CHAPTER CLXXVIII
(ANXIETY OF THE YADAVAS FOR ANIRUDDHA)
Vaishampāyana said:—When Ariruddha was taken away as captive, his beloved wives and their companions cried there in his absence, like so many ewes (1). "Alas! even under the protection of the Lord Krishna, we are weeping helplessly stricken with fear and grief (2). He, under the shade of whose arms, Adityas, Maruts and the gods headed by Indra, are living without any anxiety in the celestial region, has been visited by such a great calamity in this world. Alas! who has stolen away his heroic grandson Aniruddha? (3–4). Alas, that wicked-minded one, who has excited this unbearable fire of Vasudeva's anger, has indeed no fear in this world (5). He is standing before the teeth of Death with his mouth wide open. Indeed such an enemy can stand before Vasudeva in battle. Committing such an ill turn by the Yadu king Keshava can even Sachi's lord escape with his life? (6-7). Alas, our husband has been stolen away today or our lord has forsaken us and made us objects of pity. Oh I on account of the separation of our lord, we have been brought under control by death" (8).
Exclaiming thus those beautiful women continually wept and shed profuse tears. Their eyes, full of tears, imitated the beauty of lotuses immersed in water in the rainy season (9–10). Their eyes appeared to have been bathed in blood. The cries of those women in the palace set up a noise like that of thousands of female ospreys crying in the sky (11-12).
Hearing that unheard, of lamentation caused by fear the Yadu chiefs all on sudden leaped down from their respective houses. As the lions, when assailed, come out of their caves, so the Yadavas, coming out, said, their voice being choked with affection—"Krishna protects us all completely. Whence is then this fear? Why is such a noise heard in Aniruddha's house? (13–15)." Thereupon the huge bugle of Krishna's court was brought and sounded; and at that sound all the Yadavas assembled there. They asked one another "What is the matter?" And they answered one another as they had heard (16-17). Hearing it the eyes, reddened in anger, of the Yadavas dreadful in battle, were filled with tears; and they sighed there idly (18). Then beholding even Krishna the foremost of strikers sigh again and again and others sit silently Viprithu said:—(19). "O Krishna, you are the foremost of men; why are you then possessed by anxiety? The Yadavas, living under the protection of your arms, are ranging freely at large. Leaving the charge of success and defeat to you even the powerful Sakra is sleeping happily. See your kinsmen are sunk in unfathomable ocean of grief. O large-armed hero, save them. What is the cause of your anxiety? O Mādhava, why do you not speak any thing? You should not indulge in such idle thoughts." Thus addressed Vāsudeva, a clever speaker like Vrihaspati himself, sighed again and again for some time and then said:—"O Viprathu, I was anxiously thinking about this (20–25). Even thinking I have not been able to settle anything. Therefore I could not give you any reply although you asked me (26). Hear, O Yadavas, I will describe to you in truth, why I have been filled with anxiety. On account of the captivity of the heroic Aniruddha all the kings of the earth and my friends will consider me incapable. Formerly our king Ahuka was taken captive by Shālwa—but we brought him back after a dreadful fight. Rukshmini's son Pradyumna was stolen away by Shamvara in his infancy. But he, having slain him in battle, has come back. But where has Aniruddha been exiled? O ye foremost of men, I do not recollect I had before experienced such sorrow and mental agony (27-31). I will in battle kill him with his own people who has put on my head this foot covered with ashes." After Krishna had said this Sātyaki observed:—"O Krishna, despatch spies all over for finding out Aniruddha. Let them search the earth with mountains and forests. Let open and secret emissaries be engaged in this work" (32-34).
Vaishampāyana said:—Hearing the word of Keshava king Ahuka speedily ordered the messengers for finding out Aniruddha. Ordering them "Search out all the countries lying on and under the earth" the high-souled king Ahuka gave them sufficient horses and cars. (He said):—"Do you soon go on horse back and search the mountains Rikshavān and Raivataka covered with trees and creepers. Enter without any hesitation into the gardens and forests there and search every creek and corner. Riding on horses and elephants do you soon find out Aniruddha the enhancer of the joy of the Yadavas" (35–39).
