śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; astiḥ prāptiḥ ca — Asti and Prāpti; kaṁsasya — of Kaṁsa; mahiṣyau — the queens; bharata-ṛṣabha — O hero of the Bhāratas (Parīkṣit); mṛte — having been killed; bhartari — their husband; duḥkha — with unhappiness; ārte — distressed; īyatuḥ sma — they went; pituḥ — of their father; gṛhān — to the house.

pitre — to their father; magadha-rājāya — the King of Magadha; jarāsandhāya — named Jarāsandha; duḥkhite — unhappy; vedayām cakratuḥ — they related; sarvam — all; ātma — their own; vaidhavya — of widowhood; kāraṇam — the cause.

saḥ — he, Jarāsandha; tat — that; apriyam — unpleasant news; ākarṇya — hearing; śoka — sorrow; amarṣa — and intolerant anger; yutaḥ — experiencing; nṛpa — O King; ayādavīm — devoid of Yādavas; mahīm — the earth; kartum — to make; cakre — he made; paramam — extreme; udyamam — endeavor.

akṣauhiṇībhiḥ — by akṣauhiṇī divisions (each consisting of 21,870 soldiers on elephants, 21,870 charioteers, 65,610 cavalrymen and 109,350 infantry soldiers); viṁśatyā — twenty; tisṛbhiḥ ca api — plus three; saṁvṛtaḥ — surrounded; yadu — of the dynasty of Yadu; rājadhānīm — the royal capital; mathurām — Mathurā; nyarudhat — he besieged; sarvataḥ diśam — on all sides.

nirīkṣya — observing; tat — of him (Jarāsandha); balam — the military force; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; udvelam — having overflowed its boundaries; iva — like; sāgaram — an ocean; sva — His own; puram — city, Mathurā; tena — by it; saṁruddham — besieged; sva-janam — His subjects; ca — and; bhaya — by fear; ākulam — disturbed; cintayām āsa — He thought; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; hariḥ — Lord Hari; kāraṇa — the cause of everything; mānuṣaḥ — appearing as a human being; tat — for that; deśa — place; kāla — and time; anuguṇam — suitable; sva-avatāra — of His descent to this world; prayojanam — the purpose.

haniṣyāmi — I will kill; balam — army; hi — certainly; etat — this; bhuvi — upon the earth; bhāram — a burden; samāhitam — collected; māgadhena — by the King of Magadha, Jarāsandha; samānītam — brought together; vaśyānām — subservient; sarva — all; bhū-bhujām — of the kings; akṣauhiṇībhiḥ — in akṣauhiṇīs; saṅkhyātam — counted; bhaṭa — (consisting) of foot soldiers; aśva — horses; ratha — chariots; kuñjaraiḥ — and elephants; māgadhaḥ — Jarāsandha; tu — however; na hantavyaḥ — should not be killed; bhūyaḥ — again; kartā — he will make; bala — (to collect) an army; udyamam — the endeavor.

etat — for this; arthaḥ — purpose; avatāraḥ — descent; ayam — this; bhū — of the earth; bhāra — the burden; haraṇāya — for removing; me — by Me; saṁrakṣaṇāya — for the complete protection; sādhūnām — of the saintly; kṛtaḥ — done; anyeṣām — of others (the nonsaintly); vadhāya — for killing; ca — and.

anyaḥ — another; api — as well; dharma — of religion; rakṣāyai — for the protection; dehaḥ — body; saṁbhriyate — is assumed; mayā — by Me; virāmāya — for the stopping; api — also; adharmasya — of irreligion; kāle — in the course of time; prabhavataḥ — becoming prominent; kvacit — whenever.

evam — in this manner; dhyāyati — while He was meditating; govinde — Lord Kṛṣṇa; ākāśāt — from the sky; sūrya — like the sun; varcasau — having effulgence; rathau — two chariots; upasthitau — appeared; sadyaḥ — suddenly; sa — with; sūtau — drivers; sa — with; paricchadau — equipment.

