Hearing it the king of Kalinga, delightedly and showing his teeth, laughed aloud. Hearing those words of Rukshmi relating to his defeat the holder of ploughshare (Bala) was worked up with anger. Assailed by the cutting words of Bhishmaka's son, the pious son of Rohini, although a master of anger, again invoked his rage. And although worked up with ire, the highly powerful Rama, controlling his passions, calmly said:—"My next bet is one hundred koti gold coins, O king. Throwing red and copper coloured dice in this sinful country take all this" (33–37). Thus addressed by Rohini's son, Rukshmi, the wretch of a man, did not say anything at first, then saying "Very well" he again threw his dice (38). When the dice, bearing four marks, were thrown by him Rukshmi was rightly defeated by Rāma. But the descendant of Bhoja did not admit it but smilingly said "I have won the game." Hearing those deceiptful words Baladeva was again filled with anger and therefore did not give any reply. Thereupon increasing the anger of the high-souled Baladeva an invisible voice said solemnly like the muttering of clouds—"Truly has said the beautiful Baladeva. Rukshmi has been defeated in a fair play. Although they know at heart that they have been defeated still they do not admit it in words. Though Baladeva says nothing, still in fact, he has won the game. This is the truth (39–44)."
Hearing this well-expressed truthful word from the sky the powerful Sangkarshena stood up and began to grind on earth, Rukshmi's elder brother with the huge dice board. Enraged at those words, Rāma, the foremost of Yadus, slew with force that harsh-speeched and jealous Rukshmi (45–46). Thereupon coming out therefrom in anger he struck down the teeth of the Kalinga king and began to roar there in anger like a lion. Then taking up a dagger he terrified all other kings. Afterwards uprooting, like an elephant, the golden pillars of the hall and terrifying the Kaishikas there Sangkarshana, the foremost of the strong, came out of the door (47-49). As a lion assails the little deer so having slain the wicked Rukshmi, Rāma, the foremost of Yadus, encircled by his own men, returned to his tent and communicated to Keshava all that had happened (50-51). The highly effulgent Krishna said nothing to Rāma. Hearing of the death of her own brother and cursing her own self Rukshmini began to shed tears in anger and said:—"Alas, Rukshmi, powerful like Indra, the slayer of hostile heroes who had not been slain by Vāsudeva before, has been slain in the gambling-hall with the dice board hurled by Rāma." (52-54).
On the highly powerful son of Bhishmaka, Rukshmi, trained by Bhārgava, and well-versed in warfare and active like Bhārgava himself, being slain the Vrishnis and Andhakas were filled with sorrow. O foremost of Bharatas, you have thus listened to how the Vrishnis became enemies, of Rukshmi and how he was slain. O king, a few days after this incident the Vrishnis, who were under Rāma and Krishna, came to the city of Dwāravati with profuse riches (55–58).
CHAPTER CXIX. BALADEVA'S GLORIOUS DEEDS DESCRIBED.
Janamejaya said:—O Saint, I wish to listen again to the glorious deeds of the intelligent Baladeva, the personification of Shesa, the upholder of the earth (1). Sages, well-read in Puranas, designate Baladeva, full of effulgence as highly noble and the highly powerful prime deity Ananta. O Vipra, therefore I wish to listen accurately to his deeds. (2-3).
Vaishampāyana said:—In the Puranas this highly energetic and powerful Baladeva is described as the Naga king Sesha, the mine of lustre, who holds up the earth, as the foremost of Purushas, as a teacher of Yoga and as the foremost of those who are well-read in the Mantras of the Vedas. Many times he defeated Jarāsandha while fighting with clubs but he did not kill him (4-5). The other celebrated kings, of earth who followed the Maagdha emperor, were defeated by him in battle (6). In wrestling with him even Bhima, of dreadful prowess, endued with the strength of an Ayuta elephant, was defeated by him (7). On account of his stealing awaya Duryodhana's daughter Lakshmanā, Jamvavati's son Shāmva was confined by those princes in the city of Hastina. Hearing of his confinement the highly powerful Rāma went to that city for releasing him, but did not find him. Thereat worked up with anger that powerful hero performed the following wonderful feat. Taking up his invincible, incomparable, and celestial weapon, plough-share, powerful like that of Brahma and fixing it on the wall of the city he thought of, throwing that city of the Kauravas into the Ganges (8-12).
Beholding his city thus whirled the king Duryodhana sent Shamva with his wife to the highly powerful Rāma and presented himself for his discipleship. Rāma too accepted the Kuru king as his disciple in club fighting. O king, from that time, this whirling city is seen bent towards the ocean. O king, formerly in the Birandirava forest, Halāyudha, the son of a hero, killed Pralamva, with one stroke of his fist. This too is one of his deeds well-known on earth. He hurled up the huge-bodied demon, Dhenuka, coming under the disguise of an ass and threw him up on the top of a tree. And he too fell down dead on the surface of the earth (13-17). The holder of plough-share made the great river Yamuna, the sister of Yama, of quick-current and going towards the ocean of salt water, turn her course towards the city. This too is one of his wonderful deeds (18). O king, I have thus described to you the powerful deeds of Baladeva of matchless strength, the personation of Sesha passing under the name of Ananta. You shall, while listening to the Purānas, hear of many other most excellent feats of Haladara, the foremost of Purushas, which have not been described by me to day (13–20).
CHAPTER CXX. THE DEFEAT OF THE ASURA NARAKA.
Janamejaya said:—O great Muni, describe to me what the powerful Vishnu did when he came over to Dwārāka after the destruction of Rukshmi (1).
Vaishampāyana said:—The beautiful and powerful lord Vishnu, having lotus eyes, the enhancer of the delight of the Yadavas, encircled by them, directed his mind towards Dwārakā (2) The diverse riches and jewels, he could lay his hands on any where, he made the Rākshasas bring over to his own house. The great Asuras, Dānavas and Daityas, who had acquired boons, as also put in many obstacles at that time; but the mighty-armed Mādhava destroyed them all (3–4).