101 - SriKrishna returns to his abode

Vyāsa said: 

1-4. Thus Krishna performed the task of annihilating asuras with Balarama to assist him. Similarly, for the sake of universe, he destroyed the wicked kings as well. Accompanied by Arjuna, the lord disburdencd the Earth by slaying Akşauhiņīs of soldiers. After reducing the burden of the Earth, after killing the kings, Krishna, exterminated his own family under the pretext of the curse of brahmins. Thereupon, lord Krishna left off Dvaraka and his human form which had been his own part. He entered his own abode of Vişhnu. 

The sages said: 

5. How did Krishna exterminate his family under the pretext of the curse of brahmins? How did he give up his human form? 

Vyāsa said: 

6-7. The great sages Viśvåmitra, Kaņva and Närada were seen by some young men of the Yadava family in the great holy centre Piņdāraka. 

Elated due to their blooming youth, and urged by the incvitability of the future events they embellished and dressed Samba, son of Sambavati in the guise of a woman, and said to the sages after approaching and making obeisance to them. 

The young men said: 

8-13. O saintly lords, this woman is desirous of a son. What will she give birth to? 

Vyāsa said: 

O sages of good holy rites, the brahmins were endowed with divine wisdom. Hence, though an attempt was made by the young men to deceive them they could not be deceived. Those brahmins cursed them to their doom. The infuriated sages replied—“She will give birth to an iron club whereby the entire family of Yadavas will perish. 

Thus warned by those brahmins the young men mentioned everything precisely to Ugrasena. 

An iron club came out of the belly of Samba. Ugrasena powdered that iron club and scattered the powder into ocean. It grew into an Airaka reed. O brahmins, when the iron club was powdered, there remained a piece which could not be reduced to powder by the Yadavas. It had the shape of a miniature iron club. 

14-17. It was also cast off into the ocean. A fish swallowed it. When it was killed by the fishermen the iron piece came out of its belly which a hunter immediately caught hold of. Though Krişhņa understood the truth, and though he was all powerful, he did not wish to alter the course of events as brought about by the fate. 

A certain messenger, sent by Devas visited Krişhņa and said: "O lord I have been sent as a messenger by Vasus, Asvins, Maruts, Adityas, Rudras, Sadhyas and other Devas. O lord, Indra submits to you. O lord may it be listened to. 

Devas said: 

18-21. The lord has incarnated for reducing the burden of the Earth. More than a hundred years have gone by. You have been propitiated by Devas since Daityas of evil conduct have been killed. The burden of the Earth has been brought down. Let Devas with you as their leader go back to heaven. O lord of the universe, you have spent more than a hundred years on this Earth. If it pleases you, kindly repair to heaven. Our lord is intimated thus by Devas-If you still desire to be here we, your followers and servants, too, will liave to be here alone for the requisite period of time. 

The lord said: 

22. O messenger, I know fully well what you say. But the destruction of Yadavas is only just started by me. 

23. If they remain unexterminated, they will constitute a great burden unto the Earth. Hence I shall hurriedly bring that down within seven nights. 

24. In the same manner as it had been taken from the ocean I shall replace Dváraka in the ocean, exterminate Yadavas and then return to heaven. 

25. I shall cast off my human body too, assisted by Sam- karşaņa. It should be considered by the leader of Devas that I havc come there. 

26-27. The burden of Yadavas on the Earth is greater than the burden of Jarasandha and others who have been killed. Hence, after bringing down this very great burden of the Earth, I shall go over there in order to protect the world of immortal beings. Please tell them thus. 

Vyāsa said: 

28. Thus informed by Vasudeva sages, the divine messenger bowed to him and went to heaven near the king of Devas. 

29. Day and night the lord witnessed evil omens in heaven, on Earth and in the sky as well, indicating the destruction of Dvārakā. 

30. On seeing them he said to Yådavas—"Scc thc extremely terrible cvil omens. In order to subdue these, we shall go to Prabhāsa. Do not delay". 

31-32. Uddhava the great devotee of the lord bowed down . to Krishna and said: 

"O lord, mention to me. What has to be done by me now? O lord, command me now. I think the lord will annihilate this entire family. O Achyuta, I sce evil signs for the destruction of this family. 

The lord said: 

33-34. Equipped with the divine facility of movement originating from my favour, go to the holy hermitage of Badarikāśrama, on the mountain Gandhamnādana. It is the most sacred spot on Earth as it is the abode of Nara and Nārāyaṇa. Kecping your mind in me, you will attain Siddhi there, due to my favour. 

35. After finishing this family I shall go to Heaven. The sea will engulf Dväraka in its flood when it has been abandoned by me. 

Vyāsa said: 

36. Thus advised and urged by Krişhņa, Uddhava bowed to him and went to the abode of Nara and Nārāyaṇa. 

37. Then Yadavas, o brahmins, got into fast moving chariots and went to Prabhasa alongwith Krishna, Balarama and others. 

38. After reaching Prabhasa, the Kukuras and Andhakas were sanctified and delighted. As it was approved of by Vásudeva, they indulged in drinking bouts. 

39. As Yadavas went on drinking a mutual strugglc ensued amongst then giving rise to a conflagration of quarrel that led to their destruction. 

40. Urged by the divine fate, they struck at one another by means of weapons. When they had exhausted their weapons they took up Erakā reed nearby. 

41. When the Erak, was grasped by them, it appeared as though it had turned adamantine. With this they hit onc another with terrible blows. 

42-43. O brahmins, Pradyumna, Samba, Krutavarma, Satyaki, Aniruddha, Pruthu, Vipruthu, Chărudesna, Subāhu, Akrūra and others hit and struck one another with the adamantine pieces of Erakā reeds. 

44. Krishna restrained them. They thought that he was one who had come to assist them. They bit and struck one another. 

45. The infuriated Krishna seized a fistful of Erakā from them. Thus the iron club became the fistful of iron for their destruction. 

46. As an Assailant he killed all Yadavas. Suddenly they too approached him and hit one another. Others also did like wise. 

47. Then O excellent brahmins, even as Daruka went on watching, observing, Jaitra, the chariot of the discus-bearing lord was dragged by the horses through the middle of the ocean. 

48. The discus Sārunga, quivers, conch and the sword circumambulated him and went away along the solar path. 

49. O excellent brahmins, within a moment Yadavas were destroyed except the mighty-armed Krishna and Dāruka. 

50. While taking their rounds both of them saw Balarama seated at the root of a tree. A great serpent was coming out of his mouth. 

51. After wriggling out of his mouth that serpent of huge dimension went towards the ocean. It was worshipped by Siddhas as well as Nāgas. 

52. Taking Arghya with him the ocean came face to face with Balarama. Worshipped by the excellent Nāgas he entered the water. On seeing the passing away of Bala, lord Krishna said to Dáruka. 

The lord said: 

53-58. Mention all this to Vasudeva and Ugrasena viz.- the passing away of Balarama, the destruction of Yadavas. 

I shall remain in yogic posture and cast off this physical body. The residents of Dvarakā and Ahuka should be informed that the ocean will flood this city. Hence all of you should stand ready with well equipped chariots and wait for Arjuna's arrival. When the Pandava prince comes you must not stay in Dvärakā. You must go along with him wherever Arjuna, that descendant of Kuru, may go. After going there tell Arjuna, son of Kunti these words of mine. "These are my people. They should be protected by you in accordance with your ability". 

Thus you shall accompany Arjuna taking the people of Dväraka. Vajra shall become the king of Yadus.