S'rîmad Bhâgavatam - Canto 10
Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda
(for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)
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Canto 10: 'Summum Bonum'
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Chapter Sixty-eight: The Marriage of Sâmba
TEXT 1
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
duryodhana-sutâm râjan
lakshmanâm samitim-jayah
svayamvara-sthâm aharat
sâmbo jâmbavatî-sutah
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; duryodhana-sutâm - the daughter of Duryodhana; râjan - O King (Parîkchit); lakshmanâm - named Lakshmanâ; samitim- jayah - victorious in battle; svayam-vara - in her svayam-vara ceremony; sthâm - situated; aharat - stole; sâmbah - Sâmba; jâmbavatî-sutah - the son of Jâmbavatî.
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: O King, Jâmbavatî's son Sâmba, ever victorious in battle, kidnapped Duryodhana's daughter Lakshmanâ from her svayam-vara ceremony.
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TEXT 2
kauravâh kupitâ ûcur
durvinîto 'yam arbhakah
kadarthî-kritya nah kanyâm
akâmâm aharad balât
kauravâh - the Kurus; kupitâh - angered; ûcuh - said; durvinîtah - ill-behaved; ayam - this; arbhakah - boy; kadarthî-kritya - insulting; nah - us; kanyâm - the maiden; akâmâm - unwilling; aharat - has taken; balât - by force.
TRANSLATION
The angry Kurus said: This ill-behaved boy has offended us, forcibly kidnapping our unmarried daughter against her will.
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TEXT 3
badhnîtemam durvinîtam
kim karishyanti vrishnayah
ye 'smat-prasâdopacitâm
dattâm no bhuñjate mahîm
badhnîta - arrest; imam - him; durvinîtam - ill-behaved; kim - what; karishyanti - will they do; vrishnayah - the Vrishnis; ye - who; asmat - of us; prasâda - by the grace; upacitâm - acquired; dattâm - bestowed; nah - our; bhuñjate - are enjoying; mahîm - the land.
TRANSLATION
Arrest this ill-behaved Sâmba! What will the Vrishnis do? By our grace they are ruling land that we have granted them.
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TEXT 4
nigrihîtam sutam s'rutvâ
yady eshyantîha vrishnayah
bhagna-darpâh s'amam yânti
prânâ iva su-samyatâh
nigrihîtam - captured; sutam - their son; s'rutvâ - hearing; yadi - if; eshyanti - they will come; iha - here; vrishnayah - the Vrishnis; bhagna - broken; darpâh - whose pride; s'amam - pacification; yânti - they will attain; prânâh - the senses; iva - as; su - properly; samyatâh - brought under control.
TRANSLATION
If the Vrishnis come here when they learn that their son has been captured, we will break their pride. Thus they'll become subdued, like bodily senses brought under strict control.
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TEXT 5
iti karnah s'alo bhûrir
yajñaketuh suyodhanah
sâmbam ârebhire yoddhum
kuru-vriddhânumoditâh
iti - saying this; karnah s'alah bhûrih - Karna, S'ala and Bhûri (Saumadatti); yajñaketuh suyodhanah - Yajñaketu (Bhûris'ravâ) and Duryodhana; sâmbam - against Sâmba; ârebhire - they set out; yoddhum - to fight; kuru-vriddha - by the elder of the Kurus (Bhîshma); anumoditâh - sanctioned.
TRANSLATION
After saying this and having their plan sanctioned by the senior member of the Kuru dynasty, Karna, S'ala, Bhûri, Yajñaketu and Suyodhana set out to attack Sâmba.
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TEXT 6
drishthvânudhâvatah sâmbo
dhârtarâshthrân mahâ-rathah
pragrihya ruciram câpam
tasthau simha ivaikalah
drishthvâ - seeing; anudhâvatah - who were rushing toward him; sâmbah - Sâmba; dhârtarâshthrân - the followers of Dhritarâshthra; mahârathah - the great chariot- fighter; pragrihya - seizing; ruciram - beautiful; câpam - his bow; tasthau - he stood; simhah - a lion; iva - like; ekalah - all alone.
TRANSLATION
Seeing Duryodhana and his companions rushing toward him, Sâmba, the great chariot-fighter, took up his splendid bow and stood alone like a lion.
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TEXT 7
tam te jighrikshavah kruddhâs
tishthha tishthheti bhâshinah
âsâdya dhanvino bânaih
karnâgranyah samâkiran
tam - him; te - they; jighrikshavah - determined to capture; kruddhâh - angry; tishthha tishthha iti - "Stand there! Stand there!"; bhâshinah - saying; âsâdya - confronting; dhanvinah - the bowmen; bânaih - with their arrows; karna- agranyah - those headed by Karna; samâkiran - showered him.
TRANSLATION
Determined to capture him, the angry bowmen led by Karna shouted at Sâmba, 'Stand and fight! Stand and fight!' They came straight for him and showered him with arrows.
