02.013
Pancharatra: Krishna describes the landscape of Bharat and advises Yudhisthira to defeat Jarasanda, if he wants to perform Rajasuya sacrifice.
śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca॥
Śrī Kṛṣṇa said.
sarvair guṇair mahārāja rājasūyaṃ tvam arhasi। jānatās tveva te sarvaṃ kiñcid vakṣyāmi bhārata ॥2-13-1॥
O great king, endowed with all virtues, you are worthy of the Rājasūya sacrifice. O Bhārata, since you already know, I will nevertheless tell you everything. (2-13-1)
jāmadagnyena rāmeṇa kṣatraṃ yadavaśeṣitam। tasmādavarajaṃ loke yadidaṃ kṣatrasañjñitam ॥2-13-2॥
The warrior class that remained after the actions of Jāmadagnya Rāma, from that, those who came later in the world are called 'kṣatra' (the warrior class). (2-13-2)
kṛto'yaṃ kulasaṅkalpaḥ kṣatriyairvasudhādhipa। nideśavāgbhistatte ha viditaṃ bharatarṣabha ॥2-13-3॥
O best of the Bharatas, this family decision has been made by the kṣatriyas, O king, by their authoritative command; you surely know this. (2-13-3)
ailasya ikṣvāku-vaṃśasya prakṛtiṃ paricakṣate। rājānaḥ śreṇi-baddhāś ca tato 'nye kṣatriyā bhuvi ॥2-13-4॥
They describe the origin of Aila of the Ikṣvāku dynasty. The kings are listed in succession, and then the other kṣatriyas on earth. (2-13-4)
ailavaṃśyāstu ye rājaṃstathaivekṣvākavo nṛpāḥ। tāni caikaśataṃ viddhi kulāni bharatarṣabha ॥2-13-5॥
O king, the descendants of Ila and the Ikṣvāku kings—know, O best of the Bharatas, that these constitute one hundred royal families. (2-13-5)
yayātestveva bhojānāṃ vistarō'tiguṇō mahān। bhajatē ca mahārāja vistaraḥ sa caturdiśam ॥2-13-6॥
O great king, the exceedingly virtuous and great expansion of the Bhojas, originating from Yayāti, spreads in all four directions. (2-13-6)
teṣāṃ tathaiva tāṃ lakṣmīṃ sarvakṣatramupāsate। so'vanīṃ madhyamāṃ bhuktvā mithobhedeṣvamanyata ॥2-13-7॥
In the same way, all the kṣatriyas worship that prosperity among them. Having enjoyed the central part of the earth, he considered it amidst their mutual divisions. (2-13-7)
caturyus tv aparo rājā yasmin nekaśato 'bhavat। sa sāmrājyaṃ jarāsandhaḥ prāpto bhavati yonitaḥ ॥2-13-8॥
But another king, who had four yokes and in whom there were a hundred, that Jarāsandha attained sovereignty and became so by birth. (2-13-8)
taṃ sa rājā mahāprājña saṃśritya kila sarvaśaḥ। rājansenāpatiḥ jātaḥ śiśupālaḥ pratāpavān ॥2-13-9॥
O king, Śiśupāla, the valiant, having indeed in every way resorted to that very wise king, became the commander of the army. (2-13-9)
tameva ca mahārāja śiṣyavatsamupasthitaḥ। vakraḥ karūṣādhipatirmāyāyodhī mahābalaḥ ॥2-13-10॥
O great king, Vakra, the mighty lord of Karūṣa skilled in illusion, approached him as a disciple. (2-13-10)
aparau ca mahāvīryau mahātmānau samāśritau। jarāsandhaṃ mahāvīryaṃ tau haṃsaḍibhakāvubhau ॥2-13-11॥
The other two, Haṃsa and Ḍibhaka, both great-souled and of great strength, took refuge with Jarāsandha, who was also of great strength. (2-13-11)
dantavakraḥ karūṣaś ca kalabho meghavāhanaḥ। mūrdhnā divyaṃ maṇiṃ bibhradyam taṃ bhūtamaṇiṃ viduḥ॥2-13-12॥
Dantavakra, Karūṣa, Kalabha, and Meghavāhana, all bore the divine gem called Bhūtamaṇi on their heads, and they recognized it as such. (2-13-12)
muraṃ ca narakaṃ caiva śāsti yo yavanādhipau| aparyantabalo rājā pratīcyāṃ varuṇo yathā ||2-13-13||
He who governs Mura, Naraka, and the two Yavana chiefs, is a king of limitless power in the west, like Varuṇa. (2-13-13)
