The Curse of the Sages and the Yadava Destruction

Verse 1 (vishnu.5.37.1)

पराशर उवाच । एवं दैत्यवधं कृष्णो बलदेवसहायवान् । चक्रे दुष्टक्षितीशानां तथैव जगतः कृते

parāśara uvāca evaṁ daityavadhaṁ kṛṣṇo baladevasahāyavān cakre duṣṭakṣitīśānāṁ tathaiva jagataḥ kṛte

Parashara said: Thus, with Baladeva as his helper, Krishna brought about the destruction of the daityas and of wicked kings alike, for the sake of the world.

Verse 2 (vishnu.5.37.2)

क्षितेश्च भारं भगवान् फाल्गुनेन समं विभुः । अवतारयाम् आस हरिः समस्ताक्षौहिणीवधात्

kṣiteśca bhāraṁ bhagavān phālgunena samaṁ vibhuḥ avatārayām āsa hariḥ samastākṣauhiṇīvadhāt

And the all-pervading Blessed Hari, together with Phalguna, lightened the earth's burden through the destruction of entire armies.

Verse 3 (vishnu.5.37.3)

कृत्वा भारावतरणं भुवो हत्वाखिलान् नृपान् । शापव्याजेन विप्राणाम् उपसंहृतवान् कुलम्

kṛtvā bhārāvataraṇaṁ bhuvo hatvākhilān nṛpān śāpavyājena viprāṇām upasaṁhṛtavān kulam

Having lightened the earth's burden by slaying all such kings, he then, under the pretext of a brahmin's curse, brought about the destruction of his own clan.

Verse 4 (vishnu.5.37.4)

उत्सृज्य द्वारकां कृष्णस्त्यक्त्वा मानुष्यम् आत्मभूः । सांशो विष्णुमयं स्थानं प्रविवेश पुनर्निजम्

utsṛjya dvārakāṁ kṛṣṇastyaktvā mānuṣyam ātmabhūḥ sāṁśo viṣṇumayaṁ sthānaṁ praviveśa punarnijam

Krishna, abandoning Dvaraka and giving up his human form, the self-born one, together with his own portion, entered once more into his own abode, of the nature of Vishnu.

Verse 5 (vishnu.5.37.5)

मैत्रेय उवाच । स विप्रशापव्याजेन संजह्रे स्वकुलं कथम् । कथं च मानुषं देहम् उत्ससर्ज जनार्दनः

maitreya uvāca sa vipraśāpavyājena saṁjahre svakulaṁ katham kathaṁ ca mānuṣaṁ deham utsasarja janārdanaḥ

Maitreya said: How did he, on the pretext of a brahmin's curse, bring about the destruction of his own clan? And how did Janardana give up his human body?

Verse 6 (vishnu.5.37.6)

पराशर उवाच । विश्वामित्रस्तथा कण्वो नारदश्च महामुनिः । पिण्डारके महातीर्थे दृष्टा यदुकुमारकैः

parāśara uvāca viśvāmitrastathā kaṇvo nāradaśca mahāmuniḥ piṇḍārake mahātīrthe dṛṣṭā yadukumārakaiḥ

Parashara said: At the great sacred site of Pindaraka, Vishvamitra, Kanva, and the great sage Narada were seen there by the young princes of the Yadus.

Verse 7 (vishnu.5.37.7)

ततस्ते यौवनोन्मत्ता भाविकार्यप्रचोदिताः । साम्बं जाम्बवतीपुत्रं भूषयित्वा स्त्रियं यथा

tataste yauvanonmattā bhāvikāryapracoditāḥ sāmbaṁ jāmbavatīputraṁ bhūṣayitvā striyaṁ yathā

Then those princes, intoxicated with youth and driven on, as fate would have it, by what was to come, dressed up Samba, son of Jambavati, to look like a woman,

Verse 8 (vishnu.5.37.8)

प्रसृतास्तान् मुनीन् ऊचुः प्रणिपातपुरःसरम् । इयं स्त्री पुत्रकामस्य बभ्रोः किं जनयिष्यति

prasṛtāstān munīn ūcuḥ praṇipātapuraḥsaram iyaṁ strī putrakāmasya babhroḥ kiṁ janayiṣyati

— and, going up to those sages with a show of respectful bowing, said: 'This woman, Babhru's wife, longs for a son — what will she bring forth?'

