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Harivamsa
56. Kansa is informed of his death by Narada
VAISHAMPAYANA said:—Being informed of the descension of Vishnu and of the portions of other gods, the celestial
saint Narada repaired to the city of Mathura to communicate the future death of Kansa (1).
Coming down from the celestial region and arriving at the garden of Mathurā, that foremost of Munis sent a messenger to Kansa, the son of Ugrasena (2).
He communicated the arrival of the Muni at the garden. Hearing of the arrival of Narada, that Asura, having lotus-like eyes, speedily went out of his city. He saw there his guest, the praiseworthy Brahmana saint Narada, shorn of all sins, powerful like the sun and effulgent like fire. Having bowed unto him and worshipped him duly he brought for him a golden seat shinning like fire. That Muni, the friend of Sakra, sat on that seat (3–6).
He then said to the highly wrathful son of Ugrasena:— O heroe, you have duly worshipped me with works laid down in the scriptures. Hear now and accept what I say. O my son, ranging in Nandana and Chaitraratha gardens, in Brahmā and other celestial regions I arrived at the great mount Sumeru, the friend of the sun (7–9).
The gods also followed me. Having bathed in the holy water of all the sacred rivers I saw the celestial Ganga of three courses and streams, who dissipates all sins as soon as she is recollected. Thereupon having bathed, in order, at all those sacred shrines I saw Brahmā's palace, resorted to by the Brahmana saints and filled with the music of the gods, Gandharvas and Apsaras (11-12).
Once on a time the Grand-Father held a meeting of the gods on the summit of the mount Sumeru. I, too, taking up my Vinā, set to tune, came to that meeting of Brahmā and saw that the Grand-Father and the gods, adorned with white turbans and diverse jewels, and seated on celestial seats, were holding counsels (13–14).
O great king, I heard there that they, with their followers, were concerting dreadful measures for your destruction (15).
The child, of the eigth conception of your youngest sister Devaki who lives in Mathurā, will be your death (16).
O hero, it has been ascertained that your death will proceed from that self-born (Vishnu) who is the stay of heaven, is the great mystery of the gods and is identical with all (17).
O Kansa, to meet with death at the hands of that god of Gods, as has been settled upon, is a matter of glory to you. Therefore remember him now. Try to destroy the conception of Devaki and enjoy all your wealth and articles of pleasure. I love you very much and therefore I have come here and described to you what took place on the summit of the mount Sumeru. I now leave you. May you fare well (17–20).
VAISHAMPAYANA said:—After Narada had said this and gone away Kansa, meditating on his words, began to laugh aloud with his lips open, and smilingly said to his servants who were before him. "Truly the gods make fun with Narada and he has no knowledge of things (21–22).
Even when I am seated on my throne, asleep, mad or intoxicated, the gods headed by Vasava cannot terrify me the least (23),
Who is there in the land of men who can dare make me angry? I can even agitate the earth with these two my huge arms (24).
From to-day I shall greatly oppress men, beasts, birds and all other creatures who follow the gods (25).
Do ye issue this command to Keshi, in the shape of a horse, Pralamva, Dhenuka, Aristha, in the form of a bull, Putana, Kaliya and other demons (26).
Assuming diverse forms do ye range all over the world and destroy them whom you will find against me (27).
Narada has said that our fear proceeds from conception and therefore you should always be informed of the movements of all those who have been conceived by women (28).
When I am your master you need not be afraid of any accidental calamity. Therefore freed of all anxiety do ye enjoy objects of pleasure of your own accord (29).
Narada is greatly fond of quarrels and is intent on creating dissensions. In order to set one against another that Brāhmana, with a restive mind, travels in all the worlds, creates dissensions even amongst men of highly quiet tempara ment and works out enmity amongst kings by various means" (30–31).
Having vauntingly said this Kansa entered his own palace but his heart was burning with the fire of anger (32).
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