Bhagavatapurana 10.58: ADHYAYA 58
The Srimad Bhagavatam 10.58
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ADHYAYA 58
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Krishna marries Kalindee, Mintravinda and others.
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1 & 2. Sri Suka said:--- Sometime after, the glorious Purushottama went with Yuyudhana and others to Indraprastha on a visit to Pandavas, who had been seen living in king Drupada's court. When they saw Mukunda, the Supreme Lord, arrived (at Hastina), the warrior sons of Kunti rose to receive Him, just as the Deities presiding over the senses did to welcome the returning Mukhyaprana.
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3. Those warriors embraced Achyuta and, by the very touch of His person, became purged of all their sin and were highly rejoiced to look on His face bright with affectionate smiles.
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4. Krishna bowed to Yudhishtira and Bhima, embraced Arjuna and was bowed to by the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva.
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5. To Krishna enthroned on a high seat, the blameless Draupadi newly married, and bashful, rather slowly came up and made her obeisance.
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6. Satyaki also, honoured and bowed to by Pritha's sons, took his seat; and others, duly honoured, took their seats about Him.
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7. Then approaching, Krishna bowed to Kunti, and was asit were embraced by her through affection and her affectionate looks He made enquiries about the welfare of his paternal aunt, of her daughter-in-law and also of other relations.
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8. With her throat choked in her perplexing affection and with eyes full of tears as she remembered her numerous sufferings she said to Krishna who reveals Himself to end our miseries (who is realised in one's own self when all the worldly tendencies cease to be.)
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9. "Only then prosperity dawned upon us and we were blessed with a lord when Thou, mindful of us, Thy kith and kin, sentest my brother (Akrura) to us, O Krishna!
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(1. "From the moment when Thou remembering us camest to see us while we were in the Panchala country for the Svayamvara, I have been quiet well."
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2 & 3. When she spoke thus, the Lord of Yadus said, "At Panchalas I first met thy sons in disguise, in a potter's factory with their (new) wife, just saw you and that very day I left (the place) in haste.
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4 to 6. "I had to go away in haste to punish Satadhanvan who proved treacherous to Satyabhama's father. When the wicked Satadhanvan was killed, My elder brother Halayudha became angry and neglecting Me with a dissatisfied heart, went away to Videhas. I remained a long time in the city itself (anxiously) expecting his return, and in the pressure of affairs I did not go out." When Krishna thus told His story, Kunti, overwhelmed with affectionate feelings, said:
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10. Thou, the friend of all, hast not the wrong notion of 'Mine' and Thine.' Still Thou removest all the sufferings of those who constantly remember Thee, filling their heart with Thy presence.
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11. Yudhishtira said:--- I do not know what good work we have done, O Supreme Lord; for, Thou, not easily seen even by masters of Yoga, revealest Thyself to the eyes of us of poor understanding.
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12. Requested by king Yudhishtira with such a devout heart, Sri Krishna gladly spent there the rainy months, giving delight to the residents of Indraprastha.
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13 & 14. On a certain day Arjuna mounted his chariot distinguished by the monkey-flag, with his bow Gandiva and two quivers of inexhaustible arrows and fully equipped for sports; and with Krishna he entered into a dense forest infested with wild beasts.
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15. There with his shafts he struck tigers, boars, buffaloes, antelopes, sarabhas, bisons, rhinoceros, deer, bears and sallakas.
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16. On the full moon day His attendants took the game to the king and especially those that were considered hallowed and Arjuna, weary and thirsty (in hunger and thirst), went down to the Yamuna.
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17. There, after Achamana, the two warriors, Krishna and Arjuna drank of the crystal water and noticed a beautiful maiden strolling about.
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18 & 19. Sent by his friend, Arjuna enquired of that excellent maiden, ‘Who thou, whose art thou, O beautiful one, whence art thou and what dost thou mean to do? I think thou art a maiden in quest of a consort, kindly tell me everything, O good one (maiden).
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20. Kalindee said;— I am the daughter of the god Surya: I am in search of a partner and I am performing austere tapas in devotion to the Supreme Vishnu who bestows all blessings.
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21. I would not choose for my consort any one other than the Lord of Lakshmi: may that Almighty Lord Mukunda, Himself the support of (kind to) the helpless, be propitious unto me!
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22. I am called Kalindee; I dwell in a palace constructed by my father under the waters of this river; I mean waiting here till I obtain a sight of Achyuta.
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23. Arjuna made an exact report to Krishna; and He aware of it placed her in the chariot and returned to Yudhishtira.
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24. As soon as He was requested, Krishna got Visvakarman to build a grand city for Pandu's sons.
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25. The glorious Lord stopped there to do some good to His devotees. He acted as charioteer of Arjuna in order to bestow the
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forest of Khandava on god Agni.
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26. The god Agni was so pleased, O king, as to give Arjuna a bow, four white horses, a chariot, two inexhaustible quivers and an armour that cannot be injured even by armed men.
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27. Maya, rescued from fire, constructed and presented a wonderful court to his friend, in which Duryodhana mistook bare floor for a sheet of water and vice versa.
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28. Taking leave of Dharmaraja and with the good wishes of other friends, Sri Krishna returned to Dwaraka, accompanied by Satyaki and others.
