07.010
Pancharatra: Suddenly King Dhritarashtra had become a devotee of Krishna and recounts the various deeds of Krishna both as an adult and in his childhood days. Asks why foolish Duryodhana does not listen to his advice and then enquires about the war details.
Dhritarashtra spoke:
Listen, O Sañjaya, to the divine acts of Vāsudeva, which Govinda performed in a manner that no other man ever could.
O Sañjaya, the great soul, nurtured in the cowherd family, manifested his strength in the three worlds through his arms.
The dweller of the Yamuna forest killed the king of horses, who was as strong as Uccaiḥśravas and as swift as the wind.
In his childhood, he indeed killed the demon who took the form of a bull and was like the death of cows, known for his terrible deeds.
The lotus-eyed Lord defeated the demons Pralamba, Naraka, Jambha, Pīṭha, and the mighty Muru, who was as formidable as a mountain.
Thus, the mighty Kaṃsa, who was protected by Jarāsandha, was ultimately slain in battle by Kṛṣṇa and his followers.
Sunama, a valiant and powerful commander of the entire army, served as a mediator for King Bhoja and was the brother of Kamsa.
The energetic king of Surasena, along with his army, was defeated in battle by Krishna, the brother of Balarama and slayer of enemies.
Durvasa, the sage known for his extreme irritability, was worshipped by a man with his wife, and he granted them boons.
In the svayamvara, the lotus-eyed hero defeated all the kings of the earth and married the daughter of the king of Gandhara.
The kings, by their very nature, are intolerant like horses yoked to a marriage chariot and are wounded by the goad.
Janārdana, through strategy, had the mighty-armed Jarāsandha killed by another, the leader of the army, separately.
The strong Chedi king and the valiant royal general were killed like animals during their dispute over the offering.
Madhava, having ventured into the demon city of Saubha, which was well-guarded by Shalva and considered impregnable, managed to bring it down into the depths of the ocean.
He defeated the tribes of Angas, Vangas, Kalingas, Magadhas, Kashis, Kosalas, Vatsas, Gargas, Karushas, and Pundras in battle.
The text lists various groups of people, including those from Avanti, the southern regions, the mountains, Dasharaka, Kashmir, Aurasa, as well as demons and sea dwellers.
O Sañjaya, the Kambojas, Vāṭadhānas, Cholas, Pāṇḍyas, Trigartas, Mālavas, Daradas, and Sudurjayas are mentioned.
The lotus-eyed Lord conquered the groups of horse riders coming from various directions, as well as the Yavanas and their followers.
Once, having entered the abode of the crocodile and surrounded by aquatic creatures, he defeated Varuna in an underwater battle.
In the battle, Hṛṣīkeśa killed the demon Pañcajana, who lived in the netherworld, and obtained the divine conch named Pāñcajanya.
In the Khandava forest, the mighty one, along with Partha, pleased the fire god and obtained the invincible fiery weapon, the discus.
Garuda, the mighty bird, mounted and frightened the inhabitants of Amaravati, and the hero brought back the Parijata tree from Indra's abode.
Indra, recognizing his valor, forgave him. It is said that no king here has remained unconquered by Krishna.
O Sanjaya, what a great wonder has the lotus-eyed one performed in the assembly! Who else here deserves such a feat?
With devotion, I surrendered and saw Krishna, the Lord. That knowledge became clear to me, as if I had directly perceived it.
O Sañjaya, there is no end to the valor and intelligence of one who is engaged in action; it is possible to reach Hṛṣīkeśa.
Thus, Gada, Sāmba, Pradyumna, Vidūratha, Āgāvaha, Aniruddha, Cārudeṣṇa, and Sāraṇa were present.
Ulmuka, Nishatha, Jhalli, Babhru, the powerful Prithu, Viprithu, Samika, and Arimejaya were present.
These strong and striking heroes of the Vṛṣṇi clan might somehow join the Pāṇḍava army standing in battle.
When called by the great soul Keśava, the hero of the Vṛṣṇis, I believe that everything would then become doubtful.
The mighty hero, as strong as ten thousand elephants and resembling the peak of Kailasa, the forest-dweller and ploughman Rama, is present wherever Janardana is.
The twice-born refer to Vasudeva as the universal father. Indeed, this one will fight for the cause of the Pandavas, O Sanjaya.
O father, when Krishna prepares himself for the Pandavas, there will be no one among the opposing forces to stand against him.
If all the Kurus were to defeat all the Pandavas, Krishna would indeed take up the best weapon for their cause.
Then the mighty-armed hero, having slain all the kings and the Kauravas in battle, would give the earth to Kunti.
With Hṛṣīkeśa as the charioteer and Dhanañjaya as the warrior, who can stand as an opposing chariot in the battle?
"There seems to be no way for the Kurus to achieve victory. Therefore, tell me everything about how the battle unfolded."
Arjuna is the soul of Keshava, and Krishna is also the soul of the crowned one. Victory always resides with Arjuna, and everlasting fame with Krishna.
Duryodhana, due to his delusion, fails to recognize the immeasurable and abundant qualities of Keśava, who is Kṛṣṇa, here as Mādhava.
Under the influence of divine will and bound by the noose of death, he fails to recognize Krishna, the descendant of Dasharha, as well as Arjuna and the Pandava.
The great souls, Nara and Nārāyaṇa, who were once the former gods, are perceived by humans on earth as two distinct entities, though they are one in essence.
Even in thought, the invincible and glorious ones could destroy this army here if they wished, but due to their human nature, they do not wish to do so.
O father, it is like the reversal of the age and the delusion of the people, the killing of the great souls Bhishma and Drona.
Indeed, no one is liberated from death by celibacy, study of the Vedas, rituals, or weapons.
Sanjaya, having heard that the revered heroes Bhishma and Drona, who were honored by the world and skilled in weapons, have been slain, how can I continue to live?
The prosperity that we once envied in Yudhishthira, which had departed, today we accept due to the fall of Bhishma and Drona.
Thus, for my sake, this destruction of the Kurus has come about. Indeed, O charioteer, even the most insignificant things become powerful in the killing of the ripe.
Yudhishthira attained unmatched sovereignty in the world, and it was by his wrath that the great warriors Bhishma and Drona were defeated.
Righteousness is naturally attained, not unrighteousness towards humans. Cruel time surpasses everything, leading to total destruction.
Dear, the purposes thought by wise men often turn out differently due to fate; this is my belief.
Therefore, in this inevitable and worrisome situation that has come upon us, tell me exactly as it is, despite the great difficulty.
