Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 10 Chapter 43:27-40

Book 10: Forty-three Chapter (First Half)

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 43: Verses 27-40 rid of his pride when Govardhana (the chief of the mountains) was borne by Him on one hand for a week and (the land of) Vraja protected from rain, storm and strokes of lightning. Beholding with joy His ever-cheerful and smiling face enlivened with penetrating glances the cowherd women overcame agonies of various kinds without any effort. The wise declare that, protected in everyway by the yonder Boy, this race of Yadu will become very well-known and attain prosperity, renown and glory. And here is His elder brother, the glorious Balarama of lotus-like eyes, by whom was slain Pralamba as well as the demon who came disguised as a calfand others of whom Baka was the foremost. While the people were talking thus and trumpets were loudly sounding, Canura (the foremost of the king's wrestlers) accosted Sri Krsna and Balarama and spoke (to Them) as follows:- "O Krsna (Nanda's darling), 0 Balarama, both of you are esteemed (by the people) as heroes ! On hearing of you as skilled in wrestling, you have been invited (to participate in the tournament) by the king, who has been eager to see you. Subjects doing precisely by thought, word and deed what is agreeable to their king attain to prosperity indeed; while those acting otherwise than this meet with contrary results. It is well-known how cowherds, from the time they begin to tend calves, daily pasture their cows with great joy in woodlands, diverting themselves with wrestling. Therefore, let yourselves as well as ourselves, 0 boys, do what is liked by the king. (If the king is pleased, all) beings will be pleased with us; (for) the king is an embodiment of all creatures." Hearing the aforesaid speech (of Canura) and welcoming it, Sri Krsna, who regarded wrestling (with him) as something to His liking, gave the following reply, which was appropriate to the occasion and place (of the dialogue):- "We too, who dwell in the woods, as well as yourselves are the subjects of this king of the Bhojas. Let us (all therefore) always do what would please him; through such behaviour his infinite grace will descend on us. Youngsters as we are, we shall (however) sport with those who are our equals in strength. Let there be a well-matched wrestling bout, so that no sin (of allowing an unequal match) may attach to those present in the assembly, 0 (great) wrestler! Canura replied : You are neither a youngster nor a lad; nor is Bala, the foremost of the mighty, of such description, by both of whom the elephant (Kuvalayapida), that possessed the strength of a thousand elephants, was disposed of in (mere) sport. Therefore, you both should (unhesitatingly) contend with powerful rivals; there will be no unrighteousness involved in your doing so. Show your prowess against me, 0 scion of Vrsni, and let Mustika try his strength with Bala. Thus ends the forty-third discourse entitled "The elephant Kuvalayapida killed (by Sri Krsna)," in the first half of Book Ten of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.