys of fickle nature (24). If those two boys are killed in\nbattle in the arena I shall meet with well-being both in present and\nfuture (25).\"\n\nHearing these affectionate words of the king the wrestlers Ch\u0101nura and\nMushthika, mad after fight, delightedly replied (26):\u2014\"If those two\nhelpless boys, the very sin of the Gopas, come before us know them as\nalready slain and existing in the shape of ghosts (27). On our being\nworked up with anger if those two forest-rangers, enveloped in\ncalamities, withstand us, we will destroy them in your very presence\n(28).\" Giving vent to these poisonous words and commanded by king Kansa\nthose two foremost of wrestlers Ch\u0101nura and Mushthika returned to their\nown habitations (29).\n\nThereupon Kansa said to his elephant-trainer Mah\u0101m\u0101tra:\u2014\"Keep at the\ngate of the arena the fickle-natured and powerful elephant Kuvalayapida,\nthe oppressor of other elephants, whose temples are soaked with temporal\njuice, eyes are always inebriate and who is always angry with men\n(30\u201331). When the mean forest-ranging sons, of Vasudeva, will come do\nyou so drive that elephant at them that they might at once be deprived\nof their lives (32). If by you, through that elephant-chief those two\nirrepressible Gopas are killed in the arena my eyes will derive pleasure\nfrom seeing you (33). Beholding them slain, Vasudeva, with his root cut\noff and helpless, will meet with destruction along with his wife (34).\nBeholding Krishna thrown down all the stupid Y\u0101davas will give up hope\nand be slain (35). Having myself slain those two cow-herd boys through\nthe wrestlers or the elephant I shall divest the city of Mathur\u0101 of all\nthe Y\u0101davas and live here happily (36). I have forsaken my father\nbecause he belongs to the Yadu race and I do now forsake the remaining\nY\u0101davas devoted to Krishna (37). Verily as said by N\u0101rada I am not\nbegotten by Ugrasena a man of feeble energy who hankers after a son\n(38).\"\n\nMahamatra said:\u2014\"How did the celestial saint N\u0101rada describe the\nwonderful story related by thee, O king, O thou, the slayer of thy\nenemies (39). O king, how couldst thou take thy birth from any other\nperson save thy father Ugrasena? How could thy mother perpetrate such an\nabominable deed which even the ordinary women cannot? O great king,\ncurious I am to listen to all these in detail (40\u201441).\"\n\nKansa said:\u2014Hear, if you are so anxious, I shall describe what the\npowerful sage N\u0101rada, the foremost of Br\u0101hmanas said (42). Once on a\ntime came to me from Indra\u2019s palace his friend the immortal, learned and\ncelestial sage N\u0101rada. He was clad in an apparel white as the rays of\nthe moon, wore matted locks, had an antelope skin thrown round his neck,\na rough sacred thread, a staff and a pitcher in his hands. He used to\nrecite the four Vedas, was proficient in the art of music and traversed\nthe Brahma region like his second-self (43\u201345). Beholding the arrival of\nthe sage and adoring him duly with _arghya_, water to wash his feet and\na seat I took him to my house and made him seated (46). Seated at ease\nthat foremost of divine sages N\u0101rada, always intent on meditating upon\nsoul, enquired after my well-being and said with a delighted mind (47).\n\nNarada said:\u2014\"O hero, I have been worshipped by you with rites\nsanctioned by Holy Writs. Listen now to a word of mine and accept it\n(48). I had repaired to the golden mountain Meru, the abode of the gods.\nOn the summit of that mountain Sumeru a meeting of the gods was held. I\nheard them hold counsels regarding the highly dreadful destruction of\nyourself along with all your followers (49-50). I heard there, that the\neighth son of Devaki, Vishnu, worshipped of all, would bring about\nKansa\u2019s death (51). He is all in all of the gods, the support of the\ncelestial region, the great mystery of the gods. He will be your Death\n(52). O king, one should not disregard his enemy, even he may be weak or\nhis own kinsman. Be careful to put Devaki\u2019s children to death (53). O\nyou of great power, Ugrasena is not your father. The energetic and\ndreadful Drumila, the king of Soubha,\u00b2\u2076\u00b9 is your father (54).\" Hearing\nhis words I was filled with anger a little and accosted him again saying\n\"O Brahman, how could D\u0101nava Drumila become my father (55)? How could he\nknow my mother, O Vipra? I wish to hear all this at length, O great\nascetic (56).\"\n\nNarada said:\u2014\"O king, listen, I shall truly relate how your mother was\nunited with Drumila (57). Once on a time your mother, during her menses,\nwent out of curiosity to see the mountain Suy\u0101man along with her female\ncompanions. She was ranging in the beautiful summits of the mountain\nabounding in charming trees and table-lands, and in the caves and on the\nbanks of the rivers (58\u201359). Hearing again and again the lust-exciting\nwords, sweet as the songs of the Kinnaras, pleasant to the ears; and\nechoing on all sides, the notes of the peacocks and other birds her mind\nwas worked up with desire the usual habit of women (60\u201361). In the\nmeantime there blew the wind carrying the fragrance of flowers of the\nforest that awakes Manmatha (the god of love) (62). Driven by the wind\nthe Kadamva flowers, closed by continual showers and adorned with black\nbees, began to pour down fragrance profusely (63). With the downpour of\nflowers and filaments the Neepa trees shone there like lamps (64).\nCovered with new grass and adorned with Indragopa insects the earth\nappeared to have her menstrual flow, like a youthful damsel (65). At\nthat time, O Kansa, as if you urged on by destiny the beautiful D\u0101nava\nDrumila, capable of coursing at-will, the king of Soubha, came there by\nthe etherial way in a quick-coursing car, going everywhere at will, and\neffulgent like the new sun, to see mount Suy\u0101mana. Reaching that\nforemost of mountains, descending from his car, and keeping his chariot,\nthat is capable of destroying other cars, in the garden on the mountain\nhe began to walk on the summit along with his charioteer (66\u201369). They\nsaw there many forests and gardens endued with characteristics of\nvarious seasons and resembling the celestial garden of Nandana, various\njewels of golden, silvery and collyrium-like hues, summits covered with\ndiverse mineral substances, various trees adorned with many sorts of\nfruits and flowers, filled with the fragrance of flowers and resorted to\nby various creatures and birds of diverse species, various places\nabounding in herbs and Rishis of accomplished piety, numberless\nVidyadharas, Kimpurushas, V\u0101naras, Rakshasas, lions, tigers, boars,\nbuffaloes, Sarabhas, Shalas, Srimaras, Mahasatwas, elephants and Yakshas\nas they walked over that best of mountains (70-75).\n\n\"Thereupon from distance Drumila, the king of Daityas, saw your mother,\nas if the daughter of a god, culling flowers from the trees and sporting\nwith her companions (76). Beholding from a distance that goddess of a\nbeautiful hip encircled by her companions the king of Soubha, filled\nwith surprise, said to his charioteer (77).\n\n\"\u2019Who is this beautiful, high-minded and accomplished damsel having the\neyes of a roe who is ranging at the outskirt of the forest? (78). Is she\nMadana\u2019s Rati, Indra\u2019s Sachi or Tilottam\u0101? Or is she Aila\u2019s daughter\nUrvashi, the jem of a woman who came out riving the thighs of N\u0101r\u0101yana\n(79)? When converting the mount Mand\u0101ra into a churning rod the gods and\nAsuras, unitedly, churned the ocean of milk for ambrosia the goddess\nSree, the root of the world, arose therefrom and adorned the lap of\nN\u0101r\u0101yana. Is she the beautiful Sree (80\u201381)? Who is she, who, walking in\nthe midst of that bevy of ladies, is lighting up the forest with her\nbeauty like into a lightning, attached to dark clouds, shining up all\nthe quarters (82). I am beside myself at seeing this highly beautiful\ndamsel of defect-less limbs and moon-like countenance and all my senses\nhave become agitated (83). My mind is highly worked up with lust. The\nholder of the flowery bow\u00b2\u2076\u00b2 is wounding greatly my body with flowery\nshafts (84). Like a ruthless wight he is cutting my heart and consuming\nit with five arrows and my lust is increasing like fire sprinkled with\nclarified butter. What work shall I undertake to-day to pacify this fire\nof lust (85)? On undertaking what will this beautiful damsel worship\nme?\u2019\n\n\"Thinking thus for a long time D\u0101nava Drumila could not attain to\npatience and again said to his charioteer:\u2014\u2019Wait here for a moment, O\nsinless one. I shall myself go and see whose wife she is (86\u201387).\nTherefore wait here till my return.\u2019 Hearing his words the charioteer\nsaid \u2019So be it (88).\u2019\n\n\"Saying this to his charioteer and rinsing his mouth that powerful king\nof D\u0101navas, bent on going there, engaged in meditation and thought (89).\nMeditating for a moment he, by this knowledge, came to know that she was\nUgrasena\u2019s wife and was highly pleased (90). Changing his form and\nassuming that of Ugrasena that large-armed king of D\u0101navas proceeded\nsmilingly (91). O Kansa, thus proceeding gradually with smiles in his\nUgrasena form that powerful (D\u0101nava) caught hold of your mother and\nravished her (92), On account of her exuberance of feelings that lady,\ndevoted heart and soul to her husband, was united with her. Then\nperceiving the heaviness of his touch, she was filled with fear (93).\nThen rising up and terrified she said to him:\u2014\u2019Forsooth thou art not my\nhusband. Who art thou that hast polluted me with thy impure conduct\n(94). By thee of mean habits, assuming the form of my husband, my vow,\nof devotion to one husband, has been spoliated (95). Alas, being enraged\nwith me what will my kinsmen say to me who have brought disgrace on my\nfamily. And forsaken and censured by my husband\u2019s relatives where shall\nI live (96)? O thou born in a degraded race, thou art passionate and\nshorn of patience. Fie on thee! While thou hast begun to ravish other\u2019s\nwives, thou art not worthy of confidence and your lease of life has run\nout (97).\u2019\n\n\"While the lady thus remonstrated with him that D\u0101nava, filled with\nanger, said:\u2014\u2019I am Drumila, the king Soubha (98). O stupid woman\nvaunting of learning, being under the protection of a human husband\nsubject to mean death, why art thou censuring me (99). O thou proud of\nthy womanly honour, eternal is not the understanding of a woman and\ntherefore they are not (by coming in contact with a person like myself)\nvisited by the sin of incontinence\u00b2\u2076\u00b3 (100). I have heard that by going\nastray many women have given birth to sons of unlimited prowess like\nunto the gods (101). Thou art a most chaste and devoted wife amongst\nwomen, and therefore art remonstrating with me, although I am sinless,\nand saying whatever thou dost like (102). O excellent woman, because\nthou hast addressed me as _Kastham_ (who art thou) therefore thou shalt\ngive birth to a son by name Kansa the destroyer of his enemies (103).\u2019\n\n\"Hearing these words the queen was filled with anger and speaking ill of\nhis boon she again, with a heart aching, said to that impudent D\u0101nava\n(104). \u2019Fie on thy conduct, O highly wicked one. Thou art speaking\nagainst all women. But there are many amongst them who are chaste and\nmany who are unchaste (105). O wretch of thy race, by Arundhati and\nother chaste ladies, of whom we hear, all these creatures and worlds are\nbeing upheld (106). I do not like the son that thou, hast given me\u2014the\ndestroyer of my vow. Hear what I say about it (107). O vile creature,\nthe eternal Purusha, who will be born in the family of my husband, will\nbe the destroyer of thyself and of the son given by thee (108).\u2019\n\n\"Thus addressed and ascending the most excellent car of unobstructed\ncourse Drumila went away by the etherial way (109). And on that very day\nyour mother too went to her city with a poor heart.\"\n\nHaving said this to me the divine N\u0101rada, the foremost of sages burning\nin his ascetic energy like the very fire, playing on his flute of seven\nnotes and singing, set out for the Brahma region to meet the\nGrand-Father. O Mah\u0101m\u0101tra, you have listened to the words given vent to\nby me (110-112), Truth has been spoken out by the intelligent N\u0101rada\nconversant with the knowledge of present, past and future. In strength,\nenergy, humility, stature, heroism, manliness, truth, and liberality no\nman is like me (113-114). Seeing all these (accomplishments) in me I\nplaced confidence in his words. O elephant-trainer, I am a Kshetraja\u00b2\u2076\u2074\nson of Ugrasena (115). If both my parents forsake, I shall be on the\nroyal throne by my own power. I have been hated by them both and\nespecially by my kinsmen (116). Having slain, through the elephant,\nfirst these two sinful cowherd boys I shall afterwards kill all the\nY\u0101davas belonging to Krishua\u2019s party (117). Riding your elephant with\ngoads, swords and Tomaras, do you wait, O Mah\u0101m\u0101tra, at the gate of the\narena. Do not tarry (118).\n\n  \u00b2\u2076\u00b9 The city of Harishchandra suspended in mid-air.\n\n  \u00b2\u2076\u00b2 This refers to Madana (Cupid). He is represented to carry a\n      flowery bow and flowery shafts.\n\n  \u00b2\u2076\u00b3 The purport is that women are mortal and so by living with\n      immortals on immoral terms they commit no sin as they do when they\n      mix with men.\n\n  \u00b2\u2076\u2074 Lit: produced in a field, born of the wife. A son, the offspring\n      of the wife by a kinsman or person duly appointed to procreate\n      issue to the husband. This is one of the twelve kinds of issue\n      acknowledged by the old Hindu Law.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXXIV. A DESCRIPTION OF THE ARENA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Upon the following day the ampitheatre was filled by\nthe citizens anxious to behold the great game (1). The place of assembly\nwas supported by octagonal painted pillars, fitted up with terraces,\ndoors and bolts, with windows circular or crescent; shaped and\naccomodated with seats with cushions; and it shone like the ocean whilst\nlarge clouds hang upon it, with spacious substantial pavillions fitted\nup for the sight of the combat; open to the front but screened with\nbeautiful and fine curtains, crowned with festoons of flowers and\nglistening with radiance, like autumnal clouds. The pavillions of the\ndifferent companies and corporations, vast as mountains, were decorated\nwith banners, bearing upon them the implements and emblems of the\nseveral crafts. The chambers of the inhabitants of the inner apartments\nshone near at hand, bright with gold and painting and net-work of gems:\nthey were richly decorated with precious stones, were enclosed below\nwith costly hangings and ornamented above with spires and banners and\nlooked like mountains spreading their rays in the sky; while the rays of\nlight reflected from the valuable jewels were blended with the waving of\nwhite chowries and the musical tinkling of female ornaments. The\nseparate pavilions of the courtesans were graced by lovely women attired\nin the most splendid dresses and emulated the radiance of the cars of\nthe gods. In the place of assembly there were excellent seats, couches\nmade of gold and hangings of various colours, intermixed with bunches of\nflowers; and there were golden vases of water and handsome places for\nrefreshment, filled with fruits of various kinds and cooling juices,\nsherbets fit for drinking. And there were many other stages and\nplatforms constructed of strong timber; and hangings by hundreds and\nthousands were displayed; and upon the tops of the houses, chambers,\nfitted up with delicate jealousies through which the women might behold\nthe sports, appeared like swans flying through the air. In front stood\nthe pavilion of Kansha surpassing all the rest in splendour looking like\nmount Meru in radiance; its sides, its columns being covered with\nfurnished gold; fastened with coloured cords and every way worthy the\npresence of a king (2-15).\n\nHaving ordered \u2019Let the elephant Kuvalyapida wait at the gate\u2019 the king\nKansa entered the arena abounding in men hailing from various countries,\nechoing with their noise, shaking and radiant like a huge ocean (16-17).\nWith two white chowries on his two sides, with two pieces of white\nraiment on his body and a white turban on his head he shone like the\nmoon of white rays on the white summit of the white mountain (18). When\nthat intelligent king was seated at ease on his throne, the citizens,\nbeholding his matchless beauty, exclaimed shouts of victory (19).\n\nThereupon entering the arena, the powerful wrestlers, with loose\ngarments, took ground on three sides (20). Afterwards accompanied by the\nsound of trumpets and the slapping of the arms the two sons of Vasudeva,\nwith delighted minds, arrived at the gate of the arena (21). As soon as\nthey entered there quickly those two sons of Vasudeva, of beautiful\nfaces, were obstructed by that mad elephant moving hither and thither\n(22). Driven again and again that wicked elephant, folding up its trunk,\nattempted to destroy Rama and Krishna (23). Thereupon terrorized by the\nelephant, Krishna, smiling and speaking ill of the intention of the\nwicked-minded Kansa, said:\u2014\"While Kansa is desirous of killing me\nthrough this elephant forsooth he is eager to repair to the abode of\nYama\" (24-25).\n\nThereupon when that elephant, roaring like a cloud, neared him, the\npowerful Govinda, leaping up, slapped his arms (26). Roaring like a lion\nand slapping his arms, he, stationed before the elephant, took its trunk\ncovered with water, on his breast (27). Sometimes he went between his\ntwo tusks and again between his two legs and thus agitated him as does\nwind the ocean (28). Then coming out of the top of his trunk and tusks\nand of his legs Vasudeva drew his tail and put it into the ground (29).\nThereat that huge-bodied best of elephants became bewildered and could\nnot slay Krishna. And with his body, as if grinded, he began to roar\nthere (30). Then touching the earth with his two knees and assailing the\nsurface the earth with his tusks he began to discharge must\u00b2\u2076\u2075 in anger\nlike a cloud in the rains (31). Thus sporting with that elephant under\nthe pretext of a childish freak Krishna, in order to kill Kansa, desired\nto destroy him soon (32). Thereupon placing his foot on his lower lip\nhe, with his two hands, uprooted his tusks and struck him therewith\n(33). Assailed with the strokes of his own thunder-like tusks the\nelephant passed urine and excreta with a great sound (34). Profuse blood\ncame out of the temples of that elephant whose limbs were mutilated by\nKrishna and whose mind was stricken with sorrow (35). As Vinat\u0101\u2019s son\n(Garuda) draws a serpent lying with its half on the face of a mountain\nso the holder of plough-share (Baladeva) began to drag him with force by\nthe tail (36). Thus striking the elephant with the tusks, Krishna, with\none stroke, hurt the elephant-driver by name Ulvana (37). Then setting\nup a terribly plaintive roar, that huge elephant, with his tusks broken,\nfell down along with Mah\u0101m\u0101tra like fire thrown down by thunder bolt\n(38). Thereupon taking up a Torana and other weapons those two foremost\nof men, R\u0101ma and Krishna, dreadful in battle, destroyed the guards\nprotecting the rear of the elephant (39). Having slain them when those\ntwo M\u0101dhavas, adorned with wild garlands, entered the arena all the\nVrishnis, Andhakas and Bhojas took them for two Ashinis coming down, of\ntheir own accord, from the celestial region. With their leonine roars,\nshouts of joy, slapping of arms and striking of palms they pleased all\nthe people there (40-41). O descendant of Bharata, beholding them and\nthe attachment and joy of the citizens the vain Kansa was filled with\nsorrow (42). Having thus slain the roaring elephant the lotus-eyed\nKrishna, along with his elder brother, arrived at the ocean-like arena\n(43).\n\n  \u00b2\u2076\u2075 It is a Persian word for _Mada_ which means a juice that exudes\n      from the temples of a rutting elephant.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXXV. TRIAL OF ARMS.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Shaking the earth with the sound of the slapping of\nhis arms Krishna, the lotus-eyed son of Devaki, entered the arena, with\nhis elder brother before him. His raiment was being shaken by the wind,\nhis body was wounded with the tusks of the elephant and his limbs were\ncovered with must and blood; he was bounding like a lion and entered\nthere quickly like a cloud for bringing about the destruction of Kansa.\nHe was very careful to find out the defects and his beautiful arms were\nadorned with the tusks of the elephant. Beholding him thus enter with\ngreat force the face of Ugrasena\u2019s son grew pale and he began to eye\nthem in anger (1\u20134). With the tusks in his hand Keshava shone there like\na mountain of one summit stricken with the image of the half-moon (5).\nWhile he ranged by leaps and bounds, that ocean-like arena shone there\nfilled with the echoes of the crowd (6).\n\nThereupon with his eyes reddened in anger the highly wrathful Kansa\nordered the greatly powerful Ch\u0101nura to fight with Krishna (7). He\nordered the powerful wrestlers Andhra, Nikriti and Mushthika, resembling\nso many mountains, to engage with Balar\u0101ma (8). Ch\u0101nura had already been\nordered by Kansa to fight with Krishna carefully. And again commanded\nthus, he, with his eyes reddened with ire, went forward to fight like a\ncloud surcharged with water (9-10). Afterwards when the royal mandate\n\"Be all silent\" was announced on all sides and the entire crowd was\nhushed into silence the Y\u0101davas, assembled together, said (11): \"This\ntrial at arms was first introduced by the Creator as one in which no\nweapons should be used, in which skill and strength are necessary, in\nwhich there should be judges and no cowards should take part (12). In it\n(the parties) should await the appointed hour and remove their toil with\nwater. It is also laid down that wrestlers should besmear their body\nwith cow-dung (13). In it one standing should fight with another such,\none lying on the ground should engage with another such; in whatever\ncondition one may be one should fight with him in that order; such the\njudges say (14). A boy, a youth, an old man, a strong man or a weak man,\nwhoever he may be, they should be informed of the particulars of the\ntrial waiting in their respective quarters (15). Persons, conversant\nwith the modes of wrestling, say that one, conversant with this mode,\nshould not display his strength or skill while his antagonist is\ndefeated (16). Now Krishna and the wrestler Andhra will fight with each\nother in the arena. Krishna is a mere boy and Andhra is an elderly\nperson. We should exercise our judgment in this matter (17).\"\n\nThereupon a great tumult arose in the midst of that assembly and\nGovinda, leaping up, said \"I am a boy and though Andhra is of a huge\nbody like a mountain I wish to fight with this wrestler of strong arms\n(18\u201319). Though I am a boy I will commit no transgression of the rules\nof fight and will not at a stain on the opinions of the wrestlers (20).\nLet all the rules, laid down by the cult of wrestlers regarding the use\nof cow-dung, water and other things for besmearing the body, be followed\n(21). One attains to success in the arena by self-control, fortitude,\nmanliness, exercise, good conduct and strength; such is the opinion of\nexerts (22). Although I cherish no enmity this man is about to create\nthis feeling in me. Vanquishing him I shall therefore please the world\n(23). This wrestler Ch\u0101nura of huge proportion is born in the province\nof Karusha. Although he is a wrestler his deeds ought to be considered\n(24). This one, desirous of acquiring influence in the arena, has put a\nstigma on the ways of wrestlers by destroying many of them after their\ndiscomfiture (25). Success, of those fighting with weapons in a battle,\nconsists in cutting off those (of this antagonist). So the success of a\nwrestler lies in throwing down his antagonist (26). By acquiring victory\nin battle one attains to eternal glory; and the slain depart to the land\nof the celestials (27). The slayer and the slain, both of them, achieve\nthe same end in a battle; so it is called a life-terminating match and\nis spoken highly of by the pious (28). Besides this way of the wrestlers\nis beyond both strength and deed. Where is heaven for the dead and glory\nfor the victorious\u00b2\u2076\u2076 (29)? By his folly a king, who is proud of his\nlearning, for a display of his power, brings about the death of some\nwrestlers through his own men. (Herein both the agent and the engager)\nare visited by the sin of destruction (30).\" No sooner had he said this\nthan a highly terrible fight took place between them both like that of\ntwo elephants in the forest (31). They wrestled with each other in\nvarious ways, by mutually entwining, laying hold of, letting go the\nadversary, throwing on earth and taking up in the air (32). By mutually\npulling to and casting back, stricking with fists, elbow, fore-arm and\nknees, interlacing the arms, kicking and striking blows as hard as\nstones and shaking their heads awry those two heroes, as if made of the\nessence of rocks, fought that dreadful contest without weapons (33).\nThereupon at witnessing that strength of arms of the heroes a rejoicing\narose in that assembly. The mind of the people was drawn by that\nacclamation (36). The other people from the pavillions spoke highly (of\nthis feat).\n\nCasting his looks at Krishna and with his face soaked with perspiration\nKansa, with his right hand, prevented the blowing of the bugle (37).\nAlthough his trumpets and bugles were not sounded the celestials in the\nsky began to blow their own. When the lotus-eyed Hrishikesha engaged in\nfight the sound of bugles arose of itself on all sides (39). Along with\nthe Vidyadharas, the Devas, capable of assuming form at will,\ndisappeared from view and began to pray for Krishna\u2019s victory (40).\nStationed in the sky the seven Rishis exclaimed \"O Krishna, vanquish the\nD\u0101nava in the form of the wrestler Ch\u0101nura\" (41). Wrestling with Ch\u0101nura\nfor a long time, Devaki\u2019s son, who foresaw Kansa\u2019s death, stole away his\nstrength (42). Thereat the earth trembled, the pavillions rolled and the\nmost excellent jewel slipped off from Kansa\u2019s crown (45). Thereupon\nagain throwing down the reviving Ch\u0101nura by his arms Krishna pressed his\nbreast with his knees and struck him on the head with his fist (44).\nThereat his eyes, covered with tears and blood, were driven out of their\nsockets. And hanging on his side they appeared like golden bells (45).\nThus with his eyes drawn out Ch\u0101nura, shorn of his strength and life,\nlay in the arena (46). With the body of the wrestler Ch\u0101nura, deprived\nof his life, that big arena appeared is if to have been obstructed by a\nmountain (47).\n\nAfter Ch\u0101nura, proud of his strength, had been slain Rohini\u2019s son\nengaged with Mushthika and Krishna with Toshala again (48). In the first\nchallenge, those two wrestlers, beside themselves with anger, as if\nurged on by Destiny met R\u0101ma and Krishna (49). Thrown down by a gust of\nwind they began to leap and bound in the arena. Taking up Toshala, huge\nas a mountain summit and whirling him for a hundred times the powerful\nKrishna grinded him on the earth (50). Then profuse blood gushed out of\nthe mouth of that powerful wrestler attacked and assailed by Krishna.\nAnd he was on the point of death (51). Displaying various circular feats\nand fighting for a long time with Mushthika, and the wrestler Andhra the\nenergetic and powerful athlete Baladeva struck his head with his fist\nresembling a cloud accompanied by a thunderbolt (52\u201353). Thereat his\nbrain came out and his eyes were displaced. When he fell down slain on\nearth the multitude sent up a great shout (54). Having thus slain\nToshala and Andhra, Krishna and Sangkarshana, with eyes reddened in\nanger, began to move about with leaps and bounds in the arena (55). At\nthat time the great wrestlers Andhra and Ch\u0101nura being slain that grim\nlooking arena grew void of wrestlers (56). With all their limbs\ntrembling waited there the Gopa spectators headed by Nanda (57). With\nher limbs trembling, her breast pained with the discharge of milk and\neyes bathed in tears of joy Devaki began to see Krishna (58). Vasudeva,\nwho had his eyes agitated by tears on seeing Krisana, became youthful as\nif casting off his decrepitude (59). As if through the black-bees of\ntheir respective glances, the courtesans drank the lotus countenance of\nKrishna (60). There were seen drops of perspiration on Kansa\u2019s face for\nseeing Krishna and of anger between his eye-brows (61). His heart was\nfanned by the breaths of anger accompanied by smoke-like thoughts of\nKeshava\u2019s destruction and was consumed by the fire of mental anxiety\n(62). His lips trembling in anger and the painted lines on his forehead\nbeing washed off by perspiration his body appeared like the\ncrimson-coloured sun (63). As dew-drops, falling from a tree, appear\nwhen smitten by the rays of the sun so appeared the drops of\nperspiration falling from his face reddened with anger (64). Thereupon\ngreatly worked up with anger Kansa issued a mandate to dreadful persons,\nsaying:\u2014\"Turn out of the arena these two sinful, grim-visaged and\nforest-ranging young cow-herds. I do not wish to see them. Amongst the\nGopas none deserves residence in my territory (65\u201366). This Nanda Gopa\nis wicked and is bent upon committing injury to me. Therefore assail him\nwith iron chains and spikes (67). Although Vasudeva is my kinsman he is\nhighly wicked. Therefore punish him even today in such a way which\npersons not, aged, deserve (68). The other inferior Gopas, whom you see,\nare all devoted to Krishna. Therefore take away from them their kine and\nother riches\" (69).\n\nWhilst the harsh-speeched Kansa thus issued the mandate, V\u0101sudeva,\nhaving truth for his prowess, eyed him with eyes expanded in anger (70).\nBeholding his father Vasudeva and Nanda insulted, his kinsmen distressed\nand Devaki unconscious he was greatly worked up with anger (71).\nDesirous of ascending Kansa\u2019s pavillion in order to kill him, the\npowerful, large-armed and eternal Krishna, with the velocity of a lion,\nbegan to leap in the arena before him like a cloud driven by the wind\n(72-73). Only the citizens, seated on the side of Kansa, saw him when he\nleaped in the arena (74). Kansa was completely possessed by Destiny and\nso he considered Govinda coming down from the sky (75). There upon\nstretching his own Parigha-like arms Krishna drew Kansa by the hair in\nthe arena (76). Assailed by Krishna\u2019s hands his golden crown, set with\ndiamonds, fell down on earth from his head (77). When V\u0101sudeva held\nKansa by the hair he became motionless, overwhelmed and agitated and\nbegan to breath like one lifeless. He was not capable of seeing even\nKrishna\u2019s face (78). His ears were divested of Kundalas, his necklace\nwas torn off, his arms grew lengthened and his body was shorn of\nornaments and body-cloth (80). Thus possessed by divine effulgence\nKansa\u2019s face grew bewildered and he set forth many an exertion (81).\nComing down from the pavillion and holding Kansa, deserving of pain, by\nthe hair with force Keshava began to drag him in the arena (82). The\nhighly effulgent king of Bhoja being thus dragged by Krishna, a ditch\nwas made by his body in the arena (83). Thus sporting in the arena when\nKansa breathed his last Krishna threw away his body at no distance (84).\nThus struck Kansa\u2019s body, used to luxuries, was grinded on the ground\nand covered with dust (85). His closed eyes and dark face, without the\ncrown, were shorn of beauty like a lotus without leaves (86). Slain not\nin a battle and his body not wounded with shafts and killed by being\ndragged by the hair Kansa was driven away from the path of heroes (87).\nBut on his body were all on a sudden seen marks of nails set by Keshava,\nwhich mutilated his flesh and destroyed his life (88).\n\nHaving thus slain Kansa and removed his thorns and being endued with\ntwofold effulgence in delight the lotus-eyed Krishna first touched\nVasudeva\u2019s feet. And afterwards the descendant of Yadu bowed at the feet\nof his mother. She too sprinkled him with torrents of tear begotten by\njoy (89-90). Thereupon shining in his own effulgence M\u0101dhava, according\nto rank and age, enquired after the well-being of all other Yadavas\n(91). Holding powerfully by his hands the proud brother of Kansa, by\nname Urgita, the virtuous-souled Baladeva killed him (92). Thus having\nconquered their enemies and subdued their anger, those two heroes,\nbrought up in Vraja, went delightedly to their father\u2019s house (93).\n\n  \u00b2\u2076\u2076 The meaning is:\u2014In a wrestling match one gives no proof of his\n      power and performs no good deed because it is mere an idle\n      amusement. And so the one slain does not go to heaven and the one\n      successful secures no glory.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXXVI. LAMENTATIONS OF KANSA\u2019S WIVES.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Beholding their husband slain and fallen Kansa\u2019s\nwives encircled him like planets of decreasing lustre (1). Beholding\ntheir lion-like royal husband slain and lying down on earth his wives\nbegan to bewail (2). \"O thou of large arms, a hero, ever observant of\nheroic vows like thyself, being slain, we all, being the wives of a\nhero, have become friendless and all our hopes have been frustrated (3).\nO foremost of kings, seeing this thy ordained death we are plaintively\nbewailing along with our relatives (4). O highly powerful lord, thyself\nbeing dead and cast off by thee we have our roots cut off (5). Alas!\nWhen stricken with sexual desire we will tremble in anger like creepers.\nWho will take us to the bed-room (6)? O gentle one, is it meet that the\nsun should scorch thy charming face full of breaths like a lotus without\nwater (7)? O thou who wert ever fond of Kundalas! Divested of Kundalas,\nthy ears, attached to thy neck, are not shining well (8). O hero, where\nis that crown crested with jewels and effulgent like the sun that used\nto increase greatly the beauty of thy head (9)? Thyself repairing to the\nother world, how will these thy thousand wives, ever gracing thy inner\napartment, pass their days poorly (10)? Chaste wives are never\ndisappointed from their enjoying in the company of their husband nor are\nthey forsaken by him; why dost thou then leave us behind (11)? Alas!\nTime is highly powerful; for although a death to thy enemies thou art\nbeing speedily taken away by Time who carries on his work in order (12).\nO lord, we are unworthy of sorrow and have been brought up by thee in\nhappiness. Being deprived of our lord and miserly how shall we spend our\ndays (13). A husband is the only refuge unto those women who care for\ntheir character. But the powerful Death has killed such a husband of\nours (14). Possessed by widowhood in thy absence and sunk in the deep\nocean of lamentations, where shall we repair, with hearts stricken with\nsorrow (15)? Alas! fickle is the movement of men. Sporting on thy lap we\nwere spending our days with thee. Now in a moment we have been separated\nfrom thee (16). O thou the conferrer of honors, thyself meeting with\nthis calamity, we have been visited by disasters. It seems, we all\nperpetrated a similar iniquity for we have all in the like manner, met\nwith widowhood (17). Alas! We were all fond of thee and thou didst take\ncare of us with heavenly enjoyments. Casting us off where dost thou go\nnow (18)? O lord of the world, O giver of honors, O thou resembling a\ncelestial, thou art our master who have been separated from their lord.\nO lord, we are bewailing like hind; it behoves thee to give us a reply\n(19). O lord sovereign, thy departure, making thy kinsmen sorrowful and\nthy wives bewail, appears (to us) as terribly hard (20). Forsooth it\nappears O lord, that the damsels of the other world are more beautiful,\nbecause, O hero, thou hast departed leaving behind thy own people (21).\nWhat is the reason O hero, that thou dost pay no heed to the\nlamentations of thy wives (22). Alas, the march of men to the other\nworld is ruthless, because without caring for them they even forsake\ntheir own wives (23). It is better for women not to have husbands than\nbeloved, heroic husbands, because they love the women of the celestial\nregion and they too are fond of heroes (24). Alas! carrying away\nimperceptibly such a heroic husband Death has pierced our very vitals\n(25). O lord of the world, having slain the army of Jar\u0101sandha and\nvanquished the other enemies in battle why hast thou met with death at\nthe hands of an ordinary man (26)? Alas! Fighting with Indra in a combat\nof arrows thou wert not defeated by the immortals. How hast thou been\nthen slain by a mortal (27)? Having agitated, with a shower of arrows,\nthe ocean that is incapable of being moved thou didst conquer Varuna the\nholder of the noose, and take away all his riches (28). When V\u0101sava did\nnot pour profuse showers, thou didst, for the citizens, bore through the\nclouds with thy arrows and bring down rain by force (29). By thy prowess\nall kings were humiliated and used to send thee the precious jewels and\nclothes (30). Alas, thy manliness was manifest unto thy enemies and thou\nwert like a god. How has then such a life-ending calamity befallen thee\n(31)? Thyself being slain O lord, we are passing by the name of widows.\nAlthough not mad we have become so and have been assailed by death (32).\nO lord, if thou wert determined upon departing why hast thou then\nforgotten us? Would it have tired thee if thou hadst say it in mere\nwords (33)? O lord, O king of Mathur\u0101, we bow unto thy feet in fear. Be\nthou propitiated and return from the distant land (34). O hero, how dost\nthou lie down on grass and dust? Prostrating thyself on earth does not\nthy body feel any inconvenience (35)? Alas, who has inflicted on us this\nstroke of sleep? Who has ruthlessly struck the body of these women (36)?\nThe woman, who has to survive, should weep and repent. Why should we\nweep when we are to follow our husband (37)?\"\n\nIn the meantime trembling poorly and crying aloud \"Where is my son?\nWhere is my child?\" Kansa\u2019s mother arrived there (38). Beholding her son\nlike unto the moon shorn of its lustre her heart as if broke assunder\nand she repeatedly lost her consciousness (39). Beholding her son and\nexclaiming \"Alas! I am undone!\" she began to bewail along with her\ndaughters-in-law (40). Placing on her lap the head of her son, that one,\nfond of sons, began to bewail plaintively saying \"O my son, O thou the\nenhancer of the delight of thy kinsmen, O thou ever devoted to the vow\nof a hero, why hast thou departed so soon? O my son observant of vows,\nwhy art thou asleep before all men? The kings should never lie down on\nearth in this way (41\u201343). When in the days of yore all the R\u0101kshasas\nassembled R\u0101vana, the foremost of the strong in all the worlds, uttered\nthe following verse, spoken well of by the sages (44). \u2019Although I am of\ngreat strength and a destroyer of the immortals, a terrible and\nirresistable calamity will proceed to me from my kinsmen (45). And such\na life-destroying great calamity will also proceed to my intelligent son\nfrom my relatives (46)\u2019\". Thereupon weeping like unto a cow, separated\nfrom her calf, she said to her husband the old king Ugrasena (47). \"Come\nand see, O pious king, this thy royal son is lying on the bed of a hero\nlike a mountain clapped by a thunderbolt (48). O king, you are to\nperform the obsequial rites of this thy son who has repaired to the\nabode of Death and attained to the state of a ghost (49). Kingdoms are\nworthy of being enjoyed by heroes and we have been defeated. Go and ask\nKrishna about Kansha\u2019s funeral rites (50). Enmity terminates with\ndeath\u2014it ceases with the death of the enemy. His obsequial rites should\ntherefore be performed. What offence has the dead body committed (51)?\"\nHaving said this to the Bhoja king with a heart laden with sorrow and\ncasting her looks again on the face of her son Kansa\u2019s mother began to\nbewail anew, saying (52): \"O king, what will thy wives do hereafter,\nwho, even having obtained a husband like thee, have their desires\nfrustrated? (53) How shall I now see thy aged father dried up under the\nsubjection of Krishna like water in the pool (54)? O my son, I am thy\nmother, why dost thou not speak to me? Leaving behind thy beloved people\nthou hast departed to a distant land (55). O hero, the inevitable Death\nhas, against the knowledge of this unfortunate woman, taken away a son\nlike thee well-read in moral laws (56). O the master of thy clan, thy\nservants, who were pleased with thy qualities on receiving honors and\nvarious presents from thee, are now weeping (57). O foremost of kings, O\nthou of large arms and great strength, rise up and save the people of\nthy house and other poor men (58).\"\n\nWhile the wives of Kansa, stricken with great misery, were thus\nbewailing the sun, smitten with evening rays, set in (59).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXXVII. KRISHNA\u2019S REPLY TO UGRASENA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Breathing like a person who has drunk poison,\nUgrasena, burning with grief for his son, approached Krishna (1). He saw\nhim there encircled by Yadavas repenting for his sinful destruction of\nKansa (2). Hearing the heart-rending lamentations of Kansa\u2019s wives he,\ncensuring his own self in that assembly of the Y\u0101davas, (said)\n(3):\u2014\"Alas, out of my childish freak and under the influence of anger, I\nhave, by the destruction of Kansa, made widows of these thousand women\n(4). On the death of their husband these women are bewailing so very\nplaintively that even an ordinary man\u2019s heart, on hearing it, feels\ncompassion (5). Hearing the lamentations of these guileless women, even\nKrit\u0101nta\u2019s (Regent of the dead) heart is filled with pity (6). I had\ndetermined before that Kansa, the oppresser of the pious, and always\ngiven to vice, should be slain (7). Death is preferable to life unto him\nwho, in this world, is of a degraded conduct, ruthless temper, feeble\nunderstanding and whom the people hate (8). Kansa was highly sinful,\nnever liked by the pious and him every one used to hate. What pity\nshould then be felt for him (9)? The ascetics, as a fruit of their\nvirtuous deeds, live in the celestial region. He, who attains to glory\nin this world, is also like a dweller in heaven (to). If the subjects\nare self-controlled, observant of their own duties and perform pious\ndeeds, unrighteousness can never touch the king (11). Those, who are\nwicked, are constrained by Death to reap the proper fruits. The pious\nattain to auspicious fruits in the next world (12). Many are the agents\nof impious deeds in these worlds and therefore the gods perfectly\nprotect the pious (13). That Kansa has been slain by me should be\nconsidered by you as righteous for I have eradicated (thereby) his\nmis-deeds (14). Do you now console the sorrowful women, the citizens and\nthe merchants (15).\"\n\nWhen Krishna said this, Ugrasena, out of fear for his son\u2019s misdeeds,\nentered lowering his head along with other Yadavas (16). In that\nassembly of the Yadus he addressed to the lotus-eyed Krishna the\nfollowing poor words, sullied by the vapour of grief and becoming the\noccasion (17):\u2014\"O my son, your anger has been pacified, your enemy has\nbeen led to the abode of Yama, your glory has followed your own duties\nand your name has become celebrated in this world (18). By this action\nyou have established your glory amongst the pious, terrified your\nenemies, made strong the position of the Y\u0101davas and rendered your\nfriends proud (19). Your glory has spread itself amongst the\nneighbouring chiefs and now they will all seek alliance with you and\nyour friendship (20). O hero, your subjects will be devoted to you, the\nBr\u0101hmanas will sing your glories and the ministers, well read in peace\nand dissension making, will bow unto you (21). O Krishna, accept this\nimmortal army of Kansa abounding in elephants, horses, chariots and\ninfantry (22). O M\u0101dhava, let your men take Kansa\u2019s wealth, corn,\njewels, covers, gold, clothes, women and all that he possessed (23). O\nKrishna, the slayer of your enemies, by the Yoga, to which you have\nresorted on behalf of the Y\u0101davas, all dissensions have been put a stop\nto and the earth has been established. O descendant of Yadu, from you\nnow will proceed the happiness or misery of the Yadavas (24). Hear, what\nthey are saying with a depressed heart. If you please, O Govinda, they\nmay perform the obsequial rites of Kansa, of sinful deeds, who has been\nconsumed by the fire of your anger. Having performed the after-death\nceremonies of that king who has met with this calamity, I shall, along\nwith my wife and daughters-in-law, range in the forest with the animals.\nTo perform the obsequial rites of the dead is the duty of men (26\u201328).\nBy performing this, Krishna, people are freed from their social\nobligations. Therefore having made his funeral pyre, putting fire to it\nand offering oblation of water I shall have discharged debt to Kansa\n(29). This is my only prayer, O Krishna. Show me kindness in this\nmatter. With the performance of his after-death rites let sinful Kansa\nattain to a blessed state (30).\"\n\nHearing the words of Ugrasena, Krishna was filled with surprise. And\nconsoling him he said (31). \"O sire, O foremost of kings, what you have\nsaid behoves your age and family and becomes your nature (32). While the\ninevitable work is over, why do you say so? Although dead, Kansa will\nreceive funeral honors befitting a king (33). O sire, you are born in a\ngreat race and know every thing that should be known. Why do you not\nthen understand that destiny is inevitable (34)? O king, pristine deeds\nof all creatures, mobile and immobile, attain to fullness in time (55).\nO foremost of kings, even the liberal, beautiful and rich sovereigns,\nalways kind to the poor, endued with prowess like that of Mahendra, well\nread in Srutis, laws and knowledge of Brahman, and like unto the regents\nof quarters, are carried away by Death (36\u201337). You know too that many a\npious king, ever intent on protecting their subjects, devoted to\nKshitriya dutes, self-controlled and well-read in all, meet with death\nin time (38). When the proper time comes men, by enjoyment or suffering,\ncan understand whether his actions have been good or bad (39). O king,\neven the gods cannot understand the true nature of M\u0101y\u0101 that exists in\nthe hearts of all. Karma is the instrument of people\u2019s being stupified\nthereby (40). Urged on by his pristine deeds Kansa has met with death in\ntime; I am not the cause thereof. Karma (pristine action) and K\u0101la\n(Time) are the instruments thereof (41). This universe, consisting of\nthe sun and moon, mobile and immobile creations, meets with dissolution\nin time and springs up into existence again in time (42). Time subdues\nand favours all and therefore all the creatures are subject to time\n(43). O king, your son has been consumed by his own sin. I am not the\ninstrument thereof but Time is the cause (44). Your son has been slain\nby his own actions; I am surely the instrument no doubt (45). Powerful\nis Time and it is difficult to know its course. This is known to persons\nwho impartially look into the essence of things (46). That is the course\nof Time by which everything comes within its ken. Let it go, do what I\nsay now (47).\n\n\"I do not care for the kingdom or the royal throne. I did not slay Kansa\nfor a territory (48). For the behoof of all the worlds and for\nestablishing my glory your son, the curse of this family, has been slain\nby me along with all his attendants (49). Like unto a bird coursing at\nwill, I shall again delightedly range in the forest in the midst of kine\nalong with the Gopas (50). O foremost of kings, I swear a hundred times,\nthat I stand in no need of the kingdom. Communicate this to all (51) O\nforemost of kings, you are the leader and the lord of the Yadavas and\ntherefore deserve respect from me. Therefore place yourself on the\nthrone and acquire victory by becoming the king (52). If you think it\nproper to do what pleases me, and if it does not pain you, do you accept\nfor ever this kingdom abdicated by me (53).\"\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing those words of Krishna in the assembly of\nYadus Ugrasena bent down his head in bashfulness and could give no reply\n(54). Then Govinda, well read in laws, installed him on the throne. With\nthe crown on his head the beautiful and effulgent king Ugrasena, along\nwith Krishna, performed the funeral ceremonies of Kansa (55). As the\ncelestials follow their king (Indra) so all the leading Yadavas, at the\ncommand of Krishna, followed Ugrasena in the high-way of the city (56).\nThereupon when the night passed away and the sun rose, the leading\nYadavas began to perform the funeral ceremonies of Kansa (57). Thereupon\ndesirous of performing the obsequial rites of king Kansa according to\nthe ritualastic laws they placed his body in a palanquin and took it to\nthe northern bank of Yamun\u0101. And in due order they performed his funeral\nrites by setting fire to the pyre (58\u201359). With the consent of Krishna\nthe Y\u0101davas also performed the funeral ceremonies of the large-armed\nbrother of Kansa by name Sun\u0101ma (60). Then repeatedly exclaiming. \"May\nthe departed attain to an eternal course\" the Vrishnis, Andhakas and\nYadavas offered oblations of water in their honor (61). Having then\noffered water to Kansa and his brother, all the Yadavas, preceded by\nUgrasena, returned to Mathura with a sorrowful heart (62).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXXVIII. KRISHNA BRINGS BACK HIS PRECEPTOR\u2019S SON FROM THE\nOCEAN.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Thereupon united with Rohini\u2019s son the heroic and\npowerful Krishna began to live in the city of Mathur\u0101 filled with\nYadavas (1). Gradually his body began to shine in royal and youthful\ngrace and he began to range in the city of Mathur\u0101 adorned with the\nocean-like Yamun\u0101 (2).\n\nAfter a few days, with a view to learn Danurveda (science of war) R\u0101ma\nand Krishna, adorned with vedic study and good conduct, went to this\npreceptor S\u0101ndipani of the city of Avanti in the province of Kashi and\ncommunicated to him their family (3-4). When they, shorn of pride began\nto serve him he recognised Jan\u0101rddana and R\u0101ma as his pupils and began\nto instruct them in that useful science (5). The heroic R\u0101ma and\nJan\u0101rddana could learn anything as soon as they heard it; and therefore\nwithin sixty-four days and nights they studied and mastered all the\nVedas with their various Angas\u00b2\u2076\u2077 (6). In no time their preceptor taught\nthem Danurveda, consisting of four divisions\u00b2\u2076\u2078 and the mysterious use\nof various other weapons (7). Thinking of their superhuman merit he used\nto consider them as the moon and the sun (8). And when he offered\nadoration to those two high-souled deities in Parva he used to see Siva\nand Vishnu before him (9). Thereupon, O descendant of Bharata, having\nfinished their education Baladeva and Krishna said to their preceptor\nS\u0101ndipani:\u2014\"What fee shall we offer thee for your acting as our\npreceptor (19)?\" The preceptor knew their power and so with a delighted\nheart said \"I wish you to return me the son who died in the ocean of\nsalt-water (11). O Krishna, I had only one son. When I had gone out on a\npilgrimage to Prav\u0101sa a Timi fish carried away my son. Do you bring me\nback my that son (12).\" With R\u0101ma\u2019s consent Krishna said \"it will be\nso.\" And then going to the ocean Hari entered into its water (13). With\nfolded hands the regent of the ocean came to V\u0101sudeva, who said \"Where\nis S\u0101ndipani\u2019s son (14)?\" The ocean replied, \"O M\u0101dhava, a huge-bodied\ndemon, by name Panchajana, has devoured that boy, in the form of a Timi\nfish (15).\"\n\nHearing it the eternal Purusha Achyuta (Krishna) went to Panchajana and\nkilled him. But he did not get his preceptor\u2019s son (16). The conch,\nwhich Jan\u0101rddana obtained after slaying Panchajana, is known amongst\ngods and men as Panchajanya (17).\n\nThereupon that foremost of Purushas repaired to the abode of Vaivaswan\n(Yama). Then approaching him Yama saluted Gad\u0101dhara (18). Krishna said\nto him:\u2014\"Give me my preceptor\u2019s son.\" Thereat there took place a\nterrible encounter between them both (19). Thereupon having vanquished\nthe fearful son of Vivaswan, the foremost of Purusha Achyuta obtained\nthe child son of his preceptor (20). He then brought from Yama\u2019s abode\nhis preceptor\u2019s son lost for a long time. By the power of Krishna of\npeerless energy S\u0101ndipani\u2019s son, dead long ago, returned in his bodily\nform. Beholding this highly wonderful feat which cannot be thought of or\nperformed by any all the creatures were filled with surprise. Taking his\npreceptor\u2019s son, Panchajanya and diverse precious jewels, M\u0101dhava, the\nLord of the universe, returned (21\u201323). Having brought all those\nprecious jewels through Yama\u2019s servants the Rakshasas V\u0101sava\u2019s younger\nbrother (Krishna) dedicated them to his preceptor (24). Having handed\nover to their preceptor S\u0101ndipani, his son, of the same age and beauty,\nas before, together with all the jewels the highly intelligent R\u0101ma and\nKeshava, the foremost of all the warriors, in all the worlds, in the use\nof clubs, swords and various other weapons, were pleased (25\u201326). Being\ngreatly pleased with the reconciliation with his son, who had been lost\nfor a long time Kashyas\u2019s son S\u0101ndipani honored greatly R\u0101ma and Keshava\n(27). Having acquired mastery in the use of all weapons and honored\ntheir preceptor, those two vow-observing and heroic sons of Vasudeva\nreturned to Mathur\u0101 (28). Hearing of the approach of the two scions of\nthe Yadu race, all the Y\u0101davas, boys and old men, headed by Ugrasena,\ndelightedly went out of the city to receive them (29). All the subjects,\nold and young, the priests and the ministers stood before the city in\nrows (30). Bugles were sounded, people began to chant the glories of\nJan\u0101rddana, and all the streets were adorned with flags and garlands\n(31). With Govinda\u2019s return all the houses were filled with joy as on\nthe occasion of an Indra-Yajna (32). The songsters began to sing, in\nhigh ways, songs of blessings and eulogy, highly liked by the Yadavas\n(33). They made the announcement, \"The two brothers, R\u0101ma and Govinda,\ncelebrated all over the world, have returned to their city. Let all\nfearlessly sport with their friends\" (34). O king, when Govinda arrived\nat Mathur\u0101, there was none who was poorly, sorrowful or insensible (35).\nThe birds began to pour sweet notes, and the horses, elephants and cows\nwere all cheerful. And men and women attained to mental felicity (36).\nDelightful winds began to blow and the ten quarters were freed from dust\nand all the tutelary deities in the temples became delighted (37). What\nmore when Jan\u0101rddana arrived at the city all the signs, that were\nvisible in the golden age, appeared there (38).\n\nThereupon in an auspicious moment ascending a car drawn by horses,\nJan\u0101rddana, the slayer of his enemies, entered the city of Mathur\u0101 (39).\nAs the gods follow Sakra so all the Yadavas followed Upendra when he\nentered the charming city of Mathur\u0101 (40). Thereafter as the sun and\nmoon enter into the setting mountain so those two descendants of Yadu\ndelightedly entered into Vasudev\u0101\u2019s house (41). Keeping all their arms\nin their own house those high-souled sons of Vasudeva, ranging at will\nalong with the Y\u0101davas, began to range in woods full of fruits and\nflowers and in streamlets of clear water near the Raivata mountain\nbeautified with lotus leaves and K\u0101randavas. Thus R\u0101ma and Keshava, of\nbeautiful faces and having one heart enjoyed there a few days under\nUgrasena (42\u201345).\n\n  \u00b2\u2076\u2077 A division of Hindu learning comprehending such science as is\n      considered dependant upon the Vedas, hence called Vedanga; works\n      on six subjects come under this description, viz., pronunciation,\n      grammar, prosody, explanation of obscure terms, description of\n      religious rites and astronomy.\n\n  \u00b2\u2076\u2078 The four division are (1) _Diksha_, initiation, (2) _Sangraha_\n      collection, (3) _Sidhi_, proficiency (4) _Prayoga_ the use.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER LXXXIX. JARASANDHA PREPARES TO ATTACK MATHURA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014United with Rohini\u2019s son Krishna spent some days\nhappily in the city of Mathura filled with Y\u0101davas (1). Gradually his\nperson was embellished with the grace of youth and regal prosperity and\nhe began to range all over Mathur\u0101 adorned with woods (2). After some\ndays had elapsed in this way, Jar\u0101sandha, the king of R\u0101jagriha, heard\nof Kansa\u2019s death from his two daughters (3). Hearing this the powerful\nJar\u0101sandha was worked up with anger. And in order to pay his debt to\nKansa and to slay all the Yadus, the powerful Jar\u0101sandha, in no time,\nset out with his army consisting of six divisions. O king, the king of\nMagadha had two very beautiful and youthful daughters by name Asti and\nPr\u0101pti. The royal son of Varhadratha conferred them on Kansa (4\u20136).\nHaving chained his father the son of Ahuka enjoyed in their company. You\nhave heard many a time and oft how, depending on Jar\u0101sandh\u0101\u2019s (help) and\ndisregarding the Yadavas the lord of Surasena became king (7). In order\nto satisfy his duties by his kinsmen and to accomplish their objects\nVasudeva was always carefully engaged in Ugrasena\u2019s well-being. Kansa\ndid not spare him even (8). When the vicious-souled Kansa was slain by\nRam\u0101 and Krishna, Ugrasena, encircled by Bhojas, Vrishnis and Andhakas,\nbecame king (9).\n\nAsti and Pr\u0101pti, the wives of a hero, were the beloved daughters of king\nJar\u0101sandha. Therefore burning like fire in anger at their instigation\nand making every possible arrangement the king of Magadha started for\nMathur\u0101. All the highly energetic warrior kings who were defeated and\nsubjugated by Jar\u0101sandha\u2019s prowess, all those who were his friends,\nrelatives, kinsmen and allies, encircled by their own armies, followed\nJar\u0101sandha with a view to please him. Dantavakra the king of Karusha,\nthe powerful king of Chedi, the king of Kalinga, the foremost of the\npowerful, Poundra, S\u0101ngkriti, the king of Keshika, the king Bhishmaka,\nhis son Rukshmi, the foremost of bowmen who used to challenge V\u0101sudeva\nand Arjuna in a fight, Venud\u0101ri, Shrutarv\u0101, Kr\u0101tha, Angshum\u0101n, the\npowerful kings of Anga, Vanga, the kings of Koshala, Kashi and Dash\u0101rna,\nthe powerful king of Sumha, the lord of Vidha, the powerful king of\nMadra, the lord of Trigarta, the king of Sh\u0101lwa endued with prowess, the\nhighly powerful Darada, the energetic Bhagadatta the lord of Yavanas,\nSaivya the king of Shouvira, P\u0101ndya the foremost of the strong, Suvala,\nthe king of G\u0101ndh\u0101ra, Mah\u0101vala, Nagnajit, Gonarda, the king of K\u0101shmir,\nthe king of Darada, the highly powerful Duryodhana and other sons of\nDhritar\u0101shtra\u2014these and other highly powerful kings, mighty\ncar-warriors, followed Jar\u0101sandha, out of jealousy towards Jan\u0101rddana.\nEntering the province of Shurasena, abounding in barley and fuels, they\nall, placing their respecting detachments before them, laid siege to\nMathur\u0101 (10-22).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XC. JARASANDHA\u2019S ARMY.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Holding their counsels all the Y\u0101davas, headed by\nJan\u0101rddana, surveyed the encampment of the kings in the gardens of\nMathur\u0101. Afterwards with a delighted heart Krishna said to\nR\u0101ma:\u2014\"Forsooth the accomplishment of the object of the gods is near at\nhand since king Jar\u0101sandha has come near us. The pennons of the cars,\ncoursing like air, are being seen (1\u20133). Behold, O Sir, there shine the\numbrellas of kings desirous of victory, white as the moon (4). The rows,\nof white umbrellas stationed on the cars of the kings, are moving\ntowards us like swans ranging in the sky (5). However the king\nJar\u0101sandha has arrived here in proper time. He is our first guest of\nbattle and is the touch-stone for testing our strength or weakness (6).\nO Sir, while the emperor has arrived here, we must begin with the fight.\nJudge now the strength of the enemy\u2019s army (7)\". Giving vent to these\nwords without any anxiety, Krishna, desirous of slaying Jar\u0101sandha and\nfighting with him, began to survey his army (8).\n\nHaving taken a survey of the assembled kings and armies, the immortal\nKrishna, the foremost of Yadus conversant with _Mantras_ began to think\nwithin himself (9). \"These are the kings assembled who wend the ways of\nthe mortals and will meet with death on account of their own actions as\npointed out by scriptures (10). I consider these leading kings, on the\nverge of death, sprinkled by Death like unto sacrificial beasts. Their\nbodies are all shining as if they are about to repair to the celestial\nregion (21). Assailed by the armies of these sovereigns and exhausted\nwith the weight of their burden Prithivi (earth), covered with powerful\nkingdoms, went to Brahm\u0101 in the celestial region. In no time the surface\nof the earth will be shorn of men (12-13). And kings by hundreds will be\nkilled.\"\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014The highly powerful, effulgent and persevering Lord\nParamount Jar\u0101sandha came there encircled by fore-fold ocean-like forces\nconsisting of war-chariots containing beautiful seats and drawn by\npowerful steeds whose course is never obstructed any where, cloud-like\nelephants embellished with bells and golden seats, ridden by\ncar-warriors well-read in the science of war and driven by clever\ncharioteers, horses, going in leaps and bounds, driven by horsemen and\nresembling clouds and numberless fearful foot-soldiers armed with swords\nand coats of mail who could bound up in the sky like serpents (14-19).\nInnumerable kings attentively followed him. All the quarters of the city\nand her woods, resounding with the rattle of cars resembling the\nmuttering of clouds, the tinkling of the ornaments worn by elephants in\nrut, the neighings of the horses and the leonine shouts of the infantry,\nthe Emperor Jar\u0101sandha, with his army, appeared like an ocean. With\nshouts and slapping of arms, the armies of these kings, consisting of\nproud warriors, appeared like an army of clouds. That army, consisting\nof cars and infuriated elephants, quick-coursing horses, and infantry\nresembling the sky-rangers, appeared like a collection of clouds\ndescending on the ocean in the rains (20-24). Thereupon all the kings,\nheaded by Jar\u0101sandha, with their armies encamped around the city of\nMathur\u0101 (25). The detachments of the army accomodated in the tents shone\nlike the ocean overflowing in the light half of the month (26). After\nthe expiration of the night those kings, desirous of fighting, rose up\nfor entering into the city (27). Those kings, assembled on the bank of\nthe Yamun\u0101, began, out of curiosity, to hold proper counsels on the eve\nof the battle (28). Then there was heard a great tumult of the kings\nresembling that of the heaving deep at the time of the universal\ndissolution (29). At the command of the king, elderly guards, with\nhead-gears on their heads and canes in their hands, began to move about\nexclaiming _Ma_ (_i.e._ Do not make noise) (30). Thereupon that army,\nhushed into silence, shone like an ocean abounding in fishes and huge\nserpents (31).\n\nWhen informed of the mandate of the king that huge ocean-like army stood\nmotionless and silent like a Yogin, the king Jar\u0101sandha, spoke, like\nVrihaspati (32). \u2019Let the armies of the kings united lay siege on all\nsides to this city (33). Let them get ready stony weapons and maces and\nlet all the level grounds be overflowed with water. Let them hold up\nswords and daggers (34). Let them assail the city with Tankas and\nKhamitras. And let kings, expert in the ways of war, near the city (35).\nAs long as I do not kill in the battle, with sharpened arrows, the two\nsons of Vasudeva Krishna and Sangkarshaa, in the guise of milkmen, as\nlong as the sky is not covered with Tankas so long my army should lay\nseige to the city (36-37). Let all the kings, obeying my command, wait\nat the outskirts of the city and enter as soon as an opportunity\npresents itself (38). Let the Maira king, Kalinga king, Chekitan, the\nking of V\u0101lhika, Kashmira king Gonarda, the king of Karusha, Druma of\nKimpurasha country and the Danava of hill tracts, unitedly and speedily\nprotect the western gate of the city (39\u201340). Let Venudari of the Puru\nrace, Sonaka the king of Vidarbha, Rukshmi the king of Bhojas, the\nMalava king, Suryaksha, the highly powerful Drupada, the king of\nPanchalas, Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, the powerful Dantavakra,\nChh\u0101gali, Purumitra, the emperor Vir\u0101t, the king of Koush\u0101mvi, M\u0101lava,\nShatadhanw\u0101, Viduratha, Bhurishrava the king of Trigartta, V\u0101nga and\nPanchanada all these illustrious kings and powerful like a thunder-bolt\nnow capable of attacking a fort, get upon the northern gate and assail\nthe city (41-44). Let Ansum\u0101na\u2019s son the heroic Kaitaveya, Uluka,\nEkalavya, Vrihatkshatra, Kshatr\u0101dharm\u0101, Jayadratha, Uttamouj\u0101, Shalya,\nKour\u0101vas, Kekayas, V\u0101madeva the king of Vidisha, S\u0101ngkiti and the king\nof Seni occupy the eastern gate of the city. Let them proceed destroying\neverything as the wind disperses the clouds (45\u201347). Myself, Darava and\nthe powerful king of Chedi will protect the Southern gate with our army\n(48). Thus beseiged on all sides by these armies let the city entertain\na great fear like that at the fall of a lightning (49). Let club-holders\nwith clubs, Parigha-holders with Parighas and other soldiers with\nvarious other weapons rend the city (50). By you, O kings, this city, of\nup hills and down hills, should be levelled down to-day (51).\u2019\n\nHaving thus arranged his four-fold forces the king Jar\u0101sandha, along\nwith other kings, proceeded angrily towards the Y\u0101davas (52). The clever\nand well-armed warriors D\u0101sh\u0101rhas too confronted them. Thus there\ncommenced a terrible fight, abounding in cars and elephants, between\nthat overwhelming army of the kings and the limited number of Y\u0101davas\nlike that between the gods and Asuras (53). At that time beholding the\ntwo sons of Vasudeva issue out of the city the armies of the kings lost\nheart and the animals grew terrified and bewildered (54). Seated on a\ncar those two descendants of Yadu, R\u0101ma and Krishna, began to move about\nin anger like two Makaras that agitate the ocean (55). Thereafter when\nin perfect sense they began to fight in the battle there arose in them\ntheir ancient intelligence regarding the use of weapons (56). And even\nin that battle-field there fell down from the sky, strong, flaming and\ngreat weapons (57). In order to feed upon the flesh of the kings, those\nhuge weapons, assuming bodily forms, stricken with thirst (as if),\nadorned with celestial garlands and scents, burning in their own\neffulgence and terrifying the sky-rangers, descended from the welkin.\nAnd R\u0101kshasas, desirous of eating royal flesh, followed them (58-59).\nWhen in that great battle came down for those two Yadavas, the\nploughshare Samvartaka, the mace Sounanda, Sr\u0101nga the foremost of bows,\nthe club Koumodaki\u2014these four powerful weapons of Vishnu, the beautiful\nR\u0101ma, the foremost of S\u0101twatas, took up first of all, with his right\nhand, the plough-share, embellished with celestial garlands, rising like\na flag and proceeding obliquely like a serpent, and that foremost of\nmaces Sounanda that creates depression in the enemy (60\u201363). The\npowerful Krishna took up the celebrated bow Sr\u0101nga which is worthy of\nbeing seen by all the worlds (64). The other hand of the lotus-eyed\nKrishna, the necessity of whose incarnation was known to the gods, was\nadorned with the club by name Koumodi (65).\n\nThus armed the heroic R\u0101ma and Govinda, resembling Vishnu himself,\nopposed the enemies in battle (66). Displaying their prowess and\ndiscomfitting their enemies those two heroic sons of Vasudeva, dependant\non each other and designated by the appellations of elder and younger\nbrothers, began to range there like two gods (67\u201368). Raising up in\nanger his plough-share resembling the king of serpents, ranging in the\nbattle-field like the very death of his enemies and drawing in the cars,\nelephants and steeds of the Kshatriya car-warriors R\u0101ma began to appease\nhis anger (69\u201370). Throwing up these mountain-like elephants with the\nend of his plough-share and as if churning them with the strokes of his\nmace he began to move about in that battle-field (71).\n\nThus brought on the point of being almost destroyed by R\u0101ma the leading\nKshatriyas returned in fear to Jar\u0101sandha, who, observant of the duties\nof a Kshatriya, said thus to them:\u2014\"Fie on your Kshatriya conduct, since\nyou have returned from the battle-field in fear (72\u201373). The learned say\nthat those, who, deprived of their cars, fly away from the battle-field,\nare visited by an unbearable sin like that of infanticide (74). Why do\nyou fly away, O terrified Kshatryas? Fie on your conduct. Urged on by my\nbows do you return soon (75). You need not fight. Wait here as\nspectators. I shall myself despatch these two cow-herds to the abode of\nYama (76).\"\n\nThus urged on by Jar\u0101sandha the Kshatriyas again rallied round with\ndelighted hearts. And spreading a net-work of arrows they again engaged\nin fight (77). Armed with coats of mail, Nishtringshas, pennons, swords,\nflags, bows with strings, quivers and arrows and accompanied by horses\nembellished with golden chaplets, cars followed by a rattle like the\nmuttering of clouds and elephants resembling clouds and driven by\ndrivers they again set out for the battle-field (78\u201379). With rising\numbrellas held over their heads and fanned by beautiful chowries the\nkings, stationed on cars, shone greatly in the battle-field (80). Taking\nup heavy clubs and maces, some warrior-kings, foremost of car-warriors,\nout of love for war, entered the battle-field (81).\n\nIn the meantime, seated on a most excellent car, adorned with a pennon\ncarrying the emblem of Garuda the powerful V\u0101sudeva, ever increasing the\ndelight of the celestials, approached carefully Jar\u0101sandha and pierced\nhim with eight arrows, his charioteer with five sharpened shafts and his\nhorses with other arrows. Beholding Jar\u0101sandha in this perilous plight\nthe mighty car-warriors Chitrasena and the Commander-in Chief Kaishika\nboth cut Krishna with arrows. And Kaishika pierced Baladeva with three\narrows (82\u201385). With his spike the heroic Baladeva sundered his bow into\ntwo pieces and creating in no time a downpour of arrows assailed many a\nhero with his arms embellished with gold. Worked up with anger\nChitrasena wounded him with nine arrows (86-87). Then Kaishika wounded\nhim with five arrows and Jar\u0101sandha with seven. Jan\u0101rddana wounded them\neach with three winged arrows (88). The powerful Baladeva struck\nChitrasena\u2019s car with ten sharpened arrows (89). Baladeva, with his\nspike, sundered his bow into two pieces. With his bow shattered and\ndeprived of his car, the powerful Chitrasena, greatly worked up with\nanger and desirous of slaying the holder of plough-share, proceeded\ntowards him. The highly powerful Jar\u0101sandha cut off the bow of R\u0101ma who\nwas discharging N\u0101r\u0101chas in order to kill Chitrasena (90\u201391). The king\nof Magadha, in anger, struck his horses with his club. The highly\npowerful and heroic Jar\u0101sandha thus confronted R\u0101ma (92). Then taking up\na mace R\u0101ma pursued Jar\u0101sandha. An encounter then took place between\nthem both desirous of killing each other (93). Beholding the Magadha\nking fight with R\u0101ma, Chitrasena, ascending a war-car, encircled\nJar\u0101sandha with a huge army of elephants and other warriors. Then began\na close fight between the two armies (94-95). Thereupon surrounded by\nhis huge army the highly powerful Jar\u0101sandha attacked the Y\u0101davas who\npreceded R\u0101ma and Krishna (96). Then there arose a great tumult from\nboth the armies like that of an agitated ocean (97). O king, there was\nheard a great sound of the numberless bugles, conches and trumpets of\nboth the armies (98). On all sides were heard the shouts and the\nslapping of the arms of the soldiers. And a storm of dust was raised by\nthe hoofs (of the horses) and the wheels (of the cars) (99). And there\nstood roaring at one another, heroes armed with bows and various other\nweapons (100).\n\nThereupon giving up all hopes of life, thousands of highly powerful\ncar-warriors, elephant drivers and infantry fearlessly engaged in fight.\nAnd a terrible encounter took place between Jar\u0101sandha\u2019s army and the\nY\u0101davas (101-102). O Bh\u0101rata, placing Baladeva before them and taking a\nhalf of their army Sini, An\u0101dhrishthi, Babhra, Vipritha and Ahuka\nattacked the sothern flank of the enemy\u2019s army protected by Jar\u0101sandha,\nthe king of Chedis, the highly powerful Udichya, Salya, S\u0101lya and other\nkings. And renouncing all hopes of life they began to discharge arrows\n(103\u2013105). O foremost kings, Avag\u0101ha, Prithu, Kanka, Satadyumna and\nViduratha, led by Jan\u0101rddana, with the other half of the army attached\nthe detachment protected by the highly powerful Bhishmaka, Rukshmi,\nDevaka, the Madra king and the kings of the West and South endued with\nenergy and prowess. And casting off all hopes of life they began a\ndreadful fight discharging, Saktis, Rishthis, Pr\u0101sas and arrows\n(106\u2013108). On that battle encircled by a huge army Salyaki, Chitraka,\nShy\u0101ma, the energetic Yuyudh\u0101na, Raj\u0101dhideva, Mridara, the mighty\ncar-warriors Swaphalka, Prasena, and Satrajit, attacked the left flank\nof the enemy\u2019s army. They began to fight there attacking half of the\nenemy\u2019s army led by Mridara and assisted by the highly powerful western\nkings headed by Venudari and the sons of Dhritar\u0101shtra (109-111).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XCII. THE BATTLE BETWEEN KRISHNA AND JARASHANDHA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Thereupon there commenced a great battle between the\nVrishnis and the commanders and vassal kings of the lord of Magadha (1).\nO foremost of the descendants of Bharata, V\u0101sudeva fought with Rukshmi,\nAhuka with Bishmaka, Vasudeva with Kratha, Vabhru with Kaishika, the\nking of Chedi with Gava, and Shambhu with Dantavakra. Thus did the great\nheroes and soldiers, belonging to the army of Vrishnis, fight for\ntwenty-seven days with the highly powerful sovereigns and soldiers of\nthe king of Magadha\u2019s party (3-4). Those who rode elephants fought with\nsuch, the cavalry with the cavalry, the infantry with the infantry and\nthe car-warriors with the car-warriors (5). A dreadful hair-stirring\nencounter took place between R\u0101ma and Jar\u0101sandha like unto that between\nVitra and the king of gods (6). Caring for Rukshmini\u2019s feeling Krishna\ndid not slay Rukshmi, but by virtue of his own learning he sent back his\nshafts burning like the rays of the sun and dreadful like venomous\nserpents. A dreadful onslaught of soldiers took place in this battle\n(7-8). The battle-field was covered with mud of flesh and blood of both\nthe armies. In that encounter of both the contending armies an endless\nnumber of headless figures arose from all sides. The car-warrior R\u0101ma\nenveloped Jar\u0101sandha with arrows resembling poisonous serpents. The\nheroic king of Magadha too covered him with arrows. Thereupon\napproaching each other in quick-coursing cars they struck each other\nwith diverse weapons and sent up leonine shouts. After their horses and\ncharioteers been slain, their cars had been shattered and their weapons\nfallen short they took up their clubs and ran towards each other. The\nearth shook under the weight of their feet (9\u201313). Taking up their clubs\nin anger those two highly powerful heroes, expert in fighting with clubs\nand having arms as huge as mountain summits, ran towards each other. And\nin order to witness their fight other heroes desisted from the encounter\n(14). Thereupon those two highly powerful heroes, celebrated in the\nworlds as the masters of the art of war, began to fight with each other\nlike two infuriated elephants (15). O king, thereupon came there from\nall quarters thousands and thousands of gods Gandharvas, Siddhas, Saints\nand Yakshas. Shining greatly in their effulgence the battle-field looked\nlike welkin covered with luminous bodies (16\u201317). Then turning toward\nleft the highly powerful Jar\u0101sandha ran towards R\u0101ma and Baladava too\nturned towards south (18). By resounding ten quarters as an elephant\nstrikes his antagonist with his tusks so those two heroes, skilled in\nclub fighting, struck each other (19). In that encounter the sound of\nthe fall of the Baladeva\u2019s club was heard like that of thunder-bolt, and\nthat of Magadha king\u2019s club was like the riving of a mountain (20). As\nthe wind cannot agitate the mount Vindhya so the club, slipped off the\nhands of Jar\u0101sandha, could not shake the foremost of the holders of club\n(21). By virtue of learning and patience Jar\u0101sandha, the king of\nMagadha, bore and withstood the velocity of R\u0101ma\u2019s club (22).\n\nThus moving about in diverse circles in the battle-field for a long time\nboth of them grew tired. And then taking rest for some time they began\nto strike each other again (23\u201324). Those two foremost of warriors\nfought with each other for some time on equal terms. And none of them\nleft the battle-field (25). Thereupon witnessing Jar\u0101sandha\u2019s efficiency\nin club-fighting the powerful Rama left off his club in anger and took\nup his mace (26). When in that great battle Baladeva, in anger, took up\nthe terrible-looking mace of sure aim there was heard in the sky a sweet\nvoice of the witness of the world which said to Baladeva the holder of\nplough-share (27\u201328). \"O R\u0101ma, O thou the conferrer of honors, this king\nof Magadha is not to be slain by thee. Be not sorry therefore and\ndesist. Jarasandha shall, in no time, meet with his death from the means\nthat I have laid out for his destruction (29).\"\n\nHearing this voice of Providence Jar\u0101sandha lost heart and Baladeva did\nnot strike him therefore (30). O Emperor, while they thus desisted from\nfighting there took place a highly terrible encounter extending over a\nlong time between the Yadavas and other kings in which they struck one.\nanother fiercely. When the Emperor Jar\u0101sandha was thus defeated and took\nto his heels and when the sun set the highly powerful Yadavas, protected\nby Krishna, who had gained their aim, did not pursue him in night. And\ngathering their respective soldiers according to the will of M\u0101dhava\nthey entered into their own city. And all the weapons that came down\nfrom the welkin also disappeared (31-34). And filled with\nabsent-mindedness, king Jar\u0101sandha too returned to his own city. And the\nkings, who followed him, returned to their respective kingdoms (35). On\nthe other hand, O foremost of kings, having defeated Jar\u0101sandha the\nY\u0101davas could not consider themselves as completely above defeat, for he\nwas a highly powerful king (36). The great car warriors Y\u0101davas fought\nwith him for eighteen times and still they could not slay him in the\nbattle-field (37). O foremost of Bharatas, king Jar\u0101sandha had twenty\nAkshouhinis of soldiers who all came with him (38). The Vrishnis were\nvery few in number and so they were overpowered by the king V\u0101rhadratha\nwho was followed by other kings (39). Having thus defeated Jar\u0101sandha\nthe king of Magadha, the great car-warriors Vrishnis began to live\nhappily (40).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XCIII. AN ACCOUNT OF HARYASHWA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014With Rohini\u2019s son the powerful Vasudeva began to\nlive happily in the city of Mathura filled with Y\u0101davas (1). Gradually\nhis person shone greatly in the beauty of youth and regal prosperity.\nAnd delightedly he began to range in Mathur\u0101 adorned with woods (2).\nOnce again incited by his two daughters and remembering the death of\nKansa, Jar\u0101sandha, the king of Rajagriha, made preparations for a battle\n(3). In this wise the mighty car-warriors Y\u0101davas fought seventeen times\nwith Jar\u0101sandha but could not kill him in battle (4). Thereupon\naccompanied by his four-fold forces the prosperous king of Magadha made\npreparations for the eighteenth expedition (5). Out of shame for his\nprevious defeats and with a view to slay Krishna, the highly-powerful\nand valiant king of Rajagriha the beautiful Emperor Jar\u0101sandha, like\nunto the king of gods in prowess, set out encircled by a huge army. And\ndespite his many endeavours he again came back unsuccessful (6-7).\nHearing that Jar\u0101sandha had desisted the Yadavas, stricken with his\nfear, began to hold counsels (8). There upon the highly effulgent\nVikadru, well-read in moral laws, said to the lotus-eyed Krishna in the\nvery presence of Ugrasena (9).\n\n\"O my child Govinda, listen to the origin of our family. I am relating\nit because the proper time has come. Act according to my words, if you\nregard them proper, O pious one (10). Listen, I shall describe at length\nthe origin of this race of Yadavas as related by Vyasa conversant with\nthe knowledge of spirit (11). In Manu\u2019s race flourished a celebrated and\nprosperous king by name Haryashwa born of Ikshw\u0101ku, and powerful like\nMahendra himself (12). Like unto Indra\u2019s Sachi he had a beloved spouse\nby name Madhumati the daughter of the Daitya Madhu (13). She was\nyouthful and of matchless beauty and used always to carry out king\u2019s\nwishes. And so she grew dearer than his very life (14). Observing the\nvow of one wife that daughter of the king of D\u0101navas, of a beautiful hip\nand capable of assuming forms at will, although a woman, used to satisfy\nthe desire of that foremost of Iksh\u0101wkus like the sky-ranging Rohini\n(15). O M\u0101dhava, once on a time banished from the kingdom by his eldest\nbrother, that lotus-eyed foremost of kings Haryashwa, conversant with\nthe knowledge of time, left Ayodhya of his own accord. And with very few\nmembers with him he repaired to woods with his dear wife and began to\nlive there. One day the lotus-eyed Madhumati said to the king who had\nbeen exiled by his brother (16-18). \u2019O foremost of kings, do thou cast\noff all desires for thy kingdom. Let us both go to the house of my\nfather Madhu (19). There is the charming forest of Madhu like unto the\ncity of the celestials where the trees pour down flowers and fruits as\ndesired. We shall enjoy there happily (20). O king, thou art dear unto\nboth my parents and for my satisfaction thou art dearer unto my brother\nLavana too (21). So united with him we shall be able to enjoy there\nhappily as if we are in our own kingdom. O foremost of men, repairing\nthere like unto the immortals in the garden of Nandana we shall enjoy\nthere as if in the city of gods. May good betide thee (22). O sovereign,\ngreatly vain is thy brother. He cherishes malice against us and is\nalways proud of his kingdom. We should therefore renounce him (23). Oh\nfie on such a wretched habitation and dependance like a slave.\nTherefore, O hero, let us both go to my father\u2019s house\u2019 (24).\n\n\"Although he had no desire of bringing about the destruction of his\neldest brother through the help of his father-in-law the lust-stricken\nking however liked the words of his wife (25). Thereupon after that\nforemost of men the king Haryashwa, stricken with desire, had repaired\nwith his beautiful wife to the city of Madhu the king of D\u0101navas said to\nhim with love:\u2014\u2019Welcome to thee, O my son Haryshwa, I am pleased to see\nthee (26-27). O foremost of kings, I confer on thee all this my kingdom\nexcept the Madhu forest; do thou live here (28). In this forest Lavana\nwill become thy help and guide in destroying thy enemies (29). Do thou\nrule over this prosperous kingdom abounding in kine, filled with\ncow-herds and adorned with the water of the ocean (30). O my son, if\nthou dost live here thou shalt have a huge mountainous fortress and thy\nextensive kingdom, consisting of prosperous villages and cities, will be\nthe abode of kings (31). The country, that is watered by the ocean, is\nfreed from dangers. There thou shalt have an extensive territory by name\nAnarta (32), O king, that will however come to pass in time. Do thou now\nengage in performing the duties of a king in this country (33). O my\nchild, in time thy family will be amalgamated with the Yadu race\noriginating from Yayati. Although born in the Solar Dynasty thy race\nshall constitute a subdivision of the Lunar race (34). My desire is, O\nmy child, that after conferring upon thee this most excellent territory\nI shall repair to the ocean the abode of salt for carrying on ascetic\nobservances (35). O my son, being united with Lavana, do thou rule over\nthis prosperous and extensive kingdom for multiplying thy race (36)\u2019.\n\n\"Hearing those words of Madhu and exclaiming \u2019do thou enter into water\u2019\nHaryashwa accepted the kingdom and the Daitya too repaired to the abode\nof Varuna, the asylum of ascetics (37).\n\n\"Thereupon Haryashwa, highly effulgent like unto an immortal, laid out a\ncity for habitation on that best of mountains (38). That kingdom named\nAnarta, consisting of beautiful cities and precious kine, grew\nprosperous in no time (39). Inhabited by subjects Anupa country, adorned\nwith forests, situate on the bank of the ocean and abounding in walls\nand villages, was filled with fields and corns (40). The highly powerful\nking Haryashwa, enhancing the delight of the subjects and cities, ruled\nover the prosperous kingdom with glory and in pursuance of the royal\nduties (41). By the perfect administration of the high-souled Haryashwa\nthat prosperous kingdom became endued with all the characteristics of a\nkingdom and gradually increased in dimension (42). Adorned with royal\naccomplishments, that king, O lord, stationed in a kingdom, by his\nconduct and morality acquired the prosperity of his family (43).\nThereupon gradually desiring for a son the intelligent Haryashwa began\npractising holy observances. He begat on Madhumati his highly\nillustrious son Yadu (44). Gifted with a voice like the blare of a\nbugle, irrepressible unto his enemies and endued with all regal marks\nthe highly energetic Yadu began to grow up gradually (45\u201346). He was the\nonly begotten son of the high-souled Haryashwa who ruled over the\nprosperous earth (47). Therefore having ruled piously for ten thousand\nyears over his kingdom suffering no deterioration the king Haryashwa\ndisappeared from the earth and repaired to the city of the celestials\n(48). Thereupon the subjects installed the valiant Yadu in the kingdom.\nAfter the demise of his sire the beautiful Yadu, like unto Indra\nhimself, (from whom the Yadavas have sprung) rose like the sun and\ngoverned the earth. (During his regime) the fear of robbers was\ndispelled (49\u201350).\n\n\"Once on a time while engaged in sporting in the water along with his\nliberal wives like unto the moon (surrounded) by stars the king began to\nswim in the water of the ocean he was all on a sudden assailed by the\npowerful king of serpents Dhumavarna (51-52). Dragged by the king of\nserpents he was taken to his city, which had pillars and doors made of\ndiamond, was adorned with a heap of pearls, white conch-shells, masses\nof various other jewels, corals and trees covered with foliage. It\nabounded in leading serpents living in the belly of he ocean and in its\nmiddle were temples of golden or moon-like lustre (53\u201355). That lord of\nkings saw there in the clear water of the ocean the city of the serpent\nchief built as if like one on the surface of the earth (56). Ease at\nheart the king Yadu entered that structure of fathomless water filled\nwith serpent females (57). To him was offered a most excellent watery\nseat made of jems strewn over with lotus leaves and hung together by a\nlotus thread (58). When the king Yadu sat on that superb serpent seat\nDhumavarna, the king of Pannagas, respectfully said (59).\n\n\"\u2019O foremost of Yadus, having established this great family on earth and\nbegotten you, a highly powerful sovereign, your father has gone to\nheaven (60). O my child, the family, the very mine of kings, that your\nfather has established for the behoof (of the world), will be known as\nY\u0101dava after your name (61). O lord in this your family, the gods, the\nRishis and the eternal sons of the great Uragas will take birth as men\n(62). O foremost of kings, therefore, in pursuance of your own duties\nand by virtue of patriarchal deeds, accept these five maiden daughters\nof mine begotten on the sister of Yuvanashwa. You are worthy of\nobtaining a boon and I shall confer one upon you (63\u201364). Those, who\nwill be born in your family, will be celebrated by the names of Bhouma,\nS\u0101twata, Bhoja, Andhaka, Yadava, D\u0101sh\u0101rha and Vrishni\u2014these seven\n(families) (65).\u2019 Having said this and with water in his hands the\nforemost of Pannagas, Dhumavarna, who was observing the vow of a\ndaughter, gave away to him cheerfully his daughter. And then delightedly\nhe conferred on Yadu the following boon:\u2014\u2019O giver of honors, these my\nfive daughters will give birth to five sons endued with the energies of\ntheir parents in equal proportions. By the power of my boon all the\nkings, born in your family, will be able to assume forms at will and\nrange in water\" (66-69)\u2019.\n\n\"Having thus obtained the boon and the five maidens the king Yadu, like\nthe moon, rose up soon from the water (70). Adorned with celestial\ngarlands and unguents the king, in his bridal dress and encircled by the\nfive ladies like unto moon in the midst of five stars, visited the\nentire inner apartment of the serpent (71\u201372). Then having consoled his\nfive fire-like wives the king, filled with great delight, returned to\nhis own city (73)\".\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XCIV. THE SONS OF YADU AND THEIR CONQUESTS.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014After a long time the king Yadu begat on the five\ndaughters of the N\u0101ga king five large armed royal sons, the scions of\nhis family, namely Muchukunda, Padmavarna, M\u0101dhava, S\u0101rasa and Harita\n(1-2). Beholding those five sons like unto the five elements the king,\nof incomparable prowess, was delighted (3).\n\nOnce on a time worked up with pride and strength the five brothers, like\nunto five pillars of earth, stood before their sire and said:\u2014\"O father,\nwe have come of age and have been endued with great strength. Command us\nsoon what we shall do according to your mandate\" (4-5)?\n\nHearing the words of his sons endued with the prowess of a tiger and\nmarking their earnestness for work Yadu, the foremost of kings, was\nhighly pleased and said (6):\u2014\"Let my son Muchukunda build up two\nmountainous cities around the mountains Vindhya and Rikshavan (7). Let\nmy son Padmavarna build up in no time in the South a city on the\nmountain Sahya (8). Let my son Sarasa lay out a charming city in the\nprovince adorned with Champaka trees in the West on the mount Sahya (9).\nLet my son, the large-armed Harita protect the island of Dhumavarna, the\nking of serpents, situate in the ocean of yellow water (10). And\ninstalled in the office of heir-apparent, let my pious and large-armed\nson M\u0101dhava, the eldest and foremost of all my sons, rule over my own\nkingdom (11)\".\n\nThereupon according to the mandate of their sire, those foremost of\nkings, duly installed with chowries and others, and having attained to\nregal prosperity, set out towards their respective provinces in search\nof the quarters where they would lay out their cities (12-13). Having\nselected the interior of the Vindhy\u0101 impassable with hills, situate on\nthe bank of Nermuda, for laying out his city, the royal saint Muchukunda\ncleared that place, constructed a bridge on a level with Nermuda and\nlaid out ditches full of fathomless water around the city (14\u201315). In\nthe various wards of the city were constructed temples, carriage roads,\nshops, high ways and gardens (26). Within a very short time that\nforemost of kings Muchukunda adorned his city with flag-staffs and\npennons and filled it with wealth, corn and kine. It became prosperous\nlike (Amar\u0101vati), the capital of Indra (17). That foremost of kings,\npowerful like the king of gods, thus named his city built up by his own\npower. Since this city is built under the protection of the mountain\nRikshav\u0101n and abounds in rocks it will be celebrated by the name of\nMahishmati (18-19). Thereupon between the mountains Vindhy\u0101 and\nRikshav\u0101n he laid out a highly charming city beautiful like the city of\ngods, by name Purika consisting of hundreds of gardens, prosperous shops\nand courtyards (20\u201321). Because that city was laid out around the mount\nRikshav\u0101n by the pious-souled king Muchakunda it was named Purika (22).\nThus did the powerful king Muchukanda, the foremost of the pious, build\ntwo spacious cities worthy of being enjoyed by the gods and began to\nrule over them (23). The royal saint Padmavarna laid out, on the\nmountain Sahya on the bank of the river Ven\u0101, the province Padm\u0101vata\nabounding in trees and creepers with a skill like that displayed by the\ncelestial Architect Viswakarma. And his city was known by the name of\nKaravira. Knowing the small compass of his territories the king laid out\none complete kingdom (24-26). In the well-known prosperous province of\nVanav\u0101si abounding in trees of all seasons S\u0101rasa built his highly\ncharming city Krouncha consisting of many Champoka and Asoka trees and\ncoppery colored earth (27\u201328). Harita began to govern the island of the\nocean abounding in many jewels and beautiful women (29). In his kingdom\nthe fishermen, called Mudgaras, used to range in the bed of the ocean\nand collect shells (30). People of other provinces used to gather heaps\nof corals and brilliant pearls grown in water. (31). Searching in small\nboats and collecting jewels born in water Nish\u0101das used to gather them\nin big boats (32). People of that kingdom used to feed upon fish and\nmeat. Taking all sorts of jewels the inhabitants of the jeweled island\nused to go to distant countries in boats and used to encompass the\nsatisfaction of Harita only like unto the god of riches with articles\nacquired by merchandise (33-34). Thus originating from the Ikshw\u0101ku race\nand being divided into four by the sons of Yadu his family was split up\ninto four branches (35).\n\nHaving conferred in time upon M\u0101dhava the foremost of the Yadu race his\nown kingdom, the Emperor Yadu cast off his earthly body and repaired to\nthe city of the celestials (36). To M\u0101dhava was born a powerful son by\nname Satwata endued with the quality of goodness and endowed with every\nsort of royal accomplishment (37). S\u0101twata\u2019s son, the highly powerful\nBhima also became a king. After his name his descendants are called\nBhaima and those of S\u0101twata are known by the name of Satwatas (38).\nWhile this king was ruling R\u0101ma also flourished in Ayodhy\u0101. Having slain\nLavana Satrughana (at that time) devastated the Madhu forest (39). That\nLord, the enhancer of Sumitr\u0101\u2019s joy, laid out in that forest the city of\nMathur\u0101 (40). When in time R\u0101ma, Bharata and the two sons of Sumitr\u0101\n(Lakshmana and Satrughna) terminated their career on earth, Bhima, on\naccount of its contiguity to his own kingdom, brought that territory of\nVishnu under his own control and began to live there (41-42).\n\nThereupon when in Ayodhy\u0101 Kusha became the king and Lava the heir\napparent Andhaka began to govern that kingdom (43). Andhaka\u2019s son was\nthe king Revata. From him was born the king Riksha on the charming\nmountain situated on the bank of the ocean. After his name that mountain\nis known as Raivataka in the world (44\u201345). Raivata\u2019s son was the highly\nillustrious king Vishwagarbha. He was greatly powerful and was a\ncelebrated king in the world (46). O Keshava, he begat on his three\ngoddess-like wives four auspicious sons like unto patriarchs by name\nVasu, Vabhru, Sushena and Sabh\u0101ksha. Each, of those leading descendants\nof Yadu, acquired renown like a patriarch (47-48). O Krishna, this\nfamily of Yadus has been spread on earth by those kings having\noff-spring who were born in this family (49). Vasu had a powerful son by\nname Vasudeva and two beautiful daughters by name Kunti and\nSrhutrashrav\u0101 (54), Kunti, ranging on earth like a goddess, was the\nqueen of the king Pandu and Shrutashrav\u0101 was the wife of Damaghosha the\nking of Chedi (51). O Krishna, thus I have related to you the origin of\nyour family as I had heard before from Krishna Dwaip\u0101yana (52). At\npresent our family is on the verge of extinction, and therefore for\nencompassing our well-being and victory, thou, as the self-sprung Deity,\nart born as our leader in our family (53). Thou art omniscient and the\nupholder of all. And thou art above even the comprehension of gods. We\ncan hide thee by recognizing thee as one of the citizens (54). O lord,\nthou art capable of fighting with king Jar\u0101sandha and we too, determined\nupon entering into a fight, are ready to follow thy guidance (55).\nJar\u0101sandha, on the other hand, is of incomparable prowess, the leader of\nthe entire circle of kings and has innumerable soldiers. But our\nresources are limited (56). This city has a limited supply of food and\nfuels. It is not protected by a fort. The diches of water are not well\nkept and the gateways are not furnished with weapons. It will not\ntherefore be able to stand attack for even one day. Ramparts and walls,\nextending over a long distance, should be constructed around it (57-58).\nAnd the arsenal should be repaired with bricks. Kansa used to protect\nhis own city by his own strength and so it is not protected by many men\n(59). Now when Kansa is dead and our kingdom is newly acquired this city\nwill not be able to stand a new seige (60). When besieged this city will\nbe assailed by the enemies and completely ruined forsooth over kingdom,\nalong with men, will meet with destruction (61). The Y\u0101davas, whom,\ntaking advantage of their internal dissension and desirous of a kingdom\nwe have conquered, are showing signs of enmity. Do what conduces to our\nwell-being (62\u201363). On account of our king at this time when our kingdom\nis in danger we shall be the butt of redicule even unto those kings who\nhave taken to their heels in fear of Jar\u0101sandha (63). O Keshava, the\npeople, who will be obstructed in the city, will distressingly say \"We\nhave been ruined by the internal dissensions of the Y\u0101davas (64).\" O\nKrishna, I do not speak thus with a view to excite in thee thy sense of\nduty, but have simply expressed my opinion out of affection (65), O\nKrishna, do thou encompass what conduces to our well-being now. Thou art\nthe commander of this army and we are to follow thy orders. Besides,\nthou art the root of their quarrel. Do thou save us as well as thy own\nself (66).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XCV. KRISHNA MEETS WITH PARASURAMA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Hearing the words of Vikadru the highly illustrious\nVasudeva, with a delighted mind, said:\u2014\"O Krishna, what the intelligent\nVikadru, the foremost of royal speakers, and conversant with the meaning\nof royal counsels has said, is true and well meaning. He has related\nroyal duties and truths conducive to the well-being of the universe. Do\nwhat that foremost of Yadus has said (1-3)\".\n\nHearing the words of his father and of the high-souled Vikadru, Krishna,\nthe foremost of men, gave vent to the following reasonable words (4). \"I\nhave listened to what you have said, surveying (the course of) the\nProvidence according to reason, order, logic and scriptures (5). Hear\nthe reply that I give and accept it after hearing. The king should\nbehave according to order and moral laws (6). A king daily meditates on\npeace, quarrel, conveyance, seats, dissension-making and help (7). A\nlearned king should not place himself before a powerful enemy, but\nrather should fly away. And in proper time and according to his strength\nhe should engage in fight (8). Therefore although I am capable, I shall,\nat this very moment, fly away with the worshipful Baladeva for saving my\nlife like one incapable (9). Ascending the mount Sahya beautiful like\nmyself along with my reverend elder brother, I shall enter into Deccan\nand we shall behold the charming cities of Karavira and Krounch and the\nforemost of mountains Gomanta (10-11). Hearing of this our departure\nthat Emperor, elated with success, will not enter into this city but\nrather will pursue us in pride. And repairing to the forest of Sahya\nwith his followers he will endeavour to arrest us (12-13). Therefore\nthis our departure is conducive to the well-being of the race of Yadu.\nBy this, the Province, the city and the citizens will fare well (14).\nWhen an enemy flies away from his kingdom, the kings, desirous of\nachieving victory while in another kingdom, do not desist from fighting\nwithout killing the enemies (15)\".\n\nAfter this conversation, the heroic Krishna and Sangkarshana, although\ncapable, set out for the south without experiencing the least anxiety in\nmind (19). Assuming forms at will they began to travel in hundreds of\nsouthern kingdoms (17). Thereupon getting upon the charming mountain of\nSahya and experiencing joy they reached the road leading to the south\n(18). Going by that road they, within a short time, reached the city of\nKaravira, presided over by the members of their own family and adorned\nwith the mount Sahya. They saw there a huge fig tree on the bank of the\nriver Ven\u0101 (19\u201320). They saw there the eternal great ascetic R\u0101ma, the\ndescendant of Bhrigu who is never exhausted and like the sun on the\nmount Mandara milching his sacrificial cow with her calf ever giving\nmilk whenever desired and white as the milky Arani tree near the mount\nMahendra. He was seated at the foot of that tree, had his axe on his\nshoulder, wore bark and matted locks, was white as the flames of fire,\neffulgent like the sun, the destroyer of the Kshatriyas, motionless like\nthe ocean, was preserving the three sacred fires, was emaciated with the\nperformance of three oblations a day and was like the very preceptor of\ngods (21-26).\n\nThereupon Krishna, the foremost of speakers and conversant with the\nhistory of men, addressed that foremost of Rishis, in sweet words saying\n(27):\u2014\"O Reverend Sir, I have known thee as the foremost of Rishis,\nR\u0101ma, the son of Jamadagni born in the race of Bhrigu, and the destroyer\nof the Kshatriyas (28). O descendant of Bhrigu, having agitated the\nocean with the velocity of thy shafts thou hast laid out a city by name\nSurp\u0101ra, two thousand cubits in breadth and one thousand in length. Thou\nhast laid out a great province in the prosperous groves of the Sahya\nmountain situated on the bank of the great ocean. Remembering the\ndestruction of thy sire thou didst, with thy axe, chop off the thousand\narms of K\u0101rtavirya resembling a forest. Even now the Earth has her mud\ncovered with the cool blood of the Kshatryas who were killed by thy axe\nand were shorn of effulgence. O son of Renuk\u0101, the axe remains here in\nthe same way in which thou didst hold it in battle on earth out of anger\nagainst the Kshatryas. O Vipra, we wish to hear from thee some thing. Do\nthou reply to it without any hesitation of mind. O foremost of Munis,\nperhaps thou mightest have heard of two Y\u0101davas living on the bank of\nthe Yamun\u0101. We are those two Yadavas living in Mathur\u0101. From the very\ncommencement of our birth, our father Vasuveda, the foremost of Yadus\nand ever observant of vows, afraid of Kansa, placed us in Vraja. There\nwe grew up without any fear (29\u201337). As soon as we came of age we\nentered into Mathur\u0101 and powerfully destroyed the haughty Kansa in the\nassembly (38). Thereupon placing his father Ugrasena in his royal office\nwe again, as before, engaged in the work of cow-herd boys (39). O thou\nof firm vows, thereafter when Jar\u0101sandha laid seige to our city for many\ntimes and fought we, although capable, in the interest of our city and\nsubjects, in fear of his preparations, left our city on foot, for we are\nnot powerful, have made no preparations and have no soldiers, carts,\ncoats of mail and weapons (40\u201342). Thus, O foremost of Munis, we have\ncome to thee. Do thou welcome us with good counsels (43).\"\n\nHearing those their becoming words Renuk\u0101\u2019s son R\u0101ma, born in the race\nof Bhrigu, replied in words pregnant with morality (44).\n\n\"O lord Krishna, in order to give you counsels I have just alone come to\nthis place without my disciples (45). O thou having lotus-eyes, I know\nthy habitation in Vraja and the destruction of the vicious-souled Kansa\nand other D\u0101navas (46). Coming to know now of thine and Rama\u2019s quarrel\nwith Jar\u0101sandha I have come here, O thou having a beautiful face, O\nforemost of men (47). O Krishna, I know, though not a boy, thou, the\neternal lord of the universe, hast become a boy, for encompassing the\nwork of the gods (48). Although there is nothing in the three worlds\nwhich thou dost not know still listen to what I say out of devotion\n(49). O Govinda, thy predecessors laid out and established this city of\nKaravirapura (50). O Krishna, now in this city reigns the highly\nwrathful, illustrious and celebrated king Vasudeva Shrig\u0101la (51). Out of\njealousy towards the heroes that king has destroyed all thy kinsmen and\nthe kings born in thy race (52). O Govinda, the king Shrig\u0101la is greatly\nproud, of uncontrolled mind, cannot look at other\u2019s prosperity, is\nelated with the pride of his kingdom and riches and is even oppressive\ntowards his own sons (53). Methinks, O foremost of men, thou shouldst\nnot live in this dreadful Karavirapura, censured by all the kings (54).\nHear, now, I shall describe the place stationed where thou wouldst be\nable to obstruct and fight with thy enemy Jar\u0101sandha puffed up with\npower (55). Mayst thou fare well, O M\u0101dhava. Let us this very day cross\nthe sacred river Ven\u0101 with our arms and spend the night on the\nimpassable mountain situated at the boundary of this kingdom (56).\nSpending a night on one of the minor ranges of the Sahya mountain named\nYajnagiri the abode of dreadful beasts living upon flesh, abounding in\ntrees and creepers and adorned with blossoming trees and crossing the\nriver Khatangi, resembling the water-fall of Gang\u0101 issuing out of the\ngreat mountain and adorned with golden lotuses we shall see the\nwater-falls of the Ganges adorned with various woods of the ascetics.\nRepairing to that hill we shall behold there the ascetics who do not\ncare for honors although worthy of them. Then crossing the river we\nshall go to the charming city of Krouncha (57-61). O Krishna, the lord\nof that province is the pious king Mah\u0101kapi born in thy race (62).\nWithout paying a visit to that king we shall repair to the eternally\nsacred shrine Andhuha for spending the night (63). Issuing therefrom we\nshall go to the celebrated hill Gomanta consisting of many summits\nsituate in the valley of the mount Sahya (64). O Krishna, one of the\nsummits has risen so high up into the sky that even the birds cannot get\non it. It is the resting place of the gods, enveloped with luminous\nbodies, high as an etherial house and like the stare-case of the\ncelestial region; (what more) that mountain is like the second Sumeru\nand the landing stage for all the celestial conveyances (65\u201366). Getting\nupon that high summit ye will range there seeing the sun and the moon,\nthe effulgent lords of the luminous bodies, at the time of their rising\nand setting and the great ocean of heaving waves and adorning the\ninsular continent of Apara (67\u201368). Ranging in the forest situate on the\nsummit of the mount Gomanta if you obstruct Jar\u0101sandha by fighting with\nhim in the fort you will be able to conquer him (69). Beholding you on\nthe summit of the mountain Jar\u0101sandha will become incapable of fighting\nin the rocks. I see before me the weapons that you will acquire when\nthat terrible battle will set in (70\u201371). O Krishna, as ordained by the\ngods, such a battle will take place there between other kings and the\nY\u0101davas that the earth will be filled with the mud of flesh and blood\n(72). Appearing as if in the very forms of death, the discus,\nplough-share, the club K\u014dumodaki, the mace Saunada and other Vaishana\nweapons will, in that battle, drink the blood of the kings urged on by\ndeath (73\u201374). O Krishna, O thou the stay of the celestials, in that\nbattle of discus and mace, as ordained by the gods and brought on by\nTime, the celestials and thy enemies will behold thine Vishnu form\n(75\u201376). For accomplishing the work of the gods, which has not come\nwithin thy recollection for a long time, do thou, in thy Vishnu form,\ntake up that discus and club (77). Let Rohini\u2019s son, the stay of the\nworld, take up, for destroying the enemies of the gods, dreadful mace\nand plough-share capable of grinding the enemies (78). As spoken by the\ngods at their meeting held for relieving the earth of her burden this\nwill be thy first battle in the world with the kings (79). In this\nbattle thou shalt attain to thy Vishnu form, weapons, prosperity and\nenergy and destroy the army of the enemies (80), O Krishna, this battle\nwill sow the seeds of the great battle, abounding in weapons, that will\nbe named Bh\u0101rata (81). Do thou therefore go to that best of mountains\nGomanta. From the signs it appears that Jar\u0101sandha is on the verge of\nruin (82). Drinking the ambrosia-like milk of this sacrificial cow do ye\nproceed by the way pointed out by me. May good betide ye (83)\".\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XCVI. A DESCRIPTION OF THE MOUNT GOMANTA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Thereupon drinking the milk of the sacrificial cow\nalong with Bhrigu\u2019s descendant the two foremost of speakers and Y\u0101davas\nR\u0101ma and Keshava, endued with the gait of infuriated elephants proud of\ntheir strength, set out by the path pointed out by J\u0101madghni for\nbeholding the mount Gomanta (1\u20132). As the gods beautify the celestial\nregion so those two heroes, with J\u0101madagnya as the third, beautified the\nroad like three fires (3). As the gods come to the mount Mandara, so\nthey, passing over the road frequented by men, reached the mount Gomanta\nin the evening. It was covered with charming creepers, adorned with\nvarious trees, scented with incense, variegated with a row of beautiful\npeacocks, entirely filled with bees, and rocks abounding in trees, and\nresonant with the notes of peacocks imitating the muttering of clouds\n(4\u20136). The summits of that mountain were attached to the sky, the trees\nwere covered with clouds, the rocks were scratched with the tusks of the\ninfuriated elephants, the places around the water-fall were covered with\ngreen grass and creepers and were resonant with the notes of birds\n(7\u20138). With dark-blue rocks that foremost of mountains assumed various\ncolours like a cloud. Its body was besmeared with metalic discharges. It\nwas adorned with table-lands and springs, was filled with beautiful\ncelestials like the mount Main\u0101ka coursing at will, was elevated and of\nhigh summits. Its base was filled with water. Its caves were adorned\nwith forest, and white clouds and covered with, Panasa, mango, Amrataka,\ncane, Syandana, sandal, Hint\u0101la, Tamala and Ela woods. It was adorned\nwith Marichakshupa, Pippali, Inguda, S\u0101la, Nimva, Arjuna, P\u0101tali and\nPonnaga trees. The water was adorned with water-born lotuses and the\nground with ground-born ones. It was adorned with Drumashanda, Jamva,\nand Jamvula trees and completely embellished with Kanda, Kandala,\nChampaka, Ashoka, Vilwa, Tinduka, Kutaja and Naga flowers. It was filled\nwith elephants and deer-herds. The spacious valleys of that foremost of\nmountains were resorted to by Siddhas, Ch\u0101ranas and Rakshasas, the rocks\nwere continually filled with Vidyadharas, and echoed with the roars of\nlions and tigers. It was sprinkled with currents of water and adorned\nwith moon trees. That mountain was highly spoken of by the gods and\nGandharvas, adorned with Apsaras and covered with flowers of celestial\ntrees. Its summits had no experience of the strokes of Indra\u2019s thunder,\nforest-fire and fear of high winds. The tops of the summits were\nbeautified with streams of powerful water-falls and shone greatly with\nthe beauty of water and moss. All the passages were inhabited by deer\nand the sides of that best of mountains were adorned with rocks\ndark-blue like clouds. As the wives beautify a husband so it was\nbeautified by forests abounding in gentle trees covered with blossoming\nflowers. At some places its summits, beautified with caves and forests\nlike a man with his wife, burning in effulgence with herbs and inhabited\nby ascetics, it appeared as if it was adorned with artificial golden\nforests. It appeared as if with its spacious root and rising summit that\nmountain was agitating the earth and the sky (9-27).\n\nHaving reached the charming mount Gomanta, the three immortal-like\nheroes felt a desire for living there (28). Thereupon as the birds rise\nhigh up into the sky so like Vinat\u0101\u2019s son with their course not\nobstructed any where they, with great force and power, got upon that\nbest of mountains (29). Ascending like gods that most excellent summit\nof the mountain, they, without any delay, built a habitation there after\ntheir own heart (30).\n\nSeeing the Yadavas stationed on the summit of the mountain the great son\nof Jamadagni, R\u0101ma, with a view to express his liberal views said\n(31):\u2014\"O my child lord Krishna, I shall now repair to the city of\nSurp\u0101raka. Even if you enter upon a battle with the gods you will not be\ndefeated (32). O M\u0101dhava, by the delight that I acquired on the way by\nyour following me, this my immortal body has been blessed (33). The\nbattle, in which you will acquire the weapons and which is intended for\nthe after-life behoof of the kings, as ordained by the gods, shall take\nplace here (34). O Vishnu, O Krishna, eulogised by the gods and the\nforemost of men do thou listen to the moral words of men in general\n(35). This present battle with Jar\u0101sandha, as ordained by Time, is the\nfirst instalment of thy human actions which thou hast begun to perform\nin the world assuming a human form (36\u201337). Do thou thyself, O Krishna,\nby thy own power, hold thy weapon and assume thy form terrible in battle\n(38). When thou shalt, with thy uplifted discus and mace, stand in the\nbattle-field, beholding thy well-formed eight arms even the king of gods\nwill be stricken with fear (39). O foremost of the pious, as settled in\nthe city of the celestials from to-day commences thy march for\nestablishing thy glory in the world in the interest of the gods (40). O\nforemost of speakers, O large-armed Govinda, do thou speedily send for\nVinat\u0101s son for waiting on the flag staff of thy car (41). For the\nkings, whose object of life is to fight under the subjection of\nDhritarashtra\u2019s sons, are waiting for battle as if with their faces\nturned towards the city of the celestials (42). As if beholding the\nfuture destruction of the kings, possessed by widowhood and with one\nbraid of hairs the Earth is waiting for thee (43). O Krishna, O thou the\nslayer of thy enemies, when assuming a human form thou shalt be present\nin the battle-field the Kshatryas, possessed by hostile stars, without\nshrinking, will assume a joyous attitude (44). Therefore O M\u0101dhava, do\nthou soon engage in fight for grinding the host of D\u0101navas, for the\nattainment of the celestial region by the kings and the happiness of the\ngods (45). O Krishna, honored by thee who art honored by the universe I\nconsider myself honored by the entire world, mobile and immobile (46). O\nthou of large arms, forsooth thou shalt remember me when thou wilt fight\nwith the assembled kings. I shall endeavour for the accomplishment of\nthy object (47).\"\n\nHaving said this to Krishna who never experiences weariness in work, and\nshowered blessings on him Jamadagni\u2019s son R\u0101ma set out for his\nwished-for quarter (48).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XCVII. BALARAMA GETS DRUNK.\n\n\nVaishampayana  said:\u2014After the departure of Jamadagni\u2019s son R\u0101ma, R\u0101ma\nand Krishna, the perpetuators of the Yadu race, assuming forms of their\nown accord began to range on the charming summit of Gomanta (1). Wearing\non their breast garlands of wild flowers, clad in dark-blue and yellow\napparels and with their body besmeared with metalic discharges those two\nyouths, of dark-blue and white persons, began to range, with a view to\nsport in the charming forests on the summit and see the sun and moon,\nthe lords of luminous bodies at the time of the rising and setting of\nplanets (2-4).\n\nThereupon once on a time while separated from Krishna the powerful and\nbeautiful Sangkarshana, ranging on the summit of the mountain, sat under\na charming shade of a blossoming Kadamva tree, sweet-scented wind began\nto fan him (5\u20136). Thus served by the wind and smell of wine touching his\nnostril he felt a hankering for wine and his mouth began to dry up like\none who had excessively drunk in the previous day (7-8). Thereupon\nrecollecting the drinking of ambrosia in the days of yore, he, searching\nthe wine, saw the Kadamva tree (9). Deposited in its cave, the water,\nthat the clouds showered on the tree in the rains, had become a\ndelightful wine (10). The powerful Baladeva was over-powered by thirst,\nso drinking that wine again and again, like a sick person drinking water\nhe grew inebriete and his body began to reel (11). On account of his\nbeing drunk his eyes and face, resembling an autumnal moon, began to\nroll (12). The goddess V\u0101runi, who was the churning rod of ambrosia unto\nthe gods, was born in that Kadamva cave in the shape of wine. And so she\npassed by the name of K\u0101damvari (13). Inebriete with K\u0101damvari wine\nwhile Krishna\u2019s elder brother began to speak in indistinct but sweet\nwords the wine incarnate K\u0101nti, the beloved spouse of the moon, the\ngoddess Sree the foremost of damsels having the emblem of a cloud on her\nflag, these three celestial ladies approached him with sweet words\n(14\u201316). First of all coming before the inebriete son of Rohini the\ngoddess V\u0101runi, with folded hands, addressed to him words conducive to\nher own well-being (16):\u2014\"O Baladeva, O foremost of gods, do thou\nconsume the host of Daityas. I am here thy beloved lady V\u0101runi (17). O\nthou having a pure countenance, thou used always to reside by the forest\nfire, but now thou hast disappeared. Hearing this, I am ranging on the\nface of the earth like one whose religious merit has been dissipated\n(18). For a long time I lived in the filaments of flowers and spring\nflowers whose bunches were never touched. But I am fond of pleasures,\ntherefore at the advent of the rains, hiding my own true form I was\nlying in the Kadamva cave in expectation of thy arrival stricken with\nthirst (19\u201320). O sinless one, as I was despatched with consummate\nbeauty reigning over all my limbs, by my father Varuna at the time of\nthe churning for ambrosia, so I have been sent by him now (21). O lord,\nthou art my beloved preceptor, so I wish to live by thee as I was\nresiding by the forest fire in the ocean (22). O god, O sinless Ananta,\nsave thee I shall not be able to serve any other people. And so I shall\nnot leave thee even if thou dost remonstrate with me (23).\"\n\nWith her eyes rolling a little and her hip moving in drunkenness, the\ngoddess incarnate of beauty, K\u0101nti, exclaiming \"May victory crown R\u0101ma\",\napproached Sangkars\u0101na, who was seated there and lovingly addressed to\nhim with folded-hands the following words pregnant with significance\n(24\u201326). \"I regard the highly powerful god Ananta of thousand heads more\nthan the moon. Therefore with all my accomplishments I am following thee\nlike wine (27).\" Thereupon Kamal\u0101, the abode of lotuses who always lives\non Vishnu\u2019s breast, placed herself on the breast of the holder of\nplough-share like a garland of pure flowers (28). Taking a garland of\npure flowers, placing herself on the breast of the lotus-faced Baladeva,\nthe well-adorned Kamal\u0101, with a lotus in her hand, said (29):\u2014\"O R\u0101ma, O\nbeautiful R\u0101ma, united with V\u0101runi, K\u0101nti and myself thou dost, O king\nof gods, appear beautiful like the moon (30). This is thy crown, I have\nbrought from the abode of Varuna, which used to shine over thy thousand\nheads like the sun (31). O thou having lotus eyes, the golden Kundalas\ncrested with diamonds and the celestial first lotus, which were thy ear\nornaments (have also been brought) (32). The blue silken apparel, worthy\nof the ocean, which was in it and the beautiful neck-chain (have also\nbeen brought) (33). O god, O thou having large arms, now thy proper time\nhas come. Do thou, as before, adorn thyself with these ornaments and do\nthem honor (34).\"\n\nThe goddess Sree having said this, Baladeva, accepting those ornaments\nand the three celestial damsels, shone like the autumnal moon (35).\nThereupon united with the slayer of Madhu resembling a cloud surcharged\nwith water he attained to great delight like the moon released from R\u0101hu\n(36). One day while they were conversing as they always do at home\nVinat\u0101\u2019s son, who had just returned from the battle-field, whose body\nwas wounded with the strokes of weapons, who wore celestial garlands and\nunguents and who used to speak highly of the victory of gods, came there\nquickly. (37\u201338). When the Lord Vishnu was asleep in the abode of Varuna\nin the ocean of milk, Virochanana\u2019s son pilfered his crown (39). For\nthat crown of Vishnu, Garuda, the foremost of birds, fought a dreadful\nbattle with the Daityas in that ocean, and securing it and not seeing\nVishnu there, he was, with great force, passing through the surface of\nthe earth, on his way to the celestial region (40\u201341). While proceeding\nwith that effulgent crown on his lap, Vinat\u0101\u2019s son arrived there and saw\nhis master Vishnu engaged in another work (42). Beholding Vishnu in a\nhuman form on that best of mountains, without any diadem on his head and\nwith out any visible dress and apprised of his intention that foremost\nof birds threw from the welkin that crown on Vishnu\u2019s head in such a way\nas if it had been attached to his head from before. And placed upon\nM\u0101dhava\u2019s head that diadem shone there like the mid-day sun on the\nsummit of the mount Sumeru (43\u201345).\n\nBeholding his own diadem brought by Vinat\u0101\u2019s son, Krishna, with a\ndelighted face, said to R\u0101ma:\u2014(46). \"While arrangements for a battle\nhave been completed on this mountain, methinks, the accomplishment of\nthe work of gods is near at hand (47). When I fell asleep in the ocean,\nVirochana\u2019s son, assuming a celestial form like that of the king of\ngods, stole away my diadem and took it away like a planet. Garuda has\nbrought this back (to me) (48\u201349). I think it for certain that\nJar\u0101sandha is near at hand, for the tops of the cars, fleet as the wind,\nare being seen now (50). Behold, O reverend sir, there shine the\nmoon-like umbrellas and well-arranged armies of the kings desirous of\nachieving victory (51). The white, clean and flying umbrellas, on the\ncars of the kings, are coming towards us like cranes in the sky (52).\nUnited with the lustre of the sun the effulgence of the weapons shining\nlike the celestial region, is moving about in ten cardinal points (53).\nWhen in the midst of battle the kings will aim at me and discharge these\nweapons, they will forsooth be destroyed (54). In proper time the\nEmperor Jar\u0101sandha has come. He is our first guest in battle and is like\na touch-stone for testing our military skill (55). O reverend sir, as\nlong as Jar\u0101sandha does not come we should not commence the battle. Let\nus therefore get ready and search for our soldiers (56).\"\n\nSaying this and desirous of entering into a battle and of slaying\nJar\u0101sandha Krishna began quietly to survey his troops (57). Beholding\nthose kings that eternal Yadu Chief began to recapitulate within himself\nthe counsels that were held before in the celestial region (58). \"All\nthese kings have arrived, who, observant of their royal duties, will be\nslain by actions laid down in Scriptures (59). I consider these leading\nkings sprinkled with water by Death himself like sacrificial beasts and\ntheir bodies are turned towards heaven (60). Her surface being thickly\ncovered with their armies and territories the Earth, worn out with the\nweight of these kings and their forces, had repaired to the celestial\nregion. However in no time the surface of the earth will be divested of\nmen and the welkin will be filled with kings (62\u201362)\".\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XCVIII. JARASANDHA\u2019S INSTRUCTIONS TO THE KINGS.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Surrounded by his four-fold forces moving like the\nocean, the highly effulgent and powerful king Jar\u0101sandha, observant of\nvows and the leader of kings, arrived there. He had with him\nwar-chariots drawn by spirited horses, trained by expert warriors whose\ncourse was not impeded any where, cloud-like elephants, adorned with\nbells, carrying a golden room with warriors proud of battle and driven\nby clever drivers, horses leaping and fleet like the wind governed by\nclever drivers and numberless infantry armed with swords, daggers and\nleathern fences who could leap even high up into the the sky. A host of\nkings also followed him (1-6). All the caves of that best of mountains\nand all the quarters echoing with the clatter of car wheels resembling\nthe muttering of clouds, the noise of the elephants in rut, the\nneighings of the horses and the leonine shouts of the infantry, the\nemperor Jar\u0101sandha, with his army, was seen there like an ocean (7-8).\nStriking this palms against each other and slapping their arms that army\nof the kings, abounding in delighted warriors, shone there like an army\nof clouds (9). That army, variegated with cars, fleet like the wind,\nwith elephants resembling the clouds, with horses resembling white\nclouds and with well dressed infantry, shone like clouds kissing the\nocean after the termination of the rainy season (10\u201311). Thereupon those\npowerful kings, headed by Jar\u0101sandha, encamped encircling that mountain\n(12). At that time the encampment of those kings lying outside shone\nlike the full ocean during the full moon (13).\n\nAfter the expiration of the night, the kings, having performed the\nauspicious ceremony of Koutuka, rose up for ascending the hill for fight\n(14). Having assembled at the valley of the mountain they, out of\ncuriosity, began to hold counsels befitting the hour of battle (15).\nThere was heard thus a great tumult like that of the upheaving of the\nocean at the time of the dissolution of the world (16). With Kanchika\nturbans on their heads and canes in their hands the warders began to\nmove about on all sides exclaiming \"_Ma_\" _i.e._ (do not make noise)\n(17). That army, hushed into silence, imitated the form of the ocean\nabounding in fishes and huge serpents (18). When informed of the mandate\nof the king that ocean-like army stood silent and motionless the king\nJar\u0101shdha, like the preceptor of the gods, addressed them, saying\n(19):\u2014\"United soon let the armies of the kings completely besiege this\nmountain (20). Let rocky weapons and clubs be got ready and pr\u0101shas and\nTomaras be placed on high (21). In order to throw up let artizans make\nready means of obstructing the speedy fall of weapons (22). Let what,\nthe king of Chedi speaks to heroes engaged in fighting with one another,\nand inebriete with desire for battle, be carried out (23). Rive this\nforemost of mountains with Tankas and Khanitras and let kings, expert in\nfighting, be placed at no distance (24). As long as I do not kill the\ntwo sons of Vasudeva let my army remain besieging the mountain (25). You\nwill so besiege this mountain sprung from rocks and you will so obstruct\nthe sky with arrows that even the birds may not go out of it (26). Let\nthe kings, at my command, wait at the base of the mountain and get up on\nit as soon as an opportunity presents itself (27). Let Madra, the king\nof Kalinga, Chekit\u0101n, the king of Valhika, Gonarda the king of K\u0101shmira,\nthe king of Karusha, Druma of Kimpurush\u0101, and mountainous tribes ascend\nthe mountain from the other side (28\u201329). Let Venudari of the Puru race,\nVidarbha, king Somaka, Bhoja, king Rukshmi, M\u0101lava, Suryaksha, Drupada,\nthe king of Panchala, Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti province, the\nenergetic Dantavakra, Chh\u0101gali, Purumitra, the emperor Virat, the king\nof Koush\u0101mvi, M\u0101lava, Shrutadhanw\u0101, Veduratha, the king of Trigarta,\nBhurisrava, Vana and Panchnava, let these kings, powerful like\nthunderbolt and expert in capturing a fort, get up on this mountain from\nthe north and assail it (30-33). Let Ansum\u0101na\u2019s heroic son Kaitaveya,\nUluka, Ekalavya, Dridaksha, Jayadratha, ever observant of Kshatriya\nduties, Uttamouj\u0101, Sh\u0101lwa, the king of Kerala, Koushika, V\u0101madeva, the\nking of Vidish\u0101 and powerful Sukeshi get upon the mountain from the east\nand rive it as the wind dissipates the clouds (34\u201336). Myself, Darada\nand the powerful king of Chedi, shall rive the western side of the\nmountain (37). In this way let the mountain be beseiged completely on\nall sides by our men and entertain a terrible fright as from the fall of\na thunder-bolt (38). Let the holders of clubs with clubs,\nParigha-holders with Parighas and other warriors with diverse other\nweapons rend this foremost of mountains (39). O ye kings, you shall\nhave, even to day to level this mountain abounding in high, uneven and\ndangerous rocks\" (40).\n\nAs the oceans lie encircling the earth, so those kings, at the command\nof Jar\u0101sandha, stood encircling the mount Gomanta (41). Thereupon the\nking of Chedi, like unto Indra the king of gods, said:\u2014\"What is the use\nof capturing like a fort this foremost of mountains Gomanta impassable\nwith high trees and abounding in high summits. Covering it on all sides\nwith twigs and woods we shall burn it even this very day. What is the\nuse of making any other effort? Besides the Kshatriyas are tender and\nthey fight with arrows in battle. We should not engage them to fight on\nfoot in a mountain. By besieging or rising above it even the gods cannot\nrend this mountain. O king, to lay a siege is proper when capturing a\nfort (42\u201346). Those, who take shelter on a mountain, yield when they\nfall short of food, water and fuels. Although we are many in number we\nshould not disregard the two Yadavas stationed in fight. This is not a\nwise policy. We do not know the strength of those two Yadavas. By their\nactions they have acquired celestial reputation. And although they are\nboys they accomplish many difficult feats (47\u201349). Placing all round\nthis mountain dried grass and woods we shall set fire to them. Consumed\nthereby they will give up their life (50). If on being burnt they come\nout of the mountain and approach us we shall, all united, kill them and\nthey too will meet with death\" (51).\n\nThe kings with all the soldiers liked what the king of Chedi said for\ntheir well-being (52). Thereupon as a cloud is stricken with the rays of\nthe sun so that mountain was ablaze with with dried woods, grass and\ntwigs (53). According to the course of the wind and place the\nlight-handed kings set fire on all sides of that mountain (54). Then the\nfire, excited by the wind, conflagrated on all sides, and with the\nlustre its flames, accompanied by smokes, beautified the sky (55). Thus\nthe fire, begotten by the collection of woods, began to burn up the\nbeautiful mountain Gomanta abounding in beautiful trees (56). And that\nburning mountain being rent assunder into a hundred (pieces) huge rocks\nbegan to come out from all sides, looking like huge fire brands (57). As\nthe sun, with its lustre, lights up the clouds, so the fire lighted up\nthe mountain with its rising flames (58). It appeared as if pained with\nmolten metals, burning trees and agitated beasts that mountain was\nweeping (59). From that heated mountain which was being consumed by fire\nbegan to come out molten metals of golden, dark-blue and silvery hues\n(60). With its half enshrouded with the darkness of smoke, that\nmountain, covered with flames of fire, was shorn of beauty like\ndisappearing clouds (61).\n\nWith the detached collection of rocks and the dreadful down-pour of\nembers that mountain appeared like a cloud accompanied by a shower of\nfire-brands (62). With springs of water rising up and enveloped with\nsmokes the mount Gomanta appeared to have been consumed by the fire of\ndissolution (63). With half of this body burnt, serpents, having huge\nhoods, overwhelmed, with anxious eyes and sighing, began again and again\nto leap up and fall down with their heads bent downwards (64). Assailed\nby fire and excited the lions and tigers began to cry and the trees\nbegan to yeild juice consequent upon burning (65). Rendered coppery with\nashes and embers the wind began to rise and cover the sky, with smokes,\nlike clouds (67). On account of the spread of fire the birds and beasts\nleft the table-lands and the mountain became agitated (68). As if rent\nby the thunder-bolt of V\u0101sava that mountain, abounding in shaken and\nhigh rocks, began to throw out rocks (69). Thus setting fire to that\nmountain and themselves distressed by it the Kshatriyas retreated to a\ndistance of a mile (70).\n\nWhen that foremost of mountains was thus burnt the great trees were so\nscorched that none could look at them, and the root (of the mountain)\nwas slackened, R\u0101ma in anger, said to the lotus-eyed Krishna, the slayer\nof Madhu (71\u201372). \"O my brother Krishna, on account of their enmity\ntowards us the enemies are consuming this mountain along with its\ntable-lands, summits and trees (73). Behold O Krishna, the leading\ntwice-born ones, who are living in the forest of the mountain assailed\nby fire and covered with smokes, are as if weeping (74), O brother, if\nthis Gomanta is burnt down on our account we shall acquire great censure\nand blame in the world (75). Therefore O foremost of warriors, in order\nto satisfy our debt to this mountain whose shelter we have taken we\nshall destroy the Kshatriyas with our very arms (76). Setting fire to\nthis mountain these foremost of car-warriors, the Kshatriays, well\narmed, are signifying their desire for battle. (We shall despatch them\nto the abode Yama)\" (77). Saying this Keshava\u2019s elder brother, bedecked\nwith a garland of wild flowers, beautiful Kundalas and crown, inebriete\nwith K\u0101damvari wine, resembling an autumnal moon, clad in a blue\nraiment, of white face, the beautiful Baladeva jumped down in the midst\nof kings from the summit of Gomanta like the moon from the summit of\nSumeru (78-80). When R\u0101ma leaped down, the beautiful Krishna, too of\nincomparable energy, resembling a dark-blue cloud, jumped down from the\nsummit of Gomanta (81). Thereat the divine Hari, assailing that foremost\nof mountains with his two feet, its four sides were broken down (82).\nThereupon, water, issuing from its rocks, resembling elephants in rut,\nimmediately extinguished that fire as the sun, at the end of a cycle,\nputs down the fire of dissolution with showers. Having thus put down the\nfire the powerful lotus-eyed Krishna, of a gentle face and leonine\nvoice, carrying a beautiful diadem like that of the thousand eyed deity\nand bearing the mystic mark of Srivatsa on his breast, followed R\u0101ma by\njumping. When they got down the foremost of mountains, assailed with\ntheir foot-steps, began to yield water for extinguishing the flaming\nfire. Beholding that fire extinguished by water the kings too grew\nterrified (83\u201387).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XCIX. KRISHNA MEETS HIS ENEMY.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Beholding the two sons of Vasudeva come down from\nthe mountain the soldiers of the kings grew terrified and the animals\nbewildered (1). Although they had no other weapons but their arms they\nbegan to move about there in anger like two Makaras that agitate the\nocean (2). When they began to range there desirous of fighting there\narose in them their respective ancient intelligence regarding the\nhandling of weapons (3). The weapons, which they had obtained before in\ntheir encounter at Mathura, came down from the sky like burning flames\nbefore the very eyes of the assembled kings. The huge bodily weapons,\nwhich the two Y\u0101davas obtained, came down from the sky, as if filled\nwith thirst and the desire of feeding upon human flesh. They, adorned\nwith celestial garlands, lighted up the ten quarters with their lustre\nand terrified the sky-ranging ones. Beasts of prey followed them with a\nview to feed upon royal flesh (4\u20138). When in that great battle came down\nfor the two Yadavas four powerful Vaishnava weapons namely, the\nplough-share Samvartaka, the mace Sounanda, the discus Sudarshana, and\nthe club Koumodaki the powerful R\u0101ma, the foremost of S\u0101twatas, first of\nall, took up with his left hand the plough-share embellished with\ncelestial garlands and moving obliquely like a serpent and with his\nright hand, the best of maces Saunanda that creates depression in the\nenemies (9-12). Keshava, with delight, took up the discus Sudarshana\nwhich is worthy of being looked at by all the worlds and effulgent like\nthe sun (13). The other hand of Krishna, the necessity of whose\nincarnation was known to the gods, was bedecked with the club Koumodaki\n(14).\n\nThus armed the heroic R\u0101ma and Govinda, the very incarnations of Vishnu,\nbegan to withstand the enemies in battle (15). Displaying their prowess\nlike two gods, the two heroic sons of Vasudeva, designated as the\nyounger and the elder brothers and although one in Vishnu, divided into\ntwo as men under the names of R\u0101ma and Govinda and dependant on each\nother, began to range in the battle-field withstanding the enemies\n(16-17). Thereupon raising up his plough-share in anger, resembling the\nbelly of a crow the heroic R\u0101ma began to move about in the battle-field\nlike the very Death of the enemies. And dragging the cars of the highly\npowerful Kshatriyas he began to give effect to his anger on the horses\nand the elephants (18\u201319). Ranging in that battle-field and assailing\nwith the strokes of his mace mountain-like elephants thrown up with his\nplough share he began as if to churn them (20).\n\nThereupon the leading Kshatriyas, who were on the point of being slain\nby R\u0101ma, left their cars in fear, and went to Jar\u0101sandha. Thereat the\nking Jar\u0101sandha, ever observant of Kshatriya duties, said to them:\u2014\"O\nfie on your conduct as Kshatriyas grown tired of battle (21\u201322). The\nsages say that those, who albeit powerful fly away from the battle-field\nleaving their cars behind, are visited by the sin of destroying an\nembryo. Do you not know this (23)? Fie on your conduct as Kshatriyas.\nWhy do ye fly away in fear of a milk-herd of limited power who fights on\nfoot (24)? Do ye return soon according to my order, or you need not\nfight, but wait in the battle-field as spectators. I shall myself\ndespatch those two cow-herd boys to the abode of Yama (25).\"\n\nThus excited by Jar\u0101sandha the Kshatryas delightedly rallied round and\nengaged in fight with a downpour of arrows (26). With coats of mail,\nNishtringsas, weapons, quivers, arrows and bows, set with strings,\nhorses adorned with golden reins, cars of moon-like lustre and\ncloud-like elephants driven by Mah\u0101m\u0101tras they again set out for the\nbattle-field (27-28). Covered with rising umbrellas and fanned with\nbeautiful chowries the kings, stationed on cars, shone greatly in beauty\nin the battle-field (29). The foremost of warriors, the two heroic sons\nof Vasudeva, R\u0101ma and Keshava were seen ranging about with a desire of\nfighting as soon as they got down in the battle-field (30). Thereupon\nthere took place a terrible encounter between them and the kings,\naccompanied with a profuse discharge of shafts and strokes of clubs\n(31). Those two heroic descendants of the Yadu race bore thousands of\narrows shot by the kings like two mountains sprinkled with rain.\nAlthough assailed by heavy clubs and maces they did not tremble (32-33).\n\nThereupon the highly-powerful Krishna, resembling a cloud and holding\nconch, discus and club in his hand, increased his body like a cloud\naccompanied by wind. And with his discus effulgent like the sun he began\nto cut down men, horses, elephants and mighty car-warriors (34\u201335). On\nthe other side, R\u0101ma too so dragged the kings with his plough share and\nso struck them with his club, that they, deprived of consciousness,\ncould not stand in the battle-field (36). The car-wheels being\nobstructed the variegated chariots of the kings were broken down and\ncould not go on in the battle-field (37). Having their tusks broken down\nwith the strokes of maces, _Hastih\u0101naya_\u00b2\u2076\u2079 elephants began to fly away\nfrom the battle-field with a great noise like the autumnal clouds (38).