rule



 

 
Canto 10

Lālasāmayi Prārthanā

   

 

Chapter 42: The Breaking of the Sacrificial Bow

(1) S'rī S'uka said: 'Walking the king's road, Krishna saw a woman carrying a tray with ointments for the body. She was hunchbacked [*], was  young and had an attractive face. The Bestower of the Essence with a smile asked where she was going. (2) 'Who are you with your nice thighs? Ah dear woman, look at those ointments! Please tell Us honestly for whom this all is meant. Offer, if you want, the two of Us that ointment for the body, then there will soon be the supreme benefit for you.'

(3) The maidservant said: 'Oh handsome One, I am a servant of Kamsa known as Trivakrā ['three-bend'] respected indeed for my work with ointments. Prepared by me they are very dear to the chief of the Bhojas. But okay, who else but the two of You would deserve them?'

(4) With her mind overwhelmed by the beauty, charm and sweetness of Their talks, smiles and glances, she gave Them plenty of ointment. (5) Adorning Their bodies with the colors that contrasted with Their complexions, the ointments proved to be of the highest quality. Thus being anointed They appeared beautifully. (6) To deliver proof of the benefit of meeting Him, the satisfied Supreme Lord decided to straighten the crooked back of Trivakrā who had such an attractive face. (7) With both His feet pressing down on her toes, Acyuta with both His hands took hold of her chin and raised her up with two fingers pointing upwards. (8) Thereupon all of a sudden straight by Mukunda's touch, she had become a most perfect woman with evenly proportioned limbs, large hips and breasts. (9) Thus endowed with beauty, quality and good feelings, she was roused to the notion of sleeping with Him. With a smile she addressed Kes'ava while pulling at the end of His upper garment. (10) 'Come, oh hero, let us go to my house. I cannot bear to leave You here; please, oh Best of All Men, have mercy with me whose head is reeling.'

(11) With this request of the woman Krishna glanced at Balarāma who watched what happened and then at the gopas. He laughed and said to her: (12) 'Oh you with your beautiful eyebrows, I will visit your home where men may find relief of their anxieties, when I have accomplished what I came for. That will do good to us, travelers far from home. For you are the best one might wish for.'

(13) After leaving her behind with these sweet words, He, walking down the road with His brother, was by the merchants honored with various offerings of betel nut, garlands and fragrant substances. (14) With Him before their eyes the women could not think straight any longer. Agitated by Cupid, they stood nailed to the ground with their clothes, bangles and hair in disarray. (15) After asking the residents for the place of the sacrificial bow, Acyuta entered there. It was a bow as magnificent as a rainbow, the bow of Indra. (16) The bow was guarded by many men and worshiped with the greatest wealth. Krishna forced His way past the guards who blocked Him and picked it up. (17) Before the eyes of the guards He lifted it easily with His left hand and pulled the string in a second. Lord Urukrama ['giant-step'] broke it in two like an elephant eager for a piece of sugar cane. (18) The sound of the breaking bow penetrated all directions of the sky and the earth, and made Kamsa, who heard it, tremble with fear. (19) Trying to get hold of Him, He and His comrades were surrounded by the guards who enraged had taken up their weapons and shouted: 'Grab Him, kill Him!' (20) Seeing their evil intentions, Balarāma and Kes'ava each took up a piece of the bow and vehemently struck them down.

(21) After They had also slain an armed force that was sent by Kamsa, the Two walked out of the gate of the arena, happy to observe the exciting riches of the city. (22) The citizens who had witnessed Their amazing heroic act, deemed Them, because of their strength, boldness and beauty, the finest among the gods. (23) Freely wandering around, the sun began to set and Krishna and Rāma, accompanied by the gopas, returned to the place outside the city where they had left their wagons. (24) The [predictions of] benedictions in Mathurā, expressed by the gopīs who were tormented by feelings of separation when Mukunda left, [10.39: 23-25], all came true, for now these people had the full vision of the body of this paragon of male beauty, of Him, the shelter so much desired by the Goddess of Fortune that she forgot about others worshiping her. (25) After the both of Them had washed Their feet and eaten boiled rice with milk, They, aware of Kamsa's scheme, spent the night there quite comfortably(26-27) But Kamsa stayed awake a long time, having heard of the game Govinda and Rāma had played in breaking the bow and killing his small army of guards. In his fear he saw with his bad mind, in his sleep as also being awake, many bad omens and messengers of death. (28-31) In the mirror he could not see the reflection of his own head and for no reason he saw a double image of the heavenly bodies. In his shadow he saw a hole and he could not hear the sound of his breath. He saw a golden hue over the trees and could not spot his own footprints. In his sleep he was embraced by ghosts, he rode a donkey and swallowed poison. He saw someone going about naked being smeared with oil and wearing a garland of nalada flowers [indian spikenards, a Valerian type]. In his sleep as also awake seeing these and similar omens, he was mortally afraid and could not sleep anymore.

