The Slaying of Shalya

King Parikshit listened with deep attention. Then he asked, “I heard from you about the peace of Dwarakapur, Acharyadev. But what does it mean that Dwarka was peaceful? Was there peace in other places of the world too? Was there no conflict anywhere?”

Shukadeva Goswami replied, “There are two kinds of conflict, King. One is open conflict. The other is inner conflict. Until an attack comes from outside, the fire burning inside cannot really be understood.”

Parikshit leaned forward. “Was such a field of conflict being prepared, Lord?”

“Yes, King,” said Shuka. “The ground was being prepared for a greater conflict. But, Parikshit, I am not speaking of Kurukshetra. You know those stories of your ancestors. I am speaking of the fear of Jarasandha. Jarasandha was now preparing to attack Dwarka. No—knowing that he would not be able to do that, Krishna had made a safe kingdom surrounded by the sea. Besides, Jarasandha did not look upon Krishna’s kingdom with much respect. Rather, he had made an even greater plan. Jarasandha wanted to establish his rule over all the kingdoms of the world.”

Parikshit asked, “How was that possible, Lord? Were all the other kings of the world weak? If so, why did they not form an alliance?”

Shukadeva said, “Did he let them unite? Jarasandha’s prison was the largest and darkest prison in the world. In every kingdom that he conquered, Jarasandha threw the kings into his own prison. He gave no one any chance. In this way, one day that prison became filled with the great and small rulers of the earth.”

“How terrible,” Parikshit said. “What did he want to do with these kings? Was it only to seize their kingdoms?”

“No, Parikshit. He had a desire even more terrible than that. Jarasandha wanted to sacrifice these kings. He had taken a vow that when the number of captive kings reached one thousand, he would offer them as a sacrifice to his chosen deity, Mahadev.”

Parikshit was shocked. “What a disaster! But why? What was the reason for such horrible cruelty, Lord?”

“He wanted to become immortal,” Shuka answered. “He believed that if he worshipped Shiva with the heads of one thousand kings, he would become immortal.”

“Then what happened, O sage?”

“One day the captive kings came to know of this hidden desire of Jarasandha. But who would rescue them from the hand of the greatest warrior in the world? They became deeply troubled by this thought. As they thought and thought, only one name came to their minds—Vasudeva Krishna. They knew with all their heart that no one except Krishna could do this impossible task. So one day, in great secrecy, the kings sent a messenger to Krishna.”

The messenger came to Dwarka and stood in Krishna’s royal court.

With folded hands he said, “Hundred crores of salutations at the feet of Lord Shri Krishna.”

Krishna said gently, “May good come to you, O messenger. From where have you come, and whose message have you brought?”

The messenger bowed again. “Lord, when King Jarasandha set out to conquer all directions, many kings of many lands refused to accept his rule. Jarasandha captured all those kings by force and threw them into prison. Since then they have remained imprisoned there. Under Jarasandha’s cruelty, their lives have become unbearable. I have come to you on their behalf.”

Krishna said, “Yes, messenger. I have heard of their misfortune. But tell me in detail what kind of help they expect from me.”

The messenger spoke with emotion. “Lord, all those kings have sent you a message together. This is that message—O Krishna, we know that you are the Lord of the universe himself. You have come to this earth to punish the wicked and protect creation. Though Jarasandha lost to you seventeen times in battle, after winning the last time he has become very proud. We are your devotees and followers. Knowing this, he and his allied kings keep tormenting us in many ways. He is greatly sinful. He has the strength of a hundred elephants. We are nothing before him. Lord, we have taken refuge in you. You always give fearlessness to those who come to your shelter. Please rescue us from here. Free us from this serpent noose. Give us your darshan, Lord.”

Krishna’s face became grave. “Truly, Jarasandha has become too proud. He moves about bringing harm to the earth. Very well. Since the captive kings wish it, I shall free them. You may tell them this.”

The messenger bowed low. “Salutations, O Vasudeva. Victory be yours.”

While Krishna and the messenger were speaking, Maharshi Narada suddenly arrived there.

