The Bhagavata Purana 3

by Bibek Debroy

  ‘O king! The excellent inner quarters were filled with hundreds of excellent women. With his wife, he entered there through the sky, like a cloud accompanied by lightning. The women saw him, with a complexion that was as dark as the cloud. He was attired in a yellow silken garment. His arms were long and his eyes were coppery red. He possessed a handsome and smiling lotus face, ornamented with blue and curly hair. They took him to be Krishna and, ashamed, hid themselves here and there. Slowly, the women noticed slight differences in the signs. 455 They were extremely surprised and happily approached him and the one who was a jewel among women. The black-eyed princess of Vidarbha, sweet in speech, remembered her own son, who had been destroyed, and love oozed out of her breasts. “Who is this lotus-eyed jewel among men? Whom does he belong to? Who has borne her in her womb? Who is the one 456 who has been obtained by him? My son was lost and was taken away from the delivery chamber. If he is alive somewhere, his age and beauty will be like this one’s. The one who has come here is similar in form to the wielder of the Sharnga bow. How is this possible? His structure, limbs, gait, voice, smiles and glances are like his. He must certainly be the son I bore in my womb. That is the reason I feel this great love for him. My left arm is throbbing.” 457 While the princess of Vidarbha was speculating in this way, Uttamashloka, Devaki’s son, arrived there, along with Devaki and Anankadundubhi. Though he knew the truth, the illustrious Janardana remained silent. It was Narada who recounted everything, about the abduction by Shambara and everything else. The women in Krishna’s inner quarters heard this extremely wonderful account. They welcomed the one who had returned after many years, as if he had come back from the dead. Devaki, Vasudeva, Krishna, Rama, the women and Rukmini embraced the couple and were filled with joy. Hearing that Pradyumna, who had been destroyed, had returned, the residents of Dvaraka exclaimed, “Wonderful. It is good fortune that the child has returned, as if from the dead.” His form was exactly like that of his father’s and in private, his mothers repeatedly worshipped him and were attracted to him, taking him to be their lord. Indeed, this is not at all surprising. His form was like a reflection of the form of the one who is Rama’s refuge. What need be said of other women? They remembered Kama, when he came within range of their vision.’

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  Shri-Shuka said, ‘Satrajit caused an offence to Krishna. Therefore, he made efforts to give him the Syamantaka jewel and bestow his own daughter on him.’

  The king asked, ‘O brahmana! What offence did Satrajit cause to Krishna? Where did the Syamantaka jewel come from? Why did he bestow his daughter on Hari?’

  Shri-Shuka replied, ‘Surya was a great friend of Satrajit, his devotee. He was satisfied with him and happily gave him the Syamantaka jewel. O king! Wearing the radiant gem around his neck, he entered Dvaraka, as resplendent as the sun. Such was its brilliance, that he was himself almost unnoticed. When people looked at him from a distance, their eyes were blinded by the radiance. They suspected that he was Surya. They went and told the illustrious one, who was playing with dice. “O Narayana! O wielder of the conch shell, chakra and mace! O Damodara! O lotus-eyed one! O Govinda! O delight of the Yadu lineage! We bow down before you. O lord of the universe! To see you, the sun god is coming here. The circle of his fierce rays is robbing men of their sight. The bulls among the gods are seeking to search out your progress in the three worlds. O lord! Having now realized that you have hidden yourself among the Yadus, Aja 458 has come here.” Hearing these childish words, the lotus-eyed one laughed. He smiled and said, “This is not the sun god. It is Satrajit, with his blazing jewel.” Satrajit entered his prosperous house. He made brahmanas perform the auspicious rites. He entered the house meant for the gods and made them instate the jewel there. O lord! Every day, the jewel produced eight bharas 459 of gold. In the place where the jewel was kept and was worshipped, there was no famine, untimely death from calamities and snakes, mental or physical disease. There was nothing inauspicious from those who were deceitful. On one occasion, Shouri desired the jewel, so that it could be given to the king of the Yadus. 460 However, he was so greedy about wealth that he refused to give it, oblivious of the transgression involved in this.

