Before Verses
Devanagari
Verse Text
Synonyms
Translation
Purport
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
Lord Kṛṣṇa Slays the Demon Śālva
This chapter describes how Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa disposed of Śālva, the master of deception, and destroyed his airship Saubha.
Having been removed from the battlefield, Pradyumna was extremely ashamed, and He ordered His driver to take His chariot once again into the presence of Dyumān. As Pradyumna fought with Dyumān, other Yadu heroes like Gada, Sātyaki, and Sāmba began to create havoc among Śālva’s army. The battle continued in this way for twenty-seven days and nights.
When Lord Kṛṣṇa returned to Dvārakā, He found it under siege. At once He ordered Dāruka to drive Him onto the battlefield. Suddenly Śālva noticed the Lord and threw his spear at Kṛṣṇa’s charioteer, but the Lord shattered the weapon into hundreds of pieces and pierced Śālva and his Saubha vehicle with numerous arrows. Śālva responded by shooting an arrow that struck Kṛṣṇa’s left arm. Amazingly, the Lord dropped the Śārṅga bow He was holding in His left hand. The demigods watching the battle cried out in alarm upon seeing the bow fall, while Śālva took the opportunity to insult Kṛṣṇa.
Lord Kṛṣṇa then struck Śālva with His club, but the demon, vomiting blood, disappeared. A moment later a man came before Lord Kṛṣṇa and, after offering Him obeisances, introduced himself as a messenger from Mother Devakī. The man informed the Lord that His father, Vasudeva, had been kidnapped by Śālva. Upon hearing this, Lord Kṛṣṇa seemed to lament like an ordinary man. Śālva then led forward someone who looked just like Vasudeva, decapitated him and took the head with him into his Saubha airship. Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, however, could understand the magic tricks of Śālva. Thus He pierced Śālva with a shower of arrows and struck the Saubha vehicle with His club, demolishing it. Śālva descended from his airplane and rushed toward Lord Kṛṣṇa to attack Him, but the Lord took up His Sudarśana disc and severed Śālva’s head from his body.
With the killing of Śālva, the demigods in the sky played kettledrums in jubilation. The demon Dantavakra then took a vow to avenge his friend Śālva’s death.
Devanagari
श्रीशुक उवाच
स उपस्पृश्य सलिलं दंशितो धृतकार्मुक: ।
नय मां द्युमत: पार्श्वं वीरस्येत्याह सारथिम् ॥ १ ॥
स उपस्पृश्य सलिलं दंशितो धृतकार्मुक: ।
नय मां द्युमत: पार्श्वं वीरस्येत्याह सारथिम् ॥ १ ॥
Verse text
śrī-śuka uvāca
sa upaspṛśya salilaṁ
daṁśito dhṛta-kārmukaḥ
naya māṁ dyumataḥ pārśvaṁ
vīrasyety āha sārathim
sa upaspṛśya salilaṁ
daṁśito dhṛta-kārmukaḥ
naya māṁ dyumataḥ pārśvaṁ
vīrasyety āha sārathim
Synonyms
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; saḥ — He (Pradyumna); upaspṛśya — touching; salilam — water; daṁśitaḥ — fastening His armor; dhṛta — taking up; kārmukaḥ — His bow; naya — take; mam — Me; dyumataḥ — of Dyumān; pārśvam — to the side; vīrasya — of the hero; iti — thus; āha — He spoke; sārathim — to His driver.
Translation
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After refreshing Himself with water, putting on His armor and picking up His bow, Lord Pradyumna told His driver, “Take Me back to where the hero Dyumān is standing.”
Purport
Pradyumna was eager to rectify the discrepancy of His having left the battlefield when His chariot driver carried Him away unconscious.
Devanagari
विधमन्तं स्वसैन्यानि द्युमन्तं रुक्मिणीसुत: ।
प्रतिहत्य प्रत्यविध्यान्नाराचैरष्टभि: स्मयन् ॥ २ ॥
प्रतिहत्य प्रत्यविध्यान्नाराचैरष्टभि: स्मयन् ॥ २ ॥
Verse text
vidhamantaṁ sva-sainyāni
dyumantaṁ rukmiṇī-sutaḥ
pratihatya pratyavidhyān
nārācair aṣṭabhiḥ smayan
dyumantaṁ rukmiṇī-sutaḥ
pratihatya pratyavidhyān
nārācair aṣṭabhiḥ smayan
Synonyms
vidhamantam — smashing; sva — His; sainyāni — soldiers; dyumantam — Dyumān; rukmiṇī-sutaḥ — the son of Rukmiṇī (Pradyumna); pratihatya — counterattacking; pratyavidhyāt — He struck back; nārācaiḥ — with special arrows made of iron; aṣṭabhiḥ — eight; smayan — while smiling.
Translation
In Pradyumna’s absence, Dyumān had been devastating His army, but now Pradyumna counterattacked Dyumān and, smiling, pierced him with eight nārāca arrows.
Purport
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī comments that Pradyumna challenged Dyumān, saying “Now see if you can strike Me!” After saying this and allowing Dyumān to shoot his weapons, Pradyumna released His own deadly arrows.
Devanagari
चतुर्भिश्चतुरो वाहान् सूतमेकेन चाहनत् ।
द्वाभ्यं धनुश्च केतुं च शरेणान्येन वै शिर: ॥ ३ ॥
द्वाभ्यं धनुश्च केतुं च शरेणान्येन वै शिर: ॥ ३ ॥
Verse text
caturbhiś caturo vāhān
sūtam ekena cāhanat
dvābhyaṁ dhanuś ca ketuṁ ca
śareṇānyena vai śiraḥ
sūtam ekena cāhanat
dvābhyaṁ dhanuś ca ketuṁ ca
śareṇānyena vai śiraḥ
Synonyms
Translation
With four of these arrows He struck Dyumān’s four horses, with one arrow, his driver, with two more arrows, his bow and chariot flag, and with the last arrow, Dyumān’s head.
