Before Verses
Devanagari
Verse Text
Synonyms
Translation
Purport
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
The Slaying of Ariṣṭā, the Bull Demon
This chapter describes how Kṛṣṇa killed Ariṣṭāsura and how Kaṁsa reacted when he learned from Nārada that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were the sons of Vasudeva.
The demon Ariṣṭa wanted to kill Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, and thus he assumed the form of a huge bull with sharp horns. Everyone in Kṛṣṇa’s cowherd village became terrified when Ariṣṭāsura approached it, but the Lord pacified them, and when the bull demon charged Him He seized him by the horns and threw him about six yards. Though weakened, Ariṣṭa still wanted to attack Kṛṣṇa. Thus, dripping with sweat, he charged the Lord once again. This time Kṛṣṇa grabbed his horns, threw him to the ground and thrashed him like a pile of wet clothing. The demon vomited blood and gave up his life. Then Kṛṣṇa and Rāma, while being honored by the demigods and cowherd boys, returned to the village.
A short time later Nārada Muni, the great sage among the demigods, came to see King Kaṁsa. He informed the King that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were not Nanda’s sons but rather Vasudeva’s. It was out of fear of Kaṁsa that Vasudeva had put the two boys under Nanda’s care. Furthermore, said Nārada, Kaṁsa would meet his death at Their hands.
Kaṁsa shook with fear and anger when he heard all this, and in great agitation he began thinking of how to destroy Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. He called for the demons Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika and instructed them to kill the two brothers in a wrestling match. Then he spoke to Akrūra, who was expert at executing his duties. Taking Akrūra by the hand, Kaṁsa persuaded him to go to Vraja to bring the two boys to Mathurā. Akrūra agreed to carry out Kaṁsa’s order and then returned home.
Devanagari
श्री बादरायणिरुवाच
अथ तर्ह्यागतो गोष्ठमरिष्टो वृषभासुर: ।
महींमहाककुत्काय: कम्पयन्खुरविक्षताम् ॥ १ ॥
अथ तर्ह्यागतो गोष्ठमरिष्टो वृषभासुर: ।
महींमहाककुत्काय: कम्पयन्खुरविक्षताम् ॥ १ ॥
Verse text
śrī bādarāyaṇir uvāca
atha tarhy āgato goṣṭham
ariṣṭo vṛṣabhāsuraḥ
mahīm mahā-kakut-kāyaḥ
kampayan khura-vikṣatām
atha tarhy āgato goṣṭham
ariṣṭo vṛṣabhāsuraḥ
mahīm mahā-kakut-kāyaḥ
kampayan khura-vikṣatām
Synonyms
śrī bādarāyaṇiḥ uvāca — Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; atha — next; tarhi — then; āgataḥ — came; goṣṭham — to the cowherd village; ariṣṭaḥ — named Ariṣṭa; vṛṣabha-asuraḥ — the bull demon; mahīm — the earth; mahā — great; kakut — having a hump; kāyaḥ — whose body; kampayan — making tremble; khura — by his hooves; vikṣatām — torn.
Translation
Śukadeva Goswāmī said: The demon Ariṣṭa then came to the cowherd village. Appearing in the form of a bull with a large hump, he made the earth tremble as he tore it apart with his hooves.
Purport
According to the Śrī Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Ariṣṭāsura entered Kṛṣṇa’s village at twilight, as the Lord prepared to dance with the gopīs:
prodoṣārdhe kadācit tu
rāsāsakte janārdane
trāsayan sa-mado goṣṭham
ariṣṭaḥ sampāgataḥ
rāsāsakte janārdane
trāsayan sa-mado goṣṭham
ariṣṭaḥ sampāgataḥ
“Once, midway through the period of dusk, when Lord Janārdana was eager to perform the rāsa dance, Ariṣṭāsura madly entered the cowherd village, terrifying everyone.”
Devanagari
रम्भमाण: खरतरं पदा च विलिखन् महीम् ।
उद्यम्य पुच्छं वप्राणि विषाणाग्रेण चोद्धरन् ।
किञ्चित्किञ्चिच्छकृन् मुञ्चन्मूत्रयन्स्तब्धलोचन: ॥ २ ॥
उद्यम्य पुच्छं वप्राणि विषाणाग्रेण चोद्धरन् ।
किञ्चित्किञ्चिच्छकृन् मुञ्चन्मूत्रयन्स्तब्धलोचन: ॥ २ ॥
Verse text
rambhamāṇaḥ kharataraṁ
padā ca vilikhan mahīm
udyamya pucchaṁ vaprāṇi
viṣāṇāgreṇa coddharan
kiñcit kiñcic chakṛn muñcan
mūtrayan stabdha-locanaḥ
padā ca vilikhan mahīm
udyamya pucchaṁ vaprāṇi
viṣāṇāgreṇa coddharan
kiñcit kiñcic chakṛn muñcan
mūtrayan stabdha-locanaḥ
Synonyms
rambhamāṇaḥ — bellowing; khara-taram — most harshly; padā — with his hooves; ca — and; vilikhan — scraping; mahīm — the ground; udyamya — raising upward; puccham — his tail; vaprāṇi — the embankments; viṣāṇa — of his horns; agreṇa — with the tips; ca — and; uddharan — lifting and tearing up; kiñcit kiñcit — a little; śakṛt — stool; muñcan — releasing; mūtrayan — urinating; stabdha — glaring; locanaḥ — his eyes.
Translation
Ariṣṭāsura bellowed very harshly and pawed the ground. With his tail raised and his eyes glaring, he began to tear up the embankments with the tips of his horns, every now and then passing a little stool and urine.
Devanagari
यस्य निर्ह्रादितेनाङ्ग निष्ठुरेण गवां नृणाम् ।
पतन्त्यकालतो गर्भा: स्रवन्ति स्म भयेन वै ॥ ३ ॥
निर्विशन्ति घना यस्य ककुद्यचलशङ्कया ।
तं तीक्ष्णशृङ्गमुद्वीक्ष्य गोप्यो गोपाश्च तत्रसु: ॥ ४ ॥
पतन्त्यकालतो गर्भा: स्रवन्ति स्म भयेन वै ॥ ३ ॥
निर्विशन्ति घना यस्य ककुद्यचलशङ्कया ।
तं तीक्ष्णशृङ्गमुद्वीक्ष्य गोप्यो गोपाश्च तत्रसु: ॥ ४ ॥
Verse text
yasya nirhrāditenāṅga
niṣṭhureṇa gavāṁ nṛṇām
patanty akālato garbhāḥ
sravanti sma bhayena vai
niṣṭhureṇa gavāṁ nṛṇām
patanty akālato garbhāḥ
sravanti sma bhayena vai
nirviśanti ghanā yasya
kakudy acala-śaṅkayā
taṁ tīkṣṇa-śṛṅgam udvīkṣya
gopyo gopāś ca tatrasuḥ
kakudy acala-śaṅkayā
taṁ tīkṣṇa-śṛṅgam udvīkṣya
gopyo gopāś ca tatrasuḥ
Synonyms
yasya — whose; nirhrāditena — by the reverberating sound; aṅga — my dear King (Parīkṣit); niṣṭhureṇa — rough; gavām — of cows; nṛṇām — of humans; patanti — fall; akālataḥ — untimely; garbhāḥ — the embryos; sravanti sma — are miscarried; bhayena — out of fear; vai — indeed; nirviśanti — enter; ghanāḥ — clouds; yasya — whose; kakudi — onto the hump; acala — as a mountain; śaṅkayā — by the mistaken identification; tam — him; tīkṣṇa — sharp; śṛṅgam — whose horns; udvīkṣya — seeing; gopyaḥ — the cowherd women; gopāḥ — the cowherd men; ca — and; tatrasuḥ — became frightened.
Translation
My dear King, clouds hovered about sharp-horned Ariṣṭāsura’s hump, mistaking it for a mountain, and when the cowherd men and ladies caught sight of the demon, they were struck with terror. Indeed, the strident reverberation of his roar so frightened the pregnant cows and women that they lost their fetuses in miscarriages.
Purport
The Vedic literature categorizes miscarriages as follows: Ā-caturthād bhavet srāvaḥ pātaḥ pañcama-ṣaṣṭhayoḥ/ ata ūrdhvaṁ prasūtiḥ syāt. “Up to the fourth month a premature delivery is called srāva, in the fifth and sixth months it is called pāta, and after this it is considered a birth (prasūti).”
