जनमेजय उवाच उत्तङ्कस्य वरं दत्त्वा गोविन्दो द्विजसत्तम। अत ऊर्ध्वं महाबाहुः किं चकार महायशाः॥
Janamcjaya said After having conferred that boon on Utanka, O foremost of twice-born persons, what did the mighty-armed. Govinda of great celebrity next do?
वैशम्पायन उवाच उत्तङ्कस्य वरं दत्त्वा प्रायात् सात्यकिना सह। द्वारकामेव गोविन्दः शीघ्रवेगैर्महाहयैः॥
Having granted that boon to Utanka, Govinda, accompanied by Satyaki, went to Dwraka on his car, drawn by his large quickcoursing horse.
सरांसि सरितश्चैव वनानि च गिरीस्तथा। अतिक्रम्याससादाथ रम्यां द्वारवतीं पुरीम्॥
Passing many lakes and rivers and forests and hills, he at last came upon the charming city of Dvaravati.
वर्तमाने महाराज महे रैवतकस्य च। उपायात् पुण्डरीकाक्षो युयुधानानुपस्तदा॥
It was at the time, O king, when the festival of Raivataka had begun, that he having eyes like lotus-petals arrived with Satyaki as his companion.
अलंकृतस्तु स गिरि नारूपैर्विचित्रितैः। बभौ रत्नमयैः कोशैः संवृतः पुरुषर्षभ॥
Adorned with many beautiful things and covered with various Koshas made of jewels and gems, the Raivataka hill shone, O king, with great splendour.
काञ्चनस्रग्भिरग्र्याभिः सुमनोभिस्तथैव च। वासोभिश्च महाशैलः कल्पवृक्षैस्तथैव च॥ दीपवृक्षैश्च सौवर्णैरभीक्ष्णमुपशोभितः। गुहानिर्झरदेशेषु दिवाभूतो बभूव ह॥
That high mountain, decked with excellent garlands of gold and gay festoons of flowers, with many large trees which looked like the Kalpa trees of Indra's garden, and with many golden poles on which were lighted lamps, shone in beauty through day and night. By the caves and fountains the light was so great that it appeared like a broad day.
पताकाभिर्विचित्राभिः सघण्टाभिः समन्ततः। पुम्भिः स्त्रीभिश्च संघुष्टः प्रगीत इव चाभवत्॥
On all sides beautiful flags waved on the air with little bells that jingled continuously. The entire hill resounded with the sweet songs of men and women.
अतीव प्रेक्षणीयोऽभून्मेरुर्मुनिगणैरिव। मत्तानां हृष्टरूपाणां स्त्रीणां पुंसां च भारत॥ गायतां पर्वतेन्द्रस्य दिवस्पृगिव निःस्वनः। प्रमत्तमत्त सम्मत्तक्ष्वेडितोत्क्रुष्टसंकुलः॥
Raivataka presents a most delightful appearance like Meru with all his jewels and gems. Men and women excited and filled with delight, O Bharata, sang aloud. The swell of music which thus arose from that foremost of mountains appeared to touch the very heavens. Everywhere were heard spouts and loud whoops of men who were in all forms of excitement.
तथा किलकिलाशब्दैर्भूधरोऽभून्मनोहरः। विपणापणवान् रम्यो भक्ष्यभोज्यविहारवान्॥
The cackle of thousands of voices made that mountain delightful and charming. It was adorned with many shops and stalls filled with various foods and enjoyable article.
वस्त्रमाल्योत्करयुतो वीणावेणुमृदङ्गवान्। सुरामैरैयमिश्रेण भक्ष्यभोज्येन चैव ह॥
There were heaps of cloths and garlands, and the music of Vinas and flutes and Mridangas was heard everywhere. Food mixed with wines of various kinds was stored here and there.
दीनान्धकृपणादिभ्यो दीयमानेन चानिशम्। बभौ परमकल्याणो महस्तस्य महागिरेः॥
Gifts were being continually given to those that were distressed, or blind or helpless. For all this, the festival of that mountain became highly auspicious.
पुण्यावसथवान् वीर पुण्यकृद्भिर्निषेवितः। विहारो वृष्णिवीराणां महे रैवतकस्य ह॥
There were many sacred houses built on the breast of that mountain, O hero, within which lived many pious men. Even thus did the Vrishni heroes sport in that festival of Raivataka.
स नगो वेश्मसंकीर्णो देवलोक इवाबभौ। तदा च कृष्ण सांनिध्यमासाद्य भरतर्षभ॥ शक्रसद्मप्रतीकाशो बभूव स हि शैलराट्। ततः सम्पूज्यमानः स विवेश भवनं शुभम्॥ गोविन्दः सात्यकिश्चैव जगाम भवनं स्वकम्। विवेश च प्रहृष्टात्मा चिरकालप्रवासतः॥ कृत्वा नसुकरं कर्म दानवेष्विव वासवः। उपायान्तं तु वार्ष्णेयं भोजवृष्ण्यन्धकास्तथा।॥ अभ्यगच्छन् महात्मानं देवा इव शतक्रतुम्।
Equipt with those palaces that mountain appeared like second Heaven. At the arrival Krishna, O chief of Bharata's race, that prince of mountains resembled the blessed mansion of Indra himself. Adored (by his relatives), Krishna then entered a beautiful palace. Satyaki also went to his own quarters with a delighted soul. Govinda entered his residence after a long absence, having accomplished deeds of great difficulty like Vasava amid the Danava host. The heroes of the Bhoja, Vrishni, and Andhaka races, all came forward to receive that great one like the deities advancing to receive the deity of a hundred sacrifices.
स तानभ्यर्च्य मेधावी पृष्ट्वा च कुशलं तदा। अभ्यवादयत प्रीतः पितरं मातरं तदा॥
Gifted with great intelligence, he honoured them in return and enquired after their wellbeing. With a pleased heart he then saluted his father and mother.
ताभ्यां स सम्परिष्वक्तः सान्त्वितश्च महाभुजः। उपोपविष्टैः सर्वैस्तैर्वृष्णिभिः परिवारितः॥
The mighty-armed hero was embraced by both of them and comforted too. He then took his seat with all the Vrishnis sitting around him.
स विश्रान्तो महातेजाः कृतपादावनेजनः। कथयामास तत्सर्वं पृष्टः पित्रा महाहवम्॥
Having washed his feet and removed his fatigue, Krishna of mighty energy, as he sat there, then described the chief events of the great battle in answer to the questions put to him by his father.