śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; duryodhana-sutām — the daughter of Duryodhana; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); lakṣmaṇām — named Lakṣmaṇā; samitim-jayaḥ — victorious in battle; svayaṁvara — in her svayaṁvara ceremony; sthām — situated; aharat — stole; sāmbaḥ — Sāmba; jāmbavatī-sutaḥ — the son of Jāmbavatī.

kauravāḥ — the Kurus; kupitāḥ — angered; ūcuḥ — said; durvinītaḥ — ill-behaved; ayam — this; arbhakaḥ — boy; kadarthī-kṛtya — insulting; naḥ — us; kanyām — the maiden; akāmām — unwilling; aharat — has taken; balāt — by force.

badhnīta — arrest; imam — him; durvinītam — ill-behaved; kim — what; kariṣyanti — will they do; vṛṣṇayaḥ — the Vṛṣṇis; ye — who; asmat — of us; prasāda — by the grace; upacitām — acquired; dattām — bestowed; naḥ — our; bhuñjate — are enjoying; mahīm — the land.

nigṛhītam — captured; sutam — their son; śrutvā — hearing; yadi — if; eṣyanti — they will come; iha — here; vṛṣṇayaḥ — the Vṛṣṇis; bhagna — broken; darpāḥ — whose pride; śamam — pacification; yānti — they will attain; prāṇāḥ — the senses; iva — as; su — properly; saṁyatāḥ — brought under control.

iti — saying this; karṇaḥ śalaḥ bhūriḥ — Karṇa, Śala and Bhūri (Saumadatti); yajñaketuḥ suyodhanaḥ — Yajñaketu (Bhūriśravā) and Duryodhana; sāmbam — against Sāmba; ārebhire — they set out; yoddhum — to fight; kuru-vṛddha — by the elder of the Kurus (Bhīṣma); anumoditāḥ — sanctioned.

dṛṣṭvā — seeing; anudhāvataḥ — who were rushing toward him; sāmbaḥ — Sāmba; dhārtarāṣṭrān — the followers of Dhṛtarāṣṭra; mahārathaḥ — the great chariot-fighter; pragṛhya — seizing; ruciram — beautiful; cāpam — his bow; tasthau — he stood; siṁhaḥ — a lion; iva — like; ekalaḥ — all alone.

tam — him; te — they; jighṛkṣavaḥ — determined to capture; kruddhāḥ — angry; tiṣṭha tiṣṭha iti — “Stand there! Stand there!”; bhāṣiṇaḥ — saying; āsādya — confronting; dhanvinaḥ — the bowmen; bāṇaiḥ — with their arrows; karṇa-agraṇyaḥ — those headed by Karna; samākiran — showered him.

saḥ — he; apaviddhaḥ — unjustly attacked; kuru-śreṣṭha — O best of the Kurus (Parīkṣit Mahārāja); kurubhiḥ — by the Kurus; yadu-nandanaḥ — the dear son of the Yadu dynasty; na amṛṣyat — did not tolerate; tat — it; acintya — of the inconceivable Lord, Kṛṣṇa; arbhaḥ — the child; siṁhaḥ — a lion; kṣudra — insignificant; mṛgaiḥ — by animals; iva — as.

visphūrjya — twanging; ruciram — attractive; cāpam — his bow; sarvān — all of them; vivyādha — he pierced; sāyakaiḥ — with his arrows; karṇa-ādīn — Karṇa and the others; ṣaṭ — six; rathān — the chariots; vīraḥ — the hero, Sāmba; tāvadbhiḥ — with as many; yugapat — simultaneously; pṛthak — each individually; caturbhiḥ — with four (arrows); caturaḥ — the four; vāhān — horses (of each chariot); eka-ekena — with one each; ca — and; sārathīn — the chariot drivers; rathinaḥ — the warriors commanding the chariots; ca — and; mahā-iṣu-āsān — great bowmen; tasya — his; tat — that; te — they; abhyapūjayan — honored.

tam — him; tu — but; te — they; viratham — deprived of his chariot; cakruḥ — made; catvāraḥ — four; caturaḥ — four of them; hayān — horses; ekaḥ — one; tu — and; sārathim — the chariot driver; jaghne — struck; cicheda — split; anyaḥ — another; śara-asanam — his bow.

