Chapter 50: Kṛṣṇa Establishes the City of Dvārakā

 

10.50.1

śrī-śuka uvāca

astiḥ prāptiś ca kaḿsasya

mahiṣyau bharatarṣabha

mṛte bhartari duḥkhārte

īyatuḥ sma pitur gṛhān

 

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; astiḥ prāptiḥ ca — Asti and Prāpti; kaḿsasya — of Kaḿsa; mahiṣyau — the queens; bharata-ṛṣabha — O hero of the Bhāratas (Parīkṣit); mṛte — having been killed; bhartari — their husband; duḥkha — with unhappiness; ārte — distressed; īyatuḥ sma — they went; pituḥ — of their father; gṛhān — to the house.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When Kaḿsa was killed, O heroic descendant of Bharata, his two queens, Asti and Prāpti, went to their father's house in great distress.

 

10.50.2

pitre magadha-rājāya

jarāsandhāya duḥkhite

vedayāḿ cakratuḥ sarvam

ātma-vaidhavya-kāraṇam

 

pitre — to their father; magadha-rājāya — the King of Magadha; jarāsandhāya — named Jarāsandha; duḥkhite — unhappy; vedayām cakratuḥ — they related; sarvam — all; ātma — their own; vaidhavya — of widowhood; kāraṇam — the cause.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The sorrowful queens told their father, King Jarāsandha of Magadha, all about how they had become widows.

 

10.50.3

sa tad apriyam ākarṇya

śokāmarṣa-yuto nṛpa

ayādavīḿ mahīḿ kartuḿ

cakre paramam udyamam

 

saḥ — he, Jarāsandha; tat — that; apriyam — unpleasant news; ākarṇya — hearing; śoka — sorrow; amarṣa — and intolerant anger; yutaḥ — experiencing; nṛpa — 0 King; ayādavīm — devoid of Yādavas; mahīm — the earth; kartum — to make; cakre — he made; paramam — extreme; udyamam — endeavor.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Hearing this odious news, O King, Jarāsandha was filled with sorrow and anger, and he began the greatest possible endeavor to rid the earth of the Yādavas.

 

10.50.4

akṣauhiṇībhir viḿśatyā

tisṛbhiś cāpi saḿvṛtaḥ

yadu-rājadhānīḿ mathurāḿ

nyarudhat sarvato diśam

 

akṣauhiṇībhiḥ — by akṣauhiṇī divisions (each consisting of 21,870 soldiers on elephants, 21,870 charioteers, 65,610 cavalrymen and 109,350 infantry soldiers); viḿśatyā — twenty; tisṛbhiḥ ca api — plus three; saḿvṛtaḥ — surrounded; yadu — of the dynasty of Yadu; rājadhānīm — the royal capital; mathurām — Mathurā; nyarudhat — he besieged; sarvataḥ diśam — on all sides.

 

TRANSLATION

 

With a force of twenty-three akṣauhiṇī divisions, he laid siege to the Yadu capital, Mathurā, on all sides.

 

10.50.5-6

nirīkṣya tad-balaḿ kṛṣṇa

udvelam iva sāgaram

sva-puraḿ tena saḿruddhaḿ

sva-janaḿ ca bhayākulam

 

cintayām āsa bhagavān

hariḥ kāraṇa-mānuṣaḥ

tad-deśa-kālānuguṇaḿ

svāvatāra-prayojanam

 

nirīkṣya — observing; tat — of him (Jarāsandha); balam — the military force; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; udvelam — having overflowed its boundaries; iva — like; sāgaram — an ocean; sva — His own; puram — city, Mathurā; tena — by it; saḿruddham — besieged; sva-janam — His subjects; ca — and; bhaya — by fear; ākulam — disturbed;

 

cintayām āsa — He thought; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; hariḥ — Lord Hari; kāraṇa — the cause of everything; mānuṣaḥ — appearing as a human being; tat — for that; deśa — place; kāla — and time; anuguṇam — suitable; sva-avatāra — of His descent to this world; prayojanam — the purpose.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Although Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the original cause of this world, when He descended to the earth He played the role of a human being. Thus when He saw Jarāsandha's assembled army surrounding His city like a great ocean overflowing its shores, and when He saw how this army was striking fear into His subjects, the Lord considered what His suitable response should be according to the time, place and specific purpose of His current incarnation.

 

10.50.7-8

haniṣyāmi balaḿ hy etad

bhuvi bhāraḿ samāhitam

māgadhena samānītaḿ

vaśyānāḿ sarva-bhūbhujām

 

akṣauhiṇībhiḥ sańkhyātaḿ

bhaṭāśva-ratha-kuñjaraiḥ

māgadhas tu na hantavyo

bhūyaḥ kartā balodyamam

 

haniṣyāmi — I will kill; balam — army; hi — certainly; etat — this; bhuvi — upon the earth; bhāram — a burden; samāhitam — collected; māgadhena — by the King of Magadha, Jarāsandha; samānītam — brought together; vaśyānām — subservient; sarva — all; bhū-bhujām — of the kings; akṣauhiṇībhiḥ — in akṣauhiṇīs; sańkhyātam — counted; bhaṭa — (consisting) of foot soldiers; aśva — horses; ratha — chariots; kuñjaraiḥ — and elephants; māgadhaḥ — Jarāsandha; tu — however; na hantavyaḥ — should not be killed; bhūyaḥ — again; kartā — he will make; bala — (to collect) an army; udyamam — the endeavor.

