12 - Manifestation of Vishnu as Krishņa 

Agni said:

1. Ishall describe the genealogy of Hari (Krishņa). Brahma (was born) from the lotus in the navel of Vishnu. (Sage) Atri (was born) from Brahma. Then Soma (was born). Purūravas was born from Soma. 

2. Ayu was (born) from him (Purūravas). From him (was born) Nahusha and then Yayati. From whom Devayani¹ gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu. 

3. Sarmishthả, the daughter of Vrshaparvan (gave birth to) Druhyu, Anu and Puru (through Yayati). The Yådavas (came) in the race of Yadu. Vasudeva was the foremost among these. 

1. Devayani was the daughter of Sukra, the preceptor of demons. When her love for Kaca, the pupil of her father was not reciprocated by him,she cursed him and he in turn cursed her thatshe would become the wife of a warrior. Once when Devayani and her companion Sarmistha were bathing, their dresses got exchanged, and the irate Sarmishthå slapped Devayáni and threw her into the well. Devayåni was later rescued from the well by Yayati, who married her with the consent of her father. As cursed by Devayáni, Sarmistha became her servant. Sec Apts SD. and M Bh.-Nam. p. 151. 

4-7. From Vasudeva through Devaki (was born Krishņa) in order to remove oppression on the earth. Once the sons of Hiranyakaśipu (became) the six embryos in the womb of Devaki being led by the meditative-sleep cast by Vishnu. The seventh child in the womb of Devaki that was strong was transferred to (the womb of) Rohiņi and (was born) as the son of Rohiņi.¹ Then Hari the four-armed (manifested) in the sky on the eighth day of the dark fortnight and being adored by Devaki and Vasudeva (was born) as a child with two arms. Vasudeva took (the child) to the couch of Yaśhodā, being afraid of Kamsa. 

8-10. Yaśhodā carried the daughter (born to her) and left it at the couch of Devaki. Having heard the cries of the child, Kamsa (came there and carried the child) and smashed it on the stone slab in spite of being obstructed by Devaki. Having heard the voice in the heavens that, “My eighth birth would be your death”, and being infuriated all the children born were killed (by him) after they were left with him by Devaki as promised (by Vasudeva) at the time of their marriage. The girl who was thrown (on the slab) (bounced) to the sky and said: 

11. "O Kamsa! What is the use of throwing me (to kill me). One who would kill you, that lord of all the celestials had born (already) for the removal of oppression on the earth." 

12-13. Having told soshe (disappeared). Andshe having killed Sumbha² and other demons and being praised by Indra (was known differently as) the Arya, Durgå, the source of the Vedas, Ambika (the mother), Bhadrakali (beneficent Kåli), the beneficent, Kshemyå (bestower of peace), propitious, (and) multi-armed. I bow unto her. Whoever reads these names at the three twilights will get all cherished desires fulfilled. 

2. Sumbha and his brother Nisumbha, the two demons, propitiated Brahmå and requested him that theyshould have no death. When Brahma declined to grant their request as impossible, they again requested that theyshould not die at the hands of mortals, celestials, animals or birds. They excluded women, as they thought that women are not so much powerful to fear death at their hands. When they oppressed all beings, the goddess killed them. See Devi Bh. P. V. xxi. xxx. xxxi. 

14-15. Kamsa also sent Pūtana and others in order to kill the boy. (Bala) Ráma and Krishņa, being entrusted by Vasudeva to the custody of Nanda, the husband of Yashodā, for their protection from the fear of Kaṁsa and others, were living at Gokula with the cows andshepherds. 

16. They (two), the protectors of the entire world became the protectors of cows. (Once the boy) Krishņa was tied to the mortar with a rope by the bewildered Yaśhodā (to contain his sportive mischiefs). 

17-20. He went in between the two Arjuna- trees¹ and uprooted them. And the cart² was made to roll away by a kick of the foot. Půtana, who was intent on killing (him) was killed by that seeker of the breast (milk) by sucking her breast. Krishna, who had gone to Vrundāvana (grove of holy basil), drew out the (serpent) Kaliya, resident in the waters, from the waters of (the river) Yamuna and conquered it and was praised by (his brother) Bala. (He) made the Tålavana (palymyra grove) secure after killing (the demon) Dhenuka (in the form of) an ass (and) after having killed (the demons) Arista (in the form of) a bull (and) Kesi in the form of a horse. Abandoning the festivity for Sakra (Indra), the ritual of protecting the cows was made to be observed. 

