A Prose English Translation of Harivamsha

Vaishampayana said:—O my child, the question that you have put regarding Hari, the holder of Sranga bow, is indeed very great. Listen, I shall still describe the glory of Vishnu...

Vaishampāyana said:—Having arrived at the city of Dwārakā and living near the palace of Vāsudeva Chitrālekha began to think of the measures by which she might know how Aniruddha...

Markandeya said:—After the disappearance of that deity and according to the words of that lord, I acquired discriminative knowledge along with celestial vision (1). Thereupon, O...

Vaishampāyana said:—When Ariruddha was taken away as captive, his beloved wives and their companions cried there in his absence, like so many ewes (1). "Alas! even under the pro...

Vaishampāyana said:—Having thus obtained a number of boons Vāna was highly pleased. And having attained to the dignity of Mahākala he went with Rudra (1). Vāsudeva too, on the o...

Janamejaya said:—O Brahman, when the Lord Krishna, endued with Sakra’s prowess, set out from the city of Bidarbha he did not ride the highly powerful son of Vinatā, Garuda; why...

Vaishampāyana said:—On coming to the beautiful city of Dwarka, that foremost of all sages, Nārada, saw that foremost of beings, that subduer of his foes, Nārāyana (1) comfortabl...

Vaishampāyana said:—O king, hear how Daksha created progeny when he was commanded by Swayambhuva, saying "create progeny." (2) The capable Daksha first created his mental offspr...

Vaishampayana said:—Beholding the mount Govardhana thus held up and the kine saved Purandara, the king of the celestials, was filled with great surprise and felt a desire for se...

Vaishampayana said:—Meditating on the incident of the breaking of the bow Kansa, of Bhoja race, was greatly stricken with grief and absent-mindedness (1). He began to think:—"Ho...

Vaishampāyana said:—The beautiful and powerful lord Vishnu, having lotus eyes, the enhancer of the delight of the Yadavas, encircled by them, directed his mind towards Dwārakā (...

Vaishampāyana said:—Here the highly energetic Vishnu, a moment after sun rise, went to the Raivataka mountain, under the pretext of hunting, taking up, O descendant of the Kurus...

Vaishampayana said:—Hearing that Krishna was advancing in power like fire in Vraja, Kansa, anticipating fear from him, was filled with anxiety (1). On Putana being slain, the tw...

Janamejaya said:—O Brahman, the sages describe in the Puranas, the incarnations of Vishnu of unlimited energy We have heard from them that the Lord incarnated himself as a boar....

Markandeya said:—Hear from me everything from the very beginning, O son of Ganga, of my doubts which I again referred to that reverend eternal deity Sanatkumar the foremost of i...

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...

Vaishampayana said:—The invincible king Richeyu had none to equal him. His wife was Ivalanā, the daughter of Takshaka (1). That saintly queen gave birth to the saintly emperor M...

Beholding Vāna issue out and stand for battle Krishna too rode Garuda and went towards Wāna. Beholding the Yadu king Krishna, of incomparable energy, the rider of Garuda, approa...

Vaishampayana said:—Holding their counsels all the Yādavas, headed by Janārddana, surveyed the encampment of the kings in the gardens of Mathurā. Afterwards with a delighted hea...

Vaishampayana said:—After Nārāyana, on his being successful, had repaired to a house on the earth becoming his position, after the gods had incarnated their portions in the race...

Vaishampayana said:—Beholding the two sons of Vasudeva come down from the mountain the soldiers of the kings grew terrified and the animals bewildered (1). Although they had no...

Vaishampāyana said:—Hear now of the names, forms, accomplishments and the principal weapons of the Dānavas. Viprachitti, Shivi, Shanku, Ayashanku, Ayasshirā, Ashwashira, the pow...

Vaishampāyana said:—O Bharata, Nārāyana once more affectionately addressed the chaste and beautiful Satyabhāma who was thus suffering under the influence of jealousy and resentm...

Vaishampayana said:—Shaking the earth with the sound of the slapping of his arms Krishna, the lotus-eyed son of Devaki, entered the arena, with his elder brother before him. His...

Vaishampayana said:—On account of his irreligious actions the Vedas, virtue, forgiveness, truth and the prosperity of Narayana, these five did not follow him (Kālanemi) (1). Owi...

Vaishampāyana said:—Persons, who have controlled their senses and anger, wearing matted locks and deer-skin, concentrate their mind on the junction-place between nose³¹⁰ and eye...

Vaishampāyana said:—Thereupon on the twelfth day of the light fortnight of the month of Vaishākha fair Ushā was sleeping encircled by her companions. At that time a man, as spok...

Janamejaya said:—O Revered Sir, according to what rules the learned hear the Bhārata? What are the fruits thereof. What gods should be worshipped when it is complete? What chari...

Janamejaya said:—O lord, having slain the highly powerful Kansa irrepressible unto the gods Krishna did not sit on the throne. Then he waited for the maiden and was not welcomed...

Vaishampāyana said:—The sage Narada then repaired to the residence of Mahendra; and there he passed the night in witnessing the festivities (held in honor of Siva) (1). The illu...

