S'rîmad Bhâgavatam - Canto 10
Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda
(for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)

 

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Canto 10: 'Summum Bonum'

 

 

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Chapter Seventy-two: The Slaying of the Demon Jarâsandha

 

 

TEXTS 1 - 2

s'rî-s'uka uvâca

ekadâ tu sabhâ-madhya

âsthito munibhir vritah

brâhmanaih kshatriyair vais'yair

bhrâtribhis' ca yudhishthhirah

 

âcâryaih kula-vriddhais' ca

jñâti-sambandhi-bândhavaih

s'rinvatâm eva caiteshâm

âbhâshyedam uvâca ha

s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; ekadâ - once; tu - and; sabhâ - of the royal assembly; madhye - in the midst; âsthitah - seated; munibhih - by sages; vritah - surrounded; brâhmanaih kshatriyaih vais'yaih - by brâhmanas, kshatriyas and vais'yas; bhrâtribhih - by his brothers; ca - and; yudhishthhirah - King Yudhishthhira;

âcâryaih - by his spiritual masters; kula - of the family; vriddhaih - by the elders; ca - also; jñâti - by blood relatives; sambandhi - in- laws; bândhavaih - and friends; s'rinvatâm - as they listened; eva - indeed; ca - and; eteshâm - all of them; âbhâshya - addressing (Lord Krishna); idam - this; uvâca ha - he said.

TRANSLATION

S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: One day, as King Yudhishthhira sat in the royal assembly surrounded by eminent sages, brâhmanas, kshatriyas and vais'yas, and also by his brothers, spiritual masters, family elders, blood relations, in- laws and friends, he addressed Lord Krishna as everyone listened.

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TEXT 3

s'rî-yudhishthhira uvâca

kratu-râjena govinda

râjasûyena pâvanîh

yakshye vibhûtîr bhavatas

tat sampâdaya nah prabho

s'rî-yudhishthhirah uvâca - S'rî Yudhishthhira said; kratu - of major fire sacrifices; râjena - with the king; govinda - O Krishna; râjasûyena - named Râjasûya; pâvanîh - purifying; yakshye - I wish to worship; vibhûtîh - the opulent expansions; bhavatah - of Yourself; tat - that; sampâdaya - please allow to happen; nah - for us; prabho - O master.

TRANSLATION

S'rî Yudhishthhira said: O Govinda, I desire to worship Your auspicious, opulent expansions by the Râjasûya sacrifice, the king of Vedic ceremonies. Please make our endeavor a success, my Lord.

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TEXT 4

tvat-pâduke aviratam pari ye caranti

dhyâyanty abhadra-nas'ane s'ucayo grinanti

vindanti te kamala-nâbha bhavâpavargam

âs'âsate yadi ta âs'isha îs'a nânye

tvat - Your; pâduke - slippers; aviratam - constantly; pari - fully; ye - who; caranti - serve; dhyâyanti - meditate upon; abhadra - of inauspicious things; nas'ane - which (cause) the destruction; s'ucayah - purified; grinanti - and describe in their words; vindanti - obtain; te - they; kamala - (like a) lotus; nâbha - O You whose navel; bhava - of material life; apavargam - the cessation; âs'âsate - harbor desires; yadi - if; te - they; âs'ishah - (attain) the desired objects; îs'a - O Lord; na - not; anye - other persons.

TRANSLATION

Purified persons who constantly serve, meditate upon and glorify Your shoes, which destroy everything inauspicious, are sure to obtain freedom from material existence, O lotus-naveled one. Even if they desire something in this world, they obtain it, whereas others - those who do not take shelter of You - are never satisfied, O Lord.

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TEXT 5

tad deva-deva bhavatas' caranâravinda-

sevânubhâvam iha pas'yatu loka eshah

ye tvâm bhajanti na bhajanty uta vobhayeshâm

nishthhâm pradars'aya vibho kuru-sriñjayânâm

tat - therefore; deva-deva - O Lord of lords; bhavatah - Your; carana-aravinda - to the lotus feet; sevâ - of service; anubhâvam - the power; iha - in this world; pas'yatu - may they see; lokah - the populace; eshah - this; ye - who; tvâm - You; bhajanti - worship; na bhajanti - do not worship; uta vâ - or else; ubhayeshâm - of both; nishthhâm - the status; pradars'aya - please show; vibho - O all-powerful one; kuru-sriñjayânâm - of the Kurus and Sriñjayas.

