02.042
Core-Pancharatra: Rajasuya is completed, and Krishna takes leave.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, having heard Bhīṣma, the mighty king of the Cedis, eager for battle, spoke to Vāsudeva in the presence of Vāsudeva. (2-42-1)
I challenge you, O Janardana, go to battle with me. Today, I shall slay you along with all the Pāṇḍavas. (2-42-2)
Kṛṣṇa, the Pāṇḍavas are to be slain by me together with you, in every way. You, whom the king has honored after surpassing the other kings. (2-42-3)
Those who, from childhood, worship you, O Kṛṣṇa, as if you were a worthy king though you are an evil-minded servant and not a king, are fit to be killed—this is my opinion. Having said this, the tiger among kings stood, roaring in anger. (2-42-4)
When this was said, Kṛṣṇa then gently spoke these words to all the kings and the Pāṇḍavas in their presence. (2-42-5)
This son of Satyavatī is our greatest enemy, O kings; he is cruel-minded towards the Sātvatas and is not beneficial to those who have done no harm. (2-42-6)
Knowing that we had gone to the city of Jyotisha earlier, this king, our sister's son, committed a wicked act and set Dvaraka on fire. (2-42-7)
Long ago, while the Bhoja princes were playing on Mount Raivataka, this person killed and bound all of them and, by some means, brought them to his own city. (2-42-8)
During the horse-sacrifice, the sacrificial horse, which had been let loose and was guarded, was taken away by an evil-minded person to obstruct my father's sacrifice. (2-42-9)
During the conquest of the Sauvīras, this renowned Babhrū, overcome by delusion, carried away the wife he desired, who had departed from here. (2-42-10)
He, veiled by illusion, for the sake of Karūṣa, abducted the virtuous ascetic Vaiśālī, daughter of his maternal uncle, committing a cruel deed. (2-42-11)
I bear the great suffering caused by my father's sister. Fortunately, today this is happening in the presence of all the kings. (2-42-12)
Today, you all indeed see in me a great transgression; but know those acts which I have done in secret. (2-42-13)
Today, I am unable to forgive this transgression, born of arrogance, of one deserving death, in the entire royal assembly. (2-42-14)
His request for Rukmiṇī, made in delusion and in the desire for death, was not fulfilled; the deluded one did not obtain her, just as a śūdra does not obtain the hearing of the Veda. (2-42-15)
Hearing Vasudeva's words, all the assembled kings then censured the king of Cedi. (2-42-16)
Then, having heard those words, the powerful Śiśupāla laughed aloud, and after laughing, he said this. (2-42-17)
O Krishna, you praise Rukmini before me in public gatherings, especially among kings; how is it that you do not feel any shame? (2-42-18)
O Madhusudana, who among virtuous men would ever speak of another woman not previously (by another), except you?
Whether you forgive or not, whether you have faith or not, O Kṛṣṇa, whether you are angry or pleased, what will come to me from you? (2-42-20)
As he was speaking thus, the Lord Madhusūdana, enraged, cut off his head with the discus, the destroyer of enemies. The mighty-armed one fell like a mountain struck by a thunderbolt. (2-42-21)
Then, O great king, the kings saw the supreme brilliance of the king of the Cedis rise from his body, like the sun rising from the sky. (2-42-22)
Then, Kṛṣṇa, whose eyes are like lotus petals and who is honored by all the worlds, was bowed to; at that moment, the brilliance entered the king. (2-42-23)
All the kings, having seen that wonderful event—how that splendor, the supreme person, entered the mighty-armed one—considered it remarkable. (2-42-24)
When Kṛṣṇa killed the Caidya (Śiśupāla), the sky rained down blazing lightning from a cloudless sky, and the earth trembled as well. (2-42-25)
Then, some of the kings remained silent there, gazing at Janardana (Krishna), reflecting on the words spoken in the past. (2-42-26)
Some, angered, pressed the tips of their hands with their hands; others, overcome with anger, bit their lips with their teeth. (2-42-27)
But secretly, some kings praised Kṛṣṇa, while others were angry, and yet others remained neutral. (2-42-28)
The joyful great sages, Brāhmaṇas of great soul, and mighty kings went to Keśava, praising him. (2-42-29)
But Pāṇḍava said to his brothers, "With due honor, accomplish (the task regarding) the heroic king, the son of Damaghoṣa; do not delay." So they then carried out their brother's command. (2-42-30)
Then Pārtha (Arjuna), together with those other kings, anointed his son as the king in the sovereignty of the Cedis. (2-42-31)
