English
Vaishampāyana said:—Here the highly energetic Vishnu, a moment after sun rise, went to the Raivataka mountain, under the pretext of hunting, taking up, O descendant of the Kurus, that foremost of men Satyaki on his car and telling Pradyumna "Follow me" (1–2). On having reached the Raivataka mountain, that divine one thus spoke to Dāruka:—"O Daruka, take charge of my chariot and wait here tending and grooming the horses for this half of the day; O foremost of charioteers, I shall re-enter Dwarkā on this very car" (3-4). Having thus delivered his command, that illustrious and intelligent god, of immeasurable prowess, rode on the back of Garuda, being accompanied by Satyaki (5). O descendant of the Kurus, that slayer of his foes Pradyumna followed Krishna from behind on a separate car capable of coursing on hills (6). Within the twinkle of an eye the intelligent Hari arrived at the pleasure park of the gods, the Nandana forest, with a view to carry away the Pārijāta from there (7). There in the garden of gods, the illustrious Adhokshaja saw hosts of celestial warriors, indomitable, courageous and armed with various weapons (8). That refuge of the pious, the mighty Krishna uprooted the Pārijāta tree and placed it on the back of Garuda even before their eyes (9). Thereupon, O Bhārata, the Pārijāta, having embodied itself, approached (with prayer) Kesava and Garuda, that king of birds (10). The tree Pārijāta was consoled by the high souled Kesava and was told—"Do thou not fear, O tree" (11). Then assuring himself that the tree Pārijāta was securely placed (on the bird's back), Adhokshaja began to go round that best of strong-holds, the abode of the gods (12). Meanwhile the keepers of the garden of gods, had run to Mahendra and informed him saying—"that the most excellent of trees, the Pārijāta, is being carried away." (13). Thereupon the subduer of Pāka (Indra) came out mounted on Airāvata being followed from behind by Jayanta on a car (14). Then beholding that slayer of his foes Vāsudeva, who had by that time reached the Eastern gate, Indra said—"O slayer of Madhu, what is this going on" (15). Thereupon Kesava, seated on the back of Garuda, saluted Sakra with his head and said:—"I am only taking away this excellent tree for a ceremonious observance of your sister-in-law" (16). Sakra replied saying,—"O lotus-eyed one, thou shouldst not take away this tree, O infallible one, without challenging me to fight (17). O mighty armed Kesava, deal thou the first blow on me; and let thy promise be fulfilled by your hurling the Koumodaki mace at me" (18). Thereupon, O Bhārata, Krishna began to pierce the excellent elephant of the king of the celestials, with sharp arrows fierce like thunder itself (19). Then with excellent arrows of heavenly make, the wielder of the thunder-bolt began to pierce Garuda; and he soon succeeded in cutting off all the arrows of the light-handed Kesava (20). Mādhava cut off all those arrows which the lord of the gods shot; and smiling, the slayer of Vala and Vritra severed those shot by Mādhava (21). Then, O delighter of the Karus, at the sound of Mahendra's bow and at the twang of the Sranga bow, the inhabitants of heaven swooned away (22). When the fight was thus raging between them the highly powerful Jayanta tried to remove the Pārijāta tree from the back of Garuda (23). Thereupon the slayer of Kansa said to Pradyumna "Prevent him (from taking away the Pārijāta)"; and instantly the highly powerful son of Rukshmini opposed him (firmly) (24). Then Jayanta, seated on his chariot, that foremost of victorious persons, began to pierce with sharp arrows smilingly the son of Rukshmini on all parts of his body (25). The lotus-eyed god Cupid on the other hand, seated on his chariot, pierced the son of Indra, with arrows looking like snakes (26). O delighter of the Karus, then a fierce combat raged between the heroic Jayanta and the son of Rukshmini (27). Then those two mighty heroes, the sons of Upendra and Mahendra, the foremost of the wielders of weapons, used offensive and defensive weapons against each other (28). The gods, the sages, the Siddhas and the Chārnas, all beheld that fierce combat being much struck with wonder (29).