Adhyaya 30

Verse 1

श्रीराजोवाच ततो महाभागवत उद्धवे निर्गते वनम् । द्वारवत्यां किमकरोद् भगवान् भूतभावन: ॥ १ ॥

King Parīkṣit said: After the great devotee Uddhava departed for the forest, what did Bhagavān, the protector of all beings, do in the city of Dvārakā?

Verse 2

ब्रह्मशापोपसंसृष्टे स्वकुले यादवर्षभ: । प्रेयसीं सर्वनेत्राणां तनुं स कथमत्यजत् ॥ २ ॥

After His own dynasty was destroyed by the brāhmaṇas’ curse, how could the best of the Yadus give up His body, the dearmost object of all eyes?

Verse 3

प्रत्याक्रष्टुं नयनमबला यत्र लग्नं न शेकु: कर्णाविष्टं न सरति ततो यत् सतामात्मलग्नम् । यच्छ्रीर्वाचां जनयति रतिं किं नु मानं कवीनां द‍ृष्ट्वा जिष्णोर्युधि रथगतं यच्च तत्साम्यमीयु: ॥ ३ ॥

Once women fixed their eyes upon His transcendental form, they could not draw them away; and once that form entered the sages’ ears and became bound within their hearts, it never departed. His beauty endowed even poets’ words with a supremely pleasing attraction—what then of their fame! And at Kurukṣetra, seeing that form upon Arjuna’s chariot, many warriors attained liberation, receiving a spiritual body like the Lord’s.

Verse 4

श्री ऋषिरुवाच दिवि भुव्यन्तरिक्षे च महोत्पातान् समुत्थितान् । द‍ृष्ट्वासीनान् सुधर्मायां कृष्ण: प्राह यदूनिदम् ॥ ४ ॥

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Seeing many disturbing omens in the sky, on the earth, and in outer space, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa addressed the Yadus assembled in the Sudharmā council hall as follows.

Verse 5

श्रीभगवानुवाच एते घोरा महोत्पाता द्वार्वत्यां यमकेतव: । मुहूर्तमपि न स्थेयमत्र नो यदुपुङ्गवा: ॥ ५ ॥

The Supreme Lord said: O foremost of the Yadus, in Dvārakā these dreadful portents have appeared like the banners of Death. We must not remain here even for a moment.

Verse 6

स्‍त्रियो बालाश्च वृद्धाश्च शङ्खोद्धारं व्रजन्त्वित: । वयं प्रभासं यास्यामो यत्र प्रत्यक् सरस्वती ॥ ६ ॥

Let the women, children, and the elderly depart from here to Śaṅkhoddhāra. We shall go to Prabhāsa-kṣetra, where the Sarasvatī River flows westward.

Verse 7

तत्राभिषिच्य शुचय उपोष्य सुसमाहिता: । देवता: पूजयिष्याम: स्‍नपनालेपनार्हणै: ॥ ७ ॥

There we should bathe for purification, fast, and steady our minds in meditation. Then we shall worship the devas by bathing their sacred images, anointing them with sandalwood paste, and offering various oblations.

Verse 8

ब्राह्मणांस्तु महाभागान् कृतस्वस्त्ययना वयम् । गोभूहिरण्यवासोभिर्गजाश्वरथवेश्मभि: ॥ ८ ॥

After performing the expiatory rites and svastyayana with the help of greatly blessed brāhmaṇas, we shall honor those brāhmaṇas by offering cows, land, gold, garments, elephants, horses, chariots, and dwelling places.

Verse 9

विधिरेष ह्यरिष्टघ्नो मङ्गलायनमुत्तमम् । देवद्विजगवां पूजा भूतेषु परमो भव: ॥ ९ ॥

This is indeed the proper method to destroy the impending calamity and to bring the highest auspiciousness. Worship of the devas, the brāhmaṇas, and the sacred cows bestows the most exalted birth upon all living beings.

