Canto
10
Canto
10
Chapter 12: The Killing of the Demon Aghâsura(1) S'rî S'uka said: 'One day planned the Lord to have a picnic in the forest. Rising early He woke His comrades and the calves, blowing His horn nicely to make them rise. Next they departed from Vraja driving their groups of calves in front of them. (2) They all happy, beautifully shining in His company walking out with their prods, horns, flutes and the many of each his calves, who together numbered over a thousand, offered a most attractive sight. (3) With Krishna His own calves thereto had a countless number of them assembled and together with them had He then, immersed in their boyish games, a good time in various places [in the forest].
(13) And then appeared he, named Agha ['the bad one'] on the scene, a great demon unable to bear the sight of their happy pastimes whose life's end was awaited by practically all the immortals despite of their drinking the nectar. (14) Seeing the boys headed by Krishna thought Aghâsura, who was sent by Kamsa and was the younger brother of Bakî [Pûtanâ] and Bakâsura: 'This indeed is the killer of the two born along with me; so for their sake, let me now kill Him and His boys! (15) When these boys for my brother and sister have become the sesame and water to their death rites, will all the inhabitants of Vraja be as good as dead when the strength of their life has left them, when these living beings whom they consider the very embodiment of their love and breath are gone.' (16) Thus decided assumed he the wondrous body of a very, very large python extending for miles and occupied he, mountain high and with a mouth spread open like a mountain cave, at that time most crooked the road to swallow the picnickers. (17) With the inside of his mouth gaping, rested his lower lip on the earth and touched his upper lip the sky; his teeth were like mountain peaks and within was it pitch dark, his tongue resembled a broad road, his breath was like a warm wind and his fiery look was like a fire. (18) Seeing him in that position they all thought it to be Vrindâvana at its best; it was in the line of their games indeed [to act] as if they were looking at the form of a python's mouth: (19) 'Look o friends, a dead python laying before us to swallow us all with its snake mouth spread open, don't you think? (20) Really, it's as clear as the sun, there is the upper lip and below, that big bank is his lower lip with that reddish glow... (21) On the left and right, those caves, they just resemble the corners of the mouth, and those peaks there, they look exactly like the animal's teeth. (22) The broad path, long and wide, is like the tongue and the darkness in between the mountains, that's indeed the inside of his mouth. (23) Just notice how the hot wind blowing from it like fire indeed is like his breath, smelling as bad as burning flesh with the corpses inside of him. (24) Would this animal be here to devour all who dare to enter? If so, then will he just like Bakâsura by Him immediately be vanquished!' they said looking at the gleaming face of Krishna, Baka's enemy, while they loudly laughing, clapping their hands entered the mouth.
(36) O King, the dried python skin was a marvel of Vrindâvana that became a cave frequented for a long, long time afterwards. (37) This incident of the python its death and liberation and the deliverance of His associates, that took place when the Lord was five years old [kaumâra], was only one year later [pauganda] by the boys in Vraja disclosed as if it had happened that very day. (38) The fact that by the little association with the Supreme Personality of the Brahman, of the apparent and nonapparent, who for the people was of mercy as a child, also Agha was freed from all material contamination and was elevated to merge with the Supersoul, was not so astonishing at all, however difficult it is for those far removed from the truth to attain. (39) If they, who [like Aghâsura] somehow by chance or even by force got His image installed in their hearts, by Him are granted the destination, what then indeed would that mean for those in whom He is ever present as the remover of the illusion, always granting each and every soul the unfailing resultant pleasure?' "
(40) S'rî Sûta [see 1: 12-15] said: "He [Parîkchit] who was protected by the God of the Yadus [Yâdavadeva or Krishna] this way, o twice-born, hearing about the all-wonderful activities of his savior [see 1.8], inquired thus fixed in his consciousness with the son of Vyâsa even more after those so meritorious deeds. (41) The honorable king said: 'O brahmin what happened in another time, was described as if it had happened right then, how could that be; how could what the Lord did at five years of age by all the boys be described at His sixth? (42) I'm burning with curiosity, o great yogi, to hear from you about it, o guru, I am certain that it was caused by nothing else but the deluding capacity of the Lord [yoga-mâyâ]. (43) Being but a mundane ruler are we most blessed in this world, o teacher, with the opportunity to always drink from the nectar of your sacred talks about Krishna'."(44) S'rî Sûta said: "When he, the man of penance, this way indeed was questioned by him had he, the moment he was reminded of the Infinite One, completely lost contact with his senses; with difficulty slowly regaining his external vision he then replied the Lord His most outstanding, very best adherent."
