Pradyumna (incarnation of Kāmadev/ Sanatkumar)

SLAYING OF DEMON SAMBARA

Sambara ['the juggler' see 7.2: 4-5, 10.36: 36], who could assume any form he wanted, stole the child away that wasn't even ten days old yet. Understanding He was his enemy, threw he Him in the ocean and returned he home. Pradyumna was swallowed by a mighty fish that together with others trapped in a huge net was caught by fishermen. The fishermen presented the amazing fish to S'ambara who sent the gift to the cooks who in the kitchen cut it open with a knife. Seeing a child in its belly it was given to Mâyâvatî to whom being astonished Nârada related the facts about the child its birth and how it had ended up in the belly of the fish. She, who by S'ambara was appointed to prepare rice and vegetables, was in fact Cupid's famous wife named Rati who [after pleading with Lord S'iva being directed to S'ambara] was waiting for her burned husband to attain a new body. Understanding that the infant was Kâmadeva she developed love for the child. Not so long thereafter was He, the son of Krishna, attaining full youth, very enchanting to the women who saw Him. My best, lovingly approached she with a bashful smile, raised eyebrows and glances and gestures of sexual attraction Him, her husband, the most beautiful one in society with His long arms and eyes with the form of a lotus petal. To her said the Supreme Lord in the form of Krishna's own son: 'O mother in your attitude differently acting like a girlfriend you overstep the mood of motherly affection.' You not yet being ten days old were by him, that demon S'ambara, thrown into the ocean where a fish devoured You from the belly of which we saw You appearing here o master! Your poor mother with her son gone, pitiful distressed like a cow without her calf, is being overwhelmed with love for her child crying like an osprey.' Thus speaking gave Mâyâvatî that great soul Pradyumna the mystic knowledge of Mahâmâyâ ['the great bewildering potency'] that puts an end to all deluding spells. You not yet being ten days old were by him, that demon S'ambara, thrown into the ocean where a fish devoured You from the belly of which we saw You appearing here o master! Please put an end to that hard to approach and difficult to conquer enemy of Yours who knows hundreds of magic spells; that You can realize with the help of the bewilderment of magic and such! As He thereupon approached S'ambara for battle, reviled He him with intolerable insults in order to provoke a fight. He offended by the harsh words with his eyes turned red as copper, infuriated like a snake is when struck by a foot, came forward holding a mace. Whirling his club swiftly threw he it at Pradyumna the Great Soul, producing a sound as sharp as a stroke of lightning. It was in its flight by the Supreme Lord with His club knocked away, o King, upon which He angered hurled His own club at His enemy. Harassed by the rain of weapons implemented the powerful warrior, the son of Rukminî, the great charm rooting in goodness which supersedes all magic. The demon then used hundreds of weapons belonging to Kuvera's guardians [Guhyakas], the heavenly singers [Gandharvas], the ogres [Pis'%C3%A2cas], the celestial snakes [Uragas ] and the man-eaters [R%C3%A2kshasas], but the son of Krishna stroke them all down. Drawing His sharp-edged sword severed him with one violent blow S'ambara's head, complete with his helmet, earrings and red mustache from his body. Being showered by the gods from above who of praise scattered flowers, was He by His wife traveling through the sky brought to the city [of Dvârakâ]