Before Verses
Devanagari
Verse Text
Synonyms
Translation
Purport
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
The Breaking of the Sacrificial Bow
This chapter describes the benediction Trivakrā received, the breaking of the sacrificial bow, the destruction of Kaṁsa’s soldiers, the inauspicious omens Kaṁsa saw and the festivities at the wrestling arena.
After leaving Sudāmā’s house, Lord Kṛṣṇa came upon Trivakrā, a young hunchbacked maidservant of Kaṁsa’s who was carrying a tray of fine ointments. The Lord asked her who she was and requested some ointment from her. Entranced by His beauty and joking words, Trivakrā gave both Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma a good deal of ointment. In return, Kṛṣṇa stepped on her toes with His lotus feet, took hold of her chin and lifted, thus straightening her spine. The now beautiful and charming Trivakrā then grabbed the edge of Kṛṣṇa’s upper cloth and asked Him to come to her house. Kṛṣṇa replied that after He had taken care of some business He would certainly come and relieve her mental torment. Then the two Lords continued Their sightseeing tour of Mathurā.
As Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma walked along the King’s road, the merchants worshiped Them with various offerings. Kṛṣṇa asked where the bow sacrifice was to take place, and when He arrived at the arena He saw the wonderful bow, which resembled Lord Indra’s. Despite the guards’ protests, Kṛṣṇa forcibly picked up the bow, easily strung it and in an instant broke it in half, producing an ear-splitting sound that filled the heavens and struck terror in the heart of Kaṁsa. The many guards attacked Kṛṣṇa, crying out “Seize Him! Kill Him!” But Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma simply picked up the two halves of the bow and beat the guards to death. Next the Lords annihilated a company of soldiers sent by Kaṁsa, and then They left the arena and continued Their tour.
When the people of the city saw the amazing prowess and beauty of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, they thought They must be two chief demigods. Indeed, as the residents of Mathurā gazed upon the Lords, they enjoyed all the blessings the gopīs had predicted.
At sunset Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma returned to the cowherds’ camp for Their evening meal. They then passed the night resting comfortably. But King Kaṁsa was not so fortunate. When he heard how Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma had easily broken the mighty bow and destroyed his soldiers, he spent the night in great anxiety. Both while awake and while dreaming he saw many ill omens portending his imminent death, and his fear ruined any chance for rest.
At dawn the wrestling festival began. Crowds of people from the city and outlying districts entered the arena and took their seats in the lavishly decorated galleries. Kaṁsa, his heart trembling, sat down on the royal dais and invited Nanda Mahārāja and the other cowherd men to come sit in their places, and they did so after offering him their gifts. The musical overture then began as the sounds of the wrestlers slapping their arms resounded.
Devanagari
श्रीशुक उवाच
अथ व्रजन् राजपथेन माधव:
स्त्रियं गृहीताङ्गविलेपभाजनाम् ।
विलोक्य कुब्जां युवतीं वराननां
पप्रच्छ यान्तीं प्रहसन् रसप्रद: ॥ १ ॥
अथ व्रजन् राजपथेन माधव:
स्त्रियं गृहीताङ्गविलेपभाजनाम् ।
विलोक्य कुब्जां युवतीं वराननां
पप्रच्छ यान्तीं प्रहसन् रसप्रद: ॥ १ ॥
Verse text
śrī-śuka uvāca
atha vrajan rāja-pathena mādhavaḥ
striyaṁ gṛhītāṅga-vilepa-bhājanām
vilokya kubjāṁ yuvatīṁ varānanāṁ
papraccha yāntīṁ prahasan rasa-pradaḥ
atha vrajan rāja-pathena mādhavaḥ
striyaṁ gṛhītāṅga-vilepa-bhājanām
vilokya kubjāṁ yuvatīṁ varānanāṁ
papraccha yāntīṁ prahasan rasa-pradaḥ
Synonyms
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; atha — then; vrajan — walking; rāja-pathena — along the King’s road; mādhavaḥ — Kṛṣṇa; striyam — a woman; gṛhīta — holding; aṅga — for the body; vilepa — with ointments; bhājanām — a tray; vilokya — seeing; kubjām — hunchbacked; yuvatīm — young; vara-ānanām — with an attractive face; papraccha — He inquired; yāntīm — going; prahasan — smiling; rasa — of the pleasure of love; pradaḥ — the bestower.
Translation
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: As He walked down the King’s road, Lord Mādhava then saw a young hunchback woman with an attractive face, who carried a tray of fragrant ointments as she walked along. The bestower of the ecstasy of love smiled and inquired from her as follows.
Purport
According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, the young hunchbacked girl was actually a partial expansion of the Lord’s wife Satyabhāmā. Satyabhāmā is the Lord’s internal energy known as Bhū-śakti, and this expansion of hers, known as Pṛthivī, represents the earth, which was bent down by the great burden of countless wicked rulers. Lord Kṛṣṇa descended to remove these wicked rulers, and thus His pastime of straightening out the hunchback Trivakrā, as explained in these verses, represents His rectifying the burdened condition of the earth. At the same time, the Lord awarded Trivakrā a conjugal relationship with Himself.
In addition to the given meaning, the word rasa-pradaḥ indicates that the Lord amused His cowherd boyfriends by His dealings with the young hunchback.
