CHAPTER CCXXXVI

. THE SPORT OF THE YADUS CONTINUED.

Vaishampāyana said:—Having lost all control over himself and his movements for drinking Kadamvari wine and with his eyes reddened the highly beautiful Bala, of large arms pasted with sandal, began to sport with Revati (1). As the full moon shines in a cloud so clad in raiments black like clouds the divine Rāma, fair like the rays of the moon and with eyes rolling in intoxication, shone there (2). With Kundala on his left ear only and adorned with beautiful lotuses, the smiling Rāma attained to an excess of delight by repeatedly looking at the countenance of his beloved consort adorned with side-long looks (3).

Thereupon at the command of Keshava, the destroyer of Kansa and Nikumbha, the beautiful Apsaras approached the holder of ploughshare prosperous like heaven itself for beholding Revati and Rāma (4). Those beautiful-bodied Apsaras, endued with charming physical frames, saluted Revati and Rāma and began to dance in accompaniment with time. And some of them sang with gestures expressive of every sort of emotion (5). According to the command of Baladeva and the daughter of the Ravata king they began to display various gestures acquired by them as desired by the Yadavas (6). Having dressed themselves after the women of the country of the Yādavas those thin-built and beautiful damsels sang, in their language, songs set to thou sands of tunes (7). O hero, before that assembly they sang various sacred themes conducive to the pleasure of Rāma and Keshava, such as the destruction of Kansa, Pralamva, and Chanura; the story of Janārddana’s being tied to the mortar for which his glory was established by Yashodā and he obtained the name of Damodara; the destruction of Aristha and Dhenuka; his residence in Vraja; the destruction of Putana; his uprooting of the trees Yamala and Arjuna; his creation of wolves in time, the suppression of the wicked king of serpents Kalya by Krishna in the lake; the return of Madhusudana from that lake with lotuses, lilies, conches and Nidhis; the upholding of the mount Govardhana for the benefit of Gokula by Keshava, the source of well-being to the world; how Krishna cured the hump-backed woman, the seller of powdered scents; these accounts of the Lord shorn of birth and imperfections. The Apsaras also described how the Lord, though not a dwarf Himself, assumed the most wretched dwarfish form; how Soubha was slain; how Baladeva held up his ploughshare in all these battles; the destruction of other enemies of the gods; the battle with the proud kings at the time of the wedding of the Gāndhāra princess; the carrying away of Subhdrā; the battle with Vālāhaka and Jamvumāli; and how he carried away all the jewels in the very presence of Sakra after defeating him (7-14). O king, while those beautiful women were singing all these and various other themes pleasant and delightful to Sangkarshana and Adhokshaja, the highly beautiful Balarāma, drunk with Kadamvari wine, began to sing with his wife Revati accompanied with sweet clapping of hands (15-16). Beholding Rāma sing thus, the intelligent, high-souled and highly powerful Madhusudana, in order to please him, began to sing with Satya (17). The greatest hero of the world, Pārtha, who had come there for the sea-voyage, also delightedly joined the beautiful Subhadrā and Krishna in their singing (18). O king, the intelligent Gada, Sārana, Pradyumna, Shāmva, Satyaki and the son of Satyarjit, the greatly powerful Chārudeshna also sang there in a chorus. Rāma’s sons, the greatest of heroes, the princes Nishatha and Ulmukha, the commander, Akrura, Sankha and other leading Bhaimas also sang there (19-20).

At that time, O king, by Krishna’s power the boats increased in size and Janarddana sang to his best along with the leading Bhaimas (21). O heroic prince, when the immortal-like Yadu chiefs sang in this way the whole world was filled with joy and sins were dissipated (23). Thereupon for pleasing Keshava, the slayer of Madhu, Narada, the guest of the celestials, began to sing in such a way amongst the Yadavas that a portion of his matted hairs melted away (23). O prince, composing the songs there and then, that Muni, of immeasurable energy, sang them amongst the Bhaimas again and again with various gestures and motions (24). Thereupon beholding Baladeva, the daughter of the king Revata, Keshava, Pritha’s son, Satyabhānā and Subhadrā, the intelligent Rishi smiled repeatedly (25). Although the wives of Keshava were patient by nature still the intelligent Nārada, ever fond of joking, with his gestures, smiles, motions and with various other means which could excite their laughter, made them laugh (26). As if instructed the Divine Muni Nārada sang various tunes high and low; and for pleasing Krishna he began to laugh aloud and shed tears of joy (27). O Prince, then the youthful damsels, conversant with gestures, gave away, at Krishna’s command, the best jewels of the world, beautiful raiments, garlands made in heaven, Santānaka flowers, pearls and other flowers born in all seasons (28–29).

Thereupon after the termination of the musical soiree the Divine Krishna, holding the great and incomparable Muni Nārada, by the hand, jumped into the ocean with Satyabhāmā and Arjuna (30). Smiling a little the highly beautiful Krishna, of incomparable prowess, said to Sini’s son—"Let us form ourselves into two parties and sport in the water of the ocean with the damsels. In this water of the ocean let Baladeva and Revati with my sons and some of the Bhaimas form one party and let the remaining Bhaimas and Bala’s sons join my party" (31–32).

Afterwards the highly confident Keshava said to the ocean stationed before him with folded hands:—"Ocean, let your water be sweet and shorn of sharks (33). May your bed be adorned with jems and may your banks be worthy of a happy touch by the two feet. And may you, by my power, give all that you know of suited to the taste of mankind (34). May you give every sort of drink liked by people and may gentle fishes, adorned with gold, sapphires and pearls, range in your water (35). May you hold jems, and fragrant, charming and red lotuses and lilies of sweet touch and served by bees (36). May you hold numerous jars and golden vessels, from which the Bhaimas will drink, of Maireya, Mādhvika, and Asava wines (37). O ocean, be thou of cold water fragrant with the scent of flowers. Be thou so very careful that Yādavas with their women may not suffer any inconvenince (38)".

O king, having said this to the ocean Krishna began to sport with Arjuna. Satrajit’s daughter, well-read in hints given by Krishna, sprinkled water on Narada’s body (39). Thereupon Rāma, his body reeling with intoxication, held lustfully, with his own hands, those of Revati and jumped sportively into the water of the ocean (40). Following Rāma the sportive sons of Krishna, with their eyes rolling in intoxication and the other leading Bhaimas, shorn of their unguents, raiments and ornaments, delightedly jumped into the ocean. Nishatha, Ulmuka and other sons of Baladeva with garlands of Santānaka flowers around their neck, clad in variegated raiments, drunk and bent on sporting, as well as the remaining Bhaimas joined Keshava’s party (41-42). The powerful Yadavas, having beautiful marks and pastes on their persons, with watering vessels in their hands, began to sing songs of sweet tunes and beautifully suited for that place (43). Afterwards hundreds of well dressed damsels, fond of music, united with Apsarās living in the celestial region, began to play various notes (44). Those youthful damsels, conversant with playing instruments in the water of the etherial Ganges, and having their minds fully possessed by Cupid, delightedly played on _Jaladaraura_³⁰¹ and sang songs in accompaniment with it (45). At that time the beautiful celestial dancing girls, having eyes like lotus petals and adorned with lotus stalks, assumed the beauty of lotuses blown by the rays of the sun (46). O king, filled with the moon-like faces of those women appearing like hundreds of full moon, either going there of their own accord or under the decree of the Providence, the ocean appeared like the sky adorned with a thousand moons (47). O king, the cloud-like ocean was beautified with lighting like woman. The lord of waters appeared like clouds in the sky dispersed by lightning (48).

Thereupon Nārāyana, who had put beautiful marks on his body, Nārada and other members of his party sprinkled water on Baladeva and his party who had also put on beautiful marks. And the latter also sprinkled water on the former (49). At that time the wives of Krishna and Sangkarshana, out of intoxication caused by Vāruni wine and worked up with music, delightedly threw water upon one another with hands and watering instruments (50). The Bhaimas, possessed by wine, Cupid and self-dignity, with eyes reddened with intoxication, threw water upon one another and in this way assumed harsh attitude before the very presence of the ladies: they did not desist although they sported for a long time (51).

Beholding thus their too much familiar intercourse, Krishna, the holder of discus, thought for a moment and then prevented them. He too, with Pārtha and Nārada, desisted from playing on instruments in the water (52). The Bhaimas, ever affording delight to their beloved women, although they were highly sensitive, at once understood Krishna’s intention as soon as he gave hints and desisted from playing in the water: but the damsels continued dancing (53). After the termination of the dancing party Upendra got upon the shore even while the other Yadavas were in the water. He then gave the best of Munis Nārada becoming unguents and afterwards himself partook of them (54). Then beholding Upendra get out of water the incomparable Bhaimas soon left the water. Then purifying their persons with unguents, they, with the permission of Krishna, retired to the drinking ground (55). Seated there in order according to their age and position those well-known heroes refreshed themselves with diverse edibles and drinks (56). Thereupon the cooks, with great pleasure, brought there cooked meat, vinegar, pomegranates and meat of beasts fried on iron rods (57). Then a young buffalo, well-roasted on a rod, hot, soaked in clarified butter, and mixed with vinegar, _Sochal_ salt and acid, was served (58). Meat of many fat deer roasted according to the process of skillful cooking, and sweetened with vinegar was next brought (59). Legs of beasts, mixed with salt and mustard and fried in clarified butter were also served (60). The incomparable Yādavas, with great pleasure, partook of those dishes with the roots of Arum campanulatum, pomegranates, common citrons, asafaetida, gingerade and other fragrant vegetables. They then drank in beautiful cups (61). Encircled by their beloved damsels they drank various wines such as Maireya, Madhvika and Asava prepared from the meat of birds roasted on a rod with clarified butter, acid juice, salt and sourish articles (62). They also partook of other side dishes, various fragrant salted edibles of white and red colour, curd and preparations of clarified butter (63). O king, Uddhava, Bhoja, and other heroes, who did not drink, delightedly took vegetables, vegetable-curries, cakes, curd and pudding (64). From the drinking vessel named Pālavi, they drank various fragrant drinks, milk and butter with sugar and took various sorts of fruits (65). In this way the heroic Bhaimas were pleased with eating to their fill. Afterwards, they, having their wives as their companions, joined the music again with pleasure, initiated by their consorts (66).