tam — him; baddhvā — binding up; virathī-kṛtya — having deprived him of his chariot; kṛcchreṇa — with difficulty; kuravaḥ — the Kurus; yudhi — in the fight; kumāram — the young boy; svasya — their own; kanyām — girl; ca — and; sva-puram — their city; jayinaḥ — victorious; aviśan — entered.

tat — this; śrutvā — hearing; nārada — of Nārada Muni; uktena — through the statements; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); sañjāta — awakened; manyavaḥ — whose anger; kurūn — the Kurus; prati — against; udyamam — preparations for war; cakruḥ — they made; ugrasena — by King Ugrasena; pracoditāḥ — urged on.

sāntvayitvā — calming; tu — but; tān — them; rāmaḥ — Lord Balarāma; sannaddhān — suited in armor; vṛṣṇi-puṅgavān — the heroes of the Vṛṣṇi dynasty; na aicchat — He did not want; kurūṇām vṛṣṇīnām — between the Kurus and the Vṛṣṇis; kalim — a quarrel; kali — of the age of quarrel; mala — the contamination; apahaḥ — He who removes; jagāma — He went; hāstina-puram — to Hastināpura; rathena — with His chariot; āditya — (like) the sun; varcasā — whose effulgence; brāhmaṇaiḥ — by brāhmaṇas; kula — of the family; vṛddhaiḥ — by elders; ca — and; vṛtaḥ — surrounded; candraḥ — the moon; iva — as; grahaiḥ — by the seven planets.

gatvā — going; gajāhvayam — to Hastināpura; rāmaḥ — Lord Balarāma; bāhya — outside; upavanam — in a garden; āsthitaḥ — He stayed; uddhavam — Uddhava; preṣayām āsa — He sent; dhṛtarāṣṭram — about Dhṛtarāṣṭra; bubhutsayā — desiring to find out.

saḥ — he, Uddhava; abhivandya — offering respects; ambikā-putram — to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the son of Ambikā; bhīṣmam droṇam ca — to Bhīṣma and Droṇa; bāhlikam duryodhanam ca — and to Bāhlika and Duryodhana; vidhi-vat — according to scriptural injunctions; rāmam — Lord Balarāma; āgatam — has arrived; abravīt — he said.

te — they; ati — extremely; prītāḥ — pleased; tam — Him; ākarṇya — hearing; prāptam — arrived; rāmam — Balarāma; suhṛt-tamam — their dearest friend; tam — him, Uddhava; arcayitvā — after worshiping; abhiyayuḥ — went forth; sarve — all of them; maṅgala — auspicious offerings; pāṇayaḥ — in their hands.

tam — Him; saṅgamya — going up to; yathā — as; nyāyam — proper; gām — cows; arghyam — arghya water; ca — and; nyavedayan — they presented; teṣām — among them; ye — those who; tat — His; prabhāva — power; jñāḥ — knowing; praṇemuḥ — they bowed down; śirasā — with their heads; balam — to Lord Balarāma.

bandhūn — their relatives; kuśalinaḥ — doing well; śrutvā — hearing; pṛṣṭvā — inquiring; śivam — about their welfare; anāmayam — and health; parasparam — among one another; atha u — thereupon; rāmaḥ — Lord Balarāma; babhāṣe — spoke; aviklavam — forthrightly; vacaḥ — words.

ugrasenaḥ — King Ugrasena; kṣita — of the earth; īśa — of rulers; īśaḥ — the ruler; yat — what; vaḥ — of you; ājñāpayat — has demanded; prabhuḥ — our master; tat — that; avyagra-dhiyaḥ — with undivided attention; śrutvā — hearing; kurudhvam — you should do; avilambitam — without delay.

yat — that; yūyam — all of you; bahavaḥ — being many; tu — but; ekam — one person; jitvā — defeating; adharmeṇa — against religious principles; dhārmikam — one who follows religious principles; abadhnīta — you bound up; atha — even so; tat — that; mṛṣye — I am tolerating; bandhūnām — among relatives; aikya — for unity; kāmyayā — with the desire.

