Glory of Baladeva — his attempt to drown Hastinapura in Ganga

The king said — О Brahmarsi, Balarama — the incarnation of Sesa, who carries the load of earth over his head and I would like to listen to his glory once again.

The people well — versed in the Puranas conceive Baladeva as the ball of lustre and invincible.

О best of Brahamanas. I would like to listen to his life stories, which are known to the intelligent people, are filled with bravery. He is also known as Ananta (beyond measure).

Vaishampayana said — The Puranas conceive Balabhadra as the incarnation of serpent Sesa. He is the treasure of resplendence, possesses the divine grandeur, unshakable and the best of the humans. He is the acarya of yoga, immensely strong, valorous. He is the one who listens to the secret advice of the gods and the foremost among those who considers the same. He defeated Jarasandha in the battle of gada, but did not kill him.

Several of the important rulers of the earth, all of whom followed Jarasandha, the ruler of Magadha, were defeated by Balarama in the battle.

Bhima who possessed the strength of ten thousand animals, was defeated at the hands of Balarama in wrestling duels several times.

Once Samba — the son of Jambavatl, who intended^ Laksmana the daughter of Duryodhana to be kidnapped, was imprisoned by the Kauravas at Hastinapur. The city was surrounded by the monarchs from all the sides. It is said, that Samba was carrying the girl forcibly, but was taken prisoner.

Learning about the news of the capture of Samba, the valorous Balarama arrived (at Hastinapur) for getting him released. But he could not get back Samba by peaceful means.

At this Balarama got enraged and the performed there an astonishing feat. The immensely valorous Balarama, who was invincible from all lifted up his divine plough and sanctified it with the Brahma mantra. Then he sank it in the foundation of the boundary wall and thought of drowining the entire city Ganga.

О Rajendra, finding the entire city rotating, the king Duryodhana. came out and presented Samba with his wife to Baladeva.

At that point of time Duryodhana gave in to Balarama as his disciple. After this Balarama took Duryodhana as his pupil for imparting knowledge of the use of club in the duel fight.

О Rajendra, since then the city of Hastinapur in some what tilted towards Ganga.

О king this is the most astonishing feat of Balarama on earth. His activities relating to the Bhandira forest have already been discussed.

At that point of time Baladeva had killed with the administering of a single fist. He killed Dhenukasura by dashing him against the palm tree. The Daitya in the form of an ass was also thrown lifeless on the ground.

He had also dragged Yamuna river — which met the ocean of salt water and was decorated with high waves, was also dragged by Baladeva with his plough.

He is the incarnation of eternal, endless, serpent Sesa — the carrier of earth. I have thus highlighted the glory of Baladeva to you.

There are several other episodes relating to Haladhara Balarama, which have not been discussed, but are found in the other Pur anas.

Here ends chapter — 62, of Visnu Parva of the Harivarhsa Purana, a khilabhaga of the epic of Mahabharata, relating to glory of Baladeva - his attempt to drown Hastinapur in Ganga. (Vrs. 1-20, P.T. = 6515)

Janamejaya said — After the killing of Rukmi, when Shri Krishna returned to Dvaraka, then what did he do, you tell me.

Vaishampayana said — О Janamejaya, Shri Krishna — the son of the Yadava races after reaching Dvaraka surrounded by Yadavas, he inspected the city thoroughly.

Whatever the riches and the gems had been received by Shri Krishna during his outings, were kept in Dvaraka well guarded. He had driven out the demons who intended to usurp them.

The Danavas and Daityas always obstructed his path. Receiving a boon, Shri Krishna killed many of the powerful asuras.

For some time, a demon named Naraka had started creating obstruction in the functioning of Shri Krishna. He always frightened the gods and was a great the enemy of Indra.

Narakasura obstructed the activities of the gods lived in a linga underground and acted against the gods and the Rishis.

Being the son of earth, he was also called Bhauma. He taking to the form of an elephant, went and captured the fourteen years old daughter of the Prajapati Tvastd, known by the name of Kaseru. She had beautiful limbs.

Narakasura was the ruler of Pragjyotispura. He had no grief or fear in him. Due to confusion, he carried the beautiful Kaseru locking her in both his arms and then said to her.

