Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.2717
Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c7.2717
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(5) *Śrī Kṛṣṇa-Kālindī.* The happy news that the Pāṇḍavas had escaped from the lac palace and were living at Khāṇḍavaprastha took some time to reach Kṛṣṇa, who had been pained to know that they were burned to death in the palace. As soon as Kṛṣṇa knew that the Pāṇḍavas were safe at Khāṇḍavaprastha he went to them along with Yādava chiefs like Sātyaki and others. It was then that the fire-god Vahni, requested Arjuna for the Khāṇḍava forest for his food and Arjuna consented to it. It was Kṛṣṇa who drove Arjuna’s chariot in his fight with Indra at the burning of the forest by Agnideva. (See under Khāṇḍavadāha). Arjuna saved Maya from the Khāṇḍava fire and Maya, in return for the kindness, built a palace for the Pāṇḍavas at Indraprastha. Kṛṣṇa also lived there for a few days. One day while Kṛṣṇa was strolling on the banks of the Kālindī in the company of Arjuna they saw a woman, who told them that her name was Kālindī and that she would marry none but Krṣṇa. Krṣṇa then took her as his wife. (See under Kālindī). After staying at Indraprastha for three or four months Krṣṇa returned to Dvārakā with Kālindī. (Bhāgavata, 10th Skandha).
(6) Śrī Krṣṇa-Mitravindā. The King of Avantī had married Rājādhidevī, sister of Krṣṇa's father and they had two sons called Vinda and Anuvinda and a daughter Mitravindā, who had fixed in her mind Krṣṇa as her husband. Krṣṇa, who was present at her Svayaṃvara carried her off on his chariot to Dvārakā.
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(7) Śrī Krṣṇa-Satyā. King Nagnajit of Kosala, father of Satyā, had seven oxen like elephants in strength. The King proclaimed that his daughter would be married to the person who would tie down the oxen. Various Kings attempted the task but failed. Ultimately Arjuna and Krṣṇa went to Kosala and Krṣṇa assumed seven forms and tied down the oxen with cords. The seven oxen at once fell down. Krṣṇa took Satyā for his wife.
(8) Śrī Krṣṇa-Kaikeyī (Bhadrā). Krṣṇa married Kaikeyī, the daughter of Śrutakīrti, sister of Krṣṇa's father.
(9) Śrī Krṣṇa-Lakṣmaṇā. Lakṣmaṇā, daughter of King of Madra chose Krṣṇa at her Svayaṃvara and she became Krṣṇa's wife.
(10) Krṣṇa-16000 women. Brahmā had given the boon to the 16000 daughters of Narakāsura in their previous birth that Viṣṇu would marry them in their next birth. While even the Devas were suffering on account of Narakāsura, Śrī Krṣṇa along with Satyabhāmā mounted Garuḍa, went to Prāgjyotiṣa, the kingdom of Narakāsura, defeated him in fight and released his 16000 daughters from captivity. He returned with them to Dvārakā, assumed the guise of 16000 men and married those 16000 girls. He built a palace for each of his 16000 wives. (For details see under Narakāsura).
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16) Krṣṇa's 16008 wives. The eight women, i.e. Rukmiṇī, Jāmbavatī, Satyabhāmā, Kālindī, Mitravindā, Satyā, Kaikeyī (Bhadrā) Lakṣmaṇā and the 16000 daughters of Narakāsura constituted Krṣṇa's harem. (The 16000 daughters of Narakāsura are not mentioned by name in the Purāṇas). (See under Sudattā and Ketumān IV.)
17) Gave Salvation to Ghaṇṭākarṇas. Ghaṇṭa and Karṇa were two demon brothers. Krṣṇa met them at Badarikāśrama where he had gone after his marriage with Rukmiṇī, to perform penance to Śiva for a child. Krṣṇa offered salvation to the two demon brothers, Ghaṇṭa and Karṇa.
18) Fight between Krṣṇa and Arjuna. (See under Gālava).
19) Killed Murāsura. (See under Mura).
20) Killed Narakāsura. (See under Naraka).
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21) Plucked away Pārijāta. During the period when Narakāsura was having his own ways on the earth and when he took away by force Indra's royal umbrella and the ear-rings of Aditi, the Devamātā, Indra sought Krṣṇa's help to suppress the Asura. Krṣṇa along with Satyabhāmā, mounted Garuḍa, went and killed the Asura and restored the royal umbrella to Indra and the ear-rings to Aditi. On their way back home Krṣṇa, as desired by Satyabhāmā, plucked by its roots the Pārijāta from Devaloka at which Indra fought Krṣṇa, but defeated. The Pārijāta was brought to Dvārakā and planted in front of Satyabhāmā's palace. It is stated that Pārijāta was thus brought and planted by Krṣṇa to alleviate the grief caused to Satyabhāmā by the return by Krṣṇa of Syamantaka to Satrājit. (Bhāgavata, 10th Skandha).
22) Krṣṇa's sons and grand-children. Ten sons were born to each of the eight chief wives—from Rukmiṇī to Lakṣmaṇā—of Krṣṇa. Names of the chief among those eighty sons are given below.
(1) Of Rukmiṇī—Pradyumna, Cārudeṣṇa, Sudekṣṇa, Cārudeha, Sucāru, Cārugupta, Bhadracāru, Cārucandra, Aticāru, Cāru.
(2) Of Jāmbavatī—Sāmba, Sumitra.
(3) Of Satyabhāmā — Bhānu, Subhānu, Svarbhānu, Prabhānu, Bhānumān, Candrabhānu, Br̥hadbhānu, Havirbhānu, Śribhānu, Pratibhānu.
(4) Of Kālindī—Śruta.
(5) Of Mitravindā—Vr̥kahaṃsa.
(6) Of Satyā—Bhānucandra.
(7) Of Bhadrā—Saṅgrāmacitta.
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(8) Of Lakṣmaṇā—Praghoṣa. A daughter called Rukmāvatī was born to Rukmī, brother of Rukmiṇī. Pradyumna nurtured Rukmāvatī and Aniruddha was their son. It was this Aniruddha, who wedded Uṣā. Cārumatī, the daughter of Rukmiṇī was married by the son of Kr̥tavarman. (Bhāgavata, 10th Skandha).
23) Krṣṇa tested Rukmiṇī While Śrī Krṣṇa was once having a chat with Rukmiṇī he wanted to test her love for him. So he told her that he was penniless and helpless and was hiding from his enemies there at Dvārakā and that he would only be really glad if she married some other powerful King. Krṣṇa had not completed his sentences when Rukmiṇī fell down unconscious. Krṣṇa then consoled her. (Bhāgavata, 10th Skandha).
24) Krṣṇa fought with Bāṇa. See under Bāṇa
25) Krṣṇa killed Pauṇḍraka. See under Pauṇḍraka.
26) Nr̥ga given salvation. See under Nr̥ga.
27) Śrīkr̥ṣṇa blessed Pāñcālī at the time of her Svayaṃvara (See under Pāñcālī).
28) Subhadrā given in marriage to Arjuna. Arjuna had to go on a pilgrimage for one year as atonement for having got into the palace where Yudhiṣṭhira was spending the days with Pāñcālī. It was during this period of his pilgrimage that Arjuna married Subhadrā, who was the younger sister of Krṣṇa due to whose cleverness alone Arjuna got her as his wife. (For details see under Subhadrā).
29) Krṣṇa got the club called Kaumodakī and he saved Maya. See under Khāṇḍavadāha.
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30) Krṣṇa with the Pāṇḍavas. The rest of Krṣṇa's life was intimately connected with the history of the Pāṇḍavas. Important roles played by Krṣṇa during the period up to the great war, are summarised below.
(1) He conducted Yajña continuously for many years for the protection of Dharma (righteousness). (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 8, Verse 16).
(2) Permitted Yudhiṣṭhira to perform Rājasūya yajña. (Chapter 14, Sabhā Parva, M.B.).
(3) Along with Bhīma and Arjuna, he went to Mathurā in the guise of a brahmin and killed Jarāsandha. (See under Jarāsandha).
(4) He crowned Sahadeva, son of Jarāsandha, as King of Mathurā. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 24, Verse 43).
(5) He gave a lot of money as donation at the Rājasūya Yajña of Yudhiṣṭhira. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 33, Verse 13).
(6) He was presented with ear-rings by Bhūmidevi (goddess Earth). (Sabhā Parva, Page 808, Southern text).
(7) He killed Śiśupāla. (See under Śiśupāla).
(8) He made the clothes of Pāñcālī unending when Duryodhana tried to strip her naked in the royal assembly. (See under Pāñcālī).
(9) He fought Sālva and Saubha. (See under Sālva and Saubha).
(10) He once took Subhadrā and Arjuna to Dvārakā. (Vana Parva, Chapter 22; Verses 47, 48).
(11) He consoled the Pāṇḍavas at the Kāmyaka forest. (Vana Parva, Chapter 183, Verse 16).
(12) He ate the bit of a leaf of greens from Pāñcālī’s vessel and was pleased with her. (See under Pāñcālī).
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(13) Attended the wedding of Abhimanyu at Upaplavyanagara and gave a lot of money to Dharma-putra. (Virāṭa Parva, Chapter 72, Verse 24).
(14) He sent to the court of King Virāṭa a messenger, who explained to him the corrupt ways of the Kauravas and the righteousness of the Pāṇḍavas. (Udyoga Parva, Chapter 1).
31) Tested by Nārada. Nārada wanted to know how Kṛṣṇa managed to satisfy all his 16008 wives. For this purpose he visited their houses and Nārada was wonder-struck to find Kṛṣṇa engaged in conversation with his wives in all the houses he visited. (Bhāgavata, 10th Skandha).
32) Kṛṣṇa blessed Kucela. See under Kucela.