Thereupon when the night set in the Divine Upendra asked all present in the party to go on with the song. _Chhālikya_ of various tunes sung by the gods and Gandharvas (67). O king, then Narada began to play on his Vinā which with six scales and _Ragas_³⁰² brings about the concentration of mind, Krishna began to perform _Hallishaka_³⁰³ accompanied with the music of his flute and Pārtha began to play on his _Mridanga_:³⁰⁴ other leading Apsaras played on various other instruments. Thereupon after Asārita, the beautiful Rambhā, a clever actress, rose up, played and pleased Rāma and Keshava. Afterwards, O king, Urvashi, having beautiful and expansive eyes, Himā, Mishrakeshi, Tilottamā, Menakā and other celestial actresses rose up in order and pleased Hari with singing and dancing. Having his mind attracted by their charming singing and dancing Vāsudeva pleased them all with presents after their own heart. O prince, those honorable and leading Apsaras, who had been brought there, were honored with betel leaves at the desire of Krishna (68–72). O king, thus the various fragrant fruits and the song Chhālikya, which were brought from the celestial region out of Krishna’s desire and his favour towards mankind, were known only to the intelligent son of Rukshmini. It was he who could use them: and it was he who distributed betel leaves at that time (73–74). The Chhālikya song, conducive to the well-being, nourishment, and prosperity of Nārāyana of glorious deeds, and which was great, auspicious and productive of fame and piety to mankind, was sung in chorus by Indra-like Krishna, Rāma, Pradyumna, Anuvindha and Shamva (75–76). This Chhalikya, which was sung there, was capable of bearing the axle of virtue and destructive of sorrow and sin. Repairing to the celestial region and hearing this Chhālikya song the illustrious king Revata regarded four thousand Yugas as one day. From it originated the various divisions of the Gandharvas as _Kumarajati_, &c., (77–78), O king, as hundreds of lights are produced by one light so various classes of Gandharvas have emanated from Chhālikya. O king, with Pradyumna and other leading Bhaimas Krishna and Nārada knew all this (79). Like unto streams and the water of the ocean people of this world knew Chhalikya only by illustration. It is possible to know the virtues and weight of the Himalaya but it is not so, without practising hard austerities to know the _Murchanā_³⁰⁵ and time of Chhalikya (80–81). O king, what of Chhālikya with six scales and _Ragas_ men, with great difficulty, cannot even come to the end of its eleventh division _Sukumarajati_. Know it for certain, O king, that the slayer of Madhu had so arranged that the gods, Gandharvas and great Rishis might attain to a devotional spirit on account of the virtues of Chhālikya (82–83). On account of its being sung by the god, amongst men, Krishna, before the Bhaimas for showing favour unto the world, Chhālikya, sung by the immortals only, attained to such a celebrity, that formerly on the occasion of a festivity Bhaima boys used to cite it as an example. And the elders used to approve of their saying and the boys, youths and old men used to sing it in a chorus. "Love is the test and not age"—to remind the mortals of this virtue of their own race, the heroic Yādavas, the ordainers of ancient religious rites, did so in the land of mortals. O king, friendship is known by love; therefore keeping love before them, the other Vrishnis, Andhakas and Dāsharhas, except Keshava, used to treat their own sons even as friends. Thereupon saluting the delighted Madhusudana, the slayer of Kansa, the contented Apsaras returned to the celestial region which too was (accordingly) filled with joy (84–88).

³⁰¹ A kind of musical instrument played in water.

³⁰² A mode of music of which six are enumerated viz. _Bhairava_, _Malava Saranga_, _Hindola_, _Vasanta_, _Dipaka_ and _Megha_: they are personified in poetry and mythology.

³⁰³ A minor dramatic entertainment chiefly of singing and dancing by one male and eight or ten female performers, a ballet.

³⁰⁴ A kind of musical instrument.

³⁰⁵ A tone or semitone as placed in its scale, the seventh part of a Grama or scale.