 

TRANSLATION

 

[The Supreme Lord thought:] Since it is such a burden on the earth, I will destroy Jarāsandha's army, consisting of akṣauhiṇīs of foot soldiers, horses, chariots and elephants, which the King of Māgadha has assembled from all subservient kings and brought together here. But Jarāsandha himself should not be killed, since in the future he will certainly assemble another army.

 

10.50.9

etad-artho 'vatāro 'yaḿ

bhū-bhāra-haraṇāya me

saḿrakṣaṇāya sādhūnāḿ

kṛto 'nyeṣāḿ vadhāya ca

 

etat — for this; arthaḥ — purpose; avatāraḥ — descent; ayam — this; bhū — of the earth; bhāra — the burden; haraṇāya — for removing; me — by Me; saḿrakṣaṇāya — for the complete protection; sādhūnām — of the saintly; kṛtaḥ — done; anyeṣām — of others (the nonsaintly); vadhāya — for killing; ca — and.

 

TRANSLATION

 

This is the purpose of My present incarnation — to relieve the earth of its burden, protect the pious and kill the impious.

 

10.50.10

anyo 'pi dharma-rakṣāyai

dehaḥ saḿbhriyate mayā

virāmāyāpy adharmasya

kāle prabhavataḥ kvacit

 

anyaḥ — another; api — as well; dharma — of religion; rakṣāyai — for the protection; dehaḥ — body; saḿbhriyate — is assumed; mayā — by Me; virāmāya — for the stopping; api — also; adharmasya — of irreligion; kāle — in the course of time; prabhavataḥ — becoming prominent; kvacit — whenever.

 

TRANSLATION

 

I also assume other bodies to protect religion and to end irreligion whenever it flourishes in the course of time.

 

10.50.11

evaḿ dhyāyati govinda

ākāśāt sūrya-varcasau

rathāv upasthitau sadyaḥ

sa-sūtau sa-paricchadau

 

evam — in this manner; dhyāyati — while He was meditating; govinde — Lord Kṛṣṇa; ākāśāt — from the sky; sūrya — like the sun; varcasau — having effulgence; rathau — two chariots; upasthitau — appeared; sadyaḥ — suddenly; sa — with; sūtau — drivers; sa — with; paricchadau — equipment.

 

TRANSLATION

 

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] As Lord Govinda was thinking in this way, two chariots as effulgent as the sun suddenly descended from the sky. They were complete with drivers and equipment.

 

10.50.12

āyudhāni ca divyāni

purāṇāni yadṛcchayā

dṛṣṭvā tāni hṛṣīkeśaḥ

sańkarṣaṇam athābravīt

 

āyudhāni — weapons; ca — and; divyāni — divine; purāṇāni — ancient; yadṛcchayā — automatically; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; tāni — them; hṛṣīkeśaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; sańkarṣaṇam — to Lord Balarāma; atha — then; abravīt — He spoke.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The Lord's eternal divine weapons also appeared before Him spontaneously. Seeing these, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Lord of the senses, addressed Lord Sańkarṣaṇa.

 

10.50.13-14

paśyārya vyasanaḿ prāptaḿ

yadūnāḿ tvāvatāḿ prabho

eṣa te ratha āyāto

dayitāny āyudhāni ca

 

etad-arthaḿ hi nau janma

sādhūnām īśa śarma-kṛt

trayo-viḿśaty-anīkākhyaḿ

bhūmer bhāram apākuru

 

paśya — please see; ārya — respected one; vyasanam — the danger; prāptam — now present; yadūnām — for the Yadus; tvā — by You; avatām — who are protected; prabho — My dear master; eṣaḥ — this; te — Your; rathaḥ — chariot; āyātaḥ — has come; dayitāni — favorite; āyudhāni — weapons; ca — and;

 

etat-artham — for this purpose; hi — indeed; nau — Our; janma — birth; sādhūnām — of the saintly devotees; īśa — O Lord; śarma — the benefit; kṛt — doing; trayaḥ-viḿśati — twenty-three; anīka — armies; ākhyam — in terms of; bhūmeḥ — of the earth; bhāram — burden; apākuru — please remove.

 

TRANSLATION

 

[The Supreme Lord said:] My respected elder brother, see this danger which has beset Your dependents, the Yadus! And see, dear master, how Your personal chariot and favorite weapons have come before You. The purpose for which We have taken birth, My Lord, is to secure the welfare of Our devotees. Please now remove from the earth the burden of these twenty-three armies.