TRANSLATION

Therefore, O Lord of lords, let the people of this world see the power of devotional service rendered to Your lotus feet. Please show them, O almighty one, the position of those Kurus and Sriñjayas who worship You, and the position of those who do not.

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TEXT 6

na brahmanah sva-para-bheda-matis tava syât

sarvâtmanah sama-dris'ah sva-sukhânubhûteh

samsevatâm sura-taror iva te prasâdah

sevânurûpam udayo na viparyayo 'tra

na - not; brahmanah - of the Absolute Truth; sva - of own; para - and other's; bheda - differential; matih - mentality; tava - of You; syât - there can be; sarva - of all beings; âtmanah - of the Soul; sama - equal; dris'ah - whose vision; sva - within Himself; sukha - of happiness; anubhûteh - whose experience; samsevatâm - for those who properly worship; sura-taroh - of the heavenly desire tree; iva - as if; te - Your; prasâdah - grace; sevâ - with the service; anurûpam - in accordance; udayah - desirable results; na - not; viparyayah - contradiction; atra - in this.

TRANSLATION

Within Your mind there can be no such differentiation as "This one is mine, and that is another's," because You are the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Soul of all beings, always equipoised and enjoying transcendental happiness within Yourself. Just like the heavenly desire tree, You bless all who properly worship You, granting their desired fruits in proportion to the service they render You. There is nothing wrong in this.

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SB 10.72.7

TEXT 7

s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

samyag vyavasitam râjan

bhavatâ s'atru-kars'ana

kalyânî yena te kîrtir

lokân anubhavishyati

s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Lord said; samyak - perfectly; vyavasitam - determined; râjan - O King; bhavatâ - by you; s'atru - of enemies; kars'ana - O tormentor; kalyânî - auspicious; yena - by which; te - your; kîrtih - fame; lokân - all the worlds; anubhavishyati - it will see.

TRANSLATION

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Your decision is perfect, O King, and thus your noble fame will spread to all the worlds, O tormentor of your enemies.

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TEXT 8

rishînâm pitri-devânâm

suhridâm api nah prabho

sarveshâm api bhûtânâm

îpsitah kratu-râd ayam

rishînâm - for the sages; pitri - departed forefathers; devânâm - and demigods; suhridâm - for the friends; api - also; nah - our; prabhoh - master; sarveshâm - for all; api - as well; bhûtânâm - living beings; îpsitah - desirable; kratu - of major Vedic sacrifices; râth - king; ayam - this.

TRANSLATION

Indeed, My lord, for the great sages, the forefathers and the demigods, for Our well-wishing friends and, indeed, for all living beings, the performance of this king of Vedic sacrifices is desirable.

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TEXT 9

vijitya nripatîn sarvân

kritvâ ca jagatîm vas'e

sambhritya sarva-sambhârân

âharasva mahâ-kratum

vijitya - conquering; nri-patîn - the kings; sarvân - all; kritvâ - making; ca - and; jagatîm - the earth; vas'e - under your control; sambhritya - collecting; sarva - all; sambhârân - the paraphernalia; âharasva - execute; mahâ - great; kratum - the sacrifice.

TRANSLATION

First conquer all kings, bring the earth under your control and collect all the required paraphernalia; then execute this great sacrifice.

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TEXT 10

ete te bhrâtaro râjaû

loka-pâlâms'a-sambhavâh

jito 'smy âtmavatâ te 'ham

durjayo yo 'kritâtmabhih

ete - these; te - your; bhrâtarah - brothers; râjan - O King; loka - of the planets; pâla - from the ruling demigods; ams'a - as partial expansions; sambhavâh - born; jitah - conquered; asmi - am; âtma-vatâ - self-controlled; te - by you; aham - I; durjayah - unconquerable; yah - who; akrita-âtmabhih - by those who have not conquered their senses.

TRANSLATION

These brothers of yours, O King, have taken birth as partial expansions of the demigods ruling various planets. And you are so self-controlled that you have conquered even Me, who am unconquerable for those who cannot control their senses.