As soon as Krishna saw him, he rose from his seat. Everyone in the court also stood up. Krishna greeted Narada with honor and respect, seated him properly, and then asked, “Devarshi, I hope all news of the three worlds is well. Since you always travel through the three worlds, it is a great benefit to me. Sitting here in Dwarka, I receive all news from you. In the three worlds created by God, there is nothing unknown to you. Please tell me, are all the Pandavas well?”

Narada smiled and said, “O Lord, you are all-knowing, greatly wise, endless. There is nothing in this world hidden from you. Still, when the Creator himself asks me for news of his creation, then let me say this—Yudhishthira is planning to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice. Through that sacrifice he wishes to worship you. Please give your consent, Lord.”

Then another thought arose in the court, and someone said with humility, “Forgive my boldness, Vasudeva. But is it not your first duty to help the messenger who has come to ask for aid on behalf of the captive kings?”

Krishna replied, “Very well, then let us ask Uddhava what he thinks on this matter. There is no one here wiser than he.”

“Very well,” came the answer. “Let it be so.”

Krishna turned to Uddhava and said, “Uddhava, you are my most trusted well-wisher. Your judgment and sense of duty are greater than all of ours. Tell me, what should we do now? We shall act according to your words.”

Shukadeva said to Parikshit, “Uddhava was a great devotee of Shri Krishna. So Krishna asked him for advice.”

Parikshit said, “Yes, King, he did?”

Shukadeva answered, “Because Uddhava’s wisdom, foresight, and good judgment were greater than anyone else’s. Krishna knew this. Parikshit, a true ruler is one who discusses with others and then makes his decision. Krishna did exactly that. For any advice, he depended on Uddhava. Though Uddhava was his devotee, Vasudeva himself honored Uddhava’s judgment in this way.”

Then Uddhava spoke without doubt. “Lord, I think Devarshi Narada’s advice should be accepted. It is necessary for you to attend the Pandavas’ Rajasuya sacrifice. It cannot be denied that protecting one who has taken shelter is the first duty of the protector. But this matter needs thought. To make the Rajasuya sacrifice successful, the ten directions must be conquered. And to gain that victory, Jarasandha must be defeated. Therefore, in both these matters—freeing the kings and succeeding in the Rajasuya sacrifice—the defeat of Jarasandha is necessary.”

Krishna nodded. “You have spoken rightly, Uddhava. But what may be the way to defeat Jarasandha? Advise us on that as well.”

Uddhava replied, “Lord, you know that the mighty King Jarasandha has the strength of one hundred thousand elephants. Great heroic kings could not defeat him. Everyone’s power has failed before his strength. In this case, only the second Pandava, Bhimasena, can defeat him, because only he is equal to Jarasandha in strength. But if Jarasandha enters battle with his vast army, it will be impossible to stop him. There is another way. King Jarasandha is deeply devoted to Brahmins. If a Brahmin asks him for something, he does not refuse. If Bhimasena, dressed as a Brahmin, asks Jarasandha for a duel, he will surely agree to single combat. And, Lord, if that battle happens in your presence, Bhimasena will certainly be able to kill Jarasandha. Then the captive kings can easily be freed and sent back to their own kingdoms.”

Parikshit asked, “Did Krishna agree to free these captive kings only because he heard their prayer?”

Shukadeva replied, “Krishna never turns away anyone who comes to his shelter, King. Besides, Jarasandha’s pot of sin had become full. Now his death was necessary. So after hearing Uddhava’s proposal, Krishna said to everyone, ‘Uddhava’s proposal seems completely acceptable to me. Now I wish to know what all of you think.’”

The men of the court answered, “Let it be as you wish, Vasudeva.”

Another said, “Lord, there can be no better way than the one Uddhava has suggested.”

And another added, “Then, Lord, you should leave for Indraprastha soon.”

Krishna said, “Very well. Then let us take the permission of father Vasudeva and the other elders and begin preparations for the journey.”

Krishna then called Daruka and told him to prepare his chariot.

