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diff --git a/old/11894-h.zip b/old/11894-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..19d655e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/11894-h.zip diff --git a/old/11894-h/11894-h.htm b/old/11894-h/11894-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..803a41b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/11894-h/11894-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,14941 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta name="generator" content= +"HTML Tidy for Solaris (vers 1st October 2003), see www.w3.org"> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= +"text/html; charset=us-ascii"> +<title>The Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Part I</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + * { font-family: Times; } + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + P { text-align: justify;} + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + span.pagenum {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; font-size: 8pt;} + .footnote {font-size: 0.9em;} + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%; margin-left: 25%; margin-right: 25%;} + --> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Bk. +3 Pt. 1, by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Bk. 3 Pt. 1 + +Author: Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa + +Release Date: April 3, 2004 [EBook #11894] +Last Updated: March 10, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAHABHARATA BK.3 PT. 1 *** + + + + +Produced by John B. Hare, Juliet Sutherland, David King, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + +</pre> + +<h1>THE MAHABHARATA</h1> +<h1>VANA PARVA, PART I</h1> +<h2>SECTION I</h2> +<h3>(<i>Aranyaka Parva</i>)</h3> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 1]</span> +<p>Om! Having bowed down to Narayana, and Nara the foremost of male +beings, and the goddess Saraswati also, must the word <i>Jaya</i> +be uttered.</p> +<p>Janamejaya said, "O thou foremost of regenerate ones, +deceitfully defeated at dice by the sons of Dhritarashtra and their +counsellors, incensed by those wicked ones that thus brought about +a fierce animosity, and addressed in language that was so cruel, +what did the Kuru princes, my ancestors—the sons of +Pritha—(then) do? How also did the sons of Pritha, equal unto +Sakra in prowess, deprived of affluence and suddenly overwhelmed +with misery, pass their days in the forest? Who followed the steps +of those princes plunged in excess of affliction? And how did those +high souled ones bear themselves and derive their sustenance, and +where did they put up? And, O illustrious ascetic and foremost of +Brahmanas, how did those twelve years (of exile) of those warriors +who were slayers of foes, pass away in the forest? And undeserving +of pain, how did that princess, the best of her sex, devoted to her +husbands, eminently virtuous, and always speaking the truth, endure +that painful exile in the forest? O thou of ascetic wealth tell me +all this in detail, for, O Brahmana, I desire to hear thee narrate +the history of those heroes possessed of abundant prowess and +lustre. Truly my curiosity is great."</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Thus defeated at dice and incensed by the +wicked sons of Dhritarashtra and their counsellors, the sons of +Pritha set out from Hastinapura. And issuing through +<i>Vardhamana</i> gate of the city, the Pandavas bearing their +weapons and accompanied by Draupadi set out in a northerly +direction. Indrasena and others, with servants numbering altogether +fourteen, with their wives, followed them on swift cars. And the +citizens learning of their departure became overwhelmed with +sorrow, and began to censure Bhishma and Vidura and Drona and +Gautama. And having met together they thus addressed one another +fearlessly.</p> +<p>"'Alas, our families, we ourselves, and our homes are all gone, +when the wicked Duryodhana, backed by the son of Suvala, by Karna +and Dussasana, aspireth to this kingdom. And, Oh, our families, our +(ancestral) usages, our virtue and prosperity, are all doomed where +this sinful wretch supported by wretches as sinful aspireth to the +kingdom! And, Oh, how <span class="pagenum">[Pg 2]</span> can +happiness be there where these are not! Duryodhana beareth malice +towards all superiors, hath taken leave of good conduct, and +quarreleth with those that are near to him in blood. Covetous and +vain and mean, he is cruel by nature. The whole earth is doomed +when Duryodhana becometh its ruler. Thither, therefore, let us +proceed whither the merciful and high-minded sons of Pandu with +passions under control and victorious over foes, and possessed of +modesty and renown, and devoted to pious practices, repair!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "And saying this, the citizens went after the +Pandavas, and having met them, they all, with joined hands, thus +addressed the sons of Kunti and Madri.</p> +<p>"'Blest be ye! Where will ye go, leaving us in grief? We will +follow you whithersoever ye will go! Surely have we been distressed +upon learning that ye have been deceitfully vanquished by +relentless enemies! It behoveth you not to forsake us that are your +loving subjects and devoted friends always seeking your welfare and +employed in doing what is agreeable to you! We desire not to be +overwhelmed in certain destruction living in the dominions of the +Kuru king. Ye bulls among men, listen as we indicate the merits and +demerits springing respectively from association with what is good +and bad! As cloth, water, the ground, and sesame seeds are perfumed +by association with flowers, even so are qualities ever the product +of association. Verily association with fools produceth an illusion +that entangleth the mind, as daily communion with the good and the +wise leadeth to the practice of virtue. Therefore, they that desire +emancipation should associate with those that are wise and old and +honest and pure in conduct and possessed of ascetic merit. They +should be waited upon whose triple possessions, <i>viz</i>., +knowledge (of the <i>Vedas</i>), origin and acts, are all pure, and +association with them is even superior to (the study of the) +scriptures. Devoid of the religious acts as we are, we shall yet +reap religious merit by association with the righteous, as we +should come by sin by waiting upon the sinful. The very sight and +touch of the dishonest, and converse and association with them, +cause diminution of virtue, and men (that are doomed to these), +never attain purity of mind. Association with the base impaireth +the understanding, as, indeed, with the indifferent maketh it +indifferent, while communion with the good ever exalteth it. All +those attributes which are spoken of in the world as the sources of +religious merit, of worldly prosperity and sensual pleasures, which +are regarded by the people, extolled in the <i>Vedas</i>, and +approved by the well-behaved, exist in you, separately and jointly! +Therefore, desirous of our own welfare, we wish to live amongst you +who possess those attributes!'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'Blessed are we since the people with the +Brahmanas at their head, moved by affection and compassion credit +us <span class="pagenum">[Pg 3]</span> with merits we have not. I, +however, with my brothers, would ask all of you to do one thing. Ye +should not, through affection and pity for us, act otherwise! Our +grandfather Bhishma, the king (Dhritarashtra), Vidura, my mother +and most of my well-wishers, are all in the city of Hastinapura. +Therefore, if ye are minded to seek our welfare, cherish ye them +with care, uniting together as they are overwhelmed with sorrow and +afflictions. Grieved at our departure, ye have come far! Go ye +back, and let your hearts be directed with tenderness towards the +relatives I entrust to you as pledges! This, of all others, is the +one act upon which my heart is set, and by doing this ye would give +me great satisfaction and pay me your best regards!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Thus exhorted by Yudhishthira the just, +the people in a body set up a loud wail exclaiming,—<i>Alas, +O king!</i> And afflicted and overwhelmed with sorrow on +remembering the virtues of Pritha's son, they unwillingly retraced +their steps asking leave of the Pandavas.</p> +<p>"The citizens having ceased to follow, the Pandavas ascended +their cars, and setting out reached (the site of) the mighty banian +tree called <i>Pramana</i> on the banks of the Ganges. And reaching +the site of the banian tree about the close of the day, the heroic +sons of Pandu purified themselves by touching the sacred water, and +passed the night there. And afflicted with woe they spent that +night taking water alone as their sole sustenance. Certain +Brahmanas belonging to both classes, <i>viz</i>., those that +maintained the sacrificial fire and those that maintained it not, +who had, with their disciples and relatives, out of affection +followed the Pandavas thither also passed the night with them. And +surrounded by those utterers of <i>Brahma</i>, the king shone +resplendent in their midst. And that evening, at once beautiful and +terrible, those Brahmanas having lighted their (sacred) fires, +began to chant the <i>Vedas</i> and hold mutual converse. And those +foremost of Brahmanas, with swan-sweet voices spent the night, +comforting that best of Kurus—the king."</p> +<h2>SECTION II</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "When that night passed away and day broke +in, those Brahmanas who supported themselves by mendicancy, stood +before the Pandavas of exalted deeds, who were about to enter the +forest. Then king Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, addressed them, +saying, 'Robbed of our prosperity and kingdom, robbed of +everything, we are about to enter the deep woods in sorrow, +depending for our food on fruits and roots, and the produce of the +chase. The forest too is full of dangers, and abounds with reptiles +and beasts of prey. It appeareth <span class="pagenum">[Pg +4]</span> to me that ye will certainly have to suffer much +privation and misery there. The sufferings of the Brahmanas might +overpower even the gods. That they would overwhelm me is too +certain. Therefore, O Brahmana, go ye back whithersoever ye +list!'</p> +<p>"The Brahmanas replied, 'O king, our path is even that on which +ye are for setting out! It behoveth thee not, therefore, to forsake +us who are thy devoted admirers practising the true religion! The +very gods have compassion upon their worshippers,—specially +upon Brahmanas of regulated lives!'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'Ye regenerate ones, I too am devoted to the +Brahmanas! But this destitution that hath overtaken me overwhelmed +me with confusion! These my brothers that are to procure fruits and +roots and the deer (of the forest) are stupefied with grief arising +from their afflictions and on account of the distress of Draupadi +and the loss of our kingdom! Alas, as they are distressed, I cannot +employ them in painful tasks!'</p> +<p>"The Brahmanas said, 'Let no anxiety, O king, in respect of our +maintenance, find a place in thy heart! Ourselves providing our own +food, we shall follow thee, and by meditation and saying our +prayers we shall compass thy welfare while by pleasant converse we +shall entertain thee and be cheered ourselves.'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'Without doubt, it must be as ye say, for I +am ever pleased with the company of the regenerate ones! But my +fallen condition maketh me behold in myself an object of reproach! +How shall I behold you all, that do not deserve to bear trouble, +out of love for me painfully subsisting upon food procured by your +own toil? Oh, fie upon the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Saying this, the weeping king sat +himself down upon the ground. Then a learned Brahmana, Saunaka by +name versed in self-knowledge and skilled in the <i>Sankhya</i> +system of yoga, addressed the king, saying, 'Causes of grief by +thousands, and causes of fear by hundreds, day after day, overwhelm +the ignorant but not the wise. Surely, sensible men like thee never +suffer themselves to be deluded by acts that are opposed to true +knowledge, fraught with every kind of evil, and destructive of +salvation. O king, in thee dwelleth that understanding furnished +with the eight attributes which is said to be capable of providing +against all evils and which resulteth from a study of the <i>Sruti +(Vedas)</i> and scriptures! And men like unto thee are never +stupefied, on the accession of poverty or an affliction overtaking +their friends, through bodily or mental uneasiness! Listen, I shall +tell the <i>slokas</i> which were chanted of old by the illustrious +Janaka touching the subject of controlling the self! This world is +afflicted with both bodily and mental suffering. Listen now to the +means of allaying it as I indicate them both briefly and in detail. +Disease, contact with painful things, toil and want of objects +desired.—these are the four causes that induce bodily +suffering. And <span class="pagenum">[Pg 5]</span> as regards +disease, it may be allayed by the application of medicine, while +mental ailments are cured by seeking to forget them by +<i>yoga</i>-meditation. For this reason, sensible physicians first +seek to allay the mental sufferings of their patients by agreeable +converse and the offer of desirable objects. And as a hot iron bar +thrust into a jar maketh the water therein hot, even so doth mental +grief bring on bodily agony. And as water quencheth fire, so doth +true knowledge allay mental disquietude. And the mind attaining +ease, the body findeth ease also. It seemeth that affection is the +root of all mental sorrow. It is affection that maketh every +creature miserable and bringeth on every kind of woe. Verily +affection is the root of all misery and of all fear, of joy and +grief of every kind of pain. From affection spring all purposes, +and it is from affection that spring the love of worldly goods! +Both of these (latter) are sources of evil, though the first (our +purposes) is worse than the second. And as (a small portion of) +fire thrust into the hollow of a tree consumeth the tree itself to +its roots, even so affection, ever so little, destroyeth both +virtue and profit. He cannot be regarded to have renounced the +world who hath merely withdrawn from worldly possessions. He, +however, who though in actual contact with the world regardeth its +faults, may be said to have truly renounced the world. Freed from +every evil passion, soul dependent on nothing with such a one hath +truly renounced the world. Therefore, should no one seek to place +his affections on either friends or the wealth he hath earned. And +so should affection for one's own person be extinguished by +knowledge. Like the lotus-leaf that is never drenched by water, the +souls of men capable of distinguishing between the ephemeral and +the everlasting, of men devoted to the pursuit of the eternal, +conversant with the scriptures and purified by knowledge, can never +be moved by affection. The man that is influenced by affection is +tortured by desire; and from the desire that springeth up in his +heart his thirst for worldly possessions increaseth. Verily, this +thirst is sinful and is regarded as the source of all anxieties. It +is this terrible thirst, fraught with sin that leaneth unto +unrighteous acts. Those find happiness that can renounce this +thirst, which can never be renounced by the wicked, which decayeth +not with the decay of the body, and which is truly a fatal disease! +It hath neither beginning nor end. Dwelling within the heart, it +destroyeth creatures, like a fire of incorporeal origin. And as a +faggot of wood is consumed by the fire that is fed by itself, even +so doth a person of impure soul find destruction from the +covetousness born of his heart. And as creatures endued with life +have ever a dread of death, so men of wealth are in constant +apprehension of the king and the thief, of water and fire and even +of their relatives. And as a morsel of meat, if in air, may be +devoured by birds; if on ground by beasts of prey; and if in water +by the fishes; even so is the man of wealth exposed to dangers +wherever he may be. To many the wealth they own is their bane, and +he that beholding happiness in wealth becometh wedded to it, and +knoweth <span class="pagenum">[Pg 6]</span> not true happiness. And +hence accession of wealth is viewed as that which increaseth +covetousness and folly. Wealth alone is the root of niggardliness +and boastfulness, pride and fear and anxiety! These are the +miseries of men that the wise see in riches! Men undergo infinite +miseries in the acquisition and retention of wealth. Its +expenditure also is fraught with grief. Nay, sometimes, life itself +is lost for the sake of wealth! The abandonment of wealth produces +misery, and even they that are cherished by one's wealth become +enemies for the sake of that wealth! When, therefore, the +possession of wealth is fraught with such misery, one should not +mind its loss. It is the ignorant alone who are discontented. The +wise, however, are always content. The thirst of wealth can never +be assuaged. Contentment is the highest happiness; therefore, it +is, that the wise regard contentment as the highest object of +pursuit. The wise knowing the instability of youth and beauty, of +life and treasure-hoards, of prosperity and the company of the +loved ones, never covet them. Therefore, one should refrain from +the acquisition of wealth, bearing the pain incident to it. None +that is rich is free from trouble, and it is for this that the +virtuous applaud them that are free from the desire of wealth. And +as regards those that pursue wealth for purposes of virtue, it is +better for them to refrain altogether from such pursuit, for, +surely, it is better not to touch mire at all than to wash it off +after having been besmeared with it. And, O Yudhishthira, it +behoveth thee not to covet anything! And if thou wouldst have +virtue, emancipate thyself from desire of worldly possessions!'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'O Brahmana, this my desire of wealth is not +for enjoying it when obtained. It is only for the support of the +Brahmanas that I desire it and not because I am actuated by +avarice! For what purpose, O Brahmana, doth one like us lead a +domestic life, if he cannot cherish and support those that follow +him? All creatures are seen to divide the food (they procure) +amongst those that depend on them.<a id="footnotetag1" name= +"footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a> So should +a person leading a domestic life give a share of his food to +<i>Yatis</i> and <i>Brahmacharins</i> that have renounced cooking +for themselves. The houses of the good men can never be in want of +grass (for seat), space (for rest), water (to wash and assuage +thirst), and fourthly, sweet words. To the weary a bed,—to +one fatigued with standing, a seat,—to the thirsty, +water,—and to the hungry, food should ever be given. To a +guest are due pleasant looks and a cheerful heart and sweet words. +The host, rising up, should advance towards the guest, offer him a +seat, and duly worship him. <span class="pagenum">[Pg 7]</span> +Even this is eternal morality. They that perform not the +<i>Agnihotra</i>,<a id="footnotetag2" name= +"footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> do not +wait upon bulls, nor cherish their kinsmen and guests and friends +and sons and wives and servants, are consumed with sin for such +neglect. None should cook his food for himself alone and none +should slay an animal without dedicating it to the gods, the +<i>pitris</i>, and guests. Nor should one eat of that food which +hath not been duly dedicated to the gods and <i>pitris</i>. By +scattering food on the earth, morning and evening, for (the behoof +of) dogs and <i>Chandalas</i> and birds, should a person perform +the <i>Viswedeva</i> sacrifice.<a id="footnotetag3" name= +"footnotetag3"></a><a href="#footnote3"><sup>3</sup></a> He that +eateth the <i>Vighasa</i>, is regarded as eating ambrosia. What +remaineth in a sacrifice after dedication to the gods and the +<i>pitris</i> is regarded as ambrosia; and what remaineth after +feeding the guest is called <i>Vighasa</i> and is equivalent to +ambrosia itself. Feeding a guest is equivalent to a sacrifice, and +the pleasant looks the host casteth upon the guest, the attention +he devoteth to him, the sweet words in which he addresseth him, the +respect he payeth by following him, and the food and drink with +which he treateth him, are the five <i>Dakshinas</i><a id= +"footnotetag4" name="footnotetag4"></a><a href= +"#footnote4"><sup>4</sup></a> in that sacrifice. He who giveth +without stint food to a fatigued wayfarer never seen before, +obtaineth merit that is great, and he who leading a domestic life, +followeth such practices, acquireth religious merit that is said to +be very great. O Brahmana, what is thy opinion on this?'</p> +<p>"Saunaka said, 'Alas, this world is full of contradictions! That +which shameth the good, gratifieth the wicked! Alas, moved by +ignorance and passion and slaves of their own senses, even fools +perform many acts of (apparent merit) to gratify in after-life +their appetites! With eyes open are these men led astray by their +seducing senses, even as a charioteer, who hath lost his senses, by +restive and wicked steeds! When any of the six senses findeth its +particular object, the desire springeth up in the heart to enjoy +that particular object. And thus when one's heart proceedeth to +enjoy the objects of any particular sense a wish is entertained +which in its turn giveth birth to a resolve. And finally, like unto +an insect falling into a flame from love of light, the man falleth +into the fire of temptation, pierced by the shafts of the object of +enjoyment discharged by the desire constituting the seed of the +resolve! And thenceforth blinded by sensual pleasure which he +seeketh without stint, and steeped in dark ignorance and folly +which he mistaketh for a state of happiness, he <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 8]</span> knoweth not himself! And like unto a wheel +that is incessantly rolling, every creature, from ignorance and +deed and desire, falleth into various states in this world, +wandering from one birth to another, and rangeth the entire circle +of existences from a <i>Brahma</i> to the point of a blade of +grass, now in water, now on land, and now against in the air!</p> +<p>"'This then is the career of those that are without knowledge. +Listen now to the course of the wise they that are intent on +profitable virtue, and are desirous of emancipation! The +<i>Vedas</i> enjoin act but <i>renounce</i> (interest in) action. +Therefore, shouldst thou act, renouncing <i>Abhimana</i>,<a id= +"footnotetag5" name="footnotetag5"></a><a href= +"#footnote5"><sup>5</sup></a> performance of sacrifices, study (of +the <i>Vedas</i>), gifts, penance, truth (in both speech and act), +forgiveness, subduing the senses, and renunciation of +desire,—these have been declared to be the eight (cardinal) +duties constituting the true path. Of these, the four first pave +the way to the world of the <i>pitris</i>. And these should be +practised without <i>Abhimana</i>. The four last are always +observed by the pious, to attain the heaven of the gods. And the +pure in spirit should ever follow these eight paths. Those who wish +to subdue the world for purpose of salvation, should ever act fully +renouncing motives, effectually subduing their senses, rigidly +observing particular vows, devotedly serving their preceptors, +austerely regulating their fare, diligently studying the +<i>Vedas</i>, renouncing action as mean and restraining their +hearts. By renouncing desire and aversion the gods have attained +prosperity. It is by virtue of their wealth of yoga<a id= +"footnotetag6" name="footnotetag6"></a><a href= +"#footnote6"><sup>6</sup></a> that the <i>Rudras</i>, and the +<i>Sadhyas</i>, and the <i>Adityas</i> and the <i>Vasus</i>, and +the twin <i>Aswins</i>, rule the creatures. Therefore, O son of +Kunti, like unto them, do thou, O Bharata, entirely refraining from +action with motive, strive to attain success in <i>yoga</i> and by +ascetic austerities. Thou hast already achieved such success so far +as thy debts to thy ancestors, both male and female concerned, and +that success also which is derived from action (sacrifices). Do +thou, for serving the regenerate ones endeavour to attain success +in penances. Those that are crowned with ascetic success, can, by +virtue of that success, do whatever they list; do thou, therefore, +practising asceticism realise all thy wishes.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 9]</span> +<h2>SECTION III</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Yudhishthira the son of Kunti, thus +addressed by Saunaka, approached his priest and in the midst of his +brothers said, 'The Brahmanas versed in the <i>Vedas</i> are +following me who am departing for the forest. Afflicted with many +calamities I am unable to support them. I cannot abandon them, nor +have I the power to offer them sustenance: Tell me, O holy one, +what should be done by me in such a pass.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "After reflecting for a moment seeking to +find out the (proper) course by his <i>yoga</i> powers, Dhaumya, +that foremost of all virtuous men, addressed Yudhishthira, in these +words, 'In days of old, all living beings that had been created +were sorely afflicted with hunger. And like a father (unto all of +them), <i>Savita</i> (the sun) took compassion upon them. And going +first into the northern declension, the sun drew up water by his +rays, and coming back to the southern declension, stayed over the +earth, with his heat centered in himself. And while the sun so +stayed over the earth, the lord of the vegetable world (the moon), +converting the effects of the solar heat (vapours) into clouds and +pouring them down in the shape of water, caused plants to spring +up. Thus it is the sun himself, who, drenched by the lunar +influence, is transformed, upon the sprouting of seeds, into holy +vegetable furnished with the six tastes. And it is these which +constitute the food of all creatures upon the earth. Thus the food +that supporteth the lives of creatures is instinct with solar +energy, and the sun is, therefore, the father of all creatures. Do +thou, hence, O Yudhishthira, take refuge even in him. All +illustrious monarchs of pure descent and deeds are known to have +delivered their people by practising high asceticism. The great +Karttavirya, and Vainya and Nahusha, had all, by virtue of ascetic +meditation preceded by vows, delivered their people from heavy +afflictions. Therefore, O virtuous one, as thou art purified by the +acts do thou likewise, entering upon a file of austerities. O +Bharata, virtuously support the regenerate ones.'"</p> +<p>Janamejaya said, "How did that bull among the Kurus, king +Yudhishthira, for the sake of the Brahmanas adore the sun of +wonderful appearance?"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Listen attentively, O king, purifying +thyself and withdrawing thy mind from every other thing. And, O +king of kings, appoint thou a time. I will tell thee everything in +detail, And, O illustrious one, listen to the one hundred and eight +names (of the sun) as they were disclosed of old by Dhaumya to the +high-souled son of Pritha. Dhaumya said, 'Surya, Aryaman, Bhaga, +Twastri, Pusha, Arka, Savitri, Ravi, <span class="pagenum">[Pg +10]</span> Gabhastimat, Aja, Kala, Mrityu, Dhatri, Prabhakara, +Prithibi, Apa, Teja, Kha, Vayu, the sole stay, Soma, Vrihaspati, +Sukra, Budha, Angaraka, Indra, Vivaswat, Diptanshu, Suchi, Sauri, +Sanaichara, Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Skanda, Vaisravana, Yama, +Vaidyutagni, Jatharagni, Aindhna, Tejasampati, Dharmadhwaja, +Veda-karttri, Vedanga, Vedavahana, Krita, Treta, Dwapara, Kali, +full of every impurity, Kala, Kastha, Muhurtta, Kshapa, Yama, and +Kshana; Samvatsara-kara, Aswattha, Kalachakra, Bibhavasu, Purusha, +Saswata, Yogin, Vyaktavyakta, Sanatana, Kaladhyaksha, +Prajadhyaksha, Viswakarma, Tamounda, Varuna, Sagara, Ansu, Jimuta, +Jivana, Arihan, Bhutasraya, Bhutapati, Srastri, Samvartaka, Vanhi, +Sarvadi, Alolupa, Ananta, Kapila, Bhanu, Kamada, Sarvatomukha, +Jaya, Visata, Varada, Manas, Suparna, Bhutadi, Sighraga, +Prandharana, Dhanwantari, Dhumaketu, Adideva, Aditisuta, +Dwadasatman, Aravindaksha, Pitri, Matri, Pitamaha, Swarga-dwara, +Prajadwara, Mokshadwara, Tripistapa, Dehakarti, Prasantatman, +Viswatman, Viswatomukha, Characharatman, Sukhsmatman, the merciful +Maitreya. These are the hundred and eight names of Surya of +immeasurable energy, as told by the self-create (Brahma). For the +acquisition of prosperity, I bow down to thee, O Bhaskara, blazing +like unto gold or fire, who is worshipped of the gods and the +<i>Pitris</i> and the Yakshas, and who is adored by Asuras, +Nisacharas, and Siddhas. He that with fixed attention reciteth this +hymn at sunrise, obtaineth wife and offspring and riches and the +memory of his former existence, and by reciting this hymn a person +attaineth patience and memory. Let a man concentrating his mind, +recite this hymn. By doing so, he shall be proof against grief and +forest-fire and ocean and every object of desire shall be +his.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Having heard from Dhaumya these words +suitable to the occasion, Yudhishthira the just, with heart +concentrated within itself and purifying it duly, became engaged in +austere meditation, moved by the desire of supporting the +Brahmanas. And worshipping the maker of day with offerings of +flowers and other articles, the king performed his ablutions. And +standing in the stream, he turned his face towards the god of day. +And touching the water of the Ganges the virtuous Yudhishthira with +senses under complete control and depending upon air alone for his +sustenance, stood there with rapt soul engaged in +<i>pranayama</i>.<a id="footnotetag7" name= +"footnotetag7"></a><a href="#footnote7"><sup>7</sup></a> And having +purified himself and restrained his speech, he began to sing the +hymn of praise (to the sun).</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'Thou art, O sun, the eye of the universe. +Thou art the soul of all corporeal existences. Thou art the origin +of all things. Thou art the embodiment of the acts of all religious +men. Thou art the refuge of those versed in the <i>Sankhya</i> +philosophy (the mysteries of the <span class="pagenum">[Pg +11]</span> soul), and thou art the support of the <i>Yogins</i>. +Thou art a door unfastened with bolts. Thou art the refuge of those +wishing for emancipation. Thou sustainest and discoverest the +world, and sanctifiest and supportest it from pure compassion. +Brahmanas versed in the <i>Vedas</i> appearing before thee, adore +thee in due time, reciting the hymns from the respective branches +(of the <i>Vedas</i>) they refer. Thou art the adored of the +<i>Rishis</i>. The <i>Siddhas</i>, and the <i>Charanas</i> and the +<i>Gandharvas</i> and the <i>Yakshas</i>, and the <i>Guhyakas</i>, +and the <i>Nagas</i>, desirous of obtaining boons follow thy car +coursing through the skies. The thirty-three gods<a id= +"footnotetag8" name="footnotetag8"></a><a href= +"#footnote8"><sup>8</sup></a> with Upendra (Vishnu) and Mahendra, +and the order of Vaimanikas<a id="footnotetag9" name= +"footnotetag9"></a><a href="#footnote9"><sup>9</sup></a> have +attained success by worshipping thee. By offering thee garlands of +the celestial <i>Mandaras</i><a id="footnotetag10" name= +"footnotetag10"></a><a href="#footnote10"><sup>10</sup></a> the +best of the <i>Vidyadharas</i> have obtained all their desires. The +<i>Guhyas</i> and the seven orders of the <i>Pitris</i>—both +divine and human—have attained superiority by adoring thee +alone. The <i>Vasus</i>, the <i>Manilas</i>, and the <i>Rudras</i>, +the <i>Sadhyas</i>, the <i>Marichipas</i>, the <i>Valikhilyas</i>, +and the <i>Siddhas</i>, have attained pre-eminence by bowing down +unto thee. There is nothing that I know in the entire seven worlds, +including that of Brahma which is beyond thee. There are other +beings both great and endued with energy; but none of them hath thy +lustre and energy. All light is in thee, indeed, thou art the lord +of all light. In thee are the (five) elements and all intelligence, +and knowledge and asceticism and the ascetic properties.<a id= +"footnotetag11" name="footnotetag11"></a><a href= +"#footnote11"><sup>11</sup></a> The discus by which the wielder of +the <i>Saranga</i><a id="footnotetag12" name= +"footnotetag12"></a><a href="#footnote12"><sup>12</sup></a> +humbleth the pride of Asuras and which is furnished with a +beautiful nave, was forged by Viswakarman with thy energy. In +summer thou drawest, by thy rays, moisture from all corporeal +existences and plants and liquid substances, and pourest it down in +the rainy season. Thy rays warm and scorch, and becoming as clouds +roar and flash with lightning and pour down showers when the season +cometh. Neither fire nor shelter, nor woolen cloths give greater +comfort to one suffering from chilling blasts than thy rays. Thou +illuminest by thy rays the whole Earth with her thirteen islands. +Thou alone are engaged in the welfare of the three worlds. If thou +dost not rise, the universe becometh blind and the learned cannot +employ themselves in the attainment of virtue, wealth and profit. +It is through thy grace that the (three) orders of Brahmanas, +Kshatriyas and Vaisyas are able to perform their various duties and +sacrifices.<a id="footnotetag13" name="footnotetag13"></a><a href= +"#footnote13"><sup>13</sup></a> Those versed in chronology say that +thou art the beginning and thou the end of a day of Brahma, which +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 12]</span> consisteth of a full thousand +<i>Yugas</i>. Thou art the lord of Manus and of the sons of the +Manus, of the universe and of man, of the <i>Manwantaras</i>, and +their lords. When the time of universal dissolution cometh, the +fire <i>Samvartaka</i> born of thy wrath consumeth the three worlds +and existeth alone. And clouds of various hues begotten of thy +rays, accompanied by the elephant Airavata and the thunderbolt, +bring about the appointed deluges. And dividing thyself into twelve +parts and becoming as many suns, thou drinkest up the ocean once +more with thy rays. Thou art called Indra, thou art Vishnu, thou +art Brahma, thou art Prajapati. Thou art fire and thou art the +subtle mind. And thou art lord and the eternal <i>Brahma</i>. Thou +art <i>Hansa</i>, thou art <i>Savitri</i>, thou art <i>Bhanu</i>, +<i>Ansumalin</i>, and <i>Vrishakapi</i>. Thou art <i>Vivaswan, Mihira, +Pusha, Mitra</i>, and <i>Dharma</i>. Thou art thousand-rayed, thou +art <i>Aditya</i>, and <i>Tapana</i>, and the lord of rays. Thou +art <i>Martanda</i>, and <i>Arka</i>, and <i>Ravi</i>, and +<i>Surya</i> and <i>Saranya</i> and maker of day, and +<i>Divakara</i> and <i>Suptasaspti</i>, and <i>Dhumakeshin</i> and +<i>Virochana</i>. Thou art spoken of as swift of speed and the +destroyer of darkness, and the possessor of yellow steeds. He that +reverentially adoreth thee on the sixth or the seventh lunar day +with humility and tranquillity of mind, obtaineth the grace of +Lakshmi. They that with undivided attention adore and worship thee, +are delivered from all dangers, agonies, and afflictions. And they +that hold that thou art everywhere (being the soul of all things) +living long, freed from sin and enjoying an immunity from all +diseases. O lord of all food, it behoveth thee to grant food in +abundance unto me who am desirous of food even for entertaining all +my guests with reverence. I bow also to all those followers of +thine that have taken refuge at thy feet—<i>Mathara</i> and +<i>Aruna</i> and <i>Danda</i> and others, including <i>Asani</i> +and <i>Kshuva</i> and the others. And I bow also to the celestial +mothers of all creatures, <i>viz</i>., Kshuva and <i>Maitri</i> and +the others of the class. O, let them deliver me their +supplicant.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Thus, O great king, was the sun that +purifier of the world, adored (by Yudhishthira). And pleased with +the hymn, the maker of day, self-luminous, and blazing like fire +showed himself to the son of Pandu. And Vivaswan said, 'Thou shall +obtain all that thou desirest. I shall provide thee with food for +five and seven years together. And, O king, accept this +copper-vessel which I give unto thee. And, O thou of excellent +vows, as long as Panchali will hold this vessel, without partaking +of its contents fruits and roots and meat and vegetables cooked in +thy kitchen, these four kinds of food shall from this day be +inexhaustible. And, on the fourteenth year from this, thou shall +regain thy kingdom.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Having said this, the god vanished +away. He that, with the desire of obtaining a boon, reciteth this +hymn concentrating his mind with ascetic abstraction, obtaineth it +from the sun, however difficult of acquisition it may be that he +asketh for. And the person, male <span class="pagenum">[Pg +13]</span> or female, that reciteth or heareth this hymn day after +day, if he or she desireth for a son, obtaineth one, and if riches, +obtaineth them, and if learning acquireth that too. And the person +male or female, that reciteth this hymn every day in the two +twilights, if overtaken by danger, is delivered from it, and if +bound, is freed from the bonds. Brahma himself had communicated +this hymn to the illustrious Sakra, and from Sakra was it obtained +by Narada and from Narada, by Dhaumya. And Yudhishthira, obtaining +it from Dhaumya, attained all his wishes. And it is by virtue of +this hymn that one may always obtain victory in war, and acquire +immense wealth also. And it leadeth the reciter from all sins, to +the solar region."</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Having obtained the boon, the virtuous +son of Kunti, rising from the water, took hold of Dhaumya's feet +and then embraced his brother's. And, O exalted one, wending then +with Draupadi to the kitchen, and adored by her duly, the son of +Pandu set himself to cook (their day's) food. And the clean food, +however little, that was dressed, furnished with the four tastes, +increased and became inexhaustible. And with it Yudhishthira began +to feed the regenerate ones. And after the Brahmanas had been fed, +and his younger brothers also, Yudhishthira himself ate of the food +that remained, and which is called <i>Vighasa</i>. And after +Yudhishthira had eaten, the daughter of Prishata took what +remained. And after she had taken her meal, the day's food became +exhausted.</p> +<p>"And having thus obtained the boon from the maker of day, the +son of Pandu, himself as resplendent as that celestial, began to +entertain the Brahmanas agreeably to their wishes. And obedient to +their priest, the sons of Pritha, on auspicious lunar days and +constellations and conjunctions, performed sacrifices according to +the ordinance, the scriptures, and the <i>Mantras</i>. After the +sacrifices, the sons of Pandu, blessed by the auspicious rites +performed by Dhaumya and accompanied by him, and surrounded also by +the Brahmanas set out for the woods of <i>Kamyaka</i>."</p> +<h2>SECTION IV</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said,—"After the Pandavas had gone to the +forest, Dhritarashtra the son of Amvika, whose knowledge was his +eye,<a id="footnotetag14" name="footnotetag14"></a><a href= +"#footnote14"><sup>14</sup></a> became exceedingly sorrowful. And +seated at his ease the king addressed these words to the virtuous +Vidura of profound intelligence, 'Thy understanding is <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 14]</span> as clear as that of Bhargava.<a id= +"footnotetag15" name="footnotetag15"></a><a href= +"#footnote15"><sup>15</sup></a> Thou knowest also all the +subtleties of morality, and thou lookest on all the Kauravas with +an equal eye. O, tell me what is proper for me and them. O Vidura, +things having thus taken their course, what should we do now? How +may I secure the goodwill of the citizens so that they may not +destroy us to the roots? O, tell us all, since thou art conversant +with every excellent expedient.'</p> +<p>"Vidura said, 'The three-fold purposes, O king (<i>viz</i>., +profit, pleasure, and salvation), have their foundations in virtue, +and the sages say that a kingdom also standeth on virtue as its +basis. Therefore, O monarch, according to the best of thy power, +cherish thou virtuously thy own sons and those of Pandu. That +virtue had been beguiled by wicked souls with Suvala's son at their +head, when thy sons invited the righteous Yudhishthira and defeated +him in the match at dice. O king, of this deed of utter iniquity I +behold this expiation whereby, O chief of the Kurus, thy son, freed +from sin, may win back his position among good men. Let the sons of +Pandu, obtain that which was given unto them by thee. For, verily, +even this is the highest morality that a king should remain content +with his own, and never covet another's possessions. Thy good name +then would not suffer nor would family dissensions ensue, nor +unrighteousness be thine. This then is thy prime duty now,—to +gratify the Pandavas and disgrace Sakuni. If thou wishest to +restore to thy sons the good fortune they have lost, then, O king, +do thou speedily adopt this line of conduct. If thou dost not act +so, the Kurus will surely meet with destruction, for neither +Bhimasena nor Arjuna, if angry, will leave any of their foes +unslain. What is there in the world which is unattainable to those +who cannot among their warriors <i>Savyasachin</i> skilled in arms; +who have the Gandiva, the most powerful of all weapons in the +world, for their bow; and who have amongst them the mighty Bhima +also as a warrior? Formerly, as soon as thy son was born, I told +thee,—<i>Forsake thou this inauspicious child of thine. +Herein lieth the good of thy race.</i>—But thou didst not +then act accordingly. Nor also, O king, have I pointed out to thee +the way of thy welfare. If thou doest as I have counselled, thou +shalt not have to repent afterwards. If thy son consent to reign in +peace jointly with the sons of Pandu, passing thy days in joy thou +shalt not have to repent. Should it be otherwise, abandon thou thy +child for thy own happiness. Putting Duryodhana aside, do thou +install the son of Pandu in the sovereignty, and let, O king, +Ajatasatru, free from passion, rule the earth virtuously. All the +kings of the earth, then, like Vaisyas, will, without delay, pay +homage unto us. And, O king, let Duryodhana and Sakuni and Karna +with alacrity wait upon the Pandavas. And let Dussasana, in open +court, ask forgiveness of Bhimasena and of the daughter of Drupada +also. <span class="pagenum">[Pg 15]</span> And do thou pacify +Yudhishthira by placing him on the throne with every mark of +respect. Asked by thee, what else can I counsel thee to do? By +doing this, O monarch, thou wouldst do what was proper.'</p> +<p>"Dhritarashtra said, 'These words, O Vidura, then thou hast +spoken in this assembly, with reference to the Pandavas and myself, +are for their good but not for ours. My mind doth not approve them. +How hast thou settled all this in thy mind now? When thou hast +spoken all this on behalf of the Pandavas, I perceive that thou art +not friendly to me. How can I abandon my son for the sake of the +sons of Pandu? Doubtless they are my sons, but Duryodhana is sprung +from my body. Who then, speaking with impartiality, will ever +counsel me to renounce my own body for the sake of others? O +Vidura, all that thou sayest is crooked, although I hold thee in +high esteem. Stay or go as thou likest. However much may she be +humoured, an unchaste will forsaketh her husband.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "O king, saying this Dhritarashtra rose +suddenly and went into the inner apartments. And Vidura, saying +'This race is doomed' went away to where the sons of Pritha +were."</p> +<h2>SECTION V</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Desirous of living in the forest, those +bulls of the Bharata race, the Pandavas, with their followers, +setting out from the banks of the Ganges went to the field of +Kurukshetra. And performing their ablutions in the Saraswati, the +Drisadwati and the Yamuna, they went from one forest to another, +travelling in an westernly direction. And at length they saw before +them the woods, Kamyaka, the favourite haunt of <i>Munis</i>, +situated by a level and wild plain on the banks of the Saraswati. +And in those woods, O Bharata, abounding in birds and deer, those +heroes began to dwell, entertained and comforted by the Munis. And +Vidura always longing to see the Pandavas, went in a single car to +the Kamyaka woods abounding in every good thing. And arriving at +Kamyaka on a car drawn by swift steeds, he saw Yudhishthira the +just, sitting with Draupadi at a retired spot, surrounded by his +brothers and the Brahmanas. And seeing Vidura approach from a +distance with swift steps, the virtuous king addressed brother +Bhimasena, saying, 'With what message doth Kshatta come to us? Doth +he come hither, despatched by Sakuni, to invite us again to a game +of dice? Doth the little-minded Sakuni intend to win again our +weapons at dice? O Bhimasena, challenged by any one addressing +me,—Come, I am unable to stay. And if our possession of the +<i>Gandiva</i> becomes doubtful, will not the acquisition of our +kingdom also be so.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 16]</span> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "O king, the Pandavas then rose up and +welcomed Vidura. And received by them, that descendant of the +Ajamida line (Vidura) sat in their midst and made the usual +enquiries. And after Vidura had rested awhile, those bulls among +men asked him the reason of his coming. And Vidura began to relate +unto them in detail everything connected with the bearing of +Dhritarashtra the son of Amvika.</p> +<p>"Vidura said, 'O Ajatasatru, Dhritarashtra called me, his +dependant, before him and honouring me duly said, "Things have +fared thus. Now, do thou tell me what is good for the Pandavas as +well as for me." I pointed out what was beneficial to both the +Kauravas and Dhritarashtra. But what I said was not relished by +him, nor could I hit upon any other course. What I advised was, O +Pandavas, highly beneficial, but the son of Amvika heeded me not. +Even as medicine recommendeth itself not to one that is ill, so my +words failed to please the king. And, O thou without a foe, as all +unchaste wile in the family of a man of pure descent cannot be +brought back to the path of virtue, so I failed to bring +Dhritarashtra back. Indeed, as a young damsel doth not like a +husband of three score, even so Dhritarashtra did not like my +words. Surely, destruction will overtake the Kuru race, surely +Dhritarashtra will never acquire good fortune. For, as water +dropped on a lotus-leaf doth not remain there, my counsels will +fail to produce any effect to Dhritarashtra. The incensed +Dhritarashira told me, O Bharata, go thou thither where thou +likest. Never more shall I seek thy aid in ruling the earth or my +capital,—O best of monarchs, forsaken by king Dhritarashtra, +I come to thee for tendering good counsel. What I had said in the +open court, I will now repeat unto thee. Listen, and bear my words +in mind,—that wise man who bearing all the gross wrong heaped +upon him by his enemies, patiently bideth his time, and multiplieth +his resources even as men by degrees turn a small fire into a large +one, ruleth alone this entire earth. He that (in prosperity) +enjoyeth his substance with his adherents findeth in them sharers +of his adversity,—this is the best means of securing +adherents, and it is said that he that hath adherents, winneth the +sovereignty of the world! And, O Pandava, dividing thy prosperity +with thy adherents, behave truthfully towards them, and converse +with them agreeably! Share also your food with them! And never +boast thyself in their presence! This behaviour increaseth the +prosperity of kings!'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'Having recourse to such high intelligence, +undisturbed by passion, I will do as thou counsellest! And whatever +else thou mayst counsel in respect of time and place, I will +carefully follow entirely.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 17]</span> +<h2>SECTION VI</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "O king, after Vidura had gone to the abode +of the Pandavas, Dhritarashtra, O Bharata, of profound wisdom, +repented of his action. And thinking of the great intelligence of +Vidura in matters connected with both war and peace, and also of +the aggrandisement of the Pandavas in the future, Dhritarashtra, +pained at the recollection of Vidura, having approached the door of +the hall of state fell down senseless in the presence of the +monarchs (in waiting). And regaining consciousness, the king rose +from the ground and thus addressed Sanjaya standing by, 'My brother +and friend is even like the god of justice himself! Recollecting +him today, my heart burneth in grief! Go, bring unto me without +delay my brother well-versed in morality!' Saying this, the monarch +wept bitterly. And burning in repentance, and overwhelmed with +sorrow at the recollection of Vidura, the king, from brotherly +affection, again addressed Sanjaya saying, 'O Sanjaya, go thou and +ascertain whether my brother, expelled by my wretched self through +anger, liveth still! That wise brother of mine of immeasurable +intelligence hath never been guilty of even the slightest +transgression, but, on the other hand, he it is who hath come by +grievous wrong at my hands! Seek him, O wise one, and bring him +hither; else, O Sanjaya, I will lay down my life!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of the king, +Sanjaya expressed his approbation, and saying 'So be it,' went in +the direction of the Kamyaka woods. And arriving without loss of +time at the forest where the sons of Pandu dwelt, he beheld +Yudhishthira clad in deer-skin, seated with Vidura, in the midst of +Brahmanas by thousands and guarded by his brothers, even like +Purandara in the midst of the celestials! And approaching +Yudhishthira, Sanjaya worshipped him duly and was received with due +respect by Bhima and Arjuna and the twins. And Yudhishthira made +the usual enquiries about his welfare and when he had been seated +at his ease, he disclosed the reason of his visit, in these words, +'King Dhritarashtra, the son of Amvika, hath, O Kshatta! remembered +thee! Returning unto him without loss of time, do thou revive the +king! And, O thou best of men, with the permission of these Kuru +princes—these foremost of men—it behoveth thee, at the +command of that lion among kings, to return unto him!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Sanjaya, the +intelligent Vidura, ever attached to his relatives, with the +permission of Yudhishthira returned to the city named after the +elephant. And after he had approached the king, Dhritarashtra of +great energy, the son of Amvika, addressed him, saying, 'From my +good luck alone, O Vidura, thou, O sinless one, of conversant with +morality, hast come here remembering me! <span class="pagenum">[Pg +18]</span> And, O thou bull of the Bharata race, in thy absence I +was beholding myself, sleepless through the day and the night, as +one that hath been lost on earth!' And the king then took Vidura on +his lap and smelt his head, and said, 'Forgive me, O sinless one, +the words in which thou wert addressed by me!' And Vidura said, 'O +king, I have forgiven thee. Thou art my superior, worthy of the +highest reverence! Here am I, having come back, eagerly wishing to +behold thee! All virtuous men, O tiger among men, are +(instinctively) partial towards those that are distressed! This, O +king, is scarcely the result of deliberation! (My partiality to the +Pandavas proceedeth from this cause)! O Bharata, thy sons are as +dear to me as the sons of Pandu, but as the latter are now in +distress, my heart yearneth after them!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "And addressing each other thus in +apologetic speeches, the two illustrious brothers, Vidura and +Dhritarashtra, felt themselves greatly happy!"</p> +<h2>SECTION VII</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Hearing that Vidura had returned, and that +the king had consoled him, the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra +began to burn in grief. His understanding clouded by ignorance, he +summoned the son of Suvala, and Karna and Dussasana, and addressed +them saying, 'The learned Vidura, the minister of the wise +Dhritarashtra, hath returned! The friend of the sons of Pandu, he +is ever engaged in doing what is beneficial to them. So long as +this Vidura doth not succeed in inducing the king to bring them +back, do ye all think of what may benefit me! If ever I behold the +sons of Pritha return to the city, I shall again be emaciated by +renouncing food and drink, even though there be no obstacle in my +path! And I shall either take poison or hang myself, either enter +the pyre or kill myself with my own weapons. But I shall never be +able to behold the sons of Pandu in prosperity!'</p> +<p>"Sakuni said, 'O king, O lord of the earth, what folly hath +taken possession of thee! The Pandavas have gone to the forest, +having given a particular pledge, so that what thou apprehendest +can never take place! O bull of the Bharata race, the Pandavas ever +abide by the truth. They will never, therefore, accept the words of +thy father! If however, accepting the commands of the king, they +come back to the capital, violating their vow, even this would be +our conduct, viz., assuming, an aspect of neutrality, and in +apparent obedience to the will of the monarch, we will closely +watch the Pandavas, keeping our counsels!'</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 19]</span> +<p>"Dussasana said, 'O uncle of great intelligence, it is even as +thou sayest! The words of wisdom thou utterest always recommend +themselves to me!' Karna said, 'O Duryodhana, all of us seek to +accomplish thy will and, O king, I see that unanimity at present +prevaileth among us! The sons of Pandu, with passions under +complete control, will never return without passing away the +promised period. If, however, they do return from failing sense, do +thou defeat them again at dice.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Thus addressed by Karna, king Duryodhana +with cheerless heart, averted his face from his counsellors. +Marking all this, Karna expanding his beautiful eyes, and +vehemently gesticulating in anger, haughtily addressed Duryodhana +and Dussasana and Suvala's son saying, 'Ye princes, know ye my +opinion! We are all servants of the king (Duryodhana) waiting upon +him with joined palms! We should, therefore, do what is agreeable +to him! But we are not always able to seek his welfare with +promptness and activity (owing to our dependence on Dhritarashtra)! +But let us now, encased in mail and armed with our weapons, mount +our cars and go in a body to slay the Pandavas now living in the +forest! After the Pandavas have been quieted and after they have +gone on the unknown journey, both ourselves and the sons of +Dhritarashtra will find peace! As long as they are in distress, as +long as they are in sorrow, as long as they are destitute of help, +so long are we a match for them! This is my mind!'</p> +<p>"Hearing those words of the charioteer's son, they repeatedly +applauded him, and at last exclaimed, 'Very well!' And saying this +each of them mounted his car, and sanguine of success, they rushed +in a body to slay the sons of Pandu. And knowing by his spiritual +vision that they had gone out, the master Krishna-Dwaipayana of +pure soul came upon them, and commanded them to desist. And sending +them away, the holy one, worshipped by all the worlds, quickly +appeared before the king whose intelligence served the purposes of +eye-sight, and who was then seated (at his ease). And the holy one +addressed the monarch thus."</p> +<h2>SECTION VIII</h2> +<p>"Vyasa said, 'O wise Dhritarashtra, hear what I say! I will tell +thee that which is for the great good of all the Kauravas! O thou +of mighty arms, it hath not pleased me that the Pandavas have gone +to the forest dishonestly defeated (at dice) by Duryodhana and +others! O Bharata, on the expiration of the thirteenth year, +recollecting all their woes, they may shower death-dealing weapons, +even like virulent poison, upon the Kauravas! Why doth thy sinful +son of wicked heart, ever inflamed with <span class="pagenum">[Pg +20]</span> ire, seek to slay the sons of Pandu for the sake of +their kingdom? Let the fool be restrained; let thy son remain +quiet! In attempting to slay the Pandavas in exile, he will only +lose his own life. Thou art as honest as the wise Vidura, or +Bhishma, or ourselves, or Kripa, or Drona. O thou of great wisdom, +dissension with one's own kin are forbidden, sinful and +reprehensible! Therefore, O king, it behoveth thee to desist from +such acts! And, O Bharata, Duryodhana looketh with such jealousy +towards the Pandavas that great harm would be the consequence, if +thou didst not interfere. Or let this wicked son of thine, O +monarch, alone and unaccompanied, himself go to the forest and live +with the sons of Pandu. For then, if the Pandavas, from +association, feel an attachment for Duryodhana, then, O king of +men, good fortune may be thine. (This, however, may not be)! For it +hath been heard that one's congenital nature leaveth him not till +death. But what do Bhishma and Drona and Vidura think? What also +dost thou think? That which is beneficial should be done while +there is time, else thy purposes will be unrealised.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION IX</h2> +<p>"Dhritarashtra said, 'O holy one, I did not like this business +of gambling, but, O Muni, I think, I was made to consent to it +drawn by fate! Neither Bhishma, nor Drona, nor Vidura, nor Gandhari +liked this game at dice. No doubt, it was begot of folly. And, O +thou who delightest in the observance of vows, O illustrious one, +knowing everything yet influenced by paternal affection, I am +unable to cast off my senseless son, Duryodhana!'</p> +<p>"Vyasa said, 'O king, O son of Vichitravirya, what thou sayest +is true! We know it well that a son is the best of all things and +that there is nothing that is so good as a son. Instructed by the +tears of Suravi, Indra came to know that the son surpasseth in +worth other valuable possessions. O monarch, I will, in this +connection, relate to thee that excellent and best of stories, the +conversation between Indra and Suravi. In days of yore, Suravi, the +mother of cows was once weeping in the celestial regions. O child, +Indra took compassion upon her, and asked her, saying, "O +auspicious one! why dost thou weep? Is everything well with the +celestials? Hath any misfortune, ever so little, befallen the world +of men or serpents?" Suravi replied, "No evil hath befallen thee +that I perceive. But I am aggrieved on account of my son, and it is +therefore, O Kausika, that I weep! See, O chief of the celestials, +yonder cruel husbandman is belabouring my weak son with the wooden +stick, and oppressing him with the (weight of the) plough, in +consequence of which <span class="pagenum">[Pg 21]</span> my child +agitated with agony is falling upon the ground and is at the point +of death. At sight of this, O lord of the celestials, I am filled +with compassion, and my mind is agitated! The one that is the +stronger of the pair is bearing his burthen of greater weight (with +ease), but, O Vasava, the other is lean, and weak and is a mass of +veins and arteries! He beareth his burthen with difficulty! And it +is for him that I grieve. See, O Vasava, sore inflicted with the +whip, and harassed exceedingly, he is unable to bear his burthen. +And it is for him that, moved by grief, I weep in heaviness of +heart and these tears of compassion trickle down my eyes!"</p> +<p>"'Sakra said, "O fair one, when thousands of thy son are (daily) +oppressed, why dost thou grieve for one under infliction?" Suravi +replied. "Although I have a thousand offspring, yet my affections +flow equally towards all! But, O Sakra, I feel greater compassion +for one that is weak and innocent!"</p> +<p>"Vyasa continued, 'Then Indra having heard these words of +Suravi, was much surprised, and O thou of the Kuru race, he became +convinced that a son is dearer than one's life! And the illustrious +chastiser of Paka thereupon suddenly poured there a thick shower +and caused obstruction to the husbandman's work. And as Suravi +said, thy affections, O king, equally flow towards all thy sons. +Let them be greater towards those that are weak! And as my son +Pandu is to me, so art thou, O son, and so also Vidura of profound +wisdom! It is out of affection that I tell you all this! O Bharata, +thou art possessed of a hundred and one sons, but Pandu hath only +five. And they are in a bad plight and passing <i>their</i> days in +sorrow. <i>How may they save their lives, how may they thrive</i> +such thoughts regarding the distressed sons of Pritha continually +agitate my soul! O king of the earth, if thou desirest all the +Kauravas to live, let thy son Duryodhana make peace with the +Pandavas!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION X</h2> +<p>"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Muni of profound wisdom, it is even as +thou sayest! I know it well as do all these kings! Indeed, what +thou considerest to be beneficial for the Kurus was pointed out to +me, O Muni, by Vidura and Bhishma and Drona. And, if I deserve thy +favour, and if thou hast kindness for the Kurus, do thou exhort my +wicked son Duryodhana!'</p> +<p>"Vyasa said, 'O king, after having seen the Pandava brothers, +here cometh the holy Rishi Maitreya, with the desire of seeing us. +That mighty Rishi, O king, will admonish thy son for the welfare of +this race. <span class="pagenum">[Pg 22]</span> And, O Kauravya, +what he adviseth must be followed undoubtingly, for if what he +recommendeth is not done, the sage will curse thy son in +anger.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Saying this, Vyasa departed, and +Maitreya made his appearance. And the king with his son +respectfully received that way-worn chief of Munis, with offerings +of the Arghya and other rites. And king Dhritarashtra, the son of +Amvika, in words of respect thus addressed the sage, 'O holy one, +hath journey from the <i>Kuru-jangala</i> been a pleasant one? Are +those heroes, the five Pandavas living happily? Do those bulls of +the Kuru race intend to stay out their time? Will the brotherly +affection of the Kauravas ever be impaired?'</p> +<p>"Maitreya said, 'Setting out on a pilgrimage to the different +shrines, I arrived at <i>Kuru-jangala</i>, and there I unexpectedly +saw Yudhishthira the just in the woods of Kamyaka. And, O exalted +one, many Munis had come there to behold the high-souled +Yudhishthira, dwelling in an ascetic asylum, clad in deer-skin and +wearing matted locks. It was there, O king of kings, that I heard +of the grave error committed by thy sons and the calamity and +terrible danger arisen from dice that had overtaken them. +Therefore, it is that I have come to thee, for the good of the +Kauravas, since, O exalted one, my affection is great for thee and +I am delighted with thee! O king, it is not fit that thy sons +should on any account quarrel with one another, thyself and Bhishma +living. Thou art, O king, the stake at which bulls are tied (in +treading corn), and thou art competent to punish and reward! Why +dost thou overlook then this great evil that is about to overtake +all? And, O descendant of the Kurus, for those wrongs that have +been perpetrated in thy court, which are even like the acts of +wretched outcasts, thou art not well-thought amongst the +ascetics!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Then turning to the wrathful prince +Duryodhana, the illustrious Rishi Maitreya addressed him in these +soft words, 'O mighty-armed Duryodhana, O best of all eloquent men, +O illustrious one, give heed unto the words I utter for thy good! O +king, seek not to quarrel with the Pandavas! And, O bull among men, +compass thou thy own good as also of the Pandavas, of the Kurus and +of the world! All those tigers among men are heroes of high prowess +in war, gifted with the strength of ten thousand elephants, with +bodies hard as the thunderbolt, holding fast by their promises, and +proud of their manliness! They have slain the enemies of the +celestials—those Rakshasas capable of assuming any form at +will, such as were headed by Hidimva and Kirmira! When those +high-souled ones went from hence that Rakshasa of fierce soul +obstructed their nocturnal path even like an immoveable hill. And +even as a tiger slayeth a little deer, Bhima, that foremost of all +endued with strength, and ever delighted in fight, slew that +monster. Consider also, O king, how while out on his campaign of +conquest, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 23]</span> Bhima slew in battle +that mighty warrior, Jarasandha, possessing the strength of ten +thousand elephants. Related to Vasudeva and having the sons of king +Drupada as their brothers-in-law, who that is subject to +decrepitude and death would undertake to cope with them in battle? +O bull of the Bharata race, let there be peace between thee and +Pandavas! Follow thou my counsels and surrender not thyself to +anger!'</p> +<p>"O king, thus admonished by Maitreya, Duryodhana began to slap +his thigh resembling the trunk of the elephant, and smilingly began +to scratch the ground with his foot. And the wicked wretch spake +not a word, but hung down his head. And, O monarch, beholding +Duryodhana thus offer him a slight by scratching the earth +silently, Maitreya became angry. And, as if commissioned by fate, +Maitreya, the best of Munis, overwhelmed by wrath, set his mind +upon cursing Duryodhana! And then, with eyes red in anger, +Maitreya, touching water, cursed the evil-minded son of +Dhritarashtra, saying, 'Since, slighting me thou declinest to act +according to my words, thou shalt speedily reap the fruit of this +thy insolence! In the great war which shall spring out of the +wrongs perpetrated by thee, the mighty Bhima shall smash that thigh +of thine with a stroke of his mace!'</p> +<p>"When the Muni had spoken so, king Dhritarashtra began to pacify +the sage, in order that what he had said might not happen. But +Maitreya said, 'O king, if thy son concludeth peace with the +Pandavas, this curse of mine, O child, will not take effect, +otherwise it must be as I have said!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Desirous of ascertaining the might of Bhima, +that foremost of kings, the father of Duryodhana, then asked +Maitreya, saying, 'How was Kirmira slain by Bhima?'</p> +<p>"Maitreya said, 'I shall not speak again unto thee, O king, for +my words are not regarded by thy son. After I have gone away, +Vidura will relate everything unto thee!' And saying this, Maitreya +went away to the place whence he had come. And Duryodhana also went +out perturbed at the tidings of Kirmira's death (at the hand of +Bhima)."</p> +<h2>SECTION XI</h2> +<h3>(<i>Kirmirabadha Parva</i>)</h3> +<p>"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Kshatta, I am desirous to hear of the +destruction of Kirmira! Do thou tell me how the encounter took +place between the Rakshasa and Bhimasena!'</p> +<p>"Vidura said, 'Listen to the story of that feat of Bhimasena of +superhuman achievements! I have often heard of it in course of my +conversation with the Pandavas (while I was with them). +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 24]</span> O foremost of kings, defeated +at dice the Pandavas departed from hence and travelling for three +days and nights they at length reached those woods that go by the +name of Kamyaka. O king, just after the dreadful hour of midnight +when all nature is asleep, when man-eating Rakshasas of terrible +deeds begin to wander, the ascetics and the cowherds and other +rangers of the forest used to shun the woods of Kamyaka and fly to +a distance from fear of cannibals. And, O Bharata, as the Pandavas +were at this hour entering those woods a fearful Rakshasa of +flaming eyes appeared before them with a lighted brand, obstructing +their path. And with outstretched arms and terrible face, he stood +obstructing the way on which those perpetuators of the Kuru race +were proceeding. With eight teeth standing out, with eyes of +coppery hue, and with the hair of his head blazing and standing +erect, the fiend looked like a mass of clouds reflecting the rays +of the sun or mingled with lightning flashes and graced with flocks +of cranes underneath on their wings. And uttering frightful yells +and roaring like a mass of clouds charged with rain, the fiend +began to spread the illusion proper to his species. Hearing that +terrible roar, birds along with other creatures that live on land +or in water, began to drop down in all directions, uttering cries +of fear. And in consequence of the deer and the leopards and the +buffaloes and the bears flying about in all directions, it seemed +as if the forest itself was in motion. And swayed by the wind +raised by the sighs of the Rakshasa, creepers growing at a great +distance seemed to embrace the trees with their arms of coppery +leaves. And at that moment, a violent wind began to blow, and the +sky became darkened with the dust that covered it. And as grief is +the greatest enemy of the object of the five senses, even so +appeared before the Pandavas that unknown foe of theirs. And +beholding the Pandavas from a distance clad in black deer-skins, +the Rakshasa obstructed their passage through the forest even like +the <i>Mainaka</i> mountain. And at the sight of him never seen +before the lotus-eyed Krishna, agitated with fear, closed her eyes. +And she whose braids had been dishevelled by the hand of Dussasana, +stationed in the midst of the five Pandavas, looked like a stream +chafing amid five hills. And seeing her overwhelmed with fear the +five Pandavas supported her as the five senses influenced by desire +adhere to the pleasures relating to their objects. And Dhaumya of +great (ascetic) energy, in the presence of the sons of Pandu, +destroyed the fearful illusion that had been spread by the +Rakshasa, by applying various <i>mantras</i>, calculated to destroy +the Rakshasa. And beholding his illusion dispelled, the mighty +Rakshasa of crooked ways, capable of assuming any form at will, +expanded his eyes in wrath and seemed like death himself. Then king +Yudhishthira, endued with great wisdom, addressed him saying, 'Who +art thou, and whose (son)? Tell us what we should do for thee.' The +Rakshasa thus addressed, answered Yudhishthira the just, saying, 'I +am the brother of Vaka, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 25]</span> the +celebrated Kirmira. I live at ease in these deserted woods of +Kamyaka, daily procuring my food by vanquishing men in fight. Who +are ye that have come near me in the shape of my food? Defeating ye +all in fight, I will eat ye with pleasure.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "O Bharata, hearing these words of the +wretch, Yudhishthira announced his own name and lineage, saying, 'I +am king Yudhishthira the just, the son of Pandu, of whom thou mayst +have heard. Deprived of my kingdom, I have with my brothers +Bhimasena and Arjuna and the others, in course of my wanderings, +come into this terrible forest which is thy dominion, desirous of +passing my period of exile here!'</p> +<p>"Vidura continued, 'Kirmira said unto Yudhishthira, "By good +luck it is that fate hath accomplished today my long-accomplished +desire! With weapons upraised have I been continually ranging the +entire earth with the object of slaying Bhima. But Bhima I had +found not. By good luck it is that slayer of my brother, whom I had +been seeking so long, hath come before me! It was he who in the +disguise of a Brahmana slew my dear brother Vaka in the +<i>Vetrakiya</i> forest by virtue of his science. He hath truly no +strength of arms! It is also this one of wicked soul who formerly +slew my dear friend Hidimva, living in this forest and ravished his +sister! And that fool hath now come into this deep forest of mine, +when the night is half spent, even at the time when we wander +about! Today I will wreak my long-cherished vengeance upon him, and +I will today gratify (the manes of) Vaka with his blood in plenty! +By slaying this enemy of the Rakshasas, I shall today be freed from +the debt I owe to my friend and my brother, and thereby attain +supreme happiness! If Bhimasena was let free formerly by Vaka, +today, I will devour him in thy sight, O Yudhishthira! And even as +Agastya ate up and digested the mighty Asura (Vatapi) I will eat up +and digest this Bhima!"'</p> +<p>"Vidura continued, 'Thus addressed by the Rakshasa, the virtuous +Yudhishthira, steadfast in his pledges, said, "It can never be +so,"—and in anger rebuked the Rakshasa. The mighty-armed +Bhima then tore up in haste a tree of the length of ten +<i>Vyasas</i> and stripped it of its leaves. And in the space of a +moment the ever-victorious Arjuna stringed his bow <i>Gandiva</i> +possessing the force of the thunderbolt. And, O Bharata, making +Jishnu desist, Bhima approached that Rakshasa still roaring like +the clouds and said unto him, "<i>Stay! Stay!</i>" And thus +addressing the cannibal, and tightening the cloth around his waist, +and rubbing his palms, and biting his nether lip with his teeth, +and armed with the tree, the powerful Bhima rushed towards the foe. +And like unto Maghavat hurling his thunderbolt, Bhima made that +tree, resembling the mace of Yama himself descend with force on the +head of the cannibal. The Rakshasa, however, was seen to remain +unmoved at that blow, and <span class="pagenum">[Pg 26]</span> +wavered not in the conflict. On the other hand, he hurled his +lighted brand, flaming like lightning, at Bhima. But that foremost +of warriors turned it off with his left foot in such a way that it +went back towards the Rakshasa. Then the fierce Kirmira on his +part, all on a sudden uprooting a tree darted to the encounter like +unto the mace-bearing Yama himself. And that fight, so destructive +of the trees, looked like the encounter in days of yore between the +brothers Vali and Sugriva for the possession of the same woman. And +the trees struck at the heads of the combatants, were broken into +splinters, like lotus-stalks thrown on the temples of infuriate +elephants. And in that great forest, innumerable trees, crushed +like unto reeds, lay scattered as rags. That encounter with trees +between that foremost of Rakshasas and that best of men, O thou +bull of the Bharata race, lasted but for a moment. Then taking up a +crag, the angry Rakshasa hurled it at Bhima standing before him, +but the latter wavered not. Then like unto Rahu going to devour the +sun dispersing his rays with extended arms, the Rakshasa with +out-stretched arms darted towards Bhima, who had remained firm +under the blow inflicted with the crag. And tugging at and +grappling with each other in diverse ways they appeared like two +infuriate bulls struggling with each other. Or like unto two mighty +tigers armed with teeth and claws, the encounter between them waxed +fierce and hard. And remembering their (late) disgrace at the hands +of Duryodhana, and proud of the strength of his arms, and conscious +also of Krishna looking at him, Vrikodara began to swell in vigour. +And fired with anger, Bhima seized the Rakshasa with his arms, as +one elephant in rut seizeth another. And the powerful Rakshasa also +in his turn seized his adversary, but Bhimasena that foremost of +all men endued with strength, threw the cannibal down with +violence. The sounds that in consequence of those mighty combatants +pressing each other's hands, were frightful and resembled the +sounds of splintering bamboos. And hurling the Rakshasa down, +seized him by the waist, and began to whirl him about, even as +fierce hurricane shaketh a tree. And thus seized by the mighty +Bhima, the fatigued Rakshasa, became faint, and trembling all over, +he still pressed the (Pandava) with all his strength. And finding +him fatigued, Vrikodara, twined his own arms round the foe, even as +one bindeth a beast with cord. And the monster thereupon began to +roar frightfully, as a trumpet out of order. And the mighty +Vrikodara for a long while whirled the Rakshasa till the latter +appeared to be insensible, and began to move convulsively. And +finding the Rakshasa exhausted, the son of Pandu without loss of +time took him up in his arms, and slew him like a beast. And +placing his knee on the waist of that wretch of Rakshasa, +<i>Vrikodara</i> began to press the neck of the foe with his hands. +Then Bhima, dragging along the earth the bruised body of the +Rakshasa with the eye-lids about to close, said, "O sinful wretch, +thou wilt no more have to wipe away the <span class="pagenum">[Pg +27]</span> tears of Hidimva or Vaka, for thou too art about to go +to the mansions of Yama!" And saying this, that foremost of men, +his heart filled with wrath, beholding the Rakshasa destitute of +clothing and ornaments, and insensible, and undergoing convulsions, +left him dead. And after that Rakshasa of hue like the clouds had +been slain, the son of that best of kings (Pandu) praised Bhima for +his many qualities, and placing Krishna in their front, set out for +the Dwaita woods.'</p> +<p>"Vidura said, 'It was thus, O lord of men, that Kirmira was +slain in combat by Bhima, in obedience, O Kaurava, to the commands +of Yudhishthira the just! And having rid the forest of its pest, +the victorious Yudhishthira the just, began to live in that +dwelling of theirs, with Draupadi. And those bulls of the Bharata +race comforting Draupadi began to cheerfully extol Bhima with glad +hearts. And after the Rakshasa had been slain, borne down by the +might of Bhima's arms, those heroes entered into the peaceful +forest freed from its annoyance. Passing through the great forest I +saw lying the body of the wicked and fearless Rakshasa slain by +Bhima's might. And, O Bharata, there I heard of this achievement of +Bhima from those Brahmanas who have assembled round the +Pandavas.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing the account of the slaughter in +combat of Kirmira, that foremost of Rakshasas, the king sighed in +sorrow and became absorbed in thought."</p> +<h2>SECTION XII</h2> +<h3>(<i>Arjunabhigamana Parva</i>)</h3> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Hearing that the Pandavas had been banished, +the Bhojas, the Vrishnis, and the Andhakas went to those heroes +residing in affliction in the great forest. And the consanguinous +relatives of Panchala, and Dhrishtaketu the king of Chedi, and +those celebrated and powerful brothers the Kaikeyas, their hearts +fired with wrath, went to the forest to see the sons of Pritha. And +reproaching the sons of Dhritarashtra, they said, 'What should we +do?' And those bulls of the Kshatriya race, with Vasudeva at their +head, sat themselves down round Yudhishthira the just. And +respectfully saluting that foremost of the Kurus, Kesava mournfully +said, 'The earth shall drink the blood of Duryodhana and Karna, of +Dussasana and the wicked Sakuni! Slaying these in battle and +defeating their followers along with their royal allies, will we +all install Yudhishthira the just on the throne! The wicked deserve +to be slain! Verily, this is eternal morality.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "And when on account of the wrongs of +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 28]</span> Pritha's sons, Janardana had +thus got into a passion, and seemed bent upon consuming all created +things, Arjuna exerted himself to pacify him. And beholding Kesava +angry, Phalguna began to recite the feats achieved in his former +lives by that soul of all things, himself immeasurable, the eternal +one, of infinite energy, the lord of <i>Prajapati</i> himself, the +supreme ruler of the worlds, Vishnu of profound wisdom!'</p> +<p>"Arjuna said, 'In days of old, thou, O Krishna, hadst wandered +on the Gandhamadana mountains for ten thousand years as a +<i>Muni</i> having his home where evening fell! Living upon water +alone, thou hadst, in days of old, O Krishna, also dwelt for full +eleven thousand years by the lake of Pushkara! And, O slayer of +Madhu, with arms upraised and standing on one leg, thou hadst +passed a hundred years on the high hills of Vadari,<a id= +"footnotetag16" name="footnotetag16"></a><a href= +"#footnote16"><sup>16</sup></a> living all the while upon air! And +leaving aside thy upper garment, with body emaciated and looking +like a bundle of veins, thou hadst lived on the banks of the +Saraswati, employed in thy sacrifice extending for twelve years! +And, O Krishna of mighty energy, in observance of thy vow thou +hadst stood on one leg for the length of a thousand years of the +celestials, on the plains of <i>Prabhasa</i> which it behoveth the +virtuous to visit! Vyasa hath told me that thou art the cause of +the creation and its course! And, O Kesava, the lord of +<i>Kshetra</i>,<a id="footnotetag17" name= +"footnotetag17"></a><a href="#footnote17"><sup>17</sup></a> thou +art the mover of all minds, and the beginning and end of all +things! All asceticism resteth in thee, and thou too art the +embodiment of all sacrifices, and the eternal one! Slaying the +Asura Naraka, offspring of the Earth-first begotten, thou hadst +obtained his ear-rings, and performed, O Krishna, the first +horse-sacrifice (offering up that Asura as the sacrificial horse)! +And, O bull of all the worlds, having performed that feat, thou +hast become victorious over all! Thou hadst slain all the +<i>Daityas</i> and <i>Danavas</i> mustered in battle, and giving +the lord of <i>Sachi</i> (Indra) the sovereignty of the universe, +thou hast, O Kesava of mighty arms, taken thy birth among men! O +slayer of all foes, having floated on the primordial waters, thou +subsequently becamest <i>Hari</i>,<a id="footnotetag18" name= +"footnotetag18"></a><a href="#footnote18"><sup>18</sup></a> and +<i>Brahma</i> and <i>Surya</i> and <i>Dharma</i>, and <i>Dhatri</i> +and <i>Yama</i> and <i>Anala</i> and <i>Vasu</i>, and +<i>Vaisravana</i>, and <i>Rudra</i>, and <i>Kala</i> and the +firmament, the earth, and the ten directions! Thyself increate, thou +art the lord of the mobile and the immobile universe, the Creator +of all, O thou foremost of all existences! And, O slayer of Madhu, +O thou of abundant energy, in the forest of Chitraratha thou didst, +O Krishna, gratify with thy sacrifice the <span class="pagenum">[Pg +29]</span> chief of all the gods, the highest of the high! O +Janardana, at each sacrifice thou didst offer, according to shares, +gold by hundreds and thousands. And, O son of the Yadava race, +becoming the son of Aditi, O exalted one of the supreme attributes, +thou hast been known as the younger brother of Indra! And, O thou +chastiser of foes, even while a child thou didst, O Krishna, in +consequence of thy energy, fill by three steps only the heaven, the +firmament, and the earth! And, O thou soul of all covering the +heaven and the firmament (while thou wert thus transformed), thou +didst dwell in the body of the sun and afflict him with thy own +splendour! And, O exalted one, in thy incarnations on those +thousand occasions, thou hadst slain, O Krishna, sinful Asuras by +hundreds! By destroying the <i>Mauravas</i> and the <i>Pashas</i>, +and slaying Nisunda and Naraka, thou hast again rendered safe the +road to Pragjyotisha! Thou hast slain Ahvriti at Jaruthi, and +Kratha and Sisupala with his adherents, and Jarasandha and Saivya +and Satadhanwan! And on thy car roaring like unto clouds and +effulgent like the sun, thou didst obtain for thy queen the +daughter of Bhoja, defeating Rukmi in battle! Thou didst in fury +slay Indradyumna and the <i>Yavana</i> called Kaseruman! And +slaying Salwa the lord of Saubha, thou didst destroy that city of +Saubha itself! These have all been slain in battle; listen to me as +I speak of others (also slain by thee)! At Iravati thou hast slain +king Bhoja equal unto Karttavirya in battle, and both Gopati and +Talaketu also have been slain by thee! And, O Janardana, thou hast +also appropriated unto thyself the sacred city of Dwarka, abounding +in wealth and agreeable unto the <i>Rishi</i> themselves, and thou +wilt submerge it at the end within the ocean! O slayer of Madhu, +how can crookedness be in thee, devoid as thou art, O thou of the +Dasarha race, of anger and envy and untruth and cruelty? O thou who +knowest no deterioration, all the <i>Rishis</i>, coming unto thee +seated in thy glory on the sacrificial ground, seek protection of +thee! And, O slayer of Madhu, thou stayest at the end of the +<i>Yuga</i>, contracting all things and withdrawing this universe +into thy own self, thou repressor of all foes! O thou of the +Vrishni race, at the beginning of the Yuga, there sprang from thy +lotus-like navel, Brahma himself, and lord of all mobile and +immobile things, and whose is this entire universe! When the +dreadful Danavas Madhu and Kaitava were bent on slaying Brahma, +beholding their impious endeavour thou wert angry, and from thy +forehead, O Hari, sprang Sambhu, the holder of the trident. Thus +these two foremost of the deities have sprung from thy body in +order to do thy work! Even Narada it was who hath told me this! O +Narayana, thou didst, in the forest of Chaitraratha, celebrate with +plentiful gifts a grand sacrifice consisting of a multitude of +rites! O God, O thou of eyes like lotus leaves, the deeds thou hast +performed while still a boy, having recourse to thy might and aided +by Baladeva, have never been done by others, nor are they capable +of <span class="pagenum">[Pg 30]</span> being achieved by others in +the future! Thou didst even dwell in Kailasa, accompanied by +Brahmanas!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Having addressed Krishna thus, the +illustrious Pandava, who was the soul of Krishna, became dumb, when +Janardana (in reply addressed that son of Pritha) saying, 'Thou art +mine and I am thine, while all that is mine is thine also! He that +hateth thee hateth me as well, and he that followeth thee followeth +me! O thou irrepressible one, thou art <i>Nara</i> and I am +<i>Narayana</i> or Hari! We are the <i>Rishis</i> Nara and Narayana +born in the world of men for a special purpose. O Partha, thou art +from me and I am from thee! O bull of the Bharata race, no one can +understand the difference that is between us!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "When the illustrious Kesava had said so +in the midst of that assembly of brave kings, all excited with +anger, Panchali surrounded by Dhrishtadyumna and her other heroic +brothers, approached him of eyes like lotus leaves seated with his +cousins, and, desirous of protection, addressed in angry accents +that refuge of all, saying, 'Asita and Devala have said that in the +matter of the creation of all things, thou hast been indicated (by +the sages) as the only <i>Prajapati</i> and the Creator of all the +worlds! And, O irrepressible one, Jamadagnya sayeth that thou art +<i>Vishnu</i>, and, O slayer of Madhu, that thou art (embodiment +of) <i>Sacrifice, Sacrificer</i> and he for whom the sacrifice is +performed! And, O best of male beings, the <i>Rishis</i> indicate +thee as Forgiveness and Truth! Kasyapa hath said that thou art +Sacrifice sprung from Truth! O exalted one, Narada calleth thee the +god of the Sadhyas, and of the Sivas, as alone the Creator and the +Lord of all things. And, O tiger among men, thou repeatedly +sportest with the gods including Brahma and Sankara and Sakra even +as children sporting with their toys! And, O exalted one, the +firmament is covered by thy head, and the earth by thy feet; these +worlds are as thy womb and thou art the Eternal one! With +<i>Rishis</i> sanctified by Vedic lore and asceticism, and whose +souls have been purified by penance, and who are contented with +soul-vision, thou art the best of all objects! And, O chief of all +male beings, thou art the refuge of all royal sages devoted to +virtuous acts, never turning their backs on the field of the +battle, and possessed of every accomplishment! Thou art the Lord of +all, thou art Omnipresent, thou art the Soul of all things, and +thou art the active power pervading everything! The rulers of the +several worlds, those worlds themselves, the stellar conjunctions, +the ten points of the horizon, the firmament, the moon, and the +sun, are all established in thee! And, O mighty-armed one, the +morality of (earthly) creatures, the immortality of the universe, +are established in thee! Thou art the Supreme lord of all +creatures, celestial or human! Therefore it is, O slayer of Madhu, +that impelled by the affection thou bearest me that I will relate +to thee my griefs! O <span class="pagenum">[Pg 31]</span> Krishna, +how could one like me, the wife of Pritha's sons, the sister of +Dhrishtadyumna, and the friend of thee, be dragged to the assembly! +Alas, during my season, stained with blood, with but a single cloth +on, trembling all over, and weeping, I was dragged to the court of +the Kurus! Beholding me, stained with blood in the presence of +those kings in the assembly, the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra +laughed at me! O slayer of Madhu, while the sons of Pandu and the +Panchalas and the Vrishnis lived, they dared express the desire of +using me as their slave! O Krishna, I am according to the +ordinance, the daughter in-law of both Dhritarashtra and Bhishma! +Yet, O slayer of Madhu, they wished to make of me a slave by force! +I blame the Pandavas who are mighty and foremost in battle, for +they saw (without stirring) their own wedded wife known over all +the world, treated with such cruelty! Oh, fie on the might of +Bhimasena, fie on the <i>Gandiva</i> of Arjuna, for they, O +Janardana, both suffered me to be thus disgraced by little men! +This eternal course of morality is ever followed by the +virtuous—<i>viz</i>, that the husband, however weak, +protecteth his wedded wife! By protecting the wife one protecteth +his offspring and by protecting the offspring one protecteth his +own self! One's own self is begotten on one's wife, and therefore +it is that the wife is called <i>Jaya</i>. A wife also should +protect her lord, remembering that he is to take his birth in her +womb! The Pandavas never forsake the person that soliciteth their +protection, and yet they abandoned me who solicited it! By my five +husbands five sons of exceeding energy have been born of me: +Prativindhya by Yudhishthira, Sutasoma by Vrikodara, Srutakirti by +Arjuna, Satanika by Nakula and Srutakarman by the youngest, all of +them of energy that cannot be baffled. For their sake, O Janardana, +it was necessary to protect me! Even as (thy son) Pradyumna, they +are, O Krishna, mighty warriors all! They are foremost of bowmen, +and invincible in battle by any foe! Why do they bear the wrongs +inflicted (on me) by the sons of Dhritarashtra of such contemptible +strength? Deprived of their kingdom by deception, the Pandavas were +made bondsmen and I myself was dragged to the assembly while in my +season, and having only a single cloth on! Fie on that +<i>Gandiva</i> which none else can string save Arjuna and Bhima and +thyself, O slayer of Madhu! Fie on the strength of Bhima, and fie +on the prowess of Arjuna, since, O Krishna, Duryodhana (after what +he had done) hath drawn breath even for a moment! He it is, O +slayer of Madhu, who formerly drove the guileless Pandavas with +their mother from the kingdom, while they were children still +engaged in study and the observance of their vows. It is that +sinful wretch, who, horrible to relate, mixed in Bhima's food fresh +and virulent poison in full dose. But, O Janardana, Bhima digested +that poison with the food, without sustaining any injury, for, O +best of men and mighty-armed one, Bhima's days had not been ended! +O Krishna, it is Duryodhana who at the house standing by the banyan +called <i>Pramana</i> bound <span class="pagenum">[Pg 32]</span> +Bhima sleeping unsuspectingly, and casting him into the Ganges +returned to the city. But the powerful Bhimasena the son of Kunti, +possessed of mighty arms, on waking from sleep, tore his bonds and +rose from the water. It is Duryodhana, who caused venomous +black cobras to bite all over the body of Bhimasena, but that +slayer of foes died not. Awaking, the son of Kunti smashed all the +serpents and with his left hand killed (the agent, <i>viz</i>.) the +favourite charioteer of Duryodhana. Again, while the children were +asleep at Varanavata with their mother, it is he who set fire to +the house intending to burn them to death. Who is there capable of +doing such an act? It was then that the illustrious Kunti, +overtaken by this calamity, and surrounded by the flames, began to +cry out in terror, speaking to the children, "Alas, I am undone! +How shall we escape from this fire today! Alas, I shall meet with +destruction with my little children!" Then Bhima, possessed of +mighty arms, and prowess like unto the force of the wind, comforted +his illustrious mother as also his brothers, saying, "Like that +king of birds, Garuda, the son of Vinata, I will spring up into the +air. We have no fear from this fire." And then taking his mother on +his left flank, and the king in his right, and the twins on each +shoulder, and Vibhatsu on his back, the mighty Vrikodara, thus +taking all of them, at one leap cleared the fire and delivered his +mother and brother from the conflagration. Setting out that night +with their renowned mother, they came near the forest of Hidimva. +And while fatigued and distressed, they were sleeping fast with +her, a Rakshasa woman called Hidimva approached them. Beholding the +Pandavas with their mother asleep on the ground, influenced by +desire she sought to have Bhimasena for her lord. The weak one then +took up Bhima's feet on her lap to press them with her soft hands. +The mighty Bhima of immeasurable energy, of prowess that could not +be baffled, then woke from sleep, and asked her, saying, "O thou of +faultless features, what dost thou wish here?" Thus asked by him, +the Rakshasa lady of faultless features, capable, besides, of +assuming any form at will, replied unto the high-souled Bhima, +saying, "Do ye speedily fly from this place! My brother gifted with +strength will come to slay ye! Therefore speed and tarry not!" But +Bhima haughtily said, "I do not fear him! If he cometh here, I will +slay him!" Hearing their converse, that vilest of cannibals came to +the spot. Of frightful form and dreadful to behold, uttering loud +cries as he came, the Rakshasa said, "O Hidimva, with whom dost +thou converse? Bring him unto me, I will eat him up. It behoveth +thee to tarry not." But moved by compassion, the Rakshasa lady of +faultless features and pure heart said nothing out of pity. Then +the man-eating monster, uttering dreadful cries, rushed at Bhima +with great force. And approaching him furiously, the mighty +cannibal, possessed with rage, caught hold of Bhima's hand with his +own and clenching fast his other hand and making it hard as the +thunder-bolt of Indra, suddenly struck Bhima a blow <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 33]</span> that descended with the force of +lightning. His hand having been seized by the Rakshasa, Vrikodara, +without being able to brook it, flew into a rage. Then a dreadful +combat took place between Bhimasena and Hidimva, both skilled in +all weapons and which was like unto the encounter of Vasava with +Vritra. And, O sinless one, after sporting with the Rakshasa for a +long while the powerful Bhima of mighty energy slew the cannibal +when the latter had become weak with exertion. Then having slain +Hidimva, and taking (his sister) Hidimva at their head, of whom was +(subsequently) born Ghatotkacha, Bhima and his brothers went away. +Then all those repressers of their foes, accompanied by their +mother and surrounded by many Brahmanas proceeded towards +Ekachakra. In the matter of this their journey, Vyasa ever engaged +in their welfare had become their counsellor. Then arriving at +Ekachakra, the Pandavas of rigid vows there also slew a mighty +cannibal, Vaka by name, terrible as Hidimva himself. And having +slain that fierce cannibal, Bhima that foremost of smiters, went +with all his brothers to the capital of Drupada. And, O Krishna, as +thou hadst acquired Rukmim, the daughter of Bhishmaka, even so +Savyasachin, while residing there, obtained me! O slayer of Madhu, +Arjuna won me in the <i>Swayamvara</i>, having performed a feat +difficult of achievement by others and having fought also with the +assembled kings!</p> +<p>"'Thus, O Krishna, afflicted with numerous griefs, and in great +distress, am I living, with Dhaumya at our head, but deprived of +the company of the adorable Kunti! Why do these that are gifted +with strength and possessed of the prowess of the lion, sit +indifferently, beholding me thus afflicted by enemies so +despicable? Suffering such wrongs at the hands of wicked and +evil-doing foes of small strength, am I to burn in grief so long? +Born I was in a great race, coming into the world in an +extraordinary way! I am also the beloved wife of the Pandavas, and +the daughter-in-law of the illustrious Pandu! The foremost of women +and devoted to my husbands, even I, O Krishna, was seized by hair, +O slayer of Madhu, in the sight of the Pandavas, each of whom is +like an Indra himself!'</p> +<p>"Saying this the mild-speeched Krishna hid her face with her +soft hands like the buds of lotus, and began to weep. And the tears +of Panchali begot of grief washed her deep, plump and graceful +breasts crowned with auspicious marks. And wiping her eyes and +sighing frequently she said these words angrily and in a choked +voice, 'Husbands, or sons, or friends, or brothers, or father, have +I none! Nor have I thee, O thou slayer of Madhu, for ye all, +beholding me treated so cruelly by inferior foes, sit still +unmoved! My grief at Karna's ridicule is incapable of being +assuaged! On these grounds I deserve to be ever protected by thee, +O Kesava, <i>viz</i>., our relationship, thy respect (for me), our +friendship, and thy lordship (over me).'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 34]</span> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "In that assembly of heroes Vasudeva +then spake unto the weeping Draupadi as follows, 'O fair lady, the +wives of those with whom thou art angry, shall weep even like thee, +beholding their husbands dead on the ground, weltering in blood and +their bodies covered with the arrows of Vivatsu! Weep not, lady, +for I will exert to the utmost of my powers for the sons of Pandu! +I promise thou shalt (once more) be the queen of kings! The heavens +might fall, or the Himavat might split, the earth might be rent, or +the waters of the ocean might dry up, but my words shall never be +futile!' Hearing those words of Achyuta in reply, Draupadi looked +obliquely at her third husband (Arjuna). And, O mighty king, Arjuna +said unto Draupadi, 'O thou of beautiful coppery eyes, grieve not! +O illustrious one, it shall be even as the slayer of Madhu hath +said! It can never be otherwise, O beautiful one!'</p> +<p>"Dhrishtadyumna said, 'I will slay Drona, Sikhandin will slay +the grandfather. And Bhimasena will slay Duryodhana, and Dhananjaya +will slay Karna. And, O sister, assisted by Rama and Krishna, we +are invincible in battle by even the slayer himself of +Vritra—what are the sons of Dhritarashtra?'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "After these words had been spoken, all +the heroes there turned their faces towards Vasudeva, who then in +their midst began to speak as follows."</p> +<h2>SECTION XIII</h2> +<p>"Vasudeva said, 'O lord of earth, if I had been present at +Dwaraka, then, O king, this evil would not have befallen thee! And, +O irrepressible one, coming unto the gambling-match, even if +uninvited by the son of Amvika (Dhritarashtra), or Duryodhana, or +by the other Kauravas, I would have prevented the game from taking +place, by showing its many evils, summoning to my aid Bhishma and +Drona and Kripa, and Vahlika! O exalted one, for thy sake I would +have told the son of Vichitravirya—<i>O foremost of monarchs, +let thy sons have nothing to do with dice!</i>—I would have +shown the many evils (of dice) through which thou hast fallen into +such distress and the son of Virasena was formerly deprived of his +kingdom! O king, unthought-of evils, befall a man from dice! I +would have described how a man once engaged in the game continueth +to play (from desire of victory). Women, dice, hunting and drinking +to which people become addicted in consequence of temptation, have +been regarded as the four evils that deprive a man of prosperity. +And those versed in the <i>Sastras</i> are of opinion that evils +attend upon all these. They also that are addicted to dice know all +its evils. O thou of mighty <span class="pagenum">[Pg 35]</span> +arms, appearing before the son of Amvika, I would have pointed out +that through dice men in a day lose their possessions, and fall +into distress, and are deprived of their untasted wealth, and +exchange harsh words! O perpetuator of the Kuru race, I would have +pointed out these and other attendant evils! If he had accepted my +words thus addressed, the welfare of the Kurus as also virtue +itself would both have been secured! And, O foremost of kings, if +he had rejected my gentle counsels offered as medicine, then, O +best of the Bharata race, I would have compelled him by force! And, +if those who wait at his court, professing to be his friends but in +reality his foes, had supported him, then I would have slain them +all, along with those gamblers, there present! O Kauravya, it is +owing to my absence from the <i>Anartta</i> country at that time +that thou hast fallen into such distress begot of dice! O thou best +of Kurus, O son of Pandu, on arriving at Dwarka I learnt from +Yuyudhana all about thy calamity! And, O foremost of kings, +directly I heard it with a heart sore agitated by grief, have I +speedily come here wishing to see thee, O king! Alas! O bull of the +Bharata race, ye have all fallen into dire distress! I see thee +with thy brothers plunged in misfortune!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XIV</h2> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'O Krishna, why wert thou absent (from the +Anartta country)? And, O descendant of the Vrishni race, while thou +wert away, where didst thou dwell? And what didst thou do while out +of thy kingdom?'</p> +<p>"Krishna said, 'O bull of the Bharata race, I had gone for the +purpose of destroying the (ranging) city Salwa. And, O foremost +of the Kauravas, listen to the reasons I had for so doing! The +heroic son of Damaghosha, the well-known king Sisupala of mighty +arms and great energy, was slain by me, O best of Bharatas, at thy +<i>Rajasuya</i> sacrifice, because that wicked one could not from +anger bear to see the first worship offered to me! Hearing that he +had been slain, Salwa, burning with fierce anger, came to Dwaraka, +while, O Bharata, it was empty, myself being away, residing with +you here. And having arrived there on a car made of precious metals +and hence called the <i>Souva</i>, he had an encounter with the +youthful princes of the Vrishni race—those bulls of that +line—and fought with them mercilessly. And slaughtering many +youthful Vrishnis of heroic valour, the wicked one devastated all +the gardens of the city. And, O thou of mighty arms, he said, +"Where is that wretch of the Vrishni race, Vasudeva, the +evil-souled son of Vasudeva? I will humble in battle <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 36]</span> the pride of that person so eager for +fight! Tell me truly, <i>O Anarttas</i>! I will go there where he +is. And after killing that slayer of Kansa and Kesi, will I return! +By my weapon I swear that I will not return without slaying him!" +And exclaiming repeatedly—<i>Where is he? Where is he?</i> +the lord of Saubha rusheth to this place and that, desirous of +encountering me in battle. And Salwa also said, "Impelled by wrath +for the destruction of Sisupala I shall today send to the mansion +of Yama that treacherous miscreant of mean mind." And, O king, he +further said, "That Janardana shall I slay, who, wretch that he is, +hath killed my brother who was but a boy of tender years, and who +was slain not on the field of battle, unprepared as he was!" +Having, O great king, wailed thus, and having, O son of the Kuru +race, abused me thus, he rose into the sky on his car of precious +metals capable of going anywhere at will! On returning (to my +kingdom) I heard what, O Kaurava, the evil-minded and wicked king +of Maticka had said regarding myself! And, O descendant of the Kuru +race, I was agitated with wrath, and, O king, having reflected upon +everything, I set my heart upon slaying him! And, learning, O +Kauravya, of his oppression of the <i>Anarttas</i>, of his abuse of +myself, and of his excessive arrogance, I resolved upon the +destruction of that wretch! And, O lord of earth, I accordingly set +out (from my city), for slaying the (lord of) the Saubha. And +searching him here and there, I found him in an island in the midst +of the ocean! Then, O king, blowing my conch called the +<i>Panchajanya</i> obtained from the sea, and challenging Salwa to +combat, I stood for the fight! At that instant, I had an encounter +with numerous Danavas, all of whom, however, I subdued and +prostrated on the ground. O mighty-armed one, it was owing to this +affair that I could not then come (unto thee)! As soon as I heard +of the unfair game of dice at Hastinapura, I have come here +desirous of seeing ye who have been plunged in distress.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XV</h2> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'O illustrious Vasudeva of mighty arms, tell +thou in detail of the death of the lord of Saubha. My curiosity +hath not been appeased by thy narration.'</p> +<p>"Vasudeva said, 'O mighty-armed king, hearing that the son of +Srutaslavas (Sisupala) had been slain by me, Salwa, O best of the +Bharata race, came to the city of Dwaravati! And, O son of Pandu, +the wicked king, stationing his forces in array, besieged that city +around and above. And stationing himself in the upper regions, the +king began his fight <span class="pagenum">[Pg 37]</span> with the +city. And that encounter commenced with a thick shower of weapons +from all sides. And, O bull of the Bharata race, the city at that +time was well-fortified on all sides, according to the science (of +fortification), with pennons, and arches, and combatants, and walls +and turrets, and engines, and miners, and streets barricaded with +spiked wood-works and towers and edifices with gate-ways +well-filled with provisions, and engines for hurling burning brands +and fires, and vessels of deer-skins (for carrying water), and +trumpets, tabors, and drums, lances and forks, and +<i>Sataghnis</i>, and plough-shares, rockets, balls of stone and +battle-axes and other weapons and shield embossed with iron, and +engines for hurling balls and bullets and hot liquids! And the city +was also well-defended by numerous cars, and, O tiger among Kurus, +by Gada and Shamva and Uddhava and others, and by warriors of +prowess tried in battle, all well-born and capable of encountering +any foe! And these all placing themselves on commanding posts, +aided by cavalry and standard-bearers, began to defend the town. +And Ugrasena and Uddhava and others, to prevent carelessness, +proclaimed throughout the city that nobody should drink. And all +the Vrishnis and the Andhakas, well-knowing that they would be +slain by Salwa if they behaved carelessly, remained sober and +watchful. And the police soon drove out of the city all mimes and +dancers and singers of the Anartta country. And all the bridges +over rivers were destroyed, and boats forbidden to ply, and the +trenches (around the city) were spiked with poles at the bottom. +And the land around the city for full two miles was rendered +uneven, and holes and pits were dug thereon, and combustibles were +secreted below the surface. Our fort, O sinless one, is naturally +strong and always well-defended and filled with all kinds of +weapons! And in consequence of the preparations made, our city was +more prepared than ever to meet the foe. And, O chief of the +Bharatas, in consequence of all this, the city looked like that of +Indra himself. And, O king, at the time of Salwa's approach, nobody +could either enter or leave the town of the Vrishnis and the +Andhakas without presenting the sign that had been agreed upon. And +all the streets of the town and the open spaces were filled with +numerous elephants and horses! And, O thou of mighty arms, the +combatants were all specially gratified with allowances and wages, +and rations, and weapons, and dresses! And amongst the combatants +there was none who was not paid in gold, and none who was not paid +at all, and none who was not somehow obliged, and none who was not +of tried valour! And, O thou of eyes like lotus-leaves, it was thus +Dwaraka, abounding in well-ordered arrangements, was defended by +Ahuka (Ugrasena)!'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 38]</span> +<h2>SECTION XVI</h2> +<p>"Vasudeva continued, 'O king of kings, Salwa, the lord of +Saubha, came towards our city with an immense force consisting of +infantry, cavalry and elephants! And the army headed by king Salwa, +consisting of four kinds of forces, occupied a level ground +commanding a copious water-supply. And forsaking cemeteries and +temples dedicated to the gods, and sacred trees, and grounds +covered by ant-hills, that host occupied every other place. And the +roads (leading to the city) were blocked up by the divisions of the +army, and the secret entrances also were all blocked up by the +enemy's camp. And, O Kauravya, like unto the lord of birds +(Garuda), the ruler of Saubha rushed towards Dwaraka, bringing with +him, O bull among men, his host equipped with all kinds of arms, +skilled in all weapons, consisting of a dense display of cars and +elephants and cavalry abounding in banners, and well-paid and +well-fed foot-soldiers possessed of great strength and bearing +every mark of heroism and furnished with wonderful chariots and +bows. And beholding the army of Salwa, the youthful princes of the +Vrishni race resolved to encounter it sallying out of the city. +And, O king, Charudeshna, Samva, and the mighty warrior Pradyumna, +O descendant of the Kuru race, sallied out, ascending on their +chariots, and clad in mail, and decked with ornaments, with colours +flying, resolved to encounter the mighty and countless host of +Salwa! And Samva taking up his bows eagerly attacked on the field +of battle Kshemavriddhi, the commander of Salwa's forces and his +chief counsellor also! And, O thou foremost of Bharatas, the son of +Jambavati then began to shower arrows in a continuous stream even +as Indra showereth down rain! And, O mighty king, then +Kshemavriddhi, the commander of Salwa's forces, bore that shower of +arrows, immovable as the Himavat! And, O foremost of kings, +Kshemavriddhi on his part, discharged at Samva a mightier volley of +shafts, aided by his powers of illusion! And dispersing by counter +illusion that discharge inspired by illusion, Samva showered on his +(adversary's) car a thousand arrows! Then pierced by the shafts on +Samva and overwhelmed there with those of Kshemavriddhi, the commander of +the hostile host, left the field by the help of his fleet steed! +And when the wicked general of Salwa had left the field, a mighty +Daitya called Vegavat rushed at my son! And, O best of monarchs, +thus attacked, the heroic Samva, the perpetuator of the Vrishni +race, bore that onset of Vegavat, keeping his ground. And, O son of +Kunti, the heroic Samva, of prowess incapable of being baffled, +whirling a quickly-going mace, hurled it speedily at Vegavat! And, +O king, struck with that mace, Vegavat fell down on the ground, +like a weather-beaten and faded lord of the forest of decayed +roots! And on that <span class="pagenum">[Pg 39]</span> heroic +Asura of mighty energy, being slain with the mace, my son entered +within that mighty host and began to fight with all. And, O great +king, a well-known Danava named Vivindhya, a mighty warrior +wielding a large and powerful bow, encountered Charudeshna! And, O +monarch, the encounter between Charudeshna and Vivindhya was as +fierce as that in days of yore between Vritra and Vasava! And +enraged with each other the combatants pierced each other with +their arrows, uttering loud roars like unto two powerful lions! +Then the son of Rukmini fixed on his bow-string a mighty weapon +possessing the splendour of fire or the sun, and capable of +destroying all foes, having first vivified it with incantations! +Then, O monarch, that mighty warrior my son, fired with wrath, +challenged Vivindhya and discharged the weapon at him. And the +Danava struck with that weapon, fell down on the ground a lifeless +corpse! And beholding Vivindhya slain, and the whole host waver, +Salwa advanced again on his beautiful car capable of going +everywhere. And, O king of mighty arms, beholding Salwa on that +beautiful car of his, the combatants of Dwaraka wavered with fear! +But, O thou of the Kuru race, Pradyumna sallied out, and, O great +king, bidding the Anarttas be of good cheer, said, "Waver ye not, +and staying behold me fight! Even I shall, by force, repel that car +with Salwa on it! Ye Yadavas, this day, I shall, with my weapons +like unto serpents discharged from my bow with my hand, destroy +this host of the lord of Saubha! Be of good cheer, ye all! Fear +not! The lord of Saubha will be slain today! Attacked by me, the +wretch will meet with destruction together with his car!" O son of +Pandu, upon Pradyumna speaking thus with cheerful heart, the Yadava +host, O hero, remained on the field, and began to fight +cheerfully!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XVII</h2> +<p>"Vasudeva continued, 'O bull of the Bharata race, having spoken +thus unto the Yadavas, the son of Rukmini (Pradyumna) ascended his +golden car. And the car he rode was drawn by excellent steeds in +mail. And over it stood a standard bearing the figure of a +<i>Makara</i> with gaping mouth and fierce as Yama. And with his +steeds, more flying than running on the ground, he rushed against +the foe. And the hero equipped with quiver and sword, with fingers +cased in leather, twanged his bow possessed of the splendour of the +lightning, with great strength, and transferring it from hand to +hand, as if in contempt of the enemy, spread confusion among the +Danavas and other warriors of the city of Saubha. And as hot in +contempt of the foe, and continuously slew the Danavas <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 40]</span> in battle, no one could mark the slightest +interval between his successive shafts. And the colour of his face +changed not, and his limbs trembled not. And people only heard his +loud leonine roars indicative of wonderful valour. And the aquatic +monster with mouth wide open, that devourer of all fishes, placed +on golden flag-staff of that best of cars, struck terror into the +hearts of Salwa's warriors. And, O king, Pradyumna, the mower of +foes rushed with speed against Salwa himself so desirous of an +encounter! And, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, braved by the +heroic Pradyumna in that mighty battle, the angry Salwa could ill +bear the challenge! And that conqueror of hostile cities, Salwa, +maddened by anger, descended from his beautiful car of unchecked +speed, resolved to encounter Pradyumna. And the people beheld the +fight between Salwa and the foremost of Vrishni heroes, which was +even like unto the encounter between Vasava with Vali. And, O hero, +mounting on his beautiful car decked with gold and furnished with +flags and flag-staffs and quivers, the illustrious and mighty Salwa +began to discharge his arrows at Pradyumna! Pradyumna also by the +energy of his arms, overwhelmed Salwa in the combat by a thick +shower of arrows. The king of Saubha, however, thus attacked in +battle by Pradyumna, endured him not, but discharged at my son +arrows that were like blazing fire. But the mighty Pradyumna +parried off that arrowy shower. Beholding this, Salwa rained on my +son other weapons of blazing splendour. Then, O foremost of +monarchs, pierced by the shafts of Salwa, the son of Rukmini +discharged without loss of time an arrow that was capable of +entering the vitals of a foe in fight. And that winged shaft shot +by my son, piercing Salwa's mail, entered his heart—whereupon +he fell down, in a swoon. And beholding the heroic king Salwa +fallen down deprived of sense, the foremost of the Danavas fled +away rending the ground beneath their feet. And, O lord of the +earth, the army of Salwa sent up exclamations of <i>Oh!</i> and +<i>Alas!</i> seeing their king, the lord of Saubha, drop down +bereft of sense! And O son of the Kuru race, regaining his senses, +the mighty Salwa rose and all of a sudden discharged his arrows on +Pradyumna. Then the heroic and mighty armed Pradyumna, sorely +pierced by his adversary about his throat, was enfeebled on his +car. And, O mighty king, wounding the son of Rukmini, Salwa sent up +a shout like unto the roar of a lion, and filling the entire earth +with it! And, O Bharata, when my son became senseless, Salwa, +without losing a moment, again discharged at him other shafts +difficult to bear. And pierced with numberless arrows and deprived +of his senses, Pradyumna, O chief of the Kuru race, became +motionless on the field of battle!'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 41]</span> +<h2>SECTION XVIII</h2> +<p>"Vasudeva continued, 'O king, afflicted with the arrows of +Salwa, when Pradyumna became senseless the Vrishnis who had come to +the fight were all disheartened and filled with grief! And the +combatants of the Vrishni and Andhaka races burst into exclamations +of <i>Oh!</i> and <i>Alas!</i> while great joy was felt by the +enemy and beholding him thus deprived of sense, his trained +charioteer, the son of Daruka, soon carried him off the field by +the help of his steeds. The car had not gone far when that best of +warriors regained his senses, and taking up his bow addressed his +charioteer, saying, "O son of the Suta tribe, what hast thou done? +Why dost thou go leaving the field of battle? This is not the +custom of the Vrishni heroes in battle! O son of a Suta, hast thou +been bewildered at the sight of a Salwa in that fierce encounter? +Or hast thou been disheartened, beholding the fight? O! tell me +truly thy mind!" The charioteer answered, "O son of Janardana, I +have not been confounded, nor hath fear taken possession of me. On +the other hand, O son of Kesava, the task, I ween, of vanquishing +Salwa is difficult for thee! Therefore, O hero, I am slowly +retiring from the field. This wretch is stronger than thou art! It +behoveth a charioteer to protect the warrior on the car, however, +when he is deprived of his senses! O thou gifted with length of +days, thou shouldst always be protected by me, even as it behoveth +thee to protect me! Thinking that the warrior on the car should +always be protected (by his charioteer), I am carrying thee away! +Further, O thou of mighty arms, thou art alone, while the Danavas +are many. Thinking, O son of Rukmini, that thou art not equal to +them in the encounter, I am going away!"'</p> +<p>"Vasudeva continued, 'When the charioteer had spoken thus, he, O +Kauravya, who hath the <i>makara</i> for his mark replied unto him, +saying, "Turn the car! O son of Daruka, never do so again; never, O +Suta, turn thou from the fight, while I am alive! He is no son of +the Vrishni race who forsaketh the field or slayeth the foe fallen +at his feet and crying <i>I am thine!</i> or killeth a woman, a +boy, or an old man, or a warrior in distress, deprived of his car +or with his weapons broken! Thou art born in the race of +charioteers and trained to thy craft! And, O son of Daruka, thou +art acquainted with the customs of the Vrishnis in battle! Versed +as thou art with all the customs of the Vrishnis in battle, do +thou, O Suta, never again fly from the field as thou hast done! +What will the irrepressible Madhava, the elder brother of Gada, say +to me when he heareth that I have left the field of battle in +bewilderment or that I have been struck on the back—a +run-away from the combat! What will the elder brother of Kesava, +the mighty-armed Baladeva, clad in blue <span class="pagenum">[Pg +42]</span> and inebriate with wine, say, when he returneth? What +also, O Suta, will that lion among men, the grand-son of Sini +(Satyaki), that great warrior, say on hearing that I have forsaken +the fight? And, O charioteer, what will the ever-victorious Shamva, +the irrepressible Charudeshna, and Gada, and Sarana, and Akrura +also of mighty arms, say unto me! What also will the wives of the +Vrishni heroes when they meet together, say of me who had hitherto +been considered as brave and well-conducted, respectable and +possessed of manly pride? They will even say <i>This Pradyumna is a +coward who cometh here, leaving the battle! Fie on him!</i> They +will never say, <i>Well done!</i> Ridicule, with exclamation of +<i>Fie</i>, is to me or a person like me, O Suta, more than death! +Therefore, do thou never again leave the field of battle! Reposing +the charge on me, Hari the slayer of Madhu, hath gone to the +sacrifice of the Bharata lion (Yudhishthira)! Therefore, I cannot +bear to be quiet now! O Suta, when the brave Kritavarman was +sallying out to encounter Salwa, I prevented him, saying <i>I will +resist Salwa. Do thou stay!</i> For honouring me the son of Hridika +desisted! Having left the field of battle, what shall I say unto +that mighty warrior when I meet him? When that irrepressible one of +mighty arms—the holder of the conch, the discus, and the +mace—returneth, what shall I say unto him of eyes like lotus +leaves? Satyaki, and Valadeva, and others of the Vrishni and +Andhaka races always boast of me! What shall I say unto them? O +Suta, having left the field of battle and with wounds of arrows on +my back while being carried away by thee, I shall, by no means, be +able to live! Therefore, O son of Daruka, turn that car speedily, +and never do so again even in times of greatest danger! I do not, O +Suta, think life worth much, having fled from the field like a +coward, and my back pierced, with the arrows (of the enemy)! Hast +thou ever seen me, O son of Suta, fly in fear from the field of +battle like a coward? O son of Daruka, it behoved thee not to +forsake the battle, while my desire of fight was not yet gratified! +Do thou, therefore, go back to the field."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XIX</h2> +<p>"Vasudeva continued, 'Thus addressed, the son of Suta race +replied in haste unto Pradyumna, that foremost of all endued with +strength, in these sweet words, "O son of Rukmini, I fear not to +guide the horses on the field of battle, and I am acquainted also +with the customs of the Vrishnis in war! It is not otherwise in the +least! But, O thou blest with length of days, those that guide the +car are taught that the warrior on the car is, by all means, to be +protected by his charioteer! Thou wert <span class="pagenum">[Pg +43]</span> also much afflicted! Thou wert much wounded by the +arrows shot by Salwa. Thou wert also deprived of thy senses, O +hero! Therefore is it that I retired from the field. But, O chief +of the Satwatas, now that thou hast regained thy senses without +much ado, do thou, O son of Kesava, witness my skill in guiding the +horses! I have been begotten by Daruka, and I have been duly +trained! I will now penetrate into the celebrated array of Salwa +without fear!"'</p> +<p>"Vasudeva continued, 'Saying this, O hero, the charioteer, +pulling the reins, began to lead the horses with speed towards the +field of battle. And, O king, struck with the whip and pulled by +the reins those excellent steeds seemed to be flying in the air, +performing various beautiful motions, now circular, now similar, +now dissimilar, now to the right, now to the left. And, O king, +those steeds understanding as it were the intention of Daruka's son +endued with such lightness of hand, burned with energy, and seemed +to go without touching the ground with their feet! That bull among +men wheeled round Salwa's host so easily that they who witnessed it +wondered exceedingly. And the lord of Saubha, unable to bear that +manoeuvre of Pradyumna, instantly sent three shafts at the +charioteer of his antagonist! The charioteer, however, without +taking any note of the force of those arrows, continued to go along +the right. Then the lord of Saubha, O hero, again discharged at my +son by Rukmini, a shower of various kinds of weapons! But that +slayer of hostile heroes, the son of Rukmini, showing with a smile +his lightness of hand, cut all those weapons off as they reached +him. Finding his arrows cut by Pradyumna, the lord of Saubha, +having recourse to the dreadful illusion natural to <i>Asuras</i> +began to pour a thick shower of arrows. But cutting into pieces +those powerful Daitya weapons shot at him in mid-career by means of +his <i>Brahma</i> weapon, Pradyumna discharged winged shafts of +other kings. And these delighting in blood, warding off the shafts +of Daitya, pierced his head, bosom and face. And at those wounds +Salwa fell down senseless. And on the mean-minded Salwa falling +down, afflicted with Pradyumna's arrows, the son of Rukmini aimed +another arrow at him, capable of destroying every foe. And +beholding that arrow worshipped by all the Dasarhas, and flaming +like fire and fatal as a venomous snake, fixed on the bow-string, +the firmament was filled with exclamations of <i>Oh!</i> and +<i>Alas!</i> Then all the celestials with Indra and the lord of +treasures (Kubera) at their head sent Narada and the god of wind +endued with the speed of the mind. And these two approaching the +son of Rukmini delivered unto him the message of the celestial, +saying, O hero, king Salwa is not to be slain by thee! Do thou draw +back the arrow. He is unslayable by thee in fight! There breatheth +not a person who cannot be killed by that arrow! O thou of mighty +arms, the Creator hath ordained his death at the hands of Krishna, +the son of Devaki! Let this be not falsified!—Thereupon with +a glad heart, Pradyumna withdrew that best of arrows from his +excellent bow and deposited it back <span class="pagenum">[Pg +44]</span> in his quiver. And then, O foremost of kings, the mighty +Salwa, afflicted with the arrows of Pradyumna, rose disheartened, +and speedily went away. Then O king, the wicked Salwa, thus +afflicted by the Vrishnis, mounted on his car of precious metals, +and leaving Dwaraka scudded through the skies!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XX</h2> +<p>"Vasudeva said, 'When Salwa had left the city of the Anarttas, I +returned to it, O king, on the completion of thy great +<i>Rajasuya</i> sacrifice! On my arrival I found Dwaraka shorn of +its splendour, and, O great monarch, there were not sounds of Vedic +recitation or sacrificial offering. And the excellent damsels were +all destitute of ornaments, and the gardens were devoid of beauty. +And alarmed by the aspect, I asked the son of Hridika saying, "Why +is it that the men and women of the city of the Vrishnis are so +woe-begone, O tiger among men?" O thou best of kings thus asked the +son of Hridika (Kritavarman) relate to me in detail the invasion of +the city by Salwa, and his subsequent departure from it. And, O +thou foremost of Bharatas, hearing all, even then I made up my mind +to slay Salwa. And encouraging the citizens, O best of Bharatas, I +cheerfully addressed king Ahuka, and Anakdundhuvi, and the chief +heroes of the Vrishni race, saying, "Do ye, O bulls among the +Yadavas, stay in the city, taking every care, and know that I go to +slay Salwa! I return not to the city of Dwaravati without slaying +him. I will again come to ye having compassed the destruction of +Salwa together with his car of precious metals. Do ye strike up the +sharp and middle and flat notes of the Dundhuvi so dreadful to +foes!" And O thou bull of the Bharata race, thus adequately +encouraged by me, those heroes cheerfully said unto me, "Go and +slay the enemies!" And thus receiving the benedictions of those +warriors with glad hearts, and causing the Brahmanas to utter +auspicious words and bowing down to the best of the regenerate +ones, and to Siva also, I set out on my car unto which were yoked +the horses <i>Saivya</i>, and <i>Sugriva</i>, filling all sides +with the clatter (of my wheels) and blowing that best of conchs, +the <i>Panchajanya</i>! And, O king, O tiger among men, accompanied +by my redoubted and victorious army consisting of the four kinds of +the forces so persevering in battle, I set out. And leaving many +countries, and mountains, crowned with trees, and pieces of water, +and streams, I at last arrived at the country of Matrikavarta. It +is there, O thou tiger among men, that I heard that Salwa was +coursing on his car of precious metals near the ocean, and I +followed in his pursuit. And, O thou slayer of thy foes, having +reached the main, Salwa on his car of costly metals was in the +midst of the deep heaving <span class="pagenum">[Pg 45]</span> with +billows! And on seeing me from a distance, O Yudhishthira, that one +of wicked soul himself challenged me repeatedly to the fight. And +many arrows capable of piercing to the quick, discharged from my +bow reached not his car. And at this I was wroth! And, O king, that +essentially sinful wretch of a Daitya's son of irrepressible +energy, on his part began to shoot thousand upon thousands of +arrows in torrents! And, O Bharata, he rained shafts upon my +soldiers and upon my charioteer and upon my steeds! But without +thinking of the shafts, we continued the conflict. Then the +warriors following Salwa poured on me straight arrows by thousands. +And the Asuras covered my horses and my car and Daruka with arrows +capable of piercing the very vitals. And, O hero, I could not at +that time see either my horses, or my car, or my charioteer Daruka! +And I with my army was covered with weapons. And, O son of Kunti, +superhumanly skilled in weapons, I also let fly from my bow arrows +by tens of thousands, inspiring them with <i>mantras</i>! But as +that car of costly metals was in the sky, full two miles off, it +could not, O Bharata, be seen by my troops. They could therefore +only remaining on the field of battle look on like spectators in a +place of amusement, cheering me on by shouts loud as the roar of +the lion, and also by the sound of their clapping. And the tinted +arrows shot by the fore-part of hand penetrated into the bodies of +the Danavas like biting insects. And then arose cries in the car of +precious metals from those that were dying of wounds by those sharp +arrows and falling into the waters of the mighty ocean. And the +Danavas deprived of their arms, necks, and wearing the form of +<i>Kavandhas</i>,—fell, sending up tremendous roars. And as +they fell they were devoured by animals living in the waters of the +ocean. And then I powerfully blew the <i>Panchajanya</i> obtained +from the waters and graceful as the lotus-stalk and white as milk +or the <i>Kunda</i> flower or the moon or silver. And seeing his +soldiers fall, Salwa the possessor of the car of precious metals, +began to fight with the help of illusion. And then he began to +ceaselessly hurl at me maces, and ploughshares, and winged darts +and lances, and javelins, and battle-axes, and swords and arrows +blazing like javelins and thunderbolts, and nooses, and broad +swords, and bullets from barrels, and shafts, and axes, and +rockets. And permitting them to come towards me, I soon destroyed +them all by counter-illusion. And on this illusion being rendered +ineffectual, he began the contest with mountain peaks. And, O +Bharata, then there was darkness and light alternately, and the day +was now fair, and now gloomy, and now hot, and now cold. And there +was a perfect shower of coals, and ashes, and weapons. And creating +such illusion the enemy fought with me. And ascertaining it I +destroyed his illusion by counter-illusion. And in the due time I +showered arrows all round. And then, O mighty king, the dome of +heaven blazed as with a hundred suns, and, O son of Kunti, with one +hundred moons, and thousands and ten thousands of stars! And +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 46]</span> then none could ascertain +whether it was day or night, or distinguish the points of the +horizon. And, becoming bewildered, I fixed on my bowstring the +weapon called <i>Pragnastra</i>. And, O son of Kunti, the weapon +went like unto flakes of pure cotton blown away by the winds! And a +great fight took place, calculated to make the down on one's body +stand on end. And O best of monarchs, having regained light, I +again fought with the enemy!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XXI</h2> +<p>"Vasudeva said, 'O thou tiger among men, my great enemy king +Salwa, thus encountered by me in battle, again ascended the sky. +And O mighty monarch, inspired with the desire of victory, that +wicked one hurled at me <i>Sataghnis</i>, and mighty maces, and +flaming lances, and stout clubs, and as the weapons came along the +sky, I speedily resisted them with my swift arrows, and cut them in +two or three pieces before they came at me. And there was a great +noise in the welkins. And Salwa covered Daruka, and my steeds, and +my car also with hundreds of straight shafts. Then, O hero, Daruka, +evidently about to faint, said unto me, "Afflicted with the shafts +of Salwa I stay in the field, because it is my duty to do so. But I +am incapable of doing so (any longer). My body hath become weak!" +Hearing these piteous words of my charioteer, I looked at him, and +found the driver wounded with arrows. Nor was there a spot on his +breasts or the crown of his head, or body or his arms which was +not, O thou foremost of sons of Pandu, covered with shafts! And +blood flowed profusely from his wounds inflicted by arrows, and he +looked like unto a mountain of red chalk after a heavy shower. And, +O thou of mighty arms, seeing the charioteer with the reins in his +hands thus pierced and enfeebled by the shafts of Salwa in the +field of battle, I cheered him up!</p> +<p>"'And, O Bharata, about this time, a certain person, having his +home in Dwaraka quickly coming to my car, addressed me like a +friend, delivering to me, O hero, a message from Ahuka! He seemed +to be one of Ahuka's followers. And sadly and in a voice choked in +sorrow, know, O Yudhishthira, he said words—"O warrior, +Ahuka, the lord of Dwaraka, hath said these words unto thee! O +Kesava, hear what thy father's friend sayeth: <i>O son of the +Vrishni race, O thou irrepressible one, in thy absence today Salwa, +coming to Dwaraka, hath by main force killed Vasudeva! Therefore, +no need of battle any more. Cease, O Janardana! Do thou defend +Dwaraka! This is thy principal duty!</i>"—Hearing these words +of his, my heart became heavy, and I could not ascertain what I +should <span class="pagenum">[Pg 47]</span> do and what I should +not. And, O hero, hearing of that great misfortune, I mentally +censured Satyaki, and <i>Baladeva</i>, and also that mighty +Pradyumna. Having reposed on them the duty of protecting Dwaraka +and Vasudeva, I had gone, O son of the Kuru race, to effect the +destruction of Salwa's city. And in a sorrowful heart, I asked +myself,—Doth that destroyer of foes, the mighty-armed +<i>Baladeva</i>, live, and Satyaki, and the son of Rukmini and +Charudeshna possessed of prowess, and Shamva and others? For, O +thou tiger among men, these living, even the bearer himself of the +thunderbolt could by no means destroy Suta's son (Vasudeva)! And, +thought I, <i>It is plain that Vasudeva is dead and equally plain +that the others with Baladeva at their head have been deprived of +life</i>—This was my certain conclusion. And, O mighty king, +thinking of the destruction of those all, I was overwhelmed with +grief! And it was in this state of mind that I encountered Salwa +afresh. And now I saw, O great monarch, Vasudeva himself falling +from the car of precious metals! And, O warrior I swooned away, +and, O king of men, my sire seemed like unto Yayati after the loss +of his merit, falling towards the earth from heaven! And like unto +a luminary whose merit hath been lost saw my father falling, his +head-gear foul and flowing loosely, and his hair and dress +disordered. And then the bow <i>Sharanga</i> dropped from my hand, +and, O son of Kunti I swooned away! I sat down on the side of the +car. And, O thou descendant of the Bharata race, seeing me deprived +of consciousness on the car, and as if dead, my entire host +exclaimed <i>Oh</i>! and <i>Alas</i>! And my prone father with +out-stretched arms and lower limbs, appeared like a dropping bird. +And him thus falling, O thou of mighty arms, O hero, the hostile +warriors bearing in their hands lances and axes struck grievously! +And (beholding this) my heart trembled! and soon regaining my +consciousness, O warrior, I could not see in that mighty contest +either the car of costly metals, or the enemy Salwa, or my old +father! Then I concluded in my mind that it was certainly illusion. +And recovering my senses, I again began to discharge arrows by +hundreds.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XXII</h2> +<p>"Vasudeva continued, 'Then O thou foremost of the Bharata race, +taking up my beautiful bow, I began to cut off with my arrows the +heads of the enemies of the celestials, from off that car of costly +metals! And I began to discharge from the <i>Sharanga</i> many +well-looking arrows of the forms of snakes, capable of going at a +great height and possessing intense energy. And, O perpetuator of +the Kuru race, I could not then see the car of costly metals, for +it had vanished, through illusion! I was then <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 48]</span> filled with wonder! That host of Danavas +then, O Bharata, of frightful visages and hair, set up a loud howl +while I was waiting for it, in that fierce battle. I then, with the +object of destroying them, fixed on my bow-string the weapon +capable of piercing the foes if but his sound was inaudible. Upon +this, their shouts ceased. But those Danavas that had sent up that +shout were all slain by those shafts of mine blazing as the Sun +himself, and capable of striking at the perception of sound alone. +And after the shout had ceased at one place, O mighty king, another +yell proceeded from another quarter. Thitherto also I sent my +shafts. In this way, O Bharata, the Asuras began to send up yells +in all the ten quarters above and across. These were all slain by +me, <i>viz</i>., those that were in the skies and that were +invisible, with arrows of diverse forms, and celestial weapons +inspired with <i>mantras</i>. Then, O hero, that car of precious +metals capable of going anywhere at will, bewildering my eyes, +reappeared at Pragjyotisha! And then the destroying Danavas of +fierce forms suddenly drowned me with a mighty shower of rocks. +And, O thou foremost of monarchs, torrents of rocks falling upon me +covered me up, and I began to grow like an ant-hill (with its +summits and peaks)! And covered along with my horses and charioteer +and flagstaffs, with crags on all sides, I disappeared from sight +altogether. Then those foremost of heroes of the Vrishni race who +were of my army were struck with panic, and all on a sudden began +to fly in all directions. And beholding me in that plight, O king, +the heaven, the firmament, and the earth were filled with +exclamation of <i>Oh!</i> and <i>Alas!</i> And then, O monarch, my +friends filled with sorrow and grief began to weep and wail with +heavy hearts! And delight filled the hearts of the enemies. And O +thou who never waverest, I heard of this after I had defeated the +foe! And then wielding the thunderbolt, that favourite (weapon) of +Indra, capable of riving stones, I destroyed that entire mass of +crags! But my steeds, afflicted with the weight of the stones and +almost on the point of death began to tremble. And beholding me, +all my friends rejoiced again even as men rejoice on seeing the sun +rise in the sky, dispersing the clouds. And seeing my horses almost +in their last gasp for breath, afflicted with that load of stones, +my charioteer said unto me in words suitable to the occasion, "O +thou of the Vrishni race, behold Salwa the owner of the car of +precious metals sitting (yonder). Do not disregard him! Do thou +exert thyself! Do thou abandon thy mildness and consideration for +Salwa. Slay Salwa, O thou of mighty arms! O Kesava, do not let him +live! O hero, O thou destroyer of those that are not thy friends +(enemies), an enemy should be slain with every exertion! Even a +weak enemy who is under the feet of a man endued with strength, +should not be disregarded by the latter: what (shall I say) of one +that dareth us to the fight? Therefore, O thou tiger among men, +putting forth every exertion, slay him, O lord, O thou foremost of +the Vrishni race! Do thou not delay again! This one is not capable +of <span class="pagenum">[Pg 49]</span> being vanquished by milder +measures. And he cannot in my opinion be thy friend who is fighting +thee and who devastated Dwaraka!" O Kaunteya, hearing such words of +my charioteer, and knowing that what he said was true, I directed +my attention to the fight (afresh), with the view of slaying Salwa +and destroying the car of costly metals! And, O hero, saying unto +Daruka, "<i>Stay a moment</i>" I fixed on my bow-string my +favourite weapon of fire, blazing and of celestial origin, of +irresistible force, and incapable of being baffled, bursting with +energy, capable of penetrating into everything, and of great +splendour! And saying, "<i>Destroy the car of precious metals +together with all those enemies that are in it</i>" I launched with +the might of my arms and in wrath with <i>mantras</i>, the great +powerful discus <i>Sudarsana</i> which reduceth to ashes in battle +Yakshas and Rakshasas and Danavas and kings born in impure tribes, +sharp-edged like the razor, and without stain, like unto Yama the +destroyer, and incomparable, and which killeth enemies. And rising +into the sky, it seemed like a second sun of exceeding effulgence +at the end of the <i>Yuga</i>. And approaching the town of Saubha +whose splendour had disappeared, the discus went right through it, +even as a saw divideth a tall tree. And cut in twain by the energy +of the Sudarsana it fell like the city of Tripura shaken by the +shafts of Maheswara. And after the town of Saubha had fallen, the +discus came back into my hands. And taking it up I once more hurled +it with force saying, "<i>Go thou unto Salwa</i>." The discus then +cleft Salwa in twain who in that fierce conflict was at the point +of hurling a heavy mace. And with its energy it set the foe ablaze. +And after that brave warrior was slain, the disheartened Danava +women fled in all directions, exclaiming <i>Oh!</i> and +<i>Alas!</i> And taking my chariot in front of the town of Saubha I +cheerfully blew my conch and gladdened the hearts of my friends. +And beholding their town, high as the peak of the Meru, with its +palaces and gate-ways utterly destroyed, and all ablaze, the +Danavas fled in fear. And having thus destroyed the town of Saubha +and slain Salwa, I returned to the Anarttas and delighted my +friends. And, O king, it is for this reason that I could not come +to the city named after the elephant (Hastinapura), O destroyer of +hostile heroes! O warrior, if I had come, Suyodhana would not have +been alive or the match at dice would not have taken place. What +can I do now? It is difficult to confine the waters after the dam +is broken!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Having addressed the Kaurava thus, that +foremost of male persons, of mighty arms, the slayer of Madhu, +possessed of every grace, saluting the Pandavas, prepared for +departure. And the mighty-armed hero reverentially saluted +Yudhishthira the just, and the king in return and Bhima also smelt +the crown of his head. And he was embraced by Arjuna, and the twins +saluted him with reverence. And he was duly honoured by Dhaumya, +and worshipped with tears by Draupadi. And causing Subhadra and +Abhimanyu to ascend his golden car, <span class="pagenum">[Pg +50]</span> Krishna mounted it himself, worshipped by the Pandavas. +And consoling Yudhishthira, Krishna set out for Dwaraka on his car +resplendent as the sun and unto which were yoked the horses +<i>Saivya</i> and <i>Sugriva</i>. And after he of the Dasharha race +had departed, Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, also set out for +his own city, taking with him the sons of Draupadi. And the king of +Chedi, Dhrishtaketu also, taking his sister with him set out for +his beautiful city of Suktimati, after bidding farewell to the +Pandavas. And, O Bharata, the Kaikeyas also, with the permission of +Kunti's son possessed of immeasurable energy, having reverentially +saluted all the Pandavas, went away. But Brahmanas and the Vaisyas +and the dwellers of Yudhishthira's kingdom though repeatedly +requested to go, did not leave the Pandavas. O foremost of kings, O +bull of the Bharata race, the multitude that surrounded those +high-souled ones in the forest of Kamyaka looked extraordinary. And +Yudhishthira, honouring those high-minded Brahmanas, in due time +ordered his men, saying '<i>Make ready the car</i>.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XXIII</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "After the chief of the Dasharhas had +departed, the heroic Yudhishthira, and Bhima, and Arjuna, and the +twins, each looking like unto Shiva, and Krishna, and their priest, +ascending costly cars unto which were yoked excellent steeds, +together went into the forest. And at time of going they +distributed <i>Nishkas</i> of gold and clothes and kine unto +Brahmanas versed in <i>Siksha</i> and <i>Akshara</i> and +<i>mantras</i>. And twenty attendants followed them equipped with +bows, and bowstrings, and blazing weapons, and shafts and arrows +and engines of destruction. And taking the princess's clothes and +the ornaments, and the nurses and the maid-servants, Indrasena +speedily followed the princes on a car. And then approaching the +best of Kurus, the high-minded citizens walked round him. And the +principal Brahmanas of Kurujangala cheerfully saluted him. And +together with his brothers, Yudhishthira the just, on his part +saluted them cheerfully. And the illustrious king stopped there a +little, beholding the concourse of the inhabitants of Kurujangala. +And the illustrious bull among the Kurus felt for them as a father +feeleth for his sons, and they too felt for the Kuru chief even as +sons feel for their father! And that mighty concourse, approaching +the Kuru hero, stood around him. And, O king, affected, with +bashfulness, and with tears in their eyes, they all exclaimed, +'Alas, O lord! O Dharma!' And they said, 'Thou art the chief of the +Kurus, and the king of us, thy subjects! Where dost thou go, O just +monarch, leaving all these citizens and the inhabitants of the +country, like a father leaving his sons? Fie on <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 51]</span> the cruel-hearted son of Dhritarashtra! +Fie on the evil-minded son of Suvala! Fie on Karna! For, O foremost +of monarchs, those wretches ever wish unto thee who art firm in +virtue! Having thyself established the unrivalled city of +Indraprastha of the splendour of Kailasa itself, where dost thou +go, leaving it, O illustrious and just king, O achiever of +extraordinary deeds! O illustrious one, leaving that peerless +palace built by Maya, which possesseth the splendour of the palace +of the celestials themselves, and is like unto a celestial +illusion, ever guarded by the gods, where dost thou go, O son of +Dharma?' And Vibhatsu knowing the ways of virtue, pleasure, and +profit said unto them in a loud voice, 'Living in the forest, the +king intendeth to take away the good name of his enemies! O ye with +the regenerate ones at your head, versed in virtue and profit, do +you approaching the ascetics separately and inclining them to +grace, represent unto them what may be for our supreme good!' Upon +hearing these words of Arjuna, the Brahmanas and the other orders, +O king, saluting him cheerfully walked round the foremost of +virtuous men! And bidding farewell unto the son of Pritha, and +Vrikodara, and Dhananjaya and Yajnaseni, and the twins, and +commanded by Yudhishthira, they returned to their respective abodes +in the kingdom with heavy hearts."</p> +<h2>SECTION XXIV</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "After they had departed, Yudhishthira the +virtuous son of Kunti, unwavering in his promises, addressed all +his brothers, saying, 'We shall have to dwell in the solitary +forest for these twelve years. Search ye, therefore, in this mighty +forest for some spot abounding in birds and deer and flowers and +fruits, beautiful to behold, and auspicious, and inhabited by +virtuous persons and where we may dwell pleasantly for all these +years!' Thus addressed by Yudhishthira, Dhananjaya replied unto the +son of Dharma, after reverencing the illustrious king as if he were +his spiritual preceptor. And Arjuna said, 'Thou hast respectfully +waited upon all the great and old <i>Rishis</i>. There is nothing +unknown to thee in the world of men. And O bull of the Bharata +race, thou hast always waited with reverence upon Brahmanas +including Dwaipayana and others, and Narada of great ascetic merit, +who with senses under control, ever goeth to the gates of all the +world from the world of the gods unto that of Brahma, including +that of the Gandharvas and Apsaras! And thou knowest, without +doubt, the opinions of the Brahmanas, and, O king, their prowess +also! And O monarch, thou knowest what is calculated to do us good! +And O great king, we will <span class="pagenum">[Pg 52]</span> live +wherever thou likest! Here is this lake, full of sacred water, +called <i>Dwaitavana</i>, abounding with flowers, and delightful to +look at, and inhabited by many species of birds. If, O king, it +pleaseth thee, here should we like to dwell these twelve years! +Thinkest thou otherwise?' Yudhishthira replied, 'O Partha, what +thou hast said recommendeth itself to me! Let us go that sacred and +celebrated and large lake called <i>Dwaitavana</i>!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Then the virtuous son of Pandu, +accompanied by numerous Brahmanas, all went to the sacred lake +called <i>Dwaitavana</i>. And Yudhishthira was surrounded by +numerous Brahmanas some of whom sacrificed with fire and some +without it and some of whom, devoted to the study of the Vedas, +lived upon alms or were of the class called <i>Vanaprasthas</i>. +And the king was also surrounded by hundreds of <i>Mahatmas</i> +crowned with ascetic success and of rigid vows. And those bulls of +the Bharata race, the sons of Pandu setting out with those numerous +Brahmanas, entered the sacred and delightful woods of +<i>Dwaita</i>. And the king saw that mighty forest covered on the +close of summer with <i>Salas</i>, and palms, and mangoes, and +<i>Madhukas</i>, and <i>Nipas</i> and <i>Kadamvas</i> and +<i>Sarjjas</i> and <i>Arjunas</i>, and <i>Karnikars</i>, many of +them covered with flowers. And flocks of peacocks and +<i>Datyuhas</i> and <i>Chakoras</i> and <i>Varhins</i> and +<i>Kokilas</i>, seated on the tops of the tallest trees of that +forest were pouring forth their mellifluous notes. And the king +also saw in that forest mighty herds of gigantic elephants huge as +the hills, with temporal juice trickling down in the season of rut, +accompanied by herds of she-elephants. And approaching the +beautiful Bhogavati (Saraswati), the king saw many ascetics crowned +with success in the habitations in that forest, and virtuous men of +sanctified souls clad in barks of trees and bearing matted locks on +their heads. And descending from their cars, the king that foremost +of virtuous men with his brothers and followers entered that forest +like Indra of immeasurable energy entering heaven. And crowds of +<i>Charanas</i> and <i>Siddhas</i>, desirous of beholding the +monarch devoted to truth, came towards him. And the dwellers of +that forest stood surrounding that lion among kings possessed of +great intelligence. And saluting all the <i>Siddhas</i>, and +saluted by them in return as a king or a god should be, that +foremost of virtuous men entered the forest with joined hands +accompanied by all those foremost of regenerate ones. And the +illustrious and virtuous king, saluted in return by those virtuous +ascetics that had approached him, sat down in their midst at the +foot of a mighty tree decked with flowers, like his father (Pandu) +in days before. And those chiefs of the Bharata race <i>viz</i>., +Bhima and Dhananjaya and the twins and Krishna and their followers, +all fatigued, leaving their vehicles, sat themselves down around +that best of kings. And that mighty tree bent down with the weight +of creepers, with those five illustrious bowmen who had come there +for rest sitting under it, looked like a mountain with (five) huge +elephants resting on its side."</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 53]</span> +<h2>SECTION XXV</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Having fallen into distress, those princes +thus obtained at last a pleasant habitation in that forest. And +there in those woods abounding with <i>Sala</i> trees and washed by +the Saraswati, they who were like so many Indras, began to sport +themselves. And the illustrious king, that bull of the Kuru race, +set himself to please all the <i>Yatis</i> and <i>Munis</i> and the +principal Brahmanas in that forest, by offerings of excellent +fruits and roots. And their priest, Dhaumya endued with great +energy, like unto a father to those princes, began to perform the +sacrificial rites of <i>Ishti</i> and <i>Paitreya</i> for the +Pandavas residing in that great forest. And there came, as a guest, +unto the abode of the accomplished Pandavas living in the wood +after loss of their kingdom, the old Rishi Markandeya, possessed of +intense and abundant energy. And that bull of the Kuru race, the +high-souled Yudhishthira, possessed of unrivalled strength and +prowess, paid his homage unto that great <i>Muni</i>, reverenced by +celestials and Rishis of men, and possessed of the splendour of +blazing fire. And that illustrious and all-knowing <i>Muni</i>, of +unrivalled energy, beholding Draupadi and Yudhishthira and Bhima +and Arjuna, in the midst of the ascetics, smiled, recollecting Rama +in his mind. And Yudhishthira the just, apparently grieved at this, +asked him, saying, 'All these ascetics are sorry for seeing me +here. Why is it that thou alone smilest, as if in glee, in the +presence of these?' Markandeya replied, 'O child, I too am sorry +and do not smile in glee! Nor doth pride born of joy possess my +heart! Beholding to-day thy calamity, I recollect Rama, the son of +Dasaratha, devoted to truth! Even that Rama, accompanied by +Lakshman, dwelt in the woods at the command of his father. O son of +Pritha, I beheld him in days of old ranging with his bow on the top +of the <i>Rishyamuka</i> hills! The illustrious Rama was like unto +Indra, the lord of Yama himself, and the slayer of Namuchi! Yet +that sinless one had to dwell in the forest at the command of his +father, accepting it as his duty. The illustrious Rama was equal +unto Sakra in prowess, and invincible in battle. And yet he had to +range the forest renouncing all pleasures! Therefore should no one +act unrighteously, saying,—<i>I am mighty!</i> Kings Nabhaga +and Bhagiratha and others, having subjugated by truth this world +bounded by the seas, (finally) obtained, O child, all the region +hereafter. Therefore, should no one act unrighteously, +saying,—<i>I am mighty!</i> And, O exalted of men, the +virtuous and truthful king of Kasi and Karusha was called a mad dog +for having renounced his territories and riches! Therefore, should +no one act unrighteously, saying,—<i>I am mighty!</i> O best +of men, O son of Pritha, the seven righteous Rishis, for having +observed the ordinance prescribed by the Creator himself in the +Vedas, blaze in the firmament. Therefore, should no one act +unrighteously, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 54]</span> +saying,—<i>I am mighty!</i> Behold, O king, the mighty +elephants, huge as mountain cliffs and furnished with tusks, +transgress not, O exalted of men, the laws of the Creator! +Therefore, should none act unrighteously saying, <i>Might is +mine!</i> And, O foremost of monarchs, behold all the creatures +acting according to their species, as ordained by the Creator. +Therefore, should none act unrighteously, saying, <i>Might is +mine</i>. O son of Pritha, in truth, and virtue, and proper +behaviour, and modesty, thou hast surpassed all creatures, and thy +fame and energy are as bright as fire or the Sun! Firm in thy +promises, O illustrious one, having passed in the woods thy painful +exile, thou wilt again, O king, snatch from the Kauravas thy +blazing prosperity with the help of thy own energy!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Having spoken these words unto +Yudhishthira (seated) in the midst of the ascetics with friends, +the great Rishi having also saluted Dhaumya and all the Pandavas +set out in a northerly direction!"</p> +<h2>SECTION XXVI</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "While the illustrious son of Pandu continued +to dwell in the <i>Dwaita</i> woods, that great forest became +filled with Brahmanas. And the lake within that forest, ever +resounding with Vedic recitations, became sacred like a second +region of Brahma. And the sounds of the <i>Yajus</i>, the +<i>Riks</i>, the <i>Samas</i>, and other words uttered by the +Brahmanas, were exceedingly delightful to hear. And the Vedic +recitations of the Brahmanas mingling with the twang of bows of the +sons of Pritha, produced a union of the Brahmana and Kshatriya +customs that was highly beautiful. And one evening the Rishi Vaka +of the <i>Dalvya</i> family addressed Yudhishthira, the son of +Kunti seated in the midst of the Rishis, saying, 'Behold, O chief +of the Kurus, O son of Pritha, the <i>homa</i> time is come of +these Brahmanas devoted to ascetic austerities, the time when the +(sacred) fires have all been lit up! These all, of rigid vows, +protected by thee, are performing the rites of religion in this +sacred region! The descendants of Bhrigu and Angiras, along with +those of Vasistha and Kasyapa, the illustrious sons of Agastya, the +offspring of Atri all of excellent vows, in fact, all the foremost +Brahmanas of the whole, are now united with thee! Listen, O son of +the Kuru race born of Kunti, thyself with thy brothers, to the +words I speak to thee! As fire aided by the wind consumeth the +forest, so <i>Brahma</i> energy mingling with <i>Kshatriya</i> +energy, and <i>Kshatriya</i> might mingling with Brahma power, +might, when they gathered force, consume all enemies! O child, he +should never desire to be without Brahmanas who wisheth to subdue +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 55]</span> this and the other world for +length of days! Indeed, a king slayeth his enemies having obtained +a Brahmana conversant with religion and worldly affairs and freed +from passion and folly. King Vali cherishing his subjects practised +those duties that lead to salvation, and knew not of any other +means in this world than Brahmanas. It was for this that all the +desires of Virochana's son, the Asura (Vali), were ever gratified, +and his wealth was ever inexhaustible. Having obtained the whole +earth through the aid of the Brahmanas, he met with destruction +when he began to practise wrong on them! This earth with her wealth +never adoreth long as her lord a Kshatriya living without a +Brahmana! The earth, however, girt by the sea, boweth unto him who +is ruled by a Brahmana and taught his duties by him! Like an +elephant in battle without his driver, a Kshatriya destitute of +Brahmanas decreaseth in strength! The Brahmana's sight is without +compare, and the Kshatriya's might also is unparalleled. When these +combine, the whole earth itself cheerfully yieldeth to such a +combination. As fire becoming mightier with the wind consumeth +straw and wood, so kings with Brahmanas consume all foes! An +intelligent Kshatriya, in order to gain what he hath not, and +increase what he hath, should take counsel of Brahmanas! Therefore, +O son of Kunti, for obtaining what thou hast not and increasing +what thou hast, and spending what thou hast on proper objects and +persons, keep thou with thee a Brahmana of reputation, of a +knowledge of the Vedas, of wisdom and experience! O Yudhishthira, +Thou hast ever highly regarded the Brahmanas. It is for this that +thy fame is great and blazeth in the three worlds!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Then all those Brahmanas who were with +Yudhishthira worshipped Vaka of the Dalvya race, and having heard +him praise Yudhishthira became highly pleased. And Dwaipayana and +Narada and Jamadagnya and Prithusravas; and Indradyumna and Bhalaki +and Kritachetas and Sahasrapat; and Karnasravas and Munja and +Lavanaswa and Kasyapa; and Harita and Sthulakarana and Agnivesya +and Saunaka; and Kritavak and Suvakana, Vrihadaswa and Vibhavasu; +and Urdharetas and Vrishamitra and Suhotra and Hotravahana; these +and many other Brahmanas of rigid vows then adored Yudhishthira +like Rishis adoring Purandara in heaven!"</p> +<h2>SECTION XXVII</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Exiled to the woods the sons of Pritha with +Krishna seated in the evening, conversed with one another afflicted +with sorrow and grief. And the handsome and well informed Krishna +dear unto her lords and devoted to them, thus spake unto +Yudhishthira, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 56]</span> 'The sinful, +cruel, and wicked-minded son of Dhritarashtra certainly feeleth no +sorrow for us, when, O king, that evil-hearted wretch having sent +thee with myself into the woods dressed in deer-skin feeleth no +regret! The heart of that wretch of evil deeds must surely be made +of steel when he could at that time address thee, his virtuous +eldest brother, in words so harsh! Having brought thee who +deservest to enjoy every happiness and never such woe, into such +distress, alas, that wicked-minded and sinful wretch joyeth with +his friends! O Bharata, when dressed in deer-skin thou hast set out +for the woods, only four persons, O monarch, <i>viz</i>., +Duryodhana, Karna, the evil-minded Sakuni, and Dussasana that bad +and fierce brother of Duryodhana, did not shed tears! With the +exception of these, O thou best of the Kurus, all other Kurus +filled with sorrow shed tears from their eyes! Beholding this thy +bed and recollecting what thou hadst before, I grieve, O king, for +thee who deservest not woe and hast been brought up in every +luxury! Remembering that seat of ivory in thy court, decked with +jewels and beholding this seat of <i>kusa</i> grass, grief +consumeth me, O king! I saw thee, O king, surrounded in thy court +by kings! What peace can my heart know in not beholding thee such +now? I beheld thy body, effulgent as the sun, decked with sandal +paste! Alas, grief depriveth me of my senses in beholding thee now +besmeared with mud and dirt! I saw thee before, O king, dressed in +silken clothes of pure white! But I now behold thee dressed in +rags! Formerly, O king, pure food of every kind was carried from +thy house on plates of gold for Brahmanas by thousands! And, O +king, food also of the best kind was formerly given by thee unto +ascetics both houseless and living in domesticity! Formerly, living +in thy mansion thou hadst ever filled with food of every kind +plates by thousands, and worshipped the Brahmanas gratifying every +wish of theirs! What peace, O king, can my heart know in not +beholding all this now? And, O great king, these thy brothers, +endued with youth and decked with ear-rings, were formerly fed by +cook with food of the sweet flavour and dressed with skill! Alas, O +king, I now behold them all, so undeserving of woe, living in the +woods and upon what the wood may yield! My heart, O King knoweth no +peace! Thinking of this Bhimasena living in sorrow in the woods, +doth not thy anger blaze up, even though it is time? Why doth not +thy anger, O king, blaze up upon beholding the illustrious +Bhimasena who ever performeth everything unaided, so fallen into +distress, though deserving of every happiness? Why, O king, doth +not thy anger blaze up on beholding that Bhima living in the woods +who was formerly surrounded with numerous vehicles and dressed in +costly apparel? This exalted personage is ready to slay all the +Kurus in battle. He beareth, however, all this sorrow, only because +he waiteth for the fufilment of thy promise! This Arjuna, O king, +though possessed of two hands, is equal, for the lightness of his +hand in discharging shafts, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 57]</span> to +(Kaitavirya) Arjuna of a thousand arms! He is even (to foes), like +unto Yama himself at the end of the <i>Yuga</i>! It was by the +prowess of his weapons that all the kings of the earth were made to +wait upon the Brahmanas at thy sacrifice! Beholding that Arjuna +that tiger among men worshipped by both the celestials and the +Danavas so anxious, why, O king, dost thou not feel indignant? I +grieve, O Bharata, that thy wrath doth not blaze up at sight of +that son of Pritha in exile, that prince who deserveth not such +distress and who hath been brought up in every luxury! Why doth not +thy wrath blaze up at sight of that Arjuna in exile, who, on a +single car, hath vanquished celestials and men and serpents? Why, O +king, doth not thy wrath blaze up at sight of that Arjuna in exile +who, honoured with offerings of cars and vehicles of various forms +and horses and elephants, forcibly took from the kings of the earth +their treasures, who is the chastiser of all foes, and who at one +impetus can throw full five hundred arrows? Why, O king, doth not +thy wrath blaze up at sight of Nakula, in exile, who so fair and +able-bodied and young, is the foremost of all swordsmen? Why, O +king, dost thou pardon the foe, O Yudhishthira, at sight of Madri's +son, the handsome and brave Sahadeva in exile? Why doth not thy +anger blaze up, O king, it sight of both Nakula and Sahadeva +overwhelmed with grief, though so undeserving of distress? Why +also, O king, dost thou pardon the foe at sight of myself in exile +who, born in the race of Drupada and, therefore, the sister of +Dhrishtadyumna, am the daughter-in-law of the illustrious Pandu and +the devoted wife of heroes? Truly, O thou best of the Bharatas, +thou hast no anger, else why is it that thy mind is not moved at +sight of thy brothers and myself (in such distress)? It is said +that there is no Kshatriya in the world who is bereft of anger. I +now behold in thee, however, a refutation of the proverb! That +Kshatriya, O son of Pritha, who discovereth not his energy when the +opportunity cometh, is ever disregarded by all creatures! +Therefore, O king, thou shouldst not extend thy forgiveness to the +foe. Indeed, with thy energy, without doubt, thou mayst slay them +all! So also, O king, that Kshatriya who is not appeased when the +time for forgiveness cometh, becometh unpopular with every creature +and meeteth with destruction both in this and the other +world!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XXVIII</h2> +<p>"Draupadi continued, 'On this subject, the ancient story of the +conversation between Prahlada and Vali, the son of Virochana, is +quoted as an example. One day Vali asked his grand-father Prahlada, +the chief <span class="pagenum">[Pg 58]</span> of the Asuras and +the Danavas, possessed of great wisdom and well-versed in the +mysteries of the science of duty, saying, "O sire, is forgiveness +meritorious or might and energy such? I am puzzled as regards this; +O sire, enlighten me who ask thee this! O thou conversant with all +duties, tell me truly which of these is meritorious? I will +strictly obey whatever thy command may be!" Thus asked (by Vali), +his wise grandfather, conversant with every conclusion, replied +upon the whole subject unto his grand-son who had sought at his +hands the resolution of his doubts. And Prahlada said, "Know, O +child, these two truths with certainty, viz., that might is not +always meritorious and forgiveness also is not always meritorious! +He that forgiveth always suffereth many evils. Servants and +strangers and enemies always disregard him. No creature ever +bendeth down unto him. Therefore it is, O child, that the learned +applaud not a constant habit of forgiveness! The servants of an +ever-forgiving person always disregard him, and contract numerous +faults. These mean-minded men also seek to deprive him of his +wealth. Vile-souled servants also appropriate to themselves his +vehicles and clothes and ornaments and apparel and beds and seats +and food and drink and other articles of use. They do not also at +the command of their master, give unto others the things they are +directed to give. Nor do they even worship their master with that +respect which is their master's due. Disregard in this world is +worse than death. O child, sons and servants and attendants and +even strangers speak harsh words unto the man who always forgiveth. +Persons, disregarding the man of an ever-forgiving temper, even +desire his wife, and his wife also, becometh ready to act as she +willeth. And servants also that are ever fond of pleasure, if they +do not receive even slight punishments from their master, contract +all sorts of vices, and the wicked ever injure such a master. These +and many other demerits attach to those that are +ever-forgiving!</p> +<p>"'"Listen now, O son of Virochana, to the demerits of those that +are never forgiving! The man of wrath who, surrounded by darkness, +always inflicteth, by help of his own energy, various kinds of +punishment on persons whether they deserve them or not, is +necessarily separated from his friends in consequence of that +energy of his. Such a man is hated by both relatives and strangers. +Such a man, because he insulteth others, suffereth loss of wealth +and reapeth disregard and sorrow and hatred and confusion and +enemies. The man of wrath, in consequence of his ire, inflicteth +punishments on men and obtaineth (in return) harsh words. He is +divested of his prosperity soon and even of life, not to say, of +friends and relatives. He that putteth forth his might both upon +his benefactor and his foe, is an object of alarm to the world, +like a snake that hath taken shelter in a house, to the inmates +thereof. What prosperity can he have who is an object of alarm to +the world? People always do him an injury when they find a hole. +Therefore, should men <span class="pagenum">[Pg 59]</span> never +exhibit might in excess nor forgiveness on all occasions. One +should put forth his might and show his forgiveness on proper +occasions. He that becometh forgiving at the proper time and harsh +and mighty also at the proper time, obtaineth happiness both in +this world and the other.</p> +<p>"'"I shall now indicate the occasions in detail of forgiveness, +as laid down by the learned, and which should ever be observed by +all. Hearken unto me as I speak! He that hath done thee a service, +even if he is guilty of a grave wrong unto thee, recollecting his +former service, shouldst thou forgive that offender. Those also +that have become offenders from ignorance and folly should be +forgiven for learning and wisdom are not always easily attainable +by man. They that having offended thee knowingly, plead ignorance +should be punished, even if their offences be trivial. Such crooked +men should never be pardoned. The first offence of every creature +should be forgiven. The second offence, however, should be +punished, even if it be trivial. If, however, a person committeth +an offence unwillingly, it hath been said that examining his plea +well by a judicious enquiry, he should be pardoned. Humility may +vanquish might, humility may vanquish weakness. There is nothing +that humility may not accomplish. Therefore, humility is truly +fiercer (than it seemeth)! One should act with reference to place +and time, taking note of his own might or weakness. Nothing can +succeed that hath been undertaken without reference to place and +time. Therefore, do thou ever wait for place and time! Sometimes +offenders should be forgiven from fear of the people. These have +been declared to be times of forgiveness. And it hath been said +that on occasions besides these, might should be put forth against +transgressors."'</p> +<p>"Draupadi continued, 'I, therefore, regard, O king, that the +time hath come for thee to put forth thy might! Unto those Kurus +the covetous sons of Dhritarashtra who injure us always, the +present is not the time for forgiveness! It behoveth thee to put +forth thy might. The humble and forgiving person is disregarded; +while those that are fierce persecute others. He, indeed, is a king +who hath recourse to both, each according to its time!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XXIX</h2> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'Anger is the slayer of men and is again +their prosperor. Know this, O thou possessed of great wisdom, that +anger is the root of all prosperity and all adversity. O thou +beautiful one, he that suppresseth his anger earneth prosperity. +That man, again, who always giveth way to anger, reapeth adversity +from his fierce anger. It is seen <span class="pagenum">[Pg +60]</span> in this world that anger is the cause of destruction of +every creature. How then can one like me indulge his anger which is +so destructive of the world? The angry man commiteth sin. The angry +man killeth even his preceptors. The angry man insulteth even his +superiors in harsh words. The man that is angry faileth to +distinguish between what should be said and what should not. There +is no act that an angry man may not do, no word that an angry man +may not utter. From anger a man may slay one that deserveth not to +be slain, and may worship one that deserveth to be slain. The angry +man may even send his own soul to the regions of Yama. Beholding +all these faults, the wise control their anger, desirous of +obtaining high prosperity both in this and the other world. It is +for this that they of tranquil souls have banished wrath. How can +one like us indulge in it then? O daughter of Drupada, reflecting +upon all this, my anger is not excited. One that acteth not against +a man whose wrath hath been up, rescueth himself as also others +from great fear. In fact, he may be regarded to be the physician of +the two (<i>viz</i>., himself and angry man). If a weak man, +persecuted by others, foolishly becometh angry towards men that are +mightier than he, he then becometh himself the cause of his own +destruction. And in respect of one who thus deliberately throweth +away his life, there are no regions hereafter to gain. Therefore, O +daughter of Drupada, it hath been said that a weak man should +always suppress his wrath. And the wise man also who though +persecuted, suffereth not his wrath to be roused, joyeth in the +other world—having passed his persecutor over in +indifference. It is for this reason hath it been said that a wise +man, whether strong or weak, should ever forgive his persecutor +even when the latter is in the straits. It is for this, O Krishna, +that the virtuous applaud them that have conquered their wrath. +Indeed, it is the opinion of the virtuous that the honest and +forgiving man is ever victorious. Truth is more beneficial than +untruth; and gentleness than cruel behaviour. How can one like me, +therefore, even for the purpose of slaying Duryodhana, exhibit +anger which hath so many faults and which the virtuous banish from +their souls? They that are regarded by the learned of foresight, as +possessed of (true) force of character, are certainly those who are +wrathful in outward show only. Men of learning and of true insight +call him to be possessed of force of character who by his wisdom +can suppress his risen wrath. O thou of fair hips, the angry man +seeth not things in their true light. The man that is angry seeth +not his way, nor respecteth persons. The angry man killeth even +those that deserve not to be killed. The man of wrath slayeth even +his preceptors. Therefore, the man possessing force of character +should ever banish wrath to a distance. The man that is overwhelmed +with wrath acquireth not with ease generosity, dignity, courage, +skill, and other attributes belonging to real force of character. A +man by forsaking anger can exhibit proper energy, whereas, O wise +one, it is highly difficult for <span class="pagenum">[Pg +61]</span> the angry man to exhibit his energy at the proper time! +The ignorant always regard anger as equivalent to energy. Wrath, +however hath been given to man for the destruction of the world. +The man, therefore, who wisheth to behave properly, must ever +forsake anger. Even one who hath abandoned the excellent virtues of +his own order, it is certain, indulgeth in wrath (if behaveth +properly). If fools, of mind without light, transgress in every +respect, how, O faultless one, can one like me transgress (like +them)? If amongst men there were not persons equal unto the earth +in forgiveness, there would be no peace among men but continued +strife caused by wrath. If the injured return their injuries, if +one chastised by his superior were to chastise his superior in +return, the consequence would be the destruction of every creature, +and sin also would prevail in the world. If the man who hath ill +speeches from another, returneth those speeches afterwards; if the +injured man returneth his injuries; if the chastised person +chastiseth in return; if fathers slay sons, and sons fathers and if +husbands slay wives, and wives husbands; then, O Krishna, how can +birth take place in a world where anger prevaileth so! For, O thou +of handsome face, know that the birth of creatures is due to peace! +If the kings also, O Draupadi, giveth way to wrath, his subjects +soon meet with destruction. Wrath, therefore, hath for its +consequence the destruction and the distress of the people. And +because it is seen that there are in the world men who are +forgiving like the Earth, it is therefore that creatures derive +their life and prosperity. O beautiful one, one should forgive +under every injury. It hath been said that the continuation of +species is due to man being forgiving. He, indeed, is a wise and +excellent person who hath conquered his wrath and who showeth +forgiveness even when insulted, oppressed, and angered by a strong +person. The man of power who controleth his wrath, hath (for his +enjoyment) numerous everlasting regions; while he that is angry, is +called foolish, and meeteth with destruction both in this and the +other world. O Krishna, the illustrious and forgiving Kasyapa +hath, in this respect, sung the following verses in honour of men +that are ever forgiving, "Forgiveness is virtue, forgiveness is +sacrifice, forgiveness is the Vedas, forgiveness is the +<i>Shruti</i>. He that knoweth this is capable of forgiving +everything. Forgiveness is <i>Brahma</i>; forgiveness is truth; +forgiveness is stored ascetic merit; forgiveness protecteth the +ascetic merit of the future; forgiveness is asceticism; forgiveness +is holiness; and by forgiveness is it that the universe is held +together. Persons that are forgiving attain to the regions +obtainable by those that have performed meritorious sacrifices, or +those that are well-conversant with the Vedas, or those that have +high ascetic merit. Those that perform Vedic sacrifices as also +those that perform the meritorious rites of religion obtain other +regions. Men of forgiveness, however, obtain those much-adored +regions that are in the world of Brahma. Forgiveness is the might +of the mighty; forgiveness is sacrifice; <span class="pagenum">[Pg +62]</span> forgiveness is quiet of mind. How, O Krishna, can one +like us abandon forgiveness, which is such, and in which are +established <i>Brahma</i>, and truth, and wisdom and the worlds? +The man of wisdom should ever forgive, for when he is capable of +forgiving everything, he attaineth to <i>Brahma</i>. The world +belongeth to those that are forgiving; the other world is also +theirs. The forgiving acquire honours here, and a state of +blessedness hereafter. Those men that ever conquer their wrath by +forgiveness, obtain the higher regions. Therefore hath it been said +that forgiveness is the highest virtue." Those are the verses sung +by Kasyapa in respect of those that are everforgiving. Having +listened, O Draupadi, to these verses in respect of forgiveness, +content thyself! Give not way to thy wrath! Our grandsire, the son +of Santanu, will worship peace; Krishna, the son of Devaki, will +worship peace; the preceptor (Drona) and Vidura called +<i>Kshatri</i> will both speak of peace; Kripa and Sanjaya also +will preach peace. And Somadatta and Yuyutshu and Drona's son and +our grandsire Vyasa, every one of them speaketh always of peace. +Ever urged by these towards peace, the king (Dhritarashtra) will, I +think, return us our kingdom. If however, he yieldeth to +temptation, he will meet with destruction. O lady, a crisis hath +come in the history of Bharatas for plunging them into calamity! +This hath been my certain conclusion from some time before! +Suyodhana deserveth not the kingdom. Therefore hath he been unable +to acquire forgiveness. I, however, deserve the sovereignty and +therefore is it that forgiveness hath taken possession of me. +Forgiveness and gentleness are the qualities of the self-possessed. +They represent eternal virtue. I shall, therefore, truly adopt +those qualities.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XXX</h2> +<p>"Draupadi said, 'I bow down unto <i>Dhatri</i> and +<i>Vidhatri</i> who have thus clouded thy sense! Regarding the +burden (thou art to bear) thou thinkest differently from the ways +of thy fathers and grand-fathers! Influenced by acts men are placed +in different situations of life. Acts, therefore, produce +consequences that are inevitable; emancipation is desired from mere +folly. It seemeth that man can never attain prosperity in this +world by virtue, gentleness, forgiveness, straight-forwardness and +fear of censure! If this were not so, O Bharata, this insufferable +calamity would never have overtaken thee who art so undeserving of +it, and these thy brothers of great energy! Neither in those days +of prosperity nor in these days of thy adversity, thou, O Bharata, +hath ever known anything so dear to thee as virtue, which thou hast +even regarded as dearer to thee than life! That thy kingdom is for +virtue alone, that thy life also is for <span class="pagenum">[Pg +63]</span> virtue alone, is known to Brahmanas and thy superiors +and even the celestials! I think thou canst abandon Bhimasena and +Arjuna and these twin sons of Madri along with myself but thou +canst not abandon virtue! I have heard that the king protecteth +virtue; and virtue, protected by him, protecteth him (in return)! I +see, however, that virtue protecteth thee not! Like the shadow +pursuing a man, thy heart, O tiger among men, with singleness of +purpose, ever seeketh virtue. Thou hast never disregarded thy +equals, and inferiors and superiors. Obtaining even the entire +world, thy pride never increased! O son of Pritha, thou ever +worshippest Brahmanas, and gods, and the <i>Pitris</i>, with +<i>Swadhas</i>, and other forms of worship! O son of Pritha, thou +hast ever gratified the Brahmanas by fulfilling every wish of +theirs! <i>Yatis</i> and <i>Sannyasins</i> and mendicants of +domestic lives have always been fed in thy house from off plates of +gold where I have distributed (food) amongst them. Unto the +<i>Vanaprasthas</i> thou always givest gold and food. There is +nothing in thy house thou mayest not give unto the Brahmanas! In +the <i>Viswadeva</i> sacrifice, that is, for thy peace, performed +in thy house, the things consecrated are first offered unto guests +and all creatures while thou livest thyself with what remaineth +(after distribution)! <i>Ishtis Pashubandhas</i>, sacrifices for +obtaining fruition of desire, the religious rites of (ordinary) +domesticity, <i>Paka</i> sacrifices, and sacrifices of other kinds, +are ever performed in thy house. Even in this great forest, so +solitary and haunted by robbers, living in exile, divested of thy +kingdom, thy virtue hath sustained no diminution! The +<i>Aswamedha</i>, the <i>Rajasuya</i>, the <i>Pundarika</i>, and +<i>Gosava</i>, these grand sacrifices requiring large gifts have +all been performed by thee! O monarch, impelled by a perverse sense +during that dire hour of a losing match at dice, thou didst yet +stake and lose thy kingdom, thy wealth, thy weapons, thy brothers, +and myself! Simple, gentle, liberal, modest, truthful, how, O king +could thy mind be attracted to the vice of gambling? I am almost +deprived of my sense, O king, and my heart is overwhelmed with +grief, beholding this thy distress, and this thy calamity! An old +history is cited as an illustration for the truth that men are +subjects to the will of God and never to their own wishes! The +Supreme Lord and Ordainer of all ordaineth everything in respect of +the weal and woe, the happiness and misery, of all creatures, even +prior to their births guided by the acts of each, which are even +like a seed (destined to sprout forth into the tree of life). O +hero amongst men, as a wooden doll is made to move its limbs by the +wirepuller, so are creatures made to work by the Lord of all. O +Bharata, like space that covereth every object, God, pervading +every creature, ordaineth its weal or woe. Like a bird tied with a +string, every creature is dependent on God. Every one is subject to +God and none else. No one can be his own ordainer. Like a pearl on +its string, or a bull held fast by the cord passing through its +nose, or a tree fallen from the bank <span class="pagenum">[Pg +64]</span> into the middle of the stream, every creature followeth +the command of the Creator, because imbued with His Spirit and +because established in Him. And man himself, dependent on the +Universal Soul, cannot pass a moment independently. Enveloped in +darkness, creatures are not masters of their own weal or woe. They +go to heaven or hell urged by God Himself. Like light straws +dependent on strong winds, all creatures, O Bharatas, are dependent +on God! And God himself, pervading all creatures and engaged in +acts right and wrong, moveth in the universe, though none can say +<i>This is God!</i> This body with its physical attributes is only +the means by which God—the Supreme Lord of all maketh (every +creature) to reap fruits that are good or bad. Behold the power of +illusion that hath been spread by God, who confounding with his +illusion, maketh creatures slay their fellows! Truth-knowing +<i>Munis</i> behold those differently. They appear to them in a +different light, even like the rays of the Sun (which to ordinary +eyes are only a pencil of light, while to eyes more penetrating +seem fraught with the germs of food and drink). Ordinary men behold +the things of the earth otherwise. It is God who maketh them all, +adopting different processes in their creation and destruction. +And, O Yudhishthira, the Self-create Grandsire, Almighty God, +spreading illusion, slayeth his creatures by the instrumentality of +his creatures, as one may break a piece of inert and senseless wood +with wood, or stone with stone, or iron with iron. And the Supreme +Lord, according to his pleasure, sporteth with His creatures, +creating and destroying them, like a child with his toy (of soft +earth). O king, it doth seem to me that God behaveth towards his +creatures like a father or mother unto them. Like a vicious person, +He seemeth to bear himself towards them in anger! Beholding +superior and well-behaved and modest persons persecuted, while the +sinful are happy, I am sorely troubled. Beholding this thy distress +and the prosperity of Suyodhana, I do not speak highly of the Great +Ordainer who suffereth such inequality! O sir, what fruits doth the +Great Ordainer reap by granting prosperity to Dhritarashtra's son +who transgresseth the ordinances, who is crooked and covetous, and +who injureth virtue and religion! If the act done pursueth the doer +and none else, then certainly it is God himself who is stained with +the sin of every act. If however, the sin of an act done doth not +attach to the doer, then (individual) might (and not God) is the +true cause of acts, and I grieve for those that have no +might!'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 65]</span> +<h2>SECTION XXXI</h2> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'Thy speech, O Yajnaseni, is delightful, +smooth and full of excellent phrases. We have listened to it +(carefully). Thou speakest, however, the language of atheism. O +princess, I never act, solicitous of the fruits of my actions. I +give away, because it is my duty to give; I sacrifice because it is +my duty to sacrifice! O Krishna, I accomplish to the best of my +power whatever a person living in domesticity should do, regardless +of the fact whether those acts have fruits or not. O thou of fair +hips, I act virtuously, not from the desire of reaping the fruits +of virtue, but of not transgressing the ordinances of the Veda, and +beholding also the conduct of the good and wise! My heart, O +Krishna, is naturally attracted towards virtue. The man who wisheth +to reap the fruits of virtue is a trader in virtue. His nature is +mean and he should never be counted amongst the virtuous. Nor doth +he ever obtain the fruits of his virtues! Nor doth he of sinful +heart, who having accomplished a virtuous act doubteth in his mind, +obtain the fruits of his act, in consequence of that scepticism of +his! I speak unto thee, under the authority of the Vedas, which +constitute the highest proof in such matters, that never shouldst +thou doubt virtue! The man that doubteth virtue is destined to take +his birth in the brute species. The man of weak understanding who +doubteth religion, virtue or the words of the Rishis, is precluded +from regions of immortality and bliss, like Sudras from the Vedas! +O intelligent one, if a child born of a good race studieth the +Vedas and beareth himself virtuously, royal sages of virtuous +behaviour regard him as an aged sage (not withstanding his years)! +The sinful wretch, however, who doubteth religion and transgresseth +the scriptures, is regarded as lower even than Sudras and robbers! +Thou hast seen with thy own eyes the great ascetic Markandeya of +immeasurable soul come to us! It is by virtue alone that he hath +acquired immortality in the flesh. Vyasa, and Vasistha and +Maitreya, and Narada and Lomasa, and Suka, and other Rishis have +all, by virtue alone, become of pure soul! Thou beholdest them with +thy own eyes as furnished with prowess of celestial asceticism, +competent to curse or bless (with effect), and superior to the very +gods! O sinless one, these all, equal to the celestials themselves, +behold with their eyes what is written in the Vedas, and describe +virtue as the foremost duty! It behoveth thee not, therefore, O +amiable Queen, to either doubt or censure God or act, with a +foolish heart. The fool that doubteth religion and disregardeth +virtue, proud of the proof derived from his own reasoning, +regardeth not other proofs and holdeth the Rishis, who are capable +of knowing the future as present as mad men. The fool regardeth +only the external world capable of gratifying his senses, and is +blind to everything else. He that doubteth <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 66]</span> religion hath no expiation for his +offence. That miserable wretch is full of anxiety and acquireth not +regions of bliss hereafter. A rejector of proofs, a slanderer of +the interpretation of the Vedic scriptures, a transgressor urged by +lust and covetousness, that fool goeth to hell. O amiable one, he +on the other hand, who ever cherisheth religion with faith, +obtaineth eternal bliss in the other world. The fool who cherisheth +not religion, transgressing the proofs offered by the Rishis, never +obtaineth prosperity in any life, for such transgression of the +scriptures. It is certain, O handsome one, that with respect to him +who regardeth not the words of the Rishis or the conduct of the +virtuous as proof, neither this nor the other world existeth. Doubt +not, O Krishna, the ancient religion that is practised by the good +and framed by Rishis of universal knowledge and capable of seeing +all things! O daughter of Drupada, religion is the only raft for +those desirous of going to heaven, like a ship to merchants +desirous of crossing the ocean. O thou faultless one, if the +virtues that are practised by the virtuous had no fruits, this +universe then would be enveloped in infamous darkness. No one then +would pursue salvation, no one would seek to acquire knowledge nor +even wealth, but men would live like beasts. If asceticism, the +austerities of celibate life, sacrifices, study of the Vedas, +charity, honesty,—these all were fruitless, men would not +have practised virtue generation after generation. If acts were all +fruitless, a dire confusion would ensue. For what then do Rishis +and gods and Gandharvas and Rakshasas who are all independent of +human conditions, cherish virtue with such affection? Knowing it +for certain that God is the giver of fruits in respect of virtue, +they practise virtue in this world. This, O Krishna, is the eternal +(source of) prosperity. When the fruits of both knowledge and +asceticism are seen, virtue and vice cannot be fruitless. Call to +thy mind, O Krishna, the circumstances of thy own birth as thou +that heard of them, and recall also the manner in which +Dhrishtadyumna of great prowess was born! These, O thou of sweet +smiles, are the best proofs (of the fruits of virtue)! They that +have their minds under control, reap the fruits of their acts and +are content with little. Ignorant fools are not content with even +that much they get (here), because they have no happiness born of +virtue to acquire to in the world hereafter. The fruitlessness of +virtuous acts ordained in the Vedas, as also of all transgressions, +the origin and destruction of acts are, O beautiful one, mysterious +even to the gods. These are not known to any body and everybody. +Ordinary men are ignorant in respect of these. The gods keep up the +mystery, for the illusion covering the conduct of the gods is +unintelligible. Those regenerate ones that have destroyed all +aspirations, that have built all their hopes on vows and +asceticism, that have burnt all their sins and have acquired minds +where quest and peace and holiness dwell, understand all these. +Therefore, though you mayst not see the fruits of <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 67]</span> virtue, thou shouldst not yet doubt +religion or gods. Thou must perform sacrifices with a will, and +practise charity without insolence. Acts in this world have their +fruits, and virtue also is eternal. Brahma himself told this unto +his (spiritual) sons, as testified to by Kasyapa. Let thy doubt, +therefore, O Krishna, be dispelled like mist. Reflecting upon all +this, let thy scepticism give way to faith. Slander not God, who is +the lord of all creatures. Learn how to know him. Bow down unto +him. Let not thy mind be such. And, O Krishna, never disregard that +Supreme Being through whose grace mortal man, by piety, acquireth +immortality!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XXXII</h2> +<p>"Draupadi said, 'I do not ever disregard or slander religion, O +son of Pritha! Why should I disregard God, the lord of all +creatures? Afflicted with woe, know me, O Bharata, to be only +raving. I will once more indulge in lamentations; listen to me with +attention. O persecutor of all enemies, every conscious creature +should certainly act in this world. It is only the immobile, and +not other creatures, that may live without acting. The calf, +immediately after its birth, sucketh the mothers's teat. Persons +feel pain in consequence of incantations performed with their +statues. It seemeth, therefore, O Yudhishthira, that creatures +derive the character of their lives from their acts of former +lives. Amongst mobile creatures man differeth in this respect that +he aspireth, O bull of the Bharata race, to affect his course of +life in this and the other world by means of his acts. Impelled by +the inspiration of a former life, all creatures visibly (reap) in +this world the fruits of their acts. Indeed, all creatures live +according to the inspiration of a former life, even the Creator and +the Ordainer of the universe, like a crane that liveth on the water +(untaught by any one.) If a creature acteth not, its course of life +is impossible. In the case of a creature, therefore, there must be +action and not inaction. Thou also shouldest act, and not incur +censure by abandoning action. Cover thyself up, as with an armour, +with action. There may or may not be even one in a thousand who +truly knoweth the utility of acts or work. One must act for +protecting as also increasing his wealth; for if without seeking to +earn, one continueth to only spend, his wealth, even if it were a +hoard huge as Himavat, would soon be exhausted. All the creatures +in the world would have been exterminated, if there were no action. +If also acts bore no fruits, creatures would never have multiplied. +It is even seen that creatures sometimes perform acts that have no +fruits, for without acts the course of life itself would be +impossible. Those persons in the world who <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 68]</span> believe in destiny, and those again who +believe in chance, are both the worst among men. Those only that +believe in the efficacy of acts are laudable. He that lieth at +ease, without activity, believing in destiny alone, is soon +destroyed like an unburnt earthen pot in water. So also he that +believeth in chance, i.e. sitteth inactive though capable of +activity liveth not long, for his life is one of weakness and +helplessness. If any person accidentally acquireth any wealth, it +is said he deriveth it from chance, for no one's effort hath +brought about the result. And, O son of Pritha, whatever of good +fortune a person obtaineth in consequence of religious rites, that +is called providential. The fruit, however that a person obtaineth +by acting himself, and which is the direct result of those acts of +his, is regarded as proof of personal ability. And, O best of men, +know that the wealth one obtaineth spontaneously and without cause +is said to be a spontaneous acquisition. Whatever is thus obtained +by chance, by providential dispensation, spontaneously, of as the +result of one's acts is, however, the consequence of the acts of a +former life. And God, the Ordainer of the universe, judging +according to the acts of former lives, distributeth among men their +portions in this world. Whatever acts, good or bad, a person +performeth, know that they are the result of God's arrangements +agreeably to the acts of a former life. This body is only the +instruments in the hands of God, for doing the acts that are done. +Itself, inert, it doth as God urgeth it to do. O son of Kunti, it +is the Supreme Lord of all who maketh all creatures do what they +do. The creatures themselves are inert. O hero, man, having first +settled some purpose in his mind, accomplisheth it, himself working +with the aid of his intelligence. We, therefore, say that man is +himself the cause (of what he doeth). O bull among men, it is +impossible to number the acts of men, for mansions and towns are +the result of man's acts. Intelligent men know, by help of their +intellect, that oil may be had from sesame, curds from milk, and +that food may be cooked by means of igniting fuel. They know also +the means for accomplishing all these. And knowing them, they +afterwards set themselves, with proper appliances, to accomplish +them. And creatures support their lives by the results achieved in +these directions by their own acts. If a work is executed by a +skilled workman, it is executed well. From differences (in +characteristics), another work may be said to be that of an +unskilful hand. If a person were not, in the matter of his acts, +himself the cause thereof, then sacrifices would not bear any +fruits in his case nor would any body be a disciple or a master. It +is because a person is himself the cause of his work that he is +applauded when he achieved success. So the doer is censured if he +faileth. If a man were not himself the cause of his acts, how would +all this be justified? Some say that everything is the result of +providential dispensation; others again, that this is not so, but +that everything which is supposed to be the <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 69]</span> result of destiny or chance is the result +of the good or the bad acts of former lives. It is seen, +possessions are obtained from chance, as also from destiny. +Something being from destiny and something from chance, something +is obtained by exertion. In the acquisition of his objects, there +is no fourth cause in the case of man. Thus say those that are +acquainted with truth and skilled in knowledge. If, however, God +himself were not the giver of good and bad fruits, then amongst +creatures there would not be any that was miserable. If the effect +of former acts be a myth, then all purposes for which man would +work should be successful. They, therefore, that regard the three +alone (mentioned above) as the doors of all success and failure in +the world, (without regarding the acts of former life), are dull +and inert like the body itself. For all this, however, a person +should act. This is the conclusion of Manu himself. The person that +doth not act, certainly succumbeth, O Yudhishthira. The man of +action in this world generally meeteth with success. The idle, +however, never achieveth success. If success becometh impossible, +then should one seek to remove the difficulties that bar his way to +success. And, O king, if a person worketh (hard), his debt (to the +gods) is cancelled (whether he achieveth success or not). The +person that is idle and lieth at his length, is overcome by +adversity; while he that is active and skillful is sure to reap +success and enjoy prosperity. Intelligent persons engaged in acts +with confidence in themselves regard all who are diffident as +doubting and unsuccessful. The confident and faithful, however, are +regarded by them as successful. And this moment misery hath +overtaken us. If, however, thou betakest to action, that misery +will certainly be removed. If thou meetest failure, then that will +furnish a proof unto thee and Vrikodara and Vivatsu and the twins +(that ye are unable to snatch the kingdom from the foe). The acts +of others, it is seen, are crowned with success. It is probable +that ours also will be successful. How can one know beforehand what +the consequence will be? Having exerted thyself thou wilt know what +the fruit of thy exertion will be. The tiller tilleth with the +plough the soil and soweth the seeds thereon. He then sitteth +silent, for the clouds (after that) are the cause that would help +the seeds to grow into plants. If however, the clouds favour him +not, the tiller is absolved from all blame. He sayeth unto himself, +"What others do, I have done. If, notwithstanding this, I meet with +failure, no blame can attach to me." Thinking so, he containeth +himself and never indulgeth in self-reproach. O Bharata, no one +should despair saying, "Oh, I am acting, yet success is not mine!" +For there are two other causes, besides exertion, towards success. +Whether there be success or failure, there should be no despair, +for success in acts dependeth upon the union of many circumstances. +If one important element is wanting, success doth not become +commensurate, or doth not come at all. If however, no exertion is +made, there can be no success. Nor is there anything to applaud in +the absence of all exertion. The <span class="pagenum">[Pg +70]</span> intelligent, aided by their intelligence, and according +to their full might bring place, time, means, auspicious rites, for +the acquisition of prosperity. With carefulness and vigilance +should one set himself to work, his chief guide being his prowess. +In the union of qualities necessary for success in work, prowess +seemeth to be the chief. When the man of intelligence seeth his +enemy superior to him in many qualities, he should seek the +accomplishment of his purposes by means of the arts of conciliation +and proper appliances. He should also wish evil unto his foe and +his banishment. Without speaking of mortal man, if his foe were +even the ocean or the hills, he should be guided by such motives. A +person by his activity in searching for the holes of his enemies, +dischargeth his debt to himself as also to his friends. No man +should ever disparage himself for the man that disparageth himself +never earneth high prosperity. O Bharata, success in this world is +attainable on such conditions! In fact, success in the world is +said to depend on acting according to time and circumstances. My +father formerly kept a learned Brahmana with him. O bull of the +Bharata race, he said all this unto my father. Indeed, these +instructions as to duty, uttered by Vrihaspati himself, were first +taught to my brothers. It was from them that I heard these +afterwards while in my father's house. And, O Yudhishthira, while +at intervals of business, I went out (of the inner apartments) and +sat on the lap of my father, that learned Brahmana used to recite +unto me these truths, sweetly consoling me therewith!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XXXIII</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Hearing these words of Yajnaseni, Bhimasena, +sighing in wrath, approached the king and addressed him, saying, +'Walk, O monarch, in the customary path trodden by good men +(before thee) in respect of kingdoms. What do we gain by living in +the asylum of ascetics, thus deprived of virtue, pleasure, and +profit? It is not by virtue, nor by honesty, nor by might, but by +unfair dice, that our kingdom hath been snatched by Duryodhana. +Like a weak offal-eating jackal snatching the prey from mighty +lions, he hath snatched away our kingdom. Why, O monarch, in +obedience to the trite merit of sticking to a promise, dost thou +suffer such distress, abandoning that wealth which is the source of +both virtue and enjoyments? It was for thy carelessness, O king, +that our kingdom protected by the wielder of the <i>Gandiva</i> and +therefore, incapable of being wrested by Indra himself, was +snatched from us in our very sight. It was for thee, O monarch, +that, ourselves living, our prosperity was snatched away from us +like a fruit from one unable to use his arms, <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 71]</span> or like kine from one incapable of using +his legs. Thou art faithful in the acquisition of virtue. It was to +please thee, O Bharata, that we have suffered ourselves to be +overwhelmed with such dire calamity. O bull of the Bharata race, it +was because we were subject to thy control that we are thus tearing +the hearts of our friends and gratifying our foes. That we did not, +in obedience to thee, even then slay the sons of Dhritarashtra, is +an act of folly on our part that grieveth me sorely. This thy +abode, O king, in the woods, like that of any wild animal, is what +a man of weakness alone would submit to. Surely, no man of might +would ever lead such a life. This thy course of life is approved +neither by Krishna, nor Vibhatsu, nor by Abhimanyu, nor by the +Srinjayas, nor by myself, nor by the sons of Madri. Afflicted with +the vows, thy cry is <i>Religion! Religion</i>! Hast thou from +despair been deprived of thy manliness? Cowards alone, unable to +win back their prosperity, cherish despair, which is fruitless and +destructive of one's purposes. Thou hast ability and eyes. Thou +seest that manliness dwelleth in us. It is because thou hast +adopted a life of peace that thou feelest not this distress. These +Dhritarashtras regard us who are forgiving, as really incompetent. +This, O king, grieveth me more than death in battle. If we all die +in fair fight without turning our backs on the foe, even that would +be better than this exile, for then we should obtain regions of +bliss in the other world. Or, if, O bull of the Bharata race, +having slain them all, we acquire the entire earth, that would be +prosperity worth the trial. We who ever adhere to the customs of +our order, who ever desire grand achievements, who wish to avenge +our wrongs, have this for our bounden duty. Our kingdom wrested +from us, if we engage in battle, our deeds when known to the world +will procure for us fame and not slander. And that virtue, O king, +which tortureth one's own self and friends, is really no virtue. It +is rather vice, producing calamities. Virtue is sometimes also the +weakness of men. And though such a man might ever be engaged in the +practice of virtue, yet both virtue and profit forsake him, like +pleasure and pain forsaking a person that is dead. He that +practiseth virtue for virtue's sake always suffereth. He can +scarcely be called a wise man, for he knoweth not the purposes of +virtue like a blind man incapable of perceiving the solar light. He +that regardeth his wealth to exist for himself alone, scarcely +understandeth the purposes of wealth. He is really like a servant +that tendeth kine in a forest. He again that pursueth wealth too +much without pursuing virtue and enjoyments, deserveth to be +censured and slain by all men. He also that ever pursueth +enjoyments without pursuing virtue and wealth, loseth his friends +and virtue and wealth also. Destitute of virtue and wealth such a +man, indulging in pleasure at will, at the expiration of his period +of indulgence, meeteth with certain death, like a fish when the +water in which it liveth hath been dried up. It is for these +reasons that they that are wise are ever careful of both virtue and +wealth, for a <span class="pagenum">[Pg 72]</span> union of virtue +and wealth is the essential requisite of pleasure, as fuel is the +essential requisite of fire. Pleasure hath always virtue for its +root, and virtue also is united with pleasure. Know, O monarch, +that both are dependent on each other like the ocean and the +clouds, the ocean causing the clouds and the clouds filling the +ocean. The joy that one feeleth in consequence of contact with +objects of touch or of possession of wealth, is what is called +pleasure. It existeth in the mind, having no corporeal existence +that one can see. He that wisheth (to obtain) wealth, seeketh for a +large share of virtue to crown his wish with success. He that +wisheth for pleasure, seeketh wealth, (so that his wish may be +realised). Pleasure however, yieldeth nothing in its turn. One +pleasure cannot lead to another, being its own fruit, as ashes may +be had from wood, but nothing from those ashes in their turn. And, +O king, as a fowler killeth the birds we see, so doth sin slay the +creatures of the world. He, therefore, who misled by pleasure or +covetousness, beholdeth not the nature of virtue, deserveth to be +slain by all, and becometh wretched both here and hereafter. It is +evident, O king, that thou knowest that pleasure may be derived +from the possession of various objects of enjoyment. Thou also well +knowest their ordinary states, as well as the great changes they +undergo. At their loss or disappearance occasioned by decrepitude +or death, ariseth what is called distress. That distress, O king, +hath now overtaken us. The joy that ariseth from the five senses, +the intellect and the heart, being directed to the objects proper +to each, is called pleasure. That pleasure, O king, is, as I think, +one of the best fruits of our actions.