Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 1 Chapter 10:1-16

Book 1: Chapter 10

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 1: Chapter 10: Verses 1-16
Sri Krsna's Departure to Dwaraka

Saunaka said : Having got rid of the ruffians who sought to rob him of his lawful heritage, how did Yudhisthira, the foremost of pious rulers, proceed (to rule his kingdom) with his younger brothers and what did he accomplish later, averse as he was to the gratification of his senses ? Suta continued: Having revived the race of Kuru, that had been consumed by the fire of internecine feud-even as the wild fire produced by the rubbing of bamboo stems against one another consumes a whole forest of bamboos-and established Yudhisthira on his throne, the almighty Sri Hari (Sri Krsna), the promoter of the world, rejoiced at heart. Having shaken off his infatuation by force of the wisdom that had dawned on him as a result of his hearing the teachings of Bhisma and the exhortation of Lord Acyuta (Sri Krsna),

Yudhisthira ruled over the whole earth, stretching as far as the ocean, like Indra (the lord of paradise), enjoying as he did the protection of Sri Krsna (the invincible Lord) and the loyal submission of his younger brothers. The god of rain poured down copious showers; the earth yielded all that was desired; while cows that had large udders, gladly sprinkled the stalls with milk. Rivers, seas, mountains, trees and creepers and other herbs and plants, all bore him abundant products in due season. Living beings had no worries or physical ailment nor afflictions of any kind-whether brought about by a wrathful Providence, any fellow-being or by one's own self (in the form of bodily or mental suffering) at any time whatsoever so long as Yudhisthira (who regarded none as his enemy) reigned as king After spending some months at Hastinapura for the consolation of His friends and relatives as well as for the satisfaction of His sister (Subhadra, wife of Arjuna), Sri Hari (Sri Krsna) asked leave of king Yudhisthira (to return home) and, permitted by him, He embraced him and bowed to him and, embraced or greeted in turn by others (those who were of the.same age or younger) mounted His chariot. Subhadra, Draupadi, Kunti and Uttara (the daughter of king Virata), and even so Gandhari, Dhrtarastra, Yuyutsu (the only surviving son of Dhrtarastra, born of a Vaisya wife), Krpacarya (born in the line of the sage Gotama), Nakuta and Sahadeva (the twin-born half-brothers of Yudhisthira), Bhimasena and Dhaumya, and Satyavati (Bhisma's stepmother) and other ladies almost fainted (with sorrow), unable to bear separation from the Lord (who wielded the Sarnga bow). A wise man, who has abjured evil company through the fellowship of saints cannot even afford to forgo the privilege of listening to His sweet praises being sung by others, having once had the opportunity to hear them How, then, could the Pandavas (the sons of Prtha) bear separation from the Lord, on whom they had bestowed their mind and heart, having had the privilege not only of seeing Him (at close quarters), touching His person and conversing with Him, but also of reposing, sitting and dining with Him ? (12) Regarding Him with unwinking eyes, bound as they were by ties of affection to Him, they all hurried to and fro (to fetch parting presents for Him), their heart running after Him. As Sri Krsna (son of Devaki) was about to depart from the palace, the ladies who were bound to Him by ties of kinship restrained their tears of affection from trickling down, anxious as they were lest any harm might come to Him (through such shedding of tears, which is regarded as unpropitious at the time of parting from a beloved friend or relation). Tabors, conchs, kettledrums, lutes, cymbals, trumpets, Dhundhuris, drums, gongs and other musical instruments sounded, as also Dundubhis (another type of big drums). (15) Going up to the top of their mansions in order to have a look at Sri Krsna, the ladies of the Kuru race rained flowers on Him, greeting Him with smiling looks through mingled feeling of affection and bashfulness.

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