bhagadatto mahārāja vṛddhas tava pituḥ sakhā। sa vācā praṇatas tasya karmaṇā caiva bhārata ॥2-13-14॥
Bhagadatta, the great king and an old friend of your father, bowed to him both in word and in deed, O Bhārata. (2-13-14)
snehabaddhastu pitṛvanmanasā bhaktimāṃstvayi. pratīcyāṃ dakṣiṇaṃ cāntaṃ pṛthivyāḥ pāti yo nṛpaḥ ॥2-13-15॥
But the king who, bound by affection and devoted to you like a father, protects the western and southern ends of the earth with his mind, is described here. (2-13-15)
mātulo bhavataḥ śūraḥ purujit-kuntivardhanaḥ। sa te saṁnatimānekaḥ snehaṭaḥ śatrutāpanaḥ ॥2-13-16॥
Your maternal uncle, the valiant Purujit and Kuntivardhana, who is respectful to you and, out of affection, is a tormentor of enemies. (2-13-16)
jarāsandhaṃ gatastvevaṃ purā yo na mayā hataḥ। puruṣottamavijñāto yo'sau cediṣu durmatiḥ ॥2-13-17॥
Jarāsandha, who in the past went thus and was not killed by me, who is recognized by Puruṣottama, that evil-minded one among the Cedis. (2-13-17)
ātmānaṃ pratijānāti loke'smin puruṣottamam। ādatte satataṃ mohād yaḥ sa cihnaṃ ca māmakam ॥2-13-18॥
In this world, one who, out of delusion, always claims himself to be the best among men, takes as his own both the mark and what belongs to me. (2-13-18)
vaṅgapuṇḍrakirāteṣu rājā balasamanvitaḥ। pauṇḍrako vāsudeveti yo'sau lokeṣu viśrutaḥ ॥2-13-19॥
In the regions of Vanga, Puṇḍra, and among the Kirātas, there was a powerful king named Pauṇḍraka, who was renowned everywhere as 'Vāsudeva'. (2-13-19)
caturyuḥ sa mahārāja bhoja indrasakho balī। vidyābalādyo vyajayat pāṇḍyakrathakakaiśikān ॥2-13-20॥
The great king Bhoja, friend of Indra, powerful and possessing four horses, conquered the Pāṇḍya, Krathaka, and Kaiśika dynasties by the strength of his knowledge. (2-13-20)
bhrātā yasyāhṛtiḥ śūro jāmadagnyasamo yudhi. sa bhakto māgadhaṃ rājā bhīṣmakaḥ paravīrahā ॥2-13-21॥
Bhīṣmaka, the devoted king of Magadha, whose brother Āhṛti was a hero equal to Jāmadagnya in battle, was a destroyer of enemy heroes. (2-13-21)
priyāṇy ācarataḥ prahvān sadā sambandhinaḥ sataḥ। bhajato na bhajaty asmān priyeṣu vyavasthitaḥ ॥2-13-22॥
He who always acts kindly towards humble and dear relatives, who serves the good, does not serve us when he is attached to those who are not dear. (2-13-22)
na kulaṃ na balaṃ rājannabhijānaṃstathātmanaḥ। paśyamāno yaśo dīptaṃ jarāsandhamupāśritaḥ ॥2-13-23॥
O king, neither family, nor strength, nor noble birth of one's own was considered; seeing the brilliant fame, they took refuge with Jarāsandha. (2-13-23)
udīcyabhojāś ca tathā kulānyaṣṭādaśābhibho| jarāsandhabhayādeva pratīcīṃ diśamāśritāḥ ॥2-13-24॥
The northern Bhojas and eighteen families, O mighty one, out of fear of Jarāsandha, have sought refuge in the west. (2-13-24)
śūrasenā bhadrakārā bodhāḥ śālvāḥ paṭaccarāḥ। sustharāś ca sukuṭṭāś ca kuṇindāḥ kuntibhiḥ saha ॥2-13-25॥
The Śūrasenas, Bhadrakāras, Bodhas, Śālvas, Paṭaccaras, Sustharas, Sukuṭṭas, and Kuṇindas, along with the Kuntis, (2-13-25)
śālveyānāṃ ca rājānaḥ sodaryānucaraiḥ saha। dakṣiṇā ye ca pāñcālāḥ pūrvāḥ kuntiṣu kośalāḥ ॥2-13-26॥
The kings of the Śālveyas, along with their brothers and attendants, as well as the southern and eastern Pāñcālas and the Kośalas among the Kuntis, were present. (2-13-26)
tathottarāṃ diśaṃ cāpi parityajya bhayārditāḥ। matsyāḥ saṃnyastapādāś ca dakṣiṇāṃ diśam āśritāḥ ॥2-13-27॥
Then, afflicted by fear, the fishes abandoned the northern direction and, drawing in their fins, took refuge in the southern direction. (2-13-27)
