यानसन्धि पर्व — कृष्णका वचन

Dhritarashtra said What the two great-souled ones, the son of Vasudeva and Dhananjaya, said? Tell me that, O exceedingly wise one. I shall hear your words.

Sanjaya said Listen, O king, how the two, Krishna and Dhananjaya, were seen by me and what the two heroes said. I shall tell you, O Bharata.

Looking towards my toes and with my hands clasped together and thinking of holy things in my mind, did I enter the inner apartments to meet with those gods among men.

Neither Abhimanyu nor the twins can go to the place where the two Krishna and Krishna (Draupadi) and the lady Satyabhama reside.

The two were there, cheerful with a drink of the Madri wine; and both had their bodies smeared with sandal; and both also were dressed in excellent attires and wore beautiful ornaments.

The two subduer of enemies were seated there on a spacious seat of gold covered with many sorts of carpets.

On the lap of Arjuna were the feet of Keshava and those of the noble-minded Arjuna rested on Krishna and Satyabhama.

A seat made of gold did the son of Pritha point out to me; after touching which with my hands, I took my seat on the ground.

Two longitudinal lines on the soles of the son of Pritha, the auspicious marks, did I see on his taking away his feet from the seat.

Having seen the two young men of black complexion and large stature rising like the trunks of Shala trees, seated on the same seat, a great fear seized me.

They were like Indra and Vishnu seated together. That one of foolish intellect does not understand that owing to his belief in the power of Drona and Bhishma.

The wishes of him who had under his command these two, the desires of the king of virtue were bound to bear fruit such was my belief at the time.

Entertained with food and drink and having my wishes (of beholding the two) gratified, I placed my clasped hands on my head and conveyed to them your message.

With his hands, having auspicious signs and marks made by friction with the bow and string, the son of Pritha removing the feet of Keshava asked him to give a suitable reply.

Then did Krishna of prowess similar to Indra's and adorned with all sorts of ornaments and rising like the banner of Indra speak addressing me, the words of that foremost of the speakers were mild, charming and conciliatory but were awful and calculated to cause fear in the sons of Dhritarashtra.

I then heard the words of that one who is fit to speak, which were rhythmical and calculated to lead to the good of all, though heart-rending in the end.

The son of Vasudeva said O Sanjaya, speak these words to the intelligent Dhritarashtra in the hearing of the foremost of Kurus, Bhishma and Drona.

Before repeating our answer, O Suta, convey our respects to our elders in age and then asking about the health of our younger,

Perform many sorts of sacrificial ceremonies and make many presents to the Brahmanas and make merry with your sons and wives; for a heavy calamity is come on you.

Distribute wealth among proper recipients; get desirable sons and serve those that are dear to you by doing them good; for the king is anxious for victory.

That old debt has not yet been wiped off from my mind (for I have not paid it), that is the invocation of me living at a distance by Krishna saying "Govinda".

Him whose weapon is the invisible Gandiva bow, full of energy and him who has me for his second-of such Savyasachin have you made enemy.

Who would like to challenge the son of Pritha, having me for his second, unless his time were come, even if he were Purandara himself?

He who defeats Arjuna in battle bears the earth in his two arms; and when wrathful, he could burn up all creatures and could make the gods fall off from heaven.

Among the gods, the Asuras and the human beings and among Yakshas, Gandharvas and Bhogis do I not see him, who could stand against (Arjuna), the son of Pandu, in battle.

The greatly wonderful event, which is heard to have taken place in the city of Virata of a fight of one against many, is a sufficient proof of this.

When in the city of Virata you fled in all directions, dispersed by the son of Pandu alone that is sufficient proof of this.

Strength, heroism, prowess, agility, lightness of hand, untiring energy and patience are centered in the son of Pritha and are not present anywhere else.

Thus spoke Hrishikesha cheering the spirits of the son of Pritha by his voice and roaring like the instrument which chastised Paka (thunder) in the sky during the rainy season.

Having heard the words of Keshava, Kiritin of white steeds, Arjuna spoke significant words calculated to make the hairs erect.