Devanagari
का त्वं वरोर्वेतदु हानुलेपनंकस्याङ्गने वा कथयस्व साधु न: । देह्यावयोरङ्गविलेपमुत्तमंश्रेयस्ततस्ते न चिराद् भविष्यति ॥ २ ॥
Verse text
kā tvaṁ varorv etad u hānulepanaṁ
kasyāṅgane vā kathayasva sādhu naḥ
dehy āvayor aṅga-vilepam uttamaṁ
śreyas tatas te na cirād bhaviṣyati
kasyāṅgane vā kathayasva sādhu naḥ
dehy āvayor aṅga-vilepam uttamaṁ
śreyas tatas te na cirād bhaviṣyati
Synonyms
kā — who; tvam — you; vara-ūru — O beautiful-thighed one; etat — this; u ha — ah, indeed; anulepanam — ointment; kasya — for whom; aṅgane — My dear woman; vā — or; kathayasva — please tell; sādhu — honestly; naḥ — Us; dehi — please give; āvayoḥ — to Us two; aṅga-vilepam — body ointment; uttamam — excellent; śreyaḥ — benefit; tataḥ — thereafter; te — your; na cirāt — soon; bhaviṣyati — will be.
Translation
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Who are you, O beautiful-thighed one? Ah, ointment! Who is it for, my dear lady? Please tell Us truthfully. Give Us both some of your finest ointment and you will soon gain a great boon.
Purport
The Lord jokingly addressed the lady as varoru, “O beautiful-thighed one.” His joke was not malicious, since He was actually about to make her beautiful.
Devanagari
सैरन्ध्र्युवाच
दास्यस्म्यहं सुन्दर कंससम्मतात्रिवक्रनामा ह्यनुलेपकर्मणि । मद्भावितं भोजपतेरतिप्रियंविना युवां कोऽन्यतमस्तदर्हति ॥ ३ ॥
दास्यस्म्यहं सुन्दर कंससम्मतात्रिवक्रनामा ह्यनुलेपकर्मणि । मद्भावितं भोजपतेरतिप्रियंविना युवां कोऽन्यतमस्तदर्हति ॥ ३ ॥
Verse text
sairandhry uvāca
dāsy asmy ahaṁ sundara kaṁsa-sammatā
trivakra-nāmā hy anulepa-karmaṇi
mad-bhāvitaṁ bhoja-pater ati-priyaṁ
vinā yuvāṁ ko ’nyatamas tad arhati
dāsy asmy ahaṁ sundara kaṁsa-sammatā
trivakra-nāmā hy anulepa-karmaṇi
mad-bhāvitaṁ bhoja-pater ati-priyaṁ
vinā yuvāṁ ko ’nyatamas tad arhati
Synonyms
sairandhrī uvāca — the maidservant said; dāsī — a servant; asmi — am; aham — I; sundara — O handsome one; kaṁsa — by Kaṁsa; sammatā — respected; trivakra-nāmā — known as Trivakrā (“bent in three places”); hi — indeed; anulepa — with ointments; karmaṇi — for my work; mat — by me; bhāvitam — prepared; bhoja-pateḥ — to the chief of the Bhojas; ati-priyam — very dear; vinā — except for; yuvām — You two; kaḥ — who; anyatamaḥ — else; tat — that; arhati — deserves.
Translation
The maidservant replied: O handsome one, I am a servant of King Kaṁsa, who highly regards me for the ointments I make. My name is Trivakrā. Who else but You two deserve my ointments, which the lord of the Bhojas likes so much?
Purport
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that Trivakrā, who is also known as Kubjā, used the singular address sundara, “O handsome one,” to hint that she felt conjugal desire for Kṛṣṇa alone, and she used the dual form yuvām, “for both of You,” to try to hide her conjugal sentiment. The hunchback’s name, Trivakrā, indicates that her body was bent at the neck, chest and waist.
Devanagari
रूपपेशलमाधुर्यहसितालापवीक्षितै: । धर्षितात्मा ददौ सान्द्रमुभयोरनुलेपनम् ॥ ४ ॥
Verse text
rūpa-peśala-mādhurya
hasitālāpa-vīkṣitaiḥ
dharṣitātmā dadau sāndram
ubhayor anulepanam
hasitālāpa-vīkṣitaiḥ
dharṣitātmā dadau sāndram
ubhayor anulepanam
Synonyms
Translation
Her mind overwhelmed by Kṛṣṇa’s beauty, charm, sweetness, smiles, words and glances, Trivakrā gave both Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma generous amounts of ointment.
Purport
This incident is also described in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa (5.20.7):
śrutvā tam āha sā kṛṣṇaṁ
gṛhyatām iti sādaram
anulepanaṁ pradadau
gātra-yogyam athobhayoḥ
gṛhyatām iti sādaram
anulepanaṁ pradadau
gātra-yogyam athobhayoḥ
“Hearing this, she respectfully replied to Lord Kṛṣṇa, ‘Please take it,’ and gave both of Them ointment suitable for applying to Their bodies.”
Devanagari
ततस्तावङ्गरागेण स्ववर्णेतरशोभिना । सम्प्राप्तपरभागेन शुशुभातेऽनुरञ्जितौ ॥ ५ ॥
Verse text
tatas tāv aṅga-rāgeṇa
sva-varṇetara-śobhinā
samprāpta-para-bhāgena
śuśubhāte ’nurañjitau
sva-varṇetara-śobhinā
samprāpta-para-bhāgena
śuśubhāte ’nurañjitau
Synonyms
Translation
Anointed with these most excellent cosmetics, which adorned Them with hues that contrasted with Their complexions, the two Lords appeared extremely beautiful.
