The Mahabharata/Book 16: Mausala Parva/Section VI

Section VI.

Vaiçampāyana said,—"The Kuru prince beheld the heroic and high-souled Anakadundubhi lying on the ground, and burning with grief on account of his sons.1 The broad-chested and mighty-armed son of Prithā, more afflicted than his uncle, with eyes bathed in tears, touched his uncle's feet, O Bhārata.2 The mighty-armed Anakadundubhi wished to smell the head of his sister's son but failed to do it, O slayer of foes!3 The old man of mighty-arms, deeply afflicted, embraced Pārtha with his arms and wept aloud, remembering his sons, brothers, grandsons, daughter's sons, and friends.4

"Vasudeva said,—'Without beholding those heroes, O Arjuna, who had subjugated all the kings of the Earth and the Daityas a hundred times, I am still alive! I see, that I am difficult to die!5 Those two heroes who were the dear disciples of Arjuna, and who were much regarded by him, alas, O Pārtha, through their fault, the Vrishnis have been destroyed!6 Those two who were regarded as Atirathas amongst the foremost of the Vrishnis, and referring to whom in course of conversation thou wert wont to indulge in pride,7 and who, O chief of Kuru's race, were ever dear to Krishna himself,—alas, those two, O Dhananjaya, have been the chief causes of the destruction of the Vrishnis!8 I do not censure the son of Cini or the son of Hridikā, O Arjuna! I do not censure Akruna or the son of Rukmini. No doubt, the curse (of the Rishis) is the sole cause!9 How is it that that lord of the universe, viz., the slayer of Madhu, who had put forth his prowess for achieving the destruction of Keçin and Kansa, and Chaidya swelling with pride, and Ekalavya the son of the ruler of the Nishādas, and the Kalingas and the Māgadhas, and the Gāndhāras and the king of Kāçi, and many rulers assembled together in the midst of the desert, many heroes belonging to the East and the South, and many kings of the mountainous regions,—alas, how could he remain indifferent to such a calamity as the curse denounced by the Rishis?10-12 Thyself, Nārada, and the Munis, knew him to be the eternal and sinless Govinda, the Deity of unfading glory!13 Alas, being puissant Vishnu himself, he witnessed, without interfering, the destruction of his kinsmen! My son must have himself allowed all this to happen.14 He was the Lord of the universe. He did not, however, wish to falsify the words of Gāndhāri and the Rishis, O scorcher of foes!15 In thy very sight, O hero, thy grandson, who had been slain by Açwatthāman, was revived through his energy.16 That friend, however, of yours did not want to protect his kinsmen. Beholding his sons and grandsons and brothers and friends lying dead, he said unto me these words, O chief of Bharata's race,—The destruction of this our race has at last come!17–18 Vibhatsu will come to this city, viz., Dwārāvati. Tell him what has occurred, viz., this great carnage of the Vrishnis. I have no doubt that as soon as he will hear of the destruction of the Yadus, that hero of mighty energy will come here without any loss of time.20 Know, O father, that I am Arjuna and Arjuna is myself. That should be done by thee which he would say.21 The son of Pāndu will do what is best for the women and the children. Even he will perform thy funeral rites.22 This city of Dwārāvati, after Arjuna's departure, will, with its walls and edifices, be swallowed up by the ocean without any delay.23 As regards myself, retiring to some sacred place, I shall bide my hour, with the intelligent Rāma in my company, observing strict vows all the while!24—Having said these words unto me, Hrishikeça of inconceivable prowess, leaving me with the children, has gone away to some spot which I do not know.25 Thinking of those two high-souled brothers of thine, as also of the terrible carnage of my kinsmen, I have abstained from all food, and am emaciated with grief!26 I shall neither eat, nor live. By good luck thou meetest me, O son of Pāndu. Do thou accomplish all, O Pārtha, that Krishna has said!27 This kingdom, with all these women, and all the wealth here, is thine now, O son of Prithā! As regards myself, O slayer of foes, I shall cast off my life-breaths dear though they be!'"28