Śrīmad Bhāgavatam - Canto 10
Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupāda
(for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)
(see
also the
pdf for this chapter)
Chapter 68: The Marriage of Sāmba
10.68.1
śrī-śuka uvāca
duryodhana-sutāḿ rājan
lakṣmaṇāḿ samitiḿ-jayaḥ
svayaḿvara-sthām aharat
sāmbo jāmbavatī-sutaḥ
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; duryodhana-sutām — the daughter of Duryodhana; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); lakṣmaṇām — named Lakṣmaṇā; samitim-jayaḥ — victorious in battle; svayaḿ-vara — in her svayaḿ-vara ceremony; sthām — situated; aharat — stole; sāmbaḥ — Sāmba; jāmbavatī-sutaḥ — the son of Jāmbavatī.
TRANSLATION
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, Jāmbavatī's son Sāmba, ever victorious in battle, kidnapped Duryodhana's daughter Lakṣmaṇā from her svayaḿ-vara ceremony.
10.68.2
kauravāḥ kupitā ūcur
durvinīto 'yam arbhakaḥ
kadarthī-kṛtya naḥ kanyām
akāmām aharad balāt
kauravāḥ — the Kurus; kupitāḥ — angered; ūcuḥ — said; durvinītaḥ — ill-behaved; ayam — this; arbhakaḥ — boy; kadarthī-kṛtya — insulting; naḥ — us; kanyām — the maiden; akāmām — unwilling; aharat — has taken; balāt — by force.
TRANSLATION
The angry Kurus said: This ill-behaved boy has offended us, forcibly kidnapping our unmarried daughter against her will.
10.68.3
badhnītemaḿ durvinītaḿ
kiḿ kariṣyanti vṛṣṇayaḥ
ye 'smat-prasādopacitāḿ
dattāḿ no bhuñjate mahīm
badhnīta — arrest; imam — him; durvinītam — ill-behaved; kim — what; kariṣyanti — will they do; vṛṣṇayaḥ — the Vṛṣṇis; ye — who; asmat — of us; prasāda — by the grace; upacitām — acquired; dattām — bestowed; naḥ — our; bhuñjate — are enjoying; mahīm — the land.
TRANSLATION
Arrest this ill-behaved Sāmba! What will the Vṛṣṇis do? By our grace they are ruling land that we have granted them.
10.68.4
nigṛhītaḿ sutaḿ śrutvā
yady eṣyantīha vṛṣṇayaḥ
bhagna-darpāḥ śamaḿ yānti
prāṇā iva su-saḿyatāḥ
nigṛhītam — captured; sutam — their son; śrutvā — hearing; yadi — if; eṣyanti — they will come; iha — here; vṛṣṇayaḥ — the Vṛṣṇis; bhagna — broken; darpāḥ — whose pride; śamam — pacification; yānti — they will attain; prāṇāḥ — the senses; iva — as; su — properly; saḿyatāḥ — brought under control.
TRANSLATION
If the Vṛṣṇis come here when they learn that their son has been captured, we will break their pride. Thus they'll become subdued, like bodily senses brought under strict control.
10.68.5
iti karṇaḥ śalo bhūrir
yajñaketuḥ suyodhanaḥ
sāmbam ārebhire yoddhuḿ
kuru-vṛddhānumoditāḥ
iti — saying this; karṇaḥ śalaḥ bhūriḥ — Karṇa, Śala and Bhūri (Saumadatti); yajñaketuḥ suyodhanaḥ — Yajñaketu (Bhūriśravā) and Duryodhana; sāmbam — against Sāmba; ārebhire — they set out; yoddhum — to fight; kuru-vṛddha — by the elder of the Kurus (Bhīṣma); anumoditāḥ — sanctioned.
TRANSLATION
After saying this and having their plan sanctioned by the senior member of the Kuru dynasty, Karṇa, Śala, Bhūri, Yajñaketu and Suyodhana set out to attack Sāmba.
10.68.6
dṛṣṭvānudhāvataḥ sāmbo
dhārtarāṣṭrān mahā-rathaḥ
pragṛhya ruciraḿ cāpaḿ
tasthau siḿha ivaikalaḥ
dṛṣṭvā — seeing; anudhāvataḥ — who were rushing toward him; sāmbaḥ — Sāmba; dhārtarāṣṭrān — the followers of Dhṛtarāṣṭra; mahārathaḥ — the great chariot-fighter; pragṛhya — seizing; ruciram — beautiful; cāpam — his bow; tasthau — he stood; siḿhaḥ — a lion; iva — like; ekalaḥ — all alone.
TRANSLATION
Seeing Duryodhana and his companions rushing toward him, Sāmba, the great chariot-fighter, took up his splendid bow and stood alone like a lion.
