The Bhagavata Purana

by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 780,972 words | ISBN-10: 8120838203 | ISBN-13: 9788120838208

This page describes Krishna Crowned: Jarasandha’s Defeat which is chapter 50(d) of the English translation of the Bhagavata Purana, one of the eighteen major puranas containing roughly 18,000 metrical verses. Topics include ancient Indian history, religion, philosophy, geography, mythology, etc. The text has been interpreted by various schools of philosophy. This is the zeroth chapter 50(d) of the Tenth Skandha of the Bhagavatapurana.

Chapter 50(d) - Kṛṣṇa Crowned: Jarāsandha’s Defeat

[Note: Additional Chapters in Padaratnāvalī’s Text]

Śrī Śuka said:

43.. Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa ascended the prominent mountain Gomanta which was covered with lofty trees and creepers. It was thickly overgrown with Sāla, Tāla (palmyra), and Tamāla trees and was beautified with Priyāla and Aśoka trees. It was enriched with Kadamba, Nimba (Neema), Hintāla, Pūga, Punnāga trees. It appeared beautiful with groves of plantain trees and was resonant with cooing of joyful cuckoos. The trees thereof were shaken a bit by the swarms of humming bees and jumping monkeys. It appeared beautiful with palm trees the branches of which were binding down with the burden of their fruits. It was watered with a number of cataracts. It abounded in crystal water and cool dense shadows. They saw and enjoyed that beautiful landscape.

5. On the mountain, they went up the peak called Pravarṣaṇa where clouds always sent forth their showers without break.

6. Ascending that peak, those two great Yadus surveyed all directions. Enjoying themselves they lived on the best of the mountain, to their hearts’ content.

7-8.[1] In the meanwhile, in the milky ocean the best among oceans which is the abode of the God of gods, Viṣṇu, the wielder of conch, discus and a mace, the glorious mighty- armed Bali, the son of Virocana who visited it, took away the crown of the God of gods which was studded with costly jewels.

9. The crown was wonderfully wrought in a thousand rich sapphires (Indranīla stones) and was studded with hundred of precious Gomeda stones. It was shining with rubies, big blue precious stones and pearls.

10. It was richly set with Puṣparāga (a kind of precious stone) and corals. It was made of celestial gold. Having come to know that the diadem was taken away by the Dānava hero, Garuḍa, the king of birds, and the in charge protector of the city, instantly pursued him.

11. Overtaking the irresistible king of Dānavas on the way and putting up a terrible fight with him, he vanquished the prominent demon.

12. Taking away from him the crown, a veritable heap of jewels, which was brilliant like the Sun, he (Garuḍa) on his way back saw lord Hari, the son of Devakī.

13. He was sitting along with his elder brother on the beautiful and the best of mountains known as Gomanta. He immediately placed on his head that heavenly ornament—Viṣṇu’s crown. Bowing down to his feet with his own head, he began to sing his praise.

Garuḍa said:

14. “I salute again and again lord Nārāyaṇa who has assumed a human form for some special mission, and who is extremely dear to all. My salutations to Nārāyaṇa who is the cause of the destruction of the enemies of gods and (as Inner Controller) is witness to the actions of everyone.

15. Being yourself the same Nārāyaṇa, you assume the form of god Brahmā and create all the Universe. As Nārāyaṇa, you protect it and ultimately assuming the form of Śiva (as his ātman) you destroy it, O glorious Lord.

16. I know that you are that god Viṣṇu, the Lord of all gods—who have incarnated on the earth as the scion of the Yadu race. I am Garuḍa, the son of Vinatā, your humble servant. O Lord! Be pleased to command me what I should do.”

Śrī Śuka said:

17. Addressing the God of gods thus, Garuḍa, the king of birds, knelt before him on the ground, bowed him and stood before him with folded palms.

18. Seeing Garuḍa the prominent one among birds, Kṛṣṇa the greatest of Yādavas, with his countenance blooming with affection, touched his head (the best part of the body) with hands.

19. “You may go wherever you like, O blessed one. Come in time when you will be remembered by me.” Commanding him thus, he discharged him. Balarāma and Keśava, the lords of the world, who subsisted on the fruits and roots and drank of waters from flowing streams, descended from the top of that mountain and arrived at Karavīrapura.

21. Having stayed there for four months both of them returned to the city of Mathurā taking with them a big army, O prominent one among Bharatas.

22. Hearing that king Śṛgāla was killed, Jarāsandha became overwhelmed with anger and surrounded with a vast army, he also came there, O great Kuru!

23. Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa battled with him for seven days. In that seven-day-war the king of Magaḍha with his enormous army was completely defeated.

24. He returned to the country of Magaḍha along with a number of Kṣatriyas. Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa who were expert in Dharma, entered the city of Mathurā along with their followers, while they were being praised by songsters and bards like Sūta and Māgadha.

(After this see Verse No. 42 in Ch. 50)

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

It is hard to believe that the great king Bali who donated his kingdom of three worlds to Viṣṇu in the form of a dwarf (Vāmana) could be tempted to steal the crown of Lord Viṣṇu whose greatest devotee he was.

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