SELECT STORIES FROM PURANAS -4

SELECT STORIES FROM PURANAS

(Compiled  by  Brahmasree V.D.N.Rao)

 

SELECT STORIES FROM PURANAS

What is the use of your wasted breath in trying to toss me; your death would take place with certainty

soon as the incarnation of Vishnu has already been born and would kill you again as you were the

Kalanemi Daitya in your previous birth; so better plan soon to save your skin! Having said, Devi

Maha Maya disappeared. Kamsa then thought that there was no point in keeping Devaki and

Vasudeva in prison and called for an urgent conference of his Daitya Allies like Keshini, Dhenuka,

Putana, Arishta and others to chalk out an action plan to the Boy was was born and addressed them as

follows: ‘Devas headed by Indra are seeking to kill me and us headed by Jarasandha; we had already

witnessed the trials of Devatas in several of battles in the past, when they could never show their

chests but only their backs! Had Indra forgotten the recent incident of his trial to stop rains in our

Kingdoms and we forced the clouds to burst out and we had plentiful of rains and crops! I feel sorry

for the desperation with which the Devas are once again trying to challengey us; it is highly amusing

that they desire to kill me! In any case we have to be alert any way and double up our efforts!

In right earnest, the efforts of the Daityas to demolish Krishna even as a toddler were planned and

executed; Kamsa first despatched Mayavi Putana in disguise as a pretty woman to breast-feed

poisonous milk to Krishna but quite playfully Krishna bit her nipple as she was instantly killed; the

entire Gokula was aghast as to how the Toddler had a miraculous escape and Nanda prayed to

Bhagavan to save the child from all kinds of mishaps saying: May Bhagavan protect the child from all

the directions of North-South-East and West; may Madhusudana save the child from the Vidashaas of

North East-South East-SouthWest and North West; may Hrishikesha guard the child from the Sky and

may Adi Sesha Deva shield the boy from Earth!

There have been a series of miracles that followed the Putana incident from time to time as the two

brothers were growing in Yashoda-Nanda’s house. One day Madhusudana was kept under a Shakata

(Cart) in the backyard of their house and the child apparently cried for milk and threw up his legs

while lying down and the cart was pushed up and got broken into pieces; the children around

witnessed that the child did threw up the cart with his feet! The parents wondered as to how a child

could do it! They performed a Puja with flowers-fruits-curd and ‘Akshatas’ or rice grains to ward off

any Evil eye! After a few days Gargaachaarya performed Namakarana; the younger one as Krishna

and the elder as Balarama. In course of time, the boys were able to crawl and disappear amid the flock

of cattle and apply cow dung on their bodies; both Yashoda and Rohini were fed up and tied to a

heavy stone used for pounding grains which was kept in between two huge Yamalarjuna Trees in

the backyard and got busy with their houshold chores. Suddenly, there were heavy sounds as the two

huge trees fell down and the neighbours witnessed that two Celesitial Beings emerged from the trees

and flew away! Krishna was called Damodara as there was a scar around his waist due to the black

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mark of the rope with which Yashoda tied Krishna to the heavy stone.

As queer incidents like the killing of Putana, lifting of cart, sudden sand storm and uprooting of huge

trees were happening, Nanda desired to shift to Brindavana from Gokula and made the entire

population agree to the arrangement. All the ‘Vraja vaasis’shifted to the new place and in course of

time, the boys came of teen age, adopted distinct dress code, sported a golden headgear with peacock

feathers and flute and excelled themselves as unique flutists especially as cowherds in the large

company of Gopas and Gopikas exchaging practical pranks and mischief. One day, Krishna went with

his friends without Balarama and while wandering came across a frightful water body known as the

place in which Kaliya Serpent and its family stayed; the companions of Krishna suggested that the

particular pond should be avioded as the water in it was highly poisonous as thirsty human beings,

cattle and even birds would die instantly. But Krishna never heeded the warnings and from a tree top

on the banks of the pond dived into it even with full awareness that the tree was burnt due to the

poisonous flames that emitted from the pond. Gopala Ganas raised a hue and cry and informed one

and all in Brindavan and the entire public got collected around the lake. Nanda Kumar wasa lost in

dismay while Yashoda and quite a few Gopikas were readying to leap into the water, but Balarama

cooled down the agitated relatives and the public stating that Krishna was not an ordinary human

being and that he was Bhagavan Vishnu himself; he conveyed to Krishna as follows: Deveshwara!

Are you not aware that you are Ananta; and if so why are you displaying the Manava Bhaava or the

characteristics of human beings! You are yourself the ultimate refuge of the Universe as its Creator-

Presever-Terminator just as the axis of a wheel and its spokes! Indeed you are the embodiment of

Three Lokaas and Three Vedas; Jagannaatha! You have assumed human form to demolish the Evil

Forces and lighten the burden on Earth. Krishna! It is time that you discard this childishness and

human features and quickly control the poisonous teeth of the cruel serpent once for all! There inside

the poisonous pond the whole family of Kaliya surrounded Krishna and the enormous serpent sought

to encircle his body; but Krishna smiled even as what Balarama said and fisted and pounded the most

obnoxious creature in such a way that he held his tail with one hand and jumped up on its hoods and

compressed them with mighty force; as Krishna brought the serpent in total control the latter obeyed

Jagannatha and the unusual spectacle of floating and dancing Krishna atop the creature’s hoods

delighted the entire Vraja Praja! The poisonous water of the pond was full of Kaliya’s red blood and

his wives and children begged of Krishna not to kill it. The humiliated Kalia realised the magnificence

of Krishna and extolled him stating: Even Brahma, Rudra, Chandra, Indra, Marudganaas, Ashvini

Kumaaraas, Vasuganas and Adityas could not commend you adequately, how could I pay tributes to

your excellence! Then Krishna instructed Kaliya and his large family to leave the pond at once and

assured that his formidable enemy Garudmaan would recognise his footprints and let them pass to

reach the Sea in which they could reside fearlesly for long time.