Verse 10

इति सर्वे समाकर्ण्य यदुवृद्धा मधुद्विष: । तथेति नौभिरुत्तीर्य प्रभासं प्रययू रथै: ॥ १० ॥

Hearing the words of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the slayer of Madhu, the elders of the Yadu line assented, saying, “So be it.” Crossing the ocean by boats, they then went by chariots to the holy place of Prabhāsa.

Verse 11

तस्मिन् भगवतादिष्टं यदुदेवेन यादवा: । चक्रु: परमया भक्त्या सर्वश्रेयोपबृंहितम् ॥ ११ ॥

There, following the instructions of Bhagavān, their own Lord Yadudeva, the Yādavas performed with supreme devotion the sacred rites that nourish all auspicious welfare.

Verse 12

ततस्तस्मिन् महापानं पपुर्मैरेयकं मधु । दिष्टविभ्रंशितधियो यद्‌द्रवैर्भ्रश्यते मति: ॥ १२ ॥

Then, their intelligence eclipsed by destiny, the Yadus drank freely the sweet maireya liquor, which utterly intoxicates and unseats the mind.

Verse 13

महापानाभिमत्तानां वीराणां द‍ृप्तचेतसाम् । कृष्णमायाविमूढानां सङ्घर्ष: सुमहानभूत् ॥ १३ ॥

The Yadu heroes, intoxicated by excessive drinking and swollen with pride, were bewildered by Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s own māyā, and a dreadful quarrel arose among them.

Verse 14

युयुधु: क्रोधसंरब्धा वेलायामाततायिन: । धनुर्भिरसिभिर्भल्ल‍ै‌र्गदाभिस्तोमरर्ष्टिभि: ॥ १४ ॥

Enraged, on the seashore they fell upon one another, taking up bows and arrows, swords, bhallas, clubs, javelins, and spears, and fought among themselves.

Verse 15

पतत्पताकै रथकुञ्जरादिभि: खरोष्ट्रगोभिर्महिषैर्नरैरपि । मिथ: समेत्याश्वतरै: सुदुर्मदा न्यहन्शरैर्दद्भ‍िरिव द्विपा वने ॥ १५ ॥

Riding on elephants and chariots with flags flying, and also on donkeys, camels, bulls, buffalos, mules and even human beings, the extremely enraged warriors came together and violently attacked one another with arrows, just as elephants in the forest attack one another with their tusks.

Verse 16

प्रद्युम्नसाम्बौ युधि रूढमत्सराव्- अक्रूरभोजावनिरुद्धसात्यकी । सुभद्रसङ्ग्रामजितौ सुदारुणौ गदौ सुमित्रासुरथौ समीयतु: ॥ १६ ॥

Their mutual enmity aroused, Pradyumna fought fiercely against Sāmba, Akrūra against Kuntibhoja, Aniruddha against Sātyaki, Subhadra against Saṅgrāmajit, Sumitra against Suratha, and the two Gadas against each other.

Verse 17

अन्ये च ये वै निशठोल्मुकादय: सहस्रजिच्छतजिद्भ‍ानुमुख्या: । अन्योन्यमासाद्य मदान्धकारिता जघ्नुर्मुकुन्देन विमोहिता भृशम् ॥ १७ ॥

Others also, such as Niśaṭha, Ulmuka, Sahasrajit, Śatajit and Bhānu, confronted and killed one another, being blinded by intoxication and thus completely bewildered by Lord Mukunda Himself.

Verse 18

दाशार्हवृष्ण्यन्धकभोजसात्वता मध्वर्बुदा माथुरशूरसेना: । विसर्जना: कुकुरा: कुन्तयश्च मिथस्तु जघ्नु: सुविसृज्य सौहृदम् ॥ १८ ॥

Completely abandoning their natural friendship, the members of the various Yadu clans — the Dāśārhas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, the Bhojas, Sātvatas, Madhus and Arbudas, the Māthuras, Śūrasenas, Visarjanas, Kukuras and Kuntis — all slaughtered one another.

