SRI KRISHNA REACHES DWARAKA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA - SABHA PARVA - SABHAKRIYA (UPA) PARVA - CHAPTER 2 - SRI KRISHNA REACHES DWARAKA

“Vaishampaayana said, ”Janaardana (Sri Krishna) deserving the worship of all, having lived happily at Khaandavaprastha for some time, and having been treated all the while with respectful love and affection by the Paarthaas (Paandavaas), became desirous one day of leaving Khaandavaprastha to see His father (Vasudeva). That possessor of large eyes (Sri Krishna), to whom was due the worship of the universe, then saluted both Yudhishthira and Pritha (Kunti) and made worship with His head to the feet of Kunti, His father’s sister. Thus, respected by Keshava (Sri Krishna), Pritha (Kunti) smelt His head and embraced Him. The illustrious Hrishikesha (Sri Krishna) approached His own sister Subhadra affectionately, with His eyes filled with tears, and spoke to her words of excellent meaning and truth, briefed proper, unanswerable and filled with good.

“The sweet-speeched Subhadra also, saluting Him in return and worshipping Him repeatedly with bent head, told Him all that she wished to be conveyed to her relatives on the paternal side. Bidding her farewell and uttering blessing on His beautiful sister, He of the Vrishni race (Sri Krishna), next saw Draupadi and Dhaumya. That best of men duly made homage to Dhaumya, and consoling Draupadi obtained leave from her. Then the learned and mighty (Sri) Krishna, accompanied by Paarthaa (Arjuna), went to His cousins. Surrounded by the five brothers (Paandavaas), (Sri) Krishna shined like Shakra (Lord Indra) in the midst of Devas.

“He whose (flag) banner bore the figure of Garuda, desirous of performing the rites preparatory to the commencement of a journey, purified Himself by a bath and adorned His person with ornaments. The bull of the Yadu race (Sri Krishna) then worshipped Devas and Dwijaas with floral arrangements (Maalaa in Sanskrit), mantras, bows of the head, and excellent perfumes. Having finished all these rites, that foremost of steady and virtuous persons then thought of setting out. The chief of the Yadu race (Sri Krishna) then came out of the inner to the outer apartment, and issuing as a consequence He made to Brahmanas, deserving of worship, offerings of vessel-fulls of curd and fruits, and parched-grain and caused them to pronounce blessings upon Him. Making to them gifts also of wealth, He went round them (in clockwise direction). Then ascending his excellent chariot of gold filled with great speed and adorned with (flag) banner bearing the figure of Tarkshya (Garuda) and furnished also with mace (Gada in Sanskrit), discus (Chakra in Sanskrit), sword, his bow Shaarnga and other weapons, and attaching there to His horses Sainya and Sugriva, He of eyes like lotuses set out at an excellent moment of a lunar day of auspicious stellar conjunction.

“Yudhishthira, the king of the Kurus, from affection, ascended the chariot after (Sri) Krishna, and causing that best charioteer Daaruka to stand aside, himself took the reins. In addition, Arjuna, of long arms, riding on that chariot, walked round (Sri) Krishna and fanned Him with a white chaamara furnished with a handle of gold. The mighty Bhimasena accompanied by the twin brothers Nakula and Sahadeva, the Purohitas and citizens all followed (Sri) Krishna from behind. Keshava (Sri Krishna), that slayer of hostile veeras, followed by all the brothers, shined like a Guru followed by his favourite pupils. Then Govinda (Sri Krishna) spoke to Arjuna and grasped him firmly, and worshipping Yudhisthira and Bhima, embraced the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva). Embraced in return by the three elder Paandavaas (Yudhishthira, Bhimasena and Arjuna), He was respectfully saluted by the twins.

“O Bharata (Janamejaya), after having gone about half a Yojana, (Sri) Krishna, that subjugator of hostile towns, respectfully addressed Yudhishthira and requested him to stop following him further. Govinda (Sri Krishna), knowledgeable with every duty, then respectfully saluted Yudhishthira and took hold of his feet. But Yudhishthira soon raised Keshava (Sri Krishna) and smelt His head. Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, the Paandavaa, having raised (Sri) Krishna filled with eyes like lotus-petals and the foremost of the Yadava race, gave Him leave, saying – ‘Good bye!’ Then the Madhusudana (Sri Krishna), making an appointment with them (about His return) in words that were proper, and preventing with difficulty the Paandavaas from following Him further on foot, gladly proceeded towards his own city (Dwaraka), like (Lord) Indra going towards Amraavati. Out of the love and affection they bore Him, the Paandavaas gazed on (Sri) Krishna as long as He was within sight, and their minds also followed Him when He got out of sight. Keshava (Sri Krishna) of agreeable person soon disappeared from their sight, unsatisfied though their minds were with looking at Him. Those bulls among men, the Paarthaas (Paandavaas), with minds fixed on Govinda (Sri Krishna), desisted (from following Him further) and unwillingly returned to their own city in speed. (Sri) Krishna in his chariot soon reached Dwaraka followed by that veera, Saatyaki. Then Shauri (Sri Krishna), the son of Devaki, accompanied by his charioteer Daaruka reached Dwaraka with the speed of Garuda.”

“Vaishampaayana continued, “Meanwhile king Yudhishthira of unfading glory, accompanied by his brothers and surrounded by friends, entered his excellent capital. That tiger among men (Yudhishthira), dismissing all his relatives, brothers, and sons, sought to make himself happy in the company of Draupadi. Keshava (Sri Krishna) worshipped by the principal Yadavas including Ugrasena, entered with a happy heart his own excellent city (Dwaraka). Worshipping Jis old father (Vasudeva) and his illustrious mother (Devaki), and saluting (his brother) Baladeva (Balarama), He of eyes like lotus-petals (Sri Krishna) took His seat. Embracing Pradyumna, Shamba, Nishatha, Chaarudeshna, Gada, Aniruddha and Bhanu, and obtaining the leave of all the elderly men, Janaardana (Sri Krishna) entered the apartments of Rukmini.”