Gadayuddha Parva — Krishna's departure for Hastinapur

Janamejaya said “Why did that best of kings, viz., the righteous Yudhishthira, send that scorcher of foes, viz., Vasudeva, to Gandhari? Krishna had at first gone to the Kauravas for the sake of bringing about peace. He was not successful. For this the battle took place.

When all the warriors were killed and Duryodhana was struck down, when for the battle the empire of Pandu's son became perfectly safe, when all the (Kuru) camp became empty, when the son of Pandu won great glory, what was the cause for which Krishna had once again to go (to Hastinapura)?

It seems to me, O Brahimana, that the cause could not be an insignificant one, since it was Janarddana had himself to make the journey.

O foremost of all Adhyaryus, tell me in full what was the reason for undertaking such a mission."

Vaishampayana said “The question you have put, O king, is, indeed, worthy of you! I will tell you everything truly truly as it happened. See Duryodhana, the powerful son of Dhritarashtra, struck down by Bhimasena against the rule of fair fight, and beholding the Kuru king slain unfairly. O Bharata, Yudhishthira, O monarch, was filled with great fear, thinking of the highly-blessed and ascetic Gandhari-'See has practised severe ascetic austerities and can, therefore, consume the three worlds,' this was the thought of the son of Pandu. By sending Krishna, the angry Gandhari, Gandhari, would be comforted before Yudhishthira's own arrival.

Hearing of the death of her son in such a way, she will, in anger, with the fire of her mind, reduce us to ashes.

How will Gandhari bear such poignant grief, after hearing of her son, who always fought fairly, being slain unfairly by us?' Having thought thus for a long while, king Yudhishthira filled with fear and fried said these words to Vasudeva.

Through your kindness, O Govinda, my kingdom has been freed from pests. We have gained now what we could not even imagine. Omighty-armed one, in battle, making the very hair to stand on end, thou hadst to bear voilent blows before my very eyes, O delighter of the Yadavas.

Formerly in the battle between the gods and। the Asuras, thou hadst, lent your help for the destruction of the foes of the celestials, and those enemies were killed.

Similarly, O mighty-armed one, you have helped us, O you of unfading glory. By agreeing to act as our charioteer, O Vrishnihero, you have all along protected us.

If you had not protected Phalguna in dreadful battle, this sea of troops would not have been vanquished?

You have suffered many blows of the mace, and many strokes of spiked bludgeons and dart and short arrows and lances and battle-axes.

For our sake, O Krishna, you also put up with many harsh words and endure the violent fall of weapons in battle.

On account of Duryodhana's death, all this has not been fruitless, O you of unfading glory. O Krishna, our heart, however, is yet trembling in doubt. Know, O Madhava, that Gandhari's wrath, has been excited.

That highly-blessed lady is always weakening herself with the austerest of penances. Hearing of the death of her sons and grandsons, she will forsooth, reduce us to ashes. It is time, O hero, I think, for pacifying her.

Save you, O foremost of men, what other person is there that can even face that lady of red and ranging eyes and greatly overwhelmed with the misfortunes of her children.

O Madhava, I think it is better for you to go, for pacifying Gandhari, O chastiser of foes, who is blazing with wrath. You are the Creator and the Destroyer. You are the first cause of all the worlds, yourself being eternal.

With reasonable words, you will quickly, O you of great wisdomn, be able to pacify Gandhari.

Our grandsire, the holy KrishnaDvaipayana, will be there. O mighty-armed one, it is your duty to remove by all means in thy power, the anger of Gandhari.

Hearing these words of king Yudhishthira, the Yadu-hero summoning Daruka, said 'Get may car ready.'

Having received Keshava's command, Daruka speedily returned and represented to his great master that the car was ready.

That destroyer of foes and chief of Yadu's race, viz., the Lord Keshava, having got upon the car, proceeded speedily to the city of the Kurus.

The worshipful Madhava then, mounting his vehicle, proceeded, and arrived Hastinapur. at

Making the city resound with the rattle of his car-wheels as he entered it, he sent word to Dhritarashtra and then got down from his car and entered the palace of the old king.

He there saw that best of Rishis, (viz., Dvaipayana), arrived before him. Embracing the feet of both Vyasa and Dhritarashtra, Janarddana quietly saluted Gandhari also. Then the best of the Yadavas, viz., Vishnu, holding Dhritarashtra by the hand, O king, began to weep.

