Harivamsha MahA PurANam - ViShNu Parva
    atha chaturdasho.adhyAyaH
    pralambavadhaH
    harivamsha in the mahAbharata - viShNuparva
    Chapter 14 - The Elimination of Pralamba
vaishampAyana uvAcha
atha tau jAtaharshau tu vasudevasutAvubhau |
tattAlavanamutsR^ijya bhUyo bhANDIramAgatau || 2-14-1
vaishaMpAyana said:
(O janamejaya!) Afterwards, the two sons of vasudeva, left the forest of palm trees and returned to bhANDIra happily.
chArayantau vivR^iddhAni godhanAni shubhANi cha |
sphItasasyaprarUDhAni vIkShamANau vanAni cha ||2-14-2
They (kR^iShNa and rAma) were engaged in tending the healthy cows, while enjoying the beauty of the forest which was full of trees and plants.
kShveDayantau pragAyantau prachinvantau cha pAdapAn |
nAmabhirvyAharantau cha savatsA gAH paraMtapau ||2-14-3
The chastisers of their enemies, would sometimes challenge each other, sing together, search for trees, and sometimes call the cows and calves by their names.
niyogapAshairAsaktaiH skandhAbhyAM shubhalakShaNAu |
vanamAlAkuloraskau bAlashR^i~NgAvivarShabhAu ||2-14-4
With ropes for tying the cows on their shoulders, with auspicious marks and garlands of forest flowers adorning their chests, they looked like two young bulls with horns.
suvarNA~njanachUrNAbhAvanyonyasadR^ishAmbarau |
mahendrAyudhasaMsaktau shuklakR^ishNAvivAmbudau ||2-14-5
One (balarAma) was having complexion of gold powder and the other was having complexion of dark blue (a~njana) powder. Each, wearing dresses having other's complexion, dazzled like white and dark rain clouds with rainbows. (balarAma wearing dark blue dress (having kR^iShNa's complexion) and kR^iShNa wearing yellow dress (having rAma's complexion)).
kushAgrakusumAnaAM cha karNapUrau manoramau |
vanamArgeShu kurvANau vanyaveShadharAvubhau ||2-14-6
They walked along the forest paths, wearing wild dresses. They appeared enchanting with their ears adorning wild flowers and tips of kusha grass.
govardhanasyAnucharau vane sAnucharau tu tau |
cheraturlokasiddhAbhiH krIDAbhiraparAjitau ||2-14-7
Followed by many cow tending boys, they roamed in the forest near the govardhana hill. They were engaged in many popular games. They remained undefeated in games.
tAveva mAnuShIM dIkShAM vahantau surapUjitau |
tajjAtiguNayuktAbhiH krIDAbhishcheraturvanam ||2-14-8
Even though they were worshipped by deva-s, they had taken human forms. They roamed in the forest, engaging in games suitable for human beings.
tau tu bhANDIramAshritya bAlakrIDAnuvartinau |
prAptau paramashAkhADhyaM nyagrodhaM shAkhinAM varam ||2-14-9
While engaging in their plays, they came near the bhANDIra. They assembled below the great banyan tree having many large branches.
tatra spandolikAbhishcha yuddhamArgavishAradau |
ashmabhiH kShepaNIyaishcha tau vyAyamamakurvatAm ||2-14-10
There, the two brothers, experts in fighting, were engaged in exercising by swinging and throwing stones.
yuddhamArgaishcha vividhairgopAlaiH sahitAvubhau |
muditau siMhavikrAntau yathAkAmaM vicheratuH ||2-14-11
Along with their cow tending friends, the two lion like valiant brothers, roamed as they liked joyfully, displaying various fighting methods.
tayo ramayatorevaM tallipsurasurottamaH |
pralambo.abhyAgamattatra chChidrAnveShI tayostadA ||2-14-12
While they were playing like this, pralamba, the best among asurA-s who wanted to take them away and create a quarrel, came there.
gopAlaveShamAsthAya vanyapuShpavibhUShitaH |
lobhayAnaH sa tau vIrau hAsyaiH krIDanakaistathA ||2-14-13
He was disguised as a cow tender, decorated with wild flowers. Smiling and playing, he tempted the valiant brothers.
so.avagAhata nishsha~NkasteShAM madhyamamAnuShaH |
mAnuShaM vapurAsthAya pralambo dAnavottamaH ||2-14-14
pralamba, the best among dAnava-s, disguised as a human being, mingled with others without any hesitation.
prakrIDitAshcha te sarve saha tenAmarAriNA |
gopAlavapuShaM gopA manyamAnAH svabAndhavam ||2-14-15
All the cow tenders played with the enemy of deva-s, disguised as a cow tender, considering him as their acquaintance.
