The Story of Krishna's Avatara Begins

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.4.20.1)

व्यास उवाच । शृण भारत वक्ष्यामि भारावतरणं तथा । कुरुक्षेत्रे प्रभासे च क्षपितं योगमायया ॥

vyāsa uvāca | śṛṇa bhārata vakṣyāmi bhārāvataraṇaṁ tathā | kurukṣetre prabhāse ca kṣapitaṁ yogamāyayā ||

Vyasa said: "Listen, O descendant of Bharata; I shall relate the removal of the earth's burden, and how it was accomplished at Kurukshetra and Prabhasa by Yogamaya."

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.4.20.2)

यदुवंशे समुत्पत्तिर्विष्णोरमिततेजसः । भृगुशापप्रतापेन महामायाबलेन च ॥

yaduvaṁśe samutpattirviṣṇoramitatejasaḥ | bhṛguśāpapratāpena mahāmāyābalena ca ||

"The birth of Vishnu, of boundless splendor, in the lineage of the Yadus, occurred through the power of Bhrigu's curse and by the strength of Mahamaya."

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.4.20.3)

क्षितिभारसमुत्तारनिमित्तमिति मे मतिः । मायया विहितो योगो विष्णोर्जन्म धरातले ॥

kṣitibhārasamuttāranimittamiti me matiḥ | māyayā vihito yogo viṣṇorjanma dharātale ||

"This is my understanding — that the plan devised by Maya, namely Vishnu's birth upon the earth, was for the purpose of relieving the earth's burden."

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.4.20.4)

किं चित्रं नृप देवी सा ब्रह्मविष्णुसुरानपि । नर्तयत्यनिशं माया त्रिगुणानपरान्किमु ॥

kiṁ citraṁ nṛpa devī sā brahmaviṣṇusurānapi | nartayatyaniśaṁ māyā triguṇānaparānkimu ||

"What wonder is it, O king, that that Devi, being Maya, makes Brahma, Vishnu, and even the gods dance continually — what then of others bound by the three gunas?"

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.4.20.5)

गर्भवासोद्भवं दुःखं विण्मूत्रस्नायुसंयुतम् । विष्णोरापादितं सम्यग्यया विगतलीलया ॥

garbhavāsodbhavaṁ duḥkhaṁ viṇmūtrasnāyusaṁyutam | viṣṇorāpāditaṁ samyagyayā vigatalīlayā ||

"By her, the sorrow of dwelling in the womb, mixed with excrement, urine, and sinew, was fully brought upon Vishnu himself, whose sport was thereby suspended."

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.4.20.6)

पुरा रामावतारेऽपि निर्जरा वानराः कृताः । विदितं ते यथा विष्णुर्दुःखपाशेन मोहितः ॥

purā rāmāvatāre'pi nirjarā vānarāḥ kṛtāḥ | viditaṁ te yathā viṣṇurduḥkhapāśena mohitaḥ ||

"In the past, even in the Rama avatar, the monkeys were made ageless; know how Vishnu himself was deluded by the noose of sorrow."

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.4.20.7)

अहं ममेति पाशेन सुदृढेन नराधिप । योगिनो मुक्तसङ्गाश्च भुक्तिकामा मुमुक्षवः ॥

ahaṁ mameti pāśena sudṛḍhena narādhipa | yogino muktasaṅgāśca bhuktikāmā mumukṣavaḥ ||

"By the firm noose of 'I' and 'mine,' O ruler of men — yogis freed from attachment, and those desiring enjoyment or liberation alike —"

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.4.20.8)

तामेव समुपासन्ते देवीं विश्वेश्वरीं शिवाम् । यद्भक्तिलेशलेशांशलेशलेशलवांशकम् ॥

tāmeva samupāsante devīṁ viśveśvarīṁ śivām | yadbhaktileśaleśāṁśaleśaleśalavāṁśakam ||

"— worship that very Devi, mistress of the universe, the auspicious one; having obtained but the smallest fraction of a fraction of a fraction of devotion to her —"

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.4.20.9)

लब्ध्वा मुक्तो भवेज्जन्तुस्तां न सेवेत को जनः । भुवनेशीत्येव वक्त्रे ददाति भुवनत्रयम् ॥

labdhvā mukto bhavejjantustāṁ na seveta ko janaḥ | bhuvaneśītyeva vaktre dadāti bhuvanatrayam ||

"— a creature becomes liberated; who then would not serve her? By the mere utterance in her mouth, 'O mistress of the worlds,' she grants the three worlds."

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.4.20.10)

मां पाहीत्यस्य वचसो देयाभावादृणान्विता । विद्याविद्येति तस्या द्वे रूपे जानीहि पार्थिव ॥

māṁ pāhītyasya vacaso deyābhāvādṛṇānvitā | vidyāvidyeti tasyā dve rūpe jānīhi pārthiva ||

"'Protect me' — merely uttering this word makes one indebted for lack of anything worthy to give her in return. Know that her form is twofold: Vidya and Avidya, O king."

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.4.20.11)

विद्यया मुच्यते जन्तुर्बध्यतेऽविद्यया पुनः । ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च सर्वे तस्या वशानुगाः ॥

vidyayā mucyate janturbadhyate'vidyayā punaḥ | brahmā viṣṇuśca rudraśca sarve tasyā vaśānugāḥ ||

"By Vidya a creature is liberated, and by Avidya again is bound. Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra — all are subject to her sway."

