________________
90
armies to the eastern sea coast and be in readiness to cross the Lavana-sea.
Krsna himself went there and ordered his army to erect a Fasting-hall where he remained in meditation and made fervent appeals to the god Susthita. When he appeared before him, and asked what did he expect him to do, Krsna replied that since Draupadi was kidnapped by Padmanābha and kept in his capital city of Aparkankā, Susthita should see that the sea made way for the five chariots of the Pandava princes and for his own so that they would make an attempt to rescue her. Susthita asked Krsna whether he could himself bring Draupadi back to Hastinapura exactly in the same manner in which she was carried there by Padmanabha's friend who was also a god. Susthita further said that he could easily drown king Padmanabha along with all his army and their various vehicles in the Lavana-sea. Krsna said that Susthita should only arrange to give their six chariots safe and secure passage across the sea
Accordingly, the passage was made and the six chariots sped across the Lavana-sea, leaving their army behind them on the shores of Bhärata-varsa. They quickly proceeded to the capital city and when they came to the park outside the town, Krsna stopped the chariot and asked his charioteer Dáruka to convey his message to Padmanābha in the palace. He gave careful instructions to Däruka on how he should behave in the king's court. He should put on a very angry expression and the tone of his voice should be ferocious. In fact, his entire bearing should be arrogant, clearly conveying to Padmanabha that the business on hand was serious. Dāruka was supposed to walk defiantly right upto the throne and stamp vigorously with his left foot on the foot-rest of the king and thrust, in the face of Padmanābha, Krsna's letter on the point of his lance. Däruka was then expected to speak to Padmanābha in down right terms and call him an evil character devoid of any merit, utterly shameless, born on the fourteenth day of the month. He should further warn him that by his reckless action of laying his hands on Draupadi, he was in fact preparing for himself a situation that no body would desire - a sure death. Däruka should emphasise that
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
