16.005

The end of the incarnation of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa.

Vaiśampāyana said.

Then Dāruka, Keśava, and Babhru went, following the path of Rāma, and then they saw Rāma of infinite valor, standing on a tree, lost in contemplation in solitude. (16-5-1)

Then, the great-souled Kṛṣṇa, having approached, instructed Dāruka: "Go quickly to the Kurus and announce this great destruction of the Yādavas to Pārtha (Arjuna)." (16-5-2)

Then Arjuna should quickly come here; after hearing that the Yadavas had died because of the curse of Brahma. Thus addressed, Dāruka, his mind distraught, went by chariot to the Kurus at that time. (16-5-3)

After Dāruka had left, Keśava saw Babhrū nearby and spoke: "Please protect the women and depart quickly; let not these women be harmed by the robbers out of greed for wealth." (16-5-4)

He, instructed by Keśava, departed, afflicted by intoxication and grief from the slaughter of his kin. As he went in Keśava’s presence, hastening, they suddenly saw a babhru (mongoose). Cursed by Brahmā, the great babhru was killed by the club released from the top by the hunter. (16-5-5)

Then, upon seeing Babhrū slain, Kṛṣṇa said to his elder brother: "Wait for me here, Rāma, until I have placed the women under the care of their relatives." (16-5-6)

Then, after entering the city of Dvāravatī, Janārdana spoke to his father: “Please protect all our women, who are awaiting Dhanañjaya’s arrival. Rāma is waiting at the edge of the forest; let him not remain there. I will meet him today.” (16-5-7)

I have seen this destruction of the Yādavas, and earlier, of the kings who were foremost among the Kurus. Without the Yādavas, I am not able to see this city of the Yādavas here today. (16-5-8)

“Know that I shall perform austerities; having gone to the forest together with Rāma.” After saying this, Kṛṣṇa touched his (Rāma's) feet with his head and departed quickly. (16-5-9)

Then a great roar arose from the women and boys of that city. Keśava, having turned back after hearing the sound of the women crying, then spoke. (16-5-10)

Savyasacin (Arjuna) will come to this city; he, the foremost of men, will deliver you from your suffering. Then, after going there, Keshava (Krishna) saw Rama sitting alone in seclusion in the forest. (16-5-11)

Then, as he watched, he saw from the mouth of that one engaged in yoga a great white serpent emerging. The great-souled one (the serpent) went from there to the great ocean. (16-5-12)

The thousand-headed being, with a body as vast as a mountain and red face, having cast off his own form; then the ocean, as well as the divine serpents and the pure rivers, properly received him. (16-5-13)

Karkotaka, Vāsuki, Takṣaka, Pṛthuśravā, Varuṇa, Kuñjara, Miśrī, Śaṅkha, Kumuda, Puṇḍarīka, and also Nāga Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the great-souled one. (16-5-14)

Hrāda, Krātha, Śitikaṇṭha, and the foremost-bright Agra-tejas, as well as the two Nāgas Cakramanda and Atiṣaṇḍa, together with Nagaśreṣṭha, Durmukha, and Ambarīṣa—Varuṇa, the king himself, also, O King—came forward to greet (him) with words of welcome, and they honored (him) with the ceremonies of arghya and pādya. (16-5-15)

Then, after his brother had departed, Vasudeva, who knew all paths by divine vision, wandered meditating in the empty forest; then he of supreme splendor lay down upon the ground. (16-5-16)

Everything, indeed, that wealth was formerly by him; whatever statement Gāndhārī had earlier spoken, and whatever Durvāsas said when the rice pudding was smeared with leftovers—Kṛṣṇa remembered all that. (16-5-17)

He, the greatly powerful one, reflecting on the destruction of the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, as well as the annihilation of the Kurus, then regarded it as the time for departure; and thereafter, he restrained his senses. (16-5-18)

Kṛṣṇa, having entered into great meditation with his senses, speech, and mind completely restrained, lay down. At that time, the fierce hunter Jarā, desiring a deer, came near that place. (16-5-19)

Keśava, who was lying down absorbed in yoga, was mistaken for a deer by the hunter. The hunter Jarā swiftly pierced the sole of his foot with an arrow and, wishing to claim him, approached him. Then the hunter saw that the man, absorbed in yoga and clothed in yellow, had many arms. (16-5-20)

Realizing himself to be at fault, he took the other's feet with his head, appearing in distress. At that time, the great-souled one comforted him and, ascending upward, pervaded heaven and earth with his splendor. (16-5-21)

After he reached heaven, Indra, then the Ashvins, the Rudras, Ādityas, Vasus, and the Viśvedevas; the sages, Siddhas, chief Gandharvas, and Apsarases all went forth to meet him. (16-5-22)

Then, O King, the blessed and mighty Nārāyaṇa—the origin and the imperishable, the teacher of yoga—having pervaded heaven and earth with splendor, attained his own immeasurable abode. (16-5-23)

Then, O king, Kṛṣṇa, surrounded by the gods, sages, cāraṇas, foremost gandharvas, excellent apsarases, siddhas, sādhyas, and those who bowed, was worshipped. (16-5-24)

The gods indeed rejoiced, O king; the best sages honored the Lord with words. The Gandharvas also came forth praising, and with affection, Puruhūta (Indra) congratulated him. (16-5-25)