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.4.20.12)

अवताराः सर्व एव यन्त्रिता इव दामभिः । कदाचिच्च सुखं भुङ्क्ते वैकुण्ठे क्षीरसागरे ॥

avatārāḥ sarva eva yantritā iva dāmabhiḥ | kadācicca sukhaṁ bhuṅkte vaikuṇṭhe kṣīrasāgare ||

"All the avatars, as if bound by cords, are so controlled. Sometimes he enjoys happiness in Vaikuntha, in the ocean of milk —"

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.4.20.13)

कदाचित्कुरुते युद्धं दानवैर्बलवत्तरैः । हरिः कदाचिद्यज्ञान्वै विततान्प्रकरोति च ॥

kadācitkurute yuddhaṁ dānavairbalavattaraiḥ | hariḥ kadācidyajñānvai vitatānprakaroti ca ||

"— sometimes he wages war with the mightiest Danavas; sometimes Hari performs elaborate sacrifices —"

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.4.20.14)

कदाचिच्च तपस्तीव्रं तीर्थे चरति सुव्रत । कदाचिच्छयने शेते योगनिद्रामुपाश्रितः ॥

kadācicca tapastīvraṁ tīrthe carati suvrata | kadācicchayane śete yoganidrāmupāśritaḥ ||

"— and sometimes, O one of noble vows, he practices intense austerity at a holy place; sometimes he lies upon his couch, taking refuge in yoga-sleep."

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.4.20.15)

न स्वतन्त्रः कदाचिच्च भगवान्मधुसूदनः । तथा ब्रह्मा तथा रुद्रस्तथेन्द्रो वरुणो यमः ॥

na svatantraḥ kadācicca bhagavānmadhusūdanaḥ | tathā brahmā tathā rudrastathendro varuṇo yamaḥ ||

"Never is the Lord Madhusudana ever independent; so too Brahma, so too Rudra, so too Indra, Varuna, Yama —"

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.4.20.16)

कुबेरोऽग्नी रवीन्दू च तथान्ये सुरसत्तमाः । मुनयः सनकाद्याश्च वसिष्ठाद्यास्तथापरे ॥

kubero'gnī ravīndū ca tathānye surasattamāḥ | munayaḥ sanakādyāśca vasiṣṭhādyāstathāpare ||

"— Kubera, Agni, the Sun and Moon, and other best of gods likewise; the sages beginning with Sanaka, and others beginning with Vasishtha —"

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.4.20.17)

सर्वेऽम्बावशगा नित्यं पाञ्चालीव नरस्य च । नसि प्रोता यथा गावो विचरन्ति वशानुगाः ॥

sarve'mbāvaśagā nityaṁ pāñcālīva narasya ca | nasi protā yathā gāvo vicaranti vaśānugāḥ ||

"— all, always, are under the mother's sway, like Panchali under a man's; as cattle, strung through the nose, move about, subject to control —"

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.4.20.18)

तथैव देवताः सर्वाः कालपाशनियन्त्रिताः । हर्षशोकादयो भावा निद्रातन्द्रालसादयः ॥

tathaiva devatāḥ sarvāḥ kālapāśaniyantritāḥ | harṣaśokādayo bhāvā nidrātandrālasādayaḥ ||

"— so too all the gods, controlled by the noose of Time. Emotions such as joy and sorrow, sleep, drowsiness, weariness, and the rest —"

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.4.20.19)

सर्वेषां सर्वदा राजन्देहिनां देहसंश्रिताः । अमरा निर्जराः प्रोक्ता देवाश्च ग्रन्थकारकैः ॥

sarveṣāṁ sarvadā rājandehināṁ dehasaṁśritāḥ | amarā nirjarāḥ proktā devāśca granthakārakaiḥ ||

"— O king, belong to all embodied beings always, dependent on the body. 'Immortal,' 'ageless,' and 'gods' — thus have they been proclaimed by the writers of texts."

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.4.20.20)

अभिधानतश्चार्थतो न ते नूनं तादृशाः क्वचित् । उत्पत्तिस्थितिनाशाख्या भावा येषां निरन्तरम् ॥

abhidhānataścārthato na te nūnaṁ tādṛśāḥ kvacit | utpattisthitināśākhyā bhāvā yeṣāṁ nirantaram ||

"In name, and in reality, they are surely nowhere truly of that kind — those for whom arising, persisting, and perishing are continual states."

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.4.20.21)

अमरास्ते कथं वाच्या निर्जराश्च कथं पुनः । कथं दुःखाभिभूता वा जायन्ते विबुधोत्तमाः ॥

amarāste kathaṁ vācyā nirjarāśca kathaṁ punaḥ | kathaṁ duḥkhābhibhūtā vā jāyante vibudhottamāḥ ||

"How can they be called 'immortal,' and how again 'ageless'? How do these best of the wise ones become overcome by sorrow?"

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.4.20.22)

कथं देवाश्च वक्तव्या व्यसने क्रीडनं कथम् । क्षणादुत्पत्तिनाशश्च दृश्यतेऽस्मिन्न संशयः ॥

kathaṁ devāśca vaktavyā vyasane krīḍanaṁ katham | kṣaṇādutpattināśaśca dṛśyate'sminna saṁśayaḥ ||

"How are the gods to be spoken of, when they play amid calamity? Arising and destruction, occurring in a moment, is seen in this world — no doubt."