After the Kaliya incident, there were the exterminations of Dhenukasura who entered the group of

cows which Krishna took out along with Balarama and other Gopas as also of Pralambasura who

quietly joined the Gopas and participated in a game of carrying on his back the elder brother Balarama

and flying him away but the latter suppressed the Asura by his ever increasing body weight and

finally the Asura collapsed to death. There were quite a few other killings by Krishna of many Asuras

in an exercise of lightening the evil forces on Earth; Vrishabasura was externinated, Daitya Keshi was

despatched to hell and scores of other Daityas were slaughterd. Then there was the anger of Indra who

was not traditionally worshipped by Vraja vaasis on the arrival of Sharat Ritu but as per the advice of

Krishna they did not; Indra’s fury resulted in torrential rains and washed out Vraja Bhumi but Krishna

lifted Govardhana Mountain by his little finger to protect the Gokula Praja and provided shield to

them all and there by destroying the ego of Indra. But Indra’s fury was only to popularise Krishna’s

magnificence by creating an opportunity that Krishna indeed was Supreme During the times that

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magnificence by creating an opportunity that Krishna indeed was Supreme. During the times that

followed, the Gopikas of Vraja displayed intense attachment and infatuation for Krishna that

culminated in Raasa-leelas or ecstatic dances in groups in which there were as many Krishnas as

Gopikas on one to one count besides a Unique Krishna belonging to one and all!

Devarshi Narada then felt that the time was reap enough to provoke and destroy the major villian

Kamsa and made a friendly call to the King. He conveyed to Kamsa the various deeds of Krishna and

Balarama who now entered the teens and that it might be a good idea to invite them to Mathura to

meet their parents and celebrate their trip to Mathura. The evil-minded Kamsa felt that as the Vrja

Brothers might become more powerful and difficult to destroy by the day, he planned for a friendly

trip to Mathura and asked Akrura the Yadava Elder to personally visit Gokula- Brindavan and escort

Krishna and Balarama, ostensibly to attend a Dhanush Yajna on the next Chaturdashi and also enjoy

the celebrations like ‘Malla Yuddhhas’ (wrestling matches) by the notorious Chanura and Mushtikaas.

Kamsa day-dreamt that after killing Balarama Krishnas followed by those of Nanda and Vasudeva

and his foolish and timid father Ugrasena now in prison, he would annexe Gokula-Brindavan easily

and enjoy the property of cows and grains! Akrura left for Brindavana and invited Krishna-Balarama

to Mathura to attend the Yagna and Celebrations; their parents were grieved; Vrajavaasis were

saddened; Gopaas were upset; Gopikas were alarmed at the absence. As he approached Gokula,

Akrura took bath in River Yamuna and happened to meet Krishna and Balarama in person as they too

were whiling on the river banks along with their pals; he was in trance in visioning Krishna and broke

out in a spontaneous ‘Stuti’: My hearty salutations to you the Sanmaatra Swarupa, Achintya Mahima,

Paramatma, Sarwavyaapi, Aneka Rupaa due to Karanaas / Causes but basically of a Singular / Unique

Form--- Namo Vaasudeva, Namo Sankarshana , Pradyumna and Aniruddha!.

As Bhagavan Krishna and Balarama entered Mathura, they asked Akrura to leave them alone as they

preferred to walk up by the ‘Raja Maarga’ to enjoy their interaction with the Public; the passers by

were seeing and conversing among themselves in small groups in low tones. Their first encounter was

with a Rajaka or Washerman who happened to be from the Royal Palace of King Kamsa; as the

brothers were attracted to the colourful dresses, they asked the Rajaka to give them a few nice dresses

but the haughty washerman talked rudely and arrogantly which provoked Krishna to beat him and

pulled him down on the ground and helped themselves a few dresses of their choice. A little ahead,

another person kept on staring at the boys and asked them nicely as to where were they coming from;

he said that he was a Maali or a flower seller and invited them to his home nearby and offered them

nice flower garlands; Krishna was pleased at his pleasant conduct and gave him the boon that all

along his life, the Maali would be happy, prosperous and well-contented! The next encounter was

with a Kubja or a short and deformed girl and Krishna asked her as to where was she going and what

was she carrying; as she said she was carrying Gandha or sandal wood paste, Krishna wished to

provide the fragrant paste to him and in turn, he lifted up by her chin and straightened her up by

pressing her feet and she was made straight and shapely at once! She invited the boys to visit her

home nearby where she offered them nice scents and aromatic pastes; such were the memorable

encounters that Krishna and Balarama had while proceding to the ‘Yaga Shaala’ at the end of the Raja