## CHAPTER CCXXXVII. NIKUMBHA CARRIES AWAY BHANUMATI.

Vaishampāyana said:—While the virtuous Yadavas were thus sporting the highly wicked and unapproachable Dānava, Nikumbha, the enemy of the gods, desirous of bringing on his self-destruction, finding a loop-hole, stole away the beautiful daughter of Bhānu by name Bhānumati (1–2). O hero, formerly, the daughter of his brother Vajranābhā, by name Prabhāvati, had been taken away by Pradyumna and Vajranābha had been killed. Remembering this former enmity and keeping himself aside that one, proficient in illusions, played upon the women of the Yādavas and stole away Bhānumati (3–4). Although the garden, attached to the female appartment of Bhānu, was unapproachable, still at that time there were no guards for the Yadavas were busy with their sports. Taking advantage of this weak moment the wretched Dānava carried away the maiden (5). O thou the victor of armies, while that weeping maiden was being carried away there arose all on a sudden a great tumult in the female appartment (6). Hearing lamentations in the female appartment of Bhānu, the heroes, Vasudeva and Ahuka issued out, filled with wrath. And not seeing the offender before them, they, in that dress, went where the highly powerful Krishna was (7-8). Hearing of that great insult, Janārddana, the slayer of his enemies, rode, together with Pārtha, Garuda the enemy of the serpents (9). Having commanded the hero having the emblem of a Makara on his flag to follow him on his car he asked Kashyapa’s son Garuda to proceed (10). O king, before Nikumbha, unconquerable in battle, could reach the city of Vajra, Pārtha and Krishna, the slayers of their enemies, overtook him in the way (11). Beholding them the highly powerful Pradyumna, the foremost of those conversant with illusions, divided himself into three portions (12). On the other hand, Nikumbha, like unto an immortal, smilingly fought with them all with heavy clubs (13). Holding the maiden Bhānumati by his left hand, the great Asura Nikumbha repeatedly hurled the club with his right hand. Although thus assailed, Keshava, Kāma (Pradyumna) and Arjuna, none, could strike him ruthlessly lest they might wound the maiden (14-15). O king, although capable of slaying that irrepressible enemy they began to sigh piteously out of their excessive compassion for the maiden (16). As when a serpent gets round a camel, a man, well up in the use of arms, strikes the serpent leaving the camel to itself, so Pārtha, the foremost of archers, began to strike the Daitya with his arrows (17). In pursuance of the rules of art, their training and reasoning, Pārtha, Kāma and Krishna did not strike the maiden but wounded the Danavas with their cane-like arrows (18). Thereupon resorting to his illusory powers Nikumbha so disappeared with the maiden from that place that nobody could know it: Krishna, Kāma and Dhananjaya however immediately pursued him: he, however, went on assuming the semblance of a yellow vulture (19-20). Thereupon saving the maiden, the heroic Dhananjaya assailed him again with cane-like arrows piercing his very vitals (21). Thus pursued by those heroes that great Asura, the slayer of his enemies, travelled all over the earth consisting of seven insular continents and dropped down with the maiden at last on the bank of the river Chela Gangā flowing on the summit of the mount Gokarna (22–23). None amongst the gods, Asuras or great ascetics could cross that mountain protected by the energy of Mahadeva (24). Finding this weak point of Nikumbha, the Bhaima chief Pradyumna, invincible in battle and quick coursing, got hold of the maiden Bhānumati. And Krishna, and Arjuna began to assail the Asura greatly with arrows. Then leaving the northern range of the mount Gokarna, Nikumbha fled to the southern range. Both the Krishnas however, riding on Garuda, pursued him (25–26). Gradually the great Asura entered into Shatpura, the abode of his kinsmen and those two heroes spent the night at the mouth of the cave. With Krishna’s permission the heroic son of Rukshmini delightedly took Bhaima’s daughter to the city of Dwārakā. And keeping her there he returned to Shatpura, full of Dānavas and beheld the two Krishnas of dreadful prowess at the mouth of the cave (27-29). Thus occupying the entrance of the city of Shatpura the highly powerful Krishna and Arjuna, desirous of slaying Nikumbha, waited there with Pradyumna (30).