Purport
The ācāryas suggest that Kṛṣṇa spread yellow ointment upon His body, and Balarāma blue ointment upon His.
Devanagari
प्रसन्नो भगवान्कुब्जां त्रिवक्रां रुचिराननाम् । ऋज्वीं कर्तुं मनश्चक्रे दर्शयन् दर्शने फलम् ॥ ६ ॥
Verse text
prasanno bhagavān kubjāṁ
trivakrāṁ rucirānanām
ṛjvīṁ kartuṁ manaś cakre
darśayan darśane phalam
trivakrāṁ rucirānanām
ṛjvīṁ kartuṁ manaś cakre
darśayan darśane phalam
Synonyms
Translation
Lord Kṛṣṇa was pleased with Trivakrā, so He decided to straighten that hunchbacked girl with the lovely face just to demonstrate the result of seeing Him.
Devanagari
पद्भ्यामाक्रम्य प्रपदे द्व्यङ्गुल्युत्तानपाणिना । प्रगृह्य चिबुकेऽध्यात्ममुदनीनमदच्युत: ॥ ७ ॥
Verse text
padbhyām ākramya prapade
dry-aṅguly-uttāna-pāṇinā
pragṛhya cibuke ’dhyātmam
udanīnamad acyutaḥ
dry-aṅguly-uttāna-pāṇinā
pragṛhya cibuke ’dhyātmam
udanīnamad acyutaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Pressing down on her toes with both His feet, Lord Acyuta placed one upward-pointing finger of each hand under her chin and straightened up her body.
Devanagari
सा तदर्जुसमानाङ्गी बृहच्छ्रोणिपयोधरा । मुकुन्दस्पर्शनात् सद्यो बभूव प्रमदोत्तमा ॥ ८ ॥
Verse text
sā tadarju-samānāṅgī
bṛhac-chroṇi-payodharā
mukunda-sparśanāt sadyo
babhūva pramadottamā
bṛhac-chroṇi-payodharā
mukunda-sparśanāt sadyo
babhūva pramadottamā
Synonyms
Translation
Simply by Lord Mukunda’s touch, Trivakrā was suddenly transformed into an exquisitely beautiful woman with straight, evenly proportioned limbs and large hips and breasts.
Devanagari
ततो रूपगुणौदार्यसम्पन्ना प्राह केशवम् । उत्तरीयान्तमाकृष्य स्मयन्ती जातहृच्छया ॥ ९ ॥
Verse text
tato rūpa-guṇaudārya-
sampannā prāha keśavam
uttarīyāntam akṛṣya
smayantī jāta-hṛc-chayā
sampannā prāha keśavam
uttarīyāntam akṛṣya
smayantī jāta-hṛc-chayā
Synonyms
Translation
Now endowed with beauty, character and generosity, Trivakrā began to feel lusty desires for Lord Keśava. Taking hold of the end of His upper cloth, she smiled and addressed Him as follows.
Devanagari
एहि वीर गृहं यामो न त्वां त्यक्तुमिहोत्सहे । त्वयोन्मथितचित्ताया: प्रसीद पुरुषर्षभ ॥ १० ॥
Verse text
ehi vīra gṛhaṁ yāmo
na tvāṁ tyaktum ihotsahe
tvayonmathita-cittāyāḥ
prasīda puruṣarṣabha
na tvāṁ tyaktum ihotsahe
tvayonmathita-cittāyāḥ
prasīda puruṣarṣabha
Synonyms
Translation
[Trivakrā said:] Come, O hero, let us go to my house. I cannot bear to leave You here. O best of males, please take pity on me, since You have agitated my mind.
Purport
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī supplies the following conversation:
Kṛṣṇa: Is it for the purpose of dining that you’re inviting Me to your house?
Trivakrā: I simply can’t leave You here.
Kṛṣṇa: But people here on the King’s road will misconstrue what you’re saying and laugh. Therefore please don’t speak like this.
Trivakrā: I can’t help being agitated. You made the mistake of touching me. It’s not my fault.
Devanagari
एवं स्त्रिया याच्यमान: कृष्णो रामस्य पश्यत: । मुखं वीक्ष्यानु गोपानां प्रहसंस्तामुवाच ह ॥ ११ ॥
Verse text
evaṁ striyā yācyamānaḥ
kṛṣṇo rāmasya paśyataḥ
mukhaṁ vīkṣyānu gopānāṁ
prahasaṁs tām uvāca ha
kṛṣṇo rāmasya paśyataḥ
mukhaṁ vīkṣyānu gopānāṁ
prahasaṁs tām uvāca ha
Synonyms
Translation
Thus entreated by the woman, Lord Kṛṣṇa first glanced at the face of Balarāma, who was watching the incident, and then at the faces of the cowherd boys. Then with a laugh Kṛṣṇa replied to her as follows.
Devanagari
एष्यामि ते गृहं सुभ्रु पुंसामाधिविकर्शनम् । साधितार्थोऽगृहाणां न: पान्थानां त्वं परायणम् ॥ १२ ॥
Verse text
eṣyāmi te gṛhaṁ su-bhru
puṁsām ādhi-vikarśanam
sādhitārtho ’gṛhāṇāṁ naḥ
pānthānāṁ tvaṁ parāyaṇam
puṁsām ādhi-vikarśanam
sādhitārtho ’gṛhāṇāṁ naḥ
pānthānāṁ tvaṁ parāyaṇam
Synonyms
eṣyāmi — I will go; te — your; gṛham — to the house; su-bhru — O you who have beautiful eyebrows; puṁsām — of men; ādhi — the mental distress; vikarśanam — which eradicates; sādhita — having accomplished; arthaḥ — My purpose; agṛhāṇām — who have no home; naḥ — for Us; pānthānām — who are traveling on the road; tvam — you; para — the best; ayanam — shelter.
