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Canto 10

Durlabha Mānava

 

 

Chapter 59: Mura and Bhauma Killed and the Prayers of Bhūmi

(1) The honorable king said: 'How was Bhaumāsura [the demon Naraka], who captured these women, killed by the Supreme Lord? Please tell me about this adventure of the wielder of the S'ārnga [Krishna].'

(2-3) S'rī S'uka said: 'Bhauma had stolen lord Indra's Varuna parasol, the earrings of his relative [his mother Aditi, see 8.17], as also a certain location [called Mani-parvata] on the mountain of the gods [Mandara hill, see 8.6: 22-23]. Lord Indra then informed Him [Lord Krishna] about what Bhaumāsura all had done. Together with His wife [Satyabhāmā see *] seated on Garuda, He thereupon traveled to the city of Prāgjyotisha [Bhauma's capital, now Tejpur of Assam], which lay protected surrounded by mountains and weapons, fire, water and wind. The place was fortified by a [mura-pās'a] fence consisting of tens of thousands of tough and dreadful wires on all sides. (4) With His club He broke through the rock fortifications, with His arrows He defeated the weapon systems, with His disc He forced a way through the fire, the water and wind defenses, and with His sword He likewise got through the fence. (5) Resounding His conch shell He broke the seals [of the fortress] as also the hearts of the brave warriors, and with His heavy mace Gadādhara He broke through the ramparts. (6) Hearing the vibration of the Lord's Pāńcajanya, which sounded like the thunder at the end of the universe, the five-headed demon Mura rose up who lay asleep in the water [of the moat]. (7) With his trident raised and with an effulgence as terrible as the fire of the sun most difficult to behold, he, as if he with his five mouths would swallow the three worlds, launched his attack the way the son of Tārkshya [Garuda] would attack a snake. (8) Whirling his trident he threw it with all his strength at Garuda with such a tumultuous roar from his five mouths, that the earth, the sky and outer space in all directions of the egglike shell of the universe reverberated. (9) Lord Krishna then with two arrows broke the trident flying at Garuda in three pieces, and next, with great force, hit his faces with more arrows. The demon furiously hurled his club at Him. (10) That club, flying at Him on the battlefield, was by Gadāgraja [Krishna as the Elder Brother of Gada] broken into thousands of pieces with His own club. But when he next with his arms raised rushed forward at Him, the unconquerable One with ease sliced off his heads with His disc. (11) Lifeless he with his heads severed fell into the water, as if Indra with his force had split off a mountain peak. His seven sons, feeling greatly distressed upon their father's death, thereupon angrily moved into action to retaliate.

(12) Incited by Bhaumāsura, Tāmra, Antariksha, S'ravana, Vibhāvasu, Vasu, Nabhasvān and the seventh son Aruna, with their weapons stepped forward on the battlefield headed by their general Pīthha. (13) In their attack they furiously used swords, clubs, spears, lances and tridents against the Invincible One, but the Supreme Lord of Infallible Prowess with His arrows cut their complete mountain of weapons into tiny pieces. (14) Cutting off their heads, thighs, arms, legs and armor, He sent the ones who were headed by Pīthha all to the abode of Yamarāja. Bhauma, the son of mother earth, who saw that his army and leaders succumbed to the arrows and disc of Krishna, could not accept that and marched forward with elephants in rut that were born from the milk ocean. (15) Seeing Lord Krishna with His wife sitting on Garuda like a cloud with lightning sitting above the sun, he released his S'ataghnī [spiked missile] at Him while at the same time all his soldiers attacked. (16) The Supreme Lord, the Elder Brother of Gada, turned their bodies as also the bodies of the horses and elephants of Bhaumāsura's army, with differently feathered sharp arrows into a collection of severed arms, thighs and necks. (17-19) Each of the sharp and shafted weapons that the warriors employed, oh hero of the Kurus, were by Krishna with three arrows at a time cut to pieces. Garuda who carried Him, stroke the elephants with his two large wings and thus defeated them. Harassed by his wings, beak and talons they moved back into the city while Naraka ['hell' or Bhauma] continued with the battle. (20) Bhauma, annoyed to see his army forced in retreat because of Garuda, struck him with the spear that [once] withstood the thunderbolt [of Indra]. But he was not shaken more by it than an elephant being hit with a flower garland. (21) Bhauma, frustrated in his endeavors, next took up his trident to kill Acyuta, the Infallible One, but before he could even release it, the Lord with the razor-sharp edge of His cakra cut off the head of Naraka as he was sitting on his elephant. (22) That head, complete with its brilliant, shining decorations of earrings and a nice helmet, fell to the ground. [There were exclamations of] 'Alas, alas' and 'Bravo, bravo!', while the sages and ruling demigods showered Lord Krishna with flower garlands.