\nAssailed by the flames of the fire wrought by the discus, the cavalry\nand the infantry began to breathe their last like those struck down by\nthunder-bolts (39). Struck and grinded with the plough-share the entire\nhost of the royal army appeared like creatures at the time of the\nuniversal dissolution (40). What to speak of fighting the kings could\nnot even look at the battle-field, the sporting ground of the celestial\nweapons of Vishnu incarnate (41). Some of the cars were completely\ncrushed down, of some the kings were killed and some, with one wheel\nbroken down, lay upset on the surface of the earth (42). In that\ndreadful battle of discus and plough-share portendous R\u0101kshasas were\nseen (43). So great was the number of upturned cars, elephants, horses,\nand men, who, on being assailed, were plaintively bewailing that even\nwith great care it could not be ascertained (44). Saturated with the\nblood of the wounded kings the battle-field appeared like a damsel\nbesmeared with sandal paste (45). The battle-field was covered with the\nhairs, bones, fat, entrails and blood of horses, elephants and men (46).\nThe battle-field was destructive of the men and animals of the kings,\nwas filled with inauspicious cries and bewailings of the jackals, was\ncrested with lakes of blood, was like the sporting-ground of Death, was\ncovered with the bones of elephants, with warriors having their arms cut\noff and wounded horses and was echoing with the cries of vultures and\nwolves (47-49). In that battle-field in which the kings were killed and\ndeath was common Krishna, looking like Death himself, moved about for\nkilling his enemies (50). Thereupon taking up his discus effulgent like\nthe sun at the time of the universal dissolution and his dark iron club\nKeshava stood there in the midst of the army and said (51). \"O ye heroes\nof firm resolution who are clever hands in the use of weapons, though I,\na foot-soldier, stand before you with my elder brother, why do you fly\naway? (62) Why does not that king Jar\u0101sandha, ill-fated as he is, come\nbefore us by whom you are being protected in the battle-field? (53)\"\n\nOn his saying this the powerful king Darada ran towards R\u0101ma of coppery\neyes with a plough-share in his hand who was in the midst of the army\nand addressed him, like a cultivator calling a bull, saying:\u2014\"O R\u0101ma, O\nslayer of enemies, come and fight with me\" (54\u201355). Thereupon there\nbegan an encounter between R\u0101ma and Darada, the foremost of men, like\nunto two powerful elephants (56). Placing his plough-share on Darada\u2019s\nshoulder, Baladeva, the foremost of those endued with strength, struck\nhim with his mace (57). Thereupon grinded by that mace and with his head\ncut off the king Darada fell down on earth like a mountain, with its\nhalf rent assunder (58).\n\nWhen that foremost of kings Darada was slain by R\u0101ma a dreadful,\nhair-stirring encounter took place between R\u0101ma and Jar\u0101sandha like that\nbetween Vitra and Mahendra. When those two heroes, taking up huge clubs,\nran towards each other with great vigior shaking the earth they looked\nlike two mountain summits (59\u201361). When those two highly powerful\nheroes, celebrated in the world as being most proficient in\nclub-fighting, ran towards each in anger like two infuriated elephants\nall came away from the battle-field to them (62\u201363). Thereupon thousands\nof Gandharvas Siddhas, saints, Yakshas, Apsar\u0101s and Devas came there\n(64). O king, at that time adorned with Gandharvas and great saints the\nwelkin shone greatly in beauty as if crested with luminous bodies (65).\n\nThereat as an elephant strikes, with his two tusks, his antagonist so\namongst those two heroes proficient in club fighting the king Jar\u0101sandha\ntook possession of the eastern side and Baladeva of the southern side;\nand filling the ten quarters with their leonine shouts they struck each\nother (66\u201367). In that encounter the sound of R\u0101in\u0101\u2019s club was heard\nlike the clapping of a thunder-bolt, and that of Jar\u0101sandha was like\nthat of the riving of a mountain (68). The club, slipped off\nJar\u0101sandha\u2019s hand, could not agitate R\u0101ma the foremost of the wielders\nof club and (firm as) the mount Vindhv\u0101 (69). By virtue of his great\nendurance and learning Jar\u0101sandha, the king of Magadha, bore the strokes\nof R\u0101ma\u2019s club and baffled them (70). Thereupon was heard in the sky a\nsweet voice, the witness of the world:\u2014\"O R\u0101ma, O conferrer of honors,\nthere is is no use of toiling any more. The king of Magadha is not to be\nslain by thee. As ordained by me the king of Magadha will, in no time,\nmeet with his death\" (71\u201372).\n\nHearing this Jar\u0101sandha was possessed by absent-mindedness and Baladeva\ntoo did not strike him. Then the Vrishnis and other kings retired from\nthe battle-field (73). Thus, O great king, when after slaying one\nanother for a long time, Jar\u0101sandha was defeated and fled away and when\nthe other great car-warriors took to their heels, the army was shorn of\nsoldiers (74). Then with their elephants, horses and cars, all those\nkings, like unto herds of deer pursued by a tiger, fled away in fear\n(75). That dreadful battle-field, when left off by the royal\ncar-warriors whose pride was humiliated, was filled with beasts of prey\nand grew exceedingly terrible (76). O sinless one, after the mighty\ncar-warriors had fled away, the highly effulgent king of Chedi,\nremembering his relationship with the Y\u0101davas, approached Krishna\nencircled by his K\u0101rusha and Chedi detachments. In order to make closer\nthe tie of relationship he said to Govinda (77-78):\u2014\"O lord, O\ndescendant of Yadu, I am the husband of thy father\u2019s sister. Thou art an\nobject of affection unto me and therefore I have come to thee with my\narmy (79). O Krishna, I had told king Jar\u0101sandha of limited\nunderstanding \u2019O you of vicious intellect, do not quarrel with Krishna\nand desist from battle\u2019 (80). Jar\u0101sandha however disregarded my words.\nHe is therefore flying away unsuccessful from the battle-field with his\nfollowers. I have also left him to-day. That king is not returning to\nhis city shorn of hostile feelings. He will again disturb thee with his\nsinful attack (81\u201382). Therefore, O M\u0101dhava, do thou speedily leave this\nplace, strewn over with dead bodies of men, filled with beasts of prey\nand resorted to by ghosts and goblins (83). Let us go with our army and\nfollowers to the city of Karavira and visit the king V\u0101sudeva Shrig\u0101la\n(84). I have got these two cars ready for you drawn by fleet horses and\nconsisting of daggers, discuses, axles and poles (85). May good betide\nthee, O Krishna; do ye get on them speedily and let us go to visit the\nking of Karavira\" (86).\n\nHearing the words of the king of Chedi, the husband of his father\u2019s\nsister Krishna, the preceptor of the world, with a delighted mind, said\n(87):\u2014\"Alas! we were assailed with the fire of battle. But thou hast\nsprinkled us with the water of thy words according to place and time as\nbefits a friend (88). O foremost of Chedis, rare in the world is a\nperson who gives vent to well-meaning and sweet words in pursunance of\ntime and place (89). O king of Chedi, beholding thee now we think that\nwe have got a master. There will be nothing unattainable by us since a\nking, like thyself, is our friend (90). O thou the perpetuater of the\nChedi race, while thou hast become our help we shall be able to slay\nJar\u0101sandha and other kings like him (91). O lord of Chedi, amongst\nkings, thou art the first friend of the Yadus and therefore thou\nshouldst superintend all other battles which will take place hereafter\n(92). Amongs the war-like kings who will survive us those, who will\ndescribe this battle of discus and mace and the defeat of the kings on\nthe mount Gomanta, will repair to the celestial region. And they too,\nwho will think of it, will also go (93\u201394). O king of Chedi, by the way\npointed out by thee, we shall repair to the city of Karavira for our own\nwell being\" (95). Thereupon mounting a car drawn by horses fleet like\nthe wind they passed over a long distance like three fires incarnate\n(96). Spending three nights on the way those three celestial-like heroes\nreached the foremost of cities Karavira on the fourth day and entered\nthe auspicious place for their well-being (97).\n\n  \u00b2\u2076\u2079 A species of elephants. This is one of the finest breeds,\n      invaluable in a battle-field.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER C. BATTLE WITH SHRIGALA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Being informed of their arrival and thinking that\nthey would attack the city, king Shrig\u0101la, terrible in battle and endued\nwith the prowess of Indra, issued (out of the city) (1). Mounting a car\nfilled with weapons, having the clatter of its axles for its smiles,\nadorned with variegated ornaments, filled with inexhaustible arrows and\nquivers, making a sound like that of the ocean, drawn by quick-coursing\nhorses, embellished with strong golden axles, coursing like Garuda,\ngoverned by reins resembling the rays of the sun, effulgent like the sun\nand resembling the car of Indra he issued out of the city (2-6). In that\nforemost of cars capable of striking the chariots of the enemies\nShrig\u0101la approached Krishna like an insect approaching a flame (7).\nBedecked with sharpened arrows, coats of mail, golden garlands, a white\ncloth and an Ushnisha (turban) the king Shrig\u0101la, with a bow in his hand\nand having fiery eyes, began again and again to whirl his bow endued\nwith the qualities of a lightning. And vomitting air begotten by anger,\nand effulgent like the flames of fire and burning in the lustre of his\nornaments he was seen on the car like Sumeru the foremost of mountains\n(8-10). Stricken with fear at his shouts and the clatter of his\ncar-wheels the Earth sank under his weight (11). Beholding the beautiful\nShrigala approach like unto a patriarch and the incarnation of a\nmountain V\u0101sudeva was not pained (12). Gradually under the influence of\nire Shrig\u0101la, desirous of fighting, approached V\u0101sudeva by the help of a\nquick-coursing car (13). When beholding V\u0101sudeva seated at ease,\nShrig\u0101la ran towards him like unto clouds ranging towards a mountain.\nV\u0101sudeva, smiling a little, addressed himself too for giving him a\nreturn battle. Thereupon there took place a dreadful encounter between\nthem like that of two infuriated elephants in a forest (14\u201315). Out of\nignorance, the energetic Shrig\u0101la, fond of war and proud of his\nposition, said to Krishna who was present for battle (16).\n\n\"O Krishna, I have heard of thy work in the weak army of the stupid\nkings on the mount Gomanta who had no leader. I have heard too of the\ndefeat of the useless Kshatriyas inexperienced in war and worthy of pity\n(17\u201318). However I am now stationed in the dignity of the emperor of the\nworld, do thou wait before me. Thou art not expert in the art of war.\nSurely wilt thou fly away when I will obstruct thee (19). Thou art alone\nand I am with my army; so I should not fight with thee in this way.\nCome, I shall alone fight with thee; what is the use of other inferior\nmen? We shall both engage in fight and one of us will meet with his\ndeath in a fair fight (20\u201321). If thou art slain, O Krishna, I shall be\nthe only V\u0101sudeva in the world. And if I am slain thou shalt be the only\none (22).\"\n\nHearing those words of Shrigala and saying \"Strike me as you wish\" the\nforgiving M\u0101dhava held up his discus (23). Thereupon losing his sense in\nanger in the battle field Shrig\u0101la, of limited prowess, discharged a net\nof arrows at Krishna (24). The powerful Shrig\u0101la showered on Krishna\nmace and various other weapons. And albeit ruthlessly assailed with\nweapons covered with flames of fire Krishna stood there motionless like\na mountain (25\u201326). Thus attacked again and again he was filled with\nwrath. And holding up his discus he hurled it at Shrigala\u2019s breast (27).\nHaving slain the highly powerful Shrig\u0101la, fearful in battle, of growing\npride and ever observant of Kshatriya duties, the discus Sudarshana\nreturned to its preceptor\u2019s hand. Shrigala too, having his heart pierced\nby the discus, shorn of life and joy, fell down, bleeding like a cleft\nmountain (28-29). Beholding the king fallen like a mountain struck down\nby a thunder-bolt his soldiers lost heart and fled away, on the death of\ntheir king (30). Some, assailed by grief consequent upon the death of\ntheir lord and greatly stricken with sorrow, entered into the city and\nbegan to weep there (31). Some, not being able to forsake their fallen\nking and performing auspicious rites, began to bewail there with their\nhearts laden with grief (32).\n\nThereupon declaring safety unto the people assembled there with his\nfingers adorned with a discus having silvery handles, the lotus-eyed\nKrishna, the slayer of his enemies, said with a voice like the rumbling\nof clouds. \"Do not fear! Do not fear (33\u201334).\" Thus consoled by Krishna,\nand beholding their king, with his breast wounded, fallen on earth like\na mountain with its summits struck down Shrig\u0101la\u2019s subjects and\nministers began to shed tears poorly and were filled with sorrow like\nhis son (35-38). Hearing their cries and the hoarse noise of the\ncitizens Shrig\u0101la\u2019s queens, with their sons, came out weeping from the\ncity (39). Arriving at the battle-field and beholding their worthy royal\nhusband fallen in that plight they, striking their breasts with their\nhands, began to weep plaintively (40). Striking their breasts and\ntearing ruthlessly their curling hairs those women began to weep in a\nhoarse voice. And stricken with terrible grief and with their eyes full\nof tears they fell down on their husband\u2019s body like uprooted and\nroughly handled creepers (41\u201342). The eyes of the queens, full of tears,\nshone like lotuses divorced from water (43). Beholding their husband\nthus fallen, striking their breast and speaking of his actions they\nbegan to bewail plaintively (44).\n\nThereupon taking their weeping boy by name Shakradeva, to their\nhusband\u2019s side, the the ladies, crying aloud with doubled force, said\n(45):\u2014\"O hero, although endued with prowess, this thy boy son has not\nbeen able to acquire mastery over the art of administration. Without\nthee how will he be able to attain to the dignity of his father (46)? O\nlord, we are not satiated with enjoying in thy company. How dost thou\nleave us all behind simultaneously What shall we all do, widows as we\nare (47)?\"\n\nThereupon weeping and taking her son with her Shrig\u0101la\u2019s beautiful queen\nPadm\u0101vati approached V\u0101sudeva and said (48):\u2014\"This is the son of the\nking, whom, O hero, thou hast slain by thy war-like deeds. He seeks thy\nshelter (49). If his father had bowed unto thee and carried out thy\nmandate he would not have been thus assailed with one single stroke\n(50). If this wicked king had contracted friendship with thee, he would\nnot have, with his life gone, taken shelter on the surface of the earth\n(51). O hero, O sinless Krishna, do thou protect, like thy own son, this\nson of thy dead friend, the perpetuator of his race (52).\"\n\nHearing the words of Shrig\u0101l\u0101\u2019s queen Krishna, of the Yadu race, the\nforemost of speakers, said to her mildly (53):\u2014\"O queen, our anger is\ngone with this vicious-souled one. We have regained our temper and we\nare his friends (54). With your gracious words, O chaste lady, my anger\nhas been appeased; undoubtedly this son of Shrig\u0101la is just like mine\n(55). I declare safety unto them and gladly annoint him as the king.\nInviting the priest, the ministers and the subjects do thou place him on\nhis ancestral throne.\"\n\nThereupon in order to perform the ceremony of installation, all the\nsubjects, priests and ministers appeared before R\u0101ma and Keshava.\nPlacing the prince on the throne the powerful Jan\u0101rddana sprinkled him\nwith celestial water. Having installed Shrig\u0101la\u2019s son in the city of\nKaravira Krishana desired to go away on the very day (56-59). Mounting\non a car drawn by horses acquired in battle Krishna went away like\nV\u0101sava entering into the city of the celestials (60). Placing Shrigala,\nterrible in battle, on a conveyance, and going to a distance in the\nwestern quarters the pious-souled Sakradeva, the repressor of his\nenemies, along with his mother, and subjects, headed by boys, aged\npeople and youthful damsels, performed the obsequial rites of his father\naccording to the ordinances (61\u201363). Thereupon reciting the name of the\ndeceased king he offered oblation of water in his favour and thousands\nof other funeral presents (64). Having his mind thus worked up with\nsorrow consequent upon the death of his father and performed his watery\nceremony the king Sakradeva entered into his own city (65).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CI. KRISHNA\u2019S ARRIVAL AT MATHURA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014The two heroic sons of Vasudeva, united with\nDamaghosha, spent five nights with delight like one in the way according\nto the rules of a traveller. And when they reached the city of Mathur\u0101\nall the Yadavas, headed by Ugrasena, came out to receive them (1\u20133). All\nthe traders, subjects, ministers and the boys and old men of Mathur\u0101\ncame out to recieve them (4). All the crossings of four streets were\ndecorated with garlands and flags; trumpets were beaten announcing joy\nand panegyrists began to sing the glories of those two foremost of men\n(5). At the return of those two brothers the entire city of Mathura\nappeared delighted, joyous and beautiful as on the occasion of an\nIndrayajna (6). The songsters began to sing on highways delightful songs\ncontaining a profuse description of the glories of the Y\u0101davas,\nannouncing \"O ye Y\u0101davas, the two brothers R\u0101ma and Govinda, celebrated\nin the world, have arrived at their own city. Do you sport happily\n(7-8).\"\n\nWhen R\u0101ma and Krishna came there none in the city of Mathur\u0101 was poorly,\nin dirty clothes and unconscious (9). Cows, horses and elephants grew\ndelightful and birds began to emit auspicious notes and men and women\nattained to mental felicity (10). Auspicious winds, shorn of dust, began\nto blow in the ten quarters and all the images of deities in temples\nwere delighted (11). All the signs of the Krita age appeared there in\nMathur\u0101 with their arrival (12).\n\nThereupon seated on a car drawn by beautiful horses R\u0101ma and Keshava\nentered the city of Mathur\u0101 in an auspicious moment (13). As the gods\nfollow Shakra the Y\u0101davas followed R\u0101ma and Govinda to the charming city\n(14). As the sun and moon enter into the mountain so those two\ndescendants of Yadu, with delightful faces, entered into the house of\ntheir sire Vasudeva (15). Keeping their respective weapons there of\ntheir own accord the two sons of Vasudeva attained to consummate delight\n(16). Thereupon bowing unto the feet of Vasudeva they showed proper\nhonor to king Ugrasena and other leading Yadavas who were assembled\nthere (17). They, too, welcomed by them duly in return, delightedly\nentered into their mother\u2019s appartment (18). In this way following\nUgrasena, R\u0101ma and Keshava, of extraordinary deeds and beautiful faces,\nspent some days happily in Mathur\u0101 (19).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CII. BALADEVA VISITS VRAJA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014After some days had thus elapsed, R\u0101ma, recollecting\nhis friendship with Gopas, alone went to Vraja with Krishna\u2019s consent\n(1). Clad in a beautifully wild attire and quickly entering into Vraja\nKrishna\u2019s elder brother, the slayer of his enemies, saw first his\ncharming and extensive forest that had been enjoyed by him before and\nthe well-scented tanks (2-3). Thereupon delighting the Gopas with his\nsweet behaviour according to age and previous conduct he held various\ncharming conversations with the milk-women (4-5).\n\nThereupon the elderly milk-men said to R\u0101ma, the foremost of sporters,\nwho had just returned from a foreign land in sweet words (6). \"Welcome\nto thee, O thou of large arms, O descendant of Yadu. We have been\npleased with seeing thee to-day (7). O hero, thou art dreadful unto\nenemies and celebrated in the three worlds. We have been pleased for thy\nreturn to Vraja (8). O hero, O descendant of Yadu, we deserve protection\nfrom thee or (it may be) that creatures cherish attachment for their\nnative place (9). O thou of a pure countenance, no sooner we desired for\nthy arrival than thou hadst come and seen us. Forsooth we have been\nrendered worthy of the honor of gods (10). By thy good luck and by thy\nown greatness the wrestlers and Kansa were slain and Ugrasena has been\ninstalled as a king (11). We have heard of thy encounter, in the ocean,\nwith Timi-like Panchajana, of his destruction and thy battle with\nJar\u0101sandha and other Kshatriyas on Gomanta (12). We have also heard of\nDarada\u2019s death, Jar\u0101sandha\u2019s defeat and of the descension of weapons in\nthat great battle (13). O hero, we have also heard, that slaying the\nking Shrig\u0101la in the charming city of Karavira thou didst place his son\non the throne and console the subjects (14). Thy entrance into the city\nof Mathura is worthy of being narrated even by the gods. By it the earth\nhas been established and all the kings have been brought to subjection\n(15). With thy arrival here, we have been, along with our friends,\npleased, delighted and favoured as before\" (16).\n\nR\u0101ma then replied to all the Gopas stationed around him saying:\u2014\"You are\nour better friends than even the Y\u0101davas (17). We had been reared by you\nand spent our boyhood in sporting here (18). We took our meals in your\nhouses and tended the kine. You all are our firm friends\" (19). When\nHal\u0101yudha gave vent to these words in the midst of Gopas, marks of joy\nwere visible on the faces of their women (20).\n\nThereupon repairing to the forest, the highly powerful R\u0101ma, conversant\nwith the knowledge of spirit, began to sport there with Gopa women (21).\nThen the milk-men, conversant with the knowledge of time and place,\nbrought V\u0101runi wine to him. R\u0101ma, of the hue of a pale cloud, drank that\nwine in the forest along with his friends. Thereafter the cow-herds\nbrought to him diverse beautiful forest fruits, flowers, meat, sweet\njuice and full blown lotuses and lilies just collected. As the mount\nMandara is adorned by the Kail\u0101ga hill so R\u0101ma shone, with Kundalas\nhanging from his cars, with diadem placed a little askance, with locks\nand head and breast besmeared with sandal and decked with garlands of\nwild flowers. Clad in an apparel dark-blue like a cloud his white person\nappeared like the moon enshrouded by darkness. The plough-share,\nattached to his hands like the hood of a serpent and the burning mace\nfixed to his finger, increased his beauty the more. Thus with his eyes\nrolling in intoxication, R\u0101ma, the foremost of the strong, began to\nenjoy there like the moon in an autumnal night (22-29).\n\nThereupon R\u0101ma said to Yamun\u0101:\u2014\"O great river, going to the ocean, I\nwish to marry you by bathing in your water; come to me therefore in your\nbodily form (30).\" Out of her womanish habit and ignorance Yamun\u0101\ndisregarded his words as being the out-come of drunkenness and did not\ncome to him (31). Thereat filled with anger and maddened with\ndrunkenness the powerful R\u0101ma took up his plough share and sat with his\nhead looking down in order to drag her (32). The garland of flowers,\nthat fell down on earth, began to pour, through the leaves, clear water\n(33). There upon bending down the head of his plough-share R\u0101ma began to\ndrag the bank of the great river like unto a wife following her\ninclination (34). At that time the currents of the river were upset and\nall the fishes and the acquatic animals grew bewildered. And Yamun\u0101 too\nfollowed the course of the plough-share (35). Dragged with force by R\u0101ma\nthe powerful river Yamun\u0101, going to the ocean, like unto a drunk woman\ngoing astray in a high-road and over whelmed with fear, began to follow\nthe way pointed out by the plough-share. She had the bank for her hip,\ndark-blue lotuses for her lips, the foams driven by the water for her\ngirdle, the grave currents for her moving limbs, the bewildered fishes\nfor her ornaments, the white geese for glances, the rising K\u0101sa flowers\nfor her silken raiment, the trees grown on her back for the ends of her\nhairs, the current for her slippery gait, and the mark of the\nplough-share for the outer corner of her eye, and the Chakravakas for\nher breast. Although she goes by the lower ground she was made to go up\nand brought to the forest of Vrindavana (36-41). When the river Yamun\u0101\nwas brought to Vrind\u0101vana the water-fowls, as if weeping, followed her\n(42). When she crossed the forest of Vrind\u0101vana, Yamun\u0101, assuming the\nform of a woman, said to R\u0101ma (43):\u2014\"Be propitiated with me, O lord. I\nhave been terrified at these thy unfavourable actions. Behold, this my\nwatery form has been changed (44). O thou of large arms, O son of\nRohini, thou hast dragged me away from my own path. Therefore I have\nbecome unchaste amongst the rivers (45). When I shall go to the ocean,\nother rivers, co-wives with me, proud of their course, will smile at me,\nwith their foams and call me an unchaste river (46). Show me the favour,\nO hero, I beg thee, O elder brother, of Krishna. Be thou delighted at\nheart, O foremost of the celestials (47). I have been dragged here with\nthy weapon. Do thou assuage thy ire. O thou of large arms, O thou, the\nwielder of plough-share, I fall at thy feet. Do thou command me, by what\npath I shall go.\"\n\nBeholding Yamun\u0101, the wife of the ocean fallen at his feet the holder of\nplough-share, inebriate with wine, said (48\u201349):\u2014\"O beautiful Yamun\u0101 of\nfair eye-brows, O auspicious damsel seeking union with the ocean, I\ncommand thee to follow the way pointed out by my plough-share and water\nthis province. Be thou at peace, O noble one, and do thou proceed at thy\npleasure (50\u201351). As long as the world will exist my glory will\nflourish.\"\n\nBeholding the dragging of the ocean all the inhabitants of Vraja said to\nR\u0101ma, exclaiming \"Well done! Well done!\" and bowed unto him. Leaving\naside the noble Yamun\u0101, thinking for a moment and taking leave of all\nthe inhabitants of Vraja, R\u0101ma, the foremost of strikers, again repaired\nto the auspicious city of Mathur\u0101 (52-54). Repairing to Mathur\u0101 R\u0101ma saw\nthe slayer of Madhu, the eternal essence of the universe, stationed in\nhis own house (55). In his wild attire and with his breast covered with\ngarlands of fresh wild flowers he embraced him (56). Beholding the\nholder of plough-share R\u0101ma arrived there Govinda too rose up soon and\noffered him the seat (57). After R\u0101ma had taken his seat, Jar\u0101sandha, in\nsweet words, enquired of him about the well-being of his Vraja friends\nand cows (58). R\u0101ma then replied to his brother of sweet words,\nsaying:\u2014\"O Krishna, they, of whose well-being you enquire, are all\nwell?\" (59) Thereupon R\u0101ma and Keshava held conversations on various\nancient and profitable subjects in the very presence of Vasudeva (60).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CIII. RUKSHMINI\u2019S SWAYAMVARA\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014At this time the spies assembled at the house of\nBaladeva resembling that of a patriarch (1). when those spies arrived\nthere for cropping up the topic of future dissension all the leading\nY\u0101davas were present in the assembly at Krishna\u2019s mandate (2). When all\nthe leading Y\u0101davas assembled at the meeting, the emissaries announced\nthe future destruction of the kings, saying (3): \"O Janarddana, at the\ninvitation of Bhoja\u2019s son a great meeting of the kings will take place\nat the city of Kundina. There the kings of various provinces are\nrepairing in haste (4-5). People there, as we have heard, are announcing\nthat Rukshmini, the first sister of Rukshmi, will hold her Swayamvara\n(6). For this, O Jan\u0101rddana, all the kings, with their army and\nfollowers, are repairing there (7). O Y\u0101dava, on the third day hereof,\nthe Swayamvara, of Rushmini adorned with golden ornaments, the fairest\nin the three worlds, will take place (8). Proceeding on elephants,\nhorses and cars, all the kings, elated with pride like unto lions and\ntigers, bent upon injuring one another, gifted with the gait of\ninfuriated elephants, fond of battle and highly powerful, will assemble\nthere. We shall behold those hundreds of encampments of the high-souled\nones (9\u201310). O descendant of Yadu, while all the kings of earth have\nassembled why should we remain depressed alone? Let us all, encircled by\nour armies, set out for victory (11).\"\n\nHearing those words like unto a dart stuck to the heart, Keshava, the\nforemost of Yadus, set out immediately with his army (12), The Y\u0101davas\ntoo, of fierce prowess, got upon their cars, with a view to engage in a\nbattle and followed him like gods filled with pride (13). With that\npowerful army ready for action Krishna, with uplifted discus and mace in\nhis hand, and liked by Ish\u0101na, shone there (14). The other Yadavas,\nfollowing Vasudeva, increased his beauty with the collection of cars\neffulgent like the sun and echoing with the tinkling of bells (15).\n\nGovinda, of sure fore-sight, said to Ugrasena, at the time of his\ndeparture, \"O sinless one, O foremost of kings, do thou wait here with\nmy brother (16). For when this city will be empty on our departure,\nthose Khatriyas, of deceitful conduct and well-versed in laws, who,\nalthough afraid of us, are enjoying in the city of Kundina, like\nimmortals in the land of celestials, may attack it at Jar\u0101sandha\u2019s\ndesire (17-18)\".\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Hearing the words of Krishna, the highly illustrious\nking of Bhoja replied in nectarine words impressed with affection (19.)\n\"O Krishna, O thou of large arms, O thou the enhancer of the delight of\nthe Yadus, O slayer of enemies, listen now to what I say (20). If dost\nthou go leaving us behind, we shall not be able to live here happily or\nelsewhere like a woman without her husband (21). O my child, O conferrer\nof honors, on thy being our leader, we do not, under the shelter of thy\narms, fear even Indra and other gods what to speak of kings (22). O\nforemost of Yadus, we shall follow thee wherever thou shalt go for\nachieving victory (23).\"\n\nHearing the words of the king, Devaki\u2019s son smilingly said:\u2014\"I should do\nwhatever you wish. There is no doubt, about it (24).\"\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CIV. THE MEETING OF KRISHNA AND GARUDA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Having said this, and set out on his car Krishna\narrived at Bhishmaka\u2019s house in the evening\u00b2\u2077\u2070 (1). When he arrived at\nthat meeting of the kings and saw the spacious arena full of camps he\nwas possessed by _Rajasika_\u00b2\u2077\u00b9 inclination (2). Thereupon in order to\nterrify the kings and display his own prowess he thought of the highly\npowerful son of Vinat\u0101 who had attained _Siddhi_ beforehand (3). As soon\nas he was thought of Vinat\u0101\u2019s son, assuming a form that could be seen\neasily, approached Keshava (4). With the strokes of his wings which\ncould agitate even the wind, all the men, trembling and being\nhaunch-backed, fell down on earth. And they began to exert like serpents\ndeprived of the power of rising up. Beholding them all fallen Krishna,\nfirm like a mountain, came to know that the king of birds had arrived.\nHe then saw that Garuda, adorned with celestial garlands and unguents,\nwas approaching him, shaking the earth with the flapping of his wings.\nThe weapons, with their faces down wards, were fixed on his back like\nlicking serpents with a view to be favoured with the touch of Vishnu\u2019s\nhand. Adorned with golden feathers like a mountain consisting of\nminerals that king of birds was dragging, with his feet, black serpents.\nBeholding his own carrier the intelligent Garuda arrived and stationed\nbefore him like a god, who brought ambrosia for him, who was the\ndestroyer of serpents, the terrifier of the Daityas, whose emblem was on\nhis flag-staff and who was his councillor Madhusudana was pleased and\ngave vent to the following words befitting the occasion. \"O foremost of\nbirds, O grinder of the enemies of the celestial army, O delighter of\nVinat\u0101\u2019s heart, O favourite of Keshava, thou art welcome (5-13). O\nforemost of birds, we shall go to the house of Kaishika and behold the\nSwayamvara. Do thou also accompany us (14). There hundreds of highly\npowerful kings have assembled with their elephants, horses and cars; we\nshall behold those high-souled ones (15).\"\n\nSaying this to the highly powerful son of of Vinat\u0101, the beautiful\nKrishna, of large arms, set out for the city of the high-sould Kaishika\nalong with the mighty car-warriors the Y\u0101davas (16). When Devaki\u2019s son\nthe beautiful Krishna, the friend of Vinat\u0101\u2019s son, reached the city of\nVidarbha along with the mighty car-warrior Y\u0101davas, all the powerful\nkings, holding all sorts of weapons, were filled with delight and began\nto make arrangements for his quarters (17\u201318).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014In the meantime the king Kaishika, well read in\nmoral laws, rose up delightedly from among the kings, welcomed himself\nKrishna with water to wash his feet and rinse his mouth and _arghya_ and\nplaced him in his own city (19-20). Like unto Shankara entering into the\nKail\u0101ca hill Krishna, with his army, entered into the house that had\nbeen kept ready for him from before. Adored with various edibles,\ndrinks, jewels, honors and love V\u0101sava\u2019s younger brother Krishna lived\nhappily in king Kaishika\u2019s house (21\u201322).\n\n  \u00b2\u2077\u2070 The word in the text is _Lohitayati Bhaskare_, _i.e._, when the\n      sun became red like heated iron.\n\n  \u00b2\u2077\u00b9 His inclination was possessed by the quality of darkness _i.e._,\n      He was actuated by a selfish motive but not for a sinful end.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CV. JARASANDHA\u2019S ADRESS TO THE KINGS.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Beholding the eternal Krishna arrive there with\nVin\u0101ta\u2019s son the leading kings were stricken with great anxiety (1). O\nking, those kings of dreadful prowess, well-read in the science of\nPolity and expert in counsels, assembled at the golden assembly hall of\nking Bhismaka for holding consultations. As the gods sit in the\ncelestial assembly hall so they sat there on seats variegated with\ncoverings of diverse colors (1-3). As the king of gods addressed the\ncelestials so the highly powerful Jar\u0101sandha, of large arms and great\nenergy, addressed them saying (4).\n\n\"O ye foremost of kings, the best of speakers, O highly intelligent\nBhishmaka, do you all listen to what I say according to my own\nunderstanding (5). This Krishna, the well known son of Vasudeva, who has\ncome to the city of Kundina with Garuda and other Y\u0101davas, is endued\nwith great energy and prowess. He has come here for the maiden and\nforsooth he will set forth mighty exertions for acquiring her (6-7). O\nforemost of kings, you should behave in this matter according to the\nrules of Polity. Do yo all work so considering your own strength and\nweakness (8). You know well the highly dreadful work which these two\npowerful sons of Vasudeva performed on the mount Gomanta without the\nhelp of Vinat\u0101\u2019s son (9). I cannot say how Krishna will fight united\nwith the mighty car-warriors of the Yadava, Bhoja and Andhaka races\n(10). When seated on Garuda Vishnu will set forth his exertions for\nacquiring the maiden, even Sakra, assisted by the celestials, or any\nother person, will not be able to stand in the battle-field (11). When\nthe universe was submerged under one all-spreading ocean, the powerful\nVishnu, the Prime cause of the world, assuming a boar form, released the\nearth gone down to the depth of the nether region and in his same\nboarish form killed Hiranyaksha the king of Daityas (12\u201313). The highly\npowerful, uuconquerable Daitya-king, Hiranyakashipu, who did not meet\nwith his death in the three worlds, consisting of immortals, Daityas,\nRishis, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Yakshas Rakshasas and N\u0101gas, in the sky,\non the earth, and in the nether region, in day or in night, from a dry\nor an wet article, was slain in the days of yore by Hari in his man-lion\nform (14\u201316). Binding the powerful Bali, the foremost of Asuras begotten\nby Kagyapa on Aditi, with a noose of promise Vishnu, in his form of a\ndwarf, sent him down to the nether region. When at the junction of the\nTret\u0101 and Dw\u0101para ages, the king of seven insular continents, the highly\npowerful king K\u0101rtavirya, endued with thousand arms, grew elated with\nthe pride of kingdom by Datt\u0101treya\u2019s favour the highly energetic Vishnu\ntook his birth in disguise, from Jamadagni and Renuk\u0101, as R\u0101ma, the\nforemost of warriors and killed him with his axe, hard as the\nthunder-bolt (17\u201320). Dasharatha\u2019s son R\u0101ma, born in the race of Iksh\u0101ku\nin the days of yore, killed the heroic R\u0101vana, the conqueror of the\nthree worlds (21). In the Tret\u0101 age in the war of which T\u0101raka was the\nroot, the powerful Vishnu, seated on Garuda, assuming a form of eight\narms, killed in the battle-field the Asuras, who were elated with the\nboons conferred on them. By his great Yoga power, Vishnu, having an\nuniversal form, killed, with his discus, effulgent like the sun, the\ndemon K\u0101lanemi who terrorized the gods (22\u201324). What more, innumerable\nDaityas have been despatched by him in time to the abode of Yama. By him\nas a boy in the forest, many highly powerful and forest-ranging demons,\nDhenuka, Arishtha and Pralamva have been slain. Slaying in his cow-herd\nform Shakuni, Putan\u0101, Keshi, Jamala, Arjuna, the elephant Kuvalayapida,\nCh\u0101nura, Mushitika and Kansa with his followers Devaki\u2019s son sported\nthere. In disguise thus he performed many superhuman feats (25\u201328). I\nconsider Devaki\u2019s son Keshava as the first cause of the celestials, the\ndestroyer of the Asuras, as N\u0101r\u0101yana, the ancient Purusha, the Prime\ncause of the universe, as Truth, the creator of all creatures manifest\nand unmanifest, irrepressible unto all, the adored of all, the first,\nthe middle, as devoid of destruction, eternal, self-born, unborn,\nstable, mobile and immobile, unconquerable, of three foot-steps, the\nlord of the three worlds, the destroyer of the enemies of the king of\ngods, and the eternal Vishnu. This my sure under standing, I have\nacquired from Mathur\u0101 (29\u201333). Can Garuda be the carrier of a man even\nif he be born in the high family of a mortal Lord Paramount (34)?\nBesides when Janarddana will display his prowess for the maiden what\npowerful man will be able to stand before Garuda (35)? Forsooth I tell\nyou that Vishnu himself has come for this Swayamvara. Mighty is the\ncalamity that will befall you on his arrival here (36). You should do\nwhatever you think proper after this.\"\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014After Jar\u0101shandha, the king of Magadha, had said\nthis, the greatly wise Sunitha replied saying:\n\n\"What the mighty-armed king of Magadha has said, is true. In that great\nbattle on the mount Gomanta Krishna performed many feats, difficult of\naccomplishment, before the kings (37\u201339). With the fire of their discus\nand ploughshare the huge army, of the kings, consisting of elephants,\nhorses, cars, infantry and flags, was consumed (40). Remembering the\ndreadful plight of the soldiers of the king and fearing their future\ncalamity the king of Magadha is saying this (41). Though R\u0101ma and\nKeshava fought on foot in battle still the soldiers of the kings were\nterribly slaughtered and no body could prevent it (42). O foremost of\nkings, you all remember that the sky-rangers were overwhelmed by the\nwind raised by the flapping of the wings of Suparna when he came there\n(43). The oceans were agitated and the earth and the mountains were\nrepeatedly shaken. We also were terrified thinking \u2019what is this\ncalamity (44)?\u2019 When armed with his coat of mail, Keshava, seated on\nGaruda, will engage in fight what man, like ourselves, will be able to\nstand in the battle-field (45)? The prime kings laid down the practice\nof holding Swayamvara ever increasing delight, the mine of piety and\nfame unto the kings (46). Coming to this city of Kundina the kings will\nno time combat with that great hero (47). If this princess selects any\none from amongst other kings what person will be able to stand the\nstrength of Krishna\u2019s arms (48)? O kings, although a Swayamvara is a\nmatter of festivity, still it will give birth to a calamity and for this\nKrishna and ourselves have met here (49). Therefore as the king of\nMagadha has said, the arrival of Krishna here, for the maiden, bespeaks\nof a calamity that is to befall the kings (50)\".\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CVI. DANTAVAKRAS SPEECH.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014After the highly powerful Sunitha had thus expressed\nhimself, the heroic Dantavakra, the king of Karusha said (1).\n\nDantavakra said:\u2014\"O ye kings, what the king of Magadha and Sunitha have\nsaid for our well-being appears to me as proper (2). I cannot blame\nthese nectarine words out of malice, pride or of my own desire for\nvictory (3). Who, else save them, can give vent, in the midst of kings,\nto such words grave like an ocean and sanctioned by the science of\nPolity? (4). Listen to what I say which you should keep in memory. O\nkings, what wonder is there that V\u0101sudeva has come here? (5). He has\ncome here for this maiden as we have all done. What virtue or blemish\nlies there? (6). We all unitedly laid siege to Gomanta. Why do you then\nfind fault with the battle? (7). O kings, on account of Kansa\u2019s\nfoolishness those two heroes first lived in Vrind\u0101vana (8). Thereupon in\norder to slay them both Kansa invited R\u0101ma and Keshava and set an\ninfuriated elephant against them. Slaying that elephant those two heroes\nentered the arena (9). Thereafter by virtue of their own prowess, they\nslew Kansa, the king of Mathur\u0101, seated in the sporting arena, like one\ndead, with his followers (10). What offence did they commit thereby,\nthat we all, elderly in age, came to Mathura at (another\u2019s) instigation\n(11). O kings, terrified at our huge and overwhelming army, R\u0101ma and\nKeshava, leaving their own city and soldiers, fled away to Gomanta (12).\nWe still pursued them there; and though expert in the art of fighting we\nwere defeated in the battle-field by those two boys (13). Though they\ndid not fight with us, with cars, elephants, horses and infantry, still,\nas the Kshatriyas should do, we laid seige to the hill and set fire to\nit (14). O ye leading Kshatryas, if they had given up their life quietly\nin that conflagration considering it a forest fire we would have\nconsidered them humbled. We blame Jan\u0101rddana because he fought against\nus (15). As the matters have now stood it appears that wherever we shall\ngo we will pick up a quarrel. Let us, therefore, O king, contract\nfriendship with Krishna (16). Besides, Krishna has not come to this city\nof Kundina for picking up a quarrel. He has come for the maiden. Why\nshould he fight with another (17)? Krishna is not an ordinary human\nbeing. He is the foremost of men in this land of mortals, the foremost\nof gods in the land of celestials. He is the Deity and the Creator of\nthe worlds. In God there is no malice, pride or crookedness (18\u201319).\nThey are not stupified, they do not grow lean and are not visited by any\ncalamity. They always remove the calamities of those who bow unto them.\nIn order to show his true form, Vishnu, the king of gods has come here\nwith Garuda. You should also know that Krishna never goes with his army\nto slay his enemies. That he has come here accompanied by the leading\nBhojas, Vrishnis, Andhakas and Yadavas indicates his desire of\ncontracting friendship with you (20\u201322). Therefore, O kings, let us go\nand offer the high-souled Keshava hospitality with _arghya_ and water to\nrinse his mouth (23). What more, if we make peace with Keshava we shall\nbe able to live freed from anxiety and fear\" (24).\n\nHearing the words of the intelligent Dantavakra, S\u0101lwa, the foremost of\nspeakers, said to the kings (25).\n\nSalwa said:\u2014\"What is the use of this fear? Had we trembled in Krishna\u2019s\nfear and thought it proper to make peace with him, we would have left\nour weapons at that time (26). Besides what is the necessity of speaking\nill of our own army and extolling another? Such is not the duty of the\nKshatriya kings (27). We are all born in great royal families and have\nglorified our respective races. Why should then our sense be poorly like\nthat of a coward (28)? I know Devaki\u2019s son Krishna as the immortal,\neternal, Prime Deity Vishnu, invincible unto the kings, powerful, adored\nof all the worlds, Vaikuntha and the preceptor of the entire world,\nmobile and immobile (29-30). I know full well all the objects of Vishnu.\nHe has in view, for incarnating a portion of His Self, the destruction\nof king Kansa, the relieving of the earth of her burden, our destruction\nand the protection of the worlds. (I know also) that a great battle will\ntake place between Vishnu and all the kings (31\u201332). O kings, I know\ntruly that consumed by the fire of his discus we will go to the abode of\nYama. Still considering that no one meets with untimely death, no one\nsurvives when the proper time comes and the lease of his life runs out\nin due time; therefore a man should not entertain fear (33\u201334). When the\nascetic virtue of the Daityas is annihilated the Divine Vishnu,\nconversant with Yoga, brings about their destruction in proper time\n(35). This Lord of gods sent down Virochona\u2019s son, the highly powerful\nBali, to the nether region (36). O kings, Vishnu has performed many\nother feats like this; you should not therefore question the subject of\nfighting\u2014for Vishnu has not come here to fight. Besides he, whom the\nmaiden will choose, will get her. What chance is there of a quarrel\namongst the kings? Let us all be reconciled now (37-38)\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The intelligent kings thus spoke amongst themselves.\nBut king Bhishmaka did not say any thing out of regard for his son (39).\n\nHe knew his own son to be highly-powerful, elated with pride, fearful in\nbattle, a mighty car-warrior and well protected by Bh\u0101rgava weapons\n(40).\n\nBhishmaka said:\u2014\"My son is highly powerful and is ever arrogant. He does\nnot fear any one in battle and he won\u2019t stoop before Krishna (41). If\nKrishna carries away the maiden by the strength of his arms forsooth a\ngreat dissension will take place amongst the powerful warriors (42).\nAlas, how will this my son, evil disposed towards Krishna, survive? I do\nnot see any means of his escaping with his life, from Keshava (43).\nAlas, how shall I, for my daughter, set my eldest son, the enhancer of\nthe joy of the departed manes, in fight against Keshava and his son\n(44). My son Rukshavan, elated with pride and possessed by ignorance,\nwho does not return from the battle-field, does not pray for boons from\nN\u0101r\u0101yana (45). Forsooth he will be consumed like cotton thrown into\nfire. The heroic king of Karavira Shrig\u0101la was in no time consumed by\nthe powerful Keshava, fighting in various ways. While living in\nVrindavana, the powerful Keshava held up the mount Govardhana with one\nfinger for seven days. Remembering his superhuman feat my mind is\ndrooping (46-48). Coming on the mount (Govardhana) along with all the\ngods, Sachi\u2019s lord (Indra), the slayer of Vitra, sprinkled Krishna and\nrecognised him as Upendra (his younger brother) (49). The dreadful N\u0101ga\nK\u0101lya, burning in the fire of his poison and effulgent like Death, was\nsubdued by Vasudeva in the lake of Yamun\u0101, The highly powerful\nhorse-shaped D\u0101nava Keshi, irrepressible even unto the gods, was slain\nby him. Killing the demon of Panchajana he brought back from the abode\nof Yama S\u0101ndipani\u2019s son who was lost in water for ever (50\u201352). Fighting\nwith many on the mount Gomanta both R\u0101ma and Keshava destroyed many\nhorses and cars and struck terror into their enemies (53). There those\ntwo highly powerful sons of Vasudeva brought about the destruction of\nthe elephants through elephants, that of the car-warriors through\ncar-warriors, that of the cavalry through cavalry and that of the\ninfantry through infantry (54). The way in which they destroyed the\nelephants, horses and cars in that battle, none amongst the gods,\nAsuras, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Uragas, R\u0101kshasas, N\u0101gas, Daityas,\nPich\u0101sas, Guhyakas has been able to imitate. Thinking of that battle my\nmind is greatly drooping (55\u201356). I had never seen before on earth a man\nmore powerful than V\u0101sudeva the foremost of the celestials nor have I\nheard that such a man was ever born in the land of immortals (57). Truly\nhas the mighty-armed king Dantavakra said that we should reconciliate\nthe highly powerful V\u0101sudeva for our well-being\" (58).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having thus thought, in his mind, over the weakness\nand strength of the respective armies Bhismaka felt a desire to go to\neternal Krishna for propitiating him (59). Many a king, proficient in\nthe Science of Polity, approved of his going, and he too, having\nbenedictory songs sung by panegyrists and bards, set out (69). After the\nexpiration of the night all the kings, performing their morning rites,\nsat in their respective quarters (61). The spies, who were sent to the\ncity of Vidarbha, returned and communicated every thing secretly to\ntheir master (62). Hearing of Krishna\u2019s _Abhisekha_\u00b2\u2077\u00b2 from their\nemissaries, some amongst those kings attained to delight and others were\nstricken with fear and sorrow. And many paid no attention to it. Thus\nmoved by the (news of) Krishna\u2019s _Abhisheka_ the army of the kings,\nabounding in men, horses and elephants, was agitated like a huge ocean\nand divided into three divisions (64). Marking the division of the\nkings, the foremost of kings Bhismaka began to think within himself\nabout the unthought-of insult offered to them by him. And in order to be\ninformed of their object he, with a burning heart, went to their\nassembly. In the meantime carrying on their heads the letter announcing\nKrishna _Abhisheka_, the emissaries, despatched by Kaishika, entered\ninto that ocean-like assembly of the kings (64\u201367).\n\n  \u00b2\u2077\u00b2 The literal meaning of the word is bathing or sprinkling. It is\n      often used for initiation, royal unction &c. sprinkling with the\n      water of the Ganges, or water in which various articles have been\n      immersed being an essential part of the rite. Here it means a\n      religious ceremony which includes the presentation of a variety of\n      articles, fruits, jems &c. along with water or fluid substance for\n      the bathing of the deities to whom worship is offered.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CVII. KAISHIKA WORSHIPS KRISHNA.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O lord, having slain the highly powerful Kansa\nirrepressible unto the gods Krishna did not sit on the throne. Then he\nwaited for the maiden and was not welcomed there. Why did he show\nforgiveness although thus insulted (1-2). Vinat\u0101\u2019s son was highly\npowerful. Why did he too show forgiveness? O Brahman, I am greatly\nstricken with curiosity to listen to all this. Do thou describe it at\nlength (3).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014When with Vinat\u0101\u2019s son the eternal V\u0101sudeva arrived\nat the city of Vidarbha Kaishika thought thus about him in his\nmind:\u2014(4). \"Forsooth shall our sins be destroyed if we behold the\nwonderful Abhisheka of Krishna (5). And from Krishna who has seen the\ntrue essence of things our mind will also be purified. Besides there is\nno other worthier person in the three worlds than the lotus-eyed\nJan\u0101rddana, Krishna, the king of gods. O kings, what hospitality can we\noffer to him obtaining such a person? However virtue will not be\nspoiled?\" Thus thinking the two brothers Kratha and Kaishika desired to\ngo to Keshava in order to confer upon him their kingdom. Approaching\nthat god and bending low their heads unto him, the two heroic and noble\nkings of Vidarbha, said: \"Blessed is our birth and fame to-day; blessed\nare our ancestral manes since thou hast come to our house. (6-10). We\nourselves, our umbrellas, flag-staffs, throne, army and our flourishing\ncity belong to thee (11). O thou of large arms, formerly thou wert\nannointed by Indra as Upendra. We now install thee in in our kingdom\n(12). The innumerable kings and even the Emperor Jar\u0101sandha will not be\nable to undo what both of us will do (13). The highly effulgent king\nJar\u0101sandha, who offers shelter to other kings, is thy enemy. And he\nalways mentions in a conversation \u2019Devaki\u2019s son has not been installed\non a throne and he has no city. How will he sit in the same assembly\nwith the kings (14\u201315)? The highly effulgent and powerful Krishna too is\nvery proud. He will therefore never come to this Swayamvara for the\nmaiden (16). When all the kings will sit on their respective seats, how\nwill that highly effulgent one sit on a lower seat (17)?\u2019 Hearing this\ndiscussion amongst the kings and in order to put a stop to the\ndissension the king Bhishmaka, after consulting with us, has got ready\nthis most excellent resting house for the thee. O thou of great\neffulgence, thou art the prime deity amongst the gods and art the lord\nof all the worlds. Do thou behave now as the Emperor in this land of\nmortals. O lord, may not difficulties about seats arise in the assembly\nof kings (18\u201320). Having performed today the ceremony of royal unction\naccording to rites laid down in scriptures, do thou, next morning,\nseated at ease on an auspicious throne, in the city of Vidarbha, be\ninstalled as the Emperor of the kings assembled at the behest of Indra\n(21\u201322).\"\n\nHaving said this to that foremost of celestials and bowing unto him with\nfolded-hands those two heroes sent an emissary to the kings (23). As\nV\u0101sava, the holder of thunderbolt, announced through the celestial\nemissary so Kaishika announced this intelligence to the assembled kings\n(24).\n\nKaishika said:\u2014O ye kings, you all know that the eternal Hari has\narrived at the city of Vidarbha, along with Vinata\u2019s son, as our guest\n(25). Beholding the worthiest person, to whom a gift could be made,\npresent my eldest brother Kratha, with a view to acquire piety, has\nconferred upon Vasudeva his kingdom (26). When my brother said \"Sit on\nthis seat\" an invisible speech was uttered by a sky-ranger (27).\n\nThe celestial emissary said:\u2014\"O king, thou shouldst not offer to\nV\u0101sudeva the seat on which thou didst sit. For him the king of gods has\nsent this white seat of gold, constructed by the celestial Architect,\ncrested with all sorts of jems and marked with an emblem of a lion\n(28\u201329). Do thou along with other kings place him on this seat and\nsprinkle him (30). He, who amongst the kings assembled in this city of\nKundina for the maiden will not come, will be slain by the king of gods\n(31). The eight jars, born of the portions of Nidhis made of celestial\ngold and jewels and containing celestial ornaments belonging to the\nhigh-souled lord of riches, will come amongst those kings for installing\nthis Emperor (32\u201333). O king, this order of the lord of gods is\ncommunicated to thee. Do thou invite all the kings with a letter and\nperform the royal unction of Keshava (34).\"\n\nKaishika continued:\u2014\"O kings, saying this from the welkin and giving to\nKrishna, the seat, effulgent like the rising sun the celestial emissary\nreturns to the city of gods (35). I therefore speak to the assembled\nkings, that they should all behold Jan\u0101rddana of a wonderful form rare\nin the land of mortals whom the king of gods has recognised as dreadful\nand greatly irrepressible and whom he will sprinkle from the welkin with\njars (36\u201337). If we behold the wonderful ceremony, the bathing of\nVishnu, the God of gods, surely our sins will be dissipated (38). Come,\nO ye leading kings, you need not fear, for you I have made peace with\nJan\u0101rddana (39). I have known truly that Krishna\u2019s mind is pure. He will\nnever make enmity with lords of men (40). Besides he cherishes no enmity\ntowards the king of Magadha at heart. You should therefore consult and\ndo whatever is proper in this matter (41)\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O king, hearing the words of Kaishika, while the\nkings were thinking in fear of a curse, they heard again that an\ninvisible voice, grave like the muttering of a cloud, filling up the sky\nwith its sound, said at the mandate of the king of gods (42-43).\n\nChitrangada said:\u2014\"O ye kings, Sakra, the king of the three worlds, for\nyour well-being and for governing the subjects has issued this mandate\n(44). O kings, you should not live creating enmity with Krishna.\nPleasing him do you all live in your respective kingdoms (45). Krishna\nremoves the calamity of his votaries, and is like the fire of\ndissolution unto his enemies. Therefore creating friendship with him be\nyou all happy and freed of anxiety (46). A king is the lord of men; the\ncelestials are the lords of kings; Indra is the lord of celestials and\nJan\u0101rddana is the lord of Indra (47). The powerful Lord Vishnu, the God\nof gods, is born as a man in the land of men under the name of Krishna\n(48). He alone, in the worlds, is not to be slain by the gods, D\u0101navas,\nmen and even by Mahadeva, the holder of trident along with Kum\u0101ra\u00b2\u2077\u00b3\n(49). What to speak of others, I myself along with the celestials wish\nto perform the _Abhisheka_ ceremony of the high-souled Keshava, the king\nof gods (50). Besides, the gods have no hand in the _Abhisheka_ ceremony\nof an Emperor; the kings are entitled to it. I cannot perform the royal\nunction of Keshava, adored of all the worlds (51): O ye kings, do you\nrepair to the city of Vidarbha, and holding a consultation with Kratha\nand Kaishika perform the ceremony as laid down in Scriptures (52). O\nkings, thinking that the time for making peace and friendship has\narrived, V\u0101sava has sent me to you. I am the celestial emissary (53).\nTo-day the kings Kratha and Kaishika have invited Krishna to the city of\nVidarbha for performing the ceremony of his royal unction. United with\nthem, do ye, O kings, perform the _Abhisheka_ ceremony of Krishna. And\nthen taking gifts do you, with delighted hearts, return to the\nSwayamvara (54\u201355). Let the four leading kings Jar\u0101sandha, Sunitha, the\nmighty car-warrior, Rukshiv\u0101n and Sh\u0101lwa, the king of Soubha, wait here\nso that the sporting-ground may not remain vacant (56)\".\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Listening to the command of the king of gods\nannounced by Chitr\u0101ngada all the kings desired to go there. And the\nintelligent king Jarasandha too accorded his permission. And they set\nout encircled by their own armies and headed by Bhishmaka (57\u201358).\nSurrounded by his own followers, and with his heart burning in anxiety,\nthe mighty-armed king Bhishmaka, along with other kings, went to where\nthe large-armed Krishna was living in the house of Kaishika. They saw\nfrom distance the brilliance of the picturesque assembly-hall of the\ncelestials that had been brought there for Krishna\u2019s Abhisheka, and\nwhich was decorated with flags, pennons and garlands, set with celestial\ngems; adorned with celestial garlands, streamers and ornaments, perfumed\nwith celestial fragrance and encircled by celestial conveyances. There,\nthe Apsar\u0101s, Vidy\u0101dharas, Gandharvas, Munis and Kinnaras, stationed in\nthe welkin, were singing the accomplishments of Krishna, the lord of\ncelestials. And the great saints and Siddhas were eulogising him. And\ncelestial trumpets were beaten of themselves in the sky (59\u201365). And the\nimmortals, stationed in the sky, showered profusely scented powders made\nof roots, barks, flowers and fruits of Mand\u0101ra, P\u0101rij\u0101ta, Sant\u0101naka,\nKalpa and Harichandana trees (66). Seated on his own vehicle, the Lord\nof Sachi himself came there with the gods and showed himself in the sky\n(67). Stationed in their respective quarters, the Eight Regents began to\nsing, dance and eulogise (Krishna\u2019s) glories on all sides (68). Hearing\nthat tumultuous sound and having their eyes expanded in surprise, the\nkings entered into the assembly-hall (69). The large-armed and powerful\nking Kaishika came out and received them duly (70). When the arrival of\nthe kings was announced to the beautiful Hari, the foremost of the\ncelestials, he issued out with the performance of all benedictory rites\n(71). Thereupon from the sky, celestial jars, with pieces of cloth tied\nround their necks and covered with mango leaves, began to pour down,\nlike clouds, water mixed with gold, gems, flowers and scented powders on\nthe occasion of the ceremony of his royal unction (72\u201373). Having\nperformed duly according to rites, the Abhisheka ceremony of Jan\u0101rddana,\nbefore the very presence of the kings, the king of gods adorned him with\ncelestial ornaments (74). Having welcomed duly all the kings with\ncelestial garments of various colors, garlands and unguents, M\u0101dhava too\nsat in the auspicious assembly-hall of the celestials for the purpose of\nbathing. The kings of the Yadu and Vidarbha races began to adore him\n(75-76). The powerful son of Vinat\u0101, capable of assuming forms at will,\nsat on a seat on the right hand side of Keshava (77). As desired by\nVasudeva himself the high-souled and heroic kings, Kratha and Kaishika,\nsat on their respective seats on his left hand side (78). The highly\npowerful and heroic car-warriors headed by S\u0101tyaki of the Vrishni and\nAndhaka races sat on his left hand side (79). As the gods beautify the\nLord of Sachi-so those leading kings beautified the beautiful Krishna\nseated at ease on a celestial seat covered with a celestial coverlet and\neffulgent like the sun (80). Afterwards having been introduced to him by\nthe ministers, various other kings were duly received by Keshava and\nthey too sat at ease on their respective thrones. Thereupon having shown\nhim proper respect, the highly wise king Kaishika, the foremost of\nspeakers and well-read in all Sh\u0101stras, said:\u2014\n\n\"O lord, considering thee a human being, these ignorant kings have\ncommitted offence by thee. Do thou therefore forgive them, O God.\"\n\nKrishna said:\u2014\"O Kaishika, what of kings observant of Kshatriyas\u2019\nduties, even if any one else proves inimical to me it does not find room\nin my heart even for a single day. O kings, how can I be offended with\nthem who have to turn their faces against impiety and to fight\nvirtuously? What is past is gone. Those who are dead have gone to the\ncelestial region. Birth and death are natural with men. Do not grieve, O\nkings, for them who are dead. I wish that you may all forgive me and\ncast off your enmity (81-87)\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having consoled the kings with these words, the\nhighly effulgent Madhusudana looked at Kaishika and desisted (88). In\nthe meantime, showing proper respect to all, Bhishmaka, the foremost of\nspeakers, and of those well read in Polity, said (89).\n\n  \u00b2\u2077\u00b3 The son of Mah\u0101deva, K\u0101rtikeya, the commander-in-chief of the\n      gods, who led the life of a bachelor.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CVIII. CONVERSATION BETWEEN KRISHNA AND BHISHMAKA.\n\n\nBhishmaka said:\u2014\"O Lord of gods, out of his childish nature, my son\nwishes to give away his sister in a Swayamvara, but I do not like it\n(1). He is entirely childish; I do not like to give away (my daughter in\nthis way). I wish that my daughter may select the only person whom she\nsees (2). O Lord, I propitiate thee, for this my son\u2019s bad conduct. Be\nthou propitiated and forgive (him)\" (3).\n\nKrishna said:\u2014\"While your son, as a boy, has worked up all these kings,\nI do not know how arrogant he will be when he will be advanced in years\n(4). He who, born in a great royal family in this earth, speaks a\nfalsehood, even before one king, consumes with the fire of Yama\u2019s\ntortures: his own-self and all the regions effulgent like the rays of\nthe sun acquired by his asceticism (5\u20136). O Lord, I know this to be the\nreligious duty of the kings, and even Brahm\u0101, in the days of yore,\npointed it out as the foremost duty of men (7). Under these\ncircumstances, O king, how can your son give utterance to a lie before\nthe kings in this assembly (8). Let it go, I doubt also very much your\nstatement that you do not know anything of the great assemblage of the\nkings invited by your son (9). O king, you have offered hospitality and\nwelcome duly to the kings, assembled like the sun and moon; cars,\nelephants, horses and the infantry have made a wild dance in your city,\nand still you do not know anything of your son\u2019s work. How may this be\n(10-11)? I doubt very much, O king, how you were not able to know of the\narrival of four-fold forces though it might not have been a source of\nanxiety (12). O king, perhaps thinking that my arrival was not conducive\nto your well-being, you did not offer hospitality to such an unworthy\nperson (13). O you of large arms, why should you not give away your\ndaughter (in Swayamvara) for the very sin of my arrival here. Leaving me\naside, do you confer your daughter on a good husband (14). Manu and\nother leading Law-givers have ordained that he who puts obstacles in the\nway of a maiden, wastes himself in hell (15). O king, for this, I did\nnot enter into the assembly-hall and accept hospitality (16). O king,\nwhen possessed greatly by bashfulness, I prayed for giving rest to my\nfollowers in the city of Vidarbha, Kaishika, ever fond of guests,\noffered us proper hospitality. I too, in the company of Garuda, am\nliving here as in the city of gods\" (17\u201318).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014When Krishna, effulgent like burning fire, showered\nthese thunder-like words, king Bhishmaka, sprinkling him with sweet\nwords, consoled him (19).\n\nBhishmaka said:\u2014\"Be thou propitiated, O Lord of the celestial region. Do\nthou forgive me, O Lord of the land of mortals. I am possessed by the\ndarkness of ignorance; do thou give me eyes of wisdom (20). We are men\nof perverse understanding, gifted with fleshy eyes. Therefore whatever\nwe do without judging is not accomplished (21). However we have obtained\nthee now who art the God of gods. May my vision grow wise and works be\naccomplished (22). The wise, like great commanders, render fruitful\nunaccomplished works by the discernment of moral laws (23). Having\nobtained thy shelter, I do not entertain any fear. Listen to what I wish\nto accomplish now (24). O king of gods, I do not wish to allow my\ndaughter to hold her Swayamvara lest she may choose another. Be thou\npropitiated with me, O Lord of celestials. Do not be angry with me\"\n(25).\n\nKrishna said:\u2014\"O king of great intelligence, O sinless one, I do not\nperceive the utility of your sayings. Who can adjust whether you will\ngive away your daughter or not (26). O king, the goddess-like form of\nRukshmini has brought me to this place. But I should not say that you\nshould give her to me and not to anybody else (27). When in the days of\nyore the gods assembled on the summit of the mount Sumeru for\nincarnating their portions they said to her: \u2019O thou of spacious hip, do\nthou with thy husband go to the world of men. And having been born in\nthe house of Bhishmaka in the city of Kundina, be thou united with\nKeshava (28\u201329)\u2019. I tell you this plainly, O king; do what ever you\nthink proper after due consideration (30). O king, truly your daughter\nRukshmini is not a woman; she is the very goddess Sree. For some object\nand at the words of Brahm\u0101 she is born (as a woman) (31). She should not\nbe given away in a Swayamvara where all the kings will be assembled. She\nmust remain alone, and inviting one bride groom, you should confer her\non him. It will be thus performing a Kshatriya\u2019s duties (32). O king,\nyou cannot give away Lakshmi in a Swayamvara. Selecting a good\nbridegroom, you should give her away according to proper religious rites\n(33). In order to put impediments in Swayamvara Vinata\u2019s son has been\ndespatched by the king of gods and has come to the city of Kundina (34).\nI too have come here to witness this Swayamvara festivity of the kings\nand your daughter, the beautiful Kamala without lotuses (35). Your\nsaying before me \u2019Forgive me\u2019 is considered by me as proper. And I do\nnot find any folly in it, O king (36). O lord, I have already been\npacified. Know me as conciliated since I have come to your territory in\na gentle form (37). O king, to cast off one\u2019s shortcomings is\nforgiveness and it is endued with many virtues. So, how can the mind of\none like myself be possessed by the sin of non-forgiveness (38). How can\nsin, O king, be attached to you who are moral, truthful and born in a\nfamily possessing the quality of goodness (39). Know me conciliated\nparticularly as I have come with my army, for with them I never confront\nmy enemies (40). When I cherish no forgiveness in my heart I go on the\nback of my carrier, Garuda, the foremost of birds, with weapons\neffulgent like the sun in my hand (41), O king, you are of the same age\nwith my father and are therefore adorable unto me like him. Behaving\nwith me, as a father treats his son, govern your kingdom well (42). How\ncan that sin, which resides in the heart of a coward, find room in the\nheart of a pure-souled hero (43)? Know my conduct as pure as a father\u2019s\nfeeling towards his son. Treating us with hospitality, these two kings\nof Vidarbha have given us their kingdom. By the fruit of this gift their\nancestral manes of ten generations upwards have gone to the celestial\nregion (44-45) And ten succeeding generations too of their royal line\nfrom son to grandson will also repair to the celestial region (46). And\nthey two, enjoying their kingdom for many long years, without any\nthorns, will attain to emancipation when they will wish it (47). And\nthose noble kings, who were present at my _Abhisheka_, will in time\nrepair to the celestial region (40). O king, may you fare well! I shall\nnow with Vinat\u0101\u2019s son go to the charming city of Mathura protected by\nthe king Bhoja\" (49).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Saying this to the king Bhishmaka, welcoming all\nother kings and issuing out of the Hall with Kratha and Kaishika, the\nlords of Vidarbha, Krishna, the foremost of gods and Yadus, went to his\ncar (50). Beholding the departure of Keshava, the faces of the royal\nsaint Bhishmaka and of other kings were stricken with sorrow (51). At\nthat time beholding the prime and self-sprung Krishna, having eyes like\nred lotuses, thousand feet, thousand eyes, thousand arms, thousand\nlustrous crowns, thousand heads, adorned with celestial garlands,\nraiments, scents, unguents and ornaments, holding uplifted celestial\nweapons and having three eyes of the sun, moon and fire, the king\nBhishmaka bowed unto him and began to eulogise his glories, with his\nbody, mind and speech (52\u201355).\n\nBhishmaka said:\u2014O God of gods, O N\u0101r\u0101yana, O Par\u0101yana, thou hast no\norigin or destruction. Thou art the eternal prime Deity, I bow unto thee\n(56). Thou art the self-sprung Deity, art identical with the universe,\nlotus navelled, hast clotted hairs, dost hold a staff and art of coppery\nhue. I bow unto thee (57). Thou art Hansa, the discus, Vaikuntha, unborn\nand the great Atman. I bow unto thee (58). Thou art Yogin, the existent\nand non-existent, the ancient Purusha, the foremost of Purushas, above\nthree-fold qualities. I bow unto thee (59). O Lord, O foremost of the\ncelestials, that alone art the lord of all the worlds and the lord of\nthose who have acquired a know fledge of the soul. I am thy votary. Be\nthou propitiated and confer on me a boon (60).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having thus chanted the glories of the great God\nKrishna in the presence of the king, Bhishmaka made a present of\nprecious gems, pearls, and plates of Vaidurja unto him. Thereupon he\nsaluted in this way the highly powerful son of Vinat\u0101 too (61\u201362).\n\nBhishmaka said:\u2014I bow unto that celestial bird, the son of Kashya endued\nwith the velocity of the wind who can assume various forms at will (63).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having thus chanted, in brief, the glories of\nVinat\u0101\u2019s son Bhismaka offered him various sorts of most excellent\nraiment. After the lotus-eyed Krishna, the younger brother of V\u0101sava, on\ntaking leave, had departed all the kings followed him. Having thus\nreceived honors, taken farewell of all the kings, placed Vinat\u0101\u2019s son\nthe foremost of birds, of a gentle form before him, been encircled by\nhuge cars, and lighted up all the quarters the energetic Krishna set out\nfor Mathur\u0101. At that time there arose a great tumult consisting of the\nsound of bugles, trumpets, conches, the hissing of the serpents, the\nneighing of horses, and the rattle of the wheels of the cars resembling\nthe muttering of huge clouds.\n\nAfter the departure of the highly powerful Krishna the gods repaired to\nthe celestial region with that assembly hall and the most excellent\nseat. Encircled by their huge four-fold forces the kings followed\nJan\u0101rddana, a distance of two miles and afterwards at his command\nreturned to Swayamvara (64\u201369).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CIX. JARASANDHA\u2019S PROPOSAL TO INVITE KALAYAVANA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014After the departure of Vasudeva\u2019s son the kings, who\nhad their limbs embellished with ornaments and who were anxious to go to\ntheir respective kingdoms, returned to the assembly-hall of Bhishmaka in\norder to inform (Jar\u0101sandha of their intention) (1). Thereupon king\nBhishmaka, the foremost of kings and well-read in moral laws, said to\nthe kings, effulgent like the sun and the moon and seated at ease on\nbeautiful seats (2). \"O ye kings, you all know the calamity that will\nbefall the Swayamvara. Do you forgive me for the fruit that is the\noutcome of my misconduct\" (3).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having thus addressed and welcomed duly all the\nkings, (the king) sent away all the monarchs of Central India and of the\nEast, West and Northern Provinces. Having honored the king Bhishmaka\nduly in return, those kings, the foremost of men and mighty\ncar-warriors, went away delightedly. Jar\u0101sandha, Sunitha, the energetic\nDantavakra, the king of Soubha, the king Mah\u0101kurma, Kaishika, all the\nleading kings of the Pravara race, the royal saint Venud\u0101ri, the king of\nKashmira all those and other kings of the Deccan remained by Bhishmaka\ndesirous of listening to the mystery.\n\nO monarch, beholding these kings waiting there the powerful king\nBhishmaka, with an affectionate heart and grave and cool voice, said to\nthem moral words relating to three-fold objects and embellished with\nfigures.\n\nBhishmaka said:\u2014\"O ye kings, I have acted thus in pursuance of moral\nwords given vent to by you; you should forgive me for we must always\nabide by moral laws\" (4-12).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having thus expressed himself in the concourse of\nkings, the king Bhishmaka, well-versed in moral laws, again said aiming\nat his son (13).\n\nBhishmaka said:\u2014Observing the movements of my son my eyes are agitated\nwith fear; I consider all now as mere boys. He (Krishna) alone is the\nforemost of Purushas (14). He, the very incarnation of glory, the\nforemost of the illustrious, the partaker of fame and powerful, has\nestablished great fame and the might of his arms in this land of mortals\n(15). Blessed is Devaki, the foremost of damsels who has conceived as\nher son the lotus-eyed Krishna, identical with the sum total of beauty,\nthe greatest of all in the three worlds, and adored of all the immortals\nand who has seen his lotus countenance with her eyes full of affection\n(16-17.)\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014When the king Bhishmaka gave vent to these words\nagain and again in the midst of the assembled kings the highly effulgent\nking Shalya said in sweet words (18).\n\nShalya said:\u2014O slayer of thy enemies, O lord of kings, do not lament for\nthy son. The Kshatriyas meet either with success or defeat in battle\n(19). This is the inevitable course and eternal religion of the mortals.\nSave Baladeva and Krishna what third person can withstand thy highly\npowerful son in battle? Taking up his bow thy mighty-armed son is alone\ncapable of withstanding the car-warriors and great heroes of the enemy\nin battle. When by the might of his arms he handles the Bh\u0101rgava\nweapons, difficult of being used even by the celestials what man is\ncapable of bearing it? This Eternal Purusha Krishna is without birth or\ndeath (20-23). In this land of mortals even the holder of trident (Siva)\ncannot defeat him. O Emperor, thy son is well-versed in the true meaning\nof all the Shastras (24). Knowing Keshava as Ish\u0101na he did not engage in\nfight with him. It is not that there is none who can defeat him (25).\nK\u0101layavana is incapable of being slain by Keshava. With a view to have a\nson the great Muni G\u0101rgya adored Rudra for twelve years living on\npowdered iron and practising dreadful and highly difficult penances.\nThereat pleased when Shankara offered him a boon G\u0101rgya prayed for a son\nwhom the kings of Mathur\u0101 would not be able to slay. Rudra granted him\nthe boon, saying \u2019so be it\u2019 (26-28). Thus by virtue of Rudra\u2019s boon,\nG\u0101rgya\u2019s son K\u0101layavana is unslayable by the kings of Mathura in the\nbattle-field and especially in the city of Mathur\u0101 (29). Though Krishna\nis highly powerful amongst the princes of Mathura still if he comes to\nbattle and fights with him he will be able to defeat him (30). O kings,\nif you accept my words as becoming and sound, send an emissary to the\ncapital of the king of Yavanas (33).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing the words of the highly powerful Shalya the\nking of Soubha all the leading kings were delighted and said \"We will do\nit\" (32). Hearing their words and recollecting those of Brahm\u0101 the\nEmperor Jar\u0101sandha lost heart and said (33).\n\nJarasandha said:\u2014Alas! formerly, assailed by the fear of a foreign king,\nall the Chiefs, seeking refuge with me, used to get back their lost\nkingdoms, servants, army and conveyances (34). Now, on account of their\nbad feelings towards their lord, they, like unto a damsel, coming in\ncontact with a stranger, are now exciting me to seek another\u2019s shelter\n(35). Alas! even when I, afraid of Krishna, am constrained to seek\nrefuge with another, Destiny alone is powerful. And by no means can any\none overcome it (36). O ye kings, it is better for me to die than to\nseek helplessly the protection of another (king). I shall not therefore\nseek refuge with any body else (37). I shall give him battle who has\nbeen pointed out as my Death by the invisible words, may he be Krishna,\nor Baladeva, or a man, or some one amongst the immortals (38). Even this\nis my firm resolution and such is the conduct of a worthy person. I\nshall not act against it seeking another\u2019s protection (39). Even if you\nbe all well disposed he (Krishna) may destroy you all. For your\nprotection I shall send an envoy to him (40), O kings, the messenger\nshould so proceed by the etherial way that Krishna may not put in any\nimpediment. Do ye find out such a person who can go in this way (41).\nThis effulgent king of Soubha is gifted with the prowess of fire, the\nsun and the moon. In a sunny car let him proceed to the capital of\nYavana (42). Let him approach the king of Yavanas as our envoy and\ncommunicate to him our quarrel with Krishna. Let him try to bring him\nover to this assemblage of Chiefs (43).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having thus expressed himself the Emperor Jar\u0101sandha\nagain said to the powerful king of Soubha:\u2014\"Do thou depart, O giver of\nhonors and help all these Chiefs (44). Use such tactics that the king of\nYavanas may proceed and vanquish Krishna and we may be pleased\" (45).\n\nHaving thus commanded all and worshipped Bhishmaka duly the Emperor,\nencircled by his own army, set out for his city (46). Shalya, too, the\nforemost of kings, having honored all duly, set out by the etherial way\nin a car, coursing like air (47). Following Jar\u0101sandha to some distance\nthe Deccan Chiefs repaired to their respective cities (48). Thinking of\nhis own evil conduct, of Krath\u0101, Kaishika and Krishna, the king\nBhishmaka, along with his own son, entered into his Palace (49). On\naccount of the discomfiture of the kings consequent upon Krishna\u2019s\narrival and the termination of the Swayamvara the chaste and wise\nRukshmini approached her friends and with her face bent down in shame\nsaid:\u2014\"I tell you truly, I do not wish to be the spouse of any body else\nsave Krishna having lotus eyes\" (50-51).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CX. SHALYA MEETS KALAYAVANA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014K\u0101layavana, the king of Yavanas, was highly powerful\nand used to govern the inhabitants of his city in pursuance of royal\nduties (1). He was wise, conversant with three Vargas,\u00b2\u2077\u2074 proficient in\nsix Gunas\u00b2\u2077\u2075 innocent of sevenfold calamities,\u00b2\u2077\u2076 endued with all\naccomplishments, well-versed in Srutis, pious, truthful, a master of his\nsenses, acquainted with the rules of war, an expert in capturing forts,\nheroic, of great strength and used to honor his ministers. One day\nencircled by his ministers he was seated at ease and the learned and\nintelligent Yavanas, discoursing amongst themselves on various celestial\nthemes were adoring him (2\u20135). In the meantime there blew delightful,\nbut exciting, cold and fragrant wind. Thereat the assembled Yavanas and\nthe king K\u0101layavana were all worked up and thought \"Whence it has come?\"\nThereupon they saw a car coming from the south. It was golden and white,\nlighted up with the lustre of jewels, adorned with celestial flags and\npennons, drawn by horses fleet like the mind or air, adorned with\ntiger-skins, a terror to the enemies, the enhancer of joy to the\nfriends, constructed by the celestial Architect, effulgent like the sun,\nthe grinder of others\u2019 cars and embellished with jems like the rays of\nthe sun and moon. The powerful and beautiful king of Soubha was seated\nthereon. Delighted greatly at seeing his friend the mighty-armed king of\nYavanas, the foremost of speakers, repeatedly sent for Arghya and water\nto wash feet. And rising up from his throne and with Arghya in his hands\nhe went out and waited at the landing stair of the car. Be holding the\nking K\u0101layavana, powerful like Sakra the highly energetic Shalya was\ngreatly delighted, got down alone from the chariot with a confident\nheart and joyously entered into the Palace of Yavana for seeing his\nfriend. Observing _arghya_ in the hands of the king of Yavanas, Shalya,\nthe foremost of kings, said in sweet words:\u2014\"O thou of great effulgence,\nI am not now worthy of _arghya_. I am now an envoy of the kings and have\nbeen despatched to thee by the intelligent Jar\u0101sandha. I therefore do\nnot deserve _arghya_ from the kings\" (5\u201318).\n\nKalayavana said:\u2014\"O you of large-arms, I know that you have been\ndespatched here as an envoy by the king of Magadha for the behoof of\nkings (19). O intelligent king, I adore you duly with water to wash\nfeet, seat and various other means of welcome because you have been sent\nhere by the entire circle of kings. By adoring you, O king, I shall\nworship the entire host of kings and by honoring you all of them will be\nhonored. Therefore, O king, sit with me on this throne\" (20\u201321).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon shaking hands with each other and\nenquiring of their mutual welfare those two kings sat at ease on the\nsacred throne (92).\n\nKalayavana said:\u2014What has become impossible to him, depending on the\nmight of whose arms you kings are all living without any anxiety as the\ngods do under the protection of Sachi\u2019s lord, that he has sent you to\nme. Tell me, truly, O king, what mandate, the powerful king of Magadha\nhas issued to me. Even if it be very difficult I shall carry out his\ncommand (23-24).\n\nShalya said:\u2014O king of Yavanas, hear I shall describe at length what the\nking of Magadha has deputed me to communicate to you (25).\n\nJarasandha said:\u2014The highly irrepressable Krishna has been oppressing\nthe world from his very birth. Informed of his wicked deeds I attempted\nto slay him (26). Accompanied by a number of kings along with their\nfour-fold forces and conveyances I besieged the mount Gomanta with a\nhuge army (27). And there listening to the highly sensible words of the\nking of Chedi I set fire to that best of mountains for their (R\u0101ma and\nKrishna\u2019s) destruction (28). Beholding that fire consisting of hundreds\nand thousands of flames and resembling the fire of dissolution, R\u0101ma,\nholding the golden hilt of a sword, leaped down from the mountain summit\nin the midst of the ocean-like army of the kings. And that highly\nirrepressible one began to kill the car-warriors, the infantry and\ncavalry (30). He moved about like a serpent; and catching elephants,\nhorses and soldiers with his plough-share he grinded them with his mace\n(31). In that battle-field abounding in hundreds of kings that highly\nenergetic R\u0101ma, endued with the prowess of the sun, ranging in various\nways like the setting sun, destroyed elephants, with elephants,\ncar-warriors with cars, and the cavalry with horses (32-33). After R\u0101ma,\nthe highly powerful and energetic Yadu hero, Krishna, taking up his\ndiscus effulgent like the sun, and his black iron club, forcibly leaped\ndown in the midst of the enemie\u2019s army agitating the mountain with the\nforce of his feet as a lion attacks the poor deer (34\u201335). O king, at\nthat time whirling and bathed with shower that mountain extinguished the\nfire and entered into the earth as if dancing (36). Jumping down from\nthat burning mountain Jan\u0101rddana with his hand holding the discus began\nto destroy our army (37). Whirling his huge discus and throwing all down\nwith his club he began to grind men, elephants and horses with his mace\n(38). Then with the fire of discus and plough-share begotten by their\nanger that huge army, protected by sun-like kings, was consumed (39).\nWithin a moment our army consisting of men, elephants horses infantry\nand flags, was consumed by those two foot soldiers (40).\n\nO king, beholding that army distressed by the fear of the fire of discus\nand routed, I, encircled by a huge collection of cars, engaged in\nbattle. And Keshava\u2019s brother the heroic and valiant Baladeva, the\ndestroyer of Bala, stood before me with a club in his hand (41\u201342).\nHaving slain the twelve Akshouhinis of soldiers and cast off his\nplough-share and mace Sounanda, that leonine hero pursued me with his\nclub (43). O king, having thrown the club on me with a force like that\nof the fall of a thunder-bolt he again stood manfully on the ground\n(44). Then like unto K\u0101rtikeya at the time of the destruction of\nKrounch, he, with his two large eyes, as if consumed me, looking at my\njoints (45). O king of Yavanas, beholding such a form of Baladeva, what\nperson, having hopes of life, can stand before him in the battle-field\n(46)? When he stood before him holding up that terrible club resembling\nthe rod of the Regent of the dead and whirling it along with his\nplough-share Brahm\u0101, the grand-father of all, filling the welkin with\nhis invisible voice grave as the muttering of clouds, said:\u2014\"O sinless\nR\u0101ma, do not strike (him); O holder of plough-share, it has been\ndestined that he shall not meet with his death from any other person.\"\nHearing with my own ears those words given vent to by the Grand-father I\nwas filled with anxiety and returned from the battle-field (47\u201350).\n\nO king, for this reason, and for the behoof of the kings, I communicated\nthis incident to you. Hearing this you should do what you think proper\nin pursuance of my words (51). Desirous of having a son your father\npropitiated Sankara, the god of gods with hard austerities and obtained\nyou as his son unslayable by the princes of Mathur\u0101 (52). Fasting and\nfeeding on powdered iron for twelve years the great Muni G\u0101rgya\npropitiated the great god Siva, on whose lotus feet even the gods and\nAsuras meditate and therefore obtained his wished-for prosperity in the\nperson of yourself (53). By virtue of the asceticism of the ascetic\nG\u0101rgya and of the power of Mah\u0101deva carrying the emblem of a crescent\nforsooth, shall Jan\u0101rddana meet with his death as the dews are dried up\nby the rays of the sun (54), O king, thus requested by the kings, be up\nand doing and march for vanquishing Krishna. And entering the city of\nMathur\u0101 with your army establish your glory there (55). Vasudeva\u2019s son\nis a native of Mathur\u0101 and Baladeva is his brother. If you go to the\ncity of Mathur\u0101 you will be able to defeat them in battle (56).\n\nShalya said:\u2014O king, I have thus communicated to you, the message\nentrusted to me by the Emperor Jar\u0101sandha for the behoof of the kings.\nDo you now undertake what is proper and conducive to your well-being\nafter consulting duly with your ministers (57).\n\n  \u00b2\u2077\u2074 Three conditions of a king or state; prosperity, evenness or decay\n      or loss, gain and equality.\n\n  \u00b2\u2077\u2075 The six acts of a king in his military character, or peace, war,\n      marching, halting, sowing, dissension, seeking potection.\n\n  \u00b2\u2077\u2076 The seven calamities are gambling, sleeping in a day, calumny,\n      whoring, playing, idle roaming, drinking and hunting.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXI. KALAYAVANA AGREES TO KILL KRISHNA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014After the king Shalya, as directed by the Emperor\nJar\u0101sandha had said this K\u0101layavana, the king of Yavanas, with great\ndelight said (1).\n\nKalayavana said:\u2014Oh! highly honored and blessed I am; and my life is\ncrowned with success since numberless kings have requested me for\nvanquishing Krishna (2). The kings have appointed me in the work of\nsubduing Krishna who is invincible in the three worlds, even unto gods\nand Asuras. And they have blessed me so that I will achieve victory (3).\nWhile the kings, with delighted hearts, have declared my victory I\nshall, by the very pouring of their water-like words, achieve success\n(4). Whatever it may be, I shall carry out the command of the Emperor\nJarasandha issued at the request of the kings. Even my discomfiture in\nit will be, tantamount to my success (5). O king, to-day, the day and\nthe stars are auspicious and in this auspicious moment I shall even\nto-day start for Mathur\u0101 for defeating Keshava in the battle-field (6).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having thus addressed the powerful Shalya the king\nof Soubha, the lord of Yavanas honored him duly with highly precious\njems and dresses (7). Afterwards for acquiring unstinted blessings he\ngave away various riches to his guest and the Br\u0101hmanas and duly offered\nlibations to fire. Then after the performance of benedictory rites he\nset out with his army for vanquishing Jan\u0101rddana (8\u20139). O foremost of\nBharatas, king Sh\u0101lya too, with his desire fully achieved, embraced the\nlord of Yavanas and set out with a delighted heart for his own city\n(10).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXII. UGRASENA RECEIVES KRISHNA.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O Brahman, when the Lord Krishna, endued with Sakra\u2019s\nprowess, set out from the city of Bidarbha he did not ride the highly\npowerful son of Vinat\u0101, Garuda; why did he then take him away with him?\nAnd what did Vinat\u0101\u2019s son do? O great Muni, I am filled with great\ncuriosity in this; do thou unfold the mystery (1\u20132).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O king, listen to the work, difficult of being done\nby men, which the highly effulgent son of Vinat\u0101 performed after his\ndeparture from the city of Bidarbha (3). O lord, before his departure to\nthe city of Mathur\u0101 when Jan\u0101rddana, the god of gods, said before the\nassembled kings, \"I shall repair to the charming city of Mathura\ngoverned by the Bhoja king\" the beautiful and intelligent son of Vinat\u0101\nthought for a considerable time, and then saluting V\u0101sudeva, after he\nhas finished his say, said with folded hands (4\u20136).\n\nGaruda said:\u2014\"O god, I shall now proceed to Raivata\u2019s city Kushasthali,\nto the charming mount Raivata and the adjacent forest thereto resembling\nthe garden of Nandana (7).\n\n\"The R\u0101kshasas have abandoned the charming city of Kushasthali. It is\nsituate at the base of the Raivata mountain and on the bank of the great\nocean. It abounds in trees decorated with filaments of flowers, in\ngroves and creepers. It is scattered with elephants and serpents, and\ninhabited by bear, monkeys, boars, buffaloes and deer. I shall perfectly\nexamine (that place) and see if it is worthy of thy habitation. O lord,\nif that extensive and charming city is fitted for thy residence, I shall\nremove all the thorns and come back to thee\" (8-10).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having thus expressed himself before Jan\u0101rddana, the\nking of gods, and saluted him the powerful lord of birds set out towards\nthe western direction (11). And when Krishna too, with the Yadavas,\nentered into the beautiful city of Mathur\u0101, Ugrasena came out of the\ncity with dancing girls and citizens and honored the victorious Krishna\n(12).\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014What did the mighty-armed Emperor Ugrasena do when he\nheard of Krishna\u2019s installation by the numberless kings (13)?\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing of Krishna\u2019s installation as the Emperor by\nnumberless kings, of Indra\u2019s making peace with him through his envoy\nChitrangada, of the apportionment of wealth, each king being entitled to\na lakh, each emperor to a Arvuda and each ordinary men to ten, and that\nevery one, who came there, did not go away empty handed and that the\ngraceful lord of Nidhis, Sanka, commanded by the gods, distributed\nwealth after Krishna\u2019s heart, from his own men and other persons\ninformed of people\u2019s conduct, Ugrasena offered a great _puja_ at the\ntemples of the tutelary deities. The two sides of the gate of Vasudeva\u2019s\nhouse were decorated with flags, pennons and garlands. He also decorated\nwith flags Kansa\u2019s assembly hall Suprabh\u0101 adorned with various sheets of\ncloth (14-20). The doors of the sitting-room of the Emperor Krishna in\nGopura were pasted with ambrosia by the king (21). There was dancing and\nmusic on all sides. The city was decorated with flags, garlands of wild\nflowers and jars full of water (22). The king sprinkled sandal water in\nall the high-ways and spread sheets of cloth on the ground (23). On both\nsides of the roads incense was kept in vessels and continually burnt\nwith Aguru, molass and various other articles (24). The elderly women\nbegan to sing benedictory hymns and youthful damsels moved about\nanxiously in their respective houses (25).\n\nHaving thus commenced the festivity in the city the Emperor Ugrasena\nrepaired to Ugrasena\u2019s Palace and after communicating to him the\npleasant news and consulting with R\u0101ma went to the car. O king, in the\nmeantime the great sound of the conch-shell P\u0101nchajanya was heard.\nHearing that sound of the conch the entire city of Mathur\u0101, with their\nwomen, boys, elderly men, panegyrists, songsters, and accompanied by a\nhuge army, issued out placing R\u0101ma before them. Ugrasena himself carried\n_arghya_ and water for washing feet for Krishna (26\u201329).\n\nAfter going over to some distance and coming within the view of V\u0101sudeva\nthe Emperor Ugrasena desired to proceed on foot and accordingly got down\nfrom his white car (30). And beholding Hari, the king of gods, seated on\na charming car adorned with celestial jewels he, in words suppressed\nwith joy, said to the lotus-eyed R\u0101ma the slayer of his enemy\u2019s army.\nKrishna was adorned with ornaments set with jewels, was shining like the\nsun on account of the garland of wild flowers decorating his breast, was\naccompanied by fans, umbrellas and flags with the emblems of Garuda\npainted thereon, embellished with all the marks of royalty and endued\nwith the beauty of the rising sun (31\u201334).\n\n(Ugrasena said):\u2014\"O great one, it does not behove me to proceed on car\nafter this. Thinking this I have got down. Do thou go on the car (35).\nComing to Mathur\u0101 in the disguise of Keshava Vishnu has manifested\nhimself as the king of gods in the ocean-like assemblage of the kings. I\ntherefore wish to chant his glories properly.\" The highly effulgent\nelder brother of Krishna (then) replied to the king (saying) (36\u201337):\n\n\"O king, it is not proper to chant the glories of that best of kings at\nthe time of his going. Without it Jan\u0101rddana is pleased with you. What\nis the use of hymning him who is himself propitiated? Your visit is\nidentical with your chanting of his glories. While Krishna, although he\nhas acquired the dignity of the Lord Paramount, is coming to your house,\nwhat is the use of praising him with celestial and super-human hymns?\"\nThus conversing with each other they went to Keshava (38\u201340).\n\nBeholding the king Ugrasena approach with _arghya_ in his hands Krishna,\nthe foremost of orators, stopped his car and said:\u2014\"O king of Mathur\u0101,\nwhile I have installed you, declaring, \u2019Be you the lord of Mathura\u2019 it\ndoes not behove me to make it otherwise. O king, you should not offer me\n_arghya_ and water for washing my feet and rinsing my mouth. This is my\nheart-felt desire (41-43). O king, informed of your intention I say that\nyou are the king of Mathura. Do not make it otherwise. O king, I will\nconfer upon you your proper share in the land and gift. As I did with\nthe other kings I had kept your share in reserve beforehand, one hundred\nthousandth portion without any ornaments or raiment. O king, get upon\nyour white car adorned with gold, umbrella, fans, flags and celestial\nornaments. And wearing your crown of sunny lustre govern the city of\nMathur\u0101, delightedly with your sons and grand-sons, defeat your enemies\nand multiply the Bhoja race. The king of gods, the holder of\nthunder-bolt sent, for Ananta and Shouri, celestial ornaments and\nraiments. From the thousand jars of gold coins reserved for the citizens\nof Mathur\u0101 in that ceremony of installation the king of gods has ordered\nthat one thousand should be given to each of the panegyrists and bards,\none hundred to each old man, prostitute and other men and ten thousand\nto each of the Y\u0101davas, Vikadru and others who live with the king\nUgrasena (44\u201352)\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having thus honored the Emperor Ugrasena in the\npresence of all the soldiers Jan\u0101rddana, with great delight, entered the\ncity of Mathur\u0101 (53). On account of the celestial ornaments, garlands,\nraiments and unguents it appeared as if he was living in the city of the\ncelestials encircled by gods (54). Like unto the muttering of clouds\nthere arose a great tumult consisting of the sound of bugles and\ntrumpets, blare of conches, the noise of elephants, the neighing of\nhorses, the leonine shouts of the heroes and rattle of car-wheels\n(55-56). The panegyrists began to sing his praises and the subjects to\nsalute him with numberless presents. At this Hari was not the least\nsurprised (57). He was high-minded by nature, shorn of egoism and has\nseen a greater display than this beforehand. And for this he was not\nfilled with surprise (58). Beholding M\u0101dhava\u2019s arrival who was shining\nin the lustre of his own person effulgent like the sun the inhabitants\nof Mathur\u0101 saluted him at every step and said (59):\n\n\"He is N\u0101r\u0101y\u0101na, the abode of Shree living in the ocean of milk. Leaving\nhis serpent-couch he has come to the city of Mathur\u0101 (60). Having\nchained Bali irrepressible unto the immortals he conferred the\nsoverignty of the three worlds on Vasava the wielder of thunder-bolt\n(61). Having slain Kansa, the foremost of the powerful and other Daityas\nthis slayer of Keshi has conferred the kingdom of Mathura on the Bhoja\nking (62). Not being himself installed and not sitting on the royal\nthrone, he, having acquired the dignity of the Lord Paramount, has\nentrusted Ugrasena with the government of Mathur\u0101\" (63).\n\nHaving heard this conversation of the citizens, the bards, panegyrists\nand the poets sang, \"O thou the ocean of accomplishments, how can we,\nwho are one tongued men, sing the deeds begotten of thy prowess and\nenergy (64\u201365). The thousand-headed serpent-king V\u0101suki, who has the\nintellect of a god, can, with his two thousand tongues, to a certain\nextent describe thy accomplishments (66). It is a great wonder to the\nkings of the earth that a throne was sent by Indra. It never happened\nbefore nor will it be in future (67). The descension of the\nassembly-hall and jars from the celestial region has never been heard of\nor seen. Therefore we consider it as a wonder (68). O Keshava,\nconceiving a son like thee, the foremost of gods, Devaki, the best of\ndamsels, has been blessed because she, with her eyes full of affection,\nsaw thy lotus face adored by men and the immortals (69\u201370)\".\n\nPlacing Ugrasena before them and listening to the conversation regarding\ntheir praises sung by the citizens the two brothers R\u0101ma and Krishna\narrived at the gate and the king worshipped them repeatedly sending for\n_arghya_ and water for washing feet and rinsing mouth (71\u201372). Thereupon\napproaching Keshava\u2019s car, saluting him with his head down and mounting\non an elephant the energetic and intelligent Ugrasena began to shower\ngold as the clouds discharge their watery contents (73). Having thus\nshowered gold on him the beautiful M\u0101dhava arrived at his father\u2019s house\nand said to Ugrasena, the king of Mathura (74): \"O lord, although I have\nsecured the dignity of the Lord Paramount, this throne, conferred by the\nking of gods, should be kept in the king\u2019s Palace (75). Although\nacquired by the strength of my own arms I do not like to come by the\nassembly-hall of the king of Mathur\u0101. O lord, I propitiate you. Do not\nbe offended\" (76).\n\nO king Janamejaya, at that time Vasudeva, Devaki and Rohini were so much\noverwhelmed with joy that they could not give vent to any word (77).\n\nO king, thereupon considering the importance of time and place, Kansa\u2019s\nmother, taking riches and presents of various countries acquired by him,\nwent to Keshava and dedicated them to his feet. Observing it Krishna\nsent for Ugrasena and said in sweet words (78\u201379).\n\nKrishna said:\u2014\"It is time that has snatched away your two sons; I have\nnot slain them either for riches or for the kingdom of Mathur\u0101 (80), O\nking of Mathura, having vanquished your enemies by the might of my arms\ndo you perform many sacrifices and make profuse presents (81). O king,\ndo you cast off your mental agony and fear consequent upon Kansa\u2019s\ndeath. I return you these riches; do you accept them\" (82)\n\nHaving thus consoled the king, Krishna, along with Balarama, went to his\nparents (83). There those two highly powerful heroes, with heart full of\njoy, saluted their parents bending their heads (84). O Janamejaya, at\nthat time the city of Mathur\u0101 left off her own form and as if the\ncapital of gods came down there leaving the celestial region (85).\nBeholding Vasudeva\u2019s house the citizens did not consider it as earth but\ntook it for the region of the celestials (86). Having thus entered\nVasudeva\u2019s house the heroic Baladeva and Keshava dismissed Ugrasena, the\nking of Mathur\u0101 and his queen. And then leaving off their arms and\nmoving about for some time they went through the evening rites. And then\nseated at ease they conversed with one another (87-88). In the meantime\nthere took place a highly dreadful calamity. The clouds were scattered\nin the sky, the earth and the mountains were shaken, the oceans were\nagitated, the serpents were terrified and the Yadavas, trembling, fell\ndown on earth (89\u201390). Beholding them thus fallen the immoveable R\u0101ma\nand Krishna, perceived, from the flapping of the huge wings, the\napproach of Garuda, the foremost of birds. And within a short time they\nsaw Garuda by them. Saluting them both with his head, Vinat\u0101\u2019s son, of a\ngentle form, adorned with celestial garlands and unguents, sat on a seat\n(61\u201392). Observing the arrival of his war-like minister, the intelligent\nson of Vinat\u0101, the slayer of Madhu said: \"O thou the grinder of the\nenemies of the celestial army, O delight of Vinat\u0101\u2019s heart, O foremost\nof birds, O favourite of Keshava, may thy arrival here prove auspicious\"\n(93\u201394). Having thus addressed Vinat\u0101\u2019s son, stationed there like a very\ngod Krishna again said to him who was equally powerful (95).\n\nKrishna said:\u2014O foremost of birds, let us now go to the highly extensive\ninner appartment of the Bhoja king, for there, seated at ease we shall\nbe able to hold counsels after our own hearts (96).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014When having entered the inner appartment of the\nBhoja king along with Vinat\u0101\u2019s son, the highly powerful Krishna and\nBaladeva held parley, the former said:\u2014\"O Vinat\u0101\u2019s son, the king\nJar\u0101sandha is unslayable by us. It has been so ordained. Incomparable is\nhis might and he is encircled by a huge army and highly powerful kings.\nThe army of the Magadha king consists of many soldiers and so we shall\nnot be able to consume it even within hundred years. Therefore I tell\nyou, O king of birds, that it never bodes good for us to live in this\ncity of Mathura. Even it is my desire (97-100)\".\n\nGaruda said:\u2014O god of gods, having saluted thee I took leave and went to\nKusathali for finding out a worthy habitation for thee (101), O foremost\nof gods, having gone there and been stationed in the welkin I\nreconnoitered all over that city endued with all auspicious marks (102).\nThat city is situate in an extensive watery province of the ocean. It\nhas the ocean on the east and is therefore always cool. It is surrounded\non all sides by the ocean, a mine of every sort of jem, spread with\ntrees conferring wished-for objects, covered on all sides with flowers\nof all seasons and therefore highly charming; it is the abode of all\nforms of _Ashramas_, satisfies every sort of desire, is filled with men\nand women, is always full of merriment, is encircled by ditches and\nwalls, is embellished with palaces and gates, variegated courtyards and\nroads, has huge doors and gates, and various bolts and other\ncontrivances, is adorned with a golden wall, is filled with\ncar-warriors, cavalry and infantry, and with trees of various countries\ncovered with celestial flowers and fruits, is adorned with flags and\npennons, contains big palaces, strikes terror to the enemies, enhances\nthe joy of the friends and is isolated from other cities presided over\nby kings (103-109). O god, there is that best of mountains Raivata\nresembling the garden of Nandana. Do thou make it an ornament of thy\ngate (110). O foremost of gods, that city will also be liked by thy\nsons. Do thou go and live there (111). Like unto Indra\u2019s capital\nAmar\u0101vati thy city will be celebrated in the three worlds under the name\nof Dw\u0101ravati (112). O god, if the great ocean gives there room covered\nwith water the celestial Architect will make works of art after his own\nheart (113). O god, out of lustrous jewels, pearls, corals, diamonds,\nsapphires and other jems produced in the three worlds, do thou have many\nwhite palaces built there like unto the assembly hall of the celestials,\nconsisting of hundred heavenly pillars, adorned with all sorts of jewels\nmade of gold, decorated with celestial flags and pennons, guarded by\ngods and Kinnaras and lighted by the sun and the moon (114-116).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having said this to Keshava and saluted them both\nVinat\u0101\u2019s son took his seat (117). Meditating on the words uttered by him\nconducive to their well-being, and in order to give a proof of his\nappreciation Krishna, with Rama, honored Garuda with presents of most\nexcellent and precious dresses and dismissed him. And then they enjoyed\nthere like two immortals in the city of the celestials (118-119). When\nin time the highly illustrious Bhoja king heard of what Garuda had said\nhe affectionately addressed to Keshava the following nectarine words\n(120).\n\nHe said:\u2014O Krishna, O enhancer of the delight of the Y\u0101davas, O thou of\nlarge arms, O slayer of thy enemies, listen to what I say. O my son,\nwithout thee, like unto a woman separated from her husband we shall not\nbe able to live happily either in this city of Mathur\u0101 or in any other\nkingdom. O conferror of honor, even if Indra comes to the help of all\nthe kings, still we, under the protection of thy arms, do not fear them.\nO foremost of Yadus, we shall proceed for accomplishing conquests\n(121-124).\n\nHearing Ugrasena\u2019s words Devaki\u2019s son smilingly said: \"O king, I am\nready to do whatever you wish. There is not the least doubt in it\"\n(125).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXIII. KRISHNA\u2019S PROPOSAL TO GO TO DWARAKA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Once on a time the lotus-eyed Krishna addressed the\nfollowing reasonable words to the Yadus in their assembly:\u2014\"This Mathur\u0101\ncity is the abode of the Yadus: we too were born here and brought up in\nVraja. However all our griefs have disappeared and the enemies have been\ndefeated. Now our hostilities with the kings and battle with Jar\u0101sandea\nhave commenced (1-3). The number of our infantry and animals is endless.\nAnd we have enough of jewels and friends (4). Although through our\nfriends and soldiers we have attained to the consummation of prosperity\nstill the city of Mathur\u0101 is very limited and the enemies can easily\nenter it (5). Beside if one _Koti_ of princes and infantry live here\njointly there is every possibility of a dissension cropping up amongst\nthem (6). Therefore, O ye leading Yadus, methinks it is better that we\nshould live elsewhere. If you like it, we will lay out a city elsewhere\n(7). If you approve of what I have said before this assemblage of the\nYadus for your well-being and in pursuance of the proper time I shall\ncarry it out (8).\" Hearing it all the Y\u0101davas delightedly said:\u2014\"O\nKrishna, do what thou deemst proper for the behoof of all these people\"\n(9).\n\nThereupon the Vrishnis began to hold consultations regarding this most\nexcellent proposal:\u2014\"Our enemy the king Jar\u0101sandha has been destined as\nunslayable by us. And his power is also very great (10). True it is that\nmany armies of the kings have been slain in this city of Mathur\u0101. But so\ngreat is the number of his soldiers that we shall not be able to bring\nabout their destruction even in hundred years\" (11). At that time O\nking, the emperor Jar\u0101sandha, along with K\u0101layavana was proceeding\ntowards Mathur\u0101 with his army (12). Having heard of the approach of\nJar\u0101sandha and K\u0101layavana with that highly irrepressible huge army the\nYadavas thought of retreating as mentioned before (13). The truthful\nKrishna again said to the Yadavas:\u2014\"To day is an auspicious day. So we\nshall, even this very day, issue out of Mathura along with our army and\nfollowers (14)\".\n\nHaving obtained this command from Krishna, the Yadavas, headed by\nVasudeva, along with their wives, cars and elephants, set out, echoing\nthe four quarters with the noise of their soldiers resembling that of\nthe waves of the ocean (15-16). Leaving Mathur\u0101 the Yadavas went on with\ntheir wealth, kinsmen, friends, golden chariots, infuriated elephants\nand trotting horses decorated with gold (17-18). O foremost of Bharatas,\nhaving adorned their respective detachments of the army and moved it on\nthe Y\u0101dadas set out for the west (19). Stationed in front, Vasudeva and\nother leaving Yadavas, ever adorning a battle-field, guided the army\n(20). Having thus wended a very long distance the leading Y\u0101dus reached\nthe bank of the ocean. It was variegated with creepers, abounded in\ncoconut trees and beautiful elephants, was covered with Ketaki trees,\npalmyras, Pannages and vines (21\u201324). Having secured such a picturesque\nsite the Yadavas were highly delighted as if they had arrived at the\ncelestial region (23). Searching for a site where he would lay out a\ncity Krishna, the slayer of inimical heroes, saw an extensive tract of\nland situated on the bank of the ocean (24). The land had a coppery soil\nmixed with gravels, was well-suited for animals of burden, was endued\nwith all the favourable marks of a city, as if it was presided over by\nthe Goddess of prosperity herself. It was fanned by the sea breeze and\nwas watered by the ocean. Near it was shining in beauty the charming\nmountain Raivata like the mount Mandara. On that mountain containing all\nthe jems and resorted to by many great men Drona lived for many long\nyears. There lived the king Ekalavya. And the sporting ground laid out\nby himself like a board of dice is celebrated by the name of Dw\u0101ravati\n(25-29). Keshava selected that site for his city and the Y\u0101davas also\nwanted to encamp their soldiers there. Thereupon the Yadu commanders\npitched tents there for the night (30\u201331).\n\nWith a view to lay out his city there the Lord Krishna, the foremost of\nYadus, lived there with them shorn of anxiety. And that foremost of men,\nthe leader of the Y\u0101davas, having Gada as his elder brother, thought in\nhis mind of the names he would give to the various houses in that city\n(32-32).\n\nO king, having thus secured the city of Dwaravati the Y\u0101davas, along\nwith their friends, lived there happily as do the gods in their own\ncity. O descendant of Bh\u0101rata, thus informed of the approach of\nK\u0101layavana Krishna, the slayer of Keshi, set out for the city of\nDw\u0101ravati, in fear of Jar\u0101s\u0101ndha (34\u201335).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXIV. ACCOUNT OF KALAYAVANA.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O reverend sir, I wish to listen at length to the\nhistory of the high-souled and intelligent V\u0101sudeva, the foremost of\nYadus (1). O foremost of the twice-born, why did Jan\u0101rddana, without\nfighting, leave Mathura the only abode of Lakshmi (the goddess of\nprosperity), the hump (the most elevated) of Central India, the very\nsummit of the earth, abounding in profuse corns, wealth and beautiful\nhouses, and consisting of many worshipful Aryans? How did K\u0101layavana\nbehave towards Krishna? Having obtained the watery fortress Dwark\u0101 what\ndid the great Yogin of hard penances the mighty-armed Jan\u0101rddana do\n(2\u20135)? Whose son was K\u0101layavana and how powerful was he? Do thou\ndescribe all this to me (6).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The high-minded G\u0101rgya was the preceptor of both the\nAndhaka and Vrishni races. He always observed the vow of celibacy; and\nalthough he had a wife he did not know her. While the eternal G\u0101rgya,\nwho was a master of passions, was thus spending his days this\nbrother-in-law described him as impotent before the king (7-8). O king,\nhaving been thus dishonored in the city of Ajitanjaya and giving up his\ndesire of being united with his wife out of anger for his\nbrother-in-law, G\u0101rgya engaged in hard penances for obtaining a son. And\nliving on pounded iron for twelve years he worshipped Mah\u0101deva, the\nholder of trident. For this Rudra conferred on him a boon that he would\nobtain an all powerful son who would be able to discomfit in battle the\ndescendants of the Vishni and Andhaka races (9\u201310).\n\nThe king of Yavanas had no son. Hearing of the boon of having a son\nconferred upon G\u0101rgya, the foremost of the twice-born by Mah\u0101deva, the\nking brought him over to his own kingdom. And having consoled him he\nengaged the milk-women to attend him in their own settlement. Having\nassumed the guise of a milk-woman, an Apsara, Gop\u0101li by name, conceived\nthat dreadful and undecaying embryo through G\u0101rgya (12-14). Thus by the\ncommand of the holder of trident, G\u0101rgya begat on the Apsara, assuming\nthe form of a woman and living by him like a wife, the highly powerful\nhero K\u0101layavana. And he was brought up in the inner appartment, like his\nson, of the king Yavanas who had no issue. O king, after the demise of\nthe lord of Yavanas Kalyavana became king. And being desirous of\nfighting when he questioned the leading twice-born ones about his\nantagonist Narada pointed out the heroes of the Vrishnu and Andhaka\nraces (15-17). Krishna, the powerful slayer of Madhu, took no notice of\nK\u0101layavana, although he grew up in the midst of the Yavanas because he\nhad heard from Narada the story of his obtaining the boon (18). When the\nking of Yavanas grew exceedingly powerful, Shaka, Tukh\u0101ra Darava,\nParava, Tangana, Khasha, Panhava and hundreds of Mlechcha kings, living\nnear Himavan, took shelter under him (19\u201320). Encircled by those Dasyu\nkings resembling a swarm of locusts, assuming various dresses and\nholding various weapons, the king of Yavanas set out for Mathura (21).\nHe agitated the surface of the earth with innumerable horses, elephants,\nasses, camels and a huge army (22). The path of the sun was covered with\nthe dust raised by the soldiers. By the urine and excreta of the\nsoldiers a river was created (23). And because that river issued from\nthe excreta of the horses and camels it passed by the name of Aswasakrit\n(24).\n\nHearing of the approach of this huge army V\u0101sudeva, the leader of the\nVrishnis and Andhakas, addressed his kinsmen, saying (25):\u2014\"Great is the\ncalamity that has befallen the descendants of the Vrishni and Andhaka\nraces. For this enemy is unslayable by us on account of the boon\nconferred on him by the holder of the trident (26). I employed all other\nmeans as conciliation etc. to win him over. But he wishes for battle\nworked up with pride (27). \u2019I am to live here:\u2019 this N\u0101rada said to me;\nI too tell you this (28). The emperor Jar\u0101sandha is not forgiving\ntowards us; and the other kings too, assailed by the Vrishni discus and\non account of the distruction of Kansa, have been displeased with us and\nsought refuge with the Magadha king. Under the protection of Jar\u0101sandha\nthey want to obstruct us: and many kinsmen of the Y\u0101davas have been\nslain by them. What more we will never acquire prosperity if we live in\nthis city.\"\n\nSaying this and desirous of retreating Keshava sent an envoy to the king\nof Yavanas. In order to terrorize him (the king of Yavanas) the highly\nintelligent M\u0101dhava put a highly dreadful black serpent, resembling a\ncollection of collyrium, into a jar and sealed it up. He then sent it to\nthe king of Yavanas through his own emissary. O foremost of Bharatas,\nhaving said \"Krishna is like a deadly serpent\" that emissary showed the\njar to K\u0101layavana. Thereupon understanding that the Yadavas had sent it\nto terrorize him Kalayavana filled that jar with dreadful ants. Thereat\nthat serpent was eaten up by the innumerable ants having sharp beaks and\nwas reduced to ashes. Thereupon sealing up that jar, K\u0101layavana sent it\nwith a profuse description to Krishna (29\u201337). Observing his own\nexpedient baffled V\u0101sudeva soon left the city of Mathur\u0101 and went to\nDwarka (33). O king, after that in order to put an end to hostilities,\nthat highly illustrious and powerful hero, Vasudeva settled all the\nheroes in Dwark\u0101 and having consoled them, set out on foot for Mathur\u0101\nwith only his own arm for his weapon (39-40). K\u0101layavana was pleased at\nseeing him and confronted him with rage. The highly powerful Krishna too\nattracted him of his own accord. In order to get hold of Govinda the\nlord of Yavanas pursued him, but could not catch that Yogin (41-42).\n\nOn account of his being successful in the war between gods and demons\nthe former offered a boon to the highly powerful and illustrious king\nMuchakunda, the son of M\u0101ndh\u0101ta who prayed for sleep. O king, because he\nwas tired in battle he repeatedly said:\u2014\"O gods, I will, with my eyes\nburning in anger, consume him who will arouse me from my sleep\" (43\u201345).\nThe deities along with their king said \"So be it.\" Having been thus\nordered by the gods, that king, worn out with fatigue, first came to the\nking of mountains. And then entering into a cave he was asleep till he\nwas seen by Krishna. N\u0101rada communicated to Krishna the boon obtained by\nMuchukunda and his power. And therefore when pursued by his Mlechcha\nenemy he humbly entered into Muchukunda\u2019s cave (46\u201349). In order to\navoid the look of the royal saint Keshava, the foremost of the\nintelligent, sat near his head (55). Following V\u0101sudeva, the wicked\nminded Yavana king entered into the cave and saw that king there. And\nlike an insect falling into fire he kicked that king with his foot for\nhis own destruction (51\u201352). With the touch of the foot the royal saint\nMuchukunda awoke and was highly enraged on account of the break of his\nsleep (53). Thereupon recollecting the boon that was conferred by Indra\nhe looked at the Yavana king with angry eyes. As soon as he was eyed,\nthe king of Yavanas was all ablaze (54). O king, as a lightning consumes\na dried tree so the fire, engendered by the energy of Muchukunda\u2019s eyes,\nin no time reduced K\u0101layavana to ashes (55). Having thus acquired\nvictory by virtue of his own intellect V\u0101sudeva went to the emperor\nMuchukunda, who was engaged in sleep for a long time and addressed to\nhim the following most excellent words (56):\u2014\"O king, I have heard from\nN\u0101rada\u2014that thou art asleep for a long time. Thou hast performed a great\nwork for me. May good betide thee. I depart\" (57).\n\nBeholding Vasudeva of short stature the king Muchukunda thought:\u2014\"I was\nasleep for a long time and the cycle has been changed.\" Then the emperor\nsaid to Govinda:\u2014\"Who are you? Why have you come here? Tell me if you\ncan, how long I was asleep?\" (56-59)\n\nKrishna said:\u2014\"There flourished a king in the Lunar dynasty, by name\nYay\u0101ti, son of Nahusha. Yadu was his eldest son. He had four other sons\nTurvasu and others. O lord, know me, as V\u0101sudeva, the son of Vasudeva\nborn in Yadu\u2019s family. For some work I had come to you (60\u201361). O king,\nI have heard from N\u0101rada that you fell asleep in the Treta Yuga: and now\nthe Kali has set in. Tell me, what more I can do for you presently (62).\nO king, you have reduced him to ashes by virtue of the boon conferred on\nyou by the gods whom, fighting for a hundred years, I could not slay\n(63)\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thus accosted by Krishna the king Muchukunda issued\nout of the cave. And having accomplished his object the intelligent\nV\u0101sudeva too followed him (64). Having come out from the mouth of the\ncave he saw that the earth had been covered with men of short stature\nand of limited energy, strength and prowess and that his kingdom had\nbeen occupied by others (65). Having seen all this and resolved upon\npractising hard penances the king dismissed Krishna and entered into\nthickets of the Himalaya (66). Having carried on austerities there he\ndied and repaired to the celestial region acquired by his own good\nactions (67). Having brought about the destruction of his own enemy\nthrough this expedient, the pious-souled and intelligent V\u0101sudeva went\nto his soldiers and set out with that army consisting of cars, elephants\nand horses, who had their master slain (68\u201369). Having thus attained to\nthe consummate accomplishment of his object and conferred upon the king\nUgrasena that four-fold army Jan\u0101rddana embellished the city of Dwark\u0101\nwith wealth acquired by him (70).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXV. THE LAYING OUT OF DWARKA.\n\n\nVaishampayana said:\u2014Thereupon when the sun rose in the clear morning,\nHrishikesha, the descendant of Yadu, having performed his morning\nablution and sat for some time at the outskirt of the forest, began to\nsurvey it for finding out a site where he would build a fortress. The\nprincipal members of the Yudu race followed him (1\u20132). Thereafter in an\nauspicious day under the auspices of the planet Rohini he offered\nimmense presents to the Br\u0101hmanas and made them perform benedictory\nrites. He then commenced the work of the building of the fort. Thus when\nthe construction of the fort was taken in hand, like unto Indra\naddressing the gods, the lotus-eyed slayer of Keshi, the foremost of\ncreators, said to the Yadavas (3\u20134). \"O ye Y\u0101davas, behold the site that\nI have selected like unto the very abode of the gods. I have also\nselected the name under which it will be celebrated on earth (5). I am\nlaying out courtyards, promenades, well-levelled roads and inner\nappartments, all those marks, for which this city of mine will be\ncelebrated on earth by the name of Dw\u0101ravati like unto Indra\u2019s Amar\u0101vti\n(6-7). Taking Ugrasena before you and putting impediments in the ways of\nyour enemies do you enjoy here shorn of anxiety like the celestials (8).\nLet all of you take lands for building houses; let gardens and crossings\nof four roads be laid out and let a survey of roads and walls be taken\n(9). Let artizans, expert in building houses and masons be sent round\nthe country.\"\n\nThus accosted the Y\u0101davas gladly selected sites for building their own\nhouses. O king, some of the Yadavas engaged in measuring their own lands\nwith ropes and some of them began to worship the tutelary deity by\nadorning the Brahmanas on that auspicious day.\n\nThereupon the high-minded Govinda said to the masons:\u2014\"Do ye build for\nme a temple for my tutelary deity, well laid out with courtyards and\nroads\" (10-14). Having said \"So be it\" to the mighty-armed Krishna, the\nmasons collected all the materials for building the fort and began to\nlay out the gate and the boundary line. Temples, in proper places, were\nbuilt for Brahm\u0101, the god of sacrifices, Indra, the presiding deities of\nfire and water and other gods. They then constructed the four gates of\nthe temples (namely Shudr\u0101ksha, Aindra, Bhall\u0101ta and Pushpadant\u0101ka.)\nThus when the houses of the high-souled Yadavas were constructed,\nM\u0101dhava thought of laying out the city very soon. Thereupon there arose\nby accident a pure intellect in his mind conducive to the well-being of\nthe Yadavas and of the city, by which, he could soon lay out the city.\n(He thought) that Praj\u0101pati\u2019s son, the powerful Viswakarm\u0101, the foremost\nof architects, would construct the city. Thereupon, seated in a solitary\nplace with his face directed towards the celestial region Krishna\nthought of Viswakarm\u0101, in his mind, so that he might come there (15\u201321).\nIn the meantime the highly intelligent celestial architect, Viswakarma,\nthe foremost of gods, came there and stood before Krishna (22).\n\nViswakarma said:\u2014\"O Vishnu of firm vows, despatched speedily by the king\nof gods, this thy servant has arrived here; what command am I to carry\nout (23)? O god, thou art adorable unto me as the grand-father (Brahm\u0101)\nand the three-eyed deity (Siva). O lord, there is no difference amongst\nthe three (24). O thou of large arms, do thou gladly issue command to me\nas thou dost order the three worlds (25).\"\n\nHearing the humble words of Viswakarma, Keshava, the foremost of Yudus\nand the slayer of Kansa, replied, in incomparable words (26):\u2014\"O\nforemost of gods, you were also present there and listened to our\ncounsels held in private for the behoof of gods. You are now to build a\nhouse for me here (27). O you of firm vows, do you build a city here for\nmanifesting my own self and decorate it with houses befitting my power\n(28). You are an expert, O you of great intellect; what shall I tell you\nmore. Build for me such a city that it may be celebrated on earth like\nAmar\u0101vati; you are to build here such a house for me as I have in the\ncelestial region so that the mortals may see the beauty of my city and\nof the Yadu race (29\u201330).\"\n\nThus accosted the intelligent Viswakarm\u0101 said to Krishna of unwearied\nactions, the destroyer of the enemies of the celestials (31). \"O lord, I\nshall do all that thou hast ordered. But thy city will not sufficiently\naccommodate such a number of men. So very extensive should be thy city\nthat even the four oceans, in their full forms, may range here (32\u201333).\nO foremost of Purusas, if the ocean, of his own accord, gives a little\nmore room then thy city may turn highly extensive (34).\"\n\nKrishna, the foremost of orators, had already settled this. Therefore\nthus spoken to by the celestial architect he said to the ocean, the lord\nof rivers (37):\u2014\"O ocean, if you have any respect for me, then withdraw\nthy form in the water extending over twelve yojanas (36). If you give\nroom, this city, abounding in wealth and enjoyments, will be able to\nafford accommodation to my huge army\" (33). Hearing the words of\nKrishna, the ocean, the lord of rivers, offered him his bed, resorting\nto his yoga power. Observing the respect shown to Govinda by the ocean\nand the site for building the city Vishwakarma was highly pleased\n(38\u201339). Thereupon Vishwakarm\u0101 said to Krishna, the descendant of\nYadu:\u2014\"From even this very day you will settle down in the city. O lord,\nI had already made a plan of this most excellent city in my mind. So in\nno time it will be decorated with the rows of houses (40-41). This\ncharming city will be like the hump of the earth on account of its\nbeautiful gateways, gates and upper-storied rooms\" (42). Thereupon\nhaving constructed that city in the region liked by the gods he built\nthe inner appartment of Krishna consisting of bathing houses (43). Thus\nby Viswakarma\u2019s mental effort that beautiful Vaishnava city, by name\nDwark\u0101vati, was built (44). That city was properly protected by doors,\nadorned with most excellent walls, girt by ditches, filled with palaces,\nbeautiful men and women, traders and various articles of merchandise.\nAnd although it was established on earth, it appeared like one ranging\nin the sky. It was adorned with pools, streamlets of pure water and with\ngardens. It was covered on all sides like a damsel of spacious eyes. It\nhad prosperous court-yards, high edifices stricken by clouds, many clear\npublic roads and streets for carriages. As Indra\u2019s city beautifies the\ncelestial region, so that city, prosperous with all sorts of jems,\nadorned the ocean on earth (45-49). That city, a beautiful field for\nheroes, that creates envy in the hearts of the neighbouring kings,\ncovered even the sky with its palaces (50). That city was filled with\nthe noise of people hailing from the various kingdoms of earth and the\nair was saturated with the water of the waves of the ocean (51). With\nits charming sea-side and gardens that beautiful city Dwark\u0101, delightful\nto the females, shone like the welkin studded with stars (52). That city\nwas encircled by walls of sun-like and golden lustre, was filled with\ngolden houses and gates like white clouds and was adorned with palaces.\nAt some places the high roads were full of high palaces (54). As the\nmoon lights up the sky, so Krishna, the enhancer of the joy of the\nYadavas, encircled by his own people, began to live in that celestial\ncity abounding in jewels and built by Viswakarm\u0101 (55). Having laid out\nthat city resembling that of the celestials and been honored by Govinda\nthe Divine Architect repaired to the region of gods (56).\n\nThus when the city was laid out Krishna, who was conversant with the\nknowledge of Spirit, felt a desire of gratifying his own people, who\nwere poor, with profuse riches (57). Thereupon in one night the powerful\nUpendra invited the foremost of Nidhis, Sankha, who was an attendant of\nthe god of riches Vaishravana, to his own house. As desired by Keshava\nthe lord of Dw\u0101ravati, Sankha came to him. As he used to respect\nVaishravana, Sankha, humbly and with folded hands, bowed to him and\nsaid:\u2014\"O lord, I am a guard of treasures of the gods. O descendant of\nYadu, O thou of large arms, tell me what command of thine I am to carry\nout (57-61)\" Hearing this Hrishikesha said to that best of Guhyakas\nSankha:\u2014\"Give enough of riches to those men of my city who have little\nwealth. I do not like to see any man in this city unfed, lean, dirty and\npoor and nor do I wish to hear any man cry out \u2019Give me some thing\u2019\n(62\u201363)\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana:\u2014In order to satisfy Keshava\u2019s order Sankha, the foremost\nof Kuvera\u2019s attendants, ordered them to shower heaps of wealth in every\nhouse of Dw\u0101ravati and they accordingly did so. Therefore there remained\nno man poor, or of limited means (64\u201365). Thereupon that Divine Purusha,\never doing good by the Y\u0101davas, sent for the (wind god) Vayu, the vital\nair of animals, who, appearing before G\u0101d\u0101dhara, seated alone, said \"O\ngod, I am quick-coursing and can go everywhere. What shall I do for\nthee? O sinless one, as I am an emissary of the gods, so I am yours\".\nHearing this the mystic Purusha Krishna said to Vayu, the life of the\nuniverse, present there in his own form:\u2014\"Go to the gods and their king\nand offering them my respects beg of them the assembly Hall Sudharm\u0101 and\nbring it to Dwark\u0101 (66\u201371). O V\u0101yu, these pious Y\u0101davas, endued with\nprowess, will enter into it; therefore do not bring the false one; for\nthat undecaying assembly hall only, capable of going and assuming forms\nat will, will be able to accommodate these god-like Y\u0101davas (72\u201373).\"\nHearing the words of Krishna of unwearied actions, V\u0101yu, in his course\nfleet like the mind, repaired to the celestial region and communicated\nto the gods Keshava\u2019s complements and request. And then taking the\nassembly-hall Sudharm\u0101 he returned on earth (74-75). Thereupon\npresenting to the pious and energetic Krishna that Sudharm\u0101 hall the\nwind-god disappeared (76). As it was placed in the land of celestials\nfor the gods so that Sudharm\u0101 hall was placed by Keshava in Dwaravati\nfor the leading Yadavas (77). Thus with divine, earthly and watery\narticles the eternal and intelligent Hari decorated the city of\nDw\u0101ravati like unto his own wife (78). Thereupon having fixed the limits\nof the city the emperor Ugrasena placed in their proper places the\ncommanders of armies and the heads of clans. He then settled in their\nrespective places the priest S\u0101ndipani, the commander-in-chief\nAnadhristhi, the foremost of ministers Vikadru, and the ten elderly\npersons headed by Udhava, always engaged in Yadava\u2019s works. Of the\ncar-warriors the mighty car-warrior D\u0101ruka was appointed Keshava\u2019s\ncharioteer and, Satyaki, the foremost of warriors, the commander of his\narmy (79\u201382).\n\nHaving made these arrangements for his city, the blameless Krishna, the\ncreator of the world, began to live happily on earth along with the\nYadavas. A few days after with Reshava\u2019s consent Baladeva acquired the\ngood-natured daughter of Revata, by name Revati (83-84).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXVVI. AN ACCOUNT OF RUKSHMI: KRISHNA TAKES AWAY RUKSHMINI.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014In the meantime in order to satisfy the king of\nChedis the powerful Jar\u0101sandha announced \"A marriage with presents of\ngold coins and ornaments will be celebrated between the king Shishup\u0101la\nand Bhishmaka\u2019s daughter Rukshmini\". And he then excited for battle the\nhighly powerful Suvaktra the son of Dantavakra, an expert in illusions\nlike unto the thousand-eyed deity, the highly powerful and energetic\nSudeva, the master of one Akshouhini of soldiers, and the son of\nV\u0101sudeva, the king of Poundra, the highly powerful son of Ekalavya, the\nson of Pandya king, the powerful king of Kalinga, the king Venud\u0101ri, an\nenemy of Krishana\u2019s, Aushum\u0101n, Kr\u0101tha, Shrutarva, the kings of Kalinga\nand G\u0101ndhara, the highly powerful Praghasa, the king of Kashi and others\n(1-8).\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014\"O foremost of the twice-born conversant with the\nVedas, in what country and in whose family the effulgent king Rukshmi\nwas born (9)?\"\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Bidarbha, the son of royal saint Y\u0101dhava,\nconstructed a city by name Bidarbhi, on the southern side of the mount\nVindhya (10). His highly powerful and energetic sons, Kratha and others\nbecame all kings of separate kingdoms and founded separate familes (11).\nO king, of them the Vrishnis were born in the family of Bhima. Aushum\u0101n\nwas born in Kratha\u2019s family and Bhishmaka, whom people call Hiranyaroma,\nthe king of Deccan, was born in Kaishika\u2019s family. The king Bhishmaka,\nwho, living in the city of Kundina, used to govern the southern quarter\npresided over by Agastya, had a son by name Rukshmi and a daughter by\nname Rukshmini. The highly powerful Rukshmi obtained divine weapons from\nDruma and Brahma weapon from Jamadagni\u2019s son R\u0101ma. He always used to\nboast before Krishna of wonderful deeds (12\u201315). O king, Rukshmini was\nof matchless beauty on earth and therefore the highly effulgent V\u0101sudeva\ndesired to possess her as soon as he heard of it (16). Rukshmini too,\nhearing of Jan\u0101rddana, endued with energy and strength, wished. \"He only\nwill be my husband\" (17). Filled with grief on account of Kansa\u2019s death\nand thinking \"he is his enemy\" the highly powerful Rukshmi did not\nconfer Rukshmini on the highly energetic Krishna although he prayed for\nher (18). The emperor Jar\u0101sandha begged that maiden, of Bhishmaka of\ndreadful power, for the Chedi king Shishupala, the son of Sunitha (19).\n\nThe king Vrihadratha, who formerly made the city of Girivraja in the\nprovince of Magadha, was the son of the Chedi king Vasu. In his family\nwas born the highly powerful Jar\u0101sandha; and the Chedi king Damaghosha\nwas also born in the same family (20-21). Damaghosha begat on Vasudeva\u2019s\nsister Shrutashrav\u0101 five sons of dreadful prowess, namely, Dashagriva,\nRaivahy, Upadisha and Bali. They were all heroic, energetic, powerful\nand well-versed in the use of all sorts of weapons (22\u201323). The king\nSunitha handed over to Jar\u0101sandha, born in his own family, his son\nShishup\u0101la, who brought him up just like his own son (24). In order to\nplease the highly powerful Jar\u0101sandha, an enemy of the Vrishnis, under\nwhose protection he was brought up the Chedi king Shishupala quarrelled\nwith them (25). Kansa was Jar\u0101sandha\u2019s son-in-law. On account of his\nbeing slain in the arena there took place a dissension between him and\nthe Vrishnis for Krishna (26). At that time the king of Magadha wanted\nRukshmini from the powerful Bhishmaka for Sunitha\u2019s son Shishup\u0101la. And\nhe too promised to confer her on him (27).\n\nThereupon the emperor Jarasandha, with Shishupala and Dantavakra,\nstarted for Vidarbha. And the intelligent Poundra-king Vasudeva, the\nhighly powerful kings of Anga, Banga and Kalinga followed him (28-29).\nBy going out in advance Rukshmini honored those kings and welcomed them\nto his city (30). In order to please their father\u2019s sister R\u0101ma and\nKrishna, with the mighty Vrishni car-warriors and their army, went to\nthat city (31). Kratha, the king of Kaishika received and duly welcomed\nthose worshipful Y\u0101dhavas who lived outside the city (32). On the day\nprevious to that of the wedding, Rukshmini, gifted with all auspicious\nmarks, after the performance of benedictory rites, shining in her beauty\nand on a car drawn by four horses and protected by soldiers, was going\nfrom her house to that of Indra in order to worship Sachi (33\u201334).\nKrishna saw, near the temple, Rukshmini, the best of beauties, like unto\nthe burning flame of fire, as if she were the goddess of illusions\ndescended on earth, or the goddess earth herself coming out of the\nnether region, or the very goddess Shri (the goddess of prosperity) the\nforemost of damsels, gentle like the rays of the moon, and separated\nfrom her lotus, coming down on earth as his wife. That damsel of\ndark-blue hue and large eyes, Rukshmini, was seated on a car. And though\nthe gods even could not see her with their mind Krishna could see her.\nHer lips, eyes and the corners were coppery, thighs, hips and breast\nwere plump, her body was tall but thin and beautiful; her countenance\nwas like the moon, her nails were red; eye-brows were charming, hairs\nwere curling and black and her beauty was highly picturesque. Her face\nwas beautified by rows of equal and white teeth (35\u201340). Seeing the\nbeautiful Rukshmini, the foremost of damsels, clad in a blue raiment,\nmatchless in the world at that time for her beauty, fame and grace\nKrishna\u2019s desire grew powerful like fire to which clarified butter is\noffered and his mind was attracted by her. Thereupon consulting with\nR\u0101ma before the Vrishnis he made up his mind for stealing her away\n(41-43).\n\nThereupon as soon as Rukshmini came out of the temple after performing\nthe _puja_, Jan\u0101rddana assailed all her bodyguards and took her away by\nforce to his own car (44). R\u0101ma too, uprooting a huge tree, began to\nsend away the attacking enemies as guests to the house of Death (45).