Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 9 · Chapter 24
श्रीशुक उवाच तस्यां विदर्भोऽजनयत् पुत्रौ नाम्ना कुशक्रथौ । तृतीयं रोमपादं च विदर्भकुलनन्दनम् ॥ १ ॥
sri-suka uvaca tasyam vidarbho ’janayat putrau namna kusa-krathau trtiyam romapadam ca vidarbha-kula-nandanam
Sukadeva Gosvami said: By the womb of the girl brought by his father, Vidarbha begot three sons, named Kusa, Kratha and Romapada. Romapada was the favorite in the dynasty of Vidarbha.
रोमपादसुतो बभ्रुर्बभ्रो: कृतिरजायत । उशिकस्तत्सुतस्तस्माच्चेदिश्चैद्यादयो नृपा: ॥ २ ॥
romapada-suto babhrur babhroh krtir ajayata usikas tat-sutas tasmac cedis caidyadayo nrpah
The son of Romapada was Babhru, from whom there came a son named Krti. The son of Krti was Usika, and the son of Usika was Cedi. From Cedi was born the king known as Caidya and others.
क्रथस्य कुन्ति: पुत्रोऽभूद्वृष्णिस्तस्याथ निर्वृति: । ततो दशार्हो नाम्नाभूत् तस्य व्योम: सुतस्तत: ॥ ३ ॥ जीमूतो विकृतिस्तस्य यस्य भीमरथ: सुत: । ततो नवरथ: पुत्रो जातो दशरथस्तत: ॥ ४ ॥
krathasya kuntih putro ’bhud vrsnis tasyatha nirvrtih tato dasarho namnabhut tasya vyomah sutas tatah jimuto vikrtis tasya yasya bhimarathah sutah tato navarathah putro jato dasarathas tatah
The son of Kratha was Kunti; the son of Kunti, Vrsni; the son of Vrsni, Nirvrti; and the son of Nirvrti, Dasarha. From Dasarha came Vyoma; from Vyoma came Jimuta; from Jimuta, Vikrti; from Vikrti, Bhimaratha; from Bhimaratha, Navaratha; and from Navaratha, Dasaratha.
करम्भि: शकुने: पुत्रो देवरातस्तदात्मज: । देवक्षत्रस्ततस्तस्य मधु: कुरुवशादनु: ॥ ५ ॥
karambhih sakuneh putro devaratas tad-atmajah devaksatras tatas tasya madhuh kuruvasad anuh
From Dasaratha came a son named Sakuni and from Sakuni a son named Karambhi. The son of Karambhi was Devarata, and his son was Devaksatra. The son of Devaksatra was Madhu, and his son was Kuruvasa, from whom there came a son named Anu.
पुरुहोत्रस्त्वनो: पुत्रस्तस्यायु: सात्वतस्तत: । भजमानो भजिर्दिव्यो वृष्णिर्देवावृधोऽन्धक: ॥ ६ ॥ सात्वतस्य सुता: सप्त महाभोजश्च मारिष । भजमानस्य निम्लोचि: किङ्कणो धृष्टिरेव च ॥ ७ ॥ एकस्यामात्मजा: पत्न्यामन्यस्यां च त्रय: सुता: । शताजिच्च सहस्राजिदयुताजिदिति प्रभो ॥ ८ ॥
puruhotras tv anoh putras tasyayuh satvatas tatah bhajamano bhajir divyo vrsnir devavrdho ’ndhakah satvatasya sutah sapta mahabhojas ca marisa bhajamanasya nimlocih kinkano dhrstir eva ca ekasyam atmajah patnyam anyasyam ca trayah sutah satajic ca sahasrajid ayutajid iti prabho
The son of Anu was Puruhotra, the son of Puruhotra was Ayu, and the son of Ayu was Satvata. O great Aryan King, Satvata had seven sons, named Bhajamana, Bhaji, Divya, Vrsni, Devavrdha, Andhaka and Mahabhoja. From Bhajamana by one wife came three sons — Nimloci, Kinkana and Dhrsti. And from his other wife came three other sons — Satajit, Sahasrajit and Ayutajit.
