14.060
Vaiśampāyana said.
While still narrating, then Vāsudeva, the mighty one, recounted the Mahābhārata war at the end of that narration in the presence of his father. (14-60-1)
The hero, noble-minded, overcame the killing of Abhimanyu, O Bharata, so that nothing unpleasant should happen to Vasudeva. (14-60-2)
The wise one (thought that) if Vasudeva hears of the murder of his daughter's son, he may be overcome with great calamity and consumed by sorrow and grief. (14-60-3)
But Subhadrā, upon learning from Kṛṣṇa of her son's slaying in battle, crying 'the slaying of the son of Subhadrā,' fell to the ground. (14-60-4)
When Vasudeva saw her fallen on the ground, he too, seeing this, fell upon the earth and fainted from grief. (14-60-5)
Then, afflicted with pain and grief from the killing of his daughter's son, Vasudeva, O great king, spoke these words to Krishna. (14-60-6)
Indeed, you, O lotus-eyed one, who is renowned on earth as truth-speaking and a destroyer of enemies, do not declare today the killing of my grandson. (14-60-7)
O lord, truly tell me about that cousin's death. How was your Sadṛśākṣa slain by enemies in the battle? (14-60-8)
Indeed, O son of Vṛṣṇi, it is indeed hard to bear at all times among men when the destined time has not come; for, in such a situation, my heart is not torn into a hundred pieces by sorrow. (14-60-9)
What did (he) say to you, to Subhadra my mother, and also to me in the battle, O lotus-eyed one, the restless-eyed who is dear to me? (14-60-10)
After having fought from behind, was he not killed by the enemies? O Govinda, was his face not disfigured by him in the battle? (14-60-11)
Indeed, Kṛṣṇa, the lord of great splendor, as if praising himself like a child, spoke of his own victory in front of me. (14-60-12)
Keśava, please tell me: Is the boy not disfigured, struck down on the earth by Droṇa, Karṇa, Kṛpa and others? (14-60-13)
For he, my daughter's young son, always used to compete in battle with Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Karṇa, and the best of the chariot-warriors. (14-60-14)
When his father, greatly distressed, was lamenting much in such a way, Govinda, who was even more sorrowful, spoke these words. (14-60-15)
He did not make a distorted face in the midst of battle, nor did he attempt to fight the difficult battle from behind. (14-60-16)
After slaying kings of the earth in thousands and hundreds, and being distressed by Droṇa and Karṇa, he fell under the control of Duhśāsana. (14-60-17)
O master, even if a single person were to fight constantly against another single person, he could not be slain in battle even by Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt. (14-60-18)
But in the battle, when Pārtha was engaged by the Saṃśaptakas, he was then surrounded by the greatly enraged Droṇa and others in that fight. (14-60-19)
Then, after achieving the immense destruction of his father's enemies in battle, your daughter's son, O Vārṣṇeya, fell under the power of Duhśāsani. (14-60-20)
Certainly, he has gone to heaven; so abandon your grief, O great-minded one. Good men never succumb when faced with misfortune. (14-60-21)
How could he, who opposed in battle Drona, Karna and others, those equal to Mahendra (Indra), not attain heaven? (14-60-22)
Abandon grief, O unconquerable one, and do not fall under the sway of anger. He, the conqueror of enemy cities, has indeed attained the state purified by weapons. (14-60-23)
But when the hero was slain, Subhadrā—my sister—afflicted by sorrow, then indeed, having approached Pṛthā, wailed like a female osprey. (14-60-24)
Distressed, she approached Draupadī and asked, "O noble lady, where are all the children? I wish to see them." (14-60-25)
But when they heard her words, all the women of the Kuru family embraced her with their arms and cried out in great distress. (14-60-26)
Bhadra replied: "O good lady, where has your husband gone? Quickly inform him that I have come." (14-60-27)
Surely, O daughter of Virāṭa, having previously heard my words, he comes out quickly from the house; why does your husband not come to you? (14-60-28)
Abhimanyu is well; your maternal uncles, the great warriors, are also well; and all of them wished you well as you have arrived here, desiring to fight. (14-60-29)
Tell me today about the battle as before, O subduer of enemies. Why indeed do you not respond here today to the lamenting one? (14-60-30)
But when the Vṛṣṇis thus heard her lamentation, Pṛthā, greatly afflicted with sorrow, slowly spoke these words. (14-60-31)
The child who was protected by Subhadrā, by Vāsudeva, by Sātyaki in battle, and by his father as well, was killed by the decree of fate. (14-60-32)
Such is the nature of mortals, O daughter of Yadu; do not grieve. For your unassailable son has indeed attained the supreme state. (14-60-33)
You are born in a great family, among kṣatriyas of noble soul. Do not grieve, O restless-eyed one, you of lotus-like eyes. (14-60-34)
Observe Uttarā, she is pregnant; do not grieve, O auspicious one. She will soon give birth to his son, O splendid lady. (14-60-35)
Thus, after consoling her, Kuntī, O best of the Yadus, gave up her overwhelming grief and arranged for his funeral rites. (14-60-36)
Having respectfully obtained the permission of those versed in dharma—the king, Bhima himself, and the twins who were like Yama—he gave countless gifts. (14-60-37)
Then, having given many cows to the brāhmaṇas, Vārṣṇeyī (Draupadī) joyfully addressed these words to the queen of Virāṭa, O descendant of Yadu. (14-60-38)
O princess of Virāṭa, do not give way to sorrow here, illustrious lady. O slender-waisted one, for the sake of your husband, protect my unborn child. (14-60-39)
Having said this, Kuntī fell silent, O greatly radiant one. After granting permission to her, I brought Subhadrā here. (14-60-40)
Thus, your daughter's son, O Mādhava, has died. O invincible one, give up your grief and do not let your mind dwell in sorrow. (14-60-41)