Translation
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] O lady with beautiful eyebrows, as soon as I fulfill My purpose I will certainly visit your house, where men can relieve their anxiety. Indeed, you are the best refuge for Us homeless travelers.
Purport
By the word agṛhāṇām, Śrī Kṛṣṇa indicated not only that He had no fixed residence but also that He was not yet married.
Devanagari
विसृज्य माध्व्या वाण्या ताम्व्रजन् मार्गे वणिक्पथै: । नानोपायनताम्बूलस्रग्गन्धै: साग्रजोऽर्चित: ॥ १३ ॥
Verse text
visṛjya mādhvyā vāṇyā tām
vrajan mārge vaṇik-pathaiḥ
nānopāyana-tāmbūla-
srag-gandhaiḥ sāgrajo ’rcitaḥ
vrajan mārge vaṇik-pathaiḥ
nānopāyana-tāmbūla-
srag-gandhaiḥ sāgrajo ’rcitaḥ
Synonyms
visṛjya — leaving; mādhvyā — sweet; vāṇyā — with words; tām — her; vrajan — walking; mārge — along the road; vaṇik-pathaiḥ — by the merchants; nānā — with various; upāyana — respectful offerings; tāmbūla — betel nut; srak — garlands; gandhaiḥ — and fragrant substances; sa — together with; agra-jaḥ — His elder brother; arcitaḥ — worshiped.
Translation
Leaving her with these sweet words, Lord Kṛṣṇa walked further down the road. The merchants along the way worshiped Him and His elder brother by presenting Them with various respectful offerings, including pān, garlands and fragrant substances.
Devanagari
तद्दर्शनस्मरक्षोभादात्मानं नाविदन् स्त्रिय: । विस्रस्तवास:कवरवलया लेख्यमूर्तय: ॥ १४ ॥
Verse text
tad-darśana-smara-kṣobhād
ātmānaṁ nāvidan striyaḥ
visrasta-vāsaḥ-kavara
valayā lekhya-mūrtayaḥ
ātmānaṁ nāvidan striyaḥ
visrasta-vāsaḥ-kavara
valayā lekhya-mūrtayaḥ
Synonyms
tat — Him; darśana — because of seeing; smara — due to the effects of Cupid; kṣobhāt — by their agitation; ātmānam — themselves; na avidan — could not recognize; striyaḥ — the women; visrasta — disheveled; vāsaḥ — their clothes; kavara — the locks of their hair; valayāḥ — and their bangles; lekhya — (as if) drawn in a picture; mūrtayaḥ — their forms.
Translation
The sight of Kṛṣṇa aroused Cupid in the hearts of the city women. Thus agitated, they forgot themselves. Their clothes, braids and bangles became disheveled, and they stood as still as figures in a painting.
Purport
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī states that since the women of Mathurā immediately experienced symptoms of conjugal attraction when they saw Kṛṣṇa, they were the most advanced devotees in the city. The ten effects of Cupid are described as follows: cakṣū-rāgaḥ prathamaṁ cittāsaṅgas tato ’tha saṅkalpaḥ nidrā-cchedas tanutā viṣaya-nivṛttis trapā-nasaḥ/ unmādo mūrcchā mṛtir ity etāḥ smara-daśā daśaiva syuḥ. “First comes attraction expressed through the eyes, then intense attachment in the mind, then determination, loss of sleep, becoming emaciated, disinterest in external things, shamelessness, madness, becoming stunned and death. These are the ten stages of Cupid’s effects.”
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī also points out that devotees who possess pure love of Godhead generally do not exhibit the symptom of death, since this is inauspicious in relation to Kṛṣṇa. They do, however, manifest the other nine symptoms, culminating in becoming stunned in ecstasy.
Devanagari
तत: पौरान् पृच्छमानो धनुष: स्थानमच्युत: । तस्मिन् प्रविष्टो ददृशे धनुरैन्द्रमिवाद्भुतम् ॥ १५ ॥
Verse text
tataḥ paurān pṛcchamāno
dhanuṣaḥ sthānam acyutaḥ
tasmin praviṣṭo dadṛśe
dhanur aindram ivādbhutam
dhanuṣaḥ sthānam acyutaḥ
tasmin praviṣṭo dadṛśe
dhanur aindram ivādbhutam
Synonyms
Translation
Lord Kṛṣṇa then asked the local people where the arena was in which the bow sacrifice would take place. When He went there He saw the amazing bow, which resembled Lord Indra’s.
Devanagari
पुरुषैर्बहुभिर्गुप्तमर्चितं परमर्द्धिमत् । वार्यमाणो नृभि: कृष्ण: प्रसह्य धनुराददे ॥ १६ ॥
Verse text
puruṣair bahubhir guptam
arcitaṁ paramarddhimat
vāryamāṇo nṛbhiḥ kṛṣṇaḥ
prasahya dhanur ādade
arcitaṁ paramarddhimat
vāryamāṇo nṛbhiḥ kṛṣṇaḥ
prasahya dhanur ādade
Synonyms
Translation
That most opulent bow was guarded by a large company of men, who were respectfully worshiping it. Kṛṣṇa pushed His way forward and, despite the guards’ attempts to stop Him, picked it up.