बभ्रुर्देवावृधसुतस्तयो: श्लोकौ पठन्त्यमू । यथैव शृणुमो दूरात् सम्पश्यामस्तथान्तिकात् ॥ ९ ॥
babhrur devavrdha-sutas tayoh slokau pathanty amu yathaiva srnumo durat sampasyamas tathantikat
The son of Devavrdha was Babhru. Concerning Devavrdha and Babhru there are two famous songs of prayer, which were sung by our predecessors and which we have heard from a distance. Even now I hear the same prayers about their qualities (because that which was heard before is still sung continuously).
बभ्रु: श्रेष्ठो मनुष्याणां देवैर्देवावृध: सम: । पुरुषा: पञ्चषष्टिश्च षट् सहस्राणि चाष्ट च ॥ १० ॥ येऽमृतत्त्वमनुप्राप्ता बभ्रोर्देवावृधादपि । महाभोजोऽतिधर्मात्मा भोजा आसंस्तदन्वये ॥ ११ ॥
babhruh srestho manusyanam devair devavrdhah samah purusah panca-sastis ca sat-sahasrani casta ca ye ’mrtatvam anuprapta babhror devavrdhad api mahabhojo ’tidharmatma bhoja asams tad-anvaye
“It has been decided that among human beings Babhru is the best and that Devavrdha is equal to the demigods. Because of the association of Babhru and Devavrdha, all of their descendants, numbering 14,065, achieved liberation.” In the dynasty of King Mahabhoja, who was exceedingly religious, there appeared the Bhoja kings.
वृष्णे: सुमित्र: पुत्रोऽभूद् युधाजिच्च परन्तप । शिनिस्तस्यानमित्रश्च निघ्नोऽभूदनमित्रत: ॥ १२ ॥
vrsneh sumitrah putro ’bhud yudhajic ca parantapa sinis tasyanamitras ca nighno ’bhud anamitratah
O King, Maharaja Pariksit, who can suppress your enemies, the sons of Vrsni were Sumitra and Yudhajit. From Yudhajit came Sini and Anamitra, and from Anamitra came a son named Nighna.
सत्राजित: प्रसेनश्च निघ्नस्याथासतु: सुतौ । अनमित्रसुतो योऽन्य: शिनिस्तस्य च सत्यक: ॥ १३ ॥
satrajitah prasenas ca nighnasyathasatuh sutau anamitra-suto yo ’nyah sinis tasya ca satyakah
The two sons of Nighna were Satrajita and Prasena. Another son of Anamitra was another Sini, and his son was Satyaka.
युयुधान: सात्यकिर्वै जयस्तस्य कुणिस्तत: । युगन्धरोऽनमित्रस्य वृष्णि: पुत्रोऽपरस्तत: ॥ १४ ॥
yuyudhanah satyakir vai jayas tasya kunis tatah yugandharo ’namitrasya vrsnih putro ’paras tatah
The son of Satyaka was Yuyudhana, whose son was Jaya. From Jaya came a son named Kuni and from Kuni a son named Yugandhara. Another son of Anamitra was Vrsni.
श्वफल्कश्चित्ररथश्च गान्दिन्यां च श्वफल्कत: । अक्रूरप्रमुखा आसन् पुत्रा द्वादश विश्रुता: ॥ १५ ॥
svaphalkas citrarathas ca gandinyam ca svaphalkatah akrura-pramukha asan putra dvadasa visrutah
From Vrsni came the sons named Svaphalka and Citraratha. From Svaphalka by his wife Gandini came Akrura. Akrura was the eldest, but there were twelve other sons, all of whom were most celebrated.
आसङ्ग: सारमेयश्च मृदुरो मृदुविद् गिरि: । धर्मवृद्ध: सुकर्मा च क्षेत्रोपेक्षोऽरिमर्दन: ॥ १६ ॥ शत्रुघ्नो गन्धमादश्च प्रतिबाहुश्च द्वादश । तेषां स्वसा सुचाराख्या द्वावक्रूरसुतावपि ॥ १७ ॥ देववानुपदेवश्च तथा चित्ररथात्मजा: । पृथुर्विदूरथाद्याश्च बहवो वृष्णिनन्दना: ॥ १८ ॥
asangah sarameyas ca mrduro mrduvid girih dharmavrddhah sukarma ca ksetropekso ’rimardanah satrughno gandhamadas ca pratibahus ca dvadasa tesam svasa sucarakhya dvav akrura-sutav api devavan upadevas ca tatha citrarathatmajah prthur vidurathadyas ca bahavo vrsni-nandanah
The names of these twelve were Asanga, Sarameya, Mrdura, Mrduvit, Giri, Dharmavrddha, Sukarma, Ksetropeksa, Arimardana, Satrughna, Gandhamada and Pratibahu. These brothers also had a sister named Sucara. From Akrura came two sons, named Devavan and Upadeva. Citraratha had many sons, headed by Prthu and Viduratha, all of whom were known as belonging to the dynasty of Vrsni.
