वैशम्पायन उवाच ततः श्रुत्वैव भीष्मस्य चेदिराडुरुविक्रमः। युयुत्सुर्वासुदेवेन वासुदेवमुवाच हः॥
Vaishampayana said Having heard these words of Bhishn:a, the greatly powerful Chedi King, being desirous of fighting with Vasudeva (Krishna), thus spoke to Vasudeva.
आह्वये त्वां रणं गच्छ मया साधु जनार्दन। यावदद्य निहन्मि त्वां सहितं सर्वपाण्डवैः॥
Shishupala said O Janardana, I challenge you. Come, fight me with till I kill you today with all the Pandavas.
सह त्वया हि मे वध्याः सर्वथा कृष्ण पाण्डवाः। नृपतीन् समतिक्रम्य यैरराजा त्वमर्चितः॥
O Krishna, the Pandavas also deserve to be killed by me with you, for they having passed over all these kings, have worshipped you who are not a king.
ये त्वां दारमराजानं बाल्यादर्चन्ति दुर्मतिम्। अनर्हमर्हवत् कृष्ण वध्यास्त इति मे मतिः॥
O Krishna, it is my opinion that those, that have from childishness worshipped you, as if you deserve it, although you are unworthy of worship, you being only a slave and a wretch and not a king, deserve to be killed by me.
इत्युक्त्वा राजशार्दूलस्तस्थौ गर्जनमर्षणः। एवमुक्तस्ततः कृष्णो मृदुपूर्वमिदं वचः। उवाच पार्थिवान् सर्वान् स समक्षं च वीर्यवान्॥
Vaishampayana said Having said this, that best of men (Shishupala) stood up and roared in anger. When he ceased (talking), Krishna spoke these words in a soft voice to all the kings in the presence of the Pandavas.
एष नः शत्रुरत्यन्तं पार्थिवाः सात्वतीसुतः। सात्वतानां नृशंसात्मा न हितोऽनपकारिणाम्॥
Krishna said O kings, this cruel-hearted man who is the son of a lady of the Satvata race is a great enemy of the Satvata race. Though we never seek to injure him, yet he always seek to do us injury.
प्राग्ज्योतिषपुरं यातानस्माज्ञात्वा नृशंसकृत्। अदहद् द्वारकामेष स्वस्रीयः सन् नराधिपाः॥
O king, hearing that we had gone to the city of Pragjyotisha, this wretch of cruel deeds came and burnt Dwarka, though he is the son of my aunt (father's sister).
क्रीडतो भोजराजस्य एष रैवतके गिरौ। हत्वा बद्ध्वा च तान् सर्वानुपायात् स्वपुरं पुरा॥
When the Bhoja king was sporting on the Raivataka hill, he killed many of that king''. attendant and carried away many in chains to his own city.
अश्वमेधे हयं मेध्यमुत्सृष्टं रक्षिभिर्वृतम्। पितुर्मे यज्ञविघ्नार्थमहरत् पापनिश्चयः॥
This wretch, sinful in all his purposes, in order to obstruct my father's sacrifice, stole the horse of the horse-sacrifice which was let loose under armed guards.
सौवीरान् प्रति यातां च बभ्रोरेष तपस्विनः। भार्यामभ्यहरन्मोहादकामां तामितो गताम्॥
This wretch, prompted by sinful motives, though she was unwilling, stole the wife of saintly Babhru (Akura), when she was on her way from Dwarka to the country of the Sauviras.
एष मायाप्रतिच्छन्नः करूषार्थं तपस्विनीम्। जहार भद्रां वैशाली मातुलस्य नृशंसकृत्॥
This wretch, ever intent to injure his maternal uncle, ravished in the disguise of the king of Karusha the saintly Bhadra, the princess of Vishala, who was the intended bride of the
पितृष्वसुः कृते दुःखं सुमहन्मर्षयाम्यहम्। दिष्ट्या हीदं सर्वराज्ञां संनिधावद्य वर्तते॥
I have patiently born all these for the sake of my father's sister. It is, however, very fortunate that (today) all this has happened before all these kings.
पश्यन्ति हि भवन्तोऽद्य मय्यतीव व्यतिक्रमम्। कृतानि तु परोक्षं मे यानि तानि निबोधत॥
Look, Sirs, at the hostility that he bears towards me. Known also all that he has done against me at my back.