Devanagari
करेण वामेन सलीलमुद्धृतंसज्यं च कृत्वा निमिषेण पश्यताम् । नृणां विकृष्य प्रबभञ्ज मध्यतोयथेक्षुदण्डं मदकर्युरुक्रम: ॥ १७ ॥
Verse text
kareṇa vāmena sa-līlam uddhṛtaṁ
sajyaṁ ca kṛtvā nimiṣeṇa paśyatām
nṛṇāṁ vikṛṣya prababhañja madhyato
yathekṣu-daṇḍaṁ mada-kary urukramaḥ
sajyaṁ ca kṛtvā nimiṣeṇa paśyatām
nṛṇāṁ vikṛṣya prababhañja madhyato
yathekṣu-daṇḍaṁ mada-kary urukramaḥ
Synonyms
kareṇa — with His hand; vāmena — left; sa-līlam — playfully; uddhṛtam — lifted; sajyam — the stringing; ca — and; kṛtvā — doing; nimiṣeṇa — in the wink of an eye; paśyatām — as they watched; nṛṇām — the guards; vikṛṣya — pulling it taut; prababhañja — He broke it; madhyataḥ — in the middle; yathā — as; ikṣu — of sugarcane; daṇḍam — a stick; mada-karī — an excited elephant; urukramaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Translation
Easily lifting the bow with His left hand, Lord Urukrama strung it in a fraction of a second as the King’s guards looked on. He then powerfully pulled the string and snapped the bow in half, just as an excited elephant might break a stalk of sugar cane.
Devanagari
धनुषो भज्यमानस्य शब्द: खं रोदसी दिश: । पूरयामास यं श्रुत्वा कंसस्त्रासमुपागमत् ॥ १८ ॥
Verse text
dhanuṣo bhajyamānasya
śabdaḥ khaṁ rodasī diśaḥ
pūrayām āsa yaṁ śrutvā
kaṁsas trāsam upāgamat
śabdaḥ khaṁ rodasī diśaḥ
pūrayām āsa yaṁ śrutvā
kaṁsas trāsam upāgamat
Synonyms
Translation
The sound of the bow’s breaking filled the earth and sky in all directions. Upon hearing it, Kaṁsa was struck with terror.
Devanagari
तद् रक्षिण: सानुचरं कुपिता आततायिन: । गृहीतुकामा आवव्रुर्गृह्यतां वध्यतामिति ॥ १९ ॥
Verse text
tad-rakṣiṇaḥ sānucaraṁ
kupitā ātatāyinaḥ
gṛhītu-kāmā āvavrur
gṛhyatāṁ vadhyatām iti
kupitā ātatāyinaḥ
gṛhītu-kāmā āvavrur
gṛhyatāṁ vadhyatām iti
Synonyms
Translation
The enraged guards then took up their weapons and, wanting to seize Kṛṣṇa and His companions, surrounded them and shouted, “Grab Him! Kill Him!”
Devanagari
अथ तान्दुरभिप्रायान् विलोक्य बलकेशवौ । क्रुद्धौ धन्वन आदाय शकले तांश्च जघ्नतु: ॥ २० ॥
Verse text
atha tān durabhiprāyān
vilokya bala-keśavau
kruddhau dhanvana ādāya
śakale tāṁś ca jaghnatuḥ
vilokya bala-keśavau
kruddhau dhanvana ādāya
śakale tāṁś ca jaghnatuḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Seeing the guards coming upon Them with evil intent, Balarāma and Keśava took up the two halves of the bow and began striking them down.
Devanagari
बलं च कंसप्रहितं हत्वा शालामुखात्तत: । निष्क्रम्य चेरतुर्हृष्टौ निरीक्ष्य पुरसम्पद: ॥ २१ ॥
Verse text
balaṁ ca kaṁsa-prahitaṁ
hatvā śālā-mukhāt tataḥ
niṣkramya ceratur hṛṣṭau
nirīkṣya pura-sampadaḥ
hatvā śālā-mukhāt tataḥ
niṣkramya ceratur hṛṣṭau
nirīkṣya pura-sampadaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
After also killing a contingent of soldiers sent by Kaṁsa, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma left the sacrificial arena by its main gate and continued Their walk about the city, happily looking at the opulent sights.
Devanagari
Verse text
tayos tad adbhutaṁ vīryaṁ
niśāmya pura-vāsinaḥ
tejaḥ prāgalbhyaṁ rūpaṁ ca
menire vibudhottamau
niśāmya pura-vāsinaḥ
tejaḥ prāgalbhyaṁ rūpaṁ ca
menire vibudhottamau
Synonyms
Translation
Having witnessed the amazing deed Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma had performed, and seeing Their strength, boldness and beauty, the people of the city thought They must be two prominent demigods.
Devanagari
तयोर्विचरतो: स्वैरमादित्योऽस्तमुपेयिवान् । कृष्णरामौ वृतौ गोपै: पुराच्छकटमीयतु: ॥ २३ ॥
Verse text
tayor vicaratoḥ svairam
ādityo ’stam upeyivān
kṛṣṇa-rāmau vṛtau gopaiḥ
purāc chakaṭam īyatuḥ
ādityo ’stam upeyivān
kṛṣṇa-rāmau vṛtau gopaiḥ
purāc chakaṭam īyatuḥ
Synonyms
tayoḥ — as They; vicaratoḥ — moved about; svairam — at Their will; ādityaḥ — the sun; astam — its setting; upeyivān — approached; kṛṣṇa-rāmau — Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; vṛtau — accompanied; gopaiḥ — by the cowherd boys; purāt — from the city; śakaṭam — to the place where the wagons had been unharnessed; īyatuḥ — went.
