Source
Texts:
The
Marriage of Sâmba
Text
1
S'rî
S'uka said: 'O King, the daughter of Duryodhana named
Lakshmanâ was by Sâmba ['with the mother'],
the son of Jâmbavatî always victorious in battle,
abducted from her svayamvara.
S'ukadeva
Gosvâmî said: O King, Jâmbavatî's
son Sâmba, ever victorious in battle, kidnapped
Duryodhana's daughter Lakshmanâ from her svayam-vara
ceremony.
Text
2
The Kauravas
said angered: 'How ill-behaved this boy insulting us by force
taking the maiden against her will.
The
angry Kurus said: This ill-behaved boy has offended us,
forcibly kidnapping our unmarried daughter against her
will.
Text
3
Arrest
him who is so undisciplined; what can the Vrishnis do who
through our grace acquired the land we gave them to
enjoy?
Arrest
this ill-behaved Sâmba! What will the Vrishnis do? By
our grace they are ruling land that we have granted
them.
Text
4
If
they, learning that their son was captured, get down here, will
the Vrishnis, broken in their pride attain the peace like the
senses will properly brought under control.'
If
the Vrishnis 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.
Text
5
Having
said this set Karna, S'ala, Bhûri, Yajñaketu
[or Bhuris'ravâ] and Duryodhana, with the
permission of the Kuru-eldest [Bhîshma], out to
fight Sâmba.
After
saying this and having their plan sanctioned by the senior
member of the Kuru dynasty, Karna, S'ala, Bhûri,
Yajñaketu and Suyodhana set out to attack
Sâmba.
Text
6
The
great warrior Sâmba seeing the followers of
Dhritarâshthra rushing toward him, took up his splendid
bow and alone stood his ground like a lion.
Seeing
Duryodhana and his companions rushing toward him,
Sâmba, the great chariot-fighter, took up his splendid
bow and stood alone like a lion.
Text
7
Determined
to capture him said they, headed by Karna, full of anger: 'You
stand, stand and fight', upon which the bowmen, getting before
him, showered him with arrows.
Determined
to capture him, the angry bowmen led by Karna shouted at
Sâmba, 'Stand and fight! Stand and fight!' They came
straight for him and showered him with arrows.
Text
8
He
the son of the Yadus, o best of the Kurus,
unjustly [with
the lot of them] attacked
by the Kurus, as the child of the Inconceivable One
[Krishna] didn't tolerate that anymore than a lion
would tolerate such of lower animals.
O
best of the Kurus, as Krishna's son Sâmba 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.
Text
9-10:
Twanging
His wonderful bow pierced the hero all by himself, at the same
time, each of the six of Karna and their chariots with as many
arrows: with four arrows for each team of four horses and with
one arrow each their charioteer and warrior; and for that was
he by the great bowmen honored.
Twanging
his wonderful bow, heroic Sâmba struck with arrows the
six warriors headed by Karna. 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 Sâmba for
this display of prowess.
Text
11
With four of
them after his horses, one after his charioteer and one
splitting his bow, drove they him out of his
chariot.
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.
Text
12
Once
they in the fight had the young boy out of his chariot, bound
the Kurus him up and entered they, with their girl,
victoriously their city.
Having
deprived Sâmba 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.
Text
13
Hearing
Nârada Muni's words on this, o King, awakened [with
the Yadus] the anger against the Kurus [see also
10.49:
27]
and prepared they, urged on by Ugrasena, for
war.
O
King, when the Yâdavas heard news of this from
S'rî Nârada, they became angry. Urged on by King
Ugrasena, they prepared for war against the Kurus.
Text
14-15:
But
Râma, He who removes the contamination of the Age of
Quarrel
[Kali-yuga],
not wishing a quarrel between the Vrishnis and Kurus, calmed
down the Vrishni heroes and went with His chariot effulgent
like the sun to Hastinâpura, surrounded by brahmins and
the elders of the family like he was the moon with the seven
planets [then known, see also 5.22].
Lord
Balarâma, however, cooled the tempers of the Vrishni
heroes, who had already put on their armor. He who purifies
the age of quarrel did not want a quarrel between the Kurus
and Vrishnis. Thus, accompanied by brâhmanas and
family elders, He went to Hastinâpura on His chariot,
which was as effulgent as the sun. As He went, He appeared
like the moon surrounded by the ruling planets.
Text
16
Getting
to Hastinâpura stayed Râma outside in a park and
sent He Uddhava to find out what Dhritarâshthra had in
mind.
Upon
arriving at Hastinâpura, Lord Balarâma remained
in a garden outside the city and sent Uddhava ahead to probe
King Dhritarâshthra's intentions.
Text
17
He, offering
his respects to the son of Ambikâ
[Dhritarâshthra],
to Bhîshma and Drona, Bâhlika and Duryodhana,
informed them that Râma had arrived.
