Garga Bhagavatham : Maadhurya khanda - Chapter 20

  

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Slaying of Pralambasura by Baladeva and Past life description of demon Pralambasura

     Sri Narada says:- King! In this manner after listening to the thousand names of Yamuna, Maandatha, the crown jewel of valor paid obeisances to sage Sowbhari and went away to Ayodhya. Thus I have described the holy history of Gopikas to you which purifies everyone from all sins and is very holy. Now tell me, what more do you want to hear.

   Bahulashwa said:- Great One!  I have listened to the wonderful description of the history of the Gopikas from You. I also listened to the almanac of the Yamuna, which destroys even the greatest of sins. Please enlighten me on the other attractive pastimes of the real Lord of Golok Bhagawan Sri Krishna along with Sri Balaram.

 Sri Narada Says:- King!  One day Sri Krishna, along with Balaram and other cowherd boys was grazing their cows in Bhandeer forest on the banks of Yamuna and were playing boyish games. Here one boy would pretend to be a horse and another boy would ride on him. At that time, a demon named Pralamb, who was sent by Kamsa came there. He assumed the form of a cowherd boy and started playing with them. Other boys could not recognize him but he could not escape from the eyes of Sri Krishna. In that game, the loser had to carry the winner on his back. However, when Balaram won no other boy was prepared to carry him. At that time the demon Pralamb, disguised as a cowherd, asked Balaram to climb onto his back and carried him to the banks of Yamuna. There was a point up to which the boy had to carry the winner and let him climb down. But even after reaching that point, the demon Pralamb did not let Balaram get down and tried to carry him away to Mathura. The demon assumed the form like fearful black clouds and grew very large like a mountain. Sitting on the back of the demon, the lovely ear studs that Balaram was wearing were dangling just as if the moon was shining in the sky. Looking at that demon, the strong Balaram was enraged. He thumped on the demon's head with his fist, just as if Indra had hit a mountain with His diamond mace. That demon's skull was broken into fragments just like the mountain that was hit by Indra's weapon. The entire earth was shaken at the impact. From the body of the demon, a bright glow emanated and merged into the body of Sri Balaram. At that instant, the demigods showered flowers on Balaram. King of Kings! The victory was hailed on the earth as well in the skies.

King! I have thus described in detail the awesome history of Sri Balaram, now what else do you want to hear?

 Bahulashwa asked:- Sage! who was the wicked demon Pralamb in his previous birth and why did he attain salvation at the hands of  Sri Balaram?

Sri Narada said:- King! Kubera who was the king of Yakshas (the spirits who protect nature) had planted many kinds of flowers in his beautiful garden for the sake of worshipping God Shiva. He had arranged for many Yakshas to take care of the flowers. Despite this, some people were plucking flowers from that serene garden. Enraged by this the powerful King Kubera had cursed that any Yaksha or Devas or anyone else who plucks flowers from this garden will become a demon on the earth. One day the son of demigod Huhu named "Vijay"  was roaming in the holy places carrying a veena (musical instrument) in his hand and singing in praise of Lord Vishnu. On the way, he reached the Chaitravan of Kubera. The unfortunate demigod did not know of the curse, hence he took some flowers from the garden. Immediately, he lost his original form and became a demon. He at once surrendered to the great king Kubera and prostrated before him and begged for his pardon. With folded hands, he begged to be released from the curse. Then Kubera was pleased and blessed him saying " You are a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu and you are a peaceful and pious person. Hence, do not feel sad. At the end of Dwapara age, in the Bhandeer forest on the banks of Yamuna, you will attain salvation at the hands of Balaram. There is no doubt this"

Sri Narada said:- King! That son of Huhu named Vijay became the demon Pralamb and by the grace of Kubera, he attained salvation.                      

 

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