“Vaisampayana continued, ’Having said this, the beautiful Krishna of eyes that were black in hue and large like lotus leaves, bathed in tears, and walking like a cow-elephant, approached the lotus-eyed Krishna, and taking with her left hand her own beautiful tresses of curly ends, deep-blue in hue and scented with every perfume, endued with every auspicious mark, and though gathered into a braid, yet soft and glossy like a mighty snake, spake these words, ’Lotus-eyed one that art anxious for peace with the enemy, thou shouldst, in all thy acts, call to thy mind these tresses of mine seized by Dussasana’s rude hands!  If Bhima and Arjuna, O Krishna, have become so low as to long for peace, my aged father then with his war like sons will avenge for me in battle.  My five sons also that are endued with great energy, with Abhimanyu, O slayer of Madhu, at their head, will fight with the Kauravas.  What peace can this heart of mine know unless I behold Dussasana’s dark arm severed from his trunk and pulverised to atoms?  Thirteen long years have I passed in expectation of better times, hiding in my heart my wrath like a smouldering fire.  And now pierced by Bhima’s wordy darts that heart cf mine is about to break, for the mighty-armed Bhima now casteth his eye on morality.  Uttering these words with voice choked in tears, the large-eyed Krishna began to weep aloud, with convulsive sobs, and tears gushed down her cheeks.  And that lady, with hips full and round, began to drench her close and deep bosom by the tears she shed which were hot as liquid fire.  The mighty-armed Kesava then spoke, comforting her in these words, ’Soon wilt thou, O Krishna, behold the ladies of Bharata’s race weep as thou dost.  Even they, O timid one, will weep like thee, their kinsmen and friends being slain.  They with whom, O lady, thou art angry, have their kinsmen and warriors already slain.  With Bhima and Arjuna and the twins, at Yudhishthira’s command, and agreeably to fate, and what hath been ordained by the Ordainer, I will accomplish all this.  Their hour having arrived, the sons of Dhritarashtra, if they do not listen to my words, will surely lie down on the earth turned as morsels of dogs and jackals.  The mountains of Himavat might shift their site, the Earth herself might spilt into a hundred fragments, the firmament itself with its myriads of stars might fall down, still my words can never be futile.  Stop thy tears, I swear to thee, O Krishna, soon wilt thou see thy husbands, with their enemies slain, and with prosperity crowning them.’”

SECTION LXXXIII

“Arjuna said, ’Thou art now, O Kesava, the best friend of all the Kurus.  Related with both the parties, thou art the dear friend of both.  It behoveth thee to bring about peace between the Pandavas and the sons of Dhritarashtra.  Thou, O Kesava, art competent and, therefore, it behoveth thee to bring about a reconciliation.  O lotus-eyed one, proceeding hence for peace, O slayer of foes, say unto our ever-wrathful brother Suyodhana, what, indeed, should be said, ’If the foolish Duryodhana doth not accept thy auspicious and beneficial counsels fraught with virtue and profit, he will surely then be the victim of his fate.’