Devanagari
पशवो दुद्रुवुर्भीता राजन्सन्त्यज्य गोकुलम् ।
कृष्ण कृष्णेति ते सर्वे गोविन्दं शरणं ययु: ॥ ५ ॥
कृष्ण कृष्णेति ते सर्वे गोविन्दं शरणं ययु: ॥ ५ ॥
Verse text
paśavo dudruvur bhītā
rājan santyajya go-kulam
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇeti te sarve
govindaṁ śaraṇaṁ yayuḥ
rājan santyajya go-kulam
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇeti te sarve
govindaṁ śaraṇaṁ yayuḥ
Synonyms
Translation
The domestic animals fled the pasture in fear, O King, and all the inhabitants rushed to Lord Govinda for shelter, crying, “Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa!”
Devanagari
भगवानपि तद् वीक्ष्य गोकुलं भयविद्रुतम् ।
मा भैष्टेति गिराश्वास्य वृषासुरमुपाह्वयत् ॥ ६ ॥
मा भैष्टेति गिराश्वास्य वृषासुरमुपाह्वयत् ॥ ६ ॥
Verse text
bhagavān api tad vīkṣya
go-kulaṁ bhaya-vidrutam
mā bhaiṣṭeti girāśvāsya
vṛṣāsuram upāhvayat
go-kulaṁ bhaya-vidrutam
mā bhaiṣṭeti girāśvāsya
vṛṣāsuram upāhvayat
Synonyms
bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; api — indeed; tat — that; vīkṣya — seeing; go-kulam — the cowherd community; bhaya — out of fear; vidrutam — made to flee, or distraught; mā bhaiṣṭa — “don’t be afraid”; iti — thus; girā — with words; āśvāsya — pacifying; vṛṣa-asuram — to the bull demon; upāhvayat — He called out.
Translation
When the Supreme Lord saw the cowherd community distraught and fleeing in fear, He calmed them, saying, “Don’t be afraid.” Then He called out to the bull demon as follows.
Devanagari
गोपालै: पशुभिर्मन्द त्रासितै: किमसत्तम ।
मयि शास्तरि दुष्टानां त्वद्विधानां दुरात्मनाम् ॥ ७ ॥
मयि शास्तरि दुष्टानां त्वद्विधानां दुरात्मनाम् ॥ ७ ॥
Verse text
gopālaiḥ paśubhir manda
trāsitaiḥ kim asattama
mayi śāstari duṣṭānāṁ
tvad-vidhānāṁ durātmanām
trāsitaiḥ kim asattama
mayi śāstari duṣṭānāṁ
tvad-vidhānāṁ durātmanām
Synonyms
gopālaiḥ — with the cowherds; paśubhiḥ — and with their animals; manda — O fool; trāsitaiḥ — who are frightened; kim — what purpose; asattama — O most wicked one; mayi — when I (am present); śāstari — as the punisher; duṣṭānām — of the contaminated; tvat-vidhānām — like you; durātmanām — miscreants.
Translation
You fool! What do you think you’re doing, you wicked rascal, frightening the cowherd community and their animals when I am here just to punish corrupt miscreants like you!
Devanagari
इत्यास्फोत्याच्युतोऽरिष्टं तलशब्देन कोपयन् ।
सख्युरंसे भुजाभोगं प्रसार्यावस्थितो हरि: ॥ ८ ॥
सख्युरंसे भुजाभोगं प्रसार्यावस्थितो हरि: ॥ ८ ॥
Verse text
ity āsphotyācyuto ’riṣṭaṁ
tala-śabdena kopayan
sakhyur aṁse bhujābhogaṁ
prasāryāvasthito hariḥ
tala-śabdena kopayan
sakhyur aṁse bhujābhogaṁ
prasāryāvasthito hariḥ
Synonyms
iti — speaking thus; āsphotya — slapping His arms; acyutaḥ — the infallible Lord; ariṣṭam — Ariṣṭāsura; tala — from His palms; śabdena — with the sound; kopayan — angering; sakhyuḥ — of a friend; aṁse — over the shoulder; bhuja — His arm; ābhogam — (which is like) a serpent’s body; prasārya — throwing; avasthitaḥ — was standing; hariḥ — Lord Hari.
Translation
Having spoken these words, the infallible Lord Hari slapped His arms with His palms, further angering Ariṣṭa with the loud sound. The Lord then casually threw His mighty, serpentine arm over the shoulder of a friend and stood facing the demon.
Purport
Lord Kṛṣṇa showed His contempt for the ignorant demon.
Devanagari
सोऽप्येवं कोपितोऽरिष्ट: खुरेणावनिमुल्लिखन् ।
उद्यत्पुच्छभ्रमन्मेघ: क्रुद्ध: कृष्णमुपाद्रवत् ॥ ९ ॥
उद्यत्पुच्छभ्रमन्मेघ: क्रुद्ध: कृष्णमुपाद्रवत् ॥ ९ ॥
Verse text
so ’py evaṁ kopito ’riṣṭaḥ
khureṇāvanim ullikhan
udyat-puccha-bhraman-meghaḥ
kruddhaḥ kṛṣṇam upādravat
khureṇāvanim ullikhan
udyat-puccha-bhraman-meghaḥ
kruddhaḥ kṛṣṇam upādravat
Synonyms
saḥ — he; api — indeed; evam — in this way; kopitaḥ — angered; ariṣṭaḥ — Ariṣṭa; khureṇa — with his hoof; avanim — the earth; ullikhan — scratching; udyat — raised; puccha — within his tail; bhraman — wandering; meghaḥ — clouds; kruddhaḥ — furious; kṛṣṇam — toward Lord Kṛṣṇa; upādravat — he charged.
Translation
Thus provoked, Ariṣṭa pawed the ground with one of his hooves and then, with the clouds hovering around his upraised tail, furiously charged Kṛṣṇa.
Devanagari
अग्रन्यस्तविषाणाग्र: स्तब्धासृग्लोचनोऽच्युतम् ।
कटाक्षिप्याद्रवत्तूर्णमिन्द्रमुक्तोऽशनिर्यथा ॥ १० ॥
कटाक्षिप्याद्रवत्तूर्णमिन्द्रमुक्तोऽशनिर्यथा ॥ १० ॥
Verse text
agra-nyasta-viṣāṇāgraḥ
stabdhāsṛg-locano ’cyutam
kaṭākṣipyādravat tūrṇam
indra-mukto ’śanir yathā
stabdhāsṛg-locano ’cyutam
kaṭākṣipyādravat tūrṇam
indra-mukto ’śanir yathā
Synonyms
agra — forward; nyasta — pointing; viṣāṇa — of his horns; agraḥ — the front; stabdha — glaring; asṛk — bloody; locanaḥ — his eyes; acyutam — at Lord Kṛṣṇa; kaṭa-ākṣipya — looking sideways; adravat — he ran; tūrṇam — at full speed; indra-muktaḥ — released by King Indra; aśaniḥ — a thunderbolt; yathā — like.
Translation
Pointing the tips of his horns straight ahead and glaring menacingly at Lord Kṛṣṇa from the corners of his bloodshot eyes, Ariṣṭa rushed toward Him at full speed, like a thunderbolt hurled by Indra.
Devanagari
गृहीत्वा शृङ्गयोस्तं वा अष्टादश पदानि स: ।
प्रत्यपोवाह भगवान् गज: प्रतिगजं यथा ॥ ११ ॥
प्रत्यपोवाह भगवान् गज: प्रतिगजं यथा ॥ ११ ॥
Verse text
gṛhītvā śṛṅgayos taṁ vā
aṣṭādaśa padāni saḥ
pratyapovāha bhagavān
gajaḥ prati-gajaṁ yathā
aṣṭādaśa padāni saḥ
pratyapovāha bhagavān
gajaḥ prati-gajaṁ yathā
Synonyms
Translation
The Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa seized Ariṣṭāsura by the horns and threw him back eighteen steps, just as an elephant might do when fighting a rival elephant.
