Devi Bhagavata Purana — Skandha 4 — Chapter 20
DB 4 20.1
कृष्णावतारकथोपक्रमवर्णनम् व्यास उवाच शृण भारत वक्ष्यामि भारावतरणं तथा । कुरुक्षेत्रे प्रभासे च क्षपितं योगमायया
kṛṣṇāvatārakathopakramavarṇanam vyāsa uvāca śṛṇa bhārata vakṣyāmi bhārāvataraṇaṃ tathā | kurukṣetre prabhāse ca kṣapitaṃ yogamāyayā
(Chapter:) The account of the beginning of the story of Kṛṣṇa's descent. Vyāsa said: Listen, O Bhārata, I shall tell of the removal of the burden, and how it was destroyed by Yogamāyā at Kurukṣetra and at Prabhāsa.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.2
यदुवंशे समुत्पत्तिर्विष्णोरमिततेजसः । भृगुशापप्रतापेन महामायाबलेन च
yaduvaṃśe samutpattirviṣṇoramitatejasaḥ | bhṛguśāpapratāpena mahāmāyābalena ca
The birth in the Yadu lineage of Viṣṇu of measureless splendour, through the force of Bhṛgu's curse and through the power of Mahāmāyā,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.3
क्षितिभारसमुत्तारनिमित्तमिति मे मतिः । मायया विहितो योगो विष्णोर्जन्म धरातले
kṣitibhārasamuttāranimittamiti me matiḥ | māyayā vihito yogo viṣṇorjanma dharātale
had as its occasion the lifting up of the Earth's burden — such is my view. Viṣṇu's birth on the surface of the earth was a contrivance arranged by Māyā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.4
किं चित्रं नृप देवी सा ब्रह्मविष्णुसुरानपि । नर्तयत्यनिशं माया त्रिगुणानपरान्किमु
kiṃ citraṃ nṛpa devī sā brahmaviṣṇusurānapi | nartayatyaniśaṃ māyā triguṇānaparānkimu
What is surprising in this, O king? That goddess Māyā makes even Brahmā, Viṣṇu and the gods dance without cease — what then of others, made of the three guṇas?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.5
गर्भवासोद्भवं दुःखं विण्मूत्रस्नायुसंयुतम् । विष्णोरापादितं सम्यग्यया विगतलीलया
garbhavāsodbhavaṃ duḥkhaṃ viṇmūtrasnāyusaṃyutam | viṣṇorāpāditaṃ samyagyayā vigatalīlayā
The suffering that arises from dwelling in the womb, amid excrement, urine and sinews, was fully brought upon Viṣṇu by her, whose play is beyond (reckoning).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 4 20.6
पुरा रामावतारेऽपि निर्जरा वानराः कृताः । विदितं ते यथा विष्णुर्दुःखपाशेन मोहितः
purā rāmāvatāre'pi nirjarā vānarāḥ kṛtāḥ | viditaṃ te yathā viṣṇurduḥkhapāśena mohitaḥ
Formerly, too, in the Rāma incarnation the immortals were made into monkeys; you know how Viṣṇu was bewildered by the noose of suffering.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.7
अहं ममेति पाशेन सुदृढेन नराधिप । योगिनो मुक्तसङ्गाश्च भुक्तिकामा मुमुक्षवः
ahaṃ mameti pāśena sudṛḍhena narādhipa | yogino muktasaṅgāśca bhuktikāmā mumukṣavaḥ
By the very firm noose of 'I' and 'mine', O ruler of men — (yet) yogins free from attachment, those who desire enjoyment, and those who seek release,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.8
तामेव समुपासन्ते देवीं विश्वेश्वरीं शिवाम् । यद्भक्तिलेशलेशांशलेशलेशलवांशकम्
tāmeva samupāsante devīṃ viśveśvarīṃ śivām | yadbhaktileśaleśāṃśaleśaleśalavāṃśakam
worship her alone, the goddess, mistress of the universe, the auspicious one — a small portion of a fragment of a fragment of a part of a fragment of a fragment of devotion to whom,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.9
लब्ध्वा मुक्तो भवेज्जन्तुस्तां न सेवेत को जनः । भुवनेशीत्येव वक्त्रे ददाति भुवनत्रयम्
labdhvā mukto bhavejjantustāṃ na seveta ko janaḥ | bhuvaneśītyeva vaktre dadāti bhuvanatrayam
having obtained (which), a creature becomes liberated — what person would not serve her? At the mere (address) 'Mistress of the worlds' she puts the three worlds into (one's) mouth;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.10
मां पाहीत्यस्य वचसो देयाभावादृणान्विता । विद्याविद्येति तस्या द्वे रूपे जानीहि पार्थिव
māṃ pāhītyasya vacaso deyābhāvādṛṇānvitā | vidyāvidyeti tasyā dve rūpe jānīhi pārthiva
but at the words 'protect me' she is left in debt, since there is nothing (more) to give. Know, O king, that she has two forms: knowledge and ignorance.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.11
विद्यया मुच्यते जन्तुर्बध्यतेऽविद्यया पुनः । ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च सर्वे तस्या वशानुगाः
vidyayā mucyate janturbadhyate'vidyayā punaḥ | brahmā viṣṇuśca rudraśca sarve tasyā vaśānugāḥ
By knowledge a creature is released; by ignorance it is bound again. Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Rudra — all are subject to her control.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.12
