side they do not range themselves meets with destruction.  He, on the other hand, on whose side they do range themselves, achieves everything.  Dissuaded (in turns) by both (viz., Ahuka and Akrura,) I do not side either of them.  What can be more painful for a person than to have both Ahuka and Akrura on his side?  What, again, can be more painful for one than not to have both of them on his side?[242] I am like the mother of two brothers gambling against each other, invoking victory to both.  I am thus, O Narada, afflicted by both.  It behoveth thee to tell me that which is for the good of both myself and my kinsmen.’

“Narada said, ’Calamities, O Krishna, are of two kinds, viz., external and internal.  They arise, O thou of Vrishni’s race, from one’s own acts or from the acts of others.  The calamity that has now overtaken thee is an internal one and is born of thy own acts.  Valadeva and others of the Bhoja race are partisans of Akrura, and have taken up his side either for the sake of wealth, or mere caprice, or moved by words or by hate.  As regards thyself, thou hast given away wealth obtained by thee to another.  Though possessed of men who should be your friends, thou hast, however, by thy own act, brought calamity over thy head.  Thou canst not take back that wealth, even as one cannot swallow again the food that he has vomited himself.  The kingdom cannot be taken back from Babhu and Ugrasena (unto whom it has been given).  Thyself, O Krishna, cannot, in particular, take it back (from them) from fear of producing intestine dissensions.  Supposing the endeavour succeeds, it will do so after much trouble and after the accomplishment of the most difficult feats.  A great slaughter and a great loss of wealth will ensue, perhaps, even total destruction.  Use then a weapon that is not made of steel, that is very mild and yet capable of piercing all hearts.  Sharpening and resharpening that weapon correct the tongues of thy kinsmen.’

“Vasudeva said, ’What is that weapon, O sage, which is not made of steel, which is mild, which still pierces all hearts, and which I must use for correcting the tongues of my kinsmen?’

“Narada said, ’The giving of food to the best of thy power, forgiveness, sincerity, mildness, and honour to whom honour is due, these constitute a weapon that is not made of steel.  With soft words alone turn away the anger of kinsmen about the utter cruel speeches, and mollify their hearts and minds and slanderous tongues.  None who is not a great man with cleansed soul and possessed of accomplishments and friends can bear a heavy burthen.  Take up this great weight (of governing the Vrishnis) and bear it on thy shoulders.  All oxen can bear heavy burthens on a level road.  The stronger ones only among them can bear such burthens on a difficult road.  From disunion destruction will spring and overtake all the Bhojas and the Vrishnis.  Thou, O Kesava, art the foremost one among them.  Do thou act