Chapter 72: The Slaying of the Demon Jarāsandha

 

10.72.1-2

śrī-śuka uvāca

ekadā tu sabhā-madhya

āsthito munibhir vṛtaḥ

brāhmaṇaiḥ kṣatriyair vaiśyair

bhrātṛbhiś ca yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

 

ācāryaiḥ kula-vṛddhaiś ca

jñāti-sambandhi-bāndhavaiḥ

śṛṇvatām eva caiteṣām

ābhāṣyedam uvāca ha

 

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; ekadā — once; tu — and; sabhā — of the royal assembly; madhye — in the midst; āsthitaḥ — seated; munibhiḥ — by sages; vṛtaḥ — surrounded; brāhmaṇaiḥ kṣatriyaiḥ vaiśyaiḥ — by brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas; bhrātṛbhiḥ — by his brothers; ca — and; yudhiṣṭhiraḥ — King Yudhiṣṭhira;

 

ācāryaiḥ — by his spiritual masters; kula — of the family; vṛddhaiḥ — by the elders; ca — also; jñāti — by blood relatives; sambandhi — in-laws; bāndhavaiḥ — and friends; śṛṇvatām — as they listened; eva — indeed; ca — and; eteṣām — all of them; ābhāṣya — addressing (Lord Kṛṣṇa); idam — this; uvāca ha — he said.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: One day, as King Yudhiṣṭhira sat in the royal assembly surrounded by eminent sages, brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas, and also by his brothers, spiritual masters, family elders, blood relations, in-laws and friends, he addressed Lord Kṛṣṇa as everyone listened.

 

10.72.3

śrī-yudhiṣṭhira uvāca

kratu-rājena govinda

rājasūyena pāvanīḥ

yakṣye vibhūtīr bhavatas

tat sampādaya naḥ prabho

 

śrī-yudhiṣṭhiraḥ uvāca — Śrī Yudhiṣṭhira said; kratu — of major fire sacrifices; rājena — with the king; govinda — O Kṛṣṇa; rājasūyena — named Rājasūya; pāvanīḥ — purifying; yakṣye — I wish to worship; vibhūtīḥ — the opulent expansions; bhavataḥ — of Yourself; tat — that; sampādaya — please allow to happen; naḥ — for us; prabho — O master.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Śrī Yudhiṣṭhira said: O Govinda, I desire to worship Your auspicious, opulent expansions by the Rājasūya sacrifice, the king of Vedic ceremonies. Please make our endeavor a success, my Lord.

 

10.72.4

tvat-pāduke avirataḿ pari ye caranti

dhyāyanty abhadra-naśane śucayo gṛṇanti

vindanti te kamala-nābha bhavāpavargam

āśāsate yadi ta āśiṣa īśa nānye

 

tvat — Your; pāduke — slippers; aviratam — constantly; pari — fully; ye — who; caranti — serve; dhyāyanti — meditate upon; abhadra — of inauspicious things; naśane — which (cause) the destruction; śucayaḥ — purified; gṛṇanti — and describe in their words; vindanti — obtain; te — they; kamala — (like a) lotus; nābha — O You whose navel; bhava — of material life; apavargam — the cessation; āśāsate — harbor desires; yadi — if; te — they; āśiṣaḥ — (attain) the desired objects; īśa — O Lord; na — not; anye — other persons.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Purified persons who constantly serve, meditate upon and glorify Your shoes, which destroy everything inauspicious, are sure to obtain freedom from material existence, O lotus-naveled one. Even if they desire something in this world, they obtain it, whereas others — those who do not take shelter of You — are never satisfied, O Lord.

 

10.72.5

tad deva-deva bhavataś caraṇāravinda-

sevānubhāvam iha paśyatu loka eṣaḥ

ye tvāḿ bhajanti na bhajanty uta vobhayeṣāḿ

niṣṭhāḿ pradarśaya vibho kuru-sṛñjayānām

 

tat — therefore; deva-deva — O Lord of lords; bhavataḥ — Your; caraṇa-aravinda — to the lotus feet; sevā — of service; anubhāvam — the power; iha — in this world; paśyatu — may they see; lokaḥ — the populace; eṣaḥ — this; ye — who; tvām — You; bhajanti — worship; na bhajanti — do not worship; uta vā — or else; ubhayeṣām — of both; niṣṭhām — the status; pradarśaya — please show; vibho — O all-powerful one; kuru-sṛñjayānām — of the Kurus and Sṛñjayas.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Therefore, O Lord of lords, let the people of this world see the power of devotional service rendered to Your lotus feet. Please show them, O almighty one, the position of those Kurus and Sṛñjayas who worship You, and the position of those who do not.

