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THE RECOVERY OF DRAUPADI
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His soldiers approaching like waves of the ocean, Puṇḍarīkākṣa (Kṛṣṇa), wide-eyed, said to the Pāṇḍavas: "Will you fight with King Padma or will you, staying in your chariots, watch_me fighting? They said, "We shall fight with Padma, lord. Today King Padmanabha or we shall cause tears to be shed." Then they fought with King Padma and were defeated. They went again to Vasudeva and said: "Master, this Padma is very strong, surrounded by strong soldiers. He is conquerable by you alone, not by us. Do what is suitable in this
matter."
very time,
I alone am
Kṛṣṇa said: "You were defeated at that Pāṇḍavas, when you said: 'King Padma or we.' king, not Padma." With these words, Janardana set out for battle and blew loud-toned Pañcajanya. A third part of Padma's army broke at the sound of the conch, like the flight of a herd of deer at the roar of an approaching lion. Śarngin twanged his bow and at its sound again a third part of Padma's army broke like a weak rope. With the remaining third part of the army, Padma fled from the battle-field and entered Amarakankā at once. He shut the gates equipped with iron bars. Blazing with anger, Kṛṣṇa got down from the chariot. By a process of transformation 267 Hari became a manlion in form, angry like Kṛtānta, terrifying with the fangs of his wide-open mouth. Giving very loud roars, he stamped with his feet; and the earth trembled along with the heart of his enemies. The tops of the walls shook, temples fell, and houses fell apart from the blows of Sarngin's feet. Some hid in caves; some entered water; some in the city fell in a faint from fear of the man-lion.
277
46
Padma went to Drupada's daughter as a refuge, saying, 'Queen, pardon us. Save us from this Sārigin who is like Antaka." After putting me in front of you and after donning women's clothes, go to Kṛṣṇa as a refuge. In that case you will live, not otherwise." He did as he was told and bowed to
267 56. By a vaikriya-samudghata. See I, n. 157.
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