॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
॥ अष्टषष्टितमोऽध्यायः - ६८ ॥
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Discourse LXVIII
Triumph of Saṅkarṣaṇa—in the form of dragging Hastināpura (Preamble)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
दुर्योधनसुतां राजन् लक्ष्मणां समितिञ्जजयः ।
स्वयंवरस्थामहरत्साम्बो जाम्बवतीसुतः ॥ १॥
कौरवाः कुपिता ऊचुर्दुर्विनीतोऽयमर्भकः ।
कदर्थीकृत्य नः कन्यामकामामहरद्बलात् ॥ २॥
बध्नीतेमं दुर्विनीतं किं करिष्यन्ति वृष्णयः ।
येऽस्मत्प्रसादोपचितां दत्तां नो भुञ्जते महीम् ॥ ३॥
निगृहीतं सुतं श्रुत्वा यद्येष्यन्तीह वृष्णयः ।
भग्नदर्पाः शमं यान्ति प्राणा इव सुसंयताः ॥ ४॥
इति कर्णः शलो भूरिर्यज्ञकेतुः सुयोधनः ।
साम्बमारेभिरे बद्धुं कुरुवृद्धानुमोदिताः ॥ ५॥
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Śrī Śuka began again : Parikṣit ! Sāmba, son of Jāmbavati, was (a great warrior, who was) always victorious in battle. He carried away Lakṣmaṇā, Duryodhana's daughter, from an assembly (of kings) called for the choice of her partner by the princess herself. (1)
The Kauravas were enraged at this. They said, " Setting us at naught, this unruly boy has forcibly taken away the girl, who did not even seek his hand. (2)
Imprison the wayward boy. What would the Yādavas do, who rule the land conferred on them by us and which has been thriving through our grace. (3)
If, on hearing of the captivity of the boy, the Vṛṣṇis (venture to) come here, they will find their pride curbed and will be silenced in the same way as the senses thoroughly controlled (through Prāṇāyāma and other means) are easily tamed." (4)
Resolving thus, Karṇa, Śala, Bhūriśravā, Yajñaketu, and Duryodhana proceeded to capture Sāmba with the approval of the elderly among the Kurus. (5) (1-5)
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दृष्ट्वानुधावतः साम्बो धार्तराष्ट्रान् महारथः ।
प्रगृह्य रुचिरं चापं तस्थौ सिंह इवैकलः ॥ ६॥
तं ते जिघृक्षवः क्रुद्धास्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति भाषिणः ।
आसाद्य धन्विनो बाणैः कर्णाग्रण्यः समाकिरन् ॥ ७॥
सोऽपविद्धः कुरुश्रेष्ठ कुरुभिर्यदुनन्दनः ।
नामृष्यत्तदचिन्त्यार्भः सिंहः क्षुद्रमृगैरिव ॥ ८॥
विस्फूर्ज्य रुचिरं चापं सर्वान् विव्याध सायकैः ।
कर्णादीन् षड्रथान् वीरांस्तावद्भिर्युगपत्पृथक् ॥ ९॥
चतुर्भिश्चतुरो वाहानेकैकेन च सारथीन् ।
रथिनश्च महेष्वासांस्तस्य तत्तेऽभ्यपूजयन् ॥ १०॥
तं तु ते विरथं चक्रुश्चत्वारश्चतुरो हयान् ।
एकस्तु सारथिं जघ्ने चिच्छेदान्यः शरासनम् ॥ ११॥
तं बद्ध्वा विरथीकृत्य कृच्छ्रेण कुरवो युधि ।
कुमारं स्वस्य कन्यां च स्वपुरं जयिनोऽविशन् ॥ १२॥
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Seeing the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (closely) pursuing him, Sāmba, a great car-warrior, took up a fine bow and singly stood defiant like a lion. (6)
In their eagerness to capture him, the Kaurava warriors advanced in great rage under the leadership of Karṇa, shouting 'Stop, stop', and approaching him, covered him up with (a shower of) arrows. (7)
Parikṣit, though yet a boy, Sāmba was a son of the incomprehensible Lord (Śrī Kṛṣṇa). Unjustly attacked by the Kurus, he resented it like a lion attacked by the smaller animals. (8)
Twanging his splendid bow, he individually hit the six Kuru heroes—advancing against him in their chariots—with six arrows each at one and the same time. (9)
With four arrows he hit the four horses (drawing the chariot of each warrior) and with one arrow each he hit the driver as well as the warrior himself. The enemies, who were (each) armed with a large bow, admired this exploit of Sāmba. (10)