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TEXT 8
so 'paviddhah kuru-s'reshthha
kurubhir yadu-nandanah
nâmrishyat tad acintyârbhah
simha kshudra-mrigair iva
sah - he; apaviddhah - unjustly attacked; kuru-s'reshthha - O best of the Kurus (Parîkchit Mahârâja); kurubhih - by the Kurus; yadu-nandanah - the dear son of the Yadu dynasty; na amrishyat - did not tolerate; tat - it; acintya - of the inconceivable Lord, Krishna; arbhah - the child; simhah - a lion; kshudra - insignificant; mrigaih - by animals; iva - as.
TRANSLATION
O best of the Kurus, as Krishna's son Sâmba was being unjustly harassed by the Kurus, that darling of the Yadu dynasty did not tolerate their attack, any more than a lion would tolerate an attack by puny animals.
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TEXTS 9 - 10
visphûrjya ruciram câpam
sarvân vivyâdha sâyakaih
karnâdîn shad rathân vîras
tâvadbhir yugapat prithak
caturbhis' caturo vâhân
ekaikena ca sârathîn
rathinas' ca maheshvâsâms
tasya tat te 'bhyapûjayan
visphûrjya - twanging; ruciram - attractive; câpam - his bow; sarvân - all of them; vivyâdha - he pierced; sâyakaih - with his arrows; karna-âdîn - Karna and the others; shath - six; rathân - the chariots; vîrah - the hero, Sâmba; tâvadbhih - with as many; yugapat - simultaneously; prithak - each individually;
caturbhih - with four (arrows); caturah - the four; vâhân - horses (of each chariot); eka- ekena - with one each; ca - and; sârathîn - the chariot drivers; rathinah - the warriors commanding the chariots; ca - and; mahâ-ishu-âsân - great bowmen; tasya - his; tat - that; te - they; abhyapûjayan - honored.
TRANSLATION
Twanging his wonderful bow, heroic Sâmba struck with arrows the six warriors headed by Karna. He pierced the six chariots with as many arrows, each team of four horses with four arrows, and each chariot driver with a single arrow, and he similarly struck the great bowmen who commanded the chariots. The enemy warriors congratulated Sâmba for this display of prowess.
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TEXT 11
tam tu te viratham cakrus'
catvâras' caturo hayân
ekas tu sârathim jaghne
cicchedanyah s'arâsanam
tam - him; tu - but; te - they; viratham - deprived of his chariot; cakruh - made; catvârah - four; caturah - four of them; hayân - horses; ekah - one; tu - and; sârathim - the chariot driver; jaghne - struck; cicheda - split; anyah - another; s'ara-asanam - his bow.
TRANSLATION
But they forced him down from his chariot, and thereupon four of them struck his four horses, one of them struck down his chariot driver, and another broke his bow.
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TEXT 12
tam baddhvâ virathî-kritya
kricchrena kuravo yudhi
kumâram svasya kanyâm ca
sva-puram jayino 'vis'an
tam - him; baddhvâ - binding up; virathî-kritya - having deprived him of his chariot; kricchrena - with difficulty; kuravah - the Kurus; yudhi - in the fight; kumâram - the young boy; svasya - their own; kanyâm - girl; ca - and; sva- puram - their city; jayinah - victorious; avis'an - entered.
TRANSLATION
Having deprived Sâmba of his chariot during the fight, the Kuru warriors tied him up with great difficulty and then returned victorious to their city, taking the young boy and their princess.
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TEXT 13
tac chrutvâ nâradoktena
râjan sañjâta-manyavah
kurûn praty udyamam cakrur
ugrasena-pracoditâh
tat - this; s'rutvâ - hearing; nârada - of Nârada Muni; uktena - through the statements; râjan - O King (Parîkchit); sañjâta - awakened; manyavah - whose anger; kurûn - the Kurus; prati - against; udyamam - preparations for war; cakruh - they made; ugrasena - by King Ugrasena; pracoditâh - urged on.
TRANSLATION
O King, when the Yâdavas heard news of this from S'rî Nârada, they became angry. Urged on by King Ugrasena, they prepared for war against the Kurus.
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TEXTS 14 - 15
sântvayitvâ tu tân râmah
sannaddhân vrishni-pungavân
naicchat kurûnâm vrishnînâm
kalim kali-malâpahah
jagâma hâstina-puram
rathenâditya-varcasâ
brâhmanaih kula-vriddhais' ca
vritas' candra iva grahaih
sântvayitvâ - calming; tu - but; tân - them; râmah - Lord Balarâma; sannaddhân - suited in armor; vrishni-pungavân - the heroes of the Vrishni dynasty; na aicchat - He did not want; kurûnâm vrishnînâm - between the Kurus and the Vrishnis; kalim - a quarrel; kali - of the age of quarrel; mala - the contamination; apahah - He who removes;
jagâma - He went; hâstina-puram - to Hastinâpura; rathena - with His chariot; âditya - (like) the sun; varcasâ - whose effulgence; brâhmanaih - by brâhmanas; kula - of the family; vriddhaih - by elders; ca - and; vritah - surrounded; candrah - the moon; iva - as; grahaih - by the seven planets.