</p> +<p>"'Thus, O monarch, one should regard virtue, wealth and pleasure +one after another. One should not devote one self to virtue alone, +nor regard wealth as the highest object of one's wishes, nor +pleasure, but should ever pursue all three. The scriptures ordain +that one should seek virtue in the morning, wealth at noon, and +pleasure in the evening. The scriptures also ordain that one should +seek pleasure in the first portion of life, wealth in the second, +and virtue in the last. And, O thou foremost of speakers, they that +are wise and fully conversant with proper division of time, pursue +all three, virtue, wealth, and pleasure, dividing their time duly. +O son of the Kuru race, whether independence of these (three), or +their possession is the better for those that desire happiness, +should be settled by thee after careful thought. And thou shouldst +then, O king, unhesitatingly act either for acquiring them, or +abandoning them all. For he who liveth wavering between the two +doubtingly, leadeth a wretched life. It is well known that thy +behaviour is ever regulated by virtue. Knowing this thy friends +counsel thee to act. Gift, sacrifice, respect for the wise, study +of the Vedas, and honesty, these, O king, constitute the highest +virtue and are efficacious both here and hereafter. These virtues, +however, cannot be attained by one that hath no wealth, even if, O +tiger among men, he may have infinite other accomplishments. The +whole <span class="pagenum">[Pg 73]</span> universe, O king, +dependeth upon virtue. There is nothing higher than virtue. And +virtue, O king, is attainable by one that hath plenty of wealth. +Wealth cannot be earned by leading a mendicant life, nor by a life +of feebleness. Wealth, however, can be earned by intelligence +directed by virtue. In thy case, O king, begging, which is +successful with Brahmanas, hath been forbidden. Therefore, O bull +amongst men, strive for the acquisition of wealth by exerting thy +might and energy. Neither mendicancy, nor the life of a Sudra is +what is proper for thee. Might and energy constitute the virtue of +the Kshatriya in especial. Adopt thou, therefore, the virtue of thy +order and slay the enemies. Destroy the might of Dhritarashtra's +sons, O son of Pritha, with my and Arjuna's aid. They that are +learned and wise say that sovereignty is virtue. Acquire +sovereignty, therefore, for it behoveth thee not to live in a state +of inferiority. Awake, O king, and understand the eternal virtues +(of the order). By birth thou belongest to an order whose deeds are +cruel and are a source of pain to man. Cherish thy subjects and +reap the fruit thereof. That can never be a reproach. Even this, O +king, is the virtue ordained by God himself for the order to which +thou belongest! If thou fallest away therefrom, thou wilt make +thyself ridiculous. Deviation from the virtues of one's own order +is never applauded. Therefore, O thou of the Kuru race, making thy +heart what it ought to be, agreeably to the order to which thou +belongest, and casting away this course of feebleness, summon thy +energy and bear thy weight like one that beareth it manfully. No +king, O monarch, could ever acquire the sovereignty of the earth or +prosperity or affluence by means of virtue alone. Like a fowler +earning his food in the shape of swarms of little easily-tempted +game, by offering them some attractive food, doth one that is +intelligent acquire a kingdom, by offering bribes unto low and +covetous enemies. Behold, O bull among kings, the Asuras, though +elder brothers in possession of power and affluence, were all +vanquished by the gods through stratagem. Thus, O king, everything +belongeth to those that are mighty. And, O mighty-armed one, slay +thy foes, having recourse to stratagem. There is none equal unto +Arjuna in wielding the bow in battle. Nor is there anybody that may +be equal unto me in wielding the mace. Strong men, O monarch, +engage in battle depending on their might, and not on the force of +numbers nor on information of the enemy's plans procured through +spies. Therefore, O son of Pandu exert thy might. Might is the root +of wealth. Whatever else is said to be its root is really not such. +As the shade of the tree in winter goeth for nothing, so without +might everything else becometh fruitless. Wealth should be spent by +one who wisheth to increase his wealth, after the manner, O son of +Kunti, of scattering seeds on the ground. Let there be no doubt +then in thy mind. Where, however, wealth that is more or even equal +is not to be gained, there should be no expenditure of wealth. For +investment of wealth are like <span class="pagenum">[Pg 74]</span> +the ass, scratching, pleasurable at first but painful afterwards. +Thus, O king of men, the person who throweth away like seeds a +little of his virtue in order to gain a larger measure of virtue, +is regarded as wise. Beyond doubt, it is as I say. They that are +wise alienate the friends of the foe that owneth such, and having +weakened him by causing those friends to abandon him thus, they +then reduce him to subjection. Even they that are strong, engage in +battle depending on their courage. One cannot by even continued +efforts (uninspired by courage) or by the arts of conciliation, +always conquer a kingdom. Sometimes, O king, men that are weak, +uniting in large numbers, slay even a powerful foe, like bees +killing the despoiler of the honey by force of numbers alone. (As +regards thyself), O king, like the sun that sustaineth as well as +slayeth creatures by his rays, adopt thou the ways of the sun. To +protect one's kingdom and cherish the people duly, as done by our +ancestors, O king, is, it hath been heard by us, a kind of +asceticism mentioned even in the Vedas. By asceticism, O king, a +Kshatriya cannot acquire such regions of blessedness as he can by +fair fight whether ending in victory or defeat. Beholding, O king, +this thy distress, the world hath come to the conclusion that light +may forsake the Sun and grace the Moon. And, O king, good men +separately as well as assembling together, converse with one +another, applauding thee and blaming the other. There is this, +moreover, O monarch, <i>viz</i>., that both the Kurus and the +Brahmanas, assembling together, gladly speak of thy firm adherence +to truth, in that thou hast never, from ignorance, from meanness, +from covetousness, or from fear, uttered an untruth. Whatever sin, +O monarch, a king committeth in acquiring dominion, he consumeth it +all afterwards by means of sacrifices distinguished by large gifts. +Like the Moon emerging from the clouds, the king is purified from +all sins by bestowing villages on Brahmanas and kine by thousands. +Almost all the citizens as well as the inhabitants of the country, +young or old, O son of the Kuru race, praise thee, O Yudhishthira! +This also, O Bharata, the people are saying amongst themselves, +<i>viz</i>., that as milk in a bag of dog's hide, as the Vedas in a +Sudra, as truth in a robber, as strength in a woman, so is +sovereignty in Duryodhana. Even women and children are repeating +this, as if it were a lesson they seek to commit to memory. O +represser of foes, thou hast fallen into this state along with +ourselves. Alas, we also are lost with thee for this calamity of +thine. Therefore, ascending in thy car furnished with every +implement, and making the superior Brahmanas utter benedictions on +thee, march thou with speed, even this very day, upon Hastinapura, +in order that thou mayst be able to give unto Brahmanas the spoils +of victory. Surrounded by thy brothers, who are firm wielders of +the bow, and by heroes skilled in weapons and like unto snakes of +virulent poison, set thou out even like the slayer Vritra +surrounded by the Marutas. And, O son of Kunti, as thou art +powerful, grind thou with thy might thy <span class="pagenum">[Pg +75]</span> weak enemies, like Indra grinding the Asuras; and snatch +thou from Dhritarashtra's son the prosperity he enjoyeth. There is +no mortal that can bear the touch of the shafts furnished with the +feathers of the vulture and resembling snakes of virulent poison, +that would be shot from the <i>Gandiva</i>. And, O Bharata, there +is not a warrior, nor an elephant, nor a horse, that is able to +bear the impetus of my mace when I am angry in battle. Why, O son +of Kunti, should we not wrest our kingdom from the foe, fighting +with the aid of the Srinjayas and Kaikeyas, and the bull of the +Vrishni race? Why, O king, should we not succeed in wresting the +(sovereignty of the) earth that is now in the hands of the foe, if, +aided by a large force, we do but strive?'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XXXIV</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Thus addressed by Bhimasena, the high-souled +king Ajatasatru firmly devoted to truth, mustering his patience, +after a few moments said these words, 'No doubt, O Bharata, all +this is true. I cannot reproach thee for thy torturing me thus by +piercing me with thy arrowy words. From my folly alone hath this +calamity come against you. I sought to cast the dice desiring to +snatch from Dhritarashtra's son his kingdom with the sovereignty. +It was therefore that, that cunning gambler—Suvala's +son—played against me on behalf of Suyodhana. Sakuni, a +native of the hilly country, is exceedingly artful. Casting the +dice in the presence of the assembly, unacquainted as I am with +artifices of any kind, he vanquished me artfully. It is, therefore, +O Bhimasena, that we have been overwhelmed with this calamity. +Beholding the dice favourable to the wishes of Sakuni in odds and +evens, I could have controlled my mind. Anger, however, driveth off +a person's patience. O child, the mind cannot be kept under control +when it is influenced by hauteur, vanity, or pride. I do not +reproach thee, O Bhimasena, for the words thou usest. I only regard +that what hath befallen us was pre-ordained. When king Duryodhana, +the son of Dhritarashtra, coveting our kingdom, plunged us into +misery and even slavery, then, O Bhima, it was Draupadi that +rescued us. When summoned again to the assembly for playing once +more, thou knowest as well as Arjuna what Dhritarashtra's son told +me, in the presence of all the Bharatas, regarding the stake for +which we were to play. His words were, O prince Ajatsatru, (if +vanquished), thou shalt have with all thy brothers, to dwell, to +the knowledge of all men, for twelve years in the forest of thy +choice, passing the thirteenth year in secrecy. If during the +latter period, the spies of the Bharatas, hearing of thee, succeed +in discovering thee, thou shalt have again to live in the +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 76]</span> forest for the same period, +passing once more the last year in secrecy. Reflecting upon this, +pledge thyself to it. As regards myself, I promise truly in this +assembly of the Kurus, that if thou canst pass this time +confounding my spies and undiscovered by them, then, O Bharata, +this kingdom of the five rivers is once more thine. We also, O +Bharata, if vanquished by thee, shall, all of us, abandoning all +our wealth, pass the same period, according to the same rules. Thus +addressed by the prince, I replied unto him in the midst of all the +Kurus, "<i>So be it</i>!" The wretched game then commenced. We were +vanquished and have been exiled. It is for this that we are +wandering miserably over different woody regions abounding with +discomfort. Suyodhana, however, still dissatisfied, gave himself up +to anger, and urged the Kurus as also all those under his sway to +express their joy at our calamity. Having entered into such an +agreement in the presence of all good men, who dareth break it for +the sake of a kingdom on earth? For a respectable person, I think, +even death itself is lighter than the acquisition of sovereignty by +an act of transgression. At the time of the play, thou hadst +desired to burn my hands. Thou wert prevented by Arjuna, and +accordingly didst only squeeze thy own hands. If thou couldst do +what thou hadst desired, could this calamity befall us? Conscious +of thy prowess, why didst thou not, O Bhima, say so before we +entered into such an agreement? Overwhelmed with the consequence of +our pledge, and the time itself having passed, what is the use of +thy addressing me these harsh words? O Bhima, this is my great +grief that we could not do anything even beholding Draupadi +persecuted in that way. My heart burneth as if I have drunk some +poisonous liquid. Having, however, given that pledge in the midst +of the Kuru heroes, I am unable to violate it now. Wait, O Bhima, +for the return of our better days, like the scatterer of seeds +waiting for the harvest. When one that hath been first injured, +succeedeth in revenging himself upon his foe at a time when the +latter's enmity hath borne fruit and flowers, he is regarded to +have accomplished a great thing by his prowess. Such a brave person +earneth undying fame. Such a man obtaineth great prosperity. His +enemies bow down unto him, and his friends gather round him, like +the celestials clustering round Indra for protection. But know, O +Bhima, my promise can never be untrue. I regard virtue as superior +to life itself and a blessed state of celestial existence. Kingdom, +sons, fame, wealth,—all these do not come up to even a +sixteenth part of truth.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 77]</span> +<h2>SECTION XXXV</h2> +<p>"Bhima said, 'O king, unsubstantial as thou art like froth, +unstable like a fruit (falling when ripe), dependent on time, and +mortal, having entered into an agreement in respect of time, which +is infinite and immeasurable, quick like a shaft or flowing like a +stream, and carrying everything before it like death itself, how +canst regard it as available by thee? How can he, O son of Kunti, +wait whose life is shortened every moment, even like a quantity of +collyrium that is lessened each time a grain is taken up by the +needle? He only whose life is unlimited or who knoweth with +certitude what the period of his life is, and who knoweth the +future as if it were before his eyes, can indeed wait for the +arrival of (an expected) time. If we wait, O king, for thirteen +years, that period, shortening our lives, will bring us nearer to +death. Death is sure to overtake every creature having a corporeal +existence. Therefore, we should strive for the possession of our +kingdom before we die. He that faileth to achieve fame, by failing +to chastise his foes, is like an unclean thing. He is a useless +burden on the earth like an incapacitated bull and perisheth +ingloriously. The man who, destitute of strength, and courage, +chastiseth not his foes, liveth in vain, I regard such a one as +low-born. Thy hand can rain gold; thy fame spreadeth over the whole +earth; slaying thy foes, therefore, in battle, enjoy thou the +wealth acquired by the might of thy arms. O repressor of all foes, +O king, if a man slaying his injurer, goeth the very day into hell, +that hell becometh heaven to him. O king, the pain one feeleth in +having to suppress one's wrath is more burning than fire itself. +Even now I burn with it and cannot sleep in the day or the night. +This son of Pritha, called Vibhatsu, is foremost in drawing the +bow-string. He certainly burneth with grief, though he liveth here +like a lion in his den. This one that desireth to slay without aid +all wielders of the bow on earth, represseth the wrath that riseth +in his breast, like a mighty elephant. Nakula, Sahadeva, and old +Kunti—that mother of heroes, are all dumb, desiring to please +thee. And all our friends along with the Srinjayas equally desire +to please thee. I alone, and Prativindhya's mother speak unto thee +burning with grief. Whatever I speak unto thee is agreeable to all +of them, for all of them plunged in distress, eagerly wish for +battle. Then, O monarch, what more wretched a calamity can overtake +us that our kingdom should be wrested from us by weak and +contemptible foes and enjoyed by them? O king, from the weakness of +thy disposition thou feelest shame in violating thy pledge. But, O +slayer of foes, no one applaudeth thee for thus suffering such pain +in consequence of the kindliness of thy disposition. Thy intellect, +O king, seeth not the truth, like that of a foolish and ignorant +person of high birth who hath <span class="pagenum">[Pg 78]</span> +committed the words of the Vedas to memory without understanding +their sense. Thou art kind like a Brahmana. How hast thou been born +in the Kshatriya order? They that are born in the Kshatriya order +are generally of crooked hearts. Thou hast heard (recited) the +duties of kings, as promulgated by Manu, fraught with crookedness +and unfairness and precepts opposed to tranquillity and virtue. Why +dost thou then, O king, forgive the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra? +Thou hast intelligence, prowess, learning and high birth. Why dost +thou then, O tiger among men, act in respect of thy duties, like a +huge snake that is destitute of motion? O son of Kunti, he that +desireth to conceal us, only wisheth to conceal the mountains of +Himavat by means of a handful of grass. O son of Pritha, known as +thou art over whole earth, thou wilt not be able to live unknown, +like the sun that can never course through the sky unknown to men. +Like a large tree in a well-watered region with spreading branches +and flowers and leaves, or like Indra's elephant, how will Jishnu +live unknown? How also will these children, the brothers, Nakula +and Sahadeva, equal unto a couple of young lions, both live in +secret? How, O son of Pritha, will Krishna—the daughter of +Drupada—a princess and mother of heroes, of virtuous deeds +and known over all the world, live unknown? Me also, everybody +knoweth from my boyhood. I do not see how I can live unknown. As +well mighty mountains of Meru be sought to be concealed. Then, +again, many kings had been expelled by us from their kingdom. These +kings and princes will all follow the bad son of Dhritarashtra, for +robbed and exiled by us, they have not still become friendly. +Desiring to do good unto Dhritarashtra, they will certainly seek to +injure us. They will certainly set against us numerous spies in +disguise. If these discover us and report their discovery, a great +danger will overtake us. We have already lived in the woods full +thirteen months. Regard them, O king, for their length as thirteen +years. The wise have said that a month is a substitute for a year, +like the pot-herb that is regarded as a substitute for the +<i>Soma</i>. Or, (if thou breakest thy pledge), O king, thou mayst +free thyself from this sin by offering good savoury food to a quiet +bull carrying sacred burdens. Therefore, O king resolve thou to +slay thy enemies. There is no virtue higher than fighting, for +every Kshatriya!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XXXVI</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Hearing those words of Bhima, Yudhishthira, +the son of Kunti—tiger among men and slayer of all +foes—began to sigh heavily, and reflect in silence. And he +thought within himself, 'I have <span class="pagenum">[Pg +79]</span> heard recited the duties of kings, also all truths about +the duties of the different orders. He is said to observe those +duties truly who keepeth them before his eyes, so as to regulate +his conduct both in the present and the future. Knowing as I do the +true course of virtue, which, however is so very difficult of being +known, how can I forcibly grind virtue down like grinding the +mountains of Meru?' Having reflected so for a moment, and settled +what he should do, he replied unto Bhima as follows without +allowing him another word:</p> +<p>"'O thou of mighty arms, it is even so as thou hast said. But, O +thou foremost of speakers, listen now to another word I say. +Whatever sinful deeds, O Bhima, one seeketh to achieve, depending +on his courage alone, become always a source of pain. But, O thou +of mighty arms, whatever is begun with deliberation, with +well-directed prowess, with all appliances, and much previous +thought, is seen to succeed. The gods themselves favour such +designs. Hear from me something about what, proud of thy might, O +Bhima, and led away by thy restlessness, thou thinkest should be +immediately begun. Bhurisravas, Sala, the mighty Jarasandha, +Bhishma, Drona, Karna, the mighty son of Drona, Dhritarashtra's +sons—Duryodhana and others—so difficult of being +vanquished, are all accomplished in arms and ever ready for battle +with us. Those kings and chiefs of the earth also who have been +injured by us, have all adopted the side of the Kauravas, and are +bound by ties of affection to them. O Bharata, they are engaged in +seeking the good of Duryodhana and not of us. With full treasures +and aided by large forces, they will certainly strive their best in +battle. All the officers also of the Kuru army together with their +sons and relatives, have been honoured by Duryodhana with wealth +and luxuries. Those heroes are also much regarded by Duryodhana. +This is my certain conclusion that they will sacrifice their lives +for Duryodhana in battle. Although the behaviour of Bhishma, Drona, +and the illustrious Kripa, is the same towards us as towards them, +yet, O thou of mighty arms, this is my certain conclusion that in +order to pay off the royal favours they enjoy, they will throw +their very lives, than which there is nothing dearer, in battle. +All of them are masters of celestial weapons, and devoted to the +practice of virtue. I think they are incapable of being vanquished +even by gods led by Vasava himself. There is again amongst them +that mighty warrior—Karna—impetuous, and ever wrathful, +master of all weapons, and invincible, and encased in impenetrable +mail. Without first vanquishing in battle all those foremost of +men, unaided as thou art, how canst thou slay Duryodhana? O +Vrikodara, I cannot sleep thinking of the lightness of hand of that +<i>Suta's</i> son, who, I regard, is the foremost of all wielders +of the bow!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of Yudhishthira, +the impetuous Bhima became alarmed, and forbore from speaking +anything. And while the sons of Pandu were thus conversing with +each other, there <span class="pagenum">[Pg 80]</span> came to that +spot the great ascetic Vyasa, the son of Satyavati. And as he came, +the sons of Pandu worshipped him duly. Then that foremost of all +speakers, addressing Yudhishthira, said, 'O, Yudhishthira, O thou +of mighty arms, knowing by spiritual insight what is passing in thy +heart, I have come to thee, O thou bull among men! The fear that is +in thy heart, arising from Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and +Karna, and Drona's son, and prince Duryodhana, and Dussasana, I +will dispel, O slayer of all foes, by means of an act enjoined by +the ordinance. Hearing it from me, accomplish it thou with +patience, and having accomplished it, O king, quell this fever of +thine soon.'</p> +<p>"That foremost of speakers then, the son of Parasara, taking +Yudhishthira to a corner, began to address him in words of deep +import, saying, 'O best of the Bharatas, the time is come for thy +prosperity, when, indeed Dhananjaya—that son of +Pritha—will slay all thy foes in battle. Uttered by me and +like unto success personified, accept from me this knowledge called +<i>Pratismriti</i> that I impart to thee, knowing thou art capable +of receiving it. Receiving it (from thee), Arjuna will be able to +accomplish his desire. And let Arjuna, O son of Pandu, go unto +Mahendra and Rudra, and Varuna, and Kuvera, and Yama, for receiving +weapons from them. He is competent to behold the gods for his +asceticism and prowess. He is even a Rishi of great energy, the +friend of Narayana; ancient, eternal a god himself, invincible, +ever successful, and knowing no deterioration. Of mighty arms, he +will achieve mighty deeds, having obtained weapons from Indra, and +Rudra, and the lokapalas. O son of Kunti, think also of going from +this to some other forest that may, O king, be fit for thy abode. +To reside in one place for any length of time is scarcely pleasant. +In thy case, it might also be productive of anxiety to the +ascetics. And as thou maintainest numerous Brahmanas versed in the +Vedas and the several branches thereof, continued residence here +might exhaust the deer of this forest, and be destructive of the +creepers and plants.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Having addressed him thus, that +illustrious and exalted ascetic Vyasa, of great wisdom, acquainted +with the mysteries of the world, then imparted unto the willing +Yudhishthira the just, who had meanwhile purified himself, that +foremost of sciences. And bidding farewell unto the son of Kunti, +Vyasa disappeared then and there. The virtuous and intelligent +Yudhishthira, however, having obtained that knowledge carefully +retained it in his mind and always recited it on proper occasions. +Glad of the advice given him by Vyasa, the son of Kunti then, +leaving the wood <i>Dwaitavana</i> went to the forest of +<i>Kamyaka</i> on the banks of the Saraswati. And, O king, numerous +Brahmanas of ascetic merit and versed in the science of orthoepy +and orthography, followed him like the Rishis following the chief +of the celestials. Arrived at <i>Kamyaka</i>, those illustrious +bulls amongst the Bharata took up their <span class="pagenum">[Pg +81]</span> residence there along with their friends and attendants. +And possessed of energy, those heroes, O king, lived there for some +time, devoted to the exercise of the bow and hearing all the while +the chanting of the Vedas. And they went about those woods every +day in search of deer, armed with pure arrows. And they duly +performed all the rites in honour of the <i>Pitris</i>, the +celestials and the Brahmanas."</p> +<h2>SECTION XXXVII</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "After some time, Yudhishthira the just, +remembering the command of the <i>Muni</i> (Vyasa) and calling unto +himself that bull among men—Arjuna—possessed of great +wisdom, addressed him in private. Taking hold of Arjuna's hands, +with a smiling face and in gentle accents, that chastiser of +foes—the virtuous Yudhishthira—apparently after +reflecting for a moment, spake these words in private unto +Dhananjaya, 'O Bharata, the whole science of arms dwelleth in +Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and Karna, and Drona's son. They +fully know all sorts of <i>Brahma</i> and celestial and human and +<i>Vayavya</i> weapons, together with the modes of using and +warding them off. All of them are conciliated and honoured and +gratified by Dhritarashtra's son who behaveth unto them as one +should behave unto his preceptor. Towards all his warriors +Dhritarashtra's son behaveth with great affection; and all the +chiefs honoured and gratified by him, seek his good in return. Thus +honoured by him, they will not fail to put forth their might. The +whole earth, besides, is now under Duryodhana's sway, with all the +villages and towns, O son of Pritha, and all the seas and woods and +mines! Thou alone art our sole refuge. On thee resteth a great +burden. I shall, therefore, O chastiser of all foes, tell thee what +thou art to do now. I have obtained a science from Krishna +Dwaipayana. Used by thee, that science will expose the whole +universe to thee. O child, attentively receive thou that science +from me, and in due time (by its aid) attain thou the grace of the +celestials. And, O bull of the Bharata race, devote thyself to +fierce asceticism. Armed with the bow and sword, and cased in mail, +betake thyself to austerities and good vows, and go thou +northwards, O child, without giving way to anybody. O Dhananjaya, +all celestial weapons are with Indra. The celestials, from fear of +Vritra, imparted at the time all their might to Sakra. Gathered +together in one place, thou wilt obtain all weapons. Go thou unto +Sakra, he will give thee all his weapons. Taking the bow set thou +out this very day in order to behold Purandara.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Having said this, the exalted +Yudhishthira the just, imparted that science unto Arjuna. And the +elder brother having <span class="pagenum">[Pg 82]</span> +communicated with due rites the Knowledge unto his heroic brother, +with speech and body and mind under perfect control, commanded him +to depart. And at the command of Yudhishthira, the strong-armed +Arjuna, taking up the <i>Gandiva</i> as also his inexhaustible +quivers, and accoutred in mail and gauntlets and finger-protectors +made of the skin of the guana, and having poured oblations into the +fire and made the Brahmanas to utter benedictions after gifts, set +out (from <i>Kamyaka</i>) with the objects of beholding Indra. And +armed with the bow, the hero, at the time of setting out heaved a +sigh and cast a look upwards for achieving the death of +Dhritarashtra's sons. And beholding Kunti's son thus armed and +about to set out, the Brahmanas and <i>Siddhas</i> and invisible +spirits addressed him, saying, 'O son of Kunti, obtain thou soon +what thou wishest.' And the Brahmanas, also uttering benedictions +said, 'Achieve thou the object thou hast in view. Let victory be +truly thine.' And beholding the heroic Arjuna, of thighs stout as +the trunks of the <i>Sala</i>, about to set out taking away with +him the hearts of all, Krishna addressed him saying, 'O thou +strong-armed one, let all that Kunti had desired at thy birth, and +let all that thou desirest, be accomplished, O Dhananjaya! Let no +one amongst us be ever again born in the order of Kshatriyas. I +always bow down unto the Brahmanas whose mode of living is +mendicancy. This is my great grief that the wretch Duryodhana +beholding me in the assembly of princes mockingly called me a +<i>cow</i>! Besides this he told me in the midst of that assembly +many other hard things. But the grief I experience at parting with +thee is far greater than any I felt at those insults. Certainly, in +thy absence, thy brothers will while away their waking hours in +repeatedly talking of thy heroic deeds! If, however, O son of +Pritha, thou stayest away for any length of time, we shall derive +no pleasure from our enjoyments or from wealth. Nay, life itself +will be distasteful to us. O son of Pritha, our weal, and woe, life +and death, our kingdom and prosperity, are all dependent on thee. O +Bharata, I bless thee, let success be thine. O sinless one, thy +(present) task thou wilt be able to achieve even against powerful +enemies. O thou of great strength, go thou to win success with +speed. Let dangers be not thine. I bow to <i>Dhatri</i> and +<i>Vidhatri</i>! I bless thee. Let prosperity be thine. And, O +Dhananjaya, let <i>Hri, Sree, Kirti, Dhriti, Pushti, Uma, Lakshmi, +Saraswati</i>, all protect thee on thy way, for thou ever +worshippest thy elder brother and ever obeyest his commands. And, O +bull of the Bharata race, I bow to the Vasus, the Rudras and +Adityas, the Manilas, the Viswadevas, and the Sadhyas, for +procuring thy welfare. And, O Bharata, be thou safe from all +spirits of mischief belonging to the sky, the earth, and the +heaven, and from such other spirits generally.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Krishna, the daughter of Yajnasena, +having uttered these benedictions, ceased. The strong-armed son of +Pandu then, having walked round his brothers and round Dhaumya +also, and taking <span class="pagenum">[Pg 83]</span> up his +handsome bow, set out. And all creatures began to leave the way +that Arjuna of great energy and prowess, urged by the desire of +beholding Indra, took. And that slayer of foes passed over many +mountains inhabited by ascetics, and then reached the sacred +Himavat, the resort of the celestials. And the high-souled one +reached the sacred mountain in one day, for like the winds he was +gifted with the speed of the mind, in consequence of his ascetic +austerities. And having crossed the Himavat, as also the +Gandhamadana, he passed over many uneven and dangerous spots, +walking night and day without fatigue. And having reached +<i>Indrakila</i>, Dhananjaya stopped for a moment. And then he +heard a voice in the skies, saying, 'Stop!' And hearing that voice, +the son of Pandu cast his glances all around. And Arjuna, capable +of using his left hand with skill equal to that of his right hand, +then beheld before him an ascetic under the shade of a tree, +blazing with <i>Brahma</i> brilliancy, of a tawny colour, with +matted locks, and thin. And the mighty ascetic, beholding Arjuna +stop at that place, addressed him, saying, 'Who art thou, O child, +arrived hither with bow and arrows, and cased in mail and accoutred +in scabbard and gauntlet, and (evidently) wedded to the customs of +the Kshatriya? There is no need of weapons here. This is the abode +of peaceful Brahmanas devoted to ascetic austerities without anger +or joy. There is no use for the bow here, for there is no dispute +in this place of any kind. Therefore throw away, O child, this bow +of thine. Thou hast obtained a pure state of life by coming here. O +hero, there is no man who is like thee in energy and prowess.' That +Brahmana thus addressed Arjuna, with a smiling face, repeatedly. +But he succeeded not in moving Arjuna, firmly devoted to his +purpose. The regenerate one, glad at heart, smilingly addressed +Arjuna once more, saying, 'O slayer of foes, blest be thou! I am +Sakra: ask thou the boon thou desirest.' Thus addressed, that +perpetuator of the Kuru race, the heroic Dhananjaya bending his +head and joining his hands, replied unto him of a thousand eyes, +saying, 'Even this is the object of my wishes; grant me this boon, +O illustrious one. I desire to learn from thee all the weapons.' +The chief of the celestials then, smiling, replied unto him +cheerfully, saying, 'O Dhananjaya, when thou hast reached this +region, what need is there of weapons? Thou hast already obtained a +pure state of life. Ask thou for the regions of bliss that thou +desirest.' Thus addressed, Dhananjaya replied unto him of a +thousand eyes, saying, 'I desire not regions of bliss, nor objects +of enjoyment, nor the state of a celestial; what is this talk about +happiness? O chief of the celestials, I do not desire the +prosperity of all the gods. Having left my brothers behind me in +the forest, and without avenging myself on the foe, shall I incur +the opprobrium for all ages of all the world?' Thus addressed, the +slayer of Vritra, worshipped of the worlds, consoling him with +gentle words, spake unto the son of Pandu, saying, 'When thou art +able to behold the three-eyed <span class="pagenum">[Pg 84]</span> +trident-bearing Siva, the lord of all creatures, it is then, O +child, that I will give thee all the celestial weapons. Therefore, +strive thou to obtain the sight of the highest of the gods; for it +is only after thou hast seen him, O son of Kunti, that thou wilt +obtain all thy wishes.' Having spoken thus unto Phalguna, Sakra +disappeared then and there, and Arjuna, devoting himself to +asceticism, remained at that spot.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XXXVIII</h2> +<h3>(<i>Kairata Parva</i>)</h3> +<p>Janamejaya said, "O illustrious one, I desire to hear in detail +the history of the acquisition of weapons by Arjuna of spotless +deeds. O tell me how that tiger among men, Dhananjaya, of mighty +arms and possessed of great energy, entered that solitary forest +without fear. And, O thou foremost of those acquainted with the +Veda, what also did Arjuna do while dwelling there? How also were +the illustrious Sthanu and the chief of the celestials gratified by +him? O thou best of regenerate ones, I desire to hear all this +under thy favour. Thou art omniscient; thou knowest all about the +gods and all about men. O Brahmana, the battle that took place of +old between Arjuna—that foremost of smiters never defeated in +battle—and Bhava was highly extraordinary and without +parallel. It maketh one's hair stand on end to hear of it. Even the +hearts of those lions among men—the brave sons of +Pritha—trembled in consequence of wonder and joy and a sense +of their own inferiority. O tell me in full what else Arjuna did, I +do not see even the most trivial thing to Jishnu that is +censurable. Therefore, recite to me in full the history of that +hero."</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "O tiger among Kurus, I shall recite to thee +that narration, excellent and extensive and unrivalled, in +connection with the illustrious hero. O sinless one, hear in detail +the particulars about Arjuna's meeting with the three-eyed god of +gods, and his contact with the illustrious god's person!</p> +<p>"At Yudhishthira's command, Dhananjaya of immeasurable prowess +set out (from Kamyaka) to obtain a sight of Sakra, the chief of the +celestials and of Sankara, the god of gods. And the strong-armed +Arjuna of great might set out armed with his celestial bow and a +sword with golden hilt, for the success of the object he had in +view, northwards, towards the summit of the Himavat. And, O king, +that first of all warriors in the three worlds, the son of Indra, +with a calm mind, and firmly adhering to his purpose, then devoted +himself, without the loss of any time, to ascetic austerities. And +he entered, all alone, that terrible forest abounding with +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 85]</span> thorny plants and trees and +flowers and fruits of various kinds, and inhabited by winged +creatures of various species, and swarming with animals of diverse +kinds, and resorted to by <i>Siddhas</i> and <i>Charanas</i>. And +when the son of Kunti entered that forest destitute of human +beings, sounds of conchs and drums began to be heard in the +heavens. And a thick shower of flowers fell upon the earth, and the +clouds spreading over the firmament caused a thick shade. Passing +over those difficult and woody regions at the foot of the great +mountains, Arjuna soon reached the breast of the Himavat; and +staying there for sometime began to shine in his brilliancy. And he +beheld there numerous trees with expanding verdure, resounding with +the melodious notes of winged warblers. And he saw there rivers +with currents of the <i>lapis lazuli</i>, broken by the fierce +eddies here and there, and echoing with the notes of swans and +ducks and cranes. And the banks of those rivers resounded with the +mellifluous strains of the male <i>Kokilas</i> and the notes of +peacocks and cranes. And the mighty warrior, beholding those rivers +of sacred and pure and delicious water and their charming banks, +became highly delighted. And the delighted Arjuna of fierce energy +and high soul then devoted himself to rigid austerities in that +delightful and woody region. Clad in rags made of grass and +furnished with a black deerskin and a stick, he commenced to eat +withered leaves fallen upon the ground. And he passed the first +month, by eating fruits at the interval of three nights; and the +second by eating at the interval of the six nights; and the third +by eating at the interval of a fortnight. When the fourth month +came, that best of the Bharatas—the strong-armed son of +Pandu—began to subsist on air alone. With arms upraised and +leaning upon nothing and standing on the tips of his toes, he +continued his austerities. And the illustrious hero's locks, in +consequence of frequent bathing took the hue of lightning or the +lotus. Then all the great Rishis went together unto the god of the +<i>Pinaka</i> for representing unto him about the fierce asceticism +of Pritha's son. And bowing unto that god of gods, they informed +him of Arjuna's austerities saying, 'This son of Pritha possessed +of great energy is engaged in the most difficult of ascetic +austerities on the breast of the Himavat. Heated with his +asceticism, the earth is smoking all round, O god of gods. We do +not know what his object is for which he is engaged in these +austerities. He, however, is causing us pain. It behoveth thee to +prevent him!' Hearing these words of those <i>munis</i> with souls +under perfect control, the lord of all creatures—the husband +of Uma said, 'It behoveth you not to indulge in any grief on +account of Phalguna! Return ye all cheerfully and with alacrity to +the places whence ye have come. I know the desire that is in +Arjuna's heart. His wish is not for heaven, nor for prosperity, nor +for long life. And I will accomplish, even this day, all that is +desired by him.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "The truth-speaking Rishis, having heard +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 86]</span> these words of Mahadeva, +became delighted, and returned to their respective abodes."</p> +<h2>SECTION XXXIX</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "After all those illustrious ascetics had +gone away, that wielder of the <i>Pinaka</i> and cleanser of all +sins—the illustrious Hara—assuming the form of a +<i>Kirata</i> resplendent as a golden tree, and with a huge and +stalwart form like a second <i>Meru</i>, and taking up a handsome +bow and a number of arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison, +and looking like an embodiment of fire, came quickly down on the +breast of Himavat. And the handsome god of gods was accompanied by +Uma in the guise of a Kirata woman, and also by a swarm of merry +spirits of various forms and attire, and by thousands of women in +the form and attire of Kiratas. And, O king, that region suddenly +blazed up in beauty, in consequence of the arrival of the god of +gods in such company. And soon enough a solemn stillness pervaded +the place. The sounds of springs, and water-courses, and of birds +suddenly ceased. And as the god of gods approached Pritha's son of +blameless deeds, he beheld a wonderful sight, even that of a Danava +named Muka, seeking, in the form of a boar, to slay Arjuna. +Phalguna, at the sight of the enemy seeking to slay him, took up +the <i>Gandiva</i> and a number of arrows resembling snakes of +virulent poison. And stringing his bow and filling the air with its +twang, he addressed the boar and said, 'I have come here but done +thee no injury. As thou seekest to slay me, I shall certainly send +thee to the abode of Yama.' And beholding that firm wielder of the +bow—Phalguna—about to slay the boar, Sankara in the +guise of a <i>Kirata</i> suddenly bade him stop saying, 'The boar +like the mountain of <i>Indrakila</i> in hue hath been aimed at by +me first'; Phalguna, however, disregarding these words, struck the +boar. The <i>Kirata</i> also blazing splendour, let fly an arrow +like flaming fire and resembling the thunderbolt at the same +object. And the arrows thus shot by both fell at the same instant +of time upon the wide body of Muka, hard as adamant. And the two +shafts fell upon the boar with a loud sound, even like that of +Indra's thunderbolt and the thunder of the clouds falling together +upon the breast of a mountain. And Muka, thus struck by two shafts +which produced numerous arrows resembling snakes of blazing mouths, +yielded up his life, assuming once more his terrible Rakshasa form. +Jishnu—that slayer of foes—then beheld before him that +person, of form blazing as god, and attired in the dress of a +<i>Kirata</i> and accompanied by many women. And beholding him, the +son of Kunti with a joyous heart addressed him smilingly and said, +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 87]</span> 'Who art thou that thus +wanderest in these solitary woods, surrounded by women? thou of the +splendour of gold, art thou not afraid of this terrible forest? +Why, again, didst thou shoot the boar that was first aimed at by +me? This <i>Rakshasa</i> that came hither, listlessly or with the +object of slaying me, had been first aimed at by me. Thou shalt +not, therefore, escape from me with life. Thy behaviour towards me +is not consistent with the customs of the chase. Therefore, O +mountaineer, I will take thy life.' Thus addressed by the son of +Pandu, the <i>Kirata</i>, smiling, replied unto him capable of +wielding the bow with his left hand, in soft words, saying, 'O +hero, thou needst not be anxious on my account. This forest land is +proper abode for us who always dwell in the woods. Respecting +thyself, however, I may inquire, why thou hast selected thy abode +here amid such difficulties. We, O ascetic, have our habitation in +these woods abounding in animals of all kinds. Why dost thou, so +delicate and brought up in luxury and possessed of the splendour of +fire, dwell alone in such a solitary region?' Arjuna said, +'Depending on the <i>Gandiva</i> and arrows blazing like fire, I +live in this great forest, like a second <i>Pavaki</i>. Thou hast +seen how this monster—this terrible +<i>Rakshasa</i>—that came hither in the form of an animal, +hath been slain by me.' The <i>Kirata</i> replied, 'This +<i>Rakshasa</i>, first struck with the shot from my bow, was killed +and sent to the regions of Yama by me. He was first aimed at by me. +And it is with my shot that he has been deprived of life. Proud of +thy strength, it behoveth thee not to impute thy own fault to +others. Thou art thyself in fault, O wretch, and, therefore, shalt +not escape from me with life. Stay thou: I will shoot at thee +shafts like thunderbolts. Strive thou also and shoot, to the best +of thy power, thy arrows at me.' Hearing these words of the +<i>Kirata</i>, Arjuna became angry, and attacked him with arrows. +The <i>Kirata</i>, however, with a glad heart received all those +shafts upon himself, repeatedly saying, 'Wretch, wretch, shoot thou +best arrows capable of piercing into the very vitals.' Thus +addressed, Arjuna began to shower his arrows on him. Both of them +then became angry and, engaging in fierce conflict, began to shoot +at each other showers of arrows, each resembling a snake of +virulent poison. And Arjuna rained a perfect shower of arrows on +the <i>Kirata</i>. Sankara, however, bore that downpour on him with +a cheerful heart. But the wielder of the <i>Pinaka</i>, having +borne that shower of arrows for a moment, stood unwounded, +immovable like a hill. Dhananjaya, beholding his arrowy shower +become futile, wondered exceedingly, repeatedly saying, 'Excellent! +Excellent! Alas, this mountaineer of delicate limbs, dwelling on +the heights of the Himavat, beareth, without wavering, the shafts +shot from the <i>Gandiva</i>! Who is he? Is he Rudra himself, or +some other god, or a Yaksha, or an Asura? The gods sometimes do +descend on the heights of the Himavat. Except the god who wieldeth +the <i>Pinaka</i>, there is none rise that can bear the impetuosity +of the thousands of arrows shot by <span class="pagenum">[Pg +88]</span> me from the <i>Gandiva</i>. Whether he is a god or a +Yaksha, in fact, anybody except Rudra, I shall soon send him, with +my shafts, to the regions of Yama.' Thus thinking, Arjuna, with a +cheerful heart, began, O king, to shoot arrows by hundreds, +resembling in splendour the rays of the sun. That downpour of +shafts, however, the illustrious Creator of the worlds—the +wielder of the trident—bore with a glad heart, like a +mountain bearing a shower of rocks. Soon, however, the arrows of +Phalguna were exhausted. And noticing this fact, Arjuna became +greatly alarmed. And the son of Pandu then began to think of the +illustrious god Agni who had before, during the burning of the +<i>Khandava</i>, given him a couple of inexhaustible quivers. And +he began to think, 'Alas, my arrows are all exhausted. What shall I +shoot now from my bow? Who is this person that swalloweth my +arrows? Slaying him with the end of my bow, as elephants are killed +with lances, I shall send him to the domains of the mace-bearing +Yama.' The illustrious Arjuna then, taking up his bow and dragging +the <i>Kirata</i> with his bow-string, struck him some fierce blows +that descended like thunderbolts. When, however, that slayer of +hostile heroes—the son of Kunti—commenced the conflict +with the end of the bow, the mountaineer snatched from his hands +that celestial bow. And beholding his bow snatched from him, Arjuna +took up his sword, and wishing to end the conflict, rushed at his +foe. And then the Kuru prince, with the whole might of his arms, +struck that sharp weapon upon the head of the <i>Kirata</i>, a +weapon that was incapable of being resisted even by solid rocks. +But that first of swords, at touch of the <i>Kirata's</i> crown, +broke into pieces. Phalguna then commenced the conflict with trees +and stones. The illustrious god in the form of the huge-bodied +<i>Kirata</i>, however, bore that shower of trees and rocks with +patience. The mighty son of Pritha then, his mouth smoking with +wrath, struck the invincible god in the form of a Kirata, with his +clenched fists, blows that descended like thunderbolts. The god in +the <i>Kirata</i> form returned Phalguna's blows with fierce blows +resembling the thunderbolts of Indra. And in consequence of that +conflict of blows between the son of Pandu and the <i>Kirata</i>, +there arose in that place loud and frightful sounds. That terrible +conflict of blows, resembling the conflict of yore between Vritra +and Vasava, lasted but for a moment. The mighty Jishnu clasping the +<i>Kirata</i> began to press him with his breast, but the +<i>Kirata</i>, possessed of great strength pressed the insensible +son of Pandu with force. And in consequence of the pressure of +their arms and of their breasts, their bodies began to emit smoke +like charcoal in fire. The great god then, smiting the already +smitten son of Pandu, and attacking him in anger with his full +might, deprived him of his senses. Then, O Bharata, Phalguna, thus +pressed by the god of the gods, with limbs, besides, bruised and +mangled, became incapable of motion and was almost reduced to a +ball of flesh. And struck by the <span class="pagenum">[Pg +89]</span> illustrious god, he became breathless and, falling down +on earth without power of moving, looked like one that was dead. +Soon, however, he regained consciousness, and, rising from his +prostrate position, with body covered with blood, became filled +with grief. Mentally prostrating himself before the gracious god of +gods, and making a clay image of that deity, he worshipped it, with +offerings of floral garlands. Beholding, however, the garland that +he had offered to the clay image of Bhava, decking the crown of the +<i>Kirata</i>, that best of Pandu's sons became filled with joy and +regained his ease. And he prostrated himself thereupon at the feet +of Bhava, and the god also was pleased with him. And Hara, +beholding the wonder of Arjuna and seeing that his body had been +emaciated with ascetic austerities, spake unto him in a voice deep +as the roaring of the clouds, saying, 'O Phalguna, I have been +pleased with thee for thy act is without a parallel. There is no +Kshatriya who is equal to thee in courage, and patience. And, O +sinless one, thy strength and prowess are almost equal to mine. O +mighty-armed one, I have been pleased with thee. Behold me, O bull +of the Bharata race! O large-eyed one! I will grant thee eyes (to +see me in my true form). Thou wert a Rishi before. Thou wilt +vanquish all thy foes, even the dwellers of heaven; I will as I +have been pleased with thee, grant thee an irresistible weapon. +Soon shall thou be able to wield that weapon of mine.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Phalguna then beheld +him—Mahadeva—that god of blazing splendour—that +wielder of the Pinaka—that one who had his abode on the +mountains (of Kailasa)—accompanied by Uma. Bending down on +his knee and bowing with his head, that conqueror of hostile +cities—the son of Pritha—worshipped Hara and inclined +him to grace. And Arjuna said, 'O <i>Kapardin</i>, O chief of all +gods, O destroyer of the eyes of Bhaga, O god of gods, O Mahadeva, +O thou of blue throat, O thou of matted locks, I know thee as the +Cause of all causes. O thou of three eyes, O lord of all! Thou art +the refuge of all the gods! This universe hath sprung from thee. +Thou art incapable of being vanquished by the three worlds of the +celestials, the Asuras, and men. Thou art Siva in the form of +Vishnu, and Vishnu in the form of Siva. Thou destroyedest of old +the great sacrifice of Daksha. O Hari, O Rudra, I bow to thee. Thou +hast an eye on thy forehead. O Sarva, O thou that rainest objects +of desire, O bearer of the trident, O wielder of the Pinaka, O +Surya, O thou of pure body, O Creator of all, I bow to thee. O lord +of all created things, I worship thee to obtain thy grace. Thou art +the lord of the <i>Ganas</i>, the source of universal blessing, the +Cause of the causes of the universe. Thou art beyond the foremost +of male beings, thou art the highest, thou art the subtlest, O +Hara! O illustrious Sankara, it behoveth thee to pardon my fault. +It was even to obtain a sight of thyself that I came to this great +mountain, which is dear to thee and which is the excellent abode of +ascetics. Thou art worshipped of all <span class="pagenum">[Pg +90]</span> worlds. O lord, I worship thee to obtain thy grace. Let +not this rashness of mine be regarded as a fault—this combat +in which I was engaged with thee from ignorance. O Sankara, I seek +thy protection. Pardon me all I have done.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Endued with great might, the god whose +sign was the bull, taking into his the handsome hands of Arjuna, +smilingly replied unto him, saying, 'I have pardoned thee.' And the +illustrious Hara, cheerfully clasping Arjuna with his arms, once +more consoling Arjuna said as follows."</p> +<h2>SECTION XL</h2> +<p>"Mahadeva said, 'Thou wert in thy former life Nara, the friend +of Narayana. In Vadari wert thou engaged in fierce ascetic +austerities for several thousands of years. In thee as well as in +Vishnu—that first of male beings—dwelleth great might. +Ye both, by your might, hold the universe; O lord, taking up that +fierce bow whose twang resembled the deep roar of the clouds, thou, +as well as Krishna, chastisedest the Danavas during the coronation +of Indra. Even this <i>Gandiva</i> is that bow, O son of Pritha, +fit for thy hands. O foremost of male beings, I snatched it from +thee, helped by my powers of illusion. This couple of quivers, fit +for thee, will again be inexhaustible, O son of Pritha! And, O son +of the Kuru race, thy body will be free from pain and disease. Thy +prowess is incapable of being baffled. I have been pleased with +thee. And, O first of male beings, ask thou of me the boon that +thou desirest. O chastiser of all foes, O giver of proper respect, +(to those deserving it) not even in heaven is there any male being +who is equal to thee, nor any Kshatriya who is thy superior.'</p> +<p>"Arjuna said, 'O illustrious god having the bull for thy sign, +if thou wilt grant me my desire, I ask of thee, O lord that fierce +celestial weapon wielded by thee and called +<i>Brahmasira</i>—that weapon of terrific prowess which +destroyeth, at the end of the <i>Yuga</i> the entire +universe—that weapon by the help of which, O god of gods, I +may under thy grace, obtain victory in the terrible conflict which +shall take place between myself (on one side), and Karna and +Bhishma and Kripa and Drona (on the other)—that weapon by +which I may consume in battle Danavas and Rakshasas and evil +spirits and Pisachas and Gandharvas and Nagas—that weapon +which when hurled with <i>Mantras</i> produceth darts by thousands +and fierce-looking maces and arrows like snakes of virulent poison, +and by means of which I may fight with Bhishma and Drona and Kripa +and Karna of ever abusive tongue, O illustrious destroyer of the +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 91]</span> eyes of Bhaga, even this is my +foremost desire, <i>viz</i>., that I may be able to fight with them +and obtain success.'</p> +<p>"Bhava replied, 'O powerful one, I will give to thee that +favourite weapon of mine called the <i>Pasuputa</i>. O son of +Pandu, thou art capable of holding, hurling, and withdrawing it. +Neither the chief himself of the gods, nor Yama, nor the king of +the Yakshas, nor Varuna, nor Vayu, knoweth it. How could men know +anything of it? But, O son of Pritha, this weapon should not be +hurled without adequate cause; for if hurled at any foe of little +might it may destroy the whole universe. In the three worlds with +all their mobile and immobile creatures, there is none who is +incapable of being slain by this weapon. And it may be hurled by +the mind, by the eye, by words, and by the bow.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words, the son of Pritha +purified himself. And approaching the lord of the universe with +rapt attention, he said, 'Instruct me!' Mahadeva then imparted unto +that best of Pandu's son the knowledge of that weapon looking like +the embodiment of Yama, together with all the mysteries about +hurling and withdrawing it. And that weapon thence began to wait +upon Arjuna as it did upon Sankara, the lord of Uma. And Arjuna +also gladly accepted it. And at the moment the whole earth, with +its mountains and woods and trees and seas and forests and villages +and towns and mines, trembled. And the sounds of conchs and drums +and trumpets by thousands began to be heard. And at that moment +hurricanes and whirlwinds began to blow. And the gods and the +Danavas beheld that terrible weapon in its embodied form stay by +the side of Arjuna of immeasurable energy. And whatever of evil +there had been in the body of Phalguna of immeasurable energy was +all dispelled by the touch of the three-eyed deity. And the three +eyed god then commanded Arjuna, saying, 'Go thou into heaven.' +Arjuna then, O king, worshipping the god with bent head, gazed at +him, with joined hands. Then the lord of all the dwellers of +heaven, the deity of blazing splendour having his abode on +mountain-breasts, the husband of Uma, the god of passions under +complete control, the source of all blessings, Bhava gave unto +Arjuna, that foremost of men, the great bow called <i>Gandiva</i>, +destructive of Danavas and Pisachas. And the god of gods, then +leaving that blessed mountain with snowy plateaus and vales and +caves, favourite resort of sky-ranging great Rishis, went up, +accompanied by Uma into the skies, in the sight of that foremost of +men."</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 92]</span> +<h2>SECTION XLI</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "The wielder of the Pinaka, having the bull +for his sign, thus disappeared in the very sight of the gazing son +of Pandu, like the sun setting in the sight of the world. Arjuna, +that slayer of hostile heroes, wondered much at this, saying, 'O, I +have seen the great god of gods. Fortunate, indeed I am, and much +favoured, for I have both beheld and touched with my hand the +three-eyed Hara the wielder of the Pinaka, in his boon-giving form. +I shall win success. I am already great. My enemies have already +been vanquished by me. My purposes have been already achieved.' And +while the son of Pritha, endued with immeasurable energy, was +thinking thus, there came to that place Varuna the god of waters, +handsome and of the splendour of the <i>lapis lazuli</i> +accompanied by all kinds of aquatic creatures, and filling all the +points of the horizon with a blazing effulgence. And accompanied by +Rivers both male and female, and Nagas, and Daityas and Sadhyas and +inferior deities, Varuna, the controller and lord of all aquatic +creatures, arrived at that spot. There came also the lord Kuvera of +body resembling pure gold, seated on his car of great splendour, +and accompanied by numerous Yakshas. And the lord of treasures, +possessed of great beauty, came there to see Arjuna, illuminating +the firmament with his effulgence. And there came also Yama +himself, of great beauty, the powerful destroyer of all the worlds, +accompanied by those lords of the creation—the +Pitris—both embodied and disembodied. And the god of justice, +of inconceivable soul, the son of Surya, the destroyer of all +creatures, with the mace in hand, came there on his car, +illuminating the three worlds with regions of the Guhyakas, the +Gandharvas and the Nagas, like a second Surya as he riseth at the +end of the Yuga. Having arrived there, they beheld, from the +effulgent and variegated summits of the great mountain, Arjuna +engaged in ascetic austerities. And there came in a moment the +illustrious Sakra also, accompanied by his queen, seated on the +back of (the celestial elephant) Airavata, and surrounded also by +all the deities. And in consequence of the white umbrella being +held over his head, he looked like the moon amid fleecy clouds. And +eulogised by Gandharvas, and Rishis endued with wealth of +asceticism, the chief of the celestials alighted on a particular +summit of the mountain, like a second sun. Then Yama possessed of +great intelligence, and fully conversant with virtue, who had +occupied a summit on the south, in a voice deep as that of the +clouds, said these auspicious words, 'Arjuna, behold us, the +protectors of the worlds, arrive here! We will grant thee +(spiritual) vision, for thou deservest to behold us. Thou wert in +thy former life a Rishi of immeasurable soul, known as Nara of +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 93]</span> great might. At the command, O +child, of Brahma, thou hast been born among men! O sinless one, by +thee shall be vanquished in battle the highly virtuous grandsire of +the Kurus—Bhishma of great energy—who is born of the +Vasus. Thou shalt also defeat all the Kshatriyas of fiery energy +commanded by the son of Bharadwaja in battle. Thou shalt also +defeat those Danavas of fierce prowess that have been born amongst +men, and those Danavas also that are called Nivatakavachas. And, O +son of the Kuru race, O Dhananjaya, thou shalt also slay Karna of +fierce prowess, who is even a portion of my father Surya, of energy +celebrated throughout the worlds. And, O son of Kunti, smiter of +all foes, thou shalt also slay all the portions of celestials and +Danavas and the Rakshasas that have been incarnate on earth. And +slain by thee, these shall attain to the regions earned by them +according to their acts. And, O Phalguna, the fame of thy +achievements will last for ever in the world: thou hast gratified +Mahadeva himself in conflict. Thou shalt, with Vishnu himself, +lighten the burden of the earth. O accept this weapon of +mine—the mace I wield incapable of being baffled by any body. +With this weapon thou wilt achieve great deeds.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "O Janamejaya, the son of Pritha then +received from Yama that weapon duly, along with the <i>Mantras</i> +and rite, and the mysteries of hurling and withdrawing it. Then +Varuna, the lord of all aquatic creatures, blue as the clouds, from +a summit he had occupied on the west, uttered these words, 'O son +of Pritha, thou art the foremost of Kshatriyas, and engaged in +Kshatriya practices. O thou of large coppery eyes, behold me! I am +Varuna, the lord of waters. Hurled by me, my nooses are incapable +of being resisted. O son of Kunti, accept of me these Varuna +weapons along with the mysteries of hurling and withdrawing them. +With these, O hero, in the battle that ensued of your on account of +Taraka (the wife of Vrihaspati), thousands of mighty Daityas were +seized and tied. Accept them of me. Even if Yama himself be thy +foe, with these in thy hands, he will not be able to escape from +thee. When thou wilt armed with these, range over the field of +battle, the land, beyond doubt, will be destitute of +Kshatriyas.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "After both Varuna and Yama had given +away their celestial weapons, the lord of treasures having his home +on the heights of Kailasa, then spake, 'O son of Pandu, O thou of +great might and wisdom, I too have been pleased with thee. And this +meeting with thee giveth me as much pleasure as a meeting with +Krishna. O wielder of the bow with the left hand, O thou of mighty +arms, thou wert a god before, eternal (as other gods). In ancient +<i>Kalpas</i>, thou hadst every day gone through ascetic +austerities along with us. O best of men, I grant thee celestial +vision. O thou of mighty arms, thou wilt defeat even invincible +Daityas and Danavas. Accept of me also without loss of time, an +excellent weapon. With this thou wilt be able to consume the +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 94]</span> ranks of Dhritarashtra. Take +then this favourite weapon of mine called <i>Antarddhana</i>. +Endued with energy and prowess and splendour, it is capable of +sending the foe to sleep. When the illustrious Sankara slew +Tripura, even this was the weapon which he shot and by which many +mighty Asuras were consumed. O thou of invincible prowess I take it +up for giving it to thee. Endued with the dignity of the Meru, thou +art competent to hold this weapon.'</p> +<p>"After these words had been spoken, the Kuru prince Arjuna +endued with great strength, duly received from Kuvera that +celestial weapon. Then the chief of the celestials addressing +Pritha's son of ceaseless deeds in sweet words, said, in a voice +deep as that the clouds or the kettle-drum, 'O thou mighty-armed +son of Kunti, thou art an ancient god. Thou hast already achieved +the highest success, and acquired the stature of a god. But, O +represser of foes, thou hast yet to accomplish the purposes of the +gods. Thou must ascend to heaven. Therefore prepare thou O hero of +great splendour! My own car with Matali as charioteer, will soon +descend on the earth. Taking thee, O Kaurava, to heaven, I will +grant thee there all my celestial weapons.'</p> +<p>"Beholding those protectors of the worlds assembled together on +the heights of Himavat, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, wondered +much. Endued with great energy, he then duly worshipped the +assembled <i>Lokapalas</i>, with words, water, and fruits. The +celestials then returning that worship, went away. And the gods +capable of going everywhere at will, and endued with the speed of +the mind, returned to the places whence they had come.</p> +<p>"That bull among men—Arjuna—having obtained weapons +thus, was filled with pleasure. And he regarded himself as one +whose desires had been fulfilled and who was crowned with +success."</p> +<h2>SECTION XLII</h2> +<h3>(<i>Indralokagamana Parva</i>)</h3> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "After the <i>Lokapalas</i> had gone away, +Arjuna—that slayer of all foes—began to think, O +monarch, of the car of Indra! And as Gudakesa gifted with great +intelligence was thinking of it, the car endued with great +effulgence and guided by Matali, came dividing the clouds and +illuminating the firmament and filling the entire welkin with its +rattle deep as the roar of mighty masses of clouds. Swords, and +missiles of terrible forms and maces of frightful description, and +winged darts of celestial splendour and lightnings of the +brightest effulgence, and thunderbolts, and propellors furnished +with wheels and worked with atmosphere expansion and producing +sounds loud as the roar of great <span class="pagenum">[Pg +95]</span> masses of clouds, were on that car. And there were also +on that car fierce and huge-bodied <i>Nagas</i> with fiery mouths, +and heaps of stones white as the fleecy clouds. And the car was +drawn by ten thousands of horses of golden hue, endued with the +speed of the wind. And furnished with prowess of illusion, the car +was drawn with such speed that the eye could hardly mark its +progress. And Arjuna saw on that car the flag-staff called +<i>Vaijayanta</i>, of blazing effulgence, resembling in hue the +emerald or the dark-blue lotus, and decked with golden ornaments +and straight as the bamboo. And beholding a charioteer decked in +gold seated on that car, the mighty-armed son of Pritha regarded it +as belonging to the celestials. And while Arjuna was occupied with +his thoughts regarding the car, the charioteer Matali, bending +himself after descending from the car, addressed him, saying, 'O +lucky son of Sakra! Sakra himself wisheth to see thee. Ascend thou +without loss of time this car that hath been sent by Indra. The +chief of the immortals, thy father—that god of a hundred +sacrifices—hath commanded me, saying, <i>Bring the son of +Kunti hither. Let the gods behold him.</i> And Sankara himself, +surrounded by the celestials and Rishis and Gandharvas and Apsaras, +waiteth to behold thee. At the command of the chastiser of Paka, +therefore, ascend thou with me from this to the region of the +celestials. Thou wilt return after obtaining weapons.'</p> +<p>"Arjuna replied, 'O Matali, mount thou without loss of time this +excellent car, a car that cannot be attained even by hundreds of +<i>Rajasuya</i> and horse sacrifices. Even kings of great +prosperity who have performed great sacrifices distinguished by +large gifts (to Brahmanas), even gods and Danavas are not competent +to ride this car. He that hath not ascetic merit is not competent +to even see or touch this car, far less to ride on it. O blessed +one, after thou hast ascended it, and after the horses have become +still, I will ascend it, like a virtuous man stepping into the +high-road of honesty.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Matali, the charioteer of Sakra, +hearing these words of Arjuna, soon mounted the car and controlled +the horses. Arjuna then, with a cheerful heart, purified himself by +a bath in the Ganges. And the son of Kunti then duly repeated +(inaudibly) his customary prayers. He then, duly and according to +the ordinance, gratified the <i>Pitris</i> with oblations of water. +And, lastly, he commenced to invoke the Mandara—that king of +mountains—saying, 'O mountain, thou art ever the refuge of +holy, heaven-seeking <i>Munis</i> of virtuous conduct and +behaviour. It is through thy grace, O mountain, that Brahmanas and +Kshatriyas and Vaisyas attain heaven, and their anxieties gone, +sport with the celestials. O king of mountains, O mountain, thou +art the asylum of <i>Munis</i>, and thou holdest on thy breast +numerous sacred shrines. Happily have I dwelt on thy heights. I +leave thee now, bidding thee farewell. Oft have I seen thy +tablelands and bowers, thy springs and <span class="pagenum">[Pg +96]</span> brooks, and the sacred shrines on thy breast. I have +also eaten the savoury fruits growing on thee, and have slated my +thirst with draughts of perfumed water oozing from thy body. I have +also drunk the water of thy springs, sweet as <i>amrita</i> itself. +O mountain, as a child sleepeth happily on the lap of his father, +so have I, O king of mountains, O excellent one, sported on thy +breast, echoing with the notes of Apsaras and the chanting of the +Vedas. O mountain, every day have I lived happily on thy +tablelands.' Thus having bidden farewell to the mountain, that +slayer of hostile heroes—Arjuna—blazing like the Sun +himself, ascended the celestial car. And the Kuru prince gifted +with great intelligence, with a glad heart, coursed through the +firmament on that celestial car effulgent as the sun and of +extra-ordinary achievements. And after he had become invisible to +the mortals of the earth, he beheld thousands of cars of +extra-ordinary beauty. And in that region there was no sun or moon +or fire to give light, but it blazed in light of its own, generated +by virtue of ascetic merit. And those brilliant regions that are +seen from the earth in the form of stars, like lamps (in the +sky)—so small in consequence of their distance, though very +large—were beheld by the son of Pandu, stationed in their +respective places, full of beauty and effulgence and blazing with +splendour all their own. And there he beheld royal sages crowned +with ascetic success, and heroes who had yielded up their lives in +battle, and those that had acquired heaven by their ascetic +austerities, by hundreds upon hundreds. And there were also +Gandharvas, of bodies blazing like the sun, by thousands upon +thousands, as also Guhyakas and Rishis and numerous tribes of +Apsaras. And beholding those self-effulgent regions, Phalguna +became filled with wonder, and made enquiries of Matali. And Matali +also gladly replied unto him, saying, 'These, O son of Pritha, are +virtuous persons stationed in their respective places. It is these +whom thou hast seen, O exalted one, as stars, from the earth.' Then +Arjuna saw standing at the gates (Indra's region) the handsome and +ever victorious elephant—Airavata—furnished with four +tusks, and resembling the mountain of Kailasa with its summits. And +coursing along that path of the <i>Siddhas</i>, that foremost of +the Kurus and the son of Pandu, sat in beauty like +Mandhata—that best of kings. Endued with eyes like lotus +leaves, he passed through the region set apart for virtuous kings. +And the celebrated Arjuna having thus passed through successive +regions of heaven at last beheld <i>Amaravati</i>, the city of +Indra."</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 97]</span> +<h2>SECTION XLIII</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "And the city of Indra which Arjuna saw was +delightful and was the resort of <i>Siddhas</i> and +<i>Charanas</i>. And it was adorned with the flowers of every +season, and with sacred trees of all kinds. And he beheld also +celestial gardens called <i>Nandana</i>—the favourite resort +of Apsaras. And fanned by the fragrant breezes charged with the +farina of sweet-scented flowers, the trees with their load of +celestial blossoms seemed to welcome him amongst them. And the +region was such that none could behold it who had not gone through +ascetic austerities, or who had not poured libations on fire. It +was a region for the virtuous alone, and not for those who had +turned their back on the field of battle. And none were competent +to see it who had not performed sacrifices or observed rigid vows, +or who were without a knowledge of the Vedas, or who had not bathed +in sacred waters, or who were not distinguished for sacrifices and +gifts. And none were competent to see it who were disturbers of +sacrifices, or who were low, or who drank intoxicating liquors, or +who were violators of their preceptors' bed, or who were eaters of +(unsanctified) meat, or who were wicked. And having beheld those +celestial gardens resounding with celestial music, the strong-armed +son of Pandu entered the favourite city of Indra. And he beheld +there celestial cars by thousands, capable of going everywhere at +will, stationed in proper places. And he saw tens of thousands of +such cars moving in every direction. And fanned by pleasant breezes +charged with the perfumes of flowers, the son of Pandu was praised +by Apsaras and Gandharvas. And the celestials then, accompanied by +the Gandharvas and Siddhas and great Rishis, cheerfully reverenced +Pritha's son of white steeds. Benedictions were poured upon him, +accompanied by the sounds of celestial music. The strong-armed son +of Pritha then heard around him the music of conchs and drums. And +praised all around, the son of Pritha then went, at the command of +Indra, to that large and extensive starry way called by the name of +<i>Suravithi</i>. There he met with the <i>Sadhyas</i>, the +<i>Viswas</i>, the <i>Marutas</i>, the twin <i>Aswins</i>, the +<i>Adityas</i>, the <i>Vasus</i>, the <i>Rudras</i>, the +<i>Brahmarshis</i> of the great splendour, and numerous royal sages +with Dilipa at their head, and Tumvura and Narada, and that couple +of Gandharvas known by the names of Haha and Huhu. And the Kuru +prince—that chastiser of foes—having met and duly +saluted them, last of all beheld the chief of the +celestials—the god of a hundred sacrifices. Then the +strong-armed son of Pritha, alighting from the car approached the +lord himself of the gods—his father—that chastiser of +Paka. And a beautiful white umbrella furnished with a golden staff +was held over the chief of the celestials. And he was fanned with a +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 98]</span> <i>Chamara</i> perfumed with +celestial scents. And he was eulogised by many Gandharvas headed by +<i>Viswavasu</i> and others, by bards and singers, and by foremost +Brahmanas chanting <i>Rik</i> and <i>Yajus</i> hymns. And the +mighty son of Kunti, approaching Indra, saluted him by bending his +head to the ground. And Indra thereupon embraced him with his round +and plump arms. And taking his hand, Sakra made him sit by him on a +portion of his own seat, that sacred seat which was worshipped by +gods and Rishis. And the lord of the celestials—that slayer +of hostile heroes—smelt the head of Arjuna bending in +humility, and even took him upon his lap. Seated on Sakra's seat at +the command of that god of a thousand eyes, Pritha's son of +immeasurable energy began to blaze in splendour like a second +Indra. And moved by affection, the slayer of Vritra, consoling +Arjuna, touched his beautiful face with his own perfumed hands. And +the wielder of the thunderbolt, patting and rubbing gently again +and again with his own hands which bore the marks of the +thunderbolt the handsome and huge arms of Arjuna which resembled a +couple of golden columns and which were hard in consequence of +drawing the bowstring, the god of a thousand eyes eying his son of +curly locks smilingly and with eyes expanded with delight, seemed +scarcely to be gratified. The more he gazed, the more he liked to +gaze on. And seated on one seat, the father and son enhanced the +beauty of the assembly, like the sun and moon beautifying the +firmament together on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight. And +a band of Gandharvas headed by Tumvuru skilled in music sacred and +profane, sang many verses in melodious notes. And Ghritachi and +Menaka and Rambha and Purvachitti and Swayamprabha and Urvasi and +Misrakesi and Dandagami and Varuthini and Gopali and Sahajanya and +Kumbhayoni and Prajagara and Chitrasena and Chitralekha and Saha +and Madhuraswana, these and others by thousands, possessed of eyes +like lotus leaves, who were employed in enticing the hearts of +persons practising rigid austerities, danced there. And possessing +slim waists and fair large hips, they began to perform various +evolutions, shaking their deep bosoms, and casting their glances +around, and exhibiting other attractive attitude capable of +stealing the hearts and resolutions and minds of the +spectators."</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 99]</span> +<h2>SECTION XLIV</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "The gods and the Gandharvas then, +understanding the wishes of Indra, procured an excellent +<i>Arghya</i> and reverenced the son of Pritha in a hurry. And +giving water to wash both his feet and face, they caused the prince +to enter the palace of Indra. And thus worshipped, Jishnu continued +to live in the abode of his father. And the son of Pandu continued +all the while to acquire celestial weapons, together with the means +of withdrawing them. And he received from the hands of Sakra his +favourite weapon of irresistible force, <i>viz</i>., the +thunder-bolt and those other weapons also, of tremendous roar, +<i>viz</i>., the lightnings of heaven, whose flashes are inferable +from the appearance of clouds and (the dancing of) peacocks. And +the son of Pandu, after he had obtained those weapons, recollected +his brothers. And at the command of Indra, however, he lived for +full five years in heaven, surrounded by every comfort and +luxury.</p> +<p>"After some time, when Arjuna had obtained all the weapons, +Indra addressed him in due time, saying, 'O son of Kunti, learn +thou music and dancing from Chitrasena. Learn the instrumental +music that is current among the celestials and which existeth not +in the world of men, for, O son of Kunti, it will be to thy +benefit.' And Parandana gave Chitrasena as a friend unto Arjuna. +And the son of Pritha lived happily in peace with Chitrasena. And +Chitrasena instructed Arjuna all the while in music; vocal and +instrumental and in dancing. But the active Arjuna obtained no +peace of mind, remembering the unfair play at dice of Sakuni, the +son of Suvala, and thinking with rage of Dussasana and his death. +When however, his friendship with Chitrasena had ripened fully, he +at times learned the unrivalled dance and music practised among the +Gandharvas. And at last having learnt various kinds of dance and +diverse species of music, both vocal and instrumental, that slayer +of hostile heroes obtained no peace of mind remembering his +brothers and mother Kunti."</p> +<h2>SECTION XLV</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "One day, knowing that Arjuna's glances were +cast upon Urvasi, Vasava, calling Chitrasena to himself, addressed +him in private saying, 'O king of Gandharvas, I am pleased; go thou +as my messenger to that foremost of Apsaras, Urvasi, and let her +wait upon that tiger among men, Phalguna. Tell her, saying these +words of mine, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 100]</span> 'As through my +instrumentality Arjuna hath learnt all the weapons and other arts, +worshipped by all, so shouldst thou make him conversant with the +arts of acquitting one's self in female company.' Thus addressed by +Indra, the chief of the Gandharvas in obedience to that command of +Vasava, soon went to Urvasi that foremost of Apsaras. And as he saw +her, she recognised him and delighted him by the welcome she +offered and the salutation she gave. And seated at ease he then +smilingly addressed Urvasi, who also was seated at ease, saying, +'Let it be known, O thou of fair hips, that I come hither +despatched by the one sole lord of heaven who asketh of thee a +favour. He who is known amongst gods and men for his many inborn +virtues, for his grace, behaviour, beauty of person, vows and +self-control; who is noted for might and prowess, and respected by +the virtuous, and ready-witted; who is endued with genius and +splendid energy, is of a forgiving temper and without malice of any +kind; who hath studied the four Vedas with their branches, and the +<i>Upanishads</i>, and the Puranas also; who is endued with +devotion to his preceptors and with intellect possessed of the +eight attributes, who by his abstinence, ability, origin and age, +is alone capable of protecting the celestial regions like Mahavat +himself; who is never boastful; who showeth proper respect to all; +who beholdeth the minutest things as clearly as if those were gross +and large; who is sweet-speeched; who showereth diverse kinds of +food and drink on his friends and dependents; who is truthful, +worshipped of all, eloquent, handsome, and without pride; who is +kind to those devoted to him, and universally pleasing and dear to +all; who is firm in promise; who is equal to even Mahendra and +Varuna in respect of every desirable attribute, <i>viz</i>., +Arjuna, is known to thee. O Urvasi, know thou that hero is to be +made to taste the joys of heaven. Commanded by Indra, let him today +obtain thy feet. Do this, O amiable one, for Dhananjaya is inclined +to thee.'</p> +<p>"Thus addressed, Urvasi of faultless features assumed a smiling +face, and receiving the words of the Gandharva with high respect, +answered with a glad heart, saying, 'Hearing of the virtues that +should adorn men, as unfolded by thee, I would bestow my favours +upon any one who happened to possess them. Why should I not then, +choose Arjuna for a lover? At the command of Indra, and for my +friendship for thee, and moved also by the numerous virtues of +Phalguna, I am already under the influence of the god of love. Go +thou, therefore, to the place thou desirest. I shall gladly go to +Arjuna.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 101]</span> +<h2>SECTION XLVI</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Having thus sent away the Gandharva +successful in his mission, Urvasi of luminous smiles, moved by the +desire of possessing Phalguna, took a bath. And having performed +her ablutions, she decked herself in charming ornaments and +splendid garlands of celestial odour. And inflamed by the god of +love, and her heart pierced through and through by the shafts shot +by Manmatha keeping in view the beauty of Arjuna, and her +imagination wholly taken up by the thoughts of Arjuna, she mentally +sported with him on a wide and excellent bed laid over with +celestial sheets. And when the twilight had deepened and the moon +was up, that Apsara of high hips set out for the mansions of +Arjuna. And in that mood and with her crisp, soft and long braids +decked with bunches of flowers, she looked extremely beautiful. +With her beauty and grace, and the charm of the motions of her +eye-brows and of her soft accents, and her own moon-like face, she +seemed to tread, challenging the moon himself. And as she +proceeded, her deep, finely tapering bosoms, decked with a chain of +gold and adorned with celestial unguents and smeared with fragrant +sandal paste, began to tremble. And in consequence of the weight of +her bosoms, she was forced to slightly stoop forward at every step, +bending her waist exceedingly beautiful with three folds. And her +loins of faultless shape, the elegant abode of the god of love, +furnished with fair and high and round hips and wide at their lower +part as a hill, and decked with chains of gold, and capable of +shaking the saintship of anchorites, being decked with thin attire, +appeared highly graceful. And her feet with fair suppressed ankles, +and possessing flat soles and straight toes of the colour of +burnished copper and high and curved like tortoise back and marked +by the wearing of ornaments furnished with rows of little bells, +looked exceedingly handsome. And exhilarated with a little liquor +which she had taken, and excited by desire, and moving in diverse +attitudes and expressing a sensation of delight, she looked more +handsome than usual. And though heaven abounded with many wonderful +objects, yet when Urvasi proceeded in this manner, the +<i>Siddhas</i> and <i>Charanas</i> and <i>Gandharvas</i> regarded +her to be the handsomest object they had cast their eyes upon. And +the upper half of her body clad in an attire of fine texture and +cloudy hues, she looked resplendent like a digit of the moon in the +firmament shrouded by fleecy clouds. And endued with the speed of +the winds or the mind, she of luminous smiles soon reached the +mansion of Phalguna, the son of Pandu. And, O best of men, Urvasi +of beautiful eyes, having arrived at the gate of Arjuna's abode, +sent word through the keeper in attendance. And (on receiving +permission), she soon entered that brilliant and charming palace. +But, O monarch, upon <span class="pagenum">[Pg 102]</span> +beholding her at night in his mansion, Arjuna, with a fearstricken +heart, stepped up to receive her with respect and as soon as he saw +her, the son of Pritha, from modesty, closed his eyes. And saluting +her, he offered the Apsara such worship as is offered unto a +superior. And Arjuna said, 'O thou foremost of the Apsaras, I +reverence thee by bending my head down. O lady, let me know thy +commands. I wait upon thee as thy servant.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of Phalguna, Urvasi +became deprived of her senses. And she soon represented unto Arjuna +all that had passed between her and the Gandharva, Chitrasena. And +she said, 'O best of men, I shall tell thee all that hath passed +between me and Chitrasena, and why I have come hither. On account +of thy coming here, O Arjuna, Mahendra had convened a large and +charming assembly, in which celestial festivities were held. Unto +that assembly came, O best of men, the Rudras and the Adityas and +the Aswins and the Vasus. And there came also numbers of great +Rishis and royal sages and Siddhas and Charanas and Yakshas and +great Nagas. And, O thou of expansive eyes, the members of the +assembly resplendent as fire or the sun or the moon, having taken +their seats according to rank, honour, and prowess, O son of Sakra, +the Gandharvas began to strike the <i>Vinas</i> and sing charming +songs of celestial melody. And, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, the +principal Apsaras also commenced to dance. Then, O son of Pritha, +thou hadst looked on me only with a steadfast gaze. When that +assembly of the celestials broke, commanded by thy father, the gods +went away to their respective places. And the principal Apsaras +also went away to their abodes, and others also, O slayer of foes, +commanded by thy father and obtaining his leave. It was then that +Chitrasena sent to me by Sakra, and arriving at my abode, O thou of +eyes like lotus leaves, he addressed me, saying, "O thou of the +fairest complexion, I have been sent unto thee by the chief of the +celestials. Do thou something that would be agreeable to Mahendra +and myself and to thyself also. O thou of fair hips, seek thou to +please Arjuna, who is brave in battle even like Sakra himself, and +who is always possessed of magnanimity." Even these, O son of +Pritha, were his words. Thus, O sinless one, commanded by him and +thy father also, I come to thee in order to wait upon thee, O +slayer of foes. My heart hath been attracted by thy virtues, and am +already under the influence of the god of love. And, O hero, even +this is my wish, and I have cherished it for ever!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "While in heaven, hearing her speak in +this strain, Arjuna was overcome with bashfulness. And shutting his +ears with his hands, he said, 'O blessed lady, fie on my sense of +hearing, when thou speakest thus to me. For, O thou of beautiful +face, thou art certainly equal in my estimation unto the wife of a +superior. Even as Kunti <span class="pagenum">[Pg 103]</span> of +high fortune or Sachi the queen of Indra, art thou to me, O +auspicious one, of this there is no doubt! That I had gazed +particularly at thee, O blessed one, is true. There was a reason +for it. I shall truly tell it to thee, O thou of luminous smiles! +In the assembly I gazed at thee with eyes expanded in delight, +thinking, <i>Even this blooming lady is the mother of the Kaurava +race.</i> O blessed Apsara, it behoveth thee not to entertain other +feelings towards me, for thou art superior to my superiors, being +the parent of my race.'</p> +<p>"Hearing these words of Arjuna, Urvasi answered, saying, 'O son +of the chief of the celestials, we Apsaras are free and unconfined +in our choice. It behoveth thee not, therefore, to esteem me as thy +superior. The sons and grandsons of Puru's race, that have come +hither in consequence of ascetic merit do all sport with us, +without incurring any sin. Relent, therefore, O hero, it behoveth +thee not to send me away. I am burning with desire. I am devoted to +thee. Accept me, O thou giver of proper respect.'</p> +<p>"Arjuna replied, 'O beautiful lady of features perfectly +faultless, listen. I truly tell thee. Let the four directions and +the transverse directions, let also the gods listen. O sinless one, +as Kunti, or Madri, or Sachi, is to me, so art thou, the parent of +my race, an object of reverence to me. Return, O thou of the +fairest complexion: I bend my head unto thee, and prostrate myself +at thy feet. Thou deservest my worship as my own mother; and it +behoveth thee to protect me as a son.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Partha, Urvasi was +deprived of her senses by wrath. Trembling with rage, and +contracting her brows, she cursed Arjuna, saying, 'Since thou +disregardest a woman come to thy mansion at the command of thy +father and of her own motion—a woman, besides, who is pierced +by the shafts of <i>Kama</i>, therefore, O Partha, thou shalt have +to pass thy time among females unregarded, and as a dancer, and +destitute of manhood and scorned as a eunuch.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Having cursed Arjuna thus, Urvasi's +lips still quivered in anger, herself breathing heavily all the +while. And she soon returned to her own abode. And that slayer of +foes, Arjuna also sought Chitrasena without loss of time. And +having found him, he told him all that had passed between him and +Urvasi in the night. And he told Chitrasena everything as it had +happened, repeatedly referring to the curse pronounced upon him. +And Chitrasena also represented everything unto Sakra. And +Harivahana, calling his son unto himself in private, and consoling +him in sweet words, smilingly said, 'O thou best of beings, having +obtained thee, O child, Pritha hath to-day become a truly blessed +mother. O mighty-armed one, thou hast now vanquished even Rishis by +the patience and self-control. But, O giver of proper respect, the +curse that Urvasi hath denounced on thee will be to thy benefit, +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 104]</span> O child, and stand thee in +good stead. O sinless one, ye will have on earth to pass the +thirteenth year (of your exile), unknown to all. It is then that +thou shalt suffer the curse of Urvasi. And having passed one year +as a dancer without manhood, thou shalt regain thy power on the +expiration of the term.'</p> +<p>"Thus addressed by Sakra, that slayer of hostile heroes, +Phalguna, experienced great delight and ceased to think of the +curse. And Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu, sported in regions of +heaven with the Gandharva Chitrasena of great celebrity.</p> +<p>"The desires of the man that listeneth to this history of the +son of Pandu never run after lustful ends. The foremost of men, by +listening to this account of the awfully pure conduct of Phalguna, +the son of the lord of the celestials, become void of pride and +arrogance and wrath and other faults, and ascending to heaven, +sport there in bliss."</p> +<h2>SECTION XLVII</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "One day, the great <i>Rishi</i> Lomasa in +course of his wanderings, went to the abode of Indra, desirous of +beholding the lord of the celestials. And the great Muni, having +approached the chief of the gods, bowed to him respectfully. And he +beheld the son of Pandu occupying half of the seat of Vasava. And +worshipped by the great Rishis, that foremost of Brahmanas sat on +an excellent seat at the desire of Sakra. And beholding Arjuna +seated on Indra's seat, the Rishi began to think as to how Arjuna +who was a Kshatriya had attained to the seat of Sakra himself. What +acts of merit had been performed by him and what regions had been +conquered by him (by ascetic merit), that he had obtained a seat +that was worshipped by the gods themselves? And as the Rishi was +employed with these thoughts, Sakra, the slayer of Vritra, came to +know of them. And having known them, the lord of Sachi addressed +Lomasa with a smile and said, 'Listen, O <i>Brahmarshi</i>, about +what is now passing in thy mind. This one is no mortal though he +hath taken his birth among men. O great Rishi, the mighty-armed +hero is even my son born of Kunti. He hath come hither, in order to +acquire weapons for some purpose. Alas! dost thou not recognise him +as an ancient Rishi of the highest merit? Listen to me, O Brahmana, +as I tell thee who is and why he hath come to me. Those ancient and +excellent Rishis who were known by the names of Nara and Narayana +are, know, O Brahmana, none else than Hrishikesa and Dhananjaya. +And those Rishis, celebrated throughout the three worlds, and known +by the names of Nara and Narayana have, for the accomplishment of a +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 105]</span> certain purpose, been born on +earth—for the acquisition of virtue. That sacred asylum which +even gods and illustrious Rishis are not competent to behold, and +which is known throughout the world by the name of Vadari, and +situate by the source of the Ganga, which is worshipped by the +Siddhas and the Charanas, was the abode, O Brahmana, of Vishnu and +Jishnu. Those Rishis of blazing splendour have, O +<i>Brahmarshi</i>, at my desire, been born on earth, and endued +with mighty energy, will lighten the burden thereof. Besides this, +there are certain Asuras known as Nivatakavachas, who, proud of the +boon they have acquired, are employed in doing us injuries. +Boastful of their strength, they are even now planning the +destruction of the gods, for, having received a boon, they no +longer regard the gods. Those fierce and mighty Danavas live in the +nether regions. Even all the celestials together are incapable of +fighting with them. The blessed Vishnu—the slayer of +Madhu—he, indeed who is known on earth as Kapila, and whose +glance alone, O exalted one, destroyed the illustrious sons of +Sagara, when they approached him with loud sounds in the bowels of +the earth,—that illustrious and invincible Hari is capable, O +Brahmana of doing us a great service. Either he or Partha or both +may do us that great service, without doubt. Verily as the +illustrious Hari had slain the Nagas in the great lake, he, by +sight alone, is capable of slaying those Asuras called the +Nivatakavachas, along with their followers. But the slayer of Madhu +should not be urged when the task is insignificant. A mighty mass +of energy that he is, it swelleth to increasing proportions, it may +consume the whole universe. This Arjuna also is competent to +encounter them all, and the hero having slain them in battle, will +go back to the world of men. Go thou at my request to earth. Thou +wilt behold the brave Yudhishthira living in the woods of Kamyaka. +And for me tell thou the virtuous Yudhishthira of unbaffled prowess +in battle, that he should not be anxious on account of Phalguna, +for that hero will return to earth a thorough master of weapons, +for without sanctified prowess of arms, and without skill in +weapons, he would not be able to encounter Bhishma and Drona and +others in battle. Thou wilt also represent unto Yudhishthira that +the illustrious and mighty-armed Gudakesa, having obtained weapons, +hath also mastered the science of celestial dancing and music both +instrumental and vocal. And thou wilt also tell him, O king of men, +O slayer of foes, thyself also, accompanied by all thy brothers, +should see the various sacred shrines. For having bathed in +different sacred waters, thou wilt be cleansed from thy sins, and +the fever of thy heart will abate. And then thou wilt be able to +enjoy thy kingdom, happy in the thought that thy sins have been +washed off. And, O foremost of Brahmanas, endued with ascetic +power, it behoveth thee also to protect Yudhishthira during his +wandering over the earth. Fierce Rakshasas ever live in mountain +fastnesses and rugged steppes. Protect thou the king from those +cannibals.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 106]</span> +<p>"After Mahendra had spoken thus unto Lomasa, Vibhatsu also +reverently addressed that Rishi, saying, 'Protect thou ever the son +of Pandu. O best of men, let the king, O great Rishi, protected by +thee, visit the various places of pilgrimage and give away unto +Brahmanas in charity.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "The mighty ascetic Lomasa, having +answered both saying, 'So be it,' set out for the earth, desirous +of arriving at Kamvaka. And having arrived at those woods, he +beheld the slayer of foes and son of Kunti, king Yudhishthira the +just, surrounded by ascetics and his younger brothers."</p> +<h2>SECTION XLVIII</h2> +<p>Janamejaya said, "These feats of Pritha's son endued with +immeasurable energy, were certainly marvellous. O Brahmana, what +did Dhritarashtra of great wisdom say, when he heard of them?"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Amvika's son, king Dhritarashtra, having +heard of Arjuna's arrival and stay at Indra's abode, from +Dwaipayana, that foremost of Rishis, spake unto Sanjaya, saying, 'O +charioteer, dost thou know in detail the acts of the intelligent +Arjuna, of which I have heard from beginning to end? O charioteer, +my wretched and sinful son is even now engaged in a policy of the +most vulgar kind. Of wicked soul, he will certainly depopulate the +earth. The illustrious person whose words even in jest are true, +and who hath Dhananjaya to fight for him, is sure to win the three +worlds. Who that is even beyond the influence of Death and Decay +will be able to stay before Arjuna, when he will scatter his barbed +and sharp-pointed arrows whetted on stone? My wretched sons, who +have to fight with the invincible Pandavas are indeed, all doomed. +Reflecting day and night, I see not the warrior amongst us that is +able to stay in battle before the wielder of the <i>Gandiva</i>. If +Drona, or Karna, or even Bhishma advance against him in battle, a +great calamity is likely to befall the earth. But even in that +case, I see not the way to our success. Karna is kind and +forgetful. The preceptor Drona is old, and the teacher (of Arjuna). +Arjuna, however, is wrathful, and strong, and proud, and of firm +and steady prowess. As all these warriors are invincible, a +terrible fight will take place between them. All of them are heroes +skilled in weapons and of great reputation. They would not wish for +the sovereignty of the world, if it was to be purchased by defeat. +Indeed, peace will be restored only on the death of these or of +Phalguna. The slayer of Arjuna, however, existeth not, nor doth one +that can vanquish him. Oh, how shall that wrath of his which hath +myself for its object be pacified. Equal unto the chief of the +celestials, that hero gratified Agni at <i>Khandava</i> and +vanquished all the monarchs of the earth on the occasion of the +great <i>Rajasuya</i>. O Sanjaya, the thunder-bolt falling on the +mountain top, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 107]</span> leaveth a +portion unconsumed; but the shafts, O child, that are shot by +Kiriti leave not a rack behind. As the rays of the sun heat this +mobile and immobile universe, so will the shafts shot by Arjuna's +hands scorch my sons. It seemeth to me that the <i>Chamus</i> of +the Bharatas, terrified at the clatter of Arjuna's chariot-wheels, +are already broken through in all directions. Vidhatri hath created +Arjuna as an all-consuming Destroyer. He stayeth in battle as a +foe, vomitting and scattering swarms of arrows. Who is there that +will defeat him?'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XLIX</h2> +<p>"Sanjaya said, 'That which hath been uttered by thee, O king, +with respect to Duryodhana is all true. Nothing that thou hast +said, O lord of the earth, is untrue. The Pandavas of immeasurable +energy have been filled with rage at the sight of Krishna their +wedded wife of pure fame brought in the midst of the +assembly. Hearing also those cruel words of Dussasana and Karna, +they have been so incensed, O king, that they will not, I ween, +forgive (the Kurus) on thy account. I have heard, O king, how Arjuna +hath gratified in battle by means of his bow the god of +gods—Sthanu of eleven forms. The illustrious lord of all the +gods—Kapardin himself—desirous of testing Phalguna, +fought with him, having assumed the guise of a <i>Kirata</i>. And +there it was that the <i>Lokapala</i>, in order to give away their +weapons unto that bull of the Kuru race, showed themselves unto him +of undeteriorating prowess. What other man on earth, except +Phalguna, would strive to have a sight of these gods in their own +forms? And, O king, who is there that will weaken in battle Arjuna, +who could not be weakened by Maheswara himself possessed of eight +forms? Thy sons, having dragged Draupadi, and thereby incensed the +sons of Pandu, have brought this frightful and horrifying calamity +upon themselves. Beholding Duryodhana showing both his thighs unto +Draupadi, Bhima said with quivering lips, <i>wretch! those thighs +of thine will I smash with my fierce descending mace, on the +expiration of thirteen years</i>. All the sons of Pandu are the +foremost of smiters; all of them are of immeasurable energy; all of +them are well-versed in every kind of weapons. For these, they are +incapable of being vanquished even by the gods. Incensed at the +insult offered to their wedded wife, Pritha's sons, urged by wrath, +will, I ween, slay all thy sons in battle.'</p> +<p>"Dhritarashtra said, 'O charioteer, what mischief hath been done +by Karna uttering those cruel words, to the sons of Pandu! Was not +the enmity sufficient that was provoked by bringing Krishna into +the assembly? How can my wicked sons live, whose eldest brother and +preceptor <span class="pagenum">[Pg 108]</span> walketh not in the +path of righteousness? Seeing me void of eye-sight, and incapable +of exerting myself actively, my wretched son, O charioteer, +believeth me to be a fool, and listeneth not to my words. Those +wretches also that are his counsellors, <i>viz</i>., Karna and +Suvala, and others, always pander to his vices, as he is incapable +of understanding things rightly. The shafts that Arjuna of +immeasurable prowess may lightly shoot, are capable of consuming +all my sons, leave alone those shafts that he will shoot, impelled +by anger. The arrows urged by the might of Arjuna's arms and shot +from his large bow, and inspired with <i>mantras</i> capable of +converting them into celestial weapons can chastise the celestials +themselves. He who hath for his counsellor and protector and friend +that smiter of sinful men—the lord of the three +worlds—Hari himself—encountereth nothing that he cannot +conquer. This, O Sanjaya, is most marvellous in Arjuna that, as we +have heard, he hath been clasped by Mahadeva in his arms. That also +which Phalguna, assisted by Damodara did of old towards helping +Agni in the conflagration of <i>Khandava</i>, hath been witnessed +by all the world. When, therefore, Bhima and Partha and Vasudeva of +the Satwata race become enraged, surely my sons along with their +friends and the Suvalas are all unequal to fight with them.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION L</h2> +<p>Janamejaya said, "Having sent the heroic sons of Pandu into +exile, these lamentations, O <i>Muni</i>, of Dhritarashtra were +perfectly futile. Why did the king permit his foolish son +Duryodhana to thus incense those mighty warriors, the sons of +Pandu? Tell us now, O Brahmana, what was the food of the sons of +Pandu, while they lived in the woods? Was it of the wilderness, or +was it the produce of cultivation?"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Those bulls among men, collecting the +produce of the wilderness and killing the deer with pure arrows, +first dedicated a portion of the food to the Brahmanas, and +themselves ate the rest. For, O king, while those heroes wielding +large bows lived in the woods, they were followed by Brahmanas of +both classes, <i>viz</i>., those worshipping with fire and those +worshipping without it. And there were ten thousand illustrious +<i>Snataka</i> Brahmanas, all conversant with the means of +salvation, whom Yudhishthira supported in the woods. And killing +with arrows <i>Rurus</i> and the black deer and other kinds of +clean animals of the wilderness, he gave them unto those Brahmanas. +And no one that lived with Yudhishthira looked pale or ill, or was +lean or weak, or was melancholy or terrified. And the chief of the +Kurus—the virtuous king Yudhishthira—maintained his +brothers as if they were his sons, and his relatives as if they +were his uterine brothers. And Draupadi of pure <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 109]</span> fame fed her husbands and the Brahmanas, +as if she was their mother; and last of all took her food herself. +And the king himself wending towards the east, and Bhima, towards +the south, and the twins, towards the west and the north, daily +killed with bow in hand the deer of the forest, for the sake of +meat. And it was that the Pandavas lived for five years in the +woods of <i>Kamyaka</i>, in anxiety at the absence of Arjuna, and +engaged all the while in study and prayers and sacrifices."</p> +<h2>SECTION LI</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "That bull among +men—Dhritarashtra—the son of Amvika, having heard of +this wonderful way of life—so above that of men—of the +sons of Pandu, was filled with anxiety and grief. And overwhelmed +with melancholy and sighing heavily and hot, that monarch, +addressing his charioteer Sanjaya, said, 'O charioteer, a moment's +peace I have not, either during the day or the night, thinking of +the terrible misbehaviour of my sons arising out of their past +gambling, and thinking also of the heroism, the patience, the high +intelligence, the unbearable prowess, and the extraordinary love +unto one another of the sons of Pandu. Amongst the Pandavas, the +illustrious Nakula and Sahadeva, of celestial origin and equal unto +the chief himself of the celestials in splendour, are invincible in +battle. They are firm in the wielding of weapons, capable of +shooting at a long distance, resolute in battle, of remarkable +lightness of hand, of wrath that is not easily quelled, possessed +of great steadiness, and endued with activity. Possessed of the +prowess of lions and unbearable as the Aswins themselves, when they +will come to the field of battle with Bhima and Arjuna in front, I +see, O Sanjaya, that my soldiers will all be slain without a +remnant. Those mighty warriors of celestial origin, unrivalled in +battle by anybody, filled with rage at the remembrance of that +insult to Draupadi, will show no forgiveness. The mighty warriors +of the Vrishnis also, and the Panchalas of great energy, and the +sons of Pritha themselves, led by Vasudeva of unbaffled prowess, +will blast my legions. O charioteer, all the warriors on my side +assembled together, are not competent to bear the impetus of the +Vrishnis alone when commanded by Rama and Krishna. And amongst them +will move that great warrior Bhima of terrible prowess, armed with +his iron mace held on high and capable of slaying every hero. And +high above the din will be heard the twang of the <i>Gandiva</i> +loud as the thunder of heaven. The impetus of Bhima's mace and the +loud twang of the Gandiva are incapable of being stood against by +any of the kings on my side. It is then, O Sanjaya, that obedient +as I have been to the voice of Duryodhana, I shall have to call +back the rejected <span class="pagenum">[Pg 110]</span> counsels of +my friends—counsels that I should have attended to in +time.'</p> +<p>"Sanjaya said, 'This hath been thy great fault, O king, +<i>viz</i>., that though capable, thou didst not, from affection +prevent thy son from doing what he hath done. The slayer of Madhu, +that hero of unfading glory, hearing that the Pandavas had been +defeated at dice, soon went to the woods of <i>Kamyaka</i> and +consoled them there. And Draupadi's sons also headed by +Dhrishtadyumna, and Virata, and Dhrishtaketu, and those mighty +warriors, the Kekayas, all went there. All that was said by these +warriors at the sight of Pandu's son defeated at dice, was learnt +by me through our spies. I have also told thee all, O king. When +the slayer of Madhu met the Pandavas, they requested him to become +the charioteer of Phalguna in battle. Hari himself, thus requested, +answered them, saying, <i>so be it</i>. And even Krishna himself +beholding the sons of Pritha dressed in deer skins, became filled +with rage, and addressing Yudhishthira, said, "That prosperity +which the sons of Pritha had acquired at Indraprastha, and which, +unobtainable by other kings, was beheld by me at the +<i>Rajasuya</i> sacrifice, at which, besides, I saw all kings, even +those of the Vangas and Angas and Paundras and Odras and Cholas and +Dravidas and Andhakas, and the chiefs of many islands and countries +on the sea-board as also of frontier states, including the rulers +of the Sinhalas, the barbarous <i>mlecchas</i>, the natives of +Lanka, and all the kings of the West by hundreds, and all the +chiefs of the sea-coast, and the kings of the Pahlavas and the +Daradas and the various tribes of the Kiratas and Yavanas and +Sakras and the Harahunas and Chinas and Tukharas and the Sindhavas +and the Jagudas and the Ramathas and the Mundas and the inhabitants +of the kingdom of women and the Tanganas and the Kekayas and the +Malavas and the inhabitants of Kasmira, afraid of the prowess of +your weapons, present in obedience to your invitation, performing +various offices,—that prosperity, O king, so unstable and +waiting at present on the foe, I shall restore to thee, depriving +thy foe of his very life. I shall, O chief of the Kurus, assisted +by Rama and Bhima and Arjuna and the twins and Akrura and Gada and +Shamva and Pradyumna and Ahuka and the heroic Dhrishtadyumna and +the son of Sisupala, slay in battle in course of a day Duryodhana +and Karna and Dussasana and Suvala's son and all others who may +fight against us. And thou shalt, O Bharata, living at Hastinapura +along with thy brothers, and snatching from Dhritarashtra's party +the prosperity they are enjoying, rule this earth." Even these, O +king, were Krishna's words unto Yudhishthira, who, on the +conclusion of Krishna's speech, addressed him in that meeting of +heroes and in the hearing of all those brave warriors headed by +Dhrishtadyumna, saying, "O Janardana, I accept these words of thine +as truth. O thou of mighty arms, do thou, however, slay my enemies +along with all their followers on the expiry of thirteen years. +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 111]</span> O Kesava, promise this truly +unto me. I promised in the presence of the king to live in the +forest as I am now living." Consenting to these words of king +Yudhishthira the just, his counsellors headed by Dhrishtadyumna +soon pacified the incensed Kesava with sweet words and expressions +suitable to the occasion. And they also said unto Draupadi of pure +deeds in the hearing of Vasudeva himself, these words, "O lady, in +consequence of thy anger, Duryodhana shall lay down his life. We +promise it, O thou of the fairest complexion. Therefore, grieve no +more. O Krishna, those that mocked thee, beholding thee won at +dice, shall reap the fruit of their act. Beasts of prey and birds +shall eat their flesh, and mock them thus. Jackals and vultures +will drink their blood. And, O Krishna, thou shalt behold the +bodies of those wretches that dragged thee by the hair prostrate on +the earth, dragged and eaten by carnivorous animals. They also that +gave thee pain and disregarded thee shall lie on the earth +destitute of their heads, and the earth herself shall drink their +blood." These and other speeches of various kinds were uttered +there, O king, by those bulls of the Bharata race. All of them are +endued with energy and bravery, and marked with the marks of +battle. On the expiration of the thirteenth year, those mighty +warriors, chosen by Yudhishthira and headed by Vasudeva, will come +(to the field of battle). Rama and Krishna and Dhananjaya and +Pradyumna and Shamva and Yuyudhana and Bhima and the sons of Madri +and the Kekaya princes and the Panchala princes, accompanied by the +king of Matsya, these all, illustrious and celebrated and +invincible heroes, with their followers and troops, will come. Who +is there that, desiring to live, will encounter these in battle, +resembling angry lions of erect manes?'</p> +<p>"Dhritarashtra said, 'What Vidura told me at the time of the +game at dice, "If thou seekest, O king, to vanquish the Pandavas +(at dice), then certainly a terrible blood-shed ending in the +destruction of all the Kurus will be the result," I think it is +about to be realised. As Vidura told me of old, without doubt a +terrible battle will take place, as soon as the pledged period of +the Pandavas expireth.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LII</h2> +<h3>(<i>Nalopakhyana Parva</i>)</h3> +<p>Janamejaya said, "When the high-souled Partha went to Indra's +region for obtaining weapons, what did Yudhishthira and the other +sons of Pandu do?"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "When the high-souled Partha went to Indra's +region for obtaining weapons, those bulls of the Bharata race +continued <span class="pagenum">[Pg 112]</span> to dwell with +Krishna in (the woods of) <i>Kamyaka</i>. One day, those foremost +of the Bharatas, afflicted with grief, were seated with Krishna on +a clean and solitary sward. Grieving for Dhananjaya, overwhelmed +with sorrow, their voices were choked with weeping. Tortured by +Dhananjaya's absence, grief afflicted them equally. And filled with +sorrow at their separation from Arjuna and at the loss of their +kingdom, the mighty-armed Bhima among them addressed Yudhishthira, +saying, 'That Bull of the Bharata race, Arjuna, O great king, on +whom depend the lives of Pandu's sons, and on whose death the +Panchalas as also ourselves with our sons and Satyaki and Vasudeva +are sure to die, hath gone away at thy behest. What can be sadder +than this that the virtuous Vibhatsu hath gone away at thy command, +thinking of his many griefs? Depending upon the might of that +illustrious hero's arms, regard our foes as already vanquished in +battle, and the whole earth itself as already acquired by us. It +was for the sake of that mighty warrior that I refrained from +sending to the other world all the Dhartarashtras along with the +Suvalas, in the midst of the assembly. Gifted with might of arms, +and supported by Vasudeva, we have to suppress the wrath that hath +been roused in us, because thou art the root of that wrath. Indeed, +with Krishna's help, slaying our foes headed by Karna, we are able +to rule the entire earth (thus) conquered by our own arms. Endued +with manliness, we are yet overwhelmed with calamities, in +consequence of thy gambling vice, while the foolish followers of +Dhritarashtra are growing stronger with the tributes (gathered from +dependent kings). O mighty monarch, it behoveth thee to keep in +view the duties of the Kshatriya. O great king, it is not the duty +of a Kshatriya to live in the woods. The wise are of the opinion +that to rule is the foremost duty of a Kshatriya. O king, thou art +conversant with Kshatriya morality. Do not, therefore, deviate from +the path of duty. Turning away from the woods, let us, summoning +Partha and Janardana, slay, O king, the sons of Dhritarashtra, even +before the twelve years are complete. O illustrious monarch, O king +of kings, even if these Dhartarashtras be surrounded by soldiers in +array of battle, I shall send them to the other world by dint of +might alone. I shall slay all the sons of Dhritarashtra along with +the Sauvalas, indeed, Duryodhana, Karna, and any one else that will +fight with me. And after I shall have slain all our foes, thou +mayst come back unto the woods. By acting thus, O king, no fault +will be thine. (Or if any sin be thine), O represser of foes, O +mighty monarch, washing it off, O sire, by various sacrifices, we +may ascend to a superior heaven. Such a consummation may come to +pass, if our king proveth not unwise or procrastinating. Thou art, +however, virtuous. Verily the deceitful should be destroyed by +deceit. To slay the deceitful by deceit, is not regarded as sinful. +O Bharata, it is also said by those versed in morality that one day +and night is, O great prince, equal unto a full year. The Veda text +also, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 113]</span> exalted one, is often +heard, signifying that a year is equivalent to a day when passed in +the observance of certain difficult vows. O thou of unfading glory, +if the Vedas are an authority with thee, regard thou the period of +a day and something more as the equivalent of thirteen years. O +represser of foes, this is the time to slay Duryodhana with his +adherents. Else, O king, he will beforehand bring the whole earth +obedient to his will. O foremost of monarchs, all this is the +result of thy addiction to gambling. We are on the verge of +destruction already, in consequence of thy promise of living one +year undiscovered. I do not find the country where, if we live, the +wicked-minded Suyodhana may not be able to trace us by his spies. +And finding us out, that wretch will again deceitfully send us into +such exile in the woods. Or if that sinful one beholdeth us emerge, +after the expiry of the pledged period of non-discovery, he will +again invite thee, O great king, to dice, and the play will once +more begin. Summoned once more, thou wilt again efface thyself at +dice. Thou art not skilled at dice, and when summoned at play, thou +wilt be deprived of thy senses. Therefore, O mighty monarch thou +wilt have to lead a life in the woods again. If, O mighty king, it +behoveth thee not to make us wretched for life, observe thou fully +the ordinance of the Vedas, (which inculcateth that) verily the +deceitful ought to be slain by deceit. If I but have thy command I +would go (to Hastinapura) and, even as fire falling upon a heap of +grass consumeth it, would slay Duryodhana, putting forth my utmost +might. It behoveth thee, therefore, to grant me the +permission.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Bhima, king +Yudhishthira the just, smelt the crown of that son of Pandu, and +pacifying him said, 'O mighty-armed one, without doubt, thou wilt, +assisted by the wielder of the <i>Gandiva</i>, slay Suyodhana at +the expiry of the thirteenth year. But, O son of Pritha, as for thy +assertion, <i>O Lord, the time is complete</i>, I cannot dare tell +an untruth, for untruth is not in me. O son of Kunti, without the +help of fraud, wilt thou kill the wicked and irrepressible +Duryodhana, with his allies.'</p> +<p>"While Yudhishthira the just, was speaking unto Bhima thus, +there came the great and illustrious Rishi Vrihadaswa before them. +And beholding that virtuous ascetic before him, the righteous king +worshipped him according to the ordinance, with the offering of +<i>Madhuparka</i>. And when the ascetic was seated and refreshed, +the mighty-armed Yudhishthira sat by him, and looking up at the +former, addressed him thus in exceedingly piteous accents:</p> +<p>"'O holy one, summoned by cunning gamblers skilled at dice, I +have been deprived of wealth and kingdom through gambling. I am not +an adept at dice, and am unacquainted with deceit. Sinful men, by +unfair means, vanquished me at play. They even brought into the +public assembly my wife dearer unto me than life itself. And +defeating me a <span class="pagenum">[Pg 114]</span> second time, +they have sent me to distressful exile in this great forest, clad +in deer skins. At present I am leading a distressful life in the +woods in grief of heart. Those harsh and cruel speeches they +addressed me on the occasion of that gambling match, and the words +of my afflicted friends relating to the match at dice and other +subjects, are all stored up in my remembrance. Recollecting them I +pass the whole night in (sleepless) anxiety. Deprived also (of the +company) of the illustrious wielder of the Gandiva, on whom depend +the lives of us all, I am almost deprived of life. Oh, when shall I +see the sweet-speeched and large-hearted Vibhatsu so full of +kindness and activity, return to us, having obtained all weapons? +Is there a king on this earth who is more unfortunate than myself? +Hast thou ever seen or heard of any such before? To my thinking, +there is no man more wretched than I am.'</p> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'O great king, O son of Pandu, thou sayest, +"There is no person more miserable than I am." O sinless monarch, +if thou wilt listen, I will relate unto thee the history of a king +more wretched than thyself.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "And thereupon the king said unto the +ascetic, 'O illustrious one, tell me, I desire to hear the history +of the king who had fallen into such a condition.'</p> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'O king, O thou that never fallest off, listen +attentively with thy brothers, I will narrate the history of a +prince more miserable than thyself. There was a celebrated king +among the Nishadhas, named Virasena. He had a son named Nala, +versed in (the knowledge of) virtue and wealth. It hath been heard +by us that, that king was deceitfully defeated by Pushkara, and +afflicted with calamity, he dwelt in the woods with his spouse. +And, O king, while he was living in the forest, he had neither +slaves nor cars, neither brother nor friends with him. But thou art +surrounded by thy heroic brothers like unto the celestials, and +also by foremost regenerate ones like unto Brahma himself. +Therefore, it behoveth thee not to grieve.'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'I am anxious to hear in detail, O thou +foremost of eloquent men, the history of the illustrious Nala. It +behoveth thee therefore to relate it unto me.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LIII</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'There was a king named Nala, the son of +Virasena. And he was strong, and handsome, and well-versed in (the +knowledge of) horses, and possessed of every desirable +accomplishment. And he was at the head of all the kings, even like +the lord of the celestials. And exalted over all, he resembled the +sun in glory. And he was the king <span class="pagenum">[Pg +115]</span> of the Nishadhas, intent on the welfare of the +Brahmanas, versed in the Vedas, and possessed of heroism. And he +was truth-telling, fond of dice, and the master of a mighty army. +And he was the beloved of men and women, and of great soul and +subdued passions. And he was the protector (of all), and the +foremost of bowmen, and like unto Manu himself. And like him, there +was among the Vidarbhas (a king named) Bhima, of terrible prowess, +heroic and well-disposed towards his subjects and possessed of +every virtue. (But withal) he was childless. And with a fixed mind, +he tried his utmost for obtaining issue. And, O Bharata there came +unto him (once) a Brahmarshi named Damana. And, O king of kings, +desirous of having offspring, Bhima, versed in morality, with his +queen gratified that illustrious Rishi by a respectful reception. +And Damana, well-pleased, granted unto the king and his consort a +boon in the form of a jewel of a daughter, and three sons possessed +of lofty souls and great fame. (And they were called respectively) +Damayanti, and Dama and Dama, and illustrious Damana. And the three +sons were possessed of every accomplishment and terrible mien and +fierce prowess. And the slender-waisted Damayanti, in beauty and +brightness, in good name and grace and luck, became celebrated all +over the world. And on her attaining to age, hundreds of +hand-maids, and female slaves, decked in ornaments, waited upon her +like <i>Sachi</i> herself. And Bhima's daughter of faultless +features, decked in every ornament, shone in the midst of her +hand-maids, like the luminous lightning of the clouds. And the +large-eyed damsel was possessed of great beauty like that of Sree +herself. And neither among celestials, nor among Yakshas, nor among +men was anybody possessed of such beauty, seen or heard of before. +And the beautiful maiden filled with gladness the hearts of even +the gods. And that tiger among men, Nala also had not his peer in +the (three) worlds: for in beauty he was like <i>Kandarpa</i> +himself in his embodied form. And moved by admiration, the heralds +again and again celebrated the praises of Nala before Damayanti and +those of Damayanti before the ruler of the Nishadhas. And +repeatedly hearing of each other's virtues they conceived an +attachment towards each other not begot of sight, and that +attachment, O son of Kunti began to grow in strength. And then Nala +was unable to control the love that was in his bosom. And he began +to pass much of his time in solitude in the gardens adjoining the +inner apartment (of his palace). And there he saw a number of swans +furnished with golden wings, wandering in those woods. And from +among them he caught one with his hands. And thereupon the +sky-ranging one said unto Nala. "Deserve I not to be slain by thee, +O king. I will do something that is agreeable to thee, O king of +the Nishadhas. I will speak of thee before Damayanti in such a way +that she will not ever desire to have any other person (for her +lord)." Thus addressed, the king liberated that swan. And those +swans then rose on their wings <span class="pagenum">[Pg +116]</span> and went to the country of the Vidarbhas. And on +arriving at the city of the Vidarbhas the birds alighted before +Damayanti, who beheld them all. And Damayanti in the midst of her +maids, beholding those birds of extraordinary appearance was filled +with delight, and strove without loss of time to catch those +coursers of the skies. And the swans at this, before that bevy of +beauties, fled in all directions. And those maidens there pursued +the birds, each (running) after one. And the swan after which +Damayanti ran, having led her to a secluded spot, addressed her in +human speech, saying, O Damayanti, there is a king amongst the +Nishadhas named Nala. He is equal unto the Aswins in beauty, not +having his peer among men. Indeed, in comeliness, he is like +<i>Kandarpa</i> himself in his embodied form. O fair-complexioned +one, O thou of slender waist, if thou becomest his wife, thy +existence and this thy beauty may be of purpose. We have, indeed, +beheld celestials and Gandharvas, and Nagas, and Rakshasas, and +men, but never saw we before any one like Nala. Thou also art a +jewel among thy sex, as Nala is the prince among men. The union of +the best with the best is happy." Thus addressed by the swan, +Damayanti, O monarch, replied unto him there, saying, "Do thou +speak thus unto Nala also." Saying <i>So be it</i>, to the daughter +of Vidarbha, the oviparous one, O king, returned to the country of +the Nishadhas, and related everything unto Nala.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LIV</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'O Bharata, hearing those words of the swan, +Damayanti thenceforth lost all peace of mind on account of Nala. +And heaving frequent sighs she was filled with anxiety, and became +melancholy and pale-faced and lean. And with her heart possessed by +the god of love, she soon lost colour, and with her upturned gaze +and modes of abstraction, looked like one demented. And she lost +all inclination for beds and seats and object of enjoyment. And she +ceased to lie down by day or night, always weeping with exclamation +of <i>Oh!</i> and <i>Alas!</i> And beholding her uneasy and fallen +into that condition, her hand-maids represented, O king, the matter +of her illness unto the ruler of Vidarbha by indirect hints. And +king Bhima, hearing of this from the handmaids of Damayanti, +regarded the affair of his daughter to be serious. And he asked +himself, "Why is it that my daughter seemeth to be so ill now?" And +the king, reflecting by himself that his daughter had attained to +puberty, concluded that Damayanti's <i>Swayamvara</i> should take +place. And the monarch, O exalted one, (invited) all the rulers of +the earth, saying, <i>Ye heroes, know that Damayanti's Swayamvara +is at hand</i>. And <span class="pagenum">[Pg 117]</span> all the +kings, hearing of Damayanti's <i>Swayamvara</i>, came unto Bhima, +agreeable to his message, filling the earth with the clatter of +their cars, the roar of their elephants, and the neighing of their +horses, and accompanied with their fine-looking battalions decked +in ornaments and graceful garlands. And the mighty-armed Bhima paid +due reverence unto those illustrious monarchs. And duly honoured by +him they took up their quarters there.</p> +<p>"'And at the juncture, those foremost of celestial Rishis +possessed of great splendour, of great wisdom and great +vows—namely, Narada and Parvata—having arrived in +course of their wandering at the regions of Indra entered the +mansion of the lord of the immortals, receiving proper worship. And +Maghavat having worshipped them reverentially, inquired after their +undisturbed peace and welfare as regards all respects. And Narada +said, "O lord, O divine one, peace attendeth us in every respect. +And, O Maghavat, peace attendeth also O exalted one, the kings of +the whole world."'</p> +<p>"Vrihadaswa continued. 'Hearing the words of Narada the slaver +of Vala and Vritra said, "Those righteous rulers of the earth who +fight renouncing all desire of life, and who meet death when their +time is come by means of weapons, without flying from the +field,—theirs is this region, everlasting unto them and +granting all desires, even as it is to me. Where be those Kshatriya +heroes? I do not see those kings approach (now). Where are my +favourite guests?" Thus addressed by Sakra, Narada replied, +"Listen, O Mahaval, why seest not thou the kings (now)? The ruler +of the Vidarbhas hath a daughter—the celebrated Damayanti. In +beauty she transcendeth all the women of the earth. Her +<i>Swayamvara</i>, O Sakra, will take place shortly. Thither are +going all the kings and Princes from all directions. And all the +lords of the earth desire to have that pearl of the +earth,—desire to have her eagerly, O slaver of Vala and +Vritra." And while they were talking thus, those foremost of the +immortals, the <i>Lokapalas</i> with Agni among them, appeared +before the lord of the celestials. And all of them heard the words +of Narada fraught with grave import. And as soon as they heard +them, they exclaimed in rapture, <i>We also will go there</i>. And, +O mighty monarch, accompanied by their attendants and mounted on +their (respective) vehicles, they set out for the country of +Vidarbhas, whither (had gone) all the kings. And, O son of Kunti, +the high-souled king Nala also hearing of that concourse of kings, +set out with a cheerful heart, full of Damayanti's love. And (it +came to pass) that the gods saw Nala on the way treading on the +earth. And his form owing to its beauty was like that of the god of +love himself. And beholding him resplendent as the sun, the +<i>Lokapalas</i> were filled with astonishment at his wealth of +beauty, and abandoned their intention. And, O king, leaving their +cars in the sky the dwellers of heaven alighted from the welkin and +spake unto <span class="pagenum">[Pg 118]</span> the ruler of the +Nishadhas, saying, "O foremost of monarchs ruling the Nishadhas, O +Nala, thou art devoted to truth. Do thou help us. O best of men, be +thou our messenger."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LV</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O Bharata, Nala pledged his word to the +celestials saying, "<i>I will do it</i>." And then approaching +these, he asked with folded hands, "Who are ye? And who also is he +that desireth me to be his messenger? And what, further, shall I +have to do for you? O tell me truly!"—When the king of the +Nishadhas spoke thus, Maghavat replied, saying, "Know us as the +immortals come hither for Damayanti's sake. I am Indra, this one is +Agni, this the lord of waters, and this, O king, is even Yama the +destroyer of the bodies of men. Do thou inform Damayanti of our +arrival, saying, 'The guardians of the world, (consisting of) the +great Indra and the others, are coming to the assembly, desirous of +beholding (the Swayamvara). The gods, Sakra and Agni and Varuna and +Yama, desire to obtain thee. Do thou, therefore, choose one of them +for thy lord.'" Thus addressed by Sakra, Nala said with joined +hands, "I have come here with the self same object. It behoveth +thee not to send me (on this errand). How can a person who is +himself under the influence of love bring himself to speak thus +unto a lady on behalf of others? Therefore, spare me, ye gods." The +gods, however, said, "O ruler of the Nishadhas, having promised +first, saying, <i>I will!</i> why wilt thou not act accordingly +now? O ruler of the Nishadhas, tell us this without delay."'</p> +<p>"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Thus addressed by those celestials, the +ruler of Nishadhas spake again, saying, "Those mansions are +well-guarded. How can I hope to enter them?" Indra replied, "Thou +shalt be able to enter." And, saying, <i>So be it</i>, Nala +thereupon went to the palace of Damayanti. And having arrived +there, he beheld the daughter of the king of Vidarbha surrounded by +her hand-maids, blazing in beauty and excelling in symmetry of +form, of limbs exceedingly delicate, of slender waist and fair +eyes. And she seemed to rebuke the light of the moon by her own +splendour. And as he gazed on that lady of sweet smiles, Nala's +love increased, but desirous of keeping his truth, he suppressed +his passion. And at the sight of Naishadha, overpowered by his +effulgence, those first of women sprang up from their seats in +amazement. And filled with wonder (at his sight), they praised Nala +in gladness of heart. And without saying anything, they mentally +paid him homage, "Oh, what comeliness! Oh, what gentleness +belongeth to this high-souled <span class="pagenum">[Pg 119]</span> +one! Who is he? Is he some god or Yaksha or Gandharva?" And those +foremost of women, confounded by Nala's splendour and bashfulness +would not accost him at all in speech. And Damayanti although +herself struck with amazement, smilingly addressed the warlike Nala +who also gently smiled at her, saying, "What art thou, O thou of +faultless features, that hast come here awakening my love? O +sinless one, O hero of celestial form, I am anxious to know who +thou art that hast come hither. And why hast thou come hither? And +how is it that thou hast not been discovered by any one, +considering that my apartments are well-guarded and the king's +mandates are stern." Thus addressed by the daughter of the king of +the Vidarbhas, Nala replied, "O beauteous lady, know that my name +is Nala. I come here as the messenger of the gods. The celestials, +Sakra, Agni, Varuna and Yama, desire to have thee. O beautiful +lady, do thou choose one of them for thy lord. It is through their +power that I have entered here unperceived, and it is for this +reason that none saw me on my way or obstructed my entrance. O +gentle one, I have been sent by the foremost of the celestials even +for this object. Hearing this, O fortunate one, do what thou +pleasest."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LVI</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'Damayanti, having bowed down unto the gods, +thus addressed Nala with a smile, "O king, love me with proper +regard, and command me what I shall do for thee. Myself and what +else of wealth is mine are thine. Grant me, O exalted one, thy love +in full trust. O king, the language of the swans is burning me. It +is for thy sake, O hero, that I have caused the kings to meet. O +giver of proper honour, if thou forsake me who adore thee, for thy +sake will I resort to poison, or fire, or water or the rope." Thus +addressed by the daughter of the king of the Vidarbhas, Nala +answered her saying, "With the <i>Lokapalas</i> present, choosest +thou a man? Do thou turn thy heart to those high-souled lords, the +creators of the worlds, unto the dust of whose feet I am not equal. +Displeasing the gods, a mortal cometh by death. Save me, O thou of +faultless limbs! Choose thou the all-excelling celestials. By +accepting the gods, do thou enjoy spotless robes, and celestial +garlands of variegated hues, and excellent ornaments. What woman +would not choose as her lord Hutasana—the chief of the +celestials, who encompassing the earth swalloweth it? What woman +would not choose him as her lord the dread of whose mace induceth +all creatures to tread the path of virtue? And what woman would not +choose as her lord the virtuous and high-souled Mahendra, the lord +of the celestials, the chastiser of Daityas and Danavas? +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 120]</span> Or, if thou couldst choose in +thy heart Varuna amongst the <i>Lokapalas</i>, do so +unhesitatingly. O accept this friendly advice." Thus addressed by +Naishadha, Damayanti, with eyes bathed in tears of grief spake thus +unto Nala, "O lord of the earth, bowing to all the gods, I choose +thee for my lord. Truly do I tell thee this." The king, who had +come as the messenger of the gods, replied unto the trembling +Damayanti standing with folded hands, "O amiable one, do as thou +pleasest. Having given my pledge, O blessed one, unto the gods in +especial, how can I, having come on other's mission, dare seek my +own interest? If seeking my own interest consists with virtue, I +will seek it, and do thou also, O beauteous one, act accordingly." +Then Damayanti of luminous smiles slowly spake unto king Nala, in +words choked with tears, "O lord of men I see a blameless way, by +which no sin whatever will attach unto thee. O king, do thou, O +foremost of men, come to the <i>Swayamvara</i> in company with all +the gods headed by Indra. There, O Monarch, in the presence of the +<i>Lokapalas</i> I will, O tiger among men, choose thee—at +which no blame will be thine." Thus addressed, O monarch, by the +daughter of Vidarbha, king Nala returned to where the gods were +staying together. And beholding him approach those great gods, the +<i>Lokapalas</i>, eagerly asked him about all that had happened +saying, "Hast thou, O king, seen Damayanti of sweet smiles? What +hath she said unto us all? O sinless monarch, tell us everything." +Nala answered, "Commanded by you I entered Damayanti's palace +furnished with lofty portals guarded by veteran warders bearing +wands. And as I entered, no one perceived me, by virtue of your +power, except the princess. And I saw her hand-maids, and they also +saw me. And, O exalted celestials, seeing me, they were filled with +wonder. And as I spake unto her of you, the fair-faced maiden, her +will fixed on me, O ye best of the gods, chose me (for her spouse). +And the maiden said, 'Let the gods, O tiger among men, come with +thee to the <i>Swayamvara</i>, I will in their presence, choose +thee. At this, O thou of mighty arms, no blame will attach to +thee.' This is all, ye gods, that took place, as I have said. +Finally, everything rests with you, ye foremost of +celestials."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LVII</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Then at the sacred hour of the holy +lunar day of the auspicious season, king Bhima summoned the kings +to the <i>Swayamvara</i>. And hearing of it, all the lords of earth +smit with love speedily came thither, desirous of (possessing) +Damayanti. And the monarchs entered the amphitheatre decorated with +golden pillars and a lofty portal arch, like mighty lions entering +the mountain wilds. And those lords of <span class="pagenum">[Pg +121]</span> earth decked with fragrant garlands and polished +ear-rings hung with jewels seated themselves on their several +seats. And that sacred assembly of Kings, graced by those tigers +among men, resembled the <i>Bhogavati</i> swarming with the Nagas, +or a mountain cavern with tigers. And their arms were robust, and +resembling iron maces, and well-shaped, and graceful, and looking +like five-headed snakes. And graced with beautiful locks and fine +noses and eyes and brows, the countenance of the kings shone like +stars in the firmament. And (when the time came), Damayanti of +beauteous face, stealing the eyes and hearts of the princes by her +dazzling light, entered the hall. And the glances of those +illustrious kings were rivetted to those parts of her person where +they had chanced to fall first, without moving at all. And when, O +Bharata, the names of the monarchs were proclaimed, the daughter of +Bhima saw five persons all alike in appearance. And beholding them +seated there, without difference of any kind in form, doubt filled +her mind, and she could not ascertain which of them was king Nala. +And at whomsoever (among them) she looked, she regarded him to be +the king of the Nishadhas. And filled with anxiety, the beautious +one thought within herself, "Oh, how shall I distinguish the +celestials, and how discern the royal Nala?" And thinking thus, the +daughter of Vidarbha became filled with grief. And, O Bharata, +recollecting the marks belonging to the celestials, of which she +had heard, she thought, "Those attributes of the celestials, of +which I have heard from the aged, do not pertain to any of these +deities present here upon the earth." And revolving the matter long +in her mind, and reflecting upon it repeatedly, she decided upon +seeking the protection of the gods themselves. And bowing down unto +them with mind and speech, with folded hands, she addressed them +trembling, "Since I heard the speech of the swans, I chose the king +of the Nishadhas as my lord. For the sake of truth, O, let the gods +reveal him to me. And as in thought or word I have never swerved +from him, O, let the gods, for the sake of that truth, reveal him +to me. And as the gods themselves have destined the ruler of the +Nishadhas to be my lord, O, let them, for the sake of that truth, +reveal him to me. And as it is for paying homage unto Nala that I +have adopted this vow, for the sake of that truth, O, let the gods +reveal him unto me. O, let the exalted guardians of the worlds +assume their own proper forms, so that I may know the righteous +king." Hearing these piteous words of Damayanti, and ascertaining +her fixed resolve, and fervent love for the king of Nishadhas, the +purity of her heart and her inclination and regard and affection +for Nala, the gods did as they had been adjured, and assumed their +respective attributes as best they could. And thereupon she beheld +the celestials unmoistened with perspiration, with winkless eyes, +and unfading garlands, unstained with dust, and staying without +touching the ground. And Naishadha stood revealed to his shadow, +his fading garlands, himself stained with dust and sweat, resting +on the ground with <span class="pagenum">[Pg 122]</span> winking +eyes. And, O Bharata, discerning the gods and the virtuous Nala the +daughter of Bhima chose Naishadha according to her truth. And the +large-eyed damsel then bashfully caught the hem of his garment and +placed round his neck a floral wreath of exceeding grace. And when +that fair-complexioned maiden had thus chosen Nala for her husband, +the kings suddenly broke out into exclamations of <i>Oh!</i> and +<i>Alas!</i> And, O Bharata, the gods and the great Rishis in +wonder cried <i>Excellent! Excellent!</i>, applauding the king the +while. And, O Kauravya, the royal son of Virasena, with heart +filled with gladness, comforted the beauteous Damayanti, saying, +"Since thou, O blessed one, hast chosen a mortal in the presence of +the celestials, know me for a husband even obedient to thy command. +And, O thou of sweet smiles, truly do I tell thee this that as long +as life continueth in this body of mine, I will remain thine and +thine alone." Damayanti also, with folded hands paid homage unto +Nala in words of like import. And the happy pair beholding Agni and +the other gods mentally sought their protection. And after the +daughter of Bhima had chosen Naishadha as her husband, the +<i>Lokapalas</i> of exceeding effulgence with pleased hearts, +bestowed on Nala eight boons. And Sakra, the lord of Sachi, +bestowed on Nala the boon that he should be able to behold his +godship in sacrifices and that he should attain to blessed regions +thereafter, and Hutasana bestowed on him the boon of his own +presence whenever Naishadha wished, and regions also bright as +himself. And Yama granted him subtle taste in food as well as +pre-eminence in virtue. And the lord of waters granted Nala his own +presence whenever he desired, and also garlands of celestial +fragrance. And thus each of them bestowed upon him a couple of +boons. And having bestowed these the gods went to heaven. And the +kings also, having witnessed with wonder Damayanti's selection of +Nala, returned delighted whence they had come. And on the departure +of those mighty monarchs, the high-souled Bhima, well pleased, +celebrated the wedding of Nala and Damayanti. And having stayed +there for a time according to his desire, Naishadha, the best of +men, returned to his own city with the permission of Bhima. And +having attained that pearl of a woman, the virtuous king, O +monarch, began to pass his days in joy, like the slayer of Vala and +Vritra in the company of Sachi. And resembling the sun in glory, +the king, full of gladness, began to rule his subjects righteously, +and give them great satisfaction. And like unto Yayati, the son of +Nahusha, that intelligent monarch celebrated the horse sacrifice +and many other sacrifices with abundant gifts to Brahmanas. And +like unto a very god, Nala sported with Damayanti in romantic woods +and groves. And the high-minded king begat upon Damayanti a son +named Indrasena, and a daughter named Indrasena. And celebrating +sacrifice, and sporting (with Damayanti) thus, the king ruled the +earth abounding in wealth.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 123]</span> +<h2>SECTION LVIII</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'When the blazing guardians of the worlds were +returning after the daughter of Bhima had chosen Naishadha, on +their way they met Dwapara with Kali approaching towards them. And +seeing Kali, Sakra the slayer of Vala and Vritra, said, "O Kali, +say whither thou art going with Dwapara." And thereupon Kali +replied unto Sakra, "Going to Damayanti's <i>Swayamvara</i>, will I +obtain her (for my wife), as my heart is fixed upon that damsel." +Hearing this, Indra said with a smile, "That <i>Swayamvara</i> is +already ended. In our sight she hath chosen Nala for her husband." +Thus answered by Sakra, Kali, that vilest of the celestials, filled +with wrath, addressing all those gods spake, "Since in the presence +of the celestials she hath chosen a mortal for her lord, it is meet +that she should undergo a heavy doom." Upon hearing these words of +Kali, the celestials answered, "It is with our sanction that +Damayanti hath chosen Nala. What damsel is there that would not +choose king Nala endued with every virtue? Well-versed in all +duties, always conducting himself with rectitude, he hath studied +the four Vedas together with the Puranas that are regarded as the +fifth. Leading a life of harmlessness unto all creatures, he is +truth-telling and firm in his vows, and in his house the gods are +ever gratified by sacrifices held according to the ordinance. In +that tiger among men—that king resembling a <i>Lokapala</i> +in truth, and forbearance, and knowledge, and asceticism, and +purity and self-control, and perfect tranquillity of soul. O Kali, +the fool that wisheth to curse Nala bearing such a character, +curseth himself, and destroyeth himself by his own act. And, O +Kali, he that seeketh to curse Nala crowned with such virtues, +sinketh into the wide bottomless pit of hell rife with torments." +Having said this to Kali and Dwapara, the gods went to heaven. And +when the gods had gone away, Kali said unto Dwapara, "I am ill +able, O Dwapara, to suppress my anger. I shall possess Nala, +deprive him of his kingdom, and he shall no more sport with Bhima's +daughter. Entering the dice, it behoveth thee to help me."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LIX</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'Having made this compact with Dwapara, Kali +came to the place where the king of the Nishadhas was. And always +watching for a hole, he continued to dwell in the country of the +Nishadhas for a long time. And it was in the twelfth year that Kali +saw a hole. <span class="pagenum">[Pg 124]</span> For one day after +answering the call of nature, Naishadha touching water said his +twilight prayers, without having previously washed his feet. And it +was through this (omission) that Kali entered his person. And +having possessed Nala, he appeared before Pushkara, and addressed +him, saying, "Come and play at dice with Nala. Through my +assistance thou wilt surely win at the play. And defeating king +Nala and acquiring his kingdom, do thou rule the Nishadhas." Thus +exhorted by Kali, Pushkara went to Nala. And Dwapara also +approached Pushkara, becoming the principal die called +<i>Vrisha</i>. And appearing before the warlike Nala, that slayer +of hostile heroes, Pushkara, repeatedly said, "Let us play together +with dice." Thus challenged in the presence of Damayanti, the +lofty-minded king could not long decline it. And he accordingly +fixed the time for the play. And possessed by Kali, Nala began to +lose, in the game, his stakes in gold, and silver, and cars with +the teams thereof, and robes. And maddened at dice, no one amongst +his friends could succeed in dissuading that represser of foes from +the play that went on. And thereupon, O Bharata, the citizens in a +body, with the chief councillors, came thither to behold the +distressed monarch and make him desist. And the charioteer coming +to Damayanti spake to her of this, saying, "O lady, the citizens +and officers of the state wait at the gate. Do thou inform the king +of the Nishadhas that the citizens have come here, unable to bear +the calamity that hath befallen their king conversant with virtue +and wealth." Thereupon Bhima's daughter, overwhelmed with grief and +almost deprived of reason by it, spake unto Nala in choked accents, +"O king, the citizens with the councillors of state, urged by +loyalty, stay at the gate desirous of beholding thee. It behoveth +thee to grant them an interview." But the king, possessed by Kali, +uttered not a word in reply unto his queen of graceful glances, +uttering thus her lamentations. And at this, those councillors of +state as also the citizens, afflicted with grief and shame, +returned to their homes, saying, "<i>He liveth not</i>." And, O +Yudhishthira, it was thus that Nala and Pushkara gambled together +for many months, the virtuous Nala being always worsted.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LX</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'Bhima's daughter, the cool-headed Damayanti, +seeing the righteous king maddened and deprived of his senses at +dice, was filled, O king, with alarm and grief. And she thought the +affair to be a serious one with the king. And apprehensive of the +calamity that threatened Nala, yet seeking his welfare and at last +understanding that her lord <span class="pagenum">[Pg 125]</span> +had lost everything, she said unto her nurse and maid-servant +Vrihatsena of high fame, intent upon her good, dexterous in all +duties, faithful and sweet-speeched, these words, "O Vrihatsena, go +thou and summon the councillors in the name of Nala, and tell them +also what of wealth and other things hath been lost and what +remaineth." The councillors then, hearing of Nala's summons, said, +"This is fortunate for us" and approached the king. And when the +subjects in a body had (thus) come a second time, the daughter of +Bhima informed Nala of it. But the king regarded her not. Finding +her husband disregarding her words, Damayanti, filled with shame, +returned to her apartments. And hearing that the dice were +uniformly unfavourable to the virtuous Nala, and that he had lost +everything, she again spake unto her nurse, saying, "O Vrihatsena, +go thou again in Nala's name to bring hither, O blessed one, the +charioteer, Varshneya. The matter at hand is very serious." And +Vrihatsena, hearing those words of Damayanti caused Varshneya to be +summoned by trusty servants. And the blameless daughter of Bhima, +acquainted with conduct suitable to time and place, addressing soft +words said according to the occasion, "Thou knowest how the king +hath always behaved towards thee. He is now in difficulty, and it +behoveth thee to assist him. The more the king loseth to Pushkara, +the greater becometh his ardour for the play. And as the dice fall +obedient to Pushkara, it is seen that they are adverse to Nala in +the matter of the play. And absorbed in the play, he heedeth not +the words of his friends and relatives, nor even those of mine. I +do not think, however, that in this the high-souled Naishadha is to +blame, in as much as the king regarded not my words, being absorbed +in play. O Charioteer, I seek thy protection. Do my behest. My mind +misgiveth me. The king may come to grief. Yoking Nala's favourite +horses endued with the fleetness of the mind, do thou take these +twins (my son and daughter) on the car and hie thou to Kundina. +Leaving the children there with my kindred as also the car and the +horses, either stay thou there, or go to any other place as it +listeth thee." Varshneya, the charioteer of Nala, then reported in +detail these words of Damayanti unto the chief officers of the +king. And having settled (the matter) in consultation with them, +and obtaining their assent, O mighty monarch, the charioteer +started for Vidarbha, taking the children on that car. And leaving +there the boy Indrasena and the girl Indrasena, as also that best +of cars and those steeds, the charioteer, with a sad heart grieving +for Nala, bade farewell unto Bhima. And wandering for some time, he +arrived at the city of Ayodhya. And there he appeared with a +sorrowful heart before king Rituparna, and entered the service of +that monarch as charioteer.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 126]</span> +<h2>SECTION LXI</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'After Varshneya had gone away, Pushkara won +from the righteous Nala that latter's kingdom and what else of +wealth he had. And unto Nala, O king, who had lost his kingdom, +Pushkara laughingly said, "Let the play go on. But what stake hast +thou now? Damayanti only remaineth; all else of thine hath been won +by me. Well, if thou likest, that Damayanti be our stake now." +Hearing these words of Pushkara the virtuous king felt as if his +heart would burst in rage, but he spake not a word. And gazing at +Pushkara in anguish, king Nala of great fame took all the ornaments +off every part of his body. And attired in a single piece of cloth, +his body uncovered, renouncing all his wealth, and enhancing the +grief of friends, the king set out. And Damayanti, clad in one +piece of cloth, followed him behind as he was leaving the city. And +coming to the outskirts of the city, Nala stayed there for three +nights with his wife. But Pushkara, O king, proclaimed through the +city that <i>he that should show any attention to Nala, would be +doomed to death</i>. And on account of these words of Pushkara and +knowing his malice towards Nala, the citizens, O Yudhishthira, no +longer showed him hospitable regards. And unregarded though +deserving of hospitable regards, Nala passed three nights in the +outskirts of the city, living on water alone. And afflicted with +hunger, the king went away in search of fruit and roots, Damayanti +following him behind. And in agony of famine, after many days, Nala +saw some birds with plumage of golden hue. And thereupon the mighty +lord of the Nishadhas thought within himself, "These will be my +banquet today and also my wealth." And then he covered them with +the cloth he had on—when bearing up that garment of his, the +birds rose up to the sky. And beholding Nala nude and melancholy, +and standing with face turned towards the ground, those rangers of +the sky addressed him, saying, "O thou of small sense, we are even +those dice. We had come hither wishing to take away thy cloth, for +it pleased us not that thou shouldst depart even with thy cloth +on." And finding himself deprived of his attire, and knowing also +that the dice were departing (with it), the virtuous Nala, O king, +thus spake unto Damayanti, "O faultless one, they through whose +anger I have been despoiled of my kingdom, they through whose +influence distressed and afflicted with hunger, I am unable to +procure sustenance, they for whom the Nishadhas offered me not any +hospitality, they, O timid one, are carrying off my cloth, assuming +the form of birds. Fallen into this dire disaster, I am afflicted +with grief and deprived of my senses, I am thy lord, do thou, +therefore, listen to the words I speak for thy good. These many +roads lead to the southern country, passing by (the city of) Avanti +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 127]</span> and the Rikshavat mountains. +This is that mighty mountain called Vindhya; yon, the river +Payasvini running sea-wards, and yonder are the asylums of the +ascetics, furnished with various fruit and roots. This road leadeth +to the country of the Vidarbhas—and that, to the country of +the Kosalas. Beyond these roads to the south is the southern +country." Addressing Bhima's daughter, O Bharata, the distressed +king Nala spake those words unto Damayanti over and over again. +Thereupon afflicted with grief, in a voice choked with tears, +Damayanti spake unto Naishadha these piteous words, "O king, +thinking of thy purpose, my heart trembleth, and all my limbs +become faint. How can I go, leaving thee in the lone woods +despoiled of thy kingdom and deprived of thy wealth, thyself +without a garment on, and worn with hunger and toil? When in the +deep woods, fatigued and afflicted with hunger, thou thinkest of +thy former bliss, I will, O great monarch, soothe thy weariness. In +every sorrow there is no physic equal unto the wife, say the +physicians. It is the truth, O Nala, that I speak unto thee." +Hearing those words of his queen, Nala replied, "O slender-waisted +Damayanti, it is even as thou hast said. To a man in distress, +there is no friend or medicine that is equal unto a wife. But I do +not seek to renounce thee, wherefore, O timid one, dost thou dread +this? O faultless one, I can forsake myself but thee I cannot +forsake." Damayanti then said, "If thou dost not, O mighty king, +intend to forsake me, why then dost thou point out to me the way to +the country of the Vidarbhas? I know, O king, that thou wouldst not +desert me. But, O lord of the earth, considering that thy mind is +distracted, thou mayst desert me. O best of men, thou repeatedly +pointest out to me the way and it is by this, O god-like one, that +thou enhancest my grief. If it is thy intention that I should go to +my relatives, then if it pleaseth thee, both of us will wend to the +country of the Vidarbhas. O giver of honours, there the king of the +Vidarbhas will receive thee with respect. And honoured by him, O +king, thou shall live happily in our home."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXII</h2> +<p>"'Nala said, "Surely, thy father's kingdom is as my own. But +thither I will not, by any means, repair in this extremity. Once I +appeared there in glory, increasing thy joy. How can I go there now +in misery, augmenting thy grief?"'</p> +<p>"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Saying this again and again unto +Damayanti, king Nala, wrapped in half a garment, comforted his +blessed wife. And both attired in one cloth and wearied with hunger +and thirst, in course of their wanderings, at last they came to a +sheltered shed for travellers. <span class="pagenum">[Pg +128]</span> And arrived at this place, the king of the Nishadhas +sat down on the bare earth with the princess of Vidarbha. And +wearing the same piece of cloth (with Damayanti), and dirty, and +haggard, and stained with dust, he fell asleep with Damayanti on +the ground in weariness. And suddenly plunged in distress, the +innocent and delicate Damayanti with every mark of good fortune, +fell into a profound slumber. And, O monarch, while she slept, +Nala, with heart and mind distraught, could not slumber calmly as +before. And reflecting on the loss of his kingdom, the desertion of +his friends, and his distress in the woods, he thought with +himself, "What availeth my acting thus? And what if I act not thus? +Is death the better for me now? Or should I desert my wife? She is +truly devoted to me and suffereth this distress for my sake. +Separated from me, she may perchance wander to her relatives. +Devoted as she is to me, if she stayeth with me, distress will +surely be hers; while it is doubtful, if I desert her. On the other +hand, it is not unlikely that she may even have happiness some +time." Reflecting upon this repeatedly, and thinking of it again +and again, he concluded, O monarch, that the desertion of Damayanti +was the best course for him. And he also thought, "Of high fame and +auspicious fortune, and devoted to me, her husband, she is +incapable of being injured by any one on the way on account of her +energy." Thus his mind that was influenced by the wicked Kali, +dwelling upon Damayanti, was made up for deserting her. And then +thinking of his own want of clothing, and of her being clad in a +single garment, he intended to cut off for himself one half of +Damayanti's attire. And he thought, "How shall I divide this +garment, so that my beloved one may not perceive?" And thinking of +this, the royal Nala began to walk up and down that shed. And, O +Bharata, pacing thus to and fro, he found a handsome sword lying +near the shed, unsheathed. And that repressor of foes, having with +that sword cut off one half of the cloth, and throwing the +instrument away, left the daughter of Vidharbha insensible in her +sleep and went away. But his heart failing him, the king of the +Nishadhas returned to the shed, and seeing Damayanti (again), burst +into tears. And he said, "Alas! that beloved one of mine whom +neither the god of wind nor the sun had seen before, even she +sleepeth to-day on the bare earth, like one forlorn. Clad in this +severed piece of cloth, and lying like one distracted, how will the +beauteous one of luminous smiles behave when she awaketh? How will +the beautiful daughter of Bhima, devoted to her lord, all alone and +separated from me, wander through these deep woods inhabited by +beasts and serpents? O blessed one, may the Adityas and the Vasus, +and the twin Aswins together with the Marutas protect thee, thy +virtue being thy best guard." And addressing thus his dear wife +peerless on earth in beauty, Nala strove to go, reft of reason by +Kali. Departing and still departing, king Nala returned again and +again to that shed, dragged away by Kali but drawn back by love. +And it seemed as <span class="pagenum">[Pg 129]</span> though the +heart of the wretched king was rent in twain, and like a swing, he +kept going out from cabin and coming back into it. At length after +lamenting long and piteously, Nala stupefied and bereft of sense by +Kali went away, forsaking that sleeping wife of his. Reft of reason +through Kali's touch, and thinking of his conduct, the king +departed in sorrow, leaving his wife alone in that solitary +forest.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXIII</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'O king, after Nala had gone away, the +beauteous Damayanti, now refreshed, timorously awoke in that lonely +forest. And O mighty monarch, not finding her lord Naishadha, +afflicted with grief and pain, she shrieked aloud in fright, +saying, "O lord? O mighty monarch! O husband, dost thou desert me? +Oh, I am lost and undone, frightened in this desolate place. O +illustrious prince, thou art truthful in speech, and conversant +with morality. How hast thou then, having pledged thy word, +deserted me asleep in the woods? Oh, why hast thou deserted thy +accomplished wife, ever devoted to thee, particularly one that hath +not wronged thee, though wronged thou hast been by others? O king +of men, it behoveth thee to act faithfull, according to those words +thou hadst spoken unto me before in the presence of the guardians +of the worlds. O bull among men, that thy wife liveth even a moment +after thy desertion of her, is only because mortals are decreed to +die at the appointed time. O bull among men, enough of this joke! O +irrepressible one, I am terribly frightened. O lord, show thyself. +I see thee! I see thee, o king! Thou art seen, O Naishadha. Hiding +thyself behind those shrubs, why dost thou not reply unto me? It is +cruel of thee, O great king, that seeing me in this plight and so +lamenting, thou dost not, O king, approach and comfort me. I grieve +not for myself, nor for anything else. I only grieve to think how +thou wilt pass thy days alone, O king. In the evening oppressed +with hunger and thirst and fatigue, underneath the trees, how wilt +it take with thee when thou seest me not?" And then Damayanti, +afflicted with anguish and burning with grief, began to rush hither +and thither, weeping in woe. And now the helpless princess sprang +up, and now she sank down in stupor; and now she shrank in terror, +and now she wept and wailed aloud. And Bhima's daughter devoted to +her husband, burning in anguish and sighing ever more, and faint +and weeping exclaimed, "That being through whose imprecation the +afflicted Naishadha suffereth this woe, shall bear grief that is +greater than ours. May that wicked being who hath brought Nala of +sinless heart this, lead a more miserable life bearing greater +ills." <span class="pagenum">[Pg 130]</span> Thus lamenting, the +crowned consort of the illustrious (king) began to seek her lord in +those woods, inhabited by beasts of prey. And the daughter of +Bhima, wailing bitterly, wandered hither and thither like a maniac, +exclaiming, <i>"Alas! Alas! Oh king!"</i> And as she was wailing +loudly like a female osprey, and grieving and indulging in piteous +lamentations unceasingly, she came near a gigantic serpent. And +that huge and hungry serpent thereupon suddenly seized Bhima's +daughter, who had come near and was moving about within its range. +And folded within serpent's coils and filled with grief, she still +wept, not for herself but for Naishadha. And she said "O lord, why +dost thou not rush towards me, now that I am seized, without +anybody to protect me, by this serpent in these desert wilds? And, +O Naishadha, how will it fare with thee when thou rememberest me? O +lord, why hast thou gone away, deserting me today in the forest? +Free from thy curse, when thou wilt have regained thy mind and +senses and wealth, how will it be with thee when thou thinkest of +me? O Naishadha, O sinless one, who will soothe thee when thou art +weary, and hungry, and fainting, O tiger among kings?" And while +she was wailing thus, a certain huntsman ranging the deep woods, +hearing her lamentations, swiftly came to the spot. And beholding +the large-eyed one in the coils of the serpent, he pushed towards +it and cut off its head with his sharp weapon. And having struck +the reptile dead, the huntsman set Damayanti free. And having +sprinkled her body with water and fed and comforted her, O Bharata, +he addressed her saying, "O thou with eyes like those of a young +gazelle, who art thou? And why also hast thou come into the woods? +And, O beauteous one, how hast thou fallen into this extreme +misery?" And thus accosted, O monarch, by that man, Damayanti, O +Bharata, related unto him all that had happened. And beholding that +beautiful woman clad in half a garment, with deep bosom and round +hips, and limbs delicate and faultless, and face resembling the +full moon, and eyes graced with curved eye-lashes, and speech sweet +as honey, the hunter became inflamed with desire. And afflicted by +the god of love, the huntsman began to soothe her in winning voice +and soft words. And as soon as the chaste and beauteous Damayanti, +beholding him understood his intentions, she was filled with fierce +wrath and seemed to blaze up in anger. But the wicked-minded +wretch, burning with desire became wroth, attempted to employ force +upon her, who was unconquerable as a flame of blazing fire. And +Damayanti already distressed upon being deprived of husband and +kingdom, in that hour of grief beyond utterance, cursed him in +anger, saying, "I have never even thought of any other person than +Naishadha, therefore let this mean-minded wretch subsisting on +chase, fall down lifeless." And as soon as she said this, the +hunter fell down lifeless upon the ground, like a tree consumed by +fire.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 131]</span> +<h2>SECTION LXIV</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Having destroyed that hunter Damayanti +of eyes like lotus leaves, went onwards through that fearful and +solitary forest ringing with the chirp of crickets. And it abounded +with lions, and leopards, and <i>Rurus</i> and tigers, and +buffaloes, and bears and deer. And it swarmed with birds of various +species, and was infested by thieves and <i>mlechchha</i> tribes. +And it contained <i>Salas</i>, and bamboos and <i>Dhavas</i>, and +<i>Aswatthas</i>, and <i>Tindukas</i> and <i>Ingudas</i>, and +<i>Kinsukas</i>, and <i>Arjunas</i>, and <i>Nimvas</i>, and +<i>Tinisas</i> and <i>Salmalas</i>, and <i>Jamvus</i>, and mango +trees, and <i>Lodhras</i>, and the catechu, and the cane, and +<i>Padmakas</i>, and <i>Amalahas</i>, and <i>Plakshas</i>, and +<i>Kadamvas</i>, and <i>Udumvaras</i> and <i>Vadaras</i>, and +<i>Vilwas</i>, and banians, and <i>Piyalas</i>, and palms, and +date-trees, and <i>Haritakas</i> and <i>Vibhitakas</i>. And the +princess of Vidarbha saw many mountains containing ores of various +kinds, and groves resounding with the notes of winged choirs, and +many glens of wondrous sight, and many rivers and lakes and tanks +and various kinds of birds and beasts. And she saw numberless +snakes and goblins and <i>Rakshasas</i> of grim visage, and pools +and tanks and hillocks, and brooks and fountains of wonderful +appearance. And the princess of Vidarbha saw there herds of +buffaloes, and boars, and bears as well as serpents of the +wilderness. And safe in virtue and glory and good fortune and +patience, Damayanti wandered through those woods alone, in search +of Nala. And the royal daughter of Bhima, distressed only at her +separation from her lord, was not terrified at aught in that +fearful forest. And, O king, seating herself down upon a stone and +filled with grief, and every limb of hers trembling with sorrow on +account of her husband, she began to lament thus: "O king of the +Nishadhas, O thou of broad chest and mighty arms, whither hast thou +gone, O king, leaving me in this lone forest? O hero, having +performed the <i>Aswamedha</i> and other sacrifices, with gifts in +profusion (unto the Brahmanas), why hast thou, O tiger among men, +played false with me alone? O best of men, O thou of great +splendour, it behoveth thee, O auspicious one, to remember what +thou didst declare before me, O bull among kings! And, O monarch, +it behoveth thee also to call to mind what the sky-ranging swans +spake in thy presence and in mine. O tiger among men, the four +Vedas in all their extent, with the Angas and the Upangas, +well-studied, on one side, and one single truth on the other, (are +equal). Therefore, O slayer of foes, it behoveth thee, O lord of +men, to make good what thou didst formerly declare before me. Alas, +O hero! warrior! O Nala! O sinless one being thine, I am about to +perish in this dreadful forest. Oh! wherefore dost thou not answer +me? This terrible lord of the forest, of grim visage and gaping +jaws, and <span class="pagenum">[Pg 132]</span> famishing with +hunger, filleth me with fright. Doth it not behove thee to deliver +me? Thou wert wont to say always, <i>Save thee there existeth not +one dear unto me</i>. O blessed one, O king, do thou now make good +thy words so spoken before. And, O king, why dost thou not return +an answer to thy beloved wife bewailing and bereft of sense, +although thou lovest her, being loved in return? O king of the +earth, O respected one, O represser of foes, O thou of large eyes, +why dost thou not regard me, emaciated, and distressed and pale, +and discoloured, and clad in a half piece of cloth, and alone, and +weeping, and lamenting like one forlorn, and like unto a solitary +doe separated from the herd? O illustrious sovereign, it is, I, +Damayanti, devoted to thee, who, alone in this great forest, +address thee. Wherefore, then, dost thou not reply unto me? Oh, I +do not behold thee today on this mountain, O chief of men, O thou +of noble birth and character with every limb possessed of grace! In +this terrible forest, haunted by lions and tigers, O king of the +Nishadhas, O foremost of men, O enhancer of my sorrows, (Wishing to +know) whether thou art lying down, or sitting, or standing, or +gone, whom shall I ask, distressed and woe-stricken on thy account, +saying, <i>Hast thou seen in this woods the royal Nala?</i> Of whom +shall I in this forest enquire after the departed Nala, handsome +and of high soul, and the destroyer of hostile arrays? From whom +shall I today hear the sweet words, <i>viz</i>., <i>That royal +Nala, of eyes like lotus-leaves, whom thou seekest, is even +here?</i> Yonder cometh the forest-king, that tiger of graceful +mien, furnished with four teeth and prominent cheeks. Even him will +I accost fearlessly: Thou art the lord of all animals, and of this +forest the king. Know me for Damayanti, the daughter of the king of +the Vidarbhas, and the wife of Nala, destroyer of foes, and the +king of the Nishadhas. Distressed and woe-stricken, I am seeking my +husband alone in these woods. Do thou, O king of beasts, comfort me +(with news of Nala) if thou hast seen him. Or, O lord of the +forest, if thou cannot speak of Nala, do thou, then, O best of +beasts, devour me, and free me from this misery. Alas! hearing my +plaintive appeal in the wilderness, this king of mountains, this +high and sacred hill, crested with innumerable heaven-kissing and +many-hued and beauteous peaks, and abounding in various ores, and +decked with gems of diverse kings, and rising like a banner over +this broad forest, and ranged by lions and tigers and elephants and +boars and bears and stags, and echoing all around with (the notes +of) winged creatures of various species, and adorned with +<i>kinsukas</i> and <i>Asokas</i> and <i>Vakulas</i> and +<i>Punnagas</i>, with blossoming <i>Karnikaras</i>, and +<i>Dhavas</i> and <i>Plakshas</i>, and with streams haunted by +waterfowls of every kind, and abounding in crested summits, O +sacred one! O best of mountains! O thou of wondrous sight! O +celebrated hill! O refuge (of <span class="pagenum">[Pg 133]</span> +the distressed)! O highly auspicious one! I bow to thee, O pillar +of the earth! Approaching, I bow to thee. Know me for a king's +daughter, and a king's daughter-in-law, and king's consort, +Damayanti by name that lord of earth who ruleth the Vidarbhas, that +mighty warrior-king Bhima by name, who protecteth the four orders, +is my sire. That best of kings celebrated the <i>Rajasuya</i> and +<i>Aswamedha</i> sacrifices, with profuse gifts to the Brahmanas. +Possessed of beautiful and large eyes, distinguished for devotion +to the Vedas, of unblemished character, truth-telling, devoid of +guile, gentle, endued with prowess, lord of immense wealth, versed +in morality, and pure, he having vanquished all his foes, +effectually protecteth the inhabitants of Vidarbha. Know me, O holy +one, for his daughter, thus come to thee. That best of +men—the celebrated ruler of the Nishadha—known by the +name of Virasena of high fame, was my father-in-law. The son of +that king, heroic and handsome and possessed of energy incapable of +being baffled, who ruleth well the kingdom which hath descended to +him from his father, is named Nala. Know, O mountain, that of that +slayer of foes, called also <i>Punyastoka</i>, possessed of the +complexion of gold, and devoted to the Brahmanas, and versed in the +Vedas, and gifted with eloquence,—of that righteous and +<i>Soma</i>-quaffing and fire-adoring king, who celebrateth +sacrifices and is liberal and warlike and who adequately chastiseth +(criminals), I am the innocent spouse—the chief of his +queens—standing before thee. Despoiled of prosperity and +deprived of (the company of my) husband without a protector, and +afflicted with calamity, hither have I come, O best of mountains, +seeking my husband. Hast thou, O foremost of mountains, with thy +hundreds of peaks towering (into the sky) seen king Nala in this +frightful forest? Hast thou seen my husband, that ruler of the +Nishadhas, the illustrious Nala, with the tread of a mighty +elephant, endued with intelligence, long-armed, and of fiery +energy, possessed of prowess and patience and courage and high +fame? Seeing me bewailing alone, overwhelmed with sorrow, +wherefore, O best of mountains, dost thou not today soothe me with +thy voice, as thy own daughter in distress? O hero, O warrior of +prowess, O thou versed in every duty, O thou adhering to +truth—O lord of the earth, if thou art in this forest, then, +O king, reveal thyself unto me. Oh, when shall I again hear the +voice of Nala, gentle and deep as that of the clouds, that voice, +sweet as <i>Amrita</i>, of the illustrious king, calling me +<i>Vidharva's daughter</i>, with accents distinct, and holy, and +musical as the chanting of the Vedas and rich, and soothing all my +sorrows. O king, I am frightened. Do thou, O virtuous one, comfort +me."</p> +<p>"'Having addressed that foremost of mountain thus, Damayanti +then went in a northerly direction. And having proceeded three days +and nights, that best of women came to an incomparable penance +grove of ascetics, resembling in beauty a celestial grove. And the +charming asylum <span class="pagenum">[Pg 134]</span> she beheld +was inhabited and adorned by ascetics like Vasishtha and Bhrigu and +Atri, self-denying and strict in diet, with minds under control, +endued with holiness, some living on water, some on air, and some +on (fallen) leaves, with passions in check, eminently blessed, +seeking the way to heaven, clad in barks of trees and deer-skins, +and with senses subdued. And beholding that hermitage inhabited by +ascetics, and abounding in herds of deer and monkeys, Damayanti was +cheered. And that best of women, the innocent and blessed +Damayanti, with graceful eye-brows, and long tresses, with lovely +hips and deep bosom, and face graced with fine teeth and with fine +black and large eyes, in her brightness and glory entered that +asylum. And saluting those ascetics grown old in practising +austerities, she stood in an attitude of humility. And the ascetics +living in that forest, said, <i>Welcome!</i> And those men of +ascetic wealth, paying her due homage, said, "Sit ye down, and tell +us what we may do for thee." That best of women replied unto them, +saying, "Ye sinless and eminently blessed ascetics, is it well with +your austerities, and sacrificial fire, and religious observances, +and the duties of your own order? And is it well with the beasts +and birds of this asylum?" And they answered, "O beauteous and +illustrious lady, prosperity attendeth us in every respect. But, O +thou of faultless limbs, tell us who thou art, and what thou +seekest. Beholding thy beauteous form and thy bright splendour, we +have been amazed. Cheer up and mourn not. Tell us, O blameless and +blessed one, art thou the presiding deity of this forest, or of +this mountain, or of this river?" Damayanti replied unto those +ascetics, saying, "O Brahmanas, I am not the goddess of this +forest, or of this mountain, or of this stream. O Rishis of ascetic +wealth, know that I am a human being. I will relate my history in +detail. Do ye listen to me. There is a king—the mighty ruler +of the Vidarbhas—Bhima by name. O foremost of regenerate +ones, know me to be his daughter. The wise ruler of the Nishadhas, +Nala by name, of great celebrity, heroic, and ever victorious in +battle, and learned, is my husband. Engaged in the worship of the +gods, devoted to the twice-born ones, the guardian of the line of +the Nishadhas, of mighty energy, possessed of great strength, +truthful, conversant with all duties, wise, unwavering in promise, +the crusher of foes, devout, serving the gods, graceful, the +conqueror of hostile towns, that foremost of kings, Nala by name, +equal in splendour unto the lord of celestials, the slayer of foes, +possessed of large eyes, and a hue resembling the full moon, is my +husband. The celebrator of great sacrifices, versed in the Vedas +and their branches, the destroyer of enemies in battle, and like +unto the sun and the moon in splendour, is he. That king devoted to +faith and religion was summoned to dice by certain deceitful +persons of mean mind and uncultured soul and of crooked ways, and +skilful in gambling, and was deprived of wealth and kingdom. Know +that I am the wife of that bull among kings, <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 135]</span> known to all by the name of Damayanti, +anxious to find out my (missing) lord. In sadness of heart am I +wandering among woods, and mountains, and lakes, and rivers, and +tanks and forests, in search of that husband of mine—Nala, +skilled in battle, high-souled, and well-versed in the use of +weapons. O hath king Nala, the lord of the Nishadhas, come to this +delightful asylum of your holy selves? It is for him, O Brahmanas, +that I have come to this dreary forest full of terrors and haunted +by tigers and other beasts. If I do not see king Nala within a few +days and nights, I shall seek my good by renouncing this body. Of +what use is my life without that bull among men? How shall I live +afflicted with grief on account of my husband?"</p> +<p>"'Unto Bhima's daughter, Damayanti, lamenting forlorn in that +forest, the truth-telling ascetics replied, saying, "O blessed and +beauteous one, we see by ascetic power that the future will bring +happiness to thee, and that thou wilt soon behold Naishadha. O +daughter of Bhima, thou wilt behold Nala, the lord of the +Nishadhas, the slayer of foes, and the foremost of the virtuous +freed from distress. And O blessed lady, thou wilt behold the +king—thy lord—freed from all sins and decked with all +kinds of gems, and ruling the selfsame city, and chastising his +enemies, and striking terror into the hearts of foes, and +gladdening the hearts of friends, and crowned with every +blessing."</p> +<p>"'Having spoken unto that princess—the beloved queen of +Nala—the ascetics with their sacred fires and asylum vanished +from sight. And beholding that mighty wonder, the daughter-in-law +of king Virasena, Damayanti of faultless limbs, was struck with +amazement. And she asked herself, "Was it a dream that I saw? What +an occurrence hath taken place! Where are all those ascetics? And +where is that asylum? Where, further, is that delightful river of +sacred waters—the resort of diverse kinds of fowls? And +where, again, are those charming trees decked with fruits and +flowers?" And after thinking so for some time, Bhima's daughter, +Damayanti of sweet smiles melancholy and afflicted with grief on +account of her lord, lost the colour of her face (again). And going +to another part of the wood, she saw an <i>Asoka</i> tree. And +approaching that first of trees in the forest, so charming with +blossoms and its load of foliage, and resounding with the notes of +birds, Damayanti, with tears in her eyes and accents choked in +grief, began to lament, saying, "Oh, this graceful tree in the +heart of the forest, decked in flowers, looketh beautiful, like a +charming king of hills. O beauteous <i>Asoka</i>, do thou speedily +free me from grief. Hast thou seen king Nala, the slayer of foes +and the beloved husband of Damayanti,—freed from fear and +grief and obstacles? Hast thou seen my beloved husband, the ruler +of the Nishadhas, clad in half a piece of cloth, with delicate +skin, that hero afflicted with woe and who hath come into this +wilderness? O <i>Asoka</i> tree, do thou free me from grief! O +<i>Asoka</i>, vindicate thy name, for <i>Asoka</i> <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 136]</span> meaneth <i>destroyer of grief</i>." And +going round that tree thrice, with an afflicted heart, that best of +women, Bhima's daughter, entered a more terrible part of the +forest. And wandering in quest of her lord, Bhima's daughter beheld +many trees and streams and delightful mountains, and many beasts +and birds, and caves, and precipices, and many rivers of wonderful +appearance. And as she proceeded she came upon a broad way where +she saw with wonder a body of merchants, with their horses and +elephants, landing on the banks of a river, full of clear and cool +water, and lovely and charming to behold, and broad, and covered +with bushes of canes, and echoing with the cries of cranes and +ospreys and <i>Chakravakas</i>, and abounding in tortoises and +alligators and fishes, and studded with innumerable islets. And as +soon as she saw that caravan, the beauteous and celebrated wife of +Nala, wild like a maniac, oppressed with grief, clad in half a +garment, lean and pale and smutted, and with hair covered with +dust, drew near and entered into its midst. And beholding her, some +fled in fear, and some became extremely anxious, and some cried +aloud, and some laughed at her, and some hated her. And some, O +Bharata, felt pity for, and even addressed, her, saying, "O blessed +one, who art thou, and whose? What seekest thou in woods? Seeing +thee here we have been terrified. Art thou human? Tell us truly, O +blessed one if thou art the goddess of this wood or of this +mountain or of the points of the heaven. We seek thy protection. +Art thou a female <i>Yaksha</i>, or a female <i>Rakshasa</i>, or a +celestial damsel? O thou of faultless features, do thou bless us +wholly and protect us. And, O blessed one, do thou so act that this +caravan may soon go hence in prosperity and that the welfare of all +of us may be secured." Thus addressed by that caravan, the princess +Damayanti, devoted to her husband and oppressed by the calamity +that had befallen her, answered, saying, "O leader of the caravan, +ye merchants, ye youths, old men, and children, and ye that compose +this caravan, know me for a human being. I am the daughter of a +king, and the daughter in-law of a king, and the consort also of a +king, eager for the sight of my lord. The ruler of the Vidarbhas is +my father, and my husband is the lord of the Nishadhas, named Nala. +Even now I am seeking that unvanquished and blessed one. If ye have +chanced to see my beloved one, king Nala, that tiger among men, +that destroyer of hostile hosts, O tell me quick." Thereupon the +leader of that great caravan, named Suchi, replied unto Damayanti +of faultless limbs, saying, "O blessed one, listen to my words. O +thou of sweet smiles, I am a merchant and the leader of this +caravan. O illustrious lady, I have not seen any man of the name of +Nala. In this extensive forest uninhabited by men, there are only +elephants and leopards and buffaloes, and tigers and bears and +other animals. Except thee, I have not met with any man or woman +here, so help us now Manibhadra, the king of Yakshas!" Thus +addressed by them she asked those merchants as well as the leader +of the <span class="pagenum">[Pg 137]</span> host saying, "It +behoveth you to tell me whither this caravan is bound." The leader +of the band said, "O daughter of a great king, for the purpose of +profit this caravan is bound direct for the city of Suvahu, the +truth-telling ruler of the Chedis."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXV</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'Having heard the words of the leader of that +caravan, Damayanti of faultless limbs proceeded with that caravan +itself anxious to behold her lord. And after having proceeded for +many days the merchants saw a large lake fragrant with lotuses in +the midst of that dense and terrible forest. And it was beautiful +all over, and exceedingly delightful, (with banks) abounding in +grass and fuel and fruits and flowers. And it was inhabited by +various kinds of fowls and birds, and full of water that was pure +and sweet. And it was cool and capable of captivating the heart. +And the caravan, worn out with toil, resolved to halt there. And +with the permission of their leader, they spread themselves around +those beautiful woods. And that mighty caravan finding it was +evening halted at that place. And (it came to pass that) at the +hour of midnight when everything was hushed and still and the tired +caravan had fallen asleep, a herd of elephants in going towards a +mountain stream to drink of its water befouled by their temporal +juice, saw that caravan as also the numerous elephants belonging to +it. And seeing their domesticated fellows the wild elephants +infuriated and with the temporal juice trickling down rushed +impetuously on the former, with the intention of killing them. And +the force of the rush of those elephants was hard to bear, like the +impetuosity of peaks lessened from mountain summits rolling towards +the plain. The rushing elephants found the forest paths to be all +blocked up, for the goodly caravan was sleeping obstructing the +paths around that lake of lotuses. And the elephants all of a +sudden, began to crush the men lying insensible on the ground. And +uttering cries of "<i>Oh!</i>" and "<i>Alas!</i>" the merchants, +blinded by sleep, fled, in order to escape that danger, to copses +and woods for refuge. And some were slain by the tusks, and some by +the trunks, and some by the legs of those elephants. And +innumerable camels and horses were killed, and crowds of men on +foot, running in fright, killed one another. And uttering loud +cries some fell down on the ground, and some in fear climbed on +trees, and some dropped down on uneven ground. And, O king, thus +accidentally attacked by that large herd of elephants, that goodly +caravan suffered a great loss. And there arose a tremendous uproar +calculated to frighten the three worlds, "Lo! a great fire hath +broken out. Rescue us. <span class="pagenum">[Pg 138]</span> Do ye +speedily fly away. Why do ye fly? Take the heaps of jewels +scattered around. All this wealth is a trifle. I do not speak +falsely, I tell you again, (exclaimed some one) think on my words, +O ye distracted one!" With such exclamation they ran about in +fright. And Damayanti awoke in fear and anxiety, while that +terrible slaughter was raging there. And beholding slaughter +capable of awaking the fear of all the worlds, and which was so +unforeseen, the damsel of eyes like lotus leaves rose up, wild with +fright, and almost out of breath. And those of the caravan that had +escaped unhurt, met together, and asked one another, "Of what deed +of ours is this the consequence? Surely, we have failed to worship +the illustrious Manibhadras, and likewise the exalted and graceful +Vaisravana, the king of the Yaksha. Perhaps, we have not worshipped +the deities that cause calamities, or perhaps, we have not paid +them the first homage. Or, perhaps, this evil is the certain +consequence of the birds (we saw). Our stars are not unpropitious. +From what other cause, then hath this disaster come?" Others, +distressed and bereft of wealth and relatives, said, "That +maniac-like woman who came amongst this mighty caravan in guise +that was strange and scarcely human, alas, it is by her that this +dreadful illusion had been pre-arranged. Of a certainty, she is a +terrible Rakshasa or a Yaksha or a Pisacha woman. All this evil is +her work, what need of doubts? If we again see that wicked +destroyer of merchants, that giver of innumerable woes, we shall +certainly slay that injurer of ours, with stones, and dust, and +grass, and wood, and cuffs." And hearing these dreadful words of +the merchants, Damayanti, in terror and shame and anxiety, fled +into the woods apprehensive of evil. And reproaching herself she +said, "Alas! fierce and great is the wrath of God on me. Peace +followeth not in my track. Of what misdeed is this the consequence? +I do not remember that I did ever so little a wrong to any one in +thought, word, or deed. Of what deed, then, is this the +consequence? Certainly, it is on account of the great sins I had +committed in a former life that such calamity hath befallen me, +<i>viz</i>., the loss of my husband's kingdom, his defeat at the +hands of his own kinsmen, this separation from my lord and my son +and daughter, this my unprotected state, and my presence in this +forest abounding in innumerable beasts of prey!"</p> +<p>"'The next day, O king, the remnant of that caravan left the +place bewailing the destruction that had overtaken them and +lamenting for their dead brothers and fathers and sons and friends. +And the princess of Vidarbha began to lament, saying, "Alas! What +misdeed have I perpetrated! The crowd of men that I obtained in +this lone forest, hath been destroyed by a herd of elephants, +surely as a consequence of my ill luck. Without doubt, I shall have +to suffer misery for a long time. I have heard from old men that no +person dieth ere his time; it is for this that my miserable self +hath not been trodden to death by that herd of elephants. Nothing +that befalleth men is due to anything else than Destiny, +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 139]</span> for even in my childhood I +did not commit any such sin in thought, word, or deed, whence might +come this calamity. Methinks, I suffer this severance from my +husband through the potency of those celestial <i>Lokapalas</i>, +who had come to the Swayamvara but whom I disregarded for the sake +of Nala." Bewailing thus, O tiger among kings, that excellent lady, +Damayanti, devoted to her husband, went, oppressed with grief and +(pale) as the autumnal moon, with those Brahmanas versed in the +Vedas that had survived the slaughter of the caravan. And departing +speedily, towards evening, the damsel came to the mighty city of +the truth-telling Suvahu, the king of the Chedis. And she entered +that excellent city clad in half a garment. And the citizens saw +her as she went, overcome with fear, and lean, melancholy, her hair +dishevelled and soiled with dust, and maniac-like. And beholding +her enter the city of the king of the Chedis, the boys of the city, +from curiosity, began to follow her. And surrounded by them, she +came before the palace of the king. And from the terrace the +queen-mother saw her surrounded by the crowd. And she said to her +nurse, "Go and bring that woman before me. She is forlorn and is +being vexed by the crowd. She hath fallen into distress and +standeth in need of succour. I find her beauty to be such that it +illumineth my house. The fair one, though looking like a maniac, +seemeth a very <i>Sree</i> with her large eyes." Thus commanded, +the nurse went out and dispersing the crowd brought Damayanti to +that graceful terrace. And struck with wonder, O king, she asked +Damayanti, saying, "Afflicted though thou art with such distress, +thou ownest a beautiful form. Thou shinest like lightning in the +midst of the clouds. Tell me who thou art, and whose, O thou +possessed of celestial splendour, surely, thy beauty is not human, +bereft though thou art of ornaments. And although thou art +helpless, yet thou art unmoved under the outrage of these men." +Hearing these words of the nurse, the daughter of Bhima said, "Know +that I am a female belonging to the human species and devoted to my +husband. I am a serving woman of good lineage. I live wherever I +like, subsisting on fruit and roots, and whom a companion, and stay +where evening overtaketh me. My husband is the owner of countless +virtues and was ever devoted to me. And I also, on my part, was +deeply attached to him, following him like his shadow. It chanced +that once he became desperately engaged at dice. Defeated at dice, +he came alone into the forest. I accompanied my husband into the +woods, comforting the hero clad in a single piece of cloth and +maniac-like and overwhelmed with calamity. Once on a time for some +cause, that hero, afflicted with hunger and thirst and grief, was +forced to abandon that sole piece of covering in the forest. +Destitute of garment and maniac-like and deprived of his senses as +he was, I followed him, myself in a single garment. Following him, +I did not sleep for nights together. Thus passed many days, until +at last while I was sleeping, he cut off half of my cloth, and +forsook me who had done him no wrong. <span class="pagenum">[Pg +140]</span> I am seeking my husband but unable to find him who is +of hue like the filaments of the lotus, without being able to cast +my eyes on that delight of my heart, that dear lord who owneth my +heart and resembleth the celestials in mien, day and night do I +burn in grief."</p> +<p>"'Unto Bhima's daughter thus lamenting with tearful eyes, and +afflicted and speaking in accents choked in grief, the queen-mother +herself said, "O blessed damsel, do thou stay with me. I am well +pleased with thee. O fair lady, my men shall search for thy +husband. Or, perhaps he may come here of his own accord in course +of his wanderings. And, O beautiful lady, residing here thou wilt +regain thy (lost) lord." Hearing these words of the queen mother, +Damayanti replied, "O mother of heroes, I may stay with thee on +certain conditions. I shall not eat the leavings on any dish, nor +shall I wash anybody's feet, nor shall I have to speak with other +men. And if anybody shall seek me (as a wife or mistress) he should +be liable to punishment at thy hands. And, further, should he +solicit me over and over again, that wicked one should be punished +with death. This is the vow I have made. I intend to have an +interview with those Brahmanas that will set out to search for my +husband. If thou canst do all this, I shall certainly live with +thee. If it is otherwise, I cannot find it in my heart to reside +with thee." The queen-mother answered her with a glad heart, +saying, "I will do all this. Thou hast done well in adopting such a +vow!"'</p> +<p>"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O king, having spoken so unto the +daughter of Bhima, the queen-mother, O Bharata, said to her +daughter named Sunanda, "O Sunanda, accept this lady like a goddess +as thy <i>Sairindhri</i>! Let her be thy companion, as she is of +the same age with thee. Do thou, with heart free from care, always +sport with her in joy." And Sunanda cheerfully accepted Damayanti +and led her to her own apartment accompanied by her associates. And +treated with respect, Damayanti was satisfied, and she continued to +reside there without anxiety of any kind, for all her wishes were +duly gratified.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXVI</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'O monarch, having deserted Damayanti, king +Nala saw a mighty conflagration that was raging in that dense +forest. And in the midst of that conflagration, he heard the voice +of some creature, repeatedly crying aloud, "O righteous Nala, come +hither." And answering, "Fear not," he entered into the midst of +the fire and beheld a mighty <i>Naga</i> lying in coils. And the +Naga with joined hands, and trembling, spake unto Nala, saying, "O +king, I am a snake, Karkotaka by name. I had <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 141]</span> deceived the great Rishi Narada of high +ascetic merit, and by him have I been cursed in wrath, O king of +men, even in words such as these: 'Stay thou here like an immobile +thing, until one Nala taketh thee hence. And, indeed, on the spot +to which he will carry thee, there shalt thou be freed from my +curse.' It is for that curse of his that I am unable to stir one +step. I will instruct thee in respect of thy welfare. It behoveth +thee to deliver me. I will be thy friend. There is no snake equal +to me. I will be light in thy hands. Taking me up, do thou speedily +go hence." Having said this, that prince of snakes became as small +as the thumb. And taking him up, Nala went to a spot free from +fire. Having reached an open spot where there was no fire, Nala +intended to drop the serpent, upon which Karkotaka again addressed +him, saying, "O king of the Nishadhas, proceed thou yet, counting a +few steps of thine; meanwhile, O mighty-armed one, I will do thee +great good." And as Nala began to count his steps, the snake bit +him at the tenth step. And, lo! As he was bit, his form speedily +underwent a change. And beholding his change of form, Nala was +amazed. And the king saw the snake also assume his own form. And +the snake Karkotaka, comforting Nala, spake unto him, "I have +deprived thee of thy beauty, so that people may not recognise thee. +And, O Nala, he by whom thou hast been deceived and cast into +distress, shall dwell in thee tortured by my venom. And, O monarch, +as long as he doth not leave thee, he will have to dwell in pain in +thy body with thine every limb filled with my venom. And, O ruler +of men I have saved from the hands of him who from anger and hate +deceived thee, perfectly innocent though thou art and undeserving +of wrong. And, O tiger among men, through my grace, thou shalt have +(no longer) any fear from animals with fangs, from enemies, and +from Brahmanas also versed in the Vedas, O king! Nor shalt thou, O +monarch, feel pain on account of my poison. And, O foremost of +kings, thou shalt be ever victorious in battle. This very day, O +prince, O lord of Nishadhas, go to the delightful city of Ayodhya, +and present thyself before Rituparna skilled in gambling, saying, +'<i>I am a charioteer, Vahuka by name</i>.' And that king will give +thee his skill in dice for thy knowledge of horses. Sprung from the +line of Ikswaku, and possessed of prosperity, he will be thy +friend. When thou wilt be an adept at dice, thou shalt then have +prosperity. Thou wilt also meet with thy wife and thy children, and +regain thy kingdom. I tell thee this truly. Therefore, let not thy +mind be occupied by sorrow. And, O lord of men, when thou shouldst +desire to behold thy proper form, thou shouldst remember me, and +wear this garment. Upon wearing this, thou shalt get back thy own +form." And saying this, that Naga then gave unto Nala two pieces of +celestial cloth. And, O son of the Kuru race, having thus +instructed Nala, and presented him with the attire, the king of +snakes, O monarch, made himself invisible there and then!'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 142]</span> +<h2>SECTION LXVII</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'After the snake had vanished, Nala, the ruler +of the Nishadhas, proceeded, and on the tenth day entered the city +of Rituparna. And he approached the king, saying, "My name is +Vahuka. There is no one in this world equal to me in managing +steeds. My counsel also should be sought in matters of difficulty +and in all affairs of skill. I also surpass others in the art of +cooking. In all those arts that exist in this world, and also in +every thing difficult of accomplishment, I will strive to attain +success, O Rituparna, do thou maintain me." And Rituparna replied, +"O Vahuka, stay with me! May good happen to thee. Thou wilt even +perform all this. I have always particularly desired to be driven +fast. Do thou concert such measures that my steeds may become +fleet. I appoint thee the superintendent of my stables. Thy pay +shall be ten thousand (coins). Both Varshneya and Jivala shall +always be under thy direction. Thou wilt live pleasantly in their +company. Therefore, O Vahuka, stay thou with me."'</p> +<p>"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Thus addressed by the king, Nala began +to dwell in the city of Rituparna, treated with respect and with +Varshneya and Jivala as his companions. And residing there, the +king (Nala), remembering the princess of Vidarbha, recited every +evening the following <i>sloka</i>: "<i>Where lieth that helpless +one afflicted with hunger and thirst and worn with toil, thinking +of that wretch? And upon whom also doth she now wait?</i>" And once +as the king was reciting this in the night, Jivala asked him +saying, "O Vahuka, whom dost thou lament thus daily? I am curious +to hear it. O thou blest with length of days, whose spouse is she +whom thus lamentest?" Thus questioned, king Nala answered him, +saying, "A certain person devoid of sense had a wife well-known to +many. That wretch was false in his promises. For some reason that +wicked person was separated from her. Separated from her, that +wretch wandered about oppressed with woe, and burning with grief he +resteth not by day or night. And at night, remembering her, he +singeth this <i>sloka</i>. Having wandered over the entire world, +he hath at last found a refuge, and undeserving of the distress +that hath befallen him, passeth his days, thus remembering his +wife. When calamity had overtaken this man, his wife followed him +into the woods. Deserted by that man of little virtue, her life +itself is in danger. Alone, without knowledge of ways, ill able to +bear distress, and fainting with hunger and thirst, the girl can +hardly protect her life. And, O friend, she hath been deserted by +that man of small fortune and having little sense, with the wide +and terrible forest, ever abounding in beasts of prey."</p> +<p>"'Thus remembering Damayanti, the king of the Nishadhas +continued to live unknown in the abode of that monarch!'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 143]</span> +<h2>SECTION LXVIII</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'After Nala, despoiled of his kingdom, had, +with his wife, become a bondsman, Bhima with the desire of seeing +Nala sent out Brahmanas to search for him. And giving them profuse +wealth, Bhima enjoined on them, saying, "Do ye search for Nala, and +also for my daughter Damayanti. He who achieveth this task, +<i>viz</i>., ascertaining where the ruler of the Nishadhas is, +bringeth him and my daughter hither, will obtain from me a thousand +kine, and fields, and a village resembling a town. Even if failing +to bring Damayanti and Nala here, he that succeeds learning their +whereabouts, will get from me the wealth represented by a thousand +kine." Thus addressed, the Brahmanas cheerfully went out in all +directions seeking Nala and his wife in cities and provinces. But +Nala or his spouse they found not anywhere. Until at length +searching in the beautiful city of the Chedis, a Brahmana named +Sudeva, during the time of the king's prayers, saw the princess of +Vidarbha in the palace of the king, seated with Sunanda. And her +incomparable beauty was slightly perceptible, like the brightness +of a fire enveloped in curls of smoke. And beholding that lady of +large eyes, soiled and emaciated he decided her to be Damayanti, +coming to that conclusion from various reasons. And Sudeva said, +"As I saw her before, this damsel is even so at present. O, I am +blest, by casting my eyes on this fair one, like <i>Sree</i> +herself delighting the worlds! Resembling the full moon, of +unchanging youth, of well-rounded breasts, illumining all sides by +her splendour, possessed of large eyes like beautiful lotuses, like +unto Kama's Rati herself the delight of all the worlds like the +rays of the full moon, O, she looketh like a lotus-stalk +transplanted by adverse fortune from the Vidarbha lake and covered +with mire in the process. And oppressed with grief on account of +her husband, and melancholy, she looketh like the night of the full +moon when Rahu hath swallowed that luminary, or like a stream whose +current hath dried up. Her plight is very much like that of a +ravaged lake with the leaves of its lotuses crushed by the trunks +of elephants, and with its birds and fowls affrighted by the +invasion. Indeed, this girl, of a delicate frame and of lovely +limbs, and deserving to dwell in a mansion decked with gems, is +(now) like an uprooted lotus-stalk scorched by the sun. Endued with +beauty and generosity of nature, and destitute of ornaments, though +deserving of them, she looketh like the moon 'new bent in heaven' +but covered with black clouds. Destitute of comforts and luxuries, +separated from loved ones and friends, she liveth in distress, +supported by the hope of beholding her lord. Verily, the husband is +the best ornament of a woman, however destitute of ornaments. +Without her husband beside her, this lady, though beautiful, +shineth not. It is a hard feat achieved by <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 144]</span> Nala in that he liveth without succumbing +to grief, though separated from such a wife. Beholding this damsel +possessed of black hair and of eyes like lotus-leaves, in woe +though deserving of bliss, even my heart is pained. Alas! when +shall this girl graced with auspicious marks and devoted to her +husband, crossing this ocean of woe, regain the company of her +lord, like Rohini regaining the Moon's? Surely, the king of the +Nishadhas will experience in regaining her the delight that a king +deprived of his kingdom experienceth in regaining his kingdom. +Equal to her in nature and age and extraction, Nala deserveth the +daughter of Vidarbha, and this damsel of black eyes also deserveth +him. It behoveth me to comfort the queen of that hero of +immeasurable prowess and endued with energy and might, (since) she +is so eager to meet her husband. I will console this afflicted girl +of face like the full moon, and suffering distress that she had +never before endured, and ever meditating on her lord."'