(All) the (six) Kuru warriors then (attacked him simultaneously and) deprived him of his chariot. Four of them killed his four horses, one in his turn killed his charioteer and the remaining one tore off his bow. (11)
(Thus) depriving him of his chariot in the battle, the Kurus bound Sāmba with difficulty and returned triumphantly to their city, carrying him and Duryodhana's daughter, Lakṣmaṇā (with them). (12) (6-12)
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तच्छ्रुत्वा नारदोक्तेन राजन् सञ्जातमन्यवः ।
कुरून् प्रत्युद्यमं चक्रुरुग्रसेनप्रचोदिताः ॥ १३॥
सान्त्वयित्वा तु तान् रामः सन्नद्धान् वृष्णिपुङ्गवान् ।
नैच्छत्कुरूणां वृष्णीनां कलिं कलिमलापहः ॥ १४॥
जगाम हास्तिनपुरं रथेनादित्यवर्चसा ।
ब्राह्मणैः कुलवृद्धैश्च वृतश्चन्द्र इव ग्रहैः ॥ १५॥
गत्वा गजाह्वयं रामो बाह्योपवनमास्थितः ।
उद्धवं प्रेषयामास धृतराष्ट्रं बुभुत्सया ॥ १६॥
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Parikṣit, hearing of this from the lips of the (celestial) sage Nārada, the Yadus felt greatly enraged and began their preparations, as directed by (their chief) Ugrasena, to march against the Kauravas. (13)
Balarāma, the Destroyer of the impurities of the Kali age did not however approve of a quarrel between the Kurus and the Yadus. Although the Yādava heroes had completed their preparations (for the fight). He pacified them and drove to Hastināpura in a chariot brilliant like the sun, accompanied by a number of Brāhmaṇas and some elders of the Yadu race, like the moon in the midst of planets. (14-15)
Reaching Hastināpura, Balarāma stopped in a garden outside the city and sent Uddhava to Dhṛtarāṣṭra with intent to ascertain the intention of the Kauravas. (16) (13-16)
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सोऽभिवन्द्याम्बिकापुत्रं भीष्मं द्रोणं च बाह्लिकम् ।
दुर्योधनं च विधिवद्राममागतमब्रवीत् ॥ १७॥
तेऽतिप्रीतास्तमाकर्ण्य प्राप्तं रामं सुहृत्तमम् ।
तमर्चयित्वाभिययुः सर्वे मङ्गलपाणयः ॥ १८॥
तं सङ्गम्य यथान्यायं गामर्घ्यं च न्यवेदयन् ।
तेषां ये तत्प्रभावज्ञाः प्रणेमुः शिरसा बलम् ॥ १९॥
बन्धून् कुशलिनः श्रुत्वा पृष्ट्वा शिवमनामयम् ।
परस्परमथो रामो बभाषेऽविक्लवं वचः ॥ २०॥
उग्रसेनः क्षितीशेशो यद्व आज्ञापयत्प्रभुः ।
तदव्यग्रधियः श्रुत्वा कुरुध्वं माविलम्बितम् ॥ २१॥
यद्यूयं बहवस्त्वेकं जित्वाऽधर्मेण धार्मिकम् ।
अबध्नीताथ तन्मृष्ये बन्धूनामैक्यकाम्यया ॥ २२॥
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(Reaching the Kaurava court,) Uddhava duly saluted Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Bhiṣma, Droṇa, Bāhlika (Bhiṣma's uncle) and Duryodhana and informed them of Balarāma's arrival. (17)
The Kauravas were greatly delighted to hear of the arrival of Balarāma, their best friend, and, treating Uddhava with honour, all went forth to receive Balarāma, taking festal presents in their hands. (18)
They received Balarāma with due honours and offered Him Arghya (water for washing His hands with) and a cow; and such of them as knew His greatness saluted Him with their heads (bent low). (19)
When both parties had inquired after each other's welfare and health and learnt that their mutual friends and relations were doing well, Balarāma forthwith spoke these fearless words: (20)
"Hear with an attentive mind what the king of kings, the mighty Ugrasena, has enjoined you to do and carry it out without delay. (21)
He says: "I hear that many of you combined by unrighteous means to overpower Sāmba who fought single-handed respecting the laws of war, and that you have taken him prisoner. I have, however, tolerated this with intent to maintain harmony among friends and relations. (Therefore, do not extend the quarrel, release Sāmba from captivity and allow him to come to us with his newly wedded wife.)" (22) (17-22)
