Krishna Learns of Shalva's Siege and Vows Revenge

When Yudhishthira's great rajasuya sacrifice was over, Krishna returned to the city of Anarta — Dvaraka. He found it robbed of its splendour. Studying and recitations had ceased. Beautiful women were bereft of ornaments. The gardens of Dvaraka could no longer be recognized. The city he had built, the city that had risen from the sea at his command, was diminished. Alarmed, Krishna asked Hridika's son: "Why do the men and women of the Vrishni lineage look distressed? What has happened? I wish to hear all about it." Hridika's son told him everything — the siege by Shalva, the flying city Soubha that had descended on Dvaraka, the battle that had been fought, and how it had been relieved. When Krishna heard the entire account, he made up his mind immediately. He would kill King Shalva. He reassured the citizens of the city. He spoke to King Ahuka and to Anakadundubhi. Smilingly, he addressed all the chiefs among the Vrishnis: "O bulls of the Yadava lineage! Always be careful in tending to the city. Know that I will leave to go and destroy King Shalva. I will not return to the city of Dvaravati without killing him. You will again see me after I have destroyed Shalva and the city of Soubha. Strike the three beats on the kettledrum that enemies find so terrible." The warriors, reassured, told him happily to go and destroy the enemies. The best of the brahmanas uttered benedictions over him. He bowed his head before Ahuka. Then he yoked Sainya and Sugriva to his chariot and drove away, the directions thundering with the roar of his departure. He blew on Panchajanya, his supreme conch shell that had originated in the ocean with the colour of cow's milk, jasmine, the moon, the stalk of a lotus, or silver. He departed with a large army he had gathered — the four kinds of forces, shining with the radiance of victory.