“O Goddess, all the gems available with the humans and the gods and all the gems possessed by the earth shall be brought by all the Daityas, Raksasas and Danavas and given to you including those stored in the ocean bed.”

Thus Bhaumasura had usurped several types of gems, daimonds as well as the costumes. He did not make use of them for himself even after looking at them.

Narakasura had also kidnapped the girls of Gandharvas, besides those of the gods and of the humans, besieds the apsaras.

In this way he had stolen sixteen thousand and one hundred beautiful damsels and had lodged them in his abode. All of them were quite chaste, observed all the Vratas making a single tuft of the hair of the head.

Vaishampayana said — О Janamejaya, the large hearted Bhauma, had built a serpents town over the Mani-parbat, which was the best and was known by the name of Alaka. The place was located in the territory of Mura — a demon.

The ten sons of the Daitya Mura, besides the powerful Raksasas guarded those maids as well as Bhauma — the lord of Pragjyotispura. The Daitya, Naraka had been intoxicated by getting the boon after perfoming tapas.

In earlier times all the Daityas collectively had not committed such a grave sin, which had been committed by Narakasura.

The great Daitya humiliated Aditi — the mother of gods. The demon Narakasura who was born of the earth, and who ruled over Pragjyotispura, had four terrific Daityas as gatekeepers.

They were known by the names of Hayagriva, Nesunda, Pancanada, and the great asura Muru — with his sons.

Narakasura, obstructed the path of the vehicles of the gods and terrified the noble gods who possed by that way.

Shri Krishna the carrier of Samukha, cakra, Gada and lotus, was born in the Vrsni race as son of Vasudeva and Devaki.

His glory is well known in the world. Sr! Krishna — the best of humans lives in Dvaraka, which was built by him with the cooperation of the gods.

Dvaraka is more beautiful than the Amaravati the abode of Indra. It is surrounded by five great oceans and has five mountains in it.

It looks like the place of gods and there is an assembly hall in Dvaraka in which the arches of gold have been provided. It is spread in one square yojana in area and is known as the Dasarha Sabha.

It is the meeting place for the people of Andhaka and Vrsni dynasties and they devote their time for the welfare of the people.

О best of the race of Bharta, once all the people of Yadu Varhsa were present in the said assembly. At the same time the fragrant and divine breeze started blowing and the rain of the divine flowers started falling.

Within two ghadis (forty four minutes) a loud sound was heard in the sky and a resplendent divine figure appeared in the sky, which slowly reached the earth descending from the sky.

In that ball of lustre, Indra was found seated over his white elephant together with all the gods.

At that point of time people of Andhaka and Vrsni races together with Balarama and Shri Krishna stood up and accored welcome to Indra and others.

Then Indra descending from the elephant embraced lord Krishna. Then he met smilingly to Baladeva and Ugrasena.

Enhancing the grace of that assembly, with his presence, accepted their falicitations appropriately including arghya etc.

Vaishampayana said — О Janamejaya, thereafter, the illustrious Indra, assuring Shri Krishna, his younger brother, moving his hand over the lotus like face of Shri Krishna, said to him.

“О son of Devaki, О Madhusudana, destroyer of enemies you listen to the purpose for which I have arrived here.

There is a Raksasa known by the name of Naraka, who has become arrogant because of the boon from Brahma. The said Daitya, out of his arrogance or confusion has usurped the ear rings of Aditi — the mother of gods.

He is engaged in the opposing of the gods and the Rishis. Therefore, you availing an opportunity kill the wicked asura.

Garuda who can fly at will can take you to that place, because he possesses the requisite strength. Garuda — the son of Vinata is quite illustrious and can fly in the sky.

Narakasura is invincible from all the living beings on earth. Therefore you return rapidly after killing the asura.”

At these words of Indra — the god of gods, Shri Krishna took a vow in presence of Indra for the killing of Narakasura.

Thereafter Lord Krishna, the holder of Samkha, Cakra, Gada and sword, mounted Garuda with Satyabhama (one of his chief queens) and proceeded on with Indra.

In full view of the lion like valorous warriors of the race of Yadu, Krishna together with Indra, crossing all the seven layers of wind, flew up.

