English
Vaishampayana said:—Listening to the command of the king of gods announced by Chitrāngada all the kings desired to go there. And the intelligent king Jarasandha too accorded his permission. And they set out encircled by their own armies and headed by Bhishmaka (57–58). Surrounded by his own followers, and with his heart burning in anxiety, the mighty-armed king Bhishmaka, along with other kings, went to where the large-armed Krishna was living in the house of Kaishika. They saw from distance the brilliance of the picturesque assembly-hall of the celestials that had been brought there for Krishna's Abhisheka, and which was decorated with flags, pennons and garlands, set with celestial gems; adorned with celestial garlands, streamers and ornaments, perfumed with celestial fragrance and encircled by celestial conveyances. There, the Apsarās, Vidyādharas, Gandharvas, Munis and Kinnaras, stationed in the welkin, were singing the accomplishments of Krishna, the lord of celestials. And the great saints and Siddhas were eulogising him. And celestial trumpets were beaten of themselves in the sky (59–65). And the immortals, stationed in the sky, showered profusely scented powders made of roots, barks, flowers and fruits of Mandāra, Pārijāta, Santānaka, Kalpa and Harichandana trees (66). Seated on his own vehicle, the Lord of Sachi himself came there with the gods and showed himself in the sky (67). Stationed in their respective quarters, the Eight Regents began to sing, dance and eulogise (Krishna's) glories on all sides (68). Hearing that tumultuous sound and having their eyes expanded in surprise, the kings entered into the assembly-hall (69). The large-armed and powerful king Kaishika came out and received them duly (70). When the arrival of the kings was announced to the beautiful Hari, the foremost of the celestials, he issued out with the performance of all benedictory rites (71). Thereupon from the sky, celestial jars, with pieces of cloth tied round their necks and covered with mango leaves, began to pour down, like clouds, water mixed with gold, gems, flowers and scented powders on the occasion of the ceremony of his royal unction (72–73). Having performed duly according to rites, the Abhisheka ceremony of Janārddana, before the very presence of the kings, the king of gods adorned him with celestial ornaments (74). Having welcomed duly all the kings with celestial garments of various colors, garlands and unguents, Mādhava too sat in the auspicious assembly-hall of the celestials for the purpose of bathing. The kings of the Yadu and Vidarbha races began to adore him (75-76). The powerful son of Vinatā, capable of assuming forms at will, sat on a seat on the right hand side of Keshava (77). As desired by Vasudeva himself the high-souled and heroic kings, Kratha and Kaishika, sat on their respective seats on his left hand side (78). The highly powerful and heroic car-warriors headed by Sātyaki of the Vrishni and Andhaka races sat on his left hand side (79). As the gods beautify the Lord of Sachi-so those leading kings beautified the beautiful Krishna seated at ease on a celestial seat covered with a celestial coverlet and effulgent like the sun (80). Afterwards having been introduced to him by the ministers, various other kings were duly received by Keshava and they too sat at ease on their respective thrones. Thereupon having shown him proper respect, the highly wise king Kaishika, the foremost of speakers and well-read in all Shāstras, said:—