SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM: CANTO 10

The son of Vyâsa said: 'Even though He was aware of what factually had transpired went Krishna, hearing [of the rumor] that the sons of Pându and queen Kuntî had burned to death [in the house of lac], in order to answer to His family obligations together with Balarâma to the Kuru kingdom.

The son of Vyâsa said: 'Though aware of what factually had transpired went Krishna, hearing [of the rumor] that the sons of Pându and queen Kuntî had burned to death [in the house of lac], in order to answer to His family obligations together with Balarâma to the Kuru kingdom. (Vedabase)

Text 2

Meeting with Bhîshma, Kripa, Vidura, Gândhârî and Drona They equally sorrowful said: 'Ah how painful this is!'

Meeting with Bhîshma, Kripa, Vidura, Gândhârî and Drona They equally sorrowful said: 'Ah how painful this is!' (Vedabase)

Text 3

Getting the chance, o King, said Akrûra and [the Bhoja] Kritavarmâ [meanwhile in Krishna's absence in Dvârakâ] to S'atadhanvâ ['hundredbow', a bad character]: 'Why not take the jewel?

Getting the chance, o King, said Akrûra and [the Bhoja] Kritavarmâ [meanwhile in Krishna's absence in Dvârakâ] to S'atadhanvâ ['hundredbow', a bad character]: 'Why not take the jewel? (Vedabase)

Text 4

He who promised each of us his gem of a daughter, gave her, ignoring us, to Krishna; why then should Satrâjit not follow his brother [in death, see 10.56: 13 and footnote*]?

He who promised each of us his gem of a daughter, gave her, ignoring us, to Krishna; why then should Satrâjit not follow his brother [in death, see 10.56: 13 and footnote*]? (Vedabase)

Text 5

Thus influenced by the two killed that most wicked man, in his sinfulness shortening his lifespan, out of greed Satrâjit while he was sleeping [compare 1.17: 39].

Thus influenced by the two killed that most wicked man, in his sinfulness shortening his lifespan, out of greed Satrâjit as he was sleeping [compare 1.17: 39]. (Vedabase)

Text 6

As the women helplessly cried calling for help took he, after having killed like a butcher does animals, the jewel and took he off.

While the women helplessly cried calling for help took he, after having killed like a butcher does animals, the jewel and took he off. (Vedabase)

Text 7

When Satyabhâmâ saw that her father had been killed, lamented she thrown in grief: 'O father, alas o father, with you being killed I am killed!' and then she fainted.

Satyabhâmâ after seeing her father killed, thrown in grief lamented: 'O father, alas o father, with you being killed I am killed!' and then fainted. (Vedabase)

Text 8

Putting the corpse in a large vessel of oil she went to Hastinâpura to Krishna who [already] knew of the situation, and related sorrowfully the murder of her father.

Putting the corpse in a large vessel of oil she went to Hastinâpura to Krishna who [already] was aware of the situation, and related sorrowfully the murder of her father. (Vedabase)

Text 9

The Lords hearing that o King, imitating the human ways both lamented with eyes full of tears: 'Oh what a tragedy fell upon us!'

The Lords hearing that, o King, imitating the human ways both lamented, eyes full of tears: 'Oh what a tragedy fell upon us!' (Vedabase)

Text 10

The Supreme Lord then went back to His capital with His wife and elder brother, prepared to kill S'atadhanvâ and take the jewel from him.

The Supreme Lord returned from there to His capital with his His wife and elder brother, prepared to kill S'atadhanvâ and take the jewel from him. (Vedabase)

Text 11

He, learning that, in fear took action to save his life and entreated for assistance Kritavarmâ who told him:

He, learning that, in fear also readied himself to save his life and entreated for assistance Kritavarmâ who told him: 'I cannot be of any offense with the Lords Râma and Krishna; how can he who causes Them trouble indeed be of good fortune? (Vedabase)

Text 12-13

'I cannot be of any offense with the Lords Râma and Krishna; how can he who causes Them trouble indeed be of good fortune? Kamsa and his followers in their hatred of waging against Them lost their wealth and lives while Jarâsandha in seventeen battles [even] lost his chariot!'

