01.214
Core-Pancharatra: Arjuna and Krishna sport on the banks of river Yamuna.
Vaiśampāyana said.
While residing in Indraprastha, they killed other kings at the command of King Dhṛtarāṣṭra and the son of Śāntanu.
All people, having taken refuge in Dharmarāja (Yudhiṣṭhira), lived happily; the embodied beings regarded him, whose actions were marked by virtue, as they would their own body.
He, the foremost among the Bharatas, equally pursued righteousness, desire, and wealth; he honored his three kinsmen as if they were his own self, like one who truly values his family.
Among them, who were equally divided on earth as embodied beings, the king shone like a fourth among dharma, artha, and kāma.
The Vedas regarded him as their supreme student, the great sacrifices as their chief performer, and the classes as their auspicious protector; thus, they accepted him as the lord of the people.
He possessed a firm foundation and prosperity, was endowed with a mind that sought the highest refuge, had many relatives, and complete righteousness; by him, the earth was protected.
The king, together with his four brothers, shone brilliantly, just as a great sacrifice is glorified when performed with the Vedas.
But Dhaumya and the other Brāhmaṇas surrounded him and attended to him; the chief priests, equal to Bṛhaspati, attended on him as the immortals do on Prajāpati.
The subjects' eyes and hearts rejoiced equally in the king of dharma, with great joy, just as in a spotless full moon.
But the people did not enjoy life merely by fate; whatever was pleasing to the mind, he accomplished by his own actions.
Nothing improper, untrue, false, or unpleasant was ever spoken by the wise Pārtha, whose speech was always charming.
He, truly wishing to accomplish the welfare of all the world and himself, the illustrious and mighty best of the Bharatas, rejoiced.
Thus, all the Pāṇḍavas, gladdened and free from anxiety, dwelt, causing the kings of the earth to tremble by their own brilliance.
After a few days, Arjuna said to Kṛṣṇa, "It is hot, Kṛṣṇa; let us go to the Yamunā."
O Madhusudana, having spent time there surrounded by good-hearted people, we shall return again in the evening if it pleases you, O Janardana.
Vāsudeva said.
O mother Kuntī, I too am pleased by this idea: that we, surrounded by friends, O Pārtha, may enjoy ourselves in the water as we wish.
Vaiśampāyana said.
O Bhārata, after addressing Dharmarāja and taking his leave, Pārtha (Arjuna) and Govinda (Kṛṣṇa), surrounded by friends, then departed.
Having arrived at the pleasure-garden area, which was excellent and filled with various trees, and endowed with houses both high and low, resembling the mansion of Purandara (Indra).
The place was adorned with a variety of eatables, enjoyable foods, drinks, tasteful items, great treasures, garlands, and many other things, all arranged for Vārṣṇeya (Kṛṣṇa) and Pārtha (Arjuna).
O Bhārata, the two entered the place filled with auspicious jewels of every kind, and all the people enjoyed themselves as they wished.
Some women played in the forest, some in the water, and some in the houses, each according to the command and their affection, in the company of Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna.
Draupadī and Subhadrā, intoxicated with pride, should give very precious garments and ornaments belonging to the women.
Some women, delighted, danced; others cried out; likewise, others laughed; other women drank excellent liquor.
Some wept, others there struck each other; some others consulted together and shared secrets with each other.
That very prosperous forest was once entirely filled with the delightful sounds of flutes, lutes, and drums.
While that was so, the sons of Kuru and Dasharha went nearby to a certain very delightful place.
O king, there the two great-souled Krishnas, conquerors of enemy cities, went and then sat together on the most excellent seats.
There, after recounting many past heroic and delightful deeds, Pārtha and Mādhava rejoiced together.
There, seated joyfully on the heavenly chariot like the twin Aśvins, the Brāhmaṇa then approached Vāsudeva and Dhanañjaya.
He resembled a great śāla tree, shone with the brilliance of heated gold, was tawny-yellow, had a tawny beard, and was proportionate in measure and length.
He appeared like the young sun, clad in dark garments, bearing matted hair; his face was like a lotus leaf, tawny, and he seemed to blaze with brilliance.
But Arjuna and Vasudeva, the two Krishnas, quickly rose and stood by the radiant best of the twice-born who had been approached.
