Bhagavad-Yana Parva — Krishna's presence in the Assembly-Hall

Vaishampayana said The two wise men talking together in this way spent that night which was beautiful and lit by stars.

That night passed away against the wishes of Krishna and Vidura, who was listening to the discourses on diverse subjects conducive to religious merit and earthly profit and conveyed in rhythmical language from Krishna and of Krishna of immeasurable prowess listening to similar discourse from high-souled Vidura.

Then (at the break of day) many professional bards and singers having a good voice awakened Krishna with the sound of conches and cymbals.

Janardana, that scion of the Dasharha race, that best among the Satvatas, then performed all the necessary rites of the morning.

Having performed his ablutions, having repeated the usual incantations to the god of fire and having donned his attire and ornaments, Madhava worshipped the rising sun.

Duryodhana and Shakuni the son of Subala coming to Krishna, that scion of the Dasharha race and who had never met with a defeat, while he was yet performing his morning devotions, said to him-"King Dhritarashtra is come to the Assembly-Hall and so have the other Kurus headed by Bhishma and all the rulers of the earth. O Govinda, they are waiting for you like the gods in heaven waiting for Shakra." Govinda welcomed them by courteous words.

When the spotless sun progressed a little further in his diurnal journey, Janardana, the chastiser of foes, gave to the Brahmanas gold, cloths, cattle and horses. Thus Krishna having distributed many gems precious stones, his charioteer approached that unvanquished hero of the Dasharha race, who was seated and paid his respects to him.

Then Daruka soon came back with the large and shining car furnished with tinkling bells and yoked to excellent horses.

That one large mind, understanding that the celestial car ornamented with all sorts of gems and precious stones and whose wheels rattled as loudly as masses of thick clouds, had arrived. Made tour round the fire and also round the Brahmanas. And putting on the Kaustubha gem which was shining with excellent beauty and surrounded by the Kurus and protected by the Vrishnis, Krishna or Shauri the center of delight of all the Yadavas mounted on his car.

After that scion of the Dasharha race had mounted the car, Vidura, conversant with all virtues, superior to all living creatures and foremost among all wise men.

Duryodhana and Shakuni the son of Subala on a second car followed this chastiser of enemies, Krishna. as

Satyaki and Kritavarma, as also other warriors of the Vrishni race followed behind, some on elephants, some on horse and others on chariots.

The chariots of these men, O king, adorned with excellent gold and yoked to good horses and producing diverse sounds they proceeded on, looked very beautiful.

The wise Krishna, blazing with beauty, in fit time, came up on a high way well swept and whose dust had been cleared away and which was fit to be used even by the Rishis of royal descent.

The scion Dasharha race having set out, there was one continual music of cymbals. The conches began to be played, also all the other instruments that were there.

A large number of young men of the strength of lions, heroic chastisers of foes in the world surrounding the car of Shauri, followed him.

And there were others by thousands, who in diverse and strange attires holding swords, lances and axes followed Krishna.

There were five hundred elephants and chariots by thousands, that came up behind the heroic scion of the Dasharha race, who had never sustained a defeat.

chatiser of enemies, the city of the Kurus was filled by old and young men including women, who were desirous of seeing Janardana advancing on a car.

Many were the houses that were tottering under the load of women, who were in the terraces and balconies.

He proceeded slowly along gazing in all directions, worshipped by the Kurus; and listening to sweet speeches and returning suitable greetings.

The followers of Keshava having arrived at the Assembly-Hall filled all directions with the sound of conches and cymbals.

The entire assembly of those kings of immeasurable energy began to shake with delight with the desire of seeing Krishna come.

Then those rulers of men became rejoiced at the inference that he was near, which they drew on account of their hearing the rattles of his chariot, which was like the roar of clouds charged with rain.

Shauri, the best among the entire Satvata race, coming to the gate of the Assembly-Hall, got down from the car which was like the peak of the Kailasa mountain.

He then entered the Hall, which was like the abode of the great Indra and was blazing as it were with the beauty of energy and which looked like a mass newly formed clouds.

Getting hold of the hand of Vidura and that of Satyaki (on either side) the one of great fame (entered the Assembly-Hall) eclipsing the Kurus (planets) in splendour like the sun.

I front of Vasudeva were the two, Karna and Duryodhana; while behind him sat the Vrishnis and Kritavarma.

Bhishma, Drona and others following the example of Dhritarashtra rose up from their seats with the object of honouring Janardana.

That scion of the Dasharha approaching the lord of men having eyes of wisdom along with Drona and Bhishma and others all of great fame rose up from their seats.

The great king Dhritarashtra, the lord of men, having got up, those thousands of kings all rose up also.

A seat respectable in every way and adorned with gold was placed there under instructions from Dhritarashtra.

With a smiling face, did the virtuoussouled Madhava great the king, Bhishma and Drona, as also other kings according to their respective age. race

Then all the kings and rulers of the earth and all the Kurus worshipped Keshava or Janardana who had come into the AssemblyHall..

That chastiser of foes, the scion of the Dasharha race, while staying there, beheld in the heaven the Rishis who had attained to the better world. And seeing the Rishis under the leadership of Narada, the scion of the Dasharha race said to Bhishma the son of Shantanu slowly, “To see this earthly assembly have the Rishis come, O ruler of men.

Invite them with plenty of seats and welcome them; for they remaining unseated, who is capable of taking his seat?

Arrange therefore immediately for the worship of these Munis who have conquered their souls.” The son of Shantanu seeing the Rishis come at the very gates of the AssemblyHall.

Quickly commanded the attendants to get seats soon for them and they brought many spacious and beautiful seats.

Embroidered with gold and set with gems. After they had accepted due worship and seated themselves, O Bharata.

Krishna took his seat; so did all the kings, in their respective seats. Dushasana offered to Satyaki an excellent seat.

Vivingshati gave a beautiful golden seat to Kritavarma and not far from Krishna. Karna and Duryodhana, the two men of large-souled and wrathful sat on one and the same seat. The king of the Gandharas Shakuni, surrounded by the Gandhara chiefs.

With his son sat on one seat, О lord of the world. The great Vidura sat on a holy seat covered with a white deer skin and decked with gems.

That of great intelligence sat contiguous to the seat of Shauri. All those kings, having for a long time looked at the scion of the Dasharha race, were not gratified with gazing on Janardana as if drinking nectar. Janardana was attired in a yellow robe and looked like the Atasi flower.

He sat in the midst of that Assembly like a dark gem placed on gold.

They all were silent while Govinda was thinking within himself and no man there mad the slightest utterance. one