After taking the permission of King Ugrasena and Balarama, he mounted his own chariot bearing the Garuda flag and set out on the road to Indraprastha. With him went Krishna’s thousands of wives, including Rukmini, and his children.

Before leaving, Krishna said to the messenger of the captive kings, “O messenger, you may return. The freedom of the kings is near. I wish for their welfare in every way. I will surely arrange their release by killing Jarasandha.”

Reassured by Krishna’s words, the messenger returned to Girivraja, the capital of Jarasandha, and gave Krishna’s message to the captive kings. On receiving that message, the kings saw a new light of hope. Longing to see Krishna and hoping to gain freedom from prison, they began to count the days.

Then Parikshit asked, “By which road did Krishna go to Hastinapur, Acharyadev?”

Shukadeva said, “Krishna traveled toward Indraprastha through Anarta, Sauvira, Marudesh, and Kurukshetra. On the way he crossed the rivers Shri Sarsvati and Sarasvati, passed through Panchala and Matsya, and reached the city of Indraprastha. On hearing the news of his arrival, Maharaj Yudhishthira became greatly joyful and came out of the city with everyone to receive him.”

Parikshit said, “After going to Indraprastha, what happened in the Rajasuya sacrifice, you have already told me all that in detail, Acharyadev.”

“Yes, Parikshit,” said Shuka. “And how Bhimasena killed Jarasandha, and how Shishupala was slain by Krishna’s Sudarshan, those events are not unknown to you either.”

Parikshit bowed his head and said, “Acharyadev, I remember all the events of my ancestors. But I have heard that besides Jarasandha, Rukmi, and Shishupala, Krishna had many other enemies too. Tell me also how he subdued those enemies, O sage.”

Shukadeva said, “Very well. Then listen to the story of Shalya, Parikshit. Shalya was a friend of Shishupala. He had an aerial vehicle called Saubha. Such a vehicle was very rare on earth, so Shalya was very proud in his heart.”

Parikshit said, “If he was Shishupala’s friend, then Krishna must have been his enemy.”

“Yes, King,” replied Shukadeva. “Shallu had come to Rukmini’s wedding as Shishupala’s companion. When the Yadavas defeated Jarasandha, he was among the defeated. Then, standing before the allied kings, he made a vow, ‘I will take revenge for the insult to my friend Shishupala. I alone will wipe out the Yadava clan from this earth. Now everyone will see my power.’”

“After making this vow,” Shukadeva continued, “Shallu began worshipping Lord Shiva. All day he took only a handful of ashes.”

Parikshit was astonished. “Only a handful of ashes? How long did he do penance like this, Acharyadev? After how many days did Lord Shiva appear to him?”

Shukadeva said, “When Lord Shiva learned of Shalva’s severe penance, he was pleased, and after one year he appeared before him and told him to ask for a boon.”

Lord Shiva said, “Break your penance, Shallya. I am pleased with your very hard austerity.”

Shalva bowed low. “O Lord of gods, Pashupatinath, you answered my call and gave me your darshan. What great fortune is mine! Hundred crores of salutations at your feet.”

“Child,” said Shiva, “ask me for any one boon.”

Shalva said, “O Lord, give me such an aerial vehicle that gods, demons, gandharvas, humans, nagas, and rakshasas all will find impossible to break through, and let that vehicle be able to go everywhere.”

Shiva asked, “Very well, anything else?”

Shalva added, “And let that vehicle be terrible for the Yadavas. Let it spread fear among them.”

“So be it,” Lord Shiva said.

After that, by Shiva’s command, Maya Danava made such a vehicle out of iron. Its name was Saubha.

Parikshit asked, “What was special about that vehicle, Acharyadev?”

Shukadeva answered, “Parikshit, that vehicle was as huge as a city in size. But it stayed covered in darkness. It could not be seen, and it could not be caught. According to the pilot’s command, that vehicle could go everywhere.”

“O sage,” Parikshit asked, “how did Shalya begin fighting with the Yadavas with the Saubha vehicle?”