Devanagari
सोऽपविद्धो भगवता पुनरुत्थाय सत्वरम् ।
आपतत् स्विन्नसर्वाङ्गो नि:श्वसन्क्रोधमूर्च्छित: ॥ १२ ॥
आपतत् स्विन्नसर्वाङ्गो नि:श्वसन्क्रोधमूर्च्छित: ॥ १२ ॥
Verse text
so ’paviddho bhagavatā
punar utthāya satvaram
āpatat svinna-sarvāṅgo
niḥśvasan krodha-mūrcchitaḥ
punar utthāya satvaram
āpatat svinna-sarvāṅgo
niḥśvasan krodha-mūrcchitaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Thus repulsed by the Supreme Lord, the bull demon got up and, breathing hard and sweating all over his body, again charged Him in a mindless rage.
Devanagari
तमापतन्तं स निगृह्य शृङ्गयो:
पदा समाक्रम्य निपात्य भूतले ।
निष्पीडयामास यथार्द्रमम्बरं
कृत्वा विषाणेन जघान सोऽपतत् ॥ १३ ॥
पदा समाक्रम्य निपात्य भूतले ।
निष्पीडयामास यथार्द्रमम्बरं
कृत्वा विषाणेन जघान सोऽपतत् ॥ १३ ॥
Verse text
tam āpatantaṁ sa nigṛhya śṛṅgayoḥ
padā samākramya nipātya bhū-tale
niṣpīḍayām āsa yathārdram ambaraṁ
kṛtvā viṣāṇena jaghāna so ’patat
padā samākramya nipātya bhū-tale
niṣpīḍayām āsa yathārdram ambaraṁ
kṛtvā viṣāṇena jaghāna so ’patat
Synonyms
tam — him; āpatantam — attacking; saḥ — He; nigṛhya — seizing; śṛṅgayoḥ — by the horns; padā — with His foot; samākramya — treading; nipātya — making him fall; bhū-tale — onto the ground; niṣpīḍayām āsa — He beat him; yathā — like; ardram — wet; ambaram — a garment; kṛtvā — making; viṣāṇena — with his horn; jaghāna — struck; saḥ — he; apatat — fell.
Translation
As Ariṣṭa attacked, Lord Kṛṣṇa seized him by the horns and knocked him to the ground with His foot. The Lord then thrashed him as if he were a wet cloth, and finally He yanked out one of the demon’s horns and struck him with it until he lay prostrate.
Devanagari
असृग् वमन् मूत्रशकृत् समुत्सृजन्
क्षिपंश्च पादाननवस्थितेक्षण: ।
जगाम कृच्छ्रं निऋर्तेरथ क्षयं
पुष्पै: किरन्तो हरिमीडिरे सुरा: ॥ १४ ॥
क्षिपंश्च पादाननवस्थितेक्षण: ।
जगाम कृच्छ्रं निऋर्तेरथ क्षयं
पुष्पै: किरन्तो हरिमीडिरे सुरा: ॥ १४ ॥
Verse text
asṛg vaman mūtra-śakṛt samutsṛjan
kṣipaṁś ca pādān anavasthitekṣaṇaḥ
jagāma kṛcchraṁ nirṛter atha kṣayaṁ
puṣpaiḥ kiranto harim īḍire surāḥ
kṣipaṁś ca pādān anavasthitekṣaṇaḥ
jagāma kṛcchraṁ nirṛter atha kṣayaṁ
puṣpaiḥ kiranto harim īḍire surāḥ
Synonyms
asṛk — blood; vaman — vomiting; mūtra — urine; śakṛt — and feces; samutsṛjan — profusely excreting; kṣipan — throwing about; ca — and; pādān — his legs; anavasthita — unsteady; īkṣaṇaḥ — his eyes; jagāma — he went; kṛcchram — with pain; nirṛteḥ — of Death; atha — then; kṣayam — to the abode; puṣpaiḥ — flowers; kirantaḥ — scattering; harim — upon Lord Kṛṣṇa; īdire — worshiped; suraḥ — the demigods.
Translation
Vomiting blood and profusely excreting stool and urine, kicking his legs and rolling his eyes about, Ariṣṭāsura thus went painfully to the abode of Death. The demigods honored Lord Kṛṣṇa by scattering flowers upon Him.
Devanagari
एवं कुकुद्मिनं हत्वा स्तूयमान: द्विजातिभि: ।
विवेश गोष्ठं सबलो गोपीनां नयनोत्सव: ॥ १५ ॥
विवेश गोष्ठं सबलो गोपीनां नयनोत्सव: ॥ १५ ॥
Verse text
evaṁ kukudminaṁ hatvā
stūyamānaḥ dvijātibhiḥ
viveśa goṣṭhaṁ sa-balo
gopīnāṁ nayanotsavaḥ
stūyamānaḥ dvijātibhiḥ
viveśa goṣṭhaṁ sa-balo
gopīnāṁ nayanotsavaḥ
Synonyms
evam — thus; kukudminam — the humped (bull demon); hatvā — killing; stūyamānaḥ — being praised; dvijātibhiḥ — by the brāhmaṇas; viveśa — He entered; goṣṭham — the cowherd village; sa-balaḥ — together with Lord Balarāma; gopīnām — of the gopīs; nayana — for the eyes; utsavaḥ — who is a festival.
Translation
Having thus killed the bull demon Ariṣṭa, He who is a festival for the gopīs’ eyes entered the cowherd village with Balarāma.
Purport
This verse exemplifies the sublime contrast of spiritual qualities within Śrī Kṛṣṇa. In one four-line verse we simultaneously learn that Lord Kṛṣṇa killed a powerful and wicked demon and that His boyish beauty gave festive pleasure to His young girlfriends. Lord Kṛṣṇa is as hard as a thunderbolt or as soft as a rose, depending on our attitude toward Him. The demon Ariṣṭa wanted to kill Kṛṣṇa and all His friends, so the Lord beat him into a wet rag and killed him. The gopīs, however, loved Kṛṣṇa, and thus the Lord boyishly reciprocated their conjugal feelings.
Devanagari
अरिष्टे निहते दैत्ये कृष्णेनाद्भुतकर्मणा ।
कंसायाथाह भगवान् नारदो देवदर्शन: ॥ १६ ॥
कंसायाथाह भगवान् नारदो देवदर्शन: ॥ १६ ॥
Verse text
ariṣṭe nihate daitye
kṛṣṇenādbhuta-karmaṇā
kaṁsāyāthāha bhagavān
nārado deva-darśanaḥ
kṛṣṇenādbhuta-karmaṇā
kaṁsāyāthāha bhagavān
nārado deva-darśanaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
After Ariṣṭāsura had been killed by Kṛṣṇa, who acts wonderfully, Nārada Muni went to speak to King Kaṁsa. That powerful sage of godly vision addressed the King as follows.
Purport
The term deva-darśana can be understood in many ways, all of which are consistent with the context and purport of this narration. Deva means “God,” and darśanaḥ means “seeing” or “an audience with a great personality.” Thus deva-darśana, a name for Nārada Muni, indicates that Nārada has attained the perfection of seeing God, that getting Nārada’s audience is as good as getting God’s (since Nārada is a pure representative of the Lord), and also that Nārada’s audience is as good as that of the demigods, who are also known as devas. That there are all these meanings of the term deva-darśanaḥ reveals something of the richness of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam’s language.