Verse 9 (vishnu.5.37.9)

पराशर उवाच । दिव्यज्ञानोपपन्नास्ते विप्रलब्धाः कुमारकैः । मुनयः कुपिताः प्रोचुर्मुसलं जनयिष्यति । येनाखिलकुलोत्सादो यादवानां भविष्यति

parāśara uvāca divyajñānopapannāste vipralabdhāḥ kumārakaiḥ munayaḥ kupitāḥ procurmusalaṁ janayiṣyati yenākhilakulotsādo yādavānāṁ bhaviṣyati

Parashara said: Those sages, endowed with divine knowledge, angered at being tricked by the youths, said: 'She will give birth to a pestle, by which the entire clan of the Yadavas shall be destroyed.'

Verse 10 (vishnu.5.37.10)

इत्य् उक्तास्तैः कुमारास्ते आचचक्षुर्यथातथम् । उग्रसेनाय मुसलं जज्ञे साम्बस्य चोदरात्

ity uktāstaiḥ kumārāste ācacakṣuryathātatham ugrasenāya musalaṁ jajñe sāmbasya codarāt

Thus addressed, those princes went and reported the whole matter to Ugrasena exactly as it had happened; and indeed, a pestle was born from Samba's belly.

Verse 11 (vishnu.5.37.11)

तद् उग्रसेनो मुसलम् अयश्चूर्णम् अकारयत् । जज्ञे स चैरकाश्चूर्णः प्रक्षिप्तस्तैर्महोदधौ

tad ugraseno musalam ayaścūrṇam akārayat jajñe sa cairakāścūrṇaḥ prakṣiptastairmahodadhau

Ugrasena had that iron pestle ground to dust; that dust grew into reed-like eraka grass, and they cast it into the great ocean.

Verse 12 (vishnu.5.37.12)

मुसलस्याथ लोहस्य चूर्णितस्यान्धकैर्द्विज । खण्डं चूर्णयितुं शेकुर्नैकं ते तोमराकृति

musalasyātha lohasya cūrṇitasyāndhakairdvija khaṇḍaṁ cūrṇayituṁ śekurnaikaṁ te tomarākṛti

But of that iron pestle, O twice-born, ground down by the Andhakas, there was one fragment, shaped like a spearhead, which they were unable to pulverize.

Verse 13 (vishnu.5.37.13)

तद् अप्य् अम्बुनिधौ क्षिप्तं मत्स्यो जग्राह जालिभिः । घातितस्योदरात् तस्य लुब्धो जग्राह तं जराः

tad apy ambunidhau kṣiptaṁ matsyo jagrāha jālibhiḥ ghātitasyodarāt tasya lubdho jagrāha taṁ jarāḥ

That fragment too was thrown into the ocean; a fish swallowed it and was caught by fishermen in their nets; from the belly of that slain fish, a hunter named Jara took it out.

Verse 14 (vishnu.5.37.14)

विज्ञातपरमार्थोऽपि भगवान् मधुसूदनः । नैच्छत् तद् अन्यथाकर्तुं विधिना यत् समाहितम्

vijñātaparamārtho'pi bhagavān madhusūdanaḥ naicchat tad anyathākartuṁ vidhinā yat samāhitam

The Blessed Madhusudana, though he knew the highest truth of the matter, did not wish to alter what fate had already determined.

Verse 15 (vishnu.5.37.15)

देवैश्च प्रहितो दूतः प्रणिपत्याह केशवम् । रहस्य् एवम् अहं दूतः प्रहितो भगवन् सुरैः

devaiśca prahito dūtaḥ praṇipatyāha keśavam rahasy evam ahaṁ dūtaḥ prahito bhagavan suraiḥ

And a messenger, sent by the gods, bowed before Keshava and said: 'O Blessed Lord, I am a messenger sent privately by the gods, in this manner.'

Verse 16 (vishnu.5.37.16)

वस्वश्विमरुदादित्यरुद्रसाध्यादिभिः सह । विज्ञापयति वः शक्रस्तद् इदं श्रूयतां प्रभो

vasvaśvimarudādityarudrasādhyādibhiḥ saha vijñāpayati vaḥ śakrastad idaṁ śrūyatāṁ prabho

'Together with the Vasus, the Ashvins, the Maruts, the Adityas, the Rudras, the Sadhyas, and the rest, Shakra sends you this message — hear it, O Lord.'

Verse 17 (vishnu.5.37.17)

भारावतारणार्थाय वर्षाणाम् अधिकं शतम् । भगवान् अवतीर्णोऽत्र त्रिदशैः संप्रसादितः

bhārāvatāraṇārthāya varṣāṇām adhikaṁ śatam bhagavān avatīrṇo'tra tridaśaiḥ saṁprasāditaḥ

'For more than a hundred years now, the Blessed Lord has been incarnate here, entreated by the thirty gods, for the sake of lightening the earth's burden.'