 

10.50.15

evaḿ sammantrya dāśārhau

daḿśitau rathinau purāt

nirjagmatuḥ svāyudhāḍhyau

balenālpīyasā vṛtau

 

evam — thus; sammantrya — inviting Him; dāśārhau — the two descendants of Daśārha (Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma); daḿśitau — wearing armor; rathinau — riding Their chariots; purāt — from the city; nirjagmatuḥ — went out; sva — Their own; āyudha — with weapons; āḍhyau — resplendent; balena — by a force; alpīyasā — very small; vṛtau — accompanied.

 

TRANSLATION

 

After Lord Kṛṣṇa had thus invited His brother, the two Dāśārhas, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, wearing armor and displaying Their resplendent weapons, drove out of the city in Their chariots. Only a very small contingent of soldiers accompanied Them.

 

10.50.16

śańkhaḿ dadhmau vinirgatya

harir dāruka-sārathiḥ

tato 'bhūt para-sainyānāḿ

hṛdi vitrāsa-vepathuḥ

 

śańkham — His conchshell; dadhmau — blew; vinirgatya — upon going out; hariḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; dāruka-sārathiḥ — whose chariot driver was Dāruka; tataḥ — thereupon; abhūt — arose; para — of the enemy; sainyānām — among the soldiers; hṛdi — in their hearts; vitrāsa — in terror; vepathuḥ — trembling.

 

TRANSLATION

 

As Lord Kṛṣṇa came out of the city with Dāruka at the reins of His chariot, He blew His conchshell, and the enemy soldiers' hearts began to tremble with fear.

 

10.50.17

tāv āha māgadho vīkṣya

he kṛṣṇa puruṣādhama

na tvayā yoddhum icchāmi

bālenaikena lajjayā

guptena hi tvayā manda

na yotsye yāhi bandhu-han

 

tau — to the two of Them; āha — said; māgadhaḥ — Jarāsandha; vīkṣya — watching; he kṛṣṇa — O Kṛṣṇa; puruṣa-adhama — lowest of men; na — not; tvayā — with You; yoddhum — to fight; icchāmi — do I want; bālena — with a boy; ekena — alone; lajjayā — shamefully; guptena — hidden; hi — indeed; tvayā — with You; manda — O fool; na yotsye — I will not fight; yāhi — go away; bandhu — of relatives; han — O killer.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Jarāsandha looked at the two of Them and said: O Kṛṣṇa, lowest of men! I do not wish to fight alone with You, since it would be a shame to fight with a mere boy. You fool who keep Yourself hidden, O murderer of Your relatives, go away! I will not fight with You.

 

10.50.18

tava rāma yadi śraddhā

yudhyasva dhairyam udvaha

hitvā vā mac-charaiś chinnaḿ

dehaḿ svar yāhi māḿ jahi

 

tava — Your; rāma — O Balarāma; yadi — if; śraddhā — confidence; yudhyasva — fight; dhairyam — courage; udvaha — take up; hitvā — leaving aside; vā — either; mat — my; śaraiḥ — by the arrows; chinnam — cut to pieces; deham — Your body; svaḥ — to heaven; yāhi — go; mām — (or else) me; jahi — kill.

 

TRANSLATION

 

You, Rāma, should gather Your courage and fight with me, if You think You can do it. You may either give up Your body when it is cut to pieces by my arrows, and thus attain to heaven, or else kill me.

 

10.50.19

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

na vai śūrā vikatthante

darśayanty eva pauruṣam

na gṛhṇīmo vaco rājann

āturasya mumūrṣataḥ

 

śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Lord said; na — do not; vai — indeed; śūrāḥ — heroes; vikatthante — boast vainly; darśayanti — they show; eva — simply; pauruṣam — their prowess; na gṛhṇīmaḥ — We do not accept; vacaḥ — the words; rājan — O King; āturasya — of one who is mentally agitated; mumūrṣataḥ — who is about to die.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The Supreme Lord said: Real heroes do not simply boast but rather show their prowess in action. We cannot take seriously the words of one who is full of anxiety and who wants to die.

 

10.50.20

śrī-śuka uvāca

jarā-sutas tāv abhisṛtya mādhavau

mahā-balaughena balīyasāvṛnot

sa-sainya-yāna-dhvaja-vāji-sārathī

sūryānalau vāyur ivābhra-reṇubhiḥ

 

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; jarā-sutaḥ — the son of Jarā; tau — the two of Them; abhisṛtya — going up to; mādhavau — the descendants of Madhu; mahā — great; bala — of military prowess; oghena — with a flood; balīyasā — powerful; āvṛṇot — surrounded; sa — with; sainya — soldiers; yāna — chariots; dhvaja — flags; vāji — horses; sārathī — and charioteers; sūrya — the sun; analau — and a fire; vāyuḥ — the wind; iva — as; abhra — by clouds; reṇubhiḥ — and by particles of dust.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Just as the wind covers the sun with clouds or a fire with dust, the son of Jarā marched toward the two descendants of Madhu and with his huge assemblage of armies surrounded Them and Their soldiers, chariots, flags, horses and charioteers.