 

10.72.6

na brahmaṇaḥ sva-para-bheda-matis tava syāt

sarvātmanaḥ sama-dṛśaḥ sva-sukhānubhūteḥ

saḿsevatāḿ sura-taror iva te prasādaḥ

sevānurūpam udayo na viparyayo 'tra

 

na — not; brahmaṇaḥ — of the Absolute Truth; sva — of own; para — and other's; bheda — differential; matiḥ — mentality; tava — of You; syāt — there can be; sarva — of all beings; ātmanaḥ — of the Soul; sama — equal; dṛśaḥ — whose vision; sva — within Himself; sukha — of happiness; anubhūteḥ — whose experience; saḿsevatām — for those who properly worship; sura-taroḥ — of the heavenly desire tree; iva — as if; te — Your; prasādaḥ — grace; sevā — with the service; anurūpam — in accordance; udayaḥ — desirable results; na — not; viparyayaḥ — contradiction; atra — in this.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Within Your mind there can be no such differentiation as "This one is mine, and that is another's," because You are the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Soul of all beings, always equipoised and enjoying transcendental happiness within Yourself. Just like the heavenly desire tree, You bless all who properly worship You, granting their desired fruits in proportion to the service they render You. There is nothing wrong in this.

 

10.72.7

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

samyag vyavasitaḿ rājan

bhavatā śatru-karśana

kalyāṇī yena te kīrtir

lokān anubhaviṣyati

 

śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Lord said; samyak — perfectly; vyavasitam — determined; rājan — O King; bhavatā — by you; śatru — of enemies; karśana — O tormentor; kalyāṇī — auspicious; yena — by which; te — your; kīrtiḥ — fame; lokān — all the worlds; anubhaviṣyati — it will see.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Your decision is perfect, O King, and thus your noble fame will spread to all the worlds, O tormentor of your enemies.

 

10.72.8

ṛṣīṇāḿ pitṛ-devānāḿ

suhṛdām api naḥ prabho

sarveṣām api bhūtānām

īpsitaḥ kratu-rāḍ ayam

 

ṛṣīṇām — for the sages; pitṛ — departed forefathers; devānām — and demigods; suhṛdām — for the friends; api — also; naḥ — our; prabhoḥ — master; sarveṣām — for all; api — as well; bhūtānām — living beings; īpsitaḥ — desirable; kratu — of major Vedic sacrifices; rāṭ — king; ayam — this.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Indeed, My lord, for the great sages, the forefathers and the demigods, for Our well-wishing friends and, indeed, for all living beings, the performance of this king of Vedic sacrifices is desirable.

 

10.72.9

vijitya nṛpatīn sarvān

kṛtvā ca jagatīḿ vaśe

sambhṛtya sarva-sambhārān

āharasva mahā-kratum

 

vijitya — conquering; nṛ-patīn — the kings; sarvān — all; kṛtvā — making; ca — and; jagatīm — the earth; vaśe — under your control; sambhṛtya — collecting; sarva — all; sambhārān — the paraphernalia; āharasva — execute; mahā — great; kratum — the sacrifice.

 

TRANSLATION

 

First conquer all kings, bring the earth under your control and collect all the required paraphernalia; then execute this great sacrifice.

 

10.72.10

ete te bhrātaro rājan

loka-pālāḿśa-sambhavāḥ

jito 'smy ātmavatā te 'haḿ

durjayo yo 'kṛtātmabhiḥ

 

ete — these; te — your; bhrātaraḥ — brothers; rājan — O King; loka — of the planets; pāla — from the ruling demigods; aḿśa — as partial expansions; sambhavāḥ — born; jitaḥ — conquered; asmi — am; ātma-vatā — self-controlled; te — by you; aham — I; durjayaḥ — unconquerable; yaḥ — who; akṛta-ātmabhiḥ — by those who have not conquered their senses.

 

TRANSLATION

 

These brothers of yours, O King, have taken birth as partial expansions of the demigods ruling various planets. And you are so self-controlled that you have conquered even Me, who am unconquerable for those who cannot control their senses.

 

10.72.11

na kaścin mat-paraḿ loke

tejasā yaśasā śriyā

vibhūtibhir vābhibhaved

devo 'pi kim u pārthivaḥ

 

na — not; kaścit — any person; mat — to Me; param — one who is dedicated; loke — in this world; tejasā — by his strength; yaśasā — fame; śriyā — beauty; vibhūtibhiḥ — opulences; vā — or; abhibhavet — can overcome; devaḥ — a demigod; api — even; kim u — what to speak of; pārthivaḥ — a ruler of the earth.

