vipra -- of the brahmana; apatyam -- the child; acakshanah -- not seeing; tatah -- from there; aindrim -- of Lord Indra; agat -- he went; purim -- to the city; agneyim -- the city of the fire-god; nairritim -- the city of the subordinate god of death (Nirriti, who is distinct from Lord Yama); saumyam -- the city of the moon-god; vayavyam -- the city of the wind-god; varunim -- the city of the god of the waters; atha -- then; rasatalam -- the subterranean region; naka-prishtham -- the roof of heaven; dhishnyani -- domains; anyani -- others; udayudhah -- with weapons held ready; tatah -- from them; alabdha -- failing to obtain; dvija -- of the brahmana; sutah -- the son; hi -- indeed; anistirna -- not having fulfilled; pratisrutah -- what he had promised; agnim -- fire; vivikshuh -- about to enter; krishnena -- by Lord Krishna; pratyuktah -- opposed; pratishedhata -- who was trying to convince him to desist.

Not seeing the brahmana's child there, Arjuna went to the cities of Agni, Nirriti, Soma, Vayu and Varuna. With weapons at the ready he searched through all the domains of the universe, from the bottom of the subterranean region to the roof of heaven. Finally, not having found the brahmana's son anywhere, Arjuna decided to enter the sacred fire, having failed to keep his promise. But just as he was about to do so, Lord Krishna stopped him and spoke the following words.