Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 10

S'rî S'uka said: 'Out of friendship for the absent S'is'upâla, S'âlva and Paundraka, who all had passed on to the next world, the wicked one [Dantavakra, see 9.24: 37] appeared who, all alone, on foot and with a club in his hand, oh great King, infuriated made the earth tremble under his feet by his great physical power.

S'rî S'uka said: 'As an act of friendship to the deceased, S'is'upâla, S'âlva and Paundraka who had left for the next world, was all by himself, on foot with a club in his hand, oh great king, the wicked one [Dantavakra, see 9.24: 37] seen who infuriated in his sheer physical power made the earth tremble under his feet. (Vedabase)

Text 3

Seeing him coming His way, Lord Krishna quickly took up His club, leaped down from His chariot and stopped him in his tracks like the shore does with the sea.

Seeing him coming His way took Lord Krishna quickly His club leaping down from His chariot and called He him to a stop like the shore does with the sea. (Vedabase)

Text 4

Raising his club, the king of Karûsha arrogantly said to Mukunda: 'What a luck, what a luck I have today to see You crossing my path.

Raising his club said the king of Karûsha besotted to Mukunda: 'What a luck, what a luck to have today the sight of You approaching on my path. (Vedabase)

Text 5

You, oh Krishna, who as our maternal cousin was of violence against my friends, want to kill me. Therefore I will kill You, oh fool, with my thunderbolt club.

You as our maternal cousin Krishna, having been of violence with my friends, wish to kill me; therefore, You nice guy, will I kill You with my thunderbolt club. (Vedabase)

Text 6

I who care about my friends will have paid my debt to them only after having killed You, oh ignoramus, You, oh enemy in the form of a family member, who are like a disease to one's body.'

Only then, ignoramus, will I, who cares for his friends, with killing the enemy in the form of a family member that is like a disease in one's body, have paid my debt to my friends.' (Vedabase)

Text 7

Thus with harsh words harassing Krishna like one does an elephant with goads, he roared like a lion and stroke Him with his club on the head.

Thus with harsh words harassing Krishna like one does an elephant with goads, roared he like a lion and stroke he Him with his club on the head. (Vedabase)

Text 8

Krishna, the deliverer of the Yadus, despite being hit by the club, did not move an inch on the battlefield and struck him with His Kaumodakî [His club] heavily in the middle of his chest.

Despite of being hit by the club did Krishna, the deliverer of the Yadus, not move an inch on the battlefield and dealt He with His Kaumodakî [His club] him a heavy blow in the middle of his chest. (Vedabase)

Text 9

With his heart shattered by the club, he vomited blood and fell lifeless to the ground with his hair, arms and legs spread wide.

With his heart shattered by the club vomiting blood fell he lifeless to the ground with his hair, arms and legs spread wide. (Vedabase)

Text 10

Then, oh king, before the eyes of all living beings, an amazing, very subtle light entered Lord Krishna, just as it happened with S'is'upâla [see 10.74: 45].

Then, oh king, entered before all living beings to see, just as with S'is'upâla [see 10.74: 45], an amazing, very subtle light Lord Krishna. (Vedabase)

Text 11

Thereupon Vidûratha, his brother, plunged in sorrow about his relative, stepped forward with sword and shield, breathing heavily in his desire to kill Him.

Next came Vidûratha, his brother, plunged in sorrow about his relative, with sword and shield forward, breathing heavily in his desire to kill Him. (Vedabase)

Text 12

As he attacked Him, oh King of kings, Krishna with the razor-sharp edge of His cakra sliced off his head, complete with its helmet and earrings.

Of him attacking did Krishna following with the razorsharp edge of His cakra, oh king of kings, slice off the head with its helmet and earrings. (Vedabase)

Text 13-15

After thus having killed the, for others insurmountable, S'âlva and his Saubha fortress, along with Dantavakra and his younger brother Vidûratha, He was praised by gods and men, sages and the perfected souls. The heavenly singers and scientists, the great souls of excellence and the dancing girls, the forefathers and the keepers of the wealth, as also the venerable and the mighty ones, all sang His glory, showering flowers the moment He surrounded by the most eminent Vrishnis entered His decorated capital.

Thus having killed the for others insurmountable S'âlva and his Saubha-fortress along with Dantavakra and his younger brother Vidûratha, was He praised by gods and men, sages and the perfected, heavenly singers and scientists, the great of excellence and the dancing girls, the forefathers and the keepers of the wealth as well as the venerable and the mighty who all sang His glory showering flowers as He with the most eminent Vrishnis around Him entered His decorated capital. (Vedabase)

Text 16

This is how the Controller of Yoga, Krishna, the Supreme Lord and Master of the Living Being, is victorious. It is to those who have an animalistic vision that He seems to suffer defeat [*].