\nAccording to the command of Baladeva the D\u0101sh\u0101rhas too dressed\nthemselves completely; and various cars with unfurled flags, horses and\nelephants encircled R\u0101ma. Having entrusted the charge of that warfare\nwith R\u0101ma, Yujudh\u0101na, Akrura, Viprithu, Gada, Kritavarma, Chakradeva,\nSudeva, the highly powerful S\u0101rana, Nivrittashatru, the valiant\nBhangak\u0101ra, Viduratha, Ugrasen\u0101\u2019s son Kanka, Shatadyumna, R\u0101j\u0101dhideva,\nMridara, Prasena, Chitraka, Atid\u0101nta, Vrihaddurga, Shwaphalka, Satyaka,\nPrithu and the other heroes of the Vrishni and Andhaka races, the\npowerful slayer of Madhu, Keshava speedily set out for Dw\u0101rak\u0101 with\nRukshmini (46\u201352).\n\nArmed with coats of mail the powerful Dantavakra, Shishupala and\nJar\u0101sandha issued out in anger to kill Jan\u0101rddana (52). The highly\npowerful king of Chedi, too, went out with the kings of Anga, Banga,\nKalinga, and Poundra and his mighty car-warrior brothers (53). As the\ngods, headed by Vasudeva, fight with their antagonists, so the highly\npowerful Vrishnis, headed by Sangkarshana, gave them battle in anger\n(54). In that great battle Satyaki, with six winged shafts, speedily\npierced the highly powerful Jan\u0101rddana, who attacked them (55). When\nAkrura struck Dantavakra with nine arrows, K\u0101rusha king wounded him in\nreturn with ten quick-coursing arrows (56). Struck by Viprithu with\nseven shafts the powerful Shishup\u0101la pierced him in return with eight\n(57). Thereafter Gaveshana with six arrows, Atid\u0101nta with eight and\nVrihaddurga with five pierced the king of Chedi. He too, piercing each\nof them in return with five arrows, killed the four horses of Viprithu\nwith four arrows (58-59). The next moment sundering Vrihaddurga\u2019s head\nwith Bhalla, the king of Chedi, the slayer of his enemies, sent\nGaveshana\u2019s charioteer to the abode of Yama. Leaving his car, the horses\nwhereof were slain the energetic and the highly powerful Viprithu\nspeedily got upon Vrihaddurga\u2019s car. And his charioteer, getting upon\nGaveshana\u2019s car, drove his quick-coursing steeds (60\u201362). Thereupon the\nY\u0101davas, with bows and arrows in hands, angrily covered Sunitha with a\ndownpour of shafts, who was dancing on the car (63). Having pierced the\nbreast of Dantavakra with arrows in the battle-field Chakradeva as\nsailed Praghasa with five arrows. He too was wounded by them both with\nten shafts cutting to the very vitals. Thereupon Shishup\u0101la\u2019s brother\nBali wounded Chakradeva with ten arrows and Viduratha with five. Then\nthe highly powerful Viduratha struck Bali with six sharpened arrows and\nhimself was wounded in return with thirty arrows. Having pierced\nVasudeva\u2019s son with three arrows Kritavarma killed his charioteer and\nstruck down his standard. Seeing it Poundra wounded him in return with\nsix arrows and cut off his bow with his Bhalla. Vivrittashatru pierced\nthe king of Kalinga with sharpened arrows, and the king of Kalinga too,\nstruck him, in return, on the shoulder with an iron club. The valiant\nKanka made his elephant fall upon that of the king of Anga and wounded\nhis person with his club. Anga too assailed him with his arrows. The\nmighty car-warriors Chitraka, Shwaphalka, and Satyaki struck the\ncar-warriors of Kalinga, with winged arrows. In the battle-field, R\u0101ma\nhurled a tree in anger and killed with it the king of Banga, and his\nelephant. Having slain the king of Banga the valiant Sangkarshana got\nupon his chariot and taking up a bow sent a number of Kaishikas to the\nabode of Yama with his dreadful arrows. Thereupon having slain the great\nbow-men K\u0101rushas with six arrows, and killed a hundred horses of the\nMagadha army that mighty-armed and powerful car-warrior ran towards\nJar\u0101sandha. Beholding the holder of mace (R\u0101ma) about to fall on him the\nking of Magadha cut him with three winged arrows. He too, wounding him\nin return with eight winged arrows, cut off with his Bhalla in anger his\ngolden standard. Thus there took place a terrible encounter between them\nboth showering arrows on and striking each other resembling that between\ngods and demons. Engaged angrily in conflict with one another, the\nelephant riders with the elephant riders, the car-warriors with the\ncar-warriors, the cavalry with the cavalry, the infantry armed with\nspears, swords and armours with the foot-soldiers, they, cutting off\ntheir heads respectively, began to range in the battle-field. There was\nheard like the cries of the birds the sound of the fall of swords and\narrows on armours. The sound of bugles, conches, trumpets and flutes\ncovered that of weapons and the twang of bows of the great warriors\n(64\u201381).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXIVII. RUKSHMI ATTACKS KRISHNA AND IS DEFEATED.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing that his sister had been carried away by\nKrishna Rukshmi, filled with anger, promised before Bhishmaka saying \"I\nshall not return to the city of Kundina without slaying Krishna and\nbringing back Rukshmini\" (1\u20132). Saying this in anger the heroic Rukshmi\nget upon a car abounding in dreadful weapons and flags. And surrounded\nby a large army he speedily set out (3). Bhishmaka\u2019s sons, the foremost\nof car-warriors, Kr\u0101tha, Angshuman Shrutarv\u0101, the valiant Venud\u0101ri, the\nkings of Deccan and other mighty car-warriors, headed by Kratha and\nKaishika followed him (4-5). Having wended a great distance in anger\nthey saw Govinda with his beloved wife near the river Narmada (6).\nHaving kept his army there proud Rukshmi, in order to fight a duel of\ncars, went to the slayer of Madhu and pierced him with sixty four\nsharpened arrows. Jan\u0101rddana too wounded him in return with seventy\narrows (7-8). Although Rukshmi was very careful the highly powerful and\nvaliant M\u0101dhava cut off the standard of his car and the head of his\ncharioteer from his body (6). Seeing him in difficulty the kings of\nDeccan, bent upon killing him, encircled Jan\u0101rddana (10). The mighty\narmed Anshum\u0101na struck him with ten arrows Shutarv\u0101 with five and\nVenud\u0101ri with seven (11).\n\nThereupon when the energetic Govinda wounded the breast of Angshuman\nthat king, in pain, sat down on his car (12). Thereafter having slain\nwith four shafts the four horses of Shrutarv\u0101 M\u0101dhava cut down\nVenud\u0101ri\u2019s standard and and wounded his right arm (13). The very next\nmoment he wounded Shrutava with five arrows who, in great-pain, sat\ndown, holding the standard of the car (14).\n\nWhile V\u0101sudeva began thus to make a downpour of arrows, all the mighty\ncar-warriors, Kr\u0101tha, Kaishika and others ran towards him (15).\nJan\u0101rddana, in anger, cut off their arrows with his own. And although\nthey were very careful he wounded them all (16). Having wounded all\nthose kings with sixty four arrows that highly powerful one ran towards\nother angry kings (17). Beholding his army taking to their heels\nRukshmi, filled with anger, wounded Keshava on the breast with five\nsharpened arrows, his charioteer with three such shafts and sundered his\nstandard with a bent one (18-19). Piercing in anger, Rukshmi with sixty\narrows Keshava cut off his bow although he was very careful (20). Taking\nup another such bow the energetic Rukshmi began to discharge celestial\nweapons for killing Keshava (21). Counteracting his weapons with his own\nthe highly powerful M\u0101dhava again cut off his bow and car with three\narrows (22). Thus having his bow and car sundered the heroic and valiant\nking Rukshmi, taking up his sword and shield, jumped down from the car\n(23). Beholding him thus leap down Keshava, in anger, cut off his sword\nwhich fell down on the battle-field and pierced his breast with three\nwinged arrows (24). Thereupon the mighty-armed king Rukshmi, resounding\nthe whole earth, fell down unconscious like a mighty demon struck down\nby a thunderbolt (55). Thereupon Keshava began to assail other kings\nwith his arrows. They however, beholding Rukshmi fallen, took to their\nheels (26).\n\nBeholding her brother lying down motionless on earth, Rukshmini, for his\nlife, fell at Vishnu\u2019s feet (27). Keshava took up her, embraced and\nconsoled her. And then promising safety to Rukshmi he set out for his\nown city (28).\n\nOn the other hand having vanquished Jar\u0101sandha and others, the Vrishnis,\nheaded by R\u0101ma, gladly set out for Dwarka (29). After the departure of\nthe lotus-eyed Keshava Shutarv\u0101 came to the battle-field, placed Rukshmi\non his own car and took him to his own city (30). Being unable to bring\nback his sister and seeing his promise broken the haughty and sensitive\nRukshmi did not like to enter into the city of Kundina (31). For his\nresidence he built another city in the province of Bidharbha which is\ncelebrated on earth under the name of Bhojakata (32). Residing in that\ncity the highly powerful Rukshmi began to govern the southern districts\nand the mighty-armed king Bhishmaka lived in the city of Kundina (33).\nWhen R\u0101ma, with the Vrishni army, arrived at Dw\u0101rak\u0101 the powerful\nKeshav\u0101 duly espoused Rukshmini (34). Thereupon as did R\u0101ma lively\nhappily with Sit\u0101, as Purandara lived with Sachi, Puloma\u2019s daughter so\nhe enjoyed in the company of his sweet partner (35). That beautiful,\ngood natured and chaste Rukshmini, endued with all accomplishments, was\nthe first wife of Krishna (36). The powerful M\u0101dhava begat on her ten\nsons\u2014all mighty car-warriors, namely the highly powerful Pradyumna,\nCh\u0101rudeshna, Sudeshna, Sushena, Charugupta, the valiant Charuvaha,\nCh\u0101ruvinda, Such\u0101ru, Bhadracharu and Ch\u0101ru, the foremost of the strong\nand a daughter by name Ch\u0101rumati. They were all masters of weapons,\ndreadful in battle and well read in religious lore and political science\n(37-39). The mighty-armed Madhusudana married seven other beautiful and\naccomplished maidens born in high families, namely K\u0101lindi, Mitravinda,\nSatya, the daughter of Nagnajita the king of Ayodhy\u0101, J\u0101mvavati, the\ndaughter of J\u0101mvavan, Rohini capable of assuming forms at will, the\ngood-natured daughter of Madra king, Lakshman\u0101 of fair eyes and\nSatr\u0101jita\u2019s daughter Satyabh\u0101m\u0101. Besides G\u0101ndh\u0101ri, the daughter of\nShavya, like unto an Apsar\u0101 in beauty, was his another queen.\nHrishikesha, of unlimited prowess, simultaneously married sixteen\nthousand maidens and enjoyed in their company simultaneously. They were\nall used to luxuries and were honored with precious dresses and\nornaments of all sorts as they desired. And thousands of highly powerful\nand great sons, whom M\u0101dhava begat on them, were all great car-warriors,\nendued with great strength, masters of all weapons and performers of\nsacrifices and religious rites (40-45).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXVIII. MARRIAGE OF RUKSHMAVATI.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014After a few days the powerful Rukshmi, the slayer of\nhis enemies, announced that his daughter would make her choice of a\nhusband (1). For this invited by Rukshmi many rich and powerful kings\nand princes came to his house from various countries (2). Pr\u0101dyumna,\naccompanied by other princes, went there. As soon as she saw him\nRukshmini\u2019s daughter wanted to marry him. She too, endued with grace and\neffulgence, was celebrated on earth for her beauty. Keshava\u2019s son\ntherefore wished to espouse that one of fair eyes (3-4). Thereupon when\nall the powerful kings took their seats in the Swayamvara hall, the\nBidarbha king\u2019s daughter chose Pradyumna the slayer of enemies (for her\nhusband) (5). For he was a master of arms and well-built like a lion.\nBesides Keshava\u2019s son was peerless in beauty on earth (6). And that\nbeautiful, youthful and accomplished princess too was attached to him\nlike unto N\u0101r\u0101yanas\u2019s wife Indra-sen\u0101 (7). After the termination of the\nSwayamvara the kings repaired to their respective cities and Pradyumna\ntoo went to Dw\u0101rak\u0101 with the princess of Bidarbha with him (8). The hero\nlived happily in her company as did Nala in that of Damayanti. Pradyumna\nbegat on her a son by name Aniruddha, like unto the son of a god and of\nmatchless deeds on earth. When, Aniruddha, coming of age, mastered the\nVedas, the science of archery and the moral laws, M\u0101dhava selected the\nbeautiful gold-like Rukshmavati, the grand-daughter of Rukshmi, for his\nwife (9\u201311). O Janamejaya, the highly illustrious and intelligent king\nRukshmi used always to show rivalry with Krishna; still, on account of\nthe eagerness of his son and Rukshmini he cast off his enmity and said\nwith delightedness \"I confer Rukshmavati on Aniruddha endued with\naccomplishments and of a peaceful nature (12\u201313).\" On this occasion\nKeshava, surrounded by his own army and accompanied by Rukshmini,\nSangkarshana, his own sons and other Y\u0101davas, went to Bidarbha (14).\nRukshmi\u2019s kinsmen, friends and allies came there also at his invitation\n(15), O king, thereupon, in an auspicious day and under the auspicies of\na favourable planet Aniruddha\u2019s wedding was celebrated with great\nfestivity. Thus when Aniruddha was married to the Bidarbha princess, the\nBaidharvas and the Yadavas performed a great festivity. And adored there\nlike immortals the Vrishnis lived happily.\n\nThereupon the liberal king of Ashmaka, Venud\u0101ri, Rukshma\u2019s son\nShrutarv\u0101, Ch\u0101nura, Kr\u0101tha, Angshuman, the highly powerful king of\nKalinga, Jayatsena, the king P\u0101rdya and the beautiful king of Rishka,\nall these highly rich chiefs of Deccan spoke secretly to the powerful\nRukshmi:\u2014\"You are an expert in dice and we too wish to play; R\u0101ma is a\nnovice. Therefore following you we wish to defeat R\u0101ma\". Thus accosted\nthe mighty car-warrior Rukshmi approved of (their proposal). Thereupon\nthey all delightedly entered into a beautiful hall with golden pillars\nand its floor covered with flowers. And it was sprinkled with sandal\nwater. Those kings, decorated with beautiful garlands and unguents, and\ndesirous of scoring victory, entered into that hall and sat upon golden\nseats (16\u201324). Invited by those deceitful kings expert in the game of\ndice, R\u0101ma gladly said:\u2014\"See I am sporting\" (25). In order to vanquish\nRevati\u2019s husband with a deceitful play the Deecan chiefs brought to the\nplace of gambling innumerable jems, pearls and gold coins (26).\n\nThereupon there commenced the game of dice, the object of dreadful\nquarrels, a source of ruin to the wicked-minded and foe to friendship\n(27). In that game of dice with Rukshmi, Baladeva betted from ten to a\nthousand gold coins (28). Although the highly powerful Baladeva was very\ncareful Rukshmi won that game and betted another such amount (29). Thus\nrepeatedly defeated by Rukshmi the highly powerful elder brother of\nKeshava betted one _koti_ gold coins (30). Saying to the holder of mace,\n\u2019you are defeated\u2019 and smiling the greatly wily Rukshmi threw his dice.\nAnd with pride he again said \"Although unconquerable in battle,\nBaladeva, a novice and weak in a game of dice, has lost innumerable gold\ncoins to me\" (31\u201332).\n\nHearing it the king of Kalinga, delightedly and showing his teeth,\nlaughed aloud. Hearing those words of Rukshmi relating to his defeat the\nholder of ploughshare (Bala) was worked up with anger. Assailed by the\ncutting words of Bhishmaka\u2019s son, the pious son of Rohini, although a\nmaster of anger, again invoked his rage. And although worked up with\nire, the highly powerful Rama, controlling his passions, calmly\nsaid:\u2014\"My next bet is one hundred _koti_ gold coins, O king. Throwing\nred and copper coloured dice in this sinful country take all this\"\n(33\u201337). Thus addressed by Rohini\u2019s son, Rukshmi, the wretch of a man,\ndid not say anything at first, then saying \"Very well\" he again threw\nhis dice (38). When the dice, bearing four marks, were thrown by him\nRukshmi was rightly defeated by R\u0101ma. But the descendant of Bhoja did\nnot admit it but smilingly said \"I have won the game.\" Hearing those\ndeceiptful words Baladeva was again filled with anger and therefore did\nnot give any reply. Thereupon increasing the anger of the high-souled\nBaladeva an invisible voice said solemnly like the muttering of\nclouds\u2014\"Truly has said the beautiful Baladeva. Rukshmi has been defeated\nin a fair play. Although they know at heart that they have been defeated\nstill they do not admit it in words. Though Baladeva says nothing, still\nin fact, he has won the game. This is the truth (39\u201344).\"\n\nHearing this well-expressed truthful word from the sky the powerful\nSangkarshena stood up and began to grind on earth, Rukshmi\u2019s elder\nbrother with the huge dice board. Enraged at those words, R\u0101ma, the\nforemost of Yadus, slew with force that harsh-speeched and jealous\nRukshmi (45\u201346). Thereupon coming out therefrom in anger he struck down\nthe teeth of the Kalinga king and began to roar there in anger like a\nlion. Then taking up a dagger he terrified all other kings. Afterwards\nuprooting, like an elephant, the golden pillars of the hall and\nterrifying the Kaishikas there Sangkarshana, the foremost of the strong,\ncame out of the door (47-49). As a lion assails the little deer so\nhaving slain the wicked Rukshmi, R\u0101ma, the foremost of Yadus, encircled\nby his own men, returned to his tent and communicated to Keshava all\nthat had happened (50-51). The highly effulgent Krishna said nothing to\nR\u0101ma. Hearing of the death of her own brother and cursing her own self\nRukshmini began to shed tears in anger and said:\u2014\"Alas, Rukshmi,\npowerful like Indra, the slayer of hostile heroes who had not been slain\nby V\u0101sudeva before, has been slain in the gambling-hall with the dice\nboard hurled by R\u0101ma.\" (52-54).\n\nOn the highly powerful son of Bhishmaka, Rukshmi, trained by Bh\u0101rgava,\nand well-versed in warfare and active like Bh\u0101rgava himself, being slain\nthe Vrishnis and Andhakas were filled with sorrow. O foremost of\nBharatas, you have thus listened to how the Vrishnis became enemies, of\nRukshmi and how he was slain. O king, a few days after this incident the\nVrishnis, who were under R\u0101ma and Krishna, came to the city of Dw\u0101ravati\nwith profuse _riches_ (55\u201358).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXIX. BALADEVA\u2019S GLORIOUS DEEDS DESCRIBED.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O Saint, I wish to listen again to the glorious deeds\nof the intelligent Baladeva, the personification of Shesa, the upholder\nof the earth (1). Sages, well-read in Puranas, designate Baladeva, full\nof effulgence as highly noble and the highly powerful prime deity\nAnanta. O Vipra, therefore I wish to listen accurately to his deeds.\n(2-3).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014In the Puranas this highly energetic and powerful\nBaladeva is described as the Naga king Sesha, the mine of lustre, who\nholds up the earth, as the foremost of Purushas, as a teacher of Yoga\nand as the foremost of those who are well-read in the Mantras of the\nVedas. Many times he defeated Jar\u0101sandha while fighting with clubs but\nhe did not kill him (4-5). The other celebrated kings, of earth who\nfollowed the Maagdha emperor, were defeated by him in battle (6). In\nwrestling with him even Bhima, of dreadful prowess, endued with the\nstrength of an Ayuta elephant, was defeated by him (7). On account of\nhis stealing awaya Duryodhana\u2019s daughter Lakshman\u0101, Jamvavati\u2019s son\nSh\u0101mva was confined by those princes in the city of Hastina. Hearing of\nhis confinement the highly powerful R\u0101ma went to that city for releasing\nhim, but did not find him. Thereat worked up with anger that powerful\nhero performed the following wonderful feat. Taking up his invincible,\nincomparable, and celestial weapon, plough-share, powerful like that of\nBrahma and fixing it on the wall of the city he thought of, throwing\nthat city of the Kauravas into the Ganges (8-12).\n\nBeholding his city thus whirled the king Duryodhana sent Shamva with his\nwife to the highly powerful R\u0101ma and presented himself for his\ndiscipleship. R\u0101ma too accepted the Kuru king as his disciple in club\nfighting. O king, from that time, this whirling city is seen bent\ntowards the ocean. O king, formerly in the Birandirava forest,\nHal\u0101yudha, the son of a hero, killed Pralamva, with one stroke of his\nfist. This too is one of his deeds well-known on earth. He hurled up the\nhuge-bodied demon, Dhenuka, coming under the disguise of an ass and\nthrew him up on the top of a tree. And he too fell down dead on the\nsurface of the earth (13-17). The holder of plough-share made the great\nriver Yamuna, the sister of Yama, of quick-current and going towards the\nocean of salt water, turn her course towards the city. This too is one\nof his wonderful deeds (18). O king, I have thus described to you the\npowerful deeds of Baladeva of matchless strength, the personation of\nSesha passing under the name of Ananta. You shall, while listening to\nthe Pur\u0101nas, hear of many other most excellent feats of Haladara, the\nforemost of Purushas, which have not been described by me to day\n(13\u201320).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXX. THE DEFEAT OF THE ASURA NARAKA.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O great Muni, describe to me what the powerful Vishnu\ndid when he came over to Dw\u0101r\u0101ka after the destruction of Rukshmi (1).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The beautiful and powerful lord Vishnu, having lotus\neyes, the enhancer of the delight of the Yadavas, encircled by them,\ndirected his mind towards Dw\u0101rak\u0101 (2) The diverse riches and jewels, he\ncould lay his hands on any where, he made the R\u0101kshasas bring over to\nhis own house. The great Asuras, D\u0101navas and Daityas, who had acquired\nboons, as also put in many obstacles at that time; but the mighty-armed\nM\u0101dhava destroyed them all (3\u20134).\n\nO king, while M\u0101dhava lived in Dwarak\u0101, the D\u0101nava Naraka, the great\nenemy of the king of gods and a terror to the celestials, presented many\nobstacles in his way (5). That D\u0101nava, residing at Murtilinga, an\noppresser of all the gods, used always to oppose the celestials and the\nRishis (6). Once on a time Bhumi\u2019s son Naraka, the king of Pr\u0101gyotish,\nwent to a place called Kasheru. There assuming the form of an elephant\nhe, by force, ravished Twastha\u2019s daughter the beautiful Chaturdashi. And\nshorn of fear or sorrow he foolishly said:\u2014\"From this very day, the\nR\u0101kshasas, Daityas and D\u0101navas will bring for me all the jems the gods\nand men possess, all that the entire earth contains and all that lie in\nthe ocean.\" Saying this Bhumi\u2019s son began to pilfer diverse riches and\nclothes. But he did not enjoy them (7\u201311). The powerful Naraka carried\nall the maidens of the gods, Gandharvas, men and the seven divisions of\nthe Apsaras (12). Thus sixteen thousand and one hundred chaste maidens,\nwearing a single braid of hairs, were brought (13). The powerful Bhouma\nmade a house for them on the mount Mani in Alak\u0101 near the territory of\nthe Daitya Maru (14). There the ten daughters of Maru, those maidens and\nthe other leading R\u0101kshasas used to carry out his command and adore him,\nthe king of Pragyotish. O king, the great Asura Naraka, who had obtained\na boon, lived on the bank of the blue ocean (15). Even all the Asuras,\ncollected together, could not perform before the dreadful feat which\nthis great demon did (16). O Janamejaya, for ear-rings the great demon\nNaraka, whom the goddess earth gave birth to and whose capital was\nPr\u0101gyotish, oppressed even Aditi (17). He had four gate-keepers,\ndreadful in battle, namely Hayagriva, Nisunda, Panchanada and the great\nAsura Muru with his thousand sons, proud of his boon. Those warders,\nterrors to those who perform pious deeds, used to occupy even the\naethireal way along with the R\u0101kshasas in battle (18\u201319).\n\nFor his destruction. Vasudeva, of the Vishni race, begat the might-armed\nJan\u0101rddana, holding conch, discus, club and sword, on Devaki. After\nholding consultation with one another the celestials selected the city\nof Dw\u0101rak\u0101 for the residence of the great Purusha M\u0101dhava, of well-known\nprowess on earth (20\u201321). Encircled by the great ocean and beautified\nwith five hills, that city of Dw\u0101rak\u0101 excelled that of Indra even in\nbeauty (22). The great assembly-hall in that city, resembling that of\ngods, which extended over a _yojana_ and had huge golden door-ways, was\ncelebrated by the name of D\u0101sh\u0101rha; and the leading members of the\nVrishni and Andhaka races, headed by R\u0101ma and Krishna, used to carry on\ntheir daily transactions there (23\u201324).\n\nO foremost of Bharatas, once on a time while the Y\u0101davas sat in that\nhall there blew the wind carrying celestial fragrance and there was a\ndownpour of flowers (25). In a moment a great noise, covered with a net\nof lustre, was heard in the sky. Within that effulgence, V\u0101sava was\nseen, seated on a white elephant and encircled by the gods (26\u201327).\nR\u0101ma, Krishna and the king Ugrasena, with other leading Y\u0101davas went out\nand welcomed the king of gods (28). Afterwards coming down speedily from\nthat elephant chief the king of gods embraced Jan\u0101rddana, Baladeva, the\nking Ahuka and then the other Y\u0101davas, in order of age and rank. And\nthen adored by R\u0101ma and Krishna he entered into that magnificent\nassembly-hall. Seated there and adoring it the king of gods duly\naccepted _arghya_ and other articles of hospitality (29\u201331).\n\nThen touching the auspicious countenance of his younger brother\n(Krishna) with his hand the highly powerful V\u0101sudava addressed to him\nthe following consoling words (32). \"O Devaki\u2019s son, O slayer of Madhu\nand of thy enemies, hear for what I have come to thee (33). Elated with\nthe boon conferred on him by Brahm\u0101 the great Asura Naraka has foolishly\nstolen the ear-rings of Aditi (34). He always acts against the gods and\nBr\u0101hmanas and is on the look out for your loopholes. Do thou therefore\nkill that sinful wretch (35). This Vinat\u0101\u2019s son Guruda, highly powerful,\ncapable of ranging anywhere and of assuming any strength and always\nmoving in the sky, will take thee there (36). O Upendra, Bhumi\u2019s son,\nNaraka, is unslayable by all creatures. Do thou soon kill that sinful\none and come back (37).\"\n\nThus addressed by the king of gods, the mighty-armed and lotus-eyed\nKeshava promised to kill Naraka (38). Then taking up his conch, discus,\nclub and sword, he, along with Satyabh\u0101m\u0101, sat on Garuda\u2019s back and\nimmediately started with Sakra (39). Before the very eyes of the leading\nYadus, Keshava, assisted by the powerful Garuda, crossed the seven\nregions of the wind-gods and rose high up (40). Then on account of the\ndistance the king of gods, seated on the elephant chief and Jan\u0101rddana,\nseated on Garuda, appeared like the sun and the moon (41). Thereupon the\nGandharvas and Apsaras chanting their glories in the sky they gradually\ndisappeared (42). Then advising as to what he should do V\u0101sava, the king\nof gods, repaired to his own abode and Krishna went to the city of\nPr\u0101gyotish (43). At that time struck by the flapping of Garuda\u2019s wings\nthe wind blew in a contrary direction and the sky rangers were assailed\nby clouds of dreadful sound (44). By the help of that sky-ranging bird\nM\u0101dhava, in no time, reached his wished-for quarter, and seeing the\ngate-keepers from distance he went where they were (45). Arriving at the\ngate of the mount Mani he saw there elephants, horses, car-warriors and\nsix-thousand nooses sharp like razors (16).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Then beholding the beautiful, four-armed Krishna,\nholding conch, discus, club and sword, wearing a garland of wild flowers\nround his neck, bearing the moon-like mystic mark Srivatsa on his\nbreast, with his head illumined with a crown effulgent like the sun or\nmoon accompanied by a lightning, looking like a blue ocean, and clad in\na yellow raiment, and hearing the dreadful twang of of his bow\nresembling the fall of a thunder-bolt the D\u0101navas could understand that\nVishnu himself had come (47-49). Taking up his Sakti, adorned with\ndiamond and gold, the great Asura Muru, resembling Death himself, ran\ntoward him and hurled that huge weapon at him. Beholding that Sati, like\nunto a burning fire-brand about to fall Vasudeva took up gold feathered\narrows. When the powerful V\u0101sudeva discharged that arrow burning like a\nlightning it cut that Sakti into twain. When that Sakti was sundered\nMuru, having his eyes reddened in anger, took up a huge club and\ndischarged it as the king of gods hurls his thunder-bolt. Having drawn\nhis crescent-shaped weapon to his ears Keshava, the foremost of gods,\ncut off with it, in the middle the golden club. And with a Bhalla he cut\noff the D\u0101nava\u2019s head (50-55).\n\nHaving thus slain Muru with his friends and cut off his nooses the Lord,\nDevaki\u2019s son, killed the highly powerful R\u0101kshasa soldiers of Naraka.\nAnd crossing the mountain he saw the D\u0101nava host consisting of Nisunda,\nDiti\u2019s son Hayagriva and the other heroes capable of fighting in many\nways. Thereupon speedily getting upon his chariot and putting on a\nstrong celestial golden armour, the highly powerful Nisunda, with his\narms, obstructed Keshava\u2019s path. Thereupon he pierced the slayer of\nKeshi and Madhu with ten arrows who in return wounded him with seventy\nwinged shafts and cut off the D\u0101n\u0101v\u0101\u2019s arrow in the sky before they\ncould approach him. Then his army completely surrounded Keshava.\nAlthough covered with the net-work of this arrows Jan\u0101rddana, the\nforemost of gods, was highly enraged at seeing those D\u0101navas and\nwithstood the D\u0101vnava army with a downpour of cloudy weapons and other\narrows (56-63). Thereupon assailing all of them with five arrows each he\npierced them to the very vitals with cloudy weapons. Filled with fear\nthe D\u0101nava army fled away from the battle-field. Beholding his army thus\nflying away he again came to the battle (64\u201365). And making a downpour\nof arrows he covered Keshava. Neither the sun, the sky nor the ten\nquarters were visible (66). Thereupon taking up a divine weapon, by name\nS\u0101vitra, Hari, the foremost of Purushas, cut off his arrows in the\nbattle-field. Cutting off the arrows of the D\u0101navas with his own the\nhighly powerful Krishna sundered his umbrella with one arrow and the\npole of his car with three. And again destroying his four horses with\nfour arrows he killed his charioteer with five and cut off his standard\nwith one. Afterwards with a highly sharpened and whetted Bhalla,\nKrishna, the foremost of gods, cut off Nisunda\u2019s head who, alone, in the\ndays of yore, had fought with the gods for a thousand years (66\u201371).\n\nBeholding Nisunda thus slain the foremost of Asuras, Hayagriva,\neffulgent like a mountain, took up a huge rock and vauntingly hurled it\nwith great force. Thereupon taking up his celestial cloudy weapon and\ndischarging it Vishnu, the foremost of those conversant with the use of\nweapons, sundered the rock into seven and the stones fell down on earth.\nO foremost of Bharatas, with huge arrows of diverse colors discharged\noff the Sranga bow there set in a dreadful battle, abounding in various\nweapons like that between the gods and demons. Thus seated on Garuda the\nmighty-armed Jan\u0101rddana began to destroy the demons; what more, all the\nD\u0101navas, who approached N\u0101r\u0101yana, were wounded with the huge ploughshare\nand killed with arrows and swords. Some, consumed by the fire of the\ndiscus, fell down from the sky, and some, coming near, gave up their\nghost with grim-visaged countenance. And although mutilated with the\narrows of Krishna, some Asuras, capable of fighting in many ways, began\nto make a downpour of arrows like unto clouds discharging their watery\ncontents. Their persons were besmeared with blood like blossoming\nKisgsuka trees and they, with their weapons broken and filled with\nfright, took to their heels (77\u201380). Thereupon with his eyes red hot in\nanger the D\u0101nava Hayagriva again, with velocity of the wind, drew a tree\nten fathoms high (81). Uprooting speedily that tree, the cloud-colored\nHayagriva ran and hurled it with such a force by virtue of his training,\nthat the huge sound, caused by the tree passing through air, was heard\nby every body. With a thousand arrows, Jan\u0101rddana speedily and\nwonderfully cut that tree into many pieces and with one shaft struck\nHayagriva on the breast. That arrow, burning like fire, with great force\nentered into the breast of the D\u0101nava and came out piercing his very\nvitals (82\u201385). The dreadful Jan\u0101rddana, of unlimited prowess, the\nenhancer of the delight of the Y\u0101davas, killed that highly powerful and\nirrepressible Hayagriva who alone formerly fought with the gods for one\nthousand years. Having thus slain the grim-visaged and the iniquitous\nHayagriva in the province of Lohitanga in a city encircled by walls and\nkilled eight hundred thousand D\u0101navas Devaki\u2019s son, the Lord, the\nforemost of Pursushas and the slayer of his enemie\u2019s, set out for the\ncity of Pragyotish (86\u201387).\n\nHaving entered the shining city of Pr\u0101gyotish, the highly powerful\nKeshava, after many encounters, killed Naraka\u2019s follower, the great\nAsura Panchajana, and blew his conch P\u0101nchjanya. That blare, grave as\nthe muttering of clouds and that of the whirlpool, was heard every where\nall over the three worlds. Hearing that sound the eyes of the heroic\nNaraka were reddened with anger. And getting upon his celestial car he\nshone like the evening sun. It had eight iron wheels, was colored in\ngold and red paints, had spacious seats, had golden flags and pennons\nwith golden standards. It had a pole set with diamonds and pearls, was\ndrawn by a thousand horses, was covered with an iron net work, was\nfilled with various weapons and made of gold. At that time Naraka\u2019s face\nlooked effulgent like a fire-brand. And he appeared highly beautiful\nwith his white, and moon-like breast plate. On his head shone a crown of\nsun-like lustre and his ears were shining with a pair of Kundalas\n(88\u201396). Putting on diverse sorts of armours, the tawny-coloured,\ngrim-visaged and huge-bodied Daity as D\u0101navas, and R\u0101kshasas issued out;\nof them some had swords and shields, some had arrows and quivers, some\nhad Saktis and some had lances. Those well-armed heroes, expert in\nfighting, rode elephants and horses and issued out of the city shaking\nthe earth. Encircled by Daityas Naraka, like unto Death him self, while\nproceeding, heard on all sides the sound of thousands of bugles, conchs,\nMridangas and trumpets resembling the muttering of clouds (91-100).\n\nThose grim-visaged heroes unitedly went, where Krishna was waiting and\nbegan to fight with him. Those soldiers covered V\u0101sudeva with a\ndown-pour of arrows (101-102). Discharging thousands of Saktis, maces,\nlances and arrows they covered the welkin (103). Moving his Sr\u0101nga bow,\nthe twang whereof was like the muttering of a cloud, hither and thither,\nJan\u0101rddana, looking like a dark-blue cloud, began to make a down-pour of\narrows on the D\u0101navas. And with it their highly powerful soldiers were\ngreatly assailed. Thus there took place a dreadful encounter between him\nand the fierce-looking Rakshasas; and wounded by Krishna\u2019s arrows the\nD\u0101navas were routed (104-106). Some of the D\u0101navas had their arms broken\nand some were wounded on the head and neck; some were cut in twain by\nthe discus and some were wounded on the breast with arrows (107). Of the\ncar-warriors, elephant-riders and cavalry some were cut into two pieces\nand some were wounded with arrows and lances (108). Thus the entire\narmy, consisting of elephants, horses, and cars, was completely crushed\ndown. There took place a highly dreadful encounter in that battle\nbetween him and Naraka (109). Listen to it, I shall describe it briefly.\nThe energetic Naraka, the terror of gods, fought with the foremost of\nPurushas, Madhusudana, like Madhu himself. When in that battle, the\nheroic Naraka, like unto Death himself, took up with reddened eyes, a\nhuge bow resembling that of Sakra, Keshava, taking up an arrow like the\nfierce ray of the sun, filled his car with celestial weapons. Thereupon\nwhen taking up a huge weapon the powerful Naraka was about to withstand\nthe great and war-like slayer of Madhu Jan\u0101rddana, having a countenance\neffulgent like lightning, he cut off that weapon with his discus and\nsent his charioteer to the abode of Death with one arrow. Then\ndestroying the car with horses and standards with ten arrows the slayer\nof Madhu cut his coat of mail with one arrow. Thereupon having his\nhorses slain, and stripped of his coat of mail like a serpent shorn of\nits skin, the heroic D\u0101nava Naraka, all on a sudden, took up a strong\niron dart effulgent like a lightning and sent it down whirling. Seeing\nthat dart covered with gold, about to fall down, Krishna, of wonderful\ndeeds, cut it off into two pieces with his razor-shaped weapon. Thus\nthere went on a dreadful encounter with that highly powerful and\ngrim-visaged R\u0101kshasa Naraka, abounding in most excellent weapons.\nFighting with Naraka for a moment the dreadful Jan\u0101rddana cut him into\ntwo pieces with his effulgent discus. His body, sundered into twain with\nthe discus, fell on earth like a mountain summit clapped by a\nthunder-bolt. It appeared that the sun was enshrouded by Krishna-like\nblack clouds (110\u2014122). Naraka\u2019s head, cut off by the discus, appeared\non the battle-field like unto a mountain of minerals clapped by a\nthunderbolt (123). Beholding his son slain, Bhumi came with the pair of\nKundalas to Govinda and said \"O Govinda, thou dost sport as a boy plays\nwith his toys. Thou hast with thy own hand killed him whom thou didst\ngive. O Lord, however, do thou accept these Kundalas for which thou hast\nslain Naraka, and protect his children (124-126)\".\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXXI. KRISHNA VISIT WITH ADITI.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having slain Bhumi\u2019s son Naraka powerful like\nV\u0101sava, Vishnu, the younger brother of Indra began to search his house\n(1). Having arrived at the Treasury of Naraka, Jan\u0101rddana saw there,\ndiamonds, pearls, corals, sapphires, emeralds, and various other jems,\ngold, heaps of jewels and other precious articles, a highly costly bed\nshining like the moon, a lion-shaped throne effulgent like burning fire,\nand a huge and beautiful umbrella of the hue of the clouds of the rainy\nseason, of the lustre of the moon and with a golden standard. O\nJanamejaya, I have heard that there was also the golden fountain of\nhundreds and thousands of streams, which he had brought from Varuna;\nwhat more, we had never seen or heard of even in the palaces of Kuvera,\nYama and Indra, the collection of jewels that was in Naraka\u2019s treasury.\nBhumi\u2019s son Naraka, Nisunda and Hayagriva being slain, the surving\nwarders of his Treasury took to Keshava those costly jems and the\ndamsels of the seraglio, considering them as worthy of him (2-10).\n\nThe Daityas said:\u2014O Jan\u0101rddana, all these various jems and riches, these\ngoods made of corals, these beautiful flags set with golden threads,\nthese twenty thousand grim-visaged elephants carrying bows, _Tomaras_\nand other weapons such-like forty-thousand she-elephants, and eight lacs\nof horses of most excellent breed have been brought to thee. And we will\ntake to the houses of the Andhakas and Vrishnis as many kine as thou\nshalt desire to have. O Lord, we will despatch to the houses of the\nY\u0101davas, bed-steads of fine workmanship, seals, beautiful birds, sandal\nand Aguru woods and other jems both in mountains or collected from the\nthree worlds that are in Naraka\u2019s palace. There are now in Naraka\u2019s\nhouses all the riches and jems that were formerly in the possession of\nthe gods, Gandharvas and Pannagas (11-17).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having accepted all those jewels and examined them,\nHrishikesha, the slayer of Madhu, sent them all speedily to Dw\u0101ravati\nthrough the Danavas (18). Taking himself the Varuni umbrella capable of\nshowering gold, he rode Garuda that foremost of birds, the very\npersonification of a cloud, and set out for the foremost of mountains\nMani (19\u201320). Jan\u0101rddana saw there on the mount Mani, gates, summits of\nsapphire decorated with flags and doors. At that time adorned with rows\nof palaces painted in golden colours, the entire mount Mani shone like a\ncloud adorned with lightings. Madhusudana saw there the pure,\ngold-coloured and plump-hipped daughters of the Gandharvas and leading\nAsuras whom Naraka had carried away by force and confined there.\nAlthough deprived of all sorts of enjoyments, still residing there as if\nin the city of the celestials, they lived happily like celestial\ndamsels. And nobody, on account of Naraka\u2019s powers, could take them away\n(21-26.)\n\nIn order to behold the large-armed Krishna, the foremost of Yadus, the\ndamsels, controlling their senses, emaciated on account of the\nobservance of vows and fastings, clad in silken raiments and with one\nbraid of hairs approached Janarddana with folded hands and stood\nencircling him. They fearlessly surrounded Krishna because they had\nlearnt of the death of the great Asuras Naraka, Mura, Hayagriva and\nNisunda. The elderly M\u0101navas who were their guards, although more aged,\nbowed to Krishna, the descendant of Yadu, with folded hands. Beholding\nthe moon-like countenance of the large-armed Krishna, those beautiful\ndamsels were all worked up with desire and wished to select him as their\nhusband. And they accordingly with joyous hearts said:\u2014(27\u201332). \"What\nthe celestial saint N\u0101rada, knowing the hearts of all creatures, and the\nWind-god had said to us before, is all true. They said that the\nUniversal Lord N\u0101r\u0101yana, the holder of conch, discus and club, slaying\nBhumi\u2019s son Naraka, would in no time become our husband. We behold now\nour beloved lord, the slayer of his enemies of whom we have been hearing\nfor ever. Oh! we have been blessed to-day by seeing this high-souled\ndeity\" (33\u201335).\n\nThereupon having delightedly welcomed those lotus eyed damsels V\u0101sav\u2019s\nyounger brother consoled them all. Having welcomed those ladies duly the\nlotus-eyed Keshava, the slayer of Madhu took them all to Dw\u0101raka in a\ncar protected by servants (36\u201337). Then there arose a great tumult of\nthe R\u0101kshas quick-coursing like air, while carrying the vehicle.\nUprooting the most charming and brilliant summit of that best of\nmountains, Vishnu the foremost of the strong rode that best of birds\nGaruda. It was like the clear sun and the moon, had gates made of jewels\nand gold, abounded in birds, deer, various animals and elephants, was\nbeautified with trees and filled with monkeys. It had spacious rocks,\nboars, buffaloes and antelopes. Its table-land was filled with springs\nand it had various sorts of trees. Many beasts and peacocks were roving\nthere and it was wonderful above all comprehension (38\u201343). Garuda the\nking of birds easily carried Janarddana with his wife and the mount Meru\n(44). With the flapping of his strong wings, that king of birds, huge\nlike a big mountain summit, raised up a tumultuous sound on all sides\n(45). By the weight of his feet the mountain tops were all broken down,\nthe trees were uprooted, huge clouds were dispersed and some of them\nassumed a wonderful form (46). In this way, as desired by Janarddana\nthat bird, fleet like the wind, went beyond the paths of the sun and the\nmoon (47). O Emperor, O thou the slayer of thy enemies, gradually\nKeshava, the destroyer of his foes, arrived at the mount Sumeru and saw\nthe abodes of the celestials. And then crossing the shining babitations\nof the Viswadevas, Sadhyas, Maruts, the two Aswins and other auspicious\nregions, he arrived at the land of gods, and entered into the palace of\ntheir king. Coming down from Garuda\u2019s back, Madhava there met the king\nof gods. And Indra too welcomed him with great delight. Giving to the\nking of gods the pair of ear-rings belonging to Aditi and saluting him,\nJanarddana, the foremost of men, along with his wife, was welcomed by\nhim in return. Puloma\u2019s daughter duly received Satyabh\u0101m\u0101 (48-53).\n\nThereupon Vasava and Vasudeva together with their wives repaired to the\nprosperous abode of Aditi, the mother of celestials. Arriving there,\nthose two great gods saw the Asuras, seated all around worshipping the\ngreat Aditi engaged in Tapas (54-55). Placing Jan\u0101rddana before him,\nAditi\u2019s son and Sachi\u2019s lord Purandara approached his mother, saluted\nher, gave her over the pair of ear-rings and narrated the glorious deeds\nof Keshava. Hearing them, Aditi was pleased and took up her two sons on\nher lap. And welcoming them with auspicious blessings, she honoured\nthem. Thereafter Puloma\u2019s daughter and Satyabhama with great delight\nsaluted the feet of the goddess Aditi with veneration; welcoming them\nduly with affection, the illustrious mother of the gods said to\nKeshava:\u2014\"My son, as this king of gods is worshipful to all the worlds,\nso you are unslayable by all creatures. This most excellent of all your\nwives, this beautiful and pleasant looking Satyabh\u0101ma celebrated in all\nthe worlds, will be ever youthful and lucky. And from her person she\nwill emit charming and celestial fragrance. O Krishna, as long as you\nwill be in your human form, this your wife will not be visited by\ndecrepitude.\"\n\nThus honored by the mother of gods, the highly powerful Krishna was\nhonored by V\u0101sava with various jewels. Thereupon obtaining the\npermission of the king of gods, riding Vinata\u2019s son with Satyabham\u0101 and\nworshipped by the entire host of the celestials, he began to range in\nthe celestial gardens. While crossing the garden of Vasava the\nmighty-armed Keshava saw the most excellent, sacred and celestial huge\ntree P\u0101rijata always emitting holy fragrance and daily blossoming,\napproaching which every one regains the recollection of his pristine\nbirth. Although gods were kept there in charge of the tree, Krishna of\nunlimited powers, forcibly up-rooted it and placed it on Garuda\u2019s head.\nThereupon viewing the Apsaras, Upendra and Satyabh\u0101ma proceeded towards\nDwarka by the ethereal way. The celestial damsels from behind saw\nSatyabh\u0101ma (56-69). Hearing of this deed of Krishna the mighty-armed\nking of gods did not express his disapproval but rather said \"Krishna is\nnever successful\" (70). Thus adored by the celestials and hymned by the\nseven saints, the mighty-armed Krishna the slayer of his enemies, set\nout for Dwarka from the celestial region (71). Wending the long distance\nlike a short one, he espied the city of the Yadavas. Having performed\nthat great feat V\u0101sava\u2019s younger brother the Lord Krishna, riding\nGaruda, returned to Dw\u0101raka (72-73).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXXII. THE PRESENT OF THE PARIJATA BY KRISHNA TO RUKSHMINI.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O foremost of Munis, I am not able to attain to the\nconsummation of my satisfaction listening again and again to the sacred\ntheme of Lord Krishna\u2019s influence on Mathura (1). Thou art conversant\nwith the six divisions of Krishna\u2019s history while M\u0101dhava lived in\nDwarka after marrying his wives. Do thou describe it to me now (2).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O Janamejaya, O descendant of Bharata, all the deeds\nwhich the powerful Krishna performed after taking his wives are all\nbecoming to him. Listen, I shall relate them (3). O king, after his\nmarriage, the highly energetic and powerful Vasudeva once went to the\nmount Raivataka with Rukshmini (4). Madhusudana went there personally\nbecause there was to take place a great festival on the day of the\ntermination of Rukshmini\u2019s vow and that he would gratify the Br\u0101hmanas\n(5). O king, according to Narada\u2019s command, V\u0101sudeva\u2019s sons and brothers\nhad already been sent there (6). The sixteen thousand wives of the\nintelligent Madhava with splendour befitting their rank, had gone there.\n(7). There the lord of subdued senses, conferred on the twice-borns all\ntheir desired-for objects, as well as on the beggars, on those who\nalways practise religious rites and on all those who sought his\nwell-being (8). Arriving there, O descendant of Kuru with Youna,\u00b2\u2077\u2077\nShrouna\u00b2\u2077\u2078 and Moukh,\u00b2\u2077\u2079 friends, pure, always performing great\nreligious rites and born in great families, the Lord, ever fond of his\nvotaries and the refuge of the pious, satisfied the Br\u0101hmanas with\nsacrifice and his kinsmen according to their rank (9-10). At the\ntermination of the fasting, the Lord highly honored his beloved spouse\nRukshmini, the daughter of Bhishmaka.\n\nWhile residing there, once the highly powerful Krishna, sat on a seat\nwith Rukshmini encircled by his other wives when the ascetic N\u0101rada\narrived there (12). When that best of Munis came there, Vasava\u2019s younger\nbrother of immeasurable energy Keshava, duly adored him with rites laid\ndown in the Scriptures (13). O descendant of Bharata, adored by\nVasudeva\u2019s son Krishna, that foremost of Munis, N\u0101rada, adored of the\npious, gave him a P\u0101rijata flower (14). O king, Bhoja\u2019s daughter\nRukshmini was by him, so Hari gave her that Parijata flower (15). Taking\nthat lovely flower and following Krishna\u2019s hint, that blameless lady the\nobject of his love, put it on her head (16). At that time Bhishmaka\u2019s\ndaughter, the very collection of the beauties of the three worlds, ever\ncaptivating Narayana, was doubly beautified by that celestial flower\n(17).\n\nThereafter Prajapati\u2019s son N\u0101rada said to Kama\u2019s mother (Rukshmini):\u2014\"O\ngoddess, O chaste lady, the flower is worthy of thee (18). O thou of\nfirm vows, methinks thou art worthy of wearing this flower, for coming\nin thy contact, it has been perfectly adorned (19). O thou, endowed with\nauspicious qualities, O thou ever fond of thy husband, this flower never\nwithers away (20). O thou of many qualities, O thou, conversant with the\nknowledge of time, the flower emits wished-for fragrance for one year\n(21). O beautiful lady of sweet speech, this flower affords heat and\ncold as desired, and from it come out various wished-for juices (22). O\nbeautiful lady, when sought for, this Parijata flower gives good luck\nand emits delightful fragrance (23). O goddess, what more, whatever\nflowers thou shalt wish for, this flower of the king of trees the\nP\u0101rijata will give thee (24). O auspicious and pious lady, it is the\nroot of good luck and confers piety, and when won, it does not allow the\nmind, to wend any evil path (25). Whatever colour thou shalt wish to\nsee, it will assume, and according to thy will, it will become thin or\nplump (26). O thou, having lotus eyes, dispelling unwholesome smell, it\nincreases fragrance, and it serves the purpose of a lamp in night (27).\nMoreover it will give thee a garland of Santanaka flowers, the most\nexcellent of flowers, and undecaying clothes whenever thou shalt think\nof them (28). Whenever thou wilt use the flower like a very goddess thou\nwilt be the mistress of hunger, thirst, exhaustion and decrepitude (29).\nAs desired by thee, it will sing songs in accompaniment with good\nmusical instruments (30). O goddess, as is the rule with this flower, it\nwill go away from thee when the term of one full year will be completed\n(31). O fair one, may good betide thee! in order to please the gods the\nCreator has invested the Parij\u0101ta flower with such a character (32). The\nbeloved spouse of Mahadeva, the foremost of gods, Himalaya\u2019s daughter\nUam\u0101 is the mistress of the universe: and therefore she always uses this\nflower (33). O thou endued with accomplishments, the mother of Mahendra\nand other gods, Aditi, Puloma\u2019s daughter Sachi, Savitri, the mother of\ngods and the goddess Sree too, always use this flower. Even for the\nwives of the gods and the leading celestial Vasus and others its period\nof duration does not exceed more than a year (34-35).\n\n\"O Bhoja\u2019s daughter, among the sixteen thousand wives of V\u0101sudeva, I\nconsider thee as the foremost and the most beloved. O accomplished lady,\nO thou the beloved wife of the lord of all, thou hast sprinkled to-day\nthe other wives of thy husband with the water of dishonor. Krishna, the\nslayer of Madhu having conferred on thee this Mand\u0101ra flower, thy good\nluck and fame have become manifest (136\u201338). O fair lady, the fortunate\nand chaste Satyabh\u0101m\u0101, the daughter of Satrajit who always considers\nherself as greatly lucky, will come to know of thy good fortune today\n(39). Samva\u2019s mother J\u0101mvuvati, G\u0101ndh\u0101ri and other wives of the\nhigh-souled V\u0101sudeva will forsake to-day their great desire for a good\nluck (40). O goddess, such a victorious car of thy good fortune has come\nout to-day that even a thousand mental cars will not be able to vanquish\nit (41). O beautiful and glorious daughter of Bhoja, I know thee to-day\nas the other soul of Krishna (42). O beloved wife of Hari, blessed is\nthy life since Achyuta has conferred on thee, this flower identical with\nthe best collection of jewels of the three worlds\" (43).\n\nO Emperor, the female servants, that had been sent there by Satyabh\u0101ma\nheard the words of N\u0101rada (44). O king, the other wives of Krishna had\nsent there, their respective maid servants. Seeing them N\u0101rada said so,\nabout Rukshmini (45). Hearing all this in particular, the assembled maid\nservants out of their feminine nature, carried the news to the inner\nappartments of Krishna (46). Hearing that, the goddesses began to speak\ninto the ears of one another delightedly about Rukshmini\u2019s\naccomplishments befitting her family. Amongst the assembled wives of\nD\u0101modara almost all said:\u2014\"Why should not this be? Rukshmini is\nKeshava\u2019s first wife, and is the mother of his son. So she is worthy of\nsuch a respect (47-48)\". But the highly proud Satyabh\u0101ma, ever beloved\nof Vishnu, could not bear the accession of such a good fortune unto the\nother wife of her husband (49). That youthful and beautiful goddess was\nalways proud of her good luck, and too much sensitive. So hearing of\nsuch a good fortune of the other wife she was possessed by jealousy\n(50). Worked up with anger like the flame of fire, that one of pure\nsmiles cast off her cloth dyed with red powder and put on a white one\n(51). Thereupon as a star enters into a cloud, so burning with the\nincreasing fire of jealousy and shorn of her lustre, she entered into\nthe lonely apartment of anger (52). To put sandal on the forehead, to\nwear two pieces of raiment white like snow and to put on red sand on the\noutskirts of the fore-head, are marks of showing anger on the husband.\nSo the goddess Satyabh\u0101ma did not forget them. She threw off her\nornaments on the bed having a big pillow; and then wearing only a single\nbraid of hair and remembering again and again the good fortune of his\nco-wife, she sat there and shook her head in anger. Although Keshava\ncaressed her dearly, she worked up with ire, at the report of her\nmaid-servants, bent her eye-brow, began to sigh heavily and tore off her\nsporting lotus with her nails (53-55).\n\n  \u00b2\u2077\u2077 Those connected by female marriage &c.\n\n  \u00b2\u2077\u2078 Those with whom he studied together.\n\n  \u00b2\u2077\u2079 Priests and sacrifices.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXXIII. SATYABHAMA\u2019S RESENTMENT AND KESHAVA\u2019S CONSOLATION TO\nHER.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Finding the sage (Narada) seated with Rukshmini, the\nhigh-souled Keshava that knower of all things, set out under some\npretext (for the mansion of Satyabhama) (1). He proceeded quickly\ntowards the spacious mansion of Satyabhama that was built on the\ndelightful Raivataka hills by Visvakarma himself (2). Slowly Vishnu\nentered (the palace) as he was aware that the daughter of Satrajit, his\nbeloved queen\u2014she dearer to him than this own vital breaths, had been\nunder the influence of jealous resentment (3). Affectionately thinking\nof that beloved one who was then excited with jealousy, the slayer of\nMadhu proceeded with slow steps, and with greater fear (4). Engaging\nPradyumna to entertain and attend upon Narada and telling his servant\nDaruka _\"Wait at the gate,\"_ he entered into the palace of Satyabhama\n(5). There he saw from a distance, his beloved wife then inside the\napartment of anger\u00b2\u2078\u2070 in the midst of her handmaids sighing hot and\nfrequently in consequence jealous wrath (6). (He saw) her laughing a\nderisive laugh mixed with sighs at the lotus that she had brought near\nher own lotus-like face, and had been nipping with her nails (7).\nSometimes he saw her describing figures on the ground with the tip of\nher toe slightly bent, and (sometimes) laughing gently with her face\nturned towards her back (8). Sometimes he saw his lotus-eyed queen of\nexquisite shape and form merged in deep thought, the while the lotus of\nher face resting on the lotus of her left palm (9). Sometimes he saw his\nunblameable wife take the delightful sandal from the hands of her maids,\nsmear it on her breast and then again cruelly throw it aside (10). He\nsaw her rise from her bed and fall into it again and again. There Hari\nsaw these and many other actions of her dear wife (that indicated the\npitch of her resentment) (11).\n\nNow as the daughter of Satrajit laid her head on her pillow, previously\ncovering it with her veil, Janardanna thought \"This is my opportunity\n(for effecting an entrance into her room)\" (12). Then by (manual) signs\ncommanding the handmaids not to announce his presence, he approached\nSatyabhama with faltering steps (13). Taking up the fan and standing by\nher side, he then began to fan slowly and laugh gently (14). That\nillustrious one (Hari), then perfumed in consequence of his contact with\nthe _P\u0101rij\u0101ta_ flower, diffused there a divine, super-natural and rare\nfragrance (15). Smelling that wondrous fragrance, and taken with\nadmiration, Saty\u0101 uncovered her face, and said \"What is this?\" (16) Then\nrising from her bed, she of pure and gentle smiles, without bestowing a\nglance on her godly husband, began to question her maids about the cause\nof the fragrance (17). But thus questioned, the maids could not say\nanything, and kneeling down on the ground they waited there with\ncountenances cast down towards the earth and with palms joined together\n(in supplication) (11). Then (as if) not finding the source of that\nwonderful fragrance, Satyabhama bethought herself thus:\u2014\"The earth emits\ndiverse kinds of smell; can this fragrance be one of her excellent\nemissions?\" (19) Then when wondering as to what this could be due, she\nwas looking on all sides, her glance suddenly lighted on Kesava that\ncreator of the worlds (20). She said \"Ah! right,\" and then suddenly her\neyes became dimmed with tears, the intensity of love filling her all the\nmore with jealous anger (21). With her delicate lips pouting and herself\nsighing, that beautiful lady of dark eyes then turned her down-cast\ncountenance away in another direction, and remained thus for a while\n(22). Then contracting her brows in a disapproving frown and placing her\nface on her palms, she said to Hari with her eyes upraised, \"Thou\nlookest beautiful\" (23). Tears of jealous passion began to flow down\nfrom her eyes, like drops of dew falling from a pair of lotus-petals\n(24). The lotus-eyed Krishna then seeing tears flow down from the\nlotus-like countenance of her wife, approached her in haste and held\nthem in her hands (25). Then wiping off with his hands those tears that\nwere falling on her breast, that wearer of the mark of _Srivatsa_, the\nlotus-eyed Vishnu spoke to her as follows (26):\u2014\"O lotus-eyed one, O\nmost beautiful and excellent lady,\u2013for what reason is it that tears flow\ndown from thine eyes likes drops of dew from a pair of lotuses (27)? O\nfascinating lady-why do thy countenance and thy body wear the shape of\n(appear like) the full moon in the morning sky, or the full-blown lotus\nat noon\u00b2\u2078\u00b9 (28) O thou of delicate waist, what is the reason that thou\ndost not wear to-day garments sprinkled with safflower and gold-dust,\nbut choosest the white and plain ones (29)? Although the garments\ndecorated with safflower and gold-dust thou likest most, why hast thou\nthen worn the white garments which ladies do not like to wear except at\nthe time of worshipping the gods (30)? O thou of beautiful limbs\u2014say why\nare thy limbs unadorned with ornaments? Why, O most excellent lady, is\nthy seat for writing letters soiled with tears. (31)? Why, O thou of\nbeautiful shape, do the fragrant white sandal (and not red) and the\nwhite silk cloth (not yellow or blue) veil thy beautiful forehead (32)?\nO dearest object of my heart, O thou of expanded eyes\u2014thou hast thus so\nbedimmed the brightness of thy countenance as to cause, O dear one,\ngreat pain to my mind (33). The unctuous and refrigerent sandal paste\nthat loves thy forehead most, does not look beautiful on that seat for\nwriting letters\u00b2\u2078\u00b2 (34). Thy neck, deprived of ornaments, does not\nappear beautiful, just as the autumn sky does not look beautiful being\ndevoid of the planets and stars and the silvery beams of the moon (35).\nWhy dost thou not to-day greet me, with language flowing out from thy\nsmiling face that breathes the perfume of the lotus and vies with the\nbeauty of the full moon (36). Why dost thou not to-day cast even a\npartial glance on me? Why dost thou heave sighs and shed tears that mar\nthe beauty of the collyrium of thine eyes (37)? O thou of complexion\nbright like the blue lotus, O intelligent lady! do thou not weep any\nmore! Do not shed tears soiled with the collyrium of thine eyes only to\nprejudice the beauty of thy incomparable face (38). O thou of divine\nbeauty\u2014I am known in the world as thy servant; Why then, O most\nexcellent lady, dost thou not command me as before? (39). What act, O\nbeautiful queen, repulsive to thee, have I committed, for which, O dear\none, thou gavest thyself so much pain (40)? I have never neglected thee,\nin thought, in actions or in words; this, O thou of exquisite limbs, I\ntell thee in all sooth (41). O beautiful lady, I entertain it is true,\nregard for my other wives\u2014but save in thyself my regard and affection do\nnot reach the consummation (42). O thou that may be compared with the\ndaughter of the gods,\u2014my love for thee will not wane even if my life\nwere taken away from me; know this to be my firm belief (43). Just as\nendurance, &c., are the constant qualities of the earth, just as sound\nis the constant quality of space, so sure is my love for thee, O thou of\nbrightness like the lotus-bud (44). Just as flame is in fire, divine\nbrightness is in the sun, and unfading charms are in the moon, so my\nlove resides in thee and thee only (45).\"\n\nWhen Janardana had thus spoken in his vindication, the blessed\nSatyabh\u0101ma, wiping off the tears of her eyes addressed him slowly in the\nfollowing manner (46). \"Hence-before, O lord, my firm belief was that\nthou wert mine own. But to-day I come to perceive that thy love for me\nis nothing more than ordinary and common-place (47). I did not know\nbefore that the course of time is uncertain. But I have come to know\nto-day that the course of the world is fickle (48). I entertained the\nfond hope that so long I live, thou only shalt be my second self and I\nthine. But what is the good of talking much; I know thy heart, O\ninfallible one (49). I see that thou usest fascination in speech only\nand thy love for me is false; whereas it is true in regard to the other\nwives of thine (50). Knowing me to be simple and attached to thyself,\nthou, O foremost of men, dost neglect me with thy cruel, guileful\nconduct (51). This surely is more than enough! I have seen what is\nworth-seeing and have heard what is worth-hearing. I have perceived the\nfruition of thy love for me (52). Be that as it may, I have made up my\nmind to devote myself to the performance of severe penances, and if thou\ncherishest any love for me, thou ought to permit me to do so; for\nwhatever vows or penances women may observe, must be with the permission\nof their husbands, in as much as those that are undertaken against the\nhusband\u2019s consent, surely become fruitless\" (53-55).\n\nHaving thus spoken that chaste and beautiful lady again wiped off the\ntears from her eyes; then that blessed one of pleasing smiles, catching\nthe end of Hari\u2019s yellow garment covered her face with it (55).\n\n  \u00b2\u2078\u2070 This used to be a separate room in the palace of ancient queens,\n      where they resorted in order to indicate their annoyance or anger\n      at the conduct of their husbands.\n\n  \u00b2\u2078\u00b9 The moon wanes in the morning and the lotus withers down at noon.\n      Krishna asks in circumlocution the cause of the lady\u2019s pale and\n      placid appearance.\n\n  \u00b2\u2078\u00b2 It appears that the lady had lain her head down on the seat in\n      consequence of which it was besmeared with the sandal of her\n      forehead.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXXIV. SATYABHAMA\u2019S GRIEF.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O Bharata, N\u0101r\u0101yana once more affectionately\naddressed the chaste and beautiful Satyabh\u0101ma who was thus suffering\nunder the influence of jealousy and resentment, in the following manner\n(1).\n\nThe auspicious god said:\u2014O lotus-eyed one! sorrow seems to burn through\nall my limbs (at seeing thee in this plight). What is the cause that has\nrenderd thee so much aggrieved? (2). O thou beautiful in all thy parts,\nif there is no harm and if it is proper for thy affectionate husband to\nhear it, I entreat thee, on my life, to reveal to me the cause of thy\ngrief (3).\n\nThen Satyabh\u0101m\u0101 seated with her countenance cast down towards the earth\nthus spoke to her husband, ever truthful in vows, in a voice choked with\nthe vapour of grief (4). \"O lotus-eyed one, O destroyer of Kesin, O\nbestower of honor it was thy ownself that established my honor and\nprosperity in days gone\u2014and that honor and that prosperity have now\nbecome famous in the worlds (5). That I am most beloved of thee among\nall thy wives\u2014is what prompted me to raise my head with pride above all\nothers, O God (6). But, my maids have told me as they have heard it\nothers say, that to-day I have been laughed at by my rival (co-wives)\nand by other people also (7). I hear that the Parijata flower that\nN\u0101rada gave thee, thou hast given to thy dear one, totally neglecting my\n(poor) self (8). That thy love and thy regard for her is supreme, thou\nhast given unmistakable expression to\u2014by presenting her with that best\nof all precious things (the Parijata flower) (9). Narada also eulogised\nher in thy presence, and thou surely wert also gratified having heard\nthat eulogy bestowed on thy dear wife (10). But supposing Narada had\nsome reason for praising her in thy presence, why was it that the name\nof this unfortunate one was uttered in that connection (11)? O Lord, if\nI am to repent for having tasted the (sweet) liquor of thy love, it is\nbetter I should have nothing to do with it? Be kindly pleased to accord\nme thy permission (12). O lotus-eyed one, I could not have believed even\nin my dream, that thou hast honored some body else more than myself; but\nalas, it has come to pass in real life even before the eyes of others\n(13). It may be that the sage Narada of incomparable powers has\nconceived a love for her (Rukshmini), but O lord, the cause of my grief\nin this, is thy presence in the scene (14). Thou hast told me that\npeople live for the sake of honor only,\u2013so, thus dishonored, I do not\ndesire to live any longer (15). My source of protection has been turned\nto-day into my source of fear. He that used to protect me in every-thing\ndoes not do so to-day (16), Alas, what course shall I pursue, O Lord,\nbeing thus abandoned by thee! Surely renounced by thee, I shall be\nreduced to the condition of the white lily\u00b2\u2078\u00b3 (17). Have I done to day\nsomething disliked by the gods out of foolishness in consequence of\nwhich, O bestower of honour I have incurred thy dislike, although I used\nto be thy chosen one (18). How could I who was thy beloved wife, but now\ndiscarded, look upon this Raibataka Hills decked with the flowers of the\nspring (19)? Now that I have been the object of thy hate, how could I,\nunfortunate one, venture to breathe the pure breeze (of this place)\nringing with the sweet notes of the cuckoo and fraught with fragrance of\nthe flowers (20). How could I, who did sport on thy lap inside the\nwaters of this ocean, again glance at it, O lord, in this my unhappy\ncondition (21)? Thou didst tell me in days gone by,\u2013\u2019O daughter of\nSatrajit, know that there is no wife of mine dearer to me than\nthyself\u2019\u2014What of that assurance! Or who cares to remember it\u00b2\u2078\u2074 (22)! My\nmother-in-law used to look upon me with much regard and pleasure\u2014but\nunfortunate lady queen as she was,\u2014she has been contemptuously treated\nby thee (23). O Lord, what then is the good of this thy hidden and\nunmanifest love for me, if thou dost not even deign to reckon me among\nthy common wives (23)? O subduer of thy foes, I did not know thee\nhence-before to be so much of a cheat and a knave; but now I have come\nto know thee as fickle, deceiving, and partial to my rival (co-wife)\u00b2\u2078\u2075\n(25). I have read thy innermost and secret thoughts, O thief, by thy\narticulations and thy features and signs, although thou triest to\nconceal them from me; thou knave, thou partisan of my rival, it is thy\ntongue only that is honeyed, but thou art too guileful\" (26).\n\nWhen the resentful daughter of Satrajit, influenced by jealousy had thus\nspoken, the god-like Krishna consoling her addressed her in the\nfollowing manner (27). \"Say not so, O lotus-eyed one, thou dearest ruler\nof my heart! what shall I tell thee more my darling;\u2014know me to be thine\nentirely (28). There is no doubt that in order to please me the sage\nNarada of unimpeachable deeds gave that Parijata flower to her\n(Rukshmini) in my presence, merely out of generous feelings or regard\nfor her; (but I did not give it with my own hands). O thou of pure\nsmiles, be consoled; forgive me this my first and only transgression\n(29-30). If thou desirest to have Parijata flowers, O resentful darling,\nI promise, O thou of delicate waist, to give it to thee\u2014this I speak in\nall earnestness (31). (What to speak of a single flower), I shall fetch\nthat best of all trees namely the Parijata tree itself, from the gardens\nof paradise, and keep it in thy mansion as long as thou chosest (33).\"\n\nThus spoken to by Hari, that lady so deeply attached to him said:\u2014\"O\ninfallible one, if thou canst bring that tree down here, my resentment\nshall leave me,\u2014and it shall then be to my great gratification. O\nAdhokshaja, for then I shall be the head and the best-honored among all\nthy wives\" (33\u201334). The divine slayer of Madhu\u2014that incomparable being,\nthe origin of the world, beyond the reach of decay, then said to\nher:\u2014\"so be it, then; this shall be my foremost concern\" (35).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O victor of large armies, thus spoken to by the\nauspicious Krishna, Satyabhama, who was held in high esteem by the pious\nand who was deeply attached to the slayer of Kansa, became highly\ngratified (36). The lord of the world, the the lord of all, the\nprotector of all things, and the bestower of all desires on the good,\nthen bathed himself and discharged all his necessary duties (37). O king\nthat lord then remembered that best of sages namely Narada who, as soon\nas he was remembered, came there having performed his ablutions in the\nwaters of the mighty main (38). O ruler of men! then that refuge of the\npious, Krishna, attended by Satyabhama, duly worshipped Narada who had\nreached there (according to a fiat of his will) (39). The daughter of\nSatrajit herself washed the feet of that sage; and the lord Krishna\nhimself then poured the water from a golden pitcher (40). When the sage\nhad seated himself comfortably, that preceptor of the worlds the\nhigh-souled Keshava offered him with all respect and carefulness a dish\nof rice boiled in milk (or delicious edibles) (41). The highly\nintelligent sage, that best of all orators then partook of the dish with\ngreat regard and relish thus hospitably offered him by the creator of\nthe worlds (42). O lord! satisfied with the hearty meal, Narada having\nrinsed his mouth, bestowed many a blessing on Keshava, who also accepted\nthem with much gratification of the mind (43). Thereafter Narada\nstretching his wet right hand thus spoke to the divinely beautiful\ndaughter of Satrajit, who was then bowing down to him (44):\u2014\"Be thou as\nfaithful and devoted to thy husband, for all future periods, as thou art\neven now, O queen! Be thou also attended with special good fortune in\nfuture through the powers of my religious observances\" (45). Thus spoken\nto by that foremost of sages, that most beloved wife of Hari, Satyabhama\nrose up, O king (from her bending attitude) filled with immense delight\n(46).\n\nThereafter Krishna that most intelligent personage of immeasurable\npowers, ate the remnants of the sage\u2019s dish having at first obtained his\npermission (47). O Bharata, Satyabhama also finishing there all\nnecessary rites gladly entered her inner appartments with the permission\nof her illustrious husband (48). Then after a while at the command of\nKrishna she again came out, and having saluted the high-souled sage with\nher head, seated herself by Krishna\u2019s side (49). Thus having\n(comfortably) sat for a while, Narada said to Krishna:\u2014\"O Adhokshaja,\nwith thy leave I now intend to go to the regions of Sakra (50). The\ngods, the Gandharbhas and the Apsaras there will this day sing songs of\npraise to that primary divinity Ishana, having at first bowed down to\nhim in homage true (51). In the residence of Indra, O lord, every month\nthere take place such worship and homage-giving to that god of gods\n(Siva), and Gandharbha dances in his honor (52). That god of gods\naccompanied by his wife Uma, and attended by his followers, witnesseth\nunseen those festivities celebrated with much reverence by that foremost\nof immortals, the destroyer of mountains (53). I was invited there\nyesterday; I only came here, O highly effulgent one, to present thee\nwith that flower of the beautiful Parijata, that king of all trees (54).\nThis flower of that best of all trees, though it is a luxury to be\nenjoyed only by the gods, I brought it, O lord, for thy enjoyment only\n(55). O lotus-eyed one! that tree is very dear to Sachi (Indra\u2019s wife),\nand duly worshipped by her every day, it brings her a chain of\n(unending) prosperity (56). Pleased with the religious observances of\nAditi, the illustrious Kasyapa created the great Parijata tree in order\nto enable her to accomplish the vow known as _Punyaka_ (57). In days\ngone by the highly powerful Kasyapa that receptacle of all powers begot\nby austerities, having been much gratified with the services of Aditi,\ndesired to bestow a boon on her (58). Thereupon that very fortunate lady\nsaid:\u2014\u2019O foremost of sages, confer on me such a boon by virtue of which\nI may be decorated with all kinds of ornaments at my will, that I may\nhave the qualities of singing and dancing at my command and that, O\nmighty possessor of ascetic wealth, I may ever remain youthful; confer\non me the boon that I may be always free from all impurities and sorrow,\nand that I may be ever devoted to my husband and to the performance of\nreligious deeds (59-61)\u2019.\n\n\"Thereupon for pleasing his wife Aditi, he created the Parijata tree\ncovered with ever-fragrant flowers capable of bestowing all desires\n(62). The tree had three branches to be always seen and it gladdened the\nheart of all onlookers. All sorts of flowers are to be seen on this\nmighty tree (63). Some beautiful damsels deck themselves with flowers\nlike these; some again beautify themselves with parti-coloured ones, and\nothers with jems and jewels (that also grow on this tree) (64). Taking\nout the essense of the Mandara tree, Kasyapa created this one; and\ntherefore this best of trees has reached the height of excellence (has\nbeen reckoned as the foremost of all trees) (65). The blessed Aditi then\nbinding Kasyapa to that tree gave him over to me, in order to accomplish\nthe _Punyaka_ vow and earn prosperity and good fortune therefrom (66).\nAditi gave Kasyapa over to me with his neck bound to the Parijata tree\nwith a garland of flowers, for the fulfilment of her _Punyaka_ vow (67).\nThat possessor of ascetic wealth was afterwards released by me on\npayment of proper ransom. Similarly Indra was given to me by his wife\nfor the furtherance of her prosperity (68). In this way Soma was given\naway by Rohini, and Kuvera, the lord of wealth by Riddhi. Thus there is\nno doubt that the Parijata tree is capable of conferring much prosperity\n(69). It is called Parijata as it grows on the other side (Para) of the\nriver Vishnupadi\u2014and this is styled the Mandara for it bears the Mandara\nflower (70). As men did say\u2014\u2019What tree is this?\u2019\u2014not exactly knowing\nwhat it was, this mighty tree is called Kobidara (71). The excellent\ntree that produces this excellent flower is known by the several names,\nMandara, Kobidara and Parijata\".\n\n  \u00b2\u2078\u00b3 The white lily withers away with the dawn of day, when the beams\n      of the moon cease fall on it. Kumadbati may have another meaning.\n      There was a queen of a certain king Aja of that name, who died\n      before her husband.\n\n  \u00b2\u2078\u2074 Another interpretation has been put on this part of the Sloka,\n      namely, \"who would remain by me when I am gone\u2014!\" This seems to be\n      far fetched.\n\n  \u00b2\u2078\u2075 An attempt has been made in the commentary of Sridhara to\n      attribute an allegorical meaning to this Sloka, which tries to\n      establish the identity of Krishna with the God-head. This though\n      ingeneous, is not suited to the context.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXXV. THE HISTORY OF THE PARIJATA TREE THE COLOQUY BETWEEN\nKRISHNA AND NARADA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The almighty Vishnu, that possessor of immeasurable\npowers then finding that the sage N\u0101rada was desirous of departing,\nspoke to him thus (1):\u2014\"O sinless and mighty sage, conversant with the\ntruth of all religions, having repaired to heaven and there interviewed\nthe courtiers of that intelligent slayer of Tripura (2), remind\nPakasasana of all our ancient brotherly love that thou knowest\u2014inform\nhim not as my command but as my request, (3) that the P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree\nwhich the illustrious and virtuous Kasyapa that foremost of sages\ncreated in days gone by for the sake of Aditi\u2019s happiness, (4) that most\nexcellent of all trees that bestows religious merit, and unbounded\nprosperity, that tree that was given to thee away as a gift by the very\nvirtuous goddesses in fulfilment of their vows for the furtherance of\ntheir religious merits\u2014inform him that my wives also hearing of the\npresentation of that tree, desire to give it away, O lord, for earning\nvirtue and religious merit consequent on munificent deeds and also, for\nmy gratification. Ask him therefore to send down to Dwarvati that best\nof all trees the P\u0101rij\u0101ta; and it shall be restored to heaven after the\nceremony of presentation is over. The almighty God the slayer of Vala\nshould thus be spoken to by thee (5-8). O foremost of sages thou shalt\nalso so put forth thy endeavours that the lord of the immortals be\npersuaded to give over the excellent Parijata tree (9), O possessor of\nascetic wealth, this will also bring into prominence what ambassadorial\nabilities thou dost possess; I know that it is possible for all thine\nacts to be attended with success\" (20).\n\nThus spoken to by Narayana, the almighty sage Narada that great\npossessor of ascetic merit smiled and spoke these words to the slayer of\nKesin (11):\u2014\"Very well,\u2014I shall thus speak to the lord of the gods, O\nforemost of Yadus, but I am sure he will never part with the Parijata\ntree (12). The Danavas and the gods obtained this Parijata tree by\nthrowing the Mandara mountain into the waters of the ocean\u00b2\u2078\u2076 (13).\n\n\"O Janarddana, at that time the creator of the worlds desired to take\naway the Parijata tree together with that best of mountains, the Mandara\n(14). Thereupon Sakra personally going to Sankara told him:\u2014\u2019This is\nSachi\u2019s sporting tree, and may be allowed to remain in her gardens\u2019.\nThus did he entreat Sankara (15). Mahadeva granted him the boon saying\n\u2019Let it be so then\u2019 and O sinless one, he did not also bring the\nParijata tree to the beautiful cave-decked Mandara mountain (16). O\nmighty armed one, thus in days past, under the pretext that the Parijata\nis Sachi\u2019s tree of sport, did Indra save it from the clutches of\nMahadeva (17). Afterwards Hara, in order to please his wife Um\u0101, created\non the dales of the Mandara mountain a forest of the Parijata trees\nextending over full four miles (18).\n\n\"In that best of forests, O Krishna, neither the rays of the sun, nor\nthe cool beams of the moon, nor even the breaths of the wind can\npenetrate (19). Through the powers of Mahadeva that forest is\nself-luminous, and heat and cold reign there at the pleasure of the\nmountain\u2019s daughter (Durga) (20). Excepting the mighty god and goddess\nand their followers and myself, O delighter of the Yadus, nobody under\nany circumstances, can enter that charming wood (21). O descendant of\nthe Vrishnis, there the P\u0101rij\u0101tas shower all kinds of best gems and\njewels on all sides, even as soon as they are merely thought of in the\nmind (22). O Keshava, with the permission of that godhead, that\nprotector of the worlds, troops of the illustrious attendants of Siva,\nalso enjoy that beautiful forest (23). This forest of P\u0101rij\u0101ta trees,\ntheir fruits, their brightness and their qualities exceed by far those\nof the P\u0101rij\u0101tas of the heaven (24). When, O Keshava, that God whose\nemblem is the sacred bull, repairs with Uma and his attendants, among\nthem, these trees approach him in worship assuming human shapes (25).\nThose trees on the Mandara infused with the energy of Rudra, free from\nall adverse influences and attended with all prosperity, are very dear\nto the daughter of the mountain (26). Once upon a time a mighty and\ndreadful Daitya of cruel motives by name Andhaka, who was puffed up with\narrogance through the virtues of a boon obtained by him ventured to\ntransgress into that forest (27). He was slain by that slayer of foes\nthat foremost of gods Hara, although he was ten times as powerful as\nVritra and incapable of being slain by any created being (28). O\nlotus-eyes God! I tell thee truly, that the thousand eyed god Indra will\nnever give thee, the Parij\u0101ta tree obtained with great difficulty (29).\nThat best of trees always bestows on the goddess Sachi all her desires,\nas well as, O Krishna, it fulfils the wishes of the highly powerful\nIndra\" (30).\n\nThe auspicious god said:\u2014O sage! That the mighty and intelligent\nMahadeva did not take away the Parij\u0101ta tree out of consideration for\nSachi, was quite worthy of him (31). I think that it was quite in\nkeeping with the high estimation in which that infallible being, that\norigin of the worlds, that supreme and most ancient creator is held\n(32). But, O illustrious sage, O most pious one, I am younger than that\nslayer of Vala, and ought to be cherished by him like (his son) Jayanta\n(33). O thou of ascetic wealth, it is thy duty to preserve between us\n(me and Indra) amicable relations by all means; and I ask thee to do so,\nbecause I know thee to be able to do so (34). I have promised, O sage,\nthat for the accomplishment of Satyabhama\u2019s _Punyaka_ vow, I shall, O\nlord, bring down the Parijata tree from heaven (35). How can I be able\nnow, O sage, to break that promise of mine, O sinless one, as I have\nnever before O twice-born one, spoken falsehood (36)? If I were to break\nmy promise, the worlds will then meet with their ends,\u00b2\u2078\u2077 for, O\nforemost of the sages, it is my duty to protect the virtue and the good\nqualities of the people. He on whom every one depends, how can he speak\nuntruth (37)? Neither gods, nor the Gandharvas, nor the Rakshasas, nor\nthe Asuras nor Jakshas, nor Pannagas, shall be able to frustrate my\npromise; this I tell thee truly, and may fortune attend thee. O sage\n(38)! If that lord of the immortals do not give the Parijata tree at thy\nrequest, I shall then hurl my mace at his breast besmeared by Sachi with\nfragrant ointments (39). He is also to be informed by thee that if he\nrefuses to part with the Parijata tree when requested in this\nconciliatory manner, let him rest assured about a visit from me there,\nand let him prepare for it (40).\n\n  \u00b2\u2078\u2076 This surely refers to the churning of the ocean by the gods and\n      Asuras.\n\n  \u00b2\u2078\u2077 As everybody would then speak falsehood, and truth will be\n      vanished from the face of the earth.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXXVI. THE COLLOQUY BETWEEN NARADA AND INDRA REGARDING THE\nTRANSPLANTATION OF THE PARIJATA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The sage Narada then repaired to the residence of\nMahendra; and there he passed the night in witnessing the festivities\n(held in honor of Siva) (1). The illustrious Adityas, the best of gods,\nthe Vasus, the learned Rajarshis who had attained to paradise through\ntheir meritorious deeds (2), the Nagas, the Yakshas, the Siddhas, the\nCharanas, the sages of ascetic austerities, Brahmharsis by thousands,\nDevarshis and Moonies (3), the high-souled Saparnas, the highly powerful\nMarutas, and hundreds of other divine creatures were assembled there\n(4). The god Maheswara of immeasurable energy, accompanied by Uma and\nsurrounded by his attendants sat at the head of them all (5). That\nprotector of all creatures was surrounded also by those foremost of the\nDevarshis who suffer no decay even at the end of thousands of Kalpas,\n(6) who are worshipped by gods equal to Indra, are possessed of\nself-knowledge, free from pride and who ever tread the path of rectitude\n(7). The Rudras the progeny of Kasyapa, Skanda, the god of fire, that\nbest of rivers Ganga, Archisman, Tamburu, Bharisa, that foremost of\neloquent speakers, those possessed of the ascetic merit, and such other\nleaders of the divine host, then O Bharata, adored that supreme god Siva\n(8\u20139). O ruler of men, other gods devoted to religious ways and\nausterities and followers of the path of the pious,\u2014followed their\nabove-named leaders (i.e., offered homages to Siva), (10). O king, those\nmen who desirous of good, worship the gods on earth, those men are in\ntheir turned worshipped in heaven by the immortals desirous of securing\ngood (11). O descendant of the Kouravas, those men versed in the Vedas,\nwho live according to the ordinances of the Sastras and who adore the\ngods in the performance of their religious ceremonies for the benefit of\ntheir ancestral manes, those are held in high estimation in the next\nworld by the gods (12). O ruler of men, there the illustrious\nChitraratha, the king of the Gandharvas together with his son,\ndelightfully played upon the heavenly musical instruments (13). Urnayu,\nChitrasena, Hahahuhu, Dumbara, Tamvura and other Gandharvas sang the six\ndifferent harmonies (14). Urvasi, Viprachiti, Hem\u0101, Rambh\u0101, Hemadant\u0101\nGhritachi, and Sahajany\u0101 and other damsels then performed numerous kinds\nof dances there (15). The self-possessed illustrious Siva accepted these\nhomages with pleasure, and that lord of the world pleased with these\nworshipful acts of Sakra, went back to his own residence (16).\n\nOn the departure of that lord of the created beings, the kings\n(assembled there) returned to the places whence they came; the gods also\nhonored by Mahendra repaired to their respective abodes (17). When\neverybody had gone away and Purandara was seated comfortably with his\nown courtiers, the sage Narada approached him (18). Rising from his\nseat, Indra received that sage of ascetic wealth, and offered him a seat\nmade of Kusa grass equal to that of his own (19). Thereafter the highly\npowerful Narada said these words to Mahendra:\u2014\"O foremost of immortals,\nknow me now to be the messenger from Vishnu of matchless might (20). I\nhave been despatched here by that illustrious one of immense powers on a\nmission that will remove one of his causes of pain\" (21). Thereupon\ngreeting the sage with sweet and agreeable words, the illustrious\nP\u0101kasasana said with delight (22):\u2014\"O sage, tell me without delay what\nhas that foremost of men said; it is after a long time that the\nhigh-souled Krishna has remembered us (23)\".\n\nNarada said:\u2014O Mahendra, on some business of mine, I went to Dwarka to\nsee your younger brother Upendra that enhancer of the glory of the\nKasyapas (24). I found that subduer of his foes, that hero seated on the\nRaivataka mountain in company with his wife Rukshmini and offering\neulogies to the God having the bull for his emblem (25). I gave him then\nthe flower of the Parijata tree, O sinless ruler of the gods, in order\nthat he may astonish his wives therewith (26). At the sight of that\nflower, the production of the best of trees that bestows all desires,\nthe wives of Kesava were greatly astonished (27). O bestower of honor, I\nrelated to them the qualities of that flower and the creation of the\nParijata tree by the high-souled Kasyapa (28). (I related to them) how\nthe self-controlled Kasyapa bound by the neck with a garland of flowers\nwas given away to me by Aditi for the sake of her _Punyaka_ vow (29);\nhow you were given away; by Sachi, and how similarly other gods were\ngiven away and O lord of the gods, how Kasyupa and other mighty sages\nobtained their release, by having paid their ransom (30). On hearing\nthese from me, one very dear wife of your younger brother, named\nSatyabh\u0101m\u0101, made up her mind to perform the _Punyaka_ vow (31). O lord\nof the immortals, O bestower of honor, that queen then entreated her\nhusband to help her in the performance of that vow, and your younger\nbrother had pledged himself to that effect (32). O chief of the gods 1\nnow hear attentively as I speak, all that Vishnu that foremost of\npowerful beings, said to me then to convey to you (33). With due\ndeference, your younger brother, Achyuta who deserves all indulgence at\nyour hands has said to you:\u2014\"O foremost of the gods! it behoves thee to\ngive me that first and excellent of trees, Parij\u0101ta (34). Let, O slayer\nof the Asuras, the desire of thy sister-in-law be fulfilled; specially O\nforemost of the gods, as she is bent on a religious deed (35). O lord of\ncreated beings, the people of heaven have had the privilege of looking\nupon that blessed tree; now let the human beings of the earth be blessed\nwith a sight of it through my instrumentality (36).\"\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O delighter of your race I having heard the words of\nVasudeva\u2019s son, Mahendra said these words to Narada that foremost of\neloquent speakers (37): \"O foremost of the twice-born ones: take thy\nseat; thou hast spoken aright and properly; I shall entrust thee with a\nreturn message for Vishnu of matchless powers (38). On Narada resuming\nhis seat, Sakra also, with the former\u2019s permission seated himself down\non a seat similar to that of Narada (39). Thus seated, the lord of the\ngods that slayer of Virtra, cast a glance on his own magnificence\u00b2\u2078\u2078 and\nfilled with delight thus addressed the sage Narada (40)\".\n\nIndra said:\u2014Mighty and pious sage! After the usual enquiry regarding his\nhealth and welfare, Jan\u0101rddana, that source of happiness to all\ncreatures should be informed of these words of mine by thyself\n(41):\u2014\"There is not the shadow of a doubt that leaving me, thou art the\nlord of the worlds. O infallible one, the Parij\u0101ta and all other\nprecious possessions of heaven are thine own (42). O divine one, thou\nhast sojourned to the earth only for relieving her of her burden, and\nthou art behaving thyself in the human way only for the sake of the\nsuccess of thy mission (43). When after the fulfilment of thy earthly\nmission thou shalt return to heaven, I shall fulfill, O Adhokshaja, all\nthe cherished desires of thy (beloved) wife (44). O Kesava, it is not at\nall proper to take the precious things of heaven down to earth merely\nfor the sake of a trifle, and this has been the long-standing practice\n(45). If, O mighty lord, I trangress this long-standing rule obtaining\nin heaven, what shall the Prajapatis themselves say (46)? The\nhigh-souled Brahman with his sons and grandsons hath established\npermanent rules regarding all actions in the worlds (47). If I venture\nto walk beyond the path thus laid down by Prajapati Brahman, surely that\nintelligent lord when apprised of my transgressions will hurl down\ncurses on me (48). If we ourselves break through these bindings of the\nstanding customs then the Daityas and their partisans, as well as others\nwill violate it without the slightest hesitation (49). If for the sake\nof thy wife thou takest the excellent P\u0101rij\u0101ta down to earth, then, O\nbestower of honor, the inhabitants of heaven will be much depressed\n(50). O sage, let my brother, seeing the course of the times, be\nsatisfied with those luxuries only which the uncreate Brahman has\nordained for the enjoyment of the human kind (51). O sire, whatever\npossessions I have got in heaven, Krishna is at liberty to enjoy them\nwhen he remains here (52). Jan\u0101rddana is filled with the arrogance that\nattends those who eat rich dishes of meat, and therefore it is that he\nis following the course of sin, leaving virtue aside (53). Born as a man\nin the human world, the conduct of Krishna towards me his elder\nbrother,\u2014this conduct which he offers me under the influence of his\nwife\u2014would surely, O N\u0101rada, in my opinion redound much to his discredit\n(54\u201355). This seizure of the precious possessions of heaven will be a\ndirect insult to me; and insult offered by the relatives is all the more\ndisgraceful. (56). Let the slayer of Madhu enjoy in succession, virtue,\nwealth and desire, those possessions of the pious ordained by the\nlotus-born Brahman (57). If I were to allow this P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree to be\ntaken down to earth, who will, even commencing with the daughter of\nPuloma, pay me the slightest regard (58)? Moreover, seeing and touching\nthe P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree on the face of the earth, men will no longer endeavour\nfor the attainment of Heaven, as they will then enjoy the blessings of\nheaven on earth itself (59). O N\u0101rada, if the mortals enjoy the\nblessings of the P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree, what difference there will be then\nbetween themselves and the gods (60)? The acts which men do on earth,\nthey enjoy those acts here; now if they be blessed with the possession\nof the P\u0101rij\u0101ta, they will no longer exert themselves for attaining\nheaven (61). O sage! P\u0101rij\u0101ta is the best of all the precious\npossessions of heaven, and it is the glory of heaven; this glory\nremoved, the earth with its mortals will be as good as heaven with its\nimmortals (62). Obtaining as they will, the blessings of heaven on the\nface of the earth, men will not celebrate sacrifices, nor will they\nperform acts of pious liberality, having been easily raised to the\nstatus of the immortals (63). Now, O sage, mortals, out of a desire for\nattaining heaven, gratify ourselves by reverentially performing\nsacrifices, _Japas_ and _Anhikas_ everyday (64). Possessed of the\nblessings of the P\u0101rij\u0101ta, they will not think of adhering to these\nobservances; and if they are neglected, we shall also dwindle away in\nour strength being deprived of their benefit\u00b2\u2078\u2079 (65). We rear the corn\non which men on earth live, by showering on them sufficient rain from\nhere; and they also in their turn gratify ourselves by the celebration\nof sacrifices and acts of pious liberality (66). If when possessed of\nthe blessings of P\u0101rij\u0101ta, hunger, thirst, disease decrepitude, death,\ndissatisfaction, stinking smells and other dreadful visitations of\nProvidence do not afflict men any longer, why should they strive for the\nattainment of Heaven (67\u201368)? For these reasons, it is not at all\nadvisable to take down the P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree there. Thus, O twice-born sage,\nshould Vishnu that performer of sinless deeds, be addressed by thee\n(69). If thou wishest to please me, O sage, thou shalt also do, after\nmature judgment, all that: would go to gratify my brother Kesava (70).\nLet Kesava if he desires it, take down to Dwarka, garlands, gems,\njewels, the _Agura_ sandal, and beautiful garments and such other things\nwhich the mortals are entitled to, for the enjoyment of his wife. But it\nbehoves him not to plunder heaven now (71\u201372). I shall give whatever\ngems he may desire to have, I shall give beautiful ornaments of all\nsorts, but I will never give him, O sage, the P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree that most\nbeloved possession of the inhabitants of heaven (73)\".\n\n  \u00b2\u2078\u2078 Literally his prowess and energy.\n\n  \u00b2\u2078\u2079 It is believed that the burnt offerings in the celebration of\n      sacrifices &c, constitute the chief sustemance of the immortals.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CXXVII. NARADA\u2019S ADVICE AND INDRA\u2019S ANSWERS.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O delighter of the Kurus, on having heard the words\nof the lord of the celestials, the pious-minded Narada that most\neloquent speaker conversant with the essence of virtue, thus spoke:\u2014(1).\n\"O slayer of Vala, O mighty-armed one, I am much concerned in you; and\ntherefore must say what will be conducive to your good (2). As I was\naware of your attitude, I told the son of Vasudeva that in days gone by,\nyou had not even given the Parijata tree to the mighty god Siva (3). I\ntell you truly that I showed him numerous reasons (for not taking down\nthe Parijata tree), but he paid no heed whatever to them (4). \u2019I am the\nyounger brother of Indra and therefore I claim indulgence at his\nhands\u2019\u2014these words did that lotus-eyed one tell me in reply. (5)\nRepeatedly did I, O god, show him numerous reasons; but O slayer of\nVritra, still his mind did not change (6). Moreover, O god, the slayer\nof Madhu that foremost of men, did as if in anger say at the conclusion\nof his address (7), \u2019Neither the gods, nor the Gandharvas, nor the\nRakshas, nor the Asuras, nor the foremost of the Pannagas, will succeed\nin attempting to thwart me out of my pledge; O sage mayst thou be\nattended with all blessings (8)! If Purandara thus requested by thee in\na conciliatory manner does not give the Parijata tree to me, then will I\nhurl my mace at the breast of Purandera on which Sachi besmears fragrant\nointments (9).\u2019 O Mahendra, this is the firm determination your brother\nUpendra; now do you do what seems proper and just to you with regard to\nthis matter (10). Hear from me, O lord of the celestials, words that\nwill be conducive to your welfare, as I speak them; it seems to me\nbetter to allow the Parijata to be transplanted to Dwarka (11).\" O ruler\nof men, thus spoken to by Narada, the destroyer of all, the\nthousand-eyed deity, inflamed with wrath, thus addressed him in a clear\nand distinct voice (12). \"O thou of ascetic wealth, if Kesava is bent to\nbehave thus towards me his innocent elder brother, then what harm indeed\ncan he do unto me (13)! O Narada, in times past Krishna committed many\nacts offensive and insulting to me; I did put up with them all only\nremembering that he is my brother (14). On the occasion of the burning\nof the Khandava forest when he drove Arjuna\u2019s chariot, he prevented my\nclouds from extinguishing the raging conflagration (15). He committed an\nact unpleasant and inimical to my interests by lifting up the Govardhana\nmountain. When again at the time of slaying Vritra I sought his\nassistance (16), he replied to me saying\u2014\u2019I am impartial and look\nequally upon all creatures.\u2019 Then I slew Vritra with the help of the\nstrength of my own arms (17). Thou also knowest well, O sage, that when\never war breaks out between the gods and the Asuras Krishna always\nfights as it pleases his sweet will (ignoring my authority altogether)\n(18). What is the use of speaking much on the subject? Do thou endeavour\nto maintain an amicable feeling between ourselves. O Narada, thou art my\nwitness; a rupture among our relatives is remote from my thoughts (19).\nKeshava might well have been prepared to hurl his mace at my breast\n(there is nothing untoward in it); but no propriety could be conceived\nas to why the name of Puloma\u2019s daughter was uttered in that connection\n(20). Our father, the almighty Kasyapa, together with our mother Adity\nhas gone for a sojourn into the waters. This matter ought to be laid\nbefore them (21), namely, that my brother Krishna of uncontrolled Self,\nfilled with ignorance and arrogance, has, through the instigation of his\nwife, abused me his elder brother (who ought to command his regard and\nobedience) (22). O twice-born one, fie on women, and fie on the\ninfluence of arrogance, in as much as, O Vipra, even Vishnu, instigated\nby his wife, has this day insulted me (23). O mighty sage, it is really\nsurprising that Krishna, overcome by passion and lust, did not pay the\nslightest regard to the race of our father Kasyapa or to the race of the\nSukshnas whence our mother Aditi has sprung, or to the fact of my being\nhis elder brother or to my celestial sovereignty and the respect in\nwhich I am held by the gods (24\u201325). O sinless one, Brahma told me in\ndays past, that a well-behaved and wise brother is to me esteemed more\nthan thousands of sons and wives (26). My father, one of the creators,\nand my mother Aditi also told me that there is no friend like the\nbrothers, other people are only useless seekers of livelihood (27).\u00b2\u2079\u2070\nMy father Kasyapa also said, that like the uterine brothers there is no\nfriend in the worlds. The Danavas of sinful propensities fight with me\nbecause they are not my brothers (28). What I am now going to tell, O\nVipra, ought not be related by me for it contains my own praise; but I\nmay be excused it; I relate it to-day only because there has been an\noccasion for it (29). O sinless one, in the days of yore, when through\nthe virtue of the boon bestowed on them, the bow-string of Vishnu was\nnot cut off by certain bow-men, and whence thereafter, O foremost of\nmighty sages, his head was severed off his trunk, it was I who entered\ninto and sustained his body; and when again, with the energy of the\nRudras, I succeeded in carefully replacing his head on his trunk, it was\nAchyuta himself who said that I am the best and foremost among the gods;\nand then, O Narada, once more remounting his bow with a new string\nKeshava stood proudly (to face his antagonists) (30\u201332). O sage, what\nwill my father and my mother tell me if I were to neglect Krishna\nthen,\u2014thinking of his only ancient affection did I, O mighty ascetic,\nincarnate myself in the body of Krishna (33). O sage, I gave him the\nIndra\u2019s share of the offering of a sacrifice and caused it to be\nVaishnava, out of my affection for I look upon him, O Narada, as my\nyounger brother (34). If however unfortunately a battle takes place\nbetween me and him, it shall be he, O thou of ascetic wealth that shall\nstrike the first blow\u2014although in other battles, I myself deal it out in\nas much as I am a sovereign (35). O thou conversant with the essence of\nreligions, I have protected the persons of the regardful Keshava as my\nown during all his incarnations, O sinless one (36). Dismantling this my\nresidence Vishnu has, with these materials, constructed, O sage, his own\n_Bhubana_ or world that is superior to all _lokas_ (37). I did not turn\nmy face on that, O sage, out of regard for my brother, and as I always\nused to think that \u2019Krishna is a boy and deserves indulgence at my\nhands\u2019 (38). My father and my mother, O Narada, cherish Govinda very\nmuch saying\u2014\u2019This my son is a mere child and is youngest in age (39)\u2019.\nMoreover Keshava is the special favourite of my mother, and, as such, I\nam very jealous of him. There is not the slightest doubt that the depth\nof (my mother\u2019s) affection reaches its height in Keshava (40). I\nbelieved Keshava to be all-knowing, powerful, heroic, and respector of\ndeserving persons; but that belief has proved to be a false one (41). Go\nthou, O Narada, and tell Keshava these my words; \u2019Challenged by my\nenemies I never turn back from a fight (42). Come, if thou wishest, I\nshall suffer what ever thou mayst desire; O henpecked one, strike the\nfirst blow if thou likest it (43). O Janarddana, riding on Garuda and\nwith a firm hand, do thou deal the first blow with thy _Sr\u0101nga_ mace, or\ndiscus or sword (44), O fie, thus struck, O Keshava, I shall strike thee\nwith all my might; if, indeed, my affection does not overwhelm me in the\nact (45).\u2019 Until I am conquered in a battle by the wielder of the discus\nKrishna, I will not, O foremost of sages, part with the P\u0101rijata tree\n(46). O thou of ascetic wealth, when he, being younger than I am,\nchallenges me his elder brother to fight, for what reason should I then\nexcuse that henpecked Hari (47)? Do thou, O illustrious sage, go to\nDwark\u0101 protected by Krishna, even to-day and tell Achyuta that I am\nprepared for the quarrel (struggle) (48). O thou, of ascetic wealth,\nbearing in mind all my words thou shalt thus speak to the slayer of\nMadhu;\u2014\u2019Until I am conquered by thee I shall not even let thee have a\nsingle leaf or its half of the Parijata tree.\u2019 O illustrious sage, for\nmy pleasure thou shalt also tell Achyuta fearlessly:\u2014\u2019It behoveth thee\nnot to steal the tree deceitfully; let there be a fair fight; and fie be\non crooked practices\u2019\" (50).\n\n  \u00b2\u2079\u2070 The author means that true and faithful friendship and love exist\n      only between brothers;\u2014between other parties it is merely a\n      mockery, a business\u2014that of maintenance and support. The wife\n      loves the husband for he supports her\u2014the old parents love their\n      son because he is their maintainer and so forth.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXVIII. NARADA\u2019S ADVICE.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014On having heard the words of Mahendra that foremost\nof eloquent speakers N\u0101rada addressed these words to the king of the\ncelestials in secret (1). There is not the slightest doubt that kings\nshould be told only what is agreeable. But sometimes when the\nopportunity presents itself, disagreeable words but conducive to their\ngood should also be spoken to them (2). The sages\u00b2\u2079\u00b9 say that it is not\neven proper to appear before a king without having leave to do so (3).\nBut, as you always seek my advice in matters as to what should be done\nor not, I shall therefore tell you something to-day uncalled-for and you\nmay accept it if you like (4). Specially friends, who do not desire to\nsee their friends defeated, should proffer them their just and good\nadvice opportunely even if they are not called upon to do so (5). Good\nand pious people should always speak what is conducive to one\u2019s welfare\nalthough it may be disagreeable and unpleasant. This is the way for the\nacquittance of the debt of affection that the sages recognised in days\ngone by (6). Disagreeable and untrue words that are transgressions of\nvirtue, are not listened to (by anyone). Agreeable but harmful words\nshould never be spoken in as much as they have been condemned by the\nsages (7). O foremost of all good listeners, listen to what it is my\nencumbent duty to speak, and listening to my words that will conduce to\nyour good, act up to them, O knower of all things! (8).\n\nO Slayer of Vala, there is no doubt, O god, that disunion among friendly\nor affectionate brothers causes delight into the hearts of the enemy\n(9). O foremost of the celestials, those actions only that are connected\nwith a succession of good, should be undertaken; and others, O best of\nintelligent beings, should be taken in hand after due deliberation (10).\nActs which, if begun, would bring repentance in its train, the learned\nshould not at all begin. This is the policy of the wise and intelligent\n(11). I do not really descry any very good result of this act (viz.),\nrefusal to give Parijata to Krishna. O lord of the immortals, now listen\nto the reasons thereof (12). That Hari, who doth pervade the world of\ncauses and the world of consequences, and whom the wise know to be the\nSupreme Soul beyond the influence of M\u0101y\u0101, the manifestation of whom is\nthis universe, is that unmanifest Self and all other conscious beings,\nhave all drawn their consciousness from that Supreme Being Vishnu\n(13\u201314).\u00b2\u2079\u00b2 The illustrious goddess Um\u0101 is the best and principal part\nof Prakiti and Vishnu is the source of consciousness to all conscious\ncreation; he pervades the manifest universe, and is identified with all\nobjects of enjoyment (15). Like Um\u0101, Rukshmini and other wives of\nKrishna are his manifest qualities; and the exchangeable Prakriti, and\nVishnu and Rudra are all equally possessed of these qualities (gunas)\n(16). O foremost of gods, there is not the slightest difference between\nRudra and Vishnu; and they are the eternal regulators of all qualified\ncreations (_i.e._ all created things endowed with one of more of the\nqualities of Satwa, Rajas, Tama), and are also the primary qualities\n(17). The all-creating, highly powerful Vishnu, known also as\nAdhokshaja, that protector of the worlds, is the creator of the world\nand the god Maheswara is the destroyer (18). Brahm\u0101 and the rest of the\ncelestials and the Prajapatis also have been all created afterwards, O\nlord of the immortals, by the high-souled Mah\u0101deva (19). That\ninconceivable, infinite, ancient Purusha Vishnu, who is beyond the\nqualities themselves, has thus been described in the Vedas (20). In days\ngone by, the illustrious Vishnu was worshipped by Aditi with great\nausterities; and he then, pleased with Aditi, bestowed a boon on her\n(21). \"I desire to have thee as a son.\" This your mother Aditi spoke to\nthe god N\u0101r\u0101yana and after having offered him prayers she bowed down to\nhim(22). Thereupon she was told by him \"There is no person equal to\nmyself in the universe; I shall therefore be born as thy son in my own\nparts (23). Thus, O lord of the celestials, that creator of all, the\nhighly powerful N\u0101r\u0101yana, was born as your brother and he is called\nUpendra (24). Thus out of his own will did that lord of the past,\npresent and future, the eternal god Hari, create himself in the race of\nthe Kasyapa, because it is in his nature to incarnate himself in this\nwise (25). That lord of the universe, its creator and destroyer, Keshava\nhas manifested himself in Mathur\u0101 out of a desire for the well-being of\nthe world (26). O bestower of honor, as just a lump of Palala is\npervaded by a lubricating substance, so is the universe itself pervaded\nby that wondrous powerful Vishnu (27). That Supreme Brahma, the soul of\nall, the Protector of all, he that transcends all the gunas (manifested\nprimary elements) being induced by his own desire, incarnates himself in\nthe world and thus produces changes in his own self (28). For these\nreasons Keshava is to be worshipped by all the celestials; that\nlotus-navelled almighty and the creator of the people is attended with\ngreat praise because he upholds the world in the shape of Ananta. He is\nalso called Sacrifice (_yajna_) by pious reciters of the Vedas (29-30).\nThat Lord assumed a white semblance in the Satya cycle, a red semblance\nin the Tret\u0101, a yellow semblance in the Dw\u0101para, and he has now assumed\na dark semblance in this Kali cycle (31). This Hari slew Hiranakshya\nhaving assumed a divine semblance and this God, out of desire for doing\ngood to the world, upheld the earth when she was sinking into the depth\nof the waters having assumed the shape of a boar. He slew Hiranyakasipu,\nin the semblance of the Man-lion (32\u201333). Assuming the semblance of the\nDwarf, Vishnu conquered the world and that auspicious God also bound\nVali with serpentine bonds (34). The generous Vishnu, of immeasurable\nprowess, also usurped for your sake, prosperity that was the common\nheritage of both the gods and Asuras (both having exerted for its\nproduction) (35). Jan\u0101rddana slays him, whose virtue has waned and it is\nthe vow of that high souled one to kill him who rests on untruth (36).\nThat refuge of the pious, Govinda, who is ever firm in virtue, slew the\nprincipal D\u0101navas, the enemies of the gods, only for the sake of\npleasing you (37). That self-contained Being, born as R\u0101ma, slew R\u0101vana\nand other Rakshasas like a lion slaying an elephant (38). For the sake\nof the well-being of the world that lord of the universe, that best of\nall best beings, still lives in the human world, known by the name of\nUpendra (39). I have seen Hari wander among the Daityas, wearing matted\nlocks and black deer-skin and bearing a Danda (rod) in his hand, like a\nraging fire amidst a heap of (dried) grass (40). I have also seen\nGovinda rid D\u0101nava-ridden world of its D\u0101navas, for the sake of the\nwell-being of the world (41). O foremost of the gods, Jan\u0101rddana must\ntake away your P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree to Dwark\u0101. I do not speak untruth (42). You\nshall not be able to strike Krishna, filled as you are with fraternal\naffection; nor shall Krishna be able to deal blows on an elder brother\nlike yourself (43). If, O God, you do not like to pay any heed to the\nwords spoken by me, then consult with your other counsellors who are\nconversant with the rules of polity and are bent on our welfare\" (44).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O Janamejaya, thus spoken to by N\u0101rada, Mahendra\nreplied to that world-honored sage in the following words (45):\u2014\"This\nsort of greatness, that thou attributest to Krishna, O twice-born sage,\nI have heard of many and many a time before (46). In as much as Krishna\nis of the nature described by thee, I shall not give him the P\u0101rij\u0101ta\ntree, bearing fully as I do in mind the duty of the pious and the good\n(47). O sage, may good betide thee! I am assured as I know that Krishna,\nendowed as he is with all commendable qualities and mighty, energy will\nnot be angry merely for a trifle (48). The highly powerful gods are\nalways very forgiving in their nature, and are obedient to the words of\nelderly people who look with the eye of knowledge (49). The high-souled\nKrishna is the foremost of the virtuous and knows all things; does it\ntherefore befit him to quarrel with his elder brother only for a trivial\nreason? (50) As Adhokshaja bestowed the boon on my mother, so also it\nbehoveth him now to satisfy the request of her sons who are his elder\nbrothers (51). As Jan\u0101rddana out of his own will became Upendra _i.e._,\nIndra\u2019s younger brother, so also it behoves him now to maintain the\nhonor of his brother Indra (52). Did not that god, in a previous\nincarnation, accept my priority of birth? And if the slayer of Madhu now\ndesires to be my elder brother, let him be so!\" (53) Then having found\nthe slayer of Vala to be determined (so as not to part with the\nP\u0101rij\u0101ta) and having been dismissed by that foremost of the celestials,\nthe virtuous, intelligent, and self-controlled N\u0101rada went to the city\nprotected by that foremost of the Yadus _viz_., Krishna (54).\n\n  \u00b2\u2079\u00b9 Conversant with the rules of worldly conduct and the essentials of\n      polity.\n\n  \u00b2\u2079\u00b2 These slokas are rendered freely in consultation with the Bengali\n      translation.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXIX. ATTRIBUTES OF HARI.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014On coming to the beautiful city of Dwarka, that\nforemost of all sages, N\u0101rada, saw that foremost of beings, that subduer\nof his foes, N\u0101r\u0101yana (1) comfortably seated with Satyabh\u0101m\u0101 in his own\nmansion, and appearing highly beautiful in consequence of his charming\nform that transcended all energies (2). He saw the high-souled Keshava\nof firm vows engrossed in that thought (_i.e._, of the P\u0101rij\u0101ta), and\nonly gratifying the lovely Satyabh\u0101m\u0101 with empty words (3). On seeing\nN\u0101rada, the divine Adhokshaja rose (from his seat) and worshipped him\nwith prescribed ceremonies (4). After N\u0101rada had been comfortably\nseated, having cast off the fatigue (of the journey) the slayer of Madhu\nsmilingly questioned him on the subject of the P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree (5).\nThereupon, O Janamejaya, that sage, possessed of ascetic merit, told the\nyounger brother of Indra all his words in full details (6). Having heard\nall those words from N\u0101rada, Krishna spoke to him thus: \"Even to-morrow\nshall I go to the region of the celestials, O foremost of all virtuous\nsages\" (7). Having spoken this much only Hari entered into the waters of\nthe ocean, accompanied by N\u0101rada; and there in secret he again addressed\nhim thus (8):\u2014\"Going to-day to the residence of Mahendra, and offering\nhim my best regards, do thou, O sage, tell that foremost of immortals,\nthe high-souled Indra, these my very words (9). \u2019O Sakra, O lord I know\nme determined as regards the fetching down of the P\u0101rij\u0101ta here; and if\na fight does actually take place, thou shalt not be able to stand before\nme (even for a moment.)\u2019\" (10).\n\nThus spoken to by Krishna, N\u0101rada once more went to the celestial region\nand spoke to the lord of the gods all the words of Krishna of\nimmeasurable energy (11). Thereupon that slayer of Vala, Sakra spoke\nevery thing to Vrihaspati; on hearing from him, O delighter of the\nKarus, Vrihaspati thus spoke (12). \"O fie! This nasty affair has\noriginated only because I was absent from the abode of Brahm\u0101. This will\ncreate a dissension (13). For what reason, O lord of the universe, hast\nthou commenced this business, without having previously told me of it?\n(14) Or, O slayer of Vritra, the world is led to act by fate born out of\nprevious actions; and it is beyond the power of any body to prevent it\n(15). A hasty commencement of actions is not commendable; and therefore\nthis business, hastily begun as it is, will surely give us dishonor and\ndefeat\" (16). Thereupon Mahendra spoke these words to the high-souled\nVrihaspati:\u2014\"It now behoves you to say what should be done under the\npresent circumstances (17).\" Thereupon after reflecting for a while with\nhis countenance cast down, the virtuous-minded Vrihaspati, of liberal\nunderstanding, the knower of all things in the past and the future, thus\nreplied to him (18). \"Now, try your best to fight Jan\u0101rddana, with the\nhelp of your son (Jayanta). O Sakra, I shall afterwards do what shall be\nmore just and politic\" (19). Having thus spoken, Vrihaspati went into\nthe milky ocean, and there he said every thing to the high-souled\nKashyapa (20). Having heard that (_i.e._, the affair of the P\u0101rij\u0101ta,)\nfrom Vrihaspati, Kashyapa was enraged and thus spoke to him. \"That this\nwas sure to have taken place, there was not the slightest doubt (21).\nHe, of hundred Sacrifices, was inflamed with a lustful desire towards\nthe worthy wife of the mighty sage Devasoma; the evil of the course he\nfollowed has now undertaken him (22). For the atonement of that sin, I\nhave, O sage, commenced this living in water. But still that heinous sin\nhas now undertaken him (23). O thou of ascetic merit, I, with Aditi,\nshall go there, mediations and fate favouring, and shall prevent them\nboth (from splitting each other\u2019s blood) (24).\" Thereafter the\nvirtuous-souled Vrihaspati thus spoke to the son of Maricha. \"If the\ntime comes, thou shalt go in good time\" (25). Having said \"Very well\",\nKashyapa dismissed Vrihaspati; thereafter he went to worship the god\nRudra, that lord of all beings (26). There the intelligent and\nillustrious Kashyapa, desirous of obtaining a boon, worshipped, in\ncompany with Aditi, the peaceful and high-souled god, having the bull\nfor his emblem (27). Thereafter that son of Marichi, Kashyapa, in order\nto please the god Ish\u0101na, that preceptor of the universe, began to\neulogise him in Vedic as well as in self-composed hymns (28).\n\nKashyapa said:\"\u2014To him whose foot-falls are mighty,\u00b2\u2079\u00b3 who is the\nnascent cause of the universe, who is the Supreme, who is the creator of\nthe world (potent cause), who is attained only through virtue (Dharma),\nwho is the Lord of grace (_i.e._, metes out grace to them who worship\nand adore him), who is Self-controlled and endued with divine energy\u2014I\nbow down to that illustrious lord of the universe (29). He is the lord\nof the celestials. He is the destroyer of sin. Through his\ninstrumentality the universe extends, He being the cause nascent and\npotential. The image of His intelligence, the sacred waters hold.\u00b2\u2079\u2074 I\nseek refuge with the Supreme ruler of the universe (30). He, who under\nthe semblance of a self-controlled ascetic, slew the uncontrolled who\nwere ignorant of the doctrines of the Vedanta and tried to do away with\nthe friendly qualities, He, whose semblance is delightful, and whose\norigin is sacred, I seek the protection of that lord of the universe\nwith my (bent) head (31). That great and undisputed Master of the\nuniverse, who takes under his benign protection the advanced (_i.e._,\nthat is morally and religiously) section of worldly beings, He who is\nthe Light of all lights. He, who is identified with the semblance of\nBrahma known by the designation of Sukrita\u2014is immutable and indomitable;\nthat bestower of boons on those sages who perform penances living upon\nthe juice of the Soma plant and the beams of the moon; may that Being\nnourish me with his Eternal Energy! (32) He who is demonstrated in the\nAtharva Veda; He whose heads\u00b2\u2079\u2075 are beautiful, He who is the origin of\nthe beings, who is accomplished, heroic, and destroyer of the Danavas;\nHe who in sacrifices is the sanctified sacrificial burnt offering;\u2014I do\nseek the refuge of that Divine Being, the Lord of the universe (33). He\nin whom this illusory universal net is woven; He who is the universe and\nits soul; He who discovers happiness for his votaries and travels in a\nvehicle that soars high in the heavens; may that Lord of the universe be\never graciously pleased with me, (or be the source of constant happiness\nto me) (34). I do bow down to the furious Mah\u0101deva who wanders in our\nhearts, who is Absolute Intelligence whose branches (the Vedas that have\ncome out of Him) are all beautiful, who is the highly powerful leader of\nvirtue, worshipful, thousand-eyed, distributer of fruits of actions done\nin a hundred different ways, and who is the creator of the worlds (35).\nHe that is pure (unconsorted) attainable through Yoga, praised in the\nVedas, beyond the reach of sin, the cause of destruction, the source of\nthe world\u2019s weal and woe, the Lord of all creation, the upholder of the\nburden of the universe, the master of the senses, and the resort of the\ndestructive agencies (such as time, &c.,) I do approach, with a bent\nhead, that god whose forehead is beautified with a crescent (36). He who\nwields the trident, who gives fruition (of acts) soon, who reduces the\ninfluence of the evil passions and increases such qualities as quietude,\n&c., who is identical with such pious acts as sacrifices, &c., who is\nthat quality of religious merit through which sins dwindle away soon,\nwho is the recipient of the fruits of religious merit consequent on\ndeeds performed with sanctity and the principle of goodness, who is the\nreal essence of all, and who has taken the vow (of purity)\u2014I do seek\nprotection from him (37). He who is infinite in energy, who is the\nupholder of all actions, the Primary Being, who is (unlike other gods)\nfree from sacrificial modes, and is endowed with knowledge\u2014He who is the\ncause of the commencement of sacrifices by sacrificial priests, the\neater of sacrificial _Havis_; who is the first-born in the universe, and\nthe eldest of creation, and who is like a Br\u0101hmana among the pious\u2014I do\nseek his refuge (38). He who transcends the _Gunas_ (the elements of\ncreation), who is like Vishnu the son of Prisni, who transcends the\nillusory creation\u2014and agitates the universe through his beatitude, whose\nsemblance is charming; who is of pure self, who is also\u2014but\nintelligence, who practises _Maya_ in dealing with the wicked\u2014I bow down\nto him (39). I bow down to Him who is the Omkara of half syllables of\nthe Yogis who is free from harmful acts and the identity of Virtue, who\nis firm in vow, and in (handing) the bow, who is the act of throwing,\nwho is heroic, accomplished in bowmanship, beyond the reach of weapons\nand the Lord of the living creation, and its destroyer (40). He who is\nwithout a second (sole matchless) the friend of all, the past and the\nfuture, the discoverer of _Havi_, (sacrificial burnt offerings), in the\nshape of fire, the destroyer of all passions as lust, &c., the slayer of\nR\u0101kshasas, who is undivisible, and the divider,\u2014may that illustrious God\nprotect me (41). That one Lord of the worlds, who though one\u2014enters into\nevery thing of the universe, that one who gave the vital breaths\n(Maruts) their life, breath, (i.e., he who is the life of life), he who,\nout of his innate harmlessness, is ever attended upon by friendliness\nand amiability, may that god of good actions lead me to-day to blessings\nand happiness (42). He, who in the shape of Brahm\u0101, created the\nSatyaloka together with the essence of goodness, and the entire illusory\nuniverse, who is all-cognizant and the knower of Brahma and is endowed\nwith six excellences, whose semblance is numerous, in his different\nenemy-destroying incarnations, may that god protect me! (43) He who is\nthe revealer of the supersensuous and the sensuous objects, who is\nincreate and self-sufficient, who is entire and undivided who is in\ncontact with the sense-objects, the granter of prosperities, the giver\nof life, the wearer of deer-skin, who is Supreme Ecstacy, the life of\nthe blowing winds, the receptacle of conception, the creator of\nhappiness\u2014may that Lord bless me accompanied by his two wives (44). He\nwho posseses three eyes, who gives nourishment, who, to inculcate\nreligion to the twice-born ones, accords boons to the sacrificers, He\nwho is the most excellent of the excellent the winner of victory in\nbattles, the Lord, the God of the gods,\u2014I resort to the protection of\nthat Rudra (45). He that is the mouth of the gods in the shape of fire,\nthe destroyer of the evil doers, who is the _Soma_ sacrifice, the\nannihilator of the tree of Mundane Existence, the witness of all the\nactions, the source of dissolution of all things,\u2014I seek refuge with\nthat Lord of Beings, Rudra, the knower of the _Gunas_ and their\nrepository (46). He who is prideless, the performer of sacrifices, the\nbeginning, the middle and the end of the worlds, the condition of peace\nand unification,\u2014he who is sung in the sacrifices prescribed in the\nVedas as numerous different gods, and He who is the regulator even of\nthe celestial world, I seek refuge with that Rudra (47). He who is the\nwearer of the elephant-skin, the performer of vows and observances, who\nis decorated with a zone, who is easily pleasable, the controller of\nanger free from sin, ever-existent, and the Supreme Soul, who is\nimmanent in Nature, the wearer of matted locks, I bow, down to that\nLord, the adorable of the adorable (48). The god of gods, the holy of\nholies, the sacrifice of sacrifices, the greatest of the great, He of\nhundred (infinite) semblances, the Master of all the masters of the\nsenses, (i.e., eye of eyes, ear of ears, &c.,) the ever-praised one, I\nseek refuge with him. (49). He who is the wonder of all hearts, the\nPurusha of mysterious appellation, the self-manifest _Pranava_, who is\nrevealed even in the absence of such revealing agencies as light and the\neyes, &c., and He, who is the potent cause of the divine image known as\n_Jiva_, I bow down to that god endued with the qualities and the\nrepository of all bliss (50). He who is the producer of the both (matter\nand mind) but is himself unproduced, (or He from whom matter and mind\nhave been born but who did not produce them, He transcending all causes)\nwho is subtle (inconceivable) and simultaneously the same with and\ndifferent from all created beings (unified and differentiated) who is\nself-existent, the place of dissolution of existence, the benign Giver\nwho is sweetness, ecstacy and beatitude, may He protect me (51). He who\nis near to every body, and revealed to those who are possessed of\n_Sadhana_, who is the bestower of such knowledge as \u2019I am absolute\u2019, to\nthose who reverentially believe in Him, the presiding Deity of the great\nand the good actions, He who is fulfiller of the desires and the\nfulfillment of the Six Excellences, may that Lord protect me (52). He\nwho is destroyer of the mental and physical sources of pain, the\nefficient as well as the material cause, the evolver (of the passions)\nmay that God of gods, that one possessed of Supreme Energy, cut off the\ncause of pain of me and of the pious, wielding his potent weapons (53).\nBy whom in the days of yore the guileful Danavas who used to give much\npain to the gods, were cut with dreadful arrows and eradicated as so\nmany thorns, may that upholder of the water of the universe, that\nSupreme Lord, protect me! (54)\n\n\"The destroyer with whom, when he was desirous of abolishing the portion\nof the sacrificial offerings of the God, the sacrificer Daksha sought\nrefuge,\u2014may that Lord of sacrifices, the beginning and the end of all\nthings, the destroyer of Daksha\u2019s sacrifice\u2014the all-intelligent one,\nprotect me (55). He that creates and annihilates the world, that mystery\nof mysteries, that one possessed of primary notions, who although\ndifferent from all things in the shape of Vishnu is present in the\nsacrifices and is the principal resort of the Six Excellences, may that\nGod Narayana, protect my son Indra (56). The three conditions of the\n_Gunas_, _viz._, creation, existence, and annihilation, eternally live\nin him, the principle of Excellence (Sattwa) proceeds from his nature;\nHe is the protector of the protectors of the world, the destroyer of the\nwicked doers, in the shape of Rudra, the Beginning of the universe and\nthe annihilator of the oppressors of the world (57). He whose very small\npart is Vishnu of Infinite Forms, He, into whose residence Brahm\u0101 and\nhis sons and the Br\u0101hmanas headed by Marichi although born from him, are\nincapable of entering, may that protector of the pious, together with\nthe goddess Um\u0101 be pleased with me (58). He, from whom the elements\u00b2\u2079\u2076\nhave sprung, who maintains them, and in whom they become merged (in the\nform of destruction) He, that is the power of retention, the prosperity,\nand the revelation of mysteries to that high-souled person who devoutly\nseeks the Supreme Being\u2014surely that God will put an end to all our\nmiseries (59). The whole male creation, of the universe, is identical\nwith the three-eyed God, and the female portion\u2014is the goddess Um\u0101, the\nholder of all. There does not in the universe exist any one who may be\ntheir third. Mah\u0101deva only is the supreme Brahma, and he is the every\nthing and the lord of every thing\" (60)\n\nThus eulogised the almighty God, of the emblem of the bull, that soul of\nvirtue, revealed Himself to Kashyapa that foremost of the upholders of\nvirtue (61). With a pleased heart, that lord of the gods then thus spoke\nto Kashyapa:\u2014\"O Creator of the worlds (Praj\u0101pati), I know the reason why\nyou are praying to me (62). The high-souled gods Indra and Upendra will\nboth be tranquilized; but the illustrious Jan\u0101rddana will carry off the\nP\u0101rij\u0101ta tree (63). O Kashyapa! Mahendra was cursed by the sage Devasom\u0101\n(Goutoma) of high-penance\u2014for having desired connexion with his wife;\n(this present calamity is the result of that curse) (64). O virtuous\none!\u2014Now do you go accompanied by Aditi to the daughter of Daksha, at\nthe residence of Sakra; surely your two sons will be attended with\nblessings\" (65). Having heard those words of the God Hara, that son of\nthe son of the lotus-born one, that incomparable one\u2014the blessed\nKashyapa went to the abode of the gods, with a delighted heart and bowed\ndown to that preceptor of celestials Mah\u0101deva (66).\n\n  \u00b2\u2079\u00b3 Reference is to the story of the occupation of the three\n      worlds,\u2014the heaven, the earth, and the nether regions by the three\n      feet of Krishna, in his dwarf incarnation-shorn of metaphor, it\n      refers to the doctrine of universal _maya_ inculcated in the\n      Upanishads.\n\n  \u00b2\u2079\u2074 The reference is to the text of Sruti.\n\n  \u00b2\u2079\u2075 Refers to the five Koshas or \"Sheaths\" of the self, mentioned in\n      the Upanishadas, vis, the Corporeal (Dehamaya), the Vital\n      (Pranamaya), the Sensorial (Manomaya), the Conceptual\n      (Vijnanmaya), and the Blissful (Anandamaya).\n\n  \u00b2\u2079\u2076 These according to the Hindu philosophy are five namely-Earth,\n      water, fire, wind and the sky.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXX. THE FIGHT BETWEEN KRISHNA AND INDRA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Here the highly energetic Vishnu, a moment after sun\nrise, went to the Raivataka mountain, under the pretext of hunting,\ntaking up, O descendant of the Kurus, that foremost of men Satyaki on\nhis car and telling Pradyumna \"Follow me\" (1\u20132). On having reached the\nRaivataka mountain, that divine one thus spoke to D\u0101ruka:\u2014\"O Daruka,\ntake charge of my chariot and wait here tending and grooming the horses\nfor this half of the day; O foremost of charioteers, I shall re-enter\nDwark\u0101 on this very car\" (3-4). Having thus delivered his command, that\nillustrious and intelligent god, of immeasurable prowess, rode on the\nback of Garuda, being accompanied by Satyaki (5). O descendant of the\nKurus, that slayer of his foes Pradyumna followed Krishna from behind on\na separate car capable of coursing on hills (6). Within the twinkle of\nan eye the intelligent Hari arrived at the pleasure park of the gods,\nthe Nandana forest, with a view to carry away the P\u0101rij\u0101ta from there\n(7). There in the garden of gods, the illustrious Adhokshaja saw hosts\nof celestial warriors, indomitable, courageous and armed with various\nweapons (8). That refuge of the pious, the mighty Krishna uprooted the\nP\u0101rij\u0101ta tree and placed it on the back of Garuda even before their eyes\n(9). Thereupon, O Bh\u0101rata, the P\u0101rij\u0101ta, having embodied itself,\napproached (with prayer) Kesava and Garuda, that king of birds (10). The\ntree P\u0101rij\u0101ta was consoled by the high souled Kesava and was told\u2014\"Do\nthou not fear, O tree\" (11). Then assuring himself that the tree\nP\u0101rij\u0101ta was securely placed (on the bird\u2019s back), Adhokshaja began to\ngo round that best of strong-holds, the abode of the gods (12).\nMeanwhile the keepers of the garden of gods, had run to Mahendra and\ninformed him saying\u2014\"that the most excellent of trees, the P\u0101rij\u0101ta, is\nbeing carried away.\" (13). Thereupon the subduer of P\u0101ka (Indra) came\nout mounted on Air\u0101vata being followed from behind by Jayanta on a car\n(14). Then beholding that slayer of his foes V\u0101sudeva, who had by that\ntime reached the Eastern gate, Indra said\u2014\"O slayer of Madhu, what is\nthis going on\" (15). Thereupon Kesava, seated on the back of Garuda,\nsaluted Sakra with his head and said:\u2014\"I am only taking away this\nexcellent tree for a ceremonious observance of your sister-in-law\" (16).\nSakra replied saying,\u2014\"O lotus-eyed one, thou shouldst not take away\nthis tree, O infallible one, without challenging me to fight (17). O\nmighty armed Kesava, deal thou the first blow on me; and let thy promise\nbe fulfilled by your hurling the Koumodaki mace at me\" (18). Thereupon,\nO Bh\u0101rata, Krishna began to pierce the excellent elephant of the king of\nthe celestials, with sharp arrows fierce like thunder itself (19). Then\nwith excellent arrows of heavenly make, the wielder of the thunder-bolt\nbegan to pierce Garuda; and he soon succeeded in cutting off all the\narrows of the light-handed Kesava (20). M\u0101dhava cut off all those arrows\nwhich the lord of the gods shot; and smiling, the slayer of Vala and\nVritra severed those shot by M\u0101dhava (21). Then, O delighter of the\nKarus, at the sound of Mahendra\u2019s bow and at the twang of the Sranga\nbow, the inhabitants of heaven swooned away (22). When the fight was\nthus raging between them the highly powerful Jayanta tried to remove the\nP\u0101rij\u0101ta tree from the back of Garuda (23). Thereupon the slayer of\nKansa said to Pradyumna \"Prevent him (from taking away the P\u0101rij\u0101ta)\";\nand instantly the highly powerful son of Rukshmini opposed him (firmly)\n(24). Then Jayanta, seated on his chariot, that foremost of victorious\npersons, began to pierce with sharp arrows smilingly the son of\nRukshmini on all parts of his body (25). The lotus-eyed god Cupid on the\nother hand, seated on his chariot, pierced the son of Indra, with arrows\nlooking like snakes (26). O delighter of the Karus, then a fierce combat\nraged between the heroic Jayanta and the son of Rukshmini (27). Then\nthose two mighty heroes, the sons of Upendra and Mahendra, the foremost\nof the wielders of weapons, used offensive and defensive weapons against\neach other (28). The gods, the sages, the Siddhas and the Ch\u0101rnas, all\nbeheld that fierce combat being much struck with wonder (29).\n\nO delighter of the Kurus, meanwhile, a messenger of the gods, named\nPravara, of great strength, tried to take away the P\u0101rij\u0101ta from the\nback of Garuda (30). O descendant of the Kurus, this Pravara was the\nfriend of the ruler of the gods; he was accomplished in the use of\nmighty weapons and able to subdue all his foes; he was incapable of\nbeing slain by virtue of a boon obtained from Brahm\u0101 (31). Formerly he\nwas a Br\u0101hmana inhabiting the Jamva Island, whence through the merit of\nreligious penances, he attained to heaven, and there O ruler of men, he\nearned the friendship of the slayer of Vala by virtue of his own powers\n(32). On beholding him advance, Krishna told S\u0101tyaki;\u2014\"O S\u0101tyaki, even\nfrom this place do thou oppose Pravara with thy arrows (33). Thou shalt\nnot, O Satyaki, shoot fierce arrows at him and his Brahmanical\nfickleness should be put up with by all means (34)\". Thereafter the\nmighty-armed Pravara, that foremost of twice born ones, pierced Satyaki\nwho was seated on Garuda with a group of sixty sharp arrows (35).\nThereupon, O king, the grandson of Sini, that foremost of warriors, cut\noff the bow of Pravara with which he was shooting the arrows, and spoke\nthese words to him (36). \"Thou art not to be slain being a Br\u0101hmana; go\nand pursue thy own mode of life; twice-born sages, even if they offend,\nare incapable of being slain by the Y\u0101davas\" (37). O delighter of the\nKurus,\u2014Pravara then thus smilingly replied to him\u2014\"O foremost of human\nheroes, thou needst not be forgiving; fight the battle with all thy\nmight (38). I am the disciple of Jamadagni\u2019s son Rama, and my name is\nPravara. I enjoy the friendship of the illustrious Sakra (39). The gods\nhere do not desire to join in the fray out of regard for the slayer of\nMadhu; but O M\u0101dhava, I shall to-day pay off the debt of friendship I\nowe to Indra, (by slaying his adversary)\" (40). Then O king, a fearful\nbattle raged between them, as that foremost of men, the grandson of\nSini, and the best of the twice-born one, shot at each other weapons of\ndivine make (41). Then as the battle between those high-souled ones\nprogressed, the sky began to tremble and the mountains were highly\nagitated (42).\n\nHere on the other hand, neither the son of Krishna was able to overpower\nthat foremost of all wielders of weapons the son of Indra, nor was this\nlatter able to defeat that best of heroes, the illustrious and heroic\nson of Krishna (43). O best of men, then those two foremost of heroes,\neach desirous of winning victory over the other, fought on\nexclaiming\u2014strike, \u2019hold,\u2019 &c. (44). The powerful son of Sachi then, O\nking, challenging the son of the wielder of the Sr\u0101nga bow (Krishna)\nstruck him with a weapon of heavenly make (45). The son of Krishna, then\nwith an arrowy net woven with sharp shafts, stopped the fight of that\nblazing darts. This appeared wonderful (46). But, O descendant of the\nKurus, that blazing weapon, dreadful and destructive of the D\u0101navas,\nafter a moment\u2019s pause, fell upon the top of the car of the son of\nRukshmini (47). The car of the illustrious Pradyumna was burnt down by\nthat weapon but it could not, O ruler of men, consume the son of\nRukshmini (48), for O Lord of men, fire, although tremendous, cannot\nburn another fire. Thereafter the mighty-armed son of Rukshmini\nextricated himself from the burning chariot (49).