Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 17: Part 8

141) Having decided thus, the group of Kings got together with Bhishmaka and started preparations for handing over Rugmini (to Shishupala).
142) Rugmini, who was the best amongst all women in the Universe, sent an excellent Brahmana to Sri Krishna (as a messenger).
- Note: The Vijayadhwajeeya Paatha of Srimadbhagavata records that Rugmini sent a letter through that Brahmana.
143) Listening to his words, Sri Krishna immediately left for Vidarbha. Balarama followed him along with all the Yadavas.
144) After getting to know the impending arrival of Sri Keshava, the group of Kings got ready with their bows to protect the Kanya.
145) Rugmini made up the excuse of visiting the temple of the Kuladevata Durga outside the city before Kanyadaana. Even as all the Kings were seeing, Sri Krishna made Rugmini sit in his chariot.
146) Jarasandha and the others opposed Sri Krishna with great anger, using their excellent arrows. Sri Krishna rendered all of them weaponless and quietly left the place.
147) When the Kings got ready once again to attack Sri Krishna with their bows, Balarama, the best amongst the powerful, forcefully obstructed them.
148) At that time, the Shuklakesha form of Sri Hari took Avesha in Balarama in order for him to win over Jarasandha.
149) In the battle, Jarasandha was badly beaten with the mace (of Balarama) and he wriggled on the ground. Having won against him, Balarama left for Dwaraka-puri.
150) Still wearing the dress of a groom, the King of Chedi (Shishupala) came there to battle. Satyaki, roaring like a lion, rushed against him.
151) Fighting against each other for a long time, all the while showering excellent weapons, the two of them stood there staring at each other in anger.
152) The grandson of Shini (Satyaki), not able to digest the opponent standing up to him, picked up an arrow and discharged it powerfully at his chest.
153) Having been hit by it, Shishupala fell down unconsciousness. Satyaki felt contended at having defeated him and departed (from there).
154) The other Yadavas defeated his (Shishupala’s) army and left from there. Prior to that itself, Rugmi and the others had gone after Sri Krishna.
155) Rugmi, along with Ekalavya and others, showered many arrows at Sri Krishna. Like a lion, Sri Krishna turned around and stood his ground.
156) Then Sri Krishna destroyed an army of three Akshouhinis with his arrows. In an instant, by shooting arrows, he rendered Ekalavya weaponless and chariot-less.
157) Seeing Sri Krishna picking up an arrow that could destroy the body, Ekalavya left him and ran away due to fear.
158) Seeing the best amongst bowmen, Ekalavya, deserting battle and run away like that, Dantavakra and the other Kings also were fear-stricken and started running.
159) After that, Rugmi, the son of Bhishmaka, faced Sri Keshava and showered arrows at him like raindrops. Sri Krishna quickly rendered him chariot-less.
160) He broke his bow too. Rugmi again picked up a sword and shield and climbed Sri Krishna’s chariot. The Lord broke his sword and shield with his arrows.