Devanagari
गदसात्यकिसाम्बाद्या जघ्नु: सौभपतेर्बलम् ।
पेतु: समुद्रे सौभेया: सर्वे सञ्छिन्नकन्धरा: ॥ ४ ॥
पेतु: समुद्रे सौभेया: सर्वे सञ्छिन्नकन्धरा: ॥ ४ ॥
Verse text
gada-sātyaki-sāmbādyā
jaghnuḥ saubha-pater balam
petuḥ samudre saubheyāḥ
sarve sañchinna-kandharāḥ
jaghnuḥ saubha-pater balam
petuḥ samudre saubheyāḥ
sarve sañchinna-kandharāḥ
Synonyms
gada-sātyaki-sāmba-ādyāḥ — Gada, Sātyaki, Sāmba and others; jaghnuḥ — they killed; saubha-pateḥ — of the master of Saubha (Śālva); balam — the army; petuḥ — they fell; samudre — into the ocean; saubheyāḥ — those who were standing inside Saubha; sarve — all; sañchinna — cut through; kandharāḥ — whose necks.
Translation
Gada, Sātyaki, Sāmba and others began killing Śālva’s army, and thus all the soldiers inside the airship began falling into the ocean, their necks severed.
Devanagari
एवं यदूनां शाल्वानां निघ्नतामितरेतरम् ।
युद्धं त्रिनवरात्रं तदभूत्तुमुलमुल्बणम् ॥ ५ ॥
युद्धं त्रिनवरात्रं तदभूत्तुमुलमुल्बणम् ॥ ५ ॥
Verse text
evaṁ yadūnāṁ śālvānāṁ
nighnatām itaretaram
yuddhaṁ tri-nava-rātraṁ tad
abhūt tumulam ulbaṇam
nighnatām itaretaram
yuddhaṁ tri-nava-rātraṁ tad
abhūt tumulam ulbaṇam
Synonyms
Translation
As the Yadus and Śālva’s followers thus went on attacking one another, the tumultuous, fearsome battle continued for twenty-seven days and nights.
Devanagari
इन्द्रप्रस्थं गत: कृष्ण आहूतो धर्मसूनुना ।
राजसूयेऽथ निवृत्ते शिशुपाले च संस्थिते ॥ ६ ॥
कुरुवृद्धाननुज्ञाप्य मुनींश्च ससुतां पृथाम् ।
निमित्तान्यतिघोराणि पश्यन् द्वारवतीं ययौ ॥ ७ ॥
राजसूयेऽथ निवृत्ते शिशुपाले च संस्थिते ॥ ६ ॥
कुरुवृद्धाननुज्ञाप्य मुनींश्च ससुतां पृथाम् ।
निमित्तान्यतिघोराणि पश्यन् द्वारवतीं ययौ ॥ ७ ॥
Verse text
indraprasthaṁ gataḥ kṛṣṇa
āhūto dharma-sūnunā
rājasūye ’tha nivṛtte
śiśupāle ca saṁsthite
āhūto dharma-sūnunā
rājasūye ’tha nivṛtte
śiśupāle ca saṁsthite
kuru-vṛddhān anujñāpya
munīṁś ca sa-sutāṁ pṛthām
nimittāny ati-ghorāṇi
paśyan dvāravatīṁ yayau
munīṁś ca sa-sutāṁ pṛthām
nimittāny ati-ghorāṇi
paśyan dvāravatīṁ yayau
Synonyms
indraprastham — to Indraprastha, the capital of the Pāṇḍavas; gataḥ — gone; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; āhūtaḥ — called; dharma-sūnunā — by the son of Yamarāja, religion personified (King Yudhiṣṭhira); rājasūye — the Rājasūya sacrifice; atha — then; nivṛtte — when it was complete; śiśupāle — Śiśupāla; ca — and; saṁsthite — when he had been killed; kuru-vṛddhān — of the elders of the Kuru dynasty; anujñāpya — taking leave; munīn — of the sages; ca — and; sa — with; sutām — her sons (the Pāṇḍavas); pṛthām — of Queen Kuntī; nimittāni — bad omens; ati — very; ghorāṇi — terrible; paśyan — seeing; dvāravatīm — to Dvārakā; yayau — He went.
Translation
Invited by Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Dharma, Lord Kṛṣṇa had gone to Indraprastha. Now that the Rājasūya sacrifice had been completed and Śiśupāla killed, the Lord began to see inauspicious omens. So He took leave of the Kuru elders and the great sages, and also of Pṛthā and her sons, and returned to Dvārakā.
Devanagari
आह चाहमिहायात आर्यमिश्राभिसङ्गत: ।
राजन्याश्चैद्यपक्षीया नूनं हन्यु: पुरीं मम ॥ ८ ॥
राजन्याश्चैद्यपक्षीया नूनं हन्यु: पुरीं मम ॥ ८ ॥
Verse text
āha cāham ihāyāta
ārya-miśrābhisaṅgataḥ
rājanyāś caidya-pakṣīyā
nūnaṁ hanyuḥ purīṁ mama
ārya-miśrābhisaṅgataḥ
rājanyāś caidya-pakṣīyā
nūnaṁ hanyuḥ purīṁ mama
Synonyms
āha — He said; ca — and; aham — I; iha — to this place (Indraprastha); āyātaḥ — having come; ārya — by My elder (brother Balarāma); miśra — the distinguished personality; abhisaṅgataḥ — accompanied; rājanyāḥ — kings; caidya-pakṣīyāḥ — siding with Caidya (Śiśupāla); nūnam — certainly; hanyuḥ — must be attacking; purīm — city; mama — My.
Translation
The Lord said to Himself: Because I have come here with My respected elder brother, kings partial to Śiśupāla may well be attacking My capital city.
Devanagari
वीक्ष्य तत् कदनं स्वानां निरूप्य पुररक्षणम् ।
सौभं च शाल्वराजं च दारुकं प्राह केशव: ॥ ९ ॥
सौभं च शाल्वराजं च दारुकं प्राह केशव: ॥ ९ ॥
Verse text
vīkṣya tat kadanaṁ svānāṁ
nirūpya pura-rakṣaṇam
saubhaṁ ca śālva-rājaṁ ca
dārukaṁ prāha keśavaḥ
nirūpya pura-rakṣaṇam
saubhaṁ ca śālva-rājaṁ ca
dārukaṁ prāha keśavaḥ
Synonyms
vīkṣya — seeing; tat — that; kadanam — destruction; svānām — of His own men; nirūpya — arranging; pura — of the city; rakṣaṇam — for protection; saubham — the vehicle Saubha; ca — and; śālva-rājam — the King of the Śālva province; ca — and; dārukam — to Dāruka, His chariot driver; prāha — spoke; keśavaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Translation
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] After He arrived at Dvārakā and saw how His people were threatened with destruction, and also saw Śālva and his Saubha airship, Lord Keśava arranged for the city’s defense and then addressed Dāruka as follows.