Thereupon there took place a terrible encounter between the armies of the gods and demons desirous of vanquishing each other (1). Armed with various weapons the Dānavas fought w...

Uma said:—Thus according to all the prescribed rules a self-controlled and chaste woman should observe the vow either for one year, six months or one month; and afterwards, she...

Vaishampayana said:—Rambhā had no issue. I shall describe the progeny of Anenā. His son was the highly illustrious king Pratikshatra (1). His son passed by the name of Srinjaya...

Janamejaya said:—O foremost of the twice-born, why were not Revati and Revata’s son Kukudmi, visited by decrepitude although they lived for many years (1). Why does Saryāti’s gr...

Janamejaya said:—O foremost of the twice-born, I have heard many incomparable deeds of that intelligent Yadu king many a time. O foremost of moral men, O you having asceticism f...

Vaishampayana said:—Thereupon when the sun rose in the clear morning, Hrishikesha, the descendant of Yadu, having performed his morning ablution and sat for some time at the out...

Vaishampāyana said:—O emperor Janamejaya, when the kings, with their followers, were imprisoned fear entered into the mind of the Asuras. Completely routed by Krishna, Anarta an...

Vaishampayana said:—Hearing the words of Vikadru the highly illustrious Vasudeva, with a delighted mind, said:—"O Krishna, what the intelligent Vikadru, the foremost of royal sp...

Vaishampayana said:—Surrounded by his four-fold forces moving like the ocean, the highly effulgent and powerful king Jarāsandha, observant of vows and the leader of kings, arriv...

Vaishampāyana said;—In the same month in which Pradyumna was stolen away by Shamvara desirous of killing himself Jāmvavati gave birth to Shāmva (1). From his boyhood he was trai...

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-...

Vaishampayana said:—While in this wise the festivity, in his honor, was suppressed, Sakra, the king of the celestials said to the clouds called Samvartaka (1):—"O ye clouds, and...

Vaishampayana said:—Thereupon hearing the words of the earth and thinking minutely on her object the gods said to the grand-father (1). "O Lord, thou hast created the bodies of...

Vaishampayana said:—That giver of liberal gifts, having entered Nanda’s house with Keshava and collected all the elderly milk-men, said delightedly to Krishna and Rohini’s son "...

Vaishampāyana said:—Then Krishna, mounted on his car, went to the Pārijātra mountain where the mighty Lord of the immortals was remaining on the back of the Airāvata (1). Then t...

Vaishampayana said:—Hearing the words of Andha ka, Kansa’s eyes were reddened with anger. Without giving vent to a single word he entered into his own house (1). Having their re...

Janamejaya said:—O Vaishampayana, O you having asceticism for your wealth, do you describe at length all the Manwantaras and the creations previous to them (1). O. Brahman, I wi...

Bhishmaka said:—"O Lord of gods, out of his childish nature, my son wishes to give away his sister in a Swayamvara, but I do not like it (1). He is entirely childish; I do not l...

Vaishampayana said:—With Rohini’s son the powerful Vasudeva began to live happily in the city of Mathura filled with Yādavas (1). Gradually his person shone greatly in the beaut...

Janamejaya said:—O Muni, I have thus listened to an account of the necessary destruction of Andhaka, by which the intelligent Mahadeva restored peace in the three worlds. It beh...

Vaishampāyana said:—Thereupon there took place a great hair-stirring encounter between Rukshmini’s son and those of Shamvara (1). Afterwards in anger those great Daityas began t...

Vaishampāyana said:—In the meantime in order to satisfy the king of Chedis the powerful Jarāsandha announced "A marriage with presents of gold coins and ornaments will be celebr...

Dantavakra said:—"O ye kings, what the king of Magadha and Sunitha have said for our well-being appears to me as proper (2). I cannot blame these nectarine words out of malice,...

Vaishampayana said:—Thereupon leaving off that forest of palm trees the two sons of Vasudeva again came to the Bhandira tree (1). Traversing that prosperous forest land and tend...

Vaishampāyana said:—Finding the sage (Narada) seated with Rukshmini, the high-souled Keshava that knower of all things, set out under some pretext (for the mansion of Satyabhama...

Janamejaya said:—O reverend sir, I wish to listen at length to the history of the high-souled and intelligent Vāsudeva, the foremost of Yadus (1). O foremost of the twice-born,...

Vaishampāyana said:—On having heard the words of Mahendra that foremost of eloquent speakers Nārada addressed these words to the king of the celestials in secret (1). There is n...

Harivamsha or the family of Hari (Srikrishna) is properly speaking a sequel of the great Epic Mahabharata. The work opens with a request made by Sounaka to Souti for an account...

Vaishampāyana said:—O subduer of foes, Kaçyapa begat Vivaswan on Aditi, the daughter of Daksha. He espoused the goddess Sajnā (1). That beautiful damsel was celebrated over the...

Vaishampayana said:—Under these arrangements the celestial-like Devaki conceived for seven times as described before (1). Kansa killed the _Sargarbhas_ by dashing them against a...