Thereupon desirous of fighting the highly powerful Nikumbha came out of the cave, O king, no sooner he came out of the cave than Dhananjaya, with arrows shot off his Gandiva bow, obstructed the thorough-fair. In spite of it Nikumbha, the foremost of the powerful, came out, took up his club covered with thorns and struck Pārtha on his head (31–33). Thus assailed with that club Pritha’s son vomitted blood and lost his consciousness. The Asura, master of illusions, smilingly struck the heroic son of Rukshmini, the foremost of those conversant with illusions, who was waiting with his face against him. Wounded on the head with that unseen stroke of the club the heroic Pradyumna lost his consciousness. Beholding them thus assailed and insensible Govinda, having Gada as his elder brother, beside himself with anger, took up his club Koumodaki and ran towards Nikumbha. Those two irrepressible heroes, roaring, fought with each other (34–37). Riding his elephant Airāvata along with the gods Sachi’s Lord began to witness that dreadful combat like unto the battle between the celestials and Asuras. Beholding the gods Hrishikesha, the slayer of his enemies, tried to kill the Dānavas in a wonderful battle, desirous of doing good unto the gods (38-39). Whirling his Koumodaki, the large-armed Keshava, conversant with military science, displayed many wondrous manoeuvres (40). Nikumbha too, the foremost of Asuras, by virtue of his training hurled his club, covered with many thorns, and displayed various manoeuvres (41). At that time they fought like two roaring bulls for a cow, two roaring elephants and two leopards worked up with anger (42). O Bhārata, thereupon setting a highly dreadful shout, he, with his club, set with eight bells, struck Krishna having Gada as his elder brother. He too hurling his huge club threw it on Nikumbha’s head (43-44). At that time holding idle for a moment his Koumodaki club the intelligent preceptor of the world, Hari fell down insensible on earth (45). O king, while the high-souled Vasudeva was reduced to this plight the whole world was filled with lamentations. With the cool water of Mandākini mixed with ambrosia, the king of gods himself sprinkled Keshava. O king, Krishna, the foremost of gods, did so of his own accord, or else who can render the high-souled Hari insensible?

O descendant of Bharata, thereupon regaining his consciousness, Krishna, the slayer of his enemies, took up his discus and asked the wicked Asura to bear it (49). At that time casting off his body there the irrepressible Nikumbha, a great Māyāvin, went away. Keshava however could not know it (50). Thinking that either he was dead or on the point of death and remembering the obligations of the heroes he did not strike him who was fallen. Thereupon regaining their consciousness Pradyumna and Arjuna came there and considering Nikumbha dead stood by Krishna (51-52). Afterwards coming to know of the real truth Pradyumna, conversant with illusions, said to Krishna:—"O father, the wicked Nikumbha is not here. He has fled somewhere else" (53). No sooner Pradyumna said this than Nikumbha’s body disappeared. Seeing it the powerful Lord, with Arjuna, laughed (54). O heroic king, few minutes after they saw all over the earth and welkin thousands of Nikumbha. The spectators also saw the heroic Krishna, Pārtha and Rukshmini’s son in innumerable forms. It appeared indeed wonderful (55–56). At that time amongst those great Asuras some held Pārtha’s bow, some his huge arrows, some his hands and some his feet (57). Thus when the innumerable bodies of Pārtha were caught the Asuras carried away the heroic Dhananjaya to the sky. Thus when separated from Pārtha the heroic Krishna and his son pierced Nikumbha with numerous shafts. Still they could not see his end. One Nikumbha, divided into twain, became two. Thereupon seeing every thing correctly by his celestial wisdom the Divine Lord Krishna, the origin of the present and future and the slayer of Asuras, saw the true form of Nikumbha, the creator of illusions and the stealer of Dhananjaya. And before the presence of all creatures he, with his discus, cut off his head (58–62.) O descendant of Bharata, when his head was thus sundered that foremost of Asuras, leaving aside Dhananjaya, fell down like an uprooted tree (63). O giver of honors, at that time Pārtha was about to drop down from the sky. At Krishna’s mandate his son held him up (64). When Nikumbha thus fell down on earth the deity Krishna consoled Keshava and with him repaired to Dwarakā (65).