10.68.7
taḿ te jighṛkṣavaḥ kruddhās
tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti bhāṣiṇaḥ
āsādya dhanvino bāṇaiḥ
karṇāgraṇyaḥ samākiran
tam — him; te — they; jighṛkṣavaḥ — determined to capture; kruddhāḥ — angry; tiṣṭha tiṣṭha iti — "Stand there! Stand there!"; bhāṣiṇaḥ — saying; āsādya — confronting; dhanvinaḥ — the bowmen; bāṇaiḥ — with their arrows; karṇa-agraṇyaḥ — those headed by Karna; samākiran — showered him.
TRANSLATION
Determined to capture him, the angry bowmen led by Karṇa shouted at Sāmba, 'Stand and fight! Stand and fight!' They came straight for him and showered him with arrows.
10.68.8
so 'paviddhaḥ kuru-śreṣṭha
kurubhir yadu-nandanaḥ
nāmṛṣyat tad acintyārbhaḥ
siḿha kṣudra-mṛgair iva
saḥ — he; apaviddhaḥ — unjustly attacked; kuru-śreṣṭha — O best of the Kurus (Parīkṣit Mahārāja); kurubhiḥ — by the Kurus; yadu-nandanaḥ — the dear son of the Yadu dynasty; na amṛṣyat — did not tolerate; tat — it; acintya — of the inconceivable Lord, Kṛṣṇa; arbhaḥ — the child; siḿhaḥ — a lion; kṣudra — insignificant; mṛgaiḥ — by animals; iva — as.
TRANSLATION
O best of the Kurus, as Kṛṣṇa's son Sāmba was being unjustly harassed by the Kurus, that darling of the Yadu dynasty did not tolerate their attack, any more than a lion would tolerate an attack by puny animals.
10.68.9-10
visphūrjya ruciraḿ cāpaḿ
sarvān vivyādha sāyakaiḥ
karṇādīn ṣaḍ rathān vīras
tāvadbhir yugapat pṛthak
caturbhiś caturo vāhān
ekaikena ca sārathīn
rathinaś ca maheṣvāsāḿs
tasya tat te 'bhyapūjayan
visphūrjya — twanging; ruciram — attractive; cāpam — his bow; sarvān — all of them; vivyādha — he pierced; sāyakaiḥ — with his arrows; karṇa-ādīn — Karṇa and the others; ṣaṭ — six; rathān — the chariots; vīraḥ — the hero, Sāmba; tāvadbhiḥ — with as many; yugapat — simultaneously; pṛthak — each individually;
caturbhiḥ — with four (arrows); caturaḥ — the four; vāhān — horses (of each chariot); eka-ekena — with one each; ca — and; sārathīn — the chariot drivers; rathinaḥ — the warriors commanding the chariots; ca — and; mahā-iṣu-āsān — great bowmen; tasya — his; tat — that; te — they; abhyapūjayan — honored.
TRANSLATION
Twanging his wonderful bow, heroic Sāmba struck with arrows the six warriors headed by Karṇa. He pierced the six chariots with as many arrows, each team of four horses with four arrows, and each chariot driver with a single arrow, and he similarly struck the great bowmen who commanded the chariots. The enemy warriors congratulated Sāmba for this display of prowess.
10.68.11
taḿ tu te virathaḿ cakruś
catvāraś caturo hayān
ekas tu sārathiḿ jaghne
cicchedaṇyaḥ śarāsanam
tam — him; tu — but; te — they; viratham — deprived of his chariot; cakruḥ — made; catvāraḥ — four; caturaḥ — four of them; hayān — horses; ekaḥ — one; tu — and; sārathim — the chariot driver; jaghne — struck; cicheda — split; anyaḥ — another; śara-asanam — his bow.
TRANSLATION
But they forced him down from his chariot, and thereupon four of them struck his four horses, one of them struck down his chariot driver, and another broke his bow.
10.68.12
taḿ baddhvā virathī-kṛtya
kṛcchreṇa kuravo yudhi
kumāraḿ svasya kanyāḿ ca
sva-puraḿ jayino 'viśan
tam — him; baddhvā — binding up; virathī-kṛtya — having deprived him of his chariot; kṛcchreṇa — with difficulty; kuravaḥ — the Kurus; yudhi — in the fight; kumāram — the young boy; svasya — their own; kanyām — girl; ca — and; sva-puram — their city; jayinaḥ — victorious; aviśan — entered.
TRANSLATION
Having deprived Sāmba of his chariot during the fight, the Kuru warriors tied him up with great difficulty and then returned victorious to their city, taking the young boy and their princess.
10.68.13
tac chrutvā nāradoktena
rājan sañjāta-manyavaḥ
kurūn praty udyamaḿ cakrur
ugrasena-pracoditāḥ
tat — this; śrutvā — hearing; nārada — of Nārada Muni; uktena — through the statements; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); sañjāta — awakened; manyavaḥ — whose anger; kurūn — the Kurus; prati — against; udyamam — preparations for war; cakruḥ — they made; ugrasena — by King Ugrasena; pracoditāḥ — urged on.