Thereupon the Commander-in-chief Anādhristhi said to the eternal Krishna of unwearied actions:—"O lord Krishna, from long I have been cherishing a desire of communicating something to thee. Hear, if thou dost like, I will communicate it at present. Asilomā, Puloma, Nisunda, Naraka, Soubha, Shalwa, Mainda, and Dwivida have all been slain by thee (40–42). When a highly dreadful encounter took place on account of the gods thou didst kill Hayagriva with all his kinsmen. O Govinda, in every battle thou didst accomplish all these works completely. No one even acted as thy charioteer (43-44). O Krishna, while carrying away Pārijatā thou didst perform a great and arduous feat with Anuvandha, O Mādhava; in that battle thou didst alone, by the strength of thy own arms, vanquish Vāsava, expert in fighting, seated on his elephant Airavata. On account of that encounter a great hostility has been created between you both (45–47). Methinks Maghavān himself has taken away Aniruddha; who else but him can satisfy his enmity on thee (48)?"
After the highly powerful Anadhristhi had said this Krishna, sighing like a serpent, said:—"Do not say so, O sir; the gods are not mean, ungrateful, womanish and stupid. I work hard on behalf of the gods for destroying the Dānavas. To please them I have killed the proud Asuras in battle. The gods are my support, my mind is devoted to them, and I am their devoted votary. Therefore knowing me, how can they injure me? You say so out of your own meanness—they are not mean. They are truthful and compassionate unto their votaries. I fear no danger from them. I tell you for certain, this is not the work of Mahendra or any other gods. Aniruddha must have been taken away by some harlot" (49-54).
Vaishampāyana said:—Hearing those words of anxious Krishna of wonderful deeds, Akrura, capable of understanding the true meaning of words, said in sweet words:—"O Lord, Indra's work is identical with ours and ours is the same as that of Sachi's lord. We are for the gods and they should be protected by us. We are born as men for the gods" (55–57). Thus excited by Akrura's words Krishna, the slayer of Madhu, said in sweet and grave words:—"Pradyumna has not been taken away by any amongst the Devatas, Gandharvas, Yakshasas or Rākshasas. That highly illustrious hero must have been tempted away by some courtezan. The women of the Daityas and Dānavas are by nature loose and tempting. Forsooth Pradyumna must have been taken away by them. We need entertain fear from no other quarter" (58–60).
Vaishampāyana said:—After the high-souled Krishna had said this the Yadavas understood as the matter really was and they all highly applauded him (61). The bards, panegyrists, poets and songsters began to sing delightedly songs of praise in Mādhava's house (62). In the meantime, the messengers, who had been despatched to find out Aniruddha, returned at the gate of the Durbar Hall and slowly and sorrowfully said (63). "O king, all the gardens mountains, forests, caves, rivers, and tanks, we have searched hundreds of times, but we saw Aniruddha nowhere." O king Janamejaya, other messengers sent by Krishna returned and said:—"We have searched everywhere, but Pradyumna has not been seen. O Yadu chief, order hereafter what we should do about searching for Aniruddha" (64–66). Hearing those words the Yadavas were all dejected at heart and their eyes were filled with tears. They spoke amongst one another, "What should we do now?" Amongst them many had their eyes filled with tears, some bit their lips, and some frowned and all thought how they could accomplish their object (67–68). Thus thinking they gave vent to various words. They were stricken with great anxiety and thought where Aniruddha could have been (69). The Yādavas, filled with anger, looked upon one another, and with great anxiety spent the night some how thinking where Aniruddha could have been taken away (70). While they thus conversed the night passed away. At that time, the men, appointed for the purpose, aroused Krishna with the sound of bugles and conch-shells in his palace (71).
