Govinda was fighting with his dreadful enemy Nikumbha who was trying his very best for victory. O lord, there Krishna was struck by Nikumbha with a Parigha and he was wounded by Krishna with a club (53–54). Thus cut sorely by each other they both lost their consciousness. Seeing the Pandavas and Yadavas aggrieved the Munis, desirous of doing good unto Krishna, began to recite Mantras and adore him with hymns laid down in the Vedas. Thereupon regaining their consciousness the Dānava and Keshava again addressed themselves for fighting. O descendant of Bharata, those two heroes, dreadful in battle, struck each other like two fighting infuriated bulls, or elephants or leopards (55–58).
O king, thereupon an invisible voice said to Krishna: "O thou of great strength, the Lord Vilwodakeshwara has order thee to kill this thorn of the Brāhmanas with thy discus and acquire great virtue and fame" (59–60). Hearing this Hari, the refuge of the pious and the protector of the world, said "So be it." And then saluting Mahādeva he discharged his discus Sudarshana, the destroyer of the Daitya race. That discus, effulgent like the solar disc, discharged off Nārāyana's hand, sundered Nikumbha's head adorned with most beautiful ear-rings (61–62). As a peacock falls down on earth from the summit of a mountain, so his head, beautified with ear-rings, dropped down on earth. O king, the powerful Nikumbha, the terror of the world being slain the Lord Vilwodakeshwara was pleased. O slayer of thy enemies, from the sky fell showers of flowers discharged by Indra and the celestial bugles were sounded. The whole world, especially the hermits, attained to an excess of joy. Thereupon the Lord Keshava, having Gada as his elder brother, delightedly conferred upon the Yadavas hundreds of Daitya maidens. And consoling the Kshatriyas repeatedly he gave them precious jewels and diverse raiments. And he gave the Pāndavas six thousand cars with horses. The rider of Garuda who always multiplies cities, gave that city of Shatpura to the Brāhmana Brahmadatta (63–69).
After the termination of Brahmadatta's Yajna the highly powerful Govinda, the holder of conch, discus and club, dismissed the Kshatriyas and gave a grand party with enough of rice, curry, meat and pudding before the Lord of Bel leaves and water. The self-controlled Lord Hari, fond of wrestling, made the expert wrestlers show their performances before that party and gave them money and clothes. Afterwards saluting Brahmadatta he set out for the city of Dwāravati with his father, mother and the other Yādavas. That hero, worshipped by people on his way, entered the charming city abounding in contented and beautiful people, and the streets of which were decorated with flowers. He, who listens to or reads the account of the conquest of Shatpura by the holder of discus, acquires victory in battle (70-75). By hearing or reading it one, having no son, gets one, a pauper gets riches, a sick man is cured of his diseases, and one bound is released from the fetters. If this story is recited on the occasion of a Punsavana,[298] Garbhadhāna[299] or a Srāddha it is considered as bringing about complete success. O Janamejaya, the man, who always reads the account of the victory of the high-souled Deity, the foremost of immortals of incomparable strength, is freed from tribulation and proceeds from here to a most excellent region. The Purusha, whose palms and feet are adorned with jems and gold, who is effulgent like the great burning sun, who is the subduer of his enemies, who is the Prime Lord, who lies on the bed of four oceans, who has four Atmans and who has a thousand names, always lives in the best place (76–79).
| [298] | A religious and domestic festival held on the mother's perceiving the first signs of a living conception. |
| [299] | A ceremony performed prior to conception. |
CHAPTER CCXXXIII. THE HISTORY OF THE ASURA ANDHAKA.
Janamejaya said:—O foremost of Munis, O Vaishampayana, I have listened to an account of the spoliation of Shatpura. Do you now describe the destruction of Andhaka mentioned by you before. O foremost of speakers, I am also very anxious to hear of an account of Bhānumati's being carried away and of the destruction of Nikumbha (1-2).
Vaishampāyana said:–In the days of yore when all her sons had been slain by the Divine Lord Vishnu, Diti, with ascetic penances, worshipped Marichi's son Kashyapa. O descendant of Bharata, pleased with her penances, service, help and beauty the foremost of Munis, Kashyapa, said to her having asceticism for wealth:—"O fair one, O religious lady, I have been pleased with you. Pray for a boon" (3-5).
Diti said:—O lord, O foremost of the pious, the gods have killed my sons and I have none at present. I pray for such a son of incomparable prowess whom the gods will not be able to kill (6).
Kashyapa said:—O goddess, O daughter of Daksha, O you having lotus eyes, I have no influence over Rudra, forsooth your soon will not be killed by any other god save him. Your son shall have to protect himself from Rudra (7-8).