 

TRANSLATION

 

No one in this world, even a demigod — what to speak of an earthly king — can defeat My devotee with his strength, beauty, fame or riches.

 

10.72.12

śrī-śuka uvāca

niśamya bhagavad-gītaḿ

prītaḥ phulla-mukhāmbujaḥ

bhrātṝn dig-vijaye 'yuńkta

viṣṇu-tejopabṛḿhitān

 

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śrī Śuka said; niśamya — hearing; bhagavat — of the Supreme Lord; gītam — the song; prītaḥ — pleased; phulla — blossoming; mukha — his face; ambujaḥ — lotuslike; bhrātṝn — his brothers; dik — of all the directions; vijaye — in the conquest; ayuńkta — engaged; viṣṇu — of Lord Viṣṇu; tejaḥ — with the potency; upabṛḿhitān — fortified.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Upon hearing these words sung by the Supreme Lord, King Yudhiṣṭhira became joyful, and his face blossomed like a lotus. Thus he sent forth his brothers, who were empowered with Lord Viṣṇu's potency, to conquer all directions.

 

10.72.13

sahadevaḿ dakṣiṇasyām

ādiśat saha sṛñjayaiḥ

diśi pratīcyāḿ nakulam

udīcyāḿ savyasācinam

prācyāḿ vṛkodaraḿ matsyaiḥ

kekayaiḥ saha madrakaiḥ

 

sahadevam — Sahadeva; dakṣiṇasyām — to the south; ādiśat — he ordered; saha — with; sṛñjayaiḥ — the warriors of the Sṛñjaya clan; diśi — to the direction; pratīcyām — western; nakulam — Nakula; udīcyām — to the north; savyasācinam — Arjuna; prācyām — to the east; vṛkodaram — Bhīma; matsyaiḥ — the Matsyas; kekayaiḥ — the Kekayas; saha — together with; madrakaiḥ — and the Madrakas.

 

TRANSLATION

 

He sent Sahadeva to the south with the Sṛñjayas, Nakula to the west with the Matsyas, Arjuna to the north with the Kekayas, and Bhīma to the east with the Madrakas.

 

10.72.14

te vijitya nṛpān vīrā

ājahrur digbhya ojasā

ajāta-śatrave bhūri

draviṇaḿ nṛpa yakṣyate

 

te — they; vijitya — defeating; nṛpān — kings; vīrāḥ — the heroes; ājahruḥ — brought; digbhyaḥ — from the different directions; ojasā — by their personal strength; ajāta-śatrave — to Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja, whose enemy was never born; bhūri — abundant; draviṇam — wealth; nṛpa — O King (Parīkṣit); yakṣyate — who was intending to perform sacrifice.

 

TRANSLATION

 

After defeating many kings with their prowess, these heroic brothers brought back abundant wealth for Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja, who was intent on performing the sacrifice, O King.

 

10.72.15

śrutvājitaḿ jarāsandhaḿ

nṛpater dhyāyato hariḥ

āhopāyaḿ tam evādya

uddhavo yam uvāca ha

 

śrutvā — hearing; ajitam — unconquered; jarāsandham — Jarāsandha; nṛpateḥ — the King; dhyāyataḥ — as he pondered; hariḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; āha — told; upāyam — the means; tam — to him; eva — indeed; ādyaḥ — the original person; uddhavaḥ — Uddhava; yam — which; uvāca ha — had spoken.

 

TRANSLATION

 

When King Yudhiṣṭhira heard that Jarāsandha remained undefeated, he set to pondering, and then the primeval Lord, Hari, told him the means Uddhava had described for defeating Jarāsandha.

 

10.72.16

bhīmaseno 'rjunaḥ kṛṣṇo

brahma-linga-dharās trayaḥ

jagmur girivrajaḿ tāta

bṛhadratha-suto yataḥ

 

bhīmasenaḥ arjunaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ — Bhīmasena, Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa; brahma — of brāhmaṇas; lińga — the guises; dharāḥ — wearing; trayaḥ — the three; jagmuḥ — went; girivrajam — to the fortress city Girivraja; tāta — my dear (Parīkṣit); bṛhadratha-sutaḥ — the son of Bṛhadratha (Jarāsandha); yataḥ — where.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Thus Bhīmasena, Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa disguised themselves as brāhmaṇas and went to Girivraja, my dear King, where the son of Bṛhadratha was to be found.

