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Shishupaal Vadh is a classic Sanskrit poetry of 8th century poet Maagh. It is an epic poem of 20 Sarg (Adhyaaya or chapters or canto) and 1,800 highly ornate stanzas. It is considered onr of the six Mahaa Kaavya (epics). It is also known as Maagh Kaavya on its author's name. Like other Kaavya, it is admired more for its exquisite descriptions and lyrical quality than for any dramatic development of plot. Its 19th chapter is noted for verbal gymnastics and wordplay.

Its Contents
Its story has been taken from the great epic Mahaabhaarat. Shishupaal had had clashed previously with Krishn many times, such as when Krishn eloped with Rukminee who was betrothed to Shishupaal. He defeated the combined armies of Shishupaal and Rukminee's brother Rukmee.

When the story begins, Sage Naarad reminds Krishn that while he had previously (in the form of Narasinh) killed Hiranyakashyap, the demon has been reborn as Shishupaal and desires to conquer the world, and must be killed again. Meanwhile, Yudhishthir and his brothers, having conquered the four directions and killed Jaraasandh, wish to perform the Raajsooya Yagya and Krishn was invited in that Raajsooya Yagya.

Chapter II - Unsure what to do, Krishn takes the advice of His brother Balaraam and of His friend Uddhav. While Balaraam suggests attacking declaring war on Shishupaal immediately, Uddhav points out that this would involve many kings and disrupt Yudhishthir's Raajsooya Yagya (where their presence is required), so instead, he suggests that Krishn should attend the Yagya because Shishupaal would also attend the Yagya. Pleased with this plan, Krishn sets out...

Chapter III - with His army to Indraprasth where the Yagya will be held. On the way, He sees Mount Raivatak
Chapter IV - and decides to camp there
Chapter V - and all seasons simultaneously manifest themselves for His pleasure
Chapter VI - His followers' enjoy there.
Chapter VII - and water sports
Chapter VIII - are then described, as are nightfall
Chapter IX - drinking and a general festival of love
Chapter X - and dawn
Chapter XI - These chapters, containing exquisite and detailed descriptions that are unrelated to the action, are usually the most popular with Sanskrit critics.
Chapter XII- The army resumes its march, and Krishn finally enters the city of Indraprasth
Chapter XIII - The ceremony takes place, and at the end, at Bheeshm's advice, the highest honor (Arghya) is bestowed on Krishn
Chapter XIV - Shishupaal is enraged at this
Chapter XV) - and makes a long speech on what he considers Krishn's bad qualities. He leaves then the assembly.
Chapter XVI - He sends a messenger to Krishn. Krishna declares war
Chapter XVII - and the armies fight
Chapter XVIII - With the various complex formations of the armies being matched by the complex forms Maagh adopts for his verses in
Chapter XIX. Finally, Krishna enters the fight
Chapter XX - and after a long battle, strikes off Shishupaal's head with His Sudarshan Chakra, his discus.

Despite what may appear to be only a little subject matter, the chapters of this work are in fact longer than those of other epics

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