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TEXT 11

na kas'cin mat-param loke

tejasâ yas'asâ s'riyâ

vibhûtibhir vâbhibhaved

devo 'pi kim u pârthivah

na - not; kas'cit - any person; mat - to Me; param - one who is dedicated; loke - in this world; tejasâ - by his strength; yas'asâ - fame; s'riyâ - beauty; vibhûtibhih - opulences; vâ - or; abhibhavet - can overcome; devah - a demigod; api - even; kim u - what to speak of; pârthivah - a ruler of the earth.

TRANSLATION

No one in this world, even a demigod - what to speak of an earthly king - can defeat My devotee with his strength, beauty, fame or riches.

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TEXT 12

s'rî-s'uka uvâca

nis'amya bhagavad-gîtam

prîtah phulla-mukhâmbujah

bhrâtrn dig-vijaye 'yunkta

vishnu-tejopabrimhitân

s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'rî S'uka said; nis'amya - hearing; bhagavat - of the Supreme Lord; gîtam - the song; prîtah - pleased; phulla - blossoming; mukha - his face; ambujah - lotuslike; bhrâtrn - his brothers; dik - of all the directions; vijaye - in the conquest; ayunkta - engaged; vishnu - of Lord Vishnu; tejah - with the potency; upabrimhitân - fortified.

TRANSLATION

S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Upon hearing these words sung by the Supreme Lord, King Yudhishthhira became joyful, and his face blossomed like a lotus. Thus he sent forth his brothers, who were empowered with Lord Vishnu's potency, to conquer all directions.

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TEXT 13

sahadevam dakshinasyâm

âdis'at saha sriñjayaih

dis'i pratîcyâm nakulam

udîcyâm savyasâcinam

prâcyâm vrikodaram matsyaih

kekayaih saha madrakaih

sahadevam - Sahadeva; dakshinasyâm - to the south; âdis'at - he ordered; saha - with; sriñjayaih - the warriors of the Sriñjaya clan; dis'i - to the direction; pratîcyâm - western; nakulam - Nakula; udîcyâm - to the north; savyasâcinam - Arjuna; prâcyâm - to the east; vrikodaram - Bhîma; matsyaih - the Matsyas; kekayaih - the Kekayas; saha - together with; madrakaih - and the Madrakas.

TRANSLATION

He sent Sahadeva to the south with the Sriñjayas, Nakula to the west with the Matsyas, Arjuna to the north with the Kekayas, and Bhîma to the east with the Madrakas.

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TEXT 14

te vijitya nripân vîrâ

âjahrur digbhya ojasâ

ajâta-s'atrave bhûri

dravinam nripa yakshyate

te - they; vijitya - defeating; nripân - kings; vîrâh - the heroes; âjahruh - brought; digbhyah - from the different directions; ojasâ - by their personal strength; ajâta-s'atrave - to Yudhishthhira Mahârâja, whose enemy was never born; bhûri - abundant; dravinam - wealth; nripa - O King (Parîkchit); yakshyate - who was intending to perform sacrifice.

TRANSLATION

After defeating many kings with their prowess, these heroic brothers brought back abundant wealth for Yudhishthhira Mahârâja, who was intent on performing the sacrifice, O King.

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TEXT 15

s'rutvâjitam jarâsandham

nripater dhyâyato harih

âhopâyam tam evâdya

uddhavo yam uvâca ha

s'rutvâ - hearing; ajitam - unconquered; jarâsandham - Jarâsandha; nripateh - the King; dhyâyatah - as he pondered; harih - Lord Krishna; âha - told; upâyam - the means; tam - to him; eva - indeed; âdyah - the original person; uddhavah - Uddhava; yam - which; uvâca ha - had spoken.

TRANSLATION

When King Yudhishthhira heard that Jarâsandha remained undefeated, he set to pondering, and then the primeval Lord, Hari, told him the means Uddhava had described for defeating Jarâsandha.

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TEXT 16

bhîmaseno 'rjunah krishno

brahma-linga-dharâs trayah

jagmur girivrajam tâta

brihadratha-suto yatah

bhîmasenah arjunah krishnah - Bhîmasena, Arjuna and Krishna; brahma - of brâhmanas; linga - the guises; dharâh - wearing; trayah - the three; jagmuh - went; girivrajam - to the fortress city Girivraja; tâta - my dear (Parîkchit); brihadratha-sutah - the son of Brihadratha (Jarâsandha); yatah - where.

TRANSLATION

Thus Bhîmasena, Arjuna and Krishna disguised themselves as brâhmanas and went to Girivraja, my dear King, where the son of Brihadratha was to be found.