 

10.72.17

te gatvātithya-velāyāḿ

gṛheṣu gṛha-medhinam

brahmaṇyaḿ samayāceran

rājanyā brahma-lińginaḥ

 

te — they; gatvā — going; ātithya — for receiving uninvited guests; velāyām — at the appointed hour; gṛheṣu — in his residence; gṛha-medhinam — from the religious householder; brahmaṇyam — respectful to brāhmaṇas; samayāceran — begged; rājanyāḥ — the kings; brahma-lińginaḥ — appearing with the signs of brāhmaṇas.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Disguised as brāhmaṇas, the royal warriors approached Jarāsandha at home during the appointed hour for receiving guests. They submitted their entreaty to that dutiful householder, who was especially respectful to the brahminical class.

 

10.72.18

rājan viddhy atithīn prāptān

arthino dūram āgatān

tan naḥ prayaccha bhadraḿ te

yad vayaḿ kāmayāmahe

 

rājan — O King; viddhi — please know; atithīn — guests; prāptān — arrived; arthinaḥ — desirous of gain; dūram — from far away; āgatān — come; tat — that; naḥ — to us; prayaccha — please grant; bhadram — all good, te — unto you; yat — whatever; vayam — we; kāmayāmahe — are desiring.

 

TRANSLATION

 

[Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna and Bhīma said:] O King, know us to be needy guests who have come to you from afar. We wish all good unto you. Please grant us whatever we desire.

 

10.72.19

kiḿ durmarṣaḿ titikṣūṇāḿ

kim akāryam asādhubhiḥ

kiḿ na deyaḿ vadānyānāḿ

kaḥ paraḥ sama-darśinām

 

kim — what; durmarṣam — intolerable; titikṣūṇām — for the patient; kim — what; akāryam — impossible to do; asādhubhiḥ — for the impious; kim — what; na deyam — impossible to give away; vadānyānām — for the generous; kaḥ — who; paraḥ — separate; sama — equal; darśinām — for those whose vision.

 

TRANSLATION

 

What can the tolerant not bear? What will the wicked not do? What will the generous not give in charity? And who will those of equal vision see as an outsider?

 

10.72.20

yo 'nityena śarīreṇa

satāḿ geyaḿ yaśo dhruvam

nācinoti svayaḿ kalpaḥ

sa vācyaḥ śocya eva saḥ

 

yaḥ — who; anityena — temporary; śarīreṇa — with the material body; satām — by saints; geyam — to be glorified; yaśaḥ — fame; dhruvam — permanent; na ācinoti — does not acquire; svayam — himself; kalpaḥ — capable; saḥ — he; vācyaḥ — contemptible; śocyaḥ — pitiable; eva — indeed; saḥ — he.

 

TRANSLATION

 

He indeed is to be censured and pitied who, though able to do so, fails to achieve with his temporary body the lasting fame glorified by great saints.

 

10.72.21

hariścandro rantideva

uñchavṛttiḥ śibir baliḥ

vyādhaḥ kapoto bahavo

hy adhruveṇa dhruvaḿ gatāḥ

 

hariścandraḥ rantidevaḥ — Hariścandra and Rantideva; uñcha-vṛttiḥ — Mudgala, who lived by gathering grains left behind in the fields after the harvest; śibiḥ baliḥ — Śibi and Bali; vyādhaḥ — the hunter; kapotaḥ — the pigeon; bahavaḥ — many; hi — indeed; adhruveṇa — by the temporary; dhruvam — to the permanent; gatāḥ — went.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Hariścandra, Rantideva, Uñchavṛtti Mudgala, Śibi, Bali, the legendary hunter and pigeon, and many others have attained the permanent by means of the impermanent.

 

10.72.22

śrī-śuka uvāca

svarair ākṛtibhis tāḿs tu

prakoṣṭhair jyā-hatair api

rājanya-bandhūn vijñāya

dṛṣṭa-pūrvān acintayat

 

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; svaraiḥ — by their voices; ākṛtibhiḥ — their bodily statures; tān — them; tu — however; prakoṣṭhaiḥ — by (seeing) their forearms; jyā — by bowstrings; hataiḥ — imprinted; api — even; rājanya — of royalty; bandhūn — as family members; vijñāya — recognizing; dṛṣṭa — seen; pūrvān — previously; acintayat — he considered.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: From the sound of their voices, their physical stature and the marks of bowstrings on their forearms, Jarāsandha could tell that his guests were of the royal order. He began to think he had seen them somewhere before.