कुकुरो भजमानश्च शुचि: कम्बलबर्हिष: । कुकुरस्य सुतो वह्निर्विलोमा तनयस्तत: ॥ १९ ॥
kukuro bhajamanas ca sucih kambalabarhisah kukurasya suto vahnir viloma tanayas tatah
Kukura, Bhajamana, Suci and Kambalabarhisa were the four sons of Andhaka. The son of Kukura was Vahni, and his son was Viloma.
कपोतरोमा तस्यानु: सखा यस्य च तुम्बुरु: । अन्धकाद् दुन्दुभिस्तस्मादविद्योत: पुनर्वसु: ॥ २० ॥
kapotaroma tasyanuh sakha yasya ca tumburuh andhakad dundubhis tasmad avidyotah punarvasuh
The son of Viloma was Kapotaroma, and his son was Anu, whose friend was Tumburu. From Anu came Andhaka; from Andhaka, Dundubhi; and from Dundubhi, Avidyota. From Avidyota came a son named Punarvasu.
तस्याहुकश्चाहुकी च कन्या चैवाहुकात्मजौ । देवकश्चोग्रसेनश्च चत्वारो देवकात्मजा: ॥ २१ ॥ देववानुपदेवश्च सुदेवो देववर्धन: । तेषां स्वसार: सप्तासन् धृतदेवादयो नृप ॥ २२ ॥ शान्तिदेवोपदेवा च श्रीदेवा देवरक्षिता । सहदेवा देवकी च वसुदेव उवाह ता: ॥ २३ ॥
tasyahukas cahuki ca kanya caivahukatmajau devakas cograsenas ca catvaro devakatmajah devavan upadevas ca sudevo devavardhanah tesam svasarah saptasan dhrtadevadayo nrpa santidevopadeva ca srideva devaraksita sahadeva devaki ca vasudeva uvaha tah
Punarvasu had a son and a daughter, named Ahuka and Ahuki respectively, and Ahuka had two sons, named Devaka and Ugrasena. Devaka had four sons, named Devavan, Upadeva, Sudeva and Devavardhana, and he also had seven daughters, named Santideva, Upadeva, Srideva, Devaraksita, Sahadeva, Devaki and Dhrtadeva. Dhrtadeva was the eldest. Vasudeva, the father of Krsna, married all these sisters.
कंस: सुनामा न्यग्रोध: कङ्क: शङ्कु: सुहूस्तथा । राष्ट्रपालोऽथ धृष्टिश्च तुष्टिमानौग्रसेनय: ॥ २४ ॥
kamsah sunama nyagrodhah kankah sankuh suhus tatha rastrapalo ’tha dhrstis ca tustiman augrasenayah
Kamsa, Sunama, Nyagrodha, Kanka, Sanku, Suhu, Rastrapala, Dhrsti and Tustiman were the sons of Ugrasena.
कंसा कंसवती कङ्का शूरभू राष्ट्रपालिका । उग्रसेनदुहितरो वसुदेवानुजस्त्रिय: ॥ २५ ॥
kamsa kamsavati kanka surabhu rastrapalika ugrasena-duhitaro vasudevanuja-striyah
Kamsa, Kamsavati, Kanka, Surabhu and Rastrapalika were the daughters of Ugrasena. They became the wives of Vasudeva’s younger brothers.
शूरो विदूरथादासीद् भजमानस्तु तत्सुत: । शिनिस्तस्मात् स्वयंभोजो हृदिकस्तत्सुतो मत: ॥ २६ ॥
suro vidurathad asid bhajamanas tu tat-sutah sinis tasmat svayam bhojo hrdikas tat-suto matah
The son of Citraratha was Viduratha, the son of Viduratha was Sura, and his son was Bhajamana. The son of Bhajamana was Sini, the son of Sini was Bhoja, and the son of Bhoja was Hrdika.
