Parva 2 Chapter 53: kālayavanaṁ prati jarāsaṁdhasaṁdeśaḥ - jarāsandha's message to kālayavana

vaiśampāyana said: (O janamejaya!) There was a most powerful king of the yavanas kālayavana, protecting the residents of the city, righteously. trivargaviditaḥ prājṣaḥ ṣaḍguṇānupajīvakaḥ | saptavyasanasaṁmūḍho guṇeṣvabhirataḥ sadā || 2-53-2 The king was knowledgeable about the three states (pada (position - dharma), sthāna (continuance - artha) and vṛddhi (prosperity - kāma)). He was with intellect, having the six qualities of a king (sandhi, vigraha, yāna, Asana, dvaidhībhāva and āśraya), ignorant about the seven vices (dice, hunting, women, drinking liquor and ignorance about the three states) and always interested in keeping the virtues. (see nīlakaṇṭha commentary, gītā press and jvālāprasād mishra) śrutimāndharmaśīlaścha satyavādī jitendriyaḥ | sāṅgrāmikavidhijṣaścha durgalābhānusāraṇaḥ ||2-53-3 He was educated, righteous, truthful and having command on his senses. He had expertise in methods of war. He was keen on conquering forts. śūro.pratibalaścaiva mantripravarasevakaḥ | sukhāsīnaḥ sabhāṁ ramyāṁ sachivaiḥ parivāritaḥ ||2-53-4 He was valiant. He did not have opponents of equal strength. He had best ministers to serve him. He was comfortably sitting in the beautiful assembly with his ministers. upāsyamāno yavanairātmavidbhirvipaśchitaiḥ | vividhāścha kathā divyāḥ kathyamānāḥ parasparam ||2-53-5 He was served by yavana scholars, knowledgeable about the soul. They were discussing various divine stories among themselves. etasminneva kāle tu divyagandhavaho'nilaḥ | pravavau madanābodhaṁ cakāra sukhaśītalaḥ ||2-53-6 During this time, a breeze, with divine fragrance, started blowing. The cool and comfortable breeze generated amorous feelings. kiṁsvidityekamanasaḥ sabhāyāṁ ye samāgatāḥ | utphullanayanāḥ sarve rājā chaivāvalokya saḥ ||2-53-7 All those who came to the assembly and the king were wondering, with one mind, what is this? All of them looked with wide open eyes. apashyanta rathaṁ divyamāyāntaṁ bhāskaropamam | śātakumbhamayaiḥ śubhrai rathāṅgairupaśobhitam ||2-53-8 They saw a divine chariot, comparable to the sun, arriving. The chariot was decorated with sparkling white golden globes. divyaratnaprabhākīrṇaṁ divyadhvajapatākinam | vāhitaṁ divyaturagairmanomārutaraṁhasaiḥ ||2-53-9 The chariot, decorated with sparkling divine jewels, having a divine flag staff, was driven by divine horses moving with the speed of wind. candrabhāskarabimbāni kṛtvā jāmbunadena tam | rachitaṁ vai viśvakṛtā vaiyāghravarabhūṣitam ||2-53-10 The chariot was decorated with golden images of moon and sun. The chariot made by brahma (viśvakṛta - see jvālāprasād mishra), was decorated with tiger skin. ripūṇāṁ trāsajananam mitrāṇāṁ harṣavardhanam | dakṣiṇādigupāyāntaṁ rathaṁ pararathārujam ||2-53-11 The chariot generating fear in enemies and happiness in friends, capable of destroying the chariots of enemies, came from the southern direction. tatropaviṣṭaṁ śrīmantaṁ saubhasya patimūrjitam | dṛṣṭvā paramasaṁhṛṣṭaścārghyaṁ pādyeti cāsakṛt ||2-53-12 uvāca yavanendrasya mantrī mantravidāṁ varaḥ | Seeing the auspicious, energetic lord of saubha, seated in the chariot, the best minister of the yavana king, expert in policies, became very happy and asked