Kamsa and his followers in their hatred of waging against lost their wealth and lives and Jarâsandha from seventeen battles became bereft [even] of his chariot!' He, turned down, next begged Akrûra for help but he also said: 'Who, knowing the strength of the Lordships, can can oppose? (Vedabase)

Text 14

He, turned down, next begged Akrûra for help but he also said: 'Who, knowing the strength of the Lordships, can oppose Them?

He who maintains, creates and destroys this universe as a play; He whose purpose is not even known to the secondary creators [headed by Brahmâ] being bewildered by His invincible potency [of mâyâ]; He who playing as a child of seven years of age uprooted a mountain that He held up with a single hand like a boy does a mushroom [see 10.25]; Him, Krishna the Supreme Lord to whose wondrous acts there is no end I do worship; Him who as the source of all existence is the Supreme Soul, the immovable center, I offer my obeisances.' (Vedabase)

Text 15-17

He who maintains, creates and destroys this universe as a pastime; He whose purpose is not even known to the secondary creators [headed by Brahmâ] who are bewildered by His invincible potency [of mâyâ]; He who playing as a child of seven years old uprooted a mountain that He held up with a single hand like a boy does a mushroom [see 10.25]; Him, Krishna the Supreme Lord to whose wondrous acts there is no end I do worship; Him who as the source of all existence is the Supreme Soul, the immovable center, I offer my obeisances.'

He who maintains, creates and destroys this universe as a play; He whose purpose is not even known to the secondary creators [headed by Brahmâ] being bewildered by His invincible potency [of mâyâ]; He who playing as a child of seven years of age uprooted a mountain that He held up with a single hand like a boy does a mushroom [see 10.25]; Him, Krishna the Supreme Lord to whose wondrous acts there is no end I do worship; Him who as the source of all existence is the Supreme Soul, the immovable center, I offer my obeisances.' (Vedabase)

Text 18

He, S'atadhanvâ also by him refused, left the precious jewel with him, mounted a horse that could cover a hundred yojanas and departed.

He, S'atadhanvâ also by him refused, left the precious jewel with him, mounted a horse that could cover a hundred yojanas and departed. (Vedabase)

Text 19

Krishna and Râma mounting the chariot with the emblem of Garuda followed with the swiftest horses, o King, the murderer of Their guru [Their father-in-law as a teacher].

Krishna and Râma mounting the chariot with the emblem of Garuda followed with the swiftest horses, o King, the murderer of Their guru [Their father-in-law as a teacher]. (Vedabase)

Text 20

In a Mithilâ suburban park abandoning his horse that had fallen, ran he on foot terrified with a furious Krishna who likewise speeded after him.

In a Mithilâ suburban park abandoning his horse that had fallen, ran he on foot terrified with a furious Krishna speeding after him likewise. (Vedabase)

Text 21

With him on the run severed the Lord on foot with the sharp edged disc his head from his body, and searched He his upper and lower garments for the gem.

With him on the run severed the Lord on foot with the sharp edged disc his head, and searched He his upper and lower garments for the stone. (Vedabase)

Text 22

Not finding the stone said Krishna going to His approaching elder brother: 'S'atadhanvâ was killed in vain, he didn't carry the jewel.'

Not finding the gem said Krishna approaching His elder brother getting near: 'S'atadhanvâ was killed uselessly, the jewel is not with him.' (Vedabase)

Text 23

Balarâma then said: 'S'atadhanvâ must have left the rock with some person, so go [back] to the city [of Dvârakâ] and search for him.