From the Purāṇas, Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has quoted twenty verses describing a joking conversation between Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa that took place after Kṛṣṇa had killed the demon Ariṣṭa. This conversation, so kindly quoted by the ācārya, describes the origin of Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Śyāma-kuṇḍa, Rādhā’s and Kṛṣṇa’s bathing ponds. The verses are as follows:
māsmān spṛśādya vṛṣabhārdana hanta mugdhā
ghoro ’suro ’yam ayi kṛṣṇa tad apy ayaṁ gauḥ
vṛtro yathā dvija ihāsty ayi niṣkṛtiḥ kiṁ
śudhyed bhavāṁs tri-bhuvana-sthita-tīrtha-kṛcchrāt
ghoro ’suro ’yam ayi kṛṣṇa tad apy ayaṁ gauḥ
vṛtro yathā dvija ihāsty ayi niṣkṛtiḥ kiṁ
śudhyed bhavāṁs tri-bhuvana-sthita-tīrtha-kṛcchrāt
“The innocent young gopīs said, ‘Ah, Kṛṣṇa, don’t touch us now, O killer of a bull! Alas, even though Ariṣṭa was a terrible demon, still he was a male cow, so You will have to undergo atonement, just as Lord Indra did after killing Vṛtrāsura. But how can You purify Yourself without going to the trouble of visiting every single holy place in the three worlds?’”
kiṁ paryaṭāmi bhuvanāny adhunaiva sarvā
ānīya tīrtha-vitatīḥ karavāṇi tāsu
snānaṁ vilokayata tāvad idaṁ mukundaḥ
procyaiva tatra kṛtavān bata pārṣṇi-ghātam
ānīya tīrtha-vitatīḥ karavāṇi tāsu
snānaṁ vilokayata tāvad idaṁ mukundaḥ
procyaiva tatra kṛtavān bata pārṣṇi-ghātam
“[Kṛṣṇa replied,] ‘Why should I have to wander throughout the entire universe? I will at once bring all the countless pilgrimage places here and take My bath in them. Just watch!’ With this, Lord Mukunda struck His heel on the ground.”
pātālato jalam idaṁ kila bhogavatyā
āyātam atra nikhilā api tīrtha-saṅghāḥ
āgacchateti bhagavad-vacasā ta etya
tatraiva rejur atha kṛṣṇa uvāca gopīḥ
āyātam atra nikhilā api tīrtha-saṅghāḥ
āgacchateti bhagavad-vacasā ta etya
tatraiva rejur atha kṛṣṇa uvāca gopīḥ
“[Then He said,] ‘This is the water of the Bhogavatī River, coming from the Pātāla region. And now, O holy places, all of you please come here!’ When the Supreme Lord had spoken these words, all the holy places went there and appeared before Him. Kṛṣṇa then addressed the gopīs as follows.”
tīrthāni paśyata harer vacasā tavaivaṁ
naiva pratīma iti tā atha tīrtha-varyāḥ
procuḥ kṛtāñjali-puṭā lavaṇābdhir asmi
kṣīrābdhir asmi śṛṇutāmara-dīrghikāsmi
naiva pratīma iti tā atha tīrtha-varyāḥ
procuḥ kṛtāñjali-puṭā lavaṇābdhir asmi
kṣīrābdhir asmi śṛṇutāmara-dīrghikāsmi
“‘See all the holy places!’
“But the gopīs replied, ‘We don’t see them as You describe.’
“Then those best of holy places, joining their palms in supplication, spoke up:
“‘I am the salt ocean.’
“‘I am the Ocean of Milk.’
“‘I am the Amara-dīrghikā.’”
śoṇo ’pi sindhur aham asmi bhavāmi tāmra-
parṇī ca puṣkaram ahaṁ ca sarasvatī ca
godāvarī ravi-sutā sarayuḥ prayāgo
revāsmi paśyata jalaṁ kuruta pratītim
parṇī ca puṣkaram ahaṁ ca sarasvatī ca
godāvarī ravi-sutā sarayuḥ prayāgo
revāsmi paśyata jalaṁ kuruta pratītim
“‘I am the river Śoṇa.’
“‘I am the Sindhu.’
“‘I am the Tāmraparṇī.’
“‘I am the holy place Puṣkara.’
“‘I am the river Sarasvatī.’
“‘And we are the Godāvarī, Yamunā and Revā rivers and the confluence of rivers at Prayāga. Just see our waters!’”
snātvā tato harir ati-prajagalbha eva
śuddhaḥ saro ’py akaravaṁ sthita-sarva-tīrtham
yuṣmābhir ātma-januṣīha kṛto na dharmaḥ
ko ’pi kṣitāv atha sakhīr nijagāda rādhā
śuddhaḥ saro ’py akaravaṁ sthita-sarva-tīrtham
yuṣmābhir ātma-januṣīha kṛto na dharmaḥ
ko ’pi kṣitāv atha sakhīr nijagāda rādhā
“After purifying Himself by bathing, Lord Hari became quite arrogant and said, ‘I have produced a pond containing all the various holy places, whereas you gopīs must never have executed any religious duties on this earth for the pleasure of Lord Brahmā.’ Then Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī addressed Her girlfriends as follows.”
kāryaṁ mayāpy ati-manohara-kuṇḍam ekaṁ
tasmād yatadhvam iti tad-vacanena tābhiḥ
śrī-kṛṣṇa-kuṇḍa-taṭa-paścima-diśya-mando
gartaḥ kṛto vṛṣabha-daitya-khurair vyaloki
tasmād yatadhvam iti tad-vacanena tābhiḥ
śrī-kṛṣṇa-kuṇḍa-taṭa-paścima-diśya-mando
gartaḥ kṛto vṛṣabha-daitya-khurair vyaloki
“‘I must create an even more beautiful pond. So go to work!’ Having heard these words, the gopīs saw that Ariṣṭāsura’s hooves had dug a shallow ditch just west of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s pond.”
tatrārdra-mṛn-mṛdula-gola-tatīḥ prati-sva-
hastoddhṛtā anati-dūra-gatā vidhāya
divyaṁ saraḥ prakaṭitaṁ ghaṭikā-dvayena
tābhir vilokya sarasaṁ smarate sma kṛṣṇaḥ
hastoddhṛtā anati-dūra-gatā vidhāya
divyaṁ saraḥ prakaṭitaṁ ghaṭikā-dvayena
tābhir vilokya sarasaṁ smarate sma kṛṣṇaḥ
“At that nearby spot, all the gopīs began digging up lumps of soft mud with their hands, and in this way a divine pond manifested in the short span of an hour. Kṛṣṇa was astonished to see the lake they produced.”
proce ca tīrtha-salilaiḥ paripūrayaitan
mat-kuṇḍataḥ sarasijākṣi sahālibhis tvam
rādhā tadā na na na neti jagāda yasmāt
tvat-kuṇḍa-nīram uru-go-vadha-pātakāktam
mat-kuṇḍataḥ sarasijākṣi sahālibhis tvam
rādhā tadā na na na neti jagāda yasmāt
tvat-kuṇḍa-nīram uru-go-vadha-pātakāktam
“He said, ‘Go ahead, lotus-eyed one. You and Your companions should fill this pond with water from Mine.’
“But Rādhā replied, ‘No, no, no, no! This is impossible, since the water of Your pond is contaminated by Your terrible sin of killing a cow.’”
āhṛtya puṇya-salilaṁ śata-koṭi-kumbhaiḥ
sakhy-arbudena saha mānasa-jāhnavītaḥ
etat saraḥ sva-madhunā paripūrayāmi
tenaiva kīrtim atulāṁ tanavāni loke
sakhy-arbudena saha mānasa-jāhnavītaḥ
etat saraḥ sva-madhunā paripūrayāmi
tenaiva kīrtim atulāṁ tanavāni loke
“‘I will have My countless gopī companions bring the pure water of the Mānasa-gaṅgā here in billions of pots. In this way I will fill this lake with My own water and thus make its renown unequaled in the entire world.’”
kṛṣṇeṅgitena sahasaitya samasta-tīrtha-
sakhyas tadīya-saraso dhṛta-divya-mūrtiḥ
tuṣṭāva tatra vṛṣabhānu-sutāṁ praṇamya
bhaktyā kṛtāñjali-puṭaḥ sravad-asra-dhāraḥ
sakhyas tadīya-saraso dhṛta-divya-mūrtiḥ
tuṣṭāva tatra vṛṣabhānu-sutāṁ praṇamya
bhaktyā kṛtāñjali-puṭaḥ sravad-asra-dhāraḥ
“Lord Kṛṣṇa then gestured to a heavenly personality who was an intimate associate of all the holy places. Suddenly that person rose up out of Kṛṣṇa’s pond and bowed down to the daughter of Śrī Vṛṣabhānu [Rādhārāṇī]. Then, with palms joined and tears pouring from his eyes, he began praying to Her in devotion.”
devi tvadīya-mahimānam avaiti sarva
śāstrārtha-vin na ca vidhir na haro na lakṣmīḥ
kintv eka eva puruṣārtha-śiromaṇis tvat-
prasveda-mārjana-paraḥ svayam eva kṛṣṇaḥ
śāstrārtha-vin na ca vidhir na haro na lakṣmīḥ
kintv eka eva puruṣārtha-śiromaṇis tvat-
prasveda-mārjana-paraḥ svayam eva kṛṣṇaḥ
“‘O goddess, even Lord Brahmā himself, the knower of all scriptures, cannot understand Your glories, nor can Lord Śiva or Lakṣmī. Only Kṛṣṇa, the supreme goal of all human endeavor, can understand them, and thus He feels obliged to personally make sure that You can wash away Your perspiration when You are fatigued.’”