vīrya — with potency; śaurya — courage; bala — and strength; unnaddham — filled; ātma — to His own; śakti — power; samam — appropriate; vacaḥ — the words; kuravaḥ — the Kauravas; baladevasya — of Lord Baladeva; niśamya — hearing; ūcuḥ — they spoke; prakopitāḥ — angered.

aho — oh; mahat — great; citram — wonder; idam — this; kāla — of time; gatyā — by the movement; duratyayā — unavoidable; ārurakṣati — wants to climb on top; upānat — a shoe; vai — indeed; śiraḥ — the head; mukuṭa — with a crown; sevitam — ornamented.

ete — these; yaunena — by marital relation; sambaddhāḥ — connected; saha — sharing; śayyā — beds; āsana — seats; aśanāḥ — and meals; vṛṣṇayaḥ — the Vṛṣṇis; tulyatām — to equality; nītāḥ — brought; asmat — by us; datta — given; nṛpa-āsanāḥ — whose thrones.

cāmara — of yak-tail hair; vyajane — pair of fans; śaṅkham — conchshell; ātapatram — umbrella; ca — and; pāṇḍuram — white; kirīṭam — crown; āsanam — throne; śayyām — royal bed; bhuñjate — they enjoy; asmat — by our; upekṣayā — overlooking.

alam — enough; yadūnām — for the Yadus; nara-deva — of kings; lāñchanaiḥ — with the symbols; dātuḥ — for the giver; pratīpaiḥ — adverse; phaṇinām — for snakes; iva — just like; amṛtam — nectar; ye — who; asmat — our; prasāda — by the grace; upacitāḥ — made prosperous; hi — indeed; yādavāḥ — the Yadus; ājñāpayanti — are ordering; adya — now; gata-trapāḥ — having lost shame; bata — indeed.

katham — how; indraḥ — Lord Indra; api — even; kurubhiḥ — by the Kurus; bhīṣma-droṇa-arjuna-ādibhiḥ — Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Arjuna and others; adattam — not given; avarundhīta — would usurp; siṁha — by a lion; grastam — that which has been seized; iva — as; uraṇaḥ — a sheep.

śrī-bādarāyaniḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; janma — of birth; bandhu — and relationships; śrīyā — by the opulences; unnaddha — made great; madāḥ — whose intoxication; te — they; bharata-ṛṣabha — O best of the descendants of Bharata; āśrāvya — making hear; rāmam — Lord Balarāma; durvācyam — their harsh words; asabhyāḥ — rude men; puram — the city; āviśan — entered.

dṛṣṭvā — seeing; kurūṇām — of the Kurus; dauḥśīlyam — the bad character; śrutvā — hearing; avācyāni — words not to be spoken; ca — and; acyutaḥ — infallible Lord Balarāma; avocat — He said; kopa — with anger; saṁrabdhaḥ — enraged; duṣprekṣyaḥ — difficult to look at; prahasan — laughing; muhuḥ — repeatedly.

nūnam — certainly; nānā — by various; mada — by passions; unnaddhāḥ — puffed up; śāntim — peace; na icchanti — they do not desire; asādhavaḥ — scoundrels; teṣām — their; hi — indeed; praśamaḥ — pacification; daṇḍaḥ — physical punishment; paśūnām — for animals; laguḍaḥ — a stick; yathā — as.

aho — ah; yadūn — the Yadus; su-saṁrabdhān — boiling with rage; kṛṣṇam — Kṛṣṇa; ca — also; kupitam — angry; śanaiḥ — gradually; sāntvayitvā — having calmed; aham — I; eteṣām — for these (Kauravas); śamam — peace; icchan — desiring; iha — here; āgataḥ — came; te ime — those very ones (the Kurus); manda-matayaḥ — dull-headed; kalaha — to quarrel; abhiratāḥ — addicted; khalāḥ — wicked; tam — Him; mām — Myself; avajñāya — disrespecting; muhuḥ — repeatedly; durbhāṣān — harsh words; māninaḥ — being conceited; abruvan — they have spoken.

