॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
॥ चतुश्चत्वारिंशोऽध्यायः - ४४ ॥
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Discourse XLIV
Kamsa slain (by the Lord) (Preamble)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
एवं चर्चितसङ्कल्पो भगवान्मधुसूदनः ।
आससादाथ चाणूरं मुष्टिकं रोहिणीसुतः ॥ १॥
हस्ताभ्यां हस्तयोर्बद्ध्वा पद्भ्यामेव च पादयोः ।
विचकर्षतुरन्योन्यं प्रसह्य विजिगीषया ॥ २॥
अरत्नी द्वे अरत्निभ्यां जानुभ्यां चैव जानुनी ।
शिरः शीर्ष्णोरसोरस्तावन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतुः ॥ ३॥
परिभ्रामणविक्षेपपरिरम्भावपातनैः ।
उत्सर्पणापसर्पणैश्चान्योन्यं प्रत्यरुन्धताम् ॥ ४॥
उत्थापनैरुन्नयनैश्चालनैः स्थापनैरपि ।
परस्परं जिगीषन्तावपचक्रतुरात्मनः ॥ ५॥
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Śrī Śuka began again : Challenged thus, Lord Madhusūdana of unflinching resolution immediately closed with Cāṇūra, and Balarāma (son of Rohiṇi) with Muṣṭika. (1)
Interlacing their hands with the hands and their feet with the feet of their rival, Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Cāṇūra (and even so Balarāma and Muṣṭika) tugged at one another vehemently with intent to overthrow their opponent. (2)
They struck with their elbows the two elbows, with their knees the knees, with their head the head and with their chest the chest of each other. (3)
They tried to frustrate each other by revolving, pushing, squeezing in their arms, throwing down, and slipping to the front or to the rear of their opponent. (4)
Eager to score a victory over each other, they hurt the body of their adversary by lifting up, carrying, throwing back and even fixing him to a spot. (5) (1-5)
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तद्बलाबलवद्युद्धं समेताः सर्वयोषितः ।
ऊचुः परस्परं राजन् सानुकम्पा वरूथशः ॥ ६॥
महानयं बताधर्म एषां राजसभासदाम् ।
ये बलाबलवद्युद्धं राज्ञोऽन्विच्छन्ति पश्यतः ॥ ७॥
क्व वज्रसारसर्वाङ्गौ मल्लौ शैलेन्द्रसन्निभौ ।
क्व चातिसुकुमाराङ्गौ किशोरौ नाप्तयौवनौ ॥ ८॥
धर्मव्यतिक्रमो ह्यस्य समाजस्य ध्रुवं भवेत् ।
यत्राधर्मः समुत्तिष्ठेन्न स्थेयं तत्र कर्हिचित् ॥ ९॥
न सभां प्रविशेत्प्राज्ञः सभ्यदोषाननुस्मरन् ।
अब्रुवन् विब्रुवन्नज्ञो नरः किल्बिषमश्नुते ॥ १०॥
वल्गतः शत्रुमभितः कृष्णस्य वदनाम्बुजम् ।
वीक्ष्यतां श्रमवार्युप्तं पद्मकोशमिवाम्बुभिः ॥ ११॥
किं न पश्यत रामस्य मुखमाताम्रलोचनम् ।
मुष्टिकं प्रति सामर्षं हाससंरम्भशोभितम् ॥ १२॥
पुण्या बत व्रजभुवो यदयं नृलिङ्ग-
गूढःपुराणपुरुषो वनचित्रमाल्यः ।
गाः पालयन् सहबलः क्वणयंश्च वेणुं
विक्रीडयाञ्चति गिरित्ररमार्चिताङ्घ्रिः ॥ १३॥
गोप्यस्तपः किमचरन् यदमुष्य रूपं
लावण्यसारमसमोर्ध्वमनन्यसिद्धम् ।
दृग्भिः पिबन्त्यनुसवाभिनवं दुराप-
मेकान्तधाम यशसः श्रीय ऐश्वरस्य ॥ १४॥
या दोहनेऽवहनने मथनोपलेप-
प्रेङ्खेङ्खनार्भरुदितोक्षणमार्जनादौ ।
गायन्ति चैनमनुरक्तधियोऽश्रुकण्ठ्यो
धन्या व्रजस्त्रिय उरुक्रमचित्तयानाः ॥ १५॥
प्रातर्व्रजाद्व्रजत आविशतश्च सायं
गोभिः समं क्वणयतोऽस्य निशम्य वेणुम् ।
निर्गम्य तूर्णमबलाः पथि भूरिपुण्याः
पश्यन्ति सस्मितमुखं सदयावलोकम् ॥ १६॥
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Full of compassion all the ladies (present there) collected in batches and spoke to one another about the contest being ill-matched (as going on between strong and feeble rivals), O king! (6)
"It is gross unrighteousness on the part of the king's courtiers, who countenance such a contest alas! between the strong and the weak while the king sits looking on! (7)
What comparison can there be between the two wrestlers (Cānūra and Muṣṭika) of adamantine frame and closely resembling a pair of two large mountains (on the one hand) and the two lads (Balarāma and Śrī Kṛṣṇa) of extremely delicate limbs, who have not yet attained their youth (on the other)? (8)
