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“I stood silent for some moments to gain control over my mind.

When the rishi saw the semi-clad Apsarā before him, he lost control of his mind and semen fell from his

He began to grow in size and various gods issued from Him. Brahmā sprang from His forehead and Śiva from His chest. Then Indra and the Maruts appeared along with hosts of Gandharvas, Yakṣas and Rākṣasas. From His two eyes came Balarāma and Arjuna, who stood on His left and right sides. Behind Him stood Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīma, and the twins, and behind them were the Vrishnis and Andhakas, headed

With his arms and hands clad in iguana skin gauntlets and gloves, and his body covered in golden mail , Arjuna took up his Gāṇḍīva bow and his two inexhaustible quivers and stood ready to depart. Brahmins and Siddhas uttered blessings upon him and, not knowing how long he would be gone, he bade an

Kṛṣṇa then turned to Sahadeva and said, “Go quickly and bring the ascetics here and feed them.”

Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma entered the Pāṇḍavas’ palace and went before Yudhiṣṭhira and his brothers. Yudhiṣṭhira worshipped Balarāma with all due ceremony and embraced Kṛṣṇa with affection. Kṛṣṇa offered His respects and worship to Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīma, then took His seat in the assembly hall from Dwārakā also took their places in the hall, including Akrūra, Uddhava, Sātyaki, Kṛtavarmā, Sāraṇa and Kṛṣṇa’s sons Pradyumna, Sāmba and Aniruddha.

Having bathed and dressed, the king faced east and worshipped Kṛṣṇa with Vedic prayers, his heart absorbed After this he went before the sacred fire and made offerings to Viṣṇu and the gods, invoking auspiciousness and praying for victory in battle.

When Kṛṣṇa heard the news that the Pāṇḍavas had been exiled, He decided to go and see them in the forest He invited Balarāma, Dṛṣṭadyumna, Śikhaṇḍī and many other kings to accompany Him, along with Subhadrā and her son, and together they rode to the Kāmyaka forest. Seeing Yudhiṣṭhira and his brothers dressed in deerskins and stripped of their kingdom, both Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa were enraged.

Thousands of drums sounded and the hall was filled with cheers and shouts of approval. Yudhiṣṭhira distributed charity to the many Brahmins present, beginning with Dhaumya and the priests He gave away heaps of gold and gems and was repeatedly blessed and eulogized.

The Gandharvas concentrated on Karṇa, surrounding him and raining down showers of weapons. With swords and axes they cut down his chariot and slew his horses and charioteer. Karṇa leapt down with a sword and shield in his hands and mounted Vikarṇa’s chariot.

Once everyone was settled in the hall, jesters, dancers and musicians were called out to entertain the Brahmins recited Vedic texts or chanted hymns and prayers, and one could hear the sounds of mṛdaṅga drums , flutes and bells around the hall, as well as blasts from numerous conch shells. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma enjoyed the various performances, and they resembled the sun and moon amid so many

They passed through various provinces and were greeted and praised by thousands of Brahmins. Beautifully dressed and ornamented women stood by the roadside, ululating joyfully and throwing flower petals and fresh grains. Kṛṣṇa stopped to greet the people and receive their worship. They brought Him all kinds of food and drink and He offered them blessings.

Surrounded by the Brahmins and kings, the bride and groom shone like a god and goddess amid the celestial Virata gave Abhimanyu a dowry of seven thousand horses, two thousand elephants and a great heap of gems and gold. Pure foods were offered to Viṣṇu and then distributed first to the Brahmins and then to the thousands Gifts and charity were distributed to all, and everyone left the ceremony filled with joy.

All the Pāṇḍava warriors roared and waved their upper garments. Some twanged their bowstrings and others blew their conches. Others beat drums and laughed loudly. Jumping about and sporting, they praised Bhīma, applauding him for striking down Duryodhana and even

Abhimanyu and Draupadīs sons, along with Nakula, Sahadeva and Dṛṣṭadyumna, advanced in a body and tore

The Dānavas and Daityas came forward and embraced Duryodhana. They all spoke encouragingly and cheered his mind. Finally, they said, “Go and attain victory!”

Beautiful bows, their staves decked with gold and jewels, lay discarded on the field. Precious ornaments and arrows soaked in oil shone from the ground. Lances, darts, battle-axes and maces, all ornately worked with gold and jewels, were scattered about. Others lay butchered and twisted, their arms and legs akimbo and their mouths hanging open. The smell of blood and burning flesh filled the air.

This time he lifted rocks and boulders and threw them at the hunter. He rushed at his foe and pummeled him with his fists. Śiva struck him back and a hand-to-hand fight ensued. They struck one another and grappled furiously, each seizing the other and shoving him with full force Sparks and smoke flew from their bodies.