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 17: Part 7

121) “Even if I am unarmed, I am capable of destroying enemies” – In order to send such a message, Sri Krishna placed a Krishnasarpa (black cobra) in a pot and sent it to him (Kalayavana).
122) “I can win against you since I have a big army” – deciding to send such a reply, Kalayavana filled that pot with lots of ants and sent it back, showing that the snake had been killed.
123) “I shall show which among the two is the reality” – saying thus Sri Krishna sent back the messenger and proceeded to torment Kalayavana.
124) Sri Krishna, the omnipotent, defeated Kalayavana with only his arms, and then after killing his entire army, sent all his wealth back to Dwaraka.
125) Kalayavana started firing many big astras and other weapons. Sri Krishna quickly hit him with his palm and felled him from his excellent chariot.
126) In an instant, Sri Krishna, using just his shoulders, rendered Kalayavana weaponless and also stranded him without his vehicle. Remembering the prayers of the Devatas, he spared his life.
127) The Devatas, after having granted a boon to Yauvanashvaja, the son of Yauvanashva, had in turn begged Sri Krishna, the lord of all those who grant boons, for a boon in return.
- Note: Yauvanashvaja’s name was Muchukunda. He was the son of Mandhata, who was known as Yauvanashva since he was the son of Yuvanashva.
128) “O Lord! This person (Muchukunda) has asked for a useless boon. Still, it must bear some fruit. Therefore, may your enemy, the Kalayavana, be burnt because of him”.
129) “May it be so!” – having thus granted the boon earlier, Sri Krishna went towards Muchukunda in order to make his words come true.
130) Having regained consciousness, Kalayavana got up from the ground and angrily went after Sri Krishna, for he was the one who had felled him.
131) Sri Krishna entered the cave where the King (Muchukunda) was sleeping and then stood there not being visible. Kalayavana kicked the King with his foot. Muchukunda opened his eyes and saw him.
132) Merely by his sight, Kalayavana was burnt to ashes. It was Sri Vishnu himself, the one without change, who burnt him down in the form of Agni.
133) Muchukunda had earlier obtained a boon after having killed the Danavas, due to the boon of Sri Hari, even though the Danavas had many boons of invincibility from Shiva.
134) Deep sleep for himself and death due to the mere sighting of whoever disturbs his sleep (were the two boons he obtained). Therefore, Kalayavana was destroyed in this fashion.
135) Due to the blessings of the Devatas, Muchukunda had obtained lot of merit. The service rendered to the Gods never goes waste.
136) Thereafter Muchukunda saw Sri Krishna, worshiped him and, with his permission, performed Tapas and subsequently obtained Mukti.
137) After that, Sri Krishna came out of that cave and defeated Jarasandha and all the other Kings there with his bare hands.
138) Jarasandha’s soldiers were crushed and they fell down to the ground due to (the hits from) Sri Krishna’s palms, fists and from the trees he threw. Jarasandha too fell down unconscious.
139) Sri Krishna felled Salva, Paundraka (Vasudeva), Shishupala and the other Kings in an instant and returned to Kushasthala.
140) Having regained their consciousness (after a while), those Kings, desirous of winning against Sri Krishna, proceeded to get Rugmini married off to the King of Chedi (Shishupala).

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 17: Part 6

101) Even when he (Salva) said so, Jarasandha appeared discontented. Salva climbed his aeroplane and went to meet Kalayavana.
102) That Kalayavana, having heard that Salva had come there from Jarasandha, quickly offered him his salutations and paid respects.
103) Jarasandha was literally the deity for all those who hated Sri Krishna. Hence Kalayavana turned to the direction of Jarasandha and bowed to him and quickly offered service to Salva.
104) Listening to him (Salva), Kalayavana quickly started, along with an akshouhini of army consisting of three crore warriors.
105) Due to the urine and feces from the horses in that army, the river Shakrut, that flows in Kaliyuga, originated.
106) Noticing that such rivers are repeatedly flowing, and also noticing the loss of lands due to this, Sri Vayu dried away the urine of those horses.
107) Sri Krishna got together with Garuda, and discussed with Balarama. Although he has complete and eternal knowledge always, he thought the following in order show his leela.
108) “This Kalayavana has come near us in order to engage in battle. When we start fighting him, Jarasandha will attack us”.
109) “Jarasandha will get angry when he loses and will kill Yadavas. He had not killed (any Yadava) earlier due to the hope of victory”.
110) “Since he has lost all hope, he will now resort to killing even Yadavas. Therefore I think it is prudent to build a city in the middle of the ocean”.
111) “After that, I think it is best to make all Yadavas reside there” – saying thus, the all powerful Sri Krishna remembered the divine architect.
112) Vishwakarma came there and, as per the orders of Sri Krishna, when the ocean was made waterless, built Dwaraka.
113) He built an auspicious and radiant city in the middle of the water. It was 12 yojanas wide and looked grand like Shwetadweepa in the middle of the Ksheerasagara.
114) Sri Krishna converted the salt (in the ocean) that was around the city into Amruta. Sri Vayu gave Sri Krishna a mantapa called Sudharma.
115) That mantapa belonged to Indra and was handed over to Sri Krishna by Sri Vayu. He also gave numerous treasures and left, after prostrating in front of him.
116) Along with them, all the other groups of Devatas too made offerings to Sri Krishna. After that, Sri Krishna bid farewell to Garuda and desired to fight Kalayavana.
117) Sri Krishna, the all-powerful one, ensured all the citizens of Madhura were transported to Kushasthala (Dwaraka) in one instance. Thereafter, he went towards Kalayavana fighting him with his own shoulders (strength).
118) Although he is endowed with unlimited strength and is one without a birth (or death), he transported his people in this way, through his leela, to teach everyone a lesson in Rajaniti.
119) What big task is it for him to protect the Vrishnis when it is he himself who protects all the people in the entire Universe from times immemorial till eternity, and with nothing more than his intention!
120) “You cannot fight me, even with the boon of Shiva, and even with the company of your entire army, although I am unarmed in facing you”.