अवताराः सर्व एव यन्त्रिता इव दामभिः । कदाचिच्च सुखं भुंक्ते वैकुण्ठे क्षीरसागरे
avatārāḥ sarva eva yantritā iva dāmabhiḥ | kadācicca sukhaṃ bhuṃkte vaikuṇṭhe kṣīrasāgare
All the incarnations are as if bound with ropes. Sometimes (Hari) enjoys happiness in Vaikuṇṭha, in the ocean of milk;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.13
कदाचित्कुरुते युद्धं दानवैर्बलवत्तरैः । हरिः कदाचिद्यज्ञान्वै विततान्प्रकरोति च
kadācitkurute yuddhaṃ dānavairbalavattaraiḥ | hariḥ kadācidyajñānvai vitatānprakaroti ca
sometimes he makes war with the mightier Dānavas; and sometimes Hari performs extended sacrifices;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.14
कदाचिच्च तपस्तीव्रं तीर्थे चरति सुव्रत । कदाचिच्छयने शेते योगनिद्रामुपाश्रितः
kadācicca tapastīvraṃ tīrthe carati suvrata | kadācicchayane śete yoganidrāmupāśritaḥ
and sometimes, O you of good vows, he practises fierce austerity at a sacred ford; sometimes he lies upon his couch, resorting to the sleep of yoga.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.15
न स्वतन्त्रः कदाचिच्च भगवान्मधुसूदनः । तथा ब्रह्मा तथा रुद्रस्तथेन्द्रो वरुणो यमः
na svatantraḥ kadācicca bhagavānmadhusūdanaḥ | tathā brahmā tathā rudrastathendro varuṇo yamaḥ
The Lord Madhusūdana is never independent; so too Brahmā, so too Rudra, so Indra, Varuṇa, Yama,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.16
कुबेरोऽग्नी रवीन्दू च तथान्ये सुरसत्तमाः । मुनयः सनकाद्याश्च वसिष्ठाद्यास्तथापरे
kubero'gnī ravīndū ca tathānye surasattamāḥ | munayaḥ sanakādyāśca vasiṣṭhādyāstathāpare
Kubera, the two Agnis (fire), the sun and moon, and likewise the other best of gods, the sages beginning with Sanaka, and others beginning with Vasiṣṭha —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.17
सर्वेऽम्बावशगा नित्यं पाञ्चालीव नरस्य च । नसि प्रोता यथा गावो विचरन्ति वशानुगाः
sarve'mbāvaśagā nityaṃ pāñcālīva narasya ca | nasi protā yathā gāvo vicaranti vaśānugāḥ
all are always subject to the Mother, like Pāñcālī to (her) man; as cows, threaded through the nose, wander about subject to (another's) control,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.18
तथैव देवताः सर्वाः कालपाशनियन्त्रिताः । हर्षशोकादयो भावा निद्रातन्द्रालसादयः
tathaiva devatāḥ sarvāḥ kālapāśaniyantritāḥ | harṣaśokādayo bhāvā nidrātandrālasādayaḥ
just so are all the deities bound fast by the noose of Time; and the states beginning with joy and sorrow, and sleep, torpor, sloth and the rest,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.19
सर्वेषां सर्वदा राजन्देहिनां देहसंश्रिताः । अमरा निर्जराः प्रोक्ता देवाश्च ग्रन्थकारकैः
sarveṣāṃ sarvadā rājandehināṃ dehasaṃśritāḥ | amarā nirjarāḥ proktā devāśca granthakārakaiḥ
reside in the bodies of all embodied beings at all times, O king; yet the gods are called deathless and ageless by the makers of books.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.20
अभिधानतश्चार्थतो न ते नूनं तादृशाः क्वचित् । उत्पत्तिस्थितिनाशाख्या भावा येषां निरन्तरम् चतुर्थस्कन्धे कृष्णावतारकथोपक्रमवर्णनं नाम विंशोऽध्यायः
abhidhānataścārthato na te nūnaṃ tādṛśāḥ kvacit | utpattisthitināśākhyā bhāvā yeṣāṃ nirantaram caturthaskandhe kṛṣṇāvatārakathopakramavarṇanaṃ nāma viṃśo'dhyāyaḥ
But in name and in meaning they are surely nowhere such, they for whom the states called origination, continuance and destruction are unceasing. — In the fourth book, the twentieth chapter, called the description of the beginning of the story of Kṛṣṇa's incarnation.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.21
अमरास्ते कथं वाच्या निर्जराश्च कथं पुनः । कथं दुःखाभिभूता वा जायन्ते विबुधोत्तमाः
amarāste kathaṃ vācyā nirjarāśca kathaṃ punaḥ | kathaṃ duḥkhābhibhūtā vā jāyante vibudhottamāḥ
How are they to be called deathless, and again, how ageless? Or how is it that these best of the wise are born overcome by suffering?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.22
कथं देवाश्च वक्तव्या व्यसने क्रीडनं कथम् । क्षणादुत्पत्तिनाशश्च दृश्यतेऽस्मिन्न संशयः
kathaṃ devāśca vaktavyā vyasane krīḍanaṃ katham | kṣaṇādutpattināśaśca dṛśyate'sminna saṃśayaḥ
And how are they to be called gods? How (explain) their sporting in calamity? Origination and destruction in a moment is seen in this (world) — there is no doubt.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.23
जलजानां च कीटानां मशकानां तथा पुनः । उपमा न कथं चैषामायुषोऽन्ते मराः स्मृताः
