Chapter Twenty-three Rāsa-krīḍāyāṁ śaṅkhacūḍa-vadhaḥ The Killing of Śaṅkhacūḍa During the Rāsa-dance Pastime

GS 2.23.1

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca

atha kṛṣṇo gopikābhir

lohajāṅghavanaṁ yayau

vasanta-mādhavībhiś ca

latābhiḥ saṅkulaṁ nṛpa

Synonyms

śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca — Śrī Nārada said ; atha — then ; kṛṣṇaḥ — Kṛṣṇa ; gopikābhiḥ — with the gopīs ; lohajāṅghavanam — —to Lohajāṅghavana ; yayau — went ; vasanta — springtime ; mādhavībhiḥ — witn madhavi vines ; ca — and ; latābhiḥ — with vines ; saṅkulam — filled ; nṛpa — O king.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: O king, then Lord Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs went to Lohajaṅghavana forest, which was filled with flowering mādhavī vines.

GS 2.23.2

Verse text

tat-puṣpa-dhāma-nicayaiḥ

sphurat-saugandhi-śālibhiḥ

sarvāsāṁ hariṇā tatra

kabaryo gumphitās tataḥ

Synonyms

tat-puṣpa-dhāma-nicayaiḥ — with the many flowers ; sphurat-saugandhi-śālibhiḥ — very fragrant ; sarvāsām — of all ; hariṇā — by Kṛṣṇa ; tatra — there ; kabaryaḥ — braids ; gumphitāḥ — tied ; tataḥ — then.

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa decorated all the gopīs' braids with the fragrant flowers there.

GS 2.23.3

Verse text

bhramara-dhvani-samyukte

sugandhānila-vāsite

kālindī-nikaṭe kṛṣṇo

vicacāra priyānvitaḥ

Synonyms

bhramara — of bumblebees ; dhvani — the sounds ; samyukte — with ; sugandha — fragrant ; anila — breeze ; vāsite — scented ; kālindī — the Yamunā ; nikaṭe — near ; kṛṣṇaḥ — Kṛṣṇa ; vicacāra — went ; priyā — His beloved ; anvitaḥ — with.

Translation

With His beloved, Lord Kṛṣṇa walked by the Yamunā, which was filled with the sounds of bees and scented with a fragrant breeze.

GS 2.23.4

Verse text

karillaiḥ pīlubhiḥ śyāmais

tamālaiḥ saṅkula-drumaiḥ

mahā-puṇyavanaṁ kṛṣṇo

yayau rāseśvaro hariḥ

Synonyms

karillaiḥ — with karilla ; pīlubhiḥ — pilu ; śyāmaiḥ — dark ; tamālaiḥ — tamalas ; saṅkula-drumaiḥ — with many trees ; mahā — very ; puṇya — sacred ; kṛṣṇaḥ — Kṛṣṇa ; yayau — went ; rāseśvaraḥ — the king of the rasa dance ; hariḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa, the king of the rāsa dance, walked there in a very sacred forest filled with karilla, pīlu, and black tamāla trees.

GS 2.23.5

Verse text

tatra rāsaṁ samārebhe

rāseśvaryā samanvitaḥ

gīyamānaś ca gopībhir

apsarobhir sva-rāḍ iva

Synonyms

tatra — there ; rāsam — a rasa dance ; samārebhe — began ; rāseśvaryā — with the queen of the rasa dance ; samanvitaḥ — with ; gīyamānaḥ — singing ; ca — and ; gopībhiḥ — with the gopī ; apsarobhiḥ — with the apsarās ; sva-rāḍ — the king of heaven ; iva — like.

Translation

Singing, the Lord started a rāsa dance with Rādhā, the queen of the rāsa dance, and with the many gopīs. He danced as Indra, the king of Svargaloka, dances with the apsarās.

GS 2.23.6

Verse text

tatra citram abhūd rājan

śṛṇu tvaṁ tan mukhān mama

śaṅkhacūḍo nāma yakṣo

dhanadānucaro balī

Synonyms

tatra — there ; citram — a wonder ; abhūt — became ; rājan — O king ; śṛṇu — hear ; tvam — You ; tat — that ; mukhāt — from the mouth ; mama — of me ; śaṅkhacūḍaḥ — Śaṅkhacūḍa ; nāma — named ; yakṣaḥ — uaksa ; dhanada — of Kuvera ; anucaraḥ — follower ; balī — powerful.

Translation

O king, then a wonderful thing happened. Please hear of it from my mouth. There once was a very powerful yakṣa named Śaṅkhacūḍa, who was a follower of Kuvera.