yaś cāru-yāvaka-rasena bhavat-padābjam
ārajya nūpuram aho nidadhāti nityam
prāpya tvadīya-nayanābja-taṭa-prasādaṁ
svaṁ manyate parama-dhanyatamaṁ prahṛṣyan
ārajya nūpuram aho nidadhāti nityam
prāpya tvadīya-nayanābja-taṭa-prasādaṁ
svaṁ manyate parama-dhanyatamaṁ prahṛṣyan
tasyājñayaiva sahasā vayam ājagāma
tat-pārṣṇi-ghāṭa-kṛta-kuṇḍa-vare vasāmaḥ
tvaṁ cet prasīdasi karoṣi kṛpā-kaṭākṣaṁ
tarhy eva tarṣa-viṭapī phalito bhaven naḥ
tat-pārṣṇi-ghāṭa-kṛta-kuṇḍa-vare vasāmaḥ
tvaṁ cet prasīdasi karoṣi kṛpā-kaṭākṣaṁ
tarhy eva tarṣa-viṭapī phalito bhaven naḥ
“‘He is always anointing Your lotus feet with nectarean cāru and yāvaka and decorating them with ankle bells, and He rejoices and feels most fortunate simply by satisfying the tips of the toes of Your lotus feet. On His order we have immediately come here to live in this most excellent pond, which He created by one stroke of His heel. But only if You now feel satisfied with us and bestow upon us Your merciful glance will the tree of our desire bear fruit.’”
śrutvā stutiṁ nikhila-tīrtha-gaṇasya tuṣṭā
prāha sma tarṣam ayi vedayateti rādhā
yāma tvadīya-sarasīṁ sa-phalā bhavāma
ity eva no vara iti prakaṭaṁ tadocuḥ
prāha sma tarṣam ayi vedayateti rādhā
yāma tvadīya-sarasīṁ sa-phalā bhavāma
ity eva no vara iti prakaṭaṁ tadocuḥ
“Hearing this prayer spoken by the representative of the full assembly of holy places, Śrī Rādhā was pleased and said, ‘So, kindly tell Me your desire.’
“They then told Her plainly, ‘Our lives would be successful if we could come to Your pond. That is the benediction we desire.’”
āgacchateti vṛṣabhānu-sutā smitāsyā
provāca kānta-vadanābja-dhṛtākṣi-koṇā
sakhyo ’pi tatra kṛta-sammatayaḥ sukhābdhau
magnā virejur akhilā sthira-jaṅgamāś ca
provāca kānta-vadanābja-dhṛtākṣi-koṇā
sakhyo ’pi tatra kṛta-sammatayaḥ sukhābdhau
magnā virejur akhilā sthira-jaṅgamāś ca
“Glancing at Her beloved from the corners of Her eyes, the daughter of Vṛṣabhānu replied with a smile, ‘Please come.’ Her gopī companions all agreed with Her decision and became immersed in the ocean of happiness. Indeed, the beauty of all creatures, both mobile and stationary, was enhanced.”
prāpya prasādam atha te vṛṣabhānujāyāḥ
śrī-kṛṣṇa-kuṇḍa-gata-tīrtha-varāḥ prasahya
bhittveva bhittim ati-vegata eva rādhā-
kuṇḍaṁ vyadhuḥ sva-salilaiḥ paripūrṇam eva
śrī-kṛṣṇa-kuṇḍa-gata-tīrtha-varāḥ prasahya
bhittveva bhittim ati-vegata eva rādhā-
kuṇḍaṁ vyadhuḥ sva-salilaiḥ paripūrṇam eva
“Thus gaining the grace of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, the holy rivers and lakes in Śrī Kṛṣṇa-kuṇḍa forcibly broke through its boundary walls and swiftly filled Rādhā-kuṇḍa with their waters.”
proce hariḥ priyatame tava kuṇḍam etan
mat-kuṇḍato ’pi mahimādhikam astu loke
atraiva me salila-kelir ihaiva nityaṁ
snānaṁ yathā tvam asi tadvad idaṁ saro me
mat-kuṇḍato ’pi mahimādhikam astu loke
atraiva me salila-kelir ihaiva nityaṁ
snānaṁ yathā tvam asi tadvad idaṁ saro me
“Lord Hari then said, ‘My dear Rādhā, may this pond of Yours become even more world-renowned than Mine. I will always come here to bathe and to enjoy My water pastimes. Indeed, this lake is as dear to Me as You are.’”
rādhābravīd aham api sva-sakhībhir etya
snāsyāmy ariṣṭa-śata-mardanam astu tasya
yo ’riṣṭa-mardana-sarasy uru-bhaktir atra
snāyād vasen mama sa eva mahā-priyo ’stu
snāsyāmy ariṣṭa-śata-mardanam astu tasya
yo ’riṣṭa-mardana-sarasy uru-bhaktir atra
snāyād vasen mama sa eva mahā-priyo ’stu
“Rādhā replied, ‘I will come to bathe in Your pond as well, even though You may kill hundreds of Ariṣṭa demons here. In the future, anyone who has intense devotion for this lake, which is on the spot where You chastised Ariṣṭāsura, and who bathes or resides here is sure to become very dear to Me.’”
rāsotsavaṁ prakurute sma ca tatra rātrau
kṛṣṇāmbudaḥ kṛta-mahā-rasa-harṣa-varṣaḥ
śrī-rādhikā-pravara-vidyud alaṅkṛta-śrīs
trailokya-madhya-vitatī-kṛta-divya-kīrtiḥ
kṛṣṇāmbudaḥ kṛta-mahā-rasa-harṣa-varṣaḥ
śrī-rādhikā-pravara-vidyud alaṅkṛta-śrīs
trailokya-madhya-vitatī-kṛta-divya-kīrtiḥ
“That night Lord Kṛṣṇa initiated a rāsa dance at Rādhā-kuṇḍa, generating a torrent of the greatest mood of splendorous pleasure. Śrī Kṛṣṇa resembled a cloud, and Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī a brilliant flash of lightning filling the sky with abundant beauty. In this way Their divine glories permeated the expanses of the three worlds.”
As a final note, it should be mentioned that Nārada Muni, being a great sage, understood that the killing of Ariṣṭa more or less concluded the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana. Therefore Nārada, anxious to facilitate the transferal of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes to Mathurā, approached Kaṁsa and addressed him as follows.
Devanagari
यशोदाया: सुतां कन्यां देवक्या: कृष्णमेव च ।
रामं च रोहिणीपुत्रं वसुदेवेन बिभ्यता ।
न्यस्तौ स्वमित्रे नन्दे वै याभ्यां ते पुरुषा हता: ॥ १७ ॥
रामं च रोहिणीपुत्रं वसुदेवेन बिभ्यता ।
न्यस्तौ स्वमित्रे नन्दे वै याभ्यां ते पुरुषा हता: ॥ १७ ॥
Verse text
yaśodāyāḥ sutāṁ kanyāṁ
devakyāḥ kṛṣṇam eva ca
rāmaṁ ca rohiṇī-putraṁ
vasudevena bibhyatā
nyastau sva-mitre nande vai
yābhyāṁ te puruṣā hatāḥ
devakyāḥ kṛṣṇam eva ca
rāmaṁ ca rohiṇī-putraṁ
vasudevena bibhyatā
nyastau sva-mitre nande vai
yābhyāṁ te puruṣā hatāḥ
Synonyms
yaśodāyāḥ — of Yaśodā; sutām — the daughter; kanyām — the female child; devakyāḥ — of Devakī; kṛṣṇam — Kṛṣṇa; eva ca — also; rāmam — Balarāma; ca — and; rohiṇī-putram — the son of Rohiṇī; vasudevena — by Vasudeva; bibhyatā — who was afraid; nyastau — placed; sva-mitre — with his friend; nande — Nanda Mahārāja; vai — indeed; yābhyām — by which two; te — your; puruṣāḥ — men; hatāḥ — have been killed.