sa tu chChidrAntaraprepsuH pralambo gopatAM gataH |
dR^iShTiM praNidadhe kR^iShNe rauhiNeye cha dAruNAm ||2-14-16
pralamba, who became a cow tender, was looking for an opportunity of weakness. He cast a wicked eye on kR^iShNa and the son of rohiNI (balatAma).
aviShahyaM tato matvA kR^iShNamadbhutavikramam |
rauhiNeyavadhe yatnamakaroddAnavottamaH ||2-14-17
Considering kR^iShNa to be astonishingly valiant and invincible, the best among asurA-s attempted to kill the son of rohiNI (balarAma).
hariNAkrIDanaM nAma bAlakrIDanakaM tAtaH |
prakrIDitAstu te sarve dvau dvau yugapadutpatan ||2-14-18
All the cow tending boys decided to play a game called "deer jumping" played in pairs.
kR^iShNaH shrIdAmasahitaH pupluve gopasUnunA |
sa~NkarShaNastu plutavAnpralambena sahAnagha ||2-14-19
O sinless one (janamejaya)! kR^iShNa jumped with shrIdAma, son of a cow tender. Sa~NkarShaNa jumped with pralamba.
gopAlAstvapare dvandvaM gopAlairaparaiH saha |
pradrutA la~Nghayanto vai te.anyonyaM laghuvikramAH ||2-14-20
Other cow tending boys jumped in pairs with other cow tending boys. The valiant boys jumped quickly across.
shrIdAmamajayatkR^iShNaH pralambaM rohNIsutaH |
gopAlaiH kR^iShNapakShIyairgopAlAstvapare jitAH ||2-14-21
In the game, kR^iShNa defeated shrIdAma and son of rohiNi (balarAma) defeated pralamba. The cow tending boys on kR^iShNa's side defeated boys on the opposite side.
te vAhayantastvanyonyaM saMharShAtsahasA drutAH |
bhANDIraskandhamuddishya maryAdAM punarAgaman ||2-14-22
The defeated boys ran quickly carrying their excited opponents. They ran till the trunk of bhANDira tree (as the limit) and returned again.
sa~NkarShaNaM tu skandhena shIghramutkShipya dAnavaH |
drutaM jagAma vimukhaH sachandra iva toyadaH || 2-14-23
Quickly carrying sa~NkarShaNa on his shoulder, the dAnava ran in an opposite direction like a cloud carrying the moon.
sa bhAramasahaMstasya rauhiNeyasya dhImataH |
vavR^idhe sumahAkAyaH shakrAkAnta ivAmbudaH ||2-14-24
Unable to bear the weight of the intelligent son of rohiNI (balarAma), the dAnava enlarged his great body, looking like a large cloud carrying the order of indra.
sa bhANDIravaTaprakhyaM dagdhA~njanagiriprabham |
svaM vapurdarshayAmAsa pralambo dAnavottamaH ||2-14-25
The body of pralamba, the best of dAnavA-s appeared like the giant banyan tree of bhANDIra, like a black mountain on fire.
pa~nchastabakalambena mukuTenArkavarchasA |
dIpyamAnAnano daityaH sUryAkrAnta ivAmbudaH||2-14-26
The daitya's face dazzled like sun, decorated with a crown, having five flower buds like a rain cloud shining with sun's rays.
mahAnano mahAgrIvaH sumahAnantakopamaH |
raudraH shakaTachakrAkSho namayaMshcharaNairmahIm ||2-14-27
With his giant face and neck, he was looking formidable as the god of death. He was ferocious, with large eyes rolling like wheels of a cart. The earth trembled with his steps.
sragdAmalambAbharaNaH pralambAmbarabhUShaNaH |
vIraH pralambaH prayayau lambatoya ivAmbudaH ||2-14-28
A large garland of flowers was adorning his neck. His dress and ornaments were also large. He was proceeding as fast as a large rain cloud pouring water down.
sa jahArAtha vegena rauhiNeyaM mahAsuraH |
sAgaropaplavagataM kR^itsnaM lokamivAntakaH ||2-14-29
The great asura carried the son of rohiNI as fast as the god of death carries the worlds immersed in the ocean (at the time of pralaya (deluge)).
hriyamANaH pralambena sa tu sa~NkarShaNo babhau |
uhyamAna ivAkAshe kAlameghena chandramAH ||2-14-30
sa~NkarShaNa, being carried away by pralamba, dazzled, as the moon being carried away by a dark cloud in the sky.
