Enjoy this tale from Myths & Legends of India ❤
Because Krishna is a major character in the epic, Vyasa – or those who hand down the epic orally, with many changes and additions – felt the need to include a full account of his life. The pretext for it is a conflict between Sisupala – son of the sister of Krishna’s father Vasudeva – and Krishna himself. Sisupala wanted to marry Rukmini, but Rukmini was fearful of him (he was in fact the incarnation of the Rakshasa king, Ravana, though she didn’t k ow that) and secretly wrote to Krishna asking for aid. He turned up on the morning of her wedding, eloped with her and married her. They were destined to be married, for Rukmini (like Krishna’s lover Radha) was an incarnation of Lakahmi (wife of Vishnu), and Krishna was an incarnation of Vishnu.
The panegyric of Krishna from which this extract is taken is spoken by Bhishma (the son of Santanu who gave up his claim to the throne of Hastina – pura: see p. 213) in order to dazzle Sisupala into submission – a ploy that is neither necessary nor effective! It does nothing to dissuade Sisupala, Rukma (Rukmini’s brother), Jarasamdha (another enemy of Krishna) and an army of Rakshasas from attacking Krishna and Balarama, who defeat and kill them all.
The story told in the following extract follows Krishna’s slaying of Kamsa (see p. 149) and takes us up to the foundation of Dvaraka, Krishna’s capital city.
Aditi, whose earrings are stolen by Naraka and recovered by Krishna, is the goddess of the firmament, and is variously described as ‘the mother of the gods’, the mother of Vishnu, or the mother of Indra. Indra gave her the earrings: they came to the surface of the primeval ocean when the gods churned it (see pop. 62-3.)
Krishna had 8 wives altogether. They are given a separate palace at Dvaraka.
Like the wind tearing through the clouds
into tatters, Krishna,
Seated in Indra’s chariot, attacked
And routed Kamsa’s army.
He slew Kamsa and his
Ministers in the royal court,
And immediately went and
Paid his respects to Devaki.
He honored, repeatedly,
Yasoda and Rohini,
And installed Ugrasena king.
All the Yadus praised Krishna.
After this, Purushottama Krishna
Attacked all-defying
Jarasamdha and defeated him
Near the lake-studded Yamuna.
Pleaser-of-the-Yadavas
Krishna then left
Mathura of Surasena and
Went to Dvaraka.
All the gold and gems that
Lotus-eyed Krishna
Had won from the anti-gods,
He lavished on Dvaraka.
The Daityas and Danavas
Opposed his plans.
Incensed, Krishna slaughtered
Hundreds of them.
It was at this time that
the anti-god Naraka,
of whom you know, whom all the
gods feared, obstructed Krishna.
Naraka had succeeded in
taking possession of all
the earth’s recesses where sacred
images and langams were worshiped
Because he was Earth’s son,
Naraka was called Earth-Born.
Assuming an elephant’s shape,
he abducted the ravishingly lovely,
fourteen-year-old daughter,
Kaseru, of Visvakarman.
Naraka was king of Pragjyotisha – a fearless,
feelingless ruler. Taking Kaseru
to his place, he said:
‘All the gems of all the
world’s kings, all the gems
that are buried in the earth,
all the gems of the oceans –
These will all be yours
from today, brought for you
by Rakshasas on my orders,
and by Daityas and Danavas.’
The earth-born anti-god
made lavish presents
of wealth in this fashion
to her (continued Bhishma).
He abducted the daughters of
the Gandharvas as well;
also the daughters of gods and
men, and lovely Apsarases.
Sixteen thousand and one virgins
were brought to his palace.
According to the virtuous custom,
they kept single braids of hair.
Naraka made arrangements for
their stay in a place
called Audaka in Antahpura, in
the anti-god Mura’s territory.
Earth-born Naraka of Prag-
jyotisha and the tens sons
of ura guarded Antahpura
day and night.
So great was Naraka’s self-
conceit that he even
dared to insult Aditi over
the matter of an erring.
