Part 5: Killing of Bāṇa

Then, angered, the Khecara-lord, Bāṇa, armed with a bow, surrounded Aniruddha with arrows, like a hunter a boar with dogs. At that time Uṣā gave her husband the magic art Pāṭhasiddha and he, his strength increased by her, fought with Bāṇa for a long time. Pradyumna’s son was bound like a young elephant with magic nooses by Bāṇa. Prajṭapti told Śārṅgapāṇi this.

Hari went there with Sīrin, Śāmba, and Pradyumna and the serpent-nooses fled at the sight of the garuḍa-banner. Bāṇa, very proud of his own strength by Śaṅkara’s boon, intoxicated by pride, said to Kṛṣṇa: “Do you not know my strength? You always practiced kidnaping of others’ daughters. I will show you the fruit of that which has come by inheritance to your sons, et cetera.”

Kṛṣṇa said: “What suitability is there in your speech, villain? The girl must necessarily be given. What fault can there be in choosing her?”

Hearing that, Bāṇa, surrounded by Khecaras, his face terrible with frowns, his bow drawn, shot arrows at Śārṅgin. Janārdana, expert at destroying, destroyed them in midair; and so it went on for a long time between the two heroes, arrow against arrow. After making him weaponless, Kṛṣṇa cut him into pieces, like Garuḍa a cobra, and led him to Yama’s house.

Then Janārdana, taking Aniruddha accompanied by Uṣā, delighted, went back to the city Dvāravatī with Pradyumna, Sīrin and Śāmba.