Harivamsha — Chapter 85
HV 85.1
भगवञ् श्रोतुम् इच्छामि विस्तरेण महात्मनः चरितं वासुदेवस्य यदुश्रेष्ठस्य धीमतः
bhagavañ śrotum icchāmi vistareṇa mahātmanaḥ caritaṃ vāsudevasya yaduśreṣṭhasya dhīmataḥ
Reverend sir, I wish to hear in full detail the deeds of the great-souled Vāsudeva, the wise best of the Yadus.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.2
किमर्थं च परित्यज्य मथुरां मधुसूदनः मध्यदेशस्य ककुदं धाम लक्ष्म्याश् च केवलम्
kimarthaṃ ca parityajya mathurāṃ madhusūdanaḥ madhyadeśasya kakudaṃ dhāma lakṣmyāś ca kevalam
And for what purpose did Madhusūdana abandon Mathurā, the summit of the Middle Country, the very abode of prosperity—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.3
शृङ्गं पृथिव्याः स्वालक्ष्यं प्रभूतधनधान्यवत् आर्याढ्यजनभूयिष्ठम् अधिष्ठानवरोत्तमम् अयुद्धेनैव दाशार्हस् त्यक्तवान् द्विजसत्तम
śṛṅgaṃ pṛthivyāḥ svālakṣyaṃ prabhūtadhanadhānyavat āryāḍhyajanabhūyiṣṭham adhiṣṭhānavarottamam ayuddhenaiva dāśārhas tyaktavān dvijasattama
the horn of the earth, well marked out, abounding in wealth and grain, thronged with noble and rich people, the finest of chief residences: (why) did the Dāśārha give it up without even a fight, O best of the twice-born?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.4
स कालयवनश् चापि कृष्णे किं प्रत्यपद्यत
sa kālayavanaś cāpi kṛṣṇe kiṃ pratyapadyata
And what course did that Kālayavana take against Kṛṣṇa?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.5
द्वारकां च समाश्रित्य वारिदुर्गां जनार्दनः किं चकार महाबाहुर् महायोगी महामनाः
dvārakāṃ ca samāśritya vāridurgāṃ janārdanaḥ kiṃ cakāra mahābāhur mahāyogī mahāmanāḥ
And having taken refuge in Dvārakā, fortified by water, what did Janārdana, the mighty-armed, the great yogin, the great-minded, do?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.6
किंवीर्यः कालयवनः केन जातश् च वीर्यवान् यम् असह्यं समालक्ष्य व्यपयातो जनार्दनः
kiṃvīryaḥ kālayavanaḥ kena jātaś ca vīryavān yam asahyaṃ samālakṣya vyapayāto janārdanaḥ
Of what valour was Kālayavana, and by whom was that valiant one begotten, on seeing whom as irresistible Janārdana withdrew?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.7
वृष्णीनाम् अन्धकानां च गुरुर् गार्ग्यो महातपाः ब्रह्मचारी पुरा भूत्वा न स्म दारान् स विन्दति
vṛṣṇīnām andhakānāṃ ca gurur gārgyo mahātapāḥ brahmacārī purā bhūtvā na sma dārān sa vindati
Gārgya, of great austerity, the preceptor of the Vṛṣṇis and the Andhakas, having formerly been a celibate, did not take a wife.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.8
तथा हि वर्तमानं तं ऊर्ध्वरेतसम् अव्ययम् गार्ग्यं गोष्ठे द्विजं स्यालः षण्ढम् इत्य् उक्तवान् द्विजः । यदूनां संनिधौ सर्वे जहसुर् यादवास् ततः ॥ एवं वर्षसहस्रं मे षट्शतं भूपसंमितम् । वत्सरा द्वादशाश् चैव चूर्णं लोहरजोद्भवम् । स्यालो ऽभिशप्तवान् गार्ग्यम् अपुमान् इति भूपते
tathā hi vartamānaṃ taṃ ūrdhvaretasam avyayam gārgyaṃ goṣṭhe dvijaṃ syālaḥ ṣaṇḍham ity uktavān dvijaḥ | yadūnāṃ saṃnidhau sarve jahasur yādavās tataḥ || evaṃ varṣasahasraṃ me ṣaṭśataṃ bhūpasaṃmitam | vatsarā dvādaśāś caiva cūrṇaṃ loharajodbhavam | syālo 'bhiśaptavān gārgyam apumān iti bhūpate
Indeed, while he was living thus, chaste and undiminished—Gārgya the brahmin—in the cow-pen his brother-in-law, (also) a brahmin, called him a eunuch; and then in the presence of the Yadus all the Yādavas laughed. "Thus for a thousand years and six hundred, measured by kings, and for twelve years, (I shall eat) powder produced from iron filings"—the brother-in-law had cursed Gārgya, (saying) "He is not a man," O lord of the earth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
HV 85.9
सो ऽभिशप्तस् तदा राजन् नगरे त्व् अमितंजये लिप्सुः पुत्रं ततो गत्वा तपस् तेपे सुदारुणम्
so 'bhiśaptas tadā rājan nagare tv amitaṃjaye lipsuḥ putraṃ tato gatvā tapas tepe sudāruṇam
Thus cursed then, O king, in the city Amitaṃjaya, desiring a son he went away and practised very severe austerity.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.10
ततो द्वादश वर्षाणि सो ऽयश् चूर्णम् अभक्षयत् आराधयन् महादेवम् अचिन्त्यं शूलपाणिनम्
tato dvādaśa varṣāṇi so 'yaś cūrṇam abhakṣayat ārādhayan mahādevam acintyaṃ śūlapāṇinam
Then for twelve years he ate iron powder, propitiating Mahādeva, the inconceivable one who bears the trident.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.11
रुद्रस् तस्मै वरं प्रादात् समर्थं युधि निग्रहे वृष्णीनाम् अन्धकानां च सर्वतेजोमयं सुतम्
rudras tasmai varaṃ prādāt samarthaṃ yudhi nigrahe vṛṣṇīnām andhakānāṃ ca sarvatejomayaṃ sutam
Rudra granted him the boon (of) a son made wholly of splendour, capable of subduing the Vṛṣṇis and the Andhakas in battle.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.12
