Rajadharmanushasana Parva — Bhishma expresses his inability, but Krishna presses him. Then the Pandavas leave the camp

Vaishampayana said Retiring to his bed the destroyer of Madhu slept happily. Awaking when half a period was wanting for the approach of the day, he made himself ready for meditation. Concentrating all his senses, he meditated on the eternal Brahma.

Then a number of well-trained and sweet voiced persons conversant with hymns and the Puranas, began to sing the praises of Vasudeva, the master of all creatures and the creator of the universe.

Others, keeping time by the clapping of hands, began to sing sweet hymns, and vocalists began to sing. Thousands of conchshells and drums were blown and beat.

The charming sound also of Vinas; Panavas, and bamboo flutes, was heard. The spacious edifice of Krishna, seemed, as if to laugh with music.

In the mansion of King Yudhishthira also melodious voices were heard, exclaiming auspicious wishes, and the sound of songs too and musical instruments.

Then the Dasharha here performed his ablutions. Joining his hands, the mighty armed hero, of undecaying glory, silently recited his sacred Mantras, and lighting up a fire poured libations of clarified butter upon it.

Distributing a thousand kine amongst a thousand Brahmanas all of whom were masters of the four Vedas, he made them utter benedictions upon him.

Touching next various sorts of sacred articles and beholding himself in a clear mirror, Krishna addressed Satyaki, saying,—'Go, O descendant of Shini, and repairing to Yudhishthira's palace, ascertain whether if the king is dressed for visiting Bhishma.'

Thus commanded by Krishna, Satyaki, proceeding quickly to the royal son of Pandu, said to him-'The foremost of cars, belonging to the highly intelligent Vasudeva, is ready, O king, for Janardana will go to see Ganga's son.

O righteous, great, and powerful king! Krishna is waiting for you. You should now do what should be done next. Thus addressed, Dharma's son Yudhishthira answered as follows.

‘O Phalguna of matchless splendour, let my best of cars be made ready. We should not be accompanied by the soldiers, but we shall proceed alone.

That best or righteous person viz., Bhishma, should not be vexed. Let not the guards, therefore, O Dhananjaya accompany us today.

From this day Ganga's son will discourse on things that are great mysteries, I do not, therefore, O son of Kunti, wish that there should be a miscellaneous assembly.'

Hearing these words of the king, Kunti's son Dhananjaya, that best of men went out and returning said to him that his best of cars stood ready for him.

King Yudhishthira, the twins Bhima and Arjuna, the five resembling the five elements, then proceeded towards Krishna's mansion.

While the great Pandavas were coming, Krishna accompanied by the grandson of Shini, got upon his car.

Saluting one another from their cars and each enquiring of the other whether he had passed the night happily, those foremost of men proceeded, without stopping, on those foremost of cars whose rattle resembled the roar of the clouds.

Krishna's horses, viz., Balahaka, Meghapushpa, Shaivya and Sugriva were driven by Daruka. The animals, urged by him, O king, ran on marking the Earth with their hoofs.

Highly strong and quick-coursing, they flew onwards, devouring as if the very skies. Traversing the sacred field of Kuru, the princes went to that spot where the powerful Bhishma was lying on his bed of arrows, surrounded by those great Rishis, like Brahman himself in the midst of the celestials.

Then Govinda, Yudhishthira. Bhima, and the wielder of Gandiva, the twins and Satyaki, getting down from their cars, saluted the Rishis by raising their right hands.

Encircled by them, king Yudhishthira, like the moon in the midst of the stars, approached Ganga's son like Vasava proceeding towards Brahman.

Possessed by fear, the king timidly cast his eyes on the mighty-armed hero lying on his bed of arrows like the Sun himself dropped from the sky.