Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 5

SR No.: 001005
Original Sutra Author: Hemchandracharya
Author: Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra
Publication Year: 1962
Total Pages: 507
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Mythology, & Story
File Size: 11 MB

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CHAPTER FIVE and reached the main gate. There two elephants, Padmottara and Campaka, driven by mahouts at Kansa's order, ran toward them. Krşņa killed the elephant Padmottara by pulling out its tusks, by blows with his fist, et cetera; and Balabhadra, like a lion, killed Campaka. They were watched by the townsmen with great astonishment, saying to each other, “These are Nanda's sons who killed Arista and the others.”
Wearing dark blue and yellow garments and garlands of wild flowers, surrounded by herdsmen, both Rāma and Kșşņa went to the arena. There the two brothers, fearless, with their followers sat down on a high platform, after sending away the people who occupied it. Sātvata pointed out to Kṛṣṇa the enemy Kansa and the fathers,179 Samudravijaya and the others, in order of seniority. “Who are they, resembling gods?” debating with each other, the kings and townsmen seated on the platforms, looked at them.
At Kansa's command many wrestlers contended there. Urged by him, Cāņūra got up, as big as a mountain. Roaring like a thunder-cloud and giving slaps with his hands, scorning all the kings, Cāņūra said aloud: “If anyone is the son of a hero and thinks himself a hero, let him, difficult to be suffered, fulfil my confidence in a wrestling contest.” Unable to endure the insolence of Cāņūra swaggering excessively, Kșşņa descended from the platform and, long-armed, slapped his arms. The slaps of Govinda, like the blows of a lion with his tail, shook heaven and earth, as it were, with a loud noise.
“ Cāņūra, a professional pugilist, is superior in age and physique, hard from training, always cruel like a yak. This one is a mere boy, simple, softer than the heart of a lotus from living in the forest, inexperienced. It is not fitting for them to fight. Shame on this improper thing disapproved by every one!” A tumult arose among the people saying this aloud. Then Kansa said in a rage: “ By whom were these herdsmen, intoxicated by drinking milk, brought here? On the contrary,
179 272. I.e., the uncles.