(32) When the night had passed, oh descendant of Kuru and the sun rose above the water, Kamsa held the great wrestling festival he organized(33) The king's men ceremoniously vibrated musical instruments and drums in the arena, having decorated the galleries with garlands, flags, ribbons and arches. (34) The citizens and the people from elsewhere, headed by the state officials and the brahmins, were comfortably seated upon them, while the royalty received special seats. (35) Kamsa surrounded by his ministers sat on the royal dais, but positioned there in the midst of his governors, his heart trembled. (36) As the musical instruments played in rhythms appropriate for the wrestling, the richly ornamented wrestlers proudly entered together with their instructors and sat down. (37) Canura, Mushthika, Kūtha, S'ala and Tos'ala, enthused by the pleasing music, took their place on the wrestling mat. (38) The gopa Nanda and the cowherds he led, were called forward by the king of Bhoja [Kamsa] to present their offerings and next sat down in one of the galleries.'

 

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Third revised edition, loaded January 30, 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

S'rī S'uka said: 'Walking the king's road, Krishna saw a woman carrying a tray with ointments for the body. She was hunchbacked [*], was  young and had an attractive face. The Bestower of the Essence with a smile asked where she was going.
S'rī S'uka said: 'Walking the king's road saw Krishna a woman carrying a tray with ointments for the body. She, hunchbacked [*], young and with an attractive face was by the Bestower of the Essence with a smile asked where she was going: (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

'Who are you with your nice thighs? Ah dear woman, look at those ointments! Please tell Us honestly for whom this all is meant. Offer, if you want, the two of Us that ointment for the body, then there will soon be the supreme benefit for you.'

'Who are you with your nice thighs? Ah, look at all those ointments! Or tell Us, if you like, honestly for whom they are meant dear woman. Please offer the two of Us that ointment for the body and following will there soon be the supreme benefit for you.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 3

The maidservant said: 'Oh handsome One, I am a servant of Kamsa known as Trivakrā ['three-bend'] respected indeed for my work with ointments. Prepared by me they are very dear to the chief of the Bhojas. But okay, who else but the two of You would deserve them?'

The maidservant said: 'O handsome One, I am a servant of Kamsa known as Trivakrā ['three-bend'] respected indeed for my work with ointments that prepared by me are very dear to the chief of the Bojas. But okay, who else but the two of You would deserve them?' (Vedabase)

 

Text 4

With her mind overwhelmed by the beauty, charm and sweetness of Their talks, smiles and glances, she gave Them plenty of ointment.

With her mind overwhelmed by the beauty, charm and sweetness of the talking, the smiles and glances gave she them plenty of ointment. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5

Adorning Their bodies with the colors that contrasted with Their complexions, the ointments proved to be of the highest quality. Thus being anointed They appeared beautifully.

With adorning Their bodies with the colors which contrasted with their complexions proved the ointments to be of the highest quality and appeared they thus being anointed beautifully. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

To deliver proof of the benefit of meeting Him, the satisfied Supreme Lord decided to straighten the crooked back of Trivakrā who had such an attractive face. 

To deliver proof of the benefit of meeting Him decided the satisfied Supreme Lord to straighten the crooked back of Trivakrā who had such an attractive face. (Vedabase)

 

Text 7

With both His feet pressing down on her toes, Acyuta with both His hands took hold of her chin and raised her up with two fingers pointing upwards.

With both His feet pressing down on her toes took He with His hands hold of her chin and raised Acyuta, pointing two fingers upwards, her body. (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

Thereupon all of a sudden straight by Mukunda's touch, she had become a most perfect woman with evenly proportioned limbs, large hips and breasts.

She then straight by Mukunda's touch all of a sudden had become a woman most perfect with evenly proportioned limbs and large hips and breasts. (Vedabase)

 

Text 9

Thus endowed with beauty, quality and good feelings, she was roused to the notion of sleeping with Him. With a smile she addressed Kes'ava while pulling at the end of His upper garment.

With that endowed with beauty, quality and good feelings addressed she, to the roused idea of sleeping with Him, with a smile Kes'ava by pulling the end of His upper garment. (Vedabase)

 

Text 10

'Come, oh hero, let us go to my house. I cannot bear to leave You here; please, oh Best of All Men, have mercy with me whose head is reeling.'