jalajānāṃ ca kīṭānāṃ maśakānāṃ tathā punaḥ | upamā na kathaṃ caiṣāmāyuṣo'nte marāḥ smṛtāḥ
And again, why is there no comparison of these with water-born creatures, worms and gnats, (since) they too are recorded as dying at the end of their lifespan?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 4 20.24
ततो वर्षायुषश्चापि शतवर्षायुषस्तथा । मनुष्या ह्यमरा देवास्तस्माद् ब्रह्मापरः स्मृतः
tato varṣāyuṣaścāpi śatavarṣāyuṣastathā | manuṣyā hyamarā devāstasmād brahmāparaḥ smṛtaḥ
Then, compared with those whose life is a year and those whose life is a hundred years, men are indeed deathless; (compared with men) the gods (are so); higher than they Brahmā is held to be.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 4 20.25
रुद्रस्तथा तथा विष्णुः क्रमशश्च भवन्ति हि । नश्यन्ति क्रमशश्चैव वर्धन्ति चोत्तरोत्तरम्
rudrastathā tathā viṣṇuḥ kramaśaśca bhavanti hi | naśyanti kramaśaścaiva vardhanti cottarottaram
So Rudra, and so Viṣṇu — they come to be in succession, and they perish in succession, and each in turn increases (in lifespan) beyond the last.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.26
नूनं देहवतो नाशो मृतस्योत्पत्तिरेव च । चक्रवद् भ्रमणं राजन् सर्वेषां नात्र संशयः
nūnaṃ dehavato nāśo mṛtasyotpattireva ca | cakravad bhramaṇaṃ rājan sarveṣāṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ
Surely for one who has a body there is destruction, and for the dead there is birth again; the revolving of all is like a wheel, O king — there is no doubt of this.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.27
मोहजालावृतो जन्तुर्मुच्यते न कदाचन । मायायां विद्यमानायां मोहजालं न नश्यति
mohajālāvṛto janturmucyate na kadācana | māyāyāṃ vidyamānāyāṃ mohajālaṃ na naśyati
A creature enveloped in the net of delusion is never freed; while Māyā exists, the net of delusion does not perish.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.28
उत्पित्सुकाल उत्पत्तिः सर्वेषां नृप जायते । तथैव नाशः कल्पान्ते ब्रह्मादीनां यथाक्रमम्
utpitsukāla utpattiḥ sarveṣāṃ nṛpa jāyate | tathaiva nāśaḥ kalpānte brahmādīnāṃ yathākramam
Origination of all takes place at the time when it is due to arise, O king; and just so destruction, at the end of the kalpa, of Brahmā and the rest in due order.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.29
निमित्तं यस्तु यन्नाशे स घातयति तं नृप । नान्यथा तद्भवेन्नूनं विधिना निर्मितं तु यत्
nimittaṃ yastu yannāśe sa ghātayati taṃ nṛpa | nānyathā tadbhavennūnaṃ vidhinā nirmitaṃ tu yat
And whoever is the instrumental cause in the destruction of another, he kills him, O king; what has been ordained by the Ordainer cannot turn out otherwise.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.30
जन्ममृत्युजराव्याधिदुःखं वा सुखमेव वा । तत्तथैव भवेत्कामं नान्यथेह विनिर्णयः
janmamṛtyujarāvyādhiduḥkhaṃ vā sukhameva vā | tattathaiva bhavetkāmaṃ nānyatheha vinirṇayaḥ
Birth, death, old age, disease, whether pain or indeed pleasure — that will come to pass just so, however one may wish; here the settled conclusion is that it is not otherwise.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.31
सर्वेषां सुखदौ देवौ प्रत्यक्षौ शशिभास्करौ । न नश्यति तयोः पीडा क्यचित्तद्वैरिसम्भवा
sarveṣāṃ sukhadau devau pratyakṣau śaśibhāskarau | na naśyati tayoḥ pīḍā kyacittadvairisambhavā
The moon and the sun are two gods, visible to the eye, who give happiness to all; yet their affliction, arising from their enemy, is never destroyed.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.32
भास्करस्य सुतो मन्दः क्षयी चन्द्रः कलङ्कवान् । पश्य राजन् विधेः सूत्रं दुर्वारं महतामपि
bhāskarasya suto mandaḥ kṣayī candraḥ kalaṅkavān | paśya rājan vidheḥ sūtraṃ durvāraṃ mahatāmapi
The sun's son is Manda (Saturn, the slow one); the moon wanes and bears a stain. See, O king, the thread of destiny, hard to avert even for the great.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.33
वेदकर्ता जगत्स्रष्टा बुद्धिदस्तु चतुर्मुखः । सोऽपि विक्लवतां प्राप्तो दृष्ट्वा पुत्रीं सरस्वतीम्
vedakartā jagatsraṣṭā buddhidastu caturmukhaḥ | so'pi viklavatāṃ prāpto dṛṣṭvā putrīṃ sarasvatīm
But the four-faced one, maker of the Vedas, creator of the world, giver of intelligence — even he fell into confusion on seeing his daughter Sarasvatī.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.34
शिवस्यापि मृता भार्या सती दग्ध्वा कलेवरम् । सोऽभवद्दुःखसन्तप्तः कामार्तश्च जनार्तिहा