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 17: Part 5

81) A cruel Apsara, belonging to the Asuras, joined the group of Gopikas, and united with Garga muni with the intention of obtaining a powerful son.
82) Garga muni was worshiped by a Yavana King, and by the Gopikas. That King, being childless, had known the intention of the sage and had arranged it (the worship).
83) Garga muni, who had lost control of his mind due to anger, produced a son in that Apsara and handed him over to the Yavana King. This was a not surprise coming from him, given that he was a Shiva dweshi.
84) Later, Garga muni repented a lot for having lost his Naishtika Brahmacharya and for having opposed Sri Krishna. He condemned his own thinking.
85) “Please protect me, as I have committed great sin” – saying thus he took to the refuge of Sri Krishna. As per his orders, he undertook a vaishnava tapas.
86) “From where should he get the opportunity to worship Shiva continuously? After all, isn’t that privilege always for Danavas like you?” (Salva stating thus to Jarasandha).
87) Garga muni had a son by name Kala. Since he always used to wait for the time to destroy Sri Krishna, he was known as Kala. The Yavana crowned him as the next King.
88) “He too is your shishya. He has lot of devotion towards Shiva. He also has a large army and is always proud of his strength”.
89) “If you say so I shall immediately approach him and will bring him to you. Through him, we can ensure Krishna is no more on this Earth and then we can live nicely”.
90) “After that we can get Rugmini married to Shishupala. We can ensure all those on the side of Devatas are eliminated, and we can live freely”.
91) When he said thus, Jarasandha immediately felt disturbed mentally. He put his head, which was decorated with a beautiful crown, down with thoughts.
92) Rubbing his hands together, and repeatedly watching his shoulders, he said – “A situation has come where I have to seek others’ help to ensure the work is done”.
93) “All the Kings on this Earth have taken refuge in the strength of my arms and have gotten their impossible tasks accomplished. I am such a King of Magadha”.
94) “How shall I do something that I have never done till now? Except the feet of Shiva, I have never taken refuge in anyone. I am the King of all Kings”.
95) When he said thus, the King of Saubhara, Salva, said thus in reply – “If you get into an illusion like this, then what about the rest of us, O Lord!”
96) “How can accomplishments by shishyas be considered as done by someone external? Isn’t it the case that Kings always get their accomplishments done by their shishyas and servants?”
97) “That apart, all of us are always conducting ourselves under the protection of your strength. Merely because one lifts an axe to chop a tree will he be considered weak?”
98) “This Kalayavana is just like an axe for you. Without your support he cannot act anywhere on his own”.
99) “The only boon he has obtained from Shiva is that he shall slay Krishna. By tormenting other enemies of ours aren’t you also his protector?”
100) “Due to Shiva’s boon you shall never be defeated. Since he (Kalayavana) has the special boon of slaying Krishna we need to select him now for this task”.