  ‘On one occasion, wearing the extremely radiant jewel around his neck, Prasena 461 mounted a horse. He went to the forest on a hunt and wandered around. A maned lion killed Prasena and his horse and took the jewel away. When it entered a mountain, it was killed by Jambavat, who desired the jewel. In his cave, he gave his son the jewel, to play with. Unable to see his brother, Satrajit was tormented on account of his brother. “He went to the forest, wearing the jewel around his neck. Perhaps Krishna has killed my brother.” The people heard this and it was passed around, from one ear to another ear. The illustrious one heard this and wished to wipe away the ill fame that was being attributed to him. With some citizens, he followed Prasena’s footsteps. In the forest, they saw Prasena and his horse, slain by the lion. The people saw it on the slope of the mountain, killed by the bear. 462 The terrible cave of the king of the bears was covered in darkness. Leaving the subjects outside, the illustrious one entered it alone. There, he saw that the excellent jewel had been made into a child’s toy. Making up his mind to take it away, he stationed himself near the child. Not having seen a man before, as if in fear, the nurse maid cried out. Hearing this, Jambavat, supreme among strong ones, angrily rushed forward. He did not realize that the illustrious one was his own master. Taking himself to be an ordinary man, he angrily started to fight with him. Both of them wished to triumph against the other and there was a tumultuous duel in the course of the fight. Like hawks fighting over a piece of meat, they fought with weapons, stones and trees. It continued for twenty-eight days and nights. Incessantly, they struck each other with hard blows of the fists that were like strikes of the vajra. As he was struck by blows from Krishna’s fists, the strong joints in his limbs were crushed. His spirit started to diminish. He started to perspire all over his body. Amazed, he exclaimed, “I know you. You are the breath of life, energy and strength of all living creatures. You are Vishnu, the ancient being. You are the powerful Vishnu, the lord of everything. You are the creator of all the creators of the universe. You are the reality behind creation. You are time. You are the lord of all subjugators. Among all atmans, you are the supreme atman. The slight rage in your sidelong glance agitated the ocean, full of crocodiles and timingilas. 463 It parted and granted you passage. As a mark of your own fame, you constructed a bridge and set Lanka on fire. Using arrows, you brought down the heads of the rakshasas on the ground.” O great king! Ascertaining that he had got to know, the illustrious Achyuta, Devaki’s son, spoke to the king of the bears. He was filled with great compassion towards his devotee. The lotus-eyed one touched him with his auspicious hand. In a voice that rumbled like the clouds, he said, “O lord of the bears! I have come to this cave for the sake of the jewel. I intend to use this jewel to wipe away the false accusation that has been levelled against me.” Addressed in this way, as a mark of his worship, he happily bestowed the jewel and his own daughter, Jambavati, on Krishna.

  ‘The people saw Shouri enter the cave and did not see him emerge again. They waited for twelve days. Then, miserable, they returned to their own city. Devaki, Queen Rukmini, Anankadundubhi and other well-wishers and kin heard that Krishna had not emerged from the cave. They grieved. Grieving, the residents of Dvaraka abused Satrajit. They presented themselves before Mahamaya Durga and prayed for Krishna’s return. The goddess pronounced her benedictions on them. Successful in his objective, Hari manifested himself, along with his wife, and caused them delight. They got Hrishikesha back, as if he had returned from the dead. He had his wife with him and the jewel was around his neck. All of them engaged in great festivities. The illustrious one summoned Satrajit to the assembly. In the king’s presence, he told him how he had got the jewel back and gave it to him. Ashamed, he 464 accepted the jewel, hanging his head down in embarrassment. Tormented because of his wicked behaviour, he r
eturned to his own residence. He thought about this sin of his and was anxious because of a conflict with those who were more powerful. “How will I wipe away the stain on me? How will I placate Achyuta? What will be good for me? How will people no longer condemn me as short-sighted, inferior and foolish, and as one who is greedy for riches? I will bestow the jewel, and my daughter, who is a jewel among women, on him. That is the appropriate way. There is no other means for me to find peace.” Having used his intelligence, he arrived at this course of action. Satrajit himself made arrangements to gift the jewel, and his own auspicious daughter, to Krishna. Following the proper rites, the illustrious one married Satyabhama. She possessed good conduct, beauty, generosity and other qualities and there were many who had sought her hand. O king! The illustrious one said, “We will not accept the jewel. You are the god’s 465 devotee. Thereby, we will also enjoy a share in the fruits.”’

