kṛṣṇa-advent (i)

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam
=Bhāgavata-Purāṇa [Kṛṣṇa/Bhakti-bible]

Canto 10 Chapter 1
The Advent of Lord Krishna: Introduction

The honorable king said: 

(1-3) Your Lordship extensively described both the dynasties of the kings of the sun god and the moon god, as also the most wonderful deeds of their members. Please describe to us the heroic acts of Lord Vishnu, who [together with Balaram] appeared as an incarnation in [two] different parts in the line of the most dharmic and virtuous Yadus whom you also described to us, oh best of the munis. Be so kind to tell us all about the actions of the Supreme Lord, the Soul of the Universe, the Cause of the Manifestation, after He descended in the Yadu dynasty.

(4) [Parampara] Listening to the pleasing vibrations of the glorification of the Lord praised in the verses, constitutes the proper medicine for the mind to be released from the material disease of its desires. Unless he is a killer of animals, a person by listening to and voicing such descriptions can become free.

(5-7) My grandfathers [the Pandavas] in the past, when they on the battlefield were fighting with imperishable warriors like Bhishma and other great commanders who were like timingilas [shark-swallowers], crossed in the boat that He is as easily the so very difficult to overcome ocean of Kaurava soldiers as one steps over a calf's hoof print. This body of mine, the only seed left of the Kurus and Pandavas, was scorched by Ashvatthama's weapon when I resided in the womb of my mother, but was by Him holding the chakra in His hand protected because she sought His protection. Oh man of learning, please describe the glories of the Lord who by His own potency appeared as a normal human being, of the Giver of Death and Eternal Life so one says, He who is manifesting in physical forms bound to Time, of Him the Original Person who is present both inside and outside of all the embodied beings.

(8) We know from you about Balarama [Krishna's elder brother], who is Sankarshana [Shesha], that He is the son of Rohini [Krishna's wife]. How could He without assuming another body be connected with the womb of Devaki [sister of Kamse (tyrant of Mathura) and mother of Krishna]?

(9) Why did Mukunda [=Krishna, Mukti or Moksha-giver], the Supreme Lord, move from the house of His father to the house of Nanda [cousin of King Vasudeva, Krishna's father] in Vraja [=Vrindavan] and where did He, the Master of the devotees, live with His relatives?

(10) What did He do when He lived in Vraja, and when He resided in the city of Mathura? Why did He, the killer of Keshi, kill His uncle Kamsa, His mother's brother? Was that not something contrary to the scriptures?

(11) For how many years did He who assumed a human body, live with the Vrishnis [clan of Krishna's father] and how long did He live in the city of Dwaraka? How many wives did the Master have?

(12) Oh sage, you know everything. You are the one to tell us about Lord Krishna's activities. Please describe this all in detail to me so full of faith and surrender, and everything there is more to say.

(13) Now that I drink the nectar of the talks about the Lord that emanate from your lotus mouth, it is not even difficult to bear the hunger or my forsaking of water.