TRANSLATION
O King, when the Yādavas heard news of this from Śrī Nārada, they became angry. Urged on by King Ugrasena, they prepared for war against the Kurus.
10.68.14-15
sāntvayitvā tu tān rāmaḥ
sannaddhān vṛṣṇi-puńgavān
naicchat kurūṇāḿ vṛṣṇīnāḿ
kaliḿ kali-malāpahaḥ
jagāma hāstina-puraḿ
rathenāditya-varcasā
brāhmaṇaiḥ kula-vṛddhaiś ca
vṛtaś candra iva grahaiḥ
sāntvayitvā — calming; tu — but; tān — them; rāmaḥ — Lord Balarāma; sannaddhān — suited in armor; vṛṣṇi-puńgavān — the heroes of the Vṛṣṇi dynasty; na aicchat — He did not want; kurūṇām vṛṣṇīnām — between the Kurus and the Vṛṣṇis; kalim — a quarrel; kali — of the age of quarrel; mala — the contamination; apahaḥ — He who removes;
jagāma — He went; hāstina-puram — to Hastināpura; rathena — with His chariot; āditya — (like) the sun; varcasā — whose effulgence; brāhmaṇaiḥ — by brāhmaṇas; kula — of the family; vṛddhaiḥ — by elders; ca — and; vṛtaḥ — surrounded; candraḥ — the moon; iva — as; grahaiḥ — by the seven planets.
TRANSLATION
Lord Balarāma, however, cooled the tempers of the Vṛṣṇi heroes, who had already put on their armor. He who purifies the age of quarrel did not want a quarrel between the Kurus and Vṛṣṇis. Thus, accompanied by brāhmaṇas and family elders, He went to Hastināpura on His chariot, which was as effulgent as the sun. As He went, He appeared like the moon surrounded by the ruling planets.
10.68.16
gatvā gajāhvayaḿ rāmo
bāhyopavanam āsthitaḥ
uddhavaḿ preṣayām āsa
dhṛtarāṣṭraḿ bubhutsayā
gatvā — going; gajāhvayam — to Hastināpura; rāmaḥ — Lord Balarāma; bāhya — outside; upavanam — in a garden; āsthitaḥ — He stayed; uddhavam — Uddhava; preṣayām āsa — He sent; dhṛtarāṣṭram — about Dhṛtarāṣṭra; bubhutsayā — desiring to find out.
TRANSLATION
Upon arriving at Hastināpura, Lord Balarāma remained in a garden outside the city and sent Uddhava ahead to probe King Dhṛtarāṣṭra's intentions.
10.68.17
so 'bhivandyāmbikā-putraḿ
bhīṣmaḿ droṇaḿ ca bāhlikam
duryodhanaḿ ca vidhi-vad
rāmam āgataḿ abravīt
saḥ — he, Uddhava; abhivandya — offering respects; ambikā-putram — to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the son of Ambikā; bhīṣmam droṇam ca — to Bhīṣma and Droṇa; bāhlikam duryodhanam ca — and to Bāhlika and Duryodhana; vidhi-vat — according to scriptural injunctions; rāmam — Lord Balarāma; āgatam — has arrived; abravīt — he said.
TRANSLATION
After he had offered proper respects to the son of Ambikā [Dhṛtarāṣṭra] and to Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Bāhlika and Duryodhana, Uddhava informed them that Lord Balarāma had arrived.
10.68.18
te 'ti-prītās tam ākarṇya
prāptaḿ rāmaḿ suhṛt-tamam
tam arcayitvābhiyayuḥ
sarve mańgala-pāṇayaḥ
te — they; ati — extremely; prītāḥ — pleased; tam — Him; ākarṇya — hearing; prāptam — arrived; rāmam — Balarāma; suhṛt-tamam — their dearest friend; tam — him, Uddhava; arcayitvā — after worshiping; abhiyayuḥ — went forth; sarve — all of them; mańgala — auspicious offerings; pāṇayaḥ — in their hands.
TRANSLATION
Overjoyed to hear that Balarāma, their dearmost friend, had come, they first honored Uddhava and then went forth to meet the Lord, carrying auspicious offerings in their hands.
10.68.19
taḿ sańgamya yathā-nyāyaḿ
gām arghyaḿ ca nyavedayan
teṣāḿ ye tat-prabhāva-jñāḥ
praṇemuḥ śirasā balam
tam — Him; sańgamya — going up to; yathā — as; nyāyam — proper; gām — cows; arghyam — arghya water; ca — and; nyavedayan — they presented; teṣām — among them; ye — those who; tat — His; prabhāva — power; jñāḥ — knowing; praṇemuḥ — they bowed down; śirasā — with their heads; balam — to Lord Balarāma.
TRANSLATION
They approached Lord Balarāma and worshiped Him with gifts of cows and arghya, as was fitting. Those among the Kurus who understood His true power bowed down to Him, touching their heads to the ground.
