Chapter 57 - Krishna’s Proposal to Go to Dvaraka

1-3. Vaishampayana said:—Once on a time the lotus-eyed Krishna addressed the following reasonable words to the Yadus in their assembly:—"This Mathura city is the abode of the Yadus: we too were born here and brought up in Vraja. However all our griefs have disappeared and the enemies have been defeated. Now our hostilities with the kings and battle with Jarasandea have commenced.

4. The number of our infantry and animals is endless. And we have enough of jewels and friends.

5. Although through our friends and soldiers we have attained to the consummation of prosperity still the city of Mathura is very limited and the enemies can easily enter it.

6. Beside if one Koti of princes and infantry live here jointly there is every possibility of a dissension cropping up amongst them.

7. Therefore, O you leading Yadus, methinks it is better that we should live elsewhere. If you like it, we will lay out a city elsewhere.

8. If you approve of what I have said before this assemblage of the Yadus for your well-being and in pursuance of the proper time I shall carry it out."

9. Hearing it all the Yadavas delightedly said:—"O Krishna, do what you deemst proper for the behoof of all these people".

10. Thereupon the Vrishnis began to hold consultations regarding this most excellent proposal:—"Our enemy the king Jarasandha has been destined as unslayable by us. And his power is also very great.

11. True it is that many armies of the kings have been slain in this city of Mathura. But so great is the number of his soldiers that we shall not be able to bring about their destruction even in hundred years".

12. At that time O king, the emperor Jarasandha, along with Kalayavana was proceeding towards Mathura with his army.

13. Having heard of the approach of Jarasandha and Kalayavana with that highly irrepressible huge army the Yadavas thought of retreating as mentioned before.

14. The truthful Krishna again said to the Yadavas:—"To day is an auspicious day. So we shall, even this very day, issue out of Mathura along with our army and followers".

15-16. Having obtained this command from Krishna, the Yadavas, headed by Vasudeva, along with their wives, cars and elephants, set out, echoing the four quarters with the noise of their soldiers resembling that of the waves of the ocean.

17-18. Leaving Mathura the Yadavas went on with their wealth, kinsmen, friends, golden chariots, infuriated elephants and trotting horses decorated with gold.

19. O foremost of Bharatas, having adorned their respective detachments of the army and moved it on the Yadadas set out for the west.

20. Stationed in front, Vasudeva and other leaving Yadavas, ever adorning a battle-field, guided the army.

21-24. Having thus wended a very long distance the leading Yadus reached the bank of the ocean. It was variegated with creepers, abounded in coconut trees and beautiful elephants, was covered with Ketaki trees, palmyras, Pannages and vines.

23. Having secured such a picturesque site the Yadavas were highly delighted as if they had arrived at the celestial region.

24. Searching for a site where he would lay out a city Krishna, the slayer of inimical heroes, saw an extensive tract of land situated on the bank of the ocean.

25-29. The land had a coppery soil mixed with gravels, was well-suited for animals of burden, was endued with all the favourable marks of a city, as if it was presided over by the Goddess of prosperity herself. It was fanned by the sea breeze and was watered by the ocean. Near it was shining in beauty the charming mountain Raivata like the mount Mandara. On that mountain containing all the jems and resorted to by many great men Drona lived for many long years. There lived the king Ekalavya. And the sporting ground laid out by himself like a board of dice is celebrated by the name of Dvaravati.

30-31. Keshava selected that site for his city and the Yadavas also wanted to encamp their soldiers there. Thereupon the Yadu commanders pitched tents there for the night.

32-32. With a view to lay out his city there the Lord Krishna, the foremost of Yadus, lived there with them shorn of anxiety. And that foremost of men, the leader of the Yadavas, having Gada as his elder brother, thought in his mind of the names he would give to the various houses in that city.

34-35. O king, having thus secured the city of Dvaravati the Yadavas, along with their friends, lived there happily as do the gods in their own city. O descendant of Bharata, thus informed of the approach of Kalayavana Krishna, the slayer of Keshi, set out for the city of Dvaravati, in fear of Jarasandha.