(23) Mother earth thereupon approached Krishna and presented golden earrings, glowing with shining jewels, and a Vaijayantī garland of forest flowers. She gave Him the parasol of Varuna and the Great Gem [the peak of Mandara]. (24) Oh King, the goddess with a mind full of devotion then folded her palms, bowed down, and praised the Lord of the Universe who is worshiped by the best of the demigods. (25) Bhūmi said: 'I offer You my obeisances, oh God of Gods, oh Lord, oh holder of the conch, the disc and the club, who, to the desire of Your devotees, have assumed Your forms, oh Supreme Soul. Let there be the praise unto You. (26) I worship Him with the lotuslike depression in His belly, my reverence for the One with the garland of lotuses, my respects for Him whose glance is as cool as a lotus, my praise unto You who have feet like lotuses [as in 1.8: 22]. (27) My obeisances unto You, the Supreme Lord, Vāsudeva, Vishnu, the Original Person, the Primeval Seed and the Complete of Knowledge; unto You my salutations. (28) May there be the veneration for You, the Unborn Progenitor, the Absolute of unlimited energies, the Soul of the higher and lower, the Soul of the creation, the Supersoul! (29) Desiring to create, oh Master, You stand out as being the Unborn One [as Brahmā], for the purpose of annihilation You adopt the mode of ignorance [as S'iva], and for the sake of maintenance You are [manifested as] the  goodness [as the Vishnu avatāras] of the Universe. [Yet You are] not covered [by these basic qualities], oh Lord of Jagat [the Living Being that is the Universe]. Being Kāla [time], Pradhāna [the unmanifested state of matter, the primal ether] and the Purusha [the Original Person], You nevertheless exist independently thereof. (30) This self of mine [the earth], the water, the fire, the air and the ether, the sense objects, the demigods, the mind, the senses and the doer, the total material energy - in sum everything that moves around or does not move around, constiturtes the bewilderment, oh Supreme Lord [when one supposes that it would exist independently of You]. Everything afte r all resides within You, the One Without a Second [see also siddhānta]! (31) This son of him [called Bhagadatta, son of Bhauma, Bhūmi's grandson] has in his fear approached the lotus feet of You who removes the distress of those who take shelter. Please protect him and place on his head Your lotus hand which eradicates all sins.'

(32) S'rī S'uka said: 'The Supreme Lord, with these words being entreated by Bhūmi with devotion and humility, took his fear away and entered the residence of Bhauma which was equipped with all conveniences. (33) The Lord found there sixteen thousand [**] maidens of the royal order, who by Bhaumāsura by force were taken away from the kings. (34) When the women saw Him enter, the most excellent of all men, they enchanted chose for Him, who by fate was brought to them, as the husband of their desire. (35) Absorbed in Krishna they thought: 'May providence make that He becomes my husband.' Thus contemplating they, one after the other, all installed Him in their heart. (36) After they were properly washed and clad in spotless clothes, He sent them off in palanquins to Dvārakā, together with the enormous treasure of chariots, horses and a great number of other valuables [that was captured]. (37) Kes'ava also dispatched sixty-four swift white elephants with four tusks from the family of Airāvata [Indra's elephant]. (38-39) Thereupon He went to the abode of the king of the gods and gave Aditi her earrings. Next He together with His beloved [Satyabhāmā] was worshiped by Indra, the head of the thirty [chief] demigods, and the great king's wife. Urged by His own wife He uprooted the [heavenly tree, the] pārijāta and placed it on Garuda. He defeated the demigods including Indra [who wanted to prevent that] and brought it to His city. (40) All the way from heaven being followed by bees greedy for its sweet fragrance and juice, the tree beautified the garden of Satyabhāmā's residence after being planted there. (41) [Indra] that great soul among the demigods, had bowed down, touched His feet with the tips of his crown and begged Acyuta to fulfill his desire, but now that he had achieved his purpose [viz. the Lord], he nevertheless started to quarrel with Him [about the pārijāta]. To hell [those demigods] with their wealth, what an ignorance [see also: 3.3: 5]! (42) The Supreme Lord then properly married all those women, at the same time living in various residences with them. For that purpose the Imperishable One assumed as many forms [see 10.58: 45, 10.69: 19-45 and B.G. 9: 15; 13: 31]. (43) Happily engaged with the women eager to please Him, He who performs the most inconceivable deeds never left their unequalled and superior palaces. Even though He is perfectly satisfied within, He carried out His duties as a householder and enjoyed life like any other man [see also 1.11: 37-39]. (44) The women shared, in an ever-increasing happiness, the always fresh, loving attraction of associating with Him in smiles and glances, intimate talks and bashfulness. Thus having obtained the Husband of Ramā they this way managed to attain Him in a manner, that is not even available to Brahmā and the other gods. (45) Even though they had hundreds of maidservants, they personally served the Lord by approaching Him to offer a seat, to be of first-class worship and wash His feet, as also to serve Him with betel nut, massages and fanning, fragrances, garlands and dressing His hair, arranging His bed, bathing and presenting gifts.'


