Dhritarashtra said Repeat to me, who am asking, all that you have said regarding the Lotus-eyed (Krishna), so that by knowing the meaning of his names and his action I may attain to that best among male beings.

Sanjaya said The blessed list of name of the son of Vasudeva has been heard by me, from which it seems, so far as I can judge, that Keshava is immeasurable.

From his covering all creatures with illusion, from his being the support of the world and from his being of divine origin, he is know as Vasudeva. He is called Vishnu, owing to the fact of his pervading everything.

From his practice of asceticism, from the application of his energy to the supreme truth and from his asceticism know him to be Madhava. O Bharata; and from his having within himself the essence of everything and from the fact of his killing Madhu, he is called Madhusudana.

Krishi is a word denotes existence; and may denotes eternal tranquility. From the combination of these two states is Vishnu, born of the Satvata race, called Krishna.

Pundarika means the eternal regions; and Akshya ever means that which has no waste. From a combination of these two states is he called Pundarikaksha; and form his causing fear in wicked beings is he Janardana.

Since he is never dissociated from Sattva and since also Sattva is never dissociated from him; therefore is he called Sattavata. Owing to (the knowledge of) the Vedas being the eyes by which he is seen and the Vedas being the eyes through which he sees, he is called Vrishabha (Vedas) and Ikshana (eyes).

Not being born in the usual way, that conqueror of armies is called Aja; and from his being conspicuous among the gods and from his self-control is the Lord called Damodara.

From the combination of the words, eternal happiness (hrishika) and the attributes of divinity (isha) is he called Hrishikesha. He is known as Mahabahu in the Smritis, as by his two arms he supports the earth and the sky.

Since he never falls down; nor he is wasted away; therefore, he is called Adhokshaja; and he is known as Narayana in the Smritis, as he is the refuge of human beings.

From his creating and preserving beings (Parva) and from destroying them (Sa) is he called Purushottama, as also from his being the creator of causes and effects which are also lost in him in the end.

Owing to his constant knowledge of everything is he called Sarva. Krishna is established on truth and truth is established on him.

The name of Govinda is truth; because he is Truth of truths. Owing to his strength he is called Vishnu; and owing to his victory over the gods he is called Jishnu.

Owing to his eternity is he called Ananta; and Govinda, owing to his control over the senses. He can make the unreal appear as the real, by which he deceives all creatures.

The divine slayer of Madhu, who has these qualities and who ever is attached to virtue, that being with long arms, who under goes no waste, will come here to see that there is no unnecessary slaughter.