TRANSLATION
Lord Balarâma, however, cooled the tempers of the Vrishni heroes, who had already put on their armor. He who purifies the age of quarrel did not want a quarrel between the Kurus and Vrishnis. Thus, accompanied by brâhmanas and family elders, He went to Hastinâpura on His chariot, which was as effulgent as the sun. As He went, He appeared like the moon surrounded by the ruling planets.
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TEXT 16
gatvâ gajâhvayam râmo
bâhyopavanam âsthitah
uddhavam preshayâm âsa
dhritarâshthram bubhutsayâ
gatvâ - going; gajâhvayam - to Hastinâpura; râmah - Lord Balarâma; bâhya - outside; upavanam - in a garden; âsthitah - He stayed; uddhavam - Uddhava; preshayâm âsa - He sent; dhritarâshthram - about Dhritarâshthra; bubhutsayâ - desiring to find out.
TRANSLATION
Upon arriving at Hastinâpura, Lord Balarâma remained in a garden outside the city and sent Uddhava ahead to probe King Dhritarâshthra's intentions.
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TEXT 17
so 'bhivandyâmbikâ-putram
bhîshmam dronam ca bâhlikam
duryodhanam ca vidhi-vad
râmam âgatam abravît
sah - he, Uddhava; abhivandya - offering respects; ambikâ-putram - to Dhritarâshthra, the son of Ambikâ; bhîshmam dronam ca - to Bhîshma and Drona; bâhlikam duryodhanam ca - and to Bâhlika and Duryodhana; vidhi-vat - according to scriptural injunctions; râmam - Lord Balarâma; âgatam - has arrived; abravît - he said.
TRANSLATION
After he had offered proper respects to the son of Ambikâ [Dhritarâshthra] and to Bhîshma, Drona, Bâhlika and Duryodhana, Uddhava informed them that Lord Balarâma had arrived.
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TEXT 18
te 'ti-prîtâs tam âkarnya
prâptam râmam suhrit-tamam
tam arcayitvâbhiyayuh
sarve mangala-pânayah
te - they; ati - extremely; prîtâh - pleased; tam - Him; âkarnya - hearing; prâptam - arrived; râmam - Balarâma; suhrit-tamam - their dearest friend; tam - him, Uddhava; arcayitvâ - after worshiping; abhiyayuh - went forth; sarve - all of them; mangala - auspicious offerings; pânayah - in their hands.
TRANSLATION
Overjoyed to hear that Balarâma, their dearmost friend, had come, they first honored Uddhava and then went forth to meet the Lord, carrying auspicious offerings in their hands.
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TEXT 19
tam sangamya yathâ-nyâyam
gâm arghyam ca nyavedayan
teshâm ye tat-prabhâva-jñâh
pranemuh s'irasâ balam
tam - Him; sangamya - going up to; yathâ - as; nyâyam - proper; gâm - cows; arghyam - arghya water; ca - and; nyavedayan - they presented; teshâm - among them; ye - those who; tat - His; prabhâva - power; jñâh - knowing; pranemuh - they bowed down; s'irasâ - with their heads; balam - to Lord Balarâma.
TRANSLATION
They approached Lord Balarâma and worshiped Him with gifts of cows and arghya, as was fitting. Those among the Kurus who understood His true power bowed down to Him, touching their heads to the ground.
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TEXT 20
bandhûn kus'alinah s'rutvâ
prishthvâ s'ivam anâmayam
parasparam atho râmo
babhâshe 'viklavam vacah
bandhûn - their relatives; kus'alinah - doing well; s'rutvâ - hearing; prishthvâ - inquiring; s'ivam - about their welfare; anâmayam - and health; parasparam - among one another; atha u - thereupon; râmah - Lord Balarâma; babhâshe - spoke; aviklavam - forthrightly; vacah - words.
TRANSLATION
After both parties had heard that their relatives were doing well and both had inquired into each other's welfare and health, Lord Balarâma forthrightly spoke to the Kurus as follows.
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TEXT 21
ugrasenah kshites'es'o
yad va âjñâpayat prabhuh
tad avyagra-dhiyah s'rutvâ
kurudhvam avilambitam
ugrasenah - King Ugrasena; kshita - of the earth; îs'a - of rulers; îs'ah - the ruler; yat - what; vah - of you; âjñâpayat - has demanded; prabhuh - our master; tat - that; avyagra-dhiyah - with undivided attention; s'rutvâ - hearing; kurudhvam - you should do; avilambitam - without delay.
