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2024-04-20, 7:05 PM |
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Chapter 57:
Satrâjit
Murdered, the Jewel Stolen and Returned Again
(1)
The
son of Vyâsa said: 'Even though He was aware of what
factually had transpired went Krishna, hearing [of the
rumor] that the sons of Pându and queen Kuntî
had burned to death [in the house of lac], in order to
answer to His family obligations together with Balarâma
to the Kuru kingdom. (2)
Meeting with Bhîshma, Kripa, Vidura,
Gândhârî and Drona They equally sorrowful
said: 'Ah how painful this is!'
(3)
Getting
the chance, o King, said Akrûra and [the Bhoja]
Kritavarmâ [meanwhile in Krishna's absence in
Dvârakâ] to S'atadhanvâ
['hundredbow', a bad character]: 'Why not take the
jewel? (4)
He who promised each of us his gem of a daughter, gave her,
ignoring us, to Krishna; why then should Satrâjit not
follow his brother [in death, see 10.56:
13 and
footnote*]?'
(5)
Thus influenced by the two killed that most wicked man, in his
sinfulness shortening his lifespan, out of greed Satrâjit
while he was sleeping [compare 1.17:
39].
(6)
As the women helplessly cried calling for help took he, after
having killed like a butcher does animals, the jewel and took
he off.
(7)
When
Satyabhâmâ saw that her father had been killed,
lamented she thrown in grief: 'O father, alas o father, with
you being killed I am killed!' and then she fainted.
(8)
Putting the corpse in a large vessel of oil she went to
Hastinâpura to Krishna who [already] knew of the
situation, and related sorrowfully the murder of her father.
(9)
The Lords hearing that o King, imitating the human ways both
lamented with eyes full of tears: 'Oh what a tragedy fell upon
us!'
(10)
The
Supreme Lord then went back to His capital with His wife and
elder brother, prepared to kill S'atadhanvâ and take the
jewel from him. (11)
He, learning that, in fear took action to save his life and
entreated for assistance Kritavarmâ who told him:
(12-13)
'I cannot be of any offense with the Lords Râma and
Krishna; how can he who causes Them trouble indeed be of good
fortune? Kamsa and his followers in their hatred of waging
against Them lost their wealth and lives while Jarâsandha
in seventeen battles [even] lost his chariot!'
(14)
He,
turned down, next begged Akrûra for help but he also
said: 'Who, knowing the strength of the Lordships, can oppose
Them? (15-17)
He who maintains, creates and destroys this universe as a
pastime; He whose purpose is not even known to the secondary
creators [headed by Brahmâ] who are bewildered by
His invincible potency [of mâyâ]; He
who playing as a child of seven years old uprooted a mountain
that He held up with a single hand like a boy does a mushroom
[see 10.25];
Him, Krishna the Supreme Lord to whose wondrous acts there is
no end I do worship; Him who as the source of all existence is
the Supreme Soul, the immovable center, I offer my
obeisances.'
(18)
He,
S'atadhanvâ also by him refused, left the precious jewel
with him, mounted a horse that could cover a hundred
yojanas and departed. (19)
Krishna and Râma mounting the chariot with the emblem of
Garuda followed with the swiftest horses, o King, the murderer
of Their guru [Their father-in-law as a teacher].
(20)
In a Mithilâ suburban park abandoning his horse that had
fallen, ran he on foot terrified with a furious Krishna who
likewise speeded after him. (21)
With him on the run severed the Lord on foot with the sharp
edged disc his head from his body, and searched He his upper
and lower garments for the gem. (22)
Not finding the stone said Krishna going to His approaching
elder brother: 'S'atadhanvâ was killed in vain, he didn't
carry the jewel.'
(23)
Balarâma
then said: 'S'atadhanvâ must have left the rock with some
person, so go [back] to the city [of
Dvârakâ] and search him out. (24)
l wish to see the king of Videha [the later Janaka, see
9.10:
11] most dear to
Me', and thus having spoken entered the descendant of Yadu, o
King, Mithilâ [the capital of Videha].
(25)
Seeing Him rose the king of Mithilâ immediately with a
mind full of love and honored he Him who was so worshipable, as
was prescribed with all there was to it. (26)
There in Mithilâ did He, the Mighty One, honored by the
affectionate Janaka, the great soul, live for several years.
During that time taught He Duryodhana to wield the club.
(27)
Kes'ava
the All-powerful One arriving in Dvârakâ, told to
the comfort of His beloved [the grieving
Satyabhâmâ] of the demise of S'atadhanvâ
and the failure to get hold of the jewel. (28)
He, the Supreme Lord together with all the well-wishers one may
so have at the end of one's life, then saw to it that the
obsequies were performed for the deceased relative
[Satrâjit]. (29)
The ones responsible, Akrûra and Kritavarmâ, upon
hearing that S'atadhanvâ had been killed, went
stricken by fear into exile outside of Dvârakâ.
(30)
With Akrûra in exile ill omens arose indeed for the
residents of Dvârakâ that gave them by higher
powers [natural disasters included] and other living
beings [compare 1.14;
1.17:
19], constantly
trouble in body and mind [**].
(31)
Thus, my dear, were some lost in guesses forgetting what of old
had been described by the sages as the consequence of His stay
among the human beings; how could with Him present any calamity
arise? (32)
[They said:] 'When Indra withheld the rains gave the
king of Benares [Kâs'î, see also
9.17:
4] his daughter
Gândinî to S'vaphalka [Akrûra's father,
9.24:
15] who came to
him, after which it then indeed rained in Kâs'î.
(33)
Wherever indeed he, Akrûra, his son, having his
[father's] prowess stays, will lord Indra shower rains
and will there be no painful disturbances or untimely
deaths.'
(34)
Hearing
of the elders these words, ordered Janârdana, with the
thought in mind that this was not the only explanation for the
omens happening [***],
that Akrûra should be brought back. (35-36)
Greeting him with respect and honor and pleasantly discussing
topics, smiled He, fully aware of everything that went on in
his heart, and said: 'We of course, o master of charity, are
already familiar with the fact that you indeed at present hold
the opulent Syamantaka jewel that S'atadhanvâ put under
your care. (37)
Since Satrâjit had no sons is it his daughter's sons
[she and her sons] who after presenting water,
offerings and having cleared his remaining debts, should
receive his inheritance. (38-39)
Nevertheless should the jewel, because it for others is
impossible to manage, remain with you, o trustworthy keeper of
the vows. However, My brother does not completely believe Me
concerning the gem. Please, to bring peace to My relatives,
show it Us now, o most fortunate soul who with your altars of
gold without interruption continue with your sacrifices.'
(40)
Thus won over by the conciliant words took the son of
S'vaphalka the gem hidden in his garment and gave he the gem
that shone as brilliant as the sun. (41)
After showing Syamantaka to His relatives, [and thus]
doing away with the emotions [of the accusations held]
with Him, offered the Master it back to him again.
(42)
Whoever recites, hears or remembers this narration which
indeed, rich as it is with the prowess of the Supreme
Controller Vishnu, most auspiciously removes the reactions to
sin, will attain peace and drive away his badness and bad
reputation.'
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