'Come o hero let's go to my house, I cannot bear to leave You here, please have mercy, o Best of All Men, with me whose head is reeling.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 11

With this request of the woman Krishna glanced at Balarāma who watched what happened and then at the gopas. He laughed and said to her:

With this request of the woman glanced Krishna at Balarāma who watched what happened and then at the gopas and said laughing to her: (Vedabase)

 

Text 12

'Oh you with your beautiful eyebrows, I will visit your home where men may find relief of their anxieties, when I have accomplished what I came for. That will do good to us, travelers far from home. For you are the best one might wish for.'

''I'll visit your place, o beautiful eyebrows, when I have accomplished what I came for. That will do us, travelers far from home, good. For you are the best one might wish for.' (Vedabase)

  

Text 13

After leaving her behind with these sweet words, He, walking down the road with His brother, was by the merchants honored with various offerings of betel nut, garlands and fragrant substances.

Leaving her with these sweet words was He, walking down the road with His brother, by the merchants honored with various offerings of betel nut, garlands and fragrant substances. (Vedabase)

 

Text 14

With Him before their eyes the women could not think straight any longer. Agitated by Cupid, they stood nailed to the ground with their clothes, bangles and hair in disarray.

With Him before their eyes couldn't the women think straight any longer agitated as they were by Cupid and stood they nailed to the ground with their clothes, bangles and hair in disorder. (Vedabase)

   

 Text 15

After asking the residents for the place of the sacrificial bow, Acyuta entered there. It was a bow as magnificent as a rainbow, the bow of Indra.

After asking the residents were the place was the sacrificial bow could be found, entered Acyuta there. It was a bow as magnificent as a rainbow, the bow of Indra.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 16

The bow was guarded by many men and worshiped with the greatest wealth. Krishna forced His way past the guards who blocked Him and picked it up.

The bow, guarded by many men and worshiped with the greatest wealth, was by Krishna picked up after He with force had passed the guards who tried to block His way. (Vedabase)

 

Text 17

Before the eyes of the guards He lifted it easily with His left hand and pulled the string in a second. Lord Urukrama ['giant-step'] broke it in two like an elephant eager for a piece of sugar cane.

Before the guards their eyes lifted He in a second it easily with His left hand. Next pulling its string, broke Urukrama ['giant-step'] it right in half like He was an elephant eager for a piece of sugar cane. (Vedabase)

 

Text 18

The sound of the breaking bow penetrated all directions of the sky and the earth, and made Kamsa, who heard it, tremble with fear.

The sound of the breaking bow penetrated all directions of the sky and the earth, which made Kamsa who heard it tremble with fear. (Vedabase)

  

Text 19

Trying to get hold of Him, He and His comrades were surrounded by the guards who enraged had taken up their weapons and shouted: 'Grab Him, kill Him!'

Trying to get hold of Him were He and His comrades surrounded by the guards who taking up their weapons enraged shouted: 'Grab Him, kill Him!' (Vedabase)

 

Text 20

Seeing their evil intentions, Balarāma and Kes'ava each took up a piece of the bow and vehemently struck them down.

Seeing their evil intentions Balarāma and Kes'ava thereupon each of Them taking a piece of the bow vehemently struck them down. (Vedabase)

 

Text 21

After They had also slain an armed force that was sent by Kamsa, the Two walked out of the gate of the arena, happy to observe the exciting riches of the city.

After they also slew an armed force sent by Kamsa, walked the Two out of the gate of the arena happy to observe the exciting riches of the city. (Vedabase)

 .

Text 22

The citizens who had witnessed Their amazing heroic act, deemed Them, because of their strength, boldness and beauty, the finest among the gods.

The citizens who had witnessed that amazing heroic act of Them deemed Them, for Their strength and boldness, the finest gods. (Vedabase)

 

Text 23

Freely wandering around, the sun began to set and Krishna and Rāma, accompanied by the gopas, returned to the place outside the city where they had left their wagons. 

Freely wandering around began the sun to set and returned Krishna and Rāma accompanied by the gopas to the place outside the city where they had left their wagons. (Vedabase)

 

Text 24

The [predictions of] benedictions in Mathurā, expressed by the gopīs who were tormented by feelings of separation when Mukunda left, [10.39: 23-25], all came true, for now these people had the full vision of the body of this paragon of male beauty, of Him, the shelter so much desired by the Goddess of Fortune that she forgot about others worshiping her.

The words about benedictions in Mathurā that by the gopīs, who were tormented by feelings of separation, were spoken when Mukunda left [10.39: 23-25], proved themselves as true for those who had the full scope of the body of this paragon of male beauty, the shelter for whom indeed the goddess of fortune was of such a hankering that she therewith forgot about the others who worshipped her. (Vedabase)

 

Text 25

After the both of Them had washed Their feet and eaten boiled rice with milk, They, aware of Kamsa's scheme, spent the night there quite comfortably.