TRANSLATION
[Lord Balarâma said:] King Ugrasena is our master and the ruler of kings. With undivided attention you should hear what he has ordered you to do, and then you should do it at once.
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TEXT 22
yad yûyam bahavas tv ekam
jitvâdharmena dhârmikam
abadhnîtâtha tan mrishye
bandhûnâm aikya-kâmyayâ
yat - that; yûyam - all of you; bahavah - being many; tu - but; ekam - one person; jitvâ - defeating; adharmena - against religious principles; dhârmikam - one who follows religious principles; abadhnîta - you bound up; atha - even so; tat - that; mrishye - I am tolerating; bandhûnâm - among relatives; aikya - for unity; kâmyayâ - with the desire.
TRANSLATION
[King Ugrasena has said:] Even though by irreligious means several of you defeated a single opponent who follows the religious codes, still I am tolerating this for the sake of unity among family members.
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TEXT 23
vîrya-s'aurya-balonnaddham
âtma-s'akti-samam vacah
kuravo baladevasya
nis'amyocuh prakopitâh
vîrya - with potency; s'aurya - courage; bala - and strength; unnaddham - filled; âtma - to His own; s'akti - power; samam - appropriate; vacah - the words; kuravah - the Kauravas; baladevasya - of Lord Baladeva; nis'amya - hearing; ûcuh - they spoke; prakopitâh - angered.
TRANSLATION
Upon hearing these words of Lord Baladeva's, which were full of potency, courage and strength and were appropriate to His transcendental power, the Kauravas became furious and spoke as follows.
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TEXT 24
aho mahac citram idam
kâla-gatyâ duratyayâ
ârurukshaty upânad vai
s'iro mukutha-sevitam
aho - oh; mahat - great; citram - wonder; idam - this; kâla - of time; gatyâ - by the movement; duratyayâ - unavoidable; ârurakshati - wants to climb on top; upânat - a shoe; vai - indeed; s'irah - the head; mukutha - with a crown; sevitam - ornamented.
TRANSLATION
[The Kuru nobles said:] Oh, how amazing this is! The force of time is indeed insurmountable: a lowly shoe now wants to climb on the head that bears the royal crown.
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TEXT 25
ete yaunena sambaddhâh
saha-s'ayyâsanâs'anâh
vrishnayas tulyatâm nîtâ
asmad-datta-nripâsanâh
ete - these; yaunena - by marital relation; sambaddhâh - connected; saha - sharing; s'ayyâ - beds; âsana - seats; as'anâh - and meals; vrishnayah - the Vrishnis; tulyatâm - to equality; nîtâh - brought; asmat - by us; datta - given; nripa-âsanâh - whose thrones.
TRANSLATION
It is because these Vrishnis are bound to us by marital ties that we have granted them equality, allowing them to share our beds, seats and meals. Indeed, it is we who have given them their royal thrones.
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TEXT 26
câmara-vyajane s'ankham
âtapatram ca pânduram
kirîtham âsanam s'ayyâm
bhuñjate 'smad-upekshayâ
câmara - of yak-tail hair; vyajane - pair of fans; s'ankham - conchshell; âtapatram - umbrella; ca - and; pânduram - white; kirîtham - crown; âsanam - throne; s'ayyâm - royal bed; bhuñjate - they enjoy; asmat - by our; upekshayâ - overlooking.
TRANSLATION
Only because we looked the other way could they enjoy the pair of yak-tail fans and the conchshell, white umbrella, throne, and royal bed.
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TEXT 27
alam yadûnâm naradeva-lâñchanair
dâtuh pratîpaih phaninâm ivâmritam
ye 'smat-prasâdopacitâ hi yâdavâ
âjñâpayanty adya gata-trapâ bata
alam - enough; yadûnâm - for the Yadus; nara-deva - of kings; lâñchanaih - with the symbols; dâtuh - for the giver; pratîpaih - adverse; phaninâm - for snakes; iva - just like; amritam - nectar; ye - who; asmat - our; prasâda - by the grace; upacitâh - made prosperous; hi - indeed; yâdavâh - the Yadus; âjñâpayanti - are ordering; adya - now; gata-trapâh - having lost shame; bata - indeed.
TRANSLATION
No longer should the Yadus be allowed to use these royal symbols, which now cause trouble for those who gave them, like milk fed to poisonous snakes. Having prospered by our grace, these Yâdavas have now lost all shame and are daring to command us!
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TEXT 28
katham indro 'pi kurubhir
bhîshma-dronârjunâdibhih
adattam avarundhîta
simha-grastam ivoranah
katham - how; indrah - Lord Indra; api - even; kurubhih - by the Kurus; bhîshma- drona-arjuna-âdibhih - Bhîshma, Drona, Arjuna and others; adattam - not given; avarundhîta - would usurp; simha - by a lion; grastam - that which has been seized; iva - as; uranah - a sheep.