</p> +<p>"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Having thus reflected on these various +circumstances and signs, the Brahmana, Sudeva, approached +Damayanti, and addressed her, saying, "O princess of Vidarbha, I am +Sudeva, the dear friend of thy brother. I have come here, seeking +thee, at the desire of king Bhima. Thy father is well, and also thy +mother, and thy brothers. And thy son and daughter, blessed with +length of days, are living in peace. Thy relatives, though alive, +are almost dead on thy account, and hundreds of Brahmanas are +ranging the world in search of thee."'</p> +<p>"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O Yudhishthira, Damayanti recognising +Sudeva, asked him respecting all her relatives and kinsmen one +after another. And, O monarch, oppressed with grief, the princess +of Vidarbha began to weep bitterly, at the unexpected sight of +Sudeva, that foremost of Brahmanas and the friend of her brother. +And, O Bharata, beholding Damayanti weeping, and conversing in +private with Sudeva, Sunanda was distressed, and going to her +mother informed her, saying, "<i>Sairindhri</i> is weeping bitterly +in the presence of a Brahmana. If thou likest, satisfy thyself." +And thereupon the mother of the king of the Chedis, issuing from +the inner apartments of the palace, came to the place where the +girl (Damayanti) was with that Brahmana. Then calling Sudeva, O +king, the queen-mother asked him, "Whose wife is this fair one, and +whose daughter? How hath this lady of beautiful eyes been deprived +of the company of her relatives and of her husband as well? And how +also hast thou come to know this lady fallen into such a plight? I +wish to hear all this in detail from thee. Do truly relate unto me +who am asking thee about this damsel of celestial beauty." Then, O +king, thus addressed by the queen-mother, Sudeva, that best of +Brahmanas, sat at his ease, and began to relate the true history of +Damayanti.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 145]</span> +<h2>SECTION LXIX</h2> +<p>"'Sudeva said, "There is a virtuous and illustrious ruler of the +Vidarbhas, Bhima by name. This blessed lady is his daughter, and +widely known by the name of Damayanti. And there is a king ruling +the Nishadhas, named Nala, the son of Virasena. This blessed lady +is the wife of that wise and righteous monarch. Defeated at dice by +his brother, and despoiled of his kingdom, that king, accompanied +by Damayanti, went away without the knowledge of any one. We have +been wandering over the whole earth in search of Damayanti. And +that girl is at last found in the house of thy son. No woman +existeth that is her rival in beauty. Between the eye-brows of this +ever-youthful damsel, there is an excellent mole from birth, +resembling a lotus. Noticed by us (before) it seems to have +disappeared, covered, (as her forehead is) with (a coat of) dust +even like the moon hid in clouds. Placed there by the Creator +himself as an indication of prosperity and wealth, that mole is +visible faintly, like the cloud-covered lunar crescent of the first +day of the lighted fortnight. And covered as her body is with dust, +her beauty hath not disappeared. Though careless of her person, it +is still manifest, and shineth like gold. And this +girl—goddess-like—capable of being identified by this +form of hers and that mole, hath been discovered by me as one +discovereth a fire that is covered, by its heat!"</p> +<p>"'O king, hearing these words of Sudeva, Sunanda washed the dust +that covered the mole between Damayanti's eye-brows. And thereupon +it became visible like the moon in the sky, just emerged from the +clouds. And seeing that mole, O Bharata, Sunanda and the +queen-mother began to weep, and embracing Damayanti stood silent +for a while. And the queen-mother, shedding tears as she spoke, +said in gentle accents, "By this thy mole, I find that thou art the +daughter of my sister. O beauteous girl, thy mother and I are both +daughters of the high-souled Sudaman, the ruler of the Dasarnas. +She was bestowed upon king Bhima, and I on Viravahu. I witnessed +thy birth at our father's palace in the country of the Dasarnas. O +beautiful one, my house is to thee even as thy father's. And this +wealth, O Damayanti, is thine as much as mine." At this, O king, +Damayanti bowing down to her mother's sister with a glad heart, +spake unto her these words, "Unrecognised, I have still lived +happily with thee, every want of mine satisfied and myself cared +for by thee. And happy as my stay hath been, it would, without +doubt, be happier still. But, mother, I have long been an exile. It +behoveth thee, therefore, to grant me permission (to depart). My +son and daughter, sent to my father's palace, are living there. +Deprived of their father, and of their <span class="pagenum">[Pg +146]</span> mother also, how are they passing their days stricken +with sorrow. If thou wishest to do what is agreeable to me, do thou +without loss of time, order a vehicle, for I wish to go to the +Vidarbhas." At this, O king, the sister to (Damayanti's) mother, +with a glad heart, said, "<i>So be it.</i>" And the queen-mother +with her son's permission, O chief of the Bharatas, sent Damayanti +in handsome litter carried by men, protected by a large escort and +provided with food and drink and garments of the first quality. And +soon enough she reached the country of the Vidarbhas. And all her +relatives, rejoicing (in her arrival) received her with respect. +And seeing her relatives, her children, both her parents, and all +her maids, to be well, the illustrious Damayanti, O king, +worshipped the gods and Brahmanas according to the superior method. +And the king rejoiced at beholding his daughter, and gave unto +Sudeva a thousand kine and much wealth and a village. And, O king, +having spent that night at her father's mansion and recovered from +fatigue, Damayanti addressed her mother, saying, "O mother, if thou +wishest me to live, I tell thee truly, do thou endeavour to bring +Nala, that hero among men." Thus addressed by Damayanti, the +venerable queen became filled with sorrow. And bathed in tears, she +was unable to give any answer. And beholding her in that plight, +all the inmates of the inner apartments broke out into exclamation +of "<i>Oh!</i>" and "<i>Alas!</i>" and began to cry bitterly. And +then the queen addressed the mighty monarch Bhima, saying, "Thy +daughter Damayanti mourneth on account of her husband. Nay, +banishing away all bashfulness, she hath herself, O king, declared +her mind to me. Let thy men strive to find out (Nala) the +righteous." Thus informed by her the king sent the Brahmanas under +him in all directions, saying, "Exert ye to discover Nala." And +those Brahmanas, commanded by the ruler of the Vidarbhas (to seek +Nala) appeared before Damayanti and told her of the journey they +were about to undertake. And Bhima's daughter spake unto them +saying, "Do ye cry in every realm and in every assembly, 'O beloved +gambler, where hast thou gone cutting off half of my garment, and +deserting the dear and devoted wife asleep in the forest? And that +girl, as commanded by thee stayeth expecting thee, clad in half a +piece of cloth and burning with grief! O king, O hero, relent +towards, and answer, her who incessantly weepeth for that grief.' +This and more ye will say, so that he may be inclined to pity me. +Assisted by the wind, fire consumeth the forest. (Further, ye will +say that) 'the wife is always to be protected and maintained by the +husband. Why then, good as thou art and acquainted with every duty, +hast thou neglected both thy duties? Possessed of fame and wisdom, +and lineage, and kindness, why hast thou be unkind? I fear, this is +owing to the loss of my good luck! Therefore, O tiger among men, +have pity on me. O bull among men! I have heard it <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 147]</span> from thee that kindness is the highest +virtue.' Speaking so, if anybody answereth you, that person should +by all means, be known, and ye should learn who he is, and where he +dwelleth. And ye foremost of regenerate ones, do ye bring me the +words of him who hearing this your speech will chance to answer. Ye +should also act with such care that no one may know the words ye +utter to be at my command, nor that ye will come back to me. And ye +should also learn whether that answers is wealthy, or poor, or +destitute of power, in fact all about him."</p> +<p>"'Thus instructed by Damayanti, O king, the Brahmanas set out in +all directions in search of Nala overtaken with such disaster. And +the Brahmanas, O king, searched for him in cities and kingdoms and +villages, and retreats of ascetics, and places inhabited by +cow-herds. And, O monarch, wherever they went they recited the +speeches that Damayanti had directed them to do.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXX</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'After a long time had passed away, a Brahmana +named Parnada returned to the city (of the Vidarbhas), and said +unto the daughter of Bhima, "O Damayanti, seeking Nala, the king of +Nishaidhas, I came to the city of Ayodhya, and appeared before the +son of Bhangasura. And, O best of women, I repeated those words of +thine in the presence of the blessed Rituparna. But hearing them +neither that ruler of men, nor his courtiers, answered anything, +although I uttered them repeatedly. Then, after I had been +dismissed by the monarch, I was accosted by a person in the service +of Rituparna, named Vahuka. And Vahuka is the charioteer of that +king, of unsightly appearance and possessed of short arms. And he +is skillful in driving with speed, and well acquainted with the +culinary art. And sighing frequently, and weeping again and again, +he inquired about my welfare and afterwards said these words, +'Chaste women, although fallen into distress, yet protect +themselves and thus certainly secure heaven. Although they may be +deserted by their lords, they do not yet become angry on that +account, for women that are chaste lead their lives, encased in the +armour of virtuous behaviour. It behoveth her not to be angry, +since he that deserted her was overwhelmed with calamity, and +deprived of every bliss. A beautious and virtuous woman should not +be angry with one that was deprived by birds of his garment while +striving to procure sustenance and who is being consumed with +grief. Whether treated well or ill, such a wife should never +indulge in ire, beholding her husband in that plight, despoiled of +kingdom and destitute of prosperity, oppressed with hunger +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 148]</span> and overwhelmed with +calamity.' Hearing these words of his, I have speedily come here. +Thou hast now heard all. Do what thou thinkest proper, and inform +the king of it."</p> +<p>"'O king, having heard these words of Parnada, Damayanti with +tearful eyes came to her mother, and spake unto her in private, "O +mother, king Bhima should not, by any means, be made acquainted +with my purpose. In thy presence will I employ that best of +Brahmanas, Sudeva! If thou desirest my welfare, act in such a way +that king Bhima may not know my purpose. Let Sudeva without delay +go hence to the city of Ayodhya, for the purpose of bringing Nala, +O mother, having performed the same auspicious rites by virtue of +which he had speedily brought me into the midst of friends." With +these words, after Parnada had recovered from fatigue, the princess +of Vidarbha worshipped him with profuse wealth and also said, "When +Nala will come here, O Brahmana, I will bestow on thee wealth in +abundance again. Thou hast done me the immense service which none +else, indeed, can do me, for, (owing to that service of thine), O +thou best of the regenerate ones, I shall speedily regain my (lost) +lord." And thus addressed by Damayanti, that high-minded Brahmana +comforted her, uttering benedictory words of auspicious import, and +then went home, regarding his mission to have been successful. And +after he had gone away, Damayanti oppressed with grief and +distress, calling Sudeva, addressed him, O Yudhishthira, in the +presence of her mother, saying, "O Sudeva, go thou to the city of +Ayodhya, straight as a bird, and tell king Rituparna living there, +these words: 'Bhima's daughter, Damayanti will hold another +<i>Swayamvara</i>. All the kings and princes are going thither. +Calculating the time, I find that the ceremony will take place +tomorrow. O represser of foes, if it is possible for thee, go +thither without delay. Tomorrow, after the sun hath risen, she will +choose a second husband, as she doth not know whether the heroic +Nala liveth or not.'" And addressed by her, O monarch thus, Sudeva +set out. And he said unto Rituparna, all that he had been directed +to say.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXI</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Having heard the words of Sudeva king +Rituparna, soothing Vahuka with gentle words, said, "O Vahuka, thou +art well-skilled in training and guiding horses. If it pleases +thee, I intend to go to Damayanti's <i>Swayamvara</i> in course of +a single day." Thus addressed, O son of Kunti, by that king, Nala +felt his heart to be bursting in grief. And the high-souled king +seemed to burn in sorrow. And <span class="pagenum">[Pg 149]</span> +he thought within himself, "Perhaps Damayanti in doing this is +blinded by sorrow. Or, perhaps, she hath conceived this magnificent +scheme for my sake. Alas, cruel is the deed that the innocent +princess of Vidarbha intends to do, having been deceived by my +sinful and low self of little sense. It is seen in the world that +the nature of woman is inconstant. My offence also hath been great; +perhaps she is acting so, because she hath no longer any love for +me owing to my separation from her. Indeed, that girl of slender +waist, afflicted with grief on my account and with despair, will +not certainly do anything of the kind, when especially, she is the +mother of offspring (by me). However whether this is true or false, +I shall ascertain with certitude by going thither. I will, +therefore, accomplish Rituparna's and my own purpose also." Having +resolved thus in his mind, Vahuka, with his heart in sorrow, spake +unto king Rituparna, with joined hands, saying, "O monarch, I bow +to thy behest, and, O tiger among men, I will go to the city of the +Vidarbhas in a single day, O king!" Then, O monarch, at the command +of the royal son of Bhangasura, Vahuka went to the stables and +began to examine the horses. And repeatedly urged by Rituparna to +make haste, Vahuka after much scrutiny and careful deliberation, +selected some steeds that were lean-fleshed, yet strong and capable +of a long journey and endued with energy and strength of high breed +and docility, free from inauspicious marks, with wide nostrils and +swelling cheeks, free from faults as regards the ten hairy curls, +born in (the country of) Sindhu, and fleet as the winds. And seeing +those horses, the king said somewhat angrily, "What is this, that +thou wishest to do? Thou shouldst not jest with us. How can these +horses of mine, weak in strength and breath, carry us? And how +shall we be able to go this long way by help of these?" Vahuka +replied, "Each of these horses bears one curl on his forehead, two +on his temples, four on his sides, four on his chest, and one on +his back. Without doubt, these steeds will be able to go to the +country of the Vidarbhas. If, O king, thou thinkest of choosing +others, point them out and I shall yoke them for thee." Rituparna +rejoined, "O Vahuka, thou art versed in the science of horses and +art also skillful (in guiding them). Do thou speedily yoke those +that thou thinkest to be able." Thereupon the skillful Nala yoked +upon the car four excellent steeds of good breed that were, +besides, docile and fleet. And after the steeds had been yoked, the +king without loss of time mounted upon the car, when those best of +horses fell down upon the ground on their knees. Then, O king, that +foremost of men, the blessed king Nala began to soothe horses +endued with energy and strength. And raising them up with the reins +and making the charioteer Varshneya sit on the car, he prepared to +set out with great speed. And those best of steeds, duly urged by +Vahuka, rose to the sky, confounding the occupant of the vehicle. +And beholding those steeds gifted with the speed of the +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 150]</span> wind thus drawing the car, +the blessed king of Ayodhaya was exceedingly amazed. And noticing +the rattle of the car and also the management of the steeds, +Varshneya reflected upon Vahuka's skill in guiding horses. And he +thought, "Is he Matali, the charioteer of the king of the +celestials? I find the same magnificent indications in the heroic +Vahuka. Or, hath Salihotra versed in the science of horses taken +this human shape so beautiful? Or, is it king Nala the reducer of +hostile towns that hath come here? Or, it may be that this Vahuka +knoweth the science that Nala knoweth, for I perceive that the +knowledge of Vahuka is equal to that of Nala. Further, Vahuka and +Nala are of the same age. This one, again, may not be Nala of high +prowess, but somebody of equal knowledge. Illustrious persons, +however, walk this earth in disguise in consequence of misfortune, +or agreeably to the ordinance of the scriptures. That this person +is of unsightly appearance need not change my opinion; for Nala, I +think, may even be despoiled of his personal features. In respect +of age this one equals Nala. There is difference, however, in +personal appearance. Vahuka, again is endued with every +accomplishment. I think, therefore, he is Nala." Having thus +reasoned long in his mind, O mighty monarch, Varshneya, the +(former) charioteer of the righteous Nala, became absorbed in +thought. And that foremost of kings Rituparna, also, beholding the +skill of Vahuka in equestrian science experienced great delight, +along with his charioteer Varshneya. And thinking of Vahuka's +application and ardour and the manner of his holding the reins, the +king felt exceedingly glad.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXII</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'Like a bird coursing through the sky, Nala +soon crossed rivers and mountains, and woods and lakes. And while +the car was coursing thus, that conqueror of hostile cities, the +royal son of Bhangasura, saw his upper garment drop down on the +ground. And at soon as his garment had dropped down the high-minded +monarch, without loss of time, told Nala, "I intend to recover it. +O thou of profound intelligence, retain these steeds endued with +exceeding swiftness until Varshneya bringeth back my garment." +Thereupon Nala replied unto him, "The sheet is dropped down far +away. We have travelled one <i>yojana</i> thence. Therefore, it is +incapable of being recovered." After Nala had addressed him thus, O +king, the royal son of Bhangasura came upon a <i>Vibhitaka</i> tree +with fruits in a forest. And seeing that tree, the king hastily +said to Vahuka, "O charioteer, do thou also behold my high +proficiency in calculation. All men do not know everything. There +is no <span class="pagenum">[Pg 151]</span> one that is versed in +every science of art. Knowledge in its entirety is not found in any +one person. O Vahuka, the leaves and fruits of this tree that are +lying on the ground respectively exceed those that are on it by one +hundred and one. The two branches of the tree have fifty millions +of leaves, and two thousand and ninety five fruits. Do thou examine +these two branches and all their boughs." Thereupon staying the car +Vahuka addressed the king, saying, "O crusher of foes, thou takest +credit to thyself in a matter which is beyond my perception. But, O +monarch, I will ascertain it by the direct evidence of my senses, +by cutting down the <i>Vibhitaka</i>. O king, when I actually +count, it will no longer be matter of speculation. Therefore, in +thy presence, O monarch, I will hew down this <i>Vibhitaka</i>. I +do not know whether it be not (as thou hast said). In thy presence, +O ruler of men, I will count the fruits and leaves. Let Varshneya +hold the reins of the horses for a while." Unto the charioteer the +king replied, "There is no time to lose." But Vahuka answered with +humility, "Stay thou a short space, or, if thou art in a hurry, go +then, making Varshneya thy charioteer. The road lies direct and +even." And at this, O son of the Kuru race, soothing Vahuka, +Rituparna said, "O Vahuka, thou art the only charioteer, there is +none other in this world. And, O thou versed in horse lore, it is +through thy help that I expect to go to the Vidarbhas. I place +myself in thy hands. It behoveth thee not to cause any obstacle. +And, O Vahuka, whatever thy wish. I will grant it if taking me to +the country of the Vidarbhas to-day, thou makest me see the sun +rise." At this, Vahuka answered him, saying, "After having counted +(the leaves and fruits of the) <i>Vibhitaka</i>, I shall proceed to +Vidarbha, do thou agree to my words." Then the king reluctantly +told him, "Count. And on counting the leaves and fruits of a +portion of this branch, thou wilt be satisfied of the truth of my +assertion." And thereupon Vahuka speedily alighted from the car, +and felled that tree. And struck with amazement upon finding the +fruits, after calculation, to be what the king had said, he +addressed the king, saying, "O monarch, this thy power is +wonderful. I desire, O prince, to know the art by which thou hast +ascertained all this." And at this the king, intent upon proceeding +speedily, said unto Vahuka, "Know that I am proficient at dice +besides being versed in numbers." And Vahuka said unto him, "Impart +unto me this knowledge and, O bull among men, take from me my +knowledge of horses." And king Rituparna, having regard to the +importance of the act that depended upon Vahuka's good-will, and +tempted also by the horse-lore (that his charioteer possessed), +said, "So be it. As solicited by thee, receive this science of dice +from me, and, O Vahuka, let my equine science remain with thee in +trust." And saying this, Rituparna imparted unto Nala the science +(he desired). And Nala upon becoming acquainted with the science of +dice, Kali came out of his body, incessantly vomiting from his +mouth the virulent poison of Karkotaka. <span class="pagenum">[Pg +152]</span> And when Kali, afflicted (by Damayanti's curse) came +out (of Nala's body), the fire of that curse also left Kali. +Indeed, long had been the time for which the king had been +afflicted by Kali, as if he were of unregenerate soul. And Nala the +ruler of the Nishadhas, in wrath, was bent upon cursing Kali, when +the latter, frightened, and trembling, said with joined hands, +"Control thy wrath, O king! I will render thee illustrious. +Indrasena's mother had formerly cursed me in anger when she had +been deserted by thee. Ever since that time undergoing sore +affliction I resided in thee, O mighty monarch, O unconquered one, +miserably and burning night and day with the venom of the prince of +snakes. I seek thy protection. If thou dost not curse me who am +affrighted and seek thy protection, then those men that will +attentively recite thy history, shall be even free from fear on my +account." And thus addressed by Kali, king Nala controlled his +wrath. And thereupon the frightened Kali speedily entered into the +<i>Vibhitaka</i> tree. And while the Kali was conversing with +Naishadha, he was invisible to others. And delivered from his +afflictions, and having counted the fruits of that tree, the king, +filled with great joy and of high energy, mounted on the car and +proceeded with energy, urging those fleet horses. And from the +touch of Kali the <i>Vibhitaka</i> tree from that hour fell into +disrepute. And Nala, with a glad heart, began to urge those +foremost of steeds which sprang into the air once and again like +creatures endued with wings. And the illustrious monarch drove (the +car) in the direction of the Vidarbhas. And after Nala had gone far +away, Kali also returned to his abode. And abandoned by Kali, O +king, that lord of earth, the royal Nala, became freed from +calamity though he did not assume his native form.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXIII</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'After Rituparna of prowess incapable of being +baffled had, in the evening, arrived at the city of the Vidarbhas, +the people brought unto king Bhima the tidings (of his arrival). +And at the invitation of Bhima, the king (of Ayodhya) entered the +city of Kundina, filling with the rattle of his car all the ten +points, direct and transverse, of the horizon. And the steeds of +Nala that were in that city heard that sound, and hearing it they +became delighted as they used to be in the presence of Nala +himself. And Damayanti also heard the sound of that car driven by +Nala, like the deep roar of the clouds in the rainy season. And +Bhima and the steeds (of Nala) regarded the clatter of that car to +be like that which they used to hear in days of yore when king Nala +himself urged his own steeds. And the peacocks on the terraces, and +the elephants in the stables, and the horses also, all heard the +rattle of Rituparna's <span class="pagenum">[Pg 153]</span> car. +And hearing the sound, so like the roar of the clouds, the +elephants and the peacocks, O king, began to utter their cries, +facing that direction, and filled with delight such as they +experience when they hear the actual roar of the clouds. And +Damayanti said, "Because the rattle of his car filling the whole +earth, gladdens my heart, it must be King Nala (that has come). If +I do not see Nala, of face bright as the moon, that hero with +countless virtues, I shall certainly die. If I am not clasped today +in that hero's thrilling embrace, I shall certainly cease to be. If +Naishadha with voice deep as that of the clouds doth not come to me +today, I shall enter into a pyre of golden brilliance. If that +foremost of kings, powerful as a lion and gifted with the strength +of an infuriated elephant, doth not present himself before me, I +shall certainly cease to live. I do not remember a single untruth +in him, or a single wrong done by him to others. Never hath he +spoken an untruth even in jest. Oh, my Nala is exalted and +forgiving and heroic and magnificent and superior to all other +kings, and faithful to his marriage vow and like unto a eunuch in +respect of other females. Night and day dwelling upon his +perceptions, my heart, in absence of that dear one, is about to +burst in grief."</p> +<p>"'Thus bewailing as if devoid of sense, Damayanti, O Bharata, +ascended the terrace (of her mansion) with the desire of seeing the +righteous Nala. And in the yard of the central mansion she beheld +king Rituparna on the car with Varshneya and Vahuka. And Varshneya +and Vahuka, descending for that excellent vehicle, unyoked the +steeds, and kept the vehicle itself in a proper place. And king +Rituparna also, descending from the car, presented himself before +king Bhima possessed of terrible prowess. And Bhima received him +with great respect, for in the absence of a proper occasion, a +great person cannot be had (as a guest). And honoured by Bhima, +king Rituparna looked about him again and again, but saw no traces +of the <i>Swayamvara</i>. And the ruler of the Vidarbhas, O +Bharata, approaching Rituparna, said, "Welcome! What is the +occasion of this thy visit?" And king Bhima asked this without +knowing that Rituparna had come to obtain the hand of his daughter. +And king Rituparna, of unbaffled prowess and gifted with +intelligence, saw that there were no other kings or princes. Nor +did he hear any talk relating to the <i>Swayamvara</i>, nor saw any +concourse of Brahmanas. And at this, the king of Kosala reflected a +while and at length said, "I have come here to pay my respects to +thee." And the king Bhima was struck with astonishment, and +reflected upon the (probable) cause of Rituparna's coming, having +passed over a hundred <i>yojanas</i>. And he reflected, "That +passing by other sovereigns, and leaving behind him innumerable +countries, he should come simply to pay his respect to me is +scarcely the reason of his arrival. What he assigneth to be the +cause of his coming appeareth to be a trifle. However, I shall +learn the true reason in the future." And although king Bhima +thought so, he did not dismiss Rituparna summarily, but said +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 154]</span> unto him again and again, +"Rest, thou art weary." And honoured thus by the pleased Bhima, +king Rituparna was satisfied, and with a delighted heart, he went +to his appointed quarters followed by the servants of the royal +household.'</p> +<p>"Vrihadaswa continued, 'And, O king, after Rituparna had gone +away with Varshneya, Vahuka took the car to the stables. And there +freeing the steeds, and tending them according to rule, and +soothing them himself, sat down on a side of the car. Meanwhile, +the princess of Vidharbha, Damayanti, afflicted with grief, having +beheld the royal son of Bhangasura, and Varshneya of the +<i>Suta</i> race, and also Vahuka in that guise, asked herself, +"Whose is this car-rattle? It was loud as that of Nala, but I do +not see the ruler of the Nishadhas. Certainly, Varshneya hath +learnt the art from Nala, and it is for this the rattle of the car +driven by him hath been even like that of Nala. Or, is Rituparna +equally skilled with Nala so that the rattle of his car seemeth to +be like that of Nala?" And reflecting thus, O monarch, the blessed +and beauteous girl sent a female messenger in search of +Nishada.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXIV</h2> +<p>"'Damayanti said, "O Kesini, go thou and learn who that +charioteer is that sitteth by the car, unsightly and possessed of +short arms. O blessed one, O faultless one, approaching him, +cautiously and with sweet words, make thou the usual inquiries of +courtesy and learn all particulars truly. Having regard to the +feeling of satisfaction my mind experienceth, and the delight my +heart feeleth, I am greatly afraid this one is king Nala himself. +And, O faultless one, having inquired after his welfare, thou shalt +speak unto him the words of Parnada. And, O beauteous one, +understand the reply he may make thereto." Thus instructed, that +female messenger, going cautiously, while the blessed Damayanti +watched from the terrace, addressed Vahuka in these words, "O +foremost of men, thou art welcome. I wish thee happiness. O bull +among men, hear now the words of Damayanti. When did ye all set +out, and with what object have ye come hither. Tell us truly, for +the princess of Vidarbha wisheth to hear it." Thus addressed, +Vahuka answered, "the illustrious king of Kosala had heard from a +Brahmana that a second <i>Swayamvara</i> of Damayanti would take +place. And hearing it, he hath come here, by the help of excellent +steeds fleet as the wind and capable of going a hundred +<i>yojanas</i>. I am his charioteer." Kesini then asked, "Whence +doth the third among you come, and whose (son) is he? And whose son +art thou, and how hast thou come to do this work?" Thus questioned, +Vahuka replied, "He <span class="pagenum">[Pg 155]</span> (of whom +thou inquirest) was the charioteer of the virtuous Nala, and known +to all by the name of Varshneya. After Nala had, O beauteous one, +left his kingdom, he came to the son of Bhangasura. I am skilled in +horse-lore, and have, therefore, been appointed as charioteer. +Indeed, king Rituparna hath himself chosen me as his charioteer and +cook." At this Kesini rejoined, "Perhaps Varshneya knoweth where +king Nala hath gone, and O Vahuka, he may also have spoken to thee +(about his master)." Vahuka then said, "Having brought hither the +children of Nala of excellent deeds, Varshneya went away whither he +listed: He doth not know where Naishadha is. Nor, O illustrious +one, doth anybody else know of Nala's whereabouts; for the king (in +calamity) wandereth over the world in disguise and despoiled of +(his native) beauty. Nala's self only knoweth Nala. Nala never +discovereth his marks of identity anywhere." Thus addressed, Kesini +returned, "The Brahmana that had before this gone to Ayodhya, had +repeatedly said these words suitable to female lips, 'O beloved +gambler, where hast thou gone cutting off half my piece of cloth, +and deserting me, his dear and devoted wife asleep in the woods? +And she herself, as commanded by him, waiteth expecting him clad in +half a garment and burning day and night in grief. O king, O hero, +do thou relent towards her that weepeth ceaselessly for that +calamity and do thou give her an answer. O illustrious one, do thou +speak the words agreeable to her for the blameless one panteth to +hear them.' Hearing these words of the Brahmana thou didst formerly +give a reply! The princess of Vidarbha again wisheth to hear the +words thou didst then say."'</p> +<p>"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O son of the Kuru race, hearing these +words of Kesini, Nala's heart was pained, and his eyes filled with +tears. And repressing his sorrow, the king who was burning in +grief, said again these words, in accents choked with tears: +"Chaste women, though overtaken by calamity, yet protect +themselves, and thereby secure heaven. Women that are chaste, +deserted by their lords, never become angry, but continue to live, +cased in virtue's mail. Deserted by one fallen into calamity, +bereft of sense, and despoiled of bliss, it behoveth her not to be +angry. A virtuous lady should not be angry with one that was +deprived by birds of his garment while striving to procure +sustenance and who is burning in misery. Whether treated well or +ill she would never be angry, seeing her husband in that plight, +despoiled of his kingdom, bereft of prosperity, oppressed with +hunger, and overwhelmed with calamity." And, O Bharata, while +speaking thus, Nala oppressed with grief, could not restrain his +tears, but began to weep. And thereupon Kesini went back to +Damayanti, and acquainted her with everything about that +conversation as well as that outburst of grief.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 156]</span> +<h2>SECTION LXXV</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'Hearing everything, Damayanti became +oppressed with grief, and suspecting the person to be Nala, said +unto Kesini, "O Kesini, go thou again, and examine Vahuka, and +staying in silence at his side mark thou his conduct. And, O +beauteous one, whenever he happens to do anything skilful, do thou +observe well his act while accomplishing it. And, O Kesini, +whenever he may ask water or fire, with the view of offering him +obstruction, thou shalt be in no hurry to give it. And marking +everything about his behaviour, come thou and tell me. And whatever +human or super-human thou seest in Vahuka, together with anything +else, should all be reported unto me." And thus addressed by +Damayanti, Kesini went away, and having marked the conduct of that +person versed in horse-lore, she came back. And she related unto +Damayanti all that had happened, indeed, everything of human and +superhuman that she had witnessed in Vahuka. And Kesini said, "O +Damayanti, a person of such control over the elements I have never +before seen or heard of. Whenever he cometh to low passage, he +never stoopeth down, but seeing him, the passage itself groweth in +height so that he may pass through it easily. And at his approach, +impassable narrow holes open wide. King Bhima had sent various +kinds of meat—of diverse animals, for Rituparna's food. And +many vessels had been placed there for washing the meat. And as he +looked upon them, those vessels became filled (with water). And +having washed the meat, as he set himself to cook, he took up a +handful of grass and held it in the sun, when fire blazed up all on +a sudden. Beholding this marvel, I have come hither amazed. +Further, I have witnessed in him another great wonder. O beauteous +one, he touched fire and was not burnt. And at his will, water +falling floweth in a stream. And, I have witnessed another greater +wonder still. He took up some flowers, began to press them slowly +with his hands. And pressed by his hand, the flowers did not lose +their original forms, but, on the contrary, became gayer and more +odorous than before. Having beheld wonderful things I have come +hither with speed."'</p> +<p>"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Hearing of these acts of the virtuous +Nala, and discovering him from his behaviour, Damayanti considered +him as already recovered. And from these indications suspecting +that Vahuka was her husband, Damayanti once more weepingly +addressed Kesini in soft words, saying, "O beauteous one, go thou +once more, and bring from the kitchen without Vahuka's knowledge +some meat that hath been boiled and dressed (by him)." Thus +commanded, Kesini, ever bent on doing what was agreeable to +Damayanti, went to Vahuka, and taking some <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 157]</span> hot meat came back without loss of time. +And Kesini gave that meat, O son of the Kuru race, unto Damayanti. +And Damayanti who had formerly often partaken of meat dressed by +Nala, tasted the meat that was brought by her hand-maid. And she +thereupon decided Vahuka to be Nala and wept aloud in grief of +heart. And, O Bharata, overwhelmed with grief, and washing her +face, she sent her two children with Kesini. And Vahuka, who was +the king in disguise, recognising Indrasena with her brother, +advanced hastily, and embracing them, took them up on his lap. And +taking up his children like unto the children of the celestials, he +began to weep aloud in sonorous accents, his heart oppressed with +great sorrow. And after having repeatedly betrayed his agitation, +Naishadha suddenly left children, and addressed Kesini, saying, "O +fair damsel, these twins are very like my own children. Beholding +them unexpectedly, I shed tears. If thou comest to me frequently +people may think evil, for we are guests from another land. +Therefore. O blessed one, go at thy ease."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXVI</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'Beholding the agitation of the virtuous and +wise Nala, Kesini returned unto Damayanti and related everything +unto her. And thereupon Damayanti with a sorrowful heart and eager +to behold Nala, again despatched Kesini to her mother, asking her +to say on her behalf: "Suspecting Vahuka to be Nala, I have tried +him in various ways. My doubt now only relates to his appearance. I +intend to examine him myself. O mother, either let him enter the +palace, or give me permission to go to him. And arrange this with +the knowledge of my father or without it." And thus addressed to +Damayanti, that lady communicated unto Bhima the intention of his +daughter, and upon learning it the king gave his consent. And, O +bull of the Bharata race, having obtained the consent both of her +father and mother, Damayanti caused Nala to be brought to her +apartments. And as soon as he saw Damayanti unexpectedly, king Nala +was overwhelmed with grief and sorrow, and bathed in tears. And +that best of women, Damayanti, also, upon beholding king Nala in +that condition, was sorely afflicted with grief. And, O monarch, +herself clad in a piece of red cloth, and wearing matted locks, and +covered with dirt and dust, Damayanti then addressed Vahuka, +saying, "O Vahuka, hast thou ever seen any person acquainted with +duty, who hath gone away, deserting his sleeping wife in the +forest? Who, except the virtuous Nala, could go away, deserting in +the woods, his dear and unoffending wife overcome with fatigue? Of +what offence was I guilty in the eyes of that monarch since my +early youth that he should go <span class="pagenum">[Pg 158]</span> +away deserting me in the woods while asleep overcome with fatigue? +Why should he whom I formerly chose in preference to the gods +themselves abandon his ever-devoted and loving wife who had become +the mother also of his children? Before the fire, and in presence +also of the celestials, he had taken my hand, vowing, '<i>Verily I +will be thine</i>.' Oh, where was that vow when he deserted me, O +represser of foes." While Damayanti was saying all this, tears of +sorrow began to flow plentifully from her eyes. And beholding her +thus afflicted with grief, Nala also, shedding tears, black of +those of the gazelle with extremities of reddish hue, said, "O +timid one, neither the loss of my kingdom nor my desertion of thee +was my act. Both were due to Kali. And, O foremost of virtuous +women, lamenting for me day and night, and overcome with sorrow, +thou hadst in the woods cursed Kali, and so he began to dwell in my +body, burning in consequence of thy curse. Indeed burning with thy +curse, he lived within me like fire within fire. O blessed girl, +that our sorrows might terminate, that wretch have I overcome by my +observances and austerities. The sinful wretch hath already left +me, and it is for this that I have come hither. My presence here, O +fair lady, is for thy sake. I have no other object. But, O timid +one, can any other woman, forsaking her loving and devoted husband, +ever choose a second lord like thee? At the command of the king, +messengers are ranging this entire earth, saying, '<i>Bhima's +daughter will, of her own accord, choose a second husband worthy of +her</i>.' Immediately on hearing this, the son of Bhangasura hath +arrived here." Hearing these lamentations of Nala, Damayanti, +frightened and trembling, said with joined hand, "It behoveth thee +not, O blessed one, to suspect any fault in me. O ruler of the +Nishadhas, passing over the celestials themselves, I choose thee as +my lord. It was to bring thee hither that the Brahmanas had gone +out in all directions, even to all the sides of the horizon, +singing my words, in the form of ballads. At last, O king, a +learned Brahmana named Parnada had found thee in Kosala in the +palace of Rituparna. When thou hadst returned a fit answer to those +words of his, it was then, O Naishadha, that I devised this scheme +to recover thee. Except thee, O lord of earth, there is no one in +this world, who in one day can clear, O King, a hundred +<i>yojanas</i> with horses. O monarch, touching thy feet I can +swear truly that I have not, even in thought, committed any sin. +May the all-witnessing Air that courseth through this world, take +my life, if I have committed any sin. May the Sun that ever +courseth through the sky take my life, if I have committed any sin. +May the Moon, that dwelleth within every creature as a witness, +take my life, if I have committed any sin. Let the three gods that +sustain the triple worlds in their entirety, declare truly, or let +them forsake me today." And thus addressed by her, the Wind-god +said from the sky, "O Nala, I tell thee truly that she hath done no +wrong. O king, Damayanti, well guarding the honour of thy family, +hath enhanced it. Of this we are the witnesses, as we have been her +protectors for these <span class="pagenum">[Pg 159]</span> three +years. It is for thy good that she hath devised this unrivalled +scheme, for, except thee, none on earth is capable of travelling in +a single day a hundred <i>yojanas</i>. O monarch, thou hast +obtained Bhima's daughter, and she hath also obtained thee. Thou +needst not entertain any suspicion but be united with thy partner." +And after the Wind-god had said this, a floral shower fell there +and the celestial kettle-drum began to play, and auspicious breezes +began to blow. And beholding those wonders, O Bharata, king Nala, +the represser of foes, cast away all his doubts in respect of +Damayanti. And then that lord of earth, remembering the king of +serpents, wore that pure garment and regained his native form. And +beholding her righteous lord in his own form, Bhima's daughter of +faultless limbs embraced him, and began to weep aloud. And king +Nala also embraced Bhima's daughter devoted to him, as before, and +also his children, and experienced great delight. And burying her +face in his bosom, the beauteous Damayanti of large eyes began to +sigh heavily, remembering her griefs. And overwhelmed with sorrow, +that tiger among men stood for some time, clasping the dust-covered +Damayanti of sweet smiles. And, O king, the queen-mother then, with +a glad heart, told Bhima all that had passed between Nala and +Damayanti. And the mighty monarch answered, "Let Nala pass this day +in peace, to-morrow I shall see him after his bath and prayers, +with Damayanti by his side." And, O king, they passed that night +pleasantly, in relating to each other the past incidents of their +life in the forest. And with hearts filled with joy, the princess +of Vidarbha and Nala began to pass their days in the palace of king +Bhima, intent upon making each other happy. And it was in the +fourth year (after the loss of his kingdom) that Nala was re-united +with his wife, and all his desires gratified, once more experienced +the highest bliss. And Damayanti rejoiced exceedingly in having +recovered her lord even as fields of tender plants on receiving a +shower. And Bhima's daughter, thus recovering her lord, obtained +her wish, and blazed forth in beauty, her weariness gone, her +anxieties dispelled and herself swelling with joy, ever like a +night that is lit by the bright disc of the moon!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXVII</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'Having passed that night, king Nala decked in +ornaments and with Damayanti by his side, presented himself in due +time before the king. And Nala saluted his father-in-law with +becoming humility and after him the fair Damayanti paid her +respects to her father. And the exalted Bhima, with great joy, +received him as a son, and honouring him duly along with his +devoted wife, comforted them in proper <span class="pagenum">[Pg +160]</span> words. And duly accepting the homage rendered unto him, +king Nala offered his father-in-law his services as became him. And +seeing Nala arrived, the citizens were in great joy. And there +arose in the city a loud uproar of delight. And the citizens +decorated the city with flags and standards and garlands of +flowers. And the streets were watered and decked in floral wreaths +and other ornaments. And at their gates citizens piled flowers, and +their temples and shrines were all adorned with flowers. And +Rituparna heard that Vahuka had already been united with Damayanti. +And the king was glad to hear of all this. And calling unto him +king Nala, he asked his forgiveness. And the intelligent Nala also +asked Rituparna's forgiveness, showing diverse reasons. And that +foremost of speakers versed in the truth, king Rituparna, after +being thus honoured by Nala, said, with a countenance expressive of +wonder, these words unto the ruler of the Nishadhas. "By good +fortune it is that regaining the company of thy own wife, thou hast +obtained happiness. O Naishadha, while dwelling in disguise at my +house, I hope I did not wrong thee in any way, O lord of the earth! +If knowingly I have done thee any wrong, it behoveth thee to +forgive me." Hearing this, Nala replied, "Thou hast not, O monarch, +done me ever so little an injury. And if thou hast, it hath not +awakened my ire, for surely thou shouldst be forgiven by me. Thou +wert formerly my friend, and, O ruler of men, thou art also related +to me. Henceforth I shall find greater delight in thee. O king, +with all my desires gratified, I lived happily in thy abode, in +fact more happily there than in my own house. This thy horse-lore +is in my keeping. If thou wishest, O king, I will make it over to +thee." Saying this, Naishadha gave unto Rituparna that science and +the latter took it with the ordained rites. And, O monarch, the +royal son of Bhangasura, having obtained the mysteries of +equestrian science and having given unto the ruler of the +Naishadhas the mysteries of dice, went to his own city, employing +another person for his charioteer. And, O king, after Rituparna had +gone, king Nala did not stay long in the city of Kundina!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXVIII</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'O son of Kunti, the ruler of the Nishadhas +having dwelt there for a month, set out from that city with Bhima's +permission and accompanied by only a few (followers) for the +country of the Nishadhas. With a single car white in hue, sixteen +elephants, fifty horses, and six hundred infantry, that illustrious +king, causing the earth itself to tremble, entered (the country of +the Nishadhas) without loss of a moment and swelling with rage. And +the mighty son of Virasena, approaching his <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 161]</span> brother Pushkara said unto him, "We will +play again, for I have earned vast wealth. Let Damayanti and all +else that I have be my stake, let, O Pushkara, thy kingdom be thy +stake. Let the play begin again. This is my certain determination. +Blessed be thou, let us stake all we have along with our lives. +Having won over and acquired another's wealth or kingdom, it is a +high duty, says the ordinance, to stake it when the owner demands. +Or, if thou dost not relish play with dice, let the play with +weapons begin. O king, let me or thyself have peace by a single +combat. That this ancestral kingdom should, under all circumstances +and by any means, be recovered, there is the authority of sages for +holding. And, O Pushkara, choose thou one of these two +things—gambling with dice or bending the bow in battle!" Thus +addressed by Nishadha, Pushkara, sure of his own success, +laughingly answered that monarch, saying, "O Naishadha, it is by +good fortune that thou hast earned wealth again to stake. It is by +good fortune also that Damayanti's ill-luck hath at last come to an +end. And O king, it is by good fortune that thou art still alive +with thy wife, O thou of mighty arms! It is evident that Damayanti, +adorned with this wealth of thine that I will win, will wait upon +me like an Apsara in heaven upon Indra. O Naishadha, I daily +recollect thee and am even waiting for thee, since I derive no +pleasure from gambling with those that are not connected with me by +blood. Winning over to-day the beauteous Damayanti of faultless +features, I shall regard myself fortunate, indeed, since she it is +that hath ever dwelt in my heart." Hearing these words of that +incoherent braggart, Nala in anger desired to cut off his head with +a scimitar. With a smile, however, though his eyes were red in +anger, king Nala said, "Let us play. Why do you speak so now? +Having vanquished me, you can say anything you like." Then the play +commenced between Pushkara and Nala. And blessed be Nala who at a +single throw won his wealth and treasures back along with the life +of his brother that also had been staked. And the king, having won, +smilingly said unto Pushkara, "This whole kingdom without a thorn +in its side is now undisturbedly mine. And, O worst of kings, thou +canst not now even look at the princess of Vidarbha. With all thy +family, thou art now, O fool, reduced to the position of her slave. +But my former defeat at thy hands was not due to any act of thine. +Thou knowest it not, O fool, that it was Kali who did it all. I +shall not, therefore, impute to thee the faults of others. Live +happily as thou choosest, I grant thee thy life. I also grant thee +thy portion (in the paternal kingdom) along with all necessaries. +And, O hero, without doubt, my affection towards thee is now the +same as before. My fraternal love also for thee will never know any +diminution. O Pushkara, thou art my brother, live thou for a +hundred years!"</p> +<p>"'And Nala of unbaffled prowess, having comforted his brother +thus gave him permission to go to his own town, having embraced him +repeatedly. And Pushkara himself, thus comforted by the ruler of +the <span class="pagenum">[Pg 162]</span> Nishadhas saluted that +righteous king, and addressed him, O monarch, saying these words +with joined hands, "Let thy fame be immortal and live thou happily +for ten thousand years, thou who grantest me, O king, both life and +refuge." And entertained by the king, Pushkara dwelt there for a +month and then went to his own town accompanied by large force and +many obedient servants and his own kindred, his heart filled with +joy. And that bull among men all the while blazed forth in beauty +of person like a second Sun. And the blessed ruler of the +Nishadhas, having established Pushkara and made him wealthy and +freed him from troubles, entered his richly decorated palace. And +the ruler of the Nishadhas, having entered his palace, comforted +the citizens. And all the citizens and the subjects from the +country horripilated in joy. And the people headed by the officers +of state said with joined hands, "O king, we are truly glad to-day +throughout the city and the country. We have obtained to-day our +ruler, like the gods their chief of a hundred sacrifice!"'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXIX</h2> +<p>"Vrihadaswa said, 'After the festivities had commenced in the +city that was full of joy and without anxiety of any kind, the king +with a large force brought Damayanti (from her father's home). And +her father, too, that slayer of hostile heroes, Bhima of terrible +prowess and immeasurable soul, sent his daughter, having honoured +her duly. And upon the arrival of the princess of Vidarbha +accompanied by her son and daughter, king Nala began to pass his +days in joy like the chief of the celestials in the gardens of +Nandana. And the king of undying fame, having regained his kingdom +and becoming illustrious among monarchs of the island of Jamvu, +began once more to rule it. And he duly performed numerous +sacrifices with abundant gifts to Brahmanas. O great king, thou +also wilt with thy kindred and relatives, so blaze forth in +effulgence soon. For, O foremost of men, it was thus that +subjugator of hostile cities, king Nala, had fallen into distress +along with his wife, in consequence, O bull of Bharata race, of +dice. And, O lord of the earth, Nala suffered such dire woe all +alone and recovered his prosperity, whereas thou, O son of Pandu, +with heart fixed on virtue, art sporting in joy in this great +forest, accompanied by thy brothers and Krishna. When thou art +also, O monarch, mixing daily with blessed Brahmanas versed in the +Vedas and their branches, thou hast little cause for sorrow. This +history, besides, of the Naga Karkotaka, of Damayanti, of Nala and +of that royal sage Rituparna, is destructive of evil. And, O thou +of unfading glory, this history, destructive of the influence of +Kali, is capable, O king, of comforting persons <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 163]</span> like thee when they listen to it. And +reflecting upon the uncertainty (of success) of human exertion, it +behoveth thee not to joy or grieve at prosperity or adversity. +Having listened to this history, be comforted, O king, and yield +not to grief. It behoveth thee not, O great king, to pine under +calamity. Indeed, men of self-possession, reflecting upon the +caprice of destiny and the fruitlessness of exertion, never suffer +themselves to be depressed. They that will repeatedly recite this +noble history of Nala, and that will hear it recited, will never be +touched by adversity. He that listeneth to this old and excellent +history hath all his purposes crowned with success and, without +doubt, obtaineth fame, besides sons and grandsons and animals, a +high position among men, and health, and joy. And, O king, the fear +also that thou entertainest, <i>viz</i>., (<i>Some one skilled in +dice will summon me</i>), I will for once dispel. O thou of +invincible prowess, I know the science of dice in its entirety. I +am gratified with thee; take this lore, O son of Kunti, I will tell +unto thee.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "King Yudhishthira then, with a glad +heart, said unto Vrihadaswa, 'O illustrious one, I desire to learn +the science of dice from thee.' The Rishi then gave his dice-lore +unto the high-souled son of Pandu, and having given it unto him, +that great ascetic went to the sacred waters of Hayasirsha for a +bath.</p> +<p>"And after Vrihadaswa had gone away, Yudhishthira of firm vows +heard from Brahmanas and ascetics that came to him from various +directions and from places of pilgrimage and mountains and forests +that Arjuna of high intelligence and capable of drawing the bow +with his left hand, was still engaged in the austerest of ascetic +penances, living upon air alone. And he heard that the mighty-armed +Partha was engaged in such fierce asceticism that none else before +him had ever been engaged in such penances. And Dhananjaya, the son +of Pritha, engaged in ascetic austerities with regulated vows and +fixed mind and observing the vow of perfect silence, was, he heard, +like the blazing god of justice himself in his embodied form. And, +O king, (Yudhishthira) the son of Pandu hearing that his dear +brother Jaya, the son of Kunti, was engaged in such asceticism in +the great forest, began to grieve for him. And with a heart burning +in grief, the eldest son of Pandu, seeking consolation in that +mighty forest held converse with the Brahmanas possessed of various +knowledge who were living with him there."</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 164]</span> +<h2>SECTION LXXX</h2> +<h3>(<i>Tirtha-yatra Parva</i>)</h3> +<p>Janamejaya said, "O holy one, after my great-grandfather Partha +had gone away from the woods of Kamyaka, what did the sons of Pandu +do in the absence of that hero capable of drawing the bow with his +left hand? It seemeth to me that mighty bowman and vanquisher of +armies was their refuge, as Vishnu of the celestials. How did my +heroic grandsires pass their time in the forest, deprived of the +company of that hero, who resembled Indra himself in prowess and +never turned his back in battle?"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "After Arjuna of unbaffled prowess had gone +away from Kamyaka, the sons of Pandu, O son, were filled with +sorrow and grief. And the Pandavas with cheerless hearts very much +resembled pearls unstrung from a wreath, or birds shorn of their +wings. And without that hero of white steeds that forest looked +like the <i>Chaitraratha</i> woods when deprived of the presence of +Kuvera. And, O Janamejaya, those tigers among men—the sons of +Pandu—deprived of the company of Arjuna, continued to live in +Kamyaka in perfect cheerlessness. And, O chief of the Bharata race, +those mighty warriors endowed with great prowess slew with pure +arrows various kinds of sacrificial animals for the Brahmanas. And +those tigers among men and repressers of foes, daily slaying those +wild animals and sanctifying them properly, offered them unto the +Brahmanas. And it was thus, O king, that those bulls among men +afflicted with sorrow lived there with cheerless hearts after +Dhananjaya's departure. The princess of Panchala in particular, +remembering her third lord, addressed the anxious Yudhishthira and +said, 'That Arjuna who with two hands rivals the thousand-armed +Arjuna (of old), alas, without that foremost of the sons of Pandu, +this forest doth not seem at all beautiful in my eyes. Without him, +whenever I cast my eyes, this earth seems to be forlorn. Even this +forest with its blossoming trees and so full of wonders, without +Arjuna seems not so delightful as before. Without him who is like a +mass of blue clouds (in hue), who hath the prowess of an infuriated +elephant, and whose eyes are like the leaves of the lotus, this +Kamyaka forest doth not seem beautiful to me. Remembering that hero +capable of drawing the bow with his left hand, and the twang of +whose bow sounds like the roar of thunder, I cannot feel any +happiness, O king!' And, O monarch, hearing her lament in this +strain, that slayer of hostile heroes, Bhimasena, addressed +Draupadi in these words, 'O blessed lady of slender waist, the +agreeable words thou utterest delight my heart like the quaffing +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 165]</span> of nectar. Without him whose +arms are long and symmetrical, and stout and like unto a couple of +iron maces and round and marked by the scars of the bow-strings and +graced with the bow and sword and other weapons and encircled with +golden bracelets and like unto a couple of five-headed snakes, +without that tiger among men the sky itself seemeth to be without +the sun. Without that mighty-armed one relying upon whom the +Panchalas and the Kauravas fear not the sternly-exerting ranks of +the celestials themselves, without that illustrious hero relying +upon whose arms we all regard our foes as already vanquished and +the earth itself as already conquered, without that Phalguna I +cannot obtain any peace in the woods of Kamyaka. The different +directions also, wherever I cast my eyes, appear to be empty!'</p> +<p>"After Bhima had concluded, Nakula the son of Pandu, with voice +choked with tears, said, 'Without him whose extraordinary deeds on +the field of battle constitute the talk of even the gods, without +that foremost of warriors, what pleasure can we have in the woods? +Without him who having gone towards the north had vanquished mighty +Gandharva chiefs by hundreds, and who having obtained numberless +handsome horses of the Tittiri and Kalmasha species all endowed +with the speed of the wind, presented them from affection unto his +brother the king, on the occasion of the great Rajasuya sacrifice, +without that dear and illustrious one, without that terrible +warrior born after Bhima, without that hero equal unto a god I do +not desire to live in the Kamyaka woods any longer.'</p> +<p>"After Nakula's lamentations, Sahadeva said, 'He who having +vanquished mighty warriors in battle won wealth and virgins and +brought them unto the king on the occasion of the great +<i>Rajasuya</i> sacrifice, that hero of immeasurable splendour who +having vanquished single-handed the assembled Yadavas in battle, +ravished Subhadra with the consent of Vasudeva, he, who having +invaded the dominion of the illustrious Drupada gave, O Bharata, +unto the preceptor Drona his tuition fee—beholding, O king, +that Jishnu's bed of grass empty in our asylum, my heart refuses +consolation. A migration from this forest is what, O represser of +foes, I would prefer for without that hero this forest cannot be +delightful.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXXI</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Hearing these words of his brothers as also +of Krishna, all of whom were anxious on account of Dhananjaya, king +Yudhishthira, the just, became melancholy. And at that time he saw +(before him) the celestial Rishi Narada blazing with <i>Brahmi</i> +beauty and <span class="pagenum">[Pg 166]</span> like unto a fire +flaming up in consequence of sacrificial libation. And beholding +him come, king Yudhishthira with his brothers stood up and duly +worshipped the illustrious one. And endued with blazing energy, the +handsome chief of the Kuru race, surrounded by his brothers, shone +like the god of a hundred sacrifices encircled by the celestials. +And Yajnaseni in obedience to the dictates of morality adhered to +her lords, the sons of Pritha, like Savitri to the Vedas or the +rays of the Sun to the peak of Meru. And the illustrious Rishi +Narada, accepting that worship, comforted the son of Dharma in +proper terms. And, O sinless one, addressing the high-souled king +Yudhishthira, the just, the Rishi said, 'Tell me, O foremost of +virtuous men, what it is that thou seekest and what I can do for +thee.' At this, the royal son of Dharma bowing with his brothers +unto Narada, who was the revered of the celestials, told him with +joined hands, 'O thou that art highly blessed and worshipped by all +the worlds when thou art gratified with me, I regard all my wishes +in consequence of thy grace, as already fulfilled, O thou of +excellent vows! If, O sinless one, I with my brothers deserve thy +favour, it behoveth thee, O best of Munis, to dispel the doubt that +is in my mind. It behoveth thee to tell me in detail what merit is +his that goeth round the worlds, desirous of beholding the sacred +waters and shrines that are on it.'</p> +<p>"Narada said, 'Listen, O king, with attention, to what the +intelligent Bhishma had heard before from Pulastya! Once, O blessed +one, that foremost of virtuous men, Bhishma, while in the +observance of the <i>Pitrya</i> vow, lived, O king, in the company +of Munis in a delightful and sacred region, near the source of the +Ganga, that is resorted to by the celestial Rishis and Gandharvas +and the celestials themselves. And while living there, the +resplendent one gratified with his oblations the <i>Pitris</i>, the +gods and the Rishis, according to the rites inculcated in the +scriptures. And once on a time while the illustrious one was +engaged in his silent recitations, he beheld Pulastya—that +best of Rishis, of wonderful appearance. And beholding that austere +ascetic blazing with beauty, he was filled with great delight and +exceeding wonder. And, O Bharata, that foremost of virtuous men, +Bhishma, then worshipped that blessed Rishi according to the rites +of the ordinance. And purifying himself and with rapt attention, he +approached that best of Brahmarshis, with the <i>Arghya</i> on his +head. And uttering aloud his name, he said, "O thou of excellent +vow, blessed be thou, I am Bhishma, thy slave. At sight of thee, I +am freed from all my sins." And saying this, that foremost of +virtuous men, Bhishma, restraining speeches stood, O Yudhishthira, +in silence and with joined hands. And beholding Bhishma that +foremost of the Kurus, reduced and emaciated by the observance of +vows and the study of the Vedas, the Muni became filled with +joy.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 167]</span> +<h2>SECTION LXXXII</h2> +<p>"'Pulastya said, "O thou of excellent vows, I have been much +gratified with thy humility, thy self-control, and thy truth, thou +blessed one versed in morality! O sinless one, it is for this +virtue of thine which thou hast acquired from regard to thy +ancestors, that I have been gratified with thee and thou hast, O +son, obtained a sight of my person. O Bhishma, my eyes can +penetrate into everything. Tell me what I may do for thee. O +sinless one, O thou foremost of the Kuru race, I will grant thee +whatever thou mayst ask me."</p> +<p>"'Bhishma said, "O highly blessed one, when thou who art +worshipped by the three worlds hast been gratified with me and when +I have obtained a sight of thy exalted self, I regard myself as +already crowned with success. But, O thou foremost of virtuous +persons, if I have deserved thy favour, I will tell thee my doubts +and it behoveth thee to dispel them. O holy one, I have some +religious doubts in respect of <i>tirthas</i>. Speak of those to me +in detail, I desire to hear thee. O thou that resemblest a +celestial himself, what is his merit, O regenerate Rishi, who goeth +round the whole earth (visiting shrines). O tell me this with +certainty."</p> +<p>"'Pulastya said, "O son, listen with attention. I will tell thee +of the merit which attacheth to <i>tirthas</i> and which +constituteth the refuge of the Rishis. He whose hands and feet and +mind and knowledge and asceticism and acts are under wholesome +control, enjoyeth the fruits of <i>tirthas</i>. He who has ceased +to accept gifts, he that is contented, he that is free from pride +enjoys the fruits of <i>tirthas</i>. He that is without sin, he +that acts without purpose, he that eats light, he that has his +senses under control, he that is free from every sin, enjoys the +fruits of <i>tirthas</i>. O king, he that is free from anger, he +that adhereth to truth, he that is firm in vows, he that regardeth +all creatures as his own self, enjoyeth the fruits of +<i>tirthas</i>. In the Vedas the Rishis have declared in due order +the sacrifices and also their fruits here and hereafter truly. O +lord of earth, those sacrifices cannot be accomplished by him that +is poor, for those sacrifices require various materials and diverse +things in large measures. These, therefore can be performed by +kings or sometimes by other men of prosperity and wealth. O lord of +men, that rite, however, which men without wealth, without allies, +singly, without wife and children, and destitute of means, are +capable of accomplishing and the merit of which is equal unto the +sacred fruits of sacrifices, I will now declare unto thee, thou +best of warriors! O thou best of the Bharata race, sojourns in +<i>tirthas</i> which are meritorious and which constitute one of +the high <span class="pagenum">[Pg 168]</span> mysteries of the +Rishis, are even superior to sacrifices. He is a poor man who +having gone to a <i>tirtha</i> hath not fasted for three nights, +who hath not given away gold, and who hath not distributed kine. +Indeed, one acquireth not, by the performance of the +<i>Agnishtoma</i> and other sacrifices distinguished by large +gifts, that merit which one requireth by a sojourn to a +<i>tirtha</i>. In the world of men, there is that <i>tirtha</i> of +the God of gods, celebrated over the three worlds by the name of +<i>Pushkara</i>. One that sojourneth there becometh equal unto that +deity. O high-souled son of the Kuru race, during the two twilights +and mid-day there is the presence of hundred thousand millions of +<i>tirthas</i> in <i>Pushkara</i>. The Adityas, the Vasus, the +Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Maruts, the Gandharvas, and the Apsaras +are ever present, O exalted one, in <i>Pushkara</i>. It was there, +O king, that the gods, the Daityas and <i>Brahmarshis</i>, having +performed ascetic devotions there, obtained great merit and finally +attained to god-hood."</p> +<p>"'"Men of self-control, by even thinking mentally of Pushkara, +are cleansed from their sins, and regarded in heaven. O king, the +illustrious grand-sire having the lotus for his seat, had dwelt +with great pleasure in this <i>tirtha</i>. O blessed one, it was in +Pushkara that the gods with the Rishis having acquired of old great +merit, finally obtained the highest success. The person who, +devoted to the worship of the gods and the <i>Pitris</i>, batheth +in this <i>tirtha</i>, obtaineth, it hath been said by the wise, +merit that is equal to ten times that of the horse-sacrifice. +Having gone to the Pushkara woods, he that feedeth even one +Brahmana, becometh happy here and hereafter, O Bhishma, for that +act. He that supporteth himself on vegetables and roots and fruits, +may with pious regard and without disrespect, give even such fare +to a Brahmana. And, O best of kings, the man of wisdom, even by +such a gift, will acquire the merit of a horse-sacrifice. Those +illustrious persons among Brahmanas or Kshatriyas or Vaisyas or +Sudras that bathe in Pushkara are freed from the obligation of +rebirth. That man in special who visits Pushkara on the full moon +of the month of <i>Karttika</i>, acquireth ever-lasting regions in +the abode of Brahma. He that thinketh with joined hands morning and +evening, of the Pushkara, practically batheth, O Bharata, in every +<i>tirtha</i>. Whether a male or a female, whatever sins one may +commit since birth, are all destroyed as soon as one batheth in +Pushkara. As the slayer of Madhu is the foremost of all the +celestials, so is Pushkara, O king, the foremost of all +<i>tirthas</i>. A man by residing with purity and regulated vows +for twelve years in Pushkara, acquireth the merit of all the +sacrifices, and goeth to the abode of Brahma. The merit of one who +performeth the <i>Agnihotra</i> for full one hundred years, is +equal to that of him who resideth for the single month of +<i>Karttika</i> in Pushkara. There are three white hillocks and +three springs known from the remotest times, we do not know why, by +the name of the Pushkara. It is difficult to go to <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 169]</span> Pushkara; it is difficult to undergo +ascetic austerities at Pushkara; it is difficult to give away at +Pushkara; and it is difficult to live at Pushkara."</p> +<p>"'"Having dwelt for twelve nights at Pushkara with regulated +diet and vows, and having walked round (the place), one must go to +<i>Jamvu-marga</i>. One that goeth to <i>Jamvu-marga</i> which is +resorted to by the celestials, the Rishis, and the <i>Pitris</i>, +acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and the fruition of all +his wishes. The man that resideth there for five nights, hath his +soul cleansed from all sins. He never sinketh into hell, but +acquireth high success. Leaving Jamvu-marga one must go to +<i>Tandulikasrama</i>. He that goeth there never sinketh into hell +but ascendeth to the abode of Brahma. He that goeth to the lake of +Agastya and occupieth himself with the worship of the <i>Pitris</i> +and celestials, fasting for three nights, acquireth, O king, the +fruit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i>. Going thither, he that liveth on +vegetables or fruits acquireth the status called <i>Kaumara</i>. +One should next proceed to the beautiful asylum of Kanwa, which is +worshipped by the whole world. That sacred wood characterised by +holiness, existeth, O bull of the Bharata race, from very remote +times. As soon as one entereth it, he is freed from all his sins. +He who with regulated diet and vows worshippeth the <i>Pitris</i> +and the gods there, obtaineth the fruit of a sacrifice that is +capable of bestowing the fruition of all one's desires. Having +walked round this asylum one must then go to the spot where Yayati +fell (from heaven). He that goeth thither, acquireth the merit of a +horse-sacrifice. One must then go to <i>Mahakala</i> with regulated +diet and senses subdued. And having bathed in the <i>tirtha</i> +called <i>Koti</i>, one obtaineth the merit of a horse-sacrifice. A +virtuous man should next proceed to the <i>tirtha</i> of Sthanu, +the husband of Uma, known over the three worlds by the name of +<i>Bhadravata</i>. That best of men who goeth to <i>Bhadravata</i>, +beholdeth Isana and obtaineth the fruit of a gift of a thousand +kine. And through the grace of Mahadeva, he acquireth the status of +<i>Ganapatya</i> blessed with prosperity and peace and high grace. +Having arrived then at the <i>Narmada</i>, that river celebrated +over the three worlds, and given oblations of water to the +<i>Pitris</i> and the gods, one acquireth the fruit of the +horse-sacrifice. He that goeth into the Southern ocean, practising +the Brahmacharya mode of life, and with senses subdued, acquireth +the fruit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice and ascendeth to +heaven. Having arrived at <i>Charmanwati</i>, with regulated diet +and senses subdued, one acquireth, at the command of Ramideva, the +merit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice. One must then go, O +virtuous chief of warriors, to <i>Arauda</i>, the son of Himavat, +where there was a hole through the earth in days of yore. There is +the asylum of Vasistha, celebrated over the three worlds. Having +resided for one night, one obtaineth the merit of the gift of a +thousand kine. He that, leading a Brahmacharya mode of life batheth +in the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Pinga</i>, obtaineth, O tiger among +kings, the merit of the gift of a hundred <i>Kapila</i> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 170]</span> kine. One must next go, O +king, to that excellent <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Prabhasa</i>. There +Hutasana is always present in his own person. He, the friend of +Pavana, O hero, is the mouth of all the gods. The man that with +subdued and sanctified soul batheth in that <i>tirtha</i>, +obtaineth merit greater than that of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> or +<i>Atimtra</i> sacrifices. Proceeding next to the spot where the +Saraswati mingleth with the sea, one obtaineth the fruit of the +gift of a thousand kine and heaven also besides, O bull of the +Bharata race, blazing forth for all time like Agni himself. He that +with subdued soul batheth in the <i>tirtha</i> of the king of +waters, and giveth oblations of water unto the <i>Pitris</i> and +the gods, living there for three nights, blazeth forth like the +Moon, and obtaineth also the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. One +should next proceed, O best of the Bharata, unto the <i>tirtha</i> +known by the name of <i>Varadana</i>, where (the Rishi) Durvasa had +given a boon unto Vishnu. A man by bathing in Varadana obtaineth +the fruit of the gift of a thousand kine. One should next proceed +with subdued senses and regulated diet to <i>Dwaravati</i>, where +by bathing in <i>Pindaraka</i>, one obtaineth the fruit of the gift +of gold in abundance. O blessed one, it is wonderful to relate that +in that <i>tirtha</i>, to this day, coins with the mark of the +lotus and lotuses also with the mark of the trident, are seen, O +represser of heroes! And O bull among men, the presence of Mahadeva +is there. Arriving then, O Bharata, at the spot where the +<i>Sindhu</i> mingleth with the sea, one should with subdued soul +bathe in that <i>tirtha</i> of Varuna. And bathing there and giving +oblations of water to the <i>Pitris</i>, the Rishis, and the gods +one acquireth, O bull of the Bharata race, the region of Varuna, +and blazeth forth in effulgence of his own. Men of wisdom say that, +by worshipping the god known by the name of +<i>Shankukarneswara</i>, one acquireth ten times the merit of the +horse-sacrifice. O bull of the Bharata race, having walked round +that <i>tirtha</i>, one should, O thou foremost of the Kurus, go to +that <i>tirtha</i> celebrated over the three worlds and known by +the name of <i>Drimi</i>. That <i>tirtha</i> cleanseth from every +sin, and it is there that the gods including Brahma worship +Maheswara. Having bathed there and worshipped Rudra surrounded by +the other gods, one is freed from all sins since birth. It was +there, O best of men, that <i>Drimi</i> was adored by all the gods. +Bathing there, O best of men, one obtaineth the fruit of the +horse-sacrifice. O thou of great intelligence, Vishnu the creator +of the universe, after slaying the Daityas and Danavas, went +thither to purify himself. O virtuous one, one should next proceed +to <i>Vasudhara</i> adored by all. The moment one arrives at that +<i>tirtha</i>, one acquireth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. And, +O thou best of the Kurus, by bathing there with subdued soul and +rapt attention, and giving oblations of water unto the gods and the +<i>Pitris</i> one ascendeth unto the region of Vishnu and is adored +there. In that <i>tirtha</i>, O bull of the Bharata race, there is +a sacred lake of the Vasus. By bathing there and drinking of its +water, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 171]</span> one becometh regarded +of the Vasus. There is a celebrated <i>tirtha</i> of the name of +<i>Sindhuttama</i>, which destroyeth every sin. O best of men, by +bathing there, one acquireth the fruit of the gift of gold in +abundance. By arriving at <i>Bhadratunga</i> with sanctified soul +and purity of conduct, one acquireth the region of Brahma and a +high state of blessedness. There is then the <i>tirtha</i> of the +<i>Kumarikas</i> of Indra, that is much resorted to by the +<i>Siddhas</i>. O best of men, by bathing there, one obtaineth the +region of Indra. In <i>Kumarika</i> there is another <i>tirtha</i> +called <i>Renuka</i>, which is also resorted to by the +<i>Siddhas</i>. A Brahmana by bathing there would become as bright +as the Moon. Proceeding next to the tirtha called the +<i>Panchananda</i>, with subdued sense and regulated diet, one +obtaineth the fruit of the five sacrifices that have been mentioned +one after another in the scriptures. Then, O king, one should go to +the excellent region of Bhima. O best of the Bharatas by bathing in +the <i>tirtha</i> there, that is called <i>Yoni</i>, a man (in his +next birth) becometh, O king, the son of a goddess, bearing +ear-rings decked with pearls, and obtaineth also the merit of the +gift of a hundred thousand kine. Proceeding next to +<i>Srikunda</i>, celebrated over the three worlds and worshipping +the grandsire, one obtaineth the fruit of the gift of a thousand +kine. O virtuous one, one should then go to the excellent tirtha +called <i>Vimala</i>, where to this day may be seen fishes of +golden and silver hues. By bathing there, one soon acquireth the +region of Vasava, and his soul being cleansed from every sin, he +attaineth to a high state of blessedness. Proceeding next to +<i>Vitasta</i> and giving oblations of water unto the <i>Pitris</i> +and the gods, a man, O Bharata, obtaineth the fruit of the +<i>Vajapeya</i> sacrifice. That sin-destroying tirtha known by the +name of <i>Vitasta</i>, is situate in the country of the +<i>Kasmiras</i> and is the abode of the Naga Takshaka. Bathing +there, a man certainly obtaineth the fruit of the <i>Vajapeya</i> +sacrifice, and his soul cleansed from every sin, he attaineth to a +high state of blessedness. One should next proceed to <i>Vadava</i> +celebrated over the three worlds. Bathing there with due rites in +the evening, one should offer rice boiled in butter and milk, +according to the best of his might, unto the deity of seven flames. +Men of wisdom say that a gift made here in honour of the +<i>Pitris</i>, becometh inexhaustible. The Rishis, the +<i>Pitris</i>, the gods, the Gandharvas, several tribes of Apsaras, +the Guhyakas, the Kinnaras, the Yakshas, the <i>Siddhas</i>, the +Vidhyadharas, the Rakshasas, Daityas, Rudras, and Brahma himself, O +king, having with subdued senses, accepted a course of austerities +for a thousand years in order to move Vishnu to grace, cooked rice +in milk and butter and gratified Kesava with oblations, each +offered with seven Riks. And, O king, the gratified Kesava +thereupon conferred on them the eight-fold attributes called +<i>Aiswarya</i> and other objects that they desired. And having +bestowed upon them these, that god disappeared in their sight like +lightning in the clouds. And it is for this, O Bharata, that that +<i>tirtha</i> became <span class="pagenum">[Pg 172]</span> known by +the name of <i>Saptacharu</i>, and if one offereth <i>Charu</i> +there to the seven flamed deity, he obtaineth merit superior to +that of the gift of a hundred thousand kine, to that of a hundred +Rajasuya sacrifices, as also of a hundred horse-sacrifices. Leaving +<i>Vadava</i>, O king, one should then proceed to Raudrapada, and +beholding Mahadeva there one obtaineth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice. Proceeding then, with subdued soul and leading a +Brahmacharya mode of life, to <i>Manirnat</i>, and residing there +for one night, one acquireth, O king, the merit of the +<i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice. One should then go, O king, to +<i>Devika</i> celebrated over the whole world. It was there, O bull +of Bharata race, that, as heard by us, the Brahmanas first sprang +into existence. There also is the region of the holder of the +trident—a region that is celebrated over the world. Having +bathed in <i>Devika</i> and worshipped Maheswara by offering him, +to the best of one's might, rice boiled in milk and butter, a man +obtaineth, O bull of the Bharata race, the merit of a sacrifice +that is capable of filling every desire. There also is another +<i>tirtha</i> of Rudra called <i>Kamakhya</i>, which is much +resorted to by the gods. Bathing there, a man speedily obtaineth +success. By touching also the water of <i>Yajana</i>, +<i>Brahmavaluka</i>, and <i>Pushpamva</i>, one becometh free from +sorrow in after life. The learned have said that the sacred +<i>tirtha</i> of <i>Devika</i>, the resort of the gods and the +Rishis, is five <i>Yojanas</i> in length and half a <i>Yojana</i> +in breadth. One should then, in due order, proceed, O king, to +<i>Dirghasatra</i>. There the gods with Brahma at their head, the +<i>Siddhas</i>, and the greatest Rishis, with regulated vows and +the recitation and acceptance of the preliminary pledge, perform +the long-extending sacrifice. O king, by going only to +<i>Dirghasatra</i>, O represser of foes, one obtaineth merit that +is superior, O Bharata, to that of the Rajasuya or the +horse-sacrifice. One should next proceed with subdued senses and +regulated diet to <i>Vinasana</i>, where <i>Saraswati</i> +disappearing on the breast of Meru, re-appeareth at <i>Chamasa</i>, +<i>Shivodbheda</i> and <i>Nagadbheda</i>. Bathing in +<i>Chamasadbheda</i>, one obtaineth the merit of the +<i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice. Bathing in <i>Shivodbheda</i>, one +acquireth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. And bathing in +<i>Nagodbheda</i>, one obtaineth the region of the Nagas. One +should proceed, next, to the inaccessible <i>tirtha</i> of +<i>Shasayana</i>, where the cranes, O Bharata, disappearing in the +form of <i>sasas</i>, re-appear every year in the month of +<i>Kavttika</i>, and bathe, O blessed chief of the Bharata race, in +the Sarasawati. Bathing there, O tiger among men, one blazeth forth +like the Moon, and obtaineth, O bull of the Bharata race, the merit +of the gift of a thousand kine. One should next proceed, O thou of +the Kuru race, to <i>Kumarakoti</i>, with subdued senses, and +bathing there, worship the gods and the <i>Puris</i>. By doing +this, one obtaineth the merit of the gift of ten thousand kine, and +raiseth all his ancestors to higher regions. One should next, O +virtuous one, proceed with subdued soul to <i>Rudrakoti</i>, where +in olden days, O king, ten millions of Munis had assembled. And, O +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 173]</span> king, filled with great joy +at the prospect of beholding Mahadeva, the Rishis assembled there, +each saying, '<i>I will first behold the god! I will first behold +the god!</i>' And, O king, in order to prevent disputes amongst +those Rishis of subdued souls, the Lord of <i>Yoga</i>, by the help +of his <i>Yoga</i> power, multiplied himself into ten million +forms, and stood before every one of them. And every one of these +Rishis said, '<i>I have seen him first!</i>' And gratified, O king, +with the deep devotion of those Munis of subdued souls, Mahadeva +granted them a boon, saying, '<i>From this day your righteousness +shall grow!</i>' And, O tiger among men, one that bathes, with a +pure mind, in <i>Rudrakoti</i> obtaineth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice and delivereth his ancestors. One should next +proceed, O king, to that highly sacred and celebrated region where +the Saraswati mingles with the sea. Thither, O king, the gods with +Brahma at their head and Rishis with wealth of asceticism repair +for adoring Kesava on the fourteenth day of the lighted fortnight +of the month of Chaitra. Bathing there, O tiger among men, one +obtaineth the merit of giving away gold in abundance, and his soul +being cleansed from every sin, he ascendeth to the region of +Brahma. It is there, O king, that the Rishis have completed many a +sacrifice. By a trip to that spot one obtaineth the merit of the +gifts of a thousand kine."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXXIII</h2> +<p>"'Pulastya said, "One should next proceed, O king, to the adored +Kurukshetra at sight of which all creatures are freed from their +sins. He is freed from all sins who constantly sayeth, '<i>I will +live in Kurukshetra</i>.' The very dust of Kurukshetra, conveyed by +the wind, leadeth a sinful man to a blessed course (in after-life). +They that dwell in Kurukshetra which lieth to the south of the +Saraswati and the north of the Drishadwati, are said to dwell in +heaven. O hero, one should reside there, O thou foremost of +warriors, for a month. There, O lord of earth, the gods with Brahma +at their head, the Rishis, the Siddhas, the Charanas, the +Gandharvas, the Apsaras, the Yakshas and the Nagas, often repair, O +Bharata, to the highly sacred Brahmakshetra. O foremost of +warriors, the sins of one that desireth to repair to Kurukshetra +even mentally are all destroyed, and he finally goeth into the +region of Brahma. O son of the Kuru race, by repairing to +Kurukshetra in a pious frame of mind, one obtaineth the fruit of +the Rajasuya and horse sacrifices. By saluting next the Yaksha +called Mankanaka, that mighty gate-keeper (of Kuvera), he obtaineth +the fruit of giving away a thousand kine. O virtuous king, one +should next repair to the excellent region of Vishnu, where Hari is +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 174]</span> always present. Bathing there +and bowing down unto Hari, the Creator of the three worlds, one +obtaineth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice and repaireth to the +abode of Vishnu. One should next repair to Pariplava, that +<i>tirtha</i> celebrated over the three worlds, and (bathing +there), O Bharata, one obtaineth merit that is greater than that of +the <i>Agnishtoma</i> and the <i>Atiratra</i> sacrifices. Repairing +next to the <i>tirtha</i> called Prithivi, one obtaineth the fruit +of the gift of a thousand kine. The pilgrim should next, O king, +proceed to Shalukini and bathing there in the Dasaswamedha one +obtaineth the merit of ten horse-sacrifices. Proceeding next to +<i>Sarpadevi</i>, that excellent <i>tirtha</i> of the Nagas, one +obtaineth the merit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice and +attaineth to the region of the Nagas. O virtuous one, one should +next proceed to <i>Tarantuka</i>, the gatekeeper, and residing +there for one night one obtaineth the merit of giving away a +thousand kine. Proceeding next with subdued senses and regulated +diet to <i>Panchananda</i> and bathing in the <i>tirtha</i> there, +called <i>Koti</i>, one obtaineth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. +Proceeding then to the <i>tirtha</i> of the twin <i>Aswins</i> one +obtaineth personal beauty. O virtuous one, one should next proceed +to the excellent <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Varaha</i>, where Vishnu +formerly stood in the form of a boar. Bathing there one obtaineth, +O foremost of men, the merit of the horse-sacrifice. One should +next, O king, repair to the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Sama</i> in +Jayanti. Bathing there one obtaineth the merit of Rajasuya +sacrifice. By bathing in <i>Ekahansa</i>, a man obtaineth the merit +of giving away a thousand kine. O king, a pilgrim repairing to +<i>Kritasaucha</i> obtaineth the lotus-eyed deity (Vishnu) and +perfect purity of soul. One should next proceed to +<i>Munjavata</i>, that spot sacred to the illustrious +<i>Sthanu</i>. Residing there without food for one night, one +obtaineth the status called <i>Ganapatya</i>. There, O king, is the +celebrated <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Yakshini</i>. O king, repairing +to that <i>tirtha</i> and bathing there, one obtaineth fruition of +all his desires. O bull of the Bharata race, that <i>tirtha</i> is +regarded as the gate of <i>Kurukshetra</i>. The pilgrim should with +concentrated soul, walk round it. Equal unto the Pushkaras, it was +created by the high-souled Rama, the son of Jamadagni. Bathing +there and worshipping the <i>Pitris</i> and the gods, one +obtaineth, O king, the merit of the horse-sacrifice and becometh +successful in everything. The pilgrim should next repair with +concentrated soul to the <i>Rama-hrada</i>. There, O king, the +heroic Rama of resplendent energy, exterminating the Kshatriyas by +his might, dug five lakes and filled them, O tiger among men, with +the blood of his victims, as heard by us. And having filled those +lakes with Kshatriya blood, Rama offered oblations of blood to his +sires and grandsires. Gratified (with the oblations) those Rishis +then addressed Rama and said, 'O Rama, O Rama, O thou of great good +fortune, we have been gratified with thee, O thou of the Bhrigu +race, for this thy regard for the Pitris, and thy prowess, O +exalted one! Blessed be thou and ask thou the boon thou +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 175]</span> choosest. What is that thou +desirest, O thou of great splendour!' Thus addressed (by them), +Rama, that foremost of smiters, said with joined hands these words +unto the <i>Pitris</i>, stationed in the firmament, 'If ye have +been gratified with me, if I have deserved your favour, I desire +this favour of the Pitris, <i>viz</i>., that I may have pleasure +again in ascetic austerities. Let me also, through your power, be +freed from the sin I have committed by exterminating, from wrath, +the Kshatriya race. Let also my lakes become <i>tirthas</i> +celebrated over the world.' The Pitris, hearing these blessed words +of Rama, were highly gratified, and filled with joy they answered +him saying, 'Let thy asceticism increase in consequence of thy +regard for the Pitris. Thou hast exterminated the Kshatriyas from +wrath. Freed art thou already from that sin, for they have perished +as a consequence of their own misdeeds. Without doubt, these lakes +of thine will become <i>tirthas</i>. And if one, bathing in these +lakes, offereth oblations of the water thereof to the +<i>Pitris</i>, the latter gratified with him will grant him desire, +difficult of fulfilment in the world as also eternal heaven.' O +king, having granted him these boons, the Pitris joyfully saluted +Rama of the Bhrigu race and disappeared there and then. It was thus +that the lakes of the illustrious Rama of the Bhrigu race became +sacred. Leading a Brahmacharya mode of life and observing sacred +vows, one should bathe in the lakes of Rama. Bathing therein and +worshipping Rama, one obtaineth, O king, the merit of gift of gold +in abundance. Proceeding next, O son of the Kuru race, to +<i>Vansamulaka</i>, a pilgrim by bathing there, raiseth, O king, +his own race. O best of the Bharatas, arriving next at the +<i>tirtha</i> called <i>Kayasodhana</i>, and bathing there, one +purifieth, without doubt, his body, and proceeded with purified +body to the blessed region of unrivalled excellence. One should +next repair, O virtuous one, to that <i>tirtha</i>, celebrated over +the three worlds, called <i>Lokoddara</i>, where formerly Vishnu of +great prowess had created the worlds. Arriving at that +<i>tirtha</i> which is adored by the three worlds one earneth, O +king, by bathing there, numerous worlds for himself. Repairing next +with subdued soul to the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Sree</i>, one +acquires, by bathing there and worshipping the Pitris and the gods, +high prosperity. Leading a Brahmacharya mode of life and with +concentrated soul, one should proceed next to the <i>tirtha</i> +called <i>Kapila</i>. Bathing there and worshipping one's own +Pitris and the gods, a man earneth the fruit of the gift of a +thousand Kapila kine. Repairing next to the <i>tirtha</i> called +<i>Surya</i> and bathing there with subdued soul and worshipping +the Pitris and the gods, fasting all the while, one obtaineth the +fruit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice and goeth (finally) to the +region of the Sun. The pilgrim by proceeding next to Gobhavana and +bathing there obtaineth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. O +son of the Kuru race, a pilgrim by repairing then to the +<i>tirtha</i> called <i>Shankhini</i> and bathing in the +<i>Devi-tirtha</i> that is there, obtaineth high prowess. O king, +one should then proceed to the <i>tirtha</i> called <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 176]</span> <i>Tarandaka</i> situated in the +Saraswati and belonging to the illustrious chief of the Yakshas who +is one of the gate-keepers (of Kuvera). O king, bathing there one +obtaineth the fruit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice. O virtuous +king, one should next repair to the <i>tirtha</i> called +<i>Brahmavarta</i>. Bathing in <i>Brahmavarta</i>, one ascendeth to +the abode of Brahma. O king, one should then repair to the +excellent <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Sutirtha</i>. There the Pitris +are ever present along with the gods. One should bathe there and +worship the Pitris and the gods. By so doing, one obtaineth the +merit of the horse-sacrifice and goeth (finally) into the region of +the Pitris. It is for this, O virtuous one, that <i>Sutirtha</i> +situate in <i>Amvumati</i> is regarded as so excellent. And, O thou +best of the Bharata race, having bathed in the <i>tirtha</i> of +<i>Kasiswara</i>, one becometh freed from all diseases and is +adored in the abode of Brahma. There in that <i>tirtha</i>, is +another called <i>Matri</i>. One that bathes in <i>Matri tirtha</i> +hath a large progeny and obtaineth, O king, great prosperity. One +should next proceed with subdued sense and regulated diet to the +<i>tirtha</i> called <i>Shitavana</i>. And, O great king, it hath +been seen that one merit of that <i>tirtha</i> which rarely belongs +to any other, is that one only going thither obtaineth holiness. By +casting off his hair in that <i>tirtha</i> one acquireth, O +Bharata, great sanctity. There, in that <i>tirtha</i>, is another +called <i>Shwavillomapaha</i>, where, O tiger among men, and chief +of the Bharata race, learned Brahmanas that go to <i>tirthas</i> +obtain great satisfaction by a dip into its waters. Good Brahmanas, +O king, by casting off their hair in that <i>tirtha</i> acquire +holiness by <i>Pranayama</i> and finally attain to a high state. +There, O king, in that <i>tirtha</i> is also another called +<i>Dasaswamedhika</i>. Bathing there, O tiger among men, one +attains to a high state. One should next proceed, O king, to the +celebrated <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Manusha</i> where, O king, a +number of black antelopes afflicted by the hunter's arrows, +plunging into its waters, were transformed into human beings. +Bathing in that <i>tirtha</i>, leading a <i>Brahmacharya</i> mode +of life and with concentrated soul, a man becomes freed from all +his sins and is adored in heaven. Distant by a <i>krosa</i>, O +king, to the east of <i>Manusha</i> there is a river celebrated by +the name of <i>Apaga</i> that is resorted to by the <i>Siddhas</i>. +The man that offereth there the <i>syamaka</i> grain in honour of +the gods and the Pitris acquireth great religious merit. And if one +Brahmana is fed there, it becomes equivalent to feeding ten +millions of Brahmanas. Having bathed in that <i>tirtha</i> and +worshipped the gods and the Pitris and resided there for one night, +a man obtaineth the merit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice. One +should then repair, O king, to that excellent region of Brahma +which, O Bharata, is known on earth by the name of +<i>Brahmodumvara</i>. Bathing in the tank of the seven Rishis that +is there, O bull among men, with pure mind and subdued soul, as +also in the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Kedara</i> of the high-souled +<i>Kapila</i>, and beholding Brahma who is there, one's soul being +purified from all sins, one goeth to the abode of Brahma. +Proceeding next to the inaccessible <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Kedara +of Kapila</i>, and burning one's sins <span class="pagenum">[Pg +177]</span> there by ascetic penances, one acquireth the power of +disappearance at will. One should next proceed, O king, to the +celebrated <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Saraka</i>, and beholding +Mahadeva there on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, one +obtaineth all his wishes and goeth also into heaven. O son of the +Kuru race, in <i>Saraka</i> and <i>Rudrakoti</i> as also in the +well and the lakes that are there, thirty millions of +<i>tirthas</i> are present. There in that <i>tirtha</i>, O chief of +the Bharatas, is another called <i>Ilaspada</i>. Bathing there and +worshipping the gods and the Pitris, one never sinketh into hell +but obtaineth the fruit of the <i>Vajapeya</i> sacrifice. Repairing +next to <i>Kindana</i> and <i>Kinjapya</i>, one acquireth, O +Bharata, the merit of giving away in measureless abundance and the +infinite recitation of prayers. Repairing next to the <i>tirtha</i> +called <i>Kalasi</i> and bathing there devoutly and with the senses +under control, a man obtaineth the fruit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> +sacrifice. To the east of <i>Saraka</i>, O chief of the Kurus, +there is an auspicious <i>tirtha</i> known by the name of +<i>Anajanma</i>, of the high-souled Narada. He that bathes there, O +Bharata, obtaineth, after death, at the command of Narada various +unrivalled regions. One should next proceed, on the tenth day of +the lighted fortnight, to the <i>tirtha</i> called +<i>Pundarika</i>. Bathing there, O king, one obtaineth the merit of +the <i>Pundarika</i> sacrifice. One should next proceed to the +<i>tirtha</i> called <i>Tripishtapa</i> that is known over the +three worlds. There in that <i>tirtha</i> is the sacred and +sin-destroying river called <i>Vaitarani</i>. Bathing there and +adoring the god known by the mark of the bull and holding the +trident in his hand, one's soul being purified from every sin one +attaineth to the highest state. One should next proceed, O king, to +the excellent <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Phalakivana</i>. There in +that <i>tirtha</i> the gods, O monarch, having been present, +performed their ascetic austerities extending for many thousand +years. One should then proceed to the <i>Dhrishadwati</i>. Bathing +there and worshipping the gods, one obtaineth, O Bharata, merit +that is superior to that of both the <i>Agnishtoma</i> and the +<i>Atiratra</i> sacrifices. O chief of the Bharatas, bathing in +that <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Sarvadeva</i>, a man obtaineth, O +king, the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Bathing next in the +<i>tirtha</i> called <i>Panikhata</i> and worshipping all the gods, +a man obtaineth merit that is superior to that of both the +<i>Agnishtoma</i> and the <i>Atiratra</i> sacrifices, besides +acquiring that of the <i>Rajasuya</i> sacrifice and finally going +into the region of the Rishis. One should next proceed, O virtuous +one, to that excellent <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Misraka</i>. There, +O tiger among kings, it hath been heard by us that the high-souled +Vyasa, for the sake of the Brahmanas, hath mixed all the +<i>tirthas</i>. He, therefore, that bathes in <i>Misraka</i> really +bathes in all the <i>tirtha</i>. One should next proceed with +subdued senses and regulated diet, to the <i>tirtha</i> called +<i>Vyasavana</i>. Bathing in the <i>tirtha</i> called +<i>Manojava</i> that is there, one obtaineth the merit of the gift +of a thousand kine. Proceeding next to the <i>Devi tirtha</i> that +is in <i>Madhuvati</i>, one that bathes there and worships the gods +and the Pitris obtains at the command of the Goddess the merit of +the gift of a <span class="pagenum">[Pg 178]</span> thousand kine. +Proceeding with regulated diet, he that bathes in the confluence of +the <i>Kausiki</i> and the <i>Drishadwati</i>, becometh free from +all his sins. One should next proceed to <i>Vyasasthali</i> where +Vyasa of great intelligence, burning with grief for his son had +resolved to cast off his body but was cheered again by the gods. +Proceeding to that spot of Vyasa, one obtaineth the merit of a +thousand kine. O son of the Kuru race, proceeding next to the well +called <i>Kindatta</i>, he that throweth into it a measure of +sesame, is freed from all his debts and obtaineth his success. +Bathing in the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Vedi</i>, one obtaineth the +merit of the gift of a thousand kine. There are two other +celebrated tirthas called <i>Ahas</i> and <i>Sudina</i>. Bathing +there, O tiger among men, one goeth to the region of the Sun. One +should next proceed to the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Mrigadhuma</i> +that is celebrated throughout the three worlds. One should bathe +there, O king, in Ganga. Bathing there and worshipping Mahadeva, +one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Bathing next in the +<i>Devi tirtha</i> one obtaineth the merit of the gift of a +thousand kine. One should then proceed to <i>Vamanaka</i> +celebrated over the three worlds. Bathing there in +<i>Vishnupada</i> and worshipping Vamana one's soul being purified +from every sin, one goeth to the abode of Vishnu. Bathing next in +Kulampuna, one sanctifieth his own race. Proceeding then to the +<i>Pavana-hrada</i>, that excellent <i>tirtha</i> of the +<i>Marutas</i>, and bathing there, O king and tiger among men, one +becometh adored in the region of the Wind-god. Bathing in the +<i>Amara-hrada</i> and worshipping with devotion the chief of the +celestials, one becometh adored in heaven and courseth, seated on +an excellent car, in the company of the immortals. O best of great +men, bathing next with due rites in the <i>tirtha</i> called +<i>Salisurya</i>, of <i>Salihotra</i>, one obtaineth the merit of +the gift of a thousand kine. O best of the Bharatas, there is a +tirtha called <i>Sreekunja</i> in the Saraswati. Bathing there, O +best of men, one obtaineth the merit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> +sacrifice. O son of the Kuru race, one should next repair to +<i>Naimishakunja</i>. O king, the Rishis engaged in ascetic +austerities in the woods of <i>Naimisha</i> had, in days of old, +taking the vow of pilgrimage, gone to Kurukshetra. There, on the +banks of the Saraswati, O chief of the Bharatas, a grove was made, +which might serve for a resting spot for themselves, and which was +highly gratifying to them. Bathing in the <i>Saraswati</i> there, +one obtaineth the merit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice. One +should next proceed, O virtuous one, to the excellent <i>tirtha</i> +called <i>Kanya</i>. Bathing there one obtaineth the merit of the +gift of a thousand kine. One should next proceed to the excellent +<i>tirtha</i> of <i>Brahma</i>. Bathing there, a person, of the +(three) inferior orders, obtaineth the status of a Brahmana, and if +one be a Brahmana, his soul being purified from every sin, he +attaineth to the highest state. One should then, O best of men, +proceed to the excellent <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Soma</i>. Bathing +there, O king, one obtaineth the region of <i>Soma</i>. One should +next proceed, O king, to the <i>tirtha</i> called +<i>Saptasaraswata</i>, where the celebrated Rishi, Mankanaka, had +obtained ascetic success. O king, it hath been <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 179]</span> heard by us that in days of old Mankanaka +having cut his hand with the pointed blade of the Kusa grass, there +flowed from his wound vegetable juice (instead of blood). And +beholding vegetable juice flow from his wound, the Rishi began to +dance with wonder-expanded eyes. And as the Rishi danced, all the +mobile and immobile creatures also, overwhelmed with his prowess, +began to dance with him. Then, O king, the gods with Brahma at +their head and Rishis endued with the wealth of asceticism moved by +the act of Mankanaka, represented the matter to Mahadeva, saying, +'It behoveth thee, O god, to act in such a way that this Rishi may +not dance.' Thus addressed, Mahadeva, with heart filled with joy, +approached the dancing Rishi, and moved by the desire of doing good +to the gods, said, 'O great Rishi, O virtuous one, why dost thou +dance? O bull among Munis, what can be the reason of this thy +present joy?' The Rishi answered, 'O best of Brahmanas, I am an +ascetic that tread the path of virtue. Dost thou not behold, O +Brahmana, that vegetable juice floweth from the wound in my hand? +Filled with great joy at sight of this, I am dancing.' Addressing +the Rishi blinded by emotion, the god laughingly said, 'O Brahmana, +I do not wonder at this. Behold me.' Having said this, O best of +men, Mahadeva, O sinless king, pressed his thumb by the tip of his +own finger. And, lo, from the wound thus inflicted, there came out +ashes white as snow. And beholding this, O king, that Muni became +ashamed and fell at the feet of the god. And believing that there +was nothing better and greater than the god Rudra, he began to +adore him in these words: 'O holder of the trident, thou art the +refuge of the celestials and the Asuras, of, indeed, the universe. +By thee have been created the three worlds with their mobile and +immobile beings. It is thou again that swallowest everything at the +end of the Yuga. Thou art incapable of being known by the gods +themselves, far less by me. O sinless one, the gods with Brahma at +their head are all displayed in thee. Thou art all, the Creator +himself and the Ordainer of the worlds. It is by thy grace that all +the gods sport without anxiety or fear.' And adoring Mahadeva thus +the Rishi also said, 'O god of gods, grant me thy grace, so that my +asceticism may not diminish.' Then that god of cheerful soul +answered the regenerate Rishi,—saying, 'Let thy asceticism, O +Brahmana, increase a thousandfold through my grace. And, O great +Muni, I shall dwell with thee in this thy asylum. Bathing in +<i>Saptasaraswata</i>, they that will worship me, shall be able to +attain everything here and hereafter. And, without doubt, they +shall all attain to the <i>Saraswata</i> region in the end.' Having +said this, Mahadeva disappeared then and there. After visiting +<i>Saraswata</i>, one should proceed to <i>Ausanasa</i> celebrated +over the three worlds. There, O Bharata, the gods with Brahma at +their head, and Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, and the +illustrious Kartikeya, were ever present during two twilights and +the mid-day, impelled by the desire of doing good to Bhargava. +There in that <i>tirtha</i> is another called <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 180]</span> <i>Kapalamochana</i>, which cleanseth +from every sin. O tiger among men, bathing there one is cleansed +from every sin. One should then proceed to the <i>tirtha</i> called +<i>Agni</i>. Bathing there, O bull among men, one obtaineth the +regions of <i>agni</i> and raiseth his own race (from lower +regions). There in that <i>tirtha</i> is another, O chief of the +Bharatas, that belongeth to Viswamitra. Bathing there, O best of +men, one obtaineth the status of a Brahmana. Proceeding next to +Brahmayoni in purity of body and with subdued soul, one obtaineth, +O tiger among men, by bathing there, the abode of Brahma, and +sanctifieth, without doubt, his own race to the seventh generation +up and down. One should next proceed, O king, to the <i>tirtha</i> +celebrated over the three worlds, which is called +<i>Prithudaka</i>, belonging to Kartikeya. One should bathe there +and occupy oneself in the worship of the Pitris and the gods. +Whatever evil hath been committed, knowingly or unknowingly, by man +or woman, impelled by human motives, is all destroyed, O Bharata, +by a bath in that <i>tirtha</i>. Bathing there one obtaineth, too, +the merit of the horse-sacrifice and heaven also. The learned have +said that <i>Kurukshetra</i> is holy; that holier than +<i>Kurukshetra</i> is the <i>Saraswati</i>; that holier than the +Saraswati are all the <i>tirthas</i> together, and that holier than +all the <i>tirthas</i> together is <i>Prithudaka</i>. He that +engaged in the recitation of prayers casteth off his body at +Prithudaka, which is the best of all <i>tirthas</i>, becometh an +immortal. It hath been sung by Sanatkumara and by the high-souled +Vyasa, and it is in the Vedas also, that one should, O king, go to +Prithudaka, with subdued soul. O son of Kuru race, there is no +<i>tirtha</i> which is superior to Prithudaka. Without doubt, that +<i>tirtha</i> is purifying, holy and sin-destroying. O best of men, +it hath been said by learned persons that men, however sinful, by +bathing in Prithudaka, go to heaven. O best of the Bharatas, there +in that <i>tirtha</i> is another called <i>Madhusrava</i>. Bathing +there, O king, one obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand +kine. One should then proceed, O king, to that celebrated and +sacred <i>tirtha</i> where the Saraswati uniteth with the Aruna. +One that batheth there, having fasted for three nights, is cleansed +of even the sin of slaying a Brahmana, and obtaineth also merit +that is superior to that of either the <i>Agnishtoma</i> or +<i>Atiratra</i> sacrifice, and rescueth his race to the seventh +generation up and down. There in that <i>tirtha</i> is another, O +perpetuator of the Kuru race, that is called Ardhakila. From +compassion for the Brahmanas, that <i>tirtha</i> was made by Darbhi +in days of old. Without doubt, by vows, by investiture of the +sacred, by fasts, by rites and by <i>Mantras</i>, one becometh a +Brahmana. O bull among men, it hath been seen, however, by learned +persons of old that even one destitute of rites and <i>Mantras</i>, +by only bathing in that <i>tirtha</i> becometh learned and endued +with the merit of vows. Darbhi had also brought hither the four +oceans. O best of men, one that batheth here, never meeteth with +distress hereafter and obtaineth also the merit of giving away four +thousand kine. One should next repair, O virtuous one, to the +<i>tirtha</i> called <i>Satasahasraka</i>. <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 181]</span> Near to this is another called +<i>Sahasraka</i>. Both are celebrated, and one that batheth in +them, obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Fasts and +gifts there multiply a thousandfold. One should next proceed, O +king, to the excellent <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Renuka</i>. One +should bathe there and worship the <i>Pitris</i> and the gods. By +this, cleansed from every sin, he obtaineth the merit of the +<i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice. Bathing next in the <i>tirtha</i> +called <i>Vimochana</i> with passions and senses under control, one +is cleansed from all the sins generated by the acceptance of gifts. +With senses under control and practising the Brahmacharya mode of +life, one should next repair to the woods of Panchavati. By a +sojourn thither, one earneth much virtue and becometh adored in the +regions of the virtuous. One should next go to the <i>tirtha</i> of +<i>Varuna</i> called <i>Taijasa</i>, blazing in effulgence of its +own. There in that <i>tirtha</i> is the lord of Yoga, Sthanu +himself, having for his vehicle the bull. He that sojourneth there, +obtaineth success by worshipping the god of gods. It was there that +the gods with Brahma at their head and Rishis endued with wealth of +asceticism, installed Guha as the generalissimo of the celestials. +To the east of that <i>tirtha</i> is another, O perpetuator of Kuru +race, that is called Kuru <i>tirtha</i>. With senses under control +and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life, he that bathes in +<i>Kuru-tirtha</i>, becometh cleansed of all his sins and obtaineth +the region of Brahma. With subdued senses and regulated diet one +should next proceed to <i>Svargadwara</i>. Sojourning thither, one +obtaineth the merit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice and goeth to +the abode of Brahma. The pilgrim should then, O king, proceed to +the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Anaraka</i>. Bathing there, O king, one +never meeteth with distress hereafter. There, O king, Brahma +himself with the other gods having Narayana at their head, is ever +present, O tiger among men! And, O royal son of the Kuru race, the +wife also of Rudra is present there. Beholding the goddess, one +never meeteth with distress hereafter. There in that <i>tirtha</i> +O king, is also (an image of) <i>Visweswara</i>, the lord of Uma. +Beholding the god of gods there, one is cleansed of all his sins. +Beholding also (the image of) <i>Narayana</i> from whose navel had +sprung the lotus, one blazeth forth, O royal represser of all foes, +and goeth to the abode of Vishnu. O bull among men, he that batheth +in the <i>tirthas</i> of all the gods, is exempted from every +sorrow and blazeth forth like the Moon. The pilgrim should next +proceed, O king, to <i>Swastipura</i>. By walking around that +place, one obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. +Arriving next at the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Pavana</i>, one should +offer oblations to the <i>Pitris</i> and the gods. By this, he +obtaineth, O Bharata, the merit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice. +Near to that is <i>Ganga-hrada</i>, and another, O Bharata, called +<i>Kupa</i>. Thirty millions of <i>tirthas</i>, O king, are present +in that Kupa. Bathing there, O king, a person obtaineth heaven. +Bathing also in the <i>Ganga-hrada</i> and adoring Maheswara, one +obtaineth the status of <i>Ganapatya</i> and rescueth his own race. +One should next proceed to <i>Sthanuvata</i>, celebrated over the +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 182]</span> three worlds. Bathing there, +O king, one obtaineth heaven. One should then proceed to +<i>Vadanpachana</i>, the asylum of <i>Vasishtha</i>. Having fasted +there for three nights, one should eat jujubes. He that liveth on +jujubes for twelve years, and he that fasteth at the <i>tirtha</i> +for three nights, acquireth merit that is eternal. Arriving then at +<i>Indramarga</i>, O king, and fasting there for a day and night +the pilgrim becometh adored in the abode of Indra. Arriving next at +the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Ekaratra</i>, a person that stayeth +there for one night, with regulated vows and refraining from +untruth, becometh adored in the abode of Brahma. One should next +go, O king, to the asylum of <i>Aditya</i>—that illustrious +god who is a mass of effulgence. Bathing in that tirtha celebrated +over three worlds, and worshipping the god of light, one goeth to +the region of Aditya and rescueth his own race. The pilgrim then, O +king, bathing in the <i>tirtha</i> of <i>Soma</i>, obtaineth, +without doubt, the region of Soma. One should next proceed, O +virtuous one, to the most sacred <i>tirtha</i> of the illustrious +<i>Dadhicha</i>, that sanctifying <i>tirtha</i> which is celebrated +over the whole world. It was here that Angiras, that ocean of +ascetic austerities belonging to the Saraswata race, was born. +Bathing in that <i>tirtha</i>, one obtaineth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice, and without doubt, gaineth also residence in the +region of Saraswati. With subdued senses and leading a Brahmacharya +mode of life, one should next proceed to <i>Kanyasrama</i>. +Residing there for three nights, O king, with subdued senses and +regulated diet, one obtaineth a hundred celestial damsels and goeth +also to the abode of Brahma. One should next, O virtuous one, +proceed to the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Sannihati</i>. Sojourning +thither the gods with Brahma at their head and Rishis endued with +wealth of asceticism earn much virtue. Bathing in the Saraswati +during a solar eclipse, one obtaineth the merit of a hundred +horse-sacrifices, and any sacrifice that one may perform there +produceth merit that is eternal. Whatever <i>tirthas</i> exist on +earth or in the firmament, all the rivers, lakes, smaller lakes, +springs, tanks, large and small, and spots sacred to particular +gods, without doubt, all come, O tiger among men, month after +month, and mingle with <i>Sannihati</i>, O king of men! And it is +because that all other <i>tirthas</i> are united together here, +that this <i>tirtha</i> is so called. Bathing there and drinking of +its water, one becometh adored in heaven. Listen now, O king, to +the merit acquired by that mortal who performeth a <i>Sraddha</i> +on the day of the new moon during a solar eclipse. The person that +performeth a <i>Sraddha</i> there, after having bathed in that +<i>tirtha</i>, obtaineth the merit that one earneth by properly +celebrating a thousand horse-sacrifices. Whatever sins a man or +woman committeth, are, without doubt, all destroyed as soon as one +batheth in that <i>tirtha</i>. Bathing there one also ascendeth to +the abode of Brahma on the lotus-coloured car. Bathing next in +<i>Koti-tirtha</i>, after having worshipped the Yaksha doorkeeper, +Machakruka, one obtaineth the merit of giving away gold in +abundance. Near to this, O best of the Bharatas, is a <i>tirtha</i> +called <i>Ganga-hrada</i>. <span class="pagenum">[Pg 183]</span> +One should bathe there, O virtuous one, with subdued soul and +leading a Brahmacharya mode of life. By this, one obtaineth merit +that is greater than that of a Rajasuya and horse-sacrifices. The +<i>tirtha</i> called <i>Naimisha</i> is productive of good on +earth. <i>Pushkara</i> is productive of good in the regions of the +firmament; <i>Kurukshetra</i>, however, is productive of good in +respect of all the three worlds. Even the dust of Kurukshetra, +carried by the wind, leadeth sinful men to a highly blessed state. +They that reside in Kurukshetra, which lieth to the north of the +Drishadwati and the south of the Saraswati, really reside in +heaven. '<i>I will go to Kurukshetra,' 'I will dwell in +Kurukshetra</i>,' he that uttereth those words even once, becometh +cleansed of all sins. The sacred <i>Kurukshetra</i> which is +worshipped by Brahmarshis, is regarded as the sacrificial altar of +the celestials. Those mortals that dwell there, have nothing to +grieve for at any time. That which lieth between Tarantuka and +Arantuka and the lakes of Rama and Machakruka is Kurukshetra. It is +also called <i>Samantapanchaka</i> and is said to be the northern +sacrificial altar of the Grandsire."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXXIV</h2> +<p>"'Pulastya said, "Then, O great king, one should proceed to the +excellent <i>tirtha</i> of <i>Dharma</i>, where the illustrious god +of justice had practised highly meritorious austerities. And it is +for this that he made the spot a sacred <i>tirtha</i> and rendered +it celebrated by his own name. Bathing there, O king, a virtuous +man with concentrated soul certainly sanctifieth his family to the +seventh generation. One should then repair, O king, to the +excellent <i>Jnanapavana</i>. Sojourning thither, one obtaineth the +merit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice, and goeth to the region +of the Munis. Then, O monarch, a man should repair to the +<i>Saugandhika-vana</i>. There dwell the celestials with Brahma at +their head, Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, the Siddhas, +the Charanas, the Gandharvas, the Kinnaras and the serpents. As +soon as one entereth these woods, he is cleansed of all his sins. +Then, O king, should one repair to the sacred goddess Saraswati, +known there as the goddess Plaksha, that best of streams and +foremost of rivers. There should one bathe in the water issuing +from an ant-hill. (Bathing there and) worshipping the Pitris and +the gods, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. There +existeth a rare <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Isanadhyushita</i>, lying +from the ant-hill at the distance of six throws of a heavy stick. +As seen in the Puranas, O tiger among men, bathing there a man +obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand Kapila kine and of +the horse-sacrifice. Journeying next, O foremost of men, to +<i>Sugandha</i>, and <i>Satakumbha</i> and <i>Pancha-yaksha</i>, a +man becometh adored in heaven. Repairing to another <i>tirtha</i> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 184]</span> there called +<i>Trisulakhata</i>, one should bathe and set himself to worship +the Pitris and the gods. Doing so, without doubt, one obtaineth, +after death, the status of <i>Ganapatya</i>. One should next +proceed, O king, to the excellent spot of the Goddess celebrated +over the three worlds by the name of <i>Sakamvari</i>. There, for +the space of a thousand celestial years, she of excellent vows, +month after month, had subsisted upon herbs, O king of men! And +attracted by their reverence for the Goddess, many Rishis with +wealth of asceticism, came thither, O Bharata, and were entertained +by her with herbs. And it is for this that they bestowed on her the +name of <i>Sakamvari</i>. O Bharata, the man who arriveth at +<i>Sakamvari</i>, with rapt attention and leading a Brahmacharya +mode of life and passeth three nights there in purity and +subsisting on herbs alone, obtaineth, at the will of the goddess, +the merit of him that liveth upon herbs for twelve years. Then +should one proceed to the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Suvarna</i>, +famed through the three worlds. There in days of old, Vishnu had +paid his adorations to Rudra, for his grace, and obtaineth also +many boons difficult of acquisition even by the gods. And, O +Bharata, the gratified destroyer of Tripura said, 'O Krishna, thou +shalt, without doubt, be much beloved in the world, and the +foremost of everything in the universe.' Repairing thither, O king, +and worshipping the deity having the bull for his mark, one +obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice as also the status of +<i>Ganapatya</i>. One should next proceed to the <i>tirtha</i> of +<i>Dhumavati</i>. Fasting there for three nights, one obtaineth, +without doubt, all the wishes cherished by him. To the southern +half of this spot of the Goddess, there is, O king, a <i>tirtha</i> +called <i>Rathavarta</i>. One should, O virtuous one, go up to that +place, with devout heart, and having his senses under control. By +this, through the grace of Mahadeva, one attaineth to an exalted +state. After walking round the place, one should, O bull of the +Bharata race, proceed to the <i>tirtha</i> named <i>Dhara</i>, +which, O thou of great wisdom, washeth off all sins. Bathing there, +O tiger among men, a man is freed from every sorrow. One should +then repair, O virtuous one, after bowing to the great mountain +(Himavat), to the source of the Ganges, which is, without doubt, +like the gate of heaven. There should one, with concentrated soul, +bathe in the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Koti</i>. By this, one +obtaineth the merit of the Pundarika sacrifice, and delivereth his +race. Residing one night there, one acquireth the merit of giving +away a thousand kine. By offering oblations of water duly to the +gods and the Pitris, at <i>Saptaganga</i>, <i>Triganga</i> and +<i>Sakravarta</i>, (which are all there), becometh adored in the +regions of the virtuous. Bathing next at <i>Kanakhala</i>, and +fasting there for three nights, a person reapeth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice and goeth to heaven. Then O lord of men, the +pilgrim should repair to <i>Kapilavata</i>. Fasting for one night +there, he obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. O +king, there is a <i>tirtha</i> of the illustrious Kapila, king of +the Nagas, that is celebrated, O thou best of Kurus, over all the +worlds. Bathing there at the <i>Nagatirtha</i> <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 185]</span> one obtaineth, O king, the merit of +giving away a thousand Kapila kine. One should next repair to the +excellent <i>tirtha</i> of <i>Santanu</i>, called <i>Lalitika</i>. +Bathing there, O king, one never sinketh into distress (hereafter). +The man that bathes at the confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna, +obtains the merit of ten horse-sacrifices, and also rescues his +race. One should next, O king, go to <i>Sugandha</i>, celebrated +over the world. By this, cleansed of every sin, he becometh adored +in the abode of Brahma. Then, O lord of men, the pilgrim should +repair to <i>Rudravarta</i>. Bathing there, one ascendeth to +heaven. Bathing at the confluence of the Ganga and the Saraswati, a +person obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and also +ascendeth to heaven. Proceeding next to <i>Bhadrakarneswara</i> and +worshipping the gods duly, one, without sinking into distress, +becometh adored in heaven. Then, O lord of men, the pilgrim should +proceed to the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Kuvjamraka</i>. By this he +obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine, and heaven +also. Then, O king, the pilgrim should go to the +<i>Arundhativata</i>. Proceeding thither with concentrated soul and +practising the Brahmacharya vows, one that batheth in +<i>Samudraka</i> and fasteth for three nights, obtaineth the merit +of the horse-sacrifice and of giving away a thousand kine, and also +rescueth his race. One should next proceed to <i>Brahmavarta</i>, +with concentrated soul and practising the Brahmacharya vows. By +this, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and goeth to +the region of Soma. The man that proceedeth to the +<i>Yamuna-prabhava</i>, (the source of the Yamuna) and batheth +there, obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and is worshipped +in heaven. Arriving at <i>Darvisankramana</i>, that <i>tirtha</i> +which is worshipped of the three worlds, a person obtaineth the +merit of the horse-sacrifice and goeth to heaven. Repairing next to +<i>Sindhu-prabhava</i> (the source of the Indus) which is +worshipped by Siddhas and Gandharvas, and staying there for five +nights, one obtaineth the merit of giving away gold in abundance. +Proceeding next to the inaccessible <i>tirtha</i> called +<i>Vedi</i>, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and +ascendeth to heaven. Then, O Bharata, should one proceed to +<i>Rishikulya</i> and <i>Vasishtha</i>. By visiting the latter, all +orders attain to Brahmanhood. Repairing to <i>Rishikulya</i> and +bathing there, and living a month upon herbs, and worshipping the +gods and Pitris, one is cleansed of all his sins, and obtaineth the +region of the Rishis. Proceeding next to <i>Bhrigutunga</i> a +person acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Repairing then +to <i>Vipramoksha</i>, one is freed from every sin. Proceeding then +to the <i>tirtha</i> of <i>Krittika</i> and <i>Magha</i>, one, O +Bharata, obtaineth the merit superior to that of the +<i>Agnishtoma</i> and <i>Atiratha</i> sacrifices. The man who, +repairing to the excellent <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Vidya</i>, +batheth there in the evening, obtaineth proficiency in every kind +of knowledge. One should next reside for one night at +<i>Mahasrama</i> capable of destroying every sin, taking a single +meal. By this, one obtains many auspicious regions, and delivers +ten preceding and ten succeeding generations of his race. Dwelling +next for <span class="pagenum">[Pg 186]</span> a month of Mahalaya, +and fasting there for three nights, one's soul is cleansed of all +sins and one acquires the merit of giving away gold in abundance. +Proceeding next to <i>Vetasika</i> worshipped by the Grandsire, one +obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and the state of Usanas. +Going next to the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Sundarika</i>, worshipped +by the Siddhas, one obtaineth personal beauty as witnessed by the +ancients. Proceeding next to Brahmani with subdued senses and +observing the Brahmacharya vow, a person ascendeth to the region of +Brahma on a lotus-hued car. One should repair next to the sacred +Naimisha, worshipped by the Siddhas. There dwelleth for aye Brahma +with the gods. By only purposing to go to Naimisha, half one's sins +are destroyed; by entering it, one is cleansed of all his sins. The +pilgrim of subdued senses should stay at Naimisha for a month; for, +O Bharata, all the <i>tirthas</i> of the earth are at Naimisha. +Bathing there, with restrained senses and regulated fare, one +obtains, O Bharata, the merit of the cow-sacrifice, and also +sanctifies, O best of the Bharatas, his race for seven generations +both upwards and downwards. He who renounceth his life at Naimisha +by fasting, enjoyeth happiness in the heavenly regions. Even this +is the opinion of the wise. O foremost of kings, Naimisha is ever +sacred and holy. Proceeding next to <i>Gangod-bheda</i> and fasting +there for three nights, a man obtaineth the merit of the +<i>Vajapeya</i> sacrifice, and becometh like unto Brahma himself. +Journeying to the Saraswati, one should offer oblations unto the +gods and the Pitris. By this, one certainly enjoyeth bliss in the +regions called Saraswata. Then should one wend to <i>Vahuda</i>, +with subdued soul and observing the Brahmacharya vow. Residing +there for one night, one becometh adored in heaven, and obtaineth +also, O Kaurava, the merit of the <i>Devasatra</i> sacrifice. Then +should one repair to the holy <i>Kshiravati</i>, frequented by +holier men. By worshipping the gods and the Pitris there, one +obtains the merit of the <i>Vajapeya sacrifice</i>. Proceeding next +to <i>Vimalasoka</i>, with subdued soul and observing the +Brahmacharya vow, and residing there for one night, one is adored +in heaven. One should next proceed to the excellent <i>Gopratra</i> +in the Sarayu, whence Rama, O king, with all his attendants and +animals, renouncing his body, ascended to heaven in consequence of +the efficacy of the <i>tirtha</i> alone. Bathing in that +<i>tirtha</i>, O Bharata, one's soul, through Rama's grace, and by +virtue of his own deeds, being cleansed of all sins, one becometh +adored in heaven. O Bharata! Proceeding next, O son of the Kuru +race, to the <i>Rama-tirtha</i> on the Gomati, and bathing there, +one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and sanctifieth +also his own race. There, O bull of the Bharata race, is another +<i>tirtha</i> called <i>Satasahasrika</i>. Bathing there, with +restrained senses and regulated diet, a person reapeth, O bull of +Bharata race, the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Then should +one, O king, go to the unrivalled <i>tirtha</i> called +<i>Bhartristhana</i>. By this, a person obtaineth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice. Bathing next in the <i>tirtha</i> called +<i>Koti</i>, and worshipping <span class="pagenum">[Pg 187]</span> +Kartikeya, a man reapeth, O king, the merit of giving away a +thousand kine, and acquireth great energy. Proceeding next to +<i>Varanasi</i>, and worshipping the god having the bull for his +mark, after a bath in the <i>Kapilahrada</i>, one obtaineth the +merit of the Rajasuya sacrifice. Repairing then, O perpetuator of +the Kuru race, to the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Avimukta</i>, and +beholding there the god of gods, the pilgrim, from such sight +alone, is immediately cleansed of even the sin of slaying a +Brahmana. By renouncing one's life there, one obtaineth +deliverance. Arriving next, O king, at the rare <i>tirtha</i> +called <i>Markandeya</i> celebrated over the world and situated at +the confluence of the Ganges, a person obtaineth the merit of +<i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice, and delivereth his race. Sojourning +next to <i>Gaya</i>, with subdued senses and observing the +Brahmacharya vow, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice +and also rescueth his race. There in that <i>tirtha</i> is the +<i>Akshaya-vata</i>, celebrated over the three worlds. Whatever is +offered there to the Pitris is said to become inexhaustible. +Bathing there at the <i>Mahanadi</i>, and offering oblations to the +gods and the Pitris, a man acquireth eternal regions, and also +rescueth his race. Proceeding then to <i>Brahma-sara</i> that is +adorned by the woods of Dharma, and passing one night there, a man +attaineth to the region of Brahma. In that lake, Brahma had raised +a sacrificial pillar. By walking round this pillar, a person +acquireth the merit of the <i>Vajapeya</i> sacrifice. One should +next, O mighty monarch, go to <i>Denuka</i> celebrated over the +world. Staying there for one night and giving away sesame and kine, +one's soul being cleansed from every sin, one ascendeth, without +doubt to the region of Soma. There, O king, on the mountains, the +cow called Kapila used to range with her calf. There is little +doubt of this, O Bharata, the hoof-marks of that cow and her calf +are seen there to this day. By bathing in those hoof-prints, O +foremost of monarchs, whatever sin a man may have incurred is, O +Bharata, washed away. Then should one go to <i>Gridhravata</i>, the +spot consecrated to the trident-bearing god. Approaching the deity +having the bull for his mark one should rub himself with ashes. If +a Brahmana, he obtains the merit of observing the twelve year's vow +and if belonging to any of the other orders, he is freed from all +his sins. One should next proceed to the <i>Udyanta</i> mountains, +resounding with melodious notes. There, O bull of the Bharata race, +is still seen the foot-print of Savitri. The Brahmana of rigid +vows, who sayeth his morning, noon and evening prayers there, +obtaineth the merit of performing that service for twelve years. +There, O bull of the Bharata race, is the famous <i>Yonidwara</i>. +Repairing thither, a person becometh exempted from the pain of +rebirth. The person that stayeth at Gaya during both the dark and +lighted fortnights, certainly sanctifieth, O king, his own race up +and down to the seventh generation. One should wish for many sons +so that even one may go to Gaya, or celebrate the horse-sacrifice, +or offer a <i>nila</i> bull. Then, O king, the pilgrim should +proceed to <i>Phalgu</i>. By this, he obtains the merit of +horse-sacrifice, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 188]</span> and acquires +great success. O king, one should repair then, with subdued soul, +to <i>Dharmaprishta</i>. There, O foremost of warriors, dwelleth +Dharma for aye. Drinking of the water of a well which is there, and +purifying one's self by a bath, he that offereth oblations to the +gods and the Pitris is cleansed of all his sins and ascendeth to +heaven. There in that <i>tirtha</i> is the hermitage of the great +Rishi Matanga of soul under complete control. By entering that +beautiful asylum capable of soothing fatigue and sorrow, one +earneth the merit of the <i>Gacayana</i> sacrifice, and by touching +(the image of) Dharma which is there, one obtaineth the fruit of +the horse-sacrifice. One should next go, O king, to the excellent +<i>tirtha</i> called <i>Brahmasthana</i>. Approaching Brahma, that +bull among male beings, who is there, one acquireth, O mighty +monarch, the merit of the Rajasuya and horse-sacrifices. The +pilgrim should then repair to <i>Rajasuya</i>, O king of men! +Bathing there, one liveth (in heaven) as happily as (the Rishi) +Kakshiyan. After purifying himself, one should partake there of the +offerings daily made unto the Yakshini. By this, one is freed from +the sin of even slaying a Brahmana, through the Yakshini's grace. +Proceeding next to <i>Maninaga</i>, one obtains the merit of giving +away a thousand kine. O Bharata, he that eateth anything relating +to the <i>tirtha</i> of <i>Maninaga</i>, if bitten by a venomous +snake, doth not succumb to its poison. Residing there for one +night, one is cleansed of one's sins. Then should one proceed to +the favourite wood of the Brahmarshi Gautama. There bathing in the +lake of <i>Ahalya</i>, one attaineth to an exalted state. Beholding +next the image of Sree, one acquireth great prosperity. There in +that <i>tirtha</i> is a well celebrated over the three worlds. +Bathing in it, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. +There also existeth a well sacred to the royal Rishi Janaka, which +is worshipped by the gods. Bathing in the well, one ascendeth to +the region of Vishnu. Then should one repair to Vinasana that +destroys every sin. By a sojourn thither, one obtaineth the merit +of the <i>Vajapeya</i> sacrifice, and goeth also to the region of +Soma. Proceeding next to <i>Gandaki</i> which is produced by the +waters of every <i>tirtha</i>, a person acquireth the merit of the +Vajapeya sacrifice, and ascendeth also to the solar region. +Proceeding next to the <i>Visala</i>, that river celebrated over +the three worlds, one obtaineth the merit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> +sacrifice and ascendeth also to heaven. Repairing then, O virtuous +one, to the woody seat of ascetics that is called <i>Adhivanga</i>, +one obtains, without doubt, great happiness amongst the Guhyakas. +Proceeding next to the river <i>Kampana</i>, visited by the +Siddhas, one obtaineth the merit of the <i>Pundarika</i> sacrifice, +and ascendeth also to heaven. Arriving then, O lord of earth, at +the stream called <i>Maheswari</i>, one obtaineth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice and also rescueth his own race. Repairing next to +the tank of the celestials, one earneth immunity from misfortune, +and also the merit of the horse-sacrifice. One should next go to +<i>Somapada</i>, with subdued soul and leading a Brahmacharya mode +of life. Bathing in <i>Maheswarapada</i> that <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 189]</span> is there, one reapeth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice. There in that <i>tirtha</i>, O bull of the Bharata +race, it is well known that ten millions of <i>tirthas</i> exist +together. A wicked Asura in the shape of a tortoise had, O foremost +of monarchs, been carrying it away when the powerful Vishnu +recovered it from him. There in that <i>tirtha</i> should one +perform his ablutions, for by this he acquireth the merit of the +<i>Pundarika</i> sacrifice and ascendeth also to the region of +Vishnu. Then, O best of kings, should one proceed to the place of +Narayana, where, O Bharata, Narayana is ever present and dwelleth +for aye. There the gods with Brahma at their head, Rishis endued +with wealth of asceticism, the Adityas, the Vasus, and the Rudras, +all adore Janardana, in that <i>tirtha</i>, and Vishnu of wonderful +deeds hath become known as <i>Salagrama</i>. Approaching the +eternal Vishnu, that lord of the three worlds, that giver of boons, +one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and goeth to the +region of Vishnu. There in that place, O virtuous one, is a well, +capable of destroying every sin. The four seas are ever present in +that well. He that bathes in it, O king, will have immunity from +misfortune. Beholding (the image of) the boon-giving, eternal, and +fierce Mahadeva who is there, one shineth, O king, like the moon +emerged from the cloud. Bathing then in <i>Jatismara</i>, with pure +mind and subdued senses, one acquireth, without doubt, the +recollections of his former life. Proceeding then to +<i>Maheswarapura</i>, and worshipping the god having the bull for +his mark, fasting the while, one obtaineth, without doubt, the +fruition of all his desires. Repairing then to <i>Vamana</i> that +destroys every sin, and beholding the god Hari, one acquireth +exemption from every misfortune. One should next go to the asylum +of <i>Kusika</i> that is capable of removing every sin. Repairing +then to the river <i>Kausika</i> that cleanseth from even great +sins, one should bathe in it. By this one obtaineth the merit of +Rajasuya sacrifice. One should next, O foremost of kings, proceed +to the excellent woods of <i>Champaka</i>. By spending there one +night, one acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. +Arriving next at <i>Jyeshthila</i>, that <i>tirtha</i> of rare +worth, and passing one night there, one reapeth the fruit of the +gift of a thousand kine. Beholding there (the image of) Visweswara +of great splendour, with his consort the goddess, a person +obtaineth, O bull among men, the region of Mitra-Varuna. By fasting +there for three nights, a man acquireth the merit of the +<i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice. By visiting <i>Kanya-samvedya</i>, +with senses restrained and regulated fare, one acquireth, O bull +among men, the region of Manu, the lord of creation. Rishis of +rigid vows have said that he that giveth away rice or maketh any +gift at the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Kanya</i>, rendereth such gift +eternal. Arriving next at <i>Nischira</i> celebrated over the three +worlds, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and goeth to +the region of Vishnu. O king, those that give away at the +confluence of the Nischira, ascend to the blessed region of Brahma. +There in that <i>tirtha</i> is the asylum of Vasishtha that is +known over the three worlds. Bathing <span class="pagenum">[Pg +190]</span> there, one obtaineth the merit of the Vajapeya +sacrifice. Proceeding next to <i>Devakuta</i> that is resorted to +by celestial Rishis, one acquireth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice, and also delivereth his race. Then should one, O +king, go to the lake of the <i>Muni Kausika</i>, where Kusika's +son, Viswamitra, obtained high success. Bathing there, a person +acquireth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. There, O hero, at +Kausika, should one reside for a month, O bull of the Bharata race! +By a month's residence there, one reapeth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice. He that resideth at the best of tirthas called +<i>Maha-hrada</i>, enjoys immunity from misfortune, and also +obtains the merit of giving away gold in abundance. Beholding next +Kartikeya who dwelleth at <i>Virasrama</i>, a man certainly reapeth +the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. Proceeding then to +<i>Agnidhara</i> celebrated over the three worlds, and beholding +there after a bath the eternal and boon-giving Vishnu, that god of +gods, one obtaineth the merit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice. +Proceeding next to the Grandsire's tank near the snowcapped of +mountains, and bathing in it, a man obtains the merit of the +<i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice. Falling from the Grandsire's tank, is +that world-sanctifying (stream), celebrated over the three worlds, +called <i>Kumara-Dhara</i>. Bathing there, one regardeth himself as +having all his purposes fulfilled. Fasting in that tirtha for three +days, one is even cleansed from the sin of slaying a Brahmana. The +pilgrim should next, O virtuous one, proceed to the peak of the +great goddess Gauri, famed over the three worlds. Ascending it, O +best of men, one should approach <i>Stana-Kunda</i>. By touching +the waters of <i>Stana-Kunda</i>, a person obtaineth the merit of +the <i>Vajapeya</i> sacrifice. Bathing in that <i>tirtha</i> and +worshipping the gods and Pitris, one acquireth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice and also ascendeth to the region of Indra. Arriving +next at the well of <i>Tamraruna</i>, that is frequented by the +gods, one acquireth, O lord of men, the merit that attaches to +human sacrifice. Bathing next at the confluence of the Kirtika with +the Kausiki and the Aruna, and fasting there for three nights a man +of learning is cleansed of all his sins. Proceeding next to the +<i>tirtha</i> called <i>Urvasi</i>, and then to <i>Somasrama</i>, a +wise man by bathing next at <i>Kumbhakarnasrama</i> becometh adored +in the world. The ancients knew that by touching the waters of +<i>Kokamukha</i>, with steady vows and leading Brahmacharya mode of +life, the memory of one's former life is revived. Arriving next +with speed to the river called <i>Nanda</i> a regenerate one +becometh freed from all his sins and ascendeth with soul under +control to Indra's region. Proceeding next to the island called +<i>Rishabha</i>, that is destructive of cranes, and bathing in the +Saraswati, an individual blazeth forth in heaven. Proceeding next +to the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Auddalaka</i> frequented by +<i>Munis</i>, and bathing there one is cleansed of all his sins. +Repairing next to the sacred <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Dharma</i> +that is visited by Brahmarshis, one acquireth the merit of the +<i>Vajapeya</i> sacrifice and becometh respected in heaven. +Proceeding next to <i>Champa</i> and bathing in the +<i>Bhagirathi</i> he <span class="pagenum">[Pg 191]</span> that +sojourneth to <i>Dandaparna</i>, acquireth the merit of giving away +a thousand kine. Then should one proceed to the sacred +<i>Lalitika</i> that is graced by the presence of the virtuous. By +this one acquireth the merit of the Rajasuya sacrifice and is +regarded in heaven."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXXV</h2> +<p>"'Pulastya said, "Arriving next at the excellent <i>tirtha</i> +called <i>Samvedya</i> in the evening, and touching its waters, one +surely obtaineth knowledge. Created a <i>tirtha</i> in days of yore +by Rama's energy, he that proceedeth to <i>Lauhitya</i> obtaineth +the merit of giving away gold in abundance. Proceeding next to the +river <i>Karatoya</i>, and fasting there for three nights, a man +acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Even this is the +injunction of the Creator himself. It hath been said by the wise, O +king, that if a person goeth to the spot where the Ganga mingleth +with the sea, he reapeth merit which is ten times that of the +horse-sacrifice. Crossing over to the opposite bank of the Ganga, +he that batheth there having resided for three nights is, O king, +cleansed from all his sins. One should next proceed to the +<i>Vaitarani</i> capable of destroying every sin. Arriving next at +the <i>tirtha</i> named <i>Viraja</i> one shineth like the moon, +and sanctifying his race rescueth it and is himself cleansed of all +his sins. He that bathes in <i>Viraja</i> further reapeth the merit +of giving away a thousand kine besides sanctifying his line. +Residing with purity at the confluence of the <i>Sona</i> and the +<i>Jyotirathi</i>, and offering oblations of water to the gods and +the Pitris, a man reapeth the merit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> +sacrifice. Touching next the waters of the <i>Vansagulma</i> +constituting the sources of both the Sona and the Narmada, one +obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Sojourning next to the +<i>tirtha</i> called <i>Rishabha</i> in Kosala, O lord of men, and +fasting there for three nights one earneth the merit of the +<i>Vajapeya</i> sacrifice, and of the gift of a thousand kine, and +also delivereth his race. Arriving at Kosala, a man should bathe in +the <i>tirtha</i> named <i>Kala</i>. By this one surely obtaineth +the merit of giving away one and ten bulls. By bathing in +<i>Pushpavati</i> and fasting there, O king, for three nights one +sanctifieth his own race, besides earning the merit of the gift of +a thousand kine. Then, O foremost of the Bharata race, by bathing +in the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Vadarika</i>, one obtaineth long +life, and also goeth to heaven. Arriving next at <i>Champa</i>, and +bathing in the <i>Bhagirathi</i>, and seeing <i>Danda</i> one +earneth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Then should one +go to the sacred <i>Lapetika</i>, graced by the presence of the +pious. By so doing one reapeth the merit of the <i>Vajapeya</i> +sacrifice and also becometh regarded by the gods. Proceeding next +to the mountain called <i>Mahendra</i>, inhabited (of yore) by +Jamadagnya, and bathing in Rama's <i>tirtha</i>, a person acquireth +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 192]</span> the merit of the +horse-sacrifice. Here is Matanga's <i>tirtha</i> called +<i>Kedara</i>, O son of the Kuru race! Bathing in it, O foremost of +the Kurus, a man obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand +kine. Going to the mountain <i>Sree</i>, one who toucheth the +waters of the stream that is there by worshipping there the god +having the bull for his mark obtaineth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice. On the mountain Sree dwelleth happily, the +effulgent Mahadeva with the goddess, as also Brahma with the other +gods. By bathing in the lake of <i>Deva</i>, with purity and +restrained mind, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, +and also attaineth to the highest success."</p> +<p>"'"Proceeding next to the mountain <i>Rishabha</i> in Pandya, +worshipped by the gods, one obtains the merit of the +<i>Vajapeya</i> sacrifice and rejoices in heaven. One should next +proceed to the river Kaveri, frequented by Apsaras. Bathing there, +O monarch, one obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. +Touching next the waters of the <i>tirtha</i> called <i>Kanya</i> +on the shores of the sea one is cleansed from every sin. Proceeding +next to <i>Gokarna</i> celebrated over the three worlds, and which +is situate, O best of kings, in the midst of the deep, and is +reverenced by all the worlds, and where the gods headed by Brahma, +and Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, and spirits and +Yakshas and Pisachas, and Kinnaras and the great Nagas, and Siddhas +and Charanas and Gandharvas, and men and Pannagas, and rivers, Seas +and Mountains, worship the lord of Uma, one should worship +<i>Isana</i>, fasting there for three nights. By this, one +acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and the status of +<i>Ganapatya</i>. By staying there for twelve nights, one's soul is +cleansed of all sins. One should next proceed to the <i>tirtha</i> +known as <i>Gayatri</i> celebrated over the three worlds. Staying +there for three nights, one acquireth the merit of giving away a +thousand kine. A strange phenomenon is seen to occur there in +respect to Brahmanas, O Lord of men! If a Brahmana, whether born of +a Brahmani or any other woman, reciteth the <i>Gayatri</i> there, +the recitation becomes rhythmic and musical, while, O king, a +person who is not a Brahmana cannot adequately hymn it at all. +Proceeding next to the inaccessible tank of the Brahmana Rishi +Samvarta, one acquireth personal beauty and prosperity. Repairing +next to <i>Vena</i>, he that offers oblations of water to the gods +and the Pitris, obtains a car drawn by peacocks and cranes. Going +next to the <i>Godavari</i>, ever frequented by the Siddhas, one +earneth the merit of the cow-sacrifice, and goeth to the excellent +region of <i>Vasuki</i>. Bathing next at the confluence of the +<i>Venna</i>, one obtains the merit of the <i>Vajapeya</i> +sacrifice. By a dip next at the confluence of <i>Varada</i>, one +acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Arriving next +at <i>Brahmasthuna</i>, one that stayeth there for three nights +acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand kine, and also +ascendeth to heaven. Coming next to <i>Kusaplavana</i>, with +subdued soul and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life, and staying +there for three <span class="pagenum">[Pg 193]</span> nights he +that bathes in it obtains the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Bathing +next at the romantic <i>Deva-hrada</i> that is supplied by the +waters of the Krishna-Venna, and also in the +<i>Jatismara-hrada</i>, one acquireth the memory of one's former +life. It was there that the chief of the celestials celebrated a +hundred sacrifices and ascended to heaven. By a visit only to that +spot, one acquireth the merit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice. +Bathing next in the <i>Sarvadeva-hrada</i>, a person obtaineth the +merit of giving away a thousand kine. Proceeding next to the highly +sacred tank called <i>Payoshni</i>, that best of waters, he that +offers oblations of water to the gods and the Pitris acquires the +merit of the gift of a thousand kine. Arriving next at the sacred +forest of <i>Dandaka</i>, a person should bathe (in the waters) +there. By this, O king, one at once obtains, O Bharata, the merit +of giving away a thousand kine. Proceeding next to the asylum of +<i>Sarabhanga</i> and that of the illustrious Suka, one acquireth +immunity from misfortune, besides sanctifying his race. Then should +one proceed to <i>Surparaka</i>, where Jamadagni's son had formerly +dwelt. Bathing in that <i>tirtha</i> of Rama, one acquireth the +merit of giving away gold in abundance. Bathing next in the +<i>Saptagadavara</i>, with the subdued sense and regulated diet, +one earneth great merit, and goeth also to the region of the +celestials. Proceeding next to <i>Deva-hrada</i>, with subdued +sense and regulated diet, a man obtaineth the merit of the +<i>Devasatra</i> sacrifice. One should proceed next to the forest +of <i>Tungaka</i>, with subdued senses and leading a Brahmacharya +mode of life. It was here that in olden days Muni Saraswata taught +the Vedas to the ascetics. When the Vedas had been lost (in +consequence of the Munis having forgotten them), Angirasa's son, +seated at ease on the upper garments of the Munis (duly spread +out), pronounced distinctly and with emphasis the syllable +<i>Om</i>. And at this, the ascetics again recollected all that +they had learnt before. It was there that the Rishis and the gods +Varuna, Agni, Prajapati, Narayana also called Hari, Mahadeva and +the illustrious Grandsire of great splendour, appointed the +resplendent Bhrigu to officiate at a sacrifice. Gratifying Agni by +libations of clarified butter poured according to the ordinance, +the illustrious Bhrigu once performed the <i>Agnyadhana</i> +sacrifice for all those Rishis, after which both they and the gods +went away to their respective homes one after another. One who +enters the forest of <i>Tungaka</i>, is, O best of kings, male or +female, cleansed of every sin. There in that <i>tirtha</i>, O hero, +one should reside for a month, with subdued senses and regulated +diet. By this, O king, one ascendeth to the region of Brahma, and +delivereth also his race. Arriving next at <i>Medhavika</i>, one +should offer oblations of water to the gods and the Pitris. By +this, one acquires the merit of the <i>Agnishtoma</i> sacrifice, +and also memory and intellect. There in that <i>tirtha</i> is the +mountain known over the whole world and called <i>Kalanjara</i>. +Bathing in the celestial lake that is there, one acquires the merit +of giving away a thousand kine. He that, O king, after a bath, +offereth oblations (to the gods and the Pitris) <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 194]</span> on the Kalanjara mountain, is, without +doubt, regarded in heaven. Proceeding next, O monarch, to the river +<i>Mandakini</i> capable of destroying all sins and which is on +that best of mountains called <i>Chitrakuta</i>, he that bathes +there and worships the gods and the Pitris, obtains the merit of +the horse-sacrifice and attains to an exalted state. One should +next, O virtuous one, proceed to the excellent <i>tirtha</i> called +<i>Bhartristhana</i>, where, O king, ever dwells the celestial +generalissimo Kartikeya. By a journey only to that spot, a person, +O foremost of kings, attaineth to success. Bathing next at the +<i>tirtha</i> called <i>Koti</i>, one earneth the merit of giving +away a thousand kine. Having walked round Koti, one should proceed +next to <i>Jyeshthasthana</i>. Beholding Mahadeva who is there, one +shineth like the moon. There, O mighty monarch, is a celebrated +well, O bull of the Bharata race! There in that well, O foremost of +warriors, are the four seas. He that bathes there, O foremost of +kings, and with subdued soul worships the gods and the Pitris, is +cleansed of all his sins and attaineth to an exalted state. Then, O +mighty king, should one proceed to the great <i>Sringaverapura</i>, +where, O foremost of kings, formerly Rama, Dasaratha's son, had +crossed (the Ganga). Bathing in that <i>tirtha</i>, one, O +mighty-armed one, is cleansed of all his sins. Bathing with subdued +senses and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life, in the Ganga, one +is cleansed of every sin, and obtains also the merit of the +<i>Vajapeya</i> sacrifice. One should next proceed to the place +called <i>Mayuravala</i>, consecrated to Mahadeva of high +intelligence. Beholding there the god, bowing down to him and +walking round the spot, one acquireth, O Bharata, the +<i>Ganapatya</i> status. Bathing in Ganga at that <i>tirtha</i>, +one is cleansed of all his sins. Then, O king, should one proceed +to <i>Prayaga</i>, whose praises have been sung by Rishis and where +dwell the gods with Brahma at their head, the directions with their +presiding deities, the Lokapalas, the Siddhas, the Pitris adored by +the worlds, the great Rishis—Sanatkumara and others, stainless +Brahmarshis—Angiras and others,—the Nagas, the Suparnas, the +Siddhas, the Snakes, the Rivers, the Seas, the Gandharvas, the +Apsaras, and the Lord Hari with Prajapati. There in that +<i>tirtha</i> are three fiery caverns between which the Ganga, that +foremost of <i>tirthas</i>, rolleth rapidly. There in that region +also the world-purifying daughter of the sun, Yamuna, celebrated +over the three worlds, uniteth with the Ganga. The country between +the Ganga and the Yamuna is regarded as the <i>mons veneris</i> of +the world, and Prayaga as the foremost point of that region. The +<i>tirthas Prayaga, Pratisthana, Kamvala, Aswatara</i> and +<i>Bhogavati</i> are the sacrificial platforms of the Creator. +There in those places, O foremost of warriors, the Vedas and the +Sacrifices, in embodied forms, and the Rishis endued with wealth of +asceticism, adore Brahma, and there the gods and rulers of +territories also celebrate their sacrifices. The learned, however, +say that of all these <i>tirthas</i>, O exalted one, Prayaga is the +most sacred, in fact, the foremost of all <i>tirthas</i> in the +three worlds. By going to that <i>tirtha</i>, <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 194]</span> by singing its praises, or by taking a +little earth from it, one is cleansed from every sin. He that +bathes in that confluence celebrated over the world, acquires all +the merits of the Rajasuya and the horse-sacrifices. This +sacrificial place is worshipped by the gods themselves. If a man +giveth there ever so little, it increaseth, O Bharata, a +thousandfold. O child, let not the texts of the Veda, nor the +opinions of men dissuade thy mind from the desire of dying at +Prayaga. O son of the Kuru race, the wise say that six hundred +million and ten thousand <i>tirthas</i> exist at Prayaga. Bathing +in the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna, one obtains the merit that +attaches to the four kinds of knowledge and the merits also of +those that are truthful. There at Prayaga is the excellent +<i>tirtha</i> of <i>Vasuki</i> called <i>Bhogavati</i>. He that +batheth in it, obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. There +also in the Ganga is the <i>tirtha</i> famed over the three worlds, +called <i>Ramaprapatana</i>, which conferreth the merit of ten +horse-sacrifices, O son of the Kuru race! Wherever may a person +bathe in the Ganga, he earneth merit equal to that of a trip to +Kurukshetra. An exception, however, is made in favour of +<i>Kanakhala</i>, while the merit attaching to <i>Prayaga</i> is +the greatest. Having committed a hundred sins, he that bathes in +the Ganga, hath all his sins washed off by the waters thereof, even +as fuel is consumed by fire. It hath been said that in the +<i>Satyayuga</i> all the <i>tirthas</i> were sacred; in the +<i>Treta</i>, Pushkara alone was such; in <i>Dwapara</i>, +Kurukshetra; and in the <i>Kali-yuga</i>, the Ganga alone is +sacred. In Pushkara, one should practise austerities; in Mahalaya, +one should give away; in the Malaya mountains, one should ascend +the funeral pyre; and in Bhrigutunga, one should renounce one's +body by forgoing food. Bathing in Pushkara, in Kurukshetra, in the +Ganga and in the confluence (of the Ganga and the Yamuna), one +sanctifieth seven generations of one's race up and down. He that +reciteth the name of the Ganga is purified; while he that beholdeth +her, receiveth prosperity; while he that bathes in her and drinks +of her waters sanctifieth seven generations of his race up and +down. As long, O king, as one's bones lie in contact with the +waters of the Ganga, so long doth he live regarded in heaven, even +as one liveth in heaven in consequence of the merit he earneth by +pious pilgrimages to sacred <i>tirthas</i> and holy spots. There is +no <i>tirtha</i> that is like unto the Ganga, there is no god like +unto Kesava, and there is none superior to Brahmanas,—this +hath been said even by the Grandsire. O great king, the region +through which the Ganga flows should be regarded as a sacred +asylum, and a spot of land that is on the Ganga's banks, should be +regarded as one favourable to the attainment of ascetic +success.</p> +<p>"'"This truthful description (of the <i>tirthas</i>) one should +recite only unto the regenerate ones, unto those that are pious, +unto one's son and friends and disciples and dependents. This +narrative, without a rival, is blessed and holy and leadeth to +heaven. Holy and entertaining and sanctifying, it is productive of +merit and high worth. Destructive of every sin, it is a +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 196]</span> mystery that the great Rishis +cherish with care. By reciting it in the midst of Brahmanas, one is +cleansed of every sin, and ascends to heaven. This description of +<i>tirthas</i> is auspicious and heaven-giving and sacred; ever +blessed as it is, it destroys one's enemies; foremost of all +accounts, it sharpens the intellect. By reading this narrative the +sonless obtains sons, the destitute obtains riches, a person of the +royal order conquereth the whole earth, the Vaisya cometh by +wealth, the Sudra obtaineth all his desires, and the Brahmana +crosseth the ocean (of the world). Purifying himself, he that +listens daily to the merits of the different <i>tirthas</i>, +recollects the incidents of many previous births and rejoices in +heaven. Of the <i>tirthas</i> that have been recited here, some are +easily accessible, while others are difficult of access. But he +that is inspired with the desire of beholding all <i>tirthas</i>, +should visit them even in imagination. Desirous of obtaining merit, +the Vasus, and the Sadhyas, the Adityas, the Maruts, the Aswins, +and the Rishis equal unto celestials, all bathed in these +<i>tirthas</i>. Do thou also, O thou of the Kuru race, observing +the ordinance as explained by me, visit, with subdued senses, these +<i>tirthas</i>, increasing thy merit, O thou of excellent vows. Men +of piety and learning are able to visit these <i>tirthas</i>, by +reason of their purified senses, their belief in Godhead, and their +acquaintance with the Vedas. He that doth not observe vows, he that +hath not his soul under control, he that is impure, he that is a +thief, and he that is of crooked mind, doth not, O Kauravya, bathe +in <i>tirthas</i>. Thou art ever observant of virtue, and art of +pure character. By thy virtue, O virtuous one, thou hast always +gratified thy father and thy grand-father, and great-grand-fathers, +and the gods with Brahma at their head, and the <i>Rishis</i> also, +O thou versed in virtue! Thou who resemblest Vasava, thou wilt, O +Bhishma, attain to the region of the Vasus, and also eternal fame +on earth!"'</p> +<p>"Narada continued, 'Having cheerfully spoken thus, the +illustrious Rishi Pulastya, well-pleased, bidding Bhishma farewell, +disappeared there and then. And Bhishma also, O tiger among men, +well understanding the true import of the <i>Shastras</i>, wandered +over the world at the command of Pulastya. Thus, O thou blessed +one, did Bhishma end at Prayaga his highly meritorious journey to +the <i>tirthas</i> capable of destroying all sins. The man that +ranges the earth in accordance with these injunctions, obtains the +highest fruit of a hundred horse-sacrifices and earns salvation +hereafter. Thou wilt, O son of Pritha, obtain merit consisting of +the eight attributes, even like that which Bhishma, the foremost of +the Kurus, had obtained of yore. And as thou wilt lead these +ascetics to those <i>tirthas</i>, thy merit will be much greater. +Those <i>tirthas</i> are infested by Rakshasas, and no one, save +thyself, O son of Kuru race, can go there. Rising early he that +reciteth this narrative by the celestial Rishis on the subject of +the <i>tirthas</i>, becometh free from all sins. Those foremost of +Rishis, Valmiki, and Kasyapa, and Atreya, and Kundajathara, and +Viswamitra, and <span class="pagenum">[Pg 197]</span> Gautama, and +Asita, and Devala, and Markandeya, and Galava, and Bharadwaja, and +Vasishtha, and the <i>Muni</i> Uddalaka, and Saunaka with his son, +and Vyasa, that best of ascetics, and Durvasas, that foremost of +<i>Munis</i>, and Javali of great austerities—all these +illustrious <i>Rishis</i> endued with wealth of asceticism, are +staying in expectation of thee. With these, O mighty king, do thou +meet by visiting these <i>tirthas</i>. And, O illustrious monarch, +a great Rishi of immeasurable energy, Lomasa by name, will come to +thee. Do thou follow him, and me, and by turns visit these +<i>tirthas</i>, O thou virtuous one! By this, thou wilt acquire +great fame, like king Mahabhisha! O tiger among kings, even as the +virtuous Yayati and king Pururavas, dost thou blaze forth with thy +own virtue. Like king Bhagiratha and the illustrious Rama, dost +thou shine among kings even as the Sun himself. And thou art, O +great king, celebrated (in the world) even as Muni or Ikshwaku, or +the highly famous Puru or Vainya! And as in days of yore the slayer +of Vritra, after burning all his foes, ruled the three worlds, his +mind freed from anxiety, so wilt thou rule thy subjects, after +slaying all thy enemies. And, O thou of eyes like lotus leaves, +having conquered the earth according to the customs of thy order, +thou wilt obtain renown by thy virtue, even like +Kartaviryaryuna.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "O great king, having comforted the +monarch thus, the illustrious Rishi Narada, bidding farewell to the +king, disappeared there and then. And the virtuous Yudhishthira, +reflecting upon the subject, began to recite unto the ascetics the +merit attaching to <i>tirthas</i>!"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXXVI</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Having ascertained the opinion of his +brothers, and of the intelligent Narada, king Yudhishthira, +addressing Dhaumya, who was like unto the Grandsire himself, said, +'I have for the acquisition of arms, sent away that tiger among +men, Jishnu, whose prowess is incapable of being baffled, and who +is possessed of long arms and immeasurable intelligence. O thou of +ascetic wealth, that hero is devoted to me, endued with ability, +and well-skilled in weapons, and like unto the exalted Vasudeva +himself. I know them both, Krishna and Arjuna, those destroyers of +enemies, O Brahmana, endued with prowess, even as the puissant +Vyasa knoweth them. I know Vasudeva and Dhananjaya to be none else +than Vishnu himself, possessed of the six attributes. And this is +also what Narada knoweth, for he hath always spoken so unto me. I +also know them to be <i>Rishis</i>, Nara and Narayana. Knowing him +to possess the ability, I have sent him (on the mission). Not +inferior unto Indra and fully competent (for the task), I have sent +that son of a god <span class="pagenum">[Pg 198]</span> to see the +lord of the celestials and obtain weapons from him. Bhishma and +Drona are <i>Atirathas</i>. Kripa and the son of Drona are +invincible; these mighty warriors have been installed by +Dhritarashtra's son in the command of his army. All these are +versed in the Vedas, are heroic, and possessed of the knowledge of +every weapon. Endued with great strength, these always desire to +encounter Arjuna in fight. And Karna also of the <i>Suta</i> caste +is a mighty warrior versed in celestial weapons. In respect of the +impetus of his weapons, he is endued with the strength of the +Wind-god. Himself like a flame of fire, the arrows (proceeding from +him) constitute its tongues. The slaps of his left hand cased in +leathern fence constitute the crackling of that flame. The dust of +the battle-field is its smoke. Urged by the sons of Dhritarashtra +even as the wind urgeth the fire, Karna like unto the all-consuming +fire at the end of the <i>Yuga</i> that is sent by Death himself, +will, without doubt, consume my troops like unto a heap of straw. +Only that mighty mass of clouds called Arjuna, aided by Krishna +like unto a powerful wind, with celestial weapon representing its +fierce lightning, the white steeds, the rows of white cranes +coursing underneath and the unbearable Gandiva, the rainbow ahead, +is capable of extinguishing the blazing flame represented by Karna +by means of its arrowy showers let off with unflagging steadiness. +That conqueror of hostile cities, Vibhatsu, will, without doubt, +succeed in obtaining from Indra himself all the celestial weapons +with their fullness and life. Alone he is equal, I think, unto them +all. Otherwise it is impossible (for us) to vanquish in fight all +those foes, who have attained to eminent success in all their +purposes. We shall behold Arjuna, that repressor of foes, fully +equipped with celestial weapons, for Vibhatsu having once +undertaken a task, never droopeth under its weight. Without that +hero, however, that best of men, ourselves, with Krishna, cannot be +at rest in Kamyaka. Therefore, do thou mention some other wood that +is sacred and delightful, and abounds in food and fruits, and that +is inhabited by men of pious practices:—where we may pass +some time, expecting the warlike Arjuna of unbaffled prowess, like +the <i>Chataka</i> in expectation of gathering clouds. Do thou tell +us of some asylums open to the regenerate ones, and lakes and +streams and beautiful mountains. O Brahmana, deprived of Arjuna, I +do not like to stay in this wood of Kamyaka. We wish to go +somewhere else.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 199]</span> +<h2>SECTION LXXXVII</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Beholding the Pandavas afflicted with +anxiety and depressed in spirits, Dhaumya, who resembled +Vrihaspati, spake thus, comforting them, 'O bull of the Bharata +race, O sinless one, listen to me as I mention certain sacred +asylums and regions and <i>tirthas</i> and mountains that are +approved of by Brahmanas. O king, listen to me as I speak, thyself +with the daughter of Drupada and thy brothers, wilt, O lord of men, +be relieved from grief. And, O son of Pandu, by hearing only of +these places, thou wilt acquire merit. And by visiting them thou +wilt obtain merit a hundred times greater, O best of men! First, O +king, I will, so far as I recollect, speak of the beautiful eastern +country, much regarded, O Yudhishthira, by royal Rishis. In that +direction, O Bharata is a place called Naimisha which is regarded +by the celestials. There in that region are several sacred tirthas +belonging to the gods. There also is the sacred and beautiful +Gomati which is adored by celestial Rishis and there also is the +sacrificial region of the gods and the sacrificial stake of Surya. +In that quarter also is that best of hills called Gaya, which is +sacred and much regarded by royal ascetics. There on that hill, is +the auspicious lake called Brahmasara which is adored by celestial +Rishis. It is for this that the ancients say that one should wish +for many sons, so that even one among them may visit Gaya, +celebrate the horse-sacrifice or give away a <i>nila</i> bull, and +thereby deliver ten generations of his race up and down. There, O +monarch, is a great river, and spot called Gayasira. In Gayasira is +a banian, which is called by the Brahmanas the <i>Eternal</i> +banian, for the food that is offered there to the Pitris becometh +eternal, O exalted one! The great river that floweth by the place +is known by the name of Phalgu, and its waters are all sacred. And, +O bull among the Bharatas, there also, in that place, is the +Kausiki, whose basin abounds in various fruit and roots, and where +Viswamitra endued with wealth of asceticism acquired Brahmanahood. +Towards that direction also is the sacred Ganga, on whose banks +Bhagiratha celebrated many sacrifices with profuse gifts (to +Brahmanas). They say that in the country of Panchala, there is a +wood called Utpala, where Viswamitra of Kusika's race had performed +sacrifices with his son, and where beholding the relics of +Viswamitra's superhuman power, Rama, the son of Jamadagni, recited +the praises of his ancestry. At Kamyaka, Kusika's son had quaffed +the <i>Soma</i> juice with Indra. Then abandoning the Kshatriya +order, he began to say, <i>I am a Brahmana</i>. In that quarter, O +hero is the sacred confluence of Ganga and Yamuna which is +celebrated over the world. Holy and sin-destroying, that +<i>tirtha</i> is much regarded by the Rishis. It is there that the +soul of all things, the Grandsire, had, in olden days, performed +his sacrifice, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 200]</span> and it is for +this, O chief of the Bharata race, that the place hath come to be +called Prayaga. In this direction, O foremost of kings, lieth the +excellent asylum of Agastya, O monarch, and the forest called +Tapasa, decked by many ascetics. And there also is the great +<i>tirtha</i> called Hiranyavinda on the Kalanjara hills, and that +best of mountains called Agastya, which is beautiful, sacred and +auspicious. In that quarter, O descendant of the Kuru race, is the +mountain called Mahendra, sacred to the illustrious Rama of the +Bhrigu race. There, O son of Kunti, the Grandsire performed +sacrifices of yore. There, O Yudhishthira, the sacred Bhagiratha +entereth a lake and there also, O king, is that sacred river known +by the name of the merit-bestowing Brahmasara, whose banks are +inhabited by persons whose sins have been washed away, and whose +sight alone produceth merit. In that direction also lieth the +high-souled Matanga's excellent asylum, called Kedara which is +sacred and auspicious and celebrated over the world. And there also +is the mountain called Kundoda, which is so delightful and +abounding in fruits and roots and waters, and where the king of the +Nishadhas (Nala) had slaked his thirst and rested for a while. In +that quarter also is the delightful Deva-vana which is graced by +ascetics. There also are the rivers Vahuda and Nanda on the +mountain's crest. O mighty king, I have described unto thee all the +<i>tirthas</i> and sacred spots in the Eastern quarter. Do thou now +hear of the sacred <i>tirthas</i>, and rivers and mountains and +holy spots in the other three quarters!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXXVIII</h2> +<p>"Dhaumya continued, 'Listen, O Bharata, I shall now narrate to +thee in detail according to my knowledge, the sacred <i>tirthas</i> +of the south. In that quarter lieth the sacred and auspicious river +Godavari, full of water abounding in groves and frequented by +ascetics. In that direction also are the rivers Venna and +Bhimarathi, both capable of destroying sin and fear, and abounding +in birds and deer, and graced with abodes of ascetics. In that +region also, O bull of the Bharata race, is the <i>tirtha</i> of +the royal ascetic, Nriga <i>viz</i>., the river Payoshni, which is +delightful and full of waters and visited by Brahmanas. There the +illustrious Markandeya, of high ascetic merit sang the praises in +verse of king Nriga's line. We have heard respecting the +sacrificing king Nriga that which really took place while he was +performing a sacrifice in the excellent <i>tirtha</i> called Varaha +on the Payoshni. In that sacrifice Indra became intoxicated with +quaffing the <i>Soma</i>, and the Brahmanas, with the gifts they +received. The water of the Payoshni, taken up (in vessel), or +flowing along the <span class="pagenum">[Pg 201]</span> ground, or +conveyed by the wind, can cleanse a person from whatever sins he +may commit till the day of his death. Higher than heaven itself, +and pure, and created and bestowed by the trident-bearing god, +there in that <i>tirtha</i> is an image of Mahadeva beholding which +a mortal goeth to the region of Siva. Placing on one scale Ganga +and the other rivers with their waters, and on the other, the +Payoshni, the latter, in my opinion would be superior to all the +<i>tirthas</i>, together, in point of merit! Then, O foremost of +the Bharata race, on the mountain called Varunasrotasa is the +sacred and auspicious wood of Mathara abounding in fruits and +roots, and containing a sacrificial stake. Then, O king, it is said +that in the region on the north of the Praveni, and about the +sacred asylum of Kanwa, are many woody retreats of ascetics. And, O +child, in the <i>tirtha</i> called Surparaka are two sacrificial +platforms of the illustrious Jamadagni, called Pashana and +Punaschandra, O Bharata! And, O son of Kunti, in that spot is the +<i>tirtha</i> called Asoka abounding in woody retreats of ascetics. +And, O Yudhishthira, in the country of the Pandyas are the +<i>tirthas</i> named Agastya and Varuna! And, O bull among men, +there, amongst the Pandavas, is the <i>tirtha</i> called the +Kumaris. Listen, O son of Kunti, I shall now describe Tamraparni. +In that asylum the gods had undergone penances impelled by the +desire of obtaining salvation. In that region also is the lake of +Gokarna which is celebrated over the three worlds, hath an +abundance of cool waters, and is sacred, auspicious, and capable, O +child, of producing great merit. That lake is extremely difficult +of access to men of unpurified souls. Near to that <i>tirtha</i> is +the sacred asylum of Agastya's disciple, the mountain Devasabha, +which abounds in trees and grass, and fruits and roots. And there +also is the Vaiduryya mountain, which is delightful abounding in +gems and capable of bestowing great merit. There on that mountain +is the asylum of Agastya abounding in fruits and roots and +water.</p> +<p>"'I shall now, O lord of men, describe the sacred spots, and +asylums, and rivers and lakes belonging to the Surashtra country! O +Yudhishthira, the Brahmanas say that on the sea-coast is the +Chamasodbheda, and also Prabhasa, that <i>tirtha</i> which is much +regarded by the gods. There also is the <i>tirtha</i> called +Pindaraka, frequented by ascetics and capable of producing great +merit. In that region is a mighty hill named Ujjayanta which +conduceth to speedy success. Regarding it the celestial +<i>Rishi</i> Narada of great intelligence hath recited an ancient +<i>sloka</i>. Do thou listen to it, O Yudhishthira! By performing +austerities on the sacred hill of Ujjayanta in Surashtra, that +abounds in birds and animals, a person becometh regarded in heaven. +There also is Dwaravati, producing great merit, where dwelleth the +slayer of Madhu, who is the Ancient one in embodied form, and +eternal virtue. Brahmanas versed in the Vedas, and persons +acquainted with the philosophy of the soul say that the illustrious +Krishna is eternal Virtue. Govinda is said to be the <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 202]</span> purest of all pure things, the righteous +of the righteous and the auspicious of the auspicious. In all the +three worlds, He of eyes like lotus-leaves is the God of gods, and +is eternal. He is the pure soul and the active principle of life, +is the Supreme <i>Brahma</i> and is the lord of all. That slayer of +Madhu, Hari of inconceivable soul, dwelleth there!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION LXXXIX</h2> +<p>"Dhaumya continued, 'I shall describe to thee those sacred spots +capable of producing merit that lie on the west. In the country of +the Anarttas, O Bharata, there flows in a westward course the +sacred river Narmada, graced by <i>Priyangu</i> and mango trees, +and engarlanded with thickest of canes. All the <i>tirthas</i> and +sacred spots, and rivers and woods and foremost of mountains that +are in the three worlds, all the gods with the Grandsire, along +with the Siddhas, the Rishis and the Charanas, O best of the Kurus, +always come, O Bharata, to bathe in the sacred waters of the +Narmada. And it hath been heard by us that the sacred asylum of the +Muni Visravas, had stood there, and that there was born the lord of +treasures, Kuvera, having men for his vehicles. There also is that +foremost of hills, the sacred and auspicious Vaidurya peak +abounding with trees that are green and which are always graced +with fruit and flowers. O lord of the earth, on the top of that +mountain is a sacred tank decked with full-blown lotus and resorted +to by the gods and the Gandharvas. Many are the wonders, O mighty +monarch, that may be seen on that sacred mountain which is like +unto heaven itself and which is visited by celestial Rishis. There, +O subjugator of hostile cities, is the sacred river called +Viswamitra belonging to the royal sage of that name and which +abounds, O king, in many sacred <i>tirthas</i>. It was on the banks +of this river, that Yayati, the son of Nahusha, (fell from heaven) +among the virtuous, and obtained once more the eternal regions of +the righteous. Here also are the well-known lake called +<i>Punya</i>, the mountain called Mainaka, and that other mountain +called Asita abounding in fruits and roots. And here also is the +sacred asylum of Kakshasena, and O Yudhishthira, the asylum of +Chyavana also, which is famed over every country, O son of Pandu! +In that spot, O exalted one, men attain to (ascetic) success +without severe austerities. Here also, O mighty king, is the region +called Jamvumarga, inhabited by birds and deer, and which +constitutes the retreat of ascetics with souls under control, O +thou foremost of those that have subdued their senses! Next lie the +exceedingly sacred Ketumala, and Medhya ever graced with ascetics, +and, O lord of earth, Gangadwara, and the well-known woods of +Saindhava which <span class="pagenum">[Pg 203]</span> are sacred +and inhabited by the regenerate ones. There also is the celebrated +tank of the Grandsire, called Pushkara, the favourite abode of the +Vaikanasas, and Siddhas and Rishis. Moved by the desire of +obtaining its protection, the Creator sang this verse at Pushkara, +O chief of the Kurus and foremost of virtuous men! If a person of +pure soul purposes a pilgrimage to the Pushkaras in imagination +even, he becometh purged from all his sins and rejoiceth in +heaven!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XC</h2> +<p>"Dhaumya continued, 'O tiger among kings, I shall now describe +those <i>tirthas</i> and sacred spots that lie to the north. Do +thou, O exalted one, listen to me attentively. By hearing this +narration, O hero, one acquireth a reverential frame of mind, which +conduceth to much good. In that region is the highly sacred +Saraswati abounding in <i>tirthas</i> and with banks easy of +descent. There also, O son of Pandu, is the ocean-going and +impetuous Yamuna, and the <i>tirtha</i> called Plakshavatarana, +productive of high merit and prosperity. It was there that the +regenerate ones having performed the <i>Saraswata</i> sacrifice, +bathed on the completion thereof, O sinless one, in the well-known +celestial <i>tirtha</i> called Agnisiras, which is productive of +great merit. There king Sahadeva had celebrated a sacrifice +measuring out the ground by a throw of the <i>Samya</i>. It is for +this reason, O Yudhishthira, that Indra sang the praises of +Sahadeva in verse. Those verses are still current in this world, +being recited by the regenerate ones, e.g., <i>on the Yamuna +Sahadeva worshipped the sacrificial fire, with gifts in a hundred +thousands to Brahmanas</i>. There the illustrious king, the +imperial Bharata, performed five and thirty horse-sacrifices. O +child, we have heard that Sarabhanga of yore used to fully gratify +the desires of the regenerate ones. There in this region is his +celebrated asylum productive of great merit. In that region also, O +son of Pritha, is the river Saraswati, which is ever worshipped by +the god, where, in days of yore, the Valikhilyas, O great king, +performed sacrifices. In that region also, O Yudhishthira, is the +well-known river Drisadwati, which is productive of great merit. +Then, O chief of men, are Nyagrodhakhya, and Panchalya, and Punyaka +and Dalbhyaghosha, and Dalbhya, which are, O son of Kunti, the +sacred asylum in the world of illustrious Anandayasas of excellent +vows and great energy, and which are celebrated over the three +worlds. Here also, O lord of men, the illustrious Etavarna and +Avavarana versed in the Vedas, learned in Vedic lore, and +proficient in the knowledge of Vedic rites, performed meritorious +sacrifices, O chief of the Bharata race! There also is Visakhayupa +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 204]</span> to which, in days of yore, +came the gods with Varuna and Indra, and practised ascetic +austerities. And therefore is that spot so eminently sacred. Here +also is Palasaka, where the great and illustrious and highly +blessed Rishi Jamadagni performed sacrifices. There all the +principal rivers in their embodied forms taking their respective +waters stood surrounding that best of sages. And there also, O +monarch, Vibhavasu (fire) himself, beholding that high-souled one's +initiation, sang the following <i>sloka: "The river coming to the +illustrious Jamadagni while sacrificing unto the gods gratified the +Brahmanas with offerings of honey."</i> O Yudhishthira, the spot +where Ganga rusheth past, cleaving the foremost of mountains which +is frequented by Gandharvas and Yakshas and Rakshasas and Apsaras, +and inhabited by hunters, and Kinnaras, is called Gangadwara. O +king, Sanatkumara regardeth that spot visited by Brahmarshis, as +also the <i>tirtha</i> Kanakhala (that is near to it), as sacred. +There also is the mountain named Puru which is resorted to by great +Rishis and where Pururavas was born, and Bhrigu practised ascetic +austerities. For this it is, O king, that asylum hath become known +as the great peak of Bhrigutunga. Near that peak is the sacred and +extensive Vadari, that highly meritorious asylum, famed over the +three worlds, of him, O bull of the Bharata race, who is the +Present, the Past and the Future, who is called Narayana and the +lord Vishnu, who is eternal and the best of male beings, and who is +pre-eminently illustrious. Near Vadari, the cool current of Ganga +was formerly warm, and the banks there were overspread with golden +sands. There the gods and Rishis of high fortune and exceeding +effulgence, approaching the divine lord Narayana, always worship +him. The entire universe with all its <i>tirthas</i> and holy spots +is there where dwelleth the divine and eternal Narayana, the +Supreme soul, for he is Merit, he is the Supreme <i>Brahma</i>, he +is <i>tirtha</i>, he is the ascetic retreat, he is the First, he is +the foremost of gods, and he is the great Lord of all creatures. He +is eternal, he is the great Creator, and he is the highest state of +blessedness. Learned persons versed in the scriptures attain to +great happiness by knowing him. In that spot are the celestial +Rishis, the Siddhas, and, indeed, all the Rishis,—where +dwelleth the slayer of Madhu, that primeval Deity and mighty Yogin! +Let no doubt enter thy heart that that spot is the foremost of all +holy spots. These, O lord of earth, are the <i>tirthas</i> and +sacred spots on earth, that I have recited, O best of men! These +all are visited by the Vasus, the Sadhyas, the Adityas, the +Marutas, the Aswins and the illustrious Rishis resembling the +celestials themselves. By journeying, O son of Kunti, to those +places, with the Brahmanas and ascetics that are with thee and with +thy blessed brothers, thou wilt be freed from anxiety!'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 205]</span> +<h2>SECTION XCI</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "O son of the Kuru race, while Dhaumya +was speaking thus, there arrived at the spot the Rishi Lomasa of +great energy. And the king, who was the eldest of Pandu's sons, +with his followers and those Brahmanas sat round the highly +righteous one, like celestials in heaven sitting round Sakra. And +having received him duly, Yudhishthira the just enquired after the +reason of his arrival, and the object also of his wanderings. Thus +asked by Pandu's son, the illustrious ascetic, well-pleased, +replied in sweet words delighting the Pandayas, 'Travelling at +will, O Kaunteya, over all the regions, I came to Sakra's abode, +and saw there the lord of the celestials. There, I saw thy heroic +brother capable of wielding the bow with his left hand, seated on +the same seat with Sakra. And beholding Partha on that seat I was +greatly astonished, O tiger among men! And the lord of the +celestials then said unto me, "<i>Go thou unto the sons of +Pandu</i>." At the request, therefore, of Indra as also of the +high-souled son of Pritha have I come hither with speed, desiring +to see thee with thy younger brothers. O child, I will relate what +will please thee highly, O son of Pandu! Do thou listen to it, O +king, with Krishna and the Rishis that are with thee. O bull of the +Bharata race, Partha hath obtained from Rudra that incomparable +weapon for the acquisition of which thou hadst sent him to heaven. +That fierce weapon, known by the name of <i>Brahma-sira</i> which +arose after <i>Amrila</i>, and which Rudra had obtained by means of +ascetic austerities, hath been acquired by Arjuna together with the +<i>Mantras</i> for hurling and withdrawing it, and the rites of +expiation and revival. And, O Yudhishthira, Arjuna of immeasurable +prowess hath also acquired Vajras and <i>Dandas</i> and other +celestial weapons from Yama and Kuvera and Varuna and Indra, O son +of the Kuru race! And he hath also thoroughly learnt music, both +vocal and instrumental, and dancing and proper recitation of the +<i>Saman</i> (Veda) from Vishwavasu's son. And having thus acquired +weapons and mastered the <i>Gandhama Veda</i>, thy third brother +Vibhatsu liveth happily (in heaven). Listen to me, O Yudhishthira, +for I shall now deliver to thee the message of that foremost of +celestials. He hath commanded me saying, "Thou wilt, no doubt, go +to the world of men. O best of Brahmanas, tell thou Yudhishthira +these words of mine. Soon will thy brother Arjuna come to thee, +having acquired arms and accomplished a great deed for the +celestials that is incapable of being accomplished by themselves. +Do thou meanwhile devote thyself to ascetic austerities, with thy +brothers. There is nothing superior to asceticism, and it is by +asceticism that a person achieveth great results. And, O bull of +the Bharata race, well do I know that Karna is endued with great +ardour and energy and <span class="pagenum">[Pg 206]</span> +strength and prowess that is incapable of being baffled. Well do I +know that, skilled in fierce conflict, he hath not his rival in +battle; that he is a mighty bowman, a hero deft in the use of +fierce weapons and cased in the best of mail. Well do I know that +that exalted son of Aditya resembleth the son of Maheswara himself. +Well do I also know the high natural prowess of the +broad-shouldered Arjuna. In battle Karna is not equal unto even a +sixteenth part of Pritha's son. And as for the fear of Karna which +is in thy heart, O repressor of foes, I shall dispel when +Savyasachin will have left heaven. And as regards thy purpose, O +hero, to set out on a pilgrimage to <i>tirthas</i>, the great Rishi +Lomasa will, without doubt, speak unto thee. And whatever that +regenerate Rishi will relate unto thee touching the merits of +asceticism and <i>tirthas</i>, thou shouldst receive with respect +and not otherwise!"'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XCII</h2> +<p>"Lomasa continued, 'Listen now, O Yudhishthira, to what +Dhananjaya hath said: "Cause my brother Yudhishthira to attend to +the practice of virtue which leadeth to prosperity. Endued with +wealth of asceticism, thou art conversant with the highest +morality, with ascetic austerities of every kind, with the eternal +duties of kings blessed with prosperity, and the high and +sanctifying merit that men obtain from <i>tirthas</i>. Persuade +thou the sons of Pandu to acquire the merit attaching to +<i>tirthas</i>. Do thou with thy whole soul persuade the king to +visit the <i>tirthas</i> and give away kine." This is what Arjuna +said unto me. Indeed he also said, "Let him visit all the +<i>tirthas</i> protected by thee. Thou wilt also protect him from +Rakshasas, and watch over him in inaccessible regions and rugged +mountain breasts. And as Dadhichi had protected Indra, and Angiras +had protected the Sun, so do thou, O best of regenerate ones, +protect the sons of Kunti from Rakshasas. Along the way are many +Rakshasas, huge as mountain-cliffs. But protected by thee these +will not be able to approach the sons of Kunti." Obedient to the +words of Indra and at the request of Arjuna also protecting thee +from dangers, I shall wander with thee. Before this, O son of the +Kuru race, I have twice visited the <i>tirthas</i>. With thee I +shall repair to them for the third time. O Yudhishthira, Manu and +other royal <i>Rishis</i> of meritorious deeds had undertaken +journeys to <i>tirthas</i>. Indeed, a trip to them is capable of +dispelling all fear, O king! They that are crooked-minded, they +that have not their souls under control, they that are illiterate +and perverse, do not, O Kauravya, bathe in <i>tirthas</i>. But thou +art ever of a virtuous disposition and conversant with morality and +firm in thy promises. Thou wilt surely be able to free thyself from +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 207]</span> the world. For, O son of +Pandu, thou art even as king Bhagiratha, or Gaya, or Yayati, or any +one, O son of Kunti, that is like them.'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira answered, 'I am so overwhelmed with delight, O +Brahmana, that I cannot find words to answer thee. Who can be more +fortunate than he who is remembered even by the lord of the +celestials? Who can be more fortunate than he who hath been +favoured with thy company, who hath Dhananjaya for a brother, and +who is thought of by Vasava himself? As to thy words, O illustrious +one, in respect of a trip to the <i>tirthas</i>, my mind had +already been made up at the words of Dhaumya. O Brahmana, I shall +start, at whatever hour thou mayst be pleased to appoint, on the +proposed journey to <i>tirthas</i>. Even this is my firm +resolve!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "Lomasa then said unto Yudhishthira, who +had made up his mind to start on the proposed journey, 'O mighty +king, be thou light as regards thy retinue, for by this thou wilt +be able to go more easily!'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira then said, 'Let those mendicants and Brahmanas and +<i>Yogis</i> that are incapable of bearing hunger and thirst, the +fatigues of travel and toil, and the severity of winter, desist. +Let those Brahmanas also desist that live on sweetmeats, and they +also that desire cooked viands and food that is sucked or drunk as +well as meat. And let those also remain behind that are dependent +on cooks. Let those citizens that have followed me from motives of +loyalty, and whom I have hitherto kept on proper stipends, repair +to king Dhritarashtra. He will give them their allowances in due +time. If, however, that king refuses to grant them proper +allowances, the king of the Panchalas will, for our satisfaction +and welfare, give them these.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "And thereupon oppressed with grief, the +citizens and the principal Brahmanas and Yatis set out for +Hastinapura. And out of affection for Yudhishthira the just, the +royal son of Amvika received them properly, and gratified them with +proper allowances. And the royal son of Kunti, with only a small +number of Brahmanas, abode for three nights at Kamyaka, cheered by +Lomasa."</p> +<h2>SECTION XCIII</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Those Brahmanas then, that had been dwelling +(with him) in the woods, beholding the son of Kunti about to set +out (on the pious pilgrimage), approached him, O king, and said, +'Thou art about to set out, O king, on thy journey to the sacred +<i>tirthas</i>, along with thy brothers and accompanied by the +illustrious Rishi Lomasa. O king, it behoveth thee, O son of Pandu, +to take us with thee. Without thee, we <span class="pagenum">[Pg +208]</span> shall not be able, O son of the Kuru race, to visit +them at any time. Surrounded by dangers and difficult of access, +they are infested by beasts of prey. Those <i>tirthas</i>, O lord +of men, are inaccessible to persons in small parties. Foremost of +all wielders of the bow, thy brothers are ever brave. Protected by +your heroic selves, we also would proceed to them. Permit us to +acquire, O lord of earth, through thy grace the blessed fruit of +<i>tirthas</i>. Protected by thy energy, let us, O king, be +cleansed of all our sins by visiting those <i>tirthas</i> and +purified by baths therein. Bathing in those <i>tirthas</i>, thou +also, O Bharata, wilt acquire without doubt the regions difficult +of acquisition that Kartavirya and Ashtaka, the royal sage Lomapada +and the imperial and heroic Bharata only had earned. In thy +company, O king, we desire to behold Prabhasa and other +<i>tirthas</i>, Mahendra and other hills, Ganga and other rivers, +and Plaksha and other gigantic trees. If, O lord of men, thou hast +any regard for the Brahmanas, do thou our bidding. Thou wilt surely +have prosperity from this. O thou of mighty arms, the +<i>tirthas</i> are infested by Rakshasas that ever obstruct ascetic +penances. It behoveth thee to protect us from them. Protected by +Lomasa and taking us with thee, go thou to all the <i>tirthas</i> +spoken of by Dhaumya and the intelligent Narada, as also all those +that have been spoken of by the celestial Rishi Lomasa, endued with +great ascetic wealth, and be thou, by this, cleansed of all thy +sins.'</p> +<p>"Thus addressed respectfully by them, the king—that bull +amongst the sons of Pandu—surrounded by his heroic brothers +headed by Bhima, with tears of joy in his eyes, said unto all those +ascetics, 'Let it be so.' With the permission then of Lomasa, as +also of his priest Dhaumya, that foremost of Pandu's sons with soul +under complete control, resolved, along with his brothers and +Drupada's daughter of faultless features, to set out. Just at this +time, the blessed Vyasa, as also Parvata and Narada, all endued +with high intelligence, came to Kamyaka for seeing the son of +Pandu. Beholding them, king Yudhishthira worshipped them with due +rites. And worshipped by the monarch thus, those blessed ones, +addressing Yudhishthira, said, 'O Yudhishthira, O Bhima, and ye +twins, banish all evil thoughts from your minds. Purify your hearts +and then set out for the <i>tirthas</i>. The Brahmanas have said +that the observance of regulations in respect of the body are +called earthly vows, while efforts to purify the heart, so that it +may be free from evil thoughts, are called spiritual vows. O king, +the mind that is free from all evil thoughts is highly pure. +Purifying yourselves, therefore, harbouring only friendly feelings +for all, behold ye the <i>tirthas</i>. Observing earthly vows in +respect of your bodies and purifying your minds by spiritual vows, +obtain ye the fruits as recited, of pilgrimages.'</p> +<p>"Saying, 'So be it,' the Pandavas with Krishna, caused those +celestial and human Rishis to perform the usual propitiatory +ceremonies. And those heroes, having worshipped the feet of Lomasa +and Dwaipayana and Narada <span class="pagenum">[Pg 209]</span> and +the celestial Rishi Parvata, O king, and accompanied by Dhaumya as +also the ascetics that had been residing with them in the woods, +set out on the day following the full moon of <i>Agrahayana</i> in +which the constellation <i>Pushya</i> was ascendant. Dressed in +barks and hides, and with matted lock on head, they were all cased +in impenetrable mail and armed with swords. And O Janamejaya, the +heroic sons of Pandu with quivers and arrows and scimitars and +other weapons, and accompanied by Indrasena and other attendants +with fourteen and one cars, a number of cooks and servants of other +classes, set out with faces turned towards the east!"</p> +<h2>SECTION XCIV</h2> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'O best of celestial Rishis, I do not think +that I am without merits. Yet am I afflicted with so much sorrow +that there never was a king like me. I think, however, that my +enemies are destitute of good qualities and even destitute of +morality. Yet why, O Lomasa, do they prosper in this world?'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Grieve not ever, O king, O son of Pritha, that +sinful men should often prosper in consequence of the sins they +commit. A man may be seen to prosper by his sins, obtain good +therefrom and vanquish his foes. Destruction, however, overtakes +him to the roots. O king, I have seen many Daityas and Danavas +prosper by sin but I have also seen destruction overtake them. O +exalted one, I have seen all this in the righteous age of yore. The +gods practised virtue, while the Asuras abandoned it. The gods +visited the <i>tirthas</i>, while the Asuras did not visit them. +And at first the sinful Asuras were possessed with pride. And pride +begat vanity and vanity begat wrath. And from wrath arose every +kind of evil propensities, and from these latter sprang +shamelessness. And in consequence of shamelessness, good behaviour +disappeared from among them. And because they had become shameless +and destitute of virtuous propensities and good conduct and +virtuous vows, forgiveness and prosperity and morality forsook them +in no time. And prosperity then, O king, sought the gods, while +adversity sought the Asuras. And when the Daityas and the Danavas, +deprived of sense by pride, were possessed by adversity, Kali also +sought to possess them. And, O son of Kunti, overwhelmed with +pride, and destitute of rites and sacrifices, and devoid of reason +and feeling, and their hearts full of vanity, destruction overtook +them soon. And covered with infamy, the Daityas were soon +exterminated. The gods, however, who were virtuous in their +practices, going to the seas, the rivers, the lakes and the holy +spots, cleansed themselves of all sins, O son of Pandu, by means of +ascetic penances and sacrifices and gifts and blessings, and +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 210]</span> obtained prosperity and the +consequence. And because the gods always performed sacrifices and +holy deeds abandoning every practice that was evil, and visited the +<i>tirthas</i>, as the consequence thereof they acquired great good +fortune. Guided by this, O king, do thou also, with thy brothers, +bathe in <i>tirthas</i>, for then thou wilt obtain prosperity once +more. Even this is the eternal road. And, O monarch, as king Nriga +and Shivi and Ausinara and Bhagiratha and Vasumanas and Gaya and +Puru and Pururavas, by practising ascetic penances and visiting +<i>tirthas</i> and touching sacred waters and beholding illustrious +ascetics, obtained fame and sanctity and merit and wealth, so wilt +thou also obtain prosperity that is great. And as Ikshwaku with his +sons, friends and followers, as Muchukunda and Mandhatri and king +Marutta, as the gods through power of asceticism and the celestial +Rishis also, had all obtained fame, so wilt thou also obtain great +celebrity. The sons of Dhritarashtra, on the other hand, enslaved +by sinfulness and ignorance, will, without doubt, be soon +exterminated like the Daityas.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XCV</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "The heroic sons of Pandu, accompanied by +their followers, proceeding from place to place, at last arrived at +Naimisha. O king, reaching the Gomati, the Pandavas bathed in the +sacred <i>tirtha</i> of that stream, and having performed their +ablutions there, they gave away, O Bharata, both kine and wealth! +And repeatedly offering oblations of water, O Bharata, to the gods, +the pitris, and the Brahmanas, in the <i>tirthas</i> called Kanya, +Aswa, and Go and staying (as directed) in Kalakoti and the +Vishaprastha hills, the Kauravas then, O king, reached Vahuda and +performed their ablution in that stream. Proceeding next, O lord of +earth, to the sacrificial region of the gods known by the name +Prayaga, they bathed in the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna and +residing there practised ascetic penances of great merit. And the +Pandavas, of truthful promises, bathing in the <i>tirtha</i>, +cleansed themselves of every sin. The sons of Pandu then, O king of +the Bharata race, accompanied by those Brahmanas, proceeded to the +<i>tirtha</i> called <i>Vedi</i>, sacred to the Creator and adored +by the ascetics. Residing there for some time and gratifying the +Brahmanas with the fruit and roots of the wilderness and clarified +butter, those heroes began to practise ascetic penances of great +merit. They then proceeded to Mahidhara consecrated by that +virtuous royal sage Gaya of unrivalled splendour. In that region is +the hill called Gayasira, as well as the delightful river called +Mahanadi, with fine banks graced by bushes of canes. On that +celestial hill of holy peaks is a sacred <i>tirtha</i> called +<i>Brahmasara</i> <span class="pagenum">[Pg 211]</span> which is +much adored by ascetics. There on the banks of that lake had dwelt +of yore the eternal god himself of justice, and it was thither that +the illustrious Rishi Agastya had repaired to behold that deity. It +is from that lake that all the rivers take their rise and there in +that <i>tirtha</i>, Mahadeva the wielder of the <i>Pinaka</i>, is +present for aye. Arriving at that spot, the heroic sons of Pandu +practised the vow that is known by the name of the +<i>Chaturmasya</i> according to all the rites and ordinances of the +great sacrifice called <i>Rishiyajna</i>. It is there that that +mighty tree called the Eternal banian stands. Any sacrifice +performed there produces merit that is eternal. In that sacrificial +platform of the gods producing eternal merit, the Pandavas began to +fast with concentrated souls. And there came unto them Brahmanas by +hundreds endued with wealth of asceticism. And those Brahmanas also +all performed the <i>Chaturmasya</i> sacrifice according to the +rites inculcated by the Rishis. And there in that <i>tirtha</i>, +those Brahmanas old in knowledge and ascetic merit and fully versed +in the Vedas, that constituted the court of the illustrious sons of +Pandu, talked in their presence upon various subjects of sacred +import. And it was in that place that the learned vow-observing, +and sacred Shamatha, leading, besides, a life of celibacy, spake +unto them, O king, of Gaya, the son of Amurttaraya. And Shamatha +said, 'Gaya, the son of Amurttaraya, was one of the foremost of +royal sages. Listen to me, O Bharata, as I recite his meritorious +deeds. It was here, O king, that Gaya had performed many sacrifices +distinguished by the enormous quantities of food (that were +distributed) and the profuse gifts that were given away (unto +Brahmanas). Those sacrifices, O king, were distinguished by +mountains in hundreds and thousands of cooked rice, lakes of +clarified butter and rivers of curds in many hundreds, and streams +of richly-dressed curries in thousands. Day after day were these +got ready and distributed amongst all comers, while, over and above +this, Brahmanas and others, O king, received food that was clean +and pure. During the conclusion also (of every sacrifice) when +gifts were dedicated to the Brahmanas, the chanting of the Vedas +reached the heavens. And so loud, indeed, was the sound of the +Vedic <i>Mantras</i> that nothing else, O Bharata, could be heard +there. Thus sacred sounds, O king, filled the earth, the points of +the horizon, the sky and heaven itself. Even these were the wonders +that persons noticed on those occasions. And gratified with the +excellent viands and drinks that the illustrious Gaya provided, +men, O bull of the Bharata race, went about singing these verses. +In Gaya's great sacrifice, who is there today, amongst creatures, +that still desireth to eat? There are yet twenty-five mountains of +food there after all have been fed! What the royal sage Gaya of +immense splendour hath achieved in his sacrifice was never achieved +by men before, nor will be by any in future. The gods have been so +surfeited by Gaya with clarified butter that they are not able to +take anything that anybody else may offer. As sand grains on earth, +as stars in the firmament, as drops <span class="pagenum">[Pg +212]</span> showered by rain-charged clouds, cannot ever be counted +by anybody, so can none count the gifts in Gaya's sacrifice!</p> +<p>"'O son of the Kuru race, many times did king Gaya perform +sacrifices of this description, here, by the side of this +Brahmasara!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XCVI</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "After this the royal son of Kunti who was +ever distinguished for his profuse gifts unto Brahmanas, proceeded +to the asylum of Agastya and took up his abode in Durjaya. It was +here that that foremost of speakers, king Yudhishthira asked Lomasa +as to why Agastya had slain Vatapi there. And the king also +enquired after the extent of that man-destroying Daitya's prowess, +and the reason also of the illustrious Agastya's wrath being +excited against that Asura.