भगवद्यान पर्व — देवताओं का दौत्य

Vaishampayana said Ten mighty car-warriors capable of vanquishing heroes on the enemy's side with arms in their hands followed the son of Devaki of long arms as he proceeded along.

A thousand foot-soldiers and a thousand horsemen too (followed him) O chastiser of foes; as also hurdreds of others carrying sufficient provision and other things. one was

Jariamejaya said How did the great should scion of the Dasharha race, the slayer of Madhu, go on his journey; and what were the omens observed when that of great prowess journeying?

Vaishampayana said Listen from me to all these omens that were observed when the large-souled che commenced the journey. Some of them were earthly and heavenly.

In the cloudless sky lightning were heard with loud roars; while behind him clouds poured down shower of rain.

The seven large rivers with the Sindhu flowing to go east, turned their courses in the contrary detection. The cardinal points were reversed, as it were; and nothing could be distinguished.

The fires were ablaze, o king and the earth shook; and well and water pots shot forth water by hundreds and flowed out.

The whole of this world was enveloped with darkness; and neither the cardinal nor subsidiary points of the earth could be known on account of the dust that was raised.

There were loud roars though no body could be seen in this earth; and in all countries, Oking there occurred the same strange things.

A gale from the south-west devastated the city of Hastinapura, uprooting clusters of trees; and there were loud sounds in the sky.

But wherever, O Bharata, the scion of the Vrishni race went on his way; there were favourable winds and everything went right.

There was a down-fall of flowers including large numbers of lotuscs. The roads became plain and divested of prickly grass and thorns.

Wherever he went, the giver of wealth was praised by the Brahmanas by thousands by laudatory words; and they served him with curds, honey, clarified butter and riches.

Women coming out on the highways threw on the great-souled one attached to the good of all creatures wild flowers of great fragrance.

He then Shalibhavana, enchanting spot filled with all sorts of crops, a place that was at once delicious and sacred, O bull of the Bharata race.

After having seen many animals and beautiful villages enchanting the heart and after traversing diverse cities and kingdoms.

Ever of cheerful hearts, of good minds and well protected by the Bharatas and therefore not caring for the designs of the enemies and incognizant of all sorts of calamities, the people and the inhabitants of the city of Upaplavya, coming out of the city, stood on the roads desirous of beholding Vishvaksena.

And they too worshipped the worshipful guest, who had come to their country-the lord who had arrived there as blazing fire.

Keshava, the slayer of heroes on the enemy's side, having come near Vrikasthala, the sky was reddened by the rays shot by the sun.

Quickly getting down from his chariot and having undergone the purifactory rites according to the usual custom and ordering for his chariot to be unyoked, he sat down for the customary evening duties.

Daruka, too having unyoked the horses and after having tended them according to the science of the management of horses and taking down all the trappings, set them completely free.

All this being done, the slayer of Madhu said-with view to the attainment of Yudhishthira's object must we pass the night here.

The men, knowing that intention of his in a moment, prepared a lodging; and collected together suitable food and drink.

The chief Brahmanas, that were in that village, O ruler of men, that were of noble ways of life, of good birth, modest and given to the observance of the Vedic rules and

Having come near the great-souled Hrishikesha, the chastiser the chastiser of foes, honored him with suitable blessings and auspicious speeches.

Having done honours to the scion of the Dasharha race, who was honoured in all the worlds, they placed at the disposal of the greatsouled one their houses filled with wealth.

The Lord saving to them "you have done your part” and paying then due homage and coming to their houses, again came back to his own encampment with their company,

Keshava, feeding the Brahmanas there to their satisfaction and having himself eaten in company of all of them, spent the night in happiness. Happlicad.