The Story of Mahabharata (Sabha Parva) by Tanmoy Bhattacharyya
Sabhakriya Parva
Section-1
Om! Having offered reverence to Narayana, to Nara—the supreme masculine spirit—and to the goddess Saraswati, the word “Jaya” (Victory) is invoked.
Vaisampayana narrated:
Then, in the presence of Vasudeva (Krishna), Maya Danava paid homage to Arjuna and addressed him earnestly, with joined palms and gracious words:
“O son of Kunti, you have saved me from Krishna in his torrential form and from the all-consuming fire (Pavaka). Please tell me what I may do in return.”
Arjuna replied:
“O mighty Asura, your offer itself is a generous reward. You are blessed. Go where you wish. May you remain as kindly disposed toward me as I am toward you.”
Maya insisted:
“O bull among men, your words are noble. Yet, O Bharata, I wish to gladly perform a service for you. I am a great artisan, a Viswakarma among the Danavas. As such, I desire to do something worthy of your deed.”
Arjuna responded:
“O virtuous one, you believe yourself rescued by me. Even so, I cannot ask anything for myself. Yet, I do not wish to dismiss your goodwill. If you wish to repay me, do something for Krishna. That will suffice.”
Vaisampayana continued:
Urged by Maya, Vasudeva paused briefly, considering what to request. Krishna, the Lord of the universe and Creator of all, reflected and then instructed Maya:
“If you truly wish to serve Yudhishthira the Just, then—O foremost of artists, O son of Diti—build a peerless palace of your own design. Construct a great sabha (hall) so magnificent that no mortal, even upon close inspection, could ever replicate it. Let this mansion blend divine, demonic, and human artistry into one vision.”
Vaisampayana concluded:
Hearing this, Maya was overjoyed. He promptly erected for the Pandavas a palace rivaling those of the gods. After reporting everything to King Yudhishthira, Krishna and Arjuna presented Maya to him. Yudhishthira honored Maya respectfully, and the Danava received the tribute with gratitude.
Maya then recounted the tale of the Danava Vrisha-parva to the Pandavas. After resting, the supreme artisan began careful preparations to build the palace. Following the desires of both Krishna and the sons of Pritha, on an auspicious day, he performed the foundation-laying ceremonies, honored thousands of learned Brahmins with offerings of milk, rice, and riches, and laid out a splendid plot five thousand cubits square—perfectly suited for a palace that would excel in every season.
Section-2
Vaisampayana narrated:
Janardana (Krishna), who is worthy of universal reverence, spent many joyful days at Khandavaprastha, treated with deep love and respect by the sons of Pritha. One day, he felt a desire to return home to see his father.
That great-eyed Lord, to whom the whole universe offers homage, first paid his respects to Yudhishthira and Pritha (Kunti), and bowed his head to touch the feet of Kunti—his own father’s sister. Honored thus by Kesava, Kunti gently smelled his head and embraced him tenderly.
The illustrious Hrishikesa (Krishna) then approached his sister Subhadra with deep affection, his eyes glistening. He spoke to her words that were truthful, meaningful, concise, and irrefutable. Subhadra, equally eloquent, bowed to him in return and respectfully conveyed all she wished to be told to her paternal family.
After bidding her farewell and blessing his beloved sister, he of the Vrishni race next met Draupadi and the sage Dhaumya. He bowed reverently to Dhaumya, comforted Draupadi, and took her leave.
Then the wise and mighty Krishna, accompanied by Arjuna (Partha), joined his cousins. Surrounded by the five Pandavas, Krishna shone like Indra amidst the gods.
He whose banner bears Garuda, wishing to perform the pre-journey rites, purified himself with a bath and adorned himself with fine ornaments. The bull of the Yadu race then worshipped the gods and Brahmanas with floral garlands, sacred chants, bowed heads, and fragrant incense.
Having completed these rituals, that foremost of virtuous beings prepared to depart. He moved from the inner chambers to the outer hall, and there offered vessels filled with curds, fruits, and parched grains to deserving Brahmins, requesting their blessings. He also gifted them wealth and circumambulated them respectfully.
Then mounting his splendid golden chariot—swift and majestic, adorned with the emblem of Tarkhya (Garuda) and equipped with his mace, discus, sword, bow Sharnga, and other divine weapons—he yoked his mighty horses Saivya and Sugriva. At an auspicious lunar moment, under favorable stars, he of lotus-like eyes began his journey.
Out of affection, Yudhishthira, king of the Kurus, ascended the chariot after Krishna. Motioning the charioteer Daruka aside, Yudhishthira himself took the reins. Arjuna, long-armed and devoted, also mounted the chariot, circled Krishna reverently, and fanned him with a white chamara whisk mounted with gold.
The mighty Bhimasena, along with the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, the priests, and citizens, all followed Krishna in procession. Kesava, that slayer of heroic foes, accompanied thus by the Pandava brothers, glowed like a great teacher followed by his devoted disciples.
Then Govinda (Krishna) turned to Arjuna, clasped him warmly, paid homage to Yudhishthira and Bhima, and embraced the twins. Embraced in return by the three elder Pandavas, he was reverentially greeted by Nakula and Sahadeva.
After traveling about half a Yojana (two miles), Krishna, subduer of hostile cities, respectfully addressed Yudhishthira and requested him to proceed no farther. Govinda, ever mindful of propriety, then bowed and touched Yudhishthira’s feet. But Yudhishthira swiftly lifted Kesava and gently smelled his head—a sign of deepest familial affection.
Yudhishthira the Just, son of Pandu, having raised lotus-eyed Krishna, foremost of the Yadavas, gave him leave saying, “Go in safety.”
The slayer of Madhu (Krishna), fixing a time for his return in fitting words, gently but firmly prevented the Pandavas from following farther on foot. He then proceeded gladly toward his own city, like Indra returning to Amaravati.
Out of boundless love and attachment, the Pandavas gazed after Krishna as long as he remained visible, and their hearts followed him even when he disappeared from sight. Kesava, so pleasing in form, soon vanished from their view, leaving their minds longing for more.
Those bulls among men, the sons of Pritha, their hearts still fixed on Govinda, halted reluctantly and returned slowly to their own city.
Krishna, in his chariot, swiftly reached Dwaraka, accompanied by the hero Satyaki. Then Sauri (Krishna), son of Devaki, driven by Daruka, arrived at Dwaraka with the speed of Garuda.
Vaisampayana continued:
Meanwhile, King Yudhishthira of imperishable glory, accompanied by his brothers and encircled by friends, re-entered his splendid capital. That tiger among men, after dismissing relatives, brothers, and sons, retired into the comforting company of Draupadi.
And Kesava, honored by the chief Yadavas including Ugrasena, entered his own glorious city with a joyful heart. After worshipping his aged father and revered mother, greeting his brother Baladeva (Valadeva), and embracing Pradyumna, Shamva, Nishatha, Charudeshna, Gada, Aniruddha, and Bhanu, and receiving leave from the elders, Janardana retired into the chambers of Rukmini.