Forfeiture of religious merit (earned in the past) will surely fall to the lot of this assembly. As a matter of fact one should never stay there where unrighteousness fully rears its head. (9)
Recognizing the faults of those present in an assembly a wise man should not (even) enter that assembly; (for) a man keeping silent (even though knowing a fact), making a false statement (in order to please those assembled) or pleading ignorance (surely) incurs sin. (10)
Mark the lotus face—dripping all over with perspiration even like a lotus bud sprinkled with water—of Śrī Kṛṣṇa quickly shifting His position about His adversary. (11)
Don't you see the face of Balarāma with reddish eyes, full of wrath as it is for Muṣṭika and enlivened by a bellicose spirit accompanied with risibility? (12)
Ah, blessed is the soil of Vraja on which treads in a merrily sportful spirit this Most Ancient Person—whose feet are adored (even) by Lord Śiva (the Guardian of Mount Kailāsa) and Ramā (the goddess of beauty and prosperity)—disguised in a human semblance and adorned with sylvan flowers of various kinds, tending cows in the company of Balarāma and playing on His flute. (13)
What austerities did the cowherd women (of Vraja) perform, by virtue of which they imbibe with (the cup of) their eyes (the beauty) of His bewitching form—the (very) essence of elegance—which is not only unsurpassed but unequalled (too), is not embellished by anything external, is eternally new and hard to attain and which is the unfailing abode of renown, splendour and divine glory? (14)
Blessed are the women of Vraja, who celebrate Him in song while milking their cows, pounding the corn, churning their curds, plastering their floor (with cowdung etc.), rocking the cradles, lulling their crying babes, sprinkling and sweeping their houses and attending to other such duties with a mind full of love and their throat choked with tears, (nay, all) whose movements are inspired by the thought of Śrī Kṛṣṇa (who is no other than Lord Viṣṇu, who took wide strides while measuring the three worlds during His descent as the divine Dwarf). (15)
Possessed of endless merit are those women who—having heard His music (even) as He sallies forth from Vraja in the morning and returns in the evening alongwith the cows playing on the flute—come out hastily on the road and behold His smiling countenance enlivened with kind glances." (16) (6-16)
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एवं प्रभाषमाणासु स्त्रीषु योगेश्वरो हरिः ।
शत्रुं हन्तुं मनश्चक्रे भगवान् भरतर्षभ ॥ १७॥
सभयाः स्त्रीगिरः श्रुत्वा पुत्रस्नेहशुचाऽऽतुरौ ।
पितरावन्वतप्येतां पुत्रयोरबुधौ बलम् ॥ १८॥
तैस्तैर्नियुद्धविधिभिर्विविधैरच्युतेतरौ ।
युयुधाते यथान्योन्यं तथैव बलमुष्टिकौ ॥ १९॥
भगवद्गात्रनिष्पातैर्वज्रनिष्पेषनिष्ठुरैः ।
चाणूरो भज्यमानाङ्गो मुहुर्ग्लानिमवाप ह ॥ २०॥
स श्येनवेग उत्पत्य मुष्टीकृत्य करावुभौ ।
भगवन्तं वासुदेवं क्रुद्धो वक्षस्यबाधत ॥ २१॥
नाचलत्तत्प्रहारेण मालाहत इव द्विपः ।
बाह्वोर्निगृह्य चाणूरं बहुशो भ्रामयन् हरिः ॥ २२॥
भूपृष्ठे पोथयामास तरसा क्षीणजीवितम् ।
विस्रस्ताकल्पकेशस्रगिन्द्रध्वज इवापतत् ॥ २३॥
तथैव मुष्टिकः पूर्वं स्वमुष्ट्याभिहतेन वै ।
बलभद्रेण बलिना तलेनाभिहतो भृशम् ॥ २४॥
प्रवेपितः स रुधिरमुद्वमन् मुखतोऽर्दितः ।
व्यसुः पपातोर्व्युपस्थे वाताहत इवाङ्घ्रिपः ॥ २५॥
ततः कूटमनुप्राप्तं रामः प्रहरतां वरः ।
अवधील्लीलया राजन् सावज्ञं वाममुष्टिना ॥ २६॥
तर्ह्येव हि शलः कृष्णपदापहतशीर्षकः ।
द्विधा विशीर्णस्तोशलक उभावपि निपेततुः ॥ २७॥
चाणूरे मुष्टिके कूटे शले तोशलके हते ।
शेषाः प्रदुद्रुवुर्मल्लाः सर्वे प्राणपरीप्सवः ॥ २८॥
गोपान् वयस्यानाकृष्य तैः संसृज्य विजह्रतुः ।