for ceremonial water for washing the feet (to offer ceremonial reception to the visitor). tatrotthāya mahābāhuḥ svayameva nṛpāsanāt ||2-53-13 pratyudgamyārghyamādāya rathāvataraṇe sthitaḥ | Then the (yavana) king, with great arms, himself got up from the royal seat, stood, holding ceremonial water, at the place where the chariot descended. śālvo'pi ca mahātejā dṛṣṭvā rājānamāgatam ||2-53-14 mudā paramayā yuktaṁ śakrapratimatejasam | Then śālva with high splendour, also, saw the (yavana) king who had come (to receive him), happily, with splendour equal to śakra (indra). avatīrya suvishrabdha eka eva rathottamāt ||2-53-15 vivesha paramaṁ prīto mitradarśanalālasaḥ | He immediately left the chariot anxiously, highly pleased (with the reception) and keen to meet friends. dṛṣṭvārdhamudyataṁ rājā śālvo rājarṣisattamaḥ ||2-53-16 uvāca ślakṣṇayā vācā nārghārho'smi mahādyute | Seeing the (yavana) king ready to offer ceremonial water, the best of the royal sage śālva said gently: O one with great splendour! I do not deserve the ceremonial reception, dūto'haṁ manujendrāṇāṁ sakāśādbhavato'ntikam ||2-53-17 preṣito bahubhiḥ sārdhaṁ jarāsaṁdhena dhīmatā | since I am (only) a messenger, sent by kings of men to meet you. As agreed by many other kings, jarāsaṁdha of high intellect has sent me to meet you. tena manye mahārāja nārghārho'smīti rājasu ||2-53-18 Hence O great king! I do not deserve the ceremonial reception meant for kings. kālayavana uvāca jānāmyahaṁ mahābāho dautyena tvāmihāgatam | sāhitye naradevānāṁ preṣito māgadhena vai ||2-53-19 kālayavana said: I know, O one with powerful arms. that you have come here as a messenger, sent by the king of magadha (jarāsaṁdha) while he was with other lords of men. tena tvāmarchaye rājanviśeṣeṇa mahāmate | arghyapādyādisatkārairāsanena yathāvidhi ||2-53-20 Hence, O king with great intellect, I shall receive you specially with ceremonial water and washing your feet, offering you a seat etc., as ordained. bhavatyabhyarchite rājṣāṁ sarveṣāmarchitaṁ bhavet | āsyatāmāsane śubhre mayā sārdhaṁ janeshvara ||2-53-21 By honouring you, I am honouring all the kings. O king of men! Please be seated on the royal white seat along with me. vaiśampāyana uvāca sa hastāliṅganaṁ kṛtvā dṛṣṭvā ca kuśalāmayam | sukhopaviṣṭau sahitau śubhe simhāsane sthitau ||2-53-22 vaiśampāyana said: (O janamejaya !) King kālayavana held śālvā's hands, embraced him and asked about his well being. Both sat together, comfortably on the royal seats. kālayavana uvāca yadbāhubalamāśritya vayaṁ sarve narādhipāḥ | vasāmo vigatodvignā devā iva śacīpatim ||2-53-23 kālyavana said: All of us, kings are reigning without anxiety, depending on the strength of arms of whom (jarāsaṁdha), like the deva-s depend on śacī's husband (indra), kimasādhyaṁ bhavedasya yenāsi preṣito mayi | what is impossible for him, so that he sends you to me? vada satyaṁ vacastasya kimājṣāpayati prabhuḥ | kariṣye vacanaṁ tasya api karma suduṣkaram ||2-53-24 Tell me his true words. What did that lord (jarāsaṁdha) order? I will do as per his words, even if it is difficult to be done. śālva uvāca yathā vadati rājendra magadādhipatistava | tathāhaṁ saṁpravakṣyāmi śrūyatāṁ yavanādhipa ||2-53-25 śālva said: O indra of kings! I shall tell you exactly as the king of magadha (jarāsaṁdha) tells you. O king of yavanas! Please hear. jarāsaṁdha uvāca jāto'yaṁ jagatāṁ bādhī kṛṣṇaḥ paramadurjayaḥ | viditvā tasya durvṛttamahaṁ hantuṁ samudyataḥ ||2-53-26 jarāsaṁdha said: kṛśṇa, who troubles the entire world, is born. He is most difficult to be conquered. Seeing his sinful actions, I tried to kill him. pārthivairbahubhiḥ sārdhaṁ samagrabalavāhanaiḥ | uparudhya mahāsainyairgomantamacalottamam ||2-53-27 Along with many kings, complete with army and chariots, we surrounded the best of mountains, gomanta, with great armies. cedirājasya vacanaṁ mahārthaṁ śrutavānaham | yadā tayorvināśāya hutāśanamayojayam ||2-53-28 Hearing the highly meaningful words of the king of chedi, as I was burning the mountain to destroy them, jvālāśatasahasrāḍhyaṁ yugāntāgnisamaprabham | dṛṣṭvā rāmo gireḥ kūṭādāpluto hematāladhṛk ||2-53-29 seeing the fire with hundreds of thousands of flames, blazing like the fire at the end of the era, (bala) rāma, wearing golden ornaments, jumped from the peak of the mountain. viniṣpatya mahāsenāṁ madhye sāgarasannibhām | ājaghāna durādharṣo narāśvarathadantinām ||2-53-30 He landed among the great army, which was like great ocean. He (balarāma), difficult to conquer, destroyed men, horses, chariots and elephants. sarpantamiva sarpendraṁ vikṛṣyākṛṣya lāṅgalam | naranāgāśvavṛndāni musalena vyapothayat ||2-53-31 With his plough, which creeps like the king of serpents, he dragged groups of men, elephants and horses and hammered them with his club. gajena gajamāsphālya rathena rathayodhinam | hayena ca hayārohaṁ padātena padātinam ||2-53-32 He beat elephants with elephants, charioteers with chariots, horse riders with horses and infantry with infantry. samare sa mahātejā nṛpārkaśatasaṅkule | vicaranvividhānmārgānnidāghe bhāskaro yathā ||2-53-33 Through several routes, rāmā, with splendour, moved around the battle field, full of kings shining like suns, like sun sparkling in the summer. rāmādanantaraṁ kṛṣṇaḥ pragṛhyārkasamaprabham | cakraṁ cakrabhṛtāṁ śreṣṭhaḥ simhāḥ kṣudramṛgaṁ yathā ||2-53-34 After rāma, kṛśṇa, sparkling like sun, holding the discus, the best among the wielders of discus, like a lion kicking an ordinary animal, pravicālya mahāvīryaḥ pādavegena taṁ girim | shatrusainye papātocchairyaduvīraḥ pratāpavān ||2-53-35 highly valiant kṛṣṇa, having splendour, the valiant yadu, with the force of his leg, shook the mountain and jumped to the enemy's army. pranṛtyanniva śailendrastoyadhārābhiṣechitaḥ | ghūrṇamāno viveśorvīṁ vinirvāpya hutāśanam ||2-53-36 That mountain, the king of mountain, appearing as if it was about to leap, became wet with streams of water. It moved a little and then went down in the ground. Extinguishing the blazing red fire (with water), ādīpyamānaśikharādavaplutya janārdanaḥ | jaghāna vāhinīṁ rājaṁścakravyagreṇa pāṇinā ||2-53-37 janārdana (kṛṣṇa) leaped from the blazing peak (of the mountain). O king (janamejaya)! (vaiśampāyana said:) kṛṣṇa killed the army with his hand holding the discus. vikṣipya vipulaṁ cakraṁ gadāpātādanantaram | naranāgāśvavṝndāni musalena vyacūrṇayat ||2-53-38 Groups of men, elephants and horses were destroyed by the club, throwing the discus and striking with the mace. krodhānilasamudbhūtacakralāṅgalavahninā | nirdagdhā mahatī senā narendrārkābhipālitā ||2-53-39 The great army protected by the kings of men was burned in the fire of the discus and plough, propelled by the winds of anger. naranāgāśvakalilaṁ pattidhvajasamākulam | rathānīkaṁ padātābhyāṁ kṣaṇena vidalīkṛtam ||2-53-40 The army of men, elephants, horses, infantry along with flagstaffs and chariots was quickly scattered. senāṁ prabhagnāmālokya cakrānalabhayārditām | mahatā rathavṛndena parivārya samantataḥ ||2-53-41 Seeing that the army was scattered and terrified by the fire of the discus, and as the rows of chariots were completely confused, tatrāhaṁ yuddhyamānastu bhrātāsya balavānbalī | sthito mamāgrataḥ śūro gadāpāṇirhalāyudhaḥ ||2-53-42 I fought. Then kṛṣṇa's elder brother, powerful, valiant and strong balarāma, whose weapon is the plough, stood before me, holding the mace. dvādaśākṣauhiṇīrhatvā prabhinna iva kesarī | halaṁ saunandamutsṛjya gadayā māmatādayat ||2-53-43 Like an agitated lion, he destroyed the eleven akṣauhiṇis. Leaving his club, saunanda, he struck me with his mace. vajrapātanibhaṁ vegaṁ pātayitvā mamopari | bhūyaḥ prahartukāmo māṁ vaiśākhenāsthito mahīm ||2-53-44 Like the fall of (indra's) thunder (vajra), he struck me with force. Again, he stood on earth to beat me like vaiśākha (kārtikeya - see nīlakaṇṭha commentary). vaiśākhaṁ sthānamāsthāya guhaḥ krauṣcaṁ yathā purā | tathā māṁ dīrghanetrābhyāmīkṣate nirdahanniva ||2-53-45 In the same way as kārtikeya had smashed the krauṣcha mountain long ago, he was looking at me with his elongated eyes, as though he wanted to burn me. tādṛgrūpaṁ samālokya baladevaṁ raṇājire | jīvitārthī nṛloke'sminkaḥ pumānsthātumarhati ||2-53-46 Which man in the human world, wanting to live, will like to fight against baladeva (rāma), seeing him in that form in the battle field? gṛhītvā sa gadāṁ bhīmāṁ kāladaṇḍamivodyatām | kulāṅkuśena nirdhūtāṁ sthita evāgrato mama ||2-53-47 Taking up that mace, looking huge like the mace of the god of death, he stood before me. That mace was rolling as though prompted by the god of death. tato jaladagaṁbhīrasvareṇāpūrayannabhaḥ | vāguvācāśarīreṇa svayaṁ lokapitāmahaḥ ||2-53-48 Then the sky was filled with a voice, deep like the thunder of the rain clouds. The great grandfather of the world (brahma) himself spoke the words (to balarāma) without any body. prahartavyo na rājāyamavadhyo'yaṁ tavānagha | kalpito'sya vadho'nyasmādviramasva halāyudha ||2-53-49 Do not beat this king. O one without any sin! He can not be killed by you. His killing is to be done by some one else. O the one with plough as weapon (balarāma), please retire. śrutvāhaṁ tena vākyena cintāviṣṭo nivartitaḥ | sarvaprāṇaharaṁ ghoraṁ brahmanā svayamīritam ||2-53-50 Hearing those terrible words, spoken by brahma himself, who is responsible for taking the lives of all living beings, I reverted (from the battle field) immersed in thoughts. tenāhaṁ vaḥ pravakṣyāmi nṛpāṇāṁ hitakāmyayā | śrutvā tvameva rājendra kartumarhasi tadvacaḥ ||2-53-51 Hence, I am telling you, for the benefit of the kings. O the indra of kings! Hear my words yourself and do accordingly. tapasogreṇa mahatā putrārthī toṣya śaṅkaram | prāptavānnaradevaṁ tvāmavadhyaṁ māthurairjanaiḥ ||2-53-52 The sage (gārgya), desiring a son, performing a terrible penance, made śaṅkara happy, and obtained