Verse 18 (vishnu.5.37.18)

दुर्वृत्ता निहता दैत्या भुवो भारोऽवतारितः । त्वया सनाथास्त्रिदशा भवन्तु त्रिदिवे सदा

durvṛttā nihatā daityā bhuvo bhāro'vatāritaḥ tvayā sanāthāstridaśā bhavantu tridive sadā

'The wicked daityas have been slain, the earth's burden has been lightened; may the thirty gods, thus protected by you, dwell secure forever in the heavens.'

Verse 19 (vishnu.5.37.19)

तद् अतीतं जगन्नाथ वर्षाणाम् अधिकं शतम् । इदानीं गम्यतां स्वर्गो भवता यदि रोचते

tad atītaṁ jagannātha varṣāṇām adhikaṁ śatam idānīṁ gamyatāṁ svargo bhavatā yadi rocate

'So, O Lord of the world, more than a hundred years have now passed; if it pleases you, let heaven now be your destination.'

Verse 20 (vishnu.5.37.20)

देवैर्विज्ञाप्यते चेदं अथात्रैव रतिस्तव । तत् स्थीयतां यथाकालम् आख्येयम् अनुजीविभिः

devairvijñāpyate cedaṁ athātraiva ratistava tat sthīyatāṁ yathākālam ākhyeyam anujīvibhiḥ

'This too the gods make known: but if your pleasure is still to remain here, then remain as long as you wish — only let this be made known to those who depend on you.'

Verse 21 (vishnu.5.37.21)

भगवान् उवाच । यत् त्वम् आत्थाखिलं दूत वेद्म्य् एतद् अहम् अप्य् उत । प्रारब्ध एव हि मया यादवानाम् अपि क्षयः

bhagavān uvāca yat tvam ātthākhilaṁ dūta vedmy etad aham apy uta prārabdha eva hi mayā yādavānām api kṣayaḥ

The Blessed Lord said: 'O messenger, all that you have told me, I already know; indeed, I myself have already set in motion the destruction of the Yadavas too.'

Verse 22 (vishnu.5.37.22)

भुवो नाद्यापि भारोऽयं यादवैरनिबर्हितैः । अवतार्य करोम्य् एतत् सप्तरात्रेण सत्वरः

bhuvo nādyāpi bhāro'yaṁ yādavairanibarhitaiḥ avatārya karomy etat saptarātreṇa satvaraḥ

'This burden of the earth, borne by the still-undestroyed Yadavas, is not yet lifted; swiftly, within seven nights, I shall accomplish this.'

Verse 23 (vishnu.5.37.23)

यथा गृहीतम् अम्भोधेर्दत्त्वाहं द्वारकाभुवम् । यादवान् उपसंहृत्य यास्यामि त्रिदशालयम्

yathā gṛhītam ambhodherdattvāhaṁ dvārakābhuvam yādavān upasaṁhṛtya yāsyāmi tridaśālayam

'Having given back to the ocean the land of Dvaraka, which was taken from it, and having brought about the destruction of the Yadavas, I shall go to the abode of the thirty gods.'

Verse 24 (vishnu.5.37.24)

मनुष्यदेहम् उत्सृज्य संकर्षणसहायवान् । प्राप्त एवास्मि मन्तव्यो देवेन्द्रेण तथा सुरैः

manuṣyadeham utsṛjya saṁkarṣaṇasahāyavān prāpta evāsmi mantavyo devendreṇa tathā suraiḥ

'Together with Sankarshana as my companion, once I give up this human body, let the king of the gods and the gods regard me as having already arrived among them.'

Verse 25 (vishnu.5.37.25)

जरासंधादयो येऽन्ये निहता भारहेतवः । क्षितेस्तेभ्यः कुमारोऽपि यदूनां नापचीयते

jarāsaṁdhādayo ye'nye nihatā bhārahetavaḥ kṣitestebhyaḥ kumāro'pi yadūnāṁ nāpacīyate

'Jarasandha and the other causes of the earth's burden have already been slain; yet even a single prince of the Yadus, left alive, is enough to keep that burden undiminished.'

