The destruction of Saubha

Krishna said : O best of the Bharata race, then taking up my beautiful bow, I began to cut off with my arrows the heads of the enemies of the celestials from the (car) Saubha.

I began to discharge from the Saranga (bow) many excellent arrows of the forms of snakes, each capable of going to a great height and each possessing great energy.

O perpetuator of the Kuru race, I could not then see the Saubha, for it had then disappeared on account of the illusion (displayed by the Danava). I became astonished.

O descendant of Bharata, O great king, the host of Asuras of fearful visages and hair then sent up a loud roar as I was waiting for it (Saubha).

In that great battle, I then with the object of destroying them, fixed on my bowstring the weapon capable of piercing the foes, if only their voice could be heard. Thereupon their roaring ceased.

But all those Danavas that had sent up that shout were killed by my those arrows, which were as blazing as the sun and which were capable of striking (at a foe) if only his voice could be heard.

O great king, when the shout (of the Danavas) ceased at one place, it arose at another place. There also I sent up my arrows.

O descendant of Bharata, in this way the Asuras sent up roars from all the ten quarters, above and across. But they were all killed by me.

O hero, bewildering my eyes and going to Pragjotisha the Saubha, capable of going every where at will, reappeared again.

Thereupon those agents of destruction, the Danavas of fearful forms, suddenly covered me with a great shower of rocks.

O king of kings, he tried to kill me again and again by showers of rocks; and I looked like an ant-hill covered with those rocks.

O king, being covered with those rocks along with my horses, charioteer, (car with) flag-staff, I altogether disappeared from the view.

Thereupon the foremost heroes of the Vrishni race who were in my army were seized with panic and they suddenly began to fly in all directions.

O king, seeing me in that state, the heaven the sky and the earth were all filled with exclamation of “Oh" and "Alas."

O king, my friends, afflicted with sorrow and grief, then wept and wailed in sorrowful hearts.

O hero, O undeteriorating one, delight filled the hearts of the enemies as sorrow filled those of iny men. I heard of this after I had defeated the enemy.

Then wielding the thunder, the favourite (weapon) of Indra, which is (ever) capable of grinding stones, I destroyed that entire mass of rocks.

O great king, my horses, afflicted with the weight of the rocks and almost at the point of death, stood trembling.

Seeing me, all my friends rejoiced as men are rejoiced on seeing the sun rising in the sky after dispersing the clouds.

Seeing my horses, afflicted with the weight of the rocks and almost at the point of death, my charioteer spoke to me in words suitable to the occasion.

"O descendant of the Vrishni race, behold there stays Shalva, the lord of Saubha. Do not disregard him. Exert yourself.

O mighty-armed Keshava, abandon all mildness and consideration for Shalva. Kill him, do not allow him to live (any longer).

O hero, O slayer of your enemies, a foe should be killed with all exertion. Even a weak enemy should not be disregarded by a strong man.

Even if he is at his feet, not to speak of one who dares for stay in battle. O lord, put forth every exertion. And conquer him. O best of the Vrishni race, O hero, do not make any further delay. That one is not to be killed by milder means. In my opinion he can never be a friend who devastated Dvarka and who is now fighting with you." O son of Kunti, hearing such words of my charioteer. And knowing that what he had said was true, I again engaged myself in the fight with the intention of killing Shalva and destroying his Saubha (car).

O hero, telling Daruka "Stay for a moment,” I then in that Danava-destroying battle fixed on my bow-string, my favourite fire-weapon of celestials origin, of blazing splendour of irresistible force, of great effulgence and of bursting energy, incapable of being ever baffled and capable of penetrating into everything.

“Destroy Saubha with all the enemies that are in it" and saying this, after having inspired it with Mantras. I hurled in anger with the strength of my arms the greatly powerful discuss which reduces to ashes all the Yakshas, Rakshasas, Danavas and kings born in impure races and which is as sharp-edged as the razor, which is without stain as Yama himself, which is incomparable and which kills all enemies.

Rising into the sky, the Sudarshana (discuss) seemed to look like the exceedingly effulgent sun at the end of the Yuga.

Approaching the city of Saubha, the splendour of which had disappeared, it went right through it as a saw divides a tall tree.

Cut in twain by the force of the Sudarshana, the Saubha fell like the city of Tripura shaken by the weapon of the great God (Shiva).

When the Saubha fell, the discuss came (back) to my hand. Taking it up, I once more hurled it with great, force, saying “Go to Shalva."

Thereupon it suddenly cut Shalva in twain who was at the point of hurling a great club in that great battle. With its effulgence it soon set the foe (Shalva) ablaze.

When that brave warrior was killed by my bow, the disheartened Danavas fled in all directions, exclaiming “Oh” and “Alas.”

Thereupon taking my chariot in front of the city of Saubha, I cheerfully blew my conch and gladdened the hearts of my friends.

Seeing their city as high as the peak of the Meru (mountain) with its palaces and gateways utterly destroyed and all ablaze (in fire), the Danavas all fled in fear.

Having thus killed Shalva and destroyed Saubha, I returned to the Anartas and delighted my friends.

O king, O slayer of hostile heroes, this is the reason why I could not come to Hastinapur. If I had come Duryodhana would not have been alive and the gambling match would not have taken place. What can I do today? It is difficult stop the water when the dam is broken."

Vaishampayana said: Having thus spoken to the Kurus, that handsome slayer of Madhu, that foremost of men, that mighty-armed hero, saluting the Pandavas, was prepared to go away.

The mighty-armed hero was saluted in return by king Dharmaraja Yudhishthira. And the mighty-armed Bhima also smelt the crown of his head.

He was embraced by Arjuna; and the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) saluted him with all reverence. He was duly honoured by Dhaumya and worshipped by Draupadi with her tears.

Causing Subhadra and Abhimanyu to ascend his golden car, Krishna, being duly worshipped by the Pandavas, ascended it himself.

Consoling Yudhishthira, Krishna started for Dvarka on his car which was as effulgent as the sun and to which were yoked (his horses) Shaivya and Sugriva.

When the hero of the Dashahara race had gone away, Dhristadyumna, the son of Prishata, taking with him the son of Draupadi started for his own city.

After seeing the Pandavas the king of Chedi, Dhristaketu also, taking his sister (Karenumati, the wife of Nakula) started for his beautiful city, named Suktimati.

O descendant of Bharata, the Kaikeyas also, with the permission of Kunti's immeasurably energetic son (Yudhishthira) and having reverentially saluted all the Pandavas. went away.

Though the Brahmanas, the Vaishyas and the (other) inhabitants of his kingdom, were repeatedly requested to go, but they did not leave the Pandavas.

O king of kings, O best of the Bharata race, the crowd of people that surrounded those high-souled men the (Pandavas) in the forest of Kamyaka was extraordinary.

Honouring those high-souled Brahmanas, Yudhishthira in due time ordered his men to "Make ready the chariots."