Vaishampāyana said:—Thus when every thing will be converted into one ocean the highly illustrious Lord Hari, having brought about the dissolution of the universe as the material...

Vaishampāyana said:—O delighter of the Kurus, on having heard the words of the lord of the celestials, the pious-minded Narada that most eloquent speaker conversant with the ess...

Vaishampayana said:—Saying so be it the king of gods, the multiplier of the deities, delightedly, first of all, sent for Soma in battle, who had the dews for his weapons (1).

Krishna said:—"Ye pious Yādavas, by virtue of your ascetic power and that of mental concentration, and on account of his own sin Bhumi’s son Naraka has been slain. Many beautifu...

Vaishampāyana said:—After the termination of the sacrifice of Kashyapa of incomparable energy the gods and Asuras repaired to their respective habitations (1). After the end of...

Vaishampayana said:—Saying ’so be it’ the Lord, having the hue of a cloud and voice like its muttering in an unfair day, went away with the gods like a mountain covered with clo...

Vaishampayana said:—After a long time the king Yadu begat on the five daughters of the Nāga king five large armed royal sons, the scions of his family, namely Muchukunda, Padmav...

Vaishampāyana said:—Krishna, seated on Garuda’s back, saw the city of Dwārakā, resembling the abode of the celestials, filled with echoes on all sides, the mount Mani, sporting-...

Vaishampayana said:—Having been thus worshipped by the Rishis the Lord entered into the celestial habitation of Brahmā, the hermitage of Nārāyana as described in the Puranas (1)...

Vaishampayana said:—After the departure of Jamadagni’s son Rāma, Rāma and Krishna, the perpetuators of the Yadu race, assuming forms of their own accord began to range on the ch...

Vaishampayana said:—Breathing like a person who has drunk poison, Ugrasena, burning with grief for his son, approached Krishna (1). He saw him there encircled by Yadavas repenti...

Vaishampāyana said:—Having saluted then the Lord of Vilwa and water, Krishna, the high-minded slayer of Madhu, went away on his own car; and seated thereon he invited the king o...

Vaishampayana said:—Kālayavana, the king of Yavanas, was highly powerful and used to govern the inhabitants of his city in pursuance of royal duties (1). He was wise, conversant...

Janamejaya said:—O foremost of Munis, O Vaishampayana, I have listened to an account of the spoliation of Shatpura. Do you now describe the destruction of Andhaka mentioned by y...

Vaishampayana said:—Thereupon yoking (the horses to the) car and ascending thereon the liberal giver Akrura set out with Krishna and Sangkarshana and reached the charming city o...

Vaishampāyana said:—O king, from before the swans used to go to the city of Vajra. So hearing the words of Vāsava they at once went there (1). O hero, those birds jumped into th...

Vaishampayana said:—O my child, you have thus heard of the arrangement of the Daitya army in the war between the gods and demons. Hear, now of an account of the arrangement of t...

Vaishampayana said:—Beholding their husband slain and fallen Kansa’s wives encircled him like planets of decreasing lustre (1). Beholding their lion-like royal husband slain and...

Vaishampāyana said:—Within a moment of the clear sun coming within the range of people’s vision, Baladeva, Krishna and Satyaki delightedly got upon Garuda’s back. Having bathed...

Vaishampāyana said:—Having slain Bhumi’s son Naraka powerful like Vāsava, Vishnu, the younger brother of Indra began to search his house (1). Having arrived at the Treasury of N...

Vaishampayana said:—Hearing the words of the aged milk-men regarding the festivity of Indra, Dāmodara well-informed of Sakra’s might, said to him (1). "We are all milk-men who r...

Vaishampayana said:—One day the lotus-eyed Krishna, having a dark-blue hue and a beautiful countenance, capable of assuming forms at will and wearing a feather of crow, without...

Vaishampayana said:—Yadu had five sons equal unto the sons of the celestials. They were Sahasrada, Payoda, Kroshta, Neela and Anjika. O king, Sahasrada had three highly pious so...

Vaishampāyana said:—O Bhārata, thereupon they all enjoyed peace and a kingdom of prosperity was established. At that time there existing no difference as regards the knowledge o...

Vaishampayana said:—In order to welcome the Dānavas the highly powerful great Asura Kālanemi assumed proportions like clouds in the end of summer (1). As by acquiring most excel...

Vaishampāyana said:—Formerly the Patriarch Anga, born in the race of Atri, and equally all-powerful like him, became the protector of religion (1). A highly impious son by name...

Vaishampayana said:—Being informed of their arrival and thinking that they would attack the city, king Shrigāla, terrible in battle and endued with the prowess of Indra, issued...

Janamejaya said:—O foremost of Munis, I am not able to attain to the consummation of my satisfaction listening again and again to the sacred theme of Lord Krishna’s influence on...

Vishnu said:—"What a wonderful sacrifice is this undertaken by the king of Asuras. There are various sorts of well prepared edibles. O highly powerful Dānava king, your sacrific...

Vaishampāyana said:—That powerful Daitya Madhu of dreadful prowess bound Mahendra on that mountain with a sharpened noose³²⁴ (1). According to the words of Pralhada and on the w...