āyudhāni — weapons; ca — and; divyāni — divine; purāṇāni — ancient; yadṛcchayā — automatically; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; tāni — them; hṛṣīkeśaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; saṅkarṣaṇam — to Lord Balarāma; atha — then; abravīt — He spoke.

paśya — please see; ārya — respected one; vyasanam — the danger; prāptam — now present; yadūnām — for the Yadus; tvā — by You; avatām — who are protected; prabho — My dear master; eṣaḥ — this; te — Your; rathaḥ — chariot; āyātaḥ — has come; dayitāni — favorite; āyudhāni — weapons; ca — and; etat-artham — for this purpose; hi — indeed; nau — Our; janma — birth; sādhūnām — of the saintly devotees; īśa — O Lord; śarma — the benefit; kṛt — doing; trayaḥ-viṁśati — twenty-three; anīka — armies; ākhyam — in terms of; bhūmeḥ — of the earth; bhāram — burden; apākuru — please remove.

evam — thus; sammantrya — inviting Him; dāśārhau — the two descendants of Daśārha (Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma); daṁśitau — wearing armor; rathinau — riding Their chariots; purāt — from the city; nirjagmatuḥ — went out; sva — Their own; āyudha — with weapons; āḍhyau — resplendent; balena — by a force; alpīyasā — very small; vṛtau — accompanied.

śaṅkham — His conchshell; dadhmau — blew; vinirgatya — upon going out; hariḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; dāruka-sārathiḥ — whose chariot driver was Dāruka; tataḥ — thereupon; abhūt — arose; para — of the enemy; sainyānām — among the soldiers; hṛdi — in their hearts; vitrāsa — in terror; vepathuḥ — trembling.

tau — to the two of Them; āha — said; māgadhaḥ — Jarāsandha; vīkṣya — watching; he kṛṣṇa — O Kṛṣṇa; puruṣa-adhama — lowest of men; na — not; tvayā — with You; yoddhum — to fight; icchāmi — do I want; bālena — with a boy; ekena — alone; lajjayā — shamefully; guptena — hidden; hi — indeed; tvayā — with You; manda — O fool; na yotsye — I will not fight; yāhi — go away; bandhu — of relatives; han — O killer.

tava — Your; rāma — O Balarāma; yadi — if; śraddhā — confidence; yudhyasva — fight; dhairyam — courage; udvaha — take up; hitvā — leaving aside; vā — either; mat — my; śaraiḥ — by the arrows; chinnam — cut to pieces; deham — Your body; svaḥ — to heaven; yāhi — go; mām — (or else) me; jahi — kill.

śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Lord said; na — do not; vai — indeed; śūrāḥ — heroes; vikatthante — boast vainly; darśayanti — they show; eva — simply; pauruṣam — their prowess; na gṛhṇīmaḥ — We do not accept; vacaḥ — the words; rājan — O King; āturasya — of one who is mentally agitated; mumūrṣataḥ — who is about to die.

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; jarā-sutaḥ — the son of Jarā; tau — the two of Them; abhisṛtya — going up to; mādhavau — the descendants of Madhu; mahā — great; bala — of military prowess; oghena — with a flood; balīyasā — powerful; āvṛṇot — surrounded; sa — with; sainya — soldiers; yāna — chariots; dhvaja — flags; vāji — horses; sārathī — and charioteers; sūrya — the sun; analau — and a fire; vāyuḥ — the wind; iva — as; abhra — by clouds; reṇubhiḥ — and by particles of dust.

suparṇa — with (the symbol of) Garuḍa (the bird who carries Lord Viṣṇu); tāla — and the palm tree; dhvaja — by the banners; cihnitau — marked; rathau — the two chariots; alakṣayantyaḥ — not identifying; hari-rāmayoḥ — of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; mṛdhe — in the battle; striyaḥ — women; pura — of the city; aṭṭālaka — in the watchtowers; harmya — palaces; gopuram — and in the gateways; samāśritāḥ — having taken positions; sammumuhuḥ — fainted; śucā — by grief; arditāḥ — tormented.

hariḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; para — of the enemy; anīka — of the armies; payaḥ-mucām — (which were like) clouds; muhuḥ — repeatedly; śilīmukha — of their arrows; ati — extremely; ulbaṇa — fearsome; varṣa — by the rain; pīḍitam — pained; sva — His own; sainyam — army; ālokya — seeing; sura — by demigods; asura — and demons; arcitam — worshiped; vyasphūrjayat — He twanged; śārṅga — known as Śārṅga; śara-asana — His bow; uttamam — most excellent.

gṛhṇan — taking; niśaṅgāt — from His quiver; atha — then; sandadhat — fixing; śarān — arrows; vikṛṣya — pulling back; muñcan — releasing; śita — sharp; bāṇa — of arrows; pūgān — floods; nighnan — striking; rathān — chariots; kuñjara — elephants; vāji — horses; pattīn — and infantrymen; nirantaram — relentlessly; yadvat — just like; alāta-cakram — a burning torch whirled around to make a circle of fire.

