The Severing of Bana's Arms and the Humbling of His Pride

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.193.1)

व्यास उवाच । सनत्कुमार सर्वज्ञ ब्रह्मपुत्र नमोऽस्तु ते । अद्भुतेयं कथा तात श्राविता मे त्वया मुने

vyāsa uvāca sanatkumāra sarvajña brahmaputra namo'stu te adbhuteyaṁ kathā tāta śrāvitā me tvayā mune

Vyasa said: O all-knowing Sanatkumara, son of Brahma, salutation to you! O sage, dear one, this wondrous tale you have made me hear.

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.193.2)

जृम्भिते जृम्भणास्त्रेण हरिणा समरे हरे । हते बाणबले बाणः किमकार्षीच्च तद्वद

jṛmbhite jṛmbhaṇāstreṇa hariṇā samare hare hate bāṇabale bāṇaḥ kimakārṣīcca tadvada

When Hara had been made to yawn by Hari's Jrimbhana weapon in battle, and Bana's army was slain, what did Bana then do? Tell me this.

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.193.3)

सूत उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य व्यासस्यामिततेजसः । प्रत्युवाच प्रसन्नात्मा ब्रह्मपुत्रो मुनीश्वरः

sūta uvāca ityākarṇya vacastasya vyāsasyāmitatejasaḥ pratyuvāca prasannātmā brahmaputro munīśvaraḥ

Suta said: Hearing these words of Vyasa, of boundless splendor, the son of Brahma, that lord of sages, replied with a pleased heart.

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.193.4)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । शृणु व्यास महाप्राज्ञ कथां च परमाद्भुताम् । कृष्णशङ्करयोस्तात लोकलीलानुसारिणोः

sanatkumāra uvāca śṛṇu vyāsa mahāprājña kathāṁ ca paramādbhutām kṛṣṇaśaṅkarayostāta lokalīlānusāriṇoḥ

Sanatkumara said: Hear, O Vyasa, greatly wise one, dear one, this supremely wondrous story of Krishna and Shankara, each following the play proper to his own worldly role.

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.193.5)

शयिते लीलया रुद्रे सपुत्रे सगणे सति । बाणो विनिर्गतो युद्धं कर्तुं कृष्णेन दैत्यराट्

śayite līlayā rudre saputre sagaṇe sati bāṇo vinirgato yuddhaṁ kartuṁ kṛṣṇena daityarāṭ

While Rudra, together with his son and his ganas, lay drowsy in that sport, the daitya king Bana came forth to do battle with Krishna.

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.193.6)

कुम्भाण्डसङ्गृहीताश्वो नानाशस्त्रास्त्रधृक् ततः । चकार युद्धमतुलं बलिपुत्रो महाबलः

kumbhāṇḍasaṅgṛhītāśvo nānāśastrāstradhṛk tataḥ cakāra yuddhamatulaṁ baliputro mahābalaḥ

His horses managed by Kumbhanda, armed with manifold weapons, that mighty son of Bali then waged an incomparable battle.

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.193.7)

दृष्ट्वा निजबलं नष्टं स दैत्येन्द्रोऽत्यमर्षितः । चकार युद्धमतुलं बलिपुत्रो महाबलः

dṛṣṭvā nijabalaṁ naṣṭaṁ sa daityendro'tyamarṣitaḥ cakāra yuddhamatulaṁ baliputro mahābalaḥ

Seeing his own army destroyed, that lord of daityas, greatly enraged, that mighty son of Bali, waged an incomparable battle.

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.193.8)

श्रीकृष्णोऽपि महावीरो गिरिशाप्तमहाबलः । उच्चैर्जगर्ज तत्राजौ बाणं मत्वा तृणोपमम्

śrīkṛṣṇo'pi mahāvīro giriśāptamahābalaḥ uccairjagarja tatrājau bāṇaṁ matvā tṛṇopamam

Shri Krishna too, the great hero, whose might was granted by Girisha, roared loudly on that battlefield, regarding Bana as a mere blade of grass.

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.193.9)

धनुष्टङ्कारयामास शार्ङ्गाख्यं निजमद्भुतम् । त्रासयन्बाणसैन्यं तदवशिष्टं मुनीश्वर

dhanuṣṭaṅkārayāmāsa śārṅgākhyaṁ nijamadbhutam trāsayanbāṇasainyaṁ tadavaśiṣṭaṁ munīśvara

O lord of sages, he twanged his own wondrous bow called Sharnga, terrifying what remained of Bana's army.

