Bhagavatapurana 10.78: athāṣṭasaptatitamo'dhyāyaḥ

10.78.1

/0 śrī-śuka uvāca
śiśupālasya śālvasya pauṇḍrakasyāpi durmatiḥ /
para-loka-gatānāṃ ca kurvan pārokṣya-sauhṛdam //

Śrī Śuka said:
The foolish-minded one, seeking to show friendship beyond the grave
to Śiśupāla, Śālva, and Pauṇḍraka, who had gone to the other world,

1 & 2. Sri Suka said:- Longing to prove his friendship to his dead friends, to wit, Sisupala, Salva and Paundraka and others, the wicked Kalinga, Dantavaktra of great strength, came forward singly on foot, in rage, with Gada in hand, shaking the earth under his feet and appeared before Krishna.

10.78.2

ekaḥ padātiḥ saṅkruddho gadā-pāṇiḥ prakampayan /
padbhyām imāṃ mahā-rāja mahā-sattvo vyadṛśyata //

alone, on foot, enraged, mace in hand, causing this earth
to tremble with his steps, O great king, appeared endowed with mighty strength.

10.78.3

taṃ tathāyāntam ālokya gadām ādāya satvaraḥ /
avaplutya rathāt kṛṣṇaḥ sindhuṃ veleva pratyadhāt //

Seeing him advancing thus, Kṛṣṇa quickly took his mace,
leaped down from his chariot, and stood confronting him like the shore against the ocean.

3. Krishna saw him advance, took up his gada, quickly jumped down from the chariot and resisted him even as the shore stops the sea.

10.78.4

gadām udyamya kārūṣo mukundaṃ prāha durmadaḥ /
diṣṭyā diṣṭyā bhavān adya mama dṛṣṭi-pathaṃ gataḥ //

Raising his mace, the arrogant king of Karūṣa spoke to Mukunda:
"By good fortune, by good fortune, you have come into my sight today!

4. Raising his gada, the madly insolent Karusha, (Kalinga) said to Krishna, "Fortunately to-day thou hast come before my eyes.

10.78.5

tvaṃ mātuleyo naḥ kṛṣṇa mitra-dhruṅ māṃ jighāṃsasi /
atas tvāṃ gadayā manda haniṣye vajra-kalpayā //

You are our maternal cousin, Kṛṣṇa, yet you betray friends and seek to kill me;
therefore, fool, I shall slay you with my mace, which is like the thunderbolt.

5. "Thou art our uncle's son, O Krishna, treacherous to friends and wantest to kill me; therefore, O dull-witted one, I shall end thee with my gada as strong as Vajra.

10.78.6

tarhy ānṛṇyam upaimy ajña mitrāṇāṃ mitra-vatsalaḥ /
bandhu-rūpam ariṃ hatvā vyādhiṃ deha-caraṃ yathā //

Then, O ignorant one, since I love my friends, I shall be free of my debt to them,
by killing an enemy disguised as a relative, just like a disease that infests the body."

6. "Only when I put an end to the enemy in the form of a relation like a disease in one's own body, I, affectionate to my friends, shall have cleared my debt to them." 7. With such harsh words touching Krishna to the quick, like an elephant pierced with a goad, he struck Him on His head and roared like a lion.

10.78.7

evaṃ rūkṣais tudan vākyaiḥ kṛṣṇaṃ totrair iva dvipam /
gadayātāḍayan mūrdhni siṃha-vad vyanadac ca saḥ //

Piercing Kṛṣṇa with such harsh words as an elephant is pricked with goads,
he struck him on the head with his mace and roared like a lion.

10.78.8

gadayābhihato 'py ājau na cacāla yadūdvahaḥ /
kṛṣṇo 'pi tam ahan gurvyā kaumodakyā stanāntare //

Though struck with the mace in the fight, the best of the Yadus did not flinch;
and Kṛṣṇa struck him upon the chest with his heavy Kaumodakī.

