After watching the sad spectacle of Yadavas being decimated by a crazy self-destructive internecine fight with nothing but twigs, which were as strong as iron, Krishna realised that it was time for him to leave this world. The curse which Gandhari sprang upon him was fulfilled as all the able-bodied men of his own clan lay dead on the sea shore of Dwaravati. With his two followers Daruk (his charioteer) and Vabhru he left the spot of carnage to search for the whereabouts of his elder brother Balaram.
They found him sitting thoughtfully, reclining his back against a tree, in a solitary place a little far away. Spotting him Krishna commanded Daruka to visit Hastinapur and inform Arjun about the great self-inflicted slaughter of the entire Yadava clan and ask him to arrive quickly to arrange safe passage of the women from Dwaravati. Filled with grief and sorrow, Daruk left for Hastinapur. Now Krishna asked Vabhru to proceed immediately to the city of Dwaravati and protect the females. Soon after Vabhru left and proceeded to a distance, a bolt of iron , attaching itself to a mallet in the hands of a hunter, suddenly sprang of itself upon him and he too was slayed.
With Vabhru slain, Krishna was now all alone. He called out to Balaram saying – “O brother, wait for me here till I place the ladies under the care of kinsmen. "
Entering the city of Dwaravati, Krishna then met his father. He addressed him with a lot of sadness – “O father, the protection of all the ladies of our house, till Arjun comes now depend on you. Brother Balaram is waiting for me in the forests and I have to meet him. I have just experienced the great carnage of the Yaduvangshis (Yadavas). Just as I witnessed the end of Kurus. It is impossible for me to live in this city anymore without my friends, followers and comrades beside me. Therefore, I will be now proceeding to the woods where I shall practise penances with brother Balaram as company. “
Having said these words, Krishna touched the feet of his father with his head, and quickly left his presence. A loud wail of sorrow arose from the ladies and children of his house. Hearing them weep he retraced his foot-steps and tried to console them saying- “Arjun will come. He will ensure your safety. All of you wait for him. “
Reaching the forest, he found Balaram sitting at the same place in the same position. But now a mighty white snake of thousand heads issued out from his mouth. This was the soul of the great Naga (serpent) which was leaving the human body it had occupied for so many years. It went ahead and got submerged into the sea and thereafter in eternity.
After watching his brother departing the mortal world of humans in this manner, Krishna could understand that it was now time for him also to bid goodbye to all things mortal. He remembered the whole life he spent on this earth and went into a yogic posture.
Restraining his senses, speech and mind in that posture, Krishna waited to establish the certainty of mortal existence, by death. Just then a fierce hunter named Jara came thereabout looking to hunt a deer. Mistaking Krishna to be one, he shot an arrow which pierced him at the heel. Coming up to the spot to capture his prey, Jara was stricken with grief and fear at his own handiwork. He fell down on the ground to touch the feet of the Lord and begged forgiveness. Comforting him, Krishna left the body and ascended heavenwards.
A life that was destined to change the world and set upon a new order thus ended. Krishna is revered and regarded as the part and mortal reincarnation of Narayana or Vishnu, one of the trinities that rule the three Lokas (dimensions). His life is an inspiration for many humans till this day.
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