ततः शुश्राव तं राजा यवनाधिपतिर् वरम् पुत्रप्रसवजं देवाद् अपुत्रः पुत्रकामुकः
tataḥ śuśrāva taṃ rājā yavanādhipatir varam putraprasavajaṃ devād aputraḥ putrakāmukaḥ
Then the king, the ruler of the Yavanas, sonless and longing for a son, heard of that boon from the god, which produced the birth of a son.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.13
तम् उपानाय्य स नृपः सान्त्वयित्वा द्विजोत्तमम् गोपमध्ये यवनराड् गोपस्त्रिषु समुत्सृजत्
tam upānāyya sa nṛpaḥ sāntvayitvā dvijottamam gopamadhye yavanarāḍ gopastriṣu samutsṛjat
Having had that best of the twice-born brought to him and having conciliated him, that king of the Yavanas set him loose among the cowherds, among the cowherd women.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.14
गोपाली त्व् अप्सरास् तत्र गोपस्त्रीवेषधारिणी धारयाम् आस गार्ग्यस्य गर्भं दुर्धरम् अच्युतम्
gopālī tv apsarās tatra gopastrīveṣadhāriṇī dhārayām āsa gārgyasya garbhaṃ durdharam acyutam
But there an apsaras, Gopālī, taking on the guise of a cowherd woman, bore Gārgya's embryo, hard to bear, imperishable.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.15
मानुष्यां गार्ग्यभार्यायां नियोगाच् छूलपाणिनः स कालयवनो नाम जज्ञे शूरो महाबलः अपुत्रस्याथ राज्ञस् तु ववृधे ऽन्तःपुरे शिशुः
mānuṣyāṃ gārgyabhāryāyāṃ niyogāc chūlapāṇinaḥ sa kālayavano nāma jajñe śūro mahābalaḥ aputrasyātha rājñas tu vavṛdhe 'ntaḥpure śiśuḥ
By the appointment of the trident-bearer, in a human woman, Gārgya's wife, that hero of great strength named Kālayavana was born; and the child grew up in the inner apartments of the sonless king.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.16
तस्मिन्न् उपरते राजन् स कालयवनो नृपः युद्धाभिकामो राजा तु पर्यपृच्छद् द्विजोत्तमम् वृष्ण्यन्धककुलं तस्य नारदो वै न्यवेदयत्
tasminn uparate rājan sa kālayavano nṛpaḥ yuddhābhikāmo rājā tu paryapṛcchad dvijottamam vṛṣṇyandhakakulaṃ tasya nārado vai nyavedayat
When he had passed away, O king, that Kālayavana (became) king; and the king, eager for battle, questioned the best of the twice-born, and Nārada informed him of the family of the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.17
ज्ञात्वा तु वरदानं तन् नारदान् मधुसूदनः उपप्रैक्षत तेजस्वी वर्धन्तं यवनेषु तम्
jñātvā tu varadānaṃ tan nāradān madhusūdanaḥ upapraikṣata tejasvī vardhantaṃ yavaneṣu tam
But learning of that granting of the boon from Nārada, the splendid Madhusūdana kept watch on him as he grew up among the Yavanas.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.18
स विवृद्धो यदा राजा यवनानां महाबलः तत एनं नृपा म्लेच्छाः संश्रित्यानुययुस् तदा
sa vivṛddho yadā rājā yavanānāṃ mahābalaḥ tata enaṃ nṛpā mlecchāḥ saṃśrityānuyayus tadā
When that mighty king of the Yavanas had grown up, then the Mleccha kings, taking refuge with him, followed him.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.19
शकास् तुषारा दरदाः पारदास् तङ्गणाः खशाः पह्लवाः शतशश् चान्ये म्लेच्छा हैमवतास् तथा
śakās tuṣārā daradāḥ pāradās taṅgaṇāḥ khaśāḥ pahlavāḥ śataśaś cānye mlecchā haimavatās tathā
Śakas, Tuṣāras, Daradas, Pāradas, Taṅgaṇas, Khaśas, Pahlavas, and hundreds of other barbarians, and likewise the Himalayan (peoples).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.20
स तैः परिवृतो राजा दस्युभिः शलभैर् इव नानावेषधरैर् भीमैर् मत्रुराम् अभ्यवर्तत
sa taiḥ parivṛto rājā dasyubhiḥ śalabhair iva nānāveṣadharair bhīmair matrurām abhyavartata
Surrounded by those barbarians (dasyus), like locusts, terrible and wearing manifold garb, that king marched against Mathurā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.21
गजवाजिखरोष्ट्राणां सहस्रैर् अयुतैर् अपि पृथिवीं कम्पयाम् आस सैन्येन महता तदा
gajavājikharoṣṭrāṇāṃ sahasrair ayutair api pṛthivīṃ kampayām āsa sainyena mahatā tadā
With thousands and even tens of thousands of elephants, horses, asses and camels, with that great army he then made the earth quake.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.22
रेणुना सूर्यमार्गं तु समवच्छाद्य पार्थिवः मूत्रेण शकृता चैव सैन्येन ससृजे नदीम्
reṇunā sūryamārgaṃ tu samavacchādya pārthivaḥ mūtreṇa śakṛtā caiva sainyena sasṛje nadīm
Having covered over the sun's path with dust, that king with his army created a river of urine and dung.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.23
अश्वोष्ट्रशकृतो राशेर् निःसृतेति जनाधिप ततो ऽश्वशकृद् इत्येव नाम नद्या बभूव ह
aśvoṣṭraśakṛto rāśer niḥsṛteti janādhipa tato 'śvaśakṛd ityeva nāma nadyā babhūva ha
Since it flowed out from a heap of horse- and camel-dung, O lord of men, from that the river got the very name 'Aśvaśakṛt' ('Horse-dung').