Having returned delightedly to Dwarakā the Lord Krishna, O descendant of Yadu, and the foremost of Dāsharhas, saluted the high-souled Narada (66). Thereupon the highly energetic Nārada said to Bhānu:—"O descendant of Bhaima, do not consider yourself insulted on account of your daughter being carried away (by another). O Bhānu, listen to great cause hereof (67). O hero, on one occasion while sporting in the garden of Raivata, this your daughter excited the anger of the foremost of Munis Durvāsā who wrath fully imprecated a curse on her saying:—’She is very much ill-mannered and she must fall into the hands of an enemy.’ At that time, myself along with other Munis, propitiated him on behalf of your daughter saying:—’Muni, O foremost of the pious, dost thou, informed of the essence of religion as thou art, imprecate a curse on this innocent girl who is observing her religious obligations? We request thee to show favour into her’ (68-70). O Bhaima chief, after we had said this Durvāsā stood with his face down for a moment and then stricken with compassion said:—’What I have said will prove true. It will never be otherwise. Forsooth she will fall into the hands of an enemy. Although thus fallen into the hands of an enemy she will not be virtually contaminated; and she will obtain a beautiful husband, will be lucky, a mother of many sons and mistress of immense riches; this thin-built lady will always have beautiful fragrance around her person, will always remain youthful and will forget the sorrow consequent upon her being carried away by the enemy (71–74)’. O hero, thus it had been pre-ordained so for Bhanumati before; do you now confer her on Sahadeva for that son of Pandu is virtuous, respectful and heroic (75)".

Thereupon regarding the words of Nārada, the virtuous souled Bhāima gave away Bhāuumati to Madri’s son Sahadeva (76). Having sent an emissary Keshava, the holder of discus, had brought Sahadeva there. After the wedding ceremony was over, he, with his wife, returned to his own city. The man, who reverentially listens to this conquest of Krishna or reads it, acquires success in every business (77-78).

## CHAPTER CCXXXVIII. THE DESTRUCTION OF VAJRANABHA: AN ACCOUNT OF

PRABHAVATI.

Janamejaya said:—O Muni, O thou the foremost of the pious, I have listened to an account of the stealing away of Bhānumati, the conquest of Keshava, the bringing of Chlālikya from the celestial region, and the god-like sport of the Vrishnis of incomparable energy in the ocean and many other wonderful subjects. While describing the destruction of Nikumbha you have mentioned that of Vajranābha. O Muni, I am now curious to hear this (1–3).

Vaishampāyana said:—O great king, O descendant of Bharata, hear, I shall now describe the destruction of Vajra nābha with an account of the victories of Kāma and Shāmva (4), O victor of armies, a great Asura, celebrated by the name of Vajranābha, practised hard austerities on the summit of the mount Sumeru. Pleased with his penances the Divine Brahmā, the grand-father of the world, asked him to pray for a boon (5–6). O king Janamejaya, thereat, that foremost of Dānavas prayed for two boons that even the gods might not kill him, and that he might get the city Vajra where even the air cannot easily enter, which gives every sort of desired-for objects even when they are not thought of, which has gardens encircled by walls, many branch cities, and peerless jems of every description (7–9). By that boon he got what he wanted and the great Asura Vajranābha lived in the city of Vajra (10). O king, seeking refuge with that great Asura who had obtained this boon, millions of demons lived in that city of Vajra, in his garden and in many charming branch cities. O king, the enemies of the gods lived there, healthy, well-fed and contented (11-12). Once on a time, elated with the pride of the boon given in his favour and that of his city the wicked Vajranābha got himself ready to impede the course of the world. O king, approaching the king of gods he said "O slayer of Pāka, all the three worlds are the common properties of all the high-souled sons of Kashyapa. I therefore wish to govern the three worlds. If you, O king of gods, do not approve of my proposal, give me battle" (13-15).

O descendant of Kuru, hearing the words of Vajranābha, Mahendra, the foremost of celestials, consulted with Vrihaspati and said:—"O gentle one, our father, the ascetic Kashyapa, is now engaged in a sacrifice. After its termination he will do what is fair" (16–17).

Thereupon the Dānava went to his father Kashyapa and expressed his desire. Kashyapa said what the king of gods had communicated (18). "O son, go now to the city of Vajra and live there controlling yourself. After the termination of the Yajna I will do what is fair" (19). Thus addressed Vajranābha returned to his own city.

