Chapter 68 - Hastināpura dragged by Balarāma

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Śuka said:

1. O King Sāmba, the son of Jāmbavatī, who was always victorious in battles, carried away Duryodhana’s daughter Lakṣmaṇā, at the time of her svayaṃvara.

2. Kauravas were extremely enraged at this, “This is a naughty boy. Setting us at nought, he per force carried away our daughter who did not want him (as a suitor).

3. Arrest and keep in confinement this unruly, wicked fellow. What can the Vṛṣṇis do? They are enjoying that territory conferred upon them by us and that too through our grace (we are the real masters of that land).

4. If, after hearing of the captivity of their son, they come here, the Vṛṣṇis will sue for peace with their pride humbled down like senses brought under control by breathcontrol (prāṇāyāma).”^[1]

5. With this resolve, Karṇa, Śala, Bhūri, Yajñaketu and Duryodhana

[Padaratnāvalī’s Text:]

5(A). Along with Duḥśāsana, Śakuni who always gave wrong and wicked advice—all these disregarded Vidura and glorious Gāndhārī... and with the approval of the Kaurava elders (like Bhīṣma) attempted to bind Sāmba.

6. Noticing that he was being pursued by Kauravas, the great chariot-warrior Sāmba, took up his beautiful bow and stood defiantly like a single lion turned at bay.

7. Enraged and eager to take him captive, they shouted, ‘Stop’, ‘Stop’. And under the leadership of Karṇa, those archers covered him with a volley of arrows.

8. Though surrounded by Kauravas, that scion of the Yadu race, the son of the incomprehensible Lord Kṛṣṇa, did not tolerate them like a lion attacked by insignificant beasts.^[2]

9-10. Twanging his beautiful bow, he pierced simultaneously each of the six chariot-warriors like Karṇa and others, with equal number of shafts. He struck the four horses; with four arrows, the charioteers and the great archers in the chariots with one. All of them applauded his exploit.

11. Attacking him simultaneously, they deprived him of his chariot, each Kaurava warrior killing one of his four horses one his charioteer and the remaining warrior snapped his bow.

12. With great difficulty the Kauravas dislodged him from the chariot and took him captive. Victorious they entered their capital, with the boy as well as the maiden.

13. Hearing the news from Nārada’s report, Yādavas got enraged, O King. And under the direction of Ugrasena, they made preparations of an expedition against the Kauravas.

14. But Balarāma pacified the Vṛṣṇi warriors who made lull preparations of war. He was disposed to wash away the dirt (bitterness) of quarrels. He did not wish that there should be a feud between Kauravas and Vṛṣṇis.

15. In a chariot resplendent like the sun, he went to Hastināpura. He was accompanied with Brāhmaṇas and elderly persons of the family like the moon surrounded by planets.

16. Arriving at Hastināpura, he camped in a park outside the town. He deputed Uddhava to Dhṛtarāṣṭra to ascertain what they intended to do in the matter.

17. Uddhava formally paid respects to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the son of Ambikā, Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Bāhlīka and Duryodhana and intimated to them the arrival of Balarāma.

18. They were highly pleased to hear that Balarāma, their best friend had arrived. They warmly received Uddhava and taking into their hands auspicious presents, they went to Balarāma.

19. Approaching him they received him with due formalities and honours offering him arghya and a cow. Those of them who knew of his prowess bowed down Balarāma with their heads.

20. Hearing that their respective relatives were hale and hearty and enquiring after their welfare and health and such friendly talk, Balarāma declared fearlessly.

21. ‘Listen attentively to what His majesty Ugrasena, King of kings, commanded you: Carry out his orders without delay.

22. (We hear) that a great many of you unjustly (according to the rules of warfare) combined and vanquished Sāmba who was fighting singlehandedly (as per canons of dharma-yuddha) and have taken him captive. With the desire of maintaining amity among relatives, I do tolerate this. (But now immediately bring him to us along with the bride).”

23. O Parīkṣit, Kouravas [Kauravas?] became deeply indignant to hear the speech of Balarāma who was endowed with immense power, prowess, energy and whose words expressed his inner strength. They said:

24. “O! How wonderful it is! Due to the inexorable force of time, a shoe covets to ride over the head that is served by a crown.

25. These Vṛṣṇis are related to us by conjugal ties (through Kuntī’s marriage in our family). Condescended to share with us the bed, seat and food, the Vṛṣṇis are raised to royal status like us and are favoured with a royal throne.

26. It is due to our indulgence that they enjoy the royal insignia like chowries, fans, a conch, a white umbrella, a crown, a throne and a bed.

27. Now enough of those royal insignia to Yadus who go against their very donors like serpents made to drink nectar (Let us deprive the Yadus of those emblems) who prospered due to our grace are now giving orders to us shamelessly.

28. How could even Indra dare to take what is not given to him by Kauravas like Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Arjuna and others? Can a ram dare to touch what is in the grasp of a lion (unless he gives it up out of grace)?”