वाद्यमानेषु तूर्येषु वल्गन्तौ रुतनूपुरौ ॥ २९॥
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While the women (of Mathurā) were thus talking (with one another) in anxious tones as aforesaid, Lord Śrī Hari, the Master of Yoga (and therefore able to read others' thoughts), made up His mind to get rid of His opponent (Cāṇūra), O jewel among the Bharatas ! (17)
Hearing the aforesaid remarks—full of apprehension—of those women, His parents (Vasudeva and Devaki), who were unaware of their Son's strength and (consequently) overwhelmed with anxiety out of affection for Them, were filled with remorse (at their not having asked Akrūra to desist from bringing Balarāma and Śrī Kṛṣṇa to Mathurā). (18)
(Even) as Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the immortal Lord) and His antagonist (Cāṇūra) contended with each other according to the various popular modes of wrestling, in that very manner did Balarāma and Muṣṭika struggle with each other. (19)
His limbs being shattered by the hits of the Lord's limbs, which were as hard as strokes of lightning, Cāṇūra—so the tradition goes—fainted again and again. (20)
Springing with the swiftness of a hawk and clenching the fingers of both his hands into fists, the latter, full of anger, struck Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Son of Vasudeva) on the chest. (21)
The Lord (however) did not stir (even one inch from His position) under his blow, any more than an elephant would when struck with a garland. (On the other hand) Śrī Hari caught hold of Cāṇūra by his arms and, whirling him several times, dashed him to the ground, his life having become extinct (even) as a result of his being whirled with vehemence. His ornaments and garlands having fallen off and his locks dishevelled, the wrestler fell like a thunderbolt (the likeness of which is borne as an emblem on the ensign of Indra). (22-23)
Precisely in the same manner was Muṣṭika struck violently with his palm by the mighty Balabhadra, who had also been struck with his fist by the latter in the first instance. (24)
Violently shaken and sore afflicted, and vomiting blood from his mouth, he dropped lifeless on the ground like a tree blown down by the wind. (25)
Balarāma, the foremost of warriors, playfully and scornfully slew with his left fist Kūṭa (another reputed wrestler), who came up next (to wrestle). (26)
That very moment Śala (another of Karīsa's wrestlers) had his head knocked off with Śrī Kṛṣṇa's foot, while Tośala (the other wrestler of repute) was split into two (like a blade of grass) and both fell down (dead). (27)
Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika, Kūṭa, Śala and Tośala, having (thus) been despatched, all the remaining wrestlers ran away anxious to save their life. (28)
Drawing near them Their cowherd mates and closing with them, the two Brothers sported (in the arena), while the trumpets were being sounded, dancing (at intervals) with Their anklets jingling. (29) (17-29)
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जनाः प्रजहृषुः सर्वे कर्मणा रामकृष्णयोः ।
ऋते कंसं विप्रमुख्याः साधवः साधु साध्विति ॥ ३०॥
हतेषु मल्लवर्येषु विद्रुतेषु च भोजराट् ।
न्यवारयत्स्वतूर्याणि वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह ॥ ३१॥
निःसारयत दुर्वृत्तौ वसुदेवात्मजौ पुरात् ।
धनं हरत गोपानां नन्दं बध्नीत दुर्मतिम् ॥ ३२॥
वसुदेवस्तु दुर्मेधा हन्यतामाश्वसत्तमः ।
उग्रसेनः पिता चापि सानुगः परपक्षगः ॥ ३३॥
एवं विकत्थमाने वै कंसे प्रकुपितोऽव्ययः ।
लघिम्नोत्पत्य तरसा मञ्चमुत्तुङ्गमारुहत् ॥ ३४॥
तमाविशन्तमालोक्य मृत्युमात्मन आसनात् ।