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 17: Part 4

61) Since Swayamvara is the Swadharma of Kshatriyas, the two of them (Varuna and Janaka) did not incur any sin. However, Bhishmaka was someone whom Sri Krishna did not desire.
62) Therefore, after getting to know that Bhishmaka was held under the sway of Sri Krishna, the one who was the best amongst those who are compassionate, the Kings got together once again for discussions.
63) In order to let Bhima obtain great fame and punya, Sri Krishna had still left Jarasandha alive. However, Jarasandha thought of it as follows:
64) “Due to the boon (I have) from Shiva, who is greater than him (Krishna), he is unable to kill me. Therefore, even though I have lost to him now, I shall win against him in the future, due to the blessings of Shiva”.
65) Although he had been defeated in every battle, he used to get back to challenge him again and again with great hope. Never once did he realize Shiva was lower (than Sri Krishna).
66) Therefore, he again addressed the Kings thus – “Fie on our valor! This Krishna always keeps winning against us”.
67) “O Kings! We had decided that we shall not offer him a seat, since he is not a ruler. But the opposite of that is what happened”.
68) “This (Krishna) climbed on to the throne offered to him by Mahendra in the assembly of great Kings. Even though we did not desire it, he came to be known as the King of Kings”.
69) “Therefore we need to rethink on how we shall win against Hari? We also need to think about how the King of Chedi (Shishupala) shall obtain the daughter of Bhishmaka”.
70) “He (Shishupala) is my adopted son. He is greater to me than even my own son. Therefore the beautiful Rugmini has to be given in marriage to him”.
71) “Rugmi, Salva, Paundraka and all the other Kings here are my shishyas in Shaiva Shastra. Therefore, all of you must get this done for me”.
72) When Jarasandha said thus, Salva the King of Saubhara said thus about Rugmi – “The Swayamvara has been canceled. He shall give his sister”.
73) “His father will not disregard his wish which is to hand over her hand to the King of Chedi. He (Bhishmaka) is old, and weak”.
74) “Now Krishna may himself come here, defeat us, and take away the Kanya. Before that happens, it is better if we ourselves ensure he is no more”.
75) “O King of Magadha! I have a plan ready for this issue. A muni named Garga was once ridiculed by his wife’s brother”.
76) When he called him a napumsaka in front of himself, and when all the Yadavas laughed at him, Sage Garga, the purohita, got very angry at him.
77) Garga undertook a vow – “I shall soon obtain a son who will ensure Krishna is no longer on Earth and ensure the destruction of the clan of the Yadavas”.
78) “Isn’t the strength (support) of Krishna the main reason for him mocking me?” – thinking thus Garga muni went to the forest. There he performed a penance praying to Shiva.
79) Garga muni worshiped Shiva by consuming only iron powder and performing tapas, and in one year, he pleased Shiva. He also got a boon from him that a son who shall ensure the end of Krishna shall be born.
80) Even though Garga muni was a devotee of Vishnu, due to the avesha of Asuras, he opposed Sri Krishna. He lost his naishtika vrata due to the same.