you, the lord of men, who cannot be killed by the people of mathurā. mahāmuniścāyasacūrṇamaśna- nnupasthito dvādaśavārṣikaṁ vratam | surāsuraiḥ saṁstutapādapaṅkajaḥ sa labdhavānīpsitakāmasampadam ||2-53-53 The great sage performed a penance for twelve years, eating iron powder (and pleased shiva), whose lotus feet is worshipped by the deva-s and daitya-s and obtained you (as son) and fulfilled his desires completely. tapobalādgārgyamunermahātmano varaprabhāvācchakalendumaulinaḥ | bhavantamāsādya janārdano himaṁ vilīyate bhāskararaśminā yathā ||2-53-54 With the strength of the penance of the great soul gārgya and the splendour of the boon given by the lord who wears the moon on his head (shiva), that janārdana (kṛṣṇa) will melt like ice exposed to the rays of sun. yatasva rājṣāṁ vacanaprachodito vrajasva yātrāṁ vijayāya keshavam | pravishya rāṣṭraṁ mathurām ca senayā nihatya kṛṣṇaṁ prathayansvakaṁ yaśaḥ ||2-53-55 Prompted by the words of the kings, please proceed and try to conquer keshava (kṛṣṇa). Enter the kingdom of mathurā along with your army, kill kṛṣṇa and increase your fame. māthuro vāsudevo'yaṁ baladevaḥ sabāndhavaḥ | tau vijeṣyasi saṁgrāme gatvā tāṁ mathurāṁ purīm ||2-53-56 vāṣudeva (kṛṣṇa) and baladeva (rāma) along with their relatives are from mathurā (and hence they will not be able to defeat you). Going to the city of mathurā you will conquer them in the battle. śālava uvāca ityevaṁ narapatibhāskarapragītaṁ vākyam te kathitamidaṁ hitaṁ nṛpāṇām | tatsarvaṁ saha sachivairvimṛśya buddhyā yadyuktaṁ kuru manujendra cātmaniṣṭham ||2-53-57 śālva said: Thus I have said the words spoken by the sun of the lords of men (king jarāsaṁdha) and the desire of the kings. O the king of men! Review this with your ministers intelligently and do what is suitable. iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi śālvavākye tripaṣcāśattamo'dhyāyaḥ Thus this is the fifty-third chapter of viṣṇuparva, harivaṁśa, khila of śrīmahābhārata, jarāsaṁdha's message to kālayavana nīlakaṇṭha commentary tripaṣcāsattame'dhyāye śālva ākāśavartmanā | abhyayād yavanādīśapuriṁ vijṣaptikāraṇāt || 1 || · 2-53-2 padaḥ sthānaṁ ca vṛddhiścha trivargo nītivedinām - ityukta trivargavettā | ṣaḍgunān sandhivigrahayānāsanadvaidhībhāvāśrayān | sapta vyasanāni dyūtaṁ māṁsaṁ surā veśyā trivargeṣvanabhijṣatā ityuktāni teṣu saṁmūḍho'nabhijṣaḥ || · 2-53-9 raṁhasairvegibhiḥ || · 2-53-10 vaiyyāghravaraṁ vyāghracharmavaraṁ tena bhūṣitaṁ parivṛtam || · 2-53-11 dakṣiṇā dakṣiṇataḥ diśaḥ | sakāśāt upāyāntam || · 2-53-12 arghyaṁ pādyaṁ cāsakṛt uvāca | vibhaktilopa ārṣaḥ || · 2-53-21 architaṁ archanam || · 2-53-23 yat yasya jarāsandhasya || · 2-53-26 jagatāṁ bādhī bādhakaḥ || · 2-53-43 halaṁ saunandaṁ musalaṁ ca utsṛjya tyaktvā gadayeva māmatāḍayat ayodhayat || · 2-53-44 vaiśākhena viśākhaḥ kārtikeyaḥ tasyedaṁ vaiśākhaṁ śaktipraharaṇaṁ tena || · 2-53-45 sthānaṁ marmasthānamāsthāya abhilakṣya vaiśākhaṁ bhoktum icchanvīkṣate smetyadhyāhṛtya yojyam || · 2-53-47 kulāṅkuśena kau pṛthivyāṁ līyate iti kulaṁ halaṁ tadevaṅkuśaḥ tena nirdhūtāṁ kaṁpitāṁ bhrāmitāṁ vā kṛtveti śeṣaḥ || · 2-53-48 vāk vācam || · 2-53-53 devadevaṁ devarājānaṁ prāptavān mahāmunirityagrimeṇa sambandhaḥ || iti śrīharivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyāṁ tripaṣcāsattamo'dhyāyaḥ ||