Translation
[Nārada told Kaṁsa:] Yaśodā’s child was actually a daughter, and Kṛṣṇa is the son of Devakī. Also, Rāma is the son of Rohiṇī. Out of fear, Vasudeva entrusted Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to his friend Nanda Mahārāja, and it is these two boys who have killed your men.
Purport
Kaṁsa had been led to believe that Kṛṣṇa was the son of Yaśodā and that Devakī’s eighth child had been a daughter. The identity of Devakī’s eighth child was extremely important to Kaṁsa because a prophecy had foretold that her eighth child would kill him. Here Nārada informs the King that the eighth child of Devakī was the formidable Kṛṣṇa, thus implying that the prophecy should be taken very seriously. Having received this information, Kaṁsa obviously will now do everything in his power to kill Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.
Devanagari
निशम्य तद्भोजपति: कोपात्प्रचलितेन्द्रिय: ।
निशातमसिमादत्त वसुदेवजिघांसया ॥ १८ ॥
निशातमसिमादत्त वसुदेवजिघांसया ॥ १८ ॥
Verse text
niśamya tad bhoja-patiḥ
kopāt pracalitendriyaḥ
niśātam asim ādatta
vasudeva-jighāṁsayā
kopāt pracalitendriyaḥ
niśātam asim ādatta
vasudeva-jighāṁsayā
Synonyms
Translation
Upon hearing this, the master of the Bhojas became furious and lost control of his senses. He picked up a sharp sword to kill Vasudeva.
Devanagari
निवारितो नारदेन तत्सुतौ मृत्युमात्मन: ।
ज्ञात्वा लोहमयै: पाशैर्बबन्ध सह भार्यया ॥ १९ ॥
ज्ञात्वा लोहमयै: पाशैर्बबन्ध सह भार्यया ॥ १९ ॥
Verse text
nivārito nāradena
tat-sutau mṛtyum ātmanaḥ
jñātvā loha-mayaiḥ pāśair
babandha saha bhāryayā
tat-sutau mṛtyum ātmanaḥ
jñātvā loha-mayaiḥ pāśair
babandha saha bhāryayā
Synonyms
Translation
But Nārada restrained Kaṁsa by reminding him that it was the two sons of Vasudeva who would cause his death. Kaṁsa then had Vasudeva and his wife shackled in iron chains.
Purport
Kaṁsa realized that there was no use in killing Vasudeva, since it was Vasudeva’s sons, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, who were to kill him. According to the ācāryas, Nārada also advised Kaṁsa that if he killed Vasudeva the two young boys might flee and that it was therefore better not to kill him. Rather, Nārada recommended, Kaṁsa should bring Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to Kaṁsa’s capital city, Mathurā.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī points out that Nārada did not act inimically toward the great devotees Vasudeva and Devakī when he revealed this information to Kaṁsa. In fact, as explained in the Eleventh Canto, Vasudeva was grateful to Nārada because he was arranging for Kaṁsa’s death at Kṛṣṇa’s hands, and further arranging for Kṛṣṇa to come and live in Mathurā, where His loving father could associate with Him.
Devanagari
प्रतियाते तु देवर्षौ कंस आभाष्य केशिनम् ।
प्रेषयामास हन्येतां भवता रामकेशवौ ॥ २० ॥
प्रेषयामास हन्येतां भवता रामकेशवौ ॥ २० ॥
Verse text
pratiyāte tu devarṣau
kaṁsa ābhāṣya keśinam
preṣayām āsa hanyetāṁ
bhavatā rāma-keśavau
kaṁsa ābhāṣya keśinam
preṣayām āsa hanyetāṁ
bhavatā rāma-keśavau
Synonyms
Translation
After Nārada left, King Kaṁsa summoned Keśī and ordered him, “Go kill Rāma and Kṛṣṇa.”
Purport
Before having Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma brought to Mathurā, Kaṁsa tried sending one more demon to Vṛndāvana.
Devanagari
ततो मुष्टिकचाणूरशलतोशलकादिकान् ।
अमात्यान् हस्तिपांश्चैव समाहूयाह भोजराट् ॥ २१ ॥
अमात्यान् हस्तिपांश्चैव समाहूयाह भोजराट् ॥ २१ ॥
Verse text
tato muṣṭika-cāṇūra
śala-tośalakādikān
amātyān hastipāṁś caiva
samāhūyāha bhoja-rāṭ
śala-tośalakādikān
amātyān hastipāṁś caiva
samāhūyāha bhoja-rāṭ
Synonyms
Translation
The King of the Bhojas next called for his ministers, headed by Muṣṭika, Cāṇūra, Śala and Tośala, and also for his elephant-keepers. The King addressed them as follows.
Devanagari
भो भो निशम्यतामेतद् वीरचाणूरमुष्टिकौ ।
नन्दव्रजे किलासाते सुतावानकदुन्दुभे: ॥ २२ ॥
रामकृष्णौ ततो मह्यं मृत्यु: किल निदर्शित: ।
भवद्भ्यामिह सम्प्राप्तौ हन्येतां मल्ललीलया ॥ २३ ॥
नन्दव्रजे किलासाते सुतावानकदुन्दुभे: ॥ २२ ॥
रामकृष्णौ ततो मह्यं मृत्यु: किल निदर्शित: ।
भवद्भ्यामिह सम्प्राप्तौ हन्येतां मल्ललीलया ॥ २३ ॥
Verse text
bho bho niśamyatām etad
vīra-cāṇūra-muṣṭikau
nanda-vraje kilāsāte
sutāv ānakadundubheḥ
vīra-cāṇūra-muṣṭikau
nanda-vraje kilāsāte
sutāv ānakadundubheḥ
rāma-kṛṣṇau tato mahyaṁ
mṛtyuḥ kila nidarśitaḥ
bhavadbhyām iha samprāptau
hanyetāṁ malla-līlayā
mṛtyuḥ kila nidarśitaḥ
bhavadbhyām iha samprāptau
hanyetāṁ malla-līlayā
Synonyms
bhoḥ bhoḥ — my dear (advisers); niśamyatām — please listen; etat — to this; vīra — O heroes; cāṇūra-muṣṭikau — Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika; nanda-vraje — in the cowherd village of Nanda; kila — indeed; āsāte — are living; sutau — the two sons; ānakadundubheḥ — of Vasudeva; rāma-kṛṣṇau — Rāma and Kṛṣṇa; tataḥ — from Them; mahyam — my; mṛtyuḥ — death; kila — indeed; nidarśitaḥ — has been indicated; bhavadbhyām — by you two; iha — here; samprāptau — brought; hanyetām — They should be killed; malla — of wrestling; līlayā — on the pretext of the sport.
Translation
My dear heroic Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika, please hear this. Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, the sons of Ānakadundubhi [Vasudeva], are living in Nanda’s cowherd village. It has been predicted that these two boys will be the cause of my death. When They are brought here, kill Them on the pretext of engaging Them in a wrestling match.
Devanagari
मञ्चा: क्रियन्तां विविधा मल्लरङ्गपरिश्रिता: ।
पौरा जानपदा: सर्वे पश्यन्तु स्वैरसंयुगम् ॥ २४ ॥
पौरा जानपदा: सर्वे पश्यन्तु स्वैरसंयुगम् ॥ २४ ॥
Verse text
mañcāḥ kriyantāṁ vividhā
malla-raṅga-pariśritāḥ
paurā jānapadāḥ sarve
paśyantu svaira-saṁyugam
malla-raṅga-pariśritāḥ
paurā jānapadāḥ sarve
paśyantu svaira-saṁyugam
Synonyms
mancāḥ — stages; kriyantām — should be built; vividhāḥ — various; malla-raṅga — a wrestling ring; pariśritāḥ — surrounding; paurāḥ — the residents of the city; jānapadāḥ — and the residents of the outlying districts; sarve — all; paśyantu — should see; svaira — voluntarily participated in; saṁyugam — the competition.
Translation
Erect a wrestling ring with many surrounding viewing stands, and bring all the residents of the city and the outlying districts to see the open competition.
Purport
The word mañcāḥ refers to platforms constructed with large pillars. Kaṁsa wanted a festive atmosphere so that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma would not be afraid to come.