Never in the hpast had
all the Daityas together
offered such gross insult
as now did Naraka.
he was born of mother-Earth,
his capital was
Pragjyotisha; four heroric Daityas
protected his kingdom.
They blocked all approaches
from earth adn heaven.
Their looks struck terror
even among the gods.
they were called Hayagriva,
Nisumbha, terrible
Panchajana and hundred-sonned
boon-accomplished ura.
It was to kill them that
Krishna of the mace,
discus, and sword was born
to devaki and Vasudeva.
His glory flooded the three
worlds. And of course
all here know that Krishna lived
in the city of Dvaraka,
A city even more entrancing
than Indra’s Amaravati,
a city to shame all others,
which of cours you know.
In Dvaraka is a faous spot
called Dasarhi where
the Vrishnis would congregate –
it is one yojana square
Balaraa and Krishna andother Andhakas would
emet here and plan for theprotection of the world.
It so happend once,
when they were gathered
a divine wind began blowing,
divine fragrance fell.
Suddenly a light that
of a thousand suns
approached the earth slowly
and stopped near the assembly.
In the dazzling brightness
could be seen Indra
on his elephant, surrounded by
his hosts of gods.
Barlarama, Krishna, Urgrasena,
the Andhakas and Vrishnis
all rose, came out, and
honored the god Indra.
Indra got down for his
elephant, and warmly
embraced, first Krishna, then
Balarma and the others,
Among them Vasudeva,
Uddhava, Vikuda,
Pradyumna, Smba, Nisatha,
Aniruddha, Satyaki,
Gada, Sarana Akrura,
Kritavarma, Charudeshna,
Sudeshna. All the Yadavas
received Indra’s blessings.
When the chiefs of the
Andhakas and Vrishnis
had been greeted in this
fashion, Indra received
their worship; then, head
slightly bowed, he said:
‘I come here, O Krishna,
at the instance of
mother Aditi. The anti-god Naraka
has snatched her earrings.
Who but you will redress
her insult? O Krishna,
fortunate-favored lord of men,
go and kill Naraka.’
Krishna, greatly pleased,
replied, ‘I will go,
defeat Naraka, and bring back
Aditi’s earrings.’
He consulted Balarama;
and also gathered advice
from Pradyumna, Aniruddha,
and brave Samba.
Then, picking up his
conch, chakra, mace
and sword, Krishna mounted
the bird-deity Garuda
and flew away, keeping the
gods’ welfare in mind.
Seeing foe-destroying Krishna
go on his mission, Indra
and the other gods were
delighted and followed hi.
Krishna killed the chief
Rakshasas, and spotted
the six thousand deadly knive0
edged nets prepared by ura.
His discus sliced through them,
and decapitated Mura
and his followers; whizzing over
stone walls, it killed Nisumbha.
Next, it slew Hayagriva,
who could single-handed
fight a thousand soldiers, who
single-handed defied the gods.
Delighter-of-the-hearts-
of-the-Yadavas,
the radiantly lustrous
heroic son of Devaki
Penetrated the steel fort
of Audaka, and killed
the fierce Rakshasas appointed
by Naraka to guard it.
From a distance he saw
the shining roofs of
Pragjyotisha. He fought a
battle with the Danavas there,
Which became celebrated
as the great gods-anti-gods’
war. It is said that no battle
equaled it in ferocity.
Krishna’s chakra sired through
the Dana ranks,
decimating them; his heroism with
his sword did not rest.
Eight hundred thousand Danavas
fell in the fight
Lion-among-men Purushottama Krishna
Hurried to the lower regions
of hell where the challenger-
of-the-gods Naraka
lay hiding; the slayer of Kamsa
immediately attacked Naraka
The carnage that resulted
over the earrings of
World-Mother Aditi was impossible
to describe.
For a little while chakra-
wielding Krishna
egged Naraka on, then sliced off
his head with one throw.
Shredded by the chakra, Naraka’s mutilated body, like
Vritra’s killed by Indra’s thunderbolt
thudded on the ground.
Earth, seeing her son life-less returned Aditi’s
earrings, and said to
mighty-armed Krishna:
‘You gave him to me, my lord,
you now have taken him.
