05.058
Dhritarashtra spoke:
O wise one, please tell me what the great souls Vasudeva and Dhananjaya said, as I am eager to hear your words.
Sanjaya said:
Listen, O king, to what I have seen and heard from Krishna and Dhananjaya. I will recount to you the words of those heroes, O Bharata.
With a focused mind and folded hands, I looked at my toes and entered the pure chamber to report to the two kings.
Neither Abhimanyu nor the two Yamas can reach the place where the two Krishnas, Krishna, Satyabhama, and the illustrious lady reside.
Both were intoxicated with honey-liquor and smeared with sandalwood paste. They wore garlands and excellent clothes, adorned with divine ornaments.
The two subduers of enemies sat on a great golden seat, adorned with various coverings and inlaid with many gems.
I observe the feet of Keshava resting in Arjuna's lap, and those of Arjuna in Krishna, truly reflecting the great soul.
Arjuna offered me a golden footstool, but after touching it with my hand, I chose to sit on the ground.
I saw the auspicious feet of Arjuna, marked with upward lines and auspicious signs, removed from the footrest.
Seeing the two young, dark, and huge figures seated together like strong trees, a great fear entered me.
The dull-minded person fails to comprehend the alliance of Indra and Vishnu, being misled by reliance on Drona, Bhishma, and the boasts of Karna.
The resolve of Dharmaraja, whose mind these two are under command, became my determination then.
Having been honored with food and drink and having received due respects, I placed my folded hands on my head and urged those two with the message.
Arjuna, holding a bow and arrow in one hand and possessing auspicious characteristics, respectfully urged Krishna.
Krishna, adorned with all ornaments and equal in strength to Indra, rose like the Indra-bannered and addressed me while seated.
He, the best among speakers, spoke words that were initially gentle but ultimately very harsh, pleasing yet terrifying to the sons of Dhritarashtra.
I heard the speech of a worthy person, full of instructional syllables, which later left my heart dry.
Vasudeva said:
Sanjaya should convey this message to the wise King Dhritarashtra, while both the chief of the Kurus and Drona are listening.
Perform abundant sacrifices and give gifts to the priests. Rejoice with your sons and wives, for a great fear has come upon you.
Abandon wealth to those who deserve it, gain sons born of desire. Act lovingly towards the beloved, for the king indeed hastens to victory.
Kṛṣṇā, feeling the burden of this growing debt, cried out 'Govinda' to me, who was living far away, expressing her deep longing and distress.
The Gandiva bow, full of brilliance and invincible, belongs to him whose bow, with me as his ally, is the source of your enmity here, wielded by Savyasachi (Arjuna).
Who would wish to seek Arjuna, my second self, once more? Who is not overtaken by time, or even by Indra himself?
With his might, he could lift the earth with both arms, burn all creatures in his wrath, bring down the gods from heaven, and conquer Arjuna in battle.
Among gods, demons, humans, yakshas, gandharvas, and enjoyers, I do not see any Pandava who approached in the battlefield.
The great wonder heard in the city of Virata serves as an example of sufficiency for both one and many.
When one son of Pandu broke them in the city of Virata, they fled in all directions; that is sufficient indication.
Strength, valor, brilliance, swiftness, dexterity, fearlessness, and courage are qualities unique to Arjuna and are not found elsewhere.
Sanjaya said:
Thus, Hrishikesha, encouraging Partha with his words, roared like Indra, the cloud-bearer, in the sky.
Upon hearing the words of Keshava, Arjuna, the one with the crown and white horses, spoke a statement that was truly hair-raising.