Balarâma then said: 'S'atadhanvâ must have left the rock with some person, so go [back] to the city [of Dvârakâ] and search him out. (Vedabase)

Text 24

l wish to see the king of Videha [the later Janaka, see 9.10: 11] most dear to Me', and thus having spoken entered the descendant of Yadu, o King, Mithilâ [the capital of Videha].

l wish to see the king of Videha [the later Janaka, see 9.10:11] most dear to Me', and thus having spoken entered the descendant of Yadu, o King, Mithilâ [the capital of Videha]. (Vedabase)

Text 25

Seeing Him rose the king of Mithilâ immediately with a mind full of love and honored he Him who was so worshipable, as was prescribed with all there was to it.

Seeing Him the king of Mithilâ immediately rose with a mind full of love and honored Him being worshipable, as was prescribed with all there was to it. (Vedabase)

Text 26

There in Mithilâ did He, the Mighty One, honored by the affectionate Janaka, the great soul, live for several years. During that time taught He Duryodhana to wield the club.

There in Mithilâ did He, the Mighty One, honored by the affectionate Janaka, the great soul, live for several years for the time teaching Duryodhana to wield the club. (Vedabase)

Text 27

Kes'ava the All-powerful One arriving in Dvârakâ, told to the comfort of His beloved [the grieving Satyabhâmâ] of the demise of S'atadhanvâ and the failure to get hold of the jewel.

Kes'ava the All-powerful getting to Dvârakâ, told to the comfort of His beloved [the grieving Satyabhâmâ] of the demise of S'atadhanvâ and the failure to get hold of the jewel. (Vedabase)

Text 28

He, the Supreme Lord together with all the well-wishers one may so have at the end of one's life, then saw to it that the obsequies were performed for the deceased relative [Satrâjit].

He, the Supreme Lord together with all the well-wishers one may so have at the end of one's life, then made sure to have the obsequies performed for the deceased relative [Satrâjit]. (Vedabase)

Text 29

The ones responsible, Akrûra and Kritavarmâ, upon hearing that S'atadhanvâ had been killed, went stricken by fear into exile outside of Dvârakâ.

The ones responsible, Akrûra and Kritavarmâ, hearing of the killing of S'atadhanava, seized by fear went into exile from Dvârakâ. (Vedabase)

Text 30

With Akrûra in exile ill omens arose indeed for the residents of Dvârakâ that gave them by higher powers [natural disasters included] and other living beings [compare 1.14; 1.17: 19], constantly trouble in body and mind.

With Akrûra in exile ill omens arose indeed for the residents of Dvârakâ that gave them by higher powers [natural disasters included] and other living beings [compare 1.14; 1.17: 19], constantly trouble in body and mind [**]. (Vedabase)

Text 31

Thus, my dear, were some lost in guesses forgetting what of old had been described by the sages as the consequence of His stay among the human beings; how could with Him present any calamity arise?

Thus, my dear, were some in conjecture forgetting what of old had been described by the sages as following His residence; how could with His presence any calamity arise? (Vedabase)

Text 32

[They said:] 'When Indra withheld the rains gave the king of Benares [Kâs'î, see also 9.17: 4] his daughter Gândinî to S'vaphalka [Akrûra's father, 9.24: 15] who came to him, after which it then indeed rained in Kâs'î.

[They said:] 'When Indra withheld the rains gave the king of Benares [Kâs'î, see also 9.17: 4] his daughter Gândinî to S'vaphalka [Akrûra's father, 9.24: 15] who came to him, after which it then indeed did rain in Kâs'î. (Vedabase)

Text 33

Wherever indeed he, Akrûra, his son, having his [father's] prowess stays, will lord Indra shower rains and will there be no painful disturbances or untimely deaths.'

Wherever indeed he, Akrûra, his son, having his [fathers] powers stays, will lord Indra shower rains and will there be no painful disturbances or untimely deaths.'(Vedabase)

Text 34

Hearing of the elders these words, ordered Janârdana, with the thought in mind that this was not the only explanation for the omens happening [***], that Akrûra should be brought back.