 

10.50.21

suparṇa-tāla-dhvaja-cihitnau rathāv

alakṣayantyo hari-rāmayor mṛdhe

striyaḥ purāṭṭālaka-harmya-gopuraḿ

samāśritāḥ sammumuhuḥ śucārditaḥ

 

suparṇa — with (the symbol of) Garuḍa (the bird who carries Lord Viṣṇu); tāla — and the palm tree; dhvaja — by the banners; cihnitau — marked; rathau — the two chariots; alakṣayantyaḥ — not identifying; hari-rāmayoḥ — of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; mṛdhe — in the battle; striyaḥ — women; pura — of the city; aṭṭālaka — in the watchtowers; harmya — palaces; gopuram — and in the gateways; samāśritāḥ — having taken positions; sammumuhuḥ — fainted; śucā — by grief; arditāḥ — tormented.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The women stood in the watchtowers, palaces and high gates of the city. When they could no longer see Kṛṣṇa's and Balarāma's chariots, identified by banners marked with the emblems of Garuḍa and a palm tree, they were struck with grief and fainted.

 

10.50.22

hariḥ parānīka-payomucāḿ muhuḥ

śilīmukhāty-ulbaṇa-varṣa-pīḍitam

sva-sainyam ālokya surāsurārcitaḿ

vyasphūrjayac chārńga-śarāsanottamam

 

hariḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; para — of the enemy; anīka — of the armies; payaḥ-mucām — (which were like) clouds; muhuḥ — repeatedly; śilīmukha — of their arrows; ati — extremely; ulbaṇa — fearsome; varṣa — by the rain; pīḍitam — pained; sva — His own; sainyam — army; ālokya — seeing; sura — by demigods; asura — and demons; arcitam — worshiped; vyasphūrjayat — He twanged; śārńga — known as Śārńga; śara-asana — His bow; uttamam — most excellent.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Seeing His army tormented by the relentless and savage rain of arrows from the massive opposing forces gathered like clouds about Him, Lord Hari twanged His excellent bow, Śārńga, which both gods and demons worship.

 

10.50.23

gṛhṇan niśańgād atha sandadhac charān

vikṛṣya muñcan śita-bāṇa-pūgān

nighnan rathān kuñjara-vāji-pattīn

nirantaraḿ yadvad alāta-cakram

 

gṛhṇan — taking; niśańgāt — from His quiver; atha — then; sandadhat — fixing; śarān — arrows; vikṛṣya — pulling back; muñcan — releasing; śita — sharp; bāṇa — of arrows; pūgān — floods; nighnan — striking; rathān — chariots; kuñjara — elephants; vāji — horses; pattīn — and infantrymen; nirantaram — relentlessly; yadvat — just like; alāta-cakram — a burning torch whirled around to make a circle of fire.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Lord Kṛṣṇa took arrows from His quiver, fixed them on the bowstring, pulled back, and released endless torrents of sharp shafts, which struck the enemy's chariots, elephants, horses and infantrymen. The Lord shooting His arrows resembled a blazing circle of fire.

 

10.50.24

nirbhinna-kumbhāḥ kariṇo nipetur

anekaśo 'śvāḥ śara-vṛkṇa-kandharāḥ

rathā hatāśva-dhvaja-sūta-nāyakāḥ

padāyataś chinna-bhujoru-kandharāḥ

 

nirbhinna — split; kumbhāḥ — the protuberances of their foreheads; kariṇaḥ — elephants; nipetuḥ — fell; anekaśaḥ — many at a time; aśvāḥ — horses; śara — by the arrows; vṛkṇa — severed; kandharāḥ — whose necks; rathāḥ — chariots; hata — struck; aśva — whose horses; dhvaja — flags; sūta — drivers; nāyakāḥ — and masters; padāyataḥ — foot soldiers; chinna — cut; bhuja — whose arms; ūru — thighs; kandharāḥ — and shoulders.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Elephants fell to the ground, their foreheads split open, cavalry horses fell with severed necks, chariots fell with their horses, flags, drivers and masters all shattered, and foot soldiers collapsed with severed arms, thighs and shoulders.

 

10.50.25-28

sañchidyamāna-dvipadebha-vājinām

ańga-prasūtāḥ śataśo 'sṛg-āpagāḥ

bhujāhayaḥ pūruṣa-śīrṣa-kacchapā

hata-dvipa-dvīpa-haya grahākulāḥ

 

karoru-mīnā nara-keśa-śaivalā

dhanus-tarańgāyudha-gulma-sańkulāḥ

acchūrikāvarta-bhayānakā mahā-

maṇi-pravekābharaṇāśma-śarkarāḥ

 

pravartitā bhīru-bhayāvahā mṛdhe

manasvināḿ harṣa-karīḥ parasparam

vinighnatārīn muṣalena durmadān

sańkarṣaṇenāparīmeya-tejasā

 

balaḿ tad ańgārṇava-durga-bhairavaḿ

duranta-pāraḿ magadhendra-pālitam

kṣayaḿ praṇītaḿ vasudeva-putrayor

vikrīḍitaḿ taj jagad-īśayoḥ param

 

sañchidyamāna — being cut to pieces; dvi-pada — of the two-legged (humans); ibha — elephants; vājinām — and horses; ańga — from the limbs; prasūtāḥ — flowing; śataśaḥ — by the hundreds; asṛk — of blood; āpa-gaḥ — rivers; bhuja — arms; ahayaḥ — as the snakes; pūruṣa — of men; śīrṣa — heads; kacchapāḥ — as the turtles; hata — dead; dvipa — with elephants; dvīpa — as islands; haya — and with horses; graha — as crocodiles; ākulāḥ — filled;