8. Though on the field He was struck with the gada, the foremost of Yadus did not shake and in his turn struck Dantavaktra on the chest with His heavy Kaumodaki.

10.78.9

gadā-nirbhinna-hṛdaya udvaman rudhiraṃ mukhāt /
prasārya keśa-bāhv-aṅghrīn dharaṇyāṃ nyapatad vyasuḥ //

His heart shattered by the mace, vomiting blood from his mouth,
with his hair, arms, and legs spread wide, he fell lifeless to the earth.

9. His heart broken with the gada (badly broken. V.) he vomitted blood through the mouth; he fell on the ground and expired, hair, arms and legs stretched out.

10.78.10

tataḥ sūkṣmataraṃ jyotiḥ kṛṣṇam āviśad adbhutam /
paśyatāṃ sarva-bhūtānāṃ yathā caidya-vadhe nṛpa //

Then an exceedingly subtle, wondrous light entered into Kṛṣṇa
as all beings looked on, O king, just as at the slaying of the king of Cedi.

10. O king, then a subtle ray of light entered Krishna: a wonderful sight it was; all witnessing, just as it happened when Chaidya fell.

10.78.11

vidūrathas tu tad-bhrātā bhrātṛ-śoka-pariplutaḥ /
āgacchad asi-carmābhyām ucchvasaṃs taj-jighāṃsayā //

His brother Vidūratha, however, overwhelmed with grief for his brother,
came forward bearing sword and shield, panting in his desire to kill him.

11. Also Viduratha, his brother, overwhelmed with grief for

15. Then Sri Krishna remounted the divine Pushparatha gloriously adorned, accompained by Satvata crowds and sung by the gods and men, etc. his brother, came, sighing, with swords and shield, intent on killing Him.

10.78.12

tasya cāpatataḥ kṛṣṇaś cakreṇa kṣura-neminā /
śiro jahāra rājendra sa-kirīṭaṃ sa-kuṇḍalam //

As he charged, Kṛṣṇa, with his razor-edged discus,
struck off his head, O best of kings, together with its diadem and earrings.

12. As he was advancing, O king, Sri Krishna cut off, with his Chakra of sharp edge, his head adorned with a crown and ear-rings.

10.78.13

evaṃ saubhaṃ ca śālvaṃ ca dantavakraṃ sahānujam /
hatvā durviṣahān anyair īḍitaḥ sura-mānavaiḥ //

Having thus destroyed the Saubha, Śālva, Dantavakra, and his younger brother,
who were invincible to others, he was praised by gods and men,

13 to 15. Having thus put an end to Saubha, Salva, Dantavaktra and his brother (and others) who were all unmanageable for others and praised by gods and men, by sages, Siddhas, Gandharvas and Vidyadharas and the great Nagas, Apsaras women, the groups of Pitris, Yakshas, Charanas and Kinnaras, singing His victory and showered over with flowers, and accompanied by great Vrishnis, Krishna entered the decorated city.

10.78.14

munibhiḥ siddha-gandharvair vidyādhara-mahoragaiḥ /
apsarobhiḥ pitṛ-gaṇair yakṣaiḥ kinnara-cāraṇaiḥ //

by sages, Siddhas, Gandharvas, Vidyādharas, and great serpents,
by Apsarases, hosts of ancestors, Yakṣas, Kinnaras, and Cāraṇas.

10.78.15

upagīyamāna-vijayaḥ kusumair abhivarṣitaḥ /
vṛtaś ca vṛṣṇi-pravarair viveśālaṅkṛtāṃ purīm //

His victory sung in chorus, showered with flowers,
and surrounded by the foremost of the Vṛṣṇis, he entered his decorated city.

10.78.16

evaṃ yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo bhagavān jagad-īśvaraḥ /
īyate paśu-dṛṣṭīnāṃ nirjito jayatīti saḥ //

In this way, Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of yoga, the Lord of the universe,
is seen by those of animal-like vision as if he were defeated, and as if he is victorious.