Vaishampayana said:—Thereupon after the departure of Sakra, the beautiful Krishna the holder of Gavardhana, entered Vraja honored by the inhabitants, thereof (1). The elderly Go...

Vaishampayana said:—Thereupon worked up with anger Kansa said to all his well-meaning ministers:—"Do ye always be on your guard for destroying the (eight born) children of Devak...

Prithu said:—He, who for one individual destroys many lives either belonging to his own side or to his opposite party, commits a sin in this world (1). By slaying that harmful p...

Vaishampāyana said:—Kāma (Cupid) of firm vows, in order to kill Shamvara, took his birth from Rukshmini, the incarnation of Lakshmi, and Vāsudeva as his beautiful son Pradyumna....

Vaishampayana said:—After some days had thus elapsed, Rāma, recollecting his friendship with Gopas, alone went to Vraja with Krishna’s consent (1). Clad in a beautifully wild at...

Vaishampayana said:—Thinking thus Krishna repaired to the bank of the river. Tying his cloth firmly he, with delight, got upon the Kadamba tree (1). Climbing up to the top of th...

Vaishampayana said:—When the work of his creation of progeny was complete the Patriarch Vashishtha obtained Shatarupā, not born of a woman, as his spouse (1). While he resided c...

Janamejaya said:—When the whole world will thus be sullied, by whom men will be protected? How will they behave? What will they take and how will they enjoy? What will be their...

Vaishampayana said:—O great king, Budha’s son Pururava was learned, energetic, and charitably disposed. He performed many sacrifices and gave away many presents (1). He was conv...

The goddess continued:—O Arundhati, hear with these ladies, I shall describe the pious rites, by which the body becomes worthy of attaining to most excellent bliss (1). If a cha...

Vaishampāyana said:—Thereupon king Vajramābha ordered the Asuras living in their own cities, "Give them most excellent rooms (1). Treat them as guests, give them various jewels...

Vaishampayana said:—Ilā’s son had seven high-souled sons resembling the sons of the celestials born in the celestial region (1). They were Ayu, Dhimān, Amavasu, the high-souled...

Vaishampāyana said:—At that time with the sound of conch-shells and bugles, the songs of bards and panegyrists by thousands and blessings of men exclaiming victory Janarddana ap...

Vaishampayana said:—After the departure of Vasudeva’s son the kings, who had their limbs embellished with ornaments and who were anxious to go to their respective kingdoms, retu...

Janamejaya said:—O Brahman, I wish to hear truly and separately of the families of Puru, Drahyu, Anu, Yadu, and Turvasu. Do you describe them at length from the very beginning w...

Vaishampāyana said:—When that Deity was born the seven Patriarchs, Marichi and others and the seven saints bowed unto him, Bharadwāja, Kashyapa, Goutama, Vishwāmitra, Jamadagni,...

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 fr...

Vaisampayana said:—O king, Soma’s father the Divine Rishi Atri was the mind-begotten son of Brahmā when, in the days of yore, he grew desirous of creating progeny (1). Atri, wit...

Vaishampāyana said:—Seated on that lotus the long-armed Brahmā, the foremost of those conversant with Brahman, practised hard austerities, raising his hand up. Burning in his ow...

Vaishampāyana said:—At that time, O king, in the city of Shatpura on the sacred bank of the good river Avarta, resorted to by the Munis, a Vajasaneyi Brāhmana, by name Brahmadat...

Having saluted Hari, the master of senses and the preceptor or the mobile and immobile, the Prime Purusha Icāna, who is eulogised and propitiated with oblations by many in sacri...

Vaishampayana said:—Thus living in Vrindāvana the two highly beautiful sons of Vasudeva began to range there tending kine (2). Sporting with the milk-men and bathing in the rive...

Vaishampāyana said:—When the three eyes (of Siva) were burning all the worlds were covered with darkness: and Nandi, Rudra and his car were not visible (1). Then Rudra, burning...

Vaishampayana said:—Hearing the words of Nārada the Lord Madhusudana, the master of gods, smilingly said in auspicious words (1):—"O Nārada, listen to a proper reply to all thes...

Vaishampayana said:—The highly energetic Nahusha begat on his father’s daughter Virajā six sons gifted with the effulgence of Indra (1). They were Yati, Yayāti, Sang yāti, Ayati...

Vaishampayana said:—Beholding Vasudeva thus insulted and covering their ears with their hands the leading Yādavas took him for one having his lease of life run out (1). Resortin...

Vaishampāyana said:—In the rainy season, while looking at the sky filled with clouds Kāma having, a countenance like the full moon, said to Prabhāvati of beautiful eyes: "O fair...

Vaishampāyana said;—O king, thereupon filled with anger Shamvara said to his charioteer:—"O hero, do you soon take my car to the enemy. With arrows I will kill him who has done...

Vaishampāyana said:—The almighty Vishnu, that possessor of immeasurable powers then finding that the sage Nārada was desirous of departing, spoke to him thus (1):—"O sinless and...

