| [240] | When Vishnu assumed the form of Nārayana Arjuna became his companion as Nara. |
| [241] | For a detailed account of the birth of all these sons see chapter CXXIII of Adi Parva of Mahabharata. |
| [242] | Kunti, while a maid, obtained a boon from the Rishi Durvasa that whomever she would wish to have as her consort, he would at once come to her. To make an experiment she invoked the sun and Karna is the issue of her union with him. The account of his birth is described in one hundred and eleventh chapter of Adi Parva in the Mahabharata. |
| [243] | Once on a time Pandu went out into a forest for hunting. He struck a Rishi's son who was coupling with his mate in the form of a deer. He imprecated a curse on Pandu saying "As you have killed me in the form of a deer when I was full of desire, so you, O foolish man, will certainly meet with the fate that has fallen me. When you will go to your dear one, full of desire as was the case with me, you will at that time, certainly go to the land of the dead. Your wife will also follow you." See slokas 30, 31, in chapter CXVIII in Sambhava Parva of Adi Parva in the Mahabharata. |
CHAPTER LXXV. RASA DANCE.
Vaishampayana said:—Thereupon after the departure of Sakra, the beautiful Krishna the holder of Gavardhana, entered Vraja honored by the inhabitants, thereof (1). The elderly Gopas and his kinsmen and comrades, assembled together, welcomed him and said.
"O Govinda, we have been honored and favoured by thy conduct and as well as that of the best of mountains (2). Indeed thy prowess is like that of the celestials. By thy favour the kine have tided over the fear of excessive rain and we too have been relieved of the great fear (3). O Krishna, O lord of kine, beholding thy superhuman feat of raising up the mountain we consider thee as a divinity (4). O thou of great strength, art thou Rudra, Marut, or one of the Vasus? Why hast thou taken thy birth as the son of Vasudeva (5)? Beholding this thy low birth amongst us, this thy prowess, sport and feat in thy boyhood our minds are filled with fear (6). We see, thou art like one of the Lokapālas. But why art thou, in thy wretched guise of a milk-man, engaged in sport with us and in protecting kine (7)? Art thou a Deva, a Dānava or a Gandharva now born as our friend? Whatever thou mayst be we bow unto thee (8). If thou art present here, of thy own accord, for any work of thine, do thou consider us as thy dependants and votaries (9)."
Vaishampāyana said:—Hearing the words of Gopas, the lotus-eyed Krishna, smiling a little, said to his assembled kinsmen:—(10)
"Ye of dreadful prowess, let not the conviction, that you have all formed about me, take root in your hearts. I am one of your clan and a friend (11). If however you are all bent upon hearing then wait you will soon listen to an account of (my origin) and see my true form (12). I am one of your respected friends like unto a god. If you have any affection for me, do not wish to learn any thing more about me (13)."
Thus accosted by Vasudeva's son and covering their own faces and resorting to silence the milk-men went away in in various directions (14).