es and great energy
worshipped that ascetic. He was then worshipped by the ascetic in return.
Vasudeva then enquired after his welfare. That foremost of Brahmanas,
viz., Utanka, politely accosted by Madhava, honoured him duly and then
addressed him in these words.--"O Saurin, having repaired to the mansions
of the Kurus and the Pandavas, hast thou succeeded in establishing a
durable understanding between them such as should exist between brothers?
It behoves thee to tell me everything. Dost thou come, O Kesava, after
having united them in peace,--them that are thy relatives and that are
ever dear to thee, O foremost one of Vrishni's race? Will the five sons
of Pandu, and the children of Dhritarashtra, O scorcher of foes, sport in
the world in joy with thee? Will all the kings enjoy happiness in their
respective kingdoms, in consequence of the pacification of the Kauravas
brought about by thee? Has that trust, O son, which I had always reposed
on thee, borne fruit with regard to the Kauravas?"

"'The blessed and holy one said, "I strove my best at first, for bringing
about a good understanding, in regard to the Kauravas. When I could not
by any means succeed in establishing them on peace, it happened that all
of them, with their relatives and kinsmen, met with death. It is
impossible to transgress destiny by either intelligence or might. O great
Rishi, O sinless one, this also cannot be unknown to thee. They (the
Kauravas) transgressed the counsels which Bhishma and Vidura gave them
referring to me.[168] Encountering one another they then became guests of
Yama's abode. Only the five Pandavas constitute the remnant of the
unslain, all their friends and all their children having been
slaughtered. All the sons of Dhritarashtra also with their children and
kinsmen, have been slain." When Krishna had said these words, Utanka,
filled with wrath, and with eyes expanded in rage, addressed him in these
words.

"'Utanka said,--"Since, though able, O Krishna, thou didst not rescue
those foremost ones of Kuru's race, who were thy relatives and,
therefore, dear to thee, I shall, without doubt, curse thee. Since thou
didst not forcibly compel them to forbear, therefore, O slayer of Madhu,
I shall, filled with wrath, denounce a curse on thee. It seems, O
Madhava, that though fully able (to save them), thou wert indifferent to
these foremost of Kurus who, overwhelmed by insincerity and hypocrisy
have all met with destruction."

"'Vas