> > S'rîmad Bhâgavatam - Canto 10
> > Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda
> > (for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)

> > *******

> > Canto 10: 'Summum Bonum'

> > *******

> > Chapter Seventy-eight: The Killing of Dantavakra, Vidûratha and Romaharshana

> > TEXTS 1 - 2

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > s'is'upâlasya s'âlvasya

> > paundrakasyâpi durmatih

> > para-loka-gatânâm ca

> > kurvan pârokshya-sauhridam

> > ekah padâtih sankruddho

> > gadâ-pânih prakampayan

> > padbhyâm imâm mahâ-râja

> > mahâ-sattvo vyadris'yata

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; s'is'upâlasya - for S'is'upâla; s'âlvasya - S'âlva; paundrakasya - Paundraka; api - also; durmatih - evil-hearted (Dantavakra); para-loka - to the next world; gatânâm - who had gone; ca - and; kurvan - doing; pârokshya - for those who have passed away; sauhridam - act of friendship;

> > ekah - alone; padâtih - on foot; sankruddhah - infuriated; gadâ - a club; pânih - in his hand; prakampayan - making tremble; padbhyâm - with his feet; imam - this (earth); mahâ-râja - 0 great King (Parîkchit); mahâ - great; sattvah - whose physical power; vyadris'yata - was seen.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Acting out of friendship for S'is'upâla, S'âlva and Paundraka, who had all passed on to the next world, the wicked Dantavakra appeared on the battlefield in a great rage, O King. All alone, on foot and wielding a club in his hand, the mighty warrior shook the earth with his footsteps.

> > ******

> > TEXT 3

> > tam tathâyântam âlokya

> > gadâm âdâya satvarah

> > avaplutya rathât krishnah

> > sindhum veleva pratyadhât

> > tam - him; tathâ - in this way; âyântam - approaching; âlokya - seeing; gadâm - His club; âdâya - taking; satvarah - quickly; avaplutya - leaping down; rathât - from His chariot; krishnah - Lord Krishna; sindhum - the sea; velâ - the shore; iva - as; pratyadhât - checked.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Seeing Dantavakra approach, Lord Krishna quickly picked up His club, jumped down from His chariot and stopped His advancing opponent just as the shore holds back the ocean.

> > ******

> > TEXT 4

> > gadâm udyamya kârûsho

> > mukundam prâha durmadah

> > dishthyâ dishthyâ bhavân adya

> > mama drishthi-patham gatah

> > gadâm - his club; udyamya - wielding; kârûshah - the King of Karûsha (Dantavakra); mukundam - to Lord Krishna; prâha - said; durmadah - intoxicated by foolish pride; dishthyâ - by good fortune; dishthyâ - by good fortune; bhavân - You; adya - today; mama - my; drishthi - of the sight; patham - into the path; gatah - come.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Raising his club, the reckless King of Karûsha said to Lord Mukunda, "What luck! What luck - to have You come before me today!

> > ******

> > TEXT 5

> > tvam mâtuleyo nah krishna

> > mitra-dhrun mâm jighâmsasi

> > atas tvâm gadayâ manda

> > hanishye vajra-kalpayâ

> > tvam - You; mâtuleyah - maternal cousin; nah - our; krishna - O Krishna; mitra - to my friends; dhruk - who have committed violence; mâm - me; jighâmsasi - You wish to kill; atah - therefore; tvâm - You; gadayâ - with my club; manda - O fool; hanishye - I will kill; vajra-kalpayâ - like a thunderbolt.

> > TRANSLATION

> > "You are our maternal cousin, Krishna, but You committed violence against my friends, and now You want to kill me also. Therefore, fool, I will kill You with my thunderbolt club.

> > ******

> > TEXT 6

> > tarhy ânrinyam upaimy ajn'a

> > mitrânâm mitra-vatsalah

> > bandhu-rûpam arim hatvâ

> > vyâdhim deha-caram yathâ

> > tarhi - then; ânrinyam - payment of my debt; upaimi - I will achieve; ajn'a - O unintelligent one; mitrânâm - to my friends; mitra-vatsalah - who am affectionate to my friends; bandhu - of a family member; rûpam - in the form; arim - the enemy; hatvâ - having killed; vyâdhim - a disease; deha-caram - in one's body; yathâ - like.

