Bhagavatapurana 10.57: ADHYAYA 57
The Srimad Bhagavatam 10.57
- Language
- English
ADHYAYA 57
10.57.p1
In the absence of Krishna Satadhanvan kills Satrajit, Satadhanvan killed — Krishna bestows Syamantaka on Akrura.
10.57.p2
1 & 2. On hearing that Pandavas were burnt Govinda, though He knew the truth, went with Rama to the Kurus to condole Kunti in the customary way; and equally sharing the grief, they met Kripa, Vidura, Gandhari and Drona and expressed their grief saying, "great is the woe that has befallen us."
10.57.p3
3 & 4. Having obtained this opportunity Akrura and Kritavarman said to Satadhanvan, "Why should not the jewel be taken hold of? He promised us his daughter, but in contempt of us he bestowed her on Krishna. Why should not Satrajit follow his brother?"
10.57.p4
5. His mind being thus spoiled by those two, the most wicked Satadhanvan, sinful and doomed to short life, killed Satrajit in sleep, through his covetousness.
10.57.p5
6. When the women were helplessly screaming and wailing, he like a butcher killed him and made away with the jewel.
10.57.p6
7. And Satyabhama, much grieved to see her father assassinated, wept loudly, "Alas! Father, my father, I am undone," and she swooned.
10.57.p7
8. Having secured the dead body in a large trough of oil, she went to Hastina and in her grief, told of her father's murder to Krishna who naturally knew the truth.
10.57.p8
9. On hearing that, O king, the Lords of the Universe imitating the human world, sympathised and wept with tears in their eyes, "Ah! What calamity has befallen us."
10.57.p9
10. Thence returning to His city with His wife and elder brother, the Almighty Krishna made arrangements to punish Satadhanvan and recover the jewel.
10.57.p10
[1. At that time came from the city of Panchalas a messenger sent by Yagnasena proclaiming the Svayamvara of Draupadi.
10.57.p11
2. Invited by him, Govinda with Rama repaired to the city
10.57.p12
of Panchalas and there met the youthful sons of Pandu who had not been seen before and who looked veritable brahmins in their guise.
10.57.p13
3 & 4. With them who had hit the mark and gained their object by dint of their prowess, He conferred in the house of a potter:—paid his respects to his aunt and prince Yudhishtira, and quickly returned to Dwaravati to punish Satadhanvan.]
10.57.p14
11. He also had information of Krishna’s plans and in fear and in his anxiety to save his life, entreated Kritavarma for help: but he said:
10.57.p15
12. “I could not do anything insulting to the Almighty Rama and Krishna. Who could hope to prosper having offended them?
10.57.p16
13. “For hating Krishna Kamsa was deprived of his fortune and is gone with all his followers: and in seventeen battles Jarasandha lost his chariot and took to flight.”
10.57.p17
14. Thus refused help by Kritavarma, he requested Akrura to stand by him; he too said, “Who, knowing the strength of the Lords, would stand opposed to them?
10.57.p18
[1. “To Him whom Siva residing on Mount Kailasa bows his head, who in battle vanquished Hamsa and Dimbhaka very haughty on account of their boons and by whom the most poisonous and huge serpent was expelled from the pool (in the Yamuna.’]
10.57.p19
15. —“Who sportfully creates, maintains and destroys all this Universe, whose course of action, as the Creator of the Universe, men deluded by Prakriti do not understand.
10.57.p20
16. —“Who, a boy of seven years, pulled out with but one hand and that too sportfully, and supported, a mountain like a child holding up a mushroom.
10.57.p21
17. “Salutation to that unlimited Almighty Krishna of wonderful work; salutation to the First Cause of everything, subject to no change and the Supreme Atman.
10.57.p22
18. Having been thus refused help by Akrura also, Satadhanvan left the jewel in his (Akrura’s) hands, mounted a horse and fled to a distance of hundred Yojanas.
10.57.p23
19. O king; Rama and Krishna, mounted Garuda-bannered
10.57.p24
chariot drawn by very swift horses and pursued Satadhanvan who was treacherous to his own Guru.
10.57.p25
20. In a garden near Mithila he left the horse that in fatigue dropped down and in his fear he took to his heels; Krishna also angrily pursued him.