After the both of Them had bathed their feet and eaten boiled rice with milk, spent They there fully aware of Kamsa's scheme, the night quite comfortably. (Vedabase)

 

Text 26-27

But Kamsa stayed awake a long time, having heard of the game Govinda and Rāma had played in breaking the bow and killing his small army of guards. In his fear he saw with his bad mind, in his sleep as also being awake, many bad omens and messengers of death.

But Kamsa with his bad mind for long couldn't catch sleep having heard of the game Govinda and Rāma had played in breaking the bow and killing his little army of guards. In his fear saw he as well in his sleep as being awake many bad omens and messengers of death before his mind's eye. (Vedabase)


Text 28-31

In the mirror he could not see the reflection of his own head and for no reason he saw a double image of the heavenly bodies. In his shadow he saw a hole and he could not hear the sound of his breath. He saw a golden hue over the trees and could not spot his own footprints. In his sleep he was embraced by ghosts, he rode a donkey and swallowed poison. He saw someone going about naked being smeared with oil and wearing a garland of nalada flowers [indian spikenards, a Valerian type]. In his sleep as also awake seeing these and similar omens, he was mortally afraid and could not sleep anymore.

He couldn't see the mirror-image of his own head and for no reason saw he the heavenly bodies present in a double image; in his shadow he saw a hole, the sound of his breath he couldn't hear, he saw a golden hue over the trees and couldn't spot his own footprints. In his sleep was he embraced by ghosts, rode he a donkey, swallowed he poison and saw he someone going about naked, smeared with oil wearing a garland of nalada flowers [indian spikenards] and more of such omens. Seeing these forebodes of death asleep as well as awake was he that mortally afraid that he couldn't sleep anymore. (Vedabase)

 

Text 32

When the night had passed, oh descendant of Kuru and the sun rose above the water, Kamsa held the great wrestling festival he organized.

When the night had passed, o descendant of Kuru, and the sun rose from the water, had Kamsa as planned the great wrestling festival carried out. (Vedabase)

 

Text 33

The king's men ceremoniously vibrated musical instruments and drums in the arena, having decorated the galleries with garlands, flags, ribbons and arches.

The king's men ceremoniously vibrated in the arena musical instruments and drums and decorated the galleries with garlands, flags, ribbons and arches. (Vedabase)

 

Text 34

The citizens and the people from elsewhere, headed by the state officials and the brahmins, were comfortably seated upon them, while the royalty received special seats.

Upon them were comfortably seated the citizens and the people from elsewhere preceded by the state officials and the brahmins who together with the royalty received special seats. (Vedabase)

 

Text 35

Kamsa surrounded by his ministers sat on the royal dais, but positioned there in the midst of his governors, his heart trembled.

Kamsa surrounded by his ministers sat, positioned in the midst of his governors, trembling at heart on the royal dais. (Vedabase)

 

Text 36

As the musical instruments played in rhythms appropriate for the wrestling, the richly ornamented wrestlers proudly entered together with their instructors and sat down.

As the musical instruments were played in the meters appropriate came and sat down the prominent, proud and richly ornamented wrestlers together with their instructors. (Vedabase)

 

Text 37

Canura, Mushthika, Kūtha, S'ala and Tos'ala, enthused by the pleasing music, took their place on the wrestling mat.

Canura, Mushthika, Kūtha, S'ala and Tos'ala enthused by the pleasing music all took their place on the wrestling mat. (Vedabase)

 

Text 38

The gopa Nanda and the cowherds he led, were called forward by the king of Bhoja [Kamsa] to present their offerings and next sat down in one of the galleries.'

The gopa Nanda leading the cowherds called forward by the king of Bhoja [Kamsa] presented his offerings and sat down in one of the galleries.' (Vedabase)

 

*: The pupils of Prabhupāda elucidate: 'According to S'rīla Vis'vanātha Cakravartī Thhākura, the young hunchbacked girl was actually a partial expansion of the Lord's wife Satyabhāmā. Satyabhāmā is the Lord's internal energy known as Bhū-s'akti [see 10.39: 53-55], and this expansion of hers, known as Prithivī, represents the earth, which was bent down by the great burden of countless wicked rulers. Lord Krishna descended to remove these wicked rulers, and thus His pastime of straightening the hunchback Trivakrā, as explained in these verses, represents His rectifying the burdened condition of the earth.'

 

 

 

Creative Commons
                License
The text and audio are offered under the conditions of the
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
for this and more books of Prabhupāda.
The painting is titled: "Krishna Making Kubja Beautiful".
Folio from a Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of the Lord) India, Madhya Pradesh, Malwa, South Asia
circa 1645"
courtesy LACMA.
Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time.

 

 

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