Lord Krishna Blesses the Liberated Kings

Verse 1 (bhagavata.10.73.1)

श्रीशुक उवाच अयुते द्वे शतान्यष्टौ निरुद्धा युधि निर्जिताः । ते निर्गता गिरिद्रोण्यां मलिना मलवाससः ॥ 73.1 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca ayute dve śatāny aṣṭau niruddhā yudhi nirjitāḥ te nirgatā giridroṇyāṁ malinā mala-vāsasaḥ

Shukadeva said: Twenty thousand eight hundred kings had been defeated in battle and held captive; they came forth from that mountain fortress-valley, their bodies grimy and their garments soiled.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.10.73.2)

क्षुत्क्षामाः शुष्कवदनाः संरोधपरिकर्शिताः । ददृशुस्ते घनश्यामं पीतकौशेयवाससम् ॥ 73.2 ॥

kṣut-kṣāmāḥ śuṣka-vadanāḥ saṁrodha-parikarśitāḥ dadṛśus te ghana-śyāmaṁ pīta-kauśeya-vāsasam

Emaciated with hunger, their faces withered, wasted away by long imprisonment, they beheld the Lord — dark as a rain-cloud, clad in garments of yellow silk.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.10.73.3)

श्रीवत्साङ्कं चतुर्बाहुं पद्मगर्भारुणेक्षणम् । चारुप्रसन्नवदनं स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलम् ॥ 73.3 ॥

śrīvatsāṅkaṁ catur-bāhuṁ padma-garbhāruṇekṣaṇam cāru-prasanna-vadanaṁ sphuran-makara-kuṇḍalam

They beheld Him marked with Shrivatsa, four-armed, His eyes ruddy like the heart of a lotus, His countenance lovely and serene, His shark-shaped earrings shimmering.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.10.73.4)

पद्महस्तं गदाशङ्ख रथाङ्गैरुपलक्षितम् । किरीटहारकटककटिसूत्राङ्गदाञ्चितम् ॥ 73.4 ॥

padma-hastaṁ gadā-śaṅkha rathāṅgair upalakṣitam kirīṭa-hāra-kaṭaka- kaṭi-sūtrāṅgadāñcitam

Marked by the lotus, mace, conch and discus in His hands, and adorned with crown, necklace, bracelets, waist-cord and armlets.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.10.73.5)

भ्राजद्वरमणिग्रीवं निवीतं वनमालया । पिबन्त इव चक्षुर्भ्यां लिहन्त इव जिह्वया ॥ 73.5 ॥

bhrājad-vara-maṇi-grīvaṁ nivītaṁ vana-mālayā pibanta iva cakṣurbhyāṁ lihanta iva jihvayā

His throat gleaming with a splendid jewel, garlanded with forest flowers — they gazed upon Him as though drinking Him in with their eyes, as though tasting Him with their tongues,

Verse 6 (bhagavata.10.73.6)

जिघ्रन्त इव नासाभ्यां रम्भन्त इव बाहुभिः । प्रणेमुर्हतपाप्मानो मूर्धभिः पादयोर्हरेः ॥ 73.6 ॥

jighranta iva nāsābhyāṁ rambhanta iva bāhubhiḥ praṇemur hata-pāpmāno mūrdhabhiḥ pādayor hareḥ

As though inhaling His fragrance, as though embracing Him with their arms — thus their sins were destroyed, and they bowed their heads at the feet of Hari.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.10.73.7)

कृष्णसन्दर्शनाह्लादध्वस्तसंरोधनक्लमाः । प्रशशंसुर्हृषीकेशं गीर्भिः प्राञ्जलयो नृपाः ॥ 73.7 ॥

kṛṣṇa-sandarśanāhlāda dhvasta-saṁrodhana-klamāḥ praśaśaṁsur hṛṣīkeśaṁ gīrbhiḥ prāñjalayo nṛpāḥ