Translation
As They strolled about at will, the sun began to set, so They left the city with the cowherd boys and returned to the cowherds’ wagon encampment.
Devanagari
गोप्यो मुकुन्दविगमे विरहातुरा याआशासताशिष ऋता मधुपुर्यभूवन् । सम्पश्यतां पुरुषभूषणगात्रलक्ष्मींहित्वेतरान् नु भजतश्चकमेऽयनं श्री: ॥ २४ ॥
Verse text
gopyo mukunda-vigame virahāturā yā
āśāsatāśiṣa ṛtā madhu-pury abhūvan
sampaśyatāṁ puruṣa-bhūṣaṇa-gātra-lakṣmīṁ
hitvetarān nu bhajataś cakame ’yanaṁ śrīḥ
āśāsatāśiṣa ṛtā madhu-pury abhūvan
sampaśyatāṁ puruṣa-bhūṣaṇa-gātra-lakṣmīṁ
hitvetarān nu bhajataś cakame ’yanaṁ śrīḥ
Synonyms
gopyaḥ — the gopīs; mukunda-vigame — when Lord Mukunda was departing; viraha — by feelings of separation; āturāḥ — tormented; yāḥ — which; āśāsata — they had spoken; āśiṣaḥ — the benedictions; ṛtāḥ — true; madhu-puri — in Mathurā; abhūvan — have become; sampaśyatām — for those who are fully seeing; puruṣa — of men; bhūṣaṇa — of the ornament; gātra — of His body; lakṣmīm — the beauty; hitvā — abandoning; itarān — others; nu — indeed; bhajataḥ — who were worshiping her; cakame — hankered for; ayanam — shelter; śrīḥ — the goddess of fortune.
Translation
At the time of Mukunda’s [Kṛṣṇa’s] departure from Vṛndāvana, the gopīs had foretold that the residents of Mathurā would enjoy many benedictions, and now the gopīs’ predictions were coming true, for those residents were gazing upon the beauty of Kṛṣṇa, the jewel among men. Indeed, the goddess of fortune desired the shelter of that beauty so much that she abandoned many other men, although they worshiped her.
Devanagari
अवनिक्ताङ्घ्रियुगलौ भुक्त्वा क्षीरोपसेचनम् । ऊषतुस्तां सुखं रात्रिं ज्ञात्वा कंसचिकीर्षितम् ॥ २५ ॥
Verse text
avaniktāṅghri-yugalau
bhuktvā kṣīropasecanam
ūṣatus tāṁ sukhaṁ rātriṁ
jñātvā kaṁsa-cikīrṣitam
bhuktvā kṣīropasecanam
ūṣatus tāṁ sukhaṁ rātriṁ
jñātvā kaṁsa-cikīrṣitam
Synonyms
Translation
After Kṛṣṇa’s and Balarāma’s feet were bathed, the two Lords ate rice with milk. Then, although knowing what Kaṁsa intended to do, They spent the night there comfortably.
Devanagari
कंसस्तु धनुषो भङ्गं रक्षिणां स्वबलस्य च । वधं निशम्य गोविन्दरामविक्रीडितं परम् ॥ २६ ॥ दीर्घप्रजागरो भीतो दुर्निमित्तानि दुर्मति: । बहून्यचष्टोभयथा मृत्योर्दौत्यकराणि च ॥ २७ ॥
Verse text
kaṁsas tu dhanuṣo bhaṅgaṁ
rakṣiṇāṁ sva-balasya ca
vadhaṁ niśamya govinda-
rāma-vikrīḍitaṁ param
rakṣiṇāṁ sva-balasya ca
vadhaṁ niśamya govinda-
rāma-vikrīḍitaṁ param
dīrgha-prajāgaro bhīto
durnimittāni durmatiḥ
bahūny acaṣṭobhayathā
mṛtyor dautya-karāṇi ca
durnimittāni durmatiḥ
bahūny acaṣṭobhayathā
mṛtyor dautya-karāṇi ca
Synonyms
kaṁsaḥ — King Kaṁsa; tu — but; dhanuṣaḥ — of the bow; bhaṅgam — the breaking; rakṣiṇām — of the guards; sva — his; balasya — of the army; ca — and; vadham — the killing; niśamya — hearing of; govinda-rāma — of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; vikrīḍitam — the playing; param — merely; dīrgha — for a long time; prajāgaraḥ — remaining awake; bhītaḥ — afraid; durnimittāni — bad omens; durmatiḥ — the wicked-minded; bahūni — many; acaṣṭa — saw; ubhayathā — in both states (sleep and wakefulness); mṛtyoḥ — of death; dautya-karāṇi — the messengers; ca — and.
Translation
Wicked King Kaṁsa, on the other hand, was terrified, having heard how Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma had broken the bow and killed his guards and soldiers, all simply as a game. He remained awake for a long time, and both while awake and while dreaming he saw many bad omens, messengers of death.