GS 2.23.7

Verse text

bhū-tale tat-samo nāsti

gadā-yuddha-viśāradaḥ

man-mukhād augraseneś ca

balaṁ śrutvā mahotkaṭam

Synonyms

bhū — of the earth ; tale — on the surface ; tat-samaḥ — his equal ; na — not ; asti — is ; gadā — club ; yuddha — fighting ; viśāradaḥ — expert ; mat-mukhāt — from my mouth ; augraseneḥ — of Kaṁsa ; ca — and ; balam — the strength ; śrutvā — hearing ; mahā — great ; utkaṭam — great.

Translation

In fighting with a club no one was his equal on the surface of the earth. From my mouth he heard of Kaṁsa's great strength.

GS 2.23.8

Verse text

lakṣa-bhāra-mayīṁ gurvīṁ

gadām ādāya yakṣa-rāṭ

sva-sakāśān madhu-purīṁ

āyayau caṇḍa-vikramaḥ

Synonyms

lakṣa — a hundred thousand ; bhāra — bharas ; mayīm — consisting of ; gurvīm — heavy ; gadām — club ; ādāya — taking ; yakṣa-rāṭ — the king of the yaksas ; sva-sakāśāt — from his own place ; madhu-purīm — to Mathurā ; āyayau — went ; caṇḍa-vikramaḥ — very powerful.

Translation

Taking a great club that weighed a hundred thousand bhāras, this very strong yakṣa king left his own home and went to Mathurā City.

GS 2.23.9

Verse text

sabhāyām āsthitaṁ prāha

kaṁsaṁ natvā madoddhataḥ

gadā-yuddhaṁ dehi mahyaṁ

trailokya-vijayī bhavān

Synonyms

sabhāyām — in the assembly ; āsthitam — situated ; prāha — said ; kaṁsam — to kaṁsa ; natvā — bowing down ; madoddhataḥ — filled with pride ; gadā — club ; yuddham — fight ; dehi — please give ; mahyam — to me ; trailokya-vijayī — conqueror of the three worlds ; bhavān — you.

Translation

Filled with pride, he bowed before Kaṁsa in the royal assmebly and said, "O conqueror of the three worlds, please give a club-duel to me."

GS 2.23.10

Verse text

ahaṁ daśo bhaveyaṁ vai

bhavāṁś ca vijayī yadi

ahaṁ jayī codbhavantaṁ

dāsaṁ śīghraṁ karomy aham

Synonyms

aham — I ; daśaḥ — servant ; bhaveyam — will be ; vai — indeed ; bhavān — you ; ca — and ; vijayī — victorious ; yadi — if ; aham — I ; jayī — victorious ; ca — and ; udbhavantam — manifested ; dāsam — servant ; śīghram — for a long time ; karomy — do ; aham — I.

Translation

If You are victorious, I will become your servant. If I am victorious, I will make you my servant for a very long time.

GS 2.23.11

Verse text

tathāstu coktvā kaṁsas tu

gṛhītvā mahātīṁ gadām

śaṅkhacūḍena yuyudhe

raṅga-bhūmau videha-rāṭ

Synonyms

tathā — so ; astu — be it ; ca — and ; uktvā — saying ; kaṁsaḥ — Kaṁsa ; tu — indeed ; gṛhītvā — taking ; mahātīm — great ; gadām — club ; śaṅkhacūḍena — with Śaṅkhacūḍa ; yuyudhe — fought ; raṅga-bhūmau — in a fighting ground ; videha-rāṭ — O king of Videha.

Translation

O king of Videha, saying, "So be it," and taking up a very great club, in a fighting-ground Kaṁsa fought with Śaṅkhacūḍa.

GS 2.23.12

Verse text

tayoś ca gadayā yuddhaṁ

ghora-rūpaṁ babhūva ha

taḍanāc caṭcaṭā-śabdaṁ

kāla-megha-taḍid-dhvani

Synonyms

tayoḥ — of them both ; ca — and ; gadayā — with club ; yuddham — fight ; ghora-rūpam — horrible ; babhūva — was ; ha — indeed ; taḍanāt — from the blows ; caṭcaṭā-śabdam — the sound caṭcaṭā ; kāla — black ; megha — clouds ; taḍid-dhvani — thunder.

Translation

They fought a terrible club-duel. The caṭcaṭā sound of their blows was like the lightning of black clouds.

