Chapter 89

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Rising up (from his bed) at day-dawn, Krishna wentthrough his morning rites, and taking leave of the Bharatas, set out forthe city (of the Kurus). Ana all the inhabitants of Vrikasthala, biddingfarewell unto that mighty one of long arms while he was about to depart,all returned to their homes. And all the Dhartarashtras exceptDuryodhana, attired in excellent robes, and with Bhishma, Drona, Kripa,and others, went out to meet him. And the citizens by thousands, O king,on cars of diverse kinds, and many on foot, also came out, desirous ofbeholding Hrishikesa. And meeting on the way Bhishma of spotless deed,and Drona, and Dhritarashtra’s sons, he entered the city, surrounded bythem all. And in honour of Krishna, the city was beautifully adorned, andthe principal streets were decorated with diverse jewels and gems. And, Oking, O bull of the Bharata race, on that occasion no one,–man, woman,or child,–remained in doors, so eager were the citizens for beholdingVasudeva. And all the citizens came out and lined the streets and benttheir heads down to the ground singing eulogies in his honour, O king,when Hrishikesa entered the city and passed through it. And substantialmansions, filled with high-born ladies, seemed to be on the point offalling down on the ground in consequence of their living weight. Andalthough Vasudeva’s steeds were endued with great speed, yet they movedvery slowly through that dense mass of human beings. And that lotus-eyedgrinder of foes then entered Dhritarashtra’s ash-coloured palace whichwas enriched with numerous buildings. And having passed through the firstthree chambers of the palace, that chastiser of foes, Kesava, came uponthe royal son of Vichitravirya. And upon that son of Dasarha’s raceapproaching his presence, the blind monarch of great fame stood up alongwith Drona and Bhishma, Kripa and Somadatta, and king Vahlika also,–allstood up for honouring Janardana. And the Vrishni hero, having approachedking Dhritarashtra of great fame, worshipped him and Bhishma with properwords and without losing any time. And having offered that worship untothem according to established usage, Madhava the slayer of Madhu, greetedthe other kings according to their seniority in years. And Janardana thenaccosted the illustrious Drona and his son, and Vahlika, and Kripa, andSomadatta. And there in that chamber Jay a spacious seat of beautifulworkmanship, made of gold and set with jewels. And at Dhritarashtra’srequest, Achyuta took that seat; and the priests of Dhritarashtra dulyoffered Janardana a cow, honey and curds and water. And after the ritesof hospitality were over, Govinda remained there for a while, surroundedby the Kurus, laughing and jesting with them according to theirrelationship with him. And that illustrious grinder of foes, honoured andworshipped by Dhritarashtra, came out with the king’s permission. AndMadhava having duly greeted all the Kurus in their assembly, then went tothe delightful abode of Vidura; and Vidura, having approached Janardanaof Dasarha’s race thus arrived at his abode, worshipped him with everyauspicious and desirable offering. And he said, ‘What use, O lotus-eyedone, in telling thee of the joy I feel at this advent of thine, for thouart the inner Soul of all embodied creatures.’ And after the hospitablereception was over, Vidura, conversant with all the principles ofmorality, enquired of Govinda, the slayer of Madhu, about the welfare ofPandavas. And that scion of Dasarha’s race, that chief of the Vrishnis,unto whom the past and the future were as the present, knowing thatVidura was loved by the Pandavas and friendly towards them, and learned,and firm in morality, and honest, and harbouring no wrath (against thePandavas), and wise, began to tell him everything in detail about thedoings of the sons of Pandu.'”