Purport
Lord Kṛṣṇa placed Śrī Balarāma in a strategic position to guard the city, and He also appointed a special guard for Śrī Rukmiṇī and the other queens inside the palaces. According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, by a secret route special soldiers conveyed the queens to safety inside Dvārakā.
Devanagari
रथं प्रापय मे सूत शाल्वस्यान्तिकमाशु वै ।
सम्भ्रमस्ते न कर्तव्यो मायावी सौभराडयम् ॥ १० ॥
सम्भ्रमस्ते न कर्तव्यो मायावी सौभराडयम् ॥ १० ॥
Verse text
rathaṁ prāpaya me sūta
śālvasyāntikam āśu vai
sambhramas te na kartavyo
māyāvī saubha-rāḍ ayam
śālvasyāntikam āśu vai
sambhramas te na kartavyo
māyāvī saubha-rāḍ ayam
Synonyms
Translation
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] O driver, quickly take My chariot near Śālva. This lord of Saubha is a powerful magician; don’t let him bewilder you.
Devanagari
इत्युक्तश्चोदयामास रथमास्थाय दारुक: ।
विशन्तं ददृशु: सर्वे स्वे परे चारुणानुजम् ॥ ११ ॥
विशन्तं ददृशु: सर्वे स्वे परे चारुणानुजम् ॥ ११ ॥
Verse text
ity uktaś codayām āsa
ratham āsthāya dārukaḥ
viśantaṁ dadṛśuḥ sarve
sve pare cāruṇānujam
ratham āsthāya dārukaḥ
viśantaṁ dadṛśuḥ sarve
sve pare cāruṇānujam
Synonyms
iti — thus; uktaḥ — told; codayām āsa — he drove forward; ratham — the chariot; āsthāya — taking control of it; dārukaḥ — Dāruka; viśantam — entering; dadṛśuḥ — saw; sarve — everyone; sve — His own men; pare — the opposite party; ca — also; aruṇa-anujam — the younger brother of Aruṇa (Garuḍa, on Lord Kṛṣṇa’s flag).
Translation
Thus ordered, Dāruka took command of the Lord’s chariot and drove forth. As the chariot entered the battlefield, everyone there, both friend and foe, caught sight of the emblem of Garuḍa.
Devanagari
शाल्वश्च कृष्णमालोक्य हतप्रायबलेश्वर: ।
प्राहरत् कृष्णसूताय शक्तिं भीमरवां मृधे ॥ १२ ॥
प्राहरत् कृष्णसूताय शक्तिं भीमरवां मृधे ॥ १२ ॥
Verse text
śālvaś ca kṛṣṇam ālokya
hata-prāya-baleśvaraḥ
prāharat kṛṣṇa-sūtaya
śaktiṁ bhīma-ravāṁ mṛdhe
hata-prāya-baleśvaraḥ
prāharat kṛṣṇa-sūtaya
śaktiṁ bhīma-ravāṁ mṛdhe
Synonyms
śālvaḥ — Śālva; ca — and; kṛṣṇam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; ālokya — seeing; hata — destroyed; prāya — virtually; bala — of an army; īśvaraḥ — the master; prāharat — he cast; kṛṣṇa-sūtāya — at Kṛṣṇa’s chariot driver; śaktim — his spear; bhīma — frightening; ravām — whose roaring sound; mṛdhe — on the battlefield.
Translation
When Śālva, the master of a decimated army, saw Lord Kṛṣṇa approaching, he hurled his spear at the Lord’s charioteer. The spear roared frighteningly as it flew across the battlefield.
Devanagari
तामापतन्तीं नभसि महोल्कामिव रंहसा ।
भासयन्तीं दिश: शौरि: सायकै: शतधाच्छिनत् ॥ १३ ॥
भासयन्तीं दिश: शौरि: सायकै: शतधाच्छिनत् ॥ १३ ॥
Verse text
tām āpatantīṁ nabhasi
maholkām iva raṁhasā
bhāsayantīṁ diśaḥ śauriḥ
sāyakaiḥ śatadhācchinat
maholkām iva raṁhasā
bhāsayantīṁ diśaḥ śauriḥ
sāyakaiḥ śatadhācchinat
Synonyms
Translation
Śālva’s hurtling spear lit up the whole sky like a mighty meteor, but Lord Śauri tore the great weapon into hundreds of pieces with His arrows.
Devanagari
तं च षोडशभिर्विद्ध्वा बाणै: सौभं च खे भ्रमत् ।
अविध्यच्छरसन्दोहै: खं सूर्य इव रश्मिभि: ॥ १४ ॥
अविध्यच्छरसन्दोहै: खं सूर्य इव रश्मिभि: ॥ १४ ॥
Verse text
taṁ ca ṣoḍaśabhir viddhvā
bānaiḥ saubhaṁ ca khe bhramat
avidhyac chara-sandohaiḥ
khaṁ sūrya iva raśmibhiḥ
bānaiḥ saubhaṁ ca khe bhramat
avidhyac chara-sandohaiḥ
khaṁ sūrya iva raśmibhiḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Lord Kṛṣṇa then pierced Śālva with sixteen arrows and struck the Saubha airship with a deluge of arrows as it darted about the sky. Firing His arrows, the Lord appeared like the sun flooding the heavens with its rays.