Shukadeva replied, “It needed only one push. Parikshit, Shalva had hatred for the Vrishni clan. Besides, by then he had also learned that Shishupala had been killed by Krishna. These two things pushed him to attack Dwarka. Shalya surrounded Dwarka from all sides with his great army. In their attack, the city gates, house doors, royal palaces, towers, walls—everything began to break and collapse. That Saubha vehicle kept attacking Dwarka again and again.”

Parikshit said anxiously, “O Lord, then there must have been complete chaos all over the city. What did the people of Dwarka do then?”

Shukadeva said, “At that time Pradyumna saw that the people were restless and miserable with fear. He mounted his chariot and, giving courage to the people, told them to remain calm. Following Pradyumna, Akrura, Kritavarma, Gada, Samba, Sarana, and other great heroes of the Yadava clan came forward with soldiers and forces. A fierce battle began between the Yadavas and Shalya’s army. Pradyumna alone killed hundreds of soldiers.”

Parikshit asked, “O sage, Shalya was in the Saubha vehicle, and that vehicle remained invisible. Then how did Pradyumna attack Shalya?”

“You are right,” said Shukadeva. “It was very hard to attack that vehicle, King. Sometimes it could be seen, and sometimes it vanished. Sometimes it came down to the ground, and sometimes it rose to the peak of a mountain. Its movement was like a whirling, bottomless wheel. Not for a moment did it stay still anywhere. But the Yadava heroes were great archers, so by their constant shower of arrows, Shalya’s army and the Saubha vehicle were all destroyed. Even the brave Shalya himself fell unconscious inside the vehicle.”

Parikshit asked, “Acharyadev, could Shalya’s soldiers do no harm to the Yadava army?”

“King,” said Shuka, “under the repeated attacks of Shalya’s soldiers, the Yadava army began to suffer greatly. Still, they did not leave the battlefield. Now Shalya’s minister Dyuman was very powerful. First he shot twenty-five arrows together at Pradyumna. Then he struck him violently with his mace and, thinking that Pradyumna had been badly hurt, he became joyful.”

Parikshit said, “Did Pradyumna really get hurt, Acharyadev?”

“Yes, King,” replied Shukadeva. “By the blow of that mace, Pradyumna’s chest was badly torn, and he lost consciousness.”

“Then how did he regain consciousness?”

“The son of Krishna’s charioteer Daruka was the charioteer of Pradyumna’s chariot. Seeing Pradyumna in that condition, he did his duty as a charioteer and took Pradyumna away from the battlefield. But after a short time Pradyumna regained consciousness and said to the charioteer, ‘O charioteer, you have done a great wrong. Alas, why did you bring me away from the battlefield?’”

The charioteer answered, “‘I have only done my duty, Lord. You had lost consciousness on the chariot. So I brought you to this lonely place.’”

Pradyumna said in pain and anger, “‘No one in our family has ever fled from the battlefield while still alive. You have dishonored me. In truth, you are weak. You are a coward. How will I now stand before my father Krishna and my uncle Balarama? What answer shall I give them?’”

The charioteer said humbly, “‘Lord, be calm. I am your charioteer. I did this for your good, Lord.’”

But Pradyumna replied, “‘In trying to help me, you have only harmed my honor. Now my brothers’ wives will all mock me. They will call me weak. They will say I failed to show bravery in battle and was defeated by my enemy. Bringing me away from the battlefield like this is your unforgivable crime.’”

The charioteer answered with folded hands, “‘O Lord, I only did my duty as a charioteer. According to the law of battle, in danger the charioteer protects the warrior and the warrior protects the charioteer. You had fallen unconscious from the enemy’s mace blow. You were in grave danger. So, so I had to act, Lord.’”

Pradyumna then said, “‘Charioteer, take me back to Dyuman. I will stand before him again.’”

After saying this, Pradyumna became calm. He put on his armor again.

At that time Dyuman was destroying the Yadava army. Gada, Satyaki, and other Yadava heroes were also busy destroying the enemy army. A terrible battle was going on between Shalya’s army and the Yadava forces.

