Content of the Śiśupālavadha

Canto I (The address of Kṛṣṇa and Nārada )

Coming from Indra Devarṣi Nārada arrivied at Dvārakāpuri and informed the mandate of killing Śiśupāl.

To save the universe from the dishonest when Śrī Kṛṣṇa stayed at his fathe Vāsudeva’s place in Dvārāka Nagari then Nārada came to him. God Śrī Kṛṣṇa offered hospitality to him. Nārada spread water over Kṛṣṇa head.

God Śrī Kṛṣṇa requested him to be seated on a appropriate seat. Then Nārada requested him to sit on the golden seat. Lord Kṛṣṇa humbly asked him the cause of his kind presence.

Saint Nārada also praised Śrī Kṛṣṇa much and informed him that Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s help is required by Indra to kill Śiśupāla. Nārada conveyed him also the mischievous deeds of Śiśupāla in his different birth. In the previous birth Śiśupāla was the most notorious demon Hiraṇyakaśipu who made trouble for the Gods. To protect the Gods Lord Kṛṣṇa took the form of lion man and killed him.

In the next birth Śiśupāla was born as Rāvaṇa. Misdeeds of this demons are innumerable. He attacked heaven again and again. He destroyed Nandanakānana, abducted the celestial females. He took away Puṣpaka, the chariot of kubera and lastly he abducted Sitā.

At that time Lord Kṛṣṇa in the form of Rāma the son of Daśaratha killed the demon to restore peace and happiness in the world. Like his previous birth Śiśupāla was creating terror. So Indra requested to Kṛṣṇa came forward and save the world by killing Śiśupāla.

Listening to the long speech of Nārada, Kṛṣṇa become furious to Śiśupāla and agreed to do the same. As his request was accepted, Nārada went to the sky again.

Canto II (Description of mantras)

After that Nārada returned to the heaven. Śrī Kṛṣṇa could not decide which work should be done at first. So he become united with Uddhava and Balarāma in a secret counsel. Balarāma gave his verdict in favour of fight against Śiśupāla instead of going to the Rājasūya sacrifice. Uddhava opposed Balarāma telling him that it was better to go to the palace of Yudhiṣṭhira. He reminded Śrī Kṛṣṇa about the promises he made to his aunt (Śiśupāla’s mother) to forgive Śiśupāla’s hundred offences. However discerning the two opposite views Śrī Kṛṣṇa decided to attain the Rājasūya sacrifice of Yudhiṣṭhira.

Canto III (Description of Capital Dvārakā and the Ocean)

While proposal of expedition was postponed God Kṛṣṇa put on yellow cloth and was adorned with precious white umbrella, pearled necklace, armlet, bracelet, sword Nandaka, bow sāraṅga, conch Pañcajanya. Having a flag bearing a sing of Garuda in their hands complete force followed the chariot. The crowd of citizens began to gather in advance in the lane of the road to see Lord Kṛṣṇa.

The capital Dvārakāpurī looked bright like the rising sun. Precious Jewels displayed in the shop of the market. The celestial nymphs rushed to see Lord Kṛṣṇa who obliged them by his mear glance.

Canto IV (Description of the mountain Raivataka)

Seeing Kṛṣṇa worried Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s coachman Dvārukā began to describe Raivataka Parvata.

Canto V (Description of the roaming soldiers in the Raivataka mountain)

Hearing the description of natural beauty of Raivataka Parvata from the coachman Dvārukā God Kṛṣṇa went out with his soldiers to have a pleasure trip over it.

In this canto we gate a beautiful description of Raivataka mountain with its naturals surroundings during the tour of Lord Kṛṣṇa along with his soldiers.

Canto VI (Description of seasons)

Six seasons assembled at the Raivataka mountain to serve God Śrī Kṛṣṇa, when he was roaming there. Beautiful stanzas of this canto depict the six seasons with all their natural embellishments.

Canto VII (Description of tour in the forest)

When all seasons appeared God Śrī Kṛṣṇa along with yādavas observed the flowers decorating forest. Yādavaladies were walking with their husbands showing various expressions arising from passion. In this canto there are amorous descriptions of the Yādava youths.

Canto VIII

The description of water sports

The tired Yādava youths along with their consorts enjoyed the bath in the water. The young ladies enjoyed the cold touch of water. We get the erotic descriptions of the Passionate couples with their various expressions and movements.

Canto IX (Description of the sunset)

This canto contains a beautiful evening with the description of the gradual setting sun. The sun went behind the mountain. The birds were returning their nests. Just at that time the moon appeared in the east and brightened the earth. The young ladies felt the desire of union with their beloved.

Canto X (The description of cohabitation)

This canto describe elaborately the union of the Yādava ladies with their beloved. The position and sentiments of the love stricken ladies were different from each other. The poet showed his excellence in depicting all these romanticism as well as passionate behaviour of the Yādava youths.

Canto XI (Description of the dawn)

Dawn is described in this canto. The panegyrists were singing in a sweet tone to awake Lord Kṛṣṇa from a respectable distance. The high sounding Mṛdangas were beaten declering the beginning of the day. The morning light was visible. The Brāhmiṇs were performing their daily rituals.

Canto XII (Description of the departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa)

This canto starts with the vivid description of the preparatory arrangements for departure of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and his followers. Penpicture of the horses and elephants behaviour at the time of their departure. is vividly described by the poet. Other kings and high officials waiting politely and patiently for Lord Kṛṣṇa were also depicted by the poet. Journey of Lord Kṛṣṇa is narrated in a number of stanzas. Battalion of Kṛṣṇa passed through the hills, forests, villages, and cities. Ultimately they crossed the river Yamunā.

Canto XIII (Description of the arrival of Kṛṣṇa)

Crossing he river Yamunā Lord Kṛṣṇa come to the Pāndavas. They were so happy to see him that they came forward beating drams to welcome Lord Kṛṣṇa and his followers Kṛṣṇa came down from his chariot and bent down his head to Yudhiṣṭhira. Following their elder brother Pāndavas embraced Lord Kṛṣṇa. Pāndava soldiers and Yādava soldiers embraced each other. Then all of them started for Indraprastha. Yudhiṣṭira himself led the chariot of Kṛṣṇa. People of Indroprastha eagerly came to greet Kṛṣṇa. The ladies could not resist themselves but hurriedly made attempt to have a glimpse of Kṛṣṇa.

Canto XIV (Offerings to Kṛṣṇa)

Yudhiṣṭhira took the permission of Lord Kṛṣṇa to start the Rājasūya sacrifice. Kṛṣṇa assured him all types of assistance and requestd Yudhiṣṭhira to treat him as his own brother Arjuna. Rājasūya sacrifice was performed with much pomp and grandeur following the seriptures. All the people who attended the great sacrifice were obliged with gifts and grand of feast. After that Yudhiṣṭhira asked the advice of Bhīṣma to select the most eligible person whom the oblation would be paid. Bhīṣma selected Kṛṣṇa in many ways and declared him as the most venerable person to pay the oblation.

Canto XV (Preparation for war)

Śiśupāla, the king of Cedi could not bear the reverence offered to Lord Kṛṣṇa in the royal assembly. He delivered a long speech accusing Yudhiṣṭhira, Kṛṣṇa and Vhisma. He accused Yudhiṣṭhira for his partiality in selecting his own relative as the most respected person in the royal assembly. Śiśupāla addressed Bhīṣma as fickle minded, idiot and accused his unjustified selection. He then undermined the feats of Kṛṣṇa and addressed him with many abusive words. This made bhīṣma so angry that he said loudly that who ever had any discontent according his selection might come for an open war with him. Śiśupāla followed by Uttamouja, Rukmin and other kings left the assembly and began make themselves prepared for a great war. But there were some significant signs of coming misfortunes for Śiśupāla and his followers.

Canto XVI (Message from messenger)

A messenger was sent to Kṛṣṇa by Śiśupāla. The messenger in fourteen ambiguous stanzas called Kṛṣṇa in war. Sātyakī being agitated by the speech of the messenger delivered a long speech to him. The messenger again expressed some ruthless words to Kṛṣṇa.

Canto XVII (Grief of the yādavas)

The kings with their followers and Kṛṣṇa were blazed with rage. As soon as the messenger left the assembly the yādavas and their followers got themselves ready for the war.

Canto XVIII (Description of war)

In eighty verses this canto describes the great war between the battalions of Kṛṣṇa and Śiśupāla.

Canto XIX (Description of the Crowded and great war)

This canto also describes the battlefield and specially the courage shown by Pradyumna and Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Canto XX (Extinction of Śiśupāla)

The valour of Śrī Kṛṣṇa was unbearable to Śiśupāla. So he invited Kṛṣṇa in war fearlessly. Both of them fought valiantly. Śiśupāla, being unable to conquer Kṛṣṇa began to pinch him with filthy crooked words. Then Kṛṣṇa beheaded Śiśupāla with his Sudarśanacakra. The kings who were present there saw a translucent energy emitting from the body of Śiśupāla entered into the body of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. The sages recited loudly at that time.