10.57.p26
21. The Almighty Krishna also, pursuing him on foot, cut off his head with His keen-edged Chakra and for the jewel searched his clothes.
10.57.p27
22. Not finding the jewel, Krishna came to His brother and said, "Satadhanvan has been killed in vain; the jewel is not with him."
10.57.p28
23. And Balarama observed, "Certainly the jewel must have been left with some body by Satadhanvan: thou mayst return to the city and search for _him_;
10.57.p29
24. "I like to see my great friend, king of Videhas;" Accordingly Balarama went into Mithila, O king."
10.57.p30
25. King of Mithila was much delighted to see Balarama, rose at once from his seat and duly honoured the worthy guest with worthy offerings and attentions.
10.57.p31
26. In the city of Mithila the Lord Balarama spent some years, highly esteemed by the friendly and noble-minded Janaka. It was then that Duryodhana, son of Dhritarashtra, learnt the use of mace (gada) under Balarama.
10.57.p32
27. Returning to Dwaraka Kesava told His beloved Satyabhama for her satisfaction of the death of Satadhanvan and of His not finding the jewel.
10.57.p33
28. Then the Lord got his friends to perform for him all those funeral rites that are due to the dead.
10.57.p34
29. Akrura and Kritavarma, the instigators, heard of Satadhanvan's death and in great fear absented themselves from Dwaraka.
10.57.p35
30. When Akrura was absent from the city the residents of Dwaraka experienced a bad time of it, physically and mentally, through the agency of the gods and the great Bhutas (elements.)
10.57.p36
[1. Now Hari enquired of Ugrasena and other elderly
10.57.p37
Yadus, 'What is the cause of the evils which we have over a long time been experiencing here?'"
10.57.p38
31 & 32. O dear prince! having forgotten what had been already said (of Krishna's glory) some say, 'How could any evil be seen or befall anybody in the abode of Krishna, the one resort of sages. When Indra withheld the rains, the king of Kasi gave his daughter Gandini and also a tract of land so called to his guest Swaphalka: thereupon Indra sent down rains to the kingdom of Kasi:
10.57.p39
33. Wherever his son, this Akrura, possessed of the same great virtue, may be, (there) Indra sends down rain and no calamities or plagues appear there.
10.57.p40
34. On hearing what the elders said and seeing that, that by itself could not be the cause, Krishna sent for Akrura and spoke to him.
10.57.p41
35. He honoured him (Akrura), spoke to him kindly, told him delightful stories; and the Lord who knows the mind (truth) of all creatures smilingly said:—
10.57.p42
36. "O Danapati, the jewel Syamantaka of great splendour is left by Satadhanvan with thee; We are already aware of it.
10.57.p43
37. "Satrajit having no son, his daughter's children ought to pour oblations of water and rice and pay his debts and enjoy the rest of his property.
10.57.p44
38. "Still, let the jewel, not possible to be maintained by others, remain with thee that art in righteous ways: but My elder brother does not think well of Me in the matter of this jewel.
10.57.p45
39. "O blessed one, please show it to all our kith and kin, and end their anxiety. Are all thy sacrificial courses progressing without interruption on golden platforms?"
10.57.p46
40. Thus gently rebuked, Swaphalka's son brought and delivered the jewel brilliant like the sun, wrapped in a piece of cloth.
10.57.p47
41. Having got Akrura to show Syamantaka to His relations, and cleared off the suspicion resting on Him, He returned it to him.
10.57.p48
[1 to 4. The Lord now explained the fact to Halayudha and got Himself cleared. Balarama who had so long for its sake left the city, just returned and saw the jewel and desired to have it, for he thought that he was worthy of it. "It is my father's property and properly it belongs to Me," so thinking Satyabhama without knowing the will of Hari, confidently wanted to take it, and Jambavati too desired it, thinking "It was given by my father as dowry." Knowing all this Madhava the Almighty Lord again placed the jewel in the hands of Akrura.]
10.57.p49
42. He who reads, listens to and contemplates this account celebrating the glory of the Almighty Ruler Vishnu who removes sin and confers auspiciousness, would be free from all evil reputation and sin and attain happiness.
Linked texts (1)
- Bhāgavatapurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit