14 
G. A. Grierson —Translation to Manhodli s Ilarihans. [Sp. No. 
his bonds and fetters, and a terribly unequal^ battle took place in 
the water.^ He was a man, but of what avaiF was his valonr ? There 
were a hundred serpents there, how many could he seize ? (Yet) 
conquering he stood upon the middle"^ snake, and fixed his feet as firmly 
as a thunderbolt. (45) Nanda and his family saw this with joy, and for a 
short space they (saw) a ndcli gratis.^ As (Krishna) danced (upon the 
snakes) he so pounded them that from every hood the blood flowed (in 
torrents). The mass of blood flowed away at once, and the Yamuna 
ceased to be that river and became the Saraswati.^ The serpent’s wife 
humbly speaks a word, “ 0, thon who bearest the conch-shell in thine 
hand, grant me my husband as a gift. It is forbidden to slay^ one who 
hath taken refuge with thee. In his ignorance,^ a great sin hath been 
(committed by my husband). (50) How great is the difference^ between 
the mighty Lord of great power and pride, and a miserable evil-minded 
serpent.” Hearing this Hari became gracious, and Kali Naga began to 
address him. “ Pardon, pardon. Lord of Lakshmi, my sin. Pnllyi® have 
I committed a fault. Seize not me who have taken refuge with thee. I 
have now no poison. Give me an order and I will perform it. In fear 
of Garnda I live in this place. I go nowhere, and bear great sorrows.” 
(Krishnathen said to him), (55) “when Garnda shall see (the marks of) 
my feet (upon thy head) he shall forget his enmity, and count thee as his 
friend. Now no longer canst thon live^^ here, with thy family^^ go 
thon to the Ocean.” After saluting (Krishna) thereupon all the snakes 
of that pool, as many (in fact) as were in the Yamuna, departed. With 
his family he went to the Ocean, and then that pool became pleasant. 
^ is an unequally matclied battle, as Opposed to ST'W, in which 
the parties are equally matched. 
^ loc.-of 
^ Lit. ‘ how much valour could he perform.’ 
is oblique of 
lit. ‘ without cowries,’ hence ‘ free of expense,’ ‘ gratis.’ 
Vj ‘ ’ 
lit. ‘escaped’. The water of the Saraswati is red. 
is long form of ‘ slaughter.’ 
8 for ^ 10- is the instr. (governed by 
of the verbal noun of \/ 3IT^, ‘know. 
9 Lit. ‘ where is the great Lord, and whore the snake,’ cf. the Skr. use of the 
particle 
«fc ‘ fliterally = 
n ^ means of livelihood,’ ‘ profession,’ 
12 ‘family.’ 