</p> +<p>"Thus questioned, Lomasa said, 'O son of Kuru race, there was in +the city called Manimati, in days of yore, a Daitya named Ilwala, +whose younger brother was Vatapi. One day that son of Diti +addressed the Brahmana endued with ascetic merit, saying, "O holy +one, grant me a son equal unto Indra." The Brahmana, however, did +not grant the Asura a son like Indra. And at this, the Asura was +inflamed with wrath against the Brahmana. And from that day, O +king, the Asura Ilwala became a destroyer of Brahmanas. And endued +with power of illusion the angry Asura transformed his brother into +a ram. And Vatapi also capable of assuming any form at will, would +immediately assume the shape of a ram. And the flesh of that ram, +after being properly dressed, was offered to Brahmanas as food. And +after they had eaten of it, they were slain. For whomsoever Ilwala +summoned with his voice, he would come back to Ilwala even if he +had gone to the abode of Yama, in re-embodied form endued with +life, and show himself to Ilwala. And so having transformed the +Asura Vatapi into a ram and properly cooked his flesh and feeding +Brahmanas therewith, he would summon Vatapi. And the mighty Asura +Vatapi, that foe of Brahmanas, endued with great strength and power +of illusion, hearing, O king, those sounds uttered with a loud +voice by Ilwala, and ripping open the flanks of the Brahmana would +come laughingly out, O lord of earth! And it was thus, O monarch, +that the wicked-hearted Daitya Ilwala, having fed Brahmanas, +frequently took away their lives.</p> +<p>"'Meanwhile, the illustrious Agastya beheld his deceased +ancestors hanging in a pit with heads downwards. And he asked those +personages thus suspended in that hole, saying, "<i>What is the +matter with you?</i>" Thus questioned those utterers of +<i>Brahma</i> replied, "It is even for offspring." And they also +told him, "We are your ancestors. It is even for offspring that we +stay suspended in this pit. If, O Agastya, thou canst beget us a +good <span class="pagenum">[Pg 213]</span> son, we may then be +saved from this hell and thou also wilt obtain thy blessed state of +those having offspring." Endued with great energy and observant of +truth and morality Agastya replied, saying, "Ye Pitris, I will +accomplish your desire. Let this anxiety of yours be dispelled." +And the illustrious Rishi then began to think of perpetuating his +race. But he saw not a wife worthy of him on whom he himself could +take his birth in the form of a son. The Rishi accordingly, taking +those parts that were regarded as highly beautiful, from creatures +possessing them, created therewith an excellent woman. And the +Muni, endued with great ascetic merit, thereupon gave that girl +created for himself to the king of the Vidharbhas who was then +undergoing ascetic penances for obtaining offspring. And that +blessed girl of sweet face (thus disposed of) then took her birth +(in Vidarbha's royal line) and, beautiful as the effulgent +lightning, her limbs began to grow day by day. And as soon as that +lord of earth—the ruler of the Vidarbhas—saw her +ushered into life, he joyfully communicated the intelligence, O +Bharata, unto the Brahmanas. And the Brahmanas thereupon, O lord of +earth, blessed the girl and they bestowed upon her the name +Lopamudra. And possessed of great beauty, she began, O monarch, to +grow quickly like unto a lotus in the midst of water or the +effulgent flame of a fire. And when the girl grew and attained to +puberty, a hundred virgins decked in ornaments and a hundred maids +waited in obedience upon her blessed self. And surrounded by those +hundred maids and virgins, she shone in their midst, endued as she +was with bright effulgence, like Rohini in the firmament amid an +inferior multitude of stars. And possessed as she was of good +behaviour and excellent manners, none dared ask for her hand even +when she attained to puberty, through fear of her father, the king +of the Vidharbhas. And Lopamudra, devoted to truth, surpassing the +Apsaras even in beauty, gratified her father and relatives by means +of her conduct. And her father, beholding his daughter—the +princess of Vidharbha—attain to puberty, began to reflect in +his mind, saying, "To whom should I give this daughter of +mine?"'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XCVII</h2> +<p>"Lomasa continued, 'When Agastya thought that girl to be +competent for the duties of domesticity, he approached that lord of +earth—the ruler of Vidharbhas—and addressing him, said, +"I solicit thee, O king, to bestow thy daughter Lopamudra on me." +Thus addressed by the Muni, the king of the Vidharbhas swooned +away. And though unwilling to give the Muni his daughter, he dared +not refuse. And that lord of earth then, approaching his queen, +said, "This Rishi is endued with great energy. If angry, he may +consume me with the fire of his curse. O thou of sweet face, tell +me <span class="pagenum">[Pg 214]</span> what is thy wish." Hearing +these words of the king, she uttered not a word. And beholding the +king along with the queen afflicted with sorrow, Lopamudra +approached them in due time and said, "O monarch, it behoveth thee +not to grieve on my account. Bestow me on Agastya, and, O father, +save thyself, by giving me away." And at these words of his +daughter, O monarch, the king gave away Lopamudra unto the +illustrious Agastya with due rites. And obtaining her as wife, +Agastya addressed Lopamudra, saying, "Cast thou away these costly +robes and ornaments." And at these words of her lord, that +large-eyed damsel of thighs tapering as the stem of the plantain +tree cast away her handsome and costly robes of fine texture. And +casting them away she dressed herself in rags and barks and +deerskins, and became her husband's equal in vows and acts. And +proceeding then to Gangadwara that illustrious and best of Rishis +began to practise the severest penances along with his helpful +wife. And Lopamudra herself, well pleased, began to serve her lord +from the deep respect that she bore him. And the exalted Agastya +also began to manifest great love for his wife.</p> +<p>"'After a considerable time, O king, the illustrious Rishi one +day beheld Lopamudra, blazing in ascetic splendour come up after +the bath in her season. And pleased with the girl, for her +services, her purity, and self control, as also with her grace and +beauty, he summoned her for marital intercourse. The girl, however, +joining her hands, bashfully but lovingly addressed the Rishi, +saying, "The husband, without doubt, weddeth the wife for +offspring. But it behoveth thee, O Rishi, to show that love to me +which I have for thee. And it behoveth thee, O regenerate one, to +approach me on a bed like to that which I had in the palace of my +father. I also desire that thou shouldst be decked in garlands of +flowers and other ornaments, and that I should approach thee +adorned in those celestial ornaments that I like. Otherwise, I +cannot approach thee, dressed in these rags dyed in red. Nor, O +regenerate Rishi, it is sinful to wear ornaments (on such an +occasion)." Hearing these words of his wife, Agastya replied, "O +blessed girl, O thou of slender waist, I have not wealth like what +thy father hath, O Lopamudra!" She answered saying, "Thou who art +endued with wealth of asceticism, art certainly able to bring +hither within a moment, by ascetic power, everything that exists in +the world of men." Agastya said, "It is even so as thou hast said. +That, however, would waste my ascetic merit. O bid me do that which +may not loosen my ascetic merit." Lopamudra then said, "O thou +endued with wealth of asceticism, my season will not last long, I +do not desire, however, to approach thee otherwise. Nor do I desire +to diminish thy (ascetic) merit in any way. It behoveth thee, +however, to do as I desire, without injuring thy virtue."</p> +<p>"'Agastya then said, "O blessed girl, if this be the resolve +that thou hast settled in thy heart, I will go out in quest of +wealth. Meanwhile, stay thou here as it pleaseth thee."'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 215]</span> +<h2>SECTION XCVIII</h2> +<p>"Lomasa continued, 'Agastya then, O son of the Kuru race, went +to king Srutarvan who was regarded as richer than other kings, to +beg for wealth. And that monarch, learning of the arrival of the +pot-born Rishi on the frontiers of his kingdoms, went out with his +ministers and received the holy man with respect. And the king duly +offering the <i>Arghya</i> in the first instance, submissively and +with joined hands enquired then after the reason of the Rishi's +arrival. And Agastya answered saying, "O lord of the earth, know +that I have come to thee, desirous of wealth. Give me a portion +according to thy ability and without doing injury to others."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa continued, 'The king, then, representing unto the Rishi +the equality of his expenditure and income, said, "O learned one, +take thou from my possessions the wealth thou pleasest." Beholding, +however, the equality of that monarch's expenditure with income, +the Rishi who always saw both sides with equal eyes, thought that +if he took anything under the circumstances, his act would result +in injury to creatures. Taking, therefore, Srutarvan with him, the +Rishi went to Vradhnaswa. The latter, hearing of their arrival on +his frontiers, received them duly. And Vradhnaswa also offered them +the <i>Arghyas</i> and water to wash their feet. And the monarch, +with their permission, then enquired after the reason of their +coming. And Agastya said, "O lord of earth, know that we have come +to thee desirous of wealth. Give us what thou canst, without doing +injury to others."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa continued, 'That monarch then represented unto them the +equality of his expenditure and income, and said, "Knowing this, +take ye what ye desire." The Rishi, however, who saw both sides +with equal eyes, beholding the equality of that monarch's income +with expenditure, thought that if he took anything under the +circumstances, his act would result in injury to all creatures. +Agastya and Srutarvan, with king Vardhnaswa then went to +Purokutsa's son, Trasadasyu, of enormous wealth. The high-souled +Trasadasyu, learning of their arrival on the confines of his +kingdom went out, O king, and received them well. And that best of +monarchs in Ikshvaku's line, having worshipped all of them duly, +enquired after the reason of their arrival. And Agastya answered, +"O lord of earth, know that we have all come to thee, desirous of +wealth. Give us what you can, without injuring others."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa continued, 'That monarch then, represented unto them the +equality of his income with expenditure, and said, "Knowing this, +take ye what ye desire." Beholding, however, the equality of that +monarch's expenditure with income, the Rishi who saw both sides +with equal eyes, thought that if he took anything under the +circumstances, his act would <span class="pagenum">[Pg 216]</span> +result in injury to all creatures. Then, O monarch, all those kings +looking at one another, together spoke unto the Rishis saying, "O +Brahmana, there is a Danava of the name Ilwala who of all persons +on earth, is possessed of enormous wealth. Let us all approach him +to-day and beg wealth of him."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa continued, 'This suggestion, O king, of begging wealth +of Ilwala appeared to them to be proper. And, O monarch, all of +them went together to Ilwala after this!'"</p> +<h2>SECTION XCIX</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'When Ilwala learnt that those kings along with +the great Rishi had arrived on the confines of his domain, he went +out with his ministers and worshipped them duly. And that prince of +Asuras received them hospitably, entertaining them, O son of the +Kuru race, with well dressed meat supplied by his brother Vatapi +(transformed into a ram). Then all those royal sages, beholding the +mighty Asura Vatapi, who had been transformed into a ram thus +cooked for them, became sad and cheerless and were nearly deprived +of themselves. But that best of +Rishis—Agastya—addressing those royal sages, said, +"Yield ye not to grief, I will eat up the great Asura." And the +mighty Rishi then sat himself down on an excellent seat, and the +prince of Asuras, Ilwala, began to distribute the food smilingly. +And Agastya ate up the whole of the meat supplied by Vatapi +(transformed into a ram). And after the dinner was over, Ilwala +began to summon his brother. But thereupon a quantity of air alone +came out of the illustrious Rishi's stomach, with a sound that was +as loud, O child, as the roar of the clouds. And Ilwala repeatedly +said, "Come out, O Vatapi!" Then that best of +Munis—Agastya—bursting out in laughter, said, "How can +he come out? I have already digested that great Asura." And +beholding his brother already digested, Ilwala became sad and +cheerless and joining his hands, along with his ministers, +addressing the Rishi (and his companions), said, "What for have ye +come hither, and what can I do for you?" And Agastya smilingly +answered Ilwala, saying, "We know thee, O Asura, to be possessed of +great power and also enormous wealth. These kings are not very +wealthy while my need also of wealth is great. Give us what thou +canst, without injuring others." Thus addressed Ilwala saluted the +Rishi and said, "If thou say what it is that I mean to give, then +will I give you wealth." Hearing this Agastya said, "O great Asura, +thou hast even purposed to give unto each of these kings ten +thousand kine and as many gold coins. And unto me thou hast +purposed to give twice as much, as also a car of gold and a couple +of horses fleet as thought. <span class="pagenum">[Pg 217]</span> +If thou enquirest now, thou wilt soon learn that your car is made +of gold." Thereupon, O son of Kunti, Ilwala made enquiries and +learnt that the car he had intended to give away was really a +golden one. And the Daitya then with a sad heart, gave away much +wealth and that car, unto which were yoked two steeds called Virava +and Surava. And those steeds, O Bharata, took those kings and +Agastya and all that wealth to the asylum of Agastya within the +twinkling of an eye. And those royal sages then obtaining Agastya's +permission, went away to their respective cities. And Agastya also +(with that wealth) did all that his wife Lopamudra had desired. And +Lopamudra then said, "O illustrious one, thou hast now accomplished +all my wishes. Beget thou a child on me that shall be possessed of +great energy." And Agastya replied unto her, saying, "O blessed and +beauteous one, I have been much gratified with thy conduct. Listen +thou unto me as regards the proposal I make in respect of thy +offspring. Wouldst thou have a thousand sons, or a century of sons +each equal to ten, or ten sons equal each to an hundred, or only +one son who may vanquish a thousand?" Lopamudra answered, "Let me +have one son equal unto a thousand, O thou endued with wealth of +asceticism! One good and learned son is preferable to many evil +ones."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa continued, 'Saying, "So be it," that pious Muni +thereupon knew his devout wife of equal behaviour. And after she +had conceived, he retired into the forest. And after the Muni had +gone away, the foetus began to grow for seven years. And after the +seventh year had expired, there came out of the womb, the highly +learned Dridhasyu, blazing, O Bharata, in his own splendour. And +the great Brahmana and illustrious ascetic, endued with mighty +energy, took his birth as the Rishi's son, coming out of the womb, +as if repeating the Vedas with the <i>Upanishads</i> and the +<i>Angas</i>. Endued with great energy while yet a child, he used +to carry loads of sacrificial fuel into the asylum of his father, +and was thence called <i>Idhmavaha</i> (carrier of sacrificial +wood). And the Muni, beholding his son possessed of such virtues, +became highly glad.</p> +<p>"'And it was thus, O Bharata, that Agastya begat an excellent +son in consequence of which his ancestors, O king, obtained the +regions they desired. And it is from that time that this spot hath +become known on the earth as the asylum of Agastya. Indeed, O king, +this is the asylum graced with numerous beauties, of that Agastya +who had slain Vatapi of Prahlada's race. The sacred Bhagirathi, +adored by gods and Gandharvas gently runneth by, like a +breeze-shaken pennon in the welkin. Yonder also she floweth over +craggy crests descending lower and lower, and looketh like an +affrighted she-snake lying along the hilly slopes. Issuing out of +the matted locks of Mahadeva, she passes along, flooding the +southern country and benefiting it like a mother, and ultimately +mingleth with the ocean as if she were his favourite bride. Bathe +ye as ye like in this sacred river, ye son of Pandu! And behold +there, O Yudhishthira, the <i>tirtha</i> of Bhrigu that is +celebrated over the three worlds and <span class="pagenum">[Pg +218]</span> adored, O king, by great Rishis. Bathing here, Rama (of +Bhrigu's race) regained his might, which had been taken away from +him (by Dasaratha's son). Bathing here, O son of Pandu, with thy +brothers and Krishna, thou wilt certainly regain that energy of +thine that hath been taken away by Duryodhana, even as Rama +regained his that had been taken away by Dasaratha's son in hostile +encounter.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana continued, "At these words of Lomasa, Yudhishthira +bathed there with his brothers and Krishna, and offered oblations +of water, O Bharata, to the gods and the Pitris. And, O bull among +men, after Yudhishthira had bathed in that <i>tirtha</i>, his body +blazed forth in brighter effulgence, and he became invincible in +respect of all foes. The son of Pandu then, O king, asked Lomasa, +saying, 'O illustrious one, why had Rama's energy and might been +taken away? And how also did he regain it? O exalted one, I ask +thee, tell me everything.'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Listen, O king, to the history of Rama (the son +of Dasaratha) and Rama of Bhrigu's line gifted with intelligence. +For the destruction of Ravana, O king, Vishnu, in his own body, +took his birth as the son of illustrious Dasaratha. We saw in +Ayodhya that son of Dasaratha after he had been born. It was then +that Rama of Bhrigu's line, the son of Richika by Renuka, hearing +of Rama the son of Dasaratha—of spotless deeds—went to +Ayodhya, impelled by curiosity, and taking with him that celestial +bow so fatal to the Kshatriyas, for ascertaining the prowess of +Dasaratha's son. And Dasaratha, hearing that Rama of Bhrigu's race +had arrived on the confines of his domains, set his own son Rama to +receive the hero with respect. And beholding Dasaratha's son +approach and stand before him with ready weapons, Rama of Bhrigu's +line smilingly addressed him, O son of Kunti, saying, "O king, O +exalted one, string, if thou canst, with all thy might, this bow +which in my hands was made the instrument of destroying the +Kshatriya race." Thus addressed, Dasaratha's son answered, "O +illustrious one, it behoveth thee not to insult me thus. Nor am I, +amongst the regenerate classes, deficient in the virtues of the +Kshatriya order. The descendants of Ikshwaku in special never boast +of the prowess of their arms." Then unto Dasaratha's son who said +so, Rama of Bhrigu's line replied, "A truce to all crafty speech, O +king! Take this bow." At this, Rama the son of Dasaratha, took in +anger from the hands of Rama of Bhrigu's line that celestial bow +that had dealt death to the foremost of Kshatriyas. And, O Bharata, +the mighty hero smilingly strung that bow without the least +exertion, and with its twang loud as the thunder-rattle, affrighted +all creatures. And Rama, the son of Dasaratha, then, addressing +Rama of Bhrigu's said, "Here, I have strung this bow. What else, O +Brahmana, shall I do for thee?" Then Rama, the son of Jamadagni, +gave unto the illustrious son of Dasaratha a celestial arrow and +said, "Placing this on the bow-string, draw to thy ear, O hero!"'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 219]</span> +<p>"Lomasa continued, 'Hearing +this, Dasaratha's son blazed up in wrath and said, "I have heard +what thou hast said, and even pardoned thee. O son of Bhrigu's +race, thou art full of vanity. Through the Grandsire's grace thou +hast obtained energy that is superior to that of the Kshatriyas. +And it is for this that thou insultest me. Behold me now in my +native form: I give thee sight." Then Rama of Bhrigu's race beheld +in the body of Dasaratha's son the Adityas with the Vasus, the +Rudras, the Sadhyas with the Marutas, the Pitris, Hutasana, the +stellar constellations and the planets, the Gandharvas, the +Rakshasas, the Yakshas, the Rivers, the <i>tirthas</i>, those +eternal Rishis identified with <i>Brahma</i> and called the +Valkhilyas, the celestial Rishis, the Seas and Mountains, the Vedas +with the Upanishads and <i>Vashats</i> and the sacrifices, the +Samans in their living form, the Science of weapons, O Bharata, and +the Clouds with rain and lightning, O Yudhishthira! And the +illustrious Vishnu then shot that shaft. And at this the earth was +filled with sounds of thunder, and burning meteors, O Bharata, +began to flash through the welkin. And showers of dust and rain +fell upon the surface of the earth. And whirlwinds and frightful +sounds convulsed everything, and the earth herself began to quake. +And shot by the hand of Rama, that shaft, confounding by its energy +the other Rama, came back blazing into Rama's hands. And Bhargava, +who had thus been deprived of his senses, regaining consciousness +and life, bowed unto Rama—that manifestation of Vishnu's +power. And commanded by Vishnu, he proceeded to the mountains of +Mahendra. And thenceforth that great ascetic began to dwell there, +in terror and shame. And after the expiration of a year, the +Pitris, beholding Rama dwelling there deprived of energy, his pride +quelled, and himself sunk in affliction, said unto him, "O son, +having approached Vishnu, thy behaviour towards him was not proper. +He deserveth for aye worship and respect in the three worlds. Go, O +son, to that sacred river which goeth by name of Vadhusara! Bathing +in all the <i>tirthas</i> of that stream, thou wilt regain thy +energy! There in that river is the <i>tirthas</i> called Diptoda +where thy grandsire Bhrigu, O Rama, in the celestial age had +practised ascetic penances of great merit." Thus addressed by them, +Rama, O son of Kunti, did what the Pitris bade him, and obtained +back at this <i>tirtha</i>, O son of Pandu, the energy he had lost. +Even this O child, was what befell Rama of spotless deeds in days +in of yore, after he had, O king, met Vishnu (in the form of +Dasaratha's son)!'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 220]</span> +<h2>SECTION C</h2> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'O best of regenerate ones, I desire again +to hear of the achievements in detail of Agastya—that +illustrious Rishi endued with great intelligence.'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Listen now, O king, to the excellent and +wonderful and extraordinary history of Agastya, as also, O monarch, +about the prowess of that Rishi of immeasurable energy. There were +in the Krita age certain tribes of fierce Danavas that were +invincible in battle. And they were known by the name of Kalakeyas +and were endued with terrible prowess. Placing themselves under +Vritra and arming themselves with diverse weapons they pursued the +celestials with Indra at their head in all directions. The gods +then all resolved upon the destruction of Vritra, and went with +Indra at their head to Brahma. And beholding them standing before +him with joined hands, Parameshthi addressed them all and said, +"Everything is known to me, ye gods, about what ye seek. I shall +indicate now the means by which ye may slay Vritra. There is a +high-souled and great Rishi known by the name of Dadhicha. Go ye +all together unto him and solicit of him a boon. With well-pleased +heart, that Rishi of virtuous soul will even grant you the boon. +Desirous as ye are of victory, go ye all together unto him and tell +him, '<i>For the good of the three worlds, give us thy bones</i>.' +Renouncing his body, he will give you his bones. With these bones +of his, make ye a fierce and powerful weapon to be called +<i>Vajra</i>, endued with six sides and terrible roar and capable +of destroying even the most powerful enemies. With that weapon will +he of a hundred sacrifices slay Vritra. I have now told you all. +See that all this is done speedily." Thus addressed by him, the +gods with the Grandsire's leave (came away), and with Narayana at +their head proceeded to the asylum of Dadhicha. That asylum was on +the other bank of the river Saraswati and covered with diverse +trees and creepers. And it resounded with the hum of bees as if +they were reciting <i>Samans</i>. And it also echoed with the +melodious notes of the male <i>Kokila</i> and the <i>Chakora</i>. +And buffaloes and boars and deer and <i>Chamaras</i> wandered there +at pleasure freed from the fear of tigers. And elephants with the +juice trickling down from rent temples, plunging in the stream, +sported with the she-elephants and made the entire region resound +with their roars. And the place also echoed with the loud roars of +lions and tigers, while at intervals might be seen those grisly +monarchs of the forest lying stretched in caves and glens and +beautifying them with their presence. And such was the asylum, like +unto heaven itself, of Dadhicha, that the gods entered. And there +they beheld Dadhicha looking like the sun himself in splendour and +blazing in grace of person like the Grandsire himself. And the +celestials saluted the feet <span class="pagenum">[Pg 221]</span> +of the Rishi and bowed unto him and begged of him the boon that the +Grandsire had bade them do. Then Dadhicha, well pleased, addressing +those foremost of celestials, said, "Ye celestials, I will do what +is for your benefit. I will even renounce this body of mine +myself." And that foremost of men with soul under control, having +said this, suddenly renounced his life. The gods then took the +bones of the deceased Rishi as directed. And the celestials, glad +at heart, went to Twashtri (the celestial Artificer) and spake to +him of the means of victory. And Twashtri, hearing those words of +theirs, became filled with joy, and constructed (out of those +bones) with great attention and care the fierce weapons called +<i>Vajra</i>. And having manufactured it, he joyfully addressed +Indra, saying, "With this foremost of weapons, O exalted one, +reduce that fierce foe of the gods to ashes. And having slain the +foe, rule thou happily the entire domain of heaven, O chief of the +celestials, with those that follow thee." And thus addressed by +Twashtri, Purandara took the <i>Vajra</i> from his hand, joyfully +and with proper respect.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CI</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Armed with the <i>Vajra</i> then, and supported +by celestials endued with great might, Indra then approached +Vritra, who was then occupying the entire earth and the heaven. And +he was guarded on all sides by huge-bodied Kalakeyas with upraised +weapons resembling gigantic mountains with towering peaks. And the +encounter that took place between the gods and the Danavas lasted +for a short while and was, O chief of the Bharatas, terrific in the +extreme, appalling as it did the three worlds. And loud was the +clash of swords and scimitars upraised and warded off by heroic +hands in course of those fierce encounters. And heads (severed from +trunks) began to roll from the firmament to the earth like fruits +of the palmyra palm falling upon the ground, loosened from their +stalks. And the Kalakeyas armed with iron-mounted bludgeons and +cased in golden mail ran against the gods, like moving mountains on +conflagration. And the gods, unable to stand the shock of that +impetuous and proudly advancing host, broke and fled from fear. +Purandara of a thousand eyes, beholding the gods flying in fear and +Vritra growing in boldness, became deeply dejected. And the +foremost of gods Purandara, himself, agitated with the fear of the +Kalakeyas, without losing a moment, sought the exalted Narayana's +refuge. And the eternal Vishnu beholding Indra so depressed +enhanced his might by imparting unto him a portion of his own +energy. And when the celestials beheld that Sakra was thus +protected by Vishnu, each of them imparted unto him his own energy. +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 222]</span> And the spotless Brahmarshis +also imparted their energies unto the chief of the celestials. And +favoured thus by Vishnu and all the gods and by the high-blessed +Rishis also, Sakra became mightier than before. And when Vritra +learnt that the chief of the celestials had been filled with might +of others, he sent forth some terrific roars. And at these roars of +his, the earth, the directions, the firmament, heaven, and the +mountains all began to tremble. And the chief of the celestials, +deeply agitated on hearing that fierce and loud roar, was filled +with fear, and desiring to slay the Asura soon, hurled, O king, the +mighty <i>Vajra</i>. And struck with Indra's <i>Vajra</i> the great +Asura decked in gold and garlands fell head-long, like the great +mountain Mandara hurled of yore from Vishnu's hands; and although +the prince of Daityas was slain, yet Sakra in panic ran from the +field, desiring to take shelter in a lake, thinking that the +<i>Vajra</i> itself had not been hurled from his hands and +regarding that Vritra himself was still alive. The celestials, +however, and the great Rishis became filled with joy, and all of +them began to cheerfully chant the praise of Indra. And mustering +together, the celestials began to slay the Danavas, who were +dejected at the death of their leader. And struck with panic at +sight of the assembled celestial host, the afflicted Danavas fled +to the depths of the sea. And having entered the fathomless deep, +teeming with fishes and crocodiles, the Danavas assembled together +and began to proudly conspire for the destruction of the three +worlds. And some amongst them that were wise in inferences +suggested courses of action, each according to his judgment. In +course of time, however, the dreadful resolution arrived at those +conspiring sons of Diti, was that they should, first of all, +compass the destruction of all persons possessed of knowledge and +ascetic virtue. The worlds are all supported by asceticism. +Therefore, they said, "Lose no time for the destruction of +asceticism. Compass ye without delay the destruction of those on +earth that are possessed of ascetic virtues, that are conversant +with duties and the ways of morality, and that have a knowledge of +<i>Brahma</i>; for when these are destroyed, the universe itself +will be destroyed." And all the Danavas, having arrived at this +resolution for the destruction of the universe, became highly glad. +And thenceforth they made the ocean—that abode of +Varuna—with billows high as hills, their fort, from which to +make their sallies.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CII</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'The Kalakeyas then having recourse to that +receptacle of waters, which is the abode of Varuna, began their +operations for the <span class="pagenum">[Pg 223]</span> +destruction of the universe. And during the darkness of the night +those angry Daityas began to devour the Munis they found in woody +retreats and sacred spots. And those wicked wretches devoured in +the asylum of Vasishtha, Brahmanas to the number of a hundred and +eighty, besides nine other ascetics. And, proceeding to the asylum +of Chyavana that was inhabited by many <i>Brahmacharis</i>, they +devoured a century of Brahmanas that lived upon fruit and roots +alone. And they began to do all this during the darkness of the +night, while they entered the depths of the sea by day. And they +slew a full score of Brahmanas of subdued souls and leading a +Brahmacharya mode of life and living upon air and water alone, in +the retreat of Bharadwaja. And it was thus that those Danavas the +Kalakeyas, intoxicated with prowess of arms and their lives nearly +run out, gradually invaded all the asylums of the Rishis during the +darkness of the night, slaughtering numerous Brahmanas. And, O best +of men, although the Danavas behaved in this way towards the +ascetics in woody retreats, yet men failed to discover anything of +them. And every morning people saw the dead bodies of Munis +emaciated with frugal diet, lying on the ground. And many of those +bodies were without flesh and without blood, without marrow, +without entrails, and with limbs separated from one another. And +here and there lay on the ground heaps of bones like masses of +conch shells. And the earth was scattered over with the +(sacrificial) contents of broken jars and shattered ladles for +pouring libations of clarified butter and with the sacred fires +kept with care by the ascetics. And the universe afflicted with the +terror of the Kalakeyas, being destitute of Vedic studies and +<i>vashats</i> and sacrificial festivals and religious rites, +became entirely cheerless. And, O king, when men began to perish in +this way, the survivors, afflicted with fear, fled for their lives +in all directions. And some fled to caverns and some behind +mountain-streams and springs and some through fear of death, died +without much ado. And some who were brave and mighty bowmen +cheerfully went out and took great trouble in tracking the Danavas. +Unable, however, to find them out, for the Asuras had sought refuge +in the depths of the sea, these brave men came back to their homes +gratified with the search. And, O lord of men, when the universe +was being thus destroyed, and when sacrificial festivals and +religious rites had been suspended, the gods became deeply +afflicted. And gathering together with Indra in their midst they +began, from fear, to take counsel of one another. And repairing +unto the exalted and uncreate Narayana—that unvanquished god +of Vaikuntha—the celestials sought his protection. And bowing +unto the slayer of Madhu, the gods addressed him, saying, "O lord, +thou art the creator, the protector, and the slayer of ourselves as +well as of the universe. It is thou who has created this universe +with its mobile and immobile creatures. O thou of eyes like lotus +leaves, it was thou who in days of yore hadst for the benefit of +all creatures raised from the sea the sunken earth, assuming also +the <span class="pagenum">[Pg 224]</span> form of a boar. And, O +best of male beings, assuming also the form of half-man and +half-lion, thou hadst slain in days of yore that ancient Daitya of +mighty prowess known by the name of Hiranyakasipu. And that other +great Asura also, Vali by name, was incapable of being slain by any +one. Assuming the form of a dwarf, thou exiledest him from the +three worlds. O lord, it was by thee that that wicked Asura, Jambha +by name, who was a mighty bowman and who always obstructed +sacrifices, was slain. Achievements like these, which cannot be +counted, are thine. O slayer of Madhu, we who have been afflicted +with fear, have thee for our refuge. It is for this, O god of gods, +that we inform thee of our present troubles. Protect the worlds, +the gods, and Sakra also, from a terrible fear."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CIII</h2> +<p>"'The celestials said, "Through thy favour it is that all born +beings of the four kinds increase. And they being created, +propitiate the dwellers of heaven by offerings made to the gods and +the names of departed forefathers. Thus it is that people, +protected by thee and free from trouble live depending on one +another, and (so) increase. Now this peril hath befallen the +people. We do not know by whom are Brahmanas being killed during +the night. If the Brahmanas are destroyed, the earth itself will +meet with destruction, and if the earth cometh to an end, heaven +also will cease to exist. O mighty-armed one, O lord of the +universe! we beseech thee (to act so) that all the worlds, +protected by thee, may not come to an end, so it may please +thee."</p> +<p>"'Vishnu said, "Ye gods! To me is known the reason of the +destruction of the born beings, I shall speak of it to you; listen +with minds free from tribulation. There exists an exceedingly +fierce host, known by the name of Kalakeyas. They, under the lead +of Vritra, were devastating the whole universe. And when they saw +that Vritra was slain by the sagacious Indra endued with a thousand +eyes, they, to preserve their lives, entered into the ocean, that +abode of Varuna. And having entered the ocean, abounding with +sharks and crocodiles, they at night killed the saints at this spot +with the view of exterminating the people. But they cannot be +slain, as they have taken shelter within the sea. Ye should, +therefore, think of some expedient to dry up the ocean. Who save +Agastya is capable of drying up the sea. And without drying up the +ocean, these (demons) cannot be assailed by any other means." +Hearing these words of Vishnu, the gods took the permission of +Brahma, who lives at the best of all regions, and went to the +hermitage of Agastya. Then they beheld the high-souled Agastya, the +son of Varuna, of resplendent mien, and waited upon by <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 225]</span> saints, even as Brahma is waited upon by +celestials. And approaching him, they addressed the son of Mitra +and Varuna at the hermitage, magnanimous and unswerving, and +looking like an embodiment of pious works piled together, and +glorified him by reciting his deeds. The deities said, "Thou wert +formerly the refuge of the gods when they were oppressed by +Nahusha. Thorn of the world that he was, he was thrown down from +his throne of heaven—from the celestial regions. Vindhya, the +foremost of all mountains, suddenly began to increase his height, +from a wrathful competition with the sun (<i>i.e.</i>, to rival him +in altitude). But he hath ceased to increase, as he was unable to +disobey thy command. And when darkness hath covered the world, the +born beings were harassed by death, but having obtained thee for a +protector, they attained the utmost security. Whenever we are beset +by perils, thy reverence is always our refuge; for this reason it +is that we solicit a boon from thee; as thou ever grantest the boon +solicited (of thee)."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CIV</h2> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'O great saint! I am desirous of hearing in +detail why it was that Vindhya, made senseless with wrath, suddenly +began to increase his bulk.'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'The sun between his rising and setting used to +revolve round that monarch of mountains—the great Meru of +golden lustre. And seeing this the mountain Vindhya spake to Surya +saying, "As thou every day goest round Meru and honourest him by +thy circumambulations, do thou even the same by me, O maker of +light!" Thus addressed, the sun replied to the great mountain, +saying, "I do not of my own will honour this mountain by my +circumambulations. By those who have built this universe hath that +path been assigned to me." Thus addressed the mountain suddenly +began to increase from wrath, desirous, O chastiser of foes, of +obstructing the path of the Sun and the Moon. And all the assembled +gods came to Vindhya, the mighty king of mountains, and tried to +dissuade him from his course. But he heeded not what they said. And +then all the assembled gods went to the saint, living in the +hermitage, engaged in the practice of austerities, and the very +best of persons devoted to virtue; and stated all that happened to +Agastya, possessed of exceeding marvellous power.</p> +<p>"'The gods said, "This king of hills, Vindhya, giving way to +wrath, is stopping the path of the Sun and the Moon, and also the +course of the stars. O foremost of Brahmanas! O thou great in +gifts! excepting thyself, there is none who can prevent him; +therefore do thou make him desist." <span class="pagenum">[Pg +226]</span> Hearing these words of the gods the Brahmana came to +the mountain. And he with his wife, having arrived there, came near +Vindhya and spake to him, saying, "O thou best of mountains! I wish +to have a path given to me by thee, as, for some purpose, I shall +have to go to the southern region. Until my return, do thou wait +for me. And when I have returned, O king of mountains, thou mayst +increase in bulk as much as thou pleasest." And, O slayer of foes! +having made this compact with Vindhya up to the present day +Varuna's son doth not return from the southern region. Thus have I, +asked by thee, narrated to thee why Vindhya doth not increase in +bulk, by reason of the power of Agastya. Now, O king! hear how the +Kalakeyas were killed by the gods, after they had obtained their +prayer from Agastya.</p> +<p>"'Having heard the words of the gods, Agastya, the son of Mitra, +and Varuna, said, "Wherefore are ye come? What boon do ye solicit +from me?" Thus addressed by him, the deities then spake to the +saint, saying, "This deed we ask thee to achieve, <i>viz</i>., to +drink up the great ocean, O magnanimous (saint)! Then we shall be +able to slay those enemies of the gods, known by the name of +Kalakeyas, together with all their adherents." Having heard the +words of the gods, the saint said, "Let it be so—I shall do +even what ye desire, and that which will conduce to the great +happiness of men." Having said this, he then proceeded to the +ocean—the lord of rivers,—accompanied by sages, ripe in +the practice of penances, and also by the deities, O thou who +leadest an excellent life! And men and snakes, celestial +choristers, Yakshas and Kinnaras followed the magnanimous +saints,—desirous of witnessing that wonderful event. Then +they came up all together near to the sea, of awful roar, dancing, +as it were, with its billows, bounding with the breeze, and +laughing with masses of froth, and stumbling at the caves, and +thronged with diverse kinds of sharks, and frequented by flocks of +various birds. And the deities accompanied by Agastya and celestial +choristers and huge snakes and highly-gifted saints, approached the +immense watery waste.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CV</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'That blessed saint, the son of Varuna, having +reached the sea spake unto the assembled gods, and the saints +gathered together, saying "I surely am going to drink up the +ocean—that abode of the god of waters. Be ye quickly ready +with those preparations which it devolves upon you to make." Having +spoken these few words, the unswerving offspring of Mitra and +Varuna, full of wrath, began to drink up the sea, while all the +worlds stood observing (the deed). Then the gods, together with +Indra, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 227]</span> seeing how the sea was +being drunk up, were struck with mighty amazement, and glorified +him with laudatory words, saying, "Thou art our protector, and the +Providence itself for men,—and also the creator of the +worlds. By thy favour the universe with its gods may possibly be +saved from havoc." And the magnanimous one, glorified by the +gods—while the musical instruments of celestial choristers +were playing all round, and while celestial blossoms were showered +upon him—rendered waterless the wide ocean. And seeing the +wide ocean rendered devoid of water, the host of gods was +exceedingly glad; and taking up choice weapons of celestial forge, +fell to slaying the demons with courageous hearts,—And they, +assailed by the magnanimous gods, of great strength, and swift of +speed, and roaring loudly, were unable to withstand the onset of +their fleet and valorous (foes)—those residents of the +heavenly regions, O descendant of Bharata! And those demons, +attacked by the gods, bellowing loudly, for a moment carried on +terrible conflict. They had been in the first instance burnt by the +force of penances performed by the saints, who had matured their +selves; therefore, the demons, though they tried to the utmost, +were at last slaughtered by the gods. And decked with brooches of +gold, and bearing on their persons ear-rings and armlets, the +demons, when slain, looked beautiful indeed, like <i>palasa</i> +trees when full of blossoms. Then, O best of men! a few—the +remnant of those that were killed of the Kalakeya race, having rent +asunder the goddess Earth, took refuge at the bottom of the nether +regions. And the gods, when they saw that the demons were slain, +with diverse speeches, glorified the mighty saint, and spake the +following words. "O thou of mighty arms, by thy favour men have +attained a mighty blessing, and the Kalakeyas, of ruthless strength +have been killed by thy power, O creator of beings! Fill the sea +(now), O mighty-armed one; give up again the water drunk up by +thee." Thus addressed, the blessed and mighty saint replied, "That +water in sooth hath been digested by me. Some other expedient, +therefore, must be thought of by you, if ye desire to make +endeavour to fill the ocean." Hearing this speech of that saint of +matured soul, the assembled gods were struck with both wonder and +sadness, O great king! And thereupon, having bidden adieu to each +other, and bowed to the mighty saint all the born beings went their +way. And the gods with Vishnu, came to Brahma. And having held +consultation again, with the view of filling up the sea, they, with +joined hands, spake about replenishing it.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 228]</span> +<h2>SECTION CVI</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Then gathered together, Brahma, the grandfather +of men (thus) addressed, "Go ye, O gods! whither your pleasure may +lead you, or your desire conduct you. It will take a long course of +time for the ocean to resume its wonted state; the occasion will be +furnished by the agnates of the great king Bhagiratha." Hearing the +words of the (universal) grandfather (Brahma), all the foremost +gods went their way biding the day (when the ocean was to be filled +again).'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'What was that occasion, O Saint? And how +did the agnates of (Bhagiratha furnish the same)? And how was the +ocean refilled by the interference of Bhagiratha? O Saint, who +deemest thy religious practices as thy only treasure, O thou of the +priestly class! I wish to hear the account of the achievements of +the king, narrated in detail by thyself.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Thus addressed by the magnanimous and +virtuous king, he, the chief of men of the priestly class, narrated +the achievements of the high-souled (king) Sagara.</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'There was born in the family of the Ikshaku +tribe, a ruler of the earth named Sagara, endued with beauty, and +strength. And that same (king) of a dreaded name was sonless, O +descendant of Bharata! And he carried havoc through the tribes of +the Haihayas and the Talajanghas; brought under subjection the +whole of the military caste; (and so) ruled over his own kingdom. +And, O most praiseworthy of the descendants of Bharata! O chief of +the Bharata race! he had two wives proud of their beauty and of +their youth,—one a princess of the Vidarbha race, and the +other of the royal line of Sivi. And, O chief of kings, that same +ruler of men, betook himself to the mountain Kailasa, accompanied +by both his wives, and with the desire of having a son became +engaged in the practice of exceeding austere penances. And being +engaged in the practice of rigid austerities, and (also) employed +in the contemplation known by the name of Yoga, he obtained the +sight of the magnanimous god with three eyes—the slayer of +the demon called Tripura; the worker of blessings (for all beings); +the (eternally) existent one; the ruling Being, the holder of the +Pinaka bow; carrying in his hand his (well-known weapon)—the +trident; the god of three eyes; the repository of (eternal) peace; +the ruler of all those that are fierce; capable of assuming very +many forms; and the lord of the goddess Uma. And that same ruler of +men, of mighty arms, as soon as he beheld the god—that giver +of boons—fell down at his feet, with both his queens, and +proffered a prayer to have a son. And the god Siva, well pleased +with him, spake (thus) to that most righteous of the rulers of men, +attended by his two wives, saying, "O lord of men! considering the +(astrological) moment at which thou hast proffered thy prayer to +me, sixty thousand sons, O foremost of choice men <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 229]</span> valorous and characterised by exceeding +pride, will be born in one of thy two wives (here). But they all, O +ruler of the earth, shall perish together. In the other wife, +(however), will be born a single valiant son, who will perpetuate +thy race." Having said this to him, the god Rudra (Siva) vanished +from sight at that very spot, and that same king Sagara now came +(back) to his own abode accompanied by his two wives, exceedingly +delighted at heart (for what had happened) then. And, O most +praiseworthy of the sons of Manu! (i.e., men), there the two +lotus-eyed wives of him—the princess of Vidarbha and the +princess of Sivi—came (erelong) to be with child. And +afterwards, on the due day, the princess of Vidarbha brought forth +(something) of the shape of a gourd and the princess of Sivi gave +birth to a boy as beautiful as a god. Then the ruler of the earth +made up his mind to throw away the gourd,—when he heard +(proceeding) from the sky a speech (uttered) in a grave and solemn +voice, "O king! do thou not be guilty of this hasty act; thou +shouldst not abandon thy sons. Take out the seeds from the gourd +and let them be preserved with care in steaming vessels partly +filled with clarified butter. Then thou wilt get, O scion of +Bharata's race! sixty thousand sons. O ruler of men! the great god +(Siva) hath spoken that thy sons are to be born in this manner. Let +not therefore thy mind be turned away therefrom."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CVII</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'O most righteous of kings! When he heard these +words (proceeding) from the sky, he had faith therein, and did all +that he was directed to do, O chief of the men of Bharata's race! +Then the ruler of men took separately each of the seeds and then +placed these divisions (of the gourd) in vessels filled with +clarified butter. And intent on the preservation of his sons, he +provided a nurse for every (receptacle). Then after a long time +there arose sixty thousand exceedingly powerful sons of that same +king—gifted with unmeasured strength, they were born, O ruler +of earth! to that saint-like king, by Rudra's favour. And they were +terrible; and their acts were ruthless. And they were able to +ascend and roam about in the sky; and being numerous themselves, +despised everybody, including the gods. And they would chase even +the gods, the Gandharvas, and the Rakshasas and all the born +beings, being themselves valiant and addicted to fighting. Then all +people, harassed by the dull-headed sons of Sagara, united with all +the gods, went to Brahma as their refuge. And then addressed the +blessed grandfather of all beings (Brahma), "Go ye your way, ye +gods, together with all these men. In a not very long <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 230]</span> space of time, there will come about, O +gods! a great and exceedingly terrible destruction of Sagara's +sons, caused by the deed perpetrated by them." Thus addressed, +those same gods, and men, O lord of the sons of Manu! bade adieu to +the grandfather, and went back to whence they had come. Then, O +chief of Bharata's race! after the expiry of very many days, the +mighty king Sagara accepted the consecration for performing the +rites of a horse-sacrifice. And his horse began to roam over the +world, protected by his sons. And when the horse reached the sea, +waterless and frightful to behold—although the horse was +guarded with very great care—it (suddenly) vanished at the +very spot (it stood upon). Then, O respected sir! those same sons +of Sagara imagined the same fine horse to have been stolen; and +returning to their father, narrated how it had been stolen out of +sight. And thereupon he addressed them, saying, "Go ye and search +for the horse in all the cardinal points." Then, O great king, by +this command of their father, they began to search for the horse in +the cardinal points and throughout the whole surface of the earth. +But all those sons of Sagara, all mutually united, could not find +the horse, nor the person who had stolen it. And coming back then, +they with joined palms thus addressed their father, (standing) +before them, "O Protector of men! O ruler of the earth! O king! by +thy command, the whole of this world with its hills and its forest +tracts, with its seas, and its woods, and its islands, with its +rivulets and rivers and caves, hath been searched through by us. +But we cannot find either the horse, or the thief who had stolen +the same." And hearing the words, the same king became senseless +with wrath, and then told them all, carried away by Destiny, "Go ye +all, may ye never return! Search ye again for the horse. Without +that sacrificial horse, ye must never return, my boys!"</p> +<p>"'And those same sons of Sagara, accepted this command of their +father, and once more began to search through the entire world. Now +these heroes saw a rift on the surface of the earth. And having +reached this pit, the sons of Sagara began to excavate it. And with +spades and pickaxes they went on digging the sea, making the utmost +efforts. And that same abode of Varuna (namely the ocean), being +thus excavated by the united sons of Sagara and rent and cut on +all sides round, was placed in a condition of the utmost distress. +And the demons and snakes and Rakshasas and various (other) +animated beings began to utter distressful cries, while being +killed by Sagara's sons. And hundreds and thousands of animated +beings were beheld with severed heads and separated trunks and with +their skins and bones and joints rent asunder and broken. Thus they +went on digging the ocean, which was the abode of Varuna and an +exceedingly long space of time expired in this work, but still the +horse was not found. Then, O lord of earth! towards the +north-eastern region of the sea, the incensed sons of Sagara dug +down as far as the lower world, and <span class="pagenum">[Pg +231]</span> there they beheld the horse, roaming about on the +surface of the ground. And they saw the magnanimous Kapila, who +looked like a perfect mass of splendour. And having beheld him +shining with his brightness, just as the fire shineth with its +flames, they, O king! seeing the horse, were flushed with delight. +And they being incensed, sent forward by their fate, paid no heed +to the presence of the magnanimous Kapila, and ran forward with a +view to seizing the horse. Then, O great king! Kapila, the most +righteous of saints,—he whom the great sages name as Kapila +Vasudeva—assumed a fiery look, and the mighty saint shot +flames towards them, and thereby burnt down the dull-headed sons of +Sagara. And Narada, whose practice of austerities was very great, +when he beheld them reduced to ashes, came to Sagara's side, and +gave the information to him. And when the king learnt this terrible +news which proceeded from the mouth of the saint, for nearly an +hour he remained sad, and then he bethought himself of what Siva +had said. Then sending for Ansuman, the son of Asamanjas, and his +own grandson, he, O chief of Bharata's race! spake the following +words, "Those same sixty thousand sons of unmeasured strength +having encountered Kapila's wrath, have met their death on my +account. And, O my boy of stainless character! thy father also hath +been forsaken by me, in order to discharge my duty (as a king), and +being desirous of doing good to my subjects."'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'O saint, whose sole wealth consists in +religious practices! Tell me for what reason, Sagara, the foremost +of kings, abandoned his own begotten son, endued with +valour—an act so difficult (for all other men).'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'A son was born to Sagara, known by the name of +Asamanjas, he who was given birth to by the princess of Sivi. And +he used to seize by throat the feeble children of the townsmen, and +threw them while screaming into the river. And thereupon the +townsmen, overwhelmed with terror and grief, met together, and all +standing with joined palms, besought Sagara in the following way, +"O great king! Thou art our protector from the dreaded peril of +attack from a hostile force. Therefore it is proper for thee to +deliver us from the frightful danger, proceeding from Asamanjas." +And the most righteous of the rulers of men, having heard this +frightful news from his subjects, for nearly an hour remained sad +and then spake to his ministers, saying, "This day from the city +let my son Asamanjas be driven forth. If ye wish to do what will be +acceptable to me, let this be quickly done." And, O protector of +men! those same ministers, thus addressed by the king, performed in +a hurry exactly what the king had commanded them to do. Thus have I +narrated to thee how the magnanimous Sagara banished his son, with +a view to the welfare of the residents of the town. I shall now +fully narrate to thee what Ansuman of the powerful bow was told by +Sagara. Listen to me!</p> +<p>"'Sagara said, "O my boy! sore am I at heart for having +abandoned thy <span class="pagenum">[Pg 232]</span> father, on +account of the death of my sons, and also on being unsuccessful in +getting back the horse. Therefore, O grandson! harassed with grief +and confounded with the obstruction to my religious rites as I am, +thou must bring back the horse and deliver me from hell." Thus +addressed by the magnanimous Sagara, Ansuman went with sorrow to +that spot where the earth had been excavated. And by that very +passage he entered into the sea, and beheld that illustrious Kapila +and that same horse. And having beheld that ancient saint, most +righteous of his order, looking like a mass of light, he bowed with +his head to the ground, and informed him of the reason of his +visit. Then, O great king, Kapila was pleased with Ansuman, and +that saint of a virtuous soul told him to ask for a favour from +him. And he in the first place prayed for the horse, for the +purpose of using it in the sacrifice; in the second place he prayed +for the purification of his fathers. Then the mighty chief of +saints, Kapila spake to him, saying, "I shall grant thee everything +that thou desirest, O stainless (prince). May good luck be thine! +In thee are fixed (the virtues of) forbearance, and truth, and +righteousness. By thee hath Sagara had all his desires fulfilled. +Thou are (really) a son to thy father. And by thy ability the sons +of Sagara will go to heaven (i.e., will be delivered from the +consequences of their unhallowed death). And the son of thy son, +with a view to purifying the sons of Sagara, will obtain the favour +of the great god Siva, (by means of practising great austerities), +and will (thus) bring (to this world) the river that floweth in +three (separate) streams, Ganga, O chief of men! May good luck be +thine! Take thou with thee the sacrificial horse. Finish, my lad! +the sacrificial rites of the magnanimous Sagara." Thus addressed by +the illustrious Kapila, Ansuman took the horse with him, and came +back to the sacrificial yard of the mighty-minded Sagara. Then he +fell prostrate at the feet of the high-souled Sagara, who smelt him +on the head and narrated all the events to him, all that had been +seen and heard by him, and likewise the destruction of Sagara's +sons. He also announced that the horse had been brought back to the +sacrificial yard. And when king Sagara heard of this, he no more +grieved on account of his sons. And he praised and honoured +Ansuman, and finished those same sacrificial rites. His sacrifice +finished, Sagara was greeted honourably by all the gods; and he +converted the sea, Varuna's dwelling place, into a son of himself. +And the lotus-eyed (King Sagara) having ruled his kingdom for a +period of exceeding length, placed his grandson on the throne, +(full of) responsibilities and then ascended to heaven. And Ansuman +likewise, O great king! virtuous in soul, ruled over the world as +far as the edge of the sea, following the foot-prints of his +father's father. His son was named Dilipa, versed in virtue. Upon +him placing the duties of his sovereign post, Ansuman likewise +departed this life. And then when Dilipa heard what an awful fate +had overtaken his forefathers, he was sorely grieved and thought of +the means of raising <span class="pagenum">[Pg 233]</span> them. +And the ruler of men made every great effort towards the descent of +Ganga (to the mortal world). But although trying to the utmost of +his power, he could not bring about what he so much wished. And a +son was born to him, known by the name of Bhagiratha, beauteous, +and devoted to a virtuous life, and truthful, and free from +feelings of malice. And Dilipa appointed him as king, and betook +himself to the forest life. And, O best of all the scions of +Bharata's race! that same king (Dilipa), devoted himself to a +successful course of austerities, and at the end of (sufficient) +period, from the forest departed to heaven.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CVIII</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'That same king, of a powerful bow, standing at +the head of the surrounding, (i.e., the occupant of an imperial +throne) of a powerful car, (i.e., possessing every great fighting +power) became the delight of the eyes and the soul of all the +world. And he of the powerful arm came to learn how his forefathers +had met an awful end from Kapila of mighty soul, and how they had +been unable to attain the region of gods. And he with a sorrowful +heart made over his kingly duties to his minister, and, O lord of +men! for practising austerities, went to the side of the snowy +Mountain (the Himalayas). And, O most praiseworthy of men, desirous +of extinguishing his sins by leading an austere life, and (thereby) +obtaining the favour of the (goddess) Ganga, he visited that +foremost of mountains—Himalaya. And he beheld it adorned with +peaks of diverse forms full of mineral earth; besprinkled on all +sides with drops from clouds which were resting themselves upon the +breeze; beautiful with rivers and groves and rocky spurs, looking +like (so many) palaces (in a city); attended upon by lions and +tigers that had concealed themselves in its caves and pits; and +also inhabited by birds of checkered forms, which were uttering +diverse sounds, such as the Bhringarajas, and ganders, and +Datyuhas, and water-cocks, and peacocks and birds with a hundred +feathers, and Jivanjivakas, and black birds, and Chakoras of eyes +furnished with black corners, and the birds that love their young. +And he saw the mountain abounding in lotus plants growing in +delightful reservoirs of water. And the cranes rendered it charming +with their sounds; and the Kinnaras and the celestial nymphs were +seated on its stony slabs. And the elephants occupying the cardinal +points had everywhere robbed its trees with the end of their tusks; +and the demi-gods of the Vidyadhara class frequented the hill. And +it was full of various gems, and was also infested by snakes +bearing terrible poison and of glowing tongues. And the mountain at +places looked like (massive) gold, and elsewhere it resembled a +silvery <span class="pagenum">[Pg 234]</span> (pile), and at some +places it was like a (sable) heap of collyrium. Such was the snowy +hill where the king now found himself. And that most praiseworthy +of men at that spot betook himself to an awful austere course of +life. And for one thousand years his subsistence was nothing but +water, fruit and roots. When, however, a thousand years according +to the calculation of gods had elapsed, then the great river Ganga +having assumed a material form, manifested to him her (divine) +self.</p> +<p>"'Ganga said. "O great king! what dost thou desire of me? And +what must I bestow on thee? Tell me the same, O most praiseworthy +of men! I shall do as thou mayst ask me." Thus addressed, the king +then made his reply to Ganga, the daughter of the snowy Hill, +saying, "O grantress of boons! O great river! my father's fathers, +while searching for the horse, were sent by Kapila to the abode of +the god of death. And those same sixty thousand sons of Sagara of +mighty soul, having met with the majestic Kapila, perished, (to a +soul) in an instant of time. Having thus perished, there hath been +no place for them in the region of heaven. O great river! So long +as thou dost not besprinkle those same bodies with thy water, there +is no salvation for these same Sagara's sons. O blessed goddess! +carry thou my forefathers, Sagara's sons, to the region of heaven. +O great river! on their account am I beseeching thee +forsooth."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Ganga, the goddess saluted by the world, having +heard these words of the king, was well pleased, and spake to +Bhagiratha the following words: "O great king! I am prepared to do +what thou dost ask me; there is no doubt therein. But when I shall +descend from the sky to the earth, the force of my fall will be +difficult to sustain, O protector of men! In the three worlds there +exists none who is able to sustain the same, excepting Siva, the +most praiseworthy of gods, the great Lord with the throat of sable +blue. O (prince) of a powerful arm! Obtain the favour, by +practising austerities, of that same Siva—giver of boons. +That same god will sustain my descent upon his head. Thy desire he +will fulfill, the desire, namely, to be of service to thy fathers, +O king!" Then the great king Bhagiratha having heard the same, went +to the Kailasa hill, and betaking himself to a severe course of +penances, at the expiration of a certain length of time obtained +the favour of that worker of blessings (Siva). And, O protector of +men! that same best of men, in order that his forefathers might +have a place in heaven secured to them, received from that very +Siva the fulfilment of his wish, namely the wish that the +descending Ganga might be sustained.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 235]</span> +<h2>SECTION CIX</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'The blessed God having heard what Bhagiratha had +said, and with a view to doing what was agreeable to the residents +of heaven, replied to the king, saying, "So let it be. O most +righteous of the protectors of men, O (prince) of a powerful arm! +For thy sake I shall sustain the river of the gods, when she will +take her descent from the sky, she who is pure and blessed and +divine, O (king) of a mighty arm!" Saying this, he came to the +snowy mountain, surrounded by his attendants, of awful mien, and +with uplifted weapons of diverse forms. And standing there, he said +to Bhagiratha, the most praiseworthy of men, "O (prince) of a +powerful arm! do thou pray to the river, the daughter of the king +of mountains. I shall sustain that most praiseworthy of rivers when +she falls down from the third region of the world (heaven)." Having +heard these words uttered by Siva, the king became devout (in +heart), made obesiance and directed his thoughts towards Ganga. +Then the delightful (river), of pure water in being so thought of +by the king, and seeing that the great lord (Siva) was standing (to +receive her fall), came down all of a sudden from the sky. And +seeing that she had taken her leap from the sky, the gods, together +with the mighty saints, the Gandharvas, the snakes, and the +Yakshas, assembled there as spectators. Then came down from the sky +Ganga, the daughter of the snowy mountain. And her whirlpools were +raging, and she was teeming with fishes and sharks. O king! she +directing her course towards the sea, separated herself, into three +streams; and her water was bestrewn with piles of froth, which +looked like so many rows of (white) ganders. And crooked and +tortuous in the movement of her body, at places; and at others +stumbling as it were; and covered with foam as with a robe: she +went forward like a woman drunk. And elsewhere, by virtue of the +roar of her waters, she uttered loud sounds. Thus assuming very +many different aspects, when she fell from the sky, and reached the +surface of the earth, she said to Bhagiratha, "O great king! show +me the path that I shall have to take. O lord of the earth! for thy +sake have I descended to the earth." Having heard these words, king +Bhagiratha directed his course towards the spot where lay those +bodies of mighty Sagara's sons, in order that, O most praiseworthy +of men, the holy water might flood (the same). Having achieved the +task of sustaining Ganga, Siva, saluted by men, went to Kailasa the +most praiseworthy of mountains, accompanied by the celestials. And +the protector of men (Bhagiratha) accompanied by Ganga reached the +sea; and the sea, the abode of Varuna, was quickly filled. And the +king adopted Ganga as a daughter of himself, and at that spot +offered <span class="pagenum">[Pg 236]</span> libations of water to +the names of his forefathers; thus was his heart's wish fulfilled. +Thus asked by thee, I have narrated the whole story how Ganga +running in three streams, was brought down to the earth for filling +the sea; how the mighty saint had drunk up the sea for a particular +reason, and how, O lord! Vatapi, the slayer of Brahmanas, was +destroyed by Agastya.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CX</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "O chief of the Bharata race! then the son of +Kunti went at a slow pace to the two rivers Nanda and Aparananda, +which had the virtue of destroying the dread of sin. And the +protector of men having reached the healthy hill Hemakuta, beheld +there very many strange and inconceivable sights. There the very +utterance of words caused the gathering of clouds, and a thousand +volleys of stones. And people at its sight were struck sad, and +were unable to ascend the hill. There the winds blew for aye, and +the heavens always poured down rains; and likewise the sounds of +the recitation of the sacred writ were heard, yet nobody was seen. +In the evening and in the morning would be seen the blessed fire +that carries offerings to the gods and there flies would bite and +interrupt the practice of austerities. And there a sadness would +overtake the soul, and people would become sick. The son of Pandu, +having observed very many strange circumstances of this character +again addressed his questions to Lomasa with reference to these +wonderful things.</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'O slayer of foes! O king! I am going to tell thee +as we heard it before; do thou attend to the same with intent mind. +In this peak of Rishava, there was once a saint known by that name. +And his life had lasted for many hundred years. And he was devoted +to penances and was greatly wrathful. And he, forsooth, for having +been spoken to by others, from wrath addressed the hill thus, +"Whoever should utter any words here, thou must throw stones at +him, and thou must call up the winds to prevent him from making any +noise." This was what the saint said. And so at this place, as soon +as a man utters any words, he is forbidden by a roaring cloud. O +king! thus these deeds were performed by that great saint, and from +wrath he also forbade other acts. O king! tradition says that when +the gods of yore had come to the Nanda, suddenly came over (there) +a number of men to look at the celestials. Those same gods at whose +head stood Indra did not, however, like to be seen; and so they +rendered this spot inaccessible, by raising obstructions in the +form of hills. And from that day forward, O Kunti's son! men could +not cast their eyes at any time on what looked like a hill, +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 237]</span> far less could they ascend +the same. This big mountain is incapable of being seen by one who +hath not led an austere life, nor can such a one ascend it. +Therefore, O son of Kunti! keep thou thy tongue under control. Here +at that time all those gods performed the best sacrificial rites. O +Bharata's son! Even up to this day these marks thereof may be seen. +This grass here hath the form of the sacred <i>kusa</i> grass: the +ground here seemeth to be overspread with the sacred grass; and, O +lord of men! many of these trees here look like the spots for tying +the sacrificial beasts. O Bharata's son! still the Gods and saints +have residence here; and their sacred fire is observed in the +morning and in the evening. Here if one bathes, his sin is +forthwith destroyed, O Kunti's son! O most praiseworthy of the race +of Kuru! do thou, therefore, perform thy ablutions, together with +thy younger brothers. Then after having washed thyself in the +Nanda, thou wilt repair to the river Kausiki, the spot where the +most excellent and severest form of penances was practised by +Viswamitra.' Then the king with his attendants, having washed his +body there, proceeded to the river Kausiki, which was pure and +delightful and pleasant with cool water.</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'This is the pure divine river by name Kausiki. O +chief of Bharata's race! and this is the delightful hermitage of +Viswamitra, conspicuous here. And this is a hermitage, with a holy +name, belonging to Kasyapa of mighty soul; whose son was +Rishyasringa, devoted to penances, and of passions under control. +He by force of his penances caused Indra to rain; and that god, the +slayer of the demons Vala and Vritra, dreading him, poured down +rain during a drought. That powerful and mighty son of Kasyapa was +born of a hind. He worked a great marvel in the territory of +Lomapada. And when the crops had been restored, king Lomapada gave +his daughter Santa in marriage to him, as the sun gave in marriage +his daughter Savitri.'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'How was the son of Kasyapa, Rishyasringa, +born of a hind? And how was he endowed with holiness, being the +issue of a reprehensible sexual connexion? And for what reason was +Indra, the slayer of the demons Vala and Vritra, afraid of that +same sagacious boy, and poured down rain during a period of +drought? And how beautiful was that princess Santa, pure in life, +she who allured the heart of him when he had turned himself into a +stag? And since the royal saint Lomapada is said to have been of a +virtuous disposition, why was it that in his territory, Indra, the +chastiser of the demon Paka, had withheld rain? O holy saint! all +this in detail, exactly as it happened, thou wilt be pleased to +narrate to me, for I am desirous of hearing the deeds of +Rishyasringa's life.'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Hear how Rishyasringa, of dreaded name, was born +as a son to Vibhandaka, who was a saint of the Brahmana caste, who +had cultured his soul by means of religious austerities, whose seed +never failed <span class="pagenum">[Pg 238]</span> in causing +generation, and who was learned and bright like the Lord of beings. +And the father was highly honoured, and the son was possessed of a +mighty spirit, and, though a boy, was respected by aged men. And +that son of Kasyapa, Vibhandaka, having proceeded to a big lake, +devoted himself to the practice of penances. And that same saint, +comparable to a god, laboured for a long period. And once while he +was washing his mouth in the waters, he beheld the celestial nymph +Urvasi—whereupon came out his seminal fluid. And, O king! a +hind at that time lapped it up along with the water that she was +drinking, being athirst; and from this cause she became with child. +That same hind had really been a daughter of the gods, and had been +told of yore by the holy Brahma, the creator of the worlds, "Thou +shall be a hind; and when in that form, thou shall give birth to a +saint; thou shalt then be freed." As Destiny would have it, and as +the word of the creator would not be untrue, in that same hind was +born his (Vibhandaka's) son a mighty saint. And Rishyasringa, +devoted to penances, always passed his days in the forest. O king! +there was a horn on the head of that magnanimous saint and for this +reason did he come to be known at the time by the name of +Rishyasringa. And barring his father, not a man had ever before +been seen by him; therefore his mind, O protector of men! was +entirely devoted to the duties of a continent life. At this very +period there was a ruler of the land of Anga known by the name of +Lomapada who was a friend of Dasaratha. We have heard that he from +love of pleasure had been guilty of a falsehood towards a Brahmana. +And that same ruler of the world had at that time been shunned by +all persons of the priestly class. And he was without a ministering +priest (to assist him in his religious rites). And the god of a +thousand eyes (Indra) suddenly abstained from giving rain in his +territory; so that his people began to suffer and O lord of the +earth! he questioned a number of Brahmanas, devoted to penances, of +cultivated minds, and possessed of capabilities with reference to +the matter of rain being granted by the lord of gods, saying, "How +may the heavens grant us the rain? Think of an expedient (for this +purpose)." And those same cultured men, being thus questioned, gave +expression to their respective views. And one among them—the +best of saints—spake to that same king, saying, "O lord of +kings! the Brahmanas are angry with thee. Do some act (therefore) +for appeasing them. O ruler of the earth! send for Rishyasringa, +the son of a saint, resident of the forest knowing nothing of the +female sex, and always taking delight in simplicity. O king! if he, +great in the practice of penances, should show himself in thy +territory, forthwith rain would be granted by the heavens, herein I +have no doubt at all." And, O king! having heard these words +Lomapada made atonement for his sins. And he went away; and when +the Brahmanas had been appeased, he returned <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 239]</span> again, and seeing the king returned, the +people were again glad at heart. Then the king of Anga convened a +meeting of his ministers, proficient in giving counsel. And he took +great pains in order to settle some plan for securing a visit from +Rishyasringa. And, O unswerving (prince)! with those ministers, who +were versed in all branches of knowledge, and exceedingly +proficient in worldly matters, and had a thorough training in +practical affairs, he at last settled a plan (for gaining his +object). And then he sent for a number of courtesans, women of the +town, clever in everything. And when they came, that same ruler of +the earth spake to them, saying, "Ye lovely women! Ye must find +some means to allure, and obtain the confidence of the son of the +saint—Rishyasringa, whom ye must bring over to my territory." +And those same women, on the one hand afraid of the anger of the +king and on the other, dreading a curse from the saint, became sad +and confounded, and declared the business to be beyond their power. +One, however, among them—a hoary woman, thus spake to the +king, "O great king! him whose wealth solely consists in penances, +I shall try to bring over here. Thou wilt, however, have to procure +for me certain things, in connection with the plan. In that case, I +may be able to bring over the son of the saint—Rishyasringa." +Thereupon the king gave an order that all that she might ask for +should be procured. And he also gave a good deal of wealth and +jewels of various kinds. And then, O Lord of the earth, she took +with herself a number of women endowed with beauty and youth, and +went to the forest without delay.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXI</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'O descendant of Bharata! she in order to compass +the object of the king, prepared a floating hermitage, both because +the king had ordered so, and also because it exactly accorded with +her plan. And the floating hermitage, containing artificial trees +adorned with various flowers and fruits, and surrounded by diverse +shrubs and creeping plants and capable of furnishing choice and +delicious fruits, was exceedingly delightful, and nice, and +pleasing, and looked as if it had been created by magic. Then she +moored the vessel at no great distance from the hermitage of +Kasyapa's son, and sent emissaries to survey the place where that +same saint habitually went about. And then she saw an opportunity; +and having conceived a plan in her mind, sent forward her daughter, +a courtesan by trade and of smart sense. And that clever woman went +to the vicinity of the religious man and arriving at the hermitage +beheld the son of the saint.</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 240]</span> +<p>"'The courtesan said, "I hope, O saint! that is all well with +the religious devotees. And I hope that thou hast a plentiful store +of fruits and roots and that thou takest delight in this hermitage. +Verily I come here now to pay thee a visit. I hope the practice of +austerities among the saints is on the increase. I hope that thy +father's spirit hath not slackened and that he is well pleased with +thee. O Rishyasringa of the priestly caste! I hope thou prosecutest +the studies proper for thee."</p> +<p>"'Rishyasringa said, "Thou art shining with lustre, as if thou +wert a (mass) of light. And I deem thee worthy of obeisance. Verily +I shall give thee water for washing thy feet and such fruits and +roots also as may be liked by thee, for this is what my religion +hath prescribed to me. Be thou pleased to take at thy pleasure thy +seat on a mat made of the sacred grass, covered over with a black +deer-skin and made pleasant and comfortable to sit upon. And where +is thy hermitage? O Brahmana! thou resemblest a god in thy mien. +What is the name of this particular religious vow, which thou +seemest to be observing now?"</p> +<p>"'The courtesan said, "O son of Kasyapa! on the other side of +yonder hill, which covers the space of three Yojanas, is my +hermitage—a delightful place. There, not to receive obeisance +is the rule of my faith nor do I touch water for washing my feet. I +am not worthy of obeisance from persons like thee; but I must make +obeisance to thee. O Brahmana! This is the religious observance to +be practised by me, namely, that thou must be clasped in my +arms."</p> +<p>"'Rishyasringa said, "Let me give thee ripe fruits, such as +gallnuts, myrobalans, <i>Karushas, Ingudas</i> from sandy tracts +and Indian fig. May it please thee to take a delight in them!"'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'She, however, threw aside all those edible things +and then gave him unsuitable things for food. And these were +exceedingly nice and beautiful to see and were very much acceptable +to Rishyasringa. And she gave him garlands of an exceedingly +fragrant scent and beautiful and shining garments to wear and +first-rate drinks; and then played and laughed and enjoyed herself. +And she at his sight played with a ball and while thus employed, +looked like a creeping plant broken in two. And she touched his +body with her own and repeatedly clasped Rishyasringa in her arms. +Then she bent and broke the flowery twigs from trees, such as the +Sala, the Asoka and the Tilaka. And overpowered with intoxication, +assuming a bashful look, she went on tempting the great saint's +son. And when she saw that the heart of Rishyasringa had been +touched, she repeatedly pressed his body with her own and casting +glances, slowly went away under the pretext that she was going to +make offerings on the fire. On her departure, Rishyasringa became +over-powered with love and lost his sense. His mind turned +constantly to her and felt itself vacant. And he began to sigh and +seemed to be in great distress. At that moment appeared Vibhandaka, +Kasyapa's son, he whose <span class="pagenum">[Pg 241]</span> eyes +were tawny like those of a lion, whose body was covered with hair +down to the tip of the nails, who was devoted to studies proper for +his caste, and whose life was pure and was passed in religious +meditation. He came up and saw that his son was seated alone, +pensive and sad, his mind upset and sighing again and again with +upturned eyes. And Vibhandaka spake to his distressed son, saying, +"My boy! why is it that thou art not hewing the logs for fuel. I +hope thou hast performed the ceremony of burnt offering today. I +hope thou hast polished the sacrificial ladles and spoons and +brought the calf to the milch cow whose milk furnisheth materials +for making offerings on the fire. Verily thou art not in thy wonted +state, O son! Thou seemest to be pensive, and to have lost thy +sense. Why art thou so sad today? Let me ask thee, who hath been to +this place today?"'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXII</h2> +<p>"'Rishyasringa said, "Here came to-day a religious student with +a mass of hair on his head. And he was neither short nor tall. And +he was of a spirited look and a golden complexion, and endued with +eye large as lotuses; and he was shining and graceful as a god. And +rich was his beauty blazing like the Sun; and he was exceedingly +fair with eyes graceful and black. And his twisted hair was +blue-black and neat and long and of a fragrant scent and tied up +with strings of gold. A beautiful ornament was shining on his neck +which looked like lightning in the sky. And under the throat he had +two balls of flesh without a single hair upon them and of an +exceedingly beautiful form. And his waist was slender to a degree +and his navel neat; and smooth also was the region about his ribs. +Then again there shone a golden string from under his cloth, just +like this waist-string of mine. And there was something on his feet +of a wonderful shape which give forth a jingling sound. Upon his +wrists likewise was tied a pair of ornaments that made a similar +sound and looked just like this rosary here. And when he walked, +his ornaments uttered a jingling sound like those uttered by +delighted ganders upon a sheet of water. And he had on his person +garments of a wonderful make; these clothes of mine are by no means +beautiful like those. And his face was wonderful to behold; and his +voice was calculated to gladden the heart; and his speech was +pleasant like the song of the male blackbird. And while listening +to the same I felt touched to my inmost soul. And as a forest in +the midst of the vernal season, assumes a grace only when it is +swept over by the breeze, so, O father! he of an excellent and pure +smell looks beautiful when fanned by the air. And his mass of hair +is neatly tied up <span class="pagenum">[Pg 242]</span> and remains +adhering to the head and forehead evenly sundered in two. And his +two eyes seemed to be covered with wonderful Chakravaka birds of an +exceedingly beautiful form. And he carried upon his right palm a +wonderful globur fruit, which reaches the ground and again and +again leaps up to the sky in a strange way. And he beats it and +turns himself round and whirls like a tree moved by the breeze. And +when I looked at him, O father! he seemed to be a son of the +celestials, and my joy was extreme, and my pleasure unbounded. And +he clasped my body, took hold of my matted hair, and bent down my +mouth, and, mingling his mouth with my own, uttered a sound that +was exceedingly pleasant. And he doth not care for water for +washing his feet, nor for those fruits offered by me; and he told +me that such was the religious observance practised by him. And he +gave unto me a number of fruits. Those fruits were tasteful unto +me: these here are not equal to them in taste. They have not got +any rind nor any stone within them, like these. And he of a noble +form gave me to drink water of an exceedingly fine flavour; and +having drunk it, I experienced great pleasure; and the ground +seemed to be moving under my feet. And these are the garlands +beautiful and fragrant and twined with silken threads that belong +to him. And he, bright with fervent piety, having scattered these +garlands here, went back to his own hermitage. His departure hath +saddened my heart; and my frame seems to be in a burning sensation! +And my desire is to go to him as soon as I can, and to have him +every day walk about here. O father, let me this very moment go to +him. Pray, what is that religious observance which is being +practised by him. As he of a noble piety is practising penances, so +I am desirous to live the same life with him. My heart is yearning +after similar observances. My soul will be in torment if I see him +not."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXIII</h2> +<p>"'Vibhandaka said, "Those are, O son! Rakshasas. They walk about +in that wonderfully beautiful form. Their strength is unrivalled +and their beauty great. And they always meditate obstruction to the +practice of penances. And, O my boy, they assume lovely forms and +try to allure by diverse means. And those fierce beings hurled the +saints, the dwellers of the woods, from blessed regions (won by +their pious deeds). And the saint who hath control over his soul, +and who is desirous of obtaining the regions where go the +righteous, ought to have nothing to do with them. And their acts +are vile and their delight is in causing obstruction to those who +practise penance; (therefore) a pious man should never look at +them. <span class="pagenum">[Pg 243]</span> And, O son! those were +drinks unworthy to be drunk, being as they were spirituous liquors +consumed by unrighteous men. And these garlands, also, bright and +fragrant and of various hues, are not intended for saints." Having +thus forbidden his son by saying that those were wicked demons, +Vibhandaka went in quest of her. And when by three day's search he +was unable to trace where she was he then came back to his own +hermitage. In the meanwhile, when the son of Kasyapa had gone out +to gather fruits, then that very courtesan came again to tempt +Rishyasringa in the manner described above. And as soon as +Rishyasringa had her in sight, he was glad and hurriedly rushing +towards him said, "Let us go to thy hermitage before the return of +my father." Then, O king! those same courtesans by contrivances +made the only son of Kasyapa enter their bark, and unmoored the +vessel. And by various means they went on delighting him and at +length came to the side of Anga's king. And leaving then that +floating vessel of an exceedingly white tint upon the water, and +having placed it within sight of the hermitage, he similarly +prepared a beautiful forest known by the name of the <i>Floating +Hermitage</i>. The king, however, kept that only son of Vibhandaka +within that part of the palace destined for the females when of a +sudden he beheld that rain was poured by the heavens and that the +world began to be flooded with water. And Lomapada, the desire of +his heart fulfilled, bestowed his daughter Santa on Rishyasringa in +marriage. And with a view to appease the wrath of his father, he +ordered kine to be placed, and fields to be ploughed, by the road +that Vibhandaka was to take, in order to come to his son. And the +king also placed plentiful cattle and stout cowherds, and gave the +latter the following order:</p> +<p>"'"When the great saint Vibhandaka should enquire of you about +his son, ye must join your palms and say to him that these cattle, +and these ploughed fields belong to his son and that ye are his +slaves, and that ye are ready to obey him in all that he might +bid." Now the saint, whose wrath was fierce, came to his hermitage, +having gathered fruits and roots and searched for his son. But not +finding him he became exceedingly wroth. And he was tortured with +anger and suspected it to be the doing of the king. And therefore, +he directed his course towards the city of Champa having made up +his mind to burn the king, his city, and his whole territory. And +on the way he was fatigued and hungry, when he reached those same +settlements of cowherds, rich with cattle. And he was honoured in a +suitable way by those cowherds and then spent the night in a manner +befitting a king. And having received very great hospitality from +them, he asked them, saying, "To whom, O cowherds, do ye belong?" +Then they all came up to him and said, "All this wealth hath been +provided for thy son." At different places he was thus honoured by +that best of men, and saw his son who looked like the god Indra in +heaven. And he also beheld <span class="pagenum">[Pg 244]</span> +there his daughter-in-law, Santa, looking like lightning issuing +from a (cloud). And having seen the hamlets and the cowpens +provided for his son and having also beheld Santa, his great +resentment was appeased. And O king of men! Vibhandaka expressed +great satisfaction with the very ruler of the earth. And the great +saint, whose power rivalled that of the sun and the god of fire, +placed there his son, and thus spake, "As soon as a son is born to +thee, and having performed all that is agreeable to the king, to +the forest must thou come without fail." And Rishyasringa did +exactly as his father said, and went back to the place where his +father was. And, O king of men! Santa obediently waited upon him as +in the firmament the star Rohind waits upon the Moon, or as the +fortunate Arundhati waits upon Vasishtha, or as Lopamudra waits +upon Agastya. And as Damayanti was an obedient wife to Nala, or as +Sachi is to the god who holdeth the thunderbolt in his hand or as +Indrasena, Narayana's daughter, was always obedient to Mudgala, so +did Santa wait affectionately upon Rishyasringa, when he lived in +the wood. This is the holy hermitage which belonged to him. +Beautifying the great lake here, it bears holy fame. Here perform +thy ablutions and have thy desire fulfilled. And having purified +thyself, direct thy course towards other holy spots.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 245]</span> +<h2>SECTION CXIV</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Then, O Janamejaya, the son of Pandu started +from the river Kausiki and repaired in succession to all the sacred +shrines. And, O protector of men, he came to the sea where the +river Ganga falls into it; and there in the centre of five hundred +rivers, he performed the holy ceremony of a plunge. Then, O ruler +of the earth, accompanied by his brothers, the valiant prince +proceeded by the shore of the sea towards the land where the +Kalinga tribes dwell.</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'There is the land, O Kunti's son, where the +Kalinga tribes dwell. Through it passeth the river Vaitarani, on +the banks whereof even the god of virtue performed religious rites, +having first placed himself under the protection of the celestials. +Verily, this is the northern bank, inhabited by saints, suitable +for the performance of religious rites beautified by a hill, and +frequented by persons of the regenerate caste. This spot (in +holiness) rivals the path whereby a virtuous man, fit for going to +heaven, repairs to the region inhabited by gods. And verily at this +spot in former times, other saints likewise worshipped the +immortals by the performance of religious rites. And at the very +spot it was that the god Rudra, O king of kings, seized the +sacrificial beast and exclaimed, "This is my share!" O chief of the +descendants of Bharata, then when the beast was carried away by +Siva, the gods spake to him saying, "Cast not a covetous glance at +the property of others, disregarding all the righteous rules." Then +they addressed words of glorification of a pleasing kind to the god +Rudra. And they satisfied him by offering a sacrifice, and paid him +suitable honours. Thereupon he gave up the beast, and went by the +path trodden by the gods. Thereupon what happened to Rudra, learn +from me, O Yudhishthira! Influenced by the dread of Rudra, the gods +set apart for evermore, the best allotment out of all shares, such +as was fresh and not stale (to be appropriated by the god). +Whosoever performs his ablutions at this spot, while reciting this +ancient story, beholds with his mortal eyes the path that leads to +the region of the gods.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Then all the sons of Pandu and likewise the +daughter of Drupada—all of whom were the favoured of +Fate—descended to the river Vaitarani, and made libations to +the manes of their fathers.</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'O Lomasa, how great must be the force of a +pious deed! Having taken my bath at this spot in a proper form, I +seem to touch no more the region inhabited by mortal men! O saint +of a virtuous life, I am beholding all the regions. And this is the +noise of the magnanimous dwellers of the wood, who are reciting +their audible prayers.'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'O Yudhishthira, the place whence this noise comes +and reaches thy ears is at the distance of three hundred thousand +<i>yojanas</i>, to be sure. O lord of men, rest thou quiet and +utter no word. O king, this is the divine forest of the +Self-existent One, which hath now come to our view. There, O king, +Viswakarma of a dreaded name performed religious rites. On the +mighty occasion of that sacrifice, the Self-existent One made a +gift <span class="pagenum">[Pg 246]</span> of this entire earth +with all its hilly and forest tracts, to Kasyapa, by way of +gratuity, for ministering as a priest. And then, O Kuru's son, as +soon as that goddess Earth was giving away, she became sad at +heart, and wrathfully spake the following words to that great lord, +the ruler of the worlds, "O mighty god, it is unworthy of thee to +give me away to an ordinary mortal. And this act of gift on thy +part will come to nothing; (for) here am I going to descend into +the bottom of the nether world." Then when the blessed saint +Kasyapa beheld the goddess Earth, despondent and sad, he, O +protector of men, performed a propitiatory act calculated to +appease her wrath. And then, O Pandu's son, the Earth was pleased +with his pious deed. And she uprose again from within the waters, +and showed herself in the form of a sacred altar. This, O king, is +the spot which distinctly manifests the form of an altar. O great +monarch, ascend over it, and thou wilt gain valour and strength. +And, O king, this is the very altar which reaches as far as the +sea, and rests itself upon its bosom. May good luck be thine, do +thou mount hereupon, and of thyself cross the sea. And while thou +this day mountest upon it, I shall administer the ceremony for +averting all evil from thee; for this altar here, as soon as it +gets a mortal's touch, at once enters into the sea. <i>Salutation +to the god who protects the universe! Salutation to thee that art +beyond the universe! O Lord of gods, vouchsafe thy presence in this +sea.</i> O Pandu's son, thou must recite the following words of +truth, and while so reciting, thou must quickly ascend this altar, +"The god of fire, and the sun, and the organ of generation, and +water, and goddess and the seed of Vishnu, and the navel of nectar. +The god of fire is the organ that generated the (ocean); the earth +is thy body; Vishnu deposited the seed that caused thy being and +thou art the navel of nectar." Thus, O Pandu's son, the words of +truth must be audibly recited, and while so reciting, one must +plunge into the lord of rivers. O most praiseworthy of Kunti's son, +otherwise this lord of waters of divine birth, this best storehouse +of the waters (of the earth), should not be touched, O son of +Kunti, even with the end of a sacred grass.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Then when the ceremony for averting evil had +been completed in his behalf, the magnanimous Yudhishthira went +into the sea, and having performed all that the saint had bid, +repaired to the skirts of the Mahendra hill, and spent the night at +that spot."</p> +<h2>SECTION CXV</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "The protector of the earth spent there a +single night, and with his brothers, paid the highest honours to +the religious men. And Lomasa made him acquainted with the names of +all of them, such as the <i>Bhrigus</i>, the <i>Angiras</i>, the +<i>Vasishthas</i>, and the <i>Kasyapas</i>. And the royal saint +paid visit to them all and made obeisance to them with joined +palms. And then he asked the valiant Akritavrana, who was a +follower of Parasurama, 'when will the revered Parasurama show +himself to the religious men here? It is desired on that occasion +to obtain a sight of the descendant of Bhrigu.'</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 247]</span> +<p>"Akritavrana said, 'Thy journey to this spot is already known to +Rama, whose soul spontaneously knows everything. And he is in every +way well-pleased with thee, and he will show himself readily to +thee. And the saints who practise penances here, are permitted to +see him on the fourteenth and the eighth day of the lunar course. +On the morrow at the end of this very night there will set in the +fourteenth day of the lunar course. On that occasion thou wilt have +a sight of him, clad in a sable deerskin, and wearing his hair in +the form of a matted mass.'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'Thou hast been a follower of the mighty +Rama, Jamadagni's son; thou must, therefore, have been the +eye-witness of all the deeds achieved by him in former days. I, +therefore, request thee to narrate to me how the members of the +military caste were vanquished by Rama on the field of battle, and +what the original cause of those conflicts was.'</p> +<p>"Akritavrana said, 'With pleasure shall I recite to thee that +excellent story, O Bharata's son, O chief of kings, the story of +the godlike deeds of Rama, the son of Jamadagni, who traced his +origin to Bhrigu's race. I shall also relate the achievements of +the great ruler of the <i>Haihaya</i> tribe. That king, Arjuna by +name, the mighty lord of the <i>Haihaya</i> tribe was killed by +Rama. He, O Pandu's son, was endued with a thousand arms; and by +the favour of Dattatreya he likewise had a celestial car made of +gold. And, O protector of the earth, his rule extended over the +entire animated world, wheresoever located on this earth. And the +car of that mighty monarch could proceed everywhere in an +unobstructed course. And grown resistless by the virtue of a +granted boon, he ever mounted on that car, trampled upon gods and +<i>Yakshas</i> and saints on all sides round. And all the born +beings wheresoever placed, were harassed by him. Then the +celestials and the saints of a rigidly virtuous life, met together, +and thus spake to Vishnu, the god of gods, the slayer of demons, +and possessed of prowess that never failed, saying, "O blessed and +revered lord, for the purpose of preserving all the born beings, it +is necessary that Arjuna should be killed by thee." And the mighty +ruler of the Haihaya tribe placing himself on his celestial car, +affronted Indra, while that deity was enjoying himself with Sachi, +his queen. Then, O Bharata's son, the blessed and the revered god +(Vishnu) held a consultation with Indra, with a view to destroying +Kartavirya's son. And on that occasion, all that was for the good +of the world of beings, was communicated by the lord of gods; and +the blessed god worshipped by the world, to do all that was +necessary, went to the delightful <i>Vadari</i> wood which was his +own chosen retreat for practising penances. And at this very time +there lived on the earth a mighty monarch in the land of +<i>Kanyakuvja</i>, a sovereign whose military force was exceedingly +great. And his name of Gadhi was famous in the world. He, however, +betook himself to a forest-life. And while he was dwelling in the +midst of the wood, there was born to him a daughter beautiful as a +nymph of heaven. And Richika, the son of Bhrigu, asked for her to +be united with himself in marriage. And then Gadhi spake to that +Brahmana, who led a rigidly austere life, saying, "There is a +certain family custom in our race; it hath been founded by my +ancestors of a bygone <span class="pagenum">[Pg 248]</span> age. +And, O most excellent of the sacerdotal caste, be it known to thee +that the intending bridegroom must offer a dowry consisting of a +thousand fleet steeds, whose colour must be brown and every one of +whom must possess a single sable ear. But, O Bhrigu's son, a +reverend saint like thee cannot be asked to offer the same. Nor can +my daughter be refused to a magnanimous saint of thy (exalted) +rank." Thereupon Richika said, "I will give thee a thousand fleet +steeds, brown in hue and possessing a single sable ear; let thy +daughter be given in marriage to me."'</p> +<p>"Akritavrana said, 'Thus having given his word, O king, he went +and said to Varuna, "Give me a thousand fleet steeds brown in +colour, and each with one black ear. I want the same as dowry for +my marriage." To him Varuna forthwith gave a thousand steeds. Those +steeds had issued out of the river Ganga; hence the spot hath been +named, <i>The horse's landing place</i>. And in the city of +Kanyakuvja, the daughter of Gadhi, Satyavati by name, was given in +marriage; and the gods themselves were of the party of the bride. +Richika, the most excellent of the sacerdotal caste, thus procured +a thousand steeds, and had a sight of the dwellers of heaven and +won a wife in the proper form. And he enjoyed himself with the girl +of slender waist, and thus gratified all the wishes and desire that +he ever had. And when the marriage had been celebrated, O king, his +father Bhrigu came on a visit to see him and his wife; and he was +glad to see his praiseworthy son. And the husband and wife together +paid their best respects to him, who was worshipped by all the +gods. And when he had seated himself, they both with joined palms, +stood near him, in order that they might do his bidding. And then +the revered saint, Bhrigu, glad at heart, thus spoke to his +daughter-in-law, saying, "O lovely daughter, as for a boon I am +ready to grant thee any object of thy wish." And there upon she +asked for his favour in this, that a son might be born to both +herself and her mother. And he vouchsafed the favour thus asked +for.</p> +<p>"'Bhrigu said, "During the days that your season lasts, thou and +thy mother must take a bath, with the ceremony for bringing forth a +male child. And ye two must then separately embrace two different +trees—she a peepal tree, and thou a fig tree. And, O dutiful +girl, here are two pots of rice and milk, prepared by me with the +utmost care. I having ransacked the whole universe to find the +drugs, the essence whereof hath been blended with this milk and +rice. It must be taken as food with the greatest care." And saying +this, he vanished from sight. The two ladies, however, made an +interchange both in the matter of the pots of rice, and likewise as +regards the trees (to be embraced by each). Then after the lapse of +very many days, the revered saint, once more came. And he came +knowing (what had happened) by his attribute of divine knowledge. +Then Bhrigu possessed of mighty strength, spake to Satyavati, his +daughter-in-law, saying, "O dutiful girl! O my daughter of a lovely +brow, the wrong pot of rice thou tookest as food. And it was the +wrong tree which was embraced by thee. It was thy mother who +deluded thee. A son will be born of thee, who, though of the +priestly caste, will be of a character fit for the military order; +while a mighty son will <span class="pagenum">[Pg 249]</span> be +born of thy mother, who, though by birth a Kshatriya will assume a +life suitable to the sacerdotal order. And his power will be great, +and he will walk on the path trodden by righteous men." Then she +entreated her father-in-law again and again, saying, "Let not my +son be of this character; but let my grandson be such." And, O +Pandu's son, he replied, "So let it be!" And thus he was pleased to +grant her prayer. Then she brought forth on the expected day a son +by name Jamadagni. And this son of Bhrigu was endowed with both +splendour and grace. And he grew in years and in strength, and +excelled the other saints in the proficiency of his <i>Vaidik</i> +lore. O chieftain of Bharata's race, to him, rivalling in lustre +the author of light (the sun), came spontaneously and without +instruction the knowledge of the entire military art and of the +fourfold missile arms.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXVI</h2> +<p>"Akritavrana said, 'Jamadagni devoted himself to the study of +the <i>Veda</i> and the practice of sacred penances, and became +famous for his great austerities. Then he pursued a methodical +course of study and obtained a mastery over the entire Veda. And, O +king, he paid a visit to Prasenajit and solicited the hand of +Renuka in marriage. And this prayer was granted by the king. And +the delight of Bhrigu's race having thus obtained Renuka for his +wife, took his residence with her in a hermitage, and began to +practice penances, being assisted by her. And four boys were born +of her, with Rama for the fifth. And although the youngest, Rama +was superior to all in merit. Now once upon a time, when her sons +had gone out for the purpose of gathering fruits, Renuka who had a +pure and austere life, went out to bathe. And, O king, while +returning home, she happened to cast her glance towards the king of +Martikavata, known by the name of Chitraratha. The king was in the +water with his wives, and wearing on his breast a lotus wreath, was +engaged in sport. And beholding his magnificent form, Renuka was +inspired with desire. And this unlawful desire she could not +control, but became polluted within the water, and came back to the +hermitage frightened at heart. Her husband readily perceived what +state she was in. And mighty and powerful and of a wrathful turn of +mind, when he beheld that she had been giddy and that the lustre of +chastity had abandoned her, he reproached her by crying out "Fie!" +At that very moment came in the eldest of Jamadagni's sons, +Rumanvan; and then, Sushena, and then, Vasu, and likewise, +Viswavasu. And the mighty saint directed them all one by one to put +an end to the life of their mother. They, however, were quite +confounded and lost heart. And they could not utter a single word. +Then he in ire cursed them. And on being cursed they lost their +sense and suddenly became like inanimate objects, and comparable in +conduct to beasts and birds. And then Rama, the slayer of hostile +heroes, came to the hermitage, last of all. Him the mighty-armed +Jamadagni, of great austerities, addressed, saying, "Kill this +wicked mother of thine, without compunction, O my son." Thereupon +Rama immediately took up an axe and therewith severed his mother's +head. <span class="pagenum">[Pg 250]</span> Then, O great king, the +wrath of Jamadagni of mighty soul, was at once appeased; and +well-pleased, he spake the following words, "Thou hast, my boy, +performed at my bidding this difficult task, being versed in +virtue. Therefore, whatsoever wishes there may be in thy heart, I +am ready to grant them all. Do thou ask me." Thereupon Rama +solicited that his mother might be restored to life, and that he +might not be haunted by the remembrance of this cruel deed and that +he might not be affected by any sin, and that his brothers might +recover their former state, and that he might be unrivalled on the +field of battle, and that he might obtain long life. And, O +Bharata's son, Jamadagni, whose penances were the most rigid, +granted all those desires of his son. Once, however, O lord, when +his sons had gone out as before, the valourous son of Kartavirya, +the lord of the country near the shore of the sea, came up to the +hermitage. And when he arrived at that hermitage, the wife of the +saint received him hospitably. He, however, intoxicated with a +warrior's pride, was not at all pleased with the reception accorded +to him, and by force and in defiance of all resistance, seized and +carried off from that hermitage the chief of the cows whose milk +supplied the sacred butter, not heeding the loud lowing of the cow. +And he wantonly pulled down the large trees of the wood. When Rama +came home, his father himself told him all that had happened. Then +when Rama saw how the cow was lowing for its calf, resentment arose +in his heart. And he rushed towards Kartavirya's son, whose last +moments had drawn nigh. Then the descendant of Bhrigu, the +exterminator of hostile heroes, put forth his valour on the field +of battle, and with sharpened arrows with flattened tips, which +were shot from a beautiful bow, cut down Arjuna's arms, which +numbered a thousand, and were massive like (wooden) bolts for +barring the door. He, already touched by the hand of death, was +overpowered by Rama, his foe. Then the kinsmen of Arjuna, their +wrath excited against Rama, rushed at Jamadagni in his hermitage, +while Rama was away. And they slew him there; for although his +strength was great, yet being at the time engaged in penances, he +would not fight. And while thus attacked by his foes, he repeatedly +shouted the name of Rama in a helpless and piteous way. And, O +Yudhishthira, the sons of Kartavirya shot Jamadagni, with their +arrows, and having thus chastised their foe, went their way. And +when they had gone away, and when Jamadagni had breathed his last, +Rama, the delight of Bhrigu's race, returned to the hermitage, +bearing in his arms, fuel for religious rites. And the hero beheld +his father who had been put to death. And grieved exceedingly he +began to bewail the unworthy fate that had laid his father +low.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXVII</h2> +<p>"'Rama said, "The blame is mine, O father, that like a stag in +the wood, thou hast been shot dead with arrows, by those mean and +stupid wretches—the sons of Kartavirya. And O father, +virtuous and unswerving from the path of righteousness and +inoffensive to all animated beings as thou wert, <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 251]</span> how came it to be permitted by Fate that +thou shouldst die in this way? What an awful sin must have been +committed by them, who have killed thee with hundreds of sharpened +shafts, although thou wert an aged man, and engaged in penances at +the time and absolutely averse to fighting with them. With what +face will those shameless persons speak of this deed of theirs to +their friends and servants, <i>viz</i>., that they have slain an +unassisted and unresisting virtuous man?"—O protector of men, +thus he, great in penance, bewailed much in a piteous manner, and +then performed the obsequies of his departed sire. And Rama, the +conqueror of hostile cities, cremated his father on the funeral +pyre, and vowed, O scion of Bharata's race, the slaughter of the +entire military caste, and of exceeding strength in the field of +battle, and possessed of valour suited to a heroic soul, and +comparable to the god of death himself, he took up his weapon in +wrathful mood, and singlehanded put Kartavirya's sons to death. +And, O chieftain of the military caste, Rama, the leader of all +capable of beating their foes, thrice smote down all the Kshatriya +followers of Kartavirya's sons. And seven times did that powerful +lord exterminate the military tribes of the earth. In the tract of +land, called Samantapanchaka five lakes of blood were made by him. +There the mightiest scion of Bhrigu's race offered libations to his +forefathers—the Bhrigus, and Richika appeared to him in a +visible form, and spake to him words of counsel. Then the son of +Jamadagni of dreaded name, performed a mighty sacrifice and +gratified the lord of the celestials, and bestowed the earth to the +ministering priests. And, O protector of human beings, he raised an +altar made of gold, ten <i>Vyamas</i> in breadth and nine in +height, and made a gift of the same to the magnanimous Kasyapa. +Then at Kasyapa's bidding the Brahmanas divided the altar into a +number of shares, and thus they became reputed as the +<i>Khandavayamas</i> (share takers). And the exterminator of the +military race possessed of immense strength, bestowed the earth +upon the high-souled Kasyapa, and then became engaged in penance of +an exceedingly severe form. He now dwells in this Mahendra, monarch +of hills. Thus did hostilities arise between him and the members of +the military caste,—all of them who dwell on this earth; and +Rama, endowed with immense strength, in this way subdued the entire +world.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Then on the fourteenth day of the moon, the +mighty-souled Rama at the proper hour showed himself to those +members of the priestly caste and also to the virtuous king +(Yudhishthira) and his younger brothers. And, O king of kings, the +lord together with his brothers, worshipped Rama, and, O most +righteous of the rulers of men, the very highest honours were paid +by him to all those members of the twice-born class. And after +worshipping Jamadagni's son and having received words of praise +from him, at his direction he spent the night on the Mahendra hill, +and then started on his journey towards the southern regions."</p> +<h2>SECTION CXVIII</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "The magnanimous monarch pursued his journey, +and at different spots on the shore of the sea visited the various +bathing places, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 252]</span> all sacred +and pleasant and frequented by men of the sacerdotal caste. And O +son of Parikshit! He in proper form took his bath in them together +with his younger brothers and then went to an excellent river, the +holiest of all. There also the magnanimous king, took his plunge, +and offered libations to his forefathers and the gods, and +distributed riches to the leaders of the twice-born class. Then he +went to the Godavari, a river that falls directly into the sea. +There he was freed from his sins. And he reached the sea in the +Dravida land, and visited the holy spot passing under Agastya's +name, which was exceedingly sacred and exceptionally pure. And the +valiant king visited the feminine sacred spots. Here he listened to +the story of that well-known feat which was achieved by Arjuna, +chief of all wielders of the bow, and which was beyond the power of +human beings to perform. And here he was praised by the highest +members of the saintly class, and the son of Pandu experienced the +greatest delight. And, O protector of the earth! the ruler of the +world, accompanied by Krishna bathed in those holy spots, and +speaking of Arjuna's valour in laudatory terms delightfully spent +his time in the place. Then he gave away thousands of cows at those +holy spots on the coast of the sea; and with his brothers narrated +well pleased how Arjuna had made a gift of kine. And he, O king! +visited one by one those holy places on the coast of the sea and +many other sacred spots, and thus fulfilled his heart's desire, +till he came to the holiest of all known by the name of Suparaka. +Then having crossed a certain tract on the coast of the sea, he +reached a forest celebrated on earth. There the deities had +practised asceticism in former days, and likewise virtuous rulers +of men had performed sacrificial rites. There he, possessed of long +and lusty arms, beheld the celebrated altar of Richika's son, who +was the foremost of all wielders of the bow. And the altar was girt +round by hosts of ascetics, and was fit to be worshipped by persons +of a virtuous life. Then the king beheld the holy and delightful +shrines of all the gods and of the Vasus, and of the hosts of wind +and of the two celestial physicians and of Yatna, son of the sun +and of the lord of riches, and of Indra, and of Vishnu, and of the +lord Creator and of Siva, and of the moon, and of the author of +day, and of the lord of waters, and of the host of Sadhyas, and of +Brahma, and of the forefathers, and of Rudra together with all his +followers, and of the goddess of learning, and of the host of +Siddhas, and of many immortal holy gods besides. And in those +shrines the king observed various fasts, and gave away large +quantities of gems. He plunged his body in all the holy spots, and +then came again to Surparaka. And he by the same landing-place of +the sea again proceeded with his uterine brothers and came over to +the holy spot Prabhasa, whereof fame hath been spread by mighty +Brahmanas throughout the world. There he, possessed of a pair of +large red eyes, washed himself with all his younger brothers, and +offered libations to the forefathers and the celestial hosts; and +so did Krishna and all those Brahmanas together with Lomasa. For +twelve days he subsisted upon air and water. And he performed +ablutions for days and nights and surrounded himself with fires +kindled on all sides. Thus that greatest of all virtuous men +engaged himself in asceticism. While he was acting thus, +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 253]</span> information reached both +Valarama and Krishna that the king was practising penances of a +most austere form and these two leaders of the entire Vrishni tribe +accompanied with troops came to Yudhishthira of Ajamidha's race. +And when the Vrishnis beheld that the sons of Pandu lay down on the +ground, their bodies besmeared all over with dirt and when they +beheld the daughter of Drupada in a sad state, their grief was +great and they could not refrain from breaking out in loud +lamentations. Then the king, whose courage was such that misfortune +never could cast him down, cordially met Rama and Krishna and +Samva, Krishna's son, and the grand-son of Sini and other Vrishnis, +and paid honour to them in a suitable form. And they also in return +paid honour to all the sons of Pritha, and were similarly honoured +by Pandu's sons. And they seated themselves round about +Yudhishthira, as round Indra, O king! are seated the celestial +hosts. And highly pleased, he recounted to them all the +machinations of his adversaries, and how also he had resided in the +forest, and how Arjuna had gone to Indra's abode in order to learn +the science of arms—all this he related with a gladdened +heart. And they were happy to learn all this news from him; but +when they saw the Pandavas so exceedingly lean, the majestic and +magnanimous Vrishnis could not forbear shedding tears, which +spontaneously gushed from their eyes on account of the agony they +felt."</p> +<h2>SECTION CXIX</h2> +<p>Janamejaya said, "O thou of ascetic wealth! when the sons of +Pandu and the Vrishnis reached the holy spot Prabhasa, what did +they do and what conversation was held there by them, for all of +them were of mighty souls, proficient in all the branches of +science and both the Vrishnis and the sons of Pandu held one +another in friendly estimation."</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "When the Vrishnis reached the holy spot +Prabhasa, the sacred landing-place on the coast of the sea, they +surrounded the sons of Pandu and waited upon them. Then Valarama, +resembling in hue the milk of the cow and the Kunda flower and the +moon and the silver and the lotus root and who wore a wreath made +of wild flowers and who had the ploughshare for his arms, spake to +the lotuseyed one, saying, 'O Krishna, I do not see that the +practice of virtue leads to any good or that unrighteous practices +can cause evil, since the magnanimous Yudhishthira is in this +miserable state, with matted hair, a resident of the wood, and for +his garment wearing the bark of trees. And Duryodhana is now ruling +the earth, and the ground doth not yet swallow him up. From this, a +person of limited sense would believe a vicious course of life is +preferable to a virtuous one. When Duryodhana is in a flourishing +state and Yudhishthira, robbed of his throne, is suffering thus, +what should people do in such a matter?—This is the doubt +that is now perplexing all men. Here is the lord of men sprung from +the god of virtue, holding fast to a righteous path, strictly +truthful and of a liberal heart. This son of Pritha would give up +his kingdom and his pleasure but would not <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 254]</span> swerve from the righteous path, in order +to thrive. How is it that Bhishma and Kripa and the Brahmana Drona +and the aged king, the senior member of the house, are living +happily, after having banished the sons of Pritha? Fie upon the +vicious-minded leaders of Bharata's race! What will that sinner, +the chieftain of the earth, say to the departed forefathers of his +race, when the wretch will meet them in the world to come? Having +hurled from the throne his in-offensive sons, will he be able to +declare that he had treated them in a blameless way? He doth not +now see with his mind's eye how he hath become so sightless, and on +account of what act he hath grown blind among the kings of this +entire earth. Is it not because he hath banished Kunti's son from +his kingdom? I have no doubt that Vichitravirya's son, when he with +his sons perpetrated this inhuman act, beheld on the spot where +dead bodies are burnt, flowering trees of a golden hue. Verily he +must have asked them, when those stood before him with their +shoulders projected forward towards him, and with their large red +eyes staring at him, and he must have listened to their evil +advice, since he fearlessly sent away Yudhishthira to the forest, +who had all his weapons of war with him and was borne company by +his younger brothers. This Bhima here, whose voracious appetite is +like that of a wolf, is able to destroy with the sole strength of +his powerful arms, and without the help of any weapons of war, a +formidable array of hostile troops. The forces in the field of +battle were utterly unmanned on hearing his war-cry. And now the +strong one is suffering from hunger and thirst, and is emaciated +with toilsome journeys. But when he will take up in his hand arrows +and diverse other weapons of war, and meet his foes in the field of +battle, he will then remember the sufferings of his exceedingly +miserable forest-life, and kill his enemies to a man: of a +certainty do I anticipate this. There is not throughout the whole +world a single soul who can boast of strength and prowess equal to +his. And his body, alas! is emaciated with cold, and heat and +winds. But when he will stand up for fight, he will not leave a +single man out of his foes. This powerful hero, who is a very great +warrior when mounted on a car—this Bhima, of appetite +rivalling a wolf's conquered single-handed all the rulers of men in +the east, together with, those who followed them in battle; and he +returned from those wars safe and uninjured. And that same Bhima, +miserably dressed in the bark of trees, is now leading a wretched +life in the woods. This powerful Sahadeva vanquished all the kings +in the south; those lords of men who had gathered on the coast of +the sea,—look at him now in an anchorite's dress. Valiant in +battle Nakula vanquished single-handed the kings who ruled the +regions towards the west,—and he now walks about the wood, +subsisting on fruit and roots, with a matted mass of hair on the +head, and his body besmeared all over with dirt. This daughter of a +king, who is a great soldier when mounted on a car, took her rise +from beneath the altar, during the pomp of sacrificial rites. She +hath been always accustomed to a life of happiness; how is she now +enduring this exceedingly miserable life in this wood! And the son +of the god of virtue,—virtue which stands at the head of all +the three pursuits of life—and the son of the wind-god and +also the son of the lord of <span class="pagenum">[Pg 255]</span> +celestials, and those two sons of the celestial +physicians,—being the sons of all those gods and always +accustomed to a life of happiness, how are they living in this +wood, deprived of all comforts? When the son of Virtue met with +defeat and when his wife, his brothers, his followers, and himself +were all driven forth, and Duryodhana began to flourish, why did +not the earth subside with all its hills?'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXX</h2> +<p>"Satyaki said, 'O Rama! this is not the time of lamentation; let +us do that which is proper and suited to the present occasion, +although Yudhishthira doth not speak a single word. Those who have +persons to look after their welfare do not undertake anything of +themselves; they have others to do their work, as Saivya and others +did for Yayati. Likewise, O Rama! those who have appointed +functionaries to undertake their work on their own responsibility, +as the leaders of men, they may be said to have real patrons, and +they meet with no difficulty, like helpless beings. How is it that +when the sons of Pritha have for their patrons these two men, Rama +and Krishna, and the two others, Pradyumna and Samva, together with +myself,—these patrons being able to protect all the three +worlds,—how is it that the son of Pritha is living in the +wood with his brothers? It is fit that this very day the army of +the Dasarhas should march out, variously armed and with checkered +mails. Let Dhritarashtra's sons be overwhelmed with the forces of +the Vrishnis and let them go with their friends to the abode of the +god of death. Let him alone who wields the bow made of the horn +(Krishna), thou alone, if roused, wouldst be able to surround even +the whole of this earth. I ask thee to kill Dhritarashtra's son +with all his men, as the great Indra, the lord of the gods killed +Vritra. Arjuna, the son of Pritha, is my brother, and also my +friend, and also my preceptor, and is like the second self of +Krishna. It is for this that men desire for a worthy son, and that +preceptor seeks a pupil who would contradict him not. It is for +this that the time is come for that excellent work, which is the +best of all tasks and difficult to perform. I shall baffle +Duryodhana's volleys of arms by my own excellent weapons. I shall +overpower all in the field of battle. I shall in my wrath cut off +his head with my excellent shafts, little inferior to snakes and +poison and fire. And with the keen edge of my sword, I shall +forcibly sever his head from the trunk, in the field of battle; +then I shall kill his followers, and Duryodhana, and all of Kuru's +race. O son of Rohini! let the followers of Bhima look at me with +joy at their heart, when I shall keep up the weapons of war in the +field of battle, and when I shall go on slaying all the best +fighting men on the side of the Kurus, as at the end of time fire +will burn vast heaps of straw. Kripa and Drona and Vikarna and +Karna are not able to bear the keen arrows shot by Pradyumna. I +know the power of Arjuna's son—he conducts himself like the +son of Krishna in the field of battle. Let Samva chastise by the +force of his arms Dussasana; let him destroy by force Dussasana and +his charioteer and his car. In the field of battle when the son of +Jamvavati <span class="pagenum">[Pg 256]</span> becomes +irresistible in fight, there is nothing which can withstand his +force. The army of the demon Samvara was speedily routed by him +when only a boy. By him was killed in fight Asvachakra, whose +thighs were round, and whose muscular arms were of exceeding +length. Who is there that would be able to go forward to the car of +Samva, who is great in fight, when mounted on a car? As a mortal +coming under the clutches of death can never escape; so who is +there that once coming under his clutches in the field of battle, +is able to return with his life? The son of Vasudeva will burn down +by the volleys of his fiery shafts all the hostile troops, and +those two warriors, Bhishma and Drona,—who are great on a +car, and Somadatta surrounded by all his sons. What is there in all +the world including the gods, which Krishna cannot encounter on an +equal footing, when he takes up the weapons of war, wields in his +hands excellent arrows, arms himself with his mace, and thus +becomes unrivalled in fight? Then let Aniruddha also take up in his +hand his buckler and sword, and let him cover the surface of the +earth with Dhritarashtra's sons, their heads separated from their +trunks, their bodies devoid of all consciousness as in a +sacrificial rite the altar is overspread with sacred grass placed +upon the same. And Gada and Uluka, and Vahuka and Bhanu and Nitha +and the young Nishatha valiant in battle and Sarana, and +Charudeshna, irresistible in war, let them perform feats befitting +their race. Let the united army of the Satwatas and Suras, together +with the best soldiers of the Vrishnis, the Bhojas, and the +Andhakas, kill those sons of Dhritarashtra in the field of battle +and let them swell their expanded fame throughout the world. Then +let Abhimanyu rule the world so long as this most excellent of +virtuous men, the magnanimous Yudhishthira, may be engaged in +fulfilling his vow,—the vow that was accepted and declared by +him, the most righteous of Kuru's race, on the occasion of the +famous play at dice. Afterwards the virtuous king will protect the +earth, all his foes defeated in battle by shafts which will be +discharged by us. Then there will remain no sons of Dhritarashtra +on earth,—nor the son of the charioteer (Karna). This is the +most important work for us to do, and this will surely lead to +fame.'</p> +<p>"Krishna said, 'O scion of the race of Madhu! no doubt what thou +sayest is true; we accept thy words, O thou of courage that is +never weak! But this bull of the Kuru race (Yudhishthira) would +never accept the sovereignty of the earth, unless it were won by +the prowess of his own arms. Neither for the sake of pleasure, nor +from fear, nor from covetousness, would Yudhishthira ever renounce +the rules of the caste; nor would these two heroes, who are mighty, +when mounted on a car—Bhima and Arjuna; nor the twin +brothers, nor Krishna, the daughter of Drupada. He possessing the +appetite of a wolf (Bhima), and the winner of riches (Arjuna), are +both unrivalled in fight throughout the world. And why should not +this king rule over the entire world when he hath the two sons of +Madri to espouse his cause? The high-souled ruler of Panchala +together with the Kekaya king, and we also should put forth our +united strength, and then would the enemies of Yudhishthira be +annihilated.'</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 257]</span> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'It is not strange that thou shouldst speak +thus, O scion of Madhu's race! but to me truth seems to be the +first consideration, above that of my sovereign power itself. But +it is Krishna alone who precisely knoweth what I am; and it is I +alone who precisely know what Krishna (really) is. O thou endued +with valour! O scion of Madhu's race! as soon as he will perceive +that the time is come for feats of bravery, then, O most valiant of +Sini's race, he also of beautiful hair (Krishna) will defeat +Suyodhana. Let the brave men of the Dasarha race go back today. +They are my patrons; and the foremost of human beings, they have +visited me here. O ye of immeasurable strength! never fall off from +the path of virtue. I shall see you again, when ye will be happily +gathered together.'</p> +<p>"Then after mutual greeting and obeisance to seniors, and having +embraced the youthful, those valiant men of the Yadu race and the +sons of Pandu separated. And the Yadus reunited to their home; and +the Pandavas continued their journey to the sacred spots. Then +having parted with Krishna, the virtuous king, accompanied by his +brothers and servants, and also by Lomasa, went to the sacred river +Payosini. Its fine landing place was constructed by the king of +Vidarbha. And he began to dwell on the banks of the Payosini, whose +waters were mingled with the distilled Soma juice. There the +high-souled Yudhishthira was greeted with excellent laudatory terms +by numerous leaders of the twice-born class, who were delighted to +see him there."</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXI</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'O king! when the Nriga performed a sacrifice +here, he gratified Indra, the demolisher of hostile cities, by +offering the Soma juice. And Indra was refreshed and was very much +pleased. Here the gods together with Indra, and the protectors of +all born beings, celebrated sacrifices of various kinds on a large +scale, and paid abundant gratuities to the ministering priests. +Here king Amurtarayasa, the lord of the world, satisfied Indra, the +holder of the thunderbolt, by the offer of the Soma juice, when +seven horse-sacrifices were performed by that king. The articles +which in other sacrificial rites are uniformly made of the timber, +wood and of earth, were all made of gold in the seven sacrifices +performed by him. And it is said that in all those rites, seven +sets of stakes, rings for the sacrificial stakes, spots, ladles, +utensils, spoons were prepared by him. On each sacrificial stake, +seven rings were fastened at the top. And, O Yudhishthira! the +celestials together with Indra, themselves erected the sacrificial +stakes of shining gold which had been prepared for his sacred +rites. In all those magnificent sacrifices instituted by Gaya, the +protector of the earth, Indra, was delighted by drinking the +<i>Soma</i> juice, and the ministering priests were gratified with +the gratuities paid to them. And the priests obtained untold wealth +counted out to them. And as the sand-grains of the earth, or as the +stars in the sky, or as the rain-drops when it raineth, cannot be +counted by anyone, so <span class="pagenum">[Pg 258]</span> the +wealth Gaya gave away was incapable of being counted by figures. So +untold was the wealth, O great king! that was given to the +ministering priests in all those seven sacrifices that even the +above-mentioned objects might be counted by figures, but the +gratuities bestowed by him whose largeness exceeded all that was +known before were not capable of being counted by figures. And +images of the goddess of speech were made of gold by the sculptor +of the gods;—and the king gratified the members of the +sacerdotal caste, who had arrived from all the cardinal points, by +making presents to them of those images, of gold. O protector of +men! when the high-souled Gaya performed his sacrificial rites, he +erected sacrificial piles at so many different spots that but +little space was left on the surface of the earth. And, O scion of +Bharata's race! he by that sacred act attained the regions of +Indra. Whoever should bathe in the river, Payosini, would go to the +regions attained by Gaya. Therefore, O lord of kings! O unswerving +prince! thou and thy brothers should bathe in this river; then, O +protector of the earth, thou wilt be freed from all these +sins.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "O most praiseworthy of men! Yudhishthira +with his brothers performed ablutions in the Payosini river. Then, +O sinless prince! the powerful monarch together with his brothers, +journeyed to the hill of sapphires and the great river Narmada. The +blessed saint Lomasa there named to him all the delightful holy +spots and all the sacred shrines of the celestials. Then he with +his brothers visited those places, according to his desire and +convenience. And at various places Brahmanas by thousands received +gifts from him.</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'O son of Kunti! one who visits the sapphire Hill +and plunges his body in the river Narmada attains the regions +inhabited by the celestials and kings. O most praiseworthy of men! +this period is the junction between the Treta and the Kali age, O +Kunti's son! This is the period when a person gets rid of all his +sins. O respected sir! this is the spot where Saryati performed +sacrificial rites, wherein Indra appeared in a visible form and +drank the Soma juice, with the two celestial physicians. And +Bhrigu's son of severe austerities conceived anger towards the +great Indra; and the mighty Chyavana paralysed Indra, and for his +wife obtained the princess, Sukanya.'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'How was the chastiser of the demon Paka, +the god possessed of the six attributes, paralysed by Chyavana? And +for what reason did the mighty saint conceive wrath towards Indra? +And how, O Brahmana! did he raise the celestial physicians to the +rank of the drinkers of Soma? All this, precisely as it happened, +thy venerable self will be pleased to recount to me.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXII</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'A son was born to the great saint Bhrigu, +Chyavana by name. And he, of an exceedingly resplendent form, began +to practise <span class="pagenum">[Pg 259]</span> austerities by +the side of yonder lake. And, O Pandu's son! O protector of men! he +of mighty energy assumed the posture called <i>Vira</i>, quiet and +still like an inanimate post, and for a long period, remained at +the same spot of ground. And he was turned into an anthill covered +over with creepers. And after the lapse of a long period, swarms of +ants enveloped him. And covered all over with ants, the sagacious +saint looked exactly like a heap of earth. And he went on +practising austerities, enveloped on all sides with that ant-hill. +Now after the lapse of a long space of time, that ruler of earth, +Saryati by name, for amusement visited this pleasant and excellent +lake. With him were four thousand females, espoused by him, O son +of Bharata's race! there was also his only daughter endued with +beautiful brows, named Sukanya. She surrounded by her maids, and +decked out with jewels fit for the celestials, while walking about, +approached the anthill where Bhrigu's son was seated. And +surrounded by her maids, she began to amuse herself there, viewing +the beautiful scenery, and looking at the lofty trees of the wood. +And she was handsome and in the prime of her youth; and she was +amorous and bent on frolicking. And she began to break the twigs of +the forest trees bearing blossoms. And Bhrigu's son endued with +intelligence beheld her wandering like lightning, without her +maids, and wearing a single piece of cloth and decked with +ornaments. And seeing her in the lone forest, that ascetic of +exceeding effulgence was inspired with desire. And that regenerate +<i>Rishi</i> possessing ascetic energy, who had a low voice, called +the auspicious one,—but she heard him not. Then seeing the +eyes of Bhrigu's son from the ant-hill, Sukanya from curiosity and +losing her sense, said, "<i>What is this?</i>"—and with +thorns pierced the eyes (of the Rishi). And as his eyes being +pierced by her, he felt exceeding pain and became wroth. And (from +anger) he obstructed the calls of nature of Saryati's forces. And +on their calls of nature being obstructed, the men were greatly +afflicted. And seeing this state of things, the king asked. "Who is +it that hath done wrong to the illustrious son of Bhrigu, old and +ever engaged in austerities and of wrathful temper? Tell me quick +if ye know it." The soldiers (thereupon) answered him saying, "We +do not know whether any one hath done wrong to the <i>Rishi</i>. Do +thou, as thou list, make a searching enquiry into the matter." +Thereupon that ruler of earth, using (as he saw occasion) both +menace and conciliation, asked his friends (about the +circumstance). But they too did not know anything. Seeing that the +army was distressed owing to the obstruction of the calls of +nature, and also finding her father aggrieved, Sukanya said, +"Roving in the forest, I lighted in the ant-hill here upon some +brilliant substance. Thereupon taking it for a glow-worm I neared +it, and pierced it (with thorns)." Hearing this Saryati immediately +came to the ant-hill, and there saw Bhrigu's son, old both in years +and austerities. Then the lord of earth with joined hands, besought +(the ascetic) saying, "It behoveth thee to forgive what my daughter +through ignorance and greenness, hath done unto thee." Chyavana the +son of Bhrigu, addressed the monarch saying, "Disregarding me, this +one, filled with pride hath pierced my eyes. Even her, O king, +endued with beauty and who was bereft of her senses by ignorance +and temptation—even <span class="pagenum">[Pg 260]</span> thy +daughter would I have for my bride, I tell thee truly, on this +condition alone will I forgive thee."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Hearing the words of the sage, Saryati, without +pausing, bestowed his daughter on the high-souled Chyavana. Having +received the hand of that girl, the holy one was pleased with the +king. And having won the <i>Rishi's</i> grace, the king went to his +city, accompanied by his troops. And the faultless Sukanya also +having obtained that ascetic for her husband, began to tend him, +practising penances, and observing the ordinance. And that one of a +graceful countenance, and void of guile worshipped Chyavana, and +also ministered unto guests, and the sacred fire.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXIII</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Once on a time, O king, those celestials, namely +the twin Aswins, happened to behold Sukanya, when she had (just) +bathed, and when her person was bare. And seeing that one of +excellent limbs, and like unto the daughter of the lord of +celestials, the nose-born Aswins neared her, and addressed her, +saying, "O thou of shapely thighs, whose daughter art thou? And +what doest thou in this wood? O auspicious one, O thou of excellent +grace, we desire to know this, do thou therefore tell us." +Thereupon she replied bashfully unto those foremost of celestials, +"Know me as Saryati's daughter, and Chyavana's wife." Thereat the +Aswins again spake unto her, smiling. "What for, O fortunate one, +hath thy father bestowed thee on a person who is verging on death? +Surely, O timid girl, thou shinest in this wood like lightning. Not +in the regions of the celestials themselves, O girl, have our eyes +lighted on thy like. O damsel, unadorned and without gay robes as +thou art, thou beautifiest this wood exceedingly. Still, O thou of +faultless limbs, thou canst not look so beautiful, when (as at +present) thou art soiled with mud and dirt, as thou couldst, if +decked with every ornament and wearing gorgeous apparel. Why, O +excellent girl in such plight servest thou a decrepit old husband, +and one that hath become incapable of realising pleasure and also +of maintaining thee, O thou of luminous smiles? O divinely +beautiful damsel, do thou, forsaking Chyavana accept one of us for +husband. It behoveth thee not to spend thy youth fruitlessly."</p> +<p>"'Thus addressed Sukanya answered the celestials saying, "I am +devoted to my husband, Chyavana: do ye not entertain any doubts +(regarding my fidelity)." Thereupon they again spake unto her, "We +two are the celestial physicians of note. We will make thy lord +young and graceful. Do thou then select one of us, <i>viz.</i>, +ourselves and thy husband,—for thy partner. Promising this do +thou, O auspicious one, bring hither thy husband." O king, +agreeably to their words she went to Bhrigu's son and communicated +to him what the two celestials had said. Hearing her message, +Chyavana said unto his wife, "Do thou so." Having received the +permission of her lord, (she returned to the celestials) and said, +"Do ye so." Then hearing her words, <i>viz</i>., "Do ye so," they +spoke unto the king's daughter. "Let thy husband enter <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 261]</span> into water." Thereat Chyavana desirous of +obtaining beauty, quickly entered into water. The twin Aswins also, +O king, sank into the sheet of water. And the next moment they all +came out of the tank in surpassingly beautiful forms, and young and +wearing burnished earrings. And all, possessed of the same +appearance pleasing to behold, addressed her saying, "O fortunate +one, do thou choose one of us for spouse. And O beauteous one, do +thou select him for lord who may please thy fancy." Finding, +however, all of them of the same appearance she deliberated; and at +last ascertaining the identity of her husband, even selected +him.</p> +<p>"'Having obtained coveted beauty and also his wife, Chyavana, of +exceeding energy, well pleased, spake these words unto the +nose-born celestials: "Since at your hands, an old man, I have +obtained youth, and beauty, and also this wife of mine, I will, +well pleased, make you quaffers of the Soma juice in the presence +of the lord of celestials himself. This I tell you truly." Hearing +this, highly delighted, the twins ascended to heaven; and Chyavana +and Sukanya too passed their days happily even like +celestials.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXIV</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Now the news came to Saryati that Chyavana had +been turned into a youth. And well pleased he came, accompanied by +his troops, to the hermitage of the son of Bhrigu. And he saw +Chyavana and Sukanya, like two children sprung from celestials, and +his joy and that of his wife were as great as if the king had +conquered the entire world. And the ruler of earth together with +his wife was received honourably by that saint. And the king seated +himself near the ascetic, and entered into a delightful +conversation of an auspicious kind. Then, O king, the son of Bhrigu +spake to the king these words of a soothing nature: "I shall, O +king, officiate at a religious ceremony to be performed by thee: +let the requisite articles, therefore, be procured." Thereat, that +protector of earth Saryati, experienced the very height of joy, and +O great king, he expressed his approbation of the proposal made by +Chyavana. And on an auspicious day, suitable for the commencement +of a sacrificial ceremony, Saryati ordered the erection of a +sacrificial shrine of an excellent description and splendidly +furnished with all desirable things. There Chyavana, the son of +Bhrigu, officiated for the king as his priest. Now listen to me +relating the wonderful events which happened at that spot. Chyavana +took up a quantity of the Soma juice, in order that he might offer +the same to the Aswins, who were physicians to the celestials. And +while the saint was taking up the intended offering for those +celestial twins, Indra pronounced his interdiction, saying, "These +Aswins both of them in my opinion have no right to receive an +offering of the Soma juice. They are the physicians of the +celestials in heaven,—this vocation of theirs hath +disentitled them (in the matter of Soma)." Thereupon Chyavana said, +"These two are of mighty enterprise, possessed of mighty souls, and +uncommonly endued with beauty and grace. And they, O Indra, have +converted me into <span class="pagenum">[Pg 262]</span> an +eternally youthful person, even like unto a celestial. Why shouldst +thou and the other celestials have a right to the distilled Soma +juice, and not they? O lord of the celestials, O demolisher of +hostile towns! be it known to thee that the Aswins also rank as +gods." At this, Indra spake saying, "These two practise the healing +art,—so they are but servants. And assuming forms at their +pleasure they roam about in the world of mortal beings. How can +they then rightfully claim the juice of the Soma?"'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'When these very identical words were spoken again +and again by the lord of celestials, the son of Bhrigu, setting +Indra at naught, took up the offering he had intended to make. And +as he was about to take up an excellent portion of the Soma juice +with the object of offering it to the two Aswins, the destroyer of +the demon Vala (Indra) observed his act, and thus spoke unto him, +"If thou take up the Soma with a view to offering it to those +celestials, I shall hurl at thee my thunderbolt of awful form, +which is superior to all the weapons that exist." Thus addressed by +Indra, the son of Bhrigu, cast at Indra a smiling glance, and took +up in due form a goodly quantity of the Soma juice, to make an +offering to the Aswins. Then Sachi's lord hurled at him the +thunderbolt of awful form. And as he was about to launch it, his +arm was paralysed by Bhrigu's son. And having paralysed his arm, +Chyavana recited sacred hymns, and made offering on the fire. His +object gained, he now attempted to destroy that celestial. Then by +the virtue of that saint's ascetic energy, an evil spirit came into +being,—a huge demon, <i>Mada</i> by name, of great strength +and gigantic proportions. And his body was incapable of being +measured either by demons or by gods. And his mouth was terrible +and of huge size, and with teeth of sharpened edge. And one of his +jaws rested on the earth, and the other stretched to heaven. And he +had four fangs, each extending as far as one hundred +<i>yojanas</i>, and his other fangs were extended to the distance +of ten <i>yojanas</i>, and were of a form resembling towers on a +palace, and which might be likened to the ends of spears. And his +two arms were like unto hills, and extended ten thousand +<i>yojanas</i>, and both were of equal bulk. And his two eyes +resembled the sun and the moon; and his face rivalled the +conflagration at the universal dissolution. And he was licking his +mouth with his tongue, which, like lightning, knew no rest. And his +mouth was open, and his glance was frightful, and seemed as if he +would forcibly swallow up the world. The demon rushed at the +celestial by whom a hundred sacrifices had been performed. And his +intent was to devour that deity. And the world resounded with the +loud and frightful sounds uttered by the Asura.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXV</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'When the god who had performed a hundred +sacrifices (Indra) beheld the demon <i>Mada</i> of a frightful +mien, coming towards him with open mouth, his intention being to +devour him, and looking like the god of <span class="pagenum">[Pg +263]</span> death himself, while his own arms remained paralysed, +he through fear repeatedly licked the corners of his mouth. Then +the lord of the celestials, tortured with fright, spake to Chyavana +saying, "O Bhrigu's son! O Brahmana! verily I tell thee as truth +itself, that from this day forward the two Aswins will be entitled +to the Soma juice. Be merciful to me! My undertaking can never come +to naught. Let this be the rule. And I know, O saint of the +sacerdotal caste! that thy work can never come to nothing. These +two Aswins will have a right to drink the Soma juice, since thou +hast made them entitled to the same. And, O Bhrigu's son, I have +done this but to spread the fame of thy powers, and my object was +to give thee an occasion for displaying thy powers. My other object +was that the fame of the father of this Sukanya here might spread +everywhere. Therefore be merciful to me: let it be as thou +wishest." Being thus addressed by Indra, the wrath of Chyavana of +mighty soul was quickly appeased, and he set free the demolisher of +hostile cities (Indra). And the powerful saint, O king! distributed +<i>Mada</i> (<i>literally</i> intoxication), and put it piece-meal +in drinks, in women, in gambling, and in field sports, even this +same <i>Mada</i> who had been created repeatedly before. Having +thus cast down the demon <i>Mada</i> and gratified Indra with a +Soma draught and assisted king Sarvati in worshipping all the gods +together with the two Aswins and also spread his fame for power +over all the worlds, the best of those endued with speech passed +his days happily in the wood, in the company of Sukanya, his loving +wife. This is his lake, shining, O king! and resounding with the +voice of birds. Here must thou, together with thy uterine brothers, +offer libations of water to thy forefathers and the gods. And, O +ruler of earth! O scion of Bharata's race! having visited it and +Sikataksha also, thou shalt repair to the Saindhava wood, and +behold a number of small artificial rivers. And O great king, O +scion of Bharata's race! thou shalt touch the waters of all the +holy lakes and reciting the hymns of the god Sthanu (Siva), meet +with success in every undertaking. For this is the junction, O most +praiseworthy of men, of the two ages of the world, <i>viz</i>., +<i>Dwapara</i> and <i>Treta</i>. It is a time, O Kunti's son! +capable of destroying all the sins of a person. Here do thou +perform ablutions, for the spot is able to remove all the sins of +an individual. Yonder is the Archika hill, a dwelling place for men +of cultured minds. Fruits of all the seasons grow here at all times +and the streams run for ever. It is an excellent place fit for the +celestials. And there are the holy cairns of diverse forms, set up +by the celestials. O Yudhishthira! this is the bathing spot +belonging to the Moon. And the saints are in attendance here on all +sides round—they are the dwellers of the wood and the +Valakhilyas, and the Pavakas, who subsist on air only. These are +three peaks and three springs. Thou mayst walk round them all, one +by one: then thou mayst wash thyself at pleasure. Santanu, O king! +and Sunaka the sovereign of men, and both <i>Nara</i> and +<i>Narayana</i> have attained everlasting regions from this place. +Here did the gods constantly lie down, as also the forefathers, +together with the mighty saints. In this Archika hill, they all +carried on austerities. Sacrifice to them, O Yudhishthira! Here did +they, also the saints, eat rice cooked in milk, O protector of men! +And <span class="pagenum">[Pg 264]</span> here is the Yamuna of an +exhaustless spring. Krishna here engaged himself in a life of +penances, O Pandu's son. O thou that draggest the dead bodies of +thy foes! the twin brothers, and Bhimasena and Krishna and all of +us will accompany thee to this spot. O lord of men, this is the +holy spring that belongeth to Indra. Here the creative and the +dispensing deity, and Varuna also rose upwards, and here too they +dwelt, O king! observing forbearance, and possessed of the highest +faith. This excellent and propitious hill is fit for persons of a +kindly and candid disposition. This is that celebrated Yamuna, O +king! frequented by hosts of mighty saints, the scene of diverse +religious rites, holy, and destructive of the dread of sin. Here +did Mandhata himself, of a mighty bow, perform sacrificial rites +for the gods; and so did Somaka, O Kunti's son! who was the son of +Sahadeva, and a most excellent maker of gifts.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXVI</h2> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'O great Brahmana, how was that tiger among +kings, Mandhata, Yuvanaswa's son, born,—even he who was the +best of monarchs, and celebrated over the three worlds? And how did +he of unmeasured lustre attain the very height of real power, since +all the three worlds were as much under his subjection, as they are +under that of Vishnu of mighty soul? I am desirous of hearing all +this in connection with the life and achievements of that sagacious +monarch. I should also like to hear how his name of Mandhata +originated, belonging as it did to him who rivalled in lustre Indra +himself: and also how he of unrivalled strength was born, for thou +art skilled in the art of narrating events.'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Hear with attention, O king! how the name of +Mandhata belonging to that monarch of mighty soul hath come to be +celebrated throughout all the worlds. Yuvanaswa, the ruler of the +earth, was sprung from Ikshvaku's race. That protector of the earth +performed many sacrificial rites noted for magnificent gifts. And +the most excellent of all virtuous men performed a thousand times +the ceremony of sacrificing a horse. And he also performed other +sacrifices of the highest order, wherein he made abundant gifts. +But that saintly king had no son. And he of mighty soul and rigid +vows made over to his ministers the duties of the state, and became +a constant resident of the woods. And he of cultured soul devoted +himself to the pursuits enjoined in the sacred writ. And once upon +a time, that protector of men, O king! had observed a fast. And he +was suffering from the pangs of hunger and his inner soul seemed +parched with thirst. And (in this state) he entered the hermitage +of Bhrigu. On that very night, O king of kings! the great saint who +was the delight of Bhrigu's race, had officiated in a religious +ceremony, with the object that a son might be born to Saudyumni. O +king of kings! at the spot stood a large jar filled with water, +consecrated with the recitation of sacred hymns, and which had been +previously deposited there. And the water was endued with the +virtue that <span class="pagenum">[Pg 265]</span> the wife of +Saudyumni would by drinking the same, bring forth a god-like son. +Those mighty saints had deposited the jar on the altar and had gone +to sleep, having been fatigued by keeping up the night. And as +Saudyumni passed them by, his palate was dry, and he was suffering +greatly from thirst. And the king was very much in need of water to +drink. And he entered that hermitage and asked for drink. And +becoming fatigued, he cried in feeble voice, proceeding from a +parched throat, which resembled the weak inarticulate utterance of +a bird. And his voice reached nobody's ears. Then the king beheld +the jar filled with water. And he quickly ran towards it, and +having drunk the water, put the jar down. And as the water was +cool, and as the king had been suffering greatly from thirst, the +draught of water relieved the sagacious monarch and appeased his +thirst. Then those saints together with him of ascetic wealth, +awoke from sleep; and all of them observed that the water of the +jar had gone. Thereupon they met together and began to enquire as +to who might have done it. Then Yuvanaswa truthfully admitted that +it was his act. Then the revered son of Bhrigu spoke unto him, +saying. "It was not proper. This water had an occult virtue infused +into it, and had been placed there with the object that a son might +be born to thee. Having performed severe austerities, I infused the +virtue of my religious acts in this water, that a son might be born +to thee. O saintly king of mighty valour and physical strength! a +son would have been born to thee of exceeding strength and valour, +and strengthened by austerities, and who would have sent by his +bravery even Indra to the abode of the god of death. It was in this +manner, O king! that this water had been prepared by me. By +drinking this water, O king, thou hast done what was not at all +right. But it is impossible now for us to turn back the accident +which hath happened. Surely what thou hast done must have been the +fiat of Fate. Since thou, O great king, being athirst hast drunk +water prepared with sacred hymns, and filled with the virtue of my +religious labours, thou must bring forth out of thy own body a son +of the character described above. To that end we shall perform a +sacrifice for thee, of wonderful effect so that, valorous as thou +art, thou wilt bring forth a son equal to Indra. Nor wilt thou +experience any trouble on account of the labour pains." Then when +one hundred years had passed away, a son shining as the sun pierced +the left side of the king endowed with a mighty soul, and came +forth. And the son was possessed of mighty strength. Nor did +Yuvanaswa die—which itself was strange. Then Indra of mighty +strength came to pay him a visit. And the deities enquired of the +great Indra, "What is to be sucked by this boy?" Then Indra +introduced his own forefinger into his mouth. And when the wielder +of the thunderbolt said, "He will suck me," the dwellers of heaven +together with Indra christened the boy Mandhata, (<i>literally</i>, +Me he shall suck). Then the boy having tasted the forefinger +extended by Indra, became possessed of mighty strength, and he grew +thirteen cubits, O king. And O great king! the whole of sacred +learning together with the holy science of arms, was acquired by +that masterful boy, who gained all that knowledge by the simple and +unassisted power of his thought. And all at once, the bow +celebrated <span class="pagenum">[Pg 266]</span> under the name of +Ajagava and a number of shafts made of horn, together with an +impenetrable coat of mail, came to his possession on the very same +day, O scion of Bharata's race! And he was placed on the throne by +Indra himself and he conquered the three worlds in a righteous way, +as Vishnu did by his three strides. And the wheel of the car of +that mighty king as irresistible in its course (throughout the +world). And the gems, of their own accord, came into the possession +of that saintly king. This is the tract of land, O lord of earth, +which belonged to him. It abounds in wealth. He performed a number +of sacrificial rites of various kinds, in which abundant gratuities +were paid to the priests. O king! he of mighty force and unmeasured +lustre, erected sacred piles, and performed splendid pious deeds, +and attained the position of sitting at Indra's side. That +sagacious king of unswerving piety sent forth his fiat, and simply +by its virtue conquered the earth, together with the sea—that +source of gems—and all the cities (or the earth), O great +king! The sacrificial grounds prepared by him were to be found all +over the earth on all sides round—not a single spot, but was +marked with the same. O great king! the mighty monarch is said to +have given to the Brahmanas ten thousand <i>padmas</i> of kine. +When there was a drought, which continued for twelve consecutive +years, the mighty king caused rain to come down for the growth of +crops, paying no heed to Indra, the wielder of the thunder-bolt, +who remained staring (at him). The mighty ruler of the Gandhara +land, born in the lunar dynasty of kings, who was terrible like a +roaring cloud, was slain by him, who wounded him sorely with his +shafts. O king! he of cultured soul protected the four orders of +people, and by him of mighty force the worlds were kept from harm, +by virtue of his austere and righteous life. This is the spot where +he, lustrous like the sun, sacrificed to the god. Look at it! here +it is, in the midst of the field of the Kurus, situated in a tract, +the holiest of all. O preceptor of earth! requested by thee, I have +thus narrated to thee the great life of Mandhata, and also the way +in which he was born, which was a birth of an extraordinary +kind.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "O scion of Bharata's race! Kunti's son, thus +addressed by the mighty saint, Lomasa, immediately put fresh +questions to him, with regard to Somaka."</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXVII</h2> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'O best of speakers! what was the extent of +power and strength possessed by king Somaka? I am desirous of +hearing an exact account of his deeds and of his power.'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'O Yudhishthira! there was a virtuous king Somaka +by name. He had one hundred wives, O king, all suitably matched to +their husband. He took great care, but could not succeed in getting +a single son from any one of them, and a long time elapsed during +which he continued a sonless man. Once upon a time, when he had +become old, and was trying every means to have a son, a son was +born to him, Jantu by name, out of <span class="pagenum">[Pg +267]</span> that century of women. And, O ruler of men! All the +mothers used to sit surrounding their son and every one giving him +such objects as might conduce to his enjoyment and pleasure. And it +came to pass that one day an ant stung the boy at his hip. And the +boy screamed loudly on account of the pain caused by the sting. And +forthwith the mothers were exceedingly distressed to see how the +child had been stung by the ant. And they stood around him and set +up cries. Thus there arose a tumultuous noise. And that scream of +pain suddenly reached (the ears of) the sovereign of the earth, +when he was seated in the midst of his ministers, with the family +priest at his side. Then the king sent for information as to what +it was about. And the royal usher explained to him precisely what +the matter was with reference to his son. And Somaka got up +together with his ministers and hastened towards the female +apartments. And on coming there, O subjugator of foes! he soothed +his son. And having done so and coming out from the female +apartments, the king sat with his family priest and ministers.</p> +<p>"'Somaka then spoke thus, "Fie on having only a single son! I +had rather be a sonless man. Considering how constantly liable to +disease are all organized beings, to have an only son is but a +trouble. O Brahmana! O my lord! With the view that I might have +many sons born to me, this century of wives hath been wedded by me, +after inspection, and after I had satisfied myself that they would +prove suitable to me. But issue they have none. Having tried every +means, and put forth great efforts, they have borne this single +son, Jantu. What grief can be greater than this? O most excellent +of the twice-born caste! I am grown old in years and so are my +wives too. And yet this only son is like the breath of their +nostrils, and so he is to me also. But is there any ceremony, by +celebrating which one may get a hundred sons? (And if there is one +such), tell me whether it is great or small, and easy or difficult +to perform."</p> +<p>"'The family priest said, "There is a ceremony by virtue of +which a man may get a century of sons. If thou art able to perform +it, O Somaka, then I shall explain it to thee."</p> +<p>"'Somaka said, "Whether it be a good or an evil deed, the +ceremony by which a hundred sons may be born, may be taken by thee +as already performed. Let thy blessed self explain it to me."</p> +<p>"'The family priest thereupon said, "O king! Let me set on foot +a sacrifice and thou must sacrifice thy son, Jantu in it. Then on +no distant date, a century of handsome sons will be born to thee. +When Jantu's fat will be put into the fire as an offering to the +gods, the mothers will take a smell of that smoke, and bring forth +a number of sons, valourous and strong. And Jantu also will once +more be born as a self-begotten son of thine in that very (mother); +and on his back there will appear a mark of gold."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXVIII</h2> +<p>"'Somaka said, "O Brahmana! whatever is to be performed—do +precisely as it may be necessary. As I am desirous of having a +number of sons, I shall <span class="pagenum">[Pg 268]</span> do +all that may be prescribed by thee."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Then the priest officiated in the sacrifice in +which Jantu was offered as the victim. But the mothers as in pity +forcibly snatched the son and took him away. And they cried, "We +are undone!" And they were smitten with torturing grief and they +caught hold of Jantu by his right hand, and wept in a piteous way. +But the officiating priest held the boy by the right hand and +pulled him. And like female ospreys they screamed in agony! but the +priest dragged the son, killed him, and made a burnt offering of +his fat in the proper form. And, O delight of the race of Kuru! +While the fat was being made an offering of the agonised mothers +smelt its smell, and of a sudden fell to the ground (and swooned +away.) And then all those lovely women became with child, and O +lord of men! O scion of Bharata's race! When ten months had passed +a full century of sons was born to Somaka begotten on all those +women. And, O monarch of the earth! Jantu became the eldest and was +born of his former mother and he became the most beloved to the +women,—not so were their own sons. And on his back there was +that mark of gold and of that century of sons, he was also superior +in merit. Then that family priest of Somaka departed this life as +also Somaka after a certain time. Now he beheld that the priest was +being grilled in a terrible hell. And thereupon he questioned him, +"Why art thou, O Brahmana! being grilled in this hell?" Then the +family priest exceedingly scorched with fire, spake to him saying, +"This is the outcome of my having officiated in that sacrifice of +thine." O king, hearing this, the saintly king thus spake to the +god who meteth out punishments to departed souls, "I shall enter +here. Set free my officiating priest; this reverend man is being +grilled by hell-fire on my account only."</p> +<p>"'Dharmaraja thereat answered thus, "One cannot enjoy or suffer +for another person's acts. O best of speakers! these are the fruits +of thy acts; see it here."</p> +<p>"'Somaka said, "Without this Brahmana here, I desire not go to +the blessed regions. My desire is to dwell in company with this +very man, either in the abode of the gods, or in hell, for, O +Dharmaraja! my deed is identical with what hath been done by him +and the fruit of our virtuous or evil deed must be the same for +both of us."</p> +<p>"'Dharmaraja said, "O king! If this is thy wish, then taste with +him the fruit of that act, for the same period that he must do. +After that thou shall go to the blessed regions."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'The lotus-eyed king did all that exactly in the +way prescribed to him. And when his sins were worked off, he was +set free together with the priest. O king! Fond of the priest as he +was, he won all those blessings to which he had entitled himself by +his meritorious acts and shared everything with the family priest. +This is his hermitage which looketh lovely before our eyes. Any one +would attain the blessed regions, if he should spend six nights +here controlling his passions. O king of kings! O leader of the +tribe of Kurus! Here, free from excitement and self-controlled, we +must spend six nights. Be thou ready therefor.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 269]</span> +<h2>SECTION CXXIX</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Here, O king! The lord of born beings himself +performed a sacrifice in former times,—the ceremony called +<i>Ishtikrita</i>, which occupied one thousand years. And +Amvarisha, son of Nabhaga, sacrificed near the Yamuna river. And +having sacrificed there, he gave away ten <i>Padmas</i> (of gold +coins) to the attendant priests, and he obtained the highest +success by his sacrifices and austerities. And, O Kunti's son! This +is the spot where that sovereign of the entire earth, Nahusha's +son, Yayati, of unmeasured force, and who led a holy life, +performed his sacrificial rites. He competed with Indra and +performed his sacrifice here. Behold how the ground is studded with +places for the sacrificial fires of various forms, and how the +earth seems to be subsiding here under the pressure of Yayati's +pious works. This is the Sami tree, which hath got but a single +leaf, and this is a most excellent lake. Behold these lakes of +Parasurama, and the hermitage of Narayana. O protector of earth! +This is the path which was followed by Richika's son, of unmeasured +energy, who roamed over the earth, practising the Yoga rites in the +river Raupya. And, O delight of the tribe of Kurus! Hear what a +<i>Pisacha</i> woman (she-goblin), who was decked with pestles for +her ornaments, said (to a Brahmana woman), as I was reciting here +the table of genealogy. (She said), "Having eaten curd in +Yugandhara, and lived in Achutasthala, and also bathed in +Bhutilaya, thou shouldst live with thy sons." Having passed a +single night here, if thou wilt spend the second, the events of the +night will be different from those that have happened to thee in +the day-time, O most righteous of Bharata's race! Today we shall +spend the night at this very spot. O scion of Bharata's race! this +is the threshold of the field of the Kurus. O king! At this very +spot, the monarch Yayati, son of Nahusha, performed sacrificial +rites, and made gifts of an abundance of gems. And Indra was +pleased with those sacred rites. This is an excellent holy +bathing-place on the river Yamuna, known as Plakshavatarana +(descent of the banian tree). Men of cultured minds call it the +entrance to the region of heaven. O respected sir! here, after +having performed sacrificial rites of the Saraswata king, and +making use of the sacrificial stake for their pestle, the highest +order of saints performed the holy plunge prescribed at the end of +a sacred ceremony. O monarch! King Bharata here performed +sacrificial rites. To celebrate the horse-sacrifice, he here set +free the horse who was the intended victim. That monarch had won +the sovereignty of the earth by righteousness. The horse he let go +more than once were of a colour checkered with black. O tiger among +men! it was here that Marutta sheltered by Samvartta, leader of +saints, succeeded in performing excellent sacrifices. O sovereign +of kings! Having taken his bath at this spot, one can behold all +the worlds, and is purified from his evil deeds. Do thou, +therefore, bathe at this spot.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Then that most praiseworthy of Pandu's sons, +there bathed with his brothers, while the mighty saints were +uttering laudatory words to him. And he addressed the following +words to Lomasa, 'O <span class="pagenum">[Pg 270]</span> thou +whose strength lieth in truthfulness! By virtue of this pious act, +I behold all the worlds. And from this place, I behold that most +praiseworthy of Pandu's sons Arjuna, the rider of white steed.'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'It is even so, O thou of powerful arms! The +saints of the highest order thus behold all the regions. Behold +this holy Saraswati here, thronged by persons who look upon her as +their sole refuge. O most praiseworthy of men! having bathed here, +thou wilt be free from all thy sins. O Kunti's son! here the +celestial saints performed sacrificial rites of Saraswata king: and +so did the saints and the royal saints. This is the altar of the +lord of beings, five <i>yojanas</i> in extent on all sides round. +And this is the field of the magnanimous Kurus, whose habit it was +to perform sacrifices.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXX</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'O son of Bharata's race! If mortals breathe their +last at this spot, they go to heaven. O king! Thousands upon +thousands of men come to this place to die. A blessing was +pronounced on this spot by Daksha, when he was engaged in sacrifice +here, (in these words), "Those men that shall die at this spot +shall win a place in heaven." Here is the beautiful and sacred +river, Saraswati, full of water: and here, O lord of men, is the +spot known as <i>Vinasana</i>, or the place where the Saraswati +disappeared. Here is the gate of the kingdom of the Nishadas and it +is from hatred for them that the Saraswati entered into the earth +in order that the Nishadas might not see her. Here too is the +sacred region of Chamashodbheda where the Saraswati once more +became visible to them. And here she is joined by other sacred +rivers running seawards. O conqueror of foes, here is that sacred +spot known by the name of Sindhu—where Lopamudra accepted the +great sage Agastya as her lord and, O thou whose effulgence is like +unto that of the sun, here is the sacred <i>tirtha</i> called +Prabhasa, the favoured spot of Indra and which removeth all sins. +Yonder is visible the region of Vishnupada. And here is the +delightful and sacred river, Vipasa. From grief for the death of +his sons the great sage Vasistha had thrown himself into this +stream, after binding his limbs. And when he rose from the water, +lo! he was unfettered. Look, O king with thy brothers at the sacred +region of Kasmeera, frequented by holy sages. Here, O scion of +Bharata's race, is the spot, where a conference took place between +Agni and the sage Kasyapa, and also between Nahusha's son and the +sages of the north. And, O great prince, yonder is the gate of the +Manasasarovara. In the midst of this mountain, a gap hath been +opened by Rama. And here, O prince of prowess incapable of being +baffled, is the well-known region of Vatikhanda, which, although +adjacent to the gate of Videha, lieth on the north of it. And O +bull among men, there is another very remarkable thing connected +with this place,—namely, that on the waning of every +<i>yuga</i>, the god Siva, having the power to assume any shape at +will, may be seen with Uma and his followers. In yonder lake also +people desirous of securing welfare to the family, propitiate with +sacrifices <span class="pagenum">[Pg 271]</span> the holder of the +great bow Pinaka, in the month of Chaitra. And persons of devotion +having passions under control, performing their ablutions in this +lake, become free from sins and, without doubt, attain to the holy +regions. Here is the sacred <i>tirtha</i> called Vijanaka, where +the holy sage Vasistha with his wife Arundhati and also the sage +Yavakri obtained tranquillity. Yonder is the lake Kausava, where +grown the lotuses called Kausesaya, and here also is the sacred +hermitage of Rukmini, where she attained peace, after conquering +that evil passion, anger. I think, O prince, that thou hast heard +something about that man of meditations, Bhrigutunga. There, O +king, before thee is that lofty peak. And, O foremost of kings, +yonder is Vitasta, the sacred stream that absolveth men from all +sins. The water of this stream is extremely cool and limpid, and it +is largely used by the great sages. O prince, behold the holy +rivers Jala and Upajala, on either side of the Yamuna. By +performing a sacrifice here, king Usinara surpassed in greatness +Indra himself. And, O descendant of Bharata, desirous of testing +Usinara's merit and also of bestowing boons on him, Indra and Agni +presented themselves at his sacrificial ground. And Indra assuming +the shape of a hawk, and Agni that of a pigeon, came up to that +king. And the pigeon in fear of the hawk, fell upon the king's +thigh, seeking his protection.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXXI</h2> +<p>"'The hawk said, "All the kings of the earth represent thee as a +pious ruler. Wherefore, O prince, has thou then stopped to +perpetrate a deed not sanctioned by the ordinance? I have been sore +afflicted with hunger. Do thou not withhold from me that which hath +been appointed by the Diety for my food,—under the impression +that thereby thou servest the interests of virtue, whereas in +reality, thou wilt forsake it, (by committing thyself to this +act)." Thereupon, the king said, "O best of the feathered race, +afflicted with fear of thee, and desirous of escaping from thy +hands, this bird, all in a hurry, hath come up to me asking for +life. When this pigeon hath in such a manner sought my protection, +why dost thou not see that the highest merit is even in my not +surrendering it unto thee? And it is trembling with fear, and is +agitated, and is seeking its life from me. It is therefore +certainly blameworthy to forsake it. He that slayeth a Brahmana, he +that slaughtered a cow—the common mother of all the +worlds—and he that forsaketh one seeking for protection are +equally sinful." Thereat the hawk replied, "O lord of earth, it is +from food that all beings derive their life, and it is food also +that nourisheth and sustaineth them. A man can live long even after +forsaking what is dearest to him, but he cannot do so, after +abstaining from food. Being deprived of food, my life, O ruler of +men, will surely leave this body, and will attain to regions +unknown to such troubles. But at my death, O pious king, my wife +and children will surely perish, and by protecting this single +pigeon, O prince, thou dost not protect many lives. The virtue that +standeth in the way of another virtue, is certainly no virtue at +all, but in reality is unrighteousness. <span class="pagenum">[Pg +272]</span> But O king, whose prowess consisteth in truth, that +virtue is worthy of the name, which is not conflicting. After +instituting a comparison between opposing virtues, and weighing +their comparative merits, one, O great prince, ought to espouse +that which is not opposing. Do thou, therefore, O king, striking a +balance between virtues, adopt that which preponderates." At this +the king said, "O best of birds, as thou speakest words fraught +with much good, I suspect thee to be <i>Suparna</i>, the monarch of +birds. I have not the least hesitation to declare that thou art +fully conversant with the ways of virtue. As thou speakest wonders +about virtue, I think that there is nothing connected with it, that +is unknown to thee. How canst thou then consider the forsaking of +one, seeking for help, as virtuous? Thy efforts in this matter, O +ranger of the skies, have been in quest of food. Thou canst, +however, appease thy hunger with some other sort of food, even more +copious. I am perfectly willing to procure for thee any sort of +food that to thee may seem most tasteful, even if it be an ox, or a +boar, or a deer, or a buffalo." Thereupon the hawk said, "O great +king, I am not desirous of eating (the flesh of) a boar or an ox or +the various species of beasts. What have I to do with any other +sort of food? Therefore, O bull among the Kshatriyas, leave to me +this pigeon, whom Heaven hath today ordained for my food. O ruler +of earth, that hawks eat pigeons is the eternal provision. O +prince, do not for support embrace a plantain tree, not knowing its +want of strength." The king said, "Ranger of the skies, I am +willing to bestow on thee this rich province of my race, or any +other thing that to thee may seem desirable. With the sole +exception of this pigeon, which hath approached me craving my +protection, I shall be glad to give unto thee anything that thou +mayst like. Let me know what I shall have to do for the deliverance +of this bird. But this I shall not return to thee on any condition +whatever."</p> +<p>"'The hawk said, "O great ruler of men, if thou hast conceived +an affection for this pigeon, then cut off a portion of thine own +flesh, and weigh it in a balance, against this pigeon. And when +thou hast found it equal (in weight) to the pigeon, then do thou +give it unto me, and that will be to my satisfaction." Then the +king replied, "This request of thine, O hawk, I consider as a +favour unto me, and, therefore, I will give unto thee even my own +flesh, after weighing it in a balance."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Saying this, O mighty son of Kunti, the highly +virtuous king cut off a portion of his own flesh, and placed it in +a balance, against the pigeon. But when he found that pigeon +exceeded his flesh in weight, he once more cut off another portion +of his flesh, and added it to the former. When portion after +portion had been repeatedly added to weigh against the pigeon, and +no more flesh was left on his body, he mounted the scale himself, +utterly devoid of flesh.</p> +<p>"'The hawk then said, "I am Indra, O virtuous king, and this +pigeon is Agni, the carrier of the sacrificial clarified butter. We +had come unto thy sacrificial ground, desirous of testing thy +merit. Since thou hast cut off thy own flesh from thy body, thy +glory shall be resplendent, and shall surpass that of all others in +the world. As long as men, O king, shall speak of thee, +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 273]</span> o long shall thy glory +endure, and thou shalt inhabit the holy regions." Saying this to +the king, Indra ascended to heaven. And the virtuous king Usinara, +after having filled heaven and earth with the merit of his pious +deeds, ascended to heaven in a radiant shape. Behold, O king, the +residence of that noble-hearted monarch. Here, O king, are seen +holy sages and gods, together with virtuous and highsouled +Brahmanas.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXXII</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'See here, O lord of men, the sacred hermitage of +Swetaketu, son of Uddalaka, whose fame as an expert in the sacred +<i>mantras</i> is so widely spread on earth. This hermitage is +graced with cocoanut trees. Here Swetaketu beheld the goddess +Saraswati in her human shape, and spake unto her, saying, "May I be +endowed with the gift of speech!" In that <i>yuga</i>, Swetaketu, +the son of Uddalaka, and Ashtavakra, the son of Kahoda, who stood +to each other in the relation of uncle and nephew, were the best of +those conversant with the sacred lore. Those two Brahmanas, of +matchless energy, who bore unto each other the relationship of +uncle and nephew, went into the sacrificial ground of king Janaka +and there defeated Vandin in a controversy. Worship, O son of +Kunti, with thy brothers, the sacred hermitage of him who had for +his grandson Ashtavakra, who, even when a mere child, had caused +Vandin to be drowned in a river, after having defeated him in a +(literary) contest."'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'Tell me, O Lomasa, all about the power of +this man, who had in that way defeated Vandin. Why was he born as +<i>Ashtavakra</i> (crooked in eight parts in his body)?'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'The sage Uddalaka had a disciple named Kahoda of +subdued passions, and entirely devoted to the service of his +preceptor and who had continued his studies long. The Brahmana had +served his tutor long, and his preceptor, recognising his service, +gave him his own daughter, Sujata, in marriage, as well as a +mastery over the Shastras. And she became with child, radiant as +fire. And the embryo addressed his father while employed in +reading, "O father, thou hast been reading the whole night, but (of +all that) thy reading doth not seem to me correct. Even in my fetal +state I have, by thy favour, become versed in the Shastras and the +Vedas with their several branches. I say, O father, that what +proceeds from thy mouth, is not correct." Thus insulted in the +presence of his disciples, the great sage in anger cursed his child +in the womb, saying, "Because thou speakest thus even while in the +womb, therefore thou shalt be crooked in eight parts of the body." +The child was accordingly born crooked, and the great sage was ever +after known by the name of Ashtavakra. Now, he had an uncle named +Swetaketu who was the same age with himself. Afflicted by the +growth of the child in the womb, Sujata, desirous of riches, +conciliating her husband who had no wealth told him in private: +"How shall I manage, O great sage, the tenth month of my pregnancy +having come? Thou hast no <span class="pagenum">[Pg 274]</span> +substance whereby I may extricate myself from the exigencies, after +I have been delivered." Thus addressed by his wife, Kahoda went +unto king Janaka for riches. He was there defeated in a controversy +by Vandin, well versed in the science of arguments, and (in +consequence) was immersed into water. And hearing that his +son-in-law had been defeated in a controversy by Vandin and caused +to be drowned by him, Uddalaka spake unto his daughter Sujata, +saying, "Thou shall keep it a secret from Ashtavakra." She +accordingly kept her counsel—so that Ashtavakra, when born, +had heard nothing about the matter. And he regarded Uddalaka as his +father and Swetaketu as his brother. And when Ashtavakra was in his +twelfth year, Swetaketu one day saw the former seated on his +father's lap. And thereat he pulled him by the hand, and on +Ashtavakra's beginning to cry, he told him, "It is not the lap of +thy father." This cruel communication went direct into Ashtavakra's +heart and it pained him sorely. And he went home and asked his +mother saying, "Where is my father?" Thereupon Sujata who was +greatly afflicted (by his question), and apprehending a curse told +him all that had happened. And having heard all, the Brahmana at +night said unto his uncle Swetaketu, "Let us go unto the sacrifice +of king Janaka, wherein many wonderful things are to be seen. There +we shall listen to the controversy between the Brahmanas and shall +partake of excellent food. Our knowledge also will increase. The +recitation of the sacred Vedas is sweet to hear and is fraught with +blessings." Then they both—uncle and nephew—went unto +the splendid sacrifice of king Janaka. And on being driven from the +entrance, Ashtavakra met the king and addressed him in the +following words.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXXIII</h2> +<p>"'Ashtavakra said, "When no Brahmana is met with on the way, the +way belongeth to the blind, the deaf, the women, carriers of +burden, and the king respectively. But when a Brahmana is met with +on the way, it belongeth to him alone." Thereupon the king said, "I +give the privilege to enter. Do thou, therefore, go in by whatever +way thou likest. No fire ever so small is to be slighted. Even +Indra himself boweth unto the Brahmanas." At this Ashtavakra said, +"We have come, O ruler of men, to witness thy sacrificial ceremony +and our curiosity, O king, is very great. And we have come here as +guests. We want the permission of thy order (to enter). And, O son +of Indradyumna, we have come, desirous of seeing the sacrifice, and +to meet king Janaka and speak to him. But thy warder obstructs us +and for this our anger burneth us like fever." The warder said, "We +carry out the orders of Vandin. Listen to what I have to say. Lads +are not permitted to enter here and it is only the learned old +Brahmanas that are allowed to enter." Ashtavakra said. "If this be +the condition, O warder, that the door is open to those only that +are old, then we have a right to enter. We are old and we have +observed sacred vows and are in possession of energy proceeding +from the Vedic lore. And we have served our superiors and subdued +our passions—and <span class="pagenum">[Pg 275]</span> have +also won proficiency in knowledge. It is said that even boys are +not to be slighted,—for a fire, small though it be, burneth +on being touched." The warder replied, "O young Brahmana, I +consider you a boy, and therefore recite, if you know, the verse +demonstrating the existence of the Supreme Being, and adored by the +divine sages, and which, although composed of one letter, is yet +multifarious. Make no vain boast. Learned men are really very +rare." Ashtavakra said, "True growth cannot be inferred from the +mere development of the body, as the growth of the knots of the +Salmali tree cannot signify its age. That tree is called full-grown +which although slender and short, beareth fruits. But that which +doth not bear fruits, is not considered as grown." The warder said, +"Boys receive instruction from the old and they also in time grow +old. Knowledge certainly is not attainable in a short time. +Wherefore then being a child, dost thou talk like an old man?" Then +Ashtavakra said, "One is not old because his head is gray. But the +gods regard him as old who, although a child in years, is yet +possessed of knowledge. The sages have not laid down that a man's +merit consists in years, or gray hair, or wealth, or friends. To us +he is great who is versed in the Vedas. I have come here, O porter, +desirous of seeing Vandin in the court. Go and inform king Janaka, +who hath a garland of lotuses on his neck, that I am here. Thou +shalt to-day see me enter into a dispute with the learned men, and +defeat Vandin in a controversy. And when others have been silenced, +the Brahmanas of matured learning and the king also with his +principal priests, bear witness to the superior or the inferior +quality of his attainments." The warder said, "How canst thou, who +art but in thy tenth year, hope to enter into this sacrifice, into +which learned and educated men only are admitted? I shall, however, +try some means for thy admittance. Do thou also try thyself." +Ashtavakra then addressing the king said, "O king, O foremost of +Janaka's race, thou art the paramount sovereign and all power +reposeth in thee. In times of old, king Yayati was the celebrator +of sacrifices. And in the present age, thou it is that art +performer thereof. We have heard that the learned Vandin, after +defeating (in controversy) men expert in discussion, causeth them +to be drowned by faithful servants employed by thee. Hearing this, +I have come before these Brahmanas, to expound the doctrine of the +unity of the Supreme Being. Where is now Vandin? Tell me so that I +may approach him, and destroy him, even as the sun destroyeth the +stars." Thereupon the king said, "Thou hopest, O Brahmana, to +defeat Vandin, not knowing his power of speech. Can those who are +familiar with his power, speak as thou dost? He hath been sounded +by Brahmanas versed in the Vedas. Thou hopest to defeat Vandin, +only because thou knowest not his powers (of speech). Many a +Brahmana hath waned before him, even as the stars before the sun. +Desirous of defeating him, people proud of their learning, have +lost their glory on appearing before him, and have retired from his +presence, without even venturing to speak with the members of the +assembly." Ashtavakra said, "Vandin hath never entered into +disputation with a man like myself, and it is for this only that he +looketh upon himself as a lion, and goeth about roaring like one. +But to-day meeting me he will <span class="pagenum">[Pg 276]</span> +lie down dead, even like a cart on the highway, of which the wheels +have been deranged." The king said, "He alone is a truly learned +man who understandeth the significance of the thing that hath +thirty divisions, twelve parts twenty-four joints, and three +hundred and sixty spokes." Ashtavakra said, "May that ever-moving +wheel that hath twenty-four joints, six naves, twelve peripheries, +and sixty spokes protect thee!"<a id="footnotetag19" name= +"footnotetag19"></a><a href="#footnote19"><sup>19</sup></a> The +king said, "Who amongst the gods beareth those two which go +together like two mares (yoked to a car), and sweep like a hawk, +and to what also do they give birth?" Ashtavakra said, "May God, O +king, forfend the presence of these two<a id="footnotetag20" name= +"footnotetag20"></a><a href="#footnote20"><sup>20</sup></a> in thy +house; aye, even in the house of thine enemies. He who appeareth, +having for his charioteer the wind,<a id="footnotetag21" name= +"footnotetag21"></a><a href="#footnote21"><sup>21</sup></a> +begetteth them, and they also produce him." Thereupon the king +said, "What is that doth not close its eyes even while sleeping; +what is it that doth not move, even when born; what is it that hath +no heart; and what doth increase even in its own speed?" Ashtavakra +said, "It is a fish<a id="footnotetag22" name= +"footnotetag22"></a><a href="#footnote22"><sup>22</sup></a> that +doth not close its eye-lids, while sleeping; and it is an a +egg<a id="footnotetag23" name="footnotetag23"></a><a href= +"#footnote23"><sup>23</sup></a> that doth not move when produced; +it is stone<a id="footnotetag24" name="footnotetag24"></a><a href= +"#footnote24"><sup>24</sup></a> that hath no heart; and it is a +river<a id="footnotetag25" name="footnotetag25"></a><a href= +"#footnote25"><sup>25</sup></a> that increase in its own +speed."</p> +<p>"'The king said, "It seemeth, O possessor of divine energy, that +thou art no human being. I consider thee not a boy, but a matured +man; there is no other man who can compare with thee in the art of +speech. I therefore give thee admittance. There is Vandin."'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXXIV</h2> +<p>"'Ashtavakra said, "O king, O leader of fierce legions, in this +assembly of monarchs of unrivalled power who have met together, I +am unable to find out Vandin, chief of the controversialists. But I +am searching for him, even as one doth for a swan on a vast expanse +of water. O Vandin, thou regardest thyself as the foremost of +controversialists. When though wilt engage with me in staking, thou +wilt not be able to flow like the current of a river. I am like a +full-flaming fire. Be silent before me, O Vandin! Do not awaken a +sleeping tiger. Know that thou shalt not escape unstung, after +trampling on the head of a venomous snake, licking the corners of +its mouth with its tongue, and who hath been hurt by thy foot. That +weak man who, in pride of strength, attempts to strike a blow at a +mountain, only gets his hands and nails hurt, but no wound is left +on the mountain itself. As the other mountains are inferior to the +Mainaka, and as calves are inferior <span class="pagenum">[Pg +277]</span> to the ox, so are all other kings of the earth inferior +to the lord of Mithila. And as Indra is the foremost of celestials, +and as the Ganga is the best of rivers, so thou alone art, O king, +the greatest of monarchs. O king, cause Vandin to be brought to my +presence."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Saying this, O Yudhishthira, wroth with Vandin, +Ashtavakra thus thundered in the assembly, and addressed him in +these words, "Do thou answer my questions, and I shall answer +thine." Thereat Vandin said, "One only fire blazeth forth in +various shapes; one only sun illumineth this whole world; one only +hero, Indra, the lord of celestials, destroyeth enemies; and one +only Yama is the sole lord of the Pitris."<a id="footnotetag26" +name="footnotetag26"></a><a href="#footnote26"><sup>26</sup></a> +Ashtavakra said, "The two friends, Indra and Agni, ever move +together; the two celestial sages are Narada and Parvata; twins are +the Aswinikumaras; two is the number of the wheels of a car; and it +is as a couple that husband and wife live together, as ordained by +the deity."<a id="footnotetag27" name="footnotetag27"></a><a href= +"#footnote27"><sup>27</sup></a> Vandin said, "Three kinds of born +beings are produced by acts; the three Vedas together perform the +sacrifice, Vajapeya; at three different times, the Adhwaryus +commence sacrificial rites; three is the number of words: and three +also are the divine lights."<a id="footnotetag28" name= +"footnotetag28"></a><a href="#footnote28"><sup>28</sup></a> +Ashtavakra said, "Four are the Asramas of the Brahmanas; the four +orders perform sacrifices; four are the cardinal points; four is +the number of letters; and four also, as is ever known, are the +legs of a cow."<a id="footnotetag29" name= +"footnotetag29"></a><a href="#footnote29"><sup>29</sup></a> Vandin +said, "Five is the number of fires; five are the feet of the metre +called <i>Punki</i>; five are the sacrifices; five locks, it is +said in the Vedas, are on the heads of the Apsaras; and five sacred +rivers are known in the world."<a id="footnotetag30" name= +"footnotetag30"></a><a href="#footnote30"><sup>30</sup></a> +Ashtavakra said, "Six cows, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 278]</span> +it is asserted by some, are paid as a gratuity on the occasion of +establishing the sacred fire; six are the seasons belonging to the +wheel of time; six is the number of the senses; six stars +constitute the constellation <i>Kirtika</i>; and six, it is found +in all the Vedas, is the number of the Sadyaska sacrifice."<a id= +"footnotetag31" name="footnotetag31"></a><a href= +"#footnote31"><sup>31</sup></a> Vandin said, "Seven is the number +of the domesticated animals; seven are the wild animals; seven +metres are used in completing a sacrifice; seven are the +<i>Rishis</i>, seven forms of paying homage are extant (in the +world); and seven, it is known, are the strings of the Vina."<a id= +"footnotetag32" name="footnotetag32"></a><a href= +"#footnote32"><sup>32</sup></a> Ashtavakra said, "Eight are the +bags containing a hundred fold; eight is the number of the legs of +the Sarabha, which preyeth upon lions; eight Vasus, as we hear, are +amongst the celestials; and eight are the angles of <i>yupa</i> +(stake), in all sacrificial rites."<a id="footnotetag33" name= +"footnotetag33"></a><a href="#footnote33"><sup>33</sup></a> Vandin +said, "Nine is the number of the mantras used in kindling the fire +in sacrifices to the <i>Pitris</i>; nine are the appointed +functions in the processes of creation; nine letters compose the +foot of the metre, Vrihati; and nine also is ever the number of the +figures (in calculation)."<a id="footnotetag34" name= +"footnotetag34"></a><a href="#footnote34"><sup>34</sup></a> +Ashtavakra said, "Ten is said to be the number of cardinal points, +entering into the cognition of men in this world; ten times hundred +make up a thousand; ten is the number of months, during which women +bear; and ten are the teachers of true knowledge, and ten, the +haters thereof, and ten again are those capable of learning +it."<a id="footnotetag35" name="footnotetag35"></a><a href= +"#footnote35"><sup>35</sup></a> Vandin said, "Eleven are the +objects enjoyable by beings; eleven is the number of the +<i>yupas</i>; eleven are the changes of the natural state +pertaining to those having life; and eleven are the Rudras among +the gods in heaven."<a id="footnotetag36" name= +"footnotetag36"></a><a href="#footnote36"><sup>36</sup></a> +Ashtavakra said, "Twelve months compose the year; twelve letters go +to the composition of a foot of the metre called <i>Jagati</i>; +twelve are the minor sacrifices; and twelve, according to the +learned, is the number of the Adityas."<a id="footnotetag37" name= +"footnotetag37"></a><a href="#footnote37"><sup>37</sup></a> Vandin +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 279]</span> said, "The thirteenth lunar +day is considered the most auspicious; thirteen islands exist on +earth."'<a id="footnotetag38" name="footnotetag38"></a><a href= +"#footnote38"><sup>38</sup></a></p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Having proceeded thus far, Vandin stopped. +Thereupon Ashtavakra supplied the latter half of the <i>sloka</i>. +Ashtavakra said, "Thirteen sacrifices are presided over by Kesi; +and thirteen are devoured by <i>Atichhandas</i>, (the longer +metres) of the Veda."<a id="footnotetag39" name= +"footnotetag39"></a><a href="#footnote39"><sup>39</sup></a> And +seeing Ashtavakra speaking and the Suta's son silent, and pensive, +and with head downcast, the assembly broke into a long uproar. And +when the tumult thus arose in the splendid sacrifice performed by +king Janaka, the Brahmanas well pleased, and with joined hands, +approached Ashtavakra, and began to pay him homage.</p> +<p>"'Thereupon Ashtavakra said, "Before this, this man, defeating +the Brahmanas in controversy, used to cast them into water. Let +Vandin today meet with the same fate. Seize him and drown him in +water." Vandin said, "O Janaka, I am the son of king Varuna. +Simultaneously with thy sacrifice, there also hath commenced a +sacrifice extending over twelve years. It is for this that I have +despatched the principal Brahmanas thither. They have gone to +witness Varuna's sacrifice. Lo! there they are returning. I pay +homage to the worshipful Ashtavakra, by whose grace to-day I shall +join him who hath begot me."</p> +<p>"'Ashtavakra said, "Defeating the Brahmanas either by words or +subtlety, Vandin had cast them into the waters of the sea. (That +Vedic truth which he had suppressed by false arguments), have I +to-day rescued by dint of my intellect. Now let candid men judge. +As Agni, who knoweth the character of both the good and the bad, +leaveth unscorched by his heat the bodies of those whose designs +are honest, and is thus partial to them, so good men judge the +assertions of boys, although lacking the power of speech, and are +favourably disposed towards them. O Janaka, thou hearest my words +as if thou hast been stupefied in consequence of having eaten the +fruit of the Sleshmataki tree. Or flattery hath robbed thee of thy +sense, and for this it is that although pierced by my words as an +elephant (by the hook), thou hearest them not."</p> +<p>"'Janaka said, "Listening to thy words, I take them to be +excellent and superhuman. Thy form also standeth manifest as +superhuman. As thou hast to-day defeated Vandin in discussion, I +place even him at thy disposal." Ashtavakra said, "O king, Vandin +remaining alive, will not serve any purpose of mine. If his father +be really Varuna, let him be drowned in the sea." <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 280]</span> Vandin said, "I am King Varuna's son. I +have no fear (therefore) in being drowned. Even at this moment, +Ashtavakra shall see his long-lost sire, Kahoda."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Then rose before Janaka all the Brahmanas, after +having been duly worshipped by the magnanimous Varuna. Kahoda said, +"It is for this, O Janaka, that men pray for sons, by performing +meritorious acts. That in which I had failed hath been achieved by +my son. Weak persons may have sons endued with strength; dunces may +have intelligent sons; and the illiterate may have sons possessed +of learning." Vandin said, "It is with thy sharpened axe, O +monarch, that even Yama severeth the heads of foes. May prosperity +attend thee! In this sacrifice of king Janaka, the principal hymns +relating to the <i>Uktha</i> rites are being chanted, and the Soma +juice also is being adequately quaffed. And the gods themselves, in +person, and with cheerful hearts, are accepting their sacred +shares."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'When in enhanced splendour, the Brahmanas had +risen up, Vandin, taking king Janaka's permission, entered into the +waters of the sea. And then Ashtavakra worshipped his father, and +he himself also was worshipped by the Brahmanas. And having thus +defeated the Suta's son,<a id="footnotetag40" name= +"footnotetag40"></a><a href="#footnote40"><sup>40</sup></a> +Ashtavakra returned to his own excellent hermitage, in company with +his uncle. Then in the presence of his mother, his father addressed +him, saying, "(O son), thou speedily enter into this river, +Samanga." And accordingly, he entered (into the water). (And as he +plunged beneath the water), all his (crooked) limbs were +immediately made straight. And from that day that river came to be +called Samanga and she became invested with the virtues of +purifying (sins). He that shall bathe in her, will be freed from +his sins. Therefore, O Yudhishthira, do thou with thy brothers and +wife descend to the river, and perform thy ablutions. O Kunti's +son, O scion of the Ajamidha race, living happily and cheerfully at +this place together with thy brothers and the Brahmanas, thou wilt +perform with me other acts of merit, being intent upon good +deeds.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXXV</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Here, O king, is visible the river Samanga, whose +former name was Madhuvila, and yonder is the spot named Kardamila, +the bathing place of Bharata. The lord of Sachi, when fallen into +misery in consequence of having slain Vritra, became freed from his +sin, by performing his ablutions in this Samanga. Here, O bull +among men, is the spot where the Mainaka mountain hath sunk into +the interior of the earth; and it is hence called Vinasana. For +obtaining sons, here Aditi in days of yore had cooked that +celebrated food, (presided over by the Supreme Being). O ye bulls +among men, ascend this lofty mountain and put an end to your +inglorious misery unworthy to be uttered. Here, O king, before thee +is the Kanakhala range, the favourite resort of sages. And yonder +is the mighty river Ganga. Here, <span class="pagenum">[Pg +281]</span> in ancient times, the holy sage Sanatkumara attained +ascetic success. O scion of the Ajamidha race, by performing thy +ablutions here in this river, thou wilt be freed from all thy sins. +O son of Kunti, do thou together with thy ministers, touch (the +waters) of this lake called Punya, and this mountain Bhrigutunga +and also (the water of) these two rivers, called Tushniganga. Here, +O Kunti's son, appeareth the hermitage of the sage Sthulasiras. +Resign here thy anger and sense of self-importance. There, O son of +Pandu, is seen the beautiful hermitage of Raivya, where perished +Bharadwaja's son, Yavakri, profound in Vedic lore.'