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.4.20.23)

जलजानां च कीटानां मशकानां तथा पुनः । उपमा न कथं चैषामायुषोऽन्ते मराः स्मृताः ॥

jalajānāṁ ca kīṭānāṁ maśakānāṁ tathā punaḥ | upamā na kathaṁ caiṣāmāyuṣo'nte marāḥ smṛtāḥ ||

"For aquatic creatures, and insects, and gnats too — why should no comparison be drawn for them, seeing that death too is spoken of at the end of their lifespan?"

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.4.20.24)

ततो वर्षायुषश्चापि शतवर्षायुषस्तथा । मनुष्या ह्यमरा देवास्तस्माद् ब्रह्मापरः स्मृतः ॥

tato varṣāyuṣaścāpi śatavarṣāyuṣastathā | manuṣyā hyamarā devāstasmād brahmāparaḥ smṛtaḥ ||

"Then there are those of a year's lifespan, and those of a hundred years' lifespan likewise — men, and the gods called immortal; therefore Brahma is remembered as further removed still."

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.4.20.25)

रुद्रस्तथा तथा विष्णुः क्रमशश्च भवन्ति हि । नश्यन्ति क्रमशश्चैव वर्धन्ति चोत्तरोत्तरम् ॥

rudrastathā tathā viṣṇuḥ kramaśaśca bhavanti hi | naśyanti kramaśaścaiva vardhanti cottarottaram ||

"So too Rudra, so too Vishnu, become so in succession; they perish in succession too, their lifespans increasing progressively higher."

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.4.20.26)

नूनं देहवतो नाशो मृतस्योत्पत्तिरेव च । चक्रवद् भ्रमणं राजन् सर्वेषां नात्र संशयः ॥

nūnaṁ dehavato nāśo mṛtasyotpattireva ca | cakravad bhramaṇaṁ rājan sarveṣāṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ ||

"Surely, for every embodied being, there is destruction, and for the dead there is birth again; it is a wheel-like revolution, O king, for all — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.4.20.27)

मोहजालावृतो जन्तुर्मुच्यते न कदाचन । मायायां विद्यमानायां मोहजालं न नश्यति ॥

mohajālāvṛto janturmucyate na kadācana | māyāyāṁ vidyamānāyāṁ mohajālaṁ na naśyati ||

"A creature enveloped in the net of delusion is never freed; so long as Maya exists, the net of delusion does not perish."

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.4.20.28)

उत्पित्सुकाल उत्पत्तिः सर्वेषां नृप जायते । तथैव नाशः कल्पान्ते ब्रह्मादीनां यथाक्रमम् ॥

utpitsukāla utpattiḥ sarveṣāṁ nṛpa jāyate | tathaiva nāśaḥ kalpānte brahmādīnāṁ yathākramam ||

"At the time ordained for arising, arising occurs for all, O king; so too destruction, at the end of the Kalpa, for Brahma and the rest, in due order."

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.4.20.29)

निमित्तं यस्तु यन्नाशे स घातयति तं नृप । नान्यथा तद्भवेन्नूनं विधिना निर्मितं तु यत् ॥

nimittaṁ yastu yannāśe sa ghātayati taṁ nṛpa | nānyathā tadbhavennūnaṁ vidhinā nirmitaṁ tu yat ||

"Whoever is the instrumental cause of another's destruction, O king, merely causes that one to be slain; nothing occurs otherwise than what has been ordained by fate."

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.4.20.30)

जन्ममृत्युजराव्याधिदुःखं वा सुखमेव वा । तत्तथैव भवेत्कामं नान्यथेह विनिर्णयः ॥

janmamṛtyujarāvyādhiduḥkhaṁ vā sukhameva vā | tattathaiva bhavetkāmaṁ nānyatheha vinirṇayaḥ ||

"Birth, death, old age, disease, sorrow, or happiness — that indeed shall occur just as ordained; there is no other determination here."

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.4.20.31)

सर्वेषां सुखदौ देवौ प्रत्यक्षौ शशिभास्करौ । न नश्यति तयोः पीडा क्यचित्तद्वैरिसम्भवा ॥

sarveṣāṁ sukhadau devau pratyakṣau śaśibhāskarau | na naśyati tayoḥ pīḍā kyacittadvairisambhavā ||

"The Sun and Moon, the two visible gods who grant happiness to all — their affliction, born of their enemy, never ceases at any time."

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.4.20.32)

भास्करस्य सुतो मन्दः क्षयी चन्द्रः कलङ्कवान् । पश्य राजन् विधेः सूत्रं दुर्वारं महतामपि ॥

bhāskarasya suto mandaḥ kṣayī candraḥ kalaṅkavān | paśya rājan vidheḥ sūtraṁ durvāraṁ mahatāmapi ||

"The son of the Sun is slow of motion, and the Moon wanes and bears a blemish; behold, O king, the thread of fate, hard to avert even for the great."

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.4.20.33)

वेदकर्ता जगत्स्रष्टा बुद्धिदस्तु चतुर्मुखः । सोऽपि विक्लवतां प्राप्तो दृष्ट्वा पुत्रीं सरस्वतीम् ॥

vedakartā jagatsraṣṭā buddhidastu caturmukhaḥ | so'pi viklavatāṁ prāpto dṛṣṭvā putrīṁ sarasvatīm ||

"The four-faced one, the maker of the Vedas, creator of the world, the giver of wisdom — even he became agitated, upon seeing his own daughter Sarasvati."

