Philosophy and Religion / Harivamsa

Harivaṃśa

88. Krishna brings back his preceptor's son from the ocean

VAISHAMPAYANA said:—Thereupon united with Rohini's son the heroic and powerful Krishna began to live in the city of Mathurā filled with Yādavas (1).

Gradually his body began to shine in royal and youthful grace and he began to range in the city of Mathurā adorned with the ocean-like Yamunā (2).

After a few days, with a view to learn Danurveda (science of war) Rāma and Krishna, adorned with vedic study and good conduct, went to this preceptor Sāndipani of the city of Avanti in the province of Kashi and communicated to him their family (3-4).

When they, shorn of pride began to serve him he recognised Janārddana and Rāma as his pupils and began to instruct them in that useful science (5).

The heroic Rāma and Janārddana could learn anything as soon as they heard it; and therefore within sixty-four days and nights they studied and mastered all the Vedas with their various Angas¹ (6).

In no time their preceptor taught them Danurveda, consisting of four divisions² and the mysterous use of various other weapons (7).

Thinking of their superhuman merit he used to consider them as the moon and the sun (8).

And when he offered adoration to those two high-souled deities in Parva he used to see Siva and Vishnu before him (9).

Thereupon, O descendant of Bharata, having finished their education Baladeva and Krishna said to their preceptor Sāndipani:

—“What fee shall we offer thee for your acting as our preceptor (19)?” The preceptor knew their power and so with a delighted heart said “I wish you to return me the son who died in the ocean of salt-water (11).

O Krishna, I had only one son. When I had gone out on a pilgrimage to Pravāsa a Timi fish carried away my son. Do you bring me back my that son (12).”

With Rāma's consent Krishna said 'it will be so'. And then going to the ocean Hari entered into its water (13).

With folded hands the regent of the ocean came to Vāsudeva, who said “where is Sāndipani's son (14)?” The ocean replied, “O Mādhava, a huge-bodied demon, by name Panchajana, has devoured that boy, in the form of a Timi fish (15).”

Hearing it the eternal Purusha Achyuta (Krishna) went to Panchajana and killed him. But he did not get his preceptor's son (16).

The conch, which Janārddana obtained after slaying Panchajana, is known amongst gods and men as Panchajanya (17).

Thereupon that foremost of Purushas repaired to the abode of Vaivaswan (Yama). Then approaching him Yama saluted Gadādhara (18).

Krishna said to him :—“Give me my preceptor's son.” Thereat there took place a terrible encounter between them both (19).

Thereupon having vanquished the fearful son of Vivaswan, the foremost of Purusha Achyuta obtained the child son of his preceptor (20).

He then brought from Yama's abode his preceptor's son lost for a long time. By the power of Krishna of peerless energy Sāndipani’s son, dead long ago, returned in his bodily form.

Beholding this highly wonderful feat which cannot be thought of or performed by any all the creatures were filled with surprise. Taking his preceptor's son, Panchajanya and diverse precious jewels, Mādhava, the Lord of the universe, returned (21–23).

Having brought all those precious jewels through Yama's servants the Rākshasas Vāsava's younger brother (Krishna) dedicated them to his preceptor (24).

Having handed over to their preceptor Sāndipani, his son, of the same age and beauty, as before, together with all the jewels the highly intelligent Rāma and Keshava, the foremost of all the warriors, in all the worlds, in the use of clubs, swords and various other weapons, were pleased (25–26).

Being greatly pleased with the reconciliation with his son, who had been lost for a long time Kashyas's son Sāndipani honored greatly Rāma and Keshava (27).

Having acquired mastery in the use of all weapons and honored their preceptor, those two vow-observing and heroic sons of Vasudeva returned to Mathurā (28).

Hearing of the approach of the two scions of the Yadu race, all the Yādavas, boys and old men, headed by Ugrasena, delightedly went out of the city to receive them (29).

All the subjects, old and young, the priests and the ministers stood before the city in rows (30).

Bugles were sounded, people began to chant the glories of Janārddana, and all the streets were adorned with flags and garlands (31).

With Govinda's return all the houses were filled with joy as on the occasion of an Indra-Yajna (32).

The songsters began to sing, in high ways, songs of blessings and eulogy, highly liked by the Yādavas (33).

They made the announcement, “the two brothers, Rāma and Govinda, celebrated all over the world, have returned to their city. Let all fearlessly sport with their friends” (34).

O king, when Govinda arrived at Mathurā, there was none who was poorly, sorrowful or insensible (35).

The birds began to pour sweet notes, and the horses, elephants and cows were all cheerful. And men and women attained to mental felicity (36).

Delightful winds began to blow and the ten quarters were freed from dust and all the tutelary deities in the temples became delighted (37).

What more when Janārddana arrived at the city all the signs, that were visible in the golden age, appeared there (38).

Thereupon in an auspicious moment ascending a car drawn by horses, Janārddana, the slayer of his enemies, entered the city of Mathurā (39).

As the gods follow Sakra so all the Yādavas followed Upendra when he entered the charming city of Mathurā (40).

Thereafter as the sun and moon enter into the setting mountain so those two descendants of Yadu delightedly entered into Vasudevā's house (41).

Keeping all their arms in their own house those high-souled sons of Vasudeva, ranging at will along with the Yādavas, began to range in woods full of fruits and flowers and in streamlets of clear water near the Raivata mountain beautified with lotus leaves and Kārandavas.

Thus Rāma and Keshava, of beautiful faces and having one heart enjoyed there a few days under Ugrasena (42–45).

Footnotes

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