Devanagari
शाल्व: शौरेस्तु दो: सव्यं सशार्ङ्गं शार्ङ्गधन्वन: ।
बिभेद न्यपतद्धस्ताच्छार्ङ्गमासीत्तदद्भुतम् ॥ १५ ॥
बिभेद न्यपतद्धस्ताच्छार्ङ्गमासीत्तदद्भुतम् ॥ १५ ॥
Verse text
śālvaḥ śaures tu doḥ savyaṁ
sa-śārṅgaṁ śārṅga-dhanvanaḥ
bibheda nyapatad dhastāc
chārṅgam āsīt tad adbhutam
sa-śārṅgaṁ śārṅga-dhanvanaḥ
bibheda nyapatad dhastāc
chārṅgam āsīt tad adbhutam
Synonyms
śālvaḥ — Śālva; śaureḥ — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; tu — but; doḥ — the arm; savyam — left; sa — with; śārṅgam — the Lord’s bow, called Śārṅga; śārṅga-dhanvanaḥ — of Him who is called Śārṅga-dhanvā; bibheda — struck; nyapatat — fell; hastāt — from His hand; śārṅgam — the Śārṅga bow; asīt — was; tat — this; adbhutam — amazing.
Translation
Śālva then managed to strike Lord Kṛṣṇa’s left arm, which held His bow Śārṅga, and, amazingly, Śārṅga fell from His hand.
Devanagari
हाहाकारो महानासीद् भूतानां तत्र पश्यताम् ।
निनद्य सौभराडुच्चैरिदमाह जनार्दनम् ॥ १६ ॥
निनद्य सौभराडुच्चैरिदमाह जनार्दनम् ॥ १६ ॥
Verse text
hāhā-kāro mahān āsīd
bhūtānāṁ tatra paśyatām
ninadya saubha-rāḍ uccair
idam āha janārdanam
bhūtānāṁ tatra paśyatām
ninadya saubha-rāḍ uccair
idam āha janārdanam
Synonyms
Translation
Those who witnessed this all cried out in dismay. Then the master of Saubha roared loudly and addressed Lord Janārdana.
Devanagari
यत्त्वया मूढ न: सख्युर्भ्रातुर्भार्या हृतेक्षताम् ।
प्रमत्त: स सभामध्ये त्वया व्यापादित: सखा ॥ १७ ॥
तं त्वाद्य निशितैर्बाणैरपराजितमानिनम् ।
नयाम्यपुनरावृत्तिं यदि तिष्ठेर्ममाग्रत: ॥ १८ ॥
प्रमत्त: स सभामध्ये त्वया व्यापादित: सखा ॥ १७ ॥
तं त्वाद्य निशितैर्बाणैरपराजितमानिनम् ।
नयाम्यपुनरावृत्तिं यदि तिष्ठेर्ममाग्रत: ॥ १८ ॥
Verse text
yat tvayā mūḍha naḥ sakhyur
bhrātur bhāryā hṛtekṣatām
pramattaḥ sa sabhā-madhye
tvayā vyāpāditaḥ sakhā
bhrātur bhāryā hṛtekṣatām
pramattaḥ sa sabhā-madhye
tvayā vyāpāditaḥ sakhā
taṁ tvādya niśitair bāṇair
aparājita-māninam
nayāmy apunar-āvṛttiṁ
yadi tiṣṭher mamāgrataḥ
aparājita-māninam
nayāmy apunar-āvṛttiṁ
yadi tiṣṭher mamāgrataḥ
Synonyms
yat — since; tvayā — by You; mūḍha — O fool; naḥ — our; sakhyuḥ — of the friend (Śiśupāla); bhrātuḥ — of (Your) brother (or more exactly, cousin); bhāryā — the bride; hṛtā — taken away; īkṣatām — as (we) looked on; pramattaḥ — inattentive; saḥ — he, Śiśupāla; sabhā — the assembly (of the Rājasūya sacrifice); madhye — within; tvayā — by You; vyāpāditaḥ — killed; sakhā — my friend; tam tvā — You Yourself; adya — today; niśitaiḥ — sharp; bāṇaiḥ — with arrows; aparājita — invincible; māninam — who presume Yourself; nayāmi — I will send; apunaḥ-āvṛttim — to the realm of no return; yadi — if; tiṣṭheḥ — You will stand; mama — of me; agrataḥ — in front.
Translation
[Śālva said:] You fool! Because in our presence You kidnapped the bride of our friend Śiśupāla, Your own cousin, and because You later murdered him in the sacred assembly while he was inattentive, today with my sharp arrows I will send You to the land of no return! Though You think Yourself invincible, I will kill You now if You dare stand before me.
Devanagari
श्रीभगवानुवाच
वृथा त्वं कत्थसे मन्द न पश्यस्यन्तिकेऽन्तकम् ।
पौरुषं दर्शयन्ति स्म शूरा न बहुभाषिण: ॥ १९ ॥
वृथा त्वं कत्थसे मन्द न पश्यस्यन्तिकेऽन्तकम् ।
पौरुषं दर्शयन्ति स्म शूरा न बहुभाषिण: ॥ १९ ॥
Verse text
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
vṛthā tvaṁ katthase manda
na paśyasy antike ’ntakam
paurusaṁ darśayanti sma
śūrā na bahu-bhāṣiṇaḥ
vṛthā tvaṁ katthase manda
na paśyasy antike ’ntakam
paurusaṁ darśayanti sma
śūrā na bahu-bhāṣiṇaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
The Supreme Lord said: O dullard, you boast in vain, since you fail to see death standing near you. Real heroes do not talk much but rather show their prowess in action.
Devanagari
इत्युक्त्वा भगवाञ्छाल्वं गदया भीमवेगया ।
तताड जत्रौ संरब्ध: स चकम्पे वमन्नसृक् ॥ २० ॥
तताड जत्रौ संरब्ध: स चकम्पे वमन्नसृक् ॥ २० ॥
Verse text
ity uktvā bhagavāñ chālvaṁ
gadayā bhīma-vegayā
tatāḍa jatrau saṁrabdhaḥ
sa cakampe vamann asṛk
gadayā bhīma-vegayā
tatāḍa jatrau saṁrabdhaḥ
sa cakampe vamann asṛk
Synonyms
Translation
Having said this, the furious Lord swung His club with frightening power and speed and hit Śālva on the collarbone, making him tremble and vomit blood.
