Vaishampāyana said:—Having thus thought, in his mind, over the weakness and strength of the respective armies Bhismaka felt a desire to go to eternal Krishna for propitiating him (59). Many a king, proficient in the Science of Polity, approved of his going, and he too, having benedictory songs sung by panegyrists and bards, set out (69). After the expiration of the night all the kings, performing their morning rites, sat in their respective quarters (61). The spies, who were sent to the city of Vidarbha, returned and communicated every thing secretly to their master (62). Hearing of Krishna’s Abhisekha[272] from their emissaries, some amongst those kings attained to delight and others were stricken with fear and sorrow. And many paid no attention to it. Thus moved by the (news of) Krishna's Abhisheka the army of the kings, abounding in men, horses and elephants, was agitated like a huge ocean and divided into three divisions (64). Marking the division of the kings, the foremost of kings Bhismaka began to think within himself about the unthought-of insult offered to them by him. And in order to be informed of their object he, with a burning heart, went to their assembly. In the meantime carrying on their heads the letter announcing Krishna Abhisheka, the emissaries, despatched by Kaishika, entered into that ocean-like assembly of the kings (64–67).
| [272] | The literal meaning of the word is bathing or sprinkling. It is often used for initiation, royal unction &c. sprinkling with the water of the Ganges, or water in which various articles have been immersed being an essential part of the rite. Here it means a religious ceremony which includes the presentation of a variety of articles, fruits, jems &c. along with water or fluid substance for the bathing of the deities to whom worship is offered. |
CHAPTER CVII. KAISHIKA WORSHIPS KRISHNA.
Janamejaya said:—O lord, having slain the highly powerful Kansa irrepressible unto the gods Krishna did not sit on the throne. Then he waited for the maiden and was not welcomed there. Why did he show forgiveness although thus insulted (1-2). Vinatā’s son was highly powerful. Why did he too show forgiveness? O Brahman, I am greatly stricken with curiosity to listen to all this. Do thou describe it at length (3).
Vaishampāyana said:—When with Vinatā's son the eternal Vāsudeva arrived at the city of Vidarbha Kaishika thought thus about him in his mind:—(4). "Forsooth shall our sins be destroyed if we behold the wonderful Abhisheka of Krishna (5). And from Krishna who has seen the true essence of things our mind will also be purified. Besides there is no other worthier person in the three worlds than the lotus-eyed Janārddana, Krishna, the king of gods. O kings, what hospitality can we offer to him obtaining such a person? However virtue will not be spoiled?" Thus thinking the two brothers Kratha and Kaishika desired to go to Keshava in order to confer upon him their kingdom. Approaching that god and bending low their heads unto him, the two heroic and noble kings of Vidarbha, said: "Blessed is our birth and fame to-day; blessed are our ancestral manes since thou hast come to our house. (6-10). We ourselves, our umbrellas, flag-staffs, throne, army and our flourishing city belong to thee (11). O thou of large arms, formerly thou wert annointed by Indra as Upendra. We now install thee in in our kingdom (12). The innumerable kings and even the Emperor Jarāsandha will not be able to undo what both of us will do (13). The highly effulgent king Jarāsandha, who offers shelter to other kings, is thy enemy. And he always mentions in a conversation 'Devaki's son has not been installed on a throne and he has no city. How will he sit in the same assembly with the kings (14–15)? The highly effulgent and powerful Krishna too is very proud. He will therefore never come to this Swayamvara for the maiden (16). When all the kings will sit on their respective seats, how will that highly effulgent one sit on a lower seat (17)?' Hearing this discussion amongst the kings and in order to put a stop to the dissension the king Bhishmaka, after consulting with us, has got ready this most excellent resting house for the thee. O thou of great effulgence, thou art the prime deity amongst the gods and art the lord of all the worlds. Do thou behave now as the Emperor in this land of mortals. O lord, may not difficulties about seats arise in the assembly of kings (18–20). Having performed today the ceremony of royal unction according to rites laid down in scriptures, do thou, next morning, seated at ease on an auspicious throne, in the city of Vidarbha, be installed as the Emperor of the kings assembled at the behest of Indra (21–22)."
Having said this to that foremost of celestials and bowing unto him with folded-hands those two heroes sent an emissary to the kings (23). As Vāsava, the holder of thunderbolt, announced through the celestial emissary so Kaishika announced this intelligence to the assembled kings (24).
Kaishika said:—O ye kings, you all know that the eternal Hari has arrived at the city of Vidarbha, along with Vinata's son, as our guest (25). Beholding the worthiest person, to whom a gift could be made, present my eldest brother Kratha, with a view to acquire piety, has conferred upon Vasudeva his kingdom (26). When my brother said "Sit on this seat" an invisible speech was uttered by a sky-ranger (27).
The celestial emissary said:—"O king, thou shouldst not offer to Vāsudeva the seat on which thou didst sit. For him the king of gods has sent this white seat of gold, constructed by the celestial Architect, crested with all sorts of jems and marked with an emblem of a lion (28–29). Do thou along with other kings place him on this seat and sprinkle him (30). He, who amongst the kings assembled in this city of Kundina for the maiden will not come, will be slain by the king of gods (31). The eight jars, born of the portions of Nidhis made of celestial gold and jewels and containing celestial ornaments belonging to the high-souled lord of riches, will come amongst those kings for installing this Emperor (32–33). O king, this order of the lord of gods is communicated to thee. Do thou invite all the kings with a letter and perform the royal unction of Keshava (34)."
Kaishika continued:—"O kings, saying this from the welkin and giving to Krishna, the seat, effulgent like the rising sun the celestial emissary returns to the city of gods (35). I therefore speak to the assembled kings, that they should all behold Janārddana of a wonderful form rare in the land of mortals whom the king of gods has recognised as dreadful and greatly irrepressible and whom he will sprinkle from the welkin with jars (36–37). If we behold the wonderful ceremony, the bathing of Vishnu, the God of gods, surely our sins will be dissipated (38). Come, O ye leading kings, you need not fear, for you I have made peace with Janārddana (39). I have known truly that Krishna's mind is pure. He will never make enmity with lords of men (40). Besides he cherishes no enmity towards the king of Magadha at heart. You should therefore consult and do whatever is proper in this matter (41)".
Vaishampāyana said:—O king, hearing the words of Kaishika, while the kings were thinking in fear of a curse, they heard again that an invisible voice, grave like the muttering of a cloud, filling up the sky with its sound, said at the mandate of the king of gods (42-43).