GS 2.23.13

Verse text

śuśubhāte raṅga-madhye

mallau naṭye naṭāv iva

ibhendrāv iva dīrghāṅgau

mṛgendrāv iva codbhaṭau

Synonyms

śuśubhāte — shone ; raṅga-madhye — in the fighting-ground ; mallau — wrestkers ; naṭye — in a dance ; naṭau — dancers ; iva — like ; ibhendrau — —two elephant-kings ; iva — like ; dīrgha — long ; aṅgau — limbs ; mṛgendrau — lion-kings ; iva — like ; ca — and ; udbhaṭau — fighters.

Translation

The two fighters were very glorious. They were like two wrestlers in a fighting-ground, two dancers in a dance, two regal elephants, or two long-limbed lions.

GS 2.23.14

Verse text

dvayoś ca yudhyato rājan

paraspara-jigīṣayā

visphuliṅgān kṣarantyau dvau

gade cūrṇī-babhūvatuḥ

Synonyms

dvayoḥ — of the two of them ; ca — and ; yudhyataḥ — fighting ; rājan — O king ; paraspara-jigīṣayā — with a desire to defeat each other ; visphuliṅgān — sparks ; kṣarantyau — throwing ; dvau — both ; gade — clubs ; cūrṇī-babhūvatuh — broken into pieces.

Translation

O king, as, each trying to defeat the other, they fought, sparks flew from their clubs. Their clubs were eventually broken into pieces.

GS 2.23.15

Verse text

kaṁsaḥ prakupitaṁ yakṣaṁ

muṣṭinābhijaghāna ha

śaṅkhacūḍo 'pi taṁ kaṁsaṁ

muṣṭinā taṁ tatāḍa ca

Synonyms

kaṁsaḥ — Kaṁsa ; prakupitam — to the angry ; yakṣam — yaksa ; muṣṭinā — with fists ; ahijaghāna — hit ; ha — indeed ; śaṅkhacūḍaḥ — Śaṅkhacūḍa ; api — also ; tam — him ; kaṁsam — Kaṁsa ; muṣṭinā — with fists ; tam — him ; tatāḍa — punched ; ca — and.

Translation

Then Kaṁsa punched the angry yakṣa, and Śaṅkhacūḍa punched Kaṁsa.

GS 2.23.16

Verse text

muṣṭāmuṣṭi tayor āsīd

dinānāṁ sapta-viṁśatiḥ

dvayor akṣiṇa-balayor

vismayaṁ gatayos tataḥ

Synonyms

muṣṭāmuṣṭi — hand to hand ; tayoḥ — of them both ; āsīt — was ; dinānām — of days ; sapta-viṁśatiḥ — twenty-seven ; dvayoḥ — of them both ; akṣiṇa — undiminished ; balayoḥ — strength ; vismayam — wonder ; gatayoḥ — attained ; tataḥ — of them.

Translation

They fought hand-to-hand for twenty-seven days. Neither one weakened. They were both amazed.

GS 2.23.17

Verse text

śaṅkhacūḍaṁ saṅgṛhītvā

kaṁso daityādhipo balī

balāc cikṣepa sahasā

vyomni taṁ śata-yojanam

Synonyms

śaṅkhacūḍam — Śaṅkhacūḍa ; saṅgṛhītvā — grabbing ; kaṁsaḥ — Kaṁsa ; daityādhipaḥ — the king of demons ; balī — strong ; balāc — violently ; cikṣepa — threw ; sahasā — suddenly ; vyomni — into the sky ; tam — him ; śata-yojanam — eight-hundred miles.

Translation

Grabbing Śaṅkhacūḍa, the powerful demon-king Kaṁsa suddenly threw him eight-hundred miles into the sky.

GS 2.23.18

Verse text

śaṅkhacūḍaḥ prapatitaḥ

kiñcid vyākula-mānasaḥ

kaṁsaṁ gṛhītvā nabhasi

cikṣepāyuta-yojanam

Synonyms

śaṅkhacūḍaḥ — Śaṅkhacūḍa ; prapatitaḥ — fell ; ki 24cit — somewhat ; vyākula-mānasaḥ — disturbed ; kaṁsam — to Kaṁsa ; gṛhītvā — grabbing ; naqbhasi — into the sky ; cikṣepa — threw ; ayuta-yojanam — eighty-thousand miles.

Translation

When Śaṅkhacūḍa fell he was a somewhat disturbed. Grabbing Kaṁsa, Śaṅkhacūḍa threw him eighty-thousand miles into the sky.

