16.002
Because of the sage's curse, a club was born to Sāmba.
Janamejaya said.
O Lord, how were the Andhakas, the Vrishnis, the Bhojas, and the great warriors all destroyed together while Vāsudeva was witnessing this? (16-2-1)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, in the thirty-sixth year, a great calamity befell the Vṛṣṇis; impelled by Time, they struck down one another with clubs. (16-2-2)
Janamejaya said;
O best of Brāhmaṇas, by whom were those heroes, the Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas, and the Bhojas, cursed, so that they all went to destruction? Please tell me this in detail. (16-2-3)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Viśvāmitra, Kaṇva, Nārada, and Tapodhana were seen by the warriors headed by Sāraṇa as they arrived in Dvārakā. (16-2-4)
They, indeed, having put Sāmba at the front and dressed him as a woman, approached and, afflicted by divine punishment, spoke. (16-2-5)
This woman, belonging to Putrakāma (the son of Babhrū of boundless energy)—Sages! Well, know what this woman will give birth to. (16-2-6)
Thus addressed, then they, O king—oppressed by deception—the sages replied to them. Hear what that was, O ruler of men. (16-2-7)
Sāmba, the son of Vāsudeva, will bring forth a terrible iron club for the destruction of the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas. (16-2-8)
Because of whom you, extremely wicked, cruel, and arrogant ones, have become destroyers of the entire family except for Rāma and Janārdana. (16-2-9)
Halāyudha, the illustrious one, will abandon his body and proceed to the ocean. Old age will pierce Kṛṣṇa, the great-souled one as he lies upon the earth. (16-2-10)
Thus, O King, those sages, insulted by the evil-minded ones, spoke with eyes reddened by anger, after looking at one another. (16-2-11)
After thus speaking, the sages then approached Keshava. Then, having heard in this way, Madhusudana, the knower of the end and possessed of wisdom, said to the Vrishnis: "That which must be shall happen thus to him." (16-2-13)
Thus, having spoken, Hṛṣīkeśa (Kṛṣṇa) again entered the houses; he, the Lord of the world, did not wish to act otherwise than fate. (16-2-14)
After the following day had arrived, then Sāmba brought forth that great pestle, which resembled a club, meant for the destruction of the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas. (16-2-15)
They reported to the king that which had been produced from a curse and was dreadful. The king, appearing dejected, had it made into a fine powder. (16-2-16)
By the king’s order, the men cast that into the ocean and announced in the city by the command of Āhuka. (16-2-17)
From today onwards, liquor should not be made in any of the houses of the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas here by any of the city-dwellers. (16-2-18)
And whoever—any man, anywhere—should give us something unknown to drink, he and his relatives, while still alive, should himself be impaled on a stake. (16-2-19)
Then, because of fear of the king, all the people observed restraint at that time, having learned the command of that great-souled king. (16-2-20)
