THE FOURTH BOOK Chapter XX On Devakī’s marriage 1-2. Vyāsa said: O Bharata! I now narrate to you about the relief of the burden of the Earth, the destruction by the Yoga Māyā of the armies Kurukṣettra and Prabhāsa, the two sacred places, and about the birth, due to the curse of Bhrigu, of the Bhagavān Hari, of unparalleled prowess,

THE FOURTH BOOK Chapter XXI On the killing of the sons of Devakī 1. Vyāsa said: O King! Thus, in due course, Devakī, the goddess incarnate, being united according to rules with Vāsudeva, became pregnant. 2-4. When full ten months were over, a good-looking and beautiful child (male) was first born to Devakī. Then the good-natured Vāsudeva remembered his promise,

THE FOURTH BOOK Chapter XXII On the part incarnations of the several Devas 1. Janamejaya asked: O grandfather! What bad act did that child commit, that no sooner he was born than he was killed by Kamsa? 2. Especially, Mahāṛṣi Nārada is the best amongst the Munis and foremost amongst the Brahmā-vids (Knowers of Brahmā), always doing virtuous acts, and

THE FOURTH BOOK Chapter XXIII On the birth of Śrī Kṛṣṇa 1-2. Vyāsa said: The six sons of Devakī being thus killed by Kamsa and the seventh womb being miscarried, Kamsa began, when Devakī was pregnant for the eighth time, to think of the cause of his own death as advised by Nārada and watched carefully, day and night, so

THE FOURTH BOOK Chapter XXIV On the stealing away of Pradyumna 1-2. Vyāsa said: On the other hand, there, at the house of Nanda, early in the next morning, commenced the grand birthday festivity. Kamsa came to know, afterwards, by his spies as will as by general rumour, that at Gokula, in the house of Nanda, a very joyous festival

THE FOURTH BOOK Chapter XXV On the Devī’s Highest Supremacy 1. The King said: O Best of Munis! Hearing these sorrows of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the part incarnate of Viṣṇu Bhagavān, I am in doubt on your utterances. 2. Behold! Bhagavān Vāsudeva is the part incarnate of Nārāyaṇa; how could the Asura Śambara steal away His son from the lying-in-chamber! 3.

THE FIFTH BOOK Chapter I On the superiority of Rudra over Viṣṇu 1-5. The Riṣis said: “The great legendary story, the life of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, supremely divine, destructive of all sins, has been narrated by you, O Sūta! But, O Blessed One! You, though highly intelligent, have dwelt on it not at a great length; hence many doubts are cropping

THE FIFTH BOOK Chapter II On the birth of Dānava Mahiṣa 1-2. The king said: “Lord! You have described fully the glory of the Mahā Māyā Yogeśvarī; now describe Her Life and Character; I am very eager to hear them. This whole universe, moving and non-moving, has been created by Mahēśvari; who is there that desires not to hear Her

THE FIFTH BOOK Chapter III On the Daitya armies getting ready 1-14. Vyāsa said: The very powerful Asura Mahiṣa, puffed up with vanity on his getting the boon, obtained sovereignty and brought the whole world under his control! He, being the paramount power, began to protect the sea-girt earth acquired by the power of his own arms, over which he