TRANSLATION
How would even Indra dare usurp anything that Bhîshma, Drona, Arjuna or the other Kurus have not given him? It would be like a lamb claiming the lion's kill.
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TEXT 29
s'rî-bâdarâyanir uvâca
janma-bandhu-s'rîyonnaddha-
madâs te bharatarshabha
âs'râvya râmam durvâcyam
asabhyâh puram âvis'an
s'rî-bâdarâyanih uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; janma - of birth; bandhu - and relationships; s'rîyâ - by the opulences; unnaddha - made great; madâh - whose intoxication; te - they; bharata-rishabha - O best of the descendants of Bharata; âs'râvya - making hear; râmam - Lord Balarâma; durvâcyam - their harsh words; asabhyâh - rude men; puram - the city; âvis'an - entered.
TRANSLATION
S'rî Bâdarâyani said: O best of the Bhâratas, after the arrogant Kurus, thoroughly puffed up by the opulence of their high birth and relations, had spoken these harsh words to Lord Balarâma, they turned and went back to their city.
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TEXT 30
drishthvâ kurûnâm dauhs'îlyam
s'rutvâvâcyâni câcyutah
avocat kopa-samrabdho
dushprekshyah prahasan muhuh
drishthvâ - seeing; kurûnâm - of the Kurus; dauhs'îlyam - the bad character; s'rutvâ - hearing; avâcyâni - words not to be spoken; ca - and; acyutah - infallible Lord Balarâma; avocat - He said; kopa - with anger; samrabdhah - enraged; dushprekshyah - difficult to look at; prahasan - laughing; muhuh - repeatedly.
TRANSLATION
Seeing the bad character of the Kurus and hearing their nasty words, the infallible Lord Balarâma became filled with rage. His countenance frightful to behold, He laughed repeatedly and spoke as follows.
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TEXT 31
nûnam nânâ-madonnaddhâh
s'ântim necchanty asâdhavah
teshâm hi pras'amo dandah
pas'ûnâm lagudo yathâ
nûnam - certainly; nânâ - by various; mada - by passions; unnaddhâh - puffed up; s'ântim - peace; na icchanti - they do not desire; asâdhavah - scoundrels; teshâm - their; hi - indeed; pras'amah - pacification; dandah - physical punishment; pas'ûnâm - for animals; lagudah - a stick; yathâ - as.
TRANSLATION
[Lord Balarâma said:] "Clearly the many passions of these scoundrels have made them so proud that they do not want peace. Then let them be pacified by physical punishment, as animals are with a stick.
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TEXTS 32 - 33
aho yadûn su-samrabdhân
krishnam ca kupitam s'anaih
sântvayitvâham eteshâm
s'amam icchann ihâgatah
ta ime manda-matayah
kalahâbhiratâh khalâh
tam mâm avajñâya muhur
durbhâshân mânino 'bruvan
aho - ah; yadûn - the Yadus; su-samrabdhân - boiling with rage; krishnam - Krishna; ca - also; kupitam - angry; s'anaih - gradually; sântvayitvâ - having calmed; aham - I; eteshâm - for these (Kauravas); s'amam - peace; icchan - desiring; iha - here; âgatah - came;
te ime - those very ones (the Kurus); manda- matayah - dull-headed; kalaha - to quarrel; abhiratâh - addicted; khalâh - wicked; tam - Him; mâm - Myself; avajñâya - disrespecting; muhuh - repeatedly; durbhâshân - harsh words; mâninah - being conceited; abruvan - they have spoken.
TRANSLATION
"Ah, only gradually was I able to calm the furious Yadus and Lord Krishna, who was also enraged. Desiring peace for these Kauravas, I came here. But they are so dull-headed, fond of quarrel and mischievous by nature that they have repeatedly disrespected Me. Out of conceit they dared to address Me with harsh words!
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TEXT 34
nograsenah kila vibhur
bhoja-vrishny-andhakes'varah
s'akrâdayo loka-pâlâ
yasyâdes'ânuvartinah
na - not; ugrasenah - King Ugrasena; kila - indeed; vibhuh - fit to command; bhoja- vrishni-andhaka - of the Bhojas, Vrishnis and Andhakas; îs'varah - the lord; s'akra- âdayah - Indra and other demigods; loka - of planets; pâlâh - the rulers; yasya - of whose; âdes'a - orders; anuvartinah - followers.
TRANSLATION
"King Ugrasena, the lord of the Bhojas, Vrishnis and Andhakas, is not fit to command, when Indra and other planetary rulers obey his orders?
