Skandapurana 1.4.64: adhyāyaḥ 66

Sūta said:

Then, when the thirteenth year had passed at that time,

and when all the kings had assembled at Upaplavya, the Pāṇḍavas, 1

the great car-warriors, having come to fight, took their positions at Kurukṣetra.

And the Kauravas, led by Duryodhana, also took their positions. 2

Then Yudhiṣṭhira, having heard through men what was spoken by Bhīṣma,

namely the classification of car-warriors and great car-warriors, spoke this word amidst the kings: 3

“The description of car-warriors and great car-warriors has been made by Bhīṣma, O Kṛṣṇa.” / Then Duryodhana asked his own great car-warriors this: 4

Then Duryodhana asked this of his great chariot-warriors: ..4..

"Which of you could slay these Pāṇḍavas with their army, and in what span of time?"

It was pledged by Bhīṣma and by Kṛpa: in a month;

by Droṇa, in a fortnight; and by Drauṇi, in ten days in battle;

and likewise by Karṇa, who constantly dispelled my fear: in six days.

"Therefore I ask my own men: in what span of time can who slay [them]?"

Hearing this speech of the king, Phālguna spoke these words:

"It was improper, O Yudhiṣṭhira, what was pledged by Bhīṣma and the others;

for to decide on victory or defeat based on that is altogether false.

The kings who stand ready for battle on your side as well—

behold these tigers among men, like Kāla [Death] himself, unassailable:

Drupada, Virāṭa, Dhṛṣṭaketu, and the Kaikaya;

Sahadeva, Sātyaki, and invincible Cekitāna;

Dhṛṣṭadyumna with his sons, and mighty Ghaṭotkaca;

the great archers beginning with Bhīma, and unconquered Keśava.

I think that even a single one of these could destroy the Kaurava army.

Though Bhīṣma and many other charioteers appear armored in opposition,

you should have no fear of them; they are insignificant, like deer.

By the twang of our bows right now, O Bhārata,

the Kauravas will flee like deer terrified by a lion.

From the aged Bhīṣma, from the aged brahmin Droṇa, or from Kṛpa,

from the childish Drauṇi, and from the evil-minded son of a charioteer—what fear is there?

Or else, O Bhārata, if you wish to know for the peace of your mind,

listen to my words as I rush against the hostile ranks of the enemies:

Let me stand alone in battle; let all your charioteers stand aside.

In a single day I shall destroy all the Kauravas along with their forces."

Hearing these words of Arjuna, Dāmodara smiled and said:

"It is just so, as this Phālguna has spoken; it is not false."

And then, having silenced the conches, the drums,

and hundreds of kettle-drums, Barbarīka, standing in the midst of the kings, spoke these words:

Hear what is spoken by him who has performed austerity in the Guptakṣetra, who has fully pleased the goddesses,

and whose strength of arm is unequaled:

"Listen, O rulers of men, to the truthful word that I speak,

in accord only with my own valor, and not out of pride.

As for what has been pledged by the noble, great-souled Arjuna,

I cannot tolerate that statement; this would be a great waste of time.

Let all of you stand aside, along with Arjuna and Keśava.

Alone, within a single muhūrta, I shall dispatch Bhīṣma and all the others to the abode of Yama.

While I stand [in battle], no weapon should be taken up by any of the kṣatriyas.

May your oath be by your own duty: only when I am dead may you take [them] up.

Behold the strength of my arms born of the worship of the Goddess,

the māhātmya of the Guptakṣetra, and my devotion to the Pāṇḍus.

Behold my terrible bow, and likewise the two inexhaustible quivers,

and the sword given by the Goddess; therefore I speak these words."

Hearing his speech, the kṣatriyas were filled with amazement;

and Arjuna, embarrassed by the rebuke, looked toward Kṛṣṇa.

Kṛṣṇa spoke this charming and supreme word to Phālguna:

"What the son of Bhīma's son spoke was only suited to himself.

Formerly, a meat-eater accompanied by ninety million [demons] was slain by him

in an instant in Pātāla—a great wonder heard of!

Let us question him again: 'By what means will you slay the Kauravas

in a muhūrta? Speak!'" And Jaya said, "Let him be asked."

Then, smiling, the lord of the Yādavas spoke to the son of Bhīma's son:

"Protected by Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, Drauṇi, Karṇa, Duryodhana, and others,

difficult to conquer even for Tryambaka—how can you slay this army in an instant?

This is a great wonder arising from your words, O son of Bhīma's offspring,

both for all the kings and for wise Phālguna.