मनस्वी सहसोत्थाय जगृहे सोऽसिचर्मणी ॥ ३५॥
तं खड्गपाणिं विचरन्तमाशु
श्येनं यथा दक्षिणसव्यमम्बरे ।
समग्रहीद्दुर्विषहोग्रतेजा
यथोरगं तार्क्ष्यसुतः प्रसह्य ॥ ३६॥
प्रगृह्य केशेषु चलत्किरीटं
निपात्य रङ्गोपरि तुङ्गमञ्चात् ।
तस्योपरिष्टात्स्वयमब्जनाभः
पपात विश्वाश्रय आत्मतन्त्रः ॥ ३७॥
तं सम्परेतं विचकर्ष भूमौ
हरिर्यथेभं जगतो विपश्यतः ।
हा हेति शब्दः सुमहांस्तदाभू-
दुदीरितः सर्वजनैर्नरेन्द्र ॥ ३८॥
स नित्यदोद्विग्नधिया तमीश्वरं
पिबन् वदन् वा विचरन् स्वपन् श्वसन् ।
ददर्श चक्रायुधमग्रतो यत-
स्तदेव रूपं दुरवापमाप ॥ ३९॥
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With the exception of Kamsa all the people (present there) exceedingly rejoiced over the achievement of Balarāma and Śrī Kṛṣṇa. And pious men, including the foremost of the Brāhmaṇas, exclaimed, "Well done I bravo !!" (30)
The chief of the wrestlers having been struck down and the rest having fled away, Kamsa (the ruler of the Bhojas) stopped (the flourish of) his trumpets and, so the tradition goes, uttered the following injunctions:—(31)
"Drive out of the city the two ill-behaved sons of Vasudeva; confiscate the wealth of the Gopas and put in bonds the wicked Nanda. (32)
On the other hand, let Vasudeva of evil mind, the vilest of all, be made short work of at once and so also Ugrasena, my father, who has sided with my enemy, alongwith his followers." (33)
While Kamsa was bragging thus, Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the unwearied Lord) flew into a rage and, springing with agility, speedily ascended the elevated dais (which Kamsa was occupying). (34)
Seeing Śrī Kṛṣṇa approaching as his very death, the heroic Kamsa rose at once from his seat and snatched up his sword and shield. (35)
Śrī Kṛṣṇa (who was possessed of formidable and terrible energy) quickly caught hold with a firm hand of Kamsa—who was moving right and left as a hawk in the air, sword in hand—(even) as Garuḍa (son of Kaśyapa) would forcibly seize a serpent. (36)
Grasping him tightly by the hair, his diadem slipping off (even in the course of his being caught), and hurling him from the lofty dais to (the floor of) the arena, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa (who was no other than Lord Viṣṇu with a lotus sprung from His navel), the Support of the universe, depending on none other than Himself, jumped down in person upon him.(37)
(Nay.) He dragged him hard, though fully dead, along the ground, the world witnessing it, (even) as a lion would drag an elephant. Very loud cries of "Alas ! Welladay !" uttered by all the people, O ruler of men, then arose (and rent the air). (38)
Since with a mind full of dismay he ever saw (before his mental eyes) that very Lord armed with a discus while drinking or speaking, walking to and fro or lying asleep, nay, even while breathing, he attained (after death) that very form (so) difficult to attain. (39) (30-39)
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तस्यानुजा भ्रातरोऽष्टौ कङ्कन्यग्रोधकादयः ।
अभ्यधावन्नतिक्रुद्धा भ्रातुर्निर्वेशकारिणः ॥ ४०॥
तथातिरभसांस्तांस्तु संयत्तान् रोहिणीसुतः ।
अहन् परिघमुद्यम्य पशूनिव मृगाधिपः ॥ ४१॥
नेदुर्दुन्दुभयो व्योम्नि ब्रह्मेशाद्या विभूतयः ।
पुष्पैः किरन्तस्तं प्रीताः शशंसुर्ननृतुः स्त्रियः ॥ ४२॥
तेषां स्त्रियो महाराज सुहृन्मरणदुःखिताः ।
तत्राभीयुर्विनिघ्नन्त्यः शीर्षाण्यश्रुविलोचनाः ॥ ४३॥
शयानान् वीरशय्यायां पतीनालिङ्ग्य शोचतीः ।
विलेपुः सुस्वरं नार्यो विसृजन्त्यो मुहुः शुचः ॥ ४४॥
हा नाथ प्रिय धर्मज्ञ करुणानाथवत्सल ।
त्वया हतेन निहता वयं ते सगृहप्रजाः ॥ ४५॥
त्वया विरहिता पत्या पुरीयं पुरुषर्षभ ।
न शोभते वयमिव निवृत्तोत्सवमङ्गला ॥ ४६॥
अनागसां त्वं भूतानां कृतवान् द्रोहमुल्बणम् ।