देवमीढ: शतधनु: कृतवर्मेति तत्सुता: । देवमीढस्य शूरस्य मारिषा नाम पत्न्यभूत् ॥ २७ ॥
devamidhah satadhanuh krtavarmeti tat-sutah devamidhasya surasya marisa nama patny abhut
The three sons of Hrdika were Devamidha, Satadhanu and Krtavarma. The son of Devamidha was Sura, whose wife was named Marisa.
तस्यां स जनयामास दश पुत्रानकल्मषान् । वसुदेवं देवभागं देवश्रवसमानकम् ॥ २८ ॥ सृञ्जयं श्यामकं कङ्कं शमीकं वत्सकं वृकम् । देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुरानका यस्य जन्मनि ॥ २९ ॥ वसुदेवं हरे: स्थानं वदन्त्यानकदुन्दुभिम् । पृथा च श्रुतदेवा च श्रुतकीर्ति: श्रुतश्रवा: ॥ ३० ॥ राजाधिदेवी चैतेषां भगिन्य: पञ्च कन्यका: । कुन्ते: सख्यु: पिता शूरो ह्यपुत्रस्य पृथामदात् ॥ ३१ ॥
tasyam sa janayam asa dasa putran akalmasan vasudevam devabhagam devasravasam anakam srnjayam syamakam kankam samikam vatsakam vrkam deva-dundubhayo nedur anaka yasya janmani vasudevam hareh sthanam vadanty anakadundubhim prtha ca srutadeva ca srutakirtih srutasravah rajadhidevi caitesam bhaginyah panca kanyakah kunteh sakhyuh pita suro hy aputrasya prtham adat
Through Marisa, King Sura begot Vasudeva, Devabhaga, Devasrava, Anaka, Srnjaya, Syamaka, Kanka, Samika, Vatsaka and Vrka. These ten sons were spotlessly pious personalities. When Vasudeva was born, the demigods from the heavenly kingdom sounded kettledrums. Therefore Vasudeva, who provided the proper place for the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, was also known as Anakadundubhi. The five daughters of King Sura, named Prtha, Srutadeva, Srutakirti, Srutasrava and Rajadhidevi, were Vasudeva’s sisters. Sura gave Prtha to his friend Kunti, who had no issue, and therefore another name of Prtha was Kunti.
साप दुर्वाससो विद्यां देवहूतीं प्रतोषितात् । तस्या वीर्यपरीक्षार्थमाजुहाव रविं शुचि: ॥ ३२ ॥
sapa durvasaso vidyam deva-hutim pratositat tasya virya-pariksartham ajuhava ravim sucih
Once when Durvasa was a guest at the house of Prtha’s father, Kunti, Prtha satisfied Durvasa by rendering service. Therefore she received a mystic power by which she could call any demigod. To examine the potency of this mystic power, the pious Kunti immediately called for the sun-god.
तदैवोपागतं देवं वीक्ष्य विस्मितमानसा । प्रत्ययार्थं प्रयुक्ता मे याहि देव क्षमस्व मे ॥ ३३ ॥
tadaivopagatam devam viksya vismita-manasa pratyayartham prayukta me yahi deva ksamasva me
As soon as Kunti called for the demigod of the sun, he immediately appeared before her, and she was very much surprised. She told the sun-god, I was simply examining the effectiveness of this mystic power. I am sorry I have called you unnecessarily.
अमोघं देवसन्दर्शमादधे त्वयि चात्मजम् । योनिर्यथा न दुष्येत कर्ताहं ते सुमध्यमे ॥ ३४ ॥
amogham deva-sandarsam adadhe tvayi catmajam yonir yatha na dusyeta kartaham te sumadhyame
The sun-god said: O beautiful Prtha, your meeting with the demigods cannot be fruitless. Therefore, let me place my seed in your womb so that you may bear a son. I shall arrange to keep your virginity intact, since you are still an unmarried girl.
इति तस्यां स आधाय गर्भं सूर्यो दिवं गत: । सद्य: कुमार: सञ्जज्ञे द्वितीय इव भास्कर: ॥ ३५ ॥
iti tasyam sa adhaya garbham suryo divam gatah sadyah kumarah sanjajne dvitiya iva bhaskarah
After saying this, the sun-god discharged his semen into the womb of Prtha and then returned to the celestial kingdom. Immediately thereafter, from Kunti a child was born, who was like a second sun-god.