sa saMdigdhamivAtmAnaM mene sa~NkarShaNastadA |
daityaskandhagataH shrImAnkR^iShNaM chedamuvAcha ha ||2-14-31
Then sa~NkarShaNa realized that he was in a precarious condition. Sitting on the shoulders of the daitya (pralamba), the auspicious balarAma spoke to kR^iShNa.
hriye.ahaM kR^iShNa daityena parvatodagravarShmaNA |
pradarshayitvA mahatIM mAyAM mAnuSharUpiNIm ||2-14-32
kR^iShNa, I am being carried away by a gigantic mountain like daitya. He has taken the form of a human being. He is confounding me with his illusion.
kathamasya mayA kAryaM shAsanaM duShTachetasaH |
pralambasya pravR^iddhasya darpAddviguNavarchasaH ||2-14-33
With his power, pralamba has expanded his body to double the size. What should I do to control this wicked soul?
tamAha sasmitaM kR^iSNaH sAmnA harShAkulena vai |
abhij~no rauhiNeyasya vR^ittasya cha balasya cha ||2-14-34
Then kR^iShNa, who is fully aware of the features and strength of the son of rohiNI (balarAma) spoke amicably and joyfully with a smile.
aho.ayaM mAnuSho bhAvo vyaktamevAnupAlyate |
yastvaM jaganmayaM devaM guhyAdguhyataraM gataH ||2-14-35
Alas! You are clearly acting as a human being. The entire universe is pervaded by you. You are the secret of secrets.
smara nArAyaNAtmAnaM lokAnAM tvaM viparyaye |
avagachChAtmanAtmAnaM samudrANAM samAgame ||2-14-36
Remember and experience that form of nArAyaNa (lying on sheSha) which you take at the time of deluge (pralaya) when all the worlds disappear and the oceans become one.
purAtanAnAM devAnAM brahmaNaH salilasya cha |
AtmavR^ittaprabhAvANAM saMsmarAdyaM cha vai vapuH ||2-14-37
Remember your original form which is the cause of ancient gods, brahma and water as well as your own features and splendour.
shiraH khaM te jalaM mUrttiH kShamA bhUrdahano mukham |
vAyurlokAyuruChvAso manaHsraShTA hyabhUttava ||2-14-38
The sky is your head, water your body, earth your legs and fire your mouth. The air which sustains all living entities is your breath. The creator is your mind.
sahasrAsyaH sahasrA~NgaH sahasracharaNekShaNaH |
sahasrapadmanAbhastvaM sahasrAMshudharo.arihA ||2-14-39
You have thousands of bodies, thousands of arms, thousands of legs and thousands of eyes. You have thousands of navels, from which thousands of lotus flowers sprout. Using the sun with thousand rays, you destroy the enemies.
yattvayA darshitaM loke tatpashyanti divaukasaH |
yattvayA noktapUrvaM hi kastadanveShTumarhati ||2-14-40
What is shown by you in the world is seen by gods. Who can discover what is not told by you before?
yadveditavyaM loke.asmiMstattvayA samudAhR^itam |
viditaM yattavaikasya devA api na tadviduH ||2-14-41
Whatever there is in this world to be known is already said by you. Even the gods and the intelligent people do not know what is known to you.
AtmajaM te vapurvyomni na pashyantyAtmasaMbhavam |
yattu te kR^itrimaM rUpaM tadarchanti divaukasaH ||2-14-42
The deva-s do not see or understand your self-manifested form which pervades the space. They worship your artificial form in which you appear in this world.
devairna dR^iShTashchAntaste tenAnanta iti smR^itaH |
tvaM hi sUkShmo mahAnekaH sUkShmairapi durAsadaH ||2-14-43
Even deva-s have not seen your limit. Hence you are considered as without having end (ananta). You are minute among minute and greatest of the greatest. You are one and only one. You are difficult to be realized with senses and mind.
tvayyeva jagataH stambhe shAshvatI jagatI sthitA |
achalA prANinaM yonirdhArayatyakhilaM jagat ||2-14-44
You are the foundation pillar of the universe. The universe is permanently installed on you which maintains all non-moving and moving beings.
chatuHsAgarabhogastvaM chAturvarNyavibhAgavit |
chaturyugeShu lokAnAM chAturhotraphalAshanaH ||2-14-45
The four seas are your expansion. You are the creator of the four classes. You are the object and enjoyer of the four sacrifices practiced in the four yuga-s.
yathAhamapi lokAnAM tathA tvaM taccha me matam |
ubhAvekasharIrau svo jagadarthe dvidhAkR^itau ||2-14-46
Just as I am the soul of the universe, you are also the soul of universe. This is my opinion. We are of one body, which is divided into two for the benefit of the universe.