 

10.72.23

rājanya-bandhavo hy ete

brahma-lińgāni bibhrati

dadāni bhikṣitaḿ tebhya

ātmānam api dustyajam

 

rājanya-bandhavaḥ — relatives of kṣatriyas; hi — indeed; ete — these; brahma — of brāhmaṇas; lińgāni — the signs; bibhrati — they are wearing; dadāni — I should give; bhikṣitam — what is begged; tebhyaḥ — to them; ātmānam — my own body; api — even; dustyajam — impossible to give up.

 

TRANSLATION

 

[Jarāsandha thought:] These are surely members of the royal order dressed as brāhmaṇas, but still I must grant their request for charity, even if they beg me for my own body.

 

10.72.24-25

baler nu śrūyate kīrtir

vitatā dikṣv akalmaṣā

aiśvaryād bhraḿśitasyāpi

vipra-vyājena viṣṇunā

 

śriyaḿ jihīrṣatendrasya

viṣṇave dvija-rūpiṇe

jānann api mahīm prādād

vāryamāṇo 'pi daitya-rāṭ

 

baleḥ — of Bali; nu — is it not so; śrūyate — are heard; kīrtiḥ — the glories; vitatā — widespread; dikṣu — in all directions; akalmaṣā — spotless; aiśvaryāt — from his powerful position; bhraḿśitasya — who was made to fall; api — even though; vipra — of a brāhmaṇa; vyājena — in the guise; viṣṇunā — by Lord Viṣṇu;

 

śrīyam — the opulence; jihīrṣatā — who wanted to take away; indrasya — of Indra; viṣṇave — to Viṣṇu; dvija-rūpiṇe — appearing as a brāhmaṇa; jānan — aware; api — although; mahīm — the whole earth; prādāt — he gave; vāryamāṇaḥ — being forbidden; api — even; daitya — of the demons; rāṭ — the king.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Indeed, the spotless glories of Bali Mahārāja are heard throughout the world. Lord Viṣṇu, wishing to recover Indra's opulence from Bali, appeared before him in the guise of a brāhmaṇa and made him fall from his powerful position. Though aware of the ruse and forbidden by his guru, Bali, king of the demons, still gave Viṣṇu the whole earth in charity.

 

10.72.26

jīvatā brāhmaṇārthāya

ko nv arthaḥ kṣatra-bandhunā

dehena patamānena

nehatā vipulaḿ yaśaḥ

 

jīvatā — who is alive; brāhmaṇa-arthāya — for the benefit of brāhmaṇas; kaḥ — what; nu — at all; arthaḥ — use; kṣatra-bandhunā — with a fallen kṣatriya; dehena — by his body; patamānena — about to fall; na īhatā — who is not endeavoring; vipulam — for extensive; yaśaḥ — glory.

 

TRANSLATION

 

What is the use of an unqualified kṣatriya who goes on living but fails to gain everlasting glory by working with his perishable body for the benefit of brāhmaṇas?

 

10.72.27

ity udāra-matiḥ prāha

kṛṣṇārjuna-vṛkodarān

he viprā vriyatāḿ kāmo

dadāmy ātma-śiro 'pi vaḥ

 

iti — thus; udāra — generous; matiḥ — whose mentality; prāha — said; kṛṣṇa-arjuna-vṛkodarān — to Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna and Bhīma; he vipraḥ — O learned brāhmaṇas; vriyatām — let it be chosen; kāmaḥ — what you desire; dadāmi — I will give; ātma — my own; śiraḥ — head; api — even; vaḥ — to you.

 

TRANSLATION

 

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus making up his mind, the generous Jarāsandha addressed Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna and Bhīma: "O learned brāhmaṇas, choose whatever you wish. I will give it to you, even if it is my own head."

 

10.72.28

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

yuddhaḿ no dehi rājendra

dvandvaśo yadi manyase

yuddhārthino vayaḿ prāptā

rājanyā nānya-kāńkṣiṇaḥ

 

śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Lord (Kṛṣṇa) said; yuddham — battle; naḥ — to us; dehi — please give; rāja-indra — O exalted King; dvandvaśaḥ — as a one-on-one duel; yadi — if; manyase — you think it proper; yuddha — for a fight; arthinaḥ — desirous; vayam — we; prāptāḥ — have come here; rājanyāḥ — members of the royal order; na — not; anya — anything else; kāńkṣiṇaḥ — wanting.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The Supreme Lord said: O exalted King, give us battle in the form of a duel, if you think it fitting. We are princes and have come to beg a fight. We have no other request to make of you.