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TEXT 35
sudharmâkramyate yena
pârijâto 'marânghripah
ânîya bhujyate so 'sau
na kilâdhyâsanârhanah
sudharmâ - Sudharmâ, the royal council-chamber of heaven; âkramyate - occupies; yena - by whom (Lord Krishna); pârijâtah - known as pârijâta; amara - of the immortal demigods; anghripah - the tree; ânîya - being brought; bhujyate - is enjoyed; sah asau - that same person; na - not; kila - indeed; adhyâsana - an elevated seat; arhanah - deserving.
TRANSLATION
"That same Krishna who occupies the Sudharmâ assembly hall and for His enjoyment took the pârijâta tree from the immortal demigods - that very Krishna is indeed not fit to sit on a royal throne?
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TEXT 36
yasya pâda-yugam sâkshâc
chrîr upâste 'khiles'varî
sa nârhati kila s'rîs'o
naradeva-paricchadân
yasya - whose; pâda-yugam - two feet; sâkshât - herself; s'rîh - the goddess of fortune; upâste - worships; akhila - of the whole universe; îs'varî - the ruler; sah - He; na arhati - does not deserve; kila - indeed; s'rî-îs'ah - the master of the goddess of fortune; nara-deva - of a human king; paricchadân - the paraphernalia.
TRANSLATION
"The goddess of fortune herself, ruler of the entire universe, worships His feet. And the master of the goddess of fortune does not deserve the paraphernalia of a mortal king?
******
TEXT 37
yasyânghri-pankaja-rajo 'khila-loka-pâlair
mauly-uttamair dhritam upâsita-tîrtha-tîrtham
brahmâ bhavo 'ham api yasya kalâh kalâyâh
s'rîs' codvahema ciram asya nripâsanam kva
yasya - whose; anghri - of the feet; pankaja - lotuslike; rajah - the dust; akhila - of all; loka - worlds; pâlaih - by the rulers; mauli - on their helmets; uttamaih - exalted; dhritam - held; upâsita - worshipable; tîrtha - of holy places; tîrtham - the source of holiness; brahmâ - Lord Brahmâ; bhavah - Lord S'iva; aham - I; api - also; yasya - whose; kalâh - portions; kalâyâh - of a portion; s'rîh - the goddess of fortune; ca - also; udvahema - carry carefully; ciram - constantly; asya - His; nripa-âsanam - king's throne; kva - where.
TRANSLATION
"The dust of Krishna's lotus feet, which is the source of holiness for all places of pilgrimage, is worshiped by all the great demigods. The principal deities of all planets are engaged in His service, and they consider themselves most fortunate to take the dust of the lotus feet of Krishna on their crowns. Great demigods like Lord Brahmâ and Lord S'iva, and even the goddess of fortune and I, are simply parts of His spiritual identity, and we also carefully carry that dust on our heads. And still Krishna is not fit to use the royal insignia or even sit on the royal throne?
******
TEXT 38
bhuñjate kurubhir dattam
bhû-khandam vrishnayah kila
upânahah kila vayam
svayam tu kuravah s'irah
bhuñjate - they enjoy; kurubhih - by the Kurus; dattam - granted; bhû - of land; khandam - a limited parcel; vrishnayah - the Vrishnis; kila - indeed; upânahah - shoes; kila - indeed; vayam - we; svayam - themselves; tu - however; kuravah - the Kurus; s'irah - the head.
TRANSLATION
"We Vrishnis enjoy only whatever small parcel of land the Kurus allow us? And we are indeed shoes, whereas the Kurus are the head?
******
TEXT 39
aho ais'varya-mattânâm
mattânâm iva mâninâm
asambaddhâ girio rukshâh
kah sahetânus'âsîtâ
aho - ah; ais'varya - with their ruling power; mattânâm - of those who are mad; mattânâm - of those who are physically intoxicated; iva - as if; mâninâm - who are proud; asambaddhâh - incoherent and absurd; girah - words; rukshâh - harsh; kah - who; saheta - can tolerate; anus'âsîtâ - commander.
TRANSLATION
"Just see how these puffed-up Kurus are intoxicated with their so-called power, like ordinary drunken men! What actual ruler, with the power to command, would tolerate their foolish, nasty words?
******
TEXT 40
adya nishkauravam prithvîm
karishyâmîty amarshitah
grihîtvâ halam uttasthau
dahann iva jagat-trayam
adya - today; nishkauravam - devoid of Kauravas; prithvîm - the earth; karishyâmi - I shall make; iti - thus speaking; amarshitah - angry; grihîtvâ - taking; halam - His plow; uttasthau - He stood; dahan - burning; iva - as if; jagat - the worlds; trayam - three.
TRANSLATION
"Today I shall rid the earth of the Kauravas!" declared the furious Balarâma. Thus He took His plow weapon and rose up as if to set the three worlds ablaze.