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.193.10)

तेन नादेन महता धनुष्टङ्कारजेन हि । द्यावाभूम्योरन्तरं वै व्याप्तमासीदनन्तरम्

tena nādena mahatā dhanuṣṭaṅkārajena hi dyāvābhūmyorantaraṁ vai vyāptamāsīdanantaram

By that mighty sound, born of the bowstring's twang, the whole space between heaven and earth was instantly filled.

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.193.11)

चिक्षेप विविधान्बाणान्बाणाय कुपितो हरिः । कर्णान्तं तद्विकृष्याथ तीक्ष्णानाशीविषोपमान्

cikṣepa vividhānbāṇānbāṇāya kupito hariḥ karṇāntaṁ tadvikṛṣyātha tīkṣṇānāśīviṣopamān

Enraged, Hari, drawing his bow back to his ear, loosed at Bana various sharp arrows resembling venomous serpents.

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.193.12)

आयातस्तान्निरीक्ष्याऽथ स बाणो बलिनन्दनः । अप्राप्तानेव चिच्छेद स्वशरैः स्वधनुश्च्युतैः

āyātastānnirīkṣyā'tha sa bāṇo balinandanaḥ aprāptāneva ciccheda svaśaraiḥ svadhanuścyutaiḥ

Seeing them coming, Bana, son of Bali, cut them all down before they could even reach him, with his own arrows loosed from his own bow.

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.193.13)

पुनर्जगर्ज स विभुर्बाणो वैरिगणार्दनः । तत्रसुर्वृष्णयः सर्वे कृष्णात्मानो विचेतसः

punarjagarja sa vibhurbāṇo vairigaṇārdanaḥ tatrasurvṛṣṇayaḥ sarve kṛṣṇātmāno vicetasaḥ

That mighty Bana, tormentor of the enemy hosts, roared again; and all the Vrishnis, whose very soul was Krishna, trembled, their senses shaken.

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.193.14)

स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्भोजं चिक्षेप निजसायकान् । स कृष्णायातिशूराय महागर्वो बलेः सुतः

smṛtvā śivapadāmbhojaṁ cikṣepa nijasāyakān sa kṛṣṇāyātiśūrāya mahāgarvo baleḥ sutaḥ

Calling to mind the lotus feet of Shiva, that greatly proud son of Bali loosed his own arrows at Krishna, that most valiant one.

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.193.15)

कृष्णोऽपि तानसम्प्राप्तानच्छिनत्स्वशरैर्द्रुतम् । स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्भोजममरारिर्महाबलः

kṛṣṇo'pi tānasamprāptānacchinatsvaśarairdrutam smṛtvā śivapadāmbhojamamarārirmahābalaḥ

Krishna too — that mighty slayer of the enemies of the gods — calling to mind the lotus feet of Shiva, swiftly cut them all down with his own arrows before they arrived.

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.193.16)

रामादयो वृष्णयश्च स्वं स्वं योद्धारमाहवे । निजघ्नुर्बलिनःसर्वे कृत्वा क्रोधं समाकुलाः

rāmādayo vṛṣṇayaśca svaṁ svaṁ yoddhāramāhave nijaghnurbalinaḥsarve kṛtvā krodhaṁ samākulāḥ

Rama and the other Vrishnis, all mighty, gave way to rage and, in confusion, struck down their own respective opponents in that battle.

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.193.17)

इत्थं चिरतरं तत्र बलिनोश्च द्वयोरपि । बभूव तुमुलं युद्धं शृण्वतां विस्मयावहम्

itthaṁ cirataraṁ tatra balinośca dvayorapi babhūva tumulaṁ yuddhaṁ śṛṇvatāṁ vismayāvaham

Thus, for a very long time, a tumultuous battle raged there between those two mighty ones — a battle astonishing to all who heard of it.

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.193.18)

तस्मिन्नवसरे तत्र क्रोधं कृत्वाऽति पक्षिराट् । बाणासुरबलं सर्वं पक्षाघातैरमर्दयत्

tasminnavasare tatra krodhaṁ kṛtvā'ti pakṣirāṭ bāṇāsurabalaṁ sarvaṁ pakṣāghātairamardayat

At that moment, the king of birds, flying into great rage, crushed the whole of Banasura's army with blows of his wings.

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.193.19)

मर्दितं स्वबलं दृष्ट्वा मर्दयन्तं च तं बली । चुकोपाति बलेः पुत्रः शैवराड् दितिजेश्वरः

marditaṁ svabalaṁ dṛṣṭvā mardayantaṁ ca taṁ balī cukopāti baleḥ putraḥ śaivarāḍ ditijeśvaraḥ

Seeing his own army crushed, and seeing him crushing it, that mighty son of Bali, the Shaiva king, lord of the daityas, grew utterly enraged.