इमं त्वस्य न शक्ष्यामि क्षन्तुमद्य व्यतिक्रमम्। अवलेपाद् वधार्हस्य समग्रे राजमण्डले॥
He deserves to be killed by me only on account of the great pride that he has displayed today before all these kings. I am hardly able to pardon him to day for the injuries he has done me.
रुक्मिण्यामस्य मूढस्य प्रार्थनाऽऽसीन्मुमूर्षतः। न च तां प्राप्तवान् मूढः शूद्रो वेदश्रुतीमिव॥
Desirous as he was of a speedy death, this fool had (once) desired to possess Rukmani (Krishna's wife), but the fool did not obtain her, as a Shudra cannot get a hearing of the Vedas.
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमादि ततः सर्वे सहितास्ते नराधिपाः। वासुदेववचः श्रुत्वा चेदिराजं व्यगर्हयन्॥ जातु त्वदन्यो
Vaishampayana said Having heard these words of Vasudeva, all the kings assembled there, began to reproach the Chedi King.
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा शिशुपाल् प्रतापवान्। जहास स्वनवद्धासं वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह॥
Having heard these words, the powerful Shishupala laughed aloud and spoke these words.
मत्पूर्वां रुक्मिणी कृष्ण संसत्सु परिकीर्तयन्। विशेषतः पार्थिवेषु व्रीडां न कुरुषे कथम्॥
Shishupala said O Krishna, are you not ashamed to talk in this assembly, specially before all these kings, of Rukinani who had been intended for me.
मन्यमानो हि कः सत्सु पुरुषः परिकीर्तयेत्। अन्यपूर्वां स्त्रियं मधुसूदनः॥
O slayer of Madhu, who else is there but you who, regarding himself a man, would say in the midst of respectable men that his wife was intended for some body else?
क्षम वा यदि ते श्रद्धा मा वा कृष्ण मम क्षम। क्रुद्धाद् वापि प्रसन्नाद् वा किं मे त्वत्तो भविष्यति।।२०।
O Krishna, if you please pardon me or pardon me not. Angry of friendly, what can you do to me?
तथा ब्रवुत एवास्य भगवान् मधुसूदनः। मनसाचिन्तयच्चक्रं दैत्यवर्गनिषूदनम्॥
Vaishampayana said When he (Shishupala) was thus talking, the high-souled slayer of Madhu, (Krishna), thought in his mind of the discus that humbles the pride of the Daityas.
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु चक्रे हस्तगते सति। उवाच भगवानुच्चैर्वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदः॥
As soon as the discus came into his hands, the skillful speaker, the high-souled (Krishna), spoke loudly these words.
शृण्वन्तु मे महीपाला येनैतत् क्षमितं मया। अपराधशतं क्षाम्यं मातुरस्यैव याचने॥
Krishna said O rulers of earth, hear why this man has been hither to pardoned by me. Asked by his mother, I promised to pardon his one hundred offences.
दत्तं मया याचितं च तानि पूर्णानि पार्थिवाः। अधुना वधयिष्यामि पश्यतां वो महीक्षिताम्॥
This was the boon that she asked me and this was the boon that I granted to her. O kings, that number has (now) become full. I shall now kill him in the presence of the kings.
एवमुक्त्वा यदुश्रेष्ठश्चेदिराजस्य तत्क्षणात्। व्यपाहरच्छिरः क्रुद्धश्चक्रेणामित्रकर्षणः॥
Vaishampayana said Having said this, the chief of the Yadu race, that chastiser chastiser of foes (Krishna), immediately cut off in anger by his discus, the head of the Chedi king.
स पपात महाबाहुर्वजाहत इवाचलः। ततश्चेदिपतेर्दैहात् तेजोऽयं ददृशुर्नृपाः॥
The mighty armed hero fell like a cliff struck by thunder. The kings saw a fearful effulgence from the body of the Chedi king.
उत्पतन्तं महाराज गगनादिव भास्करम्। ततः कमलपत्राक्षं कृष्णं लोकनमस्कृतम्। तेजो विवेश च नराधिप।॥
Issuing like that of the sun in the sky. O great king, that effulgence then adorned the lotus-eyed Krishna, ever worshipped by all the worlds, and it then entered his (Krishna's ) body.