Verse 26 (vishnu.5.37.26)

तद् एनं सुमहाभारम् अवतार्य क्षितेरहम् । यास्याम्य् अमरलोकस्य पालनाय ब्रवीहि तान्

tad enaṁ sumahābhāram avatārya kṣiteraham yāsyāmy amaralokasya pālanāya bravīhi tān

'So, having lifted this very great burden from the earth, I shall go to the world of the immortals for its protection; tell them so.'

Verse 27 (vishnu.5.37.27)

पराशर उवाच । इत्य् उक्तो वासुदेवेन देवदूतः प्रणम्य तम् । मैत्रेय दिव्यया गत्या देवराजान्तिकं ययौ

parāśara uvāca ity ukto vāsudevena devadūtaḥ praṇamya tam maitreya divyayā gatyā devarājāntikaṁ yayau

Parashara said: Thus addressed by Vasudeva, O Maitreya, the messenger of the gods bowed to him and departed by divine passage to the presence of the king of the gods.

Verse 28 (vishnu.5.37.28)

भगवान् अप्य् अथोत्पातान् दिव्यभौमान्तरिक्षगान् । ददर्श द्वारकापुर्यां विनाशाय दिवानिशम्

bhagavān apy athotpātān divyabhaumāntarikṣagān dadarśa dvārakāpuryāṁ vināśāya divāniśam

The Blessed Lord too then beheld, day and night, in the city of Dvaraka, portents occurring in the sky, on the earth, and in the atmosphere, all foretelling destruction.

Verse 29 (vishnu.5.37.29)

तान् दृष्ट्वा यादवान् आह पश्यध्वम् अतिदारुणान् । महोत्पाताञ् छमायैषां प्रभासं याम मा चिरम्

tān dṛṣṭvā yādavān āha paśyadhvam atidāruṇān mahotpātāñ chamāyaiṣāṁ prabhāsaṁ yāma mā ciram

Seeing them, he said to the Yadavas: 'Behold these exceedingly dreadful portents; let us go without delay to Prabhasa, to appease them.'

Verse 30 (vishnu.5.37.30)

पराशर उवाच । महाभागवतः प्राह प्रणिपत्योद्धवो हरिम् । भगवन् यन् मया कार्यं तद् आज्ञापय साम्प्रतम् । मन्ये कुलम् इदं सर्वं भगवान् संहरिष्यति

parāśara uvāca mahābhāgavataḥ prāha praṇipatyoddhavo harim bhagavan yan mayā kāryaṁ tad ājñāpaya sāmpratam manye kulam idaṁ sarvaṁ bhagavān saṁhariṣyati

Parashara said: The great devotee Uddhava, bowing before Hari, said: 'O Blessed Lord, command me now as to what I should do; I believe you are about to bring about the destruction of this entire clan.'

Verse 31 (vishnu.5.37.31)

नाशायास्य निमित्तानि कुलस्याच्युत लक्षये

nāśāyāsya nimittāni kulasyācyuta lakṣaye

'I can see the signs, O Achyuta, of this clan's coming destruction.'

Verse 32 (vishnu.5.37.32)

भगवान् उवाच । गच्छ त्वं दिव्यया गत्या मत्प्रसादसमुत्थया । बदरीकाश्रमं पुण्यं गन्धमादनपर्वते । नरनारायणस्थाने तत्पावितमहीतले

bhagavān uvāca gaccha tvaṁ divyayā gatyā matprasādasamutthayā badarīkāśramaṁ puṇyaṁ gandhamādanaparvate naranārāyaṇasthāne tatpāvitamahītale

The Blessed Lord said: 'Go, by a divine passage arising from my grace, to the sacred hermitage of Badari on Mount Gandhamadana, to that ground sanctified by Nara and Narayana.'

Verse 33 (vishnu.5.37.33)

मन्मना मत्प्रसादेन तत्र सिद्धिम् अवाप्स्यसि । अहं स्वर्गं गमिष्यामि उपसंहृत्य वै कुलम्

manmanā matprasādena tatra siddhim avāpsyasi ahaṁ svargaṁ gamiṣyāmi upasaṁhṛtya vai kulam

'There, with your mind fixed on me, you shall attain perfection there by my grace; I, having brought about the destruction of the clan, shall go to heaven.'

Verse 34 (vishnu.5.37.34)

द्वारकां च मया त्यक्तां समुद्रः प्लावयिष्यति

dvārakāṁ ca mayā tyaktāṁ samudraḥ plāvayiṣyati

'And Dvaraka, once I have abandoned it, the ocean shall flood over and submerge.'

