12.053
Pancharatra: The Pandavas, along with Krishna and Satyaki, purify themselves and visit Bhishma, leaving behind the army and others.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then Madhusūdana entered the house and fell asleep. He awoke when only a watch of the night was left.
Mādhava, having resorted to the path of meditation and having observed all knowledges, then afterwards meditated upon the eternal Brahman.
Then, those who knew the Vedas and Purāṇas, who were well-trained and red-throated, praised Viśvakarman, Vāsudeva, the Lord of all beings.
The hand-clappers recite, and likewise the singers sing; conch-shells, drums, and mridangas are played by the thousands.
From his mansion, the exceedingly delightful sound of lutes, drums, and flutes, spreading like laughter, was heard.
In the same way, for King Yudhiṣṭhira too, auspicious songs resounded; sweet voices accompanied by singing and instrumental music rose up.
Then Acyuta (Krishna), the mighty-armed descendant of the Daśārhas, having bathed, rose, joined his palms, muttered the secret mantra, and stood by the sacred fires.
Then Mādhava caused each of a thousand Brāhmaṇas, who were also knowers of the four Vedas, to recite, giving each one a thousand cows.
After performing the auspicious act and looking at himself in the clear mirror, Kṛṣṇa then spoke to Sātyaki.
Go, O Śaineya, and find out by going to the royal residence whether the mighty Yudhiṣṭhira is prepared to visit Bhīṣma.
Then, at Kṛṣṇa's command, Sātyaki quickly went and, approaching King Yudhiṣṭhira, spoke to him.
O king, the excellent chariot of wise Vāsudeva was yoked; Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa) will proceed near to the son of the river (Bhīṣma).
O Dharmarāja, Kṛṣṇa is waiting for you, O greatly illustrious one. Whatever needs to be done next here, you should do that.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
Let my excellent chariot, whose brilliance rivals that of Arjuna, be yoked. We ourselves shall go, not with soldiers.
Bhishma, the best among the upholders of dharma, is not to be harmed by me; therefore, O Dhananjaya, let the leaders also withdraw.
From this day, Bhishma (the son of Ganga) will reveal the highest secret. Therefore, O son of Kunti, I no longer wish to associate with others.
Vaiśampāyana said.
O bull among men, having heard those words, Kuntī's son Dhanañjaya informed him that the excellent chariot was yoked.
Then King Yudhishthira, along with Nakula, Sahadeva, Bhima, and Arjuna, all went to Krishna's residence, just as all beings do.
Then Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by Sātyaki, also came to the great-souled Pāṇḍavas and, being wise, ascended the chariot.
After conferring while standing on their chariots and inquiring about the pleasant night, those great chariot-warriors set out with their thunderous, excellent chariots.
Dāruka, the charioteer, urged on Vāsudeva's horses—Meghapuṣpa, Balāha, Sugrīva—and the army.
Then, O king, those horses of Vāsudeva, urged on by Dāruka, went forth, scratching the earth with the tips of their hooves.
The mighty and swift warriors, as if devouring the sky, descended into the entire field of dharma, Kurukṣetra.
Then they proceeded to the place where Bhīṣma, the lord, lay on his bed of arrows, surrounded by the Brahmarṣis, just as Brahmā is surrounded by the hosts of gods.
Then Govinda, Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna (the wielder of Gandiva), Nakula and Sahadeva (the sons of Yama), and Satyaki, having descended from the chariot, raised their right hands and worshipped the sages.
Surrounded by his followers, the king advanced towards Bhīṣma, just as the moon is surrounded by stars, or as Indra approaches Brahman.
The mighty-armed one saw him lying on the bed of arrows, fallen like the sun, overcome with anxiety arising from fear.