\n\nThen the son of N\u0101r\u0101yana, that best of car-warriors, being deprived of\nhis car, stationed himself in the heaven with bow in hand and thus\naddressed Jayanta (50). \"O son of Mahendra,\u2014I am incapable of being\nslain by the weapon of divine make that thou didst hurl at me and by\nhundreds of such weapons (51). Try thy best and display to-day all\nlearning and knowledge; but, O son of an immortal, there is none that\ncan overpower me in battle (52). When armed with weapons thou didst come\nout in thy car, I was a little afraid; but now having seen thy prowess\nin battle I do not fear thee the least, (53). As thou shalt no longer be\nable to touch this P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree with thy hands, content thyself with\nits thought in thy mind (54). Of the illusive chariot that thou hast\nburnt down with the flame of thy weapon, I can create thousands through\nthe virtue of my illusive powers\" (55). Thus spoken to the highly\npowerful Jayanta, with great force, shot a fierce weapon obtained by him\nthrough his austere penances (56). Pradyumna opposed that weapon of\ntremendous force with a net-work of arrows; the son of Indra next shot\nanother four arrows (57). And those weapons, O Bh\u0101rata, chocked all the\nquarters of the heavens; then with another set of five arrows, he\ncompletely covered the son of Rukshmini on the sky (58). Arrows like\nblazing fire and dreadful weapons, all, that the foremost of the\nimmortals showered on Pradyumna, fell from all sides (59). All those\nweapons and arrows the son of Krishna checked by a group of his own\narrows; and he then also pierced Jayanta with other sharp arrows (60).\nThen the immortals of holy deeds, beholding the firmness and\nlight-handedness of the high-souled Pradyumna, exclaimed out in joy\n(61). The heroic descendant of Sini also, O Bharata, cut off the\nbow-string and the finger-protector of Pravara with a sharp arrow (62).\nThe latter then grasped another mighty bow of excellent make, which was\ngiven to him by Mahendra and whose twang resembled the sound of thunder\n(63). Then with that mighty bow, that foremost of twice-born ones, that\nheroic Pravara began to shoot arrows of diverse sorts, bright and\neffulgent like rays of the sun (64). He cut off the beautiful bow of the\nmighty grandson of Sini and pierced him on all parts of his body, with\nnumerous shafts (65). Thereupon, O delighter of the Kurus, the grandson\nof Sini took up another bow capable of withstanding much force; and that\nintelligent one then sorely pierced Pravara in that battle (66). They\ncut off each other\u2019s armours with sharp shafts; and with arrows capable\nof penetrating to the very heart they mutilated each other\u2019s flesh (67).\nThen again the heroic Pravara severed, in twain, the bow of S\u0101tyaki with\neight whetted shafts and pierced him with three more (68). When S\u0101tyaki\nthought of taking up another bow, that twice-born one, of great\nlight-handedness, struck him with a mace that could be hurled at the foe\n(69). Thereupon S\u0101tyaki, with a smile, took up his sword and buckler and\nthat intelligent one did not take up his bow as he was sorely wounded\nwith the bow. But the brave Pravara cut off the sword and buckler\nshooting a full hundred arrows (70). Thereupon Pradyumna, beholding that\ndelighter of the Yadus, namely Satyaki disarmed, gave him another sword\nbright like the cloudless sky (71). But Pravara, with a smile, cut off\neven that sword with a sharp Valla, when it was in the grasp of its\nowner (72). Thereupon with sharp straight arrows he began to mutilate\nS\u0101tyaki\u2019s skin; and that twice born one, struck on the breast with a\nlance, shouted out in joy (73). Then finding him over-powered Pravara\napproached Garuda on his car with a view to take away the P\u0101rij\u0101ta from\nhis back (74) Thereupon Garuda struck him with his wings so vehemently\nthat he, with his car, fell full four miles back and there fainted away\n(75). O king! Jayanta then hastened to pick up the Br\u0101hmana who was thus\nhurled back, and taking him up on his car cheered him (76). On the other\nhand, Pradyaumna consoled and cheered up his uncle the grandson of Sini\nwho was fainting and falling down over and over and embraced him (in\norder to infuse strength into him) (77). The slayer of Madhu then\ntouched Satyaki with his right hand; and instantly at the touch the\nlatter was free from pain and distress (78). Then Pradyumna and\nSatyaki\u2014the two foremost of warriors, placed themselves on the right and\nleft side of P\u0101rij\u0101ta respectively (in order to protect it) (79).\n\nOn the other hand, O Bh\u0101rata, the high-souled Mahendra beholding Jayanta\nand Pravara returning to the fight on the same chariot, smilingly said\nto them (80):\u2014\"Never and under no circumstances go near Garuda, the king\nof the feathery creation; the son of Vinat\u0101 is immensely mighty (81). Do\nyou both place yourselves armed on my left and right side and behold me\nfight (with Krishna)\" (82). Thus spoken to, those two heroes placed\nthemselves on both sides of Sakra and witnessed the fighting between\nIndra and Jan\u0101rddana (33).\n\nIndra then pierced Garuda on all parts of his body with arrows and\nmighty weapons of excellent make, whose sound resembled the rumble of\nthunder (84). But the highly powerful son of Vinat\u0101, that heroic subduer\nof his foes, without paying the least heed to those arrows, flew swiftly\ntowards the elephant of Sakra (85). Then those two mighty highly\npowerful, courageous and indomitable bird and elephant began to fight\nwith tremendous fierceness (86). Emitting loud roars that king of\nelephants Air\u0101vata then began to wound the enemy of the snakes with his\ntusks, trunk and head (87). The son of Vinat\u0101, of fierce strength, on\nthe other hand attacked the elephant of Indra, with his sharp claws and\nstrokes of wing (88). Within a moment the fight between the bird and the\nelephant grew dreadful, so much so as to strike terror into heart of the\nonlookers, and to cause astonishment to the whole universe (89).\nThereafter O Bh\u0101rata, Garuda, of mighty strength, struck Air\u0101vata on the\nhead with his fierce claws furnished with fearful talons (90). Afflicted\nsorely with the wound, O Janamajaya, the elephant fell from the heights\nof heaven on the top of that best of mountains the P\u0101rij\u0101tra that exists\non this island of ours (91). But as he fell, the mighty Sakra did not\nleave her, out of pity, friendliness and of his promise made before\n(92). The infallible and mighty Krishna, of supreme intelligence,\nfollowed him on Garuda carrying the P\u0101rij\u0101ta, tree (93). The slayer of\nKrita was thus born down to the Parijatra mountain.\n\nThen when Air\u0101vata regained strength, the battle between Krishna and\nIndra once more raged fiercely (94). They shot at each other\ngem-bedecked arrows resembling snakes in shape and carefully tempered\nand whetted on stone (95), O king, thereafter the wielder of the bolt of\nheaven hurled at Garuda, Air\u0101vata\u2019s enemy, his thunder again and again\nwith great noise (96). But that foremost of all beings possessed of\nprowess, that king of the birds incapable of being slain by any one,\npatiently endured all those strokes of thunder (97). But each time out\nof regard for the bolt of heaven and for his brother the heavenly king\nSakra, the king of birds plucked a feather from his wing (93). O king,\nthe mountain P\u0101rijatra then sank down under the weight of Garuda, and\ntrembling in all parts it went inside the earth (99). It emitted sweet\nsound in order to show respect for Krishna and Adokshaja then beheld\nonly a very small part of it above the earth (100). Thereupon forsaking\nit, he roared into the heaven, on the back of Garuda; and that creator\nof every thing and the protector of the worlds thereupon thus spoke to\nPradyumna (101):\u2014\"With the help of my energy do thou, O mighty-armed\none, repair to Dwark\u0101 and bring my chariot with D\u0101ruka without delay\n(102). O bestower of honor, thou shouldst inform Valabhadra and the\nruler of the Kukuras, that to-morrow after having defeated Indra, I will\nreturn to Dwark\u0101\" (103).\n\nThereupon saying \"So be it\" in reply to his father, the virtuous and\npowerful Pradyumna went to Dwark\u0101, and spoke to Ugrasena and Valabhadra\nthe words of his father\u2019s (104). Thereafter, O Bh\u0101rata, within a hour he\ncame back to the scene of fight riding on Krishna\u2019s car accompanied by\nD\u0101ruka (105).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXI. THE FIGHT BETWEEN GARUDA AND AIRAVATA\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Then Krishna, mounted on his car, went to the\nP\u0101rij\u0101tra mountain where the mighty Lord of the immortals was remaining\non the back of the Air\u0101vata (1). Then that foremost of mountains, the\nP\u0101rijatra, that knew the powers of the high-souled son of Valadeva, on\nbeholding Jan\u0101rddana approach, entered into the earth, becoming as small\nas a stone for grinding sandal. O foremost of kings, Keshava was then\nhighly pleased with the mountain (2-3).\n\nO delighter of the Kurus, when Krishna proceeded to renew the fight,\nGaruda, with P\u0101rij\u0101ta on its back, followed him from behind (4). The\nhighly powerful S\u0101tyaki and Pradyumna, those two subduers of their foes,\nalso went there on the back of Garuda in order to protect the P\u0101rij\u0101ta\ntree (5). By that time the sun went down the horizon and night set in.\nBut the battle between Sakra and Keshava commenced anew, O king (6) The\nhighly powerful Krishna, then beholding the elephant Air\u0101vata sorely\nafflicted with the wounds inflicted on him, thus addressed the king of\nthe celestials (7):\u2014\n\n\"O mighty-armed one, the foremost of elephants Air\u0101vata has been sorely\nwounded by Garuda: night also grows on apace (8). Let us refrain from\nfighting (now). Do as thou wishest to-morrow morning again.\" Thereupon\nthe mighty king of the celestials replied to him saying \"Let it be so\nthen (9).\"\n\nO foremost of kings, the king of the gods Purandara of illustrious soul\nthen, erecting a temporary shade with stones, stopped there near the\nPuskara for the night (10). Then Brahm\u0101, the mighty sage Kasyapa, Aditi,\nand other gods and sages came to him there (11). O ruler of men, O\ndescendant of the Kuru dynasty, the S\u0101dhyas, Viswadevas, the Aswini\nKumaras, the Adityas, the Rudras, and the Vasus also assembled there\n(12).\n\nOn the other hand, O Bh\u0101rata, N\u0101r\u0101yana also remained on that delightful\nmountain P\u0101rij\u0101tra accompanied by his son and S\u0101tyaki (13). The highly\neffulgent one then bestowed a boon on the mountain P\u0101rij\u0101tra that, out\nof regard for him, O king, had assumed the shape of a grinding stone\n(14). \"O mighty mountain, thou shalt be called S\u0101napada; and thou shalt\nbe auspicious and holy like the Himalaya Mountain (15). O foremost of\nmountains, be thou thus great; and abounding in numerous kinds of gems,\ndo thou outvie the celebrated Meru mountain. I shall ever be glad to see\nthee full of different kinds of precious stones\" (16).\n\nThus having bestowed the boon on that mountain, Keshava, after due\nsalutation to the God having the emblem of the bull, remembered that\nforemost of rivers, the Ganges (17). O Bh\u0101rata, thus remembered by\nKrishna, the river Vishnupadi (having the feet of Vishnu for its source)\ncame there, and Krishna, having worshipped her, performed his ablutions\nin her waters (18). Then the Eternal Hari, taking up the water of that\nsacred river Gang\u0101 and leaves of Bilwa, invited therewith the god Rudra,\nlord of all lords of all things (19). Thereupon the God Mah\u0101deva,\naccompanied by Um\u0101 and attended by their followers, revealed himself\nthere on the Ganga\u2019s water and the Bel leaves (20). Keshava worshipped\nhim with the flowers of the P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree and that eloquent speaker then\nbegan to eulogise that lord of lords, the creator of all thus (21):\u2014\n\nThe auspicious Krishna said:\u2014\"O God I thou confinest the beings (of thy\ncreations) in M\u0101y\u0101 and destroyest it; because thou manifestest thyself\nthrough sound that pervades the universe to beings as soon as they are\nborn\u2014for this reason thou art called Rudra; thou art self manifest, O\nLord; I entirely resign myself to thy benign protection. Do thou crown\nme, devoted to thy devotees, and beloved of thy beloved\u2014with fame (22).\nAs thou art the lord of all creatures both of those who are attached to\nthe followers of life and those that have renounced them\u2014thou art\ndesignated Pasupati\u2014(Lord of all creatures). Thou art the performer of\nall acts. O god of gods! There exists no master of the universe superior\nto thyself that slayeth foes of the celestial heroes (23). In as much as\nthou art, O lord, the beginning, the giver of life and the cause of\ncontentment of all the great divine masters, therefore art thou called\nthe God of gods, by the learned and the pious who are conversant with\nthe essential meaning of all the Shastras (24). Because O source of all\nintelligence, O lord of all manifest creation, the visible world is\nbegotten of thee thou art the self-create, the creator of all\ncreators\u2014the benign bestower of boons and designated _Bhava_ (the source\nfrom which any thing is born) (25). O God over all gods, in as much as\nthou wert coronated by all the defeated gods and Asuras and all other\ncreatures, therefore art thou denominated Maheswara (the highest\ndivinity) the maker of the universe (26). O bestower of boons, O thou of\nimmeasurable prowess, thou art the object of adoration of everybody and\ntherefore, it is that gods, desirous of their own welfare, always\nworship thee, and for this reason again thou art celebrated by the name\nBhagav\u0101n that is loved by the pious; and it indicates thy presence in\nthe soul of all creatures (27). O foremost of the lords of the Paradise,\nO Infinite one! O god, in as much as thou art the cause of production\nand of the thirteen elements (such as earth, sky, space, sun, fire and\nthe wind, &c., &c.) therefore art thou principally called Tryambaka of\nimmeasurable fame (28). Thou art designated Sarva for thou subduest thy\nfoes and Aprameya for none can overpower thee. Thou art called\nall-pervading for thou rulest everything by such principles as Raja,\n&c.; thou art designated Sankara for thou art the source of pleasure;\nthou art the Lord of sound for the Veda is thy word and _Ark\u0101grateja_\nfor thy effulgence is more than that of the sun (29). O Lord of all, as\nthou dost ever crown them with bliss who are thy devotees and dost\ninstruct even thy foes the Asuras for their good, it is for thy this\nuniversal blissful aspect that the pious, conversant with the essence of\nvirtue, call thee the self-manifest Sankara of infinite prowess (30). O\nIshvar of immense prowess! In the days of yore the lord of the\ncelestials struck thee on the throat with his thunder; but although\ncapable of retaliating it thou didst, out of affection, suffer thy\nthroat to be rendered blue; for this reason thou art celebrated by the\nname of the Blue-throated (31). O Somadeva, thou art identical with all\nthe male and female indications amongst the mobile and immobile\ncreation, therefore do the Br\u0101hmanas, conversant with the essence of\nthings, call thee the ever adorable Amvic\u0101, the protectress of the\nuniverse and also call thee the source of qualified existence (as\nopposed to absolute one) (32). Thou art that _Mahattatwu_ which the\nmysterious force known as M\u0101y\u0101 in the Vedas produceth, and that is\nendowed with conceptual and active energies. Thou art the Yajna of those\ninitiated into those ceremonies, their prime energy, and the great\n_atman_ of the Yogis; therefore there has not been, does not exist, and\nwill not be, such a being as thyself (33). O God of gods, Myself,\nBrahm\u0101, Kapila, Antadeva, and the illustrious sons of Brahm\u0101 have all\nbeen produced by thy parts; and thou art the lord of all, the essential\ncause of all and the only absolute One that deservest homage\" (34).\n\nThus eulogised the god Mah\u0101deva, having the bull for his emblem,\nextended his right arm and thus spoke to N\u0101r\u0101yana (35):\u2014\"O best of gods,\nthou shalt obtain the things desired by thee; thou shalt carry away the\nP\u0101rij\u0101ta tree; and thy mind shall not feel the least pain (of\ndisappointment) (36). O powerful Krishna, do thou compose thyself\nremembering the austerities thou didst practise on the Main\u0101ka mountain\nand the boon I bestowed on thee on that occasion (37). \u2019Thou shalt be\nincapable of being slain\u2019, \u2019Thou shalt be invincible,\u2019 and \u2019Thou shalt\nbe ever more indomitable than myself\u2019\u2014these and such words which I spoke\nto thee then-shall be so and not otherwise (_i.e._ they shall be true to\nthe letter) (38). Moreover, O foremost and virtuous among the gods\u2014he,\nthat will pray to me with this hymn of praise composed by thee, shall\nattain the highest virtue and victory ever his foes in battle and homage\nof the highest kind (39). O sinless one, O lord of the gods, worshipped\nhere by thyself, I shall be called Villodakesara and fulfill the desire\nof all that will approach me (40). O Keshava, O Jan\u0101rddana, whatsoever\nlearned and worshipful devotee will pass three nights here, observing\nfast, shall attain to such regions as he may desire (41). Here also\nshall the Ganges (sacred river) be called Avindhy\u0101; and ablutions,\nperformed in its water after due recitation of Mantras, will be equally\nmeritorious with those performed in the Ganges itself (42). O mighty\nJan\u0101rddana, on the summit of this mountain, within the caves underneath\nthe ground there is a stronghold of the D\u0101navas called Satpura. Hidden\ninside that fastness live mighty D\u0101navas of wicked soul\u2014who are so many\nthorns in the ways of the gods and in the universe (43-44). O sinless\none, through the virtue of a boon bestowed on them by Brahm\u0101, they are,\nO God, incapable of being slain by the celestials; therefore do thou, O\nKeshava, slay them, disguised as thou art now in a human semblance\"\n(43).\n\nHaving thus spoken and after embracing V\u0101sudeva, O ruler of men, the god\nMah\u0101deva disappeared on the spot (46). Thus after Mahadeva\u2019s departure,\nand on the dawn of day, O ruler of men, Govinda, addressing the mountain\n(P\u0101rij\u0101tra) said:\u2014\"O foremost of mountains, underneath you live mighty\nAsuras, incapable of being slain by the gods, by virtue of a boon\nbestowed on them by Brahm\u0101 (48). Although highly powerful they shall not\nbe able to come out when I confine them (within the Earth underneath\nyou); and their avenues thus cut off they shall die in that place (49).\nO mighty mountain, I shall also be enshrined on you\u2014and O mountain, I\nshall live on your heights holding in check the dreadful Asuras (50). O\nforemost of mountains, who ever climbing upon your top shall behold my\nimage there, he shall attain to the merit of giving away a thousand cows\n(51). Those, that will every day devoutly worship me constructing an\nemblem of mine with your stones, shall attain to my condition\" (52).\n\nThus the boon-giving Vishnu favored that master and thenceforward that\ninfallible God is enshrined there (53). And there, O descendant of\nKurus, persons of purified souls always worship him having constructed a\nimage with the stone of that mountain, with a view to attain to the\nVishnu Loka (54).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXII. INDRA FIGHTS WITH KRISHNA\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having saluted then the Lord of Vilwa and water,\nKrishna, the high-minded slayer of Madhu, went away on his own car; and\nseated thereon he invited the king of gods accompanied by the celestials\nnear Pushkara (1-2).\n\nThereupon the effulgent Sakra, the granter of all desires unto the pious\nand Jayanta got upon cars drawn by most excellent horses (3). O\ndescendant of Kurus, then under the influence of destiny there took\nplace an encounter between those two celestials mounted on their cars on\naccount of the P\u0101rij\u0101ta. With straight-coursing arrows Vishnu, the\nrepresser of enemies\u2019 army, struck the soldiers of the king of gods.\nAlthough capable however, O lord, Indra did not strike Upendra in battle\nnor the latter the former (4\u20136). O king, with ten sharpened arrows\nJan\u0101rddana struck each of the horses of the king of gods: V\u0101sava too,\nthe foremost of the celestials, with dreadful shafts shot off the bow,\ncovered Shaiyya and other horses (7-8). With a thousand of arrows\nKrishna covered the elephant (of Indra) and the highly powerful slayer\nof Bali covered Garuda too (9). O descendant of Bharata, while in this\nway, seated on their cars the high-souled N\u0101r\u0101yana, dreadful unto his\nenemies and the king of gods fought with each another, the earth shook\nlike a boat sunk in water and the quarters were fully enshrouded with\nlustre (10-11). Mountains shook, hundreds of trees were uprooted and\npious mortals fell down on earth (12). O king, hundreds of hurricane\nblew there. And while that battle raged on, the course of the rivers was\nchanged in an opposite direction, the wind blew wild, fire-brands, shorn\nof lustre, fell down and creatures repeatedly lost their consciousness\nat the rattle of the car-wheels. What more, O king, fire was lighted\neven in the water and planets fought with planets in the sky (13\u201315).\nAnd hundreds of stars fell down on earth from the sky. Elephants of the\nquarters and those ranging on earth began to quiver (16). The welkin was\ncovered with cranes emitting loud cries, pouring down dreadful blood and\nash-coloured like asses (17). O foremost of kings, beholding those two\nheroic gods engaged in fighting with each other the earth, heaven and\nsky as if disappeared from view (18). At that time for the behoof of the\nworld the ascetics began to recite Mantras and the Br\u0101hmanas speedily\nengaged in carrying on meditations (19).\n\nThereupon the highly powerful Brahm\u0101 said to Kashyapa:\u2014\"O you of firms\nvows, go with your wife Aditi and prevent your two sons\" (20). Saying\n\"So be it\" to the lotus-sprung deity the ascetic speedily went out on\nhis car to that foremost of men (21). Beholding Kashyapa with Aditi in\nthe battle-field those two heroic and highly powerful slayers of their\nenemies, ever engaged in the welfare of all beings and well-read in the\ntenets of religions, got down from their cars, and leaving off their\narms, saluted the feet of their parents (22\u201323). Then holding them both\nby the hands Aditi said:\u2014\"Born of the same parents you are trying to\nslay each other as if you are not brothers. Let pass what has happened.\nIf you think that you should obey the words of your mother and those of\nyour patriarchal father, then lay down your arms and hear what I say.\"\nSaying \"So be it\" those two highly powerful celestials, conversing with\neach other, went to the bank of the river J\u0101nhavi (24\u201327).\n\nSakra said:\u2014\"O Krishna, thou art the Lord Creator of the universe and I\nhave been placed by thee in my kingdom. Having thyself established me\nhere why dost thou disregard me? O thou of lotus eyes, having accepted\nme as thy elder brother why dost thou wish to destroy me?\" (28\u201329)\n\nO king, having bathed in the water of the river J\u0101nhavi they both\nreturned to the high-souled Kashyapa of firm vows and Aditi (30). The\nascetics designate that place as the union ground of dear ones where\nthose two lotus-eyed brothers were united with their parents (31). O\ndescendant of Kurus, after Krishna had promised safety unto Indra in the\nvery presence of the pious celestials who were assembled there, they\nall, shining in their respective beautiful forms, repaired to the\ncelestial region on their own cars (32\u201333). O king, seated on one car\nKashyapa, Aditi, Indra and Upendra set out for the celestial region\n(34), O descendant of Kuru, after those pious gods had come to Sakra,\nendued with all qualities and taken their seats, Sachi, ever fond of\nvirtue, adored the high souled Kashyapa along with his wife, ever\nengaged in the well-being of all creatures (35-36). Thereupon after the\nnight had elapsed Aditi, conversant with the principles of religion,\nsaid to Hari ever encompassing good unto creatures (37). \"O Upendra!\ntake this P\u0101rij\u0101ta, go to Dwark\u0101 and perform the auspicious festival so\nlonged for by your wife. But, O foremost of men, when that ceremony will\nbe over, you are to bring back this tree and place it as before in the\ngarden of Nandana\" (38\u201339).\n\nHearing this Krishna said to the illustrious mother of the gods \"So be\nit.\" The high-souled N\u0101rada too gave consent to it (40). Thereupon\nhaving saluted his mother, father and Mahendra with Sachi Jan\u0101rddana\nexpressed his desire of going to Dw\u0101rak\u0101 (41). The pious daughter of\nPuloma handed over to Krishna many lovely ornaments for his wives (42).\nFor the sixteen thousand wives of M\u0101dhava the high-minded daughter of\nPuloma gave diverse celestial jewels and raiments of various colours.\nHaving accepted all those presents and been honored by the pious rangers\nof the sky the highly energetic and effulgent Keshava set out with\nPradyumna and S\u0101tyaki for Dw\u0101rak\u0101 and arrived at the mount Raivataka.\nHaving planted there the foremost of trees P\u0101rij\u0101ta M\u0101dhava despatched\nS\u0101tyaki to Dw\u0101rak\u0101 consisting of doors (43\u201346).\n\nKrishna said:\u2014\"O large-armed king of Bhaimas, communicate this news to\nthe Bhaimas that I brought here P\u0101rij\u0101ta from the abode of Mahendra\n(47). Even to-day I shall take to Dwarak\u0101 this best of trees P\u0101rij\u0101ta:\nlet the city be decorated with auspicious marks\" (48). O lord, thus\naccosted Satyaki departed. And having communicated Krishna\u2019s words to\nthe Bhaimas he joined the citizens and the princes headed by S\u0101mva (49).\nThereupon having placed P\u0101rij\u0101ta on Garuda\u2019s back and taking him before,\nPradyumna, the foremost of car-warriors, entered the charming city of\nDwaraka (50). Hari, seated on a car drawn by Shaivya and other horses,\nand S\u0101tyaki and Pradyumna, seated on another most excellent car,\nfollowed him. O king, speaking highly of that deed of Keshava, other\nmembers of the Vrishni family set out delightedly on various conveyances\n(51-52). Hearing from Satyaki of the wonderful feat of Keshava of\nincomparable energy the Yadu citizens of Anartta were filled with\nsurprise. Now beholding that tree covered with heavenly flowers they\ncould not attain to the consummation of delight though they repeatedly\nlooked at it (53\u201354). Beholding that unthought-of, most excellent and\nwonderful tree filled with playful birds, even the decrepitude of the\nelderly women disappeared. Smelling the fragrance of that tree the blind\nwere gifted with celestial vision and the diseased were shorn of their\nailments (55\u201356). Hearing the notes of the birds from that tree\nresembling those of a koel the inhabitants of Anartta were filled with\ndelight and saluted Jan\u0101rddana (57). Though living at a distance people\nof that city listened to various sweet songs and music proceeding from\nthat tree (58). At that time every man was favoured with whatever\nfragrance he wished for proceeding from that P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree (59). Having\nthus entered the charming city of Dw\u0101rak\u0101, Keshava, of Yadu\u2019s race, met\nwith Vasudeva, Devaki, his brother Bala, the king of Kukura, and other\nY\u0101davas, worthy of respect like unto the immortals (60\u201361). Having\nhonored them duly the eternal and divine Madhusudana, having Gada as his\nelder brother, dismissed them all and set out for his own residence. And\ntaking that best of trees P\u0101rij\u0101ta he entered into Satyabh\u0101m\u0101\u2019s palace.\nSeeing it the divine Satyabh\u0101m\u0101 was highly pleased; and having adored\nUpendra she accepted that great tree P\u0101rij\u0101ta (62\u201364).\n\nO descendant of Bharata, according to Vasudeva\u2019s desire that tree used\nto lessen its proportion. It created great surprise in all. O\nJanamejaya, it, sometimes assuming a huge proportion, used to cover the\nwhole of Dwarak\u0101, and again it came within the reach of all being of the\nshape of a thumb. Having thus accomplished her object Satyabh\u0101m\u0101 began\nto collect all materials for the performance of the rite of Punyaka.\nKrishna collected all that could be had in the insular continent of\nJamvu. O descendant of Kuru, thereupon seated with Satya the\nself-controlled Keshava, for taking the vow, thought of the ascetic\nN\u0101rada (65\u201369).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXIII. SATYA PERFORM THE RITE.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O descendant of Kuru, as soon as he was thought of\nby Krishna, that foremost of Munis and speakers, N\u0101rada, having\nasceticism for his wealth, arrived there (1), O king, having worshipped\nhim duly, the beautiful lord of Sree invited him reverentially to accept\nthe Punyaka ceremonies (2). O descendant of Bharata, thereupon when the\nappointed hour came, the eternal V\u0101sudeva, the creator of all creatures,\nalong with the beloved Saty\u0101, delightedly worshipped the great Muni\nN\u0101rada, who had been well bathed, with scents and garlands and fed him\n(3\u20134). Thereupon the lucky damsel, having a put garland of flowers,\naround Krishna\u2019s neck, bound him to the P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree (5). Afterwards\nobtaining his permission she dedicated Keshava unto N\u0101rada. Then she\ngave away sessamum seeds illumined with the lustre of jems and jewels,\ngold mixed with rice and other plants, mountains of gold and a thousand\nkine (6\u20137).\n\nHaving accepted all those articles the Muni Narada, the foremost of\nspeakers, delightedly said to Keshava:\u2014\"O Keshava, given by Satya\ntogether with water thou hast become mine. Do thou follow me and do what\nI say.\" Hearing it Jan\u0101rddana said \"This is the first stage\" and began\nto follow N\u0101rada who was about to go (8\u201310). Having thus cut various\njokes and saying \"do thou wait here, I shall go\" that foremost of Munis,\nalways clever in cutting jokes, took away (from Krishna\u2019s neck) the\ngarland of flowers and said: \"In order to release thyself do thou give\nme a Kapil\u0101 cow with a calf and the skin of a black antelope full of\nsessamum seeds and gold. This means of release has been laid down by the\ngod (Siva) having a bull for his emblem\" (11\u201413). O king, Jan\u0101rddana\nsaid \"So be it\" and offered him the same fee of release. And then\nsmilingly he said to that foremost of Munis N\u0101rada:\u2014\"O N\u0101rada, O you\nconversant with religion, I have been greatly pleased with you. Pray for\na desired-for boon and I will grant it\" (14\u201315).\n\nNarada said:\u2014\"O thou eternal and great Vishnu, may thou always remain\npleased with me and may I, with thy favour, obtain habitation with thee\n(16). O Vishnu the refuge of the pious, if I am to take birth again may\nI be born of no woman and be a Br\u0101hmana\" (17).\n\nO descendant of Bharata, the Lord Vishnu said \"So it will be\" and the\nhighly intelligent Muni N\u0101rada too was pleased (18). O Kuru Emperor,\nSatyabh\u0101m\u0101, the beloved wife of Hari, had invited on the occasion of the\nPunyaka ceremony, the sixteen thousand wives of the highly powerful\nVishnu. And at the termination of the ceremony she distributed amongst\nthem all those celestial raiments and ornaments which Sachi had\npreviously given to V\u0101sudeva (19\u201320). Living there, P\u0101rij\u0101ta, at the\ncommand of V\u0101sudeva, began to display its own accomplishments. And\ninvited by the high-souled N\u0101rada and Keshava all their friends and\nrelations began to witness the power of P\u0101rij\u0101ta (21\u201322). On the\noccasion of that great festival the highly powerful Hari had brought\nthere the Pandavas along with Prith\u0101, Draupadi, and Subhadr\u0101. O Kuru\nking, Shrutasrav\u0101, with her son, Bhishmaka with his son and other\nfriends and relations were also brought there (23\u201324). O king, in this\nway, the highly energetic Jan\u0101rddana, along with Pritha\u2019s son Arjuna,\nbegan to spend his time happily in the company of the ladies of his\nseraglio (25). In this way after a year had elapsed the highly powerful\nKeshava, of incomparable prowess and intelligence, the foremost of\nimmortals and the preserver of all, returned with P\u0101rij\u0101ta to the city\nof the celestials and saluted Sakra, Aditi, and Kashyapa (26-27). After\nthe slayer of Madhu had bowed unto the mother Aditi she said:\u2014\"O\nforemost of immortals, may you both always entertain such a brotherly\nfeeling. O Jan\u0101rddana, you are to satisfy this desire of mine.\" Hearing\nit the intelligent Keshava said to his mother. \"It shall be so\" (28-29).\nThereupon having honored his parents the highly energetic V\u0101sudeva\naddressed to the king of gods, the following words suited to the\noccasion (30). \"O king of gods, O giver of honor, I have been commanded\nby the high-souled Siva, to destroy all the unslayable D\u0101navas living on\nearth. From to-day within ten days I will kill all those Asuras. O king\nof gods, at the time of that battle, Pravara, together with the heroic\nJayanta, shall have to wait in the sky for slaying those D\u0101navas. Of\nthem one is a god in a human form and the other is the son of a god\n(31\u201333). Although those D\u0101navas, proud of the boon conferred on them by\nBrahm\u0101, are unslayable by the gods, still we will kill them for I am now\na man (34).\" Then Indra, pleased, said to Krishna \"So it will be.\" And\nthen, O Janamejaya, they embraced each other (35).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXIV. THE HISTORY OF THE PUNYAKA RITE.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O foremost of the twice-born, by the grace of\nDwaip\u0101yana you are informed of all things. Relate to me, therefore, the\norigin of the religious rite of Punyaka (1).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O foremost of the pious kings, hear, how, according\nto the ordinances of Um\u0101, the rite of Punyaka was introduced before\namongst mankind (2) O sinless king, after the tree P\u0101rij\u0101ta had been\ncarried away from the celestial region by Krishna of unwearied actions,\nthe battle between the gods and demons had commenced and the dreadful\nslaughter of the D\u0101navas, of Shatpur, had been brought about the\nintelligent Muni N\u0101rada went to the city of Dw\u0101ravati (3\u20134). O king,\nafter the goddess-like J\u0101mvavati, the honorable Satyabh\u0101na, the ascetic\ndaughter of the king of G\u0101ndh\u0101ra and numberless other virtuous, chaste\nand accomplished wives of Keshava had assembled there, Rukshmini, the\ndaughter of Bhishma, asked the foremost of Br\u0101hmanas N\u0101rada, well read\nin theology, who was there with Krishna. Rukshmini said:\u2014\"O Muni, O\nforemost of speakers and virtuous men, we are greatly stricken with\ncuriosity to listen to an account of the origin of pious rites, the\nrules regulating their performance, fruits, time and gifts connected\nwith them. Kindly remove it by describing them in detail (5-9).\"\n\nNarada said:\u2014O sinless lady Vaidharbi, cognizant of religious rites,\nhear how Um\u0101 described the regulations of the Punyaka rite in the days\nof yore (10). O goddess, on one occasion, the goddess Um\u0101, of pure vows,\nperformed the religious rite of Punyaka; and at the termination of the\nceremony she invited all her friends. Aditi and other daughters of\nDaksha of indomitable energy, Pulom\u0101\u2019s daughter Sachi, renowned in the\nworld for her devotion to her husband, the great Sati, Soma\u2019s beloved\nspouse Rohini, Purvaphalguni, Revati, Shatabhis\u0101 and Magh\u0101 had all come\nthere before and had been worshipping the great goddess Um\u0101 (11\u201314). The\nworshipful presiding goddesses of the charming rivers Gang\u0101, Saraswati,\nVena, God\u0101, Vaitarani, Gandaki and others, the auspicious and chaste\nlady Lopamudr\u0101 and others who, all, by virtue of their own prowess, have\nbeen upholding the universe, the auspicious daughters of the mountains,\nthe daughters of the fire, of firm vows, Sh\u0101h\u0101, the wife of the Regent\nof fire, the illustrious goddess S\u0101vitri, Hriddhi, the beloved wife of\nKuvera, the queen of the lord of waters, the wife of the Regent of\ndeparted manes, the wives of Vasus, the ascetic and vow-observing Hri,\nShree, Dhriti, Kirti, Ash\u0101, Medh\u0101, Priti, Mati, Khy\u0101ti, Sannati and\nother chaste ladies, ever engaged in the well-being of creatures, (were\nall present there) O highly youthful lady. At the termination of the\nceremony Amvik\u0101, with mountains of various corns and jewels, cloths of\nvarious colours and most excellent ornaments, honored them all (15-21).\nHaving accepted the offerings of the goddess those chaste ascetic ladies\ntook their seats and engaged in conversation on different topics (22). O\nthou having thy husband as thy god, when the subject of the Punyaka rite\nwas cropped up in the course of their conversation the goddess spoke\nmany things about it and of the regulations regarding its performance\n(23).\n\nThereupon with the consent of that assembly of chaste ladies Arundhati,\nthe daughter of Soma, addressed the goddess Um\u0101 about the most important\nregulation regarding the Punyaka rite (24). O Vaidarbhi, to please them\nall, the goddess Um\u0101, compassing the well-being of all creatures, gave\nthem an account of religious rites in my presence (25). O fair one, at\nthat time Um\u0101 made over the mountain of jewels to me; and I too, having\naccepted that present, dedicated it to the service of the Br\u0101hmanas\n(26). O auspicious lady, listen, with all these (ladies), to what I saw\nabout the Punyaka rites and what Um\u0101 said to the chaste Arundhati. I\nshall relate it in full from the very beginning (27-28).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXV. PUNYAKA DESCRIBED BY UMA.\n\n\nUma said:\u2014O you of pure smiles, when by the grace of my lord I became\nomniscient I came to know of the sacred regulations of all the religious\nrites (1). O Arundhati, although the regulation of sacred rites exists\neternally I however came to know of it through the favour of Mah\u0101deva\n(2). O you blameless lady, by the command of my husband, the divine and\nintelligent Bhava, I performed the religions rites (3). In the Puranas\nthe religious rites have been sanctioned for them who desire to practise\nchastity and holy rites. O pious Arundhati, gifts, fastings and\nperformance of good and religious works are fruitless for unchaste women\n(4-5). Religious rites are contaminated by the sin of sexual\nintercourse. Thereupon those, who deceive their husbands or hold a\nsinful intercourse, do not attain to the fruits of sacred rites; on the\nother hand they go to hell (6). Those good-natured and chaste damsels,\nhaving husband for their God, are upholding the universe, who do not\nknow any other man but their lord, who cherish whole-minded devotion for\nvirtue and who follow the way of a chaste woman as their only refuge\n(7). Those, who do not commit sin even by speech, who are pure,\nintelligent, sweet-speeched and always perform pious rites, are\npreserving the world (8). A wife, under no circumstances, should\nrelinquish her husband even if he be poor, diseased or outcasted. Such\nis the eternal virtue (9). A wife can save herself and her husband even\nif he be devoid of accomplishments, if he perpetrates wrong deeds and be\noutcasted (10). In the Vedas the sages have laid down purificatory rites\nfor women who commit sin by words. But there is no penance (laid down)\nfor them who commit sin by sexual intercourse; consider them as fallen\nfor ever (11). O blessed lady, the woman, who wishes to wend the ways of\nthe pious, should perform rites and fasts according to the desire of her\nhusband (12). By a promiscuous intercourse a woman is born in a degraded\nbirth. And she does not attain to a better life even within a thousand\nbirths (13). If accidently an unchaste woman is born as a woman she is\nborn as a Chand\u0101la, becomes highly wicked and lives on a dog\u2019s flesh\n(14). O you having asceticism for your wealth, the sages have designated\nthe husband as the God of women. She is a pious and chaste woman with\nwhom her husband is pleased (15). There is no sacred region for those\nwomen whose fall has been brought about by curiosity. O gentle lady,\nthose women, whose minds are devoted to and fixed on their husbands, and\nwho do not disregard them even by their words, actions and mind, attain\nto the fruits of religious rites. Such has been laid down by those who\nare engaged in religious ceremonies (16\u201317). O beautiful lady, listen\nyou all to the regulations of religious rites intended for the celestial\nregion which I have witnessed by virtue of my asceticism (18).\n\nO you of firm vows, having risen up early in the morning and bathed, a\nchaste woman, desirous of performing a penance or fasting, should salute\nthe feet of her father-in-law and mother-in-law and then communicate it\nto her husband. Then taking Kusa grass and a copper vessel she should\nfirst sprinkle the right horn of a cow with water. And then with this\nwater she should sprinkle first the head of her husband who had\ncontrolled himself and performed ablutions. She should then pour it on\nher own head. In the code of ordinances this practice is called bathing\nat all the holy shrines (19\u201322). O great Arundhati, while performing a\nVrata or a fast both the husband and wife should bathe in this way (23).\nBy Hara\u2019s energy and by virtue of my asceticism I have seen it myself.\nWhile performing a religious ceremony one should herself wash her feet;\nand using an arrow, sleeping and sitting are forbidden. While fasting or\nperforming a Vrata, a woman should not shed tears, quarrel or be angry\nor else she would be immediately fallen (24\u201325). O you born of the Moon,\non the occasion of a Vrata or a fast, a woman should use a white cloth\nand a white under-vest. She should use shoes made of reeds and such-like\ngrasses. She should avoid collyrium, perfumeries and flowers. Without\nrubbing her teeth with a piece of wood and washing her head she should\nperform all the purificatory rites with earth. With Vilwa and Amlaki\nmixed with water and free from earth she should wash her head. She\nshould rub oil on her head, feet and body. While fasting or performing a\nVrata one should always avoid conveyances drawn by bullocks, camels and\nasses and should not bathe naked. O auspicious daughter of Soma, it is\nbetter to bathe in the water of a river or fountain, not to speak of\nbathing in the tanks and wells full of water-born plants, which is\nalways regarded greatly. It is not con venient for women, who do not\ncome out publicly, consequently they are allowed to bathe with water\nfrom a vessel. In such a procedure the ancient custom is to use new\nvessels. One, washing her head in this way, attains to the fruits of\nTapas (26-35).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXVI. THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.\n\n\nUma said:\u2014Thus according to all the prescribed rules a self-controlled\nand chaste woman should observe the vow either for one year, six months\nor one month; and afterwards, she must reverentially invite eleven\nchaste women. O auspicious lady, I have myself observed this sacred rule\n(1-2). Having taken those chaste ladies from their husbands after paying\nthem the proper return the principal lady should dedicate them along\nwith water to the preceptor. And having taken them back from the\npreceptor, paying him his fees according to the practices of the country\nand time she should return them to their husbands (3). Thereupon at the\nend of the month in the light fort-night after offering adoration she\nshould bring about the termination of the rite (4). In order to\naccomplish her Vrata, a woman, bent upon performing it, should day and\nnight fast just at the beginning and at the termination (5). Thus when\nVrata terminates she should make her husband trim his nails and crop his\nhairs. And she should also do it herself. Such is laid down in the Sruti\n(6). Thereafter, O auspicious lady, she should bathe and adorn herself\nwith ornaments and garlands as on the occasion of a wedding (7).\nThereupon saluting her husband\u2019s feet either with mind or with words,\nshe, after reciting the following _Mantra_, should bathe with water in\nthe pot (8). \"Water is the procreator of the Rishis and the preserver of\nthe universe. It is born in the celestial region and is called Madanti\n(in a sacrifice). It is the origin of piety and therefore delightful. It\nis pure and purifying. Let it therefore, with juice productive of\nhighest good, cover me with blessings (9). This hymn, (offered) to water\nis heard everywhere. O you of perfectly beautiful limbs, listen now to\nMantras sanctioned by the Puranas for women which run as follows (10).\n\n\"\u2019May I do good unto my husband, may I not waste money, may I be\naccomplished, and perform religious rites with my husband and serve him\nas a slave for a boon. May I not disregard my husband with deeds, mind,\nor words. And even when enraged may I follow him (11). May I reign\nsupreme over the other wives of my husband, be gifted with a charming\nbeauty, be fortunate, a mother of sons, liberal in distributing food,\nspeak of others\u2019 accomplishments and be free from poverty by every means\n(12). May my husband be of a beautiful face; may he depend on me, be\ndevoted to me, have his mind fixed on me and follow me. May our\nattachment be like that of a pair of _Chakrav\u0101ka_ birds; may not\ndisaffection grow between us and may we be crowned with auspiciousness\n(13). May I go to the region of those most excellently chaste women,\nwho, having attained to highest culture through devotion to their\nhusbands, have purified the families of their father and husband and who\nhave been upholding the whole universe (14). May the earth, air, water,\nether, fire, sky, the soul, nature, the principles of greatness and\negoism and the sages, who are my witness, remember my penances and\nreverential faith (15). May the elemental creation, existing everywhere,\nwho are engaged in the works of creatures, who are born of men and\notherwise and are pervaded by the qualities of Satwa, etc., and who have\nworked out the bodies of creatures, witness my Vrata and reverential\nfaith (16). May the sun and moon, the witness of pious works, Yama, the\nten quarters and my mind always bear testimony to my penances and\nresolution (17)\u2019. From the very beginning of a Vrata all the articles\nshould be inspired every day with the _mantra_, for such is laid down in\nthe Puranas (18). O auspicious Arundhati, after bathing thus she should\npresent to her husband two pieces of raiment made by her own hand. If by\nan impediment those two pieces of cloth are not made by her own hand,\nshe should present another fresh white cloth together with thread spun\nby her own hands (19\u201320), O youthful lady, afterwards she should feed,\nas mush as lies in her power, along with her husband, another Br\u0101hmana\nendued with discriminative knowledge, self-controlled and pure (21). She\nshould also give to the Br\u0101hmana two pieces of cloth, beds, conveyances,\ncorns and a house consisting of servants, male and female (22). She\nshould also, according to her power, give ornaments and diverse sorts of\ncorn especially a mountain of jems mixed with sessamum seeds (23). She\nshould also give elephants, horses, and kine, covered with sheets of\ndiverse colours (24). She should also give salt, butter, treacle, honey,\ngold, various perfumeries, juice, flowers, silver, copper vessels, all\nsorts of fruits, raiments, wood, stone, curd, milk, clarified butter,\nDurva and other articles, which she wishes. With them she should present\nbeautiful idols of Um\u0101 and Maheshwara and their likenesses in painting.\nO chaste lady, all the gifts should be given away according to the\nhusband\u2019s desire and in agreement with his means, country and time,\neither small or great (25\u201329). If the husband permits her she should\nalso give away vessels full of sessamum seeds and Kapil\u0101 kine with\nbell-metalled vessels (30). O blameless and lucky damsel, if one gives\naway the skin of a black antelope together with sessamum and raiments, a\nmirror, and deer-skin, she attains to all desired-for objects (31), O\nyou of a fair face, if a woman thus performs a _Vrata_ (rite) she\nbecomes the foremost of her sex, lucky, a mother of sons, beautiful,\nliberal, rich and of lotus-eyes. She also gets a daughter, beautiful and\naccomplished after her own heart. Those, who make presents in this way,\nbecome the foremost of all lucky women, mother of sons, rich and endued\nwith accomplishments (32-34), O Arundhati, because I was the first\nperson to perform this _Vrata_, it passes, in the world, by the name of\n_Um\u0101-Vrata_ (35), O blameless lady, this is the best of Vratas that\nwomen can perform. And if they make presents according to the ordinances\nof this Vrata they acquire all desired-for objects (36). O gentle lady,\npropitiated at the performance of this Vrata the god of gods, Siva, the\nrider of the bull, selected me as his queenly consort (37). At the\ntermination of the Vrata, women should distribute edibles and other\narticles procurable in the country and at the time (37). O fair lady,\nthe articles of the Vrata should be distributed amongst the Br\u0101hmanas.\nAnd as desired by them, food should be offered accompanied with presents\n(29). _P\u0101yasa_ should be given in this Vrata: it gives a separate fruit.\nHowever animals should not be sacrificed any how. Such is laid down in\nthe Puranas (40). O auspicious daughter of Soma, the second Vrata, that\nI am now, describing to you, I had also known of by the favour of\nM\u0101hadeva (41). The learned hold that a son is the only fruit that women\nshould desire for. Those, who wish to have sons should give away small\nvessels (42). In the two auspicious months of Jaistha and Ash\u0101da, or\neither in the former or in the latter one should observe the ordinances\nmentioned before (43). O fair lady, when the appointed two months or one\nmonth will be over one should give away a small vessel filled with\n_Sirbat_ (44). O you having the effulgence of the moon, she should also,\nin the same way, distribute clarified butter, curd, milk, honey and jars\nfull of water (45). She should give away small vessels proportionate to\nthe number of sons she desires for to a Br\u0101hmana self-controlled, of\nfirm vows and of ripened knowledge (46). If any woman wishes to have a\ndaughter she will undoubtedly have her if she, out of her own will,\npresents any article to a Br\u0101hmana (47). O you of pure smiles, sheets\nand kine or gold are the most becoming presents in it. In this Vrata,\naccording to the regulations regarding the gift of small vessels for\nsons, a wise and pure woman should give away sacrificial threads\n(48-49). A woman, observing the rules of Vrata, should make presents to\nthe Br\u0101hmanas for one full year, under the auspicies of the stars\n(favourable either to the son or to the daughter\u00b2\u2079\u2077) (50). O truthful\nArundhati, when one year is complete, she should, with the permission of\nher husband, make presents of small vessels (51). Having completed the\nVrata, in the full moon of the month of K\u0101rtika (October) she should, of\nher own will, present to a Br\u0101hmana, sacrificial thread and golden\nthread (52). If a chaste lady, according to her might, gives to a\nBr\u0101hmana sacrificial thread, small vessels and Dakshin\u0101 (money presents)\nshe attains to all desired-for objects (53). So long a woman observes\nthis vow she should not take new rice, fruits or enjoy flowers (54). O\nyou conversant with religious tenets, taking one meal a day, a woman\nshould perform the Punyaka rite; and she should give meals to the\nBr\u0101hmanas and her husband in the same way. If a woman observes a vow in\nthe way for one full year she becomes, lucky, beautiful, mistress of\nriches and does never become a widow (55\u201356). O Arundhati, a woman, who\ndoes not take _V\u0101rt\u0101ku_ for one full year, never witnesses the\ndestruction of her son; know this for certain. If a woman does not take\nthe meat of a hare or deer she becomes chaste and long-lived. The woman,\nwho seeks the well-being of her husband, should avoid bottle-gourds,\npotherbs and turmeric. The woman, who after the completion of one year,\ngives vegetables from the beginning accompanied with money-gifts, will\nbe the foremost of those having sons (57-60). The woman, who from the\nvery beginning washes herself her feet, attains to fame and never\nsuffers anxiety (61). The chaste woman, who avoids taking her food in\nthe night and who takes it only in the day for one full year, becomes\nlucky and her sons never die. And undoubtedly she rules over the other\nwives of her husband (62\u201363). In this way when one year will be complete\nshe should present to an illustrious Br\u0101hmana after her own heart, a\nmost excellent sun of gold. The pious woman, who will thus observe a\nVrata, should dedicate to the sun, not declining, flowers, fruits and\nother edibles (64\u201365).\n\n\"O fair lady, in this way, the chaste woman, who will take her meals\nafter the sunset for full one year, should give to a selected Br\u0101hmana\nedibles purified by the moon and stars, and the moon, stars and planets\nmade of gold and raiments covered with salt (65\u201367). O you having the\ncolour of an immortal, by so doing a woman becomes lucky, beautiful and\nworthy of being looked at by all. And her body will be cool like the\nmoon. The woman, who in the light half of the month of Kartika, offers\nto the gods untouched water for washing feet with Kus\u0101, and balls of\nbarley with curd, acquires all desired-for objects. The chaste woman,\nwho does not take her food without seeing the sun either on a clear or a\ncloudy day, has all her objects accomplished. The liberal-minded woman,\nwho according to her might gives gold to a Br\u0101hmana, becomes lucky,\nbeautiful and worthy of of being looked at by all (68-72)\".\n\n  \u00b2\u2079\u2077 The purport of the sloka is that some stars as Pushya etc., are\n      favourable for having a son and Rohini and others for a daughter.\n      The woman, who wishes to have a son, must give away presents under\n      the auspices of the former; and she, who wishes to have a\n      daughter, must do so under the auspices of the latter. We have\n      rendered the sloka freely to make the sense clear.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXVII. THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.\n\n\nThe goddess continued:\u2014O Arundhati, hear with these ladies, I shall\ndescribe the pious rites, by which the body becomes worthy of attaining\nto most excellent bliss (1). If a chaste woman fasts on the eighth day\nof the dark-half of the month, or living on roots and fruits if she\ngives a meal to a Br\u0101hmana, and if she, clad in a white raiment, and\nobservant of pure conduct, adores her preceptor and gods for one year\nand gives away to the twice-born, according to her might, chowries of\nthe hairs of cows, flags and sweet meats, her hairs become curling and\nwaving and extend up to the waist and she becomes the most favorite of\nher husband. The chaste woman, who wishes to make her head worthy of the\nmost excellent bliss, should wash it with milk mixed with _bel_ fruit\nand myrobalan and should drink the urine of a cow and mix the latter\nwith water for washing her head. O fair lady, if one observes these\npractises on the fourteenth day of the dark-half of a month, she does\nnot become a widow and becomes lucky and freed from diseases. She never\nsuffers from head-diseases (2-8). O you of pure smiles, the woman, who\ndesires to have a beautiful forehead, must spend the first days of the\nfort-nights, taking her meals once a day. And as long as the year does\nnot run out she should only subsist on milk and food mixed with it.\nThereupon, bestowing on a Br\u0101hmana a golden seat she attains to a most\nbeautiful fore-head (9-10). The youthful woman, who seeks beautiful\neye-brows, beginning with the second day of a fortnight, must take her\nmeals every alternate day and live upon vegetables. O gentle lady, after\nthe completion of full one year she should give to a Br\u0101hmana ripe\nfruits, salt and vessels of clarified butter with _Dakshina_ of gold of\nthe weight of a _m\u0101sha_ and then make him recite benedictory hymns\n(11-13). The youthful lady, who desires to have a pair of beautiful\nears, should, under the influence of Sr\u0101vana, feed on barley. And after\nthe completion of one year she should throw into clarified butter a pair\nof golden ears and then offer them to a Br\u0101hmana with milk (14-15). The\ndamsel, who desires for a beautiful nose extending straight to the end\nof fore-head, should fast every alternate day till the season of the\ngrowing of flowers and offer water with sessamum. And when the flowers\nwill grow she should cull some and throw them into clarified butter and\nthen give them away (16\u201317). O you of pure smiles, O you born from\nambrosia, the learned and chaste lady, who wishes to have beautiful\neyes, should fast every alternate day and live upon milk and curd.\nThereupon when one year will be complete, she should throw leaves of\nlotus and lily upon milk and give them away to a Br\u0101hmana when they will\nremain afloat. O chaste lady, by this gift she will forsooth have eyes\nlike those of a black antelope (18\u201320). The pious and chaste lady, who\ndesires to have a pair of charming lips, should, for one year, live upon\nunsolicited food on the ninth day of a fortnight and drink water from an\nearthen pot. After the completion of the year she should give away\nsapphires. If a woman observes this rule she becomes lucky, mother of\nsons, rich and a mistress of kine and her lips become shining like\n_Nimva_ fruits (20\u201323). The fair lady, who wishes to have beautiful\nteeth, should not take her meals twice on the eight day of a light-half\nmonth. O accomplished and pious lady, a chaste woman, completing one\nyear in this way, should throw silver teeth into milk and give them\naway. O sinless one, observing this rite, a chaste lady will acquire\nteeth like _Tila_ flowers, good fortune and sons (24\u201326). O you of a\nbeautiful countenance, the lady, who wishes to have a charming\ncountenance, should bathe when the moon rises in a full-moon night and\ngive to a Br\u0101hmana barley boiled with milk. Thereupon after the\ncompletion of one year, placing a moon made of pure silver on a full\nblown lotus, she should request a Br\u0101hmana to recite benedictory hymns.\nBy such a gift a woman acquires a countenance beautiful like the\nfull-moon (27\u201329). The woman, who desires to have breast rising like\n_T\u0101la_ fruits, should control her speech and feed upon unsolicited food\non the tenth day of a fortnight. After the completion of a year she\nshould give away two _Vilwa_ fruits made of gold to a self-controlled\nBrahmanana with _Dakshin\u0101_. By this a woman gets rising breast, great\nfortune and many sons (30\u201332). The woman, who wishes to have a\nthin-built belly, should live on one meal for one year and should not\ntake her food with water on the fifth day of a fortnight. After the\ncompletion of one year she should, with many gifts, give a beautiful\n_Jali_ creeper to a self-controlled Br\u0101hmana (32\u201334). O youthful lady,\nshe, who wishes to have beautiful arms, should live on all sorts of\nherbs on the twelfth day of every fort-night. And after the completion\nof one year she should give to a selected Br\u0101hmana one golden lotus and\ntwo born in water (35-36). O you of firm vows, she, who wishes to have a\nspacious waist, should spend the thirteenth day of every fortnight by\ntaking food once unsolicited. O you of a beautiful face, when a year\nwill be complete in this way she should make a model of Brahma\u2019s face\nwith salt and give it away. Afterwards the lady, conversant with\nreligious rites, should give away a figure of his made of gold and free\nfrom collyrium and other powders, unbroken jems and crimson coloured\nraiments. O gentle lady, by doing this, one gets a waist after her heart\n(37\u201340). The chaste lady, who wishes to have sweet words, should avoid\nthe use of salt for one year, at least for one month and should give it\nto a Br\u0101hmana accompanied with money gifts. By this the beautiful lady\nwill have words sweeter than those of Sruti even (41-42). O daughter of\nSoma, she, who wishes to have legs well-built, should take watery food\non every sixth day of a fortnight. O you engaged in Tapas, she should\nnot touch fire or a Br\u0101hman a with her foot; if she does it any time she\nmust adore them. While observing this rite a chaste lady, well-versed in\nreligious ceremonies, should not wash her foot with another. O sinless\none, O chaste lady, after the termination of the Vrata, she should place\ntwo golden tortoises into clarified butter and give it to a Br\u0101hmana. O\nbeautiful lady, afterwards, keeping two lotuses in a reverse position\nand mixing them with red articles she should give them away to a\nBr\u0101hmana (43\u201347). O pure lady, the chaste lady, who desires to have all\nbeautiful limbs, should observe this _Vrata_ for three nights in the\nflowery season. In the full moon day of either the month of Ashara,\nAswina, Kartika or M\u0101gha she should adore her father and mother as the\npresiding deity of the day. O honourable lady, the woman, considering\nher husband as her God, should daily give clarified butter and salt to a\nBr\u0101hmana during that period. She should clean the house and rub it with\nclay. O pure and illustrious lady, the damsel, looking upon her husband\nas her God, should not, during that period, commit sin (even) by her\nwords, eat any sort of herb and offer any sort of unclean food (48\u201352).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXVIII. NARADA GIVES A HISTORY OF VRATAS PERFORMED BY OTHER\nLADIES.\n\n\nUma said:\u2014The chaste woman, who wishes that her friends and relatives\nmay be accomplished, should fast on every seventh day of a fort-night\nfor one year. After the completion of the year, she should give to a\nBr\u0101hmana a golden tree accompanied with money gifts. She will then have\npious kinsmen (1\u20132). O pious and foremost of ladies, she, who duly\nplaces a lamp before a _Karanja_ tree for one year and a golden one on\nthe day in which the year is complete, becomes the mother of sons, a\nfavourite of her husband by virtue of her beauty and shines over the\nother wives of her lord like a lamp (3\u20134). O auspicious lady, the chaste\nwoman who does not cut others to the quick with her harsh words, does\nnot take her food on Wednesday and does not use a harsh word, who always\ntakes food last of all, who is pure in her habits, who serves her\nfather-in-law and mother-in-law, who regards her husband as her god and\nwho is truthful, does not stand in need of the performance of a Vrata or\nfasting (5-7).\n\nO youthful and chaste lady, if any chaste woman accidently suffers\nwidow-hood she should observe some rites laid down in the Puranas. Hear,\nI shall describe them. Remembering the virtuous conduct of the pious, a\nwidow should place an earthen image of her husband or a painting of his\nlikeness and should worship it (9). While performing a Vrata or fasting\nand especially at the time of taking meals a chaste lady should take the\npermission of that image. The widow, who does not disobey her husband,\ngoes to his region like Sh\u0101ndili and shines there like the sun (10\u201311).\nFrom to-day the celestial damsels will learn the eternal religious rites\nthat have been laid down in the Puranas (12). The pious-souled Muni\nNarada will learn the entire code of regulations relating to fast and\nVrata as described in the Puranas (13). O most excellent daughter of\nSoma, in the matter of extending religious rites according to the rules\nof fast and Vrata as mentioned before the virtuous Aditi, Indrani and\nyourself will be most celebrated in the band of chaste women. In all the\nincarnations of the high-souled Vishnu his wives will always be informed\nof the rules of the eternal Punyaka rite. O chaste lady, what more shall\nI speak; of all the virtues and especially amongst the duties of women,\ndevotion to husband, absence of wickedness and that of sin even by words\nare the foremost (14\u201317).\n\nNarada said:\u2014Thus addressed by the great goddess, beloved of Hara, the\nascetic ladies, having Tapas for their wealth, saluted her and went away\n(18). According to the regulations mentioned before, Aditi, ever\nobservant of religious rites, performed the _Um\u0101 Vrata_. The Vrata, in\nwhich she having bound Kashyapa to the P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree, gave him to me, is\ncelebrated by the name of _Aditi-Vrata_. And according to the rules of\nthat Vrata Satyabh\u0101m\u0101 has presented her gifts (19\u201320). S\u0101vitri too, ever\nstationed in virtue, observed that. Vrata. At present Satyabh\u0101m\u0101 has\nproperly performed this Vrata. It has excelled all others (21). If this\nVrata is performed in the evening or at a proper place, worship,\nrecitation of names and prostration bear double the fruit. Celebrating\n_Savitri Vrata_ and _Aditi-Vrata_, a chaste lady can save the family of\nher husband, that of her father and her own self too (22\u201323). Having\nperformed a rite according to the rules of _Uma-Vrata_ Indra\u2019s queen\ndistributed numberless crimson-coloured raiments and food with fish and\nmeat (24). There is another rule laid down for this Vrata which should\nbe observed on the fourth day. According to it one should fast day and\nnight, and give away a hundred jars. O illustrious lady, having\nperformed that _Uma-Vrata_ the goddess Gang\u0101 bathed early in the morning\nin her own water. O beloved queen of Hari, while performing this\n_Gang\u0101-Vrata_ in the light-half of the month of M\u0101gha, if one bathes in\nany other water, it is said to give all desired-for objects (25\u201327). O\nbeloved wife of Hari, having performed the _Ganga-Vrata_ a woman,\ncognizant of all religious rites, can save seven generations of both the\nsides (28). O auspicious lady, while performing this _Ganga-Vrata_ that\ndissipates sorrows and grants all objects of desire one should give away\na thousand jars (29). O beloved queen of Hari, in a country where the\ndewy season prevails, one can perform the Vrata that Yama\u2019s wife\ncelebrated and which passes by the name of Yama-Vratha (30). O\nauspicious lady, having bowed unto her husband after bathing, a woman,\nof pure conduct, while performing this Vrata, should address the\nfollowing words to the sky:\u2014\"As I am, while performing the Vrat\u0101\nJ\u0101maratha, holding the dew on my back, I may become foremost of those\nwomen whose sons survive and of those who are devoted to their husbands.\nMay I rule over the other wives of my husband, may I not see Yama and\nmay live happily for ever with my husband and sons. May I, by virtue of\nthis Vrata, repair to the same region with my husband, become rich, have\ngood raiments, become open-handed, fond of my own people and\naccomplished\" (31\u201334). Hiving done so she should offer honey to a\nBr\u0101hmana and make him recite benedictory verses and then feed him with\nsessamum and pudding (35). O beloved wife of Hari possessing the hue of\nan immortal, thus the goddesses observed the diverse Vratas described by\nthe great goddess, the wife of Rudra (36). I tell you the truth; by\nvirtue of my ascetic powers you will reap the fruits of auspicious and\nholy rites, described in the Puranas, which the goddess Um\u0101 obtained\nbefore (37-38).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon by virtue of the boon conferred by Um\u0101\nRukshmini observed, by her celestial vision, all the rules of Vrata and\nperformed it (39). She gave away bulls, jems and food because they yeild\ngreater fruits and grant all desired-for objects in all the forms of\nUm\u0101-Vrata (40). O Janamejaya, having celebrated this Vrata formerly\nJ\u0101mavati too made a present of a beautiful jewelled tree. Having\nperformed this _Um\u0101vrata_ Saty\u0101 distributed a number of yellow raiments.\nO descendant of Kuru, having performed this holy rite Shatabhisha\nacquired the most exalted position amongst the stars (41-44).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXIX. AN ACCOUNT OF THE CITY OF ASURAS.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O disciple of Vy\u0101sa, O you conversant with the tenets\nof religion, O you having asceticism for your wealth, O Vaishampayana,\nwhile giving an account of the carrying away of the P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree, you\nhave mentioned Shatpura, the abode of the dreadful Asuras. O foremost of\nascetics and Munis, do you describe at present the destruction of those\nAsuras and Andhakas (1-5).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Even after the heroic Tripura had been slain by the\nenergetic Rudra there remained many leading Asuras. There not less than\nsixty hundred thousands of Asuras, the followers of Tripura, were\nscorched by the fire of Rudra\u2019s arrows. O foremost of kings, stricken\nwith grief consequent upon the destruction of their kith and kin those\nheroes, with their face towards the sun and living upon air, carried on\npenances for a hundred of thousands years and adored Brahm\u0101 in the\ninsular continent, Jamvu, a favourite resort of the pious and great\nsaints (5\u20136). Taking shelter under a fig tree some of them carried on\nhard austerities; some, under the _Kapitha_ tree and some living in the\ndens of jackals engaged in hard austerities (7-8). O descendant of Kuru,\nsome of those Asuras, resorting to the root of a fig tree, learnt\nspiritual science, and carried on Tapas (9). O king, pleased with those\npenances of theirs, the foremost of the celestials, the Creator Brahm\u0101,\nthe best of the pious, came down there to offer them boons (10).\nRequested by the lotus-sprung deity, saying \"Pray for a boon\" they did\nnot pray for any on account of their malice against the Lord Tramvaka\n(11). When, O descendant of Kuru, they expressed their desire of\nwrecking vengeance for the destruction of their kinsmen the omniscient\nGrand-father said:\u2014\"The lord Maheswara, with the goddess Um\u0101, is without\nbirth, middle and destruction. He is the creator and destroyer of the\nwhole universe. Who is therefore capable of injuring them? It is an\nuseless task. Renouncing your malice against him do you wish to live\nhappily in the city of the celestials\" (12-14).\n\nThus addressed by Brahm\u0101 many wicked-souled Asuras did not yield: but\nsome of them, who knew Bhava\u2019s powers, expressed their willingness. The\nGrand-father said to the reluctant and wicked Asuras:\u2014\"O heroic Asuras,\nexcept your vengeance against Rudra do you pray for any other boon\"\n(15-16).\n\nHearing it they said \"O lord, may we become unslayable by all the gods.\nMay we establish six cities under the earth: and they will pass by the\nname of _Satpura_. O lord, going to those six cities we will live there\nhappily. O thou having asceticism for thy wealth, beholding Tripura\nslain we have been greatly stricken with fear. Do thou so arrange that\nwe may have no fear from Rudra by whom all our kinsmen have been slain\n(17-19).\"\n\nThe Grand-father said:\u2014O Asuras, if you do not throw obstacles in the\nway of the Br\u0101hmanas, fond of the pious and wending fair ways you will\nbe unslayable by the gods and Sankara (20). If out out of ignorance you\nhappen to injure the Br\u0101hmanas you will meet with destruction for they\nare the most excellent refuge of the world (21). If you injure the\nBr\u0101hmanas you shall have to fear Narayana for the Lord Jan\u0101rddana\nencompasses the well-being of all creatures (22).\n\nO king, thereupon dismissed by the Grand-father the Asuras went away.\nSeated on the white bull along with the goddess Um\u0101 accompanied by his\nfollowers, the Lord, Himself, the Divine Slayer of Tripura, and the\nrefuge of the pious, appeared before those virtuous Asuras who were his\nfollowers and said (23\u201324):\u2014\n\n\"May good betide you, O foremost of Asuras. Casting off enmity, pride\nand malice you have sought refuge with me. I am therefore ready to grant\nyou a boon. I have been pleased with your actions. Do you repair to the\ncelestial region along with the twice-born ones ever engaged in good\nworks, by whom you have been initiated (25\u201326). The ascetics, conversant\nwith the knowledge of Brahman, who will even live under this Kapithwa\ntree, will attain to my region. The hermits, who with ascetic rites will\nadore me for a month or a fortnight, will attain to the fruit of\nasceticism carried on for a thousand years. If they worship me for three\nnights they will attain to the desired-for region. If a man, living in\nthe insular continent of Arka, worships me in this way he will reap\ntwo-fold fruits; but a man living in a hostile country will gain\nnothing. He, who will adore me here as _Sweta-Vahana_ (having a white\nbull for carrier) will attain me even if his mind is possessed by fear\n(27-31). The men, who are virtuous, firm in devotion and who worship\nespecially the Munis who live under fig-trees and in the dens of\njackals, will attain to their desired-for regions (32-33)\".\n\nO great king, having said this the Divine, Swetav\u0101hana, Mah\u0101deva,\nrepaired to Rudraloka along with them. What more, those even, who merely\nresolve \"I shall go to Jamvudwipa, I shall live there,\" arrive at the\nregion of Rudra (34-35).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXX. THE ASURAS OBSTRUCTING A YAJNA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014At that time, O king, in the city of Shatpura on the\nsacred bank of the good river Avarta, resorted to by the Munis, a\nVajasaneyi Br\u0101hmana, by name Brahmadatta, a disciple of Yajnawalka,\nwell-read in the four Vedas and six Angas and endued with morality, was\ninitiated into a Yajna extending over a year (1-3). O kingly discendant\nof Kuru, as Sakra (the king of gods) protects (their preceptor)\nVrihaspati so when that foremost of the twice-born went to Shatpura for\ncarrying on Yajna Vasudeva, with Devaki, repaired there for protecting\nhim, for he was a class friend and preceptor of Anakadundubhi (Vasudeva)\n(4-5). In that Yajna of Brahmadatta, abounding in profuse food and\npresents were present Vyasa, Yajnawalka, Sumantu, Jaimini, Dhritim\u0101n,\nJajali, Devala and other great and leading Munis of firm devotion. And I\ntoo had gone there. In that Yajna, by the grace of Vasudeva, the creator\nof the universe incarnated on earth, the pious Devaki distributed\namongst the beggars various articles they wanted proportionate to the\nwealth of the intelligent Vasudeva. After the commencement of that\nYajna, the inhabitants of Shatpura, Nikumbha and other Daityas, proud of\ntheir boon, assembled there and said:\u2014\"Give us our share in the Yajna.\nWe will drink Soma and Brahmadatta must give us his daughters. We have\nheard that this great man has many beautiful daughters. So he must send\nfor them and give them over to us (6-11). He should also give us the\nmost valuable jems which he has got in his possession. If he\ntransgresses this order we will not allow him to celebrate this Yajna.\nThis is our order\" (12). Hearing this Brahmadatta said to the great\nAsuras:\u2014\"O ye leading Asuras, no portion of sacrificial offerings has\nbeen laid down for you in the Vedas. How can I then allow you to drink\nSoma in this Yajna? If you do not believe my words you may ask these\ngreat Munis well-read in the Vedas and their commentaries. The daughters\nwhom I shall give away in marriage I shall confer upon proper\nbridegrooms following the same Vedas with me; this is my resolution. If\nyou however come to terms I may give you the entire collection of my\njewels. If you show your force I will not give that even for Devaki\u2019s\nson is my supporter\" (13-16).\n\nHearing those words the wicked D\u0101navas of Shatpura, Nikumbha and others\nbegan to scatter the articles of Yajna and carry away his daughters.\nBeholding the sacrificial articles robbed by the Asuras Anakadundubhi\nthought of the great Krishna, Balabhadra and Gada. As soon as he was\nthought of Krishna came to know of every thing and said to\nPradyumna:\u2014\"Proceed, O my son, and save the maidens by virtue of your\nillusive powers. O powerful hero, I myself too will soon go to Shatpura\nwith the Y\u0101dava army.\"\n\nHearing it the intelligent, highly powerful and heroic Pradyumna, ever\nobedient to his sire, went to Shatpura within a moment and took away the\nmaidens by virtue of his illusive power. Creating their figures by his\nillusive power the pious son of Rukshmini kept them before the Daityas\nand said to Devaki \"Be not afraid\". O king, leaving aside Brahmadatta\u2019s\ndaughter the irrepressible Daityas carried away the illusory maidens and\nentered their city with satisfaction (17\u201323).\n\nThereupon, O king, that great and glorious Yajna was being celebrated\naccording to proper rites. O descendant of Bharata, all the kings,\ninvited by the intelligent Brahmadatta, arrived at the sacrificial\nground. Jar\u0101sandha, Shisupala, Dantavakra, the Pandavas, the sons of\nDhritar\u0101shtra, the M\u0101lava and Tangana kings, Rukshmi, Ahvriti, Neela,\nN\u0101rmada, Vinda, Anuvinda, Avantya, Shalya, Shakuni and other heroic,\nnoble and warrior kings encamped near Shatpura (24\u201328). Seeing this the\nbeautiful N\u0101rada thought:\u2014\"At this Yajna all the Kshatryas and Y\u0101davas\nhave assembled. Surely this will lead to a conflict. I shall therefore\ntry to bring it about.\" Thinking this he repaired to Nikumbha\u2019s house\n(29\u201330). He was worshipped there by Nikumbha and other D\u0101navas.\nThereupon taking his seat the pious-souled Rishi said to\nNikumbha:\u2014\"Having caused a dissension with the Yadavas how are you\nsitting here at ease? Do you not know that Brahmadatta is the friend of\nKrishna\u2019s father (31\u201332)? The five hundred wives of the intelligent\nBrahmadatta have been brought at the sacrificial ground for satisfying\nVasudeva\u2019s son: of them two hundred are of Br\u0101hmana origin, one hundred\nof Kshatrya origin, one hundred of Vaishya and another hundred of Sudra\norigin. O King, they had all worshipped the learned and pious Rishi\nDurv\u0101s\u0101 who had conferred on them all a boon saying \u2019You will all, one\nby one, get a son and a daughter.\u2019 O heroic Asura, by virtue of this\nboon and on account of their intercourse with their husband they have\nall given birth to fair daughters. They are of matchless beauty, tender,\never youthful and chaste. From their body comes out the fragrance of all\nflowers (33\u201338). O Daitya, by virtue of the boon of that intelligent\nRishi, they know the arts of singing and dancing, the accomplishments of\nthe Apsaras; and they are all well accomplished (39). The sons, in their\norder, are observant of the duties attached to their respective orders.\nThey are clever in interpreting the the sacred texts and are beautiful\n(40). O hero, the intelligent Brahmadatta had conferred almost all of\nthose daughters on the leading Bhaimas. And for the remaining hundred\nwhom you have stolen the Y\u0101davas will fight to their very best.\nTherefore O hero, you invite in proper order the help of other kings\n(41\u201342). O Asuras, if you wish to keep in your possession Brahmadatta\u2019s\ndaughters pray for the help of the highly powerful kings, giving them\nvarious jewels and treat all the kings who will come here as your\nguests.\" Thus addressed by N\u0101rada the Asuras, with great delight,\ncarried out his orders (43\u201344).\n\nHaving obtained various jewels and five hundred devoted maidens the\nkings divided them duly amongst themselves. Returning in a moment on the\nother hand the great N\u0101rada prevented the heroic sons of Pandu and so\nthey did not take any share in the distribution. Thereupon the leading\nkings, delighted, said to the Asuras:\u2014\"Formerly the Kshatriyas had been\nadored many times by celestial heroes like yourselves, capable of\ncoursing in the sky and possessed of all the objects of pleasure. And\neven now they have been duly honored by you. What will they now give you\nin return\" (45-48)?\n\nHearing it Nikumbha, the enemy of the celestials, was filled with joy.\nDescribing the greatness and truthfulness of the Kshatriyas he said to\nthem:\u2014\"O ye leading kings, we shall have to fight with our enemies\nto-day. We wish you may help us to the best of your power.\" O lord,\nhearing the words of Nikumbha all the sinful Kshatriyas, save the heroic\nsons of Pandu, who had learnt the truth from N\u0101rada, said \"So be it\"\n(41\u201351).\n\nO king, on the other side, recollecting the words of Mah\u0101deva in his\nmind, the powerful Krishna set out with his army for Shatpura leaving\nAhuka at Dwarak\u0101. Having arrived at Shatpura with that army the Lord\nV\u0101sudeva, according to Vasudeva\u2019s orders, encamped at an advantageous\nsite near the sacrificial ground for the well-being of the citizens.\nMaking that encampment difficult of access with bushes the powerful and\nbeautiful Krishna engaged Pradyumna in the work of patrolling (52\u201356).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXXI. WAR BETWEEN KRISHNA AND ASURAS.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Within a moment of the clear sun coming within the\nrange of people\u2019s vision, Baladeva, Krishna and Satyaki delightedly got\nupon Garuda\u2019s back. Having bathed in the water of the sacred river\nAvarta, who had obtained a boon from Rudra and who by his words had been\nmade holy like the Ganges, and having put on coats of mail,\nfinger-protectors and armours, those heroes, desirous of fighting,\nworshipped the god Siva, the lord of _bel_ leaves and water. At that\ntime having placed Pradyumna above in front of the army, the Pandavas in\ncharge of the Yajna and the remaining soldiers at the door of the cave,\nthe Lord Krishna, the giver of honors and the refuge of the pious,\nthought of Jayanta and Pravara. O descendant of Bharata, they arrived\nthere as soon as they were recollected. The Lord only could see them and\nthey were kept above along with Pradyumna (1-6).\n\nThereupon at Krishna\u2019s mandate, war-bugles, Jalaja, Muraja and other\nmusical instruments were sounded. O descendant of Bharata, S\u0101mva and\nGada arranged the soldiers in the shape of a Makara. Sh\u0101rana, Uddhava,\nVaitarana of Bhoja\u2019s race, the virtuous An\u0101dhrishti, Viprithu, Prithu,\nKritavarm\u0101, Sudangsthra, Vichakshu, the grinder of enemies, the pious\nSanatkumar and Ch\u0101rudeshna began to help Aniruddha and protect the rear\nof the army (7-10). O thou the glory of thy race, the remaining portion\nof the Yadava army, consisting of cars, elephants, horses and men,\nremained in battle-array. Adorned with crowns, head-gears, bracelets and\nother ornaments and armed with various weapons, the D\u0101navas too,\ndreadful in battle, came out of Shatpura, emitting a roar like the\nmuttering of clouds, on asses, elephants, crocodiles, hares, horses,\nbuffaloes, lions and tortoises. Many of their cars were drawn by those\nanimals. O king, as the lord of gods issues out at the head of the\ncelestial host so Nikumbha came out at the head of that Asura army\nsetting up a noise like the muttering of clouds produced by the sound of\ntrumpets, rattle of car wheels, and the blowing of conches (11-16).\nSending up again and again shouts of various sorts and leonine roars the\nhighly powerful D\u0101navas filled the earth and sky with them. O\nJanamejaya, the soldiers of the Chedi and other kings were bent upon\nassisting the Asuras with great care. O heroic king, amongst the\nfollowers of the Chedi king Shishup\u0101la, the hundred brothers headed by\nDuryodhana stood there with their cars, making a great rattle and\ncoursing quickly like unto the city of Gandharva. Making up their mind\nto fight and moving their beautiful bows like unto two palm trees\nRukshmi and Ahvati joined them. With a view to fight with the Yadavas\nand acquire victory the king Bhagadatta, Shalya, Shakuni, Jar\u0101sandha,\nTrigarta, Vir\u0101ta, Uttara and the Asuras headed by Nikumbha got\nthemselves ready for the encounter (17\u201322).\n\nThereupon when in battle Nikumbha began to assail the dreadful army of\nthe Bhaimas with arrows like serpents, An\u0101dhristhi, the\ncommander-in-chief of the Yadu army, could not bear it. He too, with\nshafts, adorned with variegated feathers and whetted on stone, began to\nslay the enemy\u2019s army (23\u201324). At that time when everything was covered\nwith arrows, Nikumbha, his chariot, standard and horses became\ninvisible. Seeing it the heroic Nikumbha, the fore most of those\npossessed of illusive powers, was filled with anger. And he, by his\nillusive powers, startled the Bhaima chief An\u0101dhristhi (25\u201326).\nResorting to his illusive powers, bewildering Anadhristhi and bringing\nhim to the cave named Shatpura the heroic Nikumbha imprisoned him there.\nAnd returning again to the battle-field, he, by his illusive powers,\ntook there Kritavarm\u0101, Ch\u0101rudeshna, Vaitarana of Bhoja\u2019s race,\nSanatkum\u0101r, J\u0101mvavati\u2019s son Arksha, Nishatha, Ulmuku and numerous other\nY\u0101davas (27\u201329). O king, when he led the Yadavas to the dreadful cave of\nShatpura he so covered himself by his illusive powers that no body could\nsee him. Beholding that fearful onslaught of the Bhaimas the Lord\nKrishna, Baladeva, S\u0101tyaki, S\u0101mva, the slayer of inimical heroes, the\nirrepressible Aniruddha and numerous other Bhaimas, especially\nPradyumna, were greatly filled with anger (30-32).\n\nThereupon, O king, setting string to his Sr\u0101nga bow and shooting arrows\nthe holder of the Sr\u0101nga (Krishna) began to move about amongst the\nD\u0101navas as the god of fire ranges on grass (33). Seeing him, taking up\nthousands of Sataghnis, Parighas, fiery lances, burning axes, dreadful\nrocks, and huge stones and throwing up infuriated elephants, cars and\nhorses the Danavas ran towards the effulgent god as the locusts, drawn\nby the noose of Death, run towards the burning fire. However, O hero,\nNarayana-fire consumed all those things. And smiling the highly\neffulgent Yadu chief, the slayer of his enemies and the benefactor of\nthe world, baffled them all with the fire of his arrows. And as a bull\nsuffers the downpour of rain in the autumn so he bore the shower of\ntheir arrows. In this way, when the battle continued for some time the\nAsuras could not withstand the arrows shot off N\u0101r\u0101yan\u2019s bow as a sandy\nbridge cannot stand showers (34\u201339). O descendant of Bharata, as the\nbulls cannot stand before the five-mouthed god Siva with his mouths wide\nopen so the Asuras could not stand before Krishna (40).\n\nO Janamejaya, while thus slain by N\u0101r\u0101yana Krishna the Asuras, stricken\nwith fear, rose up into the sky. O Lord, as soon as they rose up into\nthe sky Jayanta and Pravara killed them all with arrows burning like\nfire (41\u201342). At that time the heads of the Asuras, fell down on earth\nlike palm fruits from the tree (43). Like five headed serpents killed by\nTime the arms of the Daityas dropped on the surface of the earth (44).\nHaving created another dreadful illusory cave for the destruction of the\nKshatriyas the heroic and virtuous son of Rukshmini imperceptibly came\nout by the route by which Gada, Sh\u0101rana, Shatha, Sh\u0101mva and other heroes\nhad entered there. As soon he came out the powerful son of Krishna began\nto assail Nikumbha, although careful, who was ranging hither and thither\nin front of the battle-field (45\u201347). Thereupon, O king, resounding the\ncave with his leonine shouts he said to the king Duryodhana, Virat,\nDrupada, Shakuni, Shalya, Neela, Bhishma, Vinda, Anuvinda, Jar\u0101sandha,\nthe kings of Trigarta and M\u0101lava, the highly powerful V\u0101s\u0101lyas,\nDhristadyumna and other princes of the Panchala country, conversant with\nthe use of arms, Ahvriti, his uncle Rukshmi, emperor Shishupala, and\nBhagadatta:\u2014\"O kings, in consideration of your superior position and\nrelationship with me I am not throwing you into this dreadful cave. Even\nthe intelligent, trident-handed God of _bel_ leaves and water has\nordered me to throw you all into this cave. I shall exert my best to\nrelease the Y\u0101davas who have been imprisoned by the highly powerful\nNikumbha resorting to his _Shamvari M\u0101y\u0101_ (48\u201354)\".\n\nThus addressed the Commander-in-Chief of the kings, Shishup\u0101la struck\nthe Bhaimas, especially Pradyumna, with arrows. Thereupon saluting Siva\nRukshmini\u2019s son began to pierce the emperor Shishup\u0101la. In the meantime\ntaking up a thousand of nooses, the foremost of Siva\u2019s ghostly followers\nNandi came there and said to the highly powerful and heroic son of\nRukshmini. \"O descendant of Yadu, Vilwodakeshwara (Siva) has ordered you\nto do what he had told you in the night. Bind these kings with nooses\nwho have been bribed with jewels for the maidens. To release them also\ndepends on you. O hero, O you of large arms, destroy all the Asuras\nleaving none behind. And communicate this news to Jan\u0101rddana (55\u201360).\"\n\nO descendant of Kuru, thereupon binding the king Bhagadatta, Shishup\u0101la,\nAhvati, Rukshmi and other kings, like hissing serpents, with the nooses\ngiven by Hara Rukshmini\u2019s son, endued with most excellent energy, took\nthem all to the illusory cave. O descendant of Bharata, having kept\nthere his own son Aniruddha as the guard of the cave, Yadu\u2019s descendant\nPradyumna took away the elephants, horses and cars of the Kshatriyas and\nput the remaining commanders and guards in charge of treasury in chain.\nO lord, thereupon when Krishna\u2019s son was ready to slay the Asuras, he,\nwith the coat of mail on, said to Brahmadatta, the foremost of the\ntwice-born \"See, Dhananjaya has undertaken to help you. You have no\nfear. Celebrate your work with a confident heart. O foremost of the\ntwice-born, when the Pandavas have been engaged as your protectors you\nneed not fear the gods, Asuras or any other beings. The Asuras have not\nbeen able to touch your daughters even with their mind; see, by my\nillusory powers I have kept them in the sacrificial ground (61\u201368).\"\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXXII. DEFEAT OF THE ASURAS: THEY FIGHT AGAIN.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O emperor Janamejaya, when the kings, with their\nfollowers, were imprisoned fear entered into the mind of the Asuras.\nCompletely routed by Krishna, Anarta and other Yadavas, dreadful in\nfight, the heroes fled away on all sides. Seeing it, the foremost of\nD\u0101navas, Nikumbha, filled with anger, said:\u2014\"Why do ye, stricken with\nfear and stupified on account of your ignorance, break your promise and\ntake to your heels? You promised to avenge the destruction of your\nkinsmen. If you now break your promise and fly away to what region will\nyou all repair (1-4)? You will be able to reap the fruit if you can\nvanquish your enemies irrepressible in battle. Again if the heroes are\nslain in a battle-field they live happily in the region of the\ncelestials. If you however fly away whose face will you behold in your\nhouse? What will your wives say? Oh fie on you! fie on you! you have not\nthe least shame.\"\n\nO king, thus addressed, the Asuras, filled with shame, returned with\ndouble vigour and again engaged in an encounter with the Y\u0101davas.\nDhananjaya, Bhima, Nakula, Sahadeva and Dharma\u2019s son, the king\nYudhishthira destroyed all who went to that sacrificial ground where\ntook place the martial festivity, consisting of diverse weapons, of\nthose heroes. Those, who rose up into the sky, were slain by Indra\u2019s son\nand the foremost of the twice-born Pravara (7\u20139).\n\nThereupon, O Janamejaya, in that battle-field there flew a river of\nblood like a stream filled with water in the rainy season. It took its\nrise from the mountain Govinda and its water was the blood of the\nAsuras. The hairs were the mosses and creepers. The wheels were the\ntortoises and the cars were the whirlpools. It was beautified with rocks\nof elephants and covered with trees of flags. The cries constituted the\nnoise of the flowing stream\u2014and the foams of blood were the bubbles. The\nswords were the fishes. And it assailed the heart of the coward (10\u201312).\nBeholding all his comrades slain and the enemies increase in power,\nNikumbha, by virtue of his own energy, all on a sudden leaped up. O\ndescendant of Bharata, there Jayanta and Pravara, with arrows resembling\nthunder-bolts, obstructed Nikumbha irrepressible in fight. Desisting and\nbiting his own lips the wicked Nikumbha struck Pravara with his Parigha\nwho fell down on earth. As soon as he fell down Indra\u2019s son held him up\nand embraced him with his arms. Knowing him alive he at once let him off\nand ran towards the Asura. Nearing Nikumbha Jayanta struck him with a\nNishtringsha and the Daitya too struck him with a Parigha (13\u201317). In\nthe very next moment Indra\u2019s son wounded Nikumbha\u2019s person with numerous\nshafts. Thus wounded in that dreadful battle the great Asura thought:\u2014\"I\nshall fight in the battle-field with my enemy Krishna who has killed my\nkinsmen. Why do I make myself exhausted by fightlng with Indra\u2019s son\"\n(18-19)?\n\nHaving resolved thus Nikumbha disappeared from that place and went where\nthe highly powerful Krishna was. Seated on his Air\u0101vata the virtuous\ndestroyer of Bala, V\u0101sava, had come there with the gods to witness the\nbattle. Beholding his son victorious he was pleased. And extolling their\nactions repeatedly he embraced him and Pravara who was freed from\nstupifaction. Beholding Jayanta, dreadful in battle, victorious,\ncelestial trumpets were struck at the command of the king of gods\n(20\u201323). On the other side beholding Keshava, dreadful in battle, along\nwith Arjuna near the sacrificial ground, Nikumbha, setting up a leonine\nshout, attacked, with his Parigha, the king of birds Garuda, Baladeva,\nSatyaka, N\u0101r\u0101yana, Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhisthira, Sahadeva, Nakula,\nVasudeva, Sh\u0101mva and Pradyumna. And so fought that quick coursing Daitya\nby virtue of his illusory powers that none among those heroes, masters\nof all sorts of weapons, could see him. Not seeing him there Hrishikesha\n(Krishna) meditated upon Vilwodakeshwara, the lord of goblins (24\u201328).\n\nAs soon as Krishna meditated on Him, they all, by the power of the\nhighly powerful Vilwodakeshwara, could at once see Nikumbha, the\nforemost of those possessed of illusive powers stationed before them\nlike the summit of the Kail\u0101sa. At that time as if ready to devour all\nof them that hero was inviting his enemy Krishna the slayer of his\nkinsmen (29\u201330). From before P\u0101rtha had set string to his G\u0101ndiva bow.\nAnd seeing him for the present he struck his (Nikumbha\u2019s) body\nrepeatedly with Parigha and other arrows (31), O king, as soon as that\nParigha, whetted on a stone and other arrows touched his body, they fell\ndown on earth shattered and broken. O descendant of Bharata, seeing the\narrows shot off his bow thus baffled Dhananjaya asked Keshava\nsaying;\u2014\"What is this, O son of Devaki? My arrows, resembling\nthunder-bolts, pierce even the mountains. But why are they useless here?\nI am greatly astonished at this (32-33).\"\n\nO descendant of Bharata, thereupon Krishna smilingly replied:\u2014\"O son of\nKunti, hear, I shall describe in detail how Nikumbha has become so very\npowerful. Repairing to the province of Uttarakura, this irrepressible\nenemy of the gods, this great Asura practised hard austerities for one\nhundred thousand years. Pleased with it when Lord Hara was about to\ngrant him a boon he prayed for three, as that he would not be killed by\ncelestials and demons. The Lord Mah\u0101deva, having the emblem of a bull on\nhis banner, said:\u2014\u2019O great Asura, if you act against me, Vishnu and the\nBr\u0101hmanas you will even then be slain by Hara only. None else will able\nto kill you. O Nikumbha, myself and Vishnu are both benefactors of the\nBr\u0101hmanas and the Vipras are our greatest refuge\u2019. O son of Pandu, this\nD\u0101nava is that highly powerful Nikumbha. His three bodies, acquired by\nvirtue of the boon, are accordingly invincible by all sorts of weapons\n(35\u201340). While carrying away Bh\u0101numati I had destroyed one of his\nbodies: his other undestructible body lives in Shatpura, and the third,\nendued with ascetic energy, serves Diti. With his another body he always\nlives in Shatpura. O hero, I have thus given you a complete account of\nNikumbha; now expedite the work of his destruction; the remaining\nhistory I shall narrate afterwards (41-43)\".\n\nO descendant of Kuru, while the two Krishnas were thus conversing that\nAsura, invincible in battle, entered into the cave Shatpura mentioned\nbefore. Seeing it and searching for him the Divine Slayer of Madhu\nentered into that dreadful cave of Shatpura. It was lighted up by its\nown effulgence and the sun and the moon did not pour its rays there. It\ndistributes happiness, misery, heat, and cold. Entering that cave the\nDivine Jan\u0101rddana said to the Y\u0101dava kings and engaged in an encounter\nwith the dreadful Nikumbha (45\u201347). The other Y\u0101davas headed by Baladeva\nand the Pandavas united, with Krishna\u2019s permission, followed him to the\ncave. Nikumbha began to fight with Krishna. And Rukshmini\u2019s son,\naccording to the desire of his sire, released the friends who had been\nbrought there by the Danava. Released by Rukshmini\u2019s son, they, with a\nview to kill Nikumbha, delightedly arrived where Jan\u0101rddana was.\nThereupon Krishna again said \"O hero, release the kings, subdued by\nthee.\" Hearing this the heroic and powerful son of Rukshmini released\nthem all. Then the heroic kings, shorn of prosperity, could not say\nanything out of shame. Observing silence they only sat down with their\nfaces cast down (48-52).\n\nGovinda was fighting with his dreadful enemy Nikumbha who was trying his\nvery best for victory. O lord, there Krishna was struck by Nikumbha with\na Parigha and he was wounded by Krishna with a club (53\u201354). Thus cut\nsorely by each other they both lost their consciousness. Seeing the\nPandavas and Yadavas aggrieved the Munis, desirous of doing good unto\nKrishna, began to recite Mantras and adore him with hymns laid down in\nthe Vedas. Thereupon regaining their consciousness the D\u0101nava and\nKeshava again addressed themselves for fighting. O descendant of\nBharata, those two heroes, dreadful in battle, struck each other like\ntwo fighting infuriated bulls, or elephants or leopards (55\u201358).\n\nO king, thereupon an invisible voice said to Krishna: \"O thou of great\nstrength, the Lord Vilwodakeshwara has order thee to kill this thorn of\nthe Br\u0101hmanas with thy discus and acquire great virtue and fame\"\n(59\u201360). Hearing this Hari, the refuge of the pious and the protector of\nthe world, said \"So be it.\" And then saluting Mah\u0101deva he discharged his\ndiscus _Sudarshana_, the destroyer of the Daitya race. That discus,\neffulgent like the solar disc, discharged off N\u0101r\u0101yana\u2019s hand, sundered\nNikumbha\u2019s head adorned with most beautiful ear-rings (61\u201362). As a\npeacock falls down on earth from the summit of a mountain, so his head,\nbeautified with ear-rings, dropped down on earth. O king, the powerful\nNikumbha, the terror of the world being slain the Lord Vilwodakeshwara\nwas pleased. O slayer of thy enemies, from the sky fell showers of\nflowers discharged by Indra and the celestial bugles were sounded. The\nwhole world, especially the hermits, attained to an excess of joy.\nThereupon the Lord Keshava, having Gada as his elder brother,\ndelightedly conferred upon the Yadavas hundreds of Daitya maidens. And\nconsoling the Kshatriyas repeatedly he gave them precious jewels and\ndiverse raiments. And he gave the P\u0101ndavas six thousand cars with\nhorses. The rider of Garuda who always multiplies cities, gave that city\nof Shatpura to the Br\u0101hmana Brahmadatta (63\u201369).\n\nAfter the termination of Brahmadatta\u2019s Yajna the highly powerful\nGovinda, the holder of conch, discus and club, dismissed the Kshatriyas\nand gave a grand party with enough of rice, curry, meat and pudding\nbefore the Lord of _Bel_ leaves and water. The self-controlled Lord\nHari, fond of wrestling, made the expert wrestlers show their\nperformances before that party and gave them money and clothes.\nAfterwards saluting Brahmadatta he set out for the city of Dw\u0101ravati\nwith his father, mother and the other Y\u0101davas. That hero, worshipped by\npeople on his way, entered the charming city abounding in contented and\nbeautiful people, and the streets of which were decorated with flowers.\nHe, who listens to or reads the account of the conquest of Shatpura by\nthe holder of discus, acquires victory in battle (70-75). By hearing or\nreading it one, having no son, gets one, a pauper gets riches, a sick\nman is cured of his diseases, and one bound is released from the\nfetters. If this story is recited on the occasion of a Punsavana,\u00b2\u2079\u2078\nGarbhadh\u0101na\u00b2\u2079\u2079 or a Sr\u0101ddha it is considered as bringing about complete\nsuccess. O Janamejaya, the man, who always reads the account of the\nvictory of the high-souled Deity, the foremost of immortals of\nincomparable strength, is freed from tribulation and proceeds from here\nto a most excellent region. The Purusha, whose palms and feet are\nadorned with jems and gold, who is effulgent like the great burning sun,\nwho is the subduer of his enemies, who is the Prime Lord, who lies on\nthe bed of four oceans, who has four Atmans and who has a thousand\nnames, always lives in the best place (76\u201379).\n\n  \u00b2\u2079\u2078 A religious and domestic festival held on the mother\u2019s perceiving\n      the first signs of a living conception.\n\n  \u00b2\u2079\u2079 A ceremony performed prior to conception.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXXIII. THE HISTORY OF THE ASURA ANDHAKA.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O foremost of Munis, O Vaishampayana, I have listened\nto an account of the spoliation of Shatpura. Do you now describe the\ndestruction of Andhaka mentioned by you before. O foremost of speakers,\nI am also very anxious to hear of an account of Bh\u0101numati\u2019s being\ncarried away and of the destruction of Nikumbha (1-2).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2013In the days of yore when all her sons had been slain\nby the Divine Lord Vishnu, Diti, with ascetic penances, worshipped\nMarichi\u2019s son Kashyapa. O descendant of Bharata, pleased with her\npenances, service, help and beauty the foremost of Munis, Kashyapa, said\nto her having asceticism for wealth:\u2014\"O fair one, O religious lady, I\nhave been pleased with you. Pray for a boon\" (3-5).\n\nDiti said:\u2014O lord, O foremost of the pious, the gods have killed my sons\nand I have none at present. I pray for such a son of incomparable\nprowess whom the gods will not be able to kill (6).\n\nKashyapa said:\u2014O goddess, O daughter of Daksha, O you having lotus eyes,\nI have no influence over Rudra, forsooth your soon will not be killed by\nany other god save him. Your son shall have to protect himself from\nRudra (7-8).\n\nO descendant of Kuru, thereupon the truthful Kashyapa touched, with his\nfingers, the belly of that goddess. She gave birth to a son having a\nthousand arms, thousand heads, two thousand legs, and two thousand eyes.\nO descendant of Bharata, because he used to go about like a blind man,\npeople of that province called him by the name of Andhaka. O Janamejaya,\nconsidering himself as above death, that Daitya used to oppress all and\ncarry away by force their jewels. Having carried them away by force the\nhighly proud Andhaka, a terror to all the worlds, compelled the Apsaras\nto live in his own house. Out of foolishness, that son of Diti, bent\nupon committing sin, used to steal other\u2019s wives and jewels (9-14).\n\nO descendant of Bharata, once on a time that oppresser of all, with his\nown followers the Asuras, prepared himself for conquering the three\nworlds. Hearing it the Lord Sakra said to his father Kashyapa:\u2014\"O\nforemost of Munis, Andhaka is doing all this. O lord, command me what I\nshould do. O Muni, how shall I suffer such oppressions of my younger\nbrother? And how shall I strike the dear son of my step mother? O Sire,\nif the son of this worshipful mother be killed by me forsooth she will\nbe worked up with anger\" (15\u201318).\n\nHearing the words of the king of gods the great Muni Kashyapa said:\u2014\"May\ngood betide you, O lord of the celestials; I shall prevent him by all\nmeans.\"\n\nThereupon O descendant of Bharata, Diti and Kashyapa, with great\ndifficulty, desisted Andhaka from conquering the three worlds (19-20).\nAlthough thus prevented that wicked-souled one began to oppress the\nimmortals and the other inhabitants of the celestial region by various\nmeans (21). The wicked-minded demon uprooted the trees of the forest and\nspoiled the gardens. O descendant of Bharata, even before the very\npresence of the gods, that D\u0101nava, elated with the pride of his\nstrength, took away the charioteers and horses of Indra and the\ncelestial elephants, of the quarters. That thorn of the gods used to\nthrow obstacles in the way of those men who wanted to propitiate the\ngods with Yajnas (22\u201324). O king, in fear of Andhaka and the obstruction\nof Yajnas, the sacrificers stopped the performance of sacrifies and the\nascetics gave up the practice of bare austerities. At his command the\nwind blew, the sun gave its rays and the moon appeared and disappeared\nwith stars. In fear of the highly dreadful and wicked Andhaka, elated\nwith the pride of his strength, the cars of the sky-rangers could not\nfreely pass in the welkin (25\u201327). O hero! O upholder of the Kuru race,\nthus in fear of the highly terrible Andhaka the world was divorced from\nOm and Vashatkar\u00b3\u2070\u2070 (28). Once on a time the sinful demon devastated the\nprovinces of Uttarakura, Bhadr\u0101swa, Ketum\u0101l and Jamvudwipa. What more,\nalthough capable, the gods, Danavas and other creatures used to show him\nrespect (29\u201330).\n\nO foremost of the pious, oppressed by Andhaka the Brahmavadins unitedly\nconcerted measures for his destruction. Amongst them the intelligent\nVrihaspati said:\u2014\"Save Rudra, no body will be able to kill him, for, at\nthe time of conferring the boon the intelligent Kashyapa said to Aditi\n\u2019I shall not be able to protect your son against Rudra (31-33).\u2019 We\nshould now find out the means by which the eternal Sarva, the benefactor\nof all, may be informed of the trouble of all the creatures (34). If the\npowerful, Divine Lord Bhava, the refuge of the pious, be informed of our\nobject he will surely remove the misery of the world, for to save the\npious especially the Br\u0101hmanas from the wicked is the work of Bhava, the\ngod of gods, and the preceptor of the world (35\u201336). Let us go and seek\nthe help of the best of the twice-born N\u0101rada. He is a friend of\nMahadeva, and will point out to us an expedient.\" Hearing the words of\nVrihaspati the ascetics saw N\u0101rada the foremost of the celestial saints\nin the sky (37-38). Worshipping him duly and welcoming him the gods\nsaid:\u2014\"O celestial saint, O lord, O pious Rishi, go speedily to Kail\u0101sha\nand speak to the great god Hara, for the destruction of Andhaka.\" They\nsaid this to N\u0101rada for their own safety. He too said \"So be it\"\n(39\u201340).\n\nAfter the departure of the Rishis the learned Muni N\u0101rada thought over\nthis matter in his mind and arrived at a conclusion. For seeing the god\nof gods, Siva, the divine Muni repaired to the garden Mand\u0101ra where he\nalways lived (41\u201342). O descendant of Bharata, having lived in\nSulapani\u2019s (Siva\u2019s) charming garden of Mand\u0101ra for one night, he, with\nthe permission of Vrishadhwaja, took a well-set garland of Mandara\nflowers, the best of all sweet-scented articles and another of Sant\u0101naka\nflowers and set out for the city of the celestials. O king, having\nplaced that highly fragrant garland around his neck N\u0101rada went where\nthe wicked-souled Andhaka, proud of his strength, was (43\u201346). Seeing\nthat garland of Sant\u0101naka flowers and smelling its sweet fragrance\nAndhaka asked him:\u2014\"O great Muni, having asceticism for your wealth,\nwhere have you got these beautiful flowers which are always carrying\nsuch a beautiful scent and colour? They have, by all means, excelled the\nSant\u0101naka flowers of the celestial region. Where do they grow and who is\ntheir owner? O Muni, whom the gods entertain as their guest, if you have\nrespect for me tell me all this\" (47-49).\n\nO descendant of Bharata, hearing this that foremost of Munis, Narada,\nhaving tapas for his jems, held him by the hand and said:\u2014\"O hero, these\nflowers grow in the charming forest situated on that best of mountains\nMand\u0101ra. They are the creation of the trident-handed deity (50\u201351). The\nghostly attendants of the great Mah\u0101deva guard that forest. So without\nhis permission no body can enter there. Those goblins put on various\ndresses, use diverse weapons, are dreadful and unapproachable. On\naccount of their being protected well by Mah\u0101deva they are unslayable by\nall creatures. In that garden of Mand\u0101ra Hara, the soul and protector of\nall, and followed by goblins, always plays there with the goddess Um\u0101\n(52\u201354). O you born in the race of Kashyapa, if one adores Hara, the\nlord of the three worlds with particular hard austerities he obtains the\nMand\u0101ra flowers. These trees, beloved of Hara, confer jewels of women,\nother precious stones and all sorts of desired-for objects (55\u201356). O\nyou of incomparable prowess, that forest of trees, where no misery\nprevails, is self effulgent. The sun or the moon does not pour its rays\nthere. O you of great strength, amongst those huge trees some give\nscents, some water and some various fragrant raiments. They also pour\nvarious desired-for edibles and drinks. O sinless hero, know it for\ncertain that in that Mand\u0101ra forest no body experiences thirst, hunger\nor fatigue. What more, even in hundred years cannot be described the\nvirtues, superior to those of the celestial region even, which those\ntrees possess. O foremost of the sons of Diti, he, who lives there even\nfor a day, acquires victory over all superior to that of Mah\u0101deva even.\nThere is no doubt about it. In my opinion that region had been selected\nbefore the creation of the world, as the heaven of heaven and happiness\nof happiness (57-63)\".\n\n  \u00b3\u2070\u2070 All the religious ceremonies were stopped.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXXIV. ANDMAKA GOES TO THE MOUNT MANDARA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O descendant of Bharata, hearing attentively the\nwords of N\u0101rada the great Asura Andhaka felt a desire for going to the\nmount Mandara (1). Having gathered other Asuras (around him) the highly\nenergetic and powerful Andhaka, elated with the pride of his strength,\narrived at the mount Mandara. It was covered with huge clouds, great\nherbs and virtuous Siddhas. There lived the great Rishis and it abounded\nin many elephants, sandal, Aguru and various other trees. It was\nrendered charming with the songs of the Kinnaras and it danced as if\nwith the blossoming trees blown by the wind. It was filled with the\nsweet notes of the birds and swans moving about beautifully. It was\nadorned with the highly powerful buffaloes, the destroyers of the demons\nand lions white as the rays of the moon. It was filled with hundreds of\ndeer. Arriving there he said to that best of mountains existing there in\nhis own form. (2\u20138). \"You know that by virtue of my father\u2019s boon I am\nnot to be slain by any. The three worlds, consisting of mobile and\nimmobile creation, are under me. O mountain, out of fear, none is able\nto fight with me. O great hill, I have heard that on your table-land\nthere is a forest of P\u0101rij\u0101ta trees, the jewels of them, adorned with\nflowers conferring all desired-for objects. My mind is filled with\ncuriosity-tell me speedily where that forest is on your table-land. O\nmountain, if angry you will not be able to do any thing against me: on\nthe other hand if I oppress and trouble you, I do not see any one who\nwill be able to protect you.\" Thus addressed the mount Mandara\ndisappeared therefrom (9-12).\n\nThereupon worked up with great anger Andhaka, proud of his boon, set up\na terrible leonine shout and said:\u2014\"O mountain, although requested by me\nyou have not shown me sufficient honor. Now witness my strength\u2014I will\ncrush you within this very moment.\" Saying it the powerful Andhaka,\nelated with the pride of the boon, uprooted, with the help of the\nAsuras, a summit extending over many _yojanas_ and began to grind it. O\nhero, for this all the streams of that huge mountain were blockaded.\nWhen Rudra came to know of all this he showed him such a special favour,\nthat it appeared in the same beauty abounding in infuriated elephants,\ndeer, various streams and variegated gardens, which it possessed before\nit was uprooted by Andhaka (13\u201318).\n\nThereupon by the power of the Lord, the dreadful summits, uprooted by\nAndhaka, brought about the destruction of the Asuras themselves (19). O\nking, the mountain summits crushed those Asuras to death who uprooting\nthem were flying away (20). Those Asuras however, who were sitting at\nease on the table-land of the mount Mandara, were not killed thereby.\nSeeing his soldiers thus crushed down Andhaka set up a terrible leonine\nshout and said:\u2014\"O mountain, there is no need of fighting with you. I\ninvite him who is the owner of the garden situate on your elevation. Let\nhim come forward to fight. What is the use of carrying on the work of\ndestruction remaining in disguise in the battle-field\" (21\u201323).\n\nThus addressed the Lord Maheswara, desirous of killing him, took up his\nmace and arrived there riding on his bull (24). The intelligent,\nthree-eyed deity, the lord of goblins came there encircled by ghosts and\ngoblins. At that time when Mah\u0101deva was worked up with anger the entire\nworld shook and the rivers flew in contrary courses with burning water\n(25\u201326), O king, by Hara\u2019s energy all the quarters were consumed with\nfire and the planets began to fight with one another. O descendant of\nKuru, at that time all the mountains were moved and the god of rains\nsent down showers of char-coals accompanied with smoke. And the moon\nbecame hot and the sun cool. The Brahmav\u0101dins forgot the Vedas. O\nsinless one, at that time the asses gave birth to cows and the cows to\nhorses. The trees were reduced to ashes and fell down on earth. The\nbulls began to oppress the kine and the kine began to ride on the bulls.\nAll the quarters were filled with Rakshasas, Yatudh\u0101nas and Pish\u0101cas.\nBeholding the universe in such an altered condition the Divine Mah\u0101deva\ncast off his mace effulgent like fire. O king, that dreadful mace,\ndischarged by Hara, fell on the breast of the Asura Andhaka, the thorn\nof the pious, and immediately reduced him to ashes (27-33).\n\nWhen the enemy of the world was slain, the gods and the Munis, having\nasceticism for their wealth, began to propitiate Shankara (34).\nCelestials bugles were sounded and showers of flowers fell down. O king,\nthe three worlds were freed from anxiety and enjoyed rest (35). The gods\nand Gandharvas began to sing and the Apsaras began to dance. The\nBr\u0101hmanas began to recite the Vedas and perform sacrifices (36). The\nplanets resumed their natural positions and the rivers flew in their\nproper courses. Fire did not burn in water. All people began to cherish\nhopes (37). The foremost of mountains Mandara again shone in\nbeauty\u2014adorned with its pristine prosperity and effulgence (38). Having\nthus benefitted the gods the Lord Hara began to sport with Um\u0101 again in\nthe garden of P\u0101rij\u0101ta (39).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXXV. THE YADAVAS SPORT IN THE OCEAN.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O Muni, I have thus listened to an account of the\nnecessary destruction of Andhaka, by which the intelligent Mahadeva\nrestored peace in the three worlds. It behoves thee to describe to me\nwhy the second body of Nikumbha was destroyed by Krishna, the holder of\ndiscus (1-2).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O sinless king, you have the greatest reverences for\nlistening to the history of Hari, the highly powerful lord of the\nuniverse. I should therefore describe it to you (3). O king, while\nliving in the city of Dw\u0101rk\u0101 Hari, of incomparable energy, sailed by sea\nfor the sacred shrine of Pindaraka (4). O descendant of Bharata, at that\ntime Ugrasena and Vasudeva remained as the governors of the city. All\nothers followed N\u0101r\u0101yana (5). O king, Baladeva, Jan\u0101rddana, and the\nparties of other princes, energetic like the immortals, set out\nseparately (6). O king, thousands of dancing girls accompanied the\nbeautiful Vrishni princes adorned with ornaments (7). O hero, removing\nthe ocean from its own bed the powerful Yadavas had settled those\nthousands of dancing girls in Dw\u0101ravati (8). Those beautiful dancing\ngirls, on account of their accomplishments, became the objects of\nenjoyment to the princes (9). O lord, thinking that the Yadavas might\nnot suffer from an internal feud for women the intelligent Krishna\nestablished this practice amongst the Bhaimas (10). While sporting in\nthe water, the powerful Baladeva, the foremost of Yadus, inebrite with\ndrinking wine and adorned with a garland of wild flowers, was enjoying\nonly with Revati like a Chakrav\u0101ka bird. Making an enclosure with his\nown persons Govinda, the creator of all, having eyes black like a cloud,\nwas sporting separately in the ocean with his sixteen thousand wives. O\nking, at that time, amongst the women of Keshava every one thought:\u2014\"I\nam the most favourite of Keshava: he is sporting only with me\" (11-14).\nAll those damsels, having signs of sporting all over their person, were\nflirting with Govinda (15). Amongst those good women the beautiful\ndamsels of N\u0101r\u0101yana felt conceited by thinking \"I alone am the most\nfavourite of Keshava.\" Krishna\u2019s women, as if with their eyes, were\ndrinking the ambrosia of Keshava\u2019s countenance. All those damsels, whose\nminds and eyes were fixed only on Keshava, looked more beautiful than\nbefore. The Lord N\u0101r\u0101yana, having pleased them all, those women, having\ntheir minds and eyes fixed on one man, did not cherish jealousy against\none another. As if possessed entirely by Keshava those beautiful women\nbegan to shake their heads with pride (116-121). In pursuance of the\nways of his universal form the self-controlled Hari began to sport with\nthose women in this way in the pure water of the ocean (22). O hero, at\nthat time at the command of V\u0101sudeva the water of the ocean was freed\nfrom salt and the great ocean began to carry transparent water,\npossessing all sorts of fragrance (23). The ocean yielded its water to\nwhatever extent the women wanted, either up to their knees, thighs or\nbreast (24). As the rivers pour their watery contents down into the\nocean, and as the clouds pour water on the blossoming creepers, so in\nthat watery sport Keshava\u2019s women sprinkled him with water (25). Some of\nthem, having eyes like a deer, held Hari by the neck, and said:\u2014\"O Hari,\nI am being drowned, save me\" (26). Some handsome damsels began to row in\nwooden boats of the shape of herons and serpents (27). Some began to row\nin Makara-shaped boats and others in boats of various shapes (28). In\norder to please Jan\u0101rddana in the water of the ocean some women swam\ndepending on their own breast and some on water jars. (29). Krishna\nhimself, filled with joy, began to sport with Rukshmini. N\u0101r\u0101yana\u2019s\nwives did what pleased most Keshava, the foremost of immortals (30).\nThere amongst those thin-built damsels, having cloud like eyes and\nwearing clothes of fine texture some imitated the movements of V\u0101sudeva.\nEntering into the minds of those women, Keshava, conversant with the\nmental desire of all, satisfied whatever they wanted (31\u201333). Although\nlord of all self-controlled persons, the powerful, eternal, divine\nHrishikesha, according to the exigencies of time, brought himself under\nthe control of his beloved wives (33). Wonder! the damsels regarded\nJan\u0101ddana remaining there in human guise as their becoming husband both\nas regards birth and accomplishments. In this way those clever women\nbegan to seek with devotion and offer sufficient honor to Krishna endued\nwith kindliness and always smiling before speaking (34-35).\n\nIn order to sport with the women in water the princes formed a separate\nparty. Those heroes, the mines of accomplishments, were sporting under\nwater (36), O king, the women, proficient in the art of singing and\ndancing whom the princes had brought there by force, were pleased with\ntheir kind behaviour. Seeing the charming acting of those beautiful\nwomen, and hearing the music of bugles and their songs the Yadu heroes\nwere greatly pleased (37\u201338). Thereupon on account of his universal form\nwhen Lord Krishna, the master of the world and of immeasurable energy,\nsent for the most beautiful Apsaras such as Panchachud\u0101, Kouveri and\nMahendri, they came with folded hands and saluted him. Consoling them,\nhe said.\n\nMahadeva said:\u2014\"O ye beautiful Apsaras, for satisfying me do you enter\nhere without any anxiety and please the Y\u0101davas as their playing maids.\nShow them all the accomplishments that you possess in various musical\ninstruments, dancing, singing and other mysterious arts. They are all\nlike my limbs. If you please them therefore you will meet with your\nwell-being.\" Having accepted that command of Hari\u2019s with lowering heads\nthose Apsaras joined the Y\u0101davas as their playful maids (39\u201344).\n\nO sinless one, as clouds in the sky are lighted up by a lightning so the\nwater of the ocean was ablaze as soon as they entered there (45).\nStanding in the water as if on land they played many notes on water as\nin the celestial region (46). Those women, having expansive eyes,\npilfered the minds of the Bhaimas with garlands of celestial fragrance,\nraiments, sportive smiles, gestures, movements of eyes, anger and\nservice after their own hearts (47\u201348). Those leading Apsaras repeatedly\nthrew up the inebriete Bhaimas into the sky and brought them down (49).\nIn order to please the Yadavas the powerful Krishna too, with his\nsixteen thousand wives, began to sport happily in the sky (50). The\nheroic Bhaimas knew the power of Krishna of immeasurable energy and so\nthey were not surprised at this feat of his; rather they observed\nperfect gravity (51). O Bh\u0101rata, O slayer of enemies, amongst them some,\nof their own accord, returned to Raivataka, some to their own houses,\nand some to desired for forests. The water of the ocean, which no one\nelse can drink, was, by the command of the powerful lord of the world\nVishnu, converted into a good drink for all (52\u201353). Holding the\ndamsels, having lotus eyes, by the hand they began to move about freely\nin the water as on land and dive again into the water (54). Various\nsorts of edibles and drinks were brought before them as soon they\nthought of them. In this way, those damsels, wearing garlands of fresh\nflowers, began to sport with those Yadu princes in that solitary place\n(55\u201356).\n\nThereupon when the evening set in the invincible Vrishnis and Andhakas\nput on unguents on their persons after bathing and began to sport in\nhouse-boats (57). O descendant of Kuru, in all those boats the celestial\narchitect Viswakarm\u0101 had made various palaces such as Chaturasra and\nSwasthika (58). Some of those boats were like the mounts Kail\u0101sha,\nMandara and Sumeru. Some of them were like birds and some like deer\n(59). The rooms, made on those boats, were spread with carpets, lighted\nwith emeralds, Chandrak\u0101nta, Suryak\u0101nta and other precious jems. Its\ndoors were made of Vaiduryas. In those boats painted with gold there\nwere rooms of the form of a joy Garuda, Krounchy, Suka and elephant\n(60\u201361). Those golden boats, guided by boatsmen, beautified greatly the\nwater of the ocean abounding in waves (62). With floating small boats,\nlarge boats, and flats the abode of Varuna was beautified (63). Like the\nsky-ranging cities of the Gandharvas the boats of the Bhaimas began to\nmove about in the ocean (64). O descendant of Bharata, the celestial\narchitect Viswakarm\u0101 had made all those boats after the celestial garden\nNandana. Garden-halls, trees, tanks, chariots and other works of art\nwere laid out there in imitation of those of the Nandana garden. O hero,\nwhat more shall I speak, at the command of N\u0101rayana, in those boats,\nresembling those of the celestial regions, every thing was constructed\nafter its celestial model (65\u201367). In the forests that were laid out on\nthe boats of the highly powerful Bhaimas the birds, emitting sweeter\nnotes, were pilfering their minds. The white coels, born in the\ncelestial region, were emitting various notes liked by the Yadavas.\nEncircled by she-peacocks the peacocks, emitting sweet notes, were\ndancing on the roofs of the houses beautiful like the rays of the moon\n(68\u201370). The flags, hoisted on the boats, were filled with diverse\nbirds\u2014and the bees, sitting on the garlands, were humming. At the\nmandate of N\u0101r\u0101yana beautiful signs of the season appeared in the sky\nand the trees were continually showering flowers (71\u201372). There blew\ncharming and delightful wind, surcharged with filaments of flowers,\ncarrying the coolness of sandal and exciting desire in men (73). O king,\nat that time by the influence of V\u0101sudeva, the holder of discus, the\nBhaimas enjoyed heat and cold according to their pleasure. None of them\nexperienced, hunger, thirst, exhaustion or sorrow. Thus in their sport\nin the ocean which was continually enlivened by the sound of trumpets,\nmusic and dancing the Bhaimas, protected by Krishna, sported obstructing\nthat vast watery expanse for many a _yojanas_ (74\u201377). The Divine\nArchitect had constructed the boat of the high-souled Deity N\u0101r\u0101yana in\nimitation of his dress. O king, all the valuable jewels of the three\nworlds were brought into the boat of the highly energetic Krishna. O\ndescendant of Bharata, for each of the wives of Krishna, a separate room\nwas made of gold and adorned with pearls and sapphires. Thus adorned\nwith flowers of all seasons and supplied with all sorts of perfumeries\nthe leading Yadus played with the auspicious gods (78\u201381).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXXVI. THE SPORT OF THE YADUS CONTINUED.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having lost all control over himself and his\nmovements for drinking Kadamvari wine and with his eyes reddened the\nhighly beautiful Bala, of large arms pasted with sandal, began to sport\nwith Revati (1). As the full moon shines in a cloud so clad in raiments\nblack like clouds the divine R\u0101ma, fair like the rays of the moon and\nwith eyes rolling in intoxication, shone there (2). With Kundala on his\nleft ear only and adorned with beautiful lotuses, the smiling R\u0101ma\nattained to an excess of delight by repeatedly looking at the\ncountenance of his beloved consort adorned with side-long looks (3).\n\nThereupon at the command of Keshava, the destroyer of Kansa and\nNikumbha, the beautiful Apsaras approached the holder of ploughshare\nprosperous like heaven itself for beholding Revati and R\u0101ma (4). Those\nbeautiful-bodied Apsaras, endued with charming physical frames, saluted\nRevati and R\u0101ma and began to dance in accompaniment with time. And some\nof them sang with gestures expressive of every sort of emotion (5).\nAccording to the command of Baladeva and the daughter of the Ravata king\nthey began to display various gestures acquired by them as desired by\nthe Yadavas (6). Having dressed themselves after the women of the\ncountry of the Y\u0101davas those thin-built and beautiful damsels sang, in\ntheir language, songs set to thou sands of tunes (7). O hero, before\nthat assembly they sang various sacred themes conducive to the pleasure\nof R\u0101ma and Keshava, such as the destruction of Kansa, Pralamva, and\nChanura; the story of Jan\u0101rddana\u2019s being tied to the mortar for which\nhis glory was established by Yashod\u0101 and he obtained the name of\nDamodara; the destruction of Aristha and Dhenuka; his residence in\nVraja; the destruction of Putana; his uprooting of the trees Yamala and\nArjuna; his creation of wolves in time, the suppression of the wicked\nking of serpents Kalya by Krishna in the lake; the return of Madhusudana\nfrom that lake with lotuses, lilies, conches and Nidhis; the upholding\nof the mount Govardhana for the benefit of Gokula by Keshava, the source\nof well-being to the world; how Krishna cured the hump-backed woman, the\nseller of powdered scents; these accounts of the Lord shorn of birth and\nimperfections. The Apsaras also described how the Lord, though not a\ndwarf Himself, assumed the most wretched dwarfish form; how Soubha was\nslain; how Baladeva held up his ploughshare in all these battles; the\ndestruction of other enemies of the gods; the battle with the proud\nkings at the time of the wedding of the G\u0101ndh\u0101ra princess; the carrying\naway of Subhdr\u0101; the battle with V\u0101l\u0101haka and Jamvum\u0101li; and how he\ncarried away all the jewels in the very presence of Sakra after\ndefeating him (7-14). O king, while those beautiful women were singing\nall these and various other themes pleasant and delightful to\nSangkarshana and Adhokshaja, the highly beautiful Balar\u0101ma, drunk with\nKadamvari wine, began to sing with his wife Revati accompanied with\nsweet clapping of hands (15-16). Beholding R\u0101ma sing thus, the\nintelligent, high-souled and highly powerful Madhusudana, in order to\nplease him, began to sing with Satya (17). The greatest hero of the\nworld, P\u0101rtha, who had come there for the sea-voyage, also delightedly\njoined the beautiful Subhadr\u0101 and Krishna in their singing (18). O king,\nthe intelligent Gada, S\u0101rana, Pradyumna, Sh\u0101mva, Satyaki and the son of\nSatyarjit, the greatly powerful Ch\u0101rudeshna also sang there in a chorus.\nR\u0101ma\u2019s sons, the greatest of heroes, the princes Nishatha and Ulmukha,\nthe commander, Akrura, Sankha and other leading Bhaimas also sang there\n(19-20).\n\nAt that time, O king, by Krishna\u2019s power the boats increased in size and\nJanarddana sang to his best along with the leading Bhaimas (21). O\nheroic prince, when the immortal-like Yadu chiefs sang in this way the\nwhole world was filled with joy and sins were dissipated (23). Thereupon\nfor pleasing Keshava, the slayer of Madhu, Narada, the guest of the\ncelestials, began to sing in such a way amongst the Yadavas that a\nportion of his matted hairs melted away (23). O prince, composing the\nsongs there and then, that Muni, of immeasurable energy, sang them\namongst the Bhaimas again and again with various gestures and motions\n(24). Thereupon beholding Baladeva, the daughter of the king Revata,\nKeshava, Pritha\u2019s son, Satyabh\u0101n\u0101 and Subhadr\u0101, the intelligent Rishi\nsmiled repeatedly (25). Although the wives of Keshava were patient by\nnature still the intelligent N\u0101rada, ever fond of joking, with his\ngestures, smiles, motions and with various other means which could\nexcite their laughter, made them laugh (26). As if instructed the Divine\nMuni N\u0101rada sang various tunes high and low; and for pleasing Krishna he\nbegan to laugh aloud and shed tears of joy (27). O Prince, then the\nyouthful damsels, conversant with gestures, gave away, at Krishna\u2019s\ncommand, the best jewels of the world, beautiful raiments, garlands made\nin heaven, Sant\u0101naka flowers, pearls and other flowers born in all\nseasons (28\u201329).\n\nThereupon after the termination of the musical soiree the Divine\nKrishna, holding the great and incomparable Muni N\u0101rada, by the hand,\njumped into the ocean with Satyabh\u0101m\u0101 and Arjuna (30). Smiling a little\nthe highly beautiful Krishna, of incomparable prowess, said to Sini\u2019s\nson\u2014\"Let us form ourselves into two parties and sport in the water of\nthe ocean with the damsels. In this water of the ocean let Baladeva and\nRevati with my sons and some of the Bhaimas form one party and let the\nremaining Bhaimas and Bala\u2019s sons join my party\" (31\u201332).\n\nAfterwards the highly confident Keshava said to the ocean stationed\nbefore him with folded hands:\u2014\"Ocean, let your water be sweet and shorn\nof sharks (33). May your bed be adorned with jems and may your banks be\nworthy of a happy touch by the two feet. And may you, by my power, give\nall that you know of suited to the taste of mankind (34). May you give\nevery sort of drink liked by people and may gentle fishes, adorned with\ngold, sapphires and pearls, range in your water (35). May you hold jems,\nand fragrant, charming and red lotuses and lilies of sweet touch and\nserved by bees (36). May you hold numerous jars and golden vessels, from\nwhich the Bhaimas will drink, of Maireya, M\u0101dhvika, and Asava wines\n(37). O ocean, be thou of cold water fragrant with the scent of flowers.\nBe thou so very careful that Y\u0101davas with their women may not suffer any\ninconvenince (38)\".\n\nO king, having said this to the ocean Krishna began to sport with\nArjuna. Satrajit\u2019s daughter, well-read in hints given by Krishna,\nsprinkled water on Narada\u2019s body (39). Thereupon R\u0101ma, his body reeling\nwith intoxication, held lustfully, with his own hands, those of Revati\nand jumped sportively into the water of the ocean (40). Following R\u0101ma\nthe sportive sons of Krishna, with their eyes rolling in intoxication\nand the other leading Bhaimas, shorn of their unguents, raiments and\nornaments, delightedly jumped into the ocean. Nishatha, Ulmuka and other\nsons of Baladeva with garlands of Sant\u0101naka flowers around their neck,\nclad in variegated raiments, drunk and bent on sporting, as well as the\nremaining Bhaimas joined Keshava\u2019s party (41-42). The powerful Yadavas,\nhaving beautiful marks and pastes on their persons, with watering\nvessels in their hands, began to sing songs of sweet tunes and\nbeautifully suited for that place (43). Afterwards hundreds of well\ndressed damsels, fond of music, united with Apsar\u0101s living in the\ncelestial region, began to play various notes (44). Those youthful\ndamsels, conversant with playing instruments in the water of the\netherial Ganges, and having their minds fully possessed by Cupid,\ndelightedly played on _Jaladaraura_\u00b3\u2070\u00b9 and sang songs in accompaniment\nwith it (45). At that time the beautiful celestial dancing girls, having\neyes like lotus petals and adorned with lotus stalks, assumed the beauty\nof lotuses blown by the rays of the sun (46). O king, filled with the\nmoon-like faces of those women appearing like hundreds of full moon,\neither going there of their own accord or under the decree of the\nProvidence, the ocean appeared like the sky adorned with a thousand\nmoons (47). O king, the cloud-like ocean was beautified with lighting\nlike woman. The lord of waters appeared like clouds in the sky dispersed\nby lightning (48).\n\nThereupon N\u0101r\u0101yana, who had put beautiful marks on his body, N\u0101rada and\nother members of his party sprinkled water on Baladeva and his party who\nhad also put on beautiful marks. And the latter also sprinkled water on\nthe former (49). At that time the wives of Krishna and Sangkarshana, out\nof intoxication caused by V\u0101runi wine and worked up with music,\ndelightedly threw water upon one another with hands and watering\ninstruments (50). The Bhaimas, possessed by wine, Cupid and\nself-dignity, with eyes reddened with intoxication, threw water upon one\nanother and in this way assumed harsh attitude before the very presence\nof the ladies: they did not desist although they sported for a long time\n(51).\n\nBeholding thus their too much familiar intercourse, Krishna, the holder\nof discus, thought for a moment and then prevented them. He too, with\nP\u0101rtha and N\u0101rada, desisted from playing on instruments in the water\n(52). The Bhaimas, ever affording delight to their beloved women,\nalthough they were highly sensitive, at once understood Krishna\u2019s\nintention as soon as he gave hints and desisted from playing in the\nwater: but the damsels continued dancing (53). After the termination of\nthe dancing party Upendra got upon the shore even while the other\nYadavas were in the water. He then gave the best of Munis N\u0101rada\nbecoming unguents and afterwards himself partook of them (54). Then\nbeholding Upendra get out of water the incomparable Bhaimas soon left\nthe water. Then purifying their persons with unguents, they, with the\npermission of Krishna, retired to the drinking ground (55). Seated there\nin order according to their age and position those well-known heroes\nrefreshed themselves with diverse edibles and drinks (56). Thereupon the\ncooks, with great pleasure, brought there cooked meat, vinegar,\npomegranates and meat of beasts fried on iron rods (57). Then a young\nbuffalo, well-roasted on a rod, hot, soaked in clarified butter, and\nmixed with vinegar, _Sochal_ salt and acid, was served (58). Meat of\nmany fat deer roasted according to the process of skillful cooking, and\nsweetened with vinegar was next brought (59). Legs of beasts, mixed with\nsalt and mustard and fried in clarified butter were also served (60).\nThe incomparable Y\u0101davas, with great pleasure, partook of those dishes\nwith the roots of Arum campanulatum, pomegranates, common citrons,\nasafaetida, gingerade and other fragrant vegetables. They then drank in\nbeautiful cups (61). Encircled by their beloved damsels they drank\nvarious wines such as Maireya, Madhvika and Asava prepared from the meat\nof birds roasted on a rod with clarified butter, acid juice, salt and\nsourish articles (62). They also partook of other side dishes, various\nfragrant salted edibles of white and red colour, curd and preparations\nof clarified butter (63). O king, Uddhava, Bhoja, and other heroes, who\ndid not drink, delightedly took vegetables, vegetable-curries, cakes,\ncurd and pudding (64). From the drinking vessel named P\u0101lavi, they drank\nvarious fragrant drinks, milk and butter with sugar and took various\nsorts of fruits (65). In this way the heroic Bhaimas were pleased with\neating to their fill. Afterwards, they, having their wives as their\ncompanions, joined the music again with pleasure, initiated by their\nconsorts (66).\n\nThereupon when the night set in the Divine Upendra asked all present in\nthe party to go on with the song. _Chh\u0101likya_ of various tunes sung by\nthe gods and Gandharvas (67). O king, then Narada began to play on his\nVin\u0101 which with six scales and _Ragas_\u00b3\u2070\u00b2 brings about the concentration\nof mind, Krishna began to perform _Hallishaka_\u00b3\u2070\u00b3 accompanied with the\nmusic of his flute and P\u0101rtha began to play on his _Mridanga_:\u00b3\u2070\u2074 other\nleading Apsaras played on various other instruments. Thereupon after\nAs\u0101rita, the beautiful Rambh\u0101, a clever actress, rose up, played and\npleased R\u0101ma and Keshava. Afterwards, O king, Urvashi, having beautiful\nand expansive eyes, Him\u0101, Mishrakeshi, Tilottam\u0101, Menak\u0101 and other\ncelestial actresses rose up in order and pleased Hari with singing and\ndancing. Having his mind attracted by their charming singing and dancing\nV\u0101sudeva pleased them all with presents after their own heart. O prince,\nthose honorable and leading Apsaras, who had been brought there, were\nhonored with betel leaves at the desire of Krishna (68\u201372). O king, thus\nthe various fragrant fruits and the song Chh\u0101likya, which were brought\nfrom the celestial region out of Krishna\u2019s desire and his favour towards\nmankind, were known only to the intelligent son of Rukshmini. It was he\nwho could use them: and it was he who distributed betel leaves at that\ntime (73\u201374). The Chh\u0101likya song, conducive to the well-being,\nnourishment, and prosperity of N\u0101r\u0101yana of glorious deeds, and which was\ngreat, auspicious and productive of fame and piety to mankind, was sung\nin chorus by Indra-like Krishna, R\u0101ma, Pradyumna, Anuvindha and Shamva\n(75\u201376). This Chhalikya, which was sung there, was capable of bearing\nthe axle of virtue and destructive of sorrow and sin. Repairing to the\ncelestial region and hearing this Chh\u0101likya song the illustrious king\nRevata regarded four thousand Yugas as one day. From it originated the\nvarious divisions of the Gandharvas as _Kumarajati_, &c., (77\u201378), O\nking, as hundreds of lights are produced by one light so various classes\nof Gandharvas have emanated from Chh\u0101likya. O king, with Pradyumna and\nother leading Bhaimas Krishna and N\u0101rada knew all this (79). Like unto\nstreams and the water of the ocean people of this world knew Chhalikya\nonly by illustration. It is possible to know the virtues and weight of\nthe Himalaya but it is not so, without practising hard austerities to\nknow the _Murchan\u0101_\u00b3\u2070\u2075 and time of Chhalikya (80\u201381). O king, what of\nChh\u0101likya with six scales and _Ragas_ men, with great difficulty, cannot\neven come to the end of its eleventh division _Sukumarajati_. Know it\nfor certain, O king, that the slayer of Madhu had so arranged that the\ngods, Gandharvas and great Rishis might attain to a devotional spirit on\naccount of the virtues of Chh\u0101likya (82\u201383). On account of its being\nsung by the god, amongst men, Krishna, before the Bhaimas for showing\nfavour unto the world, Chh\u0101likya, sung by the immortals only, attained\nto such a celebrity, that formerly on the occasion of a festivity Bhaima\nboys used to cite it as an example. And the elders used to approve of\ntheir saying and the boys, youths and old men used to sing it in a\nchorus. \"Love is the test and not age\"\u2014to remind the mortals of this\nvirtue of their own race, the heroic Y\u0101davas, the ordainers of ancient\nreligious rites, did so in the land of mortals. O king, friendship is\nknown by love; therefore keeping love before them, the other Vrishnis,\nAndhakas and D\u0101sharhas, except Keshava, used to treat their own sons\neven as friends. Thereupon saluting the delighted Madhusudana, the\nslayer of Kansa, the contented Apsaras returned to the celestial region\nwhich too was (accordingly) filled with joy (84\u201388).\n\n  \u00b3\u2070\u00b9 A kind of musical instrument played in water.\n\n  \u00b3\u2070\u00b2 A mode of music of which six are enumerated viz. _Bhairava_,\n      _Malava Saranga_, _Hindola_, _Vasanta_, _Dipaka_ and _Megha_: they\n      are personified in poetry and mythology.\n\n  \u00b3\u2070\u00b3 A minor dramatic entertainment chiefly of singing and dancing by\n      one male and eight or ten female performers, a ballet.\n\n  \u00b3\u2070\u2074 A kind of musical instrument.\n\n  \u00b3\u2070\u2075 A tone or semitone as placed in its scale, the seventh part of a\n      Grama or scale.