Marga. Inside the Yaga shaala there was a massive Deva Dhanush and Krishna broke it playfully as

the thundering sound was heard all over; as he heard this huge sound, Kamsa realised that the boys

had arrived and that they would have broken the Dhanush! He called Chanura and Mushtika and said

that the next evening Krishna and Balarama would invite at the Yaaga Shaala to a friendly wrestling

and that they should somehow kill them by giving an impression to the Public that the killing was

accidental. Next evening the boys arrived at the Yaga Shaala to participate the Royal Celebrations and

the Trainer of a huge rouge elephant called Kuvalkayapeeda readied the animal to lift up the boys at

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the Entrance Gate and trample them; Krishna-Balaramas on arrival understood the intention of the

elephant and as it lifted them up they landed on its back and pounded it with their fists, twisted its tail

and trunk and felled the animal down with a thud and it breathed its last. The entire audience

especially the Yadavas cheered up the boys with resounding applause and the men and women in the

Sports Arena loudly chattered about the ecscapades of the Boys ever since their arrival at Mathura

including their encounters with the Rajaka, Maali, Kubja, Dhanush and the Rougue Elephant; they

kept on discussing about his miracle acts of killing various Asuras, lifting Govardhana Mountain and

the juicy tales of Raasa Leelaas! Meanwhile Kamsa announced that the duo of Krishna an Balarama

would participate in friendly wrestling matches with the fearful wrestlers like Chanura and

Mushtika. There were mixed feelings in the audience that such ‘Malla Yuddhas’ between the

untrained teens and expert wrestlers were not just good jokes but of evil intentions and a few others

felt that such deeds were indeed meant for fun. The wrestling bouts looked funny and comical in the

beginning but as Chanura and Mushtika looked serious, the atmosphere became tense and as the tiny

boys were lifted by the mountain-like professionals, the instrumental music in the theatre stopped and

every one in the audience were holding their breath. Balarama shouted to Govinda: Victory be with

you Krishna! Kill Chanura at once! Krishna sat on the Danava’s shoulders and gave a mighty blow on

his head which was smashed and the tall and powerful Chanura lost his balance and crashed on the

ground with a thud and died instantly! It was then the turn of Balarama to hit on Mushtika’s head,

stomach and knees and the latter too was shattered. Krishna then took full control of another Malla

Raja called Toshkala and both the brothers surrounded him and simultaneously punched and whacked

him and that colossal wrestler too went the same way to death; the pack of other werestlers in the

arena ran for their lives and there were such shouts and hoots from the audience cheering and

acclaiming Krishna and Balarama with victory. As there was ruckus and uproar in the Hall, Yadavas

went wild with ecstacy and other citizens of Mathura too were confident that the last hour of the

tyrant King Kamsa had arrived. Kamsa shouted at the soldiers that let the ‘Gwaala baalakaas’ be

chased and hounded; a smiling Vaasudeva leapt up on the Platform where Kamsa sat with his Security

Chiefs, dragged him down to the Wrestling Arena and overpowered him; thus the most heinous villian

of the Era was exterminated once for all.

Then Krishna and Balarama prostrated before Vasudeva and Devaki who were also in the audience

and the latter embraced the dear sons with affection on one hand and unlimited devotion on the other.

Vasudeva addressed Krishna as follows: Prabho! Be kind to us; the benediction bestowed by you to

Devataas that you would be born to us was amply fulfilled. You had recognised my worship and were

born in our household to destroy evil forces on Earth and indeed my Vamsha had since been purified!-

--We have been in this Maya or Illusion that you are our son and was thus rattled from the fear of

Kamsa and took you to Gokula; since you had grown up there and thus we now do not have that

extreme obsession for you; so far we have witnessed such impossible deeds by you which were not

conceivable of Rudra, Marudganas, Ashvini Kumars or Indra; Now my Moha / passion for you as a

son is not there as now I realise you are Bhagavan Himself to protect the World from the Evil.

After prostrating before the parents and receiving their blessings, Krishna and Balarama greeted

Yadava elders; consoled Kamsa’s wives; released Kamsa’s father Ugrasena from shackles and

appointed him as the King; made Sudharma as the Raja Guru; requested Sandipa Muni to perform the

‘Upanayana Samskara’ of themselves; and entered into the house of Guru Sandipa Muni for tutelage

for Veda Parayana, Astramantras and Astra prayoga, besides the nuances of Dhanurvidya -all in just

forty six days! Sandipa Muni realised that such impossible and para-human abilities were displayed

by Krishna-Balaramaas as though Surya and Chandra were their pupils in his house!). After their

studies, Krishna and Balarama offered Guru Dakshina and the Muni wailed for their son dead in the

Ocean at Prabhasa as he was devoured by a Demon Panchajanya ( who had the shape of a conch

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shell). The boys then entered the Ocean, killed the Demon and by blowing a conch shell made of the

skeleton of the Demon entered ‘Samyamani’ the Abode of Yamadhararaja and brought the dead boy

alive and gave the Guru Dakshina to the Muni and his wife!

There after they visited Uddhava, their childhood friend and nephew, requested him to visit the Vraja

places and meet their parents and well wishers as also the Gopikas and narrate to them an account of

their activities at Mathura.Uddhava on reaching the Places met them all, and narrated the happenings.