10.68.20
bandhūn kuśalinaḥ śrutvā
pṛṣṭvā śivam anāmayam
parasparam atho rāmo
babhāṣe 'viklavaḿ vacaḥ
bandhūn — their relatives; kuśalinaḥ — doing well; śrutvā — hearing; pṛṣṭvā — inquiring; śivam — about their welfare; anāmayam — and health; parasparam — among one another; atha u — thereupon; rāmaḥ — Lord Balarāma; babhāṣe — spoke; aviklavam — forthrightly; vacaḥ — words.
TRANSLATION
After both parties had heard that their relatives were doing well and both had inquired into each other's welfare and health, Lord Balarāma forthrightly spoke to the Kurus as follows.
10.68.21
ugrasenaḥ kṣiteśeśo
yad va ājñāpayat prabhuḥ
tad avyagra-dhiyaḥ śrutvā
kurudhvam avilambitam
ugrasenaḥ — King Ugrasena; kṣita — of the earth; īśa — of rulers; īśaḥ — the ruler; yat — what; vaḥ — of you; ājñāpayat — has demanded; prabhuḥ — our master; tat — that; avyagra-dhiyaḥ — with undivided attention; śrutvā — hearing; kurudhvam — you should do; avilambitam — without delay.
TRANSLATION
[Lord Balarāma said:] King Ugrasena is our master and the ruler of kings. With undivided attention you should hear what he has ordered you to do, and then you should do it at once.
10.68.22
yad yūyaḿ bahavas tv ekaḿ
jitvādharmeṇa dhārmikam
abadhnītātha tan mṛṣye
bandhūnām aikya-kāmyayā
yat — that; yūyam — all of you; bahavaḥ — being many; tu — but; ekam — one person; jitvā — defeating; adharmeṇa — against religious principles; dhārmikam — one who follows religious principles; abadhnīta — you bound up; atha — even so; tat — that; mṛṣye — I am tolerating; bandhūnām — among relatives; aikya — for unity; kāmyayā — with the desire.
TRANSLATION
[King Ugrasena has said:] Even though by irreligious means several of you defeated a single opponent who follows the religious codes, still I am tolerating this for the sake of unity among family members.
10.68.23
vīrya-śaurya-balonnaddham
ātma-śakti-samaḿ vacaḥ
kuravo baladevasya
niśamyocuḥ prakopitāḥ
vīrya — with potency; śaurya — courage; bala — and strength; unnaddham — filled; ātma — to His own; śakti — power; samam — appropriate; vacaḥ — the words; kuravaḥ — the Kauravas; baladevasya — of Lord Baladeva; niśamya — hearing; ūcuḥ — they spoke; prakopitāḥ — angered.
TRANSLATION
Upon hearing these words of Lord Baladeva's, which were full of potency, courage and strength and were appropriate to His transcendental power, the Kauravas became furious and spoke as follows.
10.68.24
aho mahac citram idaḿ
kāla-gatyā duratyayā
ārurukṣaty upānad vai
śiro mukuṭa-sevitam
aho — oh; mahat — great; citram — wonder; idam — this; kāla — of time; gatyā — by the movement; duratyayā — unavoidable; ārurakṣati — wants to climb on top; upānat — a shoe; vai — indeed; śiraḥ — the head; mukuṭa — with a crown; sevitam — ornamented.
TRANSLATION
[The Kuru nobles said:] Oh, how amazing this is! The force of time is indeed insurmountable: a lowly shoe now wants to climb on the head that bears the royal crown.
10.68.25
ete yaunena sambaddhāḥ
saha-śayyāsanāśanāḥ
vṛṣṇayas tulyatāḿ nītā
asmad-datta-nṛpāsanāḥ
ete — these; yaunena — by marital relation; sambaddhāḥ — connected; saha — sharing; śayyā — beds; āsana — seats; aśanāḥ — and meals; vṛṣṇayaḥ — the Vṛṣṇis; tulyatām — to equality; nītāḥ — brought; asmat — by us; datta — given; nṛpa-āsanāḥ — whose thrones.
TRANSLATION
It is because these Vṛṣṇis are bound to us by marital ties that we have granted them equality, allowing them to share our beds, seats and meals. Indeed, it is we who have given them their royal thrones.
10.68.26
cāmara-vyajane śańkham
ātapatraḿ ca pāṇḍuram
kirīṭam āsanaḿ śayyāḿ
bhuñjate 'smad-upekṣayā
cāmara — of yak-tail hair; vyajane — pair of fans; śańkham — conchshell; ātapatram — umbrella; ca — and; pāṇḍuram — white; kirīṭam — crown; āsanam — throne; śayyām — royal bed; bhuñjate — they enjoy; asmat — by our; upekṣayā — overlooking.
TRANSLATION
Only because we looked the other way could they enjoy the pair of yak-tail fans and the conchshell, white umbrella, throne, and royal bed.