Thereupon in the clear morning when the sun rose the Rishi Nārada, alone, smilingly entered the Darbar Hall. Seeing Krishna there along with all the Yadavas he applauded Mādhava exclaiming his victory and honored Ugrasena and others. Though the highly powerful Krishna, invincible in battle, was absent-minded still he rose up and received Nārada dedicating to him Madhuparka and cows (72–74). Afterwards seated on a white seat covered with a costly cover the celestial saint gave vent to the following pregnant words (75). Nārada said:—"Why are you all, like eunuchs, possessed by anxiety, silent, dispirited and discouraged?" After the high-souled Nārada had said this Vāsudeva replied:—"O reverend sir, O Brahman, Aniruddha has been stolen away by somebody in the night. We are all anxious for him. Tell us, O Muni of firm vows, if you have heard or seen anything about him. O sinless one, by this you will do me a good work (76–79)." Thus addressed by the high-souled Keshava he smilingly replied:—"Hear, O Madhusudana, Vāna, of incomparable energy has a daughter by name Ushā. For her, the Apsara Chitralekhā has taken away Kāma's son; for this, a great encounter, like that, between the gods and Asuras, has ensued between Vāna and Aniruddha. Vanquished in battle, Vāna, resorting in fear to his illusory powers, has fettered the highly powerful Aniruddha with serpentine shafts. O Garudadhwaja, Vāna ordered for his death, but his minister Kumbhānda has prevented him from doing so. When the prince Aniruddha engaged in a conflict with Vāna the latter bound him with serpentine shafts by resorting only to his illusory power. Aniruddha is not still deprived of life; that hero is waiting patiently. Therefore O Krishna, those, who long for victories, should not now try to keep their own lives. Rise up soon and you will acquire success and fame (80–88)".
Vaishampāyana said:—Thus addressed the powerful and energetic Vāsudeva made all arrangements for marching. When the large-armed Janārddana was about to start the citizens, from all sides, showered on him sandal powder and fried paddy (89-90).
Narada said:—O large-armed Krishna, thou shouldst now think of Garuda, for save him no one will be able to wend that way. Hear, how very difficult passage is that, Janarddana. Shonitpura, where Aniruddha is now residing, is eleven thousand yojanas distant from this place. The highly powerful son of Vinata is fleet like the mind; he will point out Vāna within a moment. O Govinda, therefore send for him; he will take you there (91-94).
Vaishampāyana said:—Hearing the words of Nārada Govinda thought of Garuda in his mind: and he too, with folded hands, arrived before Krishna. Having bowed unto the high-souled son of Devaki the great son of Vinata said in sweet words:—"O large-armed and lotus-navelled lord, why hast thou thought of me? I wish to know what thou dost want me to do. O lord, on whose city am I to tread and destroy it. Govinda, by thy favour who does not know my strength? O hero, O thou of large arms, who does not know the force of thy club and the fire of thy discus? What stupid man, out of pride, is desirous of meeting with his own destruction? On whose neck will Baladeva, adorned with a garland of wild flowers, set his lion-faced plough-share? O lord, will whose body, consumed, be mixed with earth to-day? O Mādhava, whose mind will be agitated to-day with the blare of thy conch-shell? Who will with his family repair to the city of Yama?" (95-101)
After the intelligent son of Vinatā had said this Vāsudeva replied:—"Hear, O foremost of birds. Unconquerable Aniruddha has been, for Ushā, captivated by Vāna in the city of Shonita. O king of birds, lustful Aniruddha has been fettered with poisonous serpents. I have invited you for releasing him. O you of great power, no body else can wend that way. Do you therefore speedily take me where Aniruddha is. O hero, your daughter-in-law Vaidarbhi, fond of her son, is continually weeping. May that lady, by your favour, be united with her son. O hero, O you of great arms, O slayer of snakes, formerly united with me you stole away ambrosia. You are my carrier and all the Vrishnis are your votaries. Preserve the request of love and devotion to-day. By my good works I swear, there is none amongst the birds who can fly so quickly as you. Killing the warriors with the flapping of your wings you, alone formerly released your mother from slavery. Placing the gods on your back you, with force, range many impassable countries. And by your help they acquire victories. In heaviness you are like the mount Meru and in lightness you are like air. There had been none before powerful like you, there is none at present and there will be none in future. O great, highly effulgent and truthful son of Vinatā, now help us for a moment for Aniruddha" (102-112).