śivasyāpi mṛtā bhāryā satī dagdhvā kalevaram | so'bhavadduḥkhasantaptaḥ kāmārtaśca janārtihā
Śiva's wife Satī too died, burning up her body; and he, the remover of people's affliction, became scorched with grief and tormented by desire.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.35
कामाग्निदग्धदेहस्तु कालिन्द्यां पतितः शिवः । सापि श्यामजला जाता तन्निदाघवशान्नृप
kāmāgnidagdhadehastu kālindyāṃ patitaḥ śivaḥ | sāpi śyāmajalā jātā tannidāghavaśānnṛpa
With his body burned by the fire of desire, Śiva fell into the Kālindī; and she too, O king, became dark-watered from the force of that burning heat.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.36
कामार्तो रममाणस्तु नग्नः सोऽपि भृगोर्वनम् । गतः प्राप्तोऽथ भृगुणा शप्तः कामातुरो भृशम्
kāmārto ramamāṇastu nagnaḥ so'pi bhṛgorvanam | gataḥ prāpto'tha bhṛguṇā śaptaḥ kāmāturo bhṛśam
Tormented by desire and taking his pleasure, naked, he too went to Bhṛgu's forest; and having arrived, he was cursed by Bhṛgu, being exceedingly sick with desire:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.37
पतत्वद्यैव ते लिङ्गं निर्लज्जेति भृशं किल । पपौ चामृतवापीञ्च दानवैर्निर्मितां मुदे
patatvadyaiva te liṅgaṃ nirlajjeti bhṛśaṃ kila | papau cāmṛtavāpīñca dānavairnirmitāṃ mude
"Let your liṅga fall this very day, shameless one!" — so (he said) most emphatically. And (Śiva) drank up the pool of nectar that had been fashioned by the dānavas for their delight.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.38
इन्द्रोऽपि च वृषो भूत्वा वाहनत्वं गतः क्षितौ । आद्यस्य सर्वलोकस्य विष्णोरेव विवेकिनः
indro'pi ca vṛṣo bhūtvā vāhanatvaṃ gataḥ kṣitau | ādyasya sarvalokasya viṣṇoreva vivekinaḥ
Indra too, becoming a bull, came to the condition of a mount on earth. And of Viṣṇu himself, the first of all the worlds, the discerning one —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 4 20.39
सर्वज्ञत्वं गतं कुत्र प्रभुशक्तिः कुतो गता । यद्धेममृगविज्ञानं न ज्ञातं हरिणा किल
sarvajñatvaṃ gataṃ kutra prabhuśaktiḥ kuto gatā | yaddhemamṛgavijñānaṃ na jñātaṃ hariṇā kila
— where has his omniscience gone, where has his lordly power gone, since the true nature of the golden deer was not recognised by Hari?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.40
राजन् मायाबलं पश्य रामो हि काममोहितः । रामो विरहसन्तप्तो रुरोद भृशमातुरः
rājan māyābalaṃ paśya rāmo hi kāmamohitaḥ | rāmo virahasantapto ruroda bhṛśamāturaḥ
O king, behold the power of māyā: Rāma indeed was deluded by desire; Rāma, burning with the pain of separation, wept, utterly stricken.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.41
योऽपृच्छत्पादपान्मूढः क्व गता जनकात्मजा । भक्षिता वा हृता केन रुदन्नुच्चतरं ततः
yo'pṛcchatpādapānmūḍhaḥ kva gatā janakātmajā | bhakṣitā vā hṛtā kena rudannuccataraṃ tataḥ
He who, bewildered, asked the trees, "Where has Janaka's daughter gone? Has she been devoured, or carried off by someone?" — weeping then all the more loudly.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.42
लक्ष्मणाहं मरिष्यामि कान्ताविरहदुःखितः । त्वं चापि मम दुःखेन मरिष्यसि वनेऽनुज
lakṣmaṇāhaṃ mariṣyāmi kāntāvirahaduḥkhitaḥ | tvaṃ cāpi mama duḥkhena mariṣyasi vane'nuja
"Lakṣmaṇa, I shall die, grieving from separation from my beloved; and you too, younger brother, will die in the forest from my grief.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.43
आवयोर्मरणं ज्ञात्वा माता मम मरिष्यति । शत्रुघ्नोऽप्यतिदुःखार्तः कथं जीवितुमर्हति
āvayormaraṇaṃ jñātvā mātā mama mariṣyati | śatrughno'pyatiduḥkhārtaḥ kathaṃ jīvitumarhati
Learning of the death of us two, my mother will die; and Śatrughna too, stricken with utter grief, how could he deserve to live?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.44
सुमित्रा जीवितं जह्यात्पुत्रव्यसनकर्शिता । पूर्णकामाथ कैकेयी भवेत्पुत्रसमन्विता
sumitrā jīvitaṃ jahyātputravyasanakarśitā | pūrṇakāmātha kaikeyī bhavetputrasamanvitā
Sumitrā would give up her life, wasted by the calamity of her sons; and then Kaikeyī, together with her son, would have her desire fulfilled.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.45
हा सीते क्व गतासि त्वं मां विहाय स्मरातुरा । एह्येहि मृगशावाक्षि मां जीवय कृशोदरि
hā sīte kva gatāsi tvaṃ māṃ vihāya smarāturā | ehyehi mṛgaśāvākṣi māṃ jīvaya kṛśodari
Alas, Sītā, where have you gone, leaving me sick with love? Come, come, O doe-eyed one; give me life, O slender-waisted one!
