SECTION XXXVII.In this way, Krishna, aided by Baladeva, destroyed, for the behoof of the earth, demons and iniquitous kings, and along with Phalguna also did he relieve earth of her burden by the death of seven Akshauhini hosts. Having thus relieved the earth of her load and destroyed many impious kings, he exterminated, by the plea of an imprecation denounced by Brāhmanas, his own Yādava race. Thereupon quitting Dwārakā and renouncing his mortal frame, the self-born with all his emanations re-entered his own sphere of Vishnu.Maitreya said:—Tell me how Janārddana brought about the extermination of his own family under the pretext of a Brāminical curse and in what manner did he renounce his human body.Parāçara said;—At the holy place of Pindarika, Viswāmitra, Kanwa and the great sage, Nārada, were seen by some boys of the Yadu family. Inflated with their youths and influenced by predestined results, they dressed and adorned Sāmba, the son of Jāmbavati, as a female and taking her to the sages, they addressed them with usual reverence, saying:—"What child will this female, the wife of Babru, who is anxious to have a son, give birth to?" The sages, who were gifted with divine wisdom, enraged at this insult, said:—"She will give birth to a club that will exterminate the entire Yādava race".Thus addressed by the sages, the boys went to Ugrasena and related to him what had happened; and after sometime, as foretold, a club was produced from the belly of Sāmba. Ugrasena had the club, which was made of iron, ground to dust and thrown into the sea, and particles of the dust there became rushes, There was one part of the iron club which was like the blade of a lance and which the Andhakas could not break; this when thrown into the sea was swallowed by a fish; the fish was caught, the iron spike was extracted from its belly, and was taken by a hunter named Jāra. The all-wise and illustrious slayer of Madhu did not think it proper to counteract the predestination of fate.In the interval an emissarry despatched by the celestials came to Krishna and said to him in private:—"I am sent to thee, O lord, by the celestials; and do thou hear what Indra together with the Viswas, Maruts, Adityas, Sādhyas and Rudras respectfully represent. More than a century has gone by since thou in compliance with the request of the celestials, descended upon earth for the purpose of relieving it of its load. The demons have been destroyed and the burden of earth has been removed; now let the immortals once again see their king in heaven. More than a hundred years have passed, and if thou dost wish, do thou return to heaven. This is the prayer of the celestials. And if this be not thy will, do thou remain here as long as it may be desirable to thy dependants". Whereto Krishna replied, "I am well aware of all thou hast said. The earth is not relieved of her load until the Yādavas are extirpated. I shall also speedily bring it about in my descent, and it shall take place in seven nights. Having restored the land of Dwārakā to the ocean and destroyed the race of Yadu, I shall proceed to the region of the celestials. Inform the celestials that having renounced my mortal frame and been accompanied by Sankarshana, I will then return to them. The tyrants that oppressed the earth, Jarāsandha and the rest, have been slain and a youth even of the race of Yadu is so less than they an incumbrance. Having removed this huge weight of the earth, I will proceed to the mansions of the celestials. Say this to them".Parāçara said:—O Maitreya, being thus addressed by Vāsudeva, the messenger of the celestials bowed and took his heavenly course to the king of the deities. The illustrious Krishna too now espied signs and portents both on earth and in heaven prognosticating day and night the destruction of Dwārakā. Beholding those evil omens, he said to the Yādavas; "Behold these dreadful portents; let us hasten to Prabhāsa to avert them". When he had thus said to the eminent Yādavas, the illustrious Uddhava saluted and said to him: "Tell me, O lord, what it is proper that I should do, for it seems to me that thou wilt destroy all this race. The signs that are manifest declare nothing less than the annihilation of the race". Then Krishna replied:—"Do thou, by my favour proceed, this celestial course, to the holy place Badrikāsrama in the Gandhamādana mountain, the shrine of Nara Nārāyana; and on that spot sanctified by them, thou, meditating upon me, shalt obtain perfection through my favour. Having extirpated this Yadu race, I shall proceed