 

kara — hands; ūru — and thighs; mīnaḥ — as the fish; nara — human; keśa — hair; śaivalāḥ — as the aquatic weeds; dhanuḥ — with bows; tarańga — as the waves; āyudha — and with weapons; gulma — as the clumps of bushes; sańkulāḥ — crowded; acchūrikā — chariot wheels; āvarta — as the whirlpools; bhayānakāḥ — fearful; mahā-maṇi — precious gems; praveka — excellent; ābharaṇa — and ornaments; aśma — as the stones; śarkarāḥ — and gravel;

 

pravartitāḥ — issuing forth; bhīru — for the timid; bhaya-āvahāḥ — terrifying; mṛdhe — on the battlefield; manasvinām — for the intelligent; harṣa-karīḥ — inspiring joy; parasparam — from one to another; vinighnatā — who was striking down; arīn — His enemies; muṣalena — with His plow weapon; durmadān — who were furious; sańkarṣaṇena — by Lord Balarāma; aparimeya — immeasurable; tejasā — whose potency;

 

balam — military force; tat — that; ańga — my dear (King Parīkṣit); arṇava — like the ocean; durga — unfathomable; bhairavam — and frightening; duranta — impossible to cross over; pāram — whose limit; magadha-indra — by the King of Magadha, Jarāsandha; pālitam — overseen; kṣayam — to destruction; praṇītam — led; vasudeva-putrayoḥ — for the sons of Vasudeva; vikrīḍitam — play; tat — that; jagat — of the universe; īśayoḥ — for the Lords; param — at most.

 

TRANSLATION

 

On the battlefield, hundreds of rivers of blood flowed from the limbs of the humans, elephants and horses who had been cut to pieces. In these rivers arms resembled snakes; human heads, turtles; dead elephants, islands; and dead horses, crocodiles. Hands and thighs appeared like fish, human hair like waterweeds, bows like waves, and various weapons like clumps of bushes. The rivers of blood teemed with all of these.

Chariot wheels looked like terrifying whirlpools, and precious gems and ornaments resembled stones and gravel in the rushing red rivers, which aroused fear in the timid, joy in the wise. With the blows of His plow weapon the immeasurably powerful Lord Balarāma destroyed Magadhendra's military force. And though this force was as unfathomable and fearsome as an impassable ocean, for the two sons of Vasudeva, the Lords of the universe, the battle was hardly more than play.

 

10.50.29

sthity-udbhavāntaḿ bhuvana-trayasya yaḥ

samīhite 'nanta-guṇaḥ sva-līlayā

na tasya citraḿ para-pakṣa-nigrahas

tathāpi martyānuvidhasya varṇyate

 

sthiti — the maintenance; udbhava — creation; antam — and annihilation; bhuvana-trayasya — of the three worlds; yaḥ — who; samīhite — effects; ananta — unlimited; guṇaḥ — whose transcendental qualities; sva-līlayā — as His own pastime; na — not; tasya — for Him; citram — wonderful; para — opposing; pakṣa — of the party; nigrahaḥ — the subduing; tathā api — nevertheless; martya — human beings; anuvidhasya — who is imitating; varṇyate — it is described.

 

TRANSLATION

 

For Him who orchestrates the creation, maintenance and destruction of the three worlds and who possesses unlimited spiritual qualities, it is hardly amazing that He subdues an opposing party. Still, when the Lord does so, imitating human behavior, sages glorify His acts.

 

10.50.30

jagrāha virathaḿ rāmo

jarāsandhaḿ mahā-balam

hatānīkāvaśiṣṭāsuḿ

siḿhaḥ siḿham ivaujasā

 

jagrāha — He seized; viratham — who was deprived of his chariot; rāmaḥ — Lord Balarāma; jarāsandham — Jarāsandha; mahā — very; balam — strong; hata — killed; anīka — whose army; avaśiṣṭa — remaining; asum — whose breath; siḿhaḥ — a lion; siḿham — another lion; iva — as; ojasā — forcibly.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Jarāsandha, with his chariot lost and all his soldiers dead, was left with only his breath. At that point Lord Balarāma forcibly seized the powerful warrior, just as one lion takes hold of another.

 

10.50.31

badhyamānaḿ hatārātiḿ

pāśair vāruṇa-mānuṣaiḥ

vārayām āsa govindas

tena kārya-cikīrṣayā

 

badhyamānam — in the process of being tied up; hata — who had killed; arātim — his enemies; pāśaiḥ — with ropes; vāruṇa — those of the demigod Varuna; mānuṣaiḥ — and those of ordinary humans; vārayām āsa — checked Him; govindaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; tena — by him (Jarāsandha); kārya — some need; cikīrṣayā — desiring to fulfill.

