flight.42 Knowing that the hour of destruction had come, the mighty-armed Keçava stood there, eyeing everything. Indeed, the slayer of Madhu stood, raising a bolt of Iron formed of a blade of grass.43 Beholding that Cāmva was slain, as also Chārudeshna and Pradyumna and Aniruddha, Mādhava became filled with rage.4 Beholding Gada lying dead on the ground, his wrath became enhanced. The wielder of Cārnga and the discus and the mace then exterminated the Vrishnis and the Andhakas.45 Hear, O king, what that conquerer of hostile towns, viz., Vabhru of mighty energy, and Dāruka, then said to Krishna.46—'O holy one, a very large number of men has been slain by thee! Turn now to where Rāma has gone! We wish to go there where he has proceeded.'"47
Section IV.
Vaiçampāyana said,—"Then Dāruka, and Keçava and Vabhru left that spot, following in the wake of Rāma (for discovering his retreat). They beheld that hero of infinite energy sitting thoughtfully, reclining his back against a tree, in a solitary spot of earth.1 Finding Rāma of great soul, Krishna commanded Dāruka, saying,—'Going to the Kurus, inform Pārtha of this great slaughter of the Yadus.2 Let Arjuna come here quickly, hearing of the destruction of the Yādavas through the Brāhmanas' curse.' Thus addressed, Dāruka, deprived of his senses by grief, proceeded on a car to the (capital of the) Kurus.3 After Dāruka had gone away, Keçava, seeing Vabhru waiting on him, told him these words:—'Do thou go quickly for protecting the ladies. Let not robbers do them any injury, tempted by the wealth (that is with them).'4 Thus commanded by Keçava, Vabhru, still helpless with wine but cheerless at the slaughter of his kinsmen, departed. He had rested for a while by the side of Keçava, but as soon as he had proceeded to a distance, the iron-bolt, attaching itself to a mallet in the hands of a hunter, suddenly sprang of itself upon that solitary survivor of the Yādava race and slew him who also had been included in the
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