Page1
Having sent Drupada's brahmana to Hastinapura on the peace mission, the
Pandavas sent word, at the same time, to the princes likely to favour their cause to
collect their forces and hold themselves in readiness for war. To Dwaraka, Arjuna went
himself.
Having understood through his spies the turn events were taking,
Duryodhana too did not remain idle. Learning thatVasudeva (Krishna) was back in his home
city, he sped to wards Dwaraka in his chariot, as fast as his swiftest horses could take
him. The two of them, Arjuna and Duryodhana, thus reached Dwaraka on the same day.
Krishna was fast asleep. Because they were his close relatives, Arjuna
and Duryodhana could go into his bedroom. There, they both waited for Krishna towake up.
Duryodhana, who went in first, seated himself on a decorated throne-chair at the head of
the bed, while Arjuna keptstanding at its foot with arms folded in respectful posture.
When Mahadeva woke up, his eyes fell on Arjuna who stood in front of
him and he gave him warm welcome. Turning then to Duryodhana, he welcomed him too and
asked them what brought them both to Dwaraka. Duryodhana was the first to speak.
Author : Shri C. Raja Gopalachari
|