Second edition, loaded April 4, 2008
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S'rî S'uka said: 'One day planned the Lord to have a picnic in the forest. Rising early He woke His comrades and the calves, blowing His horn nicely to make them rise. Next they departed from Vraja driving their groups of calves in front of them.S'rî S'uka said: 'One day in His mind contemplating a picnic in the forest woke the Lord early in the morning His comrades and the calves, blowing His horn nicely to make them rise, and departed they from Vraja with their groups of calves in front of them. (Vedabase)
They all happy, beautifully shining in His company walking out with their prods, horns, flutes and the many of each his calves, who together numbered over a thousand, offered a most attractive sight.
The many of His accompanied by the boys offered a most attractive sight as they all happy, beautifully shining walked out with their prods, horns, flutes and with each their own group of calves in front that could number over a thousand each. (Vedabase)
Krishna along with the countless calves He had assembled of His own, then, here and there [in the forest], enjoyed engaging in their boyish games.
Krishna along with the countless calves He had assembled of His own, then, here and there [in the forest], enjoyed engaging in their boyish games. (Vedabase)
Even though they with gems, shells, gold and pearls already were adorned, used they also fruits, green leaves, bunches of beautiful flowers, peacock feathers and colored minerals to decorate themselves.
Though with gems, shells, gold and pearls already adorned used they also fruits, green leaves, bunches of beautiful flowers, peacock feathers and colored minerals to deck themselves. (Vedabase)
Snatching away one another's belongings threw them at a distance from the one concerned and were they by those seeing him coming tossed further, but then again with a laugh returned.
Snatching away one another's belongings did they throw them at a distance from the one concerned and were they by those seeing him coming tossed further, but then again with a laugh returned. (Vedabase)
If Krishna walked away with eyes for the beauty of the forest had they fun trying 'me first, me first' to touch Him.
If Krishna walked away with eyes for the beauty of the forest had they fun trying 'me first, me first' to touch Him. (Vedabase)
Some blew their flutes, some vibrated their horns, some hummed along with the bumblebees and others imitated the cuckoos. Some ran after the shadows of the birds, some walked elegant with the swans or sat with the ducks as silent or danced with the peacocks. They searched for young monkeys and hopped with them between the trees the way they were skipping from tree to tree. They jumped along with the frogs getting wet in the water, laughed at their shadows and mocked their own echoes. This way enjoyed they the merit of their previous lives in friendship with Him who for those entangled in mâyâ is the Supreme Divinity, who for the transcendentalists who accepted it to be of service, as a consequence is the spiritual happiness [see * and 1.1: 2, 1.7: 6 and 2.1: 6].
Some blew their flutes, some vibrated their horns, some hummed along with the bumblebees and others imitated the cuckoos. Some ran after the shadows of the birds, some walked elegant with the swans or sat with the ducks as silent or danced with the peacocks. They searched for young monkeys and hopped with them between the trees the way they were skipping from tree to tree. They jumped along with the frogs getting wet in the water, laughed at their shadows and mocked their own echoes. This way enjoyed they the merit of their previous lives in friendship with Him who for those entangled in mâyâ is the Supreme Divinity, who for the transcendentalists who accepted to serve, as a consequence is the spiritual happiness [see * and 1.1: 2, 1.7: 6 and 2.1: 6]. (Vedabase)
Not even for many lives being of penance do yogis apt in self-control achieve the dust of His lotus feet; how fortunate then are the inhabitants of Vraja to whom He indeed personally being present became the object of their personal witnessing?
Not even for many lives being of penance do yogis apt in self-control achieve the dust of His lotusfeet; how fortunate then are the inhabitants of Vraja to whom He indeed personally being present had become the object of their direct vision? (Vedabase)
And then appeared he, named Agha ['the bad one'] on the scene, a great demon unable to bear the sight of their happy pastimes whose life's end was awaited by practically all the immortals despite of their drinking the nectar.
And then did he, named Agha ['the bad one'], appear there, a great demon unable to bear the sight of their happy pastimes whose life's end was awaited invariably by all the immortals despite of their drinking the nectar. (Vedabase)
Seeing the boys headed by Krishna thought Aghâsura, who was sent by Kamsa and was the younger brother of Bakî [Pûtanâ] and Bakâsura: 'This indeed is the killer of the two born along with me; so for their sake, let me now kill Him and His boys!