GS 2.23.19

Verse text

ākāśāt patitaḥ kaṁsaḥ

kiñcid vyākula-mānasaḥ

yakṣaṁ gṛhītvā sahasā

pātayām āsa bhū-tale

Synonyms

ākāśāt — from the sky ; patitaḥ — fallen ; kaṁsaḥ — Kaṁsa ; kiñcit — somewhat ; vyākula-mānasaḥ — disturbed ; yakṣam — the yaksa ; gṛhītvā — grabbing ; sahasā — suddenly ; pātayām āsa — threw ; bhū-tale — to the ground.

Translation

When Kaṁsa fell he was a somewhat disturbed. Grabbing the yakṣa Śaṅkhacūḍa, Kaṁsa suddenly threw him to the ground.

GS 2.23.20

Verse text

śaṅkhacūḍas taṁ gṛhītvā

pothayām āsa bhū-tale

evaṁ yuddhe sampravṛtte

cakampe bhūmi-maṇḍalam

Synonyms

śaṅkhacūḍaḥ — Śaṅkhacūḍa ; tam — him ; gṛhītvā — grabbing ; pothayām āsa — threw ; bhū-tale — to the ground ; evam — thus ; yuddhe — in the fight ; sampravṛtte — manifested ; cakampe — trembled ; bhūmi-maṇḍalam — the circle of the earth.

Translation

Then Śaṅkhacūḍa grabbed Kaṁsa and threw him to the ground. As they fought in this way, the circle of the earth trembled.

GS 2.23.21

Verse text

munīndraḥ sarva-vit sākṣād

gargācāryaḥ samāgataḥ

raṅgeṣu vanditas tābhyāṁ

kaṁsaṁ prāhorjayā girā

Synonyms

munīndraḥ — the king of sages ; sarva-vit — all-knowing ; sākṣāt — directly ; gargācāryaḥ — Garga MUni ; samāgataḥ — came ; raṅgeṣu — to the fighting-ground ; vanditaḥ — offered obeisances ; tābhyām — by them both ; kaṁsam — to Kaṁsa ; prāha — spoke ; urjayā — with strong ; girā — words.

Translation

Then Garga Acārya, the all-knowing king of sages, came to the fighting-ground. The two fighters both offered respectful obeisances to him. With strong words he spoke to Kaṁsa.

GS 2.23.22

Verse text

śrī-garga uvāca

yuddhaṁ mā kuru rājendra

viphalo 'yaṁ raṇo 'tra vai

tvat-samāno hy ayaṁ vīraḥ

śaṅkhacūḍo mahā-balaḥ

Synonyms

śrī-garga uvāca — Śrī Garga said ; yuddham — fight ; ma — don't ; kuru — do ; rājendra — O king of kings ; viphalaḥ — useless ; ayam — this ; raṇaḥ — battle ; atra — here ; vai — indeed ; tvat-samānaḥ — your equal ; hy — indeed ; ayam — he ; vīraḥ — warrior ; śaṅkhacūḍaḥ — Śaṅkhacūḍa ; mahā-balaḥ — powerful.

Translation

Śrī Garga said: O king of kings, don't continue this fight. This fight has no meaning. The powerful warrior Śaṅkhacūḍa is your equal.

GS 2.23.23

Verse text

tava muṣṭi-prahāreṇa

bhṛśām airāvato gajaḥ

jānubhyāṁ dharaṇīṁ spṛṣṭvā

kaśmalaṁ paramaṁ yayau

Synonyms

tava — of you ; muṣṭi-prahāreṇa — by the punches ; bhṛśām — greatly ; airāvataḥ — Auravata ; gajaḥ — the elephant ; jānubhyām — on both knees ; dharaṇīm — the earth ; spṛṣṭvā — touching ; kaśmalam — distress ; paramam — great ; yayau — has attained.

Translation

The blows of your fists have made the elephant Airāvata faint. His knees now touch the ground.

GS 2.23.24

Verse text

anye 'pi balino daityā

muṣṭinā te mṛtiṁ gatāḥ

śaṅkhacūḍo na patitaḥ

sandeho nāsti tac chṛṇu

Synonyms

anye — other ; api — indeed ; balinaḥ — powqerful ; daityā — demons ; muṣṭinā — with fists ; te — they ; mṛtim — death ; gatāḥ — attained ; śaṅkhacūḍaḥ — Śaṅkhacūḍa ; na — not ; patitaḥ — fallen ; sandehaḥ — doubt ; na — not ; asti — is ; tat — that ; śṛṇu — hear.

Translation

Other powerful demons would have died from your punches, but Śaṅkhacūḍa has not even fallen. Of this there is no doubt. Please hear the reason.