तदद्भुतममन्यन्त दृष्ट्वा सर्वे महीक्षितः। यद् विवेश महाबाहुं तत् तेजः पुरुषोत्तमम्॥
Seeing the effulgence (of Shishupala) enter (the body of) that mighty armed and excellent of men (Krishna), all the kings thought (the phenomenon) as very wonderful.
अनभ्रे प्रववर्ष द्यौः पपात ज्वलिताशनिः। कृष्णेन निहते चैद्ये चचाल च वसुंधरा॥
When the Chedi king was killed by Krishna, the cloudless sky poured showers of rain, blasting thunders were hurled and the earth itself began to tremble.
ततः केचिन्महीपाला नाब्रुवंस्तत्र किंचन। अतीतवाक्पथे काले प्रेक्षमाणा जनार्दनम्॥
Some amongst those kings did not speak a word during those unspeakable moments; they sat gazing at Janardana (Krishna).
ववन्दे तत् तदा "प्तैर्हस्ताग्रमपरे प्रत्यर्पिषन्नमर्षिताः। र दशनैरोष्ठानदशन् क्रोधमूर्छिताः॥
Some rubbed in anger their palms with their fore fingers, others, being deprived of their senses by anger, bit their lips with their teeth,
रहश्च केचिद् वार्ष्णेयं प्रशशंसुर्नराधिपाः। केचिदेव सुसंरब्धा मध्यस्थास्त्वपरेऽभवन्॥
Some kings praised the Vrishni hero in private, some became exited with anger, while others became mediators.
प्रहृष्टाः केशवं जग्मुः संस्तुवन्तो महर्षयः। ब्राह्मणाश्च महात्मानः पार्थिवाश्च महाबलाः॥ शशंसुर्निर्वृताः सर्वे दृष्ट्वा कृष्णस्य विक्रमम्। पाण्डवस्त्वब्रबीद् भ्रातॄन् सत्कारेण महीपतिम्॥
The great Rishis became much pleased and praised Keshava (Krishna), and the high-souled Brahmanas and the greatly powerful kings, seeing the prowess of Krishna, became glad at heart and praised him. The Pandava (Yudhishthira) then commanded his brothers to perform the funeral ceremony of the king (Shishupala).
दमघोषात्मजं वीरं संस्कारयत मा चिरम्। तथा च कृतवन्तस्ते भ्रातु शासनं तदा॥ चेदीनामाधिपत्ये च पुत्रमस्य महीपतेः। अभ्यषिञ्चत् तदा पार्थः सह तैर्वसुधाधिपः॥
The heroic son of Damaghosha without delay and with all proper respect. They obeyed (their brother's command). Then the son of Pritha (Yudhishthira), with his brothers and with all the kings, installed the son of the king Shishupala in the kingdom of Chedi.
ततः स कुरुराजस्य क्रतुः सर्वसमृद्धिमान्। यूनां प्रीतिकरो राजन् स बभौ विपुलौजसः॥ शान्तविघ्नः सुखारम्भः प्रभूतधनधान्यवान्! अन्नवान् बहुभक्ष्यश्च केशवेन सुरक्षितः॥
O king, furnished with plentiful of corn, rice and every king of food and with abundance of wealth that sacrifice of the greatly effulgent king of the Kurus, blessed with every king of prosperity, and well protected by Keshava, commenced with all auspicious ceremonies and became exceedingly beautiful and pleasing to all young men.
समापयामास च तं राजसूयं महाक्रतुम्। तं तु यज्ञं महाबाहुरासमाप्तेर्जनार्दनः। ररक्ष भगवाञ्छौरिः शाईचक्रगदाधरः॥
So long the great Rajasuya sacrifice was not completed, the mighty armed Janardana, the illustrious Shauri (Krishna), guarded it with his bow, called Sharanga, and with his discus and club, and thus in due time it was completed.
ततस्त्ववभृथस्नातं धर्मात्मानं युधिष्ठिरम्। समस्तं पार्थिवं क्षत्रमुपगम्येदमब्रवीत्॥
Thereupon all the Kshatriya kings came to the virtuous minded Yudhishthira who had bathed (after the completion of the sacrifice) and thus spoke to him.
