On his return to dvArakA, after the killing of rukmI, what did the valiant viShNu with great arms do? O great sage! Please tell me.

vaishampAyana said:

(O janamejaya !) Surrounded by the yAdava-s, auspicious, valiant lord viShNu, the son of yAdava, returned to the city of dvArakA.

The one with eyes as beautiful as lotus flower (kR^iShNa) acquired many types of jewels and wealth in the proper way and engaged demons for guarding them.

The daitya-s along with asura-s created obstacles in this. The one with great arms (kR^iShNa) killed the great asura-s who were proud (of the boons they had.)

Then the asura named naraka created obstacles in this. The great one (naraka), the enemy of the king of deva-s (indra), terrified all the deva-s.

The one who affected all the deva-s lived in mUrtili~Nga (prAgjyotiSha - see nIlakaNTha commentary). He worked against the gods as well as the sages.

bhauma (the son of (goddess) earth, naraka), in the form of an elephant, took kasheru, the daughter of tvaShTa, having beautiful limbs, when she was fourteen years old.

Taking that best, beautiful maiden, the lord of (prAg)jyotiSha (naraka), without sorrow and fear, out of vanity, said the following words:

All varieties of jewels available with gods and men, all the wealth shining on earth and available in the entire ocean,

from today onwards, all the demons, along with daitya-s and dAnava-s, shall offer them to me (as tribute).

In this way, then, bhauma (naraka) acquired best jewels and many varieties of cloths. But he did not use them.

The powerful narakAa took away many gandharva maiden. He also took away deva maidens, women and seven groups of divine women (apsarA).

They were fourteen thousand and twentyone hundred women in all. All were with single plait of hair and observing the vow of faithful wife (sati).

(O janamejaya!) bhauma (naraka \) made a best city for them, named mountain of jewels, in the land of alaka, belonging to the asura, mura, having a soul devoid of any sorrow.

The chief of demons, mura, along with his ten sons guarded and served, the lord of the city of prAgjyotiSha (bhauma).

The great asura (naraka) living on the shore of the blue ocean ( see nIlakaNTha commentary), proud of the boons, did terrible deeds in that city, which were not done before, along with all the groups of asura-s.

The great asura of the city of prAgjyotiSha, born to the goddess earth, coerced aditi (mother of deva-s) to give her ear rings to him.

He has four door keepers, hayagrIva, nisunda, vIra and pa~nchanada, with false pride (of skill) in battle.

The great asura, mura, who has received boons, along with his thousand sons, stand blocking the path of deva-s, terrifying good people, along with deformed demons.

janArdhana (kR^iShNa), having great arms, with conch (sha~Nkha), discus (chakra) and mace (gada), was born, among the vR^iShNi-s, to devakI and vasudeva to kill him (naraka).

For the indra (king) of men, with splendour spread in the world, the deva-s made a residence by strategy, at (the city of) dvArakA (having doors).

The city of dvArakA is more beautiful, than the residence of vAsava (indra), surrounded by the great ocean, shining with five mountains.

In that city, shining like a divine city, there is an assembly, named dAshArhI made of gold, decorated with arches, with an area, extending over a yojana (= 9 miles).

There all vR^iShNi-s and andhaka-s, lead by (bala)rAma and kR^iShNa reside, protecting and maintaining the world.

O the best of bharata race (janamejaya)! (vaishampAyana said) Once, when all of them were seated (in the assembly), a breeze with divine fragrance blew and a shower of flowers fell from the sky.

Then a "kilakila" sound, along with a band of brightness, occurred for a moment in the sky and then descended on to the earth.

In the middle of that brightness, vAsava (indra), mounted on the white elephant, surrounded by all the groups of deva-s, was seen.

(bala)rAma, kR^iShNa, the king (ugrasena) along with all groups of vR^iShNi-s and andhaka-s, received the great soul, the lord of deva-s (indra) and worshipped him.

He (indra) descended from the elephant and embraced janArdana (kR^iShNa), pressed baladeva(rAma) softly and the king Ahuka (ugrasena).

He embraced the vR^iShNi-s in sequence according to the age. Worshipped by (bala)rAma and kR^iShNa, he (indra) entered the assembly.

The lord of deva-s (indra) sat there, becoming a decoration of the assembly, and accepted the ritual offerings as prescribed.

(O janamejaya !) Then, vAsava (indra) having great splendour spoke to the younger brother of vAsava (kR^iShNa), touching his auspicious face with his hand in a gentle way:

(indra said) O son of devakI (kR^iShNa), hear my reason , O slayer of madhu (kR^iShNa) why I have come here, O oppressor of enemies.

The demon named naraka, the son of diti, proud of the boon received from brahma, took away the ear rings of aditi, out of vanity.

He lives always by doing what is disliked by deva-s and sages. Considering the interest of deva-s, kill that sinful one.