तेनेमां भो दशां नीतो भूतध्रुक् को लभेत शम् ॥ ४७॥
सर्वेषामिह भूतानामेष हि प्रभवाप्ययः ।
गोप्ता च तदवध्यायी न क्वचित्सुखमेधते ॥ ४८॥
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Burning all over with rage, the eight younger brothers of Kaṁsa—Kaṁka, Nyagrodha and others—rushed (towards Śrī Kṛṣṇa) in order to get square with their (deceased) brother by avenging his death. (40)
Taking up a bludgeon Balarāma (Rohini's son), however, made short work of them (even) as they came fully prepared (for an encounter) with such great impetuosity, (just) as a lion (the king of beasts) would kill the cattle. (41)
Kettledrums sounded in the heavens; full of delight, Brahmā (the creator), Lord Śiva and other (special) manifestations of divine glory extolled the Lord covering Him with (showers of) flowers, and celestial women (Apsarās) danced (out of joy). (42)
Grieved at the death of their near and dear ones, O great king, the widows of the deceased came over to that place, severely and repeatedly beating their heads with tears in their eyes. (43)
Embracing their husbands lying (dead) in the arena (which serves as a most glorious bed for heroes that have laid down their lives in an open combat), the women wailed (in the following words) at the pitch of their voice, lamenting their lot and repeatedly shedding tears of grief:—(44)
"Ah, beloved lord, the knower of Dharma (the principles of righteousness)! O kind-hearted one, fond of the helpless! due to your having been slain, we (too), your own, with our homes and progeny have been ruined. (45)
Bereft of you, its master, this city (of Mathurā), O jewel among men, does not look charming any more than we, all its festivities and felicity having ceased. (46)
You wrought immense harm even to innocent creatures. It is for that reason that you have been reduced to this plight, O lord! What oppressor of living beings can attain happiness? (47)
This Śrī Kṛṣṇa indeed is the Source, the End and the Protector of all created beings in this universe. Anyone showing disrespect to Him can never prosper. (48) (40-48)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
राजयोषित आश्वास्य भगवांल्लोकभावनः ।
यामाहुर्लौकिकीं संस्थां हतानां समकारयत् ॥ ४९॥
मातरं पितरं चैव मोचयित्वाथ बन्धनात् ।
कृष्णरामौ ववन्दाते शिरसाऽऽस्पृश्य पादयोः ॥ ५०॥
देवकी वसुदेवश्च विज्ञाय जगदीश्वरौ ।
कृतसंवन्दनौ पुत्रौ सस्वजाते न शङ्कितौ ॥ ५१॥
इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां
दशमस्कन्धे पूर्वार्धे कंसवधो नाम चतुश्चत्वारिंशोऽध्यायः ॥ ४४॥
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Śrī Śuka went on : Having comforted the royal ladies the Lord, who is the Protector of the universe, caused what they call obsequies to be duly performed with regard to the slain for their welfare in the other world. (49)
Having then secured the release of Their mother (Devakī) and father (Vasudeva) too from bondage (while they were being taken to the gaol for being placed behind the bars), Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma bowed to them fully touching their feet with Their head. (50)
Perceiving their sons—who had (just) bowed to them—to be (none else than) the Rulers of the universe, Devakī and Vasudeva did not embrace Them, afraid as they were (of showing disrespect to Them). (51)
Thus ends the forty-fourth discourse entitled "Kaṁsa slain (by the Lord)," in the first half of Book Ten of the great and glorious Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, otherwise known as the Paramahāṁsa-Saṁhitā. (49-51)
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