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXXVII. NIKUMBHA CARRIES AWAY BHANUMATI.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014While the virtuous Yadavas were thus sporting the\nhighly wicked and unapproachable D\u0101nava, Nikumbha, the enemy of the\ngods, desirous of bringing on his self-destruction, finding a loop-hole,\nstole away the beautiful daughter of Bh\u0101nu by name Bh\u0101numati (1\u20132). O\nhero, formerly, the daughter of his brother Vajran\u0101bh\u0101, by name\nPrabh\u0101vati, had been taken away by Pradyumna and Vajran\u0101bha had been\nkilled. Remembering this former enmity and keeping himself aside that\none, proficient in illusions, played upon the women of the Y\u0101davas and\nstole away Bh\u0101numati (3\u20134). Although the garden, attached to the female\nappartment of Bh\u0101nu, was unapproachable, still at that time there were\nno guards for the Yadavas were busy with their sports. Taking advantage\nof this weak moment the wretched D\u0101nava carried away the maiden (5). O\nthou the victor of armies, while that weeping maiden was being carried\naway there arose all on a sudden a great tumult in the female appartment\n(6). Hearing lamentations in the female appartment of Bh\u0101nu, the heroes,\nVasudeva and Ahuka issued out, filled with wrath. And not seeing the\noffender before them, they, in that dress, went where the highly\npowerful Krishna was (7-8). Hearing of that great insult, Jan\u0101rddana,\nthe slayer of his enemies, rode, together with P\u0101rtha, Garuda the enemy\nof the serpents (9). Having commanded the hero having the emblem of a\nMakara on his flag to follow him on his car he asked Kashyapa\u2019s son\nGaruda to proceed (10). O king, before Nikumbha, unconquerable in\nbattle, could reach the city of Vajra, P\u0101rtha and Krishna, the slayers\nof their enemies, overtook him in the way (11). Beholding them the\nhighly powerful Pradyumna, the foremost of those conversant with\nillusions, divided himself into three portions (12). On the other hand,\nNikumbha, like unto an immortal, smilingly fought with them all with\nheavy clubs (13). Holding the maiden Bh\u0101numati by his left hand, the\ngreat Asura Nikumbha repeatedly hurled the club with his right hand.\nAlthough thus assailed, Keshava, K\u0101ma (Pradyumna) and Arjuna, none,\ncould strike him ruthlessly lest they might wound the maiden (14-15). O\nking, although capable of slaying that irrepressible enemy they began to\nsigh piteously out of their excessive compassion for the maiden (16). As\nwhen a serpent gets round a camel, a man, well up in the use of arms,\nstrikes the serpent leaving the camel to itself, so P\u0101rtha, the foremost\nof archers, began to strike the Daitya with his arrows (17). In\npursuance of the rules of art, their training and reasoning, P\u0101rtha,\nK\u0101ma and Krishna did not strike the maiden but wounded the Danavas with\ntheir cane-like arrows (18). Thereupon resorting to his illusory powers\nNikumbha so disappeared with the maiden from that place that nobody\ncould know it: Krishna, K\u0101ma and Dhananjaya however immediately pursued\nhim: he, however, went on assuming the semblance of a yellow vulture\n(19-20). Thereupon saving the maiden, the heroic Dhananjaya assailed him\nagain with cane-like arrows piercing his very vitals (21). Thus pursued\nby those heroes that great Asura, the slayer of his enemies, travelled\nall over the earth consisting of seven insular continents and dropped\ndown with the maiden at last on the bank of the river Chela Gang\u0101\nflowing on the summit of the mount Gokarna (22\u201323). None amongst the\ngods, Asuras or great ascetics could cross that mountain protected by\nthe energy of Mahadeva (24). Finding this weak point of Nikumbha, the\nBhaima chief Pradyumna, invincible in battle and quick coursing, got\nhold of the maiden Bh\u0101numati. And Krishna, and Arjuna began to assail\nthe Asura greatly with arrows. Then leaving the northern range of the\nmount Gokarna, Nikumbha fled to the southern range. Both the Krishnas\nhowever, riding on Garuda, pursued him (25\u201326). Gradually the great\nAsura entered into Shatpura, the abode of his kinsmen and those two\nheroes spent the night at the mouth of the cave. With Krishna\u2019s\npermission the heroic son of Rukshmini delightedly took Bhaima\u2019s\ndaughter to the city of Dw\u0101rak\u0101. And keeping her there he returned to\nShatpura, full of D\u0101navas and beheld the two Krishnas of dreadful\nprowess at the mouth of the cave (27-29). Thus occupying the entrance of\nthe city of Shatpura the highly powerful Krishna and Arjuna, desirous of\nslaying Nikumbha, waited there with Pradyumna (30).\n\nThereupon desirous of fighting the highly powerful Nikumbha came out of\nthe cave, O king, no sooner he came out of the cave than Dhananjaya,\nwith arrows shot off his Gandiva bow, obstructed the thorough-fair. In\nspite of it Nikumbha, the foremost of the powerful, came out, took up\nhis club covered with thorns and struck P\u0101rtha on his head (31\u201333). Thus\nassailed with that club Pritha\u2019s son vomitted blood and lost his\nconsciousness. The Asura, master of illusions, smilingly struck the\nheroic son of Rukshmini, the foremost of those conversant with\nillusions, who was waiting with his face against him. Wounded on the\nhead with that unseen stroke of the club the heroic Pradyumna lost his\nconsciousness. Beholding them thus assailed and insensible Govinda,\nhaving Gada as his elder brother, beside himself with anger, took up his\nclub Koumodaki and ran towards Nikumbha. Those two irrepressible heroes,\nroaring, fought with each other (34\u201337). Riding his elephant Air\u0101vata\nalong with the gods Sachi\u2019s Lord began to witness that dreadful combat\nlike unto the battle between the celestials and Asuras. Beholding the\ngods Hrishikesha, the slayer of his enemies, tried to kill the D\u0101navas\nin a wonderful battle, desirous of doing good unto the gods (38-39).\nWhirling his Koumodaki, the large-armed Keshava, conversant with\nmilitary science, displayed many wondrous manoeuvres (40). Nikumbha too,\nthe foremost of Asuras, by virtue of his training hurled his club,\ncovered with many thorns, and displayed various manoeuvres (41). At that\ntime they fought like two roaring bulls for a cow, two roaring elephants\nand two leopards worked up with anger (42). O Bh\u0101rata, thereupon setting\na highly dreadful shout, he, with his club, set with eight bells, struck\nKrishna having Gada as his elder brother. He too hurling his huge club\nthrew it on Nikumbha\u2019s head (43-44). At that time holding idle for a\nmoment his Koumodaki club the intelligent preceptor of the world, Hari\nfell down insensible on earth (45). O king, while the high-souled\nVasudeva was reduced to this plight the whole world was filled with\nlamentations. With the cool water of Mand\u0101kini mixed with ambrosia, the\nking of gods himself sprinkled Keshava. O king, Krishna, the foremost of\ngods, did so of his own accord, or else who can render the high-souled\nHari insensible?\n\nO descendant of Bharata, thereupon regaining his consciousness, Krishna,\nthe slayer of his enemies, took up his discus and asked the wicked Asura\nto bear it (49). At that time casting off his body there the\nirrepressible Nikumbha, a great M\u0101y\u0101vin, went away. Keshava however\ncould not know it (50). Thinking that either he was dead or on the point\nof death and remembering the obligations of the heroes he did not strike\nhim who was fallen. Thereupon regaining their consciousness Pradyumna\nand Arjuna came there and considering Nikumbha dead stood by Krishna\n(51-52). Afterwards coming to know of the real truth Pradyumna,\nconversant with illusions, said to Krishna:\u2014\"O father, the wicked\nNikumbha is not here. He has fled somewhere else\" (53). No sooner\nPradyumna said this than Nikumbha\u2019s body disappeared. Seeing it the\npowerful Lord, with Arjuna, laughed (54). O heroic king, few minutes\nafter they saw all over the earth and welkin thousands of Nikumbha. The\nspectators also saw the heroic Krishna, P\u0101rtha and Rukshmini\u2019s son in\ninnumerable forms. It appeared indeed wonderful (55\u201356). At that time\namongst those great Asuras some held P\u0101rtha\u2019s bow, some his huge arrows,\nsome his hands and some his feet (57). Thus when the innumerable bodies\nof P\u0101rtha were caught the Asuras carried away the heroic Dhananjaya to\nthe sky. Thus when separated from P\u0101rtha the heroic Krishna and his son\npierced Nikumbha with numerous shafts. Still they could not see his end.\nOne Nikumbha, divided into twain, became two. Thereupon seeing every\nthing correctly by his celestial wisdom the Divine Lord Krishna, the\norigin of the present and future and the slayer of Asuras, saw the true\nform of Nikumbha, the creator of illusions and the stealer of\nDhananjaya. And before the presence of all creatures he, with his\ndiscus, cut off his head (58\u201362.) O descendant of Bharata, when his head\nwas thus sundered that foremost of Asuras, leaving aside Dhananjaya,\nfell down like an uprooted tree (63). O giver of honors, at that time\nP\u0101rtha was about to drop down from the sky. At Krishna\u2019s mandate his son\nheld him up (64). When Nikumbha thus fell down on earth the deity\nKrishna consoled Keshava and with him repaired to Dwarak\u0101 (65).\n\nHaving returned delightedly to Dwarak\u0101 the Lord Krishna, O descendant of\nYadu, and the foremost of D\u0101sharhas, saluted the high-souled Narada\n(66). Thereupon the highly energetic N\u0101rada said to Bh\u0101nu:\u2014\"O descendant\nof Bhaima, do not consider yourself insulted on account of your daughter\nbeing carried away (by another). O Bh\u0101nu, listen to great cause hereof\n(67). O hero, on one occasion while sporting in the garden of Raivata,\nthis your daughter excited the anger of the foremost of Munis Durv\u0101s\u0101\nwho wrath fully imprecated a curse on her saying:\u2014\u2019She is very much\nill-mannered and she must fall into the hands of an enemy.\u2019 At that\ntime, myself along with other Munis, propitiated him on behalf of your\ndaughter saying:\u2014\u2019Muni, O foremost of the pious, dost thou, informed of\nthe essence of religion as thou art, imprecate a curse on this innocent\ngirl who is observing her religious obligations? We request thee to show\nfavour into her\u2019 (68-70). O Bhaima chief, after we had said this Durv\u0101s\u0101\nstood with his face down for a moment and then stricken with compassion\nsaid:\u2014\u2019What I have said will prove true. It will never be otherwise.\nForsooth she will fall into the hands of an enemy. Although thus fallen\ninto the hands of an enemy she will not be virtually contaminated; and\nshe will obtain a beautiful husband, will be lucky, a mother of many\nsons and mistress of immense riches; this thin-built lady will always\nhave beautiful fragrance around her person, will always remain youthful\nand will forget the sorrow consequent upon her being carried away by the\nenemy (71\u201374)\u2019. O hero, thus it had been pre-ordained so for Bhanumati\nbefore; do you now confer her on Sahadeva for that son of Pandu is\nvirtuous, respectful and heroic (75)\".\n\nThereupon regarding the words of N\u0101rada, the virtuous souled Bh\u0101ima gave\naway Bh\u0101uumati to Madri\u2019s son Sahadeva (76). Having sent an emissary\nKeshava, the holder of discus, had brought Sahadeva there. After the\nwedding ceremony was over, he, with his wife, returned to his own city.\nThe man, who reverentially listens to this conquest of Krishna or reads\nit, acquires success in every business (77-78).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXXVIII. THE DESTRUCTION OF VAJRANABHA: AN ACCOUNT OF\nPRABHAVATI.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O Muni, O thou the foremost of the pious, I have\nlistened to an account of the stealing away of Bh\u0101numati, the conquest\nof Keshava, the bringing of Chl\u0101likya from the celestial region, and the\ngod-like sport of the Vrishnis of incomparable energy in the ocean and\nmany other wonderful subjects. While describing the destruction of\nNikumbha you have mentioned that of Vajran\u0101bha. O Muni, I am now curious\nto hear this (1\u20133).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O great king, O descendant of Bharata, hear, I shall\nnow describe the destruction of Vajra n\u0101bha with an account of the\nvictories of K\u0101ma and Sh\u0101mva (4), O victor of armies, a great Asura,\ncelebrated by the name of Vajran\u0101bha, practised hard austerities on the\nsummit of the mount Sumeru. Pleased with his penances the Divine Brahm\u0101,\nthe grand-father of the world, asked him to pray for a boon (5\u20136). O\nking Janamejaya, thereat, that foremost of D\u0101navas prayed for two boons\nthat even the gods might not kill him, and that he might get the city\nVajra where even the air cannot easily enter, which gives every sort of\ndesired-for objects even when they are not thought of, which has gardens\nencircled by walls, many branch cities, and peerless jems of every\ndescription (7\u20139). By that boon he got what he wanted and the great\nAsura Vajran\u0101bha lived in the city of Vajra (10). O king, seeking refuge\nwith that great Asura who had obtained this boon, millions of demons\nlived in that city of Vajra, in his garden and in many charming branch\ncities. O king, the enemies of the gods lived there, healthy, well-fed\nand contented (11-12). Once on a time, elated with the pride of the boon\ngiven in his favour and that of his city the wicked Vajran\u0101bha got\nhimself ready to impede the course of the world. O king, approaching the\nking of gods he said \"O slayer of P\u0101ka, all the three worlds are the\ncommon properties of all the high-souled sons of Kashyapa. I therefore\nwish to govern the three worlds. If you, O king of gods, do not approve\nof my proposal, give me battle\" (13-15).\n\nO descendant of Kuru, hearing the words of Vajran\u0101bha, Mahendra, the\nforemost of celestials, consulted with Vrihaspati and said:\u2014\"O gentle\none, our father, the ascetic Kashyapa, is now engaged in a sacrifice.\nAfter its termination he will do what is fair\" (16\u201317).\n\nThereupon the D\u0101nava went to his father Kashyapa and expressed his\ndesire. Kashyapa said what the king of gods had communicated (18). \"O\nson, go now to the city of Vajra and live there controlling yourself.\nAfter the termination of the Yajna I will do what is fair\" (19). Thus\naddressed Vajran\u0101bha returned to his own city.\n\nThereupon Mahendra went to the city of Dw\u0101ravati having many doors and\ncommunicated secretly to V\u0101sudeva what Vajran\u0101bha had said. Thereat\nJan\u0101rddana said \"O V\u0101sava, the horse-sacrifice of Vasudeva is now at\nhand. After its termination I will kill Vajranabha (20\u201322). O lord, O\nrefuge of the pious, even the wind cannot enter into his city if\nVajran\u0101bha does not wish it. At a convenient hour we will concert\nmeasures for entering there\" (23).\n\nO descendant of Bharata, honored by V\u0101sudeva\u2019s son in his\nhorse-sacrifice the king of gods set out (24). Even before the\ntermination of Vasudeva\u2019s sacrifice the heroic V\u0101sava and Keshava, the\nforemost of celestials, began to think of means for entering into the\ncity of Vajra (25).\n\nDuring the celebration of Vasudeva\u2019s sacrifice an actor, by name Bhadra,\npleased the great saints with his beautiful acting. The leading Munis\nthen asked him to pray for a boon. Thereupon saluting those best of\nMunis assembled in the horse-sacrifice, the actor Bhadra, resembling the\nking of gods himself, as desired by Krishna and as if urged on by the\ngoddess of learning, prayed for the following boon (26-28).\n\nThe actor said:\u2014\"O foremost of Munis, may I become the food of all the\ntwice-born ones: may I range over the earth consisting of seven insular\ncontinents: may I, without any obstruction, range all over the sky: may\nI be gifted with strength and be not slain by all creatures mobile and\nimmobile. May I assume any form I like either of one born, dead or\nimmediately born. May not decrepitude overtake me and may the Munis\nalways remain pleased with me\" (29\u201332).\n\nO king, the Munis said \"So be it.\" That immortal-like one began to range\nall over the earth consisting of seven insular continents. He began to\nshow his performances in the cities of the D\u0101nava kings, in Uttarakura,\nBhadr\u0101shwa, Ketum\u0101l and the island of Kal\u0101mra. On the occasion of every\nParva, that great actor, who had obtained the boon, used to come to\nDwarak\u0101 adorned with the Yadavas (33\u201335).\n\nThereupon, one day, the Divine Sakra, the king of gods, said to\nDh\u0101rtar\u0101shtra swans:\u2013\"O celestial birds, although you are the carriers\nof the gods and the pious, still you are our brothers on account of your\nbeing begotten by Kashyapa (36\u201337). Now the great duty of killing the\nenemies of the gods awaits us. You should satisfy it. But take care,\ndon\u2019t divulge the counsel (38). If you do not obey the commands of the\ngods you will meet with a hard punishment. O foremost of swans, you can\ngo anywhere you like (39). Therefore going to the most excellent city of\nVajranabha where no one else can enter you should range in the tanks of\nhis inner appartment (40). Vajran\u0101bha has a jewel of a daughter,\npeerless in beauty, in the three worlds, by name Prabh\u0101vati who is fair\nlike the rays of the moon (41). I have heard that her mother has\nobtained that beautiful daughter by virtue of the boon conferred by the\ngoddess Haimavati (42). O Swans, her friends have kept that beautiful\nand chaste maiden for _Swayemvara_ and she too will select a husband of\nher own accord. Do you describe to her the various accomplishments,\nfamily, beauty, character, and age, of the high-souled Pradyumna\n(43-44). When you will find that the chaste daughter of Vajran\u0101bha has\nfelt some attachment for Pradyumna, take carefully her news to Pradyumna\nand return with his message to her. In this work of an emissary you\nshould, according to your intelligence, govern your eyes and faces. You\nshould thus do me a good turn now (45\u201347). O swans, what more shall I\nspeak, you should describe all these accomplishments of Pradyumna to\nher, which will likely attract Prabh\u0101vati\u2019s mind; you should communicate\nto me and to my younger brother Krishna at Dw\u0101ravati daily what happens\nthere (48\u201349). You should thus exert yourselves so long as the\nself-controlled Lord Pradyumna does not carry away Vajran\u0101bha\u2019s daughter\n(50). Those D\u0101navas, elated with the pride of the boon conferred by\nBrahm\u0101, are not to be slain by the gods. So their destruction in the\nbattle-field should be brought about by Pradyumna and other sons of gods\n(51). An actor, Bhadra by name, has of late obtained the boon (of\nentering into his city). So the Yadavas, headed by Pradyumna, will enter\ninto Vajran\u0101bha\u2019s city in his guise (52). O Dh\u0101rtar\u0101shtras, you are to\ndo all that I have said. Besides for doing me this good you should do\nwhat more crops up in time. O swans, to enter into the city of Vajra\ndepends on his will. The gods cannot enter there by any means whatsoever\n(53\u201354)\".\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXXXIX. THE CELESTIAL SWANS GO TO THE CITY OF VAJRA\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O king, from before the swans used to go to the city\nof Vajra. So hearing the words of V\u0101sava they at once went there (1). O\nhero, those birds jumped into the charming tanks filled with golden\nlotuses and lilies which could be touched. Although they had come many a\ntime before they now astonished all with their polished and sweet words\n(2-3). O king Janamejaya, speaking in sweet words those celestial swans\nranged in the tanks of Vajran\u0101bha\u2019s inner appartment and became his\ngreat favorites. He then said to those Dh\u0101rtar\u0101stras the following words\n(4-5). \"You speak these sweet words because you always live in the\ncelestial region. Come here always whenever you will know of a great\nfestival in my house. O swans living in the celestial region, regard\nthis house of mine as your own and enter here confidently\" (6\u20137). O\ndescendant of Bharata, thus addressed by Vajran\u0101bha those birds entered\ninto the palace of the king of D\u0101navas: for the work of the gods they\nspoke like men and made acquaintance with all speaking various words\n(8\u20139). At that time the women, who were living in the palaces of Kashya\npa\u2019s sons (D\u0101navas) partakers of all forms of blessings, attained to\ngreat delight on hearing of that beautiful account of the swans (10).\n\nThus ranging in the inner appartment of Vajran\u0101bha, the swans saw his\nbeautiful and smiling daughter Prabh\u0101vati and made her acquaintance\n(11). Amongst them the goose Shuchimukhi contracted friendship with the\nprincess of charming smiles (12). Relating hundreds of beautiful stories\nShuchimukhi created the confidence of Vajran\u0101bha\u2019s daughter and one day\nshe said to her (13). \"O Prabh\u0101vati, I consider you the most beautiful\nin the three worlds as regards your beauty, character and\naccomplishments. I wish to tell you some thing (14). O you of beautiful\nsmiles, your youth is almost gone: that which is gone does not return\nlike the water of a stream (15). There is no other happiness to women\ngreater than enjoyment with men in this world. I tell you the truth, O\nauspicious lady (16). O you of fair limbs, although ordered by your\nfather to make a free choice, why do you not select one of the gods or\nAsuras as your husband? (17) O youthful lady, many a bridegroom, endued\nwith beauty, heroism and other accomplishments, come here and go away\ndisregarded. O lady, when you do not like a bridegroom becoming your\nfamily and beauty, why should then, O you of fair limbs, Rukshmini\u2019s son\nPradyumna, who has none in the three worlds equal to him, in bravery,\naccomplishments, pedigree and beauty, come here (18-20)? O you of a\nbeautiful waist, although he is a man of men, that highly powerful and\nvirtuous-souled one shines like a god amongst the gods and like one of\nthem amongst the D\u0101navas (21). Seeing him the women cannot cheque their\nnatural love as the cow cannot cheque its milk and the stream its water\n(22). I dare not compare his face with the full-moon, his eyes with\nlotuses and his gait with that of a lion (23). O fair lady, what more\nshall I say? The powerful Lord Vishnu, having brought Cupid (_the\nlimbless god, Ananga_) under his subjection as one of his limbs, has\ncreated him as his son, extracting the very essence of the world (24).\nHe was stolen away, in his childhood, by the sinful demon Shamvara:\nhaving slain him and kept his character unscathed he learnt all his\nillusory powers (25). All the accomplishments, that are worthy of being\nsought for in the three worlds, and all those that you can imagine,\nexist in Pradyumna. In his effulgence he is like fire, in patience he is\nlike earth, in lustre he is like a lake.\" Hearing it Prabh\u0101vati said to\nSuchimukhi (26\u201327):\n\n\"O gentle lady, I have heard many a time from the conversation between\nmy father and the intelligent N\u0101rada that Vishnu is living in the land\nof men (28). With burning cars, Shr\u0101nga (bow) and club he has consumed\nthe races of the Daityas. O honourable lady, he is the great enemy of\nthe sons of Diti and should be shunned by them. The king of Danavas\ncollects information about Vishnu from the Asuras who live in the branch\ncities for his well-being. O you of sweet smiles, every woman wishes\nthat the family of her husband may be superior to that of her father. If\nyou however can find out any means for bringing him here you will show\nme a great favour and purify our family. I ask you, O you of sweet\nwords, tell me how Pradyumna, born in the family of Vrishnis, may become\nmy husband. I have learnt from the conversation of elderly Asura women\nthat Hari is a great enemy of the Daityas and gives them great trouble.\nI had heard before how Pradyumna was born and how the powerful Shamvara\nwas killed by him. What more shall I say? Pradyumna is always present in\nmy heart. But the means by which I may be united with him is solely\nwanted. O friend, learned you are no doubt; still as a maid servant of\nyours, I appoint you as my emissary. Point out to me the means by which\nI may be united with him.\" Thereupon consoling her Suchimukhi smilingly\nsaid:\u2014(29\u201338).\n\n\"O you of sweet smiles, I will go there as your emissary and communicate\nto him your great devotion (39). O you of beautiful waist, O you of\nsweet smiles, I will so exert that he may come here and you may become\nthe consort of Cupid (40). O you of fair eyes, regard what I have said\nas true. Communicate to your father that I speak cleverly; you will reap\na great benefit therefrom\".\n\nThus spoken to by the goose Prabh\u0101vati acted accordingly. The king of\nD\u0101navas said to the goose in his inner apartment. \"O beautiful\nSuchimukhi, Prabh\u0101vati has communicated to me about your cleverness in\nspeaking. Do you describe to us becoming stories. Tell us what wonders\nyou have seen in this world, not seen before by any and whether worthy\nor unworthy of being seen by others.\" O king, the goose then said to\nVajran\u0101bha (41\u201345).\n\n\"O foremost of D\u0101navas, I have seen an intelligent saintly lady, by name\nSh\u0101ndili, perform a wonderful feat by the side of the mount Sumeru (46).\nThat Shandili, the good friend of the auspicious daughter of the\nmountain chief (Uma) is large-minded and a great benefactress of the\nworld (47). I have also seen the auspicious actor, who has obtained a\nboon from the Munis, who can assume shapes at his will, who always gives\nfood to all in the three worlds and is liked by all. O sinless hero,\nthat actor travels always in Uttarakuru, the island of Kalamra,\nBhadr\u0101shwa, Ketumal, and other islands. He knows many songs and dances\nof the gods and Gandharvas. And with his dancing he surprises the gods\n(48\u201350).\"\n\nVajranabha said:\u2014\"O goose, I had heard of this many a time before. The\nhigh-souled Siddhas and Ch\u0101ranas had mentioned this to me (51). O\ndaughter of a bird, I am also stricken with curiosity for seeing that\nactor who has obtained this boon. But there is none to speak of those\naccomplishments of mine to him, hearing which he will come to me (52)\".\n\nThe goose said:\u2014O foremost of Asuras, that actor is an appreciator of\nmerits. Hearing of accomplished persons he travels over the seven\ninsular continents. O great Asura, if he hears of your great\naccomplishments, know him as already arrived here (53-54).\n\nVajranabha said:\u2014\"O auspicious daughter of a bird, O goose! may good\nbetide you. Do you so arrange that the actor may come here\" (55).\n\nThus despatched on an errand by Vajran\u0101bha, the swans went to Krishna\nand the king of gods and communicated to them every thing (56). Hearing\nit Adhokshaja engaged Pradyumna in the work of acquiring Prabh\u0101vati and\nkilling Vajran\u0101bha (57). O descendant of Bharata, resorting to his\ncelestial M\u0101y\u0101 Hari sent the Bhaimas there disguised as actors (58).\n\nThey dressed Pradyumna as the hero, Sh\u0101mva as his fool, Gada as his\ncompanion and dressed other Bhaimas with becoming dresses. Leading\ndancing girls were the fit heroines of that party. The actor Bhadra and\nhis party were also suitably dressed. Thereupon ascending the cars\ndriven by Pradyumna, the great car-warrior Yadavas set out on the\nmission of the highly powerful celestials. O king, at that time they all\nassumed the semblances of men and women as necessary though they were\nmen. Thereupon they arrived at Supura, a dependant city of Vajra\n(59\u201363).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXL. THE YADAVAS ARRIVE AT THE CITY OF ASURAS AS ACTORS.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon king Vajram\u0101bha ordered the Asuras living\nin their own cities, \"Give them most excellent rooms (1). Treat them as\nguests, give them various jewels and various raiments which please\npeople (2).\" Receiving the order of their Chief they did all this. And\narriving there, the actors too, heard of before, excited their curiosity\n(3). With great delight they welcomed the actor with presents of jewels\n(4). Thereupon the actor, who had obtained the boon, pleased highly the\ncitizens of Supura with his dancing (5). They gave a performance of the\ngreat epic R\u0101m\u0101yana: the birth of the incomparable Vishnu for the\ndestruction of the king of Rakshasas (Ravana) (6). How Lomap\u0101da and\nDasharatha had brought for Sh\u0101nta, the Muni Rishwashringa through\nprostitutes (7). In that performance the actors so perfectly personated\nthe characters of R\u0101ma, Lakshmana, Shatrughna, Bharata, Rishwashringa\nand S\u0101nta, that even the elderly D\u0101navas were startled and spoke\nrepeatedly of the similarity of their appearances (8\u20139). Seeing their\ndresses, acting, entrance and introduction the D\u0101navas were filled with\nwonder. With particular parts of the performance the Asuras were so much\npleased and attracted that they repeatedly rose up, expressed their\nappreciation and gave away charming necklaces of gold and Vaidurja,\nbracelets and cloths. After receiving their remuneration the actors,\nwith separate slokas, eulogised the Asuras in order of their family and\nbirth (9-13). O king, afterwards the inhabitants of the dependant cities\ncommunicated to Vajra n\u0101bha the arrival of the beautiful actors (14). O\nBh\u0101rata, the king of Daityas had already heard of it. Now pleased he\nsent a messenger to bring the actor. At the mandate of the king of\nD\u0101navas, the Daityas, living in branch cities, took the Yadavas,\ndisguised as actors, to the charming city of Vajra (15-16). For their\naccomodation, a beautiful house, built by the celestial architect, was\noffered, and necessary articles, by hundreds, were given them (17).\nThere upon having set up a beautiful pandal the great Asura, Vajran\u0101bha,\nmade a great festival with the actors (18). After they had been relieved\nof toil the highly powerful Vajran\u0101bha gave profuse jems and requested\nthem to begin the play (19). O king, having kept the women of his family\nbehind a screen at a place from which they could see all, the great\nAsura himself sat with his kinsmen (20). Then dressing themselves as\nactors, and arranging for the concert the Bhaimas, of dreadful deeds,\nwent on with the performance (21). They first played various tunes on\nmusical instruments, as Kansya, Venu, Muraja etc. Afterwards the women,\nbrought by the Bhaimas, sang the Gandharva song _Chhalikya_, delightful\nto the mind and ears (22\u201323). Then with seven scales, _G\u0101ndh\u0101ra_ and\nothers, three _Gr\u0101mas_, and with _R\u0101gas_, _Vasanta_ and others, they\nsang sweetly the song of the sacred discension of Ganga (24). Hearing\nthat sweet song of the coming down of Gang\u0101 set in time and tune Asuras\nrose up again and again and pleased the actors (25). For some business\nthe powerful Pradyumna, who had assumed the guise of an actor, Gada and\nSh\u0101mva conducted the N\u0101ndi.\u00b3\u2070\u2076 After the termination of the Prologue\nRukshmini\u2019s son sang the hymn, accompanied with beautiful gestures, of\nthe descension of Gang\u0101. Afterwards they began the performance of the\ndrama Rambh\u0101bhisara,\u00b3\u2070\u2077 Shura acted the part of R\u0101vana, Monovati\nrepresented Rambh\u0101, Pradyumna Nalakuvara and Sh\u0101mva his Vidushaka\u00b3\u2070\u2078 By\ntheir illusory powers the Y\u0101davas represented the scene of Kail\u0101sha\n(26-29). They acted how the wicked R\u0101vana was imprecated by Nalakuvara,\nworked up with anger and how Rambh\u0101 was consoled (30). After the\nperformance of this drama, the glory of the high-souled N\u0101rada by the\nheroic Y\u0101davas, the D\u0101navas were pleased with the dancing of the highly\npowerful Bhaimas. They gave them costly apparels, jewelleries, necklaces\nset with costly jems, beautiful balloons, cars ranging in the sky,\nelephants coursing in the etherial region, cool and celestial sandal,\nAgura, and other scents and the valuable jem Chint\u0101mani which gives all\nthat is thought of. Giving away presents in this way at every scene\nthose D\u0101navas were deprived of their riches and jewels. Even the women\nof the Danava-Chiefs shared the same fate (31\u201337).\n\nOn the other hand, Prabh\u0101vati\u2019s friend Suchimukhi said to her:\u2014\"O you of\nfair beauty, I had gone to the charming city of Dw\u0101rak\u0101 protected by the\nBhaimas. O you of sweet smiles and beautiful eyes, I saw Pradyumna there\nsecretly and told him about your love for him, O you having lotus eyes.\nPleased he has appointed this evening for meeting you (38\u201340). O you of\na beautiful waist, the Bhaimas never speak an untruth; verily to-day you\nwill meet your love\" (41). Hearing it Prabh\u0101vati, filled with joy, said\nto the goose:\u2014\"O fair lady, to-day wait in my room and sleep here. If\nyou live by me I do not fear any body. With you I wish to see Keshava\u2019s\nson.\" The goose said to her lotus eyed friend Prabh\u0101vati \"So it will\nbe.\" Afterwards with Prabh\u0101vati, she went up to her quarters (42\u201344).\n\nThereupon in the upper storey of that house constructed by the celestial\nArchitect, Prabh\u0101vati began to make arrangements against Pradyumna\u2019s\narrival. After the completion of the arrangements, the goose, with\nPrabh\u0101vati\u2019s permission, went away speedily like air for bringing K\u0101ma.\nGoing to K\u0101ma who was living in the guise of an actor that one of sweet\nsmiles said \"You will see her to night\". And returning speedily she said\nto Prabh\u0101vati, \"O you of expansive eyes, console yourself; Rukshmini\u2019s\nson is coming\" (45\u201348). Thereupon seeing a fragrant garland filled with\nbees carried for Prabh\u0101vati, the highly powerful and self-controlled\nhero, Pradyumna, the slayer of his enemies, sat there on assuming the\nform of a bee. That garland, covered with black-bees, was taken by the\nmaid servants to the inner appartment and kept near Prabh\u0101vati. O gentle\nking, when gradually evening set in, the other bees fled away. Then\nhaving none to follow him the heroic Bhaima chief slowly sat on\nPrabh\u0101vati\u2019s ear (49-53).\n\nThereupon beholding the highly charming full moon arise there\nPrabh\u0101vati, a clever speaker, said to the goose, \"O friend, my limbs are\nburning, my mouth is being dried up and my heart is filled with\ncuriosity. What is the name of this disease? The newly-risen full moon\nof cool-rays is liked by all. It is still creating anxiety in me as if\nit is not liked by me. Oh fie on the nature of a woman! I have not seen\nhim\u2014I have wanted him after only hearing of him\u2014still my limbs are\nburning. I am saying so of my own accord lest my love may not come.\nAlas! If he does not come I will meet the same fate with the silly lily.\nAlas! Although I am self-controlled still I have been bitten by\nserpent-like Cupid (54\u201358). The rays of the moon are by nature cool,\ndelightful and charming. But, wonder, they are scorching my body. The\nwind, carrying the filaments of various flowers, is cool by nature,\nstill it is scorching my beautiful frame like forest-fire (59\u201360). I am\nthinking of being patient, but my weak mind, shattering my resolution,\ndoes not allow me to do so. Forsooth, losing control over my mind, I\nwill run mad and be killed, for my heart is trembling and I am looking\nagain and again wildly (61\u201362)\".\n\n  \u00b3\u2070\u2076 Eulogium of a king or praise of a deity recited in benedictory\n      verses at the commencement of a religious ceremony or the opening\n      of a drama.\n\n  \u00b3\u2070\u2077 A drama describing the going away of Rambha in search of her\n      lover.\n\n  \u00b3\u2070\u2078 Something like a fool attached to the Royal Courts.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXLI. PRADYUMNA APPEARS BEFORE PRABHAVATI AND MARRIES HER.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Afterwards thinking \"This maiden has been completely\npossessed by me.\" Krishna\u2019s son delightedly said to the goose:\u2014\"Tell the\ndaughter of the Daitya king, that in the guise of a black-bee, I have\ncome here along with other black-bees, attached to the garland (1-2). I\nam now at present under her command. Let her do what she likes to do\nwith me.\" Saying this, the beautiful husband of Rati appeared there in\nhis own form (3). At that time the house was lighted up with the\neffulgence of the person of the intelligent Madana. And the beautiful\nrays of the moon were put to shame (4). As the lord of waters (the\nocean) rises with the lord of night (moon) on a Parva day, so\nPrabh\u0101vati\u2019s ocean of love increased on seeing K\u0101ma (5). Then turning\nher eyes a little with bashfulness, Prabh\u0101vati, having eyes like\nlotuses, sat there with her face cast down (6). Seeing it Pradyumna\nheld, with his own, the hands of thin-built and beautiful Prabh\u0101vati\nbedecked with handsome ornaments. Then with hairs of his body standing\nerect he said:\u2014\"Why have you cast down your face resembling the\nfull-moon and acquired after desiring for it a hundred times? Why do you\nnot speak with me (7-8) O you of a fair face, do not crush the\neffulgence of your countenance. Cast off your fear and favour this\nservant of yours. There is no more time, O timid girl. The hour for my\nreturn has well-nigh arrived. I pray to you with folded hands, shake off\nyour fear. As you are peerless in beauty and fidelity so according to\nthe condition of time and place favour me by a Gandharva marriage\"\n(9-11).\n\nThereupon touching fire existing in the jem (he put on) and reciting the\n_mantra_ the Bhaima hero Pradyumna performed the _Homa_ ceremony with\nflowers. Thereupon holding Prabh\u0101vati by the arm embellished with most\nexcellent ornaments he circumambulated the fire of the jem (12\u201313). O\nking, at that time to keep the honor of Achyuta\u2019s son, Hut\u0101shana, the\ndivine lord of effulgence, the witness of virtue and sin in the world,\nblazed up. Thereupon settling in his mind about the _Dahshin\u0101_\n(money-gift) the heroic descendant of Yadu said to the goose:\u2014\"O bird,\nremaining at the gate, do you guard us\" (14\u201315). Hearing it the goose\nsaluted him and went away. Afterwards spending the whole night he, early\nin the morning, went to the theatre. Although reluctant Prabh\u0101vati gave\nhim farewell, and he too, thinking in his mind of the beauty of his\nlove, went away. Thus awaiting the orders of Indra and Keshava, the\nBhaimas, for the great work, lived there disguised as actors. Keeping\nthe secret close those high-souled ones awaited the hour when Vajran\u0101bha\nwould go out for conquering the three worlds. O king, as long as\nKashyapa was engaged in his sacrifice so long there did not take place\nany dissension between the high-souled and virtuous celestials and the\nAsuras ready for conquering the three worlds (16\u201324).\n\nThus while the intelligent Y\u0101davas were waiting there for the proper\nhour there appeared the rainy season delightful to all creatures (25).\nThe swans, fleet like the mind, used daily to carry the intelligence of\nthe highly powerful princes to Shakra and Keshava. Thus well protected\nby those Dh\u0101rtarashtras the highly powerful Pradyumna used to spend\nevery night with the beautiful Prabh\u0101vati (26\u201327). The Asuras, possessed\nby Death, could not perceive that they had been surrounded by the swans\nand actors in the city of Vajra at the command of V\u0101sava (28). By and\nby, well protected by the swans the heroic son of Rukshmini began to\nspend even the day in Prabh\u0101vati\u2019s house (29). O descendant of Kuru, on\naccount of his illusory powers, one half of his body used to appear on\nthe stage\u2014and with the other half he lived with Prabh\u0101vati. The Asuras\nused to envy the high-souled Yadavas for their prosperity, humility,\ncharacter, sportiveness, cleverness, simplicity and learning. Their\nwomen used to envy the Y\u0101dava women for their beauty, luxury, scents,\npure words and conduct (30\u201332).\n\nO king, Vajran\u0101bha\u2019s illustrious brother Sun\u0101bha had two beautiful and\naccomplished daughters\u2014one of them was named Chandravati, and the other\nGunavati. They daily used to go to Prabh\u0101vati\u2019s house (33\u201334). One day\nseeing Prabh\u0101vati engaged in love affairs in her house they asked her\nabout it on account of their confidence in her love for them (35). She\nsaid:\u2014\"I possess a learning which can soon bring a desired-for husband\nand gives prosperity. It has such a wonderful power, that whoever, may\nhe be a D\u0101nava or god, is thought of he at once comes losing all control\nover himself. By the power of this learning I sport with the son of a\ngod. See, by my power, Pradyumna has become my most favourite.\" Seeing\nhim, endued with beauty and youthfulness, they were filled with wonder\n(36\u201338). Afterwards smiling gracefully the beautiful Prabh\u0101vati again\naddressed to her sisters words suited to the time:\u2014\"The gods are always\nengaged in virtuous acts, ascetic penances and are truthful: on the\nother hand the great Asuras are haughty, fond of pleasures and\nuntruthful. So the gods are superior, for victory is there where reign\nvirtue, asceticism and truth (39\u201341). I will instruct you in this\nlearning; you may select two celestial youths as your becoming husbands.\nBy my power you will soon get them\" (42).\n\nHearing it the two sisters said to Prabh\u0101vati having beautiful eyes \"So\nit will be.\" Thereupon when the honorable daughter of Vajran\u0101bha asked\nPradyumna about it he mentioned the names of his uncle Gada and the hero\nSh\u0101mva for both of them were beautiful, accomplished and valiant\n(43-44).\n\nPrabhavati said:\u2014Formerly pleased with me Durv\u0101sa conferred on me this\nlearning: it gives good luck and always preserves maidenhood (45). The\ngreat saint said: \"He, whom amongst the gods, D\u0101navas and Yakshas you\nwill think of, will be your husband. I desired for this hero. Do you\ntake this learning and you will in no time be united with your loves.\"\n\nThereupon, O king, those two beautiful daughters of Sun\u0101bha, filled with\njoy, accepted the learning from the mouth of their sister and practised\nit. Then they thought of Gada and Sh\u0101mva. Covered with illusion by\nPradyumna those two heroic Bhaimas entered there with him. Those two\nheroes, fond of the pious and the slayers of their enemies, espoused\nthem according to Gandharva rites after reciting the _mantras_. Of them\nGada married Chandravati and Keshava\u2019s son Sh\u0101mva Gunavati. Thus\nawaiting the orders of Sakra and Keshava those leading Yadus lived there\nhappily with Asura girls (46-51).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXLII. A DESCRIPTION OF THE RAINY SEASON.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014In the rainy season, while looking at the sky filled\nwith clouds K\u0101ma having, a countenance like the full moon, said to\nPrabh\u0101vati of beautiful eyes: \"O fair lady, see there appears the moon\nof beautiful rays covered with clouds like your face covered with hairs.\nO you of fair eye-brows, see the lightning on the cloud looks beautiful\nlike your handsome gold ornament. O you of fair limbs, the clouds are\ndischarging torrents of rain like unto your necklace (1-3). The cranes,\nemerging in the drops of water, are shining like the rows of your teeth.\nO you of fair eye-brows, the lotuses being under water, the tanks full\nof streams do not look beautiful (4). The clouds adorned with crane,\nlike beautiful and clean teeth, are appearing like elephants, with huge\ntusks, about to fight with one another in the forest (5). O you of\nbeautiful limbs, like unto circlets on your forehead the three coloured\nrain-bow, adorning the sky and clouds, is gladdening the damsels (6).\nExpanding their large feathers, the pea-hens looking perfectly beautiful\nin the company of their mates and delighted at the muttering of clouds,\nare dancing and emitting notes in return (7). Displaying their charming\nbeauty for a moment on the turrets other peacocks are dancing on the\nroofs of the houses, white like the moon (8). With their feathers\nexhausted, the beautiful peacocks, adorning for a moment the tops of the\ntrees, are again going to the naked ground in fear of new grown-grass\n(9). The delightful wind, proceeding from cool drops of rain, like\nsandal-paste, is blowing carrying the fragrance of Sarj\u0101 and Arjuna\nflowers the very friend of Cupid (10). O you of a fair body, had not\nthis wind brought new showers and removed the exhaustion of sporting it\nwould not have been so much liked by me (11). What is dearer to men in\nthis season of the union of lovers than the approach of this fragrant\nwind (12)? O you of fair body, beholding the banks of the river\noverflown with water swans exhausted, and united with S\u0101rasas and\nKrounchas, are delightfully going to find out quarters after their heart\n(13). O you of beautiful eyes, on the departure of the Swans and Sar\u0101sas\nemitting notes like the clatter of car-wheels, the rivers and tanks,\nshorn of beauty, do not appear charming any more (14). The goddess\nsleep, informed of the true character of the rainy season and Hari,\nhaving saluted the most beautiful Sree, has sought refuge with Upendra,\nthe lord of the world, lying down for rest in the celestial region (15).\nO you having lotus eyes, the divine Upendra having fallen asleep the\nshining moon, covered with cloth-like cloud, is imitating the colour of\nhis countenance (16). Seeking to please Krishna, all the seasons are\nshowering all sorts of flowers and bringing garlands of Kadamva, Neepa,\nArjuna and Ketaka (17). All the flowers, and trees, with the elephants,\nhaving their faces soiled with poison, and filled with bees, are\nexciting great curiosity in men (18). As if seeing the sky, pressed down\nby the weight of clouds surcharged with water, your beautiful face,\nbreast and thighs have entered into a ditch (19). Beholding these\ncharming clouds as if adorned with garlands of cranes it appears that\nthey are showering grains on earth for the behoof of the world (20). As\na powerful king makes the infuriated wild elephants fight with his own\nso the wind is setting clouds surcharged with water against one another\n(21). The clouds are pouring unearthly water, purified by air and\ndelightful to sparrows, peacocks and other birds sprung from eggs (22).\nAs the twice-born ones, fond of truth and religion, recite the _Riks_\nencircled by their pupils, so the bulls are roaring with cows in the\npasture ground (23). One of the virtues of the rainy season is that\nwomen take pleasure in living always in the company of their lovers\n(24). O beautiful lady, the only defect that I perceive of the rainy\nseason is that the moon, resembling your countenance, does not come in\nview, having his body possessed by the cloud-like Graha (25). In this\nseason when the moon appears in view at the interval of an approaching\ncloud, the people, as if with delight, behold a friend returning from a\nforeign country (26). Their eyes, on beholding the moon, the witness of\nthe lamentations of women suffering from separation, enjoy that\nfestivity which those of the women, separated from their lovers, do on\nseeing them. So it appears to me: but this is not the fact (27). The\nview of the moon is like a festival to the eyes of those women who are\nunited with their lovers, and is like a forest-fire to those who suffer\nfrom separation, so the moon is the source of both pleasure and pain to\nwomen (28). In your father\u2019s city there is the effulgence of the rays of\nthe moon even in its absence; so you cannot form an idea of the merits\nand demerits of the moon and for this I praise him before you (29). By\npractising hard austerities which are resorted to by the pious he has\nattained to the region of Brahm\u0101 which others can with difficulty\nacquire and is worshipped by all. The Br\u0101hmanas celebrate the glories of\nthe great Soma in sacrifice with _S\u0101man_ verses (30). When the\nsacrificial fire was being brought by Pururav\u0101 from the region of the\nGandharvas it was spoiled on the way. While searching that place a\nfig-tree was seen. Collecting fuels from that tree the three fires were\nengendered. So it is that the moon, the lord of trees and herbs, revived\nthe spoiled fire from the fig-tree. Chandra (the moon) is the father of\nBudha, the author of most excellent deeds whose son was the king\nPururav\u0101 (31). O beautiful lady, formerly when his ambrosial body was\ndrunk by the dreadful Munis the high souled Soma desired for Urvasi, the\nforemost of Apsaras (32). In his family the intelligent Ayu attained to\nthe celestial region, through the tips of the Kusa grass and secured the\ndignity of a demi-god and the heroic Nahusa acquired the dignity of the\nking of gods (33). The moon, in whose family, the Divine Lord Hari, the\ncreator of the world is born, for a work of the gods, as a Bhaima chief,\nremains always encircled by the daughters of Daksha (34). In his family\nwas born the high-souled Vasu, as if the flag of his race, who, by his\ndeeds, attained to the dignity of a Lord Paramount; the king Yadu, the\nforemost of the lunar race, in whose family, the Bhojas, resembling the\nking of gods, were born and who became the Lord Paramount, was also born\nin the family of the moon (35\u201356). O you having lotus eyes, in Yadu\u2019s\nfamily, born in the lunar race no king has been born who is wily,\natheistic, unrespectful, ugly and coward (37). You are the\ndaughter-in-law of an accomplished prince as you are the mine of\naccomplishments. Therefore bow unto Iswara fond of the pious. O lady,\nthe foremost of Purusha N\u0101r\u0101yana, the refuge of the grand-father, the\ngods and the worlds, is your father-in-law. Bow unto him (38-39)\".\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXLIII. VAJRANABHA WANTS TO CONQUER THE CELESTIAL REGION.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014After the termination of the sacrifice of Kashyapa\nof incomparable energy the gods and Asuras repaired to their respective\nhabitations (1). After the end of the sacrifice Vajran\u0101bha too, desirous\nof conquering the three worlds, went to Kashyapa who told him (2), \"O\nVajran\u0101bha, hear what I say if you think my words are worthy of your\nhearing. Sakra is the eldest of you all and the foremost in\naccomplishments: he is endued with great ascetic powers, is strong by\nnature, devoted to the Br\u0101hmanas, grateful, the king of the whole world\nand the refuge of the good and the pious. Because he is engaged in the\nwell-being of all creatures he has obtained this sovereignty over the\nworld (3-5). O Vajranabha, you will not be able to vanquish him but\nyourself will be killed. As one who excites the anger of a serpent meets\nwith his own destruction, so you will in no time be destroyed\" (6).\n\nO Bh\u0101rata, as a man, desirous of meeting with death having his limbs\ntied by the noose of Death, does not take medicine so Vajr\u0101n\u0101bha did not\napprove of the words of Kashyapa (7). Having saluted Kashyapa, the\npreserver of the world, that highly wicked and irrepressible one began\nto make arrangements for conquering the three worlds (8). O king, he\ncollected his kinsmen, warriors, and friends. He first set out for\nconquering the region of the celestials (9). At that time the highly\npowerful deities Indra and Upendra had sent the Swans there for bringing\nabout Vajran\u0101bha\u2019s destruction (10). Hearing of this intelligence from\nthe Swans the high-souled and the highly powerful Yadus thus consulted\nand thought:\u2014\"Forsooth Vajran\u0101bha will be killed now by Pradyumna. But\nVajran\u0101bha\u2019s daughter and Sun\u0101bha\u2019s daughters are their devoted wives.\nThey are all _enciente_ and the time for their delivery is near at hand.\nWhat should we do now?\" Having settled this they asked the swans to\ncommunicate every thing truly to Sakra and Keshava, and they did so to\nthose two gods. They said to the Swans:\u2014\"No fear: you will have\nbeautiful sons like K\u0101ma endued with all accomplishments; even when in\nthe womb they will master all the Vedas with their auxilliaries. Your\nsons will at once grow to youth and they will be masters of all future\ntopics and various scriptures\" (11\u201317).\n\nO Lord, thus spoken to the Swans returned to the city of Vajra and\ncommunicated to the Bhaimas what Sakra and Keshava had said (18).\nPrabh\u0101vati gave birth to a son, omniscient and youthful after his father\n(19). The son Chandraprabha, resembling Gada, whom Chandravati gave\nbirth to after a month, was equally youthful and omniscient (20).\nGunavati too gave birth to a similiarly beautiful son by name Gunav\u0101n,\nyouthful and omniscient (21). These Yadu boys began to grow up in the\npalaces of Indra and Upendra mastering all the Shastras. They used to\nmove about on the turrets of the palaces and at the desire of Indra and\nUpendra they were seen (by the Daityas); know it for certain (22-23). As\nsoon as they saw them the Daityas, stationed in the sky, respectfully\ncommunicated it to Vajran\u0101bha who was desirous of conquering the\ncelestial region (24). Hearing it the irrepressible king of Asuras,\nVajran\u0101bha said:\u2014\"Arrest them who have trespassed into my house\" (25).\n\nO descendant of Kuru, thereat ordered by the intelligent king of Asuras\nthe soldiers guarded all the quarters. According to the mandate of the\nAsura king, the destroyer of his enemies, there arose on all sides\nexclamations, \"Arrest them speedily kill them\" (26\u201327). Hearing it the\nmothers, fond of sons, began to weep in fear. Pradyumna encouraged them,\nsaying:\u2014\"So long we are alive and firm you need not fear. May you fare\nwell. The Daityas will not be able to do any thing to us.\" (28\u201329). He\nthen said to the bewildered Prabh\u0101vati:\u2014\"O lady, your father, uncles,\nbrothers kinsmen and other relatives are waiting with clubs in their\nhands. For you they deserve our respect and honor. But the time is very\ndreadful. The D\u0101nava kings, desirous of killing us, will fight with us.\nIf we bear it we shall have to die. If we fight we will meet with\nsuccess. Consult with your two sisters and tell us what we should do for\nwe are now under your orders\" (30\u201333). Placing her hands on her forehead\nand kneeling down Prabh\u0101vati, weeping, said to Pradyumna:\u2014\"O descendant\nof Yadu, O slayer of your enemies, take up your arms and protect\nyourself. If you yourself survive you will see your wife and sons.\nRemember the honarable Vaidarbhi and Aniruddha and save yourself from\nthis peril (34\u201336). O son of Upendra, the great and intelligent Rishi\nhad conferred on me the boon that I would lead a blameless life for\never, would not be a widow and my sons would live. I have this hope that\nthe words of the Rishi, effulgent like the sun and fire, will not be\nfalsified (37-38)\". Saying this and rinsing her month, the intelligent\nPrabh\u0101vati, the jem of a woman, handed over a sword to Rukshmini\u2019s son\nhad gave him a boon, saying, \"Acquire victory\" (39). Bending low his\nhead and bowing unto it the virtuous souled Pradyumna delightedly\naccepted the sword offered by his devoted wife (40). Chandravati\ndelightedly gave to Gada one _Nishtringsha_ and Gunavati gave another\nsuch weapon to the highly powerful Sh\u0101mva (41).\n\nThereupon the powerful Pradyumna said to Hansaketu who saluted him \"O\nslayer of enemies, remain here with Sh\u0101mva and fight with the D\u0101navas. I\nwill fight in the sky, protecting all the quarters, with the slayer of\nthe enemies.\" Saying this Pradyumna, the foremost of those conversant\nwith illusions, created a car with his M\u0101y\u0101. He made the thousand-headed\nN\u0101ga Ananta, the foremost of their class, his charioteer (42\u201344). As\nfire ranges on grass, so he, ascending that best of cars, and gladdening\nPrabh\u0101vati, began to move about in the midst of the Asura army (45).\nWith crescent-shaped arrows, dreadful like serpents, some with sharp\nheads and some blunt he began to assail the sons of Diti (45). The\nAsuras too, resolute and maddened with battle fury, with various weapons\nstruck the lotus-eyed son of Kamala\u2019s lord (47). Krishna\u2019s son cut off\nthe arms of some decked with Keyuras and the heads of many (48). The\nheads and bodies of the Asuras, sundered with the razor of the highly\npowerful Pradyumna, filled the surface of the earth. The king of gods,\nthe victor of armies, along with the gods, began to witness with\npleasure the battle between the Daityas and Bhaimas (48\u201350). The\nDaityas, who ran after Gada and S\u0101mva, met with destruction like a boat\nin a mighty ocean (51).\n\nThereupon Hari, the lord of gods, seeing that dreadful battle, sent his\nown car to Gada and asked M\u0101tali\u2019s son Suvarchh\u0101 to become its driver.\nThe Lord Indra sent his Air\u0101vata to Sh\u0101mva and engaged Pravara to ride\nit. He sent Jayanta as an assistant to Rukshmini\u2019s son (52\u201354). With the\npermission of Brahm\u0101, the creator of the world and the guide of all good\nworks, Sakra, well-read in the regulations of all good works, had sent\nthere the car driven by M\u0101tali\u2019s son and the Air\u0101vata with the celestial\nyouth Jayanta and the best of the twice-born Pravara (55\u201356). Thinking\n\"His ascetic virtue is gone and this wicked one is to be killed by the\nYadavas\" the Bhutas entered wherever they liked (57), Gradually entering\ninto their palaces the highly powerful Pradyumna and Jayanta began to\ndestroy the Asuras with a net-work of arrows (58) Krishna\u2019s son,\ninvincible in battle, then said to the irrepressible Gada:\u2014\"O Upendra\u2019s\nyounger brother, the king of gods has sent for you this car with the\nhorses. The highly powerful son of M\u0101tali is its driver. This elephant\nAir\u0101vata, ridden by Pravara, has been sent for Sh\u0101mva (59\u201360). O younger\nbrother of Acyuta, there will be a great Puj\u0101 of Rudra at Dw\u0101rak\u0101\nto-day. After its termination the highly powerful Hrishikesha will come\nhere to-morrow. According to his orders we will kill this sinful\nVajran\u0101bha together with his kinsmen who is elated with the pride of\nconquering the city of gods (61\u201362). Methinks, we should so carefully\nconcert measures that he may not kill us with our sons (63). The\ndestruction of one\u2019s own sons in this world is more than his death.\nTherefore the learned should protect their sons by all means\" (64).\n\nHaving thus commanded Gada and Sh\u0101mva the highly powerful Pradyumna\nmade, by his illusory power, millions of his own self and dispelled the\ndreadful darkness created by the Daityas. Seeing him, the destroyer of\nenemies, the king of gods was highly pleased (65\u201369). As the Divine soul\nlives in all human souls so the creatures saw Krishna\u2019s son in every one\nof the enemies (67). The highly powerful son of Rukshmini thus fighting\nthe night elapsed and three fourths of the Asuras were killed (68). At\nthat time when Jayanta repaired to the Ganges issuing from Vishnu\u2019s feet\nfor reciting his evening prayers, Krishna\u2019s son fought alone with the\nDaityas. And afterwards when Pradyumna recited his evening prayers in\nthe etherial Gang\u0101 the highly powerful Jayanta alone fought with the\nDaityas (69-70).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXLIV. THE DESTRUCTION OF VAJRANABHA\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon after the sun, the eye of the world, had\nrisen for three Muhurttas the deity Hari came there riding on Garuda,\nthe enemy of the serpents [1]. O descendant of Kuru, the king of birds\nGaruda, coursing more quickly than even the swans, air and the wind,\nwent to Sakra in the etherial region (2). Coming near V\u0101sava, the lord\nKrishna duly blew the conch Panchajunya which increased the fear of the\nDaityas (3). Hearing that sound Pradyumna, the slayer of his enemies,\ncame near His father Keshava who said to him \"Speedily kill Vajraalbha\"\n(4). Afterwards he again said to him \"Go there on Garuda\u2019s back\"\nSaluting the foremost of celestials Indra and Upendra he did so. O\nemperor Bh\u0101rata, riding on Garuda, fleet like the mind Pradyumna\napproached his great rival Vajran\u0101bha (5\u20136). Seated on Garuda firmly the\nthe heroic Pradyumna, well read in the use of all weapons, struck\nVajran\u0101bha (7). The highly powerful Vrajran\u0101bha was wounded on the\nbreast with a club by the high-souled Krishna\u2019s son seated on Garuda.\nThat Daitya hero, sorely mailed by Pradyumna with his club, lost\nconsciousness; and bewildered like one dead he vomitted blood again and\nagain (9). Thereat Krishna\u2019s son, irrepressible in battle, told him \"Be\nconsoled\". Thereupon on regaining his consciousness in a moment the\nheroic Vajranabha said to Pradyumna:\u2014\"Well done! Oh highly powerful\nYadava. By your prowess you have become an illustrious enemy of mine.\nNow is the time for me to strike you in return; wait here firmly\n(10-11).\" Saying this and roaring like a hundred clouds the king of\nDaityas discharged, with great force, a huge club adorned with bells.\n(12). O king wounded sorely on his forehead with that club that foremost\nof Yadus, Pradyumna, vomitted blood and lost his conciousness (13).\nSeeing it the divine Krishna, the slayer of his enemies, blew his\nPanchajanya conch as if consoling his son. At the sound of that\nPanchanjanya bow the highly powerful Pradyumna revived and stood up. O\nBh\u0101rata, beholding Pradyumna consoled, all the worlds especially Indra\nand Keshava were greatly delighted (14-15).\n\nO Janamejaya, afterwards according to Krishna\u2019s desire his discus, set\nwith thousands of sharpened axles and destructive of the Daityas, came\ninto the hand of his son. Saluting the high souled Indra and Upendra he\ndischarged it for destroying his enemy. O Bh\u0101rata, that discus,\ndischarged by N\u0101r\u0101yana\u2019s son, separated Vajran\u0101bha\u2019s head from his body\nbefore the very presence of the Daityas (16\u201318). The dreadful Sun\u0101bha,\nbent upon killing his enemies and taking delight in battles, was killed\nby Gada in the battle-field although he was very careful. With sharpened\narrows Sh\u0101mva, the aggrandiser of his enemies, converted in the\nbattle-field, the enemies of the immortals into the family members of\nYama. After the destruction of the great Asura Vajran\u0101bha, Nikumbha, in\nfear of N\u0101r\u0101yana, fled to the city of Shatpura (19\u201321).\n\nIn this way, after the irrepressible enemy of the gods, Vajranabha had\nbeen slain, the two high-souled Haris came down to the city of Vajra\n(22). Having consoled the boys and old persons stricken with fear those\ntwo foremost of celestials established peace there (23). O king,\nthereupon following Vrihaspati\u2019s advice and consulting (with him) about\nthe present and future (arrangements) the highly powerful and great\nIndra and Upendra divided Vajran\u0101bha\u2019s kingdom into four parts. O king,\none-fourth of that kingdom, gained by conquest, was given to Jayanta\u2019s\nson Vijaya, one-fourth to Pradyumna\u2019s son, one-fourth to Sh\u0101mva\u2019s son\nand the remaining one-fourth to Gada\u2019s son Chandraprabha (24\u201326). O\nking, with great pleasure Sakra and Keshava divided into four parts also\nthe four koti villages and one thousand prosperous branch cities like\nthe town of Vajra of the kingdom of Vajran\u0101bha. O hero, the heroic\nV\u0101sava and Keshava also divided, into four parts, various warm\nclothings, deer-skin, cloths and jewels (27\u201328). Thereupon those heroic\nkings, the great descendants of Sakra and M\u0101dhava, were annointed there\nbefore the Rishis by the gods Sakra and Krishna with the water of Gang\u0101\nissuing from Vishnu\u2019s feet, accompanied with the music of celestial\nbugles (29\u201330). Vijaya, from before, could range in the etherial region,\nM\u0101dhava\u2019s descendants, on account of the virtues inherited from their\nmother, practised it also (31).\n\nHaving thus installed them all the Divine V\u0101sava said to Jayanta \"O\nheroic victor of armies, it behoves you to protect all these kings. O\nsinless one, of them one is a perpetuator of my race and the other three\nare born in the family of Keshava. By my command none amongst creatures\nwill be able to kill them. They will acquire practice of going to the\ncelestial region and Dwarak\u0101 protected by the Bhaimas through the\netherial way. Give them, as they like, elephants born from those of the\nquarter, horses born from the race of Ucchaisrava and chariots\nconstructed by the celestial Architect himself (32\u201335). O hero, give\nGada and Sh\u0101mva two sons of the elephant Airavata capable of coursing in\nthe sky named Shatrunjaya and Ripunjaya by which these two Bhaimas may\ncome here by the etherial way for seeing their sons and may return to\nthe city of Dwaravati protected by the Bhaimas\" (36\u201337).\n\nHaving issued this command the divine Purandara returned to the\ncelestial city and the Lord Keshava to Dwarak\u0101 (38). The highly powerful\nPradyumna, Gada and Sh\u0101mva waited there for six months. And after the\nkingdoms of their sons had been firmly established they returned to\nDw\u0101rak\u0101 (39). O immortal-like king, those kingdoms still exist by the\nside of the mount Sumeru and will flourish so long the world subsists\n(40). After the termination of the war of clubs and the departure of the\nVrishnis to the celestial region Gada, Pradyumna and Sh\u0101mva repaired to\nthe city of Vajra (41). O king, after living there for a long time,\nthey, by their respective virtuous deeds and the favour of Jan\u0101rddana,\nthe Creator of the world, again returned to the celestial region. O\nking, I have thus described the history of Pradyumna. It showers\nblessings, fame and long life and destroys the enemies. Dwaipayana has\nsaid that the sons and grandsons, of the persons who reads or hears it,\nbecome freed from diseases and multiply riches and health. He also\nattains to great fame (42-44).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXLV. THE CELESTIAL ARCHITECT BUILDS DWARAKA\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Krishna, seated on Garuda\u2019s back, saw the city of\nDw\u0101rak\u0101, resembling the abode of the celestials, filled with echoes on\nall sides, the mount Mani, sporting-houses, gardens, forests, turrets\nand court-yards, (1-2). After the arrival of Devaki\u2019s son Krishna at the\ncity (of Dw\u0101rak\u0101), the king of gods sent for the celestial Architect and\nsaid:\u2014\"O foremost of artizans, if you wish to do what pleases me, do\nyou, for satisfying Krishna, make his beautiful city more exquisite. O\nforemost of gods, encircling it with hundreds of gardens do you build\nthe city of Dw\u0101rak\u0101 after that of the celestials (3-5). Adorn the city\nof Dw\u0101ravati with all the jems that you will see in the three worlds,\nfor the highly powerful Krishna, rising up for all the works of the\ngods, always plunges into the dreadful ocean of war\". Thereupon\nrepairing to the city of Dw\u0101ravati at the words of Indra Vishwakarm\u0101\nadorned it after Amar\u0101vati. Beholding the city of Dw\u0101rak\u0101 adorned by\nViswakarma with all celestial materials and having accomplished all his\nobjects the Lord N\u0101r\u0101yana Hari, the master of D\u0101sh\u0101rhas and ever riding\non a bird, entered there. While he entered the city of Dw\u0101rak\u0101\nembellished by Vishwakarm\u0101 he saw beautiful trees (6-10). He saw that\nthe city was encircled by ditches filled with lotus-stalks resembling\nthe rivers Gang\u0101 (Ganges) and Sindhu (Indus), and in which were sporting\nthe swans (11). As the sky is covered with gold-hued clouds so that city\nlooked beautiful with sunny walls made of gold set on (the roofs of) the\nhouses (12). Encircled with gardens resembling Nandana and Chaitraratha\nDwarak\u0101 appeared beautiful like the sky stricken with clouds (13). On\nits eastern side shone a beautiful gate made of gold and jems and the\npicturesque hill Raivataka with its charming table-land, caves and\nyards. On the south were bushes adorned with creepers of five colours\nand on the west was one of the colour of a rain-bow. O king, the yellow\nmountain Venum\u0101n, resembling Mandara, was beautifying the north. The\nforests of Chitrak, Panchavarna, P\u0101nchajanya and Sarvartuka were\nenhancing the beauty of the mount Raivataka (14-17). There were also the\nbeautiful forests of Bh\u0101rgava and Pushpaka huge like the mount Meru,\nwhich were covered with creepers extending to the roots of the trees\n(18). There were also the forests of Shatavarta and Karavirakarambhi\nbeautified by the trees of Ashoka, Veejaka and Mand\u0101ra. The huge forests\nof Chaitra, Nandana, Ramana, Bh\u0101vana and Venumat were extending their\nbeauty on all sides. O descendant of Bharata, on the east were the great\nriver Mand\u0101kini adorned with Vaidurja and lotus leaves and a charming\ntank. Requested by Vishwakarma numberless gods and Gandharvas, for\npleasing Keshava, had adorned the table-lands there. With fifty mouths,\nthe sacred river Mand\u0101kini entered into the city of Dw\u0101rak\u0101 and\ngladdened the inhabitants thereof. Looking at the city of Dw\u0101rak\u0101 of\nincomparable beauty, encircled by ditches and walls, painted with yellow\npaints and embellished with sharpened Shataghnis and iron discuses\nKrishna saw that eight thousand cars, adorned with net-works of bells\nand flying banners, had made the city look beautiful like that of the\ncelestials (19\u201326). He saw the firmly established city Dw\u0101rak\u0101 eight\n_yojanas_ in length and twelve in breadth with double the number of\ncolonies. That city, consisting of eight highways and sixteen crossings,\nwas as if so made by Ushan\u0101 himself with one road, that even the women,\nwhat to speak of the Vrishnis, could easily fight there. Viswakarm\u0101 had\nlaid out seven high roads for the arrangement of soldiers (27\u201329).\nBeholding the palaces of the illustrious D\u0101sh\u0101rhas, in that best of\ncities, delightful to men, containing golden and jewelled stairs, filled\nwith dreadful echoes and abounding in courtyards Devaki\u2019s son was highly\npleased. The turrets of those palaces were adorned with flags, leaves\nand trees. Those palaces were adorned with golden domes resembling the\nsummits of the mount Meru. The tops of the houses, as if covered with\ngolden flowers and others of five colours, imitated the beauty of\nmountains with charming summits and caves. Filled with noise like unto\nthe muttering of clouds and burning like forest-fire those houses, built\nby Viswakarm\u0101, were looking like so many mountains and filled the sky\nwith effulgence like the sun and moon. The city was embellished with\nforest trees and the noble D\u0101sh\u0101rhas. The city of Dw\u0101rak\u0101, adorned with\ncloud-like houses and the gods V\u0101sudeva and Indra, looked like the\nwelkin stricken with variegated clouds. The house, built by Vishwakarma\nfor the Divine V\u0101sudeva, was four _yojanas_ in length and the same in\nbreadth. The house of the incomparable and the greatly rich V\u0101sudeva was\nadorned with palaces and false mountains. The great Vishwakarm\u0101 built\nthat house under Vasava\u2019s orders (3-40). Vishwakarm\u0101 made a highly\nbeautiful golden palace huge like the highest summit of the mount Sumeru\nfor Rukshmini. It was named K\u0101nchana. Satyabh\u0101m\u0101 had a yellow-coloured\nhouse adorned with flags effulgent like the clear sun and having stairs\nset with jewels. It was celebrated by the name of Bhagav\u0101n. That\nwell-furnished and best of palaces, which had huge flags all around it,\nand which used to put on a new appearance every moment, was built for\nJ\u0101mvavati. Vishwakarm\u0101 built another palace by the name of Meru, which\nwas effulgent like burning fire and gold, and huge like the summit of\nthe mount Kail\u0101sha and the ocean. Keshava accomodated the accomplished\ndaughter of the king of G\u0101ndh\u0101ra in that house (41-48). For Bhaima was\nbuilt a house by the name of Padmakula. It was of the hue of a lotus,\nhighly effulgent and had a high and picturesque turret. O foremost of\nkings, Keshava, the holder of Shr\u0101nga bow, had for Lakshman\u0101 built a\nhouse by name, _Suryaprabh\u0101_ in which were available all objects of\ndesire (49-50). O descendant of Bharata, the green palace, the\neffulgence of which imitated the lustre of Vaidurya and which was known\nall over the world by the name of Para, that ornament of palaces where\nthe great Rishis used to resort, was set apart for V\u0101sudeva\u2019s queen\nMitravind\u0101 (51-52). That best of palaces, built by Viswakarm\u0101 like a\nmountain, which was spoken high of even by the gods and which was\ncelebrated by the name of Ketum\u0101n, was intended for Keshava\u2019s queen\nSuv\u0101rt\u0101 (53-54). Amongst those palaces, the most beautiful and lustrous,\nby name Viraj\u0101, which the celestial Architect Viswakarm\u0101 built with his\nown hands, and which extended over a _Yojana_ and contained jems of\nevery description, was the court of the high-souled Keshava. In that\npalace of Vasudeva\u2019s were placed flags with golden standards and pennons\nmarking the roads. Keshava, the foremost of the Yadu race, had brought\nthere the great mountain Vaijayanta and diverse other celestial jewels\n(55-58). The highly powerful Viswakarm\u0101, with the help of the Kinnaras\nand the great N\u0101gas, had brought and placed there, before the very eyes\nof the creatures, the well-known summit of the mount Hansakuta near the\nlake Indra dyumna which was sixty T\u0101las high and extended over half a\n_Yojana_. Viswakarm\u0101 had uprooted and brought for Krishna the golden\nchariot of Sumeru lying in the path of the sun and the most excellent\ngolden summit with hundreds of lotuses known all over the three worlds\n(59\u201362). In compliance with Indra\u2019s request and in the interest of a\ngreat work Twast\u0101 had brought that highly beautiful summit containing\nall sorts of herbs (63). Keshava himself had carried away the P\u0101rij\u0101ta\ntree and kept it in Dwaraka. While bringing it Krishna, of wonderful\ndeeds, had to fight with the gods guarding that tree, Rafts made of gold\nand jems, lotuses and fragrant jewelled lotuses used to float on the\nwater of the lakes and tanks which were dug for Krishna and adorned with\ntrees covered with jewelled flowers and fruits and hundreds of golden\nlotuses. The huge Sh\u0101la, T\u0101la and Kadamva trees, with hundreds of\nbranches, beautified the picturesque bank of those lakes. Vishwakarm\u0101,\nfor Krishna, the best of the Yadu race, had brought and planted at\nDw\u0101rak\u0101 all the trees that grow on the mountains Sumeru and Himalaya. At\nall the boundary lines of the gardens were planted trees that yeild\nfruits in all the seasons and those crested with white, yellow, red,\ngreen and pink flowers. The edges and water of the delightful streams\nand lakes, which were in that best of cities, was on the same level. And\nthe sandal there was like green sugar. In some of the rivers flowers\nused to float always; their banks were adorned with various trees and\ncreepers and the sand was of the colour of golden sugar. The trees of\nthe city, resorted to by maddened peacocks and coels, used to look\nhighly beautiful. The herds of elephants, cows, buffaloes, boars, deer\nand birds used to live happily in that city. In this way Vishwakarm\u0101 had\nmade in that beautiful city high golden palaces with hundreds of\nturrets, huge mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and gardens (64-76).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXLVI. KRISHNA\u2019S ENTRANCE INTO DWARAKA AND RECEPTION.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thus looking at Dw\u0101raka, Krishna, of most excellent\neyes, saw his own house consisting of hundreds of palaces. He saw there\na million of white jewelled pillars, a gate with jems lustrous like fire\nand a number of effulgent golden seats placed here and there. For his\ncourt a huge palace had been made entirely of gold with crystal pillars.\nHe also saw beautiful and big lakes, with its water full of lotuses and\nfragrant red lotuses resorted to by maddened peacocks and coels, with\ngolden and jewelled stairs and adorned with various other trees. That\nhouse was encircled by Viswakarma with stone walls hundred yards high\nwhich were girt with ditches. After the measurement of Indra\u2019s palace\nthe celestial Architect had built that house on a plot of land measuring\nhalf a _yojana_ on all sides. Seated on Garuda\u2019s back she saw that\nsable-hued palace (1-8). He then blew his conch the sound of which made\nthe hairs of his enemies stand erect. At that sound the ocean was\ngreatly agitated and the sky resounded. Indeed it appeared very\nwonderful (9). Hearing the sound of Panchajanya conch-shell and seeing\nGaruda all the members of the Kukura and Andhaka families were freed\nfrom sorrow (10). Beholding Keshava effulgent like the sun, with\nconch-shell, discus, and club in his hands, seated on Garuda, the\ncitizens attained to an excess of joy. Thereupon they began to beat\ntrumpets, blew bugles and set up leonine shouts. Afterwards beholding\nthe slayer of Madhu the Kukuras, Andhakas and other D\u0101sharhas began to\napproach him with great delight (11-13). Placing Vasudeva before him and\naccompanied with the sound of conch-shells and trumpets, the king\nUgrasen\u0101 repaired to V\u0101sudeva\u2019s palace. Devaki, Rohini and Ahuka\u2019s wives\nbegan to move about with joy in their own houses. A few moments after,\nHari whom serve Indra and other gods, arrived at the appointed house\n(14-16).\n\nHaving got down at the entrance of his house, Krishna, the foremost of\nthe Yadu race, showed proper respect to all the Yadus. And himself\nhonored by R\u0101ma, Ahuka, Gada, Pradyumna and others he entered into his\nresidence with the mountain of jewels (17-18). Rukshmini\u2019s son Pradyumna\nhimself took to the house the P\u0101rij\u0101ta the most favourite of Indra\u2019s\ntrees (19). By the power of the P\u0101rij\u0101ta the heroes saw the beauty of\ntheir own persons and attained to great delight (20). Thus eulogized by\nthe delighted Yadu chiefs Krishna entered into the house constructed by\nViswakarma (21). Having placed that mountain of jems with summits in his\ninner appartment Achyuta, of incomparable energy, united with the\nVrishnis, worshipped the celestial tree P\u0101rij\u0101ta and planted it in its\nproper place.\n\nThereupon obtaining the permission of his own kinsmen Keshava, the\nslayer of heroes, honored all the maidens he had brought from Naraka\u2019s\nhouse with raiments, ornaments, maid-servants, riches and objects of\nenjoyment. Those maidens had already been received honourably by Devaki,\nRohini, Revati and Ahuka\u2019s wives. By his good luck Satyabh\u0101m\u0101 ruled over\nall the females, and Bhishmaka\u2019s daughter Rukshmini was in charge of the\nrelatives. Krishna allotted to each of those women, separate houses,\ntanks, and gardens. (22\u201328).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXLVII. KRISHNA INVITES A MEETING OF HIS KINSMEN.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon having honored Garuda like his friend\nV\u0101sudeva took him to his own house. Having saluted Jan\u0101rddana that\nsky-ranging bird, with his permission, rose up into the sky. At that\ntime, having agitated completely the ocean, the abode of Makaras, with\nthe wind caused by the flapping of his wings the bird flew towards the\neastern sea (1\u20133). Saying \"I will again come at the time of work\"\nVinat\u0101\u2019s son departed. Krishna honored, with jewels acquired by his own\nprowess, his old father Anakadundubhi, the king Ugrasena, Baladeva,\nSatyaki S\u0101ndipani, the Br\u0101hmana G\u0101rgya, and other members of the\nVrishni, Andhaka and Bhoja races. The ambassadors, adorned with\near-rings and garlands, announced at the crossings and high ways of\nDw\u0101rak\u0101:\u2014\"The enemies of the Br\u0101hnanas have been slain: the slayer of\nMadhu has returned unscathed from the battle-field and the Vrishnis and\nAndhakas have acquired victory\" (4\u20138).\n\nAfterwards having saluted S\u0101ndipani first Jan\u0101rddana bowed unto the king\nAhuka. Thereupon with R\u0101ma, V\u0101sava\u2019s younger brother saluted his father,\nwith tears in his eyes, whose heart was filled with joy. Afterwards\napproaching the D\u0101sh\u0101rhas and calling every one of them by name\nAdhokshaja honored them all. O descendant of Bharata, after showing\nthese civilities all the Yadavas, headed by Upendra, sat on celestial\nthrones set with jewels of every description. Afterwards, commanded by\nKrishna, Naraka\u2019s servants brought there the riches and the\nassembly-hall which they had brought before. Thereupon blowing his\nbugle, Jan\u0101rddana, the foremost of Yadus, honored all the D\u0101sh\u0101rhas\n(9-14).\n\nThereupon according to Krishna\u2019s order the D\u0101sh\u0101rhas entered into the\nassembly-hall, charming, having seats and a door made of jewels. As the\ncave of a mountain is inhabited by lions so that assembly-hall, filled\nwith the leading Yadu chiefs, shone superbly beautiful. Govinda,\nfollowed by the Vrishnis and Bhojas, placing Ugrasena before him, sat\nwith Rama on the huge golden seat. Welcoming all the Yadu chiefs who\nwere seated there according to their age the foremost of Purushas said\n(15-18).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXLVIII. NARADA DESCRIBES THE FEAT OF KRISHNA.\n\n\nKrishna said:\u2014\"Ye pious Y\u0101davas, by virtue of your ascetic power and\nthat of mental concentration, and on account of his own sin Bhumi\u2019s son\nNaraka has been slain. Many beautiful maidens have been released from\nhis inner appartment and the summit of the mount Mani has been uprooted\nand brought here. My servants have also brought this collection of\nriches. You are now the masters of all these things.\"\n\nHaving said this the Lord stopped. Hearing the words of Vasudeva, the\nBhojas, Andhakas and Vrishnis, having their hairs stand erect in joy,\nworshipped Jan\u0101rddana. Afterwards those heroic men, with folded hands,\nsaid to them: \"O large-armed son of Devaki, it is no wonder to thee that\nthou hast accomplished, for the gods, a highly difficult feat and hast\npropitiated thy own people with riches and other objects of pleasure\nacquired by thy own power\" (1-6).\n\nThereupon the wives of the D\u0101sh\u0101rhas and Ahuka, filled with joy,\nrepaired to the Hail for seeing Krishna. The seven queens of Vasudeva,\nheaded by Devaki and the beautiful-faced Rohini saw the large-armed R\u0101ma\nand Krishna seated at ease. Having saluted first Rohini Rama and Krishna\nafterwards saluted Devaki. As Aditi, the mother of gods, looks beautiful\nin the company of Mitra and Varuna so the goddess shone in the company\nof her two lotus-eyed-sons (7\u201310).\n\nThereupon, the illusory daughter of Yashoda, whom the people describe as\none and without any parts, with whom, the Purusottam Krishna, the king\nof gods, was born at the same moment and for whom he slew Kansa with his\nrelatives, appeared before Krishna and R\u0101ma, the foremost of men. Up to\nthis time she was being adored in the Vrishni family and was being\nbrought up and maintained like a daughter. She, whom the people of the\nworld know as the irrepressible Yoga maiden, and as one and without any\nparts, was born for the protection of Keshava. Because she protected\nKeshava with her goddess-like celestial body the Yadavas used to worship\nher with great pleasure. As soon as she entered the Hall, M\u0101dhava\napproached her, like unto a man his beloved female friend and held her\nby the hand. The highly powerful R\u0101ma too held her by his right hand,\nembraced her and smelt her head. The Vrishni women then saw her between\nher two brothers R\u0101ma and Krishna like unto the goddess Sree, with\ngolden lotuses in her hands and seated on a lotus too. They then\nshowered fried paddy and diverse flowers and repaired to their\nrespective quarters (11-19).\n\nAfterwards speaking highly of the wonderful deeds of Janarddana and\nhonoring him the Yadavas sat delightedly on their respective thrones.\nThus adored by his god-like kinsmen the mighty-armed and highly\nillustrious M\u0101dhava, the enhancer of the joy of the citizens, began to\nlive there happily with them (20\u201321).\n\nAfter the Yadavas had all taken their seats, the worshipful saint\nN\u0101rada, according to the order of the king of gods, came to Jan\u0101rddana\nat the meeting. Then worshipped by the heroic Yadu chiefs and shaking\nhands with Govinda he sat on a most excellent throne. Seated at ease he\nsaid to the Vrishnis:\u2014\"O foremost of men, know that I have come here at\nthe mandate of the king of gods. O leading kings, hear now of all the\nheroic deeds which Krishna, the slayer of Keshi, has performed from his\nboyhood (22\u201325).\n\n\"Having oppressed the Yadavas and put in chains his father Ahuka, the\nwicked son of Ugrasena, Kansa secured for himself the kingdom. Seeking\nrefuge with his father-in-law Jar\u0101sandha, that wicked-minded wretch, the\ncurse of his family, used to hate the other Bhojas, Vrishnis and\nAndhakas. In order to accomplish a good work for his kinsmen and protect\nUgrasena the powerful Vasudeva preserved his own son (26\u201328). You have\nall heard of the highly wondrous deeds which the slayer of Madhu\nperformed before Shurasena and others while living with the milkmen in\nthe suburb of Mathur\u0101. One day while Jan\u0101rddana was sporting under a\ncart, the highly powerful, dreadful, grim-visaged She-demon Putan\u0101,\nunder the guise of a bird, wished to make him suck her poisoned breast.\nHe however killed her. Beholding however the dreadful, grim-visaged\ndaughter of Bali, Putan\u0101 slain, the forest-ranging Gopas regarded him as\none born again and gave him the name of _Adhokhshaja_. The Purusottama,\nin his infancy, performed another wonderful feat. While playing he upset\na cart with his feet. He injured some of the boys for which Yashod\u0101 tied\nhim to a wooden mortar. He, in that condition, uprooted two Arjuna trees\nfor which he obtained the name of D\u0101modara. The highly powerful and\nirrepressible K\u0101lya N\u0101ga was vanquished by him in the lake of Yamun\u0101\nwhile sporting. Adored by the N\u0101gas in their house in the presence of\nAkrura the Lord assumed a celestial body. Observing the cows assailed by\ncold and wind, the high-souled and intelligent son of Vasudeva, Krishna,\nalthough a child, held up, for saving them, the mount Govardhana for\nseven nights (29\u201338). The wicked, highly powerful, huge-bodied great\nAsura Aristha, the destroyer of men, has been killed by V\u0101sudeva. When\nSunam\u0101 came with his army to arrest him he assailed him through wolves.\nFor protecting the cows, the highly powerful, huge-bodied D\u0101nava Dhenuka\nhas been slain by Keshava. Ranging in the forest with Rohini\u2019s son under\nthe guise of a milkman he created terror in Kansa. While living in\nVraja, Purusottaina Shouri killed the powerful horse of the Bhoja king\nKansa that had his teeth for it\u2019s weapon and was a great help to him\n(39\u201343). Kansa\u2019s courtier the highly powerful D\u0101nava Pralamva, was\nkilled by Rohini\u2019s son with one stroke of his fist. These two highly\npowerful sons of Vasudeva, resembling celestial youths, were initiated\nat that time by the Br\u0101hmana G\u0101rgya. The great saint knew who they\nreally are and so they have been tutored by him from their very birth\n(44\u201346).\n\n\"Thereupon those two highly powerful, foremost of men, like unto two\ninfuriated young lions living on the Himalaya, attaining to youth,\npilfered the hearts of milk-women. While those two heroic and effulgent\nsons of the milk-man Nanda used to move about in the pasture land the\nother boys, what to speak of equalling them in sport and strength, could\nnot even look at them. Hearing of those two large-armed brothers, of\nfirm shoulders, Bala and Keshava grow up like a Sh\u0101la tree Kansa was\npained and consulted with his ministers. And when he could not arrest\nthem by any means he oppressed Vasudeva with all his kinsmen. Fettered\nlike a felon along with Ugrasena Anakadundubhi began to spend his days\nin great misery. Having thus kept in prison his father, Kansa, with the\nhelp of Jar\u0101sandha, Ahbriti and Bhishmaka, governed Shurasena\u2019s kingdom\n(47-53).\n\n\"After few days had passed in this way, the king Kansa, undertook a\ngreat festival in Mathura in honor of the trident-handed deity. In that\nfestival, O king, wrestlers, songsters and clever dancers had assembled\nthere from various countries. In that festival, the highly powerful\nKansa had built there a rich arena, by clever and well-trained artizans.\nThousands of seats were occupied by citizens and villagers as the sky is\ncrested with luminous bodies (54\u201357). As the performer of pious deeds\nascends the celestial chariot so the Bhoja king Kansa ascended the\nwell-decorated platform of the arena. At the entrance of that arena the\npowerful Kansa had kept a mad elephant ridden by heroes and covered with\nweapons. Thinking of R\u0101ma and Krishna the highly powerful Kansa had no\nsleep even in the night previous, and hearing now of the arrival of\nthose two foremost of men, like unto the sun and moon he became more\ncareful for protecting himself (58\u201360). Hearing of that most excellent\narena those two foremost of men, the heroic Rama and Krishna, the\nslayers of their enemies, attempted to enter there as a tiger goes to\nthe pasture of cows. And although prevented by the warders they entered\nthere after killing the elephant Kuvalay\u0101pida. Having entered that arena\nthe irrepressible Bala and Krishna first powdered Chanura and Andhra and\nthen killed the wicked son of Ugrasena with his younger brother (61\u201364).\nWho else but Yadu\u2019s descendant could accomplish such a feat which even\nthe gods could not do (65)? Keshava has brought for you all these riches\nwhich Pralh\u0101da, Bali and even Shamvara could not obtain before. He has\nkilled the Daityas Muru and P\u0101nchajana. And coming out of his\nmountainous fastness Nisunda has been slain with all his kinsmen\n(66\u201367). Having killed Bhumi\u2019s son Naraka and brought back the beautiful\npair of Aditi\u2019s ear-rings Keshava attained to great fame from the\ncelestials in their region (68). O ye Yadavas, depending upon the\nstrength of Krishna\u2019s arms and shorn of pride, fear, sorrow and other\nimpediments do you celebrate various sacrifices. A great work of the\ngods has been performed by the intelligent Krishna. May you fare-well. I\nhave come here to communicate to you this glad tidings, O ye chiefs,\nV\u0101sava has said that he would with great care procure what ever you\nwould like to have. He is yours and you are his. Know it for certain,\nthat the foremost of gods, the chastiser of P\u0101ka has despatched me here\nto inform Krishna that the gods have been highly pleased. There lives\nadvancement where reign the goddesses of prosperity and modesty. In the\nhigh-souled V\u0101sudeva all the three exist (69\u201373)\".\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCXLIX. THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.\n\n\nNarada said:\u2014Moreover, the nooses made by Mura have been cut, Nisumva\nand Naraka have been slain and the road to the city of Pragyotish has\nbeen freed from all dangers. Even the proud kings of the world have been\nfrightened in battle by this descendant of Shura (Krishna) with the\ntwang of his bow and the sound of his conch-shell Panchajanya. Having\nvanquished easily the highly powerful Rukshmi well protected by the\nDecean car-warriors resembling clouds, the foremost of Vrishnis Keshava\ncarried away Rukshmini (1\u20133). Afterwards Hari, the holder of\nconch-shell, discus and club, brought Bhoja\u2019s daughter into his house in\na car effulgent like the sun and producing a rattle like unto the\nmuttering of clouds and married her. In the city of J\u0101ruthi he defeated\nAhdriti, Kratha and Shishupala and vanquished Dantavakra and Shatadhanw\u0101\nwith all their soldiers. Worked up with anger the beautiful lord of\nShoubha killed Sh\u0101lwa, grasping firmly a bow, the Yavana Indradyumna and\nKasherun\u0101m. Having scattered thousands of mountains the lotus-eyed\nPurusottama struck Dyumutsena with his discus. In the city of Ir\u0101vati on\nthe summit of the mount Mahendra there lived two followers of R\u0101vana\nGopati and T\u0101laketu, who could disappear form view within the twinkling\nof an eye and were effulgent like sun and fire. The foremost of men,\nKeshava, the holder of Sr\u0101nga bow, killed them both, within the\ntwinkling of an eye, the D\u0101navas Hansa and Dimvaka have been also slain\nby Krishna with their followers. V\u0101r\u0101nashi (Benares) has been burnt down\nby the high souled Keshava and the king with his followers has been\nslain (4-11). Having killed Maya in battle with knotty arrows Krishna,\nof wonderful deeds, has released the son of Indrasena (12). The highly\npowerful Varuna, with all the acquatic animals, has been defeated in\nbattle by Krishna repairing to Lohitakuta (under water) (13). Having\ngone to Indra\u2019s palace, he, although prevented by the highly powerful\ncelestials, disregarding their king, carried away the P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree\n(14). The intelligent Jan\u0101rddana has slain the kings of Pandya,\nPoundrya, Kalinga, Matsa and Banga (15). Having killed hundreds of\nhighly powerful kings he married his beautiful queen G\u0101ndh\u0101ri. But the\nLord Madhusudana has crowned the foremost of Bharatas, Arjuna, the\nholder of G\u0101ndiva bow who used to play before Kunti, with success\n(16\u201317). This foremost of men has defeated, in battle, Drona, Drauni,\nKarna, Bhishma, Suyodhana and other warriors. For pleasing Vabhru the\npowerful Hari, the holder of conch-shell, discus and club, carried away\nby force the daughter of the king of Suveera (18-19). When Venud\u0101ri\ntrampled over the entire earth with his horses, cars and elephants\nPurusottama defeated him with great care (20). Acquiring, by his ascetic\npenances, energy, strength and power in his pristine dwarfish form\nM\u0101dhava stole away from Bali the three worlds. Even when he was attacked\nin the city of Pr\u0101gyotish by the D\u0101navas with thunderbolts, clubs and\nswords Death could not near him (20-22). Bali\u2019s son, the highly\npowerful, energetic and rich B\u0101na has been defeated by Krishna with all\nhis followers. The highly powerful Jan\u0101rddana has killed Peetha,\nPaithika and Asitom\u0101 the courtiers of the long-armed Kansa (23\u201324). The\nhighly illustrious M\u0101dhava, the foremost of men, has killed the Daityas\nJambha, Air\u0101vata and Virupa, assuming the semblance of a man (25).\nHaving defeated in water the highly powerful N\u0101ga king K\u0101lya, the\nlotus-eyed (Krishna) has despatched him to the sea (26). Having\nvanquished Vivasw\u0101n\u2019s son Yama, Hari, the foremost of men, has restored\nto life the dead son of S\u0101ndipani (27). O Emperor Janamejaya, in this\nway, this high-souled one chastises those wicked souls who injure the\nBr\u0101hmanas and the gods. Having slain Bhumi\u2019s son Naraka he has brought\nthe pair of ear-rings and given them to the mother of gods for pleasing\nthe holder of thunder-bolt (28\u201329). The highly illustrious Lord Vishnu,\nthe master of all the worlds, is a terror to the Daityas and declares\nfearlessness to the celestials (30). Having established virtue amongst\nthe mortals by performing various sacrifices and accomplished the great\nwork of the gods he will return to his own region. Then the highly\nillustrious Krishna will make the ocean devour the cities Bhogavati, a\nfavourite resort of the Rishis, and Dw\u0101rak\u0101 (31\u201333). This city of\nDw\u0101rak\u0101, filled with various jewels and sacrificial grounds, will enter,\nwith its gardens, into the abode (sea) of Varuna (33). The ocean,\nconversant with the desire of Krishna, the holder of Shr\u0101nga bow, will\ninundate this city of Dw\u0101rak\u0101 constructed by V\u0101sudeva and resembling the\nresidence of the sun. There is none amongst the gods, Asuras, and men\nand none will be, except the slayer of Madhu, who will be able to live\nhere (34\u201337).\n\nHaving thus instituted many excellent regulations amongst the D\u0101sh\u0101rhas\nVishnu himself will be united with N\u0101r\u0101yana, Shoma and Surya. He is\nincomparable, above the reach of thought, can go any where at will and\nhas control over his senses. As a boy plays with a toy so he sports with\nthese creatures (36\u201337). None can measure the large-armed slayer of\nMadhu; there is nothing similar or otherwise with his universal form\n(38). In this way he has been eulogised hundreds and thousands of times.\nBut none has been able to see the end of his works. Beholding with his\neyes, rendered more powerful by ascetic penances, the deeds which the\nlotus-eyed Keshava performed with Sangkarshana\u2019s help in his boyhood,\nthe highly intelligent and the great Yogin Vyasa, the witness of all,\nhad already narrated them all (39-41).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having thus chanted the glories of Govinda at the\nmandate of the king of gods, the celestial saint N\u0101rada, adored by the\nYadavas, repaired to the celestial region (42). Thereupon the lotus-eyed\nslayer of Madhu, Govinda, distributed those riches and jewels duly\namongst the Vrishnis and Andhakas. Having obtained them the high-souled\nYadavas too began to perform sacrifices with profuse presents and live\nin the city of Dwarak\u0101 (43-44).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCL. KRISHNA\u2019S CHILDREN.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u20130 reverend Sir, of the many thousand wives of\nKrishna you have duly mentioned the names of eight. Do you now give an\naccount of their children (1).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Eight queens of Krishna had been recognised as\nleading ones. They all gave birth to heroic sons. Listen to an account\nof the names of their children (2). (Krishna\u2019s principal wives were)\nRukshmini, Satyabh\u0101m\u0101, Nagnajiti, Sudatt\u0101, Saivy\u0101, Lakshman\u0101,\nMitravind\u0101, K\u0101lindi, J\u0101mvavati, Pouravi, Subhim\u0101, M\u0101dri and others.\nAmongst them, hear of the names of the sons of Rukshmini (3\u20134).\nRukshmini first gave birth to a son by name Pradyumna who killed\nShamvara. Next she gave birth to the mighty car-warrior Ch\u0101rudeshna, the\nscion of the Vrishni race, and afterwards to Ch\u0101ruchandra, Ch\u0101rugarbha,\nSudangstra, Druma, Sushena, Ch\u0101rugupta, the powerful Ch\u0101ruvinda and the\nyoungest Ch\u0101ruv\u0101hu. Besides she gave birth to a daughter by name\nCh\u0101rumati. Garudadhwaja (Krishna) begat on Satyabhama, seven sons,\nnamely, Bh\u0101nu, Bhimaratha, Kshupa, Rohita, Diptim\u0101n, T\u0101mrajaksha, and\nJal\u0101ntaka and four daughters, namely Bh\u0101nu, Bhimarik\u0101, T\u0101ndrapaksha and\nJalandhama. Jamvavati gave birth to a son, the ornament of the\nbattle-field, by name S\u0101mva, as also to Mitrav\u0101n, Mitravinda, Mitrav\u0101hu\nand Sunitha and a daughter by name Mitravati. Hear now of the children\nof Nagnajiti (5-10). She gave birth to two sons, Bhadrak\u0101ra and\nBhadravinda and a daughter, by name Bhadravati. Saivy\u0101 gave birth to\nSangr\u0101majit, Satyajit, Senajit, Shura and Sapatnijit. The princes\nVrik\u0101shwa, Vrikanirvitti, Vrikadipti and Subhim\u0101 were Madri\u2019s sons. O\nking, hear now of the children of Lakshman\u0101. G\u0101trav\u0101n, G\u0101tragupta and\nthe powerful G\u0101travinda were born with their youngest sister G\u0101travati.\nK\u0101lindi gave birth to a pious son by name Asruta whom Madhusudana gave\nto Shrutasen\u0101. Having given that son away Hrishikesha delightedly said\nto his wife: \"For long he will be the son of you both.\" Vrihati gave\nbirth to Gada. Saivy\u0101 gave birth to Angada, Kumada, Sweta and a daughter\nby the name of Swet\u0101. Sudev\u0101 gave birth to five sons by name Avag\u0101ha,\nSumitra, Suchi, Chitraratha and Chitrasena and a daughter by name\nChitravati. Besides Vanastambha, Stambha and Stambhav\u0101na were born to\nhim as sons. Of them Vanasthambha begat Mitrasena and Stambhavati.\nUp\u0101sangha begat two sons, Vajr\u0101su and Kshipra. Koushiki, Sutasoma, and\nYoudhisthiri gave birth to Yudhisthira, the wonderful warrior K\u0101p\u0101li and\nGaruda (11-20).\n\nThus the sons of M\u0101dhava numbered one lak and eighty thousand. They were\nall valiant and expert in fighting. O king, I have thus narrated the\nprogeny of Jan\u0101rddana (21\u201322).\n\nO foremost of kings, Pradyumna begat on the Vidarbha princess a son by\nname Aniruddha. He had the emblem of a deer on his flag and no body\ncould obstruct him in battle (23). Baladeva begat on Revati two sons by\nname Nishatha and Ulmuka. Those two brothers were beautiful like gods.\nShura\u2019s son Vasudeva begat on his two wives Sutanu and N\u0101r\u0101chi two sons\nby name Poundra and Kapila. Of them N\u0101r\u0101chi gave birth to Kapila and\nSutanu to Paundra. Of those two sons Poundra became the king and Kapila\nentered into woods. Vasudeva begat on Sudr\u0101 the highly powerful hero\nJara who was a great archer. Vasudeva begat on K\u0101shi a quick-coursing\nson by name Sup\u0101rshwa. Aniruddha had two sons, S\u0101nu and Vajr\u0101 of whom\nthe latter was the eldest. Vajra begat Pratiratha whose son was Such\u0101ru.\nAmitra, the youngest son of Vrishni, begat Sini whose sons were Satyav\u0101k\nand the great car-warrior Satyaka. The heroic Yuyudh\u0101na was Satyaka\u2019s\nson. Yuyudhana\u2019s son was Asanga whose son was Tuni. Tuni\u2019s son was\nYugandhara. With him, O king, the family ends (24\u201331).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLI. AN ACCOUNT OF PRADYUMNA.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014You said before that Pradyumna had killed Shamvara.\nDescribe to me now how Pradyumna killed him (1).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014K\u0101ma (Cupid) of firm vows, in order to kill\nShamvara, took his birth from Rukshmini, the incarnation of Lakshmi, and\nV\u0101sudeva as his beautiful son Pradyumna. On the seventh day at dead of\nnight Kalashamvara stole away that infant son of Krishna from the\nlying-in room (2-3). Krishna, who followed the celestial M\u0101y\u0101, knew\nevery thing and therefore he did not kill at that time the D\u0101nava,\ninvincible in battle (4). As if urged on by Death the great Asura stole\naway Krishna\u2019s son. And throwing him upon his arms he took him to his\nown city. His beautiful and accomplished wife M\u0101y\u0101vati, as if the very\nincarnation of M\u0101y\u0101, had no offspring so that D\u0101nava, as if commissioned\nby Death, gave over that son of Vasudeva to her like his own (5\u20137).\nSeeing him she was filled with joy and her hairs stood erect: she looked\nat him repeatedly with delight (8). Casting her looks on him in this way\nshe recollected that he was her favourite husband. Remembering it she\nagain thought (9) \"He is my lord for whom I am day and night plunged\ninto the lake of anxiety and sorrow and have not been able to enjoy\nmental felicity any where (10). He was formerly reduced to ashes by the\ndivine trident handed deity stricken with sorrow for Sati. Now he has\nbeen seen by me in another birth (11). However, being his wife and\nknowing him as my husband how can I give him milk and address him as my\nson?\" (12)\n\nThinking thus M\u0101y\u0101vati handed over the baby to the nurse and soon reared\nhim up with nourishing tonics. Informed by the nurse and out of\nignorance Rukshmini\u2019s son knew M\u0101y\u0101vati as his mother (13\u201314). Having\nbrought up that lotus-eyed son of the Lord of Kamal\u0101 M\u0101y\u0101vati too,\nstricken with lust, instructed him in all forms of illusion (15). When\ngradually crossing the limit of youth Pradyumna looked highly beautiful,\nbecame an expert in the use of all sorts of weapons and in deciphering\nthe movements of women, M\u0101y\u0101vati, assuming the semblance of a beautiful\nwoman, sought the company of her beloved consort and tempted him with\nher gestures. Seeing that sweet-smiling lady attached to him Pradyumna\nsaid to her:\u2014\"What is this? Why do you, casting off your maternal\nfeelings, behave in this perverse way? Alas, how wicked are women. How\nfickle is their mind. Possessed by lust you are not regarding me as your\nson and behaving otherwise. O gentle lady, what is the cause of such a\nperversity of nature? Am I not then your son? Why do you behave in this\nway? I wish to learn the secret of this from you. The nature of women is\nfickle like lightning. As the clouds are attached to the summits of a\nmountain so they are attached to men. O gentle lady, it matters little\nwhether I am your son or not. I wish to learn from your own mouth the\nobject of your movements.\" Thus addressed that timid damsel, having her\nheart stricken with lust, said to her lover, Keshava\u2019s son in a solitary\nplace. \"You are not my son, nor Shamvara is your father (17\u201323). You are\na powerful and beautiful descendant of Vrishni; you are the delightful\nson of V\u0101sudeva and Rukshmini. After your birth on the seventh day you\nwere brought here. When you were a helpless baby in the lying-in chamber\nyou were stolen by my powerful husband. Tresspassing into the house of\nyour father V\u0101sudeva, resembling Vasava himself, Shamvara stole you\naway. Stricken with sorrow for a son like you your mother is bewailing\nlike a cow estranged from its calf. Because you were brought here in\nyour very infancy your father, having the emblem of Garuda on his flag,\nand more powerful than even Shakra himself, does not know it. O lord,\nyou are a Vrishni prince and not a son of Shamvara. Besides the D\u0101navas\ncannot beget a son like yourself. O gentle one, I seek you as my lover,\nbecause I have not given birth to you. Seeing your beauty my weak heart\nis drooping. Besides O Vrishni hero, you should seek in my heart what\ndesire is there. I have thus described to you how you are not a son of\nmyself and Shamvara and how I have grown attached to you (24-33).\"\nPradyumna, the son of the holder of discus, had mastered all forms of\nillusion. So thus addressed by M\u0101y\u0101vati and worked up with anger, he,\nexclaiming his own name, called Shamvara. He said:\u2014\"Alas shall I remain\nhere fearing that wicked-souled D\u0101nava who has stolen away the infant\nson of Keshava? How may that sinful wretch become angry? How can I slay\nhim? I should do what excites his anger. With my sharpened spear I will\nstrike down the wonderful standard with a flying pennon having the\nemblem of a lion which stands like the mount Sumeru on his gate. If he\ncomes to know of the spoliation of his standard Shamvara will surely\ncome out. I will then kill him in battle and return to Dw\u0101rak\u0101.\" Having\nsaid this the large-armed Pradyumna stringed his bow, took up arrows and\nstruck down that jewel of a standard belonging to Shamvara. Hearing of\nthe spoliation of his standard by the high-souled Pradyumna, Shamvara,\nfilled with anger, ordered his sons, saying:\u2014\"O ye great heroes, do you\nsoon kill Rukshmini\u2019s son (34-41). I do not wish to see him who has done\nme this wrong.\" Hearing the words of Shamvara, his sons, Chitrasena,\nAtisena, Vishwaksenajit, Shrutasena, Sushena, Somasena, Mana, Sen\u0101ni,\nSainyahanta, Senah\u0101, Sainika, Senaskandha, Atisena, Senaka, Janaka,\nSukala, Vikala, Sh\u0101nta, Sh\u0101nt\u0101ntakara, Vibhu, Kumbhaketu, Sudangstra and\nKeshi, well-armed and delighted, set out for killing Pradyumna. Taking\nup discuses, Tomaras, tridents, Pattishas, swords, Paraswadhas, and\nworked up with anger, they, inviting Pradyumna, went to the battle-field\n(42-47). Thereupon taking up his bow the large-armed Pradyumna speedily\nascended his car and drove towards the battle-field (48). Thereupon\nthere took place a dreadful and hair-stirring encounter between\nKeshava\u2019s son and those of Shamvara (49). In order to witness that\nbattle, the Gandharvas, Uragas and Ch\u0101ranas with all the gods headed by\ntheir king stationed themselves in the sky (50). N\u0101rada, Tumvuru, H\u0101h\u0101,\nHuhu and other songsters, encircled by Apsaras, also stationed\nthemselves there (51). Then the Gandharva Advutan\u0101ma, attached to the\ncourt of the king of gods, said to V\u0101sudeva, the wielder of\nthunder-bolt: \"The sons of Shamvara are a hundred in number and\nKrishna\u2019s son is alone. How can he, fighting alone with many, acquire\nvictory?\" (52\u201353) Hearing his words, V\u0101sava, the slayer of Bali,\nsmilingly said:\u2014\"Hear of his prowess. In his pristine body he was K\u0101ma\nand consumed by Hara\u2019s fiery anger. Afterwards propitiated by his wife\nthe three-eyed deity conferred on her, a boon, saying:\u2014\u2019When Vishnu,\nassuming the semblance of a man, will live in the city of Dw\u0101raka, he\nwill take his birth as his son and become your husband. This your highly\npowerful and energetic husband, although celebrated in the three worlds,\nas Ananga _limbless_, will take his birth there and kill Shamvara, for\nthe seventh day after Pradyumna\u2019s birth, Shamvara, resorting to this\nillusory powers, will steal him away from Rukshmini\u2019s lap (54-58).\nTherefore go to Shamvara\u2019s house; and hidden under your illusory body do\nyou become his wife Mayavati and please him. There nourish your baby\nhusband. When he will attain to youth he will kill Shamvara. Afterwards\nAnanga will go with you to Dwarak\u0101 and he will enjoy with you in the\nsame way as I do with _Girij\u0101_.\u2019 Having said this the king of gods Hara\nrepaired to the mount Kail\u0101sha resorted to by Siddhas and Charanas and\nresembling Sumeru. K\u0101ma\u2019s wife too, having saluted Uma\u2019s husband, waited\nat Shamvara\u2019s residence for the termination of the appointed time. O\nPratihara, the large-armed Pradyumna will surely kill Shamvara. He has\nbeen destined as the destroyer of that wicked Danava and his sons\n(59\u201364)\".\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLII. BATTLE BETWEEN PRADYUMNA AND SHAMVARA\u2019S SONS.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon there took place a great hair-stirring\nencounter between Rukshmini\u2019s son and those of Shamvara (1). Afterwards\nin anger those great Daityas began to shower simultaneously on Pradyumna\narrows, Saktis, Parashwadhas, Tomara\u2019s, Kuntas, Bhushundis and maces\n(2). Krishna\u2019s son too, worked up with anger, struck them in the battle\neach with five arrows shot off his bow. Thereupon those resolute Asuras,\nexceedingly wroth, set up a net-work of weapons for killing Pradyumna.\nThereat worked up with anger Ananga soon took up his bow (3-5). He then\nkilled the ten highly powerful sons of Shamvara. The next moment, filled\nwith anger the powerful son of Keshava soon cut off Chitrasena\u2019s head\nwith a Bhalla. Thereupon the remaining sons of Shamvara, anxious to\nfight, began to run taking up and discharging arrows. And for killing\nAnanga they all unitedly fought and shot arrows. The highly powerful son\nof Krishna, on the other hand, cut off their heads, as if in sport.\nHaving thus slain one hundred sons of Shamvara, all good bow men, he\nstood in the battle field desirous of fighting. Hearing of the death of\nhis hundred sons Shamvara was filled with wrath (6\u201310). He asked his\ncharioteer to get ready his car. Receiving the order of the king the\ncharioteer saluted him touching the ground with his head and brought the\ncar there, and asked the soldiers to get ready soon. It was drawn by a\nthousand bear and tied with the ropes of snakes. It was coated with\ntiger-skin, adorned with a net-work of small bells and filled with\nwolves. It had ten stairs, one after another, was painted with stars and\nadorned with gold. It had a huge standard, was high and embellished with\nflags having the figures of lions painted on them. It had wooden fenders\naround it and iron axles. It was high like the summit of Mandara, was\nbedecked with beautiful _chowries_, covered with stars and adorned with\ngolden standards (11-16). As if urged on by Death, Shamvara, putting on\na golden armour and taking up his bow and arrows, set out for battle\naccompanied by his soldiers and four ministers. Encircled by his\nministers, Durdhara, Ketum\u0101li, Shatruhant\u0101 and Pramarddana, Shamvara set\nout, desirous of fighting. When with two hundred cars, ten thousands\nelephants, eight thousand horses and ten lakhs of infantry Shamvara set\nout for the battle-field there appeared various omens on all sides. The\ncranes began to emit hideous yells in the sky filled with vultures and\nfire-brands, making a sound like that of evening clouds, began to fall\ndown. The jackals yelled striking terror into the huge army. And\nvultures sat on the tops of the standards desirous of drinking the blood\nof the Danavas. Headless figures were seen dropping on his car (17\u201323).\nThe birds emitted indistinct notes on Samvara\u2019s car. The moon was\npossessed by Rahu (eclipsed) and encircled by its disc. His left hand\nand eye danced presaging some calamity and the horses, attached to his\ncar, became of slackened speed. The Kanka birds fell on the head of\nShamvara, the sworn enemy of the celestials and Indra began to send down\na shower of blood mixed with live coals and cinders. Thousands of\nfire-brands dropped down on the battle-field and reins slipped off the\nhands of the charioteer. But Shamvara, filled with anger, paid no\nattention to those portends and proceeded for slaying Pradyumna. Thereat\nthe earth shook at the sound of bugles, conch-shells, Mridanga, Panava,\nand Anaka all played upon simultaneously. Overwhelmed with terror caused\nby that terrible sound, beasts and birds fled away on all sides.\nKrishna\u2019s son, however, bent on slaying his enemy, waited in the\nbattle-field.\n\nShamvara, determined to fight and encircled by thousands of soldiers,\nstruck Pradyumna with thousands of arrows. He, however, displaying\nquick-handedness, cut those arrows off before they could reach him. And\nbending his bow he shot arrows that there was none in the army who was\nnot struck with one (24\u201333). Thus assailed with arrows by Pradyumna\nShamvara\u2019s men returned to him in fear. Beholding his men take to their\nheels, Shamvara, beside himself with anger, ordered his ministers. \"At\nmy mandate do ye proceed and strike my enemy\u2019s son. Do not neglect him\nbut kill him at once. If neglected he will ultimately ruin us like a\ndisease disregarded in the beginning. If you wish to please me kill this\nsinful wretch of a wicked soul\" (34\u201337).\n\nObeying Shamvara\u2019s command and filled with anger the ministers drove\ntheir cars showering arrows. Seeing them run towards the battle-field\nthe powerful Pradyumna was worked up with anger. Quickly taking up his\nbow he stood there. The highly powerful Pradyumna, the enhancer of the\ndelight of Rukshmini, in anger, struck Durdhara with twenty-five arrows,\nKetum\u0101li with sixty three, Satruhanta with seventy and Pramarddana with\neighty two. Thereat filled with anger the ministers covered Pradyumna\nwith a downpour of arrows. Indeed it appeared highly wonderful. Each of\nthem shot at him severally one hundred and twenty arrows (38\u201342).\nMakaradwaja (Pradyumna) cut them all off before they could hurt him.\nAfterwards, taking up a crescent-shaped arrow he killed with it\nDurdhara\u2019s charioteer before the very eyes of the soldiers and warriors.\nThe very next moment with four beautiful Kanka-feathered arrows he\nkilled his four horses, with one arrow he cut off the umbrella and rein,\nwith another the standard and crest and with sixty other arrows the\naxles, wheels and poles. Thereupon taking up another powerful\nKanka-feathered arrow he shot it at the breast of the short-lived\nDurdhara. Deprived of his life, beauty, vitality and lustre the Danava\nfell down from his car like a planet of waning piety.\n\nOn the heroic D\u0101nava Durdhara being slain the Daitya chief Ketum\u0101li ran\ntowards Krishna\u2019s son showering arrows. And with an angry and frowning\ncountenance he repeatedly said to Pradyumna \"Wait! Wait!\" Thereat filled\nwith anger Krishna\u2019s son covered him with arrows as a cloud sprinkles a\nmountain in the rainy season. Sorely wounded by the great bowman\nPradyumna, the D\u0101nava minister took up his discus and hurled it for\nkilling Pradyumna. Makardhwaja however sprang up and got hold of the\ndiscus, equally strong like that of Krishna, before it could fall on\nhim. And with it before all he cut off Ketum\u0101li\u2019s head. Beholding that\nhighly wondrous feat of Rukshmini\u2019s son the king of gods and the\ncelestials were filled with surprise (43-54). And the Gandharvas and\nApsaras showered flowers on him.\n\nBeholding Ketum\u0101li slain Shatruhant\u0101 and Pramarddana, surrounded by a\nhuge army, ran towards Pradyumna (55). They all hurled at Krishna\u2019s son\nclubs, maces, discuses, nooses, Tomaras, arrows, Bhindhip\u0101las, axes and\nother weapons simultaneously for killing him. However the heroic K\u0101ma,\ndisplaying light-handedness, sundered them with his arrows into many\npieces. In anger he so struck with arrows the thousands of elephants,\nelephant-drives, cars, charioteers and horses that none was seen there\nwho was not wounded (56-59). Grinding their soldiers Pradyumna created a\ndreadful river there having blood for its water. Pearl necklaces were\nits many waves, flesh, fat and marrow were the mud, the discuses were\nthe islands, the arrows the whirlpools the cars the beautiful bank,\nbracelets and ear-rings were tortoises, the flags were the fishes and\nthe elephants were other acquatic animals. The river had the horses for\nits acquatic animals, the hairs for its mosses, the waist threads for\nits lotus-stalks, the beautiful faces for its lotuses, the chowries for\nits swans, the heads for its Timi fishes and the blood for its water.\nNobody, especially the weak, could cross that river created by Ananga.\nIf was dreadful, impassable and full of weapons, and it extended the\nterritories of Yama. Having agitated the other bowmen the beautiful son\nof Rukshmini shot in numerable arrows at Shatruhant\u0101. He too, filled\nwith anger, discharged arrows which fell on Pradyumna\u2019s breast. Although\nwounded with that arrow the powerful son of Keshava did not tremble. He\ntook a mace for killing Shatruhant\u0101 who was on the point of death\n(60-68). That burning Sakti, making a sound like that of Indra\u2019s\nthunder-bolt, discharged by Rukshmini\u2019s son, fell down piercing the\nheart of the enemy (69). With it the heart of the highly powerful\nShatruhant\u0101 was cut off, his limbs were mutilated and his vital parts\nand joints were separated. And he fell down vomitting forth blood (70).\n\nBeholding Satruhant\u0101 slain Pramarddana came forward with a mace and\nsaid: \"O you fond of fighting, what is the use of battling with these\nordinary men? O you of wicked intellect, stand here firmly for a moment\nand fight with me and you will not have to live any longer on this earth\n(71\u201372). You are born in the race of Vrishnis and your father is our\nenemy. If we can slay his son today he will also be killed. O you of\nwicked understanding, with your death the gods will meet with extinction\nand the Daityas and Danavas, having their enemy slain, will enjoy\nhappiness (73\u201374). Yourself being slain with my weapons I will, with\nyour blood, perform the watering ceremony of the dead sons of Shamvara.\nHearing of the death of a young son like yourself Bhishmaka\u2019s daughter\nwill bewail piteously. Hearing of your death, your wicked father, the\nholder of discus, will give up his life today\" (75\u201377).\n\nHaving said this Pramarddana quickly struck Rukshmini\u2019s son with his\n_parigha_. Wounded thus the highly powerful and energetic son of\nRukshmini threw up his car with his hands, struck it down to the ground\nand crushed it. Leaping down then from his car the Danava stood on the\nground as a foot-soldier. And taking up his club he hurled it at\nKeshava\u2019s son. K\u0101ma, on the other hand, crushed down Pramarddana with\nthat club (78\u201380).\n\nBeholding Pramarddana slain the Daityas could not stand before Pradyumna\nand began to fly away like a herd of elephants terrorised by a lion\n(81). As the lambs fly on seeing a dog, so the Daitya soldiers, stricken\nwith fear of Pradyumna, lost heart (82). The ugly-looking Danava\nsoldiers, with hairs dishevelled and their dresses soiled with blood,\nlooked like a woman in menses (83). As roughly handled by a cruel and\nlustful person a youthful damsel, cut with Cupid\u2019s shafts, cannot stand\nin that battle and flies away breathing to her house so those Danava\nsoldiers, assailed with arrows and filled with fear, left the\nbattle-field and fled away sighing heavily (84).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLIII. SHAMVARA COMES TO THE BATTLE-FIELD.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said;\u2014O king, thereupon filled with anger Shamvara said to\nhis charioteer:\u2014\"O hero, do you soon take my car to the enemy. With\narrows I will kill him who has done me wrong.\" Hearing the words of his\nmaster, the charioteer, always doing good to him, drove the car adorned\nwith gold. Beholding the chariot approach him, Pradyumna, having\ndelightful eyes, took up in anger his bow and set to it golden arrows.\nHe then struck Shamvara with it and excited his anger in battle (1\u20134).\nThat arrow cutting to his very vitals, Shamvara, the enemy of gods, was\ngreatly bewildered. And holding the reins of the car he lost\nconsciousness. Regaining his consciousness a few moments after the\nD\u0101nava Shamvara took up his bow in anger and struck Krishna\u2019s son with\nseventy sharpened arrows. Pradyumna, with seven shafts, cut off those\narrows into seven parts before they could reach him. And with seventy\nsharpened winged arrows he struck Shamvara. As a cloud covers a mountain\nwith its showers so he struck Shamvara again with a thousand beautiful\nwinged arrows. Thereupon all the quarters being covered with arrows the\nsky was so enshrouded by darkness that even the sun was not visible.\nSeeing it Shamvara dispelled that darkness with his thunderbolt and\nshowered arrows on Pradyumna\u2019s car. O king, Pradyumna too, displaying\nlight-handedness, cut off those arrows into many pieces with his knotty\nshafts. When that great downpour of arrows was stopped by Krishna\u2019s son,\nShamvara, by his illusory powers, showered trees. Beholding those trees\nPradyumna was beside himself with anger and destroyed them all by\ndischarging fiery weapons. When all the trees were reduced to ashes\nShamvara made a downpour of stones which Pradyumna removed from the\nbattle-field by means of airy weapons. O king, thereupon, Shamvara, the\nenemy of gods, took up his bow and created a great illusory display by\nthrowing on Pradyumna\u2019s car lions, tigers, bears, monkeys, horses,\ncamels, asses and cloud-like elephants. K\u0101ma however, with Gandharva\nweapons, cut them off into many pieces (5\u201317). Beholding his illusion\ndispelled by Pradyumna Shamvara, beside himself with anger, displayed\nanother feat. He showered youthful, well-decked elephants with sixty\nheads each, mad after fighting and ridden by expert drivers. Beholding\nthose illusory creations about to fall on him the great lotus-eyed\n(Pradyumna) having the emblem of a fish on his flag, desired to create\nillusory lions. O king, as the sun sends away the night so the illusory\nlions, created by the intelligent son of Rukshmini, destroyed the\nillusory elephants. Beholding his illusory elephants killed, Shamvara,\nthe king of D\u0101navas, created Sunmohini M\u0101y\u0101. Beholding that Mohini\n(fascinating) M\u0101y\u0101 the creation of Maya, discharged by Shamvara, the\npowerful Pradyumna obstructed it with his _Sanjn\u0101_ (consciousness)\nweapon (18\u201323). Greatly exercised with anger on account of his illusion\nbeing destroyed the highly powerful king of D\u0101navas, Shamvara displayed\nan illusion of lions. Beholding the lions about to fall on him the\npowerful son of Rukshmini took up Gandharva weapons and created\n_Sharabhas_.\u00b3\u2070\u2079 As the wind scatters clouds so those _Sharabhas_, having\neight legs, claws and teeth, pursued the lions. Beholding the lions\npursued by the illusory eight-legged animals Shamvara began to think of\nmeasures for killing them. He thought: \"Alas! How stupid I am. Why did I\nnot kill him in his infancy? Now this wicked-minded one has attained to\nyouth and mastered all the weapons. How shall I kill this enemy\nstationed at the head of the battle? The dreadful illusion of serpents,\nwhich the great god Hara, the destroyer of Asuras, instructed me in, is\nonly known to me. Let me now spread that great illusion of serpents.\nMethinks this powerful and wicked M\u0101y\u0101via will be consumed thereby\"\n(24\u201330).\n\nThinking thus Shamvara displayed that illusion of serpents full of\nburning venom, which fettered Pradyumna with his car, horses and\ncharioteer. Beholding himself thus bound with illusory serpents and\nabout to be killed Pradyumna thought of the illusion of Garudas that\ncould kill the serpents. As soon as the high-souled Pradyumna thought of\nit Garudas began to move about and destroy the venomous serpents. When\nthe illusion of serpents was dispelled the gods and Asuras, eulogising\nhim said \"Well done! Well done! O mighty-armed son of Rukshmini. On\naccount of the illusion being dispelled by you we have been pleased\"\n(31-35).\n\nO Janamejaya, when the illusion of serpents was dispelled, Shamvara\nagain thought: \"I have a golden club resembling the rod of Death which\neven the gods and Asuras cannot withstand in the battle-field. Formerly\npleased the goddess Um\u0101 conferred that on me and said \u2019O Shamvara, take\nthe golden club. Practising hard austerities I produced from my own body\nthis club which can dispell all forms of illusion and kill all the\nAsuras. I have with this club despatched to the abode of Yama with all\ntheir followers, the powerful sky-ranging and dreadful Danavas Shumbha\nand Nishumbha. When your life will be in peril, hurl this club at your\nenemy\u2019. Saying this goddess P\u0101rvati disappeared from that place. I will\nhurl it now aiming at my enemy\" (36-41).\n\nThereupon informed of his motive the king of gods said to N\u0101rada:\u2014\"Do\nyou soon approach the car of the large-armed Pradyumna, make him\nconscious and remind him of his pristine birth. Give that of slayer of\nAsura this invincible coat of mail and Vaishnava weapons.\" Thus\naddressed by Maghav\u0101n N\u0101rada speedily went away (42\u201444). And stationed\nin the sky he said to Pradyumna:\u2014\"O prince, know me as the celestial\nsongster N\u0101rada. The king of gods has sent me here to make yourself\nconscious. O giver of honor, remember your pristine birth. O hero, you\nare K\u0101ma. Reduced to ashes by Hara\u2019s ire you became limbless. You have\nbeen begotten by Keshava on Rukshmini in the Vrishni race, and are known\nthere by the name of Pradyumna. Before the completion of the seventh\nnight Shamvara had stolen you away from the lying-in-room. O large-armed\nhero, when Shamvara carried you away Keshava disregarded him in the\ninterest of the great work of the gods namely the destruction of\nShamvara. Know as your former wife Rati the spouse of Shamvara by name\nM\u0101y\u0101vati. She was living on Shamvara\u2019s house for protecting you. In\norder to create pleasure and forgetfulness in that wicked D\u0101nava she\nsends Rati to him, created, by illusion, of her own person. O Pradyumna,\nhaving killed Shamvara in the battle-field with Vaishnava weapons take\nyour own wife M\u0101y\u0101vati and go to Dw\u0101rak\u0101. O slayer of your enemies, do\nyou take this Vaishanava weapon and highly lustrous coat of mail. The\nking of gods has sent them for you. Hear another word of mine and carry\nit out without any fear. Pleased P\u0101rvati gave this enemy of gods a club\nwhich is always very powerful and can grind all enemies; and none\namongst the gods, D\u0101n\u0101vas and men, can withstand it in battle. In order\nto counteract this weapon you should remember the goddess. Besides,\nthose, who are anxious to fight, should always bow unto and chant the\nglories of the great goddess. You should be careful when you fight with\nyour enemy.\" Having said this Narad\u0101 returned where V\u0101sava was (45\u201358).\n\n  \u00b3\u2070\u2079 A fabulous beast supposed to have eight legs and to inhabit\n      particularly the snowy regions.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLIV. SHAMVARA\u2019S DEATH.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon filled with anger Shamvara took up his\nclub. O descendant of Bharata, when Shamvara took up his club there rose\ntwelve suns, the mountains trembled and the earth shook. The water of\nthe ocean flowed upwards, the gods were agitated, the sky was filled\nwith vultures, fire brands fell, dreadful wind blew and Indra sent down\nshowers of blood. Beholding all those evil omens the heroic Pradyumna\nsoon got down from his car. And folding his hands he recollected the\nbeloved consort of Shankara, P\u0101rvati, and bending his head began to\nchant her glories (1-5).\n\nPradyumna said:\u2014\"Salutation unto K\u0101ty\u0101yani, the mother of K\u0101rtikeya.\nSalutation again unto K\u0101ty\u0101yani the mother of the three worlds.\nSalutation unto the goddess who hath destroyed our enemies. Salutation\nunto Gouri the consort of Girisha. Salutation unto the goddess who has\nkilled Sumbha and pierced the heart of Nisumbha. Salutation unto\nK\u0101lar\u0101tri and Kumari. I bow with folded hands unto the goddess who lives\nin a mountainous forest. I bow unto the great goddess who lives on the\nmount Vindhya, who destroys the forts, who is Durg\u0101, who is fond of\nbattle and who is Jay\u0101 and Vijay\u0101. I bow unto the goddess who is\nunconquerable, who afflicts her enemies, who has a bell in her hand and\nis adorned with a garland of bells. I bow unto the goddess, who has the\nfigure of a lion on her banner, who holds a trident, who has slain the\nbuffalo-faced demon and rides a lion. I bow with folded hands unto the\ngoddess who is one and without any parts, who is the sacred G\u0101yatri that\nis recited at a sacrifice and Savitri of the Br\u0101hmanas. O goddess, do\nthou always protect me in battle and crown me with success.\" Thus\neulogised by K\u0101ma the goddess was pleased (6-13).\n\nPleased at heart the goddess said to him:\u2014\"O you of large arms, O you\nthe enhancer of Rukshmini\u2019s joy, behold me. O son, seeing me does not go\nfruitless. Pray for a boon therefore.\" Hearing the words of the goddess\nhis hairs stood erect and his mind was filled, with joy. Saluting the\ngoddess he communicated his object:\u2014\"O goddess, while thou hast been\npropitiated do thou confer on one what I desire. O giver of honor, may I\nvanquish all my enemies. O goddess, may the club, produced from thy own\nperson which thou hast given to Shamvara, become a garland of lotuses as\nsoon as it touches my body.\" Hearing it and saying \"So be it\" the\ngoddess disappeared (14\u201318). And the highly powerful Pradyumna too, with\ngreat delight, ascended the car.\n\nThereupon taking up his club and whirling it the powerful Shamvara threw\nit on Pradyumna\u2019s breast. As soon as it approached him, it became a\ngarland of lotuses around Pradyumna\u2019s neck. And he looked like the moon\nencircled by stars (19\u201321). Beholding the club converted into a garland\nof lotuses the gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and the great Rishis spoke\nhighly of Pradyumna in his presence. Thereupon bending his bow and\nsetting to it the Vaishnava arrow which N\u0101rada had brought, Keshava\u2019s\nson said:\u2014\"O arrow, if I am the son of Rukshmini begotten by Keshava do\nthou, on the strength of this truth, kill Shamvara in the battle-field.\"\nSaying this the noble-minded Pradyumna, as if to consume the three\nworlds, drew his bow and shot the arrow at Shamvara. Thereupon that\narrow, discharged by that Vrishni chief, piercing Shamvara\u2019s breast,\nentered into the earth. By the energy of that Vaishnava arrow all his\nflesh, bones, nerves, skull and blood were reduced to ashes.\n\nIn this way the huge-bodied, sinful D\u0101nava Shamvara being slain the gods\nand Gandharvas were filled with joy. Urvasi, Menak\u0101, Rambh\u0101,\nViprachitti, Tilottam\u0101, and other Apsar\u0101s and the entire animate and\ninanimate creation danced. Praising Pradyumna the king of gods, with the\ncelestials, pleased, began to shower flowers on him. The king of Daityas\nbeing slain in battle by Madana the son of the slayer of Madhu, the gods\nwere freed from the fear of their enemy, and eulogising Pradyumna they\nset out for the celestial region. As a lover goes to his love so\nRukshmini\u2019s son, fatigued with fighting, went with hasty steps into the\ncity and met his consort (22-32).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLV. PRADYUMNA GOES TO DWARAKA AND HIS PARENTS RECOGNIZE HIM.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having celebrated his sacrifice the powerful M\u0101y\u0101vin\nShamvara was killed in battle on the eighth day of a fortnight (1).\nHaving slain that foremost of Asuras in the city of Rikshavanta\nPradyumna, taking M\u0101y\u0101vati with him, set out for his father\u2019s city (2).\nBy his illusory powers the quick-coursing hero rose up into the welkin\nand reached the charming city of Dw\u0101ravati protected by his father\u2019s\npower (3). That young man, beautiful like Manmatha (Cupid), descended\nfrom the sky with M\u0101y\u0101vati at the inner appartment of Keshava (4). When\nPradyumna thus came down Keshava\u2019s queens were all filled with surprise,\njoy and fear (5). Afterwards seeing that young man, resembling K\u0101ma\nhimself, with his wife, their faces grew delighted; and they, with their\neyes, as if drank his ambrosial beauty (6). Beholding the bashful\ncountenance of that boy and him filled with shame at every step\nKrishna\u2019s wives were all at their wit\u2019s end (7). Beholding that boy,\nRukshmini, the mother of a son, encircled by her hundred co-wives, was\nstriken with sorrow. And shedding tears she said:\u2014\"Alas! I saw in a\nmid-night dream that the slayer of Kansa had given me mango leaves.\nKeshava took me on his lap and put a garland of pearls resembling the\nrays of the moon around my neck. A youthful lady, with beautiful curling\nhairs, clad in a white raiment and with a lotus in her hand, entered\ninto my room. And she sprinkled me with beautiful water. Afterwards that\nlady touched my head with her hands and gave me a garland of lotuses.\"\nHaving thus described her dream, Rukshmini, encircled by her female\nfriends, cast her looks again and again on the prince and said:\u2014\"Blessed\nis that woman whose son is such a beautiful, long-lived boy resembling\nK\u0101ma and just ushered into the first stage of youth. O son, what lucky\nwoman has been blessed with a son like yourself black like clouds Why\nhave you come here with your wife? Alas, if the powerful Death had not\ncarried him away my baby Pradyumna would have been of this age by this\ntime. My surmise can never be untrue. Forsooth you are a prince of the\nVrishni family; from the marks of your body you look like Jan\u0101rddana\nwithout his discus. Your face and hairs resemble those of N\u0101r\u0101yana and\nyour thighs, arms and breast resemble those of my father-in-law and\nHaladhara. Alas, you look like the second celestial body of N\u0101r\u0101yana.\nWith your person you have adorned the entire Vrishni race. Who are you,\nO my child?\"\n\nIn the meantime Krishna all on a sudden entered there hearing from\nN\u0101rada of the destruction of Shamvara (8-20). Beholding his eldest son\nthere, along with his daughter-in-law M\u0101y\u0101vati resembling Cupid himself,\nJan\u0101rddana was filled with joy and said to the goddess-like Rukshmini:\n\"O goddess, here is your son the great bow-man. He has killed Shamvara,\nan expert of illusion and has learnt all his illusory arts by which he\nused to torment the gods. This auspicious and chaste lady is the wife of\nyour son. She was up to this time living in Shamvara\u2019s house under the\nname of M\u0101y\u0101vati. Do not distress your mind thinking her as the wife of\nShamvara. Know her as Rati, the beloved consort of K\u0101ma. Formerly when\nManmatha became limbless being consumed by Har\u0101\u2019s fiery anger this\nauspicious lady, up to this time, always kept that Daitya infatuated\nwith her likeness made by her illusory powers. Even in her youth this\nbeautiful lady did not seek Shamvara; creating her own like-ness by her\nillusory powers she used to send her to Shamvara. O fair lady, this my\nson\u2019s wife, and your daughter-in-law will help K\u0101ma and please him, She\nis our eldest daughter-in-law and deserves our affection. Take her to\nyour room and nourish your lost son who has come back\" (21\u201329).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing those words given vent to by Krishna\nRukshmini attained to an excess of delight and said:\u2014\"Most fortunate am\nI since my heroic son has come back again. Blessed is my birth and I\nhave achieved my object since my lost son has returned with his beloved\nwife. Come my son and enter this room with your wife.\" Thereupon having\nsaluted his mother and Govinda Pradyumna bowed unto Haladhara. Thereupon\nraising up Pradyumna the foremost of the powerful Keshava, the slayer of\nenemy\u2019s warriors, embraced him and smelt his head. The goddess Rukshmini\ntoo, with words suppressed with affection, raised up her daughter-in-law\nadorned with gold, placed her on her lap and embraced her. Thereupon as\nAditi conducts the king of gods with Sachi into her own room so\nRukshmini took her son who had returned with his wife to her own room\n(30-36).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLVI. BALADEVA\u2019S MANTRA FOR PROTECTING PRADYUMNA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O foremost of victors, after having slain Shamvara,\nPradyumna had arrived at the city of Dw\u0101r\u0101ka a wonderful evening Mantra\nwas recited. I am describing the evening Mantra which Baladeva recited\nat that time for protecting Pradyumna. If one recites it in the evening\nhe has his soul purified. It has been recited by Baladeva, V\u0101sudeva, and\nthe pious ascetics and saints:\u2013\"May the Lord of the universe Brahm\u0101, the\npreceptor of the gods and Asuras, protect me. May _Om_, Vashatkar,\nSavitri and the three regulations protect me. May the four Vedas,\nPuranas, Itih\u0101sas, Khilas, Upakhilas, the auxiliaries of the Vedas and\ntheir commentaries protect me (1\u20133). May earth, air, ether, water,\nlight, the senses, mind, intellect, the gunas Sattwa, Raja, Tama, the\nfive vital airs, namely Vy\u0101na, Udana, Sam\u0101na, Pr\u0101na, and Ap\u0101na and the\nseven other airs which which pervade the universe protect me. May the\ngreat Rishis, Marichi, Angira, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu Bhrigu and\nthe divine Vasistha protect me. May the fourteen Munis headed by\nKashyapa, and the Lord N\u0101r\u0101yana with ten quarters and Gunas protect me.\nMay the eleven Rudras, the twelve Adity\u0101s, the eight Vasus and the two\nAshwinis protect me. May the mothers of the Daityas, Hri, Shree,\nLakshmi, Swadh\u0101, Medh\u0101, Tushthi, Pushthi Smriti, Dhriti, Aditi, Diti,\nDanu, and Sinhik\u0101 protect me. May the mountains Him\u0101van, Hemkuta,\nNishadha, Sweta, Rishabha, Paripatra, Vindhya, Vaidurya, Sahya, Udaya,\nMalaya, Meru, Mandara, Dardura, Krouncha, Kail\u0101sha, and Main\u0101ka protect\nme (9-16). May the N\u0101gas, Shesha, Vasuki, Vishal\u0101ksha, Takshaka,\nElapatr\u0101, Suktikarna, Kamvala, Aswatara, Hastibhadra, Pitharaka,\nKarkotaka, Dhananjaya, Puranaka, Karavira, Sumanasya, Dadhimuka,\nSring\u0101rapinda the Lord Mani known all over three worlds, the N\u0101ga kings\nDadhikarma and Haridraka all those Nagas and others whose names have not\nbeen mentioned\u2014all those who are truthful and upholding the universe,\nprotect me. May the four oceans protect me. May the river Ganga, the\nforemost of streams, Saraswati, Chandrabhaga, Shatadru, Devik\u0101, Shiv\u0101,\nIravati, Vipasha, Sarayu, Yamun\u0101, Kalmashi, Rathoshm\u0101, Vahinda,\nHiranyad\u0101, Plakshm\u0101, Ikshumati, Shravanti, Vrihavrath\u0101, and the\ncelebrated Charmanvati and the sacred Vadhusara, and those whose names\nhave not been mentioned flowing in the north sprinkle me with their\nwater. May Venva, God\u0101vari, Kaveri, Kongkan\u0101vati, Krishn\u0101, Venva,\nShuktimati, Tamasa, Pushpavahimi, Tamraparni, Jyotiratha, Utkala, Udum\nvar\u0101vati, Vaitarani, the sacred Vidarbha, Narmud\u0101, Vitasta, Bhimarathi,\nMah\u0101nandi, El\u0101, Kahini, Gomati and Shoma and all those whose names have\nnot been mentioned flowing in the south sprinkle me with their water.\nMay Kshipr\u0101, the sacred Charmanvavati, Mahi, Shuvravati, Sindhu,\nVetravati, Bhojanta, Vanamahk\u0101, Purvabhadr\u0101, Apar\u0101bhadr\u0101, Urmita,\nVaradrum\u0101, Vetravati, the well-known Chapadangi, Luth\u0101, the sacred and\ncharming Saraswati, Mitraghni, Indum\u0101la, Madhumati, Um\u0101, Garunar, Tapi,\nVimalodaka, Vimal\u0101, Vimalod\u0101, Mattagang\u0101, and Payaswani and all those\nwhose names have not been mentioned here as well as the sacred\nBh\u0101girathi flowing in the west sprinkle me with water (17-34). May the\nsacred lakes Prabh\u0101sa, Prayaga, Naimisha, Pushkara, Gang\u0101, Kurukshetra,\nShrikshetra, Goutamashrama, Ramhrada, Vin\u0101shana, R\u0101matirtha, Gang\u0101dw\u0101ra\nwhere Soma rose up, Kap\u0101lamochana, the well-known Suvarnadindu,\nKanakapingala, Dash\u0101swameda, the Naranarayanshrama, the celebrated\nVadari, the well-known Phalgu, Chandravata, Kok\u0101mukha, the sacred\nGang\u0101s\u0101gara, Tapoda of the Magadha country, the well-known Gangobheda,\nand those whose names have not been mentioned where the great Rishis\nlive, sprinkle us with their sacred water. May the shrines of Shukara,\nYogam\u0101rga, Shwetadwipa, Brahmatirtha, R\u0101matirtha, Dash\u0101shwamedha, the\nsin-destroying Gang\u0101 with her streams, Vaikuntha-like Kedara,\nShukarodvedana and P\u0101pamochana destroy my sins and purify me. May\nDharma, Artha, K\u0101ma, fame, Prapti, Shama, Dama, Varuna, Kuvera, Yama,\nNiyama, K\u0101la, Naya, Sannati, anger, stupefaction, forgiveness, patience,\nlightning, clouds, herbs, planets, Yakshas, Pishachas, Gandharvas,\nKinnaras, Siddhas, Ch\u0101ranas, night-rangers, sky-rangers, beasts,\nauspicious planets, Lamvodara, Bali, Pingaksha, Vishwarupa, Indra with\nairs, Kal\u0101, Truti, Lava. Kshan\u0101 and other divisions of time, stars,\nplanets, seasons, months, days, nights, the sun, moon, sorrow, fear and\nsentiments, pride, truth, Sidhi, Vridhi, Sruti, Dhriti, Rudr\u0101ni,\nBhadrak\u0101li, Bhadra-Yasthi, V\u0101runi, Bh\u0101si, Kalik\u0101, Shandili, Kuhu,\nSinivali, Bhima, Chitravati, Rati, K\u0101ty\u0101yani, Sohitya, Ayanamitra,\nGanada and other celestial damsels, spoken of, protect me with their\nfriends (35-52)\".