Devanagari
गदायां सन्निवृत्तायां शाल्वस्त्वन्तरधीयत ।
ततो मुहूर्त आगत्य पुरुष: शिरसाच्युतम् ।
देवक्या प्रहितोऽस्मीति नत्वा प्राह वचो रुदन् ॥ २१ ॥
ततो मुहूर्त आगत्य पुरुष: शिरसाच्युतम् ।
देवक्या प्रहितोऽस्मीति नत्वा प्राह वचो रुदन् ॥ २१ ॥
Verse text
gadāyāṁ sannivṛttāyāṁ
śālvas tv antaradhīyata
tato muhūrta āgatya
puruṣaḥ śirasācyutam
devakyā prahito ’smīti
natvā prāha vaco rudan
śālvas tv antaradhīyata
tato muhūrta āgatya
puruṣaḥ śirasācyutam
devakyā prahito ’smīti
natvā prāha vaco rudan
Synonyms
gadāyām — the club; sannivṛttāyām — when it was withdrawn; śālvaḥ — Śālva; tu — but; antaradhīyata — disappeared; tataḥ — then; muhūrte — after a moment; āgatya — coming; puruṣaḥ — a man; śirasā — with his head; acyutam — to Lord Kṛṣṇa; devakyā — by Mother Devakī; prahitaḥ — sent; asmi — I am; iti — so saying; natvā — bowing down; prāha — he spoke; vacaḥ — these words; rudan — crying.
Translation
But as soon as Lord Acyuta withdrew His club, Śālva disappeared from sight, and a moment later a man approached the Lord. Bowing his head down to Him, he announced, “Devakī has sent me,” and, sobbing, spoke the following words.
Devanagari
कृष्ण कृष्ण महाबाहो पिता ते पितृवत्सल ।
बद्ध्वापनीत: शाल्वेन सौनिकेन यथा पशु: ॥ २२ ॥
बद्ध्वापनीत: शाल्वेन सौनिकेन यथा पशु: ॥ २२ ॥
Verse text
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahā-bāho
pitā te pitṛ-vatsala
baddhvāpanītaḥ śālvena
saunikena yathā paśuḥ
pitā te pitṛ-vatsala
baddhvāpanītaḥ śālvena
saunikena yathā paśuḥ
Synonyms
Translation
[The man said:] O Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, mighty-armed one, who are so affectionate to Your parents! Śālva has seized Your father and taken him away, as a butcher leads an animal to slaughter.
Devanagari
निशम्य विप्रियं कृष्णो मानुषीं प्रकृतिं गत: ।
विमनस्को घृणी स्नेहाद् बभाषे प्राकृतो यथा ॥ २३ ॥
विमनस्को घृणी स्नेहाद् बभाषे प्राकृतो यथा ॥ २३ ॥
Verse text
niśamya vipriyaṁ kṛṣṇo
mānusīṁ prakṛtiṁ gataḥ
vimanasko ghṛṇī snehād
babhāṣe prākṛto yathā
mānusīṁ prakṛtiṁ gataḥ
vimanasko ghṛṇī snehād
babhāṣe prākṛto yathā
Synonyms
Translation
When He heard this disturbing news, Lord Kṛṣṇa, who was playing the role of a mortal man, showed sorrow and compassion, and out of love for His parents He spoke the following words like an ordinary conditioned soul.
Devanagari
कथं राममसम्भ्रान्तं जित्वाजेयं सुरासुरै: ।
शाल्वेनाल्पीयसा नीत: पिता मे बलवान् विधि: ॥ २४ ॥
शाल्वेनाल्पीयसा नीत: पिता मे बलवान् विधि: ॥ २४ ॥
Verse text
kathaṁ rāmam asambhrāntaṁ
jitvājeyaṁ surāsuraiḥ
śālvenālpīyasā nītaḥ
pitā me balavān vidhiḥ
jitvājeyaṁ surāsuraiḥ
śālvenālpīyasā nītaḥ
pitā me balavān vidhiḥ
Synonyms
Translation
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Balarāma is ever vigilant, and no demigod or demon can defeat Him. So how could this insignificant Śālva defeat Him and abduct My father? Indeed, fate is all-powerful!
Devanagari
इति ब्रुवाणे गोविन्दे सौभराट् प्रत्युपस्थित: ।
वसुदेवमिवानीय कृष्णं चेदमुवाच स: ॥ २५ ॥
वसुदेवमिवानीय कृष्णं चेदमुवाच स: ॥ २५ ॥
Verse text
iti bruvāṇe govinde
saubha-rāṭ pratyupasthitaḥ
vasudevam ivānīya
kṛṣṇaṁ cedam uvāca saḥ
saubha-rāṭ pratyupasthitaḥ
vasudevam ivānīya
kṛṣṇaṁ cedam uvāca saḥ
Synonyms
Translation
After Govinda spoke these words, the master of Saubha again appeared, apparently leading Vasudeva before the Lord. Śālva then spoke as follows.
Devanagari
एष ते जनिता तातो यदर्थमिह जीवसि ।
वधिष्ये वीक्षतस्तेऽमुमीशश्चेत् पाहि बालिश ॥ २६ ॥
वधिष्ये वीक्षतस्तेऽमुमीशश्चेत् पाहि बालिश ॥ २६ ॥
Verse text
eṣa te janitā tāto
yad-artham iha jīvasi
vadhiṣye vīkṣatas te ’mum
īśaś cet pāhi bāliśa
yad-artham iha jīvasi
vadhiṣye vīkṣatas te ’mum
īśaś cet pāhi bāliśa
Synonyms
Translation
[Śālva said:] Here is Your dear father, who begot You and for whose sake You are living in this world. I shall now kill him before Your very eyes. Save him if You can, weakling!
Devanagari
एवं निर्भर्त्स्य मायावी खड्गेनानकदुन्दुभे: ।
उत्कृत्य शिर आदाय खस्थं सौभं समाविशत् ॥ २७ ॥
उत्कृत्य शिर आदाय खस्थं सौभं समाविशत् ॥ २७ ॥
Verse text
evaṁ nirbhartsya māyāvī
khaḍgenānakadundubheḥ
utkṛtya śira ādāya
kha-sthaṁ saubhaṁ samāviśat
khaḍgenānakadundubheḥ
utkṛtya śira ādāya
kha-sthaṁ saubhaṁ samāviśat
Synonyms
Translation
After he had mocked the Lord in this way, the magician Śālva appeared to cut off Vasudeva’s head with his sword. Taking the head with him, he entered the Saubha vehicle, which was hovering in the sky.
