16.007
The lamentation of Vasudeva;
Vaiśampāyana said.
The chief of the Kurus saw Ānakadundubhi, the great-souled hero, lying there, overcome with grief for his son. (16-7-1)
O Bhārata, Pārtha, who was even more distressed than the distressed man, with eyes filled with tears, broad chest and mighty arms, seized his feet. (16-7-2)
Having embraced Arjuna with his arms, the aged, mighty-armed one, weeping and remembering all his sons, lamented greatly in distress; he mourned also for his brothers, sons, grandsons, grandsons through his daughters, and friends. (16-7-3)
Vasudeva said.
By whom even kings and hundreds of daityas were conquered, O Arjuna, seeing them, I feel I cannot live here; they are hard to overcome, O Arjuna. (16-7-4)
O Arjuna, those two disciples of yours, always beloved and highly esteemed, by their removal, O Pārtha, the Vṛṣṇis have met with destruction. (16-7-5)
Among the heroic Vṛṣṇis, only those two are regarded as great warriors—Pradyumna and Yuyudhāna. Speaking of them, you boast—who are you? (16-7-6)
Always you, O tiger among the Kurus, and Kṛṣṇa, my dear son, let both of you be the fore-initiators of the destruction of the Vṛṣṇis, O Dhanañjaya (Arjuna). (16-7-7)
But I do not blame Śaineya, Hārdikya, myself or you, Arjuna; nor Akrūra or Raukmiṇeya. The curse alone is the cause here. (16-7-8)
O Pārtha, the Lord of the world, who overpowered Keśin and Kaṃsa, killed them and also the arrogant king of the Cedis.
He conquered Ekalavya, the Niṣāda prince; the kings of Kaliṅga and Magadha; the princes of Gandhāra, the king of Kāśi, and the rulers of the desert region. (16-7-10)
He, Madhusudana, overlooked the kings of the east, the south, and the mountains as well, this improper action. (16-7-11)
Then, having seen his sons, grandsons, brothers, and also friends lying dead, he said this to me. (16-7-12)
O best of men, today this (news) has reached within the family. Bībhatsu (Arjuna) will come to this city of Dvāravatī. (16-7-13)
The great slaughter that befell the Vṛṣṇis and what happened to him should be told. But when the mighty one hears of the destruction of the Yadus, O lord, he will come here quickly; in this I have no doubt. (16-7-14)
Know that he who is I is that Arjuna; and he who is Arjuna is indeed I. Whatever he says is to be acted upon accordingly—understand this, O Mādhava. (16-7-15)
He, the Pāṇḍava Arjuna (Bībhatsu), will perform the funeral rites for you at the proper time among your women and children. (16-7-16)
As soon as Dhanañjaya returns, the ocean will flood this city, which is endowed with ramparts and turrets. (16-7-17)
Indeed, I had undertaken a vow in some auspicious place and was to perform (the act) together with the wise Rāma immediately at the appointed time. (16-7-18)
Thus, having spoken in this way, Hṛṣīkeśa, the lord of inconceivable valor, left me with the children and went away in some direction. (16-7-19)
I, thinking of your two great-souled brothers and that terrible slaughter of kinsmen, do not eat, afflicted by grief. (16-7-20)
I will neither enjoy nor live; by good fortune you have arrived, O son of Pāṇḍu. Whatever Kṛṣṇa has spoken, O Pārtha, do all of that entirely. (16-7-21)
O Partha, this kingdom, women, and jewels I give to you; I shall indeed abandon these desired lives, O destroyer of foes. (16-7-22)
