Bhagavata Purana

स आजुहाव यमुनां जलक्रीडार्थमीश्वरः । निजं वाक्यमनादृत्य मत्त इत्यापगां बलः ॥ 10.65.

The lord summoned the Yamuna for water games, but Bala, disregarding his own words, intoxicated, called out to the river.

अनागतां हलाग्रेण कुपितो विचकर्ष ह । पापे त्वं मामवज्ञाय यन्नायासि मयाहुता । नेष्ये त्वां लाङ्गलाग्रेण शतधा कामचारिणीम् ॥ 10.65.

When she did not come, angered, he dragged her with the tip of his plough, saying: 'O sinful one, you have disregarded me though I called you; I will lead you with the tip of my plough, you who wander as you please.'

एवं निर्भर्त्सिता भीता यमुना यदुनन्दनम् । उवाच चकिता वाचं पतिता पादयोर्नृप ॥ 10.65.

Thus rebuked, frightened, Yamuna spoke trembling words to the son of Yadu, falling at his feet, O King.

राम राम महाबाहो न जाने तव विक्रमम् । यस्यैकांशेन विधृता जगती जगतः पते ॥ 10.65.

O Rama, Rama, mighty-armed, I do not know your prowess, O lord of the world, by whose single portion the earth is sustained.

परं भावं भगवतो भगवन्मामजानतीम् । मोक्तुमर्हसि विश्वात्मन् प्रपन्नां भक्तवत्सल ॥ 10.65.

O Lord, you should forgive me, who did not know your supreme nature; O soul of the universe, friend of devotees, I have taken refuge in you.

ततो व्यमुञ्चद्यमुनां याचितो भगवान् बलः । विजगाह जलं स्त्रीभिः करेणुभिरिवेभराट् ॥ 10.65.

Then, requested, the blessed Bala released Yamuna, and bathed in the water with the women, like a king elephant with female elephants.

कामं विहृत्य सलिलादुत्तीर्णायासीताम्बरे । भूषणानि महार्हाणि ददौ कान्तिः शुभां स्रजम् ॥ 10.65.

After enjoying himself, he emerged from the water, and in the open air, he gave the women splendid ornaments and a beautiful garland.

वसित्वा वाससी नीले मालां आमुच्य काञ्चनीम् । रेये स्वलङ्कृतो लिप्तो माहेन्द्र इव वारणः ॥ 10.65.

Having put on blue garments and a golden garland, he rested, well adorned and anointed, like Indra among elephants.

अद्यापि दृश्यते राजन् यमुनाकृष्टवर्त्मना । बलस्यानन्तवीर्यस्य वीर्यं सूचयतीव हि ॥ 10.65.

Even today, O King, the path drawn by Bala's dragging of Yamuna is visible, as if indicating the endless strength of Bala.

एवं सर्वा निशा याता एकेव रमतो व्रजे । रामस्याक्षिप्तचित्तस्य माधुर्यैर्व्रजयोषिताम् ॥ 10.65.

Thus, the whole night passed as Rama enjoyed alone in Vraja, his mind captivated by the sweetness of the women of Vraja.

अथ षट्षष्टितमोऽध्यायः । श्रीशुक उवाच। नन्दव्रजं गते रामे करूषाधिपतिर्नृप। वासुदेवोऽहमित्यज्ञो दूतं कृष्णाय प्राहिणोत्

Chapter sixty-six begins. Shuka said: When Rama had gone to Nandavraja, the king of the Karusha sent a messenger to Krishna, not knowing that he was Vāsudeva, the Lord, saying, 'I am Vāsudeva.'

त्वं वासुदेवो भगवानवतीर्णो जगत्पतिः। इति प्रस्तोभितो बालैर्मेन आत्मानमच्युतम्

Addressed by the boys, 'You are Vāsudeva, the Lord descended, ruler of the world,' Krishna considered himself to be the infallible Self.

दूतं च प्राहिणोन्मन्दः कृष्णायाव्यक्तवर्त्मने। द्वारकायां यथा बालो नृपो बालकृतोऽबुधः

The deluded king, acting like a child and lacking understanding, sent a messenger to Krishna, whose actions are inscrutable, just as a boy might send one to another in Dvaraka.

दूतस्तु द्वारकामेत्य सभायामास्थितं प्रभुम्। कृष्णं कमलपत्राक्षं राजसन्देशमब्रवीत्

The messenger, arriving in Dvaraka, entered the assembly and addressed Krishna, the lotus-eyed Lord, delivering the royal message.

वासुदेवोऽवतीर्णोहमेक एव न चापरः। भूतानामनुकम्पार्थं त्वं तु मिथ्याभिधां त्यज

"I alone am Vasudeva incarnate; there is no other. Out of compassion for beings I have descended. You should abandon your false claim."

