05.089

Vaiśaṃpāyana said:

After taking leave of Kuntī and also walking around her in respect, Kṛṣṇa, the subduer of enemies, approached Duryodhana's house. (5-89-1)

Crossing the courtyards of that palace, adorned with supreme splendour and resembling the home of Purandara, he was stopped by three door-guards. (5-89-2)

Then the illustrious one ascended the lofty palace, shining with splendor, towering like a mountain peak, and resembling a mass of dark clouds. (5-89-3)

There, he saw the mighty-armed son of Dhritarashtra, seated on a throne, surrounded by thousands of kings and Kuru princes. (5-89-4)

He saw Duḥśāsana, Karna, and Śakuni the son of Subala, all of them seated near Duryodhana. (5-89-5)

As Kṛṣṇa entered, the illustrious son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra stood up along with his ministers to honor Madhusūdana. (5-89-6)

There, Keśava, the descendant of Vṛṣṇi, having met with Dhritarashtra's son and his ministers, along with the kings, assembled in proper order. (5-89-7)

There, Acyuta sat down on a well-adorned golden couch covered with various spreads. (5-89-8)

Then the Kaurava brought a cow and madhuparka as an offering to Janardana, and offered him his house and kingdom. (5-89-9)

There, all the Kauravas along with the kings paid their respects to Govinda, who was seated and radiant like the clear sun. (5-89-10)

Then King Duryodhana invited Vārṣṇeya, the best of victors, to a meal, but Keśava did not accept. (5-89-11)

Then Duryodhana, the Kaurava, having spoken to Karna—gently at first but with deceitful intent—said to Krishna in the royal assembly: (5-89-12)

Janardana, why did you not accept the food, drink, clothes, and beds that were offered to you? (5-89-13)

You gave support to both sides, and you are devoted to the welfare of both; you are a relative and dearly beloved of Dhritarashtra, O Madhava. (5-89-14)

You, Govinda, truly and completely know dharma and artha. Therefore, O wielder of the discus and mace, I wish to hear the reason for that from you. (5-89-15)

Thus addressed, Govinda, the great-minded one, replied at the proper moment, raising his broad arm, his voice like the roaring of a storm cloud. (5-89-16)

The lotus-eyed one addressed the king with excellent and reasoned words that were unambiguous, not interrupted, not refuted, and not confused. (5-89-17)

When their mission has succeeded, messengers enjoy themselves and indeed receive honor. You, O Bhārata, will honor me, together with my ministers, when my mission has succeeded. (5-89-18)

Thus addressed, the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra replied to Janārdana: "It is not appropriate for you to act towards us in this way at this time." (5-89-19)

Madhusudana, whether or not you have achieved your purpose, we strive to honor you, Govinda, but we are unable to do so. (5-89-20)

And, Madhusudana, we do not know the reason why, Purushottama, though we performed the worship with the intention to please you, you did not accept it. (5-89-21)

Govinda, we have no enmity or conflict with you. You, having carefully considered this, should not speak in such a way. (5-89-22)

Thus addressed, Janārdana, the descendant of the Daśārhas, looked around at the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and his counselors, and replied, as if smiling. (5-89-23)

I would never abandon righteousness—whether out of desire, anger, hatred, a desire for gain, sophistry, or greed. (5-89-24)

Whether these foods are meant for joyful occasions or for times of calamity, still, O king, you are not pleased, nor are we beset by disaster. (5-89-25)

O king, without cause you have been hostile to the Pāṇḍavas since birth—even though they are your brothers, affectionate towards you, and endowed with all virtues. (5-89-26)

And indeed, it is not justified to bear enmity without cause toward the sons of Pāṇḍu. Who could rightly say anything against those sons of Pāṇḍu, steadfast in righteousness? (5-89-27)

Whoever hates them, hates me; whoever follows them, follows me. Know that I am joined in oneness with the Pāṇḍavas who follow dharma. (5-89-28)

Indeed, whoever out of delusion rebels, following desire and anger, and whoever hates a virtuous person—him they call the lowest of men. (5-89-29)

He who, out of delusion or greed, desires to harm his virtuous relatives is one whose self and anger are uncontrolled, and he does not remain in prosperity for long. (5-89-30)

But he who, even when people of his own heart are unpleasant, acts toward them—if they are virtuous—with affection and makes them obedient, remains famous for a long time. (5-89-31)

All this food, impurely prepared, ought not to be eaten; it should be eaten only by the steward alone—this is my opinion. (5-89-32)

Having spoken thus, the strong-armed one departed from there, leaving the resentful Duryodhana, from the bright residence of the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. (5-89-33)

And having departed, the mighty-armed, great-minded Vāsudeva went to the house of the high-souled Vidura. (5-89-34)

Droṇa, Kṛpa, Bhīṣma, then Bāhlika, and the other Kuru elders approached the mighty-armed one who was staying in Vidura's house. (5-89-35)

They, the Kauravas, approached Madhusudana there and said, "O descendant of Vrishni, we announce that we are coming to your house together with gifts of jewels." (5-89-36)

Krishna, the mighty one, said to the Kauravas, "All of you may go. You have shown me every honor." (5-89-37)

When the Kurus had departed, the steward then honored the unconquered Dāśārha (Kṛṣṇa) with all desirable things, making every effort. (5-89-38)

Then the charioteer brought many pure and excellent foods and drinks for Keśava, the great-souled one. (5-89-39)

Krishna, having first satisfied the brahmins with those (offerings), gave the finest valuables also to the knowers of the Veda. (5-89-40)

Then, together with his attendants like Indra with the Maruts, he ate Vidura's food, which was pure and excellent. (5-89-41)