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'How did the mighty sage, Yavakri, son of +the ascetic Bharadwaja, acquire profoundity in the Vedas? And how +also did he perish? I am anxious to hear all this, just as it +happened. I take delight in listening to the narration of the deeds +of god-like men.'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Bharadwaja and Raivya were two friends. And they +dwelt here, ever taking the greatest pleasure in each other's +company. Now, Raivya had two sons, named Arvavasu and Paravasu. +And, Bharadwaja, O Bharata's son, had an only son, named Yavakri. +Raivya and his two sons were versed in the Vedas, while Bharadwaja +practised asceticism. But, O son of Bharata, from their boyhood, +the friendship subsisting between those two was unequalled. O +sinless one, the highspirited Yavakri finding that his father, who +practised asceticism, was slighted by the Brahmanas, while Raivya +with his sons was greatly respected by them, was overwhelmed with +sorrow, and became sore aggrieved. Thereupon, O son of Pandu, he +entered upon severe austerities, for (obtaining) a knowledge of the +Vedas. And he exposed his body to a flaming fire. By thus +practising the most rigid austerities, he caused anxiety in the +mind of Indra. Then Indra, O Yudhishthira, went to him and +addressed him saying, "Wherefore, O sage, hast thou become engaged +in practising such rigid austerities?" Yavakri said, "O thou adored +of celestial hosts, I am practising severe penances, because I wish +that such a knowledge of the Vedas as hath never been acquired by +any Brahmana whatever, may be manifest unto me. O conqueror of +Paka, these endeavours of mine have been for Vedic lore. O Kausika, +by the force of my asceticism, I purpose to obtain all sorts of +knowledge. O lord, a knowledge of the Vedas as learnt through +teachers, is acquired in a long time. Therefore, (with the view of +attaining in short time a proficiency in the Vedas), I have put +forth these high endeavours." Indra said, "O Brahmana sage, the way +that thou hast adopted is not the proper way. What for, O Brahmana, +wilt thou destroy thyself? Go and learn from the lips of a +preceptor."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'O son of Bharata, having said this, Sakra went +away, and Yavakri of immeasurable energy, once more directed his +attention to asceticism. O king, we have heard that carrying on +severe austerities he again greatly agitated Indra. And the god +Indra, slayer of Vala, again came unto that great sage, who was +engaged in austere penances; and forbade him, saying, "Thou art +striving with the object that Vedic lore may be manifest unto thee +as well as unto thy father; but thy exertions can never be +successful, <span class="pagenum">[Pg 282]</span> nor is this act +of thine well-advised." Yavakri said, "O lord of the celestials, if +thou wilt not do for me what I want, I shall, observing stricter +vows, practise still severer penances. O lord of celestials! know +that if thou do not fulfil all my desires, I shall then cut off my +limbs and offer them as a sacrifice into a blazing fire."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Knowing the determination of that high-souled +sage, the sagacious Indra reflected and hit upon some expedient to +dissuade him. Then Indra assumed the guise of an ascetic Brahmana, +hundreds of years old, and infirm, and suffering from consumption. +And he fell to throwing up a dam with sands, at that spot of the +Bhagirathi to which Yavakri used to descend for performing +ablutions. Because Yavakri, chief of the Brahmanas, paid no heed to +Indra's words, the latter began to fill the Ganga with sands. And +without cessation, he threw handfuls of sand into the Bhagirathi, +and began to construct the dam attracting the notice of the sage. +And when that bull among the sages, Yavakri, saw Indra thus +earnestly engaged in constructing the dam, he broke into laughter, +and said the following words, "What art thou engaged in, O +Brahmana, and what is thy object? Why dost thou, for nothing, make +this mighty endeavour?" Indra said, "I am trying, O my son, to dam +the Ganga so that there may be a commodious passage. People +experience considerable difficulty in crossing and recrossing (the +river) by boat." Yavakri said, "O thou of ascetic wealth, thou +canst not dam up this mighty current. O Brahmana, desist from, what +is impracticable, and take up something that is practicable." Indra +said, "O sage, I have imposed on myself this heavy task, even as, +for obtaining a knowledge of the Vedas, thou hast begun these +penances, which can never be fruitful." Yavakri said, "If, O chief +of the celestials, those efforts of mine be fruitless, even as +those of thy own, then, O lord of heavenly hosts, be thou pleased +to do for me what is practicable. Vouchsafe unto me boons whereby I +may excel other men."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said 'Then Indra granted boons, as was prayed for by the +mighty ascetic. Indra said, "As thou desirest, the Vedas will be +manifest unto thee, yea—even unto thy father. And all thy +other desires will also be fulfilled. Return home, O Yavakri."</p> +<p>"'Having thus obtained the object of his desire, Yavakri came +unto his father and said, "The Vedas, O father, will be manifest +unto thee as well as unto myself and I have obtained boons whereby +we shall excel all men." Thereat Bharadwaja said, "O my son, as +thou hast obtained the objects of thy desire, thou wilt be proud. +And when thou art puffed up with pride and hast also become +uncharitable, destruction will soon overtake thee. O my son, there +is a current anecdote narrated by the gods. In ancient times, O +son, there lived a sage named Valadhi, possessed of great energy. +And in grief for the death of a child, he practised the severest +penances to have a child that should be immortal. And he obtained a +son even as he desired. But the gods, though very favourably +disposed (towards him), did not yet make his son immortal like unto +the gods. They said, "On condition can a mortal being be made +immortal. Thy son's life, however, shall depend <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 283]</span> on some instrumental cause." Thereupon, +Valadhi said, "O chiefs of the celestials, these mountains have +been existing eternally, and indestructible, let them be the +instrumental cause of my son's life." Afterwards a son was born to +the sage, named Medhavi. And he was of a very irritable temper. And +hearing of (the incident of his birth), he grew haughty, and began +to insult the sages. And he ranged over the earth, doing mischief +to the <i>munis</i>. And one day, meeting with the learned sage +Dhannushaksha endued with energy, Medhavi maltreated him. +Thereupon, the former cursed him, saying, "Be thou reduced to +ashes." Medhavi, however, was not reduced to ashes. Then +Dhannushaksha caused the mountain which was the instrumental cause +of Medhavi's life, to be shattered by buffaloes. And the boy +perished, with the destruction of the instrumental cause of his +life. And embracing his dead son, Medhavi's father began to bewail +his fate. Now hear from me, O my son, what was chanted by the sages +conversant with the Vedas, when they found the sage mourning. <i>A +mortal on no condition whatever can overcome what hath been +ordained by Fate. Lo! Dhannushaksha succeeded in shattering even +the mountain by buffaloes.</i> Thus young ascetics, puffed up with +pride for having obtained boons, perish in a short time. Be thou +not one of them. This Raivya, O my son, is possessed of great +energy, and his two sons are like him. Therefore, be thou +vigilant—so as never to approach him. O my son, Raivya is a +great ascetic of an irritable temper. When angry, he can do thee +harm." Yavakri said, "I shall do as thou biddest me. Oh father, do +thou not by any means entertain anxiety for that. Raivya deserveth +my regard even as thou, my father." Having replied unto his father +in these sweet words, Yavakri, fearing nothing and nobody, began to +delight in wantonly offending other <i>munis</i>.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXXVI</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'One day in the month of Chaitra, while fearlessly +wandering at large, Yavakri approached the hermitage of Raivya. And +O son of Bharata, in that beautiful hermitage, adorned with trees +bearing blossoms, he happened to behold the daughter-in-law of +Raivya, sauntering about like a Kinnara woman. And having lost his +senses through passion, Yavakri shamelessly spake unto the bashful +maiden, saying, "Be thou attached unto me." Thereupon, knowing his +nature, and afraid of a curse, as well as thinking of Raivya's +power, she went unto him saying, "I agree." Then, O son of Bharata, +taking him in private, she kept him chained. O conqueror of foes, +returning to his hermitage, Raivya found his daughter-in-law, +Paravasu's wife, in tears. O Yudhishthira, thereat consoling her +with soft words, he enquired of her as to the cause of her grief. +Thereupon, the beautiful damsel told him all that Yavakri had said +unto her, and what she also had cleverly said unto him. Hearing of +this gross misbehaviour of Yavakri, the mind of the sage flamed up, +and he waxed exceedingly wroth. And being thus seized with passion, +the great sage of a highly irascible temper, tore off a matted lock +of his hair, and with holy <i>mantras</i>, offered it as a +sacrifice on the sacred fire. At this, there sprang out of it a +female exactly <span class="pagenum">[Pg 284]</span> resembling his +daughter-in-law. And then he plucked another matted lock of his +hair, and again offered it as a sacrifice into the fire. Thereupon +sprang out of it a demon, terrible to behold, and having fierce +eyes. Then those two spake unto Raivya, saying, "What shall we do?" +Thereat, the angry sage said unto them, "Go and kill Yavakri." Then +saying, "We shall do (as thou biddest)"—they two went away +with the intention of slaying Yavakri. And with her charms, the +female whom the large-hearted sage had created, robbed Yavakri of +his sacred water-pot. Then with his uplifted spear the demon flew +at Yavakri, when he had been deprived of his water-pot and rendered +unclean. And seeing the demon approach with uplifted spear for the +purpose of slaying him, Yavakri rose up all on a sudden and fled +towards a tank. But finding it devoid of water, he hurried towards +all the rivers. But they too were all dried up. And being +obstructed again and again by the fierce demon, holding the spear, +Yavakri in fright attempted to enter into the <i>Agnihotra</i> room +of his father. But there, O king, he was repulsed by a blind Sudra +warder, and he remained at the door, grasped by the man. And, +finding Yavakri thus grasped by the Sudra, the demon hurled his +spear at him, and thereupon he fell down dead, pierced in the +heart. After slaying Yavakri, the demon went back to Raivya, and +with the permission of that sage, began to live with the +female.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXXVII</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'O son of Kunti, Bharadwaja returned to his +hermitage after performing the ritual duties of the day, and having +collected the sacrificial fuel. And because his son had been slain, +the sacrificial fires which used to welcome him everyday, did not +on that day come forward to welcome him. And marking this change in +the Agnihotra, the great sage asked the blind Sudra warder seated +there, saying, "Why is it, O Sudra, that the fires rejoice not at +sight of me? Thou too dost not rejoice as is thy wont. Is it all +well with my hermitage? I hope that my son of little sense had not +gone to the sage Raivya. Answer speedily, O Sudra, all these +questions of mine. My mind misgiveth me." The Sudra said, "Thy son +of little sense had gone to the sage Raivya, and therefore it is +that he lieth prostrate (on the ground), having been slain by a +powerful demon. Being attacked by the Rakshasa, holding a spear, he +attempted to force his way into this room, and I therefore barred +his way with my arms. Then desirous of having water in an unclean +state, as he stood hopeless, he was slain by the vehement Rakshasa, +carrying a spear in his hand." On hearing from the Sudra of this +great calamity, Bharadwaja, sorely afflicted with grief, began to +lament, embracing his dead son. And he said, "O my son, it is for +the good of the Brahmanas that thou didst practise penances, with +the intention that the Vedas unstudied by any Brahmana whatever +might be manifest unto thee. Thy behaviour towards the Brahmanas +had always been for their good, and thou hadst also been innocent +in regard to all creatures. But, alas! (at last) thou didst lapse +into rudeness. I had prohibited thee, O my son, from visiting the +residence of Raivya; but alas! to that very hermitage, <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 285]</span> (destructive to thee) as the god of death +himself, Yama, didst thou repair. Evil-minded is that man, who, +(knowing that) I am an old man, and also that (Yavakri) was my only +son, had given way to wrath. It is through the agency of Raivya +that I have sustained the loss of my child. Without thee, O my son, +I shall give up my life, the most precious thing in the world. In +grief for the death of my son, I renounce my life; but this I say +that Raivya's eldest son shall in a short time kill him although he +be innocent. Blessed are those to whom children have never been +born, for they lead a happy life, without having to experience the +grief (incident to the death of a child). Who in this world can be +more wicked than those who from affliction, and deprived of their +sense by sorrow consequent upon the death of a child, curse even +their dearest friend! I found my son dead, and, therefore, have +cursed my dearest friend. Ah! what second man can there be in this +world, destined to suffer so grievous a misfortune!" Having +lamented long Bharadwaja cremated his son and then himself entered +into a full-blazing fire.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXXVIII</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'At that very time, the mighty king, Vrihadyumna, +of high fortune, who was the <i>Yajamana</i> of Raivya, commenced a +sacrifice. And the two sons of Raivya, Arvavasu and Paravasu, were +engaged by that intelligent monarch, to assist him in the +performance of the ceremony. And, O son of Kunti, taking the +permission of their father, they two went to the sacrifice, while +Raivya with Paravasu's wife remained in the hermitage. And it came +to pass that one day, desirous of seeing his wife, Paravasu +returned home alone. And he met his father in the wood, wrapped in +the skin of a black antelope. And the night was far advanced and +dark; and Paravasu, blinded by drowsiness in that deep wood, +mistook his father for a straggling deer. And mistaking him for a +deer, Paravasu, for the sake of personal safety, unintentionally +killed his father. Then, O son of Bharata, after performing the +funeral rites (of his father), he returned to the sacrifice and +there addressed his brother saying, "Thou wilt never be able to +perform this task unassisted. I again, have killed our father, +mistaking him for a deer. O brother, for me do thou observe a vow, +prescribed in the case of killing a Brahmana. O Muni, I shall be +able to perform this work (sacrifice), without any assistant." +Arvavasu said, "Do thou then thyself officiate at this sacrifice of +the gifted Vrihadyumna; and for thee will I, bringing my senses +under perfect control, observe the vow prescribed in the case of +slaying a Brahmana."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Having observed the vow relative to the killing +of a Brahmana, the sage Arvavasu came back to the sacrifice. Seeing +his brother arrive, Paravasa, in accents choked with malice, +addressed Vrihadyumna, saying, "O king, see that this slayer of a +Brahmana enter not into thy sacrifice, nor look at it. Even by a +glance, the killer of a Brahmana can, without doubt, do thee harm." +O lord of men, immediately on hearing this, the king ordered his +attendants (to turn out Arvavasu). O king, on being driven out by +the king's attendants, and repeatedly addressed by them—"<i>O +slayer of</i> <span class="pagenum">[Pg 286]</span> <i>a +Brahmana</i>"—Arvavasu more than once cried, "It is not I +that have killed a Brahmana." Nor did he own that he had observed +the vow for his own sake. He said that his brother had committed +the sin, and that he had freed him therefrom. Having said this in +anger, and being reprimanded by the attendants, the Brahmana sage +of austere penances, retired in silence into the woods. There +betaking himself to the severest penances, the great Brahmana +sought the protection of the Sun. Thereupon, the revelation +teaching the <i>mantra</i> relative to the worship of the Sun, +became manifest unto him and that eternal deity who obtaineth his +share (of the sacrificial butter) first, appeared before him in an +embodied form.'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'The celestials, O king, were well pleased with +Arvavasu for his acts. And they made him engaged as the chief +priest in the sacrifice (of Vrihadyumna), and Paravasu to be +dismissed from it. Then Agni and the other celestials (of their own +accord) bestowed boons on Arvavasu. And they also prayed that his +father might be restored to life. He further prayed that his +brother might be absolved from his sin; that his father might have +no recollection of his having been slain; that Bharadwaja and +Yavakri might both be restored to life; and that the solar +revelation might attain celebrity (on earth). Then the god said, +"So be it," and conferred on him other boons also. Thereat, O +Yudhishthira, all of these persons regained their life. Yavakri now +addressed Agni and the other deities, saying, "I had obtained a +knowledge of all the Vedas, and also practised penances. How came +it then, O chiefs of the immortals, that Raivya succeeded in +killing me in that way?" Thereupon the gods said, "O Yavakri, never +act again as those have done. What thou askest about is quite +possible, for thou hast learnt the Vedas without exertion, and +without the help of a preceptor. But this man (Raivya) bearing +various troubles, had satisfied his preceptor by his conduct, and +obtained (from the latter) the excellent Vedas through great +exertions and in a long time."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Having said this to Yavakri, and restored all +those to life, the celestials with Indra at their head, ascended to +heaven. Here, O Yudhishthira, is the sacred hermitage of that sage +embellished with trees bearing blossoms and fruits at all seasons. +O tiger among kings, dwelling at this spot, thou wilt be delivered +from all thy sins.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXXXIX</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'O descendant of Bharata, O king, now hast thou +left behind the mountains Usiravija, Mainaka and Sweta, as well as +the Kala hills. O son of Kunti, O bull among the descendants of +Bharata, here flow before thee the seven Gangas. This spot is pure +and holy. Here Agni blazeth forth without intermission. No son of +Manu is able to obtain a sight of this wonder. Therefore, O son of +Pandu, concentrate your mind in order that he may intently behold +these <i>tirthas</i>. Now wilt thou see the play-ground of the +gods, marked with their footprints, as we have passed the mountain +Kala. We shall now ascend that white rock—the mountain +Mandara, inhabited by the Yakshas, Manibhadra and Kuvera, king of +the <span class="pagenum">[Pg 287]</span> Yakshas. O king, at this +place eighty thousand fleet Gandharvas, and four times as many +Kimpurushas and Yakshas of various shapes and forms, holding +various weapons, attend upon Manibhadra, king of the Yakshas. In +these regions their power is very great. And in speed they are even +as the wind. They can, without doubt, displace even the lord of the +celestials from his seat. Protected by them, and also watched over +by the Rakshasas, these mountains have been rendered inaccessible. +Therefore, O son of Pritha, do thou concentrate thy thoughts. +Besides these, O son of Kunti, here are fierce ministers of Kuvera +and his Rakshasa kindred. We shall have to meet them, and, +therefore, O Kunti's son, gather up thy energies. O king the +mountain Kailasa is six <i>yojanas</i> in height. It contains a +gigantic jujube tree. And, O son of Kunti, numberless gods and +Yakshas and Rakshasas and Kinnaras and Nagas and Suparnas and +Gandharvas pass this way, in going towards Kuvera's palace. O king, +protected by me, as well as by the might of Bhimasena, and also in +virtue of thy own asceticism and self-command, do thou to-day mix +with them. May king Varuna and Yama, conqueror of battles, and +Ganga, and Yamuna, and this mountain, and the Maruts and the twin +Aswins, and all rivers and lakes, vouchsafe thy safety. And, O +effulgent one, mayst thou have safety from all the celestials and +the Asuras, and the Vasus. O Goddess Ganga, I hear thy roar from +this golden mountain, sacred to Indra. O Goddess of high fortune, +in these mountainous regions, protect the king, worshipped by all +of the Ajamidha race. O daughter of the mountain (Himalaya), this +king is about to enter into these mountainous regions. Do thou, +therefore, confer protection upon him.'</p> +<p>"Having thus addressed the river, Lomasa bade Yudhishthira, +saying, 'Be thou careful.'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'This confusion of Lomasa is unprecedented. +Therefore, protect ye Krishna, and be not careless. Lomasa knows +this place to be certainly difficult of access. Therefore, do ye +practise here the utmost cleanliness.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "He next addressed his brother Bhima of vast +prowess, saying, 'O Bhimasena, do thou protect Krishna carefully. +Whether Arjuna be near or away, Krishna in times of danger ever +seeketh protection from thee alone.'</p> +<p>"Then the high-souled monarch approached the twins, Nakula and +Sahadeva, and after smelling their heads, and rubbing their +persons, with tears said unto them, 'Do not fear. Proceed, however, +with caution.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXL</h2> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'O Vrikodara, there are mighty and powerful +invisible spirits at this place. We shall, however, pass it, +through the merit of our asceticism and <i>Agnihotra</i> +sacrifices. O son of Kunti, do thou therefore, restrain thy hunger +and thirst by collecting thy energies, and also, O Vrikodara have +recourse to thy strength and cleverness. O Kunti's son, thou hast +heard what the sage (Lomasa) had said regarding mount Kailasa. +Ascertain, therefore, after deliberation, how Krishna will pass the +spot. Or, O <span class="pagenum">[Pg 288]</span> mighty Bhima of +large eyes, do return from hence, taking with thee Sahadeva, and +all our charioteers, cooks, servants, cars, horses, and Brahmanas +worn out with travel, while I together with Nakula and the sage +Lomasa of severe austerities proceed, subsisting on the lightest +fare and observing vows. Do thou in expectation of my return, +cautiously wait at the source of the Ganga, protecting Draupadi +till I come back.'</p> +<p>"Bhima replied, 'O descendant of Bharata, although this blessed +princess hath been sore afflicted by toil and distress, yet she +easily proceedeth, in the hope of beholding him of the white steeds +(Arjuna). Thy dejection also is already very great at not seeing +the high-souled Arjuna, who never retreateth from fight. O Bharata, +it is superfluous then to say that if thou seest neither myself nor +Sahadeva nor Krishna, thy dejection will certainly increase. The +Brahmanas had better return with our servants, charioteers, cooks +and whomsoever else thou mayst command. I never shall leave thee in +these rugged and inaccessible mountainous regions, infested by +Rakshasas. And, O tiger among men, also this princess of high +fortune, ever devoted to her lords, desireth not to return without +thee. Sahadeva is always devoted to thee; he too will never retrace +his steps. His disposition is known to me. O king, O mighty +monarch, we are all eager to behold Savyasachin, and therefore, +will we all go together. If we are unable to go over this mountain +in our cars, abounding as it doth in defiles, well, we would go on +foot. Trouble thyself not, O king, I shall carry Panchala's +daughter wherever she will be incapable of walking. O king, I have +decided upon this. Therefore let not thy mind be distracted. I +shall also carry over inaccessible tracts those tender-bodied +heroes, the twins, the delight of their mother, wherever they will +be incapable of proceeding.'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'May thy strength increase, O Bhima, as thou +speakest thus, and as thou boldly undertakest to carry the +illustrious Panchali and these twins. Blessed be thou! Such courage +dwelleth not in any other individual. May thy strength, fame, +merit, and reputation increase! O long-armed one, as thou offerest +to carry Krishna and our brothers the twins, exhaustion and defeat +never be thine!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Then the charming Krishna said with a smile, +'O descendant of Bharata, I shall be able to go, and, therefore, be +thou not anxious on my account.'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Access to the mountain, Gandhamadana, is only to +be obtained by dint of asceticism. Therefore, O son of Kunti, shall +we all practise austerities, O king, Nakula, Sahadeva, Bhimasena, +thou and myself shall then see him of the white steeds, O Kunti's +son.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "O king, thus conversing together, they saw +with delight the extensive domains of Suvahu, situated on the +Himalayas abounding in horses and elephants, densely inhabited by +the Kiratas and the Tanganas, crowded by hundreds of Pulindas, +frequented by the celestials, and rife with wonders. King Suvahu, +the lord of the Pulindas, cheerfully received them at the frontiers +of his dominions, paying them proper respect. Having been thus +received with honour, and having dwelt comfortably at this place, +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 289]</span> they started for the mountain +Himalaya, when the sun shone brightly in the firmament. And, O +king, having entrusted to the care of the lord of the Pulindas, all +their servants—Indrasena and the others,—and the cooks +and the stewards, and Draupadi's accoutrements, and every thing +else, those mighty charioteers, the son of the Kurus, endued with +great prowess, set out from that country, and began to proceed +cautiously with Krishna,—all of them cheerful in the +expectation of beholding Arjuna.</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'O Bhimasena, O Panchali, and ye twins, +hearken unto my words. The acts done (by a person) in a former +birth do not perish, (without producing their effects). Behold! +Even we have become rangers of the wilderness. Even to see +Dhananjaya, exhausted and distressed as we are, we have to bear +each other, and pass through impassable places. This burneth me +even as fire doth a heap of cotton. O hero, I do not see Dhananjaya +at my side. I reside in the wood with my younger brothers, anxious +for beholding him. This thought, as also the memory of that grave +insult offered to Yajanaseni, consumes me. O Vrikodara, I do not +see the invincible Partha of strong bow and incomparable energy, +and who is the immediate elder to Nakula. For this, O Vrikodara, I +am miserable. In order to see that hero, Dhananjaya, firm in +promise, for these five years have I been wandering in various +<i>tirthas</i>, and beautiful forests and lakes and yet I do not meet +with him. For this, O Vrikodara, I am miserable. I do not see the +long-armed Gudakesa, of dark blue hue, and leonine gait. For this, +O Vrikodara, I am miserable. I do not see that foremost of Kurus, +accomplished in arms, skilful in fight, and matchless among bowmen. +For this, O Vrikodara, I am miserable. Distressed for I am I do not +see that son of Pritha, Dhananjaya, born under the influence of the +star Phalguni; ranging amidst foes even like Yama at the time of +the universal dissolution; possessed of the prowess of an elephant +with the temporal juice trickling down; endued with leonine +shoulders; not inferior to Sakra himself in prowess and energy; +elder in years to the twins; of white steeds; unrivalled in +heroism; invincible; and wielding a strong bow. For this, O +Vrikodara, I am miserable. And he is always of a forgiving +temper,—even when insulted by the meanest individual. And he +conferreth benefit and protection to the righteous; but to that +tortuous person who by craft attempts to do him mischief, +Dhananjaya is like unto virulent poison, albeit that one were Sakra +himself. And the mighty Vibhatsu of immeasurable soul and +possessing great strength, showeth mercy and extendeth protection +even to a foe when fallen. And he is the refuge of us all and he +crusheth his foes in fight. And he hath the power to collect any +treasure whatever, and he ministereth unto our happiness. It was +through his prowess that I had owned formerly measureless precious +jewels of various kinds which at present Suyodhana hath usurped. It +was by his might, O hero, that I had possessed before that palatial +amphitheatre embellished with all manner of jewels, and celebrated +throughout the three worlds. O Pandu's son, in prowess, Phalguni is +like unto Vasudeva, and in fight he is invincible and unrivalled, +even like unto Kartavirya. Alas! I see him not, O Bhima. In might, +that conqueror <span class="pagenum">[Pg 290]</span> of foes goeth +in the wake of the invincible and most powerful Sankarshana +(Valarama) and Vasudeva. In strength of arms, and spirit, he is +like unto Purandara himself. And in swiftness, he is even as the +wind, and in grace, as the moon, and in ire, he is the eternal +Death himself. O mighty-armed one, with the object of beholding +that war-like tiger among men, shall we repair to the Gandhamadana +mountain, where lies the hermitage of Nara and Narayana at the site +of the celebrated jujube tree, and which is inhabited by the +Yakshas. We shall see that best of mountains. And, practising +severe austerities only on foot we shall go to Kuvera's beautiful +lake guarded by Rakshasas. That place cannot be reached by +vehicles, O Vrikodara. Neither can cruel or avaricious, or +irascible people attain to that spot, O Bharata's son. O Bhima, in +order to see Arjuna, thither shall we repair, in company, with +Brahmanas of strict vows, girding on our swords, and wielding our +bows. Those only that are impure, meet with flies, gad-flies, +mosquitoes, tigers, lions, and reptiles, but the pure never come +across them. Therefore, regulating our fare, and restraining our +senses, we shall go to the Gandhamadana, desirous of seeing +Dhananjaya.'"</p> +<h2>SECTION CXLI</h2> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'O sons of Pandu, ye have seen many a mountain, +and river and town and forest and beautiful <i>tirtha</i>; and have +touched with your hands the sacred waters. Now this way leads to +the celestial mountain Mandara; therefore be ye attentive and +composed. Ye will now repair to the residence of the celestials and +the divine sages of meritorious deeds. Here, O king, flows the +mighty and beautiful river (Alakananda) of holy water adored by +hosts of celestials and sages, and tracing its source to (the site +of) the jujube tree. It is frequented and worshipped by high-souled +Vaihayasas, Valakhilyas and Gandharvas of mighty souls. Accustomed +to sing the Sama hymns, the sages, Marichi, Pulaha, Bhrigu and +Angiras, chanted them at this spot. Here the lord of celestials +performeth with the Marats his daily prayers. And the Sadhyas and +the Aswins attend on him. The sun, the moon and all the luminaries +with the planets resort to this river, alternately by day and by +night. O highly fortunate monarch, that protector of the world, +Mahadeva, having a bull for his mark, received on his head the fall +of the waters of this river, at the source of the Ganga. O +children, approach this goddess of the six attributes and bow down +before her with concentrated minds.'</p> +<p>"Hearing the words of the high-souled Lomasa, the son of Pandu +reverentially worshipped the river (Ganga), flowing through the +firmament. And after having adored her the pious sons of Pandu +resumed their journey accompanied by the sages. And it came to pass +that those best of men beheld at a distance some white object of +vast proportions, even like Meru and stretching on all sides. And +knowing that Pandu's sons were intent upon asking (him), Lomasa +versed in speech said, 'Hear, O sons of Pandu! O <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 291]</span> best of men, what ye see before you, of +vast proportions like unto a mountain and beautiful as the Kailasa +cliff, is a collection of the bones of the mighty Daitya Naraka. +Being placed on a mountain, it looketh like one. The Daitya was +slain by that Supreme Soul, the eternal God Vishnu, for the good of +the lord of celestials. Aiming at the possession of Indra's place, +by the force of austere and Vedic lore, that mighty-minded (demon) +had practised austere penances for ten thousand years. And on +account of his asceticism, as also of the force and might of his +arms he had grown invincible and always harassed (Indra). And O +sinless one, knowing his strength and austerities and observance of +religious vows, Indra became agitated and was overwhelmed with +fear. And mentally he thought of the eternal deity, Vishnu. And +thereat the graceful lord of the universe, who is present +everywhere, appeared and stood before him manifest. And the sages +and celestials began to propitiate Vishnu with prayers. And in his +presence even Agni of the six attributes and of blazing beauty +being overpowered by his effulgence, became shorn of radiance and +seeing before him the God Vishnu, the chief of the celestials who +wields the thunder-bolt, bowing with head down readily apprised +Vishnu of the source of his fear. Thereupon Vishnu said, "I know, O +Sakra, that thy fear proceedeth from Naraka, that lord of the +Daityas. By the merit of his successful ascetic acts he aimeth at +Indra's position. Therefore, for pleasing thee, I shall certainly +sever his soul from his body, although he hath achieved success in +asceticism. Do thou, lord of celestials, wait for a moment." Then +the exceedingly powerful Vishnu deprived (Naraka) of his senses (by +striking him) with his hand. And he fell down on the earth even +like the monarch of mountains struck by (thunder). He was thus +slain by a miracle and his bones lie gathered at this spot. Here +also is manifest another deed of Vishnu's. Once the whole earth +having been lost and sunk into the nether regions she was lifted up +by him in the shape of a boar having a single tusk.'</p> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'O worshipful one, relate in particular how +Vishnu, the lord of the celestials, raised up the earth sunk a +hundred <i>yojanas</i>? In what manner also was that support of all +created things—the goddess Earth of high fortune-who +dispenseth blessings and bringeth forth all sorts of corn rendered +stable? Through whose power had she sunk an hundred <i>yojanas</i> +below, and under what circumstances was exhibited this greatest +exploit of the Supreme Being? O chief of the twice-born race, I +wish to hear all about it in detail as it happened. Certainly, it +is known to thee.'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'O Yudhishthira, listen to all at length as I +relate the story, which thou hast asked me (to narrate). O child, +in days of yore, there was (once) a terrible time in the Krita Yuga +when the eternal and primeval Diety assumed the duties of Yama. +And, O thou that never fallest off, when the God of gods began to +perform the functions of Yama, there died not a creature while the +births were as usual. Then there began to multiply birds and beasts +and kine, and sheep, and deer and all kinds of carnivorous animals. +O tiger among men and vanquisher of foes, then the human race also +increased by thousands even like unto a current of water. And, O my +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 292]</span> son, when the increase of +population had been so frightful, the Earth oppressed with the +excessive burden, sank down for a hundred <i>yojanas</i>. And +suffering pain in all her limbs, and being deprived of her senses +by excessive pressure, the earth in distress sought the protection +of Narayana, the foremost of the gods. The earth spake saying, "It +is by thy favour, O possessor of the six attributes, that I had +been able to remain so long in my position. But I have been +overcome with burden and now I cannot hold myself any longer. It +behoveth thee, O adorable one, to relieve this load of mine. I have +sought thy protection, O lord; and do thou, therefore, extend unto +me thy favour." Hearing these words of hers, the eternal lord, +possessor of the six attributes, complaisantly said, in words +uttered in distinct letters, Vishnu said, "Thou need not fear, O +afflicted Earth, the bearer of all treasures. I shall act so that +thou mayst be made light."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Having thus dismissed the Earth, who hath the +mountains for her ear-rings, he suddenly became turned into a boar +with one tusk, and of exceeding effulgence. Causing terror with his +glowing red eyes and emitting fumes from his blazing lustre, he +began to swell in magnitude in that region. O hero, then holding +the earth with his single radiant tusk that being who pervadeth the +Vedas, raised her up a hundred <i>yojanas</i>. And while she was +being thus raised, there ensued a mighty agitation and all the +celestials, together with the sages of ascetic wealth became +agitated. And heaven, and the firmament, and also the Earth were +filled with exclamations of <i>Oh!</i> and <i>Alas!</i> and neither +the celestials nor men could rest in peace. Then countless +celestials together with the sages went to Brahma, who was seated +burning as it were in his (own) lustre. Then approaching Brahma, +the lord of celestials, and the witness of the acts of all beings, +they with folded hands spake the following words, "O lord of the +celestials, all created beings have become agitated and the mobile +and immobile creatures are restless. O lord of the celestials, even +the oceans are found to be agitated and this whole earth hath gone +down a hundred <i>yojanas</i>. What is the matter? And by whose +influence is it that the whole universe is in ferment? May it +please thee to explain it unto us without delay, for we are all +bewildered." Thereupon Brahma replied, "Ye immortals! do ye not +entertain fear for the Asuras, in any matter or place. Hearken, ye +celestials, to the reason to which all this commotion is owing! +This agitation in the heavens hath been produced by the influence +of the illustrious Being who is omnipresent, eternal and the +never-perishing Soul. That Supreme soul, Vishnu hath lifted up the +Earth, who had entirely sunk down hundred <i>yojanas</i>. This +commotion hath taken place in consequence of the earth being raised +up. Know ye this and dispel your doubts." The celestials said, +"Where is that Being who with pleasure raiseth up the Earth? O +possessor of the six attributes, mention unto us the place. Thither +shall we repair." Brahma said "Go ye. May good happen to you! Ye +will find him resting in the Nandana (gardens). Yonder is visible +the glorious worshipful Suparna (Garuda). After having raised the +Earth, the Supreme Being from whom the world become manifest, +flameth even in the shape of a boar, like unto the all-consuming +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 293]</span> fire at the universal +dissolution. And on his beast is really to be seen the gem +Srivatsa. (Go) and behold that Being knowing no +deterioration."'</p> +<p>"Lomasa said, 'Then the celestials, placing the grandsire at +their head, came to that infinite Soul, and having listened to his +praise, bade him adieu and went back to whence they had come.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "O Janamejaya, having heard this story, all +the Pandavas without delay and with alacrity, began to proceed by +the way pointed out by Lomasa."</p> +<h2>SECTION CXLII</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "O king, then those foremost of bowmen, of +immeasurable prowess, holding bows stringed at full stretch and +equipped with quivers and arrows and wearing finger-caps made of +the guana-skin, and with their swords on, proceeded with Panchali +towards the Gandhamadana, taking with them the best of Brahmanas. +And on their way they saw various lakes, and rivers and mountains +and forests, and trees of wide-spreading shade on mountain summits +and places abounding in trees bearing flowers and fruit in all +seasons and frequented by celestials and sages. And restraining +their senses within their inner self and subsisting on fruits and +roots, the heroes passed through rugged regions, craggy and +difficult of passage, beholding many and various kinds of beasts. +Thus those high-souled ones entered the mountain inhabited by the +sages, the Siddhas and the celestials, and frequented by the +Kinnaras and the Apsaras. And, O lord of men, as those mighty +heroes were entering the mountain Gandhamandana, there arose a +violent wind, attended with a heavy shower. And owing to this, +mighty clouds of dust bearing lots of dry leaves, rose, and all on +a sudden covered earth, air and firmament. And when the heavens had +been covered with dust nothing could be perceived, neither could +they (the Pandavas) speak to one another. And with eyes enveloped +with darkness and pushed by the wind carrying particles of rocks +they could not see one another. And there began to arrive mighty +sounds proceeding from the tree, and also from those breaking down +incessantly under the force of the wind, and falling to the ground. +And distracted by gusts of the wind, they thought, 'Are the heavens +falling down; or the earth and the mountains being rent?' And +afraid of the wind, they felt about with their hands and took +shelter under the way-side tree and ant-hills and in caverns. Then +holding his bow and supporting Krishna the mighty Bhimasena stood +under a tree. And Yudhishthira the just with Dhaumya crept into the +deep wood. And Sahadeva carrying the sacred fire with him took +shelter in a rock. And Nakula together with Lomasa and other +Brahmanas of great asceticism stood in fright, each under a tree. +Then when the wind had abated and the dust subsided, there came +down a shower in torrents. There also arose a loud rattling noise, +like unto the thunder hurled; and quick-flashing <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 294]</span> lightning began to play gracefully upon +the clouds. And being helped on by the swift wind, showers of rain +poured down without intermissions, filling all sides round. And, O +lord of men, all around there began to flow many rivers covered +with foam and turbid with mud; and these bearing volumes of water +spread over the frothy rafts rushed down with tremendous roar +uprooting trees. And afterwards when that sound had ceased and the +air had arisen they (each of them) cautiously came out of their +coverts and met together, O descendant of Bharata. And then the +heroes started for the mountain Gandhamadana."</p> +<h2>SECTION CXLIII</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "When the high-souled sons of Pandu had +proceeded only two miles, Draupadi unaccustomed to travel on foot, +sank down. Weary and afflicted as she was, the poor daughter of +Panchala became faint, on account of the hailstorm and also of her +extreme delicacy. And trembling with faintness, the black-eyed one +supported herself on her thighs with her plump arms, becoming (her +graceful form). And thus resting for support on her thighs +resembling the trunk of an elephant, and which were in contact with +each other, she suddenly dropped upon the ground, trembling like a +plantain tree. And finding that the beautiful one was falling down +like a twisted creeper, Nakula ran forward and supported her. And +he said, 'O king, this black-eyed daughter of Panchala, being +weary, hath fallen down upon the ground. Do thou, therefore, tend +her, O son of Bharata. Undeserving as she is of misery, this lady +of slow pace hath been subject to great hardships, and she is also +worn out with the fatigues of the journey. O mighty king, do thou +therefore, comfort her.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Having heard these words of Nakula, the king +as also Bhima and Sahadeva, became sorely afflicted, and hastily +ran towards her. And finding her weak, and her countenance pale, +the pious son of Kunti began to lament in grief, taking her on his +lap. Yudhishthira said, 'Accustomed to ease, and deserving to sleep +in well protected rooms, on beds spread over with fine sheets, how +doth this beautiful one sleep prostrate on the ground! Alas! On my +account (alone), the delicate feet and the lotus-like face of this +one deserving of all excellent things, have contracted a dark-blue +hue. O what have I done! Fool that I am, having been addicted to +dice, I have been wandering in the forest full of wild beasts, +taking Krishna in my company. This large-eyed one had been bestowed +by her father, the king of the Drupadas, in the hope that the +blessed girl would be happy, by obtaining the sons of Pandu for her +lords. It is on account of my wretched self, that without obtaining +anything hoped for, she sleepeth prostrate on the ground, tired +with hardships, sorrow and travel!'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "While king Yudhishthira the just was +lamenting thus, Dhaumya with all the other principal Brahmanas came +to the spot. And they began to console him and to honour him with +blessings. And <span class="pagenum">[Pg 295]</span> they recited +<i>mantras</i> capable of dispelling Rakshasas and (to that end) +also performed rites. And on the <i>mantras</i> being recited by +the great ascetics, in order to the restoration of (Panchali's) +health, Panchali frequently touched by the Pandavas with their +soothing palms and fanned by cool breezes surcharged with particles +of water, felt ease, and gradually regained her senses. And finding +that exhausted poor lady restored to her senses, the sons of +Pritha, placing her on deer-skin, caused her to take rest. And +taking her feet of red soles, bearing auspicious marks, the twins +began to press them gently with their hands, scarred by the +bow-string. And Yudhishthira the just, the foremost of the Kurus, +also comforted her and addressed Bhima in the following words: 'O +Bhima, there yet remain many mountains (before us), rugged, and +inaccessible because of snow. How, long-armed one, will Krishna +pass over them?' Thereupon Bhima said, 'O king, I myself shall +carry thee, together with this princess and these bulls among men, +the twins; therefore, O king of kings, resign not thy mind unto +despair. Or, at thy bidding, O sinless one, Hidimva's son, the +mighty Ghatotkacha, who is capable of ranging the skies and who is +like unto me in strength, will carry us all.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Then with Yudhishthira's permission, Bhima +thought of his Rakshasa son. And no sooner was he thought of by his +father, than the pious Ghatotkacha made his appearance and, +saluting the Pandavas and the Brahmanas, stood with joined hands. +And they also caressed him of mighty arms. He then addressed his +father, Bhimasena of dreadful prowess, saying, 'Having been thought +of by thee I have come here with speed, in order to serve thee. Do +thou, O longarmed one, command me. I shall certainly be able to +perform whatever thou bidst.' Hearing this, Bhimasena hugged the +Rakshasa to his breast."</p> +<h2>SECTION CXLIV</h2> +<p>"Yudhishthira said, 'O Bhima, let this mighty and heroic +Rakshasa chief, thy legitimate son, devoted to us, and truthful, +and conversant with virtue carry (his) mother (Draupadi) without +delay. And, O possessor of dreadful prowess, depending on the +strength of thy arms, I shall reach the Gandhamadana, unhurt, +together with Panchala's daughter.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Hearing the words of his brother, that tiger +among men, Bhimasena, commanded his son, Ghatotkacha, represser of +foes, saying, 'O invincible son of Hidimva, this thy mother hath +been sorely tired. Thou art, again, strong and capable of going +wherever thou likest. Do thou therefore, O ranger of the skies, +carry her. May prosperity attend thee! Taking her on thy shoulders, +thou shalt go in our company, adopting a course not far +overhead,—so that thou mayst not render her uneasy.' Thereat, +Ghatotkacha said, 'Even single-handed, I am able to carry +Yudhishthira the just, and Dhaumya, and Krishna, and the +twins—and what wonder then that I shall <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 296]</span> to-day carry them, when I have others to +assist me? And, O sinless one, hundreds of other heroic +(Rakshasas), capable of moving through the sky, and of assuming any +shape at will, will together carry you all with the +Brahmanas.'"</p> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "Saying this, Ghatotkacha carried Krishna in +the midst of the Pandavas, and the other (Rakshasas) also began to +carry the Pandavas. And by virtue of his native energy, Lomasa of +incomparable effulgence moved along the path of the Siddhas, like +unto a second sun. And at the command of the lord of the Rakshasas, +those Rakshasas of terrific prowess began to proceed, bearing all +the other Brahmanas, and beholding many a romantic wood. And they +proceeded towards the gigantic jujube tree. And carried by the +Rakshasas of great speed, proceeding at a rapid pace, the heroes +passed over longextending ways quickly, as if over short ones. And +on their way they saw various tracts crowded with <i>Mlechchha</i> +people, and containing mines of diverse gems. And they also saw +hillocks teeming with various minerals, thronged with Vidyadharas, +inhabited on all sides by monkeys and Kinnaras and Kimpurushas, and +Gandharvas, and filled with peacocks, and <i>chamaras</i>, and +apes, and <i>turus</i>, and bears, and gavayas, and buffaloes, +intersected with a network of rivulets, and inhabited by various +birds and beasts, and beautified by elephants, and abounding in +trees and enraptured birds. After having thus passed many +countries, and also the Uttarakurus, they saw that foremost of +mountains, the Kailasa, containing many wonders. And by the side of +it, they beheld the hermitage of Nara and Narayana, with celestial +trees bearing flowers and fruits in all seasons. And they also +beheld that beautiful jujube of round trunk. And it was fresh; and +of deep shade; and of excellent beauty; and of thick, soft and +sleek foliage; and healthful; and having gigantic boughs; and +wide-spreading; and of incomparable lustre; and bearing full-grown, +tasteful, and holy fruits dropping honey. And this celestial tree +was frequented by hosts of mighty sages, and was always inhabited +by various birds maddened with animal spirits. And it grew at a +spot devoid of mosquitoes and gad-flies, and abounding in fruits +and roots and water, and covered with green grass, and inhabited by +the celestials and the Gandharvas, and of smooth surface, and +naturally healthful, and beauteous and cool and of delicate feel. +Having reached that (tree) together with those bulls among +Brahmanas, the high-souled ones gently alighted from the shoulders +of the Rakshasas. Then in company with those bulls among the +twice-born ones, the Pandavas beheld that romantic asylum presided +over by Nara and Narayana; devoid of gloom; and sacred; and +untouched by the solar rays; and free from those rubs, viz. hunger, +and thirst, heat and cold, and removing (all) sorrow; and crowded +with hosts of mighty sages; and adorned with the grace proceeding +from the Vedas, Saman, Rich, and Yajus; and, O king, inaccessible +to men who have renounced religion; and beautified with offerings, +and <i>homas</i>; and sacred; and well-swept and daubed; and +shining all around with offerings of celestial blossoms; and spread +over with altars of sacrificial fire, and sacred ladles and pots; +and graced with large water-jars, and baskets and the refuge of all +beings; and echoing with the chanting of the Vedas; and heavenly; +and worthy <span class="pagenum">[Pg 297]</span> of being +inhabited; and removing fatigue; and attended with splendour and of +incomprehensible merit; and majestic with divine qualities. And the +hermitage was inhabited by hosts of great sages, subsisting on +fruits and roots; and having their senses under perfect control; +and clad in black deer-skins; and effulgent like unto the Sun and +Agni; and of souls magnified by asceticism and intent on +emancipation; and leading the Vanaprastha mode of life; and of +subdued senses; and identified with the Supreme Soul; and of high +fortune; and reciting Vedic hymns. Then having purified himself +and restrained his senses, that son of Dharma, the intelligent +Yudhishthira of exceeding energy, accompanied by his brothers, +approached those sages. And all the great sages endued with +supernatural knowledge, knowing Yudhishthira arrived, received him +joyfully. And those sages engaged in the recitation of the Vedas, +and like unto fire itself, after having conferred blessings on +Yudhishthira, cheerfully accorded him fitting reception. And they +gave him clean water and flowers and roots. And Yudhishthira the +just received with regard the things gladly offered for his +reception by the great sages. And then, O sinless one, Pandu's son +together with Krishna and his brothers, and thousands of Brahmanas +versed in the Vedas and the Vendangas, entered into that holy +hermitage, like unto the abode of Sukra and pleasing the mind with +heavenly odours and resembling heaven itself and attended with +beauty. There the pious (Yudhishthira) beheld the hermitage of Nara +and Narayana, beautified by the Bhagirathi and worshipped by the +gods and the celestial sages. And seeing that hermitage inhabited +by the Brahmarshis and containing fruits dropping honey, the +Pandavas were filled with delight. And having reached that place, +the high-souled ones began to dwell with the Brahmanas. There +beholding the holy lake Vinda, and the mountain Mainaka, of golden +summits and inhabited by various species of birds, the magnanimous +ones lived happily with joy. The son of Pandu together with Krishna +took pleasure in ranging excellent and captivating woods, shining +with flowers of every season; beauteous on all sides with trees +bearing blown blossoms; and bending down with the weight of fruits +and attended by the numerous male <i>kokilas</i> and of glossy +foliage; and thick and having cool shade and lovely to behold. They +took delight in beholding diverse beautiful lakes of limpid water +and shining all round with lotuses and lilies. And there, O lord, +the balmy breeze bearing pure fragrance, blew gladdening all the +Pandavas, together with Krishna. And hard by the gigantic jujube, +the mighty son of Kunti saw the Bhagirathi of easy descent and cool +and furnished with fresh lotuses and having stairs made of rubies +and corals and graced with trees and scattered over with celestial +flowers, and gladsome to the mind. And at that spot, frequented by +celestials and sages, and extremely inaccessible, they, after +having purified themselves offered oblations unto the <i>pitris</i> +and the gods and the <i>rishis</i> in the sacred waters of the +Bhagirathi. Thus those bulls among men the heroic perpetuators of +the Kuru race, began to reside there with the Brahmanas offering +oblations and practising meditation. And those tigers among men, +the Pandavas of the god-like appearance, felt delight in witnessing +the various amusements of Draupadi."</p> +<span class="pagenum">[Pg 298]</span> +<h2>SECTION CXLV</h2> +<p>Vaisampayana said, "There observing cleanliness, those tigers +among men dwelt for six nights, in expectation of beholding +Dhananjaya. And it came to pass that all of a sudden there blew a +wind from the north-east and brought a celestial lotus of a +thousand petals and effulgent as the sun. And Panchali saw that +pure and charming lotus of unearthly fragrance, brought by the wind +and left on the ground. And having obtained that excellent and +beautiful lotus, that blessed one became exceedingly delighted, O +king, and addressed Bhimasena in the following words, 'Behold, O +Bhima, this most beautiful unearthly flower having within it the +very source of fragrance. It gladdenth my heart, O represser of +foes. This one shall be presented to Yudhishthira the just. Do +thou, therefore, procure others for my satisfaction—in order +that I may carry them to our hermitage in the Kamyaka. If, O +Pritha's son, I have found grace with thee, do thou then procure +others of this species in large numbers. I wish to carry them to +our hermitage.' Having said this, the blameless lady of beautiful +glances approached Yudhishthira the just, taking the flower. And +knowing the desire of his beloved queen that bull among men, Bhima +of great strength, also set out, in order to gratify her. And +intent upon fetching the flowers, he began to proceed at rapid +space, facing the wind, in the direction from which the flower had +come. And taking the bow inlaid with gold on the back as also +arrows like unto venomous snakes, he proceeded as a lion in anger +or an elephant in rut. And all beings gazed at him, holding a +mighty bow and arrows. And neither exhaustion, nor langour, neither +fear nor confusion, ever possessed the son of Pritha and the +offspring of Vayu (wind). And desirous of pleasing Draupadi the +mighty one, free from fear or confusion, ascended the peak +depending on the strength of his arms. And that slayer of foes +began to range that beautiful peak covered with trees, creepers and +of black rocky base; and frequented by Kinnaras; and variegated +with minerals, plants, beasts, and birds of various hues; and +appearing like an upraised arm of the Earth adorned with an entire +set of ornaments. And that one of matchless prowess proceeded, +fixing his look at the slopes of the Gandhamadana,—beautiful +with flowers of every season—and revolving various thoughts +in his mind and with his ears, eyes and mind rivetted to the spots +resounding with the notes of male <i>kokilas</i> and ringing with +the hum of black bees. And like an elephant in rut ranging mad in a +forest that one of mighty prowess smelt the rare odour proceeding +from the flowers of every season. And he was fanned by the fresh +breeze of the Gandhamadana bearing the perfumes of various blossoms +and cooling like unto a father's touch. On his fatigue being +removed the down on his body stood on end. And in this state that +represser of foes for the flowers began to survey all the mountain, +inhabited by Yakshas and Gandharvas and celestials and Brahmarshis. +And brushed by the leaves of <i>Saptachchada</i> tree, besmeared +with fresh red, black and white minerals, he looked as if decorated +with lines of holy unguents drawn by fingers. And <span class= +"pagenum">[Pg 299]</span> with clouds stretching at its sides, the +mountain seemed dancing with outspread wings. And on account of the +trickling waters of springs, it appeared to be decked with +necklaces of pearls. And it contained romantic caverns and groves +and cascades and caves. And there were excellent peacocks dancing +to the jingling of the bangles of the Apsaras. And its rocky +surface was worn away by the end of tusks of the elephants +presiding over the cardinal points. And with the waters of rivers +falling down, the mountain looked as if its clothes were getting +loosened. And that graceful son of the wind-god playfully and +cheerfully went on, pushing away by his force countless +intertwisted creepers. And stags in curiosity gazed at him, with +grass in their mouths. And not having experienced fear (ever +before), they were unalarmed, and did not flee away. And being +engaged in fulfilling the desire of his love, the youthful son of +Pandu, stalwart and of splendour like unto the hue of gold; and +having a body strong as a lion; and treading like a mad elephant; +and possessing the force of a mad elephant; and having coppery eyes +like unto those of a mad elephant; and capable of checking a mad +elephant began to range the romantic sides of the Gandhamadana with +his beautiful eyes uplifted; and displaying as it were a novel type +of beauty. And the wives of Yakshas and Gandharvas sitting +invisible by the side of their husbands, stared at him, turning +their faces with various motions. Intent upon gratifying Draupadi +exiled unto the woods, as he was ranging the beautiful +Gandhamadana, he remembered the many and various woes caused by +Duryodhana. And he thought, 'Now that Arjuna sojourn in heaven and +that I too have come away to procure the flowers, what will our +brother Yudhishthira do at present? Surely, from affection and +doubting their prowess, that foremost of men, Yudhishthira, will +not let Nakula and Sahadeva come in search of us. How, again, can I +obtain the flowers soon?' Thinking thus, that tiger among men +proceeded in amain like unto the king of birds, his mind and sight +fixed on the delightful side of the mountain. And having for his +provisions on the journey the words of Draupadi, the mighty son of +Pandu, Vrikodara Bhima, endued with strength and the swiftness of +the wind, with his mind and sight fixed on the blooming slopes of +the mountain, proceeded speedily, making the earth tremble with his +tread, even as doth a hurricane at the equinox; and frightening +herds of elephants and grinding lions and tigers and deer and +uprooting and smashing large trees and tearing away by force plants +and creepers, like unto an elephant ascending higher and higher the +summit of a mountain; and roaring fiercely even as a cloud attended +with thunder. And awakened by that mighty roaring of Bhima, tigers +came out of their dens, while other rangers of the forest hid +themselves. And the coursers of the skies sprang up (on their wing) +in fright. And herds of deer hurriedly ran away. And birds left the +trees (and fled). And lions forsook their dens. And the mighty +lions were roused from their slumber. And the buffaloes stared. And +the elephants in fright, leaving that wood, ran to more extensive +forests company with their mates. And the boars and the deer and +the lions and the buffaloes and the tigers and the jackals and the +<i>gavayas</i> of the wood began to cry in herds.</p> +<p>(Paragraph continued in next e-book.)</p> +<hr> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote1" name= +"footnote1"></a> <b>Footnote 1</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag1">(return)</a> +<p>This seems to be the obvious. There is a different reading +however. For <i>Drie-cyate</i>—seen, some texts have +<i>Sasyate</i>—applauded. Nilakantha imagines that the +meaning is "As distribution (of food) amongst the various classes +of beings like the gods, the <i>Pitris</i>, &c., is applauded +&c., &c."</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote2" name= +"footnote2"></a> <b>Footnote 2</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag2">(return)</a> +<p>A form of sacrifice which consists in pouring oblations of +clarified butter with prayers into a blazing fire. It is obligatory +on Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, except those that accept certain vows +of great austerity.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote3" name= +"footnote3"></a> <b>Footnote 3</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag3">(return)</a> +<p>The Viswedeva sacrifice is the offer of food to all creatures of +the earth (by scattering a portion).</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote4" name= +"footnote4"></a> <b>Footnote 4</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag4">(return)</a> +<p>A gift. It may be of various kinds. The fees paid to Brahmanas +assisting at sacrifices and religious rites, such as offering +oblations to the dead, are <i>Dakshinas</i>, as also gifts to +Brahmanas on other occasions particularly when they are fed, it +being to this day the custom never to feed a Brahmana without +paying him a pecuniary fee. There can be no sacrifice, no religious +rite, without <i>Dakshina</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote5" name= +"footnote5"></a> <b>Footnote 5</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag5">(return)</a> +<p>Reference to self, i.e. without the motive of bettering one's +own self, or without any motive at all. (This contains the germ of +the doctrine preached more elaborately in the <i>Bhagavad +gita</i>.)</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote6" name= +"footnote6"></a> <b>Footnote 6</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag6">(return)</a> +<p>This <i>Yoga</i> consists, in their case, of a combination of +attributes by negation of the contrary ones, i.e. by renunciation +of motives in all they do.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote7" name= +"footnote7"></a> <b>Footnote 7</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag7">(return)</a> +<p>A form of <i>Yoga</i> that is said to consist in the mingling of +some of the air supposed to exist in every animal body. These airs +are five: <i>Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana</i>, and <i>Vyana</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote8" name= +"footnote8"></a> <b>Footnote 8</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag8">(return)</a> +<p>The 8 <i>Vasus</i>, the 11 <i>Rudras</i>, the 12 <i>Adityas</i>, +<i>Prajapati</i>, and <i>Vashatkara</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote9" name= +"footnote9"></a> <b>Footnote 9</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag9">(return)</a> +<p>An order of celestials.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote10" name= +"footnote10"></a> <b>Footnote 10</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag10">(return)</a> +<p>Celestial flowers of much fragrance.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote11" name= +"footnote11"></a> <b>Footnote 11</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag11">(return)</a> +<p>The ascetic properties are <i>Anima</i>, <i>Laghima</i>, +etc.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote12" name= +"footnote12"></a> <b>Footnote 12</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag12">(return)</a> +<p>The bow of Vishnu, as that of Siva is called <i>Pinaka</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote13" name= +"footnote13"></a> <b>Footnote 13</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag13">(return)</a> +<p>The words of the text are <i>Adhana</i>, <i>Pashubandha</i>, +<i>Ishti Mantra</i>, <i>Yajana</i> and <i>Tapa-kriya</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote14" name= +"footnote14"></a> <b>Footnote 14</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag14">(return)</a> +<p>Dhritarashtra being blind is described as <i>Pragnachakshu, +i.e.</i> having knowledge for his eye. It may also mean. "Of the +prophetic eye."</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote15" name= +"footnote15"></a> <b>Footnote 15</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag15">(return)</a> +<p>The great preceptor of the Asuras, <i>viz., Sukra</i>, +possessing the highest intelligence as evidenced by his various +works on all manner of subjects particularly, the +<i>Sukra-niti</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote16" name= +"footnote16"></a> <b>Footnote 16</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag16">(return)</a> +<p>Also called <i>Vadarika</i>, a hermitage on the Himalaya near +the sources of the Ganges.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote17" name= +"footnote17"></a> <b>Footnote 17</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag17">(return)</a> +<p>Nilakantha explains <i>kshetra</i> as including +<i>Mahabhuta</i>, consciousness, intellect, the unmanifest +(primordial elements), the ten senses, the five objects of the +senses, viz., earth, water, &c., desire, aversion, pleasure, +pain, the combinations of elements, and <i>chaitanya</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote18" name= +"footnote18"></a> <b>Footnote 18</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag18">(return)</a> +<p><i>Hari</i> here means the developed seed that is to expand into +the vast whole of the universe.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote19" name= +"footnote19"></a> <b>Footnote 19</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag19">(return)</a> +<p>This wheel is the wheel of Time—i.e., measured according +to the solar, lunar and astral revolutions. The importance of +Ashtavakra's reply is this: May the meritorious deeds performed at +proper times, during the revolution of this wheel of Time protect +thee.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote20" name= +"footnote20"></a> <b>Footnote 20</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag20">(return)</a> +<p>Thunder and lightning or misery and death.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote21" name= +"footnote21"></a> <b>Footnote 21</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag21">(return)</a> +<p>Cloud or the mind.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote22" name= +"footnote22"></a> <b>Footnote 22</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag22">(return)</a> +<p>The male being that is ever conscious.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote23" name= +"footnote23"></a> <b>Footnote 23</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag23">(return)</a> +<p>The mundane egg.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote24" name= +"footnote24"></a> <b>Footnote 24</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag24">(return)</a> +<p>The soul that has renounced connection with the body.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote25" name= +"footnote25"></a> <b>Footnote 25</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag25">(return)</a> +<p>The heart of a <i>Yogi</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote26" name= +"footnote26"></a> <b>Footnote 26</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag26">(return)</a> +<p>Ashtavakra comes to Janaka's sacrifice with the object of +proving the unity of the Supreme Being. Vandin avails himself of +various system of Philosophy to combat his opponent. He begins with +the Buddhistic system. The form of the dialogue is unique in +literature being that of enigmas and the latent meaning is in a +queer way hid under the appearance of puerile and heterogeneous +combinations of things.</p> +<p>Vandin opens the controversy by saying that as the number of +each of these is one, so one only intellect is the lord, leader and +guide of the senses.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote27" name= +"footnote27"></a> <b>Footnote 27</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag27">(return)</a> +<p>There is a Vedic revelation that two birds live together on a +tree as friends—one of these eats the fruits and the other +looks at the former. From this it is manifest that <i>two</i> are +the lords, leaders, and guides of the senses. That there is a +second faculty besides the intellect is also proved by the fact +that in sleep when the intellect is inactive that faculty continues +in action, for if it were not so we could not remember having +slept, nor connect the state after awaking with that preceding +sleep. Accordingly by citing the number <i>two</i> Ashtavakra +asserts that besides intellect there is another +faculty—consciousness that these <i>two</i> are jointly the +lords, leaders and guides of the senses and that they act together +as Indra and Agni, etc.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote28" name= +"footnote28"></a> <b>Footnote 28</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag28">(return)</a> +<p>By citing the number <i>three</i> Vandin means to say that as it +is Acts that produce the <i>three</i> kinds of born beings, etc., +so Acts are supreme and that everything else be it intellect alone, +or intellect and consciousness together is subservient to Acts.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote29" name= +"footnote29"></a> <b>Footnote 29</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag29">(return)</a> +<p>Ashtavakra here advances the thesis that even if Acts be supreme +still when the (<i>fourth</i>) or Supreme Being becomes manifest to +the soul, it stands in no further needs to Acts.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote30" name= +"footnote30"></a> <b>Footnote 30</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag30">(return)</a> +<p>By bringing in the <i>quinquennial</i> series, Vandin wishes to +assert that the <i>five</i> senses are competent to cognise there +respective objects and that besides these senses and their objects +there is neither any other sense to perceive nor any other object +of perception. He also cites the authority of the Veda according to +which the <i>Apsaras</i> (or consciousness) have <i>five</i> +"locks" on their hands—i.e., <i>five</i> objects of +perception.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote31" name= +"footnote31"></a> <b>Footnote 31</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag31">(return)</a> +<p>Besides the five senses Ashtavakra contends for an additional +sense namely the Mind and accordingly cites the number +<i>six</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote32" name= +"footnote32"></a> <b>Footnote 32</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag32">(return)</a> +<p>Vandin admits the existence of the six senses but says that the +soul experiences happiness and misery through those as well as +through the <i>intellect</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote33" name= +"footnote33"></a> <b>Footnote 33</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag33">(return)</a> +<p>Ashtavakra advances an eighth element, namely, the <i>knowledge +of the ego</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote34" name= +"footnote34"></a> <b>Footnote 34</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag34">(return)</a> +<p>Each of the three qualities (existence, foulness and ignorance) +of <i>prakriti</i> (the passive or material cause of the world) +mixing with each of the three corresponding qualities of +<i>pradhana</i> (the active or spiritual cause of the world) in +various proportions produces the mundane order of things. Thus is +proved the eternity of <i>prakriti</i> or nature and is also +established the doctrine of duality.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote35" name= +"footnote35"></a> <b>Footnote 35</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag35">(return)</a> +<p>Prakriti does not really create. It is the Supreme Being who +through the medium of illusion in contract with the <i>ten</i> +organs (viz., the five locomotive organs and the five organs of +sense) makes manifest the system of things. Prakriti therefore has +no real existence—her existence is only apparent in the real +existence of the soul.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote36" name= +"footnote36"></a> <b>Footnote 36</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag36">(return)</a> +<p>Yupas (stakes) mean here, <i>feelings</i>, etc, which keep men +bound to the world. <i>Rudras</i> are those who makes others +cry.</p> +<p>Vandin means to say that the soul is not essentially free from +the fetters of happiness and misery arising from the eleven objects +of perception. In this world all men are subject to happiness and +misery. We also hear that there are Rudras in heaven.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote37" name= +"footnote37"></a> <b>Footnote 37</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag37">(return)</a> +<p>The supreme soul unaffected by happiness and misery really +exists—but His existence is not susceptible of being +proved—nor can the ignorant ever perceive Him. Men attain +that condition through these <i>twelve</i>, viz., virtue, truth, +self-restraint, penances, good-will, modesty, forgiveness, +exemption from envy, sacrifice, charity, concentration and control +over the senses.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote38" name= +"footnote38"></a> <b>Footnote 38</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag38">(return)</a> +<p>According to some, endeavours to attain emancipation can be +successful not in this world but in the world of Brahma. Others say +that to that end a special <i>yoga</i> is necessary. By bringing +forward the objects numbering <i>thirteen</i>, Vandin advances the +opinion that, virtue, etc., are not sufficient for purposes of +emancipation but that suitable time and place are also +essential.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote39" name= +"footnote39"></a> <b>Footnote 39</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag39">(return)</a> +<p>Ashtavakra concludes by citing the same number <i>thirteen</i>. +The soul which is essentially unaffected, becomes subject to +happiness and misery through the <i>thirteen</i>, viz., the ten +organs of locomotion and sense, and intellect mind and egoism. But +Atichhanadas, i.e., those that have surmounted ignorance, namely, +the twelve, virtue, etc. destroy those thirteen and that is +emancipation.</p> +</blockquote> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote40" name= +"footnote40"></a> <b>Footnote 40</b>:<a href= +"#footnotetag40">(return)</a> +<p><i>Su</i> means <i>excellent</i>, and <i>uta</i>, +<i>sacrifice</i>. The compound accordingly +means,—<i>performer of excellent sacrifice</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +<hr/> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana +Vyasa Bk. 3 Pt. 1, by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAHABHARATA BK.3 PT. 1 *** + +***** This file should be named 11894-h.htm or 11894-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/8/9/11894/ + +Produced by John B. Hare, Juliet Sutherland, David King, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Bk. 3 Pt. 1 + +Author: Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa + +Release Date: April 3, 2004 [EBook #11894] +Last Updated: March 10, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAHABHARATA BK.3 PT. 1 *** + + + + +Produced by John B. Hare, Juliet Sutherland, David King, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + +The Mahabharata of + +Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa + +BOOK 3 + +VANA PARVA + +Translated into English Prose from the Original Sanskrit Text + +by + +Kisari Mohan Ganguli + +[1883-1896] + + + + + + +THE MAHABHARATA + + +VANA PARVA + +PART 1 + + +SECTION I + +(Aranyaka Parva) + +Om! Having bowed down to Narayana, and Nara the foremost of male beings, +and the goddess Saraswati also, must the word _Jaya_ be uttered. + +Janamejaya said, "O thou foremost of regenerate ones, deceitfully +defeated at dice by the sons of Dhritarashtra and their counsellors, +incensed by those wicked ones that thus brought about a fierce +animosity, and addressed in language that was so cruel, what did the +Kuru princes, my ancestors--the sons of Pritha--(then) do? How also did +the sons of Pritha, equal unto Sakra in prowess, deprived of affluence +and suddenly overwhelmed with misery, pass their days in the forest? Who +followed the steps of those princes plunged in excess of affliction? And +how did those high souled ones bear themselves and derive their +sustenance, and where did they put up? And, O illustrious ascetic and +foremost of Brahmanas, how did those twelve years (of exile) of those +warriors who were slayers of foes, pass away in the forest? And +undeserving of pain, how did that princess, the best of her sex, devoted +to her husbands, eminently virtuous, and always speaking the truth, +endure that painful exile in the forest? O thou of ascetic wealth tell +me all this in detail, for, O Brahmana, I desire to hear thee narrate +the history of those heroes possessed of abundant prowess and lustre. +Truly my curiosity is great." + +Vaisampayana said, "Thus defeated at dice and incensed by the wicked +sons of Dhritarashtra and their counsellors, the sons of Pritha set out +from Hastinapura. And issuing through _Vardhamana_ gate of the city, the +Pandavas bearing their weapons and accompanied by Draupadi set out in a +northerly direction. Indrasena and others, with servants numbering +altogether fourteen, with their wives, followed them on swift cars. And +the citizens learning of their departure became overwhelmed with sorrow, +and began to censure Bhishma and Vidura and Drona and Gautama. And +having met together they thus addressed one another fearlessly. + +"'Alas, our families, we ourselves, and our homes are all gone, when the +wicked Duryodhana, backed by the son of Suvala, by Karna and Dussasana, +aspireth to this kingdom. And, Oh, our families, our (ancestral) usages, +our virtue and prosperity, are all doomed where this sinful wretch +supported by wretches as sinful aspireth to the kingdom! And, Oh, how +can happiness be there where these are not! Duryodhana beareth malice +towards all superiors, hath taken leave of good conduct, and quarreleth +with those that are near to him in blood. Covetous and vain and mean, he +is cruel by nature. The whole earth is doomed when Duryodhana becometh +its ruler. Thither, therefore, let us proceed whither the merciful and +high-minded sons of Pandu with passions under control and victorious +over foes, and possessed of modesty and renown, and devoted to pious +practices, repair!'" + +Vaisampayana said, "And saying this, the citizens went after the +Pandavas, and having met them, they all, with joined hands, thus +addressed the sons of Kunti and Madri. + +"'Blest be ye! Where will ye go, leaving us in grief? We will follow you +whithersoever ye will go! Surely have we been distressed upon learning +that ye have been deceitfully vanquished by relentless enemies! It +behoveth you not to forsake us that are your loving subjects and devoted +friends always seeking your welfare and employed in doing what is +agreeable to you! We desire not to be overwhelmed in certain destruction +living in the dominions of the Kuru king. Ye bulls among men, listen as +we indicate the merits and demerits springing respectively from +association with what is good and bad! As cloth, water, the ground, and +sesame seeds are perfumed by association with flowers, even so are +qualities ever the product of association. Verily association with fools +produceth an illusion that entangleth the mind, as daily communion with +the good and the wise leadeth to the practice of virtue. Therefore, they +that desire emancipation should associate with those that are wise and +old and honest and pure in conduct and possessed of ascetic merit. They +should be waited upon whose triple possessions, _viz_., knowledge (of +the _Vedas_), origin and acts, are all pure, and association with them +is even superior to (the study of the) scriptures. Devoid of the +religious acts as we are, we shall yet reap religious merit by +association with the righteous, as we should come by sin by waiting upon +the sinful. The very sight and touch of the dishonest, and converse and +association with them, cause diminution of virtue, and men (that are +doomed to these), never attain purity of mind. Association with the base +impaireth the understanding, as, indeed, with the indifferent maketh it +indifferent, while communion with the good ever exalteth it. All those +attributes which are spoken of in the world as the sources of religious +merit, of worldly prosperity and sensual pleasures, which are regarded +by the people, extolled in the _Vedas_, and approved by the +well-behaved, exist in you, separately and jointly! Therefore, desirous +of our own welfare, we wish to live amongst you who possess those +attributes!' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'Blessed are we since the people with the Brahmanas +at their head, moved by affection and compassion credit us with merits +we have not. I, however, with my brothers, would ask all of you to do +one thing. Ye should not, through affection and pity for us, act +otherwise! Our grandfather Bhishma, the king (Dhritarashtra), Vidura, my +mother and most of my well-wishers, are all in the city of Hastinapura. +Therefore, if ye are minded to seek our welfare, cherish ye them with +care, uniting together as they are overwhelmed with sorrow and +afflictions. Grieved at our departure, ye have come far! Go ye back, and +let your hearts be directed with tenderness towards the relatives I +entrust to you as pledges! This, of all others, is the one act upon +which my heart is set, and by doing this ye would give me great +satisfaction and pay me your best regards!'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Thus exhorted by Yudhishthira the just, the +people in a body set up a loud wail exclaiming,--_Alas, O king!_ And +afflicted and overwhelmed with sorrow on remembering the virtues of +Pritha's son, they unwillingly retraced their steps asking leave of the +Pandavas. + +"The citizens having ceased to follow, the Pandavas ascended their cars, +and setting out reached (the site of) the mighty banian tree called +_Pramana_ on the banks of the Ganges. And reaching the site of the +banian tree about the close of the day, the heroic sons of Pandu +purified themselves by touching the sacred water, and passed the night +there. And afflicted with woe they spent that night taking water alone +as their sole sustenance. Certain Brahmanas belonging to both classes, +_viz_., those that maintained the sacrificial fire and those that +maintained it not, who had, with their disciples and relatives, out of +affection followed the Pandavas thither also passed the night with them. +And surrounded by those utterers of _Brahma_, the king shone resplendent +in their midst. And that evening, at once beautiful and terrible, those +Brahmanas having lighted their (sacred) fires, began to chant the +_Vedas_ and hold mutual converse. And those foremost of Brahmanas, with +swan-sweet voices spent the night, comforting that best of Kurus--the +king." + + +SECTION II + +Vaisampayana said, "When that night passed away and day broke in, those +Brahmanas who supported themselves by mendicancy, stood before the +Pandavas of exalted deeds, who were about to enter the forest. Then king +Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, addressed them, saying, 'Robbed of our +prosperity and kingdom, robbed of everything, we are about to enter the +deep woods in sorrow, depending for our food on fruits and roots, and +the produce of the chase. The forest too is full of dangers, and abounds +with reptiles and beasts of prey. It appeareth to me that ye will +certainly have to suffer much privation and misery there. The sufferings +of the Brahmanas might overpower even the gods. That they would +overwhelm me is too certain. Therefore, O Brahmana, go ye back +whithersoever ye list!' + +"The Brahmanas replied, 'O king, our path is even that on which ye are +for setting out! It behoveth thee not, therefore, to forsake us who are +thy devoted admirers practising the true religion! The very gods have +compassion upon their worshippers,--specially upon Brahmanas of +regulated lives!' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'Ye regenerate ones, I too am devoted to the +Brahmanas! But this destitution that hath overtaken me overwhelmed me +with confusion! These my brothers that are to procure fruits and roots +and the deer (of the forest) are stupefied with grief arising from their +afflictions and on account of the distress of Draupadi and the loss of +our kingdom! Alas, as they are distressed, I cannot employ them in +painful tasks!' + +"The Brahmanas said, 'Let no anxiety, O king, in respect of our +maintenance, find a place in thy heart! Ourselves providing our own +food, we shall follow thee, and by meditation and saying our prayers we +shall compass thy welfare while by pleasant converse we shall entertain +thee and be cheered ourselves.' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'Without doubt, it must be as ye say, for I am ever +pleased with the company of the regenerate ones! But my fallen condition +maketh me behold in myself an object of reproach! How shall I behold you +all, that do not deserve to bear trouble, out of love for me painfully +subsisting upon food procured by your own toil? Oh, fie upon the wicked +sons of Dhritarashtra!'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Saying this, the weeping king sat himself down +upon the ground. Then a learned Brahmana, Saunaka by name versed in +self-knowledge and skilled in the _Sankhya_ system of yoga, addressed +the king, saying, 'Causes of grief by thousands, and causes of fear by +hundreds, day after day, overwhelm the ignorant but not the wise. +Surely, sensible men like thee never suffer themselves to be deluded by +acts that are opposed to true knowledge, fraught with every kind of +evil, and destructive of salvation. O king, in thee dwelleth that +understanding furnished with the eight attributes which is said to be +capable of providing against all evils and which resulteth from a study +of the _Sruti (Vedas)_ and scriptures! And men like unto thee are never +stupefied, on the accession of poverty or an affliction overtaking their +friends, through bodily or mental uneasiness! Listen, I shall tell the +_slokas_ which were chanted of old by the illustrious Janaka touching +the subject of controlling the self! This world is afflicted with both +bodily and mental suffering. Listen now to the means of allaying it as I +indicate them both briefly and in detail. Disease, contact with painful +things, toil and want of objects desired.--these are the four causes +that induce bodily suffering. And as regards disease, it may be allayed +by the application of medicine, while mental ailments are cured by +seeking to forget them by _yoga_-meditation. For this reason, sensible +physicians first seek to allay the mental sufferings of their patients +by agreeable converse and the offer of desirable objects. And as a hot +iron bar thrust into a jar maketh the water therein hot, even so doth +mental grief bring on bodily agony. And as water quencheth fire, so doth +true knowledge allay mental disquietude. And the mind attaining ease, +the body findeth ease also. It seemeth that affection is the root of all +mental sorrow. It is affection that maketh every creature miserable and +bringeth on every kind of woe. Verily affection is the root of all +misery and of all fear, of joy and grief of every kind of pain. From +affection spring all purposes, and it is from affection that spring the +love of worldly goods! Both of these (latter) are sources of evil, +though the first (our purposes) is worse than the second. And as (a +small portion of) fire thrust into the hollow of a tree consumeth the +tree itself to its roots, even so affection, ever so little, destroyeth +both virtue and profit. He cannot be regarded to have renounced the +world who hath merely withdrawn from worldly possessions. He, however, +who though in actual contact with the world regardeth its faults, may be +said to have truly renounced the world. Freed from every evil passion, +soul dependent on nothing with such a one hath truly renounced the +world. Therefore, should no one seek to place his affections on either +friends or the wealth he hath earned. And so should affection for one's +own person be extinguished by knowledge. Like the lotus-leaf that is +never drenched by water, the souls of men capable of distinguishing +between the ephemeral and the everlasting, of men devoted to the pursuit +of the eternal, conversant with the scriptures and purified by +knowledge, can never be moved by affection. The man that is influenced +by affection is tortured by desire; and from the desire that springeth +up in his heart his thirst for worldly possessions increaseth. Verily, +this thirst is sinful and is regarded as the source of all anxieties. It +is this terrible thirst, fraught with sin that leaneth unto unrighteous +acts. Those find happiness that can renounce this thirst, which can +never be renounced by the wicked, which decayeth not with the decay of +the body, and which is truly a fatal disease! It hath neither beginning +nor end. Dwelling within the heart, it destroyeth creatures, like a fire +of incorporeal origin. And as a faggot of wood is consumed by the fire +that is fed by itself, even so doth a person of impure soul find +destruction from the covetousness born of his heart. And as creatures +endued with life have ever a dread of death, so men of wealth are in +constant apprehension of the king and the thief, of water and fire and +even of their relatives. And as a morsel of meat, if in air, may be +devoured by birds; if on ground by beasts of prey; and if in water by +the fishes; even so is the man of wealth exposed to dangers wherever he +may be. To many the wealth they own is their bane, and he that beholding +happiness in wealth becometh wedded to it, and knoweth not true +happiness. And hence accession of wealth is viewed as that which +increaseth covetousness and folly. Wealth alone is the root of +niggardliness and boastfulness, pride and fear and anxiety! These are +the miseries of men that the wise see in riches! Men undergo infinite +miseries in the acquisition and retention of wealth. Its expenditure +also is fraught with grief. Nay, sometimes, life itself is lost for the +sake of wealth! The abandonment of wealth produces misery, and even they +that are cherished by one's wealth become enemies for the sake of that +wealth! When, therefore, the possession of wealth is fraught with such +misery, one should not mind its loss. It is the ignorant alone who are +discontented. The wise, however, are always content. The thirst of +wealth can never be assuaged. Contentment is the highest happiness; +therefore, it is, that the wise regard contentment as the highest object +of pursuit. The wise knowing the instability of youth and beauty, of +life and treasure-hoards, of prosperity and the company of the loved +ones, never covet them. Therefore, one should refrain from the +acquisition of wealth, bearing the pain incident to it. None that is +rich is free from trouble, and it is for this that the virtuous applaud +them that are free from the desire of wealth. And as regards those that +pursue wealth for purposes of virtue, it is better for them to refrain +altogether from such pursuit, for, surely, it is better not to touch +mire at all than to wash it off after having been besmeared with it. +And, O Yudhishthira, it behoveth thee not to covet anything! And if thou +wouldst have virtue, emancipate thyself from desire of worldly +possessions!' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'O Brahmana, this my desire of wealth is not for +enjoying it when obtained. It is only for the support of the Brahmanas +that I desire it and not because I am actuated by avarice! For what +purpose, O Brahmana, doth one like us lead a domestic life, if he cannot +cherish and support those that follow him? All creatures are seen to +divide the food (they procure) amongst those that depend on them.[1] So +should a person leading a domestic life give a share of his food to +_Yatis_ and _Brahmacharins_ that have renounced cooking for themselves. +The houses of the good men can never be in want of grass (for seat), +space (for rest), water (to wash and assuage thirst), and fourthly, +sweet words. To the weary a bed,--to one fatigued with standing, a +seat,--to the thirsty, water,--and to the hungry, food should ever be +given. To a guest are due pleasant looks and a cheerful heart and sweet +words. The host, rising up, should advance towards the guest, offer him +a seat, and duly worship him. Even this is eternal morality. They that +perform not the _Agnihotra_,[2] do not wait upon bulls, nor cherish +their kinsmen and guests and friends and sons and wives and servants, +are consumed with sin for such neglect. None should cook his food for +himself alone and none should slay an animal without dedicating it to +the gods, the _pitris_, and guests. Nor should one eat of that food +which hath not been duly dedicated to the gods and _pitris_. By +scattering food on the earth, morning and evening, for (the behoof of) +dogs and _Chandalas_ and birds, should a person perform the _Viswedeva_ +sacrifice.[3] He that eateth the _Vighasa_, is regarded as eating +ambrosia. What remaineth in a sacrifice after dedication to the gods and +the _pitris_ is regarded as ambrosia; and what remaineth after feeding +the guest is called _Vighasa_ and is equivalent to ambrosia itself. +Feeding a guest is equivalent to a sacrifice, and the pleasant looks the +host casteth upon the guest, the attention he devoteth to him, the sweet +words in which he addresseth him, the respect he payeth by following +him, and the food and drink with which he treateth him, are the five +_Dakshinas_[4] in that sacrifice. He who giveth without stint food to a +fatigued wayfarer never seen before, obtaineth merit that is great, and +he who leading a domestic life, followeth such practices, acquireth +religious merit that is said to be very great. O Brahmana, what is thy +opinion on this?' + + [1] This seems to be the obvious. There is a different reading + however. For _Drie-cyate_--seen, some texts have + _Sasyate_--applauded. Nilakantha imagines that the meaning is + "As distribution (of food) amongst the various classes of beings + like the gods, the _Pitris_, &c., is applauded &c., &c." + + [2] A form of sacrifice which consists in pouring oblations of + clarified butter with prayers into a blazing fire. It is + obligatory on Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, except those that accept + certain vows of great austerity. + + [3] The Viswedeva sacrifice is the offer of food to all + creatures of the earth (by scattering a portion). + + [4] A gift. It may be of various kinds. The fees paid to + Brahmanas assisting at sacrifices and religious rites, such as + offering oblations to the dead, are _Dakshinas_, as also gifts + to Brahmanas on other occasions particularly when they are fed, + it being to this day the custom never to feed a Brahmana without + paying him a pecuniary fee. There can be no sacrifice, no + religious rite, without _Dakshina_. + +"Saunaka said, 'Alas, this world is full of contradictions! That which +shameth the good, gratifieth the wicked! Alas, moved by ignorance and +passion and slaves of their own senses, even fools perform many acts of +(apparent merit) to gratify in after-life their appetites! With eyes +open are these men led astray by their seducing senses, even as a +charioteer, who hath lost his senses, by restive and wicked steeds! When +any of the six senses findeth its particular object, the desire +springeth up in the heart to enjoy that particular object. And thus when +one's heart proceedeth to enjoy the objects of any particular sense a +wish is entertained which in its turn giveth birth to a resolve. And +finally, like unto an insect falling into a flame from love of light, +the man falleth into the fire of temptation, pierced by the shafts of +the object of enjoyment discharged by the desire constituting the seed +of the resolve! And thenceforth blinded by sensual pleasure which he +seeketh without stint, and steeped in dark ignorance and folly which he +mistaketh for a state of happiness, he knoweth not himself! And like +unto a wheel that is incessantly rolling, every creature, from ignorance +and deed and desire, falleth into various states in this world, +wandering from one birth to another, and rangeth the entire circle of +existences from a _Brahma_ to the point of a blade of grass, now in +water, now on land, and now against in the air! + +"'This then is the career of those that are without knowledge. Listen +now to the course of the wise they that are intent on profitable virtue, +and are desirous of emancipation! The _Vedas_ enjoin act but _renounce_ +(interest in) action. Therefore, shouldst thou act, renouncing +_Abhimana_,[5] performance of sacrifices, study (of the _Vedas_), gifts, +penance, truth (in both speech and act), forgiveness, subduing the +senses, and renunciation of desire,--these have been declared to be the +eight (cardinal) duties constituting the true path. Of these, the four +first pave the way to the world of the _pitris_. And these should be +practised without _Abhimana_. The four last are always observed by the +pious, to attain the heaven of the gods. And the pure in spirit should +ever follow these eight paths. Those who wish to subdue the world for +purpose of salvation, should ever act fully renouncing motives, +effectually subduing their senses, rigidly observing particular vows, +devotedly serving their preceptors, austerely regulating their fare, +diligently studying the _Vedas_, renouncing action as mean and +restraining their hearts. By renouncing desire and aversion the gods +have attained prosperity. It is by virtue of their wealth of yoga[6] +that the _Rudras_, and the _Sadhyas_, and the _Adityas_ and the _Vasus_, +and the twin _Aswins_, rule the creatures. Therefore, O son of Kunti, +like unto them, do thou, O Bharata, entirely refraining from action with +motive, strive to attain success in _yoga_ and by ascetic austerities. +Thou hast already achieved such success so far as thy debts to thy +ancestors, both male and female concerned, and that success also which +is derived from action (sacrifices). Do thou, for serving the regenerate +ones endeavour to attain success in penances. Those that are crowned +with ascetic success, can, by virtue of that success, do whatever they +list; do thou, therefore, practising asceticism realise all thy +wishes.'" + + [5] Reference to self, i.e. without the motive of bettering + one's own self, or without any motive at all. (This contains the + germ of the doctrine preached more elaborately in the _Bhagavad + gita_.) + + [6] This _Yoga_ consists, in their case, of a combination of + attributes by negation of the contrary ones, i.e. by + renunciation of motives in all they do. + + +SECTION III + +Vaisampayana said, "Yudhishthira the son of Kunti, thus addressed by +Saunaka, approached his priest and in the midst of his brothers said, +'The Brahmanas versed in the _Vedas_ are following me who am departing +for the forest. Afflicted with many calamities I am unable to support +them. I cannot abandon them, nor have I the power to offer them +sustenance: Tell me, O holy one, what should be done by me in such a +pass.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "After reflecting for a moment seeking to find out +the (proper) course by his _yoga_ powers, Dhaumya, that foremost of all +virtuous men, addressed Yudhishthira, in these words, 'In days of old, +all living beings that had been created were sorely afflicted with +hunger. And like a father (unto all of them), _Savita_ (the sun) took +compassion upon them. And going first into the northern declension, the +sun drew up water by his rays, and coming back to the southern +declension, stayed over the earth, with his heat centered in himself. +And while the sun so stayed over the earth, the lord of the vegetable +world (the moon), converting the effects of the solar heat (vapours) +into clouds and pouring them down in the shape of water, caused plants +to spring up. Thus it is the sun himself, who, drenched by the lunar +influence, is transformed, upon the sprouting of seeds, into holy +vegetable furnished with the six tastes. And it is these which +constitute the food of all creatures upon the earth. Thus the food that +supporteth the lives of creatures is instinct with solar energy, and the +sun is, therefore, the father of all creatures. Do thou, hence, O +Yudhishthira, take refuge even in him. All illustrious monarchs of pure +descent and deeds are known to have delivered their people by practising +high asceticism. The great Karttavirya, and Vainya and Nahusha, had all, +by virtue of ascetic meditation preceded by vows, delivered their people +from heavy afflictions. Therefore, O virtuous one, as thou art purified +by the acts do thou likewise, entering upon a file of austerities. O +Bharata, virtuously support the regenerate ones.'" + +Janamejaya said, "How did that bull among the Kurus, king Yudhishthira, +for the sake of the Brahmanas adore the sun of wonderful appearance?" + +Vaisampayana said, "Listen attentively, O king, purifying thyself and +withdrawing thy mind from every other thing. And, O king of kings, +appoint thou a time. I will tell thee everything in detail, And, O +illustrious one, listen to the one hundred and eight names (of the sun) +as they were disclosed of old by Dhaumya to the high-souled son of +Pritha. Dhaumya said, 'Surya, Aryaman, Bhaga, Twastri, Pusha, Arka, +Savitri, Ravi, Gabhastimat, Aja, Kala, Mrityu, Dhatri, Prabhakara, +Prithibi, Apa, Teja, Kha, Vayu, the sole stay, Soma, Vrihaspati, Sukra, +Budha, Angaraka, Indra, Vivaswat, Diptanshu, Suchi, Sauri, Sanaichara, +Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Skanda, Vaisravana, Yama, Vaidyutagni, +Jatharagni, Aindhna, Tejasampati, Dharmadhwaja, Veda-karttri, Vedanga, +Vedavahana, Krita, Treta, Dwapara, Kali, full of every impurity, Kala, +Kastha, Muhurtta, Kshapa, Yama, and Kshana; Samvatsara-kara, Aswattha, +Kalachakra, Bibhavasu, Purusha, Saswata, Yogin, Vyaktavyakta, Sanatana, +Kaladhyaksha, Prajadhyaksha, Viswakarma, Tamounda, Varuna, Sagara, Ansu, +Jimuta, Jivana, Arihan, Bhutasraya, Bhutapati, Srastri, Samvartaka, +Vanhi, Sarvadi, Alolupa, Ananta, Kapila, Bhanu, Kamada, Sarvatomukha, +Jaya, Visata, Varada, Manas, Suparna, Bhutadi, Sighraga, Prandharana, +Dhanwantari, Dhumaketu, Adideva, Aditisuta, Dwadasatman, Aravindaksha, +Pitri, Matri, Pitamaha, Swarga-dwara, Prajadwara, Mokshadwara, +Tripistapa, Dehakarti, Prasantatman, Viswatman, Viswatomukha, +Characharatman, Sukhsmatman, the merciful Maitreya. These are the +hundred and eight names of Surya of immeasurable energy, as told by the +self-create (Brahma). For the acquisition of prosperity, I bow down to +thee, O Bhaskara, blazing like unto gold or fire, who is worshipped of +the gods and the _Pitris_ and the Yakshas, and who is adored by Asuras, +Nisacharas, and Siddhas. He that with fixed attention reciteth this hymn +at sunrise, obtaineth wife and offspring and riches and the memory of +his former existence, and by reciting this hymn a person attaineth +patience and memory. Let a man concentrating his mind, recite this hymn. +By doing so, he shall be proof against grief and forest-fire and ocean +and every object of desire shall be his.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Having heard from Dhaumya these words suitable +to the occasion, Yudhishthira the just, with heart concentrated within +itself and purifying it duly, became engaged in austere meditation, +moved by the desire of supporting the Brahmanas. And worshipping the +maker of day with offerings of flowers and other articles, the king +performed his ablutions. And standing in the stream, he turned his face +towards the god of day. And touching the water of the Ganges the +virtuous Yudhishthira with senses under complete control and depending +upon air alone for his sustenance, stood there with rapt soul engaged in +_pranayama_.[7] And having purified himself and restrained his speech, +he began to sing the hymn of praise (to the sun). + +"Yudhishthira said, 'Thou art, O sun, the eye of the universe. Thou art +the soul of all corporeal existences. Thou art the origin of all things. +Thou art the embodiment of the acts of all religious men. Thou art the +refuge of those versed in the _Sankhya_ philosophy (the mysteries of the +soul), and thou art the support of the _Yogins_. Thou art a door +unfastened with bolts. Thou art the refuge of those wishing for +emancipation. Thou sustainest and discoverest the world, and sanctifiest +and supportest it from pure compassion. Brahmanas versed in the _Vedas_ +appearing before thee, adore thee in due time, reciting the hymns from +the respective branches (of the _Vedas_) they refer. Thou art the adored +of the _Rishis_. The _Siddhas_, and the _Charanas_ and the _Gandharvas_ +and the _Yakshas_, and the _Guhyakas_, and the _Nagas_, desirous of +obtaining boons follow thy car coursing through the skies. The +thirty-three gods[8] with Upendra (Vishnu) and Mahendra, and the order +of Vaimanikas[9] have attained success by worshipping thee. By offering +thee garlands of the celestial _Mandaras_[10] the best of the +_Vidyadharas_ have obtained all their desires. The _Guhyas_ and the +seven orders of the _Pitris_--both divine and human--have attained +superiority by adoring thee alone. The _Vasus_, the _Manilas_, and the +_Rudras_, the _Sadhyas_, the _Marichipas_, the _Valikhilyas_, and the +_Siddhas_, have attained pre-eminence by bowing down unto thee. There is +nothing that I know in the entire seven worlds, including that of Brahma +which is beyond thee. There are other beings both great and endued with +energy; but none of them hath thy lustre and energy. All light is in +thee, indeed, thou art the lord of all light. In thee are the (five) +elements and all intelligence, and knowledge and asceticism and the +ascetic properties.[11] The discus by which the wielder of the +_Saranga_[12] humbleth the pride of Asuras and which is furnished with a +beautiful nave, was forged by Viswakarman with thy energy. In summer +thou drawest, by thy rays, moisture from all corporeal existences and +plants and liquid substances, and pourest it down in the rainy season. +Thy rays warm and scorch, and becoming as clouds roar and flash with +lightning and pour down showers when the season cometh. Neither fire nor +shelter, nor woolen cloths give greater comfort to one suffering from +chilling blasts than thy rays. Thou illuminest by thy rays the whole +Earth with her thirteen islands. Thou alone are engaged in the welfare +of the three worlds. If thou dost not rise, the universe becometh blind +and the learned cannot employ themselves in the attainment of virtue, +wealth and profit. It is through thy grace that the (three) orders of +Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas are able to perform their various +duties and sacrifices.[13] Those versed in chronology say that thou art +the beginning and thou the end of a day of Brahma, which consisteth of a +full thousand _Yugas_. Thou art the lord of Manus and of the sons of the +Manus, of the universe and of man, of the _Manwantaras_, and their +lords. When the time of universal dissolution cometh, the fire +_Samvartaka_ born of thy wrath consumeth the three worlds and existeth +alone. And clouds of various hues begotten of thy rays, accompanied by +the elephant Airavata and the thunderbolt, bring about the appointed +deluges. And dividing thyself into twelve parts and becoming as many +suns, thou drinkest up the ocean once more with thy rays. Thou art +called Indra, thou art Vishnu, thou art Brahma, thou art Prajapati. Thou +art fire and thou art the subtle mind. And thou art lord and the eternal +_Brahma_. Thou art _Hansa_, thou art _Savitri_, thou art _Bhanu_, +_Ansumalin_, and _Vrishakapi_. Thou art _Vivaswan, Mihira, Pusha, Mitra_, +and _Dharma_. Thou art thousand-rayed, thou art _Aditya_, and _Tapana_, +and the lord of rays. Thou art _Martanda_, and _Arka_, and _Ravi_, and +_Surya_ and _Saranya_ and maker of day, and _Divakara_ and +_Suptasaspti_, and _Dhumakeshin_ and _Virochana_. Thou art spoken of as +swift of speed and the destroyer of darkness, and the possessor of +yellow steeds. He that reverentially adoreth thee on the sixth or the +seventh lunar day with humility and tranquillity of mind, obtaineth the +grace of Lakshmi. They that with undivided attention adore and worship +thee, are delivered from all dangers, agonies, and afflictions. And they +that hold that thou art everywhere (being the soul of all things) living +long, freed from sin and enjoying an immunity from all diseases. O lord +of all food, it behoveth thee to grant food in abundance unto me who am +desirous of food even for entertaining all my guests with reverence. I +bow also to all those followers of thine that have taken refuge at thy +feet--_Mathara_ and _Aruna_ and _Danda_ and others, including _Asani_ +and _Kshuva_ and the others. And I bow also to the celestial mothers of +all creatures, _viz_., Kshuva and _Maitri_ and the others of the class. +O, let them deliver me their supplicant.'" + + [7] A form of _Yoga_ that is said to consist in the mingling of + some of the air supposed to exist in every animal body. These + airs are five: _Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana_, and _Vyana_. + + [8] The 8 _Vasus_, the 11 _Rudras_, the 12 _Adityas_, + _Prajapati_, and _Vashatkara_. + + [9] An order of celestials. + + [10] Celestial flowers of much fragrance. + + [11] The ascetic properties are _Anima_, _Laghima_, etc. + + [12] The bow of Vishnu, as that of Siva is called _Pinaka_. + + [13] The words of the text are _Adhana_, _Pashubandha_, _Ishti + Mantra_, _Yajana_ and _Tapa-kriya_. + +Vaisampayana said, "Thus, O great king, was the sun that purifier of the +world, adored (by Yudhishthira). And pleased with the hymn, the maker of +day, self-luminous, and blazing like fire showed himself to the son of +Pandu. And Vivaswan said, 'Thou shall obtain all that thou desirest. I +shall provide thee with food for five and seven years together. And, O +king, accept this copper-vessel which I give unto thee. And, O thou of +excellent vows, as long as Panchali will hold this vessel, without +partaking of its contents fruits and roots and meat and vegetables +cooked in thy kitchen, these four kinds of food shall from this day be +inexhaustible. And, on the fourteenth year from this, thou shall regain +thy kingdom.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Having said this, the god vanished away. He +that, with the desire of obtaining a boon, reciteth this hymn +concentrating his mind with ascetic abstraction, obtaineth it from the +sun, however difficult of acquisition it may be that he asketh for. And +the person, male or female, that reciteth or heareth this hymn day after +day, if he or she desireth for a son, obtaineth one, and if riches, +obtaineth them, and if learning acquireth that too. And the person male +or female, that reciteth this hymn every day in the two twilights, if +overtaken by danger, is delivered from it, and if bound, is freed from +the bonds. Brahma himself had communicated this hymn to the illustrious +Sakra, and from Sakra was it obtained by Narada and from Narada, by +Dhaumya. And Yudhishthira, obtaining it from Dhaumya, attained all his +wishes. And it is by virtue of this hymn that one may always obtain +victory in war, and acquire immense wealth also. And it leadeth the +reciter from all sins, to the solar region." + +Vaisampayana continued, "Having obtained the boon, the virtuous son of +Kunti, rising from the water, took hold of Dhaumya's feet and then +embraced his brother's. And, O exalted one, wending then with Draupadi +to the kitchen, and adored by her duly, the son of Pandu set himself to +cook (their day's) food. And the clean food, however little, that was +dressed, furnished with the four tastes, increased and became +inexhaustible. And with it Yudhishthira began to feed the regenerate +ones. And after the Brahmanas had been fed, and his younger brothers +also, Yudhishthira himself ate of the food that remained, and which is +called _Vighasa_. And after Yudhishthira had eaten, the daughter of +Prishata took what remained. And after she had taken her meal, the day's +food became exhausted. + +"And having thus obtained the boon from the maker of day, the son of +Pandu, himself as resplendent as that celestial, began to entertain the +Brahmanas agreeably to their wishes. And obedient to their priest, the +sons of Pritha, on auspicious lunar days and constellations and +conjunctions, performed sacrifices according to the ordinance, the +scriptures, and the _Mantras_. After the sacrifices, the sons of Pandu, +blessed by the auspicious rites performed by Dhaumya and accompanied by +him, and surrounded also by the Brahmanas set out for the woods of +_Kamyaka_." + + +SECTION IV + +Vaisampayana said,--"After the Pandavas had gone to the forest, +Dhritarashtra the son of Amvika, whose knowledge was his eye,[14] became +exceedingly sorrowful. And seated at his ease the king addressed these +words to the virtuous Vidura of profound intelligence, 'Thy +understanding is as clear as that of Bhargava.[15] Thou knowest also all +the subtleties of morality, and thou lookest on all the Kauravas with an +equal eye. O, tell me what is proper for me and them. O Vidura, things +having thus taken their course, what should we do now? How may I secure +the goodwill of the citizens so that they may not destroy us to the +roots? O, tell us all, since thou art conversant with every excellent +expedient.' + + [14] Dhritarashtra being blind is described as _Pragnachakshu, + i.e._ having knowledge for his eye. It may also mean. "Of the + prophetic eye." + + [15] The great preceptor of the Asuras, _viz., Sukra_, + possessing the highest intelligence as evidenced by his various + works on all manner of subjects particularly, the _Sukra-niti_. + +"Vidura said, 'The three-fold purposes, O king (_viz_., profit, +pleasure, and salvation), have their foundations in virtue, and the +sages say that a kingdom also standeth on virtue as its basis. +Therefore, O monarch, according to the best of thy power, cherish thou +virtuously thy own sons and those of Pandu. That virtue had been +beguiled by wicked souls with Suvala's son at their head, when thy sons +invited the righteous Yudhishthira and defeated him in the match at +dice. O king, of this deed of utter iniquity I behold this expiation +whereby, O chief of the Kurus, thy son, freed from sin, may win back his +position among good men. Let the sons of Pandu, obtain that which was +given unto them by thee. For, verily, even this is the highest morality +that a king should remain content with his own, and never covet +another's possessions. Thy good name then would not suffer nor would +family dissensions ensue, nor unrighteousness be thine. This then is thy +prime duty now,--to gratify the Pandavas and disgrace Sakuni. If thou +wishest to restore to thy sons the good fortune they have lost, then, O +king, do thou speedily adopt this line of conduct. If thou dost not act +so, the Kurus will surely meet with destruction, for neither Bhimasena +nor Arjuna, if angry, will leave any of their foes unslain. What is +there in the world which is unattainable to those who cannot among their +warriors _Savyasachin_ skilled in arms; who have the Gandiva, the most +powerful of all weapons in the world, for their bow; and who have +amongst them the mighty Bhima also as a warrior? Formerly, as soon as +thy son was born, I told thee,--_Forsake thou this inauspicious child of +thine. Herein lieth the good of thy race._--But thou didst not then act +accordingly. Nor also, O king, have I pointed out to thee the way of thy +welfare. If thou doest as I have counselled, thou shalt not have to +repent afterwards. If thy son consent to reign in peace jointly with the +sons of Pandu, passing thy days in joy thou shalt not have to repent. +Should it be otherwise, abandon thou thy child for thy own happiness. +Putting Duryodhana aside, do thou install the son of Pandu in the +sovereignty, and let, O king, Ajatasatru, free from passion, rule the +earth virtuously. All the kings of the earth, then, like Vaisyas, will, +without delay, pay homage unto us. And, O king, let Duryodhana and +Sakuni and Karna with alacrity wait upon the Pandavas. And let +Dussasana, in open court, ask forgiveness of Bhimasena and of the +daughter of Drupada also. And do thou pacify Yudhishthira by placing him +on the throne with every mark of respect. Asked by thee, what else can I +counsel thee to do? By doing this, O monarch, thou wouldst do what was +proper.' + +"Dhritarashtra said, 'These words, O Vidura, then thou hast spoken in +this assembly, with reference to the Pandavas and myself, are for their +good but not for ours. My mind doth not approve them. How hast thou +settled all this in thy mind now? When thou hast spoken all this on +behalf of the Pandavas, I perceive that thou art not friendly to me. How +can I abandon my son for the sake of the sons of Pandu? Doubtless they +are my sons, but Duryodhana is sprung from my body. Who then, speaking +with impartiality, will ever counsel me to renounce my own body for the +sake of others? O Vidura, all that thou sayest is crooked, although I +hold thee in high esteem. Stay or go as thou likest. However much may +she be humoured, an unchaste will forsaketh her husband.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "O king, saying this Dhritarashtra rose suddenly and +went into the inner apartments. And Vidura, saying 'This race is doomed' +went away to where the sons of Pritha were." + + +SECTION V + +Vaisampayana said, "Desirous of living in the forest, those bulls of the +Bharata race, the Pandavas, with their followers, setting out from the +banks of the Ganges went to the field of Kurukshetra. And performing +their ablutions in the Saraswati, the Drisadwati and the Yamuna, they +went from one forest to another, travelling in an westernly direction. +And at length they saw before them the woods, Kamyaka, the favourite +haunt of _Munis_, situated by a level and wild plain on the banks of the +Saraswati. And in those woods, O Bharata, abounding in birds and deer, +those heroes began to dwell, entertained and comforted by the Munis. And +Vidura always longing to see the Pandavas, went in a single car to the +Kamyaka woods abounding in every good thing. And arriving at Kamyaka on +a car drawn by swift steeds, he saw Yudhishthira the just, sitting with +Draupadi at a retired spot, surrounded by his brothers and the +Brahmanas. And seeing Vidura approach from a distance with swift steps, +the virtuous king addressed brother Bhimasena, saying, 'With what +message doth Kshatta come to us? Doth he come hither, despatched by +Sakuni, to invite us again to a game of dice? Doth the little-minded +Sakuni intend to win again our weapons at dice? O Bhimasena, challenged +by any one addressing me,--Come, I am unable to stay. And if our +possession of the _Gandiva_ becomes doubtful, will not the acquisition +of our kingdom also be so.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "O king, the Pandavas then rose up and welcomed +Vidura. And received by them, that descendant of the Ajamida line +(Vidura) sat in their midst and made the usual enquiries. And after +Vidura had rested awhile, those bulls among men asked him the reason of +his coming. And Vidura began to relate unto them in detail everything +connected with the bearing of Dhritarashtra the son of Amvika. + +"Vidura said, 'O Ajatasatru, Dhritarashtra called me, his dependant, +before him and honouring me duly said, "Things have fared thus. Now, do +thou tell me what is good for the Pandavas as well as for me." I pointed +out what was beneficial to both the Kauravas and Dhritarashtra. But what +I said was not relished by him, nor could I hit upon any other course. +What I advised was, O Pandavas, highly beneficial, but the son of Amvika +heeded me not. Even as medicine recommendeth itself not to one that is +ill, so my words failed to please the king. And, O thou without a foe, +as all unchaste wile in the family of a man of pure descent cannot be +brought back to the path of virtue, so I failed to bring Dhritarashtra +back. Indeed, as a young damsel doth not like a husband of three score, +even so Dhritarashtra did not like my words. Surely, destruction will +overtake the Kuru race, surely Dhritarashtra will never acquire good +fortune. For, as water dropped on a lotus-leaf doth not remain there, my +counsels will fail to produce any effect to Dhritarashtra. The incensed +Dhritarashira told me, O Bharata, go thou thither where thou likest. +Never more shall I seek thy aid in ruling the earth or my capital,--O +best of monarchs, forsaken by king Dhritarashtra, I come to thee for +tendering good counsel. What I had said in the open court, I will now +repeat unto thee. Listen, and bear my words in mind,--that wise man who +bearing all the gross wrong heaped upon him by his enemies, patiently +bideth his time, and multiplieth his resources even as men by degrees +turn a small fire into a large one, ruleth alone this entire earth. He +that (in prosperity) enjoyeth his substance with his adherents findeth +in them sharers of his adversity,--this is the best means of securing +adherents, and it is said that he that hath adherents, winneth the +sovereignty of the world! And, O Pandava, dividing thy prosperity with +thy adherents, behave truthfully towards them, and converse with them +agreeably! Share also your food with them! And never boast thyself in +their presence! This behaviour increaseth the prosperity of kings!' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'Having recourse to such high intelligence, +undisturbed by passion, I will do as thou counsellest! And whatever else +thou mayst counsel in respect of time and place, I will carefully follow +entirely.'" + + +SECTION VI + +Vaisampayana said, "O king, after Vidura had gone to the abode of the +Pandavas, Dhritarashtra, O Bharata, of profound wisdom, repented of his +action. And thinking of the great intelligence of Vidura in matters +connected with both war and peace, and also of the aggrandisement of the +Pandavas in the future, Dhritarashtra, pained at the recollection of +Vidura, having approached the door of the hall of state fell down +senseless in the presence of the monarchs (in waiting). And regaining +consciousness, the king rose from the ground and thus addressed Sanjaya +standing by, 'My brother and friend is even like the god of justice +himself! Recollecting him today, my heart burneth in grief! Go, bring +unto me without delay my brother well-versed in morality!' Saying this, +the monarch wept bitterly. And burning in repentance, and overwhelmed +with sorrow at the recollection of Vidura, the king, from brotherly +affection, again addressed Sanjaya saying, 'O Sanjaya, go thou and +ascertain whether my brother, expelled by my wretched self through +anger, liveth still! That wise brother of mine of immeasurable +intelligence hath never been guilty of even the slightest transgression, +but, on the other hand, he it is who hath come by grievous wrong at my +hands! Seek him, O wise one, and bring him hither; else, O Sanjaya, I +will lay down my life!'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of the king, Sanjaya +expressed his approbation, and saying 'So be it,' went in the direction +of the Kamyaka woods. And arriving without loss of time at the forest +where the sons of Pandu dwelt, he beheld Yudhishthira clad in deer-skin, +seated with Vidura, in the midst of Brahmanas by thousands and guarded +by his brothers, even like Purandara in the midst of the celestials! And +approaching Yudhishthira, Sanjaya worshipped him duly and was received +with due respect by Bhima and Arjuna and the twins. And Yudhishthira +made the usual enquiries about his welfare and when he had been seated +at his ease, he disclosed the reason of his visit, in these words, 'King +Dhritarashtra, the son of Amvika, hath, O Kshatta! remembered thee! +Returning unto him without loss of time, do thou revive the king! And, O +thou best of men, with the permission of these Kuru princes--these +foremost of men--it behoveth thee, at the command of that lion among +kings, to return unto him!'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Sanjaya, the intelligent +Vidura, ever attached to his relatives, with the permission of +Yudhishthira returned to the city named after the elephant. And after he +had approached the king, Dhritarashtra of great energy, the son of +Amvika, addressed him, saying, 'From my good luck alone, O Vidura, thou, +O sinless one, of conversant with morality, hast come here remembering +me! And, O thou bull of the Bharata race, in thy absence I was beholding +myself, sleepless through the day and the night, as one that hath been +lost on earth!' And the king then took Vidura on his lap and smelt his +head, and said, 'Forgive me, O sinless one, the words in which thou wert +addressed by me!' And Vidura said, 'O king, I have forgiven thee. Thou +art my superior, worthy of the highest reverence! Here am I, having come +back, eagerly wishing to behold thee! All virtuous men, O tiger among +men, are (instinctively) partial towards those that are distressed! +This, O king, is scarcely the result of deliberation! (My partiality to +the Pandavas proceedeth from this cause)! O Bharata, thy sons are as +dear to me as the sons of Pandu, but as the latter are now in distress, +my heart yearneth after them!'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "And addressing each other thus in apologetic +speeches, the two illustrious brothers, Vidura and Dhritarashtra, felt +themselves greatly happy!" + + +SECTION VII + +Vaisampayana said, "Hearing that Vidura had returned, and that the king +had consoled him, the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra began to burn in +grief. His understanding clouded by ignorance, he summoned the son of +Suvala, and Karna and Dussasana, and addressed them saying, 'The learned +Vidura, the minister of the wise Dhritarashtra, hath returned! The +friend of the sons of Pandu, he is ever engaged in doing what is +beneficial to them. So long as this Vidura doth not succeed in inducing +the king to bring them back, do ye all think of what may benefit me! If +ever I behold the sons of Pritha return to the city, I shall again be +emaciated by renouncing food and drink, even though there be no obstacle +in my path! And I shall either take poison or hang myself, either enter +the pyre or kill myself with my own weapons. But I shall never be able +to behold the sons of Pandu in prosperity!' + +"Sakuni said, 'O king, O lord of the earth, what folly hath taken +possession of thee! The Pandavas have gone to the forest, having given a +particular pledge, so that what thou apprehendest can never take place! +O bull of the Bharata race, the Pandavas ever abide by the truth. They +will never, therefore, accept the words of thy father! If however, +accepting the commands of the king, they come back to the capital, +violating their vow, even this would be our conduct, viz., assuming, an +aspect of neutrality, and in apparent obedience to the will of the +monarch, we will closely watch the Pandavas, keeping our counsels!' + +"Dussasana said, 'O uncle of great intelligence, it is even as thou +sayest! The words of wisdom thou utterest always recommend themselves to +me!' Karna said, 'O Duryodhana, all of us seek to accomplish thy will +and, O king, I see that unanimity at present prevaileth among us! The +sons of Pandu, with passions under complete control, will never return +without passing away the promised period. If, however, they do return +from failing sense, do thou defeat them again at dice.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "Thus addressed by Karna, king Duryodhana with +cheerless heart, averted his face from his counsellors. Marking all +this, Karna expanding his beautiful eyes, and vehemently gesticulating +in anger, haughtily addressed Duryodhana and Dussasana and Suvala's son +saying, 'Ye princes, know ye my opinion! We are all servants of the king +(Duryodhana) waiting upon him with joined palms! We should, therefore, +do what is agreeable to him! But we are not always able to seek his +welfare with promptness and activity (owing to our dependence on +Dhritarashtra)! But let us now, encased in mail and armed with our +weapons, mount our cars and go in a body to slay the Pandavas now living +in the forest! After the Pandavas have been quieted and after they have +gone on the unknown journey, both ourselves and the sons of +Dhritarashtra will find peace! As long as they are in distress, as long +as they are in sorrow, as long as they are destitute of help, so long +are we a match for them! This is my mind!' + +"Hearing those words of the charioteer's son, they repeatedly applauded +him, and at last exclaimed, 'Very well!' And saying this each of them +mounted his car, and sanguine of success, they rushed in a body to slay +the sons of Pandu. And knowing by his spiritual vision that they had +gone out, the master Krishna-Dwaipayana of pure soul came upon them, and +commanded them to desist. And sending them away, the holy one, +worshipped by all the worlds, quickly appeared before the king whose +intelligence served the purposes of eye-sight, and who was then seated +(at his ease). And the holy one addressed the monarch thus." + + +SECTION VIII + +"Vyasa said, 'O wise Dhritarashtra, hear what I say! I will tell thee +that which is for the great good of all the Kauravas! O thou of mighty +arms, it hath not pleased me that the Pandavas have gone to the forest +dishonestly defeated (at dice) by Duryodhana and others! O Bharata, on +the expiration of the thirteenth year, recollecting all their woes, they +may shower death-dealing weapons, even like virulent poison, upon the +Kauravas! Why doth thy sinful son of wicked heart, ever inflamed with +ire, seek to slay the sons of Pandu for the sake of their kingdom? Let +the fool be restrained; let thy son remain quiet! In attempting to slay +the Pandavas in exile, he will only lose his own life. Thou art as +honest as the wise Vidura, or Bhishma, or ourselves, or Kripa, or Drona. +O thou of great wisdom, dissension with one's own kin are forbidden, +sinful and reprehensible! Therefore, O king, it behoveth thee to desist +from such acts! And, O Bharata, Duryodhana looketh with such jealousy +towards the Pandavas that great harm would be the consequence, if thou +didst not interfere. Or let this wicked son of thine, O monarch, alone +and unaccompanied, himself go to the forest and live with the sons of +Pandu. For then, if the Pandavas, from association, feel an attachment +for Duryodhana, then, O king of men, good fortune may be thine. (This, +however, may not be)! For it hath been heard that one's congenital +nature leaveth him not till death. But what do Bhishma and Drona and +Vidura think? What also dost thou think? That which is beneficial should +be done while there is time, else thy purposes will be unrealised.'" + + +SECTION IX + +"Dhritarashtra said, 'O holy one, I did not like this business of +gambling, but, O Muni, I think, I was made to consent to it drawn by +fate! Neither Bhishma, nor Drona, nor Vidura, nor Gandhari liked this +game at dice. No doubt, it was begot of folly. And, O thou who +delightest in the observance of vows, O illustrious one, knowing +everything yet influenced by paternal affection, I am unable to cast off +my senseless son, Duryodhana!' + +"Vyasa said, 'O king, O son of Vichitravirya, what thou sayest is true! +We know it well that a son is the best of all things and that there is +nothing that is so good as a son. Instructed by the tears of Suravi, +Indra came to know that the son surpasseth in worth other valuable +possessions. O monarch, I will, in this connection, relate to thee that +excellent and best of stories, the conversation between Indra and +Suravi. In days of yore, Suravi, the mother of cows was once weeping in +the celestial regions. O child, Indra took compassion upon her, and +asked her, saying, "O auspicious one! why dost thou weep? Is everything +well with the celestials? Hath any misfortune, ever so little, befallen +the world of men or serpents?" Suravi replied, "No evil hath befallen +thee that I perceive. But I am aggrieved on account of my son, and it is +therefore, O Kausika, that I weep! See, O chief of the celestials, +yonder cruel husbandman is belabouring my weak son with the wooden +stick, and oppressing him with the (weight of the) plough, in +consequence of which my child agitated with agony is falling upon the +ground and is at the point of death. At sight of this, O lord of the +celestials, I am filled with compassion, and my mind is agitated! The +one that is the stronger of the pair is bearing his burthen of greater +weight (with ease), but, O Vasava, the other is lean, and weak and is a +mass of veins and arteries! He beareth his burthen with difficulty! And +it is for him that I grieve. See, O Vasava, sore inflicted with the +whip, and harassed exceedingly, he is unable to bear his burthen. And it +is for him that, moved by grief, I weep in heaviness of heart and these +tears of compassion trickle down my eyes!" + +"'Sakra said, "O fair one, when thousands of thy son are (daily) +oppressed, why dost thou grieve for one under infliction?" Suravi +replied. "Although I have a thousand offspring, yet my affections flow +equally towards all! But, O Sakra, I feel greater compassion for one +that is weak and innocent!" + +"Vyasa continued, 'Then Indra having heard these words of Suravi, was +much surprised, and O thou of the Kuru race, he became convinced that a +son is dearer than one's life! And the illustrious chastiser of Paka +thereupon suddenly poured there a thick shower and caused obstruction to +the husbandman's work. And as Suravi said, thy affections, O king, +equally flow towards all thy sons. Let them be greater towards those +that are weak! And as my son Pandu is to me, so art thou, O son, and so +also Vidura of profound wisdom! It is out of affection that I tell you +all this! O Bharata, thou art possessed of a hundred and one sons, but +Pandu hath only five. And they are in a bad plight and passing _their_ +days in sorrow. _How may they save their lives, how may they thrive_ +such thoughts regarding the distressed sons of Pritha continually +agitate my soul! O king of the earth, if thou desirest all the Kauravas +to live, let thy son Duryodhana make peace with the Pandavas!'" + + +SECTION X + +"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Muni of profound wisdom, it is even as thou +sayest! I know it well as do all these kings! Indeed, what thou +considerest to be beneficial for the Kurus was pointed out to me, O +Muni, by Vidura and Bhishma and Drona. And, if I deserve thy favour, and +if thou hast kindness for the Kurus, do thou exhort my wicked son +Duryodhana!' + +"Vyasa said, 'O king, after having seen the Pandava brothers, here +cometh the holy Rishi Maitreya, with the desire of seeing us. That +mighty Rishi, O king, will admonish thy son for the welfare of this +race. And, O Kauravya, what he adviseth must be followed undoubtingly, +for if what he recommendeth is not done, the sage will curse thy son in +anger.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Saying this, Vyasa departed, and Maitreya made +his appearance. And the king with his son respectfully received that +way-worn chief of Munis, with offerings of the Arghya and other rites. +And king Dhritarashtra, the son of Amvika, in words of respect thus +addressed the sage, 'O holy one, hath journey from the _Kuru-jangala_ +been a pleasant one? Are those heroes, the five Pandavas living happily? +Do those bulls of the Kuru race intend to stay out their time? Will the +brotherly affection of the Kauravas ever be impaired?' + +"Maitreya said, 'Setting out on a pilgrimage to the different shrines, I +arrived at _Kuru-jangala_, and there I unexpectedly saw Yudhishthira the +just in the woods of Kamyaka. And, O exalted one, many Munis had come +there to behold the high-souled Yudhishthira, dwelling in an ascetic +asylum, clad in deer-skin and wearing matted locks. It was there, O king +of kings, that I heard of the grave error committed by thy sons and the +calamity and terrible danger arisen from dice that had overtaken them. +Therefore, it is that I have come to thee, for the good of the Kauravas, +since, O exalted one, my affection is great for thee and I am delighted +with thee! O king, it is not fit that thy sons should on any account +quarrel with one another, thyself and Bhishma living. Thou art, O king, +the stake at which bulls are tied (in treading corn), and thou art +competent to punish and reward! Why dost thou overlook then this great +evil that is about to overtake all? And, O descendant of the Kurus, for +those wrongs that have been perpetrated in thy court, which are even +like the acts of wretched outcasts, thou art not well-thought amongst +the ascetics!'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Then turning to the wrathful prince Duryodhana, +the illustrious Rishi Maitreya addressed him in these soft words, 'O +mighty-armed Duryodhana, O best of all eloquent men, O illustrious one, +give heed unto the words I utter for thy good! O king, seek not to +quarrel with the Pandavas! And, O bull among men, compass thou thy own +good as also of the Pandavas, of the Kurus and of the world! All those +tigers among men are heroes of high prowess in war, gifted with the +strength of ten thousand elephants, with bodies hard as the thunderbolt, +holding fast by their promises, and proud of their manliness! They have +slain the enemies of the celestials--those Rakshasas capable of assuming +any form at will, such as were headed by Hidimva and Kirmira! When those +high-souled ones went from hence that Rakshasa of fierce soul obstructed +their nocturnal path even like an immoveable hill. And even as a tiger +slayeth a little deer, Bhima, that foremost of all endued with strength, +and ever delighted in fight, slew that monster. Consider also, O king, +how while out on his campaign of conquest, Bhima slew in battle that +mighty warrior, Jarasandha, possessing the strength of ten thousand +elephants. Related to Vasudeva and having the sons of king Drupada as +their brothers-in-law, who that is subject to decrepitude and death +would undertake to cope with them in battle? O bull of the Bharata race, +let there be peace between thee and Pandavas! Follow thou my counsels +and surrender not thyself to anger!' + +"O king, thus admonished by Maitreya, Duryodhana began to slap his thigh +resembling the trunk of the elephant, and smilingly began to scratch the +ground with his foot. And the wicked wretch spake not a word, but hung +down his head. And, O monarch, beholding Duryodhana thus offer him a +slight by scratching the earth silently, Maitreya became angry. And, as +if commissioned by fate, Maitreya, the best of Munis, overwhelmed by +wrath, set his mind upon cursing Duryodhana! And then, with eyes red in +anger, Maitreya, touching water, cursed the evil-minded son of +Dhritarashtra, saying, 'Since, slighting me thou declinest to act +according to my words, thou shalt speedily reap the fruit of this thy +insolence! In the great war which shall spring out of the wrongs +perpetrated by thee, the mighty Bhima shall smash that thigh of thine +with a stroke of his mace!' + +"When the Muni had spoken so, king Dhritarashtra began to pacify the +sage, in order that what he had said might not happen. But Maitreya +said, 'O king, if thy son concludeth peace with the Pandavas, this curse +of mine, O child, will not take effect, otherwise it must be as I have +said!'" + +Vaisampayana said, "Desirous of ascertaining the might of Bhima, that +foremost of kings, the father of Duryodhana, then asked Maitreya, +saying, 'How was Kirmira slain by Bhima?' + +"Maitreya said, 'I shall not speak again unto thee, O king, for my words +are not regarded by thy son. After I have gone away, Vidura will relate +everything unto thee!' And saying this, Maitreya went away to the place +whence he had come. And Duryodhana also went out perturbed at the +tidings of Kirmira's death (at the hand of Bhima)." + + +SECTION XI + +(Kirmirabadha Parva) + +"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Kshatta, I am desirous to hear of the +destruction of Kirmira! Do thou tell me how the encounter took place +between the Rakshasa and Bhimasena!' + +"Vidura said, 'Listen to the story of that feat of Bhimasena of +superhuman achievements! I have often heard of it in course of my +conversation with the Pandavas (while I was with them). O foremost of +kings, defeated at dice the Pandavas departed from hence and travelling +for three days and nights they at length reached those woods that go by +the name of Kamyaka. O king, just after the dreadful hour of midnight +when all nature is asleep, when man-eating Rakshasas of terrible deeds +begin to wander, the ascetics and the cowherds and other rangers of the +forest used to shun the woods of Kamyaka and fly to a distance from fear +of cannibals. And, O Bharata, as the Pandavas were at this hour entering +those woods a fearful Rakshasa of flaming eyes appeared before them with +a lighted brand, obstructing their path. And with outstretched arms and +terrible face, he stood obstructing the way on which those perpetuators +of the Kuru race were proceeding. With eight teeth standing out, with +eyes of coppery hue, and with the hair of his head blazing and standing +erect, the fiend looked like a mass of clouds reflecting the rays of the +sun or mingled with lightning flashes and graced with flocks of cranes +underneath on their wings. And uttering frightful yells and roaring like +a mass of clouds charged with rain, the fiend began to spread the +illusion proper to his species. Hearing that terrible roar, birds along +with other creatures that live on land or in water, began to drop down +in all directions, uttering cries of fear. And in consequence of the +deer and the leopards and the buffaloes and the bears flying about in +all directions, it seemed as if the forest itself was in motion. And +swayed by the wind raised by the sighs of the Rakshasa, creepers growing +at a great distance seemed to embrace the trees with their arms of +coppery leaves. And at that moment, a violent wind began to blow, and +the sky became darkened with the dust that covered it. And as grief is +the greatest enemy of the object of the five senses, even so appeared +before the Pandavas that unknown foe of theirs. And beholding the +Pandavas from a distance clad in black deer-skins, the Rakshasa +obstructed their passage through the forest even like the _Mainaka_ +mountain. And at the sight of him never seen before the lotus-eyed +Krishna, agitated with fear, closed her eyes. And she whose braids had +been dishevelled by the hand of Dussasana, stationed in the midst of the +five Pandavas, looked like a stream chafing amid five hills. And seeing +her overwhelmed with fear the five Pandavas supported her as the five +senses influenced by desire adhere to the pleasures relating to their +objects. And Dhaumya of great (ascetic) energy, in the presence of the +sons of Pandu, destroyed the fearful illusion that had been spread by +the Rakshasa, by applying various _mantras_, calculated to destroy the +Rakshasa. And beholding his illusion dispelled, the mighty Rakshasa of +crooked ways, capable of assuming any form at will, expanded his eyes in +wrath and seemed like death himself. Then king Yudhishthira, endued with +great wisdom, addressed him saying, 'Who art thou, and whose (son)? Tell +us what we should do for thee.' The Rakshasa thus addressed, answered +Yudhishthira the just, saying, 'I am the brother of Vaka, the celebrated +Kirmira. I live at ease in these deserted woods of Kamyaka, daily +procuring my food by vanquishing men in fight. Who are ye that have come +near me in the shape of my food? Defeating ye all in fight, I will eat +ye with pleasure.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "O Bharata, hearing these words of the wretch, +Yudhishthira announced his own name and lineage, saying, 'I am king +Yudhishthira the just, the son of Pandu, of whom thou mayst have heard. +Deprived of my kingdom, I have with my brothers Bhimasena and Arjuna and +the others, in course of my wanderings, come into this terrible forest +which is thy dominion, desirous of passing my period of exile here!' + +"Vidura continued, 'Kirmira said unto Yudhishthira, "By good luck it is +that fate hath accomplished today my long-accomplished desire! With +weapons upraised have I been continually ranging the entire earth with +the object of slaying Bhima. But Bhima I had found not. By good luck it +is that slayer of my brother, whom I had been seeking so long, hath come +before me! It was he who in the disguise of a Brahmana slew my dear +brother Vaka in the _Vetrakiya_ forest by virtue of his science. He hath +truly no strength of arms! It is also this one of wicked soul who +formerly slew my dear friend Hidimva, living in this forest and ravished +his sister! And that fool hath now come into this deep forest of mine, +when the night is half spent, even at the time when we wander about! +Today I will wreak my long-cherished vengeance upon him, and I will +today gratify (the manes of) Vaka with his blood in plenty! By slaying +this enemy of the Rakshasas, I shall today be freed from the debt I owe +to my friend and my brother, and thereby attain supreme happiness! If +Bhimasena was let free formerly by Vaka, today, I will devour him in thy +sight, O Yudhishthira! And even as Agastya ate up and digested the +mighty Asura (Vatapi) I will eat up and digest this Bhima!"' + +"Vidura continued, 'Thus addressed by the Rakshasa, the virtuous +Yudhishthira, steadfast in his pledges, said, "It can never be so,"--and +in anger rebuked the Rakshasa. The mighty-armed Bhima then tore up in +haste a tree of the length of ten _Vyasas_ and stripped it of its +leaves. And in the space of a moment the ever-victorious Arjuna stringed +his bow _Gandiva_ possessing the force of the thunderbolt. And, O +Bharata, making Jishnu desist, Bhima approached that Rakshasa still +roaring like the clouds and said unto him, "_Stay! Stay!_" And thus +addressing the cannibal, and tightening the cloth around his waist, and +rubbing his palms, and biting his nether lip with his teeth, and armed +with the tree, the powerful Bhima rushed towards the foe. And like unto +Maghavat hurling his thunderbolt, Bhima made that tree, resembling the +mace of Yama himself descend with force on the head of the cannibal. The +Rakshasa, however, was seen to remain unmoved at that blow, and wavered +not in the conflict. On the other hand, he hurled his lighted brand, +flaming like lightning, at Bhima. But that foremost of warriors turned +it off with his left foot in such a way that it went back towards the +Rakshasa. Then the fierce Kirmira on his part, all on a sudden uprooting +a tree darted to the encounter like unto the mace-bearing Yama himself. +And that fight, so destructive of the trees, looked like the encounter +in days of yore between the brothers Vali and Sugriva for the possession +of the same woman. And the trees struck at the heads of the combatants, +were broken into splinters, like lotus-stalks thrown on the temples of +infuriate elephants. And in that great forest, innumerable trees, +crushed like unto reeds, lay scattered as rags. That encounter with +trees between that foremost of Rakshasas and that best of men, O thou +bull of the Bharata race, lasted but for a moment. Then taking up a +crag, the angry Rakshasa hurled it at Bhima standing before him, but the +latter wavered not. Then like unto Rahu going to devour the sun +dispersing his rays with extended arms, the Rakshasa with out-stretched +arms darted towards Bhima, who had remained firm under the blow +inflicted with the crag. And tugging at and grappling with each other in +diverse ways they appeared like two infuriate bulls struggling with each +other. Or like unto two mighty tigers armed with teeth and claws, the +encounter between them waxed fierce and hard. And remembering their +(late) disgrace at the hands of Duryodhana, and proud of the strength of +his arms, and conscious also of Krishna looking at him, Vrikodara began +to swell in vigour. And fired with anger, Bhima seized the Rakshasa with +his arms, as one elephant in rut seizeth another. And the powerful +Rakshasa also in his turn seized his adversary, but Bhimasena that +foremost of all men endued with strength, threw the cannibal down with +violence. The sounds that in consequence of those mighty combatants +pressing each other's hands, were frightful and resembled the sounds of +splintering bamboos. And hurling the Rakshasa down, seized him by the +waist, and began to whirl him about, even as fierce hurricane shaketh a +tree. And thus seized by the mighty Bhima, the fatigued Rakshasa, became +faint, and trembling all over, he still pressed the (Pandava) with all +his strength. And finding him fatigued, Vrikodara, twined his own arms +round the foe, even as one bindeth a beast with cord. And the monster +thereupon began to roar frightfully, as a trumpet out of order. And the +mighty Vrikodara for a long while whirled the Rakshasa till the latter +appeared to be insensible, and began to move convulsively. And finding +the Rakshasa exhausted, the son of Pandu without loss of time took him +up in his arms, and slew him like a beast. And placing his knee on the +waist of that wretch of Rakshasa, _Vrikodara_ began to press the neck of +the foe with his hands. Then Bhima, dragging along the earth the bruised +body of the Rakshasa with the eye-lids about to close, said, "O sinful +wretch, thou wilt no more have to wipe away the tears of Hidimva or +Vaka, for thou too art about to go to the mansions of Yama!" And saying +this, that foremost of men, his heart filled with wrath, beholding the +Rakshasa destitute of clothing and ornaments, and insensible, and +undergoing convulsions, left him dead. And after that Rakshasa of hue +like the clouds had been slain, the son of that best of kings (Pandu) +praised Bhima for his many qualities, and placing Krishna in their +front, set out for the Dwaita woods.' + +"Vidura said, 'It was thus, O lord of men, that Kirmira was slain in +combat by Bhima, in obedience, O Kaurava, to the commands of +Yudhishthira the just! And having rid the forest of its pest, the +victorious Yudhishthira the just, began to live in that dwelling of +theirs, with Draupadi. And those bulls of the Bharata race comforting +Draupadi began to cheerfully extol Bhima with glad hearts. And after the +Rakshasa had been slain, borne down by the might of Bhima's arms, those +heroes entered into the peaceful forest freed from its annoyance. +Passing through the great forest I saw lying the body of the wicked and +fearless Rakshasa slain by Bhima's might. And, O Bharata, there I heard +of this achievement of Bhima from those Brahmanas who have assembled +round the Pandavas.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing the account of the slaughter in combat +of Kirmira, that foremost of Rakshasas, the king sighed in sorrow and +became absorbed in thought." + + +SECTION XII + +(Arjunabhigamana Parva) + +Vaisampayana said, "Hearing that the Pandavas had been banished, the +Bhojas, the Vrishnis, and the Andhakas went to those heroes residing in +affliction in the great forest. And the consanguinous relatives of +Panchala, and Dhrishtaketu the king of Chedi, and those celebrated and +powerful brothers the Kaikeyas, their hearts fired with wrath, went to +the forest to see the sons of Pritha. And reproaching the sons of +Dhritarashtra, they said, 'What should we do?' And those bulls of the +Kshatriya race, with Vasudeva at their head, sat themselves down round +Yudhishthira the just. And respectfully saluting that foremost of the +Kurus, Kesava mournfully said, 'The earth shall drink the blood of +Duryodhana and Karna, of Dussasana and the wicked Sakuni! Slaying these +in battle and defeating their followers along with their royal allies, +will we all install Yudhishthira the just on the throne! The wicked +deserve to be slain! Verily, this is eternal morality.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "And when on account of the wrongs of Pritha's +sons, Janardana had thus got into a passion, and seemed bent upon +consuming all created things, Arjuna exerted himself to pacify him. And +beholding Kesava angry, Phalguna began to recite the feats achieved in +his former lives by that soul of all things, himself immeasurable, the +eternal one, of infinite energy, the lord of _Prajapati_ himself, the +supreme ruler of the worlds, Vishnu of profound wisdom!' + +"Arjuna said, 'In days of old, thou, O Krishna, hadst wandered on the +Gandhamadana mountains for ten thousand years as a _Muni_ having his +home where evening fell! Living upon water alone, thou hadst, in days of +old, O Krishna, also dwelt for full eleven thousand years by the lake of +Pushkara! And, O slayer of Madhu, with arms upraised and standing on one +leg, thou hadst passed a hundred years on the high hills of Vadari,[16] +living all the while upon air! And leaving aside thy upper garment, with +body emaciated and looking like a bundle of veins, thou hadst lived on +the banks of the Saraswati, employed in thy sacrifice extending for +twelve years! And, O Krishna of mighty energy, in observance of thy vow +thou hadst stood on one leg for the length of a thousand years of the +celestials, on the plains of _Prabhasa_ which it behoveth the virtuous +to visit! Vyasa hath told me that thou art the cause of the creation and +its course! And, O Kesava, the lord of _Kshetra_,[17] thou art the mover +of all minds, and the beginning and end of all things! All asceticism +resteth in thee, and thou too art the embodiment of all sacrifices, and +the eternal one! Slaying the Asura Naraka, offspring of the Earth-first +begotten, thou hadst obtained his ear-rings, and performed, O Krishna, +the first horse-sacrifice (offering up that Asura as the sacrificial +horse)! And, O bull of all the worlds, having performed that feat, thou +hast become victorious over all! Thou hadst slain all the _Daityas_ and +_Danavas_ mustered in battle, and giving the lord of _Sachi_ (Indra) the +sovereignty of the universe, thou hast, O Kesava of mighty arms, taken +thy birth among men! O slayer of all foes, having floated on the +primordial waters, thou subsequently becamest _Hari_,[18] and _Brahma_ +and _Surya_ and _Dharma_, and _Dhatri_ and _Yama_ and _Anala_ and +_Vasu_, and _Vaisravana_, and _Rudra_, and _Kala_ and the firmament, the +earth, and the ten directions! Thyself increate, thou art the lord of +the mobile and the immobile universe, the Creator of all, O thou +foremost of all existences! And, O slayer of Madhu, O thou of abundant +energy, in the forest of Chitraratha thou didst, O Krishna, gratify with +thy sacrifice the chief of all the gods, the highest of the high! O +Janardana, at each sacrifice thou didst offer, according to shares, gold +by hundreds and thousands. And, O son of the Yadava race, becoming the +son of Aditi, O exalted one of the supreme attributes, thou hast been +known as the younger brother of Indra! And, O thou chastiser of foes, +even while a child thou didst, O Krishna, in consequence of thy energy, +fill by three steps only the heaven, the firmament, and the earth! And, +O thou soul of all covering the heaven and the firmament (while thou +wert thus transformed), thou didst dwell in the body of the sun and +afflict him with thy own splendour! And, O exalted one, in thy +incarnations on those thousand occasions, thou hadst slain, O Krishna, +sinful Asuras by hundreds! By destroying the _Mauravas_ and the +_Pashas_, and slaying Nisunda and Naraka, thou hast again rendered safe +the road to Pragjyotisha! Thou hast slain Ahvriti at Jaruthi, and Kratha +and Sisupala with his adherents, and Jarasandha and Saivya and +Satadhanwan! And on thy car roaring like unto clouds and effulgent like +the sun, thou didst obtain for thy queen the daughter of Bhoja, +defeating Rukmi in battle! Thou didst in fury slay Indradyumna and the +_Yavana_ called Kaseruman! And slaying Salwa the lord of Saubha, thou +didst destroy that city of Saubha itself! These have all been slain in +battle; listen to me as I speak of others (also slain by thee)! At +Iravati thou hast slain king Bhoja equal unto Karttavirya in battle, and +both Gopati and Talaketu also have been slain by thee! And, O Janardana, +thou hast also appropriated unto thyself the sacred city of Dwarka, +abounding in wealth and agreeable unto the _Rishi_ themselves, and thou +wilt submerge it at the end within the ocean! O slayer of Madhu, how can +crookedness be in thee, devoid as thou art, O thou of the Dasarha race, +of anger and envy and untruth and cruelty? O thou who knowest no +deterioration, all the _Rishis_, coming unto thee seated in thy glory on +the sacrificial ground, seek protection of thee! And, O slayer of Madhu, +thou stayest at the end of the _Yuga_, contracting all things and +withdrawing this universe into thy own self, thou repressor of all foes! +O thou of the Vrishni race, at the beginning of the Yuga, there sprang +from thy lotus-like navel, Brahma himself, and lord of all mobile and +immobile things, and whose is this entire universe! When the dreadful +Danavas Madhu and Kaitava were bent on slaying Brahma, beholding their +impious endeavour thou wert angry, and from thy forehead, O Hari, sprang +Sambhu, the holder of the trident. Thus these two foremost of the +deities have sprung from thy body in order to do thy work! Even Narada +it was who hath told me this! O Narayana, thou didst, in the forest of +Chaitraratha, celebrate with plentiful gifts a grand sacrifice +consisting of a multitude of rites! O God, O thou of eyes like lotus +leaves, the deeds thou hast performed while still a boy, having recourse +to thy might and aided by Baladeva, have never been done by others, nor +are they capable of being achieved by others in the future! Thou didst +even dwell in Kailasa, accompanied by Brahmanas!'" + + [16] Also called _Vadarika_, a hermitage on the Himalaya near + the sources of the Ganges. + + [17] Nilakantha explains _kshetra_ as including _Mahabhuta_, + consciousness, intellect, the unmanifest (primordial elements), + the ten senses, the five objects of the senses, viz., earth, + water, &c., desire, aversion, pleasure, pain, the combinations + of elements, and _chaitanya_. + + [18] _Hari_ here means the developed seed that is to expand into + the vast whole of the universe. + +Vaisampayana continued, "Having addressed Krishna thus, the illustrious +Pandava, who was the soul of Krishna, became dumb, when Janardana (in +reply addressed that son of Pritha) saying, 'Thou art mine and I am +thine, while all that is mine is thine also! He that hateth thee hateth +me as well, and he that followeth thee followeth me! O thou +irrepressible one, thou art _Nara_ and I am _Narayana_ or Hari! We are +the _Rishis_ Nara and Narayana born in the world of men for a special +purpose. O Partha, thou art from me and I am from thee! O bull of the +Bharata race, no one can understand the difference that is between us!'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "When the illustrious Kesava had said so in the +midst of that assembly of brave kings, all excited with anger, Panchali +surrounded by Dhrishtadyumna and her other heroic brothers, approached +him of eyes like lotus leaves seated with his cousins, and, desirous of +protection, addressed in angry accents that refuge of all, saying, +'Asita and Devala have said that in the matter of the creation of all +things, thou hast been indicated (by the sages) as the only _Prajapati_ +and the Creator of all the worlds! And, O irrepressible one, Jamadagnya +sayeth that thou art _Vishnu_, and, O slayer of Madhu, that thou art +(embodiment of) _Sacrifice, Sacrificer_ and he for whom the sacrifice is +performed! And, O best of male beings, the _Rishis_ indicate thee as +Forgiveness and Truth! Kasyapa hath said that thou art Sacrifice sprung +from Truth! O exalted one, Narada calleth thee the god of the Sadhyas, +and of the Sivas, as alone the Creator and the Lord of all things. And, +O tiger among men, thou repeatedly sportest with the gods including +Brahma and Sankara and Sakra even as children sporting with their toys! +And, O exalted one, the firmament is covered by thy head, and the earth +by thy feet; these worlds are as thy womb and thou art the Eternal one! +With _Rishis_ sanctified by Vedic lore and asceticism, and whose souls +have been purified by penance, and who are contented with soul-vision, +thou art the best of all objects! And, O chief of all male beings, thou +art the refuge of all royal sages devoted to virtuous acts, never +turning their backs on the field of the battle, and possessed of every +accomplishment! Thou art the Lord of all, thou art Omnipresent, thou art +the Soul of all things, and thou art the active power pervading +everything! The rulers of the several worlds, those worlds themselves, +the stellar conjunctions, the ten points of the horizon, the firmament, +the moon, and the sun, are all established in thee! And, O mighty-armed +one, the morality of (earthly) creatures, the immortality of the +universe, are established in thee! Thou art the Supreme lord of all +creatures, celestial or human! Therefore it is, O slayer of Madhu, that +impelled by the affection thou bearest me that I will relate to thee my +griefs! O Krishna, how could one like me, the wife of Pritha's sons, the +sister of Dhrishtadyumna, and the friend of thee, be dragged to the +assembly! Alas, during my season, stained with blood, with but a single +cloth on, trembling all over, and weeping, I was dragged to the court of +the Kurus! Beholding me, stained with blood in the presence of those +kings in the assembly, the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra laughed at me! O +slayer of Madhu, while the sons of Pandu and the Panchalas and the +Vrishnis lived, they dared express the desire of using me as their +slave! O Krishna, I am according to the ordinance, the daughter in-law +of both Dhritarashtra and Bhishma! Yet, O slayer of Madhu, they wished +to make of me a slave by force! I blame the Pandavas who are mighty and +foremost in battle, for they saw (without stirring) their own wedded +wife known over all the world, treated with such cruelty! Oh, fie on the +might of Bhimasena, fie on the _Gandiva_ of Arjuna, for they, O +Janardana, both suffered me to be thus disgraced by little men! This +eternal course of morality is ever followed by the virtuous--_viz_, that +the husband, however weak, protecteth his wedded wife! By protecting the +wife one protecteth his offspring and by protecting the offspring one +protecteth his own self! One's own self is begotten on one's wife, and +therefore it is that the wife is called _Jaya_. A wife also should +protect her lord, remembering that he is to take his birth in her womb! +The Pandavas never forsake the person that soliciteth their protection, +and yet they abandoned me who solicited it! By my five husbands five +sons of exceeding energy have been born of me: Prativindhya by +Yudhishthira, Sutasoma by Vrikodara, Srutakirti by Arjuna, Satanika by +Nakula and Srutakarman by the youngest, all of them of energy that +cannot be baffled. For their sake, O Janardana, it was necessary to +protect me! Even as (thy son) Pradyumna, they are, O Krishna, mighty +warriors all! They are foremost of bowmen, and invincible in battle by +any foe! Why do they bear the wrongs inflicted (on me) by the sons of +Dhritarashtra of such contemptible strength? Deprived of their kingdom +by deception, the Pandavas were made bondsmen and I myself was dragged +to the assembly while in my season, and having only a single cloth on! +Fie on that _Gandiva_ which none else can string save Arjuna and Bhima +and thyself, O slayer of Madhu! Fie on the strength of Bhima, and fie on +the prowess of Arjuna, since, O Krishna, Duryodhana (after what he had +done) hath drawn breath even for a moment! He it is, O slayer of Madhu, +who formerly drove the guileless Pandavas with their mother from the +kingdom, while they were children still engaged in study and the +observance of their vows. It is that sinful wretch, who, horrible to +relate, mixed in Bhima's food fresh and virulent poison in full dose. +But, O Janardana, Bhima digested that poison with the food, without +sustaining any injury, for, O best of men and mighty-armed one, Bhima's +days had not been ended! O Krishna, it is Duryodhana who at the house +standing by the banyan called _Pramana_ bound Bhima sleeping +unsuspectingly, and casting him into the Ganges returned to the city. +But the powerful Bhimasena the son of Kunti, possessed of mighty arms, +on waking from sleep, tore his bonds and rose from the water. It is +Duryodhana, who caused venomous black cobras to bite all over the body +of Bhimasena, but that slayer of foes died not. Awaking, the son of +Kunti smashed all the serpents and with his left hand killed (the agent, +_viz_.) the favourite charioteer of Duryodhana. Again, while the +children were asleep at Varanavata with their mother, it is he who set +fire to the house intending to burn them to death. Who is there capable +of doing such an act? It was then that the illustrious Kunti, overtaken +by this calamity, and surrounded by the flames, began to cry out in +terror, speaking to the children, "Alas, I am undone! How shall we +escape from this fire today! Alas, I shall meet with destruction with my +little children!" Then Bhima, possessed of mighty arms, and prowess like +unto the force of the wind, comforted his illustrious mother as also his +brothers, saying, "Like that king of birds, Garuda, the son of Vinata, I +will spring up into the air. We have no fear from this fire." And then +taking his mother on his left flank, and the king in his right, and the +twins on each shoulder, and Vibhatsu on his back, the mighty Vrikodara, +thus taking all of them, at one leap cleared the fire and delivered his +mother and brother from the conflagration. Setting out that night with +their renowned mother, they came near the forest of Hidimva. And while +fatigued and distressed, they were sleeping fast with her, a Rakshasa +woman called Hidimva approached them. Beholding the Pandavas with their +mother asleep on the ground, influenced by desire she sought to have +Bhimasena for her lord. The weak one then took up Bhima's feet on her +lap to press them with her soft hands. The mighty Bhima of immeasurable +energy, of prowess that could not be baffled, then woke from sleep, and +asked her, saying, "O thou of faultless features, what dost thou wish +here?" Thus asked by him, the Rakshasa lady of faultless features, +capable, besides, of assuming any form at will, replied unto the +high-souled Bhima, saying, "Do ye speedily fly from this place! My +brother gifted with strength will come to slay ye! Therefore speed and +tarry not!" But Bhima haughtily said, "I do not fear him! If he cometh +here, I will slay him!" Hearing their converse, that vilest of cannibals +came to the spot. Of frightful form and dreadful to behold, uttering +loud cries as he came, the Rakshasa said, "O Hidimva, with whom dost +thou converse? Bring him unto me, I will eat him up. It behoveth thee to +tarry not." But moved by compassion, the Rakshasa lady of faultless +features and pure heart said nothing out of pity. Then the man-eating +monster, uttering dreadful cries, rushed at Bhima with great force. And +approaching him furiously, the mighty cannibal, possessed with rage, +caught hold of Bhima's hand with his own and clenching fast his other +hand and making it hard as the thunder-bolt of Indra, suddenly struck +Bhima a blow that descended with the force of lightning. His hand having +been seized by the Rakshasa, Vrikodara, without being able to brook it, +flew into a rage. Then a dreadful combat took place between Bhimasena +and Hidimva, both skilled in all weapons and which was like unto the +encounter of Vasava with Vritra. And, O sinless one, after sporting with +the Rakshasa for a long while the powerful Bhima of mighty energy slew +the cannibal when the latter had become weak with exertion. Then having +slain Hidimva, and taking (his sister) Hidimva at their head, of whom +was (subsequently) born Ghatotkacha, Bhima and his brothers went away. +Then all those repressers of their foes, accompanied by their mother and +surrounded by many Brahmanas proceeded towards Ekachakra. In the matter +of this their journey, Vyasa ever engaged in their welfare had become +their counsellor. Then arriving at Ekachakra, the Pandavas of rigid vows +there also slew a mighty cannibal, Vaka by name, terrible as Hidimva +himself. And having slain that fierce cannibal, Bhima that foremost of +smiters, went with all his brothers to the capital of Drupada. And, O +Krishna, as thou hadst acquired Rukmim, the daughter of Bhishmaka, even +so Savyasachin, while residing there, obtained me! O slayer of Madhu, +Arjuna won me in the _Swayamvara_, having performed a feat difficult of +achievement by others and having fought also with the assembled kings! + +"'Thus, O Krishna, afflicted with numerous griefs, and in great +distress, am I living, with Dhaumya at our head, but deprived of the +company of the adorable Kunti! Why do these that are gifted with +strength and possessed of the prowess of the lion, sit indifferently, +beholding me thus afflicted by enemies so despicable? Suffering such +wrongs at the hands of wicked and evil-doing foes of small strength, am +I to burn in grief so long? Born I was in a great race, coming into the +world in an extraordinary way! I am also the beloved wife of the +Pandavas, and the daughter-in-law of the illustrious Pandu! The foremost +of women and devoted to my husbands, even I, O Krishna, was seized by +hair, O slayer of Madhu, in the sight of the Pandavas, each of whom is +like an Indra himself!' + +"Saying this the mild-speeched Krishna hid her face with her soft hands +like the buds of lotus, and began to weep. And the tears of Panchali +begot of grief washed her deep, plump and graceful breasts crowned with +auspicious marks. And wiping her eyes and sighing frequently she said +these words angrily and in a choked voice, 'Husbands, or sons, or +friends, or brothers, or father, have I none! Nor have I thee, O thou +slayer of Madhu, for ye all, beholding me treated so cruelly by inferior +foes, sit still unmoved! My grief at Karna's ridicule is incapable of +being assuaged! On these grounds I deserve to be ever protected by thee, +O Kesava, _viz_., our relationship, thy respect (for me), our +friendship, and thy lordship (over me).'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "In that assembly of heroes Vasudeva then spake +unto the weeping Draupadi as follows, 'O fair lady, the wives of those +with whom thou art angry, shall weep even like thee, beholding their +husbands dead on the ground, weltering in blood and their bodies covered +with the arrows of Vivatsu! Weep not, lady, for I will exert to the +utmost of my powers for the sons of Pandu! I promise thou shalt (once +more) be the queen of kings! The heavens might fall, or the Himavat +might split, the earth might be rent, or the waters of the ocean might +dry up, but my words shall never be futile!' Hearing those words of +Achyuta in reply, Draupadi looked obliquely at her third husband +(Arjuna). And, O mighty king, Arjuna said unto Draupadi, 'O thou of +beautiful coppery eyes, grieve not! O illustrious one, it shall be even +as the slayer of Madhu hath said! It can never be otherwise, O beautiful +one!' + +"Dhrishtadyumna said, 'I will slay Drona, Sikhandin will slay the +grandfather. And Bhimasena will slay Duryodhana, and Dhananjaya will +slay Karna. And, O sister, assisted by Rama and Krishna, we are +invincible in battle by even the slayer himself of Vritra--what are the +sons of Dhritarashtra?'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "After these words had been spoken, all the +heroes there turned their faces towards Vasudeva, who then in their +midst began to speak as follows." + + +SECTION XIII + +"Vasudeva said, 'O lord of earth, if I had been present at Dwaraka, +then, O king, this evil would not have befallen thee! And, O +irrepressible one, coming unto the gambling-match, even if uninvited by +the son of Amvika (Dhritarashtra), or Duryodhana, or by the other +Kauravas, I would have prevented the game from taking place, by showing +its many evils, summoning to my aid Bhishma and Drona and Kripa, and +Vahlika! O exalted one, for thy sake I would have told the son of +Vichitravirya--_O foremost of monarchs, let thy sons have nothing to do +with dice!_--I would have shown the many evils (of dice) through which +thou hast fallen into such distress and the son of Virasena was formerly +deprived of his kingdom! O king, unthought-of evils, befall a man from +dice! I would have described how a man once engaged in the game +continueth to play (from desire of victory). Women, dice, hunting and +drinking to which people become addicted in consequence of temptation, +have been regarded as the four evils that deprive a man of prosperity. +And those versed in the _Sastras_ are of opinion that evils attend upon +all these. They also that are addicted to dice know all its evils. O +thou of mighty arms, appearing before the son of Amvika, I would have +pointed out that through dice men in a day lose their possessions, and +fall into distress, and are deprived of their untasted wealth, and +exchange harsh words! O perpetuator of the Kuru race, I would have +pointed out these and other attendant evils! If he had accepted my words +thus addressed, the welfare of the Kurus as also virtue itself would +both have been secured! And, O foremost of kings, if he had rejected my +gentle counsels offered as medicine, then, O best of the Bharata race, I +would have compelled him by force! And, if those who wait at his court, +professing to be his friends but in reality his foes, had supported him, +then I would have slain them all, along with those gamblers, there +present! O Kauravya, it is owing to my absence from the _Anartta_ +country at that time that thou hast fallen into such distress begot of +dice! O thou best of Kurus, O son of Pandu, on arriving at Dwarka I +learnt from Yuyudhana all about thy calamity! And, O foremost of kings, +directly I heard it with a heart sore agitated by grief, have I speedily +come here wishing to see thee, O king! Alas! O bull of the Bharata race, +ye have all fallen into dire distress! I see thee with thy brothers +plunged in misfortune!'" + + +SECTION XIV + +"Yudhishthira said, 'O Krishna, why wert thou absent (from the Anartta +country)? And, O descendant of the Vrishni race, while thou wert away, +where didst thou dwell? And what didst thou do while out of thy +kingdom?' + +"Krishna said, 'O bull of the Bharata race, I had gone for the purpose +of destroying the (ranging) city Salwa. And, O foremost of the +Kauravas, listen to the reasons I had for so doing! The heroic son of +Damaghosha, the well-known king Sisupala of mighty arms and great +energy, was slain by me, O best of Bharatas, at thy _Rajasuya_ +sacrifice, because that wicked one could not from anger bear to see the +first worship offered to me! Hearing that he had been slain, Salwa, +burning with fierce anger, came to Dwaraka, while, O Bharata, it was +empty, myself being away, residing with you here. And having arrived +there on a car made of precious metals and hence called the _Souva_, he +had an encounter with the youthful princes of the Vrishni race--those +bulls of that line--and fought with them mercilessly. And slaughtering +many youthful Vrishnis of heroic valour, the wicked one devastated all +the gardens of the city. And, O thou of mighty arms, he said, "Where is +that wretch of the Vrishni race, Vasudeva, the evil-souled son of +Vasudeva? I will humble in battle the pride of that person so eager for +fight! Tell me truly, _O Anarttas_! I will go there where he is. And +after killing that slayer of Kansa and Kesi, will I return! By my weapon +I swear that I will not return without slaying him!" And exclaiming +repeatedly--_Where is he? Where is he?_ the lord of Saubha rusheth to +this place and that, desirous of encountering me in battle. And Salwa +also said, "Impelled by wrath for the destruction of Sisupala I shall +today send to the mansion of Yama that treacherous miscreant of mean +mind." And, O king, he further said, "That Janardana shall I slay, who, +wretch that he is, hath killed my brother who was but a boy of tender +years, and who was slain not on the field of battle, unprepared as he +was!" Having, O great king, wailed thus, and having, O son of the Kuru +race, abused me thus, he rose into the sky on his car of precious metals +capable of going anywhere at will! On returning (to my kingdom) I heard +what, O Kaurava, the evil-minded and wicked king of Maticka had said +regarding myself! And, O descendant of the Kuru race, I was agitated +with wrath, and, O king, having reflected upon everything, I set my +heart upon slaying him! And, learning, O Kauravya, of his oppression of +the _Anarttas_, of his abuse of myself, and of his excessive arrogance, +I resolved upon the destruction of that wretch! And, O lord of earth, I +accordingly set out (from my city), for slaying the (lord of) the +Saubha. And searching him here and there, I found him in an island in +the midst of the ocean! Then, O king, blowing my conch called the +_Panchajanya_ obtained from the sea, and challenging Salwa to combat, I +stood for the fight! At that instant, I had an encounter with numerous +Danavas, all of whom, however, I subdued and prostrated on the ground. O +mighty-armed one, it was owing to this affair that I could not then come +(unto thee)! As soon as I heard of the unfair game of dice at +Hastinapura, I have come here desirous of seeing ye who have been +plunged in distress.'" + + +SECTION XV + +"Yudhishthira said, 'O illustrious Vasudeva of mighty arms, tell thou in +detail of the death of the lord of Saubha. My curiosity hath not been +appeased by thy narration.' + +"Vasudeva said, 'O mighty-armed king, hearing that the son of +Srutaslavas (Sisupala) had been slain by me, Salwa, O best of the +Bharata race, came to the city of Dwaravati! And, O son of Pandu, the +wicked king, stationing his forces in array, besieged that city around +and above. And stationing himself in the upper regions, the king began +his fight with the city. And that encounter commenced with a thick +shower of weapons from all sides. And, O bull of the Bharata race, the +city at that time was well-fortified on all sides, according to the +science (of fortification), with pennons, and arches, and combatants, +and walls and turrets, and engines, and miners, and streets barricaded +with spiked wood-works and towers and edifices with gate-ways +well-filled with provisions, and engines for hurling burning brands and +fires, and vessels of deer-skins (for carrying water), and trumpets, +tabors, and drums, lances and forks, and _Sataghnis_, and plough-shares, +rockets, balls of stone and battle-axes and other weapons and shield +embossed with iron, and engines for hurling balls and bullets and hot +liquids! And the city was also well-defended by numerous cars, and, O +tiger among Kurus, by Gada and Shamva and Uddhava and others, and by +warriors of prowess tried in battle, all well-born and capable of +encountering any foe! And these all placing themselves on commanding +posts, aided by cavalry and standard-bearers, began to defend the town. +And Ugrasena and Uddhava and others, to prevent carelessness, proclaimed +throughout the city that nobody should drink. And all the Vrishnis and +the Andhakas, well-knowing that they would be slain by Salwa if they +behaved carelessly, remained sober and watchful. And the police soon +drove out of the city all mimes and dancers and singers of the Anartta +country. And all the bridges over rivers were destroyed, and boats +forbidden to ply, and the trenches (around the city) were spiked with +poles at the bottom. And the land around the city for full two miles was +rendered uneven, and holes and pits were dug thereon, and combustibles +were secreted below the surface. Our fort, O sinless one, is naturally +strong and always well-defended and filled with all kinds of weapons! +And in consequence of the preparations made, our city was more prepared +than ever to meet the foe. And, O chief of the Bharatas, in consequence +of all this, the city looked like that of Indra himself. And, O king, at +the time of Salwa's approach, nobody could either enter or leave the +town of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas without presenting the sign that +had been agreed upon. And all the streets of the town and the open +spaces were filled with numerous elephants and horses! And, O thou of +mighty arms, the combatants were all specially gratified with allowances +and wages, and rations, and weapons, and dresses! And amongst the +combatants there was none who was not paid in gold, and none who was not +paid at all, and none who was not somehow obliged, and none who was not +of tried valour! And, O thou of eyes like lotus-leaves, it was thus +Dwaraka, abounding in well-ordered arrangements, was defended by Ahuka +(Ugrasena)!'" + + +SECTION XVI + +"Vasudeva continued, 'O king of kings, Salwa, the lord of Saubha, came +towards our city with an immense force consisting of infantry, cavalry +and elephants! And the army headed by king Salwa, consisting of four +kinds of forces, occupied a level ground commanding a copious +water-supply. And forsaking cemeteries and temples dedicated to the +gods, and sacred trees, and grounds covered by ant-hills, that host +occupied every other place. And the roads (leading to the city) were +blocked up by the divisions of the army, and the secret entrances also +were all blocked up by the enemy's camp. And, O Kauravya, like unto the +lord of birds (Garuda), the ruler of Saubha rushed towards Dwaraka, +bringing with him, O bull among men, his host equipped with all kinds of +arms, skilled in all weapons, consisting of a dense display of cars and +elephants and cavalry abounding in banners, and well-paid and well-fed +foot-soldiers possessed of great strength and bearing every mark of +heroism and furnished with wonderful chariots and bows. And beholding +the army of Salwa, the youthful princes of the Vrishni race resolved to +encounter it sallying out of the city. And, O king, Charudeshna, Samva, +and the mighty warrior Pradyumna, O descendant of the Kuru race, sallied +out, ascending on their chariots, and clad in mail, and decked with +ornaments, with colours flying, resolved to encounter the mighty and +countless host of Salwa! And Samva taking up his bows eagerly attacked +on the field of battle Kshemavriddhi, the commander of Salwa's forces +and his chief counsellor also! And, O thou foremost of Bharatas, the son +of Jambavati then began to shower arrows in a continuous stream even as +Indra showereth down rain! And, O mighty king, then Kshemavriddhi, the +commander of Salwa's forces, bore that shower of arrows, immovable as +the Himavat! And, O foremost of kings, Kshemavriddhi on his part, +discharged at Samva a mightier volley of shafts, aided by his powers of +illusion! And dispersing by counter illusion that discharge inspired by +illusion, Samva showered on his (adversary's) car a thousand arrows! +Then pierced by the shafts of Samva and overwhelmed there with those of +Kshemavriddhi, the commander of the hostile host, left the field by the +help of his fleet steed! And when the wicked general of Salwa had left +the field, a mighty Daitya called Vegavat rushed at my son! And, O best +of monarchs, thus attacked, the heroic Samva, the perpetuator of the +Vrishni race, bore that onset of Vegavat, keeping his ground. And, O son +of Kunti, the heroic Samva, of prowess incapable of being baffled, +whirling a quickly-going mace, hurled it speedily at Vegavat! And, O +king, struck with that mace, Vegavat fell down on the ground, like a +weather-beaten and faded lord of the forest of decayed roots! And on +that heroic Asura of mighty energy, being slain with the mace, my son +entered within that mighty host and began to fight with all. And, O +great king, a well-known Danava named Vivindhya, a mighty warrior +wielding a large and powerful bow, encountered Charudeshna! And, O +monarch, the encounter between Charudeshna and Vivindhya was as fierce +as that in days of yore between Vritra and Vasava! And enraged with each +other the combatants pierced each other with their arrows, uttering loud +roars like unto two powerful lions! Then the son of Rukmini fixed on his +bow-string a mighty weapon possessing the splendour of fire or the sun, +and capable of destroying all foes, having first vivified it with +incantations! Then, O monarch, that mighty warrior my son, fired with +wrath, challenged Vivindhya and discharged the weapon at him. And the +Danava struck with that weapon, fell down on the ground a lifeless +corpse! And beholding Vivindhya slain, and the whole host waver, Salwa +advanced again on his beautiful car capable of going everywhere. And, O +king of mighty arms, beholding Salwa on that beautiful car of his, the +combatants of Dwaraka wavered with fear! But, O thou of the Kuru race, +Pradyumna sallied out, and, O great king, bidding the Anarttas be of good +cheer, said, "Waver ye not, and staying behold me fight! Even I shall, +by force, repel that car with Salwa on it! Ye Yadavas, this day, I +shall, with my weapons like unto serpents discharged from my bow with my +hand, destroy this host of the lord of Saubha! Be of good cheer, ye all! +Fear not! The lord of Saubha will be slain today! Attacked by me, the +wretch will meet with destruction together with his car!" O son of +Pandu, upon Pradyumna speaking thus with cheerful heart, the Yadava +host, O hero, remained on the field, and began to fight cheerfully!'" + + +SECTION XVII + +"Vasudeva continued, 'O bull of the Bharata race, having spoken thus +unto the Yadavas, the son of Rukmini (Pradyumna) ascended his golden +car. And the car he rode was drawn by excellent steeds in mail. And over +it stood a standard bearing the figure of a _Makara_ with gaping mouth +and fierce as Yama. And with his steeds, more flying than running on the +ground, he rushed against the foe. And the hero equipped with quiver and +sword, with fingers cased in leather, twanged his bow possessed of the +splendour of the lightning, with great strength, and transferring it +from hand to hand, as if in contempt of the enemy, spread confusion +among the Danavas and other warriors of the city of Saubha. And as hot +in contempt of the foe, and continuously slew the Danavas in battle, no +one could mark the slightest interval between his successive shafts. And +the colour of his face changed not, and his limbs trembled not. And +people only heard his loud leonine roars indicative of wonderful valour. +And the aquatic monster with mouth wide open, that devourer of all +fishes, placed on golden flag-staff of that best of cars, struck terror +into the hearts of Salwa's warriors. And, O king, Pradyumna, the mower +of foes rushed with speed against Salwa himself so desirous of an +encounter! And, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, braved by the heroic +Pradyumna in that mighty battle, the angry Salwa could ill bear the +challenge! And that conqueror of hostile cities, Salwa, maddened by +anger, descended from his beautiful car of unchecked speed, resolved to +encounter Pradyumna. And the people beheld the fight between Salwa and +the foremost of Vrishni heroes, which was even like unto the encounter +between Vasava with Vali. And, O hero, mounting on his beautiful car +decked with gold and furnished with flags and flag-staffs and quivers, +the illustrious and mighty Salwa began to discharge his arrows at +Pradyumna! Pradyumna also by the energy of his arms, overwhelmed Salwa +in the combat by a thick shower of arrows. The king of Saubha, however, +thus attacked in battle by Pradyumna, endured him not, but discharged at +my son arrows that were like blazing fire. But the mighty Pradyumna +parried off that arrowy shower. Beholding this, Salwa rained on my son +other weapons of blazing splendour. Then, O foremost of monarchs, +pierced by the shafts of Salwa, the son of Rukmini discharged without +loss of time an arrow that was capable of entering the vitals of a foe +in fight. And that winged shaft shot by my son, piercing Salwa's mail, +entered his heart--whereupon he fell down, in a swoon. And beholding the +heroic king Salwa fallen down deprived of sense, the foremost of the +Danavas fled away rending the ground beneath their feet. And, O lord of +the earth, the army of Salwa sent up exclamations of _Oh!_ and _Alas!_ +seeing their king, the lord of Saubha, drop down bereft of sense! And O +son of the Kuru race, regaining his senses, the mighty Salwa rose and +all of a sudden discharged his arrows on Pradyumna. Then the heroic and +mighty armed Pradyumna, sorely pierced by his adversary about his +throat, was enfeebled on his car. And, O mighty king, wounding the son +of Rukmini, Salwa sent up a shout like unto the roar of a lion, and +filling the entire earth with it! And, O Bharata, when my son became +senseless, Salwa, without losing a moment, again discharged at him other +shafts difficult to bear. And pierced with numberless arrows and +deprived of his senses, Pradyumna, O chief of the Kuru race, became +motionless on the field of battle!'" + + +SECTION XVIII + +"Vasudeva continued, 'O king, afflicted with the arrows of Salwa, when +Pradyumna became senseless the Vrishnis who had come to the fight were +all disheartened and filled with grief! And the combatants of the +Vrishni and Andhaka races burst into exclamations of _Oh!_ and _Alas!_ +while great joy was felt by the enemy and beholding him thus deprived of +sense, his trained charioteer, the son of Daruka, soon carried him off +the field by the help of his steeds. The car had not gone far when that +best of warriors regained his senses, and taking up his bow addressed +his charioteer, saying, "O son of the Suta tribe, what hast thou done? +Why dost thou go leaving the field of battle? This is not the custom of +the Vrishni heroes in battle! O son of a Suta, hast thou been bewildered +at the sight of a Salwa in that fierce encounter? Or hast thou been +disheartened, beholding the fight? O! tell me truly thy mind!" The +charioteer answered, "O son of Janardana, I have not been confounded, +nor hath fear taken possession of me. On the other hand, O son of +Kesava, the task, I ween, of vanquishing Salwa is difficult for thee! +Therefore, O hero, I am slowly retiring from the field. This wretch is +stronger than thou art! It behoveth a charioteer to protect the warrior +on the car, however, when he is deprived of his senses! O thou gifted +with length of days, thou shouldst always be protected by me, even as it +behoveth thee to protect me! Thinking that the warrior on the car should +always be protected (by his charioteer), I am carrying thee away! +Further, O thou of mighty arms, thou art alone, while the Danavas are +many. Thinking, O son of Rukmini, that thou art not equal to them in the +encounter, I am going away!"' + +"Vasudeva continued, 'When the charioteer had spoken thus, he, O +Kauravya, who hath the _makara_ for his mark replied unto him, saying, +"Turn the car! O son of Daruka, never do so again; never, O Suta, turn +thou from the fight, while I am alive! He is no son of the Vrishni race +who forsaketh the field or slayeth the foe fallen at his feet and crying +_I am thine!_ or killeth a woman, a boy, or an old man, or a warrior in +distress, deprived of his car or with his weapons broken! Thou art born +in the race of charioteers and trained to thy craft! And, O son of +Daruka, thou art acquainted with the customs of the Vrishnis in battle! +Versed as thou art with all the customs of the Vrishnis in battle, do +thou, O Suta, never again fly from the field as thou hast done! What +will the irrepressible Madhava, the elder brother of Gada, say to me +when he heareth that I have left the field of battle in bewilderment or +that I have been struck on the back--a run-away from the combat! What +will the elder brother of Kesava, the mighty-armed Baladeva, clad in +blue and inebriate with wine, say, when he returneth? What also, O Suta, +will that lion among men, the grand-son of Sini (Satyaki), that great +warrior, say on hearing that I have forsaken the fight? And, O +charioteer, what will the ever-victorious Shamva, the irrepressible +Charudeshna, and Gada, and Sarana, and Akrura also of mighty arms, say +unto me! What also will the wives of the Vrishni heroes when they meet +together, say of me who had hitherto been considered as brave and +well-conducted, respectable and possessed of manly pride? They will even +say _This Pradyumna is a coward who cometh here, leaving the battle! Fie +on him!_ They will never say, _Well done!_ Ridicule, with exclamation of +_Fie_, is to me or a person like me, O Suta, more than death! Therefore, +do thou never again leave the field of battle! Reposing the charge on +me, Hari the slayer of Madhu, hath gone to the sacrifice of the Bharata +lion (Yudhishthira)! Therefore, I cannot bear to be quiet now! O Suta, +when the brave Kritavarman was sallying out to encounter Salwa, I +prevented him, saying _I will resist Salwa. Do thou stay!_ For honouring +me the son of Hridika desisted! Having left the field of battle, what +shall I say unto that mighty warrior when I meet him? When that +irrepressible one of mighty arms--the holder of the conch, the discus, +and the mace--returneth, what shall I say unto him of eyes like lotus +leaves? Satyaki, and Valadeva, and others of the Vrishni and Andhaka +races always boast of me! What shall I say unto them? O Suta, having +left the field of battle and with wounds of arrows on my back while +being carried away by thee, I shall, by no means, be able to live! +Therefore, O son of Daruka, turn that car speedily, and never do so +again even in times of greatest danger! I do not, O Suta, think life +worth much, having fled from the field like a coward, and my back +pierced, with the arrows (of the enemy)! Hast thou ever seen me, O son +of Suta, fly in fear from the field of battle like a coward? O son of +Daruka, it behoved thee not to forsake the battle, while my desire of +fight was not yet gratified! Do thou, therefore, go back to the +field."'" + + +SECTION XIX + +"Vasudeva continued, 'Thus addressed, the son of Suta race replied in +haste unto Pradyumna, that foremost of all endued with strength, in +these sweet words, "O son of Rukmini, I fear not to guide the horses on +the field of battle, and I am acquainted also with the customs of the +Vrishnis in war! It is not otherwise in the least! But, O thou blest +with length of days, those that guide the car are taught that the +warrior on the car is, by all means, to be protected by his charioteer! +Thou wert also much afflicted! Thou wert much wounded by the arrows shot +by Salwa. Thou wert also deprived of thy senses, O hero! Therefore is it +that I retired from the field. But, O chief of the Satwatas, now that +thou hast regained thy senses without much ado, do thou, O son of +Kesava, witness my skill in guiding the horses! I have been begotten by +Daruka, and I have been duly trained! I will now penetrate into the +celebrated array of Salwa without fear!"' + +"Vasudeva continued, 'Saying this, O hero, the charioteer, pulling the +reins, began to lead the horses with speed towards the field of battle. +And, O king, struck with the whip and pulled by the reins those +excellent steeds seemed to be flying in the air, performing various +beautiful motions, now circular, now similar, now dissimilar, now to the +right, now to the left. And, O king, those steeds understanding as it +were the intention of Daruka's son endued with such lightness of hand, +burned with energy, and seemed to go without touching the ground with +their feet! That bull among men wheeled round Salwa's host so easily +that they who witnessed it wondered exceedingly. And the lord of Saubha, +unable to bear that manoeuvre of Pradyumna, instantly sent three shafts +at the charioteer of his antagonist! The charioteer, however, without +taking any note of the force of those arrows, continued to go along the +right. Then the lord of Saubha, O hero, again discharged at my son by +Rukmini, a shower of various kinds of weapons! But that slayer of +hostile heroes, the son of Rukmini, showing with a smile his lightness +of hand, cut all those weapons off as they reached him. Finding his +arrows cut by Pradyumna, the lord of Saubha, having recourse to the +dreadful illusion natural to _Asuras_ began to pour a thick shower of +arrows. But cutting into pieces those powerful Daitya weapons shot at +him in mid-career by means of his _Brahma_ weapon, Pradyumna discharged +winged shafts of other kings. And these delighting in blood, warding off +the shafts of Daitya, pierced his head, bosom and face. And at those +wounds Salwa fell down senseless. And on the mean-minded Salwa falling +down, afflicted with Pradyumna's arrows, the son of Rukmini aimed +another arrow at him, capable of destroying every foe. And beholding +that arrow worshipped by all the Dasarhas, and flaming like fire and +fatal as a venomous snake, fixed on the bow-string, the firmament was +filled with exclamations of _Oh!_ and _Alas!_ Then all the celestials +with Indra and the lord of treasures (Kubera) at their head sent Narada +and the god of wind endued with the speed of the mind. And these two +approaching the son of Rukmini delivered unto him the message of the +celestial, saying, O hero, king Salwa is not to be slain by thee! Do +thou draw back the arrow. He is unslayable by thee in fight! There +breatheth not a person who cannot be killed by that arrow! O thou of +mighty arms, the Creator hath ordained his death at the hands of +Krishna, the son of Devaki! Let this be not falsified!--Thereupon with a +glad heart, Pradyumna withdrew that best of arrows from his excellent +bow and deposited it back in his quiver. And then, O foremost of kings, +the mighty Salwa, afflicted with the arrows of Pradyumna, rose +disheartened, and speedily went away. Then O king, the wicked Salwa, +thus afflicted by the Vrishnis, mounted on his car of precious metals, +and leaving Dwaraka scudded through the skies!'" + + +SECTION XX + +"Vasudeva said, 'When Salwa had left the city of the Anarttas, I +returned to it, O king, on the completion of thy great _Rajasuya_ +sacrifice! On my arrival I found Dwaraka shorn of its splendour, and, O +great monarch, there were not sounds of Vedic recitation or sacrificial +offering. And the excellent damsels were all destitute of ornaments, and +the gardens were devoid of beauty. And alarmed by the aspect, I asked +the son of Hridika saying, "Why is it that the men and women of the city +of the Vrishnis are so woe-begone, O tiger among men?" O thou best of +kings thus asked the son of Hridika (Kritavarman) relate to me in detail +the invasion of the city by Salwa, and his subsequent departure from it. +And, O thou foremost of Bharatas, hearing all, even then I made up my +mind to slay Salwa. And encouraging the citizens, O best of Bharatas, I +cheerfully addressed king Ahuka, and Anakdundhuvi, and the chief heroes +of the Vrishni race, saying, "Do ye, O bulls among the Yadavas, stay in +the city, taking every care, and know that I go to slay Salwa! I return +not to the city of Dwaravati without slaying him. I will again come to +ye having compassed the destruction of Salwa together with his car of +precious metals. Do ye strike up the sharp and middle and flat notes of +the Dundhuvi so dreadful to foes!" And O thou bull of the Bharata race, +thus adequately encouraged by me, those heroes cheerfully said unto me, +"Go and slay the enemies!" And thus receiving the benedictions of those +warriors with glad hearts, and causing the Brahmanas to utter auspicious +words and bowing down to the best of the regenerate ones, and to Siva +also, I set out on my car unto which were yoked the horses _Saivya_, and +_Sugriva_, filling all sides with the clatter (of my wheels) and blowing +that best of conchs, the _Panchajanya_! And, O king, O tiger among men, +accompanied by my redoubted and victorious army consisting of the four +kinds of the forces so persevering in battle, I set out. And leaving +many countries, and mountains, crowned with trees, and pieces of water, +and streams, I at last arrived at the country of Matrikavarta. It is +there, O thou tiger among men, that I heard that Salwa was coursing on +his car of precious metals near the ocean, and I followed in his +pursuit. And, O thou slayer of thy foes, having reached the main, Salwa +on his car of costly metals was in the midst of the deep heaving with +billows! And on seeing me from a distance, O Yudhishthira, that one of +wicked soul himself challenged me repeatedly to the fight. And many +arrows capable of piercing to the quick, discharged from my bow reached +not his car. And at this I was wroth! And, O king, that essentially +sinful wretch of a Daitya's son of irrepressible energy, on his part +began to shoot thousand upon thousands of arrows in torrents! And, O +Bharata, he rained shafts upon my soldiers and upon my charioteer and +upon my steeds! But without thinking of the shafts, we continued the +conflict. Then the warriors following Salwa poured on me straight arrows +by thousands. And the Asuras covered my horses and my car and Daruka +with arrows capable of piercing the very vitals. And, O hero, I could +not at that time see either my horses, or my car, or my charioteer +Daruka! And I with my army was covered with weapons. And, O son of +Kunti, superhumanly skilled in weapons, I also let fly from my bow +arrows by tens of thousands, inspiring them with _mantras_! But as that +car of costly metals was in the sky, full two miles off, it could not, O +Bharata, be seen by my troops. They could therefore only remaining on +the field of battle look on like spectators in a place of amusement, +cheering me on by shouts loud as the roar of the lion, and also by the +sound of their clapping. And the tinted arrows shot by the fore-part of +hand penetrated into the bodies of the Danavas like biting insects. And +then arose cries in the car of precious metals from those that were +dying of wounds by those sharp arrows and falling into the waters of the +mighty ocean. And the Danavas deprived of their arms, necks, and wearing +the form of _Kavandhas_,--fell, sending up tremendous roars. And as they +fell they were devoured by animals living in the waters of the ocean. +And then I powerfully blew the _Panchajanya_ obtained from the waters +and graceful as the lotus-stalk and white as milk or the _Kunda_ flower +or the moon or silver. And seeing his soldiers fall, Salwa the possessor +of the car of precious metals, began to fight with the help of illusion. +And then he began to ceaselessly hurl at me maces, and ploughshares, and +winged darts and lances, and javelins, and battle-axes, and swords and +arrows blazing like javelins and thunderbolts, and nooses, and broad +swords, and bullets from barrels, and shafts, and axes, and rockets. And +permitting them to come towards me, I soon destroyed them all by +counter-illusion. And on this illusion being rendered ineffectual, he +began the contest with mountain peaks. And, O Bharata, then there was +darkness and light alternately, and the day was now fair, and now +gloomy, and now hot, and now cold. And there was a perfect shower of +coals, and ashes, and weapons. And creating such illusion the enemy +fought with me. And ascertaining it I destroyed his illusion by +counter-illusion. And in the due time I showered arrows all round. And +then, O mighty king, the dome of heaven blazed as with a hundred suns, +and, O son of Kunti, with one hundred moons, and thousands and ten +thousands of stars! And then none could ascertain whether it was day or +night, or distinguish the points of the horizon. And, becoming +bewildered, I fixed on my bowstring the weapon called _Pragnastra_. And, +O son of Kunti, the weapon went like unto flakes of pure cotton blown +away by the winds! And a great fight took place, calculated to make the +down on one's body stand on end. And O best of monarchs, having regained +light, I again fought with the enemy!'" + + +SECTION XXI + +"Vasudeva said, 'O thou tiger among men, my great enemy king Salwa, thus +encountered by me in battle, again ascended the sky. And O mighty +monarch, inspired with the desire of victory, that wicked one hurled at +me _Sataghnis_, and mighty maces, and flaming lances, and stout clubs, +and as the weapons came along the sky, I speedily resisted them with my +swift arrows, and cut them in two or three pieces before they came at +me. And there was a great noise in the welkins. And Salwa covered +Daruka, and my steeds, and my car also with hundreds of straight shafts. +Then, O hero, Daruka, evidently about to faint, said unto me, "Afflicted +with the shafts of Salwa I stay in the field, because it is my duty to +do so. But I am incapable of doing so (any longer). My body hath become +weak!" Hearing these piteous words of my charioteer, I looked at him, +and found the driver wounded with arrows. Nor was there a spot on his +breasts or the crown of his head, or body or his arms which was not, O +thou foremost of sons of Pandu, covered with shafts! And blood flowed +profusely from his wounds inflicted by arrows, and he looked like unto a +mountain of red chalk after a heavy shower. And, O thou of mighty arms, +seeing the charioteer with the reins in his hands thus pierced and +enfeebled by the shafts of Salwa in the field of battle, I cheered him +up! + +"'And, O Bharata, about this time, a certain person, having his home in +Dwaraka quickly coming to my car, addressed me like a friend, delivering +to me, O hero, a message from Ahuka! He seemed to be one of Ahuka's +followers. And sadly and in a voice choked in sorrow, know, O +Yudhishthira, he said words--"O warrior, Ahuka, the lord of Dwaraka, +hath said these words unto thee! O Kesava, hear what thy father's friend +sayeth: _O son of the Vrishni race, O thou irrepressible one, in thy +absence today Salwa, coming to Dwaraka, hath by main force killed +Vasudeva! Therefore, no need of battle any more. Cease, O Janardana! Do +thou defend Dwaraka! This is thy principal duty!_"--Hearing these words +of his, my heart became heavy, and I could not ascertain what I should +do and what I should not. And, O hero, hearing of that great misfortune, +I mentally censured Satyaki, and _Baladeva_, and also that mighty +Pradyumna. Having reposed on them the duty of protecting Dwaraka and +Vasudeva, I had gone, O son of the Kuru race, to effect the destruction +of Salwa's city. And in a sorrowful heart, I asked myself,--Doth that +destroyer of foes, the mighty-armed _Baladeva_, live, and Satyaki, and +the son of Rukmini and Charudeshna possessed of prowess, and Shamva and +others? For, O thou tiger among men, these living, even the bearer +himself of the thunderbolt could by no means destroy Suta's son +(Vasudeva)! And, thought I, _It is plain that Vasudeva is dead and +equally plain that the others with Baladeva at their head have been +deprived of life_--This was my certain conclusion. And, O mighty king, +thinking of the destruction of those all, I was overwhelmed with grief! +And it was in this state of mind that I encountered Salwa afresh. And +now I saw, O great monarch, Vasudeva himself falling from the car of +precious metals! And, O warrior I swooned away, and, O king of men, my +sire seemed like unto Yayati after the loss of his merit, falling +towards the earth from heaven! And like unto a luminary whose merit hath +been lost saw my father falling, his head-gear foul and flowing loosely, +and his hair and dress disordered. And then the bow _Sharanga_ dropped +from my hand, and, O son of Kunti I swooned away! I sat down on the side +of the car. And, O thou descendant of the Bharata race, seeing me +deprived of consciousness on the car, and as if dead, my entire host +exclaimed _Oh_! and _Alas_! And my prone father with out-stretched arms +and lower limbs, appeared like a dropping bird. And him thus falling, O +thou of mighty arms, O hero, the hostile warriors bearing in their hands +lances and axes struck grievously! And (beholding this) my heart +trembled! and soon regaining my consciousness, O warrior, I could not +see in that mighty contest either the car of costly metals, or the enemy +Salwa, or my old father! Then I concluded in my mind that it was +certainly illusion. And recovering my senses, I again began to discharge +arrows by hundreds.'" + + +SECTION XXII + +"Vasudeva continued, 'Then O thou foremost of the Bharata race, taking +up my beautiful bow, I began to cut off with my arrows the heads of the +enemies of the celestials, from off that car of costly metals! And I +began to discharge from the _Sharanga_ many well-looking arrows of the +forms of snakes, capable of going at a great height and possessing +intense energy. And, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, I could not then +see the car of costly metals, for it had vanished, through illusion! I +was then filled with wonder! That host of Danavas then, O Bharata, of +frightful visages and hair, set up a loud howl while I was waiting for +it, in that fierce battle. I then, with the object of destroying them, +fixed on my bow-string the weapon capable of piercing the foes if but +his sound was inaudible. Upon this, their shouts ceased. But those +Danavas that had sent up that shout were all slain by those shafts of +mine blazing as the Sun himself, and capable of striking at the +perception of sound alone. And after the shout had ceased at one place, +O mighty king, another yell proceeded from another quarter. Thitherto +also I sent my shafts. In this way, O Bharata, the Asuras began to send +up yells in all the ten quarters above and across. These were all slain +by me, _viz_., those that were in the skies and that were invisible, +with arrows of diverse forms, and celestial weapons inspired with +_mantras_. Then, O hero, that car of precious metals capable of going +anywhere at will, bewildering my eyes, reappeared at Pragjyotisha! And +then the destroying Danavas of fierce forms suddenly drowned me with a +mighty shower of rocks. And, O thou foremost of monarchs, torrents of +rocks falling upon me covered me up, and I began to grow like an +ant-hill (with its summits and peaks)! And covered along with my horses +and charioteer and flagstaffs, with crags on all sides, I disappeared +from sight altogether. Then those foremost of heroes of the Vrishni race +who were of my army were struck with panic, and all on a sudden began to +fly in all directions. And beholding me in that plight, O king, the +heaven, the firmament, and the earth were filled with exclamation of +_Oh!