16. Thus the great Lord of Yoga and the Almighty Ruler Krishna, controlling the whole world, appears to be conquered or conquering, to those who have but the vision of brutes.

10.78.17

śrutvā yuddhodyamaṃ rāmaḥ kurūṇāṃ saha pāṇḍavaiḥ /
tīrthābhiṣeka-vyājena madhya-sthaḥ prayayau kila //

Hearing of the mobilization for war of the Kurus with the Pāṇḍavas,
Rāma departed, remaining neutral under the pretext of bathing in sacred waters.

17. When he heard of the preparations of the Kurus for war with Pandavas, Balarama, inclined to be neutral—it has been said—went away on the pretext of a pilgrimage to holy waters.

10.78.18

snātvā prabhāse santarpya devarṣi-pitṛ-mānavān /
sarasvatīṃ prati-srotaṃ yayau brāhmaṇa-saṃvṛtaḥ //

Having bathed at Prabhāsa and offered oblations to the divine sages, ancestors, and men,
he went upstream along the Sarasvatī, accompanied by brāhmaṇas.

18. He bathed and poured oblations of water to the gods, Rishis, Pitris and ancestors at Prabhasa, and with many brahmins travelled alongside the river Sarasvati from its mouth towards the source.

10.78.19

pṛthūdakaṃ bindu-saras tritakūpaṃ sudarśanam /
viśālaṃ brahma-tīrthaṃ ca cakraṃ prācīṃ sarasvatīm //

To Pṛthūdaka, Bindusaras, Tritakūpa, Sudarśana,
Viśāla, Brahmatīrtha, Cakra, the eastward-flowing Sarasvatī,

19. Then he visited various spots of holy waters, namely, Prithudaka, Bindusaras, Tritakupa (Trikupa), Sudarsana, Visala, Brahmatirtha, Chakra, the eastern Sarasvati;

10.78.20

yamunām anu yāny eva gaṅgām anu ca bhārata /
jagāma naimiṣaṃ yatra ṛṣayaḥ satram āsate //

and along the Yamunā and the Gaṅgā, O descendant of Bharata,
he went to Naimiṣa, where the sages were holding their sacrificial session.

20. And also those in the course of the Yamuna and Ganga and then went to Naimisha where the sages were engaged in a prolonged sacrifice. 21. Knowing the personage who had arrived, the sages, engaged in a prolonged sacrifice, welcomed him in due manner, rose from their seats, bowed and worshipped him.

10.78.21

tam āgatam abhipretya munayo dīrgha-satriṇaḥ /
abhinandya yathā-nyāyaṃ praṇamyotthāya cārcayan //

Seeing that he had arrived, the sages of the long sacrificial session
greeted him properly, stood up, bowed down, and honored him.

10.78.22

so 'rcitaḥ sa-parīvāraḥ kṛtāsana-parigrahaḥ /
romaharṣaṇam āsīnaṃ maharṣeḥ śiṣyam aikṣata //

Worshiped with his retinue, having taken a seat,
he saw Romaharṣaṇa, the maharṣi's disciple, remaining seated.

22. Worshipped along with his followers, he took his seat, and saw Romaharshana, the disciple of the great sage Vyasa, seated there.

10.78.23

apratyutthāyinaṃ sūtam akṛta-prahvaṇāñjalim /
adhyāsīnaṃ ca tān viprāṃś cukopodvīkṣya mādhavaḥ //

Seeing that the Sūta did not rise to greet him, did not make a reverent gesture with folded hands,
and sat higher than those brāhmaṇas, Mādhava became enraged:

23. And noticing Suta who did not rise from his seat or bend his body or join his hands in reverence and but only occupied a higher seat than everybody else, Balarama got angry with those brahmins.

10.78.24

yasmād asāv imān viprān adhyāste pratiloma-jaḥ /
dharma-pālāṃs tathaivāsmān vadham arhati durmatiḥ //

"Because this low-born man sits above these brāhmaṇas
and above us, the protectors of dharma, the fool deserves death.