Therefore tell us: by what means will you slay the Kauravas in a muhūrta?

Having learned the power of your means, we too shall believe [you]."

Sūta said:

Addressed thus by Vāsudeva, the lord of all beings,

With a chest like a lion's, resembling a mountain, adorned with various ornaments,

having a face like a jar, with a pot-like laugh, hair bristling upwards, possessing great splendor,

having eyes like lightning, swift as the wind, who could destroy the world if he so wished—

Barbarīka, granted incomparable strength by the Goddess, spoke:

“O heroes, if your mind is set on demonstrating an expedient,

then behold, I will show it along with Keśava!

Having spoken thus, having strung his bow, he quickly fixed an arrow

that had no tip and was filled with ash resembling vermilion.

Drawing it to his ear, he released it; then from its tip ash sprang forth,

and swiftly fell upon both armies wherever each one's mortal vulnerable spot was:

upon all the body hairs of Bhīṣma; on the throat of Karṇa and of Droṇa;

upon the thigh of Duryodhana, and also on the chest of Śalya;

and that glowing [ash] fell upon the throat of Śakuni and of Bhagadatta;

on the sole of Kṛṣṇa's foot; on the throat of Drupada and of Matsya;

likewise on the waist of Śikhaṇḍin; and on the throat of the commander-in-chief.

That red ash fell wherever the vulnerable spots of those [warriors] lay;

it did not touch only the Pāṇḍavas, Kṛpa, and the son of Droṇa.

Having done this, Barbarīka spoke once again:

‘You have seen how the vulnerable spots have been surveyed by me.

Now I shall release sharpened arrows upon these vulnerable points—

granted by the Goddess, known as unfailing, by which they will die in an instant.

By the oath of your own duty, you must nowhere take up weapons!

Within an hour I will strike down these enemies with sharpened arrows.’

Then, among those whose minds were astonished, led by Yudhiṣṭhira,

a great roar arose from those who praised him, crying, ‘Well done! Well done!’

And Vāsudeva, greatly enraged, with his sharp discus,

struck off and dropped his head even as he was speaking thus.

Then in an instant the entire circle of kings became agitated.

They gazed at Keśava and were exceedingly astonished,

and said, ‘What is this? Why was Barbarīka slain?’

And the Pāṇḍavas along with the kings shed tears.

Lamenting, ‘Alas, alas, my son!’ and stumbling at every step,

miserable Ghaṭotkaca collapsed upon his son, fainting away.

In that interval, fourteen goddesses arrived:

Siddhāmbikā, Kroḍamātā, Kapālī, Tārā, Suvarṇā, Trilokajetrī,

Bhāṇeśvarī, Carcikā, Ekavīrā, Yogeśvarī, Caṇḍikā, Traipurā,

Bhūtāmbikā, and Harasiddhi; having arrived, they stood causing wonder among the kings.

Then illustrious Caṇḍikā consoled Ghaṭotkaca and spoke words in a loud voice:

“Listen, all you kings, to the reason by which Barbarīka of great might

was slain by Kṛṣṇa who knows the true self.

Formerly, upon the summit of Mount Meru, the Earth, oppressed by a burden,

spoke to the assembled gods: ‘Indeed, let my burden be removed!’

Then Brahmā said to Viṣṇu: ‘O Blessed One, hear this:

the gods will follow you; relieve the burden of the Earth, O Lord!’

Then imperishable Viṣṇu agreed to that statement, saying, ‘So be it.’

In that interval, raising his arm, he spoke loudly—

the Yakṣa lord named Sūryavarcas, lord of eighty-four crores:

‘For what purpose is a birth to be taken by you in the mortal world,

which is a great repository of many faults, while I am here?

May all of you rejoice in heaven together with Viṣṇu!

I alone, having descended, will slay these burdens of the Earth.

Indeed, let it be an oath upon your own duty if you take birth!’

When these words had been spoken, Brahmā, enraged, addressed him:

‘O foolish one, this great burden is unbearable even for all the gods;

through delusion you claim it can be accomplished by yourself! You deserve a curse, foolish one!

One who speaks to rulers without considering in his heart

his own strength and that of others suitable for the place and time, deserves punishment.

Therefore, when the war for removing the Earth's burden commences,

you will obtain destruction of your body at the hands of Kṛṣṇa, without a doubt.’

Cursed thus by Brahmā, he begged this of Viṣṇu:

“If my destruction is to be thus, O lord, I make this one request:

Grant me, from my birth onward, an intellect that accomplishes all purposes.” // 66

Then Keśava said to him in the assembly of the gods, “So be it.