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.4.20.34)

शिवस्यापि मृता भार्या सती दग्ध्वा कलेवरम् । सोऽभवद्दुःखसन्तप्तः कामार्तश्च जनार्तिहा ॥

śivasyāpi mṛtā bhāryā satī dagdhvā kalevaram | so'bhavadduḥkhasantaptaḥ kāmārtaśca janārtihā ||

"Even Shiva's wife Sati died, and having cremated her body, he became consumed with sorrow, afflicted by desire, though he is the remover of the world's suffering."

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.4.20.35)

कामाग्निदग्धदेहस्तु कालिन्द्यां पतितः शिवः । सापि श्यामजला जाता तन्निदाघवशान्नृप ॥

kāmāgnidagdhadehastu kālindyāṁ patitaḥ śivaḥ | sāpi śyāmajalā jātā tannidāghavaśānnṛpa ||

"His body burning with the fire of desire, Shiva fell into the Kalindi; and she too, O king, became dark-watered, on account of that heat."

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.4.20.36)

कामार्तो रममाणस्तु नग्नः सोऽपि भृगोर्वनम् । गतः प्राप्तोऽथ भृगुणा शप्तः कामातुरो भृशम् ॥

kāmārto ramamāṇastu nagnaḥ so'pi bhṛgorvanam | gataḥ prāpto'tha bhṛguṇā śaptaḥ kāmāturo bhṛśam ||

"Afflicted by desire, sporting naked, he went to Bhrigu's forest; and there, encountered by Bhrigu, he, exceedingly tormented by desire, was cursed —"

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.4.20.37)

पतत्वद्यैव ते लिङ्गं निर्लज्जेति भृशं किल । पपौ चामृतवापीञ्च दानवैर्निर्मितां मुदे ॥

patatvadyaiva te liṅgaṁ nirlajjeti bhṛśaṁ kila | papau cāmṛtavāpīñca dānavairnirmitāṁ mude ||

"'Let your linga fall this very moment, O shameless one!' — thus indeed he was cursed. And Indra drank, for pleasure, of a pool of nectar made by the Danavas —"

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.4.20.38)

इन्द्रोऽपि च वृषो भूत्वा वाहनत्वं गतः क्षितौ । आद्यस्य सर्वलोकस्य विष्णोरेव विवेकिनः ॥

indro'pi ca vṛṣo bhūtvā vāhanatvaṁ gataḥ kṣitau | ādyasya sarvalokasya viṣṇoreva vivekinaḥ ||

"— and Indra too, having become a bull, became a beast of burden upon the earth — even for that primordial, all-discerning Vishnu himself."

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.4.20.39)

सर्वज्ञत्वं गतं कुत्र प्रभुशक्तिः कुतो गता । यद्धेममृगविज्ञानं न ज्ञातं हरिणा किल ॥

sarvajñatvaṁ gataṁ kutra prabhuśaktiḥ kuto gatā | yaddhemamṛgavijñānaṁ na jñātaṁ hariṇā kila ||

"Where did his omniscience go? Where did his lordly power go? — since even by Hari, the truth of the golden deer was indeed not known."

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.4.20.40)

राजन् मायाबलं पश्य रामो हि काममोहितः । रामो विरहसन्तप्तो रुरोद भृशमातुरः ॥

rājan māyābalaṁ paśya rāmo hi kāmamohitaḥ | rāmo virahasantapto ruroda bhṛśamāturaḥ ||

"O king, behold the power of Maya: Rama indeed, deluded by longing — Rama, consumed by the sorrow of separation, wept most piteously, distressed."

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.4.20.41)

योऽपृच्छत्पादपान्मूढः क्व गता जनकात्मजा । भक्षिता वा हृता केन रुदन्नुच्चतरं ततः ॥

yo'pṛcchatpādapānmūḍhaḥ kva gatā janakātmajā | bhakṣitā vā hṛtā kena rudannuccataraṁ tataḥ ||

"He, deluded, asked the trees: 'Where has the daughter of Janaka gone? Has she been devoured, or carried off — by whom?' — weeping ever louder —"

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.4.20.42)

लक्ष्मणाहं मरिष्यामि कान्ताविरहदुःखितः । त्वं चापि मम दुःखेन मरिष्यसि वनेऽनुज ॥

lakṣmaṇāhaṁ mariṣyāmi kāntāvirahaduḥkhitaḥ | tvaṁ cāpi mama duḥkhena mariṣyasi vane'nuja ||

"'O Lakshmana, I shall die, afflicted by the sorrow of separation from my beloved; and you too, my younger brother, shall die of my sorrow in this forest.'"

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.4.20.43)

आवयोर्मरणं ज्ञात्वा माता मम मरिष्यति । शत्रुघ्नोऽप्यतिदुःखार्तः कथं जीवितुमर्हति ॥

āvayormaraṇaṁ jñātvā mātā mama mariṣyati | śatrughno'pyatiduḥkhārtaḥ kathaṁ jīvitumarhati ||

"'Knowing of our two deaths, my mother shall die; how indeed shall Shatrughna, overwhelmed with sorrow, be able to live?'"

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.4.20.44)

सुमित्रा जीवितं जह्यात्पुत्रव्यसनकर्शिता । पूर्णकामाथ कैकेयी भवेत्पुत्रसमन्विता ॥

sumitrā jīvitaṁ jahyātputravyasanakarśitā | pūrṇakāmātha kaikeyī bhavetputrasamanvitā ||

"'Sumitra shall give up her life, wasted with the affliction of losing her sons; and Kaikeyi, her desire fulfilled, would remain with her own son.'"