24. Why dost this one of irregular extraction occupy a seat higher than these brahmins, the protectors of Dharma, as well as ourselves? The wicked one deserves to be done away with;

10.78.25

ṛṣer bhagavato bhūtvā śiṣyo 'dhītya bahūni ca /
setihāsa-purāṇāni dharma-śāstrāṇi sarvaśaḥ //

Though he became a disciple of the venerable sage and studied many texts,
including the Itihāsas, Purāṇas, and all the Dharmaśāstras,

25. —Having been the disciple of the glorious sage, having studied very many Dharma Sastras with Ithihasas and Puranas, one and all;

10.78.26

adāntasyāvinītasya vṛthā paṇḍita-māninaḥ /
na guṇāya bhavanti sma naṭasyevājitātmanaḥ //

For one undisciplined and impudent, who vainly deems himself learned,
these [studies] have not led to virtue, any more than for an actor who has not mastered his self.

26. —All these do not contribute to excellence in one who has no control over his senses, has no humility, as in the case of an actor who has no control over himself.

10.78.27

etad-artho hi loke 'sminn avatāro mayā kṛtaḥ /
vadhyā me dharma-dhvajinas te hi pātakino 'dhikāḥ //

For this very purpose was an incarnation taken by me in this world:
those who bear the flag of dharma falsely are to be slain by me, for they are the greatest sinners.

27. It is for this purpose Avatara is made by Me in this world: those that put on the appearance of righteous men should be done away with, for they indeed are more sinful than the unrighteous.

10.78.28

etāvad uktvā bhagavān nivṛtto 'sad-vadhād api /
bhāvitvāt taṃ kuśāgreṇa kara-sthenāhanat prabhuḥ //

Having said this much, the Lord, though abstaining from killing the unworthy,
yet, because it was fated, the Lord struck him with the tip of a kuśa grass blade held in his hand.

28. Having said this, the glorious Balarama, who would not ordinarily kill even an unrighteous one struck him with the end of a Kusa in his hand—It was as it should be.

10.78.29

hāheti-vādinaḥ sarve munayaḥ khinna-mānasāḥ /
ūcuḥ saṅkarṣaṇaṃ devam adharmas te kṛtaḥ prabho //

Crying out 'Alas! Alas!', all the sages, grieved in mind,
said to the divine Saṅkarṣaṇa: 'You have committed adharma, O Lord!

29. All the sages screamed in distress and said to Sankarshana, O Lord, Thou hast committed an unrighteous act.

10.78.30

asya brahmāsanaṃ dattam asmābhir yadu-nandana /
āyuś cātmāklamaṃ tāvad yāvat satraṃ samāpyate //

The seat of Brahman was given to him by us, O delighter of the Yadus,
as well as a life-span free from personal fatigue for as long as the sacrificial session is completed.

30. He has been given the seat of Brahma by us, O Yadus' delight, long life, and absence of fatigue to the body have also been given to him till the sacrifice should last.

10.78.31

ajānataivācaritas tvayā brahma-vadho yathā /
yogeśvarasya bhavato nāmnāyo 'pi niyāmakaḥ //

Unknowingly indeed, the killing of a brāhmaṇa was performed by you;
[yet] for you, the Lord of yoga, not even the Veda is a ruler.

31. Without knowing the fact, Thou hast committed the sin of killing a brahmin: being the master of yoga, even the vedic rule is not binding on Thee.

10.78.32

yady etad-brahma-hatyāyāḥ pāvanaṃ loka-pāvana /
cariṣyati bhavāṃl loka- saṅgraho 'nanya-coditaḥ //

If you, O purifier of the worlds, will perform the purification
for this killing of a brāhmaṇa, the maintenance of the world will be upheld, impelled by no other.'

