365betÓéÀÖ

"Vaisampayana said, 'As he of Vrishni’s race was proceeding to Dvaraka, those foremost princes of Bharata’s race, those chastisers of foes embraced him and fell back with their attendants. Phalguna repeatedly embraced the Vrishni hero, and as long as he was within the range of vision, he repeatedly turned his eyes towards him. With great difficulty, the son of Pritha withdrew his gaze that had fallen on Govinda. The unvanquished Krishna also (did the same). The indications that were manifested on the occasion of that high-souled one’s departure, I shall now detail. Do you listen to me. The wind blew with great speed before the car, clearing the path of sand-grains and dust and thorns. Vasava rained pure and fragrant showers and celestial flowers before the wielder of Saranga. As the mighty-armed hero proceeded, he came upon the desert ill supplied with water. There he beheld that foremost of ascetics, named Utanka, of immeasurable energy. The hero of large eyes and great energy worshipped that ascetic. He was then worshipped by the ascetic in return. Vasudeva then enquired after his welfare. That foremost of Brahmanas, viz., Utanka, politely accosted by Madhava, honoured him duly and then addressed him in these words.�'O Saurin, having repaired to the mansions of the Kurus and the Pandavas, hast you succeeded in establishing a durable understanding between them such as should exist between brothers? It behoves you to tell me everything. Dost you come, O Kesava, after having united them in peace,—them that are your relatives and that are ever dear to you, O foremost one of Vrishni’s race? Will the five sons of Pandu, and the children of Dhritarashtra, O scorcher of foes, sport in the world in joy with you? Will all the kings enjoy happiness in their respective kingdoms, in consequence of the pacification of the Kauravas brought about by you? Has that trust, O son, which I had always reposed on you, borne fruit with regard to the Kauravas?'

"The blessed and holy one said, 'I strove my best at first, for bringing about a good understanding, in regard to the Kauravas. When I could not by any means succeed in establishing them on peace, it happened that all of them, with their relatives and kinsmen, met with death. It is impossible to transgress destiny by either intelligence or might. O great Rishi, O sinless one, this also cannot be unknown to you. They (the Kauravas) transgressed the counsels which Bhishma and Vidura gave them referring to me.^[1] Encountering one another they then became guests of Yama’s abode. Only the five Pandavas constitute the remnant of the unslain, all their friends and all their children having been slaughtered. All the sons of Dhritarashtra also with their children and kinsmen, have been slain.' When Krishna had said these words, Utanka, filled with wrath, and with eyes expanded in rage, addressed him in these words.

"Utanka said,—’since, though able, O Krishna, you didst not rescue those foremost ones of Kuru’s race, who were your relatives and, therefore, dear to you, I shall, without doubt, curse you. Since you didst not forcibly compel them to forbear, therefore, O slayer of Madhu, I shall, filled with wrath, denounce a curse on you. It seems, O Madhava, that though fully able (to save them), you were indifferent to these foremost of Kurus who, overwhelmed by insincerity and hypocrisy have all met with destruction.'

"Vasudeva said, 'O scion of Bhrigu’s race, listen to what I say in detail. Do you accept my apologies also. O you of Bhrigu’s race, you are an ascetic. After having heard my words relating to the soul, you mayst then utter your curse. No man is able, by a little ascetic merit, to put me down. O foremost of ascetics, I do not wish to see the destruction of all your penances. You have a large measure of blazing penances. You have gratified your preceptors and seniors.^[2] O foremost of regenerate ones, I know that you have observed the rules of Brahmacarya from the days of your infancy. I do not, therefore, desire the loss or diminution of your penances achieved with so much pain.'"