The Battle Between Shalva and the Vrishnis

Verse 1 (bhagavata.10.76.1)

श्रीशुक उवाच अथान्यदपि कृष्णस्य शृणु कर्माद्भुतं नृप । क्रीडानरशरीरस्य यथा सौभपतिर्हतः ॥ 76.1 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca athānyad api kṛṣṇasya śṛṇu karmādbhutaṁ nṛpa krīḍā-nara-śarīrasya yathā saubha-patir hataḥ

Shri Shukadeva said: Now hear, O King, of another wondrous deed of Krishna, who took on a human-like body for His pastimes — hear how He slew the lord of Saubha.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.10.76.2)

शिशुपालसखः शाल्वो रुक्मिण्युद्वाह आगतः । यदुभिर्निर्जितः सङ्ख्ये जरासन्धादयस्तथा ॥ 76.2 ॥

śiśupāla-sakhaḥ śālvo rukmiṇy-udvāha āgataḥ yadubhir nirjitaḥ saṅkhye jarāsandhādayas tathā

Shalva was a friend of Shishupala. He had come to Rukmini's wedding, and there, along with Jarasandha and other kings, he was defeated in battle by the Yadus.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.10.76.3)

शाल्वः प्रतिज्ञामकरोच्छृण्वतां सर्वभूभुजाम् । अयादवां क्ष्मां करिष्ये पौरुषं मम पश्यत ॥ 76.3 ॥

śālvaḥ pratijñām akaroc chṛṇvatāṁ sarva-bhūbhujām ayādavāṁ kṣmāṁ kariṣye pauruṣaṁ mama paśyata

In the hearing of all the assembled kings, Shalva made a vow: "I shall rid this earth of the Yadavas — witness my prowess!"

Verse 4 (bhagavata.10.76.4)

इति मूढः प्रतिज्ञाय देवं पशुपतिं प्रभुम् । आराधयामास नृपः पांशुमुष्टिं सकृद्ग्रसन् ॥ 76.4 ॥

iti mūḍhaḥ pratijñāya devaṁ paśu-patiṁ prabhum ārādhayām āsa nṛpaḥ pāṁśu-muṣṭiṁ sakṛd grasan

Having made this foolish vow, the king began worshipping Lord Pashupati (Shiva), sustaining himself on no more than a single handful of dust each day.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.10.76.5)

संवत्सरान्ते भगवानाशुतोष उमापतिः । वरेणच्छन्दयामास शाल्वं शरणमागतम् ॥ 76.5 ॥

saṁvatsarānte bhagavān āśu-toṣa umā-patiḥ vareṇa cchandayām āsa śālvaṁ śaraṇam āgatam

Lord Shiva, husband of Uma, though known as Ashutosha ("swiftly pleased"), let a full year pass before he finally invited Shalva, who had taken refuge in him, to choose a boon.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.10.76.6)

देवासुरमनुष्याणां गन्धर्वोरगरक्षसाम् । अभेद्यं कामगं वव्रे स यानं वृष्णिभीषणम् ॥ 76.6 ॥

devāsura-manuṣyāṇāṁ gandharvoraga-rakṣasām abhedyaṁ kāma-gaṁ vavre sa yānaṁ vṛṣṇi-bhīṣaṇam

Shalva asked for a vehicle that could be pierced by none — not gods, demons, men, Gandharvas, Nagas, or Rakshasas — one that could travel wherever he wished, and that would strike terror into the Vrishnis.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.10.76.7)

तथेति गिरिशादिष्टो मयः परपुरंजयः । पुरं निर्माय शाल्वाय प्रादात्सौभमयस्मयम् ॥ 76.7 ॥

tatheti giriśādiṣṭo mayaḥ para-puraṁ-jayaḥ puraṁ nirmāya śālvāya prādāt saubham ayas-mayam

Saying "So be it," Maya Danava — conqueror of enemy cities — built at Shiva's command an iron flying city named Saubha and presented it to Shalva.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.10.76.8)

स लब्ध्वा कामगं यानं तमोधाम दुरासदम् । ययौ द्वारवतीं शाल्वो वैरं वृष्णिकृतं स्मरन् ॥ 76.8 ॥

sa labdhvā kāma-gaṁ yānaṁ tamo-dhāma durāsadam yayas dvāravatīṁ śālvo vairaṁ vṛṣṇi-kṛtaṁ smaran

Having obtained that vehicle, which could go anywhere at will, was wrapped in darkness, and was unassailable, Shalva set out for Dvaraka, his old enmity toward the Vrishnis still fresh in mind.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.10.76.9)