Garuda said:—"O large-armed Krishna, wonderful is thy word. O Keshava, all my victories are owing to thy favour. O slayer of Madhu, I am honored and blessed with thy praising me thus. O large-armed Krishna, thine glories are chanted and thou hast still sung mine. Thou art the lord of the Vedas, the master of the gods, the giver of all desires, of a surely fruitful look and the giver of boons unto those who seek for them (113-15). Thou art of four arms and four forms: thou art the ordainer of fourfold fires, of the four Asramas and four Varnas and a great poet. O lord, thou dost hold a bow, a discus and a conch-shell. In thy previous bodies thou wert known as the upholder of the earth; thou dost hold ploughshare, mace and discus, art the son of Devaki, the grinder of Chānura, fond of cows, the slayer of Keshi, the upholder of the mount Govardhana, the great wrestler, their origin and support and fond of them; thou art the great Purusha; thou art fond of Brāhmanas, ever engaged in their well being and their supporter. Thou art known as Brahman, as Damodara, as the slayer of Pralamva, Keshi and other Dānavas. O lord, thou art the destroyer of Asilomā, Vāli and Rāvana and the giver of kingdom unto Bibhishana and Sugriva. Thou didst take Vāli's kingdom, and all the jewels and art the great jem born at the bed of the ocean. All the rivers emanate from thee in the shape of Meru. Thou art the lord Varuna—the holder of dagger and a great bowman and archer. Thou art known by the name of Dāshārha, and Govinda. Thou art a great bowman and fond of bows. Thou art sky, darkness, the churning of the ocean, the heaven of many fruits and the great upholder of the celestial region. O lord, thou art the great cloud, the seed of the three worlds, anger, avarice and desire. Thou art the great bowman, Kāma, the great cycle, revolution and dissolution. Thou art Hiranyagarbha, cognizant of forms and endued with them, the slayer of Madhu, the Creator, the great god and art endowed with innumerable qualities. O foremost of Yadus, although thy glories should be chanted, still thou art willing to sing mine. The dreadful creatures, who are seen by thee with thy eyes, are killed by Yama's rod and constrained to go to the hell. O Mādhava, the creatures, on whom thou dost cast your favourable and loving looks, enjoy happiness both in this world and in the next. O thou of large arms, I am now at thy disposal (116-131)." Thereupon showing signs of departure Garuda said to Keshava:—"O highly powerful hero, I wait here, do thou sit on my back" Thereupon embracing Garuda by the neck Mādhava said:—"O friend, accept this arghya for slaying the enemy." Afterwards having offered arghya to Suparna, the large-armed Purusothama, the holder of conch-shell, discus and club, sat on his back. Thereupon Krishna, with delight, sat on Garuda's back. He was adorned with most excellent bracelets, had black hairs, was dark-hued and victorious; had four rows of teeth and four arms. He was the master of the four Vedas with their auxilliaries, had the mystic mark of Srivatsa on his breast, lotus-like eyes, stirring hairs, soft skin, equal fingers, equal nails, red fingers, red nails, and red eyes. His voice was sweet and grave and he had large arms extending to knees and a copper-coloured countenance. His gait was like that of a lion and he was effulgent like a thousand suns. Having issued orders for guarding the city of Dwārakā the highly powerful Vasudeva made himself ready for starting. He is the lord and protector of creatures and is identical with them. The Lord Prajāpati, with pleasure conferred on him eight-fold spiritual powers. He is eternal and his pure glories are sung by Prajāpati, Saddhyas, gods, bards and panegyrits and the great Rishis, masters of the Vedas and their auxilliaries. After Krishna had sat on Garuda's back Halāyudha and Pradyumna, the grinder of enemies, sat behind him. At that time the Siddhas, Charanas and the great Rishis said to Keshava in the sky:—"O thou of large arms, do thou vanquish Vāna with all his followers. No one will be able to stand before thee in the great battle. Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, depends on thy pleasure and sure victory depends on thy strength. Thou wilt defeat in battle thy enemy the Daitya king with all his soldiers." Keshava marched on hearing all those words (132-145).
Source: https://archive.org/details/AProseEnglishTranslationOfHarivamsh
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