10.68.27
alaḿ yadūnāḿ naradeva-lāñchanair
dātuḥ pratīpaiḥ phaṇinām ivāmṛtam
ye 'smat-prasādopacitā hi yādavā
ājñāpayanty adya gata-trapā bata
alam — enough; yadūnām — for the Yadus; nara-deva — of kings; lāñchanaiḥ — with the symbols; dātuḥ — for the giver; pratīpaiḥ — adverse; phaṇinām — for snakes; iva — just like; amṛtam — nectar; ye — who; asmat — our; prasāda — by the grace; upacitāḥ — made prosperous; hi — indeed; yādavāḥ — the Yadus; ājñāpayanti — are ordering; adya — now; gata-trapāḥ — having lost shame; bata — indeed.
TRANSLATION
No longer should the Yadus be allowed to use these royal symbols, which now cause trouble for those who gave them, like milk fed to poisonous snakes. Having prospered by our grace, these Yādavas have now lost all shame and are daring to command us!
10.68.28
katham indro 'pi kurubhir
bhīṣma-droṇārjunādibhiḥ
adattam avarundhīta
siḿha-grastam ivoraṇaḥ
katham — how; indraḥ — Lord Indra; api — even; kurubhiḥ — by the Kurus; bhīṣma-droṇa-arjuna-ādibhiḥ — Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Arjuna and others; adattam — not given; avarundhīta — would usurp; siḿha — by a lion; grastam — that which has been seized; iva — as; uraṇaḥ — a sheep.
TRANSLATION
How would even Indra dare usurp anything that Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Arjuna or the other Kurus have not given him? It would be like a lamb claiming the lion's kill.
10.68.29
śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca
janma-bandhu-śrīyonnaddha-
madās te bharatarṣabha
āśrāvya rāmaḿ durvācyam
asabhyāḥ puram āviśan
śrī-bādarāyaniḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; janma — of birth; bandhu — and relationships; śrīyā — by the opulences; unnaddha — made great; madāḥ — whose intoxication; te — they; bharata-ṛṣabha — O best of the descendants of Bharata; āśrāvya — making hear; rāmam — Lord Balarāma; durvācyam — their harsh words; asabhyāḥ — rude men; puram — the city; āviśan — entered.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: O best of the Bhāratas, after the arrogant Kurus, thoroughly puffed up by the opulence of their high birth and relations, had spoken these harsh words to Lord Balarāma, they turned and went back to their city.
10.68.30
dṛṣṭvā kurūnāḿ dauḥśīlyaḿ
śrutvāvācyāni cācyutaḥ
avocat kopa-saḿrabdho
duṣprekṣyaḥ prahasan muhuḥ
dṛṣṭvā — seeing; kurūṇām — of the Kurus; dauḥśīlyam — the bad character; śrutvā — hearing; avācyāni — words not to be spoken; ca — and; acyutaḥ — infallible Lord Balarāma; avocat — He said; kopa — with anger; saḿrabdhaḥ — enraged; duṣprekṣyaḥ — difficult to look at; prahasan — laughing; muhuḥ — repeatedly.
TRANSLATION
Seeing the bad character of the Kurus and hearing their nasty words, the infallible Lord Balarāma became filled with rage. His countenance frightful to behold, He laughed repeatedly and spoke as follows.
10.68.31
nūnaḿ nānā-madonnaddhāḥ
śāntiḿ necchanty asādhavaḥ
teṣāḿ hi praśamo daṇḍaḥ
paśūnāḿ laguḍo yathā
nūnam — certainly; nānā — by various; mada — by passions; unnaddhāḥ — puffed up; śāntim — peace; na icchanti — they do not desire; asādhavaḥ — scoundrels; teṣām — their; hi — indeed; praśamaḥ — pacification; daṇḍaḥ — physical punishment; paśūnām — for animals; laguḍaḥ — a stick; yathā — as.
TRANSLATION
[Lord Balarāma said:] "Clearly the many passions of these scoundrels have made them so proud that they do not want peace. Then let them be pacified by physical punishment, as animals are with a stick.
10.68.32-33
aho yadūn su-saḿrabdhān
kṛṣṇaḿ ca kupitaḿ śanaiḥ
sāntvayitvāham eteṣāḿ
śamam icchann ihāgataḥ
ta ime manda-matayaḥ
kalahābhiratāḥ khalāḥ
taḿ mām avajñāya muhur
durbhāṣān mānino 'bruvan
aho — ah; yadūn — the Yadus; su-saḿrabdhān — boiling with rage; kṛṣṇam — Kṛṣṇa; ca — also; kupitam — angry; śanaiḥ — gradually; sāntvayitvā — having calmed; aham — I; eteṣām — for these (Kauravas); śamam — peace; icchan — desiring; iha — here; āgataḥ — came; te ime — those very ones (the Kurus); manda-matayaḥ — dull-headed; kalaha — to quarrel; abhiratāḥ — addicted; khalāḥ — wicked; tam — Him; mām — Myself; avajñāya — disrespecting; muhuḥ — repeatedly; durbhāṣān — harsh words; māninaḥ — being conceited; abruvan — they have spoken.