nirbhinna — split; kumbhāḥ — the protuberances of their foreheads; kariṇaḥ — elephants; nipetuḥ — fell; anekaśaḥ — many at a time; aśvāḥ — horses; śara — by the arrows; vṛkṇa — severed; kandharāḥ — whose necks; rathāḥ — chariots; hata — struck; aśva — whose horses; dhvaja — flags; sūta — drivers; nāyakāḥ — and masters; padāyataḥ — foot soldiers; chinna — cut; bhuja — whose arms; ūru — thighs; kandharāḥ — and shoulders.

sañchidyamāna — being cut to pieces; dvi-pada — of the two-legged (humans); ibha — elephants; vājinām — and horses; aṅga — from the limbs; prasūtāḥ — flowing; śataśaḥ — by the hundreds; asṛk — of blood; āpa-gaḥ — rivers; bhuja — arms; ahayaḥ — as the snakes; pūruṣa — of men; śīrṣa — heads; kacchapāḥ — as the turtles; hata — dead; dvipa — with elephants; dvīpa — as islands; haya — and with horses; graha — as crocodiles; ākulāḥ — filled; kara — hands; ūru — and thighs; mīnaḥ — as the fish; nara — human; keśa — hair; śaivalāḥ — as the aquatic weeds; dhanuḥ — with bows; taraṅga — as the waves; āyudha — and with weapons; gulma — as the clumps of bushes; saṅkulāḥ — crowded; acchūrikā — chariot wheels; āvarta — as the whirlpools; bhayānakāḥ — fearful; mahā-maṇi — precious gems; praveka — excellent; ābharaṇa — and ornaments; aśma — as the stones; śarkarāḥ — and gravel; pravartitāḥ — issuing forth; bhīru — for the timid; bhaya-āvahāḥ — terrifying; mṛdhe — on the battlefield; manasvinām — for the intelligent; harṣa-karīḥ — inspiring joy; parasparam — from one to another; vinighnatā — who was striking down; arīn — His enemies; muṣalena — with His plow weapon; durmadān — who were furious; saṅkarṣaṇena — by Lord Balarāma; aparimeya — immeasurable; tejasā — whose potency; balam — military force; tat — that; aṅga — my dear (King Parīkṣit); arṇava — like the ocean; durga — unfathomable; bhairavam — and frightening; duranta — impossible to cross over; pāram — whose limit; magadha-indra — by the King of Magadha, Jarāsandha; pālitam — overseen; kṣayam — to destruction; praṇītam — led; vasudeva-putrayoḥ — for the sons of Vasudeva; vikrīḍitam — play; tat — that; jagat — of the universe; īśayoḥ — for the Lords; param — at most.

sthiti — the maintenance; udbhava — creation; antam — and annihilation; bhuvana-trayasya — of the three worlds; yaḥ — who; samīhite — effects; ananta — unlimited; guṇaḥ — whose transcendental qualities; sva-līlayā — as His own pastime; na — not; tasya — for Him; citram — wonderful; para — opposing; pakṣa — of the party; nigrahaḥ — the subduing; tathā api — nevertheless; martya — human beings; anuvidhasya — who is imitating; varṇyate — it is described.

jagrāha — He seized; viratham — who was deprived of his chariot; rāmaḥ — Lord Balarāma; jarāsandham — Jarāsandha; mahā — very; balam — strong; hata — killed; anīka — whose army; avaśiṣṭa — remaining; asum — whose breath; siṁhaḥ — a lion; siṁham — another lion; iva — as; ojasā — forcibly.

badhyamānam — in the process of being tied up; hata — who had killed; arātim — his enemies; pāśaiḥ — with ropes; vāruṇa — those of the demigod Varuna; mānuṣaiḥ — and those of ordinary humans; vārayām āsa — checked Him; govindaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; tena — by him (Jarāsandha); kārya — some need; cikīrṣayā — desiring to fulfill.

saḥ — he, Jarāsandha; muktaḥ — freed; loka-nāthābhyām — by the two Lords of the universe; vrīḍitaḥ — ashamed; vīra — by heroes; sammataḥ — honored; tapase — to perform austerities; kṛta-saṅkalpaḥ — having made up his mind; vāritaḥ — was stopped; pathi — on the road; rājabhiḥ — by kings; vākyaiḥ — with statements; pavitra — purifying; artha — having meanings; padaiḥ — with words; nayanaiḥ — with reasoning; prākṛtaiḥ — mundane; api — also; sva — own; karma-bandha — due to the unavoidable reactions of past work; prāptaḥ — obtained; ayam — this; yadubhiḥ — by the Yadus; te — your; parābhavaḥ — defeat.

