Verse 43

³⁶The Bhagavan knew him for who he was, drew him close with the hand that carries the mark of the wheel, and embraced him, glad, being tender to those who bow. ³⁷And Sankarsana, great of mind, took the bowing man in his arms, and holding his hands in his own hands led him into the house with his younger brother. ³⁸He asked after his coming and offered him a good seat, and washed his feet in the proper way, and brought him the honey-mixture that is an honour. ³⁹And he gave a cow to his guest, and rubbed him where he was tired, and with respect, and with trust, the mighty one set food before him, of many good qualities and fit to be eaten.

⁴⁰When he had eaten, Rama, who knows the highest dharma, made his pleasure greater still with fragrances from the sacrifice, with scents and with garlands. ⁴¹When he had been honoured, Nanda asked him: how do you live, Dasarha, while Kamsa is alive, who shows no one any favour, like sheep in a butcher's keeping? ⁴²He who killed his own sister's little ones while she cried out, greedy for his own life, the wicked one: what good can there be for you, who are his people? That is what we are asking ourselves. ⁴³Made much of in this way by Nanda's true and kindly words and by his asking, Akrura let go the weariness of the road.