68 - YANASANDHI PARVA (Contd)

Sanjaya said: -

1. Arjuna and the son of Vasudeva, the two very adorable wielders of the bow, born in a region other than their own out of their own will, are equal to each other in every detail of their nature.

2. That disc of the son of Vasudeva exists, as if in illusion, O lord; for though five cubits in diameter it can be hurled by that intelligent being in any form he likes.

3. (That disc) is the destroyer of the Kurus and Therefore, dear to the Pandavas. Shining with effulgence, it is the best measure for forming an idea of their points of strength and weakness.

4. That descendant of Madhu, of great strength, as if in play, conquered Naraka, Shamvara, Kansa and the king of the Chedis in terrific battle.

5. That foremost among men, of a superior soul, can by mere force of his will bring under control the earth, the sky and the heavens.

6. Again and again, have you, O king, asked me about the Pandavas with a view to know their strength and the points of their superiority and inferiority. Listen to that from me in brief:

7. If the entire world be placed on one side and Janardana on the other; then will the entire world be surpassed by Janardana in point of strength,

8. The entire world is not able to reduce Janardana to ashes; (while Janardana can reduce the world into ashes). Where there is truth, where there is righteousness, where there is modesty, and where there is humanity;

9. There is Govinda. Where there is Krishna; there is victory. The earth, the sky, and the heavens

10-11. Are guided by Janardana, that foremost among men, who is, as it were, the soul of all creatures, as if in play. He, making the Pandavas his instruments, desires to consume your foolish sons, who are attached to vice, steeping the world in illusion.

12. The wheel of time, the wheel of the world, and the wheel of the Yuga (i.e. the wheel of work leading to births and rebirths) does that prosperous Being ever cause to revolve by the application of his soul.

13. That prosperous Being alone is lord over Time, Death, and over all mobile and immobile beings. I tell you the truth.

14. Though lording over the entire world, Hari, that great anchorite, has recourse to work, as a cultivator tills the soil.

15. By such illusion does Keshava deceive the world; but those men that have understood him are not deceived.

Thus ends the sixty-eighth chapter in the Yanasandhi of the Udyoga Parva.