05.082
Vaiśaṃpāyana said:
As Devakī's son departed, ten great chariot warriors—destroyers of enemy heroes, mighty-armed and weapons in hand—followed him. (5-82-1)
A thousand foot soldiers, cavalry, abundant food, O king, and hundreds of other servants... (5-82-2)
Janamejaya said:
How did the great-souled Madhusūdana, the Dāśārha, depart? And what omens appeared for the mighty one as he set out? (5-82-3)
Vaiśaṃpāyana said:
At his departure, wondrous events occurred, O great-souled one—listen to me as I recount those divine, god-sent, and portentous signs. (5-82-4)
A thunderclap with lightning arose when there were no clouds, and immediately afterwards the clouds poured rain down heavily in dense darkness. (5-82-5)
The great rivers that flowed eastward, O best of rivers, swelled backward; all directions were reversed, and nothing at all could be distinguished. (5-82-6)
Fires blazed up, O king; the earth trembled; wells and water-jars poured forth water by the hundreds. (5-82-7)
At that time, O king, the entire world was shrouded in darkness—even the quarters and intermediate directions could not be discerned because of the dust. (5-82-8)
A great sound arose in the sky, with no body seen; in all the regions, O king, it seemed extraordinary. (5-82-9)
A harsh southwest wind, making a fearful noise, shook Hastinapura and, in groups, uprooted trees. (5-82-10)
But wherever the descendant of Vṛṣṇi went on the road, O Bhārata, there the wind became gentle and everything was on the right side, auspicious. (5-82-11)
A rain of flowers and many lotuses fell, and the path was level, free from hardship, cleared of grass and thorns. (5-82-12)
As he goes, O king, the mighty-armed one is honored here and there by brahmins with madhuparka offerings and flowers, he who gives wealth. (5-82-13)
Women, having gathered on the path, strew fragrant wild flowers over him—the great-souled one, who is devoted to the welfare of all beings. (5-82-14)
He, bull among the Bharatas, passed comfortably by the charming rice storehouse, filled with all kinds of grains, which was of supreme righteousness. (5-82-15)
Seeing many cattle, charming villages that delight the heart, and passing through ancient and various kingdoms, (5-82-16)
Always cheerful and good-natured, well protected by the Bharatas, not distressed by hostile forces, and unskilled in unrighteous acts. (5-82-17)
Then, as he approached from Upaplavya, the residents of the city stood together along the road, eager to see Vishvaksena. (5-82-18)
They all honored that illustrious and worshipful guest, who had come from another land, like a kindled fire lord. (5-82-19)
Arriving at Vṛkasthala, Keśava, the slayer of enemy heroes, when the sun with its scattered rays shone clear and red... (5-82-20)
Dismounting quickly from the chariot and performing purification as prescribed, having ordered the unharnessing of the chariot, he sat down for the twilight rite. (5-82-21)
Dāruka also unyoked the horses, tended to them according to the rules, removed all his armor, and after taking it off, set it aside. (5-82-22)
But having passed through all that, Madhusudana said, "For the sake of Yudhishthira's task, let us spend the night here." (5-82-23)
Having understood his wish, the men prepared lodging, and in a moment they made ready excellent food and drink. (5-82-24)
O king, in that village, the foremost Brāhmaṇas—noble, high-born, modest, who followed Brāhmaṇical conduct— (5-82-25)
They approached the great-souled Hṛṣīkeśa, subduer of enemies, and offered him honor according to custom, accompanied by blessings and auspicious words. (5-82-26)
After honouring Dāśārha, who is esteemed among all people, they offered him houses adorned with jewels. (5-82-27)
The lord, saying to them, "It is done," and having honored them as was proper, went again, along with them, to their houses. (5-82-28)
There, Keśava had the Brahmins served well-cleaned food, and after eating together with all of them, he spent the night happily. (5-82-29)