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SB 10.72.17

TEXT 17

te gatvâtithya-velâyâm

griheshu griha-medhinam

brahmanyam samayâceran

râjanyâ brahma-linginah

te - they; gatvâ - going; âtithya - for receiving uninvited guests; velâyâm - at the appointed hour; griheshu - in his residence; griha-medhinam - from the religious householder; brahmanyam - respectful to brâhmanas; samayâceran - begged; râjanyâh - the kings; brahma-linginah - appearing with the signs of brâhmanas.

TRANSLATION

Disguised as brâhmanas, the royal warriors approached Jarâsandha at home during the appointed hour for receiving guests. They submitted their entreaty to that dutiful householder, who was especially respectful to the brahminical class.

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TEXT 18

râjan viddhy atithîn prâptân

arthino dûram âgatân

tan nah prayaccha bhadram te

yad vayam kâmayâmahe

râjan - O King; viddhi - please know; atithîn - guests; prâptân - arrived; arthinah - desirous of gain; dûram - from far away; âgatân - come; tat - that; nah - to us; prayaccha - please grant; bhadram - all good, te - unto you; yat - whatever; vayam - we; kâmayâmahe - are desiring.

TRANSLATION

[Krishna, Arjuna and Bhîma said:] O King, know us to be needy guests who have come to you from afar. We wish all good unto you. Please grant us whatever we desire.

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TEXT 19

kim durmarsham titikshûnâm

kim akâryam asâdhubhih

kim na deyam vadânyânâm

kah parah sama-dars'inâm

kim - what; durmarsham - intolerable; titikshûnâm - for the patient; kim - what; akâryam - impossible to do; asâdhubhih - for the impious; kim - what; na deyam - impossible to give away; vadânyânâm - for the generous; kah - who; parah - separate; sama - equal; dars'inâm - for those whose vision.

TRANSLATION

What can the tolerant not bear? What will the wicked not do? What will the generous not give in charity? And who will those of equal vision see as an outsider?

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TEXT 20

yo 'nityena s'arîrena

satâm geyam yas'o dhruvam

nâcinoti svayam kalpah

sa vâcyah s'ocya eva sah

yah - who; anityena - temporary; s'arîrena - with the material body; satâm - by saints; geyam - to be glorified; yas'ah - fame; dhruvam - permanent; na âcinoti - does not acquire; svayam - himself; kalpah - capable; sah - he; vâcyah - contemptible; s'ocyah - pitiable; eva - indeed; sah - he.

TRANSLATION

He indeed is to be censured and pitied who, though able to do so, fails to achieve with his temporary body the lasting fame glorified by great saints.

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TEXT 21

haris'candro rantideva

uñchavrittih s'ibir balih

vyâdhah kapoto bahavo

hy adhruvena dhruvam gatâh

haris'candrah rantidevah - Haris'candra and Rantideva; uñcha-vrittih - Mudgala, who lived by gathering grains left behind in the fields after the harvest; s'ibih balih - S'ibi and Bali; vyâdhah - the hunter; kapotah - the pigeon; bahavah - many; hi - indeed; adhruvena - by the temporary; dhruvam - to the permanent; gatâh - went.

TRANSLATION

Haris'candra, Rantideva, Uñchavritti Mudgala, S'ibi, Bali, the legendary hunter and pigeon, and many others have attained the permanent by means of the impermanent.

PURPORT

Here Lord Krishna and the two Pândavas are pointing out to Jarâsandha that one can use the temporary material body to achieve a permanent situation in life. Because Jarâsandha was a materialist, they appealed to his natural interest in the heavenly planets, where life lasts so long that it appears permanent to people on earth.

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TEXT 22

s'rî-s'uka uvâca

svarair âkritibhis tâms tu

prakoshthhair jyâ-hatair api

râjanya-bandhûn vijñâya

drishtha-pûrvân acintayat

s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; svaraih - by their voices; âkritibhih - their bodily statures; tân - them; tu - however; prakoshthhaih - by (seeing) their forearms; jyâ - by bowstrings; hataih - imprinted; api - even; râjanya - of royalty; bandhûn - as family members; vijñâya - recognizing; drishtha - seen; pûrvân - previously; acintayat - he considered.