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 17: Part 3

41) If we do not do so, (we may become like) Danu, who although had the boon of invincibility, had his face jammed into his stomach when Indra smashed him with the Vajra!
42) “Due to the protection from Krishna, Indra may do similar to us” – deciding thus, all of them sent some Kings to Sri Krishna.
43) If Jarasandha and the others perform the abhisheka, due to the extreme humiliation suffered by them, no one (i.e. no other evil person) will follow them henceforth.
44) In order to survive, they shall resort to Sri Krishna. If this happens, the way of the Devas, devakarya, shall not get done.
45) Thinking thus, Indra sent a message to Jarasandha and the others – “Jarasandha and Rugmi, along with Salva and Shishupala need not participate in the abhisheka to Sri Hari”.
46) Thereafter, as per the orders of Indra, the Kings, apart from Jarasandha and others, started to perform abhisheka (to Sri Krishna) as the King of Kings.
47) At that moment, the Lord of Shachi sent his best throne for Sri Hari. That throne came down from the sky and Sri Keshava sat on it.
48) The Lord of all, Sri Krishna, held the hands of Bhishmaka’s brothers (Kratha and Kaishika) and also Garuda, and made them sit along with him.
49) After that the Kings got together with the best amongst the munis and performed a special abhisheka to Sri Krishna using water from golden kalashas.
50) Brahma, Rudra and all the other devatas profusely praised Sri Keshava at that time. All the deva-gandharvas sang a variety of songs.
51) Then, the Lord said to Bhishmaka – “You desire to perform a Swayamvara for your daughter, isn’t it? It will cause good to you”.
52) “It is Mahalakshmi herself who is born as your daughter. If you do not give her hand to Sri Krishna, who is Narayana himself, then as her father you will lose all your wealth and reach the lowest of the worlds (in the afterlife)”.
53) “I am saying this for your own benefit. Do not perceive it otherwise. I am not saying thus due to lust over your daughter. Take a look at who I am”.
54 – 56) Saying thus, the Lord of all Sri Krishna showed his excellent Vishwaroopa to him. That vision had many heads, shoulders, unlimited radiance, was omnipresent with numerous forms. It bore a pleasing crown, ear-rings, armlets and the best of garlands and anklets. The form of the Lord was in fact adding to the shine of the radiant Kaustubha (which was on him). “See how my consorts are” – saying thus he even showed Mahalakshmi (to Bhishmaka).
57) Mahalakshmi is one with infinite forms. She is the best amongst all (after Sri Hari). Her beauty as Mahalakshmi is even more than that of hers in the human form as Rugmini. Along with her, Sri Krishna showed him the other devatas too.
58) Seeing that extraordinary form, Bhishmaka was very scared. He fell at the feet of the Lord and said – “I shall do as you say”.
59) After that Sri Krishna, the one with lotus eyes, withdrew his Vishwaroopa. Riding on his bird (Garuda), he went back to Madhura, the city which was ruled by him through the strength of his arms.
60) Varuna, the lord of water, and Janaka, the lord of Mithila, had both arranged Swayamvaras. But both of them had done so knowing fully well that their daughters would unite with Sri Hari only.

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 17: Part 2

21) “The two of us shall henceforth always maintain enmity with Krishna” – declaring thus, the Kings of Karusha and Chedi, Dantavakra and Shishupala, made a vow and obtained the pleasure of their Guru (Jarasandha).
22) Once again the evil minded group started discussing together. They thought thus – “If Hari comes to the Swayamvara, it is certain that he will obtain Rugmini”.
23) “Krishna is the most beautiful in all three worlds. Rugmini too is appropriate for him. He is capable of winning all the worlds with this words and deeds, and can keep them under control too”.
24) “He is the best amongst all knowledgeable. He has won against all enemies. He is most handsome. Rugmini, who is best amongst all women, will surely choose him”.
25) “If that happens, all of us will surely lose our face. On the other hand, it is not possible for us to stop him with our arrows”.
26) “Therefore it is certain that the best strategy beneficial for us would be to ensure Krishna doesn’t get to unite with her in the Swayamvara”.
27) “So wherever all of us Kings are gathered, we must ensure Krishna does not get even a seat. He must not be offered arghya or any other service”.
28) “When all of us Kings are seated in royal seats, Krishna, who is respected by even the devatas, cannot sit down on the floor”
29) “Filled with ego and prestige, he will then certainly return back to his city. Thereafter let us conduct the Swayamvara”.
30) When all the Kings there took such a decision, two of King Bhishmaka’s brothers by name Kratha and Kaishika went quickly to Sri Krishna.
31) The two of them prostrated at the lotus feet of his (Sri Krishna) and welcomed him to their home. They gave him an excellent seat and offered him the best of worship they could.
32) Thereafter, a devadoota came to Jarasandha and other Kings carrying the orders of Indra. He addressed them with meaningful words.
33) “I am very dear to the husband of Shachi. I am always in his vicinity, visible to him. The King of devatas has given an order for all you Kings. He is after all your Lord too!”.
34) “Sri Hari is the supreme leader of all Kings. Know that no one else is thus and immediately perform the best of abhisheka to him. Let there be no doubt”.
35) “If you ignore this order, I shall smash the Vajrayudha against your heads. Such is the dictum of Indra. You are to follow this” – speaking thus, the devadoota left the place.
36) Listening to those words, the hearts of the Kings was once again in pain. “Indra’s ego has increased a lot” – they said amongst themselves.
37) “Earlier Vasava (Indra) used to be afraid of us always. Now, with Krishna’s help, he is scaring us a lot”.
38) “If the King of devas releases his Vajrayudha even as he remains invisible, we shall all be hurt a lot although we will not die due to the power of the boons we have”.
39) “Earlier we were capable of winning against him even though he is in Swarga. But now, if we proceed against him in battle, Krishna shall come (interfere)”.
40) “Therefore, if by performing abhisheka to him, the consort of Shachi, Indra, shall not fire the Vajrayudha against us, then let us perform it (abhisheka) for him”.