निरुध्य सेनया शाल्वो महत्या भरतर्षभ । पुरीं बभञ्जोपवनानुद्यानानि च सर्वशः ॥ 76.9 ॥

nirudhya senayā śālvo mahatyā bharatarṣabha purīṁ babhañjopavanān udyānāni ca sarvaśaḥ

O best of the Bharatas, Shalva besieged the city with his vast army and laid waste to its groves and gardens on every side.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.10.76.10)

सगोपुराणि द्वाराणि प्रासादाट्टालतोलिकाः । विहारान् स विमानाग्र्यान्निपेतुः शस्त्रवृष्टयः ॥ 76.10 ॥

sa-gopurāṇi dvārāṇi prāsādāṭṭāla-tolikāḥ vihārān sa vimānāgryān nipetuḥ śastra-vṛṣṭayaḥ

From his excellent airship a rain of weapons fell upon the gateways with their towers, the palaces, watchtowers, ramparts, and pleasure-grounds.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.10.76.11)

शिला द्रुमाश्चाशनयः सर्पा आसारशर्कराः । प्रचण्डश्चक्रवातोऽभूद् रजसाच्छादिता दिशः ॥ 76.11 ॥

śilā-drumāś cāśanayaḥ sarpā āsāra-śarkarāḥ pracaṇḍaś cakravāto ’bhūd rajasācchāditā diśaḥ

Boulders, trees, thunderbolts, serpents and hailstones rained down; a fierce whirlwind arose that shrouded every direction in dust.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.10.76.12)

इत्यर्द्यमाना सौभेन कृष्णस्य नगरी भृशम् । नाभ्यपद्यत शं राजंस्त्रिपुरेण यथा मही ॥ 76.12 ॥

ity ardyamānā saubhena kṛṣṇasya nagarī bhṛśam nābhyapadyata śaṁ rājaṁs tri-pureṇa yathā mahī

Thus grievously afflicted by the Saubha ship, Krishna's city found no peace, O King, just as the earth found none when besieged by the triple city of the demons.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.10.76.13)

प्रद्युम्नो भगवान् वीक्ष्य बाध्यमाना निजाः प्रजाः । मा भैष्टेत्यभ्यधाद् वीरो रथारूढो महायशाः ॥ 76.13 ॥

pradyumno bhagavān vīkṣya bādhyamānā nijāḥ prajāḥ ma bhaiṣṭety abhyadhād vīro rathārūḍho mahā-yaśāḥ

Seeing His own subjects so oppressed, the glorious and heroic Lord Pradyumna mounted His chariot and declared, "Fear not!"

Verse 14 (bhagavata.10.76.14)

सात्यकिश्चारुदेष्णश्च साम्बोऽक्रूरः सहानुजः । हार्दिक्यो भानुविन्दश्च गदश्च शुकसारणौ ॥ 76.14 ॥

sātyakiś cārudeṣṇaś ca sāmbo ’krūraḥ sahānujaḥ hārdikyo bhānuvindaś ca gadaś ca śuka-sāraṇau

Satyaki, Charudeshna, Samba, Akrura with his younger brothers, Hardikya, Bhanuvinda, Gada, and Shuka and Sarana —

Verse 15 (bhagavata.10.76.15)

अपरे च महेष्वासा रथयूथपयूथपाः । निर्ययुर्दंशिता गुप्ता रथेभाश्वपदातिभिः ॥ 76.15 ॥

apare ca maheṣv-āsā ratha-yūthapa-yūthapāḥ niryayur daṁśitā guptā rathebhāśva-padātibhiḥ

— these chief commanders of the chariot divisions, together with other great bowmen, marched out clad in armor, guarded by contingents of chariots, elephants, horses and foot soldiers.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.10.76.16)

ततः प्रववृते युद्धं शाल्वानां यदुभिः सह । यथासुराणां विबुधैस्तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम् ॥ 76.16 ॥

tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṁ śālvānāṁ yadubhiḥ saha yathāsurāṇāṁ vibudhais tumulaṁ loma-harṣaṇam

Then a tumultuous, hair-raising battle broke out between Shalva's forces and the Yadus, resembling the great clashes between demons and gods.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.10.76.17)

ताश्च सौभपतेर्माया दिव्यास्त्रै रुक्मिणीसुतः । क्षणेन नाशयामास नैशं तम इवोष्णगुः ॥ 76.17 ॥

tāś ca saubha-pater māyā divyāstrai rukmiṇī-sutaḥ kṣaṇena nāśayām āsa naiśaṁ tama ivoṣṇa-guḥ