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.4.20.45)

हा सीते क्व गतासि त्वं मां विहाय स्मरातुरा । एह्येहि मृगशावाक्षि मां जीवय कृशोदरि ॥

hā sīte kva gatāsi tvaṁ māṁ vihāya smarāturā | ehyehi mṛgaśāvākṣi māṁ jīvaya kṛśodari ||

"'Alas, Sita, where have you gone, leaving me, love-stricken? Come, come, O fawn-eyed one; make me live, O slender-waisted one.'"

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.4.20.46)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि त्वदधीनञ्च जीवितम् । समाश्वासय दीनं मां प्रियं जनकनन्दिनि ॥

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi tvadadhīnañca jīvitam | samāśvāsaya dīnaṁ māṁ priyaṁ janakanandini ||

"'What shall I do, where shall I go? My life is dependent upon you; console me, wretched as I am, O beloved daughter of Janaka.'"

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.4.20.47)

एवं विलपता तेन रामेणामिततेजसा । वने वने च भ्रमता नेक्षिता जनकात्मजा ॥

evaṁ vilapatā tena rāmeṇāmitatejasā | vane vane ca bhramatā nekṣitā janakātmajā ||

Thus lamenting, Rama, of boundless splendor, wandering from forest to forest, could not find the daughter of Janaka.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.4.20.48)

शरण्यः सर्वलोकानां रामः कमललोचनः । शरणं वानराणां स गतो मायाविमोहितः ॥

śaraṇyaḥ sarvalokānāṁ rāmaḥ kamalalocanaḥ | śaraṇaṁ vānarāṇāṁ sa gato māyāvimohitaḥ ||

Rama, the refuge of all worlds, lotus-eyed, himself deluded by Maya, went for refuge to the monkeys.

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.4.20.49)

सहायान्वानरान्कृत्वा बबन्ध वरुणालयम् । जघान रावणं वीरं कुम्भकर्णं महोदरम् ॥

sahāyānvānarānkṛtvā babandha varuṇālayam | jaghāna rāvaṇaṁ vīraṁ kumbhakarṇaṁ mahodaram ||

Having made the monkeys his allies, he built a bridge to the abode of Varuna, and slew the hero Ravana, and Kumbhakarna, and Mahodara.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.4.20.50)

आनीय च ततः सीतां रामो दिव्यमकारयत् । सर्वज्ञोऽपि हृतां मत्वा रावणेन दुरात्मना ॥

ānīya ca tataḥ sītāṁ rāmo divyamakārayat | sarvajño'pi hṛtāṁ matvā rāvaṇena durātmanā ||

Then, bringing Sita back, Rama had her undergo the divine ordeal, considering, though all-knowing, that she had been abducted by the evil-souled Ravana.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.4.20.51)

किं ब्रवीमि महाराज योगमायाबलं महत् । यया विश्वमिदं सर्वं भ्रामितं भ्रमते किल ॥

kiṁ bravīmi mahārāja yogamāyābalaṁ mahat | yayā viśvamidaṁ sarvaṁ bhrāmitaṁ bhramate kila ||

"What more shall I say, O great king? Great indeed is the power of Yogamaya, by which this entire universe is set spinning, and spins still."

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.4.20.52)

एवं नानावतारेऽत्र विष्णुः शापवशं गतः । करोति विविधाश्चेष्टा दैवाधीनः सदैव हि ॥

evaṁ nānāvatāre'tra viṣṇuḥ śāpavaśaṁ gataḥ | karoti vividhāśceṣṭā daivādhīnaḥ sadaiva hi ||

Thus, in these various avatars here, Vishnu, having come under the sway of a curse, performs manifold acts, ever subject to fate.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.4.20.53)

तवाहं कथयिष्यामि कृष्णस्यापि विचेष्टितम् । प्रभवं मानुषे लोके देवकार्यार्थसिद्धये ॥

tavāhaṁ kathayiṣyāmi kṛṣṇasyāpi viceṣṭitam | prabhavaṁ mānuṣe loke devakāryārthasiddhaye ||

"To you I shall now relate the deeds of Krishna as well — his manifestation in the human world, for the accomplishment of the gods' purpose."

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.4.20.54)

कालिन्दीपुलिने रम्ये ह्यासीन्मधुवनं पुरा । लवणो मधुपुत्रस्तु तत्रासीद्दानवो बली ॥

kālindīpuline ramye hyāsīnmadhuvanaṁ purā | lavaṇo madhuputrastu tatrāsīddānavo balī ||

"On the beautiful banks of the Kalindi, there was in the past a Madhuvana; there dwelt Lavana, son of Madhu, a mighty Danava."

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.4.20.55)

द्विजानां दुःखदः पापो वरदानेन गर्वितः । निहतोऽसौ महाभाग लक्ष्मणस्यानुजेन वै ॥

dvijānāṁ duḥkhadaḥ pāpo varadānena garvitaḥ | nihato'sau mahābhāga lakṣmaṇasyānujena vai ||

"The sinful giver of sorrow to the twice-born, proud on account of a boon — he, O great one, was slain by the younger brother of Lakshmana."

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.4.20.56)

शत्रुघ्नेनाथ सङ्ग्रामे तं निहत्य मदोत्कटम् । वासिता मथुरा नाम पुरी परमशोभना ॥

śatrughnenātha saṅgrāme taṁ nihatya madotkaṭam | vāsitā mathurā nāma purī paramaśobhanā ||

"Then Shatrughna, having slain that arrogant one in battle, established the most beautiful city named Mathura."