Devanagari
अदर्शनं स्वशिरस: प्रतिरूपे च सत्यपि । असत्यपि द्वितीये च द्वैरूप्यं ज्योतिषां तथा ॥ २८ ॥ छिद्रप्रतीतिश्छायायां प्राणघोषानुपश्रुति: । स्वर्णप्रतीतिर्वृक्षेषु स्वपदानामदर्शनम् ॥ २९ ॥ स्वप्ने प्रेतपरिष्वङ्ग: खरयानं विषादनम् । यायान्नलदमाल्येकस्तैलाभ्यक्तो दिगम्बर: ॥ ३० ॥ अन्यानि चेत्थं भूतानि स्वप्नजागरितानि च । पश्यन् मरणसन्त्रस्तो निद्रां लेभे न चिन्तया ॥ ३१ ॥
Verse text
adarśanaṁ sva-śirasaḥ
pratirūpe ca saty api
asaty api dvitīye ca
dvai-rūpyaṁ jyotiṣāṁ tathā
pratirūpe ca saty api
asaty api dvitīye ca
dvai-rūpyaṁ jyotiṣāṁ tathā
chidra-pratītiś chāyāyāṁ
prāṇa-ghoṣānupaśrutiḥ
svarṇa-pratītir vṛkṣeṣu
sva-padānām adarśanam
prāṇa-ghoṣānupaśrutiḥ
svarṇa-pratītir vṛkṣeṣu
sva-padānām adarśanam
svapne preta-pariṣvaṅgaḥ
khara-yānaṁ viṣādanam
yāyān nalada-māly ekas
tailābhyakto dig-ambaraḥ
khara-yānaṁ viṣādanam
yāyān nalada-māly ekas
tailābhyakto dig-ambaraḥ
anyāni cetthaṁ-bhūtāni
svapna-jāgaritāni ca
paśyan maraṇa-santrasto
nidrāṁ lebhe na cintayā
svapna-jāgaritāni ca
paśyan maraṇa-santrasto
nidrāṁ lebhe na cintayā
Synonyms
adarśanam — the invisibility; sva — of his own; śirasaḥ — head; pratirūpe — his reflection; ca — and; sati — being present; api — even; asati — there not being; api — even; dvitīye — a cause for duplication; ca — and; dvai-rūpyam — double image; jyotiṣām — of the heavenly bodies; tathā — also; chidra — of a hole; pratītiḥ — the seeing; chāyāyām — in his shadow; prāṇa — of his life air; ghoṣa — of the reverberation; anupaśrutiḥ — the failure to hear; svarṇa — of a golden color; pratītiḥ — the perception; vṛkṣeṣu — on trees; sva — his own; padānām — footprints; adarśanam — not seeing; svapne — while asleep; preta — by ghostly spirits; pariṣvaṅgaḥ — being embraced; khara — upon a donkey; yānam — traveling; viṣa — poison; adanam — swallowing; yāyāt — was going about; nalada — of spikenards, rose-purple flowers native to India; mālī — wearing a garland; ekaḥ — someone; taila — with oil; abhyaktaḥ — smeared; dik-ambaraḥ — naked; anyāni — other (omens); ca — and; ittham-bhūtāni — like these; svapna — while asleep; jāgaritāni — while awake; ca — also; paśyan — seeing; maraṇa — of death; santrastaḥ — terrified; nidrām — sleep; lebhe — he could achieve; na — not; cintayā — because of his anxiety.
Translation
When he looked at his reflection he could not see his head; for no reason the moon and stars appeared double; he saw a hole in his shadow; he could not hear the sound of his life air; trees seemed covered with a golden hue; and he could not see his footprints. He dreamt that he was being embraced by ghosts, riding a donkey and drinking poison, and also that a naked man smeared with oil was passing by wearing a garland of nalada flowers. Seeing these and other such omens both while dreaming and while awake, Kaṁsa was terrified by the prospect of death, and out of anxiety he could not sleep.
Devanagari
व्युष्टायां निशि कौरव्य सूर्ये चाद्भ्य: समुत्थिते । कारयामास वै कंसो मल्लक्रीडामहोत्सवम् ॥ ३२ ॥
Verse text
vyuṣṭāyāṁ niśi kauravya
sūrye cādbhyaḥ samutthite
kārayām āsa vai kaṁso
malla-krīḍā-mahotsavam
sūrye cādbhyaḥ samutthite
kārayām āsa vai kaṁso
malla-krīḍā-mahotsavam
Synonyms
vyuṣṭāyām — having passed; niśi — the night; kauravya — O descendant of Kuru (Parīkṣit); sūrye — the sun; ca — and; adbhyaḥ — from the water; samutthite — rising; kārayām āsa — had carried out; vai — indeed; kaṁsaḥ — Kaṁsa; malla — of wrestlers; krīḍā — of the sport; mahā-utsavam — the great festival.
Translation
When the night had finally passed and the sun rose up again from the water, Kaṁsa set about arranging for the grand wrestling festival.
Devanagari
आनर्चु: पुरुषा रङ्गं तूर्यभेर्यश्च जघ्निरे । मञ्चाश्चालङ्कृता: स्रग्भि: पताकाचैलतोरणै: ॥ ३३ ॥
Verse text
ānarcuḥ puruṣā raṅgaṁ
tūrya-bheryaś ca jaghnire
mañcāś cālaṅkṛtāḥ sragbhiḥ
patākā-caila-toraṇaiḥ
tūrya-bheryaś ca jaghnire
mañcāś cālaṅkṛtāḥ sragbhiḥ
patākā-caila-toraṇaiḥ
Synonyms
ānarcuḥ — worshiped; puruṣāḥ — the King’s men; raṅgam — the arena; tūrya — musical instruments; bheryaḥ — drums; ca — and; jaghnire — they vibrated; mañcāḥ — the viewing platforms; ca — and; alaṅkṛtāḥ — were decorated; sragbhiḥ — with garlands; patākā — with flags; caila — cloth ribbons; toraṇaiḥ — and gateways.
