Sanjaya Reports Krishna's Visit to Kamyaka
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that after the Pandavas' defeat at dice, Krishna and their allies visited them in Kamyaka forest. Krishna vowed to kill Duryodhana and his allies, but Yudhishthira insisted on keeping his thirteen-year vow. The assembled warriors then pledged to Draupadi that her oppressors would be destroyed when the time came.
Sanjaya answered the king's lament directly.
"O king! That ignoring was your great transgression. Though capable, you were deluded and did not restrain your son."
He told Dhritarashtra what he had learned through his spies — the secret meeting in Kamyaka forest, after the dice game had stripped the Pandavas of everything.
Having heard that the Pandavas had been vanquished at dice, Achyuta Madhusudana swiftly went to Kamyaka to show his respect to the Parthas. So did Drupada's sons, with Dhrishtadyumna at the forefront. So did Virata, Dhrishtaketu and the maharatha Kekayas.
When they met, they decided that Madhusudana would be Phalguna's charioteer if there was a battle. Hari agreed.
Krishna was angered when he saw the Parthas in that state, attired in black deerskin for their upper garments. He told Yudhishthira:
"At the time of the rajasuya, I witnessed the prosperity of the Parthas in Indraprastha, so difficult to be obtained by other kings. I saw all the lords of the earth there, terrified because of the energy of your weapons — Vangas, Angas, Poundras, Udras, Cholas, Dravidas, Andhrakas, those who live along the shores of the ocean, those who live in cities, Simhalas, Barbaras, Mlecchas, those who live in forests, those from the western kingdoms, hundreds from along the ocean, Pahlavas, Daradas, all the Kiratas, Yavanas, Shakas, Harahunas, Chinas, Tukharas, Saindhavas, Jagudas, Ramathas, Mundas, those from kingdoms ruled by women, Tanganas and many others who came to serve you at the sacrifice."
"O bull among the Bharata lineage! That prosperity was transient and has been taken away. I will take away the lives of those who have robbed you of it. O Kouravya! O descendant of the Bharata lineage! With Rama, Bhima, Arjuna, the twins, Akrura, Gada, Samba, Pradyumna, Ahuka, the brave Dhrishtadyumna and Shishupala's son, I will today kill Duryodhana in battle, together with Karna, Duhshasana, Soubala and whoever else stands against us in battle. You will live in Hastinapura with your brothers. You will possess the prosperity that the sons of Dhritarashtra have. You will rule over this earth."
Then Yudhishthira spoke. In that assembly of warriors, with the brave Dhrishtadyumna at the forefront, they listened.
"O Janardana! I accept these words of yours to be true. O mighty-armed one! You will kill my enemies and their followers, but only after thirteen years have elapsed. O Keshava! Let me be true to my word. In the midst of the kings I gave my promise that I would dwell in the forest."
On hearing these words of Dharmaraja, those present in the assembly gave their promise and pacified the wrathful Keshava with sweet words that were appropriate for the occasion.
Then, in Vasudeva's hearing, they turned to the unblemished Panchali.
"O queen! It is certain that Duryodhana will part with his life because of your anger. O beautiful one! We promise that this will be true. Do not sorrow. O Krishna! There are those who laughed at you then, on seeing you angered. Their flesh will be devoured by laughing beasts and birds. Their blood will be drunk by vultures and jackals. There were those who dragged you by the head at the assembly hall. O Panchali! You will see their bodies strewn on the ground, dragged and devoured relentlessly by carnivorous animals. There are those who oppressed you and others who ignored you. They will be beheaded and the earth will drink their blood."
Such were the many words that those bulls among men spoke. All of them were energetic warriors. All of them bore marks of battle.
"When thirteen years have elapsed," Sanjaya concluded, "those maharathas appointed by Dharmaraja will advance against us, with Vasudeva at the forefront — Rama, Krishna, Dhananjaya, Pradyumna, Samba, Yuyudhana, Bhima, Madri's sons, the princes of Kekaya and the sons of Panchala, together with Dharmaraja. All these warriors of the world are great-souled and invincible. They will be accompanied by their followers and soldiers. They will be like angry lions with manes. Is there anyone who desires to live who can withstand them in battle?" Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 345