rule



 

 

Canto 10

 

Mahāmantra 9

 

 

Chapter 61: Lord Balarāma Slays Rukmī at Aniruddha's Wedding

(1) S'rī S'uka said: 'Each of the wives of Krishna gave birth to ten sons not inferior in any respect to their Father's personal opulence. (2) Never seeing Acyuta leave their palaces, each of the princesses considered herself the dearest one. The women had no notion of His truth. (3) Fully enchanted by the Supreme Lord's face, which was as beautiful as the whorl of a lotus, His long arms, His eyes and loving glances, His witty approach and charming talks, the women with their appeal, could not conquer the mind of the Almighty One. (4) Despite the romantic signs they beamed from their arched brows, their hidden looks and coy smiles which so charmingly displayed their intentions, the sixteen thousand wives were not capable of agitating His senses with their arrows of Cupid and with other means. (5) These women, who obtained the Lord of Ramā as their partner and thus achieved what not even Lord Brahmā and the other gods can attain, first of all eagerly looked forward to enjoy His ever-fresh intimate association, and exchanged with pleasure, incessantly and with an increasing loving attraction, smiles and glances with Him [as in 10.59: 44]. (6) Even though they [as stated] had hundreds of maidservants, they personally approached Him to offer Him a seat, to be of first-class worship, wash His feet and serve Him betel nut. They gave massages, fanned Him, and served the Almighty Lord with fragrances, garlands, dressing His hair, arranging His bed, bathing and presenting gifts [as in 10.59: 45]. (7) Among  those [16008 *] wives of Krishna, who each had ten sons, there were, as I previously stated, eight principal queens. I will sum up their sons beginning with Pradyumna.



(8-9) He was by the Lord begotten in Rukminī [see 10.54: 60] and was in no way inferior to Him, just as were Cārudeshna, Sudeshna and the powerful Cārudeha, Sucāru, Cārugupta, Bhadracāru and another son called Cārucandra, as also Vicāru and Cāru, the tenth son. (10-12) The ten sons of Satyabhāmā [10.56: 44] were Bhānu, Subhānu, Svarbhānu, Prabhānu, Bhānumān and Candrabhānu, as also Brihadbhānu and the eighth son Atibhānu followed by S'rībhānu and Pratibhānu [bhānu means luster, splendor]. Sāmba, Sumitra, Purujit, S'atajit and Sahasrajit, Vijaya and Citraketu, Vasumān, Dravida and Kratu were the sons of Jāmbavatī [10.56: 32]. These sons headed by Sāmba were the ones favored by their Father [see also 7.1: 2 & 12]. (13) Vīra, Candra and As'vasena, Citragu, Vegavān, Vrisha, Āma, S'anku, Vasu and the mighty Kunti were the sons of Nāgnajitī [or Satyā, see 10.58: 55]. (14) S'ruta, Kavi, Vrisha, Vīra, Subāhu, the one called Bhadra, S'ānti, Dars'a, Pūrnamāsa and Somaka, the youngest one, were the sons of Kālindī [10.58: 23]. (15) Praghosha, Gātravān, Simha, Bala, Prabala, and Ūrdhaga were together with Mahās'akti, Saha, Oja and Aparājita, the sons of Mādrā [see *]. (16) Vrika, Harsha, Anila, Gridhra, Vardhana, Unnāda, Mahāmsa, Pāvana, Vahni and Kshudhi were the sons of Mitravindā [10.58: 31]. (17) The sons of Bhādra were Sangrāmajit, Brihatsena, S'ūra, Praharana and Arijit, Jaya, Subhadra, Vāma, Āyur and Satyaka  [10.58: 56]. (18) Dīptimān, Tāmratapta and others were the sons of Lord Krishna and Rohinī [*]. Oh King, Pradyumna living in the city of Bhojakatha [Rukmī's domain] begot in Rukmavatī, the daughter of Rukmī, the greatly powerful Aniruddha [see also 4.24: 35-36]. (19) From these sons and grandsons of the sixteen thousand mothers, tens of millions descendants of Krishna took their birth, oh King.'