GS 2.23.25

Verse text

paripūrṇatamo yo vai

so 'pi tvaṁ ghātayiṣyati

tathainaṁ śaṅkhacūḍākhyaṁ

śivasyāpi varorjitam

Synonyms

paripūrṇatamaḥ — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; yaḥ — who ; vai — indeed ; saḥ — who ; api — also ; tvam — you ; ghātayiṣyati — will kill ; tathā — in the same way ; enam — him ; śaṅkhacūḍākhyam — named Śaṅkhacūḍa ; śivasya — of Śiva ; api — also ; vara — by the blessing ; ūrjitam — powerful.

Translation

As the Supreme Personality of Godhead is destined to kill you, so He will also kill Śaṅkhacūḍa, and as you are very strong by Lord Śiva's blessings, so is he.

GS 2.23.26

Verse text

tasmāt prema prakartavyaṁ

śaṅkhacūḍe yadūdvaha

yakṣa-rāṭ ca tvayā kaṁse

kartavyaṁ prema niścitam

Synonyms

tasmāt — therefore ; prema — love ; prakartavyam — should be done ; śaṅkhacūḍe — for Śaṅkhacūḍa ; yadūdvaha — O king of the Yadus ; yakṣa-rāṭ — the king of the yaksa ; ca — and ; tvayā — by you ; kaṁse — for Kaṁsa ; kartavyam — should be done ; prema — love ; niścitam — certainly.

Translation

Therefore, O king of the Yadus, you should make friends with Śaṅkhacūḍa, and you, O king of the yakṣas should make friends with Kaṁsa.

GS 2.23.27

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca

gargeṇoktau tadā tau dvau

militvāpi parasparam

paramāṁ cakratuḥ prītiṁ

śaṅkhacūḍa-yadūdvahau

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca — Śrī Nārada said ; gargeṇa — by Garga Muni ; uktau — —addressed ; tadā — then ; tau — they ; dvau — both ; militvā — meeting ; api — also ; parasparam — together ; paramām — great ; cakratuḥ — did ; prītim — friendship ; śaṅkhacūḍa-yadūdvahau — Śaṅkhacūḍa and Kaṁsa.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: In this way, by Garga Muni's words, Śaṅkhacūḍa and Kaṁsa became great friends.

GS 2.23.28

Verse text

atha kaṁsam anujṣāpya

gṛhaṁ gantuṁ samudyataḥ

gacchan mārge 'śṛṇod rātrau

rāsa-gānaṁ manoharam

Synonyms

atha — then ; kaṁsam — Kaṁsa ; anuj 24āpya — inviting ; gṛham — home ; gantum — to go ; samudyataḥ — begun ; gacchan — going ; mārge — on the path ; aśṛṇot — heard ; rātrau — at night ; rāsa-gānam — the musico0f the rasa dance ; manoharam — beautiful.

Translation

Then Śaṅkhacūḍa invited Kaṁsa to his home. Traveling on the road at night, they heard the beautiful singing of the rāsa dance.

GS 2.23.29

Verse text

tāla-śabdānusāreṇa

samprāptau rāsa-maṇḍale

rāseśvaryā samaṁ rāse

'paśyad rāseśvaraṁ harim

Synonyms

tāla — of the karatālas ; śabda — the sound ; anusāreṇa — following ; samprāptau — attained ; rāsa-maṇḍale — the circle of the rasa dance ; rāseśvaryā — the queen of the rasa dance ; samam — with ; rāse — in the rasa dance ; apaśyat — saw ; rāseśvaram — the king of the rasa dance ; harim — Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

Following the sounds of the karatālas, they came to the rāsa-dance circle, where they saw Śrī Rādhā, the queen of the rāsa dance, and Lord Kṛṣṇa, the king of the rāsa dance, . . .

GS 2.23.30

Verse text

śrī-rādhayālaṅkṛta-vāma-bāhuṁ

svacchanda-vakrī-kṛta-dakṣiṇāṅghrim

vaṁśī-dharaṁ sundara-mānda-hāsaṁ

bhrū-maṇḍalair mohita-kāma-rāśim

Synonyms

śrī-rādhayā — by Śrī Rādhā ; alaṅkṛta — decorated ; vāma — left ; bāhum — arm ; svacchanda — as He wished ; vakrī-kṛta — crooked ; dakṣiṇa — left ; aṅghrim — foot ; vaṁśī-dharam — holding a flute ; sundara-mānda-hāsam — with a handsome smile ; bhrū-maṇḍalaiḥ — with the eyebrows ; mohita — bewildering ; kāma — of Kāmadevas ; rāśim — many multitudes.