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 17: Part 1

1) When the King of Chedi (Damaghosha) returned to his place, Sri Janardana got to know that Rugmini, who was Mahalakshmi herself, was getting ready for a Swayamvara.
2) Her elder brother Rugmini hated Sri Hari, the lord of Ramaa, and had stopped the marriage of Rugmini, who was dear to Sri Hari, with Sri Krishna.
3) When the Swayamvara was announced, Jarasandha, along with other warriors such as Salva, Paundraka, Shishupala and others left (for the Swayamvara).
4) Then, Sri Krishna quickly left for Kundinapura. Garuda too reached him as soon as he (Sri Krishna) remembered him.
5) Due to the wind speed from his wings, the Kings fell down on the ground. When Garuda’s strength itself is so much, what to say of Sri Hari’s strength?
6 to 10) “What shall we do now for our good?” – thought all the Kings. At that time Jarasandha said thus – “This Krishna, who keeps winning, is definitely Vishnu himself. Or else, how can he be pakshivahana (rider of Garuda)? All of us have lost to him alone every time in battle. Even though we have attacked him together, we have never won even once. His brother Balarama had almost killed me. When I was badly hurt, he left me after listening to an ashareeravani. What else to say of his (Sri Krishna’s) strength? Without himself getting hurt, he is rendering us almost like a blade of grass everytime. In such a grave scenario, what may be good for us to do?”
11) Speaking thus, Jarasandha lowered his lustre-less face. The King of Chedi, Shishupala, spoke next. Dantavakra too spoke at that time. The two of them were earlier the servants of Sri Hari and therefore their thinking used to be straight sometimes.
12) “O best amongst the Kings! Listen to us. There are some who say that Krishna is Sri Hari himself, the Lord of even Brahma and Shiva. It couldn’t be false”
13) “When we look at him, the two of us too sometimes develop devotion in him. At other times, hatred develops”
14) “We do not know the reason (for this). There is not doubt that Sri Hari is the greatest amongst all. Since we desire good, let us give up enmity and take refuge in him”
15) “This is good for us. Otherwise, no good shall occur”. When they spoke thus, Jarasandha stared at them as if he would burn them (merely by his looks).
16) At that time Salva ridiculed both of them. Scolding them, and getting furious, he said thus to Jarasandha who was boiling with anger.
17) “There is no doubt that Krishna is Sri Janardana himself and that he is born as a Yadava only to kill us. But all of us are the best amongst Danavas”
18) “It is our Swadharma to constantly and firmly hate Sri Hari. If we follow our Swadharma, we will obtain sadgati even if we are killed”
19) “For us Shiva alone is our Supreme God. You (Jarasandha) are our Guru and Hari is our enemy”. When he said thus, Jarasandha said “Fine! Fine!”
20) Thereafter Rugmi, and the others, filled with ill-thoughts, decided firmly in favour of battle (with Sri Krishna), and were joined by the Kings of Karusha (Dantavakra) and Chedi (Shishupala).