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29. Then on an auspicious day under an auspicious star He married Kalindee (who was endowed with beauty and youthfulness, a feast to the mind and eyes), thereby adding to the joy and prosperity of His own people.
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30. Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, being under the influence of Duryodhana, prohibited their sister from choosing Krishna, to whom she was devoted.
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31. By force Krishna carried away Mitravinda, the daughter of his paternal aunt Rajadhidevi, while many kings stood witnessing.
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32. There was a very charitable king of Kosalas, called Nagnajit. He had a brilliant daughter named Satya (Nila) and also known as Nagnajiti, O king.
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33. Without subduing the seven sharp-horned and irresistibly wild and wicked oxen that would not bear the smell (touch) of warriors, other princes were not able to obtain her hand.
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34. Hearing that she could be gained only by one that subdues the oxen, the Almighty Lord of Satvatas proceeded with a large army to the capital of Kosalas.
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35. That king of Kosalas, being very much delighted, honoured Krishna by going forth to meet him, offering a seat with other attentions; and he was well appreciated and congratulated (by Krishna on his good nature.)
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36. On seeing the bridegroom who was in every way after her heart, the king's daughter gave her heart to the Lord of Lakshmi
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and prayed, "May this Krishna be my lord: may He make all the pure blessings true, if I have observed vows (if He had been devoutly contemplated in my mind in the course of my vows.)!
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37. How would that Almighty Lord be so propitious unto me, the dust on whose lotus feet, goddess Lakshmi, the Lotus-born Brahma and god Siva dwelling on the mount, as well as all the protectors of the Universe, bear on their head, and who is the Supreme Ruler and who assumes from time to time sportful personality (forms) in order to protect the limits (defences) of righteousness ordained by Himself?
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38. And to Krishna the king said, O Narayana, Lord of the Universe, to Thee, Perfect in Thine own blissfulness, (in Thy self) what service might I, a poor creature, render?
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39. Sri Suka said:— The Almighty Lord (Krishna) was pleased (with him), took His seat and said to him, smilingly and in accents sublime like thunder, O Prince of Kuru race.
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(1) The Lord said: [Learned men say that that bridegroom is the most acceptable one who does not make his suit at a time other than the time of Swayamvara; for, O king, it is that bridegroom that, without reference to any time, becomes the occasion for his invitation along with the princes that might strive for the same purpose (that might be suitors].
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40. O great king, learned men condemn it as degrading to make a request for a prince who walks in the line of his duties: still for the sake of friendship with thee I ask of thee thy daughter and we are not prepared to pay any price.
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41. The king said:— ‘Who else is there in this world, superior to Thee, O Lord, most desired bridegroom for the maiden,— Thee that art the one abode of all the excellent qualities and on whose person Lakshmi inseparably abides?
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42. ‘But a certain convention was first made by us, O bull among Satvatas, to put to test the strength of men, so that the best bridegroom might be obtained.
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43. ‘Here are seven oxen, O warrior, not subdued or governed by anybody: many, many are the princes who, thwarted of their
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purpose, have returned with broken limbs.
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44. 'Would that these are subdued by Thyself, O delight of Yadus: for Thou art the most desired bridegroom for my daughter, O Lord of Sri.'
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45. On hearing of that condition the Almighty Lord tightened His girdle and, appearing as seven, sportfully subdued them and brought them under His power.
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46. He (Krishna) tied them with ropes, having put down their turbulent strength (broken their teeth) and dragged them bound, even as a child may drag wooden bulls (toys).
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47. Thereupon the king was highly pleased and astonished, and bestowed his daughter on Krishna who in due form accepted the maiden that was worthy of none but Himself.
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48. And the queens were highly rejoiced to see their daughter espoused to Krishna, the object of her love and great were the rejoicings and festivities at the time.
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49. Conches and drums and Anakas were sounded, songs sung and musical instruments played upon: Brahmins poured forth their benedictions, and men and women, transported with joy, adorned themselves with fine clothes and wreaths of flowers.
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50. The king gave as dowry ten thousand cows, three thousand youthful women as servants-maids, all adorned with gold and fine clothes.
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51. And nine thousand elephants, chariots a hundred times the elephants, horses a hundred times the chariots, soldiers a hundred times the number of horses.
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52. The king of Kosalas sent the couple in a chariot attended by a large army, his heart melting in affection.
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53. On hearing of this, the highly envious kings who had previously had their pride broken by these oxen, attacked on the way Krishna who, followed by Yadus, was taking His bride away.
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54. As those kings came pouring volleys of arrows, Arjuna, with Gandiva in his hand, eager to render good service to his friend and relation, drove them away as a lion does the little beasts.
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55. With the dowry Sri Krishna, the Almighty Lord and foremost among Yadus, returned to Dwaraka and delightfully spent the time with Satya.
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56. Next Krishna married Bhadra, the princess of Kekayas, daughter of Srutakeerti, His paternal aunt, who was offered by her brothers, Santardana and others.
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57. Next in a Swayamvara, single-handed He carried away, as Suparna did nectar, Lakshmana, the princess of Madras, endowed with all the excellent qualities.
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58. Similarly there were thousands of other wives to Krishna, who were all beautiful and who had been rescued from the prison of Narakasura slain by Him.
Linked texts (1)
- Bhāgavatapurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit