Chapter 101 - Śrīkṛṣṇa returns to his abode

Vyāsa said:

1-4. Thus Kṛṣṇa performed the task of annihilating asuras with Balarāma to assist him. Similarly, for the sake of universe, he destroyed the wicked kings as well. Accompanied by Arjuna, the lord disburdened the Earth by slaying Akṣauhiṇīs of soldiers. After reducing the burden of the Earth, after killing the kings, Kṛṣṇa, exterminated his own family under the pretext of the curse of brahmins. Thereupon, lord Kṛṣṇa left off Dvārakā and his human form which had been his own part. He entered his own abode of Viṣṇu.

The sages said:

5. How did Kṛṣṇa exterminate his family under the pretext of the curse of brahmins? How did he give up his human form?

Vyāsa said:

6-7. The great sages Viśvāmitra, Kaṇva and Nārada were seen by some young men of the Yādava family in the great holy centre Piṇḍāraka.

Elated due to their blooming youth, and urged by the inevitability of the future events they embellished and dressed Sāmba, son of Sāmbavatī in the guise of a woman, and said to the sages after approaching and making obeisance to them.

The young men said:

8-13. O saintly lords, this woman is desirous of a son. What will she give birth to?

Vyāsa said:

O sages of good holy rites, the brahmins were endowed with divine wisdom. Hence, though an attempt was made by the young men to deceive them they could not be deceived. Those brahmins cursed them to their doom. The infuriated sages replied—“She will give birth to an iron club whereby the entire family of Yādavas will perish.

Thus warned by those brahmins the young men mentioned everything precisely to Ugrasena.

An iron club came out of the belly of Sāmba. Ugrasena powdered that iron club and scattered the powder into ocean. It grew into an Airaka reed. O brahmins, when the iron club was powdered, there remained a piece which could not be reduced to powder by the Yādavas. It had the shape of a miniature iron club.

14-17. It was also cast off into the ocean. A fish swallowed it. When it was killed by the fishermen the iron piece came out of its belly which a hunter immediately caught hold of. Though Kṛṣṇa understood the truth, and though he was all-powerful, he did not wish to alter the course of events as brought about by the fate.

A certain messenger, sent by Devas visited Kṛṣṇa and said: “O lord I have been sent as a messenger by Vasus, Aśvins, Maruts, Ādityas, Rudras, Sādhyas and other Devas. O lord, Indra submits to you. O lord may it be listened to.

Devas said:

18-21. The lord has incarnated for reducing the burden of the Earth. More than a hundred years have gone by. You have been propitiated by Devas since Daityas of evil conduct have been killed. The burden of the Earth has been brought down. Let Devas with you as their leader go back to heaven. O lord of the universe, you have spent more than a hundred years on this Earth. If it pleases you, kindly repair to heaven. Our lord is intimated thus by Devas—If you still desire to be here we, your followers and servants, too, will have to be here alone for the requisite period of time.

The lord said:

22. O messenger, I know fully well what you say. But the destruction of Yādavas is only just started by me.

23. If they remain unexterminated, they will constitute a great burden unto the Earth. Hence I shall hurriedly bring that down within seven nights.

24. In the same manner as it had been taken from the ocean I shall replace Dvārakā in the ocean, exterminate Yādavas and then return to heaven.

25. I shall cast off my human body too, assisted by Saṃ-karṣaṇa. It should be considered by the leader of Devas that I have come there.

26-27. The burden of Yādavas on the Earth is greater than the burden of Jarāsandha and others who have been killed. Hence, after bringing down this very great burden of the Earth, I shall go over there in order to protect the world of immortal beings. Please tell them thus.

Vyāsa said:

28. Thus informed by Vāsudeva O sages, the divine messenger bowed to him and went to heaven near the king of Devas.

29. Day and night the lord witnessed evil omens in heaven, on Earth and in the sky as well, indicating the destruction of Dvārakā.

30. On seeing them he said to Yādavas—“See the extremely terrible evil omens. In order to subdue these, we shall go to Prabhāsa. Do not delay”.

31-32. Uddhava the great devotee of the lord bowed down to Kṛṣṇa and said:

“O lord, mention to me. What has to be done by me now? O lord, command me now. I think the lord will annihilate this entire family. O Acyuta, I see evil signs for the destruction of this family.

The lord said:

33-34. Equipped with the divine facility of movement originating from my favour, go to the holy hermitage of Badarikāśrama, on the mountain Gandhamādana. It is the most sacred spot on Earth as it is the abode of Nara and Nārāyaṇa. Keeping your mind in me, you will attain Siddhi there, due to my favour.

35. After finishing this family I shall go to Heaven. The sea will engulf Dvārakā in its flood when it has been abandoned by me.

Vyāsa said:

36. Thus advised and urged by Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava bowed to him and went to the abode of Nara and Nārāyaṇa.

37. Then Yādavas, O brahmins, got into fast moving chariots and went to Prabhāsa along with Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma and others.

38. After reaching Prabhāsa, the Kukuras and Andhakas were sanctified and delighted. As it was approved of by Vāsudeva, they indulged in drinking bouts.

39. As Yādavas went on drinking a mutual struggle ensued amongst them giving rise to a conflagration of quarrel that led to their destruction.

40. Urged by the divine fate, they struck at one another by means of weapons. When they had exhausted their weapons they took up Erakā reed nearby.

41. When the Erakā was grasped by them, it appeared as though it had turned adamantine. With this they hit one another with terrible blows.

42-43, O brahmins, Pradyumna, Sāmba, Kṛtavarmā, Sātyakī, Aniruddha, Pṛthu, Vipṛthu, Cārudeṣṇa, Subāhu, Akrūra and others hit and struck one another with the adamantine pieces of Erakā reeds.

44. Kṛṣṇa restrained them. They thought that he was one who had come to assist them. They bit and struck one another.

45. The infuriated Kṛṣṇa seized a fistful of Erakā from them. Thus the iron club became the fistful of iron for their destruction.

46. As an Assailant he killed all Yādavas. Suddenly they too approached him and hit one another. Others also did likewise.

47. Then O excellent brahmins, even as Dāruka went on watching, observing, Jaitra, the chariot of the discus-bearing lord was dragged by the horses through the middle of the ocean.

48. The discus Śārṅga, quivers, conch and the sword circumambulated him and went away along the solar path.

49. O excellent brahmins, within a moment Yādavas were destroyed except the mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa and Dāruka.

50. While taking their rounds both of them saw Balarāma seated at the root of a tree. A great serpent was coming out of his mouth.

51. After wriggling out of his mouth that serpent of huge dimension went towards the ocean. It was worshipped by Siddhas as well as Nāgas.

52. Taking Arghya with him the ocean came face to face with Balarāma. Worshipped by the excellent Nāgas he entered the water. On seeing the passing away of Bala, lord Kṛṣṇa said to Dāruka.

The lord said:

53-58. Mention all this to Vasudeva and Ugrasena viz.—the passing away of Balarāma, the destruction of Yādavas.

I shall remain in yogic posture and cast off this physical body. The residents of Dvārakā and Āhuka should be informed that the ocean will flood this city. Hence all of you should stand ready with well equipped chariots and wait for Arjuna’s arrival. When the Pāṇḍava prince comes you must not stay in Dvārakā. You must go along with him wherever Arjuna, that descendant of Kuru, may go. After going there tell Arjuna, son of Kuntī these words of mine. “These are my people. They should be protected by you in accordance with your ability”.

Thus you shall accompany Arjuna taking the people of Dvārakā. Vajra shall become the king of Yadus.