Then, O king, the sacrifice of the king of the Kurus, endowed with all prosperity and of great energy, arose, bringing delight to the youths. (2-42-32)
With obstacles pacified, happiness at the outset, abundant wealth and grain, possessing food and many edibles, and well-protected by Keśava. (2-42-33)
He completed the great Rājasūya sacrifice. After its completion, mighty-armed Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa), the Lord, descendant of Śūra and wielder of the Śārṅga bow, discus, and mace, protected that sacrifice. (2-42-34)
Then, after Yudhishthira, the king of dharma, had bathed following the avabhṛtha rite, he approached all the assembled kṣatriya kings and spoke these words. (2-42-35)
By good fortune, you thrive, O knower of dharma, and have attained sovereignty, O mighty one. O descendant of Ajamīḍha, you have enhanced the fame of the Ajamīḍhas. Through this deed, O king, you have accomplished great dharma. (2-42-36)
O tiger among men, we have been well-honored with all our desires fulfilled; now we seek your leave to return to our own kingdoms. Please grant us permission. (2-42-37)
Having listened to the words of the kings, Yudhishthira, the righteous king, respectfully addressed all the kings and his brothers as was appropriate. (2-42-38)
All these kings have come to us with affection. Having taken leave of me, the mighty warriors have departed to their own kingdoms. They are following you, O best of kings, wishing you well, up to the border of the territory. (2-42-39)
Having heard their brother's command, the righteous Pāṇḍavas, as was proper, followed each of those chief kings one by one. (2-42-40)
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the powerful one from the lineage of Virāṭa, quickly advanced; Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), the great chariot-warrior, approached the great-souled Yajñasena (Drupada). (2-42-41)
Bhishma, Dhritarashtra, Bhimasena of great strength, Drona and his heroic son, and Sahadeva, the great chariot-warrior. (2-42-42)
Nakula, O king, accompanied by Subala and his son, and the sons of Draupadī along with Saubhadra, approached the kings of the mountain region. (2-42-43)
The foremost among the Kṣatriyas followed the others in the same manner; thus, having been honored, they all departed, as did all the Brāhmaṇas. (2-42-44)
O best of the Bharatas, after all the kings had departed, the illustrious Vasudeva spoke these words to Yudhishthira. (2-42-45)
I take my leave of you; I will go to Dvārakā, O joy of the Kurus. By good fortune, you have accomplished the Rājasūya, the greatest of sacrifices. (2-42-46)
Thus addressed, the king of dharma said to Madhusūdana: "By your grace, Govinda, I have indeed obtained the sacrifice." (2-42-47)
All the royal kṣatriyas, obedient due to your favor, have brought the chief tribute and have come only to me. (2-42-48)
O hero, without you, we shall not enjoy ourselves here in any way. Certainly, you must go to the city of Dvāravatī. (2-42-49)
Thus addressed, the righteous-souled Hari (Krishna), companion of Yudhishthira, approached Pritha and, being pleased, spoke to her. (2-42-50)
Today, your sons, Siddhartha and Vasumanta, have attained universal sovereignty, O sister of your father; may you attain joy. (2-42-51)
Having received your permission, I am able to go to Dvaraka. Keśava honored both Subhadra and Draupadi. (2-42-52)
Having left the inner chambers with Yudhishthira as his companion, having bathed and completed his prayers, he should also offer words of welfare to the Brāhmaṇas. (2-42-53)
Then Dāruka, having yoked the well-prepared chariot that resembled the best of clouds, stood ready, O great king. (2-42-54)
Having seen the chariot bearing Garuḍa as its foremost banner, Kṛṣṇa, the great-minded lotus-eyed one, circumambulated it, mounted, and then departed for the city of Dvāravatī. (2-42-55)
Yudhishthira, the king of dharma, along with his prosperous brothers, followed the mighty Vasudeva on foot. (2-42-56)
Then, after taking the best chariot for a moment, Hari (Kṛṣṇa), the lotus-eyed, spoke to Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Kuntī. (2-42-57)
O lord of the people, always remain vigilant and steadfast, and protect your subjects. Just as all creatures depend on the rain-cloud, and birds depend on the great tree, so too may your relatives depend on you, as the immortals depend on Indra. (2-42-58)
After making such an agreement with each other, Kṛṣṇa and the Pāṇḍava, having mutually taken leave, both went to their respective homes. (2-42-59)
O king, when Kṛṣṇa, the foremost among the Sātvatas, had departed for Dvāravatī, Duryodhana and Śakuni, the son of Subala, remained alone in that divine assembly. (2-42-60)