Verse 35 (vishnu.5.37.35)

पराशर उवाच । इत्य् उक्तः प्रणिपत्यैनं जगाम स तदोद्धवः । नरनारायणस्थानं केशवेनानुमोदितः

parāśara uvāca ity uktaḥ praṇipatyainaṁ jagāma sa tadoddhavaḥ naranārāyaṇasthānaṁ keśavenānumoditaḥ

Parashara said: Thus addressed, Uddhava bowed to him and then, with Keshava's leave, set off for the place of Nara-Narayana.

Verse 36 (vishnu.5.37.36)

ततस्ते यादवाः सर्वे रथान् आरुह्य शीघ्रगान् । प्रभासं प्रययुः सार्धं कृष्णरामादिभिर्द्विज

tataste yādavāḥ sarve rathān āruhya śīghragān prabhāsaṁ prayayuḥ sārdhaṁ kṛṣṇarāmādibhirdvija

Then, O twice-born, all the Yadavas, mounting their swift chariots, set out for Prabhasa together with Krishna, Rama, and the rest.

Verse 37 (vishnu.5.37.37)

प्राप्य प्रभासं प्रयताः स्नातास्ते कुकुरान्धकाः । चक्रुस्तत्र मुदा पानं वासुदेवानुमोदिताः

prāpya prabhāsaṁ prayatāḥ snātāste kukurāndhakāḥ cakrustatra mudā pānaṁ vāsudevānumoditāḥ

Reaching Prabhasa, and having bathed and purified themselves, those Kukuras and Andhakas, with Vasudeva's permission, joyfully set about drinking.

Verse 38 (vishnu.5.37.38)

पिबतां तत्र वै तेषां संघर्षेण परस्परम् । अतिवादेन्धनो जज्ञे कलहाग्निः क्षयावहः

pibatāṁ tatra vai teṣāṁ saṁgharṣeṇa parasparam ativādendhano jajñe kalahāgniḥ kṣayāvahaḥ

As they drank there, mutual friction arose among them, and, fueled by harsh words, the fire of quarreling was kindled, bringing ruin in its wake.

Verse 39 (vishnu.5.37.39)

जघ्नुः परस्परं ते तु शस्त्रैर्दैवबलात्कृताः । क्षीणशस्त्राश्च जगृहुः प्रत्यासन्नाम् अथैरकाम्

jaghnuḥ parasparaṁ te tu śastrairdaivabalātkṛtāḥ kṣīṇaśastrāśca jagṛhuḥ pratyāsannām athairakām

Compelled by the force of fate, they struck one another with weapons; and when their weapons were exhausted, they seized the nearby eraka grass.

Verse 40 (vishnu.5.37.40)

एरका तु गृहीता तैर्वज्रभूतेव लक्ष्यते । तया परस्परं जघ्नुः संप्रहारे सुदारुणे

erakā tu gṛhītā tairvajrabhūteva lakṣyate tayā parasparaṁ jaghnuḥ saṁprahāre sudāruṇe

That eraka grass, once seized in their hands, seemed to turn into a very thunderbolt; with it they struck one another down in a most dreadful massacre.

Verse 41 (vishnu.5.37.41)

प्रद्युम्नसाम्बप्रमुखाः कृतवर्माथ सात्यकिः । अनिरुद्धादयश्चान्ये पृथुर्विपृथुरेव च

pradyumnasāmbapramukhāḥ kṛtavarmātha sātyakiḥ aniruddhādayaścānye pṛthurvipṛthureva ca

Pradyumna and Samba, foremost among them, Kritavarma and Satyaki, Aniruddha and the others, Prithu and Viprithu,

Verse 42 (vishnu.5.37.42)

चारुवर्मा चारुकश्च तथाक्रूरादयो द्विज । एरकारूपिभिर्वज्रैस्ते निजघ्नुः परस्परम्

cāruvarmā cārukaśca tathākrūrādayo dvija erakārūpibhirvajraiste nijaghnuḥ parasparam

Charuvarma and Charuka, and Akrura and the rest as well, O twice-born, struck one another down with those eraka-blades turned thunderbolts.

Verse 43 (vishnu.5.37.43)

निवारयाम् आस हरिर्यादवांस्ते च केशवम् । सहायं मेनिरे प्राप्तं ते निजघ्नुः परस्परम्

nivārayām āsa hariryādavāṁste ca keśavam sahāyaṁ menire prāptaṁ te nijaghnuḥ parasparam

Hari tried to restrain the Yadavas, but they, taking even Keshava to be a combatant come to join the fray, kept striking one another down all the more.