tathaiva sarvapāñcālā jarāsandhabhayārditāḥ। svarāṣṭraṃ samparityajya vidrutāḥ sarvatodiśam ॥2-13-28॥
Similarly, all the Pāñcālas, terrified by Jarāsandha, abandoned their kingdom and fled in all directions. (2-13-28)
kasyacit tv atha kālasya kaṃso nirmathya bāndhavān। bārhadrathasute devyāv upāgacchad vṛthā-matiḥ ॥2-13-29॥
Then, at a certain time, Kaṃsa, having destroyed his relatives, approached the two wives, daughters of Barhadratha, with a vain mind. (2-13-29)
astiḥ prāptiś ca nāmnā te sahadevānuje’bale। balena tena sa jñātīn abhibhūya vṛthāmatiḥ ॥2-13-30॥
You, O weak one, have a reputation for attainment as Sahadeva's younger brother. By his strength, he has overcome his kinsmen and has become vain-minded. (2-13-30)
śraiṣṭhyaṃ prāptaḥ sa tasyāsīdatīvāpanayo mahān। bhojarājanyavṛddhaistu pīḍyamānairdurātmanā ॥2-13-31॥
He had attained excellence; but his great loss was that, being oppressed by the elder nobles of the Bhoja clan and by the wicked one. (2-13-31)
jñātitrāṇam abhipsadbhir asmat-sambhāvanā kṛtā। dattvākrūrāya sutanuṃ tām āhukasutāṃ tadā ॥2-13-32॥
Our people, desiring the protection of relatives, honored Akrura by giving him the slender one, the daughter of Ahuka, at that time. (2-13-32)
saṅkarṣaṇadvitīyena jñātikāryaṃ mayā kṛtam। hatau kaṃsasunāmānau mayā rāmeṇa cāpyuta ॥2-13-33॥
With Saṅkarṣaṇa as my second, I fulfilled my duty towards my relatives. The two sons of Kaṃsa were slain by me and by Rāma as well. (2-13-33)
bhaye tu samupakrānte jarāsandhe samudyate. mantro'yaṃ mantrito rājan kulair aṣṭādaśāvaraiḥ ॥2-13-34॥
O king, when danger approached in the form of Jarasandha, this counsel was deliberated by the eighteen chief families. (2-13-34)
anāramanto nighnanto mahāstraiḥ śataghātibhiḥ। na hanyāma vayaṃ tasya tribhirvarṣaśatairbalam ॥2-13-35॥
Even if we do not relax and keep striking with great weapons and with warriors who strike a hundred times, we could not destroy his strength even in three hundred years. (2-13-35)
tasya hy amarasaṅkāśau balena balināṃ varau। nāmabhyāṃ haṃsaḍibhakāv ity āstāṃ yodhasattamau ॥2-13-36॥
They, indeed, who resembled immortals and were the strongest among the strong, were known by the names Haṃsa and Ḍibhaka, and were the foremost of warriors. (2-13-36)
tāvubhau sahitau vīrau jarāsandhaś ca vīryavān। trayas trayāṇāṃ lokānāṃ paryāptā iti me matiḥ ॥2-13-37॥
Those two heroes together, along with the powerful Jarāsandha, are sufficient to face the three worlds—this is my opinion. (2-13-37)
na hi kevalamasmākaṃ yāvanto'nye ca pārthivāḥ। tathaiva teṣām āsīc ca buddhir buddhimatāṃ vara ॥2-13-38॥
Not only among us, but also among all the other kings, there was the same understanding, O best of the wise. (2-13-38)
atha haṃsa iti khyātaḥ kaścid āsīn mahān nṛpaḥ। sa ca anyaiḥ sahitaḥ rājan saṅgrāme aṣṭādaśāvaraiḥ ॥2-13-39॥
Then there was a certain great king named Haṃsa, who was well-known. O king, he, along with others, entered the battle accompanied by eighteen protectors. (2-13-39)
hato haṃsa iti proktam atha kenāpi bhārata। tac chrutvā ḍibhako rājanya-munāmbhasy amajjata ॥2-13-40॥
O Bhārata, when someone said, "The swan has been killed," upon hearing that, the jackal, the royal sage, drowned himself in the water. (2-13-40)
vinā haṃsena loke'sminnāhaṃ jīvitumutsahe. ityetāṃ matimāsthāya ḍibhako nidhanaṃ gataḥ ॥2-13-41॥