> > TRANSLATION

> > "Then, O unintelligent one, I who am obliged to my friends will have repaid my debt to them by killing You, my enemy disguised as a relative, who are like a disease within my body."

> > ******

> > TEXT 7

> > evam rûkshais tudan vâkyaih

> > krishnam totrair iva dvipam

> > gadayâtâdayan mûrdhni

> > simha-vad vyanadac ca sah

> > evam - thus; rûkshaih - harsh; tudan - harassing; vâkyaih - with words; krishnam - Lord Krishna; totraih - with goads; iva - as if; dvipam - an elephant; gadayâ - with his club; atâdayat - he struck Him; mûrdhni - on the head; simha-vat - like a lion; vyanadat - roared; ca - and; sah - he.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus trying to harass Lord Krishna with harsh words, as one might prick an elephant with sharp goads, Dantavakra struck the Lord on the head with his club and roared like a lion.

> > ******

> > TEXT 8

> > gadayâbhihato 'py âjau

> > na cacâla yadûdvahah

> > krishno 'pi tam ahan gurvyâ

> > kaumodakyâ stanântare

> > gadayâ - by the club; abhihatah - hit; api - although; âjau - on the battlefield; na cacâla - did not move; yadu-udvahah - the deliverer of the Yadus; krishnah - Lord Krishna; api - and; tam - him, Dantavakra; ahan - struck; gurvyâ - heavy; kaumodakyâ - with His club, named Kaumodakî; stana-antare - in the middle of his chest.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although hit by Dantavakra's club, Lord Krishna, the deliverer of the Yadus, did not budge from His place on the battlefield. Rather, with His massive Kaumodakî club the Lord struck Dantavakra in the middle of his chest.

> > ******

> > TEXT 9

> > gadâ-nirbhinna-hridaya

> > udvaman rudhiram mukhât

> > prasârya kes'a-bâhv-anghrîn

> > dharanyâm nyapatad vyasuh

> > gadâ - by the club; nirbhinna - broken to pieces; hridayah - his heart; udvaman - vomiting; rudhiram - blood; mukhât - from his mouth; prasârya - thrusting outward; kes'a - his hair; bâhu - arms; anghrîn - and legs; dharanyâm - on the ground; nyapatat - he fell; vyasuh - lifeless.

> > TRANSLATION

> > His heart shattered by the club's blow, Dantavakra vomited blood and fell lifeless to the ground, his hair disheveled and his arms and legs sprawling.

> > ******

> > TEXT 10

> > tatah sûkshmataram jyotih

> > krishnam âvis'ad adbhutam

> > pas'yatâm sarva-bhûtânâm

> > yathâ caidya-vadhe nripa

> > tatah - then; sûkshma-taram - very subtle; jyotih - a light; krishnam - Lord Krishna; âvis'at - entered; adbhutam - amazing; pas'yatâm - as they watched; sarva - all; bhûtânâm - living beings; yathâ - just as; caidya-vadhe - when S'is'upâla was killed; nripa - 0 King (Parîkchit).

> > TRANSLATION

> > A most subtle and wondrous spark of light then [rose from the demon's body and] entered Lord Krishna while everyone looked on, O King, just as when S'is'upâla was killed.

> > ******

> > TEXT 11

> > vidûrathas tu tad-bhrâtâ

> > bhrâtri-s'oka-pariplutah

> > âgacchad asi-carmâbhyâm

> > ucchvasams taj-jighâmsayâ

> > vidûrathah - Vidûratha; tu - but; tat - his, Dantavakra's; bhrâtâ - brother; bhrâtri - for his brother; s'oka - in sorrow; pariplutah - submerged; âgacchat - came forward; asi - with sword; carmâbhyâm - and shield; ucchvasan - breathing heavily; tat - Him, Lord Krishna; jighâmsayâ - wanting to kill.