Verse 19

पुत्रा अयुध्यन् पितृभिर्भ्रातृभिश्च स्वस्रीयदौहित्रपितृव्यमातुलै: । मित्राणि मित्रै: सुहृद: सुहृद्भ‍ि- र्ज्ञातींस्त्वहन् ज्ञातय एव मूढा: ॥ १९ ॥

Thus bewildered, sons fought with fathers, brothers with brothers, nephews with paternal and maternal uncles, and grandsons with grandfathers. Friends fought with friends, and well-wishers with well-wishers. In this way intimate friends and relatives all killed one another.

Verse 20

शरेषु हीयमानेषु भज्यमानेसु धन्वसु । शस्‍त्रेषु क्षीयमानेषु मुष्टिभिर्जह्रुरेरका: ॥ २० ॥

When their arrows were spent, their bows broken, and their other weapons exhausted, they seized the tall eraka cane stalks with their bare hands.

Verse 21

ता वज्रकल्पा ह्यभवन् परिघा मुष्टिना भृता: । जघ्नुर्द्विषस्तै: कृष्णेन वार्यमाणास्तु तं च ते ॥ २१ ॥

As soon as they clenched the cane stalks in their fists, the stalks became iron clubs, hard as thunderbolts. With them the warriors struck one another again and again, and when Lord Kṛṣṇa tried to restrain them, they attacked Him too.

Verse 22

प्रत्यनीकं मन्यमाना बलभद्रं च मोहिता: । हन्तुं कृतधियो राजन्नापन्ना आततायिन: ॥ २२ ॥

O King, bewildered by delusion, they even mistook Lord Balarāma for an enemy. Weapons in hand, intent on killing Him, they rushed toward Him like murderous assailants.

Verse 23

अथ तावपि सङ्‌क्रु‌द्धावुद्यम्य कुरुनन्दन । एरकामुष्टिपरिघौ चरन्तौ जघ्नतुर्युधि ॥ २३ ॥

O son of the Kurus, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma then became fiercely angry. Lifting eraka stalks like clubs, They moved about the battlefield and began to strike down the fighters.

Verse 24

ब्रह्मशापोपसृष्टानां कृष्णमायावृतात्मनाम् । स्पर्धाक्रोध: क्षयं निन्ये वैणवोऽग्निर्यथा वनम् ॥ २४ ॥

The fierce, competitive anger of those warriors—struck by the brāhmaṇas’ curse and their minds veiled by Lord Kṛṣṇa’s māyā—drove them to destruction, like a fire born in a bamboo grove that consumes the entire forest.

Verse 25

एवं नष्टेषु सर्वेषु कुलेषु स्वेषु केशव: । अवतारितो भुवो भार इति मेनेऽवशेषित: ॥ २५ ॥

When all the members of His own dynasty had thus perished, Keshava thought within Himself: now the burden of the earth has been lifted; nothing remains.

Verse 26

राम: समुद्रवेलायां योगमास्थाय पौरुषम् । तत्याज लोकं मानुष्यं संयोज्यात्मानमात्मनि ॥ २६ ॥

Lord Balarama then sat on the ocean’s shore, established in yoga and fixing His mind on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Uniting Himself within Himself, He gave up this mortal world.

Verse 27

रामनिर्याणमालोक्य भगवान् देवकीसुत: । निषसाद धरोपस्थे तुष्णीमासाद्य पिप्पलम् ॥ २७ ॥

Seeing Lord Rama depart, Lord Krishna, the son of Devaki, sat down silently on the ground beneath a nearby pippala tree.