He returned back, after an emotional and tearful send-off with return messages from all of them,

especially Gopikas.

The two Queens of the deceased Kamsa, Asti and Prapthi, approached their father Jarasandha, the

highly powerful Monarch of Magadha and asked for retribution for the ‘misdeeds’ of Balarama and

Krishna. With a huge army under him, Jaraasandha attacked Mathura with some twenty three

Akshouhinis of infantry, cavalry and elephantry and challenged Krishna and Balarama. But as

Krishna was fighting the massive opponents even with a minor number of Army, he asked for his

(Vishnu’s) Shaaranga Dhanush with limitless arrows and his Gada /Mace called Kaumudi while

Blalarama recalled his Hala / plough and Musala; Jarasandha and his huge army was shattered into

pieces, bur Jarasandha was spared so that he could return back by regrouping his men and material.

Indeed he returned back again and again, getting routed for seventeen times.When Jarasandha was

expected to attack for the eighteenth time, - his allies viz.Yavanas, the Mleccha foreign forces- headed

by Kalayavana attacked Mathura with thirty million barbarian soldiers of desperation and cruelty.

Krishna and Balarama felt that while they would fight with Yavanas, Jarasandha’s army might

simultaneously harm Yadus. Thus they planned to build a new place, named Dwaraka (with twelve

Gates) and asked Visvakarma, the Architect of Devatas who created a beautiful and well structured

fortress City touching the Western Sea. By means of His mystic Yoga Maya (Power of Illusion), the

Citizens of Mathura got transferred, lock-stock and barrel-overnight to Dwaraka and found

themselves in luxurious palaces.

Even as Balarama was defending Mathura, Krishna attracted the attention of Kalayavana, passing

singly by foot, by the Main Gate of Mathura. Kalayavana followed Krishna closely but always

unreachable with some distance apart and led the Mlechha into a mountain cave. Thinking that

Krishna Himself assumed a new ‘Rupa’ (Body) as an old and haggardly person in the cave as Krishna

was known for such powers, Kalayavana kicked the old man fast asleep. Indeed He was not Krishna

but Muchukunda, the son of Mandhata of Ikshvaku dynasty. He was the defender of Demi-Gods

from Daityas for long but since Lord Kartikeya became the Commander of Demi- Gods, the latter

relieved Muchukunda of his duties and Kartikeya advised him of retirement and since then he was

sleeping in the cave, unaware of hundreds of years passed by! By his very looks of fire, Muchukunda

converted Kalayavana into ashes as per Indra’s benediction that if anybody disturbed his slumber

would be burnt to ashes! Muchukunda demanded Krishna to identify himself and the latter disclosed

that he was the son of Vasudeva of Yadu Kula of Chandra Vamsha; Muchukunda then recalled

Gargya Muni’s statement that Krishna the son of Vasudeva and the Avatara of Vishnu would liberate

him! He greeted Krishna and narrated Gargya Muni’s statement and acclaimed him as follows:

‘Bhagavan! Just as in the ‘Devasura Maha Sangraam’when I helped Devatas to demolish Daiytas, the

Daityas were unable to tolerate my radiance; but now I am similarly unable to withstand your extreme

illumination of your Physique now! You are indeed the last and total shield against humanity:

Subsequently Krishna granted a wish to Muchukunda to be reborn as a Sage from his Kshatriya’s

current birth. Muchukunda exited from the cave into a World transformed from what he knew and

realised that Kali Yuga was on the anvil, as the size of humans, animals, birds and trees was reduced

considerably. He proceeded to Gandhamadana mountain and reached Nara-Narayana Ashram and

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meditated for the rest his life. Meanwhile, Krishna and Balarama found Mathura under the seige of

Yavanas but with their Chief Kalayavana was found missing, they were shattered by a handful of

Yadava soldiers and of course by Krishna and Balarama.

[Jarasandha imprisoned a number of Kings at Yudhishtar’s Rajasuya Yaga since they agreed to

Krishna becoming the Chief Guest; subsequently when Krishna, Bhima and Arjun visited

Jarasandha’s Palace in disguise as Bramanas to free the Kings, the three of them challenged him for a

duel with any one of them and Bhima was chosen. Jarasandha was not getting killed for many days

and Krishna hinted to tear the opponent’s body by demonstrating the cutting of a branch of a tree and

throwing up the pieces upside down in opposite directions; a Rishi blessed King Brihadhratha (father

of Jarasandha) for a child but he gave only one fruit, where as the King had two wives; he cut the

fruit into two half pieces and distributed to the two wives, but they delivered a child in two pieces; as

the two pieces were discarded, a Demoness called Jara collected them and arranged the body pieces

upside down and a boy came up with life, who was called as Jara-sandha or the one united by Jara.

Hence Krishna’s advice to Bhima to tear the body and throw the two parts apart topsy- turvey.After

Bhima killed Jarasandha, some 21,000 Kings, defeated in wars and imprisoned, were liberated.]

