"May we receive his message now and know his intentions,
So that the earth would grace enjoy and all would live in peace."
As rumbling cloud would deeply sound and touch the hearts below,
In sonorous and soothing words Sri Krishna stood and spoke.
"Elders and sages, learned ones, in this wise audience,
Know well the tragic history of Kuru's family.
"As God creates the field of world and all living beings
In bond of loving sacrifice with mutual share of love,
Dvaipayana, the sage, was cause of Kuru-Pandavas.
"As seer-seen in cosmic set-up mingle united,
The Pandavas and Kauravas should share and live in peace.
"But Kuru hosts betrayed their trust and harmed the Pandavas,
From very childhood poisoned them and tried to burn them live.
"By tricky game of vilest dice they were exiled to woods,
And now from exile returned they demand their kingdom's share.
"I'm fully sure that you elders would endorse this my view,
That justice calls for equity; let justice then be done."
"Hail, hail, I fully hold the same opinion of the law,
That Krishna's words be respected and Pandu's sons have share."
Thus Bhishma judged and then proclaimed the justice of the cause,
That half of kingdom be made out to Pandava brothers.
Drona and all the sages there assembled then did rise
And one by one gave voice to justice hailing Krishna's views.
Everyone spoke in full agreement that the share of land
In justice due to Pandavas be forthwith made over.
Silently groused, and seated haughty, raged Duryodhana,
And rudely gave a counterbolt to all this good advice.
"How come that all the people here speak as if I have failed,
What fault of mine it is if Pandu's children lost the game?"
Sri Krishna quickly raised his point rebutting counter terms
And hinted at the flaws that lay on head of Kuru king.
"Is it true that the Pandavas lost all by their own choice?
Or were they duped by gamester's tricks which none could decipher?
"However and whatever that be, now the exile's terms
Are completed and thus the share of Pandavas is due.
"Let this be done and all shall then be well I do believe,
There need be no delay at all in this the plainest truth."
"Nothing, nothing, I shall not give, let there be no such talk,"
So retorted in arrogance Duryodhana, the king.
"Do wise ones in assembly here approve of rudeness this,
Which unbehaving youngster speaks before a visitor?"
Sri Krishna turned to those on seats with this his surprised look,
Awaiting gestures in response from all the aged ones.
"Be not so proud and unrelenting, listen well to sense,"
Thus all the sages assembled in chorus raised their voice.
"The young is also fool in one, methinks he's out of wits,"
That sensible and sound advice he scornfully abhors."
So Bhishma wroth voiced forth his view and Drona seated there,
The sages 'gain illustrated their judgment in stories.
But Kuru chief wrung up his brows and defied everyone
And added that he is no one who can be threatened thus.
Sri Krishna queried if he would give five villages 'tleast,
For poor brothers five in number for their humble homes.
"No talk of gift, let there be no such prating before me,
I fear none, and threats I care not, speak not thus, Krishna;
"A needle-point of space the Pandavas do not deserve,"
So twisting back his face from all clinched up Duryodhana.
With raised up brows, astounded by this unabashed conduct,
Sri Krishna even insisted that something be given.
"Let houses five at least be granted creature comfort's sake,
To helpless Pandu's poorest children come from forest life."
To every request Krishna made and elders there endorsed,
Duryodhana struck up his thigh and grimmed in defiance.
Roused up to quick Sri Krishna addressed all the audience,
"This meanest man is shame to all, to ruin all Kurus.
"How keep you hint in this reputed palace of Kurus,
Uncouth, shameless, inhuman brute from manner he behaves.
"I request you to bind him up, banish him from this place,
And hand him over in all goodness to Yudhishthira."
As provoked snake would hiss and offer then and there to bite,
Duryodhana rose up from hall and rushed out to his house.
Returning home he connived with his henchmen secretly,
To bind and lock up ambassador Krishna, honoured guest.
"This man is hatching with the help of Bhishma and others
To bind me and then haul me up to bitter foe of mine."
Shrewd Satyaki and friends there heard the secret whispered talks
Regarding catching Krishna and then imprisoning him.
Conveyed to Krishna strangest news in wide assembly hall,
And asked the Master that they should to danger meet prepare.
Sri Krishna turned to old king seated and then admonished,
"King, listen, I think that your son is asking for trouble;
"For news has reached that he intends to catch and bind me up
With Duhsasana-Karna group's assistance on his side.
"Let him then try and please himself, and all of them may come,
And imprison me with their strength, if strength they any have."
Gandhari, queen, seated in hall, on hearing Krishna's words
Was deeply distressed, wailing, at once summoned eldest son.
On call from mother, Duryodhana hotly entered hall
And stood defying in demeanour, pride at highest pitch.
The parents strongly reprimanded standing defiant son,
In grief-struck-speech and fear-struck feelings jointly facing him.
"Fool, art thou sane or gone off mad to think doing mischief,
Be thou restrained, and behave well and respect elders' words."
Then Krishna rose up from his seat and stood as lion raged,
And directed his final words on proud Duryodhana.
"Thinkest thou in thy delusion that I am here alone,
Unbefriended and unprotected and be caught by thee?
"Look, all the gods and army-chiefs of all the fourteen worlds
Are here and now at this moment and at this very spot."
So saying Krishna laughed aloud which shook the earth below,
As quake would rend the very corn of every inch of ground.
Angels as stars there shot up from his arms,
Fierce tongues of fire rushed out from his mouth,
Brahma on forehead, Rudra on his chest,
The guardian gods from shoulders did emerge,
The sun and moon and all the stars of skies
Projected from his blazing Mighty form.
Yudhishthira and Bhima, Arjuna,
The two brothers, Nakula, Sahadeva,
Were all there seen with uplifted weapons.
From eyes and ears and all his myriad arms
Emergent flames fiercely jetted forth,
As if portending end of all the worlds.
From every pore of that Divinity
Speedingly rose bright rays as solar lights.
The earth and all atmosphere trembled
And oceans lapped up roaring surging waves.
There wonder-struck the blessed ones beheld
That Glorious Form which Lord, the Master showed,
Revealed in Himself as the All-in-All,
The Soul and Self of all creation vast,
All worlds, all gods, and all creation glowed
In that Majesty Krishna's-All in One.
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