(20) The king said: 'How could Rukmī give his daughter in marriage to the son of his Enemy? Defeated by Krishna in battle he waited for an opportunity to kill Him. Please, oh learned soul, explain to me how this marriage between the two enemies could be arranged. (21) Yogis [like you] are perfectly able to see the past, the present and what has not happened yet, as also things far away, things blocked by obstacles and matters beyond the senses.'

(22) S'rī S'uka said: 'At her svayamvara ceremony she [Rukmavatī] chose the, for her manifest, Cupid [Pradyumna] who took her away after He, with a single chariot, in battle had defeated the assembled kings. (23) In order to please his sister [Rukminī], Rukmī granted his daughter his nephew, even though he always thought of his enmity with Krishna who had insulted him [10.54: 35]. (24) Oh King, the young large-eyed daughter of Rukminī, Cārumatī [**], married Balī, the son of Kritavarmā. (25) Despite being bound in enmity to the Lord, Rukmī gave to his granddaughter named Rocanā, Aniruddha in marriage, he who was the son of his daughter. Knowing that it was against the dharma [not to side with one's enemy], he, constrained by the ropes of affection, preferred to please his sister with that marriage. (26) Oh King, on the occasion of that happy event, Rukminī, Balarāma and Kes'ava [Krishna], Sāmba, Pradyumna and others came to the city of Bhojakatha.

(27-28) After the ceremony, some arrogant kings led by the ruler of Kalinga said to Rukmī: 'You should defeat Balarāma in a game of dice. He, oh King, is really not that good at it, but is nevertheless greatly fascinated by it.' Thus being addressed, Rukmī invited Balarāma to play a game of dice with him. (29) In that match Balarāma accepted a wager of first hundred, then thousand and then ten thousand [gold coins]. But it was Rukmī who won. The king of Kalinga thereupon loudly laughed at Balarāma, baring his teeth freely. The Carrier of the Plow could not tolerate this. (30) When Rukmī next accepted a bet of a hundred thousand coins that was won by Balarāma, Rukmī resorted to deceit and said: 'I have won!'

(31) With a mind boiling like the ocean on the day of a full moon, handsome Balarāma, whose naturally reddish eyes were burning with anger, accepted a wager of a hundred million coins. (32) Balarāma also fairly won that game, but Rukmī again resorted to deceit and said: 'It is won by me. May these witnesses confirm that!'

(33) Then a voice spoke from the sky: 'It was Balarāma who fairly won the wager, what Rukmī said is a lie!'

(34) Urged on by the wicked kings to head for his death, the prince of Vidarbha discarding that voice, derided Sankarshana by saying: (35) 'You cowherds roaming in the forest are no experts in playing dice. To play dice and shoot arrows is something for kings and not for the likes of you!'

(36) Thus being insulted by Rukmī and laughed at by the kings present in this gathering of powerful men, He angrily raised His club and struck him dead. (37) Quickly He seized the fleeing king of Kalinga on his tenth step, and knocked in His rage the teeth out he had bared while laughing at Him [see also 4.5: 21]. (38) Tormented by Balarāma's club the [other] kings fled in terror, drenched in blood, with their arms, legs and skulls broken. (39) The fact that his brother-in-law, Rukmī, had been slain, oh King, was by the Lord neither welcomed nor condemned, out of fear to break the bond of affection with Rukminī and Balarāma. (40) The descendants of Das'ārha, whose purposes under the shelter of Madhusūdana all had been fulfilled, thereupon placed the groom, Aniruddha, together with His bride on a chariot and led by Balarāma left Bhojakatha to head for Kus'asthalī [another name of Dvārakā].'
 

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Third revised edition, loaded June 20, 2021.

 

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

S'rī S'uka said: 'Each of the wives of Krishna gave birth to ten sons not inferior in any respect to their Father's personal opulence.
S'rī S'uka said: 'Each of the wives of Krishna gave birth to ten sons no less than their Father in all His personal opulence. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

Never seeing Acyuta leave their palaces, each of the princesses considered herself the dearest one. The women had no notion of His truth.

