Having returned delightedly to Dwarakā the Lord Krishna, O descendant of Yadu, and the foremost of Dāsharhas, saluted the high-souled Narada (66). Thereupon the highly energetic Nārada said to Bhānu:—"O descendant of Bhaima, do not consider yourself insulted on account of your daughter being carried away (by another). O Bhānu, listen to great cause hereof (67). O hero, on one occasion while sporting in the garden of Raivata, this your daughter excited the anger of the foremost of Munis Durvāsā who wrath fully imprecated a curse on her saying:—'She is very much ill-mannered and she must fall into the hands of an enemy.' At that time, myself along with other Munis, propitiated him on behalf of your daughter saying:—'Muni, O foremost of the pious, dost thou, informed of the essence of religion as thou art, imprecate a curse on this innocent girl who is observing her religious obligations? We request thee to show favour into her' (68-70). O Bhaima chief, after we had said this Durvāsā stood with his face down for a moment and then stricken with compassion said:—'What I have said will prove true. It will never be otherwise. Forsooth she will fall into the hands of an enemy. Although thus fallen into the hands of an enemy she will not be virtually contaminated; and she will obtain a beautiful husband, will be lucky, a mother of many sons and mistress of immense riches; this thin-built lady will always have beautiful fragrance around her person, will always remain youthful and will forget the sorrow consequent upon her being carried away by the enemy (71–74)'. O hero, thus it had been pre-ordained so for Bhanumati before; do you now confer her on Sahadeva for that son of Pandu is virtuous, respectful and heroic (75)".
Thereupon regarding the words of Nārada, the virtuous souled Bhāima gave away Bhāuumati to Madri's son Sahadeva (76). Having sent an emissary Keshava, the holder of discus, had brought Sahadeva there. After the wedding ceremony was over, he, with his wife, returned to his own city. The man, who reverentially listens to this conquest of Krishna or reads it, acquires success in every business (77-78).
CHAPTER CCXXXVIII. THE DESTRUCTION OF VAJRANABHA: AN ACCOUNT OF PRABHAVATI.
Janamejaya said:—O Muni, O thou the foremost of the pious, I have listened to an account of the stealing away of Bhānumati, the conquest of Keshava, the bringing of Chlālikya from the celestial region, and the god-like sport of the Vrishnis of incomparable energy in the ocean and many other wonderful subjects. While describing the destruction of Nikumbha you have mentioned that of Vajranābha. O Muni, I am now curious to hear this (1–3).
Vaishampāyana said:—O great king, O descendant of Bharata, hear, I shall now describe the destruction of Vajra nābha with an account of the victories of Kāma and Shāmva (4), O victor of armies, a great Asura, celebrated by the name of Vajranābha, practised hard austerities on the summit of the mount Sumeru. Pleased with his penances the Divine Brahmā, the grand-father of the world, asked him to pray for a boon (5–6). O king Janamejaya, thereat, that foremost of Dānavas prayed for two boons that even the gods might not kill him, and that he might get the city Vajra where even the air cannot easily enter, which gives every sort of desired-for objects even when they are not thought of, which has gardens encircled by walls, many branch cities, and peerless jems of every description (7–9). By that boon he got what he wanted and the great Asura Vajranābha lived in the city of Vajra (10). O king, seeking refuge with that great Asura who had obtained this boon, millions of demons lived in that city of Vajra, in his garden and in many charming branch cities. O king, the enemies of the gods lived there, healthy, well-fed and contented (11-12). Once on a time, elated with the pride of the boon given in his favour and that of his city the wicked Vajranābha got himself ready to impede the course of the world. O king, approaching the king of gods he said "O slayer of Pāka, all the three worlds are the common properties of all the high-souled sons of Kashyapa. I therefore wish to govern the three worlds. If you, O king of gods, do not approve of my proposal, give me battle" (13-15).
O descendant of Kuru, hearing the words of Vajranābha, Mahendra, the foremost of celestials, consulted with Vrihaspati and said:—"O gentle one, our father, the ascetic Kashyapa, is now engaged in a sacrifice. After its termination he will do what is fair" (16–17).
Thereupon the Dānava went to his father Kashyapa and expressed his desire. Kashyapa said what the king of gods had communicated (18). "O son, go now to the city of Vajra and live there controlling yourself. After the termination of the Yajna I will do what is fair" (19). Thus addressed Vajranābha returned to his own city.
Thereupon Mahendra went to the city of Dwāravati having many doors and communicated secretly to Vāsudeva what Vajranābha had said. Thereat Janārddana said "O Vāsava, the horse-sacrifice of Vasudeva is now at hand. After its termination I will kill Vajranabha (20–22). O lord, O refuge of the pious, even the wind cannot enter into his city if Vajranābha does not wish it. At a convenient hour we will concert measures for entering there" (23).
O descendant of Bharata, honored by Vāsudeva's son in his horse-sacrifice the king of gods set out (24). Even before the termination of Vasudeva's sacrifice the heroic Vāsava and Keshava, the foremost of celestials, began to think of means for entering into the city of Vajra (25).
During the celebration of Vasudeva's sacrifice an actor, by name Bhadra, pleased the great saints with his beautiful acting. The leading Munis then asked him to pray for a boon. Thereupon saluting those best of Munis assembled in the horse-sacrifice, the actor Bhadra, resembling the king of gods himself, as desired by Krishna and as if urged on by the goddess of learning, prayed for the following boon (26-28).