Devanagari
ततो मुहूर्तं प्रकृतावुपप्लुत:
स्वबोध आस्ते स्वजनानुषङ्गत: ।
महानुभावस्तदबुध्यदासुरीं
मायां स शाल्वप्रसृतां मयोदिताम् ॥ २८ ॥
स्वबोध आस्ते स्वजनानुषङ्गत: ।
महानुभावस्तदबुध्यदासुरीं
मायां स शाल्वप्रसृतां मयोदिताम् ॥ २८ ॥
Verse text
tato muhūrtaṁ prakṛtāv upaplutaḥ
sva-bodha āste sva-janānuṣaṅgataḥ
mahānubhāvas tad abudhyad āsurīṁ
māyāṁ sa śālva-prasṛtāṁ mayoditām
sva-bodha āste sva-janānuṣaṅgataḥ
mahānubhāvas tad abudhyad āsurīṁ
māyāṁ sa śālva-prasṛtāṁ mayoditām
Synonyms
tataḥ — then; muhūrtam — for a moment; prakṛtau — in ordinary (human) nature; upaplutaḥ — absorbed; sva-bodhaḥ — (although) fully self-cognizant; āste — He remained; sva-jana — for His dear ones; anuṣaṅgataḥ — due to His affection; mahā-anubhāvaḥ — the possessor of great powers of perception; tat — that; abudhyat — recognized; āsurīm — demoniac; māyām — the illusory magic; saḥ — He; śālva — by Śālva; prasṛtām — utilized; maya — by Maya Dānava; uditām — developed.
Translation
By nature Lord Kṛṣṇa is full in knowledge, and He possesses unlimited powers of perception. Yet for a moment, out of great affection for His loved ones, He remained absorbed in the mood of an ordinary human being. He soon recalled, however, that this was all a demoniac illusion engineered by Maya Dānava and employed by Śālva.
Devanagari
न तत्र दूतं न पितु: कलेवरं
प्रबुद्ध आजौ समपश्यदच्युत: ।
स्वाप्नं यथा चाम्बरचारिणं रिपुं
सौभस्थमालोक्य निहन्तुमुद्यत: ॥ २९ ॥
प्रबुद्ध आजौ समपश्यदच्युत: ।
स्वाप्नं यथा चाम्बरचारिणं रिपुं
सौभस्थमालोक्य निहन्तुमुद्यत: ॥ २९ ॥
Verse text
na tatra dūtaṁ na pituḥ kalevaraṁ
prabuddha ājau samapaśyad acyutaḥ
svāpnaṁ yathā cāmbara-cāriṇaṁ ripuṁ
saubha-stham ālokya nihantum udyataḥ
prabuddha ājau samapaśyad acyutaḥ
svāpnaṁ yathā cāmbara-cāriṇaṁ ripuṁ
saubha-stham ālokya nihantum udyataḥ
Synonyms
na — not; tatra — there; dūtam — the messenger; na — nor; pituḥ — of His father; kalevaram — the body; prabuddhaḥ — alert; ājau — on the battlefield; samapaśyat — saw; acyutaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; svāpnam — in a dream; yathā — like; ca — and; ambara — in the sky; cāriṇam — moving; ripum — His enemy (Śālva); saubha-stham — sitting in the Saubha plane; ālokya — seeing; nihantum — to kill him; udyataḥ — He prepared.
Translation
Now alert to the actual situation, Lord Acyuta saw before Him on the battlefield neither the messenger nor His father’s body. It was as if He had awakened from a dream. Seeing His enemy flying above Him in his Saubha plane, the Lord then prepared to kill him.
Devanagari
एवं वदन्ति राजर्षे ऋषय: के च नान्विता: ।
यत् स्ववाचो विरुध्येत नूनं ते न स्मरन्त्युत ॥ ३० ॥
यत् स्ववाचो विरुध्येत नूनं ते न स्मरन्त्युत ॥ ३० ॥
Verse text
evaṁ vadanti rājarṣe
ṛṣayaḥ ke ca nānvitāḥ
yat sva-vāco virudhyeta
nūnaṁ te na smaranty uta
ṛṣayaḥ ke ca nānvitāḥ
yat sva-vāco virudhyeta
nūnaṁ te na smaranty uta
Synonyms
Translation
Such is the account given by some sages, O wise King, but those who speak in this illogical way are contradicting themselves, having forgotten their own previous statements.
Purport
If someone thinks that Lord Kṛṣṇa was actually bewildered by Śālva’s magic and that the Lord was subjected to ordinary mundane lamentation, such an opinion is illogical and contradictory, since it is well known that Lord Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, transcendental and absolute. This will be further explained in the following verses.
Devanagari
क्व शोकमोहौ स्नेहो वा भयं वा येऽज्ञसम्भवा: ।
क्व चाखण्डितविज्ञानज्ञानैश्वर्यस्त्वखण्डित: ॥ ३१ ॥
क्व चाखण्डितविज्ञानज्ञानैश्वर्यस्त्वखण्डित: ॥ ३१ ॥
Verse text
kva śoka-mohau sneho vā
bhayaṁ vā ye ’jña-sambhavāḥ
kva cākhaṇḍita-vijñāna-
jñānaiśvaryas tv akhaṇḍitaḥ
bhayaṁ vā ye ’jña-sambhavāḥ
kva cākhaṇḍita-vijñāna-
jñānaiśvaryas tv akhaṇḍitaḥ
Synonyms
kva — where; śoka — lamentation; mohau — and bewilderment; snehaḥ — material affection; vā — or; bhayam — fear; vā — or; ye — those which; ajñā — out of ignorance; sambhavāḥ — born; kva ca — and where, on the other hand; akhaṇḍita — infinite; vijñāna — whose perception; jñāna — knowledge; aiśvaryaḥ — and power; tu — but; akhaṇḍitaḥ — the infinite Supreme Lord.
Translation
How can lamentation, bewilderment, material affection or fear, all born out of ignorance, be ascribed to the infinite Supreme Lord, whose perception, knowledge and power are all similarly infinite?