Play with me as you wish.
Only spare his children.’
Krishna replied, ‘Your son
had become a terror
to sages pritris, mahatmas
and all the gods.
He persecuted the gods and Brahins..
People loathed him
He went so far in his pride
as to insult even
World-Mother Aditi by snatching
her earrings. So I killed him.
Earth-mother, do not hate me
for what I have done.
Fortune-favored one, your son
is lucky to have met death
at my hands. go now. Your
burden has been lightened.’
After killing Naraka (continued
Bhishma) Krishna,
accompanied by the guardians of
the universe went to his palace
Naraka’s palace was a fabulous treasure-house
of all varieties of precious
stones and other wealth –
Pearls, diamonds, rubies,
cat’s-eyes gems embroidered
in clothes, topazes, jaspers,
and quartz-studded dresses;
Various other dresses made from
gold thread obtained
from the Jambu river, shinning like
white-silk moonlight.
The inner apartments of the
palace were made of
gold. the hoard of wealth
that one saw there
Excelled the riches in the
palace of Kubera god
of treasures, and the riches of
Indra’s palace in heaven
Indra said, ‘Adored Krishna
all this wealth you see
the gems, gold, the gold-woven
cloths, the howdahs,
The multi-colored dresses –
all this is yours.
There are twenty thousand elephants
and forty thousand she-elephants;
Eight hundred thousand of the finest
horses and any vehicles
pulled by yoked bulls. Whatever
you need belongs to you.
These woolens, beds,
seats, trained birds,
sandalwood and aloe-wood,
perfumed chariots –
If you order me, I will
arrange to send them
all to Dvaraka for your
and the Vrishnis’ comfort.’
All the magnificent wealth
of the gods, Gandharvas,
anti-gods and Daityas, was loaded
on Garuda’s back,
and Indra, along with
Krishna of the Dasarhas,
went to the mountain
known as Maniparvata.
Soft, cool breezes blew;
scenes of enchanting beauty
refreshed one’s eyes. the gods
saw, and marveled.
The shining deities of the
sky, the rishis, the sun
and moon came there and
all were awe-struck.
Then, on a signal from
Indra and Balarama,
they set foot in Antahpura,
Naraka’s mountain stronghold.
Krishna saw the doors
of Antahpura flashing
like sapphire. Flags fluttered
on all the city-gates.
Dazzling with golden light,
glowing with colored flags,
Antahpura looked like a
painting against the clouds.
The upper rooms were large-
sized, the stairs were
gem-encrusted. The bewitching
young daughters of
Gandharvas and anti-gods
stood on the balconies
of that heaven and saw
invincible Krishna.
They saw him; and next
instant, surrounded him.
Each had a single braid, each
wore saffron and did tapas.
Their vow of self-restraint
and sorrow of separation
left them; they stood in front
of Krishna with folded palms;
The lovely lotus-eyed
ladies said to
Krishna, lord of all
their senses:
‘Purushottama, the royal
rishi Narada said
to us, “Krishna will come here
to fulfill his mission
of helping the gods. He
will kill Naraka,
Nisumbha, Mura and Hayagriva,
and take their possessions.
In a few days he will
be here to free you
from your suffering.” Saying this,
wise Narada left us.
We have been doing tapas
in expectation of
your coming. Oh, we have waited
long for your appearance.
And our thoughts were always
that you should
triumph over the Danavas.
Such was our tapas.
Marry us by Gandharva
rites, and save us.
the wind-god Vayu knew
our desire and told us,
“all that Narada has
predicted, will happen.” ‘
The gods and Gandharvas saw
Krishna standing among the
enchanting girls, as a bull
stands among cows.
They saw his moon-lovely
face, and were filled
with love-longing; passionately,
they said to him:
‘It seems unbelievable that
what the wind-god
said and what Narada predicted
should come to pass.
Narada said, “Vishnu Narayana will
come with discus, mace,
conch and sword, kill Naraka,
and become your lord.”
