Anugita Parva — The meeting of Krishna and Utanka

Vaishampayana said, As he of Vrishni's family was going to Dwraka, those foremost princes of Bharata's race, those chastisers of enemies, embraced him and fell back with their attendants.

Phalguna repeatedly embraced the Vrishni hero and as long as he was within he range of eye-sight he repeatedly turned his eyes towards him.

With great difficulty, the son of Pritha withdrew his look that had fallen on Govinda. The undefeated Krishna also (did the same).

The marks which were displayed on the occasion of the great one's departure, I shall now fully describe. Do you listen to me.

The wind blew with great force before the car, clearing the path of sand grains and dust and thorns.

Vasava rained pure and fragrant showers and celestial flowers before the holder of Sharnga.

As the mighty-armed hero went on he came upon the desert ill-supplied with water. there a he saw that foremost of ascetics, named Utanka, of immeasurable energy.

The hero of large eyes and grcat energy adored that ascetic. He was then adored by the ascetic in return Vasudeva then enquired after his well-being.

That foremost of Brahmanas, viz., Utanka, politely accosted by Madhava, honoured him duly and then addressed him in these words.

O Shaurin, having gone to the palaces of the Kurus and the Pandavas, have you succeeded in establishing durable understanding between them such as should exit between brothers? You should tell me every thing.

Do you come, O Keshava, after having united them in peace, them who are your relatives and who are ever dear to you, O forcmost one of Vrishni's race.

Will the five sons of Pandu, and the children of Dhritarashtra, o destroyer of enemies, sport in the world in joy with you?

Will all the kings enjoy happiness in their respective kingdoms, on account of the pacification of the Kauravas brought about by you?

Has that trust, O son, which I had always reposed on you, borne fruit about the Kauravas?

I tried my test at first, for bringing about a good understanding, about the Kauravas. When I could not by any means establish them on peace, it happened that all of them, with their relatives and kinsmen, died. It is impossible to transgress destiny by either intelligence of power.

O great Rishi, O sinless one, this also cannot he unknown to you. They (the Kauravas) disregarded which Bhishma and Vidura gave them referring to me.

Encountering one another they then becaine guests of Yama's palace. Only the five Pandavas form the remnant of the un-slain, all their friends and all their children having been destroyed. All the sons Dhritarashtra also, with thcir children and kinsmen, have been killed.

When Krishna had said these words, Utanka, filled with anger, and with eyes expanded in rage, addressed him in these words.

Since, though able, O Krishna, you did not rescue those foremost ones of Kuru's race, who were your relatives and, therefore, dear to you, I shall, forsooth, curse you.

Since you did not forcibly compel them to forbear, therefore, O destroyer of Madhu, I shall, filled with anger denounce a course on you.

It seems, O Madhava, that, though fully able (to save them), you were in different to these foremost of Kurus who, overwhelmed by insincerity and hypocrisy, have all met with destruction.

O scion of Bhrigu's race listen, to what I say in full. Do you accept my apologies also. O you of Bhrigu's race you are an ascetic!

After having heard my words about the soul, you may then utter your curse. No man is able, by a little ascetic merit, to put me down.

O foremost of ascetics, I do not wish to see the destruction of all your penances! You have a large measure of blazing penances. You have passed your preceptors and seniors.

O foremost of twice-born ones. I know that you have observed the rules of Brahmacharya from your infancy. I do not, therefore wish the loss or diminution of your penances acquired with so much pain!