Thinking, "Without the swan, I am able to live in this world," the jackal, having adopted this thought, went to his death. (2-13-41)
tathā tu ḍibhakaṃ śrutvā haṃsaḥ parapurañjayaḥ। prapede yamunāmeva so'pi tasyāṃ nyamajjat ॥2-13-42॥
Thus, having heard the jackal, the swan, conqueror of enemy cities, went to the Yamunā river and he too sank in her. (2-13-42)
tau sa rājā jarāsandhaḥ śrutvā apsu nidhanaṃ gatau। svapuraṃ śūrasenānāṃ prayayau bharatarṣabha ॥2-13-43॥
O best of the Bharatas, when that king Jarāsandha heard of their death in the water, he departed for the city of the Śūrasenas. (2-13-43)
tato vayam amitraghna tasmin pratigate nṛpe। punar ānanditāḥ sarve mathurāyāṃ vasāmahe ॥2-13-44॥
Then, when the king had returned, we all, delighted, once again lived in Mathurā. (2-13-44)
yadā tvabhyetya pitaraṃ sā vai rājīvalocanā। kaṃsabhāryā jarāsandhaṃ duhitā māgadhaṃ nṛpam ॥2-13-45॥
When she, the lotus-eyed woman, wife of Kaṃsa, daughter of Jarāsandha, the king of Magadha, approached her father. (2-13-45)
codayatyeva rājendra pativyasanaduḥkhitā। patighnaṃ me jahītyevaṃ punaḥ punararindama ॥2-13-46॥
O King, afflicted by her husband's suffering, she repeatedly urges me, saying, 'O subduer of enemies, destroy the slayer of my husband.' (2-13-46)
tato vayaṃ mahārāja taṃ mantraṃ pūrvamantritam। saṃsmaranto vimanasaḥ vyapayātā narādhipa ॥2-13-47॥
Then, O great king, we, recalling that previously deliberated counsel, left dispirited, O ruler of men. (2-13-47)
pṛthaktvena drutā rājan saṅkṣipya mahatīṃ śriyam। prapatāmo bhayāt tasya sadhana-jñāti-bāndhavāḥ ॥2-13-48॥
O king, being separated and in haste, having gathered great wealth, we, along with our wealth, relatives, and kinsmen, fall down out of fear of him. (2-13-48)
iti sañcintya sarve sma pratīcīṃ diśam āśritāḥ। kuśasthalīṃ purīṃ ramyāṃ raivatena upaśobhitām ॥2-13-49॥
Having thus deliberated, they all proceeded towards the west, to the beautiful city of Kuśasthalī, which was adorned by Raivata. (2-13-49)
punarniveśanaṃ tasyāṃ kṛtavanto vayaṃ nṛpa। tathaiva durgasaṃskāraṃ devair api durāsadam ॥2-13-50॥
O king, we have again established a settlement there; likewise, we have constructed a fortification that is difficult even for the gods to approach. (2-13-50)
striyo'pi yasyāṃ yudhyeyuḥ kiṃ punarvṛṣṇipuṅgavāḥ। tasyāṃ vayam amitraghna nivasāmo'kutobhayāḥ ॥2-13-51॥
Even women would fight in that city; what then of the mighty Vṛṣṇis? In such a place, O destroyer of enemies, we would live without fear from any quarter. (2-13-51)
ālokya girimukhyaṃ taṃ mādhavītīrthameva ca। mādhavāḥ kuruśārdūla parāṃ mudamavāpnuvan ॥2-13-52॥
O tiger among the Kurus, the Mādhavas, having seen that chief mountain and the Mādhavī tīrtha, experienced supreme joy. (2-13-52)
evaṃ vayaṃ jarāsandhād āditaḥ kṛtakilbiṣāḥ। sāmarthyavantaḥ sambandhād bhavantaṃ samupāśritāḥ ॥2-13-53॥
Thus, having been attacked by Jarasandha and having committed sin, we, though possessing strength, have taken refuge with you due to our relationship. (2-13-53)
triyojanāyataṃ sadma triskandhaṃ yojanād-adhi। yojanānte śatadvāraṃ vikramakramatoraṇam ॥ aṣṭādaśāvarairnaddhaṃ kṣatriyairyuddhadurmadaiḥ ॥2-13-54॥
A mansion, three yojanas in length and three stories high, rising a yojana above the ground; at the end of a yojana, it had a hundred gates and an archway marked by valour and steps. It was surrounded by eighteen enclosures, secured by kṣatriyas proud and fierce in battle. (2-13-54)
aṣṭādaśa sahasrāṇi vrātānāṃ santi naḥ kule। āhukasya śataṃ putrā ekaikastrīśatāvaraḥ ॥2-13-55॥
There are eighteen thousand groups in our family. Āhuka had a hundred sons, each of whom lived for three hundred years. (2-13-55)
cārudeṣṇaḥ saha bhrātrā cakradevo'tha sātyakiḥ। ahaṃ ca rauhiṇeyaśca sāmbaḥ śaurisamo yudhi ॥2-13-56॥
Cārudeṣṇa, together with his brother, Cakradeva, then Sātyaki; I, Rauhiṇeya, and Sāmba, who is equal to Śauri, were present in the battle. (2-13-56)
evam ete rathāḥ sapta rājan anyān nibodha me। kṛtavarmā anādhṛṣṭiḥ samīkaḥ samitiñjayaḥ ॥2-13-57॥
O king, thus these are the seven chariots; now hear from me about the others: Kṛtavarmā, Anādhṛṣṭiḥ, Samīkaḥ, and Samitiñjayaḥ. (2-13-57)
kahvaḥ śaṅkurnidāntaśca saptaivaite mahārathāḥ। putrau cāndhakabhojasya vṛddho rājā ca te daśa ॥2-13-58॥
Kahva, Shanku, Nidanta, and these seven are all great chariot-warriors. The two sons of Andhaka and Bhoja, and the elder king, thus they are ten in total. (2-13-58)
lokasaṁhananā vīrā vīryavanto mahābalāḥ। smaranto madhyamaṁ deśaṁ vṛṣṇimadhye gatavyathāḥ ॥2-13-59॥
The heroes, destroyers of people, mighty and strong, remembering the central region, stood among the Vṛṣṇis, free from distress. (2-13-59)
sa tvaṃ samrāḍ-guṇair yuktaḥ sadā bharatasattama। kṣatre samrājam ātmānaṃ kartum arhasi bhārata ॥2-13-60॥
O best of the Bharatas, you, always endowed with virtues, ought to make yourself emperor in the kṣatriya order, O descendant of Bharata. (2-13-60)
na tu śakyaṃ jarāsandhe jīvamāne mahābale। rājasūyastvayā prāptumeṣā rājanmatirmama ॥2-13-61॥
But, O king, my opinion is that as long as the mighty Jarasandha lives, it is not possible for you to accomplish the Rājasūya sacrifice. (2-13-61)
tena ruddhā hi rājānaḥ sarve jitvā girivraje। kandarāyāṃ girīndrasya siṃheneva mahādvipāḥ ॥2-13-62॥
By him, indeed, all the kings, after being conquered, were restrained in the mountain city, in the cave of the lord of mountains, just as great elephants are by the lion. (2-13-62)
so'pi rājā jarāsandho yiyakṣurvasudhādhipaiḥ। ārādhya hi mahādevaṃ nirjitāstena pārthivāḥ ॥2-13-63॥
King Jarāsandha also, wishing for victory over the rulers of the earth, worshipped Mahādeva; by him, the kings were conquered. (2-13-63)
sa hi nirjitya nirjitya pārthivān pṛtanā-gatān। puram ānīya baddhvā ca cakāra puruṣa-vrajam ॥2-13-64॥
He, having conquered the kings who had come to the battle, brought them to the city, bound them, and made a multitude of men. (2-13-64)
vayaṃ caiva mahārāja jarāsandhabhayāttadā। mathurāṃ samparityajya gatā dvāravatīṃ purīm ॥2-13-65॥
O great king, we then, out of fear of Jarāsandha, completely abandoned Mathurā and went to the city of Dvāravatī. (2-13-65)
yadi tvenaṃ mahārāja yajñaṃ prāptum ihecchasi। yatasva teṣāṃ mokṣāya jarāsandhavadāya ca ॥2-13-66॥
If you wish to perform the sacrifice here, O great king, then strive for their liberation and for the slaying of Jarasandha as well. (2-13-66)
samārambho hi śakyo'yaṃ nānyathā kurunandana। rājasūyasya kārtsnyena kartuṃ matimatāṃ vara ॥2-13-67॥
O Kurunandana, the undertaking is possible only in this way, not otherwise, to perform the rājasūya sacrifice in its entirety, O best among the wise. (2-13-67)
ityeṣā me matī rājanyathā vā manyase'nagha। evaṃ gate mamācakṣva svayaṃ niścitya hetubhiḥ ॥2-13-68॥
This is my opinion, O king; but if you think otherwise, O sinless one, then, in this situation, tell me your view after considering the reasons yourself. (2-13-68)