Devanagari
महामात्र त्वया भद्र रङ्गद्वार्युपनीयताम् ।
द्विप: कुवलयापीडो जहि तेन ममाहितौ ॥ २५ ॥
द्विप: कुवलयापीडो जहि तेन ममाहितौ ॥ २५ ॥
Verse text
mahāmātra tvayā bhadra
raṅga-dvāry upanīyatām
dvipaḥ kuvalayāpīḍo
jahi tena mamāhitau
raṅga-dvāry upanīyatām
dvipaḥ kuvalayāpīḍo
jahi tena mamāhitau
Synonyms
Translation
You, elephant-keeper, my good man, should position the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa at the entrance to the wrestling arena and have him kill my two enemies.
Devanagari
आरभ्यतां धनुर्यागश्चतुर्दश्यां यथाविधि ।
विशसन्तु पशून्मेध्यान् भूतराजाय मीढुषे ॥ २६ ॥
विशसन्तु पशून्मेध्यान् भूतराजाय मीढुषे ॥ २६ ॥
Verse text
ārabhyatāṁ dhanur-yāgaś
caturdaśyāṁ yathā-vidhi
viśasantu paśūn medhyān
bhūta-rājāya mīḍhuṣe
caturdaśyāṁ yathā-vidhi
viśasantu paśūn medhyān
bhūta-rājāya mīḍhuṣe
Synonyms
ārabhyatām — should be commenced; dhanuḥ-yāgaḥ — the bow sacrifice; caturdaśyām — on the fourteenth day of the month; yathā-vidhi — in accordance with Vedic injunctions; viśasantu — offer in sacrifice; paśūn — animals; medhyān — which are fit to be offered; bhūta-rājāya — to Lord Śiva, the lord of ghostly spirits; mīḍhuṣe — the giver of benedictions.
Translation
Commence the bow sacrifice on the Caturdaśī day in accordance with the relevant Vedic injunctions. In ritual slaughter offer the appropriate kinds of animals to the magnanimous Lord Śiva.
Devanagari
इत्याज्ञाप्यार्थतन्त्रज्ञ आहूय यदुपुङ्गवम् ।
गृहीत्वा पाणिना पाणिं ततोऽक्रूरमुवाच ह ॥ २७ ॥
गृहीत्वा पाणिना पाणिं ततोऽक्रूरमुवाच ह ॥ २७ ॥
Verse text
ity ājñāpyārtha-tantra-jña
āhūya yadu-puṅgavam
gṛhītvā pāṇinā pāṇiṁ
tato ’krūram uvāca ha
āhūya yadu-puṅgavam
gṛhītvā pāṇinā pāṇiṁ
tato ’krūram uvāca ha
Synonyms
iti — with these words; ājñāpya — ordering; artha — of personal interest and advantage; tantra — of the doctrine; jñaḥ — the knower; āhūya — calling for; yadu-puṅgavam — the most eminent of the Yadus; gṛhītvā — taking; pāṇinā — with his own hand; pāṇim — his hand; tataḥ — then; akrūram — to Akrūra; uvāca ha — he said.
Translation
Having thus commanded his ministers, Kaṁsa next called for Akrūra, the most eminent of the Yadus. Kaṁsa knew the art of securing personal advantage, and thus he took Akrūra’s hand in his own and spoke to him as follows.
Devanagari
भो भो दानपते मह्यं क्रियतां मैत्रमादृत: ।
नान्यस्त्वत्तो हिततमो विद्यते भोजवृष्णिषु ॥ २८ ॥
नान्यस्त्वत्तो हिततमो विद्यते भोजवृष्णिषु ॥ २८ ॥
Verse text
bho bho dāna-pate mahyaṁ
kriyatāṁ maitram ādṛtaḥ
nānyas tvatto hitatamo
vidyate bhoja-vṛṣṇiṣu
kriyatāṁ maitram ādṛtaḥ
nānyas tvatto hitatamo
vidyate bhoja-vṛṣṇiṣu
Synonyms
Translation
My dear Akrūra, most charitable one, please do me a friendly favor out of respect. Among the Bhojas and Vṛṣṇis, there is no one else as kind to us as you.
Devanagari
अतस्त्वामाश्रित: सौम्य कार्यगौरवसाधनम् ।
यथेन्द्रो विष्णुमाश्रित्य स्वार्थमध्यगमद् विभु: ॥ २९ ॥
यथेन्द्रो विष्णुमाश्रित्य स्वार्थमध्यगमद् विभु: ॥ २९ ॥
Verse text
atas tvām āśritaḥ saumya
kārya-gaurava-sādhanam
yathendro viṣṇum āśritya
svārtham adhyagamad vibhuḥ
kārya-gaurava-sādhanam
yathendro viṣṇum āśritya
svārtham adhyagamad vibhuḥ
Synonyms
ataḥ — therefore; tvām — on you; āśritaḥ — (I am) depending; saumya — O gentle one; kārya — prescribed duties; gaurava — soberly; sādhanam — who executes; yathā — as similarly; indraḥ — Indra; viṣṇum — Lord Viṣṇu; āśritya — taking shelter of; sva-artham — his goals; adhyagamat — achieved; vibhuḥ — the powerful King of heaven.
Translation
Gentle Akrūra, you always carry out your duties soberly, and therefore I am depending on you, just as powerful Indra took shelter of Lord Viṣṇu to achieve his goals.
Devanagari
गच्छ नन्दव्रजं तत्र सुतावानकदुन्दुभे: ।
आसाते ताविहानेन रथेनानय मा चिरम् ॥ ३० ॥
आसाते ताविहानेन रथेनानय मा चिरम् ॥ ३० ॥
Verse text
gaccha nanda-vrajaṁ tatra
sutāv ānakadundubheḥ
āsāte tāv ihānena
rathenānaya mā ciram
sutāv ānakadundubheḥ
āsāte tāv ihānena
rathenānaya mā ciram
Synonyms
Translation
Please go to Nanda’s village, where the two sons of Ānakadundubhi are living, and without delay bring Them here on this chariot.
Purport
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī gives the following interesting note: “When King Kaṁsa said ‘with this chariot,’ he pointed with his index finger to a brand-new, attractive chariot. Kaṁsa thought that since Akrūra was innocent by nature, when he saw this fine, new vehicle he would naturally want to drive it and quickly bring the two boys back. But the actual reason Akrūra went on a new chariot was that it would have been clearly inappropriate for the Supreme Personality of Godhead to mount a chariot that had already been enjoyed by the wicked Kaṁsa.”
Devanagari
निसृष्ट: किल मे मृत्युर्देवैर्वैकुण्ठसंश्रयै: ।
तावानय समं गोपैर्नन्दाद्यै: साभ्युपायनै: ॥ ३१ ॥
तावानय समं गोपैर्नन्दाद्यै: साभ्युपायनै: ॥ ३१ ॥
Verse text
nisṛṣṭaḥ kila me mṛtyur
devair vaikuṇṭha-saṁśrayaiḥ
tāv ānaya samaṁ gopair
nandādyaiḥ sābhyupāyanaiḥ
devair vaikuṇṭha-saṁśrayaiḥ
tāv ānaya samaṁ gopair
nandādyaiḥ sābhyupāyanaiḥ
Synonyms
Translation
The demigods, who are under the protection of Viṣṇu, have sent these two boys as my death. Bring Them here, and also have Nanda and the other cowherd men come with gifts of tribute.
Devanagari
घातयिष्य इहानीतौ कालकल्पेन हस्तिना ।
यदि मुक्तौ ततो मल्लैर्घातये वैद्युतोपमै: ॥ ३२ ॥
यदि मुक्तौ ततो मल्लैर्घातये वैद्युतोपमै: ॥ ३२ ॥
Verse text
ghātayiṣya ihānītau
kāla-kalpena hastinā
yadi muktau tato mallair
ghātaye vaidyutopamaiḥ
kāla-kalpena hastinā
yadi muktau tato mallair
ghātaye vaidyutopamaiḥ
Synonyms
Translation
After you bring Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, I will have Them killed by my elephant, who is as powerful as death itself. And if by chance They escape from him, I will have Them killed by my wrestlers, who are as strong as lightning.
