FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.37.15-20

चाणूरं मुष्टिकं चैव मल्लानन्यांश्च हस्तिनम् । कंसं च निहतं द्रक्ष्ये परश्वोऽहनि ते विभो ॥ १५ ॥ तस्यानु शङ्खयवनमुराणां नरकस्य च । पारिजातापहरणमिन्द्रस्य च पराजयम् ॥ १६ ॥ उद्वाहं वीरकन्यानां वीर्यशुल्कादिलक्षणम् । नृगस्य मोक्षणं शापाद्‌द्वारकायां जगत्पते ॥ १७ ॥ स्यमन्तकस्य च मणेरादानं सह भार्यया । मृतपुत्रप्रदानं च ब्राह्मणस्य स्वधामत: ॥ १८ ॥ पौण्ड्रकस्य वधं पश्चात् काशिपुर्याश्च दीपनम् । दन्तवक्रस्य निधनं चैद्यस्य च महाक्रतौ ॥ १९ ॥ यानि चान्यानि वीर्याणि द्वारकामावसन्भवान् । कर्ता द्रक्ष्याम्यहं तानि गेयानि कविभिर्भुवि ॥ २० ॥
cāṇūraṁ muṣṭikaṁ caiva
[chaanooram mushtikam chaiva]
mallān anyāṁś ca hastinam
[mallaan anyaamsh cha hastinam]
kaṁsaṁ ca nihataṁ drakṣye
[kamsam cha nihatam drakshye]
paraśvo ’hani te vibho
[parashvo ’hani te vibho]
tasyānu śaṅkha-yavana-
[tasyaanu shankha-yavana-]
murāṇāṁ narakasya ca
[muraanaam narakasya cha]
pārijātāpaharaṇam
[paarijaataapaharanam]
indrasya ca parājayam
[indrasya cha paraajayam]
udvāhaṁ vīra-kanyānāṁ
[udvaaham veera-kanyaanaam]
vīrya-śulkādi-lakṣaṇam
[veerya-shulkaadi-lakshanam]
nṛgasya mokṣaṇaṁ śāpād
[nrigasya mokshanam shaapaad]
dvārakāyāṁ jagat-pate
[dvaarakaayaam jagat-pate]
syamantakasya ca maṇer
[syamantakasya cha maner]
ādānaṁ saha bhāryayā
[aadaanam saha bhaaryayaa]
mṛta-putra-pradānaṁ ca
[mrita-putra-pradaanam cha]
brāhmaṇasya sva-dhāmataḥ
[braahmanasya sva-dhaamatah]
pauṇḍrakasya vadhaṁ paścāt
[paundrakasya vadham pashchaat]
kāśi-puryāś ca dīpanam
[kaashi-puryaash cha deepanam]
dantavakrasya nidhanaṁ
[dantavakrasya nidhanam]
caidyasya ca mahā-kratau
[chaidyasya cha mahaa-kratau]
yāni cānyāni vīryāṇi
[yaani chaanyaani veeryaani]
dvārakām āvasan bhavān
[dvaarakaam aavasan bhavaan]
kartā drakṣyāmy ahaṁ tāni
[kartaa drakshyaamy aham taani]
geyāni kavibhir bhuvi
[geyaani kavibhir bhuvi]
cāṇūram — Cāṇūra muṣṭikam — Muṣṭika ca — and eva — also mallān — the wrestlers anyān — others ca — and hastinam — the elephant (Kuvalayāpīḍa) kaṁsam — King Kaṁsa ca — and nihatam — killed drakṣye — I will see para - śvaḥ — the day after tomorrow ahani — on that day te — by You vibho — O almighty Lord tasya anu — after that śaṅkha - yavana - murāṇām — of the demons Śaṅkha (Pañcajana), Kālayavana and Mura narakasya — of Narakāsura ca — as well pārijāta — of the heavenly pārijāta flower apaharaṇam — the stealing indrasya — of Lord Indra ca — and parājayam — the defeat udvāham — the marriage vīra — of heroic kings kanyānām — of the daughters vīrya — by Your valor śulka — as the payment for the brides ādi — and so forth lakṣaṇam — characterized nṛgasya — of King Nṛga mokṣaṇam — the deliverance śāpāt — from his curse dvārakāyām — in the city of Dvārakā jagat - pate — O master of the universe syamantakasya — named Syamantaka ca — and maṇeḥ — of the jewel ādānam — the taking saha — together with bhāryayā — a wife (Jāmbavatī) mṛta — dead putra — of the son pradānam — the presenting ca — and brāhmaṇasya — of a brāhmaṇa sva - dhāmataḥ — from Your own domain (i.e., from the abode of Death) pauṇḍrakasya — of Pauṇḍraka vadham — the killing paścāt — after kāśi - puryāḥ — of the city of Kāśī (Benares) ca — and dīpanam — the burning dantavakrasya — of Dantavakra nidhanam — the demise caidyasya — of Caidya (Śiśupāla) ca — and mahā - kratau — during the great sacrificial performance (the Rājasūya-yajña of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira) yāni — which ca — and anyāni — other vīryāṇi — great feats dvārakām — in Dvārakā āvasan — dwelling bhavān — You kartā — are going to perform drakṣyāmi — will see aham — I tāni — them geyāni — to be sung about kavibhiḥ — by poets bhuvi — on this earth .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
cāṇūraṁ muṣṭikaṁ caiva
cāṇūram
Cāṇūra
muṣṭikam
Muṣṭika
ca
and
mallān anyāṁś ca hastinam
kaṁsaṁ ca nihataṁ drakṣye
paraśvo ’hani te vibho
eva
also
tasyānu śaṅkha-yavana-
murāṇāṁ narakasya ca
pārijātāpaharaṇam
indrasya ca parājayam
udvāhaṁ vīra-kanyānāṁ
vīrya-śulkādi-lakṣaṇam
nṛgasya mokṣaṇaṁ śāpād
dvārakāyāṁ jagat-pate
syamantakasya ca maṇer
mallān
the wrestlers
anyān
others
ca
and
ādānaṁ saha bhāryayā
hastinam
the elephant (Kuvalayāpīḍa)
mṛta-putra-pradānaṁ ca
brāhmaṇasya sva-dhāmataḥ
pauṇḍrakasya vadhaṁ paścāt
kaṁsam
King Kaṁsa
ca
and
kāśi-puryāś ca dīpanam
dantavakrasya nidhanaṁ
nihatam
killed
caidyasya ca mahā-kratau
yāni cānyāni vīryāṇi
dvārakām āvasan bhavān
kartā drakṣyāmy ahaṁ tāni
drakṣye
I will see
para - śvaḥ
the day after tomorrow
ahani
on that day
te
by You
geyāni kavibhir bhuvi
vibho
O almighty Lord
tasya anu
after that
śaṅkha - yavana - murāṇām
of the demons Śaṅkha (Pañcajana), Kālayavana and Mura
narakasya
of Narakāsura
ca
as well
pārijāta
of the heavenly pārijāta flower
apaharaṇam
the stealing
indrasya
of Lord Indra
ca
and
parājayam
the defeat
udvāham
the marriage
vīra
of heroic kings
kanyānām
of the daughters
vīrya
by Your valor
śulka
as the payment for the brides
ādi
and so forth
lakṣaṇam
characterized
nṛgasya
of King Nṛga
mokṣaṇam
the deliverance
śāpāt
from his curse
dvārakāyām
in the city of Dvārakā
jagat - pate
O master of the universe
syamantakasya
named Syamantaka
ca
and
maṇeḥ
of the jewel
ādānam
the taking
saha
together with
bhāryayā
a wife (Jāmbavatī)
mṛta
dead
putra
of the son
pradānam
the presenting
ca
and
brāhmaṇasya
of a brāhmaṇa
sva - dhāmataḥ
from Your own domain (i.e., from the abode of Death)
pauṇḍrakasya
of Pauṇḍraka
vadham
the killing
paścāt
after
kāśi - puryāḥ
of the city of Kāśī (Benares)
ca
and
dīpanam
the burning
dantavakrasya
of Dantavakra
nidhanam
the demise
caidyasya
of Caidya (Śiśupāla)
ca
and
mahā - kratau
during the great sacrificial performance (the Rājasūya-yajña of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira)
yāni
which
ca
and
anyāni
other
vīryāṇi
great feats
dvārakām
in Dvārakā
āvasan
dwelling
bhavān
You
kartā
are going to perform
drakṣyāmi
will see
aham
I
tāni
them
geyāni
to be sung about
kavibhiḥ
by poets
bhuvi
on this earth .
  • cāṇūram — the wrestler Cāṇūra
    Kaṁsa's chief wrestler. Nārada names him first — the wrestler-pair (Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika) is what Kaṁsa is planning right now in Mathurā. The foretelling lands on the most immediate trap.
  • kaṁsam — King Kaṁsa
    The whole Vraja-līlā has been shaped by Kaṁsa's terror. Nārada names his death in the same breath as the wrestlers' — they are one transaction. Gauḍīyas note: Kaṁsa goes from being the cause of fear to being the proof of līlā.
  • śaṅkha-yavana-murāṇām — of Śaṅkha (Pañcajana), Kālayavana and Mura
    Three demons named in one compound — the next wave of asura-saṁhāra after Mathurā. Each will get his own chapter; Nārada compresses them into a single ablative.
  • pārijāta — the heavenly pārijāta flower
    The flower Kṛṣṇa will take from Indra's garden for Satyabhāmā (SB 10.59). Even an item of Vraja-style cowherd thieving — stealing flowers — is on the prophesied list. Gauḍīyas relish that Kṛṣṇa keeps stealing for His lovers in every realm.
  • vīrya-śulka — with valor as the bride-price
    Vīrya (heroism) + śulka (bride-price). Kṛṣṇa marries the daughters of heroic kings by paying for them with His own valor — He fights for each bride. Gauḍīyas read this as the kṣatra-mood of Dvārakā-līlā, distinct from Vraja's mādhurya, but the same Lord.
  • geyāni-kavibhiḥ — to be sung by poets
    Geya (to be sung) + kavi (poet). Nārada is forecasting the kīrtana-tradition itself. Gauḍīyas read this as Kṛṣṇa's own provision for His name to keep traveling: He acts, the poets sing, the singing is the second body of the deed.
In just two days, O almighty Lord, I will see the deaths of Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika and other wrestlers, along with those of the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa and King Kaṁsa — all by Your hand. Then I will see You kill Kālayavana, Mura, Naraka and the conch demon, and I will also see You steal the pārijāta flower and defeat Indra. I will then see You marry many daughters of heroic kings after paying for them with Your valor. Then, O Lord of the universe, in Dvārakā You will deliver King Nṛga from a curse and take for Yourself the Syamantaka jewel, together with another wife. You will bring back a brāhmaṇa’s dead son from the abode of Your servant Yamarāja, and thereafter You will kill Pauṇḍraka, burn down the city of Kāśī and slay Dantavakra, and You will also put an end to the King of Cedi during the great Rājasūya sacrifice. I shall see all these heroic pastimes, along with many others You will perform during Your residence in Dvārakā. These pastimes are glorified on this earth in the songs of transcendental poets.
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
In just two days, O almighty Lord, I will see the deaths of Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika and other wrestlers, along with those of the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa and King Kaṁsa—all by Your hand. Then I will see You kill Kālayavana, Mura, Naraka and the conch demon, and I will also see You steal the pārijāta flower and defeat Indra. I will then see You marry many daughters of heroic kings after paying for them with Your valor. Then, O Lord of the universe, in Dvārakā You will deliver King Nṛga from a curse and take for Yourself the Syamantaka jewel, together with another wife. You will bring back a brāhmaṇa's dead son from the abode of Your servant Yamarāja, and thereafter You will kill Pauṇḍraka, burn down the city of Kāśī and annihilate Dantavakra and the King of Cedi during the great Rājasūya sacrifice. I shall see all these heroic pastimes, along with many others You will perform during Your residence in Dvārakā. These pastimes are glorified on this earth in the songs of transcendental poets.
Commentary

I am speaking about the pastimes that you perform in the future by seeing them in previous yugas. Sankha refers to Pancajanya. An outline of the future events is given, not all the pastimes. I will see you receive the Syamantaka jewel along with your wife Jambatai (bharyaya). I will see you deliver the brahmana’s son from the city of Mahakala.

Jīva Gosvāmī Gauḍīya
Commentary

The phrase śaṅkha-yavana- murāṇāṁ narakasya ca (of Śaṅkha, Yavana, Mura and Naraka) should be completed with the word vadham (killing). The sentence continues till verse 20 with the statement “I will see all of this.” Udvāhaṁ vīra-kanyānām means “marriage with daughters of the heroes among the kṣatriyas” or it can mean “O brave Kṛṣṇa! I will see your marriage with many daughters” since generally he married them because of his prowess. Therefore it is then said vīrya-śulkādi-lakṣaṇam: those marriages had a dowry of your valor. The word ādi indicates the daughters also had bhakti. This was true in most cases but sometimes only bhakti was present as in the case of Kālindī. You freed Nṛga from the sin (pāpāt) of taking cows from a brāhmaṇa. Sometimes śāpāt is seen but this is not approved by Śukadeva. A curse will be mentioned later. The word dvārakāyām (in Dvārakā) in verse 17 should apply to the previous and later verses also since it is understood he had gone to Dvārakā for those pastimes. O lord of the universe (jagat-pate)! This is said because Kṛṣṇa showed his powers by riding on Garuḍa and Indra and others came to Dvārakā. Mṛta-putra-pradānaṁ ca brāh'maṇasya means “Kṛṣṇa gave the dead sons to the brāhmaṇa.” The case is possessive rather than dative because the sons belonged to the brāhmaṇa originally. Sometimes upadānam is seen instead of pradānam. Kṛṣṇa would bring the sons from a place from which no one returns (sva-dhāmataḥ). This shows his complete independence. After (paścāt) killing Pauṇḍraka he would burn Kāśī. I will also see other pastimes such as your weddings to many queens simultaneously and giving mercy to Śrīdāmā. govinda-bhuja-guptāyāṁ dvāravatyāṁ kurūdvaha avātsīn nārado 'bhīkṣṇaṁ kṛṣṇopāsana-lālasaḥ O best of the Kurus! Eager to engage in the worship of Kṛṣṇa, Nārada Muni stayed constantly in Dvārakā, which was always protected by the arms of Govinda. SB 11.2.1 In describing these pastimes, Nārada implies “Oh! I am so fortunate! And how merciful you are!”

Śrīdhara Svāmī Gauḍīya
Commentary

The word ca means api (even) and indicates that for certain all of the demons will be killed. I will see them all killed. This indicates his skill in revealing knowledge. Though two other wrestlers, Śala and Toṣaka, were killed, the plural is used (anyān), since killing the chief wrestlers all others were equivalent of being dead. Or because they were the best among the best, they are counted as all of them. “How can all of them be killed at once?” O Lord, you are capable of doing everything (prabho)! Or “Why must this be done so quickly?” O Lord, you are the lord the Yadus! You must do this to help the devotees. The list of demons killed is not given in chronological order. They are listed only to ask for the Lord’s assistance. I will see others like Mura killed also. (verse 16) I will see you marry the daughters of kṣatriyas or the daughters of heroes among kṣatriays (vīra-kanyānām). Or O hero (vīra) you will marry daughters because of your heroism. Thus you pay a dowry of defeating and stealing away with a show of valor (vīya-śukla). Ādi indicates that some such as the wives of Kāliya simply offered themselves with bhakti. You will free Nṛga from his sin, when he unknowingly took cows from a brāhmaṇa. Another version has śapāt (from a curse). However, the word curse is not used in describing the event later, concerning a sage. This happened near Dvārakā, where the lizard had fallen in the well and was saved by Kṛṣṇa, who came out of the city to rescue him. O lord of the universe! You show your powers such as riding on Garuḍā when Indra comes there. (verse 17) Seeing the form of the Lord when he went to Mahākālapura, the brāhmaṇa attained liberation. This is described in Bhāgavatāmṛta. It will also be described in the text later. (verse 18) Later, after the killing of Pauṇḍraka, Śiśupāla would be killed at Yudhiṣṭhira’s sacrifice. (verse 19) yāni cānyāni vīryāṇi dvārakām āvasan bhavān kartā drakṣyāmy ahaṁ tāni geyāni kavibhir bhuvi These astonishing activities will be suitable to sing or will be sung by Vyāsa and others. I will see activities like simultaneously your marrying many wives and giving mercy to Śrīdāmā. govinda-bhuja-guptāyāṁ dvāravatyāṁ kurūdvaha avātsīn nārado 'bhīkṣṇaṁ kṛṣṇopāsana-lālasaḥ O best of the Kurus! Eager to engage in the worship of Kṛṣṇa, Nārada Muni stayed constantly in Dvārakā, which was always protected by the arms of Govinda. SB 11.2.1 Ah (aho)! I am so fortunate to see this, and this is the greatness of your mercy.

Related values
Anahankarah (Freedom from False Ego)Kshama (Forgiveness / Patience)Asteya (Non-stealing / Honesty)Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness)
Related verses
Nārada previews the deaths of Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika, Kuvalayāpīḍa, Kaṁsa, Kālayavana, Mura, Naraka, the conch demon, Kṛṣṇa's pārijāta theft, defeat of Indra, and many royal marriages. Devotees can rejoice in advance — the script ends in the Lord's victory.
Reflection Questions
  • Could rehearsing the ending of Kṛṣṇa's pastimes steady you in the middle of your own?
  • What worry would shrink if you genuinely knew how the bigger story ends?

Nārada unrolls a scroll of the future like a herald reading the king's itinerary: in two days, the wrestlers; then Kālayavana, Mura, Naraka; then the pārijāta; then the brides; then Nṛga, Syamantaka, the brāhmaṇa's son; then Pauṇḍraka, Kāśī, Dantavakra, Śiśupāla. The deeds have not happened yet, but for the devotee who sees with Kṛṣṇa's eye they are already sung.

Nārada as forward-narrator of Canto 10

These six verses are the Bhāgavatam's table of contents for the rest of Canto 10 and into Canto 11. Every pastime Nārada names — Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika (10.43-44), the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa (10.43), Kaṁsa (10.44), Kālayavana (10.51), Mura and Naraka (10.59), Nṛga (10.64), Syamantaka (10.56), the brāhmaṇa's son (10.45 and 10.89), Pauṇḍraka and Kāśī (10.66), Dantavakra (10.78), Śiśupāla at the Rājasūya (10.74) — is fulfilled in chapters to come.

Gauḍīyas note Nārada is doing exactly what the kavis will later do — geyāni kavibhiḥ bhuvi, sung by poets on earth — but he sings them before they happen. The devotee's vision is not bound by time.

Kavibhiḥ bhuvi — Vyāsa's own self-reference

When Nārada says these deeds will be 'sung by poets on earth,' he is, in a self-aware Bhāgavatam moment, gesturing at Vyāsa — his own disciple — who will compose the Bhāgavatam precisely to sing them. Nārada gives Vyāsa his life's assignment inside the very text Vyāsa is writing.

Gauḍīyas read this recursion as evidence that the Bhāgavatam is bhāgavata-pravara-paramparā: Nārada to Vyāsa to Śuka to Parīkṣit to us.

📝 My note

← Read full Chapter 37