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 16: Part 2

21) Balarama, having been hit badly by him, instantly fell down unconscious. The reason for this was the boon of invincibility obtained from Brahma. He was earlier held by Balarama only due to the avesha of Vishnu in him.
22) When Balarama fell unconscious thus, Sri Krishna attacked the lord of Magadha with his mace. He hit him on his chest and the middle of the neck. Jarasandha, having been hit badly, fell down bleeding profusely.
23) At that time, Balarama got up. Along with him, Jarasandha, the valorous one, also got up. The powerful Rama was instigated with anger and held Jarasandha’s head, and lifted his plough to kill him.
24) At that time, Vayu (ashareeravani) spoke thus – “O Rama! You will not be able to kill this Maagadha. Do not waste your strength on him. Just as your strength, your astra too is extraordinary”
25) “There is another strong warrior who will kill him”. Having heard thus, Balarama left the son of Jara and went away. When Jarasandha came again to attack them, Sri Krishna hit him with his mace.
26 and 27) Due to the blows by Sri Krishna, Jarasandha’s body was bruised badly. He rolled down unconscious. He got up after a long time and, due to extreme embarrassment, got together with the remaining few Kings, and escaped from there not to be seen anywhere. “I have spared you” – with such a sendoff from Sri Krishna, he reached his city. Thereafter, he kept attacking Sri Krishna many times in a similar fashion, along with many Kings and got defeated every time.
28) Sri Krishna, having defeated Jarasandha, joined Balarama and Damaghosha and left from there. Damaghosha was the husband of Sri Krishna’s paternal aunt. Although he was defeated earlier in battle by Sri Krishna, he had been spared considering that he was a relative.
29) “Let us visit the Kshetra of Mahalakshmi; let us go to Karaveerapura” – thus requested Damaghosha, the one who was defeated in battle. Due to his devotion, Sri Krishna agreed and went with him.
30) Damaghosha was originally a Gandharva by name Danu. He had taken birth as a human. Therefore he had devotion towards Sri Krishna. When the sinner Srugala Vasudeva heard that they (Sri Krishna and Damaghosha) had come to his city (Karaveerapura – Kolhapura), he came to battle with them.
31) With the boon of invincibility from Surya, he (Srugala Vasudeva) climbed a divine chariot given by Surya and came there to fight with Sri Krishna. He released a shower of arrows. Sri Krishna immediately beheaded him.
32) Sri Krishna split his body into two (with the Sudarshana chakra). He crowned Shakradeva, who was his devotee and the son of Srugala Vasudeva, as the King and returned to his city (Madhura) along with his elder brother (Balarama). In his original form, Shakradeva was a devata called Manibhadra.
33) Having shown to all that statecraft was in avoiding powerful armies and going afar to safeguard one’s own army, the all-complete and most powerful Sri Krishna, who was naturally endowed with infinite strength, reached his city once again and stayed there, being worshiped by all the people.

|| End of chapter 16, known as ‘Srugala Vadha’, from the Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya, composed by Srimadanandatirtha Bhagavatpada ||

