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48 / Ill-motivated Dhrtarastra

Thus being ordered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna,
Akrira visited Hastinapura. Hastinapura is said to be the site of what is
now New Delhi. The part of New Delhi, which is still known as Indra-
prastha, is accepted by people in general as the old capital of the Pandavas.
The very name Hastinapura suggests that there were many hastis, or
elephants. Because the Pandavas kept many elephants in the capital, it was
called Hastinapura. Keeping elephants is a very expensive job; to keep
many elephants, therefore, the kingdom must be very rich, and Hastinapura
was full of elephants, horses, chariots and other opulences. When Akrira
reached Hastinapura, he saw that the capital was full of all kinds of
opulences. The kings of Hastinapura were taken to be the ruling kings of
the whole world. Their fame was widely spread throughout the entire
kingdom, and their administration was conducted under the good counsel
of learned brahmanas.

After seeing the very opulent capital city, Akrira met King Dhrtarastra.
He also saw grandfather Bhisma sitting with him. After meeting them, he
went to see Vidura and then Vidura’s sister, Kunti. One after another, he
saw the son of Somadatta, and the King of Bahlika, Dronacarya, Krpacarya,
Karna and Suyodhana. (Suyodhana is another name of Duryodhana.) He
saw the five Pandava brothers and other friends and relatives living in the
city. Akriira was known as the son of Gandi,so whomever he met was very
pleased to receive him. He was offered a good seat at his receptions, and he
inquired all about his relatives’ welfare and other activities.

Since he was deputed by Lord Krsna to visit Hastinapura, it is under-
stood that he was very intelligent in studying a diplomatic situation.
Dhrtarastra was unlawfully occupying the throne after the death of the
King Pandu, despite the presence of Pandu’s sons. Akriira wanted to study
the whole situation by remaining there. He could understand very well

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