TRANSLATION

S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: From the sound of their voices, their physical stature and the marks of bowstrings on their forearms, Jarâsandha could tell that his guests were of the royal order. He began to think he had seen them somewhere before.

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TEXT 23

râjanya-bandhavo hy ete

brahma-lingâni bibhrati

dadâni bhikshitam tebhya

âtmânam api dustyajam

râjanya-bandhavah - relatives of kshatriyas; hi - indeed; ete - these; brahma - of brâhmanas; lingâni - the signs; bibhrati - they are wearing; dadâni - I should give; bhikshitam - what is begged; tebhyah - to them; âtmânam - my own body; api - even; dustyajam - impossible to give up.

TRANSLATION

[Jarâsandha thought:] These are surely members of the royal order dressed as brâhmanas, but still I must grant their request for charity, even if they beg me for my own body.

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TEXTS 24 - 25

baler nu s'rûyate kîrtir

vitatâ dikshv akalmashâ

ais'varyâd bhrams'itasyâpi

vipra-vyâjena vishnunâ

 

s'riyam jihîrshatendrasya

vishnave dvija-rûpine

jânann api mahîm prâdâd

vâryamâno 'pi daitya-râth

baleh - of Bali; nu - is it not so; s'rûyate - are heard; kîrtih - the glories; vitatâ - widespread; dikshu - in all directions; akalmashâ - spotless; ais'varyât - from his powerful position; bhrams'itasya - who was made to fall; api - even though; vipra - of a brâhmana; vyâjena - in the guise; vishnunâ - by Lord Vishnu;

s'rîyam - the opulence; jihîrshatâ - who wanted to take away; indrasya - of Indra; vishnave - to Vishnu; dvija-rûpine - appearing as a brâhmana; jânan - aware; api - although; mahîm - the whole earth; prâdât - he gave; vâryamânah - being forbidden; api - even; daitya - of the demons; râth - the king.

TRANSLATION

Indeed, the spotless glories of Bali Mahârâja are heard throughout the world. Lord Vishnu, wishing to recover Indra's opulence from Bali, appeared before him in the guise of a brâhmana and made him fall from his powerful position. Though aware of the ruse and forbidden by his guru, Bali, king of the demons, still gave Vishnu the whole earth in charity.

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TEXT 26

jîvatâ brâhmanârthâya

ko nv arthah kshatra-bandhunâ

dehena patamânena

nehatâ vipulam yas'ah

jîvatâ - who is alive; brâhmana-arthâya - for the benefit of brâhmanas; kah - what; nu - at all; arthah - use; kshatra-bandhunâ - with a fallen kshatriya; dehena - by his body; patamânena - about to fall; na îhatâ - who is not endeavoring; vipulam - for extensive; yas'ah - glory.

TRANSLATION

What is the use of an unqualified kshatriya who goes on living but fails to gain everlasting glory by working with his perishable body for the benefit of brâhmanas?

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TEXT 27

ity udâra-matih prâha

krishnârjuna-vrikodarân

he viprâ vriyatâm kâmo

dadâmy âtma-s'iro 'pi vah

iti - thus; udâra - generous; matih - whose mentality; prâha - said; krishna-arjuna- vrikodarân - to Krishna, Arjuna and Bhîma; he viprah - O learned brâhmanas; vriyatâm - let it be chosen; kâmah - what you desire; dadâmi - I will give; âtma - my own; s'irah - head; api - even; vah - to you.

TRANSLATION

[S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued:] Thus making up his mind, the generous Jarâsandha addressed Krishna, Arjuna and Bhîma: "O learned brâhmanas, choose whatever you wish. I will give it to you, even if it is my own head."

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TEXT 28

s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

yuddham no dehi râjendra

dvandvas'o yadi manyase

yuddhârthino vayam prâptâ

râjanyâ nânya-kânkshinah

s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Lord (Krishna) said; yuddham - battle; nah - to us; dehi - please give; râja-indra - O exalted King; dvandvas'ah - as a one-on-one duel; yadi - if; manyase - you think it proper; yuddha - for a fight; arthinah - desirous; vayam - we; prâptâh - have come here; râjanyâh - members of the royal order; na - not; anya - anything else; kânkshinah - wanting.

TRANSLATION

The Supreme Lord said: O exalted King, give us battle in the form of a duel, if you think it fitting. We are princes and have come to beg a fight. We have no other request to make of you.