Verse 28

बिभ्रच्चतुर्भुजं रूपं भ्राजिष्णु प्रभया स्वया । दिशो वितिमिरा: कुर्वन् विधूम इव पावक: ॥ २८ ॥ श्रीवत्साङ्कं घनश्यामं तप्तहाटकवर्चसम् । कौशेयाम्बरयुग्मेन परिवीतं सुमङ्गलम् ॥ २९ ॥ सुन्दरस्मितवक्त्राब्जं नीलकुन्तलमण्डितम् । पुण्डरीकाभिरामाक्षं स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलम् ॥ ३० ॥ कटिसूत्रब्रह्मसूत्रकिरीटकटकाङ्गदै: । हारनूपुरमुद्राभि: कौस्तुभेन विराजितम् ॥ ३१ ॥ वनमालापरीताङ्गं मूर्तिमद्भ‍िर्निजायुधै: । कृत्वोरौ दक्षिणे पादमासीनं पङ्कजारुणम् ॥ ३२ ॥

The Lord displayed His brilliantly effulgent four-armed form; like a smokeless fire, His radiance dispelled the darkness in every direction. His complexion was like a deep blue cloud, and His splendor shone like molten gold; upon His chest the mark of Shrivatsa adorned His all-auspicious form. He wore a pair of silken garments; a lovely smile graced His lotus face, dark-blue locks adorned His head, His lotus eyes were enchanting, and His makara-shaped earrings glittered. He was ornamented with an ornamental belt, the sacred thread, helmet, bracelets and armlets, necklaces, anklets and royal emblems, and the Kaustubha jewel. Flower garlands encircled His body, and His personal weapons stood around Him in embodied forms; seated, He placed His left foot—its sole lotus-red—upon His right thigh.

Verse 29

बिभ्रच्चतुर्भुजं रूपं भ्राजिष्णु प्रभया स्वया । दिशो वितिमिरा: कुर्वन् विधूम इव पावक: ॥ २८ ॥ श्रीवत्साङ्कं घनश्यामं तप्तहाटकवर्चसम् । कौशेयाम्बरयुग्मेन परिवीतं सुमङ्गलम् ॥ २९ ॥ सुन्दरस्मितवक्त्राब्जं नीलकुन्तलमण्डितम् । पुण्डरीकाभिरामाक्षं स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलम् ॥ ३० ॥ कटिसूत्रब्रह्मसूत्रकिरीटकटकाङ्गदै: । हारनूपुरमुद्राभि: कौस्तुभेन विराजितम् ॥ ३१ ॥ वनमालापरीताङ्गं मूर्तिमद्भ‍िर्निजायुधै: । कृत्वोरौ दक्षिणे पादमासीनं पङ्कजारुणम् ॥ ३२ ॥

The Lord displayed His brilliantly effulgent four-armed form; like a smokeless fire, His radiance dispelled the darkness in every direction. His complexion was like a deep blue cloud, and His splendor shone like molten gold; upon His chest the mark of Shrivatsa adorned His all-auspicious form. He wore a pair of silken garments; a lovely smile graced His lotus face, dark-blue locks adorned His head, His lotus eyes were enchanting, and His makara-shaped earrings glittered. He was ornamented with an ornamental belt, the sacred thread, helmet, bracelets and armlets, necklaces, anklets and royal emblems, and the Kaustubha jewel. Flower garlands encircled His body, and His personal weapons stood around Him in embodied forms; seated, He placed His left foot—its sole lotus-red—upon His right thigh.

Verse 30

बिभ्रच्चतुर्भुजं रूपं भ्राजिष्णु प्रभया स्वया । दिशो वितिमिरा: कुर्वन् विधूम इव पावक: ॥ २८ ॥ श्रीवत्साङ्कं घनश्यामं तप्तहाटकवर्चसम् । कौशेयाम्बरयुग्मेन परिवीतं सुमङ्गलम् ॥ २९ ॥ सुन्दरस्मितवक्त्राब्जं नीलकुन्तलमण्डितम् । पुण्डरीकाभिरामाक्षं स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलम् ॥ ३० ॥ कटिसूत्रब्रह्मसूत्रकिरीटकटकाङ्गदै: । हारनूपुरमुद्राभि: कौस्तुभेन विराजितम् ॥ ३१ ॥ वनमालापरीताङ्गं मूर्तिमद्भ‍िर्निजायुधै: । कृत्वोरौ दक्षिणे पादमासीनं पङ्कजारुणम् ॥ ३२ ॥