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वीर्यशौर्यबलोन्नद्धमात्मशक्तिसमं वचः ।
कुरवो बलदेवस्य निशम्योचुः प्रकोपिताः ॥ २३॥
अहो महच्चित्रमिदं कालगत्या दुरत्यया ।
आरुरुक्षत्युपानद्वै शिरो मुकुटसेवितम् ॥ २४॥
एते यौनेन सम्बद्धाः सहशय्यासनाशनाः ।
वृष्णयस्तुल्यतां नीता अस्मद्दत्तनृपासनाः ॥ २५॥
चामरव्यजने शङ्खमातपत्रं च पाण्डुरम् ।
किरीटमासनं शय्यां भुञ्जतेऽस्मदुपेक्षया ॥ २६॥
अलं यदूनां नरदेवलाञ्छनै-
र्दातुः प्रतीपैः फणिनामिवामृतम् ।
येऽस्मत्प्रसादोपचिता हि यादवा
आज्ञापयन्त्यद्य गतत्रपा बत ॥ २७॥
कथमिन्द्रोऽपि कुरुभिर्भीष्मद्रोणार्जुनादिभिः ।
अदत्तमवरुन्धीत सिंहग्रस्तमिवोरणः ॥ २८॥
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Parikṣit, enraged to hear these haughty words of Baladeva, inspired as they were with a sense of virility, strength and gallantry and (quite) becoming of His own power, the Kauravas replied (as follows): (23)
"Oh, what a great wonder it is that by force of Time, so hard to overcome, the shoe actually aspires to mount the head, which is occupied by the crown. (24)
Bound by conjugal ties and allowed to share our bed, seat and food, and favoured with a royal throne by us, the Yādavas were exalted to a position of equality with us. (25)
They enjoy the use of a chowrie, fan, conch, white umbrella, crown, a royal seat and bed through our sufferance. (26)
They should no longer be allowed to retain these royal insignia, which are proving adverse to the giver even as milk offered to a serpent. Elevated (in rank) through our grace, they have now shamelessly begun to command us. What a pity! (27)
Just as a ram dare not seize the prey of a lion, how could even Indra (the celestial king) enjoy what is not offered to him by Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Arjuna and other Kuru chiefs?" (28) (23-28)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
जन्मबन्धुश्रियोन्नद्धमदास्ते भरतर्षभ ।
आश्राव्य रामं दुर्वाच्यमसभ्याः पुरमाविशन् ॥ २९॥
दृष्ट्वा कुरूणां दौःशील्यं श्रुत्वावाच्यानि चाच्युतः ।
अवोचत्कोपसंरब्धो दुष्प्रेक्ष्यः प्रहसन् मुहुः ॥ ३०॥
नूनं नानामदोन्नद्धाः शान्तिं नेच्छन्त्यसाधवः ।
तेषां हि प्रशमो दण्डः पशूनां लगुडो यथा ॥ ३१॥
अहो यदून् सुसंरब्धान् कृष्णं च कुपितं शनैः ।
सान्त्वयित्वाहमेतेषां शममिच्छन्निहागतः ॥ ३२॥
त इमे मन्दमतयः कलहाभिरताः खलाः ।
तं मामवज्ञाय मुहुर्दुर्भाषान् मानिनोऽब्रुवन् ॥ ३३॥
नोग्रसेनः किल विभुर्भोजवृष्ण्यन्धकेश्वरः ।
शक्रादयो लोकपाला यस्यादेशानुवर्तिनः ॥ ३४॥
सुधर्माऽऽक्रम्यते येन पारिजातोऽमराङ्घ्रिपः ।
आनीय भुज्यते सोऽसौ न किलाध्यासनार्हणः ॥ ३५॥
यस्य पादयुगं साक्षाच्छ्रीरुपास्तेऽखिलेश्वरी ।
स नार्हति किल श्रीशो नरदेवपरिच्छदान् ॥ ३६॥
यस्याङ्घ्रिपङ्कजरजोऽखिललोकपालैः
मौल्युत्तमैर्धृतमुपासिततीर्थतीर्थम् ।
ब्रह्मा भवोऽहमपि यस्य कलाः कलायाः
श्रीश्चोद्वहेम चिरमस्य नृपासनं क्व ॥ ३७॥
भुञ्जते कुरुभिर्दत्तं भूखण्डं वृष्णयः किल ।
उपानहः किल वयं स्वयं तु कुरवः शिरः ॥ ३८॥
अहो ऐश्वर्यमत्तानां मत्तानामिव मानिनाम् ।
असम्बद्धा गिरो रूक्षाः कः सहेतानुशासीता ॥ ३९॥
अद्य निष्कौरवीं पृथ्वीं करिष्यामीत्यमर्षितः ।
गृहीत्वा हलमुत्तस्थौ दहन्निव जगत्त्रयम् ॥ ४०॥
लाङ्गलाग्रेण नगरमुद्विदार्य गजाह्वयम् ।
विचकर्ष स गङ्गायां प्रहरिष्यन्नमर्षितः ॥ ४१॥
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Śrī Śuka continued : Parikṣit, their pedigree, the strength of their kinsmen (Bhīṣma, Arjuna and others) and fortune had served to swell their pride. They cast even ordinary courtesy to the winds and, uttering such harsh words within the hearing of Balarāma, returned to their city. (29)