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  Shri-Shuka said, ‘Though he knew the truth, Govinda heard that the Pandavas and Kunti had been burnt down. 466 To do what needed to be done for the lineage, along with Rama, he went to the land of the Kurus. They met Bhishma, Kripa, Vidura, Gandhari and Drona. Sharing in their grief, they exclaimed, “Alas! What a great misery!” O king! Finding this opportunity, Akrura and Kritavarma told Shatadhanva, 467 “Why should we not seize the jewel? Satrajit promised each of us his daughter, who is like a jewel. But neglecting us, he gave her to Krishna. Why should he not follow his brother?” 468 Urged by them and goaded by his avarice, he killed Satrajit while he was asleep. In this way, the evil one, worst among the wicked, shortened his own lifespan. While the women shrieked and screamed, like those without a protector, he killed him, the way a butcher slays an animal. Seizing the jewel, he left. Satyabhama saw that her father had been killed and was immersed in grief. She lamented, “Alas, father! I have been slain.” She lost her senses. She placed the dead body in a vat filled with oil and went to Gajasahvya. 469 Though Krishna already knew the truth, she was tormented and wanted to tell him about her father’s death. O king! When those two lords 470 heard this, they imitated the behaviour of the world of men. “Alas! What a great misery for us.” With tears in their eyes, they grieved.

  ‘With his elder brother and his wife, the illustrious one returned to the city. He prepared to kill Shatadhanva and seize the jewel back. Learning that these efforts were being made, he was scared and wished to save his own life. He approached Kritavarma for help, but was told, “I will not show disrespect to the two lords, Rama and Krishna. If a person commits an offence against them, how can he hope to obtain peace? Because of their enmity, Kamsa and his followers lost their lives and their prosperity. After fighting against them in seventeen encounters, Jarasandha lost his own chariot.” Refused in this way, he went to Akrura and sought his help. However, he also said, “If a person knows about the strengths of those two lords, how can he oppose them? In his pastimes, the unvanquished one creates, preserves and destroys the universe. The creators of the universe are bewildered and do not know about his endeavours. When he was seven years old, he uprooted a mountain and held it up on a single hand. Though he was a child, he playfully held it up, like an infant holding up a mushroom. I bow down before the illustrious Krishna, the performer of extraordinary deeds. He is infinite. He is the original cause. He is the one who is inside all atmans. I bow down before him.” Refused by him too, Shatadhanva entrusted the great jewel in his care. Ascending a horse that could travel for one hundred yojanas, he left. O king! Rama and Janardana ascended the chariot that had Garuda on its standard. On extremely swift horses, they pursued the one who had caused harm to their senior. In a grove on the outskirts of Mithila, the horse fell down and died. Abandoning it, the terrified one fled on foot and Krishna angrily pursued him. He fled on foot and the illustrious one also pursued him on foot. With the chakra that was sharp at the edges, he severed his head. He searched his upper and lower garment for the jewel. Unable to find the jewel, Krishna went to his elder brother’s presence and said, “Shatadhanva has been killed in vain. The jewel isn’t here.” Bala replied, “It is evident that Shatadhanva has entrusted the jewel to some other man. Return to the city and search him out. I wish to see the king of Videha. I love him a great deal.” O king! Saying this, the descendant of the Yadu lineage entered Mithila. On seeing him, the lord of Mithila was delighted in his mind and immediately stood up. He worshipped him with all the objects of worship, following the prescribed rites. The lord remained in Mithila for some years. Filled with affection, the great-souled Janaka honoured him. It is at this time that Dhritarashtra’s son, Suyodhana, learnt how to fight with the club. 471

