e of
all the (other) kings. Similarly, all of them, approaching, enquired
after his welfare. The hero of the plough, having in return saluted all
the high-souled Kshatriyas, and having made courteous enquiries about
each according to their years, affectionately embraced Janardana and
Satyaki. Smelling their heads, he enquired after their welfare. Those
two, in return, O king, duly worshipped him, their superior, joyfully,
like Indra and Upendra worshipping Brahman, the lord of the celestials.
Then Dharma's son, O Bharata, said these words unto that chastiser of
foes, the son of Rohini, "Behold, O Rama, this formidable encounter
between the two brothers!" Thus worshipped by those great car-warriors,
the elder brother of Keshava, of mighty arms and great beauty, took his
seat amongst them. Clad in blue robes and possessed of a fair complexion,
Rama, as he sat amidst those kings, looked resplendent like the moon in
the firmament, encompassed by multitudes of stars. Then that dreadful
encounter, making the very hair stand on end, took place between those
two sons of thine, O king, for terminating the quarrel (that had raged
for many years).'"

35

Janamejaya said, "On the eve of the great battle (between the Kurus and
the Pandus), the lord Rama, with Keshava's leave, had gone away (from
Dwaraka) accompanied by many of the Vrishnis. He had said unto Keshava,
'I will render aid neither unto the son of Dhritarashtra nor unto the
sons of Pandu, but will go whithersoever I like!' Having said these
words, Rama, that resister of foes, had gone away. It behoveth thee, O
Brahmana, to tell me everything about his return! Tell me in detail how
Rama came to that spot, how he witnessed the battle. In my opinion thou
art well-skilled in narration!"

Vaishampayana said, "After the high-souled Pandavas had taken up their
post at Upaplavya, they despatched the slayer of Madhu to Dhritarashtra's
presence, for the object of peace, O mighty-armed one, and for the good
of all creatures. Having gone to Hastinapura and met Dhritarashtra,
Keshava spoke words of true and especially beneficial import. The king,
however, as I have told thee before, listened not to those counsels.
Unable to obtain peace, the mighty-armed Krishna, that foremost of men,
came back, O monarch, to Upaplavya. Dismissed by Dhritarashtra's son,
Krishna returned (to the Pandava camp), and upon the failure of his
mission, O tiger among kings, said these words unto the Pa