The infallible Balarāma observed their discourtesy and heard their reproaches. Overwhelmed with indignation, and looking (quite) terrific, He burst into convulsions and said:—(30)
"Certainly these wicked souls are not in favour of conciliation, elated as they are with pride of various kinds. Chastisement is undoubtedly the best means of softening such people, just as a staff is necessary to tame the beast. (31)
Ohl having slowly pacified the Yadus, who were terribly excited, as well as Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who was full of rage, I came here seeking to conciliate them. (32)
But these slow-witted and wicked fellows are bent on strife. (Hence) these proud people treated Me, though I was so inclined, scornfully and showered abuses on Me. (33)
Indeed Ugrasena, whose behests are carried out even by Iridra and the other guardians of the world, is no suzerain lord but a mere ruler of the Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas. (34)
Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who occupies the Sudharmā hall and brought the celestial tree, viz., Pārijāta (from heaven) and enjoys it surely does not deserve the royal throne ! (35)
Śrī Kṛṣṇa, whose feet are adored by Lakṣmī Herself, the mistress of the world, is certainly not entitled to bear the royal insignia ! (36)
He, the dust of whose lotus-feet lends sanctity (even) to the sacred waters, which are resorted to by holy men, and is borne on their crowned heads not only by all the guardians of the world (the deities presiding over the various spheres of the universe), but even so by Brahmā and Rudra, (Goddess) Lakṣmī and Myself, who are mere fractions of His fractions, is unworthy of a royal seat ! (37)
Indeed, the Yadus rule over a territory bestowed on them by the Kurus ! We are ideed shoes, while the Kurus represent the head ! (38)
How is it possible for one, who is capable of dealing (proper) punishment to them, to put up with the harsh and incoherent words of these proud men who are intoxicated with power and are raving like madmen ? (39)
I shall rid the earth of the Kurus today." With these words Balarāma took up (His weapon) the plough, and got up enraged, as if He would burn (all) the three worlds. (40)
With the point of His plough He lifted up the (whole) city of Hastināpura and began to drag it angrily with a view to throwing it into the Gaṅgā. (41) (29-41)
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जलयानमिवाघूर्णं गङ्गायां नगरं पतत् ।
आकृष्यमाणमालोक्य कौरवाः जातसम्भ्रमाः ॥ ४२॥
तमेव शरणं जग्मुः सकुटुम्बा जिजीविषवः ।
सलक्ष्मणं पुरस्कृत्य साम्बं प्राञ्जलयः प्रभुम् ॥ ४३॥
राम रामाखिलाधार प्रभावं न विदाम ते ।
मूढानां नः कुबुद्धीनां क्षन्तुमर्हस्यतिक्रमम् ॥ ४४॥
स्थित्युत्पत्त्यप्ययानां त्वमेको हेतुर्निराश्रयः ।
लोकान् क्रीडनकानीश क्रीडतस्ते वदन्ति हि ॥ ४५॥
त्वमेव मूर्ध्नीदमनन्त लीलया
भूमण्डलं बिभर्षि सहस्रमूर्धन् ।
अन्ते च यः स्वात्मनि रुद्धविश्वः
शेषेऽद्वितीयः परिशिष्यमाणः ॥ ४६॥
कोपस्तेऽखिलशिक्षार्थं न द्वेषान्न च मत्सरात् ।
बिभ्रतो भगवन् सत्त्वं स्थितिपालनतत्परः ॥ ४७॥
नमस्ते सर्वभूतात्मन् सर्वशक्तिधराव्यय ।
विश्वकर्मन् नमस्तेऽस्तु त्वां वयं शरणं गताः ॥ ४८॥
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Being dragged (into water). Hastināpura began to shake like a boat. When the Kauravas observed that it was falling into the Gaṅgā, they were seized with consternation. (42)
