Śṛgāla Vadha

The Hari Vaṃśa Purāṇa, Vishṇu Parva, tells how Bhagavān Kṛshṇa slew Śṛgāla, the king of Karavīra. Śṛgāla was a Yādava by birth, and he had become proud and cruel. After the battle at Gomanta mountain, Kṛshṇa, Balarāma and Damaghosha went to Karavīra-pura. There Śṛgāla challenged Kṛshṇa to single combat. Kṛshṇa slew him with the Sudarśana Cakra. Then, moved by pity for the widow and the city, Kṛshṇa crowned Śṛgāla’s son Śakradeva as king.

The journey to Karavīra

The great battle at Gomanta mountain was over, and Jarāsaṃdha had pulled back. Damaghosha, the king of Cedi, then proposed that he and Kṛshṇa go together to Karavīra-pura. This city was ruled by Śṛgāla, a Yādava by birth, who had been given the kingdom.

Two fine chariots were made ready. Kṛshṇa, Balarāma and Damaghosha set out. Within six days they came by way of Karavīra to the neighbourhood of Mathurā. (Hari Vaṃśa Purāṇa, Vishṇu Parva, Chapter 44)

Śṛgāla’s challenge

Paraśurāma had warned about Śṛgāla, calling him wrathful, drunk with pride, and hostile even to his own sons. Śṛgāla heard that three warriors had come. His chariot was bright as the sun. He had won it by his pūjā to Sūrya. He put on many ornaments, took up arms for war, and came out to meet them. The earth shook under the weight of his chariot and the thunder of his battle cry.

He spoke to Kṛshṇa: “I know what you did on Gomanta mountain. You beat a weak army with unskilled commanders. That was no great deed. Now I am here, your king and your own general. Let the two of us fight alone, with no army. If you die, I shall be the Vāsudeva here. If I die, you shall be.” (Hari Vaṃśa Purāṇa, Vishṇu Parva, Chapter 45)

The combat

Kṛshṇa accepted the challenge with a smile and took up his Sudarśana Cakra. Śṛgāla shot a storm of terrible astras at Kṛshṇa, who stood unmoved like a mountain. Then Kṛshṇa let go the Sudarśana Cakra at the proud and strong Śṛgāla. The Cakra split open his heart and slew him. Then it came back to Kṛshṇa’s hand.

Śṛgāla fell dead. His army was overcome with grief. Some ran into the city and wept. (Hari Vaṃśa Purāṇa, Vishṇu Parva, Chapter 45)

Kṛshṇa’s pity and the crowning of Śakradeva

At once Kṛshṇa called out, in a voice like thunder clouds, that he had no hatred for the innocent citizens and soldiers of Karavīra. His anger had been only against Śṛgāla, who was full of pāpa (sin).

Śṛgāla’s chief queen, Padmāvatī, brought the young son Śakradeva before Kṛshṇa and said: “This is the child of the man you have slain. He surrenders at your feet. Protect him.” Kṛshṇa answered with great tenderness: “My anger ended with Śṛgāla. This child is my own child. I will grant him abhaya (freedom from fear) and crown him king.” (Hari Vaṃśa Purāṇa, Vishṇu Parva, Chapter 45)

The ministers, priests and citizens were called together. Kṛshṇa himself seated Śakradeva, the son of the slain Śṛgāla, on the throne and crowned him. The old kingdom of Karavīra, which had come down through the family line, was given whole to Śṛgāla’s son. Then Kṛshṇa left. Śakradeva, with his mother and ministers, carried out Śṛgāla’s last rites with full honour. (Hari Vaṃśa Purāṇa, Vishṇu Parva, Chapter 45)

Return to Mathurā

Kṛshṇa and Balarāma went back to Mathurā with Damaghosha. Ugrasena and all the Yādavas and citizens came out to meet them with great joy. Music and songs of praise filled the four quarters. The city was decorated with banners and flower garlands. When Kṛshṇa and Balarāma returned, the city shone as if the Kṛta-yuga had come back.

They entered their father’s palace and put their weapons in their places. They then paid their respects to Vasudeva, to Ugrasena, and then to Devakī. (Hari Vaṃśa Purāṇa, Vishṇu Parva, Chapter 46)

Sources

• Hari Vaṃśa Purāṇa, Vishṇu Parva, Chapter 44 (the journey to Karavīra)
• Hari Vaṃśa Purāṇa, Vishṇu Parva, Chapter 45 (Śṛgāla’s challenge, the combat, the crowning of Śakradeva)
• Hari Vaṃśa Purāṇa, Vishṇu Parva, Chapter 46 (return to Mathurā)