hateṣu — having been killed; sarva — all; anīkeṣu — the soldiers of his armies; nṛpaḥ — the king; bārhadrathaḥ — Jarāsandha, the son of Bṛhadratha; tadā — then; upekṣitah — neglected; bhagavatā — by the Supreme Lord; magadhān — to the Magadha kingdom; durmanāḥ — depressed; yayau — he went.

mukundaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; api — and; akṣata — unbroken; balaḥ — His military force; nistīrṇa — having crossed over; ari — of His enemy; bala — of the armies; arṇavaḥ — the ocean; vikīryamāṇaḥ — having scattered upon Him; kusumaiḥ — flowers; tridaśaiḥ — by the demigods; anumoditaḥ — congratulated; māthuraiḥ — by the people of Mathurā; upasaṅgamya — being met; vijvaraiḥ — who were relieved of their fever; mudita-ātmabhiḥ — who felt great joy; upagīyamāna — being sung about; vijayaḥ — His victory; sūta — by Purāṇic bards; māgadha — panegyrists; vandibhiḥ — and heralds.

śaṅkha — conchshells; dundubhayaḥ — and kettledrums; neduḥ — sounded; bherī — drums; tūryāṇi — and horns; anekaśaḥ — many at once; vīṇā-veṇu-mṛdaṅgāni — vīṇās, flutes and mṛdaṅga drums; puram — the city (Mathurā); praviśati — as He entered; prabhau — the Lord; sikta — sprinkled with water; mārgām — its boulevards; hṛṣṭa — joyful; janām — its citizens; patākābhiḥ — with banners; abhyalaṅkṛtām — abundantly decorated; nirghuṣṭām — resounding; brahma — of the Vedas; ghoṣeṇa — with chanting; kautuka — festive; ābaddha — ornaments; toraṇām — on its gateways.

nicīyamānaḥ — having scattered upon Him; nārībhiḥ — by the women; mālya — flower garlands; dadhi — yogurt; akṣata — parched rice; aṅkuraiḥ — and sprouts; nirīkṣyamāṇaḥ — being looked on; sa-sneham — affectionately; prīti — out of love; utkalita — opened wide; locanaiḥ — with eyes.

āyodhana-gatam — fallen on the battlefield; vittam — the valuables; anantam — countless; vīra — of the heroes; bhūṣaṇam — the ornaments; yadu-rājāya — to the King of the Yadus, Ugrasena; tat — that; sarvam — all; āhṛtam — which was brought; prādiśat — presented; prabhuḥ — the Lord.

evam — in this way; sapta-daśa — seventeen; kṛtvaḥ — times; tāvati — even thus (being defeated); akṣauhiṇī — consisting of entire divisions; balaḥ — his military strength; yuyudhe — fought; māgadhaḥ rājā — the King of Magadha; yadubhiḥ — with the Yadus; kṛṣṇa-pālitaiḥ — protected by Kṛṣṇa.

akṣiṇvan — they destroyed; tat — his; balam — force; sarvam — entire; vṛṣṇayaḥ — the Vṛṣṇis; kṛṣṇa-tejasā — by the power of Lord Kṛṣṇa; hateṣu — when they were dead; sveṣu — his; anīkeṣu — soldiers; tyaktaḥ — abandoned; agāt — went away; aribhiḥ — by his enemies; nṛpaḥ — the King, Jarāsandha.

aṣṭā-daśama — the eighteenth; saṅgrāme — battle; āgāmini — being about to happen; tat-antarā — at that instant; nārada — by the sage Nārada; preṣitaḥ — sent; vīraḥ — a fighter; yavanaḥ — a barbarian (named Kālayavana); pratyadṛśyata — appeared.

rurodha — he besieged; mathurām — Mathurā; etya — arriving there; tisṛbhiḥ — times three; mleccha — with barbarians; koṭibhiḥ — ten million; nṛ-loke — among mankind; ca — and; apratidvandvaḥ — having no suitable rival; vṛṣṇīn — the Vṛṣṇis; śrutvā — hearing; ātma — to himself; sammitān — comparable.

tam — him; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; acintayat — thought; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; saṅkarṣaṇa — by Lord Balarāma; sahāya-van — assisted; aho — ah; yadūnām — for the Yadus; vṛjinam — a problem; prāptam — arrived; hi — indeed; ubhayataḥ — from both sides (from Kālayavana and also from Jarāsandha); mahat — great.

yavanaḥ — foreign barbarian; ayam — this; nirundhe — is opposing; asmān — us; adya — today; tāvat — as much; mahā-balaḥ — greatly powerful; māgadhaḥ — Jarāsandha; api — also; adya — today; vā — or; śvaḥ — tomorrow; vā — or; para-śvaḥ — the day after tomorrow; vā — or; āgamiṣyati — will come.