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.24
तत् सैन्यं महद् आयाद् वै श्रुत्वा वृष्ण्यन्धकाग्रणीः वासुदेवः समानाय्य ज्ञातीन् इदम् उवाच ह
tat sainyaṃ mahad āyād vai śrutvā vṛṣṇyandhakāgraṇīḥ vāsudevaḥ samānāyya jñātīn idam uvāca ha
Hearing that that great army had come, Vāsudeva, the foremost of the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, assembled his kinsmen and said this:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.25
इदं समुत्थितं घोरं वृष्ण्यन्धकभयं महत् अवध्यश् चापि नः शत्रुर् वरदानात् पिनाकिनः
idaṃ samutthitaṃ ghoraṃ vṛṣṇyandhakabhayaṃ mahat avadhyaś cāpi naḥ śatrur varadānāt pinākinaḥ
"This great and dreadful danger to the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas has arisen, and our enemy cannot be slain, because of the boon granted by the bearer of the Pināka (Śiva).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.27
सामादयो ऽभ्युपायाश् च विहितास् तस्य सर्वशः मत्तो मदबलाभ्यां च युद्धम् एव चिकीर्षति एतावान् इह वासश् च कथितो नारदेन मे ॥ ह्व्_८५।२६ एतावति च वक्तव्यं सामैव परमं मतम् । जरासंधश् च नो राजा नित्यम् एव न मृष्यते तथान्ये पृथिवीपाला वृष्णिचक्रप्रतापिताः
sāmādayo 'bhyupāyāś ca vihitās tasya sarvaśaḥ matto madabalābhyāṃ ca yuddham eva cikīrṣati etāvān iha vāsaś ca kathito nāradena me // HV_85.26 etāvati ca vaktavyaṃ sāmaiva paramaṃ matam | jarāsaṃdhaś ca no rājā nityam eva na mṛṣyate tathānye pṛthivīpālā vṛṣṇicakrapratāpitāḥ
"Expedients such as conciliation have all been applied to him in every way; but drunk with intoxication and with strength he wishes only for battle. Nārada told me that our dwelling here is to last only this long. // And in this matter it must be said that conciliation alone is held the best course. And Jarāsaṃdha, that king of ours, never forgives us; so too the other rulers of the earth, scorched by the Vṛṣṇi host.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
HV 85.28
केचित् कंसवधाच् चापि विरक्तास् तद्गता नृपाः समाश्रित्य जरासंधम् अस्मान् इच्छन्ति बाधितुम्
kecit kaṃsavadhāc cāpi viraktās tadgatā nṛpāḥ samāśritya jarāsaṃdham asmān icchanti bādhitum
"Some kings, estranged because of the slaying of Kaṃsa and gone over to him, have taken refuge with Jarāsaṃdha and wish to harass us.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.29
बहवो ज्ञातयश् चैव यदूनां निहता नृपैः विवर्धितुं न शक्ष्यामः पुरे ऽस्मिन्न् इति केशवः ततो वृष्ण्यन्धकाः कृष्णं पुरस्कृत्य महामतिम् । समेत्य मन्त्रयाम् आसुर् जरासंधभयेन च । कृत्वा च निश्चयं सर्वे पलायनम् अरोचयन् ॥ विहाय मथुरां रम्यां मानयन्तः पिनाकिनम् । कुशस्थलीं द्वारवतीं निवेशयितुम् ईप्सवः । अपयाने मतिं कृत्वा दूतं तस्मै ससर्ज ह
bahavo jñātayaś caiva yadūnāṃ nihatā nṛpaiḥ vivardhituṃ na śakṣyāmaḥ pure 'sminn iti keśavaḥ tato vṛṣṇyandhakāḥ kṛṣṇaṃ puraskṛtya mahāmatim | sametya mantrayām āsur jarāsaṃdhabhayena ca | kṛtvā ca niścayaṃ sarve palāyanam arocayan || vihāya mathurāṃ ramyāṃ mānayantaḥ pinākinam | kuśasthalīṃ dvāravatīṃ niveśayitum īpsavaḥ | apayāne matiṃ kṛtvā dūtaṃ tasmai sasarja ha
"And many kinsmen of the Yādavas have been slain by kings; we shall not be able to prosper in this city"—so (said) Keśava. Then the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, putting the greatly wise Kṛṣṇa at their head, came together and took counsel, out of fear of Jarāsaṃdha; and all, having made their decision, chose flight. Abandoning lovely Mathurā, honouring the bearer of the Pināka, desiring to settle in Kuśasthalī, Dvāravatī, and having resolved upon departure, he (Kṛṣṇa) dispatched a messenger to him.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.30
ततः कुम्भे महासर्पं भिन्नाञ्जनचयोपमम् घोरम् आशीविषं कृष्णं कृष्णः प्राक्षेपयत् तदा
tataḥ kumbhe mahāsarpaṃ bhinnāñjanacayopamam ghoram āśīviṣaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ kṛṣṇaḥ prākṣepayat tadā
Then Kṛṣṇa had a great serpent, black, dreadful, venom-fanged, resembling a heap of broken collyrium, thrown into a pot.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.33
