thus being slaughtered, no one among them
thought of escaping by flight. Knowing that the hour of destruction had
come, the mighty-armed Keshava stood there, eyeing everything. Indeed,
the slayer of Madhu stood, raising a bolt of iron formed of a blade of
grass. Beholding that Samva was slain, as also Charudeshna and Pradyumna
and Aniruddha, Madhava became filled with rage. Beholding Gada lying dead
on the ground, his wrath became enhanced. The wielder of Sarnga and the
discus and the mace then exterminated the Vrishnis and the Andhakas.
Hear, O king, what that conquerer of hostile towns, Vabhru of mighty
energy and Daruka then said to Krishna, "O holy one, a very large number
of men has been slain by thee. Turn now to where Rama has gone. We wish
to go there where he has proceeded."'"

4

"Vaishampayana said: 'Then Daruka and Keshava and Vabhru left that spot,
following in the wake of Rama (for discovering his retreat). They beheld
that hero of infinite energy sitting thoughtfully, reclining his back
against a tree, in a solitary spot of earth. Finding Rama of great soul,
Krishna commanded Daruka, saying, "Going to the Kurus, inform Partha of
this great slaughter of the Yadus. Let Arjuna come here quickly, hearing
of the destruction of the Yadavas through the Brahmana's curse."

"'Thus addressed, Daruka, deprived of his senses by grief, proceeded on a
car to the (capital of the) Kurus. After Daruka had gone away, Keshava,
seeing Vabhru waiting on him, told him these words: "Do thou go quickly
for protecting the ladies. Let not robbers do them any injury, tempted by
the wealth (that is with them)." Thus commanded by Keshava, Vabhru, still
helpless with wine but cheerless at the slaughter of his kinsmen,
departed. He had rested for a while by the side of Keshava, but as soon
as he had proceeded to a distance, the iron-bolt, attaching itself to a
mallet in the hands of a hunter, suddenly sprang of itself upon that
solitary survivor of the Yadava race and slew him, who also had been
included in the curse of the Brahmanas. Beholding Vabhru slain, Keshava
of great energy addressed his elder brother and said, "Do thou, O Rama
wait for me here till I place the ladies under the care of kinsmen."

"'Entering the city of Dwaravati, Janardana said these words unto his
father, "Do thou protect all the ladies of our house, till Dhananjaya
comes. At the skirts of the forest Rama is waiting for me. I shall meet
him today. This