The Lord revealed His four-armed form, blazing with His own effulgence; like a smokeless fire, that radiance drove away darkness in every direction. Upon His chest shone the mark of Śrīvatsa; His hue was that of a deep blue cloud, and His splendor like molten gold; He was auspiciously clad in a pair of silken garments. A lovely smile graced His lotus face; dark blue locks adorned His head; His lotus eyes were enchanting, and His makara-shaped earrings glittered. He was resplendent with an ornamental belt, the sacred thread, helmet, bracelets and armlets, the Kaustubha jewel, necklaces, anklets, and other royal emblems. Flower garlands and His personal weapons, as if embodied, encircled Him; seated, He placed His left foot—its sole lotus-red—upon His right thigh.

Verse 31

बिभ्रच्चतुर्भुजं रूपं भ्राजिष्णु प्रभया स्वया । दिशो वितिमिरा: कुर्वन् विधूम इव पावक: ॥ २८ ॥ श्रीवत्साङ्कं घनश्यामं तप्तहाटकवर्चसम् । कौशेयाम्बरयुग्मेन परिवीतं सुमङ्गलम् ॥ २९ ॥ सुन्दरस्मितवक्त्राब्जं नीलकुन्तलमण्डितम् । पुण्डरीकाभिरामाक्षं स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलम् ॥ ३० ॥ कटिसूत्रब्रह्मसूत्रकिरीटकटकाङ्गदै: । हारनूपुरमुद्राभि: कौस्तुभेन विराजितम् ॥ ३१ ॥ वनमालापरीताङ्गं मूर्तिमद्भ‍िर्निजायुधै: । कृत्वोरौ दक्षिणे पादमासीनं पङ्कजारुणम् ॥ ३२ ॥

The Lord revealed His four-armed form, blazing with His own effulgence; like a smokeless fire, that radiance drove away darkness in every direction. Upon His chest shone the mark of Śrīvatsa; His hue was that of a deep blue cloud, and His splendor like molten gold; He was auspiciously clad in a pair of silken garments. A lovely smile graced His lotus face; dark blue locks adorned His head; His lotus eyes were enchanting, and His makara-shaped earrings glittered. He was resplendent with an ornamental belt, the sacred thread, helmet, bracelets and armlets, the Kaustubha jewel, necklaces, anklets, and other royal emblems. Flower garlands and His personal weapons, as if embodied, encircled Him; seated, He placed His left foot—its sole lotus-red—upon His right thigh.

Verse 32

बिभ्रच्चतुर्भुजं रूपं भ्राजिष्णु प्रभया स्वया । दिशो वितिमिरा: कुर्वन् विधूम इव पावक: ॥ २८ ॥ श्रीवत्साङ्कं घनश्यामं तप्तहाटकवर्चसम् । कौशेयाम्बरयुग्मेन परिवीतं सुमङ्गलम् ॥ २९ ॥ सुन्दरस्मितवक्त्राब्जं नीलकुन्तलमण्डितम् । पुण्डरीकाभिरामाक्षं स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलम् ॥ ३० ॥ कटिसूत्रब्रह्मसूत्रकिरीटकटकाङ्गदै: । हारनूपुरमुद्राभि: कौस्तुभेन विराजितम् ॥ ३१ ॥ वनमालापरीताङ्गं मूर्तिमद्भ‍िर्निजायुधै: । कृत्वोरौ दक्षिणे पादमासीनं पङ्कजारुणम् ॥ ३२ ॥

The Lord revealed His four-armed form, blazing with His own effulgence; like a smokeless fire, that radiance drove away darkness in every direction. Upon His chest shone the mark of Śrīvatsa; His hue was that of a deep blue cloud, and His splendor like molten gold; He was auspiciously clad in a pair of silken garments. A lovely smile graced His lotus face; dark blue locks adorned His head; His lotus eyes were enchanting, and His makara-shaped earrings glittered. He was resplendent with an ornamental belt, the sacred thread, helmet, bracelets and armlets, the Kaustubha jewel, necklaces, anklets, and other royal emblems. Flower garlands and His personal weapons, as if embodied, encircled Him; seated, He placed His left foot—its sole lotus-red—upon His right thigh.

Verse 33

मुषलावशेषाय:खण्डकृतेषुर्लुब्धको जरा । मृगास्याकारं तच्चरणं विव्याध मृगशङ्कया ॥ ३३ ॥

Just then a hunter named Jarā came near. Mistaking the Lord’s foot for a deer’s face and thinking he had found his prey, Jarā pierced that foot with an arrow fashioned from the remaining iron fragment of Sāmba’s club.

Verse 34

चतुर्भुजं तं पुरुषं द‍ृष्ट्वा स कृतकिल्बिष: । भीत: पपात शिरसा पादयोरसुरद्विष: ॥ ३४ ॥

Seeing that four-armed Personality, the hunter, terrified by the offense he had committed, fell down and placed his head at the feet of the Lord, the enemy of the asuras.

Verse 35

अजानता कृतमिदं पापेन मधुसूदन । क्षन्तुमर्हसि पापस्य उत्तम:श्लोक मेऽनघ ॥ ३५ ॥

Jarā said: O Lord Madhusūdana, I am a most sinful person. I have committed this act out of ignorance. O purest Lord, O Uttamaḥśloka, please forgive this sinner.

Verse 36

यस्यानुस्मरणं नृणामज्ञानध्वान्तनाशनम् । वदन्ति तस्य ते विष्णो मयासाधु कृतं प्रभो ॥ ३६ ॥

O Lord Viṣṇu, the learned say that for any man, constant remembrance of You will destroy the darkness of ignorance. O master, I have wronged You!

Verse 37

तन्माशु जहि वैकुण्ठ पाप्मानं मृगलुब्धकम् । यथा पुनरहं त्वेवं न कुर्यां सदतिक्रमम् ॥ ३७ ॥

Therefore, O Lord of Vaikuṇṭha, please kill this sinful hunter of animals immediately so he may not again commit such offenses against saintly persons.

Verse 38

यस्यात्मयोगरचितं न विदुर्विरिञ्चो रुद्रादयोऽस्य तनया: पतयो गिरां ये । त्वन्मायया पिहितद‍ृष्टय एतदञ्ज: किं तस्य ते वयमसद्गतयो गृणीम: ॥ ३८ ॥

Neither Brahmā nor his sons, headed by Rudra, nor any of the great sages can understand the function of Your mystic power. Therefore, what can I, such a low-born person, possibly say?

Verse 39

श्रीभगवानुवाच मा भैर्जरे त्वमुत्तिष्ठ काम एष कृतो हि मे । याहि त्वं मदनुज्ञात: स्वर्गं सुकृतिनां पदम् ॥ ३९ ॥

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Jarā, do not fear. Please get up. What has been done is actually My own desire. With My permission, go now to the abode of the pious, the spiritual world.

Verse 40

इत्यादिष्टो भगवता कृष्णेनेच्छाशरीरिणा । त्रि: परिक्रम्य तं नत्वा विमानेन दिवं ययौ ॥ ४० ॥

Thus instructed by the Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who manifests His transcendental body by His own will, the hunter circumambulated the Lord three times and bowed down. Then he departed in a divine vimāna that appeared to carry him to the spiritual sky of Vaikuṇṭha.