ahaM vA shAhsvataH kR^iShNastvaM vA sheshaH purAtanaH |
lokANAM shAshvato devastvaM hi sheShaH sanAtanaH |
AvayordehamAtreNa dvidhedaM dhAryate jagat |2-14-47
I am the eternal kR^iShNa (viShNu) and you are the ancient sheSha. You are the eternal god, sanAtana sheSha of the universe. Our eternal form (of viShNu or ananta) governs the world by taking two bodies.
ahaM yaH sa bhavAneva yastvaM so.ahaM sanAtanaH |
dvAveva vihitau hyAvAmekadehau mahAbalau ||2-14-48
Who am I, you are and who are you, I am, eternal. We, having great power and single body, exist as two bodies.
tadAsse mUDhavattvaM kiM prANena jahi dAnavam |
mUrdhni devaripuM deva vajrakalpena muShTinA ||2-14-49
Why are you behaving like an ignorant person? Kill the asura (dAnava). Strike the enemy of deva-s forcefully on his head with your fist, strong as vajra.
vaishampAyana uvAcha
saMsmAritastu kR^iShNena rauhiNeyaH purAtanam |
balenApUryata tadA trailokyAntarachAriNA ||2-14-50
vaishaMpAyana said:
(O janamejaya!) When kR^iShNa reminded the son of rohiNI (balarAma) thus about his ancient status, he became full of power, carrying the three worlds with him.
tataH pralambaM durvR^ittaM sa baddhena mahAbhujaH |
muShTinA vajrakalpena mUrdhni chainaM samAhanat ||2-14-51
Then balarAma, having powerful arms struck the wicked pralamba on his head with his folded fist, strong as vajra.
tasyottamA~NgaM sve kAye vikapAlaM vivesha ha |
jAnubhyAM chAhataH shete gatAsurdAnavottamaH ||2-14-52
His skull cracked and the head was pushed into the body. Struck by the knees, the best of dAnava-s fell down dead.
jagatyAM viprakIrNasya tasya rUpamabhUttadA |
pralambasyAmbarasthasya meghasyeva vidIryataH ||2-14-53
The body of pralamba fell down, broken in pieces like a cloud in the sky scattered in pieces.
tasya bhagnottamA~Ngasya dehAtsusrAva shoNitam |
bahugairikasaMyuktaM shailashR^i~NgAdivodakam ||2-14-54
Blood began to flow from the body with broken head, like a red coloured stream, flowing from the peak of a mountain.
te nihatya pralambaM tu saMhR^itya balamAtmanaH |
paryaShvajata vai kR^iShNaM rauhiNeyaH pratApavAn ||2-14-55
After killing pralamba and controlling his power, the great son of rohiNI embraced kR^iShNa affectionately.
taM tu kR^iShNashcha gopAshcha divisthAshcha divaukasaH |
tuShTuvurnihate daitye jayAshIrbhirmahAbalam ||2-14-56
Then kR^iShNa, gopa-s and the gods in the sky happily praised the powerful balarAma who killed the asura.
balenAyaM hato daityo bAlenAkliShTakarmaNA |
vivadantyasharIriNyo vAchaH surasamIritAH ||2-14-57
A voice was heard in the sky as said by the gods: The daitya was killed by bala. bala can perform tough tasks easily.
baladeveti nAmAsya devairuktaM divi sthitaiH |
The gods in the sky pronounced the name baladeva.
balantu baladevasya tadA bhuvi janA viduH ||2-14-58
karmajaM nihate daitye devairapi durAsade ||2-14-59
Since that time, when he killed the daitya who was unconquerable even by the gods, people of the world came to know of baladeva's strength.
iti shrimahAbhArate khileShu harivaMshe viShNuparvaNi shishucharyAyAM pralambavadhe chaturdasho.adhyAyaH
Thus ends the translation of the fourteenth chapter of viShNuparva of harivaMsha, khila of shrimahAbhArata, elimination of pralamba.
    nIlakaNTha commentary
asmin chaturdashe.adhyAye pralambavadha Iryate |
tenaiva balabhadreNa kR^iShNAdeshena tiShTatA || 1
iti shrimahAbharate khileShu harivaMshe viShNuparvaNi TIkAyAM chaturdasho.adhyAyaH |
##Itranslated by K S Ramachandran, ramachandran_ksr@yahoo.ca. April 15, 2008
Further proof-read by Gilles Schaufelberger, schaufel @ wanadoo.fr
If you find any errors compared to Chitrashala Press edition, send corrections to A. Harindranath harindranath_a @ yahoo.com
Translated to English by A. Purushothaman [purushothaman_avaroth @ yahoo.com] and A. Harindranath
July 24, 2009##