Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 10 Chapter 42:27-38

Book 10: Forty-two Chapter (First Half)

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 42: Verses 27-38 Getting no sleep for a long time, the evil-minded fellow saw both in dream and while awake many an evil portent foreboding death and foreshadowing infamy. Even though his reflection could be seen (in a mirror etc.) the head was not visible. Nay, the luminaries likewise appeared duplicated although no other object (such as a finger etc.) intervened (between his eye and the luminary). Holes were seen by him in his shadow and the (whizzing) sound which is heard inside the ears on closing them was not heard by him. Trees appeared (to him) golden (in hue) and he failed to see his footprints (on sands, mud etc.). In dreams he was embraced by his deceased relations, rode on a donkey, swallowed poison and went about all alone adorned with a wreath of china roses, smeared with oil and having no covering on his body except the quarters. Beholding similar other scenes both in dreams and in waking life and terribly afraid of death, Kamsa did not have a wink of sleep in his anxiety. When the night passed and the sun rose from the (eastern) waters, 0 scion of Kure, Kamsa actually had a grand festival of wrestling bouts to be celebrated. The men (of Kamsa) swept the arena, sprinkled it with water and decorated with flowers and garlands etc.; trumpets and tabors were sounded and the galleries (for the spectators) were adorned with garlands, flags, tapestries and temporary arches. On them were comfortably seated the people of the city and the country, headed by Brahmanas and Ksatriyas, as well as chiefs and princes on their (respective) thrones, Surrounded by (his) ministers, Kamsa took his seat on the royal dais in the midst of feudal lords and with a sore aching heart. Amidst a flourish of trumpets, which was drowned (at intervals) by the clapping of the wrestlers' arms, proud wrestling champions picturesquely adorned majestically entered the arena alongwith their masters. Feeling greatly cheered by the stirring (music of the) trumpets and other instruments--Canura, Mustika, Kuta, Sala and Tosala too, (all) eminent wrestlers, found their way into the arena. Specially invited by Kamsa (the ruler of the Bhojas), the aforementioned cowherds headed by Nanda, the chief of the Gopas, who had (just) offered their presents, took their seats on a (separate) dais. Thus ends the forty-second discourse entitled "A description of the amphitheatre for wrestlers (set up by Kamsa)", in the first half of Book Ten of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.