An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s2.132

c5.s2.132

him, Kṛṣṇa set out with Dāruka. On his way he met with some Ṛṣis, and Jamadagni's son, the friend of Brahmān (Surāsurapateḥ), told him that the D.-r., brāhmaṇs, and R.-r., who had witnessed the former feats of gods and Asuras (devāsurasya draṣṭāraḥ purāṇasya), had come to see and hear the assemblage at Hāstinapura (V, 83). Ten chariot-warriors followed in Kṛṣṇa's train, and 100 foot-soldiers and attendants by hundreds, carrying provisions in abundance. Sinister omens occurred over Hāstinapura; but where Kṛṣṇa passed everything became auspicious. Meanwhile Dhṛtarāṣṭra, having heard from his spies that Kṛṣṇa was coming, respectfully addressed Bhīshma, etc. (μ), and said to Duryodhana and his counsellors that Kṛṣṇa ("the lord of all creatures," etc.) should be received with the greatest honour; "let pavilions be set up on the road," etc. Bhīshma, etc., approved of it, and Duryodhana made the arrangements. But Kṛṣṇa did not even glance at it (V, 85). When Kṛṣṇa was staying at Vṛkasthala and intended to come to Hāstinapura the next morning, Dhṛtarāṣṭra spoke to Vidura about how he intended to treat Kṛṣṇa in order to honour him (V, 86). Vidura blamed Dhṛtarāṣṭra for his insincerity; "the right hospitality to be offered to Kṛṣṇa is to make peace with the Pāṇḍavas, and thou wilt not give them even five villages, and seekest only to separate Kṛṣṇa from the Pāṇḍavas" (V, 87). Duryodhana said that it was of no use to bestow wealth and honour upon Kṛṣṇa, as he could never be separated from the Pāṇḍavas, "and he will only think that we are worshipping him out of fear." Bhīshma advised them to do as Kṛṣṇa would say. Duryodhana declared that he would imprison Kṛṣṇa. Dhṛtarāṣṭra and all his counsellors became deeply afflicted, especially as Kṛṣṇa came as an ambassador. Inflamed with rage, Bhīshma rose and left the place (V, 88). The next morning Kṛṣṇa rose at daybreak and arrived in Hāstinapura, and was solemnly received by all the Dhārtarāṣṭras (except Duryodhana), etc. (ν), and the citizens (description). Having saluted Dhṛtarāṣṭra, etc. (ξ), he went to the abode of Vidura (V, 89). In the afternoon, he visited Kuntī, who wept for her sons, comparing Yudhiṣṭhira to Ambarīṣa, etc. (ο), mentioning the feats of Bhīmasena (π), comparing Arjuna to Kārtavīrya, etc. (ρ), and also inquiring about Sahadeva and Nakula, and likewise about Draupadī (whom she had not seen for fourteen long years), mentioning how she was dragged by Duḥśāsana, while Bāhlīka, etc. (σ), grieved; but especially she praised Vidura. "Full 14 years have gone since Duryodhana first exiled my son." She mentioned the invisible voice on the night of Arjuna's birth, and trusted to Dharma and the Creator and Kṛṣṇa. She asked Kṛṣṇa to tell her sons that she besought them to avenge themselves and Draupadī, as even death was better than a life gained by meanness. Kṛṣṇa consoled her, and then departed for Duryodhana's mansion (V, 90). Kṛṣṇa entered Duryodhana's palace (description), where he also beheld Duḥśāsana, Karṇa, and Śakuni. Duryodhana asked him to dine at his house; but Kṛṣṇa did not accept the invitation, because he hated the Pāṇḍavas, and went to Vidura's abode, where Droṇa, etc. (τ), came to him (V, 91). Vidura warned Kṛṣṇa against Duryodhana, who would never make peace, because he trusted Bhīshma, etc. (υ), and distrusted Kṛṣṇa (V, 92). Kṛṣṇa said that he knew Duryodhana; but great would be the merit earned by him who liberates the whole earth from the noose of death; and even if he should meet failure, the merit of that intended act would become his;