Part V: The Life of Krishna — Vishnu Purana

All six parts

Krishna

1. Section 1: The death of Kansa announced

   The death of Kansa announced. Earth, oppressed by the Daityas, applies to the gods. They accompany her to Vishnu who promises to give her relief. Kansa imprisons Vasudeva and Devaki. Vishnu's instructions to Yoganidra.

2. Section 2: The conception of Devaki

   The conception of Devaki; her appearance; she is praised by the gods.

3. Section 3: Birth of Krishna, conveyed by Vasudeva to Mathura and exchanged with the new-born daughte…

   Birth of Krishna, conveyed by Vasudeva to Mathura and exchanged with the new-born daughter of Yasoda. Kansa attempts to destroy the latter, who becomes Yoganidra.

4. Section 4: Kansa addresses his friends, announces their danger and orders male children to be put to…

   Kansa addresses his friends, announces their danger and orders male children to be put to death.

5. Section 5: Nanda returns with the infants Krishna and Balarāma to Gokula

   Nanda returns with the infants Krishna and Balarāma to Gokula. Putaua killed by the former. Prayers of Nanda and Yasoda.

6. Section 6: Krishna overturns a wagon

   Krishna overturns a wagon; casts down two trees. The Gopis depart to Vrindavana. Sports of the boys. Description of the season of the rains.

7. Section 7: Krishna combats the serpent Kaliya

   Krishna combats the serpent Kaliya; alarm of his parents and companions; he overcomes the serpent, and is propitiated by him; commands him to depart from the Yamuna river to the ocean.

8. Section 8: The Demon Dhenuka destroyed by Rāma

   The Demon Dhenuka destroyed by Rāma.

9. Section 9: Sports of the boys in the forest

   Sports of the boys in the forest. Prahlamba the Asura comes amongst them; is destroyed by Rāma, at the command of Krishna.

10. Section 10: Description of autumn

    Description of autumn. Krishna dissuades Nanda from worshipping Indra; recommends him and the Gopas to worship cattle and the mountains.

11. Section 11: Indra offended by the loss of his offerings causes heavy rains to deluge Gokula

    Indra offended by the loss of his offerings causes heavy rains to deluge Gokula. Krishna holds up the mountain Gobardhana to shelter the cowherds and their cattle.

12. Section 12: Indra comes to Gokula

    Indra comes to Gokula; praises Krishna and makes him prince over the cattle. Krishna promises to befriend Arjuna.

13. Section 13: Krishna praised by the cowherds

    Krishna praised by the cowherds; his sports with Gopis, their imitation and love of him, The Rasa dance.

14. Section 14: Krishna kills the demon Arishta, in the form of a bull

    Krishna kills the demon Arishta, in the form of a bull.

15. Section 15: Kansa informed by Nārada of the existence of Krishna and Balarāma

    Kansa informed by Nārada of the existence of Krishna and Balarāma; he sends Kesin to destroy them and Akrura to bring them to Mathura.

16. Section 16: Kesin in the form of a horse, slain by Krishna

    Kesin in the form of a horse, slain by Krishna; he is praised by Nārada.

17. Section 17: Akrura's meditation to Krishna, his arrival at Gokula

    Akrura's meditation to Krishna, his arrival at Gokula; his delight at seeing Krishna and his brother.

18. Section 18: Grief of the Gopis on the departure of Krishna and Balarāma with Akrura

    Grief of the Gopis on the departure of Krishna and Balarāma with Akrura; their leaving Gokula. Akrura bathes in the Yamuna; beholds the divine form of the two youths, and praises Vishnu.

19. Section 19: Akrura conveys Krishna and Rāma near to Mathura, leaves them

    Akrura conveys Krishna and Rāma near to Mathura, leaves them; they enter the town. Insolence of Kansa's washerman; Krishna kills him. Civility of a flower-seller; Krishna gives him his benediction.

20. Section 20: Krishna and Balarāma meets Kubja

    Krishna and Balarāma meets Kubja; she is made straight by the former; they proceed to the palace. Krishna breaks a bow intended for a trial of arms. Kansa's orders to his servants. Public games. Krishna and his brother enter the arena; the former wrestles with Chanura, the latter with Mushtika, the king's wrestlers; who are both killed. Krishna attacks and slays Kansa; he and Balarāma do homage to Vasudeva, and Devaki; the former praises Krishna.

21. Section 21: Krishna encourages his parents

    Krishna encourages his parents; places Ugrasena on the throne; becomes the pupil of the Sandipani, whose son he recovers from the sea, he kills the marine demon, Panchajana, and makes a horn of his shell.

22. Section 22: Jarasandha besieges Mathura

    Jarasandha besieges Mathura; is defeated, but repeatedly renews the attack.

23. Section 23: Birth of Kalayavana

    Birth of Kalayavana; he advances against Mathura, Krishna builds Dwārakā and sends thither the Yadava tribe; he leads Kalayavana into the cave of Muchukunda; the latter awakes, consumes the Yavana king, and praises Krishna.

24. Section 24: Muchukunda goes to perform penance, Krishna takes the army and treasures of Kalayavana, a…

    Muchukunda goes to perform penance, Krishna takes the army and treasures of Kalayavana, and repairs with them to Dwārakā. Balarāma visits Vraia; inquires its inhabitants after Krishna.

25. Section 25: Balarāma finds wine in the hollow of a tree and becomes inebriated

    Balarāma finds wine in the hollow of a tree and becomes inebriated; commands the Yamuna to come to him, and on her refusal drags her out of her course; Lakshmi gives him ornaments and a dress; he returns to Dwārakā and marries Revati.

26. Section 26: Krishna carries off Rukmini

    Krishna carries off Rukmini; the princes who come to rescue her repulsed by Balarāma. Rukmin overthrown but spared by Krishna, found Bhojakata. Pradyumna born of Rukmini.

27. Section 27: Pradyumna stolen by Sambara

    Pradyumna stolen by Sambara; thrown into the sea, and swallowed by a fish; found by Mayadevi; he kills Sambara, marries Mayadev, and returns with her to Dwārakā. Joy of Rukmini and Krishna.

28. Section 28: Wives of Krishna, Pradyumna's son Anirudha

    Wives of Krishna, Pradyumna's son Anirudha; nuptials of the latter. Balarāma beat at dice, becomes incensed, and slays Rukmin and others.

29. Section 29: Indra comes to Dwārakā, and reports to Krishna the tyranny of Naraka

    Indra comes to Dwārakā, and reports to Krishna the tyranny of Naraka. Krishna goes to his city, and puts him to death. Earth gives the earrings of Aditi to Krishna and praises him. He liberates the princesses made captive by Naraka, sends them to Dwārakā, and goes to Swarga with Satyabhāmā.

30. Section 30: Krishna restores her earrings to Aditi, and is praised by her

    Krishna restores her earrings to Aditi, and is praised by her; he visits the garden of Indra and at the desire of Satyabhāmā carries off the Pārijāta tree. Sachi excites Indra to its rescue. Conflict between the gods and Krishna, who defeats them. Satyabhāmā derides them. They praise Krishna.

31. Section 31: Krishna with Indra's consent, takes the Pārijāta tree to Dwārakā

    Krishna with Indra's consent, takes the Pārijāta tree to Dwārakā; marries the princesses rescued from Naraka.

32. Section 32: Children of Krishna

    Children of Krishna. Usha the daughter of Bana, sees Aniruddha in a dream, and becomes enamored of him.

33. Section 33: Bana solicits Siva for war

    Bana solicits Siva for war; finds Aniruddha in the palace, and makes him prisoner. Krishna, Balarāma, and Pradyumna come to his rescue. Siva and Skandha aid Bana; the former is disabled; the latter put to flight, Bana encounters Krishna who cuts off all his arms, and is about to put him to death. Siva intercedes and Krishna spares his life. Vishnu and Siva are the same.

34. Section 34: Paundraka, a Vasudeva, assumes the insignia and style of Krishna, supported by the king o…

    Paundraka, a Vasudeva, assumes the insignia and style of Krishna, supported by the king of Kasi. Krishna marches against and destroys them. The son of the king sends a magical being against Krishna; destroyed by his discus, which also sets Benares on fire, and consumes it and its inhabitants.

35. Section 35: Samba carries off the daughter of Duryodhana but is taken prisoner

    Samba carries off the daughter of Duryodhana but is taken prisoner. Balarāma comes to Hastināpur, and demands his liberation; it is refused; in his wrath he drags the city towards him, to throw it into the river. The Kuru chiefs give up Samba and his wife.

36. Section 36: The Asura Dwivida in the form of an ape destroyed by Balarāma

    The Asura Dwivida in the form of an ape destroyed by Balarāma.

37. Section 37: Destruction of Yadavas

    Destruction of Yadavas. Samba and others deceive and ridicule the Rishis. The former bears an iron pestle, it is broken, and thrown into the sea. The Yadavas go to Prabhasa by desire of Krishna; they quarrel and fight and all perish. The great serpent Sesha issues from the mouth of Rāma. Krishna is shot by a hunter, and again becomes one with universal spirit.

38. Section 38: Arjuna comes to Dwārakā, and burns the dead and takes away the surviving inhabitants

    Arjuna comes to Dwārakā, and burns the dead and takes away the surviving inhabitants. Commencement of the Kali age. Shepherds and thieves attack Arjuna and carry off the women and wealth. Arjuna regrets the loss of his prowess to Vyasa; who consoles him and tells him the story of Ashtavakra's cursing the Apsaras. Arjuna and his brothers place Pariskhit on the throne, and go to the forests. End of the fifth book.