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.193.20)

स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्भोजं सहस्रभुजवान्द्रुतम् । महत्पराक्रमं चक्रे वैरिणां दुःसहं स वै

smṛtvā śivapadāmbhojaṁ sahasrabhujavāndrutam mahatparākramaṁ cakre vairiṇāṁ duḥsahaṁ sa vai

Calling to mind the lotus feet of Shiva, that thousand-armed one at once displayed a might unbearable to his enemies.

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.193.21)

चिक्षेप युगपद्बाणानमितांस्तत्र वीरहा । कृष्णादिसर्वयदुषु गरुडे च पृथक् पृथक्

cikṣepa yugapadbāṇānamitāṁstatra vīrahā kṛṣṇādisarvayaduṣu garuḍe ca pṛthak pṛthak

That slayer of heroes loosed countless arrows all at once, separately, at Krishna and all the other Yadavas, and at Garuda.

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.193.22)

जघानैकेन गरुडं कृष्णमेकेन पत्त्रिणा । बलमेकेन च मुने परानपि तथा बली

jaghānaikena garuḍaṁ kṛṣṇamekena pattriṇā balamekena ca mune parānapi tathā balī

O sage, with one arrow he struck Garuda, with another feathered shaft he struck Krishna, with another Balarama, and so too the mighty one struck all the others.

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.193.23)

ततः कृष्णो महावीर्यो विष्णुरूपः सुरारिहा । चुकोपातिरणे तस्मिञ्जगर्ज च महेश्वरः

tataḥ kṛṣṇo mahāvīryo viṣṇurūpaḥ surārihā cukopātiraṇe tasmiñjagarja ca maheśvaraḥ

Then Krishna, of great valor, in his form as Vishnu, slayer of the enemies of the gods, grew furious in that battle, and roared like a great lord.

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.193.24)

जघान बाणं तरसा शार्ङ्गनिःसृतसच्छरैः । अति तद्बलमत्युग्रं युगपत्स्मृतशङ्करः

jaghāna bāṇaṁ tarasā śārṅganiḥsṛtasaccharaiḥ ati tadbalamatyugraṁ yugapatsmṛtaśaṅkaraḥ

Calling Shankara to mind, he swiftly struck down Bana and his most fierce army all at once, with true arrows loosed from his Sharnga bow.

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.193.25)

चिच्छेद तद्धनुः शीघ्रं छत्रादिकमनाकुलः । हयांश्च पातयामास हत्वा तान्स्वशरैर्हरिः

ciccheda taddhanuḥ śīghraṁ chatrādikamanākulaḥ hayāṁśca pātayāmāsa hatvā tānsvaśarairhariḥ

Undisturbed, he swiftly cut apart Bana's bow, his royal umbrella, and the rest; and Hari, striking down his horses with his own arrows, felled them.

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.193.26)

बाणोऽपि च महावीरो जगर्जाति प्रकुप्य ह । कृष्णं जघान गदया सोऽपतद्धरणीतले

bāṇo'pi ca mahāvīro jagarjāti prakupya ha kṛṣṇaṁ jaghāna gadayā so'pataddharaṇītale

Bana too, that great hero, roared, greatly enraged, and struck Krishna with his mace, so that he fell to the ground.

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.193.27)

उत्थायारं ततः कृष्णो युयुधे तेन शत्रुणा । शिवभक्तेन देवर्षे लोकलीलाऽनुसारतः

utthāyāraṁ tataḥ kṛṣṇo yuyudhe tena śatruṇā śivabhaktena devarṣe lokalīlā'nusārataḥ

O divine sage, Krishna then rose up at once and fought that enemy, that devotee of Shiva, each following the role proper to his own worldly play.

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.193.28)

एवं द्वयोश्चिरं कालं बभूव सुमहान् रणः । शिवरूपो हरिः कृष्णः स च शैवोत्तमो बली

evaṁ dvayościraṁ kālaṁ babhūva sumahān raṇaḥ śivarūpo hariḥ kṛṣṇaḥ sa ca śaivottamo balī

Thus, for a very long time, a mighty battle raged between the two — Krishna, Hari, and that mighty one, foremost among Shiva's devotees.

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.193.29)

कृष्णोऽथ कृत्वा समरं चिरं बाणेन वीर्यवान् । शिवाऽऽज्ञया प्राप्तबलश्चुकोपाति मुनीश्वर

kṛṣṇo'tha kṛtvā samaraṁ ciraṁ bāṇena vīryavān śivā''jñayā prāptabalaścukopāti munīśvara

O lord of sages, Krishna, that valiant one, having fought a long battle with Bana, his strength granted by Shiva's own command, grew exceedingly angry.