Parikshit asked, “Acharyadev, where was Krishna then? Had he still not returned from Indraprastha?”

“No, Parikshit,” said Shukadeva. “Krishna was still staying in Indraprastha. Though the Rajasuya sacrifice had ended and Shishupala had already been killed, while staying there Krishna saw some terrible evil signs. So at once, after taking the permission of the Kuru elders, the sages present there, Kunti, and the Pandavas, he returned to Dwarka. On the way he began to think, ‘I and elder brother Balarama had gone together to Indraprastha. Dwarakapuri had become unprotected. Surely the Kshatriyas who support Shishupala have attacked my Dwarakapuri.’”

Parikshit said, “The Lord is all-knowing and lives in every heart. So he understood beforehand about the attack on Dwarka. But when he reached there, how did he handle that attack?”

Shukadeva replied, “King, when Krishna reached Dwarka and saw that the Yadavas were truly facing terrible danger, he gave the duty of protecting the city to his elder brother Balarama. Then, seeing Shalya riding in the Saubha vehicle, he said to his charioteer Daruka, ‘Daruka, take my chariot at once to Shalya. Shalya may use illusion. But do not be afraid of that.’”

Krishna’s chariot bore the Garuda mark on its banner. As soon as it entered the battlefield, the soldiers of both the Yadava and Shalya sides recognized it.

The moment Shalya saw Krishna coming toward him, he threw a special powerful weapon at Daruka. But midway Krishna shattered it with his own arrow and made it useless.

Parikshit asked, “Then what happened, Acharyadev? How did Shalya fight with the Lord?”

Shukadeva said, “At that time a strange event took place, King. Krishna was attacking Shalya, and Shalya was striking back. Then suddenly one of Shalya’s arrows hit Krishna’s left arm. In that hand was the Sharnga bow. By the force of the arrow, that bow slipped from Krishna’s hand. Everyone cried out in alarm.”

Then Shallu shouted to Krishna, “O foolish Krishna, before my very eyes you carried away the wife of my friend and brother-like Shishupala. Again, in the middle of the assembly, you killed him when he was off guard. You think you are unconquerable, do you? Come, come before me. Today I will teach you defeat. You will die by my hand. This is your fate.”

Krishna said, “O foolish one, wasting words like this is not the mark of a hero. You do not even understand that death itself is standing at your bedside. If you are a true hero, then show your bravery without speaking, just as I am doing now.”

As he said this, Krishna swiftly struck Shalya in the ribs with his mace. At once Shalya began to tremble and vomit blood. A little later that mace returned to Krishna’s hand. Then Shalya suddenly disappeared from before Krishna.

Parikshit asked in wonder, “He disappeared? Where did Shalya go after becoming invisible, Acharyadev?”

“Krishna could not understand that,” said Shukadeva. “But a little later a man came, bowed to Krishna, and said, ‘Hundred crores of salutations at your feet, Lord. Your mother Devaki has sent me. She has given you the message that just as a butcher ties up an animal and takes it away, in the same way Shalya has tied up your father and taken him away from Dwarakapuri.’”

Krishna said, “How could that be possible? When invincible mighty-armed elder brother Balarama is always standing guard, and even gods or demons cannot match his strength, what power did Shalya have to defeat him and carry away my father?”

Parikshit at once asked, “Did Shalya really defeat Balarama and carry away Vasudeva, O sage?”

“No, King,” Shukadeva replied. “All this was really illusion. The moment Krishna expressed doubt about the truth of the event, at once Shalya by illusion created a man like Shri Vasudeva and, bringing him along, appeared before Krishna and said, ‘O fool, here is your father, the one because of whom you saw the light of this world. Today, before your eyes, I will put out all light from his eyes. I will kill him now. If you have the power, then come and save him.’ Saying this, Shalya cut off the head of that illusory Vasudeva with his sword, took that head, and flew quickly into the sky in the Saubha vehicle.”

Parikshit cried out, “What, Acharyadev! Such a terrible thing happened before Krishna’s eyes, and still he did nothing?”