Verse 44 (vishnu.5.37.44)

कृष्णोऽपि कुपितस्तेषाम् एरकामुष्टिम् आददे । वधाय सोऽपि मुसलं मुष्टिर्लोहम् अभूत् तदा

kṛṣṇo'pi kupitasteṣām erakāmuṣṭim ādade vadhāya so'pi musalaṁ muṣṭirloham abhūt tadā

Krishna too, now enraged, took up a fistful of eraka grass to slay them; and that fistful too turned to iron in his hand, becoming a pestle.

Verse 45 (vishnu.5.37.45)

जघान तेन निःशेषान् यादवान् आततायिनः । जघ्नुश्च सहसाभ्येत्य तथान्ये वै परस्परम्

jaghāna tena niḥśeṣān yādavān ātatāyinaḥ jaghnuśca sahasābhyetya tathānye vai parasparam

With that pestle he slew all the Yadavas who had taken up arms against one another; and the rest too, rushing suddenly at each other, struck one another down.

Verse 46 (vishnu.5.37.46)

ततश्चार्णवमध्येन जैत्रोऽसौ चक्रिणो रथः । पश्यतो दारुकस्याशु हृतोऽश्वैर्द्विजसत्तम

tataścārṇavamadhyena jaitro'sau cakriṇo rathaḥ paśyato dārukasyāśu hṛto'śvairdvijasattama

Then, O best of the twice-born, the ever-victorious chariot of the discus-bearer, before Daruka's very eyes, was swiftly borne off by its own horses into the midst of the ocean.

Verse 47 (vishnu.5.37.47)

चक्रं तथा गदा शार्ङ्गतूणी शङ्खोऽसिरेव च । प्रदक्षिणं हरिं कृत्वा जग्मुरादित्यवर्त्मना

cakraṁ tathā gadā śārṅgatūṇī śaṅkho'sireva ca pradakṣiṇaṁ hariṁ kṛtvā jagmurādityavartmanā

The discus, and the mace, the Sharnga bow with its quivers, the conch, and the sword — all of these, having circled Hari in reverence, departed along the path of the sun.

Verse 48 (vishnu.5.37.48)

क्षणेन नाभवत् कश्चिद् यादवानाम् अघातितः । ऋते कृष्णं महाबाहुं दारुकं च महामुने

kṣaṇena nābhavat kaścid yādavānām aghātitaḥ ṛte kṛṣṇaṁ mahābāhuṁ dārukaṁ ca mahāmune

In a single instant, O great sage, not one of the Yadavas was left unslain, except for the mighty-armed Krishna and Daruka.

Verse 49 (vishnu.5.37.49)

चङ्क्रम्यमाणौ तौ रामं वृक्षमूले कृतासनम् । ददृशाते मुखाच्चास्य निष्क्रामन्तं महोरगम्

caṅkramyamāṇau tau rāmaṁ vṛkṣamūle kṛtāsanam dadṛśāte mukhāccāsya niṣkrāmantaṁ mahoragam

As the two of them walked about, they saw Rama seated at the foot of a tree, and beheld a great serpent emerging from his mouth.

Verse 50 (vishnu.5.37.50)

निष्क्रम्य स मुखात् तस्य महाभोगो भुजंगमः । प्रययाव् अर्णवं सिद्धैः पूज्यमानस्तथोरगैः

niṣkramya sa mukhāt tasya mahābhogo bhujaṁgamaḥ prayayāv arṇavaṁ siddhaiḥ pūjyamānastathoragaiḥ

That great serpent, its coils vast, having emerged from Rama's mouth, made its way to the ocean, honored all the while by siddhas and by other serpents.

Verse 51 (vishnu.5.37.51)

ततोऽर्घम् आदाय तदा जलधिः संमुखं ययौ । प्रविवेश च तत्तोयं पूजितः पन्नगोत्तमैः

tato'rgham ādāya tadā jaladhiḥ saṁmukhaṁ yayau praviveśa ca tattoyaṁ pūjitaḥ pannagottamaiḥ

Then the ocean, bearing an offering, came forward to receive it; and, honored by the foremost of serpents, it entered into those waters.