āvayoḥ — the two of Us; yudhyatoḥ — while fighting; asya — with him (Kālayavana); yadi — if; āgantā — comes; jarā-sutaḥ — the son of Jarā; bandhūn — Our relatives; haniṣyati — he will kill; atha vā — or else; neṣyate — he will take; sva — to his own; puram — city; balī — strong.

tasmāt — therefore; adya — today; vidhāsyāmaḥ — We will construct; durgam — a fortress; dvipada — to humans; durgamam — insurmountable; tatra — there; jñātīn — Our family members; samādhāya — settling; yavanam — the barbarian; ghātayāmahe — We will kill.

iti — thus; sammantrya — consulting; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; durgam — a fortress; dvādaśa-yojanam — twelve yojanas (about one hundred miles); antaḥ — within; samudre — the sea; nagaram — a city; kṛtsna — with everything; adbhutam — wonderful; acīkarat — He had made.

dṛśyate — was seen; yatra — wherein; hi — indeed; tvāṣṭram — of Tvaṣṭā (Viśvakarmā), the architect of the demigods; vijñānam — the scientific knowledge; śilpa — in architecture; naipuṇam — the expertise; rathyā — with main avenues; catvara — courtyards; vīthībhiḥ — and commercial roads; yathā-vāstu — on ample plots of land; vinirmitam — constructed; sura — of the demigods; druma — having trees; latā — and creepers; udyāna — gardens; vicitra — splendid; upavana — and parks; anvitam — containing; hema — gold; śṛṅgaiḥ — having peaks; divi — the sky; spṛgbhiḥ — touching; sphaṭikā — of crystal quartz; aṭṭāla — having upper levels; gopuraiḥ — with gateways; rājata — of silver; ārakuṭaiḥ — and brass; koṣṭhaiḥ — with treasury buildings, warehouses and stables; hema — gold; kumbhaiḥ — by pots; alaṅkṛtaiḥ — decorated; ratna — jeweled; kūtaiḥ — having peaks; gṛhaiḥ — with houses; hemaiḥ — of gold; mahā-mārakata — with precious emeralds; sthalaiḥ — having floors; vāstoḥ — of the households; patīnām — belonging to the presiding deities; ca — and; gṛhaiḥ — with temples; vallabhībhiḥ — with watchtowers; ca — and; nirmitam — constructed; cātuḥ-varṇya — of the four occupational orders; jana — with people; ākīrṇam — filled; yadu-deva — of the Lord of the Yadus, Śrī Kṛṣṇa; gṛha — by the residences; ullasat — beautified.

sudharmām — the Sudharmā assembly hall; pārijātam — the pārijāta tree; ca — and; mahā-indraḥ — Lord Indra, King of heaven; prāhiṇot — delivered; hareḥ — to Lord Kṛṣṇa; yatra — in which (Sudharmā); ca — and; avasthitaḥ — situated; martyaḥ — a mortal; martya-dharmaiḥ — by the laws of mortality; na yujyate — is not affected.

śyāma — dark blue; eka — exclusively; varṇān — colored; varuṇaḥ — Varuṇa, ruler of the oceans; hayān — horses; śuklān — white; manaḥ — (as the) mind; javān — swift; aṣṭau — eight; nidhi-patiḥ — the treasurer of the demigods, Kuvera; kośān — treasures; loka-pālaḥ — the rulers of various planets; nija — their own; udayān — opulences.

yat yat — whatever; bhagavatā — by the Supreme Lord; dattam — given; ādhipatyam — delegated power of control; sva — their own; siddhaye — for facilitating the exercise of authority; sarvam — all; pratyarpayām āsuḥ — they offered back; harau — to Kṛṣṇa; bhūmi — to the earth; gate — come; nṛpa — O King (Parīkṣit).

tatra — there; yoga — of His mystic potency; prabhāvena — by the power; nītvā — bringing; sarva — all; janam — His subjects; hariḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; prajā — of the citizens; pālena — by the protector; rāmeṇa — Lord Balarāma; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; samanumantritaḥ — advised; nirjagāma — went out; pura — of the city; dvārāt — by the gate; padma — of lotus flowers; mālī — wearing a garland; nirāyudhaḥ — without weapons.