Your showing today has
fulfilled Narada’s
prediction – oh how auspicious
a day for us!
So we stand here and gaze
on your moon-lovely
face. your showing alone
has made us happy.’
Love for Krishna blossomed
in their hearts (Bhishma
continued). Krishna, finest of
Yadavas, replied:
‘Lovely large-eyed ladies!
It will be as you say.
All your desires will be
fulfilled today.’
Krishna ordered his followers
to take the wealth
and girls to Dvaraka
(continued Bhishma).
Then Krishna instructed the
giant bird-deity
Garuda to lift the glittering
hill on his back,
With all its flocks of
birds, herds of elephants,
snakes, deer, Nagas, monkeys,
stones and rocks;
Antelopes, boars, ruru-deer,
waterfalls, jutting ledges,
and flocks of brilliant-feathered,
dazzling peacocks.
Even as all the creatures
watched, dazed, Krishna
lifted up the hill and placed
it on Garuda’s back.
And Garuda winged across
the sky with his load,
carrying Krishna, Balarama,
and mighty Indra.
His gigantic body was like
a huge mountain peak.
His massive wings spread waves
of noise as he flew.
Hills brushed by his wings
toppled and fell,
tress snapped, and clouds were
dispersed on impact.
obscuring with his brightness
the stars and planets,
he reached the skyey paths
of the sun and moon.
Reaching the central summit
of Meru mountain,
Krishna surveyed the abode
of all the gods.
He saw the Visvadevas,
Maruts, Sadhyas; he
visited the realms of the Asvins;
then went to Indra’s palace.
nearing Indra’s palace, he
alighted from Garuda.
He paid his respects to
Aditi. Brahma, Daksha,
the Prajapatis and gods
welcomed him inside. In the presence of Balarama,
Krishna handed over
the two earrings and other
ornaments to Aditi.
Aditi, pleased, threw off
her gloom, and warmly
thanked Krishna of the Dasarhas
and his brother Balarama.
Indra’s wife Sachi took
Krishna’s consort Satyabhama
by the hand, and escorted her
to Aditi to be blessed.
World-Mother Aditi was so
pleased with Krishna
that she ordained a special
boon for Satyabhama.
‘Sweet-faced wife,’ she said,
‘you will not be widowed
so long as Krishna is in human
form; all the fragrances
and all the virtues of the world
will make you radiant.’
Lovely Satyabhama wandered
with Sachi in the divine
realm and, with her permission,
retired to Krishna’s rest-room.
Foe-annihilating Krishna
took leave of the gods
and maharishis, and returned
to his capital Dvaraka.
Krishna covered the long distance
in no time, and arrived
in Dvaraka, whose principal gate
is known as Vardhamana.
Krishna, many-formed Narayana,
was delighted with
the beauty of the city that he saw
as he was about to enter.
On all sides, exquisite
gardens, with beautiful trees
growing; entrancing flowers,
and sweet fruits.
The royal buildings shown
like the sun and moon’
so tall they looked like
Meru’s cloud-kissing peaks.
Visvakarman himself had
supervised the architecture.
Louses bloomed in the moats
surrounding the city;
swans floating on them made them
resemble the Ganga and Sindhu.
Sun-bright, sky-touching,
tall-towered Davaraka,
girt with white clouds,
looked like Amaravati.
Its paradisaical gardens were
like those of Nandana,
Its Chaitraratha grove was like
Brahma’s own pleasure-haunt.
Like the Vaibhraja garden,
it flowered perennially.
So glorious was Dvaraka –
like a star-spangled city.
in the east of Dvaraka
was the towering Raivataka
hill, whose peaks were
enchanting to behold.
In the south was the hill
known as Lataveshta,
known as Rainbow hill because
of its five colors.
In the south was the hill
called Sukaksha, and
from a distance one could see
brilliant-hued flowers on it.
And in the north, Yudhishthira,
there was Venumanta hill,
as glorious and celebrated as
Mandara mountain.
From Raivataka hill could
be seen all the scenic
loveliness of the forests of
Chaitraratha, Nandana, Ramana,
and Bhavana.