to Baikuntha; and after I have quilted Dwārakā; the ocean shall inundate it".Parāçara said:—Being thus addressed by him and commanded by Kesava, Uddhava proceeded to the holy shrine of Nara Nārāyana. And the Yādavas, with Krishna, Balarāma and others, having ascended swift-coursing cars, proceeded to Prabhāsa. Having reached Prabhāsa, the Kukkuras and Andhakas bathed there and, being excited by Krishna, indulged in liquor. As they drank, the destructive fire of dissension was engendered amongst them by mutual collision and fed with the fuel of abuse. Worked up with ire by the divine influence, they attacked one another with missile weapons, and when these were finished, they had recourse to the rushes growing nigh. The rushes in their hands became like thunder-bolts, and they assailed one another with them. Pradyumna, Syāmba, Kritavarman, Satyaki, Aniruddha, Prithu, Vipathu, Charuvannan, Charuka, Akrura, and many others, struck one another with the rushes, which became hard like thunder-bolts. Thereupon Krishna arriving there prevented them: but they thought that he was taking part with each severally and continued the conflict.Thereupon, enraged, Krishna took up a handful of rushes to destroy them, which became a club of iron; and with this he killed many of the murderous Yādavas, whilst others fighting fiercely destroyed one another. At this time in the very presence of Krishna*s charioteer, his swift steeds carried off hisJaitracar and entered into the sea. The discus, the club, the bow, the quiver, the shell and the sword of Kesava, having circumambulated their master, flew along the path of the sun. In a short time there was not a single Yādava left alive save the mighty Krishna and Dāruka. Going towards Rāma, who was sitting at the root of a tree, they saw a huge serpent coming out of his mouth. Having issued out of his mouth, the mighty snake proceeded towards the ocean hymned by saints and other great snakes. Bringing an offering of respect, the ocean came to him and then the majestic being worshipped of all the attendant snakes, entered into the waters of the deep. Beholding the departure of the spirit of Baladeva, Kesava said to Dāruka—"Do thou go to Vasudeva and Ugrasena and communicate unto him this. Go and inform them of the departure of Balabhadra, and the destruction of the Yādava race, and also that I shall engage in religious meditation and renounce my body. Do thou also inform Ahuka and the inhabitants of Dwārakā that their city shall be inundated by the ocean. And do ye await the arrival of Arjuna at Dwārakā. When Arjuna, the descendant of Pāndu, shall issue out of the city, none of you should wait there but go whither the descendant of Kuru shall repair. Do thou also go to the son of Kunti and tell him that he may at my request protect my family according to his might. Then go to Hastināpur with Arjuna and all the inhabitants of Dwārakā and let Vajra be installed king over the race of Yadu".Parāçara said:—Thus instructed and having bowed unto and circumambulated Krishna again and again, Dāruka departed as he had been desired; and having conducted Arjuna to Dwārāvati, the intelligent servant of Krishna established Vajra as king. Thereupon having concentrated in himself that supreme spirit which is identical with Vāsudeva, the divine Govinda was identified with all beings. Respecting the words of the Brāhmana, the curse of Durvāsas, the illustrious Krishna sat engaged in meditation, placing his foot upon his knee. Then there came a hunter named Jāra, whose arrow was tipped with a blade made of the iron club, which had not been reduced to powder; and espying from a distance the foot of Krishna, he mistook it for a part of a deer, and shooting his arrow, lodged it in the sole. Approaching his mark, he saw the four-armed king and falling at his feet, repeatedly besought his forgiveness, exclaming, "I have done this deed unknowingly, thinking I was aiming at a deer. Have pity on me who am consumed by my crime; for thou art able to consume me". Thereupon Bhagavān said: "Thou needst not have the least fear, hunter; by my favour, thou shall repair to the region of the celestials". As soon as Krishna had said this, the celestial car arrived there, ascending which the hunter repaired to the region of the celestials.Thereupon the divine Krishna having united himself with his own pure, spiritual, inexhaustible, inconceivable, unborn, undecaying, imperishable, and universal spirit, which is one Vāsudeva, renounced his mortal frame and his connection with the three qualities.
SECTION XXXVII.In this way, Krishna, aided by Baladeva, destroyed, for the behoof of the earth, demons and iniquitous kings, and along with Phalguna also did he relieve earth of her burden by the death of seven Akshauhini hosts. Having thus relieved the earth of her load and destroyed many impious kings, he exterminated, by the plea of an imprecation denounced by Brāhmanas, his own Yādava race. Thereupon quitting Dwārakā and renouncing his mortal frame, the self-born with all his emanations re-entered his own sphere of Vishnu.Maitreya said:—Tell me how Janārddana brought about the extermination of his own family under the pretext of a Brāminical curse and in what manner did he renounce his human body.Parāçara said;—At the holy place of Pindarika, Viswāmitra, Kanwa and the great sage, Nārada, were seen by some boys of the Yadu family. Inflated with their youths and influenced by predestined results, they dressed and adorned Sāmba, the son of Jāmbavati, as a female and taking her to the sages, they addressed them with usual reverence, saying:—"What child will this female, the wife of Babru, who is anxious to have a son, give birth to?" The sages, who were gifted with divine wisdom, enraged at this insult, said:—"She will give birth to a club that will exterminate the entire Yādava race".Thus addressed by the sages, the boys went to Ugrasena and related to him what had happened; and after sometime, as foretold, a club was produced from the belly of Sāmba. Ugrasena had the club, which was made of iron, ground to dust and thrown into the sea, and particles of the dust there became rushes, There was one part of the iron club which was like the blade of a lance and which the Andhakas could not break; this when thrown into the sea was swallowed by a fish; the fish was caught, the iron spike was extracted from its belly, and was taken by a hunter named Jāra. The all-wise and illustrious slayer of Madhu did not think it proper to counteract the predestination of fate.In the interval an emissarry despatched by the celestials came to Krishna and said to him in private:—"I am sent to thee, O lord, by the celestials; and do thou hear what Indra together with the Viswas, Maruts, Adityas, Sādhyas and Rudras respectfully represent. More than a century has gone by since thou in compliance with the request of the celestials, descended upon earth for the purpose of relieving it of its load. The demons have been destroyed and the burden of earth has been removed; now let the immortals once again see their king in heaven. More than a hundred years have passed, and if thou dost wish, do thou return to heaven. This is the prayer of the celestials. And if this be not thy will, do thou remain here as long as it may be desirable to thy dependants". Whereto Krishna replied, "I am well aware of all thou hast said. The earth is not relieved of her load until the Yādavas are extirpated. I shall also speedily bring it about in my descent, and it shall take place in seven nights. Having restored the land of Dwārakā to the ocean and destroyed the race of Yadu, I shall proceed to the region of the celestials. Inform the celestials that having renounced my mortal frame and been accompanied by Sankarshana, I will then return to them. The tyrants that oppressed the earth, Jarāsandha and the rest, have been slain and a youth even of the race of Yadu is so less than they an incumbrance. Having removed this huge weight of the earth, I will proceed to the mansions of the celestials. Say this to them".Parāçara said:—O Maitreya, being thus addressed by Vāsudeva, the messenger of the celestials bowed and took his heavenly course to the king of the deities. The illustrious Krishna too now espied signs and portents both on earth and in heaven prognosticating day and night the destruction of Dwārakā. Beholding those evil omens, he said to the Yādavas; "Behold these dreadful portents; let us hasten to Prabhāsa to avert them". When he had thus said to the eminent Yādavas, the illustrious Uddhava saluted and said to him: "Tell me, O lord, what it is proper that I should do, for it seems to me that thou wilt destroy all this race. The signs that are manifest declare nothing less than the annihilation of the race". Then Krishna replied:—"Do thou, by my favour proceed, this celestial course, to the holy place Badrikāsrama in the Gandhamādana mountain, the shrine of Nara Nārāyana; and on that spot sanctified by them, thou, meditating upon me, shalt obtain perfection through my favour. Having extirpated this Yadu race, I shall proceed to Baikuntha; and after I have quilted Dwārakā; the ocean shall inundate it".Parāçara said:—Being thus addressed by him and commanded by Kesava, Uddhava proceeded to the holy shrine of Nara Nārāyana. And the Yādavas, with Krishna, Balarāma and others, having ascended swift-coursing cars, proceeded to Prabhāsa. Having reached Prabhāsa, the Kukkuras and Andhakas bathed there and, being excited by Krishna, indulged in liquor. As they drank, the destructive fire of dissension was engendered amongst them by mutual collision and fed with the fuel of abuse. Worked up with ire by the divine influence, they attacked one another with missile weapons, and when these were finished, they had recourse to the rushes growing nigh. The rushes in their hands became like thunder-bolts, and they assailed one another with them. Pradyumna, Syāmba, Kritavarman, Satyaki, Aniruddha, Prithu, Vipathu, Charuvannan, Charuka, Akrura, and many others, struck one another with the rushes, which became hard like thunder-bolts. Thereupon Krishna arriving there prevented them: but they thought that he was taking part with each severally and continued the conflict.Thereupon, enraged, Krishna took up a handful of rushes to destroy them, which became a club of iron; and with this he killed many of the murderous Yādavas, whilst others fighting fiercely destroyed one another. At this time in the very presence of Krishna*s charioteer, his swift steeds carried off hisJaitracar and entered into the sea. The discus, the club, the bow, the quiver, the shell and the sword of Kesava, having circumambulated their master, flew along the path of the sun. In a short time there was not a single Yādava left alive save the mighty Krishna and Dāruka. Going towards Rāma, who was sitting at the root of a tree, they saw a huge serpent coming out of his mouth. Having issued out of his mouth, the mighty snake proceeded towards the ocean hymned by saints and other great snakes. Bringing an offering of respect, the ocean came to him and then the majestic being worshipped of all the attendant snakes, entered into the waters of the deep. Beholding the departure of the spirit of Baladeva, Kesava said to Dāruka—"Do thou go to Vasudeva and Ugrasena and communicate unto him this. Go and inform them of the departure of Balabhadra, and the destruction of the Yādava race, and also that I shall engage in religious meditation and renounce my body. Do thou also inform Ahuka and the inhabitants of Dwārakā that their city shall be inundated by the ocean. And do ye await the arrival of Arjuna at Dwārakā. When Arjuna, the descendant of Pāndu, shall issue out of the city, none of you should wait there but go whither the descendant of Kuru shall repair. Do thou also go to the son of Kunti and tell him that he may at my request protect my family according to his might. Then go to Hastināpur with Arjuna and all the inhabitants of Dwārakā and let Vajra be installed king over the race of Yadu".Parāçara said:—Thus instructed and having bowed unto and circumambulated Krishna again and again, Dāruka departed as he had been desired; and having conducted Arjuna to Dwārāvati, the intelligent servant of Krishna established Vajra as king. Thereupon having concentrated in himself that supreme spirit which is identical with Vāsudeva, the divine Govinda was identified with all beings. Respecting the words of the Brāhmana, the curse of Durvāsas, the illustrious Krishna sat engaged in meditation, placing his foot upon his knee. Then there came a hunter named Jāra, whose arrow was tipped with a blade made of the iron club, which had not been reduced to powder; and espying from a distance the foot of Krishna, he mistook it for a part of a deer, and shooting his arrow, lodged it in the sole. Approaching his mark, he saw the four-armed king and falling at his feet, repeatedly besought his forgiveness, exclaming, "I have done this deed unknowingly, thinking I was aiming at a deer. Have pity on me who am consumed by my crime; for thou art able to consume me". Thereupon Bhagavān said: "Thou needst not have the least fear, hunter; by my favour, thou shall repair to the region of the celestials". As soon as Krishna had said this, the celestial car arrived there, ascending which the hunter repaired to the region of the celestials.Thereupon the divine Krishna having united himself with his own pure, spiritual, inexhaustible, inconceivable, unborn, undecaying, imperishable, and universal spirit, which is one Vāsudeva, renounced his mortal frame and his connection with the three qualities.
SECTION XXXVII.In this way, Krishna, aided by Baladeva, destroyed, for the behoof of the earth, demons and iniquitous kings, and along with Phalguna also did he relieve earth of her burden by the death of seven Akshauhini hosts. Having thus relieved the earth of her load and destroyed many impious kings, he exterminated, by the plea of an imprecation denounced by Brāhmanas, his own Yādava race. Thereupon quitting Dwārakā and renouncing his mortal frame, the self-born with all his emanations re-entered his own sphere of Vishnu.Maitreya said:—Tell me how Janārddana brought about the extermination of his own family under the pretext of a Brāminical curse and in what manner did he renounce his human body.Parāçara said;—At the holy place of Pindarika, Viswāmitra, Kanwa and the great sage, Nārada, were seen by some boys of the Yadu family. Inflated with their youths and influenced by predestined results, they dressed and adorned Sāmba, the son of Jāmbavati, as a female and taking her to the sages, they addressed them with usual reverence, saying:—"What child will this female, the wife of Babru, who is anxious to have a son, give birth to?" The sages, who were gifted with divine wisdom, enraged at this insult, said:—"She will give birth to a club that will exterminate the entire Yādava race".Thus addressed by the sages, the boys went to Ugrasena and related to him what had happened; and after sometime, as foretold, a club was produced from the belly of Sāmba. Ugrasena had the club, which was made of iron, ground to dust and thrown into the sea, and particles of the dust there became rushes, There was one part of the iron club which was like the blade of a lance and which the Andhakas could not break; this when thrown into the sea was swallowed by a fish; the fish was caught, the iron spike was extracted from its belly, and was taken by a hunter named Jāra. The all-wise and illustrious slayer of Madhu did not think it proper to counteract the predestination of fate.In the interval an emissarry despatched by the celestials came to Krishna and said to him in private:—"I am sent to thee, O lord, by the celestials; and do thou hear what Indra together with the Viswas, Maruts, Adityas, Sādhyas and Rudras respectfully represent. More than a century has gone by since thou in compliance with the request of the celestials, descended upon earth for the purpose of relieving it of its load. The demons have been destroyed and the burden of earth has been removed; now let the immortals once again see their king in heaven. More than a hundred years have passed, and if thou dost wish, do thou return to heaven. This is the prayer of the celestials. And if this be not thy will, do thou remain here as long as it may be desirable to thy dependants". Whereto Krishna replied, "I am well aware of all thou hast said. The earth is not relieved of her load until the Yādavas are extirpated. I shall also speedily bring it about in my descent, and it shall take place in seven nights. Having restored the land of Dwārakā to the ocean and destroyed the race of Yadu, I shall proceed to the region of the celestials. Inform the celestials that having renounced my mortal frame and been accompanied by Sankarshana, I will then return to them. The tyrants that oppressed the earth, Jarāsandha and the rest, have been slain and a youth even of the race of Yadu is so less than they an incumbrance. Having removed this huge weight of the earth, I will proceed to the mansions of the celestials. Say this to them".Parāçara said:—O Maitreya, being thus addressed by Vāsudeva, the messenger of the celestials bowed and took his heavenly course to the king of the deities. The illustrious Krishna too now espied signs and portents both on earth and in heaven prognosticating day and night the destruction of Dwārakā. Beholding those evil omens, he said to the Yādavas; "Behold these dreadful portents; let us hasten to Prabhāsa to avert them". When he had thus said to the eminent Yādavas, the illustrious Uddhava saluted and said to him: "Tell me, O lord, what it is proper that I should do, for it seems to me that thou wilt destroy all this race. The signs that are manifest declare nothing less than the annihilation of the race". Then Krishna replied:—"Do thou, by my favour proceed, this celestial course, to the holy place Badrikāsrama in the Gandhamādana mountain, the shrine of Nara Nārāyana; and on that spot sanctified by them, thou, meditating upon me, shalt obtain perfection through my favour. Having extirpated this Yadu race, I shall proceed to Baikuntha; and after I have quilted Dwārakā; the ocean shall inundate it".Parāçara said:—Being thus addressed by him and commanded by Kesava, Uddhava proceeded to the holy shrine of Nara Nārāyana. And the Yādavas, with Krishna, Balarāma and others, having ascended swift-coursing cars, proceeded to Prabhāsa. Having reached Prabhāsa, the Kukkuras and Andhakas bathed there and, being excited by Krishna, indulged in liquor. As they drank, the destructive fire of dissension was engendered amongst them by mutual collision and fed with the fuel of abuse. Worked up with ire by the divine influence, they attacked one another with missile weapons, and when these were finished, they had recourse to the rushes growing nigh. The rushes in their hands became like thunder-bolts, and they assailed one another with them. Pradyumna, Syāmba, Kritavarman, Satyaki, Aniruddha, Prithu, Vipathu, Charuvannan, Charuka, Akrura, and many others, struck one another with the rushes, which became hard like thunder-bolts. Thereupon Krishna arriving there prevented them: but they thought that he was taking part with each severally and continued the conflict.Thereupon, enraged, Krishna took up a handful of rushes to destroy them, which became a club of iron; and with this he killed many of the murderous Yādavas, whilst others fighting fiercely destroyed one another. At this time in the very presence of Krishna*s charioteer, his swift steeds carried off hisJaitracar and entered into the sea. The discus, the club, the bow, the quiver, the shell and the sword of Kesava, having circumambulated their master, flew along the path of the sun. In a short time there was not a single Yādava left alive save the mighty Krishna and Dāruka. Going towards Rāma, who was sitting at the root of a tree, they saw a huge serpent coming out of his mouth. Having issued out of his mouth, the mighty snake proceeded towards the ocean hymned by saints and other great snakes. Bringing an offering of respect, the ocean came to him and then the majestic being worshipped of all the attendant snakes, entered into the waters of the deep. Beholding the departure of the spirit of Baladeva, Kesava said to Dāruka—"Do thou go to Vasudeva and Ugrasena and communicate unto him this. Go and inform them of the departure of Balabhadra, and the destruction of the Yādava race, and also that I shall engage in religious meditation and renounce my body. Do thou also inform Ahuka and the inhabitants of Dwārakā that their city shall be inundated by the ocean. And do ye await the arrival of Arjuna at Dwārakā. When Arjuna, the descendant of Pāndu, shall issue out of the city, none of you should wait there but go whither the descendant of Kuru shall repair. Do thou also go to the son of Kunti and tell him that he may at my request protect my family according to his might. Then go to Hastināpur with Arjuna and all the inhabitants of Dwārakā and let Vajra be installed king over the race of Yadu".Parāçara said:—Thus instructed and having bowed unto and circumambulated Krishna again and again, Dāruka departed as he had been desired; and having conducted Arjuna to Dwārāvati, the intelligent servant of Krishna established Vajra as king. Thereupon having concentrated in himself that supreme spirit which is identical with Vāsudeva, the divine Govinda was identified with all beings. Respecting the words of the Brāhmana, the curse of Durvāsas, the illustrious Krishna sat engaged in meditation, placing his foot upon his knee. Then there came a hunter named Jāra, whose arrow was tipped with a blade made of the iron club, which had not been reduced to powder; and espying from a distance the foot of Krishna, he mistook it for a part of a deer, and shooting his arrow, lodged it in the sole. Approaching his mark, he saw the four-armed king and falling at his feet, repeatedly besought his forgiveness, exclaming, "I have done this deed unknowingly, thinking I was aiming at a deer. Have pity on me who am consumed by my crime; for thou art able to consume me". Thereupon Bhagavān said: "Thou needst not have the least fear, hunter; by my favour, thou shall repair to the region of the celestials". As soon as Krishna had said this, the celestial car arrived there, ascending which the hunter repaired to the region of the celestials.Thereupon the divine Krishna having united himself with his own pure, spiritual, inexhaustible, inconceivable, unborn, undecaying, imperishable, and universal spirit, which is one Vāsudeva, renounced his mortal frame and his connection with the three qualities.
In this way, Krishna, aided by Baladeva, destroyed, for the behoof of the earth, demons and iniquitous kings, and along with Phalguna also did he relieve earth of her burden by the death of seven Akshauhini hosts. Having thus relieved the earth of her load and destroyed many impious kings, he exterminated, by the plea of an imprecation denounced by Brāhmanas, his own Yādava race. Thereupon quitting Dwārakā and renouncing his mortal frame, the self-born with all his emanations re-entered his own sphere of Vishnu.
Maitreya said:—Tell me how Janārddana brought about the extermination of his own family under the pretext of a Brāminical curse and in what manner did he renounce his human body.
Parāçara said;—At the holy place of Pindarika, Viswāmitra, Kanwa and the great sage, Nārada, were seen by some boys of the Yadu family. Inflated with their youths and influenced by predestined results, they dressed and adorned Sāmba, the son of Jāmbavati, as a female and taking her to the sages, they addressed them with usual reverence, saying:—"What child will this female, the wife of Babru, who is anxious to have a son, give birth to?" The sages, who were gifted with divine wisdom, enraged at this insult, said:—"She will give birth to a club that will exterminate the entire Yādava race".
Thus addressed by the sages, the boys went to Ugrasena and related to him what had happened; and after sometime, as foretold, a club was produced from the belly of Sāmba. Ugrasena had the club, which was made of iron, ground to dust and thrown into the sea, and particles of the dust there became rushes, There was one part of the iron club which was like the blade of a lance and which the Andhakas could not break; this when thrown into the sea was swallowed by a fish; the fish was caught, the iron spike was extracted from its belly, and was taken by a hunter named Jāra. The all-wise and illustrious slayer of Madhu did not think it proper to counteract the predestination of fate.
In the interval an emissarry despatched by the celestials came to Krishna and said to him in private:—"I am sent to thee, O lord, by the celestials; and do thou hear what Indra together with the Viswas, Maruts, Adityas, Sādhyas and Rudras respectfully represent. More than a century has gone by since thou in compliance with the request of the celestials, descended upon earth for the purpose of relieving it of its load. The demons have been destroyed and the burden of earth has been removed; now let the immortals once again see their king in heaven. More than a hundred years have passed, and if thou dost wish, do thou return to heaven. This is the prayer of the celestials. And if this be not thy will, do thou remain here as long as it may be desirable to thy dependants". Whereto Krishna replied, "I am well aware of all thou hast said. The earth is not relieved of her load until the Yādavas are extirpated. I shall also speedily bring it about in my descent, and it shall take place in seven nights. Having restored the land of Dwārakā to the ocean and destroyed the race of Yadu, I shall proceed to the region of the celestials. Inform the celestials that having renounced my mortal frame and been accompanied by Sankarshana, I will then return to them. The tyrants that oppressed the earth, Jarāsandha and the rest, have been slain and a youth even of the race of Yadu is so less than they an incumbrance. Having removed this huge weight of the earth, I will proceed to the mansions of the celestials. Say this to them".
Parāçara said:—O Maitreya, being thus addressed by Vāsudeva, the messenger of the celestials bowed and took his heavenly course to the king of the deities. The illustrious Krishna too now espied signs and portents both on earth and in heaven prognosticating day and night the destruction of Dwārakā. Beholding those evil omens, he said to the Yādavas; "Behold these dreadful portents; let us hasten to Prabhāsa to avert them". When he had thus said to the eminent Yādavas, the illustrious Uddhava saluted and said to him: "Tell me, O lord, what it is proper that I should do, for it seems to me that thou wilt destroy all this race. The signs that are manifest declare nothing less than the annihilation of the race". Then Krishna replied:—"Do thou, by my favour proceed, this celestial course, to the holy place Badrikāsrama in the Gandhamādana mountain, the shrine of Nara Nārāyana; and on that spot sanctified by them, thou, meditating upon me, shalt obtain perfection through my favour. Having extirpated this Yadu race, I shall proceed to Baikuntha; and after I have quilted Dwārakā; the ocean shall inundate it".
