MAUSALA PARVA: Chapter 3

The Vrishnis and the Andhakas start on a pilgrimage and meet with their doom

वैशम्पायन उवाच काली स्त्री पाण्डुरैर्दन्तैः प्रविश्य हसती निशि। स्त्रियः स्वप्नेषु मुष्णन्ती द्वारकां परिधावति॥
Vaishampayana said At that time the Vrishni ladics dreamt every night a woman of black color and white teeth, entering their abodes, laughed aloud and ran through Dwraka, snatching from them the auspicious threads in their wrists.

अग्निहोत्रनिकेतेषु वास्तुमध्येषु वेश्मसु। वृष्ण्यन्धकानखादन्त स्वप्ने गृध्रा भयानकाः॥
The men dreamt that dreadful vultures, entering their houses and fire-chambers, gorged themselves on their bodies.

अलंकाराच छत्रं च ध्वजाश्च कवचानि च। हियमाणान्यदृश्यन्त रक्षोभिः सुभयानकैः॥
Their ornaments and umbrellas and standards and armour were seen to be taken away by dreadful Rakshasas.

तच्चाग्निदत्तं कृष्णस्य वज्रनाभमयोमयम्। दिवमाचक्रमे चक्रं वृष्णीनां पश्यतां तदा॥
Before the very eyes of the Vrishnis, the discus of Krishna, given by Agni, made of iron and having its nave composed of hardest adamant, ascended into the sky.

युक्तं रथं दिव्यमादित्यवर्णं हया हरन् पश्यतो दारुकस्य। ते सागरस्योपरिष्टादवर्तन् मनोजवाश्चतुरो वाजिमुख्याः॥
In the very sight of Daruka, the excellent car of Vasudeva, effulgent like the sun, and properly equipt was taken away by the horses yoked to it. Those foremost of horses, numbering four, and fleet like the mind, fled away, dragging the car after them along the surface of the ocean.

तालः सुपर्णश्च महाध्वजौ तौ सुपूजितौ रामजनार्दनाभ्याम्। उच्चैर्जह्वरप्सरो दिवानिशं वाचश्चोचुर्गम्यतां तीर्थयात्रा॥
The two great standards of Krishna's car and Baladeva's car, having the emblems of Garuda and palmyra, which were reverently adored those two heroes, were taken away by Apsaras who, day and night, called upon the Vrishnis and the Andhakas to start on a pilgrimage to some sacred water.

ततो जिगमिषन्तस्ते वृष्ण्यन्धकमहारथाः। सान्तःपुरास्तदा तीर्थयात्रामैच्छन् नरर्षभाः॥
When these omens were seen and heard, those foremost of men, viz., the powerful carwarriors of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas, became desirous of setting out, with their whole families, on a pilgrimage to some sacred water.

ततो भोज्यं च भक्ष्यं च पेयं चान्धकवृष्णयः। बहु नानाविधं चक्रुर्मा मांसमनेकशः॥
They prepared various kinds of viands and edibles and various kinds of wines and meat.

ततः सैनिकवर्गाश्च निर्ययुर्नगराद् बहिः। यानैरश्वैर्गजैश्चैव श्रीमन्तस्तिग्मतेजसः॥
The troops of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas, blazing with beauty and gifted with fierce energy, then set out from the city on cars and horses and elephants.

ततः प्रभासे न्यवसन् यथोद्दिष्टं यथागृहम्। प्रभूतभक्ष्यपेशस्ते सदारा यादवास्तदा॥
The Yadavas then, with their wives, proceeded to Prabhasa and took up their residence there, each in the (temporary) habitation which was assigned to him and all having profuse provisions consisting of edibles and drink.

निविष्टांस्तान् निशम्याथ समुद्रान्ते स योगवित्। जगामामन्त्र्य तान् वीरानुद्धवोऽर्थविशारदः॥
Hearing that they had taken up their abode on the sea-coast, Uddhava, the wisest of men, who was, besides, well-versed in Yoga, went there and to their leave (for departing).

तं प्रस्थितं महात्मानमभिवाद्य कृताञ्जलिम्। जानन् विनाशं वृष्णीनां नैच्छद् वारयितुं हरिः॥
Krishna, with joined with joined hands, saluted Uddhava, and seeing him bent on departing (from the world) and knowing that the destruction of the Vrishnis was night, did not feel any disposition to prevent him.

ततः कालपरीतास्ते वृष्ण्यन्धकमहारथाः। अपश्यन्नुद्धवं यान्तं तेजसाऽऽवृत्य रोदसी॥
The powerful car-warriors among the Vrishnis and the Andhakas, whose hour hand come, then saw Uddhava proceed on his great journey, filling the entire sky with his effulgence.

ब्राह्मणार्थेषु यत् सिद्धमन्नं तेषां महात्मनाम्। तद् वरनरेभ्यः प्रददुः सुरागन्धसमन्वितम्॥
The Vrishnis, mixing with wine the food that had been cooked for great Brahmanas, gave it away to monkeys an apes.