 

TRANSLATION

 

With the divine noose of Varuṇa and other, mortal ropes, Balarāma began tying up Jarāsandha, who had killed so many foes. But Lord Govinda still had a purpose to fulfill through Jarāsandha, and thus He asked Balarāma to stop.

 

10.50.32-33

sā mukto loka-nāthābhyāḿ

vrīḍito vīra-sammataḥ

tapase kṛta-sańkalpo

vāritaḥ pathi rājabhiḥ

 

vākyaiḥ pavitrārtha-padair

nayanaiḥ prākṛtair api

sva-karma-bandha-prāpto 'yaḿ

yadubhis te parābhavaḥ

 

saḥ — he, Jarāsandha; muktaḥ — freed; loka-nāthābhyām — by the two Lords of the universe; vrīḍitaḥ — ashamed; vīra — by heroes; sammataḥ — honored; tapase — to perform austerities; kṛta-sańkalpaḥ — having made up his mind; vāritaḥ — was stopped; pathi — on the road; rājabhiḥ — by kings;

 

vākyaiḥ — with statements; pavitra — purifying; artha — having meanings; padaiḥ — with words; nayanaiḥ — with reasoning; prākṛtaiḥ — mundane; api — also; sva — own; karma-bandha — due to the unavoidable reactions of past work; prāptaḥ — obtained; ayam — this; yadubhiḥ — by the Yadus; te — your; parābhavaḥ — defeat.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Jarāsandha, whom fighters had highly honored, was ashamed after being released by the two Lords of the universe, and thus he decided to undergo penances. On the road, however, several kings convinced him with both spiritual wisdom and mundane arguments that he should give up his idea of self-abnegation. They told him, "Your defeat by the Yadus was simply the unavoidable reaction of your past karma."

 

10.50.34

hateṣu sarvānīkeṣu

nṛpo bārhadrathas tadā

upekṣito bhagavatā

magadhān durmanā yayau

 

hateṣu — having been killed; sarva — all; anīkeṣu — the soldiers of his armies; nṛpaḥ — the king; bārhadrathaḥ — Jarāsandha, the son of Bṛhadratha; tadā — then; upekṣita h — neglected; bhagavatā — by the Supreme Lord; magadhān — to the Magadha kingdom; durmanāḥ — depressed; yayau — he went.

 

TRANSLATION

 

All of his armies having been killed, and himself neglected by the Personality of Godhead, King Jarāsandha, son of Bṛhadratha, then sadly returned to the kingdom of the Magadhas.

 

10.50.35-36

mukundo 'py akṣata-balo

nistīrṇāri-balārṇavaḥ

vikīryamāṇaḥ kusumais

trīdaśair anumoditaḥ

 

māthurair upasańgamya

vijvarair muditātmabhiḥ

upagīyamāna-vijayaḥ

sūta-māgadha-vandibhiḥ

 

mukundaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; api — and; akṣata — unbroken; balaḥ — His military force; nistīrṇa — having crossed over; ari — of His enemy; bala — of the armies; arṇavaḥ — the ocean; vikīryamāṇaḥ — having scattered upon Him; kusumaiḥ — flowers; tridaśaiḥ — by the demigods; anumoditaḥ — congratulated;

 

māthuraiḥ — by the people of Mathurā; upasańgamya — being met; vijvaraiḥ — who were relieved of their fever; mudita-ātmabhiḥ — who felt great joy; upagīyamāna — being sung about; vijayaḥ — His victory; sūta — by Purāṇic bards; māgadha — panegyrists; vandibhiḥ — and heralds.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Lord Mukunda had crossed the ocean of His enemy's armies with His own military force completely intact. He received congratulations from the denizens of heaven, who showered Him with flowers. The people of Mathurā, relieved of their feverish anxiety and filled with joy, came out to meet Him as professional bards, heralds and panegyrists sang in praise of His victory.

 

10.50.37-38

śańkha-dundubhayo nedur

bherī-tūryāṇy anekaśaḥ

vīṇā-veṇu-mṛdańgāni

puraḿ praviśati prabhau

 

sikta-mārgāḿ hṛṣṭa-janāḿ

patākābhir abhyalańkṛtām

nirghuṣṭāḿ brahma-ghoṣeṇa

kautukābaddha-toraṇām

 

śańkha — conchshells; dundubhayaḥ — and kettledrums; neduḥ — sounded; bherī — drums; tūryāṇi — and horns; anekaśaḥ — many at once; vīṇā-veṇu-mṛdańgāni — vīṇās, flutes and mṛdańga drums; puram — the city (Mathurā); praviśati — as He entered; prabhau — the Lord;

 

sikta — sprinkled with water; mārgām — its boulevards; hṛṣṭa — joyful; janām — its citizens; patākābhiḥ — with banners; abhyalańkṛtām — abundantly decorated; nirghuṣṭām — resounding; brahma — of the Vedas; ghoṣeṇa — with chanting; kautuka — festive; ābaddha — ornaments; toraṇām — on its gateways.