Their weariness from imprisonment dispelled by the joy of beholding Krishna, the kings, hands joined in reverence, praised Hrishikesha with these words.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.10.73.8)

राजान ऊचुः नमस्ते देवदेवेश प्रपन्नार्तिहराव्यय । प्रपन्नान् पाहि नः कृष्ण निर्विण्णान्घोरसंसृतेः ॥ 73.8 ॥

rājāna ūcuḥ namas te deva-deveśa prapannārti-harāvyaya prapannān pāhi naḥ kṛṣṇa nirviṇṇān ghora-saṁsṛteḥ

The kings said: Obeisance to you, O Lord of the lords of the gods, imperishable one, remover of the distress of those who surrender to you. O Krishna, protect us, your surrendered souls, wearied by this terrible cycle of worldly existence.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.10.73.9)

नैनं नाथानुसूयामो मागधं मधुसूदन । अनुग्रहो यद् भवतो राज्ञां राज्यच्युतिर्विभो ॥ 73.9 ॥

nainaṁ nāthānusūyāmo māgadhaṁ madhusūdana anugraho yad bhavato rājñāṁ rājya-cyutir vibho

O Madhusudana, we do not blame this king of Magadha, O master; for it is by your own grace, O almighty one, that kings fall from their kingdoms.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.10.73.10)

राज्यैश्वर्यमदोन्नद्धो न श्रेयो विन्दते नृपः । त्वन्मायामोहितोऽनित्या मन्यते सम्पदोऽचलाः ॥ 73.10 ॥

rājyaiśvarya-madonnaddho na śreyo vindate nṛpaḥ tvan-māyā-mohito ’nityā manyate sampado ’calāḥ

A king swollen with pride over his royal opulence never attains true good; deluded by your illusory power, he takes his fleeting riches to be permanent.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.10.73.11)

मृगतृष्णां यथा बाला मन्यन्त उदकाशयम् । एवं वैकारिकीं मायामयुक्ता वस्तु चक्षते ॥ 73.11 ॥

mṛga-tṛṣṇāṁ yathā bālā manyanta udakāśayam evaṁ vaikārikīṁ māyām ayuktā vastu cakṣate

Just as children mistake a mirage for a lake of water, so those without discernment take the ever-changing transformations of maya to be real.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.10.73.12)

वयं पुरा श्रीमदनष्टदृष्टयो जिगीषयास्या इतरेतरस्पृधः । घ्नन्तः प्रजाः स्वा अतिनिर्घृणाः प्रभो मृत्युं पुरस्त्वाविगणय्य दुर्मदाः ॥ 73.12 ॥

vayaṁ purā śrī-mada-naṣṭa-dṛṣṭayo jigīṣayāsyā itaretara-spṛdhaḥ ghnantaḥ prajāḥ svā ati-nirghṛṇāḥ prabho mṛtyuṁ puras tvāvigaṇayya durmadāḥ

Formerly, our judgment ruined by the intoxication of wealth, longing for conquest, we vied against one another, and, most merciless, O Lord, even slaughtered our own subjects — proud and reckless, we paid no heed to you, though you stood before us as death itself.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.10.73.13)

त एव कृष्णाद्य गभीररंहसा दुरन्तेवीर्येण विचालिताः श्रियः । कालेन तन्वा भवतोऽनुकम्पया विनष्टदर्पाश्चरणौ स्मराम ते ॥ 73.13 ॥

ta eva kṛṣṇādya gabhīra-raṁhasā durante-vīryeṇa vicālitāḥ śriyaḥ kālena tanvā bhavato ’nukampayā vinaṣṭa-darpāś caraṇau smarāma te

We, O Krishna, have this day been shaken from our fortunes by that same power of yours — Time, moving with deep and irresistible force in its subtle form; by your mercy our pride now lies broken, and we call to mind only your feet.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.10.73.14)

