Ch 20 Verse 1-2 Verse

Sanskrit Text

४.२० विंशोऽध्यायः । कृष्णावतारकथोपक्रमवर्णनम् । व्यास उवाच । शृण भारत वक्ष्यामि भारावतरणं तथा । कुरुक्षेत्रे प्रभासे च क्षपितं योगमायया ॥ १ ॥ यदुवंशे समुत्पत्तिर्विष्णोरमिततेजसः । भृगुशापप्रतापेन महामायाबलेन च ॥ २ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O Bharata! I now narrate to you about the relief of the burden of the Earth, the destruction by the Yoga Māyā of the armies Kurukṣettra and Prabhāsa, the two sacred places, and about the birth, due to the curse of Bhṛgu, of the Bhagavān Hari, of unparalleled prowess, under the influence of Mahāmāyā, in the race of Yadu. Now hear.

Ch 20 Verse 3 Verse

Sanskrit Text

क्षितिभारसमुत्तारनिमित्तमिति मे मतिः । मायया विहितो योगो विष्णोर्जन्म धरातले ॥ ३ ॥

English Translation

Viṣṇu’s taking birth in the world was effected under the circumstances caused by Yoga Māyā, to relieve the burden of the Earth; this is my opinion. N. B. :-- Prabhāsa is a well-known place of pilgrimage near Dvārkā, in Gujerat.

Ch 20 Verse 4 Verse

Sanskrit Text

किं चित्रं नृप देवी सा ब्रह्मविष्णुसुरानपि । नर्तयत्यनिशं माया त्रिगुणानपरान्किमु ॥ ४ ॥

English Translation

O king! When the Goddess Mahāmāyā, the Incarnate of the three qualities can make Brahmā, Viṣṇu and the other Devas dance incessantly as their Internal Controller, then what wonder, that She would appear charming to the other Jīvas and make them dance incessantly, as wooden dolls.

Ch 20 Verse 5 Verse

Sanskrit Text

गर्भवासोद्भवं दुःखं विण्मूत्रस्नायुसंयुतम् । विष्णोरापादितं सम्यग्यया विगतलीलया ॥ ५ ॥

English Translation

All the troubles iñcurred in remaining in the womb, amidst the urine, excreta and tissues, She had brought to bear finally on Viṣṇu by Her ever famous Leelā (Divine Sport).

Ch 20 Verse 6 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पुरा रामावतारेऽपि निर्जरा वानराः कृताः । विदितं ते यथा विष्णुर्दुःखपाशेन मोहितः ॥ ६ ॥

English Translation

In days of yore, in Rāma incarnation, She, That Supreme Goddess made the Gods become monkeys and you know very well already, what amount of trouble Bhagavān Viṣṇu had to undergo by the hard iron chain of bondage, “This is mine, this is I,” etc., imposed by Māyā.

Ch 20 Verse 7 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अहं ममेति पाशेन सुदृढेन नराधिप । योगिनो मुक्तसङ्गाश्च भुक्तिकामा मुमुक्षवः ॥ ७ ॥

English Translation

The Yogis who want final liberation and who have abandoned all their attachments and who want devotion, they worship the Supreme Goddess of the Universe, the Incarnate of Auspiciousness.

Ch 20 Verse 8 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तामेव समुपासन्ते देवीं विश्वेश्वरीं शिवाम् । यद्भक्तिलेशलेशांशलेशलेशलवांशकम् ॥ ८ ॥

English Translation

O king! Who will not serve Her? A trace of devotion towards Whom effects at once the salvation of the Jīvas.

Ch 20 Verse 9 Verse

Sanskrit Text

लब्ध्वा मुक्तो भवेज्जन्तुस्तां न सेवेत को जनः । भुवनेशीत्येव वक्त्रे ददाति भुवनत्रयम् ॥ ९ ॥

English Translation

If any human being utters simply the name “Bhuvaneśvarī” (the Goddess of Universe) She gives him the three worlds; and if any one cries and utters for help “Save me,” then the Goddess of the Universe, being unable to find anything that She can repay him as a fit recompense for his utterance, becomes Herself indebted to that man.

Ch 20 Verse 10 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मां पाहीत्यस्य वचसो देयाभावादृणान्विता । विद्याविद्येति तस्या द्वे रूपे जानीहि पार्थिव ॥ १० ॥

English Translation

O King! Know Vidyā (knowledge) and Avidyā (non-knowledge, spiritual ignorance, lower knowledge) Her two forms; Vidyā gives liberation; Avidyā causes bondage.

Ch 20 Verse 11 Verse

Sanskrit Text

विद्यया मुच्यते जन्तुर्बध्यतेऽविद्यया पुनः । ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च सर्वे तस्या वशानुगाः ॥ ११ ॥

English Translation

Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Rudra, all these and their Avatāras are Her instruments and are under Her subjection, as if they are all fastened by a cord.

Ch 20 Verse 12-14 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अवताराः सर्व एव यन्त्रिता इव दामभिः । कदाचिच्च सुखं भुङ्क्ते वैकुण्ठे क्षीरसागरे ॥ १२ ॥ कदाचित्कुरुते युद्धं दानवैर्बलवत्तरैः । हरिः कदाचिद्यज्ञान्वै विततान्प्रकरोति च ॥ १३ ॥ कदाचिच्च तपस्तीव्रं तीर्थे चरति सुव्रत । कदाचिच्छयने शेते योगनिद्रामुपाश्रितः ॥ १४ ॥

English Translation

The Bhagavān Hari sometimes resides in Vaikunṭha, sometimes resides in the sea of milk and enjoys pleasures, sometimes fights the powerful Dānavas, sometimes performs extensive sacrificial ceremonies sometimes performs severe asceticism and sometimes takes to deep sleep under the guidance of Yoga Māyā. Thus He never becomes free and independent.

Ch 20 Verse 15-16 Verse

Sanskrit Text

न स्वतन्त्रः कदाचिच्च भगवान्मधुसूदनः । तथा ब्रह्मा तथा रुद्रस्तथेन्द्रो वरुणो यमः ॥ १५ ॥ कुबेरोऽग्नी रवीन्दू च तथान्ये सुरसत्तमाः । मुनयः सनकाद्याश्च वसिष्ठाद्यास्तथापरे ॥ १६ ॥

English Translation

O King! And like Viṣṇu, Brahmā, Rudra, the other Gods Indra, Varuṇa, Yama, Kuvera, Agni, the Sun, Moon and other celestial gods, the Sanaka and other Munis, Vaśiṣṭha and other Ṛṣis, all are incessantly controlled by the Supreme Goddess, as if they are the dolls in the hands of a playing magician.

Ch 20 Verse 17 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सर्वेऽम्बावशगा नित्यं पाञ्चालीव नरस्य च । नसि प्रोता यथा गावो विचरन्ति वशानुगाः ॥ १७ ॥

English Translation

All the Devas are controlled by the noose of Time, just as oxen are brought under control by men, by strings passed within their noses.

Ch 20 Verse 18 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तथैव देवताः सर्वाः कालपाशनियन्त्रिताः । हर्षशोकादयो भावा निद्रातन्द्रालसादयः ॥ १८ ॥

English Translation

O King! Pleasure, pain, sleep, lassitude, idleness, and other passions and feelings are always found inherent in every embodied being.

Ch 20 Verse 19-20 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सर्वेषां सर्वदा राजन्देहिनां देहसंश्रिताः । अमरा निर्जराः प्रोक्ता देवाश्च ग्रन्थकारकैः ॥ १९ ॥ अभिधानतश्चार्थतो न ते नूनं तादृशाः क्वचित् । उत्पत्तिस्थितिनाशाख्या भावा येषां निरन्तरम् ॥ २० ॥

English Translation

The Devas are written down by authors in their books as not subject to death or decay; this statement is merely nominal and not real; for whoever is always subject to birth, growth, decay and death how can we call him immortal or beyond old age and death?

Ch 20 Verse 21 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अमरास्ते कथं वाच्या निर्जराश्च कथं पुनः । कथं दुःखाभिभूता वा जायन्ते विबुधोत्तमाः ॥ २१ ॥

English Translation

Why do the Devas get into sorrows, and troubles? How can they be called gods? How can one enjoy when one is involved in a trouble?

Ch 20 Verse 22-23 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कथं देवाश्च वक्तव्या व्यसने क्रीडनं कथम् । क्षणादुत्पत्तिनाशश्च दृश्यतेऽस्मिन्न संशयः ॥ २२ ॥ जलजानां च कीटानां मशकानां तथा पुनः । उपमा न कथं चैषामायुषोऽन्ते मराः स्मृताः ॥ २३ ॥

English Translation

In this world, it is seen mosquitoes and other insects born from water die after a very short time; so, like these, the Devas at the expiry of their ordained life-period, die too. Then why not the Devas be treated like those insects? Why not shall we term them, “Mortal”?

Ch 20 Verse 24-25 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ततो वर्षायुषश्चापि शतवर्षायुषस्तथा । मनुष्या ह्यमरा देवास्तस्माद् ब्रह्मापरः स्मृतः ॥ २४ ॥ रुद्रस्तथा तथा विष्णुः क्रमशश्च भवन्ति हि । नश्यन्ति क्रमशश्चैव वर्धन्ति चोत्तरोत्तरम् ॥ २५ ॥

English Translation

Some human beings live one year; some others live upto one hundred years, the Devas live longer than men; the life of the Prājāpatī Brahmā exceeds those of the Devas; Rudra lives longer than Brahmā; and Viṣṇu lives longer than Rudra. All these are thus subject by turns to birth, growth, and decay.

Ch 20 Verse 26 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नूनं देहवतो नाशो मृतस्योत्पत्तिरेव च । चक्रवद् भ्रमणं राजन् सर्वेषां नात्र संशयः ॥ २६ ॥

English Translation

Those who are born, they die; those that die are again born. Thus O King! In this world all the Jīvas, no doubt, move round and round like a wheel.

Ch 20 Verse 27 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मोहजालावृतो जन्तुर्मुच्यते न कदाचन । मायायां विद्यमानायां मोहजालं न नश्यति ॥ २७ ॥

English Translation

The Jīvas are deluded by the network of Moha (charms) and thus deluded. They can never gain final release. So long as Māyā exists in them, their delusion is not destroyed.

Ch 20 Verse 28 Verse

Sanskrit Text

उत्पित्सुकाल उत्पत्तिः सर्वेषां नृप जायते । तथैव नाशः कल्पान्ते ब्रह्मादीनां यथाक्रमम् ॥ २८ ॥

English Translation

O King! At the time of creation Brahmā and all other things came into existence, in due order, and these will duly dissolve at the time of the Great Dissolution (the Pralaya)?

Ch 20 Verse 29 Verse

Sanskrit Text

निमित्तं यस्तु यन्नाशे स घातयति तं नृप । नान्यथा तद्भवेन्नूनं विधिना निर्मितं तु यत् ॥ २९ ॥

English Translation

Whatever is the cause of destruction to anybody here, that destroys the body in question. According to the Will Power of the Supreme Goddess, whatever is created by Brahmā, no none can undo that. Know this as perfectly certain.

Ch 20 Verse 30 Verse

Sanskrit Text

जन्ममृत्युजराव्याधिदुःखं वा सुखमेव वा । तत्तथैव भवेत्कामं नान्यथेह विनिर्णयः ॥ ३० ॥

English Translation

Know this the predestined law that the birth, death, old age, diseases, pain or pleasure overtake all the Jīvas according to the prescribed order of Nature; never these laws fail to operate in their actions.

Ch 20 Verse 31 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सर्वेषां सुखदौ देवौ प्रत्यक्षौ शशिभास्करौ । न नश्यति तयोः पीडा क्यचित्तद्वैरिसम्भवा ॥ ३१ ॥

English Translation

See! The Devas that we see with our physical eyes, the Sun and Moon yield pleasure to all; still they suffer always troubles at the hands of their enemies (i.e., Rāhu and Ketu, i.e., there always take place regularly solar and lunar eclipses, when they are in the ascending and descending modes.) This suffering is never removed.

Ch 20 Verse 32-33 Verse

Sanskrit Text

भास्करस्य सुतो मन्दः क्षयी चन्द्रः कलङ्कवान् । पश्य राजन् विधेः सूत्रं दुर्वारं महतामपि ॥ ३२ ॥ वेदकर्ता जगत्स्रष्टा बुद्धिदस्तु चतुर्मुखः । सोऽपि विक्लवतां प्राप्तो दृष्ट्वा पुत्रीं सरस्वतीम् ॥ ३३ ॥

English Translation

The son of the Sun (Saturn) is always injurious to people; hence it is termed “Manda” (bad); the Moon was attacked with consumption and bears stain on his body (spots in the Moon disc). What to speak of ordinary men? The great men even are subject to the prescribed laws of Fate and Nature.

Ch 20 Verse 33 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वेदकर्ता जगत्स्रष्टा बुद्धिदस्तु चतुर्मुखः । सोऽपि विक्लवतां प्राप्तो दृष्ट्वा पुत्रीं सरस्वतीम् ॥ ३३ ॥

English Translation

The Creator of the world, the four faced Brahmā is the author of the Vedas and awarder of Intelligence. He, too, on seeing Sarasvatī, his own daughter, was afflicted with passion.

Ch 20 Verse 34 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शिवस्यापि मृता भार्या सती दग्ध्वा कलेवरम् । सोऽभवद्दुःखसन्तप्तः कामार्तश्च जनार्तिहा ॥ ३४ ॥

English Translation

When Sati, the wife of Śiva, left off Her mortal coil, Mahādeva, though He could remove the sorrows of all, was very much moved with passion and greatly afflicted.

Ch 20 Verse 35 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कामाग्निदग्धदेहस्तु कालिन्द्यां पतितः शिवः । सापि श्यामजला जाता तन्निदाघवशान्नृप ॥ ३५ ॥

English Translation

Then, being burnt very much as it were by the fire of passion, he threw himself down into the water of the river Kālindī; and the water of that river became black-coloured, as if burnt by the burning fire of the sorrows of Śiva.

Ch 20 Verse 36-37 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कामार्तो रममाणस्तु नग्नः सोऽपि भृगोर्वनम् । गतः प्राप्तोऽथ भृगुणा शप्तः कामातुरो भृशम् ॥ ३६ ॥ पतत्वद्यैव ते लिङ्गं निर्लज्जेति भृशं किल । पपौ चामृतवापीञ्च दानवैर्निर्मितां मुदे ॥ ३७ ॥

English Translation

O King! When Mahādeva, being infatuated with Kāma, went into the forest of Bhṛgu and becoming naked, began to copulate, the ascetic Bhṛgu, seeing him in that state, exclaimed “O You are very shameless” and cursed Him thus :-- Let your penis drop off just now. Mahādeva, then to satisfy his thirst for passion, began to drink the water of the lake Amrita Vapī, dug by the Dānavas.

Ch 20 Verse 38-39 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इन्द्रोऽपि च वृषो भूत्वा वाहनत्वं गतः क्षितौ । आद्यस्य सर्वलोकस्य विष्णोरेव विवेकिनः ॥ ३८ ॥ सर्वज्ञत्वं गतं कुत्र प्रभुशक्तिः कुतो गता । यद्धेममृगविज्ञानं न ज्ञातं हरिणा किल ॥ ३९ ॥

English Translation

Indra, too, the Lord of the Devas, turned into a bull and carried Viṣṇu on his back on the face of the earth. What to speak where the omniscience and omnipotence disappeared of Bhagavān Viṣṇu, Who is the First of all created beings and possessed of reason, and discrimination? Oh! What a great wonder, that He could not know about the golden deer?

Ch 20 Verse 40-41 Verse

Sanskrit Text

राजन् मायाबलं पश्य रामो हि काममोहितः । रामो विरहसन्तप्तो रुरोद भृशमातुरः ॥ ४० ॥ योऽपृच्छत्पादपान्मूढः क्व गता जनकात्मजा । भक्षिता वा हृता केन रुदन्नुच्चतरं ततः ॥ ४१ ॥

English Translation

Judge, O King! for yourself, the great power of Māyā, that even Rāma Candra was deluded by passion, and very much grieved for the separation from his dear wife Sītā, and wept much for Her. Greatly deluded, he began to cry aloud and ask the trees “Where has gone My Sītā, the daughter of Janaka? Is she devoured by the rapacious animals? or whether is she stolen by some mischievous person?

Ch 20 Verse 42-43 Verse

Sanskrit Text

लक्ष्मणाहं मरिष्यामि कान्ताविरहदुःखितः । त्वं चापि मम दुःखेन मरिष्यसि वनेऽनुज ॥ ४२ ॥ आवयोर्मरणं ज्ञात्वा माता मम मरिष्यति । शत्रुघ्नोऽप्यतिदुःखार्तः कथं जीवितुमर्हति ॥ ४३ ॥

English Translation

O Brother Lakṣmaṇa! I am being consumed by the fire of separation from my beloved; I will commit suicide now; and you too will die due to the separation from me; our mother, too, would die when they will hear of our deaths; Satrughṇa, too, will be very much afflicted at our death and will not hold his life.

Ch 20 Verse 44 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुमित्रा जीवितं जह्यात्पुत्रव्यसनकर्शिता । पूर्णकामाथ कैकेयी भवेत्पुत्रसमन्विता ॥ ४४ ॥

English Translation

The mother Sumitrā, too, will destroy her life, being afflicted with her son’s demise; and then Bharata’s and his mother’s desires will certainly be fulfilled.

Ch 20 Verse 45 Verse

Sanskrit Text

हा सीते क्व गतासि त्वं मां विहाय स्मरातुरा । एह्येहि मृगशावाक्षि मां जीवय कृशोदरि ॥ ४५ ॥

English Translation

O Sītā! I am very much moved by your separation; where have you gone, leaving me here! O deer-eyed, O one of thin waist! come; give life unto me!

Ch 20 Verse 46 Verse

Sanskrit Text

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि त्वदधीनञ्च जीवितम् । समाश्वासय दीनं मां प्रियं जनकनन्दिनि ॥ ४६ ॥

English Translation

What shall I do? Where shall I go? My life is entirely dependent on you, O daughter of Janaka! I am your darling! Now I am very much depressed owing to your separation. Please come and speak to me words of hope and courage.

Ch 20 Verse 47 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एवं विलपता तेन रामेणामिततेजसा । वने वने च भ्रमता नेक्षिता जनकात्मजा ॥ ४७ ॥

English Translation

Though Rāma, of unequalled prowess, roamed about weeping from forest to forest, yet he could not find out Sītā.

Ch 20 Verse 48-49 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शरण्यः सर्वलोकानां रामः कमललोचनः । शरणं वानराणां स गतो मायाविमोहितः ॥ ४८ ॥ सहायान्वानरान्कृत्वा बबन्ध वरुणालयम् । जघान रावणं वीरं कुम्भकर्णं महोदरम् ॥ ४९ ॥

English Translation

He, who is the Refuge of all the worlds, the lotus-eyed Rāma, got entangled into the delusion of Māyā and had to take refuge Himself under the monkeys, and with their help, constructed the bridge across the ocean, crossed the ocean and was thus able to kill the valiant warriors Kumbhakarṇa and Rāvaṇa.

Ch 20 Verse 50 Verse

Sanskrit Text

आनीय च ततः सीतां रामो दिव्यमकारयत् । सर्वज्ञोऽपि हृतां मत्वा रावणेन दुरात्मना ॥ ५० ॥

English Translation

Then Rāma got back His Sītā before him but suspecting, since she had been stolen by the vicious Rāvaṇa, made her take an oath, though it is to, be remembered that Rāma was all-knowing.

Ch 20 Verse 51 Verse

Sanskrit Text

किं ब्रवीमि महाराज योगमायाबलं महत् । यया विश्वमिदं सर्वं भ्रामितं भ्रमते किल ॥ ५१ ॥

English Translation

O King! The power of Yoga Māyā is very great; what shall I speak of Her great power? This whole cosmos is always urged into activity by Her and thus goes rolling on and on incessantly.

Ch 20 Verse 52 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एवं नानावतारेऽत्र विष्णुः शापवशं गतः । करोति विविधाश्चेष्टा दैवाधीनः सदैव हि ॥ ५२ ॥

English Translation

Thus, in various incarnations, Bhagavān Viṣṇu was always under the influence of previous curse and also under the control of Destiny and had to do various functions incessantly.

Ch 20 Verse 53 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तवाहं कथयिष्यामि कृष्णस्यापि विचेष्टितम् । प्रभवं मानुषे लोके देवकार्यार्थसिद्धये ॥ ५३ ॥

English Translation

O King! Now I will speak to you about the birth of Śrī Kṛṣṇa in the world for serving the purposes of gods, and will narrate His Leelā.

Ch 20 Verse 54 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कालिन्दीपुलिने रम्ये ह्यासीन्मधुवनं पुरा । लवणो मधुपुत्रस्तु तत्रासीद्दानवो बली ॥ ५४ ॥

English Translation

In days of yore, on the delightful banks of the river Kālindī, there was a place, called Madhuban, where lived a powerful Daitya named Lavana, the son of Madhu.

Ch 20 Verse 55-56 Verse

Sanskrit Text

द्विजानां दुःखदः पापो वरदानेन गर्वितः । निहतोऽसौ महाभाग लक्ष्मणस्यानुजेन वै ॥ ५५ ॥ शत्रुघ्नेनाथ सङ्ग्रामे तं निहत्य मदोत्कटम् । वासिता मथुरा नाम पुरी परमशोभना ॥ ५६ ॥

English Translation

That wicked Demon was exceedingly arrogant, on getting a boon, and he used to give an enormous amount of trouble to the Dvijas. Satrughṇa the younger of Lakṣmaṇ, killed that uncontrollable Daitya and built a very beautiful city there and named it Mathurā.

Ch 20 Verse 57 Verse

Sanskrit Text

स तत्र पुष्कराक्षौ द्वौ पुत्रौ शत्रुनिषूदनः । निवेश्य राज्ये मतिमान्काले प्राप्ते दिवं गतः ॥ ५७ ॥

English Translation

The intelligent Satrughṇa, the destroyer of enemies, installed his two lotus-eyed sons in that kingdom and, when his end came, went to Heaven.

Ch 20 Verse 58 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सूर्यवंशक्षये तां तु यादवाः प्रतिपेदिरे । मथुरां मुक्तिदा राजन् ययातितनयः पुरा ॥ ५८ ॥

English Translation

Afterwards on the decline of the Solar race, the Yādavas, born of the race of Yayāti, occupied that Mathurā city, giving salvation to all.

Ch 20 Verse 59 Verse

Sanskrit Text

श्ण्सेनाभिधः श्द्वस्तत्राभून्मेदिनीपतिः । माथुराच्छूरसेनांश्च बुभुजे विषयान्नृप ॥ ५९ ॥

English Translation

O King! There reigned in Mathurā city one Yādava king, valiant warrior, named Śūrasena; and he enjoyed all the pleasures Mathurā.

Ch 20 Verse 60 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तत्रोत्पन्नः कश्यपांशः शापाच्च वरुणस्य वै । वसुदेवोऽतिविख्यातः शूरसेनसुतस्तदा ॥ ६० ॥

English Translation

Under the curse of Varuṇa, Vāsudeva took his birth as the son of the renowned Śūrasena, as the part incarnate of Kaśyapa.

Ch 20 Verse 61 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वैश्यवृत्तिरतः सोऽभून्मृते पितरि माधवः । उग्रसेनो बभूवाथ कंसस्तस्यात्मजो महान् ॥ ६१ ॥

English Translation

He took up the profession of a Vaiśya and engaged himself in agriculture. And on the death of his father, the prosperous and wealthy Ugrasena became the King of Mathurā. The powerful Kaṃsa was the son Ugrasena.

Ch 20 Verse 62 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अदितिर्देवकी जाता देवकस्य सुता तदा । शापाद्वै वरुणस्याथ कश्यपानुगता किल ॥ ६२ ॥

English Translation

On the other hand, the King Devaka had a daughter born to him named Devakī, the part incarnate of Aditi. She under the curse of Varuṇa, followed Kaśyapa.

Ch 20 Verse 63 Verse

Sanskrit Text

दत्ता सा वसुदेवाय देवकेन महात्मना । विवाहे रचिते तत्र वागभूद् गगने तदा ॥ ६३ ॥

English Translation

The high souled King Devaka performed the marriage ceremony of his daughter Devakī with Vāsudeva.

Ch 20 Verse 64 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कंस कंस महाभाग देवकीगर्भसम्भवः । अष्टमस्तु सुतः श्रीमांस्तव हन्ता भविष्यति ॥ ६४ ॥

English Translation

When this marriage ceremony was over, a voice was heard from Heaven, saying :-- O fortunate Kaṃsa! The eighth son of this Devakī will take away your life.

Ch 20 Verse 65 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं कंसो विस्मितोऽभून्महाबलः । देववाचं तु तां मत्वा सत्यां चिन्तामवाप सः ॥ ६५ ॥

English Translation

The powerful Kaṃsa, hearing that voice from Heaven, was surprised and took it to be true and became very anxious.

Ch 20 Verse 66-67 Verse

Sanskrit Text

किं करोमीति सञ्चिन्त्य विमर्शमकरोत्तदा । निहत्यैनां न मे मृत्युर्भवेदद्यैव सत्वरम् ॥ ६६ ॥ उपायो नान्यथा चास्मिन्कार्ये मृत्युभयावहे । इयं पितृष्वसा पूज्या कथं हन्मीत्यचिन्तयत् ॥ ६७ ॥

English Translation

Kaṃsa began to argue in his mind. Once he thought “I would today destroy her; then my death won’t take place; for I can’t see any other way of escape from this difficulty,” again he thought, “She is my sister, daughter of my paternal uncle and therefore fit to be worshipped; how can I kill her!”

Ch 20 Verse 68 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पुनर्विचारयामास मरणं मेऽस्त्यहो स्वसा । पापेनापि प्रकर्तव्या देहरक्षा विपश्चिता ॥ ६८ ॥

English Translation

Lastly, he came to the final conclusion, thus “She is the cause of my death, though she is my sister, fit to be worshipped; to kill her will not lead me to sin; for it is enjoined by the wise :-- Do even a sin to avert one’s own death.”

Ch 20 Verse 69 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्रायश्चित्तेन पापस्य शुद्धिर्भवति सर्वदा । प्राणरक्षा प्रकर्तव्या बुधैरप्येनसा तथा ॥ ६९ ॥

English Translation

The sins can be remedied always by penances. Therefore to save one’s life, by committing even a sinful act, ought to be done by the wise.

Ch 20 Verse 70-71 Verse

Sanskrit Text

विचिन्त्य मनसा कंसः खड्गमादाय सत्वरः । जग्राह तां वरारोहां केशेष्वाकृष्य पापकृत् ॥ ७० ॥ कोशात्खड्गमुपाकृष्य हन्तुकामो दुराशयः । पश्यतां सर्वलोकानां नवोढां तां चकर्ष ह ॥ ७१ ॥

English Translation

The vicious Kaṃsa thus arguing, holding the scabbard in his hand, drew from it the sword and dragged and caught hold of the newly married handsome woman by her hair to kill her before the presence of the public.

Ch 20 Verse 72 Verse

Sanskrit Text

हन्यमानाञ्च तां दृष्ट्वा हाहाकारो महानभूत् । वसुदेवानुगा वीरा युद्धायोद्यतकार्मुकाः ॥ ७२ ॥

English Translation

A cry of universal consternation and distress arose on all sides, seeing Kaṃsa thus ready to kill Devakī; then the warriors, under Vāsudeva, at once raised their bows and arrows, ready to fight.

Ch 20 Verse 73 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मुञ्च मुञ्चेति प्रोचुस्तं ते तदाद्भुतसाहसाः । कृपया मोचयामासुर्देवकीं देवमातरम् ॥ ७३ ॥

English Translation

These wonderfully valorous warriors loudly exclaimed to Kaṃsa, “Leave Devakī at once” “Leave Devakī at once” and then they were finally able out of their mercy to release the Devamātā Devakī, from the hold of the vicious Kaṃsa.

Ch 20 Verse 74-76 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तद्युद्धमभवद् घोरं वीराणाञ्च परस्परम् । वसुदेवसहायानां कंसेन च महात्मना ॥ ७४ ॥ वर्तमाने तथा युद्धे दारुणे लोमहर्षणे । कंसं निवारयामासुर्वृद्धा ये यदुसत्तमाः ॥ ७५ ॥ पितृष्वसेयं ते वीर पूजनीया च बालिशा । न हन्तव्या त्वया वीर विवाहोत्सवसङ्गमे ॥ ७६ ॥

English Translation

Deadly battles ensued then between the powerful Kaṃsa and those valorous warriors on Vāsudeva’s side. 75-76. Seeing the exceedingly terrible battle, the old Yādavas asked Kaṃsa to desist from such a battle and advised him thus. This Devakī is your sister; you ought to pay her respects. Did you not consider even for a moment that she is as yet a girl. O Hero! You ought not to kill her at the time of this joyous marriage ceremony.

Ch 20 Verse 77 Verse

Sanskrit Text

स्त्रीहत्या दुःसहा वीर कीर्तिघ्नी पापकृत्तमा । भूतभाषितमात्रेण न कर्तव्या विजानता ॥ ७७ ॥

English Translation

O Valiant Warrior! The murder of a woman is intolerable! Destroyer of fame, and most heinous crime! You should also consider that learned persons ought not to commit such dastardly acts as the murdering of females, depending simply on a voice from heaven, a very ordinary thing!

Ch 20 Verse 78 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अन्तर्हितेन केनापि शत्रुणा तव चास्य वा । उदितेति कुतो न स्याद्वागनर्थकरी विभो ॥ ७८ ॥

English Translation

It may be that some of your Vāsudeva’s enemy has uttered that harmful word, hiding himself from your sight. No reason can be shewn contrary to this.

Ch 20 Verse 79 Verse

Sanskrit Text

यशसस्ते विघाताय वसुदेवगृहस्य च । अरिणा रचिता वाणी गुणमायाविदा नृप ॥ ७९ ॥

English Translation

We are of opinion that to ruin your name and to destroy the house of Vāsudeva, some magician, expert in black magic, your enemy has framed this voice from Heaven.

Ch 20 Verse 80 Verse

Sanskrit Text

बिभेषि वीरस्त्वं भूत्वा भूतभाषितभाषया । यशोमूलविघातार्थमुपायस्त्वरिणा कृतः ॥ ८० ॥

English Translation

O king! You are a hero; why do you fear the words of a devil. We firmly believe, there is no doubt, that this is done by your malicious enemy to ruin your name.

Ch 20 Verse 81 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पितृष्वसा न हन्तव्या विवाहसमये पुनः । भवितव्यं महाराज भवेच्च कथमन्यथा ॥ ८१ ॥

English Translation

O king! What is destined to take place, will take place; no one can stand against it otherwise. Therefore, at this marriage festivity, you ought never to kill this your respected sister.

Ch 20 Verse 82-83 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एवं तैर्बोध्यमानोऽसौ निवृत्तो नाभवद्यदा । तदा तं वसुदेवोऽपि नीतिज्ञः प्रत्यभाषत ॥ ८२ ॥ कंस सत्यं ब्रवीम्यद्य सत्याधारं जगत्त्रयम् । दास्यामि देवकीपुत्रानुत्पन्नांस्तव सर्वशः ॥ ८३ ॥

English Translation

O King Janamejaya! Though made to understand thus by the old wise Yādavas, the king Kaṃsa did not desist from his purpose; Śrī Vāsudeva, versed in morals, told him “Kaṃsa! These three worlds are established on Truth. I say on Truth that I will hand over to you all my sons, born of the womb of Devakī, no sooner they are born.

Ch 20 Verse 84 Verse

Sanskrit Text

जातं जातं सुतं तुभ्यं न दास्यामि यदि प्रभो । कुम्भीपाके तदा घोरे पतन्तु मम पूर्वजाः ॥ ८४ ॥

English Translation

And if I do not deliver to you all those sons, no sooner they are born then all my forefathers will fall down into the hell called Kumbīhpāka.”

Ch 20 Verse 85-86 Verse

Sanskrit Text

श्रुत्वाथ वचनं सत्यं पौरवा ये पुरःस्थिताः । ऊचुस्ते त्वरिताः कंसं साधु साधु पुनः पुनः ॥ ८५ ॥ न मिथ्या भाषते क्वापि वसुदेवो महामनाः । केशं मुञ्च महाभाग स्त्रीहत्या पातकं तथा ॥ ८६ ॥

English Translation

The descendants of Puru, that were present there, hearing his truthful words, praised him repeatedly and told Kaṃsa “Vāsudeva is a high minded personage; he is surely not to tell a lie. Therefore, O Thou, blessed one! Now leave Devakī and be free from committing the murder of woman.”

Ch 20 Verse 87 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । एवं प्रबोधितः कंसो यदुवृद्धैर्महात्मभिः । क्रोधं त्यक्त्वा स्थितस्तत्र सत्यवाक्यानुमोदितः ॥ ८७ ॥

English Translation

O king! Thus made to understand by the aged high minded Yādavas the king Kaṃsa accepted the truthful words of Vāsudeva and abandoned his anger.

Ch 20 Verse 87 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । एवं प्रबोधितः कंसो यदुवृद्धैर्महात्मभिः । क्रोधं त्यक्त्वा स्थितस्तत्र सत्यवाक्यानुमोदितः ॥ ८७ ॥

English Translation

Then the Dundubhis and other sounding instruments were sounded; and their sounds filled the place; and all repeatedly uttered jai, jai.

Ch 20 Verse 88 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ततो दुन्दुभयो नेदुर्वादित्राणि च सस्वनुः । जयशब्दस्तु सर्वेषामुत्पन्नस्तत्र संसदि ॥ ८८ ॥

English Translation

Then the famous Vāsudeva, the son of Śūrasena, thus pleased the king Kaṃsa and freed Devakī; and, surrounded by his relatives, he went quickly without any fear to his own house, accompanied by Devakī. Here ends the 20th chapter in the 4th Adhyāya of Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam, the Mahā Purāṇam, of 18,000 verses, by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa, on Devakī’s marriage.