TRANSLATION
"Ah, only gradually was I able to calm the furious Yadus and Lord Kṛṣṇa, who was also enraged. Desiring peace for these Kauravas, I came here. But they are so dull-headed, fond of quarrel and mischievous by nature that they have repeatedly disrespected Me. Out of conceit they dared to address Me with harsh words!
10.68.34
nograsenaḥ kila vibhur
bhoja-vṛṣṇy-andhakeśvaraḥ
śakrādayo loka-pālā
yasyādeśānuvartinaḥ
na — not; ugrasenaḥ — King Ugrasena; kila — indeed; vibhuḥ — fit to command; bhoja-vṛṣṇi-andhaka — of the Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; īśvaraḥ — the lord; śakra-ādayaḥ — Indra and other demigods; loka — of planets; pālāḥ — the rulers; yasya — of whose; ādeśa — orders; anuvartinaḥ — followers.
TRANSLATION
"King Ugrasena, the lord of the Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, is not fit to command, when Indra and other planetary rulers obey his orders?
10.68.35
sudharmākramyate yena
pārijāto 'marāńghripaḥ
ānīya bhujyate so 'sau
na kilādhyāsanārhaṇaḥ
sudharmā — Sudharmā, the royal council-chamber of heaven; ākramyate — occupies; yena — by whom (Lord Kṛṣṇa); pārijātaḥ — known as pārijāta; amara — of the immortal demigods; ańghripaḥ — the tree; ānīya — being brought; bhujyate — is enjoyed; saḥ asau — that same person; na — not; kila — indeed; adhyāsana — an elevated seat; arhaṇaḥ — deserving.
TRANSLATION
"That same Kṛṣṇa who occupies the Sudharmā assembly hall and for His enjoyment took the pārijāta tree from the immortal demigods — that very Kṛṣṇa is indeed not fit to sit on a royal throne?
10.68.36
yasya pāda-yugaḿ sākṣāc
chrīr upāste 'khileśvarī
sa nārhati kila śrīśo
naradeva-paricchadān
yasya — whose; pāda-yugam — two feet; sākṣāt — herself; śrīḥ — the goddess of fortune; upāste — worships; akhila — of the whole universe; īśvarī — the ruler; saḥ — He; na arhati — does not deserve; kila — indeed; śrī-īśaḥ — the master of the goddess of fortune; nara-deva — of a human king; paricchadān — the paraphernalia.
TRANSLATION
"The goddess of fortune herself, ruler of the entire universe, worships His feet. And the master of the goddess of fortune does not deserve the paraphernalia of a mortal king?
10.68.37
yasyāńghri-pańkaja-rajo 'khila-loka-pālair
mauly-uttamair dhṛtam upāsita-tīrtha-tīrtham
brahmā bhavo 'ham api yasya kalāḥ kalāyāḥ
śrīś codvahema ciram asya nṛpāsanaḿ kva
yasya — whose; ańghri — of the feet; pańkaja — lotuslike; rajaḥ — the dust; akhila — of all; loka — worlds; pālaiḥ — by the rulers; mauli — on their helmets; uttamaiḥ — exalted; dhṛtam — held; upāsita — worshipable; tīrtha — of holy places; tīrtham — the source of holiness; brahmā — Lord Brahmā; bhavaḥ — Lord Śiva; aham — I; api — also; yasya — whose; kalāḥ — portions; kalāyāḥ — of a portion; śrīḥ — the goddess of fortune; ca — also; udvahema — carry carefully; ciram — constantly; asya — His; nṛpa-āsanam — king's throne; kva — where.
TRANSLATION
"The dust of Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet, which is the source of holiness for all places of pilgrimage, is worshiped by all the great demigods. The principal deities of all planets are engaged in His service, and they consider themselves most fortunate to take the dust of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa on their crowns. Great demigods like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, and even the goddess of fortune and I, are simply parts of His spiritual identity, and we also carefully carry that dust on our heads. And still Kṛṣṇa is not fit to use the royal insignia or even sit on the royal throne?
10.68.38
bhuñjate kurubhir dattaḿ
bhū-khaṇḍaḿ vṛṣṇayaḥ kila
upānahaḥ kila vayaḿ
svayaḿ tu kuravaḥ śiraḥ
bhuñjate — they enjoy; kurubhiḥ — by the Kurus; dattam — granted; bhū — of land; khaṇḍam — a limited parcel; vṛṣṇayaḥ — the Vṛṣṇis; kila — indeed; upānahaḥ — shoes; kila — indeed; vayam — we; svayam — themselves; tu — however; kuravaḥ — the Kurus; śiraḥ — the head.