 

10.72.29

asau vṛkodaraḥ pārthas

tasya bhrātārjuno hy ayam

anayor mātuleyaḿ māḿ

kṛṣṇaḿ jānīhi te ripum

 

asau — that one; vṛkodaraḥ — Bhīma; pārthaḥ — the son of Pṛthā; tasya — his; bhrātā — brother; arjunaḥ — Arjuna; hi — indeed; ayam — this other; anayoḥ — of the two of them; mātuleyam — the maternal cousin; mām — Me; kṛṣṇam — Kṛṣṇa; jānīhi — please know; te — your; ripum — enemy.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Over there is Bhīma, son of Pṛthā, and this is his brother Arjuna. Know Me to be their maternal cousin, Kṛṣṇa, your enemy.

 

10.72.30

evam āvedito rājā

jahāsoccaiḥ sma māgadhaḥ

āha cāmarṣito mandā

yuddhaḿ tarhi dadāmi vaḥ

 

evam — thus; āveditaḥ — invited; rāja — the King; jahāsa — laughed; uccaiḥ — out loud; sma — indeed; māgadhaḥ — Jarāsandha; āha — he said; ca — and; amarṣitaḥ — intolerant; mandāḥ — O fools; yuddham — battle; tarhi — then; dadāmi — I will give; vaḥ — to you.

 

TRANSLATION

 

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus challenged, Magadharāja laughed out loud and contemptuously said, "All right, you fools, I'll give you a fight!

 

10.72.31

na tvayā bhīruṇā yotsye

yudhi viklava-tejasā

mathurāḿ sva-purīḿ tyaktvā

samudraḿ śaraṇaḿ gataḥ

 

na — not; tvayā — with You; bhīruṇā — cowardly; yotsye — I will fight; yudhi — in battle; viklava — impaired; tejasā — whose strength; mathurām — Mathurā; sva — Your own; purīm — city; tyaktvā — leaving; samudram — to the ocean; śaraṇam — for shelter; gataḥ — gone.

 

TRANSLATION

 

"But I will not fight with You, Kṛṣṇa, for You are a coward. Your strength abandoned You in the midst of battle, and You fled Your own capital of Mathurā to take shelter in the sea.

 

10.72.32

ayaḿ tu vayasātulyo

nāti-sattvo na me samaḥ

arjuno na bhaved yoddhā

bhīmas tulya-balo mama

 

ayam — this; tu — on the other hand; vayasā — in age; atulyaḥ — unequal; na — not; ati — much; sattvaḥ — having strength; na — not; me — to me; samaḥ — evenly matched; arjunaḥ — Arjuna; na bhavet — should not be; yoddhā — the contender; bhīmaḥ — Bhīma; tulya — equal; balaḥ — in strength; mama — with me.

 

TRANSLATION

 

"As for this one, Arjuna, he is not as old as I, nor is he very strong. Since he is no match for me, he should not be the contender. Bhīma, however, is as strong as I am."

 

10.72.33

ity uktvā bhīmasenāya

prādāya mahatīḿ gadām

dvitīyāḿ svayam ādāya

nirjagāma purād bahiḥ

 

iti — thus; uktvā — saying; bhīmasenāya — to Bhīmasena; prādāya — giving; mahatīm — a large; gadām — club; dvitīyām — another; svayam — himself; ādāya — taking; nirjagāma — he went out; purāt — from the city; bahiḥ — to the outside.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Having said this, Jarāsandha offered Bhīmasena a huge club, took up another himself and went outside the city.

 

10.72.34

tataḥ samekhale vīrau

saḿyuktāv itaretaram

jaghnatur vajra-kalpābhyāḿ

gadābhyāḿ raṇa-durmadau

 

tataḥ — then; samekhale — on the level fighting grounds; vīrau — the two heroes; saḿyuktau — engaged; itara-itaram — each other; jaghnatuḥ — struck; vajra-kalpābhyām — like lightning bolts; gadābhyām — with their clubs; raṇa — by the fight; durmadau — driven to a mad fury.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The two heroes thus began battling each other on the level fighting grounds outside the city. Maddened with the fury of combat, they struck each other with their lightning-bolt-like clubs.

 

10.72.35

maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi

savyaḿ dakṣiṇam eva ca

caratoḥ śuśubhe yuddhaḿ

naṭayor iva rańgiṇoḥ

 

maṇḍalāni — arcs; vicitrāṇi — skillful; savyam — to the left; dakṣiṇam — to the right; eva ca — also; caratoḥ — of them who were moving; śuśubhe — appeared splendid; yuddham — the fight; naṭayoḥ — of actors; iva — like; rańgiṇoḥ — on a stage.

