Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 10 Chapter 59:11-22

Book 10: Fifty-nine Chapter (Latter Half)

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 59: Verses 11-22


With his heads severed the demon fell lifeless into the water like a mountain whose crest had been sundered by the might of Indra. His seven sons, distressed as they were at the death of their father and impatient to take vengeance, stood fully prepared to give battle. Urged on to an encounter by the demon Naraka (the son of Mother Earth) and placing Pitha, their generalissimo, at the head, Tamra, Antariksa, Sravana, Vibhavasu, Vasu, Nabhasvan and Aruna, the seventh, sallied forth equipped with arms. Coming up, fierce through rage, they hurled shafts, swords, maces, javelins, spears and pikes at the invincible Lord. Lord Sri Krsna of unfailing prowess (however), so the tradition goes, cut down with His own shafts the (whole) body of arms into pieces as small as the sesamum seed. The Lord sent them (all), Pitha and others , to the abode of Death,[1] their heads, thighs, arms, feet and armours having been lopped off or split open. Enraged to see (from the top of the fortress) the generals of his army having been killed by the discus (Sudarsana) and arrows of Sri Krsna (the immortal Lord), the demon Naraka, son of Mother Earth, rushed forth with (an army of) sea born elephants (whose descent was traceable from Airavata, the king of elephants, the carrier of Indra).
Perceiving Sri Krsna with His spouse (Satyabhama) mounted on Garuda (the king of birds) like a cloud united with lightning and appearing above the sun, Naraka hurled at Him the javelin known by the name of Sataghni; (nay,) all his warriors too hit Him all at once. With His sharp arrows endowed with peculiar wings Lord Sri Krsna (elder Brother of Gada) forthwith hit the troops of Naraka in such a way as to lop off their arms, thighs and necks, and mangle their bodies and kill their horses and elephants. Borne by Garuda, who was striking down elephants with his wings (all the way), Sri Krsna with His sharp arrows, three for one, cut down (afew minutes later), O jewel among the Kurus, all the weapons and missiles that were employed by the (hostile) warriors (against Him before their death). Being struck by Garuda with his bill, wings and claws, the elephants (of the enemy) in their distress retreated into their city (Pragjyotisapura) itself. Seeing his army put to flight when assailed by Garuda, the demon Naraka fought on (all alone). The son of Mother Earth hit Garuda with the same javelin by which the (very) thunderbolt (of Indra) had been beaten off. Though pierced by it, Garuda did not budge any more than an elephant would when struck with a garland. His attempt having proved futile, Naraka (son of Mother Earth) picked up a pike with intent to strike at Sri Krsna. (But) before he could discharge it, Sri Krsna with His discus (Sudarsana), which was keen-edged as a razor, lopped up the head of Naraka, who rode on an elephant. Fallen on the ground, Naraka's head, which was accompanied with a pair of ear-rings and adorned with a lovely diadem, shone most resplendent. "Oh, what a pity !" cried his people and "Bravo !" exclaimed the seers; while the chiefs of gods extolled Sri Krsna (the Bestower of Liberation), covering Him with (a shower of) flowers.

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References

  1. The use of the compound word यमक्षयम् in this context is intended simply to convey that the Lord made short work of them. Obviously those who died at the hands of the Lord could not be expected to have visited the abode of Yama. They must have attained absorption into the Lord by virtue of that unique privilege.

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