Seeing the boys headed by Krishna thought Aghâsura, sent by Kamsa, who was the younger brother of Bakî [Pûtanâ] and Bakâsura: 'This indeed is the killer of the two born along with me; so for their sake, let me now kill Him and His boys! (Vedabase)
When these boys for my brother and sister have become the sesame and water to their death rites, will all the inhabitants of Vraja be as good as dead when the strength of their life has left them, when these living beings whom they consider the very embodiment of their love and breath are gone.'
When these for my brother and sister have become the sesame and water to their death-rites, will all the inhabitants of Vraja with the strength of their life gone all together be dead; don't they consider those living beings actually the very embodiment indeed of their love and life?' (Vedabase)
Thus decided assumed he the wondrous body of a very, very large python extending for miles and occupied he, mountain high and with a mouth spread open like a mountain cave, at that time most crooked the road to swallow the picnickers.
Thus decided assumed he the wondrous body of a very, very large python extending for miles and occupied he, mountain high and with a mouth spread open like a mountain cave, at that time most crooked the road to swallow the picnickers. (Vedabase)
With the inside of his mouth gaping, rested his lower lip on the earth and touched his upper lip the sky; his teeth were like mountain peaks and within was it pitch dark, his tongue resembled a broad road, his breath was like a warm wind and his fiery look was like a fire.
With the inside of his mouth gaping, rested his lower lip on the earth and touched his upper lip the sky; his teeth were like mountain peaks and within was it as dark as could be, his tongue resembled a broad road, his breath was like a warm wind and his fiery looking was as fire. (Vedabase)
Seeing him in that position they all thought it to be Vrindâvana at its best; it was in the line of their games indeed [to act] as if they were looking at the form of a python's mouth:
Seeing him in that position they all thought it Vrindâvana at its best; it was in their sporting indeed [to act] as if they were looking at the form of a pythons mouth: (Vedabase)
'Look o friends, a dead python laying before us to swallow us all with its snake mouth spread open, don't you think?
'Look o friends, a dead python laying before us to swallow us all with its snake mouth spread open, don't you think? (Vedabase)
Really, it's as clear as the sun, there is the upper lip and below, that big bank is his lower lip with that reddish glow...
Really, as clear as the sun, there is the upper lip and below, that big bank is his lower lip with that reddish glow... (Vedabase)
On the left and right, those caves, they just resemble the corners of the mouth, and those peaks there, they look exactly like the animal's teeth.
On the left and right, those caves, they just resemble the corners of the mouth, and those peaks there, they look exactly like the animals teeth. (Vedabase)
The broad path, long and wide, is like the tongue and the darkness in between the mountains, that's indeed the inside of his mouth.
The broad path, long and wide, is like the tongue and the darkness in between the mountains, that's indeed the inside of his mouth. (Vedabase)
Just notice how the hot wind blowing from it like fire indeed is like his breath, smelling as bad as burning flesh with the corpses inside of him.
Just notice how the hot wind coming out like fire indeed is like his breath smelling as bad as burned matter from the dead meat inside of him. (Vedabase)
'Would this animal be here to devour all who dare to enter? If so, then will he just like Bakâsura by Him immediately be vanquished!' they said looking at the gleaming face of Krishna, Baka's enemy, while they loudly laughing, clapping their hands entered the mouth.
Would this animal be here to devour all who dare to enter? If so, then will he just like Bakâsura by Him immediately be vanquished!' and to that looking at the gleaming face of Krishna, Baka's enemy, they loudly laughing, clapping their hands entered the mouth. (Vedabase)
Hearing them this and that way besides the truth talking without realizing what they were dealing with, came Krishna, who knew that the Rakshasa was very real and deceiving them, to the conclusion that He, the Supreme Lord, the Complete of all living beings situated in the heart, should stop His comrades.
Overhearing them this and that way beside the truth talking without really knowing what it was, did Krishna, thinking that the rakshasa He knew as very real was feigning, arrive at the conclusion that He, the Supreme Lord, the Complete of all living beings situated in the heart, should withhold His comrades. (Vedabase)
Meanwhile had all the boys and their calves entered the belly of the demon, but they were not devoured; the Rakshasa, thinking of his dead relatives, was waiting for Baka's enemy to enter.
Meanwhile all the boys and their calves had entered the belly of the demon, but they were not devoured; the rakshasa, thinking of his dead relatives, was waiting for Baka's enemy to enter. (Vedabase)
Krishna, who for each and everyone is the source of fearlessness, was amazed to witness that and compassionately felt sorry about the way things were turning out to be with His friends, who had no one but Him and now helplessly had ran out of His control to be as straws to the fire of the belly of Aghâsura, of death personified.