na — not; ugrasenaḥ — King Ugrasena; kila — indeed; vibhuḥ — fit to command; bhoja-vṛṣṇi-andhaka — of the Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; īśvaraḥ — the lord; śakra-ādayaḥ — Indra and other demigods; loka — of planets; pālāḥ — the rulers; yasya — of whose; ādeśa — orders; anuvartinaḥ — followers.

sudharmā — Sudharmā, the royal council-chamber of heaven; ākramyate — occupies; yena — by whom (Lord Kṛṣṇa); pārijātaḥ — known as pārijāta; amara — of the immortal demigods; aṅghripaḥ — the tree; ānīya — being brought; bhujyate — is enjoyed; saḥ asau — that same person; na — not; kila — indeed; adhyāsana — an elevated seat; arhaṇaḥ — deserving.

yasya — whose; pāda-yugam — two feet; sākṣāt — herself; śrīḥ — the goddess of fortune; upāste — worships; akhila — of the whole universe; īśvarī — the ruler; saḥ — He; na arhati — does not deserve; kila — indeed; śrī-īśaḥ — the master of the goddess of fortune; nara-deva — of a human king; paricchadān — the paraphernalia.

yasya — whose; aṅghri — of the feet; paṅkaja — lotuslike; rajaḥ — the dust; akhila — of all; loka — worlds; pālaiḥ — by the rulers; mauli — on their helmets; uttamaiḥ — exalted; dhṛtam — held; upāsita — worshipable; tīrtha — of holy places; tīrtham — the source of holiness; brahmā — Lord Brahmā; bhavaḥ — Lord Śiva; aham — I; api — also; yasya — whose; kalāḥ — portions; kalāyāḥ — of a portion; śrīḥ — the goddess of fortune; ca — also; udvahema — carry carefully; ciram — constantly; asya — His; nṛpa-āsanam — king’s throne; kva — where.

bhuñjate — they enjoy; kurubhiḥ — by the Kurus; dattam — granted; bhū — of land; khaṇḍam — a limited parcel; vṛṣṇayaḥ — the Vṛṣṇis; kila — indeed; upānahaḥ — shoes; kila — indeed; vayam — we; svayam — themselves; tu — however; kuravaḥ — the Kurus; śiraḥ — the head.

aho — ah; aiśvarya — with their ruling power; mattānām — of those who are mad; mattānām — of those who are physically intoxicated; iva — as if; māninām — who are proud; asambaddhāḥ — incoherent and absurd; giraḥ — words; rukṣāḥ — harsh; kaḥ — who; saheta — can tolerate; anuśāsītā — commander.

adya — today; niṣkauravāṁ — devoid of Kauravas; pṛthvīm — the earth; kariṣyāmi — I shall make; iti — thus speaking; amarṣitaḥ — angry; gṛhītvā — taking; halam — His plow; uttasthau — He stood; dahan — burning; iva — as if; jagat — the worlds; trayam — three.

lāṅgala — of His plow; agreṇa — with the tip; nagaram — the city; udvidārya — tearing up; gajāhvayam — Hastināpura; vicakarṣa — dragged; saḥ — He; gaṅgāyām — in the Ganges; prahariṣyan — about to cast it; amarṣitaḥ — enraged.

jala-yānam — a raft; iva — as if; āghūrṇam — tumbling about; gaṅgāyām — into the Ganges; nagaram — the city; patat — falling; ākṛṣyamāṇam — being dragged; ālokya — seeing; kauravāḥ — the Kauravas; jāta — becoming; sambhramāḥ — excited and bewildered; tam — to Him, Lord Balarāma; eva — indeed; śaraṇam — for shelter; jagmuḥ — they went; sa — with; kuṭumbaḥ — their families; jijīviṣavaḥ — wanting to remain alive; sa — with; lakṣmaṇam — Lakṣmaṇā; puraḥ-kṛtya — placing in front; sāmbam — Sāmba; prāñjalayaḥ — with palms joined in supplication; prabhum — to the Lord.

rāma rāma — O Rāma, Rāma; akhila — of everything; ādhāra — O foundation; prabhāvam — power; na vidāma — we do not know; te — Your; mūḍhānām — of befooled persons; naḥ — us; ku — bad; buddhīnām — whose understanding; kṣantum arhasi — You should please forgive; atikramam — the offense.

