CHAPTER CLIX
(THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED)
Narada said:—Moreover, the nooses made by Mura have been cut, Nisumva and Naraka have been slain and the road to the city of Pragyotish has been freed from all dangers. Even the proud kings of the world have been frightened in battle by this descendant of Shura (Krishna) with the twang of his bow and the sound of his conch-shell Panchajanya. Having vanquished easily the highly powerful Rukshmi well protected by the Decean car-warriors resembling clouds, the foremost of Vrishnis Keshava carried away Rukshmini (1–3).
Afterwards Hari, the holder of conch-shell, discus and club, brought Bhoja's daughter into his house in a car effulgent like the sun and producing a rattle like unto the muttering of clouds and married her. In the city of Jāruthi he defeated Ahdriti, Kratha and Shishupala and vanquished Dantavakra and Shatadhanwā with all their soldiers. Worked up with anger the beautiful lord of Shoubha killed Shālwa, grasping firmly a bow, the Yavana Indradyumna and Kasherunām. Having scattered thousands of mountains the lotus-eyed Purusottama struck Dyumutsena with his discus. In the city of Irāvati on the summit of the mount Mahendra there lived two followers of Rāvana Gopati and Tālaketu, who could disappear form view within the twinkling of an eye and were effulgent like sun and fire. The foremost of men, Keshava, the holder of Srānga bow, killed them both, within the twinkling of an eye, the Dānavas Hansa and Dimvaka have been also slain by Krishna with their followers. Vārānashi (Benares) has been burnt down by the high souled Keshava and the king with his followers has been slain (4-11). Having killed Maya in battle with knotty arrows Krishna, of wonderful deeds, has released the son of Indrasena (12). The highly powerful Varuna, with all the acquatic animals, has been defeated in battle by Krishna repairing to Lohitakuta (under water) (13). Having gone to Indra’s palace, he, although prevented by the highly powerful celestials, disregarding their king, carried away the Pārijāta tree (14). The intelligent Janārddana has slain the kings of Pandya, Poundrya, Kalinga, Matsa and Banga (15). Having killed hundreds of highly powerful kings he married his beautiful queen Gāndhāri. But the Lord Madhusudana has crowned the foremost of Bharatas, Arjuna, the holder of Gāndiva bow who used to play before Kunti, with success (16–17). This foremost of men has defeated, in battle, Drona, Drauni, Karna, Bhishma, Suyodhana and other warriors. For pleasing Vabhru the powerful Hari, the holder of conch-shell, discus and club, carried away by force the daughter of the king of Suveera (18-19). When Venudāri trampled over the entire earth with his horses, cars and elephants Purusottama defeated him with great care (20). Acquiring, by his ascetic penances, energy, strength and power in his pristine dwarfish form Mādhava stole away from Bali the three worlds. Even when he was attacked in the city of Prāgyotish by the Dānavas with thunderbolts, clubs and swords Death could not near him (21-22). Bali's son, the highly powerful, energetic and rich Bāna has been defeated by Krishna with all his followers. The highly powerful Janārddana has killed Peetha, Paithika and Asitomā the courtiers of the long-armed Kansa (23–24). The highly illustrious Mādhava, the foremost of men, has killed the Daityas Jambha, Airāvata and Virupa, assuming the semblance of a man (25). Having defeated in water the highly powerful Nāga king Kālya, the lotus-eyed (Krishna) has despatched him to the sea (26). Having vanquished Vivaswān's son Yama, Hari, the foremost of men, has restored to life the dead son of Sāndipani (27). O Emperor Janamejaya, in this way, this high-souled one chastises those wicked souls who injure the Brāhmanas and the gods. Having slain Bhumi's son Naraka he has brought the pair of ear-rings and given them to the mother of gods for pleasing the holder of thunder-bolt (28–29). The highly illustrious Lord Vishnu, the master of all the worlds, is a terror to the Daityas and declares fearlessness to the celestials (30). Having established virtue amongst the mortals by performing various sacrifices and accomplished the great work of the gods he will return to his own region. Then the highly illustrious Krishna will make the ocean devour the cities Bhogavati, a favourite resort of the Rishis, and Dwārakā (31–32). This city of Dwārakā, filled with various jewels and sacrificial grounds, will enter, with its gardens, into the abode (sea) of Varuna (33). The ocean, conversant with the desire of Krishna, the holder of Shrānga bow, will inundate this city of Dwārakā constructed by Vāsudeva and resembling the residence of the sun. There is none amongst the gods, Asuras, and men and none will be, except the slayer of Madhu, who will be able to live here (34–35).
Having thus instituted many excellent regulations amongst the Dāshārhas Vishnu himself will be united with Nārāyana, Shoma and Surya. He is incomparable, above the reach of thought, can go any where at will and has control over his senses. As a boy plays with a toy so he sports with these creatures (36–37). None can measure the large-armed slayer of Madhu; there is nothing similar or otherwise with his universal form (38). In this way he has been eulogised hundreds and thousands of times. But none has been able to see the end of his works. Beholding with his eyes, rendered more powerful by ascetic penances, the deeds which the lotus-eyed Keshava performed with Sangkarshana's help in his boyhood, the highly intelligent and the great Yogin Vyasa, the witness of all, had already narrated them all (39-41).
Vaishampāyana said:—Having thus chanted the glories of Govinda at the mandate of the king of gods, the celestial saint Nārada, adored by the Yadavas, repaired to the celestial region (42). Thereupon the lotus-eyed slayer of Madhu, Govinda, distributed those riches and jewels duly amongst the Vrishnis and Andhakas. Having obtained them the high-souled Yadavas too began to perform sacrifices with profuse presents and live in the city of Dwarakā (43-44).
Source: https://archive.org/details/AProseEnglishTranslationOfHarivamsh
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