Hearing of the elders these words ordered Janârdana, with the thought that this was not the only cause of the matters at hand [***], that Akrûra should be brought back. (Vedabase)

Text 35-36

Greeting him with respect and honor and pleasantly discussing topics, smiled He, fully aware of everything that went on in his heart, and said: 'We of course, o master of charity, are already familiar with the fact that you indeed at present hold the opulent Syamantaka jewel that S'atadhanvâ put under your care.

Greeting him with respect and honor and pleasantly discussing topics, smiled He, fully aware of everything that went on in his heart, and said: 'We of course, o master of charity, arealready known with the fact that you indeed at present hold the opulent syamantaka-jewel that S'atadhanvâ put under your care. (Vedabase)

Text 37

Since Satrâjit had no sons is it his daughter's sons [she and her sons] who after presenting water, offerings and having cleared his remaining debts, should receive his inheritance.

Since Satrâjit had no sons is it his daughter's sons [she and her sons] who after presenting water, offerings and having cleared his remaining debts, should receive his inheritance. (Vedabase)

Text 38-39

Nevertheless should the jewel, because it for others is impossible to manage, remain with you, o trustworthy keeper of the vows. However, My brother does not completely believe Me concerning the gem. Please, to bring peace to My relatives, show it Us now, o most fortunate soul who with your altars of gold without interruption continue with your sacrifices.'

Nevertheless should the jewel, as it is impossible to hold by others, remain with you, o trustworthy keeper of the vows. However, My brother does not completely believe Me concerning the gem. Please, to bring peace to My relatives, show it Us now, o most fortunate soul who with your altars of gold uninterrupted continues with your sacrifices. (Vedabase)

Text 40

Thus won over by the conciliant words took the son of S'vaphalka the gem hidden in his garment and gave he the gem that shone as brilliant as the sun.

Thus won over by the conciliatory words took the son of S'vaphalka the gem hidden in his garment and gave he it, shining as brilliant as the sun. (Vedabase)

Text 41

After showing Syamantaka to His relatives, [and thus] doing away with the emotions [of the accusations held] with Him, offered the Master it back to him again.

After showing Syamantaka to His relatives, [and thus] doing away with the emotions [of the accusations held] with Him, offered the Master it back to him again. (Vedabase)

Text 42

Whoever recites, hears or remembers this narration which indeed, rich as it is with the prowess of the Supreme Controller Vishnu, most auspiciously removes the reactions to sin, will attain peace and drive away his badness and bad reputation.'

Whoever recites, hears or remembers this narration which indeed, rich with the prowess of the Supreme Controller Vishnu, most auspiciously removes the reactions to sin, will attain peace and drive away his badness and bad reputation. (Vedabase)

* Being pure devotees, they could not actually be unhappy about this match, nor could they become jealous rivals of the Lord. Therefore they had an ulterior motive in behaving like His rivals. So there are speculations in the paramparâ about Akrûra's being cursed for his taking Krishna away from Gokula [see10.39] or Kritavarmâ's being a member of Kamsa's family, or that the two might have been angry with the victim for his spoiling Krishna's good name slandering that He would have killed his brother.

** According to S'rîla S'rîdhara Svâmî, reasoning after verse 32 and 35-36, took Akrûra the Syamantaka jewel and went to reside in the city of Benares, where he became known as Dânapati, "the master of charity." There he executed elaborate fire sacrifices on gold altars with assemblies of qualified priests.

*** Also concerning this there are speculations on why there could have been this trouble despite of the Lord His gracious presence. Some suggest that Krishna would give the bad times because of being compromised by Akrûra taking the jewel elsewhere in competion to His rule, at the other hand it is not unusual that murder in a community to the rule of God and Krishna gives that community a bad time, as one also can observe generally taking place after major wars as evidenced in the Bhâgavatam describing the bad times when Krishna Himself departed for His abode after the great Kuru-war [1.14].