Vaishampāyana said:—After a few days the powerful Rukshmi, the slayer of his enemies, announced that his daughter would make her choice of a husband (1). For this invited by Ruk...

Vaishampāyana said:—Thereupon riding quickly Vinatā’s son, those three (heroes), stationed in the battle-field like three fire-gods, began to fight there. Seated on Garuda’s bac...

Vaishampayana said:—Bhajamāna’s son was Viduratha, the foremost of car-warriors. The heroic Rajādhideva was Viduratha’s son (1). Rājādhideva had a number of highly powerful sons...

Janamejaya said:—How did the illustrious Aditya become the (presiding) deity of Srāddhas? What is the most excellent mode of performing them? I wish to hear all this, O Vipra. (...

Vaishampāyana said:—O subduer of enemies, hear, I shall enumerate the days of Brahmā by the same calculation by which men make divisions of day and night (2). Five _Nimeshas_ ma...

Vaishampayana said:—Akrura had that peerless jewel which Krishna conferred on Satrājit, stolen by Shatadhanwā (1). Akrura always wished to have the beautiful Satyabhāmā.⁷⁰ As so...

"O boy, we have been highly pleased seeing this thy understanding conducive to the multiplication of the kine and the well-being of the milk-men (2). O Krishna, thou art our cou...

Vaishampayana said:—Beholding the eternal Krishna arrive there with Vināta’s son the leading kings were stricken with great anxiety (1). O king, those kings of dreadful prowess,...

Sounaka said:—I have thus recited to you the entire Harivamsha with all its Parvas as recounted by Vyasa’s disciple. May this endless history of Hari’s family, nectar-like and d...

Bhishma said:—Thereupon at the words (of my father) I put to Markandeya with attention the same question which I had put to my father before (1). The great and virtuous ascetic...

Vaishampayana said;—Listen, O king, duly to the dignity of Vishnu as Viswa (the lord of protection) to that of Hari in the Satya Yuga, to that of Vaikunta amongst the gods, to t...

Vaishampāyana said:—O king, having controlled your five senses listen with whole-minded attention to what I say with a pure mind. Know him as Nishkala Purusha, whom one cannot o...

Vaishampāyana said:—Afterwards thinking "This maiden has been completely possessed by me." Krishna’s son delightedly said to the goose:—"Tell the daughter of the Daitya king, th...

Janamejaya said:—I do not know whether the time for Moksha (emancipation) is distant or near. Therefore I wish to know about the cycle of Kali which has followed Dwāpara struck...

Vaishampayana said:—Thereupon united with Rohini’s son the heroic and powerful Krishna began to live in the city of Mathurā filled with Yadavas (1). Gradually his body began to...

Vaishampayana said:—Thereupon drinking the milk of the sacrificial cow along with Bhrigu’s descendant the two foremost of speakers and Yādavas Rāma and Keshava, endued with the...

Markandeya said:—The people perform Srādha and even the Yogins do the same. So I shall describe to you its most excellent fruit (1). O descendant of Bharata, religious knowledge...

Uma said:—The chaste woman, who wishes that her friends and relatives may be accomplished, should fast on every seventh day of a fort-night for one year. After the completion of...

Vaishampāyana said:—Thereupon after the sun, the eye of the world, had risen for three Muhurttas the deity Hari came there riding on Garuda, the enemy of the serpents [1]. O des...

Vaishampayana said:—Upon the following day the ampitheatre was filled by the citizens anxious to behold the great game (1). The place of assembly was supported by octagonal pain...

Vaishampayana said:—As time went on those two boys, named Krishna and Sangkarshana, began to crawl on their legs. Those two beautiful boys, resembling the rising sun, the same p...

Janamejaya said:—We have heard from the pious sages while reciting the Puranas about the boar incarnation of Vishnu of incomparable energy, but we know nothing about his works,...

Vaishampāyana said:—Thus desirous of creating the universe the Lord began to think. While he was thus meditating a Purusha came out of his mouth. Arriving before the Lord, the P...

Souti said:—While the foremost of Rishis thus consoled the king Janamejaya, his words, relating to the past and future, were heard by all those who were present in that meeting...

Vaishampayana said:—In this way, Krishna and Sangkarshana passed their childhood in Vraja and became seven years old (1). They used to put on dark-blue and yellow raiments, past...

Narada said:—Moreover, the nooses made by Mura have been cut, Nisumva and Naraka have been slain and the road to the city of Pragyotish has been freed from all dangers. Even the...

"O goddess, thou art the salvation, intelligence, glory, bashfulness, learning, advancement and inclination of all the worlds. Thou art identical with twilight, night, ray, slee...

Vaishampayana said:—O king, Ayu had five sons who were all heroic and mighty car-warriors. They were begotten on Swarbhānu’s daughter (1). Of them Nahusha was born first and nex...

Vaishampāyana said:—The earth floated over that vast expanse of water like a boat. On account of the heaviness of her body she did not sink down (1). The Lord then thought of ma...

