Chapter 50(b) - The Third Siege of Mathura: Jarāsandha’s defeat

[Note: Additional Chapters in Padaratnāvalī’s Text—Chapter 50 in Padaratnāvalī’s Text]

Śrī Śuka said:

1. Jarāsandha who boasted himself as a leader in battle was defeated by Kṛṣṇa, the destroyer of Madhu. He then proceeded to Śoṇitapura^[1] to see Bāṇa, the son of Bali (for help).

2-5. Hearing that his friend defeated in the battle by Kṛṣṇa was coming with his circle of allied kings, Bāṇa of one thousand arms, the ruler of Dānavas went forward to meet and receive him with well-adorned elephants, caparisoned horses, chariots of various shapes, warriors, bevies of courtesans, bands of bards like Sūta, Magadhas and bards with flags and banners, umbrellas, auspicious trumpets and drums beating, with gold buntings or festoons, multicoloured lamps, pitchers and mirrors. They were extremely close friends and mutual sympathisers.

6. Both of them, solicitous as they were of mutual interests, paid respects to each other. Addressing Bāṇa, in the royal assembly, Jarāsandha spoke:

7. “Be pleased to note this, O king of Dānavas! I was taken in (in a dastardly surprise attack) at night by the wicked-minded cowherd (Kṛṣṇa) of unrighteous behaviour and robber-like bravado-ness.

8. Many mighty rut-exuding (youthful) elephants and horses, and a number of chariots along with all the equipments and arms there-in were plundered by him.

9. These princely allies of mine did not tolerate (the idea of) my engaging him in a single-handed duel. I was prevented from doing so by these kings who participate in my joys and sorrows, victory and defeat).

10.I have now come here for your majesty’s audience. O Lord (of Dānavas)! Be pleased to render (some military) assistance (to us).” When addressed thus (and being acquainted with Jarāsandha’s plight) Bāṇa, the son of Bali, took him (and his allies) to his own capital (Śoṇitapura).

11.He immediately arranged for the reception of the assembly of princely allies with a high feast, bath, beds, perfumes, and leaves of piper-betel (together with areca-nuts, catechu) for chewing after meals.

12-13. He honoured all the royal personages with presents. When Jarāsandha, the foster-son of Jarā, had enjoyed the reception, taken rest and seen the curiosities worth-seeing (in Bāṇa’s Capital and comfortably occupied a golden seat after duly decorating himself (with princely ornaments), the king of Dānavas respectfully addressed the assembly of kings.

Bāṇa said:

14.O Jarāsandha! Please do understand it. No empty promise is uttered by me. These elephants, these horses, this kingdom, all these subjects and whatever else is in my possession is absolutely at your disposal.

Śrī Śuka said:

15. Having promised thus, Bāṇa, the son of Bali, gave to the king of Magadha sixty thousand elephants, hundred thousands of chariots and one million horses swift in speed like the wind and the mind.

16. Bāṇa, the son of Bali, further gave him a contingent of three hundred Dānavas well-known for their expertise in use of black magic in warfare, equal (in competence and military skill) to himself.

17. He also supplied him with innumerable palanquins of various types, umbrellas, chowries, ornaments, dress (clothes) as well as treasures (or utensils), beds, seats and such other requisites, O King.

18. Bāṇa ordered his ministers Kumbhāṇḍa and Kūpakarṇa, the best ones among the Daityas, to help Jarāsandha, O scion of the Kuru race.

19. What a great difference is between Lord Hari who is strong enough to annihilate the combined forces of all gods and Asuras in the world and the poor two ministers of Bāṇa, Kumbhāṇḍa and Kūpakarṇa? (There cannot be any comparison at all).

20. Not comprehending the (Supreme) power of Viṣṇu, the kings being destined to meet death and encouraged (and instigated) by the king of Magadha, again made war-preparations against Yadus.

21. Taking leave of Bāṇa, the king of Magadha set out of Śoṇitapura. Accompanied with many kings and with four wings (viz. elephant-corps, cavalry, chariot-division and infantry) under his command, he reached Mathura in the course of some days.

22. He besieged that city of high towers, balconies, ornamental arches, wells, gardens and parks and massive fortification and blockaded its gates.

23. He tried to demolish the walls of the city with innumerable spearlike (pointed) rods, axes, pickaxes, clubs and stones hurled with catapults.

24. As the fortification of the city was being knocked down, Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa, enraged at the report of the return of Jarāsandha, the king of Magadhas, caused the beating of the war-drums (to alert all people summoning them to fight).

25-26. With Sātyaki, Kṛtavarman, Ugrasena, Gada, Āhuka and Vasudeva at the vanguard and accompanied by well-armed and fully provided armies of chariots, cavalry, elephant-corps and foot-soiḍiers, the two heroes of immense might and with perfectly undisturbed minds, rushed out like two ferocious lions.

27. Getting out of Mathura, the lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa loudly blew out his big conch Pāñcajanya terrorising the enemies at heart (by its blast).

28-29. Thereupon broke out the fight between Yadus and Kṣatriyas. The Dānava ministers of Bāṇa, Kumbhāṇḍaka and Kūpakarṇa who were expert in the military use of black magic and possessed of great prowess, and accompanied with their Daitya army, fought with Vṛṣṇis with illusory tactics of warfare.

30. Perceiving that his army was suffering through the illusory magical method of fighting, he dispelled all the illusion within a wink of the eye by “Knowledge-missile” He then directed Sātyaki and Kṛtavarman, both of whom were eagerly desirous of fighting, and said:

31. “As both of you have an ardent desire for fighting, you give an extremely terrible fight with those two Daityas who are haughty and extremely desirous for fighting. Thus ordered, those two extremely powerful warriors immediately engaged in the bitterest fight, O King.

32. It is not at all a miracle how Lord Kṛṣṇa with one bow in the hand, single-handedly engaged a hundred Kṣattriyas in a battle, for Hari is verily the (Indwelling) Soul of all, O king.

33. Some elephants fell down dead with their trunks lopped off, and a large number of horses with their necks cut off lay down dead, O King.

34. The earth was scattered over with disjointed chariots shattered to pieces.

35. Soldiers with their bodies besmeared with blood and with their feet (lotus), thighs and arms hacked down, fell like Kiṃśuka trees full of blossoms (red flowers) lying uprooted with its main roots cut.

36-37. Volleys of arrows with feathers of kites and peacocks at the butts, polished with oil and well-knit by knots, with golden feathers and pointed arrow-heads were seen discharged from the Śārṅga bow, ten on each soldier, a hundred on every horse, a thousand at every chariot and ten thousand on each of the elephants of the hostile army. That was a tremendously aweful miracle to see.

38. Finding his army of fourfold divisions (infantry, cavalry, the chariot-corps and elephants) being soundly drubbed that way, Jarāsandha, the king of Magadha, driving in his chariot with the ensign bearing the emblem of a horse, attacked Balarāma,

39. Recollecting his previous enmity (due to his defeat by Balarāma), Jarāsandha was enraged at the sight of Balārma’s great chariot with gold-plated yoke and palmyra ensign and dashed at him with a mace (gada) in his hand and spoke (challenging him) as follows:

40. “Quickly take up your pestle (-like club) with which you desire to vanquish and conquer the enemies in the battle. Hurry up and demonstrate to me the power of your arms, before I strike you down with my mace.

41. Challenged in this way by the king of Magadhas, Balarāma, with his eyes fired with rage, grasped his terrible pestle brilliant like lightning, just as Yama, the son of the Sun- god, takes up his rod at the end of the world.

42. Brandishing in a circle the pestle for one thousand times, Balarāma, the wielder of the plough as his weapon, quickly discharged that pestle exuding fumes of fire and capable of subduing the pride of the enemies, and roared like a lion, O King!

43. Jarāsandha along with the horses, charioteer and chariot, became agitated by the pestle hurled by Balarāma’s arm and found himself cheated in underestimating (Balarāma’s strength).

44. Thereupon wielding his mace Hard as iron and big like a hill-top, Jarāsandha, making the earth quake under his pace, rushed at Balarāma.

45. Balarāma, the son of Rohiṇī, perceived him rushing at him without a chariot. He too left his chariot on the battlefield and dashed at him on foot.

46. As all beings were witnessing it, Māgadha (Jarāsandha) overwhelmed with wrath, brandished his heavy mace made of hard iron, and attacking Balarāma, struck him down with the mace and roared.

47. Perceiving the on-coming mace hard as a rock striking against his chest, Balarāma caught hold of it by his left hand, O scion of the Kuru race!

48. Hurling aside the mace, he hit a blow with his fist Jarāsandha on his chest. The mighty son of Rohiṇī caught the powerful Jarāsandha in his arms.

49. Entwining between his legs the stomach of Jarāsandha, he held his neck under his arm-pit, whereupon both of them rolled on the ground.

50. While they were falling, Balarāma was on Jarāsandha O King. But within a moment, Jarāsandha of immense power brought him under him.

51. Both of the heroes, with their eyes red with anger, stood up and again caught hold of each other like two terrific elephants maddened with excuding ichor.

52. Those extremely enraged ferocious warriors intent on killing each other, dashed their chests against each other, and tried to drag (each other on the battle Held).

53. Thus dragging each other in an area of ten thousand bows, they reduced to powder the trees and rocks that were in the vicinity, O King!

54. Jarāsandha the highly proud hero, disengaged himself and picked up his mace. Even the most powerful Balarāma of incomprehensible nature, stood up and taking his pestle in a moment began to strike him with it.

55. In that combat Balarāma struck Jarāsandha with his pestle, on his head, in between his chest and shoulders, on the shoulders, arms, navel thighs, knees, stomach and chest, many times.

56. The proud Magadha king hit hard Balarāma on the chest, neck, mouth, forehead, chin, shoulder, navel, hips as well as his sides simultaneously.

57. While Balarāma and Jarāsandha were striking down each other in the combat, the kings became nervous about fighting and were extremely troubled.

58. Thinking that the king of Magaḍhas was approaching death, they gradually lost their heart and became less inclined to fight.

59. Extremely powerful Sātyaki who was fighting Kumbhāṇḍa was pierced with three arrows by the minister of Bāṇa, in the battle.

60. The mighty-armed Sātyaki, being extremely hurt, heaved heavy breaths like an angry serpent. In order to kill Kumbhāṇḍa in the fight, he took five iron arrows.

61. Then a great uproar arose in the army of the Daitya minister, when Sātyaki of powerful arms, pulled the string to his ears and hit Kumbhāṇḍa, the minister of Bāṇa, in his navel, throat, forehead, chest and crown, O tiger in the Kuru race.

62. 63. Thus pierced with the arrows, Kumbhāṇḍa fell down unconscious on his seat in the chariot. Seeing that he had lost his consciousness, the charioteer, grieved at heart, immediately carried him away from the battle in his chariot, O prominent Bharata!

64. Perceiving that Kumbhāṇḍa had left and was in the peril of life, Kūpakarṇa, the demon whom Kṛtavarmā engaged, left Kṛtavarmā and departed from the battle-field.

65. Both the demons left the battle-field without taking leave of the king of Magaḍhas, even though they were not relieved by him. Accompanied by their remaining army, both the ḍaityas returned to Śoṇitapura by the same way they came.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Assamese claim Tejapur as ancient Śoṇitapura, but from Harivaṃśa (ch. 174) it seems that the ancient Śoṇitapura is situated in Kumaun on the bank of the Kedār-Gaṅgā at a short distance from Gupta Kāśī—GDAMI p. 189.