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.46
किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि त्वदधीनञ्च जीवितम् । समाश्वासय दीनं मां प्रियं जनकनन्दिनि
kiṃ karomi kva gacchāmi tvadadhīnañca jīvitam | samāśvāsaya dīnaṃ māṃ priyaṃ janakanandini
What shall I do, where shall I go? My life depends on you. Console me, your wretched beloved, O daughter of Janaka!"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.47
एवं विलपता तेन रामेणामिततेजसा । वने वने च भ्रमता नेक्षिता जनकात्मजा
evaṃ vilapatā tena rāmeṇāmitatejasā | vane vane ca bhramatā nekṣitā janakātmajā
Though that Rāma of measureless might thus lamented and wandered from forest to forest, Janaka's daughter was not seen.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.48
शरण्यः सर्वलोकानां रामः कमललोचनः । शरणं वानराणां स गतो मायाविमोहितः
śaraṇyaḥ sarvalokānāṃ rāmaḥ kamalalocanaḥ | śaraṇaṃ vānarāṇāṃ sa gato māyāvimohitaḥ
Rāma, the lotus-eyed, the refuge of all the worlds — he, deluded by māyā, went for refuge to monkeys.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.49
सहायान्वानरान्कृत्वा बबन्ध वरुणालयम् । जघान रावणं वीरं कुम्भकर्णं महोदरम्
sahāyānvānarānkṛtvā babandha varuṇālayam | jaghāna rāvaṇaṃ vīraṃ kumbhakarṇaṃ mahodaram
Making the monkeys his helpers, he bridged (bound) the abode of Varuṇa; he slew the hero Rāvaṇa, and Kumbhakarṇa, and Mahodara.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.50
आनीय च ततः सीतां रामो दिव्यमकारयत् । सर्वज्ञोऽपि हृतां मत्वा रावणेन दुरात्मना
ānīya ca tataḥ sītāṃ rāmo divyamakārayat | sarvajño'pi hṛtāṃ matvā rāvaṇena durātmanā
And then, having brought Sītā back, Rāma made (her) undergo the ordeal, for though omniscient he supposed her ravished by the evil-souled Rāvaṇa.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.51
किं ब्रवीमि महाराज योगमायाबलं महत् । यया विश्वमिदं सर्वं भ्रामितं भ्रमते किल
kiṃ bravīmi mahārāja yogamāyābalaṃ mahat | yayā viśvamidaṃ sarvaṃ bhrāmitaṃ bhramate kila
What can I say, great king? Great is the power of Yogamāyā, by whom this whole universe is set whirling and indeed whirls.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.52
एवं नानावतारेऽत्र विष्णुः शापवशं गतः । करोति विविधाश्चेष्टा दैवाधीनः सदैव हि
evaṃ nānāvatāre'tra viṣṇuḥ śāpavaśaṃ gataḥ | karoti vividhāśceṣṭā daivādhīnaḥ sadaiva hi
Thus, in his various incarnations here, Viṣṇu came under the power of a curse and performs manifold acts; for he is always subject to fate.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.53
तवाहं कथयिष्यामि कृष्णस्यापि विचेष्टितम् । प्रभवं मानुषे लोके देवकार्यार्थसिद्धये
tavāhaṃ kathayiṣyāmi kṛṣṇasyāpi viceṣṭitam | prabhavaṃ mānuṣe loke devakāryārthasiddhaye
I shall relate to you the doings of Kṛṣṇa too, and his manifestation in the world of men for accomplishing the purpose of the gods' business.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.54
कालिन्दीपुलिने रम्ये ह्यासीन्मधुवनं पुरा । लवणो मधुपुत्रस्तु तत्रासीद्दानवो बली
kālindīpuline ramye hyāsīnmadhuvanaṃ purā | lavaṇo madhuputrastu tatrāsīddānavo balī
On the lovely bank of the Kālindī there was in former times the Madhu forest; and there was Lavaṇa, the son of Madhu, a mighty dānava,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.55
द्विजानां दुःखदः पापो वरदानेन गर्वितः । निहतोऽसौ महाभाग लक्ष्मणस्यानुजेन वै
dvijānāṃ duḥkhadaḥ pāpo varadānena garvitaḥ | nihato'sau mahābhāga lakṣmaṇasyānujena vai
a sinner who caused suffering to the twice-born, made arrogant by the granting of a boon; he was slain, O greatly fortunate one, by the younger brother of Lakṣmaṇa,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.56
शत्रुघ्नेनाथ संग्रामे तं निहत्य मदोत्कटम् । वासिता मथुरा नाम पुरी परमशोभना
śatrughnenātha saṃgrāme taṃ nihatya madotkaṭam | vāsitā mathurā nāma purī paramaśobhanā
by Śatrughna, in battle; and having killed him who was frenzied with pride, the exceedingly beautiful city named Mathurā was settled (there).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.57