 

TRANSLATION

 

As they skillfully circled left and right, like actors dancing on a stage, the fight presented a magnificent spectacle.

 

10.72.36

tataś caṭa-caṭā-śabdo

vajra-niṣpesa-sannibhaḥ

gadayoḥ kṣiptayo rājan

dantayor iva dantinoḥ

 

tataḥ — then; caṭa-caṭā-śabdaḥ — the clattering sound; vajra — of lightning; niṣpeṣa — the crash; sannibhaḥ — resembling; gadayoḥ — of their clubs; kṣiptayoḥ — being swung; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); dantayoḥ — of the tusks; iva — as if; dantinoḥ — of elephants.

 

TRANSLATION

 

When Jarāsandha's and Bhīmasena's clubs loudly collided, O King, the sound was like the impact of the big tusks of two fighting elephants, or the crash of a thunderbolt in a flashing electrical storm.

 

10.72.37

te vai gade bhuja-javena nipātyamāne

anyonyato 'ḿsa-kaṭi-pāda-karoru-jatrum

cūrṇī-babhūvatur upetya yathārka-śākhe

saḿyudhyator dviradayor iva dīpta-manvyoḥ

 

te — they; vai — indeed; gade — the two clubs; bhuja — of their arms; javena — by the rapid force; nipātyamāne — being powerfully swung; anyonyataḥ — against one another; aḿsa — their shoulders; kaṭi — hips; pāda — feet; kara — hands; ūru — thighs; jatrum — and collarbones; cūrṇī — crushed; babhūvatuḥ — became; upetya — contacting; yathā — as; arka-śākhe — two branches of arka trees; saḿyudhyatoḥ — fighting vigorously; dviradayoḥ — of a pair of elephants; iva — as; dīpta — inflamed; manvyoḥ — whose anger.

 

TRANSLATION

 

They swung their clubs at each other with such speed and force that as the clubs struck their shoulders, hips, feet, hands, thighs and collarbones, the weapons were crushed and broken like branches of arka trees with which two enraged elephants furiously attack each other.

 

10.72.38

itthaḿ tayoḥ prahatayor gadayor nṛ-vīrau

kruddhau sva-muṣṭibhir ayaḥ-sparaśair apiṣṭām

śabdas tayoḥ praharator ibhayor ivāsīn

nirghāta-vajra-paruṣas tala-tāḍanotthaḥ

 

ittham — in this manner; tayoḥ — their; prahatayoḥ — being ruined; gadayoḥ — the clubs; nr — among human beings; vīrau — the two great heroes; kruddhau — angry; sva — their own; muṣṭibhiḥ — with the fists; ayaḥ — like iron; sparaśaiḥ — whose touch; apiṣṭām — they battered; śabdaḥ — the sound; tayoḥ — of them; praharatoḥ — striking; ibhayoḥ — of two elephants; iva — as; āsīt — became; nirghāta — crashing; vajra — like thunder; paruṣaḥ — harsh; tala — of their palms; tāḍana — by the hitting; utthaḥ — raised.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Their clubs thus ruined, those great heroes among men angrily pummeled each other with their iron-hard fists. As they slapped each other, the sound resembled the crash of elephants colliding or harsh thunderclaps.

 

10.72.39

tayor evaḿ praharatoḥ

sama-śikṣā-balaujasoḥ

nirviśeṣam abhūd yuddham

akṣīṇa-javayor nṛpa

 

tayoḥ — of the two; evam — thus; praharatoḥ — striking; sama — equal; śikṣā — whose training; bala — strength; ojasoḥ — and stamina; nirviśeṣam — indecisive; abhūt — was; yuddham — the fight; akṣīṇa — undiminished; javayoḥ — whose exertion; nṛpa — O King.

 

TRANSLATION

 

As they thus fought, this contest between opponents of equal training, strength and stamina reached no conclusion. And so they kept on fighting, O King, without any letup.

 

10.72.40

śatror janma-mṛtī vidvāñ

jīvitaḿ ca jarā-kṛtam

pārtham āpyāyayan svena

tejasācintayad dhariḥ

 

śatroḥ — of the enemy; janma — the birth; mṛtī — and death; vidvān — knowing; jīvitam — the bringing to life; ca — and; jarā — by the demoness Jarā; kṛtam — done; pārtham — Bhīma, the son of Pṛthā; āpyāyayan — empowering; svena — with His own; tejasā — potency; acintayat — thought; hariḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Lord Kṛṣṇa knew the secret of His enemy Jarāsandha's birth and death, and also how he had been given life by the demoness Jarā. Considering all this, Lord Kṛṣṇa imparted His special power to Bhīma.