Thereupon Mahendra went to the city of Dwāravati having many doors and communicated secretly to Vāsudeva what Vajranābha had said. Thereat Janārddana said "O Vāsava, the horse-sacrifice of Vasudeva is now at hand. After its termination I will kill Vajranabha (20–22). O lord, O refuge of the pious, even the wind cannot enter into his city if Vajranābha does not wish it. At a convenient hour we will concert measures for entering there" (23).

O descendant of Bharata, honored by Vāsudeva’s son in his horse-sacrifice the king of gods set out (24). Even before the termination of Vasudeva’s sacrifice the heroic Vāsava and Keshava, the foremost of celestials, began to think of means for entering into the city of Vajra (25).

During the celebration of Vasudeva’s sacrifice an actor, by name Bhadra, pleased the great saints with his beautiful acting. The leading Munis then asked him to pray for a boon. Thereupon saluting those best of Munis assembled in the horse-sacrifice, the actor Bhadra, resembling the king of gods himself, as desired by Krishna and as if urged on by the goddess of learning, prayed for the following boon (26-28).

The actor said:—"O foremost of Munis, may I become the food of all the twice-born ones: may I range over the earth consisting of seven insular continents: may I, without any obstruction, range all over the sky: may I be gifted with strength and be not slain by all creatures mobile and immobile. May I assume any form I like either of one born, dead or immediately born. May not decrepitude overtake me and may the Munis always remain pleased with me" (29–32).

O king, the Munis said "So be it." That immortal-like one began to range all over the earth consisting of seven insular continents. He began to show his performances in the cities of the Dānava kings, in Uttarakura, Bhadrāshwa, Ketumāl and the island of Kalāmra. On the occasion of every Parva, that great actor, who had obtained the boon, used to come to Dwarakā adorned with the Yadavas (33–35).

Thereupon, one day, the Divine Sakra, the king of gods, said to Dhārtarāshtra swans:–"O celestial birds, although you are the carriers of the gods and the pious, still you are our brothers on account of your being begotten by Kashyapa (36–37). Now the great duty of killing the enemies of the gods awaits us. You should satisfy it. But take care, don’t divulge the counsel (38). If you do not obey the commands of the gods you will meet with a hard punishment. O foremost of swans, you can go anywhere you like (39). Therefore going to the most excellent city of Vajranabha where no one else can enter you should range in the tanks of his inner appartment (40). Vajranābha has a jewel of a daughter, peerless in beauty, in the three worlds, by name Prabhāvati who is fair like the rays of the moon (41). I have heard that her mother has obtained that beautiful daughter by virtue of the boon conferred by the goddess Haimavati (42). O Swans, her friends have kept that beautiful and chaste maiden for _Swayemvara_ and she too will select a husband of her own accord. Do you describe to her the various accomplishments, family, beauty, character, and age, of the high-souled Pradyumna (43-44). When you will find that the chaste daughter of Vajranābha has felt some attachment for Pradyumna, take carefully her news to Pradyumna and return with his message to her. In this work of an emissary you should, according to your intelligence, govern your eyes and faces. You should thus do me a good turn now (45–47). O swans, what more shall I speak, you should describe all these accomplishments of Pradyumna to her, which will likely attract Prabhāvati’s mind; you should communicate to me and to my younger brother Krishna at Dwāravati daily what happens there (48–49). You should thus exert yourselves so long as the self-controlled Lord Pradyumna does not carry away Vajranābha’s daughter (50). Those Dānavas, elated with the pride of the boon conferred by Brahmā, are not to be slain by the gods. So their destruction in the battle-field should be brought about by Pradyumna and other sons of gods (51). An actor, Bhadra by name, has of late obtained the boon (of entering into his city). So the Yadavas, headed by Pradyumna, will enter into Vajranābha’s city in his guise (52). O Dhārtarāshtras, you are to do all that I have said. Besides for doing me this good you should do what more crops up in time. O swans, to enter into the city of Vajra depends on his will. The gods cannot enter there by any means whatsoever (53–54)".

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