 

TRANSLATION

 

As the Lord entered His city, conchshells and kettledrums sounded, and many drums, horns, vīṇās, flutes and mṛdańgas played in concert. The boulevards were sprinkled with water, there were banners everywhere, and the gateways were decorated for the celebration. The citizens were elated, and the city resounded with the chanting of Vedic hymns.

 

10.50.39

nicīyamāno nārībhir

mālya-dadhy-akṣatāńkuraiḥ

nirīkṣyamāṇaḥ sa-snehaḿ

prīty-utkalita-locanaiḥ

 

nicīyamānaḥ — having scattered upon Him; nārībhiḥ — by the women; mālya — flower garlands; dadhi — yogurt; akṣata — parched rice; ańkuraiḥ — and sprouts; nirīkṣyamāṇaḥ — being looked on; sa-sneham — affectionately; prīti — out of love; utkalita — opened wide; locanaiḥ — with eyes.

 

TRANSLATION

 

As the women of the city affectionately looked at the Lord, their eyes wide open with love, they scattered flower garlands, yogurt, parched rice and newly grown sprouts upon Him.

 

10.50.40

āyodhana-gataḿ vittam

anantaḿ vīra-bhūṣaṇam

yadu-rājāya tat sarvam

āhṛtaḿ prādiśat prabhuḥ

 

āyodhana-gatam — fallen on the battlefield; vittam — the valuables; anantam — countless; vīra — of the heroes; bhūṣaṇam — the ornaments; yadu-rājāya — to the King of the Yadus, Ugrasena; tat — that; sarvam — all; āhṛtam — which was brought; prādiśat — presented; prabhuḥ — the Lord.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Lord Kṛṣṇa then presented to the Yadu king all the wealth that had fallen on the battlefield — namely, the countless ornaments of the dead warriors.

 

10.50.41

evaḿ saptadaśa-kṛtvas

tāvaty akṣauhiṇī-balaḥ

yuyudhe māgadho rājā

yadubhiḥ kṛṣṇa-pālitaiḥ

 

evam — in this way; sapta-daśa — seventeen; kṛtvaḥ — times; tāvati — even thus (being defeated); akṣauhiṇī — consisting of entire divisions; balaḥ — His military strength; yuyudhe — fought; māgadhaḥ rājā — the King of Magadha; yadubhiḥ — with the Yadus; kṛṣṇa-pālitaiḥ — protected by Kṛṣṇa.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Seventeen times the King of Magadha met defeat in this very way. And yet throughout these defeats he fought on with his akṣauhiṇī divisions against the forces of the Yadu dynasty who were protected by Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

 

10.50.42

akṣiṇvaḿs tad-balaḿ sarvaḿ

vṛṣṇayaḥ kṛṣṇa-tejasā

hateṣu sveṣv anīkeṣu

tyakto 'gād aribhir nṛpaḥ

 

akṣiṇvan — they destroyed; tat — his; balam — force; sarvam — entire; vṛṣṇayaḥ — the Vṛṣṇis; kṛṣṇa-tejasā — by the power of Lord Kṛṣṇa; hateṣu — when they were dead; sveṣu — his; anīkeṣu — soldiers; tyaktaḥ — abandoned; agāt — went away; aribhiḥ — by his enemies; nṛpaḥ — the King, Jarāsandha.

 

TRANSLATION

 

By the power of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Vṛṣṇis would invariably annihilate all of Jarāsandha's forces, and when all his soldiers had been killed, the King, released by his enemies, would again go away.

 

10.50.43

aṣṭādaśama sańgrāma

āgāmini tad-antarā

nārada-preṣito vīro

yavanaḥ pratyadṛśyata

 

aṣṭā-daśama — the eighteenth; sańgrāme — battle; āgāmini — being about to happen; tat-antarā — at that instant; nārada — by the sage Nārada; preṣitaḥ — sent; vīraḥ — a fighter; yavanaḥ — a barbarian (named Kālayavana); pratyadṛśyata — appeared.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Just as the eighteenth battle was about to take place, a barbarian warrior named Kālayavana, sent by Nārada, appeared on the battlefield.

 

10.50.44

rurodha mathurām etya

tisṛbhir mleccha-koṭibhiḥ

nṛ-loke cāpratidvandvo

vṛṣṇīn śrutvātma-sammitān

 

rurodha — he besieged; mathurām — Mathurā; etya — arriving there; tisṛbhiḥ — times three; mleccha — with barbarians; koṭibhiḥ — ten million; nṛ-loke — among mankind; ca — and; apratidvandvaḥ — having no suitable rival; vṛṣṇīn — the Vṛṣṇis; śrutvā — hearing; ātma — to himself; sammitān — comparable.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Arriving at Mathurā, this Yavana laid siege to the city with thirty million barbarian soldiers. He had never found a human rival worth fighting, but he had heard that the Vṛṣṇis were his equals.

 

10.50.45

taḿ dṛṣṭvācintayat kṛṣṇaḥ

sańkarṣaṇa sahāyavān

aho yadūnāḿ vṛjinaḿ

prāptaḿ hy ubhayato mahat

 

tam — him; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; acintayat — thought; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; sańkarṣaṇa — by Lord Balarāma; sahāya-van — assisted; aho — ah; yadūnām — for the Yadus; vṛjinam — a problem; prāptam — arrived; hi — indeed; ubhayataḥ — from both sides (from Kālayavana and also from Jarāsandha); mahat — great.

