Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 10 Chapter 49:1-14

Book 10: Forty-nine Chapter (First Half)

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 49: Verses 1-14 Akrura's visit to Hastinapura Sri Suka began again : Going to Hastinapura, marked with the glory of the kings of Puru's race, AkrUra saw there Dhrtarastra (the son of Ambika) accompanied by Bhisma, (nay,) Vidura, Prtha (the mother of the Pandava brothers), Bahlika (uncle of Bhisma) alongwith his son (Somadatta), Drona (the son of Bharadwaja), accompanied by Krpa (a scion of sage Gotama), (as well as) Karna, Suyodhana (Duryodhana), Aswatthama (the son of Drona), Yudhisthira and his four brothers (the sons of Pandu) and other friends. Meeting his relatives in an appropriate manner, Akrura (the son of Gandini) was duly questioned by them about the welfare of their relatives (at Mathura), and himself enquired about their well-being (in return). He stayed there for some months with intent to ascertain the conduct (towards the sons of Pandu) of the king (Dhrtarastra), who had vile sons and little moral strength and followed the will of the wicked (his brother-in-law Sakuni, Karna and others). Prtha as well as Vidura (another half-brother of Dhrtarastra and a true friend and benefactor of the Pandavas) told him (Akrura) of all the evil-in the shape of administering poison etc-that had (already) been done and was (further) sought to be done by Duryodhana and others (the sons of Dhrtarastra), who were envious of the majesty, military skill, bodily strength, prowess, modesty and other excellent qualities of Prtha's sons as as of the love which the people bore for them well Approaching her cousin, Akrura, who was (quite) at hand, and recollecting her birth-place (Mathura) Prtha for her part spoke to him with tear-drops in her eyes (as follows): - "Do my parents (Surasena and Marisa) and brothers (Vasudeva etc.), sisters (Srutadeva and so on) and nephews (Sri Krsna, Balarama and others), ladies of the household (Devaki, Rohini and others) as well as my female friends remember me? Does my nephew, Lord Sri Krsna, who is fit to protect all and is (so) fond of His devotees, as well as the lotus-eyed Balarama, remember Yudhisthira and others (the sons of His father's sister, i.e., myself)? Will He (ever care to) console with His (comforting) words me grieving (as I do) in the midst of enemies (even) as a she-deer would do in the midst of wolves-as well as these fatherless boys (of mine)? 0 Krsna, 0 Enchanter of all, 0 great Yogi (Wielder of mystic powers), O Soul of the universe, 0 Saviour of all, 0 Deliverer of cows, protect me, that have sought You (as my refuge) and am suffering with my infants. For men afraid of death and (future) birth I find no asylum other than Your lotus-feet, which are capable of conferring Liberation (on their worshippers), almighty that You are. Hail to You, the Enchanter of all, the all-pure Brahma (the Absolute), the Supreme Spirit, the Master of Yoga (mystic powers), (nay,) Yoga (wisdom) personified I I have sought You as my refuge." Sri Suka continued : Remembering thus her own kinsfolk and (particularly) Sri Krsna, the Lord of the universe, 0 king, your great grandmother (Kunti) wept bitterly, afflicted as she was.