Purport
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “Lamentation, aggrievement and bewilderment are characteristics of conditioned souls, but how can such things affect the person of the Supreme, who is full of knowledge, power and all opulence? Actually, it is not at all possible that Lord Kṛṣṇa was misled by the mystic jugglery of Śālva. He was displaying His pastime of playing the role of a human being.”
All the great Bhāgavatam commentators conclude that grief, illusion, attachment and fear, which arise out of ignorance of the soul, can never be present in the transcendental dramatic pastimes enacted by the Lord. Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī gives many examples from Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes to illustrate this point. For instance, when the cowherd boys entered the mouth of Aghāsura, Lord Kṛṣṇa was apparently astonished. Similarly, when Brahmā took away Lord Kṛṣṇa’s cowherd boyfriends and calves, the Lord at first began to look for them as if He did not know where they were. Thus the Lord plays the part of an ordinary human being so as to relish transcendental pastimes with His devotees. One should never think the Personality of Godhead is an ordinary person, as Śukadeva Gosvāmī explains in this and the following verse.
Devanagari
यत्पादसेवोर्जितयात्मविद्यया
हिन्वन्त्यनाद्यात्मविपर्ययग्रहम् ।
लभन्त आत्मीयमनन्तमैश्वरं
कुतो नु मोह: परमस्य सद्गते: ॥ ३२ ॥
हिन्वन्त्यनाद्यात्मविपर्ययग्रहम् ।
लभन्त आत्मीयमनन्तमैश्वरं
कुतो नु मोह: परमस्य सद्गते: ॥ ३२ ॥
Verse text
yat-pāda-sevorjitayātma-vidyayā
hinvanty anādyātma-viparyaya-graham
labhanta ātmīyam anantam aiśvaraṁ
kuto nu mohaḥ paramasya sad-gateḥ
hinvanty anādyātma-viparyaya-graham
labhanta ātmīyam anantam aiśvaraṁ
kuto nu mohaḥ paramasya sad-gateḥ
Synonyms
yat — whose; pāda — of the feet; sevā — by service; ūrjitayā — made strong; ātma-vidyayā — by self-realization; hinvanti — they dispel; anādi — beginningless; ātma — of the self; viparyaya-graham — the misidentification; labhante — they attain; ātmīyam — in a personal relationship with Him; anantam — eternal; aiśvaram — glory; kutaḥ — how; nu — indeed; mohaḥ — bewilderment; paramasya — for the Supreme; sat — of saintly devotees; gateḥ — the destination.
Translation
By virtue of self-realization fortified by service rendered to His feet, devotees of the Lord dispel the bodily concept of life, which has bewildered the soul since time immemorial. Thus they attain eternal glory in His personal association. How, then, can that Supreme Truth, the destination of all genuine saints, be subject to illusion?
Purport
As a result of fasting the body becomes weak, and one thinks, “I am emaciated.” Similarly, sometimes a conditioned soul thinks, “I am happy” or “I am unhappy” — ideas based on the bodily concept of life. Simply by serving the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa, however, devotees become free from this bodily concept of life. So how could such illusion possibly affect the Supreme Personality of Godhead at any time?
Devanagari
तं शस्त्रपूगै: प्रहरन्तमोजसा
शाल्वं शरै: शौरिरमोघविक्रम: ।
विद्ध्वाच्छिनद् वर्म धनु: शिरोमणिं
सौभं च शत्रोर्गदया रुरोज ह ॥ ३३ ॥
शाल्वं शरै: शौरिरमोघविक्रम: ।
विद्ध्वाच्छिनद् वर्म धनु: शिरोमणिं
सौभं च शत्रोर्गदया रुरोज ह ॥ ३३ ॥
Verse text
taṁ śastra-pūgaiḥ praharantam ojasā
śālvaṁ śaraiḥ śaurir amogha-vikramaḥ
viddhvācchinad varma dhanuḥ śiro-maṇiṁ
saubhaṁ ca śatror gadayā ruroja ha
śālvaṁ śaraiḥ śaurir amogha-vikramaḥ
viddhvācchinad varma dhanuḥ śiro-maṇiṁ
saubhaṁ ca śatror gadayā ruroja ha
Synonyms
tam — Him; śastra — of weapons; pūgaiḥ — with torrents; praharantam — attacking; ojasā — with great force; śālvam — Śālva; śaraiḥ — with His arrows; śauriḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; amogha — never exhibited in vain; vikramaḥ — whose prowess; viddhvā — piercing; acchinat — He broke; varma — the armor; dhanuḥ — the bow; śiraḥ — on the head; maṇim — the jewel; saubham — the Saubha vehicle; ca — and; śatroḥ — of His enemy; gadayā — with His club; ruroja — He broke; ha — indeed.
Translation
While Śālva continued to hurl torrents of weapons at Him with great force, Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose prowess never fails, shot His arrows at Śālva, wounding him and shattering his armor, bow and crest jewel. Then with His club the Lord smashed His enemy’s Saubha airship.
Purport
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “Then Śālva thought that Kṛṣṇa had been bewildered by his mystic representations, he became encouraged and began to attack the Lord with greater strength and energy by showering volumes of arrows upon Him. But the enthusiasm of Śālva can be compared to the speedy march of flies into a fire. Lord Kṛṣṇa, by hurling His arrows with unfathomable strength, injured Śālva, whose armor, bow and jeweled helmet all scattered into pieces. With a crashing blow from Kṛṣṇa’s club, Śālva’s wonderful airplane burst into pieces and fell into the sea.”
The fact that Śālva’s insignificant mystic power could not bewilder Lord Kṛṣṇa is here emphatically demonstrated.
Devanagari
तत् कृष्णहस्तेरितया विचूर्णितं
पपात तोये गदया सहस्रधा ।
विसृज्य तद् भूतलमास्थितो गदा-
मुद्यम्य शाल्वोऽच्युतमभ्यगाद्द्रुतम् ॥ ३४ ॥
पपात तोये गदया सहस्रधा ।
विसृज्य तद् भूतलमास्थितो गदा-
मुद्यम्य शाल्वोऽच्युतमभ्यगाद्द्रुतम् ॥ ३४ ॥
Verse text
tat kṛṣṇa-hasteritayā vicūrṇitaṁ
papāta toye gadayā sahasradhā
visṛjya tad bhū-talam āsthito gadām
udyamya śālvo ’cyutam abhyagād drutam
papāta toye gadayā sahasradhā
visṛjya tad bhū-talam āsthito gadām
udyamya śālvo ’cyutam abhyagād drutam
Synonyms
tat — that (Saubha); kṛṣṇa-hasta — by Lord Kṛṣṇa’s hand; īritayā — wielded; vicūrṇitam — shattered; papāta — it fell; toye — into the water; gadayā — by the club; sahasradhā — into thousands of pieces; visṛjya — abandoning; tat — it; bhū-talam — on the ground; āsthitaḥ — standing; gadām — his club; udyamya — taking up; śālvaḥ — Śālva; acyutam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; abhyagāt — attacked; drutam — swiftly.