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.4.20.57)

स तत्र पुष्कराक्षौ द्वौ पुत्रौ शत्रुनिषूदनः । निवेश्य राज्ये मतिमान्काले प्राप्ते दिवं गतः ॥

sa tatra puṣkarākṣau dvau putrau śatruniṣūdanaḥ | niveśya rājye matimānkāle prāpte divaṁ gataḥ ||

"He, the destroyer of foes, the wise one, having installed there in the kingdom his two sons, Pushkara and Aksha, when the time came, went to heaven."

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.4.20.58)

सूर्यवंशक्षये तां तु यादवाः प्रतिपेदिरे । मथुरां मुक्तिदा राजन् ययातितनयः पुरा ॥

sūryavaṁśakṣaye tāṁ tu yādavāḥ pratipedire | mathurāṁ muktidā rājan yayātitanayaḥ purā ||

"At the decline of the Solar dynasty, the Yadavas took possession of that liberation-giving Mathura, O king — she who had, in ancient times, belonged to the son of Yayati."

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.4.20.59)

श्ण्सेनाभिधः श्द्वस्तत्राभून्मेदिनीपतिः । माथुराच्छूरसेनांश्च बुभुजे विषयान्नृप ॥

śṇsenābhidhaḥ śdvastatrābhūnmedinīpatiḥ | māthurācchūrasenāṁśca bubhuje viṣayānnṛpa ||

"There, one named Shurasena, a hero, became the lord of the earth; O king, he enjoyed the territories of Mathura and Shurasena."

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.4.20.60)

तत्रोत्पन्नः कश्यपांशः शापाच्च वरुणस्य वै । वसुदेवोऽतिविख्यातः शूरसेनसुतस्तदा ॥

tatrotpannaḥ kaśyapāṁśaḥ śāpācca varuṇasya vai | vasudevo'tivikhyātaḥ śūrasenasutastadā ||

"There was born, as a portion of Kashyapa, on account of Varuna's curse indeed, the highly renowned Vasudeva, then the son of Shurasena."

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.4.20.61)

वैश्यवृत्तिरतः सोऽभून्मृते पितरि माधवः । उग्रसेनो बभूवाथ कंसस्तस्यात्मजो महान् ॥

vaiśyavṛttirataḥ so'bhūnmṛte pitari mādhavaḥ | ugraseno babhūvātha kaṁsastasyātmajo mahān ||

"Devoted to the Vaishya's occupation, that Madhava became so upon his father's death; then Ugrasena became king, and Kamsa, his great son —"

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.4.20.62)

अदितिर्देवकी जाता देवकस्य सुता तदा । शापाद्वै वरुणस्याथ कश्यपानुगता किल ॥

aditirdevakī jātā devakasya sutā tadā | śāpādvai varuṇasyātha kaśyapānugatā kila ||

"Aditi was born as Devaki, then the daughter of Devaka — by the curse of Varuna, having followed Kashyapa indeed."

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.4.20.63)

दत्ता सा वसुदेवाय देवकेन महात्मना । विवाहे रचिते तत्र वागभूद् गगने तदा ॥

dattā sā vasudevāya devakena mahātmanā | vivāhe racite tatra vāgabhūd gagane tadā ||

"She was given to Vasudeva by the great-souled Devaka; and when the marriage was arranged there, a voice arose then in the sky:"

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.4.20.64)

कंस कंस महाभाग देवकीगर्भसम्भवः । अष्टमस्तु सुतः श्रीमांस्तव हन्ता भविष्यति ॥

kaṁsa kaṁsa mahābhāga devakīgarbhasambhavaḥ | aṣṭamastu sutaḥ śrīmāṁstava hantā bhaviṣyati ||

"'O Kamsa, Kamsa, O great one! The eighth son, born of Devaki's womb, glorious, shall be your slayer.'"

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.4.20.65)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं कंसो विस्मितोऽभून्महाबलः । देववाचं तु तां मत्वा सत्यां चिन्तामवाप सः ॥

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ kaṁso vismito'bhūnmahābalaḥ | devavācaṁ tu tāṁ matvā satyāṁ cintāmavāpa saḥ ||

Hearing this word, Kamsa, of mighty strength, became astonished; taking that divine voice to be true, he fell into anxious thought.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.4.20.66)

किं करोमीति सञ्चिन्त्य विमर्शमकरोत्तदा । निहत्यैनां न मे मृत्युर्भवेदद्यैव सत्वरम् ॥

kiṁ karomīti sañcintya vimarśamakarottadā | nihatyaināṁ na me mṛtyurbhavedadyaiva satvaram ||

Thinking "What shall I do," he deliberated: "If I slay her, my death shall not come about swiftly, this very day."

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.4.20.67)

उपायो नान्यथा चास्मिन्कार्ये मृत्युभयावहे । इयं पितृष्वसा पूज्या कथं हन्मीत्यचिन्तयत् ॥

upāyo nānyathā cāsminkārye mṛtyubhayāvahe | iyaṁ pitṛṣvasā pūjyā kathaṁ hanmītyacintayat ||

"There is no other means in this matter fraught with the fear of death; but she is my father's sister, worthy of honor — how shall I slay her?" — thus he pondered.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.4.20.68)

पुनर्विचारयामास मरणं मेऽस्त्यहो स्वसा । पापेनापि प्रकर्तव्या देहरक्षा विपश्चिता ॥

punarvicārayāmāsa maraṇaṁ me'styaho svasā | pāpenāpi prakartavyā deharakṣā vipaścitā ||

He reflected again: "Ah, my death is at stake — even by a sinful act, the protection of one's body must be undertaken by the wise."