Markandeya said:—Those seven ganders, ever practising Yoga and ranging in the Mānasa lake, namely Padmagarbha, Aravindaksha, Kshiragarbha, Sulochana, Uruvindu, Suvindu and Hemag...

Vaishampāyana said:—Hearing that his sister had been carried away by Krishna Rukshmi, filled with anger, promised before Bhishmaka saying "I shall not return to the city of Kund...

Markandeya said:—One of (those ganders) Vaibhrāja, an ascetic and anchorite as he was, was born as the son of Brahmadatta by name Viswaksena (1). Once on a time Brahmadatta was...

Vaishampāyana said:—The Vedic Sruti says that formerly this universe of Brahmā existed in the shape of a golden egg. Thereupon for creating the world the omnipotent Lord cut off...

Vaishampayana said:—Thereupon when, the sun, with weakened rays, set, when in the evening crimson sky, the disc of the moon became tawny coloured, when the birds entered into th...

Vaishampayana said:—Thereupon there commenced a great battle between the Vrishnis and the commanders and vassal kings of the lord of Magadha (1). O foremost of the descendants o...

Vaishampayana said:–Krousthu had two wives Gāndhri and Madri; of them Gāndhari gave birth to the highly powerful Anamitra and Mādri to Yudhājit and Devamidusha. There came into...

Vaishampāyana said:—O descendant of Bharata, hearing attentively the words of Nārada the great Asura Andhaka felt a desire for going to the mount Mandara (1). Having gathered ot...

Uma said:—O you of pure smiles, when by the grace of my lord I became omniscient I came to know of the sacred regulations of all the religious rites (1). O Arundhati, although t...

Vaishampāyana said:—The mount Mainaka was fixed in that hole which was created on the face of the earth by the increasing sun (1). It was called Parvata because it filled up the...

Vaishampāyana said:—O foremost of Bharatas, Vivaswata Manu had nine sons after him—Ikshwāku, Nābhaga, Dhrishnu, Sharyāti, Narishyan, Prangsha, Nābhagarishtha, Korusha and Prisha...

Vaishampāyana said:—Thereupon having his eyes expanded with joy the large-armed Ahuka said to the highly effulgent Krishna:—"O descendant of Yadu, hear what I say. O my child, s...

Janamejaya said:—O disciple of Vyāsa, O you conversant with the tenets of religion, O you having asceticism for your wealth, O Vaishampayana, while giving an account of the carr...

Vaishampāyana said:—After the revolution of a thousand Yugas and the commencement of Satya-Yuga the quality of Tamas (disorganizing tendency) prevails. At this time the great As...

Vaishampāyana said:—Thus on account of his Bhakti, mercy and promise²³ Satyavrata, ever stationed in humility, took charge of Vishwāmitra’s offspring (1). Having killed wild dee...

Vaishampayana said:—Hearing these words of Vishnu, Brahmā, the Grand-Father of all, gave vent to words fraught with the well-being of gods (1). "There is no fear, from the Asura...

Vaishampāyana said:—O descendant of Kuru, as soon as he was thought of by Krishna, that foremost of Munis and speakers, Nārada, having asceticism for his wealth, arrived there (...

Vaishampayana said:—O king, Sātwata, endued with the quality of goodness, begat on Koushalyā several sons, namely Bhajina, Bhajamāna, Divya, Devavridha, the mighty armed Andhaka...

Vaishampayana said:—Without showing himself properly the Lord spent a considerable time as a milk-man in the village of Nanda (1). Of those two boys the eldest was named Sangkar...

Vaishampāyana said:—Considering Jvara, assailed with his arms, dead Krishna, the slayer of enemies, threw him down on the surface of the earth. Released from his arms, Jvara, of...

Vaishampayana said:—Vasudeva had already heard of the son, more beautiful than the moon, given birth to by Rohini in the village of Vraja (1). He, without delay, said to the mil...

Vaishampayana said:—Once on a time the lotus-eyed Krishna addressed the following reasonable words to the Yadus in their assembly:—"This Mathurā city is the abode of the Yadus:...

Jane=amejaya said:—O Brahman, after repairing with the water-born Brahmā to his own region what did the god of gods Vaikuntha do (1)? After the completion of the massacre of the...

Vaishampāyana said:—Sagara had two wives whose sons had been consumed by ascetic observances. The oldest of them, the daughter of the king of Vidarbha, was celebrated by the nam...

Vaishampāyana said:—Having celebrated his sacrifice the powerful Māyāvin Shamvara was killed in battle on the eighth day of a fortnight (1). Having slain that foremost of Asuras...

Vaishampayana said:—Being informed of the descension of Vishnu and of the portions of other gods, the celestial saint Nārada repaired to the city of Mathurā to communicate the f...

Vaishampayana said:—O sinless one, thereupon, hearing of the fear from Vishnu, the Daityas and Dānavas, irrepressible in battle, began to make preparations for war on a great sc...

Vaishampāyana said:—Stationed on the car brought by Kumbhānda, Guha (Kārtikeya) drove towards Krishna, Baladeva and Pradyumna and struck them with hundreds of dreadful and sharp...