In the western part of
Krishna’s lovely city
was a lake, Pushkarini, spread
over a hundred bow-lengths.
Krishna was happy to
enter that magnificent
city of fifty gates
called Dvaraka –
So large, its exact dimensions
were unknown; surrounded
by rivers and lakes; with
tall, shinning, white buildings.
A city well-fortified
with various shape spear –
life defenses, and fierce, gigantic
circular war machines.
Like Indra’s city, it boasted,
outside its gates, eight
thousand chariots with flags
and pennants flying.
Its central area was roughly
eight yojanas wide
and twelve long. Double that
were its adjoining parts.
Eight main roads; magnificent
porches in all houses;
sixteen large crossroads –
a finely planned city.
An intricate network of
by-lanes radiating
from seven main lanes – all
executed by Visvakarman.
Its gold and gem-studded
staircases amazed all
who saw them. Everywhere,
at all ties, the sounds
of sweet music issued from
its large-windowed houses.
Indra, when he saw this
extraordinary city with
its huge gates and porches,
was struck with wonder.
Flags fluttered on the high
buildings, cloud-white
against the sky like the
summits of Mount Meru.
The roofs were gold-washed,
the walls whitewashed;
the dome, grille-work and
windows were gem-encrusted.
From the eaves of the upper
rooms hung bird-cages.
Dvaraka had so much stone –
and gem – work that
an observer could mistake it for
a gem-glittering mountain.
Some houses were made of
gold, some of marble,
others of stone and brick, the doors
of Jambu-gold and blue stone.
The very feel of these house
was soothing. Their roofs,
their rooms pleased as does
a beautiful mountain.
Five shades of the cassia
were mixed to get the
wall-colors of the rooms, as subtle
as the shades of clouds.
these tall houses stood as
lovely as painted pictures
against the sky’s backdrop, rivaling
the sun and moon.
Like the Ganga awesome
with its hosts of Nagas,
Dvaraka impressed with its
crowds of heroic citizens.
Like the sky enriched with
clouds, Dvaraka was
enriched by its houses; Krishna
was Dvaraka’s Indra.
Its young heroes strutted like peacocks,
its women were dazzle to their lightening.
Clouds draw their splendor
from Agni and the sun;
so Dvaraka basked in the effulgence of Krishna.
the weapons of its defenders
were like Indra’s rainbow.
Krishna’s palace, Yudhishthira,
which Visvakarman built
with his own hands, were four
yojanas square.
So many houses and small
apartments within this
area – impossible to count
them all! it was visible
from all over the world,
such was its splendor.
The palace in which Krishna
lived was one yojana
square. Golden its cupolas,
like Meru’s summits.
It was built specially for
Rukmini by Visvakarman.
Krishna’s second queen, Satyabhama,
lived in a white palace
with gemmy staircases, designed
for cooling effects.
Soft pennants waved atop
its turrets, like the play
of lambent sunlight. A lovely
garden; multi-colored flags.
Between these two palaces
of Rukmini and Satyabhama
was that of Krishna’s wife
Jambavati, also constructed
By Visvakarman, but decorated
by her taste and skill.
It shown with the lustre
associated with Mount Kailasa,
Whose main door clowed like
gold from the Jambu;
altogether it shown with the
radiance of Agni;
Whose vastness one could compare
only with the ocean’s –
that palace Krishna reserved for
Sukesi, Gandara’s daughter.
And the palace known as
Padmakuta, soft and
delicate as a lotus, was kept
for Queen Laksmana.
The palace of sapphires,
seeing which people thought,
‘This is Krishna’s own blue!’
was for mitravinda.
It is guarded by the gods
themselves. Its beauty
lies in its blend of the
various architectural styles.
Another magnificent palace
in Dvaraka was built
by skilled artisans; it is a
smiling palace, known
As Ketuman, the pride of
the artisans; it is
intended for Krishna’s queen
named Sudatta.
Another palace called Viraja
is well known in Dvaraka;
it has no asymmetry; it is Krishna’s
favorite rest-place.
