Chapter 59

Dhritarashtra said, ‘Tell me, O thou of great wisdom, what high-souledVasudeva and Dhananjaya said. I am anxious to hear from thee all aboutthis.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Listen, O king, as I tell thee the state in which I foundKrishna and Dhananjaya. I will also, O Bharata, tell thee what thoseheroes said; O king, with looks bent down and hands joined together, andwith senses well restrained, I entered the inner apartments forconferring with those gods among men. Neither Abhimanyu nor the Twins canrepair to that place where are the two Krishnas and Draupadi and ladySatyabhama. There I beheld those chastisers of foes, exhilarated withBassia wine, their bodies adorned with garlands of flowers. Attired inexcellent robes and adorned with celestial ornaments, they sat on agolden dais, decked with numerous gems, and covered over with carpets ofdiverse texture and hue. And I beheld Kesava’s feet resting upon Arjuna’slap while those of the high-souled Arjuna rested upon the laps of Krishnaand Satyabhama. Partha then pointed out to me (for a seat) a foot-stoolmade of gold. Touching it with my hand, I seated myself down on theground. And when he withdraw his feet from the foot-stool, I beheldauspicious marks on both his soles. Those consisted of two longitudinallines running from heels to fore-toe, O sire, endued with blackcomplexions, of high statures, and erect like Sala trunks, beholdingthose youthful heroes, both seated on the same seat, a great fear seizedme. They seemed to me to be Indra and Vishnu seated together, thoughDuryodhana of dull sense knoweth it no consequence of his reliance onDrona and Bhishma and on the loud vaunts of Karna. That very moment, Iwas convinced that the wishes of Yudhishthira the just, who had those twofor obeying his orders, were certain to succeed. Being hospitablyentertained with food and drink, and honoured with other courtesies, Iconveyed to them thy message, placing my joined hands on my head. ThenPartha, removing Kesava’s auspicious foot from his lap, with his handscarred by the flappings of the bow-string, urged him to speak. Sittingup erect like Indra’s banner, adorned with every ornament, and resemblingIndra himself in energy, Krishna then addressed me. And the words whichthat best of speakers said were sweet, charming and mild, though awfuland alarming to the son of Dhritarashtra. Indeed, the words uttered byKrishna, who alone is fit to speak, were of correct emphasis and accent,and pregnant with meaning, though heart-rending in the end. And Vasudevasaid, ‘O Sanjaya, say thou these words unto the wise Dhritarashtra and inthe hearing of that foremost of the Kurus, Bhishma, and also of Drona,having first saluted at our request, O Suta, all the aged ones and hawingenquired after the welfare of the younger ones, ‘Do ye celebrate diversesacrifices, making presents unto the Brahmanas, and rejoice with yoursons and wives, for a great danger threatens ye? Do ye give away wealthunto deserving persons, beget desirable sons, and do agreeable offices tothose that are dear to thee, for king Yudhishthira is eager for victory?’While I was at a distance, Krishna with tears addressing me said, ‘Thatdebt, accumulating with time, hath not yet been paid off by me. Ye haveprovoked hostilities with that Savyasachin, who hath for his bow theinvincible Gandiva, of fiery energy, and who hath me for his helpmate.Who, even if he were Purandara himself, would challenge Partha having mefor his help-mate, unless, of course, his span of life were full? He thatis capable of vanquishing Arjuna in battle is, indeed, able to uphold theEarth with his two arms, to consume all created things in anger and hurlthe celestials from Heaven. Among the celestials, Asuras, and men, amongYakshas, Gandharvas, and Nagas, I do not find the person that canencounter Arjuna in battle. That wonderful story which is heard of anencounter in the city of Virata between a single person on one side andinnumerable warriors on the other, is sufficient proof of this. That yeall fled in all directions being routed in the city of Virata by that sonof Pandu singly, is sufficient proof of this. Might, prowess, energy,speed, lightness of hand, indefatiguableness, and patience are not to befound in any one else save Partha.’ Thus spoke Hrishikesa cheering upPartha by his words and roaring like rain-charged clouds in thefirmament. Having heard these words of Kesava, the diadem-decked Arjuna,of white steeds, also spoke to the same effect.'”