TRANSLATION
"We Vṛṣṇis enjoy only whatever small parcel of land the Kurus allow us? And we are indeed shoes, whereas the Kurus are the head?
10.68.39
aho aiśvarya-mattānāḿ
mattānām iva māninām
asambaddhā giṛo rukṣāḥ
kaḥ sahetānuśāsītā
aho — ah; aiśvarya — with their ruling power; mattānām — of those who are mad; mattānām — of those who are physically intoxicated; iva — as if; māninām — who are proud; asambaddhāḥ — incoherent and absurd; giraḥ — words; rukṣāḥ — harsh; kaḥ — who; saheta — can tolerate; anuśāsītā — commander.
TRANSLATION
"Just see how these puffed-up Kurus are intoxicated with their so-called power, like ordinary drunken men! What actual ruler, with the power to command, would tolerate their foolish, nasty words?
10.68.40
adya niṣkauravaḿ pṛthvīḿ
kariṣyāmīty amarṣitaḥ
gṛhītvā halam uttasthau
dahann iva jagat-trayam
adya — today; niṣkauravam — devoid of Kauravas; pṛthvīm — the earth; kariṣyāmi — I shall make; iti — thus speaking; amarṣitaḥ — angry; gṛhītvā — taking; halam — His plow; uttasthau — He stood; dahan — burning; iva — as if; jagat — the worlds; trayam — three.
TRANSLATION
"Today I shall rid the earth of the Kauravas!" declared the furious Balarāma. Thus He took His plow weapon and rose up as if to set the three worlds ablaze.
10.68.41
lāńgalāgreṇa nagaram
udvidārya gajāhvayam
vicakarṣa sa gańgāyāḿ
prahariṣyann amarṣitaḥ
lāńgala — of His plow; agreṇa — with the tip; nagaram — the city; udvidārya — tearing up; gajāhvayam — Hastināpura; vicakarṣa — dragged; saḥ — He; gańgāyām — in the Ganges; prahariṣyan — about to cast it; amarṣitaḥ — enraged.
TRANSLATION
The Lord angrily dug up Hastināpura with the tip of His plow and began to drag it, intending to cast the entire city into the Ganges.
10.68.42-43
jala-yānam ivāghūrṇaḿ
gańgāyāḿ nagaraḿ patat
ākṛṣyamāṇam ālokya
kauravāḥ jāta-sambhramāḥ
tam eva śaraṇaḿ jagmuḥ
sa-kuṭumbā jijīviṣavaḥ
sa-lakṣmaṇaḿ puras-kṛtya
sāmbaḿ prāñjalayaḥ prabhum
jala-yānam — a raft; iva — as if; āghūrṇam — tumbling about; gańgāyām — into the Ganges; nagaram — the city; patat — falling; ākṛṣyamāṇam — being dragged; ālokya — seeing; kauravāḥ — the Kauravas; jāta — becoming; sambhramāḥ — excited and bewildered;
tam — to Him, Lord Balarāma; eva — indeed; śaraṇam — for shelter; jagmuḥ — they went; sa — with; kuṭumbaḥ — their families; jijīviṣavaḥ — wanting to remain alive; sa — with; lakṣmaṇam — Lakṣmaṇā; puraḥ-kṛtya — placing in front; sāmbam — Sāmba; prāñjalayaḥ — with palms joined in supplication; prabhum — to the Lord.
TRANSLATION
Seeing that their city was tumbling about like a raft at sea as it was being dragged away, and that it was about to fall into the Ganges, the Kauravas became terrified. To save their lives they approached the Lord for shelter, taking their families with them. Placing Sāmba and Lakṣmaṇā in front, they joined their palms in supplication.
10.68.44
rāma rāmākhilādhāra
prabhāvaḿ na vidāma te
mūḍhānāḿ naḥ ku-buddhīnāḿ
kṣantum arhasy atikramam
rāma rāma — O Rāma, Rāma; akhila — of everything; ādhāra — O foundation; prabhāvam — power; na vidāma — we do not know; te — Your; mūḍhānām — of befooled persons; naḥ — us; ku — bad; buddhīnām — whose understanding; kṣantum arhasi — You should please forgive; atikramam — the offense.
TRANSLATION
[The Kauravas said:] O Rāma, Rāma, foundation of everything! We know nothing of Your power. Please excuse our offense, for we are ignorant and misguided.
10.68.45
sthity-utpatty-apyayānāḿ tvam
eko hetur nirāśrayaḥ
lokān krīḍanakān īśa
krīḍatas te vadanti hi
sthiti — of maintenance; utpatti — creation; apyayānām — and destruction; tvam — You; ekaḥ — alone; hetuḥ — the cause; nirāśrayaḥ — without any other basis; lokān — the worlds; krīḍanakān — playthings; īśa — O Lord; krīḍataḥ — who are playing; te — Your; vadanti — they say; hi — indeed.