> > TRANSLATION

> > But then Dantavakra's brother Vidûratha, immersed in sorrow over his brother's death, came forward breathing heavily, sword and shield in hand. He wanted to kill the Lord.

> > ******

> > TEXT 12

> > tasya câpatatah krishnas'

> > cakrena kshura-neminâ

> > s'iro jahâra râjendra

> > sa-kirîtham sa-kundalam

> > tasya - of him; ca - and; âpatatah - who was attacking; krishnah - Lord Krishna; cakrena - with His Sudars'ana disc; kshura - like a razor, neminâ - whose edge; s'irah - the head; jahâra - removed; râja-indra - O best of kings; sa - with; kirîtham - helmet; sa - with; kundalam - earrings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O best of kings, as Vidûratha fell upon Him, Lord Krishna used His razor- edged Sudars'ana disc to remove his head, complete with its helmet and earrings.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 13 - 15

> > evam saubham ca s'âlvam ca

> > dantavakram sahânujam

> > hatvâ durvishahân anyair

> > îditah sura-mânavaih

> > munibhih siddha-gandharvair

> > vidyâdhara-mahoragaih

> > apsarobhih pitri-ganair

> > yakshaih kinnara-câranaih

> > upagîyamâna-vijayah

> > kusumair abhivarshitah

> > vritas' ca vrishni-pravarair

> > vives'âlankritâm purîm

> > evam - thus; saubham - the vehicle Saubha; ca - and; s'âlvam - S'âlva; ca - and; dantavakram - Dantavakra; saha - together with; anujam - his younger brother, Vidûratha; hatvâ - having killed; durvishahân - insurmountable; anyaih - by others; îditah - praised; sura - by demigods; mânavaih - and men;

> > munibhih - by sages; siddha - by perfected mystics; gandharvaih - and by heavenly singers; vidyâdhara - by residents of the Vidyâdhara planet; mahâ-uragaih - and celestial serpents; apsarobhih - by dancing girls of heaven; pitri-ganaih - by elevated forefathers; yakshaih - Yakshas; kinnara-câranaih - and by Kinnaras and Câranas;

> > upagîyamâna - being chanted; vijayah - whose victory; kusumaih - with flowers; abhivarshitah - rained upon; vritah - surrounded; ca - and; vrishni- pravaraih - by the most eminent of the Vrishnis; vives'a - He entered; alankritâm - decorated; purîm - His capital, Dvârakâ.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Having thus destroyed S'âlva and his Saubha airship, along with Dantavakra and his younger brother, all of whom were invincible before any other opponent, the Lord was praised by demigods, human beings and great sages, by Siddhas, Gandharvas, Vidyâdharas and Mahoragas, and also by Apsarâs, Pitâs, Yakshas, Kinnaras and Câranas. As they sang His glories and showered Him with flowers, the Supreme Lord entered His festively decorated capital city in the company of the most eminent Vrishnis.

> > ******

> > TEXT 16

> > evam yoges'varah krishno

> > bhagavân jagad-îs'varah

> > îyate pas'u-drishthînâm

> > nirjito jayatîti sah

> > evam - in this fashion; yoga - of mystic yoga; îs'varah - the Lord; krishnah - Krishna; bhagavân - the Personality of Godhead; jagat - of the universe; îs'varah - the Lord; îyate - seems; pas'u - like animals; drishthînâm - to those whose sight; nirjitah - defeated; jayati - is victorious; iti - as if; sah - He.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master all mystic power and Lord of the universe, is ever victorious. Only those of beastly vision think He sometimes suffers defeat.

> > ******

> > TEXT 17

> > s'rutvâ yuddhodyamam râmah

> > kurûnâm saha pândavaih

> > tîrthâbhisheka-vyâjena

> > madhya-sthah prayayau kila

> > s'rutvâ - hearing; yuddha - for battle; udyamam - the preparations; râmah - Lord Balarâma; kurûnâm - of the Kurus; saha - with; pândavaih - the Pândavas; tîrtha - in holy places; abhisheka - of bathing; vyâjena - on the pretext; madhya- sthah - neutral; prayayau - He departed; kila - indeed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Balarâma then heard that the Kurus were preparing for war with the Pândavas. Being neutral, He departed on the pretext of going to bathe in holy places.

> > ******

> > TEXT 18

> > snâtvâ prabhâse santarpya

> > devarshi-pitri-mânavân

> > sarasvatîm prati-srotam

> > yayau brâhmana-samvritah

> > snâtvâ - having bathed; prabhâse - at Prabhâsa; santarpya - and having honored; deva - the demigods; rishi - sages; pitri - forefathers; mânavân - and human beings; sarasvatîm - to the river Sarasvatî; prati-srotam - which flows toward the sea; yayau - He went; brâhmana-samvritah - surrounded by brâhmanas.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After bathing at Prabhâsa and honoring the demigods, sages, forefathers and prominent human beings, He went in the company of brâhmanas to the portion of the Sarasvatî that flows westward into the sea.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 19 - 20

> > prithûdakam bindu-saras

> > tritakûpam sudars'anam

> > vis'âlam brahma-tîrtham ca

> > cakram prâcîm sarasvatîm

> > yamunâm anu yâny eva

> > gangâm anu ca bhârata

> > jagâma naimisham yatra

> > rishayah satram âsate

> > prithu - broad; udakam - whose water; bindu-sarah - the lake Bindu-sarovara; trita- kûpam sudars'anam - the pilgrimage places known as Tritakûpa and Sudars'ana; vis'âlam brahma-tîrtham ca - Vis'âla and Brahma-tîrtha; cakram - Cakra-tîrtha; prâcîm - flowing east; sarasvatîm - the Sarasvatî River;

> > yamunâm - the Yamunâ River; anu - along; yâni - which; eva - all; gangâm - the Ganges; anu - along; ca - also; bhârata - O descendant of Bharata (Parîkchit Mahârâja); jagâma - He visited; naimisham - the Naimisha forest; yatra - where; rishayah - great sages; satram - an elaborate sacrifice; âsate - were performing.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Balarâma visited the broad Bindu-saras Lake, Tritakûpa, Sudars'ana, Vis'âla, Brahma-tîrtha, Cakra-tîrtha and the eastward-flowing Sarasvatî. He also went to all the holy places along the Yamunâ and the Ganges, O Bhârata, and then He came to the Naimisha forest, where great sages were performing an elaborate sacrifice.

> > ******

> > TEXT 21

> > tam âgatam abhipretya

> > munayo dîrgha-satrinah

> > abhinandya yathâ-nyâyam

> > pranamyotthâya cârcayan

> > tam - Him; âgatam - arrived; abhipretya - recognizing; munayah - the sages; dîrgha - for a long time; satrinah - who had been engaged in the sacrificial performance; abhinandya - greeting; yathâ - as; nyâyam - correct; pranamya - bowing down; utthâya - having stood up; ca - and; ârcayan - they worshiped.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Recognizing the Lord upon His arrival, the sages, who had been engaged in their sacrificial rituals for a long time, greeted Him properly by standing up, bowing down and worshiping Him.

> > ******

> > TEXT 22

> > so 'rcitah sa-parîvârah

> > kritâsana-parigrahah

> > romaharshanam âsînam

> > maharsheh s'ishyam aikshata

> > sah - He; arcitah - worshiped; sa - together with; parîvârah - His entourage; krita - having done; âsana - of a seat; parigrahah - acceptance; romaharshanam - Romaharshana Sûta; âsînam - seated; mahâ-risheh - of the greatest of sages, Vyâsadeva; s'ishyam - the disciple; aikshata - saw.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After being thus worshiped along with His entourage, the Lord accepted a seat of honor. Then He noticed that Romaharshana, Vyâsadeva's disciple, had remained seated.

> > ******

> > TEXT 23

> > apratyutthâyinam sûtam

> > akrita-prahvanân'jalim

> > adhyâsînam ca tân viprâms'

> > cukopodvîkshya mâdhavah

> > apratyutthâyinam - who had failed to stand up; sûtam - the son of a mixed marriage between a kshatriya father and brâhmana mother; akrita - who had not done; prahvana - bowing down; an'jalim - and joining of palms; adhyâsînam - sitting higher; ca - and; tân - than those; viprân - learned brâhmanas; cukopa - became angry; udvîkshya - seeing; mâdhavah - Lord Balarâma.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Balarâma became extremely angry upon seeing how this member of the sûta caste had failed to stand up, bow down or join his palms, and also how he was sitting above all the learned brâhmanas.

> > ******

> > TEXT 24

> > yasmâd asâv imân viprân

> > adhyâste pratiloma-jah

> > dharma-pâlâms tathaivâsmân

> > vadham arhati durmatih

> > yasmât - because; asau - he; imân - than these; viprân - brâhmanas; adhyâste - is sitting higher; pratiloma-jah - born from an improperly mixed marriage; dharma - of the principles of religion; pâlân - the protector; tathâ eva - also; asmân - Myself; vadham - death; arhati - he deserves; durmatih - foolish.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [Lord Balarâma said:] Because this fool born from an improperly mixed marriage sits above all these brâhmanas and even above Me, the protector of religion, he deserves to die.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 25 - 26

> > risher bhagavato bhûtvâ

> > s'ishyo 'dhîtya bahûni ca

> > setihâsa-purânâni

> > dharma-s'âstrâni sarvas'ah

> > adântasyâvinîtasya

> > vrithâ pandita-mâninah

> > na gunâya bhavanti sma

> > nathasyevâjitâtmanah

> > risheh - of the sage (Vyâsadeva); bhagavatah - the incarnation of Godhead; bhûtvâ - becoming; s'ishyah - a disciple; adhîtya - studying; bahûni - many; ca - and; sa - together with; itihâsa - epic histories; purânâni - and Purânas; dharma- s'âstrâni - the scriptures describing the religious duties of man; sarvas'ah - fully;

> > adântasya - for him who is not self-controlled; avinîtasya - not humble; vrithâ - vainly; pandita - a scholarly authority; mâninah - thinking himself; na gunâya - not leading to good qualities; bhavanti sma - they have become; nathasya - of a stage performer; iva - like; ajita - unconquered; âtmanah - whose mind.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although he is a disciple of the divine sage Vyâsa and has thoroughly learned many scriptures from him, including the lawbooks of religious duties and the epic histories and Purânas, all this study has not produced good qualities in him. Rather, his study of the scriptures is like an actor's studying his part, for he is not self-controlled or humble and vainly presumes himself a scholarly authority, though he has failed to conquer his own mind.

> > ******

> > TEXT 27

> > etad-artho hi loke 'sminn

> > avatâro mayâ kritah

> > vadhyâ me dharma-dhvajinas

> > te hi pâtakino 'dhikâh

> > etat - for this; arthah - purpose; hi - indeed; loke - into the world; asmin - this; avatârah - descent; mayâ - by Me; kritah - done; vadhyâh - to be killed; me - by Me; dharma-dhvajinah - those who pose as religious; te - they; hi - indeed; pâtakinah - sinful; adhikâh - most.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The very purpose of My descent into this world is to kill such hypocrites who pretend to be religious. Indeed, they are the most sinful rascals.

> > ******

> > TEXT 28

> > etâvad uktvâ bhagavân

> > nivritto 'sad-vadhâd api

> > bhâvitvât tam kus'âgrena

> > kara-sthenâhanat prabhuh

> > etâvat - this much; uktvâ - saying; bhagavân - the Personality of Godhead; nivrittah - stopped; asat - the impious; vadhât - from killing; api - although; bhâvitvât - because it was inevitable; tam - him, Romaharshana; kus'a - of kus'a grass; agrena - with the tip of a blade; kara - in His hand; sthena - held; ahanat - killed; prabhuh - the Lord.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued:] Although Lord Balarâma had stopped killing the impious, Romaharshana's death was inevitable. Thus, having spoken, the Lord killed him by picking up a blade of kus'a grass and touching him with its tip.

> > ******

> > TEXT 29

> > hâheti-vâdinah sarve

> > munayah khinna-mânasâh

> > ûcuh sankarshanam devam

> > adharmas te kritah prabho

> > hâ-hâ - "alas, alas"; iti - thus; vâdinah - saying; sarve - all; munayah - the sages; khinna - disturbed; mânasâh - whose minds; ûcuh - they told; sankarshanam - Balarâma; devam - the Supreme Lord; adharmah - an irreligious act; te - by You; kritah - done; prabho - O master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All the sages cried out, "Alas, alas !" in great distress. They told Lord Sankarshana, "O master, You have committed an irreligious act!

> > ******

> > TEXT 30

> > asya brahmâsanam dattam

> > asmâbhir yadu-nandana

> > âyus' câtmâklamam tâvad

> > yâvat satram samâpyate

> > asya - his; brahma-âsanam - the spiritual master's seat; dattam - given; asmâbhih - by us; yadu-nandana - O darling of the Yadus; âyuh - long life; ca - and; âtma - bodily; aklamam - freedom from trouble; tâvat - for that long; yâvat - until; satram - the sacrifice; samâpyate - is completed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > "O favorite of the Yadus, we gave him the seat of the spiritual master and promised him long life and freedom from physical pain for as long as this sacrifice continues.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 31 - 32

> > ajânataivâcaritas

> > tvayâ brahma-vadho yathâ

> > yoges'varasya bhavato

> > nâmnâyo 'pi niyâmakah

> > yady etad-brahma-hatyâyâh

> > pâvanam loka-pâvana

> > carishyati bhavâû loka-

> > sangraho 'nanya-coditah

> > ajânatâ - not knowing; eva - only; âcaritah - done; tvayâ - by You; brahma - of a brâhmana; vadhah - the killing; yathâ - actually; yoga - of mystic power; îs'varasya - for the Lord; bhavatah - Yourself; na - not; âmnâyah - scriptural injunction; api - even; niyâmakah - regulator;

> > yadi - if; etat - for this; brahma - of a brâhmana; hatyâyâh - killing; pâvanam - purifying atonement; loka - of the world; pâvana - O purifier; carishyati - executes; bhavân - Your good self; loka-sangrahah - benefit for the people in general; ananya - by no one else; coditah - impelled.

> > TRANSLATION

> > "You have unknowingly killed a brâhmana. Of course, even the injunctions of revealed scripture cannot dictate to You, the Lord of all mystic power. But if by Your own free will You nonetheless carry out the prescribed purification for this slaying of a brâhmana, O purifier of the whole world, people in general will greatly benefit by Your example."

> > ******

> > TEXT 33

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

> > carishye vadha-nirves'am

> > lokânugraha-kâmyayâ

> > niyamah prathame kalpe

> > yâvân sa tu vidhîyatâm

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Lord said; carishye - I will execute; vadha - for the killing; nirves'am - atonement; loka - for the people in general; anugraha - compassion; kâmyayâ - desiring to show; niyamah - the regulative injunction; prathame - in the primary; kalpe - ritual; yâvân - as much; sah - that; tu - indeed; vidhîyatâm - please prescribe.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Personality of Godhead said: I will certainly perform the atonement for this killing, since I wish to show compassion to the people in general. Please, therefore, prescribe for Me whatever ritual is to be done first.

> > ******

> > TEXT 34

> > dîrgham âyur bataitasya

> > sattvam indriyam eva ca

> > âs'âsitam yat tad brûte

> > sâdhaye yoga-mâyayâ

> > dîrgham - long; âyuh - life span; bata - oh; etasya - for him; sattvam - strength; indriyam - sensory power; eva ca - also; âs'âsitam - promised; yat - which; tat - that; brûte - please say: sâdhaye - I shall make happen; yoga-mâyayâ - by My mystic power.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O sages, just say the word, and by My mystic power I shall restore everything you promised him - long life, strength and sensory power.

> > ******

> > TEXT 35

> > rishaya ûcuh

> > astrasya tava vîryasya

> > mrityor asmâkam eva ca

> > yathâ bhaved vacah satyam

> > tathâ râma vidhîyatâm

> > rishayah ûcuh - the sages said; astrasya - of the weapon (the blade of kus'a grass); tava - Your; vîryasya - potency; mrityoh - of the death; asmâkam - our; eva ca - also; yathâ - so that; bhavet - may remain; vacah - the words; satyam - true; tathâ - thus; râma - O Râma; vidhîyatâm - please arrange.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The sages said: Please see to it, O Râma, that Your power and that of Your kus'a weapon, as well as our promise and Romaharshana's death, all remain intact.

> > ******

> > TEXT 36

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

> > âtmâ vai putra utpanna

> > iti vedânus'âsanam

> > tasmâd asya bhaved vaktâ

> > âyur-indriya-sattva-vân

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Lord said; âtmâ - one's self; vai - indeed; putrah - the son; utpannah - born; iti - thus; veda-anus'âsanam - the instruction of the Vedas; tasmât - therefore; asya - his (son); bhavet - should be; vaktâ - the speaker; âyuh - long life; indriya - strong senses; sattva - and physical power; vân - possessing.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Lord said: The Vedas instruct us that one's own self takes birth again as one's son. Thus let Romaharshana's son become the speaker of the Purânas, and let him be endowed with long life, strong senses and stamina.

> > ******

> > TEXT 37

> > kim vah kâmo muni-s'reshthhâ

> > brûtâham karavâny atha

> > ajânatas tv apacitim

> > yathâ me cintyatâm budhâh

> > kim - what; vah - your; kâmah - desire; muni - of sages; s'reshthhâh - O best; brûta - please say; aham - I; karavâni - shall do it; atha - and then; ajânatah - who does not know; tu - indeed; apacitim - the atonement; yathâ - properly; me - for Me; cintyatâm - please think of; budhâh - O intelligent ones.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Please tell Me your desire, O best of sages, and I shall certainly fulfill it. And, O wise souls, please carefully determine My proper atonement, since I do not know what it might be.

> > ******

> > TEXT 38

> > rishaya ûcuh

> > ilvalasya suto ghoro

> > balvalo nâma dânavah

> > sa dûshayati nah satram

> > etya parvani parvani

> > rishayah ûcuh - the sages said; ilvalasya - of Ilvala; sutah - the son; ghorah - fearsome; balvalah nâma - named Balvala; dânavah - demon; sah - he; dûshayati - contaminates; nah - our; satram - sacrifice; etya - coming; parvani parvani - on each new-moon day.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The sages said: A fearsome demon named Balvala, the son of Ilvala, comes here every new-moon day and contaminates our sacrifice.

> > ******

> > TEXT 39

> > tam pâpam jahi dâs'ârha

> > tan nah s'us'rûshanam param

> > pûya-s'onita-vin-mûtra-

> > surâ-mâmsâbhivarshinam

> > tam - that; pâpam - sinful person; jahi - please kill; dâs'ârha - O descendant of Das'ârha; tat - that; nah - to us; s'us'rûshanam - service; param - best; pûya - pus; s'onita - blood; vit - feces; mûtra - urine; surâ - wine; mâmsa - and meat; abhivarshinam - who pours down.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O descendant of Das'ârha, please kill that sinful demon, who pours down pus, blood, feces, urine, wine and meat upon us. This is the best service You can do for us.

> > ******

> > TEXT 40

> > tatas' ca bhâratam varsham

> > parîtya su-samâhitah

> > caritvâ dvâdas'a-mâsâms

> > tîrtha-snâyî vis'udhyasi

> > tatah - then; ca - and; bhâratam varsham - the land of Bhârata (India); parîtya - circumambulating; su-samâhitah - in a serious mood; caritvâ - performing penances; dvâdas'a - twelve; mâsân - months; tîrtha - at holy places of pilgrimage; snâyî - bathing; vis'udhyasi - You will be purified.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thereafter, for twelve months, You should circumambulate the land of Bhârata in a mood of serious meditation, executing austerities and bathing at various holy pilgrimage sites. In this way You will become purified.

> > Back to the running text