It is thus that the Controller of Yoga, Krishna the Supreme Lord and Master of the Living Being is victorious; it is to those whose vision is as of animals that He seems to suffer defeat [*]. (Vedabase)

Text 17

When Lord Balarâma heard about the preparations the Kurus and Pândavas made for war, He, being neutral, departed under the pretext of going to bathe in holy places.

Lord Râma hearing of the preparations of the Kurus and Pândavas for battle, known as a neutral, departed saying He would bathe in holy places. (Vedabase)

Text 18

After at Prabhâsa having bathed and having honored the demigods and sages, forefathers and human beings [there], He, surrounded by brahmins, went to the Sarasvatî [where she is] flowing westward to the sea.

Having bathed at Prabhâsa and having honored the demigods and sages, forefathers and human beings, went He surrounded by brahmins to the Sarasvatî where she flows westward to the sea. (Vedabase)

Text 19-20

Oh son of Bharata, He visited the broad body of water of Bindu-saras, Tritakûpa, Sudars'ana, Vis'âla and Brahma-tîrtha, Cakra-tîrtha, the Sarasvatî where she flows eastward and all [the holy places] along the Yamunâ and the Ganges. He also went to the Naimishâ[ranya] forest where the rishis were engaged in the performance of an elaborate sacrifice [see also 1.1: 4].

O son of Bharata, He visited the broad body of water of Bindu-saras, Tritakûpa, Sudars'ana, Vis'âla and Brahma-tîrtha, Cakra-tîrtha, the Sarasvatî where she flows eastward and all [the holy places] along the Yamunâ and the Ganges as well as the Naimisha forest where the rishis were involved in the performance of an elaborate sacrifice [see also 1.1: 4]. (Vedabase)

Text 21

They who for a long time had been engaged in the sacrifice, recognized Him upon His arrival and properly greeted Him reverentially by standing up and bowing down to Him.

Recognizing Him on His arrival greeted they who were engaged in the sacrifice Him, properly standing up and bowing down to pay homage. (Vedabase)

Text 22

After He together with His entourage had been worshiped and had accepted a seat, He noticed that the disciple [Romaharshana, see also 1.4: 22] of the greatest of all sages [Vyâsa] had remained seated.

When He together with His entourage had been worshiped and had accepted a seat, noticed He that the disciple [Romaharshana, see also 1.4: 22] of the greatest of sages [Vyâsa] had remained seated. (Vedabase)

Text 23

Seeing that the sûta [a son of a mixed marriage of a brahmin father and kshatriya mother] who had not bowed down or joined his palms, was sitting higher than the rest of the learned souls, the sweet Lord got angry:

Upon seeing that the sûta [a son of a mixed marriage of a brahmin father and kshatriya mother] who hadn't bowed down or joined his palms, was sitting higher than the rest of the learned, became the sweet Lord angry: (Vedabase)

Text 24

'Because he, born as a pratiloma, sits higher than these brahmins and also higher than Me, the Protector of the Religion, he, being so arrogant, deserves it to die.

'Because he, born a pratiloma, sits higher than these learned ones and also higher than Me, the Protector of the Religion, deserves he it, being so arrogant, to die. (Vedabase)

Text 25-26

As a disciple of the Lord among the sages [Vyâsa thus] he has fully studied the many Itihâsas, Purânas and S'âstras about the religion, but this has not led to good qualities. Not in control of himself, he, vainly lacking in humility and not having subdued his mind, deems himself a scholarly authority and is thus engaged like an actor.

After as a disciple of the Lord among the sages [Vyâsa thus] in full having studied the many itihâsas, purânas and s'âstras about the religion, has he, not in control with himself, vainly missing the humble and not having subdued his mind thinking himself a scholarly authority, become like an actor not leading to good qualities in making a sham of them. (Vedabase)

Text 27

It is for this purpose indeed that I have descended into this world: to put an end to those who pose as religious but factually are most sinful.'

It is for this purpose indeed that I descended in this world: to annihilate those who pose as religious but factually are most sinful.' (Vedabase)

Text 28

Even though He was on a pilgrimage and thus had stopped with killing the impious, the Supreme Lord, after having said this, did what had become inevitable. The Lord put an end to him by means of the tip of a blade of grass that He held in His hand.

Saying this much, did the Supreme Lord, as He [being on a pilgrimage] also had stopped to kill the impious, inevitable as it was, beat him with the tip of a blade of grass that He as the Master held in His hand. (29) 'Ohhh, ohhh' said all the sages and told disturbed of mind to Sankarshana deva: 'You committed an irreligious act, oh Master. (Vedabase)

Text 29

All the sages said 'Ohhh, ohhh', and in distress they said to Sankarshana deva: 'You have committed an irreligious act, oh Master.