अथो न राज्यं मृगतृष्णिरूपितं देहेन शश्वत् पतता रुजां भुवा । उपासितव्यं स्पृहयामहे विभो क्रियाफलं प्रेत्य च कर्णरोचनम् ॥ 73.14 ॥

atho na rājyam mṛga-tṛṣṇi-rūpitaṁ dehena śaśvat patatā rujāṁ bhuvā upāsitavyaṁ spṛhayāmahe vibho kriyā-phalaṁ pretya ca karṇa-rocanam

No longer do we long for that mirage-like kingdom, to be served endlessly by this ever-declining body, which is but the seat of disease; nor, O almighty one, do we desire the fruit of ritual works enjoyed after death — a promise that pleases only the ear.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.10.73.15)

तं नः समादिशोपायं येन ते चरणाब्जयोः । स्मृतिर्यथा न विरमेदपि संसरतामिह ॥ 73.15 ॥

taṁ naḥ samādiśopāyaṁ yena te caraṇābjayoḥ smṛtir yathā na viramed api saṁsaratām iha

Instruct us in that means by which our remembrance of your lotus feet may never falter, even as we continue to wander in this cycle of worldly existence.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.10.73.16)

कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय हरये परमात्मने । प्रणतक्लेशनाशाय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः ॥ 73.16 ॥

kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya haraye paramātmane praṇata-kleśa-nāśāya govindāya namo namaḥ

Obeisance, again and again, to Krishna, son of Vasudeva, Hari, the Supreme Soul, Govinda, destroyer of the afflictions of all who bow before Him.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.10.73.17)

श्रीशुक उवाच संस्तूयमानो भगवान् राजभिर्मुक्तबन्धनैः । तानाह करुणस्तात शरण्यः श्लक्ष्णया गिरा ॥ 73.17 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca saṁstūyamāno bhagavān rājabhir mukta-bandhanaiḥ tān āha karuṇas tāta śaraṇyaḥ ślakṣṇayā girā

Shukadeva said: Thus glorified by the kings, now freed from bondage, the compassionate Lord, the giver of shelter, my dear one, spoke to them in a gentle voice.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.10.73.18)

श्रीभगवानुवाच अद्यप्रभृति वो भूपा मय्यात्मन्यखिलेश्वरे । सुदृढा जायते भक्तिर्बाढमाशंसितं तथा ॥ 73.18 ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca adya prabhṛti vo bhūpā mayy ātmany akhileśvare su-dṛḍhā jāyate bhaktir bāḍham āśaṁsitaṁ tathā

The Supreme Lord said: From this day, O kings, firm devotion to Me, the Self and Lord of all, will arise within you — it shall be exactly as you have wished.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.10.73.19)

दिष्ट्या व्यवसितं भूपा भवन्त ऋतभाषिणः । श्रीयैश्वर्यमदोन्नाहं पश्य उन्मादकं नृणाम् ॥ 73.19 ॥

diṣṭyā vyavasitaṁ bhūpā bhavanta ṛta-bhāṣiṇaḥ śrīy-aiśvarya-madonnāhaṁ paśya unmādakaṁ nṛṇām

Fortunately, O kings, your resolve is a good one, and your words ring true; I see that the arrogance born of wealth and power drives human beings to madness.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.10.73.20)

हैहयो नहुषो वेणो रावणो नरकोऽपरे । श्रीमदाद् भ्रंशिताः स्थानाद् देवदैत्यनरेश्वराः ॥ 73.20 ॥

haihayo nahuṣo veṇo rāvaṇo narako ’pare śrī-madād bhraṁśitāḥ sthānād deva-daitya-nareśvarāḥ

Haihaya, Nahusha, Vena, Ravana, Naraka and other lords among gods, demons and men — all fell from their exalted positions through the intoxication of prosperity.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.10.73.21)