Rukmini’s abductionby Krishna: Maharshi Parashara narrated the story of Devi Rukmini’s abduction

by Krishna. Both of them were fond of each other and desired to wed together. But, Rukmi the brother

of Rukmini hated Krishna and was keen on his sister wedding his friend Sisupala. He influenced his

father King Bhishmak and even arranged their engagement much against the objection of Rukmini. At

the Wedding Ceremony, the Guest List included Kings like Salva, Jarasandha, Dantavakra and such

other opponents of Krishna; the King invited Balarama and Krishna too. Fearing that Krishna, who

proposed earlier to wed Rukmini, might create trouble at the Function, Rukmi as well as Sisupala

prepared for any eventuality alerting their Armies; Salva, Jarasandha, and other well wisheres too

readied their armies too. But so did Balarama. Precisely when the Bride entered the Wedding

Platform, Krishna took away Rumini like a surprise flash and both of them fled away in the Chariot of

Krishna with the flag of Garuda atop.The armies of Sisupala and asscociates could hardly prevent the

Glorious Abduction. Rukmi was unable to bear the insult and followed Krishna’s chariot but was

defeated and his moustache and beard were shorn by Krishna as a symbol of His victory.

Subsequently, King Bhishmaka performed the wedding most appropriately.

Pradyumna was born to Rukmini and Krishna and the son looked exactly like Krishna. When he was

hardly ten days old, Demon Sambara kidnapped the child not knowing that he was the son of Krishna

threw him in the Sea as a huge fish ate him but the child was safe in its belly. A fisherman caught hold

of the big fish and presented it to the King Sambara who in turn gave it to Mayavati the head cook of

the King’s kitchen who cut the fish to find an attractive baby inside. At that very juncture, Brahmarshi

Narada appeared in the kitchen and revealed the Story to Mayavati of Lord Rudra turning

‘Manmadha’ (Cupid) into ashes when he and Rati (Cupid’s wife) aimed Floral Arrows. Lord Rudra

gave boons that in their next birth, Cupid would be born as Lord Krishna’s son Pradyumna and

Mayavati as Rati.As Pradyumna grew as a youngman, Mayavati desired to marry him despite wide

difference of age. Pradyumna was popularly known as ‘Vyuha’ as the Lord of Intelligence, along with

three of His other names viz Vasudeva (Lord of Consciousness); Sankarshana (Lord of Individuality)

and Aniruddha (Lord of Intelligence). Eventually Pradyumna killed Sambara, married Mayavati and

stayed with Rukmini and Krishna at Dwaraka.

Narakasura (Bhaumika): The end of notorious Bhaumika, the son of Bhumi (Demi-Goddess of

Earth), is celebrated till date on the moon fall day preceding Kartika Month of every year as

‘Deepavali’ (The Festival of Lights). Krishna, accompanied by Satyabhama flew by Garuda to

‘Pragjyotisha’, Capital City of Bhaumasura [now in Assaam] , surrounded by mountains and

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ramparts defended by fire, water and unmanned automatic weapons as also protected by ‘Mura

Pasha’- thousand miles-long deadly and sturdy wires as designed by Demon Mura . Krishna

shattered the defence fortresses and blew His Panchajanya (Conch shell) with deadening reverberation

as Demon Mura’s frontal fortification was destroyed. When provoked, the Demon tossed his powerful

club which was slashed by Krishna’s Sudarsana Chakra into pieces and devastated Mura. Seven

deadly sons of Mura, who had the knowledge of weapons as fully as their father, pounced in a group

but Krishna’s Supreme powers were no match and they too were cracked. Bhaumasura shot at his

‘Shataghni’- the powerful disc with hundred blades- and later on with his mighty spear with which he

defeated Indra too both of which proved futile. Finally Krishna gave His nod to Sudarsana Chakra

(Wheel) to pull down the Demon and exterminate him.Thus Bhaumasura was sent to ‘Naraka’and

hence his ignominious title as Narakasura.[Another version is that the Demon was arrowed down by

Satyabhama herself, as he secured a blessing from Lord Brahma that only his mother Goddess of

Earth (Bhumi) could kill him; Satyabhama was the reincarnation of Goddess Earth]. It was at Indra’s

distress call that received Krishna’s attention was that the Asura appropriated Varuna Deva’s Royalty

Insignia which was an Umbrella; the Ear- Rings of Aditi- the Mother- Figure of Devas; and ‘Mani

Parvata’ ( Mandara Mountain) where Demi-Gods resided were among the abominable acts of the

Demon. As a gesture of good-will, Satyabhama’s desire to transfer the ‘Parijata’ Tree (which emerged

in the churning process of Ocean) to her garden from the Heaven was obliged by Indra. Krishna on

His part released sixteen thousand royal maidens of Kings defeated by Bhaumasura and consented to

marry them, in addition to the eight principal wives. Goddess Prithvi sought her apology for her son’s

sins and reiterated her own devotion to Krishna. She said : ‘I was blessed with a son (Bhaumika) and

thus you gave me a son and now took him away too now! Please accept the Kundala and other

possessions as he has died now but do kindly spare his progeny of any blames. Achyuta! You are the

Creator-Protector and Terminator and the Unique Form of the Universe; how could I indeed acclaim

and commend you; Do forgive your own son Narakasura for his misdeeds!