स तत्र पुष्कराक्षौ द्वौ पुत्रौ शत्रुनिषूदनः । निवेश्य राज्ये मतिमान्काले प्राप्ते दिवं गतः
sa tatra puṣkarākṣau dvau putrau śatruniṣūdanaḥ | niveśya rājye matimānkāle prāpte divaṃ gataḥ
There that wise slayer of foes installed his two lotus-eyed sons in the kingdom, and when his time came he went to heaven.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.58
सूर्यवंशक्षये तां तु यादवाः प्रतिपेदिरे । मथुरां मुक्तिदा राजन् ययातितनयः पुरा
sūryavaṃśakṣaye tāṃ tu yādavāḥ pratipedire | mathurāṃ muktidā rājan yayātitanayaḥ purā
But at the extinction of the solar dynasty the Yādavas took possession of that Mathurā, the giver of liberation, O king — (as) formerly the son of Yayāti (had done).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 4 20.59
शूरसेनाभिधः शूरस्तत्राभून्मेदिनीपतिः । माथुराञ्छूरसेनांश्च बुभुजे विषयान्नृप
śūrasenābhidhaḥ śūrastatrābhūnmedinīpatiḥ | māthurāñchūrasenāṃśca bubhuje viṣayānnṛpa
There a hero named Śūrasena became lord of the earth, and he enjoyed the territories of the Māthuras and the Śūrasenas, O king.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.60
तत्रोत्पन्नः कश्यपांशः शापाच्च वरुणस्य वै । वसुदेवोऽतिविख्यातः शूरसेनसुतस्तदा
tatrotpannaḥ kaśyapāṃśaḥ śāpācca varuṇasya vai | vasudevo'tivikhyātaḥ śūrasenasutastadā
There was born, as a portion of Kaśyapa and by the curse of Varuṇa, the very renowned Vasudeva, then the son of Śūrasena.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.61
वैश्यवृत्तिरतः सोऽभून्मृते पितरि माधवः । उग्रसेनो बभूवाथ कंसस्तस्यात्मजो महान्
vaiśyavṛttirataḥ so'bhūnmṛte pitari mādhavaḥ | ugraseno babhūvātha kaṃsastasyātmajo mahān
When his father had died, that Mādhava devoted himself to the occupation of a vaiśya. Then there was Ugrasena, and Kaṃsa was his mighty son.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.62
अदितिर्देवकी जाता देवकस्य सुता तदा । शापाद्वै वरुणस्याथ कश्यपानुगता किल
aditirdevakī jātā devakasya sutā tadā | śāpādvai varuṇasyātha kaśyapānugatā kila
Aditi was then born as Devakī, the daughter of Devaka, by the curse of Varuṇa, following after Kaśyapa.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.63
दत्ता सा वसुदेवाय देवकेन महात्मना । विवाहे रचिते तत्र वागभूद् गगने तदा
dattā sā vasudevāya devakena mahātmanā | vivāhe racite tatra vāgabhūd gagane tadā
She was given to Vasudeva by the great-souled Devaka; and when the marriage had been performed, there came then a voice in the sky:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.64
कंस कंस महाभाग देवकीगर्भसम्भवः । अष्टमस्तु सुतः श्रीमांस्तव हन्ता भविष्यति
kaṃsa kaṃsa mahābhāga devakīgarbhasambhavaḥ | aṣṭamastu sutaḥ śrīmāṃstava hantā bhaviṣyati
"Kaṃsa, Kaṃsa, O greatly fortunate one! The eighth son, glorious, arising from the womb of Devakī, will be your killer."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.65
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं कंसो विस्मितोऽभून्महाबलः । देववाचं तु तां मत्वा सत्यां चिन्तामवाप सः
tacchrutvā vacanaṃ kaṃso vismito'bhūnmahābalaḥ | devavācaṃ tu tāṃ matvā satyāṃ cintāmavāpa saḥ
Hearing that utterance, the very strong Kaṃsa was astonished; and deeming that divine voice to be true, he fell into anxiety.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.66
किं करोमीति सञ्चिन्त्य विमर्शमकरोत्तदा । निहत्यैनां न मे मृत्युर्भवेदद्यैव सत्वरम्
kiṃ karomīti sañcintya vimarśamakarottadā | nihatyaināṃ na me mṛtyurbhavedadyaiva satvaram
Pondering "What shall I do?", he then deliberated: "If I kill her this very moment, at once, my death will not come to be.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.67
उपायो नान्यथा चास्मिन्कार्ये मृत्युभयावहे । इयं पितृष्वसा पूज्या कथं हन्मीत्यचिन्तयत्
upāyo nānyathā cāsminkārye mṛtyubhayāvahe | iyaṃ pitṛṣvasā pūjyā kathaṃ hanmītyacintayat
There is no other means in this matter, which brings the fear of death. (But) she is my father's sister, to be honoured — how shall I kill her?" So he thought.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.68
पुनर्विचारयामास मरणं मेऽस्त्यहो स्वसा । पापेनापि प्रकर्तव्या देहरक्षा विपश्चिता