भवन्त एतद् विज्ञाय देहाद्युत्पाद्यमन्तवत् । मां यजन्तोऽध्वरैर्युक्ताः प्रजा धर्मेण रक्ष्यथ ॥ 73.21 ॥

bhavanta etad vijñāya dehādy utpādyam anta-vat māṁ yajanto ’dhvarair yuktāḥ prajā dharmeṇa rakṣyatha

Understanding that this body and all connected with it, though brought into being, are bound to end, worship Me through sacrifices, and, working together, protect your subjects according to dharma.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.10.73.22)

सन्तन्वन्तः प्रजातन्तून् सुखं दुःखं भवाभवौ । प्राप्तं प्राप्तं च सेवन्तो मच्चित्ता विचरिष्यथ ॥ 73.22 ॥

santanvantaḥ prajā-tantūn sukhaṁ duḥkhaṁ bhavābhavau prāptaṁ prāptaṁ ca sevanto mac-cittā vicariṣyatha

Extending the line of your descendants, meeting happiness and sorrow, birth and death, and whatever else comes to you, live out your lives with your minds fixed always upon Me.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.10.73.23)

उदासीनाश्च देहादावात्मारामा धृतव्रताः । मय्यावेश्य मनः सम्यङ्मामन्ते ब्रह्म यास्यथ ॥ 73.23 ॥

udāsīnāś ca dehādāv ātmārāmā dhṛta-vratāḥ mayy āveśya manaḥ samyaṅ mām ante brahma yāsyatha

Remaining detached from the body and all connected with it, delighting in the self, steadfast in your vows, and fixing your minds wholly upon Me, in the end you shall attain to Me, the Absolute Truth.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.10.73.24)

श्रीशुक उवाच इत्यादिश्य नृपान् कृष्णो भगवान् भुवनेश्वरः । तेषां न्ययुङ्क्त पुरुषान् स्त्रियो मज्जनकर्मणि ॥ 73.24 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca ity ādiśya nṛpān kṛṣṇo bhagavān bhuvaneśvaraḥ teṣāṁ nyayuṅkta puruṣān striyo majjana-karmaṇi

Shukadeva said: Having thus instructed the kings, Krishna, the Lord of all the worlds, appointed men and women servants to attend to their bathing and grooming.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.10.73.25)

सपर्यां कारयामास सहदेवेन भारत । नरदेवोचितैर्वस्त्रैर्भूषणैः स्रग्विलेपनैः ॥ 73.25 ॥

saparyāṁ kārayām āsa sahadevena bhārata naradevocitair vastrair bhūṣaṇaiḥ srag-vilepanaiḥ

O descendant of Bharata, He had Sahadeva honor them with garments, ornaments, garlands and fragrant unguents befitting royalty.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.10.73.26)

भोजयित्वा वरान्नेन सुस्नातान्समलङ्कृतान् । भोगैश्च विविधैर्युक्तांस्ताम्बूलाद्यैर्नृपोचितैः ॥ 73.26 ॥

bhojayitvā varānnena su-snātān samalaṅkṛtān bhogaiś ca vividhair yuktāṁs tāmbūlādyair nṛpocitaiḥ

Having had them properly bathed and adorned, He had them served an excellent feast, and provided with various pleasures and betel-nut and other comforts befitting royalty.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.10.73.27)

ते पूजिता मुकुन्देन राजानो मृष्टकुण्डलाः । विरेजुर्मोचिताः क्लेशात् प्रावृडन्ते यथा ग्रहाः ॥ 73.27 ॥

te pūjitā mukundena rājāno mṛṣṭa-kuṇḍalāḥ virejur mocitāḥ kleśāt prāvṛḍ-ante yathā grahāḥ

Honored by Mukunda, the kings, their earrings gleaming, freed from all suffering, shone forth like the planets at the close of the rainy season.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.10.73.28)

रथान्सदश्वानारोप्य मणिकाञ्चनभूषितान् । प्रीणय्य सुनृतैर्वाक्यैः स्वदेशान् प्रत्ययापयत् ॥ 73.28 ॥

rathān sad-aśvān āropya maṇi-kāñcana-bhūṣitān prīṇayya sunṛtair vākyaiḥ sva-deśān pratyayāpayat

