Chapter 59(a) - The Pārijāta Tree Taken by Śrī Kṛṣṇa

[Note: Padaratnāvalī’s Text chapter 65]

Śrī Śuka said:

1. Having slain the extremely formidable demon Narakāsura, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the exterminator of dānavas, mounted Garuḍa and set out of Prāgjyotiṣapura, O King.

2. While flying through the sky with his consort Satyabhāmā, Lord Viṣṇu (Kṛṣṇa) went to the capital of heaven to pay respects to Aditi, the mother of gods.

3. Arriving at the gates of heaven, god Viṣṇu (Kṛṣṇa) blew his highly resounding conch of great sound. Hearing that blast, the denizens of heaven approached to receive him with respectful offerings (e.g. water for washing feet and other articles of worship).

4. Worshipped by gods with devotion and humility and with their minds free from mental distress and fear, He entered the beautiful celestial palace of the Lord of gods.

5. There, Indra with his queen Śacī worshipped him presenting him jewels, celestial ornaments and clothes, perfumes and beautiful garlands.

6. Thereupon he proceeded with his spouse to the city of his mother Aditi. Noticing that her son Acyuta was coming, she received him.

7. Hari paid respects to her. With deep affection, she received with blessings the best of Yadus whom she had not seen for a long time.

8. Instructed by Kṛṣṇa, Satyabhāmā also, placed the earrings (of Aditi) at the feet of her mother-in-law and bowed down to her, O descendant of Kurus.

9. Having recovered her ear-rings she was deeply satisfied and hugged her daughter-in-law. With her eyes overflowing with tears of joy, Aditi, the beloved spouse of sage Kāśyapa, exclaimed:

10. There shall never be old age, deformity or discord with your beloved in your case through my gracious blessings. Positively rest assured, O auspicious lady!

11. Having taken their leave of the goddess Aditi and also of celestials, Keśava (Kṛṣṇa) accompanied with Satyabhāmā mounted Garuḍa and proceeded onwards.

12. While the god (Kṛṣṇa) and the goddess (Satyabhāmā) were being borne by the high-souled mighty Garuḍa, they beheld a wonderful garden sending forth excellently sweet scent. It was the Nandana garden so beloved to Indra, the husband of Śacī and hence well-guarded.

13. Noticing that garden full of divine fragrance and rich in blossoms, Satyabhāmā took Kṛṣṇa by hand and said, “O Keśava, I wish to enter into this wonderful garden and to indulge in sports for a while.

14. To respect her words (of request), Keśava got down from Garuḍa and entered the garden that was guarded by servants of Indra.

15. She saw there the heavenly trees resonant with the humming of intoxicated bees, bent down with the weight of fruits and thickly over-strewn with pollen dust of flowers.

16. 17. The tender foliage of the trees was moving in gentle breeze and was rendered beautiful and attractive with sweet warbling birds. While sauntering therein, she happened to see the great Pārijāta tree. With her eyes full of wonder and curiosity, she asked Lord Kṛṣṇa, “What is the name of this tree? It is really wonderful in all the three worlds.”

18-20 The enjoyers of the fruits of this tree must be really lucky as they have all their desires fulfilled thereby. The space at its foot (roots) is paved with corals, its huge trunk is all gold; it is covered with tender leaves of sapphires and platform round it is built of shining Vaidūryas (Lapis Lazuli). It blossoms forth in ruby-flowers and is laden with ripe fruits in the form of gomeda stones. It is shining with the flower-filaments of diamonds. It is beautified with hundreds of big branches of lustrous emeralds.

21. This tree has fascinated my heart thoroughly. If I am really loved by you, the tree should be taken away to our city (Dvārakā), O Lord of the world!

22.Seeing me sitting (resting) under the shade of this tree, your other queens would look upon me as your beloved- must spouse of all, O sinless Lord!”

23.When urged thus by his beloved consort Satya- bhāmā, Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, explained: “This tree is not to be removed from the Nandana garden, O gracious lady.

24.Formerly when this tree emerged while the milky ocean was being churned by gods and Asuras, this was given to Indra by all who participated all the fruits (or “jewels” evolved out of the churning of the ocean).