 

TRANSLATION

 

When Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Sańkarṣaṇa saw Kālayavana, Kṛṣṇa thought about the situation and said, "Ah, a great danger now threatens the Yadus from two sides.

 

10.50.46

yavano 'yaḿ nirundhe 'smān

adya tāvan mahā-balaḥ

māgadho 'py adya vā śvo vā

paraśvo vāgamiṣyati

 

yavanaḥ — foreign barbarian; ayam — this; nirundhe — is opposing; asmān — us; adya — today; tāvat — as much; mahā-balaḥ — greatly powerful; māgadhaḥ — Jarāsandha; api — also; adya — today; vā — or; śvaḥ — tomorrow; vā — or; para-śvaḥ — the day after tomorrow; vā — or; āgamiṣyati — will come.

 

TRANSLATION

 

"This Yavana is besieging us already, and the mighty King of Magadha will soon arrive here, if not today then tomorrow or the next day.

 

10.50.47

āvayoḥ yudhyator asya

yady āgantā jarā-sutaḥ

bandhūn haniṣyaty atha vā

neṣyate sva-puraḿ balī

 

āvayoḥ — the two of Us; yudhyatoḥ — while fighting; asya — with him (Kālayavana); yadi — if; āgantā — comes; jarā-sutaḥ — the son of Jarā; bandhūn — Our relatives; haniṣyati — he will kill; atha vā — or else; neṣyate — he will take; sva — to his own; puram — city; balī — strong.

 

TRANSLATION

 

"If powerful Jarāsandha comes while We two are busy fighting Kālayavana, Jarāsandha may kill Our relatives or else take them away to his capital.

 

10.50.48

tasmād adya vidhāsyāmo

durgaḿ dvipada-durgamam

tatra jñātīn samādhāya

yavanaḿ ghātayāmahe

 

tasmāt — therefore; adya — today; vidhāsyāmaḥ — We will construct; durgam — a fortress; dvipada — to humans; durgamam — insurmountable; tatra — there; jñātīn — Our family members; samādhāya — settling; yavanam — the barbarian; ghātayāmahe — We will kill.

 

TRANSLATION

 

"Therefore We will immediately construct a fortress that no human force can penetrate. Let Us settle our family members there and then kill the barbarian king."

 

10.50.49

iti sammantrya bhagavān

durgaḿ dvādaśa-yojanam

antaḥ-samudre nagaraḿ

kṛtsnādbhutam acīkarat

 

iti — thus; sammantrya — consulting; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; durgam — a fortress; dvādaśa-yojanam — twelve yojanas (about one hundred miles); antaḥ — within; samudre — the sea; nagaram — a city; kṛtsna — with everything; adbhutam — wonderful; acīkarat — He had made.

 

TRANSLATION

 

After thus discussing the matter with Balarāma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead had a fortress twelve yojanas in circumference built within the sea. Inside that fort He had a city built containing all kinds of wonderful things.

 

10.50.50-53

dṛśyate yatra hi tvāṣṭraḿ

vijñānaḿ śilpa-naipuṇam

rathyā-catvara-vīthībhir

yathā-vāstu vinirmitam

 

sura-druma-latodyāna-

vicitropavanānvitam

hema-śṛńgair divi-spṛgbhiḥ

sphaṭikāṭṭāla-gopuraiḥ

 

rājatārakuṭaiḥ koṣṭhair

hema-kumbhair alańkṛtaiḥ

ratna-kūtair gṛhair hemair

mahā-mārakata-sthalaiḥ

 

vāstoṣpatīnāḿ ca gṛhair

vallabhībhiś ca nirmitam

cātur-varṇya-janākīrṇaḿ

yadu-deva-gṛhollasat

 

dṛśyate — was seen; yatra — wherein; hi — indeed; tvāṣṭram — of Tvaṣṭā (Viśvakarmā), the architect of the demigods; vijñānam — the scientific knowledge; śilpa — in architecture; naipuṇam — the expertise; rathyā — with main avenues; catvara — courtyards; vīthībhiḥ — and commercial roads; yathā-vāstu — on ample plots of land; vinirmitam — constructed;

 

sura — of the demigods; druma — having trees; latā — and creepers; udyāna — gardens; vicitra — splendid; upavana — and parks; anvitam — containing; hema — gold; śṛńgaiḥ — having peaks; divi — the sky; spṛgbhiḥ — touching; sphaṭikā — of crystal quartz; aṭṭāla — having upper levels; gopuraiḥ — with gateways;

 

rājata — of silver; ārakuṭaiḥ — and brass; koṣṭhaiḥ — with treasury buildings, warehouses and stables; hema — gold; kumbhaiḥ — by pots; alańkṛtaiḥ — decorated; ratna — jeweled; kūtaiḥ — having peaks; gṛhaiḥ — with houses; hemaiḥ — of gold; mahā-mārakata — with precious emeralds; sthalaiḥ — having floors;