ततस् तं मुद्रयित्वा तु स्वेन दूतेन हारयत् निदर्शनार्थं गोविन्दो भीषयाणश् च तं नृपम् स दूतः कालयवनं दर्शयाम् आस तं घटम् ॥ ह्व्_८५।३१ इदं चोवाच राजानं राज्ञां सम्सदि दूतकः । भो राजन्न् आह कृष्णस् त्वां किम् एभिः शलभैस् तव । अहम् एकस् तवैतेषां समर्थो वारणे प्रभुः ॥ त्वां च हत्वा नृपश्रेष्ठ सबलं ससुहृद्गणम् । इदं तव बलं राजन् ग्रहीष्यामीति निश्चितम् ॥ अन्यथा गच्छ राजंस् त्वं बलेनानेन संयुतः । इत्य् उक्त्वा दर्शयाम् आस घटं कृष्णप्रचोदितम् । कालसर्पोपमः कृष्ण इत्य् उक्त्वा भरतर्षभ तत् कालयवनो बुध्वा त्रासनं यादवैः कृतम् पिपीलिकानां चण्डानां पूरयाम् आस तं घटम् ॥ ह्व्_८५।३२ श्लोकम् एकं लिखित्वा तु घटमध्ये ऽक्षिपत् तदा । स सर्पो बहुभिस् तीक्ष्णैः सर्वतस् तैः पिपीलिकैः भक्ष्यमाणः किलाङ्गेषु भस्मीभूतो ऽभवत् तदा
tatas taṃ mudrayitvā tu svena dūtena hārayat nidarśanārthaṃ govindo bhīṣayāṇaś ca taṃ nṛpam sa dūtaḥ kālayavanaṃ darśayām āsa taṃ ghaṭam // HV_85.31 idaṃ covāca rājānaṃ rājñāṃ samsadi dūtakaḥ | bho rājann āha kṛṣṇas tvāṃ kim ebhiḥ śalabhais tava | aham ekas tavaiteṣāṃ samartho vāraṇe prabhuḥ || tvāṃ ca hatvā nṛpaśreṣṭha sabalaṃ sasuhṛdgaṇam | idaṃ tava balaṃ rājan grahīṣyāmīti niścitam || anyathā gaccha rājaṃs tvaṃ balenānena saṃyutaḥ | ity uktvā darśayām āsa ghaṭaṃ kṛṣṇapracoditam | kālasarpopamaḥ kṛṣṇa ity uktvā bharatarṣabha tat kālayavano budhvā trāsanaṃ yādavaiḥ kṛtam pipīlikānāṃ caṇḍānāṃ pūrayām āsa taṃ ghaṭam // HV_85.32 ślokam ekaṃ likhitvā tu ghaṭamadhye 'kṣipat tadā | sa sarpo bahubhis tīkṣṇaiḥ sarvatas taiḥ pipīlikaiḥ bhakṣyamāṇaḥ kilāṅgeṣu bhasmībhūto 'bhavat tadā
Then, having sealed it, Govinda had it carried by his own messenger as a token, to frighten that king; the messenger showed that pot to Kālayavana. // And the envoy said this to the king in the assembly of kings: "Ho, king! Kṛṣṇa says to you: what are these locusts of yours (worth)? I alone am a master able to hold them off; and having slain you, best of kings, together with your army and your host of friends, I shall take this army of yours, O king—this is settled. Otherwise, king, go away, taking this army with you." Having said this, he showed the pot as instructed by Kṛṣṇa, saying, "Kṛṣṇa is like the serpent of death," O bull of the Bharatas. Kālayavana, understanding that this was an intimidation contrived by the Yādavas, filled that pot with fierce ants. // And having written a single verse, he then cast it inside the pot. That serpent, gnawed all over its limbs by those many sharp ants, was then reduced, it is said, to ashes.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.35
तं मुद्रयित्वाथ घटं तथैव यवनाधिपः प्रेषयाम् आस कृष्णाय बाहुल्यम् उपवर्णयन् ॥ ह्व्_८५।३४ दूतानीतं हरिर् दृष्ट्वा पत्रं तद् वाचयंस् तदा । बहुभिर् न विरोद्धव्यं दुर्जयो ऽपि महाजनः । स्फुरन् तम् अपि नागेन्द्रं भक्षयिष्यन्ति कीटिकाः । वासुदेवस् तु तं दृष्ट्वा योगं विहितम् आत्मनः उत्सृज्य मथुराम् आशु द्वारकाम् अभिजग्मिवान्
taṃ mudrayitvātha ghaṭaṃ tathaiva yavanādhipaḥ preṣayām āsa kṛṣṇāya bāhulyam upavarṇayan // HV_85.34 dūtānītaṃ harir dṛṣṭvā patraṃ tad vācayaṃs tadā | bahubhir na viroddhavyaṃ durjayo 'pi mahājanaḥ | sphuran tam api nāgendraṃ bhakṣayiṣyanti kīṭikāḥ | vāsudevas tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā yogaṃ vihitam ātmanaḥ utsṛjya mathurām āśu dvārakām abhijagmivān
Then, having sealed that pot in the same way, the lord of the Yavanas sent it to Kṛṣṇa, thus indicating the power of numbers. // Then Hari, seeing the letter brought by the messenger, had it read out: "One should not oppose the many; a great multitude is hard to conquer even (for the mighty); ants will devour even the lord of serpents, though it writhes." But Vāsudeva, seeing that, and having arranged his own plan, quickly abandoned Mathurā and went to Dvārakā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.36
वैरस्यान्तं विधित्संस् तु वासुदेवो महायशाः निवेश्य द्वारकां राजन् वृष्णीन् आश्वास्य चैव ह
vairasyāntaṃ vidhitsaṃs tu vāsudevo mahāyaśāḥ niveśya dvārakāṃ rājan vṛṣṇīn āśvāsya caiva ha
But Vāsudeva of great fame, wishing to make an end of the enmity, having settled Dvārakā, O king, and having reassured the Vṛṣṇis,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.37
पदातिः पुरुषव्याघ्रो बाहुप्रहरणस् तदा आजगाम महायोगी मथुरां मधुसूदनः
