fulls of curd and fruits, and parched-grain and caused them to pronounce
benedictions upon him. And making unto them presents also of wealth, he
went round them. Then ascending his excellent car of gold endued with
great speed and adorned with banner bearing the figure of Tarkhya (Garuda)
and furnished also with mace, discus, sword, his bow Sharnga and other
weapons, and yoking thereunto his horses Saivya and Sugriva, he of eyes
like lotuses set out at an excellent moment of a lunar day of auspicious
stellar conjunction. And Yudhishthira, the king of the Kurus, from
affection, ascended the chariot after Krishna, and causing that best
charioteer Daruka to stand aside, himself took the reins. And Arjuna also,
of long arms, riding on that car, walked round Krishna and fanned him with
a white chamara furnished with a handle of gold. And the mighty Bhimasena
accompanied by the twin brothers Nakula and Sahadeva and the priests and
citizens all followed Krishna from behind. And Kesava, that slayer of
hostile heroes, followed by all the brothers, shone like a preceptor
followed by his favourite pupils. Then Govinda spoke unto Arjuna and
clasped him firmly, and worshipping Yudhisthira and Bhima, embraced the
twins. And embraced in return by the three elder Pandavas, he was
reverentially saluted by the twins. After having gone about half a Yojana
(two miles), Krishna, that subjugator of hostile towns, respectfully
addressed Yudhishthira and requested him, O Bharata, to stop following him
further. And Govinda, conversant with every duty, then reverentially
saluted Yudhishthira and took hold of his feet. But Yudhishthira soon
raised Kesava and smelt his head. King Yudhishthira the just, the son of
Pandu, having raised Krishna endued with eyes like lotus-petals and the
foremost of the Yadava race, gave him leave, saying,--'Good bye!' Then the
slayer of Madhu, making an appointment with them (about his return) in
words that were proper, and preventing with difficulty the Pandavas from
following him further on foot, gladly proceeded towards his own city, like
Indra going towards Amravati. Out of the love and affection they bore him,