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Third revised edition, loaded June 03, 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

The honorable king said: 'How was Bhaumāsura [the demon Naraka], who captured these women, killed by the Supreme Lord? Please tell me about this adventure of the wielder of the S'ārnga [Krishna].'
The honorable king said: 'Please tell me of this adventure of the wielder of S'ārnga [Krishna]. How was Bhauma, who captured these women, killed by the Supreme Lord?' (Vedabase)

 

Text 2-3

S'rī S'uka said: 'Bhauma had stolen lord Indra's Varuna parasol, the earrings of his relative [his mother Aditi, see 8.17], as also a certain location [called Mani-parvata] on the mountain of the gods [Mandara hill, see 8.6: 22-23]. Lord Indra then informed Him [Lord Krishna] about what Bhaumāsura all had done. Together with His wife [Satyabhāmā see *] seated on Garuda, He thereupon traveled to the city of Prāgjyotisha [Bhauma's capital, now Tejpur of Assam], which lay protected surrounded by mountains and weapons, fire, water and wind. The place was fortified by a [mura-pās'a] fence consisting of tens of thousands of tough and dreadful wires on all sides.

S'rī S'uka said: 'Informed by Indra, whose parasol of Varuna [his sign of royalty] as well as a place [called Mani-parvata] on the mountain of the gods [Mandara hill, see 8.6: 22-23] had been stolen and whose relative [mother Aditi, see 8.17] had been robbed of her earrings, went He [Lord Krishna answering] to what Bhaumāsura all had done together with His wife [Satyabhāmā see *] seated on Garuda to the city of Prāgjyotisha [Bhauma's capital now Tejpur of Assam], which lay protected surrounded by mountains and weapons, fire, water and wind and was fortified by a [mura-pās'a] fence consisting of tens of thousands of tough and dreadful wires on all sides. (Vedabase)

 

Text 4

With His club He broke through the rock fortifications, with His arrows He defeated the weapon systems, with His disc He forced a way through the fire, the water and wind defenses, and with His sword He likewise got through the fence.

With His club broke He through the rock fortifications, with His arrows defeated He the weapon systems, with His disc He broke through the fire, water and wind defense and with His sword found He likewise His way through the fence. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5

Resounding His conch shell He broke the seals [of the fortress] as also the hearts of the brave warriors, and with His heavy mace Gadādhara He broke through the ramparts.

With the resounding of His conchshell breaking the seals [of the fortress] and the hearts of the brave warriors, broke Gadādhara with His heavy mace through the ramparts. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

Hearing the vibration of the Lord's Pāńcajanya, which sounded like the thunder at the end of the universe, the five-headed demon Mura rose up who lay asleep in the water [of the moat].

Hearing the vibration of the Lord His Pāńcajanya, that sounded like the thunder when the universe ends, rose up the five-headed demon Mura who lay asleep in the water [of the moat]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 7

With his trident raised and with an effulgence as terrible as the fire of the sun most difficult to behold, he, as if he with his five mouths would swallow the three worlds, launched his attack the way the son of Tārkshya [Garuda] would attack a snake.

Raising his trident, most difficult to behold with an effulgence as terrible as the fire of the sun, launched he, as if he with his five mouths would swallow the three worlds, his attack the way the son of Tārkshya [Garuda] would attack a snake. (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

Whirling his trident he threw it with all his strength at Garuda with such a tumultuous roar from his five mouths, that the earth, the sky and outer space in all directions of the egglike shell of the universe reverberated.