Along with a long life and freedom from physical worries have we granted him the masters seat untill the sacrifice is completed, oh Darling of the Yadus. (Vedabase)

Text 30

We, oh Darling of the Yadus, have granted him the master's seat for the duration of the sacrifice, as also a long life and freedom from physical worries.

Though of course, for You, Master of Mystic Power, scriptural injunctions are not the regulator, have You unknowingly perpetrated something that equals the destruction of a brahmin; but if for this killing of a brahmin You atone, oh Purifyer of the World, will the people in general, being inspired by no other, benefit by Your example.' (Vedabase)

Text 31-32

Even though You, oh Master of Mystic Power, are not dictated by scriptural injunctions, You have unknowingly killed a brahmin. But if You, oh Purifier of the World, atone for Your killing of a brahmin, the common man, who is inspired by no one else, will benefit from Your example.'

The Supreme Lord said: 'I, desirous to show compassion to the common people, will perform the atonement for the damage done; please do tell Me what the prescribed ritual coming first would be. (Vedabase)

Text 33

The Supreme Lord said: 'I want to be of compassion for the common people and will perform the atonement for this killing. Please tell Me what the prescribed ritual would be to be done first.

Oh, please say the word, and by My mystic power I shall effect the long life, strength and sensory power which you promised.' (Vedabase)

Text 34

Oh, please say the word, and by My mystic potency I will bring about the long life, strength and sensory power you promised him.'

The sages said: 'Please, o Râma, arrange it so that as well the potency of the death by Your [kus'a-] weapon as what we said remains intact.' (Vedabase)

Text 35

The sages said: 'Please oh Balarâma, arrange it so that both Your potency of killing by means of that [grass] weapon and that what we have said, may remain.'

The Supreme Lord said: 'The child born, so instruct the Veda's, is one's self indeed, therefore should his ['byproduct', son, pupil or purâna, in this case Sûta Gosvâmî , see 1.2: 1] be the speaker endowed with a long life, strong senses and physical power [see also **]. (Vedabase)

Text 36

The Supreme Lord said: 'The Vedas tell us that the child taking birth from you is truly one's own self. Therefore his son [Sûta Gosvâmî, see 1.2: 1] should be the speaker [of the Purâna, endowed] with a long life, strong senses and physical power [see also **].

O best of sages, please tell Me what you desire, I shall do it, and again, please, oh intelligent ones think of what the proper atonement would be for Me who indeed knows not.' (Vedabase)

Text 37

Oh best of sages, please tell Me what you want. I shall do it, and again, please oh intelligent souls, think of what the proper atonement would be, for I have no idea.'

The rishis said: 'Ilvala's fearsome son named Balvala as a demon contaminates our sacrifice getting here every new moon. (Vedabase)

Text 38

The rishis said: 'The fearsome demon Balvala, the son of Ilvala, comes here every new moon and spoils our sacrifice.

The best service to us is to defeat that sinner, o Descendant of Bharata, who pours down pus, blood, feces, urine wine and meat. (Vedabase)

Text 39

The best You can do for us, oh descendant of Das'ârha, is to defeat that sinner who pours pus on us, blood, feces, urine, wine and meat.

Thereafter You should, for twelve months performing penances, in all serenity go around the land of Bhârata [India] getting purified bathing at the holy sites.' (Vedabase)

Text 40

Subsequently, You for twelve months should do penance by serenely traveling around the land of Bhârata [India] and find purification by bathing at the holy sites.'

Thereafter You should, for twelve months performing penances, in all serenity go around the land of Bhârata [India] getting purified bathing at the holy sites.' (Vedabase)

*: It is in these verses that the Bhâgavatam says that one has the vision of an animal if one thinks that the Lord would ever suffer defeat, as seemed to be the case with Krishna fleeing from Jarâsandha [10.52], Krishna acting as if he would be impressed by S'âlva's tricks [10.77: 27-32], the Buddha being food-poisoned or Jesus Christ being crucified. In the end to His evanescence there is the victory, the enlightenment, the resurrection and the second birth in acceptance of the teaching.

**: To illustrate the principle enunciated here by Lord Balarâma, the paramparâ in the person of S'rîla S'rîdhara Svâmî quotes the following Vedic verse which appears in both the S'atapatha Brâhmana (14.9.8.4) and the Brihad-âranyaka Upanishad (6.4.8):

angâd angât sambhavasi
hridayâd abhijâyase
âtmâ vai putra-nâmâsi
sañjîva s'aradah s'atam

"You have taken birth from my various limbs and have arisen from my very heart. You are my own self in the form of my son. May you live through a hundred autumns."