Shukadeva answered, “Parikshit, Krishna was fully wise and noble. Yet, out of love for his father, at first he became stunned like an ordinary man and sank in sorrow. But in the very next moment, when his awareness returned, he understood that this was nothing but the highest demonic illusion of Shalya. By then the messenger said to have come from mother Devaki, and the body and head of his father, had all disappeared into the air.”

“Then did Krishna prepare to kill Shalya?”

“Yes, Parikshit. Shalya did not understand that it was impossible to bind all-knowing Krishna, who is himself the supreme reality, in such delusion. Thinking that Krishna had become broken with grief for his father, Shalyu happily began to shower weapons on him. Then Krishna shot arrows and cut Shalya’s armor, bow, and jewel from his head, and wounded him.”

Parikshit asked, “And what about that Saubha vehicle? Riding on that, Shalya could have resisted Krishna’s attack.”

“Krishna closed that path too,” said Shukadeva. “With a blow of his mace he smashed that vehicle into pieces. The vehicle began to fall at great speed from the sky toward the sea. Realizing this, Shalya jumped down from the vehicle to the ground with his mace in hand and rushed at Krishna with great force.”

“So what did Krishna do then, Acharyadev?”

“Krishna was then ready to kill Shallu. In his hand was the radiant and wonderfully beautiful Sudarshan chakra, bright like the sun. At his command it cut off Shalya’s head along with his crown and earrings. At this event the soldiers on Shalya’s side cried out in sorrow. And on the other side, the gods began to beat their heavenly drums in the sky and sing praises of Krishna.”

Parikshit asked, “Acharyadev, after Shalya was killed, were the allies of Shishupala frightened? Did they become quiet?”

Shukadeva replied, “No, Parikshit. It was still not over. On hearing of the deaths of Shishupala, Shalya, and Paundraka, the foolish Dantavakra came alone on foot to the battlefield to repay the debt of friendship to them.”

Parikshit asked, “Was he also very powerful? Did he fight Krishna alone?”

“He was so strong,” Shukadeva said, “that the whole earth trembled under the weight of his steps. Holding his mace, he advanced toward Krishna with great force. Seeing that, Krishna took up his own mace and got down from the chariot. Just as an elephant-driver drives an elephant with a goad, Dantavakra struck Krishna on the head with his mace and roared like a lion.”

Parikshit cried, “What, Acharyadev! Krishna was struck on the head with a mace. What happened to him then?”

“Nothing happened to Krishna,” Shukadeva said calmly. “Calmly, he lifted his Kaumodaki mace and struck Dantavakra hard on the chest. With that one blow, Dantavakra vomited blood, fell to the ground, and lost his life.”

Parikshit asked, “After that, what happened, Acharyadev? Was anyone else left?”

“Dantavakra’s brother was Viduratha,” Shukadeva answered. “On hearing the news of his brother’s death, he came in anger with shield and sword to kill Krishna. Krishna cut off his head too with the Sudarshan chakra. After that, the gods, yakshas, kinnaras, nagas, apsaras, and all others together began to praise Krishna and shower flowers upon him from the sky.”

Parikshit said softly, “Ah, the play of the Lord of the universe is endless. In his acting in human form, he cannot be fully understood by human senses. Yet in the end, in every place and in every state, he always remains victory itself. Tell me more of Krishna, O sage.”

Shukadeva said, “Once Balarama heard that Duryodhana and the other Kauravas were preparing for war with the Pandavas. But he loved both the Kauravas and the Pandavas very much. So it was not possible for him to take either side. Therefore, to remain neutral, he left Dwarka in the name of going on a pilgrimage.”

Parikshit asked, “After leaving Dwarka, where did he go on pilgrimage?”

Shukadeva replied, “First he went from Dwarka to Prabhasa. After bathing there and feeding Brahmins, he took a few Brahmins with him and traveled upstream along the Sarasvati river. Then, after visiting all the holy places on the banks of the Ganga and Yamuna, he entered Naimisharanya.”

“Who was there, O sage?”