ततस्तूर्यशताकीर्णं नदनर्तकसंकुलम्। अवर्तत महापानं प्रभासे तिग्मतेजसाम्॥
Those heroes of fierce energy then began to revel with drink, at Prabhasa. The entire field echoed with the blare of hundreds of trumpets and abounded with actors and dancers.

कृष्णस्य संनिधौ रामः सहित: कृतवर्मणा। अपिबद् युयुधानश्च गदो बभ्रुस्तथैव च॥
In the very sight of Krishna, Rama began to drink, with Kritavarman, Yuyudhana and Gada and Vabhru also did the same.

ततः परिषदो मध्ये युयुधानो मदोत्कटः। अब्रवीत् कृतवर्माणमवहास्यावमन्य च॥ कःक्षत्रियोऽहन्यमानः सुप्तान् हन्यान्मृतानिव। तन्न मृष्यन्ति हार्दिक्य यादवा यत् त्वया कृतम्॥
Then Yuyudhana, inebriated with wine, derisively laughing at and insulting Kritavarman in the midst of that assembly, said, 'What Kshatriya is there who, armed with weapons, will kill men locked in the embraces of sleep and, therefore, already dead? Hence, O son of Hridika, the Yadavas will never tolerate what you have done.'

इत्युक्ते युयुधानेन पूजयामास तद्वचः। प्रद्युम्नो रथिनां श्रेष्ठो हार्दिक्यमवमन्य च॥
When Yuyudhana had said these words, Pradyumna, that foremost of car-warriors, applauded them, expressing his disregard for the son of Hridika.

ततः परमसंक्रुद्धः कृतवर्मा तमब्रवीत्। निर्दिशन्निव सावज्ञं तदा सव्येन पाणिना॥
Greatly enraged at this, Kritavarman, cmphasising his disregard for Satyaki by pointing to him with his left hand, said these words:

भूरिश्रवाश्छिन्नबाहुयुद्धे प्रायगतस्त्वया। वधेन सुनृशंसेन कथं वीरेण पातितः॥
Professing yourself to be a hero, how could you so cruelly kill the armless Bhurishravas who, on the field of battle, sat fasting.

हति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा केशवः परवीरहा। तिर्यक्सरोषया दृष्ट्या वीक्षाचक्रे स मन्युमान्॥
Hearing these words of his, Keshava, that destroyer of hostile heroes, giving way to anger, cast an angry look at Kritavarman.

मणिः स्यमन्तकश्चैव यः स सत्राजितोऽभवत्। तां कथां श्रावयामास सात्यकिर्मधुसूदनम्॥
Then Satyaki informed the destroyer of Madhu as to how Kritavarman had behaved towards Satrajit for taking away from him the celebrated gem Syamantaka.

तच्छुवा केशवस्याङ्कमगमद् रुदती तदा। सत्यभामा प्रकृपिता कोपयन्ती जनार्दनम्॥
Hearing the narrative, Satyabhama, giving way to anger and tears, approached Keshava, and sitting on his lap, increased his anger (for Kritavarman).

तत उत्थाय सक्रोधः सात्यकिर्वाक्यपब्रवीत्। पञ्चानां द्रोपदेयानां धृष्टद्युन्नशिखण्डिनोः॥ एष गच्छामि पदवीं सत्येन च तथा शपे। सौप्तिके ये च निहताः सुप्ता येन दुरात्मना॥ द्रोणपुत्रसहायेन पापेन कृतवर्मणा। समाप्तमायुरस्याद्य यशश्चैव सुमध्यमे॥
Then rising up in anger, Satyaki said, 'I swear to your by Truth that I shall soon cause this one to follow the five sons of Draupadi, and of Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandin, they, viz., who were killed by this sinful wretch, while they were asleep, with the help of Drona's son, O you of slender wish, Kritavarman's period of life and fame has come to an end.'

इत्येवमुक्त्वा खड्ड्रेन केशवस्य समीपतः। अभिद्रुत्य शिरः क्रुद्धश्चिच्छेद कृतवर्मणः॥
Having said these words, Satyaki rushed at Kritavarman and cut off his head with a sword in the very sight of Keshava.

तथान्यानपि निघ्नन्तं युयुधानं समन्ततः। अभ्याधावद्धृषीकेशो विनिवारयितुं तदा॥
Yuyudhana, having performed this feat, began to strike down others there present. Hrishikesha ran to prevent him from doing further mischief.

एकीभूतास्ततः सर्वे कालपर्यायचोदिताः। भोजान्धका महाराज शैनेयं पर्यवारयन्॥
At that time, however, O king, the Bhojas and Andhakas moved by the perverseness of the hour that had come upon them, all became as one man and surrounded the son of Shini.

तान् दृष्ट्वा पततस्तूर्णमभिक्रुद्धाञ्जनार्दनः। न चुक्रोध महातेजा जानन् कालस्य पर्ययम्॥
Janardana of great energy, knowing the character of the hour stood unmoved without giving way to anger, seeing those heroes rushing in anger at Satyaki from every side.

ते तु पानमदाविष्टाश्चोदिताः कालधर्मणा। युयुधानमथाभ्यघ्ननुच्छिष्टै जनै स्तदा।॥
Urged by fate and inebriated with drink, they began to strike Yuyudhana with the pots from which they had been eating.