  ‘Keshava returned to Dvaraka. He wished to do what would bring pleasure to his beloved. He told her about Shatadhanva’s death and about his inability to find the jewel. Since his relative 472 had been killed, he had the funeral rites performed. Along with his well-wishers, the illustrious one attended all these funeral rites. Akrura and Kritavarma heard about Shatandhanva’s death. Those two instigators were filled with dread. In their fear, they fled from Dvaraka. When Akrura went on exile, the residents of Dvaraka suffered from calamities of adhidaivika and adhibhoutika kinds. 473 They were tormented by physical and mental ailments. O dear one! Some forget what I have said before. The sages find an abode in him. How could calamities manifest themselves when he resided there? 474 When the god did not shower down, the lord of Kashi bestowed his own daughter, Gandini, on Shvaphalaka, 475 who had arrived there. It then rained in the kingdom of Kashi. His son, Akrura, possessed similar powers. The god showered down wherever he was. There were no calamities or epidemics. Janardana heard the words of the elders, but decided that this was not the only reason. 476 He summoned Akrura and spoke to him. He honoured and greeted him and engaged him in delightful conversation. He knew what is in all hearts and knew the truth. He smiled and said, “O Danapati! Shatadhanva must have left the prosperous Syamantaka jewel in your care. We already knew that. Since Satrajit had no son, his daughter’s sons should accept his inheritance. 477 After performing the water rites, they should repay his debts and accept whatever is left. O one who is excellent in vows! However, others will find it impossible to bear. Therefore, let the jewel remain with you. But my elder brother does not completely believe this about the jewel. 478 O immensely fortunate one! Hence, show it to my relatives and bring them peace of mind. You are now incessantly performing sacrifices on golden altars.” 479 Shvaphalaka’s son was reassured with these words. He brought the jewel, as radiant as the sun and wrapped in a piece of cloth, and handed it over. The lord showed Syamantaka to his relatives and removed the stain ascribed to him. He then returned the jewel again. If a person reads, hears or remembers this extremely auspicious account of the illustrious lord Vishnu’s glorious valour, all his sins are destroyed. His ill fame and wicked deeds are driven away and he obtains peace.’

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  Shri-Shuka said, ‘Once, to see the Pandavas, the prosperous Purushottama went and presented himself in Indraprastha. 480 He was surrounded by Yuyudhana 481 and others. On seeing Mukunda, the lord of everything, arrive, all the brave Parthas 482 simultaneously stood up, as if the foremost breath of life had arrived. 483 The brave ones embraced Achyuta and all their sins were destroyed from the touch of his limbs. Glancing at his affectionate and smiling face, they were filled with delight. He bowed down at the feet of Yudhishthira and Bhima and greeted them. 484 He embraced Phalguna 485 and was honoured by the twins. 486 When Krishna was seated on an excellent seat, the newly married and unblemished Krishna 487 approached him slowly and bashfully and honoured him. In that way, Satyaki was honoured and welcomed, by the Parthas. The others were also honoured and welcomed and sat down on different seats. He met Pritha and showed her his respects. Her eyes were wet with tears of affection and she embraced him. He asked his father’s sister, and her daughter-in-law, about their welfare and they asked him about his relatives. She 488 was overwhelmed by her love. Her voice choked and her eyes were f
ull of tears. She remembered the many kinds of hardships. She spoke to the one who shows himself so as to remove hardships. “O Krishna! You are our protector. Ever since you remembered your relatives and sent my brother 489 as a messenger, we have been well. You are our well-wisher and are the atman of the universe. You do not have any delusions about ‘mine’ and ‘someone else’s’. Nevertheless, you reside in the hearts of those who constantly remember you and remove their hardships.” Yudhishthira said, “O lord! We are inferior in intelligence. The lords of yoga find it extremely difficult to see you. I do not know what good deeds we have done that we should see you.” Requested by the king, 490 the lord happily resided there during the months of the rainy season, generating delight in the eyes of the residents of Indraprastha.