padātiḥ puruṣavyāghro bāhupraharaṇas tadā ājagāma mahāyogī mathurāṃ madhusūdanaḥ
on foot, that tiger among men, with his arms as his weapons, the great yogin, the slayer of Madhu, then came to Mathurā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.38
तं दृष्ट्वा निर्ययौ हृष्टः स कालयवनो रुषा प्रेक्षापूर्वं च कृष्णो ऽपि निश्चक्राम महाबलः
taṃ dṛṣṭvā niryayau hṛṣṭaḥ sa kālayavano ruṣā prekṣāpūrvaṃ ca kṛṣṇo 'pi niścakrāma mahābalaḥ
Seeing him, that Kālayavana came forth delighted, in fury; and Kṛṣṇa of great strength too came out, after letting himself be seen.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.40
अथान्वगच्छद् गोविन्दं जिघृक्षुर् यवनेश्वरः न चैनम् अशकद् राजा ग्रहीतुं योगधर्मिणम् ॥ ह्व्_८५।३९ हस्तप्राप्तम् इवात्मानं हरिणा स पदे पदे । नीतो दर्शयता दूरं यवनेशो ऽद्रिकन्दरम् ॥ पलायनं यदुकुले जातस्य तव नोचितम् । इति क्षिपन्न् अनुगतो नैनं प्रापाहताशुभः । एवं क्षिप्तो ऽपि भगवान् प्राविशद् गिरिकन्दरम् । को हि नाम जगन्नाथं बलाद् यातुं प्रियाद् ऋते । हस्तप्राप्त इवाभाति तस्य गच्छञ् जनार्दनः । मान्धातुस् तु सुतो राजा मुचुकुन्दो महायशाः यत्र तिष्ठति राजेन्द्रस् तत्र चाशु विवेश वै । पुरा देवासुरे युद्धे कृतकर्मा महाबलः
athānvagacchad govindaṃ jighṛkṣur yavaneśvaraḥ na cainam aśakad rājā grahītuṃ yogadharmiṇam // HV_85.39 hastaprāptam ivātmānaṃ hariṇā sa pade pade | nīto darśayatā dūraṃ yavaneśo 'drikandaram || palāyanaṃ yadukule jātasya tava nocitam | iti kṣipann anugato nainaṃ prāpāhatāśubhaḥ | evaṃ kṣipto 'pi bhagavān prāviśad girikandaram | ko hi nāma jagannāthaṃ balād yātuṃ priyād ṛte | hastaprāpta ivābhāti tasya gacchañ janārdanaḥ | māndhātus tu suto rājā mucukundo mahāyaśāḥ yatra tiṣṭhati rājendras tatra cāśu viveśa vai | purā devāsure yuddhe kṛtakarmā mahābalaḥ
Then the lord of the Yavanas followed Govinda, wishing to seize him, but the king was unable to seize him, whose law is yoga. // Step by step, seeming as if within his grasp, the lord of the Yavanas was led far away by Hari, who showed him a mountain cave. "Flight does not befit you, born in the Yadu race"—reviling him thus he followed, but that ill-fated one did not reach him. Though thus reviled, the Lord entered the mountain cave—for who indeed could go to the Lord of the world by force, apart from love? As he went, Janārdana appeared to him as though within his grasp. And where the greatly famed king Mucukunda, son of Māndhātā, that lord of kings, was lying, there he swiftly entered—(Mucukunda) of great strength, who long ago in the war of the gods and asuras had done (great) deeds.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.41
वरेण च्छन्दितो देवैर् निद्राम् एव गृहीतवान् श्रान्तस्य तस्य वाग् एवं तदा प्रादुर् अभूत् किल
vareṇa cchandito devair nidrām eva gṛhītavān śrāntasya tasya vāg evaṃ tadā prādur abhūt kila
Offered a boon by the gods, he chose sleep alone; and this speech of his, weary as he was, then issued forth, it is said:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.42
प्रसुप्तम् बोधयेद् यो मां तं दहेयम् अहं सुराः चक्षुषा क्रोधदीप्तेन एवम् आह पुनः पुनः
prasuptam bodhayed yo māṃ taṃ daheyam ahaṃ surāḥ cakṣuṣā krodhadīptena evam āha punaḥ punaḥ
"Whoever wakes me while I sleep, him, O gods, may I burn with an eye blazing with anger"—so he said again and again.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.43
एवम् अस्त्व् इति शक्रस् तम् उवाच त्रिदशैः सह स सुरैर् अभ्यनुज्ञातो लोकं मानुषम् आगमत्
evam astv iti śakras tam uvāca tridaśaiḥ saha sa surair abhyanujñāto lokaṃ mānuṣam āgamat
"So be it," said Śakra to him together with the thirty (gods); and permitted by the gods he came to the world of men.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.44
स पर्वतगुहां कांचित् प्रविश्य श्रमकर्शितः सुष्वाप कालम् एतं वै यावत् कृष्णस्य दर्शनम्
sa parvataguhāṃ kāṃcit praviśya śramakarśitaḥ suṣvāpa kālam etaṃ vai yāvat kṛṣṇasya darśanam
Worn out with fatigue, he entered a certain mountain cave and slept — for just that long, until the sight of Kṛṣṇa.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.45
तत् सर्वं वासुदेवस्य नारदेन निवेदितम् वरदानं च देवेभ्यस् तेजस् तस्य च भूपतेः
tat sarvaṃ vāsudevasya nāradena niveditam varadānaṃ ca devebhyas tejas tasya ca bhūpateḥ