Śrī Śuka said:

29. Being elated with inordinate pride of their noble birth, their high relations, prosperity, those wicked unmannerly Kauravas addressed unspeakable words within the hearing of Balarāma and returned to their city.

30. Observing the wicked behaviour of Kauravas and hearing their unspeakable reproaches, Balarāma became indignant with wrath and was terrific to look at. Laughing loudly, he repeated to himself:

31. “Verily these wicked persons grown madly arrogant with pride of various kinds, do not desire to have peacefulness. Just as (beating with) a stick is the sure remedy to tame a beast, sound thrashing is the only means to bring these round.

32. It is after slowly appeasing the excited Yadus and indignant Kṛṣṇa that I came here with the intent of bringing about a peace with the Kurus.

33. These dull-witted wicked fellows are naturally inclined to quarrelling. These arrogant fellows have not only treated me scornfully but have used extremely reproachful words to me.

34-35. To them King Ugrasena, the ruler of Bhoja, Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka clans is not a sovereign ruler. Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of goddess Lakṣmī whose orders are obeyed by Indra and other Lords of Spheres, He by whom the celestial assembly Suḍharmā is occupied and the heavenly tree Pārijāta is brought (on the earth) and is enjoyed (according to these fellows) does not deserve a high royal seat.

36. Lord Kṛṣṇa whose pair of feet are directly worshipped by goddess Śrī in person, the Controller of all beings does not deserve the royal insignia (according to them).

37. The royal throne is extremely insignificant to him the dust on whose lotus feet īs borne on the crowns of their heads by all the Lords of the various worlds (in the universe) and which sanctify sacred waters (like those of the Gaṅgā) resorted to by holy men; and we—that is god Brahmā, Śiva, I (Saṅkarṣaṇa), and even goddess Śrī are but a part of His ray and always bear those particles of dust (on our heads).

38. We, Vṛṣṇis, enjoy the piece of land granted to us by Kurus! And we are nothing better than shoes and the Kauravas themselves the head!

39. What person capable of meting out punishment to others can tolerate the harsh and irrelevant words of those who are drunk with power and wealth and have become intoxicated and insolent?

40. Today I shall rid the earth of all the Kurus”. With this determination, enraged as he was, Balarāma lifted up his plough as if to burn down the three worlds.

41. With the tip of the plough-share, he lifted up the whole city of Hastināpura and angrily began to drag it intending to throw it into the river Gaṅgā.

42. The city that was being dragged and falling into the Gaṅgā, began to rock like a boat. Finding the city so dragged, Kauravas were utterly confounded with consternation.

43. Anxious to save their lives along with those of their families, they placed forward Sāmba and (his spouse) Lakṣmaṇā and with folded palms sought shelter of that very Lord (Balarāma whom they had insulted).

44. ‘O Balarāma, O Rāma. You are the support of all. We did not know your prowess. It behoves you to pardon the transgression committed by us who have been foolish and wicked-minded.

45. (You being the substratum of all) you yourself are perfectly independent but you are the cause of the creation, maintenance and destruction of the universe. It is true when they say that the three worlds are your toys and you are the player.

46. (Referring to the original state of Balarāma as the Serpent Śeṣa, the support of the worlds:) It is you! O Ananta (Serpent Śeṣa) of thousand heads, who easily hold up this globe of the earth on your head. At the end of the universe, you withdraw the universe within yourself and contain it. And repose on the cosmic waters as the only remaining unabsorbed existence without a second.

47. O glorious Lord! You assume the Sattva guṇa with the intention of maintaining and protecting the world. Hence your anger is only for teaching a lesson to all and not out of hatred or jealousy.

48. We bow to you who are the Inner Controller of all creatures, O omnipotent and immutable Maker of all! We have sought asylum in you. We offer our salutations to you.

Śrī Śuka said:

49. Balarāma was thus propitiated to be gracious (unto them) by Kauravas who sought his refuge, for they were terrified as their capital city was rocking. Being highly pleased with them, he assured them protection with the words, ‘Do not fear’.

50-51. Duryodhana was very affectionate to his daughter. As presents, he (Duryodhana) gave twelve hundred elephants, each sixty years old (in its prime of youth) and ten thousand horses, six thousand gold-plated chariots shining like the sun and one thousand maid-servants each adorned with gold necklaces.

52. Glorious Balarāma, the prominent Sātvata, accepted it all and complimented by his friends and well-wishers, he set out with his son (Sāmba) and the daughter-in-law.

53. Returning to his capital Dvārakā, Balarāma met all his affectionate relatives and in the assembly of prominent Yādavas narrated what he did in the Kaurava country.

54. Even to this day the city shows the evidence of the exploit of Balarāma as it is elevated to the South and slopes down towards the Gaṅgā.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

v.l. like serpents whose fangs are removed,—Padaratnāvalī

[2]:

v.l. He did not put up with the insult like a serpent beaten by a stick.