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Canto 10

Rādhā Mādhava 2


 

Chapter 18: Lord Balarāma Slays the Demon Pralamba

(1) S'rī S'uka said: 'Surrounded by His happy-natured folk singing His glories, Krishna thereafter [after the forest fire] entered Vraja that was so beautiful with its herds of cows. (2) While the two [Lords Balarāma and Krishna] thus were sporting in Vraja in the disguise of a cowherd, the summer season approached that is not so pleasant for the living beings. (3) Nonetheless because of the special qualities of Vrindāvana this place, were the Supreme Lord Kes'ava together with Rāma personally was staying, manifested characteristics similar to those of spring. (4) The constant noise of the waterfalls drowned out the sound of the crickets there, while the groups of trees embellishing the area were moistened by their spray. (5) From the waves of the lakes and the currents of the rivers cool breezes transported the pollen of the kahlāra, kańja and utpala lotuses. Because of them there was for the people living in the forest not the tormenting heat of the sun or the forest fires that belong to the summer season, but instead an abundance of grass. (6) The water of the very deep rivers drenched the shores, which caused muddy banks on all sides. The fierce sun radiating its venomous rays there, could not drive away the moist from the earth and the greenery. (7) In the forest that was beautifully filled with flowers, all sorts of animals made their noises: birds were singing, peacocks [cried], bees [hummed], and cuckoos and cranes were cooing. (8) While sounding His flute, Krishna, the Supreme Lord, intent on playing there, entered the forest area in the company of Balarāma, the gopas and the cows. (9) Being decorated with fresh leaves, peacock feathers, bunches of small flowers, garlands and colorful minerals, the gopas headed by Krishna and Rāma were singing, dancing and romping about. (10) While Krishna danced, some of them sang, some played on flutes, cymbals and horns, while others offered praise. (11) The demigods, disguised as cowherd folk, oh King, worshiped [see 10.1: 22] Krishna and Rāma in their form of cow protectors, just like professional dancers do when they encourage another dancer. (12) Whirling in circles, jumping distances, throwing with things, slapping their arms and pulling with ropes, they played, and sometimes they held, when they wrestled, each other by the locks of their hair. (13) When so now and then the others danced, They were the ones who played the instruments, who sang and who were of praise, oh King, by saying: 'How good, how good this is!' (14) At times they played with bilva fruits and then again with kumbha fruits or with palmfuls of āmalaka fruits [myrobalan]. They played tag [aspris'ya] or blind man's buff [netra-bandha] and such games, and sometimes they mimicked the animals and birds. (15) Then they jumped like frogs, told all kinds of jokes and then again they were playing on the swings or acted like kings. (16) The two this way being engaged in common human play, roamed the forests, mountains, rivers and valleys, bowers, lakes and surrounding groves.

(17) [One day,] while Rāma and Krishna together with the gopas were herding the animals in that forest, the demon Pralamba arrived there in the form of a gopa. He wanted to kidnap Them. (18) Since He, who stemmed from the house of Das'ārha, was the omniscient Supreme Lord, He saw what he was up to. Thinking of killing him, He accepted to be friends with him. (19) Krishna, the knower of all games thereupon called together the gopas and said: 'Oh gopas, let us play and divide us in two equal teams.' (20) For that purpose the gopas appointed Rāma and Janārdana as their leaders, so that some belonged to Krishna's group while others joined the group of Rāma. (21) They engaged in several games of 'carrier and carried' [harinākrīdanam] that were defined by the rule that the winners would climb on the back of the defeated ones who then had to carry them. (22) While carrying and being carried they tended the cows. Led by Krishna, they went to a banyan tree named Bhāndīraka [*]. (23) After Rāma's party, consisting of S'rīdāmā, Vrishabha and others, had won the contest, each of them was carried by Krishna and the members of His party, oh King. (24) Because Krishna, the Supreme Lord, was defeated, He carried S'rīdāmā, Bhadrasena carried Vrishabha and Pralamba [the Asura] carried the son of Rohinī [Balarāma]. (25) Considering Krishna invincible that foremost demon in great haste set off to carry [his passenger Rāma] beyond the finish line where one should dismount. (26) Holding Him high the demon lost his momentum though because Rāma became as heavy as the king of the earth and the planets [mount Meru]. As a consequence he resumed his original body that was covered by golden ornaments. He shone like a cloud flashing with lightening that carried the moon. (27) Seeing that body moving fast through the sky with blazing eyes, frowned eyebrows, rows of terrible teeth, wild hair, with armlets, with a crown and with earrings, the Carrier of the Plow being amazed about the effulgence, was a bit put off. (28) Balarāma, being carried away from His company like He was being kidnapped, regained His wits and fearlessly hit His enemy angrily hard with His fist on the head. That happened as vehemently as the king of the gods hitting a mountain with his thunderbolt. (29) The head of the demon being struck split immediately in two so that he unconscious and lifeless, spitting blood from his mouth, fell to the ground with a loud noise that sounded like a mountain being hit by Indra's weapon. (30) When the gopas saw how Pralamba was killed by the force of Balarāma's display of power, they were most astonished and exclaimed: 'Very good, well done!' ['sādhu, sādhu'] (31) Pronouncing benedictions they praised Him for His deserving action. With their hearts overwhelmed by love they closed Him in their arms as if He had returned from death. (32) After the sinful Pralamba had been killed, the demigods, utterly satisfied, heaped flower garlands upon Balarāma and offered prayers exclaiming: 'Bravo, excellent!' '