punarvicārayāmāsa maraṇaṃ me'styaho svasā | pāpenāpi prakartavyā deharakṣā vipaścitā
Again he considered: "My death is (at hand); alas, she is my sister! Yet protection of one's body is to be carried out by a discerning man even by means of sin.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.69
प्रायश्चित्तेन पापस्य शुद्धिर्भवति सर्वदा । प्राणरक्षा प्रकर्तव्या बुधैरप्येनसा तथा
prāyaścittena pāpasya śuddhirbhavati sarvadā | prāṇarakṣā prakartavyā budhairapyenasā tathā
By expiation there is always purification from sin; so the protection of one's life is to be carried out by the wise even by a sinful deed."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.70
विचिन्त्य मनसा कंसः खड्गमादाय सत्वरः । जग्राह तां वरारोहां केशेष्वाकृष्य पापकृत्
vicintya manasā kaṃsaḥ khaḍgamādāya satvaraḥ | jagrāha tāṃ varārohāṃ keśeṣvākṛṣya pāpakṛt
Having thus reflected in his mind, Kaṃsa quickly took up his sword, and that doer of evil seized that fair-hipped woman, dragging her by the hair.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.71
कोशात्खड्गमुपाकृष्य हन्तुकामो दुराशयः । पश्यतां सर्वलोकानां नवोढां तां चकर्ष ह
kośātkhaḍgamupākṛṣya hantukāmo durāśayaḥ | paśyatāṃ sarvalokānāṃ navoḍhāṃ tāṃ cakarṣa ha
Drawing the sword from its sheath, the evil-minded one, wishing to kill (her), dragged the newly wedded woman while all the people looked on.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.72
हन्यमानाञ्च तां दृष्ट्वा हाहाकारो महानभूत् । वसुदेवानुगा वीरा युद्धायोद्यतकार्मुकाः
hanyamānāñca tāṃ dṛṣṭvā hāhākāro mahānabhūt | vasudevānugā vīrā yuddhāyodyatakārmukāḥ
And seeing her about to be killed, a great cry of "Alas! Alas!" arose; the heroes who followed Vasudeva raised their bows for battle.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.73
मुञ्च मुञ्चेति प्रोचुस्तं ते तदाद्भुतसाहसाः । कृपया मोचयामासुर्देवकीं देवमातरम्
muñca muñceti procustaṃ te tadādbhutasāhasāḥ | kṛpayā mocayāmāsurdevakīṃ devamātaram
"Let her go, let her go!" they said to him, those men of astonishing daring; out of compassion they got Devakī, the mother of the god, released.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.74
तद्युद्धमभवद् घोरं वीराणाञ्च परस्परम् । वसुदेवसहायानां कंसेन च महात्मना
tadyuddhamabhavad ghoraṃ vīrāṇāñca parasparam | vasudevasahāyānāṃ kaṃsena ca mahātmanā
Then there was a terrible fight among the heroes with one another—between Vasudeva's supporters and the great-souled Kaṃsa.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.75
वर्तमाने तथा युद्धे दारुणे लोमहर्षणे । कंसं निवारयामासुर्वृद्धा ये यदुसत्तमाः
vartamāne tathā yuddhe dāruṇe lomaharṣaṇe | kaṃsaṃ nivārayāmāsurvṛddhā ye yadusattamāḥ
While that cruel, hair-raising battle was going on, those elders who were the best of the Yadus restrained Kaṃsa.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.76
पितृष्वसेयं ते वीर पूजनीया च बालिशा । न हन्तव्या त्वया वीर विवाहोत्सवसङ्गमे
pitṛṣvaseyaṃ te vīra pūjanīyā ca bāliśā | na hantavyā tvayā vīra vivāhotsavasaṅgame
"Hero, she is your father's sister's daughter, and to be honoured, and a child; she must not be killed by you, hero, at the gathering of a wedding festival.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.77
स्त्रीहत्या दुःसहा वीर कीर्तिघ्नी पापकृत्तमा । भूतभाषितमात्रेण न कर्तव्या विजानता
strīhatyā duḥsahā vīra kīrtighnī pāpakṛttamā | bhūtabhāṣitamātreṇa na kartavyā vijānatā
The killing of a woman is unbearable, hero, destructive of fame, the very worst of sinful deeds; it should not be done by one who knows, merely on the word of a spirit.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.78
अन्तर्हितेन केनापि शत्रुणा तव चास्य वा । उदितेति कुतो न स्याद्वागनर्थकरी विभो
antarhitena kenāpi śatruṇā tava cāsya vā | uditeti kuto na syādvāganarthakarī vibho
Why should it not be that this speech, which works harm, was uttered by some invisible enemy—yours or his, O lord?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.79
यशसस्ते विघाताय वसुदेवगृहस्य च । अरिणा रचिता वाणी गुणमायाविदा नृप