33) The story of Santānagopālam. See para 7 (d) under Arjuna.
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34) Kṛṣṇa feigned sleep. The Kauravas refused to part with half the kingdom to the Pāṇḍavas, who had returned from their exile in the forest. Both the sides began preparations for war. Duryodhana went to Dvārakā to invite Kṛṣṇa to his side, and seeing him at a distance Kṛṣṇa feigned sleep and lay down there. Duryodhana occupied a stool at the head of Kṛṣṇa’s bed. Arjuna, who also came to seek his help, stood with folded hands at Kṛṣṇa’s feet. It was Arjuna whom Kṛṣṇa first saw on waking up. But Duryodhana told him that he was who had come first. Kṛṣṇa was in a fix, and he had to promise to help both the sides. He promised his entire army to one side and his personal help, himself without any weapons with him, to the other side, and Arjuna was asked to make his choice first as he was younger than Duryodhana. Arjuna chose Kṛṣṇa without arms and Duryodhana with his infantry. Kṛṣṇa agreed to act as Arjuna’s charioteer.
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35) As messenger of peace in Kaurava assembly. Dharmaputra requested Kṛṣṇa to find out means to avoid war somehow or other and Kṛṣṇa sent a message to Dhṛtarāṣṭra through Sañjaya but nothing came out of it. Ultimately Kṛṣṇa himself decided to the Kauravas for which purpose he went first to Dvārakā in his chariot with Sātyaki. On his way Kṛṣṇa held talks with many a great sage. From Dvārakā he returned to Hastināpura where he visited and consoled Kuntī at Vidura’s house. He had his supper also there. The next day he attended Duryodhana’s court and strongly pleaded for the Pāṇḍavas. But Duryodhana and others ridiculed him and even attempted to take him captive. Śrī Kṛṣṇa at once exhibited his Viśva-rūpa (Cosmic form). The Kauravas were frightened to witness Brahmā on Kṛṣṇa’s forehead, Śiva on his chest, Āditya-Vasu-Rudras in his mouth etc. Śrī Kṛṣṇa granted the blind Dhṛtarāṣṭra divine eyes to see this Viśvarūpa and he sang the praise of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa returned to the Pāṇḍavas after advising Karṇa to fight on the Pāṇḍava side in the impending war. (Udyoga Parva).
36) Kṛṣṇa in the great war. The parts Kṛṣṇa played during the Kuru-Pāṇḍava war are briefly given below.
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(1) The Kaurava and the Pāṇḍava armies were gathered at Kurukṣetra in full battle array and Arjuna, at the sight of the thousands of relations in the opposite camp, became a prey to a great delusion and sat down. Kṛṣṇa then enthused him to fight by giving him advice, which came later to be known as the great Gītā. The Gītā contains the Sāṅkhya, Yoga, the characteristics of the wise people and the unwise, description about yajñas, greatness of knowledge, characteristics of Sāṅkhya and niṣkāmakarma, yogins, jñānayoga etc. (Bhīṣma Parva, Chapters 26-42).
(2) At the commencement of the battle, Kṛṣṇa blew aloud his conch Pāñcajanya. (Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 25, Verse 15).
(3) Kṛṣṇa rushed forward with his Cakrāyudha to kill Bhīṣma, who then praised Kṛṣṇa. (Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 65).
(4) He prompted Arjuna to kill Bhīṣma. (Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 106, Verse 33).
(5) He received on his chest the Vaiṣṇavāstra shot by Bhagadatta against Arjuna. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 29, Verse 13).
(6) Consoled Arjuna, who was lamenting over the death of Abhimanyu. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 72).
(7) Consoled Subhadrā, who was sunk in sorrow at the loss of her son. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 77).
(8) Consoled the crying Pāñcālī and Uttarā. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 78).
(9) Took Arjuna in a dream to Śiva and got Śiva’s blessing for him. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 80).
(10) He looked after the horses in the battle-field. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 100).
(11) Prompted Arjuna to kill Duryodhana. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 102).
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(12) Kṛṣṇa created illusory darkness and prompted Arjuna to kill Jayadratha. (See under Jayadratha).
(13) He lifted the darkness after Jayadratha was killed by Arjuna. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 146).
(14) As it was not proper for Arjuna and Karṇa to be fighting with each other at mid-night he deputed Ghaṭotkaca to fight Karṇa. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 173).
(15) He consoled Dharmaputra, who was grieving over the death of Ghaṭotkaca. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 153).
(16) He prompted Arjuna to kill Karṇa. (Karṇa Parva, Chapter 60).
(17) Withdrew Arjuna from confrontation with Karṇa on the pretext of attending to Dharmaputra, who had been wounded. (Karṇa Parva, Chapter 64).
(18) A sudden dispute arose between Dharmaputra and Arjuna, who drew his sword to kill the former. And Kṛṣṇa reconciled them by relating the story of Vyādha and Kauśika (For the story see under Valāka).