Having seated them on chariots drawn by fine horses and adorned with jewels and gold, and gladdening them with gracious words, He sent them off to their own realms.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.10.73.29)

त एवं मोचिताः कृच्छ्रात् कृष्णेन सुमहात्मना । ययुस्तमेव ध्यायन्तः कृतानि च जगत्पतेः ॥ 73.29 ॥

ta evaṁ mocitāḥ kṛcchrāt kṛṣṇena su-mahātmanā yayus tam eva dhyāyantaḥ kṛtāni ca jagat-pateḥ

Thus delivered from their ordeal by Krishna, the great soul, they set off, their minds fixed only upon Him, the Lord of the universe, and upon His deeds.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.10.73.30)

जगदुः प्रकृतिभ्यस्ते महापुरुषचेष्टितम् । यथान्वशासद् भगवांस्तथा चक्रुरतन्द्रिताः ॥ 73.30 ॥

jagaduḥ prakṛtibhyas te mahā-puruṣa-ceṣṭitam yathānvaśāsad bhagavāṁs tathā cakrur atandritāḥ

They related to their ministers all that the great Personality had done, and, tirelessly, carried out exactly as the Lord had instructed them.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.10.73.31)

जरासन्धं घातयित्वा भीमसेनेन केशवः । पार्थाभ्यां संयुतः प्रायात् सहदेवेन पूजितः ॥ 73.31 ॥

jarāsandhaṁ ghātayitvā bhīmasenena keśavaḥ pārthābhyāṁ saṁyutaḥ prāyāt sahadevena pūjitaḥ

Having caused Jarasandha to be slain by Bhimasena, Keshava, honored by Sahadeva, departed together with the two sons of Pritha.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.10.73.32)

गत्वा ते खाण्डवप्रस्थं शङ्खान् दध्मुर्जितारयः । हर्षयन्तः स्वसुहृदो दुर्हृदां चासुखावहाः ॥ 73.32 ॥

gatvā te khāṇḍava-prasthaṁ śaṅkhān dadhmur jitārayaḥ harṣayantaḥ sva-suhṛdo durhṛdāṁ cāsukhāvahāḥ

Arriving at Khandavaprastha, the victorious heroes sounded their conches, delighting their well-wishers and dismaying their foes.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.10.73.33)

तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रीतमनस इन्द्रप्रस्थनिवासिनः । मेनिरे मागधं शान्तं राजा चाप्तमनोरथः ॥ 73.33 ॥

tac chrutvā prīta-manasa indraprastha-nivāsinaḥ menire māgadhaṁ śāntaṁ rājā cāpta-manorathaḥ

Hearing that sound, the joyful residents of Indraprastha understood that the king of Magadha had been laid low; and the King's own desire was thus fulfilled.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.10.73.34)

अभिवन्द्याथ राजानं भीमार्जुनजनार्दनाः । सर्वमाश्रावयां चक्रुरात्मना यदनुष्ठितम् ॥ 73.34 ॥

abhivandyātha rājānaṁ bhīmārjuna-janārdanāḥ sarvam āśrāvayāṁ cakrur ātmanā yad anuṣṭhitam

Then Bhima, Arjuna and Janardana, after paying their respects to the King, related to him in full all that they had accomplished.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.10.73.35)

निशम्य धर्मराजस्तत् केशवेनानुकम्पितम् । आनन्दाश्रुकलां मुञ्चन् प्रेम्णा नोवाच किञ्चन ॥ 73.35 ॥

niśamya dharma-rājas tat keśavenānukampitam ānandāśru-kalāṁ muñcan premṇā novāca kiñcana

Hearing of that mercy which Keshava had shown, the King of Dharma, tears of joy welling in his eyes, was so overcome with love that he could say nothing at all.