The valiant garuDa, splendorous son of vinatA, who can go where he desires, traveling in the sky, will take you there quickly.

The asura, naraka, bhauma, cannot be killed by any physical beings. Killing that sinner, you should return quickly.

(vaishampAyana said:) keshava (kR^iShNa ), the one with lotus eyes, the one with great arms, who was told this by the king of deva-s (indra) replied agreeing to kill naraka.

Then along with shakra, with conch (sha~Nkha), discus (chakra) mace (gada) and the sword, (kR^iShNa) started mounting on garuDa, assisted by satyabhAmA.

Powerful kR^iShNa, along with vAsava (indra), as watched by the lions of yAdava race, climbed up, gradually, in the seven regions of wind.

shakra (indra) mounted on the king (indra) of elephants and janArdana (kR^iShNa) on garuDa, sparkled at the distance like the sun and the moon.

In the sky, keshava (kR^iShNa) and shakra (indra), praised by the groups of gandharva-s and apsara-s, gradually disappeared.

Confirming what is to be done, vAsava (indra), the king of deva-s, returned to his residence. kR^iShNa proceeded towards prAgjyotiSha.

By the wind of the wings (of garuDa), the wind blew in the opposite direction. Then a row of clouds with loud sound covered the sky.

They arrived quickly, the bird (garuDa) traveling through the sky. Seeing them from a distance, they (the travellers soon) reached where they were standing.

apashyaddvAri tatrasthAM hastyashvarathavAhinIm |
kShurAntAnmauravAnpAshAnShaTsahasrAndadarsha ha ||2-63-46

There they saw at the door (entrance), an army with elephants, horses and chariots and six thousand razors, iron (rods) and ropes (nooses).

vaishampAyana uvAcha

garuDasyopari shrImA~nCha~NkhachakragadAdharaH |
bibhrannIlAmbudAkAraM pItavAsAshchaturbhujaH ||2-63-47

vaishampAyana said:

(O janamejaya !) Mounted on garuDa, auspicious (viShNu - kR^iShNa) holding conch (sha~Nkha), discus (chakra) and mace (gada), his form similar to a (dark) blue rain cloud, wearing yellow clothes, having four hands,

vanamAlAkuloraskaH shrIvatsA~NkitabhUShaNaH |
kirITamUrddhA sUryAbhaH savidyudiva chandramAH ||2-63-48

his chest adorned by a garland of wild flowers and decorated by the auspicious mark of shrIvatsa, crown on his head, with the splendour of the sun, sparkling like lightning, shining like moon,

jyAM vikUjanmahAshabdaH shrUyate.ashaniniHsvanaH |
j~nAtvA cha dAnavaH sarvaM svayaM viShNurihAgataH ||2-63-49

One who draws the string of the bow producing a great sound which is heard as the sound of thunder, arrived (at the city of prAgjyotiSha). The asura (naraka) knew all about the arrival of viShNu himself.

krodhAddviguNaraktAkSho muruH kAlAntakopamaH |
abhyadhAvata vegena shaktiM gR^ihya mahAsuraH ||2-63-50

With eyes doubly reddened due to anger, the great asura mura, appearing like the death of the god of death, ran quickly (towards viShNu - kR^iShNa) taking the spear shakti.

chikShepa sumahAshaktiM vajrakA~nchanabhUShitAm |

He (mura) threw the giant spear shakti, decorated with diamonds and gold.

tAmApatantIM shaktIM tu maholkAM jvalitAmiva ||2-63-51
samAdhatta sharaM chaikaM rukmapu~NkhaM janArdanaH |

Seeing that the spear shakti is approaching fast, as though burning the great world, janArdana (kR^iShNa) shot a single arrow, having a knot of gold at its base.

dvidhAchChinatkShurapreNa vAsudevaH sa vIryavAn ||2-63-52
shaktiM chichCheda tatrAsau vidyutpu~nja iva jvalan |

The valiant vAsudeva (viShNu - kR^iShNa) broke the spear into two with his arrow. vAsudeva broke the spear shakti, blazing like lightning.

punashcha krodharaktAkSho mururgR^ihya mahAgadAm ||2-63-53
indrAshanirivendreNa vikR^iShTa iva niHsvanaH |

Again, with his eyes reddened with anger, mura took a great mace. There was a great sound similar to the sound produced when indra sends the lightning.