With His divine weapons, Rukmini's son Pradyumna destroyed the illusions of the lord of Saubha in an instant, just as the sun dispels the darkness of night.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.10.76.18)

विव्याध पञ्चविंशत्या स्वर्णपुङ्खैरयोमुखैः । शाल्वस्य ध्वजिनीपालं शरैः सन्नतपर्वभिः ॥ 76.18 ॥

vivyādha pañca-viṁśatyā svarṇa-puṅkhair ayo-mukhaiḥ śālvasya dhvajinī-pālaṁ śaraiḥ sannata-parvabhiḥ

With twenty-five gold-shafted, iron-tipped arrows of smooth joints He pierced Shalva's army commander.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.10.76.19)

शतेनाताडयच्छाल्वमेकैकेनास्य सैनिकान् । दशभिर्दशभिर्नेतॄन् वाहनानि त्रिभिस्त्रिभिः ॥ 76.19 ॥

śatenātāḍayac chālvam ekaikenāsya sainikān daśabhir daśabhir netṝn vāhanāni tribhis tribhiḥ

With a hundred He struck Shalva himself; with one apiece He pierced his soldiers, with ten apiece his commanders, and with three apiece his mounts.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.10.76.20)

तदद्भुतं महत् कर्म प्रद्युम्नस्य महात्मनः । दृष्ट्वा तं पूजयामासुः सर्वे स्वपरसैनिकाः ॥ 76.20 ॥

tad adbhutaṁ mahat karma pradyumnasya mahātmanaḥ dṛṣṭvā taṁ pūjayām āsuḥ sarve sva-para-sainikāḥ

Beholding this astonishing, mighty feat of the great-souled Pradyumna, all the soldiers on both sides praised Him.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.10.76.21)

बहुरूपैकरूपं तद् दृश्यते न च दृश्यते । मायामयं मयकृतं दुर्विभाव्यं परैरभूत् ॥ 76.21 ॥

bahu-rūpaika-rūpaṁ tad dṛśyate na ca dṛśyate māyā-mayaṁ maya-kṛtaṁ durvibhāvyaṁ parair abhūt

That illusory craft built by Maya appeared now in many forms, now in one; now visible, now vanished — it became impossible for the enemy to fathom.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.10.76.22)

क्वचिद्भूमौ क्वचिद् व्योम्नि गिरिमूर्ध्नि जले क्वचित् । अलातचक्रवद् भ्राम्यत् सौभं तद् दुरवस्थितम् ॥ 76.22 ॥

kvacid bhūmau kvacid vyomni giri-mūrdhni jale kvacit alāta-cakra-vad bhrāmyat saubhaṁ tad duravasthitam

Now on the earth, now in the sky, now on a mountain peak, now on the water — like a whirling firebrand, that Saubha never stayed in one place.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.10.76.23)

यत्र यत्रोपलक्ष्येत ससौभः सहसैनिकः । शाल्वस्ततस्ततोऽमुञ्चञ् छरान् सात्वतयूथपाः ॥ 76.23 ॥

yatra yatropalakṣyeta sa-saubhaḥ saha-sainikaḥ śālvas tatas tato ’muñcañ charān sātvata-yūthapāḥ

Wherever Shalva appeared with his Saubha and his troops, there the Yadu commanders let fly their arrows.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.10.76.24)

शरैरग्न्यर्कसंस्पर्शैराशीविषदुरासदैः । पीड्यमानपुरानीकः शाल्वोऽमुह्यत्परेरितैः ॥ 76.24 ॥

śarair agny-arka-saṁsparśair āśī-viṣa-durāsadaiḥ pīḍyamāna-purānīkaḥ śālvo ’muhyat pareritaiḥ

Seeing his army and city thus tormented by the enemy's arrows — burning like fire and the sun, unbearable as serpent venom — Shalva became bewildered.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.10.76.25)

शाल्वानीकपशस्त्रौघैर्वृष्णिवीरा भृशार्दिताः । न तत्यजू रणं स्वं स्वं लोकद्वयजिगीषवः ॥ 76.25 ॥

śālvānīkapa-śastraughair vṛṣṇi-vīrā bhṛśārditāḥ na tatyajū raṇaṁ svaṁ svaṁ loka-dvaya-jigīṣavaḥ

Though sorely afflicted by the torrent of weapons from Shalva's commanders, the Vrishni heroes, desiring victory in both this world and the next, did not abandon their posts.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.10.76.26)