Translation
The King’s men performed the ritual worship of the wrestling arena, sounded their drums and other instruments and decorated the viewing galleries with garlands, flags, ribbons and arches.
Devanagari
तेषु पौरा जानपदा ब्रह्मक्षत्रपुरोगमा: । यथोपजोषं विविशू राजानश्च कृतासना: ॥ ३४ ॥
Verse text
teṣu paurā jānapadā
brahma-kṣatra-purogamāḥ
yathopajoṣaṁ viviśū
rājānaś ca kṛtāsanāḥ
brahma-kṣatra-purogamāḥ
yathopajoṣaṁ viviśū
rājānaś ca kṛtāsanāḥ
Synonyms
teṣu — upon these (platforms); paurāḥ — the city-dwellers; jānapadāḥ — and the people of the suburbs; brahma — by the brāhmaṇas; kṣatra — and the kṣatriyas; puraḥ-gamāḥ — headed; yathā-upajoṣam — as suited their comfort; viviśuḥ — came and sat; rājānaḥ — the kings; ca — also; kṛta — given; asanāḥ — special seats.
Translation
The city-dwellers and residents of the outlying districts, led by brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas, came and sat down comfortably in the galleries. The royal guests received special seats.
Devanagari
कंस: परिवृतोऽमात्यै राजमञ्च उपाविशत् । मण्डलेश्वरमध्यस्थो हृदयेन विदूयता ॥ ३५ ॥
Verse text
kaṁsaḥ parivṛto ’mātyai
rāja-mañca upāviśat
maṇḍaleśvara-madhya-stho
hṛdayena vidūyatā
rāja-mañca upāviśat
maṇḍaleśvara-madhya-stho
hṛdayena vidūyatā
Synonyms
Translation
Surrounded by his ministers, Kaṁsa took his seat on the imperial dais. But even as he sat amidst his various provincial rulers, his heart trembled.
Devanagari
वाद्यमानेषु तूर्येषु मल्लतालोत्तरेषु च । मल्ला: स्वलङ्कृता: दृप्ता: सोपाध्याया: समासत ॥ ३६ ॥
Verse text
vādyamānesu tūryeṣu
malla-tālottareṣu ca
mallāḥ sv-alaṅkṛtāḥ dṛptāḥ
sopādhyāyāḥ samāsata
malla-tālottareṣu ca
mallāḥ sv-alaṅkṛtāḥ dṛptāḥ
sopādhyāyāḥ samāsata
Synonyms
vādyamāneṣu — as they were being played; tūryeṣu — the musical instruments; malla — suitable for wrestling; tāla — with meters; uttareṣu — prominent; ca — and; mallāḥ — the wrestlers; su-alaṅkṛtāḥ — well ornamented; dṛptāḥ — proud; sa-upādhyāyāḥ — together with their instructors; samāsata — came and sat down.
Translation
While the musical instruments loudly played in the rhythmic meters appropriate for wrestling matches, the lavishly ornamented wrestlers proudly entered the arena with their coaches and sat down.
Devanagari
चाणूरो मुष्टिक: कूट: शलस्तोशल एव च । त आसेदुरुपस्थानं वल्गुवाद्यप्रहर्षिता: ॥ ३७ ॥
Verse text
cāṇūro muṣṭikaḥ kūtaḥ
śalas tośala eva ca
ta āsedur upasthānaṁ
valgu-vādya-praharṣitāḥ
śalas tośala eva ca
ta āsedur upasthānaṁ
valgu-vādya-praharṣitāḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Enthused by the pleasing music, Canura, Muṣṭika, Kūṭa, Śala and Tośala sat down on the wrestling mat.
Devanagari
नन्दगोपादयो गोपा भोजराजसमाहुता: । निवेदितोपायनास्त एकस्मिन्मञ्च आविशन् ॥ ३८ ॥
Verse text
nanda-gopādayo gopā
bhoja-rāja-samāhutāḥ
niveditopāyanās ta
ekasmin mañca āviśan
bhoja-rāja-samāhutāḥ
niveditopāyanās ta
ekasmin mañca āviśan
Synonyms
Translation
Nanda Mahārāja and the other cowherds, summoned by the King of the Bhojas, presented him with their offerings and then took their seats in one of the galleries.
Purport
According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, the word samāhutāḥ indicates that King Kaṁsa respectfully called the leaders of Vraja forward so that they could make their offerings to the central government. According to the ācārya, Kaṁsa assured Nanda as follows: “My dear King of Vraja, you are the most important of my village rulers. Yet even though you have come to Mathurā from your cowherd village, you have not come to visit me. Is that because you are frightened? Don’t think that your two sons are bad because They broke the bow. I invited Them here because I heard They were extremely powerful, and I’ve arranged this wrestling match as a test of Their strength. So please come forward without hesitation. Don’t be afraid.”
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī further states that Nanda Mahārāja noticed his two sons were not present. Apparently, out of disrespect for King Kaṁsa’s order, They had taken the morning off and gone elsewhere.
Thus Kaṁsa delegated some cowherd men to go look for Them and advise Them to behave properly and come back to the wrestling arena. The ācārya also states that the reason Nanda and the other cowherd men sat in the galleries was that they could not find any sitting places on the royal dais.
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Forty-second Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Breaking of the Sacrificial Bow.”