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TEXT 29

asau vrikodarah pârthas

tasya bhrâtârjuno hy ayam

anayor mâtuleyam mâm

krishnam jânîhi te ripum

asau - that one; vrikodarah - Bhîma; pârthah - the son of Prithâ; tasya - his; bhrâtâ - brother; arjunah - Arjuna; hi - indeed; ayam - this other; anayoh - of the two of them; mâtuleyam - the maternal cousin; mâm - Me; krishnam - Krishna; jânîhi - please know; te - your; ripum - enemy.

TRANSLATION

Over there is Bhîma, son of Prithâ, and this is his brother Arjuna. Know Me to be their maternal cousin, Krishna, your enemy.

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TEXT 30

evam âvedito râjâ

jahâsoccaih sma mâgadhah

âha câmarshito mandâ

yuddham tarhi dadâmi vah

evam - thus; âveditah - invited; râja - the King; jahâsa - laughed; uccaih - out loud; sma - indeed; mâgadhah - Jarâsandha; âha - he said; ca - and; amarshitah - intolerant; mandâh - O fools; yuddham - battle; tarhi - then; dadâmi - I will give; vah - to you.

TRANSLATION

[S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued:] Thus challenged, Magadharâja laughed out loud and contemptuously said, "All right, you fools, I'll give you a fight!

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TEXT 31

na tvayâ bhîrunâ yotsye

yudhi viklava-tejasâ

mathurâm sva-purîm tyaktvâ

samudram s'aranam gatah

na - not; tvayâ - with You; bhîrunâ - cowardly; yotsye - I will fight; yudhi - in battle; viklava - impaired; tejasâ - whose strength; mathurâm - Mathurâ; sva - Your own; purîm - city; tyaktvâ - leaving; samudram - to the ocean; s'aranam - for shelter; gatah - gone.

TRANSLATION

"But I will not fight with You, Krishna, for You are a coward. Your strength abandoned You in the midst of battle, and You fled Your own capital of Mathurâ to take shelter in the sea.

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TEXT 32

ayam tu vayasâtulyo

nâti-sattvo na me samah

arjuno na bhaved yoddhâ

bhîmas tulya-balo mama

ayam - this; tu - on the other hand; vayasâ - in age; atulyah - unequal; na - not; ati - much; sattvah - having strength; na - not; me - to me; samah - evenly matched; arjunah - Arjuna; na bhavet - should not be; yoddhâ - the contender; bhîmah - Bhîma; tulya - equal; balah - in strength; mama - with me.

TRANSLATION

"As for this one, Arjuna, he is not as old as I, nor is he very strong. Since he is no match for me, he should not be the contender. Bhîma, however, is as strong as I am."

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TEXT 33

ity uktvâ bhîmasenâya

prâdâya mahatîm gadâm

dvitîyâm svayam âdâya

nirjagâma purâd bahih

iti - thus; uktvâ - saying; bhîmasenâya - to Bhîmasena; prâdâya - giving; mahatîm - a large; gadâm - club; dvitîyâm - another; svayam - himself; âdâya - taking; nirjagâma - he went out; purât - from the city; bahih - to the outside.

TRANSLATION

Having said this, Jarâsandha offered Bhîmasena a huge club, took up another himself and went outside the city.

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TEXT 34

tatah samekhale vîrau

samyuktâv itaretaram

jaghnatur vajra-kalpâbhyâm

gadâbhyâm rana-durmadau

tatah - then; samekhale - on the level fighting grounds; vîrau - the two heroes; samyuktau - engaged; itara-itaram - each other; jaghnatuh - struck; vajra- kalpâbhyâm - like lightning bolts; gadâbhyâm - with their clubs; rana - by the fight; durmadau - driven to a mad fury.

TRANSLATION

The two heroes thus began battling each other on the level fighting grounds outside the city. Maddened with the fury of combat, they struck each other with their lightning-bolt-like clubs.

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TEXT 35

mandalâni vicitrâni

savyam dakshinam eva ca

caratoh s'us'ubhe yuddham

nathayor iva ranginoh

mandalâni - arcs; vicitrâni - skillful; savyam - to the left; dakshinam - to the right; eva ca - also; caratoh - of them who were moving; s'us'ubhe - appeared splendid; yuddham - the fight; nathayoh - of actors; iva - like; ranginoh - on a stage.