Never seeing Acyuta leaving their palaces considered every one of the princesses herself the one most dear; the women didn't know the truth about Him. (Vedabase)

 

Text 3

Fully enchanted by the Supreme Lord's face, which was as beautiful as the whorl of a lotus, His long arms, His eyes and loving glances, His witty approach and charming talks, the women with their appeal, could not conquer the mind of the Almighty One.

Fully enchanted by the Supreme Lord His face beautiful as the whorl of a lotus, His long arms, His eyes and loving glances, witty approach and charming talks could the women, with their appeal, not conquer the mind of the One All-powerful. (Vedabase)

 

Text 4

Despite the romantic signs they beamed from their arched brows, their hidden looks and coy smiles which so charmingly displayed their intentions, the sixteen thousand wives were not capable of agitating His senses with their arrows of Cupid and with other means.

In spite of their romantic signs beamed from their arched brows, hidden looks and coy smiles, so enchanting displaying their intentions, were the sixteen thousand wives by their arrows of Cupid and other means not able to agitate the senses [of Krishna]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5

These women, who obtained the Lord of Ramā as their partner and thus achieved what not even Lord Brahmā and the other gods can attain, first of all eagerly looked forward to enjoy His ever-fresh intimate association, and exchanged with pleasure, incessantly and with an increasing loving attraction, smiles and glances with Him [as in 10.59: 44].

These women this way obtaining as their spouse the Lord of Ramā, relating to whom not even Lord Brahmā and the other gods know the means to attain, partook eagerly anticipating for the ever-fresh intimate association with pleasure, smiles and glances in the incessant and increasing loving attraction [as in 10:59: 44]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

Even though they [as stated] had hundreds of maidservants, they personally approached Him to offer Him a seat, to be of first-class worship, wash His feet and serve Him betel nut. They gave massages, fanned Him, and served the Almighty Lord with fragrances, garlands, dressing His hair, arranging His bed, bathing and presenting gifts [as in 10.59: 45].

Though having hundreds of maidservants were they, [personally] approaching Him, offering a seat, being of first-class worship, washing His feet, serving with betelnut, giving massages and fanning Him, with fragrances, garlands, dressing His hair, arranging His bed, bathing and presenting gifts to Him, of service to the Almighty Lord [as in 10.59: 45]. (Vedabase)


Text 7

Among  those [16008 *] wives of Krishna, who each had ten sons, there were, as I previously stated, eight principal queens. I will sum up their sons beginning with Pradyumna.

Of those [16008 **] wives of Krishna previously mentioned who each had ten sons there were eight principal queens of whom I'll recite their sons headed by Pradyumna. (Vedabase)

 

Text 8-9

He was by the Lord begotten in Rukminī [see 10.54: 60] and was in no way inferior to Him, just as were Cārudeshna, Sudeshna and the powerful Cārudeha, Sucāru, Cārugupta, Bhadracāru and another son called Cārucandra, as also Vicāru and Cāru, the tenth son.

BBy the Lord begotten in Rukminī [see 10.54: 60] there were, no way inferior to Him, [with Pradyumna first] Cārudeshna, Sudeshna and the powerful Cārudeha; Sucāru, Cārugupta, Bhadracāru and another one called Cārucandra as well as Vicāru and Cāru, the tenth. (Vedabase)

 

Text 10-12

The ten sons of Satyabhāmā [10.56: 44] were Bhānu, Subhānu, Svarbhānu, Prabhānu, Bhānumān and Candrabhānu, as also Brihadbhānu and the eighth son Atibhānu followed by S'rībhānu and Pratibhānu [bhānu means luster, splendor]. Sāmba, Sumitra, Purujit, S'atajit and Sahasrajit, Vijaya and Citraketu, Vasumān, Dravida and Kratu were the sons of Jāmbavatī [10.56: 32]. These sons headed by Sāmba were the ones favored by their Father [see also 7.1: 2 & 12].