 

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 Third revised edition, loaded August 4, 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

S'rī S'uka said: 'Surrounded by His happy-natured folk singing His glories, Krishna thereafter [after the forest fire] entered Vraja that was so beautiful with its herds of cows.
S'rī S'uka said: 'Surrounded by His happy-natured folk singing His glories entered Krishna thereafter [after the forest fire] Vraja that was so beautiful with its herds of cows. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

While the two [Lords Balarāma and Krishna] thus were sporting in Vraja in the disguise of a cowherd, the summer season approached that is not so pleasant for the living beings.

Sporting this way in Vraja in the disguise of a cowherd, approached the summer season that is not so pleasing to the living beings. (Vedabase)

 

Text 3

Nonetheless because of the special qualities of Vrindāvana this place, were the Supreme Lord Kes'ava together with Rāma personally was staying, manifested characteristics similar to those of spring.

Notwithstanding this was Vrindāvana, in which the Supreme Lord Kes'ava together with Rāma personally were staying, manifesting the qualities as if it was the time of spring. (Vedabase)

     

Text 4

The constant noise of the waterfalls drowned out the sound of the crickets there, while the groups of trees embellishing the area were moistened by their spray.

The constant noise of the waterfalls covered there the sound of the crickets while the groups of trees embellishing the area were moistened by their spray. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5

From the waves of the lakes and the currents of the rivers cool breezes transported the pollen of the kahlāra, kańja and utpala lotuses. Because of them there was for the people living in the forest not the tormenting heat of the sun or the forest fires that belong to the summer season, but instead an abundance of grass.

From the waves and currents, the rivers and the lakes transported cool breezes the pollen of the kahlāra, kańja and utpala lotuses so that there, for the people living in the forest, was not the tormenting heat of the sun or the forest fires to the summer season, but the growth of an abundance of grass instead. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

The water of the very deep rivers drenched the shores, which caused muddy banks on all sides. The fierce sun radiating its venomous rays there, could not drive away the moist from the earth and the greenery.

The water of the very deep rivers drenched the shores, giving muddy banks on all sides, over which the fierce sun radiating its venomous rays could not take away the juice and greenness of the earth. (Vedabase)

   

Text 7

In the forest that was beautifully filled with flowers, all sorts of animals made their noises: birds were singing, peacocks cried, bees [hummed], and cuckoos and cranes were cooing.

The forest full of flowers most beautiful resounded with all sorts of animals and birds singing, peacocks and bees and the cooing of cuckoos and cranes. (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

While sounding His flute, Krishna, the Supreme Lord, intent on playing there, entered the forest area in the company of Balarāma, the gopas and the cows.

Intend on playing was the forest area entered by Krishna, the Supreme Lord sounding His flute in the company of Balarāma, the gopas and the cows. (Vedabase)

  

Text 9

Being decorated with fresh leaves, peacock feathers, bunches of small flowers, garlands and colorful minerals, the gopas headed by Krishna and Rāma were singing, dancing and romping about.

With fresh leaves, peacock feathers, bunches of small flowers, garlands and colorful minerals for ornaments were Krishna, Rāma and the gopas singing, dancing and romping about. (Vedabase)

 

Text 10

While Krishna danced, some of them sang, some played on flutes, cymbals and horns, while others offered praise.

With Krishna dancing, sang some of them, played some on flutes, cymbals and horns while others offered praise. (Vedabase)

 

Text 11

The demigods, disguised as cowherd folk, oh King, worshiped [see 10.1: 22] Krishna and Rāma in their form of cow protectors, just like professional dancers do when they encourage another dancer.

