The Vrishni delegation visits Indraprastha with lavish gifts
Hearing of Arjuna's return, Krishna leads a magnificent delegation of Vrishni, Andhaka, and Bhoja warriors to Indraprastha. They present an ocean of gifts — chariots, elephants, gems, and attendants — formally sealing the alliance with the Pandavas.
Having heard that Arjuna had reached Indraprastha, the pure-souled Pundarikaksha — lotus-eyed Krishna — went there with his elder brother Rama (Balarama) and all the other warriors and maharathas from among the Vrishnis, Andhakas, and Bhojas. Shouri went with a large army, surrounded by hundreds of soldiers and his brothers and sons. The wise Akrura, the energetic Anadhrishti, the intelligent Uddhava, Satyaka, Satyaki, Kritavarma, Pradyumna, Samba, and many others went to Khandavaprastha, carrying many gifts.
King Yudhishthira sent the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva, to receive Krishna. Having been received by them, the prosperous Vrishnis entered a city adorned with flags and pennants. The roads were cleaned, sprinkled with water, and decorated with flowers. The air was fragrant with sandalwood and burning aloe wood. The entire city was crowded with merchants and cleansed citizens.
The mighty-armed Keshava arrived with Rama, surrounded by his clansmen. He was worshipped by thousands, then entered the king’s palace, which was like Indra’s abode. Yudhishthira welcomed Rama in the prescribed fashion. He kissed Krishna on the head and embraced him. Krishna, extremely pleased, humbly paid homage to Bhima. Dharmaraja Yudhishthira welcomed the best of the Vrishnis and Andhakas according to their status — worshipping some as superiors, greeting some as equals, welcoming others with affection.
Then the immensely famous Vasudeva presented the best of riches as a dowry for Subhadra from her relatives. He gave one thousand golden chariots with nets of bells, each yoked to four horses and driven by skilled charioteers. From Mathura, he gave one thousand auspiciously coloured, milk-productive cows. As a sign of friendship, Janardana gave one thousand moonbeam-white horses adorned with gold; five hundred mules, white with black manes, trained and swift as the wind; one thousand young, fair women, well-dressed and skilled in every kind of service, each wearing a necklace of one hundred gold pieces. He gave ten man-loads of gold, worked and unworked. As a mark of respect, the lover of valour, Rama, gave Partha one thousand supreme elephants in rut — as large as mountain peaks, never retreating in battle, adorned with golden bells.
Haladhara (Balarama) was happy and pleased with the alliance. The large quantity of gems and riches looked like an ocean. The garments were like the foam, the large elephants like crocodiles, the flags like aquatic plants. This great river of wealth entered into the ocean of the Pandus and filled it up to the brim, to the great despondency of their enemies.
Dharmaraja Yudhishthira accepted all of it and paid homage to the Vrishni and Andhaka maharathas. Then the assembled great-souled ones from the Kuru, Vrishni, and Andhaka lineages spent their time in pleasure, as men of good deeds do in the abode of the immortals. They amused themselves with loud clapping and drinking bouts.
Having spent many days in pleasure and being worshipped by the Kurus, the brave Vrishnis returned to the city of Dvaravati. With Rama at their forefront, the maharathas departed, taking with them the pure jewels given by the Kurus. But the great-souled Vasudeva remained behind with Arjuna in the beautiful city of Shakraprastha. He roamed with Partha along the banks of the Yamuna.