Hearing the words of Sakra, Krishna, who had become a cow-keeper, with a delighted mind replied (92). "O lord of Sachi, I am happy to see you. Nothing, of whatever you have said, will be left off (93). O Sakra, I know your heart. It is not unknown to me that my father’s sister has been given away to the high-souled Pandu and that she has given birth to Arjuna (94). I know also the prince Yudhisthira begotten by Dharma. I know Bhimasena, the multiplier of Vāyu’s (wind-god’s) race. I know also Nakula and Sahadeva begotten on Mādri by the two Aswinis²⁴¹ (95-96). I know also Karna, now known as a charioteer’s son, begotten on my father’s sister in her maidenhood by the Sun²⁴² (97). That Pandu is dead on account of the thunder-like imprecation²⁴³ and that the sons of Dhiitarashtra are desirous of fighting are all known to me (98), O king of gods, returning now to the city of the celestials increase their delight. No enemy will be able to trouble Arjuna when he will be before me (99). When the great war of Bhārata will come to its close, I shall, on account of Arjuna, consign unscathed unto Kunti all the sons of Pandu (100). O king of gods, I am bound by affection and therefore I shall accomplish like a servant what your son Arjuna will command me (101)." Hearing these words of truthful Krishna, the king of gods returned to the city of the celestials (102). ²³⁶ A demi-god of a particular class. ²³⁷ _i.e._ the waters will not overflood their banks as in the rainy season. ²³⁸ _i.e._ installed him as the king of cows. At the time of installation sacred water is sprinkled on the head of a king. ²³⁹ It refers to the battle of Kurukshetra in which all the kings of the world took part. ²⁴⁰ When Vishnu assumed the form of Nārayana Arjuna became his companion as Nara. ²⁴¹ For a detailed account of the birth of all these sons see chapter CXXIII of Adi Parva of Mahabharata. ²⁴² Kunti, while a maid, obtained a boon from the Rishi Durvasa that whomever she would wish to have as her consort, he would at once come to her. To make an experiment she invoked the sun and Karna is the issue of her union with him. The account of his birth is described in one hundred and eleventh chapter of Adi Parva in the Mahabharata. ²⁴³ Once on a time Pandu went out into a forest for hunting. He struck a Rishi’s son who was coupling with his mate in the form of a deer. He imprecated a curse on Pandu saying "As you have killed me in the form of a deer when I was full of desire, so you, O foolish man, will certainly meet with the fate that has fallen me. When you will go to your dear one, full of desire as was the case with me, you will at that time, certainly go to the land of the dead. Your wife will also follow you." See slokas 30, 31, in chapter CXVIII in Sambhava Parva of Adi Parva in the Mahabharata. CHAPTER LXXV. RASA DANCE.