Disguised as cowherd folk worshiped the demigods [see 10.1: 22] Krishna and Rāma in their form of cow-protectors the same way professional dancers encourage another dancer, o King. (Vedabase)

   

Text 12

Whirling in circles, jumping distances, throwing with things, slapping their arms and pulling with ropes, they played, and sometimes they held, when they wrestled, each other by the locks of their hair.

Whirling, jumping, throwing, slapping and dragging they played and sometimes, as they wrestled, held they each other by the locks of their hair. (Vedabase)

 

Text 13

When so now and then the others danced, They were the ones who played the instruments, who sang and who were of praise, oh King, by saying: 'How good, how good this is!'

At times when the others danced were They the singers and played They the instruments, themselves being of praise, o King, saying: 'How good, how good this is!' (Vedabase)

 

Text 14

At times they played with bilva fruits and then again with kumbha fruits or with palmfuls of āmalaka fruits [myrobalan]. They played tag [aspris'ya] or blind man's buff [netra-bandha] and such games, and sometimes they mimicked the animals and birds.

Now and then played they with bilva fruits and then with kumbha fruits or with palmfuls of āmalaka [myrobalan] fruits; they played tag [aspris'ya] or blindman's buff [netra-bandha] and such games and sometimes mimicked the animals and birds. (Vedabase)

 

Text 15

Then they jumped like frogs, told all kinds of jokes, and then again they were playing on the swings or acted like kings.

Then they jumped like frogs, told all kinds of jokes and then again they were swinging or pretended they to be kings. (Vedabase)

  

Text 16

The Two this way being engaged in common human play roamed the forests, mountains, rivers and valleys, bowers, lakes and surrounding groves.

The two this way engaged in common human play roamed the forests, mountains, rivers and valleys, bowers, lakes, and groves around. (Vedabase)

 

Text 17

[One day,] while Rāma and Krishna together with the gopas were herding the animals in that forest, the demon Pralamba arrived there in the form of a gopa. He wanted to kidnap Them.

One day, while Rāma and Krishna together with the gopas were herding the animals in that forest arrived there the demon Pralamba in the form of a gopa with the intent to kidnap Them. (Vedabase)

 

Text 18

Since He, who stemmed from the house of Das'ārha, was the omniscient Supreme Lord, He saw what he was up to. Thinking of killing him, He accepted to be friends with him.

Knowing him, since He stemming from the house of Das'ārha was the Supreme Lord omniscient, accepted He, thinking of killing him, to be friends with him. (Vedabase)

 

Text 19

Krishna, the knower of all games thereupon called together the gopas and said: 'Oh gopas, let us play and divide us in two equal teams.'

Next calling together the gopas said Krishna, the knower of all games: 'O gopas, let's play and divide us in two matching teams'. (Vedabase)

 

  Text 20

For that purpose the gopas appointed Rāma and Janārdana as their leaders, so that some belonged to Krishna's group while others joined the group of Rāma.

To that appointed the gopas Rāma and Janārdana their leaders so that some belonged to Krishna's group while others joined with Rāma. (Vedabase)

 

Text 21

They engaged in several games of 'carrier and carried' [harinākrīdanam] that were defined by the rule that the winners would climb on the back of the defeated ones who then had to carry them.

They engaged in several games of 'carrier and carried' [harinākrīdanam] which were known by the rule that the winners could mount the defeated who then had to carry them. (Vedabase)

 

Text 22

While carrying and being carried they tended the cows. Led by Krishna, they went to a banyan tree named Bhāndīraka [*].

Carrying and being carried tended they meanwhile the cows and went they, led by Krishna, to a banyan tree named Bhāndīraka [*]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 23

After Rāma's party, consisting of S'rīdāmā, Vrishabha and others, had won the contest, each of them was carried by Krishna and the members of His party, oh King.

When Rāma's party with S'rīdāmā, Vrishabha and others had won the contest would each of them be carried by Krishna and the members of His party, o King. (Vedabase)

 

Text 24

Because Krishna, the Supreme Lord, was defeated, He carried S'rīdāmā, Bhadrasena carried Vrishabha and Pralamba [the Asura] carried the son of Rohinī [Balarāma].

Being defeated carried the Supreme Lord Krishna S'rīdāmā; was Vrishabha carried by Bhadrasena and carried Pralamba [the Asura] the son of Rohinī [Rāma]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 25

Considering Krishna invincible that foremost demon in great haste set off to carry [his passenger Rāma] beyond the finish line where one should dismount.

