14.015
Recreation of Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna in the assembly hall at Indraprastha.
Janamejaya said.
O best of twice-born, when the realm had been conquered by the sons of Pāṇḍu and was at peace, what did the two heroes, Vāsudeva and Dhanañjaya, do? (14-15-1)
Vaiśampāyana said.
O lord of the people, when the kingdom was conquered by the sons of Pāṇḍu and peace was restored, Vāsudeva and Dhanañjaya became joyful. (14-15-2)
The two of them, united and filled with delight, sported on the mountain slopes and in the wondrous forests, just as the two lords of the gods do in heaven. (14-15-3)
In the mountains, in lovely places, marshes, and rivers, they both, delighted, wandered like the twin Aśvins in the Nandana garden. (14-15-4)
In Indraprastha, Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, the two great souls, rejoiced together; having entered that beautiful assembly hall, they found delight there, O Bhārata. (14-15-5)
There, O king, on the occasion of story-telling, they both narrated various war stories and hardships. (14-15-6)
Then, those two ancient and great-souled best of sages, being pleased, spoke about the lineages of the sages and the deities. (14-15-7)
Sweet and wonderful were the stories, their words having clear and marvelous meaning; Keśava, the knower of certainty, told them to Pārtha. (14-15-8)
Śauri Janārdana (Krishna) consoled Arjuna, who was afflicted by grief for his son and the thousands of kinsmen, by telling him stories. (14-15-9)
Having properly consoled him, the great ascetic who knew the rituals, removed the burden from himself and, as if a Sātvata, took rest. (14-15-10)
Then, at the end of the conversation, Govinda indeed addressed Guḍākeśa, soothing him with gentle and reasonable words, as follows. (14-15-11)
O Savyasācin, O scorcher of foes! This entire earth has indeed been conquered by the king, the son of Dharma, by relying upon your strength of arm. (14-15-12)
King Yudhishthira, son of Dharma, enjoys the earth without a rival, owing to the power of Bhimasena and the twins, O best of men. (14-15-13)
The kingdom free from obstacles was obtained by the king who knows dharma. Through dharma, Suyodhana and that king were slain in battle. (14-15-14)
The sons of Dhritarashtra, who were wicked-minded, always greedy, fond of unrighteousness, and speakers of unpleasant words, along with their associates, have been destroyed. (14-15-15)
O Pārtha, the king, son of Dharma, protected by you, enjoys the entire pacified earth, O best of the Kurus. (14-15-16)
O Pāṇḍava, I delight together with you even in the forests; how much more would I, where there are people, Pṛthā, and you, O tormentor of enemies? (14-15-17)
Where Yudhishthira is king, where mighty Bhima is, and where the sons of Mādravatī are, there is my greatest joy. (14-15-18)
In the same way, O Bhārata, in those assembly halls like heaven—delightful and sacred ones—being together with you, O sinless one (14-15-19)
O descendant of Kuru, a great time has truly passed since I have not seen the son of Śūra, Baladeva, and the other foremost Vrishnis. (14-15-20)
I wish to go to the city of Dvaravati. May the journey be pleasing to both me and you also, O best of men. (14-15-21)
The king Yudhiṣṭhira was addressed in many ways, here and there; he indeed, by Bhīṣma and by us, with what was appropriate in that situation caused by sorrow. (14-15-22)
Yudhiṣṭhira, respected by us and our ruler, even as the Pāṇḍava, has by his very great spirit correctly and fully accepted that statement. (14-15-23)
Indeed, in Dharmaputra, who knows dharma, is grateful, and speaks the truth, truthfulness, righteousness, excellent thought, and unwavering firmness are always present. (14-15-24)
Then, having gone to that great-souled one, if you approve, Arjuna, convey to the king our intention to depart. (14-15-25)
For I would not do anything displeasing to him, even if surrendering my life were at hand. How then, O mighty-armed one, could I go toward the city of Dvaravati? (14-15-26)
All this, O Pārtha, I truly speak out of desire for your pleasure and welfare; O Kauravya, this is not in any way false. (14-15-27)
The purpose of my remaining here is accomplished, Arjuna. The son of Dhritarashtra, the king, along with his army and followers, has been slain. (14-15-28)
O Pāṇḍava, the earth, ruled by the wise son of Dharma, remained beneath his control, adorned with oceans as her garment and with mountains, forests, and groves. It was decked with many kinds of jewels by the king of the Kurus. (14-15-29)
May the king who knows dharma, by righteousness, protect the whole earth—being worshipped by many accomplished and great souls, and ever praised by bards, O foremost of the Bharatas. (14-15-30)
Having gone with her today to King Kuruvardhana, take leave, O tiger among Kurus, for your departure towards Dvārakā. (14-15-31)
This body, my wealth, and whatever is in my house, O Partha, have always been offered to Yudhishthira. Yudhishthira is dear and honored to me indeed, always the lord of the Kurus and a man of great intellect. (14-15-32)
There is, for me, no purpose or even reason to dwell here except for you, O mighty-armed one. The earth indeed remains upheld under your rule, O Pārtha, and also under the guidance of the noble Yudhiṣṭhira, the virtuous son of the teacher. (14-15-33)
Thus, when this was spoken by the great-souled Janārdana, Arjuna of immeasurable valor, saying "so be it"—as if with difficulty—uttered words, having duly honored Janārdana, O king. (14-15-34)