Still another palace, the work
of Visvakarman, is
one yojana square, built entirely
of precious stones.
and the flags and pennants
that flutter on these
palaces have staffs hewn
from solid gold.
all houses in Dvaraka
have bells. Krishna
personally planted flats on the surrounding hills.
Near Dvaraka is the
Hamsakuta hill.
sixty palm-trees tall, one
yojana in width.
Also in Dvaraka is the
large lake Indradyumna.
The Kinnaras sing there for
everyone’s delight.
Krishna’s capital is the talk
of the three worlds.
The sun-touching, tallest
peak of Meru mountain
seems to have been brought
with great difficulty
By Krishna to Dvaraka.
All the healing herbs
that grew on Meru grow
in Dvaraka’s precincts.
And the paradise-tree which
foe-crushing Krishna removed
from the palace of Indra is
planted in Dvaraka.
Krishna brought many trees
from Brahma’s world too
sal, palm, asva-karna,
hundred-leafed banyan;
Marking-nut, benzoin, camphor,
champak, date-palm,
fragrant pandanus. All these
he planted in Dvaraka.
Lakes filled with crystal
water, brimming with pink
lotuses, glittering from a
distance like pearls –
on all sides the lake are
verdant with trees.
Krishna brought trees from
the Himalayas and
from the Nandana groves
specially for Dvaraka.
Some red, some pink, some
pale yellow, some white-
flowering; many trees in Dvaraka
blossomed all the year round.
Krishna brought all varieties
of trees in Nandana
and the gardens of Chaitraratha,
and planted them in Dvaraka.
In Krishna’s palace were many
lotus-filled bathing pools,
many wells, fountains, and tanks
with pink sand and clear water.
Also, flowering artificial
rivulets, bubbling with
fresh water, shaded on both sides
by overhanging trees.
From its gardens gem-glinting,
pebbled, pink-sandy
water-channels flow, delighting
the peacocks and kaels.
In the hills of Dvaraka
roam cattle and
elephants; swine, deer and
birds haunt their jungles.
And the ranges of hills are
so employed by Visva –
karman that they act as natural
defenses and gates,
which are a hundred arm’s-lengths
tall, and white like moonlight.
Outside the four natural
gates are the magnificent
mountains, rivers and lakes
girdling Krishna’s palace.
Entering the marvelous
city created by Visva –
karman’s imagination, Krishna
looked right and left.
Indra and the gods also looked
admiringly on all sides.
This gives some idea of
how the glory of
Dvaraka struck Krishna,
Barlarama and Indra.
From his seat on Garuda’s
back, Krishna joyfully
blew his horripilating, white
conch called Panchajanya.
The ocean-waves rose
agitatedly, the skies
reverberated deafeningly. The
noise was awesome.
Hearing the sound of Pancha-
janya and seeing Garuda,
the Kukuras and Andhakas
were stupefied.
In Krishna’s hands were the
conch, mace, chakra
and other weapons. Horripilating was
his sun-like radiance!
Trumpets blared, kettledrums
sounded, scattering noise
everywhere! And all the people
broke into shouts of praise.
All the Dasarhas, Kukuras
and Andhakas, seeing
Krishna, made preparations
to welcome him.
King Ugrasena led Krishna
to his palace, to
the accompaniment of auspicious
flutes and conchs.
Devaki, Rohini and the wives
of Ugrasena all
emerged from their palaces
to receive Krishna.
They said, ‘All the anti-gods
have been crushed, all enemies
of the Vrishnis defeated,’ and
looked at Krishna.
Krishna was taken by
Garuda to his palace.
There Krishna placed the huge
hill of gems.
Lotus-eyed Krishna offered wealth
and precious stones to
the sabha, and in his mind
he thought of his father.
Large-and-pink-eyed, mighty-
armed Krishna, in
his mind, took the dust of
his guru Sandipani’s feet.
With his brother Balarama
he went to touche the feet
of his father, Vasudeva. Vasudeva’s
eyes filled with tears.
All the Vrishnis and Andhakas
embraced Krishna and Balarama.
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