“Parikshit, at that time great sages had gathered there. When they saw Balarama coming, they rose from their seats, welcomed him, and worshipped him. When all that was over, Balarama saw that Romaharshana, though born in the Suta caste and a disciple of Vyasa, was sitting on a high seat as a speaker. He had not welcomed Balarama in any way, nor had he folded his hands in respect. At such behavior Balarama became very angry and said to him, ‘This Romaharshana, though of mixed birth, sits on a high seat and insults great Brahmins and protectors of dharma like me. This evil-minded man deserves immediate death. He has studied history, Puranas, philosophy, and other subjects as Vyasa’s disciple, but he has no control over his mind. This proud man thinks himself a great scholar. It is to punish those who wear the signs of religion but do not practice it that I have come to this earth in avatar form.’”

Though Balarama had decided that during his pilgrimage he would not kill anyone, still he became so angry at Romaharshana’s conduct that he struck him with the tip of a blade of kusha grass in his hand. By that blow Romaharshana died.

Then the sages present there cried out in sorrow and said to Balarama, “Lord, Lord, what have you done? Lord, this is a great wrong on your part. O best of the Yadus, we ourselves had seated this Suta on a place fit for a Brahmin, and we had granted him a life free from suffering, because he used to recite the Puranas to us and explain their meaning. Without knowing this, you have committed a sin equal to killing a Brahmin. We know that you come as an avatar and purify everyone. But we humbly pray that if, in this case, you willingly perform the atonement for this Brahmin-killing, then it will remain as a lesson for people.”

Balarama said, “Very well. As you say, for the teaching of people I shall surely perform the atonement for this Brahmin-killing. Please arrange whatever is the highest rule for it.”

The sages said, “O Balarama, please take such a step that your power of arms and honor remain unbroken, and that the boon given by us also remains true.”

Balarama answered, “O sages, according to the Vedas, the soul is reborn as the son. Therefore, in place of Romaharshana, his son will recite the Puranas to you. I grant him long life, strength of senses, and power. Besides this, can I fulfill any other wish of yours? Tell me, O sages.”

The sages then said, “Lord, the son of the demon Ilvala, named Balvala, has become very terrible. Every time we sit to hear the Purana, he comes and defiles our sacrifice ground.”

Balarama asked, “Defiles it? How does he do that?”

They replied, “He brings blood, stool, liquor, meat, and other filthy things from different places and throws them over us. Save us from the hands of this sinful being. That alone will be your great help to us. After that, travel with single-minded devotion to holy places and bathe there for twelve months while circling Bharata. By that your purification will be complete.”

Balarama said, “As you say, O sages, so I shall do.”

Then that day came when the sages sat for their recitation. The demon Balvala came with a violent dust storm, sending many impure things flying and dropping them in the sacrificial place. After this went on for some time, the storm stopped. Then Balvala himself appeared with a trident in his hand.

Parikshit asked, “What did that terrible demon look like, Acharyadev?”

Shukadeva said, “His huge body looked like a heap of coal, with long rough hair on his head, his whole face covered with thick beard, and from his large round eyes it seemed as if fire was always pouring out.”

Parikshit asked, “Did Balarama alone stop such a terrible demon?”

Shukadeva replied, “Balarama hooked that sky-roaming demon with his plough and pulled him close. Then in great anger he struck his head with the pestle. The demon’s head was crushed by that blow, and blood began to flow. After that, the demon fell to the ground and gave up his life.”

Parikshit said, “Surely then those sages were pleased with Balarama.”

“Of course, King,” said Shukadeva. “Not only that, the sages of Naimisharanya praised and worshipped Balarama, gave him many divine weapons and ornaments, and placed the wonderfully beautiful Vaijayanti garland around his neck.”

Then the sage grew quiet for a moment and said with reverence, “How endless is the glory of the Lord! Without thinking of his own image, he keeps teaching us again and again that in times of danger, protecting whatever dharma needs to be protected is a person’s highest duty. That is why he is one and without equal. In justice and in love he is equally impartial. Otherwise, could the world-honored hero, before everyone, become lost in tender love for his dear one, O King? No, he could not.”