sthiti — of maintenance; utpatti — creation; apyayānām — and destruction; tvam — You; ekaḥ — alone; hetuḥ — the cause; nirāśrayaḥ — without any other basis; lokān — the worlds; krīḍanakān — playthings; īśa — O Lord; krīḍataḥ — who are playing; te — Your; vadanti — they say; hi — indeed.

tvam — You; eva — alone; mūrdhni — on Your head; idam — this; ananta — O unlimited one; līlayā — easily, as a pastime; bhū — of the earth; maṇḍalam — the globe; bibharṣi — (You) carry; sahasra-mūrdhan — O thousand-headed Lord; ante — in the end; ca — and; yaḥ — the one who; sva — Your own; ātma — within the body; niruddha — having withdrawn; viśvaḥ — the universe; śeṣe — You lie; advitīyaḥ — without a second; pariśiṣyamāṇaḥ — remaining.

kopaḥ — anger; te — Your; akhila — of everyone; śikṣā — for the instruction; artham — meant; na — not; dveṣāt — out of hatred; na ca — nor; matsarāt — out of envy; bibhrataḥ — of You who are sustaining; bhagavan — O Supreme Lord; sattvam — the mode of goodness; sthiti — maintenance; pālana — and protection; tat-paraḥ — having as its intent.

namaḥ — obeisances; te — to You; sarva — of all; bhūta — beings; ātman — O Soul; sarva — of all; śakti — energies; dhara — O holder; avyaya — O undepletable one; viśva — of the universe; karman — O maker; namaḥ — obeisances; te — to You; astu — let there be; tvām — to You; vayam — we; śaraṇam — for shelter; gatāḥ — have come.

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; evam — thus; prapannaiḥ — by those who were surrendering; saṁvignaiḥ — greatly distressed; vepamāna — shaking; ayanaiḥ — whose place of residence; balaḥ — Lord Balarāma; prasāditaḥ — propitiated; su — very; prasannaḥ — calm and gracious; mā bhaiṣṭa — do not be afraid; iti — thus saying; abhayam — relief from fear; dadau — He gave.

duryodhanaḥ — Duryodhana; pāribarham — as a dowry; kuñjarān — elephants; ṣaṣṭi — sixty; hāyanān — years old; dadau — gave; ca — and; dvādaśa — twelve; śatāni — hundred; ayutāni — tens of thousands; turaṅgamān — horses; rathānām — of chariots; ṣaṭ-sahasrāṇi — six thousand; raukmāṇām — golden; sūrya — (like) the sun; varcasām — whose effulgence; dāsīnām — of maidservants; niṣka — jeweled lockets; kaṇṭthīnām — on whose throats; sahasram — one thousand; duhitṛ — for his daughter; vatsalaḥ — having fatherly affection.

pratigṛhya — accepting; tu — and; tat — that; sarvam — all; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; sātvata — of the Yādavas; ṛṣabhaḥ — the chief; sa — with; sutaḥ — His son; sa — and with; snuṣaḥ — His daughter-in-law; prāyāt — He departed; su-hṛdbhiḥ — by His well-wishers (the Kurus); abhinanditaḥ — bid farewell.

tataḥ — then; praviṣṭaḥ — having entered; sva — His; puram — city; hala-āyudhaḥ — Lord Balarāma, who has a plow weapon; sametya — meeting; bandhūn — His relatives; anurakta — attached to Him; cetasaḥ — whose hearts; śaśaṁsa — He related; sarvam — everything; yadu-puṅgavānām — of the leaders of the Yadus; madhye — in the midst; sabhāyām — of the assembly; kuruṣu — among the Kurus; sva — His own; ceṣṭitam — action.

adya — today; api — even; ca — and; puram — city; hi — indeed; etat — this; sūcayat — showing the signs of; rāma — of Lord Balarāma; vikramam — the prowess; samunnatam — prominently elevated; dakṣiṇataḥ — on the southern side; gaṅgāyām — by the Ganges; anudṛśyate — is seen.