They shall worship your head; you shall be worshipful to the goddess.” // 67

Having spoken thus, Hari then descended [to earth] together with the gods;

that Hari was named Kṛṣṇa, and you, indeed, were those gods. // 68

And he who was Sūryavarcas, the son of the daughter of Bhīma, has indeed been slain.

Remembering Brahmā’s former curse, he was slain by this noble one.

Therefore, no fault should be seen in this Kṛṣṇa by all the rulers of the earth.

The glorious Kṛṣṇa said:

“O kings, what has been spoken by the goddess is truly so, without doubt. // 1.2.66.70

If I did not slay him now, Brahmā’s word would become otherwise;

remembering that, he was struck down by me. // 71

In the Guptakṣetra, he was assigned by me to the remembrance of the Goddess,

as I remembered my own boon previously granted in the assembly of the gods.” // 72

When this had been said, goddess Caṇḍikā then sprinkled this devotee’s head

swiftly with nectar, and made it unaging and immortal. // 73

Just like Rāhu’s head, that head bowed down to them,

and said, “I desire to witness the battle; let that be granted.” // 74

Then Kṛṣṇa, the Lord whose voice is deep as a cloud, spoke these words:

“As long as the earth endures with the constellations, and as long as the moon and the sun, // 75

so long shall you be worshipful to all worlds, my child.

In all the realms of the goddess, you shall move about like a goddess. // 76

And you shall grant your devotees an abode in the worlds of the goddesses.

The boils of children that arise from wind, bile, and phlegm—

you shall easily pacify them through worship [of you]. // 77

Having ascended this peak, watch the battle as it unfolds. // 78

The Kauravas are rushing upon us; let us go against them.”

When this was spoken by Vāsudeva, the goddesses entered the sky. // 79

And the head of Barbarīka, having attained that mountain peak, [stayed there];

there were funerary rites for the body, but not for the head.

Then a great battle took place between the armies of the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas. // 1.2.66.80

Droṇa, Karṇa, and others were slain within eighteen days;

when the cruel Duryodhana was slain at the end of the eighteenth day, // 81

Yudhiṣṭhira, amidst his kinsmen, addressed Govinda:

“O Puruṣottama, we have been carried across this battle

by you alone as our lord, O Hari; salutations to you, O Supreme Person!”

Having heard this, Bhīma spoke these words with indignation: // 83

“Having disregarded me, by whom the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra were destroyed, O king,

why do you speak like a fool, calling Kṛṣṇa ‘Puruṣottama’? // 84

Having set aside Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Arjuna, Sātyaki, and me, O son of Pāṇḍu,

you praise only a charioteer! Fie on you, Yudhiṣṭhira!” // 85

Arjuna said:

“Do not speak thus, do not speak thus, Bhīma! You do not know Janārdana.

The enemies were not slain by me, nor by you, O son of Pṛthā, nor by anyone else. // 86

For I constantly saw in battle a man standing at the front,

slaying the enemies there; I do not know who he was.” // 87

Bhīma said:

“Surely you are delusional, O son of Pṛthā; there was no other man slaying here.

Now, if he is there, I shall ask your grandson who sits on high: who was the slayer?” // 88

Having approached, Bhīma then asked Barbarīka:

“Tell us, by whom were these enemies, the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, slain?” // 89

Barbarīka said:

“One Person was seen by me fighting against the foes:

on the left side he had five faces, and on the right side a single face. // 1.2.66.90

On the left side he had ten arms, brandishing raised weapons beginning with the trident,

and on the right four arms, brandishing raised weapons beginning with the discus. // 91

On the left side he wore matted hair; on the right, an array of crowns.

On the left side he wore sacred ash; on the right, he wore sandalwood paste. // 92

On the left side he bore the crescent moon; on the right, he had the splendor of the Kaustubha jewel.”

From seeing him, great fear arose in me as well.

Such was the person seen by me, and no other, who slew them.

When this was said, a shower of flowers fell from the sky, possessing exceedingly great splendor.

The musical instruments of the gods resounded, and they indeed sang: "Well done! Well done!"

And the Pāṇḍavas were astonished and bowed down to Puruṣottama.

Bhīma became embarrassed and released heavy sighs.

Then the lord Keśava, taking him firmly by the hand,

saying: "Come, tiger among the Kurus!", remembered the son of Kaśyapa.

Then, having mounted Garuḍa, who appeared the very moment he was remembered,

he set forth through the sky toward the southern direction along with Bhīma.

Then, having crossed the ocean and the great mountain Suvela,