TRANSLATION

As they skillfully circled left and right, like actors dancing on a stage, the fight presented a magnificent spectacle.

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TEXT 36

tatas' catha-cathâ-s'abdo

vajra-nishpesa-sannibhah

gadayoh kshiptayo râjan

dantayor iva dantinoh

tatah - then; catha-cathâ-s'abdah - the clattering sound; vajra - of lightning; nishpesha - the crash; sannibhah - resembling; gadayoh - of their clubs; kshiptayoh - being swung; râjan - O King (Parîkchit); dantayoh - of the tusks; iva - as if; dantinoh - of elephants.

TRANSLATION

When Jarâsandha's and Bhîmasena's clubs loudly collided, O King, the sound was like the impact of the big tusks of two fighting elephants, or the crash of a thunderbolt in a flashing electrical storm.

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TEXT 37

te vai gade bhuja-javena nipâtyamâne

anyonyato 'msa-kathi-pâda-karoru-jatrum

cûrnî-babhûvatur upetya yathârka-s'âkhe

samyudhyator dviradayor iva dîpta-manvyoh

te - they; vai - indeed; gade - the two clubs; bhuja - of their arms; javena - by the rapid force; nipâtyamâne - being powerfully swung; anyonyatah - against one another; amsa - their shoulders; kathi - hips; pâda - feet; kara - hands; ûru - thighs; jatrum - and collarbones; cûrnî - crushed; babhûvatuh - became; upetya - contacting; yathâ - as; arka-s'âkhe - two branches of arka trees; samyudhyatoh - fighting vigorously; dviradayoh - of a pair of elephants; iva - as; dîpta - inflamed; manvyoh - whose anger.

TRANSLATION

They swung their clubs at each other with such speed and force that as the clubs struck their shoulders, hips, feet, hands, thighs and collarbones, the weapons were crushed and broken like branches of arka trees with which two enraged elephants furiously attack each other.

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TEXT 38

ittham tayoh prahatayor gadayor nri-vîrau

kruddhau sva-mushthibhir ayah-sparas'air apishthâm

s'abdas tayoh praharator ibhayor ivâsîn

nirghâta-vajra-parushas tala-tâdanotthah

ittham - in this manner; tayoh - their; prahatayoh - being ruined; gadayoh - the clubs; nr - among human beings; vîrau - the two great heroes; kruddhau - angry; sva - their own; mushthibhih - with the fists; ayah - like iron; sparas'aih - whose touch; apishthâm - they battered; s'abdah - the sound; tayoh - of them; praharatoh - striking; ibhayoh - of two elephants; iva - as; âsît - became; nirghâta - crashing; vajra - like thunder; parushah - harsh; tala - of their palms; tâdana - by the hitting; utthah - raised.

TRANSLATION

Their clubs thus ruined, those great heroes among men angrily pummeled each other with their iron-hard fists. As they slapped each other, the sound resembled the crash of elephants colliding or harsh thunderclaps.

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TEXT 39

tayor evam praharatoh

sama-s'ikshâ-balaujasoh

nirvis'esham abhûd yuddham

akshîna-javayor nripa

tayoh - of the two; evam - thus; praharatoh - striking; sama - equal; s'ikshâ - whose training; bala - strength; ojasoh - and stamina; nirvis'esham - indecisive; abhût - was; yuddham - the fight; akshîna - undiminished; javayoh - whose exertion; nripa - O King.

TRANSLATION

As they thus fought, this contest between opponents of equal training, strength and stamina reached no conclusion. And so they kept on fighting, O King, without any letup.

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TEXT 40

s'atror janma-mritî vidvâñ

jîvitam ca jarâ-kritam

pârtham âpyâyayan svena

tejasâcintayad dharih

s'atroh - of the enemy; janma - the birth; mritî - and death; vidvân - knowing; jîvitam - the bringing to life; ca - and; jarâ - by the demoness Jarâ; kritam - done; pârtham - Bhîma, the son of Prithâ; âpyâyayan - empowering; svena - with His own; tejasâ - potency; acintayat - thought; harih - Lord Krishna.

TRANSLATION

Lord Krishna knew the secret of His enemy Jarâsandha's birth and death, and also how he had been given life by the demoness Jarâ. Considering all this, Lord Krishna imparted His special power to Bhîma.