Indra was mounted over Airavata reached at a considerable distance from Shri Krishna who as a result of this both of them looked like the sun and the moon in the

Having been prayed in the sky by the Gandharvas and apsaras, both Indra and Shri Krishna, disappeared one after the other in the sky.

For the success of his assignment, Indra made adequate arrangements and then proceeded on to his abode. Shri Krishna on the otherhand, moved on to Pragjyotispura.

With the striking with the wings of Garuda, the wind started blowing in the opposite direction. As a result of this the clouds in the sky started rotating violently in the sky.

Using the aerial bird Garuda, Shri Krishna reached Pragjyatispura in a moment. He spotted the demons from a distance and moved towards them.

Shri Krishna found that the vast army of elephants, horses, and chariots was guarding the gate of Pragjyotispura. He spotted the six thousand nooses made by the Daitya king, the edges of which were made like the daggers.

Vaishampayana said — О Janamejaya, Shri Krishna the carrier of Samkha, Cakra and Gada, was seated over Garuda with his body having the complexion of the clouds. He was clad in pltambara. He had four arms.

A Vanamala was decorating his chest besides the Shrivatsa mark. His head was decorated with kirita crown, with which he looked illustrious like the sun. He appeared graceful like the moon replendent with its rays.

When he created the deafening sound with stringing of the bow, it created terrific sound like sound of the fall of Vajra, which was heard everywhere. Then Mura — the Danava came to realise that lord Shri Krishna had arrived.

The demon Mura was immensely enraged with the sound. His eyes were doubly reddened in anger. He was terrific like Yama or the god of death, rushed towards Shri Krishna holding a spear in his hand, with great force.

He shot the spear decorated with gems and gold at Shri Krishna. The valorous Shri Krishna finding the burning Sakti (spear) rushing towards him like a comet, placed an arrow with golden wings over the bow and then shot it which reduced the spear of the demon into two pieces.

After the destruction of the spear by Shri Krishna, Mura who stood there like the ball of resplendence, picked up a huge gada in his hand.

In the meantime Shri Krishna picked up in his hand a crescent arrow. At the time of stringing the bow, a Vajra like thundering sound was created resembling the fall of Vajra. Then lord Krishna drew the crescent arrow upto his ear and shot it with great force, which cut off gada in the mid-way. Thereafter, Shri Krishna using a spear cut off the head of the demon.

Then he shattered all the nooses of Mura, killed him with all his kiths and kins. Thereafter Shri Krishna crossed all the stone slabs spotted the vast Daitya army besides and the valorous Daityas named Hayagriva, Nisunda and several other Daityas who fought astonishing types of war.

Then Nisunda commanding his army to obstruct the path of Shri Krishna. Then he mounted the chariot and picked up the bow, with the grip of gold, in his hand.

Then Nisunda shot ten arrows at Shri Krishna, wounding him at the same time. Shri Krishna also shot seventy sharp arrows at him.

Thereafter Shri Krishna cut off all demon’s arrows in the mid air itself. The demon was then surrounded by his soldiers who started covering him with the cover of arrows. At the sight of all the demons, Madhusudana was enraged.

With the use of divine Parjaynya weapon, Shri Krishna showered the rain of arrows and stopped the forward march of the demon army.

By using influence of the divine Pdrjanya weapon, Shri Krishna shot five arrows each at the large number of Danavas at their sensitive spots.

All the demons then getting terrified, fled from the battle ground. Finding his army thus fleeing, Nisunda came out for waging the war.

Showering the arrows, he started covering Shri Krishna. At that point of time, neither the sun, the ten directions nor the sky, could be visible.

Nisunda, who had himself fought alone for a thousand years with all the gods, finding the same demon lying dead over the ground, then Danava Hayagrlva, picked up a huge rock and wighed it in his hand.

With the shooting of the arrows with the said weapon, Shri Hari cut off all the arrows shot by Nisunda. Then the valorous Shri Krishna shot arrows, which cut into pieces the arrows shot by Nisunda. The valorous Krishna, with the shooting of his arrows, cut off all his arrows. Then he cut off the cakra of demon’s chariot with the shooting of an arrow and with three other arrows he cut off the yoke of the chariot. With four other arrows, he killed the horses yoked in the chariot. He killed the charioteer with five arrows and with another arrow, he cut off the flag pole of the chariot.