Anxious to save their lives, they placed Sāmba and Lakṣmaṇā at their head and, taking their families with them, sought the almighty Balarāma Himself with joined palms for protection. (43)
They said, " O Rāma, the Delighter of all, You are (no other than) Śeṣa (the support of the world). We did not know Your greatness. Be pleased (therefore) to forgive us our transgression, foolish and evil-minded as we are. (44)
You are the sole Cause of creation, continuance and destruction (of the universe), (the substratum of all, though) resting on nothing but Your own being. Indeed, O Lord, sages speak of the three worlds as Your toys and Yourself as the Player. (45)
O Lord of infinite strength, possessed of a thousand heads! You alone bear (the weight of) the terrestrial globe on one of Your heads, without any effort, and at the time of final dissolution with draw the universe into Yourself and lie (on the causal waters) as the only remaining substance (Nārāyaṇa) without a second. (46)
Lord, You have assumed this Form consisting of pure Sattva (goodness). Your anger is not prompted by hatred or malice but is intended only to teach all and is directed towards the maintenance of the world order. (47)
Hail to You, O Inner Controller of all created beings, O omnipotent and immutable Maker of the universe! We have sought You as our Protector. Salutation be to You (again and again)." (48) (42-48)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
एवं प्रपन्नैः संविग्नैर्वेपमानायनैर्बलः ।
प्रसादितः सुप्रसन्नो मा भैष्टेत्यभयं ददौ ॥ ४९॥
दुर्योधनः पारिबर्हं कुञ्जरान् षष्टिहायनान् ।
ददौ च द्वादशशतान्ययुतानि तुरङ्गमान् ॥ ५०॥
रथानां षट्सहस्राणि रौक्माणां सूर्यवर्चसाम् ।
दासीनां निष्ककण्ठीनां सहस्रं दुहितृवत्सलः ॥ ५१॥
प्रतिगृह्य तु तत्सर्वं भगवान् सात्वतर्षभः ।
ससुतः सस्नुषः प्रागात्सुहृद्भिरभिनन्दितः ॥ ५२॥
ततः प्रविष्टः स्वपुरं हलायुधः
समेत्य बन्धूननुरक्तचेतसः ।
शशंस सर्वं यदुपुङ्गवानां
मध्ये सभायां कुरुषु स्वचेष्टितम् ॥ ५३॥
अद्यापि च पुरं ह्येतत्सूचयद्रामविक्रमम् ।
समुन्नतं दक्षिणतो गङ्गायामनुदृश्यते ॥ ५४॥
इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां
संहितायां दशमस्कन्धे उत्तरार्धे हास्तिनपुर-
कर्षणरूपसङ्कर्षणविजयो नामाष्टषष्टितमोऽध्यायः ॥ ६८॥
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Śrī Śuka went on : Propitiated thus by the Kurus, who had got alarmed to find their city shaking and sought protection with Him, Balarāma felt much pleased and promised them protection asking them to shed their fear. (49)
Duryodhana was (very) fond of his daughter (Lakṣmaṇā). He gave away as a wedding present twelve hundred (young) elephants, each sixty years of age, ten thousand horses, six thousand gold chariots glowing like the sun, and a thousand maid-servants adorned with a gold necklace. (50-51)
Accepting for His part all those presents, and acclaimed by his friends and relations, Lord Balarāma, the foremost of the Yadus, departed with Sāmba and his bride. (52)
Returning to His city (Dwārakā), Balarāma met (all) His devoted friends and relations and in the open court told the Yādava chiefs everything, viz., how he had dealt with the Kurus. (53)
Even to this day Hastināpura appears fairly elevated towards the south and sloping down towards the Gaṅgā, (thereby) testifying to this (supreme) exploit of Balarāma. (54)
Thus ends the sixty-eighth discourse entitled " The Triumph of Saṅkarṣaṇa in the form of dragging Hastināpura", in the latter half of Book Ten of the great and glorious Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, otherwise known as the Paramahāṃsa-saṃhitā. (49-54)
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