Whirling about his trident threw he it with all his strength at Garuda with such a tumultuous roar of his five mouths that the earth, the sky, outer space in all directions and that the egglike shell of the universe reverberated. (Vedabase)

 

Text 9

Lord Krishna then with two arrows broke the trident flying at Garuda in three pieces, and next, with great force, hit his faces with more arrows. The demon furiously hurled his club at Him.

Lord Krishna then with two arrows broke the trident flying at Garuda in three pieces and next hit with great force his faces with more arrows. Thereupon hurled the demon in anger his club at Him. (Vedabase)

 

Text 10

That club flying at Him on the battlefield was by Gadāgraja [Krishna as the Elder Brother of Gada] broken into thousands of pieces with His own club. But when he next with his arms raised rushed forward at Him, the unconquerable One with ease sliced off his heads with His disc.

That club flying at Him was by the Elder Brother of Gada [Gadāgraja, Krishna] on the battlefield broken into thousands of pieces. With him next with his arms raised rushing at Him, sliced the unconquerable One with ease the heads off with His disc. (Vedabase)

 

Text 11

Lifeless he with his heads severed fell into the water, as if Indra with his force had split off a mountain peak. His seven sons, feeling greatly distressed upon their father's death, thereupon angrily moved into action to retaliate.

As he lifeless fell into the water with his heads severed as if Indra with his force had split off a mountain peak, moved his seven sons, feeling greatly distressed upon their father's death, angered into action to retaliate. (Vedabase)

 

Text 12

Incited by Bhaumāsura, Tāmra, Antariksha, S'ravana, Vibhāvasu, Vasu, Nabhasvān and the seventh son Aruna, with their weapons stepped forward on the battlefield headed by their general Pīthha.

Engaged by Bhaumāsura came Tāmra, Antariksha, S'ravana, Vibhāvasu, Vasu, Nabhasvān and Aruna the seventh with Pīthha leading as their general out to the battlefield carrying their weapons. (Vedabase)

   

Text 13

In their attack they furiously used swords, clubs, spears, lances and tridents against the Invincible One, but the Supreme Lord of Infallible Prowess with His arrows cut their complete mountain of weapons into tiny pieces.

In their attack they angrily used swords, clubs, spears, lances and tridents against the Invincible One, but at no time was He in His prowess frustrated by their mountain of weapons; the Supreme Lord cut them with His arrows all into tiny pieces. (Vedabase)

 

Text 14

Cutting off their heads, thighs, arms, legs and armor, He sent the ones who were headed by Pīthha all to the abode of Yamarāja. Bhauma, the son of mother earth, who saw that his army and leaders succumbed to the arrows and disc of Krishna, could not accept that and marched forward with elephants in rut that were born from the milk ocean.

Cutting off their heads, thighs, arms, legs and armor sent He them all who were headed by Pīthha to the abode of Yamarāja. Bhauma, the son of mother earth, seeing how his army and leaders succumbed to the arrows and disc of Krishna, unable to bear that stepped forward with mada exuding elephants that were born from the milk ocean. (Vedabase)

 

Text 15

Seeing Lord Krishna with His wife sitting on Garuda like a cloud with lightning sitting above the sun, he released his S'ataghnī [spiked missile] at Him while at the same time all his soldiers attacked.

Seeing Lord Krishna with His wife sitting upon Garuda like a cloud with lightning sits above the sun, released he his S'ataghnī [spiked missile] at Him and attacked at the same time all his soldiers. (Vedabase)

 

Text 16

The Supreme Lord, the Elder Brother of Gada, turned their bodies as also the bodies of the horses and elephants of Bhaumāsura's army, with differently feathered sharp arrows into a collection of severed arms, thighs and necks.

The Supreme Lord, the Elder Brother of Gada, turned their bodies - and at the same time the bodies of the horses and elephants - with diversely feathered sharp arrows into a collection of severed arms, thighs and necks. (Vedabase)

    

Text 17-19

Each of the sharp and shafted weapons that the warriors employed, oh hero of the Kurus, were by Krishna with three arrows at a time cut to pieces. Garuda who carried Him, stroke the elephants with his two large wings and thus defeated them. Harassed by his wings, beak and talons they moved back into the city while Naraka ['hell' or Bhauma] continued with the battle.