AkarNamuktaM chikShepa ardhachandraM surottamaH ||2-63-54
madhyadeshe tu chichCheda gadAM tAM rukmabhUShitAm |

The best of deva-s (viShNu - kR^iShNa) drew a half moon shaped (ardhachandra) arrow upto his ear and shot it, breaking the mace, decorated with gold, in the middle.

punashchichCheda bhallena dAnavasya shiro raNe ||2-63-55

And then he (viShNu - kR^iShNa) cut off the head of the asura (mura) with an arrow named bhalla in the battle.

sa~nChidya pAshANsarvAMstanmuruM hatvA sabAndhavam |
so.agryAnrakShogaNAnhatvA narakasya mahAbalAn ||2-63-56

Cutting all the nooses of mura, he (viShNu - kR^iShNa) killed mura along with his relatives. He (viShNu - kR^iShNa) killed the powerful leaders of the asura-s of naraka in the battle.

shilAsa~NghAnatikramya bhagavAndevakIsutaH |
apashyaddAnavaM sainyaM nisundaM cha mahAbalam ||2-63-57

The lord (viShNu - kR^iShNa), son of devakI, crossed the barrier of rocks. Then he saw the army of asura-s and the powerful nisunda.

hayagrIvaM cha ditijaM tathAnyAMshchitrayodhinaH |

He (viShNu - kR^iShNa) saw hayagrIva, the son of diti, and also other asura warriors.

rodhayAmAsa tanmArgaM svasainyena mahAbalaH ||2-63-58
nisundo balinAM shreShTho rathamAruhya satvaram |

The best among the powerful, nisunda having great power, quickly mounted on a chariot and blocked his (viShNu - kR^iShNa) path with his army.

jagrAha kArmukaM divyaM hemapR^iShThaM durAsadam ||2-63-59
vivyAdha dashabhirbANairnisundo madhusUdanam |

nisunda took his unconquerable divine bow (kArmuka), decorated with gold knots and shot ten arrows at the slayer of madhu (viShNu - kR^iShNa).

keshavashchApi saptatyA vivyAdha nishitaiH sharaiH ||2-63-60
aprAptAMshchAntarikShe tA~nCharAMshchichCheda mAdhavaH |

keshava also shot seventy sharp arrows. mAdhava (kR^iShNa) cut the arrows in the sky before they reached (their destination).

te sarve sainikAH kR^iShNaM samantAtparyavArayan ||2-63-61
sharajAlena mahatA ChAdyamAnaH surottamaH |

All those soldiers surrounded kR^iShNa and fought him. The best of deva-s (kR^iShNa) was covered by a great number of arrows.

dR^iShTvA tAndAnavAnsarvAnsakrodho madhusUdanaH ||2-63-62

Seeing all those asura-s, the slayer of madhu (kR^iShNa) became angry.

tato divyena chAstrena pArjanyena janArdanaH |
mahatA sharavarSheNa vArayAmAsa tadbalam ||2-63-63

Then janArdana (kR^iShNa) stopped the army with a great shower of divine arrows named parjanya.

pa~nchapa~nchasharaisteShu ekaikena cha tAnbahUN |
pArjanyasya prabhAveNa sarvAnmarmasvatADayat ||2-63-64]

Among those arrows, every five arrows, each arrow, struck many of the enemies on their vulnerable spots, by the splendour of parjanya arrows.

dudruvurbhayasaMtrastA bhagnAste dAnavA raNe |
svasainyaM vidrutaM dR^iShTvA nishchakrAma punarmR^idhe ||2-63-65

The asura-s became terrified with fear and they were scattered in the war. Seeing that his army is scattered, he (nisunda) returned to fight.

visR^ijachCharavarShANi ChAdayAmAsa keshavam |
na vibhAti raNe sUryo nApi vyoma disho dasha ||2-63-66

He (nisunda) shot a shower of arrows himself and covered keshava (kR^iShNa) with arrows. In the battle, the sun, the sky along with all ten directions were not to be seen (due to the arrows).

sharaiH sa~nChAdayAmAsa nisundo garuDadhvajam |
sAvitraM nAma divyAstraM jagrAha puruShottamaH ||2-63-67

nisunda covered the one with garuDa on his flag (kR^iShNa), shooting arrows. The best among men took up a divine arrow named sAvitraM.

tena bANena tAnbANamshchichCheda samare hariH |
bANairbANAMshcha saMchChidya tasya kR^iShNo mahAbalaH ||2-63-68

In the battle, hari (viShNu - kR^iShNa) cut all arrows with that (divine) arrow. kR^iShNa having great power cut off the (enemy's) arrows with that arrow.

Chatramekena bANena ratheShAM cha tribhiH sharaiH |
punashchichCheda tAnashvAMshchaturbhishchaturaH sharaiH ||2-63-69

With one arrow, he broke the umbrella. With three arrows, he broke the chariot. Then he cut the four horses with four arrows.

sArathiM pa~nchabhirbANAirdhvajamekena chichChide |
sharaikena vapuH kR^iShNaH sutIkShNena shitena vai ||2-63-70

With five arrows he cut the charioteer and with one arrow, the flagstaff. With one good sharp arrow, kR^iShNa cut off his body.

shirashchichCheda bhallena nisundasya surottamaH |

The best of deva-s cut off the head of nisunda with bhalla (arrow).

yaH sahasrasamAstvekaH sarvAndevAnayodhayat ||2-63-71
nisundaM patitaM dR^iShTvA hayagrIvaH pratApavAn |