Then Shri Krishna, the best of the gods, with an extremely sharp arrow, injured the body of Nisundka and with the stroke of a spear, he cut off his head.

Nesunda covered the Garuda flag with his arrows. Thereafter Purusottama Shri Krishna took up the divine weapon called Savitra.

Then he suddenly rotated it. Then he threw the mountain like rock at Shri Krishna but then Visnu — the best user of the arms, using the divine Parjanyastra, broke the rock into seven pieces. Thus breaking the huge rock, he threw it over the ground.

О best of Bharata’s race, with the terrific arrows shot from the bow, an awful war started comparable with the war between the gods and the asuras. Several types of weapons were used in the same which were scattered in the battlefield.

Then the valorous Krishna seated over Garuda, started many great demons with the various types of arrows of different colours.

All the demons coming in conflict with Shri Krishna with the plough, strength of the couch, used by him, fell down and were destroyed.

Several of the Danavas getting nearer to him, were burnt with the fire of Jiis cakra and fell dowrn on the ground. After their death, their faces Were turned horrible.

The asuras shot arrows over Shri Krishna, like the fall of rain, but the limbs of all of them were shattered with the arrows shot by Shri Krishna and having been soaked in blood, they looked like the blossoming Butea frondosa tree. The demons who could wage different type of wars, after getting their weapons destroyed, fled away from the battle ground, getting frightened.

Then Hayagrlva with the eyed turned red in anger invaded once again, with the force of wind. He uprooted a ten vyama high tree and carrying it in his hand he forcefully rushed towards Shri Krishna.

Hayagrlva who looked like the black cloud, shot carefully at Shri Krishna. With the moving of the huge tree, enormous sound was heard.

The Shri Krishna trying to be victorious, shooting a thousand arrows, broke the tree into pieces. At that point of time he looked like the painted sun.

Then he wounded the chest of Hayagrlva with the shooting of an arrow, which looked like the burning fire flame. The arrow wounded him in the centre of the chest entered into it with great force and tearing out his heart, it emerged from his back.

In this way he had been a terrific warrior, son of the race of Yadus, the son of Devaki, in the region of Lohitanga (in Sindh), near Alaka, killed the awful Daitya Hayagrlva, sending him to the abode of Yama.

Thereafter, Shri Krishna, killed eight lakhs of Danavas. Thereafter, he the lion among the humans, who terrified the enemies, invaded Pragjyotispura.

He killed the chief warrior named Pancanada, he entered the city of Pragajyotispura, which was shining with its glory. He fought a terrific war with the asuras.

Thereafter the immensely valorous Krishna blew his couch Pancajanya, which created terrific sound resembling the the thundering sound of the Sarhvartaka — clouds, which was heard in all the three worlds. Hearing the terrific sound of the couch Pancajanya, the eyes of Naraka became red in anger.

He mounted over a chariot with eight wheels of iron. Its length was three nalvas (equal to three hundred or twelve hundred hands.). It was made of gold and was studded with gems and looked astonishingly beautiful. Its seating arrangement was quite vast. The flag pole of the chariot was made of gold and was studded with gems. The yoking rod of the chariot was made of lapiz Lazuli. A thousand horses were yoked in it. It could destroy the enemy chariots (quite easily). It was covered with an iron net and was painted with trees and flowery desings.

Narakasura was seated in the middle of the chariots and looked like the setting sun of the evening time. Several types of weapons had been stored in the chariot.

The coat of arms covering his chest was made of diamonds and was made issuing the bright rays resembling the moon rays. He was wearing the garland of pearls over his chest as a result of which he appeared resplendent like fire. By wearing a raised crown over his head he was shining like the fire flames. Beautiful ear-rings were hanging in both his ears.

He was surrounded with asuras of dark complexion and red eyes who had worn various types of kavacas.

Some of them carried the swords and shield, while others held bows and arrows. Some of them held the spears while the others held tridents.

They wore the coats of arms, properly, were ready for attacking. They mounting over the elephants, horses, and the chariots, marched out of the city, shaking the earth.