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.4.20.69)

प्रायश्चित्तेन पापस्य शुद्धिर्भवति सर्वदा । प्राणरक्षा प्रकर्तव्या बुधैरप्येनसा तथा ॥

prāyaścittena pāpasya śuddhirbhavati sarvadā | prāṇarakṣā prakartavyā budhairapyenasā tathā ||

"Purification of sin always comes through expiation; the protection of one's life-breath must be undertaken by the wise, even through wrongdoing."

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.4.20.70)

विचिन्त्य मनसा कंसः खड्गमादाय सत्वरः । जग्राह तां वरारोहां केशेष्वाकृष्य पापकृत् ॥

vicintya manasā kaṁsaḥ khaḍgamādāya satvaraḥ | jagrāha tāṁ varārohāṁ keśeṣvākṛṣya pāpakṛt ||

Having thus reflected in his mind, Kamsa swiftly took up his sword, and, the sinful one, seized that fair-limbed woman by the hair, dragging her.

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.4.20.71)

कोशात्खड्गमुपाकृष्य हन्तुकामो दुराशयः । पश्यतां सर्वलोकानां नवोढां तां चकर्ष ह ॥

kośātkhaḍgamupākṛṣya hantukāmo durāśayaḥ | paśyatāṁ sarvalokānāṁ navoḍhāṁ tāṁ cakarṣa ha ||

Drawing the sword from its sheath, wicked of intent and wishing to kill her, he dragged that newly-wed woman before the eyes of all the people.

Verse 72 (devibhagavatam.4.20.72)

हन्यमानाञ्च तां दृष्ट्वा हाहाकारो महानभूत् । वसुदेवानुगा वीरा युद्धायोद्यतकार्मुकाः ॥

hanyamānāñca tāṁ dṛṣṭvā hāhākāro mahānabhūt | vasudevānugā vīrā yuddhāyodyatakārmukāḥ ||

Seeing her about to be slain, a great outcry of "Alas, alas!" arose; the heroes following Vasudeva readied their bows for battle.

Verse 73 (devibhagavatam.4.20.73)

मुञ्च मुञ्चेति प्रोचुस्तं ते तदाद्भुतसाहसाः । कृपया मोचयामासुर्देवकीं देवमातरम् ॥

muñca muñceti procustaṁ te tadādbhutasāhasāḥ | kṛpayā mocayāmāsurdevakīṁ devamātaram ||

"Release her, release her!" — thus those of astonishing daring said to him then; out of compassion, they sought to free Devaki, mother of the god.

Verse 74 (devibhagavatam.4.20.74)

तद्युद्धमभवद् घोरं वीराणाञ्च परस्परम् । वसुदेवसहायानां कंसेन च महात्मना ॥

tadyuddhamabhavad ghoraṁ vīrāṇāñca parasparam | vasudevasahāyānāṁ kaṁsena ca mahātmanā ||

That terrible battle then took place between the heroes on both sides — between Vasudeva's allies and the great-souled Kamsa.

Verse 75 (devibhagavatam.4.20.75)

वर्तमाने तथा युद्धे दारुणे लोमहर्षणे । कंसं निवारयामासुर्वृद्धा ये यदुसत्तमाः ॥

vartamāne tathā yuddhe dāruṇe lomaharṣaṇe | kaṁsaṁ nivārayāmāsurvṛddhā ye yadusattamāḥ ||

While that dreadful, hair-raising battle was taking place, the elder, most eminent Yadus restrained Kamsa.

Verse 76 (devibhagavatam.4.20.76)

पितृष्वसेयं ते वीर पूजनीया च बालिशा । न हन्तव्या त्वया वीर विवाहोत्सवसङ्गमे ॥

pitṛṣvaseyaṁ te vīra pūjanīyā ca bāliśā | na hantavyā tvayā vīra vivāhotsavasaṅgame ||

"O hero, this is your father's sister, worthy of honor, though foolish in her fear; she must not be slain by you, O hero, at the occasion of a marriage celebration."

Verse 77 (devibhagavatam.4.20.77)

स्त्रीहत्या दुःसहा वीर कीर्तिघ्नी पापकृत्तमा । भूतभाषितमात्रेण न कर्तव्या विजानता ॥

strīhatyā duḥsahā vīra kīrtighnī pāpakṛttamā | bhūtabhāṣitamātreṇa na kartavyā vijānatā ||

"The killing of a woman is unbearable, O hero, destructive of fame, the worst of sinful acts; it must not be done by one who understands, merely on account of a disembodied voice."

Verse 78 (devibhagavatam.4.20.78)

अन्तर्हितेन केनापि शत्रुणा तव चास्य वा । उदितेति कुतो न स्याद्वागनर्थकरी विभो ॥

antarhitena kenāpi śatruṇā tava cāsya vā | uditeti kuto na syādvāganarthakarī vibho ||

"By some hidden enemy of yours, or of hers, that voice may have been uttered — why should it not be, O lord, a speech contrived for mischief?"

Verse 79 (devibhagavatam.4.20.79)

यशसस्ते विघाताय वसुदेवगृहस्य च । अरिणा रचिता वाणी गुणमायाविदा नृप ॥

yaśasaste vighātāya vasudevagṛhasya ca | ariṇā racitā vāṇī guṇamāyāvidā nṛpa ||

"For the destruction of your fame, and of Vasudeva's household, a speech may have been contrived by an enemy skilled in the magic of deceptive qualities, O king."

