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# Vishnupurana 5.22.9-18

Viṣṇupurāṇa 5.22.9-18

- **Language:** Sanskrit

### [5.22.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.5.22.9)

jite tasmin sudurvṛtte jarāsaṃdhe mahāmune  
jīvamāne gate kṛṣṇas taṃ nāmanyata nirjitam //

> Although the wicked king of Magadhá, Jarásandha, was defeated, yet Krishńa knew that whilst he escaped alive he was not subdued; and in fact he soon returned with a mighty force, and was again forced by Ráma and Krishńa to fly. Eighteen times did the haughty prince of Magadhá renew his attack upon the Yádavas, headed by Krishńa; and was as often defeated and put to the rout by them, with very inferior numbers. That the Yádavas were not overpowered by their foes, was owing to the present might of the portion of the discus-armed Vishńu. It was the pastime of the lord of the universe, in his capacity of man, to launch various weapons against his enemies; for what effort of power to annihilate his foes could be necessary to him, whose fiat creates and destroys the world? but as subjecting himself to human customs, he formed alliances with the brave, and engaged in hostilities with the base. He had recourse to the four devices of policy, or negotiation, presents, sowing dissension, and chastisement; and sometimes even betook himself to flight. Thus imitating the conduct of human beings, the lord of the world pursued at will his sports.  
> — Horace Hayman Wilson 1840, The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition

### [5.22.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.5.22.10)

punar apy ājagāmātha jarāsaṃdho balānvitaḥ  
jitaś ca rāmakṛṣṇābhyām apakrānto dvijottama //

> Although the wicked king of Magadhá, Jarásandha, was defeated, yet Krishńa knew that whilst he escaped alive he was not subdued; and in fact he soon returned with a mighty force, and was again forced by Ráma and Krishńa to fly. Eighteen times did the haughty prince of Magadhá renew his attack upon the Yádavas, headed by Krishńa; and was as often defeated and put to the rout by them, with very inferior numbers. That the Yádavas were not overpowered by their foes, was owing to the present might of the portion of the discus-armed Vishńu. It was the pastime of the lord of the universe, in his capacity of man, to launch various weapons against his enemies; for what effort of power to annihilate his foes could be necessary to him, whose fiat creates and destroys the world? but as subjecting himself to human customs, he formed alliances with the brave, and engaged in hostilities with the base. He had recourse to the four devices of policy, or negotiation, presents, sowing dissension, and chastisement; and sometimes even betook himself to flight. Thus imitating the conduct of human beings, the lord of the world pursued at will his sports.  
> — Horace Hayman Wilson 1840, The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition

### [5.22.11](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.5.22.11)

daśa cāṣṭau ca saṃgrāmān evam atyantadurmadaḥ  
yadubhir māgadho rājā cakre kṛṣṇapurogamaiḥ //

> Although the wicked king of Magadhá, Jarásandha, was defeated, yet Krishńa knew that whilst he escaped alive he was not subdued; and in fact he soon returned with a mighty force, and was again forced by Ráma and Krishńa to fly. Eighteen times did the haughty prince of Magadhá renew his attack upon the Yádavas, headed by Krishńa; and was as often defeated and put to the rout by them, with very inferior numbers. That the Yádavas were not overpowered by their foes, was owing to the present might of the portion of the discus-armed Vishńu. It was the pastime of the lord of the universe, in his capacity of man, to launch various weapons against his enemies; for what effort of power to annihilate his foes could be necessary to him, whose fiat creates and destroys the world? but as subjecting himself to human customs, he formed alliances with the brave, and engaged in hostilities with the base. He had recourse to the four devices of policy, or negotiation, presents, sowing dissension, and chastisement; and sometimes even betook himself to flight. Thus imitating the conduct of human beings, the lord of the world pursued at will his sports.  
> — Horace Hayman Wilson 1840, The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition

### [5.22.12](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.5.22.12)

sarveṣv eteṣu yuddheṣu yādavaiḥ sa parājitaḥ  
apakrānto jarāsaṃdhaḥ svalpasainyair balādhikaḥ //

