The Killing of Dantavakra, Viduratha and Romaharshana

Verse 1 (bhagavata.10.78.1)

श्रीशुक उवाच शिशुपालस्य शाल्वस्य पौण्ड्रकस्यापि दुर्मतिः । परलोकगतानां च कुर्वन् पारोक्ष्यसौहृदम् ॥ 78.1 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca śiśupālasya śālvasya pauṇḍrakasyāpi durmatiḥ para-loka-gatānāṁ ca kurvan pārokṣya-sauhṛdam

Shri Shukadeva said: O King, now, discharging his hidden loyalty to the departed Shishupala, Shalva and Paundraka, the ill-minded Dantavakra appeared on the battlefield.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.10.78.2)

एकः पदातिः सङ्क्रुद्धो गदापाणिः प्रकम्पयन् । पद्भ्यामिमां महाराज महासत्त्वो व्यदृश्यत ॥ 78.2 ॥

ekaḥ padātiḥ saṅkruddho gadā-pāṇiḥ prakampayan padbhyām imāṁ mahā-rāja mahā-sattvo vyadṛśyata

Alone, on foot, seized with fury, mace in hand — O great King — that mighty being appeared, making this earth tremble with each stride.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.10.78.3)

तं तथायान्तमालोक्य गदामादाय सत्वरः । अवप्लुत्य रथात् कृष्णः सिन्धुं वेलेव प्रत्यधात् ॥ 78.3 ॥

taṁ tathāyāntam ālokya gadām ādāya satvaraḥ avaplutya rathāt kṛṣṇaḥ sindhuṁ veleva pratyadhāt

Seeing him approach thus, Krishna swiftly seized His mace, leapt down from His chariot, and checked him, as the shore checks the sea.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.10.78.4)

गदामुद्यम्य कारूषो मुकुन्दं प्राह दुर्मदः । दिष्ट्या दिष्ट्या भवानद्य मम दृष्टिपथं गतः ॥ 78.4 ॥

gadām udyamya kārūṣo mukundaṁ prāha durmadaḥ diṣṭyā diṣṭyā bhavān adya mama dṛṣṭi-pathaṁ gataḥ

Raising his mace, the reckless king of Karusha said to Mukunda: "What good fortune, what good fortune indeed, that today You have come within sight of me!

Verse 5 (bhagavata.10.78.5)

त्वं मातुलेयो नः कृष्ण मित्रध्रुङ्मां जिघांससि । अतस्त्वां गदया मन्द हनिष्ये वज्रकल्पया ॥ 78.5 ॥

tvaṁ mātuleyo naḥ kṛṣṇa mitra-dhruṅ māṁ jighāṁsasi atas tvāṁ gadayā manda haniṣye vajra-kalpayā

You are our cousin, Krishna, yet You have betrayed our friends and now seek to kill me too. Therefore, fool, I shall slay You with this mace, mighty as the thunderbolt.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.10.78.6)

तर्ह्यानृण्यमुपैम्यज्ञ मित्राणां मित्रवत्सलः । बन्धुरूपमरिं हत्वा व्याधिं देहचरं यथा ॥ 78.6 ॥

tarhy ānṛṇyam upaimy ajña mitrāṇāṁ mitra-vatsalaḥ bandhu-rūpam ariṁ hatvā vyādhiṁ deha-caraṁ yathā

Then, O ignorant one, I, a friend devoted to friends, shall discharge my debt to them by slaying You — an enemy disguised as a kinsman — just as one destroys a disease lodged within the body."

Verse 7 (bhagavata.10.78.7)

एवं रूक्षैस्तुदन् वाक्यैः कृष्णं तोत्रैरिव द्विपम् । गदया ताडयन्मूर्ध्नि सिंहवद् व्यनदच्च सः ॥ 78.7 ॥

evaṁ rūkṣais tudan vākyaiḥ kṛṣṇaṁ totrair iva dvipam gadayātāḍayan mūrdhni siṁha-vad vyanadac ca saḥ

Thus goading Krishna with harsh words as one prods an elephant with a spiked rod, he struck Him on the head with his mace and roared like a lion.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.10.78.8)

गदयाभिहतोऽप्याजौ न चचाल यदूद्वहः । कृष्णोऽपि तमहन् गुर्व्या कौमोदक्या स्तनान्तरे ॥ 78.8 ॥

gadayābhihato ’py ājau na cacāla yadūdvahaḥ kṛṣṇo ’pi tam ahan gurvyā kaumodakyā stanāntare