 

10.72.41

sañcintyārī-vadhopāyaḿ

bhīmasyāmogha-darśanaḥ

darśayām āsa viṭapaḿ

pāṭayann iva saḿjñayā

 

sañcintya — having thought; ari — their enemy; vadha — for killing; upāyam — about the means; bhīmasya — to Bhīma; amogha-darśanaḥ — the Supreme Lord, whose vision is infallible; darśayām āsa — showed; viṭapam — a tree branch; pāṭayan — tearing apart; iva — as if; saḿjñayā — as a sign.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Having determined how to kill the enemy, that Lord of infallible vision made a sign to Bhīma by tearing in half a small branch of a tree.

 

10.72.42

tad vijñāya mahā-sattvo

bhīmaḥ praharatāḿ varaḥ

gṛhītvā pādayoḥ śatruḿ

pātayām āsa bhū-tale

 

tat — that; vijñāya — understanding; mahā — great; sattvaḥ — whose strength; bhīmaḥ — Bhīma; praharatām — of fighters; varaḥ — the best; gṛhītvā — seizing; pādayoḥ — by the feet; śatrum — his enemy; pātayām asa — he made him fall; bhū-tale — to the ground.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Understanding this sign, mighty Bhīma, the best of fighters, seized his opponent by the feet and threw him to the ground.

 

10.72.43

ekam pādaḿ padākramya

dorbhyām anyaḿ pragṛhya saḥ

gudataḥ pāṭayām āsa

śākham iva mahā-gajaḥ

 

ekam — one; pādam — leg; padā — with his foot; ākramya — standing on top of; dorbhyām — with his two hands; anyam — the other; pragṛhya — taking hold of; saḥ — he; gudataḥ — beginning from the anus; pāṭayām āsa — tore him asunder; śākhām — a tree branch; iva — as; mahā — great; gajaḥ — an elephant.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Bhīma pressed down on one leg with his foot while grabbing Jarāsandha's other leg in his hands, and just as a great elephant might break the branch of a tree, Bhīma tore Jarāsandha apart from the anus upward.

 

10.72.44

eka-pādoru-vṛṣaṇa-

kaṭi-pṛṣṭha-stanāḿsake

eka-bāhv-akṣi-bhrū-karṇe

śakale dadṛśuḥ prajāḥ

 

eka — with one; pāda — leg; ūru — thigh; vṛṣaṇa — testicle; kati — hip; pṛṣṭha — side of the back; stana — chest; aḿsake — and shoulder; eka — with one; bāhu — arm; akṣi — eye; bhrū — eyebrow; karṇe — and ear; śakale — two pieces; dadṛśuḥ — saw; prajāḥ — the citizens.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The King's subjects then saw him lying in two separate pieces, each with a single leg, thigh, testicle, hip, shoulder, arm, eye, eyebrow and ear, and with half a back and chest.

 

10.72.45

hāhā-kāro mahān āsīn

nihate magadheśvare

pūjayām āsatur bhīmaḿ

parirabhya jayācyatau

 

hāhā-kāraḥ — a cry of lamentation; mahān — great; āsīt — arose; nihate — having been killed; magadha-īśvare — the lord of the Magadha province; pūjayām āsatuḥ — the two of them honored; bhīmam — Bhīma; parirabhya — embracing; jaya — Arjuna; acyutau — and Kṛṣṇa.

 

TRANSLATION

 

With the death of the lord of Magadha, a great cry of lamentation arose, while Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa congratulated Bhīma by embracing him.

 

10.72.46

sahadevaḿ tat-tanayaḿ

bhagavān bhūta-bhāvanaḥ

abhyaṣiñcad ameyātmā

magadhānāḿ patiḿ prabhuḥ

mocayām āsa rājanyān

saḿruddhā māgadhena ye

 

sahadevam — named Sahadeva; tat — his (Jarāsandha's); tanayam — son; bhagavān — the Personality of Godhead; bhūta — of all living beings; bhāvanaḥ — the sustainer; abhyaṣiñcat — coronated; ameya-ātmā — the immeasurable one; magadhānām — of the Magadhas; patim — as the master; prabhuḥ — the Lord; mocayām āsa — He released; rājanyān — the kings; saḿruddhāḥ — imprisoned; māgadhena — by Jarāsandha; ye — who.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The immeasurable Supreme Personality of Godhead, the sustainer and benefactor of all living beings, coronated Jarāsandha's son, Sahadeva, as the new ruler of the Magadhas. The Lord then freed all the kings Jarāsandha had imprisoned.