Harivamsha MahA PurANam - ViShNu Parva
    atha ekAdasho.adhyAyaH
    yamunAvarNanam
    harivamsha in the mahAbharata - viShNuparva
    Chapter 11 - Description of Yamuna
vaishaMpAyana uvAcha
kadAchittu tadA kR^iShNo vinA sa~NkarShaNena vai |
chachAra tadvanaM ramyaM kAmarUpI varAnanaH ||2-11-1
vaishampAyana said:
(O janamejaya!) One day, handsome kR^iShNa, who can take any form that he desires, went for a walk in that beautiful forest, without sa~NkarShaNa.
kAkapakShadharaH shrImA~nChyAmaH padmadalekShaNaH |
shrIvatsenorasA yuktaH shashA~Nka iva lakShmaNA ||2-11-2
Wearing a hair lock on the backside of his head, with black complexion and beautiful eyes like petals of lotus flower, auspicious kR^iShNa, with the srivatsa mark on his chest, appeared like moon adorned with marks of hares.
sA~NgadenAgrahastena pa~NkajodbhinnavakShasA |
sukumArAbhitAmreNa krAntavikrAntagAminA ||2-11-3
With bangles at the top of his arms, chest like a lotus flower in full bloom and charming legs with a red hue, his energetic walk was enchanting.
pIte prItikare nR^INAM padmaki~njalkasaprabhe |
sUkShme vasAno vasane sasaMdhya iva toyadaH ||2-11-4
He was wearing two yellow clothes, shining like the filaments of lotus flower, giving happiness to the onlookers. In these clothes, kR^iShNa (having dark complexion) looked like a (dark) rain cloud in the evening sky (having golden yellow hue).
vatsavyApArayuktAbhyAM vyaghrAbhyAM gaNDarajjubhiH |
bhujAbhyAM sAdhuvR^ittAbhyAM pUjitAbhyAM divaukasaiH ||2-11-5
His two arms, engaged in tendering calves and tying bells with ropes around their necks, were worshipped by deva-s. kR^iShNa looked attractive with his long and round arms.
sadR^ishaM puNDarIkasya gandhena kamalasya cha |
rarAja chAsya tadbAlye ruchirauShThapuTaM mukham ||2-11-6
In childhood, kR^iShNa's face with his beautiful lips shone similar to a lotus flower with its fragrance.
shikhAbhistasya muktAbhI rarAja mukhapa~Nkajam |
vR^itam ShaTpadapa~NktIbhiryathA syAtpadmamaNDalam ||2-11-7
His lotus like face dazzled with loose hair locks, like a lotus flower surrounded by a swarm of bees.
tasyArjunakadambADhyA nIpakandalamAlinI |
rarAja mAlA shirasi nakShatrANAM yatha divi ||2-11-8
His head was decorated with a garland of arjuna, kadamba and nIpa flowers and flower buds like the sky decorated with stars.
sa tayA mAlayA vIraH shushubhe kaNThasaktayA |
meghamAlAmbudashyAmo nabhasya iva mUrtimAn ||2-11-9
A similar garland dazzled on his neck, with which the dark kR^iShNa dazzled like the sky of month of bhadra, adorned by garlands of rain clouds.
ekenAmalapatreNa kaNThasUtrAvalambinA |
rarAja barhipatrena mandamArutakampinA ||2-11-10
Around his neck, kR^iShNa had a chain with a peacock feather. The peacock feather, swayed to and fro in the slow wind.
kvachidgAya~NkvachitkrIDaMshcha~nchUryaMshcha kvachitkvachit |
parNavAdyaM shrutisukham vAdayaMshcha kvachidvane ||2-11-11
Sometimes he sang. Sometimes he played. Sometimes he wandered here and there in the forest blowing a whistle made of palm leaves, the sound of which was pleasant to hear.
gopaveNuM sumadhuraM kAmAttamapi vAdayan |
prahlAdanArtham cha gavAM kvachidvanagato yuvA ||2-11-12
Sometimes, young kR^iShNa went to the forest and played flute used by gopa-s, joyfully in a sweet voice to make the cows happy.
gokule.ambudharashyAmashchachAra dyutimAnprabhuH |
reme cha tatra ramyAsu chitrAsu vanarAjiShu ||2-11-13
Dark complexioned kR^iShNa, dazzling like a rain cloud, roamed in gokula. He wandered joyfully in the beautiful forests.
mayUraravaghuShTasu madanoddIpanIShu cha |
meghanAdaprativyUhairnAditAsu samantataH ||2-11-14
The forest, filled with the sound of peacocks was activating everyone's mind. There was commotion due to the echo of the roar of clouds.