Krishna, the source of fearlessness for each, seeing them was amazed and compassionately felt sorry the way things were turning out as they, who had none but Him, now helplessly had ran out of His control and were as straws in the fire of the belly of Aghâsura, that death personified. (Vedabase)
What to do now; this rogue shouldn't exist, nor should the innocent faithful ones find their end; how could He have both at the same time? Gathering His thoughts knew the Lord, the Seer of the Unlimited, what to do and entered He Himself the mouth.
What to do now; this rogue shouldn't exist, nor should the innocent loyals come to die; how could He have both at the same time? Gathering His thoughts did the Lord, the Seer of the Unlimited, knew what to do and entered He the mouth. (Vedabase)
At that moment exclaimed all the gods from behind the clouds in fear 'Alas, alas!' and rejoiced Kamsa and the other blood thirsty friends of Aghâsura.
At that time behind the clouds exclaimed all the gods in fear 'Alas, alas!' and became Kamsa and the other maggot friends of Aghâsura jubilant. (Vedabase)
When He heard that expanded Krishna, the Supreme Lord who indeed never is vanquished, immediately Himself [see siddhi] from within the throat of the demon who tried to crush the boys and the calves in his belly.
Hearing that did Krishna, the Supreme Lord who indeed never is vanquished, immediately expand Himself [see siddhi] within the throat of the demon who tried to crush the boys and the calves in his belly. (Vedabase)
With that action were all openings blocked and popped out the eyes of the squirming and wrestling giant; the life air arrested within the completely stuffed body then broke out and left through the top of the skull.
With that action were all openings blocked and popped out the eyes of the giant squirming and wrestling; the life-air arrested within the completely stuffed body then broke out and left through the top of the skull. (Vedabase)
When all life-air had left the body and Krishna saw that all the boys and calves were laying dead, brought He, Mukunda, the Supreme Lord, them back to life and reappeared He, accompanied by them, from the mouth.
When all life-air had left the body and Krishna saw that all the boys and calves were laying dead, brought He, Mukunda, the Supreme Lord, them back to life and reappeared He, accompanied by them, from the mouth. (Vedabase)
Issuing from the lusty body there was a most wonderful light which all by itself illumined the ten directions; it waited remaining in the sky until the Supreme Personality came out and then entered, for all the gods to see, His body [sâyujya-mukti].
Issuing from the lusty body there was a most wonderful light that of its own illumined all the ten directions; it waited remaining in the sky until the Supreme Personality came out and then entered, for all the gods to see, His body [sâyujya-mukti]. (Vedabase)
Next did everyone most pleased his own thing, in worship celebrating His glory [see also 1.2: 13]: flowers were showered, the singers of heaven sang, the heavenly girls danced, all the demigods played their specific instruments and the brahmins offered prayers.
Next everyone most pleased did his own thing in worship celebrating His glory [see also 1.2: 13]: flowers were showered, the singers of heaven sang, the heavenly girls danced, all the demigods played their specific instruments and the brahmins offered prayers. (Vedabase)
The Unborn One [Brahmâ] nearby in his abode hearing the wondrous sounds of those for everyone so very auspicious prayers, sweet sounds, songs and cheers for the One Supreme Lord, very quickly went over there to witness the glorification of God that amazed him.
The Unborn One [Brahmâ] nearby in his abode hearing the wonder of those for everyone so very auspicious prayers, sweet sounds, songs and cheers for the One Supreme Lord, very soon came there to witness the glorification of God which amazed him. (Vedabase)
O King, the dried python skin was a marvel of Vrindâvana that became a cave frequented for a long, long time afterwards.
O King, the python skin, dried out, for a long time was a marvel of Vrindâvana and became as a cave a sporting place. (Vedabase)
This incident of the python its death and liberation and the deliverance of His associates, that took place when the Lord was five years old [kaumâra], was only one year later [pauganda] by the boys in Vraja disclosed as if it had happened that very day.
This incident of death and rebirth about the deliverance of His associates and the python, taking place when the Lord was five years of age [kaumâra], was only one year later [pauganda] by the boys in Vraja disclosed as if it had happened that very day. (Vedabase)
The fact that by the little association with the Supreme Personality of the Brahman, of the apparent and nonapparent. who for the people was of mercy as a child, also Agha was freed from all material contamination and was elevated to merge with the Supersoul, was not so astonishing at all, however difficult it is for those far removed from the truth to attain.
The fact that by the little association with the Supreme Personality of the Brahman, of the apparent and nonapparent, who for the people was of mercy as a child, also Agha was freed from all material contamination and was elevated to merge with the Supersoul, was not so astonishing at all, however difficult it is for those far removed from the truth to attain. (Vedabase)
If they, who [like Aghâsura] somehow by chance or even by force got His image installed in their hearts, by Him are granted the destination, what then indeed would that mean for those in whom He is ever present as the remover of the illusion, always granting each and every soul the unfailing resultant pleasure?'
If they, who [like Aghâsura] somehow only once or even by force got His image installed in their hearts, by Him are granted the destination, what then indeed for those in whom He is ever present as the remover of the illusion, always granting each and every soul so sure the resultant pleasure?'." (Vedabase)
S'rî Sûta [see 1: 12-15] said: "He [Parikchit] who was protected by the God of the Yadus [Yâdavadeva or Krishna] this way, o twice-born, hearing about the all-wonderful activities of his savior [see 1.8], inquired thus fixed in his consciousness with the son of Vyâsa even more after those so meritorious deeds.
S'rî Sûta [see 1: 12-15] said: "He [Parîkchit] who was protected by the God of the Yadu's [Yâdavadeva or Krishna] this way, o twice-born, hearing about the all-wonderful activities of his savior [see 1.8], inquired thus fixed in his consciousness with the son of Vyâsa even more after those so meritorious deeds. (Vedabase)
The honorable king said: 'O brahmin what happened in another time, was described as if it had happened right then, how could that be; how could what the Lord did at five years of age by all the boys be described at His sixth?
The honorable king said: 'O brahmin what happened in another time, was described as if it had happened right then, how could that be; how could what the Lord did at five years of age by all the boys be described at His sixth? (Vedabase)
I'm burning with curiosity, o great yogi, to hear from you about it, o guru, I am certain that it was caused by nothing else but the deluding capacity of the Lord [yoga-mâyâ].
I'm burning with curiosity for you o great yogi to tell me about it, o guru, as for now this of the Lord seems to have arrived from nothing but illusion indeed [yoga-mâyâ]. (Vedabase)
Being but a mundane ruler are we most blessed in this world, o teacher, with the opportunity to always drink from the nectar of your sacred talks about Krishna'."
Being but a mundane ruler are we most blessed in this world o teacher, as we may always drink from the nectar of your sacred talks about Krishna'." (Vedabase)
S'rî Sûta said: "When he, the man of penance, this way indeed was questioned by him had he, the moment he was reminded of the Infinite One, completely lost contact with his senses; with difficulty slowly regaining his external vision he then replied the Lord His most outstanding, very best adherent."
S'rî Sûta said: "When he, the man of penance, this way indeed was questioned by him had he, the moment he was reminded of the Infinite One, completely lost contact with his senses; with difficulty slowly regaining his external vision he then replied the Lord His most outstanding, very best adherent." (Vedabase)
*: S'rîla Prabhupâda comments: 'The secret of success is unknown to people in general, and therefore S'rîla Vyâsadeva, being compassionate toward the poor souls in this material world, especially in this age of Kali, has given us the S'rîmad Bhâgavatam. S'rîmad Bhâgavatam purânam amalam yad vaishnavânâm priyam (S.B. 12.13: 18). For Vaishnavas who are somewhat advanced, or who are fully aware of the glories and potencies of the Lord, S'rîmad Bhâgavatam is a beloved Vedic literature. After all, we have to change this body (tathâ dehântara-prâptih). If we do not care about Bhagavad Gîtâ and S'rîmad Bhâgavatam, we do not know what the next body will be. But if one adheres to these two books - Bhagavad Gîtâ and S'rîmad Bhâgavatam - one is sure to obtain the association of Krishna in the next life (tyaktvâ deham punar janma naiti mâm eti so 'rjuna [B.G. 4: 9]). Therefore, distribution of S'rîmad Bhâgavatam all over the world is a great welfare activity for theologians, philosophers, transcendentalists and yogis (yoginâm api sarveshâm [B.G. 6: 47]), as well as for people in general'. (Vedabase)
For
this original translation was the only volume used that
Svâmi Prabhupâda could complete of the tenth Canto.
See the
S'rîmad Bhâgavatam
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for this and more books of Prabhupâda.
The first painting on this page is titled 'Krishna and the cowherds
under trees' c. 1800 Kulu, India,
©
Victoria and Albert Museum.
The second painting is titled: 'Krishna Destroys the Demon Agha'.
Page from a dispersed series of the Bhagavata Purana.
Kota, Rajasthan, India c. 1740-50. Source: Philadelphia
Museum
of Art.
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