TRANSLATION
You alone cause the creation, maintenance and annihilation of the cosmos, and of You there is no prior cause. Indeed, O Lord, authorities say that the worlds are mere playthings for You as You perform Your pastimes.
10.68.46
tvam eva mūrdhnīdam ananta līlayā
bhū-maṇḍalaḿ bibharṣi sahasra-mūrdhan
ante ca yaḥ svātma-niruddha-viśvaḥ
śeṣe 'dvitīyaḥ pariśiṣyamāṇaḥ
tvam — You; eva — alone; mūrdhni — on Your head; idam — this; ananta — O unlimited one; līlayā — easily, as a pastime; bhū — of the earth; maṇḍalam — the globe; bibharṣi — (You) carry; sahasra-mūrdhan — O thousand-headed Lord; ante — in the end; ca — and; yaḥ — the one who; sva — Your own; ātma — within the body; niruddha — having withdrawn; viśvaḥ — the universe; śeṣe — You lie; advitīyaḥ — without a second; pariśiṣyamāṇaḥ — remaining.
TRANSLATION
O unlimited one of a thousand heads, as Your pastime You carry this earthly globe upon one of Your heads. At the time of annihilation You withdraw the entire universe within Your body and, remaining all alone, lie down to rest.
10.68.47
kopas te 'khila-śikṣārthaḿ
na dveṣān na ca matsarāt
bibhrato bhagavan sattvaḿ
sthiti-pālana-tatparaḥ
kopaḥ — anger; te — Your; akhila — of everyone; śikṣā — for the instruction; artham — meant; na — not; dveṣāt — out of hatred; na ca — nor; matsarāt — out of envy; bibhrataḥ — of You who are sustaining; bhagavan — O Supreme Lord; sattvam — the mode of goodness; sthiti — maintenance; pālana — and protection; tat-paraḥ — having as its intent.
TRANSLATION
Your anger is meant for instructing everyone; it is not a manifestation of hatred or envy. O Supreme Lord, You sustain the pure mode of goodness, and You become angry only to maintain and protect this world.
10.68.48
namas te sarva-bhūtātman
sarva-śakti-dharāvyaya
viśva-karman namas te 'stu
tvāḿ vayaḿ śaraṇaḿ gatāḥ
namaḥ — obeisances; te — to You; sarva — of all; bhūta — beings; ātman — O Soul; sarva — of all; śakti — energies; dhara — O holder; avyaya — O undepletable one; viśva — of the universe; karman — O maker; namaḥ — obeisances; te — to You; astu — let there be; tvām — to You; vayam — we; śaraṇam — for shelter; gatāḥ — have come.
TRANSLATION
We bow down to You, O Soul of all beings, O wielder of all potencies, O tireless maker of the universe! Offering You obeisances, we take shelter of You.
10.68.49
śrī-śuka uvāca
evaḿ prapannaiḥ saḿvignair
vepamānāyanair balaḥ
prasāditaḥ su-prasanno
mā bhaiṣṭety abhayaḿ dadau
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; evam — thus; prapannaiḥ — by those who were surrendering; saḿvignaiḥ — greatly distressed; vepamāna — shaking; ayanaiḥ — whose place of residence; balaḥ — Lord Balarāma; prasāditaḥ — propitiated; su — very; prasannaḥ — calm and gracious; mā bhaiṣṭa — do not be afraid; iti — thus saying; abhayam — relief from fear; dadau — He gave.
TRANSLATION
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus propitiated by the Kurus, whose city was trembling and who were surrendering to Him in great distress, Lord Balarāma became very calm and kindly disposed toward them. "Do not be afraid," He said, and took away their fear.
10.68.50-51
duryodhanaḥ pāribarhaḿ
kuñjarān ṣaṣṭi-hāyanān
dadau ca dvādaśa-śatāny
ayutāni turańgamān
rathānāḿ ṣaṭ-sahasrāṇi
raukmāṇāḿ sūrya-varcasām
dāsīnāḿ niṣka-kaṇṭhīnāḿ
sahasraḿ duhitṛ-vatsalaḥ
duryodhanaḥ — Duryodhana; pāribarham — as a dowry; kuñjarān — elephants; ṣaṣṭi — sixty; hāyanān — years old; dadau — gave; ca — and; dvādaśa — twelve; śatāni — hundred; ayutāni — tens of thousands; turańgamān — horses;
rathānām — of chariots; ṣaṭ-sahasrāṇi — six thousand; raukmāṇām — golden; sūrya — (like) the sun; varcasām — whose effulgence; dāsīnām — of maidservants; niṣka — jeweled lockets; kaṇṭthīnām — on whose throats; sahasram — one thousand; duhitṛ — for his daughter; vatsalaḥ — having fatherly affection.
TRANSLATION
Duryodhana, being very affectionate to his daughter, gave as her dowry 1,200 sixty-year-old elephants, 120,000 horses, 6,000 golden chariots shining like the sun, and 1,000 maidservants with jeweled lockets on their necks.
10.68.52