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.193.30)

ततःसुदर्शनेनाशु कृष्णो बाणभुजान्बहून् । चिच्छेद भगवान् शम्भुः शासनात्परवीरहा

tataḥsudarśanenāśu kṛṣṇo bāṇabhujānbahūn ciccheda bhagavān śambhuḥ śāsanātparavīrahā

Then, by the Blessed Shambhu's own sanction, Krishna, slayer of enemy heroes, swiftly cut off many of Bana's arms with the Sudarshana chakra.

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.193.31)

अवशिष्टा भुजास्तस्य चत्वारोऽतीव सुन्दराः । गतव्यथो बभूवाशु शङ्करस्य प्रसादतः

avaśiṣṭā bhujāstasya catvāro'tīva sundarāḥ gatavyatho babhūvāśu śaṅkarasya prasādataḥ

Only four exceedingly beautiful arms remained to him, and he became at once free of pain, by Shankara's grace.

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.193.32)

गतस्मृतिर्यदा बाणः शिरश्छेत्तुं समुद्यतः । कृष्णो वीरत्वमापन्नस्तदा रुद्रः समुत्थितः

gatasmṛtiryadā bāṇaḥ śiraśchettuṁ samudyataḥ kṛṣṇo vīratvamāpannastadā rudraḥ samutthitaḥ

When Bana, having lost his senses, was about to have his very head cut off, Krishna having risen fully to his heroic power, Rudra then rose up.

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.193.33)

रुद्र उवाच । भगवन्देवकीपुत्र यदाज्ञप्तं मया पुरा । तत्कृतं च त्वया विष्णो मदाज्ञाकारिणा सदा

rudra uvāca bhagavandevakīputra yadājñaptaṁ mayā purā tatkṛtaṁ ca tvayā viṣṇo madājñākāriṇā sadā

Rudra said: "Blessed son of Devaki — whatever I commanded before, that you have done, O Vishnu, ever the doer of my command."

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.193.34)

मा बाणस्य शिरश्छिन्धि संहरस्व सुदर्शनम् । मदाज्ञया चक्रमिमममोघं मज्जने सदा

mā bāṇasya śiraśchindhi saṁharasva sudarśanam madājñayā cakramimamamoghaṁ majjane sadā

"Do not cut off Bana's head; withdraw the Sudarshana. By my command was this unfailing chakra ever placed within your grasp."

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.193.35)

दत्तं मया पुरा तुभ्यमनिवार्यं रणे तव । चक्रं जयं च गोविन्द निवर्तस्व रणात्ततः

dattaṁ mayā purā tubhyamanivāryaṁ raṇe tava cakraṁ jayaṁ ca govinda nivartasva raṇāttataḥ

"By me was given to you, long ago, this chakra, unstoppable in your battles, and victory too, O Govinda; now withdraw from this fight."

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.193.36)

दधीचे रावणे वीरे तारकादिपुरेष्वपि । विना मदाज्ञां लक्ष्मीश रथाङ्गं नामुचः पुरा

dadhīce rāvaṇe vīre tārakādipureṣvapi vinā madājñāṁ lakṣmīśa rathāṅgaṁ nāmucaḥ purā

"O Lord of Lakshmi, never before, without my command, did this discus of yours ever move, whether against Dadhichi, the hero Ravana, or the cities of Taraka and the rest."

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.193.37)

त्वं तु योगीश्वरः साक्षात्परमात्मा जनार्दन । विचार्यतां स्वमनसा सर्वभूतहिते रतः

tvaṁ tu yogīśvaraḥ sākṣātparamātmā janārdana vicāryatāṁ svamanasā sarvabhūtahite rataḥ

"You, O Janardana, are yourself the very lord of yogis, the Supreme Self, ever devoted to the welfare of all beings — reflect upon this in your own mind."

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.193.38)

वरमस्य मया दत्तं न मृत्युर्भयमस्ति वै । तन्मे वचः सदा सत्यं परितुष्टोऽस्म्यहं तव

varamasya mayā dattaṁ na mṛtyurbhayamasti vai tanme vacaḥ sadā satyaṁ parituṣṭo'smyahaṁ tava

"A boon was given by me to him — that he need have no fear of death; that word of mine is ever true. I am well pleased with you."