Narakasura resembling Yama was surrounded by the crowd of warriors heard the thunder sound of the blowing of couches, beating of drums, big drums, Panavas (small drums) and thousand of other musical instruments.

The asuras with horrible faces, went to the place, where Krishna was standing and surrounded Garuda. All of them started the war collectively.

All the warriors showered the heavy rain of arrows and covered the lord. They shot thousands of spears, tridents, gadas, prasas, tomaras as well as the arrows, covering the sky at the same time.

Janardana Krishna who was beautiful like the black clouds, held in his hand the Sarang bow, which created sound like the thundering clouds. He strung the bow and showered the rain of arrows over the Danavas. Getting frightened with the showering of rain of arrows, the demon army was frightened and fled from the battle ground.

Shri Krishna fought a terrific war with the awful Raksasas. All the demons were feeling painful with the arrows shot by Shri Krishna. They fled from the battle ground, destroying their own military formations.

Arms of several of them had been cut off, which the necks, heads and faces of many of them had been cut off. Some of them had been cut into two pieces with the use of cakra. The chests of many of them had been wounded with the shooting of the arrows.

Some of the warriors were fighting riding over the elephants, horses as well as the chariots but had been cut off into two pieces each, with the striking of the arrows. Some of them had been crushed with the attack of Kaumadl gada, while several of them had been torn out with the use of cakra.

In this way entire army comprising of the humans, chariots and elephants was churned (with the use of different weapons.). Thereafter Narakasura fought a terrific battle with lord Shri Krishna.

You listen to me carefully, whatever is being spoken by me briefly. Narakasura, who frightened the gods, started fighting with Madhusudana lord Purusottama Shri Krishna. His eyes were red in anger. He had the black complexion of clouds.

The valorous Shri Krishna, lifted up the bow resembling the rainbow and then held the arrow in his hand, which was shining like the sun rays.

Using the divine weapon in the battle ground. Shri Krishna filled the chariot of Narakasura with the weapons (shot by him). Narakasura also on the other hand attacked (Shri Krishna) with a forceful weapons.

Finding the weapon fast approching towards him creating the rumbling sound like Vajra. Shri Krishna destroyed it with the use of his cakra.

Then Shri Krishna shot the charioteer of the demon king, killing him at the same time. Then shooting of the other arrows, he cut off his flag paot, besides the horses and destroyed the horses as well as the chariot.

Thereafter Madhusudana cut off the coat of arms of the demon king. With the destruction of the coat of arms, his body appeared like the serpent, when relieved from the skin.

Inspite of the killing of the horses and the tearing off of the kavaca, Narkasura kept on standing in the battle ground and carried in his hand a heavy iron trident which was spotless and issued fire flames, which was shining like Indra’s vajra. He shot the trident suddenly rotating it.

The trident which was decorated with gold then rushed towards Shri Krishna and finding it so advancing, Shri Krishna, the performer of astonishing deeds, cut it in two parts with a sharp edged arrow.

At that point of time Shri Krishna fought an awful war with Narakasura, having a gigantic body with the use of terrific weapons.

Then the wrathful Madhusudana, fought the battle with Narakasura for two ghadis (forty four minutes). Thereafter he cut off the body of the great Narkasura with the use of his cakra into two pieces.

Having been cut off into two parts the body of Narakasura fell on the ground, like a mountain peak falling on the ground with the attack of vajra.

By coming in conflict with Shri Krishna, he proceeded on to the western mountain like the sun. With the cutting of his body into two parts with cakra, he fell down on earth. At that point of time he appeared like the ochre mountain.

At the fall of her son, the goddess earth appeared in person and she presented both the ear-rings of Aditi to Shri Krishna and said.

О Govinda, it is you who had given this son to me and the same has now been killed by you. О lord, you may sport as you like, in the same way as a child plays with toys. О lord, these are the kundalas which may please be accepted by you and bring up the progeny of Narkasura.

Here ends chapter — 63, of Visnu Parva of the Harivamsa Purana, a khilabhaga of the epic of Mahabharata relating to the killing of Narakasura (Vrs. 1-126, P.T. = 6641)

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