Gadayuddha Parva — Yudhishthira praises Krishna

Sanjaya said "All those kings, having arms resembling spiked bludgeons, then went towards their tents, overflowing with joy and blowing their conchs on their way.

The Pandavas also, O king, proceeded towards our tents. The great bowmen Yuyutsu followed them, as also Satyaki, and Dhrishtadyumna, and Shikhandin, and the five sons of Draupadi. The other great bowmen also went towards our tents.

The Parthas then entered the tent of Duryodhana, shorn of its splendours and bereft of its master, and looking like a pleasureground deserted by spectators.

That pavilion looked like a city void of festivities, or a lake without its elephant. It was filled with women and eunuchs and aged counsellors.

Duryodhana and other heroes, dressed in yellow raiment's, formerly used, O king, to wait reverentially, with joined hands, on those old counsellors.

Arriving at the pavilion of the Kuru king, the Pandavas, those foremost of car-warriors, O king, got down from their cars.

Ever engaged, in the good of his friend, Keshava, addressed the holder of Gandiva, saying, "Take down your Gandiva as also the two inexhaustible quivers. I shall get down after you, O best of the Bharatas.

Get down, for this is for your own good, O sinless one!'-Pandu's brave son, Dhananjaya, did as he was directed.

Leaving the reins of the horses the intelligent Krishna then got down from the car of Dhananjaya.

After the great Lord of all creatures had got down from that car, the celestials Ape that was on the standard of Arjuna's car disappeared there and then.

That great car then, which had before been burnt by Drona and Karna with their celestial weapons, quickly caught fire, O king, without any thing being seen there.

Indeed, the car of Dhananjaya, with its quivers, reins, horses, yoke, and shaft, fell down, all reduced to ashes.

Seeing the vehicle thus reduced to ashes, O Iord, the sons of Pandu filled with wonder, and Arjuna, O king, having saluted Krishna and bowed un.o him, said these words, with joined hands, 'O Govinda, O divine one, why has this car been consumed by fire?

Whiat is this highly wonderful incident that has taken place before our eyes? O you of mighty arms, if you think that I can hear it without injury then tell me everything.'

Vasudeva said That car, O Arjuna, had already been consumed by various sorts of weapons. It was because I had sat upon it during battle that it did not break into pieces, O destroyer of foes.

Previously consumed by the power of Brahma weapons, it has been reduced to ashes upon my leaving it after you had achieved your object.

Then, with a little pride, Lord Keshava embracing king Yudhishthira, said to him, 'By good luck, you have gained the victory, O son of Kunti! By good luck, your enemies have been defcated! By good luck, the holder of Gandiva and Bhimasena the son of Pandu, and yourself, O king, and the two sons of Madri have escaped alive from this battle so destructive of heroes, after having killed all your foes! Speedily do, O Bharata, what should now be done!

After I had arrived at Upaplavya, you the holder of Gandiva, gave me honey and the customary ingredients, and said, O Lord, This Dhananjaya, O Krishna, is your brother and SO friend! He should, therefore, be protected by you in all dangers!-To your these words I answered saying-So be it!-That Savyasachin has always been protected by me. You have also gained victory, O king.

With his brothers, O king of kings, that truly powerful hero, has come out alive of this dreadful battle, destructive of heroes.'-Thus addressed by Krishna, king Yudhishthira with his hairs standing erect, O king, said to Janarddana.

Yudhishthira said Who else, except you. O destroyer of foes, not even thunder-holding Purandara himself, could have withstood the Brahma weapons discharged by Drona and Karna!

It was through your favour that the Samsaptakas were vanquished! It was through your favour that Partha had never to turn back from even the fiercest of battles!

It was through your favour O mighty-armed one, that I myself, with my descendants, have, by performing various feats, obtained the auspicious end of prowess and energy! At Upaplavya, the Rishi Krishna-Dvaipayana told me that where there is Krishna righteousness and victory will be there."

Sanjaya continued After this conversation, those heroes entered your son's encampment, and secured the weapons of chest, many jewels, and much wealth, and silver and gold and gems and pearls and many rich ornaments and blankets and skins, and innumerable slaves male and female, and many other things required by kings. Having secured that inexhaustible wealth belonging to you, O foremost of Bharata's race, those highly-blessed ones, whose enemies had been killed, uttered loud cries of joy.

Having unyoked their animals, the Pandavas and Satyaki took rest there awhile.

Then the illustrious Vasudeva said. We should, as the first sacred act, remain out of the camp for this night. Saying 'So be it!'—the Pandavas and Satyaki, accompanied by Vasudeva, went put of the camp for doing this auspicious act.

Arrived on the banks of the sacred stream Oghavati, O king, the Pandavas, who had no enemies took up their quarters there for that night.

King Yudhishthira then brought to his mind, the outright action with the time and said O enemy suppressor Madhava! It appears all good to visit at Hastinapura in order to pacify Gandhari who is burning with anger. O noble lord! You will only able to pacify Gandhari by referring to reasonable and time matching things to her. Our grand-father Vyasa will also present there.

They then sent Keshava to Hastinapura. The highly powerful Vasudeva causing Daruka to get upon his car, proceeded very quickly to that place where the royal son of Ambika was.

While about to start on his car, having Shaivya and Sugriva yoked to it, (the Pandavas) said to him—Comfort the helpless Gandhari who has lost all her sons.'-Thus addressed by the Pandavas, the chief of the Satvatas then set out for Hastinapura and arrived before Gandhari who had all her sons slain.”