After
he had offered proper respects to the son of Ambikâ
[Dhritarâshthra] and to Bhîshma, Drona,
Bâhlika and Duryodhana, Uddhava informed them that
Lord Balarâma had arrived.
Text
18
They, extremely
pleased to hear that He, Balarâma, their Dearest Friend
had arrived, all, after duly paying him their respects, went
forth with auspicious offerings in their hands.
Overjoyed
to hear that Balarâma, their dearmost friend, had
come, they first honored Uddhava and then went forth to meet
the Lord, carrying auspicious offerings in their
hands.
Text
19
Going
up to Balarâma presented they as was proper cows and
water to welcome Him and did those who knew of His power bow
down their heads.
They
approached Lord Balarâma 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.
Text
20
Inquiring with
one another to hear whether their relatives were hale and
hearty spoke Râma next forthright the
words:
After
both parties had heard that their relatives were doing well
and both had inquired into each other's welfare and health,
Lord Balarâma forthrightly spoke to the Kurus as
follows.
Text
21
'Hearing with
undivided attention what Ugrasena our master, the ruler of the
rulers of the earth, has demanded of you, should you without
delay act to that:
[Lord
Balarâma 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.
Text
22
Your
in defiance of the rules with the many of you defeating and
binding but a single one who did follow the codes [of
war], I do, among relatives desiring the unity, tolerate...
[but I do not wish to see that
continued].'
[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.
Text
23
Hearing
the words of Baladeva that befitting His own power were filled
with potency, courage and strength answered the Kauravas
enraged:
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.
Text
24
'Oh
what a great wonder this is, the inescapable movement of Time;
what is a shoe wants to climb on top of the head that is
ornamented with a crown!
[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.
Text
25
These ones the
Vrishnis connected in marriage, sharing our beds, seats and
meals were by us brought to equality and given their
thrones.
It
is because these Vrishnis 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.
Text
26
By our looking
the other way could they enjoy the pair of yak-tail fans, the
conchshell, the white sunshade, the crown, throne and royal bed
[compare: 10.60:
10-20].
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.
Text
27
Enough
with the symbols of the gods among men for the Yadus which to
the giver [that we are] work as adverse as giving
nectar to snakes; the Yadus who could prosper by our grace, now
commanding have lost all shame indeed.
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 Yâdavas have now lost all shame and are
daring to command us!
Text
28
How
would even Indra appropriate that what is not given by
Bhîshma, Drona, Arjuna or the other Kurus: it's like a
sheep claiming a lions kill!'
How
would even Indra dare usurp anything that Bhîshma,
Drona, Arjuna or the other Kurus have not given him? It
would be like a lamb claiming the lion's kill.
Text
29
The
son of Vyâsa said: 'They who in their arrogance of the
birth, relations and the opulences that made them great, o best
of the Bharatas, as rude men with harsh words made this clear
to Râma, disappeared into the city.
S'rî
Bâdarâyani said: O best of the Bhâratas,
after the arrogant Kurus, thoroughly puffed up by the
opulence of their high birth and relations, had spoken these
harsh words to Lord Balarâma, they turned and went
back to their city.
Text
30
Faced
with the bad character of the Kurus and hearing their
unbecoming words said the Infallible Lord inflamed with rage,
laughing repeatedly and difficult to behold:
Seeing
the bad character of the Kurus and hearing their nasty
words, the infallible Lord Balarâma became filled with
rage. His countenance frightful to behold, He laughed
repeatedly and spoke as follows.
Text
31
'Clearly
by various passions clamoring are these dishonest people,
indeed not desiring the peace, to be pacified with physical
punishment like animals to be beaten with a
stick!
[Lord
Balarâma 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.
Text
32-33
Oh,
desiring the peace for these ones I came here, tentatively
having calmed the Yadus boiling with rage as also Krishna being
angry; and those very ones dull-headed addicted to quarreling
do wicked in disrespect of Him - Myself, conceited abide by the
use of harsh words!!
"Ah,
only gradually was I able to calm the furious Yadus and Lord
Krishna, 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!
Text
34
And
Ugrasena would no way be fit to command the Bhojas, Vrishnis
and Andhakas while S'akra ['the powerful one' or Indra]
and other rulers follow his orders!!!
"King
Ugrasena, the lord of the Bhojas, Vrishnis and Andhakas, is
not fit to command, when Indra and other planetary rulers
obey his orders?
Text
35
And
He [Krishna], sitting in Sudharmâ [the
heavenly council-hall], of Whom the pârijâta
tree brought down from the immortals is enjoyed
[see
10.59:
38-39],
that same One wouldn't even be fit an elevated
seat???
"That
same Krishna who occupies the Sudharmâ assembly hall
and for His enjoyment took the pârijâta tree
from the immortal demigods - that very Krishna is indeed not
fit to sit on a royal throne?
Text
36
He,
the Ruler of the Complete, whose two feet the goddess of
fortune herself worships; He, truly the Lord of S'rî,
wouldn't deserve the paraphernalia of a human
king?!?!
