09.062
Janamejaya said:
Why did Yudhishthira, the righteous king and tiger among kings, send Lord Krishna to Gandhari?
When Krishna previously went to the Kauravas to seek peace, and did not achieve that aim, this war ensued.
After the warriors were slain and Duryodhana was killed, the son of Pandu was left without any rivals on earth in the battle.
When the camp was deserted and empty, and the highest fame was achieved, what was the reason, O Brahman, for which Krishna went again?
This reason, O Brahman, does not appear small to me, for it is where the immeasurable soul, Janardana himself, came.
O best of priests, please explain everything in reality. What is the cause here, O Brahman, in determining this action?
Vaishampayana spoke:
O prince, the question you have asked is indeed appropriate. I will explain it to you in detail, O best of the Bharatas.
Upon witnessing the death of Duryodhana at the hands of Bhimasena in the battle, the mighty son of Dhritarashtra, O king, violated the agreement.
O Bharata, upon witnessing the unjust killing during the mace battle, great fear overcame Yudhishthira, the great king.
Thinking about the greatly fortunate Gandhari, who is endowed with terrible penance, she could even burn the three worlds.
As he was contemplating, his mind came to a conclusion. First, Gāndhārī, who was burning with anger, should be pacified.
Upon hearing of her son's killing, which was done by us in such a manner, she will, in her anger fueled by the fire of her mind, reduce us to ashes.
"How will Gandhari bear this intense grief upon hearing that her straightforward warrior son was deceitfully killed?"
Thus, filled with fear and grief, Dharmaraja pondered deeply and addressed Vasudeva with these words.
Thanks to your grace, O Govinda, we have achieved a kingdom free of obstacles, something that was previously thought to be unattainable even in thought, here and now, O Acyuta.
O mighty-armed one, a very great and thrilling conflict has directly occurred in the battle by you, O joy of the Yadus.
In the battle between gods and demons, you provided assistance to kill the enemies of the immortals, and thus the enemies of the wise were slain.
O mighty-armed one, the help given to us by you, O infallible one, through your charioteering, O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, has sustained us.
If you were not Arjuna's protector in the great battle, how could this ocean of strength be conquered in battle?
Numerous blows with maces, clubs, spears, javelins, lances, and axes were exchanged.
The harsh words you received, being our well-wisher, have all borne fruit with the fall of Duryodhana, O infallible one.
O mighty-armed Madhava, recognize the anger of Gandhari. She is always blessed and has become emaciated due to her severe penance.
Upon hearing about the killing of sons and grandsons, she will surely destroy us. Therefore, O hero, I believe it is the right time to appease her.
Who else but you, O best of men, can bear to look at her, with her eyes blazing with anger and worn down by the sorrow for her son?
O Madhava, my arrival there pleases you. It is for the pacification of the anger-ignited Gandhari, O subduer of enemies.
You are indeed the creator and destroyer of the worlds, the origin and dissolution, expressed through statements of causes and reasons, as dictated by time.
"O great wise one, you will soon pacify Gandhari. The grandsire and Lord Krishna will be present there."
In every possible way, O mighty-armed one, you must ensure the pacification of Gāndhārī's anger, O best of the Sātvatas, as a well-wisher of the Pāṇḍavas.
Upon hearing the words of Dharmaraja, the leader of the Yadu dynasty, addressed Daruka and instructed him to prepare the chariot.
Upon hearing Keshava's words, Daruka quickly informed Keshava, the great soul, that the chariot was ready.
Keshava, the mighty and best of the Yadavas, quickly mounted the chariot and proceeded to Hastinapura, the city of elephants.
Then, O great king, Mādhava, the divine charioteer, departed and entered Nāgasāhvaya, demonstrating his might.
The hero entered the city, making it resound with the sound of chariots. Known to Dhritarashtra, he descended from his excellent chariot.
With a humble heart, he went to Dhritarashtra's residence. Before reaching there, he saw the revered sage.
Janardana, after pressing the feet of Krishna and the king, calmly greeted Gandhari and Keshava.
Then, the best of the Yadavas, known as the imperceptible Dhritarashtra, held the king's hand and cried out loudly.
He paused for a moment, as if releasing tears born of grief, washed his eyes with water, sipped according to the ritual, and then spoke humble words to Dhritarashtra, the subduer of enemies.
O Bharata, nothing of the past or future is unknown to you. You are well aware of how events unfolded over time, O lord.
