Page:The Mahabharata (Kishori Mohan Gangopadhyay, First Edition) Volume 16.djvu/20

Rh wicked ones, those ascetics, with eyes red in wrath, looked at each other and uttered those words. Having said so they then proceeded to see Keçava. The slayer of Madhu, informed of what had taken place, summoned all the Vrishnis and told them of it. Possessed of great intelligence and fully acquainted with what the end of his race would be, he simply said that that which was destined would surely happen. Hrishikeça having said so, entered his mansion. The Lord of the universe did not wish to ordain otherwise. When the next day came, Cāmva actually brought forth an iron bolt through which all the individuals in the race of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas became consumed into ashes. Indeed, for the destruction of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas, Cāmva brought forth, through that curse, a fierce iron bolt that looked like a gigantic messenger of death. The fact was duly reported to the king. In great distress of mind, the king (Ugrasena) caused that iron bolt to be reduced into fine powder. Men were employed, O king, to cast that powder into the sea. At the command of Ahuka, of Janārddana, of Rāma, and of the high-souled Vabhru, it was, again, proclaimed throughout the city, that from that day, among all the Vrishnis and the Andhakas no one should manufacture wines and intoxicating spirits of any kind, and that whoever would secretly manufacture wines and spirits should be impaled alive with all his kinsmen. Through fear of the king, and knowing that it was the command of Rāma also of unimpeachable deeds, all the citizens bound themselves by a rule and abstained from manufacturing wines and spirits."

Vaiçampāyana said,"While the Vrishnis and the Andhakas were thus endeavouring (to avoid the impending calamity), the embodied form of Time (Death) every day wandered about their houses. He looked like a man of terrible and fierce aspect. Of bald head, he was black and tawny of complexion. Sometimes he was seen by the Vrishnis as he peered into their houses. The mighty bowmen among the Vrishnis shot hun-