All that was reported to Vāsudeva by Nārada: the granting of the boon to the gods, and the fiery power of that king.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.47
अनुगम्यमानः कृष्णश् च तेन म्लेच्छेन शत्रुणा तां गुहां मुचुकुन्दस्य प्रविवेश विनीतवत् ॥ ह्व्_८५।४६ पीताम्बरेण स्वीयेन तम् आच्छाद्य स भूपतिम् । शिरःस्थाने तु राजर्षेर् मुचुकुन्दस्य केशवः संदर्शनपथं त्यक्त्वा तस्थौ बुद्धिमतां वरः
anugamyamānaḥ kṛṣṇaś ca tena mlecchena śatruṇā tāṃ guhāṃ mucukundasya praviveśa vinītavat // HV_85.46 pītāmbareṇa svīyena tam ācchādya sa bhūpatim | śiraḥsthāne tu rājarṣer mucukundasya keśavaḥ saṃdarśanapathaṃ tyaktvā tasthau buddhimatāṃ varaḥ
And Kṛṣṇa, followed by that Mleccha enemy, entered the cave of Mucukunda meekly. Having covered that king with his own yellow garment, Keśava, best of the wise, stood at the head-place of the royal sage Mucukunda, out of the line of sight.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.48
अनुप्रविश्य यवनो ददर्श पृथिवीपतिम् प्रस्वपन्तं कृतान्ताभम् आससाद सुदुर्मतिः
anupraviśya yavano dadarśa pṛthivīpatim prasvapantaṃ kṛtāntābham āsasāda sudurmatiḥ
Having entered after (him), the Yavana saw the lord of the earth sleeping, resembling Death; that very evil-minded one approached him.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.49
वासुदेवं तु तं मत्वा घट्टयाम् आस पार्थिवम् पादेनात्मविनाशाय शलभः पावकं यथा
vāsudevaṃ tu taṃ matvā ghaṭṭayām āsa pārthivam pādenātmavināśāya śalabhaḥ pāvakaṃ yathā
Taking him to be Vāsudeva, he struck the king with his foot — to his own destruction, as a moth (flies) into the fire.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.50
मुचुकुन्दश् च राजर्षिः पादस्पर्शविबोधितः चुकोप निच्राच्छेदेन पादस्पर्शेन तेन च
mucukundaś ca rājarṣiḥ pādasparśavibodhitaḥ cukopa nicrācchedena pādasparśena tena ca
And the royal sage Mucukunda, awakened by the touch of a foot, grew angry — at the breaking of his sleep and at that touch of a foot.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
HV 85.51
संस्मृत्य च वरं शक्राद् अवैक्षत तमग्रतः स दृष्टमात्रः क्रुद्धेन संप्रजज्वाल सर्वतः
saṃsmṛtya ca varaṃ śakrād avaikṣata tamagrataḥ sa dṛṣṭamātraḥ kruddhena saṃprajajvāla sarvataḥ
And recalling the boon from Śakra, he looked at him standing before him; the moment he was seen by the angry one, (the Yavana) blazed up all over.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.52
ददाह पावकस् तं तु शुष्कं वृक्षम् इवाशनिः क्षणेन कालयवनं नेत्रतेजोविनिर्गतः
dadāha pāvakas taṃ tu śuṣkaṃ vṛkṣam ivāśaniḥ kṣaṇena kālayavanaṃ netratejovinirgataḥ
And the fire that issued from the light of his eyes burned up Kālayavana in an instant, as a thunderbolt burns a dry tree.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.53
तं वासुदेवः श्रीमन्तं चिरसुप्तं नराधिपम् कृतकार्यो ऽब्रवीद् धीमान् इदं वचनम् उत्तमम्
taṃ vāsudevaḥ śrīmantaṃ cirasuptaṃ narādhipam kṛtakāryo 'bravīd dhīmān idaṃ vacanam uttamam
Then Vāsudeva, his task accomplished, the wise one, spoke this excellent speech to that glorious king who had slept so long:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.54
राजंश् चिरप्रसुप्तो ऽसि कथितो नारदेन मे कृतं मे सुमहत् कार्यं स्वस्ति ते ऽस्तु व्रजाम्य् अहम्
rājaṃś ciraprasupto 'si kathito nāradena me kṛtaṃ me sumahat kāryaṃ svasti te 'stu vrajāmy aham
"O king, you have slept a long while; you were spoken of to me by Nārada. My very great task has been done. May it be well with you; I am going."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.57
वासुदेवम् अथालक्श्य राजा ह्रस्वं प्रमाणतः परिवृत्तं युगं मेने कालेन महता ततः ॥ ह्व्_८५।५५ तम् आलोक्य घनश्यामं पीतकौशेयवाससम् । श्रीवत्सवक्षसं भ्राजत् कौस्तुभेन विराजितम् ॥ चतुर्भुजं रोचमानं वैजयन्त्या च मालया । चारुप्रसन्नवदनं स्फुरन् मकरकुण्डलम् ॥ प्रेक्षणीयं त्रिलोकेशं सानुरागस्मितेक्षणम् । अपीच्यवयसं मत्त+ +मृगेन्द्रोदारविक्रमम् ॥ पर्यपृच्छन् महाबुद्धिस् तेजसा तस्य धर्षितः । शङ्कितः शनकैः कृष्णं दुर्धर्षम् इव तेजसा । उवाच राजा गोविन्दं को भवान् किम् इहागतः कश् च कालः प्रसुप्तस्य यदि जानासि कथ्यताम् ॥ ह्व्_८५।५६ निःशङ्को गतभीः प्राप्तो विपिने गिरिगह्वरे । पद्भ्यां पद्मपलाशाभ्यां विचरस्य् उरुकण्टके ॥ किं स्वित् तेजस्विनां तेजो भगवांस् त्वं विभावसुः । सूर्यः सोमो महेन्द्रो वा लोकपालो ऽपरो ऽपि वा ॥ मन्ये त्वां देवदेवानां त्रयाणां पुरुषर्षभम् । यद् बाधसे गुहाध्वान्तं प्रदीपः प्रभया यथा ॥ शुश्रूषताम् अव्यलीकम् अस्माकं नरपुंगव । स्वं जन्म कर्म गोत्रं वा कथ्यतां यदि रोचते । सोमवंशोद्भवो राजा ययातिर् नाम नाहुषः तस्य पुत्रो यदुर् ज्येष्ठश् चत्वारो ऽन्ये यवीयसः