Verse 80 (devibhagavatam.4.20.80)

बिभेषि वीरस्त्वं भूत्वा भूतभाषितभाषया । यशोमूलविघातार्थमुपायस्त्वरिणा कृतः ॥

bibheṣi vīrastvaṁ bhūtvā bhūtabhāṣitabhāṣayā | yaśomūlavighātārthamupāyastvariṇā kṛtaḥ ||

"You, though a hero, are frightened by mere words attributed to a disembodied voice; this device was contrived by an enemy for the destruction of the very root of your fame."

Verse 81 (devibhagavatam.4.20.81)

पितृष्वसा न हन्तव्या विवाहसमये पुनः । भवितव्यं महाराज भवेच्च कथमन्यथा ॥

pitṛṣvasā na hantavyā vivāhasamaye punaḥ | bhavitavyaṁ mahārāja bhavecca kathamanyathā ||

"Your father's sister must not be slain, especially at the time of a marriage; O great king, what is destined must come to pass — how could it be otherwise?"

Verse 82 (devibhagavatam.4.20.82)

एवं तैर्बोध्यमानोऽसौ निवृत्तो नाभवद्यदा । तदा तं वसुदेवोऽपि नीतिज्ञः प्रत्यभाषत ॥

evaṁ tairbodhyamāno'sau nivṛtto nābhavadyadā | tadā taṁ vasudevo'pi nītijñaḥ pratyabhāṣata ||

Thus being counseled by them, when he did not desist, then Vasudeva too, the knower of statecraft, spoke to him in reply —

Verse 83 (devibhagavatam.4.20.83)

कंस सत्यं ब्रवीम्यद्य सत्याधारं जगत्त्रयम् । दास्यामि देवकीपुत्रानुत्पन्नांस्तव सर्वशः ॥

kaṁsa satyaṁ bravīmyadya satyādhāraṁ jagattrayam | dāsyāmi devakīputrānutpannāṁstava sarvaśaḥ ||

"O Kamsa, I speak the truth today, by the truth that upholds the three worlds: I shall hand over to you every son of Devaki that is born, without exception."

Verse 84 (devibhagavatam.4.20.84)

जातं जातं सुतं तुभ्यं न दास्यामि यदि प्रभो । कुम्भीपाके तदा घोरे पतन्तु मम पूर्वजाः ॥

jātaṁ jātaṁ sutaṁ tubhyaṁ na dāsyāmi yadi prabho | kumbhīpāke tadā ghore patantu mama pūrvajāḥ ||

"If, O lord, I do not give to you each son as he is born, then let my ancestors fall into the terrible Kumbhipaka hell."

Verse 85 (devibhagavatam.4.20.85)

श्रुत्वाथ वचनं सत्यं पौरवा ये पुरःस्थिताः । ऊचुस्ते त्वरिताः कंसं साधु साधु पुनः पुनः ॥

śrutvātha vacanaṁ satyaṁ pauravā ye puraḥsthitāḥ | ūcuste tvaritāḥ kaṁsaṁ sādhu sādhu punaḥ punaḥ ||

Hearing this truthful speech, the citizens who stood there before them quickly said to Kamsa, again and again: "Well said, well said!"

Verse 86 (devibhagavatam.4.20.86)

न मिथ्या भाषते क्वापि वसुदेवो महामनाः । केशं मुञ्च महाभाग स्त्रीहत्या पातकं तथा ॥

na mithyā bhāṣate kvāpi vasudevo mahāmanāḥ | keśaṁ muñca mahābhāga strīhatyā pātakaṁ tathā ||

"Vasudeva, the noble-minded, never speaks falsely anywhere. Release her hair, O great one; the killing of a woman is indeed a sin."

Verse 87 (devibhagavatam.4.20.87)

व्यास उवाच । एवं प्रबोधितः कंसो यदुवृद्धैर्महात्मभिः । क्रोधं त्यक्त्वा स्थितस्तत्र सत्यवाक्यानुमोदितः ॥

vyāsa uvāca | evaṁ prabodhitaḥ kaṁso yaduvṛddhairmahātmabhiḥ | krodhaṁ tyaktvā sthitastatra satyavākyānumoditaḥ ||

Vyasa said: Thus counseled by the great-souled elders of the Yadus, Kamsa, abandoning his anger, remained there, satisfied by the truthful speech.

Verse 88 (devibhagavatam.4.20.88)

ततो दुन्दुभयो नेदुर्वादित्राणि च सस्वनुः । जयशब्दस्तु सर्वेषामुत्पन्नस्तत्र संसदि ॥

tato dundubhayo nedurvāditrāṇi ca sasvanuḥ | jayaśabdastu sarveṣāmutpannastatra saṁsadi ||

Then kettledrums sounded, and musical instruments resounded; a cry of "Victory!" arose from all, there in that assembly.

Verse 89 (devibhagavatam.4.20.89)

प्रसाद्य कंसं प्रतिमोच्य देवकीं महायशाः शूरसुतस्तदानीम् । जगाम गेहं स्वजनानुवृत्तो नवोढया वीतभयस्तरस्वी ॥

prasādya kaṁsaṁ pratimocya devakīṁ mahāyaśāḥ śūrasutastadānīm | jagāma gehaṁ svajanānuvṛtto navoḍhayā vītabhayastarasvī ||

Having appeased Kamsa and released Devaki, the glorious son of Shura then, followed by his own kinsmen, went home with his newly-wedded wife, swift and freed from fear.