तं सात्यजन्नदीतोये कृच्छ्राल्लोकस्य बिभ्यती । प्रपितामहस्तामुवाह पाण्डुर्वै सत्यविक्रम: ॥ ३६ ॥
tam satyajan nadi-toye krcchral lokasya bibhyati prapitamahas tam uvaha pandur vai satya-vikramah
Because Kunti feared people’s criticisms, with great difficulty she had to give up her affection for her child. Unwillingly, she packed the child in a basket and let it float down the waters of the river. O Maharaja Pariksit, your great-grandfather the pious and chivalrous King Pandu later married Kunti.
श्रुतदेवां तु कारूषो वृद्धशर्मा समग्रहीत् । यस्यामभूद् दन्तवक्र ऋषिशप्तो दिते: सुत: ॥ ३७ ॥
srutadevam tu karuso vrddhasarma samagrahit yasyam abhud dantavakra rsi-sapto diteh sutah
Vrddhasarma, the King of Karusa, married Kunti’s sister Srutadeva, and from her womb Dantavakra was born. Having been cursed by the sages headed by Sanaka, Dantavakra had formerly been born as the son of Diti named Hiranyaksa.
कैकेयो धृष्टकेतुश्च श्रुतकीर्तिमविन्दत । सन्तर्दनादयस्तस्यां पञ्चासन्कैकया: सुता: ॥ ३८ ॥
kaikeyo dhrstaketus ca srutakirtim avindata santardanadayas tasyam pancasan kaikayah sutah
King Dhrstaketu, the King of Kekaya, married Srutakirti, another sister of Kunti’s. Srutakirti had five sons, headed by Santardana.
राजाधिदेव्यामावन्त्यौ जयसेनोऽजनिष्ट ह । दमघोषश्चेदिराज: श्रुतश्रवसमग्रहीत् ॥ ३९ ॥
rajadhidevyam avantyau jayaseno ’janista ha damaghosas cedi-rajah srutasravasam agrahit
Through the womb of Rajadhidevi, another sister of Kunti’s, Jayasena begot two sons, named Vinda and Anuvinda. Similarly, the king of the Cedi state married Srutasrava. This king’s name was Damaghosa.
शिशुपाळ: सुतस्तस्या: कथितस्तस्य सम्भव: । देवभागस्य कंसायां चित्रकेतुबृहद्बलौ ॥ ४० ॥
sisupalah sutas tasyah kathitas tasya sambhavah devabhagasya kamsayam citraketu-brhadbalau
The son of Srutasrava was Sisupala, whose birth has already been described (in the Seventh Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam). Vasudeva’s brother named Devabhaga had two sons born of his wife, Kamsa. These two sons were Citraketu and Brhadbala.
कंसवत्यां देवश्रवस: सुवीर इषुमांस्तथा । बक: कङ्कात् तु कङ्कायां सत्यजित्पुरुजित् तथा ॥ ४१ ॥
kamsavatyam devasravasah suvira isumams tatha bakah kankat tu kankayam satyajit purujit tatha
Vasudeva’s brother named Devasrava married Kamsavati, by whom he begot two sons, named Suvira and Isuman. Kanka, by his wife Kanka, begot three sons, named Baka, Satyajit and Purujit.
सृञ्जयो राष्ट्रपाल्यां च वृषदुर्मर्षणादिकान् । हरिकेशहिरण्याक्षौ शूरभूम्यां च श्यामक: ॥ ४२ ॥
srnjayo rastrapalyam ca vrsa-durmarsanadikan harikesa-hiranyaksau surabhumyam ca syamakah
King Srnjaya, by his wife, Rastrapalika, begot sons headed by Vrsa and Durmarsana. King Syamaka, by his wife, Surabhumi, begot two sons, named Harikesa and Hiranyaksa.
मिश्रकेश्यामप्सरसि वृकादीन् वत्सकस्तथा । तक्षपुष्करशालादीन् दुर्वाक्ष्यां वृक आदधे ॥ ४३ ॥
misrakesyam apsarasi vrkadin vatsakas tatha taksa-puskara-saladin durvaksyam vrka adadhe
Thereafter, King Vatsaka, by the womb of his wife, Misrakesi, who was an Apsara, begot sons headed by Vrka. Vrka, by his wife, Durvaksi, begot Taksa, Puskara, Sala and so on.
