Gadayuddha Parva — Baladeva meets Narada

Vaishampayana said "Having visited Kurukshetra and distributed wealth there the Satwata hero then proceeded, O Janamejaya, to a large and exceedingly beautiful hermitage.

That hermitage was overgrown with Madhuka and mango trees, and abounded with Plakshas and Nyagrodhas. And it contained many Vilvas and many excellent jack and Arjuna trees.

Seeing that beautiful hermitage Baladeva asked the Rishis as to whom it belonged.

Those great ones, O king, said Baladeva 'Listen in full, O Rama, as to whose asylum this was formerly.

Here the god Vishnu formerly practised austere penances. Here he celebrated duly all the eternal sacrifices.

Here leading from youth the vow of Brahmacharya, a Brahmani inaiden, was crowned with ascetic success. Ultimately possessed of Yoga powers that ascetic lady went to heaven.

The great Shandilya, O king, had a beautiful daughter who was chaste, observant of severe vows self-restrained, and led a life of cclibacy.

Having practised the hardest of penances such as the incapable of being performed by women, the blessed lady at last went to heaven, adored by the gods and Brahmanas. Having heard these words of the Rishis, Baladeva entered that hermitage.

Bidding a farewell to the Rishis, Baladeva performed all the rites and ceremonies of the evening on the side of Himavat and then began to ascend mountain.

The powerful Valarama having the emblem of the palmyra of his banner had not ascended far when he saw a sacred and goodly Tirtha and was stricken with wonder at the sight.

Sceing the glory of the Sarasvati as also the Tirtha called Plakshaprasaravana, Vala next reached another excellent and foremost of Tirthas called Karavapana.

Having made many presents there, the powerful Baladeva bathed in the cool, clear, sacred, and sin-cleansing water (of that Tirtha).

Passing one night there with the ascetics and the Brahmanas, Rama then went to the sacred hermitage of the Mitravarunas.

From Karavapana he proceeded to that spot on the Yamuna where formerly Indra and Agni and Aryaman had obtained great felicity.

Bathing there, that Yadu's chief of pious soul, obtained great happiness. The hero then sat himself down with the Rishis and the Siddhas there for listening to their excellent discourses.

There where Rama sat in the midst of that assemblage the adorable Rishi Narada came while trembling.

Wearing matted locks and shining like gold, he carried in his hands, O king, a golden stalf and a waterpot.

Accomplishment in song and dance and worshipped of gods and Brahmanas, he had with him a beautiful Vina of sweet notes, made of the tortoise-shell.

A creator of quarrels and ever fond of quarrel, the celestial Rishi came where the handsome Rama was resting.

Standing up and greatly honoring the celestial Rishis if restricted vows, Rama asked him about all that had befallen the Kurus.

Conversant with duty and practices, Narada, then, O king, told him everything, as it had occurred, about the dreadful destruction of the Kurus.

The Rohini's son then, in sorrowful words, enquired of the Rishi, saying-'What is the state of the field? How are those kings now that had assembled there?

I have heard everything before, O Rishi, but iny curiosity is great for hearing it in detail!'

Narada said Already Bhishma and Drona and the lord of the Sindhus have died! Vikartana's son Karna also has been killed, with his sons.

Bhurishravas too, O son of Rohini, and the brave chief of the Madras have died! These and many other great heroes that had assembled there, rcady to sacrifice this dear life itself for the victory of Duryodhana—have all fallen!

Listen now to me, O Madhava, about those that yet alive! In the army of Dhritarashtra's son, only three yet survive.

They are Kripa and Kritavarman and the powerful son of Drona! These also, O Rama, have from fear fled away on all sides!

After Shalya's fall and the fight of Kripa and the others, Duryodhana, in great sorrow had entered the Dvaipayana lake.

While resting at the bottom of the lake after solidifying its waters, Duryodhana approached by the Pandavas with Krishna and cut to the quick by their cruel words. are was

Cut with wordy darts, O Rama, from every side, the powerful and heroic Duryodhana has risen from the lake, armed with his heavy inace.

He has come forward for fighting Bhima for the present. The terrible encounter, O Rama, will take place today!

If you feel any curiosity, then hasten O Madhava, without delay! Go, if you like and witness that terrible battle between your two disciples!'

Vaishampayana said "Hearing Narada, Rama bade a respectful farewell to those great Brahmanas and sent away all those that had accompanied him (in। his pilgrimage).

He ordered his attendant saying-Return you to Dwaraka!' He then got down from that prince of mountains and that fair hermitage called Plakshaprashravana.

Having listened to the discourse of the sages about the great merits of Tirthas, Rama sang this verse in the midst of the Brahmanas.

Where is such happiness as is obtainable by living by the Sarasvati? Where else such merits as those obtainable by living by the Sarasvati? Men have departed for heaven, having approached the Sarasvati! All should ever remember the Sarasvati! Sarasvati is the most sacred of all rivers.

Sarasvati always confers the greatest happiness on men! After approaching the Sarasvati, men will not have to give for their sins either here or hereafter!'

Repeatedly looking with joy at the Sarasvati, that destroyer of foes then ascended an excellent car to which were yoked beautiful horses.

Journeying then on that highly fleet car Baladeva, that best of Yadu's race, desirous of seeing the approaching encounter of his two disciples, arrived on the field.”