Though struck by the mace, Krishna, the sustainer of the Yadus, did not so much as waver on the field; He in turn struck Dantavakra square in the chest with His own massive Kaumodaki mace.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.10.78.9)

गदानिर्भिन्नहृदय उद्वमन् रुधिरं मुखात् । प्रसार्य केशबाह्वङ्घ्रीन् धरण्यां न्यपतद् व्यसुः ॥ 78.9 ॥

gadā-nirbhinna-hṛdaya udvaman rudhiraṁ mukhāt prasārya keśa-bāhv-aṅghrīn dharaṇyāṁ nyapatad vyasuḥ

His heart shattered by the blow, vomiting blood from his mouth, hair disheveled and limbs sprawled out, he fell lifeless to the earth.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.10.78.10)

ततः सूक्ष्मतरं ज्योतिः कृष्णमाविशदद्भुतम् । पश्यतां सर्वभूतानां यथा चैद्यवधे नृप ॥ 78.10 ॥

tataḥ sūkṣmataraṁ jyotiḥ kṛṣṇam āviśad adbhutam paśyatāṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ yathā caidya-vadhe nṛpa

Then, O King, just as at the slaying of the king of Chedi, a most subtle and wondrous light, in full view of all beings, merged into Krishna.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.10.78.11)

विदूरथस्तु तद्भ्राता भ्रातृशोकपरिप्लुतः । आगच्छदसिचर्माभ्यामुच्छ्वसंस्तज्जिघांसया ॥ 78.11 ॥

vidūrathas tu tad-bhrātā bhrātṛ-śoka-pariplutaḥ āgacchad asi-carmābhyām ucchvasaṁs taj-jighāṁsayā

His brother Viduratha, drowned in grief for his slain brother, came forward with sword and shield, breathing hard, intent on killing the Lord.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.10.78.12)

तस्य चापततः कृष्णश्चक्रेण क्षुरनेमिना । शिरो जहार राजेन्द्र सकिरीटं सकुण्डलम् ॥ 78.12 ॥

tasya cāpatataḥ kṛṣṇaś cakreṇa kṣura-neminā śiro jahāra rājendra sa-kirīṭaṁ sa-kuṇḍalam

O foremost of kings, as he rushed upon Him, Krishna, with His razor-rimmed discus, severed his head, crown, earrings and all.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.10.78.13)

एवं सौभं च शाल्वं च दन्तवक्रं सहानुजम् । हत्वा दुर्विषहानन्यैरीडितः सुरमानवैः ॥ 78.13 ॥

evaṁ saubhaṁ ca śālvaṁ ca dantavakraṁ sahānujam hatvā durviṣahān anyair īḍitaḥ sura-mānavaiḥ

Having thus slain the Saubha and Shalva, and Dantavakra together with his younger brother — foes unbearable to anyone else — the Lord was extolled by gods and men.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.10.78.14)

मुनिभिः सिद्धगन्धर्वैर्विद्याधरमहोरगैः । अप्सरोभिः पितृगणैर्यक्षैः किन्नरचारणैः ॥ 78.14 ॥

munibhiḥ siddha-gandharvair vidyādhara-mahoragaiḥ apsarobhiḥ pitṛ-gaṇair yakṣaiḥ kinnara-cāraṇaiḥ

— by sages, Siddhas, Gandharvas, Vidyadharas, great serpents, Apsaras, ancestral spirits, Yakshas, Kinnaras and Charanas.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.10.78.15)

उपगीयमानविजयः कुसुमैरभिवर्षितः । वृतश्च वृष्णिप्रवरैर्विवेशालङ्कृतां पुरीम् ॥ 78.15 ॥

upagīyamāna-vijayaḥ kusumair abhivarṣitaḥ vṛtaś ca vṛṣṇi-pravarair viveśālaṅkṛtāṁ purīm

While His victory was sung on every side and flowers rained down upon Him, and surrounded by the foremost of the Vrishnis, He entered His beautifully adorned city.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.10.78.16)

एवं योगेश्वरः कृष्णो भगवान् जगदीश्वरः । ईयते पशुदृष्टीनां निर्जितो जयतीति सः ॥ 78.16 ॥

evaṁ yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo bhagavān jagad-īśvaraḥ īyate paśu-dṛṣṭīnāṁ nirjito jayatīti saḥ