32. If however of Thine own accord Thou makest expiation for this Brahmahatya, O purifier of the world, it will be an exemplary act to the world. 33. The Lord said:- I shall make expiation for (the sin of) killing in order to teach the world: do you explain to Me the best and fullest course of expiation?

10.78.33

/0 śrī-bhagavān uvāca
cariṣye vadha-nirveśaṃ lokānugraha-kāmyayā /
niyamaḥ prathame kalpe yāvān sa tu vidhīyatām //

The Lord said:
'I shall perform the expiation for the killing, desiring the welfare of the worlds;
whatever rule is prescribed in the primary injunction, let that be ordained.'

10.78.34

dīrgham āyur bataitasya sattvam indriyam eva ca /
āśāsitaṃ yat tad brūte sādhaye yoga-māyayā //

Long life, indeed, and strength and sensory vigor as well
for this [son], whatever is desired—speak it, and I shall accomplish it through my yoga-māyā.

34. Tell me, (if you want), O sages, and I shall, by my power of yoga, give him long life, (success in his conduct) strength and soundness of the senses and whatever you want.

10.78.35

/0 ṛṣaya ūcuḥ
astrasya tava vīryasya mṛtyor asmākam eva ca /
yathā bhaved vacaḥ satyaṃ tathā rāma vidhīyatām //

The sages said:
May it be arranged in such a way, O Rāma, that your weapon,
your prowess, death, and our word too may all be true.

35. Sages said:- Thou mayest be pleased, O Rama, to so act that the virtue of Thy missile, Thy power, the power of Mrityu and our words may (all) prove true.

10.78.36

/0 śrī-bhagavān uvāca
ātmā vai putra utpanna iti vedānuśāsanam /
tasmād asya bhaved vaktā āyur-indriya-sattva-vān //

The Lord said:
'The self indeed is born as the son'—such is the Vedic injunction.
Therefore he shall become the speaker, endowed with life, sensory vigor, and strength.

36. The Lord said:- It is the self that is born as the son, so runs the Vedic Rule: therefore his son will be the expounder of puranas, enjoying long life and possessed of strength and soundness of the senses.

10.78.37

kiṃ vaḥ kāmo muni-śreṣṭhā brūtāhaṃ karavāṇy atha /
ajānatas tv apacitiṃ yathā me cintyatāṃ budhāḥ //

What is your desire, O best of sages? Tell me, and I shall do it at once.
Moreover, since I acted unwittingly, let the wise determine what atonement is mine.

37. O great sages, tell Me what else you desire and I shall grant it, and also, O wise men, think over the expiation for the sin thoughtlessly committed.

10.78.38

/0 ṛṣaya ūcuḥ
ilvalasya suto ghoro balvalo nāma dānavaḥ /
sa dūṣayati naḥ satram etya parvaṇi parvaṇi //

The sages said:
A terrifying dānava named Balvala, the son of Ilvala,
comes at every change of the moon and defiles our sacrificial session.

38. Sages said:- A Danava called Balvala, son of Ilvala, a terrible one, goes here every full-moon and new-moon and profanes our sacrifice. (us all. D.)

10.78.39

taṃ pāpaṃ jahi dāśārha tan naḥ śuśrūṣaṇaṃ param /
pūya-śoṇita-vin-mūtra- surā-māṃsābhivarṣiṇam //

Slay that sinner, O descendant of Daśārha; that will be the highest service to us!
He rains down pus, blood, feces, urine, liquor, and flesh.

39. Be pleased to put an end to that sinful monster, O Dasarha, who showers puss, blood, dung, urine, liquors and flesh: and that would be the most valuable service done to us.

10.78.40

tataś ca bhārataṃ varṣaṃ parītya su-samāhitaḥ /
caritvā dvādaśa-māsāṃs tīrtha-snāyī viśudhyasi //

And after that, wandering through the land of Bhārata with concentrated mind,
bathing at holy waters for twelve months, you shall be purified.

40. Then, for twelve months going round the continent of Bharata, with a serene mind and by bathing in holy waters, thou wilt be purified.