Devanagari
तयोर्निहतयोस्तप्तान् वसुदेवपुरोगमान् ।
तद्बन्धून् निहनिष्यामि वृष्णिभोजदशार्हकान् ॥ ३३ ॥
तद्बन्धून् निहनिष्यामि वृष्णिभोजदशार्हकान् ॥ ३३ ॥
Verse text
tayor nihatayos taptān
vasudeva-purogamān
tad-bandhūn nihaniṣyāmi
vṛṣṇi-bhoja-daśārhakān
vasudeva-purogamān
tad-bandhūn nihaniṣyāmi
vṛṣṇi-bhoja-daśārhakān
Synonyms
Translation
When these two have been killed, I will kill Vasudeva and all Their lamenting relatives — the Vṛṣṇis, Bhojas and Daśārhas.
Purport
Even today there are wicked political leaders throughout the world who make such plans and even carry them out.
Devanagari
उग्रसेनं च पितरं स्थविरं राज्यकामुकं ।
तद्भ्रातरं देवकं च ये चान्ये विद्विषो मम ॥ ३४ ॥
तद्भ्रातरं देवकं च ये चान्ये विद्विषो मम ॥ ३४ ॥
Verse text
ugrasenaṁ ca pitaraṁ
sthaviraṁ rājya-kāmukaṁ
tad-bhrātaraṁ devakaṁ ca
ye cānye vidviṣo mama
sthaviraṁ rājya-kāmukaṁ
tad-bhrātaraṁ devakaṁ ca
ye cānye vidviṣo mama
Synonyms
Translation
I will also kill my old father, Ugrasena, who is greedy for my kingdom, and I will kill his brother Devaka and all my other enemies as well.
Devanagari
ततश्चैषा मही मित्र भवित्री नष्टकण्टका ॥ ३५ ॥
Verse text
tataś caiṣā mahī mitra
bhavitrī naṣṭa-kaṇṭakā
bhavitrī naṣṭa-kaṇṭakā
Synonyms
Translation
Then, my friend, this earth will be free of thorns.
Devanagari
जरासन्धो मम गुरुर्द्विविदो दयित: सखा ।
शम्बरो नरको बाणो मय्येव कृतसौहृदा: ।
तैरहं सुरपक्षीयान् हत्वा भोक्ष्ये महीं नृपान् ॥ ३६ ॥
शम्बरो नरको बाणो मय्येव कृतसौहृदा: ।
तैरहं सुरपक्षीयान् हत्वा भोक्ष्ये महीं नृपान् ॥ ३६ ॥
Verse text
jarāsandho mama gurur
dvivido dayitaḥ sakhā
śambaro narako bāṇo
mayy eva kṛta-sauhṛdāḥ
tair ahaṁ sura-pakṣīyān
hatvā bhokṣye mahīṁ nṛpān
dvivido dayitaḥ sakhā
śambaro narako bāṇo
mayy eva kṛta-sauhṛdāḥ
tair ahaṁ sura-pakṣīyān
hatvā bhokṣye mahīṁ nṛpān
Synonyms
jarāsandhaḥ — Jarāsandha; mama — my; guruḥ — elder (father-in-law); dvividaḥ — Dvivida; dayitaḥ — my dear; sakhā — friend; śambaraḥ — Śambara; narakaḥ — Naraka; bāṇaḥ — Bāṇa; mayi — for me; eva — indeed; kṛta-sauhṛdāḥ — who have strong friendship; taiḥ — with them; aham — 1; sura — of the demigods; pakṣīyān — those who are allies; hatvā — killing; bhokṣye — will enjoy; mahīm — the earth; nṛpān — the kings.
Translation
My elder relative Jarāsandha and my dear friend Dvivida are solid well-wishers of mine, as are Śambara, Naraka and Bāṇa. I will use them all to kill off those kings who are allied with the demigods, and then I will rule the earth.
Devanagari
एतज्ज्ञात्वानय क्षिप्रं रामकृष्णाविहार्भकौ ।
धनुर्मखनिरीक्षार्थं द्रष्टुं यदुपुरश्रियम् ॥ ३७ ॥
धनुर्मखनिरीक्षार्थं द्रष्टुं यदुपुरश्रियम् ॥ ३७ ॥
Verse text
etaj jñātvānaya kṣipraṁ
rāma-kṛṣṇāv ihārbhakau
dhanur-makha-nirīkṣārthaṁ
draṣṭuṁ yadu-pura-śriyam
rāma-kṛṣṇāv ihārbhakau
dhanur-makha-nirīkṣārthaṁ
draṣṭuṁ yadu-pura-śriyam
Synonyms
Translation
Now that you understand my intentions, please go at once and bring Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to watch the bow sacrifice and see the opulence of the Yadus’ capital.
Devanagari
श्रीअक्रूर उवाच
राजन् मनीषितं सध्र्यक् तव स्वावद्यमार्जनम् ।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्यो: समं कुर्याद्दैवं हि फलसाधनम् ॥ ३८ ॥
राजन् मनीषितं सध्र्यक् तव स्वावद्यमार्जनम् ।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्यो: समं कुर्याद्दैवं हि फलसाधनम् ॥ ३८ ॥
Verse text
śrī-akrūra uvāca
rājan manīṣitaṁ sadhryak
tava svāvadya-mārjanam
siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samaṁ kuryād
daivaṁ hi phala-sādhanam
rājan manīṣitaṁ sadhryak
tava svāvadya-mārjanam
siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samaṁ kuryād
daivaṁ hi phala-sādhanam
Synonyms
śrī-akrūraḥ uvāca — Śrī Akrūra said; rājan — O King; manīṣitam — the thinking; sadhryak — perfect; tava — your; sva — your own; avadya — misfortune; mārjanam — which will wash away; siddhi-asiddhyoḥ — in both success and failure; samam — equal; kuryāt — one should act; daivam — destiny; hi — after all; phala — the fruit, result; sādhanam — the cause of achieving.
Translation
Śrī Akrūra said: O King, you have expertly devised a process to free yourself of misfortune. Still, one should be equal in success and failure, since it is certainly destiny that produces the results of one’s work.
Devanagari
मनोरथान् करोत्युच्चैर्जनो दैवहतानपि ।
युज्यते हर्षशोकाभ्यां तथाप्याज्ञां करोमि ते ॥ ३९ ॥
युज्यते हर्षशोकाभ्यां तथाप्याज्ञां करोमि ते ॥ ३९ ॥
Verse text
manorathān karoty uccair
jano daiva-hatān api
yujyate harṣa-śokābhyāṁ
tathāpy ājñāṁ karomi te
jano daiva-hatān api
yujyate harṣa-śokābhyāṁ
tathāpy ājñāṁ karomi te
Synonyms
manaḥ-rathān — his desires; karoti — carries out; uccaiḥ — fervently; janaḥ — the average person; daiva — by Providence; hatān — thwarted; api — even though; yujyate — he is confronted; harṣa-śokābhyām — by happiness and distress; tathā api — nonetheless; ājñām — order; karomi — I will do; te — your.
Translation
An ordinary person is determined to act on his desires even when fate prevents their fulfillment. Therefore he encounters both happiness and distress. Yet even though such is the case, I will execute your order.
Purport
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that although what Akrūra said was courteous and encouraging, his hidden meaning was far different. What he really meant was this: “Your plan is not fit to execute, yet I will carry it out since you are the King and I am your subject, and in any case, you are about to die.”
Devanagari
श्रीशुक उवाच
एवमादिश्य चाक्रूरं मन्त्रिणश्च विसृज्य स: ।
प्रविवेश गृहं कंसस्तथाक्रूर: स्वमालयम् ॥ ४० ॥
एवमादिश्य चाक्रूरं मन्त्रिणश्च विसृज्य स: ।
प्रविवेश गृहं कंसस्तथाक्रूर: स्वमालयम् ॥ ४० ॥
Verse text
śrī-śuka uvāca
evam ādiśya cākrūraṁ
mantriṇaś ca viṣṛjya saḥ
praviveśa gṛhaṁ kaṁsas
tathākrūraḥ svam ālayam
evam ādiśya cākrūraṁ
mantriṇaś ca viṣṛjya saḥ
praviveśa gṛhaṁ kaṁsas
tathākrūraḥ svam ālayam
Synonyms
Translation
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus instructed Akrūra, King Kaṁsa dismissed his ministers and retired to his quarters, and Akrūra returned home.
Purport
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Thirty-sixth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Slaying of Ariṣṭā, the Bull Demon.”