Parijata Apaharana: As the victorious Krishna and Satyabhama fancifully reached Swarga dwaara

after the battle with Narakasura, Krishna blew his conchshell and Aditi along with Indra and Devas

welcomed the guests. Devi Aditi complemented Krishna while Indra and Devas performed puja to

Krishna with various flowers but Shachi Devi disallowed puja by the flowers of Kalpa Vriksha as the

Krishna couple were human beings. There after, the latter visited the Garden of Swarga and

Satyabhama desired to take the Tree in her garden in Dwaraka. Shachi Devi flatly refused despite the

persuation of Krishna and Devi; surprisingly Indra too sided with Shachi Devi on the plea that Indra

gifted it to his wife and he had no hold on it. Arguments between Indra and Krishna ensued and ended

up with fights which worsened to fulfledged battles. Indra took up his Vajrayudha and all other

Devas fell in line; Krishna blew up his Shanka while Garutman pulled up Varuna Pasha; Yama threw

his ‘Danda’ on Krishna and the latter’s mace made smitherins of the hyamna danda; Agni’s blistering

arrows were instantly cooled with Krishna’s Jala Banaas; Garuda and Iravata attached each other. As

Indra confronted Krishna with his Vajra and Krishna took up his Sudarshana chakra; Indra was afraid

of the consequences and tried to run back and Satyabhama heckled Indra saying that the latter was

after all the Devendra and it was not proper to show his back as Shachi would offer him a Parajata

garland! Having jeered Indra thus, Satyabhama said that since she was also a woman she talked to

Indra in such a jocular tone but in fact she was never serious in demanding the Parijata tree; as Shachi

Devi said that it was her property and hence she had no intention of stealing other’s property so that

this battle might better end up and as the guests to Swarga might as well return back to where they

belonged. Indra was put to defensive by Satyabhama’s conversation and replied: ‘Why should I be

ashamed of getting defeated by Vishwa Prabhu who is the Cause of the Existence, Preservation and

Termination of the Universe! Who could indeed overcome if that Tinest yet Grossest and Most

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Termination of the Universe! Who could indeed overcome if that Tinest yet Grossest and Most

Magnificent Form which creates the World and Vedas descends on Earth on his own volition to help

and correct humanity by assuming human form? When Krishna replied to Indra jocularly that he was

after all a human being and what Satyabhama sought was a celestial product, then Indra requested

Krishna not to taunt him further and despached the Parijata Tree to Dwaraka with the assurance that

as long as Krishna would be there in human form, the Parijata tree too would be on Earth! On return

to Earth Krishna accepted eight thousand wives released from Narakasura’s prisons, besides eight

Principal wives viz. Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Nagnajiti, Mitravinda, Lakshmana, Kalindi

and Madri.

Aniruddha’s wedding with Usha: Banasura, the grand son of the famed King Bali who gave the

entire Universe in charity in lieu of three feet to Lord Vamana, was the father of daughter Usha who

fell in love with Aniruddha, the son of Pradyumna and the grand son of Lord Krishna. Banasura was a

dedicated devotee of Lord Siva, and the Lord awarded several invaluable benedictions to the Demon

including powerful war weapons and thousand hands to relase the armaments simultaneously. Once

Usha happened to see both Shiva and Parvati sitting together and being an Antaryami Devi Parvati

joked with Usha that one day she would too land up in a situation like that. Usha asked Devi Parvati

as to when would that day arrive! Parvati replied that she would dream of a youth on the night of

Vaishakha Shukla Dwadashi. As the day arrived, Usha did get the dream and informed of the

incidence to her friend Chitralekha, the daughter of Banasura’s Minister named Kushmanda. As Usha

was unable to bear the feelings of love, Chitralekha showed several drawings of eligible amd

handsome bachelors and after a few days, Usha succeeded finally to identify the youth. Then it was

learnt that the youth was the son of Krishna. In course of time, the couple met and their romance

became intense by the day. Learning of the desire of his daughter with Aniruddha, the son of

Pradyumana -the erstwhile Cupid who was burnt into ashes by Lord Siva’s third eye- and the grand

son of Krishna (Avatar of Lord Vamana), Banasura quashed the wedding proposal and reprimanded

his daughter since Krishna was his foe. Banasura prevented his daughter meeting Aniruddha and

when the latter fought with him, he imprisoned Aniruddha. Yadavas in Dwaraka wondered as to what

happened to Aniruddha. On learning from Narada Muni, it was learnt that Aniruddha was imprisoned

in Shonitapur, the Capital of Banasura and Krishna, Balarama and Pradyumna lest by Garuda to that

Place. There, they confronted Pramathaganas of Shiva and fought with Jwara the three footed Chief of

the ‘Parshads’ named Maheswara and defeated him. This led to a full-fledged battle between Krishna

and others on one side and Banasura, Shankara and Kartikeya on the other. As furious Shastra-Astraas

were exchanged by both the Parties, the whole world was affected with Pralayaagni. Balarama

attacked Banasura and the fight got intensified with alarming consequences. Meanwhile Krishna

recalled his Sudarshana Chakra and sliced off the mighty hands of Banasura and was about to cut off

the Asura’s head too. It was at that climatic moment, Shankara addressed Krishna to stop. “Hey

Krishna! I am aware that you are the Purushottama –Parameswara- Paramatmaa and Adyanta-Rahita!

Do get cooled down. I have provided shield to Banasura my devotee and assured that I would stand

guarantee at the time of his peril; please do not falsify my faith in me. He has not done any thing

wrong to you but is egoistic due to my backing and therefore pardon him. Krishna replied: ‘Shankara!