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TEXT 41

sañcintyârî-vadhopâyam

bhîmasyâmogha-dars'anah

dars'ayâm âsa vithapam

pâthayann iva samjñayâ

sañcintya - having thought; ari - their enemy; vadha - for killing; upâyam - about the means; bhîmasya - to Bhîma; amogha-dars'anah - the Supreme Lord, whose vision is infallible; dars'ayâm âsa - showed; vithapam - a tree branch; pâthayan - tearing apart; iva - as if; samjñayâ - as a sign.

TRANSLATION

Having determined how to kill the enemy, that Lord of infallible vision made a sign to Bhîma by tearing in half a small branch of a tree.

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TEXT 42

tad vijñâya mahâ-sattvo

bhîmah praharatâm varah

grihîtvâ pâdayoh s'atrum

pâtayâm âsa bhû-tale

tat - that; vijñâya - understanding; mahâ - great; sattvah - whose strength; bhîmah - Bhîma; praharatâm - of fighters; varah - the best; grihîtvâ - seizing; pâdayoh - by the feet; s'atrum - his enemy; pâtayâm asa - he made him fall; bhû- tale - to the ground.

TRANSLATION

Understanding this sign, mighty Bhîma, the best of fighters, seized his opponent by the feet and threw him to the ground.

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TEXT 43

ekam pâdam padâkramya

dorbhyâm anyam pragrihya sah

gudatah pâthayâm âsa

s'âkham iva mahâ-gajah

ekam - one; pâdam - leg; padâ - with his foot; âkramya - standing on top of; dorbhyâm - with his two hands; anyam - the other; pragrihya - taking hold of; sah - he; gudatah - beginning from the anus; pâthayâm âsa - tore him asunder; s'âkhâm - a tree branch; iva - as; mahâ - great; gajah - an elephant.

TRANSLATION

Bhîma pressed down on one leg with his foot while grabbing Jarâsandha's other leg in his hands, and just as a great elephant might break the branch of a tree, Bhîma tore Jarâsandha apart from the anus upward.

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TEXT 44

eka-pâdoru-vrishana-

kathi-prishthha-stanâmsake

eka-bâhv-akshi-bhrû-karne

s'akale dadris'uh prajâh

eka - with one; pâda - leg; ûru - thigh; vrishana - testicle; kati - hip; prishthha - side of the back; stana - chest; amsake - and shoulder; eka - with one; bâhu - arm; akshi - eye; bhrû - eyebrow; karne - and ear; s'akale - two pieces; dadris'uh - saw; prajâh - the citizens.

TRANSLATION

The King's subjects then saw him lying in two separate pieces, each with a single leg, thigh, testicle, hip, shoulder, arm, eye, eyebrow and ear, and with half a back and chest.

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TEXT 45

hâhâ-kâro mahân âsîn

nihate magadhes'vare

pûjayâm âsatur bhîmam

parirabhya jayâcyatau

hâhâ-kârah - a cry of lamentation; mahân - great; âsît - arose; nihate - having been killed; magadha-îs'vare - the lord of the Magadha province; pûjayâm âsatuh - the two of them honored; bhîmam - Bhîma; parirabhya - embracing; jaya - Arjuna; acyutau - and Krishna.

TRANSLATION

With the death of the lord of Magadha, a great cry of lamentation arose, while Arjuna and Krishna congratulated Bhîma by embracing him.

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TEXT 46

sahadevam tat-tanayam

bhagavân bhûta-bhâvanah

abhyashiñcad ameyâtmâ

magadhânâm patim prabhuh

mocayâm âsa râjanyân

samruddhâ mâgadhena ye

sahadevam - named Sahadeva; tat - his (Jarâsandha's); tanayam - son; bhagavân - the Personality of Godhead; bhûta - of all living beings; bhâvanah - the sustainer; abhyashiñcat - coronated; ameya-âtmâ - the immeasurable one; magadhânâm - of the Magadhas; patim - as the master; prabhuh - the Lord; mocayâm âsa - He released; râjanyân - the kings; samruddhâh - imprisoned; mâgadhena - by Jarâsandha; ye - who.

TRANSLATION

The immeasurable Supreme Personality of Godhead, the sustainer and benefactor of all living beings, coronated Jarâsandha's son, Sahadeva, as the new ruler of the Magadhas. The Lord then freed all the kings Jarâsandha had imprisoned.

  

 

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