Each of the sharp and shafted weapons that the warriors employed, o hero of the Kurus, were by Krishna with three arrows at a time cut to pieces. Carried by the great winged one, were with strokes from both his wings by Garuda the elephants beaten. The elephants because of his wings, beak and talons moved in distress back into the city while Naraka ['hell' or Bhauma] continued the battle. (Vedabase)

  

Text 20

Bhauma, annoyed to see his army forced in retreat because of Garuda, struck him with the spear that [once] withstood the thunderbolt [of Indra]. But he was not shaken more by it than an elephant being hit with a flower garland.

Bhauma, annoyed to see how because of Garuda his army was forced in retreat, struck him with the spear that [once] withstood the thunderbolt [of Indra], but he wasn't shaken more by it than an elephant is upon being hit with a flower. (Vedabase)

 

Text 21

Bhauma, frustrated in his endeavors, next took up his trident to kill Acyuta, the Infallible One, but before he could even release it, the Lord with the razor-sharp edge of His cakra cut off the head of Naraka as he was sitting on his elephant.

Next took Bhauma, frustrated in his endeavors, up his trident to kill Krishna, but before he could even release it, cut the Lord with the razor-sharp edge of His cakra off the head of Bhaumāsura as he was sitting on his elephant. (Vedabase)

  

Text 22

That head, complete with its brilliant, shining decorations of earrings and a nice helmet, fell to the ground. [There were exclamations of] 'Alas, alas' and 'Bravo, bravo!' while the sages and ruling demigods showered Lord Krishna with flower garlands.

Complete with its brilliant, shining decorations of earrings and a nice helmet fell it to the ground. Worshiping Him with [exclamations of] 'Alas, alas' and 'Bravo bravo!' showered the sages and ruling gods Lord Krishna with flowers. (Vedabase)

  

Text 23

Mother earth thereupon approached Krishna and presented golden earrings, glowing with shining jewels, and a Vaijayantī garland of forest flowers. She gave Him the parasol of Varuna and the Great Gem [the peak of Mandara].

Thereupon approaching Krishna presented mother earth golden earrings glowing with shining jewels, a Vaijayantī garland of forest flowers and gave she Him the parasol of Varuna and the Great Gem [the peak of Mandara]. (Vedabase)

  

Text 24

Oh King, the goddess with a mind full of devotion then folded her palms, bowed down, and praised the Lord of the Universe who is worshiped by the best of the demigods.

The goddess then, o King, with a mind full of devotion folding her palms and bowing down, praised the Lord of the Universe who is worshiped by the best of the gods. (Vedabase)

 

Text 25

Bhūmi said: 'I offer You my obeisances, oh God of Gods, oh Lord, oh holder of the conch, the disc and the club, who, to the desire of Your devotees, have assumed Your forms, oh Supreme Soul. Let there be the praise unto You.

Bhūmi said: 'To You my obeisances o God of Gods, o Lord, holder of the conch, the disc and the club, who to the desire of Your devotees have assumed Your forms, o Supreme Soul; let there be the praise unto You. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 26

I worship Him with the lotuslike depression in His belly, my reverence for the One with the garland of lotuses, my respects for Him whose glance is as cool as a lotus, my praise unto You who have feet like lotuses [as in 1.8: 22].

My homage is for Him with the lotuslike depression in His belly, my reverence for the One with the garland of lotuses, my respects for He whose glance is as cool as a lotus, my praise unto You with the feet that are like lotuses [as in 1.8: 22]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 27

My obeisances unto You, the Supreme Lord, Vāsudeva, Vishnu, the Original Person, the Primeval Seed and the Complete of Knowledge; unto You my salutations.

My obeisances unto You, the Supreme Lord, Vāsudeva, Vishnu, the Original Person, the Seed and Full of Knowledge, unto You my salutations. (Vedabase)

Text 28

May there be the veneration for You, the Unborn Progenitor, the Absolute of unlimited energies, the Soul of the higher and lower, the Soul of the creation, the Supersoul!

May there be the veneration for You, the Unborn Progenitor, the Unlimited Absolute, the Soul of the energies higher and lower, the Soul of the Creation, the Supersoul! (Vedabase)

 

Text 29

Desiring to create, oh Master, You stand out as being the Unborn One [as Brahmā], for the purpose of annihilation You adopt the mode of ignorance [as S'iva], and for the sake of maintenance You are [manifested as] the goodness [as the Vishnu avatāras] of the Universe. [Yet You are] not covered [by these basic qualities], oh Lord of Jagat [the Living Being that is the Universe]. Being Kāla [time], Pradhāna [the unmanifested state of matter, the primal ether] and the Purusha [the Original Person], You nevertheless exist independently thereof.

