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Harivaṃśa
113. Krishna's proposal to go to Dwaraka
VAISHAMPAYANA said:—Once on a time the lotus-eyed Krishna addressed the following reasonable words to the Yadus in their assembly:—
“This Mathurā city is the abode of the Yadus: we too were born here and brought up in Vraja. However all our griefs have disappeared and the enemies have been defeated. Now our hostilities with the kings and battle with Jarāsandea have commenced (1-3).
The number of our infantry and animals is endless. And we have enough of jewels and friends (4).
Although through our friends and soldiers we have attained to the consummation of prosperity still the city of Mathurā is very limited and the enemies can easily enter it (5).
Beside if one Koti of princes and infantry live here jointly there is every possibility of a dissension cropping up amongst them (6).
Therefore, O ye leading Yadus, methinks it is better that we should live elsewhere. If you like it, we will lay out a city elesewhere (7).
If you approve of what I have said before this assemblage of the Yadus for your well-being and in pursuance of the proper time I shall carry it out (8).”
Hearing it all the Yādavas delightedly said:—
O Krishna, do what thou deemst proper for the behoof of all these people” (9).
Thereupon the Vrishnis began to hold consultations regarding this most excellent proposal:—“Our enemy the king Jarāsandha has been distined as unslayable by us. And his power is also very great (10).
True it is that many armies of the kings have been slain in this city of Mathurā. But so great is the number of his soldiers that we shall not be able to bring about their destruction even in hundred years” (11).
At that time O king, the emperor Jarāsandha, along with Kālayavana was proceeding towards Mathurā with his army (12).
Having heard of the approach of Jarāsandha and Kālayavana with that highly irrepressible huge army the Yādavas thought of retreating as mentioned before (13).
The truthful Krishna again said to the Yādavas:-" To day is an auspicious day. So we shall, even this very day, issue out of Mathurā along with our army and followers (14).
Having obtained this command from Krishna, the Yādavas, headed by Vasudeva, along with their wives, cars and elephants, set out, echoing the four quarters with the noise of their soldiers resembling that of the waves of the ocean (15-16).
Leaving Mathurā the Yādavas went on with their wealth, kinsmen, friends, golden chariots, infuriated elephants and trotting horses decorated with gold (17-18).
O foremost of Bharatas, having adorned their respective detachments of the army and moved it on the Yādadas set out for the west (19).
Stationed in front, Vasudeva and other leaving Yādavas, ever adorning a battle-field, guided the army (20).
Having thus wended a very long distance the leading Yādus reached the bank of the ocean. It was variegated with creepers, abounded in coconut trees and beautiful elephants, was covered with Ketaki trees, palmyras, Pannages and vines (21–24).
Having secured such a picturesque site the Yādavas were highly delighted as if they had arrived at the celestial region (23).
Searching for a site where he would lay out a city Krishna, the slayer of inimical heroes, saw an extensive tract of land situated on the bank of the ocean (24).
The land had a coppery soil mixed with gravels, was well-suited for animals of burden, was endued with all the favourable marks of a city, as if it was presided over by the Goddess of prosperity herself.
It was fanned by the sea breeze and was watered by the ocean. Near it was shining in beauty the charming mountain Raivata like the mount Mandara.
On that mountain containing all the jems and resorted to by many great men Drona lived for many long years. There lived the king Ekalavya.
And the sporting ground laid out by himself like a board of dice is celebrated by the name of Dwāravati (25-29).
Keshava selected that site for his city and the Yādavas also wanted to encamp their soldiers there. Thereupon the Yadu commanders pitched tents there for the night (30–31).
With a view to lay out his city there the Lord Krishna, the foremost of Yadus, lived there with them shorn of anxiety.
And that foremost of men, the leader of the Yādavas, having Gada as his elder brother, thought in his mind of the names he would give to the various houses in that city (32-32).
O king, having thus secured the city of Dwāravati the Yādavas, along with their friends, lived there happily as do the gods in their own city.
O descendant of Bhārata, thus informed of the approach of Kālayavana Krishna, the slayer of Keshi, set out for the city of Dwāravati, in fear of Jarāsāndha (34–35).
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