हन्यमाने तु शैनेये क्रुद्धो रुक्मिणिनन्दनः। तदनन्तरमागच्छन्मोक्षयिष्यन् शिनेः सुतम्॥ स भोजैः सह संयुक्तः सात्यकिश्चान्धकैः सह।
When the son of Shini was being thus assaulted, Rukmini's son became greatly enraged. he rushed forward for rescuing Satyaki who was engaged with the Bhojas and the Andhaks.

व्यायच्छमानौ तौ वीरौ बाहुद्रविणशालिनौ॥ बहुत्वात्रिहतौ तत्र उभौ कृष्णस्य पश्यतः।
Gifted with might of arms and w’alth of energy, those two heroes acted with great courage. But as the odds were overwhelming, both of them were killed before the very eyes of Krishna.

हतं दृष्ट्वा च शैनेयं पुत्रं च यदुनन्दनः॥ एरकानां ततो मुष्टिं कोपाज्जग्राह केशवः।
Seeing his own son, and the son of Shini too, killed, the delighter of the Yadus took up, in anger, a handful of the Eraka grass which grew there.

तदभून्मुसलं घोरं वज्रकल्पमयोमयम्॥ जघान कृष्णस्तांस्तेन ये ये प्रमुखतोऽभवन्।
That handful of grass became a terrible bolt of iron gifted with the energy of the thunderbolt. With it Krishna destroyed all those who came before him.

ततोऽन्धकाश्च भोजाश्च शैनेया वृष्णयस्तथा॥ जघ्नुरन्योन्यमाक्रन्दे मुसलैः कालचोदिताः।
Then the Andhakas and the Bhojas, the Shaineyas and the Vrishnis, urged by Time, struck one another in that dreadful right.

यस्तेषामेरकां कश्चिज्जग्राह कुपितो नृप॥ वज्रभूतेव सा राजन्नदृश्यत तदा विभो।
Indeed, O king, whoever amongst them took up in anger a few blades of the Eraka grass, these, in his hands, became soon converted into a thunder-bolt, O powerful one.

तृणं च मुसलीभूतमपि तत्र व्यदृश्यत॥ ब्रह्मदण्डकृतं सर्वमिति तद् विद्धि पार्थिव।
Every blade of grass there was seen to be converted into a terrible iron bolt. All this, know, O king, was due to the curse imprecated by Brahmanas.

अविध्यान् विध्यते राजन् प्रक्षिपन्ति स्म यत् तृणम्॥ तद् वज्रभूतं मुसलं व्यदृश्यत तदा दृढम्।
He who hurled a blade of grass saw that it pierced through even such things as were utterly impenetrable. In fact, every blade was seen to become a dreadful bolt having the force of thunder.

अवधीत् पितरं पुत्रः पिता पुत्रं च भारत॥ मत्ता परिपतन्ति स्म योधयन्तः परस्परम्।
Son killed father, and father killed son, O Bharata! Inebriated with wine, they rushed and fell upon one another.

पतङ्गा इव चाग्नौ ते निपेतुः कुकुरान्धकाः॥ नासीत् पलायने बुद्धिर्वध्यमानस्य कस्यचित्।
The Kukuras and the Andhakas met with destruction like insects rushing at a burning fire. As they were thus being destroyed, no one among them thought of escaping by flight.

तत्रापश्यन्महाबाहुर्जानन् कालस्य पर्ययम्॥ मुसलं समवष्टभ्य तस्थौ स मधुसूदनः।
Knowing that the hour of destruction had come, the mighty-armed Keshava stood there, seeing everything. Indeed, the destroyer of Madhu stood, raising a bolt of Iron formed of a blade of grass.

साम्बं च निहतं दृष्ट्वा चारुदेष्णं च माधवः॥ प्रद्युम्नं चानिरुद्धं च ततश्चुक्रोध भारत।
Seeing that Shamba was killed, as also Charudeshna and Pradyumna and Aniruddha, Madhava became filled with anger.

गदं वीक्ष्य शयानं च भृशं कोपसमन्वित॥ स निःशेषं तदा चक्रे शार्ङ्गचक्रगदाधरः।
Seeing Gada lying dead on the ground, his anger became enhanced. The holder Sharnaga and the discus and the mace then rooted the Vrishnis and the Andhakas.

तन्निघ्नन्तं महातेजा बभ्रुः परपुरंजयः॥ दारुकश्चैव दाशार्हमूचतुर्यन्निबोध तत्।
Hear, O king, what that conqueror of hostile towns, viz., Vabhru of great energy, and Daruka, then said to Krishna.

भगवन् निहताः सर्वे त्वया भूयिष्ठशो नराः। रामस्य पदमन्विच्छ तत्र गच्छाम यत्र सः॥
O holy one, a very large number of men has been killed by you. Turn now to where Rama has gone! We wish to go there where he has gone.

भगवन् निहताः सर्वे त्वया भूयिष्ठशो नराः। रामस्य पदमन्विच्छ तत्र गच्छाम यत्र सः॥
O holy one, a very large number of men has been killed by you. Turn now to where Rama has gone! We wish to go there where he has gone.