shADvalachChannamArgAsu shilIndhrAbharaNAsu cha |
kandalAmalapatrAsu sravantIShu navaM jalam ||2-11-15
On the paths, covered with green grass and decorated with mushrooms fresh water was dripping from the tender leaves of plants.
kesarANAM navairgandhairmadaniHshvasitopamaiH |
abhIkShNaM niHshvasantIShu kAminIShviva nityashaH ||2-11-16
The forest was taking deep breaths with the fresh fragrance of flowers every day like the breaths of desire of a young woman.
sevyamAno navairvAtairdrumasa~NghAtaniHsR^itaiH |
tAsu kR^iShNo mudaM lebhe saumyAsu vanarAjiShu ||2-11-17
kR^iShNa enjoyed the fresh cool breeze emanating from the woods. The forest gave him immense pleasure.
sa kadAchidvane tasmi~NgobhiH saha paribhraman |
dadarsha vipulodagraM shAkhinaM shAkhinAM varam ||2-11-18
One day, while wandering in the forest with the cows, kR^iShNa saw, among the trees, a giant tree which was extremely tall and huge.
sthitaM dharaNyAM meghAbhaM nibiDaM dalasa~nchayaiH |
gaganArdhochChritAkAraM parvatAbhogadhAriNam ||2-11-19
Standing on earth with the beauty of clouds, dense with leaves, with its trunk covering half the sky, the tree appeared like a huge mountain.
nIlachitrA~NgavarNaishcha sevitaM bahubhiH khagaiH |
phalaiH pravAlaishcha ghanaiH sendrachApaghanopamam ||2-11-20
There were many birds with blue bodies and colourful feathers in that tree. Dense with red fruits, the tree looked like a rainbow with clouds.
bhavanAkAraviTapaM latApuShpasumaNDitam |
vishAlamUlAvanataM pavanAmbhodadhAriNam ||2-11-21
The huge branches looked like houses. The tree was adorned with creepers and flowers. Its large roots spread far and wide. The tree was covered with wind and rain clouds.
AdhipatyamivAnyeShAM tasya deshasya shAkhinAm |
kurvANaM shubhakarmANaM nirAvarShamanAtapam ||2-11-22
It appeared as though this tree was ruling over all other trees in that area. It was beneficial to all giving protection from rain and sunshine.
nyagrodhaM parvatAgrAbhaM bhANDIraM nAma nAmataH |
dR^iShTvA tatra matiM chakre nivAsAya tataH prabhuH ||2-11-23
The huge banyan tree, named bhANDIra, appeared like a mountain. Seeing this beautiful tree, kR^iShNa decided to stay there.
sa tatra vayasA tulyairvatsapAlaiH sahAnagha |
reme vai vAsaraM kR^iShNaH purA svargagato yathA ||2-11-24
O sinless janamejaya! kR^iShNa, enjoyed with other cow-tending boys of the same age under the tree, like he was enjoying in heaven before.
taM krIDamAnaM gopAlAH kR^iShNaM bhANDIravAsinam |
ramayanti sma bahavo vanyaiH krIDanakaistadA ||2-11-25
When kR^iShNa played under the bhANDIra tree, his cow-tending boys made him happy with many toys of the forest.
anye sma parigAyanti gopA muditamAnasAH |
gopAlAH kR^iShNamevAnye gAyanti sma ratipriyAH ||2-11-26
Some others with joyful minds sang. Some others who liked kR^iShNa's plays sang about them.
teShAM sa gAyatAmeva vAdayAmAsa vIryavAn |
parNavAdyAntare veNuM tumbIvINAM cha tatra ha ||2-11-27
When the boys sang, kR^iShNa played a whistle made of palm leaves. Sometimes he played flute, tumburu or vINA.
kadAchichchArayanneva gAH sa govR^iShabhekShaNaH |
jagAma yamunAtIraM latAla~NkR^itapAdapam ||2-11-28
One day, while tending the cows, kR^iShNa who had eyes as broad as those of cows and bulls went to the banks of yamunA, with trees covered with creepers and bushes.
tara~NgApA~NgakuTilaM vArisparshamukhAnilAm |
tAM cha padmotpalavatIM dadarsha yamunAM nadIm ||2-11-29
kR^iShNa saw the river yamunA which appeared curved because of waves. A pleasant wind was blowing touching the surface of water.
sutIrthAM svAdusalilAM hradinIM vegagAminIm |
toyavAtodyatairvegairavanAmitapAdapAm ||2-11-30
Good pathways were leading to the river. The water was tasty. There were many ponds and the water flowed with force. The trees on the banks were bent due to the force of water and wind.
haMsakAraNDavoghudShTAm sArasaishcha vinAditAm |
anarghamithunaishchaiva sevitAM mithunecharaiH ||2-11-31
The atmosphere was filled with the sounds of swans, kAraNDava-s and cranes. Male and female chakravAka-s were enjoying coitus in the water.