_ and _Alas!_ And then, O monarch, my friends filled with sorrow and +grief began to weep and wail with heavy hearts! And delight filled the +hearts of the enemies. And O thou who never waverest, I heard of this +after I had defeated the foe! And then wielding the thunderbolt, that +favourite (weapon) of Indra, capable of riving stones, I destroyed that +entire mass of crags! But my steeds, afflicted with the weight of the +stones and almost on the point of death began to tremble. And beholding +me, all my friends rejoiced again even as men rejoice on seeing the sun +rise in the sky, dispersing the clouds. And seeing my horses almost in +their last gasp for breath, afflicted with that load of stones, my +charioteer said unto me in words suitable to the occasion, "O thou of +the Vrishni race, behold Salwa the owner of the car of precious metals +sitting (yonder). Do not disregard him! Do thou exert thyself! Do thou +abandon thy mildness and consideration for Salwa. Slay Salwa, O thou of +mighty arms! O Kesava, do not let him live! O hero, O thou destroyer of +those that are not thy friends (enemies), an enemy should be slain with +every exertion! Even a weak enemy who is under the feet of a man endued +with strength, should not be disregarded by the latter: what (shall I +say) of one that dareth us to the fight? Therefore, O thou tiger among +men, putting forth every exertion, slay him, O lord, O thou foremost of +the Vrishni race! Do thou not delay again! This one is not capable of +being vanquished by milder measures. And he cannot in my opinion be thy +friend who is fighting thee and who devastated Dwaraka!" O Kaunteya, +hearing such words of my charioteer, and knowing that what he said was +true, I directed my attention to the fight (afresh), with the view of +slaying Salwa and destroying the car of costly metals! And, O hero, +saying unto Daruka, "_Stay a moment_" I fixed on my bow-string my +favourite weapon of fire, blazing and of celestial origin, of +irresistible force, and incapable of being baffled, bursting with +energy, capable of penetrating into everything, and of great splendour! +And saying, "_Destroy the car of precious metals together with all those +enemies that are in it_" I launched with the might of my arms and in +wrath with _mantras_, the great powerful discus _Sudarsana_ which +reduceth to ashes in battle Yakshas and Rakshasas and Danavas and kings +born in impure tribes, sharp-edged like the razor, and without stain, +like unto Yama the destroyer, and incomparable, and which killeth +enemies. And rising into the sky, it seemed like a second sun of +exceeding effulgence at the end of the _Yuga_. And approaching the town +of Saubha whose splendour had disappeared, the discus went right through +it, even as a saw divideth a tall tree. And cut in twain by the energy +of the Sudarsana it fell like the city of Tripura shaken by the shafts +of Maheswara. And after the town of Saubha had fallen, the discus came +back into my hands. And taking it up I once more hurled it with force +saying, "_Go thou unto Salwa_." The discus then cleft Salwa in twain who +in that fierce conflict was at the point of hurling a heavy mace. And +with its energy it set the foe ablaze. And after that brave warrior was +slain, the disheartened Danava women fled in all directions, exclaiming +_Oh!_ and _Alas!_ And taking my chariot in front of the town of Saubha I +cheerfully blew my conch and gladdened the hearts of my friends. And +beholding their town, high as the peak of the Meru, with its palaces and +gate-ways utterly destroyed, and all ablaze, the Danavas fled in fear. +And having thus destroyed the town of Saubha and slain Salwa, I returned +to the Anarttas and delighted my friends. And, O king, it is for this +reason that I could not come to the city named after the elephant +(Hastinapura), O destroyer of hostile heroes! O warrior, if I had come, +Suyodhana would not have been alive or the match at dice would not have +taken place. What can I do now? It is difficult to confine the waters +after the dam is broken!'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Having addressed the Kaurava thus, that +foremost of male persons, of mighty arms, the slayer of Madhu, possessed +of every grace, saluting the Pandavas, prepared for departure. And the +mighty-armed hero reverentially saluted Yudhishthira the just, and the +king in return and Bhima also smelt the crown of his head. And he was +embraced by Arjuna, and the twins saluted him with reverence. And he was +duly honoured by Dhaumya, and worshipped with tears by Draupadi. And +causing Subhadra and Abhimanyu to ascend his golden car, Krishna mounted +it himself, worshipped by the Pandavas. And consoling Yudhishthira, +Krishna set out for Dwaraka on his car resplendent as the sun and unto +which were yoked the horses _Saivya_ and _Sugriva_. And after he of the +Dasharha race had departed, Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, also set +out for his own city, taking with him the sons of Draupadi. And the king +of Chedi, Dhrishtaketu also, taking his sister with him set out for his +beautiful city of Suktimati, after bidding farewell to the Pandavas. +And, O Bharata, the Kaikeyas also, with the permission of Kunti's son +possessed of immeasurable energy, having reverentially saluted all the +Pandavas, went away. But Brahmanas and the Vaisyas and the dwellers of +Yudhishthira's kingdom though repeatedly requested to go, did not leave +the Pandavas. O foremost of kings, O bull of the Bharata race, the +multitude that surrounded those high-souled ones in the forest of +Kamyaka looked extraordinary. And Yudhishthira, honouring those +high-minded Brahmanas, in due time ordered his men, saying '_Make ready +the car_.'" + + +SECTION XXIII + +Vaisampayana continued, "After the chief of the Dasharhas had departed, +the heroic Yudhishthira, and Bhima, and Arjuna, and the twins, each +looking like unto Shiva, and Krishna, and their priest, ascending costly +cars unto which were yoked excellent steeds, together went into the +forest. And at time of going they distributed _Nishkas_ of gold and +clothes and kine unto Brahmanas versed in _Siksha_ and _Akshara_ and +_mantras_. And twenty attendants followed them equipped with bows, and +bowstrings, and blazing weapons, and shafts and arrows and engines of +destruction. And taking the princess's clothes and the ornaments, and +the nurses and the maid-servants, Indrasena speedily followed the +princes on a car. And then approaching the best of Kurus, the +high-minded citizens walked round him. And the principal Brahmanas of +Kurujangala cheerfully saluted him. And together with his brothers, +Yudhishthira the just, on his part saluted them cheerfully. And the +illustrious king stopped there a little, beholding the concourse of the +inhabitants of Kurujangala. And the illustrious bull among the Kurus +felt for them as a father feeleth for his sons, and they too felt for +the Kuru chief even as sons feel for their father! And that mighty +concourse, approaching the Kuru hero, stood around him. And, O king, +affected, with bashfulness, and with tears in their eyes, they all +exclaimed, 'Alas, O lord! O Dharma!' And they said, 'Thou art the chief +of the Kurus, and the king of us, thy subjects! Where dost thou go, O +just monarch, leaving all these citizens and the inhabitants of the +country, like a father leaving his sons? Fie on the cruel-hearted son of +Dhritarashtra! Fie on the evil-minded son of Suvala! Fie on Karna! For, +O foremost of monarchs, those wretches ever wish unto thee who art firm +in virtue! Having thyself established the unrivalled city of +Indraprastha of the splendour of Kailasa itself, where dost thou go, +leaving it, O illustrious and just king, O achiever of extraordinary +deeds! O illustrious one, leaving that peerless palace built by Maya, +which possesseth the splendour of the palace of the celestials +themselves, and is like unto a celestial illusion, ever guarded by the +gods, where dost thou go, O son of Dharma?' And Vibhatsu knowing the +ways of virtue, pleasure, and profit said unto them in a loud voice, +'Living in the forest, the king intendeth to take away the good name of +his enemies! O ye with the regenerate ones at your head, versed in +virtue and profit, do you approaching the ascetics separately and +inclining them to grace, represent unto them what may be for our supreme +good!' Upon hearing these words of Arjuna, the Brahmanas and the other +orders, O king, saluting him cheerfully walked round the foremost of +virtuous men! And bidding farewell unto the son of Pritha, and +Vrikodara, and Dhananjaya and Yajnaseni, and the twins, and commanded by +Yudhishthira, they returned to their respective abodes in the kingdom +with heavy hearts." + + +SECTION XXIV + +Vaisampayana said, "After they had departed, Yudhishthira the virtuous +son of Kunti, unwavering in his promises, addressed all his brothers, +saying, 'We shall have to dwell in the solitary forest for these twelve +years. Search ye, therefore, in this mighty forest for some spot +abounding in birds and deer and flowers and fruits, beautiful to behold, +and auspicious, and inhabited by virtuous persons and where we may dwell +pleasantly for all these years!' Thus addressed by Yudhishthira, +Dhananjaya replied unto the son of Dharma, after reverencing the +illustrious king as if he were his spiritual preceptor. And Arjuna said, +'Thou hast respectfully waited upon all the great and old _Rishis_. +There is nothing unknown to thee in the world of men. And O bull of the +Bharata race, thou hast always waited with reverence upon Brahmanas +including Dwaipayana and others, and Narada of great ascetic merit, who +with senses under control, ever goeth to the gates of all the world from +the world of the gods unto that of Brahma, including that of the +Gandharvas and Apsaras! And thou knowest, without doubt, the opinions of +the Brahmanas, and, O king, their prowess also! And O monarch, thou +knowest what is calculated to do us good! And O great king, we will live +wherever thou likest! Here is this lake, full of sacred water, called +_Dwaitavana_, abounding with flowers, and delightful to look at, and +inhabited by many species of birds. If, O king, it pleaseth thee, here +should we like to dwell these twelve years! Thinkest thou otherwise?' +Yudhishthira replied, 'O Partha, what thou hast said recommendeth itself +to me! Let us go that sacred and celebrated and large lake called +_Dwaitavana_!'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Then the virtuous son of Pandu, accompanied by +numerous Brahmanas, all went to the sacred lake called _Dwaitavana_. And +Yudhishthira was surrounded by numerous Brahmanas some of whom +sacrificed with fire and some without it and some of whom, devoted to +the study of the Vedas, lived upon alms or were of the class called +_Vanaprasthas_. And the king was also surrounded by hundreds of +_Mahatmas_ crowned with ascetic success and of rigid vows. And those +bulls of the Bharata race, the sons of Pandu setting out with those +numerous Brahmanas, entered the sacred and delightful woods of _Dwaita_. +And the king saw that mighty forest covered on the close of summer with +_Salas_, and palms, and mangoes, and _Madhukas_, and _Nipas_ and +_Kadamvas_ and _Sarjjas_ and _Arjunas_, and _Karnikars_, many of them +covered with flowers. And flocks of peacocks and _Datyuhas_ and +_Chakoras_ and _Varhins_ and _Kokilas_, seated on the tops of the +tallest trees of that forest were pouring forth their mellifluous notes. +And the king also saw in that forest mighty herds of gigantic elephants +huge as the hills, with temporal juice trickling down in the season of +rut, accompanied by herds of she-elephants. And approaching the +beautiful Bhogavati (Saraswati), the king saw many ascetics crowned with +success in the habitations in that forest, and virtuous men of +sanctified souls clad in barks of trees and bearing matted locks on +their heads. And descending from their cars, the king that foremost of +virtuous men with his brothers and followers entered that forest like +Indra of immeasurable energy entering heaven. And crowds of _Charanas_ +and _Siddhas_, desirous of beholding the monarch devoted to truth, came +towards him. And the dwellers of that forest stood surrounding that lion +among kings possessed of great intelligence. And saluting all the +_Siddhas_, and saluted by them in return as a king or a god should be, +that foremost of virtuous men entered the forest with joined hands +accompanied by all those foremost of regenerate ones. And the +illustrious and virtuous king, saluted in return by those virtuous +ascetics that had approached him, sat down in their midst at the foot of +a mighty tree decked with flowers, like his father (Pandu) in days +before. And those chiefs of the Bharata race _viz_., Bhima and +Dhananjaya and the twins and Krishna and their followers, all fatigued, +leaving their vehicles, sat themselves down around that best of kings. +And that mighty tree bent down with the weight of creepers, with those +five illustrious bowmen who had come there for rest sitting under it, +looked like a mountain with (five) huge elephants resting on its side." + + +SECTION XXV + +Vaisampayana said, "Having fallen into distress, those princes thus +obtained at last a pleasant habitation in that forest. And there in +those woods abounding with _Sala_ trees and washed by the Saraswati, +they who were like so many Indras, began to sport themselves. And the +illustrious king, that bull of the Kuru race, set himself to please all +the _Yatis_ and _Munis_ and the principal Brahmanas in that forest, by +offerings of excellent fruits and roots. And their priest, Dhaumya +endued with great energy, like unto a father to those princes, began to +perform the sacrificial rites of _Ishti_ and _Paitreya_ for the Pandavas +residing in that great forest. And there came, as a guest, unto the +abode of the accomplished Pandavas living in the wood after loss of +their kingdom, the old Rishi Markandeya, possessed of intense and +abundant energy. And that bull of the Kuru race, the high-souled +Yudhishthira, possessed of unrivalled strength and prowess, paid his +homage unto that great _Muni_, reverenced by celestials and Rishis of +men, and possessed of the splendour of blazing fire. And that +illustrious and all-knowing _Muni_, of unrivalled energy, beholding +Draupadi and Yudhishthira and Bhima and Arjuna, in the midst of the +ascetics, smiled, recollecting Rama in his mind. And Yudhishthira the +just, apparently grieved at this, asked him, saying, 'All these ascetics +are sorry for seeing me here. Why is it that thou alone smilest, as if +in glee, in the presence of these?' Markandeya replied, 'O child, I too +am sorry and do not smile in glee! Nor doth pride born of joy possess my +heart! Beholding to-day thy calamity, I recollect Rama, the son of +Dasaratha, devoted to truth! Even that Rama, accompanied by Lakshman, +dwelt in the woods at the command of his father. O son of Pritha, I +beheld him in days of old ranging with his bow on the top of the +_Rishyamuka_ hills! The illustrious Rama was like unto Indra, the lord +of Yama himself, and the slayer of Namuchi! Yet that sinless one had to +dwell in the forest at the command of his father, accepting it as his +duty. The illustrious Rama was equal unto Sakra in prowess, and +invincible in battle. And yet he had to range the forest renouncing all +pleasures! Therefore should no one act unrighteously, saying,--_I am +mighty!_ Kings Nabhaga and Bhagiratha and others, having subjugated by +truth this world bounded by the seas, (finally) obtained, O child, all +the region hereafter. Therefore, should no one act unrighteously, +saying,--_I am mighty!_ And, O exalted of men, the virtuous and truthful +king of Kasi and Karusha was called a mad dog for having renounced his +territories and riches! Therefore, should no one act unrighteously, +saying,--_I am mighty!_ O best of men, O son of Pritha, the seven +righteous Rishis, for having observed the ordinance prescribed by the +Creator himself in the Vedas, blaze in the firmament. Therefore, should +no one act unrighteously, saying,--_I am mighty!_ Behold, O king, the +mighty elephants, huge as mountain cliffs and furnished with tusks, +transgress not, O exalted of men, the laws of the Creator! Therefore, +should none act unrighteously saying, _Might is mine!_ And, O foremost +of monarchs, behold all the creatures acting according to their species, +as ordained by the Creator. Therefore, should none act unrighteously, +saying, _Might is mine_. O son of Pritha, in truth, and virtue, and +proper behaviour, and modesty, thou hast surpassed all creatures, and +thy fame and energy are as bright as fire or the Sun! Firm in thy +promises, O illustrious one, having passed in the woods thy painful +exile, thou wilt again, O king, snatch from the Kauravas thy blazing +prosperity with the help of thy own energy!'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Having spoken these words unto Yudhishthira +(seated) in the midst of the ascetics with friends, the great Rishi +having also saluted Dhaumya and all the Pandavas set out in a northerly +direction!" + + +SECTION XXVI + +Vaisampayana said, "While the illustrious son of Pandu continued to +dwell in the _Dwaita_ woods, that great forest became filled with +Brahmanas. And the lake within that forest, ever resounding with Vedic +recitations, became sacred like a second region of Brahma. And the +sounds of the _Yajus_, the _Riks_, the _Samas_, and other words uttered +by the Brahmanas, were exceedingly delightful to hear. And the Vedic +recitations of the Brahmanas mingling with the twang of bows of the sons +of Pritha, produced a union of the Brahmana and Kshatriya customs that +was highly beautiful. And one evening the Rishi Vaka of the _Dalvya_ +family addressed Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti seated in the midst of +the Rishis, saying, 'Behold, O chief of the Kurus, O son of Pritha, the +_homa_ time is come of these Brahmanas devoted to ascetic austerities, +the time when the (sacred) fires have all been lit up! These all, of +rigid vows, protected by thee, are performing the rites of religion in +this sacred region! The descendants of Bhrigu and Angiras, along with +those of Vasistha and Kasyapa, the illustrious sons of Agastya, the +offspring of Atri all of excellent vows, in fact, all the foremost +Brahmanas of the whole, are now united with thee! Listen, O son of the +Kuru race born of Kunti, thyself with thy brothers, to the words I speak +to thee! As fire aided by the wind consumeth the forest, so _Brahma_ +energy mingling with _Kshatriya_ energy, and _Kshatriya_ might mingling +with Brahma power, might, when they gathered force, consume all enemies! +O child, he should never desire to be without Brahmanas who wisheth to +subdue this and the other world for length of days! Indeed, a king +slayeth his enemies having obtained a Brahmana conversant with religion +and worldly affairs and freed from passion and folly. King Vali +cherishing his subjects practised those duties that lead to salvation, +and knew not of any other means in this world than Brahmanas. It was for +this that all the desires of Virochana's son, the Asura (Vali), were +ever gratified, and his wealth was ever inexhaustible. Having obtained +the whole earth through the aid of the Brahmanas, he met with +destruction when he began to practise wrong on them! This earth with her +wealth never adoreth long as her lord a Kshatriya living without a +Brahmana! The earth, however, girt by the sea, boweth unto him who is +ruled by a Brahmana and taught his duties by him! Like an elephant in +battle without his driver, a Kshatriya destitute of Brahmanas decreaseth +in strength! The Brahmana's sight is without compare, and the +Kshatriya's might also is unparalleled. When these combine, the whole +earth itself cheerfully yieldeth to such a combination. As fire becoming +mightier with the wind consumeth straw and wood, so kings with Brahmanas +consume all foes! An intelligent Kshatriya, in order to gain what he +hath not, and increase what he hath, should take counsel of Brahmanas! +Therefore, O son of Kunti, for obtaining what thou hast not and +increasing what thou hast, and spending what thou hast on proper objects +and persons, keep thou with thee a Brahmana of reputation, of a +knowledge of the Vedas, of wisdom and experience! O Yudhishthira, thou +hast ever highly regarded the Brahmanas. It is for this that thy fame is +great and blazeth in the three worlds!'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Then all those Brahmanas who were with +Yudhishthira worshipped Vaka of the Dalvya race, and having heard him +praise Yudhishthira became highly pleased. And Dwaipayana and Narada and +Jamadagnya and Prithusravas; and Indradyumna and Bhalaki and Kritachetas +and Sahasrapat; and Karnasravas and Munja and Lavanaswa and Kasyapa; and +Harita and Sthulakarana and Agnivesya and Saunaka; and Kritavak and +Suvakana, Vrihadaswa and Vibhavasu; and Urdharetas and Vrishamitra and +Suhotra and Hotravahana; these and many other Brahmanas of rigid vows +then adored Yudhishthira like Rishis adoring Purandara in heaven!" + + +SECTION XXVII + +Vaisampayana said, "Exiled to the woods the sons of Pritha with Krishna +seated in the evening, conversed with one another afflicted with sorrow +and grief. And the handsome and well informed Krishna dear unto her +lords and devoted to them, thus spake unto Yudhishthira, 'The sinful, +cruel, and wicked-minded son of Dhritarashtra certainly feeleth no +sorrow for us, when, O king, that evil-hearted wretch having sent thee +with myself into the woods dressed in deer-skin feeleth no regret! The +heart of that wretch of evil deeds must surely be made of steel when he +could at that time address thee, his virtuous eldest brother, in words +so harsh! Having brought thee who deservest to enjoy every happiness and +never such woe, into such distress, alas, that wicked-minded and sinful +wretch joyeth with his friends! O Bharata, when dressed in deer-skin +thou hast set out for the woods, only four persons, O monarch, _viz_., +Duryodhana, Karna, the evil-minded Sakuni, and Dussasana that bad and +fierce brother of Duryodhana, did not shed tears! With the exception of +these, O thou best of the Kurus, all other Kurus filled with sorrow shed +tears from their eyes! Beholding this thy bed and recollecting what thou +hadst before, I grieve, O king, for thee who deservest not woe and hast +been brought up in every luxury! Remembering that seat of ivory in thy +court, decked with jewels and beholding this seat of _kusa_ grass, grief +consumeth me, O king! I saw thee, O king, surrounded in thy court by +kings! What peace can my heart know in not beholding thee such now? I +beheld thy body, effulgent as the sun, decked with sandal paste! Alas, +grief depriveth me of my senses in beholding thee now besmeared with mud +and dirt! I saw thee before, O king, dressed in silken clothes of pure +white! But I now behold thee dressed in rags! Formerly, O king, pure +food of every kind was carried from thy house on plates of gold for +Brahmanas by thousands! And, O king, food also of the best kind was +formerly given by thee unto ascetics both houseless and living in +domesticity! Formerly, living in thy mansion thou hadst ever filled with +food of every kind plates by thousands, and worshipped the Brahmanas +gratifying every wish of theirs! What peace, O king, can my heart know +in not beholding all this now? And, O great king, these thy brothers, +endued with youth and decked with ear-rings, were formerly fed by cook +with food of the sweet flavour and dressed with skill! Alas, O king, I +now behold them all, so undeserving of woe, living in the woods and upon +what the wood may yield! My heart, O King knoweth no peace! Thinking of +this Bhimasena living in sorrow in the woods, doth not thy anger blaze +up, even though it is time? Why doth not thy anger, O king, blaze up +upon beholding the illustrious Bhimasena who ever performeth everything +unaided, so fallen into distress, though deserving of every happiness? +Why, O king, doth not thy anger blaze up on beholding that Bhima living +in the woods who was formerly surrounded with numerous vehicles and +dressed in costly apparel? This exalted personage is ready to slay all +the Kurus in battle. He beareth, however, all this sorrow, only because +he waiteth for the fufilment of thy promise! This Arjuna, O king, though +possessed of two hands, is equal, for the lightness of his hand in +discharging shafts, to (Kaitavirya) Arjuna of a thousand arms! He is +even (to foes), like unto Yama himself at the end of the _Yuga_! It was +by the prowess of his weapons that all the kings of the earth were made +to wait upon the Brahmanas at thy sacrifice! Beholding that Arjuna that +tiger among men worshipped by both the celestials and the Danavas so +anxious, why, O king, dost thou not feel indignant? I grieve, O Bharata, +that thy wrath doth not blaze up at sight of that son of Pritha in +exile, that prince who deserveth not such distress and who hath been +brought up in every luxury! Why doth not thy wrath blaze up at sight of +that Arjuna in exile, who, on a single car, hath vanquished celestials +and men and serpents? Why, O king, doth not thy wrath blaze up at sight +of that Arjuna in exile who, honoured with offerings of cars and +vehicles of various forms and horses and elephants, forcibly took from +the kings of the earth their treasures, who is the chastiser of all +foes, and who at one impetus can throw full five hundred arrows? Why, O +king, doth not thy wrath blaze up at sight of Nakula, in exile, who so +fair and able-bodied and young, is the foremost of all swordsmen? Why, O +king, dost thou pardon the foe, O Yudhishthira, at sight of Madri's son, +the handsome and brave Sahadeva in exile? Why doth not thy anger blaze +up, O king, it sight of both Nakula and Sahadeva overwhelmed with grief, +though so undeserving of distress? Why also, O king, dost thou pardon +the foe at sight of myself in exile who, born in the race of Drupada +and, therefore, the sister of Dhrishtadyumna, am the daughter-in-law of +the illustrious Pandu and the devoted wife of heroes? Truly, O thou best +of the Bharatas, thou hast no anger, else why is it that thy mind is not +moved at sight of thy brothers and myself (in such distress)? It is said +that there is no Kshatriya in the world who is bereft of anger. I now +behold in thee, however, a refutation of the proverb! That Kshatriya, O +son of Pritha, who discovereth not his energy when the opportunity +cometh, is ever disregarded by all creatures! Therefore, O king, thou +shouldst not extend thy forgiveness to the foe. Indeed, with thy energy, +without doubt, thou mayst slay them all! So also, O king, that Kshatriya +who is not appeased when the time for forgiveness cometh, becometh +unpopular with every creature and meeteth with destruction both in this +and the other world!'" + + +SECTION XXVIII + +"Draupadi continued, 'On this subject, the ancient story of the +conversation between Prahlada and Vali, the son of Virochana, is quoted +as an example. One day Vali asked his grand-father Prahlada, the chief +of the Asuras and the Danavas, possessed of great wisdom and well-versed +in the mysteries of the science of duty, saying, "O sire, is forgiveness +meritorious or might and energy such? I am puzzled as regards this; O +sire, enlighten me who ask thee this! O thou conversant with all duties, +tell me truly which of these is meritorious? I will strictly obey +whatever thy command may be!" Thus asked (by Vali), his wise +grandfather, conversant with every conclusion, replied upon the whole +subject unto his grand-son who had sought at his hands the resolution of +his doubts. And Prahlada said, "Know, O child, these two truths with +certainty, viz., that might is not always meritorious and forgiveness +also is not always meritorious! He that forgiveth always suffereth many +evils. Servants and strangers and enemies always disregard him. No +creature ever bendeth down unto him. Therefore it is, O child, that the +learned applaud not a constant habit of forgiveness! The servants of an +ever-forgiving person always disregard him, and contract numerous +faults. These mean-minded men also seek to deprive him of his wealth. +Vile-souled servants also appropriate to themselves his vehicles and +clothes and ornaments and apparel and beds and seats and food and drink +and other articles of use. They do not also at the command of their +master, give unto others the things they are directed to give. Nor do +they even worship their master with that respect which is their master's +due. Disregard in this world is worse than death. O child, sons and +servants and attendants and even strangers speak harsh words unto the +man who always forgiveth. Persons, disregarding the man of an +ever-forgiving temper, even desire his wife, and his wife also, becometh +ready to act as she willeth. And servants also that are ever fond of +pleasure, if they do not receive even slight punishments from their +master, contract all sorts of vices, and the wicked ever injure such a +master. These and many other demerits attach to those that are +ever-forgiving! + +"'"Listen now, O son of Virochana, to the demerits of those that are +never forgiving! The man of wrath who, surrounded by darkness, always +inflicteth, by help of his own energy, various kinds of punishment on +persons whether they deserve them or not, is necessarily separated from +his friends in consequence of that energy of his. Such a man is hated by +both relatives and strangers. Such a man, because he insulteth others, +suffereth loss of wealth and reapeth disregard and sorrow and hatred and +confusion and enemies. The man of wrath, in consequence of his ire, +inflicteth punishments on men and obtaineth (in return) harsh words. He +is divested of his prosperity soon and even of life, not to say, of +friends and relatives. He that putteth forth his might both upon his +benefactor and his foe, is an object of alarm to the world, like a snake +that hath taken shelter in a house, to the inmates thereof. What +prosperity can he have who is an object of alarm to the world? People +always do him an injury when they find a hole. Therefore, should men +never exhibit might in excess nor forgiveness on all occasions. One +should put forth his might and show his forgiveness on proper occasions. +He that becometh forgiving at the proper time and harsh and mighty also +at the proper time, obtaineth happiness both in this world and the +other. + +"'"I shall now indicate the occasions in detail of forgiveness, as laid +down by the learned, and which should ever be observed by all. Hearken +unto me as I speak! He that hath done thee a service, even if he is +guilty of a grave wrong unto thee, recollecting his former service, +shouldst thou forgive that offender. Those also that have become +offenders from ignorance and folly should be forgiven for learning and +wisdom are not always easily attainable by man. They that having +offended thee knowingly, plead ignorance should be punished, even if +their offences be trivial. Such crooked men should never be pardoned. +The first offence of every creature should be forgiven. The second +offence, however, should be punished, even if it be trivial. If, +however, a person committeth an offence unwillingly, it hath been said +that examining his plea well by a judicious enquiry, he should be +pardoned. Humility may vanquish might, humility may vanquish weakness. +There is nothing that humility may not accomplish. Therefore, humility +is truly fiercer (than it seemeth)! One should act with reference to +place and time, taking note of his own might or weakness. Nothing can +succeed that hath been undertaken without reference to place and time. +Therefore, do thou ever wait for place and time! Sometimes offenders +should be forgiven from fear of the people. These have been declared to +be times of forgiveness. And it hath been said that on occasions besides +these, might should be put forth against transgressors."' + +"Draupadi continued, 'I, therefore, regard, O king, that the time hath +come for thee to put forth thy might! Unto those Kurus the covetous sons +of Dhritarashtra who injure us always, the present is not the time for +forgiveness! It behoveth thee to put forth thy might. The humble and +forgiving person is disregarded; while those that are fierce persecute +others. He, indeed, is a king who hath recourse to both, each according +to its time!'" + + +SECTION XXIX + +"Yudhishthira said, 'Anger is the slayer of men and is again their +prosperor. Know this, O thou possessed of great wisdom, that anger is +the root of all prosperity and all adversity. O thou beautiful one, he +that suppresseth his anger earneth prosperity. That man, again, who +always giveth way to anger, reapeth adversity from his fierce anger. It +is seen in this world that anger is the cause of destruction of every +creature. How then can one like me indulge his anger which is so +destructive of the world? The angry man commiteth sin. The angry man +killeth even his preceptors. The angry man insulteth even his superiors +in harsh words. The man that is angry faileth to distinguish between +what should be said and what should not. There is no act that an angry +man may not do, no word that an angry man may not utter. From anger a +man may slay one that deserveth not to be slain, and may worship one +that deserveth to be slain. The angry man may even send his own soul to +the regions of Yama. Beholding all these faults, the wise control their +anger, desirous of obtaining high prosperity both in this and the other +world. It is for this that they of tranquil souls have banished wrath. +How can one like us indulge in it then? O daughter of Drupada, +reflecting upon all this, my anger is not excited. One that acteth not +against a man whose wrath hath been up, rescueth himself as also others +from great fear. In fact, he may be regarded to be the physician of the +two (_viz_., himself and angry man). If a weak man, persecuted by +others, foolishly becometh angry towards men that are mightier than he, +he then becometh himself the cause of his own destruction. And in +respect of one who thus deliberately throweth away his life, there are +no regions hereafter to gain. Therefore, O daughter of Drupada, it hath +been said that a weak man should always suppress his wrath. And the wise +man also who though persecuted, suffereth not his wrath to be roused, +joyeth in the other world--having passed his persecutor over in +indifference. It is for this reason hath it been said that a wise man, +whether strong or weak, should ever forgive his persecutor even when the +latter is in the straits. It is for this, O Krishna, that the virtuous +applaud them that have conquered their wrath. Indeed, it is the opinion +of the virtuous that the honest and forgiving man is ever victorious. +Truth is more beneficial than untruth; and gentleness than cruel +behaviour. How can one like me, therefore, even for the purpose of +slaying Duryodhana, exhibit anger which hath so many faults and which +the virtuous banish from their souls? They that are regarded by the +learned of foresight, as possessed of (true) force of character, are +certainly those who are wrathful in outward show only. Men of learning +and of true insight call him to be possessed of force of character who +by his wisdom can suppress his risen wrath. O thou of fair hips, the +angry man seeth not things in their true light. The man that is angry +seeth not his way, nor respecteth persons. The angry man killeth even +those that deserve not to be killed. The man of wrath slayeth even his +preceptors. Therefore, the man possessing force of character should ever +banish wrath to a distance. The man that is overwhelmed with wrath +acquireth not with ease generosity, dignity, courage, skill, and other +attributes belonging to real force of character. A man by forsaking +anger can exhibit proper energy, whereas, O wise one, it is highly +difficult for the angry man to exhibit his energy at the proper time! +The ignorant always regard anger as equivalent to energy. Wrath, however +hath been given to man for the destruction of the world. The man, +therefore, who wisheth to behave properly, must ever forsake anger. Even +one who hath abandoned the excellent virtues of his own order, it is +certain, indulgeth in wrath (if behaveth properly). If fools, of mind +without light, transgress in every respect, how, O faultless one, can +one like me transgress (like them)? If amongst men there were not +persons equal unto the earth in forgiveness, there would be no peace +among men but continued strife caused by wrath. If the injured return +their injuries, if one chastised by his superior were to chastise his +superior in return, the consequence would be the destruction of every +creature, and sin also would prevail in the world. If the man who hath +ill speeches from another, returneth those speeches afterwards; if the +injured man returneth his injuries; if the chastised person chastiseth +in return; if fathers slay sons, and sons fathers and if husbands slay +wives, and wives husbands; then, O Krishna, how can birth take place in +a world where anger prevaileth so! For, O thou of handsome face, know +that the birth of creatures is due to peace! If the kings also, O +Draupadi, giveth way to wrath, his subjects soon meet with destruction. +Wrath, therefore, hath for its consequence the destruction and the +distress of the people. And because it is seen that there are in the +world men who are forgiving like the Earth, it is therefore that +creatures derive their life and prosperity. O beautiful one, one should +forgive under every injury. It hath been said that the continuation of +species is due to man being forgiving. He, indeed, is a wise and +excellent person who hath conquered his wrath and who showeth +forgiveness even when insulted, oppressed, and angered by a strong +person. The man of power who controleth his wrath, hath (for his +enjoyment) numerous everlasting regions; while he that is angry, is +called foolish, and meeteth with destruction both in this and the other +world. O Krishna, the illustrious and forgiving Kasyapa hath, in this +respect, sung the following verses in honour of men that are ever +forgiving, "Forgiveness is virtue, forgiveness is sacrifice, forgiveness +is the Vedas, forgiveness is the _Shruti_. He that knoweth this is +capable of forgiving everything. Forgiveness is _Brahma_; forgiveness is +truth; forgiveness is stored ascetic merit; forgiveness protecteth the +ascetic merit of the future; forgiveness is asceticism; forgiveness is +holiness; and by forgiveness is it that the universe is held together. +Persons that are forgiving attain to the regions obtainable by those +that have performed meritorious sacrifices, or those that are +well-conversant with the Vedas, or those that have high ascetic merit. +Those that perform Vedic sacrifices as also those that perform the +meritorious rites of religion obtain other regions. Men of forgiveness, +however, obtain those much-adored regions that are in the world of +Brahma. Forgiveness is the might of the mighty; forgiveness is +sacrifice; forgiveness is quiet of mind. How, O Krishna, can one like us +abandon forgiveness, which is such, and in which are established +_Brahma_, and truth, and wisdom and the worlds? The man of wisdom should +ever forgive, for when he is capable of forgiving everything, he +attaineth to _Brahma_. The world belongeth to those that are forgiving; +the other world is also theirs. The forgiving acquire honours here, and +a state of blessedness hereafter. Those men that ever conquer their +wrath by forgiveness, obtain the higher regions. Therefore hath it been +said that forgiveness is the highest virtue." Those are the verses sung +by Kasyapa in respect of those that are everforgiving. Having listened, +O Draupadi, to these verses in respect of forgiveness, content thyself! +Give not way to thy wrath! Our grandsire, the son of Santanu, will +worship peace; Krishna, the son of Devaki, will worship peace; the +preceptor (Drona) and Vidura called _Kshatri_ will both speak of peace; +Kripa and Sanjaya also will preach peace. And Somadatta and Yuyutshu and +Drona's son and our grandsire Vyasa, every one of them speaketh always +of peace. Ever urged by these towards peace, the king (Dhritarashtra) +will, I think, return us our kingdom. If however, he yieldeth to +temptation, he will meet with destruction. O lady, a crisis hath come in +the history of Bharatas for plunging them into calamity! This hath been +my certain conclusion from some time before! Suyodhana deserveth not the +kingdom. Therefore hath he been unable to acquire forgiveness. I, +however, deserve the sovereignty and therefore is it that forgiveness +hath taken possession of me. Forgiveness and gentleness are the +qualities of the self-possessed. They represent eternal virtue. I shall, +therefore, truly adopt those qualities.'" + + +SECTION XXX + +"Draupadi said, 'I bow down unto _Dhatri_ and _Vidhatri_ who have thus +clouded thy sense! Regarding the burden (thou art to bear) thou thinkest +differently from the ways of thy fathers and grand-fathers! Influenced +by acts men are placed in different situations of life. Acts, therefore, +produce consequences that are inevitable; emancipation is desired from +mere folly. It seemeth that man can never attain prosperity in this +world by virtue, gentleness, forgiveness, straight-forwardness and fear +of censure! If this were not so, O Bharata, this insufferable calamity +would never have overtaken thee who art so undeserving of it, and these +thy brothers of great energy! Neither in those days of prosperity nor in +these days of thy adversity, thou, O Bharata, hath ever known anything +so dear to thee as virtue, which thou hast even regarded as dearer to +thee than life! That thy kingdom is for virtue alone, that thy life also +is for virtue alone, is known to Brahmanas and thy superiors and even +the celestials! I think thou canst abandon Bhimasena and Arjuna and +these twin sons of Madri along with myself but thou canst not abandon +virtue! I have heard that the king protecteth virtue; and virtue, +protected by him, protecteth him (in return)! I see, however, that +virtue protecteth thee not! Like the shadow pursuing a man, thy heart, O +tiger among men, with singleness of purpose, ever seeketh virtue. Thou +hast never disregarded thy equals, and inferiors and superiors. +Obtaining even the entire world, thy pride never increased! O son of +Pritha, thou ever worshippest Brahmanas, and gods, and the _Pitris_, +with _Swadhas_, and other forms of worship! O son of Pritha, thou hast +ever gratified the Brahmanas by fulfilling every wish of theirs! _Yatis_ +and _Sannyasins_ and mendicants of domestic lives have always been fed +in thy house from off plates of gold where I have distributed (food) +amongst them. Unto the _Vanaprasthas_ thou always givest gold and food. +There is nothing in thy house thou mayest not give unto the Brahmanas! +In the _Viswadeva_ sacrifice, that is, for thy peace, performed in thy +house, the things consecrated are first offered unto guests and all +creatures while thou livest thyself with what remaineth (after +distribution)! _Ishtis Pashubandhas_, sacrifices for obtaining fruition +of desire, the religious rites of (ordinary) domesticity, _Paka_ +sacrifices, and sacrifices of other kinds, are ever performed in thy +house. Even in this great forest, so solitary and haunted by robbers, +living in exile, divested of thy kingdom, thy virtue hath sustained no +diminution! The _Aswamedha_, the _Rajasuya_, the _Pundarika_, and +_Gosava_, these grand sacrifices requiring large gifts have all been +performed by thee! O monarch, impelled by a perverse sense during that +dire hour of a losing match at dice, thou didst yet stake and lose thy +kingdom, thy wealth, thy weapons, thy brothers, and myself! Simple, +gentle, liberal, modest, truthful, how, O king could thy mind be +attracted to the vice of gambling? I am almost deprived of my sense, O +king, and my heart is overwhelmed with grief, beholding this thy +distress, and this thy calamity! An old history is cited as an +illustration for the truth that men are subjects to the will of God and +never to their own wishes! The Supreme Lord and Ordainer of all +ordaineth everything in respect of the weal and woe, the happiness and +misery, of all creatures, even prior to their births guided by the acts +of each, which are even like a seed (destined to sprout forth into the +tree of life). O hero amongst men, as a wooden doll is made to move its +limbs by the wirepuller, so are creatures made to work by the Lord of +all. O Bharata, like space that covereth every object, God, pervading +every creature, ordaineth its weal or woe. Like a bird tied with a +string, every creature is dependent on God. Every one is subject to God +and none else. No one can be his own ordainer. Like a pearl on its +string, or a bull held fast by the cord passing through its nose, or a +tree fallen from the bank into the middle of the stream, every creature +followeth the command of the Creator, because imbued with His Spirit and +because established in Him. And man himself, dependent on the Universal +Soul, cannot pass a moment independently. Enveloped in darkness, +creatures are not masters of their own weal or woe. They go to heaven or +hell urged by God Himself. Like light straws dependent on strong winds, +all creatures, O Bharatas, are dependent on God! And God himself, +pervading all creatures and engaged in acts right and wrong, moveth in +the universe, though none can say _This is God!_ This body with its +physical attributes is only the means by which God--the Supreme Lord of +all maketh (every creature) to reap fruits that are good or bad. Behold +the power of illusion that hath been spread by God, who confounding with +his illusion, maketh creatures slay their fellows! Truth-knowing _Munis_ +behold those differently. They appear to them in a different light, even +like the rays of the Sun (which to ordinary eyes are only a pencil of +light, while to eyes more penetrating seem fraught with the germs of +food and drink). Ordinary men behold the things of the earth otherwise. +It is God who maketh them all, adopting different processes in their +creation and destruction. And, O Yudhishthira, the Self-create Grandsire, +Almighty God, spreading illusion, slayeth his creatures by the +instrumentality of his creatures, as one may break a piece of inert and +senseless wood with wood, or stone with stone, or iron with iron. And +the Supreme Lord, according to his pleasure, sporteth with His +creatures, creating and destroying them, like a child with his toy (of +soft earth). O king, it doth seem to me that God behaveth towards his +creatures like a father or mother unto them. Like a vicious person, He +seemeth to bear himself towards them in anger! Beholding superior and +well-behaved and modest persons persecuted, while the sinful are happy, +I am sorely troubled. Beholding this thy distress and the prosperity of +Suyodhana, I do not speak highly of the Great Ordainer who suffereth +such inequality! O sir, what fruits doth the Great Ordainer reap by +granting prosperity to Dhritarashtra's son who transgresseth the +ordinances, who is crooked and covetous, and who injureth virtue and +religion! If the act done pursueth the doer and none else, then +certainly it is God himself who is stained with the sin of every act. If +however, the sin of an act done doth not attach to the doer, then +(individual) might (and not God) is the true cause of acts, and I grieve +for those that have no might!'" + + +SECTION XXXI + +"Yudhishthira said, 'Thy speech, O Yajnaseni, is delightful, smooth and +full of excellent phrases. We have listened to it (carefully). Thou +speakest, however, the language of atheism. O princess, I never act, +solicitous of the fruits of my actions. I give away, because it is my +duty to give; I sacrifice because it is my duty to sacrifice! O Krishna, +I accomplish to the best of my power whatever a person living in +domesticity should do, regardless of the fact whether those acts have +fruits or not. O thou of fair hips, I act virtuously, not from the +desire of reaping the fruits of virtue, but of not transgressing the +ordinances of the Veda, and beholding also the conduct of the good and +wise! My heart, O Krishna, is naturally attracted towards virtue. The +man who wisheth to reap the fruits of virtue is a trader in virtue. His +nature is mean and he should never be counted amongst the virtuous. Nor +doth he ever obtain the fruits of his virtues! Nor doth he of sinful +heart, who having accomplished a virtuous act doubteth in his mind, +obtain the fruits of his act, in consequence of that scepticism of his! +I speak unto thee, under the authority of the Vedas, which constitute +the highest proof in such matters, that never shouldst thou doubt +virtue! The man that doubteth virtue is destined to take his birth in +the brute species. The man of weak understanding who doubteth religion, +virtue or the words of the Rishis, is precluded from regions of +immortality and bliss, like Sudras from the Vedas! O intelligent one, if +a child born of a good race studieth the Vedas and beareth himself +virtuously, royal sages of virtuous behaviour regard him as an aged sage +(not withstanding his years)! The sinful wretch, however, who doubteth +religion and transgresseth the scriptures, is regarded as lower even +than Sudras and robbers! Thou hast seen with thy own eyes the great +ascetic Markandeya of immeasurable soul come to us! It is by virtue +alone that he hath acquired immortality in the flesh. Vyasa, and +Vasistha and Maitreya, and Narada and Lomasa, and Suka, and other Rishis +have all, by virtue alone, become of pure soul! Thou beholdest them with +thy own eyes as furnished with prowess of celestial asceticism, +competent to curse or bless (with effect), and superior to the very +gods! O sinless one, these all, equal to the celestials themselves, +behold with their eyes what is written in the Vedas, and describe virtue +as the foremost duty! It behoveth thee not, therefore, O amiable Queen, +to either doubt or censure God or act, with a foolish heart. The fool +that doubteth religion and disregardeth virtue, proud of the proof +derived from his own reasoning, regardeth not other proofs and holdeth +the Rishis, who are capable of knowing the future as present as mad men. +The fool regardeth only the external world capable of gratifying his +senses, and is blind to everything else. He that doubteth religion hath +no expiation for his offence. That miserable wretch is full of anxiety +and acquireth not regions of bliss hereafter. A rejector of proofs, a +slanderer of the interpretation of the Vedic scriptures, a transgressor +urged by lust and covetousness, that fool goeth to hell. O amiable one, +he on the other hand, who ever cherisheth religion with faith, obtaineth +eternal bliss in the other world. The fool who cherisheth not religion, +transgressing the proofs offered by the Rishis, never obtaineth +prosperity in any life, for such transgression of the scriptures. It is +certain, O handsome one, that with respect to him who regardeth not the +words of the Rishis or the conduct of the virtuous as proof, neither +this nor the other world existeth. Doubt not, O Krishna, the ancient +religion that is practised by the good and framed by Rishis of universal +knowledge and capable of seeing all things! O daughter of Drupada, +religion is the only raft for those desirous of going to heaven, like a +ship to merchants desirous of crossing the ocean. O thou faultless one, +if the virtues that are practised by the virtuous had no fruits, this +universe then would be enveloped in infamous darkness. No one then would +pursue salvation, no one would seek to acquire knowledge nor even +wealth, but men would live like beasts. If asceticism, the austerities +of celibate life, sacrifices, study of the Vedas, charity, +honesty,--these all were fruitless, men would not have practised virtue +generation after generation. If acts were all fruitless, a dire +confusion would ensue. For what then do Rishis and gods and Gandharvas +and Rakshasas who are all independent of human conditions, cherish +virtue with such affection? Knowing it for certain that God is the giver +of fruits in respect of virtue, they practise virtue in this world. +This, O Krishna, is the eternal (source of) prosperity. When the fruits +of both knowledge and asceticism are seen, virtue and vice cannot be +fruitless. Call to thy mind, O Krishna, the circumstances of thy own +birth as thou that heard of them, and recall also the manner in which +Dhrishtadyumna of great prowess was born! These, O thou of sweet smiles, +are the best proofs (of the fruits of virtue)! They that have their +minds under control, reap the fruits of their acts and are content with +little. Ignorant fools are not content with even that much they get +(here), because they have no happiness born of virtue to acquire to in +the world hereafter. The fruitlessness of virtuous acts ordained in the +Vedas, as also of all transgressions, the origin and destruction of acts +are, O beautiful one, mysterious even to the gods. These are not known +to any body and everybody. Ordinary men are ignorant in respect of +these. The gods keep up the mystery, for the illusion covering the +conduct of the gods is unintelligible. Those regenerate ones that have +destroyed all aspirations, that have built all their hopes on vows and +asceticism, that have burnt all their sins and have acquired minds where +quest and peace and holiness dwell, understand all these. Therefore, +though you mayst not see the fruits of virtue, thou shouldst not yet +doubt religion or gods. Thou must perform sacrifices with a will, and +practise charity without insolence. Acts in this world have their +fruits, and virtue also is eternal. Brahma himself told this unto his +(spiritual) sons, as testified to by Kasyapa. Let thy doubt, therefore, +O Krishna, be dispelled like mist. Reflecting upon all this, let thy +scepticism give way to faith. Slander not God, who is the lord of all +creatures. Learn how to know him. Bow down unto him. Let not thy mind be +such. And, O Krishna, never disregard that Supreme Being through whose +grace mortal man, by piety, acquireth immortality!'" + + +SECTION XXXII + +"Draupadi said, 'I do not ever disregard or slander religion, O son of +Pritha! Why should I disregard God, the lord of all creatures? Afflicted +with woe, know me, O Bharata, to be only raving. I will once more indulge +in lamentations; listen to me with attention. O persecutor of all +enemies, every conscious creature should certainly act in this world. It +is only the immobile, and not other creatures, that may live without +acting. The calf, immediately after its birth, sucketh the mothers's +teat. Persons feel pain in consequence of incantations performed with +their statues. It seemeth, therefore, O Yudhishthira, that creatures +derive the character of their lives from their acts of former lives. +Amongst mobile creatures man differeth in this respect that he aspireth, +O bull of the Bharata race, to affect his course of life in this and the +other world by means of his acts. Impelled by the inspiration of a +former life, all creatures visibly (reap) in this world the fruits of +their acts. Indeed, all creatures live according to the inspiration of a +former life, even the Creator and the Ordainer of the universe, like a +crane that liveth on the water (untaught by any one.) If a creature +acteth not, its course of life is impossible. In the case of a creature, +therefore, there must be action and not inaction. Thou also shouldest +act, and not incur censure by abandoning action. Cover thyself up, as +with an armour, with action. There may or may not be even one in a +thousand who truly knoweth the utility of acts or work. One must act for +protecting as also increasing his wealth; for if without seeking to +earn, one continueth to only spend, his wealth, even if it were a hoard +huge as Himavat, would soon be exhausted. All the creatures in the world +would have been exterminated, if there were no action. If also acts bore +no fruits, creatures would never have multiplied. It is even seen that +creatures sometimes perform acts that have no fruits, for without acts +the course of life itself would be impossible. Those persons in the +world who believe in destiny, and those again who believe in chance, are +both the worst among men. Those only that believe in the efficacy of +acts are laudable. He that lieth at ease, without activity, believing in +destiny alone, is soon destroyed like an unburnt earthen pot in water. +So also he that believeth in chance, i.e. sitteth inactive though +capable of activity liveth not long, for his life is one of weakness and +helplessness. If any person accidentally acquireth any wealth, it is +said he deriveth it from chance, for no one's effort hath brought about +the result. And, O son of Pritha, whatever of good fortune a person +obtaineth in consequence of religious rites, that is called +providential. The fruit, however that a person obtaineth by acting +himself, and which is the direct result of those acts of his, is +regarded as proof of personal ability. And, O best of men, know that the +wealth one obtaineth spontaneously and without cause is said to be a +spontaneous acquisition. Whatever is thus obtained by chance, by +providential dispensation, spontaneously, of as the result of one's acts +is, however, the consequence of the acts of a former life. And God, the +Ordainer of the universe, judging according to the acts of former lives, +distributeth among men their portions in this world. Whatever acts, good +or bad, a person performeth, know that they are the result of God's +arrangements agreeably to the acts of a former life. This body is only +the instruments in the hands of God, for doing the acts that are done. +Itself, inert, it doth as God urgeth it to do. O son of Kunti, it is the +Supreme Lord of all who maketh all creatures do what they do. The +creatures themselves are inert. O hero, man, having first settled some +purpose in his mind, accomplisheth it, himself working with the aid of +his intelligence. We, therefore, say that man is himself the cause (of +what he doeth). O bull among men, it is impossible to number the acts of +men, for mansions and towns are the result of man's acts. Intelligent +men know, by help of their intellect, that oil may be had from sesame, +curds from milk, and that food may be cooked by means of igniting fuel. +They know also the means for accomplishing all these. And knowing them, +they afterwards set themselves, with proper appliances, to accomplish +them. And creatures support their lives by the results achieved in these +directions by their own acts. If a work is executed by a skilled +workman, it is executed well. From differences (in characteristics), +another work may be said to be that of an unskilful hand. If a person +were not, in the matter of his acts, himself the cause thereof, then +sacrifices would not bear any fruits in his case nor would any body be a +disciple or a master. It is because a person is himself the cause of his +work that he is applauded when he achieved success. So the doer is +censured if he faileth. If a man were not himself the cause of his acts, +how would all this be justified? Some say that everything is the result +of providential dispensation; others again, that this is not so, but +that everything which is supposed to be the result of destiny or chance +is the result of the good or the bad acts of former lives. It is seen, +possessions are obtained from chance, as also from destiny. Something +being from destiny and something from chance, something is obtained by +exertion. In the acquisition of his objects, there is no fourth cause in +the case of man. Thus say those that are acquainted with truth and +skilled in knowledge. If, however, God himself were not the giver of +good and bad fruits, then amongst creatures there would not be any that +was miserable. If the effect of former acts be a myth, then all purposes +for which man would work should be successful. They, therefore, that +regard the three alone (mentioned above) as the doors of all success and +failure in the world, (without regarding the acts of former life), are +dull and inert like the body itself. For all this, however, a person +should act. This is the conclusion of Manu himself. The person that doth +not act, certainly succumbeth, O Yudhishthira. The man of action in this +world generally meeteth with success. The idle, however, never achieveth +success. If success becometh impossible, then should one seek to remove +the difficulties that bar his way to success. And, O king, if a person +worketh (hard), his debt (to the gods) is cancelled (whether he +achieveth success or not). The person that is idle and lieth at his +length, is overcome by adversity; while he that is active and skillful +is sure to reap success and enjoy prosperity. Intelligent persons +engaged in acts with confidence in themselves regard all who are +diffident as doubting and unsuccessful. The confident and faithful, +however, are regarded by them as successful. And this moment misery hath +overtaken us. If, however, thou betakest to action, that misery will +certainly be removed. If thou meetest failure, then that will furnish a +proof unto thee and Vrikodara and Vivatsu and the twins (that ye are +unable to snatch the kingdom from the foe). The acts of others, it is +seen, are crowned with success. It is probable that ours also will be +successful. How can one know beforehand what the consequence will be? +Having exerted thyself thou wilt know what the fruit of thy exertion +will be. The tiller tilleth with the plough the soil and soweth the +seeds thereon. He then sitteth silent, for the clouds (after that) are +the cause that would help the seeds to grow into plants. If however, the +clouds favour him not, the tiller is absolved from all blame. He sayeth +unto himself, "What others do, I have done. If, notwithstanding this, I +meet with failure, no blame can attach to me." Thinking so, he +containeth himself and never indulgeth in self-reproach. O Bharata, no +one should despair saying, "Oh, I am acting, yet success is not mine!" +For there are two other causes, besides exertion, towards success. +Whether there be success or failure, there should be no despair, for +success in acts dependeth upon the union of many circumstances. If one +important element is wanting, success doth not become commensurate, or +doth not come at all. If however, no exertion is made, there can be no +success. Nor is there anything to applaud in the absence of all +exertion. The intelligent, aided by their intelligence, and according to +their full might bring place, time, means, auspicious rites, for the +acquisition of prosperity. With carefulness and vigilance should one set +himself to work, his chief guide being his prowess. In the union of +qualities necessary for success in work, prowess seemeth to be the +chief. When the man of intelligence seeth his enemy superior to him in +many qualities, he should seek the accomplishment of his purposes by +means of the arts of conciliation and proper appliances. He should also +wish evil unto his foe and his banishment. Without speaking of mortal +man, if his foe were even the ocean or the hills, he should be guided by +such motives. A person by his activity in searching for the holes of his +enemies, dischargeth his debt to himself as also to his friends. No man +should ever disparage himself for the man that disparageth himself never +earneth high prosperity. O Bharata, success in this world is attainable +on such conditions! In fact, success in the world is said to depend on +acting according to time and circumstances. My father formerly kept a +learned Brahmana with him. O bull of the Bharata race, he said all this +unto my father. Indeed, these instructions as to duty, uttered by +Vrihaspati himself, were first taught to my brothers. It was from them +that I heard these afterwards while in my father's house. And, O +Yudhishthira, while at intervals of business, I went out (of the inner +apartments) and sat on the lap of my father, that learned Brahmana used +to recite unto me these truths, sweetly consoling me therewith!'" + + +SECTION XXXIII + +Vaisampayana said, "Hearing these words of Yajnaseni, Bhimasena, sighing +in wrath, approached the king and addressed him, saying, 'Walk, O +monarch, in the customary path trodden by good men (before thee) in +respect of kingdoms. What do we gain by living in the asylum of +ascetics, thus deprived of virtue, pleasure, and profit? It is not by +virtue, nor by honesty, nor by might, but by unfair dice, that our +kingdom hath been snatched by Duryodhana. Like a weak offal-eating +jackal snatching the prey from mighty lions, he hath snatched away our +kingdom. Why, O monarch, in obedience to the trite merit of sticking to +a promise, dost thou suffer such distress, abandoning that wealth which +is the source of both virtue and enjoyments? It was for thy +carelessness, O king, that our kingdom protected by the wielder of the +_Gandiva_ and therefore, incapable of being wrested by Indra himself, +was snatched from us in our very sight. It was for thee, O monarch, +that, ourselves living, our prosperity was snatched away from us like a +fruit from one unable to use his arms, or like kine from one incapable +of using his legs. Thou art faithful in the acquisition of virtue. It +was to please thee, O Bharata, that we have suffered ourselves to be +overwhelmed with such dire calamity. O bull of the Bharata race, it was +because we were subject to thy control that we are thus tearing the +hearts of our friends and gratifying our foes. That we did not, in +obedience to thee, even then slay the sons of Dhritarashtra, is an act +of folly on our part that grieveth me sorely. This thy abode, O king, in +the woods, like that of any wild animal, is what a man of weakness alone +would submit to. Surely, no man of might would ever lead such a life. +This thy course of life is approved neither by Krishna, nor Vibhatsu, +nor by Abhimanyu, nor by the Srinjayas, nor by myself, nor by the sons +of Madri. Afflicted with the vows, thy cry is _Religion! Religion_! Hast +thou from despair been deprived of thy manliness? Cowards alone, unable +to win back their prosperity, cherish despair, which is fruitless and +destructive of one's purposes. Thou hast ability and eyes. Thou seest +that manliness dwelleth in us. It is because thou hast adopted a life of +peace that thou feelest not this distress. These Dhritarashtras regard +us who are forgiving, as really incompetent. This, O king, grieveth me +more than death in battle. If we all die in fair fight without turning +our backs on the foe, even that would be better than this exile, for +then we should obtain regions of bliss in the other world. Or, if, O +bull of the Bharata race, having slain them all, we acquire the entire +earth, that would be prosperity worth the trial. We who ever adhere to +the customs of our order, who ever desire grand achievements, who wish +to avenge our wrongs, have this for our bounden duty. Our kingdom +wrested from us, if we engage in battle, our deeds when known to the +world will procure for us fame and not slander. And that virtue, O king, +which tortureth one's own self and friends, is really no virtue. It is +rather vice, producing calamities. Virtue is sometimes also the weakness +of men. And though such a man might ever be engaged in the practice of +virtue, yet both virtue and profit forsake him, like pleasure and pain +forsaking a person that is dead. He that practiseth virtue for virtue's +sake always suffereth. He can scarcely be called a wise man, for he +knoweth not the purposes of virtue like a blind man incapable of +perceiving the solar light. He that regardeth his wealth to exist for +himself alone, scarcely understandeth the purposes of wealth. He is +really like a servant that tendeth kine in a forest. He again that +pursueth wealth too much without pursuing virtue and enjoyments, +deserveth to be censured and slain by all men. He also that ever +pursueth enjoyments without pursuing virtue and wealth, loseth his +friends and virtue and wealth also. Destitute of virtue and wealth such +a man, indulging in pleasure at will, at the expiration of his period of +indulgence, meeteth with certain death, like a fish when the water in +which it liveth hath been dried up. It is for these reasons that they +that are wise are ever careful of both virtue and wealth, for a union of +virtue and wealth is the essential requisite of pleasure, as fuel is the +essential requisite of fire. Pleasure hath always virtue for its root, +and virtue also is united with pleasure. Know, O monarch, that both are +dependent on each other like the ocean and the clouds, the ocean causing +the clouds and the clouds filling the ocean. The joy that one feeleth in +consequence of contact with objects of touch or of possession of wealth, +is what is called pleasure. It existeth in the mind, having no corporeal +existence that one can see. He that wisheth (to obtain) wealth, seeketh +for a large share of virtue to crown his wish with success. He that +wisheth for pleasure, seeketh wealth, (so that his wish may be +realised). Pleasure however, yieldeth nothing in its turn. One pleasure +cannot lead to another, being its own fruit, as ashes may be had from +wood, but nothing from those ashes in their turn. And, O king, as a +fowler killeth the birds we see, so doth sin slay the creatures of the +world. He, therefore, who misled by pleasure or covetousness, beholdeth +not the nature of virtue, deserveth to be slain by all, and becometh +wretched both here and hereafter. It is evident, O king, that thou +knowest that pleasure may be derived from the possession of various +objects of enjoyment. Thou also well knowest their ordinary states, as +well as the great changes they undergo. At their loss or disappearance +occasioned by decrepitude or death, ariseth what is called distress. +That distress, O king, hath now overtaken us. The joy that ariseth from +the five senses, the intellect and the heart, being directed to the +objects proper to each, is called pleasure. That pleasure, O king, is, +as I think, one of the best fruits of our actions. + +"'Thus, O monarch, one should regard virtue, wealth and pleasure one +after another. One should not devote one self to virtue alone, nor +regard wealth as the highest object of one's wishes, nor pleasure, but +should ever pursue all three. The scriptures ordain that one should seek +virtue in the morning, wealth at noon, and pleasure in the evening. The +scriptures also ordain that one should seek pleasure in the first +portion of life, wealth in the second, and virtue in the last. And, O +thou foremost of speakers, they that are wise and fully conversant with +proper division of time, pursue all three, virtue, wealth, and pleasure, +dividing their time duly. O son of the Kuru race, whether independence +of these (three), or their possession is the better for those that +desire happiness, should be settled by thee after careful thought. And +thou shouldst then, O king, unhesitatingly act either for acquiring +them, or abandoning them all. For he who liveth wavering between the two +doubtingly, leadeth a wretched life. It is well known that thy behaviour +is ever regulated by virtue. Knowing this thy friends counsel thee to +act. Gift, sacrifice, respect for the wise, study of the Vedas, and +honesty, these, O king, constitute the highest virtue and are +efficacious both here and hereafter. These virtues, however, cannot be +attained by one that hath no wealth, even if, O tiger among men, he may +have infinite other accomplishments. The whole universe, O king, +dependeth upon virtue. There is nothing higher than virtue. And virtue, +O king, is attainable by one that hath plenty of wealth. Wealth cannot +be earned by leading a mendicant life, nor by a life of feebleness. +Wealth, however, can be earned by intelligence directed by virtue. In +thy case, O king, begging, which is successful with Brahmanas, hath been +forbidden. Therefore, O bull amongst men, strive for the acquisition of +wealth by exerting thy might and energy. Neither mendicancy, nor the +life of a Sudra is what is proper for thee. Might and energy constitute +the virtue of the Kshatriya in especial. Adopt thou, therefore, the +virtue of thy order and slay the enemies. Destroy the might of +Dhritarashtra's sons, O son of Pritha, with my and Arjuna's aid. They +that are learned and wise say that sovereignty is virtue. Acquire +sovereignty, therefore, for it behoveth thee not to live in a state of +inferiority. Awake, O king, and understand the eternal virtues (of the +order). By birth thou belongest to an order whose deeds are cruel and +are a source of pain to man. Cherish thy subjects and reap the fruit +thereof. That can never be a reproach. Even this, O king, is the virtue +ordained by God himself for the order to which thou belongest! If thou +fallest away therefrom, thou wilt make thyself ridiculous. Deviation +from the virtues of one's own order is never applauded. Therefore, O +thou of the Kuru race, making thy heart what it ought to be, agreeably +to the order to which thou belongest, and casting away this course of +feebleness, summon thy energy and bear thy weight like one that beareth +it manfully. No king, O monarch, could ever acquire the sovereignty of +the earth or prosperity or affluence by means of virtue alone. Like a +fowler earning his food in the shape of swarms of little easily-tempted +game, by offering them some attractive food, doth one that is +intelligent acquire a kingdom, by offering bribes unto low and covetous +enemies. Behold, O bull among kings, the Asuras, though elder brothers +in possession of power and affluence, were all vanquished by the gods +through stratagem. Thus, O king, everything belongeth to those that are +mighty. And, O mighty-armed one, slay thy foes, having recourse to +stratagem. There is none equal unto Arjuna in wielding the bow in +battle. Nor is there anybody that may be equal unto me in wielding the +mace. Strong men, O monarch, engage in battle depending on their might, +and not on the force of numbers nor on information of the enemy's plans +procured through spies. Therefore, O son of Pandu exert thy might. Might +is the root of wealth. Whatever else is said to be its root is really +not such. As the shade of the tree in winter goeth for nothing, so +without might everything else becometh fruitless. Wealth should be spent +by one who wisheth to increase his wealth, after the manner, O son of +Kunti, of scattering seeds on the ground. Let there be no doubt then in +thy mind. Where, however, wealth that is more or even equal is not to be +gained, there should be no expenditure of wealth. For investment of +wealth are like the ass, scratching, pleasurable at first but painful +afterwards. Thus, O king of men, the person who throweth away like seeds +a little of his virtue in order to gain a larger measure of virtue, is +regarded as wise. Beyond doubt, it is as I say. They that are wise +alienate the friends of the foe that owneth such, and having weakened +him by causing those friends to abandon him thus, they then reduce him +to subjection. Even they that are strong, engage in battle depending on +their courage. One cannot by even continued efforts (uninspired by +courage) or by the arts of conciliation, always conquer a kingdom. +Sometimes, O king, men that are weak, uniting in large numbers, slay +even a powerful foe, like bees killing the despoiler of the honey by +force of numbers alone. (As regards thyself), O king, like the sun that +sustaineth as well as slayeth creatures by his rays, adopt thou the ways +of the sun. To protect one's kingdom and cherish the people duly, as +done by our ancestors, O king, is, it hath been heard by us, a kind of +asceticism mentioned even in the Vedas. By asceticism, O king, a +Kshatriya cannot acquire such regions of blessedness as he can by fair +fight whether ending in victory or defeat. Beholding, O king, this thy +distress, the world hath come to the conclusion that light may forsake +the Sun and grace the Moon. And, O king, good men separately as well as +assembling together, converse with one another, applauding thee and +blaming the other. There is this, moreover, O monarch, _viz_., that both +the Kurus and the Brahmanas, assembling together, gladly speak of thy +firm adherence to truth, in that thou hast never, from ignorance, from +meanness, from covetousness, or from fear, uttered an untruth. Whatever +sin, O monarch, a king committeth in acquiring dominion, he consumeth it +all afterwards by means of sacrifices distinguished by large gifts. Like +the Moon emerging from the clouds, the king is purified from all sins by +bestowing villages on Brahmanas and kine by thousands. Almost all the +citizens as well as the inhabitants of the country, young or old, O son +of the Kuru race, praise thee, O Yudhishthira! This also, O Bharata, the +people are saying amongst themselves, _viz_., that as milk in a bag of +dog's hide, as the Vedas in a Sudra, as truth in a robber, as strength +in a woman, so is sovereignty in Duryodhana. Even women and children are +repeating this, as if it were a lesson they seek to commit to memory. O +represser of foes, thou hast fallen into this state along with +ourselves. Alas, we also are lost with thee for this calamity of thine. +Therefore, ascending in thy car furnished with every implement, and +making the superior Brahmanas utter benedictions on thee, march thou +with speed, even this very day, upon Hastinapura, in order that thou +mayst be able to give unto Brahmanas the spoils of victory. Surrounded +by thy brothers, who are firm wielders of the bow, and by heroes skilled +in weapons and like unto snakes of virulent poison, set thou out even +like the slayer Vritra surrounded by the Marutas. And, O son of Kunti, +as thou art powerful, grind thou with thy might thy weak enemies, like +Indra grinding the Asuras; and snatch thou from Dhritarashtra's son the +prosperity he enjoyeth. There is no mortal that can bear the touch of +the shafts furnished with the feathers of the vulture and resembling +snakes of virulent poison, that would be shot from the _Gandiva_. And, O +Bharata, there is not a warrior, nor an elephant, nor a horse, that is +able to bear the impetus of my mace when I am angry in battle. Why, O +son of Kunti, should we not wrest our kingdom from the foe, fighting +with the aid of the Srinjayas and Kaikeyas, and the bull of the Vrishni +race? Why, O king, should we not succeed in wresting the (sovereignty of +the) earth that is now in the hands of the foe, if, aided by a large +force, we do but strive?'" + + +SECTION XXXIV + +Vaisampayana said, "Thus addressed by Bhimasena, the high-souled king +Ajatasatru firmly devoted to truth, mustering his patience, after a few +moments said these words, 'No doubt, O Bharata, all this is true. I +cannot reproach thee for thy torturing me thus by piercing me with thy +arrowy words. From my folly alone hath this calamity come against you. I +sought to cast the dice desiring to snatch from Dhritarashtra's son his +kingdom with the sovereignty. It was therefore that, that cunning +gambler--Suvala's son--played against me on behalf of Suyodhana. Sakuni, +a native of the hilly country, is exceedingly artful. Casting the dice +in the presence of the assembly, unacquainted as I am with artifices of +any kind, he vanquished me artfully. It is, therefore, O Bhimasena, that +we have been overwhelmed with this calamity. Beholding the dice +favourable to the wishes of Sakuni in odds and evens, I could have +controlled my mind. Anger, however, driveth off a person's patience. O +child, the mind cannot be kept under control when it is influenced by +hauteur, vanity, or pride. I do not reproach thee, O Bhimasena, for the +words thou usest. I only regard that what hath befallen us was +pre-ordained. When king Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra, coveting +our kingdom, plunged us into misery and even slavery, then, O Bhima, it +was Draupadi that rescued us. When summoned again to the assembly for +playing once more, thou knowest as well as Arjuna what Dhritarashtra's +son told me, in the presence of all the Bharatas, regarding the stake +for which we were to play. His words were, O prince Ajatsatru, (if +vanquished), thou shalt have with all thy brothers, to dwell, to the +knowledge of all men, for twelve years in the forest of thy choice, +passing the thirteenth year in secrecy. If during the latter period, the +spies of the Bharatas, hearing of thee, succeed in discovering thee, +thou shalt have again to live in the forest for the same period, passing +once more the last year in secrecy. Reflecting upon this, pledge thyself +to it. As regards myself, I promise truly in this assembly of the Kurus, +that if thou canst pass this time confounding my spies and undiscovered +by them, then, O Bharata, this kingdom of the five rivers is once more +thine. We also, O Bharata, if vanquished by thee, shall, all of us, +abandoning all our wealth, pass the same period, according to the same +rules. Thus addressed by the prince, I replied unto him in the midst of +all the Kurus, "_So be it_!" The wretched game then commenced. We were +vanquished and have been exiled. It is for this that we are wandering +miserably over different woody regions abounding with discomfort. +Suyodhana, however, still dissatisfied, gave himself up to anger, and +urged the Kurus as also all those under his sway to express their joy at +our calamity. Having entered into such an agreement in the presence of +all good men, who dareth break it for the sake of a kingdom on earth? +For a respectable person, I think, even death itself is lighter than the +acquisition of sovereignty by an act of transgression. At the time of +the play, thou hadst desired to burn my hands. Thou wert prevented by +Arjuna, and accordingly didst only squeeze thy own hands. If thou +couldst do what thou hadst desired, could this calamity befall us? +Conscious of thy prowess, why didst thou not, O Bhima, say so before we +entered into such an agreement? Overwhelmed with the consequence of our +pledge, and the time itself having passed, what is the use of thy +addressing me these harsh words? O Bhima, this is my great grief that we +could not do anything even beholding Draupadi persecuted in that way. My +heart burneth as if I have drunk some poisonous liquid. Having, however, +given that pledge in the midst of the Kuru heroes, I am unable to +violate it now. Wait, O Bhima, for the return of our better days, like +the scatterer of seeds waiting for the harvest. When one that hath been +first injured, succeedeth in revenging himself upon his foe at a time +when the latter's enmity hath borne fruit and flowers, he is regarded +to have accomplished a great thing by his prowess. Such a brave person +earneth undying fame. Such a man obtaineth great prosperity. His enemies +bow down unto him, and his friends gather round him, like the celestials +clustering round Indra for protection. But know, O Bhima, my promise can +never be untrue. I regard virtue as superior to life itself and a +blessed state of celestial existence. Kingdom, sons, fame, wealth,--all +these do not come up to even a sixteenth part of truth.'" + + +SECTION XXXV + +"Bhima said, 'O king, unsubstantial as thou art like froth, unstable +like a fruit (falling when ripe), dependent on time, and mortal, having +entered into an agreement in respect of time, which is infinite and +immeasurable, quick like a shaft or flowing like a stream, and carrying +everything before it like death itself, how canst regard it as available +by thee? How can he, O son of Kunti, wait whose life is shortened every +moment, even like a quantity of collyrium that is lessened each time a +grain is taken up by the needle? He only whose life is unlimited or who +knoweth with certitude what the period of his life is, and who knoweth +the future as if it were before his eyes, can indeed wait for the +arrival of (an expected) time. If we wait, O king, for thirteen years, +that period, shortening our lives, will bring us nearer to death. Death +is sure to overtake every creature having a corporeal existence. +Therefore, we should strive for the possession of our kingdom before we +die. He that faileth to achieve fame, by failing to chastise his foes, +is like an unclean thing. He is a useless burden on the earth like an +incapacitated bull and perisheth ingloriously. The man who, destitute of +strength, and courage, chastiseth not his foes, liveth in vain, I regard +such a one as low-born. Thy hand can rain gold; thy fame spreadeth over +the whole earth; slaying thy foes, therefore, in battle, enjoy thou the +wealth acquired by the might of thy arms. O repressor of all foes, O +king, if a man slaying his injurer, goeth the very day into hell, that +hell becometh heaven to him. O king, the pain one feeleth in having to +suppress one's wrath is more burning than fire itself. Even now I burn +with it and cannot sleep in the day or the night. This son of Pritha, +called Vibhatsu, is foremost in drawing the bow-string. He certainly +burneth with grief, though he liveth here like a lion in his den. This +one that desireth to slay without aid all wielders of the bow on earth, +represseth the wrath that riseth in his breast, like a mighty elephant. +Nakula, Sahadeva, and old Kunti--that mother of heroes, are all dumb, +desiring to please thee. And all our friends along with the Srinjayas +equally desire to please thee. I alone, and Prativindhya's mother speak +unto thee burning with grief. Whatever I speak unto thee is agreeable to +all of them, for all of them plunged in distress, eagerly wish for +battle. Then, O monarch, what more wretched a calamity can overtake us +that our kingdom should be wrested from us by weak and contemptible foes +and enjoyed by them? O king, from the weakness of thy disposition thou +feelest shame in violating thy pledge. But, O slayer of foes, no one +applaudeth thee for thus suffering such pain in consequence of the +kindliness of thy disposition. Thy intellect, O king, seeth not the +truth, like that of a foolish and ignorant person of high birth who hath +committed the words of the Vedas to memory without understanding their +sense. Thou art kind like a Brahmana. How hast thou been born in the +Kshatriya order? They that are born in the Kshatriya order are generally +of crooked hearts. Thou hast heard (recited) the duties of kings, as +promulgated by Manu, fraught with crookedness and unfairness and +precepts opposed to tranquillity and virtue. Why dost thou then, O king, +forgive the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra? Thou hast intelligence, +prowess, learning and high birth. Why dost thou then, O tiger among men, +act in respect of thy duties, like a huge snake that is destitute of +motion? O son of Kunti, he that desireth to conceal us, only wisheth to +conceal the mountains of Himavat by means of a handful of grass. O son +of Pritha, known as thou art over whole earth, thou wilt not be able to +live unknown, like the sun that can never course through the sky unknown +to men. Like a large tree in a well-watered region with spreading +branches and flowers and leaves, or like Indra's elephant, how will +Jishnu live unknown? How also will these children, the brothers, Nakula +and Sahadeva, equal unto a couple of young lions, both live in secret? +How, O son of Pritha, will Krishna--the daughter of Drupada--a princess +and mother of heroes, of virtuous deeds and known over all the world, +live unknown? Me also, everybody knoweth from my boyhood. I do not see +how I can live unknown. As well mighty mountains of Meru be sought to be +concealed. Then, again, many kings had been expelled by us from their +kingdom. These kings and princes will all follow the bad son of +Dhritarashtra, for robbed and exiled by us, they have not still become +friendly. Desiring to do good unto Dhritarashtra, they will certainly +seek to injure us. They will certainly set against us numerous spies in +disguise. If these discover us and report their discovery, a great +danger will overtake us. We have already lived in the woods full +thirteen months. Regard them, O king, for their length as thirteen +years. The wise have said that a month is a substitute for a year, like +the pot-herb that is regarded as a substitute for the _Soma_. Or, (if +thou breakest thy pledge), O king, thou mayst free thyself from this sin +by offering good savoury food to a quiet bull carrying sacred burdens. +Therefore, O king resolve thou to slay thy enemies. There is no virtue +higher than fighting, for every Kshatriya!'" + + +SECTION XXXVI + +Vaisampayana said, "Hearing those words of Bhima, Yudhishthira, the son +of Kunti--tiger among men and slayer of all foes--began to sigh heavily, +and reflect in silence. And he thought within himself, 'I have heard +recited the duties of kings, also all truths about the duties of the +different orders. He is said to observe those duties truly who keepeth +them before his eyes, so as to regulate his conduct both in the present +and the future. Knowing as I do the true course of virtue, which, +however is so very difficult of being known, how can I forcibly grind +virtue down like grinding the mountains of Meru?' Having reflected so +for a moment, and settled what he should do, he replied unto Bhima as +follows without allowing him another word: + +"'O thou of mighty arms, it is even so as thou hast said. But, O thou +foremost of speakers, listen now to another word I say. Whatever sinful +deeds, O Bhima, one seeketh to achieve, depending on his courage alone, +become always a source of pain. But, O thou of mighty arms, whatever is +begun with deliberation, with well-directed prowess, with all +appliances, and much previous thought, is seen to succeed. The gods +themselves favour such designs. Hear from me something about what, proud +of thy might, O Bhima, and led away by thy restlessness, thou thinkest +should be immediately begun. Bhurisravas, Sala, the mighty Jarasandha, +Bhishma, Drona, Karna, the mighty son of Drona, Dhritarashtra's +sons--Duryodhana and others--so difficult of being vanquished, are all +accomplished in arms and ever ready for battle with us. Those kings and +chiefs of the earth also who have been injured by us, have all adopted +the side of the Kauravas, and are bound by ties of affection to them. O +Bharata, they are engaged in seeking the good of Duryodhana and not of +us. With full treasures and aided by large forces, they will certainly +strive their best in battle. All the officers also of the Kuru army +together with their sons and relatives, have been honoured by Duryodhana +with wealth and luxuries. Those heroes are also much regarded by +Duryodhana. This is my certain conclusion that they will sacrifice their +lives for Duryodhana in battle. Although the behaviour of Bhishma, +Drona, and the illustrious Kripa, is the same towards us as towards +them, yet, O thou of mighty arms, this is my certain conclusion that in +order to pay off the royal favours they enjoy, they will throw their +very lives, than which there is nothing dearer, in battle. All of them +are masters of celestial weapons, and devoted to the practice of virtue. +I think they are incapable of being vanquished even by gods led by +Vasava himself. There is again amongst them that mighty +warrior--Karna--impetuous, and ever wrathful, master of all weapons, and +invincible, and encased in impenetrable mail. Without first vanquishing +in battle all those foremost of men, unaided as thou art, how canst thou +slay Duryodhana? O Vrikodara, I cannot sleep thinking of the lightness +of hand of that _Suta's_ son, who, I regard, is the foremost of all +wielders of the bow!'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of Yudhishthira, the +impetuous Bhima became alarmed, and forbore from speaking anything. And +while the sons of Pandu were thus conversing with each other, there came +to that spot the great ascetic Vyasa, the son of Satyavati. And as he +came, the sons of Pandu worshipped him duly. Then that foremost of all +speakers, addressing Yudhishthira, said, 'O, Yudhishthira, O thou of +mighty arms, knowing by spiritual insight what is passing in thy heart, +I have come to thee, O thou bull among men! The fear that is in thy +heart, arising from Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and Karna, and +Drona's son, and prince Duryodhana, and Dussasana, I will dispel, O +slayer of all foes, by means of an act enjoined by the ordinance. +Hearing it from me, accomplish it thou with patience, and having +accomplished it, O king, quell this fever of thine soon.' + +"That foremost of speakers then, the son of Parasara, taking +Yudhishthira to a corner, began to address him in words of deep import, +saying, 'O best of the Bharatas, the time is come for thy prosperity, +when, indeed Dhananjaya--that son of Pritha--will slay all thy foes in +battle. Uttered by me and like unto success personified, accept from me +this knowledge called _Pratismriti_ that I impart to thee, knowing thou +art capable of receiving it. Receiving it (from thee), Arjuna will be +able to accomplish his desire. And let Arjuna, O son of Pandu, go unto +Mahendra and Rudra, and Varuna, and Kuvera, and Yama, for receiving +weapons from them. He is competent to behold the gods for his asceticism +and prowess. He is even a Rishi of great energy, the friend of Narayana; +ancient, eternal a god himself, invincible, ever successful, and knowing +no deterioration. Of mighty arms, he will achieve mighty deeds, having +obtained weapons from Indra, and Rudra, and the lokapalas. O son of +Kunti, think also of going from this to some other forest that may, O +king, be fit for thy abode. To reside in one place for any length of +time is scarcely pleasant. In thy case, it might also be productive of +anxiety to the ascetics. And as thou maintainest numerous Brahmanas +versed in the Vedas and the several branches thereof, continued +residence here might exhaust the deer of this forest, and be destructive +of the creepers and plants.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Having addressed him thus, that illustrious and +exalted ascetic Vyasa, of great wisdom, acquainted with the mysteries of +the world, then imparted unto the willing Yudhishthira the just, who had +meanwhile purified himself, that foremost of sciences. And bidding +farewell unto the son of Kunti, Vyasa disappeared then and there. The +virtuous and intelligent Yudhishthira, however, having obtained that +knowledge carefully retained it in his mind and always recited it on +proper occasions. Glad of the advice given him by Vyasa, the son of +Kunti then, leaving the wood _Dwaitavana_ went to the forest of +_Kamyaka_ on the banks of the Saraswati. And, O king, numerous Brahmanas +of ascetic merit and versed in the science of orthoepy and orthography, +followed him like the Rishis following the chief of the celestials. +Arrived at _Kamyaka_, those illustrious bulls amongst the Bharata took +up their residence there along with their friends and attendants. And +possessed of energy, those heroes, O king, lived there for some time, +devoted to the exercise of the bow and hearing all the while the +chanting of the Vedas. And they went about those woods every day in +search of deer, armed with pure arrows. And they duly performed all the +rites in honour of the _Pitris_, the celestials and the Brahmanas." + + +SECTION XXXVII + +Vaisampayana said, "After some time, Yudhishthira the just, remembering +the command of the _Muni_ (Vyasa) and calling unto himself that bull +among men--Arjuna--possessed of great wisdom, addressed him in private. +Taking hold of Arjuna's hands, with a smiling face and in gentle +accents, that chastiser of foes--the virtuous Yudhishthira--apparently +after reflecting for a moment, spake these words in private unto +Dhananjaya, 'O Bharata, the whole science of arms dwelleth in Bhishma, +and Drona, and Kripa, and Karna, and Drona's son. They fully know all +sorts of _Brahma_ and celestial and human and _Vayavya_ weapons, +together with the modes of using and warding them off. All of them are +conciliated and honoured and gratified by Dhritarashtra's son who +behaveth unto them as one should behave unto his preceptor. Towards all +his warriors Dhritarashtra's son behaveth with great affection; and all +the chiefs honoured and gratified by him, seek his good in return. Thus +honoured by him, they will not fail to put forth their might. The whole +earth, besides, is now under Duryodhana's sway, with all the villages +and towns, O son of Pritha, and all the seas and woods and mines! Thou +alone art our sole refuge. On thee resteth a great burden. I shall, +therefore, O chastiser of all foes, tell thee what thou art to do now. I +have obtained a science from Krishna Dwaipayana. Used by thee, that +science will expose the whole universe to thee. O child, attentively +receive thou that science from me, and in due time (by its aid) attain +thou the grace of the celestials. And, O bull of the Bharata race, +devote thyself to fierce asceticism. Armed with the bow and sword, and +cased in mail, betake thyself to austerities and good vows, and go thou +northwards, O child, without giving way to anybody. O Dhananjaya, all +celestial weapons are with Indra. The celestials, from fear of Vritra, +imparted at the time all their might to Sakra. Gathered together in one +place, thou wilt obtain all weapons. Go thou unto Sakra, he will give +thee all his weapons. Taking the bow set thou out this very day in order +to behold Purandara.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Having said this, the exalted Yudhishthira the +just, imparted that science unto Arjuna. And the elder brother having +communicated with due rites the Knowledge unto his heroic brother, with +speech and body and mind under perfect control, commanded him to depart. +And at the command of Yudhishthira, the strong-armed Arjuna, taking up +the _Gandiva_ as also his inexhaustible quivers, and accoutred in mail +and gauntlets and finger-protectors made of the skin of the guana, and +having poured oblations into the fire and made the Brahmanas to utter +benedictions after gifts, set out (from _Kamyaka_) with the objects of +beholding Indra. And armed with the bow, the hero, at the time of +setting out heaved a sigh and cast a look upwards for achieving the +death of Dhritarashtra's sons. And beholding Kunti's son thus armed and +about to set out, the Brahmanas and _Siddhas_ and invisible spirits +addressed him, saying, 'O son of Kunti, obtain thou soon what thou +wishest.' And the Brahmanas, also uttering benedictions said, 'Achieve +thou the object thou hast in view. Let victory be truly thine.' And +beholding the heroic Arjuna, of thighs stout as the trunks of the +_Sala_, about to set out taking away with him the hearts of all, Krishna +addressed him saying, 'O thou strong-armed one, let all that Kunti had +desired at thy birth, and let all that thou desirest, be accomplished, O +Dhananjaya! Let no one amongst us be ever again born in the order of +Kshatriyas. I always bow down unto the Brahmanas whose mode of living is +mendicancy. This is my great grief that the wretch Duryodhana beholding +me in the assembly of princes mockingly called me a _cow_! Besides this +he told me in the midst of that assembly many other hard things. But the +grief I experience at parting with thee is far greater than any I felt +at those insults. Certainly, in thy absence, thy brothers will while +away their waking hours in repeatedly talking of thy heroic deeds! If, +however, O son of Pritha, thou stayest away for any length of time, we +shall derive no pleasure from our enjoyments or from wealth. Nay, life +itself will be distasteful to us. O son of Pritha, our weal, and woe, +life and death, our kingdom and prosperity, are all dependent on thee. O +Bharata, I bless thee, let success be thine. O sinless one, thy +(present) task thou wilt be able to achieve even against powerful +enemies. O thou of great strength, go thou to win success with speed. +Let dangers be not thine. I bow to _Dhatri_ and _Vidhatri_! I bless +thee. Let prosperity be thine. And, O Dhananjaya, let _Hri, Sree, Kirti, +Dhriti, Pushti, Uma, Lakshmi, Saraswati_, all protect thee on thy way, +for thou ever worshippest thy elder brother and ever obeyest his +commands. And, O bull of the Bharata race, I bow to the Vasus, the +Rudras and Adityas, the Manilas, the Viswadevas, and the Sadhyas, for +procuring thy welfare. And, O Bharata, be thou safe from all spirits of +mischief belonging to the sky, the earth, and the heaven, and from such +other spirits generally.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Krishna, the daughter of Yajnasena, having +uttered these benedictions, ceased. The strong-armed son of Pandu then, +having walked round his brothers and round Dhaumya also, and taking up +his handsome bow, set out. And all creatures began to leave the way that +Arjuna of great energy and prowess, urged by the desire of beholding +Indra, took. And that slayer of foes passed over many mountains +inhabited by ascetics, and then reached the sacred Himavat, the resort +of the celestials. And the high-souled one reached the sacred mountain +in one day, for like the winds he was gifted with the speed of the mind, +in consequence of his ascetic austerities. And having crossed the +Himavat, as also the Gandhamadana, he passed over many uneven and +dangerous spots, walking night and day without fatigue. And having +reached _Indrakila_, Dhananjaya stopped for a moment. And then he heard +a voice in the skies, saying, 'Stop!' And hearing that voice, the son of +Pandu cast his glances all around. And Arjuna, capable of using his left +hand with skill equal to that of his right hand, then beheld before him +an ascetic under the shade of a tree, blazing with _Brahma_ brilliancy, +of a tawny colour, with matted locks, and thin. And the mighty ascetic, +beholding Arjuna stop at that place, addressed him, saying, 'Who art +thou, O child, arrived hither with bow and arrows, and cased in mail and +accoutred in scabbard and gauntlet, and (evidently) wedded to the +customs of the Kshatriya? There is no need of weapons here. This is the +abode of peaceful Brahmanas devoted to ascetic austerities without anger +or joy. There is no use for the bow here, for there is no dispute in +this place of any kind. Therefore throw away, O child, this bow of +thine. Thou hast obtained a pure state of life by coming here. O hero, +there is no man who is like thee in energy and prowess.' That Brahmana +thus addressed Arjuna, with a smiling face, repeatedly. But he succeeded +not in moving Arjuna, firmly devoted to his purpose. The regenerate one, +glad at heart, smilingly addressed Arjuna once more, saying, 'O slayer +of foes, blest be thou! I am Sakra: ask thou the boon thou desirest.' +Thus addressed, that perpetuator of the Kuru race, the heroic Dhananjaya +bending his head and joining his hands, replied unto him of a thousand +eyes, saying, 'Even this is the object of my wishes; grant me this boon, +O illustrious one. I desire to learn from thee all the weapons.' The +chief of the celestials then, smiling, replied unto him cheerfully, +saying, 'O Dhananjaya, when thou hast reached this region, what need is +there of weapons? Thou hast already obtained a pure state of life. Ask +thou for the regions of bliss that thou desirest.' Thus addressed, +Dhananjaya replied unto him of a thousand eyes, saying, 'I desire not +regions of bliss, nor objects of enjoyment, nor the state of a +celestial; what is this talk about happiness? O chief of the celestials, +I do not desire the prosperity of all the gods. Having left my brothers +behind me in the forest, and without avenging myself on the foe, shall I +incur the opprobrium for all ages of all the world?' Thus addressed, the +slayer of Vritra, worshipped of the worlds, consoling him with gentle +words, spake unto the son of Pandu, saying, 'When thou art able to +behold the three-eyed trident-bearing Siva, the lord of all creatures, +it is then, O child, that I will give thee all the celestial weapons. +Therefore, strive thou to obtain the sight of the highest of the gods; +for it is only after thou hast seen him, O son of Kunti, that thou wilt +obtain all thy wishes.' Having spoken thus unto Phalguna, Sakra +disappeared then and there, and Arjuna, devoting himself to asceticism, +remained at that spot.'" + + +SECTION XXXVIII + +(Kairata Parva) + +Janamejaya said, "O illustrious one, I desire to hear in detail the +history of the acquisition of weapons by Arjuna of spotless deeds. O +tell me how that tiger among men, Dhananjaya, of mighty arms and +possessed of great energy, entered that solitary forest without fear. +And, O thou foremost of those acquainted with the Veda, what also did +Arjuna do while dwelling there? How also were the illustrious Sthanu and +the chief of the celestials gratified by him? O thou best of regenerate +ones, I desire to hear all this under thy favour. Thou art omniscient; +thou knowest all about the gods and all about men. O Brahmana, the +battle that took place of old between Arjuna--that foremost of smiters +never defeated in battle--and Bhava was highly extraordinary and without +parallel. It maketh one's hair stand on end to hear of it. Even the +hearts of those lions among men--the brave sons of Pritha--trembled in +consequence of wonder and joy and a sense of their own inferiority. O +tell me in full what else Arjuna did, I do not see even the most trivial +thing to Jishnu that is censurable. Therefore, recite to me in full the +history of that hero." + +Vaisampayana said, "O tiger among Kurus, I shall recite to thee that +narration, excellent and extensive and unrivalled, in connection with +the illustrious hero. O sinless one, hear in detail the particulars +about Arjuna's meeting with the three-eyed god of gods, and his contact +with the illustrious god's person! + +"At Yudhishthira's command, Dhananjaya of immeasurable prowess set out +(from Kamyaka) to obtain a sight of Sakra, the chief of the celestials +and of Sankara, the god of gods. And the strong-armed Arjuna of great +might set out armed with his celestial bow and a sword with golden hilt, +for the success of the object he had in view, northwards, towards the +summit of the Himavat. And, O king, that first of all warriors in the +three worlds, the son of Indra, with a calm mind, and firmly adhering to +his purpose, then devoted himself, without the loss of any time, to +ascetic austerities. And he entered, all alone, that terrible forest +abounding with thorny plants and trees and flowers and fruits of various +kinds, and inhabited by winged creatures of various species, and +swarming with animals of diverse kinds, and resorted to by _Siddhas_ and +_Charanas_. And when the son of Kunti entered that forest destitute of +human beings, sounds of conchs and drums began to be heard in the +heavens. And a thick shower of flowers fell upon the earth, and the +clouds spreading over the firmament caused a thick shade. Passing over +those difficult and woody regions at the foot of the great mountains, +Arjuna soon reached the breast of the Himavat; and staying there for +sometime began to shine in his brilliancy. And he beheld there numerous +trees with expanding verdure, resounding with the melodious notes of +winged warblers. And he saw there rivers with currents of the _lapis +lazuli_, broken by the fierce eddies here and there, and echoing with +the notes of swans and ducks and cranes. And the banks of those rivers +resounded with the mellifluous strains of the male _Kokilas_ and the +notes of peacocks and cranes. And the mighty warrior, beholding those +rivers of sacred and pure and delicious water and their charming banks, +became highly delighted. And the delighted Arjuna of fierce energy and +high soul then devoted himself to rigid austerities in that delightful +and woody region. Clad in rags made of grass and furnished with a black +deerskin and a stick, he commenced to eat withered leaves fallen upon +the ground. And he passed the first month, by eating fruits at the +interval of three nights; and the second by eating at the interval of +the six nights; and the third by eating at the interval of a fortnight. +When the fourth month came, that best of the Bharatas--the strong-armed +son of Pandu--began to subsist on air alone. With arms upraised and +leaning upon nothing and standing on the tips of his toes, he continued +his austerities. And the illustrious hero's locks, in consequence of +frequent bathing took the hue of lightning or the lotus. Then all the +great Rishis went together unto the god of the _Pinaka_ for representing +unto him about the fierce asceticism of Pritha's son. And bowing unto +that god of gods, they informed him of Arjuna's austerities saying, +'This son of Pritha possessed of great energy is engaged in the most +difficult of ascetic austerities on the breast of the Himavat. Heated +with his asceticism, the earth is smoking all round, O god of gods. We +do not know what his object is for which he is engaged in these +austerities. He, however, is causing us pain. It behoveth thee to +prevent him!' Hearing these words of those _munis_ with souls under +perfect control, the lord of all creatures--the husband of Uma said, 'It +behoveth you not to indulge in any grief on account of Phalguna! Return +ye all cheerfully and with alacrity to the places whence ye have come. I +know the desire that is in Arjuna's heart. His wish is not for heaven, +nor for prosperity, nor for long life. And I will accomplish, even this +day, all that is desired by him.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "The truth-speaking Rishis, having heard these +words of Mahadeva, became delighted, and returned to their respective +abodes." + + +SECTION XXXIX + +Vaisampayana said, "After all those illustrious ascetics had gone away, +that wielder of the _Pinaka_ and cleanser of all sins--the illustrious +Hara--assuming the form of a _Kirata_ resplendent as a golden tree, and +with a huge and stalwart form like a second _Meru_, and taking up a +handsome bow and a number of arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison, +and looking like an embodiment of fire, came quickly down on the breast +of Himavat. And the handsome god of gods was accompanied by Uma in the +guise of a Kirata woman, and also by a swarm of merry spirits of various +forms and attire, and by thousands of women in the form and attire of +Kiratas. And, O king, that region suddenly blazed up in beauty, in +consequence of the arrival of the god of gods in such company. And soon +enough a solemn stillness pervaded the place. The sounds of springs, and +water-courses, and of birds suddenly ceased. And as the god of gods +approached Pritha's son of blameless deeds, he beheld a wonderful sight, +even that of a Danava named Muka, seeking, in the form of a boar, to +slay Arjuna. Phalguna, at the sight of the enemy seeking to slay him, +took up the _Gandiva_ and a number of arrows resembling snakes of +virulent poison. And stringing his bow and filling the air with its +twang, he addressed the boar and said, 'I have come here but done thee +no injury. As thou seekest to slay me, I shall certainly send thee to +the abode of Yama.' And beholding that firm wielder of the +bow--Phalguna--about to slay the boar, Sankara in the guise of a +_Kirata_ suddenly bade him stop saying, 'The boar like the mountain of +_Indrakila_ in hue hath been aimed at by me first'; Phalguna, however, +disregarding these words, struck the boar. The _Kirata_ also blazing +splendour, let fly an arrow like flaming fire and resembling the +thunderbolt at the same object. And the arrows thus shot by both fell at +the same instant of time upon the wide body of Muka, hard as adamant. +And the two shafts fell upon the boar with a loud sound, even like that +of Indra's thunderbolt and the thunder of the clouds falling together +upon the breast of a mountain. And Muka, thus struck by two shafts which +produced numerous arrows resembling snakes of blazing mouths, yielded up +his life, assuming once more his terrible Rakshasa form. Jishnu--that +slayer of foes--then beheld before him that person, of form blazing as +god, and attired in the dress of a _Kirata_ and accompanied by many +women. And beholding him, the son of Kunti with a joyous heart addressed +him smilingly and said, 'Who art thou that thus wanderest in these +solitary woods, surrounded by women? thou of the splendour of gold, art +thou not afraid of this terrible forest? Why, again, didst thou shoot +the boar that was first aimed at by me? This _Rakshasa_ that came +hither, listlessly or with the object of slaying me, had been first +aimed at by me. Thou shalt not, therefore, escape from me with life. Thy +behaviour towards me is not consistent with the customs of the chase. +Therefore, O mountaineer, I will take thy life.' Thus addressed by the +son of Pandu, the _Kirata_, smiling, replied unto him capable of +wielding the bow with his left hand, in soft words, saying, 'O hero, +thou needst not be anxious on my account. This forest land is proper +abode for us who always dwell in the woods. Respecting thyself, however, +I may inquire, why thou hast selected thy abode here amid such +difficulties. We, O ascetic, have our habitation in these woods +abounding in animals of all kinds. Why dost thou, so delicate and +brought up in luxury and possessed of the splendour of fire, dwell alone +in such a solitary region?' Arjuna said, 'Depending on the _Gandiva_ and +arrows blazing like fire, I live in this great forest, like a second +_Pavaki_. Thou hast seen how this monster--this terrible +_Rakshasa_--that came hither in the form of an animal, hath been slain +by me.' The _Kirata_ replied, 'This _Rakshasa_, first struck with the +shot from my bow, was killed and sent to the regions of Yama by me. He +was first aimed at by me. And it is with my shot that he has been +deprived of life. Proud of thy strength, it behoveth thee not to impute +thy own fault to others. Thou art thyself in fault, O wretch, and, +therefore, shalt not escape from me with life. Stay thou: I will shoot +at thee shafts like thunderbolts. Strive thou also and shoot, to the +best of thy power, thy arrows at me.' Hearing these words of the +_Kirata_, Arjuna became angry, and attacked him with arrows. The +_Kirata_, however, with a glad heart received all those shafts upon +himself, repeatedly saying, 'Wretch, wretch, shoot thou best arrows +capable of piercing into the very vitals.' Thus addressed, Arjuna began +to shower his arrows on him. Both of them then became angry and, +engaging in fierce conflict, began to shoot at each other showers of +arrows, each resembling a snake of virulent poison. And Arjuna rained a +perfect shower of arrows on the _Kirata_. Sankara, however, bore that +downpour on him with a cheerful heart. But the wielder of the _Pinaka_, +having borne that shower of arrows for a moment, stood unwounded, +immovable like a hill. Dhananjaya, beholding his arrowy shower become +futile, wondered exceedingly, repeatedly saying, 'Excellent! Excellent! +Alas, this mountaineer of delicate limbs, dwelling on the heights of the +Himavat, beareth, without wavering, the shafts shot from the _Gandiva_! +Who is he? Is he Rudra himself, or some other god, or a Yaksha, or an +Asura? The gods sometimes do descend on the heights of the Himavat. +Except the god who wieldeth the _Pinaka_, there is none rise that can +bear the impetuosity of the thousands of arrows shot by me from the +_Gandiva_. Whether he is a god or a Yaksha, in fact, anybody except +Rudra, I shall soon send him, with my shafts, to the regions of Yama.' +Thus thinking, Arjuna, with a cheerful heart, began, O king, to shoot +arrows by hundreds, resembling in splendour the rays of the sun. That +downpour of shafts, however, the illustrious Creator of the worlds--the +wielder of the trident--bore with a glad heart, like a mountain bearing +a shower of rocks. Soon, however, the arrows of Phalguna were exhausted. +And noticing this fact, Arjuna became greatly alarmed. And the son of +Pandu then began to think of the illustrious god Agni who had before, +during the burning of the _Khandava_, given him a couple of +inexhaustible quivers. And he began to think, 'Alas, my arrows are all +exhausted. What shall I shoot now from my bow? Who is this person that +swalloweth my arrows? Slaying him with the end of my bow, as elephants +are killed with lances, I shall send him to the domains of the +mace-bearing Yama.' The illustrious Arjuna then, taking up his bow and +dragging the _Kirata_ with his bow-string, struck him some fierce blows +that descended like thunderbolts. When, however, that slayer of hostile +heroes--the son of Kunti--commenced the conflict with the end of the +bow, the mountaineer snatched from his hands that celestial bow. And +beholding his bow snatched from him, Arjuna took up his sword, and +wishing to end the conflict, rushed at his foe. And then the Kuru +prince, with the whole might of his arms, struck that sharp weapon upon +the head of the _Kirata_, a weapon that was incapable of being resisted +even by solid rocks. But that first of swords, at touch of the +_Kirata's_ crown, broke into pieces. Phalguna then commenced the +conflict with trees and stones. The illustrious god in the form of the +huge-bodied _Kirata_, however, bore that shower of trees and rocks with +patience. The mighty son of Pritha then, his mouth smoking with wrath, +struck the invincible god in the form of a Kirata, with his clenched +fists, blows that descended like thunderbolts. The god in the _Kirata_ +form returned Phalguna's blows with fierce blows resembling the +thunderbolts of Indra. And in consequence of that conflict of blows +between the son of Pandu and the _Kirata_, there arose in that place +loud and frightful sounds. That terrible conflict of blows, resembling +the conflict of yore between Vritra and Vasava, lasted but for a moment. +The mighty Jishnu clasping the _Kirata_ began to press him with his +breast, but the _Kirata_, possessed of great strength pressed the +insensible son of Pandu with force. And in consequence of the pressure +of their arms and of their breasts, their bodies began to emit smoke +like charcoal in fire. The great god then, smiting the already smitten +son of Pandu, and attacking him in anger with his full might, deprived +him of his senses. Then, O Bharata, Phalguna, thus pressed by the god of +the gods, with limbs, besides, bruised and mangled, became incapable of +motion and was almost reduced to a ball of flesh. And struck by the +illustrious god, he became breathless and, falling down on earth without +power of moving, looked like one that was dead. Soon, however, he +regained consciousness, and, rising from his prostrate position, with +body covered with blood, became filled with grief. Mentally prostrating +himself before the gracious god of gods, and making a clay image of that +deity, he worshipped it, with offerings of floral garlands. Beholding, +however, the garland that he had offered to the clay image of Bhava, +decking the crown of the _Kirata_, that best of Pandu's sons became +filled with joy and regained his ease. And he prostrated himself +thereupon at the feet of Bhava, and the god also was pleased with him. +And Hara, beholding the wonder of Arjuna and seeing that his body had +been emaciated with ascetic austerities, spake unto him in a voice deep +as the roaring of the clouds, saying, 'O Phalguna, I have been pleased +with thee for thy act is without a parallel. There is no Kshatriya who +is equal to thee in courage, and patience. And, O sinless one, thy +strength and prowess are almost equal to mine. O mighty-armed one, I +have been pleased with thee. Behold me, O bull of the Bharata race! O +large-eyed one! I will grant thee eyes (to see me in my true form). Thou +wert a Rishi before. Thou wilt vanquish all thy foes, even the dwellers +of heaven; I will as I have been pleased with thee, grant thee an +irresistible weapon. Soon shall thou be able to wield that weapon of +mine.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Phalguna then beheld him--Mahadeva--that god of +blazing splendour--that wielder of the Pinaka--that one who had his +abode on the mountains (of Kailasa)--accompanied by Uma. Bending down on +his knee and bowing with his head, that conqueror of hostile cities--the +son of Pritha--worshipped Hara and inclined him to grace. And Arjuna +said, 'O _Kapardin_, O chief of all gods, O destroyer of the eyes of +Bhaga, O god of gods, O Mahadeva, O thou of blue throat, O thou of +matted locks, I know thee as the Cause of all causes. O thou of three +eyes, O lord of all! Thou art the refuge of all the gods! This universe +hath sprung from thee. Thou art incapable of being vanquished by the +three worlds of the celestials, the Asuras, and men. Thou art Siva in +the form of Vishnu, and Vishnu in the form of Siva. Thou destroyedest of +old the great sacrifice of Daksha. O Hari, O Rudra, I bow to thee. Thou +hast an eye on thy forehead. O Sarva, O thou that rainest objects of +desire, O bearer of the trident, O wielder of the Pinaka, O Surya, O +thou of pure body, O Creator of all, I bow to thee. O lord of all +created things, I worship thee to obtain thy grace. Thou art the lord of +the _Ganas_, the source of universal blessing, the Cause of the causes +of the universe. Thou art beyond the foremost of male beings, thou art +the highest, thou art the subtlest, O Hara! O illustrious Sankara, it +behoveth thee to pardon my fault. It was even to obtain a sight of +thyself that I came to this great mountain, which is dear to thee and +which is the excellent abode of ascetics. Thou art worshipped of all +worlds. O lord, I worship thee to obtain thy grace. Let not this +rashness of mine be regarded as a fault--this combat in which I was +engaged with thee from ignorance. O Sankara, I seek thy protection. +Pardon me all I have done.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Endued with great might, the god whose sign was +the bull, taking into his the handsome hands of Arjuna, smilingly +replied unto him, saying, 'I have pardoned thee.' And the illustrious +Hara, cheerfully clasping Arjuna with his arms, once more consoling +Arjuna said as follows." + + +SECTION XL + +"Mahadeva said, 'Thou wert in thy former life Nara, the friend of +Narayana. In Vadari wert thou engaged in fierce ascetic austerities for +several thousands of years. In thee as well as in Vishnu--that first of +male beings--dwelleth great might. Ye both, by your might, hold the +universe; O lord, taking up that fierce bow whose twang resembled the +deep roar of the clouds, thou, as well as Krishna, chastisedest the +Danavas during the coronation of Indra. Even this _Gandiva_ is that bow, +O son of Pritha, fit for thy hands. O foremost of male beings, I +snatched it from thee, helped by my powers of illusion. This couple of +quivers, fit for thee, will again be inexhaustible, O son of Pritha! +And, O son of the Kuru race, thy body will be free from pain and +disease. Thy prowess is incapable of being baffled. I have been pleased +with thee. And, O first of male beings, ask thou of me the boon that +thou desirest. O chastiser of all foes, O giver of proper respect, (to +those deserving it) not even in heaven is there any male being who is +equal to thee, nor any Kshatriya who is thy superior.' + +"Arjuna said, 'O illustrious god having the bull for thy sign, if thou +wilt grant me my desire, I ask of thee, O lord that fierce celestial +weapon wielded by thee and called _Brahmasira_--that weapon of terrific +prowess which destroyeth, at the end of the _Yuga_ the entire +universe--that weapon by the help of which, O god of gods, I may under +thy grace, obtain victory in the terrible conflict which shall take +place between myself (on one side), and Karna and Bhishma and Kripa and +Drona (on the other)--that weapon by which I may consume in battle +Danavas and Rakshasas and evil spirits and Pisachas and Gandharvas and +Nagas--that weapon which when hurled with _Mantras_ produceth darts by +thousands and fierce-looking maces and arrows like snakes of virulent +poison, and by means of which I may fight with Bhishma and Drona and +Kripa and Karna of ever abusive tongue, O illustrious destroyer of the +eyes of Bhaga, even this is my foremost desire, _viz_., that I may be +able to fight with them and obtain success.' + +"Bhava replied, 'O powerful one, I will give to thee that favourite +weapon of mine called the _Pasuputa_. O son of Pandu, thou art capable +of holding, hurling, and withdrawing it. Neither the chief himself of +the gods, nor Yama, nor the king of the Yakshas, nor Varuna, nor Vayu, +knoweth it. How could men know anything of it? But, O son of Pritha, +this weapon should not be hurled without adequate cause; for if hurled +at any foe of little might it may destroy the whole universe. In the +three worlds with all their mobile and immobile creatures, there is none +who is incapable of being slain by this weapon. And it may be hurled by +the mind, by the eye, by words, and by the bow.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words, the son of Pritha purified +himself. And approaching the lord of the universe with rapt attention, +he said, 'Instruct me!' Mahadeva then imparted unto that best of Pandu's +son the knowledge of that weapon looking like the embodiment of Yama, +together with all the mysteries about hurling and withdrawing it. And +that weapon thence began to wait upon Arjuna as it did upon Sankara, the +lord of Uma. And Arjuna also gladly accepted it. And at the moment the +whole earth, with its mountains and woods and trees and seas and forests +and villages and towns and mines, trembled. And the sounds of conchs and +drums and trumpets by thousands began to be heard. And at that moment +hurricanes and whirlwinds began to blow. And the gods and the Danavas +beheld that terrible weapon in its embodied form stay by the side of +Arjuna of immeasurable energy. And whatever of evil there had been in +the body of Phalguna of immeasurable energy was all dispelled by the +touch of the three-eyed deity. And the three eyed god then commanded +Arjuna, saying, 'Go thou into heaven.' Arjuna then, O king, worshipping +the god with bent head, gazed at him, with joined hands. Then the lord +of all the dwellers of heaven, the deity of blazing splendour having his +abode on mountain-breasts, the husband of Uma, the god of passions under +complete control, the source of all blessings, Bhava gave unto Arjuna, +that foremost of men, the great bow called _Gandiva_, destructive of +Danavas and Pisachas. And the god of gods, then leaving that blessed +mountain with snowy plateaus and vales and caves, favourite resort of +sky-ranging great Rishis, went up, accompanied by Uma into the skies, in +the sight of that foremost of men." + + +SECTION XLI + +Vaisampayana said, "The wielder of the Pinaka, having the bull for his +sign, thus disappeared in the very sight of the gazing son of Pandu, +like the sun setting in the sight of the world. Arjuna, that slayer of +hostile heroes, wondered much at this, saying, 'O, I have seen the great +god of gods. Fortunate, indeed I am, and much favoured, for I have both +beheld and touched with my hand the three-eyed Hara the wielder of the +Pinaka, in his boon-giving form. I shall win success. I am already +great. My enemies have already been vanquished by me. My purposes have +been already achieved.' And while the son of Pritha, endued with +immeasurable energy, was thinking thus, there came to that place Varuna +the god of waters, handsome and of the splendour of the _lapis lazuli_ +accompanied by all kinds of aquatic creatures, and filling all the +points of the horizon with a blazing effulgence. And accompanied by +Rivers both male and female, and Nagas, and Daityas and Sadhyas and +inferior deities, Varuna, the controller and lord of all aquatic +creatures, arrived at that spot. There came also the lord Kuvera of body +resembling pure gold, seated on his car of great splendour, and +accompanied by numerous Yakshas. And the lord of treasures, possessed of +great beauty, came there to see Arjuna, illuminating the firmament with +his effulgence. And there came also Yama himself, of great beauty, the +powerful destroyer of all the worlds, accompanied by those lords of the +creation--the Pitris--both embodied and disembodied. And the god of +justice, of inconceivable soul, the son of Surya, the destroyer of all +creatures, with the mace in hand, came there on his car, illuminating +the three worlds with regions of the Guhyakas, the Gandharvas and the +Nagas, like a second Surya as he riseth at the end of the Yuga. Having +arrived there, they beheld, from the effulgent and variegated summits of +the great mountain, Arjuna engaged in ascetic austerities. And there +came in a moment the illustrious Sakra also, accompanied by his queen, +seated on the back of (the celestial elephant) Airavata, and surrounded +also by all the deities. And in consequence of the white umbrella being +held over his head, he looked like the moon amid fleecy clouds. And +eulogised by Gandharvas, and Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, +the chief of the celestials alighted on a particular summit of the +mountain, like a second sun. Then Yama possessed of great intelligence, +and fully conversant with virtue, who had occupied a summit on the +south, in a voice deep as that of the clouds, said these auspicious +words, 'Arjuna, behold us, the protectors of the worlds, arrive here! We +will grant thee (spiritual) vision, for thou deservest to behold us. +Thou wert in thy former life a Rishi of immeasurable soul, known as Nara +of great might. At the command, O child, of Brahma, thou hast been born +among men! O sinless one, by thee shall be vanquished in battle the +highly virtuous grandsire of the Kurus--Bhishma of great energy--who is +born of the Vasus. Thou shalt also defeat all the Kshatriyas of fiery +energy commanded by the son of Bharadwaja in battle. Thou shalt also +defeat those Danavas of fierce prowess that have been born amongst men, +and those Danavas also that are called Nivatakavachas. And, O son of the +Kuru race, O Dhananjaya, thou shalt also slay Karna of fierce prowess, +who is even a portion of my father Surya, of energy celebrated +throughout the worlds. And, O son of Kunti, smiter of all foes, thou +shalt also slay all the portions of celestials and Danavas and the +Rakshasas that have been incarnate on earth. And slain by thee, these +shall attain to the regions earned by them according to their acts. And, +O Phalguna, the fame of thy achievements will last for ever in the +world: thou hast gratified Mahadeva himself in conflict. Thou shalt, +with Vishnu himself, lighten the burden of the earth. O accept this +weapon of mine--the mace I wield incapable of being baffled by any body. +With this weapon thou wilt achieve great deeds.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "O Janamejaya, the son of Pritha then received +from Yama that weapon duly, along with the _Mantras_ and rite, and the +mysteries of hurling and withdrawing it. Then Varuna, the lord of all +aquatic creatures, blue as the clouds, from a summit he had occupied on +the west, uttered these words, 'O son of Pritha, thou art the foremost +of Kshatriyas, and engaged in Kshatriya practices. O thou of large +coppery eyes, behold me! I am Varuna, the lord of waters. Hurled by me, +my nooses are incapable of being resisted. O son of Kunti, accept of me +these Varuna weapons along with the mysteries of hurling and withdrawing +them. With these, O hero, in the battle that ensued of your on account +of Taraka (the wife of Vrihaspati), thousands of mighty Daityas were +seized and tied. Accept them of me. Even if Yama himself be thy foe, +with these in thy hands, he will not be able to escape from thee. When +thou wilt armed with these, range over the field of battle, the land, +beyond doubt, will be destitute of Kshatriyas.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "After both Varuna and Yama had given away their +celestial weapons, the lord of treasures having his home on the heights +of Kailasa, then spake, 'O son of Pandu, O thou of great might and +wisdom, I too have been pleased with thee. And this meeting with thee +giveth me as much pleasure as a meeting with Krishna. O wielder of the +bow with the left hand, O thou of mighty arms, thou wert a god before, +eternal (as other gods). In ancient _Kalpas_, thou hadst every day gone +through ascetic austerities along with us. O best of men, I grant thee +celestial vision. O thou of mighty arms, thou wilt defeat even +invincible Daityas and Danavas. Accept of me also without loss of time, +an excellent weapon. With this thou wilt be able to consume the ranks of +Dhritarashtra. Take then this favourite weapon of mine called +_Antarddhana_. Endued with energy and prowess and splendour, it is +capable of sending the foe to sleep. When the illustrious Sankara slew +Tripura, even this was the weapon which he shot and by which many mighty +Asuras were consumed. O thou of invincible prowess I take it up for +giving it to thee. Endued with the dignity of the Meru, thou art +competent to hold this weapon.' + +"After these words had been spoken, the Kuru prince Arjuna endued with +great strength, duly received from Kuvera that celestial weapon. Then +the chief of the celestials addressing Pritha's son of ceaseless deeds +in sweet words, said, in a voice deep as that the clouds or the +kettle-drum, 'O thou mighty-armed son of Kunti, thou art an ancient god. +Thou hast already achieved the highest success, and acquired the stature +of a god. But, O represser of foes, thou hast yet to accomplish the +purposes of the gods. Thou must ascend to heaven. Therefore prepare thou +O hero of great splendour! My own car with Matali as charioteer, will +soon descend on the earth. Taking thee, O Kaurava, to heaven, I will +grant thee there all my celestial weapons.' + +"Beholding those protectors of the worlds assembled together on the +heights of Himavat, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, wondered much. Endued +with great energy, he then duly worshipped the assembled _Lokapalas_, +with words, water, and fruits. The celestials then returning that +worship, went away. And the gods capable of going everywhere at will, +and endued with the speed of the mind, returned to the places whence +they had come. + +"That bull among men--Arjuna--having obtained weapons thus, was filled +with pleasure. And he regarded himself as one whose desires had been +fulfilled and who was crowned with success." + + +SECTION XLII + +(Indralokagamana Parva) + +Vaisampayana said, "After the _Lokapalas_ had gone away, Arjuna--that +slayer of all foes--began to think, O monarch, of the car of Indra! And +as Gudakesa gifted with great intelligence was thinking of it, the car +endued with great effulgence and guided by Matali, came dividing the +clouds and illuminating the firmament and filling the entire welkin with +its rattle deep as the roar of mighty masses of clouds. Swords, and +missiles of terrible forms and maces of frightful description, and +winged darts of celestial splendour and lightnings of the brightest +effulgence, and thunderbolts, and propellors furnished with wheels and +worked with atmosphere expansion and producing sounds loud as the roar +of great masses of clouds, were on that car. And there were also on that +car fierce and huge-bodied _Nagas_ with fiery mouths, and heaps of +stones white as the fleecy clouds. And the car was drawn by ten +thousands of horses of golden hue, endued with the speed of the wind. +And furnished with prowess of illusion, the car was drawn with such +speed that the eye could hardly mark its progress. And Arjuna saw on +that car the flag-staff called _Vaijayanta_, of blazing effulgence, +resembling in hue the emerald or the dark-blue lotus, and decked with +golden ornaments and straight as the bamboo. And beholding a charioteer +decked in gold seated on that car, the mighty-armed son of Pritha +regarded it as belonging to the celestials. And while Arjuna was +occupied with his thoughts regarding the car, the charioteer Matali, +bending himself after descending from the car, addressed him, saying, 'O +lucky son of Sakra! Sakra himself wisheth to see thee. Ascend thou +without loss of time this car that hath been sent by Indra. The chief of +the immortals, thy father--that god of a hundred sacrifices--hath +commanded me, saying, _Bring the son of Kunti hither. Let the gods +behold him._ And Sankara himself, surrounded by the celestials and +Rishis and Gandharvas and Apsaras, waiteth to behold thee. At the +command of the chastiser of Paka, therefore, ascend thou with me from +this to the region of the celestials. Thou wilt return after obtaining +weapons.' + +"Arjuna replied, 'O Matali, mount thou without loss of time this +excellent car, a car that cannot be attained even by hundreds of +_Rajasuya_ and horse sacrifices. Even kings of great prosperity who have +performed great sacrifices distinguished by large gifts (to Brahmanas), +even gods and Danavas are not competent to ride this car. He that hath +not ascetic merit is not competent to even see or touch this car, far +less to ride on it. O blessed one, after thou hast ascended it, and +after the horses have become still, I will ascend it, like a virtuous +man stepping into the high-road of honesty.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Matali, the charioteer of Sakra, hearing these +words of Arjuna, soon mounted the car and controlled the horses. Arjuna +then, with a cheerful heart, purified himself by a bath in the Ganges. +And the son of Kunti then duly repeated (inaudibly) his customary +prayers. He then, duly and according to the ordinance, gratified the +_Pitris_ with oblations of water. And, lastly, he commenced to invoke +the Mandara--that king of mountains--saying, 'O mountain, thou art ever +the refuge of holy, heaven-seeking _Munis_ of virtuous conduct and +behaviour. It is through thy grace, O mountain, that Brahmanas and +Kshatriyas and Vaisyas attain heaven, and their anxieties gone, sport +with the celestials. O king of mountains, O mountain, thou art the +asylum of _Munis_, and thou holdest on thy breast numerous sacred +shrines. Happily have I dwelt on thy heights. I leave thee now, bidding +thee farewell. Oft have I seen thy tablelands and bowers, thy springs +and brooks, and the sacred shrines on thy breast. I have also eaten the +savoury fruits growing on thee, and have slated my thirst with draughts +of perfumed water oozing from thy body. I have also drunk the water of +thy springs, sweet as _amrita_ itself. O mountain, as a child sleepeth +happily on the lap of his father, so have I, O king of mountains, O +excellent one, sported on thy breast, echoing with the notes of Apsaras +and the chanting of the Vedas. O mountain, every day have I lived +happily on thy tablelands.' Thus having bidden farewell to the mountain, +that slayer of hostile heroes--Arjuna--blazing like the Sun himself, +ascended the celestial car. And the Kuru prince gifted with great +intelligence, with a glad heart, coursed through the firmament on that +celestial car effulgent as the sun and of extra-ordinary achievements. +And after he had become invisible to the mortals of the earth, he beheld +thousands of cars of extra-ordinary beauty. And in that region there was +no sun or moon or fire to give light, but it blazed in light of its own, +generated by virtue of ascetic merit. And those brilliant regions that +are seen from the earth in the form of stars, like lamps (in the +sky)--so small in consequence of their distance, though very large--were +beheld by the son of Pandu, stationed in their respective places, full +of beauty and effulgence and blazing with splendour all their own. And +there he beheld royal sages crowned with ascetic success, and heroes who +had yielded up their lives in battle, and those that had acquired heaven +by their ascetic austerities, by hundreds upon hundreds. And there were +also Gandharvas, of bodies blazing like the sun, by thousands upon +thousands, as also Guhyakas and Rishis and numerous tribes of Apsaras. +And beholding those self-effulgent regions, Phalguna became filled with +wonder, and made enquiries of Matali. And Matali also gladly replied +unto him, saying, 'These, O son of Pritha, are virtuous persons +stationed in their respective places. It is these whom thou hast seen, O +exalted one, as stars, from the earth.' Then Arjuna saw standing at the +gates (Indra's region) the handsome and ever victorious +elephant--Airavata--furnished with four tusks, and resembling the +mountain of Kailasa with its summits. And coursing along that path of +the _Siddhas_, that foremost of the Kurus and the son of Pandu, sat in +beauty like Mandhata--that best of kings. Endued with eyes like lotus +leaves, he passed through the region set apart for virtuous kings. And +the celebrated Arjuna having thus passed through successive regions of +heaven at last beheld _Amaravati_, the city of Indra." + + +SECTION XLIII + +Vaisampayana said, "And the city of Indra which Arjuna saw was +delightful and was the resort of _Siddhas_ and _Charanas_. And it was +adorned with the flowers of every season, and with sacred trees of all +kinds. And he beheld also celestial gardens called _Nandana_--the +favourite resort of Apsaras. And fanned by the fragrant breezes charged +with the scent of sweet-scented flowers, the trees with their load of +celestial blossoms seemed to welcome him amongst them. And the region +was such that none could behold it who had not gone through ascetic +austerities, or who had not poured libations on fire. It was a region +for the virtuous alone, and not for those who had turned their back on +the field of battle. And none were competent to see it who had not +performed sacrifices or observed rigid vows, or who were without a +knowledge of the Vedas, or who had not bathed in sacred waters, or who +were not distinguished for sacrifices and gifts. And none were competent +to see it who were disturbers of sacrifices, or who were low, or who +drank intoxicating liquors, or who were violators of their preceptors' +bed, or who were eaters of (unsanctified) meat, or who were wicked. And +having beheld those celestial gardens resounding with celestial music, +the strong-armed son of Pandu entered the favourite city of Indra. And +he beheld there celestial cars by thousands, capable of going everywhere +at will, stationed in proper places. And he saw tens of thousands of +such cars moving in every direction. And fanned by pleasant breezes +charged with the perfumes of flowers, the son of Pandu was praised by +Apsaras and Gandharvas. And the celestials then, accompanied by the +Gandharvas and Siddhas and great Rishis, cheerfully reverenced Pritha's +son of white steeds. Benedictions were poured upon him, accompanied by +the sounds of celestial music. The strong-armed son of Pritha then heard +around him the music of conchs and drums. And praised all around, the +son of Pritha then went, at the command of Indra, to that large and +extensive starry way called by the name of _Suravithi_. There he met +with the _Sadhyas_, the _Viswas_, the _Marutas_, the twin _Aswins_, the +_Adityas_, the _Vasus_, the _Rudras_, the _Brahmarshis_ of the great +splendour, and numerous royal sages with Dilipa at their head, and +Tumvura and Narada, and that couple of Gandharvas known by the names of +Haha and Huhu. And the Kuru prince--that chastiser of foes--having met +and duly saluted them, last of all beheld the chief of the +celestials--the god of a hundred sacrifices. Then the strong-armed son +of Pritha, alighting from the car approached the lord himself of the +gods--his father--that chastiser of Paka. And a beautiful white umbrella +furnished with a golden staff was held over the chief of the celestials. +And he was fanned with a _Chamara_ perfumed with celestial scents. And +he was eulogised by many Gandharvas headed by _Viswavasu_ and others, by +bards and singers, and by foremost Brahmanas chanting _Rik_ and _Yajus_ +hymns. And the mighty son of Kunti, approaching Indra, saluted him by +bending his head to the ground. And Indra thereupon embraced him with +his round and plump arms. And taking his hand, Sakra made him sit by him +on a portion of his own seat, that sacred seat which was worshipped by +gods and Rishis. And the lord of the celestials--that slayer of hostile +heroes--smelt the head of Arjuna bending in humility, and even took him +upon his lap. Seated on Sakra's seat at the command of that god of a +thousand eyes, Pritha's son of immeasurable energy began to blaze in +splendour like a second Indra. And moved by affection, the slayer of +Vritra, consoling Arjuna, touched his beautiful face with his own +perfumed hands. And the wielder of the thunderbolt, patting and rubbing +gently again and again with his own hands which bore the marks of the +thunderbolt the handsome and huge arms of Arjuna which resembled a +couple of golden columns and which were hard in consequence of drawing +the bowstring, the god of a thousand eyes eying his son of curly locks +smilingly and with eyes expanded with delight, seemed scarcely to be +gratified. The more he gazed, the more he liked to gaze on. And seated +on one seat, the father and son enhanced the beauty of the assembly, +like the sun and moon beautifying the firmament together on the +fourteenth day of the dark fortnight. And a band of Gandharvas headed by +Tumvuru skilled in music sacred and profane, sang many verses in +melodious notes. And Ghritachi and Menaka and Rambha and Purvachitti and +Swayamprabha and Urvasi and Misrakesi and Dandagami and Varuthini and +Gopali and Sahajanya and Kumbhayoni and Prajagara and Chitrasena and +Chitralekha and Saha and Madhuraswana, these and others by thousands, +possessed of eyes like lotus leaves, who were employed in enticing the +hearts of persons practising rigid austerities, danced there. And +possessing slim waists and fair large hips, they began to perform +various evolutions, shaking their deep bosoms, and casting their glances +around, and exhibiting other attractive attitude capable of stealing the +hearts and resolutions and minds of the spectators." + + +SECTION XLIV + +Vaisampayana said, "The gods and the Gandharvas then, understanding the +wishes of Indra, procured an excellent _Arghya_ and reverenced the son +of Pritha in a hurry. And giving water to wash both his feet and face, +they caused the prince to enter the palace of Indra. And thus +worshipped, Jishnu continued to live in the abode of his father. And the +son of Pandu continued all the while to acquire celestial weapons, +together with the means of withdrawing them. And he received from the +hands of Sakra his favourite weapon of irresistible force, _viz_., the +thunder-bolt and those other weapons also, of tremendous roar, _viz_., +the lightnings of heaven, whose flashes are inferable from the +appearance of clouds and (the dancing of) peacocks. And the son of +Pandu, after he had obtained those weapons, recollected his brothers. +And at the command of Indra, however, he lived for full five years in +heaven, surrounded by every comfort and luxury. + +"After some time, when Arjuna had obtained all the weapons, Indra +addressed him in due time, saying, 'O son of Kunti, learn thou music and +dancing from Chitrasena. Learn the instrumental music that is current +among the celestials and which existeth not in the world of men, for, O +son of Kunti, it will be to thy benefit.' And Parandana gave Chitrasena +as a friend unto Arjuna. And the son of Pritha lived happily in peace +with Chitrasena. And Chitrasena instructed Arjuna all the while in +music; vocal and instrumental and in dancing. But the active Arjuna +obtained no peace of mind, remembering the unfair play at dice of +Sakuni, the son of Suvala, and thinking with rage of Dussasana and his +death. When however, his friendship with Chitrasena had ripened fully, +he at times learned the unrivalled dance and music practised among the +Gandharvas. And at last having learnt various kinds of dance and diverse +species of music, both vocal and instrumental, that slayer of hostile +heroes obtained no peace of mind remembering his brothers and mother +Kunti." + + +SECTION XLV + +Vaisampayana said, "One day, knowing that Arjuna's glances were cast +upon Urvasi, Vasava, calling Chitrasena to himself, addressed him in +private saying, 'O king of Gandharvas, I am pleased; go thou as my +messenger to that foremost of Apsaras, Urvasi, and let her wait upon +that tiger among men, Phalguna. Tell her, saying these words of mine, +'As through my instrumentality Arjuna hath learnt all the weapons and +other arts, worshipped by all, so shouldst thou make him conversant with +the arts of acquitting one's self in female company.' Thus addressed by +Indra, the chief of the Gandharvas in obedience to that command of +Vasava, soon went to Urvasi that foremost of Apsaras. And as he saw her, +she recognised him and delighted him by the welcome she offered and the +salutation she gave. And seated at ease he then smilingly addressed +Urvasi, who also was seated at ease, saying, 'Let it be known, O thou of +fair hips, that I come hither despatched by the one sole lord of heaven +who asketh of thee a favour. He who is known amongst gods and men for +his many inborn virtues, for his grace, behaviour, beauty of person, +vows and self-control; who is noted for might and prowess, and respected +by the virtuous, and ready-witted; who is endued with genius and +splendid energy, is of a forgiving temper and without malice of any +kind; who hath studied the four Vedas with their branches, and the +_Upanishads_, and the Puranas also; who is endued with devotion to his +preceptors and with intellect possessed of the eight attributes, who by +his abstinence, ability, origin and age, is alone capable of protecting +the celestial regions like Mahavat himself; who is never boastful; who +showeth proper respect to all; who beholdeth the minutest things as +clearly as if those were gross and large; who is sweet-speeched; who +showereth diverse kinds of food and drink on his friends and dependents; +who is truthful, worshipped of all, eloquent, handsome, and without +pride; who is kind to those devoted to him, and universally pleasing and +dear to all; who is firm in promise; who is equal to even Mahendra and +Varuna in respect of every desirable attribute, _viz_., Arjuna, is known +to thee. O Urvasi, know thou that hero is to be made to taste the joys +of heaven. Commanded by Indra, let him today obtain thy feet. Do this, O +amiable one, for Dhananjaya is inclined to thee.' + +"Thus addressed, Urvasi of faultless features assumed a smiling face, +and receiving the words of the Gandharva with high respect, answered +with a glad heart, saying, 'Hearing of the virtues that should adorn +men, as unfolded by thee, I would bestow my favours upon any one who +happened to possess them. Why should I not then, choose Arjuna for a +lover? At the command of Indra, and for my friendship for thee, and +moved also by the numerous virtues of Phalguna, I am already under the +influence of the god of love. Go thou, therefore, to the place thou +desirest. I shall gladly go to Arjuna.'" + + +SECTION XLVI + +Vaisampayana said, "Having thus sent away the Gandharva successful in +his mission, Urvasi of luminous smiles, moved by the desire of +possessing Phalguna, took a bath. And having performed her ablutions, +she decked herself in charming ornaments and splendid garlands of +celestial odour. And inflamed by the god of love, and her heart pierced +through and through by the shafts shot by Manmatha keeping in view the +beauty of Arjuna, and her imagination wholly taken up by the thoughts of +Arjuna, she mentally sported with him on a wide and excellent bed laid +over with celestial sheets. And when the twilight had deepened and the +moon was up, that Apsara of high hips set out for the mansions of +Arjuna. And in that mood and with her crisp, soft and long braids decked +with bunches of flowers, she looked extremely beautiful. With her beauty +and grace, and the charm of the motions of her eye-brows and of her soft +accents, and her own moon-like face, she seemed to tread, challenging +the moon himself. And as she proceeded, her deep, finely tapering +bosoms, decked with a chain of gold and adorned with celestial unguents +and smeared with fragrant sandal paste, began to tremble. And in +consequence of the weight of her bosoms, she was forced to slightly +stoop forward at every step, bending her waist exceedingly beautiful +with three folds. And her loins of faultless shape, the elegant abode of +the god of love, furnished with fair and high and round hips and wide at +their lower part as a hill, and decked with chains of gold, and capable +of shaking the saintship of anchorites, being decked with thin attire, +appeared highly graceful. And her feet with fair suppressed ankles, and +possessing flat soles and straight toes of the colour of burnished +copper and high and curved like tortoise back and marked by the wearing +of ornaments furnished with rows of little bells, looked exceedingly +handsome. And exhilarated with a little liquor which she had taken, and +excited by desire, and moving in diverse attitudes and expressing a +sensation of delight, she looked more handsome than usual. And though +heaven abounded with many wonderful objects, yet when Urvasi proceeded +in this manner, the _Siddhas_ and _Charanas_ and _Gandharvas_ regarded +her to be the handsomest object they had cast their eyes upon. And the +upper half of her body clad in an attire of fine texture and cloudy +hues, she looked resplendent like a digit of the moon in the firmament +shrouded by fleecy clouds. And endued with the speed of the winds or the +mind, she of luminous smiles soon reached the mansion of Phalguna, the +son of Pandu. And, O best of men, Urvasi of beautiful eyes, having +arrived at the gate of Arjuna's abode, sent word through the keeper in +attendance. And (on receiving permission), she soon entered that +brilliant and charming palace. But, O monarch, upon beholding her at +night in his mansion, Arjuna, with a fearstricken heart, stepped up to +receive her with respect and as soon as he saw her, the son of Pritha, +from modesty, closed his eyes. And saluting her, he offered the Apsara +such worship as is offered unto a superior. And Arjuna said, 'O thou +foremost of the Apsaras, I reverence thee by bending my head down. O +lady, let me know thy commands. I wait upon thee as thy servant.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of Phalguna, Urvasi became +deprived of her senses. And she soon represented unto Arjuna all that +had passed between her and the Gandharva, Chitrasena. And she said, 'O +best of men, I shall tell thee all that hath passed between me and +Chitrasena, and why I have come hither. On account of thy coming here, O +Arjuna, Mahendra had convened a large and charming assembly, in which +celestial festivities were held. Unto that assembly came, O best of men, +the Rudras and the Adityas and the Aswins and the Vasus. And there came +also numbers of great Rishis and royal sages and Siddhas and Charanas +and Yakshas and great Nagas. And, O thou of expansive eyes, the members +of the assembly resplendent as fire or the sun or the moon, having taken +their seats according to rank, honour, and prowess, O son of Sakra, the +Gandharvas began to strike the _Vinas_ and sing charming songs of +celestial melody. And, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, the principal +Apsaras also commenced to dance. Then, O son of Pritha, thou hadst +looked on me only with a steadfast gaze. When that assembly of the +celestials broke, commanded by thy father, the gods went away to their +respective places. And the principal Apsaras also went away to their +abodes, and others also, O slayer of foes, commanded by thy father and +obtaining his leave. It was then that Chitrasena sent to me by Sakra, +and arriving at my abode, O thou of eyes like lotus leaves, he addressed +me, saying, "O thou of the fairest complexion, I have been sent unto +thee by the chief of the celestials. Do thou something that would be +agreeable to Mahendra and myself and to thyself also. O thou of fair +hips, seek thou to please Arjuna, who is brave in battle even like Sakra +himself, and who is always possessed of magnanimity." Even these, O son +of Pritha, were his words. Thus, O sinless one, commanded by him and thy +father also, I come to thee in order to wait upon thee, O slayer of +foes. My heart hath been attracted by thy virtues, and am already under +the influence of the god of love. And, O hero, even this is my wish, and +I have cherished it for ever!'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "While in heaven, hearing her speak in this +strain, Arjuna was overcome with bashfulness. And shutting his ears with +his hands, he said, 'O blessed lady, fie on my sense of hearing, when +thou speakest thus to me. For, O thou of beautiful face, thou art +certainly equal in my estimation unto the wife of a superior. Even as +Kunti of high fortune or Sachi the queen of Indra, art thou to me, O +auspicious one, of this there is no doubt! That I had gazed particularly +at thee, O blessed one, is true. There was a reason for it. I shall +truly tell it to thee, O thou of luminous smiles! In the assembly I +gazed at thee with eyes expanded in delight, thinking, _Even this +blooming lady is the mother of the Kaurava race._ O blessed Apsara, it +behoveth thee not to entertain other feelings towards me, for thou art +superior to my superiors, being the parent of my race.' + +"Hearing these words of Arjuna, Urvasi answered, saying, 'O son of the +chief of the celestials, we Apsaras are free and unconfined in our +choice. It behoveth thee not, therefore, to esteem me as thy superior. +The sons and grandsons of Puru's race, that have come hither in +consequence of ascetic merit do all sport with us, without incurring any +sin. Relent, therefore, O hero, it behoveth thee not to send me away. I +am burning with desire. I am devoted to thee. Accept me, O thou giver of +proper respect.' + +"Arjuna replied, 'O beautiful lady of features perfectly faultless, +listen. I truly tell thee. Let the four directions and the transverse +directions, let also the gods listen. O sinless one, as Kunti, or Madri, +or Sachi, is to me, so art thou, the parent of my race, an object of +reverence to me. Return, O thou of the fairest complexion: I bend my +head unto thee, and prostrate myself at thy feet. Thou deservest my +worship as my own mother; and it behoveth thee to protect me as a son.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Partha, Urvasi was deprived +of her senses by wrath. Trembling with rage, and contracting her brows, +she cursed Arjuna, saying, 'Since thou disregardest a woman come to thy +mansion at the command of thy father and of her own motion--a woman, +besides, who is pierced by the shafts of _Kama_, therefore, O Partha, +thou shalt have to pass thy time among females unregarded, and as a +dancer, and destitute of manhood and scorned as a eunuch.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Having cursed Arjuna thus, Urvasi's lips still +quivered in anger, herself breathing heavily all the while. And she soon +returned to her own abode. And that slayer of foes, Arjuna also sought +Chitrasena without loss of time. And having found him, he told him all +that had passed between him and Urvasi in the night. And he told +Chitrasena everything as it had happened, repeatedly referring to the +curse pronounced upon him. And Chitrasena also represented everything +unto Sakra. And Harivahana, calling his son unto himself in private, and +consoling him in sweet words, smilingly said, 'O thou best of beings, +having obtained thee, O child, Pritha hath to-day become a truly blessed +mother. O mighty-armed one, thou hast now vanquished even Rishis by the +patience and self-control. But, O giver of proper respect, the curse +that Urvasi hath denounced on thee will be to thy benefit, O child, and +stand thee in good stead. O sinless one, ye will have on earth to pass +the thirteenth year (of your exile), unknown to all. It is then that +thou shalt suffer the curse of Urvasi. And having passed one year as a +dancer without manhood, thou shalt regain thy power on the expiration of +the term.' + +"Thus addressed by Sakra, that slayer of hostile heroes, Phalguna, +experienced great delight and ceased to think of the curse. And +Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu, sported in regions of heaven with the +Gandharva Chitrasena of great celebrity. + +"The desires of the man that listeneth to this history of the son of +Pandu never run after lustful ends. The foremost of men, by listening to +this account of the awfully pure conduct of Phalguna, the son of the +lord of the celestials, become void of pride and arrogance and wrath and +other faults, and ascending to heaven, sport there in bliss." + + +SECTION XLVII + +Vaisampayana said, "One day, the great _Rishi_ Lomasa in course of his +wanderings, went to the abode of Indra, desirous of beholding the lord +of the celestials. And the great Muni, having approached the chief of +the gods, bowed to him respectfully. And he beheld the son of Pandu +occupying half of the seat of Vasava. And worshipped by the great +Rishis, that foremost of Brahmanas sat on an excellent seat at the +desire of Sakra. And beholding Arjuna seated on Indra's seat, the Rishi +began to think as to how Arjuna who was a Kshatriya had attained to the +seat of Sakra himself. What acts of merit had been performed by him and +what regions had been conquered by him (by ascetic merit), that he had +obtained a seat that was worshipped by the gods themselves? And as the +Rishi was employed with these thoughts, Sakra, the slayer of Vritra, +came to know of them. And having known them, the lord of Sachi addressed +Lomasa with a smile and said, 'Listen, O _Brahmarshi_, about what is now +passing in thy mind. This one is no mortal though he hath taken his +birth among men. O great Rishi, the mighty-armed hero is even my son +born of Kunti. He hath come hither, in order to acquire weapons for some +purpose. Alas! dost thou not recognise him as an ancient Rishi of the +highest merit? Listen to me, O Brahmana, as I tell thee who is and why +he hath come to me. Those ancient and excellent Rishis who were known by +the names of Nara and Narayana are, know, O Brahmana, none else than +Hrishikesa and Dhananjaya. And those Rishis, celebrated throughout the +three worlds, and known by the names of Nara and Narayana have, for the +accomplishment of a certain purpose, been born on earth--for the +acquisition of virtue. That sacred asylum which even gods and +illustrious Rishis are not competent to behold, and which is known +throughout the world by the name of Vadari, and situate by the source of +the Ganga, which is worshipped by the Siddhas and the Charanas, was the +abode, O Brahmana, of Vishnu and Jishnu. Those Rishis of blazing +splendour have, O _Brahmarshi_, at my desire, been born on earth, and +endued with mighty energy, will lighten the burden thereof. Besides +this, there are certain Asuras known as Nivatakavachas, who, proud of +the boon they have acquired, are employed in doing us injuries. Boastful +of their strength, they are even now planning the destruction of the +gods, for, having received a boon, they no longer regard the gods. Those +fierce and mighty Danavas live in the nether regions. Even all the +celestials together are incapable of fighting with them. The blessed +Vishnu--the slayer of Madhu--he, indeed who is known on earth as Kapila, +and whose glance alone, O exalted one, destroyed the illustrious sons of +Sagara, when they approached him with loud sounds in the bowels of the +earth,--that illustrious and invincible Hari is capable, O Brahmana of +doing us a great service. Either he or Partha or both may do us that +great service, without doubt. Verily as the illustrious Hari had slain +the Nagas in the great lake, he, by sight alone, is capable of slaying +those Asuras called the Nivatakavachas, along with their followers. But +the slayer of Madhu should not be urged when the task is insignificant. +A mighty mass of energy that he is, it swelleth to increasing +proportions, it may consume the whole universe. This Arjuna also is +competent to encounter them all, and the hero having slain them in +battle, will go back to the world of men. Go thou at my request to +earth. Thou wilt behold the brave Yudhishthira living in the woods of +Kamyaka. And for me tell thou the virtuous Yudhishthira of unbaffled +prowess in battle, that he should not be anxious on account of Phalguna, +for that hero will return to earth a thorough master of weapons, for +without sanctified prowess of arms, and without skill in weapons, he +would not be able to encounter Bhishma and Drona and others in battle. +Thou wilt also represent unto Yudhishthira that the illustrious and +mighty-armed Gudakesa, having obtained weapons, hath also mastered the +science of celestial dancing and music both instrumental and vocal. And +thou wilt also tell him, O king of men, O slayer of foes, thyself also, +accompanied by all thy brothers, should see the various sacred shrines. +For having bathed in different sacred waters, thou wilt be cleansed from +thy sins, and the fever of thy heart will abate. And then thou wilt be +able to enjoy thy kingdom, happy in the thought that thy sins have been +washed off. And, O foremost of Brahmanas, endued with ascetic power, it +behoveth thee also to protect Yudhishthira during his wandering over the +earth. Fierce Rakshasas ever live in mountain fastnesses and rugged +steppes. Protect thou the king from those cannibals.' + +"After Mahendra had spoken thus unto Lomasa, Vibhatsu also reverently +addressed that Rishi, saying, 'Protect thou ever the son of Pandu. O +best of men, let the king, O great Rishi, protected by thee, visit the +various places of pilgrimage and give away unto Brahmanas in charity.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "The mighty ascetic Lomasa, having answered both +saying, 'So be it,' set out for the earth, desirous of arriving at +Kamvaka. And having arrived at those woods, he beheld the slayer of foes +and son of Kunti, king Yudhishthira the just, surrounded by ascetics and +his younger brothers." + + +SECTION XLVIII + +Janamejaya said, "These feats of Pritha's son endued with immeasurable +energy, were certainly marvellous. O Brahmana, what did Dhritarashtra of +great wisdom say, when he heard of them?" + +Vaisampayana said, "Amvika's son, king Dhritarashtra, having heard of +Arjuna's arrival and stay at Indra's abode, from Dwaipayana, that +foremost of Rishis, spake unto Sanjaya, saying, 'O charioteer, dost thou +know in detail the acts of the intelligent Arjuna, of which I have heard +from beginning to end? O charioteer, my wretched and sinful son is even +now engaged in a policy of the most vulgar kind. Of wicked soul, he will +certainly depopulate the earth. The illustrious person whose words even +in jest are true, and who hath Dhananjaya to fight for him, is sure to +win the three worlds. Who that is even beyond the influence of Death and +Decay will be able to stay before Arjuna, when he will scatter his +barbed and sharp-pointed arrows whetted on stone? My wretched sons, who +have to fight with the invincible Pandavas are indeed, all doomed. +Reflecting day and night, I see not the warrior amongst us that is able +to stay in battle before the wielder of the _Gandiva_. If Drona, or +Karna, or even Bhishma advance against him in battle, a great calamity +is likely to befall the earth. But even in that case, I see not the way +to our success. Karna is kind and forgetful. The preceptor Drona is old, +and the teacher (of Arjuna). Arjuna, however, is wrathful, and strong, +and proud, and of firm and steady prowess. As all these warriors are +invincible, a terrible fight will take place between them. All of them +are heroes skilled in weapons and of great reputation. They would not +wish for the sovereignty of the world, if it was to be purchased by +defeat. Indeed, peace will be restored only on the death of these or of +Phalguna. The slayer of Arjuna, however, existeth not, nor doth one that +can vanquish him. Oh, how shall that wrath of his which hath myself for +its object be pacified. Equal unto the chief of the celestials, that +hero gratified Agni at _Khandava_ and vanquished all the monarchs of the +earth on the occasion of the great _Rajasuya_. O Sanjaya, the +thunder-bolt falling on the mountain top, leaveth a portion unconsumed; +but the shafts, O child, that are shot by Kiriti leave not a rack +behind. As the rays of the sun heat this mobile and immobile universe, +so will the shafts shot by Arjuna's hands scorch my sons. It seemeth to +me that the _Chamus_ of the Bharatas, terrified at the clatter of +Arjuna's chariot-wheels, are already broken through in all directions. +Vidhatri hath created Arjuna as an all-consuming Destroyer. He stayeth +in battle as a foe, vomitting and scattering swarms of arrows. Who is +there that will defeat him?'" + + +SECTION XLIX + +"Sanjaya said, 'That which hath been uttered by thee, O king, with +respect to Duryodhana is all true. Nothing that thou hast said, O lord +of the earth, is untrue. The Pandavas of immeasurable energy have been +filled with rage at the sight of Krishna their wedded wife of pure +fame brought in the midst of the assembly. Hearing also those cruel +words of Dussasana and Karna, they have been so incensed, O king, that +they will not, I ween, forgive (the Kurus) on thy account. I have heard, +O king, how Arjuna hath gratified in battle by means of his bow the god +of gods--Sthanu of eleven forms. The illustrious lord of all the +gods--Kapardin himself--desirous of testing Phalguna, fought with him, +having assumed the guise of a _Kirata_. And there it was that the +_Lokapala_, in order to give away their weapons unto that bull of the +Kuru race, showed themselves unto him of undeteriorating prowess. What +other man on earth, except Phalguna, would strive to have a sight of +these gods in their own forms? And, O king, who is there that will +weaken in battle Arjuna, who could not be weakened by Maheswara himself +possessed of eight forms? Thy sons, having dragged Draupadi, and thereby +incensed the sons of Pandu, have brought this frightful and horrifying +calamity upon themselves. Beholding Duryodhana showing both his thighs +unto Draupadi, Bhima said with quivering lips, _wretch! those thighs of +thine will I smash with my fierce descending mace, on the expiration of +thirteen years_. All the sons of Pandu are the foremost of smiters; all +of them are of immeasurable energy; all of them are well-versed in every +kind of weapons. For these, they are incapable of being vanquished even +by the gods. Incensed at the insult offered to their wedded wife, +Pritha's sons, urged by wrath, will, I ween, slay all thy sons in +battle.' + +"Dhritarashtra said, 'O charioteer, what mischief hath been done by +Karna uttering those cruel words, to the sons of Pandu! Was not the +enmity sufficient that was provoked by bringing Krishna into the +assembly? How can my wicked sons live, whose eldest brother and +preceptor walketh not in the path of righteousness? Seeing me void of +eye-sight, and incapable of exerting myself actively, my wretched son, O +charioteer, believeth me to be a fool, and listeneth not to my words. +Those wretches also that are his counsellors, _viz_., Karna and Suvala, +and others, always pander to his vices, as he is incapable of +understanding things rightly. The shafts that Arjuna of immeasurable +prowess may lightly shoot, are capable of consuming all my sons, leave +alone those shafts that he will shoot, impelled by anger. The arrows +urged by the might of Arjuna's arms and shot from his large bow, and +inspired with _mantras_ capable of converting them into celestial +weapons can chastise the celestials themselves. He who hath for his +counsellor and protector and friend that smiter of sinful men--the lord +of the three worlds--Hari himself--encountereth nothing that he cannot +conquer. This, O Sanjaya, is most marvellous in Arjuna that, as we have +heard, he hath been clasped by Mahadeva in his arms. That also which +Phalguna, assisted by Damodara did of old towards helping Agni in the +conflagration of _Khandava_, hath been witnessed by all the world. When, +therefore, Bhima and Partha and Vasudeva of the Satwata race become +enraged, surely my sons along with their friends and the Suvalas are all +unequal to fight with them.'" + + +SECTION L + +Janamejaya said, "Having sent the heroic sons of Pandu into exile, these +lamentations, O _Muni_, of Dhritarashtra were perfectly futile. Why did +the king permit his foolish son Duryodhana to thus incense those mighty +warriors, the sons of Pandu? Tell us now, O Brahmana, what was the food +of the sons of Pandu, while they lived in the woods? Was it of the +wilderness, or was it the produce of cultivation?" + +Vaisampayana said, "Those bulls among men, collecting the produce of the +wilderness and killing the deer with pure arrows, first dedicated a +portion of the food to the Brahmanas, and themselves ate the rest. For, +O king, while those heroes wielding large bows lived in the woods, they +were followed by Brahmanas of both classes, _viz_., those worshipping +with fire and those worshipping without it. And there were ten thousand +illustrious _Snataka_ Brahmanas, all conversant with the means of +salvation, whom Yudhishthira supported in the woods. And killing with +arrows _Rurus_ and the black deer and other kinds of clean animals of +the wilderness, he gave them unto those Brahmanas. And no one that lived +with Yudhishthira looked pale or ill, or was lean or weak, or was +melancholy or terrified. And the chief of the Kurus--the virtuous king +Yudhishthira--maintained his brothers as if they were his sons, and his +relatives as if they were his uterine brothers. And Draupadi of pure +fame fed her husbands and the Brahmanas, as if she was their mother; and +last of all took her food herself. And the king himself wending towards +the east, and Bhima, towards the south, and the twins, towards the west +and the north, daily killed with bow in hand the deer of the forest, for +the sake of meat. And it was that the Pandavas lived for five years in +the woods of _Kamyaka_, in anxiety at the absence of Arjuna, and engaged +all the while in study and prayers and sacrifices." + + +SECTION LI + +Vaisampayana said, "That bull among men--Dhritarashtra--the son of +Amvika, having heard of this wonderful way of life--so above that of +men--of the sons of Pandu, was filled with anxiety and grief. And +overwhelmed with melancholy and sighing heavily and hot, that monarch, +addressing his charioteer Sanjaya, said, 'O charioteer, a moment's peace +I have not, either during the day or the night, thinking of the terrible +misbehaviour of my sons arising out of their past gambling, and thinking +also of the heroism, the patience, the high intelligence, the unbearable +prowess, and the extraordinary love unto one another of the sons of +Pandu. Amongst the Pandavas, the illustrious Nakula and Sahadeva, of +celestial origin and equal unto the chief himself of the celestials in +splendour, are invincible in battle. They are firm in the wielding of +weapons, capable of shooting at a long distance, resolute in battle, of +remarkable lightness of hand, of wrath that is not easily quelled, +possessed of great steadiness, and endued with activity. Possessed of +the prowess of lions and unbearable as the Aswins themselves, when they +will come to the field of battle with Bhima and Arjuna in front, I see, +O Sanjaya, that my soldiers will all be slain without a remnant. Those +mighty warriors of celestial origin, unrivalled in battle by anybody, +filled with rage at the remembrance of that insult to Draupadi, will +show no forgiveness. The mighty warriors of the Vrishnis also, and the +Panchalas of great energy, and the sons of Pritha themselves, led by +Vasudeva of unbaffled prowess, will blast my legions. O charioteer, all +the warriors on my side assembled together, are not competent to bear +the impetus of the Vrishnis alone when commanded by Rama and Krishna. +And amongst them will move that great warrior Bhima of terrible prowess, +armed with his iron mace held on high and capable of slaying every hero. +And high above the din will be heard the twang of the _Gandiva_ loud as +the thunder of heaven. The impetus of Bhima's mace and the loud twang of +the Gandiva are incapable of being stood against by any of the kings on +my side. It is then, O Sanjaya, that obedient as I have been to the +voice of Duryodhana, I shall have to call back the rejected counsels of +my friends--counsels that I should have attended to in time.' + +"Sanjaya said, 'This hath been thy great fault, O king, _viz_., that +though capable, thou didst not, from affection prevent thy son from +doing what he hath done. The slayer of Madhu, that hero of unfading +glory, hearing that the Pandavas had been defeated at dice, soon went to +the woods of _Kamyaka_ and consoled them there. And Draupadi's sons also +headed by Dhrishtadyumna, and Virata, and Dhrishtaketu, and those mighty +warriors, the Kekayas, all went there. All that was said by these +warriors at the sight of Pandu's son defeated at dice, was learnt by me +through our spies. I have also told thee all, O king. When the slayer of +Madhu met the Pandavas, they requested him to become the charioteer of +Phalguna in battle. Hari himself, thus requested, answered them, saying, +_so be it_. And even Krishna himself beholding the sons of Pritha +dressed in deer skins, became filled with rage, and addressing +Yudhishthira, said, "That prosperity which the sons of Pritha had +acquired at Indraprastha, and which, unobtainable by other kings, was +beheld by me at the _Rajasuya_ sacrifice, at which, besides, I saw all +kings, even those of the Vangas and Angas and Paundras and Odras and +Cholas and Dravidas and Andhakas, and the chiefs of many islands and +countries on the sea-board as also of frontier states, including the +rulers of the Sinhalas, the barbarous _mlecchas_, the natives of Lanka, +and all the kings of the West by hundreds, and all the chiefs of the +sea-coast, and the kings of the Pahlavas and the Daradas and the various +tribes of the Kiratas and Yavanas and Sakras and the Harahunas and +Chinas and Tukharas and the Sindhavas and the Jagudas and the Ramathas +and the Mundas and the inhabitants of the kingdom of women and the +Tanganas and the Kekayas and the Malavas and the inhabitants of Kasmira, +afraid of the prowess of your weapons, present in obedience to your +invitation, performing various offices,--that prosperity, O king, so +unstable and waiting at present on the foe, I shall restore to thee, +depriving thy foe of his very life. I shall, O chief of the Kurus, +assisted by Rama and Bhima and Arjuna and the twins and Akrura and Gada +and Shamva and Pradyumna and Ahuka and the heroic Dhrishtadyumna and the +son of Sisupala, slay in battle in course of a day Duryodhana and Karna +and Dussasana and Suvala's son and all others who may fight against us. +And thou shalt, O Bharata, living at Hastinapura along with thy +brothers, and snatching from Dhritarashtra's party the prosperity they +are enjoying, rule this earth." Even these, O king, were Krishna's words +unto Yudhishthira, who, on the conclusion of Krishna's speech, addressed +him in that meeting of heroes and in the hearing of all those brave +warriors headed by Dhrishtadyumna, saying, "O Janardana, I accept these +words of thine as truth. O thou of mighty arms, do thou, however, slay +my enemies along with all their followers on the expiry of thirteen +years. O Kesava, promise this truly unto me. I promised in the presence +of the king to live in the forest as I am now living." Consenting to +these words of king Yudhishthira the just, his counsellors headed by +Dhrishtadyumna soon pacified the incensed Kesava with sweet words and +expressions suitable to the occasion. And they also said unto Draupadi +of pure deeds in the hearing of Vasudeva himself, these words, "O lady, +in consequence of thy anger, Duryodhana shall lay down his life. We +promise it, O thou of the fairest complexion. Therefore, grieve no more. +O Krishna, those that mocked thee, beholding thee won at dice, shall +reap the fruit of their act. Beasts of prey and birds shall eat their +flesh, and mock them thus. Jackals and vultures will drink their blood. +And, O Krishna, thou shalt behold the bodies of those wretches that +dragged thee by the hair prostrate on the earth, dragged and eaten by +carnivorous animals. They also that gave thee pain and disregarded thee +shall lie on the earth destitute of their heads, and the earth herself +shall drink their blood." These and other speeches of various kinds were +uttered there, O king, by those bulls of the Bharata race. All of them +are endued with energy and bravery, and marked with the marks of battle. +On the expiration of the thirteenth year, those mighty warriors, chosen +by Yudhishthira and headed by Vasudeva, will come (to the field of +battle). Rama and Krishna and Dhananjaya and Pradyumna and Shamva and +Yuyudhana and Bhima and the sons of Madri and the Kekaya princes and the +Panchala princes, accompanied by the king of Matsya, these all, +illustrious and celebrated and invincible heroes, with their followers +and troops, will come. Who is there that, desiring to live, will +encounter these in battle, resembling angry lions of erect manes?' + +"Dhritarashtra said, 'What Vidura told me at the time of the game at +dice, "If thou seekest, O king, to vanquish the Pandavas (at dice), then +certainly a terrible blood-shed ending in the destruction of all the +Kurus will be the result," I think it is about to be realised. As Vidura +told me of old, without doubt a terrible battle will take place, as soon +as the pledged period of the Pandavas expireth.'" + + +SECTION LII + +(Nalopakhyana Parva) + +Janamejaya said, "When the high-souled Partha went to Indra's region for +obtaining weapons, what did Yudhishthira and the other sons of Pandu +do?" + +Vaisampayana said, "When the high-souled Partha went to Indra's region +for obtaining weapons, those bulls of the Bharata race continued to +dwell with Krishna in (the woods of) _Kamyaka_. One day, those foremost +of the Bharatas, afflicted with grief, were seated with Krishna on a +clean and solitary sward. Grieving for Dhananjaya, overwhelmed with +sorrow, their voices were choked with weeping. Tortured by Dhananjaya's +absence, grief afflicted them equally. And filled with sorrow at their +separation from Arjuna and at the loss of their kingdom, the +mighty-armed Bhima among them addressed Yudhishthira, saying, 'That Bull +of the Bharata race, Arjuna, O great king, on whom depend the lives of +Pandu's sons, and on whose death the Panchalas as also ourselves with +our sons and Satyaki and Vasudeva are sure to die, hath gone away at thy +behest. What can be sadder than this that the virtuous Vibhatsu hath +gone away at thy command, thinking of his many griefs? Depending upon +the might of that illustrious hero's arms, regard our foes as already +vanquished in battle, and the whole earth itself as already acquired by +us. It was for the sake of that mighty warrior that I refrained from +sending to the other world all the Dhartarashtras along with the +Suvalas, in the midst of the assembly. Gifted with might of arms, and +supported by Vasudeva, we have to suppress the wrath that hath been +roused in us, because thou art the root of that wrath. Indeed, with +Krishna's help, slaying our foes headed by Karna, we are able to rule +the entire earth (thus) conquered by our own arms. Endued with +manliness, we are yet overwhelmed with calamities, in consequence of thy +gambling vice, while the foolish followers of Dhritarashtra are growing +stronger with the tributes (gathered from dependent kings). O mighty +monarch, it behoveth thee to keep in view the duties of the Kshatriya. O +great king, it is not the duty of a Kshatriya to live in the woods. The +wise are of the opinion that to rule is the foremost duty of a +Kshatriya. O king, thou art conversant with Kshatriya morality. Do not, +therefore, deviate from the path of duty. Turning away from the woods, +let us, summoning Partha and Janardana, slay, O king, the sons of +Dhritarashtra, even before the twelve years are complete. O illustrious +monarch, O king of kings, even if these Dhartarashtras be surrounded by +soldiers in array of battle, I shall send them to the other world by +dint of might alone. I shall slay all the sons of Dhritarashtra along +with the Sauvalas, indeed, Duryodhana, Karna, and any one else that will +fight with me. And after I shall have slain all our foes, thou mayst +come back unto the woods. By acting thus, O king, no fault will be +thine. (Or if any sin be thine), O represser of foes, O mighty monarch, +washing it off, O sire, by various sacrifices, we may ascend to a +superior heaven. Such a consummation may come to pass, if our king +proveth not unwise or procrastinating. Thou art, however, virtuous. +Verily the deceitful should be destroyed by deceit. To slay the +deceitful by deceit, is not regarded as sinful. O Bharata, it is also +said by those versed in morality that one day and night is, O great +prince, equal unto a full year. The Veda text also, exalted one, is +often heard, signifying that a year is equivalent to a day when passed +in the observance of certain difficult vows. O thou of unfading glory, +if the Vedas are an authority with thee, regard thou the period of a day +and something more as the equivalent of thirteen years. O represser of +foes, this is the time to slay Duryodhana with his adherents. Else, O +king, he will beforehand bring the whole earth obedient to his will. O +foremost of monarchs, all this is the result of thy addiction to +gambling. We are on the verge of destruction already, in consequence of +thy promise of living one year undiscovered. I do not find the country +where, if we live, the wicked-minded Suyodhana may not be able to trace +us by his spies. And finding us out, that wretch will again deceitfully +send us into such exile in the woods. Or if that sinful one beholdeth us +emerge, after the expiry of the pledged period of non-discovery, he will +again invite thee, O great king, to dice, and the play will once more +begin. Summoned once more, thou wilt again efface thyself at dice. Thou +art not skilled at dice, and when summoned at play, thou wilt be +deprived of thy senses. Therefore, O mighty monarch thou wilt have to +lead a life in the woods again. If, O mighty king, it behoveth thee not +to make us wretched for life, observe thou fully the ordinance of the +Vedas, (which inculcateth that) verily the deceitful ought to be slain +by deceit. If I but have thy command I would go (to Hastinapura) and, +even as fire falling upon a heap of grass consumeth it, would slay +Duryodhana, putting forth my utmost might. It behoveth thee, therefore, +to grant me the permission.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Bhima, king Yudhishthira the +just, smelt the crown of that son of Pandu, and pacifying him said, 'O +mighty-armed one, without doubt, thou wilt, assisted by the wielder of +the _Gandiva_, slay Suyodhana at the expiry of the thirteenth year. But, +O son of Pritha, as for thy assertion, _O Lord, the time is complete_, I +cannot dare tell an untruth, for untruth is not in me. O son of Kunti, +without the help of fraud, wilt thou kill the wicked and irrepressible +Duryodhana, with his allies.' + +"While Yudhishthira the just, was speaking unto Bhima thus, there came +the great and illustrious Rishi Vrihadaswa before them. And beholding +that virtuous ascetic before him, the righteous king worshipped him +according to the ordinance, with the offering of _Madhuparka_. And when +the ascetic was seated and refreshed, the mighty-armed Yudhishthira sat +by him, and looking up at the former, addressed him thus in exceedingly +piteous accents: + +"'O holy one, summoned by cunning gamblers skilled at dice, I have been +deprived of wealth and kingdom through gambling. I am not an adept at +dice, and am unacquainted with deceit. Sinful men, by unfair means, +vanquished me at play. They even brought into the public assembly my +wife dearer unto me than life itself. And defeating me a second time, +they have sent me to distressful exile in this great forest, clad in +deer skins. At present I am leading a distressful life in the woods in +grief of heart. Those harsh and cruel speeches they addressed me on the +occasion of that gambling match, and the words of my afflicted friends +relating to the match at dice and other subjects, are all stored up in +my remembrance. Recollecting them I pass the whole night in (sleepless) +anxiety. Deprived also (of the company) of the illustrious wielder of +the Gandiva, on whom depend the lives of us all, I am almost deprived of +life. Oh, when shall I see the sweet-speeched and large-hearted Vibhatsu +so full of kindness and activity, return to us, having obtained all +weapons? Is there a king on this earth who is more unfortunate than +myself? Hast thou ever seen or heard of any such before? To my thinking, +there is no man more wretched than I am.' + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'O great king, O son of Pandu, thou sayest, "There is +no person more miserable than I am." O sinless monarch, if thou wilt +listen, I will relate unto thee the history of a king more wretched than +thyself.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "And thereupon the king said unto the ascetic, +'O illustrious one, tell me, I desire to hear the history of the king +who had fallen into such a condition.' + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'O king, O thou that never fallest off, listen +attentively with thy brothers, I will narrate the history of a prince +more miserable than thyself. There was a celebrated king among the +Nishadhas, named Virasena. He had a son named Nala, versed in (the +knowledge of) virtue and wealth. It hath been heard by us that, that +king was deceitfully defeated by Pushkara, and afflicted with calamity, +he dwelt in the woods with his spouse. And, O king, while he was living +in the forest, he had neither slaves nor cars, neither brother nor +friends with him. But thou art surrounded by thy heroic brothers like +unto the celestials, and also by foremost regenerate ones like unto +Brahma himself. Therefore, it behoveth thee not to grieve.' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'I am anxious to hear in detail, O thou foremost of +eloquent men, the history of the illustrious Nala. It behoveth thee +therefore to relate it unto me.'" + + +SECTION LIII + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'There was a king named Nala, the son of Virasena. And +he was strong, and handsome, and well-versed in (the knowledge of) +horses, and possessed of every desirable accomplishment. And he was at +the head of all the kings, even like the lord of the celestials. And +exalted over all, he resembled the sun in glory. And he was the king of +the Nishadhas, intent on the welfare of the Brahmanas, versed in the +Vedas, and possessed of heroism. And he was truth-telling, fond of dice, +and the master of a mighty army. And he was the beloved of men and +women, and of great soul and subdued passions. And he was the protector +(of all), and the foremost of bowmen, and like unto Manu himself. And +like him, there was among the Vidarbhas (a king named) Bhima, of +terrible prowess, heroic and well-disposed towards his subjects and +possessed of every virtue. (But withal) he was childless. And with a +fixed mind, he tried his utmost for obtaining issue. And, O Bharata +there came unto him (once) a Brahmarshi named Damana. And, O king of +kings, desirous of having offspring, Bhima, versed in morality, with his +queen gratified that illustrious Rishi by a respectful reception. And +Damana, well-pleased, granted unto the king and his consort a boon in +the form of a jewel of a daughter, and three sons possessed of lofty +souls and great fame. (And they were called respectively) Damayanti, and +Dama and Dama, and illustrious Damana. And the three sons were possessed +of every accomplishment and terrible mien and fierce prowess. And the +slender-waisted Damayanti, in beauty and brightness, in good name and +grace and luck, became celebrated all over the world. And on her +attaining to age, hundreds of hand-maids, and female slaves, decked in +ornaments, waited upon her like _Sachi_ herself. And Bhima's daughter of +faultless features, decked in every ornament, shone in the midst of her +hand-maids, like the luminous lightning of the clouds. And the +large-eyed damsel was possessed of great beauty like that of Sree +herself. And neither among celestials, nor among Yakshas, nor among men +was anybody possessed of such beauty, seen or heard of before. And the +beautiful maiden filled with gladness the hearts of even the gods. And +that tiger among men, Nala also had not his peer in the (three) worlds: +for in beauty he was like _Kandarpa_ himself in his embodied form. And +moved by admiration, the heralds again and again celebrated the praises +of Nala before Damayanti and those of Damayanti before the ruler of the +Nishadhas. And repeatedly hearing of each other's virtues they conceived +an attachment towards each other not begot of sight, and that +attachment, O son of Kunti began to grow in strength. And then Nala was +unable to control the love that was in his bosom. And he began to pass +much of his time in solitude in the gardens adjoining the inner +apartment (of his palace). And there he saw a number of swans furnished +with golden wings, wandering in those woods. And from among them he +caught one with his hands. And thereupon the sky-ranging one said unto +Nala. "Deserve I not to be slain by thee, O king. I will do something +that is agreeable to thee, O king of the Nishadhas. I will speak of thee +before Damayanti in such a way that she will not ever desire to have any +other person (for her lord)." Thus addressed, the king liberated that +swan. And those swans then rose on their wings and went to the country +of the Vidarbhas. And on arriving at the city of the Vidarbhas the birds +alighted before Damayanti, who beheld them all. And Damayanti in the +midst of her maids, beholding those birds of extraordinary appearance +was filled with delight, and strove without loss of time to catch those +coursers of the skies. And the swans at this, before that bevy of +beauties, fled in all directions. And those maidens there pursued the +birds, each (running) after one. And the swan after which Damayanti ran, +having led her to a secluded spot, addressed her in human speech, +saying, O Damayanti, there is a king amongst the Nishadhas named Nala. +He is equal unto the Aswins in beauty, not having his peer among men. +Indeed, in comeliness, he is like _Kandarpa_ himself in his embodied +form. O fair-complexioned one, O thou of slender waist, if thou becomest +his wife, thy existence and this thy beauty may be of purpose. We have, +indeed, beheld celestials and Gandharvas, and Nagas, and Rakshasas, and +men, but never saw we before any one like Nala. Thou also art a jewel +among thy sex, as Nala is the prince among men. The union of the best +with the best is happy." Thus addressed by the swan, Damayanti, O +monarch, replied unto him there, saying, "Do thou speak thus unto Nala +also." Saying _So be it_, to the daughter of Vidarbha, the oviparous +one, O king, returned to the country of the Nishadhas, and related +everything unto Nala.'" + + +SECTION LIV + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'O Bharata, hearing those words of the swan, Damayanti +thenceforth lost all peace of mind on account of Nala. And heaving +frequent sighs she was filled with anxiety, and became melancholy and +pale-faced and lean. And with her heart possessed by the god of love, +she soon lost colour, and with her upturned gaze and modes of +abstraction, looked like one demented. And she lost all inclination for +beds and seats and object of enjoyment. And she ceased to lie down by +day or night, always weeping with exclamation of _Oh!_ and _Alas!_ And +beholding her uneasy and fallen into that condition, her hand-maids +represented, O king, the matter of her illness unto the ruler of +Vidarbha by indirect hints. And king Bhima, hearing of this from the +handmaids of Damayanti, regarded the affair of his daughter to be +serious. And he asked himself, "Why is it that my daughter seemeth to be +so ill now?" And the king, reflecting by himself that his daughter had +attained to puberty, concluded that Damayanti's _Swayamvara_ should take +place. And the monarch, O exalted one, (invited) all the rulers of the +earth, saying, _Ye heroes, know that Damayanti's Swayamvara is at hand_. +And all the kings, hearing of Damayanti's _Swayamvara_, came unto Bhima, +agreeable to his message, filling the earth with the clatter of their +cars, the roar of their elephants, and the neighing of their horses, and +accompanied with their fine-looking battalions decked in ornaments and +graceful garlands. And the mighty-armed Bhima paid due reverence unto +those illustrious monarchs. And duly honoured by him they took up their +quarters there. + +"'And at the juncture, those foremost of celestial Rishis possessed of +great splendour, of great wisdom and great vows--namely, Narada and +Parvata--having arrived in course of their wandering at the regions of +Indra entered the mansion of the lord of the immortals, receiving proper +worship. And Maghavat having worshipped them reverentially, inquired +after their undisturbed peace and welfare as regards all respects. And +Narada said, "O lord, O divine one, peace attendeth us in every respect. +And, O Maghavat, peace attendeth also O exalted one, the kings of the +whole world."' + +"Vrihadaswa continued. 'Hearing the words of Narada the slaver of Vala +and Vritra said, "Those righteous rulers of the earth who fight +renouncing all desire of life, and who meet death when their time is +come by means of weapons, without flying from the field,--theirs is this +region, everlasting unto them and granting all desires, even as it is to +me. Where be those Kshatriya heroes? I do not see those kings approach +(now). Where are my favourite guests?" Thus addressed by Sakra, Narada +replied, "Listen, O Mahaval, why seest not thou the kings (now)? The +ruler of the Vidarbhas hath a daughter--the celebrated Damayanti. In +beauty she transcendeth all the women of the earth. Her _Swayamvara_, O +Sakra, will take place shortly. Thither are going all the kings and +Princes from all directions. And all the lords of the earth desire to +have that pearl of the earth,--desire to have her eagerly, O slaver of +Vala and Vritra." And while they were talking thus, those foremost of +the immortals, the _Lokapalas_ with Agni among them, appeared before the +lord of the celestials. And all of them heard the words of Narada +fraught with grave import. And as soon as they heard them, they +exclaimed in rapture, _We also will go there_. And, O mighty monarch, +accompanied by their attendants and mounted on their (respective) +vehicles, they set out for the country of Vidarbhas, whither (had gone) +all the kings. And, O son of Kunti, the high-souled king Nala also +hearing of that concourse of kings, set out with a cheerful heart, full +of Damayanti's love. And (it came to pass) that the gods saw Nala on the +way treading on the earth. And his form owing to its beauty was like +that of the god of love himself. And beholding him resplendent as the +sun, the _Lokapalas_ were filled with astonishment at his wealth of +beauty, and abandoned their intention. And, O king, leaving their cars +in the sky the dwellers of heaven alighted from the welkin and spake +unto the ruler of the Nishadhas, saying, "O foremost of monarchs ruling +the Nishadhas, O Nala, thou art devoted to truth. Do thou help us. O +best of men, be thou our messenger."'" + + +SECTION LV + +"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O Bharata, Nala pledged his word to the +celestials saying, "_I will do it_." And then approaching these, he +asked with folded hands, "Who are ye? And who also is he that desireth +me to be his messenger? And what, further, shall I have to do for you? O +tell me truly!"--When the king of the Nishadhas spoke thus, Maghavat +replied, saying, "Know us as the immortals come hither for Damayanti's +sake. I am Indra, this one is Agni, this the lord of waters, and this, O +king, is even Yama the destroyer of the bodies of men. Do thou inform +Damayanti of our arrival, saying, 'The guardians of the world, +(consisting of) the great Indra and the others, are coming to the +assembly, desirous of beholding (the Swayamvara). The gods, Sakra and +Agni and Varuna and Yama, desire to obtain thee. Do thou, therefore, +choose one of them for thy lord.'" Thus addressed by Sakra, Nala said +with joined hands, "I have come here with the self same object. It +behoveth thee not to send me (on this errand). How can a person who is +himself under the influence of love bring himself to speak thus unto a +lady on behalf of others? Therefore, spare me, ye gods." The gods, +however, said, "O ruler of the Nishadhas, having promised first, saying, +_I will!_ why wilt thou not act accordingly now? O ruler of the +Nishadhas, tell us this without delay."' + +"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Thus addressed by those celestials, the ruler of +Nishadhas spake again, saying, "Those mansions are well-guarded. How can +I hope to enter them?" Indra replied, "Thou shalt be able to enter." +And, saying, _So be it_, Nala thereupon went to the palace of Damayanti. +And having arrived there, he beheld the daughter of the king of Vidarbha +surrounded by her hand-maids, blazing in beauty and excelling in +symmetry of form, of limbs exceedingly delicate, of slender waist and +fair eyes. And she seemed to rebuke the light of the moon by her own +splendour. And as he gazed on that lady of sweet smiles, Nala's love +increased, but desirous of keeping his truth, he suppressed his passion. +And at the sight of Naishadha, overpowered by his effulgence, those +first of women sprang up from their seats in amazement. And filled with +wonder (at his sight), they praised Nala in gladness of heart. And +without saying anything, they mentally paid him homage, "Oh, what +comeliness! Oh, what gentleness belongeth to this high-souled one! Who +is he? Is he some god or Yaksha or Gandharva?" And those foremost of +women, confounded by Nala's splendour and bashfulness would not accost +him at all in speech. And Damayanti although herself struck with +amazement, smilingly addressed the warlike Nala who also gently smiled +at her, saying, "What art thou, O thou of faultless features, that hast +come here awakening my love? O sinless one, O hero of celestial form, I +am anxious to know who thou art that hast come hither. And why hast thou +come hither? And how is it that thou hast not been discovered by any +one, considering that my apartments are well-guarded and the king's +mandates are stern." Thus addressed by the daughter of the king of the +Vidarbhas, Nala replied, "O beauteous lady, know that my name is Nala. I +come here as the messenger of the gods. The celestials, Sakra, Agni, +Varuna and Yama, desire to have thee. O beautiful lady, do thou choose +one of them for thy lord. It is through their power that I have entered +here unperceived, and it is for this reason that none saw me on my way +or obstructed my entrance. O gentle one, I have been sent by the +foremost of the celestials even for this object. Hearing this, O +fortunate one, do what thou pleasest."'" + + +SECTION LVI + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'Damayanti, having bowed down unto the gods, thus +addressed Nala with a smile, "O king, love me with proper regard, and +command me what I shall do for thee. Myself and what else of wealth is +mine are thine. Grant me, O exalted one, thy love in full trust. O king, +the language of the swans is burning me. It is for thy sake, O hero, +that I have caused the kings to meet. O giver of proper honour, if thou +forsake me who adore thee, for thy sake will I resort to poison, or +fire, or water or the rope." Thus addressed by the daughter of the king +of the Vidarbhas, Nala answered her saying, "With the _Lokapalas_ +present, choosest thou a man? Do thou turn thy heart to those +high-souled lords, the creators of the worlds, unto the dust of whose +feet I am not equal. Displeasing the gods, a mortal cometh by death. +Save me, O thou of faultless limbs! Choose thou the all-excelling +celestials. By accepting the gods, do thou enjoy spotless robes, and +celestial garlands of variegated hues, and excellent ornaments. What +woman would not choose as her lord Hutasana--the chief of the +celestials, who encompassing the earth swalloweth it? What woman would +not choose him as her lord the dread of whose mace induceth all +creatures to tread the path of virtue? And what woman would not choose +as her lord the virtuous and high-souled Mahendra, the lord of the +celestials, the chastiser of Daityas and Danavas? Or, if thou couldst +choose in thy heart Varuna amongst the _Lokapalas_, do so +unhesitatingly. O accept this friendly advice." Thus addressed by +Naishadha, Damayanti, with eyes bathed in tears of grief spake thus unto +Nala, "O lord of the earth, bowing to all the gods, I choose thee for my +lord. Truly do I tell thee this." The king, who had come as the +messenger of the gods, replied unto the trembling Damayanti standing +with folded hands, "O amiable one, do as thou pleasest. Having given my +pledge, O blessed one, unto the gods in especial, how can I, having come +on other's mission, dare seek my own interest? If seeking my own +interest consists with virtue, I will seek it, and do thou also, O +beauteous one, act accordingly." Then Damayanti of luminous smiles +slowly spake unto king Nala, in words choked with tears, "O lord of men +I see a blameless way, by which no sin whatever will attach unto thee. O +king, do thou, O foremost of men, come to the _Swayamvara_ in company +with all the gods headed by Indra. There, O Monarch, in the presence of +the _Lokapalas_ I will, O tiger among men, choose thee--at which no +blame will be thine." Thus addressed, O monarch, by the daughter of +Vidarbha, king Nala returned to where the gods were staying together. +And beholding him approach those great gods, the _Lokapalas_, eagerly +asked him about all that had happened saying, "Hast thou, O king, seen +Damayanti of sweet smiles? What hath she said unto us all? O sinless +monarch, tell us everything." Nala answered, "Commanded by you I entered +Damayanti's palace furnished with lofty portals guarded by veteran +warders bearing wands. And as I entered, no one perceived me, by virtue +of your power, except the princess. And I saw her hand-maids, and they +also saw me. And, O exalted celestials, seeing me, they were filled with +wonder. And as I spake unto her of you, the fair-faced maiden, her will +fixed on me, O ye best of the gods, chose me (for her spouse). And the +maiden said, 'Let the gods, O tiger among men, come with thee to the +_Swayamvara_, I will in their presence, choose thee. At this, O thou of +mighty arms, no blame will attach to thee.' This is all, ye gods, that +took place, as I have said. Finally, everything rests with you, ye +foremost of celestials."'" + + +SECTION LVII + +"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Then at the sacred hour of the holy lunar day of +the auspicious season, king Bhima summoned the kings to the +_Swayamvara_. And hearing of it, all the lords of earth smit with love +speedily came thither, desirous of (possessing) Damayanti. And the +monarchs entered the amphitheatre decorated with golden pillars and a +lofty portal arch, like mighty lions entering the mountain wilds. And +those lords of earth decked with fragrant garlands and polished +ear-rings hung with jewels seated themselves on their several seats. And +that sacred assembly of Kings, graced by those tigers among men, +resembled the _Bhogavati_ swarming with the Nagas, or a mountain cavern +with tigers. And their arms were robust, and resembling iron maces, and +well-shaped, and graceful, and looking like five-headed snakes. And +graced with beautiful locks and fine noses and eyes and brows, the +countenance of the kings shone like stars in the firmament. And (when +the time came), Damayanti of beauteous face, stealing the eyes and +hearts of the princes by her dazzling light, entered the hall. And the +glances of those illustrious kings were rivetted to those parts of her +person where they had chanced to fall first, without moving at all. And +when, O Bharata, the names of the monarchs were proclaimed, the daughter +of Bhima saw five persons all alike in appearance. And beholding them +seated there, without difference of any kind in form, doubt filled her +mind, and she could not ascertain which of them was king Nala. And at +whomsoever (among them) she looked, she regarded him to be the king of +the Nishadhas. And filled with anxiety, the beautious one thought within +herself, "Oh, how shall I distinguish the celestials, and how discern +the royal Nala?" And thinking thus, the daughter of Vidarbha became +filled with grief. And, O Bharata, recollecting the marks belonging to +the celestials, of which she had heard, she thought, "Those attributes +of the celestials, of which I have heard from the aged, do not pertain +to any of these deities present here upon the earth." And revolving the +matter long in her mind, and reflecting upon it repeatedly, she decided +upon seeking the protection of the gods themselves. And bowing down unto +them with mind and speech, with folded hands, she addressed them +trembling, "Since I heard the speech of the swans, I chose the king of +the Nishadhas as my lord. For the sake of truth, O, let the gods reveal +him to me. And as in thought or word I have never swerved from him, O, +let the gods, for the sake of that truth, reveal him to me. And as the +gods themselves have destined the ruler of the Nishadhas to be my lord, +O, let them, for the sake of that truth, reveal him to me. And as it is +for paying homage unto Nala that I have adopted this vow, for the sake +of that truth, O, let the gods reveal him unto me. O, let the exalted +guardians of the worlds assume their own proper forms, so that I may +know the righteous king." Hearing these piteous words of Damayanti, and +ascertaining her fixed resolve, and fervent love for the king of +Nishadhas, the purity of her heart and her inclination and regard and +affection for Nala, the gods did as they had been adjured, and assumed +their respective attributes as best they could. And thereupon she beheld +the celestials unmoistened with perspiration, with winkless eyes, and +unfading garlands, unstained with dust, and staying without touching the +ground. And Naishadha stood revealed to his shadow, his fading garlands, +himself stained with dust and sweat, resting on the ground with winking +eyes. And, O Bharata, discerning the gods and the virtuous Nala the +daughter of Bhima chose Naishadha according to her truth. And the +large-eyed damsel then bashfully caught the hem of his garment and +placed round his neck a floral wreath of exceeding grace. And when that +fair-complexioned maiden had thus chosen Nala for her husband, the kings +suddenly broke out into exclamations of _Oh!