Thus does Lord Krishna, master of all yogic power, ruler of the universe, remain forever victorious. Only those of animal-like vision perceive Him as sometimes defeated, sometimes triumphant.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.10.78.17)

श्रुत्वा युद्धोद्यमं रामः कुरूणां सह पाण्डवैः । तीर्थाभिषेकव्याजेन मध्यस्थः प्रययौ किल ॥ 78.17 ॥

śrutvā yuddhodyamaṁ rāmaḥ kurūṇāṁ saha pāṇḍavaiḥ tīrthābhiṣeka-vyājena madhya-sthaḥ prayayau kila

Hearing of the Kurus' preparation for war with the Pandavas, Balarama, wishing to remain neutral, set out on the pretext of bathing at holy places.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.10.78.18)

स्नात्वा प्रभासे सन्तर्प्य देवर्षिपितृमानवान् । सरस्वतीं प्रतिस्रोतं ययौ ब्राह्मणसंवृतः ॥ 78.18 ॥

snātvā prabhāse santarpya devarṣi-pitṛ-mānavān sarasvatīṁ prati-srotaṁ yayau brāhmaṇa-saṁvṛtaḥ

Having bathed at Prabhasa and offered libations to the gods, sages, ancestors and men, He, surrounded by brahmanas, journeyed along the westward-flowing course of the Sarasvati.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.10.78.19)

पृथूदकं बिन्दुसरस्त्रितकूपं सुदर्शनम् । विशालं ब्रह्मतीर्थं च चक्रं प्राचीं सरस्वतीम् ॥ 78.19 ॥

pṛthūdakaṁ bindu-saras tritakūpaṁ sudarśanam viśālaṁ brahma-tīrthaṁ ca cakraṁ prācīṁ sarasvatīm

He visited Prithudaka, Bindu-saras, Tritakupa, Sudarshana, Vishala, Brahma-tirtha, Chakra-tirtha, and the eastward-flowing Sarasvati.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.10.78.20)

यमुनामनु यान्येव गङ्गामनु च भारत । जगाम नैमिषं यत्र ऋषयः सत्रमासते ॥ 78.20 ॥

yamunām anu yāny eva gaṅgām anu ca bhārata jagāma naimiṣaṁ yatra ṛṣayaḥ satram āsate

O descendant of Bharata, after visiting the shrines along the Yamuna and the Ganges as well, He came to Naimisha, where the sages sat performing their long sacrificial session.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.10.78.21)

तमागतमभिप्रेत्य मुनयो दीर्घसत्रिणः । अभिनन्द्य यथान्यायं प्रणम्योत्थाय चार्चयन् ॥ 78.21 ॥

tam āgatam abhipretya munayo dīrgha-satriṇaḥ abhinandya yathā-nyāyaṁ praṇamyotthāya cārcayan

Recognizing Him upon His arrival, the sages long engaged in their sacrificial session welcomed Him fittingly, rising, bowing down, and worshipping Him.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.10.78.22)

सोऽर्चितः सपरीवारः कृतासनपरिग्रहः । रोमहर्षणमासीनं महर्षेः शिष्यमैक्षत ॥ 78.22 ॥

so ’rcitaḥ sa-parīvāraḥ kṛtāsana-parigrahaḥ romaharṣaṇam āsīnaṁ maharṣeḥ śiṣyam aikṣata

Thus honored along with His retinue, and having taken His seat, He noticed that Romaharshana, the disciple of the great sage Vyasa, remained seated.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.10.78.23)

अप्रत्युत्थायिनं सूतमकृतप्रह्वणाञ्जलिम् । अध्यासीनं च तान् विप्रांश्चुकोपोद्वीक्ष्य माधवः ॥ 78.23 ॥

apratyutthāyinaṁ sūtam akṛta-prahvaṇāñjalim adhyāsīnaṁ ca tān viprāṁś cukopodvīkṣya mādhavaḥ

Seeing this suta neither rise, nor bow, nor fold his hands in respect, but sit enthroned above those learned brahmanas, Madhava grew furious.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.10.78.24)

यस्मादसाविमान् विप्रानध्यास्ते प्रतिलोमजः । धर्मपालांस्तथैवास्मान् वधमर्हति दुर्मतिः ॥ 78.24 ॥

yasmād asāv imān viprān adhyāste pratiloma-jaḥ dharma-pālāṁs tathaivāsmān vadham arhati durmatiḥ

