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THE RECOVERY OF DRAUPADI
279 When Krsna had crossed the ocean, he said to the Pāņqavas, “Sirs, while I say good-by to Susthita, cross the Gangā.” They embarked on the ship, crossed the terrifying stream of the Gangā, sixty-two yojanas wide, and said to each other: “ Now let us see Vişnu's strength. Let the ship be anchored right here. How will he cross the Gangā's stream without a ship?" With this agreement made, they settled on the river-bank.
And now, his business finished, Krşņa came to the Gangā. Not seeing a boat there, Hari put the chariot with its horses on one arm and began to swim across the water with the other arm. When he reached the middle of the stream, Kịşņa, tired, thought, “Indeed, Pāndu's sons, powerful, swam the Gangā without a ship." Knowing that thought of his, the Gangā made shallow water at once and then Janārdana swam across her with perfect ease.
He said to the Pandavas, “How did you cross the Gạngā ??' and they replied to Sārngin, “We crossed in a ship.” “Why did you not turn the ship and send it bacķ?” asked by Sārngin, they said, “We did not send the ship back, to test your strength.” Kyşņa, angered, said: “You know my strength now. It was not known in the crossing of the ocean and victory at Amarakankā.” With these words he crushed their chariots with an iron-staff. A city developed there, named Rathạc mardana. Then Kansasüdana banished the Pāpdavas; and went to the city Dvārakā with his camp.
The Pāņdavas went to their own city and told Kunti about it. Kunti went to Dvārakā and said to Vāsudeva: "Banished by you, where can my sons stay? In this half of Bharata, there is no land which is not yours." Krşņa said, “ Founding a new city, Pāndumathurā, 270 on the shore of the Southern Ocean, your sons may dwell there.” Kunti went, told her sons Krşna's command and they went to the Pāņdudistrict, purified by the ocean's waves. Krşpa installed
270 91. Identified with Madura in South India.
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