Chapter 50(c) - Conquest of Karvīrapura

[Note: Additional Chapters in Padaratnāvalī’s Text— Chapter 52 in Padaratnāvalī’s text]

Śrī Śuka said:

1. Finding that the army of Bāṇa had deserted them and they themselves were extremely troubled by the volleys of weapons (from the Yādavas), the princes became dispirited, O excellent king!

2. Seeing that the Dānava army had already departed, and the hostile princes were exhausted, and Kṛṣṇa was fighting on, Balarāma felt that his strength had increased.

3. In that combat, he caught hold of the lock of hair on Jarāsandha’s head by his left hand and wanted to strike him on his head with his pestle.

4. At that moment, Balarāma heard a clear distinct incorporeal voice, loud like thundering clouds in the sky: “O Balarāma, Jarāsandha is not to be killed by you. Happily return from the battle.”

5. Hearing that voice from the heaven, the mighty Balarāma left him and riding his chariot returned from the battle-field, praised highly by multitudes of Brāhmaṇa sages, Siddhas, bards and songsters.

6. Now Jarāsandha, the foster son of Jarā, hanging down his head and accompanied by kings who were defeated in the battle and surrounded with a small force that was left after being killed in the battle, retired from the fight and proceeded to his capital.

Śrī Śuka said:

7. Lord Kṛṣṇa of great splendour, covered the inimical forces with volleys of arrows and put to flight those kings, killing a majority of them in the battle.

8. He was followed by songsters and bards like Sūta, Māgadha and Bandins who were highly pleased with him, and were singing of his glory and by highly learned Brāhmaṇas who were loudly singing his panegyric.

9-12. Followed by these, the glorious Lord entered the city of Mathurā which was populated with citizens who were delighted and happy—a city with high walls of fortifications and lofty arched gates, decorated with flowing banners and with lighted lamps. As he entered by the royal road, he shone beautiful, showered over with flowers and with fried grains with folded palms by ladies occupying the tops of mansions. The citizens of Mathura who were eager to please them, presented to Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, the descendants of Madhu, highly precious presents, excellent garlands, of flowers and ointments. Kṛṣṇa the prominent one among Yādavas, in this way passed by the royal road.

13-15. Entering the spacious assembly hall and occupying the excellent seat, the hero Kṛṣṇa, along with Balarāma and intelligent Sātyaki, was honoured by Yadus and Brāhmaṇas like Indra by gods in the heaven. Holding consultations with the intelligent statesmen and noble-souled old Yadus such as Ugrasena, Uddhava, Akrūra (to mention the prominent ones) who were present there, Lord Kṛṣṇa was allowed to go with Balarāma as his companion and helpmate.

16. Being desirous of seeing Gomanta, the best of mountains, and the great fortress at its top, both of them set out in the morning from Mathura and proceeded to the South.

17. The glorious Lord Hari accompanied by Balarāma crossed the Yamunā and passed through many countries, mountains, rivers and hills.

18-20. While passing by the way, they saw on a raised part of a forest an extra-ordinarily distinguished sage sitting at the root of a tree. The sage had a mass of matted hair on his head. He was clad in bark garments and the hide of a deer and had a Kamaṇḍalu (a water pot of a gourd) by his side. He was glorious like the Sun in lustre. He subsisted on spiritual knowledge and bliss and was surrounded with hundreds of disciples. Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa, the protectors of the world, were extremely glad to see him.

21. Both the heroes with due formality and alertness paid their respects to him. The glorious lord Kṛṣṇa spoke to the prominent sage as follows:

22. “I bow to you O Paraśurāma of the Bhārgava clan! O glorious son of Jamadagni who regard penance as wealth! We are known as Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa. Has our name ever reached your ears?”

23. Bhārgava who was thus addressed by Vāsudeva gazed at the two descendants of Madhu (just to probe their spiritual nature). The noble Paraśurāma with his eyes blooming with affection spoke as follows:

24. “Welcome to you the best one among the Yadus and to your noble-souled elder brother! I know that you are the supra-sensuous Lord who are born in the Yadu clan.

25. You are the primary cause of all the effects (created things). You are the ancient-most person in this Universe. Salutations to you, O lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa, the sole cause of all the worlds.

26. For what purpose are both of you whom the universe pays respects, have arrived here?” When thus inquired by Paraśurāma, the son of Jamadagni, Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa spoke out.

27. “We desire to see Gomanta for the inaccessible fortress on its top, O powerful lord!” Hearing that, Paraśurāma, the son of Jamadagni, spoke to Kṛṣṇa.

28. “May it be so, O mighty-armed one! You may go with your elder brother to Gomanta. At the foot of that hill, there is the city of Karavīra protected by Śṛgāla Vāsudeva, but he will not tolerate you (encroaching). After killing him in a battle, you can occupy the mount called Gomanta”.

30. Thus instructed by Paraśurāma, the son of Jamadagni, Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa, the descendants of Madhu, took leave of the omniscient sage and proceeded to the southern direction. Both of them saw the mount Gomanta covered over with sky-scraping, big trees.

32. They also saw at its foot the city of Karavīra with high portals, ramparts varied in construction and wonderful mensions, palaces and towers.

33. Kṛṣṇa, the wielḍer of conch, discus and a mace loudly blew his conch. Hearing that blast of Kṛṣṇa’s conch, Śṛgāla Vāsudeva became overwhelmed with rage and taking with him his massive army of the infantry, the cavalry, the chariots and the elephant corps, he attacked Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa, the delight of Yadus.

35. He as if completely covered those Mādhava brothers with a flood of (discharged) arrows. Seeing that formidable army, the two most prominent Yādava heroes fought with them on foot, in the battle, and made that army extremely agitated and troubled by volleys of arrows and threw it into confusion.

37. On seeing that, king Śṛgāla, full of rage, rushed against them both. Observing him approaching in his chariot with a bow in his hand, Lord Vasudeva checked his progress just as the coast-line does to the flow-tide of the sea.

38. Both the mighty Vāsudevas who were extremely enraged fought with each other with the intention of finishing with the enemy.

39. As the fight proceeded that way, Lord Govinda in a moment cut off the head of Śṛgāla Vāsudeva along with its refulgent crown.

40. Seeing that their master was killed, the soldiers of his army who were still left alive, ran in all directions.

41. Thereupon, both Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa entered the big city of Karavīra.^[1] Both of them were worshipped as their dear lords by Brāhmaṇas and merchants.

42. Under the guard of his soldiers, Kṛṣṇa arranged to send Śṛgāla Vāsudeva’s elephants, horses, chariots, soldiers, treasures and wealth.^[2]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Most probably Kolhapur in the Bombay State. But if Gomanta is Goa, the distance between the two renders the suggestions doubtful, unless the fort of Panhāla is identified with the Gomanta hill.

[2]:

Here ends C. 52 of Padaratnāvalī’s Text.