Having wept for a while, he washed his eyes and his face with water according to rules, He then said sweetly to Dhritarashtra'Nothing is unknown to you, O Bharata, about the past and the future. You are wellacquainted, O lord, with the course of time.

Out of respect for you the Pandavas had tried to prevent the destruction of their family and the extermination of the Kshatriyas, O Bharata.

Having made a compact with his brothers, the virtuous Yudhishthira had lived peacefully. He even went to exile after the unfair defeat at dice.

With his brothers he lived in concealment and disguise. They also suffered various miseries as if they were quite helpless.

On the eve of batile I myself came, and before all begged of you only five villages.

Out of covetousness, and as destiny would nave it, you did not grant my request. Through you folly, O king, all the Kshatriyas have been exterminated.

Bhisma, and Somadatta, and Valhika, and Kripa, and Drona, and his son and the Wise Vidura, always begged you for peace. You did not, however, follow their advice.

Every one, it seems, loses sense under the influence of Destiny, O Bharata, since even you, O king, as regards this matter, did act so foolishly.

What else can it be but the effect of Time? Indeed, Destiny always reigns supreme! Do not, O you of great wisdom, attribute any fault to the Pandavas.

Judged by the standard of Ethics or reason or affection, the Pandavas have not committed the slightest offense, O scorcher of foes.

Knowing all this to be the fruit of you own folly, it is proper for you not to entertain any ill felling towards the Pandavas.

The perpetuity of race, the offering of funeral cake, and every thing else that depends upon offspring, now depend on the Pandavas as regards both yourself and Gandhari.

Both you and the renowned Gandhar also, should not entertain malice towards the Pandavas.

Thinking of all this, and thinking also of your own sins, cherish good feelings towards the Pandavas. I bow to you, O Bharata chief.

You know, O mighty armed one, the devotion of king Yudhisthira and his affection towards you.

Having caused this destruction of foes that wronged him so, he is burning day and night in grief and does and enjoy peace of mind.

Grieving for you and for Gandhari, he does not enjoy any happiness.

Out of shame he does not appear before you who are burning with grief on account of your children and whose understanding and senses have been bewildered.'—having said these words to Dhritarashtra, that foremost one Yadu's race, O king, addressed the griefstricken Gandhari in these words of great significance-O daughter of Subala, O you of excellent vows, hear what I say. O auspicious dame, there is no lady like you in world.

You remember, O queen, those just and fair words which you gave utterance to the assembly before me, words that were beneficial to both the parties—but which your sons, ( auspicious lady, did not pay any heed to.

Duryodhana, who coveted victory was reprimanded by you. You told him then-Listen, O fool, to these eternal words, viz., victory follows righteousness-your words, O princes, have now been fulfilled. Knowing all this, O auspicious lady, do not grieve.

Let not your heart be bent towards the destruction of the Pandavas. On account of the power of your penances, you are able, O highly blessed one, to consume with your cyes, burning in anger, the whole Earth with her mobile and immobile creatures.'

Hearing these words of Vasudeva, Gandhari said-'O Keshava, what you say is truel

My heart, burning in grief, had been unfixed. After hearing what you said, however, that heart, O Janarddana, has been settled.

Regarding the blind old king, who had now become childless, O foremost of men, you and the sons of Pandu, are his refuge.'

having said so Gandhari, burning in grief for the death of her sons, covered her face with her cloth and began to weep aloud.

The mighty-armed lord Keshava then solaced the grief-stricken princess with reasonable words and examples.

Having comforted Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, Keshava of Madhu's race, came to know the evil that was thought of by Drona's son.

Rising up quickly after worshipping the feet of Vyasa with his head, Keshava, O king, addressed Dhritarashtra, saying, 'I take your leave. O foremost of Kuru's race! Do not grieve. The son of Drona has an evil desire. It is for this that I rise so suddenly.

It seems that he had formed a plan for destroying the Pandavas during the night.'.-Hearing these words, both Gandhari and Dhritarashtra said Keshava, the destroyer of Keshin, these words— 'Go quickly, O mighty-armed one, and protect the Pandavas.

See us again soon, O Janarddana!-Then Keshava of unfading glory proceeded with Daruka.

After Vasudeva had gone, O king, Vyasa, worshipped of the whole world, began to comfort king Dhritarashtra.

The righteous Vasudeva departed, having gained his object successfully, from Hastinapura, for seeing the camp and the Pandavas.

Arrived at the camp, he went to the Pandavas, Informing them of everything he took his seat with them."