Vidura went to Duryodhana and conveyed that he was summoned by the queen and the king to attend the assembly. Duryodhana came alone, his face dark with anger and his eyes reddened, leaving behind all those who followed him, and he occupied his seat with gestures that openly displayed reluctance and disdain.
Gandhari observed her son and, murmuring within herself about his reckless bearing, sought to impress upon him the path of righteousness, the royal code of conduct, his own powers and limitations, the subtle voice of her personal conviction, the accumulated wisdom of the elders of the Kuru lineage, and the strength and capacity of the Pandavas, along with the grave disadvantages of conflict. She spoke in a crisp and restrained manner suited to her son’s temperament, unfolding her emotions and reason together in the hope of persuading him.
Duryodhana, however, disregarded his mother’s noble counsel. Rising with pride, he joined Karna and others to devise and execute a dark plan intended to disturb the assembly and divert the minds of those inclined toward peace and agreement. As they conferred, Duryodhana sought to justify his resolve by casting a challenge, declaring to his allies and confidants that the intentions of Srikrishna were not pure. He claimed that Krishna was influencing the grandsire Bhishma and Guru Dronacharya to side with him, to seize their freedom and subdue their individuality, asserting that this was evident from Krishna’s open words in the assembly. He accused Krishna of planning imprisonment while reversing the charge upon them, and urged that before Krishna acted against them, they must capture him. He reminded them of the slaying of Kamsa, calling upon Bhishma and Dronacharya to be resolute, and declared that by imprisoning Krishna they would shatter the confidence of the Pandavas, break their faith, and force them into submission. Without him, he said, they would be like snakes without fangs, capable only of hissing, and if they still resisted, defeat on the battlefield would be easy.
Thus, a wrongful and wicked resolve was formed, as Duryodhana, Dussasana, Sakuni, Karna, and those of like conduct decided to seize Souri. Satyaki, watching closely the arrogance and unrest of Duryodhana and his companions, noticed their secret murmuring, restless movements, and whispered consultations, which stirred suspicion in his mind. He signaled Kritavarma to alert the forces outside, armed and ready, and instructed him to remain at the gates while he himself would manage matters within. He hurried inside and informed Krishna of the suspected designs of the wicked four.
Following Krishna’s guidance, Satyaki addressed Dhritarashtra, Bahlika, Bhishma, and Guru Dronacharya, warning them to observe how the Kauravas, bereft of true strength, were inclining toward violence and attempting to spring upon Srikrishna. He declared such an act impossible, for Souri was the lord of wealth and victory, the slayer of demons, and any attempt to bind him would be like wrapping fire in cloth, yielding no fruit but destruction. Vidura, startled by Satyaki’s words, spoke to King Dhritarashtra, saying that the king’s sons, mistaking Krishna for an ordinary envoy and testing his patience, would burn like locusts in fire, for the Kauravas and their followers were hastening toward the gates of the lord of death.
At these words, Srikrishna addressed Dhritarashtra, stating that the Kauravas, driven by anger against him, had resorted to deceitful action, and he sought the king’s royal permission to put an end to the arrogant endeavor of the Kuru heroes and withdraw from the assembly, so that his actions might be free from blame. Dhritarashtra, shaken by the charged atmosphere, sent Vidura to bring Duryodhana, along with Dussasana, Karna, and their wicked companions. When Duryodhana was brought before him, Dhritarashtra rebuked him, declaring that with evil intent he and his hopeless allies had sought to harm Narayana, the slayer of demons, and asked whether it was possible to grasp the wind in one’s fist, uproot a mighty mountain, or extinguish a raging forest fire, warning that such folly would lead to swift destruction.
After this admonition, Vidura spoke again to Duryodhana, reminding him of Krishna’s effortless play against demons and devils, and questioning why he should rush toward needless ruin. Then Srikrishna smiled, and gazing upon Duryodhana from above, spoke gently yet firmly, saying that Duryodhana had thought him alone and attempted to seize him in pride and rash enthusiasm. As he smiled, a wondrous vision unfolded: upon his forehead appeared Brahma, upon his chest Rudra, upon his face Agni, and on all sides Indra, Yama, Varuna, Kubera, the twelve Adityas, the Maruts, the Viswadevas, and the Ashwini twins. From his shoulders emerged Balarama with the plough and Arjuna with the Gandiva, and from his sinews appeared Dharmaraja, Bhimasena, Nakula, and Sahadeva. From his thighs issued hosts of Yadu, Vrisni, Bhojaka, and Andhaka warriors, fully armed. The fearful universal form of the Lord shone with countless hands bearing the conch, the Sudarshana chakra, mace, sword, bow, and many divine weapons, while blazing fire streamed from his nostrils and blinding radiance filled the assembly.
Unable to behold that brilliance, many covered their eyes and trembled in fear. Krishna then cast his gracious glance upon Narada, Jamadagni, Kanva, Bhishma, Drona, Vidura, and Sanjaya, granting them divine sight to behold the universal form. Their pure minds were absorbed in sacred ecstasy as celestial music resounded, flowers rained from the sky, and Siddhas, Sadhyas, and Vidyadharas proclaimed victory from the heavens. Hearing the tumult, the son of Ambika reflected upon the universal form manifested by the Lord of the cowherds and prayed humbly, acknowledging Vasudeva as the remover of fear for all who seek refuge, begging forgiveness for his ignorance and seeking the grace of beholding the Lord’s feet. Pleased by this humility, Srikrishna granted him divine vision, revealing within himself the Adityas, the Maruts, the Viswadevas, the Ashwinis, and all celestial hosts.
Overwhelmed with tears of joy, Dhritarashtra declared that he had seen the supreme among gods and men, that his life was fulfilled, and that he wished to see the world again with ordinary sight. Granting his request, Krishna withdrew the divine vision and restored the king’s blindness. He permitted the sages to return to their abodes, and they vanished, after which he clasped the hands of Satyaki and Kritavarma and departed silently from the assembly.
Then Janamejaya questioned Vaisampayana about what followed after Srikrishna left the Kuru assembly, for the pages of history were about to bear witness to the great and momentous events of the Mahabharata.