Translation
Shattered into thousands of pieces by Lord Kṛṣṇa’s club, the Saubha airship plummeted into the water. Śālva abandoned it, stationed himself on the ground, took up his club and rushed toward Lord Acyuta.
Devanagari
आधावत: सगदं तस्य बाहुं
भल्लेन छित्त्वाथ रथाङ्गमद्भुतम् ।
वधाय शाल्वस्य लयार्कसन्निभं
बिभ्रद् बभौ सार्क इवोदयाचल: ॥ ३५ ॥
भल्लेन छित्त्वाथ रथाङ्गमद्भुतम् ।
वधाय शाल्वस्य लयार्कसन्निभं
बिभ्रद् बभौ सार्क इवोदयाचल: ॥ ३५ ॥
Verse text
ādhāvataḥ sa-gadaṁ tasya bāhuṁ
bhallena chittvātha rathāṅgam adbhutam
vadhāya śālvasya layārka-sannibhaṁ
bibhrad babhau sārka ivodayācalaḥ
bhallena chittvātha rathāṅgam adbhutam
vadhāya śālvasya layārka-sannibhaṁ
bibhrad babhau sārka ivodayācalaḥ
Synonyms
ādhāvataḥ — running toward Him; sa-gadam — carrying his club; tasya — his; bāhum — arm; bhallena — with a special kind of arrow; chittvā — severing; atha — then; ratha-aṅgam — His disc weapon; adbhutam — wonderful; vadhāya — for the killing; śālvasya — of Śālva; laya — at the time of universal annihilation; arka — the sun; sannibham — exactly resembling; bibhrat — holding; babhau — He shone; sa-arkaḥ — together with the sun; iva — as if; udaya — of the sunrise; acalaḥ — the mountain.
Translation
As Śālva rushed at Him, the Lord shot a bhalla dart and cut off his arm that held the club. Having finally decided to kill Śālva, Kṛṣṇa then raised His Sudarśana disc weapon, which resembled the sun at the time of universal annihilation. The brilliantly shining Lord appeared like the easternmost mountain bearing the rising sun.
Devanagari
जहार तेनैव शिर: सकुण्डलं
किरीटयुक्तं पुरुमायिनो हरि: ।
वज्रेण वृत्रस्य यथा पुरन्दरो
बभूव हाहेति वचस्तदा नृणाम् ॥ ३६ ॥
किरीटयुक्तं पुरुमायिनो हरि: ।
वज्रेण वृत्रस्य यथा पुरन्दरो
बभूव हाहेति वचस्तदा नृणाम् ॥ ३६ ॥
Verse text
jahāra tenaiva śiraḥ sa-kuṇḍalaṁ
kirīṭa-yuktaṁ puru-māyino hariḥ
vajreṇa vṛtrasya yathā purandaro
babhūva hāheti vacas tadā nṛṇām
kirīṭa-yuktaṁ puru-māyino hariḥ
vajreṇa vṛtrasya yathā purandaro
babhūva hāheti vacas tadā nṛṇām
Synonyms
jahāra — He removed; tena — with it; eva — indeed; śiraḥ — the head; sa — with; kuṇḍalam — earrings; kirīṭa — crown; yuktam — wearing; puru — vast; māyinaḥ — of the possessor of magical powers; hariḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; vajreṇa — with his thunderbolt weapon; vṛtrasya — of Vṛtrāsura; yathā — as; purandaraḥ — Lord Indra; babhūva — there arose; hā-hā iti — “alas, alas”; vacaḥ — voices; tadā — then; nṛṇām — of (Śālva’s) men.
Translation
Employing His disc, Lord Hari removed that great magician’s head with its earrings and crown, just as Purandara had used his thunderbolt to cut off Vṛtra’s head. Seeing this, all of Śālva’s followers cried out, “Alas, alas!”
Devanagari
तस्मिन् निपतिते पापे सौभे च गदया हते ।
नेदुर्दुन्दुभयो राजन् दिवि देवगणेरिता: ।
सखीनामपचितिं कुर्वन्दन्तवक्रो रुषाभ्यगात् ॥ ३७ ॥
नेदुर्दुन्दुभयो राजन् दिवि देवगणेरिता: ।
सखीनामपचितिं कुर्वन्दन्तवक्रो रुषाभ्यगात् ॥ ३७ ॥
Verse text
tasmin nipatite pāpe
saubhe ca gadayā hate
nedur dundubhayo rājan
divi deva-gaṇeritāḥ
sakhīnām apacitiṁ kurvan
dantavakro ruṣābhyagāt
saubhe ca gadayā hate
nedur dundubhayo rājan
divi deva-gaṇeritāḥ
sakhīnām apacitiṁ kurvan
dantavakro ruṣābhyagāt
Synonyms
tasmin — he; nipatite — having fallen; pāpe — sinful; saubhe — the Saubha vehicle; ca — and; gadayā — by the club; hate — being destroyed; neduḥ — there resounded; dundubhayaḥ — kettledrums; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); divi — in the sky; deva-gaṇa — by groups of demigods; īritāḥ — played; sakhīnām — for his friends; apacitim — revenge; kurvan — intending to carry out; dantavakraḥ — Dantavakra; rūṣā — angrily; abhyagāt — ran forward.
Translation
With the sinful Śālva now dead and his Saubha airship destroyed, the heavens resounded with kettledrums played by groups of demigods. Then Dantavakra, wanting to avenge the death of his friends, furiously attacked the Lord.
Purport
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Seventy-seventh Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Lord Kṛṣṇa Slays the Demon Śālva.”