_ and _Alas!_ And, O +Bharata, the gods and the great Rishis in wonder cried _Excellent! +Excellent!_, applauding the king the while. And, O Kauravya, the royal +son of Virasena, with heart filled with gladness, comforted the +beauteous Damayanti, saying, "Since thou, O blessed one, hast chosen a +mortal in the presence of the celestials, know me for a husband even +obedient to thy command. And, O thou of sweet smiles, truly do I tell +thee this that as long as life continueth in this body of mine, I will +remain thine and thine alone." Damayanti also, with folded hands paid +homage unto Nala in words of like import. And the happy pair beholding +Agni and the other gods mentally sought their protection. And after the +daughter of Bhima had chosen Naishadha as her husband, the _Lokapalas_ +of exceeding effulgence with pleased hearts, bestowed on Nala eight +boons. And Sakra, the lord of Sachi, bestowed on Nala the boon that he +should be able to behold his godship in sacrifices and that he should +attain to blessed regions thereafter, and Hutasana bestowed on him the +boon of his own presence whenever Naishadha wished, and regions also +bright as himself. And Yama granted him subtle taste in food as well as +pre-eminence in virtue. And the lord of waters granted Nala his own +presence whenever he desired, and also garlands of celestial fragrance. +And thus each of them bestowed upon him a couple of boons. And having +bestowed these the gods went to heaven. And the kings also, having +witnessed with wonder Damayanti's selection of Nala, returned delighted +whence they had come. And on the departure of those mighty monarchs, the +high-souled Bhima, well pleased, celebrated the wedding of Nala and +Damayanti. And having stayed there for a time according to his desire, +Naishadha, the best of men, returned to his own city with the permission +of Bhima. And having attained that pearl of a woman, the virtuous king, +O monarch, began to pass his days in joy, like the slayer of Vala and +Vritra in the company of Sachi. And resembling the sun in glory, the +king, full of gladness, began to rule his subjects righteously, and give +them great satisfaction. And like unto Yayati, the son of Nahusha, that +intelligent monarch celebrated the horse sacrifice and many other +sacrifices with abundant gifts to Brahmanas. And like unto a very god, +Nala sported with Damayanti in romantic woods and groves. And the +high-minded king begat upon Damayanti a son named Indrasena, and a +daughter named Indrasena. And celebrating sacrifice, and sporting (with +Damayanti) thus, the king ruled the earth abounding in wealth.'" + + +SECTION LVIII + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'When the blazing guardians of the worlds were +returning after the daughter of Bhima had chosen Naishadha, on their way +they met Dwapara with Kali approaching towards them. And seeing Kali, +Sakra the slayer of Vala and Vritra, said, "O Kali, say whither thou art +going with Dwapara." And thereupon Kali replied unto Sakra, "Going to +Damayanti's _Swayamvara_, will I obtain her (for my wife), as my heart +is fixed upon that damsel." Hearing this, Indra said with a smile, "That +_Swayamvara_ is already ended. In our sight she hath chosen Nala for her +husband." Thus answered by Sakra, Kali, that vilest of the celestials, +filled with wrath, addressing all those gods spake, "Since in the +presence of the celestials she hath chosen a mortal for her lord, it is +meet that she should undergo a heavy doom." Upon hearing these words of +Kali, the celestials answered, "It is with our sanction that Damayanti +hath chosen Nala. What damsel is there that would not choose king Nala +endued with every virtue? Well-versed in all duties, always conducting +himself with rectitude, he hath studied the four Vedas together with the +Puranas that are regarded as the fifth. Leading a life of harmlessness +unto all creatures, he is truth-telling and firm in his vows, and in his +house the gods are ever gratified by sacrifices held according to the +ordinance. In that tiger among men--that king resembling a _Lokapala_ +in truth, and forbearance, and knowledge, and asceticism, and purity and +self-control, and perfect tranquillity of soul. O Kali, the fool that +wisheth to curse Nala bearing such a character, curseth himself, and +destroyeth himself by his own act. And, O Kali, he that seeketh to curse +Nala crowned with such virtues, sinketh into the wide bottomless pit of +hell rife with torments." Having said this to Kali and Dwapara, the gods +went to heaven. And when the gods had gone away, Kali said unto Dwapara, +"I am ill able, O Dwapara, to suppress my anger. I shall possess Nala, +deprive him of his kingdom, and he shall no more sport with Bhima's +daughter. Entering the dice, it behoveth thee to help me."'" + + +SECTION LIX + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'Having made this compact with Dwapara, Kali came to +the place where the king of the Nishadhas was. And always watching for a +hole, he continued to dwell in the country of the Nishadhas for a long +time. And it was in the twelfth year that Kali saw a hole. For one day +after answering the call of nature, Naishadha touching water said his +twilight prayers, without having previously washed his feet. And it was +through this (omission) that Kali entered his person. And having +possessed Nala, he appeared before Pushkara, and addressed him, saying, +"Come and play at dice with Nala. Through my assistance thou wilt surely +win at the play. And defeating king Nala and acquiring his kingdom, do +thou rule the Nishadhas." Thus exhorted by Kali, Pushkara went to Nala. +And Dwapara also approached Pushkara, becoming the principal die called +_Vrisha_. And appearing before the warlike Nala, that slayer of hostile +heroes, Pushkara, repeatedly said, "Let us play together with dice." +Thus challenged in the presence of Damayanti, the lofty-minded king +could not long decline it. And he accordingly fixed the time for the +play. And possessed by Kali, Nala began to lose, in the game, his stakes +in gold, and silver, and cars with the teams thereof, and robes. And +maddened at dice, no one amongst his friends could succeed in dissuading +that represser of foes from the play that went on. And thereupon, O +Bharata, the citizens in a body, with the chief councillors, came +thither to behold the distressed monarch and make him desist. And the +charioteer coming to Damayanti spake to her of this, saying, "O lady, +the citizens and officers of the state wait at the gate. Do thou inform +the king of the Nishadhas that the citizens have come here, unable to +bear the calamity that hath befallen their king conversant with virtue +and wealth." Thereupon Bhima's daughter, overwhelmed with grief and +almost deprived of reason by it, spake unto Nala in choked accents, "O +king, the citizens with the councillors of state, urged by loyalty, stay +at the gate desirous of beholding thee. It behoveth thee to grant them +an interview." But the king, possessed by Kali, uttered not a word in +reply unto his queen of graceful glances, uttering thus her +lamentations. And at this, those councillors of state as also the +citizens, afflicted with grief and shame, returned to their homes, +saying, "_He liveth not_." And, O Yudhishthira, it was thus that Nala +and Pushkara gambled together for many months, the virtuous Nala being +always worsted.'" + + +SECTION LX + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'Bhima's daughter, the cool-headed Damayanti, seeing +the righteous king maddened and deprived of his senses at dice, was +filled, O king, with alarm and grief. And she thought the affair to be a +serious one with the king. And apprehensive of the calamity that +threatened Nala, yet seeking his welfare and at last understanding that +her lord had lost everything, she said unto her nurse and maid-servant +Vrihatsena of high fame, intent upon her good, dexterous in all duties, +faithful and sweet-speeched, these words, "O Vrihatsena, go thou and +summon the councillors in the name of Nala, and tell them also what of +wealth and other things hath been lost and what remaineth." The +councillors then, hearing of Nala's summons, said, "This is fortunate +for us" and approached the king. And when the subjects in a body had +(thus) come a second time, the daughter of Bhima informed Nala of it. +But the king regarded her not. Finding her husband disregarding her +words, Damayanti, filled with shame, returned to her apartments. And +hearing that the dice were uniformly unfavourable to the virtuous Nala, +and that he had lost everything, she again spake unto her nurse, saying, +"O Vrihatsena, go thou again in Nala's name to bring hither, O blessed +one, the charioteer, Varshneya. The matter at hand is very serious." And +Vrihatsena, hearing those words of Damayanti caused Varshneya to be +summoned by trusty servants. And the blameless daughter of Bhima, +acquainted with conduct suitable to time and place, addressing soft +words said according to the occasion, "Thou knowest how the king hath +always behaved towards thee. He is now in difficulty, and it behoveth +thee to assist him. The more the king loseth to Pushkara, the greater +becometh his ardour for the play. And as the dice fall obedient to +Pushkara, it is seen that they are adverse to Nala in the matter of the +play. And absorbed in the play, he heedeth not the words of his friends +and relatives, nor even those of mine. I do not think, however, that in +this the high-souled Naishadha is to blame, in as much as the king +regarded not my words, being absorbed in play. O Charioteer, I seek thy +protection. Do my behest. My mind misgiveth me. The king may come to +grief. Yoking Nala's favourite horses endued with the fleetness of the +mind, do thou take these twins (my son and daughter) on the car and hie +thou to Kundina. Leaving the children there with my kindred as also the +car and the horses, either stay thou there, or go to any other place as +it listeth thee." Varshneya, the charioteer of Nala, then reported in +detail these words of Damayanti unto the chief officers of the king. And +having settled (the matter) in consultation with them, and obtaining +their assent, O mighty monarch, the charioteer started for Vidarbha, +taking the children on that car. And leaving there the boy Indrasena and +the girl Indrasena, as also that best of cars and those steeds, the +charioteer, with a sad heart grieving for Nala, bade farewell unto +Bhima. And wandering for some time, he arrived at the city of Ayodhya. +And there he appeared with a sorrowful heart before king Rituparna, and +entered the service of that monarch as charioteer.'" + + +SECTION LXI + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'After Varshneya had gone away, Pushkara won from the +righteous Nala that latter's kingdom and what else of wealth he had. And +unto Nala, O king, who had lost his kingdom, Pushkara laughingly said, +"Let the play go on. But what stake hast thou now? Damayanti only +remaineth; all else of thine hath been won by me. Well, if thou likest, +that Damayanti be our stake now." Hearing these words of Pushkara the +virtuous king felt as if his heart would burst in rage, but he spake not +a word. And gazing at Pushkara in anguish, king Nala of great fame took +all the ornaments off every part of his body. And attired in a single +piece of cloth, his body uncovered, renouncing all his wealth, and +enhancing the grief of friends, the king set out. And Damayanti, clad in +one piece of cloth, followed him behind as he was leaving the city. And +coming to the outskirts of the city, Nala stayed there for three nights +with his wife. But Pushkara, O king, proclaimed through the city that +_he that should show any attention to Nala, would be doomed to death_. +And on account of these words of Pushkara and knowing his malice towards +Nala, the citizens, O Yudhishthira, no longer showed him hospitable +regards. And unregarded though deserving of hospitable regards, Nala +passed three nights in the outskirts of the city, living on water alone. +And afflicted with hunger, the king went away in search of fruit and +roots, Damayanti following him behind. And in agony of famine, after +many days, Nala saw some birds with plumage of golden hue. And thereupon +the mighty lord of the Nishadhas thought within himself, "These will be +my banquet today and also my wealth." And then he covered them with the +cloth he had on--when bearing up that garment of his, the birds rose up +to the sky. And beholding Nala nude and melancholy, and standing with +face turned towards the ground, those rangers of the sky addressed him, +saying, "O thou of small sense, we are even those dice. We had come +hither wishing to take away thy cloth, for it pleased us not that thou +shouldst depart even with thy cloth on." And finding himself deprived of +his attire, and knowing also that the dice were departing (with it), the +virtuous Nala, O king, thus spake unto Damayanti, "O faultless one, they +through whose anger I have been despoiled of my kingdom, they through +whose influence distressed and afflicted with hunger, I am unable to +procure sustenance, they for whom the Nishadhas offered me not any +hospitality, they, O timid one, are carrying off my cloth, assuming the +form of birds. Fallen into this dire disaster, I am afflicted with grief +and deprived of my senses, I am thy lord, do thou, therefore, listen to +the words I speak for thy good. These many roads lead to the southern +country, passing by (the city of) Avanti and the Rikshavat mountains. +This is that mighty mountain called Vindhya; yon, the river Payasvini +running sea-wards, and yonder are the asylums of the ascetics, furnished +with various fruit and roots. This road leadeth to the country of the +Vidarbhas--and that, to the country of the Kosalas. Beyond these roads +to the south is the southern country." Addressing Bhima's daughter, O +Bharata, the distressed king Nala spake those words unto Damayanti over +and over again. Thereupon afflicted with grief, in a voice choked with +tears, Damayanti spake unto Naishadha these piteous words, "O king, +thinking of thy purpose, my heart trembleth, and all my limbs become +faint. How can I go, leaving thee in the lone woods despoiled of thy +kingdom and deprived of thy wealth, thyself without a garment on, and +worn with hunger and toil? When in the deep woods, fatigued and +afflicted with hunger, thou thinkest of thy former bliss, I will, O +great monarch, soothe thy weariness. In every sorrow there is no physic +equal unto the wife, say the physicians. It is the truth, O Nala, that I +speak unto thee." Hearing those words of his queen, Nala replied, "O +slender-waisted Damayanti, it is even as thou hast said. To a man in +distress, there is no friend or medicine that is equal unto a wife. But +I do not seek to renounce thee, wherefore, O timid one, dost thou dread +this? O faultless one, I can forsake myself but thee I cannot forsake." +Damayanti then said, "If thou dost not, O mighty king, intend to forsake +me, why then dost thou point out to me the way to the country of the +Vidarbhas? I know, O king, that thou wouldst not desert me. But, O lord +of the earth, considering that thy mind is distracted, thou mayst desert +me. O best of men, thou repeatedly pointest out to me the way and it is +by this, O god-like one, that thou enhancest my grief. If it is thy +intention that I should go to my relatives, then if it pleaseth thee, +both of us will wend to the country of the Vidarbhas. O giver of +honours, there the king of the Vidarbhas will receive thee with respect. +And honoured by him, O king, thou shall live happily in our home."'" + + +SECTION LXII + +"'Nala said, "Surely, thy father's kingdom is as my own. But thither I +will not, by any means, repair in this extremity. Once I appeared there +in glory, increasing thy joy. How can I go there now in misery, +augmenting thy grief?"' + +"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Saying this again and again unto Damayanti, king +Nala, wrapped in half a garment, comforted his blessed wife. And both +attired in one cloth and wearied with hunger and thirst, in course of +their wanderings, at last they came to a sheltered shed for travellers. +And arrived at this place, the king of the Nishadhas sat down on the +bare earth with the princess of Vidarbha. And wearing the same piece of +cloth (with Damayanti), and dirty, and haggard, and stained with dust, +he fell asleep with Damayanti on the ground in weariness. And suddenly +plunged in distress, the innocent and delicate Damayanti with every mark +of good fortune, fell into a profound slumber. And, O monarch, while she +slept, Nala, with heart and mind distraught, could not slumber calmly as +before. And reflecting on the loss of his kingdom, the desertion of his +friends, and his distress in the woods, he thought with himself, "What +availeth my acting thus? And what if I act not thus? Is death the better +for me now? Or should I desert my wife? She is truly devoted to me and +suffereth this distress for my sake. Separated from me, she may +perchance wander to her relatives. Devoted as she is to me, if she +stayeth with me, distress will surely be hers; while it is doubtful, if +I desert her. On the other hand, it is not unlikely that she may even +have happiness some time." Reflecting upon this repeatedly, and thinking +of it again and again, he concluded, O monarch, that the desertion of +Damayanti was the best course for him. And he also thought, "Of high +fame and auspicious fortune, and devoted to me, her husband, she is +incapable of being injured by any one on the way on account of her +energy." Thus his mind that was influenced by the wicked Kali, dwelling +upon Damayanti, was made up for deserting her. And then thinking of his +own want of clothing, and of her being clad in a single garment, he +intended to cut off for himself one half of Damayanti's attire. And he +thought, "How shall I divide this garment, so that my beloved one may +not perceive?" And thinking of this, the royal Nala began to walk up and +down that shed. And, O Bharata, pacing thus to and fro, he found a +handsome sword lying near the shed, unsheathed. And that repressor of +foes, having with that sword cut off one half of the cloth, and throwing +the instrument away, left the daughter of Vidharbha insensible in her +sleep and went away. But his heart failing him, the king of the +Nishadhas returned to the shed, and seeing Damayanti (again), burst into +tears. And he said, "Alas! that beloved one of mine whom neither the god +of wind nor the sun had seen before, even she sleepeth to-day on the +bare earth, like one forlorn. Clad in this severed piece of cloth, and +lying like one distracted, how will the beauteous one of luminous smiles +behave when she awaketh? How will the beautiful daughter of Bhima, +devoted to her lord, all alone and separated from me, wander through +these deep woods inhabited by beasts and serpents? O blessed one, may +the Adityas and the Vasus, and the twin Aswins together with the Marutas +protect thee, thy virtue being thy best guard." And addressing thus his +dear wife peerless on earth in beauty, Nala strove to go, reft of reason +by Kali. Departing and still departing, king Nala returned again and +again to that shed, dragged away by Kali but drawn back by love. And it +seemed as though the heart of the wretched king was rent in twain, and +like a swing, he kept going out from cabin and coming back into it. At +length after lamenting long and piteously, Nala stupefied and bereft of +sense by Kali went away, forsaking that sleeping wife of his. Reft of +reason through Kali's touch, and thinking of his conduct, the king +departed in sorrow, leaving his wife alone in that solitary forest.'" + + +SECTION LXIII + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'O king, after Nala had gone away, the beauteous +Damayanti, now refreshed, timorously awoke in that lonely forest. And O +mighty monarch, not finding her lord Naishadha, afflicted with grief and +pain, she shrieked aloud in fright, saying, "O lord? O mighty monarch! O +husband, dost thou desert me? Oh, I am lost and undone, frightened in +this desolate place. O illustrious prince, thou art truthful in speech, +and conversant with morality. How hast thou then, having pledged thy +word, deserted me asleep in the woods? Oh, why hast thou deserted thy +accomplished wife, ever devoted to thee, particularly one that hath not +wronged thee, though wronged thou hast been by others? O king of men, it +behoveth thee to act faithfull, according to those words thou hadst +spoken unto me before in the presence of the guardians of the worlds. O +bull among men, that thy wife liveth even a moment after thy desertion +of her, is only because mortals are decreed to die at the appointed +time. O bull among men, enough of this joke! O irrepressible one, I am +terribly frightened. O lord, show thyself. I see thee! I see thee, o +king! Thou art seen, O Naishadha. Hiding thyself behind those shrubs, +why dost thou not reply unto me? It is cruel of thee, O great king, that +seeing me in this plight and so lamenting, thou dost not, O king, +approach and comfort me. I grieve not for myself, nor for anything else. +I only grieve to think how thou wilt pass thy days alone, O king. In the +evening oppressed with hunger and thirst and fatigue, underneath the +trees, how wilt it take with thee when thou seest me not?" And then +Damayanti, afflicted with anguish and burning with grief, began to rush +hither and thither, weeping in woe. And now the helpless princess sprang +up, and now she sank down in stupor; and now she shrank in terror, and +now she wept and wailed aloud. And Bhima's daughter devoted to her +husband, burning in anguish and sighing ever more, and faint and weeping +exclaimed, "That being through whose imprecation the afflicted Naishadha +suffereth this woe, shall bear grief that is greater than ours. May that +wicked being who hath brought Nala of sinless heart this, lead a more +miserable life bearing greater ills." Thus lamenting, the crowned +consort of the illustrious (king) began to seek her lord in those woods, +inhabited by beasts of prey. And the daughter of Bhima, wailing +bitterly, wandered hither and thither like a maniac, exclaiming, _"Alas! +Alas! Oh king!"_ And as she was wailing loudly like a female osprey, and +grieving and indulging in piteous lamentations unceasingly, she came +near a gigantic serpent. And that huge and hungry serpent thereupon +suddenly seized Bhima's daughter, who had come near and was moving about +within its range. And folded within serpent's coils and filled with +grief, she still wept, not for herself but for Naishadha. And she said +"O lord, why dost thou not rush towards me, now that I am seized, +without anybody to protect me, by this serpent in these desert wilds? +And, O Naishadha, how will it fare with thee when thou rememberest me? O +lord, why hast thou gone away, deserting me today in the forest? Free +from thy curse, when thou wilt have regained thy mind and senses and +wealth, how will it be with thee when thou thinkest of me? O Naishadha, +O sinless one, who will soothe thee when thou art weary, and hungry, and +fainting, O tiger among kings?" And while she was wailing thus, a +certain huntsman ranging the deep woods, hearing her lamentations, +swiftly came to the spot. And beholding the large-eyed one in the coils +of the serpent, he pushed towards it and cut off its head with his sharp +weapon. And having struck the reptile dead, the huntsman set Damayanti +free. And having sprinkled her body with water and fed and comforted +her, O Bharata, he addressed her saying, "O thou with eyes like those of +a young gazelle, who art thou? And why also hast thou come into the +woods? And, O beauteous one, how hast thou fallen into this extreme +misery?" And thus accosted, O monarch, by that man, Damayanti, O +Bharata, related unto him all that had happened. And beholding that +beautiful woman clad in half a garment, with deep bosom and round hips, +and limbs delicate and faultless, and face resembling the full moon, and +eyes graced with curved eye-lashes, and speech sweet as honey, the +hunter became inflamed with desire. And afflicted by the god of love, +the huntsman began to soothe her in winning voice and soft words. And as +soon as the chaste and beauteous Damayanti, beholding him understood his +intentions, she was filled with fierce wrath and seemed to blaze up in +anger. But the wicked-minded wretch, burning with desire became wroth, +attempted to employ force upon her, who was unconquerable as a flame of +blazing fire. And Damayanti already distressed upon being deprived of +husband and kingdom, in that hour of grief beyond utterance, cursed him +in anger, saying, "I have never even thought of any other person than +Naishadha, therefore let this mean-minded wretch subsisting on chase, +fall down lifeless." And as soon as she said this, the hunter fell down +lifeless upon the ground, like a tree consumed by fire.'" + + +SECTION LXIV + +"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Having destroyed that hunter Damayanti of eyes +like lotus leaves, went onwards through that fearful and solitary forest +ringing with the chirp of crickets. And it abounded with lions, and +leopards, and _Rurus_ and tigers, and buffaloes, and bears and deer. And +it swarmed with birds of various species, and was infested by thieves +and _mlechchha_ tribes. And it contained _Salas_, and bamboos and +_Dhavas_, and _Aswatthas_, and _Tindukas_ and _Ingudas_, and _Kinsukas_, +and _Arjunas_, and _Nimvas_, and _Tinisas_ and _Salmalas_, and _Jamvus_, +and mango trees, and _Lodhras_, and the catechu, and the cane, and +_Padmakas_, and _Amalahas_, and _Plakshas_, and _Kadamvas_, and +_Udumvaras_ and _Vadaras_, and _Vilwas_, and banians, and _Piyalas_, and +palms, and date-trees, and _Haritakas_ and _Vibhitakas_. And the +princess of Vidarbha saw many mountains containing ores of various +kinds, and groves resounding with the notes of winged choirs, and many +glens of wondrous sight, and many rivers and lakes and tanks and various +kinds of birds and beasts. And she saw numberless snakes and goblins and +_Rakshasas_ of grim visage, and pools and tanks and hillocks, and brooks +and fountains of wonderful appearance. And the princess of Vidarbha saw +there herds of buffaloes, and boars, and bears as well as serpents of +the wilderness. And safe in virtue and glory and good fortune and +patience, Damayanti wandered through those woods alone, in search of +Nala. And the royal daughter of Bhima, distressed only at her separation +from her lord, was not terrified at aught in that fearful forest. And, O +king, seating herself down upon a stone and filled with grief, and every +limb of hers trembling with sorrow on account of her husband, she began +to lament thus: "O king of the Nishadhas, O thou of broad chest and +mighty arms, whither hast thou gone, O king, leaving me in this lone +forest? O hero, having performed the _Aswamedha_ and other sacrifices, +with gifts in profusion (unto the Brahmanas), why hast thou, O tiger +among men, played false with me alone? O best of men, O thou of great +splendour, it behoveth thee, O auspicious one, to remember what thou +didst declare before me, O bull among kings! And, O monarch, it behoveth +thee also to call to mind what the sky-ranging swans spake in thy +presence and in mine. O tiger among men, the four Vedas in all their +extent, with the Angas and the Upangas, well-studied, on one side, and +one single truth on the other, (are equal). Therefore, O slayer of foes, +it behoveth thee, O lord of men, to make good what thou didst formerly +declare before me. Alas, O hero! warrior! O Nala! O sinless one being +thine, I am about to perish in this dreadful forest. Oh! wherefore dost +thou not answer me? This terrible lord of the forest, of grim visage and +gaping jaws, and famishing with hunger, filleth me with fright. Doth it +not behove thee to deliver me? Thou wert wont to say always, _Save thee +there existeth not one dear unto me_. O blessed one, O king, do thou now +make good thy words so spoken before. And, O king, why dost thou not +return an answer to thy beloved wife bewailing and bereft of sense, +although thou lovest her, being loved in return? O king of the earth, O +respected one, O represser of foes, O thou of large eyes, why dost thou +not regard me, emaciated, and distressed and pale, and discoloured, and +clad in a half piece of cloth, and alone, and weeping, and lamenting +like one forlorn, and like unto a solitary doe separated from the herd? +O illustrious sovereign, it is, I, Damayanti, devoted to thee, who, +alone in this great forest, address thee. Wherefore, then, dost thou not +reply unto me? Oh, I do not behold thee today on this mountain, O chief +of men, O thou of noble birth and character with every limb possessed of +grace! In this terrible forest, haunted by lions and tigers, O king of +the Nishadhas, O foremost of men, O enhancer of my sorrows, (Wishing to +know) whether thou art lying down, or sitting, or standing, or gone, +whom shall I ask, distressed and woe-stricken on thy account, saying, +_Hast thou seen in this woods the royal Nala?_ Of whom shall I in this +forest enquire after the departed Nala, handsome and of high soul, and +the destroyer of hostile arrays? From whom shall I today hear the sweet +words, _viz_., _That royal Nala, of eyes like lotus-leaves, whom thou +seekest, is even here?_ Yonder cometh the forest-king, that tiger of +graceful mien, furnished with four teeth and prominent cheeks. Even him +will I accost fearlessly: Thou art the lord of all animals, and of this +forest the king. Know me for Damayanti, the daughter of the king of the +Vidarbhas, and the wife of Nala, destroyer of foes, and the king of the +Nishadhas. Distressed and woe-stricken, I am seeking my husband alone in +these woods. Do thou, O king of beasts, comfort me (with news of Nala) +if thou hast seen him. Or, O lord of the forest, if thou cannot speak of +Nala, do thou, then, O best of beasts, devour me, and free me from this +misery. Alas! hearing my plaintive appeal in the wilderness, this king +of mountains, this high and sacred hill, crested with innumerable +heaven-kissing and many-hued and beauteous peaks, and abounding in +various ores, and decked with gems of diverse kings, and rising like a +banner over this broad forest, and ranged by lions and tigers and +elephants and boars and bears and stags, and echoing all around with +(the notes of) winged creatures of various species, and adorned with +_kinsukas_ and _Asokas_ and _Vakulas_ and _Punnagas_, with blossoming +_Karnikaras_, and _Dhavas_ and _Plakshas_, and with streams haunted by +waterfowls of every kind, and abounding in crested summits, O sacred +one! O best of mountains! O thou of wondrous sight! O celebrated hill! O +refuge (of the distressed)! O highly auspicious one! I bow to thee, O +pillar of the earth! Approaching, I bow to thee. Know me for a king's +daughter, and a king's daughter-in-law, and king's consort, Damayanti by +name that lord of earth who ruleth the Vidarbhas, that mighty +warrior-king Bhima by name, who protecteth the four orders, is my sire. +That best of kings celebrated the _Rajasuya_ and _Aswamedha_ sacrifices, +with profuse gifts to the Brahmanas. Possessed of beautiful and large +eyes, distinguished for devotion to the Vedas, of unblemished character, +truth-telling, devoid of guile, gentle, endued with prowess, lord of +immense wealth, versed in morality, and pure, he having vanquished all +his foes, effectually protecteth the inhabitants of Vidarbha. Know me, O +holy one, for his daughter, thus come to thee. That best of men--the +celebrated ruler of the Nishadha--known by the name of Virasena of high +fame, was my father-in-law. The son of that king, heroic and handsome +and possessed of energy incapable of being baffled, who ruleth well the +kingdom which hath descended to him from his father, is named Nala. +Know, O mountain, that of that slayer of foes, called also _Punyastoka_, +possessed of the complexion of gold, and devoted to the Brahmanas, and +versed in the Vedas, and gifted with eloquence,--of that righteous and +_Soma_-quaffing and fire-adoring king, who celebrateth sacrifices and is +liberal and warlike and who adequately chastiseth (criminals), I am the +innocent spouse--the chief of his queens--standing before thee. +Despoiled of prosperity and deprived of (the company of my) husband +without a protector, and afflicted with calamity, hither have I come, O +best of mountains, seeking my husband. Hast thou, O foremost of +mountains, with thy hundreds of peaks towering (into the sky) seen king +Nala in this frightful forest? Hast thou seen my husband, that ruler of +the Nishadhas, the illustrious Nala, with the tread of a mighty +elephant, endued with intelligence, long-armed, and of fiery energy, +possessed of prowess and patience and courage and high fame? Seeing me +bewailing alone, overwhelmed with sorrow, wherefore, O best of +mountains, dost thou not today soothe me with thy voice, as thy own +daughter in distress? O hero, O warrior of prowess, O thou versed in +every duty, O thou adhering to truth--O lord of the earth, if thou art +in this forest, then, O king, reveal thyself unto me. Oh, when shall I +again hear the voice of Nala, gentle and deep as that of the clouds, +that voice, sweet as _Amrita_, of the illustrious king, calling me +_Vidharva's daughter_, with accents distinct, and holy, and musical as +the chanting of the Vedas and rich, and soothing all my sorrows. O king, +I am frightened. Do thou, O virtuous one, comfort me." + +"'Having addressed that foremost of mountain thus, Damayanti then went +in a northerly direction. And having proceeded three days and nights, +that best of women came to an incomparable penance grove of ascetics, +resembling in beauty a celestial grove. And the charming asylum she +beheld was inhabited and adorned by ascetics like Vasishtha and Bhrigu +and Atri, self-denying and strict in diet, with minds under control, +endued with holiness, some living on water, some on air, and some on +(fallen) leaves, with passions in check, eminently blessed, seeking the +way to heaven, clad in barks of trees and deer-skins, and with senses +subdued. And beholding that hermitage inhabited by ascetics, and +abounding in herds of deer and monkeys, Damayanti was cheered. And that +best of women, the innocent and blessed Damayanti, with graceful +eye-brows, and long tresses, with lovely hips and deep bosom, and face +graced with fine teeth and with fine black and large eyes, in her +brightness and glory entered that asylum. And saluting those ascetics +grown old in practising austerities, she stood in an attitude of +humility. And the ascetics living in that forest, said, _Welcome!_ And +those men of ascetic wealth, paying her due homage, said, "Sit ye down, +and tell us what we may do for thee." That best of women replied unto +them, saying, "Ye sinless and eminently blessed ascetics, is it well +with your austerities, and sacrificial fire, and religious observances, +and the duties of your own order? And is it well with the beasts and +birds of this asylum?" And they answered, "O beauteous and illustrious +lady, prosperity attendeth us in every respect. But, O thou of faultless +limbs, tell us who thou art, and what thou seekest. Beholding thy +beauteous form and thy bright splendour, we have been amazed. Cheer up +and mourn not. Tell us, O blameless and blessed one, art thou the +presiding deity of this forest, or of this mountain, or of this river?" +Damayanti replied unto those ascetics, saying, "O Brahmanas, I am not +the goddess of this forest, or of this mountain, or of this stream. O +Rishis of ascetic wealth, know that I am a human being. I will relate my +history in detail. Do ye listen to me. There is a king--the mighty ruler +of the Vidarbhas--Bhima by name. O foremost of regenerate ones, know me +to be his daughter. The wise ruler of the Nishadhas, Nala by name, of +great celebrity, heroic, and ever victorious in battle, and learned, is +my husband. Engaged in the worship of the gods, devoted to the +twice-born ones, the guardian of the line of the Nishadhas, of mighty +energy, possessed of great strength, truthful, conversant with all +duties, wise, unwavering in promise, the crusher of foes, devout, +serving the gods, graceful, the conqueror of hostile towns, that +foremost of kings, Nala by name, equal in splendour unto the lord of +celestials, the slayer of foes, possessed of large eyes, and a hue +resembling the full moon, is my husband. The celebrator of great +sacrifices, versed in the Vedas and their branches, the destroyer of +enemies in battle, and like unto the sun and the moon in splendour, is +he. That king devoted to faith and religion was summoned to dice by +certain deceitful persons of mean mind and uncultured soul and of +crooked ways, and skilful in gambling, and was deprived of wealth and +kingdom. Know that I am the wife of that bull among kings, known to all +by the name of Damayanti, anxious to find out my (missing) lord. In +sadness of heart am I wandering among woods, and mountains, and lakes, +and rivers, and tanks and forests, in search of that husband of +mine--Nala, skilled in battle, high-souled, and well-versed in the use +of weapons. O hath king Nala, the lord of the Nishadhas, come to this +delightful asylum of your holy selves? It is for him, O Brahmanas, that +I have come to this dreary forest full of terrors and haunted by tigers +and other beasts. If I do not see king Nala within a few days and +nights, I shall seek my good by renouncing this body. Of what use is my +life without that bull among men? How shall I live afflicted with grief +on account of my husband?" + +"'Unto Bhima's daughter, Damayanti, lamenting forlorn in that forest, +the truth-telling ascetics replied, saying, "O blessed and beauteous +one, we see by ascetic power that the future will bring happiness to +thee, and that thou wilt soon behold Naishadha. O daughter of Bhima, +thou wilt behold Nala, the lord of the Nishadhas, the slayer of foes, +and the foremost of the virtuous freed from distress. And O blessed +lady, thou wilt behold the king--thy lord--freed from all sins and +decked with all kinds of gems, and ruling the selfsame city, and +chastising his enemies, and striking terror into the hearts of foes, and +gladdening the hearts of friends, and crowned with every blessing." + +"'Having spoken unto that princess--the beloved queen of Nala--the +ascetics with their sacred fires and asylum vanished from sight. And +beholding that mighty wonder, the daughter-in-law of king Virasena, +Damayanti of faultless limbs, was struck with amazement. And she asked +herself, "Was it a dream that I saw? What an occurrence hath taken +place! Where are all those ascetics? And where is that asylum? Where, +further, is that delightful river of sacred waters--the resort of +diverse kinds of fowls? And where, again, are those charming trees +decked with fruits and flowers?" And after thinking so for some time, +Bhima's daughter, Damayanti of sweet smiles melancholy and afflicted +with grief on account of her lord, lost the colour of her face (again). +And going to another part of the wood, she saw an _Asoka_ tree. And +approaching that first of trees in the forest, so charming with blossoms +and its load of foliage, and resounding with the notes of birds, +Damayanti, with tears in her eyes and accents choked in grief, began to +lament, saying, "Oh, this graceful tree in the heart of the forest, +decked in flowers, looketh beautiful, like a charming king of hills. O +beauteous _Asoka_, do thou speedily free me from grief. Hast thou seen +king Nala, the slayer of foes and the beloved husband of +Damayanti,--freed from fear and grief and obstacles? Hast thou seen my +beloved husband, the ruler of the Nishadhas, clad in half a piece of +cloth, with delicate skin, that hero afflicted with woe and who hath +come into this wilderness? O _Asoka_ tree, do thou free me from grief! O +_Asoka_, vindicate thy name, for _Asoka_ meaneth _destroyer of grief_." +And going round that tree thrice, with an afflicted heart, that best of +women, Bhima's daughter, entered a more terrible part of the forest. And +wandering in quest of her lord, Bhima's daughter beheld many trees and +streams and delightful mountains, and many beasts and birds, and caves, +and precipices, and many rivers of wonderful appearance. And as she +proceeded she came upon a broad way where she saw with wonder a body of +merchants, with their horses and elephants, landing on the banks of a +river, full of clear and cool water, and lovely and charming to behold, +and broad, and covered with bushes of canes, and echoing with the cries +of cranes and ospreys and _Chakravakas_, and abounding in tortoises and +alligators and fishes, and studded with innumerable islets. And as soon +as she saw that caravan, the beauteous and celebrated wife of Nala, +wild like a maniac, oppressed with grief, clad in half a garment, lean +and pale and smutted, and with hair covered with dust, drew near and +entered into its midst. And beholding her, some fled in fear, and some +became extremely anxious, and some cried aloud, and some laughed at her, +and some hated her. And some, O Bharata, felt pity for, and even +addressed, her, saying, "O blessed one, who art thou, and whose? What +seekest thou in woods? Seeing thee here we have been terrified. Art thou +human? Tell us truly, O blessed one if thou art the goddess of this wood +or of this mountain or of the points of the heaven. We seek thy +protection. Art thou a female _Yaksha_, or a female _Rakshasa_, or a +celestial damsel? O thou of faultless features, do thou bless us wholly +and protect us. And, O blessed one, do thou so act that this caravan may +soon go hence in prosperity and that the welfare of all of us may be +secured." Thus addressed by that caravan, the princess Damayanti, +devoted to her husband and oppressed by the calamity that had befallen +her, answered, saying, "O leader of the caravan, ye merchants, ye +youths, old men, and children, and ye that compose this caravan, know me +for a human being. I am the daughter of a king, and the daughter in-law +of a king, and the consort also of a king, eager for the sight of my +lord. The ruler of the Vidarbhas is my father, and my husband is the +lord of the Nishadhas, named Nala. Even now I am seeking that +unvanquished and blessed one. If ye have chanced to see my beloved one, +king Nala, that tiger among men, that destroyer of hostile hosts, O tell +me quick." Thereupon the leader of that great caravan, named Suchi, +replied unto Damayanti of faultless limbs, saying, "O blessed one, +listen to my words. O thou of sweet smiles, I am a merchant and the +leader of this caravan. O illustrious lady, I have not seen any man of +the name of Nala. In this extensive forest uninhabited by men, there are +only elephants and leopards and buffaloes, and tigers and bears and +other animals. Except thee, I have not met with any man or woman here, +so help us now Manibhadra, the king of Yakshas!" Thus addressed by them +she asked those merchants as well as the leader of the host saying, "It +behoveth you to tell me whither this caravan is bound." The leader of +the band said, "O daughter of a great king, for the purpose of profit +this caravan is bound direct for the city of Suvahu, the truth-telling +ruler of the Chedis."'" + + +SECTION LXV + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'Having heard the words of the leader of that caravan, +Damayanti of faultless limbs proceeded with that caravan itself anxious +to behold her lord. And after having proceeded for many days the +merchants saw a large lake fragrant with lotuses in the midst of that +dense and terrible forest. And it was beautiful all over, and +exceedingly delightful, (with banks) abounding in grass and fuel and +fruits and flowers. And it was inhabited by various kinds of fowls and +birds, and full of water that was pure and sweet. And it was cool and +capable of captivating the heart. And the caravan, worn out with toil, +resolved to halt there. And with the permission of their leader, they +spread themselves around those beautiful woods. And that mighty caravan +finding it was evening halted at that place. And (it came to pass that) +at the hour of midnight when everything was hushed and still and the +tired caravan had fallen asleep, a herd of elephants in going towards a +mountain stream to drink of its water befouled by their temporal juice, +saw that caravan as also the numerous elephants belonging to it. And +seeing their domesticated fellows the wild elephants infuriated and with +the temporal juice trickling down rushed impetuously on the former, with +the intention of killing them. And the force of the rush of those +elephants was hard to bear, like the impetuosity of peaks lessened from +mountain summits rolling towards the plain. The rushing elephants found +the forest paths to be all blocked up, for the goodly caravan was +sleeping obstructing the paths around that lake of lotuses. And the +elephants all of a sudden, began to crush the men lying insensible on +the ground. And uttering cries of "_Oh!_" and "_Alas!_" the merchants, +blinded by sleep, fled, in order to escape that danger, to copses and +woods for refuge. And some were slain by the tusks, and some by the +trunks, and some by the legs of those elephants. And innumerable camels +and horses were killed, and crowds of men on foot, running in fright, +killed one another. And uttering loud cries some fell down on the +ground, and some in fear climbed on trees, and some dropped down on +uneven ground. And, O king, thus accidentally attacked by that large herd +of elephants, that goodly caravan suffered a great loss. And there arose +a tremendous uproar calculated to frighten the three worlds, "Lo! a +great fire hath broken out. Rescue us. Do ye speedily fly away. Why do +ye fly? Take the heaps of jewels scattered around. All this wealth is a +trifle. I do not speak falsely, I tell you again, (exclaimed some one) +think on my words, O ye distracted one!" With such exclamation they ran +about in fright. And Damayanti awoke in fear and anxiety, while that +terrible slaughter was raging there. And beholding slaughter capable of +awaking the fear of all the worlds, and which was so unforeseen, the +damsel of eyes like lotus leaves rose up, wild with fright, and almost +out of breath. And those of the caravan that had escaped unhurt, met +together, and asked one another, "Of what deed of ours is this the +consequence? Surely, we have failed to worship the illustrious +Manibhadras, and likewise the exalted and graceful Vaisravana, the king +of the Yaksha. Perhaps, we have not worshipped the deities that cause +calamities, or perhaps, we have not paid them the first homage. Or, +perhaps, this evil is the certain consequence of the birds (we saw). Our +stars are not unpropitious. From what other cause, then hath this +disaster come?" Others, distressed and bereft of wealth and relatives, +said, "That maniac-like woman who came amongst this mighty caravan in +guise that was strange and scarcely human, alas, it is by her that this +dreadful illusion had been pre-arranged. Of a certainty, she is a +terrible Rakshasa or a Yaksha or a Pisacha woman. All this evil is her +work, what need of doubts? If we again see that wicked destroyer of +merchants, that giver of innumerable woes, we shall certainly slay that +injurer of ours, with stones, and dust, and grass, and wood, and cuffs." +And hearing these dreadful words of the merchants, Damayanti, in terror +and shame and anxiety, fled into the woods apprehensive of evil. And +reproaching herself she said, "Alas! fierce and great is the wrath of +God on me. Peace followeth not in my track. Of what misdeed is this the +consequence? I do not remember that I did ever so little a wrong to any +one in thought, word, or deed. Of what deed, then, is this the +consequence? Certainly, it is on account of the great sins I had +committed in a former life that such calamity hath befallen me, _viz_., +the loss of my husband's kingdom, his defeat at the hands of his own +kinsmen, this separation from my lord and my son and daughter, this my +unprotected state, and my presence in this forest abounding in +innumerable beasts of prey!" + +"'The next day, O king, the remnant of that caravan left the place +bewailing the destruction that had overtaken them and lamenting for +their dead brothers and fathers and sons and friends. And the princess +of Vidarbha began to lament, saying, "Alas! What misdeed have I +perpetrated! The crowd of men that I obtained in this lone forest, hath +been destroyed by a herd of elephants, surely as a consequence of my ill +luck. Without doubt, I shall have to suffer misery for a long time. I +have heard from old men that no person dieth ere his time; it is for +this that my miserable self hath not been trodden to death by that herd +of elephants. Nothing that befalleth men is due to anything else than +Destiny, for even in my childhood I did not commit any such sin in +thought, word, or deed, whence might come this calamity. Methinks, I +suffer this severance from my husband through the potency of those +celestial _Lokapalas_, who had come to the Swayamvara but whom I +disregarded for the sake of Nala." Bewailing thus, O tiger among kings, +that excellent lady, Damayanti, devoted to her husband, went, oppressed +with grief and (pale) as the autumnal moon, with those Brahmanas versed +in the Vedas that had survived the slaughter of the caravan. And +departing speedily, towards evening, the damsel came to the mighty city +of the truth-telling Suvahu, the king of the Chedis. And she entered +that excellent city clad in half a garment. And the citizens saw her as +she went, overcome with fear, and lean, melancholy, her hair dishevelled +and soiled with dust, and maniac-like. And beholding her enter the city +of the king of the Chedis, the boys of the city, from curiosity, began +to follow her. And surrounded by them, she came before the palace of the +king. And from the terrace the queen-mother saw her surrounded by the +crowd. And she said to her nurse, "Go and bring that woman before me. +She is forlorn and is being vexed by the crowd. She hath fallen into +distress and standeth in need of succour. I find her beauty to be such +that it illumineth my house. The fair one, though looking like a maniac, +seemeth a very _Sree_ with her large eyes." Thus commanded, the nurse +went out and dispersing the crowd brought Damayanti to that graceful +terrace. And struck with wonder, O king, she asked Damayanti, saying, +"Afflicted though thou art with such distress, thou ownest a beautiful +form. Thou shinest like lightning in the midst of the clouds. Tell me +who thou art, and whose, O thou possessed of celestial splendour, +surely, thy beauty is not human, bereft though thou art of ornaments. +And although thou art helpless, yet thou art unmoved under the outrage +of these men." Hearing these words of the nurse, the daughter of Bhima +said, "Know that I am a female belonging to the human species and +devoted to my husband. I am a serving woman of good lineage. I live +wherever I like, subsisting on fruit and roots, and whom a companion, +and stay where evening overtaketh me. My husband is the owner of +countless virtues and was ever devoted to me. And I also, on my part, +was deeply attached to him, following him like his shadow. It chanced +that once he became desperately engaged at dice. Defeated at dice, he +came alone into the forest. I accompanied my husband into the woods, +comforting the hero clad in a single piece of cloth and maniac-like and +overwhelmed with calamity. Once on a time for some cause, that hero, +afflicted with hunger and thirst and grief, was forced to abandon that +sole piece of covering in the forest. Destitute of garment and +maniac-like and deprived of his senses as he was, I followed him, myself +in a single garment. Following him, I did not sleep for nights together. +Thus passed many days, until at last while I was sleeping, he cut off +half of my cloth, and forsook me who had done him no wrong. I am seeking +my husband but unable to find him who is of hue like the filaments of +the lotus, without being able to cast my eyes on that delight of my +heart, that dear lord who owneth my heart and resembleth the celestials +in mien, day and night do I burn in grief." + +"'Unto Bhima's daughter thus lamenting with tearful eyes, and afflicted +and speaking in accents choked in grief, the queen-mother herself said, +"O blessed damsel, do thou stay with me. I am well pleased with thee. O +fair lady, my men shall search for thy husband. Or, perhaps he may come +here of his own accord in course of his wanderings. And, O beautiful +lady, residing here thou wilt regain thy (lost) lord." Hearing these +words of the queen mother, Damayanti replied, "O mother of heroes, I may +stay with thee on certain conditions. I shall not eat the leavings on +any dish, nor shall I wash anybody's feet, nor shall I have to speak +with other men. And if anybody shall seek me (as a wife or mistress) he +should be liable to punishment at thy hands. And, further, should he +solicit me over and over again, that wicked one should be punished with +death. This is the vow I have made. I intend to have an interview with +those Brahmanas that will set out to search for my husband. If thou +canst do all this, I shall certainly live with thee. If it is otherwise, +I cannot find it in my heart to reside with thee." The queen-mother +answered her with a glad heart, saying, "I will do all this. Thou hast +done well in adopting such a vow!"' + +"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O king, having spoken so unto the daughter of +Bhima, the queen-mother, O Bharata, said to her daughter named Sunanda, +"O Sunanda, accept this lady like a goddess as thy _Sairindhri_! Let her +be thy companion, as she is of the same age with thee. Do thou, with +heart free from care, always sport with her in joy." And Sunanda +cheerfully accepted Damayanti and led her to her own apartment +accompanied by her associates. And treated with respect, Damayanti was +satisfied, and she continued to reside there without anxiety of any +kind, for all her wishes were duly gratified.'" + + +SECTION LXVI + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'O monarch, having deserted Damayanti, king Nala saw a +mighty conflagration that was raging in that dense forest. And in the +midst of that conflagration, he heard the voice of some creature, +repeatedly crying aloud, "O righteous Nala, come hither." And answering, +"Fear not," he entered into the midst of the fire and beheld a mighty +_Naga_ lying in coils. And the Naga with joined hands, and trembling, +spake unto Nala, saying, "O king, I am a snake, Karkotaka by name. I had +deceived the great Rishi Narada of high ascetic merit, and by him have I +been cursed in wrath, O king of men, even in words such as these: 'Stay +thou here like an immobile thing, until one Nala taketh thee hence. And, +indeed, on the spot to which he will carry thee, there shalt thou be +freed from my curse.' It is for that curse of his that I am unable to +stir one step. I will instruct thee in respect of thy welfare. It +behoveth thee to deliver me. I will be thy friend. There is no snake +equal to me. I will be light in thy hands. Taking me up, do thou +speedily go hence." Having said this, that prince of snakes became as +small as the thumb. And taking him up, Nala went to a spot free from +fire. Having reached an open spot where there was no fire, Nala intended +to drop the serpent, upon which Karkotaka again addressed him, saying, +"O king of the Nishadhas, proceed thou yet, counting a few steps of +thine; meanwhile, O mighty-armed one, I will do thee great good." And as +Nala began to count his steps, the snake bit him at the tenth step. And, +lo! As he was bit, his form speedily underwent a change. And beholding +his change of form, Nala was amazed. And the king saw the snake also +assume his own form. And the snake Karkotaka, comforting Nala, spake +unto him, "I have deprived thee of thy beauty, so that people may not +recognise thee. And, O Nala, he by whom thou hast been deceived and cast +into distress, shall dwell in thee tortured by my venom. And, O monarch, +as long as he doth not leave thee, he will have to dwell in pain in thy +body with thine every limb filled with my venom. And, O ruler of men I +have saved from the hands of him who from anger and hate deceived thee, +perfectly innocent though thou art and undeserving of wrong. And, O +tiger among men, through my grace, thou shalt have (no longer) any fear +from animals with fangs, from enemies, and from Brahmanas also versed in +the Vedas, O king! Nor shalt thou, O monarch, feel pain on account of my +poison. And, O foremost of kings, thou shalt be ever victorious in +battle. This very day, O prince, O lord of Nishadhas, go to the +delightful city of Ayodhya, and present thyself before Rituparna skilled +in gambling, saying, '_I am a charioteer, Vahuka by name_.' And that +king will give thee his skill in dice for thy knowledge of horses. +Sprung from the line of Ikswaku, and possessed of prosperity, he will be +thy friend. When thou wilt be an adept at dice, thou shalt then have +prosperity. Thou wilt also meet with thy wife and thy children, and +regain thy kingdom. I tell thee this truly. Therefore, let not thy mind +be occupied by sorrow. And, O lord of men, when thou shouldst desire to +behold thy proper form, thou shouldst remember me, and wear this +garment. Upon wearing this, thou shalt get back thy own form." And +saying this, that Naga then gave unto Nala two pieces of celestial +cloth. And, O son of the Kuru race, having thus instructed Nala, and +presented him with the attire, the king of snakes, O monarch, made +himself invisible there and then!'" + + +SECTION LXVII + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'After the snake had vanished, Nala, the ruler of the +Nishadhas, proceeded, and on the tenth day entered the city of +Rituparna. And he approached the king, saying, "My name is Vahuka. There +is no one in this world equal to me in managing steeds. My counsel also +should be sought in matters of difficulty and in all affairs of skill. I +also surpass others in the art of cooking. In all those arts that exist +in this world, and also in every thing difficult of accomplishment, I +will strive to attain success, O Rituparna, do thou maintain me." And +Rituparna replied, "O Vahuka, stay with me! May good happen to thee. +Thou wilt even perform all this. I have always particularly desired to +be driven fast. Do thou concert such measures that my steeds may become +fleet. I appoint thee the superintendent of my stables. Thy pay shall be +ten thousand (coins). Both Varshneya and Jivala shall always be under +thy direction. Thou wilt live pleasantly in their company. Therefore, O +Vahuka, stay thou with me."' + +"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Thus addressed by the king, Nala began to dwell +in the city of Rituparna, treated with respect and with Varshneya and +Jivala as his companions. And residing there, the king (Nala), +remembering the princess of Vidarbha, recited every evening the +following _sloka_: "_Where lieth that helpless one afflicted with hunger +and thirst and worn with toil, thinking of that wretch? And upon whom +also doth she now wait?_" And once as the king was reciting this in the +night, Jivala asked him saying, "O Vahuka, whom dost thou lament thus +daily? I am curious to hear it. O thou blest with length of days, whose +spouse is she whom thus lamentest?" Thus questioned, king Nala answered +him, saying, "A certain person devoid of sense had a wife well-known to +many. That wretch was false in his promises. For some reason that wicked +person was separated from her. Separated from her, that wretch wandered +about oppressed with woe, and burning with grief he resteth not by day +or night. And at night, remembering her, he singeth this _sloka_. Having +wandered over the entire world, he hath at last found a refuge, and +undeserving of the distress that hath befallen him, passeth his days, +thus remembering his wife. When calamity had overtaken this man, his +wife followed him into the woods. Deserted by that man of little virtue, +her life itself is in danger. Alone, without knowledge of ways, ill able +to bear distress, and fainting with hunger and thirst, the girl can +hardly protect her life. And, O friend, she hath been deserted by that +man of small fortune and having little sense, with the wide and terrible +forest, ever abounding in beasts of prey." + +"'Thus remembering Damayanti, the king of the Nishadhas continued to +live unknown in the abode of that monarch!'" + + +SECTION LXVIII + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'After Nala, despoiled of his kingdom, had, with his +wife, become a bondsman, Bhima with the desire of seeing Nala sent out +Brahmanas to search for him. And giving them profuse wealth, Bhima +enjoined on them, saying, "Do ye search for Nala, and also for my +daughter Damayanti. He who achieveth this task, _viz_., ascertaining +where the ruler of the Nishadhas is, bringeth him and my daughter +hither, will obtain from me a thousand kine, and fields, and a village +resembling a town. Even if failing to bring Damayanti and Nala here, he +that succeeds learning their whereabouts, will get from me the wealth +represented by a thousand kine." Thus addressed, the Brahmanas +cheerfully went out in all directions seeking Nala and his wife in +cities and provinces. But Nala or his spouse they found not anywhere. +Until at length searching in the beautiful city of the Chedis, a +Brahmana named Sudeva, during the time of the king's prayers, saw the +princess of Vidarbha in the palace of the king, seated with Sunanda. And +her incomparable beauty was slightly perceptible, like the brightness of +a fire enveloped in curls of smoke. And beholding that lady of large +eyes, soiled and emaciated he decided her to be Damayanti, coming to +that conclusion from various reasons. And Sudeva said, "As I saw her +before, this damsel is even so at present. O, I am blest, by casting my +eyes on this fair one, like _Sree_ herself delighting the worlds! +Resembling the full moon, of unchanging youth, of well-rounded breasts, +illumining all sides by her splendour, possessed of large eyes like +beautiful lotuses, like unto Kama's Rati herself the delight of all the +worlds like the rays of the full moon, O, she looketh like a lotus-stalk +transplanted by adverse fortune from the Vidarbha lake and covered with +mire in the process. And oppressed with grief on account of her husband, +and melancholy, she looketh like the night of the full moon when Rahu +hath swallowed that luminary, or like a stream whose current hath dried +up. Her plight is very much like that of a ravaged lake with the leaves +of its lotuses crushed by the trunks of elephants, and with its birds +and fowls affrighted by the invasion. Indeed, this girl, of a delicate +frame and of lovely limbs, and deserving to dwell in a mansion decked +with gems, is (now) like an uprooted lotus-stalk scorched by the sun. +Endued with beauty and generosity of nature, and destitute of ornaments, +though deserving of them, she looketh like the moon 'new bent in heaven' +but covered with black clouds. Destitute of comforts and luxuries, +separated from loved ones and friends, she liveth in distress, supported +by the hope of beholding her lord. Verily, the husband is the best +ornament of a woman, however destitute of ornaments. Without her husband +beside her, this lady, though beautiful, shineth not. It is a hard feat +achieved by Nala in that he liveth without succumbing to grief, though +separated from such a wife. Beholding this damsel possessed of black +hair and of eyes like lotus-leaves, in woe though deserving of bliss, +even my heart is pained. Alas! when shall this girl graced with +auspicious marks and devoted to her husband, crossing this ocean of woe, +regain the company of her lord, like Rohini regaining the Moon's? +Surely, the king of the Nishadhas will experience in regaining her the +delight that a king deprived of his kingdom experienceth in regaining +his kingdom. Equal to her in nature and age and extraction, Nala +deserveth the daughter of Vidarbha, and this damsel of black eyes also +deserveth him. It behoveth me to comfort the queen of that hero of +immeasurable prowess and endued with energy and might, (since) she is so +eager to meet her husband. I will console this afflicted girl of face +like the full moon, and suffering distress that she had never before +endured, and ever meditating on her lord."' + +"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Having thus reflected on these various +circumstances and signs, the Brahmana, Sudeva, approached Damayanti, and +addressed her, saying, "O princess of Vidarbha, I am Sudeva, the dear +friend of thy brother. I have come here, seeking thee, at the desire of +king Bhima. Thy father is well, and also thy mother, and thy brothers. +And thy son and daughter, blessed with length of days, are living in +peace. Thy relatives, though alive, are almost dead on thy account, and +hundreds of Brahmanas are ranging the world in search of thee."' + +"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O Yudhishthira, Damayanti recognising Sudeva, +asked him respecting all her relatives and kinsmen one after another. +And, O monarch, oppressed with grief, the princess of Vidarbha began to +weep bitterly, at the unexpected sight of Sudeva, that foremost of +Brahmanas and the friend of her brother. And, O Bharata, beholding +Damayanti weeping, and conversing in private with Sudeva, Sunanda was +distressed, and going to her mother informed her, saying, "_Sairindhri_ +is weeping bitterly in the presence of a Brahmana. If thou likest, +satisfy thyself." And thereupon the mother of the king of the Chedis, +issuing from the inner apartments of the palace, came to the place where +the girl (Damayanti) was with that Brahmana. Then calling Sudeva, O +king, the queen-mother asked him, "Whose wife is this fair one, and +whose daughter? How hath this lady of beautiful eyes been deprived of +the company of her relatives and of her husband as well? And how also +hast thou come to know this lady fallen into such a plight? I wish to +hear all this in detail from thee. Do truly relate unto me who am asking +thee about this damsel of celestial beauty." Then, O king, thus +addressed by the queen-mother, Sudeva, that best of Brahmanas, sat at +his ease, and began to relate the true history of Damayanti.'" + + +SECTION LXIX + +"'Sudeva said, "There is a virtuous and illustrious ruler of the +Vidarbhas, Bhima by name. This blessed lady is his daughter, and widely +known by the name of Damayanti. And there is a king ruling the +Nishadhas, named Nala, the son of Virasena. This blessed lady is the +wife of that wise and righteous monarch. Defeated at dice by his +brother, and despoiled of his kingdom, that king, accompanied by +Damayanti, went away without the knowledge of any one. We have been +wandering over the whole earth in search of Damayanti. And that girl is +at last found in the house of thy son. No woman existeth that is her +rival in beauty. Between the eye-brows of this ever-youthful damsel, +there is an excellent mole from birth, resembling a lotus. Noticed by us +(before) it seems to have disappeared, covered, (as her forehead is) +with (a coat of) dust even like the moon hid in clouds. Placed there by +the Creator himself as an indication of prosperity and wealth, that mole +is visible faintly, like the cloud-covered lunar crescent of the first +day of the lighted fortnight. And covered as her body is with dust, her +beauty hath not disappeared. Though careless of her person, it is still +manifest, and shineth like gold. And this girl--goddess-like--capable of +being identified by this form of hers and that mole, hath been +discovered by me as one discovereth a fire that is covered, by its +heat!" + +"'O king, hearing these words of Sudeva, Sunanda washed the dust that +covered the mole between Damayanti's eye-brows. And thereupon it became +visible like the moon in the sky, just emerged from the clouds. And +seeing that mole, O Bharata, Sunanda and the queen-mother began to weep, +and embracing Damayanti stood silent for a while. And the queen-mother, +shedding tears as she spoke, said in gentle accents, "By this thy mole, +I find that thou art the daughter of my sister. O beauteous girl, thy +mother and I are both daughters of the high-souled Sudaman, the ruler of +the Dasarnas. She was bestowed upon king Bhima, and I on Viravahu. I +witnessed thy birth at our father's palace in the country of the +Dasarnas. O beautiful one, my house is to thee even as thy father's. And +this wealth, O Damayanti, is thine as much as mine." At this, O king, +Damayanti bowing down to her mother's sister with a glad heart, spake +unto her these words, "Unrecognised, I have still lived happily with +thee, every want of mine satisfied and myself cared for by thee. And +happy as my stay hath been, it would, without doubt, be happier still. +But, mother, I have long been an exile. It behoveth thee, therefore, to +grant me permission (to depart). My son and daughter, sent to my +father's palace, are living there. Deprived of their father, and of +their mother also, how are they passing their days stricken with sorrow. +If thou wishest to do what is agreeable to me, do thou without loss of +time, order a vehicle, for I wish to go to the Vidarbhas." At this, O +king, the sister to (Damayanti's) mother, with a glad heart, said, "_So +be it._" And the queen-mother with her son's permission, O chief of the +Bharatas, sent Damayanti in handsome litter carried by men, protected by +a large escort and provided with food and drink and garments of the +first quality. And soon enough she reached the country of the Vidarbhas. +And all her relatives, rejoicing (in her arrival) received her with +respect. And seeing her relatives, her children, both her parents, and +all her maids, to be well, the illustrious Damayanti, O king, worshipped +the gods and Brahmanas according to the superior method. And the king +rejoiced at beholding his daughter, and gave unto Sudeva a thousand kine +and much wealth and a village. And, O king, having spent that night at +her father's mansion and recovered from fatigue, Damayanti addressed her +mother, saying, "O mother, if thou wishest me to live, I tell thee +truly, do thou endeavour to bring Nala, that hero among men." Thus +addressed by Damayanti, the venerable queen became filled with sorrow. +And bathed in tears, she was unable to give any answer. And beholding +her in that plight, all the inmates of the inner apartments broke out +into exclamation of "_Oh!_" and "_Alas!_" and began to cry bitterly. And +then the queen addressed the mighty monarch Bhima, saying, "Thy daughter +Damayanti mourneth on account of her husband. Nay, banishing away all +bashfulness, she hath herself, O king, declared her mind to me. Let thy +men strive to find out (Nala) the righteous." Thus informed by her the +king sent the Brahmanas under him in all directions, saying, "Exert ye +to discover Nala." And those Brahmanas, commanded by the ruler of the +Vidarbhas (to seek Nala) appeared before Damayanti and told her of the +journey they were about to undertake. And Bhima's daughter spake unto +them saying, "Do ye cry in every realm and in every assembly, 'O beloved +gambler, where hast thou gone cutting off half of my garment, and +deserting the dear and devoted wife asleep in the forest? And that girl, +as commanded by thee stayeth expecting thee, clad in half a piece of +cloth and burning with grief! O king, O hero, relent towards, and +answer, her who incessantly weepeth for that grief.' This and more ye +will say, so that he may be inclined to pity me. Assisted by the wind, +fire consumeth the forest. (Further, ye will say that) 'the wife is +always to be protected and maintained by the husband. Why then, good as +thou art and acquainted with every duty, hast thou neglected both thy +duties? Possessed of fame and wisdom, and lineage, and kindness, why +hast thou be unkind? I fear, this is owing to the loss of my good luck! +Therefore, O tiger among men, have pity on me. O bull among men! I have +heard it from thee that kindness is the highest virtue.' Speaking so, if +anybody answereth you, that person should by all means, be known, and ye +should learn who he is, and where he dwelleth. And ye foremost of +regenerate ones, do ye bring me the words of him who hearing this your +speech will chance to answer. Ye should also act with such care that no +one may know the words ye utter to be at my command, nor that ye will +come back to me. And ye should also learn whether that answers is +wealthy, or poor, or destitute of power, in fact all about him." + +"'Thus instructed by Damayanti, O king, the Brahmanas set out in all +directions in search of Nala overtaken with such disaster. And the +Brahmanas, O king, searched for him in cities and kingdoms and villages, +and retreats of ascetics, and places inhabited by cow-herds. And, O +monarch, wherever they went they recited the speeches that Damayanti had +directed them to do.'" + + +SECTION LXX + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'After a long time had passed away, a Brahmana named +Parnada returned to the city (of the Vidarbhas), and said unto the +daughter of Bhima, "O Damayanti, seeking Nala, the king of Nishaidhas, I +came to the city of Ayodhya, and appeared before the son of Bhangasura. +And, O best of women, I repeated those words of thine in the presence of +the blessed Rituparna. But hearing them neither that ruler of men, nor +his courtiers, answered anything, although I uttered them repeatedly. +Then, after I had been dismissed by the monarch, I was accosted by a +person in the service of Rituparna, named Vahuka. And Vahuka is the +charioteer of that king, of unsightly appearance and possessed of short +arms. And he is skillful in driving with speed, and well acquainted with +the culinary art. And sighing frequently, and weeping again and again, +he inquired about my welfare and afterwards said these words, 'Chaste +women, although fallen into distress, yet protect themselves and thus +certainly secure heaven. Although they may be deserted by their lords, +they do not yet become angry on that account, for women that are chaste +lead their lives, encased in the armour of virtuous behaviour. It +behoveth her not to be angry, since he that deserted her was overwhelmed +with calamity, and deprived of every bliss. A beautious and virtuous +woman should not be angry with one that was deprived by birds of his +garment while striving to procure sustenance and who is being consumed +with grief. Whether treated well or ill, such a wife should never +indulge in ire, beholding her husband in that plight, despoiled of +kingdom and destitute of prosperity, oppressed with hunger and +overwhelmed with calamity.' Hearing these words of his, I have speedily +come here. Thou hast now heard all. Do what thou thinkest proper, and +inform the king of it." + +"'O king, having heard these words of Parnada, Damayanti with tearful +eyes came to her mother, and spake unto her in private, "O mother, king +Bhima should not, by any means, be made acquainted with my purpose. In +thy presence will I employ that best of Brahmanas, Sudeva! If thou +desirest my welfare, act in such a way that king Bhima may not know my +purpose. Let Sudeva without delay go hence to the city of Ayodhya, for +the purpose of bringing Nala, O mother, having performed the same +auspicious rites by virtue of which he had speedily brought me into the +midst of friends." With these words, after Parnada had recovered from +fatigue, the princess of Vidarbha worshipped him with profuse wealth and +also said, "When Nala will come here, O Brahmana, I will bestow on thee +wealth in abundance again. Thou hast done me the immense service which +none else, indeed, can do me, for, (owing to that service of thine), O +thou best of the regenerate ones, I shall speedily regain my (lost) +lord." And thus addressed by Damayanti, that high-minded Brahmana +comforted her, uttering benedictory words of auspicious import, and then +went home, regarding his mission to have been successful. And after he +had gone away, Damayanti oppressed with grief and distress, calling +Sudeva, addressed him, O Yudhishthira, in the presence of her mother, +saying, "O Sudeva, go thou to the city of Ayodhya, straight as a bird, +and tell king Rituparna living there, these words: 'Bhima's daughter, +Damayanti will hold another _Swayamvara_. All the kings and princes are +going thither. Calculating the time, I find that the ceremony will take +place tomorrow. O represser of foes, if it is possible for thee, go +thither without delay. Tomorrow, after the sun hath risen, she will +choose a second husband, as she doth not know whether the heroic Nala +liveth or not.'" And addressed by her, O monarch thus, Sudeva set out. +And he said unto Rituparna, all that he had been directed to say.'" + + +SECTION LXXI + +"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Having heard the words of Sudeva king Rituparna, +soothing Vahuka with gentle words, said, "O Vahuka, thou art +well-skilled in training and guiding horses. If it pleases thee, I +intend to go to Damayanti's _Swayamvara_ in course of a single day." +Thus addressed, O son of Kunti, by that king, Nala felt his heart to be +bursting in grief. And the high-souled king seemed to burn in sorrow. +And he thought within himself, "Perhaps Damayanti in doing this is +blinded by sorrow. Or, perhaps, she hath conceived this magnificent +scheme for my sake. Alas, cruel is the deed that the innocent princess +of Vidarbha intends to do, having been deceived by my sinful and low +self of little sense. It is seen in the world that the nature of woman +is inconstant. My offence also hath been great; perhaps she is acting +so, because she hath no longer any love for me owing to my separation +from her. Indeed, that girl of slender waist, afflicted with grief on my +account and with despair, will not certainly do anything of the kind, +when especially, she is the mother of offspring (by me). However whether +this is true or false, I shall ascertain with certitude by going +thither. I will, therefore, accomplish Rituparna's and my own purpose +also." Having resolved thus in his mind, Vahuka, with his heart in +sorrow, spake unto king Rituparna, with joined hands, saying, "O +monarch, I bow to thy behest, and, O tiger among men, I will go to the +city of the Vidarbhas in a single day, O king!" Then, O monarch, at the +command of the royal son of Bhangasura, Vahuka went to the stables and +began to examine the horses. And repeatedly urged by Rituparna to make +haste, Vahuka after much scrutiny and careful deliberation, selected +some steeds that were lean-fleshed, yet strong and capable of a long +journey and endued with energy and strength of high breed and docility, +free from inauspicious marks, with wide nostrils and swelling cheeks, +free from faults as regards the ten hairy curls, born in (the country +of) Sindhu, and fleet as the winds. And seeing those horses, the king +said somewhat angrily, "What is this, that thou wishest to do? Thou +shouldst not jest with us. How can these horses of mine, weak in +strength and breath, carry us? And how shall we be able to go this long +way by help of these?" Vahuka replied, "Each of these horses bears one +curl on his forehead, two on his temples, four on his sides, four on his +chest, and one on his back. Without doubt, these steeds will be able to +go to the country of the Vidarbhas. If, O king, thou thinkest of +choosing others, point them out and I shall yoke them for thee." +Rituparna rejoined, "O Vahuka, thou art versed in the science of horses +and art also skillful (in guiding them). Do thou speedily yoke those +that thou thinkest to be able." Thereupon the skillful Nala yoked upon +the car four excellent steeds of good breed that were, besides, docile +and fleet. And after the steeds had been yoked, the king without loss of +time mounted upon the car, when those best of horses fell down upon the +ground on their knees. Then, O king, that foremost of men, the blessed +king Nala began to soothe horses endued with energy and strength. And +raising them up with the reins and making the charioteer Varshneya sit +on the car, he prepared to set out with great speed. And those best of +steeds, duly urged by Vahuka, rose to the sky, confounding the occupant +of the vehicle. And beholding those steeds gifted with the speed of the +wind thus drawing the car, the blessed king of Ayodhaya was exceedingly +amazed. And noticing the rattle of the car and also the management of +the steeds, Varshneya reflected upon Vahuka's skill in guiding horses. +And he thought, "Is he Matali, the charioteer of the king of the +celestials? I find the same magnificent indications in the heroic +Vahuka. Or, hath Salihotra versed in the science of horses taken this +human shape so beautiful? Or, is it king Nala the reducer of hostile +towns that hath come here? Or, it may be that this Vahuka knoweth the +science that Nala knoweth, for I perceive that the knowledge of Vahuka +is equal to that of Nala. Further, Vahuka and Nala are of the same age. +This one, again, may not be Nala of high prowess, but somebody of equal +knowledge. Illustrious persons, however, walk this earth in disguise in +consequence of misfortune, or agreeably to the ordinance of the +scriptures. That this person is of unsightly appearance need not change +my opinion; for Nala, I think, may even be despoiled of his personal +features. In respect of age this one equals Nala. There is difference, +however, in personal appearance. Vahuka, again is endued with every +accomplishment. I think, therefore, he is Nala." Having thus reasoned +long in his mind, O mighty monarch, Varshneya, the (former) charioteer +of the righteous Nala, became absorbed in thought. And that foremost of +kings Rituparna, also, beholding the skill of Vahuka in equestrian +science experienced great delight, along with his charioteer Varshneya. +And thinking of Vahuka's application and ardour and the manner of his +holding the reins, the king felt exceedingly glad.'" + + +SECTION LXXII + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'Like a bird coursing through the sky, Nala soon +crossed rivers and mountains, and woods and lakes. And while the car was +coursing thus, that conqueror of hostile cities, the royal son of +Bhangasura, saw his upper garment drop down on the ground. And at soon +as his garment had dropped down the high-minded monarch, without loss of +time, told Nala, "I intend to recover it. O thou of profound +intelligence, retain these steeds endued with exceeding swiftness until +Varshneya bringeth back my garment." Thereupon Nala replied unto him, +"The sheet is dropped down far away. We have travelled one _yojana_ +thence. Therefore, it is incapable of being recovered." After Nala had +addressed him thus, O king, the royal son of Bhangasura came upon a +_Vibhitaka_ tree with fruits in a forest. And seeing that tree, the king +hastily said to Vahuka, "O charioteer, do thou also behold my high +proficiency in calculation. All men do not know everything. There is no +one that is versed in every science of art. Knowledge in its entirety is +not found in any one person. O Vahuka, the leaves and fruits of this +tree that are lying on the ground respectively exceed those that are on +it by one hundred and one. The two branches of the tree have fifty +millions of leaves, and two thousand and ninety five fruits. Do thou +examine these two branches and all their boughs." Thereupon staying the +car Vahuka addressed the king, saying, "O crusher of foes, thou takest +credit to thyself in a matter which is beyond my perception. But, O +monarch, I will ascertain it by the direct evidence of my senses, by +cutting down the _Vibhitaka_. O king, when I actually count, it will no +longer be matter of speculation. Therefore, in thy presence, O monarch, +I will hew down this _Vibhitaka_. I do not know whether it be not (as +thou hast said). In thy presence, O ruler of men, I will count the +fruits and leaves. Let Varshneya hold the reins of the horses for a +while." Unto the charioteer the king replied, "There is no time to +lose." But Vahuka answered with humility, "Stay thou a short space, or, +if thou art in a hurry, go then, making Varshneya thy charioteer. The +road lies direct and even." And at this, O son of the Kuru race, +soothing Vahuka, Rituparna said, "O Vahuka, thou art the only +charioteer, there is none other in this world. And, O thou versed in +horse lore, it is through thy help that I expect to go to the Vidarbhas. +I place myself in thy hands. It behoveth thee not to cause any obstacle. +And, O Vahuka, whatever thy wish. I will grant it if taking me to the +country of the Vidarbhas to-day, thou makest me see the sun rise." At +this, Vahuka answered him, saying, "After having counted (the leaves and +fruits of the) _Vibhitaka_, I shall proceed to Vidarbha, do thou agree +to my words." Then the king reluctantly told him, "Count. And on +counting the leaves and fruits of a portion of this branch, thou wilt be +satisfied of the truth of my assertion." And thereupon Vahuka speedily +alighted from the car, and felled that tree. And struck with amazement +upon finding the fruits, after calculation, to be what the king had +said, he addressed the king, saying, "O monarch, this thy power is +wonderful. I desire, O prince, to know the art by which thou hast +ascertained all this." And at this the king, intent upon proceeding +speedily, said unto Vahuka, "Know that I am proficient at dice besides +being versed in numbers." And Vahuka said unto him, "Impart unto me this +knowledge and, O bull among men, take from me my knowledge of horses." +And king Rituparna, having regard to the importance of the act that +depended upon Vahuka's good-will, and tempted also by the horse-lore +(that his charioteer possessed), said, "So be it. As solicited by thee, +receive this science of dice from me, and, O Vahuka, let my equine +science remain with thee in trust." And saying this, Rituparna imparted +unto Nala the science (he desired). And Nala upon becoming acquainted +with the science of dice, Kali came out of his body, incessantly +vomiting from his mouth the virulent poison of Karkotaka. And when Kali, +afflicted (by Damayanti's curse) came out (of Nala's body), the fire of +that curse also left Kali. Indeed, long had been the time for which the +king had been afflicted by Kali, as if he were of unregenerate soul. And +Nala the ruler of the Nishadhas, in wrath, was bent upon cursing Kali, +when the latter, frightened, and trembling, said with joined hands, +"Control thy wrath, O king! I will render thee illustrious. Indrasena's +mother had formerly cursed me in anger when she had been deserted by +thee. Ever since that time undergoing sore affliction I resided in thee, +O mighty monarch, O unconquered one, miserably and burning night and +day with the venom of the prince of snakes. I seek thy protection. If +thou dost not curse me who am affrighted and seek thy protection, then +those men that will attentively recite thy history, shall be even free +from fear on my account." And thus addressed by Kali, king Nala +controlled his wrath. And thereupon the frightened Kali speedily entered +into the _Vibhitaka_ tree. And while the Kali was conversing with +Naishadha, he was invisible to others. And delivered from his +afflictions, and having counted the fruits of that tree, the king, +filled with great joy and of high energy, mounted on the car and +proceeded with energy, urging those fleet horses. And from the touch of +Kali the _Vibhitaka_ tree from that hour fell into disrepute. And Nala, +with a glad heart, began to urge those foremost of steeds which sprang +into the air once and again like creatures endued with wings. And the +illustrious monarch drove (the car) in the direction of the Vidarbhas. +And after Nala had gone far away, Kali also returned to his abode. And +abandoned by Kali, O king, that lord of earth, the royal Nala, became +freed from calamity though he did not assume his native form.'" + + +SECTION LXXIII + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'After Rituparna of prowess incapable of being baffled +had, in the evening, arrived at the city of the Vidarbhas, the people +brought unto king Bhima the tidings (of his arrival). And at the +invitation of Bhima, the king (of Ayodhya) entered the city of Kundina, +filling with the rattle of his car all the ten points, direct and +transverse, of the horizon. And the steeds of Nala that were in that +city heard that sound, and hearing it they became delighted as they used +to be in the presence of Nala himself. And Damayanti also heard the +sound of that car driven by Nala, like the deep roar of the clouds in +the rainy season. And Bhima and the steeds (of Nala) regarded the +clatter of that car to be like that which they used to hear in days of +yore when king Nala himself urged his own steeds. And the peacocks on +the terraces, and the elephants in the stables, and the horses also, all +heard the rattle of Rituparna's car. And hearing the sound, so like the +roar of the clouds, the elephants and the peacocks, O king, began to +utter their cries, facing that direction, and filled with delight such +as they experience when they hear the actual roar of the clouds. And +Damayanti said, "Because the rattle of his car filling the whole earth, +gladdens my heart, it must be King Nala (that has come). If I do not see +Nala, of face bright as the moon, that hero with countless virtues, I +shall certainly die. If I am not clasped today in that hero's thrilling +embrace, I shall certainly cease to be. If Naishadha with voice deep as +that of the clouds doth not come to me today, I shall enter into a pyre +of golden brilliance. If that foremost of kings, powerful as a lion and +gifted with the strength of an infuriated elephant, doth not present +himself before me, I shall certainly cease to live. I do not remember a +single untruth in him, or a single wrong done by him to others. Never +hath he spoken an untruth even in jest. Oh, my Nala is exalted and +forgiving and heroic and magnificent and superior to all other kings, +and faithful to his marriage vow and like unto a eunuch in respect of +other females. Night and day dwelling upon his perceptions, my heart, in +absence of that dear one, is about to burst in grief." + +"'Thus bewailing as if devoid of sense, Damayanti, O Bharata, ascended +the terrace (of her mansion) with the desire of seeing the righteous +Nala. And in the yard of the central mansion she beheld king Rituparna +on the car with Varshneya and Vahuka. And Varshneya and Vahuka, +descending for that excellent vehicle, unyoked the steeds, and kept the +vehicle itself in a proper place. And king Rituparna also, descending +from the car, presented himself before king Bhima possessed of terrible +prowess. And Bhima received him with great respect, for in the absence +of a proper occasion, a great person cannot be had (as a guest). And +honoured by Bhima, king Rituparna looked about him again and again, but +saw no traces of the _Swayamvara_. And the ruler of the Vidarbhas, O +Bharata, approaching Rituparna, said, "Welcome! What is the occasion of +this thy visit?" And king Bhima asked this without knowing that +Rituparna had come to obtain the hand of his daughter. And king +Rituparna, of unbaffled prowess and gifted with intelligence, saw that +there were no other kings or princes. Nor did he hear any talk relating +to the _Swayamvara_, nor saw any concourse of Brahmanas. And at this, +the king of Kosala reflected a while and at length said, "I have come +here to pay my respects to thee." And the king Bhima was struck with +astonishment, and reflected upon the (probable) cause of Rituparna's +coming, having passed over a hundred _yojanas_. And he reflected, "That +passing by other sovereigns, and leaving behind him innumerable +countries, he should come simply to pay his respect to me is scarcely +the reason of his arrival. What he assigneth to be the cause of his +coming appeareth to be a trifle. However, I shall learn the true reason +in the future." And although king Bhima thought so, he did not dismiss +Rituparna summarily, but said unto him again and again, "Rest, thou art +weary." And honoured thus by the pleased Bhima, king Rituparna was +satisfied, and with a delighted heart, he went to his appointed quarters +followed by the servants of the royal household.' + +"Vrihadaswa continued, 'And, O king, after Rituparna had gone away with +Varshneya, Vahuka took the car to the stables. And there freeing the +steeds, and tending them according to rule, and soothing them himself, +sat down on a side of the car. Meanwhile, the princess of Vidharbha, +Damayanti, afflicted with grief, having beheld the royal son of +Bhangasura, and Varshneya of the _Suta_ race, and also Vahuka in that +guise, asked herself, "Whose is this car-rattle? It was loud as that of +Nala, but I do not see the ruler of the Nishadhas. Certainly, Varshneya +hath learnt the art from Nala, and it is for this the rattle of the car +driven by him hath been even like that of Nala. Or, is Rituparna equally +skilled with Nala so that the rattle of his car seemeth to be like that +of Nala?" And reflecting thus, O monarch, the blessed and beauteous girl +sent a female messenger in search of Nishada.'" + + +SECTION LXXIV + +"'Damayanti said, "O Kesini, go thou and learn who that charioteer is +that sitteth by the car, unsightly and possessed of short arms. O +blessed one, O faultless one, approaching him, cautiously and with sweet +words, make thou the usual inquiries of courtesy and learn all +particulars truly. Having regard to the feeling of satisfaction my mind +experienceth, and the delight my heart feeleth, I am greatly afraid this +one is king Nala himself. And, O faultless one, having inquired after +his welfare, thou shalt speak unto him the words of Parnada. And, O +beauteous one, understand the reply he may make thereto." Thus +instructed, that female messenger, going cautiously, while the blessed +Damayanti watched from the terrace, addressed Vahuka in these words, "O +foremost of men, thou art welcome. I wish thee happiness. O bull among +men, hear now the words of Damayanti. When did ye all set out, and with +what object have ye come hither. Tell us truly, for the princess of +Vidarbha wisheth to hear it." Thus addressed, Vahuka answered, "the +illustrious king of Kosala had heard from a Brahmana that a second +_Swayamvara_ of Damayanti would take place. And hearing it, he hath come +here, by the help of excellent steeds fleet as the wind and capable of +going a hundred _yojanas_. I am his charioteer." Kesini then asked, +"Whence doth the third among you come, and whose (son) is he? And whose +son art thou, and how hast thou come to do this work?" Thus questioned, +Vahuka replied, "He (of whom thou inquirest) was the charioteer of the +virtuous Nala, and known to all by the name of Varshneya. After Nala +had, O beauteous one, left his kingdom, he came to the son of +Bhangasura. I am skilled in horse-lore, and have, therefore, been +appointed as charioteer. Indeed, king Rituparna hath himself chosen me +as his charioteer and cook." At this Kesini rejoined, "Perhaps Varshneya +knoweth where king Nala hath gone, and O Vahuka, he may also have spoken +to thee (about his master)." Vahuka then said, "Having brought hither +the children of Nala of excellent deeds, Varshneya went away whither he +listed: He doth not know where Naishadha is. Nor, O illustrious one, +doth anybody else know of Nala's whereabouts; for the king (in calamity) +wandereth over the world in disguise and despoiled of (his native) +beauty. Nala's self only knoweth Nala. Nala never discovereth his marks +of identity anywhere." Thus addressed, Kesini returned, "The Brahmana +that had before this gone to Ayodhya, had repeatedly said these words +suitable to female lips, 'O beloved gambler, where hast thou gone +cutting off half my piece of cloth, and deserting me, his dear and +devoted wife asleep in the woods? And she herself, as commanded by him, +waiteth expecting him clad in half a garment and burning day and night +in grief. O king, O hero, do thou relent towards her that weepeth +ceaselessly for that calamity and do thou give her an answer. O +illustrious one, do thou speak the words agreeable to her for the +blameless one panteth to hear them.' Hearing these words of the Brahmana +thou didst formerly give a reply! The princess of Vidarbha again wisheth +to hear the words thou didst then say."' + +"Vrihadaswa continued, 'O son of the Kuru race, hearing these words of +Kesini, Nala's heart was pained, and his eyes filled with tears. And +repressing his sorrow, the king who was burning in grief, said again +these words, in accents choked with tears: "Chaste women, though +overtaken by calamity, yet protect themselves, and thereby secure +heaven. Women that are chaste, deserted by their lords, never become +angry, but continue to live, cased in virtue's mail. Deserted by one +fallen into calamity, bereft of sense, and despoiled of bliss, it +behoveth her not to be angry. A virtuous lady should not be angry with +one that was deprived by birds of his garment while striving to procure +sustenance and who is burning in misery. Whether treated well or ill she +would never be angry, seeing her husband in that plight, despoiled of +his kingdom, bereft of prosperity, oppressed with hunger, and +overwhelmed with calamity." And, O Bharata, while speaking thus, Nala +oppressed with grief, could not restrain his tears, but began to weep. +And thereupon Kesini went back to Damayanti, and acquainted her with +everything about that conversation as well as that outburst of grief.'" + + +SECTION LXXV + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'Hearing everything, Damayanti became oppressed with +grief, and suspecting the person to be Nala, said unto Kesini, "O +Kesini, go thou again, and examine Vahuka, and staying in silence at his +side mark thou his conduct. And, O beauteous one, whenever he happens to +do anything skilful, do thou observe well his act while accomplishing +it. And, O Kesini, whenever he may ask water or fire, with the view of +offering him obstruction, thou shalt be in no hurry to give it. And +marking everything about his behaviour, come thou and tell me. And +whatever human or super-human thou seest in Vahuka, together with +anything else, should all be reported unto me." And thus addressed by +Damayanti, Kesini went away, and having marked the conduct of that +person versed in horse-lore, she came back. And she related unto +Damayanti all that had happened, indeed, everything of human and +superhuman that she had witnessed in Vahuka. And Kesini said, "O +Damayanti, a person of such control over the elements I have never +before seen or heard of. Whenever he cometh to low passage, he never +stoopeth down, but seeing him, the passage itself groweth in height so +that he may pass through it easily. And at his approach, impassable +narrow holes open wide. King Bhima had sent various kinds of meat--of +diverse animals, for Rituparna's food. And many vessels had been placed +there for washing the meat. And as he looked upon them, those vessels +became filled (with water). And having washed the meat, as he set +himself to cook, he took up a handful of grass and held it in the sun, +when fire blazed up all on a sudden. Beholding this marvel, I have come +hither amazed. Further, I have witnessed in him another great wonder. O +beauteous one, he touched fire and was not burnt. And at his will, water +falling floweth in a stream. And, I have witnessed another greater +wonder still. He took up some flowers, began to press them slowly with +his hands. And pressed by his hand, the flowers did not lose their +original forms, but, on the contrary, became gayer and more odorous than +before. Having beheld wonderful things I have come hither with speed."' + +"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Hearing of these acts of the virtuous Nala, and +discovering him from his behaviour, Damayanti considered him as already +recovered. And from these indications suspecting that Vahuka was her +husband, Damayanti once more weepingly addressed Kesini in soft words, +saying, "O beauteous one, go thou once more, and bring from the kitchen +without Vahuka's knowledge some meat that hath been boiled and dressed +(by him)." Thus commanded, Kesini, ever bent on doing what was agreeable +to Damayanti, went to Vahuka, and taking some hot meat came back without +loss of time. And Kesini gave that meat, O son of the Kuru race, unto +Damayanti. And Damayanti who had formerly often partaken of meat dressed +by Nala, tasted the meat that was brought by her hand-maid. And she +thereupon decided Vahuka to be Nala and wept aloud in grief of heart. +And, O Bharata, overwhelmed with grief, and washing her face, she sent +her two children with Kesini. And Vahuka, who was the king in disguise, +recognising Indrasena with her brother, advanced hastily, and embracing +them, took them up on his lap. And taking up his children like unto the +children of the celestials, he began to weep aloud in sonorous accents, +his heart oppressed with great sorrow. And after having repeatedly +betrayed his agitation, Naishadha suddenly left children, and addressed +Kesini, saying, "O fair damsel, these twins are very like my own +children. Beholding them unexpectedly, I shed tears. If thou comest to +me frequently people may think evil, for we are guests from another +land. Therefore. O blessed one, go at thy ease."'" + + +SECTION LXXVI + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'Beholding the agitation of the virtuous and wise +Nala, Kesini returned unto Damayanti and related everything unto her. +And thereupon Damayanti with a sorrowful heart and eager to behold Nala, +again despatched Kesini to her mother, asking her to say on her behalf: +"Suspecting Vahuka to be Nala, I have tried him in various ways. My +doubt now only relates to his appearance. I intend to examine him +myself. O mother, either let him enter the palace, or give me permission +to go to him. And arrange this with the knowledge of my father or +without it." And thus addressed to Damayanti, that lady communicated +unto Bhima the intention of his daughter, and upon learning it the king +gave his consent. And, O bull of the Bharata race, having obtained the +consent both of her father and mother, Damayanti caused Nala to be +brought to her apartments. And as soon as he saw Damayanti unexpectedly, +king Nala was overwhelmed with grief and sorrow, and bathed in tears. +And that best of women, Damayanti, also, upon beholding king Nala in +that condition, was sorely afflicted with grief. And, O monarch, herself +clad in a piece of red cloth, and wearing matted locks, and covered with +dirt and dust, Damayanti then addressed Vahuka, saying, "O Vahuka, hast +thou ever seen any person acquainted with duty, who hath gone away, +deserting his sleeping wife in the forest? Who, except the virtuous +Nala, could go away, deserting in the woods, his dear and unoffending +wife overcome with fatigue? Of what offence was I guilty in the eyes of +that monarch since my early youth that he should go away deserting me in +the woods while asleep overcome with fatigue? Why should he whom I +formerly chose in preference to the gods themselves abandon his +ever-devoted and loving wife who had become the mother also of his +children? Before the fire, and in presence also of the celestials, he +had taken my hand, vowing, '_Verily I will be thine_.' Oh, where was +that vow when he deserted me, O represser of foes." While Damayanti was +saying all this, tears of sorrow began to flow plentifully from her +eyes. And beholding her thus afflicted with grief, Nala also, shedding +tears, black of those of the gazelle with extremities of reddish hue, +said, "O timid one, neither the loss of my kingdom nor my desertion of +thee was my act. Both were due to Kali. And, O foremost of virtuous +women, lamenting for me day and night, and overcome with sorrow, thou +hadst in the woods cursed Kali, and so he began to dwell in my body, +burning in consequence of thy curse. Indeed burning with thy curse, he +lived within me like fire within fire. O blessed girl, that our sorrows +might terminate, that wretch have I overcome by my observances and +austerities. The sinful wretch hath already left me, and it is for this +that I have come hither. My presence here, O fair lady, is for thy sake. +I have no other object. But, O timid one, can any other woman, forsaking +her loving and devoted husband, ever choose a second lord like thee? At +the command of the king, messengers are ranging this entire earth, +saying, '_Bhima's daughter will, of her own accord, choose a second +husband worthy of her_.' Immediately on hearing this, the son of +Bhangasura hath arrived here." Hearing these lamentations of Nala, +Damayanti, frightened and trembling, said with joined hand, "It behoveth +thee not, O blessed one, to suspect any fault in me. O ruler of the +Nishadhas, passing over the celestials themselves, I choose thee as my +lord. It was to bring thee hither that the Brahmanas had gone out in all +directions, even to all the sides of the horizon, singing my words, in +the form of ballads. At last, O king, a learned Brahmana named Parnada +had found thee in Kosala in the palace of Rituparna. When thou hadst +returned a fit answer to those words of his, it was then, O Naishadha, +that I devised this scheme to recover thee. Except thee, O lord of +earth, there is no one in this world, who in one day can clear, O King, +a hundred _yojanas_ with horses. O monarch, touching thy feet I can +swear truly that I have not, even in thought, committed any sin. May the +all-witnessing Air that courseth through this world, take my life, if I +have committed any sin. May the Sun that ever courseth through the sky +take my life, if I have committed any sin. May the Moon, that dwelleth +within every creature as a witness, take my life, if I have committed +any sin. Let the three gods that sustain the triple worlds in their +entirety, declare truly, or let them forsake me today." And thus +addressed by her, the Wind-god said from the sky, "O Nala, I tell thee +truly that she hath done no wrong. O king, Damayanti, well guarding the +honour of thy family, hath enhanced it. Of this we are the witnesses, as +we have been her protectors for these three years. It is for thy good +that she hath devised this unrivalled scheme, for, except thee, none on +earth is capable of travelling in a single day a hundred _yojanas_. O +monarch, thou hast obtained Bhima's daughter, and she hath also obtained +thee. Thou needst not entertain any suspicion but be united with thy +partner." And after the Wind-god had said this, a floral shower fell +there and the celestial kettle-drum began to play, and auspicious +breezes began to blow. And beholding those wonders, O Bharata, king +Nala, the represser of foes, cast away all his doubts in respect of +Damayanti. And then that lord of earth, remembering the king of +serpents, wore that pure garment and regained his native form. And +beholding her righteous lord in his own form, Bhima's daughter of +faultless limbs embraced him, and began to weep aloud. And king Nala +also embraced Bhima's daughter devoted to him, as before, and also his +children, and experienced great delight. And burying her face in his +bosom, the beauteous Damayanti of large eyes began to sigh heavily, +remembering her griefs. And overwhelmed with sorrow, that tiger among +men stood for some time, clasping the dust-covered Damayanti of sweet +smiles. And, O king, the queen-mother then, with a glad heart, told +Bhima all that had passed between Nala and Damayanti. And the mighty +monarch answered, "Let Nala pass this day in peace, to-morrow I shall +see him after his bath and prayers, with Damayanti by his side." And, O +king, they passed that night pleasantly, in relating to each other the +past incidents of their life in the forest. And with hearts filled with +joy, the princess of Vidarbha and Nala began to pass their days in the +palace of king Bhima, intent upon making each other happy. And it was in +the fourth year (after the loss of his kingdom) that Nala was re-united +with his wife, and all his desires gratified, once more experienced the +highest bliss. And Damayanti rejoiced exceedingly in having recovered +her lord even as fields of tender plants on receiving a shower. And +Bhima's daughter, thus recovering her lord, obtained her wish, and +blazed forth in beauty, her weariness gone, her anxieties dispelled and +herself swelling with joy, ever like a night that is lit by the bright +disc of the moon!'" + + +SECTION LXXVII + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'Having passed that night, king Nala decked in +ornaments and with Damayanti by his side, presented himself in due time +before the king. And Nala saluted his father-in-law with becoming +humility and after him the fair Damayanti paid her respects to her +father. And the exalted Bhima, with great joy, received him as a son, +and honouring him duly along with his devoted wife, comforted them in +proper words. And duly accepting the homage rendered unto him, king Nala +offered his father-in-law his services as became him. And seeing Nala +arrived, the citizens were in great joy. And there arose in the city a +loud uproar of delight. And the citizens decorated the city with flags +and standards and garlands of flowers. And the streets were watered and +decked in floral wreaths and other ornaments. And at their gates +citizens piled flowers, and their temples and shrines were all adorned +with flowers. And Rituparna heard that Vahuka had already been united +with Damayanti. And the king was glad to hear of all this. And calling +unto him king Nala, he asked his forgiveness. And the intelligent Nala +also asked Rituparna's forgiveness, showing diverse reasons. And that +foremost of speakers versed in the truth, king Rituparna, after being +thus honoured by Nala, said, with a countenance expressive of wonder, +these words unto the ruler of the Nishadhas. "By good fortune it is that +regaining the company of thy own wife, thou hast obtained happiness. O +Naishadha, while dwelling in disguise at my house, I hope I did not +wrong thee in any way, O lord of the earth! If knowingly I have done +thee any wrong, it behoveth thee to forgive me." Hearing this, Nala +replied, "Thou hast not, O monarch, done me ever so little an injury. +And if thou hast, it hath not awakened my ire, for surely thou shouldst +be forgiven by me. Thou wert formerly my friend, and, O ruler of men, +thou art also related to me. Henceforth I shall find greater delight in +thee. O king, with all my desires gratified, I lived happily in thy +abode, in fact more happily there than in my own house. This thy +horse-lore is in my keeping. If thou wishest, O king, I will make it +over to thee." Saying this, Naishadha gave unto Rituparna that science +and the latter took it with the ordained rites. And, O monarch, the +royal son of Bhangasura, having obtained the mysteries of equestrian +science and having given unto the ruler of the Naishadhas the mysteries +of dice, went to his own city, employing another person for his +charioteer. And, O king, after Rituparna had gone, king Nala did not +stay long in the city of Kundina!'" + + +SECTION LXXVIII + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'O son of Kunti, the ruler of the Nishadhas having +dwelt there for a month, set out from that city with Bhima's permission +and accompanied by only a few (followers) for the country of the +Nishadhas. With a single car white in hue, sixteen elephants, fifty +horses, and six hundred infantry, that illustrious king, causing the +earth itself to tremble, entered (the country of the Nishadhas) without +loss of a moment and swelling with rage. And the mighty son of Virasena, +approaching his brother Pushkara said unto him, "We will play again, for +I have earned vast wealth. Let Damayanti and all else that I have be my +stake, let, O Pushkara, thy kingdom be thy stake. Let the play begin +again. This is my certain determination. Blessed be thou, let us stake +all we have along with our lives. Having won over and acquired another's +wealth or kingdom, it is a high duty, says the ordinance, to stake it +when the owner demands. Or, if thou dost not relish play with dice, let +the play with weapons begin. O king, let me or thyself have peace by a +single combat. That this ancestral kingdom should, under all +circumstances and by any means, be recovered, there is the authority of +sages for holding. And, O Pushkara, choose thou one of these two +things--gambling with dice or bending the bow in battle!" Thus addressed +by Nishadha, Pushkara, sure of his own success, laughingly answered that +monarch, saying, "O Naishadha, it is by good fortune that thou hast +earned wealth again to stake. It is by good fortune also that +Damayanti's ill-luck hath at last come to an end. And O king, it is by +good fortune that thou art still alive with thy wife, O thou of mighty +arms! It is evident that Damayanti, adorned with this wealth of thine +that I will win, will wait upon me like an Apsara in heaven upon Indra. +O Naishadha, I daily recollect thee and am even waiting for thee, since +I derive no pleasure from gambling with those that are not connected +with me by blood. Winning over to-day the beauteous Damayanti of +faultless features, I shall regard myself fortunate, indeed, since she +it is that hath ever dwelt in my heart." Hearing these words of that +incoherent braggart, Nala in anger desired to cut off his head with a +scimitar. With a smile, however, though his eyes were red in anger, king +Nala said, "Let us play. Why do you speak so now? Having vanquished me, +you can say anything you like." Then the play commenced between Pushkara +and Nala. And blessed be Nala who at a single throw won his wealth and +treasures back along with the life of his brother that also had been +staked. And the king, having won, smilingly said unto Pushkara, "This +whole kingdom without a thorn in its side is now undisturbedly mine. +And, O worst of kings, thou canst not now even look at the princess of +Vidarbha. With all thy family, thou art now, O fool, reduced to the +position of her slave. But my former defeat at thy hands was not due to +any act of thine. Thou knowest it not, O fool, that it was Kali who did +it all. I shall not, therefore, impute to thee the faults of others. +Live happily as thou choosest, I grant thee thy life. I also grant thee +thy portion (in the paternal kingdom) along with all necessaries. And, O +hero, without doubt, my affection towards thee is now the same as +before. My fraternal love also for thee will never know any diminution. +O Pushkara, thou art my brother, live thou for a hundred years!" + +"'And Nala of unbaffled prowess, having comforted his brother thus gave +him permission to go to his own town, having embraced him repeatedly. +And Pushkara himself, thus comforted by the ruler of the Nishadhas +saluted that righteous king, and addressed him, O monarch, saying these +words with joined hands, "Let thy fame be immortal and live thou happily +for ten thousand years, thou who grantest me, O king, both life and +refuge." And entertained by the king, Pushkara dwelt there for a month +and then went to his own town accompanied by large force and many +obedient servants and his own kindred, his heart filled with joy. And +that bull among men all the while blazed forth in beauty of person like +a second Sun. And the blessed ruler of the Nishadhas, having established +Pushkara and made him wealthy and freed him from troubles, entered his +richly decorated palace. And the ruler of the Nishadhas, having entered +his palace, comforted the citizens. And all the citizens and the +subjects from the country horripilated in joy. And the people headed by +the officers of state said with joined hands, "O king, we are truly glad +to-day throughout the city and the country. We have obtained to-day our +ruler, like the gods their chief of a hundred sacrifice!"'" + + +SECTION LXXIX + +"Vrihadaswa said, 'After the festivities had commenced in the city that +was full of joy and without anxiety of any kind, the king with a large +force brought Damayanti (from her father's home). And her father, too, +that slayer of hostile heroes, Bhima of terrible prowess and +immeasurable soul, sent his daughter, having honoured her duly. And upon +the arrival of the princess of Vidarbha accompanied by her son and +daughter, king Nala began to pass his days in joy like the chief of the +celestials in the gardens of Nandana. And the king of undying fame, +having regained his kingdom and becoming illustrious among monarchs of +the island of Jamvu, began once more to rule it. And he duly performed +numerous sacrifices with abundant gifts to Brahmanas. O great king, thou +also wilt with thy kindred and relatives, so blaze forth in effulgence +soon. For, O foremost of men, it was thus that subjugator of hostile +cities, king Nala, had fallen into distress along with his wife, in +consequence, O bull of Bharata race, of dice. And, O lord of the earth, +Nala suffered such dire woe all alone and recovered his prosperity, +whereas thou, O son of Pandu, with heart fixed on virtue, art sporting +in joy in this great forest, accompanied by thy brothers and Krishna. +When thou art also, O monarch, mixing daily with blessed Brahmanas +versed in the Vedas and their branches, thou hast little cause for +sorrow. This history, besides, of the Naga Karkotaka, of Damayanti, of +Nala and of that royal sage Rituparna, is destructive of evil. And, O +thou of unfading glory, this history, destructive of the influence of +Kali, is capable, O king, of comforting persons like thee when they +listen to it. And reflecting upon the uncertainty (of success) of human +exertion, it behoveth thee not to joy or grieve at prosperity or +adversity. Having listened to this history, be comforted, O king, and +yield not to grief. It behoveth thee not, O great king, to pine under +calamity. Indeed, men of self-possession, reflecting upon the caprice of +destiny and the fruitlessness of exertion, never suffer themselves to be +depressed. They that will repeatedly recite this noble history of Nala, +and that will hear it recited, will never be touched by adversity. He +that listeneth to this old and excellent history hath all his purposes +crowned with success and, without doubt, obtaineth fame, besides sons +and grandsons and animals, a high position among men, and health, and +joy. And, O king, the fear also that thou entertainest, _viz_., (_Some +one skilled in dice will summon me_), I will for once dispel. O thou of +invincible prowess, I know the science of dice in its entirety. I am +gratified with thee; take this lore, O son of Kunti, I will tell unto +thee.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "King Yudhishthira then, with a glad heart, said +unto Vrihadaswa, 'O illustrious one, I desire to learn the science of +dice from thee.' The Rishi then gave his dice-lore unto the high-souled +son of Pandu, and having given it unto him, that great ascetic went to +the sacred waters of Hayasirsha for a bath. + +"And after Vrihadaswa had gone away, Yudhishthira of firm vows heard +from Brahmanas and ascetics that came to him from various directions and +from places of pilgrimage and mountains and forests that Arjuna of high +intelligence and capable of drawing the bow with his left hand, was +still engaged in the austerest of ascetic penances, living upon air +alone. And he heard that the mighty-armed Partha was engaged in such +fierce asceticism that none else before him had ever been engaged in +such penances. And Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, engaged in ascetic +austerities with regulated vows and fixed mind and observing the vow of +perfect silence, was, he heard, like the blazing god of justice himself +in his embodied form. And, O king, (Yudhishthira) the son of Pandu +hearing that his dear brother Jaya, the son of Kunti, was engaged in +such asceticism in the great forest, began to grieve for him. And with a +heart burning in grief, the eldest son of Pandu, seeking consolation in +that mighty forest held converse with the Brahmanas possessed of various +knowledge who were living with him there." + + +SECTION LXXX + +(Tirtha-yatra Parva) + +Janamejaya said, "O holy one, after my great-grandfather Partha had gone +away from the woods of Kamyaka, what did the sons of Pandu do in the +absence of that hero capable of drawing the bow with his left hand? It +seemeth to me that mighty bowman and vanquisher of armies was their +refuge, as Vishnu of the celestials. How did my heroic grandsires pass +their time in the forest, deprived of the company of that hero, who +resembled Indra himself in prowess and never turned his back in battle?" + +Vaisampayana said, "After Arjuna of unbaffled prowess had gone away from +Kamyaka, the sons of Pandu, O son, were filled with sorrow and grief. +And the Pandavas with cheerless hearts very much resembled pearls +unstrung from a wreath, or birds shorn of their wings. And without that +hero of white steeds that forest looked like the _Chaitraratha_ woods +when deprived of the presence of Kuvera. And, O Janamejaya, those tigers +among men--the sons of Pandu--deprived of the company of Arjuna, +continued to live in Kamyaka in perfect cheerlessness. And, O chief of +the Bharata race, those mighty warriors endowed with great prowess slew +with pure arrows various kinds of sacrificial animals for the Brahmanas. +And those tigers among men and repressers of foes, daily slaying those +wild animals and sanctifying them properly, offered them unto the +Brahmanas. And it was thus, O king, that those bulls among men afflicted +with sorrow lived there with cheerless hearts after Dhananjaya's +departure. The princess of Panchala in particular, remembering her third +lord, addressed the anxious Yudhishthira and said, 'That Arjuna who with +two hands rivals the thousand-armed Arjuna (of old), alas, without that +foremost of the sons of Pandu, this forest doth not seem at all +beautiful in my eyes. Without him, whenever I cast my eyes, this earth +seems to be forlorn. Even this forest with its blossoming trees and so +full of wonders, without Arjuna seems not so delightful as before. +Without him who is like a mass of blue clouds (in hue), who hath the +prowess of an infuriated elephant, and whose eyes are like the leaves of +the lotus, this Kamyaka forest doth not seem beautiful to me. +Remembering that hero capable of drawing the bow with his left hand, and +the twang of whose bow sounds like the roar of thunder, I cannot feel +any happiness, O king!' And, O monarch, hearing her lament in this +strain, that slayer of hostile heroes, Bhimasena, addressed Draupadi in +these words, 'O blessed lady of slender waist, the agreeable words thou +utterest delight my heart like the quaffing of nectar. Without him whose +arms are long and symmetrical, and stout and like unto a couple of iron +maces and round and marked by the scars of the bow-strings and graced +with the bow and sword and other weapons and encircled with golden +bracelets and like unto a couple of five-headed snakes, without that +tiger among men the sky itself seemeth to be without the sun. Without +that mighty-armed one relying upon whom the Panchalas and the Kauravas +fear not the sternly-exerting ranks of the celestials themselves, +without that illustrious hero relying upon whose arms we all regard our +foes as already vanquished and the earth itself as already conquered, +without that Phalguna I cannot obtain any peace in the woods of Kamyaka. +The different directions also, wherever I cast my eyes, appear to be +empty!' + +"After Bhima had concluded, Nakula the son of Pandu, with voice choked +with tears, said, 'Without him whose extraordinary deeds on the field of +battle constitute the talk of even the gods, without that foremost of +warriors, what pleasure can we have in the woods? Without him who having +gone towards the north had vanquished mighty Gandharva chiefs by +hundreds, and who having obtained numberless handsome horses of the +Tittiri and Kalmasha species all endowed with the speed of the wind, +presented them from affection unto his brother the king, on the occasion +of the great Rajasuya sacrifice, without that dear and illustrious one, +without that terrible warrior born after Bhima, without that hero equal +unto a god I do not desire to live in the Kamyaka woods any longer.' + +"After Nakula's lamentations, Sahadeva said, 'He who having vanquished +mighty warriors in battle won wealth and virgins and brought them unto +the king on the occasion of the great _Rajasuya_ sacrifice, that hero of +immeasurable splendour who having vanquished single-handed the assembled +Yadavas in battle, ravished Subhadra with the consent of Vasudeva, he, +who having invaded the dominion of the illustrious Drupada gave, O +Bharata, unto the preceptor Drona his tuition fee--beholding, O king, +that Jishnu's bed of grass empty in our asylum, my heart refuses +consolation. A migration from this forest is what, O represser of foes, +I would prefer for without that hero this forest cannot be delightful.'" + + +SECTION LXXXI + +Vaisampayana said, "Hearing these words of his brothers as also of +Krishna, all of whom were anxious on account of Dhananjaya, king +Yudhishthira, the just, became melancholy. And at that time he saw +(before him) the celestial Rishi Narada blazing with _Brahmi_ beauty and +like unto a fire flaming up in consequence of sacrificial libation. And +beholding him come, king Yudhishthira with his brothers stood up and +duly worshipped the illustrious one. And endued with blazing energy, the +handsome chief of the Kuru race, surrounded by his brothers, shone like +the god of a hundred sacrifices encircled by the celestials. And +Yajnaseni in obedience to the dictates of morality adhered to her lords, +the sons of Pritha, like Savitri to the Vedas or the rays of the Sun to +the peak of Meru. And the illustrious Rishi Narada, accepting that +worship, comforted the son of Dharma in proper terms. And, O sinless +one, addressing the high-souled king Yudhishthira, the just, the Rishi +said, 'Tell me, O foremost of virtuous men, what it is that thou seekest +and what I can do for thee.' At this, the royal son of Dharma bowing +with his brothers unto Narada, who was the revered of the celestials, +told him with joined hands, 'O thou that art highly blessed and +worshipped by all the worlds when thou art gratified with me, I regard +all my wishes in consequence of thy grace, as already fulfilled, O thou +of excellent vows! If, O sinless one, I with my brothers deserve thy +favour, it behoveth thee, O best of Munis, to dispel the doubt that is +in my mind. It behoveth thee to tell me in detail what merit is his that +goeth round the worlds, desirous of beholding the sacred waters and +shrines that are on it.' + +"Narada said, 'Listen, O king, with attention, to what the intelligent +Bhishma had heard before from Pulastya! Once, O blessed one, that +foremost of virtuous men, Bhishma, while in the observance of the +_Pitrya_ vow, lived, O king, in the company of Munis in a delightful and +sacred region, near the source of the Ganga, that is resorted to by the +celestial Rishis and Gandharvas and the celestials themselves. And while +living there, the resplendent one gratified with his oblations the +_Pitris_, the gods and the Rishis, according to the rites inculcated in +the scriptures. And once on a time while the illustrious one was engaged +in his silent recitations, he beheld Pulastya--that best of Rishis, of +wonderful appearance. And beholding that austere ascetic blazing with +beauty, he was filled with great delight and exceeding wonder. And, O +Bharata, that foremost of virtuous men, Bhishma, then worshipped that +blessed Rishi according to the rites of the ordinance. And purifying +himself and with rapt attention, he approached that best of Brahmarshis, +with the _Arghya_ on his head. And uttering aloud his name, he said, "O +thou of excellent vow, blessed be thou, I am Bhishma, thy slave. At +sight of thee, I am freed from all my sins." And saying this, that +foremost of virtuous men, Bhishma, restraining speeches stood, O +Yudhishthira, in silence and with joined hands. And beholding Bhishma +that foremost of the Kurus, reduced and emaciated by the observance of +vows and the study of the Vedas, the Muni became filled with joy.'" + + +SECTION LXXXII + +"'Pulastya said, "O thou of excellent vows, I have been much gratified +with thy humility, thy self-control, and thy truth, thou blessed one +versed in morality! O sinless one, it is for this virtue of thine which +thou hast acquired from regard to thy ancestors, that I have been +gratified with thee and thou hast, O son, obtained a sight of my person. +O Bhishma, my eyes can penetrate into everything. Tell me what I may do +for thee. O sinless one, O thou foremost of the Kuru race, I will grant +thee whatever thou mayst ask me." + +"'Bhishma said, "O highly blessed one, when thou who art worshipped by +the three worlds hast been gratified with me and when I have obtained a +sight of thy exalted self, I regard myself as already crowned with +success. But, O thou foremost of virtuous persons, if I have deserved +thy favour, I will tell thee my doubts and it behoveth thee to dispel +them. O holy one, I have some religious doubts in respect of _tirthas_. +Speak of those to me in detail, I desire to hear thee. O thou that +resemblest a celestial himself, what is his merit, O regenerate Rishi, +who goeth round the whole earth (visiting shrines). O tell me this with +certainty." + +"'Pulastya said, "O son, listen with attention. I will tell thee of the +merit which attacheth to _tirthas_ and which constituteth the refuge of +the Rishis. He whose hands and feet and mind and knowledge and +asceticism and acts are under wholesome control, enjoyeth the fruits of +_tirthas_. He who has ceased to accept gifts, he that is contented, he +that is free from pride enjoys the fruits of _tirthas_. He that is +without sin, he that acts without purpose, he that eats light, he that +has his senses under control, he that is free from every sin, enjoys the +fruits of _tirthas_. O king, he that is free from anger, he that +adhereth to truth, he that is firm in vows, he that regardeth all +creatures as his own self, enjoyeth the fruits of _tirthas_. In the +Vedas the Rishis have declared in due order the sacrifices and also +their fruits here and hereafter truly. O lord of earth, those sacrifices +cannot be accomplished by him that is poor, for those sacrifices require +various materials and diverse things in large measures. These, therefore +can be performed by kings or sometimes by other men of prosperity and +wealth. O lord of men, that rite, however, which men without wealth, +without allies, singly, without wife and children, and destitute of +means, are capable of accomplishing and the merit of which is equal unto +the sacred fruits of sacrifices, I will now declare unto thee, thou best +of warriors! O thou best of the Bharata race, sojourns in _tirthas_ +which are meritorious and which constitute one of the high mysteries of +the Rishis, are even superior to sacrifices. He is a poor man who having +gone to a _tirtha_ hath not fasted for three nights, who hath not given +away gold, and who hath not distributed kine. Indeed, one acquireth not, +by the performance of the _Agnishtoma_ and other sacrifices +distinguished by large gifts, that merit which one requireth by a +sojourn to a _tirtha_. In the world of men, there is that _tirtha_ of +the God of gods, celebrated over the three worlds by the name of +_Pushkara_. One that sojourneth there becometh equal unto that deity. O +high-souled son of the Kuru race, during the two twilights and mid-day +there is the presence of hundred thousand millions of _tirthas_ in +_Pushkara_. The Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Maruts, +the Gandharvas, and the Apsaras are ever present, O exalted one, in +_Pushkara_. It was there, O king, that the gods, the Daityas and +_Brahmarshis_, having performed ascetic devotions there, obtained great +merit and finally attained to god-hood. + +"'"Men of self-control, by even thinking mentally of Pushkara, are +cleansed from their sins, and regarded in heaven. O king, the +illustrious grand-sire having the lotus for his seat, had dwelt with +great pleasure in this _tirtha_. O blessed one, it was in Pushkara that +the gods with the Rishis having acquired of old great merit, finally +obtained the highest success. The person who, devoted to the worship of +the gods and the _Pitris_, batheth in this _tirtha_, obtaineth, it hath +been said by the wise, merit that is equal to ten times that of the +horse-sacrifice. Having gone to the Pushkara woods, he that feedeth even +one Brahmana, becometh happy here and hereafter, O Bhishma, for that +act. He that supporteth himself on vegetables and roots and fruits, may +with pious regard and without disrespect, give even such fare to a +Brahmana. And, O best of kings, the man of wisdom, even by such a gift, +will acquire the merit of a horse-sacrifice. Those illustrious persons +among Brahmanas or Kshatriyas or Vaisyas or Sudras that bathe in +Pushkara are freed from the obligation of rebirth. That man in special +who visits Pushkara on the full moon of the month of _Karttika_, +acquireth ever-lasting regions in the abode of Brahma. He that thinketh +with joined hands morning and evening, of the Pushkara, practically +batheth, O Bharata, in every _tirtha_. Whether a male or a female, +whatever sins one may commit since birth, are all destroyed as soon as +one batheth in Pushkara. As the slayer of Madhu is the foremost of all +the celestials, so is Pushkara, O king, the foremost of all _tirthas_. A +man by residing with purity and regulated vows for twelve years in +Pushkara, acquireth the merit of all the sacrifices, and goeth to the +abode of Brahma. The merit of one who performeth the _Agnihotra_ for +full one hundred years, is equal to that of him who resideth for the +single month of _Karttika_ in Pushkara. There are three white hillocks +and three springs known from the remotest times, we do not know why, by +the name of the Pushkara. It is difficult to go to Pushkara; it is +difficult to undergo ascetic austerities at Pushkara; it is difficult to +give away at Pushkara; and it is difficult to live at Pushkara. + +"'"Having dwelt for twelve nights at Pushkara with regulated diet and +vows, and having walked round (the place), one must go to _Jamvu-marga_. +One that goeth to _Jamvu-marga_ which is resorted to by the celestials, +the Rishis, and the _Pitris_, acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice +and the fruition of all his wishes. The man that resideth there for five +nights, hath his soul cleansed from all sins. He never sinketh into +hell, but acquireth high success. Leaving Jamvu-marga one must go to +_Tandulikasrama_. He that goeth there never sinketh into hell but +ascendeth to the abode of Brahma. He that goeth to the lake of Agastya +and occupieth himself with the worship of the _Pitris_ and celestials, +fasting for three nights, acquireth, O king, the fruit of the +_Agnishtoma_. Going thither, he that liveth on vegetables or fruits +acquireth the status called _Kaumara_. One should next proceed to the +beautiful asylum of Kanwa, which is worshipped by the whole world. That +sacred wood characterised by holiness, existeth, O bull of the Bharata +race, from very remote times. As soon as one entereth it, he is freed +from all his sins. He who with regulated diet and vows worshippeth the +_Pitris_ and the gods there, obtaineth the fruit of a sacrifice that is +capable of bestowing the fruition of all one's desires. Having walked +round this asylum one must then go to the spot where Yayati fell (from +heaven). He that goeth thither, acquireth the merit of a +horse-sacrifice. One must then go to _Mahakala_ with regulated diet and +senses subdued. And having bathed in the _tirtha_ called _Koti_, one +obtaineth the merit of a horse-sacrifice. A virtuous man should next +proceed to the _tirtha_ of Sthanu, the husband of Uma, known over the +three worlds by the name of _Bhadravata_. That best of men who goeth to +_Bhadravata_, beholdeth Isana and obtaineth the fruit of a gift of a +thousand kine. And through the grace of Mahadeva, he acquireth the +status of _Ganapatya_ blessed with prosperity and peace and high grace. +Having arrived then at the _Narmada_, that river celebrated over the +three worlds, and given oblations of water to the _Pitris_ and the gods, +one acquireth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. He that goeth into the +Southern ocean, practising the Brahmacharya mode of life, and with +senses subdued, acquireth the fruit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice and +ascendeth to heaven. Having arrived at _Charmanwati_, with regulated +diet and senses subdued, one acquireth, at the command of Ramideva, the +merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. One must then go, O virtuous chief +of warriors, to _Arauda_, the son of Himavat, where there was a hole +through the earth in days of yore. There is the asylum of Vasistha, +celebrated over the three worlds. Having resided for one night, one +obtaineth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. He that, leading a +Brahmacharya mode of life batheth in the _tirtha_ called _Pinga_, +obtaineth, O tiger among kings, the merit of the gift of a hundred +_Kapila_ kine. One must next go, O king, to that excellent _tirtha_ +called _Prabhasa_. There Hutasana is always present in his own person. +He, the friend of Pavana, O hero, is the mouth of all the gods. The man +that with subdued and sanctified soul batheth in that _tirtha_, +obtaineth merit greater than that of the _Agnishtoma_ or _Atimtra_ +sacrifices. Proceeding next to the spot where the Saraswati mingleth +with the sea, one obtaineth the fruit of the gift of a thousand kine and +heaven also besides, O bull of the Bharata race, blazing forth for all +time like Agni himself. He that with subdued soul batheth in the +_tirtha_ of the king of waters, and giveth oblations of water unto the +_Pitris_ and the gods, living there for three nights, blazeth forth like +the Moon, and obtaineth also the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. One +should next proceed, O best of the Bharata, unto the _tirtha_ known by +the name of _Varadana_, where (the Rishi) Durvasa had given a boon unto +Vishnu. A man by bathing in Varadana obtaineth the fruit of the gift of +a thousand kine. One should next proceed with subdued senses and +regulated diet to _Dwaravati_, where by bathing in _Pindaraka_, one +obtaineth the fruit of the gift of gold in abundance. O blessed one, it +is wonderful to relate that in that _tirtha_, to this day, coins with +the mark of the lotus and lotuses also with the mark of the trident, are +seen, O represser of heroes! And O bull among men, the presence of +Mahadeva is there. Arriving then, O Bharata, at the spot where the +_Sindhu_ mingleth with the sea, one should with subdued soul bathe in +that _tirtha_ of Varuna. And bathing there and giving oblations of water +to the _Pitris_, the Rishis, and the gods one acquireth, O bull of the +Bharata race, the region of Varuna, and blazeth forth in effulgence of +his own. Men of wisdom say that, by worshipping the god known by the +name of _Shankukarneswara_, one acquireth ten times the merit of the +horse-sacrifice. O bull of the Bharata race, having walked round that +_tirtha_, one should, O thou foremost of the Kurus, go to that _tirtha_ +celebrated over the three worlds and known by the name of _Drimi_. That +_tirtha_ cleanseth from every sin, and it is there that the gods +including Brahma worship Maheswara. Having bathed there and worshipped +Rudra surrounded by the other gods, one is freed from all sins since +birth. It was there, O best of men, that _Drimi_ was adored by all the +gods. Bathing there, O best of men, one obtaineth the fruit of the +horse-sacrifice. O thou of great intelligence, Vishnu the creator of the +universe, after slaying the Daityas and Danavas, went thither to purify +himself. O virtuous one, one should next proceed to _Vasudhara_ adored +by all. The moment one arrives at that _tirtha_, one acquireth the fruit +of the horse-sacrifice. And, O thou best of the Kurus, by bathing there +with subdued soul and rapt attention, and giving oblations of water unto +the gods and the _Pitris_ one ascendeth unto the region of Vishnu and is +adored there. In that _tirtha_, O bull of the Bharata race, there is a +sacred lake of the Vasus. By bathing there and drinking of its water, +one becometh regarded of the Vasus. There is a celebrated _tirtha_ of +the name of _Sindhuttama_, which destroyeth every sin. O best of men, by +bathing there, one acquireth the fruit of the gift of gold in abundance. +By arriving at _Bhadratunga_ with sanctified soul and purity of conduct, +one acquireth the region of Brahma and a high state of blessedness. +There is then the _tirtha_ of the _Kumarikas_ of Indra, that is much +resorted to by the _Siddhas_. O best of men, by bathing there, one +obtaineth the region of Indra. In _Kumarika_ there is another _tirtha_ +called _Renuka_, which is also resorted to by the _Siddhas_. A Brahmana +by bathing there would become as bright as the Moon. Proceeding next to +the tirtha called the _Panchananda_, with subdued sense and regulated +diet, one obtaineth the fruit of the five sacrifices that have been +mentioned one after another in the scriptures. Then, O king, one should +go to the excellent region of Bhima. O best of the Bharatas by bathing +in the _tirtha_ there, that is called _Yoni_, a man (in his next birth) +becometh, O king, the son of a goddess, bearing ear-rings decked with +pearls, and obtaineth also the merit of the gift of a hundred thousand +kine. Proceeding next to _Srikunda_, celebrated over the three worlds +and worshipping the grandsire, one obtaineth the fruit of the gift of a +thousand kine. O virtuous one, one should then go to the excellent +tirtha called _Vimala_, where to this day may be seen fishes of golden +and silver hues. By bathing there, one soon acquireth the region of +Vasava, and his soul being cleansed from every sin, he attaineth to a +high state of blessedness. Proceeding next to _Vitasta_ and giving +oblations of water unto the _Pitris_ and the gods, a man, O Bharata, +obtaineth the fruit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice. That sin-destroying +tirtha known by the name of _Vitasta_, is situate in the country of the +_Kasmiras_ and is the abode of the Naga Takshaka. Bathing there, a man +certainly obtaineth the fruit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice, and his soul +cleansed from every sin, he attaineth to a high state of blessedness. +One should next proceed to _Vadava_ celebrated over the three worlds. +Bathing there with due rites in the evening, one should offer rice +boiled in butter and milk, according to the best of his might, unto the +deity of seven flames. Men of wisdom say that a gift made here in honour +of the _Pitris_, becometh inexhaustible. The Rishis, the _Pitris_, the +gods, the Gandharvas, several tribes of Apsaras, the Guhyakas, the +Kinnaras, the Yakshas, the _Siddhas_, the Vidhyadharas, the Rakshasas, +Daityas, Rudras, and Brahma himself, O king, having with subdued senses, +accepted a course of austerities for a thousand years in order to move +Vishnu to grace, cooked rice in milk and butter and gratified Kesava +with oblations, each offered with seven Riks. And, O king, the gratified +Kesava thereupon conferred on them the eight-fold attributes called +_Aiswarya_ and other objects that they desired. And having bestowed upon +them these, that god disappeared in their sight like lightning in the +clouds. And it is for this, O Bharata, that that _tirtha_ became known +by the name of _Saptacharu_, and if one offereth _Charu_ there to the +seven flamed deity, he obtaineth merit superior to that of the gift of a +hundred thousand kine, to that of a hundred Rajasuya sacrifices, as also +of a hundred horse-sacrifices. Leaving _Vadava_, O king, one should then +proceed to Raudrapada, and beholding Mahadeva there one obtaineth the +merit of the horse-sacrifice. Proceeding then, with subdued soul and +leading a Brahmacharya mode of life, to _Manirnat_, and residing there +for one night, one acquireth, O king, the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ +sacrifice. One should then go, O king, to _Devika_ celebrated over the +whole world. It was there, O bull of Bharata race, that, as heard by us, +the Brahmanas first sprang into existence. There also is the region of +the holder of the trident--a region that is celebrated over the world. +Having bathed in _Devika_ and worshipped Maheswara by offering him, to +the best of one's might, rice boiled in milk and butter, a man +obtaineth, O bull of the Bharata race, the merit of a sacrifice that is +capable of filling every desire. There also is another _tirtha_ of Rudra +called _Kamakhya_, which is much resorted to by the gods. Bathing there, +a man speedily obtaineth success. By touching also the water of +_Yajana_, _Brahmavaluka_, and _Pushpamva_, one becometh free from sorrow +in after life. The learned have said that the sacred _tirtha_ of +_Devika_, the resort of the gods and the Rishis, is five _Yojanas_ in +length and half a _Yojana_ in breadth. One should then, in due order, +proceed, O king, to _Dirghasatra_. There the gods with Brahma at their +head, the _Siddhas_, and the greatest Rishis, with regulated vows and +the recitation and acceptance of the preliminary pledge, perform the +long-extending sacrifice. O king, by going only to _Dirghasatra_, O +represser of foes, one obtaineth merit that is superior, O Bharata, to +that of the Rajasuya or the horse-sacrifice. One should next proceed +with subdued senses and regulated diet to _Vinasana_, where _Saraswati_ +disappearing on the breast of Meru, re-appeareth at _Chamasa_, +_Shivodbheda_ and _Nagadbheda_. Bathing in _Chamasadbheda_, one +obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. Bathing in +_Shivodbheda_, one acquireth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. +And bathing in _Nagodbheda_, one obtaineth the region of the Nagas. One +should proceed, next, to the inaccessible _tirtha_ of _Shasayana_, where +the cranes, O Bharata, disappearing in the form of _sasas_, re-appear +every year in the month of _Kavttika_, and bathe, O blessed chief of the +Bharata race, in the Sarasawati. Bathing there, O tiger among men, one +blazeth forth like the Moon, and obtaineth, O bull of the Bharata race, +the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. One should next proceed, O +thou of the Kuru race, to _Kumarakoti_, with subdued senses, and bathing +there, worship the gods and the _Puris_. By doing this, one obtaineth +the merit of the gift of ten thousand kine, and raiseth all his +ancestors to higher regions. One should next, O virtuous one, proceed +with subdued soul to _Rudrakoti_, where in olden days, O king, ten +millions of Munis had assembled. And, O king, filled with great joy at +the prospect of beholding Mahadeva, the Rishis assembled there, each +saying, '_I will first behold the god! I will first behold the god!_' +And, O king, in order to prevent disputes amongst those Rishis of +subdued souls, the Lord of _Yoga_, by the help of his _Yoga_ power, +multiplied himself into ten million forms, and stood before every one of +them. And every one of these Rishis said, '_I have seen him first!_' And +gratified, O king, with the deep devotion of those Munis of subdued +souls, Mahadeva granted them a boon, saying, '_From this day your +righteousness shall grow!_' And, O tiger among men, one that bathes, +with a pure mind, in _Rudrakoti_ obtaineth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice and delivereth his ancestors. One should next proceed, O +king, to that highly sacred and celebrated region where the Saraswati +mingles with the sea. Thither, O king, the gods with Brahma at their +head and Rishis with wealth of asceticism repair for adoring Kesava on +the fourteenth day of the lighted fortnight of the month of Chaitra. +Bathing there, O tiger among men, one obtaineth the merit of giving away +gold in abundance, and his soul being cleansed from every sin, he +ascendeth to the region of Brahma. It is there, O king, that the Rishis +have completed many a sacrifice. By a trip to that spot one obtaineth +the merit of the gifts of a thousand kine."'" + + +SECTION LXXXIII + +"'Pulastya said, "One should next proceed, O king, to the adored +Kurukshetra at sight of which all creatures are freed from their sins. +He is freed from all sins who constantly sayeth, '_I will live in +Kurukshetra_.' The very dust of Kurukshetra, conveyed by the wind, +leadeth a sinful man to a blessed course (in after-life). They that +dwell in Kurukshetra which lieth to the south of the Saraswati and the +north of the Drishadwati, are said to dwell in heaven. O hero, one +should reside there, O thou foremost of warriors, for a month. There, O +lord of earth, the gods with Brahma at their head, the Rishis, the +Siddhas, the Charanas, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, the Yakshas and the +Nagas, often repair, O Bharata, to the highly sacred Brahmakshetra. O +foremost of warriors, the sins of one that desireth to repair to +Kurukshetra even mentally are all destroyed, and he finally goeth into +the region of Brahma. O son of the Kuru race, by repairing to +Kurukshetra in a pious frame of mind, one obtaineth the fruit of the +Rajasuya and horse sacrifices. By saluting next the Yaksha called +Mankanaka, that mighty gate-keeper (of Kuvera), he obtaineth the fruit +of giving away a thousand kine. O virtuous king, one should next repair +to the excellent region of Vishnu, where Hari is always present. Bathing +there and bowing down unto Hari, the Creator of the three worlds, one +obtaineth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice and repaireth to the abode of +Vishnu. One should next repair to Pariplava, that _tirtha_ celebrated +over the three worlds, and (bathing there), O Bharata, one obtaineth +merit that is greater than that of the _Agnishtoma_ and the _Atiratra_ +sacrifices. Repairing next to the _tirtha_ called Prithivi, one +obtaineth the fruit of the gift of a thousand kine. The pilgrim should +next, O king, proceed to Shalukini and bathing there in the Dasaswamedha +one obtaineth the merit of ten horse-sacrifices. Proceeding next to +_Sarpadevi_, that excellent _tirtha_ of the Nagas, one obtaineth the +merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice and attaineth to the region of the +Nagas. O virtuous one, one should next proceed to _Tarantuka_, the +gatekeeper, and residing there for one night one obtaineth the merit of +giving away a thousand kine. Proceeding next with subdued senses and +regulated diet to _Panchananda_ and bathing in the _tirtha_ there, +called _Koti_, one obtaineth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. +Proceeding then to the _tirtha_ of the twin _Aswins_ one obtaineth +personal beauty. O virtuous one, one should next proceed to the +excellent _tirtha_ called _Varaha_, where Vishnu formerly stood in the +form of a boar. Bathing there one obtaineth, O foremost of men, the +merit of the horse-sacrifice. One should next, O king, repair to the +_tirtha_ called _Sama_ in Jayanti. Bathing there one obtaineth the merit +of Rajasuya sacrifice. By bathing in _Ekahansa_, a man obtaineth the +merit of giving away a thousand kine. O king, a pilgrim repairing to +_Kritasaucha_ obtaineth the lotus-eyed deity (Vishnu) and perfect purity +of soul. One should next proceed to _Munjavata_, that spot sacred to the +illustrious _Sthanu_. Residing there without food for one night, one +obtaineth the status called _Ganapatya_. There, O king, is the +celebrated _tirtha_ called _Yakshini_. O king, repairing to that +_tirtha_ and bathing there, one obtaineth fruition of all his desires. O +bull of the Bharata race, that _tirtha_ is regarded as the gate of +_Kurukshetra_. The pilgrim should with concentrated soul, walk round it. +Equal unto the Pushkaras, it was created by the high-souled Rama, the +son of Jamadagni. Bathing there and worshipping the _Pitris_ and the +gods, one obtaineth, O king, the merit of the horse-sacrifice and +becometh successful in everything. The pilgrim should next repair with +concentrated soul to the _Rama-hrada_. There, O king, the heroic Rama of +resplendent energy, exterminating the Kshatriyas by his might, dug five +lakes and filled them, O tiger among men, with the blood of his victims, +as heard by us. And having filled those lakes with Kshatriya blood, Rama +offered oblations of blood to his sires and grandsires. Gratified (with +the oblations) those Rishis then addressed Rama and said, 'O Rama, O +Rama, O thou of great good fortune, we have been gratified with thee, O +thou of the Bhrigu race, for this thy regard for the Pitris, and thy +prowess, O exalted one! Blessed be thou and ask thou the boon thou +choosest. What is that thou desirest, O thou of great splendour!' Thus +addressed (by them), Rama, that foremost of smiters, said with joined +hands these words unto the _Pitris_, stationed in the firmament, 'If ye +have been gratified with me, if I have deserved your favour, I desire +this favour of the Pitris, _viz_., that I may have pleasure again in +ascetic austerities. Let me also, through your power, be freed from the +sin I have committed by exterminating, from wrath, the Kshatriya race. +Let also my lakes become _tirthas_ celebrated over the world.' The +Pitris, hearing these blessed words of Rama, were highly gratified, and +filled with joy they answered him saying, 'Let thy asceticism increase +in consequence of thy regard for the Pitris. Thou hast exterminated the +Kshatriyas from wrath. Freed art thou already from that sin, for they +have perished as a consequence of their own misdeeds. Without doubt, +these lakes of thine will become _tirthas_. And if one, bathing in these +lakes, offereth oblations of the water thereof to the _Pitris_, the +latter gratified with him will grant him desire, difficult of fulfilment +in the world as also eternal heaven.' O king, having granted him these +boons, the Pitris joyfully saluted Rama of the Bhrigu race and +disappeared there and then. It was thus that the lakes of the +illustrious Rama of the Bhrigu race became sacred. Leading a +Brahmacharya mode of life and observing sacred vows, one should bathe in +the lakes of Rama. Bathing therein and worshipping Rama, one obtaineth, +O king, the merit of gift of gold in abundance. Proceeding next, O son +of the Kuru race, to _Vansamulaka_, a pilgrim by bathing there, raiseth, +O king, his own race. O best of the Bharatas, arriving next at the +_tirtha_ called _Kayasodhana_, and bathing there, one purifieth, without +doubt, his body, and proceeded with purified body to the blessed region +of unrivalled excellence. One should next repair, O virtuous one, to +that _tirtha_, celebrated over the three worlds, called _Lokoddara_, +where formerly Vishnu of great prowess had created the worlds. Arriving +at that _tirtha_ which is adored by the three worlds one earneth, O +king, by bathing there, numerous worlds for himself. Repairing next with +subdued soul to the _tirtha_ called _Sree_, one acquires, by bathing +there and worshipping the Pitris and the gods, high prosperity. Leading +a Brahmacharya mode of life and with concentrated soul, one should +proceed next to the _tirtha_ called _Kapila_. Bathing there and +worshipping one's own Pitris and the gods, a man earneth the fruit of +the gift of a thousand Kapila kine. Repairing next to the _tirtha_ +called _Surya_ and bathing there with subdued soul and worshipping the +Pitris and the gods, fasting all the while, one obtaineth the fruit of +the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice and goeth (finally) to the region of the Sun. +The pilgrim by proceeding next to Gobhavana and bathing there obtaineth +the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. O son of the Kuru race, a +pilgrim by repairing then to the _tirtha_ called _Shankhini_ and bathing +in the _Devi-tirtha_ that is there, obtaineth high prowess. O king, one +should then proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Tarandaka_ situated in the +Saraswati and belonging to the illustrious chief of the Yakshas who is +one of the gate-keepers (of Kuvera). O king, bathing there one obtaineth +the fruit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. O virtuous king, one should +next repair to the _tirtha_ called _Brahmavarta_. Bathing in +_Brahmavarta_, one ascendeth to the abode of Brahma. O king, one should +then repair to the excellent _tirtha_ called _Sutirtha_. There the +Pitris are ever present along with the gods. One should bathe there and +worship the Pitris and the gods. By so doing, one obtaineth the merit of +the horse-sacrifice and goeth (finally) into the region of the Pitris. +It is for this, O virtuous one, that _Sutirtha_ situate in _Amvumati_ is +regarded as so excellent. And, O thou best of the Bharata race, having +bathed in the _tirtha_ of _Kasiswara_, one becometh freed from all +diseases and is adored in the abode of Brahma. There in that _tirtha_, +is another called _Matri_. One that bathes in _Matri tirtha_ hath a +large progeny and obtaineth, O king, great prosperity. One should next +proceed with subdued sense and regulated diet to the _tirtha_ called +_Shitavana_. And, O great king, it hath been seen that one merit of that +_tirtha_ which rarely belongs to any other, is that one only going +thither obtaineth holiness. By casting off his hair in that _tirtha_ one +acquireth, O Bharata, great sanctity. There, in that _tirtha_, is +another called _Shwavillomapaha_, where, O tiger among men, and chief of +the Bharata race, learned Brahmanas that go to _tirthas_ obtain great +satisfaction by a dip into its waters. Good Brahmanas, O king, by +casting off their hair in that _tirtha_ acquire holiness by _Pranayama_ +and finally attain to a high state. There, O king, in that _tirtha_ is +also another called _Dasaswamedhika_. Bathing there, O tiger among men, +one attains to a high state. One should next proceed, O king, to the +celebrated _tirtha_ called _Manusha_ where, O king, a number of black +antelopes afflicted by the hunter's arrows, plunging into its waters, +were transformed into human beings. Bathing in that _tirtha_, leading a +_Brahmacharya_ mode of life and with concentrated soul, a man becomes +freed from all his sins and is adored in heaven. Distant by a _krosa_, O +king, to the east of _Manusha_ there is a river celebrated by the name +of _Apaga_ that is resorted to by the _Siddhas_. The man that offereth +there the _syamaka_ grain in honour of the gods and the Pitris acquireth +great religious merit. And if one Brahmana is fed there, it becomes +equivalent to feeding ten millions of Brahmanas. Having bathed in that +_tirtha_ and worshipped the gods and the Pitris and resided there for +one night, a man obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. One +should then repair, O king, to that excellent region of Brahma which, O +Bharata, is known on earth by the name of _Brahmodumvara_. Bathing in +the tank of the seven Rishis that is there, O bull among men, with pure +mind and subdued soul, as also in the _tirtha_ called _Kedara_ of the +high-souled _Kapila_, and beholding Brahma who is there, one's soul +being purified from all sins, one goeth to the abode of Brahma. +Proceeding next to the inaccessible _tirtha_ called _Kedara of Kapila_, +and burning one's sins there by ascetic penances, one acquireth the +power of disappearance at will. One should next proceed, O king, to the +celebrated _tirtha_ called _Saraka_, and beholding Mahadeva there on the +fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, one obtaineth all his wishes and +goeth also into heaven. O son of the Kuru race, in _Saraka_ and +_Rudrakoti_ as also in the well and the lakes that are there, thirty +millions of _tirthas_ are present. There in that _tirtha_, O chief of +the Bharatas, is another called _Ilaspada_. Bathing there and +worshipping the gods and the Pitris, one never sinketh into hell but +obtaineth the fruit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice. Repairing next to +_Kindana_ and _Kinjapya_, one acquireth, O Bharata, the merit of giving +away in measureless abundance and the infinite recitation of prayers. +Repairing next to the _tirtha_ called _Kalasi_ and bathing there +devoutly and with the senses under control, a man obtaineth the fruit of +the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. To the east of _Saraka_, O chief of the +Kurus, there is an auspicious _tirtha_ known by the name of _Anajanma_, +of the high-souled Narada. He that bathes there, O Bharata, obtaineth, +after death, at the command of Narada various unrivalled regions. One +should next proceed, on the tenth day of the lighted fortnight, to the +_tirtha_ called _Pundarika_. Bathing there, O king, one obtaineth the +merit of the _Pundarika_ sacrifice. One should next proceed to the +_tirtha_ called _Tripishtapa_ that is known over the three worlds. There +in that _tirtha_ is the sacred and sin-destroying river called +_Vaitarani_. Bathing there and adoring the god known by the mark of the +bull and holding the trident in his hand, one's soul being purified from +every sin one attaineth to the highest state. One should next proceed, O +king, to the excellent _tirtha_ called _Phalakivana_. There in that +_tirtha_ the gods, O monarch, having been present, performed their +ascetic austerities extending for many thousand years. One should then +proceed to the _Dhrishadwati_. Bathing there and worshipping the gods, +one obtaineth, O Bharata, merit that is superior to that of both the +_Agnishtoma_ and the _Atiratra_ sacrifices. O chief of the Bharatas, +bathing in that _tirtha_ called _Sarvadeva_, a man obtaineth, O king, +the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Bathing next in the _tirtha_ +called _Panikhata_ and worshipping all the gods, a man obtaineth merit +that is superior to that of both the _Agnishtoma_ and the _Atiratra_ +sacrifices, besides acquiring that of the _Rajasuya_ sacrifice and +finally going into the region of the Rishis. One should next proceed, O +virtuous one, to that excellent _tirtha_ called _Misraka_. There, O +tiger among kings, it hath been heard by us that the high-souled Vyasa, +for the sake of the Brahmanas, hath mixed all the _tirthas_. He, +therefore, that bathes in _Misraka_ really bathes in all the _tirtha_. +One should next proceed with subdued senses and regulated diet, to the +_tirtha_ called _Vyasavana_. Bathing in the _tirtha_ called _Manojava_ +that is there, one obtaineth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. +Proceeding next to the _Devi tirtha_ that is in _Madhuvati_, one that +bathes there and worships the gods and the Pitris obtains at the command +of the Goddess the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. Proceeding with +regulated diet, he that bathes in the confluence of the _Kausiki_ and +the _Drishadwati_, becometh free from all his sins. One should next +proceed to _Vyasasthali_ where Vyasa of great intelligence, burning with +grief for his son had resolved to cast off his body but was cheered +again by the gods. Proceeding to that spot of Vyasa, one obtaineth the +merit of a thousand kine. O son of the Kuru race, proceeding next to the +well called _Kindatta_, he that throweth into it a measure of sesame, is +freed from all his debts and obtaineth his success. Bathing in the +_tirtha_ called _Vedi_, one obtaineth the merit of the gift of a +thousand kine. There are two other celebrated tirthas called _Ahas_ and +_Sudina_. Bathing there, O tiger among men, one goeth to the region of +the Sun. One should next proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Mrigadhuma_ +that is celebrated throughout the three worlds. One should bathe there, +O king, in Ganga. Bathing there and worshipping Mahadeva, one obtaineth +the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Bathing next in the _Devi tirtha_ one +obtaineth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. One should then +proceed to _Vamanaka_ celebrated over the three worlds. Bathing there in +_Vishnupada_ and worshipping Vamana one's soul being purified from every +sin, one goeth to the abode of Vishnu. Bathing next in Kulampuna, one +sanctifieth his own race. Proceeding then to the _Pavana-hrada_, that +excellent _tirtha_ of the _Marutas_, and bathing there, O king and tiger +among men, one becometh adored in the region of the Wind-god. Bathing in +the _Amara-hrada_ and worshipping with devotion the chief of the +celestials, one becometh adored in heaven and courseth, seated on an +excellent car, in the company of the immortals. O best of great men, +bathing next with due rites in the _tirtha_ called _Salisurya_, of +_Salihotra_, one obtaineth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. O +best of the Bharatas, there is a tirtha called _Sreekunja_ in the +Saraswati. Bathing there, O best of men, one obtaineth the merit of the +_Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. O son of the Kuru race, one should next repair +to _Naimishakunja_. O king, the Rishis engaged in ascetic austerities in +the woods of _Naimisha_ had, in days of old, taking the vow of +pilgrimage, gone to Kurukshetra. There, on the banks of the Saraswati, O +chief of the Bharatas, a grove was made, which might serve for a resting +spot for themselves, and which was highly gratifying to them. Bathing in +the _Saraswati_ there, one obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ +sacrifice. One should next proceed, O virtuous one, to the excellent +_tirtha_ called _Kanya_. Bathing there one obtaineth the merit of the +gift of a thousand kine. One should next proceed to the excellent +_tirtha_ of _Brahma_. Bathing there, a person, of the (three) inferior +orders, obtaineth the status of a Brahmana, and if one be a Brahmana, +his soul being purified from every sin, he attaineth to the highest +state. One should then, O best of men, proceed to the excellent _tirtha_ +called _Soma_. Bathing there, O king, one obtaineth the region of +_Soma_. One should next proceed, O king, to the _tirtha_ called +_Saptasaraswata_, where the celebrated Rishi, Mankanaka, had obtained +ascetic success. O king, it hath been heard by us that in days of old +Mankanaka having cut his hand with the pointed blade of the Kusa grass, +there flowed from his wound vegetable juice (instead of blood). And +beholding vegetable juice flow from his wound, the Rishi began to dance +with wonder-expanded eyes. And as the Rishi danced, all the mobile and +immobile creatures also, overwhelmed with his prowess, began to dance +with him. Then, O king, the gods with Brahma at their head and Rishis +endued with the wealth of asceticism moved by the act of Mankanaka, +represented the matter to Mahadeva, saying, 'It behoveth thee, O god, to +act in such a way that this Rishi may not dance.' Thus addressed, +Mahadeva, with heart filled with joy, approached the dancing Rishi, and +moved by the desire of doing good to the gods, said, 'O great Rishi, O +virtuous one, why dost thou dance? O bull among Munis, what can be the +reason of this thy present joy?' The Rishi answered, 'O best of +Brahmanas, I am an ascetic that tread the path of virtue. Dost thou not +behold, O Brahmana, that vegetable juice floweth from the wound in my +hand? Filled with great joy at sight of this, I am dancing.' Addressing +the Rishi blinded by emotion, the god laughingly said, 'O Brahmana, I do +not wonder at this. Behold me.' Having said this, O best of men, +Mahadeva, O sinless king, pressed his thumb by the tip of his own +finger. And, lo, from the wound thus inflicted, there came out ashes +white as snow. And beholding this, O king, that Muni became ashamed and +fell at the feet of the god. And believing that there was nothing better +and greater than the god Rudra, he began to adore him in these words: 'O +holder of the trident, thou art the refuge of the celestials and the +Asuras, of, indeed, the universe. By thee have been created the three +worlds with their mobile and immobile beings. It is thou again that +swallowest everything at the end of the Yuga. Thou art incapable of +being known by the gods themselves, far less by me. O sinless one, the +gods with Brahma at their head are all displayed in thee. Thou art all, +the Creator himself and the Ordainer of the worlds. It is by thy grace +that all the gods sport without anxiety or fear.' And adoring Mahadeva +thus the Rishi also said, 'O god of gods, grant me thy grace, so that my +asceticism may not diminish.' Then that god of cheerful soul answered +the regenerate Rishi,--saying, 'Let thy asceticism, O Brahmana, increase +a thousandfold through my grace. And, O great Muni, I shall dwell with +thee in this thy asylum. Bathing in _Saptasaraswata_, they that will +worship me, shall be able to attain everything here and hereafter. And, +without doubt, they shall all attain to the _Saraswata_ region in the +end.' Having said this, Mahadeva disappeared then and there. After +visiting _Saraswata_, one should proceed to _Ausanasa_ celebrated over +the three worlds. There, O Bharata, the gods with Brahma at their head, +and Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, and the illustrious +Kartikeya, were ever present during two twilights and the mid-day, +impelled by the desire of doing good to Bhargava. There in that _tirtha_ +is another called _Kapalamochana_, which cleanseth from every sin. O +tiger among men, bathing there one is cleansed from every sin. One +should then proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Agni_. Bathing there, O bull +among men, one obtaineth the regions of _agni_ and raiseth his own race +(from lower regions). There in that _tirtha_ is another, O chief of the +Bharatas, that belongeth to Viswamitra. Bathing there, O best of men, +one obtaineth the status of a Brahmana. Proceeding next to Brahmayoni in +purity of body and with subdued soul, one obtaineth, O tiger among men, +by bathing there, the abode of Brahma, and sanctifieth, without doubt, +his own race to the seventh generation up and down. One should next +proceed, O king, to the _tirtha_ celebrated over the three worlds, which +is called _Prithudaka_, belonging to Kartikeya. One should bathe there +and occupy oneself in the worship of the Pitris and the gods. Whatever +evil hath been committed, knowingly or unknowingly, by man or woman, +impelled by human motives, is all destroyed, O Bharata, by a bath in +that _tirtha_. Bathing there one obtaineth, too, the merit of the +horse-sacrifice and heaven also. The learned have said that +_Kurukshetra_ is holy; that holier than _Kurukshetra_ is the +_Saraswati_; that holier than the Saraswati are all the _tirthas_ +together, and that holier than all the _tirthas_ together is +_Prithudaka_. He that engaged in the recitation of prayers casteth off +his body at Prithudaka, which is the best of all _tirthas_, becometh an +immortal. It hath been sung by Sanatkumara and by the high-souled Vyasa, +and it is in the Vedas also, that one should, O king, go to Prithudaka, +with subdued soul. O son of Kuru race, there is no _tirtha_ which is +superior to Prithudaka. Without doubt, that _tirtha_ is purifying, holy +and sin-destroying. O best of men, it hath been said by learned persons +that men, however sinful, by bathing in Prithudaka, go to heaven. O best +of the Bharatas, there in that _tirtha_ is another called _Madhusrava_. +Bathing there, O king, one obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand +kine. One should then proceed, O king, to that celebrated and sacred +_tirtha_ where the Saraswati uniteth with the Aruna. One that batheth +there, having fasted for three nights, is cleansed of even the sin of +slaying a Brahmana, and obtaineth also merit that is superior to that of +either the _Agnishtoma_ or _Atiratra_ sacrifice, and rescueth his race +to the seventh generation up and down. There in that _tirtha_ is +another, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, that is called Ardhakila. From +compassion for the Brahmanas, that _tirtha_ was made by Darbhi in days +of old. Without doubt, by vows, by investiture of the sacred, by fasts, +by rites and by _Mantras_, one becometh a Brahmana. O bull among men, it +hath been seen, however, by learned persons of old that even one +destitute of rites and _Mantras_, by only bathing in that _tirtha_ +becometh learned and endued with the merit of vows. Darbhi had also +brought hither the four oceans. O best of men, one that batheth here, +never meeteth with distress hereafter and obtaineth also the merit of +giving away four thousand kine. One should next repair, O virtuous one, +to the _tirtha_ called _Satasahasraka_. Near to this is another called +_Sahasraka_. Both are celebrated, and one that batheth in them, +obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Fasts and gifts +there multiply a thousandfold. One should next proceed, O king, to the +excellent _tirtha_ called _Renuka_. One should bathe there and worship +the _Pitris_ and the gods. By this, cleansed from every sin, he +obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. Bathing next in the +_tirtha_ called _Vimochana_ with passions and senses under control, one +is cleansed from all the sins generated by the acceptance of gifts. With +senses under control and practising the Brahmacharya mode of life, one +should next repair to the woods of Panchavati. By a sojourn thither, one +earneth much virtue and becometh adored in the regions of the virtuous. +One should next go to the _tirtha_ of _Varuna_ called _Taijasa_, blazing +in effulgence of its own. There in that _tirtha_ is the lord of Yoga, +Sthanu himself, having for his vehicle the bull. He that sojourneth +there, obtaineth success by worshipping the god of gods. It was there +that the gods with Brahma at their head and Rishis endued with wealth of +asceticism, installed Guha as the generalissimo of the celestials. To +the east of that _tirtha_ is another, O perpetuator of Kuru race, that +is called Kuru _tirtha_. With senses under control and leading a +Brahmacharya mode of life, he that bathes in _Kuru-tirtha_, becometh +cleansed of all his sins and obtaineth the region of Brahma. With +subdued senses and regulated diet one should next proceed to +_Svargadwara_. Sojourning thither, one obtaineth the merit of the +_Agnishtoma_ sacrifice and goeth to the abode of Brahma. The pilgrim +should then, O king, proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Anaraka_. Bathing +there, O king, one never meeteth with distress hereafter. There, O king, +Brahma himself with the other gods having Narayana at their head, is +ever present, O tiger among men! And, O royal son of the Kuru race, the +wife also of Rudra is present there. Beholding the goddess, one never +meeteth with distress hereafter. There in that _tirtha_ O king, is also +(an image of) _Visweswara_, the lord of Uma. Beholding the god of gods +there, one is cleansed of all his sins. Beholding also (the image of) +_Narayana_ from whose navel had sprung the lotus, one blazeth forth, O +royal represser of all foes, and goeth to the abode of Vishnu. O bull +among men, he that batheth in the _tirthas_ of all the gods, is exempted +from every sorrow and blazeth forth like the Moon. The pilgrim should +next proceed, O king, to _Swastipura_. By walking around that place, one +obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Arriving next at the +_tirtha_ called _Pavana_, one should offer oblations to the _Pitris_ and +the gods. By this, he obtaineth, O Bharata, the merit of the +_Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. Near to that is _Ganga-hrada_, and another, O +Bharata, called _Kupa_. Thirty millions of _tirthas_, O king, are +present in that Kupa. Bathing there, O king, a person obtaineth heaven. +Bathing also in the _Ganga-hrada_ and adoring Maheswara, one obtaineth +the status of _Ganapatya_ and rescueth his own race. One should next +proceed to _Sthanuvata_, celebrated over the three worlds. Bathing +there, O king, one obtaineth heaven. One should then proceed to +_Vadanpachana_, the asylum of _Vasishtha_. Having fasted there for three +nights, one should eat jujubes. He that liveth on jujubes for twelve +years, and he that fasteth at the _tirtha_ for three nights, acquireth +merit that is eternal. Arriving then at _Indramarga_, O king, and +fasting there for a day and night the pilgrim becometh adored in the +abode of Indra. Arriving next at the _tirtha_ called _Ekaratra_, a +person that stayeth there for one night, with regulated vows and +refraining from untruth, becometh adored in the abode of Brahma. One +should next go, O king, to the asylum of _Aditya_--that illustrious god +who is a mass of effulgence. Bathing in that tirtha celebrated over +three worlds, and worshipping the god of light, one goeth to the region +of Aditya and rescueth his own race. The pilgrim then, O king, bathing +in the _tirtha_ of _Soma_, obtaineth, without doubt, the region of Soma. +One should next proceed, O virtuous one, to the most sacred _tirtha_ of +the illustrious _Dadhicha_, that sanctifying _tirtha_ which is +celebrated over the whole world. It was here that Angiras, that ocean of +ascetic austerities belonging to the Saraswata race, was born. Bathing +in that _tirtha_, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and +without doubt, gaineth also residence in the region of Saraswati. With +subdued senses and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life, one should next +proceed to _Kanyasrama_. Residing there for three nights, O king, with +subdued senses and regulated diet, one obtaineth a hundred celestial +damsels and goeth also to the abode of Brahma. One should next, O +virtuous one, proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Sannihati_. Sojourning +thither the gods with Brahma at their head and Rishis endued with wealth +of asceticism earn much virtue. Bathing in the Saraswati during a solar +eclipse, one obtaineth the merit of a hundred horse-sacrifices, and any +sacrifice that one may perform there produceth merit that is eternal. +Whatever _tirthas_ exist on earth or in the firmament, all the rivers, +lakes, smaller lakes, springs, tanks, large and small, and spots sacred +to particular gods, without doubt, all come, O tiger among men, month +after month, and mingle with _Sannihati_, O king of men! And it is +because that all other _tirthas_ are united together here, that this +_tirtha_ is so called. Bathing there and drinking of its water, one +becometh adored in heaven. Listen now, O king, to the merit acquired by +that mortal who performeth a _Sraddha_ on the day of the new moon during +a solar eclipse. The person that performeth a _Sraddha_ there, after +having bathed in that _tirtha_, obtaineth the merit that one earneth by +properly celebrating a thousand horse-sacrifices. Whatever sins a man or +woman committeth, are, without doubt, all destroyed as soon as one +batheth in that _tirtha_. Bathing there one also ascendeth to the abode +of Brahma on the lotus-coloured car. Bathing next in _Koti-tirtha_, +after having worshipped the Yaksha doorkeeper, Machakruka, one obtaineth +the merit of giving away gold in abundance. Near to this, O best of the +Bharatas, is a _tirtha_ called _Ganga-hrada_. One should bathe there, O +virtuous one, with subdued soul and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life. +By this, one obtaineth merit that is greater than that of a Rajasuya and +horse-sacrifices. The _tirtha_ called _Naimisha_ is productive of good +on earth. _Pushkara_ is productive of good in the regions of the +firmament; _Kurukshetra_, however, is productive of good in respect of +all the three worlds. Even the dust of Kurukshetra, carried by the wind, +leadeth sinful men to a highly blessed state. They that reside in +Kurukshetra, which lieth to the north of the Drishadwati and the south +of the Saraswati, really reside in heaven. '_I will go to Kurukshetra,' +'I will dwell in Kurukshetra_,' he that uttereth those words even once, +becometh cleansed of all sins. The sacred _Kurukshetra_ which is +worshipped by Brahmarshis, is regarded as the sacrificial altar of the +celestials. Those mortals that dwell there, have nothing to grieve for +at any time. That which lieth between Tarantuka and Arantuka and the +lakes of Rama and Machakruka is Kurukshetra. It is also called +_Samantapanchaka_ and is said to be the northern sacrificial altar of +the Grandsire."'" + + +SECTION LXXXIV + +"'Pulastya said, "Then, O great king, one should proceed to the +excellent _tirtha_ of _Dharma_, where the illustrious god of justice had +practised highly meritorious austerities. And it is for this that he +made the spot a sacred _tirtha_ and rendered it celebrated by his own +name. Bathing there, O king, a virtuous man with concentrated soul +certainly sanctifieth his family to the seventh generation. One should +then repair, O king, to the excellent _Jnanapavana_. Sojourning thither, +one obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice, and goeth to the +region of the Munis. Then, O monarch, a man should repair to the +_Saugandhika-vana_. There dwell the celestials with Brahma at their +head, Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, the Siddhas, the +Charanas, the Gandharvas, the Kinnaras and the serpents. As soon as one +entereth these woods, he is cleansed of all his sins. Then, O king, +should one repair to the sacred goddess Saraswati, known there as the +goddess Plaksha, that best of streams and foremost of rivers. There +should one bathe in the water issuing from an ant-hill. (Bathing there +and) worshipping the Pitris and the gods, one obtaineth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice. There existeth a rare _tirtha_ called _Isanadhyushita_, +lying from the ant-hill at the distance of six throws of a heavy stick. +As seen in the Puranas, O tiger among men, bathing there a man obtaineth +the merit of giving away a thousand Kapila kine and of the +horse-sacrifice. Journeying next, O foremost of men, to _Sugandha_, and +_Satakumbha_ and _Pancha-yaksha_, a man becometh adored in heaven. +Repairing to another _tirtha_ there called _Trisulakhata_, one should +bathe and set himself to worship the Pitris and the gods. Doing so, +without doubt, one obtaineth, after death, the status of _Ganapatya_. +One should next proceed, O king, to the excellent spot of the Goddess +celebrated over the three worlds by the name of _Sakamvari_. There, for +the space of a thousand celestial years, she of excellent vows, month +after month, had subsisted upon herbs, O king of men! And attracted by +their reverence for the Goddess, many Rishis with wealth of asceticism, +came thither, O Bharata, and were entertained by her with herbs. And it +is for this that they bestowed on her the name of _Sakamvari_. O +Bharata, the man who arriveth at _Sakamvari_, with rapt attention and +leading a Brahmacharya mode of life and passeth three nights there in +purity and subsisting on herbs alone, obtaineth, at the will of the +goddess, the merit of him that liveth upon herbs for twelve years. Then +should one proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Suvarna_, famed through the +three worlds. There in days of old, Vishnu had paid his adorations to +Rudra, for his grace, and obtaineth also many boons difficult of +acquisition even by the gods. And, O Bharata, the gratified destroyer of +Tripura said, 'O Krishna, thou shalt, without doubt, be much beloved in +the world, and the foremost of everything in the universe.' Repairing +thither, O king, and worshipping the deity having the bull for his mark, +one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice as also the status of +_Ganapatya_. One should next proceed to the _tirtha_ of _Dhumavati_. +Fasting there for three nights, one obtaineth, without doubt, all the +wishes cherished by him. To the southern half of this spot of the +Goddess, there is, O king, a _tirtha_ called _Rathavarta_. One should, O +virtuous one, go up to that place, with devout heart, and having his +senses under control. By this, through the grace of Mahadeva, one +attaineth to an exalted state. After walking round the place, one +should, O bull of the Bharata race, proceed to the _tirtha_ named +_Dhara_, which, O thou of great wisdom, washeth off all sins. Bathing +there, O tiger among men, a man is freed from every sorrow. One should +then repair, O virtuous one, after bowing to the great mountain +(Himavat), to the source of the Ganges, which is, without doubt, like +the gate of heaven. There should one, with concentrated soul, bathe in +the _tirtha_ called _Koti_. By this, one obtaineth the merit of the +Pundarika sacrifice, and delivereth his race. Residing one night there, +one acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. By offering +oblations of water duly to the gods and the Pitris, at _Saptaganga_, +_Triganga_ and _Sakravarta_, (which are all there), becometh adored in +the regions of the virtuous. Bathing next at _Kanakhala_, and fasting +there for three nights, a person reapeth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice and goeth to heaven. Then O lord of men, the pilgrim +should repair to _Kapilavata_. Fasting for one night there, he obtaineth +the merit of giving away a thousand kine. O king, there is a _tirtha_ of +the illustrious Kapila, king of the Nagas, that is celebrated, O thou +best of Kurus, over all the worlds. Bathing there at the _Nagatirtha_ +one obtaineth, O king, the merit of giving away a thousand Kapila kine. +One should next repair to the excellent _tirtha_ of _Santanu_, called +_Lalitika_. Bathing there, O king, one never sinketh into distress +(hereafter). The man that bathes at the confluence of the Ganga and the +Yamuna, obtains the merit of ten horse-sacrifices, and also rescues his +race. One should next, O king, go to _Sugandha_, celebrated over the +world. By this, cleansed of every sin, he becometh adored in the abode +of Brahma. Then, O lord of men, the pilgrim should repair to +_Rudravarta_. Bathing there, one ascendeth to heaven. Bathing at the +confluence of the Ganga and the Saraswati, a person obtaineth the merit +of the horse-sacrifice and also ascendeth to heaven. Proceeding next to +_Bhadrakarneswara_ and worshipping the gods duly, one, without sinking +into distress, becometh adored in heaven. Then, O lord of men, the +pilgrim should proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Kuvjamraka_. By this he +obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine, and heaven also. +Then, O king, the pilgrim should go to the _Arundhativata_. Proceeding +thither with concentrated soul and practising the Brahmacharya vows, one +that batheth in _Samudraka_ and fasteth for three nights, obtaineth the +merit of the horse-sacrifice and of giving away a thousand kine, and +also rescueth his race. One should next proceed to _Brahmavarta_, with +concentrated soul and practising the Brahmacharya vows. By this, one +obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and goeth to the region of +Soma. The man that proceedeth to the _Yamuna-prabhava_, (the source of +the Yamuna) and batheth there, obtaineth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice and is worshipped in heaven. Arriving at +_Darvisankramana_, that _tirtha_ which is worshipped of the three +worlds, a person obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and goeth to +heaven. Repairing next to _Sindhu-prabhava_ (the source of the Indus) +which is worshipped by Siddhas and Gandharvas, and staying there for +five nights, one obtaineth the merit of giving away gold in abundance. +Proceeding next to the inaccessible _tirtha_ called _Vedi_, one +obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and ascendeth to heaven. +Then, O Bharata, should one proceed to _Rishikulya_ and _Vasishtha_. By +visiting the latter, all orders attain to Brahmanhood. Repairing to +_Rishikulya_ and bathing there, and living a month upon herbs, and +worshipping the gods and Pitris, one is cleansed of all his sins, and +obtaineth the region of the Rishis. Proceeding next to _Bhrigutunga_ a +person acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Repairing then to +_Vipramoksha_, one is freed from every sin. Proceeding then to the +_tirtha_ of _Krittika_ and _Magha_, one, O Bharata, obtaineth the merit +superior to that of the _Agnishtoma_ and _Atiratha_ sacrifices. The man +who, repairing to the excellent _tirtha_ called _Vidya_, batheth there +in the evening, obtaineth proficiency in every kind of knowledge. One +should next reside for one night at _Mahasrama_ capable of destroying +every sin, taking a single meal. By this, one obtains many auspicious +regions, and delivers ten preceding and ten succeeding generations of +his race. Dwelling next for a month of Mahalaya, and fasting there for +three nights, one's soul is cleansed of all sins and one acquires the +merit of giving away gold in abundance. Proceeding next to _Vetasika_ +worshipped by the Grandsire, one obtaineth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice and the state of Usanas. Going next to the _tirtha_ +called _Sundarika_, worshipped by the Siddhas, one obtaineth personal +beauty as witnessed by the ancients. Proceeding next to Brahmani with +subdued senses and observing the Brahmacharya vow, a person ascendeth to +the region of Brahma on a lotus-hued car. One should repair next to the +sacred Naimisha, worshipped by the Siddhas. There dwelleth for aye +Brahma with the gods. By only purposing to go to Naimisha, half one's +sins are destroyed; by entering it, one is cleansed of all his sins. The +pilgrim of subdued senses should stay at Naimisha for a month; for, O +Bharata, all the _tirthas_ of the earth are at Naimisha. Bathing there, +with restrained senses and regulated fare, one obtains, O Bharata, the +merit of the cow-sacrifice, and also sanctifies, O best of the Bharatas, +his race for seven generations both upwards and downwards. He who +renounceth his life at Naimisha by fasting, enjoyeth happiness in the +heavenly regions. Even this is the opinion of the wise. O foremost of +kings, Naimisha is ever sacred and holy. Proceeding next to +_Gangod-bheda_ and fasting there for three nights, a man obtaineth the +merit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice, and becometh like unto Brahma +himself. Journeying to the Saraswati, one should offer oblations unto +the gods and the Pitris. By this, one certainly enjoyeth bliss in the +regions called Saraswata. Then should one wend to _Vahuda_, with subdued +soul and observing the Brahmacharya vow. Residing there for one night, +one becometh adored in heaven, and obtaineth also, O Kaurava, the merit +of the _Devasatra_ sacrifice. Then should one repair to the holy +_Kshiravati_, frequented by holier men. By worshipping the gods and the +Pitris there, one obtains the merit of the _Vajapeya sacrifice_. +Proceeding next to _Vimalasoka_, with subdued soul and observing the +Brahmacharya vow, and residing there for one night, one is adored in +heaven. One should next proceed to the excellent _Gopratra_ in the +Sarayu, whence Rama, O king, with all his attendants and animals, +renouncing his body, ascended to heaven in consequence of the efficacy +of the _tirtha_ alone. Bathing in that _tirtha_, O Bharata, one's soul, +through Rama's grace, and by virtue of his own deeds, being cleansed of +all sins, one becometh adored in heaven. O Bharata! Proceeding next, O +son of the Kuru race, to the _Rama-tirtha_ on the Gomati, and bathing +there, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and sanctifieth +also his own race. There, O bull of the Bharata race, is another +_tirtha_ called _Satasahasrika_. Bathing there, with restrained senses +and regulated diet, a person reapeth, O bull of Bharata race, the merit +of giving away a thousand kine. Then should one, O king, go to the +unrivalled _tirtha_ called _Bhartristhana_. By this, a person obtaineth +the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Bathing next in the _tirtha_ called +_Koti_, and worshipping Kartikeya, a man reapeth, O king, the merit of +giving away a thousand kine, and acquireth great energy. Proceeding next +to _Varanasi_, and worshipping the god having the bull for his mark, +after a bath in the _Kapilahrada_, one obtaineth the merit of the +Rajasuya sacrifice. Repairing then, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, to +the _tirtha_ called _Avimukta_, and beholding there the god of gods, the +pilgrim, from such sight alone, is immediately cleansed of even the sin +of slaying a Brahmana. By renouncing one's life there, one obtaineth +deliverance. Arriving next, O king, at the rare _tirtha_ called +_Markandeya_ celebrated over the world and situated at the confluence of +the Ganges, a person obtaineth the merit of _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice, and +delivereth his race. Sojourning next to _Gaya_, with subdued senses and +observing the Brahmacharya vow, one obtaineth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice and also rescueth his race. There in that _tirtha_ is +the _Akshaya-vata_, celebrated over the three worlds. Whatever is +offered there to the Pitris is said to become inexhaustible. Bathing +there at the _Mahanadi_, and offering oblations to the gods and the +Pitris, a man acquireth eternal regions, and also rescueth his race. +Proceeding then to _Brahma-sara_ that is adorned by the woods of Dharma, +and passing one night there, a man attaineth to the region of Brahma. In +that lake, Brahma had raised a sacrificial pillar. By walking round this +pillar, a person acquireth the merit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice. One +should next, O mighty monarch, go to _Denuka_ celebrated over the world. +Staying there for one night and giving away sesame and kine, one's soul +being cleansed from every sin, one ascendeth, without doubt to the +region of Soma. There, O king, on the mountains, the cow called Kapila +used to range with her calf. There is little doubt of this, O Bharata, +the hoof-marks of that cow and her calf are seen there to this day. By +bathing in those hoof-prints, O foremost of monarchs, whatever sin a man +may have incurred is, O Bharata, washed away. Then should one go to +_Gridhravata_, the spot consecrated to the trident-bearing god. +Approaching the deity having the bull for his mark one should rub +himself with ashes. If a Brahmana, he obtains the merit of observing the +twelve year's vow and if belonging to any of the other orders, he is +freed from all his sins. One should next proceed to the _Udyanta_ +mountains, resounding with melodious notes. There, O bull of the Bharata +race, is still seen the foot-print of Savitri. The Brahmana of rigid +vows, who sayeth his morning, noon and evening prayers there, obtaineth +the merit of performing that service for twelve years. There, O bull of +the Bharata race, is the famous _Yonidwara_. Repairing thither, a person +becometh exempted from the pain of rebirth. The person that stayeth at +Gaya during both the dark and lighted fortnights, certainly sanctifieth, +O king, his own race up and down to the seventh generation. One should +wish for many sons so that even one may go to Gaya, or celebrate the +horse-sacrifice, or offer a _nila_ bull. Then, O king, the pilgrim +should proceed to _Phalgu_. By this, he obtains the merit of +horse-sacrifice, and acquires great success. O king, one should repair +then, with subdued soul, to _Dharmaprishta_. There, O foremost of +warriors, dwelleth Dharma for aye. Drinking of the water of a well which +is there, and purifying one's self by a bath, he that offereth oblations +to the gods and the Pitris is cleansed of all his sins and ascendeth to +heaven. There in that _tirtha_ is the hermitage of the great Rishi +Matanga of soul under complete control. By entering that beautiful +asylum capable of soothing fatigue and sorrow, one earneth the merit of +the _Gacayana_ sacrifice, and by touching (the image of) Dharma which is +there, one obtaineth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. One should next +go, O king, to the excellent _tirtha_ called _Brahmasthana_. Approaching +Brahma, that bull among male beings, who is there, one acquireth, O +mighty monarch, the merit of the Rajasuya and horse-sacrifices. The +pilgrim should then repair to _Rajasuya_, O king of men! Bathing there, +one liveth (in heaven) as happily as (the Rishi) Kakshiyan. After +purifying himself, one should partake there of the offerings daily made +unto the Yakshini. By this, one is freed from the sin of even slaying a +Brahmana, through the Yakshini's grace. Proceeding next to _Maninaga_, +one obtains the merit of giving away a thousand kine. O Bharata, he that +eateth anything relating to the _tirtha_ of _Maninaga_, if bitten by a +venomous snake, doth not succumb to its poison. Residing there for one +night, one is cleansed of one's sins. Then should one proceed to the +favourite wood of the Brahmarshi Gautama. There bathing in the lake of +_Ahalya_, one attaineth to an exalted state. Beholding next the image of +Sree, one acquireth great prosperity. There in that _tirtha_ is a well +celebrated over the three worlds. Bathing in it, one obtaineth the merit +of the horse-sacrifice. There also existeth a well sacred to the royal +Rishi Janaka, which is worshipped by the gods. Bathing in the well, one +ascendeth to the region of Vishnu. Then should one repair to Vinasana +that destroys every sin. By a sojourn thither, one obtaineth the merit +of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice, and goeth also to the region of Soma. +Proceeding next to _Gandaki_ which is produced by the waters of every +_tirtha_, a person acquireth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice, and +ascendeth also to the solar region. Proceeding next to the _Visala_, +that river celebrated over the three worlds, one obtaineth the merit of +the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice and ascendeth also to heaven. Repairing then, +O virtuous one, to the woody seat of ascetics that is called +_Adhivanga_, one obtains, without doubt, great happiness amongst the +Guhyakas. Proceeding next to the river _Kampana_, visited by the +Siddhas, one obtaineth the merit of the _Pundarika_ sacrifice, and +ascendeth also to heaven. Arriving then, O lord of earth, at the stream +called _Maheswari_, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and +also rescueth his own race. Repairing next to the tank of the +celestials, one earneth immunity from misfortune, and also the merit of +the horse-sacrifice. One should next go to _Somapada_, with subdued soul +and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life. Bathing in _Maheswarapada_ that +is there, one reapeth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. There in that +_tirtha_, O bull of the Bharata race, it is well known that ten millions +of _tirthas_ exist together. A wicked Asura in the shape of a tortoise +had, O foremost of monarchs, been carrying it away when the powerful +Vishnu recovered it from him. There in that _tirtha_ should one perform +his ablutions, for by this he acquireth the merit of the _Pundarika_ +sacrifice and ascendeth also to the region of Vishnu. Then, O best of +kings, should one proceed to the place of Narayana, where, O Bharata, +Narayana is ever present and dwelleth for aye. There the gods with +Brahma at their head, Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, the +Adityas, the Vasus, and the Rudras, all adore Janardana, in that +_tirtha_, and Vishnu of wonderful deeds hath become known as +_Salagrama_. Approaching the eternal Vishnu, that lord of the three +worlds, that giver of boons, one obtaineth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice, and goeth to the region of Vishnu. There in that place, +O virtuous one, is a well, capable of destroying every sin. The four +seas are ever present in that well. He that bathes in it, O king, will +have immunity from misfortune. Beholding (the image of) the boon-giving, +eternal, and fierce Mahadeva who is there, one shineth, O king, like the +moon emerged from the cloud. Bathing then in _Jatismara_, with pure mind +and subdued senses, one acquireth, without doubt, the recollections of +his former life. Proceeding then to _Maheswarapura_, and worshipping the +god having the bull for his mark, fasting the while, one obtaineth, +without doubt, the fruition of all his desires. Repairing then to +_Vamana_ that destroys every sin, and beholding the god Hari, one +acquireth exemption from every misfortune. One should next go to the +asylum of _Kusika_ that is capable of removing every sin. Repairing then +to the river _Kausika_ that cleanseth from even great sins, one should +bathe in it. By this one obtaineth the merit of Rajasuya sacrifice. One +should next, O foremost of kings, proceed to the excellent woods of +_Champaka_. By spending there one night, one acquireth the merit of +giving away a thousand kine. Arriving next at _Jyeshthila_, that +_tirtha_ of rare worth, and passing one night there, one reapeth the +fruit of the gift of a thousand kine. Beholding there (the image of) +Visweswara of great splendour, with his consort the goddess, a person +obtaineth, O bull among men, the region of Mitra-Varuna. By fasting +there for three nights, a man acquireth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ +sacrifice. By visiting _Kanya-samvedya_, with senses restrained and +regulated fare, one acquireth, O bull among men, the region of Manu, the +lord of creation. Rishis of rigid vows have said that he that giveth +away rice or maketh any gift at the _tirtha_ called _Kanya_, rendereth +such gift eternal. Arriving next at _Nischira_ celebrated over the three +worlds, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and goeth to the +region of Vishnu. O king, those that give away at the confluence of the +Nischira, ascend to the blessed region of Brahma. There in that _tirtha_ +is the asylum of Vasishtha that is known over the three worlds. Bathing +there, one obtaineth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. Proceeding +next to _Devakuta_ that is resorted to by celestial Rishis, one +acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and also delivereth his +race. Then should one, O king, go to the lake of the _Muni Kausika_, +where Kusika's son, Viswamitra, obtained high success. Bathing there, a +person acquireth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. There, O hero, at +Kausika, should one reside for a month, O bull of the Bharata race! By a +month's residence there, one reapeth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. +He that resideth at the best of tirthas called _Maha-hrada_, enjoys +immunity from misfortune, and also obtains the merit of giving away gold +in abundance. Beholding next Kartikeya who dwelleth at _Virasrama_, a +man certainly reapeth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. Proceeding then +to _Agnidhara_ celebrated over the three worlds, and beholding there +after a bath the eternal and boon-giving Vishnu, that god of gods, one +obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. Proceeding next to +the Grandsire's tank near the snowcapped of mountains, and bathing in +it, a man obtains the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. Falling from +the Grandsire's tank, is that world-sanctifying (stream), celebrated +over the three worlds, called _Kumara-Dhara_. Bathing there, one +regardeth himself as having all his purposes fulfilled. Fasting in that +tirtha for three days, one is even cleansed from the sin of slaying a +Brahmana. The pilgrim should next, O virtuous one, proceed to the peak +of the great goddess Gauri, famed over the three worlds. Ascending it, O +best of men, one should approach _Stana-Kunda_. By touching the waters +of _Stana-Kunda_, a person obtaineth the merit of the _Vajapeya_ +sacrifice. Bathing in that _tirtha_ and worshipping the gods and Pitris, +one acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and also ascendeth to the +region of Indra. Arriving next at the well of _Tamraruna_, that is +frequented by the gods, one acquireth, O lord of men, the merit that +attaches to human sacrifice. Bathing next at the confluence of the +Kirtika with the Kausiki and the Aruna, and fasting there for three +nights a man of learning is cleansed of all his sins. Proceeding next to +the _tirtha_ called _Urvasi_, and then to _Somasrama_, a wise man by +bathing next at _Kumbhakarnasrama_ becometh adored in the world. The +ancients knew that by touching the waters of _Kokamukha_, with steady +vows and leading Brahmacharya mode of life, the memory of one's former +life is revived. Arriving next with speed to the river called _Nanda_ a +regenerate one becometh freed from all his sins and ascendeth with soul +under control to Indra's region. Proceeding next to the island called +_Rishabha_, that is destructive of cranes, and bathing in the Saraswati, +an individual blazeth forth in heaven. Proceeding next to the _tirtha_ +called _Auddalaka_ frequented by _Munis_, and bathing there one is +cleansed of all his sins. Repairing next to the sacred _tirtha_ called +_Dharma_ that is visited by Brahmarshis, one acquireth the merit of the +_Vajapeya_ sacrifice and becometh respected in heaven. Proceeding next +to _Champa_ and bathing in the _Bhagirathi_ he that sojourneth to +_Dandaparna_, acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Then +should one proceed to the sacred _Lalitika_ that is graced by the +presence of the virtuous. By this one acquireth the merit of the +Rajasuya sacrifice and is regarded in heaven."'" + + +SECTION LXXXV + +"'Pulastya said, "Arriving next at the excellent _tirtha_ called +_Samvedya_ in the evening, and touching its waters, one surely obtaineth +knowledge. Created a _tirtha_ in days of yore by Rama's energy, he that +proceedeth to _Lauhitya_ obtaineth the merit of giving away gold in +abundance. Proceeding next to the river _Karatoya_, and fasting there +for three nights, a man acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Even +this is the injunction of the Creator himself. It hath been said by the +wise, O king, that if a person goeth to the spot where the Ganga +mingleth with the sea, he reapeth merit which is ten times that of the +horse-sacrifice. Crossing over to the opposite bank of the Ganga, he +that batheth there having resided for three nights is, O king, cleansed +from all his sins. One should next proceed to the _Vaitarani_ capable of +destroying every sin. Arriving next at the _tirtha_ named _Viraja_ one +shineth like the moon, and sanctifying his race rescueth it and is +himself cleansed of all his sins. He that bathes in _Viraja_ further +reapeth the merit of giving away a thousand kine besides sanctifying his +line. Residing with purity at the confluence of the _Sona_ and the +_Jyotirathi_, and offering oblations of water to the gods and the +Pitris, a man reapeth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. Touching +next the waters of the _Vansagulma_ constituting the sources of both the +Sona and the Narmada, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. +Sojourning next to the _tirtha_ called _Rishabha_ in Kosala, O lord of +men, and fasting there for three nights one earneth the merit of the +_Vajapeya_ sacrifice, and of the gift of a thousand kine, and also +delivereth his race. Arriving at Kosala, a man should bathe in the +_tirtha_ named _Kala_. By this one surely obtaineth the merit of giving +away one and ten bulls. By bathing in _Pushpavati_ and fasting there, O +king, for three nights one sanctifieth his own race, besides earning the +merit of the gift of a thousand kine. Then, O foremost of the Bharata +race, by bathing in the _tirtha_ called _Vadarika_, one obtaineth long +life, and also goeth to heaven. Arriving next at _Champa_, and bathing +in the _Bhagirathi_, and seeing _Danda_ one earneth the merit of giving +away a thousand kine. Then should one go to the sacred _Lapetika_, +graced by the presence of the pious. By so doing one reapeth the merit +of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice and also becometh regarded by the gods. +Proceeding next to the mountain called _Mahendra_, inhabited (of yore) +by Jamadagnya, and bathing in Rama's _tirtha_, a person acquireth the +merit of the horse-sacrifice. Here is Matanga's _tirtha_ called +_Kedara_, O son of the Kuru race! Bathing in it, O foremost of the +Kurus, a man obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Going +to the mountain _Sree_, one who toucheth the waters of the stream that +is there by worshipping there the god having the bull for his mark +obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. On the mountain Sree +dwelleth happily, the effulgent Mahadeva with the goddess, as also +Brahma with the other gods. By bathing in the lake of _Deva_, with +purity and restrained mind, one obtaineth the merit of the +horse-sacrifice, and also attaineth to the highest success. + +"'"Proceeding next to the mountain _Rishabha_ in Pandya, worshipped by +the gods, one obtains the merit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice and rejoices +in heaven. One should next proceed to the river Kaveri, frequented by +Apsaras. Bathing there, O monarch, one obtaineth the merit of giving +away a thousand kine. Touching next the waters of the _tirtha_ called +_Kanya_ on the shores of the sea one is cleansed from every sin. +Proceeding next to _Gokarna_ celebrated over the three worlds, and which +is situate, O best of kings, in the midst of the deep, and is reverenced +by all the worlds, and where the gods headed by Brahma, and Rishis +endued with wealth of asceticism, and spirits and Yakshas and Pisachas, +and Kinnaras and the great Nagas, and Siddhas and Charanas and +Gandharvas, and men and Pannagas, and rivers, Seas and Mountains, +worship the lord of Uma, one should worship _Isana_, fasting there for +three nights. By this, one acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, +and the status of _Ganapatya_. By staying there for twelve nights, one's +soul is cleansed of all sins. One should next proceed to the _tirtha_ +known as _Gayatri_ celebrated over the three worlds. Staying there for +three nights, one acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. A +strange phenomenon is seen to occur there in respect to Brahmanas, O +Lord of men! If a Brahmana, whether born of a Brahmani or any other +woman, reciteth the _Gayatri_ there, the recitation becomes rhythmic and +musical, while, O king, a person who is not a Brahmana cannot adequately +hymn it at all. Proceeding next to the inaccessible tank of the Brahmana +Rishi Samvarta, one acquireth personal beauty and prosperity. Repairing +next to _Vena_, he that offers oblations of water to the gods and the +Pitris, obtains a car drawn by peacocks and cranes. Going next to the +_Godavari_, ever frequented by the Siddhas, one earneth the merit of the +cow-sacrifice, and goeth to the excellent region of _Vasuki_. Bathing +next at the confluence of the _Venna_, one obtains the merit of the +_Vajapeya_ sacrifice. By a dip next at the confluence of _Varada_, one +acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Arriving next at +_Brahmasthuna_, one that stayeth there for three nights acquireth the +merit of giving away a thousand kine, and also ascendeth to heaven. +Coming next to _Kusaplavana_, with subdued soul and leading a +Brahmacharya mode of life, and staying there for three nights he that +bathes in it obtains the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Bathing next at +the romantic _Deva-hrada_ that is supplied by the waters of the +Krishna-Venna, and also in the _Jatismara-hrada_, one acquireth the +memory of one's former life. It was there that the chief of the +celestials celebrated a hundred sacrifices and ascended to heaven. By a +visit only to that spot, one acquireth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ +sacrifice. Bathing next in the _Sarvadeva-hrada_, a person obtaineth the +merit of giving away a thousand kine. Proceeding next to the highly +sacred tank called _Payoshni_, that best of waters, he that offers +oblations of water to the gods and the Pitris acquires the merit of the +gift of a thousand kine. Arriving next at the sacred forest of +_Dandaka_, a person should bathe (in the waters) there. By this, O king, +one at once obtains, O Bharata, the merit of giving away a thousand +kine. Proceeding next to the asylum of _Sarabhanga_ and that of the +illustrious Suka, one acquireth immunity from misfortune, besides +sanctifying his race. Then should one proceed to _Surparaka_, where +Jamadagni's son had formerly dwelt. Bathing in that _tirtha_ of Rama, +one acquireth the merit of giving away gold in abundance. Bathing next +in the _Saptagadavara_, with the subdued sense and regulated diet, one +earneth great merit, and goeth also to the region of the celestials. +Proceeding next to _Deva-hrada_, with subdued sense and regulated diet, +a man obtaineth the merit of the _Devasatra_ sacrifice. One should +proceed next to the forest of _Tungaka_, with subdued senses and leading +a Brahmacharya mode of life. It was here that in olden days Muni +Saraswata taught the Vedas to the ascetics. When the Vedas had been lost +(in consequence of the Munis having forgotten them), Angirasa's son, +seated at ease on the upper garments of the Munis (duly spread out), +pronounced distinctly and with emphasis the syllable _Om_. And at this, +the ascetics again recollected all that they had learnt before. It was +there that the Rishis and the gods Varuna, Agni, Prajapati, Narayana +also called Hari, Mahadeva and the illustrious Grandsire of great +splendour, appointed the resplendent Bhrigu to officiate at a sacrifice. +Gratifying Agni by libations of clarified butter poured according to the +ordinance, the illustrious Bhrigu once performed the _Agnyadhana_ +sacrifice for all those Rishis, after which both they and the gods went +away to their respective homes one after another. One who enters the +forest of _Tungaka_, is, O best of kings, male or female, cleansed of +every sin. There in that _tirtha_, O hero, one should reside for a +month, with subdued senses and regulated diet. By this, O king, one +ascendeth to the region of Brahma, and delivereth also his race. +Arriving next at _Medhavika_, one should offer oblations of water to the +gods and the Pitris. By this, one acquires the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ +sacrifice, and also memory and intellect. There in that _tirtha_ is the +mountain known over the whole world and called _Kalanjara_. Bathing in +the celestial lake that is there, one acquires the merit of giving away +a thousand kine. He that, O king, after a bath, offereth oblations (to +the gods and the Pitris) on the Kalanjara mountain, is, without doubt, +regarded in heaven. Proceeding next, O monarch, to the river _Mandakini_ +capable of destroying all sins and which is on that best of mountains +called _Chitrakuta_, he that bathes there and worships the gods and the +Pitris, obtains the merit of the horse-sacrifice and attains to an +exalted state. One should next, O virtuous one, proceed to the excellent +_tirtha_ called _Bhartristhana_, where, O king, ever dwells the +celestial generalissimo Kartikeya. By a journey only to that spot, a +person, O foremost of kings, attaineth to success. Bathing next at the +_tirtha_ called _Koti_, one earneth the merit of giving away a thousand +kine. Having walked round Koti, one should proceed next to +_Jyeshthasthana_. Beholding Mahadeva who is there, one shineth like the +moon. There, O mighty monarch, is a celebrated well, O bull of the +Bharata race! There in that well, O foremost of warriors, are the four +seas. He that bathes there, O foremost of kings, and with subdued soul +worships the gods and the Pitris, is cleansed of all his sins and +attaineth to an exalted state. Then, O mighty king, should one proceed +to the great _Sringaverapura_, where, O foremost of kings, formerly +Rama, Dasaratha's son, had crossed (the Ganga). Bathing in that +_tirtha_, one, O mighty-armed one, is cleansed of all his sins. Bathing +with subdued senses and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life, in the +Ganga, one is cleansed of every sin, and obtains also the merit of the +_Vajapeya_ sacrifice. One should next proceed to the place called +_Mayuravala_, consecrated to Mahadeva of high intelligence. Beholding +there the god, bowing down to him and walking round the spot, one +acquireth, O Bharata, the _Ganapatya_ status. Bathing in Ganga at that +_tirtha_, one is cleansed of all his sins. Then, O king, should one +proceed to _Prayaga_, whose praises have been sung by Rishis and where +dwell the gods with Brahma at their head, the directions with their +presiding deities, the Lokapalas, the Siddhas, the Pitris adored by the +worlds, the great Rishis--Sanatkumara and others, stainless +Brahmarshis--Angiras and others,--the Nagas, the Suparnas, the Siddhas, +the Snakes, the Rivers, the Seas, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, and the +Lord Hari with Prajapati. There in that _tirtha_ are three fiery caverns +between which the Ganga, that foremost of _tirthas_, rolleth rapidly. +There in that region also the world-purifying daughter of the sun, +Yamuna, celebrated over the three worlds, uniteth with the Ganga. The +country between the Ganga and the Yamuna is regarded as the _mons +veneris_ of the world, and Prayaga as the foremost point of that region. +The _tirthas Prayaga, Pratisthana, Kamvala, Aswatara_ and _Bhogavati_ +are the sacrificial platforms of the Creator. There in those places, O +foremost of warriors, the Vedas and the Sacrifices, in embodied forms, +and the Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, adore Brahma, and there +the gods and rulers of territories also celebrate their sacrifices. The +learned, however, say that of all these _tirthas_, O exalted one, +Prayaga is the most sacred, in fact, the foremost of all _tirthas_ in +the three worlds. By going to that _tirtha_, by singing its praises, or +by taking a little earth from it, one is cleansed from every sin. He +that bathes in that confluence celebrated over the world, acquires all +the merits of the Rajasuya and the horse-sacrifices. This sacrificial +place is worshipped by the gods themselves. If a man giveth there ever +so little, it increaseth, O Bharata, a thousandfold. O child, let not +the texts of the Veda, nor the opinions of men dissuade thy mind from +the desire of dying at Prayaga. O son of the Kuru race, the wise say +that six hundred million and ten thousand _tirthas_ exist at Prayaga. +Bathing in the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna, one obtains the merit +that attaches to the four kinds of knowledge and the merits also of +those that are truthful. There at Prayaga is the excellent _tirtha_ of +_Vasuki_ called _Bhogavati_. He that batheth in it, obtaineth the merit +of the horse-sacrifice. There also in the Ganga is the _tirtha_ famed +over the three worlds, called _Ramaprapatana_, which conferreth the +merit of ten horse-sacrifices, O son of the Kuru race! Wherever may a +person bathe in the Ganga, he earneth merit equal to that of a trip to +Kurukshetra. An exception, however, is made in favour of _Kanakhala_, +while the merit attaching to _Prayaga_ is the greatest. Having committed +a hundred sins, he that bathes in the Ganga, hath all his sins washed +off by the waters thereof, even as fuel is consumed by fire. It hath +been said that in the _Satyayuga_ all the _tirthas_ were sacred; in the +_Treta_, Pushkara alone was such; in _Dwapara_, Kurukshetra; and in the +_Kali-yuga_, the Ganga alone is sacred. In Pushkara, one should practise +austerities; in Mahalaya, one should give away; in the Malaya mountains, +one should ascend the funeral pyre; and in Bhrigutunga, one should +renounce one's body by forgoing food. Bathing in Pushkara, in +Kurukshetra, in the Ganga and in the confluence (of the Ganga and the +Yamuna), one sanctifieth seven generations of one's race up and down. He +that reciteth the name of the Ganga is purified; while he that beholdeth +her, receiveth prosperity; while he that bathes in her and drinks of her +waters sanctifieth seven generations of his race up and down. As long, O +king, as one's bones lie in contact with the waters of the Ganga, so +long doth he live regarded in heaven, even as one liveth in heaven in +consequence of the merit he earneth by pious pilgrimages to sacred +_tirthas_ and holy spots. There is no _tirtha_ that is like unto the +Ganga, there is no god like unto Kesava, and there is none superior to +Brahmanas,--this hath been said even by the Grandsire. O great king, the +region through which the Ganga flows should be regarded as a sacred +asylum, and a spot of land that is on the Ganga's banks, should be +regarded as one favourable to the attainment of ascetic success. + +"'"This truthful description (of the _tirthas_) one should recite only +unto the regenerate ones, unto those that are pious, unto one's son and +friends and disciples and dependents. This narrative, without a rival, +is blessed and holy and leadeth to heaven. Holy and entertaining and +sanctifying, it is productive of merit and high worth. Destructive of +every sin, it is a mystery that the great Rishis cherish with care. By +reciting it in the midst of Brahmanas, one is cleansed of every sin, and +ascends to heaven. This description of _tirthas_ is auspicious and +heaven-giving and sacred; ever blessed as it is, it destroys one's +enemies; foremost of all accounts, it sharpens the intellect. By reading +this narrative the sonless obtains sons, the destitute obtains riches, a +person of the royal order conquereth the whole earth, the Vaisya cometh +by wealth, the Sudra obtaineth all his desires, and the Brahmana +crosseth the ocean (of the world). Purifying himself, he that listens +daily to the merits of the different _tirthas_, recollects the incidents +of many previous births and rejoices in heaven. Of the _tirthas_ that +have been recited here, some are easily accessible, while others are +difficult of access. But he that is inspired with the desire of +beholding all _tirthas_, should visit them even in imagination. Desirous +of obtaining merit, the Vasus, and the Sadhyas, the Adityas, the Maruts, +the Aswins, and the Rishis equal unto celestials, all bathed in these +_tirthas_. Do thou also, O thou of the Kuru race, observing the +ordinance as explained by me, visit, with subdued senses, these +_tirthas_, increasing thy merit, O thou of excellent vows. Men of piety +and learning are able to visit these _tirthas_, by reason of their +purified senses, their belief in Godhead, and their acquaintance with +the Vedas. He that doth not observe vows, he that hath not his soul +under control, he that is impure, he that is a thief, and he that is of +crooked mind, doth not, O Kauravya, bathe in _tirthas_. Thou art ever +observant of virtue, and art of pure character. By thy virtue, O +virtuous one, thou hast always gratified thy father and thy +grand-father, and great-grand-fathers, and the gods with Brahma at their +head, and the _Rishis_ also, O thou versed in virtue! Thou who +resemblest Vasava, thou wilt, O Bhishma, attain to the region of the +Vasus, and also eternal fame on earth!"' + +"Narada continued, 'Having cheerfully spoken thus, the illustrious Rishi +Pulastya, well-pleased, bidding Bhishma farewell, disappeared there and +then. And Bhishma also, O tiger among men, well understanding the true +import of the _Shastras_, wandered over the world at the command of +Pulastya. Thus, O thou blessed one, did Bhishma end at Prayaga his +highly meritorious journey to the _tirthas_ capable of destroying all +sins. The man that ranges the earth in accordance with these +injunctions, obtains the highest fruit of a hundred horse-sacrifices and +earns salvation hereafter. Thou wilt, O son of Pritha, obtain merit +consisting of the eight attributes, even like that which Bhishma, the +foremost of the Kurus, had obtained of yore. And as thou wilt lead these +ascetics to those _tirthas_, thy merit will be much greater. Those +_tirthas_ are infested by Rakshasas, and no one, save thyself, O son of +Kuru race, can go there. Rising early he that reciteth this narrative by +the celestial Rishis on the subject of the _tirthas_, becometh free from +all sins. Those foremost of Rishis, Valmiki, and Kasyapa, and Atreya, +and Kundajathara, and Viswamitra, and Gautama, and Asita, and Devala, +and Markandeya, and Galava, and Bharadwaja, and Vasishtha, and the +_Muni_ Uddalaka, and Saunaka with his son, and Vyasa, that best of +ascetics, and Durvasas, that foremost of _Munis_, and Javali of great +austerities--all these illustrious _Rishis_ endued with wealth of +asceticism, are staying in expectation of thee. With these, O mighty +king, do thou meet by visiting these _tirthas_. And, O illustrious +monarch, a great Rishi of immeasurable energy, Lomasa by name, will come +to thee. Do thou follow him, and me, and by turns visit these _tirthas_, +O thou virtuous one! By this, thou wilt acquire great fame, like king +Mahabhisha! O tiger among kings, even as the virtuous Yayati and king +Pururavas, dost thou blaze forth with thy own virtue. Like king +Bhagiratha and the illustrious Rama, dost thou shine among kings even as +the Sun himself. And thou art, O great king, celebrated (in the world) +even as Muni or Ikshwaku, or the highly famous Puru or Vainya! And as in +days of yore the slayer of Vritra, after burning all his foes, ruled the +three worlds, his mind freed from anxiety, so wilt thou rule thy +subjects, after slaying all thy enemies. And, O thou of eyes like lotus +leaves, having conquered the earth according to the customs of thy +order, thou wilt obtain renown by thy virtue, even like +Kartaviryaryuna.