O Bhārata, since all this is done by the Pāṇḍavas to please your mind, how can there not be the destruction of the family, and thus of the kṣatriyas?
The righteous and forgiving one, having made an agreement with his brothers, accepted the exile to the forest after being deceitfully defeated in gambling by the powerful ones.
The practice of living incognito, disguised in various attires, and many other troubles are always faced by those who are powerless.
I personally came at the time of battle and in the presence of everyone, you asked for five villages.
Because of your negligence, O king, driven by greed and overcome by time, you did not avoid this. As a result, all the kshatriyas have been destroyed.
You were repeatedly urged by Bhishma, Somadatta, Bahlika, Kripa, Drona with his son, and the wise Vidura to seek peace, yet you did not act upon it.
O Bhārata, everyone whose mind is afflicted by time becomes deluded, just as you were previously confused in this matter when you were engaged.
What else can be done, O great king? It is the destined refuge due to the conjunction of time. Do not blame the Pandavas.
O conqueror of enemies, the Pāṇḍavas, who are great souls, do not commit even the smallest transgression, whether it be according to dharma, justice, or affection.
Understanding that all this is the result of one's own faults, you should not harbor envy towards the sons of Pandu.
The family, lineage, and funeral offerings, as well as the results of actions performed by the son, of Gandhari and yourself, are now firmly established among the Pandavas.
Reflect on all these matters and your own transgressions, and meditate on the Pāṇḍavas with a pure heart. Salutations to you, O noble descendant of Bharata.
O mighty-armed one, you are aware of the devotion and natural affection that Dharmaraja holds for you, O tiger among the Bharatas.
After committing this act of slaughter against his enemies and wrongdoers, he was tormented day and night and found no peace.
O best of the Bharatas, he laments for you and the illustrious Gandhari, O tiger among men, and does not find peace.
Due to modesty and being greatly overwhelmed, he does not come to you. He is tormented by the grief of his son, and his mind and senses are agitated.
Having thus spoken, O great king, the noble Yadava addressed Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, who was overwhelmed with sorrow, with profound words.
O daughter of Subala, listen to what I have to say, O virtuous one. Today, there is no lady in this world who is your equal, O auspicious one.
I am aware, O queen, that in the assembly, in my presence, you delivered a speech filled with righteousness and purpose, beneficial to both parties, O auspicious one, but unfortunately, your sons did not hear it.
Duryodhana, you have spoken harsh words in your desire for victory. Listen, fool, to my words: where there is righteousness, there is victory.
"O princess, your words have been received. Knowing this, O auspicious one, do not let your mind dwell in grief. Never let your intention be for the destruction of the Pandavas."
O fortunate one, you possess the power to incinerate the entire earth, along with all its creatures, using your gaze fueled by the strength of your penance.
Upon hearing Vasudeva's words, Gandhari spoke: "Indeed, O mighty-armed one, it is as you say, Keshava."
My mind was disturbed by various afflictions, but it has become steady after listening to your words, O Janardana.
O Keshava, you are the refuge for the blind and aged king who has lost his sons, along with the heroic Pandavas, the best among men.
After speaking those words, Gandhari covered her face with a cloth and cried, overwhelmed with grief for her son.
Then the mighty-armed Keshava, seeing her afflicted by grief, consoled her with words full of reasoning and causes.
After consoling Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, Madhava (Krishna) perceived the intentions of Ashwatthama, the son of Drona.
Then, having quickly risen, and having bowed with his head to the feet of Dvaipayana, the king spoke to Kaurava.
I seek your permission, O best of the Kurus, do not let your mind dwell in sorrow. Drona's son harbors an evil intention, and it is because of him that I have suddenly arisen. His plan to kill the Pandavas at night has been revealed.
Upon hearing Gāndhārī's words, the mighty-armed Dhṛtarāṣṭra addressed Keśava, the slayer of Keśi.
"Quickly go, O mighty-armed one, and protect the Pāṇḍavas. I will meet you again soon, O Janārdana." Then, Acyuta, along with Dāruka, departed swiftly.
After Vasudeva's departure, Vyasa, who is revered by all, consoled King Dhritarashtra, the ruler of the people, with his boundless spirit.
Vasudeva, being a righteous soul and having completed his duties, went from Hastinapura to the camp with the desire to see the Pandavas, O king.
He arrived at the camp during the night and approached the Pandavas. After explaining the situation to them, he entered along with them.