"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?
Text
37
He
of whom all the exalted rulers of the world on their helmets
hold the dust of His lotuslike feet; the place of worship of
all holy places of whom Brahmâ, S'iva and I also next to
the goddess, as portions of a portion, also constantly carry
the dust with care; where would His royal throne be
?????!
"The
dust of Krishna'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 Krishna on
their crowns. Great demigods like Lord Brahmâ and Lord
S'iva, 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 Krishna is not fit to use
the royal insignia or even sit on the royal throne?
Text
38
The
Vrishnis, they enjoy but a limited parcel of land granted by
the Kurus and We ourselves, as the shoes so called, that would
be us - but the Kurus would be the head?!!!?
"We
Vrishnis enjoy only whatever small parcel of land the Kurus
allow us? And we are indeed shoes, whereas the Kurus are the
head?
Text
39
Ah
those proud madmen intoxicated with their would-be power of
rule, what man in command can tolerate their inconsistent,
dismal drivel?
"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?
Text
40
Today
I'll rid the earth of the Kauravas', and thus speaking enraged
taking His plow rose He as if to set fire to the three
worlds.'
"Today
I shall rid the earth of the Kauravas!" declared the furious
Balarâma. Thus He took His plow weapon and rose up as
if to set the three worlds ablaze.
Text
41
With
the tip of His plow He infuriated tore close the city of
Hastinâpura and dragged it with the intent to cast it in
the Ganges.
The
Lord angrily dug up Hastinâpura with the tip of His
plow and began to drag it, intending to cast the entire city
into the Ganges.
Text
42-43
When
the Kauravas saw how the city, about to fall in the Ganges,
being dragged tumbled about like a raft, got they into a flurry
and went they, to remain alive, with their families to the
Master for shelter, putting Lakshmanâ and Sâmba in
front with folded hands:
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 Sâmba and Lakshmanâ
in front, they joined their palms in supplication.
Text
44
'Râma,
o Râma, o Foundation of Everything
[Akhilâdhâra], we the infatuated, bad of
understanding not knowing Your Majesty, should be forgiven the
offense.
[The
Kauravas said:] O Râma, Râma, foundation of
everything! We know nothing of Your power. Please excuse our
offense, for we are ignorant and misguided.
Text
45
Of
the continuance, generating and reuniting are You alone the
cause without any other; the worlds accordingly are, so one
says, the playthings of your playing, o Heavenly
Lord.
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.
Text
46
You
alone, o Unlimited one, carry on Your head playfully the globe
of the earth, o Thousand-headed One [see also
5.25]
and in the end are You the One who, within Your own body having
withdrawn the universe, lie down to remain the One Without a
Second [see also 6.16:
29-64].
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.
Text
47
The
anger of You meant for the instruction of everyone, o
Bhagavân, Sustainer of the Mode of Goodness, is not there
out of hatred or envy but there for the purpose of the
continuance and protection of the living being.
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.
Text
48
Obeisances
to You, o Soul of All Beings, o Holder of All Energies, o
Inexhaustible One, Maker of the Universe; let there be the
reverence for You to whom we came for shelter.'
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.
Text
49
S'rî
S'uka said: 'Lord Bala thus propitiated by the surrendered in
great distress of the quaking of their place of residence, very
calm and graciously saying 'Do not be afraid' relieved them of
their fear.
S'ukadeva
Gosvâmî said: Thus propitiated by the Kurus,
whose city was trembling and who were surrendering to Him in
great distress, Lord Balarâma became very calm and
kindly disposed toward them. "Do not be afraid," He said,
and took away their fear.
Text
50-51
As
a dowry for his daughter gave Duryodhana in fatherly affection
away twelve hundred sixty-year-old elephants and
hundred-and-twenty thousand horses, sixty-thousand golden
chariots shining like the sun and a thousand maidservants with
jeweled lockets around their necks
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.
Text
52
The
Supreme Lord, the chief of all the Sâtvatas, accepting
that, departed with His son and daughter-in-law, bid farewell
by His well-wishers.
The
Supreme Lord, chief of the Yâdavas, accepted all these
gifts and then departed with His son and daughter-in-law as
His well-wishers bid Him farewell.
Text
53
Then,
having entered His city and meeting the relatives in their
hearts bound to Him, the Wielder of the Plow, related He in the
midst of the assembly of leaders of the Yadus everything He had
enacted with the Kurus.
Then
Lord Halâyudha entered His city
[Dvârakâ] and met His relatives, whose
hearts were all bound to him in loving attachment. In the
assembly hall He reported to the Yadu leaders everything
about His dealings with the Kurus.
Text
54
And
for true, even today shows this city the signs of Rama's
prowess down by the Ganges seen prominently elevated to the
south.
Even
today the city of Hastinâpura is visibly elevated on
its southern side along the Ganges, thus showing the signs
of Lord Balarâma's prowess.
