Shalya said:—O king, I have thus communicated to you, the message entrusted to me by the Emperor Jarāsandha for the behoof of the kings. Do you now undertake what is proper and conducive to your well-being after consulting duly with your ministers (57).
| [274] | Three conditions of a king or state; prosperity, evenness or decay or loss, gain and equality. |
| [275] | The six acts of a king in his military character, or peace, war, marching, halting, sowing, dissension, seeking potection. |
| [276] | The seven calamities are gambling, sleeping in a day, calumny, whoring, playing, idle roaming, drinking and hunting. |
CHAPTER CXI. KALAYAVANA AGREES TO KILL KRISHNA.
Vaishampayana said:—After the king Shalya, as directed by the Emperor Jarāsandha had said this Kālayavana, the king of Yavanas, with great delight said (1).
Kalayavana said:—Oh! highly honored and blessed I am; and my life is crowned with success since numberless kings have requested me for vanquishing Krishna (2). The kings have appointed me in the work of subduing Krishna who is invincible in the three worlds, even unto gods and Asuras. And they have blessed me so that I will achieve victory (3). While the kings, with delighted hearts, have declared my victory I shall, by the very pouring of their water-like words, achieve success (4). Whatever it may be, I shall carry out the command of the Emperor Jarasandha issued at the request of the kings. Even my discomfiture in it will be, tantamount to my success (5). O king, to-day, the day and the stars are auspicious and in this auspicious moment I shall even to-day start for Mathurā for defeating Keshava in the battle-field (6).
Vaishampāyana said:—Having thus addressed the powerful Shalya the king of Soubha, the lord of Yavanas honored him duly with highly precious jems and dresses (7). Afterwards for acquiring unstinted blessings he gave away various riches to his guest and the Brāhmanas and duly offered libations to fire. Then after the performance of benedictory rites he set out with his army for vanquishing Janārddana (8–9). O foremost of Bharatas, king Shālya too, with his desire fully achieved, embraced the lord of Yavanas and set out with a delighted heart for his own city (10).
CHAPTER CXII. UGRASENA RECEIVES KRISHNA.
Janamejaya said:—O Brahman, when the Lord Krishna, endued with Sakra's prowess, set out from the city of Bidarbha he did not ride the highly powerful son of Vinatā, Garuda; why did he then take him away with him? And what did Vinatā's son do? O great Muni, I am filled with great curiosity in this; do thou unfold the mystery (1–2).