\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLVII. NARADA PUTS QUESTIONS: AND THE MYSTERY IS EXPLAINED.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said;\u2014In the same month in which Pradyumna was stolen away\nby Shamvara desirous of killing himself J\u0101mvavati gave birth to Sh\u0101mva\n(1). From his boyhood he was trained by R\u0101ma in the use of arms and the\nother Vrishnis used to respect him considering him little inferior to\nR\u0101ma. From his birth Krishna, shorn of enemies and neighbouring hostile\nkings, lived in his capital happily as the immortals live in the garden\nof Nandana (2-3). At that time the hostile kings could not enjoy peace\nin fear of Janarddana; and witnessing the prosperity of the Yadavas even\nV\u0101sava did not like his own riches (4).\n\nThereupon office on a time Duryodhana undertook the celebration of a\nsacrifice in Hastin\u0101pur and all the kings set out for (that city).\nHearing of Jan\u0101rddana with his sons, his prosperity and the city of\nDw\u0101rak\u0101 situate on the bank of the ocean, those kings, collecting\ninformation through their emissaries, arrived at Krishna\u2019s palace, who\nwas fond of guests and had controlled his senses, for seeing him (5-7).\nThe king Duryodhana and others who were under the subjection of\nDhritarashtra, the sons of Pandu, Dhristadyumna and others, the kings of\nPandya, Chola, Kalinga, Vahlika Dr\u0101vida and Khasa with eighteen\nAkshowhinis of soldiers arrived at the city of Yadavas protected by\nKrishna\u2019s arms. After those kings had been accommodated in their\nrespective quarters set apart for them, the lotus-eyed Hrishikesha, with\nleading Yadavas, went to them. The Yadu king Madhusudana shone in the\nmidst of those kings like the autumnal sun. Thereupon showing them\ncivilities according to their age and place Krishna sat on his golden\nthrone. The kings too occupied seats according to their ranks. As the\ngods and Asuras shine in Brahma\u2019s Durbar-Hall so those kings appeared\nexquisitely beautiful. Thereupon in the hearing of Keshava, the Yadus\nand kings discoursed on various themes (8-16). In the meantime there\nblew a hurricane accompanied with the muttering of clouds charged with\nlighting. A few moments after riving from that unfair weather, N\u0101rada\nappeared there covered entirely with matted locks and with the Vin\u0101 in\nhis hand (17\u201318). Sakra\u2019s friend, the ascetic N\u0101rada, effulgent like\nfire, dropped before the kings like a scintillation. As soon as that\nforemost of ascetics, N\u0101rada touched the ground the unfair weather\ndisappeared. Having entered that ocean-like court of the kings N\u0101rada\nsaid to the eternal Yadu king who was seated on his throne:\u2014\"O thou of\nlarge arms, thou alone hast become an object of wonder to the gods. O\nPurusottama, there is none blessed like thee in the world.\" Thus\naddressed the powerful Krishna, smilingly said:\u2014\"Yes I am an object of\nsurprise and good luck, especially in the matter of presents.\" Thus\nspoken to in the midst of kings the foremost of Munis, N\u0101rada said, \"O\nKrishna, I have got the proper reply. I now depart for my wished-for\nregion\" (19-24).\n\nThe kings present in that meeting could not make out the mystery of\nN\u0101rada\u2019s words. Seeing therefore, N\u0101rada, about to start they said to\nKeshava, the lord of the universe (25):\u2014\"O M\u0101dhava, N\u0101rada said \u2019Wonder\nand blessed\u2019 and you too replied saying \u2019Presents\u2019. O Krishna, we have\nnot been able to decipher these celestial expressions. If we are worthy\nof listening to the true import we wish to hear it\" (26-27).\n\nKrishna then said to all those leading kings:\u2014\"Yes, you are the fit\npersons to hear it and the twice-born N\u0101rada will relate it (28). O\ncelestial saint, describe to these kings who are anxious to hear the\ntrue import of your question and my reply.\" Thereat N\u0101rada, seated on a\nwhite golden seat beautifully embellished, began to explain those words\n(29-30).\n\nNarada said:\u2014O ye assembled kings, hear how I have mastered this great\nquestion. Once on a time when the sun rose after the termination of the\nnight I was alone walking on the bank of the Gang\u0101. I saw a tortoise of\nthe shape of my Vin\u0101, extending over two _Krosas_. It was huge like a\nmountain, had four legs, two coatings, was soaked with water, and\ncovered with mosses. Its skin was hard like that of an elephant. Then\ntouching that acquatic animal with my hands I said:\u2014\"O tortoise,\nmethinks you have a wonderful body and are fortunate, for you are\ncovered with these two invincible coatings. And not caring for any body\nyou, without any anxiety, range in the water\" (31\u201336). Hearing it that\nwater-ranging tortoise said to me like a man:\u2014\"What wonder is there in\nme, O Muni? And how can I be blessed? This Gang\u0101, flowing downwards, is\nblessed in whom range hundreds and thousands of animals like myself.\nWhat is more wonderful than she?\" (37-38) Thereat filled with curiosity\nI approached the river Gang\u0101 and said:\u2014\"O foremost of rivers, you have\nmany lakes in you. Adorned with many huge-bodied animals, you,\nprotecting the hermitages, are you going to the ocean. Blessed are you\ntherefore and have many wonders in you\" (39-40).\n\nO Janamejaya, thus spoken to Gang\u0101, in her own form, appeared before the\nforemost of the twice-born, the celestial Gandharva N\u0101rada, the\nfavourite of Indra and said \"O celestial songster, O foremost of the\ntwice-born, O you fond of quarrels, do not say so; I am nither blessed\nnor I do contain wonders. I am afraid of the words of a truthful person\nlike yourself. O twice-born one, that ocean is blessed and full of big\nwonders where hundreds of rivers like myself are flowing.\" Hearing the\nwords of (Ganga) flowing in three ways I went to the ocean and said:\u2014\"O\ngreat ocean, O lord of waters, you are the origin of all\nwaters\u2014therefore you are blessed and full of wonders in the world.\nSpecially, the rivers, full of waters, worshipped by the world and\npurifying them, come to you as your wives.\" Thus addressed, riving the\nwaters, by the force of the wind, the ocean rose up and said:\u2014\"O\ncelestial songster, O foremost of the twice-born, do not say so; I am\nneither full of wonders, nor I am blessed. Blessed is the earth on whom\nI live. What is more wonderful than the earth in the universe?\"\n\nHearing the words of the ocean, I, filled with curiosity, went to the\nbed of the earth and said to Prithivi the energy of the universe:\u2014\"O\nbeautiful earth, endued with great patience, thou art blessed and\nwonderful in the universe for thou art sustaining all the worlds. Thou\nhast given birth to the churning rod of men and patience. Thou art the\nwork of the sky-ranging gods.\" Excited at my words and forsaking her\nnatural patience she replied:\u2014\"O celestial songster fond of quarrels, do\nnot say so. I am neither blessed nor wonderful. This my patience is\ndependant on another. O foremost of the twice-born, the mountains, that\nare upholding me, are indeed great and wonders are seen in them. They\nare the bridges of the worlds.\" O kings, hearing those words I went to\nthe mountains and said \"O ye mountains, great you are and full of many\ngreat wonders. Besides you are the mines of gold and many precious jems,\nand you are living on earth for ever.\" The immobile mountains, adorned\nwith forests, replied to my question in consoling accents. \"O Br\u0101hmana\nsaint, we are not great and there is no wonder in us. The creator Brahm\u0101\nalone is great and wonderful even amongst the celestials\" (41-58).\n\nThereupon thinking that with the Creator Brahm\u0101, this cycle of questions\nwould terminate I went to him. Approaching in order, the four-headed,\nSelf-sprung Deity, the origin of the world I saluted him and said to\nhim, expecting that my words would come to a close:\u2014\"Thou art alone\ngreat, wonderful and the preceptor of the world. There is no other\ncreature in this world which is equal to thee. From thee has emanated\nthis universe identical with mobile and immobile creations. O king of\ngods, the gods, D\u0101navas and other creations of the three worlds, and\nthis universe, manifest and unmanifest, have all emanated from thee.\nThou art the eternal king of gods. O God, while thou art the best of\ngods what wonder is there that thou art the origin of all the worlds.\"\nHearing my words the Grand-Father Brahm\u0101 said:\u2014\"O N\u0101rada, why do you\ncall me great and wonderful? The Vedas, which are upholding the worlds,\nare great and wonderful. O Vipra, know me as identical with the truths\nthat lie in Rik, Saman, Yayur and Atharvan. The Vedas are upholding me\nand I too uphold them\" (59\u201367). Hearing the words of the Self-sprung\nParameshtin, I made up my mind for going to the Vedas. According to the\nwords of the Grand-Father I went near the four Vedas worshipped with\n_mantras_ and said:\u2014\"O ye Vedas, the Grand-Father has said that you are\ngreat, wonderful and the source of the Br\u0101hmanas. You are superior even\nto the Self-sprung Deity. There is none in Sruti and Tapas superior to\nyou. Therefore I have come to ask you.\" Thereupon the Vedas, with their\nfaces towards me, replied:\u2014\"The Yajnas are great and wonderful. O\nN\u0101rada, we have been created for Yajnas and are not masters of\nourselves. So the Yajnas lord over us.\" Hearing that the Vedas are\nsuperior to the Self-sprung Deity and the Yajnas are superior to the\nVedas I approached the Yajnas headed by the household fire and said\n(68-74):\u2014\"O ye Yajnas, as spoken by the Grand-Father and the Vedas,\ngreat effulgence is seen in you. There is nothing in this world more\nwonderful than you. You are born from the twice-born and are therefore\ngreat. By you, with a portion of the sacrificial offerings the gods are\npleased, the great saints with _mantras_ and the Agnis with oblations\"\n(75\u201377). After I had finished my say Agnisthoma and other Yajnas,\nstationed in the sacrificial grounds, replied:\u2014\"O Muni, there is no such\nword as _wonder_ and _great_ in our midst. Vishnu alone is the great\nwonder\u2014and he is our supreme refuge. The lotus-eyed Vishnu, manifested\nas men, offers those oblations into fire on which we feed. As the\nlarge-armed Vishnu, having eyes like red lotuses, is great with his\nconsort, so great is a Yajna accompanied with presents.\" Afterwards I\ncame down on earth to ascertain Vishnu\u2019s movements and saw Krishna\nencircled by kings like your worthy selves. I said to M\u0101dhava surrounded\nby you all \"Thou art great and wonderful\" and he too replied saying\n\"with presents.\" This has put a stop to my words. Pursuing words in\norder, beginning with the tortoise I have come here\u2014and they have now\nbeen verified in this Purusha with Dakshin\u0101. I have thus explained, as\nquestioned by you, the secret of my words. I now go whence I have come.\n\nAfter the departure of N\u0101rada to the celestial region, the kings,\nstricken with wonder, repaired to their respective territories with\ntheir army and conveyances. The heroic Yadu chief, Jan\u0101rddana too, with\nthe Yadavas, effulgent like fire, entered into his own palace (78-88).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLVIII. ARJUNA DESCRIBES ANOTHER WONDERFUL WORK.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O you of large arms, O foremost of the twice-born, I\nwish again to listen to an account of the glorious deeds of Krishna, the\nlord of the world. I have not been satiated with listening to the\nextensive works of the high-souled, intelligent and ancient Purusha\nKrishna (1-2).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O king, it is impossible to finish, even in hundred\nyears, the account of the glorious deeds of Govinda (3). Hear now of the\nhighly wonderful deeds of Keshava which Vibhatsu (Arjuna), the holder of\nG\u0101ndiva bow, described excited by Bhisma lying on the bed of arrows (4).\nO royal descendant of Kuru, hear what he told his eldest brother\nYudhisthira who had vanquished all his enemies, in the presence of the\nkings (5).\n\nArjuna said:\u2014Formerly to see my relations I had gone to the city of\nDw\u0101rak\u0101 and entertained by the Bhojas, Vrishnis and Andhakas I had lived\nthere for some time (6). At that time the virtuous-souled and\nlarge-armed slayer of Madhu undertook the celebration of a sacrifice\nextending over a day according to Shastric rites. When Krishna sat for\nthe celebration of that sacrifice, one Br\u0101hmana, describing his own\naffairs, sought for protection (7-8).\n\nThe Br\u0101hmana said:\u2014O lord, thou art now in charge of the protection (of\nsubjects); besides a saviour is entitled to the one fourth share of the\npiety acquired by a good work (9).\n\nVasudeva said:\u2014\"O foremost of the twice-born, may you farewell. Do not\nfear (any body). I will protect you from him, even if it be a difficult\ntask, who is the cause of your fear. Tell me who is the spring of your\nfear (10).\" The Br\u0101hmana said:\u2014\"O thou of large arms, my sons are stolen\naway as soon as they are born. O sinless Krishna, three of my sons were\nstolen away as soon as they were born. Thou shouldst now protect the\nfourth son. O Jan\u0101rddana, my wife is under the labour pain. Thou\nshouldst so arrange that my child may not be stolen away\" (11-12).\n\nArjuna said:\u2014Thereupon Govinda said to me \"I am to day celebrating a\nsacrifice. But a Br\u0101hmana should be protected by us in whatever\ncircumstances we may be.\" Hearing those words of Krishna I said to\nGovinda:\u2014\"Appoint me, I will remove the fear of the Br\u0101hmana\" (13\u201314).\nThus addressed Janarddana, smiling a little, said:\u2014\"Will you be able to\nsave him?\" O kings, I was greatly ashamed hearing those words of\nKrishna. Seeing me thus ashamed Jan\u0101rddana again said \"Go, if you are\ncapable of protecting him. Except the large-armed R\u0101ma and the great\ncar-warrior Pradyumna, let all other members of the Vrishni and Andhaka\nfamilies follow you.\" Thereupon encircled by the Vrishni army, I set out\nwith the Br\u0101hmana before me (13\u201318).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLIX. ARJUNA GOES TO RESCUE THE BRAHMANA AND BECOMES\nUNSUCCESSFUL.\n\n\nArjuna said:\u2014O foremost of the Bharata race, within a moment we reached\nthe boundary of the village and encamped because all our animals were\ntired (1). O descendant of Kuru, a few moments after encircled by the\nhuge Vrishni army I entered into the city (2). At that time all was\nablaze and burning vultures and beasts frighted me (3). Huge and black\nfire-brands fell down, the sun was shorn of its effulgence and the earth\ntrembled (4). Beholding those dreadful and hair-stirring evil omens, I,\nfilled with anxiety, ordered my soldiers to get ready. Hearing it the\ngreat car warriors of the Vrishni and Andhaka families headed by\nYuyudhana got ready their respective cars and I too put on my arms\n(5\u20136).\n\nAfter the expiration of the mid-night that Br\u0101hmana, stricken with fear,\napproached us and said \"My wife is on the point of giving birth to a\nchild. Do you station yourselves so that I may not be cheated\" (7-8). In\na moment, O king, piteous cries were heard in the Br\u0101hmana\u2019s house\nexclaiming \"Stolen! Stolen!\" (9). Afterwards we also heard the cries of\nthe baby in the sky, but could not see the R\u0101kshasa (10). Afterwards we\nagitated all the quarters with a downpour of arrows, but the boy was\nhowever stolen away (11). When that boy was stolen away that Br\u0101hmana\ncrying addressed to us such harsh words that the Vrishnis lost\nthemselves and I too lost my senses. He particularly said to me:\u2014\"You\nsaid that you would protect me, but could not do so. Therefore listen to\nthese beneficial words, O wicked minded wretch (12\u201314). You always vaunt\nwith Keshava of incomparable intellect. Had Govinda been here this\nmischief would not have been created. O stupid man, as a saviour is\nentitled to the one-fourth share of the virtue, so he, who cannot\nprotect one, is constrained to participate of the sin; you said that you\nwould protect me but you have not been able to do so. In vain is your\nG\u0101ndiva, prowess and fame\" (15-17).\n\nHowever I did not speak anything to the Br\u0101hmana, but went with the\nprinces of the Vrishni and Andhaka families where the highly effulgent\nKrishna was. Afterwards going to city of Dw\u0101ravati I saw Govinda the\nslayer of Madhu and he too, saw me, filled with shame and sorrow.\nBeholding me ashamed M\u0101dhava consoled me and the Br\u0101hmana with sweet\nwords. Thereupon he said to D\u0101ruka:\u2014\"Get ready my horses, Sugriva,\nSaivya, Meghapushpa, and Bal\u0101haka.\" Afterwards making the Br\u0101hmana\nascend the car and sending down D\u0101ruka, Shura\u2019s descendant Krishna asked\nme to act as the charioteer. O descendant of Kuru, afterwards, Krishna,\nthe Br\u0101hmana and myself set out on that car towards the north (18-20).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLX. KRISHNA RESCUES THE BRAHMANA\u2019S SONS.\n\n\nArjuna said:\u2014Thereupon crossing the mountains, rivers and forests we saw\nthe ocean the abode of Makara. Thereat the ocean, in his true form, with\nfolded hands and carrying _Argya_, appeared before Jan\u0101rddana and said\n\"What am I to do?\" (1\u20132) Having accepted the adoration from the ocean\nJan\u0101rddana said:\u2014\"O Lord of rivers, I wish you to afford passage for my\ncar\" (3). Thereupon Samudra, with folded hands, said to\nGarudadhwaja:\u2014\"Be pleased O Lord! do not act thus, or else others will\ndo so (4). O Jan\u0101rddana, thou didst formerly place me in this\nunfathomable expanse. I shall have to follow the way thou wilt institute\n(5). If thou dost do so, other kings, elated with the pride of their\nstrength, will cross me by this way. Therefore O Govinda, do whatever\nthou dost think proper (6).\" V\u0101sudeva said: \"For my sake and for this\nBr\u0101hmana, follow my words. Save me no one else will be able to assail\nyou\" (7). Thereupon, in fear of a curse the ocean again said to\nJan\u0101rddana:\u2014\"Let it be so. O Krishna, O slayer of Keshi, I will dry up\nthe path in which your car, adorned with flags, will proceed with its\ncharioteer\" (8\u20139). Vasudeva said:\u2014\"O ocean, I had conferred upon you the\nboon formerly that you would never be dried up, lest the people might\nform an idea of the collection of your gems. You are to stop the\nagitation of your water to that extent only that may admit me with my\ncar. In that case no man will be able to estimate the collection of your\njems\" (10-11). Hearing it the ocean said \"So be it\"; and we proceeded\nthrough that lustrous red water as if we were on land (12). Within a\nmoment we crossed the ocean, Uttarakuru and Gandham\u0101dana. Thereupon\nJayanta, Vaijayanta, Neela, Rajata, Mah\u0101meru, Kailasha and Indrakuta,\nthese seven mountains, assuming various wonderful forms, appeared before\nKeshava and saluting Govinda said:\u2014\"What are we to do?\" Welcoming them\nall duly Hrishikesha, the slayer of Madhu, said to the mountains who\nstood before him with bending heads \"You are to give me passage.\"\nHearing the words of Krishna and accepting them the mountains gave him\nthe passage and disappeared. O foremost of Bharata\u2019s race, beholding\nthis work I was filled with great surprise. However as the sun passes\nthrough clouds so our car careered on unobstructed. And that best of\ncars, crossing the seven insular continents, oceans and seven rivers as\nwell as Lokaloka, entered another region (13\u201320).\n\nWhile proceeding thus at a certain place I found the horses carrying the\ncar with great difficulty. Touching it with my hands I perceived that\nthe darkness was owing to thick mud. It gradually assumed the form of a\nmountain. Seeing it, Govinda dispelled that darkness and mud with his\ndiscus and the sky and the passage of the car became visible (21\u201323).\nWhen the sky became visible and we came beyond the pale of darkness my\nfear was removed and I thought that I was alive. A few moments after I\nsaw in the sky a bundle of effulgence, of the shape of a man, extending\nover all the worlds (24\u201325). Then Rishikesha entered into that bundle of\neffulgence and that best of Br\u0101hmanas and myself waited on the car.\nWithin a moment the powerful Krishna returned with the four sons of the\nBr\u0101hmana and gave those three boys who had been stolen before and the\nnew born baby into the hands of the Br\u0101hmana (26\u201328). O emperor,\nregaining his sons the Br\u0101hmana was highly pleased and I too was filled\nwith great joy and surprise (29). O foremost of the Bharatas, afterwards\nwe, with the Br\u0101hmana\u2019s sons, came out in the same way as we had gone\nthere. O foremost of kings, arriving at Dw\u0101rak\u0101 within a moment we saw\nthat even the first part of the day was not complete. At that I was\nagain filled with surprise. There upon the highly illustrious Krishna\nfed that Br\u0101hmana with his sons and satisfying him with riches sent him\naway to his own house (29-32).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXI. KRISHNA EXPLAINS THE MYSTERY.\n\n\nArjuna said:\u2014O Bharata, afterwards, having fed many hundreds of\nRishi-like Br\u0101hmanas and taken his meals along with myself and other\nmembers of the Vrishni and Bhoja races, Krishna discoursed on various\nwonderful and divine topics (1\u20132). After the termination of Jan\u0101rddana\u2019s\ndiscourse, I, filled with curiosity about what I had seen, approached\nhim and said:\u2014\"O lotus-eyed Krishna, how the water of the ocean came to\na stand-still? How was that dreadfully dense darkness dispelled with thy\ndiscus? How didst thou enter into that bundle of effulgence? O lord, why\nwhere the Br\u0101hmana boys stolen by that effulgence. How was such a long\ndistance shortened? How could we go and come back within such a short\ntime O Keshava, do thou describe all these things duly to me (3\u20137).\"\n\nVasudeva said:\u2014In order to see me that great Purusha stole away the sons\nof the Br\u0101hmana thinking that for him I would go there and not otherwise\n(8). O foremost of Bharatas, the great divine effulgence which you saw\nthere is nothing but me full of Brahma effulgence. That is my eternal\neffulgent energy. That is my eternal great Prakriti, manifest and\nunmanifest. Entering into her (understanding her nature) the great\nYogins attain to final liberation (9-10). Prakriti is the refuge of the\nSankhya Yogins and the ascetics. And she is the great Br\u0101hmana. She\nmakes divisions in the universe (11). O Bh\u0101rata, know her as my creative\nenergy. I am that ocean of stilled water. I stilled her water (12). I am\nthose seven mountains and the pitch darkness begotten by mud which you\nsaw. I am the cloud-like darkness and its dispeller. I am the author of\nelements and eternal religion. The moon, the sun, the huge mountains,\nthe rivers, the lakes, the four quarters are my four-fold souls. From me\nhave emanated the four Varnas and four Asramas. Know me as the author of\nfour-fold learning (13-16).\n\nArjuna said:\u2014O lord, O divine master of all creatures, O Purusottama,\nsalutation unto thee. I wish to know thy true self and therefore have I\nsought thy protection and put this question (17).\n\nVasudeva said:\u2014O descendant of Bharata, O son of Pandu, from me have\nemanated Brahman, Br\u0101hmana, Tapas, truth and every other thing small or\ngreat. O large-armed Dhananjaya, I am your favourite and you are my\nfavourite. And for this I tell you this or else I would not have done\nso. O foremost of Bharatas, O son of Prith\u0101, I am Rik, Yayush, S\u0101man and\nAtharvan (18\u201319). The Rishis, the gods and the Yajnas are my energies.\nFrom me have emanated earth, air, ether, water, the five luminous\nbodies, the moon, the sun, day, night, fortnight, months, seasons,\n_muhurttas_, _Kal\u0101_ _Khana_, year, various _mantras_, the various\nSh\u0101stras, learnings and every other thing. O son of Kunti, creation and\ndestruction also proceed from me. My soul is real and unreal and I am\nthe pure _Brahman_ (20-23).\n\nArjuna said:\u2014At that time Hrishikesh, out of his love for me, said this\nto me and since then my mind is ever attached to Jan\u0101rddana. I had heard\nof Keshava\u2019s power and saw this myself. There are more powerful deeds of\nJan\u0101rddana than what I have just described at your request (24-25).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing those words the virtuous king Yudhisthira,\nthe foremost of Kurus, worshipped Purusottama Govinda, in his mind. At\nthat time Yudhisthira, all his brothers and the courtier kings were\nfilled with surprise (26-27).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXII. KRISHNA\u2019S FEATS DESCRIBED.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O foremost of the twice-born I wish to hear again truly\nthe incomparable deeds of the intelligent V\u0101sudeva the foremost of the\nYadus, O you of great effulgence, I have attained to great delight by\nhearing of the numberless, wonderful, heavenly and ordinary deeds of\nKrishna. O sinless Muni, describe them all to me. (1\u20133).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O king I had already described the many wonderful\nfeats of the high-souled Keshava and you too have heard them repeatedly.\nO you of large arms, O foremost of Bharatas, I have described them many\na time no doubt, but it is impossible to finish them. But O great king,\nwhile you are anxious to listen to an account of the glorious deeds of\nV\u0101sudeva of incomparable power I should describe what little I, can.\nHear, I shall describe them from the beginning (4\u20136).\n\nWhile residing at Dwaravati, the intelligent Yadu king Keshava invaded\nthe territories of many highly powerful kings (7). At that time, a\nD\u0101nava, by name Vichakra, who used to seek loop-holes of the Yadavas,\nwas killed. Going to the city of Pr\u0101gyotish situate at the bed of the\nocean the great Keshava killed the wicked Asura Naraka. Vanquishing\nV\u0101sava he, by force, carried away his P\u0101rij\u0101ta tree (8\u20139). In the lake\nLohita the divine Varuna was vanquished by Keshava. In the Deccan the\nKarusha king Dantavakra was killed. After he had committed a hundred\noffences Shishupala was slain. O king, repairing to the city of Shonita\nM\u0101dhava vanquished, in a great battle, the thousand-handed and highly\npowerful V\u0101na the son of Bali protected by Shankara and left him only\nalive (10-12). All the fires in the mountains were suppressed by that\nhigh-souled one and Shalwa and Soubha were defeated and killed by him in\nbattle (13). Having assailed the ocean Jan\u0101rddana took from him the\nconch-shell Paachajanya and Hayagriva and other highly powerful kings\nhave been killed by him (14). On Jarasandha being slain by him all the\nkings have been released. Having vanquished all the kings on a single\ncar he carried away the daughter of the G\u0101ndhara king. The sons of\nPandu, deprived of their kingdom and stricken with sorrow, were\nprotected by him. Having consumed the dreadful forest of Kh\u0101ndava\nbelonging to Sachi\u2019s lord he conferred G\u0101ndiva, given by fire, on\nArjuna. O Janamejaya, when the dreadful conflict took place, this Yadu\nking Jan\u0101rddana acted as the ambassador. On behalf of the P\u0101ndavas he\npromised before Kunti, \"After the termination of the Bh\u0101rata war I will\nreturn the kingdom to your sons.\" By him the highly effulgent Nriga was\nreleased of his curse and the well known K\u0101la Yavana was killed. By him\nthe highly powerful and irrepressible monkeys Mainda and Dwivida were\ndefeated in battle and J\u0101mvav\u0101n was vanquished. Although possessed by\ndeath Sandipani\u2019s son and your father was restored to life again. O\nJanamejaya, I had already described to you how the kings met with death\nin many battles destructive of men (15-23).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXIII. VANA\u2014THE GREAT ASURA.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O foremost of the twice-born, I have heard many\nincomparable deeds of that intelligent Yadu king many a time. O foremost\nof moral men, O you having asceticism for your wealth, I wish now to\nhear how V\u0101sudeva behaved towards V\u0101na as mentioned by you before. O\nBrahman, how could that Asura, who was protected by Shankara, obtain the\nsonship of that god of gods? How could he live in the company of his\nGuhas? The son of the powerful Bali was the eldest of a hundred brothers\nand had thousand hands adorned with hundreds of celestial weapons, was\nencircled by numberless huge-bodied Asuras and was a master of hundreds\nof illusion. How was V\u0101na, desirous of fighting a duel and inflamed with\nanger, defeated by Vasudeva in battle And why did Keshava leave him off\nwith life?\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hear, O king, with attention how a terrible\nencounter took place between V\u0101na and Krishna of incomparable energy in\nthe land of men? O king, hear how Bali\u2019s son V\u0101na, helped by Rudra and\nKum\u0101ra, and always spoken high of in battle, was defeated by Vasudeva\nand left off with his life, how the high-souled Shankara used to keep\nhim always by him and conferred on him the sovereignty over Ganus; how\nthe Asura V\u0101na obtained the sonship of that god of gods; how a great\nbattle ensued between him and V\u0101sudeva and how he was left off with his\nlife (1-11).\n\nOnce on a time seeing the high-souled Kum\u0101ra (K\u0101rtikeya) while sporting\nthe highly powerful Bali\u2019s son was filled with surprise. Then thinking,\n\"How may I be Rudra\u2019s son?\" he desired to carry on hard austerities for\nworshipping Rudra. Gradually the more that foremost of Asuras rendered\nhimself glorious by practising hard austerities the more pleased was\nSiva, who is easily satisfied, with Um\u0101. Having attained to an excess of\nsatisfaction with the austerities of V\u0101na, the blue-throated deity\nhimself went there and said to the Asura:\u2014\"May you fare well: pray for a\nboon which you cherish at heart\" (12\u201315). Thereupon V\u0101na said to\nMaheswara, the god of gods:\u2014\"O three-eyed deity, my prayer is that thou\nmayst confer on me the son-ship of the goddess\" (16). Saying \"So be it\"\nShankara said to the goddess:\u2014\"Accept him as your son. He is the younger\nbrother of K\u0101rtikeya. Forsooth, his city will be laid out at that place\nfrom where formerly Mah\u0101sena rose up from the blood produced by fire.\nThat best of cities will be celebrated by the name of Shonita-pura. No\nbody will be able to withstand the beautiful V\u0101na completely protected\nby me\" (17-19).\n\nThereupon V\u0101na lived in the city of Shonita and governed his kingdom\noppressing the gods. Gradually the thousand-armed one was so much worked\nup with the pride of his prowess that disregarding the gods he solicited\na battle with them (20-21). At that time Kum\u0101ra give him a standard\nburning like fire and an effulgent peacock to carry him. Afterwards, by\nthe power of Maheshwara, the god of gods, V\u0101na so fought that none\namongst the gods, Gandharvas, Yakshas and R\u0101kshasas could keep himself\nfirm at that time (22\u201323). Protected completely by Tryamvaka and elated\nwith pride the Asura, desirous of fighting, again approached Siva (24).\nApproaching Rudra and saluting him Bali\u2019s son said:\u2014\"The gods, S\u0101dhyas\nand Marutas, whom I repeatedly vanquished with the help of my army and\nunder your protection, have come here and are living happily. O god,\nvanquished by me, filled with terror and despairing of my defeat the\ngods are living happily in the celestial city under your protection. So\ndespairing of success in battle I do not wish to live any longer; there\nis no use of holding all these arms if I cannot fight. Save fighting my\nmind does not fix upon any thing else. Be thou propitiated and tell me\nwhen I shall be able to fight (25\u201329).\"\n\nThereupon the Divine Vrishadhwaja similingly said:\u2014\"O D\u0101nava V\u0101na, hear\nhow you will enter upon a battle. When this your standard, planted in\nyour own city, will be broken, you will enter upon a battle\" (30\u201331).\nThus spoken to V\u0101na, smiling again and again, prostrated himself at\nBhava\u2019s feet and said:\u2014\"By my good luck, my holding these thousand arms\nhas not become fruitless. I will again, by my good fortune, defeat the\nthousand-eyed deity.\" Thereupon having his eyes filled with tears of\njoy, V\u0101na, the aggrandiser of his enemies, prostrated himself on the\nground and adored Maheshwara with his five hundred fingers. Maheshwara\nsaid:\u2014\"Rise up O hero you will soon obtain a fight befitting your family\nand thousand arms\" (32\u201334).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thus addressed by the high-souled three-eyed deity\nVrishadhwaja V\u0101na, with delight, saluted him and rose up speedily (35).\nThereupon dismissed by the blue-throated deity V\u0101na, the victor of\nhostile cities, entered into the room of standards in his own palace.\nSeated there he smilingly said to Kumbh\u0101nda:\u2014\"I will give a pleasant\ntidings after your heart.\" Hearing it the minister Kumbh\u0101nda smilingly\nsaid to V\u0101na, incomparable in battle:\u2014\"O king, what pleasant news are\nyou desirous of communicating to me? O foremost of Daityas, my eyes have\nbeen expanded with joy and surprise. I wish to learn what boon you have\nobtained (36\u201339). By the grace of the blue-throated deity as well as\nthat of Skanda what boon have you obtained? Has Trident-handed deity\ngiven you the kingdom of the three worlds? Will Indra, in fear of you,\nenter into nether region? Will Diti\u2019s sons be freed from the fear of\nVishnu afraid of whose discus they entered into the ocean? Will not\nDiti\u2019s sons have to fear Vishnu stationed in battle with Shr\u0101nga bow and\nclub in his hands (40-42)? Will the great Asuras, under the protection\nof your power, leave the nether region and reside in the celestial city\n(43)? O king, your father Bali, defeated by Vishu\u2019s power, is living in\nchains. Will he rise up from the water and regain his kingdom (44).\nShall we see again your father Bali, Virochona\u2019s son, adorned with\ncelestial garlands and pasted with celestial unguents (45)? O Lord,\nshall we, vanquishing the gods, bring again to our subjection the worlds\npilfered with three steps (46)? Shall we vanquish the god N\u0101r\u0101yana, the\nvictor of armies, who is preceeded by the grave and cool sound of his\nconch-shell (47)? From the dancing of your heart and tears of joy it\nappears that Vrishadhwaja has been propitiated by you. Have you, by the\nLord\u2019s pleasure and Kartikeya\u2019s consent, obtained for us all the dignity\nof the king of the earth?\" (48\u201349) Encouraged by the words of Kumbh\u0101nda,\nV\u0101na, the foremost of Asuras and speakers, gave vent to the following\npowerful words:\u2014\"I have not been able to fight for a long time.\nTherefore stricken with sorrow I said to the divine blue throated\ndeity:\u2014\u2019O lord, I am filled with a great desire for battle. Tell me when\nI shall enter on a battle conducive to the satisfaction of my mind\u2019.\nHearing it Hara, the god of gods, and the slayer of his enemies, smiled\nfor some time and then said to me in sweet words:\u2013\u2019O V\u0101na, in no time\nyou will face a great battle. O Diti\u2019s son, when your peacock standard\nwill be broken you will find a great battle awaiting you.\u2019 After the\ndivine Vrishadhwaja had said this I saluted him and came to you\"\n(50-55).\n\nThus addressed Kumbh\u0101nda said to the king of Asuras: \"O king, the words\ngiven vent to by you appear to be highly charming.\" While they were thus\nconversing the huge standard, clapped by Indra\u2019s thunderbolt, dropped\ndown with great force (56-57). Beholding that most excellent standard\nthus struck down Asura V\u0101na was filled with joy in anticipation of an\napproaching battle. At that time struck by Indra\u2019s thunder-bolt the\nearth trembled and a cat, hiding itself under the earth, began to mew.\nIn the city of Shonita, V\u0101sava, the king of gods, began to shower blood\naround the king\u2019s palace (58\u201360). Piercing the sun huge fire-brands fell\ndown on earth. The sun, rising with the planet Kirtika, assailed Rohini\n(61). Hundreds and thousands of dreadful streams of blood fell from\nChaitya trees and stars continually fell (from the sky) (62). Though\nthat men-destroying hour was not a _Parva_ yet R\u0101hu devoured the sun and\nhuge-fire brands fell. A comet appeared in the south and dreadful winds\nblew continually (63\u201364). Encircled by three-coloured Parighas, the sun,\neffulgent like lightning, having white and red corners and black neck,\ncovered the hue of the evening. As if chastising Rohini, the birth star\nof V\u0101na, the dreadful Angaraka entered as Rahu into Kirtik\u0101. The huge\nChaitrya tree, having many branches, which the D\u0101nava maidens used to\nworship, fell down on earth. V\u0101na, elated with the pride of his\nstrength, though he saw all these evil portends, could not make out that\nhe would be defeated (65\u201368). But V\u0101na\u2019s wise and right-seeing minister\nKumbh\u0101nda, struck with sorrow, spoke much on all those evil omens. He\nsaid:\u2014\"These omens presage evil. Forsooth they indicate the destruction\nof your kingdom; on account of the evil conduct of a king like yourself,\nwe ministers, along with your servants, will meet with destruction.\nAlas! As the tree, the banner of Sakra, has fallen down, so will proud\nV\u0101na, always vaunting out of ignorance, will fall. Desirous of\nconquering the three worlds for the favour of the god of gods, Van\u0101 is\ncrying out for battle. But on the other hand his destruction is drawing\nnear (69-73).\"\n\nThereupon V\u0101na, of great prowess, began to drink delightedly Asava wine\nin the company of Daitya and Danava damsels (74). Beholding those\nportends and filled with anxiety Kumbh\u0101nda entered into the king\u2019s\npalace; and thinking of those evil omens, he said:\u2014\"The wicked and\ncareless Asura king V\u0101na, elated with the pride of success, is desiring\nfor a battle. He does not see his weakness out of ignorance. The evil\nomens that are being seen now, may not be true for the present but the\nfear consequent thereon can never be otherwise (75\u201377). The lotus-eyed\nSiv\u0101 and the powerful K\u0101rtikeya live here and so these evil omen\u2019s may\nbe destroyed. But methinks our sins will never be dissipated. A great\ndestruction, begotten by our pride, is drawing near. Alas, by the\noppressions of this king all the D\u0101navas have been touched by sin and\nthis will lead to their destruction (78\u201380). Hara, the lord of three\nworlds, the master of gods and D\u0101navas and the divine K\u0101rtikeya live in\nour city. Guha is loved by Bhava more than his life. But V\u0101na is still a\ngreater favourite. On account of his excessive pride, V\u0101na, for his own\ndestruction, prayed for a battle to Bhava. And that too he has obtained.\nBut it does not appear that a battle will take place. If however an\nencounter comes off with Indra and other gods headed by Vishnu it must\nbe regarded as a creation of Bhava. If Bhava and Kum\u0101ra are willing to\nhelp V\u0101na nobody will be able to fight with them. The words of the\nthree-eyed deity never prove untrue. Forsooth a great Daitya-destroying\nbattle will soon take place.\" Thus thinking the considerate and\nright-seeing Asura Kumbh\u0101nda directed his understanding towards good and\nsaid \"Those who fight with the virtuous gods meet with destruction as\nBali has been suppressed\" (81-88).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXIV. BHAVA\u2019S SPORT AND VANA\u2019S DAUGHTER OBTAINS A BOON.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Once on a time Lord Bhava was sporting on the bank\nof a charming river. In that picturesque forest where all the seasons\nflourish the Gandharvas, with hundreds of Apsaras, were sporting on all\nsides. The river bank was fragrant like sky with the scent of P\u0101rij\u0101ta\nand Sant\u0101naka flowers (1\u20133). Shankara heard the Apsaras sing in\naccompaniment with the music of flute, Vin\u0101, Mridanga and Panava. Like\nbards and panegyrists the beautiful Apsaras pleased Um\u0101 and the\nbeautiful-bodied Hara, the god of gods, and the giver of boons who was\nclad in a red raiment and adorned with garlands, singing various songs\nin their honor. At that time assuming the form of the goddess, the\nleading Apsar\u0101, Chitralekh\u0101 pleased Bhava. The goddess laughed at it.\nAnd seeing her please Ish\u0101na other Apsar\u0101s also laughed (4\u20137). With the\npermission of the goddess, the highly powerful and divine follower of\nBhava, assuming various forms, began to play on all sides. Thereupon\nassuming the form of Mah\u0101deva marked with signs those frolic-some\nattendants began to play. And the Apsar\u0101s too, assuming the form of the\ngoddess, sported there. Seeing it the goddesss smiled. There arose on\nall sides sounds of laughter and Bhava attained to an excess of delight.\nBy an accident the beautiful daughter of V\u0101na, by name Ush\u0101, saw the\nthree-eyed deity sport with P\u0101rvati in the river. Beholding Mah\u0101deva,\neffulgent like twelve suns, assume various forms and sport with the\ngoddess, for pleasing her, Ush\u0101 thought in her mind:\u2014\"The lucky women\nthus sport in the company of their husbands.\" And she spoke out her\nresolution to her friends (8-14). Informed of Ush\u0101\u2019s desire P\u0101rvati said\nslowly with joy:\u2014\"O Ush\u0101, as the Lord Shankara, the slayer of his\nenemies, is sporting with me so you will soon enjoy the company of your\nhusband\" (15\u201316). Thus spoken to by the goddess Ush\u0101, with\nanxiety-stricken eyes, thought in her mind:\u2014\"When shall I sport with my\nhusband?\" Thereat the goddess Haimavati, smilingly said:\u2014\"O Ush\u0101! Hear\nwhen you will be united with your husband. The person, whom you will see\nin a dream in the night of the twelfth day of the month of Vaish\u0101ka\nwhile sleeping on the terrace of your palace, will be your husband\"\n(17\u201319). Thus addressed the Daitya maiden, encircled by her friends,\nwent away, playing happily, from that place. Then clapping their hands\nher friends began to ridicule Ush\u0101 whose eyes were expanded with joy\n(20\u201321). Daughters of Yakshas, N\u0101gas, Daityas and many Kinnaris and\nApsaras were Ush\u0101\u2019s friends. They jokingly said:\u2014\"O fair lady, in no\ntime you will have your husband as described by the goddess. You will\nhave a husband, beautiful and of good birth as you have wished. The\nwords of the goddess never prove untrue\" (22\u201324). Receiving in good\ngrace all those words of her friends Ush\u0101 began to spend her days in\nanticipation of the realization of the desire conferred by the goddess.\nThe highly wonderful ladies, who had come there, sported for a few days\nwith Um\u0101 happily and then returned to their respective habitations. The\ngoddess too disappeared. Amongst the females, some on horse back, some\nin conveyances, and some in elephants, entered into the city. And some\nrose up into the sky (25\u201328).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXV. USHA MEETS HER LOVER WHILE ASLEEP AND EXHORTS HER FRIENDS\nTO BRING HIM.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon on the twelfth day of the light fortnight\nof the month of Vaish\u0101kha fair Ush\u0101 was sleeping encircled by her\ncompanions. At that time a man, as spoken of, ravished that beautiful\nmaiden in a dream who was excited with the words of the goddess, weeping\nand motionless. The man so ravished her in the night that she got up\nbathed in blood all on a sudden (1-3). Thereupon beholding her friend\nstricken with fear and thus weeping Chitr\u0101lekh\u0101 gave vent to the\nfollowing highly wonderful and consoling words:\u2014\"Do not fear, O Ush\u0101:\nwhy are you weeping and bewailing thus? Being the grand daughter of the\ncelebrated Bali, why are you assailed with fear? O you of fair\neye-brows, you have no fear in the three worlds. Besides your father is\nthe destroyer of all the celestials in battle. Why do you fear then? O\nfair one, there is no fear in such a room, as this. Rise up, rise up, do\nnot be sorry. Do you not know, that Sachi\u2019s Lord the king of gods was\nseveral times defeated by your father and could not come to this city.\nYour father, the son of the highly powerful Asura Bali, is the source of\nfear to all the gods\" (4\u20139). Thus addressed by her friend the immaculate\ndaughter of V\u0101na described to her what she had seen in a dream. Ush\u0101\nsaid:\u2014\"Thus contaminated how can a chaste maiden dare keep her life?\nWhat shall I say to my father the enemy of the gods and the slayer of\nhis enemies? While I have sullied this powerful family death is\npreferable to me. There is no happiness in my living. Alas! I have been\nreduced to such a plight that as if I co-habited, while awake, with a\ndesired-for person. Although I was sleeping in the night, who brought me\nto this condition as if I was wide awake? When a maiden is reduced to\nsuch a condition how can she dare live (in this world)? The woman, who\nis the foremost of chaste damsels, can long for living but how can a\nhelpless woman, who has sullied her family, desire so (10\u201315)?\" Thus the\nlotus-eyed Ush\u0101, encircled by her friends and with eyes full of tears,\nbewailed for some time. The friends, who were there, lost themselves\nseeing Ush\u0101 weep like one having none to look after her. And with eyes\nfull of tears they said to her:\u2014\"O you of fair eye-brows, if you had\ndone something with a mad motive your mind would have been contaminated.\nO auspicious lady, while you have been ravished by force in a dream your\nvow will not come to an end. Besides, O fair lady, no sin is comitted in\na dream in the land of mortals. So you have not transgressed any\nregulation by such a conduct. The saints, well-read in scriptures, hold\nthat the woman who commits sin by mind, words and especially by deeds,\nis considered as fallen. O timid girl, you have always observed celibacy\nand even your mind has not been seen to give way, so how can you be\nregarded sullied? You are a chaste, pure and noble woman. You were\nreduced to this plight while you were asleep and so your virtue will not\nsuffer by this. She is called an unchaste woman, whose sinful mind leads\nher to sinful actions. But, O lady, you are chaste; you are born in a\ngreat family and beautiful. You have always observed celibacy still you\nhave been reduced to such a condition. Alas! it is difficult to tide\nover destiny.\" Having said this with tearful eyes to weeping Ush\u0101\nKumbh\u0101nda\u2019s daughter again spoke the following precious words:\u2014\"O you of\nlarge eyes, cast off your grief. O you of a beautiful face, I remember\nan incident which will prove that you are innocent. Hear I will describe\nit truly. Remember what the goddess P\u0101rvati, before Mahadeva, said to\nyou when you thought of having a husband. At that time with delight the\ngoddess said to you the following words after your own heart. \u2019When you\nwill sleep in your palace on the twelfth day of the fortnight of the\nmonth of Vaish\u0101kha, the man, who will co-habit with you weeping, that\nhero, that slayer of enemies will be your husband\u2019. O you having a\nmoon-like face, what P\u0101rvati said can never be untrue. Forgetting the\ntruth you are weeping.\" Hearing the words of her friend and recollecting\nthe words of the goddess V\u0101na\u2019s daughter cast off her sorrow (16\u201332).\n\nUsh\u0101 said:\u2014\"O fair lady, I remember now what the goddess said while\nsporting with Bhava. What she said exactly happened in my room. If the\nwife of Bhava, the lord of the world, wishes him to be my husband then\narrange how I can know his whereabouts\" (33-34).\n\nAfter Ush\u0101 had said this Kumbh\u0101nda\u2019s daughter, well-read in the study of\nwords, gave vent to the following reasonable words:\u2013\"Why are you so\noverwhelmed, O lady? Nobody knows the glories of his race and his\nmanliness. How can we know that thief, that unseen and unheard of person\nwhom you saw in dream? O you of red eyes, he, all on a sudden, entered\ninto our inner appartment and ravished you by force although you were\nweeping. That subduer of enemies, who has been able to enter, by force,\nthis celebrated city of ours, is not an ordinary man (35\u201339). The\nAdityas, Rudras and Vasus of dreadful prowess and even the effulgent\nAshwinis cannot enter the city of Shonita. So that slayer of enemies,\nwho has entered Shonitpura and kicked V\u0101na on his head, is indeed a\nhundred times more powerful than they. O you of fair eyes, of what use\nare life and objects of enjoyment to that woman who has not got such a\nheroic husband. When by the favour of the goddess you have obtained such\na Cupid-like husband consider yourself as lucky and blessed. Hear, what\nyou shall have to do now. We are to know his name, in what family he has\nbeen born and who his father is\" (49-44). After Kumbh\u0101nda\u2019s daughter had\nsaid this Ush\u0101, stricken with love, said: \"O friend, how will you be\nable to know all this? People often find themselves overpowered in their\nown actions. I cannot therefore find out what reply to give. Find out\nthe measure by which I may keep my life (45\u201346).\" Hearing it, the\nbeautiful daughter of Kumbh\u0101nda said again to her weeping friend\nUsh\u0101:\u2014\"O friend, O you having spacious eyes, Apsara Chitralekh\u0101 is an\nexpert in the work of making peace and sowing dissensions. Therefore\ncommunicate this to her very soon.\" Thus addressed Ush\u0101 was filled with\ngreat surprise and delight. And to her friend the Apsar\u0101 Chitralekh\u0101\npoor Ush\u0101, with folded hands, said: (47\u201350). \"O fair lady, hear, I am\ncommunicating to you a most important subject. If you do not bring here\nmy beloved, lotus-eyed husband having the gait of an infuriated elephant\nI will give up my life.\" Hearing it Chitralekh\u0101, gladdening Ush\u0101, slowly\nsaid:\u2014\"O you of firm vows, he, of whom you speak, is not known to me. I\ndo not know the family, character, colour and accomplishments of that\nthief, nor the country where he resides. But hear, now, my friend, the\nwords suited to the time, what I will be able to accomplish with my\nintelligence and how you will acquire your wished-for object. O friend,\nI will paint the likenesses of those who are prominent by virtue of\ntheir beauty and birth amongst the gods, D\u0101navas, Yakshas, Uragas and\nR\u0101kshasas, as well as of those who are leading and well-known in the\nland of men. O timid girl, within seven nights I will show you their\nportraits and you will recognise the portrait of your beloved husband\nand obtain him\" (57-60). Thus addressed by Chitralekh\u0101 who was anxious\nto please her Ush\u0101 asked her loving friend Chitralekh\u0101 to do the same.\nSaying \"So be it\" beautiful Chitralekh\u0101 too, by virtue of her\nimagination and clever hand, painted the likenesses of all leading men\nwithin seven nights. Thereupon spreading all the portraits painted by\nher she said to Ush\u0101 before all her friends:\u2014\"Look here, I have painted\nthe likenesses of all leading persons amongst the gods, D\u0101navas,\nKinnaras, Uragas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas, Asuras, Daityas, and\nof other various Naga families as also of the leading figures amongst\nmankind. I have painted their likenesses all exactly. Do you now find\nout that of your husband whom you saw in the dream (61\u201367).\" Thereupon\ngradually passing from one to another Ush\u0101 saw that of Keshava, the Yadu\nking, amongst the Yadavas. Seeing Aniruddha by him her eyes grew\nexpanded with surprise. She said to Chitralekh\u0101:\u2014\"This is the thief who,\nwhile I was sleeping on the turret of my palace, ravished me in dream, a\nchaste lady as I am. I can recognize him by his beauty. He is the thief.\nO beautiful Chitr\u0101lekha, describe to me at length his name,\naccomplishments, character and family. We should do what is proper\nafterwards (68-71)\".\n\nChitr\u0101lekha said:\u2014\"O you of expansive eyes, this your husband, of\ndreadful prowess, is the grand-son of the intelligent Krishna, the lord\nof the three worlds and the son of Pradyumna. There is none in the three\nworlds equal to him in prowess. He uproots the mountains and crushes\nthem. Blessed and favoured you are, O friend, since Bhav\u0101ni has selected\nsuch a great Yadu prince as your husband (72\u201374)\".\n\nUsh\u0101 said:\u2014\"O you of large eyes, O you of a beautiful face, you alone\nare capable of making us a pair. Do find out some refuge for me who am\nhelpless. You are capable of ranging in the sky and assuming various\nforms. You are also clever in finding out means. Do you soon bring here\nmy love. O friend, O fair one, think of the measure by which you will be\nable to accomplish this work. The learned speak highly of a friend who\nhelps us in adversity. O you of fair waist, I am stricken with lust.\nGive me my life. If you do not even to-day bring soon my immortal-like\nhusband I will forsake my life (75-79)\".\n\nHearing Ush\u0101\u2019s words Chitralekha said:\u2014\"O auspicious and sweet-smiling\nlady, hear what I say: O timid lady, as V\u0101na\u2019s city is protected so the\ncity of Dwaravati is equally invincible. That city is girt with iron\nwalls and the Vrishni princes and inhabitants of Dwarak\u0101 protect it.\nAround that city constructed by the Celestial Architect Viswakarm\u0101 lies\na ditch full of water and at the mandate of the lotus-navelled deity\ngreat heroes protect it. There are mountain walls around the city and\none is to enter there through a fort way. With seven mountains full of\nmetals seven ditches have been made there. A stranger cannot enter that\ncity. Therefore, save me, your self and specially your father\" (80\u201385).\n\nUsh\u0101 said:\u2014\"You will undoubtedly be able to enter there through your\nYoga power. O friend, what more shall I say? Hear what I speak. If I do\nnot behold the moon-like countenance of Aniruddha, I shall forsooth\nrepair to the temple of Yama. O generous lady, if works like these are\nundertaken readily they prove a success. If you therefore wish to see me\nalive proceed soon on your errand. If you regard me as your friend, I\nseek your help and ask you with love to bring soon my lover. If one\ncherishes fear against her life her family meets with extinction. The\nwoman, who is striken with love, does not see the defect of her family.\nThose, which conduce to her pleasure, are the favourite objects of one\nstricken with love. And they always carefully seek for them. Such is the\nsanction of the Shastras. You will surely be able to enter into Dwaraka,\nO you of large eyes. I request you again and again. Bring my love here.\"\n(86-92).\n\nChitr\u0101lekha said:\u2014\"I have been propitiated by you with nectarine words.\nYou have, with your sweet words, made arrangements for your own work. I\nam just going to the city of Dw\u0101rak\u0101. Entering that city even to-day I\nwill bring your husband Aniruddha born in the family of Vrishnis\n(93-94).\"\n\nGiving vent to those truthful words dreadful to the D\u0101navas,\nChitralekh\u0101, fleet like the mind, disappeared therefrom. In order to\nplease her friend she, in the third Muhurtta, reached Dw\u0101rak\u0101 governed\nby Krishna. She saw there Dw\u0101rak\u0101, adorned with palaces huge as the\nsummits of the mount Kail\u0101sha, like a star stationed in the sky (95-98).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXVI. CHITRALEKHA UNITES ANIRUDDHA WITH USHA: ANIRUDDHA\u2019S\nFIGHT WITH VANA\u2019S SOLDIERS.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having arrived at the city of Dw\u0101rak\u0101 and living\nnear the palace of V\u0101sudeva Chitr\u0101lekha began to think of the measures\nby which she might know how Aniruddha had been to the city of Van\u0101.\nWhile she was thus thinking she saw the ascetic N\u0101rada engaged in\nmeditation in the water (1\u20132). Seeing him, Chitralekh\u0101, having her eyes\nexpanded with joy, approached him. Having saluted him she stood before\nhim hanging her head down. Having blessed Chitralekh\u0101 N\u0101rada said:\u2014\"I\nwish to know truly why you have come here.\" Hearing it Chitralekha, with\nfolded hands, said to the celestial saint N\u0101rada worshipped of the world\n(3-5). \"Listen to it, O Reverend Sir. I have come here as a messenger\nfor taking Aniruddha with me. Hear, O Muni, why I am to take him with\nme. A great Asura, by name V\u0101na, lives in the city of Shonitapura. He\nhas a most beautiful daughter by name Ush\u0101. She has been attached to\nthat best of men, Pradyumna\u2019s son, for he has been selected by her as\nher husband on account of the boon given by the goddess. I have come\nhere to take him with me. Do what leads to my success. O great Muni,\nafter I had taken Aniruddha to Shonitpura communicate the news to\nKeshava having eyes like red lotuses for truly an encounter shall take\nplace between Krishna and V\u0101na. Highly powerful is the great Asura V\u0101na\nin battle, so Aniruddha will not be able to defeat him. The large-armed\nKeshava will vanquish that thousand-armed Asura. O reverend Sir, I have\ncome to you for finding out the means by which the lotus-eyed (Keshava)\nmay come to know of it. How shall I steal away Aniruddha and how may\nKeshava learn the real truth? O Sir, if you are propitiated with me I\nshall not have to fear Keshava. When angered the large armed Keshava can\nconsume even the three worlds: do that by which Keshava, stricken with\nsorrow for his grand-son, may not consume me with a curse. You should, O\ncelestial saint, concert a measure by which Ush\u0101 may get her husband and\nI may not have anything to fear (6-15).\" Thus addressed by Chitralekh\u0101\nthe divine N\u0101rada said to her the following sweet words:\u2014\"I offer you\nprotection. Shorn of fear hear what I say. O you of sweet smiles, if any\nencounter takes place when you steal away Aniruddha to the appartment of\nmaidens remember me. O beautiful lady, I am much fond of seeing battles\nand I take great pleasure in them. Accept the T\u0101masa learning which can\ninfatuate all the worlds and which I have mastered by practising hard\nausterities.\" After the great saint N\u0101rada had said this, Chitralekh\u0101,\nquick-coursing like mind, said \"So be it.\" Thereupon having saluted the\nhigh-souled Rishi N\u0101rada she set out in the sky searching for\nAniruddha\u2019s house (17\u201321).\n\nThereupon going to the centre of Dwaravati she saw the beautiful palace\nof K\u0101ma. Near it she saw Airuddha\u2019s palace. It had golden altars and\npillars made of gold and sapphires. It was adorned with garlands and\njairs full of water. It had beautiful figures of peacocks on the turret\nand had a rows of celestial buildings set with jems and corals and\nfilled with the music of the Gandharvas. Beholding the huge palace at\nthe centre of Dw\u0101rak\u0101 where Pradyumna\u2019s son lived happily, Chitralekh\u0101,\nall on a sudden, saw Aniruddha there. She saw there K\u0101ma\u2019s son playing\nin the midst of highly beautiful women as the moon shines amongst the\nstars. Hundreds of women were attending on him. Seated like Kuvera on a\nmost excellent beautiful seat Aniruddha was drinking M\u0101dhvika wine.\nThere were being sung sweet songs in accompaniment with time. But\nAniruddha\u2019s mind was not attached thereto. Many accomplished ladies were\ndancing there but Chitralekha did not see him pleased thereby. At that\ntime his mind was not much after pleasure and he was showing dislike\neven for drinking. Thereupon thinking \"Surely his mind is busy with the\ndream,\" Chitralekhh\u0101 was shorn of anxiety (22\u201331).\n\nBeholding Aniruddha like Indra\u2019s standard in the midst of those\nbeautiful women the intelligent Chitralekh\u0101 thus revolved in her mind\n\"How shall I accomplish this work? How shall we meet with well-being?\"\nBeholding Aniruddha in the midst of the women in his palace, the\nillustrious Chitralekh\u0101, having beautiful eyes, thought:\u2014\"By my Tamasik\nillusion I will overpower all except Aniruddha\". Thereupon hiding\nherself in the sky above the palace, she, in sweet words, said to K\u0101ma\u2019s\nson:\u2014\"O hero! O descendant of Yadu, is it all well with you? Have you\nspent well the day and evening? O large-armed son of Rati, hear, I have\nsomething to communicate to you. I have come here to inform you\nsomething of my friend Ush\u0101. O hero, I have been sent to you by Ush\u0101\nwhom you saw in a dream and married and who has been cherishing you at\nher heart. O gentle one, that maiden is again and again weeping, yawning\nand sighing for seeing you. O hero, she will live if you go there.\nForsooth, in your absence she will die. O descendant of Yadu, although\nthousands of women are reigning in your heart still you should hold her\nby the hand who cherishes you at heart. Besides while conferring on her\na boon the goddess pointed to you as her becoming husband. I have given\nher your portrait and she has kept it on her bosom. Keeping that\nportrait on her person she is surviving with the hope of seeing you. O\nforemost of Yadus, kindly satisfy her desire. O descendant of Yadu,\nmyself and Ush\u0101 bow to you with bent heads. O hero, hear, I will\ndescribe now her birth, family, character, nature, and the history of\nher father. The daughter of the heroic Asura king V\u0101na, the grand-son of\nVirochana who lives in the city of Shonita, seeks your hand. Her mind is\ndevoted to you and her life depends on you. Forsooth the goddess has\nselected her as your becoming husband. O K\u0101ma\u2019s son, that beautiful\nmaiden is living with the hope of being united with you (32\u201347).\"\n\nHearing the words of Chitralekh\u0101 Aniruddha said:\u2014\"O beautiful lady, hear\nhow I saw her in a dream. I am day and night beside myself with thinking\nof her beauty, weeping and other movements. O Chitralekh\u0101, I wish to see\nmy love. Therefore if I am worthy of your favour and if you wish to make\nfriends with me take me there.\" The Apsar\u0101 Chitralekh\u0101 delightedly said\n\"Accomplished is today what my friend wanted (48-52).\"\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Informed of Aniruddha\u2019s desire the intelligent\nChitralekh\u0101 said \"So be it\" (48\u201353). Crossing the road frequented by\nSiddhas and Ch\u0101ranas Chitralekh\u0101, all on a sudden, entered into the city\nof Shonitpura. By virtue of her illusory powers the great Chitralekh\u0101,\ncapable of assuming forms at will, invisibly arrived where Ush\u0101 was, and\nshe then brought and showed to Ush\u0101 the heroic Aniruddha, beautiful like\nKandarpa, clad in a beautiful raiment and adorned with various ornaments\n(54\u201357). Thereupon beholding him in the palace by her friend Ush\u0101 was\nfilled with surprise and conducted him to her room. Having her eyes\nexpanded with joy on seeing her lover Ush\u0101, with Arghya, worshipped the\nYadu prince in her own room. Thereupon welcoming Chitralekh\u0101 with sweet\nwords, the maiden, in fear, quickly said to her:\u2014\"O you clever in work,\nhow will this work be accomplished secretly? Everything will be well if\nit is finished privately. If it gets wind however our life will be in\ndanger.\" Hearing it Chitralekh\u0101 said:\u2014\"O friend, hear what I have to say\nin this matter. The Providence destroys even manliness. By the favour of\nthe goddess every thing will turn out in your favour. Besides if we\ncarefully and secretly finish this work no body will be able to know\nit.\" Thus addressed by her friend she was consoled and said \"So be it.\"\nAfterwards she said to Aniruddha\u2014\"By my good luck, that lucky person has\nbeen seen by me, who acted like a thief in a dream, and seeking whom as\na lover, difficult to be found, I was stricken with sorrow. O hero, the\nheart of women is really tender and therefore I ask you \u2019Is everything\nwell?\u2019\" (58\u201367).\n\nHearing those sensible and sweet words of Ush\u0101, Aniruddha, the foremost\nof Yadus, replied in still sweeter words. Wiping the tears off the eyes\nof V\u0101na\u2019s daughter he smilingly said in words attracting her mind:\u2014\"O\ngoddess, O fair one, O you of sweet words, I give you a happy tidings.\nEverything is well with me every where by your favour. O fair one, I had\nnever seen this place before. Only once in a dream I came to this city\nof maidens. O timid girl, the words of Rudra\u2019s consort can never be\nuntrue, and therefore by your favour I have come to this place. Thinking\nthat the goddess will be pleased and you will be satisfied, I have come\nhere and sought your protection. Be you pleased\" (63\u201373). Thus addressed\nby her lover, Ush\u0101, adorned with beautiful ornaments, conducted him to a\nprivate room and waited there as if stricken with great fear. Thereupon\nunited in nuptials according to Gandharva rites they spent the day like\na pair of Chakrav\u0101kas. United with her husband, Aniruddha, the beautiful\nUsh\u0101, adorned with celestial garlands and unguents, attained to an\nexcess of joy (74\u201376). Although she lived happily with Aniruddha nobody\ncould know it. But a few days after V\u0101na\u2019s guards came to know that Ush\u0101\nwas living with Aniruddha the foremost of Yadus adorned with celestial\ngarlands and raiments and pasted with celestial unguents. Afterwards\nthey speedily communicated to V\u0101na the conduct of his daughter which\nthey had seen (77-79).\n\nHearing it the heroic son of Bali, V\u0101na, the slayer of his enemies,\nordered his servant soldiers to kill Aniruddha. He said:\u2014\"Do you all\nsoon proceed and kill that sinful, wicked wretch who has sullied the\ncharacter of our family. Alas, Ush\u0101 being ravished our great family has\nbeen contaminated. Alas, what is the strength, patience and pride of\nthat stupid person who has entered into my city and palace and has\nravished my daughter by force though I did not give her away.\" Saying\nthis V\u0101na again urged on his soldiers. They issued out, obeying his\ncommand and putting on their coats of mail. In great anger those highly\ndreadful and powerful D\u0101navas, taking up various weapons, came speedily\nwhere Aniruddha was in order to kill him (80\u201385).\n\nHearing the uproar of that approaching army the heroic son of Pradyumna\nsaid \"What is this?\" and rose up all on a sudden. Thereupon he saw that\nthe soldiers, taking up various weapons, stood encircling that big\nhouse. Beholding that army, the illustrious daughter of V\u0101na began to\nweep fearing the death of Aniruddha. Her eves were filled with tears.\nThen beholding the deer-eyed Ush\u0101 cry piteously \"Oh my husband! Oh my\nhusband!\" and tremble. Aniruddha said:\u2014\"May your fear disappear. O you\nof a beautiful waist, you need not fear as long as I am here. O\nillustrious lady, you have not the least ground for fear. Rather the\ntime of your joy has arrived. If the entire collection of V\u0101na\u2019s\nservants arrives here I am not the least anxious. Witness my power\nto-day, O timid girl\" (86\u201389). Hearing the uproar of the soldiers\nPradyumna\u2019s son rose up all on a sudden and said \"What is this?\" (90)\nThereupon he saw the soldiers encircling with various weapons all sides\nof that big palace (91). Saying this and taking up his arms Aniruddha,\nbiting his lips in anger, speedily went where the soldiers were (92).\nThereupon understanding that an encounter would soon take place with the\nfollowers of V\u0101na Chitralekh\u0101 thought of the god-like Rishi N\u0101rada (93).\nRecollected by Chitralekh\u0101 that foremost of Munis, within a moment,\narrived at the city named Shonita (94). Stationed in the sky he said to\nAniruddha:\u2014\"Do not fear, O hero, I have come to this city\" (95).\nThereupon beholding N\u0101rada and saluting him the highly powerful\nAniruddha grew delighted and made himself ready for the battle (96).\nThereupon hearing the uproar of the soldiers he, all on a sudden, rose\nup like an elephant goaded with a pike (97). Beholding that large-armed\nhero come down from the palace biting his lips they fled away stricken\nwith fear (98). Seeing it Pradyumna\u2019s son, expert in various forms of\nwar-fare, took up a Parigha, lying at the door of the inner appartment\nand hurled it at them (99). Those soldiers, masters of fighting, struck\nAniruddha with a downpour of clubs, maces, swords, darts and arrows\n(100). Although completely wounded with N\u0101rachas and Parighas by those\nexpert D\u0101navas Pradyumna, roaring like an evening cloud, was not\nover-powered (101). As the sun ranges in the midst of clouds in the sky,\nso he, taking up a dreadful Parigha, stood in their midst (102). Seeing\nit N\u0101rada, carrying a staff and a black antelope skin, delightedly said\nto Aniruddha \"Well-done! Well-done!\" (103) Thus assailed with the\ndreadful Parigha by Pradyumna of incomparable power, the soldiers fled\naway like clouds dispersed by the wind (104). Having driven with Parigha\nthe D\u0101navas from the battle-field the highly powerful hero Aniruddha\ndelightedly set up a leonine shout as the clouds mutter in the sky after\nthe termination of the rainy season (105). Saying to the D\u0101navas,\ndreadful in battle \"Wait, wait\"! Pradyumna\u2019s son, the slayer of his\nenemies, began to smile. Thus assailed by that high-souled hero in\nbattle they, flying from the battle-field and stricken with fear, went\nwhere V\u0101na was. And even going near V\u0101na, those Dan\u0101vas, bathed in blood\nand having their eyes dilated with fear, could not enjoy peace. They\nbegan to sigh heavily again and again; they were urged on by Van\u0101 saying\n\"No fear! No fear! O ye leading Danavas, casting off fear, do ye fight\nagain.\" V\u0101na again said to them who had their eyes dilated with\nfear:\u2014(106-110). \"Throwing off your glory well known in three worlds,\nwhy are you bewildered like eunuchs (111)? Who is he, of whom you are so\nmuch afraid, you who are born in well known families and who are clever\nin fighting? (112). You need not help me to today. Avaunt, quit my\nsight\" (113). Censuring them thus with very many harsh words the\npowerful V\u0101na ordered millions of other soldiers to proceed to the\nbattle-field, (114). He then appointed Rudar\u2019s army consisting of many\nPramathas with various weapons in vanquishing Aniruddha (115). Thereupon\nthe entire firmament was covered with V\u0101na\u2019s soldiers having burning\neyes and resembling clouds surcharged with lightning (116). Some of them\nstood on the surface of the earth roaring like elephants and some\nappeared like clouds of the rainy season (117). Thereupon when that huge\narmy again assembled there were heard on all sides cries of \"Wait!\nWait!\" (118). The hero Aniruddha ran towards them. It was really a\nwonder, O king, that he fought then single-handed with many (119).\nEngaged in the encounter with the highly powerful D\u0101navas he snatched\naway their Parighas and Tomaras and killed them with them. Taking up his\nmost excellent Parigha again and again in the battle-field the highly\npowerful Aniruddha killed the Daityas endued with great power (120-121).\nAt that time K\u0101ma\u2019s son, the slayer of his enemies, taking up his\nNistringsha and leathern protector, was seen moving about in twelve\nways. Thus when he moved about in the battle-field in a thousand\ndifferent ways the enemies saw him as the playing Death with thousands\nof mouth wide open.\n\nThereupon again assailed by Aniruddha the Asuras, bathed in blood, again\nfled away from the battle-field and went where V\u0101na was. Crying\nplaintively those highly powerful Asuras fled away on all sides riding\nelephants, horses and cars. At that time the D\u0101navas, who had fled from\nthe battle-field, were so much overwhelmed with sorrow and fear that one\nfell upon the other and they all vomitted blood. While fighting with\nAniruddha the D\u0101navas experienced such a fear as they had not even while\nfighting with the gods in the days of yore. Some vomitted blood and some\nfell down on earth amongst those Danavas, resembling mountain summits\nwho had clubs, maces and swords in their hands. Leaving behind V\u0101na in\nthe battle-field those vanquished Danavas fled away in fear to the\nwelkin. Beholding his army thus routed to a man V\u0101na was inflamed with\nire like unto sacrificial fire when fuels are put to it. Ranging all\nover the welkin, N\u0101rada, pleased with seeing Aniruddha\u2019s fight, began to\ndance exclaiming \"Well-done! Well-done!\"\n\nIn the meantime, powerful V\u0101na, worked up with anger, ascending the car,\nbrought by Kumbh\u0101nda, drove with uplifting sword where Aniruddha was. As\nSakra shines with his thousand standards so that Asura appeared\nbeautiful there holding by his thousand hands Patti\u00e7as, swords, clubs,\ndarts and axes (122\u2013134). Having his thousand hands adorned with gloves,\nfinger-protectors and various weapons that best of D\u0101navas shone there\nin exceeding beauty (135). Sending up a leonine shout in anger that\nAsura, having eyes reddened in anger, drew his huge bow and exclaimed\n\"Wait! Wait!\" Hearing those words of V\u0101na in the battle-field that\nunconquerable son of Pradyumna saw his face and smiled (136\u2013137). Like\nunto Hiranyakashipu\u2019s car formerly in the battle between gods and Asuras\nthe chariot of the highly powerful V\u0101na was drawn by thousand horses,\nset with hundreds of small bells, adorned with red standards and flags,\ncoated with bear-skin and was ten furlongs in length. Beholding that\nAsura about to attack him, Aniruddha, the foremost of Yadus, was highly\npleased and filled with anger. Like unto Narahari prepared to kill the\nprince of Daityas in the days of yore he stood impassionately for battle\nwith his sword and armour on (138-141). V\u0101na then saw him approach with\nsword and leathern-protector. Beholding him thus approach on foot with\ndagger and leathern protector V\u0101na attained to an excess of joy thinking\nthat he would kill him. That Y\u0101dava had a sword in his hand, but no coat\nof mail. Still thinking Aniruddha invincible the powerful V\u0101na\nconfronted him for battle (142\u2013144). He exclaimed in anger \"Arrest him!\nKill him!\" While he thus cried in the battle-field Pradyumna\u2019s son\nlooked, in anger, at his face and laughed. At that time stricken with\nfear Ush\u0101 began to weep. Aniruddha, consoling her with a smile, stood\nfor the battle.\n\nThereupon filled with anger, V\u0101na, desirous of killing Aniruddha,\ndischarged in numerable arrows by name Khshudraka. Aniruddha too,\ndesirous of defeating him, cut them off (145\u2013148). Thereupon desiring\nthat he would kill Aniruddha in the battle-field V\u0101na aimed at his head\nmany Kshudraka arrows. Aniruddha too baffled them with his\nleathern-protector and appeared before him like the rising sun\n(149-150). Afterwards V\u0101na, with a thousand quick coursing and sharpened\narrows, pierced the invincible son of Pradyumna to the quick. As in the\nforest a lion over powers an elephant on seeing it before him so the\nYadu prince Aniruddha overpowered V\u0101na (151\u2013152). There upon thus\nwounded with those arrows the larged-armed Aniruddha was inflamed with\nanger for displaying a wonderful feat. Assailed with that downpour of\narrows and having his body covered with blood he went before Van\u0101\u2019s car\n(153\u2013155). The soldiers then assailed Pr\u0101dyumna\u2019s son with sharpened\nswords, maces, darts, Patti\u00e7as and Tomaras. And although sorely wounded\nhe did not tremble (156). Then leaping up in anger in that battle-field\nhe, with his dagger, cut off the reins of V\u0101na\u2019s car and struck the\nhorses. Seeing it V\u0101na, an expert in fighting, threw him down from there\nwith a shower of arrows, Patti\u00e7as and Tomaras. Then desisting from the\nfight, the D\u0101navas, regarding Aniruddha dead, sent up a leonine shout\nand jumped up on the car. (157\u2013159). Thereupon V\u0101na, irate, took up the\ndreadful and grim-looking Sakti, effulgent like the sun and burning\nfire-brand and set with bells and discharged it not carrying for Ush\u0101\u2019s\nwidowhood. Beholding that life-ending Sakti about to fall on him the\nhighly powerful K\u0101ma\u2019s son, foremost of men, leaped up, took hold of the\nSakti and pierced V\u0101na with that. Cutting through his body it entered\ninto the earth. Wounded sorely thereby V\u0101na supported himself on a\nstandard. Thereupon seeing him unconscious Kumbh\u0101nda said (160-164). \"O\nking of D\u0101navas, why do you disregard this rising enemy? We see this\nhero has gained his aim and is impassionate. Resorting to your illusory\nprowess, fight with him or else he will not be slain. Do not disregard\nsuch an enemy out of indulgence. Save yourself and us by virtue of your\nillusory power. If you cannot defeat him by your illusory power forsooth\nhe will kill all the Asuras. Kill him, O hero, before he destroys us\nall. Killing hundreds of others he will carry away Ush\u0101\" (165-167).\n\nExcited at these words of Kumbh\u0101nda, the king of D\u0101navas, the foremost\nof speakers, filled with great anger, gave vent to the following harsh\nwords:\u2014\"I will kill him in this battle. I will catch him as Garuda\ncatches a serpent\" (168-169). Saying this the powerful V\u0101na, with his\nchariot standard and horses resembling the city of Gandharvas,\ndisappeared therefrom showering sharpened arrows and covering him with\nthem. Seeing V\u0101na invisible the unconquerable son of Pradyumna, endued\nwith manliness, cast his looks on the ten quarters. Thereupon resorting\nto his Tamasik learning and covered with illusory form that highly\npowerful D\u0101nava, filled with anger, began to discharge sharpened arrows.\nGradually Pradyumna\u2019s son was fettered with serpentine shafts. His body\nwas chained with various serpents. Thus, with all his limbs bound with\nserpents Pradyumna\u2019s son stood inert like the mount Main\u0101ka in the\nbattle. Although motionless like a mountain encircled by serpents of\nburning fangs he was not stricken with fear. And although completely\nfettered with serpentine shafts and rendered inactive and motionless,\nthat one, identical with all, did not experience the least pain.\n\nThereupon supporting himself on a standard V\u0101na, filled with anger,\nremonstrated with Aniruddha in harsh words and said:\u2014\"O Kumbh\u0101nda, kill\nsoon this sinful wretch of his family having a vitiated soul who has\nsullied our character in the world\". Thus addressed Kumbh\u0101nda said\n(170\u2013179)\u2014\"O king, I wish to speak a few words. Hear them if you wish.\nWhose son is this hero endued with the prowess of Indra? Learn first\nfrom where he has come and who has brought him here. O king, when he\nfought in the great battle, I marked him fighting like a celestial\nprince. He is powerful, endued with energy and a master of weapons\n(180\u2013182). O foremost of Daityas, he does not deserve to be slain. He\nhas espoused your daughter in Gandharva marriage (183). You can take her\nfrom him because you did not give her away. You should kill him after\nthinking over this. Knowing this, either kill him or adore him (184). I\nsee a great mistake in killing him and a great virtue in protecting him.\nHe is one of the best of men and every way deserves honor (185). His\nbody is fettered with serpents and still he does not feel pain. He has a\ngood birth, valour, energy and accomplishments (186). Behold, O king,\nthis best of men, endued with great prowess. This powerful hero,\nalthough chained, does not care for us all (187). Had he not been\nfettered by virtue of your illusory power forsooth he would have fought\nwith all the Asuras (188). He knows all forms of warfare and is more\npowerful than you. His person is fettered with serpents and covered with\nblood; still frowning with his forehead stricken with three marks he is\nas if aiming at us all. Reduced to such a plight and yet dependant on\nthe strength of his own arms he does not care for any thing, O king. Who\nis this young man? Although gifted with two hands he still stands for an\nencounter with you having a thousand hands and does not think of your\nprowess. Who is he endued with such a prowess (189-191)? Besides, O\nking, while your daughter is attached to him you will not be able to\ngive her away to another person. On the other hand, the hero has been\nknown as one of great prowess (193). O foremost of Asuras, if this\ndesirable person is born in the family of a great man he is worthy of\nreceiving adoration from you (193). I request you, save him.\" Thus\naddressed by the high-souled Kumbh\u0101dha, V\u0101na, the slayer of his enemies\nsaid \"So be it.\" Thereupon handing over Aniruddha to the guards the\nintelligent and illustrious son of Bali repaired to his own palace.\nSeeing the highly powerful Aniruddha fettered through illusory power\nN\u0101rada, the foremost of Rishis, set out for the city of Dwaravati.\nHaving arrived at Dw\u0101ravati through the etherial way that best of Munis\ncommunicated to Keshava, the rider of Garuda, about the imprisonment of\nAniruddha. When that foremost of Rishis N\u0101rada set out for Dw\u0101rak\u0101\nAniruddha thought: \"This cruel D\u0101nava will forsooth be slain in battle,\nfor N\u0101rada will speak many things truly to Keshava the holder of\nconch-shell, discus and club.\" At that time while Ush\u0101, having her eyes\nfull of tears on seeing her husband bound with serpents, cried he said\nto her:\u2014\"O timid girl, why do you weep thus? Do not fear, O you having\nfair eyes; you will soon see the slayer of Madhu arrive here for me.\nHearing the sound of his conch shell and of the striking of his arms the\nD\u0101navas will be destroyed and the Asura women will abort.\" Thus\naddressed by Aniruddha the youthful Ush\u0101 was consoled and began to\nbewail for her ruthless father (194\u2013203).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXVII. THE GODDESS CONSOLES ANIRUDDHA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014While the heroic Aniruddha was imprisoned in the\ncity of Shonita along with Ush\u0101 by Bali\u2019s son king V\u0101na, he, seeking\nrefuge with goddess Koum\u0101ri for his own safety, sang a hymn in her\npraise. Having saluted the endless, undecaying, eternal prime deity the\nLord Narayana, I chant the glories of Chandi, the worshipful goddess\nKaty\u0101yani, worshipped of all the gods and worlds and adored by the gods,\nRishis and Rakshasas, reciting the names sung by Hari (1-5).\n\nAniruddha said:\u2014For my well being I bow unto the sister of Mahendra and\nVishnu. Being cleansed and with my mind purified I chant her glories\nwith folded hands I bow unto thee who dost confer honors, do thou\nrelease me from my bonds and give me life and health.\n\nThus adored the great goddess Durg\u0101 went where Aniruddha was kept in\nchains. The goddess, fond of her votaries, released Aniruddha who was\nimprisoned in the City of V\u0101na. She appeared before the irrepressible\nhero Aniruddha and consoled him. The powerful hero then saluted her.\nThereupon the goddess with her fingers cut off the strong noose of\nserpents and then consoling Aniruddha said:\u2014\"O Aniruddha, wait here for\na few days more. The holder of discus and the slayer of the Daityas will\ncut off the thousand arms of V\u0101na, release you from your fetters and\ntake you to his own city (6-15)\".\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXVIII. ANXIETY OF THE YADAVAS FOR ANIRUDDHA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014When Ariruddha was taken away as captive, his\nbeloved wives and their companions cried there in his absence, like so\nmany ewes (1). \"Alas! even under the protection of the Lord Krishna, we\nare weeping helplessly stricken with fear and grief (2). He, under the\nshade of whose arms, Adityas, Maruts and the gods headed by Indra, are\nliving without any anxiety in the celestial region, has been visited by\nsuch a great calamity in this world. Alas! who has stolen away his\nheroic grandson Aniruddha 2 (3\u20134). Alas, that wicked-minded one, who has\nexcited this unbearable fire of Vasudeva\u2019s anger, has indeed no fear in\nthis world (5). He is standing before the teeth of Death with his mouth\nwide open. Indeed such an enemy can stand before Vasudeva in battle.\nCommitting such an ill turn by the Yadu king Keshava can even Sachi\u2019s\nlord escape with his life? (6-7). Alas, our husband has been stolen away\ntoday or our lord has forsaken us and made us objects of pity. Oh I on\naccount of the separation of our lord, we have been brought under\ncontrol by death\" (8).\n\nExclaiming thus those beautiful women continually wept and shed profuse\ntears. Their eyes, full of tears, imitated the beauty of lotuses\nimmersed in water in the rainy season (9\u201310). Their eyes appeared to\nhave been bathed in blood. The cries of those women in the palace set up\na noise like that of thousands of female ospreys crying in the sky\n(11-12).\n\nHearing that unheard, of lamentation caused by fear the Yadu chiefs all\non sudden leaped down from their respective houses. As the lions, when\nassailed, come out of their caves, so the Yadavas, coming out, said,\ntheir voice being choked with affection\u2014\"Krishna protects us all\ncompletely. Whence is then this fear? Why is such a noise heard in\nAniruddha\u2019s house? (13\u201315).\" Thereupon the huge bugle of Krishna\u2019s court\nwas brought and sounded; and at that sound all the Yadavas assembled\nthere. They asked one another \"What is the matter?\" And they answered\none another as they had heard (16-17). Hearing it the eyes, reddened in\nanger, of the Yadavas dreadful in battle, were filled with tears; and\nthey sighed there idly (18). Then beholding even Krishna the foremost of\nstrikers sigh again and again and others sit silently Viprithu\nsaid:\u2014(19). \"O Krishna, you are the foremost of men; why are you then\npossessed by anxiety? The Yadavas, living under the protection of your\narms, are ranging freely at large. Leaving the charge of success and\ndefeat to you even the powerful Sakra is sleeping happily. See your\nkinsmen are sunk in unfathomable ocean of grief. O large-armed hero,\nsave them. What is the cause of your anxiety? O M\u0101dhava, why do you not\nspeak any thing? You should not indulge in such idle thoughts.\" Thus\naddressed V\u0101sudeva, a clever speaker like Vrihaspati himself, sighed\nagain and again for some time and then said:\u2014\"O Viprathu, I was\nanxiously thinking about this (20\u201325). Even thinking I have not been\nable to settle anything. Therefore I could not give you any reply\nalthough you asked me (26). Hear, O Yadavas, I will describe to you in\ntruth, why I have been filled with anxiety. On account of the captivity\nof the heroic Aniruddha all the kings of the earth and my friends will\nconsider me incapable. Formerly our king Ahuka was taken captive by\nSh\u0101lwa\u2014but we brought him back after a dreadful fight. Rukshmini\u2019s son\nPradyumna was stolen away by Shamvara in his infancy. But he, having\nslain him in battle, has come back. But where has Aniruddha been exiled?\nO ye foremost of men, I do not recollect I had before experienced such\nsorrow and mental agony (27-31). I will in battle kill him with his own\npeople who has put on my head this foot covered with ashes.\" After\nKrishna had said this S\u0101tyaki observed:\u2014\"O Krishna, despatch spies all\nover for finding out Aniruddha. Let them search the earth with mountains\nand forests. Let open and secret emissaries be engaged in this work\"\n(32-34).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing the word of Keshava king Ahuka speedily\nordered the messengers for finding out Aniruddha. Ordering them \"Search\nout all the countries lying on and under the earth\" the high-souled king\nAhuka gave them sufficient horses and cars. (He said):\u2014\"Do you soon go\non horse back and search the mountains Rikshav\u0101n and Raivataka covered\nwith trees and creepers. Enter without any hesitation into the gardens\nand forests there and search every creek and corner. Riding on horses\nand elephants do you soon find out Aniruddha the enhancer of the joy of\nthe Yadavas\" (35\u201339).\n\nThereupon the Commander-in-chief An\u0101dhristhi said to the eternal Krishna\nof unwearied actions:\u2014\"O lord Krishna, from long I have been cherishing\na desire of communicating something to thee. Hear, if thou dost like, I\nwill communicate it at present. Asilom\u0101, Puloma, Nisunda, Naraka,\nSoubha, Shalwa, Mainda, and Dwivida have all been slain by thee (40\u201342).\nWhen a highly dreadful encounter took place on account of the gods thou\ndidst kill Hayagriva with all his kinsmen. O Govinda, in every battle\nthou didst accomplish all these works completely. No one even acted as\nthy charioteer (43-44). O Krishna, while carrying away P\u0101rijat\u0101 thou\ndidst perform a great and arduous feat with Anuvandha, O M\u0101dhava; in\nthat battle thou didst alone, by the strength of thy own arms, vanquish\nV\u0101sava, expert in fighting, seated on his elephant Airavata. On account\nof that encounter a great hostility has been created between you both\n(45\u201347). Methinks Maghav\u0101n himself has taken away Aniruddha; who else\nbut him can satisfy his enmity on thee (48)?\"\n\nAfter the highly powerful Anadhristhi had said this Krishna, sighing\nlike a serpent, said:\u2014\"Do not say so, O sir; the gods are not mean,\nungrateful, womanish and stupid. I work hard on behalf of the gods for\ndestroying the D\u0101navas. To please them I have killed the proud Asuras in\nbattle. The gods are my support, my mind is devoted to them, and I am\ntheir devoted votary. Therefore knowing me, how can they injure me? You\nsay so out of your own meanness\u2014they are not mean. They are truthful and\ncompassionate unto their votaries. I fear no danger from them. I tell\nyou for certain, this is not the work of Mahendra or any other gods.\nAniruddha must have been taken away by some harlot\" (49-54).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing those words of anxious Krishna of wonderful\ndeeds, Akrura, capable of understanding the true meaning of words, said\nin sweet words:\u2014\"O Lord, Indra\u2019s work is identical with ours and ours is\nthe same as that of Sachi\u2019s lord. We are for the gods and they should be\nprotected by us. We are born as men for the gods\" (55\u201357). Thus excited\nby Akrura\u2019s words Krishna, the slayer of Madhu, said in sweet and grave\nwords:\u2014\"Pradyumna has not been taken away by any amongst the Devatas,\nGandharvas, Yakshasas or R\u0101kshasas. That highly illustrious hero must\nhave been tempted away by some courtezan. The women of the Daityas and\nD\u0101navas are by nature loose and tempting. Forsooth Pradyumna must have\nbeen taken away by them. We need entertain fear from no other quarter\"\n(58\u201360).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014After the high-souled Krishna had said this the\nYadavas understood as the matter really was and they all highly\napplauded him (61). The bards, panegyrists, poets and songsters began to\nsing delightedly songs of praise in M\u0101dhava\u2019s house (62). In the\nmeantime, the messengers, who had been despatched to find out Aniruddha,\nreturned at the gate of the Durbar Hall and slowly and sorrowfully said\n(63). \"O king, all the gardens mountains, forests, caves, rivers, and\ntanks, we have searched hundreds of times, but we saw Aniruddha\nnowhere.\" O king Janamejaya, other messengers sent by Krishna returned\nand said:\u2014\"We have searched everywhere, but Pradyumna has not been seen.\nO Yadu chief, order hereafter what we should do about searching for\nAniruddha\" (64\u201366). Hearing those words the Yadavas were all dejected at\nheart and their eyes were filled with tears. They spoke amongst one\nanother, \"What should we do now?\" Amongst them many had their eyes\nfilled with tears, some bit their lips, and some frowned and all thought\nhow they could accomplish their object (67\u201368). Thus thinking they gave\nvent to various words. They were stricken with great anxiety and thought\nwhere Aniruddha could have been (69). The Y\u0101davas, filled with anger,\nlooked upon one another, and with great anxiety spent the night some how\nthinking where Aniruddha could have been taken away (70). While they\nthus conversed the night passed away. At that time, the men, appointed\nfor the purpose, aroused Krishna with the sound of bugles and\nconch-shells in his palace (71).\n\nThereupon in the clear morning when the sun rose the Rishi N\u0101rada,\nalone, smilingly entered the Darbar Hall. Seeing Krishna there along\nwith all the Yadavas he applauded M\u0101dhava exclaiming his victory and\nhonored Ugrasena and others. Though the highly powerful Krishna,\ninvincible in battle, was absent-minded still he rose up and received\nN\u0101rada dedicating to him _Madhuparka_ and cows (72\u201374). Afterwards\nseated on a white seat covered with a costly cover the celestial saint\ngave vent to the following pregnant words (75). N\u0101rada said:\u2014\"Why are\nyou all, like eunuchs, possessed by anxiety, silent, dispirited and\ndiscouraged?\" After the high-souled N\u0101rada had said this V\u0101sudeva\nreplied:\u2014\"O reverend sir, O Brahman, Aniruddha has been stolen away by\nsomebody in the night. We are all anxious for him. Tell us, O Muni of\nfirm vows, if you have heard or seen anything about him. O sinless one,\nby this you will do me a good work (76\u201379).\" Thus addressed by the\nhigh-souled Keshava he smilingly replied:\u2014\"Hear, O Madhusudana, V\u0101na, of\nincomparable energy has a daughter by name Ush\u0101. For her, the Apsara\nChitralekh\u0101 has taken away K\u0101ma\u2019s son; for this, a great encounter, like\nthat, between the gods and Asuras, has ensued between V\u0101na and\nAniruddha. Vanquished in battle, V\u0101na, resorting in fear to his illusory\npowers, has fettered the highly powerful Aniruddha with serpentine\nshafts. O Garudadhwaja, V\u0101na ordered for his death, but his minister\nKumbh\u0101nda has prevented him from doing so. When the prince Aniruddha\nengaged in a conflict with V\u0101na the latter bound him with serpentine\nshafts by resorting only to his illusory power. Aniruddha is not still\ndeprived of life; that hero is waiting patiently. Therefore O Krishna,\nthose, who long for victories, should not now try to keep their own\nlives. Rise up soon and you will acquire success and fame (80\u201388)\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thus addressed the powerful and energetic V\u0101sudeva\nmade all arrangements for marching. When the large-armed Jan\u0101rddana was\nabout to start the citizens, from all sides, showered on him sandal\npowder and fried paddy (89-90).\n\nNarada said:\u2014O large-armed Krishna, thou shouldst now think of Garuda,\nfor save him no one will be able to wend that way. Hear, how very\ndifficult passage is that, Janarddana. Shonitpura, where Aniruddha is\nnow residing, is eleven thousand _yojanas_ distant from this place. The\nhighly powerful son of Vinata is fleet like the mind; he will point out\nV\u0101na within a moment. O Govinda, therefore send for him; he will take\nyou there (91-94).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing the words of N\u0101rada Govinda thought of\nGaruda in his mind: and he too, with folded hands, arrived before\nKrishna. Having bowed unto the high-souled son of Devaki the great son\nof Vinata said in sweet words:\u2014\"O large-armed and lotus-navelled lord,\nwhy hast thou thought of me? I wish to know what thou dost want me to\ndo. O lord, on whose city am I to tread and destroy it. Govinda, by thy\nfavour who does not know my strength? O hero, O thou of large arms, who\ndoes not know the force of thy club and the fire of thy discus? What\nstupid man, out of pride, is desirous of meeting with his own\ndestruction? On whose neck will Baladeva, adorned with a garland of wild\nflowers, set his lion-faced plough-share? O lord, will whose body,\nconsumed, be mixed with earth to-day? O M\u0101dhava, whose mind will be\nagitated to-day with the blare of thy conch-shell? Who will with his\nfamily repair to the city of Yama?\" (95-101)\n\nAfter the intelligent son of Vinat\u0101 had said this V\u0101sudeva\nreplied:\u2014\"Hear, O foremost of birds. Unconquerable Aniruddha has been,\nfor Ush\u0101, captivated by V\u0101na in the city of Shonita. O king of birds,\nlustful Aniruddha has been fettered with poisonous serpents. I have\ninvited you for releasing him. O you of great power, no body else can\nwend that way. Do you therefore speedily take me where Aniruddha is. O\nhero, your daughter-in-law Vaidarbhi, fond of her son, is continually\nweeping. May that lady, by your favour, be united with her son. O hero,\nO you of great arms, O slayer of snakes, formerly united with me you\nstole away ambrosia. You are my carrier and all the Vrishnis are your\nvotaries. Preserve the request of love and devotion to-day. By my good\nworks I swear, there is none amongst the birds who can fly so quickly as\nyou. Killing the warriors with the flapping of your wings you, alone\nformerly released your mother from slavery. Placing the gods on your\nback you, with force, range many impassable countries. And by your help\nthey acquire victories. In heaviness you are like the mount Meru and in\nlightness you are like air. There had been none before powerful like\nyou, there is none at present and there will be none in future. O great,\nhighly effulgent and truthful son of Vinat\u0101, now help us for a moment\nfor Aniruddha\" (102-112).\n\nGaruda said:\u2014\"O large-armed Krishna, wonderful is thy word. O Keshava,\nall my victories are owing to thy favour. O slayer of Madhu, I am\nhonored and blessed with thy praising me thus. O large-armed Krishna,\nthine glories are chantod and thou hast still sung mine. Thou art the\nlord of the Vedas, the master of the gods, the giver of all desires, of\na surely fruitful look and the giver of boons unto those who seek for\nthem (113-15). Thou art of four arms and four forms: thou art the\nordainer of fourfold fires, of the four Asramas and four Varnas and a\ngreat poet. O lord, thou dost hold a bow, a discus and a conch-shell. In\nthy previous bodies thou wert known as the upholder of the earth; thou\ndost hold ploughshare, mace and discus, art the son of Devaki, the\ngrinder of Ch\u0101nura, fond of cows, the slayer of Keshi, the upholder of\nthe mount Govardhana, the great wrestler, their origin and support and\nfond of them; thou art the great Purusha; thou art fond of Br\u0101hmanas,\never engaged in their well being and their supporter. Thou art known as\nBrahman, as Damodara, as the slayer of Pralamva, Keshi and other\nD\u0101navas. O lord, thou art the destroyer of Asilom\u0101, V\u0101li and R\u0101vana and\nthe giver of kingdom unto Bibhishana and Sugriva. Thou didst take V\u0101li\u2019s\nkingdom, and all the jewels and art the great jem born at the bed of the\nocean. All the rivers emanate from thee in the shape of Meru. Thou art\nthe lord Varuna\u2014the holder of dagger and a great bowman and archer. Thou\nart known by the name of D\u0101sh\u0101rha, and Govinda. Thou art a great bowman\nand fond of bows. Thou art sky, darkness, the churning of the ocean, the\nheaven of many fruits and the great upholder of the celestial region. O\nlord, thou art the great cloud, the seed of the three worlds, anger,\navarice and desire. Thou art the great bowman, K\u0101ma, the great cycle,\nrevolution and dissolution. Thou art Hiranyagarbha, cognizant of forms\nand endued with them, the slayer of Madhu, the Creator, the great god\nand art endowed with innumerable qualities. O foremost of Yadus,\nalthough thy glories should be chanted, still thou art willing to sing\nmine. The dreadful creatures, who are seen by thee with thy eyes, are\nkilled by Yama\u2019s rod and constrained to go to the hell. O M\u0101dhava, the\ncreatures, on whom thou dost cast your favourable and loving looks,\nenjoy happiness both in this world and in the next. O thou of large\narms, I am now at thy disposal (116-131).\" Thereupon showing signs of\ndeparture Garuda said to Keshava:\u2014\"O highly powerful hero, I wait here,\ndo thou sit on my back\" Thereupon embracing Garuda by the neck M\u0101dhava\nsaid:\u2014\"O friend, accept this _arghya_ for slaying the enemy.\" Afterwards\nhaving offered _arghya_ to Suparna, the large-armed Purusothama, the\nholder of conch-shell, discus and club, sat on his back. Thereupon\nKrishna, with delight, sat on Garuda\u2019s back. He was adorned with most\nexcellent bracelets, had black hairs, was dark-hued and victorious; had\nfour rows of teeth and four arms. He was the master of the four Vedas\nwith their auxilliaries, had the mystic mark of Srivatsa on his breast,\nlotus-like eyes, stirring hairs, soft skin, equal fingers, equal nails,\nred fingers, red nails, and red eyes. His voice was sweet and grave and\nhe had large arms extending to knees and a copper-coloured countenance.\nHis gait was like that of a lion and he was effulgent like a thousand\nsuns. Having issued orders for guarding the city of Dw\u0101rak\u0101 the highly\npowerful Vasudeva made himself ready for starting. He is the lord and\nprotector of creatures and is identical with them. The Lord Praj\u0101pati,\nwith pleasure conferred on him eight-fold spiritual powers. He is\neternal and his pure glories are sung by Praj\u0101pati, Saddhyas, gods,\nbards and panegyrits and the great Rishis, masters of the Vedas and\ntheir auxilliaries. After Krishna had sat on Garuda\u2019s back Hal\u0101yudha and\nPradyumna, the grinder of enemies, sat behind him. At that time the\nSiddhas, Charanas and the great Rishis said to Keshava in the sky:\u2014\"O\nthou of large arms, do thou vanquish V\u0101na with all his followers. No one\nwill be able to stand before thee in the great battle. Lakshmi, the\ngoddess of prosperity, depends on thy pleasure and sure victory depends\non thy strength. Thou wilt defeat in battle thy enemy the Daitya king\nwith all his soldiers.\" Keshava marched on hearing all those words\n(132-145).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXIV. KRISHNA GOES TO SONITPURA AND FIGHTS WITH RUDRA\u2019S\nFOLLOWERS ON THE WAY.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014At that time with the sound of conch-shells and\nbugles, the songs of bards and panegyrists by thousands and blessings of\nmen exclaiming victory Janarddana appeared like the moon, sun and Sakra.\nO king, when Vinat\u0101\u2019s son flew up into the sky his, beauty, increased by\nHari\u2019s energy, became immense (1-3). Desirous of killing V\u0101na the\nlotus-eyed Keshava assumed a form having eight arms and resembling a\nmountain. At that time Jan\u0101rddana, the holder of Shranga-bow, assumed\ninnumerable heads. In his four right hands he had sword, discus, club\nand arrows and by his left four hands he held the leathern protector,\nthe Sr\u0101nga-bow, the thunder-bolt and conch-shell. Seated on Garudha\u2019s\nback, Sanghkarshana, holding a thousand forms and white weapons,\nirrepressible unto all creatures like the mount Kail\u0101sha with its\nsummit, shone like the rising moon. With a view to display his prowess\nin battle the high-souled Pradyumna assumed a form like that of\nSanatkum\u0101r (4\u20138). Thereupon shaking innumerable mountains and\nobstructing the course of the wind with the forcible flapping of his\nwings the powerful Vinat\u0101\u2019s son went on. Endued with the speed of the\nmind he crossed the most sacred route of the Siddhas and Ch\u0101ranas. At\nthat time R\u0101ma said to Krishna, incomparable in battle:\u2014\"O Krishna, what\nwonder is this that we have all on a sudden been shorn of our\neffulgence? We have all a golden hue. What is the cause? Have we come to\nthe side of the mount Sumeru?\" (9\u201312) The Lord said:\u2014\"Methinks, O slayer\nof thy enemies, V\u0101na\u2019s city is near at hand. To protect him, the fire,\nstationed in his city, is coming out blazing. O holder of plough-share,\nwe have been possessed by the effulgence of the fire of oblation: this\nhas changed our colour.\" R\u0101ma replied:\u2014\"If by approaching the city of\nV\u0101na we have been shorn of the lustre of our body, do what you think\nproper afterwards\" (13\u201315). The Lord said:\u2014\"O Vinat\u0101\u2019s son, do what you\nthink proper. After you have found out a means I shall do what I think\nproper\" (16).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana continued:\u2014Hearing those words spoken by V\u0101sudeva the\nhighly powerful Garuda, capable of assuming forms at will, assumed a\nthousand mouths (17). Afterwards the highly powerful son of Vinat\u0101\nleaped up and went to the etherial Gang\u0101. Then drinking profuse water,\nhe began to shower it on the fire. The intelligent son of Vinat\u0101 having\nconcerted this measure the fire was at once extinguished. Then seeing\nthat fire extinguished with the water of the etherial Gang\u0101, Suparna,\nfilled with surprise, said:\u2014\"Oh! How powerful is this fire like that at\nthe end of a cycle. It disfigured the color of even the intelligent\nKrishna.\" After extinguishing the fire the king of birds, Garuda, went\non making a great sound with the flapping of his powerful wings. Seeing\nthem the fires, the followers of Rudra, thought:\u2014\"Who are these three\ndreadful men of many forms who are riding Garuda? Why have they come\nhere?\" Those fires of the mountain thought in this way for some, but\ncould not settle anything. They then began to fight with the three\nYadus. A great noise arose when they engaged in fighting (18-26).\n\nHearing their great uproar like that of roaring lions the intelligent\nChief of the Fires Angir\u0101 sent a man to the scene of the action saying\n\"Soon proceed where the battle is raging.\" Another Asura, fleet like the\nmind, was quickly despatched by Van\u0101 saying \"Go and see what is the\nmatter.\" Saying \"So be it\" the man at once started and saw the fires\nfighting with V\u0101sudeva. He saw that the five principal fire-gods,\nKalm\u0101sha, Kusuma, Dahana, Shoshana and the highly powerful Tapana well\nknown in the offering of Sw\u0101ha and other minor fire-gods were all\nfighting with their respective armies. Pithara, Pataga, Swarna, Ag\u0101dha\nand Vraja, these five presiding gods of Swadh\u0101 were also fighting; the\ntwo highly effulgent fire-gods, in charge of Jyotisthoma and Vasatk\u0101ra,\nwere also fighting. Ascending a fiery car the great saint Angir\u0101,\nuplifting his effulgent mace, was shining in that battle-field, in the\nmidst of fire-gods. Then beholding Angira discharge his sharpened\narrows, Krishna, filled with anger, smiled again and again and said:\u2014\"O\nye fire-gods, wait patiently a few moments. The time of your destruction\nis drawing near. Within a moment, consumed by the energy of my weapons,\nyou shall have to fly away on all sides.\" Thereupon in that great\nbattle, as if to take Krishna\u2019s life Angir\u0101 ran with a burning Trishula\nin his hand. Then cutting off his mace with crescent-shaped and\nsharpened arrows the intelligent Krishna, effulgent like Yama, the\ndestroyer of all creatures, struck Angir\u0101 on the breast with a\ndeath-like-arrow. Thereat Angir\u0101 fell down bathed in blood and with his\nbody mangled. Seeing it the four fire-gods, the sons of Brahm\u0101 along\nwith others speedily fled away to V\u0101na\u2019s city (27\u201340).\n\nThereupon seeing V\u0101na\u2019s city from a distance N\u0101rada said \"Behold, O\nlarge-armed Krishna, there is the city of Shonita. For protecting V\u0101na\nand for his well-being K\u0101rtikeya and the highly effulgent Rudra with his\nconsort always live there.\" Hearing the words of N\u0101rada, Krishna\nsmilingly said:\u2014\"Hear and understand what I say O great Muni. If Rudra\nhimself comes to the battle-field for protecting V\u0101na we will also fight\nwith him to our best.\" While Krishna and N\u0101rada were thus conversing the\nquick-coursing Garuda at once took them to the city of V\u0101na. Then the\nlotus-eyed and cloud-like Keshava blew his moon-like conch-shell.\nBlowing that conch and creating terror in V\u0101na of wonderful deeds the\npowerful M\u0101dhava entered into his city. Seeing them thus enter V\u0101na\u2019s\nsoldiers got themselves ready for action sounding bugles and conch\nshells. Millions of paid soldiers, holding effulgent weapons, marched\nout to the battle-field. Those innumerable soldiers, of incomparable\nprowess, united, looked like huge black clouds.\n\nAfterwards the Daityas, D\u0101navas and the leading Pramathas, with various\nburning weapons, began to fight with the eternal Krishna. When Krishna,\nSangkarshana, Pradyumna and Garuda began to fight Yakshas, Rakshasas and\nPannagas, irrepressible like burning fire, came from all sides, with\ntheir mouths wide open, to the battle-field for drinking blood.\nBeholding V\u0101na\u2019s army the highly powerful Balabhadra said to Krishna,\nthe slayer of hostile armies:\u2014\"O large-armed Krishna, do that by which\nthese soldiers may be completely terror-stricken.\" Thus addressed by the\nintelligent Balabhadra Purusottama Krishna, the foremost of the masters\nof weapons, took up fiery weapons dreadful like Death. Grinding the\nAsuras and birds of prey with those weapons Jan\u0101rddana speedily went\nwhere the soldiers were seen. Standing on the ground in numberless\ndetachments that Asura army, consisting mainly of Pramathas, holding\ndarts, Patti\u00e7as, Saktis, Rishthis, Pin\u0101kas and Parighas, and having many\ndreadful beasts of burdens huge like mountains and clouds, appeared like\nclouds scattered by the wind. And many bow-men increased the beauty of\nthat show. Running hither and thither with maces, darts, swords, clubs\nand Parighas that innumerable Asura host increased the beauty of the\nbattle-field. Thereupon the beautiful Sangkarshana, seated on Garuda\u2019s\nback, said to Krishna, the slayer of Madhu:\u2014\"O large-armed Krishna, O\nPurusottama, I wish to fight with this Asura host.\" Hearing it Krishna\nsaid: (41-61). \"I too feel the same inclination. I wish to fight in the\nbattle-field with these leading warriors. When I will fight with my face\ntowards the west Suparna will stand before me. Pradyumna will stand on\nmy left side and you will stand on my right. In this dreadful fight we\nwill all protect one another (62\u201363).\"\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXX. KRISHNA\u2019S BATTLE WITH JVARA (FEVER).\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thus conversing with one another they, holding mace,\nclub and ploughshare respectively huge like mountain summits, rode\nGaruda the foremost of birds. Thereupon, O Janamejaya, when Rohini\u2019s son\nengaged in the battle his form grew dreadful like K\u0101la, as if desirous\nof consuming all, at the end of a cycle. Ranging in the battle-field the\nhighly powerful Baladeva, expert in fighting, drew the enemies with his\nplough-share and grinded them with his mace. The highly powerful\nPradyumna, the foremost of men, thwarted the fighting D\u0101navas with his\narrows. Blowing his conch-shell Jan\u0101rddana, the holder of conch-shell,\ndiscus and club, resembling a mass of collyrium, fought in many ways.\nHaving struck the Daityas with his wings and mutilated them with his\nnails and beak the intelligent son of Vinata despatched them to the\nabode of Y\u0101ma. Thus assailed with a downpour of arrows and overpowered\nby those four heroes the dreadful army of the Asuras fled away from the\nbattle-field (64\u201370). Beholding his army thus routed and with a view to\nprotect them Rudra\u2019s follower, Jvara, came walking to the battle-field\nsighing again and again like a maniac. He had three legs, three heads,\nsix arms, nine faces and a consuming weapon and was like Yama himself.\nHe roared like thousands of muttering clouds, sighed and yawned\nrepeatedly, was dozing, had his hairs erect and eyes filthy. Having made\nhis face more terrible with his eyes he, in anger, said to the holder of\nplough-share:\u2014(71\u201374). \"Why are you elated with the pride of your\nstrength? Do you not see that I have come to the battle-field? Wait a\nfew moments. While you have come before me in the battle-field you will\nnot return with your life.\" Saying this, smiling and showing his fist\ndreadful like the fire of dissolution Jvara ran towards Hal\u0101yudha\n(75\u201376). Rohini\u2019s son however began to move about so quickly in\nthousands of circular ways that Jvara could not find an opportunity.\nThen aiming at his body huge like a mountain Jvara, of incomparable\nenergy, hurled his consuming weapon which fell on his breast. Dropping\non the summit of the mount Sumeru from R\u0101ma\u2019s breast that burning weapon\nshattered it into pieces. Krishna\u2019s elder brother was however being\nconsumed by the remnant that was left on his breast. Sighing and yawning\nevery moment he began to move about recklessly. His eyes were dilated,\nhairs stood erect and all his senses were bewildered. He began to sigh\nlike a maniac. Thereupon almost losing consciousness Haladhara said to\nKrishna:\u2014\"O Krishna, O large-armed Krishna, O thou the giver of\nprotection, I am being consumed, nay I am being consumed completely. How\nshall I be saved?\" Thus addressed by the highly powerful Bala Krishna,\nthe foremost of strikers, smilingly said:\u2014\"No fear.\" Saying this he\nembraced Hal\u0101yudha (77\u201384). He was then saved by loving Krishna from\nbeing burnt. Having saved R\u0101ma from being consumed the slayer of Madhu,\nVasudeva, highly angered, said to Jvara:\u2014\"O Jvara, come and fight with\nme. Show to me the extent of your strength and power in this battle\".\nThus addressed the highly powerful Jvara, with his right hand,\ndischarged his great burning weapon on Krishna\u2019s body. At this the\npowerful Krishna, the foremost of strikers, experienced a burning\nsensation for a few moments. Immediately after the fire was put out.\nThereupon Jvara, with his serpent-like long arms, struck Krishna on the\nneck and then dealt a blow on his breast. Thus there took place a great\nencounter, in the battle-field, between Jvara and the highly energetic\nKrishna the foremost of men. The sound of the stricking of arms caused\nby Krishna and Jvara in that highly dreadful battle was like that of a\nthunder striking a mountain summit. Occasionally was heard \"Do not\nstrike in this way: you should do it in this way.\" In that great battle\nthose two highly powerful ones so fought for a moment, that Lord of the\nUniverse, under the guise of a man, thinking that he would come to an\nend, grinded the sky-ranging Jvara adorned with golden ornaments with\nhis arms (85-93).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXXI. KRISHNA\u2019S BOON TO JVARA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Considering Jvara, assailed with his arms, dead\nKrishna, the slayer of enemies, threw him down on the surface of the\nearth. Released from his arms, Jvara, of incomparable energy, did not\nleave Krishna\u2019s body but entered into it. Possessed by Jvara (fever) of\nincomparable energy Krishna had his movements slackened and repeatedly\nsupported himself by touching the ground. He was possessed by sleep, his\nsteps were slackened and his hairs stood erect. He repeatedly sighed and\nyawned. Thus possessed by weakness and yawning repeatedly the great\nYogin Krishna, the victor of the enemy\u2019s cities, regained his natural\nstate after a long time (1-5).\n\nThereupon knowing himself possessed by Jvara Purosottama created another\nfor its destruction. With his energy, the energetic Jan\u0101rddana, of\ndreadful power, created a dreadful Jvara, highly terrible unto\ncreatures. Catching hold, by force, of the former Jvara the one, created\nby Krishna, presented it before him. Having thus driven out that Jvara\nfrom his body through one created by him the highly powerful and angry\nV\u0101sudeva struck him down on the ground and was about to tear him into\npieces. Thereat Jvara, bewildered, said \"O Jan\u0101rddana, it behoveth thee\nto protect me.\" However while Krishna, of incomparable energy, was about\nto strike that Jvara on the ground an invisible voice was heard in the\nsky:\u2014\"O Krishna, O large-armed Krishna, the enhancer of the delight of\nthe Y\u0101davas, do not kill this Jvara. O sinless one, he is worthy of\nbeing protected by thee\" (5\u201312). Thus addressed Hari, the lord of the\npast, future and present and the great preceptor of the world let Jvara\noff. Thereupon prostrating himself with bent head at Hrishikesha\u2019s feet\nJvara said:\u2014\"O descendant of Yadu, O Govinda, hear what I have to submit\nunto thee. Hear, O large-armed deity, what I have got in my mind and do\nthou accomplish it. O lord, I pray from thee for this boon only that I\nmay be the only Jvara in this world and no one else may flourish.\" The\nlord said:\u2014\"It is proper to confer a boon on one who prays for it.\nBesides you have sought my protection. May you fare well therefore, O\nJvara. You will have what you are praying for. As before you will be the\nonly Jvara. May he, whom I have created, dissolve in me\" (13\u201318).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having said this the highly illustrious Krishna, the\nforemost of strikers, again spoke to Jvara:\u2014\"Hear, how you will range in\nthe world, having spread yourself amongst the entire creation mobile and\nimmobile. If you seek my pleasure divide yourself into three parts. With\none do you possess the four-legged animals, with the second the immobile\nobjects and with the third the human beings. And with the fourth portion\nof your third part you will always live in the midst of the birds.\nDividing yourself into four parts namely appearing every day, after two\ndays, three days and four days you are to live amongst mankind. Hear how\nyou are to live amongst other creatures. In trees you will live in the\nshape of an insect and the disease that withers up the leaves and turns\nthem pale; in the fruits you will live like Aturya disease; in the\nlotuses like frost, in the earth like a desert, in the water like\nNeelik\u0101 (a plant), in the peacocks like the growing of the tuft, in the\nmountain like mineral and in the cows like _Khoraka_ or a cow-disease;\nyou will live on earth under these numerous forms. With your very view\nand touch the animals will be shorn of their lives. Only gods and men\nwill be able to withstand you\" (19-28).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing the words of Krishna Jvara was delighted and\nwith folded hands saluted him and said:\u2014\"O M\u0101dhava, blessed I am for thy\ngiving me soverignty over all creatures and objects. O Purusottama I\nwish now to carry out any other order of yours. O large-armed Govinda,\norder me what I am to do. Formerly I had been created by Hara the slayer\nof Tripura and of other animals. Now vanquished by thee in battle I have\nbecome thy servant. Thou art now my master (29\u201332)\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing the words of Jvara Vasudeva said:\u2014\"Hear,\nwhat resolution I cherish at heart.\" Jvara said:\u2014\"O holder of discus, I\nhave been favoured and blessed with what good thou hast done for me.\nOrder me, what what pleasure of thine I may carry out.\" The lord\nsaid:\u2014\"O Jvara, the man, who having saluted me, will attentively read\nthis account of prowess displayed only by our arms in the great battle,\nwill be freed from fever.\" Thus addressed by Krishna, the foremost of\nYadus, the highly powerful Jvara said:\u2014\"So be it.\" Having thus obtained\nthe boon and promised, Jvara, saluting Krishna, left the battle-field\n(33\u201337).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXXII. THE FIGHT BETWEEN KRISHNA AND SHANKARA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon riding quickly Vinat\u0101\u2019s son, those three\n(heroes), stationed in the battle-field like three fire-gods, began to\nfight there. Seated on Garuda\u2019s back those highly powerful three heroes\nassailed and dispersed the D\u0101nava army with a downpour of arrows.\nAssailed with the strokes of discus, plough-share and arrows the\nirrepressible and huge Danava army were worked up with anger. As fire\nincreases in a room with dry fuels so the fire, engendered by Krishna\u2019s\narrows, increased that fire burning like that of dissolution, and\nconsumed thousands of D\u0101navas in the battle-field (1-5).\n\nBeholding his soldiers assailed and burnt with various arrows of\nKrishna, and take to their heels V\u0101na came there and prevented them\nsaying \"Born in the race of the Daityas why do ye, overwhelmed with fear\nand displaying your weakness, fly away from the battle-field? Why do you\ntake to your heels leaving off your respective coats of mail, swords,\ndaggers, darts, leathern protectors and axes? Think of your birth and\nliving with Hara and then decide whether you should fly away. I now\nstand before you.\" Although they heard the words given vent to by V\u0101na,\nthe D\u0101navas, beside themselves with fear, paid no heed to them and fled\naway. Of the soldiers remaining there only the Pramathas stood firm and\ndesired to fight again (6-11).\n\nBeholding his soldiers routed, Kumbh\u0101nda, V\u0101na\u2019s powerful minister and\nfriend, said:\u2014\"O ye leading D\u0101navas, behold Shankara, K\u0101rtikeya and V\u0101na\nin the battle-field. Still, possessed by fear, why are you flying away\nleaving your own armies? Give up hope of your lives and fight.\" Before\nthey heard those words of Kumbh\u0101nda, the Danavas stricken with the fear\nof the fire of Krishna\u2019s discus, fled away on all sides. Thereupon\nbeholding all the soldiers routed by Krishna, Siva, of incomparable\nprowess, had his eyes reddened with anger. And in order to protect V\u0101na,\nhe stood on his lustrous car and prepared himself for fighting. Kum\u0101ra\ntoo ascended a car burning like car. Powerful Rudra, ascending a car\ndrawn by lions and biting his hips, drove where Hari was (12\u201317). At\nthat time his car, as if devouring the sky, making a great sound and\ndrawn by lions, looked like the full-moon freed from clouds. Filled with\nvarious ghosts making diverse sounds that car of the god of gods\nproceeded towards the battle-field. Of those ghosts some had the faces\nof lions, some those of tigers, some those of serpents, some those of\nhorses and some those of camels; they too, filled with fear, were\ntrembling. Amongst those highly powerful ghosts, some had the faces of\nasses, some those of camels, some those of peacocks, Some those of\nhorses, some those of rams, and some those of cats. Some had the faces\nof sheep, some put on bark, some had tufts of hairs on their heads, some\nwore matted locks, some had hairs bound up, and some were naked. They\nall blew conch-shells and bugles when they proceeded to the\nbattle-field. Of them some had beautified faces and were adorned with\ncelestial weapons and flowers. Some were dwarfish and some were\ngrim-visaged. Some put on lion and tiger skins. Some had faces covered\nwith blood, huge-teeth and were fond of flesh. They all stood encircling\nShankara the destroyer of great enemies in the battle-field and were\nwaiting there at ease. Beholding that car of the indefatigable Rudra.\nKrishna, riding Garuda, proceeded to the battle-field. Then beholding\nHari proceed on Garuda discharging arrows, Hara, ever standing at the\nhead in a battle, struck him in anger with hundreds, of winged arrows.\nAssailed with shafts by Hara, the grinder of enemies, Hari too, irate,\ntook up most excellent weapons given by Indra. Thereupon assailed by\nKrishna and Rudra the earth shook and the elephants trembled raising\ntheir heads. The mountains were covered with the water of streams; some\nhad their summits scattered on all sides. In that encounter between Hara\nand Hari the quarters, sky and earth were as if all ablaze. Fire-brands\nfell on earth from all sides and dreadful-looking jackals began to emit\ninauspicious cries. With a great noise Indra began to send down showers\nof blood and fire-brands covered the rear of V\u0101na\u2019s army. The wind blew\nhigh, and the luminous bodies and herbs, shorn of lustre, flew about in\nthe sky. At that time the Grandfather, knowing that Rudra, the destroyer\nof Asuras, had entered upon a battle, came there encircled by the\ncelestials The Apsaras, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Vidyadharas, Siddhas, and\nCh\u0101ranas, stationed in the sky, began to witness that encounter. Then\nVishnu discharged Indra\u2019s weapon at Rudra (18\u201337). Burning it went up to\nthe car where Rudra was. The very next moment hundreds and thousands of\narrows dropped before Hara\u2019s car. Seeing it and filled with anger Hara\ndischarged the highly dreadful fiery weapon. It appeared indeed highly\nwonderful. At that time Krishna and the three other heroes were entirely\ncovered with arrows; and scorched with the fire of the weapon they were\nso much emaciated that they were not visible. Thereat thinking that\nKrishna had been slain by the fiery weapon the Asuras sent up a leonine\nshout (36-41).\n\nThereupon patiently bearing those fiery weapons in the battle-field the\npowerful V\u0101sudava, who was a master of every sort of weapon, took up\nV\u0101runa weapon. When that V\u0101runa weapon was discharged by the high-souled\nV\u0101sudeva the fire of the fiery weapon was extinguished. When that weapon\nwas baffled by V\u0101sudeva Bhava discharged four other weapons resembling\nthe fire of dissolution, namely Paish\u0101ca, R\u0101kshasa, Roudra and Angirasa.\nIn order to baffle those weapons Vasudeva shot four arrows namely\nV\u0101yavya, S\u0101vitrya, V\u0101sava and Mohana. Having thus counteracted those\nfour weapons with his four arrows M\u0101dhava discharged his Vaishnava\nweapon like unto Antaka (the destroyer) with his mouth wide open. When\nthe Vaishnava weapon was discharged all the Bhutas, Yakshas and Asuras\nof V\u0101na\u2019s host, unconscious and stricken with fear, fled on all sides.\nThen beholding his army abounding in Pramathas thus routed the great\nAsura V\u0101na speedily ran towards the battle-field. As the king of gods,\nthe wielder of thunderbolt, proceeds encircled by the celestials, so\nV\u0101na went surrounded by the highly powerful and mighty car-warriors, the\nDaityas holding dreadful arms (42-50).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014At that time with the recitation of names and\nmantras the Br\u0101hmanas performed benedictory ceremonies on Van\u0101\u2019s behalf.\nBali\u2019s son V\u0101na too, conferring on the Br\u0101hmanas, auspicious cows,\nraiments, fruits, flowers and gold coins, shone like the lord of riches.\nThe huge car of V\u0101na, painted with gold and adorned with a hundred moons\nand a million of stars and numerous bells, shone there like fire or a\nthousand suns. Assuming a dreadful form V\u0101na, holding a bow, got upon\nthe car brought by the D\u0101navas for fighting with those foremost of\nYadus. Afterwards as at the time of the universal dissolution the ocean,\nabounding in waves increased by the wind, is agitated so that ocean, of\ngreat force abounding in cars of the heroes, went on. O king, at that\ntime the D\u0101navas, holding bows, great car-warriors as they were, shone\nthere like mountains covered with forests; their very sight created\nterror in all (51-56).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXXIII. THE EARTH GOES TO BRAHMA: MARKANDEYA EXPLAINS HOW\nBRAHMA, VISHNU, SIVA ARE ONE.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014When the three eyes (of Siva) were burning all the\nworlds were covered with darkness: and Nandi, Rudra and his car were not\nvisible (1). Then Rudra, burning in double effulgence on account of his\nanger and strength, took up his arrow having sharpened darts on four\nsides with which he had killed Tripura. When the three-eyed deity took\nup that arrow, set it to his bow and was about to discharge it the\nhigh-souled V\u0101sudeva, cognizant of the minds of all, came to know of it.\nThereupon the quick-handed and highly powerful Purusottama took up his\nweapon Jrimbhana (yawning) and made with it Hara yawn. With that arrow\nthe Divine Hara, the conqueror of Asuras and Rakshasas, was stupified\ntogether with his bow and arrows and lost consciousness. Having\nstupified with his weapon his own self in the shape of Rudra together\nwith his bow and arrows the highly powerful Krishna, identical with all,\nblew his conch-shell. Seeing Shankara stupified and hearing the blare of\nhis conch-shell P\u0101nchajanya and the twang of of his bow Shr\u0101nga all the\ncreatures were filled with fear. In the meantime Rudra\u2019s followers\narrived at the battle-field and resorting to an illusory fight attacked\nPradyumna. The highly powerful and energetic Makaraketana however made\nthem all asleep and with his arrows began to kill the D\u0101navas who had\ninnumerable Pramathas amongst them (2\u201310). While Rudra, of unwearied\nactions, yawned a flame came out of his mouth and consumed the ten\nquarters. At that time assailed by those powerful armies the goddess\nEarth, trembling, approached the great Brahm\u0101 and said \"O thou of large\narms, O great god, I have been assailed with great energies. I have been\nso much loaded with the weight of Rudra and Kesheva that I will again be\nreduced to one all-extending ocean. O grand-father, do you think of this\nunbearable burden of mine. Do thou find out some means, by which\nreleased of my burden I may uphold the mobile and immobile creations\"\n(11-15).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing it the grand-father said to the daughter of\nKashyapa:\u2014\"Sustain yourself for a moment and you will be released of\nyour burden.\" Thereupon the Lord Brahm\u0101 said to Rudra:\u2014\"Thou didst find\nout the means of slaying this great Asura: why dost thou then wish to\nprotect him? O thou of large arms, I do not like that thou shouldst\nengage in an encounter with Krishna. Dost thou not know that Krishna is\nthy second body.\" Hearing the words of Brahm\u0101 the eternal Lord, having\nthree eyes, concentrated his mind on the Brahman (soul) within him and\nsaw the three worlds consisting of mobile and immobile creations.\nBeholding himself stupified along with his bow and arrow the great Yogin\nBhava, by virtue of his mental concentration, thought of the boon he had\nconferred and of what he had said at Dw\u0101rak\u0101: he therefore made no\nreply. Seeing him in Krishna and them both in one (Brahman) he was\npacified and left the battle-field. Rudra said to Brahm\u0101:\u2014\"O lord, I\nwill not fight any more. By this encounter of Krishna and V\u0101na the earth\nwill be relieved of her burden\" (16\u201321). Thereupon with great pleasure\nKrishna and Rudra retired from the battle-field and embraced one another\n(22). When those two great Yogins were united no body could see them.\nHaving brought out the reconciliation between Hara and Hari and himself\nonly seeing them Brahm\u0101, the creator of all, said to the Rishis N\u0101rada\nand M\u0101rkandeya who were by his side and who had questioned that\nfar-sighted deity:\u2014\"In a dream in the night I saw Bhava and Keshava in\nthe lake near the mount Mandara (22\u201325). Here I saw Hara in Hari\u2019s form\nand Hari in Hara\u2019s. Hara had conch-shell, discus and club in his hands,\nwas clad in a yellow raiment and rode Garuda. Hari had trident and\nPattica in his hand, was clad in a tiger-skin and rode a bull. Seeing\nthat highly wonderful scene I am filled with surprise. O M\u0101rkendeya, do\nthou describe unto me the truth\" (26\u201328).\n\nMarkendeya said:\u2014Shiva is identical with Vishnu and Vishnu is identical\nwith Shiva. I do not see any difference. They are both auspicious,\nwithout beginning, middle or end, eternal and undecaying. Hear I will\ndescribe that form identical with Hari and Hara (29\u201330). He is Vishnu\nwho is Rudra; and he is Rudra who is Brahm\u0101. Brahm\u0101, Vishnu and Rudra\nare one and of the same form. Three of them are great ascetics, Lords of\nhalf-females, self-sprung, givers of boons and masters of the universe.\nAs water is mixed with water when it is thrown into it so Vishnu becomes\nat one with Rudra, when he enters into him. As fire becomes fire when it\nis mixed with it so Rudra becomes identical with Vishnu when he enters\ninto him. Rudra is identical with fire and Vishnu is identical with the\nmoon. This universe, consisting of mobile and immobile creations, is\nidentical with the protector of what is mobile and immobile in this\nuniverse. And Maheswara is their destroyer. The Lord Narayana, identical\nwith past, present and future and Maheswara are the primary causes of\nHiranyagarbha and the great principles. They both are the givers of the\nVedas. They are the creator and the protector of the universe. They send\ndown rain in the shape of Indra and spread rays in the shape of the sun.\nThey blow in the shape of the wind and create all. Thus O Grand-father,\nI have described to you the great secret. The man, who daily reads or\nhears this account, attains to that most excellent region created by the\npower of Vishnu and Rudra (29\u201339). With Brahm\u0101, Hari and Hara are the\nCreator, Preserver and Destroyer of the universe. I will now chant their\nglories. Vishnu is adorable unto Rudra, and Rudra is adorable unto\nVishnu. They are one, still they range in the world under two forms.\nVishnu is not different from Shankara and Shankara is not different from\nVishnu. Therefore formerly Rudra and Upendra became one. Salutation unto\nRudra and Krishna of one united body (40-42). Salutation unto the\nthree-eyed deity, salutation unto the two-eyed deity, salutation unto\ncoppery-eyed (Kumara) and lotus-eyed (Pradyumna) (43). Salutation unto\nthe holder of the earth, of the holder of peacock-feathers and of\nKeyura. Salutation unto him adorned with a garland of skulls, him\nadorned with a garland of wild flowers, him the holder of trident and\nhim the holder of discus, unto the standard of gold and Brahm\u0101 (44\u201346).\nSalutation unto him clad in skin and salutation unto him clad in a\nyellow raiment. Salutation unto the Lord of Lakshmi and unto the Lord of\nUm\u0101 (47). Salutation unto the holder of trident and unto him of mace.\nSalutation unto him whose body is covered with ashes and unto him who is\ndark-blue hued. Salutation unto him who lives in the cremation ground\nand unto him who lives in an Ashrama. Salutation unto the rider of a\nbull and unto the rider of Garuda. Salutation unto him who has more than\none form, unto him who has many forms, unto the Lord of destruction and\nunto him who lies on the ocean. Salutation unto him who has many forms\nand unto him who is Bhairava (49\u201350).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXXIV. KARTIKEYA GOES TO THE BATTLE-FIELD.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014After the high-souled Krishna and Rudra had retired\nfrom the battle-field, how did the hair-stirring battle of the enemies\ncontinue (1)?\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Stationed on the car brought by Kumbh\u0101nda, Guha\n(K\u0101rtikeya) drove towards Krishna, Baladeva and Pradyumna and struck\nthem with hundreds of dreadful and sharpened arrows. Bathed in blood\nthose three gods, like unto three fires, fought with Kumara (2\u20134). After\nthose heroes, expert in fighting, had struck Kum\u0101ra with three weapons\ngiven by Wind-God, Fire-God and Indra he, too, with three weapons,\ncounteracted them and struck the Yadavas with three other weapons,\nnamely Shaila, V\u0101runa and S\u0101vitri. They however, devoured, by virtue of\ntheir illusory powers, all the weapons shot by the great Kum\u0101ra, the\nholder of burning bow and shaft. Then the highly powerful Guha, burning\nin effulgence and biting his lips, took up the dreadful weapon\nBrahmashira like unto the Destroyer himself (5-8). When the highly\ndreadful weapon Brahmashira, endued with the effulgence of a thousand\nsuns and destructive of the world, was discharged by Kum\u0101ra the\ncreatures lost their consciousness through its warmth and fled away on\nall sides and the whole universe bewailed. Seeing it the powerful\nKeshava, the slayer of Keshi, took up his discus the destroyer and\ncounteractor of all weapons. As in the rainy season the clouds cover the\nrays of the sun, so that discus, of the high-souled Keshava, clouded,\nwith its lustre, that of Brahmashira weapon (9-12).\n\nWhen that Brahmashira weapon was shorn of its lustre, power and energy,\nGuha, with his eyes reddened in anger, was worked up like fire to which\noblation of clarified butter is offered. He then took up a dreadful\nburning, golden Sakti of sure aim, destructive of enemies and creating\nterror in all creatures. He then discharged, in anger, that celestial\nburning Sakti set with bells, effulgent like a fire-brand and resembling\nthe fire of dissolution (13\u201315). He then set up a powerful shout which\nstruck terror unto his enemies. When that Sakti was discharged by the\nhigh-souled Guha, it went up into the sky, yawned and moved about with\ngreat force as if desirous of slaying Krishna. Beholding that burning\nSakti the gods and their king were greatly depressed and said\u2014\"Perhaps\nKrishna will be consumed.\" However as soon as that great Sakti appeared\nbefore him in that great battle the highly powerful M\u0101dhava shouted and\nas if remonstrating struck it down on the ground. When that great Sakti\nwas struck down there arose from all sides exclamations \"Well done! Well\ndone!\" And V\u0101sava together with the celestials sent up a leonine shout.\nWhen the gods were thus roaring the powerful V\u0101sudeva took up his discus\nfor killing the Daityas (16\u201321).\n\nWhen Krishna, of incomparable energy, was about to discharge his discus,\nthe beautiful Kottavi, at the mandate of Mah\u0101deva, came there naked for\nprotecting Kum\u0101ra. The eighth portion of the goddess, Lamv\u0101, intervened\nbetween them like a beautiful golden Sakti. Seeing the goddess stand\nbefore Kum\u0101ra the large-armed Krishna was baffled and said:\u2014\"Oh fie on\nyou? Fly away soon from this place; why do you throw obstacles in the\nway of certain destruction?\" (22\u201325)\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing even those words of the mighty-armed Krishna\nKottavi did not put on her cloth for protecting Kum\u0101ra (26).\n\nThe Lord said:\u2014\"Take Guha with you and fly away soon from the\nbattle-field. It will be well for us to-day, if you do this. Or else if\nI refrain from fighting he will fight with me\" (27). Thereupon beholding\nthat naked goddess in the battle-field the divine younger brother of\nVasava the Lord Hari put away his discus. Hearing those words of the\nintelligent M\u0101dhava, the god of gods, the goddess brought Guha before\nHara. Then when the great danger took place and Guha was protected by\nthe goddess, V\u0101na came to that place. When he saw Guha released from\nKrishna\u2019s discus and retire from the battle-field he felt an inclination\nfor fighting himself with M\u0101dhava (28\u201331). Thereupon bewildered the\nghosts, Yakshas and V\u0101na\u2019s soldiers fled away on all sides. Of that\nbroken army only Pramathas remained there. And with them the great Asura\nsoon marched for the battle-field. As the wielder of thunderbolt\nproceeds in the company of the leading celestials so. V\u0101na went out with\nhighly dreadful, powerful, energetic and great Daitya commanders.\nThereupon chanting the destruction of his enemies his priests and other\nelderly persons, well read in Srutis, performed benedictory ceremonies,\non behalf of the high-souled V\u0101na with _Mantras_, recitation and herbs\n(32\u201337).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXXV. THE BATTLE BETWEEN VANA AND KRISHNA.\n\n\nBeholding V\u0101na issue out and stand for battle Krishna too rode Garuda\nand went towards W\u0101na. Beholding the Yadu king Krishna, of incomparable\nenergy, the rider of Garuda, approach and stand in the west V\u0101na was\nfilled with anger and said to V\u0101sudeva:\u2014\"Wait! Wait! You will not escape\nfrom me to-day alive to Dwarak\u0101 and see your friends there. O M\u0101dhava,\nyou have been urged on by Death. Therefore vanquished by me in battle,\nyou will, on the eve of your death, see the golden leaves of the trees.\nO Garudhwaja, being of eight arms how you will be able to fight with me\nwho have a thousand arms? Slain with all your friends by me in the city\nof Shonita you will remember Dw\u0101rak\u0101. You will see to-day my thousand\narms, adorned with various weapons and ornaments, multiply into a\nmillion\" (36-44).\n\nWhile V\u0101na was thus roaring his words as if travelled all over like the\ndreadful waves of an ocean raised by the wind. As if desirous of\nconsuming the world the eyes of that highly powerful Asura, filled with\nanger, shone like two suns rising in the firmament. Hearing those proud\nwords of V\u0101na N\u0101rada so laughed aloud that as if the sky was sundered in\ntwain. Seated on a Yoga seat that ascetic, filled with curiosity, moved\nabout on all sides for seeing the battle (45-48).\n\nKrishna said:\u2014\"O V\u0101na, why are you roaring thus out of foolishness? The\nheroes do not vaunt thus. What is the use of vaunting? Come and fight\nwith me in the battle field. O son of Diti, you have given vent to many\nunconnected words. If by words victory is accomplished in a battle, you\nwould have been no doubt victorious. Come O V\u0101na; either defeat me or\nvanquished by me lie down on earth for good with your face down.\" Saying\nthis Krishna struck V\u0101na with arrows cutting him to the quick. Thus\nmangled in that dreadful encounter by Krishna with arrows cutting to the\nvery vitals V\u0101na, with great care, covered Krishna with burning arrows.\nWith Parighas, Nisthringsas, clubs, Tomaras, Saktis, maces and Pattishas\nhe completely covered Keshava. Proud V\u0101na, having a thousand arms,\neasily fought in the battle-field with two-armed Keshava. Although\nhaving eight-arms Keshava, the holder of conch-shell, discus and club,\nfought with thousand-armed V\u0101na in that battle. Then beholding Krishna\u2019s\nsuperior training Bali\u2019s son was greatly worked up with anger. He then\ndischarged that celestial great weapon destructive of all enemies which\nBrahm\u0101, by his ascetic powers, had formerly created for Hiranyakashipu.\nWhen that weapon was shot off all the quarters were enshrouded with\ndarkness and thousands of dreadful omens were seen on all sides. When\nall the worlds were covered with darkness every thing was beyond the\nrange of perception (49-59). The D\u0101navas applauded W\u0101na, saying \"Well\ndone! Well done!\" and words of exclamations by the gods as \"Alas!\" were\nheard (90). A dreadful downpour of burning arrows was caused by the\npower and force of that weapon (61). When that weapon was discharged by\nV\u0101na and Keshava was being burnt, wind, storm or clouds did not move\n(62). When the divine slayer of Madhu took up Indra\u2019s weapon like unto\ninevitable death in the battle-field all the worlds were shorn of\ndarkness, the fire was extinguished and the D\u0101navas completely lost\ntheir hearts. Seeing the D\u0101nava weapon counteracted as soon as Indra\u2019s\nweapon was got ready the gods began to laugh and roar like lions\n(63\u201365).