Considering Krishna invincible set that foremost demon in great haste off carrying [his passenger Rāma] beyond the finish line of dismounting. (Vedabase)

 

Text 26

Holding Him high the demon lost his momentum though because Rāma became as heavy as the king of the earth and the planets [mount Meru]. As a consequence he resumed his original body that was covered by golden ornaments. He shone like a cloud flashing with lightening that carried the moon.

As he held Him high lost the demon his momentum though with Him [growing] as heavy as the king of the earth and the planets [mount Meru]. He thereupon resumed his original body which was covered by golden ornaments, because of which he shone like a cloud flashing with lightening in carrying the moon. (Vedabase)

 

Text 27

Seeing that body moving fast through the sky with blazing eyes, frowned eyebrows, rows of  terrible teeth, wild hair, with armlets, with a crown and with earrings, the Carrier of the Plow being amazed about the effulgence, was a bit put off.

Seeing that body fast moving in the sky with blazing eyes, frowned eyebrows, the rows of his terrible teeth, his wild hair, his armlets, crown and his earrings, was the Carrier of the Plow, stunned about the effulgence, a bit daunted. (Vedabase)

 

Text 28

Balarāma, being carried away from His company like He was being kidnapped, regained His wits and fearlessly hit His enemy angrily hard with His fist on the head. That happened as vehemently as the king of the gods hitting a mountain with his thunderbolt.

Then remembering Himself, stroke the fearless Balarāma who was moving away from the company like He was being kidnapped, him angrily hard with His fist on the head as fast as the king of the gods would hit a mountain with his thunderbolt. (Vedabase)

 

Text 29

The head of the demon being struck split immediately in two so that he unconscious and lifeless, spitting blood from his mouth, fell to the ground with a loud noise that sounded like a mountain being hit by Indra's weapon.

Being struck split the head of the demon immediately in two and fell he, giving up blood from his mouth, lifeless to the ground with a loud noise that sounded as if a mountain was hit by Indra's weapon. (Vedabase)

 

Text 30

When the gopas saw how Pralamba was killed by the force of Balarāma's display of power, they were most astonished and exclaimed: 'Very good, well done!' ['sādhu, sādhu']

Seeing Pralamba killed by Balarāma's display of power were the gopas most astonished and exclaimed they 'Good so, well done!' ['sādhu, sādhu']. (Vedabase)

 

Text 31

Pronouncing benedictions they praised Him for His deserving action. With their hearts overwhelmed by love they closed Him in their arms as if He had returned from death.

Pronouncing benedictions praised they Him who had been so deserving, as if he had returned from death and closed they Him in their arms with their hearts overwhelmed by love. (Vedabase)

 

Text 32

After the sinful Pralamba had been killed, the demigods, utterly satisfied, heaped flower garlands upon Balarāma and offered prayers exclaiming: 'Bravo, excellent!' '

With the sinful Pralamba killed heaped the demigods, utterly satisfied, garlands of flowers over Him, and offered they prayers exclaiming 'Bravo, excellent!' (Vedabase)

 

*: S'rīla Sanātana Gosvāmī quotes the following verses from S'rī Harivams'a (Vishnu-parva 11.18 - 22), which describe the banyan tree:

dadars'a vipulodagra-
s'ākhinam s'ākhinām varam
sthitam dharanyām meghābham
nibidam dala-sańcayaih

gaganārdhocchritākāram
parvatābhoga-dhārinam
nīla-citrānga-varnais' ca
sevitam bahubhih khagaih

phalaih pravālais' ca ghanaih
sendracāpa-ghanopamam
bhavanākāra-vithapam
latā-pushpa-sumanditam

vis'āla-mūlāvanatam
pāvanāmbhoda-dhārinam
ādhipatyam ivānyeshām
tasya des'asya s'ākhinām

kurvānam s'ubha-karmānam
nirāvarsham anātapam
nyagrodham parvatāgrābham
bhāndīram nāma nāmatah

"They saw that best of all trees that had many long branches. With its dense covering of leaves it resembled a cloud sitting on the earth. Indeed, its form was so large that it appeared like a mountain covering half the sky. Many birds with charming blue wings frequented that great tree whose dense fruits and leaves made it seem like a cloud accompanied by a rainbow or like a house decorated with creepers and flowers. It spread its broad roots downward and carried upon itself the sanctified clouds. That banyan tree was like the lordly master of all other trees in that vicinity, as it performed the all-auspicious functions of warding off the rain and the heat of the sun. Such was the appearance of that nyagrodha tree known as Bhāndīra, which appeared just like the peak of a great mountain."

 

 

 

 Creative
                    Commons License
The text and audio are offered under the conditions of the
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
The painting of the gopas playing is © of
Vrindavan das, used with permission.
Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time.

 

 

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