Parāçara said:—Being thus addressed by him and commanded by Kesava, Uddhava proceeded to the holy shrine of Nara Nārāyana. And the Yādavas, with Krishna, Balarāma and others, having ascended swift-coursing cars, proceeded to Prabhāsa. Having reached Prabhāsa, the Kukkuras and Andhakas bathed there and, being excited by Krishna, indulged in liquor. As they drank, the destructive fire of dissension was engendered amongst them by mutual collision and fed with the fuel of abuse. Worked up with ire by the divine influence, they attacked one another with missile weapons, and when these were finished, they had recourse to the rushes growing nigh. The rushes in their hands became like thunder-bolts, and they assailed one another with them. Pradyumna, Syāmba, Kritavarman, Satyaki, Aniruddha, Prithu, Vipathu, Charuvannan, Charuka, Akrura, and many others, struck one another with the rushes, which became hard like thunder-bolts. Thereupon Krishna arriving there prevented them: but they thought that he was taking part with each severally and continued the conflict.
Thereupon, enraged, Krishna took up a handful of rushes to destroy them, which became a club of iron; and with this he killed many of the murderous Yādavas, whilst others fighting fiercely destroyed one another. At this time in the very presence of Krishna*s charioteer, his swift steeds carried off hisJaitracar and entered into the sea. The discus, the club, the bow, the quiver, the shell and the sword of Kesava, having circumambulated their master, flew along the path of the sun. In a short time there was not a single Yādava left alive save the mighty Krishna and Dāruka. Going towards Rāma, who was sitting at the root of a tree, they saw a huge serpent coming out of his mouth. Having issued out of his mouth, the mighty snake proceeded towards the ocean hymned by saints and other great snakes. Bringing an offering of respect, the ocean came to him and then the majestic being worshipped of all the attendant snakes, entered into the waters of the deep. Beholding the departure of the spirit of Baladeva, Kesava said to Dāruka—"Do thou go to Vasudeva and Ugrasena and communicate unto him this. Go and inform them of the departure of Balabhadra, and the destruction of the Yādava race, and also that I shall engage in religious meditation and renounce my body. Do thou also inform Ahuka and the inhabitants of Dwārakā that their city shall be inundated by the ocean. And do ye await the arrival of Arjuna at Dwārakā. When Arjuna, the descendant of Pāndu, shall issue out of the city, none of you should wait there but go whither the descendant of Kuru shall repair. Do thou also go to the son of Kunti and tell him that he may at my request protect my family according to his might. Then go to Hastināpur with Arjuna and all the inhabitants of Dwārakā and let Vajra be installed king over the race of Yadu".
Parāçara said:—Thus instructed and having bowed unto and circumambulated Krishna again and again, Dāruka departed as he had been desired; and having conducted Arjuna to Dwārāvati, the intelligent servant of Krishna established Vajra as king. Thereupon having concentrated in himself that supreme spirit which is identical with Vāsudeva, the divine Govinda was identified with all beings. Respecting the words of the Brāhmana, the curse of Durvāsas, the illustrious Krishna sat engaged in meditation, placing his foot upon his knee. Then there came a hunter named Jāra, whose arrow was tipped with a blade made of the iron club, which had not been reduced to powder; and espying from a distance the foot of Krishna, he mistook it for a part of a deer, and shooting his arrow, lodged it in the sole. Approaching his mark, he saw the four-armed king and falling at his feet, repeatedly besought his forgiveness, exclaming, "I have done this deed unknowingly, thinking I was aiming at a deer. Have pity on me who am consumed by my crime; for thou art able to consume me". Thereupon Bhagavān said: "Thou needst not have the least fear, hunter; by my favour, thou shall repair to the region of the celestials". As soon as Krishna had said this, the celestial car arrived there, ascending which the hunter repaired to the region of the celestials.
Thereupon the divine Krishna having united himself with his own pure, spiritual, inexhaustible, inconceivable, unborn, undecaying, imperishable, and universal spirit, which is one Vāsudeva, renounced his mortal frame and his connection with the three qualities.