सुमित्रार्जुनपालादीन् समीकात्तु सुदामनी । आनक: कर्णिकायां वै ऋतधामाजयावपि ॥ ४४ ॥
sumitrarjunapaladin samikat tu sudamani anakah karnikayam vai rtadhama-jayav api
From Samika, by the womb of his wife, Sudamani, came Sumitra, Arjunapala and other sons. King Anaka, by his wife, Karnika, begot two sons, namely Rtadhama and Jaya.
पौरवी रोहिणी भद्रा मदिरा रोचना इला । देवकीप्रमुखाश्चासन् पत्न्य आनकदुन्दुभे: ॥ ४५ ॥
pauravi rohini bhadra madira rocana ila devaki-pramukhas casan patnya anakadundubheh
Devaki, Pauravi, Rohini, Bhadra, Madira, Rocana, Ila and others were all wives of Anakadundubhi (Vasudeva). Among them all, Devaki was the chief.
बलं गदं सारणं च दुर्मदं विपुलं ध्रुवम् । वसुदेवस्तु रोहिण्यां कृतादीनुदपादयत् ॥ ४६ ॥
balam gadam saranam ca durmadam vipulam dhruvam vasudevas tu rohinyam krtadin udapadayat
Vasudeva, by the womb of his wife Rohini, begot sons such as Bala, Gada, Sarana, Durmada, Vipula, Dhruva, Krta and others.
सुभद्रो भद्रबाहुश्च दुर्मदो भद्र एव च । पौरव्यास्तनया ह्येते भूताद्या द्वादशाभवन् ॥ ४७ ॥ नन्दोपनन्दकृतकशूराद्या मदिरात्मजा: । कौशल्या केशिनं त्वेकमसूत कुलनन्दनम् ॥ ४८ ॥
subhadro bhadrabahus ca durmado bhadra eva ca pauravyas tanaya hy ete bhutadya dvadasabhavan nandopananda-krtaka- suradya madiratmajah kausalya kesinam tv ekam asuta kula-nandanam
From the womb of Pauravi came twelve sons, including Bhuta, Subhadra, Bhadrabahu, Durmada and Bhadra. Nanda, Upananda, Krtaka, Sura and others were born from the womb of Madira. Bhadra [Kausalya] gave birth to only one son, named Kesi.
रोचनायामतो जाता हस्तहेमाङ्गदादय: । इलायामुरुवल्कादीन् यदुमुख्यानजीजनत् ॥ ४९ ॥
rocanayam ato jata hasta-hemangadadayah ilayam uruvalkadin yadu-mukhyan ajijanat
Vasudeva, by another of his wives, whose name was Rocana, begot Hasta, Hemangada and other sons. And by his wife named Ila he begot sons headed by Uruvalka, all of whom were chief personalities in the dynasty of Yadu.
विपृष्ठो धृतदेवायामेक आनकदुन्दुभे: । शान्तिदेवात्मजा राजन् प्रशमप्रसितादय: ॥ ५० ॥
viprstho dhrtadevayam eka anakadundubheh santidevatmaja rajan prasama-prasitadayah
From the womb of Dhrtadeva, one of the wives of Anakadundubhi (Vasudeva), came a son named Viprstha. The sons of Santideva, another wife of Vasudeva, were Prasama, Prasita and others.
राजन्यकल्पवर्षाद्या उपदेवासुता दश । वसुहंससुवंशाद्या: श्रीदेवायास्तु षट् सुता: ॥ ५१ ॥
rajanya-kalpa-varsadya upadeva-suta dasa vasu-hamsa-suvamsadyah sridevayas tu sat sutah
Vasudeva also had a wife named Upadeva, from whom came ten sons, headed by Rajanya, Kalpa and Varsa. From Srideva, another wife, came six sons, such as Vasu, Hamsa and Suvamsa.
देवरक्षितया लब्धा नव चात्र गदादय: । वसुदेव: सुतानष्टावादधे सहदेवया ॥ ५२ ॥
devaraksitaya labdha nava catra gadadayah vasudevah sutan astav adadhe sahadevaya
By the semen of Vasudeva in the womb of Devaraksita, nine sons were born, headed by Gada. Vasudeva, who was religion personified, also had a wife named Sahadeva, by whose womb he begot eight sons, headed by Sruta and Pravara.
प्रवरश्रुतमुख्यांश्च साक्षाद् धर्मो वसूनिव । वसुदेवस्तु देवक्यामष्ट पुत्रानजीजनत् ॥ ५३ ॥ कीर्तिमन्तं सुषेणं च भद्रसेनमुदारधी: । ऋजुं सम्मर्दनं भद्रं सङ्कर्षणमहीश्वरम् ॥ ५४ ॥ अष्टमस्तु तयोरासीत् स्वयमेव हरि: किल । सुभद्रा च महाभागा तव राजन् पितामही ॥ ५५ ॥
pravara-sruta-mukhyams ca saksad dharmo vasun iva vasudevas tu devakyam asta putran ajijanat kirtimantam susenam ca bhadrasenam udara-dhih rjum sammardanam bhadram sankarsanam ahisvaram astamas tu tayor asit svayam eva harih kila subhadra ca mahabhaga tava rajan pitamahi
The eight sons born of Sahadeva such as Pravara and Sruta, were exact incarnations of the eight Vasus in the heavenly planets. Vasudeva also begot eight highly qualified sons through the womb of Devaki. These included Kirtiman, Susena, Bhadrasena, Rju, Sammardana, Bhadra and Sankarsana, the controller and serpent incarnation. The eighth son was the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself — Krsna. The highly fortunate Subhadra, the one daughter, was your grandmother.
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य क्षयो वृद्धिश्च पाप्मन: । तदा तु भगवानीश आत्मानं सृजते हरि: ॥ ५६ ॥
yada yada hi dharmasya ksayo vrddhis ca papmanah tada tu bhagavan isa atmanam srjate harih
Whenever the principles of religion deteriorate and the principles of irreligion increase, the supreme controller, the Personality of Godhead Sri Hari, appears by His own will.
न ह्यस्य जन्मनो हेतु: कर्मणो वा महीपते । आत्ममायां विनेशस्य परस्य द्रष्टुरात्मन: ॥ ५७ ॥
na hy asya janmano hetuh karmano va mahipate atma-mayam vinesasya parasya drastur atmanah
O King, Maharaja Pariksit, but for the Lord’s personal desire, there is no cause for His appearance, disappearance or activities. As the Supersoul, He knows everything. Consequently there is no cause that affects Him, not even the results of fruitive activities.
यन्मायाचेष्टितं पुंस: स्थित्युत्पत्त्यप्ययाय हि । अनुग्रहस्तन्निवृत्तेरात्मलाभाय चेष्यते ॥ ५८ ॥
yan maya-cestitam pumsah sthity-utpatty-apyayaya hi anugrahas tan-nivrtter atma-labhaya cesyate
The Supreme Personality of Godhead acts through His material energy in the creation, maintenance and annihilation of this cosmic manifestation just to deliver the living entity by His compassion and stop the living entity’s birth, death and duration of materialistic life. Thus He enables the living being to return home, back to Godhead.
अक्षौहिणीनां पतिभिरसुरैर्नृपलाञ्छनै: । भुव आक्रम्यमाणाया अभाराय कृतोद्यम: ॥ ५९ ॥
aksauhininam patibhir asurair nrpa-lanchanaih bhuva akramyamanaya abharaya krtodyamah
Although the demons who take possession of the government are dressed like men of government, they do not know the duty of the government. Consequently, by the arrangement of God, such demons, who possess great military strength, fight with one another, and thus the great burden of demons on the surface of the earth is reduced. The demons increase their military power by the will of the Supreme, so that their numbers will be diminished and the devotees will have a chance to advance in Krsna consciousness.
कर्माण्यपरिमेयाणि मनसापि सुरेश्वरै: । सहसङ्कर्षणश्चक्रे भगवान् मधुसूदन: ॥ ६० ॥
karmany aparimeyani manasapi suresvaraih saha-sankarsanas cakre bhagavan madhusudanah
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, with the cooperation of Sankarsana, Balarama, performed activities beyond the mental comprehension of even such personalities as Lord Brahma and Lord Siva.
कलौ जनिष्यमाणानां दु:खशोकतमोनुदम् । अनुग्रहाय भक्तानां सुपुण्यं व्यतनोद् यश: ॥ ६१ ॥
kalau janisyamananam duhkha-soka-tamo-nudam anugrahaya bhaktanam supunyam vyatanod yasah
To show causeless mercy to the devotees who would take birth in the future in this age of Kali, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, acted in such a way that simply by remembering Him one will be freed from all the lamentation and unhappiness of material existence (In other words, He acted so that all future devotees, by accepting the instructions of Krsna consciousness stated in Bhagavad-gita, could be relieved from the pangs of material existence.)
यस्मिन् सत्कर्णपीयुषे यशस्तीर्थवरे सकृत् । श्रोत्राञ्जलिरुपस्पृश्य धुनुते कर्मवासनाम् ॥ ६२ ॥
yasmin sat-karna-piyuse yasas-tirtha-vare sakrt srotranjalir upasprsya dhunute karma-vasanam
Simply by receiving the glories of the Lord through purified transcendental ears, the devotees of the Lord are immediately freed from strong material desires and engagement in fruitive activities.
भोजवृष्ण्यन्धकमधुशूरसेनदशार्हकै: । श्लाघनीयेहित: शश्वत् कुरुसृञ्जयपाण्डुभि: ॥ ६३ ॥ स्निग्धस्मितेक्षितोदारैर्वाक्यैर्विक्रमलीलया । नृलोकं रमयामास मूर्त्या सर्वाङ्गरम्यया ॥ ६४ ॥
bhoja-vrsny-andhaka-madhu- surasena-dasarhakaih slaghaniyehitah sasvat kuru-srnjaya-pandubhih snigdha-smiteksitodarair vakyair vikrama-lilaya nrlokam ramayam asa murtya sarvanga-ramyaya
Assisted by the descendants of Bhoja, Vrsni, Andhaka, Madhu, Surasena, Dasarha, Kuru, Srnjaya and Pandu, Lord Krsna performed various activities. By His pleasing smiles, His affectionate behavior, His instructions and His uncommon pastimes like raising Govardhana Hill, the Lord, appearing in His transcendental body, pleased all of human society.
यस्याननं मकरकुण्डलचारुकर्ण-भ्राजत्कपोलसुभगं सविलासहासम् । नित्योत्सवं न ततृपुर्दृशिभि: पिबन्त्योनार्यो नराश्च मुदिता: कुपिता निमेश्च ॥ ६५ ॥
yasyananam makara-kundala-caru-karna- bhrajat-kapola-subhagam savilasa-hasam nityotsavam na tatrpur drsibhih pibantyo naryo naras ca muditah kupita nimes ca
Krsna’s face is decorated with ornaments, such as earrings resembling sharks. His ears are beautiful, His cheeks brilliant, and His smiling attractive to everyone. Whoever sees Lord Krsna sees a festival. His face and body are fully satisfying for everyone to see, but the devotees are angry at the creator for the disturbance caused by the momentary blinking of their eyes.
जातो गत: पितृगृहाद् व्रजमेधितार्थोहत्वा रिपून् सुतशतानि कृतोरुदार: । उत्पाद्य तेषु पुरुष: क्रतुभि: समीजेआत्मानमात्मनिगमं प्रथयञ्जनेषु ॥ ६६ ॥
jato gatah pitr-grhad vrajam edhitartho hatva ripun suta-satani krtorudarah utpadya tesu purusah kratubhih samije atmanam atma-nigamam prathayan janesu
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna, known as lila-purusottama, appeared as the son of Vasudeva but immediately left His father’s home and went to Vrndavana to expand His loving relationship with His confidential devotees. In Vrndavana the Lord killed many demons, and afterwards He returned to Dvaraka, where according to Vedic principles He married many wives who were the best of women, begot through them hundreds of sons, and performed sacrifices for His own worship to establish the principles of householder life.
पृथ्व्या: स वै गुरुभरं क्षपयन् कुरूणा-मन्त:समुत्थकलिना युधि भूपचम्व: । दृष्टया विधूय विजये जयमुद्विघोष्यप्रोच्योद्धवाय च परं समगात् स्वधाम ॥ ६७ ॥ येऽन्येऽरविन्दाक्ष विमुक्तमानिन-स्त्वय्यस्तभावादविशुद्धबुद्धय: । आरुह्य कृच्छ्रेण परं पदं तत:पतन्त्यधोऽनादृतयुष्मदङ्घ्रय: ॥
prthvyah sa vai guru-bharam ksapayan kurunam antah-samuttha-kalina yudhi bhupa-camvah drstya vidhuya vijaye jayam udvighosya procyoddhavaya ca param samagat sva-dhama
Thereafter, Lord Sri Krsna created a misunderstanding between family members just to diminish the burden of the world. Simply by His glance, He annihilated all the demoniac kings on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra and declared victory for Arjuna. Finally, He instructed Uddhava about transcendental life and devotion and then returned to His abode in His original form.