Verse 41

दारुक: कृष्णपदवीमन्विच्छन्नधिगम्य ताम् । वायुं तुलसिकामोदमाघ्रायाभिमुखं ययौ ॥ ४१ ॥

At that time Dāruka was searching for the path of his master, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. As he drew near the place where the Lord was seated, he caught the fragrance of tulasī on the breeze and went in that direction.

Verse 42

तं तत्र तिग्मद्युभिरायुधैर्वृतं ह्यश्वत्थमूले कृतकेतनं पतिम् । स्‍नेहप्लुतात्मा निपपात पादयो रथादवप्लुत्य सबाष्पलोचन: ॥ ४२ ॥

Seeing Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa resting at the foot of an aśvattha tree, surrounded by His shining weapons, Dāruka’s heart overflowed with affection. Leaping down from the chariot, his eyes brimming with tears, he fell at the Lord’s lotus feet.

Verse 43

अपश्यतस्त्वच्चरणाम्बुजं प्रभो द‍ृष्टि: प्रणष्टा तमसि प्रविष्टा । दिशो न जाने न लभे च शान्तिं यथा निशायामुडुपे प्रणष्टे ॥ ४३ ॥

Dāruka said: O Lord, having lost sight of Your lotus feet, my vision is ruined and I have entered darkness. As on a moonless night one cannot find the way, I do not know my direction, nor do I find any peace.

Verse 44

इति ब्रुवति सूते वै रथो गरुडलाञ्छन: । खमुत्पपात राजेन्द्र साश्वध्वज उदीक्षत: ॥ ४४ ॥

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] O foremost of kings, while the chariot driver was still speaking, before his very eyes the Lord’s chariot—together with its horses and its flag marked with the emblem of Garuḍa—rose up into the sky.

Verse 45

तमन्वगच्छन् दिव्यानि विष्णुप्रहरणानि च । तेनातिविस्मितात्मानं सूतमाह जनार्दन: ॥ ४५ ॥

Then all of Viṣṇu’s divine weapons rose up and followed the chariot. Seeing this wonder, Lord Janārdana spoke to His charioteer, who was utterly astonished.

Verse 46

गच्छ द्वारवतीं सूत ज्ञातीनां निधनं मिथ: । सङ्कर्षणस्य निर्याणं बन्धुभ्यो ब्रूहि मद्दशाम् ॥ ४६ ॥

O charioteer, go to Dvārakā and tell Our kinsmen how their loved ones destroyed one another. Also speak to them of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa’s departure and of My present condition.

Verse 47

द्वारकायां च न स्थेयं भवद्भ‍िश्च स्वबन्धुभि: । मया त्यक्तां यदुपुरीं समुद्र: प्लावयिष्यति ॥ ४७ ॥

You and your relatives should not remain in Dvārakā, for once I have abandoned the city of the Yadus, the ocean will surely inundate it.

Verse 48

स्वं स्वं परिग्रहं सर्वे आदाय पितरौ च न: । अर्जुनेनाविता: सर्व इन्द्रप्रस्थं गमिष्यथ ॥ ४८ ॥

All of you should take your own families, together with My parents, and under Arjuna’s protection go to Indraprastha.

Verse 49

त्वं तु मद्धर्ममास्थाय ज्ञाननिष्ठ उपेक्षक: । मन्मायारचितामेतां विज्ञायोपशमं व्रज ॥ ४९ ॥

But you, Dāruka, should take shelter of My dharma—remain steady in bhakti to Me, fixed in spiritual knowledge, and detached from worldly concerns. Knowing these pastimes to be a display of My māyā, abide in peace.

Verse 50

इत्युक्तस्तं परिक्रम्य नमस्कृत्य पुन: पुन: । तत्पादौ शीर्ष्ण्युपाधाय दुर्मना: प्रययौ पुरीम् ॥ ५० ॥

Thus commanded, Dāruka circumambulated the Lord and offered obeisances again and again. Placing Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet upon his head, he returned to the city with a sorrowful heart.