\n\nBeholding his weapon thus counteracted Diti\u2019s son V\u0101na was beside\nhimself with rage, said harsh words to Keshava who was on Garuda and\ncovered him with maces and Patti\u00e7as. Keshava, the slayer of his enemies,\nhowever soon counteracted similingly his uplifted weapon. In that great\nbattle with arrows, like unto thunderbolts, shot off his Sr\u0101nga bow\nKeshava sundered V\u0101na\u2019s car, with horses and standards, into pieces. The\nvery next moment the highly powerful Keshava separated from V\u0101na\u2019s\nperson his highly lustrous crown, coat of mail, bow and shield. And\nsmilingly he struck him on the breast with winged arrows. Cut to the\nvery quick V\u0101na lost his consciousness and swooned away. Seeing V\u0101na\nthus struck and swoon away N\u0101rada, who was sitting on the highest top of\nthe palace, rose up with clapping and said \"O great fortune! Great\nfortune, blessed is my life and birth since I have witnessed today this\nwonderful prowess of D\u0101modara. O thou of large arms, O thou adored by\nthe gods, do thou accomplish that for which thou hast incarnated\nthyself. Destroy soon Diti\u2019s son V\u0101na.\" Having thus sung the glories of\nthe Lord Krishna and emblazoned the battle-field with sharpened arrows\nhe moved about in the battle-field (66\u201376).\n\nIn that battle their standards, encountering each other, fought; so did\nthe horses of the Devas and D\u0101navas. When Garuda and the peacock fought\nthey struck each other with wings, beaks and talons. Thereupon leaping\nup in anger the highly powerful son of Vinat\u0101 speedily caught hold of\nthe peacock\u2019s head with his beaks and struck him with his wings and\ntalons. Thus repeatedly drawn by the highly powerful son of Vinat\u0101 the\npeacock fell down unconscious as the sun drops down from the sky. When\nthe highly powerful peacock fell down on the ground, V\u0101na, stricken with\ngreat anxiety, thought:\u2014\"Elated with the pride of my strength I have not\nregarded the words of my friends. And therefore I have met with\ndiscomfiture before the very eyes of the gods and Daityas.\" Beholding\nV\u0101na thus depressed and distressed the Lord Rudra grew anxious for\nprotecting him. Mah\u0101deva, then in grave words, said to Nandi (77\u201385), \"O\nsinless Nandi, go speedily where V\u0101na stands in the battle-field and\ngive him this celestial car drawn by lions. I do not wish to fight. Let\nme stand here amongst the Pramathas. You better go and protect V\u0101na\"\nSaying \"So be it\", Nandi, the foremost of car-warriors, went to V\u0101na\nwith the car and spoke to him slowly. \"O highly powerful Daitya, get\nupon this car soon; O hero, I will be your charioteer. Do not delay;\nascend this car.\" Ascending that car, constructed by Brahm\u0101, of Bhava of\nincomparable energy the powerful V\u0101na, in anger, brought into\nrequisition the burning Roudra weapon Brahmashira, capable of destroying\nall other arms. Although the Lotus-sprung (Brahm\u0101) had created that\nweapon for protecting the worlds still they were all agitated when it\nwas ablaze. Seeing it and destroying it with his discus Krishna said to\nV\u0101na, illustrious in the world and incomparable in battle:\u2014\"O V\u0101na,\nwhere are your vauntings now? I now stand for battle: fight and display\nyour prowess. Formerly there was a king having a thousand arms by namely\nK\u0101rtavirya. His arms were reduced to two by R\u0101ma in battle. Your pride,\nbegotten by the strength of your arms, will share the same fate. I will\nsoon destroy your pride in the battle-field. If you wait here for a\nmoment I will chop off your arms which have created such a haughtiness\nin you. You will not be suffered to leave me with your life.\"\n\nSeeing that highly dreadful encounter like unto that between the gods\nand demons N\u0101rada began to dance with glee. Vanquished by the\nhigh-souled Pradyumna, the ghosts, leaving the battle-field, went to\nShankara. Thereupon Krishna, resembling the muttering of the clouds of\nthe rainy season, soon took up his thousand-bladed discus destructive of\nthe Daityas in the battle-field. In that discus were combined the\nenergies of luminous bodies, thunder, lightnings and of the king of\ngods. In it were the energies of the three-fold fires, Brahma fire and\nof the austerities and penances of the Rishis. In it was the energy of\nchaste women, the strength of the birds and beasts and the energy of the\nholder of the discus. In it was the strength of the R\u0101kshasas, Yakshas\nand Gandharvas (86-104). In it was the power of all other creatures\nliving in the three worlds. That powerful discus of the Lord, effulgent\nlike the sun, stood before V\u0101na and deprived him of his energy.\n\nBeholding the Lord with uplifted discus in the battle-field and knowing\nthat it, endued with great energy, was incomparable and could not be\ncounteracted Shiva said to Girija:\u2014\"O goddess, the discus, which Keshava\nhas taken up, is unconquerable in the three worlds. Thereupon release\nV\u0101na before Keshava discharges this discus.\" Hearing the words of the\nthree-eyed deity the goddess said to Lamv\u0101:\u2014\"O Lamva, go soon and\nprotect V\u0101na.\" Saying this Himalaya\u2019s daughter disappeared from view by\nher yoga powers; and going only to Krishna she showed her true form. On\nthe other side seeing the Lord stand in the battle-field with uplifted\ndiscus Lamv\u0101 disappeared from view and left off her clothes. In order to\nprotect V\u0101na, the goddess Kottavi, appeared naked before Vasudeva.\nSeeing her again return and appear before him with Rudra\u2019s consent\nKrishna said:\u2014\"O you of red eyes, you have again come naked to the\nbattle-field for saving V\u0101na. Forsooth I will kill V\u0101na.\" Thus addressed\nby Krishna Lamv\u0101 said:\u2013\"O god, I know the great Purusottama, eternal,\nundecaying and lotus-navelled Hrishikesha, the creator of the world as\nthe prime cause of the universe. O Keshava, thou shouldst not slay V\u0101na\nwho has no match in the battle-field. Do thou promise V\u0101na protection\nand let me see my son alive. O M\u0101dhava, I conferred on him a boon saying\nthat I would protect him. Thou shouldst not falsify my words.\"\n\nThus addressed by the goddess, Krishna, the creator of enemy\u2019s cities,\nin anger said:\u2014\"Hear the truth, O lady. I will forsooth cut off to-day\nhis thousand arms, elated with the pride of which V\u0101na is roaring in the\nbattle-field. Your son will live even if V\u0101na has two arms (105-120).\nAnd resorting to his demonaic pride he will not approach me any more.\"\nThus addressed by Krishna of unwearied actions the goddess said:\u2014\"O god\nof gods, let V\u0101na be so.\" Thereupon the highly powerful and large-armed\nKrishna, the foremost of speakers and strikers, welcoming K\u0101rtikeya\u2019s\nmother, said to V\u0101na in anger:\u2014\"Fie on your manliness, O V\u0101na. Whenever\nyou have been engaging in an encounter with me Kottavi, considering you\nweak, is coming and standing in the battle-field.\" Saying this the\nself-controlled and highly powerful Krishna opened his eyes and\ndischarged his discus aiming it at V\u0101na. With great force Gad\u0101dhara,\nworked up with ire, took up that wonderful discus, effulgent like the\nsun, at the discharge of which, all the worlds, mobile and immobile,\nbecome unconscious and flesh-eating creatures find great pleasure,\ndischarged it and cut off V\u0101na\u2019s arms. When discharged by Shridhara,\nparmeating the universe, that firmament-like discus so moved about in\nthe battle-field that no body could see its true form. Gradually cutting\noff V\u0101na\u2019s thousand arms and making him the owner of only two the\nSudarshana discus returned into Krishna\u2019s hands (121-131).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014When the Daitya-killing discus returned successful\ninto Krishna\u2019s hands the huge-bodied great Asura V\u0101na, bathed in\nstreaming blood, who had his thousand arms chopped off, was maddened\nwith the smell of blood and repeatedly roared like a muttering cloud.\nHearing his leonine shout Krishna, the slayer of his enemies, was about\nto hurl his discus again for killing him. Thereat approaching him with\nKum\u0101ra Mahadeva said:\u2014\"O Krishna, O thou of large arms, I know thee as\nthe eternal God Purusottama, the destroyer of Madhu and Kaitabha. Thou\nart the refuge of the world and the universe has emanated from thee.\nThou art unconquerable unto the entire world consisting of gods, Asuras\nand Pannagas. Therefore do thou withdraw thy uplifted, irrepressible,\ncelestial discus terrible unto the enemies. O slayer of Keshi, I have\npromised V\u0101na protection and therefore do I request thee to desist\n(132-138)\".\n\nKrishna said:\u2014\"O god, salutation unto thee who art adorable unto the\ngods and Asuras. I withdraw my discus. At thy request V\u0101na will live. O\nMaheshawara, at thy request I do not accomplish V\u0101na\u2019s destruction for\nwhich I had come here. Permit me now to return\" (139-140).\n\nSaying this to Mahadeva Krishna went where Aniruddha was waiting bound\nwith arrows. After Krishna\u2019s departure N\u0101ndi spoke to V\u0101na the following\nwell-meaning words: \"O V\u0101na, with these wounds appear before the god of\ngods.\" Hearing the words of Nandi, V\u0101na too felt a desire of going away\nspeedily. Beholding V\u0101na divested of his arms the powerful Nandi took\nhim on his car to the rider of a bull (Shiva). He again spoke these\nwell-meaning words to V\u0101na:\u2014\"O V\u0101na, the god of gods is propitiated with\nyou. Dance before him and you will meet with your well-being.\" Urged on\nby Nandi\u2019s words, the bewildered, terror-stricken D\u0101nava V\u0101na, desirous\nof living, began to dance with his body, bathed in blood before\nShankara. Beholding V\u0101na, stricken with fear, dance again at Nandi\u2019s\nwords, Mah\u0101deva, ever kind unto his votaries, stricken with compassion,\nsaid:\u2014(141-148). \"I am pleased with you. The time has come when you may\npray for a boon. Therefore pray for one you are cherishing at heart.\"\nV\u0101na said:\u2013\"O Lord, O God, if thou art desirous of giving me a boon\ngrant me one by which I may become immortal and freed from fever.\"\nMahadeva said:\u2014\"O V\u0101na, you are now like the gods. You will not meet\nwith death. Furthermore, I am always kind to you. Pray for another\nboon.\" V\u0101na said:\u2014\"O Bhava, may those thy votaries, who will dance as I\nam doing covered with blood and inflicted with wounds, have sons.\" The\nLord said:\u2014\"Those of my votaries, who abstaining from food and being\npatient, truthful and honest will thus dance, will have sons. O my son\nV\u0101na, may your desire become fruitful. Pray for a third boon. I will\ngrant it.\" V\u0101na said:\u2014\"O Bhava, may my body, inflicted with wounds by\nthe discus, find relief by thy third boon.\" Rudra said:\u2014\"So it will be\nand your body will be freed from pain. It will be healthy and unscathed\nas before. I am never unkind to you, specially I have been greatly\npleased with you. If you wish you may pray for the fourth boon.\" V\u0101na\nsaid:\u2014\"O lord, may I be the first of the families of Pramathas and be\nrenowned forever under the name of Mah\u0101k\u0101la (149\u2013158)\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Saying \"So be it\", the highly effulgent Lord\nShankara again said:\u2014\"By being under my protection you will have a\ncelestial form, be of unscathed body and freed from diseases. By living\nalways near me you will have no fear. I give you this fifth boon that\nyou will be well-known by your strength and manliness. O V\u0101na, if you\nhave any other desire in your mind pray for another boon.\" V\u0101na said:\u2014\"O\nlord, by thy favour my body may not be disfigured. I may not be ugly\neven if I have two arms.\" Hara said:\u2014\"O great Asura, I have nothing\nwhich I can not give away to my votaries. Besides you are my greatest\nvotary. What you have wished will be accomplished.\" Thereupon Mahadeva\nagain said to V\u0101na who stood by him:\u2014\"O V\u0101na, what you have said, will\nbe so.\" Saying it the Lord, encircled by ghosts, disappeared before all\ncreatures (159-164).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXXVI. KRISHNA FINDS ANIRUDDHA: GIVES THE KINGDOM TO KUMBHANDA\nAND FIGHTS WITH VARUNA FOR COWS.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having thus obtained a number of boons V\u0101na was\nhighly pleased. And having attained to the dignity of Mah\u0101kala he went\nwith Rudra (1). V\u0101sudeva too, on the other hand, repeatedly asked\nN\u0101rada, saying:\u2014\"O reverend sir, my mind is overpowered with affection.\nI wish to know truly where Aniruddha is waiting bound with the noose of\nserpents. The heroic Aniruddha being taken away stealthily the city of\nDw\u0101rak\u0101 is filled with anxiety. I will therefore soon release him for\nwhom I have come here. O sir, I wish to see even to-day Aniruddha who\nhas his enemies slain. Tell me if you know the place.\" Thus addressed by\nKrishna N\u0101rada replied: (2-5). \"O M\u0101dhava, the prince Aniruddha is\nwaiting, bound with serpents, in the female appartment.\" In the meantime\nquickly coming there Chitralekh\u0101 said:\u2014\"O lord, this is the female\nappartment of the high-souled and energetic king of Daityas V\u0101na. Do\nthou enter here at ease.\" (6-7). Thereupon Baladeva, Krishna, Pradyumna,\nNarada and Suparna entered into the female appartment for releasing\nAniruddha. Seeing Garuda, all the huge serpents, which stuck to\nAniruddha\u2019s person in the shape of arrows, at once left him. Coming out\nof his body those serpents dropped on the ground as arrows. Afterwards\nobserved and addressed by Krishna the highly illustrious Aniruddha,\ndelighted and with folded hands, said (8-11):\u2014\"O god of gods, O Keshava,\nthou art always victorious over thy enemies: even the performer of\nhundred sacrifices cannot stand before thee.\" Thereupon with a delighted\nmind the noble-minded Aniruddha saluted the highly powerful and\nillustrious Balabhadra. Afterwards with folded hands he bowed unto the\ngreat Garuda. Afterwards the powerful Makaraketana, holding variegated\nshafts, approached his father Pradyumna and saluted him. Ush\u0101 too,\nencircled by her friends, saluted the highly powerful and irrepressible\nV\u0101shudeva and Suparna of unimpeded course. And with bashfulness she also\nbowed unto the holder of the flowery bow (12-17).\n\nThereupon as requested by Indra the highly effulgent Narada smiling\napproached Vasudeva\u2019s son the slayer of his enemies. And having showered\nblessings on him he said:\u2014\"O Govinda, by good luck thou hast been united\nwith Pradyumna,\" Thereupon all the Yadavas with Aniruddha saluted the\ncelestial saint N\u0101rada. Having honored them all in return he said to\nKrishna:\u2014\"O Lord, celebrate a marriage acquired by prowess for\nAniruddha. I have a great desire to see exchange of jokes between the\nparties of bridegroom and bride.\" Hearing the words of N\u0101rada all\nlaughed and Krishna said:\u2014\"O revered Sir, it will soon be accomplished.\"\nIn the meantime Kumbh\u0101nda, with all the articles for the wedding,\narrived before Krishna and saluted him. Kumbh\u0101nva said:\u2014\"O Krishna, O\nthou of large arms, do thou promise me safety. With folded hands I seek\nrefuge with thee.\" (18\u201324).\n\nKrishna, at N\u0101rada\u2019s request, had already stopped his going. Now seeing\nthe high-souled Kumbh\u0101nda before and promising him protection he\nsaid:\u2014\"O Kumbh\u0101nda, I have been pleased with hearing of your good deeds.\nYou will now become the king of this kingdom. I confer this kingdom on\nyou. Live you for ever under my protection and be happy and\nself-controlled with all your kinsmen.\" Having thus conferred the\nkingdom on the high-souled Kumbh\u0101nda Jan\u0101rddana celebrated the wedding\nfestival of Aniruddha. The Divine Regent of fire was present there in\nperson (25\u201328). After Aniruddha, along with his wife, had bathed himself\nand been adorned with various ornaments the Apsaras began to cut diverse\njokes with him. The Gandharvas sang melodious and auspicious songs and\nthe Apsaras danced thus beautifying that marriage party. Having thus\ncelebrated Aniruddha\u2019s nuptials and honored Rudra, the giver of boons,\nadored even by the celestials the greatly wise Upendra, the victor of\nenemy\u2019s cities and the slayer of his enemies, desired to go away\naccompanied by the celestials. Beholding Krishna, the destroyer of his\nenemies, about to start for Dw\u0101rak\u0101 Kumbh\u0101nda, with folded hands,\nsaid:\u2014\"Hear, O lotus-eyed slayer of Madhu, I have something to\ncommunicate unto thee. O M\u0101dhava, V\u0101na has some cows in charge of\nVaruna. They give nectar-like milk, drinking which a man becomes highly\npowerful and invincible in battle\" (29\u201335). After Kumbh\u0101nda had said\nthis Hari\u2019s mind was filled with joy. And bent on going there he\nexpressed his desire. Thereupon having blessed Keshava the divine Brahm\u0101\ndeparted for his own region with the inhabitants thereof. Indra and\nMaruts, desirous of achieving victory, set out for Dw\u0101rak\u0101 where Krishna\nresides. Seated by the goddess on a peacock Ush\u0101, encircled by her\nfriends, started also for Dw\u0101rak\u0101. Thereupon Baladeva, Krishna, the\nhighly powerful Pradyumna and energetic Aniruddha sat on Garuda\u2019s back.\nUprooting the trees and shaking the earth, Garuda, the foremost of\nbirds, went on. When Garuda proceeded all the quarters were agitated,\nthe sky was filled with dust and the sun was shorn of its rays. Having\nthus vanquished V\u0101na and ridden on Garuda those foremost of men wended a\nlong distance. Proceeding a long way towards Varuna\u2019s region by the\netherial way they saw those cows yielding celestial milk. Those cows, of\nvarious colours, were grazing in a forest situate on the bank of an\nocean. Reading the signs described by Kumbh\u0101nda they at once recognized\nthem. Beholding those cows of V\u0101na the eternal Krishna, the prime cause\nof the universe, well read in the essence of things and the foremost of\nstrikers, felt a desire for possessing them and said to Garuda (36\u201346).\n\nKrishna said:\u2014\"O Garuda, those are the precious kine of V\u0101na drinking\nwhose milk a man becomes immortal. Do thou soon go there. Satyabh\u0101m\u0101 has\nasked me to take those cows drinking whose milk the great Asuras are not\npossessed by decrepitude and creatures are freed from fever. She has\nasked me to take these kine if it does not eface virtue and not to be\ncovetous if it stands in the way of my work. O son of Vinat\u0101, surely\nthese are the kine of which Saty\u0101 spoke to me\" (47-50).\n\nGaruda said:\u2014\"These are the kine no doubt. I had seen them before in\nVaruna\u2019s abode. O Keshava, seeing me all on a sudden they are entering\ninto Varuna\u2019s palace. Therefore thou shouldst do some thing at once for\npossessing them.\" Saying this Vinata\u2019s son agitated the ocean with the\nflapping of his wings and entered into Varuna\u2019s abode. Thereupon seeing\nGaruda enter by force into Varuna\u2019s residence all his followers were\nstricken with fear and bewildered. Afterwards when Varuna\u2019s\nirrepressible army, with diverse weapons, appeared before V\u0101sudeva, they\nhad to fight a terrible fight with Garuda the enemy of serpents.\nAlthough thousands of Varuna\u2019s irrepressible soldiers came to the\nbattle-field they were all routed by the high-souled Keshava. The sixty\nthousand cars of Varuna with burning weapons, that had come to fight\nthere, all fled away and entered into Varuna\u2019s abode. Consumed entirely\nby Krishna with his arrows they broke down seeing nobody to protect\nthem. That army was completely killed with arrows by powerful and heroic\nBaladeva, Jan\u0101rddana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha and Garuda (51-58).\n\nSeeing thus his own army routed by Krishna of unwearied actions Varuna\nwas greatly worked up with anger and went where Keshava was. He was seen\nin the battle-field eulogised by the gods, Rishis, Gandharvas and bands\nof Apsaras. A beautiful yellow-colored umbrella, with water streaming\nfrom it, was held over his head. The lord of waters, followed by his\nsons, grand-sons and soldiers, took up his bow in anger, stringed it and\ninvited Hari for battle. Thereupon blowing his conch-shell the lord of\nwaters, in anger, ran towards Hari like Hara and covered him with\narrows. Then the highly powerful Jan\u0101rddana blew his conch-shell\nP\u0101nchajanya and agitated all the quarters with shafts. Although assailed\nwith clean shafts in the battle-field Varuna smilingly fought with\nKrishna (59-65). Seeing it Jan\u0101rddana got ready in the battle-field the\ndreadful Vaishnava weapon and said to the intelligent Varuna who stood\nbefore him \"Wait here for a moment: for killing you this dreadful\nVaishnava weapon, destructive of enemies, has been taken up by me.\"\nSeeing the Vaishnava weapon upheld the highly powerful Varuna took up\nhis Varuna weapon and sent up a leonine shout. O Victor of armies, when\nthat Varuna weapon was discharged for counteracting Vaishnava weapon\nfrom it streamed down profuse water. However with the energy of\nVaishnava weapon that water was ablaze. Thus when Varuna weapon was\nburnt down and Vaishnava weapon grew ablaze again all, filled with fear,\nfled away on all sides. Seeing it ablaze Varuna said to Krishna\n(66\u201371):\u2014\"O great one, remember the manifest Prakriti which was\nunmanifest before, O Lord of yoga, thou art always pervaded by Sattwa\n(goodness) still why are you possessed by the (disorganising) tendency?\nCast off Tama (disorganising tendency) O god, throw off your egoism and\nother weaknesses begotten by the five elements. I am the eldest of thy\nVaishnava form. Though I deserve thy respect, being the elder brother,\nstill why dost thou wish to consume me? O foremost of warriors, fire\ndoes not display its power towards another fire. Therefore do thou\nrelinquish your anger directed towards me. Thou art the primary cause of\nthe universe and there is none who can lord over thee. Prakriti, capable\nof manifestating herself, was formerly created by thee. That Prakriti,\nsubject to an end, resorted to thy energy on account of thine, being the\norigin of the universe. Through Prakriti thou didst create this universe\nidentical with Vishnu, Agni, and Soma; and why dost thou then attack it\nnow? Salutation unto thee who art the origin of elements, self-born,\neternal, undecaying and identical with all, manifested and unmanifested.\nDo thou protect me, O thou of great effulgence, who am worthy of being\nprotected. Thou art the prime cause of the universe. Through thee the\ncreation has multiplied itself. As the boy plays with his toys so thou\ndost play with thy creations. I am not against Prakriti nor do I\ncontaminate it. Thou dost put an end to the changes of Nature when she\nis subject to them. That, which creates change even in changes, cannot\ncreate any change in thee. Thou dost create changes in the impious and\nwicked. When the world is pervaded by the sinful tendencies, begotten by\nNature, namely, the qualities of Raja (self-concentration) and Tama\n(disorganization) then stupefication possesses her. O lord, thou art the\nfountain of supreme knowledge, omniscient and the creator: why dost thou\nstupify me?\" (72\u201384) Thus addressed by Varuna, Krishna, the omniscient\nhero, the creator of the world, was filled with joy. Thus spoken to\nKrishna smilingly said:\u2014\"O hero of dreadful prowess, do give me these\nkine for pacifying me.\" Thus addressed by Krishna, Varuna, clever in\nspeaking, again said:\u2014\"Hear, O slayer of Madhu (85\u201387). O lord, I had\nmade a contract with V\u0101na. How can I break it now? O Keshava, thou canst\nmake every one break his promise. But O Sire, if a person\u2019s character is\nlost he becomes an object of censure unto the pious. O slayer of Madhu,\nonly the pious always deserve respect from all. But the sinful breaker\nof his promise does not attain to any (blissful) region. Be thou\npropitiated therefore, O slayer of Madhu and do that by which my virtue\nmay not be lost. O M\u0101dhava, it does not behove thee to engage me in a\nwork which will lead to a breach of promise. O thou having eyes like\nthose of a bull, I had formerly promised, that if alive I would never\ngive away these kine. If thou dost wish to possess these kine kill me\nand take them away. O thou of large arms, O king of the celestials, O\nslayer of Madhu, I have thus described unto thee my promise. Not a\nsingle portion of it is false. Every bit of it is true. O M\u0101dhava, if\nthou hast any pity for me, save me. If, O thou of large arms, dost thou\nwish to take these kine away, kill me and take them.\" (88\u201394).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thus addressed by Varuna Krishna, the multiplier of\nthe Yadu race thought, that what Varuna had said about the kine could\nnot be gainsaid and was accordingly silenced. Thereupon Keshava, who\ncould understand all, smilingly said to Varuna:\u2014\"O Lord Varuna, on\naccount of your contract with V\u0101na you are saved. Specially you have\nexpressed the truth in sweet and charming words. How can I then perform\nan iniquity by you? O lord of water, you are truthful and therefore for\npleasing you I let loose V\u0101na\u2019s cows. And you too are released. There is\nno doubt about it. Depart now.\" Thereupon sounding bugles Varuna adored\nKeshava with _Arghya_. After the Yadu chief Keshava had accepted it from\nVaruna, the lord of waters, adored Baladeva with a controlled mind.\nGiving protection unto Varuna, Shouri, the heroic descendant of Shura,\nwith Sachi\u2019s lord set out for Dw\u0101rak\u0101. The Devas, Maruts, S\u0101ddhyas,\nSiddhas, Ch\u0101ranas, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Kinnaras followed Krishna, the\neternal lord of all creatures in the etherial way, (95\u2013102). When\nKeshava, on acquiring victory and fame, proceeded the Adityas, Vasus,\nRudras, the two Ashwinis, Yakshas, R\u0101kshasas, Siddhas, Ch\u0101ranas, and\nVidyadharas followed him. Pleased at seeing V\u0101na and Varuna defeated the\ngreat and ever quarrelsome N\u0101rada, set out for Dw\u0101rak\u0101. Thus proceeding\nKeshava, the holder of discus and club, saw from a distance the city of\nDwarak\u0101 having many doors and adorned with blue-turreted, beautiful\npalaces resembling the summits of the mount Kail\u0101sha and blew his\nconch-shell P\u0101nchajanya. As the blare of P\u0101nchajanya used to indicate\nKeshava\u2019s arrival and departure he, with it, communicated the news of\nhis approach to the citizens of Dw\u0101rak\u0101. Hearing the sound of\nP\u0101nchajanya the inhabitants of Dwaraka adorned their respective\nhabitations with profuse flowers, jars full of water and fried paddy.\nThe streets of that prosperous city, abounding in many jems, were\ncleansed; the Br\u0101hmanas and the elderly persons with arghya and\nexclaiming his many victories adored M\u0101dhava. People bowed unto Krishna,\nhighly beautiful and resembling a mass of collyrium who sat on Vinat\u0101\u2019s\nson. The Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras in order adored the highly\npowerful Ananta, the slayer of Keshi. Waiting in a garden of Dw\u0101rak\u0101,\nthe lotus-eyed M\u0101dhava was eulogised by the Rishis, gods, Gandharvas and\nCh\u0101ranas. Seeing those wonders and the large-armed Krishna the great\nD\u0101sh\u0101rhas attained to an excess of joy. Beholding the great Purusottama\nreturn after defeating V\u0101na, the inhabitants of Dw\u0101rak\u0101 began to talk on\ndiverse topics. After the great Krishna, the greatest car-warrior\namongst the Yadavas, had returned from that long distance whither he had\ngone through the help of Suparna they conversed amongst themselves.\n\"Blessed and favoured are we since the kind lord of the universe, the\nlong and mighty-armed Krishna is our protector. Riding on Vinat\u0101\u2019s son\nthe lotus-eyed deity defeated the irrepressible V\u0101na: and now returning\nto Dw\u0101rak\u0101 he has gladdened our hearts.\" While the inhabitants of\nDw\u0101rak\u0101 thus conversed, the gods, the car-warriors, entered into\nVasudeva\u2019s palace. Then coming down from Garuda\u2019s back V\u0101sudeva,\nBahadeva, Pradyumna and Aniruddha entered into the palace. Celestial\ncars of various forms were then seen moving about in the sky. Drawn by\nswans, bulls, deer, elephants, horses, Sarasas and peacocks, those\nthousands of cars displayed a great beauty there (103-121).\n\nThereupon in sweet words Krishna addressed Pradyumna and other\nprinces:\u2014\"Salute them in due order\u2014those Rudras, Adityas who have come\nhere. Do you all salute the thousand-eyed N\u0101ga who has come here with\nhis followers and dreadful D\u0101navas. The seven great Rishis, other\nsaints, and those holders of discuses have all come here for pleasing\nme\u2014do ye adore them all. The oceans and other quarters have come here\nfor satisfying me. Do you adore them in due order. The great N\u0101gas\nheaded by V\u0101suki and cows have come here for pleasing me: do you adore\nthem in due order. The Yakshas, R\u0101kshasas, Kinnaras, stars and other\nluminous bodies have come here for pleasing me: do you adore them in due\norder.\" Hearing the words of Vasudeva the princes, in due order, saluted\nthe high-souled gods and stood before them. Beholding the celestials the\ncitizens, filled with surprise, soon collected articles for Puja and\nsaid:\u2014\"Oh I under the protection of Vasudeva, we have, even here,\nwitnessed this great wonder.\" Afterwards showering flowers, scents and\npowdered sandal they adored the gods. Controlling their senses and\nintellectual faculties the other inhabitants of Dw\u0101rak\u0101 worshipped the\ngods with fried paddy, incense and prostration. Thereupon V\u0101sava\nembraced Ahuka, Vasudeva, Shamva, Satyaki, Nishatha, Ulmukha, the highly\npowerful Viprithu and the great Akrura and smelt their heads. Afterwards\naiming at the slayer of Keshi, worthy of being eulogised, the great\nShakra, in the midst of the Y\u0101davas, gave vent to the following most\nexcellent words:\u2014\"This foremost of S\u0101twatas and Yadus has displayed his\nglory and manliness in the battle field whilst releasing Aniruddha.\nHaving vanquished V\u0101na in the battle-field before Mahadeva and Guha he\nhas returned to Dwarak\u0101. His thousands arms were reduced by him into two\n(122-139). Having left him only with two arms Hari has returned to his\nown city. All the works, for which the high-souled Krishna has been born\nin the land of men, have been accomplished and we too have been divested\nof sorrow. Without any anxiety do you drink Madhvika wine. Thus attached\nto worldly objects you will be able to spend your days happily. Under\nthe protection of this high-souled one, I too, shorn of grief, will live\nhappily with the celestials.\" Having thus chanted the glories of the\ngreat Keshava the destroyer of D\u0101navas and adored of the world, the\nthousand-eyed Purandara, encircled by the gods, embraced him. Thereupon\nobtaining his permission, he, along with the gods and Marutas, set out\nfor the celestial region. Having honored the highly powerful Keshava\nwith blessings of victory the great Rishis, along with Yakshas,\nRakshasas and Kinnaras, repaired to their respective quarters.\n\nAfter the departure of Purandara for the celestial region the highly\npowerful and great lotus-navelled deity enquired after their well-being.\nThereupon there arose on all sides tumult of persons for seeing the\nmoon-like countenance of Keshava. Seeing their devotion the sinless\nKeshava was highly pleased. Having thus returned to Dw\u0101rak\u0101, Krishna,\nobtaining all objects of desire, riches and prosperity, lived happily\nwith the Y\u0101davas (121-140).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER CCLXXVII. ANIRUDDHA\u2019S WEDDING AND RECEPTION.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon having his eyes expanded with joy the\nlarge-armed Ahuka said to the highly effulgent Krishna:\u2014\"O descendant of\nYadu, hear what I say. O my child, seeing thee safely return we are all\nenjoying with the Apsaras. Do thou undertake a great festival for\nAniruddha\u2019s return and wedding. United with Aniruddha and encircled by\nher friends the great Ush\u0101 is living with the greatest possible\npleasure. Baidarbhi says that the great daughter of the high-souled\nKumbh\u0101nda should be enlisted as Ush\u0101\u2019s companion. Confer now that\ncharming and beautiful daughter of Kumbh\u0101nda on Sh\u0101mva and the remaining\nmaidens should be duly given unto the other princes. Let a great\nfestival take place in thy residence as well as in that of Aniruddha.\nHear, the damsels of sweet voice are playing on musical instruments in\nthe inner appartment. Some of them are dancing and others are singing.\nSome with glee are conversing with one another. And some, adorned with\ngarlands and clad in variegated raiments, are moving about hither and\nthither. Some, under the influence of wine, are going to others, and\nsome, with eyes expanded in joy, are playing at chess. Ush\u0101 is encircled\nby her companions; take her into the palace. The beautiful and noble\ndaughter of V\u0101na, by name Ush\u0101, is a worthy daughter-in-law of thy race.\nWelcome her with all dignity (1-11).\"\n\nAfter Ahuka had said this females, performing benedictory ceremonies, as\nlaid down in the ritualistic code, conducted the beautiful Ush\u0101 to\nAniruddha\u2019s house. Beholding Aniruddha Devaki, Revati and the Bidarbha\nprincess Rukshmini shed tears of joy. Thus when Ush\u0101 was taken into the\nroom, the beautiful damsels, blowing bugles, began to perform\nbenedictory ceremonies. The beautiful Ush\u0101 too, under the shelter of the\nYadu chiefs, lived in their palace and enjoyed best of happiness\n(12-16). After a few days, the Apsar\u0101 Chitralekha, who was living there\nunder the guise of a woman, with the permission of Ush\u0101 and other\ncompanions, started for the celestial region. Thus after the departure\nof her companions M\u0101y\u0101vati first invited the beautiful Asura princess\nUsh\u0101 and took her to her own residence. Seeing her youthful and\nbeautiful daughter-in law Ush\u0101 Pradyumna\u2019s wife welcomed her with costly\njewels and dresses. Thereupon according to the custom of the family all\nthe ladies of the Yadu race duly treated the new daughter in-law Ush\u0101\n(17\u201320).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O upholder of the Kuru race, I have thus described\nto you how V\u0101na was vanquished by Vishnu in battle and left alive.\nAfterwards, encircled by the Yadavas and enjoying the highest prosperity\nKrishna lived in Dwarak\u0101 and governed the whole world. O king, thus\nincarnating himself on earth Vishnu was celebrated by the name of\nV\u0101sudeva the foremest of the Yadu race. You had formerly questioned me\nas to the cause of the powerful Vishnu\u2019s taking birth from Devaki in\nVasudeva\u2019s family in the Vrishni race. These are all the causes thereof.\nO Janameyaja, you heard all that I had said at length relating to\nN\u0101rada\u2019s question and Vasudeva\u2019s reply in the episode of the wonderful\nincident. I have removed your doubts about Krishna\u2019s life and conduct in\nMathur\u0101 and have described all his movements. Krishna is the abode of\nwonders: there is nothing more wonderful than he. There is no wonder\nwhich has not been performed by Vishnu. Vishnu is the foremost of the\nblessed\u2014the origin and bestower of good fortune. Amongst the Aditvas and\nDaityas there is none more wonderful than Achyuta. He is Adityas, Vasas,\nRudras, Maruts, the two Ashwinis, the sky, earth, quarters, water and\nluminous bodies. Vishnu alone is the creator, preserver and destroyer,\ntruth, Tapas and the grand-father Brahma. Salute him, O descendant of\nBharata. This lord of the celestials is the whole universe, is Ananta\namongst the N\u0101gas and Shankara amongst the Rudras. This universe, mobile\nand immobile, has emanated from N\u0101r\u0101yana. Jan\u0101rddana has created this\nwhole universe. That Eternal One alone is always adorable unto the gods.\nThus have I recounted Keshava\u2019s glories and V\u0101na\u2019s battle. Listening to\nthem you will acquire incomparable family prestige. Sin will not invade\nthem, who will meditate on V\u0101na\u2019s battle and the most excellent deed of\nKeshava. O Janamejaya, thus after the termination of the sacrifice as\nquestioned by you, I have described all the glorious deeds of Vishnu. O\nking, the man who can meditate on all these wonderful themes, in his\nmind, is freed from sins and repairs to the region of Vishnu. He, who\nwill recite this every morning, will meet with no calamity either in\nthis world or in the next. By reciting it the Br\u0101hmanas will be versed\nin the Saman, the Kshatriyas will acquire victories, the Vaishyas will\namass riches and the Sudras will fare well. He, who will recite this,\nwill be visited by no misfortune and live a long life.\n\nSouti said:\u2014O foremost of the twice-born, hearing this Harivamsha,\nParikshit\u2019s son Janamejaya was freed from sins. O Sounaka, I have thus\ndescribed to you Hari\u2019s family at length and in brief. What more do you\nwish to hear again? (21-41).\n\n\n\n\nBHAVISHYA PARVA OR THE BOOK OF FUTURE.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER I. AN ACCOUNT OF JANAMEJAYA\u2019S FAMILY.\n\n\nShounaka said:\u2014O son of Lomaharshana, who are the sons of Janamejaya?\nAnd by whom the family of Pandavas was founded? I have been stricken\nwith curiosity to hear this history. I wish therefore to learn every\ndetail about it as you have said (1-2).\n\nSouti said:\u2014Parikshit\u2019s son Janamejaya begat on his wife K\u0101shy\u0101 two\nsons, the king Chandr\u0101pida and Sury\u0101pida who was conversant with the\nknowledge of emancipation. By performing works befitting the Kshatriyas,\nthe hundred sons of Chandr\u0101pida, who were all clever archers, acquired\ncelebrity on earth under the appellation of Janamejayas (3\u20134). Of them\nthe eldest Satyakarana of long arms, the performer of many sacrifices\naccompanied with profuse gifts, was installed on the throne of\nHastin\u0101pur. Satyakarna\u2019s son the virtuous and powerful Swetakarna had no\nissue and he therefore entered into woods with his spouse (5\u20136). The\nbeautiful Yadu princess M\u0101lini, of fair eye-brows, conceived through the\nforest-ranging Swetakarna. Just in the beginning of this conception the\npatriarch Swetakarna entered like his fore-fathers into woods for good\n(7-8). Beholding her husband retire into forest, M\u0101lini, who was quick\nwith a child, followed him, and on the way gave birth to a son having\neyes like lotus petals. As Draupadi followed her husbands in the days of\nyore so the chaste and noble M\u0101lini followed her consort leaving the\nnew-born baby behind. While that tender baby, divorced from his mother,\nwas crying in the mountain cave, some cranes, stricken with compassion\nfor the great prince, came there (9\u201311). Seeing that crying prince\nShravistha\u2019s sons the Rishis Paippaladi and Koushika felt compassion and\ntook him up. They then washed with water his two sides which were\nbruised against the rock and covered with blood. The sides of the prince\nwere dark-blue like those of a goat and were high and well-formed. He\ntherefore passed by the name of Ajap\u0101rsha. Thereupon those two foremost\nof the twice-born (Paippaladi and Koushika) named him Ajap\u0101rsha and\nbrought him up in the house of a Rishi named Vemaka (12\u201314). Vemaka\u2019s\nwife brought up Ajap\u0101rsha as her son, so he became Vemaka\u2019s son and\nthose two Br\u0101hmanas became his councillors. Ajap\u0101rsha and the sons and\ngrand-sons of Paippaladi and Koushika lived the same life. This\nAjap\u0101rsha, born in the race of Puru, founded the family of the Pandavas\n(15-16). Formerly while transferring his decrepitude Nashusha\u2019s son the\nintelligent Yay\u0101ti sang this verse: \"Earth will forsooth be divested of\nthe sun, moon and planets but she will never be shorn of the Purus\n(17\u201318).\"\n\n\n\nCHAPTER II. VYASA\u2019S PRESENCE AT JANAMEJAYA\u2019S SACRIFICE.\n\n\nSounaka said:\u2014I have thus recited to you the entire Harivamsha with all\nits Parvas as recounted by Vyasa\u2019s disciple. May this endless history of\nHari\u2019s family, nectar-like and destructive of all sins, please us. O you\nendued with patience, because this history is pleasant to ears it has\ngreatly gladdened our hearts. Afterwards, O Sauti, what did the king\nJanamejaya do on the termination of the _Sarpayajna_ after listening to\nthis most excellent history (1-3)?\n\nSouti said:\u2014Hear, I will describe to you all what the king Janamejaya\ndid listening to this most excellent history after the termination of\nthe _Sarpayajna_. When this sacrifice was finished Parikshit\u2019s son\nJanamejaya collected materials for the celebration of a horse-sacrifice.\nThen inviting the Ritwikas, priests and preceptors he said:\u2014\"I am\ndesirous of celebrating a horse-sacrifice. Do ye dedicate these horses\"\n(4-6).\n\nThereupon informed of the object of Parikshit\u2019s son Janamejaya, of\nindefatigable energy, the virtuous-souled Krishna Dwaip\u0101yana, the\nforemost of the omniscient, all on sudden came there for witnessing (the\nsacrifice). Beholding the great Rishi Veda-Vyasa arrive there the king\nJanamejaya offered him Arghya, a seat and water for washing his feet\naccording to the rules laid down in Sastras. O Shounaka, after they had\nboth taken their seats the courtiers, from all sides, began to discourse\non diverse Vedic themes. After they had finished their discourses, king\nJanamejaya said to the great Muni Veda-Vysa, the grand-father of the\nPandavas and his own great grand-father (7\u201310):\u2014\"The story of the\nMahabharata, having many meanings and abounding in Srutis, is\nexceedingly pleasant to ears. It was finished as if in a moment. The\nhistory, which spreads glories and gives fame like unto milk in a\nconch-shell, has been beautifully recorded by thee. As a man is not\nsatisfied with ambrosia and bliss of heaven, so I am not with listening\nto the stories of the Mahabharata. Thou art omniscient, O Brahman and\ntherefore I accost thee whether Rajasuya was not the cause of the\ndestruction of the Kurus. It appears to me that as many unconquerable\nkings meet with death at the time of revolution so the Rajasuya Yajna\nwas ordained for battle. I have heard that when this Rajasuya was\nundertaken by Soma it was followed by the war of which Taraka was the\nroot. Afterwards when Varuna undertook this great sacrifice it was\nfollowed by the war between gods and Asuras. When the royal saint\nHarishchandra undertook this sacrifice it was followed by the battle\nAdivaka in which many Kshatriyas were killed. Last of all when the\nworshipful Pandavas undertook this most arduous sacrifice it was\nfollowed by the great Bh\u0101rata war. O great sir, why did you not all put\na stop to that Rajasuya Yajna the root of the world-destroying war? It\nis difficult to celebrate this sacrifice well with all its branches.\nWhen one of the branches of a sacrifice is neglected it leads to the\ndestruction of people. Thou art the grand-father of our ancestors, their\nfirst lord and art cognizant of the past and future. Thyself living as\ntheir guide why did those intelligent kings, as if having none to govern\nthem, and deviating from the paths of morality, commit sin?\" (11-23).\n\nVyasa said:\u2014O king, forsooth urged on by Destiny those kings acted\nagainst the established usages and customs. They did not ask me any\nthing about the future. And, I too did not tell them any thing unasked.\nBesides I was not capable of counteracting the future result, for none\ncan with stand the work of Destiny. I will describe to you the future\nsubject about which you have questioned me. But Destiny is now very\npowerful. And even listening to my words you will not be able to carry\nthem out. Either through fear or zeal you will not be able to stand in\nthe ways of a man for it is impossible to overcome predestination. The\nSruti lays down that the Kshatriyas should celebrate Ashwamedha, the\nforemost of sacrifices. On account of the greatness of that sacrifice\nV\u0101sava will violate your Ashwamedha. O king, even if you are capable of\nwithstanding V\u0101sava either by your manliness or through the will of the\nProvidence you should not celebrate such a sacrifice. However you,\nSakra, or the presiding priests will commit no sin thereby for Destiny\nis all-powerful. Ordained by Destiny Brahm\u0101 will obstruct the\ntermination of Indra\u2019s sacrifice. In the course of time and according to\nthe will of the Providence creation will come to an end with the\ntermination of a cycle and the Br\u0101hmanas will sell the fruits of\nsacrifices. Therefore know this universe mobile and immobile, as being\nsubject to Destiny (24-32).\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O reverend sir, tell me, what cause will arrive for\nputting a stop to the horse-sacrifice. Hearing it I will desist (33).\n\nVyasa said:\u2014O king, the cause thereof will be the ireful curse of a\nBr\u0101hmana. You may fare well if you try to avoid it. O slayer of enemies,\nas long as the world will last, the Kshatriyas will not be able to\ncollect materials for your horse-sacrifice (34\u201335).\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014Aswamedha will be stopped by the power of the fiery\ncurse of a Br\u0101hmana, but I will be the instrument thereof. Indeed I am\nfilled with fear and shame. How will a man like myself, the performer of\nmany good deeds, like unto a bird, tied with a noose, flying into the\nsky, engage in such a cursed work, and exert to live? If I engage in\nsuch a work, through me a rite, practised from generation to generation,\nwill be spoiled. Console me, saying that the horse-sacrifice will again\nbe undertaken (by kings) (36\u201338).\n\nVyasa said:\u2014As an energy, counteracted by another, lives in it, so the\nAswamedha sacrifice, although stopped, will exist in the gods and\nBr\u0101hmanas. Leading the life of a soldier, some descendants of Kashyapa\nwill again revive this horse-sacrifice in the Kali-Yuga. O king, as the\nhour of universal dissolution brings into being many evil portends such\nas white planets so a Br\u0101hmana, born in his race, will revive this\nsacrifice in the cycle of Kali. This sacrifice will bestow proper fruits\non men celebrating it and they will range at the gate of the end of the\ncycle encircled by the Rishis. From that time the senses of men will not\nrenounce the fruits of the pristine good works and will not be attached\nto them in this world. A highly subtle religion, deviating from the\nduties of the four orders, and having charity at its root only, the\noffspring of the time, will flourish. Practising austerities to a small\nextent men, O Janamejaya, at the end of this cycle will acquire\nspiritual powers. Thus blessed they will practise pious rites (39\u201345).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER III. AN ACCOUNT OF KALI-YUGA.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014I do not know whether the time for Moksha\n(emancipation) is distant or near. Therefore I wish to know about the\ncycle of Kali which has followed Dw\u0101para struck with the arrows of\nvirtue and sin. With deeds easily performed we will acquire virtue.\nStricken with this desire we have been born in this Kali-yuga (1-2).\n\nShounaka said \"O thou conversant with religion the cycle of Kali, a\nsource of trouble to the creatures and the destruction of virtue, is\nabout to set in. Do thou therefore describe it with its characteristics\n(3)\".\n\nShouti said:\u2014Thus accosted the Divine Vy\u0101sa accurately thought of the\ncondition of men in the Kali-yuga and began to describe the future cycle\n(4).\n\nVyasa said:\u2014When Kali will set in the kings, incapable of protecting\ntheir subjects, will only guard themselves busily exacting tributes from\nthem. At the end of this cycle the kings will not act like the\nKshatriyas, the Br\u0101hmanas will carry on their livelihood like the Sudras\nand the Sudras will behave like the Br\u0101hmanas. O Janamejaya, at the end\nof this cycle the Br\u0101hmanas, well read in Srutis and Vedas, will take up\narrows and Havi will be divorced from sacrifices and all people will\ntake their meals in the same row. When the last of the cycles Kali will\nappear men will be artizans, untruthful, fond of wine and meat and know\nthe wives of their friends. In the Kali Yuga the thieves will fare like\nthe kings and the kings will act like thieves and the servants will\nenjoy unfixed incomes. In the last cycle wealth will be spoken of\nhighly, the character of the pious will be despised and the fallen will\nnot be censured. The widows, divorced from the consciousness of virtue\nand sin, the ascetics and men of fifteen years of age will procreate\noffspring through promiscuous intercourse. In that last cycle the\nvillagers will sell food, the Br\u0101hmanas will sell the Vedas, and the\nwomen will sell their persons. In this cycle all will read the Vedas and\ncelebrate Vajasaneyi sacrifices and the Sudras will (boldly) address all\nas \"O\". The Sudras following the tenets of Buddha will abstain from\ntaking meat. And with white teeth, keen observation and shaving their\nheads and wearing silk raiments they will practise religion (5-15). The\nMlechchas will live in the province of Kurup\u0101nch\u0101la and people of that\ncountry will live in that of the former. In the end of the cycle men\nwill go downwards. The Br\u0101hmanas will sell the fruits of Tapas and\nsacrifices and the seasons will be perverted. The beasts, with tusks and\nteeth, will be set to ploughs and carts: men will till with the water of\nponds and the clouds will irregularly discharge their contents. The\nthieves will steal the wealth of one another and wretched men will be\nrich acquiring very little money. In this last cycle men will be\ndivorced from religious rites, the divisions of the land will abound in\ndeserts, and the cities will be traversed by many roads. In the Kali\nyuga every body will become a merchant and the sons will divide the\nancestral gifts. Impelled by covetuousness and false-hood people will\nfight with one another and rob their wealth. In the absence of beauty,\npersonal grace and ornaments the women will be only adorned with hairs\n(16-22). In this last cycle, men, divorced from all objects of\nenjoyment, as garlands, sandal, etc., will find pleasure only in their\nwives (22\u201323). When the wicked and non-aryans will multiply, when the\nnumber of males will decrease, and dis-proportionate to it that of women\nwill increase know this as the real sign of the end of the cycle. Then\nevery body will be a beggar: and no one will give alms. Without\ndistinction people will accept gifts from other Varnas (orders), And\nafflicted by the king, thieves and fire, people will meet with\nextinction. In this last cycle people will not get crops, youthful\npersons will be visited by decrepitude and people will be unhappy for\ntheir bad ambition. Blowing high and downwards the wind will shower dust\nin the rany season and people will feel doubts about the next world.\nEvery one will be wicked by nature, will villify the God and be\negoistic: being covetous the Br\u0101hmanas will blame others. Adopting the\nways of the Vaishyas the Kshatriyas will maintain themselves by\ncultivation and trade and the Br\u0101hmanas will destroy the dignity of\nreligion (24-29). In the end of the cycle men will not observe their\nvows and promise. And what to speak of their satisfying their own debts,\nthey will, for it, even cast off courtesy. Fruitless will be a man\u2019s joy\nand fruitful will be his anger. For milk the sheep will be regarded. In\nthe end of the cycle, men, shorn of the knowledge of scriptures, will\nnaturally behave thus. Disregarding moral laws, men, proud of their own\nlearning, will interpret the Sastras. When the last cycle will set in\nevery one, without the instruction of their elders, will acquire\nknowledge in all branches and there will be no one who will not be a\npoet. Deviating from their right duties the Br\u0101hmanas will turn out\nastrologers and the kings will become thieves (30\u201334). In the end of the\ncycle those men, who will co-habit with bastard women, be deceiptful and\ndrunkards, will be Brahmavadins and celebrate horse sacrifices. Eager\nfor acquiring riches the Br\u0101hmanas will officiate as priests for\nunworthy persons and partake of the forbidden food. Every one will\nrecite \"Bho!\" and no one will study the Vedas. The women will put on one\nconch bangle and use an ornament of the shape of a paddy. The stars will\nnot be united with proper planets, the quarters will be contrary\u2014the\nappearance of an evening and burning will always be seen. The son will\nengage his father in works and the daughter-in-law will order her\nmother-in-law. Men will co-habit with beasts and women of different\ncastes. The disciples will wound their preceptors with wordy shafts and\nmen, maddened, will speak many things. Without offering the first four\noblations to the gods the Agnihotris will take their meals; and without\noffering food to their guests, men will eat themselves. Deceiving their\nsleeping husbands the women will visit other men, and men too, leaving\ntheir sleeping wives, will go to other women. When the cycle will run\nout people will be visited with diseases, mental agony and envy and they\nwill not remedy their own actions (35\u201343).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER IV. KALI-YUGA DESCRIBED.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014When the whole world will thus be sullied, by whom men\nwill be protected? How will they behave? What will they take and how\nwill they enjoy? What will be their actions and endeavours? How long\nwill they live? And meeting with what end will they attain to\nSatya-Yuga? (1\u20132).\n\nVyasa said:\u2014When religion will be shaken and good conduct will be\nextinct, men, shorn of accomplishments, will be short-lived. With the\ndecrease of the duration of life, there will be decay of strength. It\nwill lead to the perversity of colour which will produce diseases. This\nwill give birth to repentence which will beget the consciousness of the\nGod. And this will produce again virtue. With this end they will attain\nto the Satya Yuga. Some, observing virtue in words only, will grow\nindifferent and some, being conscientious, will, with curiosity, enquire\ninto causes. Having their minds freed from doubts, some men, proud of\ntheir learning, will find out unity between inference and evidence\n(3\u20137). Others will disprove the Vedas. The wicked and ignorant men,\nproud of their learning, will be atheists. They will be proud and\ndivorced from the knowledge of Sastras. They will have reverence for the\napparent meaning and be fond of discussions. When at the revolution of\nthe cycle religion will be shaken people will follow the last (Vishnu\u2019s)\ndispensation; and with gifts and truthfulness they will perform many\nmerciful acts (8-11). During that period people will eat every sort of\nthings, be of uncontrolled senses, devoid of accomplishments and\nshameless. Know this as the consummate sign of sinfulness. When the\nKshatriyas and other orders, will resort to begging, the eternal means\nof subsistence unto the Br\u0101hmanas, for their livelihood know it as the\nsign that sin has set in. When this cycle, destructive of knowledge and\nlearning, will be filled with sin, people, leading the life of celibacy,\nwill attain to the consummation of spiritualism within a short time. In\nthe last cycle will take place great wars, great tumults, great showers\nand fears: know these to be the signs of sinfulness. In the end of the\nYuga the Rakshasas will assume the forms of the Br\u0101hmanas and the kings,\nbent upon speaking harsh words, will enjoy the earth. When men, divorced\nfrom the study of the Vedas, celebration of sacrifices and morals,\nproud, avaricious, eating all, performing useless rites, stupid,\nselfish, covetous, putting on worthless dresses, mean, deviating from\nthe eternal religion, the stealers of other\u2019s riches, the ravishers of\nothers\u2019 wives, lustful, wicked, deceiptful and brave, will be born with\nequal character the various ascetics will hide themselves (12\u201320). With\nwords men will worship those persons, devoted to the God, who were born\nin the Krita age (21). Men will steal corns, raiments, edibles and even\ndry cow-dung (22). The thieves will steal the property of other thieves\nand murderers will kill other murderers. When thieves will kill the\nother thieves people will fare well (23). When the world will be\nimpoverished, oppressed and divorced from evening prayers and when all\nthe orders will live in the same style men, pressed down by the weight\nof taxes, will retire into woods (24). The sons will engage the father\nin all works and the daughter-in-law will make the mother-in law work.\nAnd when sacrifices will be stopped the disciples will pain the\npreceptor with wordy shafts. The R\u0101kshasas, the voracious animals,\ninsects, mice and serpents will injure men. O king, in the close of the\ncycle, peace, prosperity, health, friends and literature of the people\nwill suffer decrease. Being themselves their own masters and thieves,\nkings, loaded with the miseries of the cycle, will roam in circles in\nvarious countries. Travelling in their own countries and growing\nuseless, men, with their friends, will await the appointed time (25\u201329).\nAssailed with fear and hunger and carrying their sons on their shoulders\nmen will cross the Koushiki and seek shelter in the provinces of Anga,\nBanga, Kalinga, Kashmira, Mekala and Rishik\u0101ntagiri. Men will live with\nthe Mlechchas on the sides of the Himalaya, the bank of the ocean of\nsalt water or in the forests. The earth will be shorn and yet not shorn\nof its inhabitants. Although armed the guards will not do their duties.\nMen will live on deer, fish, birds, beasts of prey, serpents, insects,\nvegetables, fruits and roots (30\u201334). Like Munis men will collect\nthemselves and put on bark, leaves and deer-skin. Although living in\nmountain caves they will grow anxious for knowing and eating paddy\ngrowing in villages or in the forest. They will with care rear up sheep,\ngoats, asses and camels (35-36). Living on the bank of rivers for water\nthey will obstruct the currents. And they will sell and buy cooked food\namongst themselves. For taking their own shares the sons will fight over\nthe capital. Under the influence of the age people will have children,\nhave none and will be shorn of the good marks of their families. People,\nin that cycle, will follow a degraded faith preached by a degraded\nperson. The duration of a man\u2019s life will be thirty years. And attacked\nby fever they will grow weak and lose their wealth; their physical\norgans will be enfeebled by diseases and they will be visited by sorrow\nconsequent upon the decrease of their longevity. They will be busily\nengaged with visiting and serving the pious and on account of the wane\nof their conduct they will attain to Satya-Yuga. They will practise\npious rites because they will not get objects of desire; and they will\nshrink from committing oppressions on account of their weakness\nproceeding from the destruction of their own men (37-43).\n\nThus making gifts, observing truth and cherishing reverence for the\nsafety of their own lives they will satisfy the four-fold duties and\nmeet with well-being. Amongst those men rolling with the senses and\ntheir objects, some will acquire the true knowledge and say \"Whether\nvirtue or death has sweet fruits.\" As decline gradually takes place so\ndoes advancement. Afterwards when religion will be completely followed\nby men Krita-yuga will set in. As the moon increases in the light half\nof the month and decreases in the dark half, so good conduct multiplies\nin the Krita-Yuga and suffers decrease in the Kali. However the time is\none: according to increase and decrease, Satya, Treta, Dw\u0101para and Kali\nare its four stages. As the moon is enshrouded by darkness in the dark\nfortnight and becomes full in the light fortnight so virtue increases in\nthe Satya and decreases in the Kali Yuga. As a man does not regard an\nancestral lump of gold covered with dust as gold and thinks himself\npoor, and again considers himself rich when he finds it gold after it is\ncleansed, so when the great soul is covered with M\u0101y\u0101 pervaded by the\nquality of darkness, men call it a creature and when it is divorced from\nM\u0101ya they call it pure intelligence. It is thus said in the Vedas and\nthe learned men also have explained its meaning. By penances having\nheaven etc., for their object, eternal fruits are begotten: these fruits\nproduce gunas or qualities and thus their actions are accomplished. By\nthese truthful actions even body is not liberated. The fruits of actions\nfollow the country, time and worthy person in various Yugas: and thus\ndifference is seen in them. So the Rishis have said; in various cycles\ndifferences in worldly profit, objects of desire, adoration of the\ndeities and duration of life, are created. As according to the nature of\nthe Providence the revolution of cycles takes place, so the rise and\ndecay takes place in the world which cannot stand inactive even for a\nmoment (44\u201353).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER V. INDRA RAVISHES VAPUSTHAMA: VISHWAVASU PACIFIES JANAMEJAYA\u2019S\nWRATH.\n\n\nSouti said:\u2014While the foremost of Rishis thus consoled the king\nJanamejaya, his words, relating to the past and future, were heard by\nall those who were present in that meeting (1). Their ears were pleased\nwith (drinking) the juice of that great Rishi\u2019s words like unto the\nnectar-carrying rays of the moon (2). Hearing the charming history of\nthe Bh\u0101rata war in which many heroes were killed and which yielded\nvirtue, worldly profit and desire, some, in that assembly, shed tears\nand some engaged in meditation. That chronicle was described by the\nRishi as if it was written on his palm (3-4). Having circumambulated all\nthe courtiers present there the divine Rishi Vy\u0101sa obtained their\npermission and departed saying \"I will see you all again\" (5).\nAfterwards the leading ascetics followed that foremost of Rishis Vy\u0101sa,\nthe best of speakers. After the departure of the divine Vy\u0101sa and of the\nRishis, the priests and the kings repaired whence they had come (6-7).\n\nCasting off anger like unto a serpent throwing off its venom and\nwrecking revenge on those dreadful Pannagas king Janamejaya went away.\nWith the Homa fire the great Muni Astika saved Takshaka of burning hood\nand repaired to his own hermitage. King Janamejaya too, encircled by his\nown people, went to the city of Hastin\u0101pur and with joy began to govern\nhis contented subjects. A few days after Janamejaya duly undertook the\ncelebration of a horse sacrifice accompanied with profuse presents\n(8-11).\n\nHaving controlled herself according to the rites laid down in the\nscripture the worshipful lady Vapusthum\u0101 K\u0101shy\u0101, went to the horse slain\nat Janamejaya\u2019s sacrifice, and sat down near it. Desiring for that\nperfectly beautiful lady V\u0101sava entered into the body of the slain horse\nand knew her. Beholding that change Janamejaya said to the sacrificing\npriest, \"This horse has not been slain: kill him at once.\" Coming to\nknow of that endeavour of Indra\u2019s the wise priest communicated it to the\nroyal saint Janamejaya and imprecated a curse on Indra (12\u201325).\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014\"O Shounaka, if there is any fruit accruing to me for\nmy penances, protection of the subjects and sacrifice, I swear by it and\ntell you some thing; hear; from to-day the Kshatriyas will no more\nworship the fickle-minded Indra, who has no control over his mind, with\nhorse sacrifices\" (16\u201317). Then greatly worked up with anger king\nJanamejaya said to the presiding priests:\u2014\"While this sacrifice of mine\nhas been spoiled by Indra, forsooth I know that you have not the least\nof a Br\u0101hmana\u2019s energy in you. You should not therefore live in my\nterritory. Do you go elsewhere with your friends.\" Thus addressed the\nBr\u0101hmanas grew angry with Janamejaya and went away. Thereupon greatly\nworked up with anger the highly pious king Janamejaya went inside his\npalace and ordered his queens saying \"Drive away the unchaste\nVapushtham\u0101 from my house who has placed on my head her feet covered\nwith dust. She has destroyed my glory and fame and spoiled my honor. I\ndo not wish to see that unchaste wife like a cast off garland. He, who\nin this world lives with a wife fond of other men, cannot enjoy sweet\nfood and sleep happily in a solitary place. He should not enjoy her like\nunto spoiled Havi.\" Saying this, Parikshita\u2019s son, irate, was crying\naloud. The Gandharva princess Vishw\u0101vasu then said to him (18-24):\n\nVishwavasu said:\u2014O king, thou hast celebrated three hundred sacrifices;\nV\u0101sava therefore cannot forgive you any longer. Vapustham\u0101, this thy\nproperly wedded wife, has no fault. She was formerly the Apsar\u0101 Rambh\u0101\nand is now born as the daughter of the king of K\u0101shi. Enjoy with this\nbest of beautiful damsels considering her as a great jewel. Do not ever\nleave her. O foremost of Kurus, thou art like Sachi\u2019s lord in riches.\nBeholding thee ready to celebrate sacrifices, the king of gods, seeking\nholes, has put in obstacles here. O king, thinking that thou wilt\nsurpass him in fruits of sacrifices, the king of gods has obstructed\nthis Yajna (25\u201328). Desirous of throwing an obstacle V\u0101sava, seeing the\nhorse slain and seeking loop holes, has employed this illusion here.\nIndra has known her thinking her as Rambha whom thou dost regard as\nVapustham\u0101. Worked up with anger in consequence thereof thou hast cursed\nthose priests who have officiated at thy three hundred sacrifices and\nhast been deprived of the fruits which only Indra is entitled to. And\nthose preceptors too have been driven away by thee. V\u0101sava always stood\nin fear of thyself and the Brahmanas. By accomplishing this feat through\nhis illusory power he has been freed from both the fears. How can that\nhighly powerful Purandara, who is desirous of achieving victories,\nravish the wives of his sons and grand sons which even the ordinary men\ndo not? As intelligence, virtue, control of senses, spiritual prowess\nand glory exist sufficiently in Indra the rider of lions so do they\nexist in thee who hast celebrated three hundred sacrifices. Therefore do\nnot blame Indra, the preceptors, Vapustham\u0101 and thy own self. It is very\ndifficult to overcome the Destiny (29\u201335). By virtue of his spiritual\npowers the king of gods entered into the horse and excited thy wrath:\nbut be not worked up with anger. Those, who wish happiness, should\nalways follow the ways of the Providence (36). It is very difficult to\novercome the adverse destiny as it is to cross the current from a\ncontrary direction. Therefore desist from the attempt; and shorn of\nanxiety do thou enjoy in the company of this jewel of a sinless wife\n(37), O king, if ordinary innocent ladies are divorced by men, they\ncurse the latter. One should never divorce a celestial wife if she is\ninnocent. Rays of the sun, flames of fire, the sacrificial altar,\noblations and a wife who is not attached by another are never sullied\neven when they are touched by others. Wives of good character like the\ngoddess of prosperity should be always respected, maintained, protected\nand adored by the learned (38-49).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER VI. JANAMEJAYA LIVES HAPPILY: EFFECT OF THE RISHI\u2019S WORDS.\n\n\nShouti said:\u2014Thus requested by Vishw\u0101vasu Janamejaya, whose mind was\nfilled with useless anxiety, was propitiated with Vapustham\u0101 and\ncelebrated a religious rite for the removal of sin. Driving away his\nmental labour, desiring for fame and pleasing Vapustham\u0101 the pious\nJanamejaya governed his kingdom (1\u20132). He did not abstain from\nworshipping the Br\u0101hmanas, celebrating sacrifices, making gifts and\nlooking after his State and did not scold Vapustham\u0101. Continually\nmeditating with a confident heart on what the Rishis of great penances\nhad said, _viz._, \"It is impossible to overcome the work of Destiny\"\nking Janamejaya cast off his anger (3-4).\n\nHe, who reads these great words of the great Rishi, becomes most\nadorable unto men, lives sufficiently long and attains to fruits which\nit is difficult (for others) to acquire (5). The man, who reads these\nwords destructive of the sin of the performer of hundred sacrifices, is\nfreed from sins, obtains many desired-for objects and lives happily for\na long time (6). As a tree yields fruits originating from flowers and it\nsprings up again from those fruits, so those words, emanating from the\ngreat Rishi, make him prosperous again (7). By virtue of these words a\nson-less man obtains powerful sons, a man, losing his position in the\nworld, regains it, one is freed from diseases and fetters, and being\nendued with accomplishments he performs auspicious works (8). By hearing\nthese auspicious words of the Rishi the maidens obtain husbands after\ntheir hearts and give birth to powerful and accomplished sons capable of\ngrinding their enemies (9). Hearing these words the Kshatriyas conquer\nthe world, and their enemies and acquire immense wealth, the Vaishyas\nobtain sufficient properties and the Sudras attain to a better status\n(10). Recollecting this episode which has been described to you in the\ncircle of the Br\u0101hmanas, you, resorting to patience and calmness, range\nhappily in the world. Thus I have recounted to you the lives and conduct\nof the great Rishis of wonderful deeds. Tell me what else you wish to\nhear. I will describe it to you (11-13).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER VII. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014\"O thou the lord of those conversant with Yoga, do thou\ndescribe to me at length the power of the lotus-navelled deity lying\nasleep in the water of the ocean and how the gods with Rishis were born\nin the universe. I am not satiated with listening to an account of his\nglories (1-2). How long did that Purrusottama lie there? Being himself\nthe cause of the origin of time why did he sleep at that time (3)? How\nlong after did the divine king of the celestials awake? And after being\naroused why did he create this universe? Who were the Patriarchs before,\nO great Muni? Why did the Eternal Purusha create the worlds? O Muni,\nformerly when the mobile and immobile creatures, gods, Asuras, serpents,\nR\u0101kshasas, air, fire, sky and earth were destroyed how did the highly\npowerful Lord and Preceptor of the celestials, the king of great\nelements, lie asleep in that all-expanding one ocean in which all the\nelements were immersed (4\u20138). I have sought refuge with thee, O Brahman,\nthou shouldst forsooth describe the glories of N\u0101r\u0101yana (9). O reverend\nsir, it behoveth thee to describe unto me the past and future\nincarnations of the Great Deity that should be adored by persons having\nreverential faith (10)\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O sinless scion of the Kuru race, it is indeed\nworthy of thy family that thou art anxious to listen to the glorious\ndeeds of N\u0101r\u0101yana (11). O king, hear as we had learnt from the Br\u0101hmanas\nabout the power of the Lotus-navelled Deity who had learnt it from the\nprime and ancient gods as recorded in the Srutis (12). O Bharata,\nthrough mental concentration Par\u0101sara\u2019s son, the beautiful preceptor\nDwaipayana, powerful like unto Vrihaspati, witnessed the power of the\nLotus-navelled Deity and described it. I shall describe it to you as I\nhad heard before. But although I am a Rishi I have not been able to\nlearn it completely (13-14). O king, who can try to know the Great\nPurusha N\u0101r\u0101yana whom even the creator, the originator of the universe,\ncould not know fully (15)? I have heard truly what is held as a great\nsecret by the creator of the universe, identical with all and the origin\nof principles and by the great Rishis and gods, O sinless-one. Him\nalone, persons conversant with spiritual knowledge meditate on. He is\nthe efficient cause of Karma, the prime deity of the celestials and is\nunseen by all. He is without beginning and end: He is the eternal truth\nwhich the great Rishis strive to know: He is _Jn\u0101na_ or knowledge of the\ncelestials and is perceived by persons, well read in the Vedas as the\nAbsolute Intelligence. He is the creator of the objects of senses and\ncreates the elements as Hiranyagarbha. He is intellect, mind,\n_Kshetrajna_, the principle of greatness, Purusha and the Great Soul. He\nis identical with time the witness of all and is independent. He is\nidentical with five vital breaths, the cause of their action, is real\nand undecaying. He is the cause of our actions and the ordainer of what\nwe should do and should not. He should be sought for by us, by every\nmeans, should be spoken of and heard of. He is heaven, emancipation, the\nvarious changes, the mysterious world and our protector. I will describe\nthis Nar\u0101yana unto you. O king, all that exists in the three worlds,\nuntruth, cause and action, past and future, mobile, immobile and eternal\nhas emanated from the Lotus-navelled Lord, the Great Purusha (15-25).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER VIII. THE DURATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF YOGA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O Janamejaya, the learned have described the\nSatya-Yuga as extending over four thousand years. And to each period of\njunction, at the commence ment and termination, has been alloted four\nhundred years (1). Virtue had at that time four legs and sin one, and\nmen, observant of their own duties, used to celebrate sacrifices. During\nthat age the Br\u0101hmanas used to perform their own duties, the kings used\nto follow their own duties, the Vaishyas were busy with the work of\ncultivation and the Sudras with serving (others) (2-3). Truth, the\nquality of goodness and religion flourished and people used to receive.\ninstruction from others for following the pious (4). O Bh\u0101rata, such was\nthe conduct of all men in the Krita-Yuga whether of the\nreligiously-minded or of persons born in low lives (5).\n\nThe duration of the Tret\u0101-Yuga was three thousand years and that of its\ncommencement and termination severally extended over three hundred years\n(6). During that period virtue had three legs and sin two. Truth and the\nquality of goodness continued intact as in the Krita-Yuga. Desiring for\nthe fruits of religious practices mankind was vitiated. And accordingly\nthe religious rites of the four orders suffered deterioration and they\ngrew weak. O king, thus the work of the Tret\u0101-Yuga, as ordained by the\ngods, has been described to you. Listen now to the work of Dw\u0101para\n(7\u20139). O foremost of Kurus, the duration of Dw\u0101para extended over two\nthousand years and that of its two periods of conjunction was two\nhundred years each (10). During that age wise Br\u0101hmanas were born as\nbeing selfish, possessed by the quality of Rajas (self-centering\ntendency), deceiptful, mean-minded and of perverted nature. Virtue had\ntwo legs and sin three and therefore the bridges of eternal religion\nwere gradually perverted (11-12). True Brahmanahood disappeared, faith\nin God was shattered, and Vrata, fasts and other religious rites were\nabandoned (13). The duration of the Kali-Yuga is one thousand years that\nof its two periods of conjunction is one hundred each (14). During this\nperiod virtue has one leg and sin has four. Men are born as being\nlustful and possessed by the quality of Tamas (disorganizing tendency).\nNone practises fast, none behaves like a pious man and none speaks the\ntruth. Every man becomes an atheist or Brahma-v\u0101din. Everyone becomes\nhaughty and devoid of the feeling of affection. The Vipras will behave\nlike the Sudras and the Sudras will be endued with the characteristics\nof the Br\u0101hmanas (15-17). In the Kali-Yuga people will violate the\nAshramas, procreate offspring by promiscuous intercourse and know women\nwhom they should not know. Thus, O Janamejaya, twelve thousand years\nconstitute a Yuga and seventy-one Yugas constitute a Manawantara. At the\ntime of the termination of a cycle no one doubts the three Vedas. The\nlearned consider twelve thousand celestial years as constituting a Yuga.\nAnd a thousand of such Yugas forms one day of Brahm\u0101\u2019s (18\u201320).\n\nO Bh\u0101rata, after the passing away of this day the great lotus-navelled\nDeity, the lord of great elements, witnesses the decay of the body of\nthe Br\u0101hmanas, Daityas, D\u0101navas, Yakshas, Rakshas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras,\nApsar\u0101s, celestial Rishis, Brahma Rishis, Royal Rishis, serpents,\nmountains, rivers, beasts, birds, deer and other creatures. Then\nresorting to his world-destroying intelligence he performs dreadful\nfeats for bringing the universe into dissolution (21-25). In the form of\nthe sun he takes away the vision of all creatures, in the shape of the\nwind he takes away their vital breaths, in that of the fire he consumes\nall the worlds and in that of the cloud he again sends down unfavourable\nshowers (26).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER IX. THE WORK OF DISSOLUTION DESCRIBED.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having assumed the form of fire the Yogin N\u0101r\u0101yana,\nof seven forms, dries up the oceans with burning flames. By His own\nenergy He destroys all desires in the shape of rivers and oceans and\ntheir powers in the form of mountains. He also destroys the two bodies\ngross and subtle. And fixing all on Brahma, the root of both the bodies\nHe dries up all the qualities in order to create the universe again. He\ngives unto creatures the felicity that lies in Brahma the efficient\ncause of the universe. At that time He destroys even all this. Although\nHari is powerful like the wind, He, having conquered the whole universe,\ndraws upwards the five vital breaths and the five senses.\n\nAfterwards the five senses of the celestials and other creatures and\ntheir objects, such as smell, body etc. resort to the earth (for their\nexistence) (1-6). The organ of taste, tongue and its object juice go to\nthe water. The organ of vision eye and its object colour go to the\nluminous bodies. The organ of touch, skin, and its object touch, the\nvital breath and its work, motion, go to the air. And all these exist in\nthe Hrishikesha who is like a thread (7-8). In order to keep the gods,\npervaded by subtle faculties, senses and their objects in a balanced\nstate in the universal thread the Omniscient Lord attracts them all\nthrough the air. Then the dreadful fire Samvarttaka, the cause of the\nuniverse produced by the contact of colour, touch &c, burning up in a\nhundred flames, consumes the whole world. After that fire has reduced,\ninto ashes, the mountains, trees, groves, creepers, twigs, celestial\ncars, cities, hermitages, celestial buildings and other habitations,\nHari, the preceptor of the world, extinguishes it with the water of\naction. Then assuming the form of a huge cloud the thousand-eyed, highly\npowerful Krishna gratifies the earth with pure water.\n\nThereupon when the earth is greatly pacified with highly auspicious,\nsacred, sweet and nectar-like water, when the mountains and trees lie\nunder water, when the clouds are surcharged with water, when the earth\nis converted into one sheet of water and shorn of all creatures, all the\ngreat elements are immersed in Hrishikesha, lying in a subtle place\nshorn of the sun, ether and living creatures (9-17). Thus having dried\nup, consumed, agitated and drunk the entire creation the Eternal\nPurusha, of unlimited intellect, exists alone resorting to His ancient\nform. When the great Yogin lies in his Yoga sleep in the all-covering\nocean, all the elements, existing eternally, lie unitedly in the pure\nBrahma. No one can perceive that unmanifest Purusha as manifest when He\nlies for ayuta thousand years in the one ocean (18\u201319).\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014What is this all-expanding ocean which thou hast\ndescribed? Who is this Purusha? What is Yoga? who is a Yogin? (20).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014No one can understand waiting how long the Lord will\nconvert all into one ocean. At that time the Lord will only gauge all,\nsee all and know all: nothing else will be perceptible. Having permeated\nthe the sky, earth, air and the other elements with His intelligence and\nkept the lord of celestials, Brahm\u0101 endued with mental faculties\nimmersed in Himself the Lord, controlling His creative energy, will be\nasleep in the water (21\u201322).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER X. THE GOD AFTER DISSOLUTION.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thus when every thing will be converted into one\nocean the highly illustrious Lord Hari, having brought about the\ndissolution of the universe as the material cause, exists as pure\nintelligence. The great N\u0101r\u0101yana, who is above the reach of the quality\nof Rajas and whom the learned describe as eternal, covered with his own\nconsciousness, lies asleep for three ages in the body of the impassable\nocean the fruit of the quality of Rajas and of elements. The Purusha,\nhaving a head, feet etc., is attainable by Yoga and sacrifices, but the\nGreat Purusha is different from him. This pure intelligence lies in all.\nThe Lord created from his mouth Brahm\u0101 and the Saman reciters, and from\nhis arms Hotas and Adhyaru priests. He then created Mitra and Varuna,\nthe reciters of the Vedas, Samprastata and Pratishta. From his belly he\ncreated Pratiharta and Pota. From his two thighs he created Adhyapak and\nNeshta, from his hands created Agnidra and Subramanya and from his arms\nhe created Gr\u0101v\u0101 and Unneta. Thus the Lord created these most eminent\nsixteen sacrificial priests. The Lord is known in the Vedas as the great\nSoul. Through sacrifices one can attain to Him. The Vedas, Upanishads\nand the sacrifices are described as the means for attaining to Him. When\nthe Lord exists in the form of his pure intelligence a wonderful affair\ntakes place. It is heard that M\u0101rkandeya witnessed it (1-12).\n\nBy virtue of a boon granted by the Lord and His power the great Rishi\nM\u0101rkandeya lived for many thousand years. And when he was worn out he\nlived in the cavity of His belly. There he recited names, performed Homa\nand practised hard penances. Afterwards issuing out on pilgrimage he\nvisited all the sacred shrines of the world, hermitages, various\ncountries and cities. Thus travelling he gradually came out of the\nLord\u2019s mouth; but over-powered by the illusory power of the Deity he\ncould not think that he had come out (13-16). Thus coming out of His\nmouth M\u0101rkandeya saw one ocean, _i.e._, Brahma in pure intelligence and\nall covered with the darkness of ignorance. Seeing it, he was possessed\nby a dreadful fright and was anxious about his own life. But seeing the\nPure Intelligence he was pleased and filled with great wonder. Unable to\ndiscriminate all particularly and wholesale, he, stricken with terror,\nthought\u2014\"Is this my thought, stupifaction or dream? All these appear to\nme in a different light and nothing seems as real. The Real is shorn of\nattachments and the pain of ignorance. It never appears in such a mental\ndesire. What is this region divested of the moon, the sun, the air,\nmountains and earth?\" Thus thinking he saw in that great ocean like into\na cloud surcharged with water a mountain-like Purusha lying asleep. That\nPurusha was as if afflicting the worlds with his sunny effulgence. He\nwas awake as if for his gravity and breathing like a serpent (17-23).\nThen curiously enquiring \"Who must be he?\" the great Muni M\u0101rkandeya\napproached the Lord and gradually entered into the cavity of his belly.\nEntering there and thinking that he had dreamt a dream he, with firm\nconviction, began to move about there as before. As formerly M\u0101rkandeya\nranged over the surface of the earth visiting all the shrines so he\ntravelled there. By his Yoga power he saw in the cavity of the Deity\u2019s\nbelly a hundred performers of sacrifices accompanied with profuse gifts,\nand the Br\u0101hmanas and other castes of good conduct who were observant of\nthe duties of the four Ashramas and following good ways. Although he\ntravelled there hundreds and thousands of years the intelligent\nM\u0101rkandeya could not arrive at the end of the cavity (24-29).\n\nThereupon once on a time M\u0101rkandeya again came out of (the Lord\u2019s) mouth\nand saw a boy asleep on the branch of a fig-tree. The inside of that\nforest, girt with one ocean, was covered with dew and was not therefore\nvisible: the earth was shorn of the four sorts of creatures and\neverything looked dreadful. Seeing it M\u0101rkandeya was again filled with\ncuriosity, but could not get near that boy who was effulgent like a\nthousand suns. Afraid of the Lord\u2019s illusion he stood by the solitary\nwater and thought \"Have I not seen it before?\" He then descended into\nthe calm and limitless ocean and worn out with fear and toil he began to\nenjoy rest there (30\u201334).\n\nThereupon the Lord Purusottama, who had assumed the form of a swan and\nattained to boy-hood by His Yoga power, said in a voice gave like the\nmuttering of a cloud (35). The Lord said:\u2014\"O my son, O foremost of\nheroes and ascetics, O M\u0101rkandeya, you are a boy. You are greatly worn\nout with toil. Come near me, you have no fear (36).\"\n\nM\u0101rkandeya said:\u2014\"Who, mentioning my name, has destroyed my age of many\nthousand years and my asceticism and is thus afflicting me? While\nBrahm\u0101, the lord of the universe, designates me as long-lived, it is not\nproper for any amongst the gods to address me thus. By my ascetic power\nmy head has become immortal. What man, desirous of giving up his ghost,\nhas mentioned my name and felt the desire of of seeing death?\" (37\u201339)\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014When the great Muni M\u0101rkandeya thus expressed\nhimself in anger the Lord again addressed him who was filled with rage\n(40).\n\nThe Lord said:\u2014O my son, I am your father and preceptor Hrishikesha, the\nancient Purusha who granted you a long lease of life. Why do you not\napproach me (41)? Formerly your father Hiranyagarbha, practising hard\npenances, adored me for having a son. Having created you a great Rishi\nof a dreadful head, of unlimited life and effulgent like fire I, out of\nmy will, conferred you on him. Save my own kinsman no one can see me\nwhen I engage in Yoga and sport in the all-extending ocean (42-44).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon hearing of his name and family the\nlong-lived and great ascetic M\u0101rkandeya, adored of the world, with a\ndelighted heart and having his eyes expanded with surprise, placed his\nfolded hands on his head, saluted the Lord with a hanging head and said\n(45-46).\n\nM\u0101rkandeya said:\u2014O sinless one, I want to know truly that thy illusory\npower by which thou hast assumed the form of a boy and art lying in the\none ocean. O lord, what is this form? and by what name art thou known in\nthe world? There is not a single element here. Methinks thou art the\ngreat element (47-48).\n\nThe Lord said:\u2014I am N\u0101r\u0101yana, Brahm\u0101 and the cause of the birth of all\ncreatures. I create and destroy all elements. I am Indra, the year\namongst the seasons, the cycle of cycles, the revolution of cycles. I am\nthe entire host of creatures and gods. I am Shesha amongst the serpents,\nand Garuda amongst the birds, I have a thousand heads and a thousand\nfeet. I am Aditya, the sacrificial Purusha, the sacrifice, the fire that\ncarries oblations, the ocean and am known as the eternal. I am that\nBr\u0101hmana Yati amongst the twice-born who have purified their souls by\npractising austerities in the world, who have controlled my intellectual\nfaculties by practicing it for many births. I have pure wisdom, am the\nsoul of the universe, and the foremost of Yogins. I am the destroyer of\nall elements and the end of the universe. I am Karma and energy and the\npropounder of religion for creatures. I have no Karma of my own. I am\nthe soul of the creatures and eternal. I am Prakriti, Purusha, the Prime\nDeity, eternal and undecaying. I am the duty and penance of the\nfollowers of all the orders. I am Hayasira and the presiding Deity of\nthe ocean of milk. I am honesty, truth, great, one and Praj\u0101pati. I am\nknown as the Sankya, Yoga, the great station, worthy of being adored\nwith sacrifices and the lord of learning. I am luminary, air, earth,\nsky, water, ocean, stars and the ten quarters. I am the year, Soma,\nIndra, the sun, the ocean of milk, the other oceans, the forest fire,\nand the Samvartaka fire. I drink the watery Havi. I am ancient, great,\nthe future and am known as the origin of all. Every thing that you see,\nhear and perceive in this world is identical with me. O M\u0101rkandeya, I\nhad created this universe before. See, I am creating it to-day and will\ndo so in every cycle. Understanding all this, and being eager to acquire\nmy virtue and spiritual powers do you range happily in the cavity of my\nbelly. Along with Brahm\u0101 and Rishis the celestials are living on my\nbody. Know me therefore as manifest and unmanifest, as identical with\nYoga and unconquered. I am the great mystic Mantra of three words Om and\nthe sacred verse G\u0101yatri which is known as conferring three objects of\nlife (49\u201366).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The great Muni Vyasa has described in the Vedas and\nPur\u0101nas that the Lord, assuming the universal form, made the Rishi\nM\u0101rkandeya enter into his belly through his mouth. In order to see\npersonally the great unmanifest Atman and enjoy supreme bliss that\nforemost of Munis, M\u0101rkandeya, entered into the cavity of the belly and\nbegan to enjoy rest there. Assuming various forms and ranging in the\ngreat ocean shorn of the sun and moon the eternal Lord, the Great Atman\ngradually creates the world and destroys it at the time of dissolution\n(67\u201369).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XI. THE CREATION OF A LOTUS AFTER DISSOLUTION.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having taken his birth as the Br\u0101hmana saint Apava\nVashistha and covered his own vessel body the Lord began to practise\npenances (1). Afterwards the great Vasishtha, the soul of the universe\nand of unlimited powers, thought of creating the five great elements and\nother creatures. When the universe was divested of the sky, became\nsubtle and submerged in water Vasisth\u0101, having his intellectual\nfaculties increased by the practice of penances, spent a long time.\nLiving in water and agitating the great ocean he rose up as the subtle\nether with the second wave. He then appeared in the ether as sound\nproduced by the air and the great Vasistha began to grow up as the air.\nWhen the ocean was agitated by the increasing and powerful wind the\nwaves struck one another. When the water of the ocean was agitated the\npowerful Lord appeared as the fire of dark ways. The fire dried up the\nwater of the great ocean; from it arose the sky like a hole. From his\nown energy was produced nectar-like pure water, from it the ether, from\nit air and from the crushing of waves was produced earth. Seeing it the\nLord, the origin of the great elements, was highly pleased. Beholding\nthe elements the Lord of many forms, cognizant of the necessity and\norder of the creation of the universe, began to think of objects for\nBrahm\u0101. Thus at the end of a Yuga and many Yugas Brahm\u0101 took his birth.\nHe, who is endued with knowledge, the foremost of the Yogins, who sees\nthe Soul of the universe, who is a Br\u0101hmana of controlled senses amongst\nthe twice-born of the world, is Brahm\u0101.\n\nThe Lord Brahma, conversant with Yoga, engages Brahm\u0101, endowed with\nperfect spiritual powers and worshipped of all, in creating the Vedas\nand the objects of the universe.\n\nThereupon, for the purpose of creating creatures the Eternal Hari lay in\nthe great ocean, and sporting in diverse ways, attained to great\ndelight. He then created from his navel a golden lotus with a thousand\npetals, effulgent like the sun. Originating from the person of the great\nAchyuta there shone in beauty that lotus, effulgent like the burning\nflames of fire, fragrant and lustrous like the clear autumnal sun\n(2-17).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XII. A DESCRIPTION OF THE EARTH.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The Eternal Hari then placed Brahm\u0101 on that golden\nlotus endued with all effulgence, qualities and marks of the earth, and\nextending over many a Yojana. He was the foremost of Yogins, the mind of\nall creatures and their creator and had his face directed towards all.\nThe great saints, well-read in the Puranas, describe this lotus, as\noriginating from N\u0101rayana\u2019s person and supporting the earth (1-3). The\ngoddess who was the seat of that lotus is earth and the firm roots that\ngrow inside it are the celestial mountains. Himavan, Meru, Neela,\nNishadha, Kail\u0101sha, Krouncha, Gandhamadana, the sacred Trishira, the\ncharming Mandara, Udaya, Kandara, Vindhya, and Asta, these are the\nmountains granting all objects of desires, and containing the hermitages\nof the gods, Siddhas and pious anchorites. The country interspersed by\nthese mountains is called the insular continent Jamvu and here\nsacrificers celebrate their sacrifices. The streams, containing\nnectarine water, that come out of the sacrifices, are the goddess\n_Sarit_ (river) having and hundreds of sacred shrines. The numberless\nfilaments around the lotus are known on earth as the mountains of\nminerals (4-10).\n\nO king, the upper petals of that lotus constitute the impassable and the\nmountainous tract of the Mlechchas. The lower petals constitute the\nnether region, the abode of the great Daityas and Uragas; the region\nunderneath it is called Udaka or the mine of great miseries. Persons\ncommitting heinous crimes are drowned there (11-13). The vast sheet of\nwater that lies at the extremity of this lotus is the ocean (with land)\non all sides (14). Because this great lotus originated in the mirror of\nNar\u0101yana\u2019s heart it is called Pushkara. For this, the great sacrificing\nancient Rishis, who are acquainted with the origin of this lotus,\nconstruct an altar of the shape of a lotus in the sacrificial ground. In\nthis way the Lord created Brahm\u0101 in the lotus the creator of mountains,\nrivers, gods, and other objects of the universe. While Brahm\u0101 was\ncreated the Great Self-sprung Lord, of unlimited prowess, lying on the\nbed of the huge ocean created the eternal lotus identical with the\nuniverse (15-18).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XIII. THE WORLD OF CREATION BEGINS: THE BIRTH OF MADHU AND\nKAITABHA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014After the revolution of a thousand Yugas and the\ncommencement of Satya-Yuga the quality of Tamas (disorganizing tendency)\nprevails. At this time the great Asura Madhu, the impediment of\ncreation, took his birth. Some time after, by the quality of Rajas for\nhelping Madhu the second Asura Kaitabha was produced. These two great\nAsuras, Madhu and Kaitabha, capable of assuming various forms and\npervaded severally by the qualities of Rajas and Tamas, began to agitate\nthe water of the one ocean. They were clad in dark-blue and\ncrimson-coloured raiments, had burning white teeth, were elated with\npride and adorned with shining Keyuras and bracelets. They had hideous\ncoppery eyes, spacious breast, long arms and huge heads. Covered with\ncoats of mail those two Asuras appeared like two immobile mountains. The\ncolour of their body was like that of blue clouds, their countenance was\neffulgent like the sun and the lustre of their arms imitated that of\ncoppery clouds charged with lightning. And they looked exceedingly\ndreadful, as if with the movement of their hairs and feet the ocean\nover-flowed and Hari, the slayer of his enemies, who was lying there,\ntrembled. While they sported on that lotus, the mouth of the universe,\nthey saw the eternal Brahm\u0101 endued with a shining body, the foremost of\nYogins. Thereupon beholding Brahm\u0101, create, at the command of N\u0101r\u0101yana,\non that lotus, the entire host of creatures, gods, the universe and his\nmind-born sons the Rishis those two best of Asuras Madhu and Kaitabha,\nwho had their blood-red eyes burning in anger, said to him, being\ndesirous of fighting. \"Who art thou wearing a black crown and having\nfour faces? Living on this lotus and shorn of anxiety, thou art, out of\nfoolishness, disregarding us. Come and fight with us. We are great\nheroes. Thou shalt not be able to stand before us in battle. Who art\nthou? Whence art thou produced? Who hath sent thee hither? Who is thy\ncreator and protector? And by what name men call thee\" (1-12)?\n\nBrahma said:\u2014\"I have sprung from Him who is unknowable in this world and\nam practicing Yoga. Do you not know this?\" (13)\n\nMadhu And Kaitabha said:\u2014\"O great Muni, there is no one else superior to\nus in this world. We have covered this universe with the qualities of\nRajas and Tamas. We are also possessed by these two qualities and appear\nbefore the ascetics as if suffering from misery and before the pious\ndeceiptful. Know us as above the reach of creatures. We are born in\nevery Yuga and stupify the world. Wealth, objects of desire, sacrifices\nand all sorts of gifts are under our control. Whatever people desire for\nhappiness, joy, prosperity, advancement and morality they obtain from us\n(14-17)\".\n\nBrahma said:\u2014\"Knowing truly by my mental concentration Him who is the\nforemost of Yogins, I am living in the quality of Sattwa which I had\nknown before. Engaged in fighting the Lord Himself, who is the eternal\nSatwa quality of the Yogins, who is the creator of the qualities of\nRajas and Tamas, who is the cause of the origin of creatures and from\nwhom all creatures, pervaded by the quality of Sattwa and all other\ninferior qualities have originated, will vanquish you (18\u201320)\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon bowing unto the lotus-navelled Hrishikesha\nwho was lying on a bed extending over many Yojanas Madhu and Kaitabha\nsaid:\u2014(21) \"O Purusottama, we have been able to know that thou art the\nonly cause of the origin of this universe; know that our this conduct\nwas meant for worshipping thee (22). O lord, we too also wish to see\nthee as the Eternal Real Isvara, of sure sight as the learned have known\nthee. O slayer of thy enemies, we wish to receive a boon from thee. O\nLord, of sure success is thine view. Salutation unto thee\" (23\u201324).\n\nThe Lord said:\u2014\"O foremost of Asuras, tell me speedily what boon do you\npray for. Do you wish to live longer than the period I have alloted to\nyou? O highly powerful Madhu and Kaitabha, you have obtained what you\nhave tried for. Both of you are high-souled, powerful and observant of\nthe duties of the Kshatriyas. I therefore confer upon you this boon that\nyou will be slain only by me (25\u201326)\".\n\nMadhu And Kaitabha said:\u2014\"O king of the celestials, may we be slain at a\nplace where no one had met with his death. And may we (afterwards)\nbecome thy sons. This is the boon we pray for\" (27).\n\nThe Lord said:\u2014\"In the future cycle you will be born as my sons. I speak\nyou the truth and you need not doubt it\" (28).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having conferred this boon upon those two foremost\nof Asuras Madhu and Kaitabha who were capable of protecting the world by\ntheir qualities of Rajas and Tamas the Eternal Lord, the upholder of the\nuniverse, placed them on his thighs and killed them (29).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XIV. BRAHMA\u2019S CREATION.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Seated on that lotus the long-armed Brahm\u0101, the\nforemost of those conversant with Brahman, practised hard austerities,\nraising his hand up. Burning in his own effulgence that powerful Yogin\nBrahm\u0101 shone there like the sun of a thousand rays. Afterwards having\ndivided his own body into two, and assumed the forms of the highly\npowerful illustrious preceptor of Yoga and of the intelligent Kapila,\nthe foremost of Brahmavadins, the propounder of the Sankhya philosophy\nthe Eternal and undecaying Lord N\u0101rayana approached Brahm\u0101. Having come\nnear Brahm\u0101 of immeasurable energy the great and highly powerful\nYog\u0101chharya, worshipped of the great saints, the foremost of\nBrahmavadins, conversant with the knowledge of great essence and engaged\nin Kshatriyas-like works and Kapila, the propounder of Sankhya, said to\nhim:\u2014\"O Brahman, thou art the master of all creatures, the soul of the\nuniverse, of firm senses on account of the multiplicity of creatures,\nthe support of the universe, the preceptor of the world and art\n(therefore) worshipful unto all (1\u20137).\" Hearing their words and reciting\nthe three verses, as heard in the Srutis, relating to the knowledge of\nBrahman Brahm\u0101 created the three worlds. Residing in Bhurloka, of the\nthree worlds the Lord Brahm\u0101 created his eternal mind-begotten son, As\nsoon as he was born the mind begotten son stood before Brahm\u0101 and said\nto him:\u2014\"O Lord, how can I help thee? Do thou command me.\" Brahm\u0101\nsaid:\u2014\"O you of great mind, do what this Br\u0101hmana Kapila and the\nboon-giving N\u0101rayana tell you\" (8-11).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014After Brahm\u0101 had said this his mind-begotten son\nagain said:\u2014\"Who is there superior to my father?\" Stricken with this\ndoubt, he again, with folded hands, said:\u2014\"I am ready to serve you,\norder me, what I am to do and I will carry it out.\" The great teachers\nof Yoga and Sankhya said:\u2014\"Do thou recollect the eighteen forms of the\nundecaying Brahm\u0101 and the Eternal Great Brahman.\"\n\nHearing those words the mind-begotton son went away to the north and\nacquired the knowledge of Brahman through _Jn\u0101na_ (12-14.)\n\nThereupon having created the second Bhuvarloka the high-minded Lord\nBrahm\u0101 created again his mind-begotten son. According to Brahm\u0101\u2019s order\nthe mind-begotten son appeared before the grand-fathers, the preceptors\nof Yoga and S\u0101nkhya and said:\u2014\"Do you command me what I am to do.\"\nAfterwards going again with those two preceptors to the region of\nBhogavati he, waiting by their side, attained to a great region (15\u201317).\n\nAfter the departure of that mind-begotten son the Lord Brahm\u0101 created\nthe third Bhurbhuvaloka capable of acquiring emancipation and brought\ninto being his third mind-begotten son. Afterwards commanded by Brahm\u0101\nthat mind-begotten son appeared before them and acquainted himself with\ntheir religion and movements. These three persons are said to have been\nthe sons of the high-souled Shamvu (18\u201319). Having taken with him these\nthree sons the Lord N\u0101r\u0101yana and Kapila, the lord of ascetics, went to\nhis own region (20). After their departure Brahm\u0101, ever observant of\nvows, began again to practise hard austerities. Continually carrying on\npenances alone and not desisting from them the Lord Brahm\u0101 created from\nhalf of his body a beautiful wife. Intercoursing with that wife capable\nof creating the world and equal to him in ascetic power, effulgence and\nself-control Brahm\u0101, pervaded by the quality of Tamas, created the\npatriarchs, the oceans, rivers, the sacred verse G\u0101yatri, the mother of\nthe Vedas and the four Vedas. As the instruments of his own work the\ngrand-father, the creator of the world, created sons, the husbands of\nthe universe and the creation from whom all the worlds emanated (21\u201326).\n\nHaving first created his two sons, the great ascetics Vishwesha and\nDharma, the support of all the Asramas and giver of boons he next\ncreated the Munis Daksha, Marichi, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu,\nVasishtha, Gotama, Bhrigu, Angira and others. The descendants of the\nabove mentioned Rishis created by Brahm\u0101, are known as the great Rishis\nof the Atharva Veda. Daksha begat Aditi, Diti, Danu, K\u0101l\u0101, At\u0101yu,\nSinhik\u0101, Muni, Pr\u0101dha, Suras\u0101, Krodha, Vinat\u0101 and Kadru\u2014these twelve\ndaughters and twenty-seven stars. Marichi\u2019s son was Kashyapa who became\nall powerful through asceticism. Daksha consented to confer those twelve\nmaidens on Kashyapa. O Janamejaya, the great Rishi Daksha conferred\nRohini and other virtue-bestowing stars on Soma amongst the Vasus\n(27-33).\n\nO foremost of the descendants of Bharata, the virtuous Brahm\u0101 conferred\non Dharma, the foremost of gods, the five most excellent maidens whom he\nhad created before namely, Lakshmi, Kirti, Sadhy\u0101, Vishw\u0101 always doing\ngood and Marutvati. In the end, the wife, capable of assuming forms at\nwill, whom Brahm\u0101 created out of his half-body, took upon herself the\nform of the cow Surabhi and appeared before him. O Bh\u0101rata, for creating\nthe cows Brahm\u0101, cognizant of the cause of creation and adored of the\nworld, knew her. By this, he begat eleven huge-bodied sons, crimson-hued\nlike the evening cloud, consuming all with their dreadful effulgence and\npious. Because they ran crying to the Grand-father as soon as they were\nborn they passed by the name of Rudras. Nirhiti, Sarpa, Aja, Ekapat\nMrigavyadha, Pin\u0101ki, Dahana, Iswara, Ahivradhana, the unconquerable\nKap\u0101li and the highly powerful Sen\u0101ni are known as the eleven Rudras\n(34\u201341).\n\nSurabhi gave birth to bulls, trees which do not grow by cultivation,\nbeans, sands, lambs, most excellent ambrosia and medicinal herbs. Dharma\nbegat on Surabhi Lakshmi and Kama and Sadhya on Sadhy\u0101. Prabhava,\nChyavana, Ish\u0101na, Surabhi, Aranya (forest) Maruta, Vashw\u0101vasu, Suvala,\nDhruva, Mahisha, Taneya, Vijnata, Manasa, Matsara and Vibhuti are also\nknown as the sons of Surabhi. Sadhy\u0101, worshipped of the world of S\u0101dhy\u0101s\nand following V\u0101sava begat mountains, serpents and bulls. Dharma begat\non Susham\u0101 in order, Marudeva, Dhruva, Vishw\u0101vasu, the lord Soma,\nParvatta, Yogendra, V\u0101yu and Nikriti. It is heard that Dharma begat\nVishwadevas on Vishw\u0101. The large-armed Sudharm\u0101, the highly powerful\nShankhap\u0101, Uktha, Vapushm\u0101n, Vishw\u0101vasu, Suparva, the highly illustrious\nVishnu, Skumbhu, the Rishi\u2019s son Ruru, highly effulgent like the sun,\nare the offspring of Chakshusa Manu. Vishw\u0101 gave birth to Vishwadevas.\nDharma begat Maruts on Marutvati namely Agni, Chaksha, Hari, Jyoti,\nS\u0101vitra, Mitra, Amrita, the large-armed Sankshepa, Viraja, Shukra, Vish\nw\u0101vasu, Vibh\u0101sasu, Ashmanta, Chirarashmi, Nijudhi, Jayona Adbhuti,\nCharitra, Vahupannaga, Vrihanta and Vrihadbhuta the aggrandiser of\nothers (42-56).\n\nO king, Kashyapa begat on Aditi, the tweve most eminent Adity\u0101s living\nin the celestial region namely Indra, Vishnu, Bhaga, Tvashth\u0101, Varuna,\nAngsha, Aram\u0101, Ravi, Pish\u0101, Mitr\u0101, the boon-giving Manu and Indra.\nAditya begat on Saraswati two superbly beautiful sons namely Rupa and\nVala. Diti and Danu gave birth to the Daityas and D\u0101navas. The D\u0101navas\nbegat on Surav\u0101 the reptiles; and they begat on K\u0101la the K\u0101lakeya Asuras\nand R\u0101kshasas. O descendant of Bharata, Anayusha produced all the\ndiseases and calamities. Sinhik\u0101 the mother of planets gave birth to the\nGandharvas, the pious Pr\u0101dh\u0101 to Apsaras, Krodha to all goblins,\nPish\u0101ch\u0101s, Yakshas and Guhyakas and Surabhi to all quadrupeds. Vinat\u0101\ngave birth to Aruna and Garuda and Kadru to all serpents.\n\nO king, when the high-souled Brahm\u0101 appeared on the lotus the Viswadevas\nthus multiplied themselves. This old account of the origin of lotus I\nhad heard from Dwaip\u0101yana. When he described it from the beginning to\nthe end the great Rishis spoke highly of it. The great man, who with\nattention always reads this account of the origin of the first lotus, is\ndivested of grief in this world, and enjoys various pleasures here and\neternal bliss in heaven (57-67).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XV. JANAMEJAVA\u2019s QUERY.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O Brahman, I have listened to your description of our\ngreat and illustrious family. It is endued with many virtues, consists\nof various metres, compound words, short but sweet words and is capable\nof conferring the three-fold objects of life (1\u20133). You have described\nmy ancestors, on account of their dissension with the king Duryodhana,\ndid not employ expedients for destroying the power of Br\u0101hmanas, the\nprowess of the warriors, for vanquishing their rivals and killing the\ndescendants of their family. You have described that the descendants of\nthe kings who were killed in that dreadful war obtained their respective\nkingdoms and that the king of Kurus had been firmly established for\nfollowing the behest of the Divine Lord. O foremest of the twice-born,\nyou have described in order the duties of the three castes and the means\nby which one may attain to the celestial region; out of your compassion\nfor creatures you have in many ways described the duties of the four\ncastes. You have also described that on the wane of Karma in which\ngodliness predominates some go downwards through births and some rise\nup. You also have divided into many parts the fruits of being humble.\nIndeed sweet are the words that you have said relating to the fruits of\ngifts and Karma. O reverend sir, I am not capable of reading this great\nhistory of Bharata even within one celestial day. But sir, I am anxious\nto hear from you in brief an account of Jn\u0101na for communing with Brahma\n(4-12).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XVI. THE GREAT BRAHMAN DESCRIBED.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O king, having controlled your five senses listen\nwith whole-minded attention to what I say with a pure mind. Know him as\nNishkala Purusha, whom one cannot obtain through Karma, who appears\nbefore persons conversant with the knowledge of Brahman, who is not\nattached to actions, who is related to Brahma, who is the unmanifest\ncause of the universe, who is eternal, and is with and without form.\nEgoism, begotten by Atman, proceeds from this Purusha (1-3). He has a\ncelestial form, is the lord of the objects of senses, is beyond the\nreach of thought, eternal, the origin of Yugas, identical with three\nforms of time, and not being born is equal everywhere. Persons, having\nthe knowledge of N\u0101rayana, know him as separate from the unmanifest. He\ncomprehends all, courses everywhere, has his head everywhere, sees all,\nhas his face towards all, hears all and extends over the space. He is\nthe cause of cause and action, exists as manifest and unmanifest and is\nnot seen by any body when he moves about (4\u20137). Although he is beyond\nthe reach of thought and without any form, yet he, assuming a form and\nmanifesting himself, ranges everywhere as fire in a wood. He is\nidentical with past, present and future. He is Parameshthin, Praj\u0101pati\nand the lord of the worlds. This name of His Has been truly sung. That\nunmanifest one becomes manifest through Brahma Yoga. Ahank\u0101ra has been\nbegotten by ignorance proceeding from N\u0101r\u0101yana (8-10). This Purusha with\nthe consciousness of self exists as Brahma. He is the lord of the world\nmobile and immobile and is called Brahm\u0101.\n\nThe Lord, whose creation is this universe, who is the origin of all,\nsaid \"I will create all.\" When Brahma said this the consciousness of ego\nwas produced from nature and thus the whole world was brought into\nbeing. But the true, Omni-present Brahma, devoid of qualities, remained\nas Brahma. From the five subtle elements, the attributes of the\nunmanifest Brahma, emanated the Vedas and their various branches\n(11-15). Thereupon commanded by Brahma through whom every thing becomes\nmanifest Brahm\u0101 took a form from nature and created water. Afterwards\namongst creators following the command of Iswara, the seventh Brahm\u0101\ncreated air as before, held it and passed by the name of Dhatri.\nFormerly when this universe, produced by air, was submerged under water\nthe Tarjasa celestials raised it up and now the whole universe is\nmanifest. When Iswara felt a desire for creating the earth for placing\nhis creation he converted a portion of water into solid substance and\nthe other remained liquid: and so the people perceived the earth\n(16\u201319). On account of the water being converted into a solid substance\nthe Purusha Bhu rose up and filling all the quarters with a grave sound\nsaid:\u2014\"I wish to live above water. On account of the water being turned\nsolid I am being afflicted and worn out. Therefore hold me up.\"\nAfterwards Prithivi, Earth, spread everywhere and upholding all\ncreatures desirous of having some room, assumed a form and said \"Raise\nme up.\" Hearing those sweet words Hari assumed the form of a boar and\njumped down into the great ocean. Having performed the most difficult\ntask of raising up the Earth from water he so engaged himself in Sam\u0101dhi\n(mental concentration) that nobody could see him. He, who assuming the\nform of a boar raised up the Earth, is the effulgent Brahma. Some know\nhim as Ak\u0101sa (ether). Brahm\u0101, the creator of all, originated from Him.\nThat Iswara, the origin of all, through his subtle mental Yoga of Jnana,\nis still upholding the earth in the shape of the serpent and tortoise,\nfor the well being of the world. Riving the interior of the earth and\nwater which produced it the sun, as if smiling, stationed himself on\nhigh. From the solar region, full of heat emanated the lunar region full\nof water. Because the moon emanated from the Eternal knowledge and was\ngifted with His supreme knowledge he was called Soma (Sa-Brahma and Uma,\nknowledge of Brahman) (20-28). From the end of the lunar region emanated\nair (vital breath). He began to nurse the Vedas explaining the causes of\nall phenomena (29). Through his knowledge of Yoga and on account of his\nnature originating from Brahman he created a celestial and eternal\nPurusha (30). His liquid state became water and his solid state earth;\nhis holes became the sky and the luminous portion became the eye (31).\nThe principle of Mahat, emanating from Brahman as Purusha and begotten\nby effulgence, agitates the body through air, when united with five\nelements (32). Jiva or the human soul exists eternally as _Jn\u0101na_ in\nBuddhi: only Isvara knows it (33). The fire or self which exist\neternally in the body united with the five elements is the sun (i.e.\nsupreme soul) (34). On account of the pristine actions the human soul\neither advances (in spiritualism) or goes down, either enjoys happiness\nor suffers misery (35). Stupified by the senses and therefore ignorant\nof (the true form of) Brahman one meets with birth or death on account\nof his Karma (action) (36). As long as a man is not identified with the\nSupreme Brahman so long he passes through repeated births in this world\n(37). When by virtue of Yoga he gets mastery over his senses he becomes\nat one with Brahman and enjoys true happiness (38). Yet separating\nhimself from this world (of changes) he becomes identical with Brahman:\nhe is not then led to ruin by anger (and other passions) nor becomes\nattached to objects of senses (39). This ominiscient person, who has\nacquired the highest spiritual powers, enters into the essence of\nelements. He then knows the birth and death. That man, conversant with\nthe true form of Brahman, acquires the knowledge of the means of\nemancipation and the past and future actions and attains to a most\nexcellent status (40-41). By his _manas_ (mind) he conquers all the\nintellectual faculties and all other desires that agitate the mind as\nthe wind disturbs the ocean (42). Through the eye of _Jn\u0101na_ (spiritual\nknowledge) the soul of a man, who conquers all the desires.\ncontaminating his mind, is released from all the fetters of the body\n(43). The Yogin, having a subtle body, can, through spiritual science,\ncreate or destroy the next world and can create even this world (44).\nHe, who has his mind, fixed on the Supreme Soul, can release those who,\non account of their pristine deeds, have taken birth in a degraded\norder. (45). Action leads both to emancipation and enjoyment. But he who\nhas immersed himself in the Brahman has no action leading to worldly\nenjoyments (46).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XVII. THE CREATION OF RIVERS.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The mount Mainaka was fixed in that hole which was\ncreated on the face of the earth by the increasing sun (1). It was\ncalled Parvata because it filled up the ocean of desire and Achala\nbecause it was fixed: by nature, it was however called Meru (2). On the\nspacious summit of the mount Sumeru lives that highly prosperous\nPurusha, begotten by effulgence, and manifest with head, feet, etc. He\nwas created by the Great Soul through Nature (3). The Brahma energy,\nthat is laid inside the head, assumed the lustrous burning form of\nPurusha (4). From his mouth emanated as if burning in his effulgence\nBrahm\u0101 with four mouths and with four foremost of the twice-born, the\nforemost of those conversant with the knowledge of Brahman. From him the\ngreat elements again came into being (5\u20136). The earth was upraised from\nwater by Brahm\u0101 who was stationed in his room (on Meru), therefore\nthough invisible he came within the vision of men (7). Brahm\u0101\u2019s region,\nthe summit of Meru, is situated at the junction of heaven and earth. It\nis a hundred or a thousand Yojanas in height and its extent is four\ntimes as much. No man, with his celestial wisdom, can within many\nthousand years, measure its height, for the dimension of the Meru is\nonly imaginary and cannot be gauged like the extent of a desert or the\ndepth of a lake. Like its height and extent its circumference is also\nlimitless. O king, the extent of the mount Sumeru bounded with four side\nhills is a hundred Yojanas (8\u201310). And some anchorites, of accomplished\nasceticism, conversant with the knowledge of Brahman, attribute\ninnumerable other virtues to this mount (11). With Maruts, gods, Rudras,\nVasus, Adityas and Vishwadevas he protects the Regents of the earth\n(12). O king, with the Divine Vishnu he protects the earth emanating\nfrom the sun (fire) and Varuna (water) in his Br\u0101hmana body obtained\nfrom Brahm\u0101, Vishnu\u2019s energy is equal everywhere (13-14). With various\nobservances the truthful Br\u0101hmanas, proficient in the study of the\nVedas, have sung the Brahman (15). All the three worlds exist in Brahman\nand Brahman pervades all either as being manifest or unmanifest (16).\nThe Br\u0101hmanas, who have mastered the Vedas consider those actions as\nconducive to our well-being\u2014the daily obligatory rites sanctioned by the\nVedas, breathed out by Isvara and practised by those Br\u0101hmanas who are\nnot deceiptful even in words, not to speak of works, through the\npurification of their mind. Although these rites yeild fruits of good\nworks still they constitute but an iota of Braman. So the Srutis hold.\nThe truthful Br\u0101hmanas declare that this universe is but a minutest part\nof Brahman who is the soul of all. On account of the diversity of their\nmental faculties the Brahmanas worship one Brahman in sacrifices under\nvarious names such as Brahm\u0101, Indra, Mitra, Varuna etc. The Vipras name\nin various way the one great Brahman. The form of the universe is gross\nand that of the mind is subtle. And thinking that these two forms belong\nto understanding only the Lord first created the union of male and\nfemale (17\u201320). Having made arrangements for diverse enjoyments the\nDivine Lord Brahm\u0101 enjoys them along with the goddess and his followers\n(21). Brahm\u0101 is the foremost of Brahmav\u0101dins, who, although they are\ndesirous of following humble pursuits, always wend the way leading to\nemancipation (22). (Um\u0101 is spiritual science and Parameswara is the\neternal _Jn\u0101na_ understanding) his body is the stream of water flowing\nfrom heaven. Soma is born from this stream; and by it Maheshwara is the\nlord of goblins (23). It is called nadi river because having installed\nnaturally Maheswara as the king of ghosts it made a great noise (24).\nSupporting herself on the region of Brahm\u0101 and passing through the\nmountains that stood in her way she descended on earth by seven ways:\nand for this she is called Gang\u0101 (25).\n\nO king, in the form of Godavari Ganga divided herself into seven before\nshe joined the ocean and coursed on various sacred shrines having\ndivided herself into a thousand parts in the shape of J\u0101nhavi (26).\nFirst gross elements are produced from the great elements and then the\nactions of the intelligent begin (27). From his four lotus mouths the\nVeda was produced which since then became the fountain of spiritual\ninstructions to mankind. The sacred sacrifice was an emanation of his\nJn\u0101na, understanding, and the four priests were its four legs\u2014and the\ngrand-father Brahm\u0101 was the lord (28-29). The four legs of Dharma by\nwhich the world is upheld are (the four Asramas), first Brahmacharya\u2014the\ncondition of a student, and secondly the most sacred condition of a\nhouse-holder (30). The third stage is that of a religious recluse in a\nforest, and the fourth is that of union with the great Brahman. These\nfour stages of a religious life are regarded as leading to the\nattainment of heaven (31). The mental faculties of a man develop through\nthe practice of Yoga and the true understanding of the Vedanta. And the\neternal Vedas exist for the practice of Brahmacharya (32). The Pitris\nare gratified with observing the conduct of the house-holders and the\nRishis, stationed on the summit of the mount Sumeru, are gratified with\nYoga (33).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XVIII. THE CREATION OF GANDHARVAS ETC.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon assuming the form of pure intelligence the\nGrand-father conceives the aggregate creation through his mental\nfaculties; and through his inner soul withdrawn from all external\nobjects he performs actions leading to the attainment of Brahman.\nEngaged in mental concentration and on account of his unification with\nBrahman, he created offspring in his mind. Through his eyes, the\nomnipotent Brahm\u0101 created the beautiful Apsaras and from the tip of his\nnose he created Tumvuru and hundreds and thousands of other Gandharvas\nclad in variegated raiments and expert in reciting the Vedas, singing,\ndancing, and playing on musical instruments. Through his Yoga power the\nomnipotent self-sprung deity created in his mind the immaculate goddess\nVeda-Vani, the very incarnation of his own beauty. She had beautiful\neyes, hairs, eye-brows and a lovely countenance. The goddess of sweet\nwords sat on a charming lotus of a hundred petals. O king, having\ncreated from his eyes the beautiful Apsaras, and from the tip of his\nnose the sweet-voiced G\u0101ndharvas, expert in playing on musical\ninstruments Brahm\u0101, the soul of elements, propounded the art of singing\nand produced the S\u0101man for other Brahmans (1-9). From his two feet were\nproduced the mobile and immobile creation and men, Kinnaras, Yakshas,\nRakshasas, Pichachas, Uragas, elephants, lions, tigers, thousands of\nother animals, grass and quadrupeds. He created from his hands those who\ntake their food with their hands together with their works. Through\nvital airs the creator, seeking happiness for all creatures, created\nvarious functions of breath. And then fixing his mind on the great Atman\nfull of felicity on account of the obstruction of five senses he\nremained there. From his heart he created the kine and through his arms\nhe created the birds; and then he created acquatic animals in their\ndifferent forms (10-14). From the space between the two eye-brows the\nlord of Yoga, the divine Grand-father through his Yoga power, created\nthe celestial saint Angira, burning in effulgence, and endued with true\nknowledge for the suppression of six senses. And from his forehead he\ncreated the highly pious, celestial saint Bhrigu. From his head the\ngreat Yogin, Brahm\u0101 created the quarrelsome N\u0101rada and Sanat Kumar\n(5-17).\n\nWhen the Grand-father appointed, the eternal king of the twice-born, the\nnight-ranging Soma as the heir apparent the moon, endued with the power\nbegotton by great penances, along with the stars, filled the sky with\nvarious creatures and began to range there. Having acquired spiritual\npowers through Yoga and mental culture the divine Brahm\u0101 created the\nmobile and immobile creatures from his body. Brahm\u0101 created various\nregions as that of the sun &c, and appointed various agents for carrying\non the work of day and night. What has been said before leads to the\nattainment of Brahma. Therefore the Brahma Yoga and Sankhya Yoga\nconstitute the proved science of the scientists. This has been also\nproved by the Ch\u0101rvakas. This leads to unification and diversification.\nThis creates birth and death. This creates and destroys time. This is to\nbe known as the discriminative knowledge (18-23).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XIX. KSHATRA YUGA DESCRIBED.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O Brahman, I have heard of the first Yuga which is\ncalled Brahma because it leads to the attainment of Brahman. O Lord, I\nwish to hear now some thing about the Kshatrayuga which abounds in\nregulations, brief and explanatory, which is sung by the Rishis\nconversant with expedients and which is beautified with sacrifices\n(1-2).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014I will sing the greatness of this Ksh\u0101trayuga, which\nis adored with diverse charities and sacrifices and beautified with many\ncreatures (3). In this Kalpa the Lord, who knows himself as the\nfour-armed Vishnu, seeing differences and incarnating himself as Daksha\nbegotten by Brahm\u0101, procreated many offspring. On account of his being\nshorn of attachments for the senses and the body he flourished amongst\nthe Br\u0101hmanas as having his soul immersed in communion and endued with\nthe knowledge of inner self. All these Br\u0101hmanas, who were of the size\nof a thumb, were capable of passing through the solar region and ranging\nover all other _lokas_ by virtue of the regulations leading to\nemancipation and other religious rites. They were always busy with\nsacrifices and with controlling the senses and mental faculties. In\norder to gain the pleasure of Iswara they engaged themselves in Vedic\nrites. They were masters of the three Vedas. They led the life of\ncelibacy and were enlightened with the knowledge of Brahman. These\nBr\u0101hmanas, of good conduct and consummate understanding, met with death\nafter thousands of years (3\u20133). The Br\u0101hmanas are pervaded by the\nquality of Sattwa, the Kshatriyas by that of Rajas, the Vaishyas by that\nof Raja-Tamas and the Sudras by Tamas (9). The colour of Br\u0101hmanas is\nwhite, that of the Kshatriyas is red, that of the Vaishyas is yellow and\nthat of the Sudras is smoky-dark. Thus they have been divided by the\nthoughtful Vishnu (10). O king, thus according to qualities and colour,\nmen are divided, in this world, into Br\u0101hmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and\nSudras. Observing highly wonderful and different sorts of duties, men of\nthe same size, although apprized of the means of the works, are divided\ninto four Varnas for partaking of the fruits thereof (11-12). The first\nthree castes are entitled to perform the rites laid down in the Vedas.\nTherefore, O king, on account of your faith in Vishnu, you are entitled\nto read the Vedas. And therefore the birth of the three Varnas, namely,\nthe Br\u0101hmanas, the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas is owing to Lord\u2019s grace.\nEncompassed with works affording enlightenment regarding the true form\nof Vishnu, the Lord Pr\u0101chetas Daksha, through his Yoga power and wisdom,\nundertook the work of creation. Thereupon, for the advancement of arts\nand serving the three other Varnas the Sudras were produced. They are\nnot entitled to perform the ceremony of initiation and read the Vedas.\nAs before fire is produced from a piece of rod by concussion smoke\nrises, but it does not serve the practical purpose, so the Sudras,\ntaking birth in this world, have multiplied themselves, but they, not\nbeing initiated, cannot perform the various Vedic rites (13\u201317).\n\nThereupon Daksha begat his other sons who were the supporters of the\nVedas, strong, endued with great energy, power and effulgence. Daksha\nsaid to them:\u2014\"O ye powerful sons, from your mouths I wish to know the\nstrength of your mother, the earth. I am powerful and therefore cannot\nfind out the end of the earth; you should be like me. Afterwards\nascertaining the truth I will distribute energy and strength amongst\ncreatures. On account of the vastness of the soil my creatures will\nmultiply themselves.\" The goddess, earth, the essence of the great\ncreative energy of the Lord, did not show herself unto Daksha\u2019s sons who\nwere desirous of seeing her. When in the Krita age the pure souls, of\nthe sons of Praj\u0101pati pervaded by the quality of Sattwa, are purified\nwith seeing the Prakriti, Nature, the mother of all creatures, without\nbeing urged on by Purusha, creates all engendered by sweat and eggs and\ndecreases and increases all creatures who, by nature, partake of the\nfruits of works (18-23).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XX. THE FRUITS OF YOGA.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O foremost of the twice-born, I wish to learn that of\nthe Treta yuga which I may know correctly the eternal Brahman who is the\nsubject of all sorts of learning (1).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Being dispirited the foremost of Purushas Daksha,\nthrough his Yoga power, assumed the form of a woman on the summit of the\nmount Meru. He became a highly charming damsel with well-formed thighs,\nbreast, eye-brows, a lotus-like countenance and dark eyes. With his half\nbody Pr\u0101chetas Daksha begat on that damsel maidens by the name of\nPadmas. Thereupon on renouncing the female form through his male form\nDaksha again assumed the form of a most handsome man. According to the\nrites of Br\u0101hma marriage sanctioned by the Smritis Pr\u0101chetas gave away\nthose maidens. Of them he conferred ten on Dharma, thirteen on Kashyapa\nand twenty seven maidens on Soma. O king, after giving away those\ndaughters in marriage Dahsha repaired to the sacred shrine of Pray\u0101ga\nwhere Brahm\u0101 lived. And there concentrating his mental and intellectual\nfaculties and practising penances with the deer he travelled over the\nworld. Sustaining himself with grass, roots and fruits he continually\npractised rigid austerities. The deer found delight in seeing his\nharmless spirit and the Br\u0101hmanas, who had been initiated, who used to\nperform religious works and whose sins had been dissipated through\nascetic observances, were delighted with seeing the fruits of his\nausterities (2-10).\n\nAt the time of conflict between Yoga and intellectual faculties, the\nman, who is incapable of standing physical sufferings, who has\ncontrolled his mind and who knows the time, sees the Karma and the\nspiritual power acquired through _Yajna_ on account of his omniscience.\nAnd living with their wives in the company of the deer the anchorites,\nliving on vegetable food and shorn of anxiety, attain to decrepitude.\nThe Br\u0101hmanas, who have studied the Vedas, see the great Brahman in the\nhuman body and therefore they call it _Brahmakshetra_ or the soil of\nBrahma (11-13). The _yatis_, divorced from works, who have controlled\ntheir anger and passions and who range on earth desirous of wending the\neternal way, say this. At the time of Sam\u0101dhi or mental concentration\nthe entire creation is immersed in Brahman. And they again appear in the\nworld on account of their pristine works. Although all creatures are\nimmersed in Brahman at the time of Sam\u0101dhi they again appear on earth on\naccount of their pristine actions. Although unmanifest at the time of\nSam\u0101dhi, all creatures become manifest through the tendencies of nature.\nIt is therefore difficult to overcome her. On account of the\ncharacteristics of the time the creatures become manifest and unmanifest\n(14-16).\n\nEvery object of creation, mobile or immobile, gross or subtle, can\nacquire Yoga under the influence of time. While this Yoga is possible\nfor inanimate objects even every man should strive to acquire the\nknowledge of union with God. In the course of time the eternal Kashyapa\nbegat all created beings on Daksha\u2019s daughters. O king, the Adityas, the\nVasus, the Rudras, Viswadevas, Maruts, the many-headed serpents,\nSadhyas, Pannagas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Yakshas, the vultures, Garuda\nwith his wings, the Suvasan Kinnaras, cows and other quadrupeds, men,\nthe entire earth, mobile and immobile, the mountains, elephants, lions,\ntigers, horses, tusked animals, boars, wolves, deer, elephants with four\nwhite tusks, and creatures, capable of assuming forms at will, were\ncreated. In this Bh\u0101ratavarsha the land of eternal religion, Munis again\ntook birth, with same form, beauty, character and power as they\npossessed in the previous Kalpa. Pious men, who had mastered the Vedas\nand acquired the knowledge of Atman, created both the external and\ninternal world through their mental faculties. In the region of Swarga\nsituate there all the celestials were settled (17\u201325). Besides all the\nhouseholders, who acquire spiritual power through ascetic observances,\nthose who acquire it through leading the life of celibacy, those who do\nit through serving their preceptors, and those who acquire Yoga through\nSiddhi, will not be constrained to undertake painful works. Those, who\ncontrolling their minds and with forgiveness and firmness practise\nreligious rites along with their wives, range in the celestial region\n(26-28).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXI. THE PROCESS OF PRANAYAMA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Persons, who have controlled their senses and anger,\nwearing matted locks and deer-skin, concentrate their mind on the\njunction-place between nose\u00b3\u00b9\u2070 and eye-brows for knowing the pure\nBrahman (1). This spot on the fore-head is the essence of bones and is\nnot destroyed even after the destruction of the body. It is encircled by\nthe vital breath Pr\u0101na. The vital breath goes here through tubes\nproducing wind, cough and phlegm. This is the place where Brahman can be\nperceived and is freed from all thorns of miseries. Here the three tubes\nand five vital breaths have been united. So fixing their mind on this\nplace the Yogins strive to realize the presence of the great Brahman.\nThe Br\u0101hmanas, who recite the seed of mantras _Om_ and celebrate\nsacrifices and who are immersed in their soul full of felicity, only\nkeep one fire of vital breath and divide it into five. The Munis, well\nread in the Vedas, divert this fire into three channels namely (Puraka,\nKumbhaka and Rechaka). So dividing this one into three and practising\nPuraka and other processes they acquire the true knowledge of Atman\n(2-5). One great fire spreads itself through oblations. In the shape of\nSwadh\u0101 it produces the successful fruits of Mantras\u00b3\u00b9\u00b9 (6). Then was\nborn of himself the Divine Daksha, ever successful and honouring\ncreatures, Brahm\u0101, the creator of Br\u0101hmanas and the grand-father of\nall\u00b3\u00b9\u00b2 (7). He is Dandi,\u00b3\u00b9\u00b3 Charmi,\u00b3\u00b9\u2074 Shari,\u00b3\u00b9\u2075 Khargi,\u00b3\u00b9\u2076 Shikhi,\u00b3\u00b9\u2077\nand has a face like a lotus.\u00b3\u00b9\u2078 He was by nature shorn of sorrow and had\ncontrolled anger and other passions (8). United with Medh\u0101 Brahm\u0101 is\nadored in Pushkara and the Saman verses sung by Indra are recited by the\nBrahmavadins (9). Clarified butter, milk, barley, etc., are dedicated to\nthe external sacrifices, but in the spiritual sacrifice all the\nproductions of the mind are sacrificed at the altar of the great soul\nthrough mental concentration (10). Having churned the fuel (of\nselfishness) consumed with the fire (of the disappearance of deity) and\ncollected from the Shami tree (bodily pleasure) one, conversant with\nBrahman, brings the Great Soul there (11). In an inferior sacrifice\ninsignificant articles are thrown into fire\u2014and according to their\nchanges heaven or inferior place is distributed to persons; but such is\nnot the case in a mental sacrifice\u00b3\u00b9\u2079 (12). In the inferior Yajna the\nfruits are attributed to the fire, but in the Atm\u0101-yajna the\nBrahmavadins\u00b3\u00b2\u2070 attribute it to spiritual exercises (13). Vrihaspati\nacquired the four Vedas in six months when the Brahma Yajna was\nundertaken at the cost of the Brahma wealth\u00b3\u00b2\u00b9 (14). He instructed the\npupils of his own school in this Veda, of the form of Saraswati endued\nwith letters highly charming and set to music (15). That sacrifice,\ndescribed by the word Brahmana, as mentioned by Brahm\u0101 appears like the\nsecond Brahm\u0101 region\u00b3\u00b2\u00b2 (16). The sacrifice, brought out from Brahm\u0101\u2019s\nmouth by the word Veda, shorn of any doubt regarding its proof, prospers\nas if speaking through various articles dedicated for his celebration\n(17). (Ordinary) sacrifices are performed with fuel, moon-plants, ladles\nand other sacrificial vessels, beggars and other persons who pray for\nmoney, barley and other articles and vessels full of water (18). The\nsacrifices are performed with dedicating riches and gold to the great\nBrahman, and with cows and calves (to the Br\u0101hmanas) (19). The\nrecitation of Saman verses, accompanied with the chanting of the Vedas,\nand continued with the limb of Karma full of the knowledge of Brahman,\nis united with the science of worship (20). Brahm\u0101, in the shape of\nYajna formed by the fuels imagined in the mind, along with Maruts,\noffers oblations of fire to those objects which are separately sprung\nfrom Brahman and exist by nature in Atman (21). According to the rites\nlaid down in the Vedas Brahm\u0101, the Lord of all creatures, does not\ncelebrate sacrifices in honor of and touch Brahman in the shape of pure\nintelligence (22). Having churned the fiery wood produced from Shami\ntree the omnipotent Brahm\u0101 propitiates first the gods with Agnisthoma\nsacrifice (23). At the time of the celebration of the sacrifice the\nmeeting is adorned with courtiers and the Chamasa and Adhyarju priests\nrecite sweet verses while the performance goes on (24). O king, with\nascetics, effulgent like the sun and moon, who have mastered the Vedas\nand their auxilliaries that great sacrifice was adorned (25). With the\nloud recitation of the Vedas that sacrifice appeared like the second\nBrahma region. The gods came down on earth. That great sacrifice was\nhonored in heaven and earth by the god-like, humble and ascetic\nBr\u0101hmanas who were conversant with Vedas and their limbs and with the\nknowledge of Brahman (26-27). That great sacrifice, undertaken by the\nBr\u0101hmanas, burning like the three fires lighted up in the sacrificial\nground shone like the Brahma region. In that great sacrifice the\nBrahmavadins recited the S\u0101man verses sung by Indra and the Yajur verses\nsanctioned by the Sastras. As soon as they were thought of in mind the\ntruthful, self-controlled and ascetic Munis, devoted to Brahman, came\nthere (28\u201330). Having assumed different forms the ancient\nBrahma-begotten Vrihaspati, the most worshipful amongst the great\ntheologians, acted in that sacrifice as Hot\u0101 and Brahm\u0101 (31). After the\ntermination of the sacrifice the sacrificer dedicated the fruits of\naction to Vishnu and took his birth from Aditi whose last conception was\nbrought about through ascetic energy (32). Being divested of birth,\nignorance and its action he, conversant with the knowledge of Brahman,\nattained to Vishnu\u2019s feet divorced from happiness and misery and from\nwhich Indra and many other gods have emanated and which can be obtained\nby undecaying spiritual exercises. The Munis, who are freed from senses\nand their objects which are the causes of bondage, are identical with\nHim (33-34).\n\nThe various objects of senses are produced by passions, which, on\naccount of the pristine actions, completely overpower the mind. So with\ngreat care one should subdue these passions (35). The Munis, although\nthey enjoy various objects of sense, are not brought by them under their\ncontrol. Self-control is regarded as the greatest characteristic of the\nlearned (36). The mind, of Brahmavadins who have acquired the true\nspiritual knowledge through instructions delivered by the word _Om_, is\nnot possessed by learning (37). The Br\u0101hmanas who always recite the\nVedas consider that loka as the best where the pious and the celestials\nlive (38). O Bh\u0101rata king, that is the best loka where the gods,\nnourished with sacrificial offerings, do not meet with extinction and\nattaining which through his Karma the sacrificer lives happily with his\nwife shorn of anxiety (39). The persons, who see differences (of caste,\nposition), cannot use this body firm as rock for the purposes of\nemancipation\u00b3\u00b2\u00b3 (40-41). O king, the Br\u0101hmanas who are busy with Karma\nare driven away from heaven after they had enjoyed the fruits of their\nactions, and live on earth having their faces discoloured and their\nminds possessed by illusion (42). The sweet speeched, wise precepter of\na calm form, the foremost of those who remove sins, addressed the\nfollowing instructions of Vedanta to those twice-born ones:\u2014\"You\nconsider this body and senses as self and therefore fight with one\nanother. Save emancipation, you will not be able to cut with force this\nrock of attachment for the body even within hundred celestial years.\nWhen through mental concentration you will perceive that you are all the\none Atman (self), you will ungrudgingly make friends with all creatures\nand simultaneously destroy your false notion that this body is the self\n(43-45). The two passions anger and jealousy increase the energy of\nconquering nature; and the energy, divorced from anger and envy,\nincreases devotion unto Brahman (46). While by my pure understanding I\nwill abstain from enjoyments, both here and in the next world, while\nfire, water and food which build up this body huge like a mountain of\ncrystal and their actions words, vital air, and mind will be destroyed,\nwhile the holes of wife and others, the mental faculties, the Sastras\nand the passions will be shattered, I will then order you to cut this\nmountain of bodily attachment. You will also then be able to cut it.