Translation

. . . whose left arm was decorated by Śrī Rādhā, whose left foot was playfully tilted, who held a flute, who had a handsome and gentle smile, whose eyebrows bewildered many multitudes of Kāmadevas, . . .

GS 2.23.31

Verse text

vrajāṅganā-yūtha-patiṁ vrajeśvaraṁ

su-sevitaṁ cāmara-cchatra-koṭibhiḥ

vijṣāya kṛṣṇaṁ hy ati-komalaṁ śiśuṁ

gopīṁ samahārtum alaṁ mano 'karot

Synonyms

vrajāṅganā-yūtha-patim — the master of the girls of Vraja ; vrajeśvaram — trhe master of Vraja ; su-sevitam — served ; cāmara-cchatra-koṭibhiḥ — with ten million parasols and camaras ; vijṣāya — thinking ; kṛṣṇam — Kṛṣṇa ; hy — indeed ; ati-komalam — very delicate ; śiśum — boy ; samahārtum — to abduct ; alam — greatly ; manaḥ — mind ; akarot — did.

Translation

. . . who was the master of Vraja and Vraja's girls, and who was served with ten million parasols and cāmaras. Thinking Kṛṣṇa only a fragile boy, Śaṅkhacūḍa decided to kidnap one of the gopīs.

GS 2.23.32

Verse text

śrī-bahulāśva uvāca

kiṁ babhūva tato rāse

śaṅkhacūḍe samāgate

etan me brūhi viprendra

tvaṁ parāvara-vittamaḥ

Synonyms

śrī-bahulāśvaḥ uvāca — Śrī Bahulāśva said ; kim — what? ; babhūva — happened ; tataḥ — then ; rāse — inm the rasa dance ; śaṅkhacūḍe — when Śaṅkhacūḍa ; samāgate — came ; etat — that ; me — to me ; brūhi — tell ; viprendra — O king of brāhmaṇas ; tvam — you ; parāvara-vittamaḥ — the best of they who know everything.

Translation

Śrī Bahulāśva said: What happened when Śaṅkhacūḍa came to the rāsa dance. Please tell me that, O king of brāhmaṇas, O best of the wise.

GS 2.23.33

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca

vyāghrānanaṁ kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ

tāla-vṛkṣa-daśocchritam

bhayaṅkaraṁ lalaj-jihvaṁ

dṛṣṭvā gopyo 'pi tatrasuḥ

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca — Śrī Nārada said ; vyāghra — tiger ; ananam — face ; kṛṣṇa-varṇam — black complexion ; tāla-vṛkṣa — palm trees ; daśa — ten ; ucchritam — tall ; bhayaṅkaram — fearsome ; lalat — moving ; jihvam — tongue ; dṛṣṭvā — seeing ; gopyaḥ — the gopīs ; api — also ; tatrasuḥ — becane afraid.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: When the gopīs saw fearsome Śaṅkhacūḍa, who was black, tall as ten palm trees, and who had a tiger's face with a lolling tongue, they became afraid.

GS 2.23.34

Verse text

dudruvuḥ sarvato gopyo

mahān kolahalo 'bhavat

hā-hā-kāras tadaivāsīc

chaṅkhacūḍe samāgate

Synonyms

dudruvuḥ — ran ; sarvataḥ — everywhere ; gopyaḥ — teh gopīs ; mahān — great ; kolahalaḥ — tumult ; abhavat — was ; hā-hā-kāraḥ — alas! alas! ; tadā — then ; asit — was ; śaṅkhacūḍe — when Śaṅkhacūḍa ; samāgate — came.

Translation

When Śaṅkhacūḍa came there was a great commotion. Crying, "Alas! Alas!" the gopīs ran in all directions.

GS 2.23.35

Verse text

śatacandrānanāṁ gopīṁ

gṛhītvā yakṣa-rāṭ khalaḥ

dudrāvāśūttarām āśāṁ

niḥsaṅkaḥ kāma-pīḍitaḥ

Synonyms

śatacandrānanām — Śatacandrānanā ; gopīm — gopī ; gṛhītvā — taking ; yakṣa-rāṭ — the king of yaksas ; khalaḥ — the demon ; dudrāva — ran ; āśu — at once ; uttarām āśām — to the north ; niḥsaṅkaḥ — fearless ; kāma-pīḍitaḥ — oppressed by lust.

Translation

Fearless, and tortured by lust, the demon Śaṅkhacūḍa grabbed Śatacandrānanā-gopī and ran to the north.