1.    Arjuna trees, later personified as two demons.

2. The name of a dergon, who asumed the form of a cart. 

21. The mountain was borne and the rain (caused to fall) by Indra, was warded off. (Then) Govinda (Krishņa) was saluted by Indra and offered with the peacock (plumes). 

22. Festivities for Indra were again caused to be done by Krishņa, after being pleased. Riding a chariot he went to Mathura and was praised by Akrüra, as directed by Kamsa. 

23. Being attended to by the devoted and sportiveshepherd women, he having killed the washerman who did not get (the clothes), seized the clothes. 

24-26. Wearing the garland along with Ráma (Balarama) he blessed the garland-maker. He made upright the hunchbacked woman who had given him unguent. He killed the demon Kuvalayåpida (in the form of) an intoxicated elephant. Even as Kamsa and others were looking on, he entered the (wrestling) court and fought with those (wrestlers) on the dais. 

Much strength wasshown by the wrestler Chåņüra and Mushţika. 

The wrestlers Câņūra and Mushţika and others were killed by them. 

27-28. Having killed Kamsa, the ruler of Mathura, Hari (Krishņa) made his father as the ruler of Yadavas. Asti and Prāpti, the wives of Kamsa were the two daughters of Jarasandha. Being entreated by them Jarasandha besieged Mathurā and fought with the Yådavas with arrows. 

29-31. (Bala) Ráma and Krishna came to Gomantaka leaving Mathura. After conquering Jarasandha, the despiser of Väsudeya (Krishņa) and of Paundraka,¹ he made Dvårakå as his capital and stayed there being surrounded by Yadavas. Having killed (the demon) Naraka, the son of the Earth, he (Krishņa) brought 16000 daughters of the celestials, gandharvas and yakshas (kinds of semi-divine beings) and married them, as well as the eight (girls) Rukmiņi and others. 

1. Paundraka was the King of Kåsi and the son of Vasudeva and Sutanu, the daughter of Käsiraja. When he became the king, he asserted that he was the real Våsudeva. Krishna invaded Kaa and killed him. See Vi.P. V. xxxiv. 4-28; Bhag. P. X lxi. 1-23; P. Index. II. p. 393. 

32-34. (Then) the killer of Naraka, (seated) on the (bird) Garuda, in the company of Satyabham, and with the jewelstore and other jewels after having conquered Indra in the heavens and brought the (divine tree) Pårijäta planted (it) in the house of Satyabhamå. Having learnt the (science of) astra and sastra (use of weapons) from Sandipanī (rescued) his son and brought him (to him) after conquering the demon Panchajana and was well-worshipped by Yama (the god of death). He killed (the demon) Kalayavana² (by a ruse) and was worshipped by (the king) Mucukunda.³ 

2. Kalayavana was a king of the Yayanas. He was an enemy of Krishna and an invincible foe of the Yådavas. Krishna found it impossible to vanquish him. He cunningly decoyed him to the cave where Mucukuada was sleeping. Mucukunda's sleep being disturbed, he burnt him down. 

3. King Mucukunda, son of Mandhåtr, assisted celestials in their war against demons and got as a boun a long and unbroken sleep and that whoever dared to disturb his sleep would be burnt to ashes. Accordingly when Kalayavana disturbed his sleep, he was burnt to ashes. See note 2 above and Apta SD. 

35. He worshipped Vasudeva and Devaki the devotees and brahmins. Nišatha and Ulmuka were born to Revati through 

Balabhadra. 

36. Samba (was born) through Jambavati and other sons were (born) through other (wives) to Krishna. 

37-39. Pradyumna was born through Rukmiņi (to Krishņa) and was forcibly taken away on the sixth day by Sambara¹ and thrown into the ocean. A fish seized him. A fisherman (caught) that fish and brought it to Sambara¹ and Sambara (gave it) to Måyåvati (the maid). Mäyävati having found her husband inside the fish, nourished him with respect.she also said to him, "I am Rati. You are my husband. You are Käma (cupid) and made bodiless by Sambhu (Siva). I was forcibly taken a (captive). I am not his wife. You (are) knower of magic. You kill Sambara.” 

1. Sambara was a companion of Kamsa. He took away the child Pradyumna a couple of days after the birth of the child, knowing that it would be his slayer and threw him into the ocean. A giant fish swallowed it. When the fishermen caught the fish and brought to Sambara, the fish was sent to the kitchen. When the cooks cut the fish and found the beautiful child, they informed Måyåvati, the mistress of Sambara's houschold. Måyåvati knew thatshe was none other than Rati and Kama was reborn as Pradyumna.she nourished and brought up Pradyumna. After he grew upshe revealed the truth to him. The two got married. Atlast Sambara was killed by Pradyumna after A severe battle. See Bhag, P. X. xxvi. 36 and lv. 9-24. 

40. Having heard that Pradyumna killed Sambara and went to Krishņa along with (his) wife Máyåvati. Then Rukmiņi was happy. 

41-42. From Pradyumna Aniruddha was born, who was the husband of Ushā and was highly intelligent. Båņa (was) the son of Bali (and) his daughter (was) Ushā. (His city was known) as Sonitapura. By (his) penance (he) was (treated as) son of Śiva. "Bāņa! You will be waging a war (as indicated) by the fall of flagstaff,” said Siva to Båņa, becoming pleased. 

43-44. Having seen Gauri (Pårvati) sporting with Siva, Usha was desirous of (getting) a husband. Gauri said to her, “The person seen by you in your dream on the twelfth day in the month of Vaisakha (the second month in the Hindu new year) will become you husband”. Ushå becoming happy on these words of Gauri, saw him (that person) (in dream) whileshe slept in her house. 

45-46. Knowing (that person)united with herself,she (identified) Aniruddha from the drawn portraits (of princes) through (the assistance of) her friend Chitralekha (and) brought that grandson of Krishna from Dvårakå (to her place) by the daughter of Kumbhända, the minister of Båņa. Aniruddha went and made marry with Ushå. 

47-48. (Båņa was) informed (of this) by his mobile guards. Aniruddha had a fierce fight with Båņa.¹ Having heard this from Närada, Krishņa (went along) with Pradyumna (and) Balabhadra (and) remaining on the Garuda (vehicle of Vishnu) conquered the fires and the fever related to Maheśvara (Siva). 

1. As Båņa was a devoice of Siva, the forces of Śiva came to assist him in the war. See verse 42 above. See Bhag. P. X. Ixii. 23. 

49. There was a fight between Hari and Sankara (Śiva) with arrows. Nandi, Vinayaka, Skanda and others were conquered by Tårkshya (Garuda) and others. 

50. When Sankara (Siva) yawned, Vishnu (employed) the missile Jrumbhana and cut the thousand arms (of Sankara). Protection was sought by Rudra (Śiva). 

51-53. Båņa was animated by Vishnu. The two-armed (Vishnu) said to Siva, “What protection was offered by you to Båņa (is identical with) that(offered) by me. There is no difference between us and one who (thinks of) any difference goes to hell. Vishnu was propitiated by Siva and others. Aniruddha in the company of Ushå and others, having gone to Dvåraka, amused himself along with Ugrasena and other Yådavas. Vajra (was) the son of Aniruddha. He learnt all knowledge from Märkandeya. 

54-55. Balarama was the killer of (the demon) Pralamba²(by whom) there was the dragging of the river Yamuna. The destroyer of the monkey Dvivida³ and the destroyer of the pride of Kauravas, Lord Hari amused himself in many forms along with Rukmiņi and others. He produced many sons and innume rable Yadavas. Whoever reads the account of the lineage of Hari, that person would have his desires fulfilled and attain Hari. 

2. Pralamba, an asura friend of Kamsa went in the guise of a cowherd to the place where Krishna and Balarama were playing with their companions. Being admitted to the games, while carrying Balarama on his back, he grew into a huge form and was killed by Balarama. See Bhag.P. X. xviii. 17-29; M. Bh. Nam, p. 209b; Vi. P. V. ix, 1-38. 

3. Dvivda, a counsellor of Sugriva and brother Mainda, was also a friend of the demon Naraka. In order avenge the death of his friend, he burnt the cities and villages and caused much havoc. He was finally killed by Balarama after a hard combat. See Bhdg. P.X.lxvii; Vi.P.V.xxxvi. 1-23 and P Index II. P.150.