"Because this ill-minded one, born of an inverted union, sits above these brahmanas — and above Us, the guardians of dharma — he deserves death.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.10.78.25)

ऋषेर्भगवतो भूत्वा शिष्योऽधीत्य बहूनि च । सेतिहासपुराणानि धर्मशास्त्राणि सर्वशः ॥ 78.25 ॥

ṛṣer bhagavato bhūtvā śiṣyo ’dhītya bahūni ca setihāsa-purāṇāni dharma-śāstrāṇi sarvaśaḥ

Though he became a disciple of the divine sage Vyasa and thoroughly studied so many scriptures of dharma, together with the epics and Puranas —

Verse 26 (bhagavata.10.78.26)

अदान्तस्याविनीतस्य वृथा पण्डितमानिनः । न गुणाय भवन्ति स्म नटस्येवाजितात्मनः ॥ 78.26 ॥

adāntasyāvinītasya vṛthā paṇḍita-māninaḥ na guṇāya bhavanti sma naṭasyevājitātmanaḥ

— for one uncontrolled, unhumbled, and vainly proud of his learning, such study bears no more fruit than an actor's rehearsed part, since he has never conquered his own mind.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.10.78.27)

एतदर्थो हि लोकेऽस्मिन्नवतारो मया कृतः । वध्या मे धर्मध्वजिनस्ते हि पातकिनोऽधिकाः ॥ 78.27 ॥

etad-artho hi loke ’sminn avatāro mayā kṛtaḥ vadhyā me dharma-dhvajinas te hi pātakino ’dhikāḥ

For this very purpose have I descended into this world — for those who wave the banner of religion while being hypocrites are the greatest sinners, and it is they whom I must slay."

Verse 28 (bhagavata.10.78.28)

एतावदुक्त्वा भगवान् निवृत्तोऽसद्वधादपि । भावित्वात् तं कुशाग्रेण करस्थेनाहनत् प्रभुः ॥ 78.28 ॥

etāvad uktvā bhagavān nivṛtto ’sad-vadhād api bhāvitvāt taṁ kuśāgreṇa kara-sthenāhanat prabhuḥ

Though the Lord had spoken thus, He was one who refrains even from the killing of the wicked; yet, as it was destined, He, merely touching him with the tip of a blade of kusha grass held in His hand, caused Romaharshana's death.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.10.78.29)

हाहेति वादिनः सर्वे मुनयः खिन्नमानसाः । ऊचुः सङ्कर्षणं देवमधर्मस्ते कृतः प्रभो ॥ 78.29 ॥

hāheti-vādinaḥ sarve munayaḥ khinna-mānasāḥ ūcuḥ saṅkarṣaṇaṁ devam adharmas te kṛtaḥ prabho

Crying out "Alas, alas!" in deep distress, all the sages said to Lord Sankarshana: "O Lord, You have committed an act against dharma!

Verse 30 (bhagavata.10.78.30)

अस्य ब्रह्मासनं दत्तमस्माभिर्यदुनन्दन । आयुश्चात्माक्लमं तावद् यावत् सत्रं समाप्यते ॥ 78.30 ॥

asya brahmāsanaṁ dattam asmābhir yadu-nandana āyuś cātmāklamaṁ tāvad yāvat satraṁ samāpyate

O joy of the Yadus, we ourselves granted him this seat of the officiating priest, and promised him life free of exhaustion for as long as this sacrifice should continue.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.10.78.31)

अजानतैवाचरितस्त्वया ब्रह्मवधो यथा । योगेश्वरस्य भवतो नाम्नायोऽपि नियामकः ॥ 78.31 ॥

ajānataivācaritas tvayā brahma-vadho yathā yogeśvarasya bhavato nāmnāyo ’pi niyāmakaḥ

Unknowingly You have done what amounts to the killing of a brahmana. Of course, You are the Lord of all mystic power, whom even the injunctions of the Veda cannot bind or govern —

Verse 32 (bhagavata.10.78.32)

यद्येतद् ब्रह्महत्यायाः पावनं लोकपावन । चरिष्यति भवाँल्लोकसङ्ग्रहोऽनन्यचोदितः ॥ 78.32 ॥

yady etad-brahma-hatyāyāḥ pāvanaṁ loka-pāvana cariṣyati bhavāḻ loka- saṅgraho ’nanya-coditaḥ

— yet, O purifier of the world, if of Your own will, unprompted by anyone, You would perform the atonement for this killing of a brahmana, it would serve as an example for the good of all people."