******
TEXT 41
lângalâgrena nagaram
udvidârya gajâhvayam
vicakarsha sa gangâyâm
praharishyann amarshitah
lângala - of His plow; agrena - with the tip; nagaram - the city; udvidârya - tearing up; gajâhvayam - Hastinâpura; vicakarsha - dragged; sah - He; gangâyâm - in the Ganges; praharishyan - about to cast it; amarshitah - enraged.
TRANSLATION
The Lord angrily dug up Hastinâpura with the tip of His plow and began to drag it, intending to cast the entire city into the Ganges.
******
TEXTS 42 - 43
jala-yânam ivâghûrnam
gangâyâm nagaram patat
âkrishyamânam âlokya
kauravâh jâta-sambhramâh
tam eva s'aranam jagmuh
sa-kuthumbâ jijîvishavah
sa-lakshmanam puras-kritya
sâmbam prâñjalayah prabhum
jala-yânam - a raft; iva - as if; âghûrnam - tumbling about; gangâyâm - into the Ganges; nagaram - the city; patat - falling; âkrishyamânam - being dragged; âlokya - seeing; kauravâh - the Kauravas; jâta - becoming; sambhramâh - excited and bewildered;
tam - to Him, Lord Balarâma; eva - indeed; s'aranam - for shelter; jagmuh - they went; sa - with; kuthumbah - their families; jijîvishavah - wanting to remain alive; sa - with; lakshmanam - Lakshmanâ; purah-kritya - placing in front; sâmbam - Sâmba; prâñjalayah - with palms joined in supplication; prabhum - to the Lord.
TRANSLATION
Seeing that their city was tumbling about like a raft at sea as it was being dragged away, and that it was about to fall into the Ganges, the Kauravas became terrified. To save their lives they approached the Lord for shelter, taking their families with them. Placing Sâmba and Lakshmanâ in front, they joined their palms in supplication.
******
TEXT 44
râma râmâkhilâdhâra
prabhâvam na vidâma te
mûdhânâm nah ku-buddhînâm
kshantum arhasy atikramam
râma râma - O Râma, Râma; akhila - of everything; âdhâra - O foundation; prabhâvam - power; na vidâma - we do not know; te - Your; mûdhânâm - of befooled persons; nah - us; ku - bad; buddhînâm - whose understanding; kshantum arhasi - You should please forgive; atikramam - the offense.
TRANSLATION
[The Kauravas said:] O Râma, Râma, foundation of everything! We know nothing of Your power. Please excuse our offense, for we are ignorant and misguided.
******
TEXT 45
sthity-utpatty-apyayânâm tvam
eko hetur nirâs'rayah
lokân krîdanakân îs'a
krîdatas te vadanti hi
sthiti - of maintenance; utpatti - creation; apyayânâm - and destruction; tvam - You; ekah - alone; hetuh - the cause; nirâs'rayah - without any other basis; lokân - the worlds; krîdanakân - playthings; îs'a - O Lord; krîdatah - who are playing; te - Your; vadanti - they say; hi - indeed.
TRANSLATION
You alone cause the creation, maintenance and annihilation of the cosmos, and of You there is no prior cause. Indeed, O Lord, authorities say that the worlds are mere playthings for You as You perform Your pastimes.
******
TEXT 46
tvam eva mûrdhnîdam ananta lîlayâ
bhû-mandalam bibharshi sahasra-mûrdhan
ante ca yah svâtma-niruddha-vis'vah
s'eshe 'dvitîyah paris'ishyamânah
tvam - You; eva - alone; mûrdhni - on Your head; idam - this; ananta - O unlimited one; lîlayâ - easily, as a pastime; bhû - of the earth; mandalam - the globe; bibharshi - (You) carry; sahasra-mûrdhan - O thousand-headed Lord; ante - in the end; ca - and; yah - the one who; sva - Your own; âtma - within the body; niruddha - having withdrawn; vis'vah - the universe; s'eshe - You lie; advitîyah - without a second; paris'ishyamânah - remaining.
TRANSLATION
O unlimited one of a thousand heads, as Your pastime You carry this earthly globe upon one of Your heads. At the time of annihilation You withdraw the entire universe within Your body and, remaining all alone, lie down to rest.
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TEXT 47
kopas te 'khila-s'ikshârtham
na dveshân na ca matsarât
bibhrato bhagavan sattvam
sthiti-pâlana-tatparah
kopah - anger; te - Your; akhila - of everyone; s'ikshâ - for the instruction; artham - meant; na - not; dveshât - out of hatred; na ca - nor; matsarât - out of envy; bibhratah - of You who are sustaining; bhagavan - O Supreme Lord; sattvam - the mode of goodness; sthiti - maintenance; pâlana - and protection; tat-parah - having as its intent.
TRANSLATION
Your anger is meant for instructing everyone; it is not a manifestation of hatred or envy. O Supreme Lord, You sustain the pure mode of goodness, and You become angry only to maintain and protect this world.
