Nārada’s Stotra to Kṛshṇa in Dvārakā

This is Nārada’s praise of Bhagavān Kṛshṇa in the royal assembly of Dvārakā. Nārada came at Indra’s request and told the Yādavas of the deeds of Kṛshṇa and Balarāma from childhood to that day. He ended by saying that Kṛshṇa is Vishṇu, Nārāyaṇa, Sūrya in form and Parabrahma, and that he will return to his own loka after he has set dharma in place. It is found in the Harivaṃśa Purāṇa, Vishṇu Parva, Chapters 103–104.

The setting

The setting follows the Vajranābha campaign (Chapters 93–100) and the return of Pradyumna, Sāmba and Gada to Dvārakā. All the Yādavas gathered in the royal assembly.

Bhagavān Kṛshṇa shared out the great wealth brought back from Naraka’s capital and from the victory over Vajranābha. The women of the Yādava household came to greet Kṛshṇa and Balarāma. They were Devakī and seven others, and Rohiṇī. Yaśodā also came, and both brothers embraced her with love.

Then, at Indra’s urging, the devarshi Nārada came into the assembly. (Chapter 103)

The deeds Nārada recounted

Nārada spoke to the Yādava heroes: “I have come to you at Indra’s command. Let me tell the deeds of Kṛshṇa and Balarāma from childhood to the present.” He then named, in order, these deeds:

  1. Śakaṭāsura-bhañjana. The infant Kṛshṇa overturned and broke the asura Śakaṭa.
  2. Pūtanā-vadha. The rākshasī Pūtanā was slain.
  3. Various childhood sports in Vṛndāvana.
  4. Kaṃsa-vadha. Kaṃsa was slain and Ugrasena was set back on his throne.
  5. Jarāsaṃdha’s wars. There were many battles at Mathurā.
  6. The pāśas (nooses) of Mura were undone by Kṛshṇa.
  7. Nisunda and Narakāsura slain. Prāgjyotishapura was freed.
  8. The conflict with Rukmī. Rukmiṇī was carried off, and Rukmī was defeated in the forest.
  9. The campaign at Jarūdhī-nagara. Krathu, Śiśupāla and Dantavaktra were defeated.
  10. Kālayavana-vadha. Kālayavana was destroyed.
  11. Sauphapati (Sālva) defeated.
  12. A thousand mountains scattered with the cakra, and Dyumatsena slain.
  13. Mahendra Parvata and Irāvatī-nagara. Gopati and Tāluketu were slain.
  14. Oḍiṃba and Haṃsa, two rākshasas, were burned to ash by Kṛshṇa’s glance.
  15. Kāśī-nagara destroyed, and the king of Kāśī slain.
  16. Mayāsura defeated in battle, and Indrasena’s son brought back.
  17. Varuṇa conquered.
  18. The Pārijāta tree brought to Bhūloka.
  19. The kings of Paṇḍya, Pauṇḍra, Kaliṃga, Matsya and Vaṃga conquered, and the Gāndhāra princess brought.
  20. Arjuna defeated before the eyes of Kuntī.
  21. Droṇa, Aśvatthāmā, Karṇa, Bhīshma and Suyodhana all conquered.
  22. The Sauvarī princess won.
  23. Venudhāri. The whole circle of the earth was conquered for this purpose.
  24. The three worlds of Bali won back, taking again what Bali had seized.
  25. Bāṇāsura defeated. His thousand arms were cut off, and he was spared at the request of Śiva.
  26. Asiloma, a dānava, slain.
  27. Jṛṃbha, a different Rāvaṇa, and Virūpa, all destroyed.

(Chapter 104)

Nārada’s declaration

After he had told all these deeds, Nārada spoke his conclusion:

“Who other than Keśava could do such deeds? Who else has brought you such wealth as was never seen before? He slew Narakāsura and brought back the divine earrings. He gained great glory in svarga. By taking refuge in the strength of Śrī Kṛshṇa’s arm, you have all become free of sorrow, fear and pain.”

“O Yādavas, perform many kinds of yajña. Kṛshṇa has done the great work for the devas. I tell you this dear truth. May good come to you. I will do whatever you wish. I am yours, you are mine, I am in you.”

“Where there is shame (lajjā), there lives Lakshmī. Where Lakshmī lives, there is humility (vinaya). In this mahātmā, shame, humility and Lakshmī live together, all three.”

Then came the main declaration. This Kṛshṇa will set dharma in place among men. He will perform great yajñas with rich dakshiṇā (gifts to the priests). Then he will return to his own loka. After that Dvārakā will sink into the ocean. No one among the devas or the asuras is as able as he.

“He is Vishṇu. He is Nārāyaṇa. He is Sūrya in form. He has come to do good to the world and will go back to his own loka. He plays with the jīvas. His greatness has no limit. He is Parabrahma in form.”

Nārada added that it was Vyāsa, whose sight was divine, who saw and told the lives of Kṛshṇa and Balarāma with his cosmic vision. (Chapter 104)

Sources

  • Harivaṃśa Purāṇa, Vishṇu Parva, Chapter 103 (the setting)
  • Harivaṃśa Purāṇa, Vishṇu Parva, Chapter 104 (the deeds and the declaration)
  • Harivaṃśa Purāṇa, Vishṇu Parva, Chapters 93–100 (the Vajranābha campaign)