Verse 52 (vishnu.5.37.52)

दृष्ट्वा बलस्य निर्याणं दारुकं प्राह केशवः । इदं सर्वं त्वम् आचक्ष्व वसुदेवोग्रसेनयोः

dṛṣṭvā balasya niryāṇaṁ dārukaṁ prāha keśavaḥ idaṁ sarvaṁ tvam ācakṣva vasudevograsenayoḥ

Seeing Bala's departure, Keshava said to Daruka: 'Relate all of this to Vasudeva and Ugrasena —'

Verse 53 (vishnu.5.37.53)

निर्याणं बलभद्रस्य यादवानां तथा क्षयम् । योगे स्थित्वाहम् अप्य् एतत् परित्यक्ष्ये कलेवरम्

niryāṇaṁ balabhadrasya yādavānāṁ tathā kṣayam yoge sthitvāham apy etat parityakṣye kalevaram

'— Balabhadra's departure, and the destruction of the Yadavas as well; I too, established in yoga, am about to give up this body.'

Verse 54 (vishnu.5.37.54)

वाच्यश्च द्वारकावासी जनः सर्वस्तथाहुकः । यथेमां नगरीं सर्वां समुद्रः प्लावयिष्यति

vācyaśca dvārakāvāsī janaḥ sarvastathāhukaḥ yathemāṁ nagarīṁ sarvāṁ samudraḥ plāvayiṣyati

'And all the people dwelling in Dvaraka, and Ahuka as well, should be told that the ocean is about to submerge this entire city.'

Verse 55 (vishnu.5.37.55)

तस्माद् भवद्भिः सज्जैस्तु प्रतीक्ष्यो ह्य् अर्जुनागमः । न स्थेयं द्वारकामध्ये निष्क्रान्ते तत्र पाण्डवे

tasmād bhavadbhiḥ sajjaistu pratīkṣyo hy arjunāgamaḥ na stheyaṁ dvārakāmadhye niṣkrānte tatra pāṇḍave

'Therefore, made ready, all of you should await Arjuna's arrival; and once that Pandava has led everyone out of Dvaraka, none should remain there.'

Verse 56 (vishnu.5.37.56)

तेनैव सह गन्तव्यं यत्र याति स कौरवः

tenaiva saha gantavyaṁ yatra yāti sa kauravaḥ

'You should go together with him, wherever that Kaurava goes.'

Verse 57 (vishnu.5.37.57)

गत्वा च ब्रूहि कौन्तेयम् अर्जुनं वचनान् मम । पालनीयस्त्वया शक्त्या जनोऽयं मत्परिग्रहः

gatvā ca brūhi kaunteyam arjunaṁ vacanān mama pālanīyastvayā śaktyā jano'yaṁ matparigrahaḥ

'And go and tell Arjuna, Kunti's son, these words of mine: this people, my own dependents, are to be protected by him with all his power.'

Verse 58 (vishnu.5.37.58)

इत्य् अर्जुनेन सहितो द्वारवत्या भवाञ् जनम् । गृहीत्वा यातु वज्रश्च यदुराजो भविष्यति

ity arjunena sahito dvāravatyā bhavāñ janam gṛhītvā yātu vajraśca yadurājo bhaviṣyati

'In this way, let him, together with Arjuna, take the people out of Dvaravati and depart; and Vajra shall become the king of the Yadus.'

Verse 59 (vishnu.5.37.59)

पराशर उवाच । इत्य् उक्तो दारुकः कृष्णं प्रणिपत्य पुनः पुनः । प्रदक्षिणं च बहुशः कृत्वा प्रायाद् यथोदितम्

parāśara uvāca ity ukto dārukaḥ kṛṣṇaṁ praṇipatya punaḥ punaḥ pradakṣiṇaṁ ca bahuśaḥ kṛtvā prāyād yathoditam

Parashara said: Thus addressed, Daruka bowed to Krishna again and again, circled him reverently many times, and set off just as he had been instructed.

Verse 60 (vishnu.5.37.60)

स गत्वा च तथा चक्रे द्वारकायां तथार्जुनम् । आनिनाय महाबुद्धिर्वज्रं चक्रे तथा नृपम्

sa gatvā ca tathā cakre dvārakāyāṁ tathārjunam ānināya mahābuddhirvajraṁ cakre tathā nṛpam

Going there, that man of great wisdom did just as instructed in Dvaraka; he brought Arjuna there, and made Vajra king.

Verse 61 (vishnu.5.37.61)

भगवान् अपि गोविन्दो वासुदेवात्मकं परम् । ब्रह्मात्मनि समारोप्य सर्वभूतेष्व् अधारयत्

bhagavān api govindo vāsudevātmakaṁ param brahmātmani samāropya sarvabhūteṣv adhārayat

The Blessed Govinda too, raising within himself his own supreme, Vasudeva-natured brahmic self, then held it established within all beings.