यानि त्वमस्मच्चिह्नानि मौढ्याद्बिभर्षि सात्वत। त्यक्त्वैहि मां त्वं शरणं नो चेद्देहि ममाहवम्

"The emblems you bear, which are mine, you wear out of ignorance, O Sātvata. Give them up and take refuge in me, or else, grant me battle."

श्रीशुक उवाच। कत्थनं तदुपाकर्ण्य पौण्ड्रकस्याल्पमेधसः। उग्रसेनादयः सभ्या उच्चकैर्जहसुस्तदा

Śrī Śuka said: Hearing the boastful words of Paundraka, who lacked intelligence, Ugrasena and the other members of the assembly burst into loud laughter.

उवाच दूतं भगवान्परिहासकथामनु। उत्स्रक्ष्ये मूढ चिह्नानि यैस्त्वमेवं विकत्थसे

The Blessed Lord, following words of jest, said to the messenger: "Fool, I will indeed relinquish the emblems by which you boast in this way."

मुखं तदपिधायाज्ञ कङ्कगृध्रवटैर्वृतः। शयिष्यसे हतस्तत्र भविता शरणं शुनाम्

"You will lie there slain, your face covered, surrounded by vultures, crows, and jackals; then, your refuge will be among the dogs."

इति दूतस्तमाक्षेपं स्वामिने सर्वमाहरत्। कृष्णोऽपि रथमास्थाय काशीमुपजगाम ह

Thus the messenger reported all these reproaches to his master, and Krishna, mounting his chariot, set out for Kashi.

पौण्ड्रकोऽपि तदुद्योगमुपलभ्य महारथः। अक्षौहिणीभ्यां संयुक्तो निश्चक्राम पुराद्द्रुतम्

Paundraka, the mighty chariot-warrior, learning of Krishna's advance, swiftly departed the city, accompanied by two divisions of troops.

तस्य काशीपतिर्मित्रं पार्ष्णिग्राहोऽन्वयान्नृप। अक्षौहिणीभिस्तिसृभिरपश्यत्पौण्ड्रकं हइः!

The king of Kashi, Paundraka's ally, followed him with three divisions of troops, and beheld Paundraka, O King!

शङ्खार्यसिगदाशार्ङ्ग श्रीवत्साद्युपलक्षितम्। बिभ्राणं कौस्तुभमणिं वनमालाविभूषितम्

He wore the conch, discus, mace, bow, and the mark of Śrīvatsa, adorned with the Kaustubha gem and a garland of forest flowers.

कौशेयवाससी पीते वसानं गरुडध्वजम्। अमूल्यमौल्याभरणं स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलम्

Clad in yellow silk, bearing the banner of Garuda, adorned with priceless crown and ornaments, and shining with makara-shaped earrings.

दृष्ट्वा तमात्मनस्तुल्यं वेषं कृत्रिममास्थितम्। यथा नटं रङ्गगतं विजहास भृशं हरीः

Seeing him dressed in an imitation of his own appearance, like an actor on stage, Hari laughed heartily.

शूलैर्गदाभिः परिघैः शक्त्यृष्टिप्रासतोमरैः। असिभिः पट्टिशैर्बाणैः प्राहरन्नरयो हरिम्

The enemy kings attacked Hari with spears, maces, clubs, javelins, lances, darts, swords, sabres, and arrows.

कृष्णस्तु तत्पौण्ड्रककाशिराजयोर्। बलं गजस्यन्दनवाजिपत्तिमत्। गदासिचक्रेषुभिरार्दयद्भृशं। यथा युगान्ते हुतभुक्पृथक्प्रजाः

But Krishna struck hard at the forces of Paundraka and the king of Kashi—those with elephants, chariots, horses, and infantry—using his mace, sword, discus, and arrows, just as fire at the end of an age consumes all beings.

आयोधनं तद्र थवाजिकुञ्जर द्विपत्खरोष्ट्रैररिणावखण्डितैः। बभौ चितं मोदवहं मनस्विनामाक्रीडनं भूतपतेरिवोल्बणम्

That battlefield, strewn with the bodies of elephants, horses, camels, donkeys, and men, broken by the warriors, shone like a cremation ground, a place of delight for the bold, and as fearsome as the playground of the Lord of beings.

अथाह पौण्ड्रकं शौरिर्भो भो पौण्ड्रक यद्भवान्। दूतवाक्येन मामाह तान्यस्त्राण्युत्सृजामि ते

Then Śauri said to Paundraka: "Ho, Paundraka! Since you have spoken to me through your messenger, I will now relinquish these weapons to you."