Arjuna said:—Formerly to see my relations I had gone to the city of Dwārakā and entertained by the Bhojas, Vrishnis and Andhakas I had lived there for some time (6). At that time the virtuous-souled and large-armed slayer of Madhu undertook the celebration of a sacrifice extending over a day according to Shastric rites. When Krishna sat for the celebration of that sacrifice, one Brāhmana, describing his own affairs, sought for protection (7-8).
The Brāhmana said:—O lord, thou art now in charge of the protection (of subjects); besides a saviour is entitled to the one fourth share of the piety acquired by a good work (9).
Vasudeva said:—"O foremost of the twice-born, may you farewell. Do not fear (any body). I will protect you from him, even if it be a difficult task, who is the cause of your fear. Tell me who is the spring of your fear (10)." The Brāhmana said:—"O thou of large arms, my sons are stolen away as soon as they are born. O sinless Krishna, three of my sons were stolen away as soon as they were born. Thou shouldst now protect the fourth son. O Janārddana, my wife is under the labour pain. Thou shouldst so arrange that my child may not be stolen away" (11-12).
Arjuna said:—Thereupon Govinda said to me "I am to day celebrating a sacrifice. But a Brāhmana should be protected by us in whatever circumstances we may be." Hearing those words of Krishna I said to Govinda:—"Appoint me, I will remove the fear of the Brāhmana" (13–14). Thus addressed Janarddana, smiling a little, said:—"Will you be able to save him?" O kings, I was greatly ashamed hearing those words of Krishna. Seeing me thus ashamed Janārddana again said "Go, if you are capable of protecting him. Except the large-armed Rāma and the great car-warrior Pradyumna, let all other members of the Vrishni and Andhaka families follow you." Thereupon encircled by the Vrishni army, I set out with the Brāhmana before me (13–18).
CHAPTER CCLIX. ARJUNA GOES TO RESCUE THE BRAHMANA AND BECOMES UNSUCCESSFUL.
Arjuna said:—O foremost of the Bharata race, within a moment we reached the boundary of the village and encamped because all our animals were tired (1). O descendant of Kuru, a few moments after encircled by the huge Vrishni army I entered into the city (2). At that time all was ablaze and burning vultures and beasts frighted me (3). Huge and black fire-brands fell down, the sun was shorn of its effulgence and the earth trembled (4). Beholding those dreadful and hair-stirring evil omens, I, filled with anxiety, ordered my soldiers to get ready. Hearing it the great car warriors of the Vrishni and Andhaka families headed by Yuyudhana got ready their respective cars and I too put on my arms (5–6).
After the expiration of the mid-night that Brāhmana, stricken with fear, approached us and said "My wife is on the point of giving birth to a child. Do you station yourselves so that I may not be cheated" (7-8). In a moment, O king, piteous cries were heard in the Brāhmana's house exclaiming "Stolen! Stolen!" (9). Afterwards we also heard the cries of the baby in the sky, but could not see the Rākshasa (10). Afterwards we agitated all the quarters with a downpour of arrows, but the boy was however stolen away (11). When that boy was stolen away that Brāhmana crying addressed to us such harsh words that the Vrishnis lost themselves and I too lost my senses. He particularly said to me:—"You said that you would protect me, but could not do so. Therefore listen to these beneficial words, O wicked minded wretch (12–14). You always vaunt with Keshava of incomparable intellect. Had Govinda been here this mischief would not have been created. O stupid man, as a saviour is entitled to the one-fourth share of the virtue, so he, who cannot protect one, is constrained to participate of the sin; you said that you would protect me but you have not been able to do so. In vain is your Gāndiva, prowess and fame" (15-17).
However I did not speak anything to the Brāhmana, but went with the princes of the Vrishni and Andhaka families where the highly effulgent Krishna was. Afterwards going to city of Dwāravati I saw Govinda the slayer of Madhu and he too, saw me, filled with shame and sorrow. Beholding me ashamed Mādhava consoled me and the Brāhmana with sweet words. Thereupon he said to Dāruka:—"Get ready my horses, Sugriva, Saivya, Meghapushpa, and Balāhaka." Afterwards making the Brāhmana ascend the car and sending down Dāruka, Shura's descendant Krishna asked me to act as the charioteer. O descendant of Kuru, afterwards, Krishna, the Brāhmana and myself set out on that car towards the north (18-20).
CHAPTER CCLX. KRISHNA RESCUES THE BRAHMANA'S SONS.
Arjuna said:—Thereupon crossing the mountains, rivers and forests we saw the ocean the abode of Makara. Thereat the ocean, in his true form, with folded hands and carrying Argya, appeared before Janārddana and said "What am I to do?" (1–2) Having accepted the adoration from the ocean Janārddana said:—"O Lord of rivers, I wish you to afford passage for my car" (3). Thereupon Samudra, with folded hands, said to Garudadhwaja:—"Be pleased O Lord! do not act thus, or else others will do so (4). O Janārddana, thou didst formerly place me in this unfathomable expanse. I shall have to follow the way thou wilt institute (5). If thou dost do so, other kings, elated with the pride of their strength, will cross me by this way. Therefore O Govinda, do whatever thou dost think proper (6)." Vāsudeva said: "For my sake and for this Brāhmana, follow my words. Save me no one else will be able to assail you" (7). Thereupon, in fear of a curse the ocean again said to Janārddana:—"Let it be so. O Krishna, O slayer of Keshi, I will dry up the path in which your car, adorned with flags, will proceed with its charioteer" (8–9). Vasudeva said:—"O ocean, I had conferred upon you the boon formerly that you would never be dried up, lest the people might form an idea of the collection of your gems. You are to stop the agitation of your water to that extent only that may admit me with my car. In that case no man will be able to estimate the collection of your jems" (10-11). Hearing it the ocean said "So be it"; and we proceeded through that lustrous red water as if we were on land (12). Within a moment we crossed the ocean, Uttarakuru and Gandhamādana. Thereupon Jayanta, Vaijayanta, Neela, Rajata, Mahāmeru, Kailasha and Indrakuta, these seven mountains, assuming various wonderful forms, appeared before Keshava and saluting Govinda said:—"What are we to do?" Welcoming them all duly Hrishikesha, the slayer of Madhu, said to the mountains who stood before him with bending heads "You are to give me passage." Hearing the words of Krishna and accepting them the mountains gave him the passage and disappeared. O foremost of Bharata's race, beholding this work I was filled with great surprise. However as the sun passes through clouds so our car careered on unobstructed. And that best of cars, crossing the seven insular continents, oceans and seven rivers as well as Lokaloka, entered another region (13–20).