The ten sons of Sathyabhāmā [10.56: 44] were Bhānu, Subhānu, Svarbhānu, Prabhānu, Bhānumān and Candrabhānu; as also Brihadbhānu, the eight one Atibhānu and S'rībhānu and Pratibhānu [bhānu means lustre, splendor]. Sāmba, Sumitra, Purujit, S'atajit and Sahasrajit; Vijaya and Citraketu, Vasumān, Dravida and Kratu were the sons of Jāmbavatī [10.56: 32]. It were indeed these ones headed by Sāmba who were their Father's favorites [see also 7.1: 2 & 12]. (Vedabase)

    

Text 13

Vīra, Candra and As'vasena, Citragu, Vegavān, Vrisha, Āma, S'anku, Vasu and the mighty Kunti were the sons of Nāgnajitī [or Satyā, see 10.58: 55].

Vīra, Candra and As'vasena; Citragu, Vegavān, Vrisha, Āma, S'anku, Vasu and the so very beautiful Kunti were the sons of Nāgnajitī [or Satyā, see 10.58: 55]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 14

S'ruta, Kavi, Vrisha, Vīra, Subāhu, the one called Bhadra, S'ānti, Dars'a, Pūrnamāsa and Somaka, the youngest one, were the sons of Kālindī [10.58: 23].

S'ruta, Kavi, Vrisha, Vīra, Subāhu, the one called Bhadra, S'ānti, Dars'a and Pūrnamāsa were, with Somaka as the youngest, the sons of Kālindī [10.58: 23].(Vedabase)

 

Text 15

Praghosha, Gātravān, Simha, Bala, Prabala, and Ūrdhaga were together with Mahās'akti, Saha, Oja and Aparājita, the sons of Mādrā [see *].

Praghosha, Gātravān, Simha, Bala, Prabala, and Ūrdhaga were with Mahās'akti, Saha, Oja and Aparājita the sons of Mādrā [see *]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 16

Vrika, Harsha, Anila, Gridhra, Vardhana, Unnāda, Mahāmsa, Pāvana, Vahni and Kshudhi were the sons of Mitravindā [10.58: 31].

Vrika, Harsha, Anila, Gridhra, Vardhana, Unnāda, Mahāmsa, Pāvana and Vahni were with Kshudhi the sons of Mitravindā [10.58: 31]. (Vedabase)

    

Text 17

The sons of Bhādra were Sangrāmajit, Brihatsena, S'ūra, Praharana and Arijit, Jaya, Subhadra, Vāma, Āyur and Satyaka  [10.58: 56].

Sangrāmajit, Brihatsena, S'ūra, Praharana, Arijit, Jaya and Subhadra were together with Vāma, Āyur and Satyaka the sons of Bhadrā [10.58: 56]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 18

Dīptimān, Tāmratapta and others were the sons of Lord Krishna and Rohinī [*]. Oh King, Pradyumna living in the city of Bhojakatha [Rukmī's domain] begot in Rukmavatī, the daughter of Rukmī, the greatly powerful Aniruddha [see also 4.24: 35-36].

Dīptimān, Tāmratapta and others were the sons of Lord Krishna and Rohinī [*]. O King, from Pradyumna was, as He was living in the city of Bhojakatha [Rukmī's domain] then, begotten in Rukmavatī, the daughter of Rukmī, the greatly powerful Aniruddha born [see also 4.24: 35-36]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 19

From these sons and grandsons of the sixteen thousand mothers, tens of millions descendants of Krishna took their birth, oh King.'

Of these sons and grandsons were born tens of millions, o King, for the mothers of the descendants of Krishna numbered sixteen thousand.' (Vedabase)

  

Text 20

The king said: 'How could Rukmī give his daughter in marriage to the son of his Enemy? Defeated by Krishna in battle he waited for an opportunity to kill Him. Please, oh learned soul, explain to me how this marriage between the two enemies could be arranged.

The king said: 'How could Rukmī give his daughter to the son of his Enemy in marriage? Defeated by Krishna in battle awaited he the opportunity to kill Him. Please explain to me, o learned one, how this marriage between the two enemies could be arranged. (Vedabase)

  

Text 21

Yogis [like you] are perfectly able to see the past, the present and what has not happened yet, as also things far away, things blocked by obstacles and matters beyond the senses.'