\"\nHearing those sweet words of their preceptor the Br\u0101hmanas observed\nsilence (47-49).\n\n  \u00b3\u00b9\u2070 This chapter is purely allegorical. It deals with a process of\n      Yoga called Pranayama _i.e._ the suppression of vital breath. The\n      word in the text is _Pitamaha_ which literally means Grand-father.\n      Allegorically it means the father of the father of action i.e.\n      father of the cause of action which is Pure Brahman. In this way\n      every word has an allegorical meaning. As the whole chapter is\n      allegorical we think it better to translate freely this and the\n      subsequent chapters placing before our readers only the\n      allegorical interpretation as some commentators have done. We need\n      not say that a literal rendering will not make out the meaning\n      intelligible. This whole Parva seems to be an interpolation as it\n      bears no connection with the original plot of the book. It merely\n      deals with Yoga and cosmogony.\n\n  \u00b3\u00b9\u00b9 He, who practises the process of _Pranayama_ namely the\n      suppression of vital breath, should, according to the going down\n      and coming up of the vital breath, draw the air to _Brahmarandhra_\n      forehead; and then drawing it back from there he should place it\n      between the eye brows; and then drawing it through eyes, he should\n      place it on the root of the nose. From there he should draw it to\n      the root of the tongue. From there he should transfer it to the\n      heart, thence to the organ of procreation, thence to the body,\n      thence to the organ of excretion, thence to the root of the\n      thighs, thence to the middle of the thighs, thence to the\n      knee-joints, thence to the root of the arms, thence to Jangha,\n      (half thighs), thence to the ankle, thence to Angustha and thence\n      to the feet. Thus he, who draws the fire of Prana (vital air) from\n      one place to another, is freed from all sins, has his soul\n      purified, and lives so long as the moon and stars exist. To hold\n      the vital breath in one\u2019s own body is Swadha. Through this\n      physical process of Yoga one can suppress completely his vital\n      breath. One, who thus practises Pranayama, is freed from all\n      disorders of wind, cough and phlegm.\n\n  \u00b3\u00b9\u00b2 _Daksha_-successful in all works undertaken i.e. endowed with\n      lordly powers. It is an attribute of Brahma. _Bhuta_: always\n      successful.\n\n  \u00b3\u00b9\u00b3 While practising the process of Puraka, he filled himself with\n      vital air through the nostril and was at that time as stiff as a\n      rod and therefore he is called _Dandi_ i.e. rod-like.\n\n  \u00b3\u00b9\u2074 While practising the physical process of Kumbhaka he was filled\n      like a leather-bag with vital air and so he is called _Charmi_.\n\n  \u00b3\u00b9\u2075 And while practising Rechaka he became as thin as a reed and\n      therefore he is called Shari.\n\n  \u00b3\u00b9\u2076 He was sharp as a sword for cutting the tree of worldliness.\n\n  \u00b3\u00b9\u2077 He was pleased in the shape of Daksha.\n\n  \u00b3\u00b9\u2078 In this sloka Pushakara means own soul and _medha_ the\n      intellectual faculties. Indra means the man who has seen his own\n      self. The Saman verse is \"I am food and food is me.\" The\n      self-controlled Rishis, who are gifted with spiritual insight,\n      celebrate sacrifices for increasing their powers of mental\n      concentration. Although the Atman always appears in a body still\n      casting off attachments for the body He manifests himself as\n      Iswara.\n\n  \u00b3\u00b9\u2079 Yoga is compared to a sacrifice. In a mental Yajna i.e. Yoga one\n      need not dedicate inferior articles to fire as oblations. Though\n      the Yogin does not observe the practices of the external but\n      inferior sacrifice he however acquires similar fruits. The Sruti\n      says that if the Yogins wish to see the region of the dead their\n      ancestral manes appear before them. When a Yogin attains to a\n      consummate stage he sees unseen and unheard of objects. The\n      ordinary persons, who celebrate sacrifices, are not entitled to\n      know the Great Atman; they are allowed to know Isvara. Atman is\n      the Real Absolute God and Isvara is the God endued with Maya or\n      creative energy. In the inferior sacrifices there is the\n      difference of fruits proportionate to the excess and absence of\n      reverence but in the _Atma-yajna_ _i.e._ Yoga there is no such\n      thing for the common object of all is the attainment of salvation.\n\n  \u00b3\u00b2\u2070 In the ordinary sacrifices of the world people enjoy fruits as\n      they offer various articles. But the Yogins, according to their\n      spiritual culture, attain fruits in the Brahma region. The Munis,\n      who have seen Brahman in this world, have acquired many lordly\n      powers.\n\n  \u00b3\u00b2\u00b9 i.e. A qualified man acquires the consummation of his Yoga\n      practice within six months.\n\n  \u00b3\u00b2\u00b2 The sacrifice (ordinary) which is an outcome of Pravritti\n      (tendency for works), appears like spiritual Yoga.\n\n  \u00b3\u00b2\u00b3 True emancipation cannot be acquired unless a man sees all persons\n      as identical with himself.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXII. KURUKSHETRA AND THE DUTY OF THE BRAHMANAS.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Although they listened to the instructions of their\npreceptor in the shape of a mountain those Br\u0101hmana house-holders,\ndevoted to asceticism, could not give up bodily attachment. So the\nworship of fire with oblations daily increased and the worship of Vishnu\nand preceptors was also introduced. Thus O king, for the purification of\nthe souls of the Br\u0101hmanas Karma K\u0101nda was introduced in this world by\nthose Brahmav\u0101dins (1-2). Near the mount Vindhya on this earth there is\na sacred province by the name of Kurukshetra which is even, shorn of\nthorns and full of woods and twigs by which fire may be lighted.\nPerforming God\u2019s work with pure heart the great Br\u0101hmana householders\nlived there and practised ascetic penances. Even the Yatis with great\neagerness live there for acquiring piety. The Br\u0101hmanas, who have\nfollowed the V\u0101naprastha mode of life, who perform Agnihotra ceremony,\nwho have controlled their anger and passions, who wear bark and\ndeer-skin and who live on unsolicited food, also wish to live there. O\nking, gradually obtaining it by the will of the Providence, the\nBr\u0101hmanas, with great care observe this mode of life. He, who knows this\nsacred initiation which was practised by the Brahmavadi Munis of old,\nattains to eternal virtue. Without thoroughly mastering the Vedas one\nshould not lead the life of a householder, should not observe the most\ndifficult Brahmach\u0101rya, should not live the life of a hermit, and should\nnot give up the duties of a householder. Save by mastering the Vedas\nmiseries will never end. To the reciters of the Saman and Yajur Vedas\nthe Riks are their acquirement. The ascetic Br\u0101hmanas, who wish to live\nlike householders, can receive instructions of the Ved\u0101nta from their\npreceptors and reap the fruits thereof. A pious king should compell him\nwho does not hear the Vedas or celebrate the Vedic rites to act like a\nSudra. On the other hand there is none amongst the Br\u0101hmanas who does\nnot respect the Vedas. A student or a householder, every Br\u0101hmana\ncontrols his mind when he listens to the enunciation of his duties,\nreads the Vedas and receives the instructions. Therefore no king should\ndisregard a Br\u0101hmana. Therefore a Br\u0101hmana, who acquires the knowledge\nof S\u0101stras, who gains the transcendental knowledge, should thus read the\nVedas and control his senses (3-15).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXIII. THE BEGINNING OF FIGHT BETWEEN DEVAS AND DAITYAS.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The Rishis and Gandharvas, headed by N\u0101rada, who\nwere well-read in the Vedas and who were not visited by sins consequent\nupon the omission of rites, worshipped the Br\u0101hmanas with placing the\nsun and moon before them. And they always worshipped the Grandfather\n(Brahm\u0101) in sacrifices as a son adores his father. Eulogised with sweet\nwords by those Br\u0101hmanas who had controlled their five senses, who\nalways did good by all creatures and wished them well the Lord Brahm\u0101\nsaid:\u2014\"By good luck (you have undertaken those sacrifices)\" (1\u20134).\n\nThereupon the omnipotent Lord addressed Kashyapa saying:\u2014\"You will, with\nyour sons, celebrate sacrifices on earth. The Yakshas and the Asuras\nwill all celebrate sacrifices with profuse gifts.\" Thereupon desirous of\nvanquishishing one another the Daityas, elated with the pride of their\nstrength, and the Devas began to quarrel, saying \"We will first\ncelebrate sacrifices, we will adore,\" and were about to fight with one\nanother. The Rishis, whose sins had been washed away by ascetic penances\nand the Br\u0101hmanas who had read the Vedas and their auxiliaries,\nprevented them all. Although prevented like unto bulls in Gokula they\nbegan to fight with one another. Leaving aside sacrifices they began to\nfight in right earnest. And when the battle set in they felt a desire\nfor conquering their vital breath and met with death in the presence of\nall creatures. Thereupon controlling their external senses through\nunderstanding and non-attachment engendered by true Jn\u0101na the Asuras and\nSuras, like unto birds with wings, controlled their own minds.\n\nThereupon as a boat sinks down under the pressure of the weight of men\nso the earth, the ground of sacrifices, was agitated with the flames of\nworldly objects. Like unto roaring bulls the Yoga postures are broken\nand the tubes are agitated by the vital breaths. Afterwards Madhu, whose\nintellectual faculties were agitated and Vishnu, identical with the\nquality of Sattwa, fought a dreadful battle which almost overturned the\ncycle and struck terror unto all creatures. Thereupon as the cloud\npacifies the forest set on fire so Vishnu controls all the mental\nenergies. He, who recites the name of the Lord, appears in Sattwa-guna\nafter controlling his mind (1-16).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXIV. THE FIGHT BETWEEN MADHU AND VISHNU.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014That powerful Daitya Madhu of dreadful prowess bound\nMahendra on that mountain with a sharpened noose\u00b3\u00b2\u2074 (1). According to\nthe words of Pralhada and on the wane of true understanding Madhu,\ndesirous of possessing the future dignity of Indra, bound him all on a\nsudden with invincible iron nooses; and issuing out for battle at the\nhead of his army he invited the fierce Vishnu for fight, as if urged on\nby death himself (2-4). Having divided themselves into divisions\nKashyapa\u2019s sons subjected themselves to Madhu\u2019s control. And taking up\nhuge clubs they ran out for battle. The Gandharvas and Kinnaras, expert\nin the art of singing and dancing, sang and danced on all sides. With\nthe sweet music of stringed instruments they pleased the fighting Madhu\nand made him absent-minded. When the D\u0101navas and Devas came within each\nother\u2019s view Madhu, shouting up, fixed his mind on singing. As fire\nlives secretly in wood, so Vishnu, with his Yoga eyes, drew Madhu\u2019s mind\ninto the objects of senses and disappeared in the mount Mandara. Having\ntheir minds pained a little the Rishis, of burning intelligence, placed\nthe Grandfather before them and disappeared within a moment (5-11).\n\nWorked up with anger, Madhu, having eyes rolling in intoxication, struck\nVishnu on the forehead with his hands. But he did not lose a single step\nfor it (12). Vishnu too struck with the tip of his finger the Daitya\nMadhu on the breast. Thereat vomitting blood he dropped down on earth.\nAwating for the the hour of wrestling Vishnu, of inconcievable prowess,\nexpert in fighting, did not strike the Daitya when he fell down.\nThereupon touching the ground with his knee-joints the Daitya Madhu rose\nup like Indra\u2019s flag-staff. And having his mind filled with anger he, as\nif, consumed all the quarters with his eyes. Afterwards roaring with\nharsh words and desirous of killing one another they engaged in\nwrestling (13\u201316). They were both endued with the strength of arms,\nexpert in fighting, great ascetics and truthful. Those two great heroes\nbegan to assail each other. It appeared that two mountains, with rocky\nwings, were fighting with each other. Infuriated with fighting they\nwrestled with one another on the ground. And as two elephants strike\neach other with their tusks so they struck each other with their nails\n(17-19).\n\nThereupon as after the termination of the summer season and in the\nbeginning of the rainy season gold, mixed with other mineral substances,\ncomes out of the mountains so blood gushed out profusely from the\nwounds. Covered with gushing blood they began to tear the surface of the\nearth with their feet. Striking each other in many ways those two heroes\nfought as the two birds, desirous of eating flesh, fight with each other\nwith their wings. Thereupon creatures heard the Siddhas sing the glories\nof Vishnu identical with truth and all spiritual powers in the sky over\nPushkara. With the elements of fire, water and earth this body is\nformed. And consciousness is then set to that body. United with the body\nand senses as consciousness the great Brahman is called Jiva. When the\nsubtle cause is destroyed all the primary elements exist in it, and that\nsubtle substance again appears in many forms. The subtle soul, although\ndisassociated from the body, pervades all objects of the three worlds as\nconsciousness and enjoys them. For the suppression of the wicked and\nprotection of the pious. Iswara, identical with Yoga and the protector\nof Dyuloka, assumes the form of a man, Shesha, tortoise and others and\nupholds Ananta who holds up the earth and the four Vedas identical with\nhimself. The Lord exists in the Br\u0101hmanas as the Vedas, in the\nKshatriyas as warfare, as trade in the Vaishyas and as service in the\nSudras (29\u201329). Living in the kine the Lord is distributing amongst you\nmilk and sustaining you. Stationed in sacrificial ingredients he is\nprotecting you with fruits, the departed manes with the smoke of Havi\nand the gods with a portion of Havi (30). With four elements and seven\nsorts of food the Lord, along with the departed manes, is protecting the\nthree worlds (31). The form of those seven kinds of food is the sun and\nthe moon, which becomes manifest and unmanifest through their own energy\n(32). Mind, words and vital breaths\u2014these three continually increase the\nsun; and with the remaining four the moon increases in his own disc\n(33). The three classes of Pitris spoil the balls of food offered to\nthem and the remaining four classes accept them (34). As gold is\nconverted into an ear-drop so thou art hidden in the five senses: thou\ndost live in egoism and other principles; thou hast emanated from the\nEternal and Undecaying Brahman (35). The fire and air draw energy from\nthee: because they draw their energies from thee thou art called Aditya\n(36). When the end of the cycle sets in, thou dost as if scorch the\nuniverse with thy rays and devour it: and therefore thou dost attain to\nthe highest spiritual power (37). In Amavashy\u0101 (the night in which the\nmoon is not at all visible) and the full-moon night thou dost range\nsecretly with the Rishis sprung from the sun, moon and the Vasus (38).\nThou dost celebrate sacrifices which yield nourishment, grant heaven and\ndo not bring about the deterioration of virtue. During Amavasy\u0101 and\nPurnim\u0101 thou dost appear in trees, herbs and the earth as the moon. And\nfor being born again thou dost take birth every fortnight (39-40).\n\nO lord of elements, whatever exists on the surface of the earth for the\nnourishment of creatures who have gone away and who will come again is\nidentical with thee (41). All the daily obligatory rites that are extant\non earth are identical with thee. Thou art at one with Yajna, Karma,\nMantra, words and _atman_ (42). There are two ways leading to heaven,\nthe sun and the clear moon. The latter is the way to the region of the\ndeparted manes and the former is to that of the celestials (43). In the\nshape of creatures and guided by mortal regulations thou dost range in\nthe universe only; destroying the senses in thy own form thou art living\ninvisible to all. Thou art born alone; thou art the ancient universal\nPurusha: thou art undecaying and incomparable: thou art self-controlled\nand yet thou dost play. In energy thou art like fire, and thou art\nranging assuming the form of air: and thou art always enveloped with\nfive subtle elements. In the work of the control of mind and external\nsenses thou dost exist as Jiva; in the work of emancipation thou art the\nPure Intelligence; and in the work of daily destruction thou art in the\nform of Rudra. Thou dost protect the universe as Vishnu. The various\norders and castes are identical with thee: thou art the consciousness of\nthe eye and senses. The self-controlled and sinless Munis, who have\nattained the Great Brahman through their works, who consider the friend\nand foe as equal, always serve thee (44-48).\n\nThus eulogised by the various Siddhas and Munis the great Vishnu thought\nof the form of Hayashira. While the Lord assumed the form identical with\nthe Vedas and the body identical with all the gods Siva remained on his\nhead and Brahm\u0101 in his heart. The rays of the sun remained on his\nKundalas and the moon and the sun on his two eyes. The Vasus remained on\nhis two Jangh\u0101s and all the Siddhas and gods on his joints. The Vedas\nremained in his words, the Maruts and Varuna on his knee-joints. Having\nthus assumed a huge form, highly wonderful even unto the gods the Lord\nHari, with his eyes reddened in anger, began to assail the Asura the\nvery personification of stupefaction. Like unto a youthful damsel clad\nin a white cloth the earth was filled with Madhu\u2019s fat and flesh\n(49\u201358). Therefore, O king, the earth is called Medini and perhaps for\nthousands of Asuras she has obtained the appellation of Dharani (59).\n\n  \u00b3\u00b2\u2074 The esoteric meaning of the passage is that Madhu the spirit of\n      stupefaction which is a demonaic emotion, binds (_Mohendra_) the\n      soul within the body.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXV. VISHNU KILLS MADHU.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Beholding Madhu\u2019s overthrow in Pushkara, all the\ncreatures, filled with joy, sang and danced on all sides (1). As if\nriving the sky with its golden summits covered with various mineral\nsubstances the foremost of mountains Sup\u0101rshwa shone there (2). The\nmountains covered all over with minerals shone there with elevated\nsummits like unto clouds charged with lightning (3). On account of their\nsummits being covered with sand and powdered coal raised by the wind\nthey appeared like so many huge clouds. The mountains, whose summits\nwere covered with clouds, whose trees were scattered with their wings,\nfrom which was produced profuse gold, were as if stationed in the sky.\nRaised by the wind the winged mountains, having their summits covered\nwith golden minerals, struck terror unto all birds. The golden mountains\nwere covered with crystal, emeralds and sapphires. The huge mountain\nHimalaya was covered with white minerals. And when his golden summits\nand wings are lighted up by the rays of the sun they display various\nsorts of jems. The huge mountain Mandara, filled with crystal and\ncontaining two gateways built of Vajra, shone like the celestial region.\nThe mount Kail\u0101sha, adorned with various minerals, its high summits like\nunto so many gate ways, and trees covered with Gandharvas playing on\nmusical instruments, the Kinnarras singing and the celestial maidens,\nmaking various gestures, appeared like a sporting mountain (4-12).\n\nWith Madhu\u2019s singing, acting, dancing, playing the mount Kail\u0101sa excited\ndesire like unto Cupid (13). Vishnu, in the shape of the earth, blue\nmount Vindhya with summits like unto clouds stricken with the rays of\nthe sun, stationed on the mount Meru, sent down showers on earth through\nclouds (14-15). With rising clouds the mountains discharge pure water,\nvarious rocks, mineral substances; and through springs they discharge\nwater clear like crystal. After the end of the rainy season trees, like\nunto clouds charged with lightning, shine being adorned with flowers.\nThe elephants have been adorned with various ornaments of gold. Hanging\nand blossoming creepers, supported by trees filled with birds, are as if\ndancing on being shaken by the wind. And during the spring the creepers,\nshaken by a gust of wind, like unto waves striking against the bank, are\npouring blossoms like unto drops of water. The earth has been covered\nwith various huge tres covered with fruits. As if singing songs the\ntrees, fond of honey and birds, are announcing the approach of Cupid.\nThe Divine Vishnu, the destroyer of Madhu, created a river of currents.\nThat stream had many fountains, profuse water and beautiful landing\nplaces. The shrines, situate on its bank, were charming and beautiful.\nIt was full of clear water and carried fragrance of flowers (16\u201323).\nEnlightened by the Vedic words \"There is nothing else but thee\" she\nenters into the Yogin\u2019s heart. Enlightened by the Vedic words, and\nassuming the form of Kapil (_i.e._ the balanced state of the three\nqualities) in yoga she yeilds milk (_i.e._ unfolds spiritual science)\n(24\u201325). When all the intellectual faculties are destroyed only Pure\nconsciousness remains; the three universal tendencies (Gunas) resort to\nthe material body only for knowing the subtle element. Thereupon the\nYogin, with mental concentration, adores the highly wonderful, eternal\nand pure Atman. Brahman, in the shape of pure _Jn\u0101na_, crossing over all\nobjects of consciousness like water in a desert, pervades the entire\ncreation. The beautiful, well-formed illusory M\u0101y\u0101 covers the celestial\nAtman. When the cover of Avidy\u0101 is removed one can see Atman. The\nconsciousness of ego is invincible like a mountain. It depends on the\nthree universal tendencies or Gunas. It exists eternally and is served\neven by the Siddhas (29).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXVI. AN ACCOUNT OF PIRTHU AND THE CHURNING OF THE OCEAN.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O Brahman, when egoism and ignorance thus prevailed all\nover the world what did the people do (1)?\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014In order to took after the work of adminstration\nPraj\u0101pati, along with the Rishis, installed Vena\u2019s son Prithu on the\nthrone (2). When the Tret\u0101 Yuga set in the people spoke amongst\nthemselves:\u2014\"He is our most excellent king born (3). He will grant us\nlivelihood, protect the Br\u0101hmanas and all creatures in satisfaction of\nduties entrusted to him by the Lord\" (4).\n\nIn the meantime, exhausted with the practice of various religious\nregulations the gods were taking rest on the table land of the mount\nGandham\u0101dana (5). Thereupon when the spring set in gods and D\u0101navas,\nsmelling fragrance from all sides, were highly pleased. They\nthought:\u2014\"The fragrance of flowers scattered by the wind is highly\ncharming and delightful therefore the fragrance of every earthly object\nis most excellent.\" Smelling that fragrance the Daityas were a little\nsurprised in the beginning. Afterwards being delighted they attained to\nmost excellent felicity (6\u20138). Excited with that smell they all said in\na body: \"Such is the power of every flower: we do not know what will be\nits fruit (9). Various modes of action are to be ascertained by\ninference. By the power of this understanding men perform auspicious and\ninauspicious deeds (10). With the powerful mount Mandara capable of\nassuming forms at will we will grind the herbs in water\u00b3\u00b2\u2075 (11). We will\nchurn the ocean with great force, drink ambrosia and in a body make\nourselves ready for destroying Avidy\u0101 or ignorance (12). The great force\nVishnu, whom we worship, will be our guide (in Yoga); and although\nliving with Ripus (passions) still we will conquer them and enjoy\nDyuloka and Bhurloka (13). With roots, leaves, branches, flowers and\nfruits\u00b3\u00b2\u2076 we will carry ambrosia to earth. (14)\". Having spoken thus\nabout the shaking of the mount Mandara the Daityas extracted all the\nherbs grown on the mount Gandham\u0101dana. And then they ran for uprooting\nthe mount Mandara and agitated the earth. The D\u0101navas, born in the race\nof Danu, could not uproot the mount Mandara. Their knees bruised they\nfell down into the hollow of the mountain (15\u201317).\n\nThereupon having dissipated their sins through ascetic penances and\ncontrolled their self through proper understanding they bent their heads\ndown and sought refuge with Ishwara (18). Informed of their mental\ndesire the omniscient and self-controlled Brahm\u0101, who can go every where\nfor the well-being of all the worlds, said in an invisible voice\n(19-20). \"Let the Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Maruts, gods, Yakshas,\nGandharvas and Kinnaras be united and uproot the mount Mandara and\npossess the herbs the very essence of the Himalaya\" (21\u201323). Hearing\nthose words in the presence of all, the Daityas, endued with the\nstrength of arms, multiplied themselves into many with mind and words\nnear the ocean of salt of water where Pushkara was placed by all the\nDevas and D\u0101navas (24-25). Having converted the mount Mandara into the\nchurning rod and V\u0101suki into chord they churned the ocean of salt water\nwith the herbs for thousands of years. With the mixture of water and\nherbs arose ambrosia in the form of milk (26\u201327). Possessed by avarice\nand anger the Asuras pilfered that ambrosia. Thereafter arose\nDhanwantari, wine, Sree, Koustava jewel, the clear moon, the beautiful\nhorse Ucchaishrav\u0101 and then milk. In order to take it the Devas said to\nR\u0101hu:\u2014\"None, amongst the Daityas and Dan\u0101vas, has drunk this ambrosia.\"\n\nThereupon with discus Hari cut off R\u0101hu\u2019s head. Earth himself snatched\naway from Indra\u2019s hand that nectar-like _Jn\u0101na_ which even the departed\nmanes and Munis have not enjoyed perpetually. Urged on by the Vedic\nphrases and accepted the discipleship the Earth stole away that nectar\nof knowledge (28\u201331).\n\n  \u00b3\u00b2\u2075 The esoteric meaning is:\u2014The mount Mandara means true\n      understanding; _Payas_ means _Jnana_ or knowledge and\n      _Oshadhis_\u2014bodily attachment. The meaning is that by means of true\n      understanding we will drown bodily attachment in true knowledge.\n\n  \u00b3\u00b2\u2076 That is, being united with father, wife, brothers, children etc.\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXVII. THE DESTRUCTION OF BALI.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014The Daityas were slain by Vishnu\u2019s power: but what did\nthey wish for when they grew powerful (1)?\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The highly powerful D\u0101navas, on account of their\nprowess, prayed for kingdom and the truthful Suras desired to carry on\nrigid austerities (2).\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014Having acquired lordly powers, why did Bali, born in\nthe race of Hiranyakashipu, celebrate in the days of yore, a\nlong-extending sacrifice in the land between the Gang\u0101 and Yamuna (3)?\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O great king born in the race of Bharata, the highly\npowerful Bali, the foremost of D\u0101navas, celebrated a Rajasuya sacrifice\nwith profuse gold in the land situated between Gang\u0101 and Yamun\u0101. That\nwas like a great ascetic penance for him. When that great Asura\nundertook the celebration of the Yajna, many Br\u0101hmanas observant of\nascetic vows and well read in the Vedas, accomplished Yatins, V\u0101likhilya\nMunis, and many other twice-born ones, who daily practised many\nreligious rites, came there in a body. In that sacrifice rich presents\nwere made. And the preceptor Shukra, like unto fire amongst the\nBr\u0101hmanas, came there with his son for officiating as a priest on behalf\nof Bali. Like unto Hiranyakashipu amongst the Daityas Bali said to\nSaraswati:\u2014\"Thou didst tell me that thou wouldst of thy own accord\nconfer a boon on me. Do thou do it now\" (4-10).\n\nIn the form of a dwarf Vishnu accepted as alms ground for placing his\nthree feet from that descendant of Hiranyakashipu (11). Afterwards the\nEternal Vishnu invaded the three worlds with his three foot-steps and\nassumed a celestial form. Deprived of their kingdom and with their\nsoldiers, Pr\u0101sas, swords Tomaras, rods, flags, standards, cars, coats of\nmail, cases, axes and other weapons, the Daityas entered into the nether\nregion.\n\nOn the other side, filled with joy the gods, along with Vishnu, at once\nrose up and installed Indra as their king for establishing their\nsovereignty over all the worlds. Bali gratified them with the offering\nof ambrosia. Brahm\u0101 gave that ambrosia to Mahendra. With this work Bali\nwas shorn of his sins and became immortal (12-16).\n\nThereupon first of all the gods blew the conch-shell which sprang from\nBrahm\u0101\u2019s hands and the blare of which made the hairs of the enemy stand\nerect. Hearing the blare of that conch-shell the three worlds were\ncontrolled and having obtained Indra as their king they enjoyed great\npeace. Armed with weapons made of fire and effulgent the three worlds\nstood before the mount Mandara (17\u201319).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXVIII. SIVA OBSTRUCTS DAKSHA\u2019S SACRIFICE AND HARI FIGHTS WITH\nHIM.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O Bh\u0101rata, thereupon they all enjoyed peace and a\nkingdom of prosperity was established. At that time there existing no\ndifference as regards the knowledge of spiritual science between gods\nand men they all unitedly cultivated the knowledge of _Atman_. Many\nhowever wept on the other hand; the gods accepted the sacrificial\nofferings offered by men (1-3),\n\nThereupon having instructed Pr\u0101chetas Daksha for celebrating a\nhorse-sacrifice the divine Vrihaspati came there encircled by the\nRishis. Daksha was the maternal grandfather of all. Therefore in that\nYajna of Daksha\u2019s who was devoid of the knowledge of Self Rudra,\ntogether with Nandi, set in obstacles for his own share. Rudra\u2019s form,\nby his own desire, was divided into two. The greatly pious Nandi was\nborn as a man. Through his Yoga power the Eternal Brahman, so well sung\nin the Vedas, was manifested by Rudra (3\u20136). Encircled by various Ganas,\nsuch as Sarupa Arupa, Virupaksha, Ghatodara, Urddhanetra, Mah\u0101kaya,\nVikata, V\u0101mana, Shikhi, Jati, Trilochana, Shankukarna, Chiradh\u0101ri,\nCharmi, those holding nooses, clubs, bells in their hands, those wearing\nKundalas and Katakas and those carrying bugles, flutes and Mirdangas,\nRudra ran on for obstructing Daksha\u2019s sacrifice. The goblins had in\ntheir hands conch-shell, Muraja, T\u0101la and Tala. Rudra, the holder of\ntrident and other fierce weapons, worshipful unto the sacrificers, shone\nlike burning flame in that sacrifice. It appeared that the burning fire\nof dissolution was about to devour the universe. As at the end of a\ncycle the fire of dissolution devours in no time the whole universe, so\nNandi and the holder of Pin\u0101ka were about to spoil that most excellent\nsacrifice. Striking terror unto Munis wearing bark and skin the\nnight-rangers ran forward to up-root the sacrificial stakes. The\nPramathas, having coppery eyes, drank up sacrificial offerings with\ntheir tongues. Others, with the end of their tongues long like the\ntrunks of elephants, began to devour the animals. Others up-rooted the\nstakes and struck the beasts. Some threw water into fire and laughed;\nsome, shining with eyes red like Jav\u0101 flowers, stole away the Soma\njuice. Some, with their hands resembling lotus-stalks, cut off the\nDarbha grass. Some broke down the sacrificial posts and others threw\naway the jars. Some felled the golden trees set up for beautifying the\nground. Some with arrows broke down the golden vessels. Some destroyed\nthe vessels and some uprooted Arani. Some broke down the altars, some\nate the balls of rice and some spoiled the various articles with their\nnails. Thus continually obstructed day and night that great sacrifice\nbegan to roar like a mighty ocean. On the other hand taking up the bow\nmade of _Kichaka_ bamboo, that was formerly given to him by the\nSelf-sprung Brahm\u0101, the highly-powerful Mah\u0101deva set arrows to it. Then\ndrawing his bow with his knees he struck the great Yajna. Wounded with\narrows that great sacrifice leaped up into the sky: and assuming the\nform of a deer and crying aloud he approached Brahm\u0101. Wounded with\narrows the sacrifice found shelter or peace nowhere on earth. Assailed\nwith arrows piercing to his very vitals he sought refuge with Brahm\u0101\n(7\u201325).\n\nIn sweet, auspicious, humble, powerful and grave accents Brahm\u0101 said to\nthe sacrifice in the form of a deer:\u2014\"O great deer, you will thus remain\nstationed in the sky. You have been defeated with an arrow of bent knots\nand variegated colours. Therefore united with Soma do you live with the\neternal Rudra at the head of the planets. Acquiring movements in the sky\nbe you united with stars; be you Dhruva amongst the luminous bodies. And\nthis celestial blood, which is gushing out of your wound, and which is\ndropping on the sky in consequence of your running, will assume various\ncolours and will be celebrated as the region of Ketu. During the rainy\nseason it will form the sign of showers unto creatures. Seeing it people\nwill meet with happiness or sorrow. On account of its resting on senses\nit will in the sky pass by the name of Indra\u2019s bow. O king, men\u2019s eyes\nwill observe it with surprise. It will be wondrous, variegated and will\nbe perfectly planned by the mind. In the sky of heart where Brahman is\nperceived it will be known only in name. It will not be seen in night.\nThis wonderful phenomenon will be specially seen in the first part of\nthe day. Rising up from the earth it will disappear in the sky. At that\ntime hundreds of Pr\u0101chetas Dakshas, in fear of Rudra holding his bow,\nwill simultaneously run away\". With his Pin\u0101ka burning like Brahma\u2019s rod\nat the end of a cycle Nandi stood there along with other Rudras. Holding\nup with one hand a huge bow and with another his discus the the\nlarge-armed Vishnu stood there. Holding his conch-shell and club in his\nanother hand and the sword in his fourth hand Vishnu stood in front of\nall desirous of fighting with Rudra (26\u201337).\n\nThereupon taking up his Shr\u0101nga bow, his conch-shell peerless in the\nworld and arrows Vishnu, with his soldiers, stood at the head of the\nbattle. Then putting on his gloves and armour he shone there like an\nocean with the moon. With various celestial weapons the effulgent\nAdityas and Vasus stood around N\u0101r\u0101yana. The Maruts and Vishwas took up\nRudra\u2019s cause. The Gandharvas, Kinnaras, N\u0101gas, Yakshas, Pannagas and\nthe Rishis, who had laid aside the rod of chastisement, wished well of\nboth the sides. Wishing for the well-being of all the worlds they\ncontinually recited Lord\u2019s names for the universal peace. Rudra,\nstanding at the head of the battle, struck Vishnu on his breast and\njoints with sharpened arrows. Vishnu, the soul and origin of all, was\nnot agitated thereby. Although he was endowed with six senses still his\nmind was not possessed by anger. Then Vishnu, bending his bow, set\narrows to it. And in no time he discharged that arrow, like unto the\nuplifting Brahma weapon, on Rudra\u2019s breast. Even the mount Mandara is\nshaken by the thunder-bolt: but wounded with that arrow Mah\u0101deva did not\ntremble.\n\nThereupon leaping up all on a sudden the Eternal Vishnu got hold of\nRudra\u2019s throat and for that the deity obtained the appellation of\nblue-throated (38\u201347).\n\nVishnu said:\u2014\"Thou art without birth and death. Do thou forgive me. Thou\nart the precepter of all creatures and scriptures. I know thee\" (48).\n\nO descendant of Bharata, the Lord is the agent of all actions and the\nmost excellent of all elements on account of their being endless. He is\nthe material and efficient cause of the universe and he has performed\nthe most auspicious works. Then from the sky were heard highly wonderful\nwords emanating from the mouths of the Siddhas. Salutation unto thee, O\nEternal Deity (49-51). Thereupon raising up his Pinaka, the powerful\nNandi, begotten by Rudra, almost beside himself with rage, struck Vishnu\non the head. Beholding Nandi the foremost of gods, the omnipresent Lord\nHari stupified him smilingly. Burning in his energy Vishnu, the giver of\nthe highest object of life, endued with forgiveness, stood there firm\nlike a mountain. Although powerful like the fire of dissolution still\nthe unconquerable, incomparable, eternal Hari of a quiescent soul, on\nbeing propitiated, apportioned a portion of sacrificial offerings for\nthe intelligent Rudra. Vishnu, the foremost of gods, is always virtuous\nand shorn of desires and by him the sacrifice was again established. O\nking, in that dreadful encounter between Vishnu and Rudra the Ganas did\nnot leave the parties they respectively espoused. A righteous battle\ntook place at the time of the spoliation of Daksha\u2019s sacrifice. And at\nthat time the destruction of sacrifices was introduced in the world. O\nking, by the grace of Vishnu, the Praj\u0101pati Daksha, who was not\nconversant with the knowledge of self, acquired the knowledge of the\nSupreme soul as the fruit of his sacrifice.\n\nThis lotus incarnation of the Great Vishnu has been recorded by the\nRishi Dwaipayana in the Poushkara Purana and has been in order improved\nby the great Rishis. He, who with attention listens to this Purana,\nacquires all objects of desire in this world; and shorn of grief he\nenjoys happiness in the next world. The man of great intellect, who\nbeing purified and self-controlled makes the Br\u0101hmanas listen to this\ncelestial theme, studies all spiritual subjects and is honored in the\nregion of gods (52\u201363).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXIX. THE BOAR INCARNATION OF VISHNU.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014We have heard from the pious sages while reciting the\nPuranas about the boar incarnation of Vishnu of incomparable energy, but\nwe know nothing about his works, accomplishments and object. Is that\nLord identical with sacrifice or Yoga? Is his body made of elements or\nillusory? Who is the presiding deity Hari, or Hara? How is his prowess\nand conduct? What did he do in the days of yore? Do thou describe truly\nbefore these great Br\u0101hmanas this boar incarnation recorded in Srutis\n(1-4).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O king, I will describe to you the boar incarnation\nof Krishna of highly wonderful deeds, which has been described at length\nin religious books by Krishna Dwaip\u0101yana. O Janamejaya, being purified\nand self-controlled hear how N\u0101r\u0101yana assumed the form of a boar and how\nHari, the slayer of his enemies, assuming the boar form adorned with the\nsacred verses of the Sruti, raised up with his tusks the earth sunk\nunderneath the ocean. This highly sacred Purana is like unto the Vedas,\nand is adorned with Srutis. It should not therefore be recited to an\natheist. He is a spiritual man, who knows the meaning of this complete\nPurana and of the Sankhya and Yoga systems expounded in it. After the\nrunning out of the thousand cycles and the termination of Brahm\u0101\u2019s day,\nwhen all sorts of evil omens appear and all the elements become\ninvisible Vrish\u0101kapi, identical with Hari and Hara, takes the form of\nHiranyaret\u0101, as the fire, air and the sun, consumes the world with his\nflames and dries up the Vishwadevas, Sadhyas, Rudras, Adityas, the two\nAshwinis, all the Patriarchs, the seven Rishis, Yakshas, R\u0101kshasas,\nGandharvas, Daityas, Pishachas, Nagas, the various classes of Bhutas,\nthe Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Sudras, quadrupeds and other lower\nanimals living on earth (5-15).\n\nThereupon in the last part of Brahm\u0101\u2019s day, when according to the desire\nof Ishwara, thirty-three celestials, well-read in Itish\u0101sas, Upanishads,\nVedas and other sciences and engaged in pious works and having their\nfaces discoloured and limbs burnt by his effulgence took Brahm\u0101, the\norigin of the universe, before them and appeared there the great Yogin\nN\u0101r\u0101yana in the shape of a swan entered into Hari. As in this world the\nsun daily rises and sets so the gods appear and disappear in N\u0101r\u0101yana. I\nwill describe it (16\u201320). A cycle consisting of a thousand years\ncomplete is called _Nishesha_ for at that time the world, the instrument\nof dissolution, does not exist and so all the works of creatures are\nbrought to a close. Having destroyed all the worlds consisting of the\ngods, Asuras and Pannagas, the Lord only, the preceptor of the world,\nlives in His own Self. After the end of each cycle the Lord, again and\nagain, creates all creatures. The Lord is unmanifest and Eternal. The\nwhole universe exists in Him. When the world is divested of the rays of\nthe sun and the moon, of smoke, fire, air, sacrifices and religious\nrites, when the birds become motionless and no animal moves about, when\nthe whole world is enveloped with darkness, and every thing becomes\ninvisible, when all the works come to a close, when the fall of\nlightning, earth-quake and other portends disappear, when the enemies\nare destroyed and the universe, identical with N\u0101r\u0101yana, arrives at a\nstate of equilibrium Hrishikesha, the Great soul, strives to sleep.\nWearing matted locks like unto a thousand flames Krishna, clad in a\nyellow raiment, resembling a cloud in hue and having red eyes, a breast\npasted with red sandal and adorned with the mystic mark of Srivatsa,\nappears there like a cloud charged with lightning. A garland of a\nthousand lotuses adorns, his neck and his wife, Lakshmi, herself remains\nattached to his person. Thereupon Vishnu, of incomparable prowess and\nidentical with virtue, the grand-father of all, enters into an\nundescribable Yoga sleep. Thereupon after the completion of a thousand\nyears he himself awakes as the Lord Purusottama the master of all the\ncelestials. Afterwards the Lord of the world again thinks of creating\nthe universe. With his supreme power he creates the departed manes,\ngods, Asuras and men. He then thinks of the works of the gods. That lord\nof speech then creates all the worlds (21-34). The Lord is the creator,\nprotector and destroyer: he is the ordainer: he is self-control and\nregulation (35). All the gods are identical with N\u0101r\u0101yana, all works are\nidentical with N\u0101r\u0101yana, all truth is identical with N\u0101r\u0101yana and all\ndignity is identical with N\u0101r\u0101yana. All Yajnas and Srutis are identical\nwith N\u0101r\u0101yana. Emancipation is identical with N\u0101r\u0101yana and He is the\nrefuge of all. Virtue and sacrifices all depend on N\u0101r\u0101yana. Knowledge\nand ascetic penances all proceed from Him. There is no god superior to\nN\u0101r\u0101yana: nor will there be any (36\u201338). He is the Self-sprung Deity,\nthe lord of the universe; He comes within the ken of knowledge as Brahm\u0101\nand within that of perception as air. He is identical with _yajna_. He\nis known by us as both manifest and unmanifest: he is omniscient and the\ncreator of all. He displays what the senses cannot: and the latter\ncannot perceive what he does not display, The gods, the patriarchs and\nthe seven Rishis have not been able to know the end of Him. Therefore\nthe Sruti says that He is without end. His most supreme form the gods\ncannot see: they only adore that form of His which He assumes at the\ntime of His incarnation. The gods only see that form of His in which He\nmanifests Himself. The form which He does not show no body can search\nfor. He is the lord of elements, the motion of the vital air and the\nfire of digestion. He is the distributor of energy, asceticism and\nambrosia. He enjoys the fruits of _Ch\u0101turhotra_ in four Asramas. He is\nthe ordainer of four Yugas and four oceans. He is the great Yogin.\nHaving destroyed the universe He keeps it in his womb for a thousand\nyears and then unfolds the egg. This omniscient Prajapati creates the\ngods, Asuras, the Br\u0101hmanas, serpents, Apsaras, herbs, the upholders of\nthe universe, Yakshas, Guhyakas, and the Rakshasas (39-47).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXX. THE WORK OF CREATION AND UPRAISING OF THE EARTH.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The Vedic Sruti says that formerly this universe of\nBrahm\u0101 existed in the shape of a golden egg. Thereupon for creating the\nworld the omnipotent Lord cut off the egg which had its mouth upwards.\nThe Lord, who was conversant with the knowledge of all divisions, again\ndivided it into eight parts. The etherial hole which was on the surface\nof the egg was converted into the most excellent Brahma region intended\nfor the virtuous. And the hole underneath was converted into Ras\u0101tala.\nAs the material cause of the universe the Lord created that egg with\neight sorts of holes; and he then divided senses, in the shape of holes,\ninto gross and subtle elements. And the various parcels of the egg dyed\nwith diverse colors were converted into variegated clouds. The liquid\nsubstance, that was in the egg, became gold on earth.\n\nO King, as the world is covered with oceans, at the time of the\nuniversal dissolution so the entire universe was covered with the\nstreaming juice of that egg. And the water, that came out of the egg\nwhich the Lord created formerly for the construction of the celestial\nregion, became the golden mountains. With that water, all the quarters,\nsky, the region of N\u0101ka and all other interstices were covered. And\nwherever that water dropped mountains were created. The earth was thick\nset with mountains and became impassable. Assailed by those mountains\nextending over many Yojanas the earth was pressed down by their weight.\nThe celestial water, identical with Nar\u0101yana which flowed down on earth\nbecame the golden energy. Assailed by that energy and unable to bear it\nthe earth entered into the region underneath. Seeing the earth enter\ninto the region underneath, the slayer of Madhu, for the well-being of\nall, devoted his attention to raising her (1-16).\n\nThe Lord said:\u2014Assailed by the weight of my strength the poor goodess\nEarth is going to Rasatala like unto a cow thrown helplessly into mud\n(17). The Earth said:\u2014\"Salutation unto Purusottama who is endued with\nthree foot-steps, of incomparable strength, the great man-lion of four\narms, and who bears the mystic mark of Srivatsa on his breast and holds\nthe bow Shr\u0101nga, discus, sword and club (18). O lord, thou dost hold\n_Atman_, thou dost uphold the universe, the elements and protect the\nworld. Thou dost, by thy energy and strength, hold all and I sustain\nthem afterwards. I cannot sustain what thou dost not uphold. There is no\nelement which is not supported by thee. O N\u0101r\u0101y\u0101na, at every Yuga, thou\ndost, for the behoof of the world, relieve me of my burden. Assailed by\nthy energy I am about to enter into Ras\u0101tala. I do now seek refuge with\nthee. Do thou save me. When I am oppressed by the D\u0101navas and the\nwicked-souled R\u0101kshasas I do seek thy shelter who art eternal and all\ntruth. When my mind is possessed by fear I, hundreds of times, pray to\nthee in my mind who art broad-shouldered and like unto a bull and seek\nthy shelter.\" The Lord said:\u2014\"O Earth, do not fear. Be self-controlled\nand enjoy peace. I do bring you to your proper place which you wish\n(19\u201326).\"\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon the great Lord thought in his mind of his\ncelestial forms and said:\u2014\"Assuming what form shall I upraise the\nearth?\" Then ascertaining how he would raise up the earth sunk under\nwater, the Lord, sporting in water, thought of his boar-form. Hari, the\nupholder of the ground, thus engaged himself in raising up the earth.\nThat Brahm\u0101 form, indentical with worlds, was above the reach of all. It\nextended over ten Yojanas, and was a hundred Yojanas in height. It was\nlike a dark-blue cloud in hue\u2014and its voice was like the muttering of\nclouds. It was strong like a huge mountain and had white burning tusks.\nIt was effulgent like lighting and the rays of the sun. His shoulders\nwere plump and spacious. His gait was like that of a proud tiger. His\nback was elevated and he was endued with all the marks of a bull. Having\nthus assumed the form of a huge boar, Hari entered into Ras\u0101tala for\nraising up the earth. The Vedas were the feet of that boar, the\nsacrificial stakes were its teeth, the sacrifice was its hands, _Chiti_\nwas its mouth, fire was its tongue, Darbha grass was its hair, Brahman\nwas its head. That Great Yogin was the distributor of days, nights and\nmoments, was identical with the Vedas and their limbs, and adorned with\nSrutis. Having thus assumed the form of a sacrificial boar the preceptor\nof the world immediately entered into the region underneath. He held the\nearth covered with the mass of water. For the behoof of the world the\nLord entered into Ras\u0101tala and upraised the earth with his tusks sunk\ndown there.\n\nThereupon reinstating the earth in her proper place the Lord upheld the\nupholders of the earth and then released her. On account of her being\nheld up by him the earth attained to peace and saluted the Lord Vishnu.\nHaving thus assumed the form of sacrificial boar, the Lord, for the\nwell-being of all, raised up the goddess Earth. Having raised up the\nearth from Ras\u0101tala that foremost of Suras, having eyes, devoted his\nattention to making various divisions of the world. Having assumed the\nform of a huge boar, the highly illustrious Achyuta, of unequalled\nprowess, raised up the earth with one tusk for the well-being of the\nworld (27\u201348).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXI. THE CREATION OF MOUNTAINS AND RIVERS.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The earth floated over that vast expanse of water\nlike a boat. On account of the heaviness of her body she did not sink\ndown (1). The Lord then thought of making divisions of the earth. He\nthen thought of the height of mountains, the courses of rivers and their\nsizes, small or less. Having divided the earth into four continents like\nunto four petals of a lotus and separated the oceans he created the\ngolden mountain Meru (2-4).\n\nThereupon going to the eastern side he created the (Udaya) rising\nmountain a hundred _yojanas_ in extent and a thousand _yojanas_ in\nheight. With golden summits the fruits of his own energy and effulgent\nlike the rising sun he completed it with body and base (5\u20136). That one,\nhaving lotus eyes, created there golden trees of huge stems covered\ndaily with flowers and fruits (7). The Great God Vishnu next created the\nmount Soumanaka which was a hundred _yojanas_ in extent and two hundred\nin height. He collected there thousands and thousands of jems and\nvariegated altars shining like evening clouds. He then created the\nmountain of a thousand summits, the abode of hundreds of jems. It was\nthickly covered with trees and was sixty yojanas in height. There the\ncelestial Architect placed his most excellent seat adored of all\ncreatures. He then created the great mountain Shaishira covered with\nforest. Its impassable caves were richly adorned. From it he created the\ncelebrated river Vasudh\u0101ra, originating from dews abounding in birds and\nadorned with banks. That river, full of sacred sacrifices, covered the\nentire eastern quarter with pearls and conch-shells, daily yielded\nambrosial fruits and flowers, and had profuse shade. It was adorned with\nmany trees grown on its bank (8-15).\n\nThereupon having created divisons of the West, the Lord created the\ncharming mountain of half gold and half silver in the south. Holding on\none side the effulgence of the sun and on the other that of the moon\nthat best of mountains shone there greatly in beauty (16\u201317). That\nmountain was as if simultaneously spread over with the rays of the sun\nand the moon. Thereupon he created in that quarter the huge mountain\nBh\u0101numanta. That mountain was covered with celestial trees conferring\nall wished-for fruits. Then he created the mount Kunjara of the shape of\nan elephant (18-19). It had golden rooms on all sides and was many\n_yojanas_ in extent. He then created the mount Rishabha of the shape of\na bear. It was covered with golden sandal trees and was as if smiling\nwith flowers. He then created the mountain chief Mahendra a hundred\n_yojanas_ in height. It had golden summits and huge blossoming trees.\nThe Lord created that huge mountain on earth, which, filled with diverse\njems, was effulgent like the sun and the moon. He then created the\nmountain Malaya adorned with many blossoming trees (20\u201323). He then\ncreated the mount Main\u0101ka covered with a net of rocks. He placed that\nhuge mountain in the southern quarter (24). He then created the mount\nVindhy\u0101 endued with a thousand summits and covered with various trees\nand creepers. He then created the celebrated river Payodhara, full of\nmilk like sweet water, whirlpools and endowed with spacious banks. That\nriver beautified the southern quarter (25\u201326). Having placed in the\nsouthern quarter that sacred river of a hundred branches and many holy\npilgrimages the Lord repaired to the western quarter. There he created a\nhuge mountain a hundred Yojanas in height. It was adorned with\nvariegated and golden rocks, caves, Sh\u0101la, Tala and other trees shining\nlike the sun and beautiful altars made of gold. The Lord established\nsixty thousand mountains in the Western division. There he created a\nVaidurya mountain named Bar\u0101ha in imitation of his own boar form. There\nwere golden and silvery rocks. There he also established the huge\nChakrav\u0101n mountain of a thousand summits resembling his own discus. He\nalso created the silvery mountain Shanka covered with dark-blue trees\nresembling his conch-shell. On the summit of that mountain he placed the\nhuge tree P\u0101rijata produced from gold and jems. The Lord Bar\u0101ha created\nin the western division the sacred and celebrated river Ghritadh\u0101r\u0101 of\nprofuse water. Having thus created many divisions of the West he\nestablished in the north many golden and beautiful mountains. He then\ncreated the golden mountain Shoumya of the effulgence of the sun and\nextent of the sky. Even when divested of the sun the country was lighted\nup with its effulgence. As with the heat of the sun the lunar region is\nlighted up so as if with the effulgence of that mountain the sun shone.\nIt appears, from the subtle signs that the sun is giving its heat. Its\nthousand summits were filled with various shrines. He then created again\nthe setting (_Asta_) hill filled with various jems. He then created\nthere the charming and most beautiful mountains Mandara and Gandham\u0101dana\ncovered with flowers. On the summit of the latter he created the\nwonderful golden river _Jamvu_. He then created the mounts Trishikhara,\nPushkara, Shubhra P\u0101ndura, the foremost of mountains Kail\u0101sha of the hue\nof a cloud and the mountain chief Himalaya covered with heavenly\nminerals. The Lord, assuming the form of a boar, created in the nothern\ndivision the heavenly river Madhudh\u0101r\u0101 endued with all virtues and a\nhundred mouths. All those mountains had wings and could assume forms at\nwill. The Lord Paramesthin made them all many coloured. Having thus made\nthe various divisions of the earth the Lord thought of creating the gods\nand Asuras. The divine destroyer of the world, having blood-red eyes,\ncreated, on all sides, for the behoof of mankind, many beautiful hills\nand sacred rivers full of water (27-50).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXII. THE CREATION OF THE VEDAS.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thus desirous of creating the universe the Lord\nbegan to think. While he was thus meditating a Purusha came out of his\nmouth. Arriving before the Lord, the Purusha asked \"What shall I do?\"\nThe Lord, the master of the universe, smilingly replied:\u2014\"Divide\nyourself into two.\" Saying this, the Lord disappeared. O Bh\u0101rata, when\nthe Lord disappeared bodily no relic of his movement was seen there like\nunto a lamp put out. Then the Hiranyagarbha, who is sung in the Vedas,\nbegan to meditate on the words uttered by Him. Formerly the Lord of the\nuniverse was the only Patriarch therefore he alone is entitled to\nsacrificial offerings.\n\nThe Patriarch said:\u2014The Great one asked me to divide myself into two,\nbut I have a great doubt regarding the division of Self into two. When\nthe Patriarch was thinking thus the word _Om_ was recited; with its\nsound the earth, sky, and heaven were filled. When Prajapati\u2019s mind was\npractising _Om_ again from the heart of the god of gods, sprang\n_Vashatkar_. Again originated the three great sacred words _Om_, _Bhur_,\n_Bhuva_, etc., with which the heaven, earth and sky are filled.\nAfterwards was produced the sacred _Gayatri_ of twenty-four words the\noriginator of metres. Completely recollecting that celestial verse\nPrajapati created Savitri. The Lord then created the four Vedas, Rik,\nSaman, Atharvan and Yayush with their accompanying religious rites\n(1-11).\n\nThereupon from his mind emanated Sana, Sanaka, San\u0101tana, Barava,\nSanandana, and the omnipotent Sanatkumar. With Rudra these six Rishis\nare the mind-begotten sons of Brahma. In Yoga Tantra the Yatis and the\nBr\u0101hmanas speak highly of these six Rishis, Brahm\u0101 and Kapila.\nAfterwards the Self-sprung Deity created his eight mind-begotten sons\nnamely Marichi, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Bhrigu, Angira and Maru\nand the Pitris of all creatures, gods, Asuras and Rakshasas. At the end\nof Nishesha Kalpa, the termination of the thousand Yugas, all these and\ntheir offspring disappeared from the world. Again after a thousand years\nthese celestial Yogins, capable of procreating progeny, will again take\nbirth. For a particular work with the end of every cycle the gods change\ntheir names and births. From Praj\u0101pati\u2019s right thumb the divine Daksha\nwas born. His wife was born from Brahma\u2019s left thumb. Daksha begat on\nthat wife his celebrated daughters the mothers of the world. O king,\nwith their progeny the whole world is covered. Thinking in his mind\nabout the multiplication of his progeny Daksha conferred his daughters,\nAditi, Diti, K\u0101t\u0101, An\u0101yu, Sinhik\u0101, Muni, Pr\u0101dh\u0101, Krodh\u0101, Surabhi,\nVinat\u0101, Suras\u0101, Danu and Kadru on Kashyapa. Daksha gave his ten\ndaughters namely Arundhati, Vasu, Y\u0101mi, Lamv\u0101, Bhim\u0101, Marudvati,\nSangkalpa, Muhurtta, S\u0101dhy\u0101 and Vishw\u0101, on Brahm\u0101\u2019s son, Manu. Then he\nconferred his beautiful daughters of blameless limbs, having lotus like\neyes and full-moon-like countenances, namely Kirti, Lakshmi, Dhriti,\nPushti, Buddhi, Medh\u0101, Kriya, Mati, and Lajj\u0101, on Dharma. Then was born\nAtri\u2019s son Atreya full of water. He was of a thousand rays, the lord of\nplanets and the dispeller of darkness. Pr\u0101chetas Daksha conferred on him\nhis most excellent twenty-seven daughters, Nakshatra, Yogini, Rohini,\netc. Hear, I will name the progeny of Kashyapa, Manu, Dharma and Shashi.\nKashyapa begat on Aditi the gods Aryam\u0101, Varuna, Mitra, Pusha, Dh\u0101t\u0101,\nPurandara, Twashta, Bhaga, Angsha, Savita and Parjanya. We have also\nheard that Kashyapa begat on Diti two sons. They were Hiranyakashipu and\nthe powerful Hiranyaksha. They were endued with incomparable prowess and\nlike unto Kashyapa in asceticism. Hiranyakashipu had five sons who were\nall very powerful. They were Pralh\u0101da, Anulava, Sanglahda, Hl\u0101da and\nAnulhada. Pralh\u0101da had three highly powerful sons, namely Virochana,\nJambha and Kuj\u0101mbha. Virochana\u2019s son was Bali whose only son was V\u0101na.\nHis son was Indradamana, the victor of hostile cities. Danu had numerous\nchildren who were all celebrated as great Asuras in the world. Of them\nthe first-born Viprachitti became the king. Krodh\u0101 had many sons and\ngrand-sons who were called Krodhavashas. They were highly dreadful and\nruthless. Singhik\u0101 gave birth to R\u0101hu who assailed the sun and the moon.\nHe devours the moon and destroys the sun. K\u0101ta\u2019s children were like unto\nDeath, highly dreadful effulgent, like dark blue clouds and had eyes\nshining like the sun. Kadru had many sons of whom the thousand headed\nSesha, V\u0101suki and Takshaka acquired ascendancy. They were all virtuous,\nwell-read in the Vedas, engaged in doing good unto creatures, givers of\nboons and capable of assuming forms at will. Vinat\u0101\u2019s sons were Tarksha,\nAristhanemi, the highly powerful Garuda, Aruna and Aruni. Pradh\u0101 gave\nbirth to the daughters Anavady\u0101, Anuk\u0101, Anun\u0101, Arunapry\u0101, Anuga, Subhag\u0101\nand the eight holy Apsaras worshipped even by the celestial saints.\nAlamvasha, Misrakeshi, Pundarik\u0101, Tilottam\u0101, Surupa, Lakshman\u0101, Kshem\u0101,\nRambh\u0101, Mandram\u0101, Asit\u0101, Suvahu, Suvritta, Sumukhi, Supry\u0101, Sugandhy\u0101,\nSuras\u0101, Pramathini, K\u0101shya and Sh\u0101radvati were celebrated as Manneya\nApsaras. Vishw\u0101vasu and Bharanya were known as Gandharvas; Menak\u0101,\nSahajany\u0101, Parnini, Punjikasthata, Kratusthata, Ghitachi, Vishw\u0101chi,\nUrvashi, Anumloch\u0101, Pramloch\u0101 and Manovati, these ten were the\ncelebrated Apsaras. From Praj\u0101pati\u2019s determination were produced\nambrosia, liked by the whole world, the Br\u0101hmanas, the cows and the\nRudras. They have been all described in the Purana as the offspring of\nSubrahi. I have thus described the progeny of Kashyapa, I will now\ndescribe that of Manu.\n\nO sinless one, I will describe them to you in brief. Vishw\u0101 gave birth\nto Vishadevas and S\u0101dhy\u0101 to S\u0101dhyas. Marudvati gave birth to Maruts and\nfrom Vasu Vasus were born. Bh\u0101nu\u2019s sons were Bhanus, Muhurtta\u2019s were\nMuhurttajas and Lamv\u0101 gave birth to Ghosha. J\u0101mi gave birth to N\u0101gadithi\nand Arundhati gave birth to all the objects of the world. Sangkalpa gave\nbirth to Sangkalpa, and Lakshmi gave birth to Dharma\u2019s son K\u0101ma, the\nmost favourite of the world. K\u0101ma begat on his wife Rati two sons Harsha\nand Yasha. Soma begat on his wife Rohini the great lord Varsh\u0101 by whom\nthe moon becomes effulgent as soon as he rises. Thus thousands of wives\nand sons were born. This is the root of the world. The Lord Praj\u0101pati\ndistributed powers amongst creatures according to their merit. The Lord\nthen created the ten quarters, the earth, Rishis, oceans, birds, trees,\nherbs, serpents, rivers, gods, demons, the sky-rangers, sacrifices and\nmountains (12\u201360).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXIII. VARIOUS KINGS ARE APPOINTED BY BRAHMA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O Bharata, the Lord appointed Sakra, effulgent like\nthe sun, as the king of the three worlds and of the gods (1). Jishnu,\nthe wielder of thunder-bolt, clad in a coat of mail, was given birth to\nby Aditi. That intelligent patron of Srmitis is eulogised by Adhyaryus\n(2). As soon as he was born from Aditi the Lord Sakra was covered with\nKu\u00e7a grass and therefore the king of gods passed by the name of Koushika\n(3). Having installed the thousand-eyed Purandara as the Lord Paramount\nBrahm\u0101 began gradually to distribute other kingdoms. He installed Soma\nas the king of Yajnas, asceticism, stars, planets, the twice-born and\nherbs. He appointed Daksha the king of patriarchs, Varuna the lord of\nwaters, the all-destroyer Vaishw\u0101nara, the king of the departed manes\nand Vayu that of smell, bodiless creatures, sound and ether (4-7). He\nconferred on Mah\u0101deva the sovereignty over the goblins, Pishacas,\nMatris, cows, evil portends, diseases, calamities, profuse rain, other\ndisturbances and the evil spirits. He appointed Vaishravana Kuvera as\nthe king of Yakshas, Rakshasas, Guhyakas, all the jewels and wealth. He\nappointed Sesha as the king of all animals having teeth, V\u0101suki as that\nof N\u0101gas and Takshaka as that of serpents. He appointed the ocean as the\nlord of rivers, rain and waters and Avury\u0101 as the lord of Adityas. He\nappointed Chitraratha as the king of Gandharvas and K\u0101ma that of\nApsaras. He appointed the bull, the carrier of Mahadeva, the king of all\nquadrupeds. The highly effulgent Hiranyakashipu was appointed the king\nof Daityas and Hirany\u0101ksha as the heir apparent. The highly powerful and\nfirst born Viprachitti was appointed the king of D\u0101navas and Asuras.\nPraj\u0101pati appointed Mah\u0101kala as the king of Kalakeyas and Vitra that of\nthe sons of An\u0101yusha the wife of Twasth\u0101. He appointed the great Asura\nRahu, the son of Sinhik\u0101 as the king of all portends and evil omens\n(8-16).\n\nO Bh\u0101rata, thereupon he appointed _Vatsara_ (year) the king of seasons,\nmonths, cycles, fortnights, days, nights, Tithis, Parvas, Kal\u0101s,\nK\u0101sth\u0101s, Muhurttas, the two Ayanas, Yoga S\u0101stra and Mathematics. The\nhighly powerful Garuda was elected the king of all birds, Suparnas\ncapable of seeing from a distance and of the Bhogis. V\u0101sava appointed\nAruna, Garuda\u2019s younger brother, red like a Jav\u0101 flower, as the king of\nthe Eastern quarter. The highly illustrious Yama, the dispenser of\njustice and the son of the lord Aditya was appointed by Mahendra as the\nking of the south. Kashyapa\u2019s own begotten son, who was under water and\nwas celebrated afterwards by the name of Ambur\u0101ja, became the king of\nthe West. And Pulastya\u2019s son the highly effulgent Kuvera, like unto\nMahendra himself, was appointed the king of the north (17\u201324). Having\nthus made out the divisions of the kingdom, the Self-sprung Deity, the\ncreator of the universe conferred on them severally the celestial\nregions. The regions of some were effulgent like the sun, some were like\nfire, some were like lightning, and some like the moon. All those\nregions were of diverse colors, capable of coursing at will, many\nhundred yojanas in extent, easily accessible unto the pious and hard of\nattainment for the sinful. The regions, which are beautiful to look at\nand are lustrous like the stars, are those of the pious. Those who\ncelebrate sacrifices with most excellent presents, those who are\nfaithful to their own wives, forgiving, simple and truthful, those\nBr\u0101hmanas who show kindness towards the poor, those who are freed from\ncovetousness, and the quality of Rajas, and the ascetic sages repair to\nthose regions. Having thus engaged his own sons Prajapati, the\ngrand-father of the world, repaired to the Brahm\u0101 region called\nPushkara. Having been entrusted by the Self-sprung Deity with the work\nof protection and been looked after by Mahendra the celestials lived\nhappily in their respective regions. Having been duly engaged in the\nwork of protection all the gods, headed by Shakra, enjoyed their\nportions of sacrificial offerings, heaven, fame and joy (25-33).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXIV. THE MOUNTAINS SET ASURAS FIGHTING WITH THE GODS.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Once on a time influenced by the Lord\u2019s M\u0101y\u0101 all the\nwinged mountains, the upholders of the Earth, left it. Thereupon coming\nto the eastern quarter they dropped into the abode of the Asuras\ngoverned by Hiranyaksha as the elephants are drowned into a lake. They\nthen asked the Asuras about the sovereignty over the celestial region.\n(They said) \"Although born after you the gods have acquired the\nsovereignty: you are not kings although you are born first.\" Hearing\nthose words the Asuras made most excellent preparations (1\u20133). And\nsetting their mind upon possessing the earth they took recourse to their\nincomparable wily understanding. The Asuras, of dreadful prowess, took\nup various weapons, such as, discus, thunder-bolt, sword, Bhushundi,\nbow, noose, Pr\u0101sa, Sakti, Mushala and club. Some, accoutered in coats of\nmail, rode upon infuriated elephants. Some great car-warriors drove\nchariots drawn by horses. Some rode on horses, some, depending on the\nstrength of their own arma, rode on camels, some on bulls, some on\nbuffaloes, some on asses and others proceeded on foot. The soldiers,\ndesirous of fighting, issued out delightedly encircling Hiranyakasha\n(4\u20138).\n\nThereupon, hearing of the preparations made by the Daityas for battle\nthe celestials, headed by Purandara, made also most excellent\narrangements. Encircled by their four-fold army they were accoutered in\ncoats of mail and finger-protectors and took up quivers and bows.\nStationed in the midst of the army, the celestials, holding fierce\nweapons, followed Purandara who was seated on the Air\u0101vata. Thereupon\nexcited with blare of bugles and sound of trumpets Hiranyaksha\nencountered the king of gods. He covered V\u0101sava with sharpened axes,\nNishtringshas, clubs, Tomaras, Saktis, Mushalas and Patti\u00e7as. Thereupon\nthere took place a highly dreadful shower of arrows. With sharpened\naxes, iron swords, clubs, Kshepanis, stones, Satagnis and other weapons\nthe remaining Daityas struck V\u0101sava and other gods. Beholding\nHiramyaksha, having smoky hairs, yellow bears, holding various weapons,\nhaving the colour of dark evening clouds, wearing a most excellent\ncrown, dark-blue and yellow raiments, having arms extending up to knees\nand adorned with Vaidurya made ornaments, stand before the Asura army\nlike unto dreadful Death at the time of the universal dissolution,\nV\u0101sava and all the celestials were greatly pained (9-21).\n\nBeholding Hiranyaksha proceed like the moveable mountain Mahendra the\ngods, who took up bows and arrows, stood in the battle-field with\nPurandara before them, filled with anxiety. That Daitya army, lighted up\nwith the lustre of golden armours, stood there like the autumnal sky set\nwith stars. They felled one another; some, desisting from duel fight,\nbroke their own arms. Some had their limbs shattered with clubs and some\nhad their breasts wounded with arrows. Some fell down and some were\nthrown down whirling. Some broke down cars and some were crushed down by\nthem. And some cars could not move on in the thick of the fight. That\nbattle, like unto an unfair day, covered with D\u0101nava-like huge clouds\nand lightings, in the shape of celestial weapons, shone there with the\ndownpour of arrows caused by both the armies. Worked up with anger the\nhighly effulgent and powerful son of Diti, Hiranyaksha increased himself\nlike unto an ocean on the occasion of a _Parva_. From Hiranyaksha\u2019s\nmouth, who was worked up with anger, came out burning cinders. With the\nair filled with fire and smoke the gods were scorched. Like unto an\nelevated mountain the whole sky was covered with weapons, bows and\nParighas. Assailed with Hiranyaksha in battle with various weapons and\nhaving their breast and heads wounded with winged arrows the gods could\nnot move in the battle-field. The gods, routed by Hiranyaksha in battle,\nalbeit careful, lost their consciousness. All the gods were thus\nterrorized by Hiranyaksha. Assailed with weapons by Hiranyaksha the\nthousand-eyed Shakra, who was seated on the elephant, could not move on\nin the battle-field for fear. Having vanquished all the celestials and\noverpowered their king the D\u0101nava thought the universe as subjected by\nhimself (22-24).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXV. THE LORD COMES OUT AS A BOAR.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014When the gods were assailed and their king became\nmotionless the holder of discus (Vishnu) made up his mind for the\ndestruction of Hiranyaksha the holder of club (1). Assuming the form of\na huge boar, described before, the Lord, the slayer of Asuras, came\nthere (2). He took up his conch-shell shining like the moon and his\ndiscus of a thousand blades resembling the Chakra mountain (3). The\nimmortals always recite the secret names of this undecaying Purusha,\nsuch as Mahadeva Mahabudhi, Mahayogin and Maheshwara. He is the foremost\nof those conversant with the knowledge of _Atman_. He is always served\nby the pious. That ancient Purusha, the creator of the universe, is\nworshipped in the three worlds. He is the Vaikuntha of the celestials,\nAnanta of Bhogis, Vishnu of the Yogins, and the presiding god of the\nsacrificial rites. By his grace the celestials partake of the three-fold\nsacrificial offerings. Having struck that foremost of Daityas with his\ndiscus the Lord blew his most excellent conch-shell. Hearing that\ndreadful blare of the conch-shell which strikes terror unto the Asuras\nthe D\u0101navas fled away on all sides.\n\nThereupon the great Asura Hiranyaksha, having crimson coloured eyes,\nsaid in anger, \"Who is he?\" and cast his looks on N\u0101r\u0101yana, in the shape\nof a boar, the dispeller of the calamities of the celestials, who stood\nbefore him with the discus. Thereupon Hiranyaksha and other Asuras, with\nvarious weapons, encountered N\u0101r\u0101yana. Although assailed by the highly\npowerful Daityas with various weapons Hari stood unmoved in the\nbattle-field. Afterwards the highly powerful Hiranyaksha discharged a\nburning Sakti on the breast of the boar-formed N\u0101r\u0101yana which filled\nBrahma with surprise. Seeing that Sakti about to fall upon him the\nhighly powerful Boar, setting up a roar, felled it on the ground.\nThereupon the Lord, whirling his sunny discus, shot it on the head of\nthe Danava king. Like unto the summit of the mount Meru clapped by a\nthunder-bolt the Daitya-king fell down dead on earth; on his death, all\nthe Daityas filled with fear, fled away on all sides (4\u201323).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXVI. RELEASE OF THE CELESTIALS.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having thus routed all the Asuras in battle, Hari\nreleased Purandara and all the celestials (1). Having regained their\nnatural temperament all the gods, placing Purandara before them,\napproached N\u0101r\u0101yana (2).\n\nThe Gods said:\u2014\"O Lord, by thy favour, we have been released from the\nmouth of Death. What will Aditi\u2019s sons do for thee? We are willing to\nserve thy feet\" (3-4). Hearing those words of the celestials, the Lord,\nhaving lotus eyes, was highly pleased and said to them who had their\nenemy slain (5). \"Do ye all protect the religions severally alloted to\nyou by me and obey my laws. You have been entitled to sacrificial\nofferings and therefore observe the laws established by me before.\"\nHaving said this to the king of gods, he again continued:\u2014\"You should\nbehave impartially towards the good and the wicked. O king of gods, you\nshould allow the ascetics to enter always into your region that grants\nall desirable objects. May those, who propitiate the gods with\nsacrifices, obtain the fruits thereof. May the pious and religious\nflourish and the sinful become extinct. May the virtuous people, serving\nin various stages, conquer heaven. May men, who are truthful, humble,\nheroic and freed from envy, enjoy the fruits of heaven. Those, who are\nirreverent, lustful, avaricious, wicked and atheistic, should go to\nhell. O king of gods, you should observe these words of mine and your\nenemies will not be able to injure you as long as I am living.\" Having\nsaid this the holder of conch-shell, discus and club disappeared. All\nthe gods were filled with great surprise and having saluted the Boar\nthey repaired to the celestial region (6-16).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXVII. THE MAN-LION INCARNATION OF VISHNU HIRANYAKASHIPU\u2019S\nPRAYER TO BRAHMA.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O king, I have thus described to you the boar\nincarnation of Vishnu. I will next describe the man-lion incarnation in\nwhich form the Lord killed Hiranyakashipu. Formerly in the Krita Yuga\nthe founder of the Daitya race, the king Hiranyakashipu practised great\npenances. Living under water he observed the vow of silence like an\nimmoveable object for five thousand and five hundred years. Pleased with\nhis self-control, mastery over his senses and regulations Brahma was\nhighly pleased. Afterward in his white sunny car drawn by swans the Lord\nBrahm\u0101 himself came there and said to the king of Daityas \"O you of firm\nvows, you are my votary. I am pleased with you for your ascetic\npenances. May you fare well. Pray for a desirable boon\" (1-10).\n\nThereupon the D\u0101nava-chief Hiranyakashipu, with a delighted heart and\nfolded hands, said:\u2014\"O lord, may none, amongst the gods, Asuras,\nGandharvas, Yakshas, Uragas, Rakshasas, men and Pis\u0101chas, slay me. May\nnot the Rishis, when angered, curse me. May not my destruction be\nbrought about with a weapon, mountain, tree, dry or wet articles. May\nnot my death take place in heaven, nether region, sky or either in day\nor in night. May he be my death only who, with the stroke of his own\npalm, will be able to kill me with my followers, servants and kinsmen. I\nwill discharge the functions of the sun, moon, air, fire, water, sky,\nstars and ten quarters. I will be K\u0101ma, Krodha, Varuna, Vasava, Yama,\nKuvera and the king of Kimpurushas. May huge weapons appear bodily\nbefore me in a battle\" (11-18).\n\nBrahma said:\u2014\"O my son, I grant you these wonderful and celestial boons.\nThese boons are rare and not to be obtained by men. Forsooth, by my\nfavour, you will obtain all desirable objects.\"\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having said this Brahm\u0101 went to the Vair\u0101ja region\nthrough the etherial way. Afterwards hearing of the grant of this boon\nthe gods, N\u0101gas and Gandharvas went to the Grand-father and said:\u2014\"O\nlord, by virtue of this boon the Asura will oppress us. Do thou concert\na measure for his destruction.\" Hearing their words the Lord Brahm\u0101\nsaid:\u2014\"O ye gods, he must obtain the fruits of his penances. After he\nwill have enjoyed them the Lord Vishnu will slay him.\" Delighted with\nwhat the lotus-sprung Deity had said the celestials repaired to their\nrespective quarters (19-26).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Elated with the power of the boon he had obtained\nthe Daitya-chief Hiranyakashipu began to oppress the creatures. That\npowerful Daitya assailed the ascetic Munis in the hermitages and the\ntrutuful and self-controlled Br\u0101hmanas. Having vanquished all the gods\nin the three worlds he brought them under subjection and lived in\nheaven. Urged on by Destiny and elated with the pride of boon he made\nthe Daityas entitled to sacrifices and deprived the gods therefrom.\nThereupon the Adityas, S\u0101dhyas, Vishw\u0101s, Vasus, Rudras, all the saints\nand the Br\u0101hmanas approached the highly powerful and eternal Vishnu\nadored of the world and sought his shelter. The gods said:\u2014\"O N\u0101r\u0101yana,\nthe gods have sought refuge with thee: do thou save them and slay the\nDaitya-chief Hiranyakashipu. Thou art our protector, great preceptor and\nthe great god. Thou dost please the party of thy friends and destroy the\nenemies. Do thou help us for slaying Diti\u2019s progeny.\" Vishnu said: \"Cast\noff your fear, O ye immortals, I promise you safety. You will, in no\ntime, attain to the celestial region as before. I will soon kill that\nD\u0101nava king with his people who is elated with the pride of his boon and\nis unslayable even by the immortals\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having said this and dismissed the celestials the\nomniscient Lord thought of the destruction of Hiranyakashipu. Having\nassumed a body, half-lion and half-man, he arrived at Harinyakashipu\u2019s\ncourt. It was highly charming and a hundred _yojanas_ in length and half\nas much in breadth. There existed neither decrepitude nor sorrow. It was\nadorned with various flowers and excellent seats (27\u201348).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXVIII. THE ASURAS ARE FILLED WITH SURPRISE AT SEEING THE\nMAN-LION FORM.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O Bh\u0101rata, thereupon when Hiranyakashipu and all the\nDanavas saw that mighty-armed one like unto the wheel of time and fire\ncovered with ashes, the beauty, of that man-lion form covered with\nmatted wells and effulgent like the moon, filled every where of that\nspacious Hall. Seeing that form resembling a conch-shell, a kunda flower\nand the moon the D\u0101navas exclaimed \"What a wonderful form!\" With their\ncelestial vision however Hiranyakashipu and Pralh\u0101da could perceive that\nthe Lord, in the shape of a lion, had come there. Pralh\u0101da said:\u2014\"O\nlarge-armed king, the first born amongst the Daityas, we have never seen\na man-lion form, nor have we heard of it. How wonderful is this\ncelestial form! My mind says that this dreadful form has appeared for\nthe destruction of the Daityas. The gods, oceans, rivers, Himav\u0101n, and\nother boundary mountains, the moon with the stars, the Adityas,\nAshwinis, Varuna, Yama, Indra, Maruts, Rishis, Nagas, Yakshas,\nGandharvas, Pishachas and dreadful Rakshasas are all in his body. Brahm\u0101\nand the Lord Siva appear on his forehead. The mobile and immobile\ncreation, all the Daitayas together with ourselves, this assembly hall,\nthe three worlds, all are visible in him as the moon reflected on a\nmirror (1-15)\".\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XXXIX VISHNU KILLS HIRANYAKASHIPU.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing the words of Pralh\u0101da Hiranyakashipu said to\nthe Daityas:\u2014\"Hold this lion assuming a wonderful form. And if you\nentertain any doubt kill this forest-ranger.\" Hearing those words and\ndelighted the Danavas surrounded that huge-bodied lion and showed him\nfear. Thereupon sending up a leonine shout, that man-lion, like unto\nDeath with his mouth wide open, dispersed the assemblage. Worked up with\nanger Hiranyakashipu discharged various weapons at the lion. But the\nhighly powerful Lord remained unmoved like the mountain Himalaya. And\nleaping up into the sky the Man-lion tore Hiranyakashipu into pieces\nwith his nails and killed him. After the destruction of the Diti\u2019s son\nthe earth, lunar region, solar region, all the quarters, rivers, oceans\nand mountains again came into view. Thereupon pleased all the gods\nchanted the glories of the Eternal Purusha with various hymns (1-10).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XL. THE BEGINNING OF THE DWARF INCARNATION: BALI BECOMES KING.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014I have thus described to you the man-lion\nincarnation. I will now describe the dwarf incarnation. Formerly the\npowerful Vishnu, assuming the form of a dwarf, occupied the kingdom of\nthe three worlds with three footsteps in the sacrifice of the powerful\nBali. Having released the earth he conferred it on the king of the\ncelestials (1\u20133).\n\nKashyapa, the well-dressed son of Marichi, espoused two sisters of\nPrajapati, Diti and Aditi. The great Kashyapa begat on Aditi the twelve\nclasses of the celestials, Dh\u0101t\u0101, Aryam\u0101, Mitra, Varuna, Angsha, Bhaga,\nIndra, Vivashw\u0101n, Pusha, Parjanya, Twasth\u0101 and Vishnu. He began on Diti\nthe powerful Hiranyakashipu. The Daitya-chief Hirany\u0101ksha was his\nyounger brother. Hiranyakashipu had five highly powerful sons, namely\nPralhada, Hlada, Sangrada, Jambha and Anuhr\u0101da. Pralh\u0101da\u2019s son was\nVirochana whose son was Bali. Their sons and grand-sons were all very\npowerful. Thousands of the descendants of these highly powerful daityas\nare seen all over the land. Having seen Hiranyakashipu slain by the\nMan-lion the Daityas made Bali their chief for the destruction of the\ngods. He was heroic, powerful, pious and self-controlled like\nHiranyakashipu and therefore was installed as their king by the Daityas.\nThey said: \"O Daitya king, it is well known to you that the entire\nuniverse consisting of the three worlds, mobile and immobile, was under\nHiranyakashipu. O slayer of gods, the celestials, having killed your\ngrand-father, have stolen the three worlds and appointed Indra as their\nking. Therefore, O lord, try to rescue your ancestral kingdom with our\nhelp. May you fare well and regain your ancestral kingdom. Encircled by\nthousands of Asuras do you vanquish the celestials in their own region.\nUnlimited is your prowess and strength and by your accomplishments you\nhave excelled even your grand-father (4-15)\".\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLI. BALI\u2019S PROSPERITY.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014The gods were (accordingly) defeated by the Daityas\nand the worlds were occupied by them. Maya and Samvara announced the\nvictory of the highly powerful Bali. At that time the directions were\nclear, pious acts flourished, iniquity was suppressed, and the sun\ncoursed regularly in its path. Pralh\u0101da, Shamvara, Maya, and Anuhl\u0101da\ncarefully guarded all the quarters. People wended virtuous ways and\nthere was absence of sin and increase of virtue. The Siddhas practised\npenances. Dharma flourished with four legs and Adharma (sin) with one.\nThe kings properly protected their subjects and all the orders followed\ntheir respective duties. Bali was installed in the kingdom of gods\nunanimously by all the Asuras. When they began to shout in joy the\nboon-giving goddess of prosperity, with a lotus in her hand, appeared\nbefore Bali, and said:\u2014\"O foremost of the powerful, O highly effulgent\nDaitya king Bali, I have been pleased with you for your defeating the\ngods. May you fare well. Having displayed your prowess you have\nvanquished the king of gods in battle. Seeing your wonderful power I\nhave come to you. O foremost of D\u0101navas, you are born in the race of\nHiranyakashipu and have been appointed the king of Asuras. It is\ntherefore no wonder for you to perform such a feat. You have excelled\neven that Daitya king who enjoyed the entire three worlds. Besides you\nare always virtuous and pious. O you of unlimited prowess, you will\ntherefore rule over the three worlds\".\n\nHaving thus addressed the Daitya king that beautiful boon-giving goddess\nLakshmi disappeared (1-14).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLII. THE GODS GO TO KASHYAPA FOR FINDING OUT MEANS FOR THE\nDESTRUCTION OF BALI.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O foremost of the twice-born and Munis, vanquished by\nthe Daityas what did the gods do? And how did they regain their heavenly\nkingdom (1)?\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing of a celestial voice the beautiful king of\ngods, along with the celestials, repaired to the most excellent palace\nof Aditi situate in the east (2). Having arrived there Purandara related\nto Aditi every word about the celestial message (3).\n\nAditi said:\u2014O my child, yourself and all the immortals cannot slay\nVirochana\u2019s son Bali. Only the thousand-headed Purusha is capable of\nslaying him and none else. However I will ask your father the truthfnl\nKashyapa about the destruction of the great Daitya Bali (4\u20136).\n\nThereupon the Suras with Aditi approached Kashyapa. There they saw the\ngreat ascetic, the first preceptor of the Devas, like unto the sun of\nmitigated lustre through water, fair and effulgent like a burning flame.\nHaving left aside his staff and thrown an antelope skin on his person he\nwas practising penances. His body was covered with bark and antelope\nskin. He was burning in Brahma energy like fire incarnate when inflamed\nwith incantations. The lord Maricha, the father of Suras and Asuras, was\nthe foremost of Brahmav\u0101dins and effulgent like the sun. He was the\ncreator of all and the most excellent master of the patriarchs. He was\nborn as the third patriarch in the person of his grand-son. As the\nmind-begotten sons of Brahm\u0101 speak to him, so those leading and heroic\nDevas along with Aditi bowed unto Kashyapa and with folded hands\ncommunicated to him the celestial message imparted through an invisible\nagency as also that Bali, the foremost of Daityas, was unconquerable by\nthe immortals. Hearing the words of his sons Kashyapa desired to repair\nto the region of Brahm\u0101. Kashyapa said:\u2014\"O sinless one, we will repair\nto Brahm\u0101\u2019s abode filled with the sound of the recitation of the Vedas.\nThere you are to communicate truly what you had heard unto Brahm\u0101\"\n(7-16).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon the Devas with Aditi followed Kashyapa to\nBrahm\u0101\u2019s palace filled with celestial saints. In highly costly and\ncharming conveyances coursing at all the Devas, in a moment, reached\nBrahm\u0101\u2019s region. Desirous of beholding the immortal Brahm\u0101 a mass of\nasceticism they repaired to his extensive court. Seeing the Hall where\nsweet Saman verses were being sung they were highly pleased. They heard\nthe Rik mantras chanted by great ascetics of pious rites, well read in\nthe Vedas and their auxilliaries. With the recitation of Vedic verses\nthe Hall resounded. Having arrived there and heard the recitation of the\nVedas the Suras considered their own persons purified. With their mental\nfaculties concentrated, resorting to silence and fixing their minds on\nBrahm\u0101, they, filled with surprise, looked at one another (17-27).\n\nPlacing Kashyapa before them the Suras again in their mind saluted the\nOmnipotent Preceptor of the world. Again was heard the sweet and grave\nrecitation of the Vedas by the Devas well-read in various Scriptures.\nKashyapa\u2019s sons saw there leading Br\u0101hmanas ever observant of vows and\nregulations and fond of recitations and Homa. Carrying on the work of\ncreation through celestial M\u0101y\u0101, Brahm\u0101, the grand-father of the world\nand the preceptor of Suras and Asuras was seated in that Hall. There\nDaksha and other Patriarchs, Prachet\u0101, Pulaha, the foremost of the\ntwice-born Marichi, Bhrigu, Atri, Vasishtha, Goutama, and N\u0101rada, were\nworshipping him. Learning, mind, sky, fire, water, earth, sound, touch,\nform, taste, smell, these objects of sense, the principle of greatness,\nthe four Vedas, religious rites, sacrifices, determination, vital breath\nand every other thing was present before the Self-sprung Deity. Profit,\nreligious merit, object of desire, envy and joy were before him. Shukra,\nVrihaspati, Samvartta, Buddha, Shani, R\u0101hu, all the planets, Maruts,\nVishwakarma, the stars, the sun and the moon were adoring Brahm\u0101. The\nsacred verse Savitri, the seven forms of speech, the Srutis, G\u0101th\u0101s,\nLaws, Commentaries, Kshana, Lava, Muhurtta, day, night, month six\nseasons, year, four yugas, evening, the wheel of time and many others\nwere present before the Self-sprung Deity. With the pious Devas Kashyapa\nentered into that celestial Hall affording all objects of desire.\nBeholding the Great Creator the Eternal Brahm\u0101, burning in his own\nbeauty, freed from exhaustion and served by the Brahma saints the Devas\nbowed unto him. Having touched the feet of Paramesthin with their crown\nthey were freed from sins and became of quiescent souls. Seeing Kashyapa\npresent there with the Devas the highly effulgent Brahm\u0101 said (28\u201347).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLII. BRAHMA INSTRUCTS THE DEVAS TO GO TO VISHNU.\n\n\nBrahm\u0101 said:\u2014O ye highly powerful gods, I have learnt the object of your\narrival here. O leading Suras, your object will be accomplished. That\nlord of the universe, who will vanquish Bali the foremost of D\u0101navas, is\nnot only the victor of the Daityas but is the conqueror of three worlds\nand is worshipful unto the gods. That eternal origin of the universe is\nthe ordainer of the worlds. People call him omniscient and Hemagarbha.\nThe great Lord, who will destroy the world and the Asura-chief Bali, is\nthe origin of all and is our first born. That Yogin, that soul of the\nuniverse is above the reach of thought. Even the Devas do not know that\ngreat one: but that Purusottama knows the gods, ourselves and the whole\nuniverse. By His grace we fare well. And establishing communion with Him\npeople practise hard austerities in this world.\n\nO Devas, in the northern division and on the northern bank of the ocean\nof milk there is a most excellent place called _Amrita_ (nectar): so the\nwise say. Go there and being self-controlled practise hard austerities.\nThere you will hear most sacred, purified words relating to Brahman\ngrave like the muttering of clouds surcharged with water in the rainy\nseason. That celestial speech is destructive of all sins and was spoken\nby the god of gods of pure soul. So long as your vow will not terminate\nyou will hear that great universal speech. O gods, you have come to me\nand I am ready to grant you boons. Tell me what boon you do want.\n\nThereupon having bowed unto that one identical with Yoga Kashyapa and\nAditi touched his feet and accepted the following boon. \"May Lord\nforsooth be born as our son.\" When they with great reverence said so\nBrahm\u0101 said \"So be it. Let the Devas pray to Him for becoming their\nbrother and he will agree.\" Having obtained this boon from him and been\nsuccessful in their mission the gods repaired to their respective\nhabitations. Saying \u2019so be it\u2019 the Suras, Kashyapa and Aditi touched\nBrahm\u0101\u2019s feet and repaired to the nothern quarter. Within a short time\nthey reached the nothern bank of the ocean of milk as ordered by the\nDivine Brahm\u0101. Crossing many oceans, mountains and rivers those leading\ncelestials saw a highly dreadful quarter enshrouded with darkness and\ndivested of the sun and creatures. Reaching that place called Amrita the\nSuras along with Kashyapa began to practise hard austerities for many\nyears with a view to propitiate the thousand-eyed, intelligent Yogin\nN\u0101r\u0101yana endued with all lordly powers. Observing the vows of celibacy\nand silence and controlling their senses and movements the Suras\npractised hard austerities there. The divine Kashyapa recited for\npleasing the Lord Narayana many Vedic verses of eulogy (1-26).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLIII. VISHNU PROMISES HELP TO THE GODS.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing those most excellent eulogistic verses\nrecited by the foremost of the twice-born Kashyapa the Lord N\u0101r\u0101yana,\nhaving a grave but sweet voice, delightedly and distinctly said to the\ngreat gods through the muttering of clouds. The words were heard from\nthe sky, but nobody could see the Lord. Iswara said it with great\ndelight (1-3).\n\nVishnu said:\u2014O leading celestials, I am pleased with you. May you fare\nwell. Do you pray for boons and I am ready to grant them (4).\n\nKashyapa said:\u2014O immortals, blessed are we all since the Lord has been\npleased with us. Thou art our supreme refuge. If O Lord, thou art\npropitiated and desirous of giving us boons, be thou born as V\u0101sava\u2019s\nyounger brother, ever enhancing the joy of thy kinsmen and as the son of\nmyself and Aditi.\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Then Aditi, the mother of Devas, desirous of praying\nfor a boon, said to the Lord:\u2014\"I pray to thee for a boon. For the well\nbeing of all the gods be thou born as my son (5-8)\".\n\nThe Gods said:\u2014O lord, do thou become our brother, master, king and\nprotector. If thou art born as Aditi\u2019s son V\u0101sava and other celestials\nwill be able to hear the name of Deva. Do thou therefore be born as\nKashyapa\u2019s son (9).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thereupon Vishnu said to the Devas and Kashyapa:\u2014\"O\ngods, your enemies will not be able to stand even for a moment before\nme. Having slain the Asuras and other enemies of the celestials I will\nmake the latter partake of sacrificial offerings. By my creative power I\nwill make the gods partake of Havya and the Pitris of Kavya. Therefore O\nye gods, return by the same way by which you came. I will satisfy the\ndesire of Aditi the mother of gods as well as that of the great\nKashyapa. Do you repair to your respective abodes. May good betide you\nand may you attain to your desired-for objects\" (10-14).\n\nThus addressed by the powerful Vishnu the gods delightedly worshipped\nthe Lord (15). Having bowed unto the Deity, the great Vishwadevas,\nKashyapa, Aditi, S\u0101dhyas, Maruts, and the highly powerful Indra repaired\nto the great hermitage of Kashyapa in the eastern quarter. And having\narrived at that hermitage filled with saints they engaged in the study\nof the Vedas and awaited Aditi\u2019s conception. Aditi, the mother of gods,\nheld in her womb that great one, the soul of the universe of great power\nfor a thousand celestial years. After the completion of the thousandth\nyear she gave birth to the son, the protector of the gods and the\ndestroyer of the Asuras. Living in the womb the Lord withdrew the\nenergies of the three worlds and saved the gods. When that master of\ngods, the joy of the three worlds, the fear of the Daityas and the\nenhancer of the delight of the gods was born the celestials were freed\nfrom fear (15\u201321).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLIV. VISHNU\u2019S BIRTH AS A DWARF.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014When that Deity was born the seven Patriarchs,\nMarichi and others and the seven saints bowed unto him, Bharadw\u0101ja,\nKashyapa, Goutama, Vishw\u0101mitra, Jamadagni, Vasistha, and the lord Atri,\nwho comes into view when the sun is completely clouded, came there.\nMarichi, Angira, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu and the patriarch Daksha bowed\nunto him. Aurva, Vashistha\u2019s son Stamva, Kashyapa, Kapivan, Akapivan,\nDattoli, Chyavana, and Vasistha\u2019s seven other sons who passed by the\nname of V\u0101sishthas, Hiranyagarbha\u2019s son, the highly energetic Aurvaj\u0101ta,\nG\u0101rgya, Prithu, Agrya, Janya, V\u0101mana, Devav\u0101shu, Yadudhra, Somaja,\nParjanya, Hiranyroma, Vedashira, Satyanetra, Nimva, Atimbimva, Chyavana,\nSudh\u0101tm\u0101, Viraj\u0101, Atinam\u0101 and Sahishnu bowed unto him. Apsaras, having\nshining persons adorned with various ornaments, danced before N\u0101r\u0101yana.\nThe Gandharvas played on bugles in the sky (1-9). Tumvaru, with other\nGandharvas, began to sing. Mah\u0101sruti, Chitrashir\u0101, Urn\u0101yu, Anagha,\nGom\u0101yu, Suryavarch\u0101, Somavarch\u0101, Yugapa, Trinapa, Karshni, Nandi,\nChitraratha, Sh\u0101slishira, Parjanya, Kali, N\u0101renda, H\u0101h\u0101, Huhu, and the\nhighly effulgent Gandharva Hansa began to sing before Keshava. There\nbeautiful Apsaras, of large eyes, endued with all auspicious marks and\nadorned with various ornaments began to dance. Sumadhy\u0101, Ch\u0101rumadhy\u0101,\nPryamukhya, the beautiful Anuka, J\u0101mi, Mishra keshi, Alamvush\u0101, Marichi,\nSruhika, Vidyutparna, Tilottama, Atrika, Lakshman\u0101, Rambh\u0101, the charming\nAsit\u0101, Suv\u0101hu, Supnj\u0101, Subhag\u0101, Urvashi, Chitralekh\u0101, Sugriv\u0101,\nSulochan\u0101, Pundarikasugandh\u0101, Surath\u0101, Pram\u0101thini, Nanda, Sarashwati,\nMenaka, Sahajany\u0101, Parnik\u0101, Punjikasthali and thousands of other Apsaras\ndanced there. Dh\u0101t\u0101, Aryam\u0101, Mitr\u0101, Varuna, Angsha, Bhaga, Indra,\nVivashw\u0101n, Push\u0101, Twasth\u0101, Savit\u0101 and Vishnu, these twelve Adityas, who\nare known as K\u0101shyapeyas and effulgent like the sun bowed unto the high\nsouled lord of celestials.\n\nO king, Mrig\u0101vyadha, Sarpa, the highly powerful Nirhiti, Ajaikap\u0101t\nAhivridhna, Aparajita, Pinaki, Dahana, Ishwara, Kapila, Sthanu and\nBharga, these Rudras were also present there. The two Ashwinis, the\neight Vasus, the highly powerful Maruts, Vishwadevas and S\u0101dhyas all\nstood before him with folded hands. Shesha\u2019s younger brother the great\nV\u0101suki, Apukunja, Dhritar\u0101shtra, Val\u0101haka and other highly powerful,\nwrathful and effulgent N\u0101gas all stood before him with folded hands.\nT\u0101rksha, Arishthanemi the highly powerful Garuda, Aruna and Aruni all\nstood before him with folded hands. The creator of the world himself\nwith all the great patriarchs came there and said (10\u201329). Brahm\u0101\nsaid:\u2014\"He is the Eternal Lord, the powerful Vishnu from whom have\nemanated all the worlds.\" Having said this the Lord Brahm\u0101, along with\nother celestial saints, bowed unto the king of gods and returned to the\ncelestial region. When the Lord was born as Kashyapa\u2019s son he had eyes\nblood-red like the clouds of an unfair day and was of the form of a\ndwarf. On his breast was the mystic mark of Srivatsa. With expanded eyes\nthe Apsar\u0101s looked at him. His effulgence was like that of a thousand\nsuns rising simultaneously in the sky. That beautiful Lord was the\nsupporter of Bhur, Bhuva and other lokas, had high shoulders and pure\nhairs, was the refuge of the pious and offered no shelter unto the\niniquitous. The great Yogins regard him as the most excellent Yoga. He\nhas eight sorts of lordly powers. People call him the foremost of Devas.\nThe Vipras long for emancipation through knowing that Eternal Purusha\nand persons, afraid of the world, are freed from birth and death. All\nthe Ashramas designate him as Tapas. Practising hard austerities and\nrestricting their diet people serve him. As Anata of a thousand hoods\nand crimson eyes he is worshipped by Sesha and other N\u0101gas in their\nregion. The Vipras, desirous of attaining to the celestial region,\nworship him as _Yajna_. Although present every where He is one. He is\nthe most excellent poet and the Vedas sing Him as the ordainer of\nsacrificial offerings. Virtue is His effulgence. The sun and moon are\nHis eyes and the sky is His body. That omnipotent Lord said to the Devas\nin most excellent words (30\u201342):\u2014\"Even knowing it I have attained to\nthis boyhood through my Yoga power. What shall I do, O ye celestials,\nfor you? What boon shall I give? Do you with pleasure pray for what you\nwant.\" Hearing those words of the high-souled dwarf, Indra and other\ngods with folded-hands said to Kashyapa\u2019s son:\u2014\"By virtue of his ascetic\npenances and of the boon conferred on him by Brahm\u0101, the omniscient and\nhighly powerful Daitya king Bali has possessed the entire universe\nthrough his prowess and self-control. He is not to be slain by any one\nof us. Thou art alone capable of vanquishing him. No one else can\ndiscomfit him. Therefore do we all seek refuge with thee, O lord, who\nart the remover of the fear of gods, fond of thy votaries and the giver\nof boons. O large-armed and great king of the celestials, for the well\nbeing of the Rishis and all the worlds and for the satisfaction of\nKashyapa and and Aditi let the Pitris partake of Kavya and the\ncelestials partake duly of Havya. Do thou bring back the three worlds\nfor giving them back to the great king of the celestials, Mahendra. That\nD\u0101nava is celebrating a horse-sacrifice, do thou therefore think of an\nexpedient by which thou mayst regain the worlds\" (43\u201352).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Thus addressed by the celestials Vishnu, in his\ndwarf form, said to the Devas, filling them with joy (53).\n\nVishnu said:\u2014\"Let Angir\u0101\u2019s son, the highly effulgent Rishi Vrihaspati,\nwho has mastered the Vedas, take me to his sacrifice. Going to his\nsacrificial ground I will do what I think proper for regaining the three\nworlds\" (54\u201355).\n\nThereupon the highly effulgent and intelligent Vrihaspati took the\nOmnipotent Dwarf to the sacrificial ground of the Daitya king Bali\nendued with high intellectual powers. That Dwarf assumed the form of a\nboy, had smoky eyes, wore sacrificial thread well-polished and\ndeer-skin. He had an umbrella and staff in his hands. Though not aged he\nappeared like an old man. Meditated upon by Brahm\u0101 and other gods that\nforemost of Suras, the Lord of the Patriarchs, went to the sacrificial\nground of the Daitya king Virochana\u2019s son Bali (56\u201360). Although the\ngate was well-protected by properly armed and accoutered Daityas he all\non a sudden entered there (61). The powerful Dwarf appeared before Bali,\nthe king of Daityas and D\u0101navas, completely encircled by priests\nwell-versed in reciting _mantras_ (62). Having arrived at the\nsacrificial ground filled with Br\u0101hmana saints the lord described\nhimself as being identical with Yajna. Having described in detail the\nsacrifice that Eternal Purusha, identical with Yajna and a master of\nsacrificial rites, vanquished Sukra and other priests with various\nquotations and they could advance no reply. Before the Rishis and\npriests the Omnipotent Lord, of wonderful speech, with reasons and\narguments laid down in the Vedas, but not visible to any, described\nhimself unto Bali as being identical with sacrifice. Thereupon seeing\nthe elderly Rishis and Upadhyayas (preceptors) silenced by that highly\neffulgent dwarfish boy Virochana\u2019s son Bali regarded it as a wonder. And\nfilled with surprise and bending low his head, he, with folded hands,\nsaid:\u2014\"Whence have you come? Who are you? Whose son are you? what\nnecessity have you here? I had never seen before such an intelligent,\nbeautiful, good-looking, charming Br\u0101hmana boy endued with such\nspiritual culture and so well read in the Vedas. The Devas, the Rishis,\nNagas, Yakshas, Asuras, Rakshasas, Pitris, Siddhas, Gandharvas, none\namongst them, has such a son. Whoever you may be, I bow, unto you. Tell\nme what I can do for you\" (63\u201472).\n\nThus addressed by Bali that Dwarf, conversant with expedients, whose\nnature cannot be conceived by any, smiling a little, said (73).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLV. BALI PROMISES TO GIVE LANDS TO THE DWARF.\n\n\nVishnu said:\u2014\"What a wonderful sacrifice is this undertaken by the king\nof Asuras. There are various sorts of well prepared edibles. O highly\npowerful D\u0101nava king, your sacrifice has excelled that of the Great\nCreator Brahm\u0101, that of Sakra the king of the celestials and that of\nYama, and Varuna (1-2). This horse-sacrifice, the best of all sacrifices\nleading to the attainment of heaven, which you have undertaken for\ndestroying your sins, is full of all desirable objects and approved by\nthe Brahmavadins. The Sruti says that Ashwamedha is the best of\nsacrifices. This great Yajna, which is of the shape of a boar with\ngolden horns, iron hoops and gait fleet like the mind, which has profuse\ngold and is the origin of the universe, is highly sacred. By performing\nthis sacrifice a man rides the sacrificial horse and gets over his sins.\nThe Vipras, well read in the Vedas, call this sacrificial horse fire. As\nthe order of a householder is the best of all Ashramas, as the Br\u0101hmanas\nare the best of mankind, as you are now the foremost of Asuras, so the\nhorse-sacrifice is the best of all sacrifices.\"\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing those words of the Dwarf, Bali, the king of\nDaityas, was highly pleased (3\u20138). Bali said:\u2014\"O foremost of the\ntwice-born, who art thou? What dost thou want? What shall I give thee?\nMay good betide thee. Do thou pray for thy wished-for object and thou\nshalt have it\" (9). The Dwarf said:\u2014\"O D\u0101nava, I do not pray for\nkingdom, conveyances, jewels or women. If you are pleased, if you have\nyour mind fixed on virtue, I pray from you for ground covering three\nfoot-steps for the construction of the sacrificial house of my\npreceptor. Grant me this which is the highest object I pray for\"\n(10\u201311). Bali said:\u2014\"O foremost of orators, O best of Br\u0101hmanas, what\nobject of yours will be accomplished with ground covering three\nfoot-steps. Pray for ground measuring hundreds and thousands of feet\"\n(12). Shukra said:\u2014\"O you of large arms, O great Asura, do not promise\nhim any gift; you do not know him. He is the Great Lord Hari. Having\nassumed the form of a dwarf through his M\u0101y\u0101 he has come here to impose\non you for the well-being of the king of gods. The Omnipotent Lord can\nassume various forms\" (13\u201314). Thus addressed by Shukra Bali meditated\nfor some time and then determining in his mind: \"Where shall I do get a\nworthier person than he\" he was filled with joy. Then holding up a\ngolden grass he stood motionless there. Bali said:\u2014\"O foremost of Vipras\nhaving lotus eyes, sit down. I stand here with my face towards the east.\nAccept my gift saying \u2019give.\u2019 What lands will you take? What is the\nextent of your three feet? I will give it. Take up water, the words of\nyour preceptor will not be falsified\" (15-17). Shukra said:\u2014\"O\nDaitya-king, do not make him any present. Forsooth I have come to know\nthat he is Vishnu. What wonderful devotion! You have been imposed upon.\"\nBali said:\u2014\"I have not been deceived, the Lord himself, Vishnu has come\nto my sacrifice. I shall give unto this god of gods whatever he will ask\nof me. What worthier person can there be than Vishnu to whom I may make\na gift?\" Saying this Bali at once took water (18\u201320). The Dwarf said:\u2014\"O\nsinless king of the D\u0101navas, the land, covering my three foot-steps,\nwill be enough for me. What I have said before is true. It can never be\notherwise\" (21).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing those words of the highly effulgent Dwarf,\nVirochana\u2019s son Bali, the king of Daityas and the slayer of his enemies,\nthrew an antelope skin on his person. And then saying \u2019let it be so\u2019 he\ntouched a jar full of water. Desirous of destroying the Asura king the\nDwarf too extended his hand destructive of Daityas. As the king of\nD\u0101navas, with his face towards east, was about to give him water\nPralh\u0101da prevented him. Beholding the un-foreseen form of the Great\nHari, who was willing to steal the prosperity of the Asuras, the greatly\nwise Pralh\u0101da said:\u2014\"Do not give any thing unto this dwarfish Br\u0101hmana.\nIt is he who formerly killed your great grandfather. This greatly wise\nVishnu has come to impose on you\" (22\u201328). Bali said:\u2014\"It is indeed a\nmatter of great joy that I will be able to make gifts unto this Deity. I\nhave obtained as an object of my gifts who is the lord of the universe,\nwho shows such a favour and who is superior even to Bramh\u0101. O foremost\nof Asuras, one, who has been initiated for sacrifice, must make gifts.\"\nHaving thus expressed himself in the midst of the Asuras Virochana\u2019s son\nBali granted the Lord N\u0101r\u0101yana land measuring three feet.\n\nPralhada said:\u2014\"O king of D\u0101navas, do not promise to give anything unto\nthis Vipra. I do not consider him a Vipra youth. A Br\u0101hmana is not like\nit. Beholding his form I think forsooth that the Man-lion has returned\nagain.\" Thus addressed by Pralh\u0101da of unlimited energy, Bali, as if\nremonstrating with him, said (29\u201334).\n\nBali said:\u2014Misfortune of the person who prays for alms and that of the\nAsura who drives him away disappointed visit the latter. The man, who\nhaving made a promise unto a Br\u0101hmana, does not satisfy it that sinful\nwight goes to hell with his friends and kinsmen. Afraid of suffering\nfrom poverty I am making a present of this earth to him; who is there a\nworthier Br\u0101hmana than he? While there is none superior to him, I confer\nthis earth to him. Seeing the twice-born one beg alms from me in the\nshape of a dwarf I have been highly pleased. I will therefore make him a\ngift: do not prevent me. Bali again said to that dwarfish Brahmana:\u2014\"O\nyou of little understanding, what will you do with land covering three\nfoot steps? I will confer on you the entire earth surrounded by the\noceans.\" The dwarf said:\u2014\"O foremost of D\u0101navas, I do not pray for the\nentire earth. I am satisfied with land covering three foot-steps. This\nis what I like and pray for\" (35\u201341).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Having said \"So be it\" the Danava-king Bali made the\nLord N\u0101r\u0101yana of unmeasured energy touch land covering three foot-steps.\nWhen his hand fell into water the Lord Dwarf considered himself insulted\nand displayed his universal form. The earth was his feet, the sky was\nhis head, the sun and moon were his eyes, the Pishacas were the fingers\nof his feet and the Guhyakas were the fingers of his hands. The\nVishwadevas were on his thighs, the S\u0101ddhyas were on his knees and the\nDevas and Apsaras emanated from his nails. Lightning formed his vision,\nthe rays of the sun were his hairs, the stars were the holes of the\nhairs of his body and the Rishis were those hairs. The two Ashwinis were\nhis two feet, and the highly powerful Vayu was his nose. The contrary\nquarters were his arms and the quarters were his ears. The moon was his\ndelightfulness, virtue was his mind, truth was his speech, the goddess\nSaraswati was his tongue, the great goddess Aditi was his neck, the\neffulgent sun was his throat, the gate of heaven was his navel, Mitras\nand Twastha were his two eye-brows, fire was his mouth, Praj\u0101pati was\nhis testes, Brahm\u0101 was his heart, and Kashyapa was his organ of\npro-creation. Vasava was his back and the Maruts were his joints. The\nVedas constituted his presence, lustre was his effulgence, Rudra was his\nbreast, the great ocean was his patience, the highly powerful Gandhatvas\nand serpents were his belly, Lakshmi was his intelligence, Dhriti was\nhis beauty, learning was his waist, and the seat of the soul was his\nfore-head. All the luminous bodies formed his ascetic penance, and the\nking of gods Sakra was his energy, on his breast and sides were the\ngods, sacrifices Ishti rites, the works of the twice-born and beasts.\nBeholding that universal form of Vishnu the great Asuras were worked up\nwith anger. And like insects going to a fire they approached him\n(42-56).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLVI. THE DANAVAS DESCRIBED.\n\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hear now of the names, forms, accomplishments and\nthe principal weapons of the D\u0101navas. Viprachitti, Shivi, Shanku,\nAyashanku, Ayasshir\u0101, Ashwashira, the powerful Hayagriv\u0101, Ketum\u0101n, Ugra,\nSyogra, Vyavra, the great Asura Pushkara, Pushkala, Swashwa, Ashwapati,\nPrah\u0101da, Ashwashir\u0101, Kumbha, Sanglh\u0101da, Gaganaprya, Anuhr\u0101da, Harihara,\nVar\u0101ha, Sanhara, Aruja, Vrishaparva, Virupaksha, Munindra,\nChandralochana, Nishprabha, Suprahva, Nirudara, Ekavaktra, Mah\u0101vaktra\nDwivaktra, Sherasa, Sharabha, Kunatha, Kupatha, Kvatha, Mahagarbha,\nShankukarna, Mah\u0101dhwani, Dirghajish, Arkavadana, Mriduch\u0101pa, Mriduprya,\nV\u0101yu, Garistha, Namachi, Shamvara, Vikshar\u0101, Chandrahanta, Krodhahanta,\nKrodhavardhan\u0101, K\u0101laka, Kalakaksha, Vitra, Krodhavimokshana, Garistha,\nHavistha, Pralamva, Naraka, Pritha, Indratapana, Vat\u0101pi, Ketum\u0101n,\nAsilom\u0101, Vitom\u0101, V\u0101skala, Pramada, Mada, Shrig\u0101lavavana, Keshi, Ek\u0101ksha,\nRahu, Tuhunda, Samala, Sripa\u2014these and many other Daityas appeared\nbefore the Great Vishnu who was about to place his feet (1-12). Of them,\nsome took up nooses, some had their mouths wide open, some had the voice\nof asses, some took up Satghnis, some discus in their hands, some had\nthunder-bolts, some rods, some mortars, some swords, some Patti\u00e7as, some\nParashwadhas, some Pra\u00e7as, some clubs, some Parighas, some huge stones\nand some Pushalas in their hands. Some D\u0101navas had trees in their hands,\nsome had bows, some had clubs, some had Bhushundis, and some shook there\nwith daggers in their hands. Those dreadful and highly powerful D\u0101navas,\ndressed in various ways, were armed with diverse weapons. Some had their\nmouths like those of tortoises, some had like those of fowls, some had\nlike those of swans, and some had like those of asses; some were\ncamel-mouthed, some were boar-mouthed and some dreadful D\u0101navas had\nmouths like Makaras. Some had their faces like hares, some like cats,\nsome like Sukas, some like cows, some like deer, some like Garuda, some\nlike swords and some like peacocks; some were horse-mouthed, some were\nelephant-mouthed and some had faces like those of various other weapons.\nThey put on skins of elephant and antelope. Their persons were covered\nwith bark. Some amongst them were adorned with gold. The Asuras put on\ncrowns and wore Kundalas; they, clad in various raiments, were adorned\nwith diverse garlands and pastes. Holding their burning weapons those\nD\u0101navas and Asuras approached Hrishikesha who was about to place his\nfeet. The effulgence of the Lord at that time, who was about to conquer\nthe three worlds, was like that of the sun. Having smashed all the sons\nof Diti with his palms and feet the omnipotent lord possessed the three\nworlds with his three foot-steps. Having assumed a huge form he first\nattacked the earth; when he occupied the earth the sun and moon were in\nhis heart. When he occupied the sky they were in his waist and when he\noccupied the heaven they were on his knees (13\u201329). The twice-born thus\ndescribed the form of Vishnu of incomparable prowess. Having conquered\nthe three worlds and slain the leading Asuras, Hari, adored of the\nuniverse, conferred the earth on Indra the king of gods. The powerful\nVishnu assigned to Bali the region under the earth called Sutala.\nObtaining that region for his residence the foremost of Asuras Bali was\npleased. Since then the king of Asuras has been living in Ras\u0101tala.\nLiving there the greatly effulgent Bali engaged in great meditation. The\nintelligent Bali said to N\u0101r\u0101yana, adored of the universe \"O Lord, do\nthou command me particularly what I should do now.\" Thereupon Vishnu,\nthe lord of celestials, said to the Daitya king Bali (30\u201331).\n\nVishnu said:\u2014\"O great Asura, I have been pleased with you; I am ready to\ngrant you a boon: pray for it. May good betide you. Do you pray for\ndesired-for objects. Never under any circumstances disobey the words of\nSakra, the king of gods. This is my command to you. If you obey it you\nwill meet with your well-being. O Daitya, the water, your offered, was\ntaken by me in the cavity of my palm and therefore you have no fear\nanywhere from the gods. Along with all the Daityas and your followers,\ndo you live by my favour in that part of the nether region which is\ncalled Sutala. Remembering my mandate do not disregard the words of\nShakra of incomparable energy. O great Asura, all the gods are\nworshipful unto you. You will attain to all your desirable objects; you\nwill acquire many dresses both in this world and in the next. And by my\nfavour you will always reign supreme over the Daityas. You will enjoy\nvarious objects and celebrate sacrifices accompanied with gifts.\nWhenever you will transgress this my command the highly powerful\nserpents will bind you with their hoods. You should always bow unto\nMahendra and other gods. Indra, the king of gods, is my elder brother;\nyou should therefore obey his command\" (35\u201344).\n\nBali said:\u2014\"O great God, O holder of conch-shell, discus and club O God\nof gods, O preceptor of the gods, and Asuras, O king of gods, O foremost\nof celestials, what position will be mine when I will live in that\nnether region? How shall I live there? How will my fame be unbroken?\"\n(45-46).\n\nThe Lord said:\u2014\"O foremost of Daityas, a Sr\u0101ddha without a Shrotrya,\nstudy without vows, sacrifice without presents, Homa without Ritwikas,\ngifts without reverence and impure Havi, these six portions will belong\nto you. The virtue of those who are ill-disposed towards my votaries,\nthe virtue of persons who are engaged in buying and selling, the virtue\nof Agnihotras, the virtue of those who make charities without reverence\nand the virtue of those who officiate as priests, will be your share, O\nking of Daityas, by my favour (47\u201348)\".\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Hearing the words of the high souled Vishnu, the\nforemost of Asuras, Bali said \"So be it.\" And carrying out the command\nof the Deity, he entered into the nether region. In the meantime the\nDivine Vishnu, adored by the gods, made divisions of the kingdom. He\nconferred the eastern quarter on the king of gods of incomparable\nprowess, the southern quarter on the great Yama the king of the departed\nmanes, the western quarter on the high-souled Varuna, and the northern\nquarter on Kuvera, the king of Yakshas; the region under the earth he\ngave to the king of N\u0101gas and the region above he conferred on Soma.\nHaving thus parcelled out the three worlds the highly powerful lord of\ncelestials Vishnu, adored of the great saints, repaired to the heavenly\nregion. After the departure of that irrepressible dwarf all the gods,\nwith the performer of hundred sacrifices before them, were filled with\njoy (49\u201356).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014After Krishna had departed having bound Virochana\u2019s\nson Bali with seven hooded serpents such as Kampana, Ashwatara etc. the\ncelestial saint N\u0101rada, of his own accord, came to him who was stricken\nwith pain in consequence thereof (57\u201358). Seeing him thus afflicted and\nfilled with compassion he said to that king of D\u0101navas:\u2014\"I will find out\nmeans for releasing you. O king of Daityas, with a purified soul\nmeditate on the god of gods V\u0101sudeva who is without beginning or end and\nwho is eternal and undecaying; with your mind devoted to him you will in\nno time acquire emancipation\" (59\u201361).\n\nThereupon his soul purified and mind controlled Virochana\u2019s son, with\nfolded hands, learnt from N\u0101rada the means of attaining to emancipation\n(62). Having learnt that celestial hymn sung by N\u0101rada the great Asura\nBali began to recite the names of that Great God by whom the Earth was\nraised up (63). Salutation unto the Eternal and Great Lord without end.\nSalutation unto the lotus-navelled Deity Vishnu who lay on water.\nAssuming a body endued with the energies of seven forms thou dost invade\nthe three worlds. O lord, thou art the death of K\u0101la. Do thou release\nme. When the sky is divested of the sun and the moon, when sacrifices\nand ascetic penances are on the wane, do thou think of creating the\nuniverse again. Do thou release me by this thy power. M\u0101rkandeya, the\nforemost of the twice-born, saw in thee Brahm\u0101, Rudra, Indra, Vayu,\nfire, rivers, serpents and mountains. Do thou release me. In the\nprevious Kalpa M\u0101rkandeya Muni entered into thy belly and saw the entire\nuniverse mobile and immobile. Do thou save me by this thy power.\nResorting to thy Yoga power supported by thy learning thou dost alone\ncreate the three worlds and again engage in Yoga. Do thou save me by\nthis thy power. Lying in water thou dost enjoy Yoga sleep and again\nthink of the creation. Do thou save me by this thy power. Assuming the\nform of a sacrificial boar thou didst formerly upraise the earth. Do\nthou save me by that power of thine. Raising up the earth with thy tusks\nthou didst ordain three Pindas for the departed manes. Do thou save me\nby that power of thine. Afraid of Hiranyaksha the celestials fled away.\nThou didst however save them. Do thou by that power release me. Having\nassumed a form with a huge mouth thou didst cut off in battle\nHiranyaksha\u2019s head with thy discus. Do thou by that power save me. With\nthy roaring formerly the Daitya Hiranyakshipu was killed with his head\nand bones smashed. Do thou, by that power of thine, save me. Formerly\nbefore the very eyes of Brahm\u0101 the Vedas were pilfered by the two\nDaityas. But thou didst regain them however. Do thou save me by that\npower of thine. Assuming the form of Hayashira thou didst slay the two\nD\u0101navas, Madhu and Kaitabha and return the Vedas unto Brahm\u0101. Do thou\nsave me by that power of thine. The Devas, D\u0101navas, Gandharvas, Yakshas,\nSiddhas and Uragas cannot see thy end. Do thou save me by this power.\nThou didst beget a son by name Ap\u0101ntaral\u0101m\u0101 who explained the Vedas. Do\nthou save me by this power. O lord, Agnihotra and other Vedic rites, the\nsacrifices in honor of the Pitris and Havi are all thy mysteries. Do\nthou save me by that power of thine. The Rishi Dirghatama was born blind\non account of the imprecation of his preceptor. By thy favour he\nregained his eye-sight; by that power of thine do thou save me. Thou\ndidst release thy poor votary elephant possessed by Rahu. Thou art\nundecaying, eternal, devoted to Brahman and thy votaries. Thou art the\nchastiser of those who wend evil ways. Do thou save me. I bow unto\nconch-shell, discus, club, quiver, Shr\u0101nga bow and Garuda: may they\nrelease me from my fetters. Thereupon conch shell, discus, club, quiver,\nShr\u0101nga and Garuda propitiated the Lord and requested him to release\nBali from his fetters (64\u201386). Thereupon pleased the Lord ordered the\nking of birds Garuda, the destroyer of serpents, saying \"Release Bali\nfrom the fetters.\" Thereupon flapping his wings Garuda, of incomparable\nprowess, went to P\u0101t\u0101la where Bali was bound by the serpents. Informed\nof the arrival of Garuda, the serpents, releasing the great Asura Bali,\nfled away to the city of Bhagovati in fear of Vinata\u2019s son. Garuda, who\nused to eat up serpents, said to Bali, who had lost his prosperity and\nreleased from the noose by Krishna\u2019s favour who was meditating with his\nhead hanging down. Garuda said:\u2014\"O you of large arms, O king of D\u0101navas,\nthe powerful Vishnu has ordered you, freed from fetters, to live in\nP\u0101t\u0101la with your children and friends. O D\u0101nava, do not move away an\ninch from this place. If you break this contract your head will be\nsundered into a hundred pieces\" (87-91).\n\nHearing the words of that king of birds the D\u0101nava said:\u2014\"I am obeying\nthe orders of that Great One. O king of birds let the Lord make some\narrangements for my livelihood so that I may live here happily\" Hearing\nthe words of Bali Garuda said:\u2014\"The Lord has already made arrangements\nfor your maintenance. You will be entitled to the offerings of those\nsacrifices that are celebrated without priests and regulations by\npersons unacquainted with the means of penance. The celestials do not\npartake of such offerings. Nourished by such sacrificial offerings you\nwill live here happily\" (92\u201396).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014Kashyapa\u2019s son Vishnu, the supporter of the three\nworlds, sent this message to the large armed king of D\u0101navas. The man,\nwho reverentially recites this hymn destructive of all sins, has his\niniquities destroyed. The destroyer of a cow is freed from the sin\nconsequent thereon and the murderer of a Br\u0101hmana is also freed from his\nsins. A man, having no son, gets one. A maiden acquires a husband after\nher heart (97-99). A woman is soon freed from her labour pain and gives\nbirth to a son. Kapila, the founder of S\u0101nkhya school and other Rishis,\ndesirous of emancipation, repaired, freed from sins, to the insular\ncontinent of Shewta the seat of Moksha, by reciting this hymn. This hymn\ngrants all heavenly objects. For sooth does a man acquire all desirable\nobjects, who, rising up early in the morning and purifying himself,\nreads it with a controlled mind. This dwarf incarnation of the Lord is\nrecounted by Vipras well read in the Vedas as a glorious deed of Vishnu.\nThe man, who reverentially listens on every Parva to the recitation of\nthis heavenly theme of dwarf incarnation, vanquishes all his enemies,\nbeing a powerful king like the highly powerful Vishnu himself. He\nacquires also unsullied fame and immense riches and objects of\nenjoyment. As the dwarf is the favourite so he becomes beloved of all.\nHis sons and grand-sons multiply, enjoy freedom from diseases and are\nendowed with all accomplishments. The Lord Jan\u0101rddana is pleased with\nhim who reads it: and he obtains all desirable objects. So has Krishna\nDwaip\u0101yana said (98-107).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLVII. THE FRUITS OF THE RECITATION OF THE BHARATA.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O Revered Sir, according to what rules the learned hear\nthe Bh\u0101rata? What are the fruits thereof. What gods should be worshipped\nwhen it is complete? What charities should be made after every _Parva_?\nWhat sort of a reciter is desirable? Describe all this to me (1-2).\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O king, hear how the Bh\u0101rata should be listened to\nand what are the fruits thereof. Hear, O king, I will answer your\nquestions (3). The gods, living in the celestial region, came down on\nearth for sporting. Having finished that work they returned to their own\nregion. Hear with attention, I will describe the origin of gods and\nRishis on earth. O foremost of Bharatas, Rudras, Saddhyas, Vishwadevas,\nAdityas, the two Ashwinas, the regents of the quarters, the great\nsaints, Guhyakas, Gandharvas, N\u0101gas, Vidydharas, Sraddhya, Dharma,\nBrahm\u0101, the ascetic Katy\u0101yana, the mountains, oceans, rivers, Apsaras,\nthe planets, years, the two courses of the sun, seasons, the mobile and\nimmobile objects, the gods and Asuras are all seen simultaneously\ndescribed in (this history of) Bh\u0101rata. By listening to their names and\nillustrious deeds a man is immediately freed from even dreadful sins. If\none duly and in order listens to this history, if one, controlling his\nsenses and purifying his soul, masters this Bh\u0101rata, he should then make\ncharities to commemorate the occasion. With reverence and according to\nhis might he should make presents unto the Brahmans of various jewels,\ncows with bi-metallic vessels for milching them, well adorned and\naccomplished maidens, various conveyances and houses, lands, dresses,\ngold, horses, beds carried by infuriated elephants, vehicles, and well\nfurnished cars. He should give away unto the twice-born whatever\nexcellent and costly articles he has got in his house. What more he\nshould even give away his own self, his wife and sons. If one makes\nthese gifts reverentially he can master the Bh\u0101rata. Hear how a man,\naccording to his might, acquires spiritual powers by being pleased, of\ngood spirits, bent upon serving, truthful, simple, self-controlled, and\nreverential. The one who will recite this Bh\u0101rata, must be endued with a\npure character and conduct, clad in a white raiment, self-controlled,\ninitiated, well versed in all scriptures, respectful and divested of\nmalice. He must be truthful, worthy of respect and discreet (4-20). He\nshould read it with ease, without delay or haste, distinctly and with\nmotion. While reading he should distinctly pronounce words and letters.\nHe should read it with concentration and in good health and spirits. The\nrule is that having saluted N\u0101r\u0101yana, the foremost of Beings Nara as\nalso the goddess of learning Saraswati one should recite the Bh\u0101rata\n(22\u201323).\n\nO great king of Bharata\u2019s race, if one observing regulations and\npurifying himself hears the Bh\u0101rata from such a person he reaps the\nfruits (thereof). After hearing it from the very beginning to the end of\nHarivamsha one should satisfy the Br\u0101hmanas by giving them all they\nwant. The man who once hears it recited, obtains the fruits of Agnistoma\nsacrifice, and acquires a vehicle filled with nymphs in the celestial\nregion. With great pleasure he repairs to Dyuloka with the celestials.\nIf he hears it twice he obtains the fruits of the Atir\u0101tra sacrifice,\ndrives celestial cars filled with all jewels, wears celestial garlands\nand raiments, enjoys heavenly scents and always lives in the land of\ngods armed with a heavenly coat of mail. If he hears it thrice he\nobtains the fruits of Dw\u0101dash\u0101ha sacrifice. And he lives like a god for\na million of years in heaven. If he hears it four times he obtains the\nfruits of V\u0101japeya sacrifice. If he hears it five times he obtains the\ndouble fruits and repairs to heaven. Seated with celestials on a car\neffulgent like the sun and burning fire, he enjoys for a million of\nyears in Indra\u2019s palace in the celestial region. By hearing it six times\nhe enjoys fruits four times as much and by hearing it seven times he\nenjoys them three times as much. And riding on a car coursing at will,\nhuge like the summit of mount Kailasha, consisting of seats made of\nemerald, diamond and sapphire, he ranges every where along with the\nApsaras like the second sun. If one hears it eight times he obtains the\nfruits of a R\u0101jasuya sacrifice, drives in a charming car drawn by horses\nlike unto the rays of the moon and fleet like the mind and sees the\nfaces, more charming than the moon itself, of beautiful damsels. And\nlying asleep on the lap of celestial damsels he hears the tinkling sound\nof waist-chains and other ornaments. If one hears it for nine times he\nobtains the fruits of the king of sacrifices, V\u0101jimedha. Seated on a car\nfilled with Gandharvas and Apsaras and windows made of gold, and adorned\nwith golden pillars and diamond seats, wearing celestial garlands and\nraiments and pasted with sandal he enjoys in the company of gods in the\ncelestial region. By hearing it ten times and saluting the twice-born\none drives in a car filled with Gandharvas, expert in singing and\nApsaras, with the sound of a net-work of small bells, adorned with flags\nand pennons, jewelled seats, diamond gates and surrounded with golden\nnets. Wearing a sunny, crown adorned with golden ornaments, celestial\ngarlands and unguents he roams at large in the celestial region. He\npossesses great prosperity by the favour of gods. In this wise he lives\nfor many years in the celestial region. He thus enjoys for twenty-one\nthousand years the company of the Gandharvas and the king of gods in his\nregion encircled by celestial damsels; he lives like an immortal in\nvarious lokas.\n\nThereupon living gradually in the lunar region, solar region, and that\nof Shiva he attains to Vishnu\u2019s region. O great king, such is the case;\none should not discuss about it. My preceptor has said that, one should\ncherish reverence. Whatever one wishes for in his mind he should give it\nto the reciter. He should make presents of elephants, horses, cars,\nconveyances, beasts of burden, golden Kundalas, golden thread, various\nraiments and scents. He should be like a god and then he will attain to\nVishnu\u2019s region. O king, afterwards at the time of the recitation of the\nBh\u0101rata one should make presents unto Brahmans at every Parva. I will\ndescribe them. O king, O foremost of Bharata\u2019s descendants, informed of\nbirth, country, wealth, greatness and virtuous conduct of a Br\u0101hmana a\nKshatrya should first make him recite benedictory verses and then begin\nthe work. Afterwards at the termination of the Parva he should please\nthe twice-born with presents proportionate to his might. He should first\nduly give unto the reciter raiments and scents and then entertain him\nwith sweet pudding. At the time of the recitation of the Astika Parva he\nshould first entertain the Br\u0101hmanas with sweet meats and then make him\npresents. While the Sabh\u0101 Parva is recited he should entertain the\nBr\u0101hmanas with vegetable dishes. Whilst the Aranya Parva is recited he\nshould entertain them with fruits and roots. Whilst the Aranya Parva is\nrecited he should present the Br\u0101hmanas with jars full of water and\nentertain them with sweet and delicious fruits and roots grown in the\nforest and wholesome dishes. Whilst the Virat Parva is recited he should\nmake presents of various raiments. O foremost of Bharatas, at the time\nof the recitation of the Udyoga Parva he should entertain the Brahmans,\nadorned with garlands and unguents, with various wholesome and sweet\ndishes. O king, at the time of the recitation of the Bhishma Parva he\nshould present the Br\u0101hmanas with most excellent conveyances and\nentertain them with well cooked dishes endued with many virtues. Whilst\nthe Drona Parva is recited he should feed the Br\u0101hmanas to their fill\nand present them with bows, arrows and swords. Whilst the Karna Parva is\nrecited he should, with a controlled mind, entertain the Br\u0101hmanas with\nvarious well cooked dishes (24-64). Whilst the Shalya Parva is recited\none should offer wine, molasses and various sweet dishes. Whilst the\nGada Parva is recited one should offer food of barley and whilst Stri\nParva is read out one should please the Br\u0101hmanas with presents of\njewels. Whilst Aishi Parva is recited one should offer first Ghee and\nthen well-cooked dishes. Whilst the Sh\u0101nti Parva is recited one should\nentertain the Brahmanas with vegetable dishes and whilst the Ashramav\u0101si\nParva is recited one should entertain the Brahmans with vegetable dishes\nand whilst the Aswamedha Parva is recited one should entertain the\nBrahman as with dishes after their own hearts. Whilst the Moushala Parva\nis recited one should make presents of garlands and unguents (65\u201369).\nwhilst the Mah\u0101prasth\u0101na Parva is recited one should make presents of\nthe articles mentioned before. And after the recitation of Harivamsha is\nover one should feed thousand Br\u0101hmanas and present each of them with a\ncow and a golden coin. H a poor man cannot afford to do it he should do\nhalf as much. After the termination of each Parva a wise man should\npresent to the reciter a book and a gold coin. After the termination of\nthe Harivansha Parva he should entertain the Br\u0101hmanas with milk and\nrice (65\u201373).\n\nAt the end of every Parva a person, well read in Shastras and honored by\nthe good, clad in a white rainment and adorned with nice ornaments,\nshould, being self-controlled, finish Sanihitas. And then covering them\nwith a silken cloth he should place them in a holy place and adore them\nwith garlands and scents. He then distribute meat, various articles,\ndrinks, gold, cows and raiments. A self-controlled man should always\ndistribute three tolas of gold. An incapable man should give half or one\nfourth of it. He should offer to the Bramhanas various articles after\nhis own heart. With reverence he should propitiate the reciter like unto\nhis own preceptor. He should then recite the names of all the gods\nespecially that of Nara-N\u0101r\u0101yana. Thereupon having adorned the Bramhanas\nwith garlands and scents he should gratify them with various gifts. By\ndoing so a man obtains the fruit of the Atir\u0101tra sacrifice at every\nParva (74\u201384).\n\nO foremost of Bharatas, a reciter, who can distinctly read letters and\nwords and has a sweet voice, should recite the future section of the\nBh\u0101rata before the twice-born. He should first feast the reciter well\nadorned and then the twice-born ones. He should then adore the former.\nIf a reciter is pleased one enjoys eternal and most excellent bliss. If\nthe Br\u0101hmanas are pleased all the gods are propitiated (85\u201387). O\nforemost of Bharatas, so the pious should duly and in order gratify the\ntwice-born with gifts, after their own hearts (88). O foremost of men, I\nhave thus described to you the rules. I have answered all your\nquestions, therefore you should be respectful in this matter. O great\nking, he who wishes to acquire most excellent bliss, should assiduously\nlisten to the recitation of the Bh\u0101rata and fulfill conditions at its\ncompletion. One should daily listen to Bh\u0101rata and recite it. He, who\nhas Bh\u0101rata in his house, acquires victory. The Bh\u0101rata is highly\nsacred; various episodes have been described in the Bh\u0101rata. The gods\neven read it. Bh\u0101rata is the most excellent refuge (86\u201392). The Bh\u0101rata\nis superior to all Sh\u0101stras, Through Bh\u0101rata one can acquire Moksha\n(emancipation). This is what I tell you. If a man recites the great\nBh\u0101rata, the names of the earth, cow, Saraswati, Br\u0101hmana and Keshava he\ndoes not meet with ruin. O foremost of Bh\u0101ratas, in the beginning,\nmiddle and end of the Vedas, R\u0101m\u0101yana and Mah\u0101bh\u0101rata Hari has been\ndescribed. Man, wishing to acquire the great station, should listen to\nthe recitation of the glorious deeds of Vishnu and Srutis. This great\nwork is the cannon of religion and is endued with all virtues. He who\nwishes to acquire lordly powers should hear it. Dwaipayana has said that\none, listening to Harivamsha in this unreal world, acquires all\nwished-for objects. Having finished a complete recitation of Harivamsha\none acquires the fruit yielded by thousands of Aswamedha and hundreds of\nVajapeya sacrifices. O Vishnu, thou art without birth and decay, thou\nart the only One worthy of being meditated upon. Thou art gross and\nsubtle and art beyond the reach of perception. Thou art Saguna and\nNirguna. Only the Yogins can comprehend thee through their knowledge.\nThou art the preceptor of the three worlds and creator. I seek refuge\nwith thee. May all tide over calamities, may all meet with well-being,\nand may all acquire their wished-for objects for the completion of the\nrecitation of the Bh\u0101rata (93-101).\n\n\n\nCHAPTER XLVIII. THE FRUITS OF THE RECITATION OF HARIVAMSHA.\n\n\nJanamejaya said:\u2014O foremost of Munis, do you describe to me the fruits\none can acquire by listening to Harivamsha and what gifts he should\nmake.\n\nVaishamp\u0101yana said:\u2014O foremost of Bharatas, if a man listens to\nHarivamsha Purana, all his sins, committed by body, words and thought,\nare dissipated like the dew on the rising of the sun. Forsooth does a\nVaishnava reap, by listening to Harivamsha, the fruits yielded by the\nhearing of the eighteen Puranas. Those, who reverentially listen to one\nhalf or even one portion of a sloka of Harivamsha, attain to the dignity\nof Vishnu. In the Kaliyuga living in the insular continent of Jamvu the\nnumber of hearers will be limited. Women, who wish to have sons, should\nlisten to Vishnu\u2019s glorious deeds. He, who, after hearing it, wishes to\nacquire fruits, should give, to the reciter according to his might, gold\nof the weight of three Nishkas. For his own well-being he should present\nthe reciter with a Kapila cow, with a cloth, its calf and golden horns.\nO foremost of Bh\u0101ratas, ornaments for the ear and hand yield special\nfruits. O king, you should give lands unto the Bramhanas. There is no\nother gift like it and there will be none (1-17).\n\nTHE END.","title":"A Prose English Translation of Harivamsha","tradition":"myth-cosmogony","translated_text":null,"word_count":303473}