दिष्टया वर्धसि धर्मज्ञ साम्राज्यं प्राप्तवानसि। आजमीढाजमीढानां यशः संवर्धितं त्वया॥
"O virtuous man, you have grown in prosperity by good fortune. You have acquired the imperial dignity. The fame of the Ajamida race has been greatly increased by (you) the descendant of Ajamida.
कर्मणैतेन राजेन्द्र धर्मश्च सुमहान् कृतः। आपृच्छामो नरव्याघ्र सर्वकामैः सुपूजिताः॥
O king of kings, you have acquired great religious nerit by your this act. O best of kings, we tell you we have been worshipped by you to the full extent of our desires.
स्वराष्ट्राणि गमिष्यामस्तदनुज्ञातुमर्हसि। श्रुत्वा तु वचनं राज्ञां धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः॥
We now desire to return to our own kingdoms. You should give us permission”. Having heard the words of the kings, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira.
यथार्ह पूज्य नृपतीन् भ्रातृन् सर्वानुवाच ह। राजानः सर्व एवैते प्रीत्यास्मान् समुपागताः॥
Worshipped them as each deserved, and then commanded his brother; thus, "All these kings have come to us at their own pleasure;
प्रस्थिता: स्वानि राष्ट्राणि मामापृच्छ्य परंतपाः। अनुव्रजत भद्रं वो विषयान्तं नृपोत्तमान्॥
These chastisers of foes are now desirous of returning to their kingdoms after bidding me farewell. Blessed (brothers), follow these excellent kings to the confines of our kingdom".
भ्रातुर्वचनमाज्ञाय पाण्डवा धर्मचारिणः। यथार्ह नृपतीन् सर्वानेककैकं समनुव्रजन्॥
Having been thus commanded by their brothers, the virtuous Pandava princes followed the kings one after the other as each deserved.
विराटमन्वयात् तूर्णं धृष्टद्युम्नः प्रतापवान्। धनंजयो यज्ञसेनं महात्मानं महारथम्॥
The powerful Dhristadyumna followed the king of Virata. Dhananjaya (Arjuna) followed the great car-warrior and high-souled Yajnasena.
भीष्मं च धृतराष्ट्रं च भीमसेनो महाबलः। द्रोणं तु ससुतं वीरं सहदेवो युधाम्पतिः॥
The mighty Bhimasena followed Bhishma and Dhritarashtra. The lord of battle, Sahadeva, followed the heroic Drona and his son.
नकुलः सुबलं राजन् सहपुत्रं समन्वयात्। द्रौपदेयाः ससौभद्राः पर्वतीयान् महारथान्॥
O king, Nakula followed Subala and his son, the sons of Draupadi and the son of Subhadra followed the great car-warrior, the mountain kings.
अन्वगच्छंस्तथैवान्यान् क्षत्रियान् क्षत्रियर्षभाः। एवं सुपूजिताः सर्वे जग्मुर्विप्राः सहस्रशः॥
The other best of Kshatriyas followed others Kshatriyas; and thousands of Brahmanas also, after being duly worshipped, went away.
गतेषु पार्थिवेन्द्रेषु सर्वेषु ब्राह्मणेषु च। युधिष्ठिरमुवाचेदं वासुदेवः प्रतापवान्॥
On the departure of all the kings and the Brahmanas, the powerful Vasudeva (Krishna) thus spoke to Yudhishthira.
आपृच्छे त्वां गमिष्यामि द्वारकां कुरुनन्दन। राजसूयं क्रतुश्रेष्ठं दिष्ट्या त्वं प्राप्तवानसि॥
Krishna said. o descendant of Kuru, of Kuru, with permission I shall now go to Dwarka. By good fortune you have accomplished the best of sacrifices, Rajasuya. with your
तमुवाचैवमुक्तस्तु धर्मराजो जनार्दनम्। तव प्रसादाद् गोविन्द प्राप्तः क्रतुवरो मया॥
Vaishampayana said Having been thus addressed Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) thus replied to Janardana (Krishna), "O Govinda, through your grace I have accomplished the great sacrifice.
क्षत्रं समग्रमपि च त्वत्प्रसादाद् वशे स्थितम्। उपादाय बलिं मुख्यं मामेव समुपस्थितम्॥
Through your grace, all the Kshatriya (kings) came under my sway and brought here for me valuable tribute.
