Kūrma Mahā Purana
28 - Arjuna’s meeting with Vyasa
Ch. 28 is merely a background for the description of the way of behaviour of people and social conditions presumed to have prevailed (and prevailing) in different Yugas. This topic is popular with and hence common to most of the Puranas as we find it in Bh. P. xii.3.18-52, Np.I. 41-1-123, VP. VI. 3.9-60 (to mention a few).
The sages said:
1. O Sūta, do narrate succinctly to us, the power (v.l. nature) of the four Yugas viz. Kruta, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali.
Sūta said:
2-3. When Nārāyana, Krişhņa, had retired to his great region, Pārtha, the son of Pāndu, the tormentor of his enemies, the highly virtuous soul, performed the subsequent obsequies. He was overwhelmed with great grief. On the way he saw sage Krişhņadvaipāyana passing by.
4. The expounder of Brahman was followed and surrounded by his disciples and their disciples. Then Arjuna eschewed his grief and prostrated himself on the ground like a staff,
5-6. With very great pleasure he enquired: "O great sage whence are you coming? O holy lord, to which place do you wish to go so hurriedly? By seeing you my profound grief has disappeared. O lotus-petal-eyed one! Counsel now what I have to do."
7. Sitting on the banks of the river and surrounded by his disciples, the sage, the great Yogin Krishnadvaipāyana said to him.
Summary of chapter 28 of the Kūrma Mahā Purana is as follows:
Following Kṛshṇa's departure, Arjuna arrived at Dvārakā, witnessed the withdrawal of the Yādava women, and found his legendary Gāṇḍīva bow powerless against ordinary bandits. Grief-stricken and bewildered, Arjuna approached Maharshi Vedavyāsa at his holy Āshrama. Vyāsa comforted the mighty Pāṇḍava hero, explaining that time governs all cosmic events, empowering beings during their allotted period and withdrawing their capacity when their mission ends. Vyāsa revealed that Kṛshṇa was none other than the Supreme Nārāyaṇa who had completed His earthly Leelā, and advised Arjuna and his brothers to renounce worldly attachments and prepare for their final journey.