Krishna Takes Leave of the Pandavas and Returns to Dvaraka

Janardana had lived happily in Khandavaprastha, beloved and honored by the sons of Pritha. But wishing to see his father, he made up his mind to leave. The one with the large eyes first paid his homage to Dharmaraja Yudhishthira and to Pritha, his aunt Kunti. He worshipped his father’s sister by touching her feet with his head. She inhaled the fragrance of Keshava’s head and embraced him. Then the immensely famous Hrishikesha Krishna went to see his sister. He spoke to the soft-spoken and gentle Subhadra, his voice thick with tears. His words were brief, appropriate, and loaded with goodness. She too worshipped him with her head bowed down and gave him messages for her relatives back in Dvaraka. Taking his leave from her, Varshneya then went to see Draupadi and the priest Dhoumya. The supreme among men worshipped Dhoumya in the appropriate way and, after consoling Droupadi, Janardana took her leave. The learned and strong one then went to the other brothers with Arjuna. Surrounded by the five Pandavas, Krishna looked like Shakra surrounded by the immortals. The bull among the Yadus worshipped the gods and the brahmanas with garlands, chanting, obeisance, and many kinds of fragrances. Having performed all these acts, the best of those who are supreme gave the brahmanas vessels full of curds, fruit, akshata (unbroken rice), and riches and circumambulated them. They uttered their blessings. He then set out, ascending his swift and golden chariot that had Tarkshya (Garuda) on its banner. Carrying his club, chakra (discus), Sharnga (bow), and other weapons, the lotus-eyed one left at an auspicious and excellent muhurta (auspicious moment), tithi (lunar day), and nakshatra (constellation). His horses, Sainya and Sugriva, pulled the chariot. King Yudhishthira, lord of the Kurus, ascended after him. Out of love, he made the charioteer Daruka, supreme among charioteers, stand aside and himself grasped the reins. Arjuna also mounted and waved a golden-handled and white chamara (fly-whisk) all around Krishna’s head. The powerful Bhimasena and the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva, followed Krishna’s chariot, surrounded by the priests and the citizens. Keshava, the destroyer of enemy warriors, was thus followed by the brothers and shone like a preceptor followed by his beloved disciples. Bidding the lamenting Arjuna farewell, Govinda embraced him. He then paid his homage to Yudhishthira, Bhimasena, and the twins. The twins embraced him firmly in their arms and paid him homage. After making an agreement with the Pandavas and persuading them and their followers to turn back, Madhusudana Krishna left for his own city, in glory like Purandara (Indra). Out of affection, their eyes lovingly followed Krishna for as long as they could see, because their minds were still unsatisfied at the sight of Keshava. The handsome Shouri swiftly disappeared from their sight. Their desires unsatisfied, since their hearts had left with Govinda, Pritha’s sons turned back. Those bulls among men returned to their city. Riding his chariot, Krishna reached Dvaraka in time.