कथं त्वद्गमनार्थं मे वाणी वितरतेऽनघ। न ह्यहं त्वामृते वीर रतिं प्राप्नोमि कर्हिचित्॥
O sinless one, O hero, how can I give you permission to go? Without you my heart never feels any delight.
अवश्यं चैव गन्तव्या भवता द्वारकापुरी। एवमुक्तः स धर्मात्मा युधिष्ठिरसहायवान्॥ अभिगम्याब्रवीत् प्रीतः पृथां पृथुयशा हरिः। साम्राज्यं समनुप्राप्ताः पुत्रास्तेऽद्य पितृष्वसः॥
But (I know) you must have to go to the city of Dwarka”. Having been thus addressed, the virtuous-minded and the world renowned Hari (Krishna), accompanied by Yudhishthira, went to Pritha and cheerfully said, “O Aunt, your sons have today obtained the imperial dignity.
सिद्धार्था वसुमन्तश्च सा त्वं प्रीतिमवाप्नुहि। अनुज्ञातस्त्वया चाहं द्वारकां गन्तुमुत्सहे॥
They have obtained vast wealth, and they have been crowned with success. Be pleased with all this; with your permission I shall now to go to Dwarka.
सुभद्रां द्रौपदीं चैव सभाजयत केशवः। निष्क्रम्यान्तःपुरात् तस्माद् युधिष्ठिर सहायवान्॥
Keshava (Krishna) then bade farewell to Subhadra and Draupadi. Then he came out of the inner apartments accompanied by Yudhishthira.
सातश्च कृतजप्यश्च ब्राह्मणान् स्वस्ति वाच्य च। ततो मेघवपुःप्रख्यं स्यन्दनं च सुकल्पितम्। योजयित्वा महाबाहुर्दारुकः समुपस्थितः॥ उपस्थितं रथं दृष्ट्वा तायप्रवरकेतनम्। प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य समारुह्य महामनाः॥ प्रययौ पुण्डरीकाक्षस्ततो द्वारवती पुरीम्॥
He performed his ablutions and went through the daily rites of worship. The Brahmanas uttered benedictions. Then the mighty armed Daruka came with the car of excellent make and the body resembling the clouds. Seeing that the Garuda-bannered car had arrived, the high-souled and lotus-eyed (Krishna) walked round it respectfully and ascending on it, started for the city of Dvaravati.
तं पद्भ्यामनुवव्राज धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। भ्रातृभिः सहितः श्रीमान् वासुदेवं महाबलम्॥
The blessed Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, accompanied by his brothers followed on foot the greatly powerful Vasudeva (Krishna).
ततो मुहूर्तं संगृह्य स्यन्दनप्रवरं हरिः। अब्रवीत् पुण्डरीकाक्षः कुन्तीपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्॥
Then the lotus-eyed Hari (Krishna) stopped for a moment that excellent chariot; and thus spoke to the son of Kunti, Yudhishthira.
अप्रमत्तः स्थितो नित्यं प्रजाः पाहि विशाम्पते। पर्जन्यमिव भूतानि महाद्रुममिव द्विजाः॥
"O kings, cherish your subjects with ceaseless vigilance and patience. As the clouds are to all creatures, as the large tree to the birds.
बान्धवास्त्वोपजीवन्तु सहस्राक्षमिवामराः। कृत्वा परस्परेणैवं संविदं कृष्णपाण्डवौ॥
And as the thousand-eyed deity (Indra) to the immortals, so you also become the refuge of all your friends and relatives". Krishna and the Pandava (Yudhishthira), thus talking with each other,
अन्योन्यं समनुज्ञाप्य जग्मतुः स्वगृहान् प्रति। गते द्वारवती कृष्णे सात्वतप्रवरे नृप॥
Took each other's leave and went towards their respective homes. O king, when the foremost of the Satvata race, Krishna, had gone away to Dvaravati.
एको दुर्योधनो राजा शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः। तस्यां सभायां दिव्यायामूषतुस्तौ नरर्षभौ॥
King Duryodhana and the son of Subala, Shakuni, these two best of men only remained in that celestials Sabha (assembly-hall).