Verse 33 (bhagavata.10.78.33)

श्रीभगवानुवाच चरिष्ये वधनिर्वेशं लोकानुग्रहकाम्यया । नियमः प्रथमे कल्पे यावान् स तु विधीयताम् ॥ 78.33 ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca cariṣye vadha-nirveśaṁ lokānugraha-kāmyayā niyamaḥ prathame kalpe yāvān sa tu vidhīyatām

The Lord said: Out of the wish to show grace to the world, I shall certainly undergo the atonement for this killing. Let the rule that comes first be prescribed for Me.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.10.78.34)

दीर्घमायुर्बतैतस्य सत्त्वमिन्द्रियमेव च । आशासितं यत्तद्ब्रूते साधये योगमायया ॥ 78.34 ॥

dīrgham āyur bataitasya sattvam indriyam eva ca āśāsitaṁ yat tad brūte sādhaye yoga-māyayā

Whatever long life, vigor and vital power was promised to him — whatever you now declare — that I shall accomplish through My Yogamaya.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.10.78.35)

ऋषय ऊचुः अस्त्रस्य तव वीर्यस्य मृत्योरस्माकमेव च । यथा भवेद्वचः सत्यं तथा राम विधीयताम् ॥ 78.35 ॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ astrasya tava vīryasya mṛtyor asmākam eva ca yathā bhaved vacaḥ satyaṁ tathā rāma vidhīyatām

The sages said: O Rama, arrange it so that the power of Your weapon, and his death, and our own promise, all remain true together.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.10.78.36)

श्रीभगवानुवाच आत्मा वै पुत्र उत्पन्न इति वेदानुशासनम् । तस्मादस्य भवेद्वक्ता आयुरिन्द्रियसत्त्ववान् ॥ 78.36 ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca ātmā vai putra utpanna iti vedānuśāsanam tasmād asya bhaved vaktā āyur-indriya-sattva-vān

The Lord said: The Veda teaches that one's own self is born again as one's son. Therefore let his son become the speaker of the Puranas, endowed with long life, vigorous senses and strength.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.10.78.37)

किं वः कामो मुनिश्रेष्ठा ब्रूताहं करवाण्यथ । अजानतस्त्वपचितिं यथा मे चिन्त्यतां बुधाः ॥ 78.37 ॥

kiṁ vaḥ kāmo muni-śreṣṭhā brūtāhaṁ karavāṇy atha ajānatas tv apacitiṁ yathā me cintyatāṁ budhāḥ

O best of sages, tell Me now what you desire, and I shall do it. And, O wise ones, determine for Me the atonement fitting an act done unknowingly.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.10.78.38)

ऋषय ऊचुः इल्वलस्य सुतो घोरो बल्वलो नाम दानवः । स दूषयति नः सत्रमेत्य पर्वणि पर्वणि ॥ 78.38 ॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ ilvalasya suto ghoro balvalo nāma dānavaḥ sa dūṣayati naḥ satram etya parvaṇi parvaṇi

The sages said: There is a terrible demon, son of Ilvala, named Balvala, who comes on every new-moon day and defiles our sacrifice.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.10.78.39)

तं पापं जहि दाशार्ह तन्नः शुश्रूषणं परम् । पूयशोणितविन् मूत्रसुरामांसाभिवर्षिणम् ॥ 78.39 ॥

taṁ pāpaṁ jahi dāśārha tan naḥ śuśrūṣaṇaṁ param pūya-śoṇita-vin-mūtra- surā-māṁsābhivarṣiṇam

O descendant of Dashārha, slay that sinner, who rains down pus, blood, excrement, urine, liquor and flesh upon us — this would be the highest service You could do us.

Verse 40 (bhagavata.10.78.40)

ततश्च भारतं वर्षं परीत्य सुसमाहितः । चरित्वा द्वादश मासांस्तीर्थस्नायी विशुध्यसि ॥ 78.40 ॥

tataś ca bhārataṁ varṣaṁ parītya su-samāhitaḥ caritvā dvādaśa-māsāṁs tīrtha-snāyī viśudhyasi

Thereafter, with focused mind, circling the land of Bharata for twelve months and bathing at its holy places, You shall become purified.