शाल्वामात्यो द्युमान्नाम प्रद्युम्नं प्राक्प्रपीडितः । आसाद्य गदया मौर्व्या व्याहत्य व्यनदद् बली ॥ 76.26 ॥

śālvāmātyo dyumān nāma pradyumnaṁ prak prapīḍitaḥ āsādya gadayā maurvyā vyāhatya vyanadad balī

Shalva's minister named Dyuman, earlier wounded by Pradyumna, now closed in on Him, struck Him with his dark iron mace, and roared aloud in his strength.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.10.76.27)

प्रद्युम्नं गदया शीर्णवक्षःस्थलमरिंदमम् । अपोवाह रणात्सूतो धर्मविद् दारुकात्मजः ॥ 76.27 ॥

pradyumnaṁ gadayā sīrṇa- vakṣaḥ-sthalam ariṁ-damam apovāha raṇāt sūto dharma-vid dārukātmajaḥ

Thinking that the mace-blow had shattered the chest of the enemy-tamer Pradyumna, His charioteer — the son of Daruka, well versed in duty — drew Him back from the battlefield.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.10.76.28)

लब्धसंज्ञो मुहूर्तेन कार्ष्णिः सारथिमब्रवीत् । अहो असाध्विदं सूत यद् रणान्मेऽपसर्पणम् ॥ 76.28 ॥

labdha-samjño muhūrtena kārṣṇiḥ sārathim abravīt aho asādhv idaṁ sūta yad raṇān me ’pasarpaṇam

Regaining His senses in a moment, Krishna's son said to His charioteer, "Ah, driver, this is a shameful thing — that I should have been withdrawn from the battlefield!

Verse 29 (bhagavata.10.76.29)

न यदूनां कुले जातः श्रूयते रणविच्युतः । विना मत्क्लीबचित्तेन सूतेन प्राप्तकिल्बिषात् ॥ 76.29 ॥

na yadūnāṁ kule jātaḥ śrūyate raṇa-vicyutaḥ vinā mat klība-cittena sūtena prāpta-kilbiṣāt

No one born in the Yadu line has ever been heard to flee a battle — except now Myself, disgraced by a driver whose heart is that of a coward.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.10.76.30)

किं नु वक्ष्येऽभिसङ्गम्य पितरौ रामकेशवौ । युद्धात्सम्यगपक्रान्तः पृष्टस्तत्रात्मनः क्षमम् ॥ 76.30 ॥

kiṁ nu vakṣye ’bhisaṅgamya pitarau rāma-keśavau yuddhāt samyag apakrāntaḥ pṛṣṭas tatrātmanaḥ kṣamam

When I meet My fathers, Rama and Keshava, what indeed shall I say, once wholly withdrawn from battle, if they ask what is fitting for Me now?

Verse 31 (bhagavata.10.76.31)

व्यक्तं मे कथयिष्यन्ति हसन्त्यो भ्रातृजामयः । क्लैब्यं कथं कथं वीर तवान्यैः कथ्यतां मृधे ॥ 76.31 ॥

vyaktaṁ me kathayiṣyanti hasantyo bhrātṛ-jāmayaḥ klaibyaṁ kathaṁ kathaṁ vīra tavānyaiḥ kathyatāṁ mṛdhe

Surely My sisters-in-law will laugh and say to Me, 'O hero, tell us how, and by whom, You were made a coward on the field.'"

Verse 32 (bhagavata.10.76.32)

सारथिरुवाच धर्मं विजानतायुष्मन् कृतमेतन्मया विभो । सूतः कृच्छ्रगतं रक्षेद् रथिनं सारथिं रथी ॥ 76.32 ॥

sārathir uvāca dharmaṁ vijānatāyuṣman kṛtam etan mayā vibho sūtaḥ kṛcchra-gataṁ rakṣed rathinaṁ sārathiṁ rathī

The charioteer said: O long-lived one, O Lord, I did this knowing the law well — the charioteer must protect the warrior in danger, and the warrior in turn must protect his charioteer.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.10.76.33)

एतद्विदित्वा तु भवान्मयापोवाहितो रणात् । उपसृष्टः परेणेति मूर्च्छितो गदया हतः ॥ 76.33 ॥

etad viditvā tu bhavān mayāpovāhito raṇāt upasṛṣṭaḥ pareṇeti mūrcchito gadayā hataḥ

Knowing this rule, and seeing You struck senseless by the enemy's mace-blow, I drew You back from the battlefield.