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 16: Part 1

1) At that time, the ruler of Magadha (Jarasandha) desired to battle and, together with all Kings, attacked Yadavas yet again. Sri Krishna, although endowed with eternal, lasting and unlimited strength, decided on his own accord to move far from there.
2) To show the niti that must be followed even though a Kingdom is powerful, if they are numerically inferior in terms of number of warriors and weaponry, and if facing an army that is superior in numbers and weapons, Sri Krishna, along with Balarama, went thus towards the South.
3) Sri Krishna was endowed with unlimited strength, the one whose was Supreme and the one with no fear. Yet, in order to teach Rajaniti, he left the place and met Sri Parashurama on the way. Although both of them were the same (form of Sri Hari), they sportingly appeared to be separate individuals and Sri Krishna learnt that Gomanta mountain was a place unreachable by the enemies. He, along with his elder brother, proceeded there.
4) Around that time, in order to allow the unliberated devatas to perform his puja, the birthless Sri Narayana had come to a suitable place from his original abode (where only the liberated are allowed). In order to see him, (the daitya) Bali too had come there.
5) In order to show everyone that he (Bali) had asuravesha at that time, Sri Vishnu, the one who always performs exemplary deeds and the one who can never be fully understood, glanced at the devatas once and appeared as if sleeping deeply, even though he is one without sleep always.
6) Understanding the real intention of Sri Hari, all the devatas closed their eyes and rested on the beds. Bali picked up the crown of Sri Vishnu and left from there. The devatas laughed at this.
7) Even as Brahma and the rest of the devatas, along with Sri Narayana himself, were laughing, Garuda departed to Patala. There, he defeated Bali and returned to where Sri Krishna was present, along with the crown.
8) Garuda placed it on Sri Krishna’s head and sang praises of him, the one who is the lord of the devatas and who is the lord of Lakshmi. He was instructed by Sri Krishna thus – “Come to me when I summon you”. He then left for Ksheera Samudra where Narayana resided.
9) Since there is absolutely no difference between the different forms of Sri Hari, the crown which was placed on Sri Krishna’s head sat there comfortably. Due to Sri Krishna’s wish, that crown placed itself on the head of Sri Narayana in Ksheera Samudra at the same time.
10) The divine weapons of Sri Krishna, which had arrived earlier, and which had returned to Vaikunta, came down there (to Sri Krishna). At the same time, the weapons of Balarama too, along with this wife Varuni, came down.
11) She (Varuni) also came there in another form as Sri, along with the avesha of Mahalakshmi. Another wife of his called Kanti also came there. There is a second Kanti who is the wife of Soma. Among the two, the wife of Shesha is the more beautiful one.
12) Balarama, along with them, sported there. His radiance was brighter than that of the group of moons. The drink named Kadambari had the presence of Varuni in it. Balarama consumed it.
- Note: Kadambari belonged to the category of ‘madya‘ but it was not forbidden since it had the presence of the devata Varuni.
13) In this way, when the two of them were enjoying there, Jarasandha surrounded the Gomanta mountain and, along with many other (evil) Kings, set fire to the same. Sri Krishna and Balarama, the powerful ones, saw this and jumped up while pressing the mountain down.
14) The mountain sunk inside the earth by eleven yojanas due to the pressing by their feet. Due to the friction of the mountain with the earth, a spring came up and the water from the same spread all around and quelled the fire.
15 and 16) Sri Krishna and Balarama, the best amongst the devatas, rushed inside the army and destroyed the entire group of Kshatriyas. The group of evil Kings, including Hamsa, Dibika, Keechaka, Ekalavya Shishupala, Paundraka Vasudeva, Narakasura’s son Bhagadatta, Dantavakra, Rugmi, Salva the King of Saubha, Mainda and his brother Vivida, and many others surrounded them and angrily showered many arrows at them.
17) Although they were inherently devotees of Sri Krishna, due to the fear of Jarasandha, and on account of having been imprisoned by him, Kings such as Shalya, Bahlika, Somadatta, Bhurishravas, Virata and Drupada the King of Panchala showered weapons, astras, groups of trees, rocks and arrows at him.
18) Sri Krishna made all of them lose their charioteers, horses, flags, weapons and shields with his shower of arrows. Making them bleed profusely and suffer from immense pain, he chased them away like a Lion chases away deer.
19) Having thus destroyed twenty-three akshouhinis of the enemy army, Sri Krishna only spared Rugmi causing less pain, keeping Rugmini in mind. He broke his weapons, made him chariot-less and chased him away.
20) Jarasandha engaged in a fierce battle with the son of Rohini (Balarama) for a long time. He was hit by the force of the plough and lost consciousness. Regaining senses after a long time, he became extremely agitated and smashed his mace at Balarama’s chest.