Yogis [like you] are perfectly able to see the past, the present, as well as what hasn't happened yet, things far away, things blocked by obstacles and things beyond the senses.' (Vedabase)

  

Text 22

S'rī S'uka said: 'At her svayamvara ceremony she [Rukmavatī] chose the, for her manifest, Cupid [Pradyumna] who took her away after He, with a single chariot, in battle had defeated the assembled kings.

S'rī S'uka said: 'At her svayamvara ceremony did she [Rukmavatī] choose the Cupid manifest [that was Pradyumna] who with a single chariot, in battle defeating the assembled kings, took her away. (Vedabase)

 

Text 23

In order to please his sister [Rukminī], Rukmī granted his daughter his nephew, even though he always thought of his enmity with Krishna who had insulted him [10.54: 35].

Rukmī, even though he always thought of the enmity with Krishna who had insulted him [10.54: 35], granted, in order to please his sister [Rukminī], his daughter his nephew.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 24

Oh King, the young large-eyed daughter of Rukminī, Cārumatī [**], married Balī, the son of Kritavarmā.

The young large-eyed daughter of Rukminī, Cārumatī, married, so is said, o King, the son of Kritavarmā named Balī. (Vedabase)

 

Text 25

Despite being bound in enmity to the Lord, Rukmī gave to his granddaughter named Rocanā, Aniruddha in marriage, he who was the son of his daughter. Knowing that it was against the dharma [not to side with one's enemy], he, constrained by the ropes of affection, preferred to please his sister with that marriage.

Rukmī, despite of his being bound in enmity to the Lord, gave to his daughter's son, Aniruddha, his granddaughter named Rocanā; aware that the marriage was against the dharma [of not siding as such with the enemy], preferred he, constrained by the ropes of affection, to please his sister with that marriage. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 26

Oh King, on the occasion of that happy event, Rukminī, Balarāma and Kes'ava [Krishna], Sāmba, Pradyumna and others came to the city of Bhojakatha.

To the occasion of that happy event, o King, went Rukminī, Balarāma and Kes'ava [Krishna], Sāmba, Pradyumna and others, to the city of Bhojakatha. (Vedabase)

 

Text 27-28

After the ceremony, some arrogant kings led by the ruler of Kalinga said to Rukmī: 'You should defeat Balarāma in a game of dice. He, oh King, is really not that good at it, but is nevertheless greatly fascinated by it.' Thus being addressed, Rukmī invited Balarāma to play a game of dice with him.

After the ceremon spoke some arrogant kings led by the ruler of Kalinga to Rukmī: 'You should defeat Balarāma with a game of dice. Really not that good at it is He, o King, nevertheless greatly fascinated by it', thus they said and consequently inviting Balarāma played Rukmī a game of dice with Him. (Vedabase)

  

Text 29

In that match Balarāma accepted a wager of first hundred, then thousand and then ten thousand [gold coins]. But it was Rukmī who won. The king of Kalinga thereupon loudly laughed at Balarāma, baring his teeth freely. The Carrier of the Plow could not tolerate this.

In that match accepting a wager of first a hundred, then a thousand and then a ten thousand [gold coins] was it Rukmī though who won, whereupon the king of Kalinga loudly laughed at Balarāma baring his teeth freely. This could the Carrier of the Plow not forgive him. (Vedabase)

 

Text 30

When Rukmī next accepted a bet of a hundred thousand coins that was won by Balarāma, Rukmī resorted to deceit and said: 'I have won!'

Rukmī next accepted a bet of a hundred thousand which then by Balarāma was won, but Rukmī, resorting to deception, said 'I've won!' (Vedabase)

 

 Text 31

With a mind boiling like the ocean on the day of a full moon, handsome Balarāma, whose naturally reddish eyes were burning with anger, accepted a wager of a hundred million coins.

