Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.2717.9

c7.2717.9

35) As messenger of peace in Kaurava assembly. Dharmaputra requested Kṛṣṇa to find out means to avoid war somehow or other and Kṛṣṇa sent a message to Dhṛtarāṣṭra through Sañjaya but nothing came out of it. Ultimately Kṛṣṇa himself decided to the Kauravas for which purpose he went first to Dvārakā in his chariot with Sātyaki. On his way Kṛṣṇa held talks with many a great sage. From Dvārakā he returned to Hastināpura where he visited and consoled Kuntī at Vidura’s house. He had his supper also there. The next day he attended Duryodhana’s court and strongly pleaded for the Pāṇḍavas. But Duryodhana and others ridiculed him and even attempted to take him captive. Śrī Kṛṣṇa at once exhibited his Viśva-rūpa (Cosmic form). The Kauravas were frightened to witness Brahmā on Kṛṣṇa’s forehead, Śiva on his chest, Āditya-Vasu-Rudras in his mouth etc. Śrī Kṛṣṇa granted the blind Dhṛtarāṣṭra divine eyes to see this Viśvarūpa and he sang the praise of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa returned to the Pāṇḍavas after advising Karṇa to fight on the Pāṇḍava side in the impending war. (Udyoga Parva).
36) Kṛṣṇa in the great war. The parts Kṛṣṇa played during the Kuru-Pāṇḍava war are briefly given below.