If you so wish as you had given him a benidiction, Banaasura would continue to be alive. In order to

respect your assurance to him, I am withdrawing Sudarshana Chakra; if you had given him protection,

so do I; You should never feel that you are different from me; you should always consider me as

yourself and together we are the Devas, Asuras, human beings and all the rest; all those who consider

us as different from each other are shrouded in Maya or Illusion; indeed, I am pleased and am gone.

Thre after, Krishna and all the rest headed to Aniruddha’s prison, where the latter was released by

‘Naga bandhana’or tight-tied by a serpent which ran away at the appearance of Garuda Deva while

Banasura politely agreed for the Sacred wedding of Usha-Aniruddhaas.

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Krishna kills Sishupala: At the invitation of King Yudhishtara to attend the Rajasuya Yagnam

(Horse Sacrifice) being performed by Pandavas especially after the devastation of Jarasandha, Lords

Krishna and Balarama arrived at Indraprastha, the new beautiful Capital City, built by Maya. As a

climax to the Celebrations, a function was held to select the best personality who graced the ‘Yagna’.

Nobody wished to comment but Sahadeva, the youngest of Pandavas, proposed the name of Krishna.

There was all round approval of the proposal and Dharmaraja initiated the procedure by inviting

Krishna.

Just at that time, King Sisupala, a great associate of Jarasandha since killed by Bhima, expressed

displeasure at the selection of Krishna on the proposal of a boy, Sahadeva of Pandavas.He said that

elders in age, experience, wisdom were available and there was no special qualification for Krishna

who ran away from Jarasandha twenty three times in succesive wars and his real capability in wars,

duels, and dealings involving honesty and frankness were suspect. Sisupala critcised Krishna

transgessing all limits of decency. Finally having counted the number of abuses hurled at Him,

Krishna hurled His Sudarsana Wheel to slit Sisupala’s neck. Sisupala was the son of King

Dhamaghosha and Srutadevi, the latter being the sister of Vasudeva whose son was Lord Krishna. In

other words Krishna and Sisupala were cousins. When Sisupala was born, he was dark and ugly with

three eyes and four hands. His parents had almost decided to disown him, but a voice from Heaven

suggested not to do so as an Illustrious Person would soon fondle the child and snip out his extra

limbs and he himself would also kill him.Krishna’s aunt Srutadevi requested Him to postpone the

killing of the child as far as possible. Krishna promised that He would wait till his hundredth abuse.

Incidentally, Sisupala and Dantavakra were stated to be the Demons of ‘Dwapara Yuga’ born after the

curse of Sanaka Kumara brothers to the Vaikuntha Gate Keepers Jaya and Vijaya.

As a sequel to Rajasuya Yagna, there were two major developments: Firstly, the unbearable jealousy

of Kauravas against Pandavas who became extremely prosperous and popular among the various

contemporary Kings and worse than that, the extremely hurt pride of Duryodhana especially when

Draupadi the wife of Pandava sons laughed out loudly when he fell straight into a water pool when he

thought that there was no water but ground and when he lifted up his robes as there was no ground

but a water body. Secondly, the battles of Sisupala’s great friends like Salva and Dantavakra were in

the offing against Yadavas . While seeds of jealousy were firmly sown in Duryodhana’s mind leading

to disastrous consequences for Pandavas thus leading to the Great Battle of Mahabharata, the

destructive attempts by Sisupala’s friends were almost instant. Salva secured earlier an everlasting airvehicle

from Lord Siva because of deep devotion and landed at Dwaraka when Krishna and Balarama

were away at Indraprastha and overpowered Pradyumna who fled from the battle, as Salva presented

illusory heads of Krishna and Balaram to him.On return, the Lords shattered the airship and Salva too.

Dantavakra and his sons Romaharshana and Viruddha met the same fate. Thus the chapter

of Sisupala’s death was closed. Simultaneously, the run-up to Mahabharata Battle at Kurukshatra was

picking up fast as the foul play of Dices between Shakuni on behalf of Kaurava sons and Dharmaraja

on behalf of Pandavas. Ast he Battle was shaping as an inevitable consequence, Balarama being a

neutral figure, especially since Duryodhana was his disciple while Krishna identified himself as

Pandava’s well-wisher, proceeded on a pilgrimage to Holy Places.His visits covered Prayaga, Ganga,

Gaya, Godavari , Srisailam, Venkata Hills, Kanchi, Madurai, Srirangam, Rameswaram and Kanya

Kumari. He reached Kurukshetra at the time when Bhima and Duryodhana were engaged in a duel

with maces as almost terminating the Great Battle.

Shri Krishna Niryaana was the climax of the termination of Yadukula that got initiated by a few

playful Yadu Kumaraas at Pindaraka Tirtha who dressed the son of Jambavati called Saambu as an

expectant woman and asked a group of Rishis to ascertain whether the woman would deliver a boy or

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expectant woman and asked a group of Rishis to ascertain whether the woman would deliver a boy or

a baby! The Munis under reference included Kanwa-Narada and Viswamitra who from their Divya

drishti realized the hoax of the fake garbhini and said in anger: that the woman would deliver neither

a boy nor a girl but a ‘Musala’ or a lump of an iron instead and that would result in the destruction of

Yadu Vamsha! The Yadava Boys were stunned at the reply and reported the matter to Ugrasena!