jalajaiH prANibhiH kIrNAM jalajairbhUShitAM gunaiH |
jalajaiH kusumaishchitrAM jalajairharitodakAm ||2-11-32
It was full of aquatic animals. It was adorned with all qualities of water. It was full of variety of water borne flowers. The water appeared greenish due to water plants.
prasR^itasrotacharaNAM pulinashroNimaNDalAm |
AvartanAbhigambhIrAM padmaromAbhira~njitAm ||2-11-33
(The river is described as a beautiful woman - nIlakaNTha). The flowing river water was her feet. The river banks were her waist. The great whirlpools were her navel. She was decorated with body hair of lotus flowers.
taTachChedodarAM kAntAM tritara~NgavalIdharAm |
phenaprahR^iShTavadanAM prasannAM haMsahAsinIm ||2-11-34
Her thin, beautiful waistline was near the banks where the flow was thin. The waves resembled the three lines. The froth was her smiling face. She was always pleased and swans were her laughter.
ruchirotpalaraktoShThIM natabhrUM jalajekShanAm |
hradadIrghalalATAntAM kAntAM shaivalamUrdhajAm ||2-11-35
Beautiful red lotus flowers were her red lips. The undercurrents were her eyebrows. Blue lotus flowers were her eyes. The lake was her forehead. The moss resembled her hair.
chakravAkastanataTIM tIrapArshvAyatAnanAm |
dIrghasrotAyatabhujAmAbhogashravaNAyatAm ||2-11-36
A pair of chakravAka birds were her breasts. The river banks were her face. The lengthy currents were her long arms. The complete banks were her ears.
kAraNDavAkuNDalinIM shrImatpa~NkajalochanAm |
taTajAbharaNopetAM mInanirmalamekhalAm ||2-11-37
kAraNDava-s were her ear rings. Lotus flowers were her eyes. The trees on the banks were her ornaments. The shoal of fish was her girdle.
vAriplavaplavakShaumAM sArasArAvanUpurAm |
kAshachAmIkaraM vAso vasAnAM haMsalakShaNAm ||2-11-38
The vast body of water was her shawl. The sound of cranes were the tinkling sound of her anklets. The crystal clear water was her garment. Swans were her auspicious marks.
bhImanakrAnuliptA~NgIM kUrmalakShaNabhUShitAm |
nipAnashvApadApIDAM nR^ibhiH pInapayodharAm ||2-11-39
Giant crocodiles were like smears on her body. Tortoises were auspicious marks decorating her hands and feet. Animals were drinking from her ponds. Men were drinking water from her breasts.
shvApadochChiShTasalilAmAshramasthAnasa~NkulAm |
tAM samudrasya mahiShImIkShamANaH samantataH ||2-11-40
The water was contaminated since wild animals drank from the river. There were many hermitages on the banks. kR^iShNa wandered observing the beauty of the queen of ocean, yamunA.
chachAra ruchiraM kR^iShNo yamunAmupasobhayan |
tAM charansa nadIM shreShThAM dadarsha hradamuttamam ||2-11-41
kR^iShNa roamed enhancing the beauty of yamunA. Wandering along the banks of that great river, he saw a huge lake.
dIrghaM yojanavistAraM dustaraM tridashairapi |
gambhIramakShobhyajalaM niShkampamiva sAgaram ||2-11-42
It was a huge lake with the breadth of one yojana. It was difficult even for the deva-s to cross it. The huge water body was calm and quiet like an ocean without any agitation.
toyajaiH shvApadaistyaktaM shUnyam toyacharaiH khagaiH |
agAdhenAmbhasA pUrNaM meghapUrNamivAmbaram ||2-11-43
Aquatics and animals avoided that lake. It was empty without any water birds. Very deep and full of water, it appeared like a sky full of clouds.
duHkhopasarpyaM tIreShu sasarpairvipulairbilaiH |
viShAraNibhavasyAgnerdhUmena pariveShTitam ||2-11-44
On the unapproachable banks, there were big holes where serpents lived. The entire lake was covered with the fire and smoke emanating from the poison of the serpents.
abhogyaM tatpashUnAM hi apeyaM cha jalArthinAm |
upabhogaiH parityaktaM suraistriShavaNArthibhiH ||2-11-45
The water was not good for use for animals. It was not good for drinking. Even the deva-s who bath thrice a day gave up using that water.
AkAshAdapyasaMchAryaM khagairAkAshagocharaiH |
tR^iNeShvapi patatsvapsu jvalantamiva tejasA ||2-11-46
It was impossible for the birds to fly in the sky over that lake. If a blade of dry grass fell on the water, it was immediately burned.
samantAdyojanaM sAgraM devairapi durAsadam |
viShAnalena ghoreNa jvAlAprajvalitadrumam ||2-11-47
For a distance of a yojana all around the lake, it was difficult even for the deva-s to walk. The trees were burned by the fierce fire of poison.
vrajasyottaratastasya kroshamAtre nirAmaye |
taM dR^iShTvA chintayAmAsa kR^iShNO vai vipulaM hradam ||2-11-48
On the north side of vraja, an area of one krosha, being unaffected by the poison, was not having any problem. Seeing that vast lake, kR^iShNa started thinking.
agAdhaM dyotamAnaM cha kasyAyaM mahato hradaH |
asminsa kAliyo nAma kAlA~njanachayopamaH ||2-11-49
Who does this deep, shining, great lake belong to? This lake is the residence of serpent kAliya, black like the shade of anjana stone.
uragAdhipatiH sAkShAddhrade vasati dAruNaH |
utsR^ijya sAgarAvAsaM yo mayA viditaH purA ||2-11-50
bhayAtpatagarAjasya suparNasyoragAshinaH |
The terrible king of serpents himself lives in this lake. Afraid of the king of birds, suparNa (garuDa), the serpent-eater, kAliya left his residence in the sea as known to me before.
teneyaM dUShitA sarvA yamunA sAgara~NgamA ||2-11-51
It is kAliya who has polluted the entire yamunA, which goes to the ocean.
bhayAttasyoragapaternAyaM desho niShevyate |
tadidaM dAruNAkAramaraNyaM rUDhashAdvalam ||2-11-52
Afraid of the king of serpents, no one resides at this place. Hence this forest has taken a terrible shape, full of tall grass.
sAvarohadrumaM ghoraM kIrNaM nAnAlatAdrumaiH |
rakSshitaM sarparAjasya sachivairAptakAribhiH ||2-11-53
This terrible forest, thick with trees, plants, creepers and bushes is protected by kAliya and his trusted ministers.
vanaM nirviShayAkAram viShAnnamiva duHspR^isham |
tairAptakAribhirnityaM sarvataH parirakShitam ||2-1-54
Hence this forest, untouchable like poisoned food has become empty like sky. It is protected always and everywhere by those trusted beings.
shaivAlanalinaishchApi vR^ikShaiH kShudralatAkulaiH |
kartavyamArgau bhrAjete hradasyAsya taTAvubhau ||2-11-55
The banks are covered with moss, lotus and trees full of creepers. I have to make paths on both banks of the lake.
tadasya sarparAjasya kartavyo nigraho mayA |
yatheyaM saridambhodA bhavecChivajalAshayA ||2-11-56
Thus it is my duty to destroy the king of serpents so that water of this river becomes useful.
vrajopabhogyA cha yathA nAge cha damite mayA |
sarvatra sukhasa~nchArA sarvatIrthasukhAshrayA ||2-11-57
If this serpent is conquered by me, this water will become useful for vraja. People will be able to roam in this area again. The river will become sacred and a source of happiness.
etadarthaM cha vAso.ayaM vraje.asmin gopajanma cha |
amIShAmutpathasthAnAM nigrahArthaM durAtmanAm ||2-11-58
For this reason, I took birth as a cow tending boy and started residing in the vraja. It is for destroying the wicked, who stay in the wrong path.
enaM kadambamAruhya tadeva shishulIlayA |
vinipatya hrade ghore damayiShyAmi kAliyam ||2-11-59
As a child's play, climbing on this kadamba tree and jumping into this terrible lake, I will conquer kAliya.
evaM kR^ite bAhuvIryaM loke khyAtiM gamiShyati ||2-11-60
If I do this, the strength of my arms will become famous in the world.
iti shrImahAbhArate khileShu harivaMshe viShNuparvaNi yamunAvarNanaM nAma ekAdasho.adhyAyaH
Thus this is the eleventh chapter of viShNuparva of harivaMsha, khila of shrimahAbhArata, description of yamunA.
    nIlakaNTha commentary
asminnekAdashe.adhyAye vanakrIDA nirUpyate |
kAliyakShveDadagdhIyayamunAdarshanaM hareH || 1 || iti shrImatpada nIlakaNThakR^itau bhAratabhAvapradIpe harivaMshArthaprakAshe viShNuparvaNi TIkAyAmekAdasho.adhyAyaH
## Itranslated by K S Ramachandran, ramachandran_ksr@yahoo.ca, April 2, 2008
Further proof-read by Gilles Schaufelberger, schaufel @ wanadoo.fr
If you find any errors compared to Chitrashala Press edition, send corrections to A. Harindranath harindranath_a @ yahoo.com
Translated to English by A. Purushothaman [purushothaman_avaroth @ yahoo.com] and A. Harindranath
July 9, 2009 ##