vāsudevam athālakśya rājā hrasvaṃ pramāṇataḥ parivṛttaṃ yugaṃ mene kālena mahatā tataḥ // HV_85.55 tam ālokya ghanaśyāmaṃ pītakauśeyavāsasam | śrīvatsavakṣasaṃ bhrājat kaustubhena virājitam || caturbhujaṃ rocamānaṃ vaijayantyā ca mālayā | cāruprasannavadanaṃ sphuran makarakuṇḍalam || prekṣaṇīyaṃ trilokeśaṃ sānurāgasmitekṣaṇam | apīcyavayasaṃ matta+ +mṛgendrodāravikramam || paryapṛcchan mahābuddhis tejasā tasya dharṣitaḥ | śaṅkitaḥ śanakaiḥ kṛṣṇaṃ durdharṣam iva tejasā | uvāca rājā govindaṃ ko bhavān kim ihāgataḥ kaś ca kālaḥ prasuptasya yadi jānāsi kathyatām // HV_85.56 niḥśaṅko gatabhīḥ prāpto vipine girigahvare | padbhyāṃ padmapalāśābhyāṃ vicarasy urukaṇṭake || kiṃ svit tejasvināṃ tejo bhagavāṃs tvaṃ vibhāvasuḥ | sūryaḥ somo mahendro vā lokapālo 'paro 'pi vā || manye tvāṃ devadevānāṃ trayāṇāṃ puruṣarṣabham | yad bādhase guhādhvāntaṃ pradīpaḥ prabhayā yathā || śuśrūṣatām avyalīkam asmākaṃ narapuṃgava | svaṃ janma karma gotraṃ vā kathyatāṃ yadi rocate | somavaṃśodbhavo rājā yayātir nāma nāhuṣaḥ tasya putro yadur jyeṣṭhaś catvāro 'nye yavīyasaḥ
Then, observing Vāsudeva to be short in stature, the king reckoned that in the great (lapse of) time the age had turned. Beholding him, dark as a cloud, clad in yellow silk, with the Śrīvatsa on his chest, shining, resplendent with the Kaustubha; four-armed, glowing with the Vaijayantī garland, with a lovely serene face, with flashing makara earrings; worth gazing on, lord of the three worlds, with an affectionate, smiling glance, of surpassing youthfulness, with the noble valour of a rutting lion — the great-minded one, overwhelmed by his splendour, questioned him; hesitant, slowly (he addressed) Kṛṣṇa, unassailable as it were by his splendour. The king said to Govinda: "Who are you? Why have you come here? And what is the time (now) for one who has slept? If you know, let it be told. Fearless and free from dread you have come into the wilderness, into a mountain cavern; with feet like lotus petals you walk on much-thorned ground. Are you perhaps the splendour of the splendid, the lord Fire? The Sun, the Moon, or great Indra, or some other world-guardian? I think you are the bull among men of the three gods of gods, since you dispel the darkness of the cave as a lamp does with its light. To us who would hear sincerely, O bull among men, let your own birth, deeds, or lineage be told, if it pleases you. There was a king born in the lunar line, Yayāti son of Nahuṣa; his eldest son was Yadu, and four others were younger."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.58
यदुवंशे समुत्पन्नं वसुदेवात्मजं विभो वासुदेवं विजानीहि नृपते माम् इहागतम्
yaduvaṃśe samutpannaṃ vasudevātmajaṃ vibho vāsudevaṃ vijānīhi nṛpate mām ihāgatam
"Born in the Yadu line, the son of Vasudeva — know me, O mighty king, as Vāsudeva, come here."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.59
त्रेतायुगे समुत्पन्नो विदितो मे ऽसि नारदात् इदं कलियुगं विद्धि किम् अन्यत् करवाणि ते
tretāyuge samutpanno vidito me 'si nāradāt idaṃ kaliyugaṃ viddhi kim anyat karavāṇi te
"You were born in the Tretā age; I know of you from Nārada. Know this to be the Kali age. What else may I do for you?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.61
मम शत्रुस् त्वया दग्धो देवदत्तवरो नृप अवध्यो यो मया संख्ये भवेद् वर्षशतैर् अपि ॥ ह्व्_८५।६० यदुवंशोद्भवं देवं जानामि शाश्वतं विभुम् । आद्यं पुरुषम् ईशानम् अच्युतं मधुसूदनम् ॥ पुरा गर्गेण कथितम् अष्टाविंशतिमे युगे । द्वापरादौ हरेर् जन्म यदुवंशे भविष्यति ॥ नमस् तस्मै भगवते पुरुषाय महात्मने । अनन्ताय महाबाहो विष्णवे प्रभविष्णवे ॥ एवं स्तुतस् तदा विष्णुर् मुचुकुन्देन धीमता । वरेण च्छन्दयाम् आस भगवान् अच्युतस् तदा ॥ पुनर् अप्य् अब्रवीत् कृष्णो मुचुकुन्दं महाभुजम् । त्वदर्थे ऽप्य् आगतो वीर नारदेन प्रबोधितः । उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भद्रं ते यथाकामं चरत्व् इह । इत्युक्तः स तु कृष्णेन निर्जगाम गुहामुखात् अन्वीयमानः कृष्णेन कृतकार्येण धीमता