Saambu did deliver a Musala from his stomach which was pounded as powder but the remainder bit

was thrown into the Sea and it was devoured by a fish and a fisherman called Jara caught hold of the

fish and as he cut it he found a sharp iron piece which he kept for subsequent use. Meanwhile, Indra

and Devas despatched Vayu Deva who appeared before Krishna and prayed to him as follows:

‘Devaadi Deva! Indra has asked us as well by Ashtaavasus, Marud Devatas, Rudras, Saadhyas and

Adityas that at our instance you had very kindly assumed an incarnation and lightened the enormous

burden on Earth by demolishing innumerable Danavas and other Dushta Shaktis for a long hundred

years and over and the Three crores of Devas are now at peace; we request you to know your mind as

to how to proceed further’. Bhagavan replied: ‘I am fully aware of my next move; I have already

initiated the process of Yadava destruction as considerable annihilation of the enemy forces of the

virtuous Pandavas including the killing of Jarasandha besides of Kauravas was concluded too. As I

have still to complete the task of terminating Yadavas as I brought them to Dwaraka and that bit of

task too once concluded, I shall be freed of my mortal responsibilities and return to Vaikuntha’. So

saying, Krishna made arrangements by dispatching Uddhava to Badarikaashrama on Gandhamaadana

Parvat to Naranarayana Maharshi Ashrama where he would secure Siddhi after the close of his life.

Select Yadavas including himself, Baladeva and elders like Ugrasena, Vasudeva left for Prabhasa

Kshetra along concerned Devis; remaining Yadavas most of got dead drunk killed each other

including Pradyumna, Saamba, Kritavarma, Satyaki, Aniruddha, Pruthu and Akrura by using the high

grown sea beach grass roots which sprouted from the powder of the Musala delivered from Saambu’s

garbha thus terminating Yadu Vamsha; the elders including Balarama etc who left for Prabhasa

Kshetra took resort to Yogic ends and finally Krishna and the famed charioteer Daruka remained;

Balarama sat under a Tree and from hisface a Maha Sarpa emerged and moved towards the huge

Ocean as worshipped by Sidhas and Nagaas while Samudra welcomed and worshipped and the Maha

Sarpa entered the Ocean. Meanwhile Krishna assumed his full form with four hands armed while

Shankha-Chakra- Gada-Sarangaas performed pradakshinas and he rested under a tree bush.

Imagining that a deer was resting since Krishna’s feet were moving behind a tree bush , Jara Vyaadha

who recovered an iron left-over bit from the fish caught in the Sea, sharpened his arrow and shot at

the Lord’s moving feet and ashamed to do so but the ever merciful Krishna bestowed him Siddhi.

Krishna then sent Daruka to convey the news of Krishna Niryana to his dear disciple Arjuna to

perform the obsequies of himself, of Balarama and the illustrious Yaduveeras; Rukmini and Krishna’s

wives performed Krishna Sahagamana or sacrificing themselves in the a same Fire with which the

mortal human form of the Avatara succumbed. Maharshi Parashara commented thus: As He left,

Bhagavan Krishna discarded his human form and recalled his Soul which is Avyaya- Achintya-

Vaasudeva Swarupa-Amala-Ajanma- Amara- Aprameya- Akhilaatma-and Brahma Swarupa Vishnu!

As Arjuna was totally drowned in uncontrollable grief and distress, Veda Vyasa assuaged his inner

and core-emotions said: Bhagavan Krishna arrived as a human being along with us all as a Marga

darshaka or a moral teacher to prescribe and guide us about the virtuous the innate values of life and

to uproot the evils of the Society that Daityas and many in the form of Human beings came to adopt;

now that the burden of Bhu Devi got lightened Paramatma took up the need and the deed ; since the

noble reason and requirement were fulfilled, he put the World back on its heels and disappeared, since

Jatasya Maranam Dhruvam! Veda Vyasa stated: Jaatasya niyato Mrityuh patanamcha tathonnateyh,

Vipra yogaanasaanaastu samyogah sanchaye kshayah/ Vijnaaya na budhaasshokam na harsha –

mupayaanti ye Teshaameyveytarey cheshtaam sikshantassanti taadrushaah/ (Whatever is born is

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mupayaanti ye, Teshaameyveytarey cheshtaam sikshantassanti taadrushaah/ (Whatever is born is

certain to die; which is grown well has to decrease; Samyoga or Togetherness has to terminate as

Viyoga or loneliness; Sanchaya or Increased Collection has to end up as Kshaya or Decay; Intelligent

persons do not get elated too much since exultation might end up in depression or even as damage;

that is the reason why one ought to realise that great heights might lead to great falls too).

Yaschetaccharitam tasya Krishnasya Shrunuyaatsadaa, Sarna Paapa vinirmukto Vishnu lokam sa

gacchati/ (Those persons who listen to Krishna Charitra would surely get relief from sins and attain

Vishnu Loka)!

Om Tat Sat

(Continued)

My humble salutations to the lotus feet of  H H Chandrasekharendra  Saraswathi Mahaswamy ji  and

 compiled , composed  and interpreted  by Brahmasri Sreeman  V D N Rao ji for the collection)