You, desiring to create o Master stand out Unborn [as Brahmā], for annihilation You adopt the ignorance [as S'iva] and for maintenance You are [manifested as] the goodness [as vishnu-avatāras] of the Uni verse [and yet are You] not covered [by these modes], o Lord of Jagat [the Living Being that is the Universe]  . Being Kāla [time], Pradhāna [the original state of matter] and Purusha [the complete as the Original Person] are You yet of a separate existence. (Vedabase)

 

Text 30

This self of mine [the earth], the water, the fire, the air and the ether, the sense objects, the demigods, the mind, the senses and the doer, the total material energy - in sum everything that moves around or does not move around, constitutes the bewilderment, oh Supreme Lord [when one supposes that it would exist independently of You]. Everything after all resides within You, the One Without a Second [see also siddhānta]!

This self of mine, the water, the fire and the air, the ether, the sense objects, the demigods, the mind, the senses, the doer, the total material energy, in sum everything that moves around or doesn't move, constitutes [when it exists only for itself] perplexity o Supreme Lord, because this all resides within You, the One Without a Second [see also siddhānta]! (Vedabase)

 

 Text 31

This son of him [called Bhagadatta, son of Bhauma, Bhūmi's grandson] has in his fear approached the lotus feet of You who removes the distress of those who take shelter. Please protect him and place on his head Your lotus hand which eradicates all sins.'

This son of him [Bhauma's son, Bhūmi's grandson] has in his fear approached the lotus feet of You who removes the distress of those who take shelter; please protect him and place on his head Your lotushand which eradicates all sins.' (Vedabase)

  

Text 32

S'rī S'uka said: 'The Supreme Lord, with these words being entreated by Bhūmi with devotion and humility, took his fear away and entered the residence of Bhauma which was equipped with all conveniences.

S'rī S'uka said: 'The Supreme Lord, with these words entreated by Bhūmi with devotion and humility, entered, to take away the fear, the residence of Bhauma that was rich with all opulences. (Vedabase)

 

Text 33

The Lord found there sixteen thousand [**] maidens of the royal order, who by Bhaumāsura by force were taken away from the kings.

There the Lord saw sixteen thousand [**] maidens of the royal order who by Bhaumāsura by force were stolen from the kings. (Vedabase)

 

Text 34

When the women saw Him enter, the most excellent of all men, they enchanted chose for Him, who by fate was brought to them, as the husband of their desire.

The women upon seeing Him entering, the most excellent of all men, enchanted chose for Him who was brought by fate to them as the husband of their desire. (Vedabase)

    

Text 35

Absorbed in Krishna they thought: 'May providence make that He becomes my husband.' Thus contemplating they, one after the other, all installed Him in their heart.

Absorbed in Krishna thinking: 'May providence make that He becomes my husband', installed they Him thus all individually in their hearts. (Vedabase)

 

Text 36

After they were properly washed and clad in spotless clothes, He sent them off in palanquins to Dvārakā, together with the enormous treasure of chariots, horses and a great number of other valuables [that was captured].

Having them properly washed and clad in spotless clothes, sent He them in palanquins off to Dvārakā together with the enormous treasure of chariots, horses and a great number of other valuables [that was seized]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 37

Kes'ava also dispatched sixty-four swift white elephants with four tusks from the family of Airāvata [Indra's elephant].

Kes'ava dispatched also sixty-four swift white elephants with four tusks stemming from the family of Airāvata [Indra's elephant]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 38-39

Thereupon He went to the abode of the king of the gods and gave Aditi her earrings. Next He together with His beloved [Satyabhāmā] was worshiped by Indra, the head of the thirty [chief] demigods, and the great king's wife. Urged by His own wife He uprooted the [heavenly tree, the] pārijāta and placed it on Garuda. He defeated the demigods including Indra [who wanted to prevent that] and brought it to His city.

Going to the abode of the king of the gods and giving Aditi her earrings was He together with His beloved [Satyabhāmā] worshiped by Indra the head of the [chief] thirty demigods and the great king his wife. Urged by His wife He uprooted the pārijāta, placed it on Garuda and brought it, defeating the demigods [who opposed that], to His city. (Vedabase)

  

Text 40

All the way from heaven being followed by bees greedy for its sweet fragrance and juice, the tree beautified the garden of Satyabhāmā's residence after being planted there.

All the way from heaven followed by the bees greedy for its sweet fragrance and juice, beautified the tree after being planted in the garden of Satyabhāmā's residence. (Vedabase)

 

Text 41

[Indra] that great soul among the demigods, had bowed down, touched His feet with the tips of his crown and begged Acyuta to fulfill his desire, but now that he had achieved his purpose [viz. the Lord], he nevertheless started to quarrel with Him [about the pārijāta]. To hell [those demigods] with their wealth, what an ignorance [see also: 3.3: 5]!

After he [Indra] had bowed down, to the occasion of which he with the tips of his crown touched His feet, and had begged Acyuta to fulfill his purpose, started he, that great soul among the demigods, having achieved his purpose, to quarrel with Him [about the pārijāta]. To hell with their wealth, what an ignorance! [see also 3.3: 5]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 42

The Supreme Lord then properly married all those women, at the same time living in various residences with them. For that purpose the Imperishable One assumed as many forms [see 10.58: 45, 10.69: 19-45 and B.G. 9: 15; 13: 31].

Then married the Supreme Lord, all at the same time in various residences, those women as should, for the purpose of which the Imperishable One assumed as many forms [see 10.58: 45, 10.69: 19-45 and B.G. 9: 15; 13: 3]. [see B.G. 9: 15; 13: 31 and 10.58: 45]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 43

Happily engaged with the women eager to please Him, He who performs the most inconceivable deeds never left their unequalled and superior palaces. Even though He is perfectly satisfied within, He carried out His duties as a householder and enjoyed life like any other man [see also 1.11: 37-39].

Remaining in their unequalled and superior palaces which He never left, enjoyed He, the performer of the inconceivable, with the women eager to please Him and fulfilled He, being absorbed in the pleasure like any other man, His duties as a householder [see also 1.11: 37-39]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 44

The women shared, in an ever-increasing happiness, the always fresh, loving attraction of associating with Him in smiles and glances, intimate talks and bashfulness. Thus having obtained the Husband of Ramā they this way managed to attain Him in a manner, that is not even available to Brahmā and the other gods.

The women so obtaining the Husband of Ramā thus knew to attain Him in a manner not even available to Brahmā and the other gods, the way they shared in an ever-increasing pleasure the always fresh loving attraction of associating with Him in smiles and glances, intimate talks and bashfulness. (Vedabase)

 

Text 45

Even though they had hundreds of maidservants, they personally served the Lord by approaching Him to offer a seat, to be of first-class worship and wash His feet, as also to serve Him with betel nut, massages and fanning, fragrances, garlands and dressing His hair, arranging His bed, bathing and presenting gifts.'

Approaching Him, offering a seat, being of first-class worship, washing His feet, serving with betelnut, massages and fanning, fragrances, garlands, dressing His hair, arranging His bed, bathing and presenting gifts were they, though having hundreds of maidservants, [personally] of service to the Almighty Lord.' (Vedabase)

 

*: The ācāryas explain that Satyabhāmā would accompany Krishna to give permission to kill Bhauma, despite the promise He once made to Bhūmi, the earth-goddess, not to hurt her son Bhauma without her permission. She would also come along to procure the pārijāta flower tree Krishna had promised her after He brought Rukminī one such flower [see also 10.50: 54 and 3.3: 5]

**: As to the number of Krishna's queens there is no absolute agreement. Here is written 16000. The Vishnu Purāna V.19 - 9.31 mentions 16100, while even others speak of 16001. Not counting the verse 10.90: 29, which again mentions over 16100 of them, would, reasoning from the Bhāgavatam stories only, there be 16008 queens [see also previous footnote *].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creative
                    Commons License
The text and audio are offered under the conditions of the
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
The first painting is titled: 'Krishna Battles the Armies of the Demon Naraka', Page from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana
(Ancient Stories of Lord Vishnu), Deli-Agra area, India, ca. 1520-30.
The second painting is titled: "The Earth Goddess Returns the Stolen Goods to Krishna and Pays Homage to Him".
Page from a dispersed series of the Bhagavata Purana (Story of Lord Vishnu)
Probably made in Delhi-Agra area, Uttar Pradesh, India, ca. 1525-40.
Source:
Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time.

 

 

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