Verse 62 (vishnu.5.37.62)

संमानयन् द्विजवचो दुर्वासा यद् उवाच ह । योगयुक्तोऽभवत् पादं कृत्वा जानुनि सत्तम

saṁmānayan dvijavaco durvāsā yad uvāca ha yogayukto'bhavat pādaṁ kṛtvā jānuni sattama

Honoring, O worthy one, a word once spoken by the brahmin Durvasa, he became absorbed in yoga, resting his foot upon his own knee.

Verse 63 (vishnu.5.37.63)

आययौ च जरा नाम स तदा तत्र लुब्धकः । मुसलावशेषलोहैकसायकन्यस्ततोमरः

āyayau ca jarā nāma sa tadā tatra lubdhakaḥ musalāvaśeṣalohaikasāyakanyastatomaraḥ

And then a hunter named Jara came there, having fitted, onto his dart, a single arrow tipped with iron made from the remaining fragment of the pestle.

Verse 64 (vishnu.5.37.64)

स तत्पादं मृगाकारम् अवेक्ष्याराद् अवस्थितः । तले विव्याध तेनैव तोमरेण द्विजोत्तम

sa tatpādaṁ mṛgākāram avekṣyārād avasthitaḥ tale vivyādha tenaiva tomareṇa dvijottama

Seeing his foot from a distance, O foremost of the twice-born, and mistaking it for a deer, the hunter, standing where he was, pierced its sole with that very dart.

Verse 65 (vishnu.5.37.65)

गतश्च ददृशे तत्र चतुर्बाहुधरं नरम् । प्रणिपत्याह चैवैनं प्रसीदेति पुनः पुनः

gataśca dadṛśe tatra caturbāhudharaṁ naram praṇipatyāha caivainaṁ prasīdeti punaḥ punaḥ

Coming near, he saw there a four-armed man; falling at his feet, he cried out again and again, 'Be gracious, be gracious!'

Verse 66 (vishnu.5.37.66)

अजानता कृतम् इदं मया हरिणशङ्कया । क्षम्यतां नात्मपापेन दग्धं मां दग्धुम् अर्हसि

ajānatā kṛtam idaṁ mayā hariṇaśaṅkayā kṣamyatāṁ nātmapāpena dagdhaṁ māṁ dagdhum arhasi

'I did this unknowingly, mistaking you for a deer; let it be forgiven. I am already scorched by my own sin — you need not burn me further.'

Verse 67 (vishnu.5.37.67)

पराशर उवाच । ततस्तं भगवान् आह न तेऽस्ति भयम् अण्व् अपि । गच्छ त्वं मत्प्रसादेन लुब्ध स्वर्गं सुरास्पदम्

parāśara uvāca tatastaṁ bhagavān āha na te'sti bhayam aṇv api gaccha tvaṁ matprasādena lubdha svargaṁ surāspadam

Parashara said: Then the Blessed Lord said to him: 'You need not fear even in the slightest; go, hunter, by my grace, to heaven, the abode of the gods.'

Verse 68 (vishnu.5.37.68)

पराशर उवाच । विमानम् आगतं सद्यस्तद्वाक्यसमनन्तरम् । आरुह्य प्रययौ स्वर्गं लुब्धकस्तत्प्रसादतः

parāśara uvāca vimānam āgataṁ sadyastadvākyasamanantaram āruhya prayayau svargaṁ lubdhakastatprasādataḥ

Parashara said: Immediately after those words, a celestial chariot arrived at once; mounting it, the hunter, by that grace, went to heaven.

Verse 69 (vishnu.5.37.69)

गते तस्मिन् स भगवान् संयोज्यात्मानम् आत्मनि । ब्रह्मभूतेऽव्ययेऽचिन्त्ये वासुदेवमयेऽमले

gate tasmin sa bhagavān saṁyojyātmānam ātmani brahmabhūte'vyaye'cintye vāsudevamaye'male

When he had gone, the Blessed Lord, uniting his own self within himself — that brahmic, imperishable, inconceivable, Vasudeva-natured, stainless self —

Verse 70 (vishnu.5.37.70)

अजन्मन्य् अजरेऽनाशिन्य् अप्रमेयेऽखिलात्मनि । तत्याज मानुषं देहम् अतीत्य त्रिविधां गतिम्

ajanmany ajare'nāśiny aprameye'khilātmani tatyāja mānuṣaṁ deham atītya trividhāṁ gatim

— unborn, unaging, undecaying, immeasurable, the very self of all — gave up his human body, and passed beyond the threefold path of mortal existence.