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.193.39)

पुराऽयं गर्वितो मत्तो युद्धं देहीति मेऽब्रवीत् । भुजान्कण्डूयमानस्तु विस्मृतात्मगतिर्हरे

purā'yaṁ garvito matto yuddhaṁ dehīti me'bravīt bhujānkaṇḍūyamānastu vismṛtātmagatirhare

"O Hari, once, arrogant and intoxicated, scratching his own arms, forgetful of his own true nature, he said to me, 'Give me a war.'"

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.193.40)

तदाहमशपं तं वै भुजच्छेत्ताऽऽगमिष्यति । अचिरेणातिकालेन गतगर्वो भविष्यसि

tadāhamaśapaṁ taṁ vai bhujacchettā''gamiṣyati acireṇātikālena gatagarvo bhaviṣyasi

"Then I cursed him, saying, 'One shall come to sever your arms; before very long, you shall have your pride undone.'"

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.193.41)

मदाज्ञया हरिः प्राप्तो भुजच्छेत्ता तवाऽथ वै । निवर्तस्व रणाद्गच्छ स्वगृहं सवधूवरः

madājñayā hariḥ prāpto bhujacchettā tavā'tha vai nivartasva raṇādgaccha svagṛhaṁ savadhūvaraḥ

"By my own command, Hari has come as the severer of your arms; now withdraw from this battle, and go to your own home, together with the bride and groom."

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.193.42)

इत्युक्तः स तयोर्मैत्रीं कारयित्वा महेश्वरः । तमनुज्ञाप्य सगणः सपुत्रः स्वालयं ययौ

ityuktaḥ sa tayormaitrīṁ kārayitvā maheśvaraḥ tamanujñāpya sagaṇaḥ saputraḥ svālayaṁ yayau

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed, Maheshvara brought about friendship between the two of them, and, taking leave of Bana, went to his own abode with his ganas and his son.

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.193.43)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचः शम्भोः संहृत्य च सुदर्शनम् । अक्षताङ्गस्तु विजयी तत्कृष्णोऽन्तःपुरं ययौ

sanatkumāra uvāca ityākarṇya vacaḥ śambhoḥ saṁhṛtya ca sudarśanam akṣatāṅgastu vijayī tatkṛṣṇo'ntaḥpuraṁ yayau

Hearing these words of Shambhu, and withdrawing the Sudarshana, Krishna, unharmed and victorious, then went into the inner chamber.

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.193.44)

अनिरुद्धं समाश्वास्य सहितं भार्यया पुनः । जग्राह रत्नसङ्घातं बाणदत्तमनेकशः

aniruddhaṁ samāśvāsya sahitaṁ bhāryayā punaḥ jagrāha ratnasaṅghātaṁ bāṇadattamanekaśaḥ

He comforted Aniruddha, now reunited with his wife, and accepted the manifold heaps of jewels given by Bana.

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.193.45)

तत्सखीं चित्रलेखां च गृहीत्वा परयोगिनीम् । प्रसन्नोऽभूत्ततः कृष्णः कृतकार्यः शिवाज्ञया

tatsakhīṁ citralekhāṁ ca gṛhītvā parayoginīm prasanno'bhūttataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ kṛtakāryaḥ śivājñayā

Taking also Chitralekha, her supremely accomplished yogini friend, Krishna, his task now accomplished by Shiva's own command, became content.

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.193.46)

हृदा प्रणम्य गिरिशमामन्त्र्य च बलेः सुतम् । परिवारसमेतस्तु जगाम स्वपुरीं हरिः

hṛdā praṇamya giriśamāmantrya ca baleḥ sutam parivārasametastu jagāma svapurīṁ hariḥ

Bowing to Girisha in his heart, and taking leave of Bali's descendant, Hari, together with his retinue, set out for his own city.

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.193.47)

पथि जित्वा च वरुणं विरुद्धं तमनेकधा । द्वारकां च पुरीं प्राप्तः समुत्सवसमन्वितः

pathi jitvā ca varuṇaṁ viruddhaṁ tamanekadhā dvārakāṁ ca purīṁ prāptaḥ samutsavasamanvitaḥ

Having along the way defeated Varuna, who opposed him again and again, he arrived at the city of Dvaraka amid great festivity.

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.193.48)

विसर्जयित्वा गरुडं सखीन्वीक्ष्योपहस्य च । द्वारकायां ततो गत्वा कामचारी चचार ह

visarjayitvā garuḍaṁ sakhīnvīkṣyopahasya ca dvārakāyāṁ tato gatvā kāmacārī cacāra ha

Having dismissed Garuda, and looking upon his companions with a smile, he then went about the city of Dvaraka, wandering there as freely as he pleased.