Seeing that nisunda who fought alone with all the deva-s for one thousand years, is felled, the splendours asura hayagrIva,

shilAM pragR^ihya mahatIM tolayAmAsa dAnavaH ||2-63-72
Avidhya sahasAmu~nchachChilAM shailasamAM prabhuH |

shook a giant rock with his hand. Then the lord (hayagrIva) lifted the rock looking like a mountain and, all of a sudden, threw it.

gR^ihItvA divyapArjanyamastramastravidAM varaH ||2-63-73
divyAstreNa shilAM viShNuH saptadhAkR^ita tejasA |

The best among the expert bowmen, viShNu (kR^iShNa), shot a divine pArjanya (arrow) and broke the rock in seven pieces.

tadvidArya mahachchAshma pAtayAmAsa bhUtale ||2-63-74

Breaking the rock, viShNu felled it on the earth.

tatastaiH shAr~NganirmuktairnAnAvarNairmahAsharaiH |
yathA devAsuraM yuddhamabhavadbharatarShabha |

O the best of the bharata race (janamejaya)! (vaishampAyana said:) Then with great arrows of various colours released from shAr~Nga (bow of viShNu), a great battle took place like a battle between deva-s and the asura-s.

nAnApraharaNAkIrNaM tathA ghoramavartata ||2-63-75

A terrible battle took place with many kinds of weapons.

tataH shAr~NgavinirmuktairnAnAvarNairmahAsharaiH |
garuDastho mahAbAhurnijaghAna mahAsurAn ||2-63-76

Then, with great arrows of various colours released from shAr~Nga (bow of viShNu), viShNu with great arms mounted on garuDa, killed many great asura-s.

mahAlA~NgalanirbhinnAH sha~NkhashaktinipAtitAH |
vineshurdAnavAH sarve samAsAdya janArdanam ||2-63-77

Split by the great plough and felled by the great sound of the conch, all the asura-s perished, fighting with janArdana (kR^iShNa).

kechichchakrAgninirdagdhA dAnavAH peturambarAt |
saMnikarShagatAH kechidgatAsuvikR^itAnanAH ||2-63-78

Some asura-s, burned in the fire of the discus, fell from the sky. Some of them with deformed faces, who fought near, lost their lives.

asR^ijachCharavarShANi vR^iShTimanta ivAmbudAH |
vikR^itA~NgAsurAH sarve kR^iShNabANaprapIDitAH ||2-63-79

The asura-s, with deformed limbs, all of them troubled by the arrows of kR^iShNa, showered arrows, like rain clouds shower water.

shoNitAktAH sma dR^ishyante puShpitA iva kiMshukAH |
vyadravanta suvitrastA bhagnAstrAhschitrayodhinaH ||2-63-80

With blood all over their bodies, the asura-s were seen like kiMshuka trees (butea frondosa) in full bloom. Greatly terrified and broken by arrows, the fighters ran away.

punashcha krodharaktAkSho vAyuvegena dAnavaH |
dashavyAmochChritaM vR^ikShaM samAruhya vanaspatim ||2-63-81

Again the asura (hayagrIva), his eyes reddened with anger, with the speed of wind, went near a vanaspati tree (indian fig tree, bignonia suaveolens), ten lengths tall,

vR^ikShamutpATya vegena pratigR^ihyAbhyadhAvata |
chikShepa sa mahAvR^ikShaM shikShayA sughanAkR^itiH ||2-63-82

pulled out the tree quickly and returned, running. The asura (hayagrIva) appearing like a huge cloud, threw the giant tree, due to practice.

vR^ikShavegAnilodbhUtaH shushruve sumahAsvanaH |

Due to the speed with which the tree was thrown, a great sound was heard because of the movement of wind.

tataH sharasahasreNa yatamAno janArdanaH ||2-63-83
naikadhA taM prachichCheda chitrashaktinibhAkR^itim |

Then janArdana, shooting thousand arrows with effort, cut off the tree, having great strength, into several pieces.

punashchaikena bANena hayagrIvasya chorasi ||2-63-84
vivyAdha stanayormadhye sAyako jvalanaprabhaH |

Again, with one arrow, (kR^iShNa) shot on to the chest of hayagrIva, between his breasts. The arrow was blazing like fire.

vivesha so.api vegena hR^idaM bhittvA vinirgataH ||2-63-85
taM jaghAna mahAghoraM hayagrIvaM mahAbalam |

That arrow, quickly went through (his body), split his liver, and thus killed the highly powerful and terrible hayagrIva.

apAratejA durddharShaH sa vai yAdavananadanaH ||2-63-86
madhye lohitaga~Ngasya bhagavAndevakIsutaH |

The lord, son of devakI (kR^iShNa), who cannot be conquered, with unlimited splendour, in the middle of lohitaga~Nga,

audakAyAM virUpAkShaM pApmAnaM puruShottamaH ||2-63-87

killed the sinful virUpAkSha, in the trench.

aShTau shatasahasrANi dAnavAnAM paramtapaH |
nihatya puruShavyAghraH prAgjyotiShamupAdravat ||2-63-88

O one who tortures the enemies (janamejaya)! (vaishampAyana said :) The best among men (kR^iShNa), killing eight hundred thousand asura-s, the tiger among men (kR^iShNa) quickly rushed towards the city of prAgjyotiSha.

hatvA pa~nchanadaM nAma narakasya mahAsuram |

He (kR^iShNa ) killed the great asura of naraka, named pan~nchanada.

tataH prAgjyotiShaM nAma dIpyamAnamiva shriyA ||2-63-89
puramAsAdayAmAsa yuddhaM tatrAbhavanmahat |

Then he went near the city named prAgjyotiSha which was sparkling with prosperity and there was a great battle.

tataH prAdhmApayachCha~NkhaM pA~nchajanyaM mahAbalaH ||2-63-90
shushruve sumahAshabdaH saMvartaninado yathA |

Then kR^iShNa (viShNu) with great power blew his conch pA~nchajanyaM. Then a great sound was heard like the sound of the cloud saMvarta (at the dissolution of universe).

shrUyate triShu lokeShu bhImagambhIraniHsvanaH |
taM shrutvA narakashchAsItkrodhasaMraktalochanaH ||2-63-91

The huge great sound was heard in all the three worlds. Hearing that sound, naraka became angry and his eyes became red (with anger).

lohachakrAShTasaMyuktaM trinalvapratimaM ratham |
ratnakA~nchanachitrADhyaM vedikAbhogavistaram ||2-63-92

The chariot with eight wheels of iron, three furlong long, decorated with jewels and gold, with a wide space

vajradhvajena mahatA kA~nchanena virAjitaM |
hemadaNDapatAkADhyaM vaidUryamaNikUbaram ||2-63-93

with its great flagstaff decorated with diamond, shining with gold, decorated with flag on a golden pole and jewels of vaidUrya

yuktamashvasahasreNa rathaM pararathArujam |
lohajAlaishcha sa~nChannaM chitrabhaktivirAjitam ||2-63-94

yoked with thousand horses, the chariot which destroys enemy's chariot , tied with metal bands, decorated beautifully.

rathamadhyagato vIraH sasandhya iva bhAskaraH |
nAnApraharaNAkIrNaM rathaM hemapariShkR^itam ||2-63-95

The valiant naraka sat in the middle of that chariot, having many kinds of weapons and decorated with gold, like the son in the evening (sky).

vajraM rathorachChadaminduvarNaM
vyAnaddhamuktAmalatulyatejAH |
kirITamUrddhArkahutAshanAbhaH
karnau tathA kuNDalayorjvalantau ||2-63-96

He was wearing a jacket of diamond in the chariot, with the colour of moon, with a splendour equal to the fire. He was wearing a crown, sparkling like fire. Ear rings sparkled in his ears.

dhUmravarNA mahAkAyA raktAkShA vikR^itAnanAH |
nAnAkavachinaH sarve daityadAnavarAkShasAH ||2-63-97

All the asura-s, dAnava-s and demons were with colour of smoke, giant bodies, red eyes, deformed faces, wearing many kinds of shields.

khaDgacharmadharAH kechitkechittUrNadhanurbhR^itaH |
shaktihastAstathA kechichChUlahastAstathApare ||2-63-98

Some were holding sword and shield, some were holding bow and arrows, some were holding spears in their hands, some others were holding tridents.

gajavAjirathaughaishcha kAlayantashcha medinIm |
niryayurnagarAtsarve susannaddhAH prahAriNaH ||2-63-99

They shook the earth, mounted on elephants, horses and chariots. All of them left the city ready with weapons to fight.

vR^ito daityagaNaiH sArdhaM narakaH kAlasaMnibhaH |
bherIsha~NkhamR^ida~NgAnAM paNavAnAM sahasrashaH ||2-63-100

Surrounded by groups of asura-s, naraka, looking like the god of death (also started). The sounds of playing thousands of musical instruments such as kettle drums, conch, drums and small drums,

vAdyamAnAni shushrAva jImUtaninadopamaH |
yataH kR^iShNastato gatvA sarve te vikR^itAnanAH ||2-63-101

was heard like the sounds of clouds. All the asura-s with deformed faces went to the place where kR^iShNa was.

parivArya garutmantaM sarve.ayudhyanta sa~NgatAH |
mahatA ChAdayAmAsuH sharavarSheNa sainikAH ||2-63-102

Surrounding garuDa, all of them fought the battle. The soldiers covered all with a great shower of arrows.

shaktishUlagadAprAsAMstomarAnsAyakAnbahUn |
AkAshaM ChAdayAmAsurvimu~nchantaH sahasrashaH ||2-63-103

Spear, trident, mace, tomara and many arrows - shooting thousands of these weapons, they covered the sky.

kR^iShNaH kR^iShNombudAkAraH shAr~NgaM gR^ihya dhanustataH |
visphArya sumahachchApaM dhanurjaladaniHsvanam ||2-63-104

Then kR^iShNa, having the form of black rain cloud, took up his bow named shAr~NgaM. He shook the auspicious great bow having the sound of a rain cloud.

vyasR^ijachCharavarShANi dAnavAnAM janArdanaH |
sharavarSheNa tatsainyaM vyadravattu mahAhavAt ||2-63-105

janArdana shot a rain of arrows on the asura-s. With the shower of arrows, that army of asura-s ran away from the battle field.

tadyuddhamabhavadghoraM ghorarUpeNa rakShasA |
bhagnavyUhAshcha te sarve kR^iShNabANaprapIDitAH ||2-63-106

Then a terrible battle took place with the demons with terrible forms. All those were scattered and terrified by the arrows of kR^iShNa.

kechichChinnabhujAshchaiva chChinnagrIvAshirAnanAH |
kechichchakradvidhAchChinnAH kechidbANArditorasaH ||2-63-107

Some were with broken arms, some with broken neck, head and faces. Some were split in two with the discus. Some were struck with arms on their chest.

kechiddvidhAkR^itAH shaktyA gajAshvarathavAhanAH |
kechitkaumodakIbhinnAH kechichchakravidAritAH ||2-63-108

Some mounted on elephants, horses and chariots, were split in two with spear. Some were split by the mace kaumodakI. Some were split by the discus.

evaM vimathitA sarvA narAshvarathavAhinI |
tatrAsInnarakeNAsya yuddhaM paramadAruNam ||2-63-109

Thus all the army of men, horses and chariots was oppressed. Thus a greatly dreadful war occurred there with naraka.

yatsamAnena vakShyAmi tanme nigadataH shR^iNu |
trAsanaH surasa~NghAnAM narakaH puruShottamam ||2-63-110

(O janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) I shall tell you briefly (about the battle.) Hear what I am saying. naraka who terrified the group of deva-s fought the best of men (kR^iShNa).

yodhayAmAsa tejasvI madhuvanmadhusUdanam |
krodharaktAntanayano narako ghanasaMnibhaH ||2-63-111

The splendourous naraka, whose eyes had become red with anger and who appeared like a rain cloud, fought kR^iShNa like madhu fought with the slayer of madhu (viShNu).

jagrAha kArmukaM vIraH shakrachApamivochChritam |
tathArkakiraNaprakhyaM bANaM jagrAha keshavaH ||2-63-112

The valiant (kR^iShNa) took up the bow kArmukaM equal to the bow of shakra (indra). keshava (kR^iShNa) took an arrow similar to the ray of sun.

divyenAstreNa samare pUrayAmAsa taM ratham |
uttamAstraM mahApAtaM mumocha narako balI ||2-63-113

In the battle, he (kR^iShNa) troubled the chariot with the divine arrow. Powerful naraka released the best arrow mahApAta.

vajravisphUrjitAkAramAyAntaM vIkShya keshavaH |
chichChedAstraM mahAbhAgashchakreNa madhusUdanaH ||2-63-114

Seeing that arrow arriving like thunder, keshava (kR^iShNa), the great one, the slayer of madhu, cut the arrow with his discus.

vyahanatsa rathaM chAsya sharaikeNa janArdanaH |
sarathaM sadhvajaM sAshvaM jaghAna dashabhiH shararaiH ||2-63-115

janArdana shot one arrow at his chariot. He destroyed the chariot along with the flagstaff and horses with ten arrows.

tanutraM chaiva chichCheda shareNa madhusUdanaH |
tato vimuktakavachaH sarpasyeva tanuryathA ||2-63-116

The slayer of madhu (kR^iShNa) then cut off the shield with arrow. Then he (naraka), without the shield, appeared like a serpent, losing its skin.

hatAshvo.api raNe vIro vitanutrashcha dAnavaH |
jagrAha vimalajvAlaM lohabhArArpitaM dR^iDham ||2-63-117

The valiant asura, with his horses killed, and losing his shield, took his blazing strong trident, loaded with metal.

Avidhya sahasA muktaM shUlamindrAshaniprabham |

Suddenly he (naraka) released the trident, dazzling like the lightning of indra, with force.

tadApatatsa saMprekShya shUlaM hemapariShkR^itam ||2-63-118
dvidhA ChinnaM kShurapreNa kR^iShNenAdbhutakarmaNA |

Seeing the trident, decorated with gold, arriving, kR^iShNa of wonderful deeds, split it in two with a sharp edged arrow (kShurapra).

tadyuddhamabhavadghoraM ghorarUpeNa rakShasA ||2-63-119
shastrapAtamahAghAtaM narakena mahAtmanA |

The war with the demon of terrible form (naraka) became terrible. The war with the great soul naraka was with various weapons.

muhUrtaM yodhayAmAsa narakaM madhusUdanaH ||2-63-120
athograchakrashchakreNa pradIptenAkaroddvidhA |

The slayer of madhu (kR^iShNa) fought naraka for some time. With his sparkling discus, he (kr^iShNa - viShNu) cut the terrible naraka in two.

chakradvidhAkR^itaM tasya sharIramapatadbhuvi ||2-63-121
vibhaktaM kulishenaiva gireH shR^i~NgaM dvidhAkR^itam |

His body, split in two by discus fell on the earth, like the peak of a mountain split by the vajra of indra in two parts.

kR^iShNamAsAdya deveshaM jagAmAstamivAMshumAn ||2-63-122
chakrotkR^intitagAtro.asau dAnavaH patito raNe |
vajraprahAranirbhinnaM yathA gairikaparvatam ||2-63-123

Fighting with kR^iShNa (viShNu), the lord of deva-s, the asura (naraka) with his body split by discus in two parts, fell in the battle, like the sun, like a brown mountain split by the vajra of indra.

(Note 3)

bhUmistu patitaM putraM nirIkShyAdAya kuNDale |
upAtiShThata govindaM vachanaM chedamabravIt ||2-63-124

Seeing her son felled, mother earth brought the ear rings and approached govinda (kR^iShNa) and spoke the following words.

dattastvayaiva govinda tvayaiva vinipAtitaH |
yathechChasi tathA krIDa bAlaH krIDanakairiva ||2-63-125

govinda (viShNu - kR^iShNa)! This son who was given by you is killed by you. You play as you like, like a boy plays with his toys.

ime te kuNDale deva prajAstasyAnupAlaya ||2-63-126

Here are those ear rings. O lord ! Please protect his subjects.

iti shrImahAbhArate khileShu harivaMshe ViShNuparvaNi narakavadhe triShaShTitamo.adhyAyaH

Thus this is the sixty-third chapter of viShNuparva, harivaMsha, khila of mahAbhArata, slaying of narakAsura.

Note 1: satyabhAmAsahAyavAn: naraka's death can occur only with the consent of Goddess Earth. Hence naraka can be killed only with the consent of satyabhAmA, who is a portion of Goddess Earth. (see nIlakaNTha commentary for shloka 39)

Note 2: The southern recension of harivamsha has a complete chapter describing the fight between satyabhAmA and naraka.
See narakasatyabhAmAyuddham
English translation by Satya Chaitanya available at
Satyabhama-Narakasura Fight in the Harivamsa

Note 3: The killing of naraka is briefly described in mahAbhArata, vanaparva as follows:

tAn praShTukAmAn vij~nAya pANDavAn sa tu lomashaH
uvAcha vAkyaM vAkyaj~naH shR^iNudhvaM pANDunandanAH
etadvikIrNaM sushrImat kailAsashikharopamam
yat pashyasi narashreSTha parvatapratimaM sthitam
etAnyasthIni daityasya narakasya mahAtmanaH
parvatapratimaM bhAti parvataprastarAshritam
purAtanena devena viSNunA paramAtmanA
daityo vinihatastAta surarAjahitaiSiNA
dasha varShasahasrANi tapastapyan mahAmanAH
aindraM prArthayate sthAnaM tapaHsvAdhyAyavikramAt
tapobalena mahatA bAhuvegabalena cha
nityameva durAdharSho dharShayan sa diteH sutaH
sa tu tasya balaM j~nAtvA dharme cha charitavratam
bhayAbhibhUtaH saMvignaH shakra AsIt tadAnagha
tena saMchintito devo manasA viSNuravyayaH
sarvatragaH prabhuH shrImAn Agatashcha sthito babhau
R^iShayashchApi taM sarve tuSTuvushcha divaukasaH
taM dR^iShTvA jvalamAnashrIr bhagavAn havyavAhanaH
naShTatejAH samabhavat tasya tejobhibhartsitaH
taM dR^iShTvA varadaM devaM viSNuM devagaNeshvaram
prA~njaliH praNato bhUtvA namaskR^itya cha vajrabhRt
prAha vAkyaM tatastattvaM yatastasya bhayaM bhavet

viSNuruvAca

jAnAmi te bhayaM shakra daityendrAn narakAttataH
aindraM prArthayate sthAnaM tapaHsiddhena karmaNA
so.ham enaM tava prItyA tapaHsiddhamapi dhruvam
viyunajmi dehAddevendra muhUrtaM pratipAlaya
tasya viSNurmahAtejAH pANinA chetanAM harat
sa papAta tato bhUmau girirAja ivAhataH
tasyaitadasthisaMghAtaM mAyAvinihatasya vai

And knowing that Pandu's sons were intent upon asking (him), Lomasa versed in speech said, 'Hear, O sons of Pandu! O best of men, what ye see before you, of vast proportions like unto a mountain and beautiful as the Kailasa cliff, is a collection of the bones of the mighty Daitya Naraka. Being placed on a mountain, it looketh like one. The Daitya was slain by that Supreme Soul, the eternal God Vishnu, for the good of the lord of celestials. Aiming at the possession of Indra's place, by the force of austere and Vedic lore, that mighty-minded (demon) had practised austere penances for ten thousand years. And on account of his asceticism, as also of the force and might of his arms he had grown invincible and always harassed (Indra). And O sinless one, knowing his strength and austerities and observance of religious vows, Indra became agitated and was overwhelmed with fear. And mentally he thought of the eternal deity, Vishnu. And thereat the graceful lord of the universe, who is present everywhere, appeared and stood before him manifest. And the sages and celestials began to propitiate Vishnu with prayers. And in his presence even Agni of the six attributes and of blazing beauty being overpowered by his effulgence, became shorn of radiance and seeing before him the God Vishnu, the chief of the celestials who wields the thunder-bolt, bowing with head down readily apprised Vishnu of the source of his fear. Thereupon Vishnu said, "I know, O Sakra, that thy fear proceedeth from Naraka, that lord of the Daityas. By the merit of his successful ascetic acts he aimeth at Indra's position. Therefore, for pleasing thee, I shall certainly sever his soul from his body, although he hath achieved success in asceticism. Do thou, lord of celestials, wait for a moment." Then the exceedingly powerful Vishnu deprived (Naraka) of his senses (by striking him) with his hand. And he fell down on the earth even like the monarch of mountains struck by (thunder). He was thus slain by a miracle and his bones lie gathered at this spot.
(Translation by KIsari Mohan Ganguli)

nIlakaNTha commentary

athAtra triShaShTitame surendraH kR^iShNamabravIt |
kuNDalAnyaditermAturhartushchAtha nibarhaNam || 1 ||

2-63-1 pratyetyeti ||
2-63-2 taiH yadubhiH ||
2-63-3 yAni ratnAni pratyapadyata tAni naiR^itAn pratyavArayat rAkShasaiH svagR^ihe anApya sthApitavAnityarthaH ||
2-63-4 mUrtili~Ngasya dR^ishyaj~nApakaM satvaM mUrtili~NgaM tatsthaH prAgjyotiShapurastho vA bAditA bAdhakaH ||
2-63-7 kasheruM sthAnavisheShaM agamat | chaturdashIM sarvadA chaturthyAM dashayA yuktAM sA cha garbhakaumArapaugaNDasandhiyauvanamiti dashabhya UrdhvaM pa~nchadashabhyo.arvAk chaturdashavArShikImityarthaH |
2-63-11 tachcha ratnajAtamAhR^itamapi nAdhichakAra na bubhuje ||
2-63-13 ekaviMshachChatAni shatAdhike dvai chaturdasha cheti ShoDasha sahasrANi shataM cha ekaveNidharAH kumArikAH ||
2-63-14 murordaityasya ||
2-63-15 tAH prAgjyotiShapatiM chetyanvayaH | sa eSha narakaH tamasaH nIlavarNasya samudrasya pAre tIre ||
2-63-22 vAsavakShayAt indrAlayAt ||
2-63-39 satyabhAmAsahAyavAn iti asyAH satyabhAmAyAH pR^ithivyaMshatvAt pR^ithivyAj~nayaiva tasya mR^ityurvihito.astIti satyabhAmAj~nayaiva taM haniShyAmiItyAshayaH ||
2-63-40 sapta skandhAn AvahapravAhAdIn vAyumArgAn ||
2-63-46 mauravAnmuruvihitAn kShurAntavadati sUkShmAn dR^DhatarAvayavasaMyogaM pAShANAdikamapi pravishya ChetumarhAnityarthaH ||
2-63-77 mahAlA~NgalanirbhinnAH lA~Ngalena bhUrividAritadehAH sha~Nkhashakti mahAnAdastenaiva pAtitAH ||
2-63-87 lohitA~Ngasya sindhoH pradeshavisheShasya madhye | audakAyAm udakaparikhAyAM puryAm ||
2-63-95 rathaM Aruroheti sheShaH ||
2-63-99 madhuH kaiTabhabhrAtA tadvat ||
2-63-124 bhUmiH rUpiNI bhUtvA ||
2-63-125 he deva tasya narakasya te prasiddhe ||

iti harivaMshe viShNuparvaNi TIkAyAM triShaShTitamo.adhyAyaH ||

## Itranslated by K S Ramachandran, ramachandran_ksr @ yahoo.ca, October 5, 2008
Note: (1) sloka 122, line 2: spelling mistake in deveshaM
(2) sloka 79, line 2: I think it should be really vikR^itA~NgAsurAH (vikR^itA~NgAH + asurAH) Please check.
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
April 15, 2010 ##