With a mind boiling like the ocean on the day of a full moon accepted the handsome Balarāma, whose naturally reddish eyes were burning with anger, a wager of a hundred million. (Vedabase)

  

Text 32

Balarāma also fairly won that game, but Rukmī again resorted to deceit and said: 'It is won by me. May these witnesses confirm that!'

Balarāma fairly won that game also but Rukmī again resorting to deceit said: 'It's won by me. May these witnesses confirm that!' (Vedabase)

 

Text 33

Then a voice spoke from the sky: 'It was Balarāma who fairly won the wager, what Rukmī said is a lie!'

Then a voice spoke from the sky: 'It indeed was Balarāma who won the wager, the words Rukmī spoke are a blunt lie!' (Vedabase)

 

Text 34

Urged on by the wicked kings to head for his death, the prince of Vidarbha discarding that voice, derided Sankarshana by saying:

Discarding that voice did the prince of Vidarbha, urged on by the wicked kings on a crash course, in ridicule say to Sankarshana: (Vedabase)

    

Text 35

'You cowherds roaming in the forest, are no experts in playing dice. To play dice and shoot arrows is something for kings and not for the likes of you!'

'You cowherds indeed are good at roaming in the forest, not at playing dice; to sport with dice and arrows is for kings, not for the likes of you!' (Vedabase)

 

Text 36

Thus being insulted by Rukmī and laughed at by the kings present in this gathering of powerful men, He angrily raised His club and struck him dead.

This way in the auspicious assembly [of the marriage] by Rukmī insulted and being the laughingstock of the kings present, raised He angered His club and struck He him dead. (Vedabase)

 

Text 37

Quickly He seized the fleeing king of Kalinga on his tenth step, and knocked in His rage the teeth out he had bared while laughing at Him [see also 4.5: 21].

Quickly seizing the fleeing king of Kalinga in his tenth step, knocked He in rage out the teeth he had bared in laughing [see also 4.5: 21]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 38

Tormented by Balarāma's club the [other] kings fled in terror, drenched in blood, with their arms, legs and skulls broken.

Other kings tormented by Balarāma's club got their arms, legs and heads broken and fled terrified drenched in blood. (Vedabase)

  

Text 39

The fact that his brother-in-law, Rukmī, had been slain, oh King, was by the Lord neither welcomed nor condemned, out of fear to break the bond of affection with Rukminī and Balarāma.

The fact that his brother-in-law, Rukmī, had been slain, o King, was by the Lord, afraid to break the bond of affection with Rukminī and Balarāma, neither applauded nor protested. (Vedabase)

 

Text 40

The descendants of Das'ārha, whose purposes under the shelter of Madhusūdana all had been fulfilled, thereupon placed the groom, Aniruddha, together with His bride on a chariot and led by Balarāma left Bhojakatha to head for Kus'asthalī [another name of Dvārakā].'

Then, headed by Rāma, placed the descendants of Das'ārha the groom together with His bride on His chariot and set they, of whom under the shelter of Madhusūdana all purposes had been fulfilled, off from Bhojakatha to head for Kus'asthalī [another name of Dvārakā].' (Vedabase)

 

*: This one called Mādrā is the eighth principal wife of Krishna not mentioned before; she is the daughter of the ruler of Madra, called Brihatsena, and is also known as Lakshmanā. From the Bhāgavatam knowing her story as told in 10.83: 17, it is clear that she belonged to the eight queens He married before. Thus there were the 16008 of them. Rohinī [not to confuse with Balarāma's mother who has the same name], not being considered a principal wife, seems to have been the one heading the sixteen thousand princesses. So taking Mādrā as the cause for speaking of 16001 wives in stead of 16000, we in sum have: 1 Rukminī, 2 Jāmbavatī, 3 Satyabhāmā, 4 Kālindī, 5 Mitravindā, 6 Satyā (Nāgnajitī), 7 Bhadrā and 8 Mādrā (Lakshmanā) and then the sixteen thousand headed by Rohinī who came second [see also footnote 10.59** and the list of them in 10.83].

**: Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that every queen of the Lord's queens had one daughter.

 

 


 

 

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