> Although the wicked king of Magadhá, Jarásandha, was defeated, yet Krishńa knew that whilst he escaped alive he was not subdued; and in fact he soon returned with a mighty force, and was again forced by Ráma and Krishńa to fly. Eighteen times did the haughty prince of Magadhá renew his attack upon the Yádavas, headed by Krishńa; and was as often defeated and put to the rout by them, with very inferior numbers. That the Yádavas were not overpowered by their foes, was owing to the present might of the portion of the discus-armed Vishńu. It was the pastime of the lord of the universe, in his capacity of man, to launch various weapons against his enemies; for what effort of power to annihilate his foes could be necessary to him, whose fiat creates and destroys the world? but as subjecting himself to human customs, he formed alliances with the brave, and engaged in hostilities with the base. He had recourse to the four devices of policy, or negotiation, presents, sowing dissension, and chastisement; and sometimes even betook himself to flight. Thus imitating the conduct of human beings, the lord of the world pursued at will his sports.  
> — Horace Hayman Wilson 1840, The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition

### [5.22.13](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.5.22.13)

tad balaṃ yādavānāṃ tair ajitaṃ yad anekaśaḥ  
tat tu saṃnidhimāhātmyaṃ viṣṇor aṃśasya cakriṇaḥ //

> Although the wicked king of Magadhá, Jarásandha, was defeated, yet Krishńa knew that whilst he escaped alive he was not subdued; and in fact he soon returned with a mighty force, and was again forced by Ráma and Krishńa to fly. Eighteen times did the haughty prince of Magadhá renew his attack upon the Yádavas, headed by Krishńa; and was as often defeated and put to the rout by them, with very inferior numbers. That the Yádavas were not overpowered by their foes, was owing to the present might of the portion of the discus-armed Vishńu. It was the pastime of the lord of the universe, in his capacity of man, to launch various weapons against his enemies; for what effort of power to annihilate his foes could be necessary to him, whose fiat creates and destroys the world? but as subjecting himself to human customs, he formed alliances with the brave, and engaged in hostilities with the base. He had recourse to the four devices of policy, or negotiation, presents, sowing dissension, and chastisement; and sometimes even betook himself to flight. Thus imitating the conduct of human beings, the lord of the world pursued at will his sports.  
> — Horace Hayman Wilson 1840, The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition

### [5.22.14](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.5.22.14)

manuṣyadharmaśīlasya līlā sā jagataḥ pateḥ  
astrāṇy anekarūpāṇi yad arātiṣu muñcati //

> Although the wicked king of Magadhá, Jarásandha, was defeated, yet Krishńa knew that whilst he escaped alive he was not subdued; and in fact he soon returned with a mighty force, and was again forced by Ráma and Krishńa to fly. Eighteen times did the haughty prince of Magadhá renew his attack upon the Yádavas, headed by Krishńa; and was as often defeated and put to the rout by them, with very inferior numbers. That the Yádavas were not overpowered by their foes, was owing to the present might of the portion of the discus-armed Vishńu. It was the pastime of the lord of the universe, in his capacity of man, to launch various weapons against his enemies; for what effort of power to annihilate his foes could be necessary to him, whose fiat creates and destroys the world? but as subjecting himself to human customs, he formed alliances with the brave, and engaged in hostilities with the base. He had recourse to the four devices of policy, or negotiation, presents, sowing dissension, and chastisement; and sometimes even betook himself to flight. Thus imitating the conduct of human beings, the lord of the world pursued at will his sports.  
> — Horace Hayman Wilson 1840, The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition

### [5.22.15](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.5.22.15)

manasaiva jagatsṛṣṭiṃ saṃhāraṃ ca karoti yaḥ  
tasyāripakṣakṣapaṇe kiyān udyamavistaraḥ //

> Although the wicked king of Magadhá, Jarásandha, was defeated, yet Krishńa knew that whilst he escaped alive he was not subdued; and in fact he soon returned with a mighty force, and was again forced by Ráma and Krishńa to fly. Eighteen times did the haughty prince of Magadhá renew his attack upon the Yádavas, headed by Krishńa; and was as often defeated and put to the rout by them, with very inferior numbers. That the Yádavas were not overpowered by their foes, was owing to the present might of the portion of the discus-armed Vishńu. It was the pastime of the lord of the universe, in his capacity of man, to launch various weapons against his enemies; for what effort of power to annihilate his foes could be necessary to him, whose fiat creates and destroys the world? but as subjecting himself to human customs, he formed alliances with the brave, and engaged in hostilities with the base. He had recourse to the four devices of policy, or negotiation, presents, sowing dissension, and chastisement; and sometimes even betook himself to flight. Thus imitating the conduct of human beings, the lord of the world pursued at will his sports.  
> — Horace Hayman Wilson 1840, The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition

### [5.22.16](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.5.22.16)

tathāpi ye manuṣyāṇāṃ dharmās tadanuvartanam  
kurvan balavatā saṃdhiṃ hīnair yuddhaṃ karoty asau //

> Although the wicked king of Magadhá, Jarásandha, was defeated, yet Krishńa knew that whilst he escaped alive he was not subdued; and in fact he soon returned with a mighty force, and was again forced by Ráma and Krishńa to fly. Eighteen times did the haughty prince of Magadhá renew his attack upon the Yádavas, headed by Krishńa; and was as often defeated and put to the rout by them, with very inferior numbers. That the Yádavas were not overpowered by their foes, was owing to the present might of the portion of the discus-armed Vishńu. It was the pastime of the lord of the universe, in his capacity of man, to launch various weapons against his enemies; for what effort of power to annihilate his foes could be necessary to him, whose fiat creates and destroys the world? but as subjecting himself to human customs, he formed alliances with the brave, and engaged in hostilities with the base. He had recourse to the four devices of policy, or negotiation, presents, sowing dissension, and chastisement; and sometimes even betook himself to flight. Thus imitating the conduct of human beings, the lord of the world pursued at will his sports.  
> — Horace Hayman Wilson 1840, The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition

### [5.22.17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.5.22.17)

sāma copapradānaṃ ca tathā bhedaṃ pradarśayan  
karoti daṇḍapātaṃ ca kvacid eva palāyanam //

> Although the wicked king of Magadhá, Jarásandha, was defeated, yet Krishńa knew that whilst he escaped alive he was not subdued; and in fact he soon returned with a mighty force, and was again forced by Ráma and Krishńa to fly. Eighteen times did the haughty prince of Magadhá renew his attack upon the Yádavas, headed by Krishńa; and was as often defeated and put to the rout by them, with very inferior numbers. That the Yádavas were not overpowered by their foes, was owing to the present might of the portion of the discus-armed Vishńu. It was the pastime of the lord of the universe, in his capacity of man, to launch various weapons against his enemies; for what effort of power to annihilate his foes could be necessary to him, whose fiat creates and destroys the world? but as subjecting himself to human customs, he formed alliances with the brave, and engaged in hostilities with the base. He had recourse to the four devices of policy, or negotiation, presents, sowing dissension, and chastisement; and sometimes even betook himself to flight. Thus imitating the conduct of human beings, the lord of the world pursued at will his sports.  
> — Horace Hayman Wilson 1840, The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition

### [5.22.18](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.5.22.18)

manuṣyadehināṃ ceṣṭām ity evam anuvartataḥ  
līlā jagatpates tasya chandataḥ saṃpravartate //

> Although the wicked king of Magadhá, Jarásandha, was defeated, yet Krishńa knew that whilst he escaped alive he was not subdued; and in fact he soon returned with a mighty force, and was again forced by Ráma and Krishńa to fly. Eighteen times did the haughty prince of Magadhá renew his attack upon the Yádavas, headed by Krishńa; and was as often defeated and put to the rout by them, with very inferior numbers. That the Yádavas were not overpowered by their foes, was owing to the present might of the portion of the discus-armed Vishńu. It was the pastime of the lord of the universe, in his capacity of man, to launch various weapons against his enemies; for what effort of power to annihilate his foes could be necessary to him, whose fiat creates and destroys the world? but as subjecting himself to human customs, he formed alliances with the brave, and engaged in hostilities with the base. He had recourse to the four devices of policy, or negotiation, presents, sowing dissension, and chastisement; and sometimes even betook himself to flight. Thus imitating the conduct of human beings, the lord of the world pursued at will his sports.  
> — Horace Hayman Wilson 1840, The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition

## Translations (2)

- [The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu~en-wilson.5.22.2) — Horace Hayman Wilson 1840, English
- [A Prose English Translation of Vishnupuranam](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu~en-dutt.5.22.p2) — Manmatha Nath Dutt 1896, English

## Other recensions (1)

- [Viṣṇupurāṇa (vulgate)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu*vulgate.5.22.9) — Sanskrit

## Linked texts (1)

- [Brahmapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.brahma.195.9) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit

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Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.5.22.9-18](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.5.22.9-18) · Pramāṇa