Vaishampāyana said:—Hearing of a celestial voice the beautiful king of gods, along with the celestials, repaired to the most excellent palace of Aditi situate in the east (2). H...

Vaishampayana said:—Seeing the number of those irrepressible wolves, daily increased, all the men and women living in that village held a consultation amongst themselves (1):—"I...

Vaishampāyana said:—Thereupon filled with anger Shamvara took up his club. O descendant of Bharata, when Shamvara took up his club there rose twelve suns, the mountains trembled...

Janamejaya said:—Having installed Prithu the son of Vena, in the office of the Lord Paramount the Patriarch began to confer kingdoms on Soma and others (1). He placed Soma in ch...

Arjuna said:—Thereupon crossing the mountains, rivers and forests we saw the ocean the abode of Makara. Thereat the ocean, in his true form, with folded hands and carrying _Argy...

Janamejaya said:—Why was the powerful king Sagara born with poison? And why did he, worked up with anger, put down the religious practices of Shakas and other highly powerful Ks...

Janamejaya said:—O foremost of the twice-born, I wish to learn that of the Treta yuga which I may know correctly the eternal Brahman who is the subject of all sorts of learning...

Vaishampāyana said:—Thus conversing with one another they, holding mace, club and ploughshare respectively huge like mountain summits, rode Garuda the foremost of birds. Thereup...

Janamejaya said:—O Brahman, I have heard of the first Yuga which is called Brahma because it leads to the attainment of Brahman. O Lord, I wish to hear now some thing about the...

Vaishampāyana said:—In order to took after the work of adminstration Prajāpati, along with the Rishis, installed Vena’s son Prithu on the throne (2). When the Tretā Yuga set in...

Vaishampayana said:—The highly illustrious Vrijinivān was Kroushthu’s son. His son was Swāji the foremost of those celebrating Yajnas (1). Swāhu’s son was the king Ushadgu the f...

Vaishampāyana said:—O king, I have thus described to you the boar incarnation of Vishnu. I will next describe the man-lion incarnation in which form the Lord killed Hiranyakashi...

Vaishampāyana said:—O Bharata, the Lord appointed Sakra, effulgent like the sun, as the king of the three worlds and of the gods (1). Jishnu, the wielder of thunder-bolt, clad i...

Vaishampāyana said:—Once on a time influenced by the Lord’s Māyā all the winged mountains, the upholders of the Earth, left it. Thereupon coming to the eastern quarter they drop...

Vaishampāyana said:—O foremost of victors, after having slain Shamvara, Pradyumna had arrived at the city of Dwārāka a wonderful evening Mantra was recited. I am describing the...

Janamejaya said:—O foremost of the twice-born, by the grace of Dwaipāyana you are informed of all things. Relate to me, therefore, the origin of the religious rite of Punyaka (1).

Vaishampayana said:—After the king of serpents had been vanquished by Krishna in the lake of Yamunā Rāma and Keshava began to range there (1). Thereupon going to the mountain Go...

Vaishampayana said:—One day in the first part of the night while Krishna was sporting, the dark-hued Dānava, Aristha by name, assuming the form of an infuriated bull and resembl...

Markandeya said:—"O my child, in the previous Yuga, the Brāhmanas, the sons of Bharadwāja, although carrying on Yoga practices, were polluted by their transgressions (1). On acc...

Vaishampāyana said:—Beholding Madhu’s overthrow in Pushkara, all the creatures, filled with joy, sang and danced on all sides (1). As if riving the sky with its golden summits c...

Vaishampāyana said:—O Janamejaya, the learned have described the Satya-Yuga as extending over four thousand years. And to each period of junction, at the commence ment and termi...

Vaishampayana said:—Of the fourteen beautiful wives of Vasudeva, Rohini, of Puru’s race, was the first Madirā, the second, Vaishākhi the third, Bhadrā the fourth, Sunāmā the fif...

Janamejaya said:—"O thou the lord of those conversant with Yoga, do thou describe to me at length the power of the lotus-navelled deity lying asleep in the water of the ocean an...

Vaishampāyana said:–0 reverend Sir, of the many thousand wives of Krishna you have duly mentioned the names of eight. Do you now give an account of their children (1).

Arjuna said:—O Bharata, afterwards, having fed many hundreds of Rishi-like Brāhmanas and taken his meals along with myself and other members of the Vrishni and Bhoja races, Kris...

Vaishampāyana said:—Having assumed the form of fire the Yogin Nārāyana, of seven forms, dries up the oceans with burning flames. By His own energy He destroys all desires in the...

Vaishampayana said:—At this time the spies assembled at the house of Baladeva resembling that of a patriarch (1). when those spies arrived there for cropping up the topic of fut...

Vaishampāyana said:—Once on a time Lord Bhava was sporting on the bank of a charming river. In that picturesque forest where all the seasons flourish the Gandharvas, with hundre...

Vaishampayana said:—Having said this, and set out on his car Krishna arrived at Bhishmaka’s house in the evening²⁷⁰ (1). When he arrived at that meeting of the kings and saw the...