mama śatrus tvayā dagdho devadattavaro nṛpa avadhyo yo mayā saṃkhye bhaved varṣaśatair api // HV_85.60 yaduvaṃśodbhavaṃ devaṃ jānāmi śāśvataṃ vibhum | ādyaṃ puruṣam īśānam acyutaṃ madhusūdanam || purā gargeṇa kathitam aṣṭāviṃśatime yuge | dvāparādau harer janma yaduvaṃśe bhaviṣyati || namas tasmai bhagavate puruṣāya mahātmane | anantāya mahābāho viṣṇave prabhaviṣṇave || evaṃ stutas tadā viṣṇur mucukundena dhīmatā | vareṇa cchandayām āsa bhagavān acyutas tadā || punar apy abravīt kṛṣṇo mucukundaṃ mahābhujam | tvadarthe 'py āgato vīra nāradena prabodhitaḥ | uttiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhadraṃ te yathākāmaṃ caratv iha | ityuktaḥ sa tu kṛṣṇena nirjagāma guhāmukhāt anvīyamānaḥ kṛṣṇena kṛtakāryeṇa dhīmatā
"My enemy, who had a boon given by a god, has been burnt by you, O king — he who could not have been slain by me in battle even in a hundred years." (Mucukunda:) "I know (you as) the god born in the Yadu line, eternal, all-pervading, the primal Person, the lord, the imperishable slayer of Madhu. Long ago it was told by Garga: in the twenty-eighth age, at the beginning of the Dvāpara, the birth of Hari will take place in the Yadu line. Homage to that blessed one, the Person, the great-souled, the endless, mighty-armed Viṣṇu, the powerful." Thus praised by the wise Mucukunda, the blessed imperishable Viṣṇu then offered him a boon. Again Kṛṣṇa said to the mighty-armed Mucukunda: "For your sake too I have come, O hero, being informed by Nārada. Rise, rise, blessings on you; let (one) move here as one wishes." Thus addressed by Kṛṣṇa, he went out from the mouth of the cave, followed by the wise Kṛṣṇa whose task was done.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.63
ततो ददर्श पृथिवीम् आवृतां ह्रस्वकैर् नरैः अल्पोत्साहैर् अल्पबलैर् अल्पवीर्यपराक्रमैः परेणाधिष्ठितं चैव राज्यं केवलम् आत्मनः ॥ ह्व्_८५।६२ यत् स्यात् त्वद्दर्शने पुण्यं तन् मे कृष्ण भवेद् इति । विसर्जयित्वा गोविन्दं प्रविवेश महद् वनम् हिमवन्तम् अगाद् राजा तपसे धृतमानसः
tato dadarśa pṛthivīm āvṛtāṃ hrasvakair naraiḥ alpotsāhair alpabalair alpavīryaparākramaiḥ pareṇādhiṣṭhitaṃ caiva rājyaṃ kevalam ātmanaḥ // HV_85.62 yat syāt tvaddarśane puṇyaṃ tan me kṛṣṇa bhaved iti | visarjayitvā govindaṃ praviveśa mahad vanam himavantam agād rājā tapase dhṛtamānasaḥ
Then he saw the earth filled with short men, of little energy, little strength, little valour and prowess, and his own kingdom wholly occupied by another. (He said:) "Whatever merit there may be in seeing you, Kṛṣṇa, let that be mine." Having taken leave of Govinda he entered the great forest; the king went to the Himālaya, his mind set on austerity.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.64
ततः स तप आस्थाय विनिर्मुच्य कलेवरम् आरुरोह दिवं राजा कर्मभिः स्वैर् जितं शुभैः
tataḥ sa tapa āsthāya vinirmucya kalevaram āruroha divaṃ rājā karmabhiḥ svair jitaṃ śubhaiḥ
Then, having undertaken austerity and cast off his body, the king ascended to heaven, won by his own good deeds.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
HV 85.66
वासुदेवो ऽपि धर्मात्मा उपायेन महामनाः घातयित्वात्मनः शत्रुं तत् सैन्यं प्रत्यपद्यत ॥ ह्व्_८५।६५ मुचुकुन्देन महात्मना ।मथुरां पुनरागत्य । प्रभूतरथहस्त्यश्व+ +वर्मशस्त्रायुधध्वजम् आदायोपययौ धीमांस् तत् सैन्यं निहतेश्वरम्
vāsudevo 'pi dharmātmā upāyena mahāmanāḥ ghātayitvātmanaḥ śatruṃ tat sainyaṃ pratyapadyata // HV_85.65 mucukundena mahātmanā |mathurāṃ punarāgatya | prabhūtarathahastyaśva+ +varmaśastrāyudhadhvajam ādāyopayayau dhīmāṃs tat sainyaṃ nihateśvaram
And Vāsudeva too, righteous and great-minded, having had his own enemy killed by a stratagem — by the great-souled Mucukunda — took possession of that army. Returning again to Mathurā, the wise one came bringing that army, whose lord had been slain, with its abundant chariots, elephants, horses, armour, weapons, arms and banners.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition