Philosophy and Religion / Harivamsa

Harivaṃśa

187. Aniruddha's wedding and reception

VAISHAMPAYANA said:-Thereupon having his eyes expanded with joy the large-armed Ahuka said to the highly effulgent Krishna :—

“O descendant of Yadu, hear what I say. O my child, seeing thee safely return we are all enjoying with the Apsaras. Do thou undertake a great festival for Aniruddha's return and wedding.

United with Aniruddha and encircled by her friends the great Ushā is living with the greatest possible pleasure. Baidarbhi says that the great daughter of the high-souled Kumbhānda should be enlisted as Ushā’s companion.

Confer now that charming and beautiful daughter of Kumbhānda on Shāmva and the remaining maidens should be duly given unto the other princes.

Let a great festival take place in thy residence as well as in that of Aniruddha. Hear, the damsels of sweet voice are playing on musical instruments in the inner gppartment.

Some of them are dancing and others are singing. Some with glee are coversing with one another. And some, adorned with garlands and clad in variegated raiments, are moving about hither and thither.

Some, under the influence of wine, are going to others, and some, with eyes expanded in joy, are playing at chess. Ushā is encircled by her companions; take her into the palace. The beautiful and noble daugher of Vāna, by name Ushā, is a worthy daughter-in-law of thy race. Welcome her with all dignity (1-11).”

After Ahuka had said this females, performing benedictory ceremonies, as laid down in the ritualistic code, conducted the beautiful Ushā to Aniruddha's house.

Beholding Aniruddha Devaki, Revati and the Bidarbha princess Rukshmini shed tears of joy. Thus when Ushā was taken into the room, the beautiful damsels, blowing bugles, began to perform benedictory ceremonies.

The beautiful Ushā too, under the shelter of the Yadu chiefs, lived in their palace and enjoyed best of happiness (12-16).

After a fews days, the Apsarā Chitralekhā, who was living there under the guise of a woman, with the permission of Ushā and other companions, started for the celestial region.

Thus after the departure of her companions Māyāvati first invited the beautiful Asura princess Ushā and took her to her own residence.

Seeing her youthful and beautiful daughter-in law Ushā Pradyumna's wife welcomed her with costly jewels and dresses. Thereupon according to the custom of the family all the ladies of the Yadu race duly treated the new daughter in-law Ushā (17–20).

VAISHAMPAYANA said :-O upholder of the Kuru race, I have thus described to you how Vāna was vanquished by Vishnu in battle and left alive.

Afterwards, encircled by the Yādavas and enjoying the highest prosperity Krishna lived in Dwarakā and governed the whole world.

O king, thus incarnating himself on earth Vishnu was celebrated by the name of Vāsudeva the foremest of the Yadu race. You had formerly questioned me as to the cause of the powerful Vishnu's taking birth from Devaki in Vasudeva's family in the Vrishni race.

These are all the causes thereof. O Janameyaja, you heard all that I had said at length relating to Nārada's question and Vasudeva's reply in the episode of the wonderful incident.

I have removed your doubts about Krishna’s life and conduct in Mathurā and have described all his movements.

Krishna is the abode of wouders: there is nothing more wonderful than he. There is no wonder which has not been performed by Vishnu. Vishnu is the foremost of the blessed—the origin and bestower of good fortune.

Amongst the Aditvas and Daityas there is none more wonderful than Achyuta. He is Adityas, Vasas, Rudras, Maruts, the two Ashwinis, the sky, earth, quarters, water and luminous bodies.

Vishnu alone is the creator, preserver and destroyer, truth, Tapas and the grand-father Brahmā. Salute him, O descendant of Bharata.

This lord of the celestials is the whole universe, is Ananta amongst the Nāgas and Shankara amongst the Rudras. This universe, mobile and immobile, has emanated from Nārāyaṇa.

Janārddana has created this whole univer. That Eternal One alone is always adorable unto the gods. Thus have I recounted Keshava's glories and Vāna's battle. Listening to them you will acquire incomparable family pristige.

Sin will not invade them, who will maditate on Vāna's battle and the most exellent deed of Keshava. O Janamejaya, thus after the termination of the sacrifice as questioned by you, I have described all the glorious deeds of Vishnu.

O king, the man who can meditate on all these wonderful themes, in his mind, is freed from sins and repairs to the region of Vishnu.

He, who will recite this every morning, will meet with no calamity either in this world or in the next. By reciting it the Brāhmanas will be versed in the Saman, the Kshatriyas will acquire victories, the Vaishyas will amass riches and the Sudras will fare well.

He, who will recite this, will be visited by no misfortune and live a long life.

SOUTI said:-O foremost of the twice-born, hearing this Harivamsha, Parikshit's son Janamejaya was freed from sins. O Sounaka, I have thus described to you Hari's family at length and in brief. What more do you wish to hear again? (21-41).

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