GS 2.23.36

Verse text

rudantīṁ kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇeti

krośantīṁ bhaya-vihvalām

tam anvadhāvac chrī-kṛṣṇaḥ

śāla-hasto ruṣā bhṛśām

Synonyms

rudantīm — screaming ; kṛṣṇa — O Kṛṣṇa ; kṛṣṇeti — O Kṛṣṇa ; krośantīm — wailing ; bhaya-vihvalām — terrified ; tam — him ; śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ — Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; śāla — with a plam tree ; hastaḥ — in His hand ; ruṣā — angry ; bhṛśām — very.

Translation

As terrified Śatacandrānanā-gopī screamed, "Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa!" Śrī Kṛṣṇa, a śāla tree in His hand, angrily chased the demon.

GS 2.23.37

Verse text

yakṣo vīkṣya tam āyāntaṁ

kṛtāntam iva durjayam

gopīṁ tyaktvā jīvitecchuḥ

prādravad bhaya-vihvalaḥ

Synonyms

yakṣaḥ — the yaksa ; vīkṣya — seeing ; tam — Him ; āyāntam — coming ; kṛtantam — death ; iva — like ; durjayam — invincible ; gopīm — the gopī ; tyaktvā — abandoning ; jīvita — life ; icchuḥ — desiring ; prādravat — ran ; bhaya-vihvalaḥ — overcome with fear.

Translation

Seeing Kṛṣṇa approaching like invicible death, the yakṣa demon became afraid, left the gopī behind, and ran for his life.

GS 2.23.38

Content

yatra yatra gato dhāvan śaṅkhacūḍo mahā-khalaḥ tatra tatra gataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ śāla-hasto bhṛśāṁ ruṣā yatra yatra—wherever; gataḥ—went; dhāvan—running; śaṅkhacūḍaḥ—Śaṅkhacūḍa; mahā-khalaḥ—the great demon; tatra tatra—there; gataḥ—went; kṛṣṇaḥ—Kṛṣṇa; śāla-hastaḥ—a sala tree in His hand; bhṛśām—very; ruṣā—angrily. Wherever the great demon Śaṅkhacūḍa ran, angry Kṛṣṇa, a śāla tree in His hand, followed.

GS 2.23.39

Verse text

himācala-taṭaṁ prāptaḥ

śālam udyamya yakṣa-rāṭ

tasthau tat-sammukhe rājan

yuddha-kāmo viśeṣataḥ

Synonyms

himācala-taṭam — the Himalayas ; prāptaḥ — attained ; śālam — a sala tree ; udyamya — taking ; yakṣa-rāṭ — the king of the yaksas ; tasthau — stood ; tat-sammukhe — facing HIm ; rājan — O king ; yuddha-kāmaḥ — desiring to fight ; viśeṣataḥ — specifically.

Translation

O king, when he came to the Himalayas, Śaṅkhacūḍa uprooted a śāla tree and, eager for a fight, stood before Kṛṣṇa.

GS 2.23.40

Verse text

tasmai cikṣepa bhagavān

śāla-vṛkṣaṁ bhujaujasā

tena ghātena patito

vṛkṣo vāta-hato yathā

Synonyms

tasmai — at him ; cikṣepa — threw ; bhagavān — the Lored ; śāla-vṛkṣam — the sala tree ; bhujaujasā — with the strength of His arms ; tena — by that ; ghātena — blow ; patitaḥ — fell ; vṛkṣaḥ — the tree ; vāta — by the wind ; hataḥ — struck ; yathā — as.

Translation

With His mighty arm the Lord threw the śāla tree at him. The demon fell like a tree struck by a hurricane.

GS 2.23.41

Verse text

punar utthāya vaikuṇṭhaṁ

muṣṭinā taṁ jaghāna ha

jagarga sahasā duṣṭo

nādayan maṇḍalaṁ diśām

Synonyms

punaḥ — again ; utthāya — rising ; vaikuṇṭham — to Lord Kṛṣṇa ; muṣṭinā — with a fist ; tam — Him ; jaghāna — hit ; ha — indeed ; jagarga — roared ; sahasā — at once ; duṣṭaḥ — the demon ; nādayan — fiulling with sound ; maṇḍalaṁ diśām — all the directions.

Translation

Getting up, the demon punched Kṛṣṇa and roared with a great sound that echoed in the circle of the directions.