25. It is not proper for me to take this jewel of a tree away, setting at nought my friend Indra, the performer of hundred Kratus, O lotus-eyed lady, as I always follow the path of righteousness.

26.If an attempt for taking away this Pārijāta is made, a terrible fight with gods ambitious to gain victory is inevitable, O smiling beauty (lit. lady beaming with smiles)!”

27.When Satyabhāmā was thus addressed by the God of gods, Satyabhāmā retorted to Lord Hari, “Why do you frighten me with such deceptive arguments, O slayer of Kaṃsa?

28.That unmannerly Śacī did not courteously receive me and honour me when I visited her. She is proud of her husband’s prowess.

29.O Acyuta! If I am really your beloved, this Pārijāta tree must be taken away at any cost If I be not so (beloved), desist (from the attempt) immediately.”

30.Thus importuned by Satyabhāmā, Kṛṣṇa ignored contemptuously the guards, uprooted the tree and placed it on Garuḍa.

31.The forest-guards then resisted Kṛṣṇa while some sped hastily to report to Indra the incident.

32.(They insistently protested): “O Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, this tree is worshipped by celestials. This must not be taken away. If you (just try to) take it away, you will instantly reap the fruit of that act.

33.You will never reach your capital with this tree, O Kṛṣṇa. You will find Indra (pursuing you) close at your back with his weapon (Vajra) raised (to strike you)

34. Some forest guards quickly approached Indra who was sitting with his queen Śacī. Seeing him they reported, O King!

35.“Disregarding all gods including; (Her majesty) Indrāṇī as well as your majesty, Kṛṣṇa’s spouse has taken away the great tree Pārijāta.

36.While resisting her we prohibited her in clear terms. But that beloved spouse of Hari is so elated with the pride of her husband’s prowess that she reproached us and carried away the tree.”

Śrī Śuka continued:

37.Hearing this offensive report, god Indra looked at Śacī who was sitting by his side and like a serpent hit with a stick, did not tolerate that insult.

38.Proclaiming immediate preparation for fighting and mobilising all his soldiers and summoning the guardians of various spheres for the battle, the Lord of gods marched out.

39.The army of gods followed Indra equipped with thunder-bolt and riding the excellent elephant Airāvata of four tusks.

40. The fire-god, securely accoutred in his panoply and riding his horse, armed himself with a terrific Śataghnī and a tail-like ladle, rode to the battle.

41. The valorous Yama (god of death) armed himself with his rod and riding his he-buffalo and accompanied with mahā-Kāla and others followed Indra with a view to fight.

42. Nirṛti of great splendour rode in his man-borne vehicle. The mighty-armed god, armed with a sword, set out for the battle, O King.

43.Varuṇa hastily mounted his alligator of terrible forms and with his noose raised in his hand started after Indra to fight.

44.The wind-god clad in coat of mail and armed with a Tomara (Javelin) rode his (swift) black-antelope and followed the Lord of gods to fight with Kṛṣṇa, the wielder of (Sudarśana) discus.

45.Kubera, in his palanquin carried by four men and armed with a Mudgara (a club) rushed out hastily with a desire to fight with Viṣṇu (Kṛṣṇa).

46. God Śiva, mounting his big bull and bearing a sharp pointed trident and accompanied with an army of ten million goblins went with Indra for fighting.

47. Drums, conchs, Mṛdaṅgas, Paṇavas, Kettle-drums and gomukhas (a musical instrument), heavenly gold wind-instruments and innumerable cymbals were sounded.

48. With the thumping of iron tyres of chariot, harsh neighing of the horses, roaring like lions and loud striking of their arms, loud shouts of challenges for fighting.

49. And with hundreds and thousands of gods shouting, “Halt, stop: Where do you go? Don’t go.”

50. Brandishing and waving their mass of arms and urging on their vehicles (for speed), hundreds and thousands of the gods were competing to be in advance.

51. With terrific twanging of the bow-strings and innumerable lusty shouts like lions, the impatient gods rushed forward to attack (Kṛṣṇa) as (a pack of) jackals rushing against a lion.