Garga Bhagavatham : Vrindavan Khanda - Chapter 23

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The war between Kamsa and Shankhachuda and their ensuing treaty; Slaying of Shankhachuda by Sri Krishna.   

Sri Narada says:- King! Thereafter Sri Krishna along with the maidens of Vraj went to Lohajanghvan which was replete with meshes of the creepers of Madhavi and other flowers that bloom in Vasantha ritu (spring season). Sri Krishna decorated the plaits of all the girls with garlands of flowers that were there, which were beautiful and very sweet smelling. He moved around the place on the banks of Yamuna, which was reveberating with the sound of humming bees. Moving around Sri Krishna reached the dense

Mahapunyavan forest, which was full of trees such as kareel, peeloo, shyam tamaal, taal, and others. There listening to His praise, sung by Sri Radha and other gopikas, Sri Hari started the Raas dance. At that time being surrounded by the girls who were singing His praise, Sri Hari resembled Indra who was surrounded by Apsaras praising him.

      King! There, a strange incident occurred, listen to it from me. There was a very strong demigod called Shankhachud, who was the valet of Kubera. On this earth, there was no other warrior equal to him in fighting with a mace. One day, hearing from me about the great strength of Kamsa, the son of Ugrasena, the impetuous and chivalrous demigod, Shankhachud came to Mathura from his place of residence, carrying his iron mace which was weighing one lakh tons. That intoxicated brave demigod came to the court of Kamsa and challenged him, who was seated on a throne and said " I have heard that you are a stalwart who has won all the three worlds, hence give me a chance to fight with you, using the mace. If you win, I will immediately become your slave." King! Saying 'so be it', and carrying a huge mace, Kamsa started fighting with Shankhacud, in a war field. The noise created by the maces in the attack and counter-attack between the two of them sounded like that of thunder and lightning at the time of pralaya (total annihilation). On the battlefield, the fight between the two was akin to two large elephants or two ferocious lions fighting with each other. In the quest of winning, the two were fighting so fiercely that sparks of fire were flying from their maces and both the maces were broken into pieces. Kamsa, with his fist, punched the enraged demigod, then Shankhachud also attacked Kamsa with his fist. This kind of fight between the two went on for twenty-seven days. The power of both did not decrease even a little bit. Both of them were surprised by each other's strengths. Then King of Demons, Kamsa suddenly caught hold of Shankhachud and threw him up into the sky and he went up to a distance of hundred yojanas. When Shankhachud fell back on to the earth with great force, he was a little bit disoriented, even then, he caught hold of Kamsa and threw him up into the sky up to a distance of ten thousand yojanas. Kamsa was also a little shocked when he fell back on to the earth. Then he caught the demigod and banged him against the earth. Then Shankhachud also caught Kamsa and banged him on the earth. The whole earth started shaking because of this fierce fighting. In the middle of all this, the all-knowing saint 'Gargacharya' himself came there. Seeing Garga Muni on the battlefield, both of them prostrated in front of him. Then Garga told Kamsa in an emphatic voice thus.

 

Sri Garga said:- Rajendra! Do not fight. No good result will come out of this fight. This very strong Shankhachud is equal to you in power. By your punch, the king of elephants Airavat fell on his knees on the earth and fainted. And many demons have died because of your punches, but Shankhachud could not be broken. There is no doubt that you cannot win over him. Listen to the reason for this. Just like, The Complete(paripoornatam) Bhagawan is going to slay you, in the same way, HE is also going to kill Shankhachud, who became so powerful by the boon granted to him by Lord Shiva. Hence, Son of Yadu! You have to be friendly with Shankhachud. Then he told Shankachud, "Demigod! You also must be friendly with Kamsa!"

 

Sri Narada says:- King! Listening to Sri Gargacharya's words, Shankhachud and Kamsa met each other and became great friends. Thereafter, Shankhachud took leave of Kamsa and started back to his home. On the way, at night time he reached Raasmandal and he heard the melodious singing with rhythmic drum beats and sweet tunes (ragas). Then he saw the king of Raas, Sri Krishna along with the Queen of Raas. Sri Krishna's left hand was looking graceful on Sri Radha's shoulder. As they liked they were standing with their right legs crossed. With a flute in the hand, they were having a sweet smile on their lips. They had enamored crores of Kamadevas in the universe. The beloved of the group of Vraj beauties, God of Vraj, Sri Krishna was being fanned by crores of fans. Thinking that HE was a tender child, Shankhachud thought of carrying off the gopikas 

 

Bahulashwa asked:- Vipravar! You know everything about the past and the future, tell me what happened in Raasmandal when Shankhachud came there?

 

Sri Narada said:- Shankhachud's face like that of a tiger and the color of his body was utterly back. He was as tall as ten palm trees. Licking his jaws with his tongue he was looking very horrifying. Seeing him, the gopikas were very scared and started running in all directions. Because of this, there was a great commotion. In this way, there was a great outcry in Raasmandal. That lustful and wicked demigod caught the gopi beauty named, Shatachandranana and without any fear or hesitation ran away in the northern direction. Shatahandranana filled with terror called out "Krishna Krishna" and began weeping. Seeing this Sri Krishna, being greatly angered, took a spinach tree in His hand ran behind them. Seeing dreadful Sri Krishna like death, chasing him the Yaksha got very scared and left Chandranana behind and ran to save his own life. Where ever the most wicked Shankhachud went, Sri Krishna followed him with spinach tree in His hand, very angrily.

     King! Reaching Himalayan mountain, the Yaksha king also pulled out a tree and stood in front of Him with an intention of fighting. Baghawan with the strength of His hands hit Shankhachud with the tree. By that attack, Shankhachud fell on the earth as a tree falls in a hurricane. Shankhachud got up again and punched Baghawan Sri Krishna with his fists. After hitting, the wicked Yaksha roared, the sound of which spread in all directions. Then Sri Hari caught him with both hands and with the strength of His hands swirled him and hit him against the ground like the wind blows away a withered lotus. Shankhachud also cought hold od Sri Krishna and banged Him on the ground. When the fight like this was going on all the world shook. Then Sri Krishna separated the head of Shankhachud from his body and took away the CHUDAMANI just like a pious gets a fortune from somewhere. King! From the body of Shankhachud, a broad brightness emerged which brightened the whole universe and merged into the body of Sri Krishna's friend Sreedama. In this way after slaying Shankhachud, Baghwan Madhusudan carrying the pearl in His hand quickly returned to Raasmandal. Lover of the needy, Sri Hari gave that chudamani to Shatachandranana and again started the Raas with all the gopikas.

 

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