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TEXT 48
namas te sarva-bhûtâtman
sarva-s'akti-dharâvyaya
vis'va-karman namas te 'stu
tvâm vayam s'aranam gatâh
namah - obeisances; te - to You; sarva - of all; bhûta - beings; âtman - O Soul; sarva - of all; s'akti - energies; dhara - O holder; avyaya - O undepletable one; vis'va - of the universe; karman - O maker; namah - obeisances; te - to You; astu - let there be; tvâm - to You; vayam - we; s'aranam - for shelter; gatâh - have come.
TRANSLATION
We bow down to You, O Soul of all beings, O wielder of all potencies, O tireless maker of the universe! Offering You obeisances, we take shelter of You.
******
TEXT 49
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
evam prapannaih samvignair
vepamânâyanair balah
prasâditah su-prasanno
mâ bhaishthety abhayam dadau
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; evam - thus; prapannaih - by those who were surrendering; samvignaih - greatly distressed; vepamâna - shaking; ayanaih - whose place of residence; balah - Lord Balarâma; prasâditah - propitiated; su - very; prasannah - calm and gracious; mâ bhaishtha - do not be afraid; iti - thus saying; abhayam - relief from fear; dadau - He gave.
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Thus propitiated by the Kurus, whose city was trembling and who were surrendering to Him in great distress, Lord Balarâma became very calm and kindly disposed toward them. "Do not be afraid," He said, and took away their fear.
******
TEXTS 50 - 51
duryodhanah pâribarham
kuñjarân shashthi-hâyanân
dadau ca dvâdas'a-s'atâny
ayutâni turangamân
rathânâm shath-sahasrâni
raukmânâm sûrya-varcasâm
dâsînâm nishka-kanthhînâm
sahasram duhitri-vatsalah
duryodhanah - Duryodhana; pâribarham - as a dowry; kuñjarân - elephants; shashthi - sixty; hâyanân - years old; dadau - gave; ca - and; dvâdas'a - twelve; s'atâni - hundred; ayutâni - tens of thousands; turangamân - horses;
rathânâm - of chariots; shath-sahasrâni - six thousand; raukmânâm - golden; sûrya - (like) the sun; varcasâm - whose effulgence; dâsînâm - of maidservants; nishka - jeweled lockets; kanththînâm - on whose throats; sahasram - one thousand; duhitri - for his daughter; vatsalah - having fatherly affection.
TRANSLATION
Duryodhana, being very affectionate to his daughter, gave as her dowry 1,200 sixty-year-old elephants, 120,000 horses, 6,000 golden chariots shining like the sun, and 1,000 maidservants with jeweled lockets on their necks.
******
TEXT 52
pratigrihya tu tat sarvam
bhagavân sâtvatarshabhah
sa-sutah sa-snushah prâyât
suhridbhir abhinanditah
pratigrihya - accepting; tu - and; tat - that; sarvam - all; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; sâtvata - of the Yâdavas; rishabhah - the chief; sa - with; sutah - His son; sa - and with; snushah - His daughter-in-law; prâyât - He departed; su-hridbhih - by His well-wishers (the Kurus); abhinanditah - bid farewell.
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Lord, chief of the Yâdavas, accepted all these gifts and then departed with His son and daughter-in-law as His well-wishers bid Him farewell.
******
TEXT 53
tatah pravishthah sva-puram halâyudhah
sametya bandhûn anurakta-cetasah
s'as'amsa sarvam yadu-pungavânâm
madhye sabhâyâm kurushu sva-ceshthitam
tatah - then; pravishthah - having entered; sva - His; puram - city; hala- âyudhah - Lord Balarâma, who has a plow weapon; sametya - meeting; bandhûn - His relatives; anurakta - attached to Him; cetasah - whose hearts; s'as'amsa - He related; sarvam - everything; yadu-pungavânâm - of the leaders of the Yadus; madhye - in the midst; sabhâyâm - of the assembly; kurushu - among the Kurus; sva - His own; ceshthitam - action.
TRANSLATION
Then Lord Halâyudha entered His city [Dvârakâ] and met His relatives, whose hearts were all bound to him in loving attachment. In the assembly hall He reported to the Yadu leaders everything about His dealings with the Kurus.
******
TEXT 54
adyâpi ca puram hy etat
sûcayad râma-vikramam
samunnatam dakshinato
gangâyâm anudris'yate
adya - today; api - even; ca - and; puram - city; hi - indeed; etat - this; sûcayat - showing the signs of; râma - of Lord Balarâma; vikramam - the prowess; samunnatam - prominently elevated; dakshinatah - on the southern side; gangâyâm - by the Ganges; anudris'yate - is seen.
TRANSLATION
Even today the city of Hastinâpura is visibly elevated on its southern side along the Ganges, thus showing the signs of Lord Balarâma's prowess.
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