Vaishampāyana said:—Thus looking at Dwāraka, Krishna, of most excellent eyes, saw his own house consisting of hundreds of palaces. He saw there a million of white jewelled pilla...

Vaishampāyana said:—Thereupon assuming the form of pure intelligence the Grand-father conceives the aggregate creation through his mental faculties; and through his inner soul w...

Vaishampayana said:—Thus ranging and sporting in the forest Krishna and Baladeva spent the two²²² months of the rainy season (1). Thereupon returning to Vraja those two heroic b...

Janamejaya said:—O foremost of the twice-born I wish to hear again truly the incomparable deeds of the intelligent Vāsudeva the foremost of the Yadus, O you of great effulgence,...

Vaishampāyana said:—Hearing those most excellent eulogistic verses recited by the foremost of the twice-born Kashyapa the Lord Nārāyana, having a grave but sweet voice, delighte...

Janamejaya said:—O Saint, I wish to listen again to the glorious deeds of the intelligent Baladeva, the personification of Shesa, the upholder of the earth (1). Sages, well-read...

Janamejaya said:—O you of large arms, O foremost of the twice-born, I wish again to listen to an account of the glorious deeds of Krishna, the lord of the world. I have not been...

Brahmā said:—O ye highly powerful gods, I have learnt the object of your arrival here. O leading Suras, your object will be accomplished. That lord of the universe, who will van...

Vaishampayana said:—United with Rohini’s son Krishna spent some days happily in the city of Mathura filled with Yādavas (1). Gradually his person was embellished with the grace...

Arjuna said:—O foremost of the Bharata race, within a moment we reached the boundary of the village and encamped because all our animals were tired (1). O descendant of Kuru, a...

Shounaka said:—O son of Lomaharshana, who are the sons of Janamejaya? And by whom the family of Pandavas was founded? I have been stricken with curiosity to hear this history. I...

Janamejaya said:—Having acquired lordly powers, why did Bali, born in the race of Hiranyakashipu, celebrate in the days of yore, a long-extending sacrifice in the land between t...

Vaishampayana said:—The two heroic sons of Vasudeva, united with Damaghosha, spent five nights with delight like one in the way according to the rules of a traveller. And when t...

Vaishampāyana said:—Although they listened to the instructions of their preceptor in the shape of a mountain those Brāhmana house-holders, devoted to asceticism, could not give...

Vaishampāyana said:—Having taken his birth as the Brāhmana saint Apava Vashistha and covered his own vessel body the Lord began to practise penances (1). Afterwards the great Va...

Vaishampāyana said:—The Rishis and Gandharvas, headed by Nārada, who were well-read in the Vedas and who were not visited by sins consequent upon the omission of rites, worshipp...

Vaishampāyana said:—The Eternal Hari then placed Brahmā on that golden lotus endued with all effulgence, qualities and marks of the earth, and extending over many a Yojana. He w...

Vaishampāyana said:—When the gods were assailed and their king became motionless the holder of discus (Vishnu) made up his mind for the destruction of Hiranyaksha the holder of...

Shouti said:—Thus requested by Vishwāvasu Janamejaya, whose mind was filled with useless anxiety, was propitiated with Vapusthamā and celebrated a religious rite for the removal...

Vaishampāyana said:—Thereupon having honored Garuda like his friend Vāsudeva took him to his own house. Having saluted Janārddana that sky-ranging bird, with his permission, ros...

Vaishampāyana said:—I have thus described to you the man-lion incarnation. I will now describe the dwarf incarnation. Formerly the powerful Vishnu, assuming the form of a dwarf,...

Vaishampāyana said:—Having thus routed all the Asuras in battle, Hari released Purandara and all the celestials (1). Having regained their natural temperament all the gods, plac...

Kalayavana said:—Oh! highly honored and blessed I am; and my life is crowned with success since numberless kings have requested me for vanquishing Krishna (2). The kings have ap...

Vaishampāyana said:—The gods were (accordingly) defeated by the Daityas and the worlds were occupied by them. Maya and Samvara announced the victory of the highly powerful Bali....

Janamejaya said:—O Brahman, I have listened to your description of our great and illustrious family. It is endued with many virtues, consists of various metres, compound words,...

Markandeya said:—Thereupon his comrades the other two Chakravākas said to him:—"We shall be your ministers ever doing you good" (1). Having said "So be it" his mind was engaged...

Vaishampāyana said:—While the heroic Aniruddha was imprisoned in the city of Shonita along with Ushā by Bali’s son king Vāna, he, seeking refuge with goddess Koumāri for his own...

Vaishampāyana said:—O foremost of Bharatas, if a man listens to Harivamsha Purana, all his sins, committed by body, words and thought, are dissipated like the dew on the rising...

Vaishampāyana said:—O Bhārata, thereupon when Hiranyakashipu and all the Danavas saw that mighty-armed one like unto the wheel of time and fire covered with ashes, the beauty, o...

Vaishampāyana said:—Hearing the words of Pralhāda Hiranyakashipu said to the Daityas:—"Hold this lion assuming a wonderful form. And if you entertain any doubt kill this forest-...