GS 2.23.42

Verse text

gṛhītvā taṁ harir dorbhyāṁ

bhrāmayitvā bhujaujasā

pātayām āsa bhū-pṛṣṭhe

vātaḥ padmam ivoddhṛtam

Synonyms

gṛhītvā — grabbing ; tam — him ; hariḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; dorbhyām — with both arms ; bhrāmayitvā — whirling around ; bhujaujasā — with the power of His arms ; pātayām āsa — threw ; bhū-pṛṣṭhe — to the ground ; vātaḥ — wind ; padmam — a lotus flower ; iva — like ; uddhṛtam — uprooted.

Translation

Grabbing him with His powerful arms, Kṛṣṇa whirled the demon around and threw him to the ground as a hurricane uproots and throws a lotus flower.

GS 2.23.43

Verse text

śaṅkhacūḍas taṁ gṛhītvā

pothayām āsa bhū-tale

evaṁ yuddhe sampravṛtte

cakampe bhūmi-maṇḍalam

Synonyms

śaṅkhacūḍaḥ — Śaṅkhacūḍa ; tam — Him ; gṛhītvā — grabbing ; pothayām āsa — threw ; bhū-tale — to the ground ; evam — thus ; yuddhe — in the fight ; sampravṛtte — engaged ; cakampe — trembled ; bhūmi-maṇḍalam — the circle of the earth.

Translation

Then Śaṅkhacūḍa grabbed Kṛṣṇa and threw Him to the ground. As they fought in this way the circle of the earth shook.

GS 2.23.44

Verse text

muṣṭinā tac-chiraś chittvā

tasmāc cūḍā-maṇiṁ hariḥ

jagrāha mādhavaḥ sākṣāt

sukṛtī śevadhiṁ yathā

Synonyms

muṣṭinā — with a punch ; tac-chiraḥ — his head ; chittvā — cutting ; tasmāc — from that ; cūḍā-maṇim — the crest jewel ; hariḥ — Kṛṣṇa ; jagrāha — took ; mādhavaḥ — Kṛṣṇa ; sākṣāt — directly ; sukṛtī — a pious man ; śevadhim — a treasure ; yathā — as.

Translation

With a great punch Kṛṣṇa severed the demon's head. Then, as a pious man takes the great treasure he has earned, Kṛṣṇa took the jewel from the demon's crown.

GS 2.23.45

Verse text

taj-jyotir nirgataṁ dīrghaṁ

dyotayan maṇḍalaṁ diśām

śrīdāmni śrī-kṛṣṇa-sakhe

līnaṁ jātaṁ vraje nṛpa

Synonyms

taj-jyotiḥ — his effulgence ; nirgatam — gone ; dīrgham — fro a long time ; dyotayan — illuminating ; maṇḍalam — the circle ; diśām — of the directions ; śrīdāmni — in Śrī dāmā ; śrī-kṛṣṇa-sakhe — Śrī Kṛṣṇa's friend ; līnam — entered ; jātam — born ; vraje — in Vraja ; nṛpa — O king.

Translation

O king, an effulgence left the demon's body and for a long time lit up the circle of the directions until it finally entered Śrī Kṛṣṇa's friend Śrīdāmā, who was born in Vraja.

GS 2.23.46

Verse text

evaṁ hatvā śaṅkhacūḍaṁ

bhagavān madhusūdanaḥ

maṇi-pāṇiḥ punaḥ śīghraṁ

āyayau rāsa-maṇḍalam

Synonyms

evam — thus ; hatvā — having killed ; śaṅkhacūḍam — Śaṅkhacūḍa ; bhagavān — the Lord ; madhusūdanaḥ — Kṛṣṇa ; maṇi-pāṇiḥ — the jwel in His hand ; punaḥ — again ; śīghram — after a long time ; āyayau — arrived ; rāsa-maṇḍalam — at the circle of the rāsa dance.

Translation

Thus killing Śaṅkhacūḍa, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the jewel in His hand, returned to the circle of the rāsa dance after a long time.

GS 2.23.47

Verse text

candrānanāyai ca maṇiṁ

dattvā taṁ dīna-vatsalaḥ

punar gopī-gaṇaiḥ sārdhaṁ

rāsaṁ cakre hariḥ svayam

Synonyms

candrānanāyai — to Candrānanā ; ca — and ; maṇim — the jewel ; dattvā — giviong ; tam — that ; dīna-vatsalaḥ — kind to the poor ; punaḥ — again ; gopī-gaṇaiḥ — the gopīs ; sārdham — with ; rāsam — the rasa dance ; cakre — did ; hariḥ — Kṛṣṇa ; svayam — personally.

Translation

After giving that jewel to Candrānanā-gopī, Lord Kṛṣṇa continued His rāsa dance with the gopīs. .pa