yaśasaste vighātāya vasudevagṛhasya ca | ariṇā racitā vāṇī guṇamāyāvidā nṛpa
For the destruction of your fame and of Vasudeva's house, O king, that utterance was contrived by an enemy skilled in the magic of illusion.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.80
बिभेषि वीरस्त्वं भूत्वा भूतभाषितभाषया । यशोमूलविघातार्थमुपायस्त्वरिणा कृतः
bibheṣi vīrastvaṃ bhūtvā bhūtabhāṣitabhāṣayā | yaśomūlavighātārthamupāyastvariṇā kṛtaḥ
Being a hero, you are frightened by the talk of a spirit's utterance; a device has been employed by the enemy to destroy the root of your fame.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.81
पितृष्वसा न हन्तव्या विवाहसमये पुनः । भवितव्यं महाराज भवेच्च कथमन्यथा
pitṛṣvasā na hantavyā vivāhasamaye punaḥ | bhavitavyaṃ mahārāja bhavecca kathamanyathā
Again, one's father's sister('s daughter) must not be killed, and (least of all) at a wedding; what is to be, great king, must be—how could it turn out otherwise?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.82
एवं तैर्बोध्यमानोऽसौ निवृत्तो नाभवद्यदा । तदा तं वसुदेवोऽपि नीतिज्ञः प्रत्यभाषत
evaṃ tairbodhyamāno'sau nivṛtto nābhavadyadā | tadā taṃ vasudevo'pi nītijñaḥ pratyabhāṣata
When, though thus admonished by them, he did not desist, then Vasudeva too, who knew statecraft, spoke to him in reply.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.83
कंस सत्यं ब्रवीम्यद्य सत्याधारं जगत्त्रयम् । दास्यामि देवकीपुत्रानुत्पन्नांस्तव सर्वशः
kaṃsa satyaṃ bravīmyadya satyādhāraṃ jagattrayam | dāsyāmi devakīputrānutpannāṃstava sarvaśaḥ
"Kaṃsa, I speak the truth today—the three worlds rest upon truth: I shall give you all the sons born of Devakī, every one of them.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.84
जातं जातं सुतं तुभ्यं न दास्यामि यदि प्रभो । कुम्भीपाके तदा घोरे पतन्तु मम पूर्वजाः
jātaṃ jātaṃ sutaṃ tubhyaṃ na dāsyāmi yadi prabho | kumbhīpāke tadā ghore patantu mama pūrvajāḥ
If, lord, I do not give you each son as he is born, then let my ancestors fall into the dreadful Kumbhīpāka hell."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.85
श्रुत्वाथ वचनं सत्यं पौरवा ये पुरःस्थिताः । ऊचुस्ते त्वरिताः कंसं साधु साधु पुनः पुनः
śrutvātha vacanaṃ satyaṃ pauravā ye puraḥsthitāḥ | ūcuste tvaritāḥ kaṃsaṃ sādhu sādhu punaḥ punaḥ
Then, hearing that truthful speech, the citizens who stood in front quickly said to Kaṃsa again and again, "Well said! Well said!"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.86
न मिथ्या भाषते क्वापि वसुदेवो महामनाः । केशं मुञ्च महाभाग स्त्रीहत्या पातकं तथा
na mithyā bhāṣate kvāpi vasudevo mahāmanāḥ | keśaṃ muñca mahābhāga strīhatyā pātakaṃ tathā
"The great-minded Vasudeva never speaks falsely anywhere. Let go of her hair, greatly fortunate one—the killing of a woman is indeed a sin."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.87
व्यास उवाच एवं प्रबोधितः कंसो यदुवृद्धैर्महात्मभिः । क्रोधं त्यक्त्वा स्थितस्तत्र सत्यवाक्यानुमोदितः
vyāsa uvāca evaṃ prabodhitaḥ kaṃso yaduvṛddhairmahātmabhiḥ | krodhaṃ tyaktvā sthitastatra satyavākyānumoditaḥ
Vyāsa said: Thus instructed by the great-souled elders of the Yadus, Kaṃsa gave up his anger and stood there, pleased by the truthful promise.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.88
ततो दुन्दुभयो नेदुर्वादित्राणि च सस्वनुः । जयशब्दस्तु सर्वेषामुत्पन्नस्तत्र संसदि
tato dundubhayo nedurvāditrāṇi ca sasvanuḥ | jayaśabdastu sarveṣāmutpannastatra saṃsadi
Then kettledrums resounded and musical instruments sounded, and a cry of "Victory!" from everyone arose there in that assembly.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 4 20.89
प्रसाद्य कंसं प्रतिमोच्य देवकीं महायशाः शूरसुतस्तदानीम् । जगाम गेहं स्वजनानुवृत्तो नवोढया वीतभयस्तरस्वी
prasādya kaṃsaṃ pratimocya devakīṃ mahāyaśāḥ śūrasutastadānīm | jagāma gehaṃ svajanānuvṛtto navoḍhayā vītabhayastarasvī
Having conciliated Kaṃsa and got Devakī released, the illustrious son of Śūra then, his fear gone, energetic, went home with his newly wedded bride, followed by his kinsmen.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition