Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
In Dwaraka, Krishna exhibited His strength by fighting and winning many battles, but in one unique instance, He and Balarama fled from Jarasandha Krishna’s foremost queens were Rukmini and Satyabhama, but He also married 16,100 queens after freeing them from Narakasura. Narada visited Krishna’s 16,108 palaces and was astonished by His daily activities in Dwaraka. Meanwhile, Balarama visited Gokula and enjoyed rasa-lila , and later threatened the Kurus by dragging Hastinapura towards the Yamuna.
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A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
In Dwaraka, Krishna exhibited His strength by fighting and winning many battles, but in one unique instance, He and Balarama fled from Jarasandha Krishna’s foremost queens were Rukmini and Satyabhama, but He also married 16,100 queens after freeing them from Narakasura. Narada visited Krishna’s 16,108 palaces and was astonished by His daily activities in Dwaraka. Meanwhile, Balarama visited Gokula and enjoyed rasa-lila , and later threatened the Kurus by dragging Hastinapura towards the Yamuna.
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Balarama in Vrindavana
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Balarama in Vrindavana
Chapter 65
Balarama went to visit the residents of Vrindavana for two months, consoled them in their separation from Krishna, and performed His own rasa-lila. Once, whilst intoxicated by Varuni, He commanded the Yamuna to come closer so He could bathe in her waters with the gopis . When she refused, Balarama wielded His plow and dragged her, splitting the river into hundreds of tributaries. She then apologised, and Balarama enjoyed sporting in her waters.
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Banasura Defeated
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Banasura Defeated
Chapter 62, 63
Bali Maharaja married Rukmini’s daughter, Charumati, and had a son named Banasura. Banasura was devoted to Siva, and received the benediction that Siva would personally protect his city. With the strength of one thousand arms, his pride swelled and Siva thus predicted his downfall.
Once, Banasura’s daughter, Usa, was having intimate dreams of Aniruddha, the son of Pradyumna. Usa’s maidservant, Chitralekha, identified Aniruddha and brought him there by her mystic power. Usa and Aniruddha united, but when Banasura learned of this he angrily captured that grandson of Krishna. In retaliation, Krishna and Balarama gathered the Yadava armies and attacked Banasura. After an epic duel involving Lord Siva (who had vowed to protect Banasura’s city), all but four of Banasura’s arms were severed and he finally surrendered to Krishna, who spared his life. Usa and Aniruddha were thus brought safely back to Dwaraka.
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Dhama Comparison
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Dhama Comparison
“In Krishna Book, Srila Prabhupada beautifully describes the city of Dwaraka as follows: “Being inquisitive as to how Krishna was managing His household affairs with so many wives, Narada desired to see these pastimes and so set out to visit Krishna’s different homes. When Narada arrived in Dwaraka, he saw that the gardens and parks were full of various flowers of different colours and orchards that were overloaded with a variety of fruits. Beautiful birds were chirping, and peacocks were delightfully crowing. There were tanks and ponds full of blue and red lotus flowers, and some of these sites were filled with varieties of lilies. The lakes were full of nice swans and cranes, whose voices resounded everywhere. In the city there were as many as 900,000 great palaces built of first-class marble, with gates and doors made of silver. The posts of the houses and palaces were bedecked with jewels such as touchstone, sapphires and emeralds, and the floors gave off a beautiful luster. The highways, lanes, streets, crossings and marketplaces were all beautifully decorated. The whole city was full of residential homes, assembly houses and temples, all of different architectural beauty. All of this made Dwaraka a glowing city. The big avenues, crossings, lanes and streets, and also the thresholds of every residential house, were very clean. On both sides of every path there were bushes, and at regular intervals there were large trees that shaded the avenues so that the sunshine would not bother the passersby.”” ( SB 10.69.1-6 )
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Habits of Successful Pilgrims
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Dhama Comparison
Habits of Successful Pilgrims
Sacred sites have to be seen with eyes of devotion. This can be difficult because externally there is heart-wrenching poverty, decrepit infrastructure and widespread pollution. Thus, it is always recommended that one visit holy places in the company of mature devotees of Krishna. They help us to go beyond superficiality and actually see the heart of these places.
The Srimad-Bhagavatam offers further guidance on conducting a successful pilgrimage. In Canto Three , we learn about Vidura, who left the palaces of Hastinapura and set off on a pilgrimage to spiritually nourish himself. Elements of his attitude are described:
“While so traversing the earth, he simply performed duties to please the Supreme Lord Hari. His occupation was pure and independent. He was constantly sanctified by taking his bath in holy places, although he was in the dress of a mendicant and had no hair dressing nor a bed on which to lie. Thus he was always unseen by his various relatives.” (SB 3.1.19)
Independence (vivikta-vrtti) – was not thinking of business, security and maintenance, or disturbed by thoughts of what is happening back home.
Sanctification (apluta) – was eager to be purified by honouring prasadam, bathing in rivers, and associating with Vaisnavas (i.e. not just sightseeing).
Simplicity (adha-sayana) – embraced a life of simplicity, and accepted the austerities of pilgrimage as part of the experience to come closer to God.
Detachment (avadhuta-vesa) – remained aloof to external arrangements and appearance, with a view to shifting the emphasis on internal consciousness.
Unseen (alaksita) – avoided bringing attention to himself, or attracting praise, honour and respect.
Alone (sva) – remained socially aloof and did not travel with others who may disturb him from his spiritual focus.
Vows (vrata) – accepted spiritual vows and commitments that would give him focus on his journey.
Dedication (hari-tosana) – dedicated all his time, energy and efforts toward pleasing Hari.
Anyone who conducts their pilgrimage with such disposition will undoubtedly accrue great spiritual benefits on their journey.
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Spiritual Hubs
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Dhama Comparison
Spiritual Hubs
Places like Dwaraka are not merely historical sites, but living spiritual hubs. In the broad Vedic tradition, followers of sanatana-dharma visit four main places in India, known as the char-dhama. Badrinath in North India, Ramesvaram in South India, Jagannatha Puri in East India, and Dwaraka in West India. For Gaudiya Vaisnavas, Vrindavana, Mayapur and Jagannatha Puri are considered the primary holy places.
Vrindavana is the place where Krishna performed His sweet, youthful pastimes, and revealed the most intimate aspects of His personality while relating to His confidential devotees. Though He externally left Vrindavana, the deeper understanding is that Krishna is ever-present in that land. Mayapur is the landmark of Sri Chaitanya’s appearance and early pastimes. Most notably, it’s the place where the sankirtana movement began, as the Lord gathered thousands of locals in chanting and dancing in pure love of God. Jagannatha Puri is home to the form of the Lord whose dilated eyes reveal His ecstatic remembrance of the gopis of Vrindavana. This is where Sri Chaitanya spent the second half of His life, surrounded by His confidential associates, internally relishing the esoteric emotions of Srimati Radharani. Srila Prabhupada, by his transcendental vision and desire, was able to replicate these places in the western world. He established ‘New Vrindavana,’ ‘New Mayapur,’ ‘New Jagannatha Puri,’ and many other spiritual communities, which remain great sources of spiritual inspiration even today.
Every holy place carries unlimited potential to connect the sincere pilgrim with God. They are extraordinary places brimming with spiritual energy and blessings for all. Elaborate worship takes place in temples that bustle with pilgrims; constant devotional chanting fills the atmosphere at all hours. These are cities that never sleep! The daily sights and sounds remind us of God. Pilgrimages afford us the opportunity to associate with saintly people, help us develop a personal connection with God, and inspire us to go deeper into our spiritual practices. Srila Prabhupada explains that anyone who circumambulates these holy places becomes free from the cycle of repeated birth and death in this material world. In fact, all benefits derived from spiritual activities multiply manifold in these holy places.
Though externally they may not seem to be the same places they were thousands of years ago, spiritually they remain untouched and ever-powerful. The holy dhama is permeated with two energies ( sakti ):
Taraka-sakti – that energy which liberates us from material attachments
Paraka-sakti – that energy which impels and draws us towards Krishna
The dhama also has a covering potency which prevents materialistic persons from perceiving its beauty and sweetness. Only with a humble spirit and sincere desire can one penetrate that covering and access the other two energies.
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The Dwaraka Queens hear Srimad-Bhagavatam
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Dhama Comparison
The Dwaraka Queens hear Srimad-Bhagavatam
After Krishna’s departure from the world, the queens of Dwaraka were feeling deep separation. They came to Vrindavana and took shelter of Vajranabha, Krishna’s great-grandson. There, in the holy dhama , they came across Kalindi, a co-wife of Krishna who seemed to be coping quite well. When they enquired how she dealt with the pain of Krishna’s departure and the subsequent separation, she explained the remedy: “When the gopis were feeling intense separation from Krishna, Uddhava pacified them with His words. So you can also go to Uddhava and request the same.”
Hearing that Uddhava had been granted eternal residence in the Govardhana area, they set off to find him. In the association of Maharaja Pariksit and Vajranabha, and accompanied by a tumultuous kirtan , they arrived at Kusum Sarovar. Uddhava, who looked identical to Krishna, suddenly emerged from the groves. He empathised with the distress of the queens and explained to them that although Krishna had concluded His pastimes and left this world, He could still be seen in another way – through the narrations of Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Uddhava narrated how the Lord had previously imparted the Srimad- Bhagavatam to Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, who each established their own recitals of Bhagavatam. Feeling inspired, Uddhava offered to recite Srimad- Bhagavatam to the queens. First, however, he requested Maharaja Pariksit to keep Kali at bay while the recital was going on. Maharaja Pariksit was happy to serve but disappointed by the fact that he would not be able to hear the narrations himself. Uddhava reassured him that Sukadeva Goswami would recite Srimad-Bhagavatam to him in the near future, and as a result many generations of living entities would also have that privilege too. Vajranabha remained with his mothers, and they all heard the nectarean topics flow from the mouth of Uddhava for one month. Absorbed in that sweet vibration, they became completely mesmerised, disappeared from everyone’s vision, and returned to the Supreme Abode. [ 33 ]
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The Lost City
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Dhama Comparison
The Lost City
“Now due to the brahmanas ’ curse the Yadu dynasty will certainly perish by fighting among themselves; and on the seventh day from today the ocean will rise up and inundate this city of Dwaraka.” ( SB 11.7.3 )
After Krishna completed His pastimes in Dwaraka, the city disappeared below the sea and became invisible to human vision. In recent years, however, the legendary city of Dwaraka has received significant attention from historians, archaeologists and academics. Underwater excavations have revealed the remains of ancient structures, sculptures and artifacts, indicating that the accounts of the Vedic literatures are not merely mythological. Scientific analysis and carbon dating has revealed an incredible correlation between the ancient descriptions of Dwaraka, and the scientific findings of marine archaeologists. Graham Hancock, an author who has produced several documentaries on uncovering ancient civilisations, stated that the evidence was compelling: “There’s a huge chronological problem in this discovery. It means that the whole model of the origins of civilisation with which archaeologists have been working will have to be remade from scratch.”
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Dwaraka Palaces
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Dwaraka Palaces
Chapter 69, 70
Dwaraka, crafted by the celestial architect, Visvakarma, was opulent beyond belief and charming in all respects. After marrying 16,108 princesses, Krishna created an exquisite palace for each one of them. Fascinated by this, Narada Muni personally went to witness Krishna’s daily activities in each palace. When Krishna saw Narada, He heartily welcomed and worshipped the sage. As Narada travelled from palace to palace he was honoured in the same way, and amazed by Krishna’s routine, which resembled that of a perfect, pious householder. Everything from fulfilling family duties, performing religious rituals, and observing social traditions was carefully honoured by the Lord.
One day, news arrived of how Jarasandha had captured and imprisoned thousands of kings. They were pleading for the Lord’s merciful intervention. Simultaneously, Narada arrived with the message that the Pandavas’ were soon performing the Rajasuya sacrifice and requesting Krishna’s presence at the event. Desiring to satisfy both parties, Krishna turned to Uddhava for advice.
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History of Pradyumna
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
History of Pradyumna
Chapter 55
After being burned to death by Rudra’s anger, Kamadeva was reborn as Pradyumna, the son of Krishna and Rukmini. In the maternity room, however, he was kidnapped by the demon Sambara and thrown into the ocean. A fish unexpectedly swallowed Pradyumna, and later that fish was caught and given to Sambara’s cooks. Astonishingly, they found a child in the belly, and gave him to Mayavati. Kamadeva’s previous wife, Rati, was reborn as Mayavati, and was a cook for Sambara. She was actually waiting for her husband to appear in his new body.
Later, she requested Pradyumna to marry her, and advised him to also kill Sambara. Pradyumna did both, and together with his wife went to Dwaraka, where all the inhabitants were enchanted by his beauty. Rukmini was especially overjoyed to be reunited with her son.
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Killing More Demons
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Killing More Demons
Chapter 66, 67
Paundraka : Illusioned by the false praise of others, this proud demon claimed to be the ‘real’ Krishna and audaciously invited the Lord for battle. Krishna journeyed to Kasi, where He found Paundraka who had incredulously imitated the Lord’s external appearance. Krishna laughed at the sight, destroyed his armies, and then cut off the imposter’s head. Kasiraja, a supporter of Paundraka, was also killed.
Sudaksina : Kasiraja’s son, Sudaksina, created a fierce demon to avenge his father’s death. When the demon arrived in Dwaraka, the incredible heat of Krishna’s Sudarshan Chakra drove the demon back to Varanasi, where he killed his own creator, Sudaksina.
Dvivida : This wicked ape was annoyed by Krishna’s killing of Narakasura. In retaliation, he destroyed parts of Anarta (Krishna’s province), and severely harassed the residents. Once, he encountered Balarama enjoying His pastimes, and disturbed the entire ambience with obscene gestures and vulgar behaviour. A fight ensued in which they repeatedly struck each other with uprooted trees, until Balarama eventually killed him.
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Marrying Princesses
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Marrying Princesses
Chapter 58, 59
When Krishna went to meet the Pandavas in Indraprastha (after their incognito exile), they had many loving interactions. During that time, Krishna accepted Kalindi as His wife and brought her back to Dwaraka. Later, Krishna married Mitravinda from Avantipura, Nagnajiti from Ayodhya, Laksmana from Madra and Bhadra from Kaikeya.
Narakasura, also known as Bhaumasura, had created a series of disturbances to the demigods, and Indra thus requested Krishna’s help to kill him. Krishna first decapitated the Mura demon with His Sudarshan Chakra, and then ended the lives of his seven demoniac sons. When He confronted Narakasura, the demon launched a trident attack, but Krishna dodged it and beheaded him as well. Relieved of the burden, Goddess Bhumi profusely thanked Krishna with beautiful poetry.
When the Lord freed the 16,100 imprisoned maidens from Narakasura’s palace, they all desired Him as their husband, so Krishna sent them to Dwaraka. Thereafter, Krishna went to Indraloka to acquire the parijata tree that Satyabhama desired. Despite Krishna’s recent merciful intervention to save Indra from the demons, the demigod wasn’t willing to give that tree, and Krishna had to fight him to secure it! Later, Krishna married the 16,100 princesses and provided each one with a beautiful palace.
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Nriga Delivered
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Nriga Delivered
Chapter 64
Krishna’s son, Samba, once found a lizard in a well and unsuccessfully tried to rescue it. Later, however, by the transcendental touch of Krishna, the lizard transformed into a demigod. The divine being was Nriga, who, in a previous life, accidently donated the cow of one brahmana to another brahmana . Despite offering them both one hundred thousand cows to reclaim that one cow, neither brahmana was willing to relinquish it, and Nriga remained implicated. At death, Yamaraja declared that Nriga would have to live one life as a lizard. Although the punishment was harsh, he was blessed to have an audience with the Lord. Krishna thus highlighted the grave danger in unlawfully claiming a brahmana’s property.
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Rana-Chor Lila
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Rana-Chor Lila
Chapter 52
After transporting the Yadavas to Dwaraka, Krishna returned to Mathura to defeat the formidable army of Yavanas. Just then, the constantly-failing Jarasandha, arrived with yet more soldiers. Krishna made a unique decision to flee the battlefield! He and Balarama climbed to the top of Pravarsana mountain, and Jarasandha ignited a fire all around. The wicked King was convinced They were dead, but in actuality the two brothers bamboozled him by leaping to safety and mystically re-entering Dwaraka. This was yet another playful activity of the Lord, for Jarasandha would be killed in an ingenious way later.
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Rukmini and Krishna
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Rukmini and Krishna
Chapter 52, 53, 54
Relishing the pastimes of Krishna, Maharaja Pariksit eagerly enquired about how Rukmini married Him. Sukadeva Goswami, equally as eager, narrated the dramatic story.
Rukmi had planned for his sister to marry Sisupala. After repeatedly hearing about Krishna, however, Rukmini had given her heart to Him. She immediately sent a love letter requesting Krishna to kidnap her so she could become His first wife. Conquered by Rukmini’s words, Krishna immediately travelled to Vidarbha, where Damaghosa (Sisupala’s father) and Bhismaka (Rukmini’s father) had arranged for the marriage celebrations. Various kings had arrived, poised to fight anyone who attempted to disturb the ceremony. Anticipating some friction, Balarama also arrived there with His armies.
A brahmana messenger arrived on the eve of the wedding and informed Rukmini that Krishna would indeed come. The next day, when Rukmini came out for a customary pre-marriage procession, Krishna expertly kidnapped her. A violent fight ensued, but the heroic Yadavas fended off all attacks and escaped with Rukmini, just as a lion captures its prey even amidst jackals.
Jarasandha consoled Sisupala, but the enraged Rukmi decided to attack Krishna again. His attempt was unsuccessful, and Krishna instead captured the envious Rukmi and prepared to kill him. Rukmini hastily intervened to save her brother, and Krishna concluded the matter by cutting his hair and thus humiliating him. In this way, after a string of dramatic events, Krishna and Rukmini were finally married.
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Rukmini Teased and Rukmi Killed
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Rukmini Teased and Rukmi Killed
Chapter 60, 61
Once, while she was lovingly serving Him, Krishna teased Rukmini and told her she had made a huge mistake by marrying Him. Krishna bluntly submitted that He was deficient in character, qualification and love for her. Hearing these painful words, Rukmini fainted in disbelief, overcome by unhappiness and fear. Seeing her reaction, Krishna immediately pacified her and explained He was only speaking in jest. Rukmini glorified the qualities of Krishna that had captured her mind, and Krishna subsequently expressed His deep appreciation for her.
Krishna’s descendants expanded to thousands when each of His queens had ten sons. In response to Maharaja Pariksit’s enquiry, Sukadeva Goswami explained why Rukmi offered his daughter to Krishna’s son, despite their enmity.
Though Rukmi was inimical to Krishna, his daughter, Rukmavati, wanted to marry Pradyumna (son of Rukmini and Krishna). Since she personally chose him, and Pradyumna valiantly fought off all the opponents, Rukmi acquiesced, and the couple eventually had a son named Aniruddha. Rukmi gave his grand- daughter in marriage to Aniruddha. After that wedding, Balarama and Rukmi played a game of dice, which led to a heated argument and the eventual death of Rukmi. Balarama then took Aniruddha and his wife to Dwaraka.
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Samba’s Marriage
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
Samba’s Marriage
Chapter 68
After Samba had kidnapped Duryodhana’s daughter, Laksmana, the Kaurava armies unfairly captured him and returned to Hastinapura. The Yadavas were ready to attack, but Balarama tried to diffuse the conflict with a peace proposal. Afflicted by deep-rooted pride, the Kauravas rejected it outright, and Balarama fiercely attacked them by dragging Hastinapura toward the Ganges. Terrified, the Kauravas quickly handed over Samba and Laksmana, who were duly married and sent to Dwaraka.
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The Syamantaka Jewel
Canto 10 (Part 2)
A – Astonishing Rule (52-70)
The Syamantaka Jewel
Chapter 56, 57
When Maharaja Pariksit enquired about the Syamantaka Jewel, Sukadeva Goswami narrated further.
King Satrajit had received the Syamantaka jewel from the sun-god. Whoever possessed the jewel was blessed with wealth and wellbeing, and the King had thus installed it in his home in Dwaraka. When Krishna requested him to gift the jewel to Ugrasena, the greedy Satrajit refused.
Once, Satrajit’s brother, Prasena, was travelling with the jewel. He was killed by a lion and stripped of the jewel, and the lion subsequently lost the jewel to Jambavan, who gave it to his son. Unaware of these events, Satrajit incorrectly accused Krishna of killing Prasena and taking the jewel.
Krishna searched out the jewel, found it in Jambavan’s cave, and had a twenty- eight-day fight with that mighty warrior to retrieve it. Jambavan, at heart a devotee, finally accepted Krishna’s supremacy and offered Him the jewel along with his daughter, Jambavati. Krishna then returned to Dwaraka and handed the jewel back to Satrajit. Feeling remorseful, the King handed the jewel back to Krishna and offered his daughter, Satyabhama, in marriage. Krishna happily married his daughter but insisted that Satrajit keep the jewel.
While Krishna was out of Dwaraka, Satadhanva, who was incited by Akrura and Krtavarma, killed Satrajit and stole the jewel. When Krishna returned, He tracked down Satadhanva and killed him, but couldn’t find the jewel since Satadhanva had left it with Akrura. Krishna eventually located it and showed it to His relatives, but then returned the troublesome jewel to Akrura.
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— S.B. Keshava Swami, Book Bhagavata