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "O great king, having comforted the monarch +thus, the illustrious Rishi Narada, bidding farewell to the king, +disappeared there and then. And the virtuous Yudhishthira, reflecting +upon the subject, began to recite unto the ascetics the merit attaching +to _tirthas_!" + + +SECTION LXXXVI + +Vaisampayana continued, "Having ascertained the opinion of his brothers, +and of the intelligent Narada, king Yudhishthira, addressing Dhaumya, +who was like unto the Grandsire himself, said, 'I have for the +acquisition of arms, sent away that tiger among men, Jishnu, whose +prowess is incapable of being baffled, and who is possessed of long arms +and immeasurable intelligence. O thou of ascetic wealth, that hero is +devoted to me, endued with ability, and well-skilled in weapons, and +like unto the exalted Vasudeva himself. I know them both, Krishna and +Arjuna, those destroyers of enemies, O Brahmana, endued with prowess, +even as the puissant Vyasa knoweth them. I know Vasudeva and Dhananjaya +to be none else than Vishnu himself, possessed of the six attributes. +And this is also what Narada knoweth, for he hath always spoken so unto +me. I also know them to be _Rishis_, Nara and Narayana. Knowing him to +possess the ability, I have sent him (on the mission). Not inferior unto +Indra and fully competent (for the task), I have sent that son of a god +to see the lord of the celestials and obtain weapons from him. Bhishma +and Drona are _Atirathas_. Kripa and the son of Drona are invincible; +these mighty warriors have been installed by Dhritarashtra's son in the +command of his army. All these are versed in the Vedas, are heroic, and +possessed of the knowledge of every weapon. Endued with great strength, +these always desire to encounter Arjuna in fight. And Karna also of the +_Suta_ caste is a mighty warrior versed in celestial weapons. In respect +of the impetus of his weapons, he is endued with the strength of the +Wind-god. Himself like a flame of fire, the arrows (proceeding from him) +constitute its tongues. The slaps of his left hand cased in leathern +fence constitute the crackling of that flame. The dust of the +battle-field is its smoke. Urged by the sons of Dhritarashtra even as +the wind urgeth the fire, Karna like unto the all-consuming fire at the +end of the _Yuga_ that is sent by Death himself, will, without doubt, +consume my troops like unto a heap of straw. Only that mighty mass of +clouds called Arjuna, aided by Krishna like unto a powerful wind, with +celestial weapon representing its fierce lightning, the white steeds, +the rows of white cranes coursing underneath and the unbearable Gandiva, +the rainbow ahead, is capable of extinguishing the blazing flame +represented by Karna by means of its arrowy showers let off with +unflagging steadiness. That conqueror of hostile cities, Vibhatsu, will, +without doubt, succeed in obtaining from Indra himself all the celestial +weapons with their fullness and life. Alone he is equal, I think, unto +them all. Otherwise it is impossible (for us) to vanquish in fight all +those foes, who have attained to eminent success in all their purposes. +We shall behold Arjuna, that repressor of foes, fully equipped with +celestial weapons, for Vibhatsu having once undertaken a task, never +droopeth under its weight. Without that hero, however, that best of men, +ourselves, with Krishna, cannot be at rest in Kamyaka. Therefore, do +thou mention some other wood that is sacred and delightful, and abounds +in food and fruits, and that is inhabited by men of pious +practices:--where we may pass some time, expecting the warlike Arjuna of +unbaffled prowess, like the _Chataka_ in expectation of gathering +clouds. Do thou tell us of some asylums open to the regenerate ones, and +lakes and streams and beautiful mountains. O Brahmana, deprived of +Arjuna, I do not like to stay in this wood of Kamyaka. We wish to go +somewhere else.'" + + +SECTION LXXXVII + +Vaisampayana said, "Beholding the Pandavas afflicted with anxiety and +depressed in spirits, Dhaumya, who resembled Vrihaspati, spake thus, +comforting them, 'O bull of the Bharata race, O sinless one, listen to +me as I mention certain sacred asylums and regions and _tirthas_ and +mountains that are approved of by Brahmanas. O king, listen to me as I +speak, thyself with the daughter of Drupada and thy brothers, wilt, O +lord of men, be relieved from grief. And, O son of Pandu, by hearing +only of these places, thou wilt acquire merit. And by visiting them thou +wilt obtain merit a hundred times greater, O best of men! First, O king, +I will, so far as I recollect, speak of the beautiful eastern country, +much regarded, O Yudhishthira, by royal Rishis. In that direction, O +Bharata is a place called Naimisha which is regarded by the celestials. +There in that region are several sacred tirthas belonging to the gods. +There also is the sacred and beautiful Gomati which is adored by +celestial Rishis and there also is the sacrificial region of the gods +and the sacrificial stake of Surya. In that quarter also is that best of +hills called Gaya, which is sacred and much regarded by royal ascetics. +There on that hill, is the auspicious lake called Brahmasara which is +adored by celestial Rishis. It is for this that the ancients say that +one should wish for many sons, so that even one among them may visit +Gaya, celebrate the horse-sacrifice or give away a _nila_ bull, and +thereby deliver ten generations of his race up and down. There, O +monarch, is a great river, and spot called Gayasira. In Gayasira is a +banian, which is called by the Brahmanas the _Eternal_ banian, for the +food that is offered there to the Pitris becometh eternal, O exalted +one! The great river that floweth by the place is known by the name of +Phalgu, and its waters are all sacred. And, O bull among the Bharatas, +there also, in that place, is the Kausiki, whose basin abounds in +various fruit and roots, and where Viswamitra endued with wealth of +asceticism acquired Brahmanahood. Towards that direction also is the +sacred Ganga, on whose banks Bhagiratha celebrated many sacrifices with +profuse gifts (to Brahmanas). They say that in the country of Panchala, +there is a wood called Utpala, where Viswamitra of Kusika's race had +performed sacrifices with his son, and where beholding the relics of +Viswamitra's superhuman power, Rama, the son of Jamadagni, recited the +praises of his ancestry. At Kamyaka, Kusika's son had quaffed the _Soma_ +juice with Indra. Then abandoning the Kshatriya order, he began to say, +_I am a Brahmana_. In that quarter, O hero is the sacred confluence of +Ganga and Yamuna which is celebrated over the world. Holy and +sin-destroying, that _tirtha_ is much regarded by the Rishis. It is +there that the soul of all things, the Grandsire, had, in olden days, +performed his sacrifice, and it is for this, O chief of the Bharata +race, that the place hath come to be called Prayaga. In this direction, +O foremost of kings, lieth the excellent asylum of Agastya, O monarch, +and the forest called Tapasa, decked by many ascetics. And there also is +the great _tirtha_ called Hiranyavinda on the Kalanjara hills, and that +best of mountains called Agastya, which is beautiful, sacred and +auspicious. In that quarter, O descendant of the Kuru race, is the +mountain called Mahendra, sacred to the illustrious Rama of the Bhrigu +race. There, O son of Kunti, the Grandsire performed sacrifices of yore. +There, O Yudhishthira, the sacred Bhagiratha entereth a lake and there +also, O king, is that sacred river known by the name of the +merit-bestowing Brahmasara, whose banks are inhabited by persons whose +sins have been washed away, and whose sight alone produceth merit. In +that direction also lieth the high-souled Matanga's excellent asylum, +called Kedara which is sacred and auspicious and celebrated over the +world. And there also is the mountain called Kundoda, which is so +delightful and abounding in fruits and roots and waters, and where the +king of the Nishadhas (Nala) had slaked his thirst and rested for a +while. In that quarter also is the delightful Deva-vana which is graced +by ascetics. There also are the rivers Vahuda and Nanda on the +mountain's crest. O mighty king, I have described unto thee all the +_tirthas_ and sacred spots in the Eastern quarter. Do thou now hear of +the sacred _tirthas_, and rivers and mountains and holy spots in the +other three quarters!'" + + +SECTION LXXXVIII + +"Dhaumya continued, 'Listen, O Bharata, I shall now narrate to thee in +detail according to my knowledge, the sacred _tirthas_ of the south. In +that quarter lieth the sacred and auspicious river Godavari, full of +water abounding in groves and frequented by ascetics. In that direction +also are the rivers Venna and Bhimarathi, both capable of destroying sin +and fear, and abounding in birds and deer, and graced with abodes of +ascetics. In that region also, O bull of the Bharata race, is the +_tirtha_ of the royal ascetic, Nriga _viz_., the river Payoshni, which +is delightful and full of waters and visited by Brahmanas. There the +illustrious Markandeya, of high ascetic merit sang the praises in verse +of king Nriga's line. We have heard respecting the sacrificing king +Nriga that which really took place while he was performing a sacrifice +in the excellent _tirtha_ called Varaha on the Payoshni. In that +sacrifice Indra became intoxicated with quaffing the _Soma_, and the +Brahmanas, with the gifts they received. The water of the Payoshni, +taken up (in vessel), or flowing along the ground, or conveyed by the +wind, can cleanse a person from whatever sins he may commit till the day +of his death. Higher than heaven itself, and pure, and created and +bestowed by the trident-bearing god, there in that _tirtha_ is an image +of Mahadeva beholding which a mortal goeth to the region of Siva. +Placing on one scale Ganga and the other rivers with their waters, and +on the other, the Payoshni, the latter, in my opinion would be superior +to all the _tirthas_, together, in point of merit! Then, O foremost of +the Bharata race, on the mountain called Varunasrotasa is the sacred and +auspicious wood of Mathara abounding in fruits and roots, and containing +a sacrificial stake. Then, O king, it is said that in the region on the +north of the Praveni, and about the sacred asylum of Kanwa, are many +woody retreats of ascetics. And, O child, in the _tirtha_ called +Surparaka are two sacrificial platforms of the illustrious Jamadagni, +called Pashana and Punaschandra, O Bharata! And, O son of Kunti, in that +spot is the _tirtha_ called Asoka abounding in woody retreats of +ascetics. And, O Yudhishthira, in the country of the Pandyas are the +_tirthas_ named Agastya and Varuna! And, O bull among men, there, +amongst the Pandavas, is the _tirtha_ called the Kumaris. Listen, O son +of Kunti, I shall now describe Tamraparni. In that asylum the gods had +undergone penances impelled by the desire of obtaining salvation. In +that region also is the lake of Gokarna which is celebrated over the +three worlds, hath an abundance of cool waters, and is sacred, +auspicious, and capable, O child, of producing great merit. That lake is +extremely difficult of access to men of unpurified souls. Near to that +_tirtha_ is the sacred asylum of Agastya's disciple, the mountain +Devasabha, which abounds in trees and grass, and fruits and roots. And +there also is the Vaiduryya mountain, which is delightful abounding in +gems and capable of bestowing great merit. There on that mountain is the +asylum of Agastya abounding in fruits and roots and water. + +"'I shall now, O lord of men, describe the sacred spots, and asylums, +and rivers and lakes belonging to the Surashtra country! O Yudhishthira, +the Brahmanas say that on the sea-coast is the Chamasodbheda, and also +Prabhasa, that _tirtha_ which is much regarded by the gods. There also +is the _tirtha_ called Pindaraka, frequented by ascetics and capable of +producing great merit. In that region is a mighty hill named Ujjayanta +which conduceth to speedy success. Regarding it the celestial _Rishi_ +Narada of great intelligence hath recited an ancient _sloka_. Do thou +listen to it, O Yudhishthira! By performing austerities on the sacred +hill of Ujjayanta in Surashtra, that abounds in birds and animals, a +person becometh regarded in heaven. There also is Dwaravati, producing +great merit, where dwelleth the slayer of Madhu, who is the Ancient one +in embodied form, and eternal virtue. Brahmanas versed in the Vedas, and +persons acquainted with the philosophy of the soul say that the +illustrious Krishna is eternal Virtue. Govinda is said to be the purest +of all pure things, the righteous of the righteous and the auspicious of +the auspicious. In all the three worlds, He of eyes like lotus-leaves is +the God of gods, and is eternal. He is the pure soul and the active +principle of life, is the Supreme _Brahma_ and is the lord of all. That +slayer of Madhu, Hari of inconceivable soul, dwelleth there!'" + + +SECTION LXXXIX + +"Dhaumya continued, 'I shall describe to thee those sacred spots capable +of producing merit that lie on the west. In the country of the Anarttas, +O Bharata, there flows in a westward course the sacred river Narmada, +graced by _Priyangu_ and mango trees, and engarlanded with thickest of +canes. All the _tirthas_ and sacred spots, and rivers and woods and +foremost of mountains that are in the three worlds, all the gods with +the Grandsire, along with the Siddhas, the Rishis and the Charanas, O +best of the Kurus, always come, O Bharata, to bathe in the sacred waters +of the Narmada. And it hath been heard by us that the sacred asylum of +the Muni Visravas, had stood there, and that there was born the lord of +treasures, Kuvera, having men for his vehicles. There also is that +foremost of hills, the sacred and auspicious Vaidurya peak abounding +with trees that are green and which are always graced with fruit and +flowers. O lord of the earth, on the top of that mountain is a sacred +tank decked with full-blown lotus and resorted to by the gods and the +Gandharvas. Many are the wonders, O mighty monarch, that may be seen on +that sacred mountain which is like unto heaven itself and which is +visited by celestial Rishis. There, O subjugator of hostile cities, is +the sacred river called Viswamitra belonging to the royal sage of that +name and which abounds, O king, in many sacred _tirthas_. It was on the +banks of this river, that Yayati, the son of Nahusha, (fell from heaven) +among the virtuous, and obtained once more the eternal regions of the +righteous. Here also are the well-known lake called _Punya_, the +mountain called Mainaka, and that other mountain called Asita abounding +in fruits and roots. And here also is the sacred asylum of Kakshasena, +and O Yudhishthira, the asylum of Chyavana also, which is famed over +every country, O son of Pandu! In that spot, O exalted one, men attain +to (ascetic) success without severe austerities. Here also, O mighty +king, is the region called Jamvumarga, inhabited by birds and deer, and +which constitutes the retreat of ascetics with souls under control, O +thou foremost of those that have subdued their senses! Next lie the +exceedingly sacred Ketumala, and Medhya ever graced with ascetics, and, +O lord of earth, Gangadwara, and the well-known woods of Saindhava which +are sacred and inhabited by the regenerate ones. There also is the +celebrated tank of the Grandsire, called Pushkara, the favourite abode +of the Vaikanasas, and Siddhas and Rishis. Moved by the desire of +obtaining its protection, the Creator sang this verse at Pushkara, O +chief of the Kurus and foremost of virtuous men! If a person of pure +soul purposes a pilgrimage to the Pushkaras in imagination even, he +becometh purged from all his sins and rejoiceth in heaven!'" + + +SECTION XC + +"Dhaumya continued, 'O tiger among kings, I shall now describe those +_tirthas_ and sacred spots that lie to the north. Do thou, O exalted +one, listen to me attentively. By hearing this narration, O hero, one +acquireth a reverential frame of mind, which conduceth to much good. In +that region is the highly sacred Saraswati abounding in _tirthas_ and +with banks easy of descent. There also, O son of Pandu, is the +ocean-going and impetuous Yamuna, and the _tirtha_ called +Plakshavatarana, productive of high merit and prosperity. It was there +that the regenerate ones having performed the _Saraswata_ sacrifice, +bathed on the completion thereof, O sinless one, in the well-known +celestial _tirtha_ called Agnisiras, which is productive of great merit. +There king Sahadeva had celebrated a sacrifice measuring out the ground +by a throw of the _Samya_. It is for this reason, O Yudhishthira, that +Indra sang the praises of Sahadeva in verse. Those verses are still +current in this world, being recited by the regenerate ones, e.g., _on +the Yamuna Sahadeva worshipped the sacrificial fire, with gifts in a +hundred thousands to Brahmanas_. There the illustrious king, the +imperial Bharata, performed five and thirty horse-sacrifices. O child, +we have heard that Sarabhanga of yore used to fully gratify the desires +of the regenerate ones. There in this region is his celebrated asylum +productive of great merit. In that region also, O son of Pritha, is the +river Saraswati, which is ever worshipped by the god, where, in days of +yore, the Valikhilyas, O great king, performed sacrifices. In that +region also, O Yudhishthira, is the well-known river Drisadwati, which +is productive of great merit. Then, O chief of men, are Nyagrodhakhya, +and Panchalya, and Punyaka and Dalbhyaghosha, and Dalbhya, which are, O +son of Kunti, the sacred asylum in the world of illustrious Anandayasas +of excellent vows and great energy, and which are celebrated over the +three worlds. Here also, O lord of men, the illustrious Etavarna and +Avavarana versed in the Vedas, learned in Vedic lore, and proficient in +the knowledge of Vedic rites, performed meritorious sacrifices, O chief +of the Bharata race! There also is Visakhayupa to which, in days of +yore, came the gods with Varuna and Indra, and practised ascetic +austerities. And therefore is that spot so eminently sacred. Here also +is Palasaka, where the great and illustrious and highly blessed Rishi +Jamadagni performed sacrifices. There all the principal rivers in their +embodied forms taking their respective waters stood surrounding that +best of sages. And there also, O monarch, Vibhavasu (fire) himself, +beholding that high-souled one's initiation, sang the following _sloka: +"The river coming to the illustrious Jamadagni while sacrificing unto +the gods gratified the Brahmanas with offerings of honey."_ O +Yudhishthira, the spot where Ganga rusheth past, cleaving the foremost +of mountains which is frequented by Gandharvas and Yakshas and Rakshasas +and Apsaras, and inhabited by hunters, and Kinnaras, is called +Gangadwara. O king, Sanatkumara regardeth that spot visited by +Brahmarshis, as also the _tirtha_ Kanakhala (that is near to it), as +sacred. There also is the mountain named Puru which is resorted to by +great Rishis and where Pururavas was born, and Bhrigu practised ascetic +austerities. For this it is, O king, that asylum hath become known as +the great peak of Bhrigutunga. Near that peak is the sacred and +extensive Vadari, that highly meritorious asylum, famed over the three +worlds, of him, O bull of the Bharata race, who is the Present, the Past +and the Future, who is called Narayana and the lord Vishnu, who is +eternal and the best of male beings, and who is pre-eminently +illustrious. Near Vadari, the cool current of Ganga was formerly warm, +and the banks there were overspread with golden sands. There the gods +and Rishis of high fortune and exceeding effulgence, approaching the +divine lord Narayana, always worship him. The entire universe with all +its _tirthas_ and holy spots is there where dwelleth the divine and +eternal Narayana, the Supreme soul, for he is Merit, he is the Supreme +_Brahma_, he is _tirtha_, he is the ascetic retreat, he is the First, he +is the foremost of gods, and he is the great Lord of all creatures. He +is eternal, he is the great Creator, and he is the highest state of +blessedness. Learned persons versed in the scriptures attain to great +happiness by knowing him. In that spot are the celestial Rishis, the +Siddhas, and, indeed, all the Rishis,--where dwelleth the slayer of +Madhu, that primeval Deity and mighty Yogin! Let no doubt enter thy +heart that that spot is the foremost of all holy spots. These, O lord of +earth, are the _tirthas_ and sacred spots on earth, that I have recited, +O best of men! These all are visited by the Vasus, the Sadhyas, the +Adityas, the Marutas, the Aswins and the illustrious Rishis resembling +the celestials themselves. By journeying, O son of Kunti, to those +places, with the Brahmanas and ascetics that are with thee and with thy +blessed brothers, thou wilt be freed from anxiety!'" + + +SECTION XCI + +Vaisampayana continued, "O son of the Kuru race, while Dhaumya was +speaking thus, there arrived at the spot the Rishi Lomasa of great +energy. And the king, who was the eldest of Pandu's sons, with his +followers and those Brahmanas sat round the highly righteous one, like +celestials in heaven sitting round Sakra. And having received him duly, +Yudhishthira the just enquired after the reason of his arrival, and the +object also of his wanderings. Thus asked by Pandu's son, the +illustrious ascetic, well-pleased, replied in sweet words delighting the +Pandayas, 'Travelling at will, O Kaunteya, over all the regions, I came +to Sakra's abode, and saw there the lord of the celestials. There, I saw +thy heroic brother capable of wielding the bow with his left hand, +seated on the same seat with Sakra. And beholding Partha on that seat I +was greatly astonished, O tiger among men! And the lord of the +celestials then said unto me, "_Go thou unto the sons of Pandu_." At the +request, therefore, of Indra as also of the high-souled son of Pritha +have I come hither with speed, desiring to see thee with thy younger +brothers. O child, I will relate what will please thee highly, O son of +Pandu! Do thou listen to it, O king, with Krishna and the Rishis that +are with thee. O bull of the Bharata race, Partha hath obtained from +Rudra that incomparable weapon for the acquisition of which thou hadst +sent him to heaven. That fierce weapon, known by the name of +_Brahma-sira_ which arose after _Amrila_, and which Rudra had obtained +by means of ascetic austerities, hath been acquired by Arjuna together +with the _Mantras_ for hurling and withdrawing it, and the rites of +expiation and revival. And, O Yudhishthira, Arjuna of immeasurable +prowess hath also acquired Vajras and _Dandas_ and other celestial +weapons from Yama and Kuvera and Varuna and Indra, O son of the Kuru +race! And he hath also thoroughly learnt music, both vocal and +instrumental, and dancing and proper recitation of the _Saman_ (Veda) +from Vishwavasu's son. And having thus acquired weapons and mastered the +_Gandhama Veda_, thy third brother Vibhatsu liveth happily (in heaven). +Listen to me, O Yudhishthira, for I shall now deliver to thee the +message of that foremost of celestials. He hath commanded me saying, +"Thou wilt, no doubt, go to the world of men. O best of Brahmanas, tell +thou Yudhishthira these words of mine. Soon will thy brother Arjuna come +to thee, having acquired arms and accomplished a great deed for the +celestials that is incapable of being accomplished by themselves. Do +thou meanwhile devote thyself to ascetic austerities, with thy brothers. +There is nothing superior to asceticism, and it is by asceticism that a +person achieveth great results. And, O bull of the Bharata race, well do +I know that Karna is endued with great ardour and energy and strength +and prowess that is incapable of being baffled. Well do I know that, +skilled in fierce conflict, he hath not his rival in battle; that he is +a mighty bowman, a hero deft in the use of fierce weapons and cased in +the best of mail. Well do I know that that exalted son of Aditya +resembleth the son of Maheswara himself. Well do I also know the high +natural prowess of the broad-shouldered Arjuna. In battle Karna is not +equal unto even a sixteenth part of Pritha's son. And as for the fear of +Karna which is in thy heart, O repressor of foes, I shall dispel when +Savyasachin will have left heaven. And as regards thy purpose, O hero, +to set out on a pilgrimage to _tirthas_, the great Rishi Lomasa will, +without doubt, speak unto thee. And whatever that regenerate Rishi will +relate unto thee touching the merits of asceticism and _tirthas_, thou +shouldst receive with respect and not otherwise!"'" + + +SECTION XCII + +"Lomasa continued, 'Listen now, O Yudhishthira, to what Dhananjaya hath +said: "Cause my brother Yudhishthira to attend to the practice of virtue +which leadeth to prosperity. Endued with wealth of asceticism, thou art +conversant with the highest morality, with ascetic austerities of every +kind, with the eternal duties of kings blessed with prosperity, and the +high and sanctifying merit that men obtain from _tirthas_. Persuade thou +the sons of Pandu to acquire the merit attaching to _tirthas_. Do thou +with thy whole soul persuade the king to visit the _tirthas_ and give +away kine." This is what Arjuna said unto me. Indeed he also said, "Let +him visit all the _tirthas_ protected by thee. Thou wilt also protect +him from Rakshasas, and watch over him in inaccessible regions and +rugged mountain breasts. And as Dadhichi had protected Indra, and +Angiras had protected the Sun, so do thou, O best of regenerate ones, +protect the sons of Kunti from Rakshasas. Along the way are many +Rakshasas, huge as mountain-cliffs. But protected by thee these will not +be able to approach the sons of Kunti." Obedient to the words of Indra +and at the request of Arjuna also protecting thee from dangers, I shall +wander with thee. Before this, O son of the Kuru race, I have twice +visited the _tirthas_. With thee I shall repair to them for the third +time. O Yudhishthira, Manu and other royal _Rishis_ of meritorious deeds +had undertaken journeys to _tirthas_. Indeed, a trip to them is capable +of dispelling all fear, O king! They that are crooked-minded, they that +have not their souls under control, they that are illiterate and +perverse, do not, O Kauravya, bathe in _tirthas_. But thou art ever of a +virtuous disposition and conversant with morality and firm in thy +promises. Thou wilt surely be able to free thyself from the world. For, +O son of Pandu, thou art even as king Bhagiratha, or Gaya, or Yayati, or +any one, O son of Kunti, that is like them.' + +"Yudhishthira answered, 'I am so overwhelmed with delight, O Brahmana, +that I cannot find words to answer thee. Who can be more fortunate than +he who is remembered even by the lord of the celestials? Who can be more +fortunate than he who hath been favoured with thy company, who hath +Dhananjaya for a brother, and who is thought of by Vasava himself? As to +thy words, O illustrious one, in respect of a trip to the _tirthas_, my +mind had already been made up at the words of Dhaumya. O Brahmana, I +shall start, at whatever hour thou mayst be pleased to appoint, on the +proposed journey to _tirthas_. Even this is my firm resolve!'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "Lomasa then said unto Yudhishthira, who had +made up his mind to start on the proposed journey, 'O mighty king, be +thou light as regards thy retinue, for by this thou wilt be able to go +more easily!' + +"Yudhishthira then said, 'Let those mendicants and Brahmanas and _Yogis_ +that are incapable of bearing hunger and thirst, the fatigues of travel +and toil, and the severity of winter, desist. Let those Brahmanas also +desist that live on sweetmeats, and they also that desire cooked viands +and food that is sucked or drunk as well as meat. And let those also +remain behind that are dependent on cooks. Let those citizens that have +followed me from motives of loyalty, and whom I have hitherto kept on +proper stipends, repair to king Dhritarashtra. He will give them their +allowances in due time. If, however, that king refuses to grant them +proper allowances, the king of the Panchalas will, for our satisfaction +and welfare, give them these.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "And thereupon oppressed with grief, the +citizens and the principal Brahmanas and Yatis set out for Hastinapura. +And out of affection for Yudhishthira the just, the royal son of Amvika +received them properly, and gratified them with proper allowances. And +the royal son of Kunti, with only a small number of Brahmanas, abode for +three nights at Kamyaka, cheered by Lomasa." + + +SECTION XCIII + +Vaisampayana said, "Those Brahmanas then, that had been dwelling (with +him) in the woods, beholding the son of Kunti about to set out (on the +pious pilgrimage), approached him, O king, and said, 'Thou art about to +set out, O king, on thy journey to the sacred _tirthas_, along with thy +brothers and accompanied by the illustrious Rishi Lomasa. O king, it +behoveth thee, O son of Pandu, to take us with thee. Without thee, we +shall not be able, O son of the Kuru race, to visit them at any time. +Surrounded by dangers and difficult of access, they are infested by +beasts of prey. Those _tirthas_, O lord of men, are inaccessible to +persons in small parties. Foremost of all wielders of the bow, thy +brothers are ever brave. Protected by your heroic selves, we also would +proceed to them. Permit us to acquire, O lord of earth, through thy +grace the blessed fruit of _tirthas_. Protected by thy energy, let us, O +king, be cleansed of all our sins by visiting those _tirthas_ and +purified by baths therein. Bathing in those _tirthas_, thou also, O +Bharata, wilt acquire without doubt the regions difficult of acquisition +that Kartavirya and Ashtaka, the royal sage Lomapada and the imperial +and heroic Bharata only had earned. In thy company, O king, we desire to +behold Prabhasa and other _tirthas_, Mahendra and other hills, Ganga and +other rivers, and Plaksha and other gigantic trees. If, O lord of men, +thou hast any regard for the Brahmanas, do thou our bidding. Thou wilt +surely have prosperity from this. O thou of mighty arms, the _tirthas_ +are infested by Rakshasas that ever obstruct ascetic penances. It +behoveth thee to protect us from them. Protected by Lomasa and taking us +with thee, go thou to all the _tirthas_ spoken of by Dhaumya and the +intelligent Narada, as also all those that have been spoken of by the +celestial Rishi Lomasa, endued with great ascetic wealth, and be thou, +by this, cleansed of all thy sins.' + +"Thus addressed respectfully by them, the king--that bull amongst the +sons of Pandu--surrounded by his heroic brothers headed by Bhima, with +tears of joy in his eyes, said unto all those ascetics, 'Let it be so.' +With the permission then of Lomasa, as also of his priest Dhaumya, that +foremost of Pandu's sons with soul under complete control, resolved, +along with his brothers and Drupada's daughter of faultless features, to +set out. Just at this time, the blessed Vyasa, as also Parvata and +Narada, all endued with high intelligence, came to Kamyaka for seeing +the son of Pandu. Beholding them, king Yudhishthira worshipped them with +due rites. And worshipped by the monarch thus, those blessed ones, +addressing Yudhishthira, said, 'O Yudhishthira, O Bhima, and ye twins, +banish all evil thoughts from your minds. Purify your hearts and then +set out for the _tirthas_. The Brahmanas have said that the observance +of regulations in respect of the body are called earthly vows, while +efforts to purify the heart, so that it may be free from evil thoughts, +are called spiritual vows. O king, the mind that is free from all evil +thoughts is highly pure. Purifying yourselves, therefore, harbouring +only friendly feelings for all, behold ye the _tirthas_. Observing +earthly vows in respect of your bodies and purifying your minds by +spiritual vows, obtain ye the fruits as recited, of pilgrimages.' + +"Saying, 'So be it,' the Pandavas with Krishna, caused those celestial +and human Rishis to perform the usual propitiatory ceremonies. And those +heroes, having worshipped the feet of Lomasa and Dwaipayana and Narada +and the celestial Rishi Parvata, O king, and accompanied by Dhaumya as +also the ascetics that had been residing with them in the woods, set out +on the day following the full moon of _Agrahayana_ in which the +constellation _Pushya_ was ascendant. Dressed in barks and hides, and +with matted lock on head, they were all cased in impenetrable mail and +armed with swords. And O Janamejaya, the heroic sons of Pandu with +quivers and arrows and scimitars and other weapons, and accompanied by +Indrasena and other attendants with fourteen and one cars, a number of +cooks and servants of other classes, set out with faces turned towards +the east!" + + +SECTION XCIV + +"Yudhishthira said, 'O best of celestial Rishis, I do not think that I +am without merits. Yet am I afflicted with so much sorrow that there +never was a king like me. I think, however, that my enemies are +destitute of good qualities and even destitute of morality. Yet why, O +Lomasa, do they prosper in this world?' + +"Lomasa said, 'Grieve not ever, O king, O son of Pritha, that sinful men +should often prosper in consequence of the sins they commit. A man may +be seen to prosper by his sins, obtain good therefrom and vanquish his +foes. Destruction, however, overtakes him to the roots. O king, I have +seen many Daityas and Danavas prosper by sin but I have also seen +destruction overtake them. O exalted one, I have seen all this in the +righteous age of yore. The gods practised virtue, while the Asuras +abandoned it. The gods visited the _tirthas_, while the Asuras did not +visit them. And at first the sinful Asuras were possessed with pride. +And pride begat vanity and vanity begat wrath. And from wrath arose +every kind of evil propensities, and from these latter sprang +shamelessness. And in consequence of shamelessness, good behaviour +disappeared from among them. And because they had become shameless and +destitute of virtuous propensities and good conduct and virtuous vows, +forgiveness and prosperity and morality forsook them in no time. And +prosperity then, O king, sought the gods, while adversity sought the +Asuras. And when the Daityas and the Danavas, deprived of sense by +pride, were possessed by adversity, Kali also sought to possess them. +And, O son of Kunti, overwhelmed with pride, and destitute of rites and +sacrifices, and devoid of reason and feeling, and their hearts full of +vanity, destruction overtook them soon. And covered with infamy, the +Daityas were soon exterminated. The gods, however, who were virtuous in +their practices, going to the seas, the rivers, the lakes and the holy +spots, cleansed themselves of all sins, O son of Pandu, by means of +ascetic penances and sacrifices and gifts and blessings, and obtained +prosperity and the consequence. And because the gods always performed +sacrifices and holy deeds abandoning every practice that was evil, and +visited the _tirthas_, as the consequence thereof they acquired great +good fortune. Guided by this, O king, do thou also, with thy brothers, +bathe in _tirthas_, for then thou wilt obtain prosperity once more. Even +this is the eternal road. And, O monarch, as king Nriga and Shivi and +Ausinara and Bhagiratha and Vasumanas and Gaya and Puru and Pururavas, +by practising ascetic penances and visiting _tirthas_ and touching +sacred waters and beholding illustrious ascetics, obtained fame and +sanctity and merit and wealth, so wilt thou also obtain prosperity that +is great. And as Ikshwaku with his sons, friends and followers, as +Muchukunda and Mandhatri and king Marutta, as the gods through power of +asceticism and the celestial Rishis also, had all obtained fame, so wilt +thou also obtain great celebrity. The sons of Dhritarashtra, on the +other hand, enslaved by sinfulness and ignorance, will, without doubt, +be soon exterminated like the Daityas.'" + + +SECTION XCV + +Vaisampayana said, "The heroic sons of Pandu, accompanied by their +followers, proceeding from place to place, at last arrived at Naimisha. +O king, reaching the Gomati, the Pandavas bathed in the sacred _tirtha_ +of that stream, and having performed their ablutions there, they gave +away, O Bharata, both kine and wealth! And repeatedly offering oblations +of water, O Bharata, to the gods, the pitris, and the Brahmanas, in the +_tirthas_ called Kanya, Aswa, and Go and staying (as directed) in +Kalakoti and the Vishaprastha hills, the Kauravas then, O king, reached +Vahuda and performed their ablution in that stream. Proceeding next, O +lord of earth, to the sacrificial region of the gods known by the name +Prayaga, they bathed in the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna and residing +there practised ascetic penances of great merit. And the Pandavas, of +truthful promises, bathing in the _tirtha_, cleansed themselves of every +sin. The sons of Pandu then, O king of the Bharata race, accompanied by +those Brahmanas, proceeded to the _tirtha_ called _Vedi_, sacred to the +Creator and adored by the ascetics. Residing there for some time and +gratifying the Brahmanas with the fruit and roots of the wilderness and +clarified butter, those heroes began to practise ascetic penances of +great merit. They then proceeded to Mahidhara consecrated by that +virtuous royal sage Gaya of unrivalled splendour. In that region is the +hill called Gayasira, as well as the delightful river called Mahanadi, +with fine banks graced by bushes of canes. On that celestial hill of +holy peaks is a sacred _tirtha_ called _Brahmasara_ which is much adored +by ascetics. There on the banks of that lake had dwelt of yore the +eternal god himself of justice, and it was thither that the illustrious +Rishi Agastya had repaired to behold that deity. It is from that lake +that all the rivers take their rise and there in that _tirtha_, Mahadeva +the wielder of the _Pinaka_, is present for aye. Arriving at that spot, +the heroic sons of Pandu practised the vow that is known by the name of +the _Chaturmasya_ according to all the rites and ordinances of the great +sacrifice called _Rishiyajna_. It is there that that mighty tree called +the Eternal banian stands. Any sacrifice performed there produces merit +that is eternal. In that sacrificial platform of the gods producing +eternal merit, the Pandavas began to fast with concentrated souls. And +there came unto them Brahmanas by hundreds endued with wealth of +asceticism. And those Brahmanas also all performed the _Chaturmasya_ +sacrifice according to the rites inculcated by the Rishis. And there in +that _tirtha_, those Brahmanas old in knowledge and ascetic merit and +fully versed in the Vedas, that constituted the court of the illustrious +sons of Pandu, talked in their presence upon various subjects of sacred +import. And it was in that place that the learned vow-observing, and +sacred Shamatha, leading, besides, a life of celibacy, spake unto them, +O king, of Gaya, the son of Amurttaraya. And Shamatha said, 'Gaya, the +son of Amurttaraya, was one of the foremost of royal sages. Listen to +me, O Bharata, as I recite his meritorious deeds. It was here, O king, +that Gaya had performed many sacrifices distinguished by the enormous +quantities of food (that were distributed) and the profuse gifts that +were given away (unto Brahmanas). Those sacrifices, O king, were +distinguished by mountains in hundreds and thousands of cooked rice, +lakes of clarified butter and rivers of curds in many hundreds, and +streams of richly-dressed curries in thousands. Day after day were these +got ready and distributed amongst all comers, while, over and above +this, Brahmanas and others, O king, received food that was clean and +pure. During the conclusion also (of every sacrifice) when gifts were +dedicated to the Brahmanas, the chanting of the Vedas reached the +heavens. And so loud, indeed, was the sound of the Vedic _Mantras_ that +nothing else, O Bharata, could be heard there. Thus sacred sounds, O +king, filled the earth, the points of the horizon, the sky and heaven +itself. Even these were the wonders that persons noticed on those +occasions. And gratified with the excellent viands and drinks that the +illustrious Gaya provided, men, O bull of the Bharata race, went about +singing these verses. In Gaya's great sacrifice, who is there today, +amongst creatures, that still desireth to eat? There are yet twenty-five +mountains of food there after all have been fed! What the royal sage +Gaya of immense splendour hath achieved in his sacrifice was never +achieved by men before, nor will be by any in future. The gods have been +so surfeited by Gaya with clarified butter that they are not able to +take anything that anybody else may offer. As sand grains on earth, as +stars in the firmament, as drops showered by rain-charged clouds, cannot +ever be counted by anybody, so can none count the gifts in Gaya's +sacrifice! + +"'O son of the Kuru race, many times did king Gaya perform sacrifices of +this description, here, by the side of this Brahmasara!'" + + +SECTION XCVI + +Vaisampayana said, "After this the royal son of Kunti who was ever +distinguished for his profuse gifts unto Brahmanas, proceeded to the +asylum of Agastya and took up his abode in Durjaya. It was here that +that foremost of speakers, king Yudhishthira asked Lomasa as to why +Agastya had slain Vatapi there. And the king also enquired after the +extent of that man-destroying Daitya's prowess, and the reason also of +the illustrious Agastya's wrath being excited against that Asura. + +"Thus questioned, Lomasa said, 'O son of Kuru race, there was in the +city called Manimati, in days of yore, a Daitya named Ilwala, whose +younger brother was Vatapi. One day that son of Diti addressed the +Brahmana endued with ascetic merit, saying, "O holy one, grant me a son +equal unto Indra." The Brahmana, however, did not grant the Asura a son +like Indra. And at this, the Asura was inflamed with wrath against the +Brahmana. And from that day, O king, the Asura Ilwala became a destroyer +of Brahmanas. And endued with power of illusion the angry Asura +transformed his brother into a ram. And Vatapi also capable of assuming +any form at will, would immediately assume the shape of a ram. And the +flesh of that ram, after being properly dressed, was offered to +Brahmanas as food. And after they had eaten of it, they were slain. For +whomsoever Ilwala summoned with his voice, he would come back to Ilwala +even if he had gone to the abode of Yama, in re-embodied form endued +with life, and show himself to Ilwala. And so having transformed the +Asura Vatapi into a ram and properly cooked his flesh and feeding +Brahmanas therewith, he would summon Vatapi. And the mighty Asura +Vatapi, that foe of Brahmanas, endued with great strength and power of +illusion, hearing, O king, those sounds uttered with a loud voice by +Ilwala, and ripping open the flanks of the Brahmana would come +laughingly out, O lord of earth! And it was thus, O monarch, that the +wicked-hearted Daitya Ilwala, having fed Brahmanas, frequently took away +their lives. + +"'Meanwhile, the illustrious Agastya beheld his deceased ancestors +hanging in a pit with heads downwards. And he asked those personages +thus suspended in that hole, saying, "_What is the matter with you?_" +Thus questioned those utterers of _Brahma_ replied, "It is even for +offspring." And they also told him, "We are your ancestors. It is even +for offspring that we stay suspended in this pit. If, O Agastya, thou +canst beget us a good son, we may then be saved from this hell and thou +also wilt obtain thy blessed state of those having offspring." Endued +with great energy and observant of truth and morality Agastya replied, +saying, "Ye Pitris, I will accomplish your desire. Let this anxiety of +yours be dispelled." And the illustrious Rishi then began to think of +perpetuating his race. But he saw not a wife worthy of him on whom he +himself could take his birth in the form of a son. The Rishi +accordingly, taking those parts that were regarded as highly beautiful, +from creatures possessing them, created therewith an excellent woman. +And the Muni, endued with great ascetic merit, thereupon gave that girl +created for himself to the king of the Vidharbhas who was then +undergoing ascetic penances for obtaining offspring. And that blessed +girl of sweet face (thus disposed of) then took her birth (in Vidarbha's +royal line) and, beautiful as the effulgent lightning, her limbs began +to grow day by day. And as soon as that lord of earth--the ruler of the +Vidarbhas--saw her ushered into life, he joyfully communicated the +intelligence, O Bharata, unto the Brahmanas. And the Brahmanas +thereupon, O lord of earth, blessed the girl and they bestowed upon her +the name Lopamudra. And possessed of great beauty, she began, O monarch, +to grow quickly like unto a lotus in the midst of water or the effulgent +flame of a fire. And when the girl grew and attained to puberty, a +hundred virgins decked in ornaments and a hundred maids waited in +obedience upon her blessed self. And surrounded by those hundred maids +and virgins, she shone in their midst, endued as she was with bright +effulgence, like Rohini in the firmament amid an inferior multitude of +stars. And possessed as she was of good behaviour and excellent manners, +none dared ask for her hand even when she attained to puberty, through +fear of her father, the king of the Vidharbhas. And Lopamudra, devoted +to truth, surpassing the Apsaras even in beauty, gratified her father +and relatives by means of her conduct. And her father, beholding his +daughter--the princess of Vidharbha--attain to puberty, began to reflect +in his mind, saying, "To whom should I give this daughter of mine?"'" + + +SECTION XCVII + +"Lomasa continued, 'When Agastya thought that girl to be competent for +the duties of domesticity, he approached that lord of earth--the ruler +of Vidharbhas--and addressing him, said, "I solicit thee, O king, to +bestow thy daughter Lopamudra on me." Thus addressed by the Muni, the +king of the Vidharbhas swooned away. And though unwilling to give the +Muni his daughter, he dared not refuse. And that lord of earth then, +approaching his queen, said, "This Rishi is endued with great energy. If +angry, he may consume me with the fire of his curse. O thou of sweet +face, tell me what is thy wish." Hearing these words of the king, she +uttered not a word. And beholding the king along with the queen +afflicted with sorrow, Lopamudra approached them in due time and said, +"O monarch, it behoveth thee not to grieve on my account. Bestow me on +Agastya, and, O father, save thyself, by giving me away." And at these +words of his daughter, O monarch, the king gave away Lopamudra unto the +illustrious Agastya with due rites. And obtaining her as wife, Agastya +addressed Lopamudra, saying, "Cast thou away these costly robes and +ornaments." And at these words of her lord, that large-eyed damsel of +thighs tapering as the stem of the plantain tree cast away her handsome +and costly robes of fine texture. And casting them away she dressed +herself in rags and barks and deerskins, and became her husband's equal +in vows and acts. And proceeding then to Gangadwara that illustrious and +best of Rishis began to practise the severest penances along with his +helpful wife. And Lopamudra herself, well pleased, began to serve her +lord from the deep respect that she bore him. And the exalted Agastya +also began to manifest great love for his wife. + +"'After a considerable time, O king, the illustrious Rishi one day +beheld Lopamudra, blazing in ascetic splendour come up after the bath in +her season. And pleased with the girl, for her services, her purity, and +self control, as also with her grace and beauty, he summoned her for +marital intercourse. The girl, however, joining her hands, bashfully but +lovingly addressed the Rishi, saying, "The husband, without doubt, +weddeth the wife for offspring. But it behoveth thee, O Rishi, to show +that love to me which I have for thee. And it behoveth thee, O +regenerate one, to approach me on a bed like to that which I had in the +palace of my father. I also desire that thou shouldst be decked in +garlands of flowers and other ornaments, and that I should approach thee +adorned in those celestial ornaments that I like. Otherwise, I cannot +approach thee, dressed in these rags dyed in red. Nor, O regenerate +Rishi, it is sinful to wear ornaments (on such an occasion)." Hearing +these words of his wife, Agastya replied, "O blessed girl, O thou of +slender waist, I have not wealth like what thy father hath, O +Lopamudra!" She answered saying, "Thou who art endued with wealth of +asceticism, art certainly able to bring hither within a moment, by +ascetic power, everything that exists in the world of men." Agastya +said, "It is even so as thou hast said. That, however, would waste my +ascetic merit. O bid me do that which may not loosen my ascetic merit." +Lopamudra then said, "O thou endued with wealth of asceticism, my season +will not last long, I do not desire, however, to approach thee +otherwise. Nor do I desire to diminish thy (ascetic) merit in any way. +It behoveth thee, however, to do as I desire, without injuring thy +virtue." + +"'Agastya then said, "O blessed girl, if this be the resolve that thou +hast settled in thy heart, I will go out in quest of wealth. Meanwhile, +stay thou here as it pleaseth thee."'" + + +SECTION XCVIII + +"Lomasa continued, 'Agastya then, O son of the Kuru race, went to king +Srutarvan who was regarded as richer than other kings, to beg for +wealth. And that monarch, learning of the arrival of the pot-born Rishi +on the frontiers of his kingdoms, went out with his ministers and +received the holy man with respect. And the king duly offering the +_Arghya_ in the first instance, submissively and with joined hands +enquired then after the reason of the Rishi's arrival. And Agastya +answered saying, "O lord of the earth, know that I have come to thee, +desirous of wealth. Give me a portion according to thy ability and +without doing injury to others."' + +"Lomasa continued, 'The king, then, representing unto the Rishi the +equality of his expenditure and income, said, "O learned one, take thou +from my possessions the wealth thou pleasest." Beholding, however, the +equality of that monarch's expenditure with income, the Rishi who always +saw both sides with equal eyes, thought that if he took anything under +the circumstances, his act would result in injury to creatures. Taking, +therefore, Srutarvan with him, the Rishi went to Vradhnaswa. The latter, +hearing of their arrival on his frontiers, received them duly. And +Vradhnaswa also offered them the _Arghyas_ and water to wash their feet. +And the monarch, with their permission, then enquired after the reason +of their coming. And Agastya said, "O lord of earth, know that we have +come to thee desirous of wealth. Give us what thou canst, without doing +injury to others."' + +"Lomasa continued, 'That monarch then represented unto them the equality +of his expenditure and income, and said, "Knowing this, take ye what ye +desire." The Rishi, however, who saw both sides with equal eyes, +beholding the equality of that monarch's income with expenditure, +thought that if he took anything under the circumstances, his act would +result in injury to all creatures. Agastya and Srutarvan, with king +Vardhnaswa then went to Purokutsa's son, Trasadasyu, of enormous wealth. +The high-souled Trasadasyu, learning of their arrival on the confines of +his kingdom went out, O king, and received them well. And that best of +monarchs in Ikshvaku's line, having worshipped all of them duly, +enquired after the reason of their arrival. And Agastya answered, "O +lord of earth, know that we have all come to thee, desirous of wealth. +Give us what you can, without injuring others."' + +"Lomasa continued, 'That monarch then, represented unto them the +equality of his income with expenditure, and said, "Knowing this, take +ye what ye desire." Beholding, however, the equality of that monarch's +expenditure with income, the Rishi who saw both sides with equal eyes, +thought that if he took anything under the circumstances, his act would +result in injury to all creatures. Then, O monarch, all those kings +looking at one another, together spoke unto the Rishis saying, "O +Brahmana, there is a Danava of the name Ilwala who of all persons on +earth, is possessed of enormous wealth. Let us all approach him to-day +and beg wealth of him."' + +"Lomasa continued, 'This suggestion, O king, of begging wealth of Ilwala +appeared to them to be proper. And, O monarch, all of them went together +to Ilwala after this!'" + + +SECTION XCIX + +"Lomasa said, 'When Ilwala learnt that those kings along with the great +Rishi had arrived on the confines of his domain, he went out with his +ministers and worshipped them duly. And that prince of Asuras received +them hospitably, entertaining them, O son of the Kuru race, with well +dressed meat supplied by his brother Vatapi (transformed into a ram). +Then all those royal sages, beholding the mighty Asura Vatapi, who had +been transformed into a ram thus cooked for them, became sad and +cheerless and were nearly deprived of themselves. But that best of +Rishis--Agastya--addressing those royal sages, said, "Yield ye not to +grief, I will eat up the great Asura." And the mighty Rishi then sat +himself down on an excellent seat, and the prince of Asuras, Ilwala, +began to distribute the food smilingly. And Agastya ate up the whole of +the meat supplied by Vatapi (transformed into a ram). And after the +dinner was over, Ilwala began to summon his brother. But thereupon a +quantity of air alone came out of the illustrious Rishi's stomach, with +a sound that was as loud, O child, as the roar of the clouds. And Ilwala +repeatedly said, "Come out, O Vatapi!" Then that best of +Munis--Agastya--bursting out in laughter, said, "How can he come out? I +have already digested that great Asura." And beholding his brother +already digested, Ilwala became sad and cheerless and joining his hands, +along with his ministers, addressing the Rishi (and his companions), +said, "What for have ye come hither, and what can I do for you?" And +Agastya smilingly answered Ilwala, saying, "We know thee, O Asura, to be +possessed of great power and also enormous wealth. These kings are not +very wealthy while my need also of wealth is great. Give us what thou +canst, without injuring others." Thus addressed Ilwala saluted the Rishi +and said, "If thou say what it is that I mean to give, then will I give +you wealth." Hearing this Agastya said, "O great Asura, thou hast even +purposed to give unto each of these kings ten thousand kine and as many +gold coins. And unto me thou hast purposed to give twice as much, as +also a car of gold and a couple of horses fleet as thought. If thou +enquirest now, thou wilt soon learn that your car is made of gold." +Thereupon, O son of Kunti, Ilwala made enquiries and learnt that the car +he had intended to give away was really a golden one. And the Daitya +then with a sad heart, gave away much wealth and that car, unto which +were yoked two steeds called Virava and Surava. And those steeds, O +Bharata, took those kings and Agastya and all that wealth to the asylum +of Agastya within the twinkling of an eye. And those royal sages then +obtaining Agastya's permission, went away to their respective cities. +And Agastya also (with that wealth) did all that his wife Lopamudra had +desired. And Lopamudra then said, "O illustrious one, thou hast now +accomplished all my wishes. Beget thou a child on me that shall be +possessed of great energy." And Agastya replied unto her, saying, "O +blessed and beauteous one, I have been much gratified with thy conduct. +Listen thou unto me as regards the proposal I make in respect of thy +offspring. Wouldst thou have a thousand sons, or a century of sons each +equal to ten, or ten sons equal each to an hundred, or only one son who +may vanquish a thousand?" Lopamudra answered, "Let me have one son equal +unto a thousand, O thou endued with wealth of asceticism! One good and +learned son is preferable to many evil ones."' + +"Lomasa continued, 'Saying, "So be it," that pious Muni thereupon knew +his devout wife of equal behaviour. And after she had conceived, he +retired into the forest. And after the Muni had gone away, the foetus +began to grow for seven years. And after the seventh year had expired, +there came out of the womb, the highly learned Dridhasyu, blazing, O +Bharata, in his own splendour. And the great Brahmana and illustrious +ascetic, endued with mighty energy, took his birth as the Rishi's son, +coming out of the womb, as if repeating the Vedas with the _Upanishads_ +and the _Angas_. Endued with great energy while yet a child, he used to +carry loads of sacrificial fuel into the asylum of his father, and was +thence called _Idhmavaha_ (carrier of sacrificial wood). And the Muni, +beholding his son possessed of such virtues, became highly glad. + +"'And it was thus, O Bharata, that Agastya begat an excellent son in +consequence of which his ancestors, O king, obtained the regions they +desired. And it is from that time that this spot hath become known on +the earth as the asylum of Agastya. Indeed, O king, this is the asylum +graced with numerous beauties, of that Agastya who had slain Vatapi of +Prahlada's race. The sacred Bhagirathi, adored by gods and Gandharvas +gently runneth by, like a breeze-shaken pennon in the welkin. Yonder +also she floweth over craggy crests descending lower and lower, and +looketh like an affrighted she-snake lying along the hilly slopes. +Issuing out of the matted locks of Mahadeva, she passes along, flooding +the southern country and benefiting it like a mother, and ultimately +mingleth with the ocean as if she were his favourite bride. Bathe ye as +ye like in this sacred river, ye son of Pandu! And behold there, O +Yudhishthira, the _tirtha_ of Bhrigu that is celebrated over the three +worlds and adored, O king, by great Rishis. Bathing here, Rama (of +Bhrigu's race) regained his might, which had been taken away from him +(by Dasaratha's son). Bathing here, O son of Pandu, with thy brothers +and Krishna, thou wilt certainly regain that energy of thine that hath +been taken away by Duryodhana, even as Rama regained his that had been +taken away by Dasaratha's son in hostile encounter.'" + +Vaisampayana continued, "At these words of Lomasa, Yudhishthira bathed +there with his brothers and Krishna, and offered oblations of water, O +Bharata, to the gods and the Pitris. And, O bull among men, after +Yudhishthira had bathed in that _tirtha_, his body blazed forth in +brighter effulgence, and he became invincible in respect of all foes. The +son of Pandu then, O king, asked Lomasa, saying, 'O illustrious one, why +had Rama's energy and might been taken away? And how also did he regain +it? O exalted one, I ask thee, tell me everything.' + +"Lomasa said, 'Listen, O king, to the history of Rama (the son of +Dasaratha) and Rama of Bhrigu's line gifted with intelligence. For the +destruction of Ravana, O king, Vishnu, in his own body, took his birth +as the son of illustrious Dasaratha. We saw in Ayodhya that son of +Dasaratha after he had been born. It was then that Rama of Bhrigu's +line, the son of Richika by Renuka, hearing of Rama the son of +Dasaratha--of spotless deeds--went to Ayodhya, impelled by curiosity, +and taking with him that celestial bow so fatal to the Kshatriyas, for +ascertaining the prowess of Dasaratha's son. And Dasaratha, hearing that +Rama of Bhrigu's race had arrived on the confines of his domains, set +his own son Rama to receive the hero with respect. And beholding +Dasaratha's son approach and stand before him with ready weapons, Rama +of Bhrigu's line smilingly addressed him, O son of Kunti, saying, "O +king, O exalted one, string, if thou canst, with all thy might, this +bow which in my hands was made the instrument of destroying the +Kshatriya race." Thus addressed, Dasaratha's son answered, "O +illustrious one, it behoveth thee not to insult me thus. Nor am I, +amongst the regenerate classes, deficient in the virtues of the +Kshatriya order. The descendants of Ikshwaku in special never boast of +the prowess of their arms." Then unto Dasaratha's son who said so, Rama +of Bhrigu's line replied, "A truce to all crafty speech, O king! Take +this bow." At this, Rama the son of Dasaratha, took in anger from the +hands of Rama of Bhrigu's line that celestial bow that had dealt death +to the foremost of Kshatriyas. And, O Bharata, the mighty hero smilingly +strung that bow without the least exertion, and with its twang loud as +the thunder-rattle, affrighted all creatures. And Rama, the son of +Dasaratha, then, addressing Rama of Bhrigu's said, "Here, I have strung +this bow. What else, O Brahmana, shall I do for thee?" Then Rama, the +son of Jamadagni, gave unto the illustrious son of Dasaratha a celestial +arrow and said, "Placing this on the bow-string, draw to thy ear, O +hero!"'" + +"Lomasa continued, 'Hearing this, Dasaratha's son blazed up in +wrath and said, "I have heard what thou hast said, and even pardoned +thee. O son of Bhrigu's race, thou art full of vanity. Through the +Grandsire's grace thou hast obtained energy that is superior to that of +the Kshatriyas. And it is for this that thou insultest me. Behold me now +in my native form: I give thee sight." Then Rama of Bhrigu's race beheld +in the body of Dasaratha's son the Adityas with the Vasus, the Rudras, +the Sadhyas with the Marutas, the Pitris, Hutasana, the stellar +constellations and the planets, the Gandharvas, the Rakshasas, the +Yakshas, the Rivers, the _tirthas_, those eternal Rishis identified with +_Brahma_ and called the Valkhilyas, the celestial Rishis, the Seas and +Mountains, the Vedas with the Upanishads and _Vashats_ and the +sacrifices, the Samans in their living form, the Science of weapons, O +Bharata, and the Clouds with rain and lightning, O Yudhishthira! And the +illustrious Vishnu then shot that shaft. And at this the earth was +filled with sounds of thunder, and burning meteors, O Bharata, began to +flash through the welkin. And showers of dust and rain fell upon the +surface of the earth. And whirlwinds and frightful sounds convulsed +everything, and the earth herself began to quake. And shot by the hand +of Rama, that shaft, confounding by its energy the other Rama, came back +blazing into Rama's hands. And Bhargava, who had thus been deprived of +his senses, regaining consciousness and life, bowed unto Rama--that +manifestation of Vishnu's power. And commanded by Vishnu, he proceeded +to the mountains of Mahendra. And thenceforth that great ascetic began +to dwell there, in terror and shame. And after the expiration of a year, +the Pitris, beholding Rama dwelling there deprived of energy, his pride +quelled, and himself sunk in affliction, said unto him, "O son, having +approached Vishnu, thy behaviour towards him was not proper. He +deserveth for aye worship and respect in the three worlds. Go, O son, to +that sacred river which goeth by name of Vadhusara! Bathing in all the +_tirthas_ of that stream, thou wilt regain thy energy! There in that +river is the _tirthas_ called Diptoda where thy grandsire Bhrigu, O +Rama, in the celestial age had practised ascetic penances of great +merit." Thus addressed by them, Rama, O son of Kunti, did what the +Pitris bade him, and obtained back at this _tirtha_, O son of Pandu, the +energy he had lost. Even this O child, was what befell Rama of spotless +deeds in days in of yore, after he had, O king, met Vishnu (in the form +of Dasaratha's son)!'" + + +SECTION C + +"Yudhishthira said, 'O best of regenerate ones, I desire again to hear +of the achievements in detail of Agastya--that illustrious Rishi endued +with great intelligence.' + +"Lomasa said, 'Listen now, O king, to the excellent and wonderful and +extraordinary history of Agastya, as also, O monarch, about the prowess +of that Rishi of immeasurable energy. There were in the Krita age +certain tribes of fierce Danavas that were invincible in battle. And +they were known by the name of Kalakeyas and were endued with terrible +prowess. Placing themselves under Vritra and arming themselves with +diverse weapons they pursued the celestials with Indra at their head in +all directions. The gods then all resolved upon the destruction of +Vritra, and went with Indra at their head to Brahma. And beholding them +standing before him with joined hands, Parameshthi addressed them all +and said, "Everything is known to me, ye gods, about what ye seek. I +shall indicate now the means by which ye may slay Vritra. There is a +high-souled and great Rishi known by the name of Dadhicha. Go ye all +together unto him and solicit of him a boon. With well-pleased heart, +that Rishi of virtuous soul will even grant you the boon. Desirous as ye +are of victory, go ye all together unto him and tell him, '_For the good +of the three worlds, give us thy bones_.' Renouncing his body, he will +give you his bones. With these bones of his, make ye a fierce and +powerful weapon to be called _Vajra_, endued with six sides and terrible +roar and capable of destroying even the most powerful enemies. With that +weapon will he of a hundred sacrifices slay Vritra. I have now told you +all. See that all this is done speedily." Thus addressed by him, the +gods with the Grandsire's leave (came away), and with Narayana at their +head proceeded to the asylum of Dadhicha. That asylum was on the other +bank of the river Saraswati and covered with diverse trees and creepers. +And it resounded with the hum of bees as if they were reciting _Samans_. +And it also echoed with the melodious notes of the male _Kokila_ and the +_Chakora_. And buffaloes and boars and deer and _Chamaras_ wandered +there at pleasure freed from the fear of tigers. And elephants with the +juice trickling down from rent temples, plunging in the stream, sported +with the she-elephants and made the entire region resound with their +roars. And the place also echoed with the loud roars of lions and +tigers, while at intervals might be seen those grisly monarchs of the +forest lying stretched in caves and glens and beautifying them with +their presence. And such was the asylum, like unto heaven itself, of +Dadhicha, that the gods entered. And there they beheld Dadhicha looking +like the sun himself in splendour and blazing in grace of person like +the Grandsire himself. And the celestials saluted the feet of the Rishi +and bowed unto him and begged of him the boon that the Grandsire had +bade them do. Then Dadhicha, well pleased, addressing those foremost of +celestials, said, "Ye celestials, I will do what is for your benefit. I +will even renounce this body of mine myself." And that foremost of men +with soul under control, having said this, suddenly renounced his life. +The gods then took the bones of the deceased Rishi as directed. And the +celestials, glad at heart, went to Twashtri (the celestial Artificer) +and spake to him of the means of victory. And Twashtri, hearing those +words of theirs, became filled with joy, and constructed (out of those +bones) with great attention and care the fierce weapons called _Vajra_. +And having manufactured it, he joyfully addressed Indra, saying, "With +this foremost of weapons, O exalted one, reduce that fierce foe of the +gods to ashes. And having slain the foe, rule thou happily the entire +domain of heaven, O chief of the celestials, with those that follow +thee." And thus addressed by Twashtri, Purandara took the _Vajra_ from +his hand, joyfully and with proper respect.'" + + +SECTION CI + +"Lomasa said, 'Armed with the _Vajra_ then, and supported by celestials +endued with great might, Indra then approached Vritra, who was then +occupying the entire earth and the heaven. And he was guarded on all +sides by huge-bodied Kalakeyas with upraised weapons resembling gigantic +mountains with towering peaks. And the encounter that took place between +the gods and the Danavas lasted for a short while and was, O chief of +the Bharatas, terrific in the extreme, appalling as it did the three +worlds. And loud was the clash of swords and scimitars upraised and +warded off by heroic hands in course of those fierce encounters. And +heads (severed from trunks) began to roll from the firmament to the +earth like fruits of the palmyra palm falling upon the ground, loosened +from their stalks. And the Kalakeyas armed with iron-mounted bludgeons +and cased in golden mail ran against the gods, like moving mountains on +conflagration. And the gods, unable to stand the shock of that impetuous +and proudly advancing host, broke and fled from fear. Purandara of a +thousand eyes, beholding the gods flying in fear and Vritra growing in +boldness, became deeply dejected. And the foremost of gods Purandara, +himself, agitated with the fear of the Kalakeyas, without losing a +moment, sought the exalted Narayana's refuge. And the eternal Vishnu +beholding Indra so depressed enhanced his might by imparting unto him a +portion of his own energy. And when the celestials beheld that Sakra was +thus protected by Vishnu, each of them imparted unto him his own energy. +And the spotless Brahmarshis also imparted their energies unto the chief +of the celestials. And favoured thus by Vishnu and all the gods and by +the high-blessed Rishis also, Sakra became mightier than before. And +when Vritra learnt that the chief of the celestials had been filled with +might of others, he sent forth some terrific roars. And at these roars +of his, the earth, the directions, the firmament, heaven, and the +mountains all began to tremble. And the chief of the celestials, deeply +agitated on hearing that fierce and loud roar, was filled with fear, and +desiring to slay the Asura soon, hurled, O king, the mighty _Vajra_. And +struck with Indra's _Vajra_ the great Asura decked in gold and garlands +fell head-long, like the great mountain Mandara hurled of yore from +Vishnu's hands; and although the prince of Daityas was slain, yet Sakra +in panic ran from the field, desiring to take shelter in a lake, +thinking that the _Vajra_ itself had not been hurled from his hands and +regarding that Vritra himself was still alive. The celestials, however, +and the great Rishis became filled with joy, and all of them began to +cheerfully chant the praise of Indra. And mustering together, the +celestials began to slay the Danavas, who were dejected at the death of +their leader. And struck with panic at sight of the assembled celestial +host, the afflicted Danavas fled to the depths of the sea. And having +entered the fathomless deep, teeming with fishes and crocodiles, the +Danavas assembled together and began to proudly conspire for the +destruction of the three worlds. And some amongst them that were wise in +inferences suggested courses of action, each according to his judgment. +In course of time, however, the dreadful resolution arrived at those +conspiring sons of Diti, was that they should, first of all, compass the +destruction of all persons possessed of knowledge and ascetic virtue. +The worlds are all supported by asceticism. Therefore, they said, "Lose +no time for the destruction of asceticism. Compass ye without delay the +destruction of those on earth that are possessed of ascetic virtues, +that are conversant with duties and the ways of morality, and that have +a knowledge of _Brahma_; for when these are destroyed, the universe +itself will be destroyed." And all the Danavas, having arrived at this +resolution for the destruction of the universe, became highly glad. And +thenceforth they made the ocean--that abode of Varuna--with billows high +as hills, their fort, from which to make their sallies.'" + + +SECTION CII + +"Lomasa said, 'The Kalakeyas then having recourse to that receptacle of +waters, which is the abode of Varuna, began their operations for the +destruction of the universe. And during the darkness of the night those +angry Daityas began to devour the Munis they found in woody retreats and +sacred spots. And those wicked wretches devoured in the asylum of +Vasishtha, Brahmanas to the number of a hundred and eighty, besides nine +other ascetics. And, proceeding to the asylum of Chyavana that was +inhabited by many _Brahmacharis_, they devoured a century of Brahmanas +that lived upon fruit and roots alone. And they began to do all this +during the darkness of the night, while they entered the depths of the +sea by day. And they slew a full score of Brahmanas of subdued souls and +leading a Brahmacharya mode of life and living upon air and water alone, +in the retreat of Bharadwaja. And it was thus that those Danavas the +Kalakeyas, intoxicated with prowess of arms and their lives nearly run +out, gradually invaded all the asylums of the Rishis during the darkness +of the night, slaughtering numerous Brahmanas. And, O best of men, +although the Danavas behaved in this way towards the ascetics in woody +retreats, yet men failed to discover anything of them. And every morning +people saw the dead bodies of Munis emaciated with frugal diet, lying on +the ground. And many of those bodies were without flesh and without +blood, without marrow, without entrails, and with limbs separated from +one another. And here and there lay on the ground heaps of bones like +masses of conch shells. And the earth was scattered over with the +(sacrificial) contents of broken jars and shattered ladles for pouring +libations of clarified butter and with the sacred fires kept with care +by the ascetics. And the universe afflicted with the terror of the +Kalakeyas, being destitute of Vedic studies and _vashats_ and +sacrificial festivals and religious rites, became entirely cheerless. +And, O king, when men began to perish in this way, the survivors, +afflicted with fear, fled for their lives in all directions. And some +fled to caverns and some behind mountain-streams and springs and some +through fear of death, died without much ado. And some who were brave +and mighty bowmen cheerfully went out and took great trouble in tracking +the Danavas. Unable, however, to find them out, for the Asuras had +sought refuge in the depths of the sea, these brave men came back to +their homes gratified with the search. And, O lord of men, when the +universe was being thus destroyed, and when sacrificial festivals and +religious rites had been suspended, the gods became deeply afflicted. +And gathering together with Indra in their midst they began, from fear, +to take counsel of one another. And repairing unto the exalted and +uncreate Narayana--that unvanquished god of Vaikuntha--the celestials +sought his protection. And bowing unto the slayer of Madhu, the gods +addressed him, saying, "O lord, thou art the creator, the protector, and +the slayer of ourselves as well as of the universe. It is thou who has +created this universe with its mobile and immobile creatures. O thou of +eyes like lotus leaves, it was thou who in days of yore hadst for the +benefit of all creatures raised from the sea the sunken earth, assuming +also the form of a boar. And, O best of male beings, assuming also the +form of half-man and half-lion, thou hadst slain in days of yore that +ancient Daitya of mighty prowess known by the name of Hiranyakasipu. And +that other great Asura also, Vali by name, was incapable of being slain +by any one. Assuming the form of a dwarf, thou exiledest him from the +three worlds. O lord, it was by thee that that wicked Asura, Jambha by +name, who was a mighty bowman and who always obstructed sacrifices, was +slain. Achievements like these, which cannot be counted, are thine. O +slayer of Madhu, we who have been afflicted with fear, have thee for our +refuge. It is for this, O god of gods, that we inform thee of our +present troubles. Protect the worlds, the gods, and Sakra also, from a +terrible fear."'" + + +SECTION CIII + +"'The celestials said, "Through thy favour it is that all born beings of +the four kinds increase. And they being created, propitiate the dwellers +of heaven by offerings made to the gods and the names of departed +forefathers. Thus it is that people, protected by thee and free from +trouble live depending on one another, and (so) increase. Now this peril +hath befallen the people. We do not know by whom are Brahmanas being +killed during the night. If the Brahmanas are destroyed, the earth +itself will meet with destruction, and if the earth cometh to an end, +heaven also will cease to exist. O mighty-armed one, O lord of the +universe! we beseech thee (to act so) that all the worlds, protected by +thee, may not come to an end, so it may please thee." + +"'Vishnu said, "Ye gods! To me is known the reason of the destruction of +the born beings, I shall speak of it to you; listen with minds free from +tribulation. There exists an exceedingly fierce host, known by the name +of Kalakeyas. They, under the lead of Vritra, were devastating the whole +universe. And when they saw that Vritra was slain by the sagacious Indra +endued with a thousand eyes, they, to preserve their lives, entered into +the ocean, that abode of Varuna. And having entered the ocean, abounding +with sharks and crocodiles, they at night killed the saints at this spot +with the view of exterminating the people. But they cannot be slain, as +they have taken shelter within the sea. Ye should, therefore, think of +some expedient to dry up the ocean. Who save Agastya is capable of +drying up the sea. And without drying up the ocean, these (demons) +cannot be assailed by any other means." Hearing these words of Vishnu, +the gods took the permission of Brahma, who lives at the best of all +regions, and went to the hermitage of Agastya. Then they beheld the +high-souled Agastya, the son of Varuna, of resplendent mien, and waited +upon by saints, even as Brahma is waited upon by celestials. And +approaching him, they addressed the son of Mitra and Varuna at the +hermitage, magnanimous and unswerving, and looking like an embodiment of +pious works piled together, and glorified him by reciting his deeds. The +deities said, "Thou wert formerly the refuge of the gods when they were +oppressed by Nahusha. Thorn of the world that he was, he was thrown down +from his throne of heaven--from the celestial regions. Vindhya, the +foremost of all mountains, suddenly began to increase his height, from a +wrathful competition with the sun (_i.e._, to rival him in altitude). +But he hath ceased to increase, as he was unable to disobey thy command. +And when darkness hath covered the world, the born beings were harassed +by death, but having obtained thee for a protector, they attained the +utmost security. Whenever we are beset by perils, thy reverence is +always our refuge; for this reason it is that we solicit a boon from +thee; as thou ever grantest the boon solicited (of thee)."'" + + +SECTION CIV + +"Yudhishthira said, 'O great saint! I am desirous of hearing in detail +why it was that Vindhya, made senseless with wrath, suddenly began to +increase his bulk.' + +"Lomasa said, 'The sun between his rising and setting used to revolve +round that monarch of mountains--the great Meru of golden lustre. And +seeing this the mountain Vindhya spake to Surya saying, "As thou every +day goest round Meru and honourest him by thy circumambulations, do thou +even the same by me, O maker of light!" Thus addressed, the sun replied +to the great mountain, saying, "I do not of my own will honour this +mountain by my circumambulations. By those who have built this universe +hath that path been assigned to me." Thus addressed the mountain +suddenly began to increase from wrath, desirous, O chastiser of foes, of +obstructing the path of the Sun and the Moon. And all the assembled gods +came to Vindhya, the mighty king of mountains, and tried to dissuade him +from his course. But he heeded not what they said. And then all the +assembled gods went to the saint, living in the hermitage, engaged in +the practice of austerities, and the very best of persons devoted to +virtue; and stated all that happened to Agastya, possessed of exceeding +marvellous power. + +"'The gods said, "This king of hills, Vindhya, giving way to wrath, is +stopping the path of the Sun and the Moon, and also the course of the +stars. O foremost of Brahmanas! O thou great in gifts! excepting +thyself, there is none who can prevent him; therefore do thou make him +desist." Hearing these words of the gods the Brahmana came to the +mountain. And he with his wife, having arrived there, came near Vindhya +and spake to him, saying, "O thou best of mountains! I wish to have a +path given to me by thee, as, for some purpose, I shall have to go to +the southern region. Until my return, do thou wait for me. And when I +have returned, O king of mountains, thou mayst increase in bulk as much +as thou pleasest." And, O slayer of foes! having made this compact with +Vindhya up to the present day Varuna's son doth not return from the +southern region. Thus have I, asked by thee, narrated to thee why +Vindhya doth not increase in bulk, by reason of the power of Agastya. +Now, O king! hear how the Kalakeyas were killed by the gods, after they +had obtained their prayer from Agastya. + +"'Having heard the words of the gods, Agastya, the son of Mitra, and +Varuna, said, "Wherefore are ye come? What boon do ye solicit from me?" +Thus addressed by him, the deities then spake to the saint, saying, +"This deed we ask thee to achieve, _viz_., to drink up the great ocean, +O magnanimous (saint)! Then we shall be able to slay those enemies of +the gods, known by the name of Kalakeyas, together with all their +adherents." Having heard the words of the gods, the saint said, "Let it +be so--I shall do even what ye desire, and that which will conduce to +the great happiness of men." Having said this, he then proceeded to the +ocean--the lord of rivers,--accompanied by sages, ripe in the practice +of penances, and also by the deities, O thou who leadest an excellent +life! And men and snakes, celestial choristers, Yakshas and Kinnaras +followed the magnanimous saints,--desirous of witnessing that wonderful +event. Then they came up all together near to the sea, of awful roar, +dancing, as it were, with its billows, bounding with the breeze, and +laughing with masses of froth, and stumbling at the caves, and thronged +with diverse kinds of sharks, and frequented by flocks of various birds. +And the deities accompanied by Agastya and celestial choristers and huge +snakes and highly-gifted saints, approached the immense watery waste.'" + + +SECTION CV + +"Lomasa said, 'That blessed saint, the son of Varuna, having reached the +sea spake unto the assembled gods, and the saints gathered together, +saying "I surely am going to drink up the ocean--that abode of the god +of waters. Be ye quickly ready with those preparations which it devolves +upon you to make." Having spoken these few words, the unswerving +offspring of Mitra and Varuna, full of wrath, began to drink up the sea, +while all the worlds stood observing (the deed). Then the gods, together +with Indra, seeing how the sea was being drunk up, were struck with +mighty amazement, and glorified him with laudatory words, saying, "Thou +art our protector, and the Providence itself for men,--and also the +creator of the worlds. By thy favour the universe with its gods may +possibly be saved from havoc." And the magnanimous one, glorified by the +gods--while the musical instruments of celestial choristers were playing +all round, and while celestial blossoms were showered upon him--rendered +waterless the wide ocean. And seeing the wide ocean rendered devoid of +water, the host of gods was exceedingly glad; and taking up choice +weapons of celestial forge, fell to slaying the demons with courageous +hearts,--And they, assailed by the magnanimous gods, of great strength, +and swift of speed, and roaring loudly, were unable to withstand the +onset of their fleet and valorous (foes)--those residents of the +heavenly regions, O descendant of Bharata! And those demons, attacked by +the gods, bellowing loudly, for a moment carried on terrible conflict. +They had been in the first instance burnt by the force of penances +performed by the saints, who had matured their selves; therefore, the +demons, though they tried to the utmost, were at last slaughtered by the +gods. And decked with brooches of gold, and bearing on their persons +ear-rings and armlets, the demons, when slain, looked beautiful indeed, +like _palasa_ trees when full of blossoms. Then, O best of men! a +few--the remnant of those that were killed of the Kalakeya race, having +rent asunder the goddess Earth, took refuge at the bottom of the nether +regions. And the gods, when they saw that the demons were slain, with +diverse speeches, glorified the mighty saint, and spake the following +words. "O thou of mighty arms, by thy favour men have attained a mighty +blessing, and the Kalakeyas, of ruthless strength have been killed by +thy power, O creator of beings! Fill the sea (now), O mighty-armed one; +give up again the water drunk up by thee." Thus addressed, the blessed +and mighty saint replied, "That water in sooth hath been digested by me. +Some other expedient, therefore, must be thought of by you, if ye desire +to make endeavour to fill the ocean." Hearing this speech of that saint +of matured soul, the assembled gods were struck with both wonder and +sadness, O great king! And thereupon, having bidden adieu to each other, +and bowed to the mighty saint all the born beings went their way. And +the gods with Vishnu, came to Brahma. And having held consultation +again, with the view of filling up the sea, they, with joined hands, +spake about replenishing it.'" + + +SECTION CVI + +"Lomasa said, 'Then gathered together, Brahma, the grandfather of men +(thus) addressed, "Go ye, O gods! whither your pleasure may lead you, or +your desire conduct you. It will take a long course of time for the +ocean to resume its wonted state; the occasion will be furnished by the +agnates of the great king Bhagiratha." Hearing the words of the +(universal) grandfather (Brahma), all the foremost gods went their way +biding the day (when the ocean was to be filled again).' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'What was that occasion, O Saint? And how did the +agnates of (Bhagiratha furnish the same)? And how was the ocean refilled +by the interference of Bhagiratha? O Saint, who deemest thy religious +practices as thy only treasure, O thou of the priestly class! I wish to +hear the account of the achievements of the king, narrated in detail by +thyself.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "Thus addressed by the magnanimous and virtuous king, +he, the chief of men of the priestly class, narrated the achievements of +the high-souled (king) Sagara. + +"Lomasa said, 'There was born in the family of the Ikshaku tribe, a +ruler of the earth named Sagara, endued with beauty, and strength. And +that same (king) of a dreaded name was sonless, O descendant of Bharata! +And he carried havoc through the tribes of the Haihayas and the +Talajanghas; brought under subjection the whole of the military caste; +(and so) ruled over his own kingdom. And, O most praiseworthy of the +descendants of Bharata! O chief of the Bharata race! he had two wives +proud of their beauty and of their youth,--one a princess of the +Vidarbha race, and the other of the royal line of Sivi. And, O chief of +kings, that same ruler of men, betook himself to the mountain Kailasa, +accompanied by both his wives, and with the desire of having a son +became engaged in the practice of exceeding austere penances. And being +engaged in the practice of rigid austerities, and (also) employed in the +contemplation known by the name of Yoga, he obtained the sight of the +magnanimous god with three eyes--the slayer of the demon called Tripura; +the worker of blessings (for all beings); the (eternally) existent one; +the ruling Being, the holder of the Pinaka bow; carrying in his hand his +(well-known weapon)--the trident; the god of three eyes; the repository +of (eternal) peace; the ruler of all those that are fierce; capable of +assuming very many forms; and the lord of the goddess Uma. And that same +ruler of men, of mighty arms, as soon as he beheld the god--that giver +of boons--fell down at his feet, with both his queens, and proffered a +prayer to have a son. And the god Siva, well pleased with him, spake +(thus) to that most righteous of the rulers of men, attended by his two +wives, saying, "O lord of men! considering the (astrological) moment at +which thou hast proffered thy prayer to me, sixty thousand sons, O +foremost of choice men valorous and characterised by exceeding pride, +will be born in one of thy two wives (here). But they all, O ruler of +the earth, shall perish together. In the other wife, (however), will be +born a single valiant son, who will perpetuate thy race." Having said +this to him, the god Rudra (Siva) vanished from sight at that very spot, +and that same king Sagara now came (back) to his own abode accompanied +by his two wives, exceedingly delighted at heart (for what had happened) +then. And, O most praiseworthy of the sons of Manu! (i.e., men), there +the two lotus-eyed wives of him--the princess of Vidarbha and the +princess of Sivi--came (erelong) to be with child. And afterwards, on +the due day, the princess of Vidarbha brought forth (something) of the +shape of a gourd and the princess of Sivi gave birth to a boy as +beautiful as a god. Then the ruler of the earth made up his mind to +throw away the gourd,--when he heard (proceeding) from the sky a speech +(uttered) in a grave and solemn voice, "O king! do thou not be guilty of +this hasty act; thou shouldst not abandon thy sons. Take out the seeds +from the gourd and let them be preserved with care in steaming vessels +partly filled with clarified butter. Then thou wilt get, O scion of +Bharata's race! sixty thousand sons. O ruler of men! the great god +(Siva) hath spoken that thy sons are to be born in this manner. Let not +therefore thy mind be turned away therefrom."'" + + +SECTION CVII + +"Lomasa said, 'O most righteous of kings! When he heard these words +(proceeding) from the sky, he had faith therein, and did all that he was +directed to do, O chief of the men of Bharata's race! Then the ruler of +men took separately each of the seeds and then placed these divisions +(of the gourd) in vessels filled with clarified butter. And intent on +the preservation of his sons, he provided a nurse for every +(receptacle). Then after a long time there arose sixty thousand +exceedingly powerful sons of that same king--gifted with unmeasured +strength, they were born, O ruler of earth! to that saint-like king, by +Rudra's favour. And they were terrible; and their acts were ruthless. +And they were able to ascend and roam about in the sky; and being +numerous themselves, despised everybody, including the gods. And they +would chase even the gods, the Gandharvas, and the Rakshasas and all the +born beings, being themselves valiant and addicted to fighting. Then all +people, harassed by the dull-headed sons of Sagara, united with all the +gods, went to Brahma as their refuge. And then addressed the blessed +grandfather of all beings (Brahma), "Go ye your way, ye gods, together +with all these men. In a not very long space of time, there will come +about, O gods! a great and exceedingly terrible destruction of Sagara's +sons, caused by the deed perpetrated by them." Thus addressed, those +same gods, and men, O lord of the sons of Manu! bade adieu to the +grandfather, and went back to whence they had come. Then, O chief of +Bharata's race! after the expiry of very many days, the mighty king +Sagara accepted the consecration for performing the rites of a +horse-sacrifice. And his horse began to roam over the world, protected +by his sons. And when the horse reached the sea, waterless and frightful +to behold--although the horse was guarded with very great care--it +(suddenly) vanished at the very spot (it stood upon). Then, O respected +sir! those same sons of Sagara imagined the same fine horse to have been +stolen; and returning to their father, narrated how it had been stolen +out of sight. And thereupon he addressed them, saying, "Go ye and search +for the horse in all the cardinal points." Then, O great king, by this +command of their father, they began to search for the horse in the +cardinal points and throughout the whole surface of the earth. But all +those sons of Sagara, all mutually united, could not find the horse, nor +the person who had stolen it. And coming back then, they with joined +palms thus addressed their father, (standing) before them, "O Protector +of men! O ruler of the earth! O king! by thy command, the whole of this +world with its hills and its forest tracts, with its seas, and its +woods, and its islands, with its rivulets and rivers and caves, hath +been searched through by us. But we cannot find either the horse, or the +thief who had stolen the same." And hearing the words, the same king +became senseless with wrath, and then told them all, carried away by +Destiny, "Go ye all, may ye never return! Search ye again for the horse. +Without that sacrificial horse, ye must never return, my boys!" + +"'And those same sons of Sagara, accepted this command of their father, +and once more began to search through the entire world. Now these heroes +saw a rift on the surface of the earth. And having reached this pit, the +sons of Sagara began to excavate it. And with spades and pickaxes they +went on digging the sea, making the utmost efforts. And that same abode +of Varuna (namely the ocean), being thus excavated by the united sons +of Sagara and rent and cut on all sides round, was placed in a condition +of the utmost distress. And the demons and snakes and Rakshasas and +various (other) animated beings began to utter distressful cries, while +being killed by Sagara's sons. And hundreds and thousands of animated +beings were beheld with severed heads and separated trunks and with +their skins and bones and joints rent asunder and broken. Thus they went +on digging the ocean, which was the abode of Varuna and an exceedingly +long space of time expired in this work, but still the horse was not +found. Then, O lord of earth! towards the north-eastern region of the +sea, the incensed sons of Sagara dug down as far as the lower world, and +there they beheld the horse, roaming about on the surface of the ground. +And they saw the magnanimous Kapila, who looked like a perfect mass of +splendour. And having beheld him shining with his brightness, just as +the fire shineth with its flames, they, O king! seeing the horse, were +flushed with delight. And they being incensed, sent forward by their +fate, paid no heed to the presence of the magnanimous Kapila, and ran +forward with a view to seizing the horse. Then, O great king! Kapila, +the most righteous of saints,--he whom the great sages name as Kapila +Vasudeva--assumed a fiery look, and the mighty saint shot flames towards +them, and thereby burnt down the dull-headed sons of Sagara. And Narada, +whose practice of austerities was very great, when he beheld them +reduced to ashes, came to Sagara's side, and gave the information to +him. And when the king learnt this terrible news which proceeded from +the mouth of the saint, for nearly an hour he remained sad, and then he +bethought himself of what Siva had said. Then sending for Ansuman, the +son of Asamanjas, and his own grandson, he, O chief of Bharata's race! +spake the following words, "Those same sixty thousand sons of unmeasured +strength having encountered Kapila's wrath, have met their death on my +account. And, O my boy of stainless character! thy father also hath been +forsaken by me, in order to discharge my duty (as a king), and being +desirous of doing good to my subjects."' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'O saint, whose sole wealth consists in religious +practices! Tell me for what reason, Sagara, the foremost of kings, +abandoned his own begotten son, endued with valour--an act so difficult +(for all other men).' + +"Lomasa said, 'A son was born to Sagara, known by the name of Asamanjas, +he who was given birth to by the princess of Sivi. And he used to seize +by throat the feeble children of the townsmen, and threw them while +screaming into the river. And thereupon the townsmen, overwhelmed with +terror and grief, met together, and all standing with joined palms, +besought Sagara in the following way, "O great king! Thou art our +protector from the dreaded peril of attack from a hostile force. +Therefore it is proper for thee to deliver us from the frightful danger, +proceeding from Asamanjas." And the most righteous of the rulers of men, +having heard this frightful news from his subjects, for nearly an hour +remained sad and then spake to his ministers, saying, "This day from the +city let my son Asamanjas be driven forth. If ye wish to do what will be +acceptable to me, let this be quickly done." And, O protector of men! +those same ministers, thus addressed by the king, performed in a hurry +exactly what the king had commanded them to do. Thus have I narrated to +thee how the magnanimous Sagara banished his son, with a view to the +welfare of the residents of the town. I shall now fully narrate to thee +what Ansuman of the powerful bow was told by Sagara. Listen to me! + +"'Sagara said, "O my boy! sore am I at heart for having abandoned thy +father, on account of the death of my sons, and also on being +unsuccessful in getting back the horse. Therefore, O grandson! harassed +with grief and confounded with the obstruction to my religious rites as +I am, thou must bring back the horse and deliver me from hell." Thus +addressed by the magnanimous Sagara, Ansuman went with sorrow to that +spot where the earth had been excavated. And by that very passage he +entered into the sea, and beheld that illustrious Kapila and that same +horse. And having beheld that ancient saint, most righteous of his +order, looking like a mass of light, he bowed with his head to the +ground, and informed him of the reason of his visit. Then, O great king, +Kapila was pleased with Ansuman, and that saint of a virtuous soul told +him to ask for a favour from him. And he in the first place prayed for +the horse, for the purpose of using it in the sacrifice; in the second +place he prayed for the purification of his fathers. Then the mighty +chief of saints, Kapila spake to him, saying, "I shall grant thee +everything that thou desirest, O stainless (prince). May good luck be +thine! In thee are fixed (the virtues of) forbearance, and truth, and +righteousness. By thee hath Sagara had all his desires fulfilled. Thou +are (really) a son to thy father. And by thy ability the sons of Sagara +will go to heaven (i.e., will be delivered from the consequences of +their unhallowed death). And the son of thy son, with a view to +purifying the sons of Sagara, will obtain the favour of the great god +Siva, (by means of practising great austerities), and will (thus) bring +(to this world) the river that floweth in three (separate) streams, +Ganga, O chief of men! May good luck be thine! Take thou with thee the +sacrificial horse. Finish, my lad! the sacrificial rites of the +magnanimous Sagara." Thus addressed by the illustrious Kapila, Ansuman +took the horse with him, and came back to the sacrificial yard of the +mighty-minded Sagara. Then he fell prostrate at the feet of the +high-souled Sagara, who smelt him on the head and narrated all the +events to him, all that had been seen and heard by him, and likewise the +destruction of Sagara's sons. He also announced that the horse had been +brought back to the sacrificial yard. And when king Sagara heard of +this, he no more grieved on account of his sons. And he praised and +honoured Ansuman, and finished those same sacrificial rites. His +sacrifice finished, Sagara was greeted honourably by all the gods; and +he converted the sea, Varuna's dwelling place, into a son of himself. +And the lotus-eyed (King Sagara) having ruled his kingdom for a period +of exceeding length, placed his grandson on the throne, (full of) +responsibilities and then ascended to heaven. And Ansuman likewise, O +great king! virtuous in soul, ruled over the world as far as the edge of +the sea, following the foot-prints of his father's father. His son was +named Dilipa, versed in virtue. Upon him placing the duties of his +sovereign post, Ansuman likewise departed this life. And then when +Dilipa heard what an awful fate had overtaken his forefathers, he was +sorely grieved and thought of the means of raising them. And the ruler +of men made every great effort towards the descent of Ganga (to the +mortal world). But although trying to the utmost of his power, he could +not bring about what he so much wished. And a son was born to him, known +by the name of Bhagiratha, beauteous, and devoted to a virtuous life, +and truthful, and free from feelings of malice. And Dilipa appointed him +as king, and betook himself to the forest life. And, O best of all the +scions of Bharata's race! that same king (Dilipa), devoted himself to a +successful course of austerities, and at the end of (sufficient) period, +from the forest departed to heaven.'" + + +SECTION CVIII + +"Lomasa said, 'That same king, of a powerful bow, standing at the head +of the surrounding, (i.e., the occupant of an imperial throne) of a +powerful car, (i.e., possessing every great fighting power) became the +delight of the eyes and the soul of all the world. And he of the +powerful arm came to learn how his forefathers had met an awful end from +Kapila of mighty soul, and how they had been unable to attain the region +of gods. And he with a sorrowful heart made over his kingly duties to +his minister, and, O lord of men! for practising austerities, went to +the side of the snowy Mountain (the Himalayas). And, O most praiseworthy +of men, desirous of extinguishing his sins by leading an austere life, +and (thereby) obtaining the favour of the (goddess) Ganga, he visited +that foremost of mountains--Himalaya. And he beheld it adorned with +peaks of diverse forms full of mineral earth; besprinkled on all sides +with drops from clouds which were resting themselves upon the breeze; +beautiful with rivers and groves and rocky spurs, looking like (so many) +palaces (in a city); attended upon by lions and tigers that had +concealed themselves in its caves and pits; and also inhabited by birds +of checkered forms, which were uttering diverse sounds, such as the +Bhringarajas, and ganders, and Datyuhas, and water-cocks, and peacocks +and birds with a hundred feathers, and Jivanjivakas, and black birds, +and Chakoras of eyes furnished with black corners, and the birds that +love their young. And he saw the mountain abounding in lotus plants +growing in delightful reservoirs of water. And the cranes rendered it +charming with their sounds; and the Kinnaras and the celestial nymphs +were seated on its stony slabs. And the elephants occupying the cardinal +points had everywhere robbed its trees with the end of their tusks; and +the demi-gods of the Vidyadhara class frequented the hill. And it was +full of various gems, and was also infested by snakes bearing terrible +poison and of glowing tongues. And the mountain at places looked like +(massive) gold, and elsewhere it resembled a silvery (pile), and at some +places it was like a (sable) heap of collyrium. Such was the snowy hill +where the king now found himself. And that most praiseworthy of men at +that spot betook himself to an awful austere course of life. And for one +thousand years his subsistence was nothing but water, fruit and roots. +When, however, a thousand years according to the calculation of gods had +elapsed, then the great river Ganga having assumed a material form, +manifested to him her (divine) self. + +"'Ganga said. "O great king! what dost thou desire of me? And what must +I bestow on thee? Tell me the same, O most praiseworthy of men! I shall +do as thou mayst ask me." Thus addressed, the king then made his reply +to Ganga, the daughter of the snowy Hill, saying, "O grantress of boons! +O great river! my father's fathers, while searching for the horse, were +sent by Kapila to the abode of the god of death. And those same sixty +thousand sons of Sagara of mighty soul, having met with the majestic +Kapila, perished, (to a soul) in an instant of time. Having thus +perished, there hath been no place for them in the region of heaven. O +great river! So long as thou dost not besprinkle those same bodies with +thy water, there is no salvation for these same Sagara's sons. O blessed +goddess! carry thou my forefathers, Sagara's sons, to the region of +heaven. O great river! on their account am I beseeching thee +forsooth."' + +"Lomasa said, 'Ganga, the goddess saluted by the world, having heard +these words of the king, was well pleased, and spake to Bhagiratha the +following words: "O great king! I am prepared to do what thou dost ask +me; there is no doubt therein. But when I shall descend from the sky to +the earth, the force of my fall will be difficult to sustain, O +protector of men! In the three worlds there exists none who is able to +sustain the same, excepting Siva, the most praiseworthy of gods, the +great Lord with the throat of sable blue. O (prince) of a powerful arm! +Obtain the favour, by practising austerities, of that same Siva--giver +of boons. That same god will sustain my descent upon his head. Thy +desire he will fulfill, the desire, namely, to be of service to thy +fathers, O king!" Then the great king Bhagiratha having heard the same, +went to the Kailasa hill, and betaking himself to a severe course of +penances, at the expiration of a certain length of time obtained the +favour of that worker of blessings (Siva). And, O protector of men! that +same best of men, in order that his forefathers might have a place in +heaven secured to them, received from that very Siva the fulfilment of +his wish, namely the wish that the descending Ganga might be +sustained.'" + + +SECTION CIX + +"Lomasa said, 'The blessed God having heard what Bhagiratha had said, +and with a view to doing what was agreeable to the residents of heaven, +replied to the king, saying, "So let it be. O most righteous of the +protectors of men, O (prince) of a powerful arm! For thy sake I shall +sustain the river of the gods, when she will take her descent from the +sky, she who is pure and blessed and divine, O (king) of a mighty arm!" +Saying this, he came to the snowy mountain, surrounded by his +attendants, of awful mien, and with uplifted weapons of diverse forms. +And standing there, he said to Bhagiratha, the most praiseworthy of men, +"O (prince) of a powerful arm! do thou pray to the river, the daughter +of the king of mountains. I shall sustain that most praiseworthy of +rivers when she falls down from the third region of the world (heaven)." +Having heard these words uttered by Siva, the king became devout (in +heart), made obesiance and directed his thoughts towards Ganga. Then the +delightful (river), of pure water in being so thought of by the king, +and seeing that the great lord (Siva) was standing (to receive her +fall), came down all of a sudden from the sky. And seeing that she had +taken her leap from the sky, the gods, together with the mighty saints, +the Gandharvas, the snakes, and the Yakshas, assembled there as +spectators. Then came down from the sky Ganga, the daughter of the snowy +mountain. And her whirlpools were raging, and she was teeming with +fishes and sharks. O king! she directing her course towards the sea, +separated herself, into three streams; and her water was bestrewn with +piles of froth, which looked like so many rows of (white) ganders. And +crooked and tortuous in the movement of her body, at places; and at +others stumbling as it were; and covered with foam as with a robe: she +went forward like a woman drunk. And elsewhere, by virtue of the roar of +her waters, she uttered loud sounds. Thus assuming very many different +aspects, when she fell from the sky, and reached the surface of the +earth, she said to Bhagiratha, "O great king! show me the path that I +shall have to take. O lord of the earth! for thy sake have I descended +to the earth." Having heard these words, king Bhagiratha directed his +course towards the spot where lay those bodies of mighty Sagara's sons, +in order that, O most praiseworthy of men, the holy water might flood +(the same). Having achieved the task of sustaining Ganga, Siva, saluted +by men, went to Kailasa the most praiseworthy of mountains, accompanied +by the celestials. And the protector of men (Bhagiratha) accompanied by +Ganga reached the sea; and the sea, the abode of Varuna, was quickly +filled. And the king adopted Ganga as a daughter of himself, and at that +spot offered libations of water to the names of his forefathers; thus +was his heart's wish fulfilled. Thus asked by thee, I have narrated the +whole story how Ganga running in three streams, was brought down to the +earth for filling the sea; how the mighty saint had drunk up the sea for +a particular reason, and how, O lord! Vatapi, the slayer of Brahmanas, +was destroyed by Agastya.'" + + +SECTION CX + +Vaisampayana said, "O chief of the Bharata race! then the son of Kunti +went at a slow pace to the two rivers Nanda and Aparananda, which had +the virtue of destroying the dread of sin. And the protector of men +having reached the healthy hill Hemakuta, beheld there very many strange +and inconceivable sights. There the very utterance of words caused the +gathering of clouds, and a thousand volleys of stones. And people at its +sight were struck sad, and were unable to ascend the hill. There the +winds blew for aye, and the heavens always poured down rains; and +likewise the sounds of the recitation of the sacred writ were heard, yet +nobody was seen. In the evening and in the morning would be seen the +blessed fire that carries offerings to the gods and there flies would +bite and interrupt the practice of austerities. And there a sadness +would overtake the soul, and people would become sick. The son of Pandu, +having observed very many strange circumstances of this character again +addressed his questions to Lomasa with reference to these wonderful +things. + +"Lomasa said, 'O slayer of foes! O king! I am going to tell thee as we +heard it before; do thou attend to the same with intent mind. In this +peak of Rishava, there was once a saint known by that name. And his life +had lasted for many hundred years. And he was devoted to penances and +was greatly wrathful. And he, forsooth, for having been spoken to by +others, from wrath addressed the hill thus, "Whoever should utter any +words here, thou must throw stones at him, and thou must call up the +winds to prevent him from making any noise." This was what the saint +said. And so at this place, as soon as a man utters any words, he is +forbidden by a roaring cloud. O king! thus these deeds were performed by +that great saint, and from wrath he also forbade other acts. O king! +tradition says that when the gods of yore had come to the Nanda, +suddenly came over (there) a number of men to look at the celestials. +Those same gods at whose head stood Indra did not, however, like to be +seen; and so they rendered this spot inaccessible, by raising +obstructions in the form of hills. And from that day forward, O Kunti's +son! men could not cast their eyes at any time on what looked like a +hill, far less could they ascend the same. This big mountain is +incapable of being seen by one who hath not led an austere life, nor can +such a one ascend it. Therefore, O son of Kunti! keep thou thy tongue +under control. Here at that time all those gods performed the best +sacrificial rites. O Bharata's son! Even up to this day these marks +thereof may be seen. This grass here hath the form of the sacred _kusa_ +grass: the ground here seemeth to be overspread with the sacred grass; +and, O lord of men! many of these trees here look like the spots for +tying the sacrificial beasts. O Bharata's son! still the Gods and saints +have residence here; and their sacred fire is observed in the morning +and in the evening. Here if one bathes, his sin is forthwith destroyed, +O Kunti's son! O most praiseworthy of the race of Kuru! do thou, +therefore, perform thy ablutions, together with thy younger brothers. +Then after having washed thyself in the Nanda, thou wilt repair to the +river Kausiki, the spot where the most excellent and severest form of +penances was practised by Viswamitra.' Then the king with his +attendants, having washed his body there, proceeded to the river +Kausiki, which was pure and delightful and pleasant with cool water. + +"Lomasa said, 'This is the pure divine river by name Kausiki. O chief of +Bharata's race! and this is the delightful hermitage of Viswamitra, +conspicuous here. And this is a hermitage, with a holy name, belonging +to Kasyapa of mighty soul; whose son was Rishyasringa, devoted to +penances, and of passions under control. He by force of his penances +caused Indra to rain; and that god, the slayer of the demons Vala and +Vritra, dreading him, poured down rain during a drought. That powerful +and mighty son of Kasyapa was born of a hind. He worked a great marvel +in the territory of Lomapada. And when the crops had been restored, king +Lomapada gave his daughter Santa in marriage to him, as the sun gave in +marriage his daughter Savitri.' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'How was the son of Kasyapa, Rishyasringa, born of a +hind? And how was he endowed with holiness, being the issue of a +reprehensible sexual connexion? And for what reason was Indra, the +slayer of the demons Vala and Vritra, afraid of that same sagacious boy, +and poured down rain during a period of drought? And how beautiful was +that princess Santa, pure in life, she who allured the heart of him when +he had turned himself into a stag? And since the royal saint Lomapada is +said to have been of a virtuous disposition, why was it that in his +territory, Indra, the chastiser of the demon Paka, had withheld rain? O +holy saint! all this in detail, exactly as it happened, thou wilt be +pleased to narrate to me, for I am desirous of hearing the deeds of +Rishyasringa's life.' + +"Lomasa said, 'Hear how Rishyasringa, of dreaded name, was born as a son +to Vibhandaka, who was a saint of the Brahmana caste, who had cultured +his soul by means of religious austerities, whose seed never failed in +causing generation, and who was learned and bright like the Lord of +beings. And the father was highly honoured, and the son was possessed of +a mighty spirit, and, though a boy, was respected by aged men. And that +son of Kasyapa, Vibhandaka, having proceeded to a big lake, devoted +himself to the practice of penances. And that same saint, comparable to +a god, laboured for a long period. And once while he was washing his +mouth in the waters, he beheld the celestial nymph Urvasi--whereupon +came out his seminal fluid. And, O king! a hind at that time lapped it +up along with the water that she was drinking, being athirst; and from +this cause she became with child. That same hind had really been a +daughter of the gods, and had been told of yore by the holy Brahma, the +creator of the worlds, "Thou shall be a hind; and when in that form, +thou shall give birth to a saint; thou shalt then be freed." As Destiny +would have it, and as the word of the creator would not be untrue, in +that same hind was born his (Vibhandaka's) son a mighty saint. And +Rishyasringa, devoted to penances, always passed his days in the forest. +O king! there was a horn on the head of that magnanimous saint and for +this reason did he come to be known at the time by the name of +Rishyasringa. And barring his father, not a man had ever before been +seen by him; therefore his mind, O protector of men! was entirely +devoted to the duties of a continent life. At this very period there was +a ruler of the land of Anga known by the name of Lomapada who was a +friend of Dasaratha. We have heard that he from love of pleasure had +been guilty of a falsehood towards a Brahmana. And that same ruler of +the world had at that time been shunned by all persons of the priestly +class. And he was without a ministering priest (to assist him in his +religious rites). And the god of a thousand eyes (Indra) suddenly +abstained from giving rain in his territory; so that his people began to +suffer and O lord of the earth! he questioned a number of Brahmanas, +devoted to penances, of cultivated minds, and possessed of capabilities +with reference to the matter of rain being granted by the lord of gods, +saying, "How may the heavens grant us the rain? Think of an expedient +(for this purpose)." And those same cultured men, being thus questioned, +gave expression to their respective views. And one among them--the best +of saints--spake to that same king, saying, "O lord of kings! the +Brahmanas are angry with thee. Do some act (therefore) for appeasing +them. O ruler of the earth! send for Rishyasringa, the son of a saint, +resident of the forest knowing nothing of the female sex, and always +taking delight in simplicity. O king! if he, great in the practice of +penances, should show himself in thy territory, forthwith rain would be +granted by the heavens, herein I have no doubt at all." And, O king! +having heard these words Lomapada made atonement for his sins. And he +went away; and when the Brahmanas had been appeased, he returned again, +and seeing the king returned, the people were again glad at heart. Then +the king of Anga convened a meeting of his ministers, proficient in +giving counsel. And he took great pains in order to settle some plan for +securing a visit from Rishyasringa. And, O unswerving (prince)! with +those ministers, who were versed in all branches of knowledge, and +exceedingly proficient in worldly matters, and had a thorough training +in practical affairs, he at last settled a plan (for gaining his +object). And then he sent for a number of courtesans, women of the town, +clever in everything. And when they came, that same ruler of the earth +spake to them, saying, "Ye lovely women! Ye must find some means to +allure, and obtain the confidence of the son of the saint--Rishyasringa, +whom ye must bring over to my territory." And those same women, on the +one hand afraid of the anger of the king and on the other, dreading a +curse from the saint, became sad and confounded, and declared the +business to be beyond their power. One, however, among them--a hoary +woman, thus spake to the king, "O great king! him whose wealth solely +consists in penances, I shall try to bring over here. Thou wilt, +however, have to procure for me certain things, in connection with the +plan. In that case, I may be able to bring over the son of the +saint--Rishyasringa." Thereupon the king gave an order that all that she +might ask for should be procured. And he also gave a good deal of wealth +and jewels of various kinds. And then, O Lord of the earth, she took +with herself a number of women endowed with beauty and youth, and went +to the forest without delay.'" + + +SECTION CXI + +"Lomasa said, 'O descendant of Bharata! she in order to compass the +object of the king, prepared a floating hermitage, both because the king +had ordered so, and also because it exactly accorded with her plan. And +the floating hermitage, containing artificial trees adorned with various +flowers and fruits, and surrounded by diverse shrubs and creeping plants +and capable of furnishing choice and delicious fruits, was exceedingly +delightful, and nice, and pleasing, and looked as if it had been created +by magic. Then she moored the vessel at no great distance from the +hermitage of Kasyapa's son, and sent emissaries to survey the place +where that same saint habitually went about. And then she saw an +opportunity; and having conceived a plan in her mind, sent forward her +daughter, a courtesan by trade and of smart sense. And that clever woman +went to the vicinity of the religious man and arriving at the hermitage +beheld the son of the saint. + +"'The courtesan said, "I hope, O saint! that is all well with the +religious devotees. And I hope that thou hast a plentiful store of +fruits and roots and that thou takest delight in this hermitage. Verily +I come here now to pay thee a visit. I hope the practice of austerities +among the saints is on the increase. I hope that thy father's spirit +hath not slackened and that he is well pleased with thee. O Rishyasringa +of the priestly caste! I hope thou prosecutest the studies proper for +thee." + +"'Rishyasringa said, "Thou art shining with lustre, as if thou wert a +(mass) of light. And I deem thee worthy of obeisance. Verily I shall +give thee water for washing thy feet and such fruits and roots also as +may be liked by thee, for this is what my religion hath prescribed to +me. Be thou pleased to take at thy pleasure thy seat on a mat made of +the sacred grass, covered over with a black deer-skin and made pleasant +and comfortable to sit upon. And where is thy hermitage? O Brahmana! +thou resemblest a god in thy mien. What is the name of this particular +religious vow, which thou seemest to be observing now?" + +"'The courtesan said, "O son of Kasyapa! on the other side of yonder +hill, which covers the space of three Yojanas, is my hermitage--a +delightful place. There, not to receive obeisance is the rule of my +faith nor do I touch water for washing my feet. I am not worthy of +obeisance from persons like thee; but I must make obeisance to thee. O +Brahmana! This is the religious observance to be practised by me, +namely, that thou must be clasped in my arms." + +"'Rishyasringa said, "Let me give thee ripe fruits, such as gallnuts, +myrobalans, _Karushas, Ingudas_ from sandy tracts and Indian fig. May it +please thee to take a delight in them!"' + +"Lomasa said, 'She, however, threw aside all those edible things and +then gave him unsuitable things for food. And these were exceedingly +nice and beautiful to see and were very much acceptable to Rishyasringa. +And she gave him garlands of an exceedingly fragrant scent and beautiful +and shining garments to wear and first-rate drinks; and then played and +laughed and enjoyed herself. And she at his sight played with a ball and +while thus employed, looked like a creeping plant broken in two. And she +touched his body with her own and repeatedly clasped Rishyasringa in her +arms. Then she bent and broke the flowery twigs from trees, such as the +Sala, the Asoka and the Tilaka. And overpowered with intoxication, +assuming a bashful look, she went on tempting the great saint's son. And +when she saw that the heart of Rishyasringa had been touched, she +repeatedly pressed his body with her own and casting glances, slowly +went away under the pretext that she was going to make offerings on the +fire. On her departure, Rishyasringa became over-powered with love and +lost his sense. His mind turned constantly to her and felt itself +vacant. And he began to sigh and seemed to be in great distress. At that +moment appeared Vibhandaka, Kasyapa's son, he whose eyes were tawny like +those of a lion, whose body was covered with hair down to the tip of the +nails, who was devoted to studies proper for his caste, and whose life +was pure and was passed in religious meditation. He came up and saw that +his son was seated alone, pensive and sad, his mind upset and sighing +again and again with upturned eyes. And Vibhandaka spake to his +distressed son, saying, "My boy! why is it that thou art not hewing the +logs for fuel. I hope thou hast performed the ceremony of burnt offering +today. I hope thou hast polished the sacrificial ladles and spoons and +brought the calf to the milch cow whose milk furnisheth materials for +making offerings on the fire. Verily thou art not in thy wonted state, O +son! Thou seemest to be pensive, and to have lost thy sense. Why art +thou so sad today? Let me ask thee, who hath been to this place +today?"'" + + +SECTION CXII + +"'Rishyasringa said, "Here came to-day a religious student with a mass +of hair on his head. And he was neither short nor tall. And he was of a +spirited look and a golden complexion, and endued with eye large as +lotuses; and he was shining and graceful as a god. And rich was his +beauty blazing like the Sun; and he was exceedingly fair with eyes +graceful and black. And his twisted hair was blue-black and neat and +long and of a fragrant scent and tied up with strings of gold. A +beautiful ornament was shining on his neck which looked like lightning +in the sky. And under the throat he had two balls of flesh without a +single hair upon them and of an exceedingly beautiful form. And his +waist was slender to a degree and his navel neat; and smooth also was +the region about his ribs. Then again there shone a golden string from +under his cloth, just like this waist-string of mine. And there was +something on his feet of a wonderful shape which give forth a jingling +sound. Upon his wrists likewise was tied a pair of ornaments that made a +similar sound and looked just like this rosary here. And when he walked, +his ornaments uttered a jingling sound like those uttered by delighted +ganders upon a sheet of water. And he had on his person garments of a +wonderful make; these clothes of mine are by no means beautiful like +those. And his face was wonderful to behold; and his voice was +calculated to gladden the heart; and his speech was pleasant like the +song of the male blackbird. And while listening to the same I felt +touched to my inmost soul. And as a forest in the midst of the vernal +season, assumes a grace only when it is swept over by the breeze, so, O +father! he of an excellent and pure smell looks beautiful when fanned by +the air. And his mass of hair is neatly tied up and remains adhering to +the head and forehead evenly sundered in two. And his two eyes seemed to +be covered with wonderful Chakravaka birds of an exceedingly beautiful +form. And he carried upon his right palm a wonderful globur fruit, which +reaches the ground and again and again leaps up to the sky in a strange +way. And he beats it and turns himself round and whirls like a tree +moved by the breeze. And when I looked at him, O father! he seemed to be +a son of the celestials, and my joy was extreme, and my pleasure +unbounded. And he clasped my body, took hold of my matted hair, and bent +down my mouth, and, mingling his mouth with my own, uttered a sound that +was exceedingly pleasant. And he doth not care for water for washing his +feet, nor for those fruits offered by me; and he told me that such was +the religious observance practised by him. And he gave unto me a number +of fruits. Those fruits were tasteful unto me: these here are not equal +to them in taste. They have not got any rind nor any stone within them, +like these. And he of a noble form gave me to drink water of an +exceedingly fine flavour; and having drunk it, I experienced great +pleasure; and the ground seemed to be moving under my feet. And these +are the garlands beautiful and fragrant and twined with silken threads +that belong to him. And he, bright with fervent piety, having scattered +these garlands here, went back to his own hermitage. His departure hath +saddened my heart; and my frame seems to be in a burning sensation! And +my desire is to go to him as soon as I can, and to have him every day +walk about here. O father, let me this very moment go to him. Pray, what +is that religious observance which is being practised by him. As he of a +noble piety is practising penances, so I am desirous to live the same +life with him. My heart is yearning after similar observances. My soul +will be in torment if I see him not."'" + + +SECTION CXIII + +"'Vibhandaka said, "Those are, O son! Rakshasas. They walk about in that +wonderfully beautiful form. Their strength is unrivalled and their +beauty great. And they always meditate obstruction to the practice of +penances. And, O my boy, they assume lovely forms and try to allure by +diverse means. And those fierce beings hurled the saints, the dwellers +of the woods, from blessed regions (won by their pious deeds). And the +saint who hath control over his soul, and who is desirous of obtaining +the regions where go the righteous, ought to have nothing to do with +them. And their acts are vile and their delight is in causing +obstruction to those who practise penance; (therefore) a pious man +should never look at them. And, O son! those were drinks unworthy to be +drunk, being as they were spirituous liquors consumed by unrighteous +men. And these garlands, also, bright and fragrant and of various hues, +are not intended for saints." Having thus forbidden his son by saying +that those were wicked demons, Vibhandaka went in quest of her. And when +by three day's search he was unable to trace where she was he then came +back to his own hermitage. In the meanwhile, when the son of Kasyapa had +gone out to gather fruits, then that very courtesan came again to tempt +Rishyasringa in the manner described above. And as soon as Rishyasringa +had her in sight, he was glad and hurriedly rushing towards him said, +"Let us go to thy hermitage before the return of my father." Then, O +king! those same courtesans by contrivances made the only son of Kasyapa +enter their bark, and unmoored the vessel. And by various means they +went on delighting him and at length came to the side of Anga's king. +And leaving then that floating vessel of an exceedingly white tint upon +the water, and having placed it within sight of the hermitage, he +similarly prepared a beautiful forest known by the name of the _Floating +Hermitage_. The king, however, kept that only son of Vibhandaka within +that part of the palace destined for the females when of a sudden he +beheld that rain was poured by the heavens and that the world began to +be flooded with water. And Lomapada, the desire of his heart fulfilled, +bestowed his daughter Santa on Rishyasringa in marriage. And with a view +to appease the wrath of his father, he ordered kine to be placed, and +fields to be ploughed, by the road that Vibhandaka was to take, in order +to come to his son. And the king also placed plentiful cattle and stout +cowherds, and gave the latter the following order: + +"'"When the great saint Vibhandaka should enquire of you about his son, +ye must join your palms and say to him that these cattle, and these +ploughed fields belong to his son and that ye are his slaves, and that +ye are ready to obey him in all that he might bid." Now the saint, whose +wrath was fierce, came to his hermitage, having gathered fruits and +roots and searched for his son. But not finding him he became +exceedingly wroth. And he was tortured with anger and suspected it to be +the doing of the king. And therefore, he directed his course towards the +city of Champa having made up his mind to burn the king, his city, and +his whole territory. And on the way he was fatigued and hungry, when he +reached those same settlements of cowherds, rich with cattle. And he was +honoured in a suitable way by those cowherds and then spent the night in +a manner befitting a king. And having received very great hospitality +from them, he asked them, saying, "To whom, O cowherds, do ye belong?" +Then they all came up to him and said, "All this wealth hath been +provided for thy son." At different places he was thus honoured by that +best of men, and saw his son who looked like the god Indra in heaven. +And he also beheld there his daughter-in-law, Santa, looking like +lightning issuing from a (cloud). And having seen the hamlets and the +cowpens provided for his son and having also beheld Santa, his great +resentment was appeased. And O king of men! Vibhandaka expressed great +satisfaction with the very ruler of the earth. And the great saint, +whose power rivalled that of the sun and the god of fire, placed there +his son, and thus spake, "As soon as a son is born to thee, and having +performed all that is agreeable to the king, to the forest must thou +come without fail." And Rishyasringa did exactly as his father said, and +went back to the place where his father was. And, O king of men! Santa +obediently waited upon him as in the firmament the star Rohind waits +upon the Moon, or as the fortunate Arundhati waits upon Vasishtha, or as +Lopamudra waits upon Agastya. And as Damayanti was an obedient wife to +Nala, or as Sachi is to the god who holdeth the thunderbolt in his hand +or as Indrasena, Narayana's daughter, was always obedient to Mudgala, so +did Santa wait affectionately upon Rishyasringa, when he lived in the +wood. This is the holy hermitage which belonged to him. Beautifying the +great lake here, it bears holy fame. Here perform thy ablutions and have +thy desire fulfilled. And having purified thyself, direct thy course +towards other holy spots.'" + + +SECTION CXIV + +Vaisampayana said, "Then, O Janamejaya, the son of Pandu started from +the river Kausiki and repaired in succession to all the sacred shrines. +And, O protector of men, he came to the sea where the river Ganga falls +into it; and there in the centre of five hundred rivers, he performed +the holy ceremony of a plunge. Then, O ruler of the earth, accompanied +by his brothers, the valiant prince proceeded by the shore of the sea +towards the land where the Kalinga tribes dwell. + +"Lomasa said, 'There is the land, O Kunti's son, where the Kalinga +tribes dwell. Through it passeth the river Vaitarani, on the banks +whereof even the god of virtue performed religious rites, having first +placed himself under the protection of the celestials. Verily, this is +the northern bank, inhabited by saints, suitable for the performance of +religious rites beautified by a hill, and frequented by persons of the +regenerate caste. This spot (in holiness) rivals the path whereby a +virtuous man, fit for going to heaven, repairs to the region inhabited +by gods. And verily at this spot in former times, other saints likewise +worshipped the immortals by the performance of religious rites. And at +the very spot it was that the god Rudra, O king of kings, seized the +sacrificial beast and exclaimed, "This is my share!" O chief of the +descendants of Bharata, then when the beast was carried away by Siva, +the gods spake to him saying, "Cast not a covetous glance at the +property of others, disregarding all the righteous rules." Then they +addressed words of glorification of a pleasing kind to the god Rudra. +And they satisfied him by offering a sacrifice, and paid him suitable +honours. Thereupon he gave up the beast, and went by the path trodden by +the gods. Thereupon what happened to Rudra, learn from me, O +Yudhishthira! Influenced by the dread of Rudra, the gods set apart for +evermore, the best allotment out of all shares, such as was fresh and +not stale (to be appropriated by the god). Whosoever performs his +ablutions at this spot, while reciting this ancient story, beholds with +his mortal eyes the path that leads to the region of the gods.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "Then all the sons of Pandu and likewise the daughter +of Drupada--all of whom were the favoured of Fate--descended to the +river Vaitarani, and made libations to the manes of their fathers. + +"Yudhishthira said, 'O Lomasa, how great must be the force of a pious +deed! Having taken my bath at this spot in a proper form, I seem to +touch no more the region inhabited by mortal men! O saint of a virtuous +life, I am beholding all the regions. And this is the noise of the +magnanimous dwellers of the wood, who are reciting their audible +prayers.' + +"Lomasa said, 'O Yudhishthira, the place whence this noise comes and +reaches thy ears is at the distance of three hundred thousand _yojanas_, +to be sure. O lord of men, rest thou quiet and utter no word. O king, +this is the divine forest of the Self-existent One, which hath now come +to our view. There, O king, Viswakarma of a dreaded name performed +religious rites. On the mighty occasion of that sacrifice, the +Self-existent One made a gift of this entire earth with all its hilly +and forest tracts, to Kasyapa, by way of gratuity, for ministering as a +priest. And then, O Kuru's son, as soon as that goddess Earth was giving +away, she became sad at heart, and wrathfully spake the following words +to that great lord, the ruler of the worlds, "O mighty god, it is +unworthy of thee to give me away to an ordinary mortal. And this act of +gift on thy part will come to nothing; (for) here am I going to descend +into the bottom of the nether world." Then when the blessed saint +Kasyapa beheld the goddess Earth, despondent and sad, he, O protector of +men, performed a propitiatory act calculated to appease her wrath. And +then, O Pandu's son, the Earth was pleased with his pious deed. And she +uprose again from within the waters, and showed herself in the form of a +sacred altar. This, O king, is the spot which distinctly manifests the +form of an altar. O great monarch, ascend over it, and thou wilt gain +valour and strength. And, O king, this is the very altar which reaches +as far as the sea, and rests itself upon its bosom. May good luck be +thine, do thou mount hereupon, and of thyself cross the sea. And while +thou this day mountest upon it, I shall administer the ceremony for +averting all evil from thee; for this altar here, as soon as it gets a +mortal's touch, at once enters into the sea. _Salutation to the god who +protects the universe! Salutation to thee that art beyond the universe! +O Lord of gods, vouchsafe thy presence in this sea._ O Pandu's son, thou +must recite the following words of truth, and while so reciting, thou +must quickly ascend this altar, "The god of fire, and the sun, and the +organ of generation, and water, and goddess and the seed of Vishnu, and +the navel of nectar. The god of fire is the organ that generated the +(ocean); the earth is thy body; Vishnu deposited the seed that caused +thy being and thou art the navel of nectar." Thus, O Pandu's son, the +words of truth must be audibly recited, and while so reciting, one must +plunge into the lord of rivers. O most praiseworthy of Kunti's son, +otherwise this lord of waters of divine birth, this best storehouse of +the waters (of the earth), should not be touched, O son of Kunti, even +with the end of a sacred grass.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "Then when the ceremony for averting evil had been +completed in his behalf, the magnanimous Yudhishthira went into the sea, +and having performed all that the saint had bid, repaired to the skirts +of the Mahendra hill, and spent the night at that spot." + + +SECTION CXV + +Vaisampayana said, "The protector of the earth spent there a single +night, and with his brothers, paid the highest honours to the religious +men. And Lomasa made him acquainted with the names of all of them, such +as the _Bhrigus_, the _Angiras_, the _Vasishthas_, and the _Kasyapas_. +And the royal saint paid visit to them all and made obeisance to them +with joined palms. And then he asked the valiant Akritavrana, who was a +follower of Parasurama, 'when will the revered Parasurama show himself +to the religious men here? It is desired on that occasion to obtain a +sight of the descendant of Bhrigu.' + +"Akritavrana said, 'Thy journey to this spot is already known to Rama, +whose soul spontaneously knows everything. And he is in every way +well-pleased with thee, and he will show himself readily to thee. And +the saints who practise penances here, are permitted to see him on the +fourteenth and the eighth day of the lunar course. On the morrow at the +end of this very night there will set in the fourteenth day of the lunar +course. On that occasion thou wilt have a sight of him, clad in a sable +deerskin, and wearing his hair in the form of a matted mass.' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'Thou hast been a follower of the mighty Rama, +Jamadagni's son; thou must, therefore, have been the eye-witness of all +the deeds achieved by him in former days. I, therefore, request thee to +narrate to me how the members of the military caste were vanquished by +Rama on the field of battle, and what the original cause of those +conflicts was.' + +"Akritavrana said, 'With pleasure shall I recite to thee that excellent +story, O Bharata's son, O chief of kings, the story of the godlike deeds +of Rama, the son of Jamadagni, who traced his origin to Bhrigu's race. I +shall also relate the achievements of the great ruler of the _Haihaya_ +tribe. That king, Arjuna by name, the mighty lord of the _Haihaya_ tribe +was killed by Rama. He, O Pandu's son, was endued with a thousand arms; +and by the favour of Dattatreya he likewise had a celestial car made of +gold. And, O protector of the earth, his rule extended over the entire +animated world, wheresoever located on this earth. And the car of that +mighty monarch could proceed everywhere in an unobstructed course. And +grown resistless by the virtue of a granted boon, he ever mounted on +that car, trampled upon gods and _Yakshas_ and saints on all sides +round. And all the born beings wheresoever placed, were harassed by him. +Then the celestials and the saints of a rigidly virtuous life, met +together, and thus spake to Vishnu, the god of gods, the slayer of +demons, and possessed of prowess that never failed, saying, "O blessed +and revered lord, for the purpose of preserving all the born beings, it +is necessary that Arjuna should be killed by thee." And the mighty ruler +of the Haihaya tribe placing himself on his celestial car, affronted +Indra, while that deity was enjoying himself with Sachi, his queen. +Then, O Bharata's son, the blessed and the revered god (Vishnu) held a +consultation with Indra, with a view to destroying Kartavirya's son. And +on that occasion, all that was for the good of the world of beings, was +communicated by the lord of gods; and the blessed god worshipped by the +world, to do all that was necessary, went to the delightful _Vadari_ +wood which was his own chosen retreat for practising penances. And at +this very time there lived on the earth a mighty monarch in the land of +_Kanyakuvja_, a sovereign whose military force was exceedingly great. +And his name of Gadhi was famous in the world. He, however, betook +himself to a forest-life. And while he was dwelling in the midst of the +wood, there was born to him a daughter beautiful as a nymph of heaven. +And Richika, the son of Bhrigu, asked for her to be united with himself +in marriage. And then Gadhi spake to that Brahmana, who led a rigidly +austere life, saying, "There is a certain family custom in our race; it +hath been founded by my ancestors of a bygone age. And, O most excellent +of the sacerdotal caste, be it known to thee that the intending +bridegroom must offer a dowry consisting of a thousand fleet steeds, +whose colour must be brown and every one of whom must possess a single +sable ear. But, O Bhrigu's son, a reverend saint like thee cannot be +asked to offer the same. Nor can my daughter be refused to a magnanimous +saint of thy (exalted) rank." Thereupon Richika said, "I will give thee +a thousand fleet steeds, brown in hue and possessing a single sable ear; +let thy daughter be given in marriage to me."' + +"Akritavrana said, 'Thus having given his word, O king, he went and said +to Varuna, "Give me a thousand fleet steeds brown in colour, and each +with one black ear. I want the same as dowry for my marriage." To him +Varuna forthwith gave a thousand steeds. Those steeds had issued out of +the river Ganga; hence the spot hath been named, _The horse's landing +place_. And in the city of Kanyakuvja, the daughter of Gadhi, Satyavati +by name, was given in marriage; and the gods themselves were of the +party of the bride. Richika, the most excellent of the sacerdotal caste, +thus procured a thousand steeds, and had a sight of the dwellers of +heaven and won a wife in the proper form. And he enjoyed himself with +the girl of slender waist, and thus gratified all the wishes and desire +that he ever had. And when the marriage had been celebrated, O king, his +father Bhrigu came on a visit to see him and his wife; and he was glad +to see his praiseworthy son. And the husband and wife together paid +their best respects to him, who was worshipped by all the gods. And when +he had seated himself, they both with joined palms, stood near him, in +order that they might do his bidding. And then the revered saint, +Bhrigu, glad at heart, thus spoke to his daughter-in-law, saying, "O +lovely daughter, as for a boon I am ready to grant thee any object of +thy wish." And there upon she asked for his favour in this, that a son +might be born to both herself and her mother. And he vouchsafed the +favour thus asked for. + +"'Bhrigu said, "During the days that your season lasts, thou and thy +mother must take a bath, with the ceremony for bringing forth a male +child. And ye two must then separately embrace two different trees--she +a peepal tree, and thou a fig tree. And, O dutiful girl, here are two +pots of rice and milk, prepared by me with the utmost care. I having +ransacked the whole universe to find the drugs, the essence whereof hath +been blended with this milk and rice. It must be taken as food with the +greatest care." And saying this, he vanished from sight. The two ladies, +however, made an interchange both in the matter of the pots of rice, and +likewise as regards the trees (to be embraced by each). Then after the +lapse of very many days, the revered saint, once more came. And he came +knowing (what had happened) by his attribute of divine knowledge. Then +Bhrigu possessed of mighty strength, spake to Satyavati, his +daughter-in-law, saying, "O dutiful girl! O my daughter of a lovely +brow, the wrong pot of rice thou tookest as food. And it was the wrong +tree which was embraced by thee. It was thy mother who deluded thee. A +son will be born of thee, who, though of the priestly caste, will be of +a character fit for the military order; while a mighty son will be born +of thy mother, who, though by birth a Kshatriya will assume a life +suitable to the sacerdotal order. And his power will be great, and he +will walk on the path trodden by righteous men." Then she entreated her +father-in-law again and again, saying, "Let not my son be of this +character; but let my grandson be such." And, O Pandu's son, he replied, +"So let it be!" And thus he was pleased to grant her prayer. Then she +brought forth on the expected day a son by name Jamadagni. And this son +of Bhrigu was endowed with both splendour and grace. And he grew in +years and in strength, and excelled the other saints in the proficiency +of his _Vaidik_ lore. O chieftain of Bharata's race, to him, rivalling +in lustre the author of light (the sun), came spontaneously and without +instruction the knowledge of the entire military art and of the fourfold +missile arms.'" + + +SECTION CXVI + +"Akritavrana said, 'Jamadagni devoted himself to the study of the _Veda_ +and the practice of sacred penances, and became famous for his great +austerities. Then he pursued a methodical course of study and obtained a +mastery over the entire Veda. And, O king, he paid a visit to Prasenajit +and solicited the hand of Renuka in marriage. And this prayer was +granted by the king. And the delight of Bhrigu's race having thus +obtained Renuka for his wife, took his residence with her in a +hermitage, and began to practice penances, being assisted by her. And +four boys were born of her, with Rama for the fifth. And although the +youngest, Rama was superior to all in merit. Now once upon a time, when +her sons had gone out for the purpose of gathering fruits, Renuka who +had a pure and austere life, went out to bathe. And, O king, while +returning home, she happened to cast her glance towards the king of +Martikavata, known by the name of Chitraratha. The king was in the water +with his wives, and wearing on his breast a lotus wreath, was engaged in +sport. And beholding his magnificent form, Renuka was inspired with +desire. And this unlawful desire she could not control, but became +polluted within the water, and came back to the hermitage frightened at +heart. Her husband readily perceived what state she was in. And mighty +and powerful and of a wrathful turn of mind, when he beheld that she had +been giddy and that the lustre of chastity had abandoned her, he +reproached her by crying out "Fie!" At that very moment came in the +eldest of Jamadagni's sons, Rumanvan; and then, Sushena, and then, Vasu, +and likewise, Viswavasu. And the mighty saint directed them all one by +one to put an end to the life of their mother. They, however, were quite +confounded and lost heart. And they could not utter a single word. Then +he in ire cursed them. And on being cursed they lost their sense and +suddenly became like inanimate objects, and comparable in conduct to +beasts and birds. And then Rama, the slayer of hostile heroes, came to +the hermitage, last of all. Him the mighty-armed Jamadagni, of great +austerities, addressed, saying, "Kill this wicked mother of thine, +without compunction, O my son." Thereupon Rama immediately took up an +axe and therewith severed his mother's head. Then, O great king, the +wrath of Jamadagni of mighty soul, was at once appeased; and +well-pleased, he spake the following words, "Thou hast, my boy, +performed at my bidding this difficult task, being versed in virtue. +Therefore, whatsoever wishes there may be in thy heart, I am ready to +grant them all. Do thou ask me." Thereupon Rama solicited that his +mother might be restored to life, and that he might not be haunted by +the remembrance of this cruel deed and that he might not be affected by +any sin, and that his brothers might recover their former state, and +that he might be unrivalled on the field of battle, and that he might +obtain long life. And, O Bharata's son, Jamadagni, whose penances were +the most rigid, granted all those desires of his son. Once, however, O +lord, when his sons had gone out as before, the valourous son of +Kartavirya, the lord of the country near the shore of the sea, came up +to the hermitage. And when he arrived at that hermitage, the wife of the +saint received him hospitably. He, however, intoxicated with a warrior's +pride, was not at all pleased with the reception accorded to him, and by +force and in defiance of all resistance, seized and carried off from +that hermitage the chief of the cows whose milk supplied the sacred +butter, not heeding the loud lowing of the cow. And he wantonly pulled +down the large trees of the wood. When Rama came home, his father +himself told him all that had happened. Then when Rama saw how the cow +was lowing for its calf, resentment arose in his heart. And he rushed +towards Kartavirya's son, whose last moments had drawn nigh. Then the +descendant of Bhrigu, the exterminator of hostile heroes, put forth his +valour on the field of battle, and with sharpened arrows with flattened +tips, which were shot from a beautiful bow, cut down Arjuna's arms, +which numbered a thousand, and were massive like (wooden) bolts for +barring the door. He, already touched by the hand of death, was +overpowered by Rama, his foe. Then the kinsmen of Arjuna, their wrath +excited against Rama, rushed at Jamadagni in his hermitage, while Rama +was away. And they slew him there; for although his strength was great, +yet being at the time engaged in penances, he would not fight. And while +thus attacked by his foes, he repeatedly shouted the name of Rama in a +helpless and piteous way. And, O Yudhishthira, the sons of Kartavirya +shot Jamadagni, with their arrows, and having thus chastised their foe, +went their way. And when they had gone away, and when Jamadagni had +breathed his last, Rama, the delight of Bhrigu's race, returned to the +hermitage, bearing in his arms, fuel for religious rites. And the hero +beheld his father who had been put to death. And grieved exceedingly he +began to bewail the unworthy fate that had laid his father low.'" + + +SECTION CXVII + +"'Rama said, "The blame is mine, O father, that like a stag in the wood, +thou hast been shot dead with arrows, by those mean and stupid +wretches--the sons of Kartavirya. And O father, virtuous and unswerving +from the path of righteousness and inoffensive to all animated beings as +thou wert, how came it to be permitted by Fate that thou shouldst die in +this way? What an awful sin must have been committed by them, who have +killed thee with hundreds of sharpened shafts, although thou wert an +aged man, and engaged in penances at the time and absolutely averse to +fighting with them. With what face will those shameless persons speak of +this deed of theirs to their friends and servants, _viz_., that they +have slain an unassisted and unresisting virtuous man?"--O protector of +men, thus he, great in penance, bewailed much in a piteous manner, and +then performed the obsequies of his departed sire. And Rama, the +conqueror of hostile cities, cremated his father on the funeral pyre, +and vowed, O scion of Bharata's race, the slaughter of the entire +military caste, and of exceeding strength in the field of battle, and +possessed of valour suited to a heroic soul, and comparable to the god +of death himself, he took up his weapon in wrathful mood, and +singlehanded put Kartavirya's sons to death. And, O chieftain of the +military caste, Rama, the leader of all capable of beating their foes, +thrice smote down all the Kshatriya followers of Kartavirya's sons. And +seven times did that powerful lord exterminate the military tribes of +the earth. In the tract of land, called Samantapanchaka five lakes of +blood were made by him. There the mightiest scion of Bhrigu's race +offered libations to his forefathers--the Bhrigus, and Richika appeared +to him in a visible form, and spake to him words of counsel. Then the +son of Jamadagni of dreaded name, performed a mighty sacrifice and +gratified the lord of the celestials, and bestowed the earth to the +ministering priests. And, O protector of human beings, he raised an +altar made of gold, ten _Vyamas_ in breadth and nine in height, and made +a gift of the same to the magnanimous Kasyapa. Then at Kasyapa's bidding +the Brahmanas divided the altar into a number of shares, and thus they +became reputed as the _Khandavayamas_ (share takers). And the +exterminator of the military race possessed of immense strength, +bestowed the earth upon the high-souled Kasyapa, and then became engaged +in penance of an exceedingly severe form. He now dwells in this +Mahendra, monarch of hills. Thus did hostilities arise between him and +the members of the military caste,--all of them who dwell on this earth; +and Rama, endowed with immense strength, in this way subdued the entire +world.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "Then on the fourteenth day of the moon, the +mighty-souled Rama at the proper hour showed himself to those members of +the priestly caste and also to the virtuous king (Yudhishthira) and his +younger brothers. And, O king of kings, the lord together with his +brothers, worshipped Rama, and, O most righteous of the rulers of men, +the very highest honours were paid by him to all those members of the +twice-born class. And after worshipping Jamadagni's son and having +received words of praise from him, at his direction he spent the night +on the Mahendra hill, and then started on his journey towards the +southern regions." + + +SECTION CXVIII + +Vaisampayana said, "The magnanimous monarch pursued his journey, and at +different spots on the shore of the sea visited the various bathing +places, all sacred and pleasant and frequented by men of the sacerdotal +caste. And O son of Parikshit! He in proper form took his bath in them +together with his younger brothers and then went to an excellent river, +the holiest of all. There also the magnanimous king, took his plunge, +and offered libations to his forefathers and the gods, and distributed +riches to the leaders of the twice-born class. Then he went to the +Godavari, a river that falls directly into the sea. There he was freed +from his sins. And he reached the sea in the Dravida land, and visited +the holy spot passing under Agastya's name, which was exceedingly sacred +and exceptionally pure. And the valiant king visited the feminine sacred +spots. Here he listened to the story of that well-known feat which was +achieved by Arjuna, chief of all wielders of the bow, and which was +beyond the power of human beings to perform. And here he was praised by +the highest members of the saintly class, and the son of Pandu +experienced the greatest delight. And, O protector of the earth! the +ruler of the world, accompanied by Krishna bathed in those holy spots, +and speaking of Arjuna's valour in laudatory terms delightfully spent +his time in the place. Then he gave away thousands of cows at those holy +spots on the coast of the sea; and with his brothers narrated well +pleased how Arjuna had made a gift of kine. And he, O king! visited one +by one those holy places on the coast of the sea and many other sacred +spots, and thus fulfilled his heart's desire, till he came to the +holiest of all known by the name of Suparaka. Then having crossed a +certain tract on the coast of the sea, he reached a forest celebrated on +earth. There the deities had practised asceticism in former days, and +likewise virtuous rulers of men had performed sacrificial rites. There +he, possessed of long and lusty arms, beheld the celebrated altar of +Richika's son, who was the foremost of all wielders of the bow. And the +altar was girt round by hosts of ascetics, and was fit to be worshipped +by persons of a virtuous life. Then the king beheld the holy and +delightful shrines of all the gods and of the Vasus, and of the hosts of +wind and of the two celestial physicians and of Yatna, son of the sun +and of the lord of riches, and of Indra, and of Vishnu, and of the lord +Creator and of Siva, and of the moon, and of the author of day, and of +the lord of waters, and of the host of Sadhyas, and of Brahma, and of +the forefathers, and of Rudra together with all his followers, and of +the goddess of learning, and of the host of Siddhas, and of many +immortal holy gods besides. And in those shrines the king observed +various fasts, and gave away large quantities of gems. He plunged his +body in all the holy spots, and then came again to Surparaka. And he by +the same landing-place of the sea again proceeded with his uterine +brothers and came over to the holy spot Prabhasa, whereof fame hath been +spread by mighty Brahmanas throughout the world. There he, possessed of +a pair of large red eyes, washed himself with all his younger brothers, +and offered libations to the forefathers and the celestial hosts; and so +did Krishna and all those Brahmanas together with Lomasa. For twelve +days he subsisted upon air and water. And he performed ablutions for +days and nights and surrounded himself with fires kindled on all sides. +Thus that greatest of all virtuous men engaged himself in asceticism. +While he was acting thus, information reached both Valarama and Krishna +that the king was practising penances of a most austere form and these +two leaders of the entire Vrishni tribe accompanied with troops came to +Yudhishthira of Ajamidha's race. And when the Vrishnis beheld that the +sons of Pandu lay down on the ground, their bodies besmeared all over +with dirt and when they beheld the daughter of Drupada in a sad state, +their grief was great and they could not refrain from breaking out in +loud lamentations. Then the king, whose courage was such that misfortune +never could cast him down, cordially met Rama and Krishna and Samva, +Krishna's son, and the grand-son of Sini and other Vrishnis, and paid +honour to them in a suitable form. And they also in return paid honour +to all the sons of Pritha, and were similarly honoured by Pandu's sons. +And they seated themselves round about Yudhishthira, as round Indra, O +king! are seated the celestial hosts. And highly pleased, he recounted +to them all the machinations of his adversaries, and how also he had +resided in the forest, and how Arjuna had gone to Indra's abode in order +to learn the science of arms--all this he related with a gladdened +heart. And they were happy to learn all this news from him; but when +they saw the Pandavas so exceedingly lean, the majestic and magnanimous +Vrishnis could not forbear shedding tears, which spontaneously gushed +from their eyes on account of the agony they felt." + + +SECTION CXIX + +Janamejaya said, "O thou of ascetic wealth! when the sons of Pandu and +the Vrishnis reached the holy spot Prabhasa, what did they do and what +conversation was held there by them, for all of them were of mighty +souls, proficient in all the branches of science and both the Vrishnis +and the sons of Pandu held one another in friendly estimation." + +Vaisampayana said, "When the Vrishnis reached the holy spot Prabhasa, the +sacred landing-place on the coast of the sea, they surrounded the sons +of Pandu and waited upon them. Then Valarama, resembling in hue the milk +of the cow and the Kunda flower and the moon and the silver and the +lotus root and who wore a wreath made of wild flowers and who had the +ploughshare for his arms, spake to the lotuseyed one, saying, 'O +Krishna, I do not see that the practice of virtue leads to any good or +that unrighteous practices can cause evil, since the magnanimous +Yudhishthira is in this miserable state, with matted hair, a resident of +the wood, and for his garment wearing the bark of trees. And Duryodhana +is now ruling the earth, and the ground doth not yet swallow him up. +From this, a person of limited sense would believe a vicious course of +life is preferable to a virtuous one. When Duryodhana is in a +flourishing state and Yudhishthira, robbed of his throne, is suffering +thus, what should people do in such a matter?--This is the doubt that is +now perplexing all men. Here is the lord of men sprung from the god of +virtue, holding fast to a righteous path, strictly truthful and of a +liberal heart. This son of Pritha would give up his kingdom and his +pleasure but would not swerve from the righteous path, in order to +thrive. How is it that Bhishma and Kripa and the Brahmana Drona and the +aged king, the senior member of the house, are living happily, after +having banished the sons of Pritha? Fie upon the vicious-minded leaders +of Bharata's race! What will that sinner, the chieftain of the earth, +say to the departed forefathers of his race, when the wretch will meet +them in the world to come? Having hurled from the throne his +in-offensive sons, will he be able to declare that he had treated them +in a blameless way? He doth not now see with his mind's eye how he hath +become so sightless, and on account of what act he hath grown blind +among the kings of this entire earth. Is it not because he hath banished +Kunti's son from his kingdom? I have no doubt that Vichitravirya's son, +when he with his sons perpetrated this inhuman act, beheld on the spot +where dead bodies are burnt, flowering trees of a golden hue. Verily he +must have asked them, when those stood before him with their shoulders +projected forward towards him, and with their large red eyes staring at +him, and he must have listened to their evil advice, since he fearlessly +sent away Yudhishthira to the forest, who had all his weapons of war +with him and was borne company by his younger brothers. This Bhima here, +whose voracious appetite is like that of a wolf, is able to destroy with +the sole strength of his powerful arms, and without the help of any +weapons of war, a formidable array of hostile troops. The forces in the +field of battle were utterly unmanned on hearing his war-cry. And now +the strong one is suffering from hunger and thirst, and is emaciated +with toilsome journeys. But when he will take up in his hand arrows and +diverse other weapons of war, and meet his foes in the field of battle, +he will then remember the sufferings of his exceedingly miserable +forest-life, and kill his enemies to a man: of a certainty do I +anticipate this. There is not throughout the whole world a single soul +who can boast of strength and prowess equal to his. And his body, alas! +is emaciated with cold, and heat and winds. But when he will stand up +for fight, he will not leave a single man out of his foes. This powerful +hero, who is a very great warrior when mounted on a car--this Bhima, of +appetite rivalling a wolf's conquered single-handed all the rulers of +men in the east, together with, those who followed them in battle; and +he returned from those wars safe and uninjured. And that same Bhima, +miserably dressed in the bark of trees, is now leading a wretched life +in the woods. This powerful Sahadeva vanquished all the kings in the +south; those lords of men who had gathered on the coast of the +sea,--look at him now in an anchorite's dress. Valiant in battle Nakula +vanquished single-handed the kings who ruled the regions towards the +west,--and he now walks about the wood, subsisting on fruit and roots, +with a matted mass of hair on the head, and his body besmeared all over +with dirt. This daughter of a king, who is a great soldier when mounted +on a car, took her rise from beneath the altar, during the pomp of +sacrificial rites. She hath been always accustomed to a life of +happiness; how is she now enduring this exceedingly miserable life in +this wood! And the son of the god of virtue,--virtue which stands at the +head of all the three pursuits of life--and the son of the wind-god and +also the son of the lord of celestials, and those two sons of the +celestial physicians,--being the sons of all those gods and always +accustomed to a life of happiness, how are they living in this wood, +deprived of all comforts? When the son of Virtue met with defeat and +when his wife, his brothers, his followers, and himself were all driven +forth, and Duryodhana began to flourish, why did not the earth subside +with all its hills?'" + + +SECTION CXX + +"Satyaki said, 'O Rama! this is not the time of lamentation; let us do +that which is proper and suited to the present occasion, although +Yudhishthira doth not speak a single word. Those who have persons to +look after their welfare do not undertake anything of themselves; they +have others to do their work, as Saivya and others did for Yayati. +Likewise, O Rama! those who have appointed functionaries to undertake +their work on their own responsibility, as the leaders of men, they may +be said to have real patrons, and they meet with no difficulty, like +helpless beings. How is it that when the sons of Pritha have for their +patrons these two men, Rama and Krishna, and the two others, Pradyumna +and Samva, together with myself,--these patrons being able to protect +all the three worlds,--how is it that the son of Pritha is living in the +wood with his brothers? It is fit that this very day the army of the +Dasarhas should march out, variously armed and with checkered mails. Let +Dhritarashtra's sons be overwhelmed with the forces of the Vrishnis and +let them go with their friends to the abode of the god of death. Let him +alone who wields the bow made of the horn (Krishna), thou alone, if +roused, wouldst be able to surround even the whole of this earth. I ask +thee to kill Dhritarashtra's son with all his men, as the great Indra, +the lord of the gods killed Vritra. Arjuna, the son of Pritha, is my +brother, and also my friend, and also my preceptor, and is like the +second self of Krishna. It is for this that men desire for a worthy son, +and that preceptor seeks a pupil who would contradict him not. It is for +this that the time is come for that excellent work, which is the best of +all tasks and difficult to perform. I shall baffle Duryodhana's volleys +of arms by my own excellent weapons. I shall overpower all in the field +of battle. I shall in my wrath cut off his head with my excellent +shafts, little inferior to snakes and poison and fire. And with the keen +edge of my sword, I shall forcibly sever his head from the trunk, in the +field of battle; then I shall kill his followers, and Duryodhana, and +all of Kuru's race. O son of Rohini! let the followers of Bhima look at +me with joy at their heart, when I shall keep up the weapons of war in +the field of battle, and when I shall go on slaying all the best +fighting men on the side of the Kurus, as at the end of time fire will +burn vast heaps of straw. Kripa and Drona and Vikarna and Karna are not +able to bear the keen arrows shot by Pradyumna. I know the power of +Arjuna's son--he conducts himself like the son of Krishna in the field +of battle. Let Samva chastise by the force of his arms Dussasana; let +him destroy by force Dussasana and his charioteer and his car. In the +field of battle when the son of Jamvavati becomes irresistible in fight, +there is nothing which can withstand his force. The army of the demon +Samvara was speedily routed by him when only a boy. By him was killed in +fight Asvachakra, whose thighs were round, and whose muscular arms were +of exceeding length. Who is there that would be able to go forward to +the car of Samva, who is great in fight, when mounted on a car? As a +mortal coming under the clutches of death can never escape; so who is +there that once coming under his clutches in the field of battle, is +able to return with his life? The son of Vasudeva will burn down by the +volleys of his fiery shafts all the hostile troops, and those two +warriors, Bhishma and Drona,--who are great on a car, and Somadatta +surrounded by all his sons. What is there in all the world including the +gods, which Krishna cannot encounter on an equal footing, when he takes +up the weapons of war, wields in his hands excellent arrows, arms +himself with his mace, and thus becomes unrivalled in fight? Then let +Aniruddha also take up in his hand his buckler and sword, and let him +cover the surface of the earth with Dhritarashtra's sons, their heads +separated from their trunks, their bodies devoid of all consciousness as +in a sacrificial rite the altar is overspread with sacred grass placed +upon the same. And Gada and Uluka, and Vahuka and Bhanu and Nitha and +the young Nishatha valiant in battle and Sarana, and Charudeshna, +irresistible in war, let them perform feats befitting their race. Let +the united army of the Satwatas and Suras, together with the best +soldiers of the Vrishnis, the Bhojas, and the Andhakas, kill those sons +of Dhritarashtra in the field of battle and let them swell their +expanded fame throughout the world. Then let Abhimanyu rule the world so +long as this most excellent of virtuous men, the magnanimous +Yudhishthira, may be engaged in fulfilling his vow,--the vow that was +accepted and declared by him, the most righteous of Kuru's race, on the +occasion of the famous play at dice. Afterwards the virtuous king will +protect the earth, all his foes defeated in battle by shafts which will +be discharged by us. Then there will remain no sons of Dhritarashtra on +earth,--nor the son of the charioteer (Karna). This is the most +important work for us to do, and this will surely lead to fame.' + +"Krishna said, 'O scion of the race of Madhu! no doubt what thou sayest +is true; we accept thy words, O thou of courage that is never weak! But +this bull of the Kuru race (Yudhishthira) would never accept the +sovereignty of the earth, unless it were won by the prowess of his own +arms. Neither for the sake of pleasure, nor from fear, nor from +covetousness, would Yudhishthira ever renounce the rules of the caste; +nor would these two heroes, who are mighty, when mounted on a car--Bhima +and Arjuna; nor the twin brothers, nor Krishna, the daughter of Drupada. +He possessing the appetite of a wolf (Bhima), and the winner of riches +(Arjuna), are both unrivalled in fight throughout the world. And why +should not this king rule over the entire world when he hath the two +sons of Madri to espouse his cause? The high-souled ruler of Panchala +together with the Kekaya king, and we also should put forth our united +strength, and then would the enemies of Yudhishthira be annihilated.' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'It is not strange that thou shouldst speak thus, O +scion of Madhu's race! but to me truth seems to be the first +consideration, above that of my sovereign power itself. But it is +Krishna alone who precisely knoweth what I am; and it is I alone who +precisely know what Krishna (really) is. O thou endued with valour! O +scion of Madhu's race! as soon as he will perceive that the time is come +for feats of bravery, then, O most valiant of Sini's race, he also of +beautiful hair (Krishna) will defeat Suyodhana. Let the brave men of the +Dasarha race go back today. They are my patrons; and the foremost of +human beings, they have visited me here. O ye of immeasurable strength! +never fall off from the path of virtue. I shall see you again, when ye +will be happily gathered together.' + +"Then after mutual greeting and obeisance to seniors, and having +embraced the youthful, those valiant men of the Yadu race and the sons +of Pandu separated. And the Yadus reunited to their home; and the +Pandavas continued their journey to the sacred spots. Then having parted +with Krishna, the virtuous king, accompanied by his brothers and +servants, and also by Lomasa, went to the sacred river Payosini. Its +fine landing place was constructed by the king of Vidarbha. And he began +to dwell on the banks of the Payosini, whose waters were mingled with +the distilled Soma juice. There the high-souled Yudhishthira was greeted +with excellent laudatory terms by numerous leaders of the twice-born +class, who were delighted to see him there." + + +SECTION CXXI + +"Lomasa said, 'O king! when the Nriga performed a sacrifice here, he +gratified Indra, the demolisher of hostile cities, by offering the Soma +juice. And Indra was refreshed and was very much pleased. Here the gods +together with Indra, and the protectors of all born beings, celebrated +sacrifices of various kinds on a large scale, and paid abundant +gratuities to the ministering priests. Here king Amurtarayasa, the lord +of the world, satisfied Indra, the holder of the thunderbolt, by the +offer of the Soma juice, when seven horse-sacrifices were performed by +that king. The articles which in other sacrificial rites are uniformly +made of the timber, wood and of earth, were all made of gold in the +seven sacrifices performed by him. And it is said that in all those +rites, seven sets of stakes, rings for the sacrificial stakes, spots, +ladles, utensils, spoons were prepared by him. On each sacrificial +stake, seven rings were fastened at the top. And, O Yudhishthira! the +celestials together with Indra, themselves erected the sacrificial +stakes of shining gold which had been prepared for his sacred rites. In +all those magnificent sacrifices instituted by Gaya, the protector of +the earth, Indra, was delighted by drinking the _Soma_ juice, and the +ministering priests were gratified with the gratuities paid to them. And +the priests obtained untold wealth counted out to them. And as the +sand-grains of the earth, or as the stars in the sky, or as the +rain-drops when it raineth, cannot be counted by anyone, so the wealth +Gaya gave away was incapable of being counted by figures. So untold was +the wealth, O great king! that was given to the ministering priests in +all those seven sacrifices that even the above-mentioned objects might +be counted by figures, but the gratuities bestowed by him whose +largeness exceeded all that was known before were not capable of being +counted by figures. And images of the goddess of speech were made of +gold by the sculptor of the gods;--and the king gratified the members of +the sacerdotal caste, who had arrived from all the cardinal points, by +making presents to them of those images, of gold. O protector of men! +when the high-souled Gaya performed his sacrificial rites, he erected +sacrificial piles at so many different spots that but little space was +left on the surface of the earth. And, O scion of Bharata's race! he by +that sacred act attained the regions of Indra. Whoever should bathe in +the river, Payosini, would go to the regions attained by Gaya. +Therefore, O lord of kings! O unswerving prince! thou and thy brothers +should bathe in this river; then, O protector of the earth, thou wilt be +freed from all these sins.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "O most praiseworthy of men! Yudhishthira with his +brothers performed ablutions in the Payosini river. Then, O sinless +prince! the powerful monarch together with his brothers, journeyed to +the hill of sapphires and the great river Narmada. The blessed saint +Lomasa there named to him all the delightful holy spots and all the +sacred shrines of the celestials. Then he with his brothers visited +those places, according to his desire and convenience. And at various +places Brahmanas by thousands received gifts from him. + +"Lomasa said, 'O son of Kunti! one who visits the sapphire Hill and +plunges his body in the river Narmada attains the regions inhabited by +the celestials and kings. O most praiseworthy of men! this period is the +junction between the Treta and the Kali age, O Kunti's son! This is the +period when a person gets rid of all his sins. O respected sir! this is +the spot where Saryati performed sacrificial rites, wherein Indra +appeared in a visible form and drank the Soma juice, with the two +celestial physicians. And Bhrigu's son of severe austerities conceived +anger towards the great Indra; and the mighty Chyavana paralysed Indra, +and for his wife obtained the princess, Sukanya.' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'How was the chastiser of the demon Paka, the god +possessed of the six attributes, paralysed by Chyavana? And for what +reason did the mighty saint conceive wrath towards Indra? And how, O +Brahmana! did he raise the celestial physicians to the rank of the +drinkers of Soma? All this, precisely as it happened, thy venerable self +will be pleased to recount to me.'" + + +SECTION CXXII + +"Lomasa said, 'A son was born to the great saint Bhrigu, Chyavana by +name. And he, of an exceedingly resplendent form, began to practise +austerities by the side of yonder lake. And, O Pandu's son! O protector +of men! he of mighty energy assumed the posture called _Vira_, quiet and +still like an inanimate post, and for a long period, remained at the +same spot of ground. And he was turned into an anthill covered over with +creepers. And after the lapse of a long period, swarms of ants enveloped +him. And covered all over with ants, the sagacious saint looked exactly +like a heap of earth. And he went on practising austerities, enveloped +on all sides with that ant-hill. Now after the lapse of a long space of +time, that ruler of earth, Saryati by name, for amusement visited this +pleasant and excellent lake. With him were four thousand females, +espoused by him, O son of Bharata's race! there was also his only +daughter endued with beautiful brows, named Sukanya. She surrounded by +her maids, and decked out with jewels fit for the celestials, while +walking about, approached the anthill where Bhrigu's son was seated. And +surrounded by her maids, she began to amuse herself there, viewing the +beautiful scenery, and looking at the lofty trees of the wood. And she +was handsome and in the prime of her youth; and she was amorous and bent +on frolicking. And she began to break the twigs of the forest trees +bearing blossoms. And Bhrigu's son endued with intelligence beheld her +wandering like lightning, without her maids, and wearing a single piece +of cloth and decked with ornaments. And seeing her in the lone forest, +that ascetic of exceeding effulgence was inspired with desire. And that +regenerate _Rishi_ possessing ascetic energy, who had a low voice, +called the auspicious one,--but she heard him not. Then seeing the eyes +of Bhrigu's son from the ant-hill, Sukanya from curiosity and losing her +sense, said, "_What is this?_"--and with thorns pierced the eyes (of the +Rishi). And as his eyes being pierced by her, he felt exceeding pain and +became wroth. And (from anger) he obstructed the calls of nature of +Saryati's forces. And on their calls of nature being obstructed, the men +were greatly afflicted. And seeing this state of things, the king asked. +"Who is it that hath done wrong to the illustrious son of Bhrigu, old +and ever engaged in austerities and of wrathful temper? Tell me quick if +ye know it." The soldiers (thereupon) answered him saying, "We do not +know whether any one hath done wrong to the _Rishi_. Do thou, as thou +list, make a searching enquiry into the matter." Thereupon that ruler of +earth, using (as he saw occasion) both menace and conciliation, asked +his friends (about the circumstance). But they too did not know +anything. Seeing that the army was distressed owing to the obstruction +of the calls of nature, and also finding her father aggrieved, Sukanya +said, "Roving in the forest, I lighted in the ant-hill here upon some +brilliant substance. Thereupon taking it for a glow-worm I neared it, +and pierced it (with thorns)." Hearing this Saryati immediately came to +the ant-hill, and there saw Bhrigu's son, old both in years and +austerities. Then the lord of earth with joined hands, besought (the +ascetic) saying, "It behoveth thee to forgive what my daughter through +ignorance and greenness, hath done unto thee." Chyavana the son of +Bhrigu, addressed the monarch saying, "Disregarding me, this one, filled +with pride hath pierced my eyes. Even her, O king, endued with beauty +and who was bereft of her senses by ignorance and temptation--even thy +daughter would I have for my bride, I tell thee truly, on this condition +alone will I forgive thee."' + +"Lomasa said, 'Hearing the words of the sage, Saryati, without pausing, +bestowed his daughter on the high-souled Chyavana. Having received the +hand of that girl, the holy one was pleased with the king. And having +won the _Rishi's_ grace, the king went to his city, accompanied by his +troops. And the faultless Sukanya also having obtained that ascetic for +her husband, began to tend him, practising penances, and observing the +ordinance. And that one of a graceful countenance, and void of guile +worshipped Chyavana, and also ministered unto guests, and the sacred +fire.'" + + +SECTION CXXIII + +"Lomasa said, 'Once on a time, O king, those celestials, namely the twin +Aswins, happened to behold Sukanya, when she had (just) bathed, and when +her person was bare. And seeing that one of excellent limbs, and like +unto the daughter of the lord of celestials, the nose-born Aswins neared +her, and addressed her, saying, "O thou of shapely thighs, whose +daughter art thou? And what doest thou in this wood? O auspicious one, O +thou of excellent grace, we desire to know this, do thou therefore tell +us." Thereupon she replied bashfully unto those foremost of celestials, +"Know me as Saryati's daughter, and Chyavana's wife." Thereat the +Aswins again spake unto her, smiling. "What for, O fortunate one, hath +thy father bestowed thee on a person who is verging on death? Surely, O +timid girl, thou shinest in this wood like lightning. Not in the regions +of the celestials themselves, O girl, have our eyes lighted on thy like. +O damsel, unadorned and without gay robes as thou art, thou beautifiest +this wood exceedingly. Still, O thou of faultless limbs, thou canst not +look so beautiful, when (as at present) thou art soiled with mud and +dirt, as thou couldst, if decked with every ornament and wearing +gorgeous apparel. Why, O excellent girl in such plight servest thou a +decrepit old husband, and one that hath become incapable of realising +pleasure and also of maintaining thee, O thou of luminous smiles? O +divinely beautiful damsel, do thou, forsaking Chyavana accept one of us +for husband. It behoveth thee not to spend thy youth fruitlessly." + +"'Thus addressed Sukanya answered the celestials saying, "I am devoted +to my husband, Chyavana: do ye not entertain any doubts (regarding my +fidelity)." Thereupon they again spake unto her, "We two are the +celestial physicians of note. We will make thy lord young and graceful. +Do thou then select one of us, _viz._, ourselves and thy husband,--for +thy partner. Promising this do thou, O auspicious one, bring hither thy +husband." O king, agreeably to their words she went to Bhrigu's son and +communicated to him what the two celestials had said. Hearing her +message, Chyavana said unto his wife, "Do thou so." Having received the +permission of her lord, (she returned to the celestials) and said, "Do +ye so." Then hearing her words, _viz_., "Do ye so," they spoke unto the +king's daughter. "Let thy husband enter into water." Thereat Chyavana +desirous of obtaining beauty, quickly entered into water. The twin +Aswins also, O king, sank into the sheet of water. And the next moment +they all came out of the tank in surpassingly beautiful forms, and young +and wearing burnished earrings. And all, possessed of the same +appearance pleasing to behold, addressed her saying, "O fortunate one, +do thou choose one of us for spouse. And O beauteous one, do thou select +him for lord who may please thy fancy." Finding, however, all of them of +the same appearance she deliberated; and at last ascertaining the +identity of her husband, even selected him. + +"'Having obtained coveted beauty and also his wife, Chyavana, of +exceeding energy, well pleased, spake these words unto the nose-born +celestials: "Since at your hands, an old man, I have obtained youth, and +beauty, and also this wife of mine, I will, well pleased, make you +quaffers of the Soma juice in the presence of the lord of celestials +himself. This I tell you truly." Hearing this, highly delighted, the +twins ascended to heaven; and Chyavana and Sukanya too passed their +days happily even like celestials.'" + + +SECTION CXXIV + +"Lomasa said, 'Now the news came to Saryati that Chyavana had been +turned into a youth. And well pleased he came, accompanied by his +troops, to the hermitage of the son of Bhrigu. And he saw Chyavana and +Sukanya, like two children sprung from celestials, and his joy and that +of his wife were as great as if the king had conquered the entire world. +And the ruler of earth together with his wife was received honourably by +that saint. And the king seated himself near the ascetic, and entered +into a delightful conversation of an auspicious kind. Then, O king, the +son of Bhrigu spake to the king these words of a soothing nature: "I +shall, O king, officiate at a religious ceremony to be performed by +thee: let the requisite articles, therefore, be procured." Thereat, that +protector of earth Saryati, experienced the very height of joy, and O +great king, he expressed his approbation of the proposal made by +Chyavana. And on an auspicious day, suitable for the commencement of a +sacrificial ceremony, Saryati ordered the erection of a sacrificial +shrine of an excellent description and splendidly furnished with all +desirable things. There Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu, officiated for the +king as his priest. Now listen to me relating the wonderful events which +happened at that spot. Chyavana took up a quantity of the Soma juice, in +order that he might offer the same to the Aswins, who were physicians to +the celestials. And while the saint was taking up the intended offering +for those celestial twins, Indra pronounced his interdiction, saying, +"These Aswins both of them in my opinion have no right to receive an +offering of the Soma juice. They are the physicians of the celestials in +heaven,--this vocation of theirs hath disentitled them (in the matter of +Soma)." Thereupon Chyavana said, "These two are of mighty enterprise, +possessed of mighty souls, and uncommonly endued with beauty and grace. +And they, O Indra, have converted me into an eternally youthful person, +even like unto a celestial. Why shouldst thou and the other celestials +have a right to the distilled Soma juice, and not they? O lord of the +celestials, O demolisher of hostile towns! be it known to thee that the +Aswins also rank as gods." At this, Indra spake saying, "These two +practise the healing art,--so they are but servants. And assuming forms +at their pleasure they roam about in the world of mortal beings. How can +they then rightfully claim the juice of the Soma?"' + +"Lomasa said, 'When these very identical words were spoken again and +again by the lord of celestials, the son of Bhrigu, setting Indra at +naught, took up the offering he had intended to make. And as he was +about to take up an excellent portion of the Soma juice with the object +of offering it to the two Aswins, the destroyer of the demon Vala +(Indra) observed his act, and thus spoke unto him, "If thou take up the +Soma with a view to offering it to those celestials, I shall hurl at +thee my thunderbolt of awful form, which is superior to all the weapons +that exist." Thus addressed by Indra, the son of Bhrigu, cast at Indra a +smiling glance, and took up in due form a goodly quantity of the Soma +juice, to make an offering to the Aswins. Then Sachi's lord hurled at +him the thunderbolt of awful form. And as he was about to launch it, his +arm was paralysed by Bhrigu's son. And having paralysed his arm, +Chyavana recited sacred hymns, and made offering on the fire. His object +gained, he now attempted to destroy that celestial. Then by the virtue +of that saint's ascetic energy, an evil spirit came into being,--a huge +demon, _Mada_ by name, of great strength and gigantic proportions. And +his body was incapable of being measured either by demons or by gods. +And his mouth was terrible and of huge size, and with teeth of sharpened +edge. And one of his jaws rested on the earth, and the other stretched +to heaven. And he had four fangs, each extending as far as one hundred +_yojanas_, and his other fangs were extended to the distance of ten +_yojanas_, and were of a form resembling towers on a palace, and which +might be likened to the ends of spears. And his two arms were like unto +hills, and extended ten thousand _yojanas_, and both were of equal bulk. +And his two eyes resembled the sun and the moon; and his face rivalled +the conflagration at the universal dissolution. And he was licking his +mouth with his tongue, which, like lightning, knew no rest. And his +mouth was open, and his glance was frightful, and seemed as if he would +forcibly swallow up the world. The demon rushed at the celestial by whom +a hundred sacrifices had been performed. And his intent was to devour +that deity. And the world resounded with the loud and frightful sounds +uttered by the Asura.'" + + +SECTION CXXV + +"Lomasa said, 'When the god who had performed a hundred sacrifices +(Indra) beheld the demon _Mada_ of a frightful mien, coming towards him +with open mouth, his intention being to devour him, and looking like the +god of death himself, while his own arms remained paralysed, he through +fear repeatedly licked the corners of his mouth. Then the lord of the +celestials, tortured with fright, spake to Chyavana saying, "O Bhrigu's +son! O Brahmana! verily I tell thee as truth itself, that from this day +forward the two Aswins will be entitled to the Soma juice. Be merciful +to me! My undertaking can never come to naught. Let this be the rule. +And I know, O saint of the sacerdotal caste! that thy work can never +come to nothing. These two Aswins will have a right to drink the Soma +juice, since thou hast made them entitled to the same. And, O Bhrigu's +son, I have done this but to spread the fame of thy powers, and my +object was to give thee an occasion for displaying thy powers. My other +object was that the fame of the father of this Sukanya here might spread +everywhere. Therefore be merciful to me: let it be as thou wishest." +Being thus addressed by Indra, the wrath of Chyavana of mighty soul was +quickly appeased, and he set free the demolisher of hostile cities +(Indra). And the powerful saint, O king! distributed _Mada_ (_literally_ +intoxication), and put it piece-meal in drinks, in women, in gambling, +and in field sports, even this same _Mada_ who had been created +repeatedly before. Having thus cast down the demon _Mada_ and gratified +Indra with a Soma draught and assisted king Sarvati in worshipping all +the gods together with the two Aswins and also spread his fame for power +over all the worlds, the best of those endued with speech passed his +days happily in the wood, in the company of Sukanya, his loving wife. +This is his lake, shining, O king! and resounding with the voice of +birds. Here must thou, together with thy uterine brothers, offer +libations of water to thy forefathers and the gods. And, O ruler of +earth! O scion of Bharata's race! having visited it and Sikataksha also, +thou shalt repair to the Saindhava wood, and behold a number of small +artificial rivers. And O great king, O scion of Bharata's race! thou +shalt touch the waters of all the holy lakes and reciting the hymns of +the god Sthanu (Siva), meet with success in every undertaking. For this +is the junction, O most praiseworthy of men, of the two ages of the +world, _viz_., _Dwapara_ and _Treta_. It is a time, O Kunti's son! +capable of destroying all the sins of a person. Here do thou perform +ablutions, for the spot is able to remove all the sins of an individual. +Yonder is the Archika hill, a dwelling place for men of cultured minds. +Fruits of all the seasons grow here at all times and the streams run for +ever. It is an excellent place fit for the celestials. And there are the +holy cairns of diverse forms, set up by the celestials. O Yudhishthira! +this is the bathing spot belonging to the Moon. And the saints are in +attendance here on all sides round--they are the dwellers of the wood +and the Valakhilyas, and the Pavakas, who subsist on air only. These are +three peaks and three springs. Thou mayst walk round them all, one by +one: then thou mayst wash thyself at pleasure. Santanu, O king! and +Sunaka the sovereign of men, and both _Nara_ and _Narayana_ have +attained everlasting regions from this place. Here did the gods +constantly lie down, as also the forefathers, together with the mighty +saints. In this Archika hill, they all carried on austerities. Sacrifice +to them, O Yudhishthira! Here did they, also the saints, eat rice cooked +in milk, O protector of men! And here is the Yamuna of an exhaustless +spring. Krishna here engaged himself in a life of penances, O Pandu's +son. O thou that draggest the dead bodies of thy foes! the twin +brothers, and Bhimasena and Krishna and all of us will accompany thee to +this spot. O lord of men, this is the holy spring that belongeth to +Indra. Here the creative and the dispensing deity, and Varuna also rose +upwards, and here too they dwelt, O king! observing forbearance, and +possessed of the highest faith. This excellent and propitious hill is +fit for persons of a kindly and candid disposition. This is that +celebrated Yamuna, O king! frequented by hosts of mighty saints, the +scene of diverse religious rites, holy, and destructive of the dread of +sin. Here did Mandhata himself, of a mighty bow, perform sacrificial +rites for the gods; and so did Somaka, O Kunti's son! who was the son of +Sahadeva, and a most excellent maker of gifts.'" + + +SECTION CXXVI + +"Yudhishthira said, 'O great Brahmana, how was that tiger among kings, +Mandhata, Yuvanaswa's son, born,--even he who was the best of monarchs, +and celebrated over the three worlds? And how did he of unmeasured +lustre attain the very height of real power, since all the three worlds +were as much under his subjection, as they are under that of Vishnu of +mighty soul? I am desirous of hearing all this in connection with the +life and achievements of that sagacious monarch. I should also like to +hear how his name of Mandhata originated, belonging as it did to him who +rivalled in lustre Indra himself: and also how he of unrivalled strength +was born, for thou art skilled in the art of narrating events.' + +"Lomasa said, 'Hear with attention, O king! how the name of Mandhata +belonging to that monarch of mighty soul hath come to be celebrated +throughout all the worlds. Yuvanaswa, the ruler of the earth, was sprung +from Ikshvaku's race. That protector of the earth performed many +sacrificial rites noted for magnificent gifts. And the most excellent +of all virtuous men performed a thousand times the ceremony of +sacrificing a horse. And he also performed other sacrifices of the +highest order, wherein he made abundant gifts. But that saintly king had +no son. And he of mighty soul and rigid vows made over to his ministers +the duties of the state, and became a constant resident of the woods. +And he of cultured soul devoted himself to the pursuits enjoined in the +sacred writ. And once upon a time, that protector of men, O king! had +observed a fast. And he was suffering from the pangs of hunger and his +inner soul seemed parched with thirst. And (in this state) he entered +the hermitage of Bhrigu. On that very night, O king of kings! the great +saint who was the delight of Bhrigu's race, had officiated in a +religious ceremony, with the object that a son might be born to +Saudyumni. O king of kings! at the spot stood a large jar filled with +water, consecrated with the recitation of sacred hymns, and which had +been previously deposited there. And the water was endued with the +virtue that the wife of Saudyumni would by drinking the same, bring +forth a god-like son. Those mighty saints had deposited the jar on the +altar and had gone to sleep, having been fatigued by keeping up the +night. And as Saudyumni passed them by, his palate was dry, and he was +suffering greatly from thirst. And the king was very much in need of +water to drink. And he entered that hermitage and asked for drink. And +becoming fatigued, he cried in feeble voice, proceeding from a parched +throat, which resembled the weak inarticulate utterance of a bird. And +his voice reached nobody's ears. Then the king beheld the jar filled +with water. And he quickly ran towards it, and having drunk the water, +put the jar down. And as the water was cool, and as the king had been +suffering greatly from thirst, the draught of water relieved the +sagacious monarch and appeased his thirst. Then those saints together +with him of ascetic wealth, awoke from sleep; and all of them observed +that the water of the jar had gone. Thereupon they met together and +began to enquire as to who might have done it. Then Yuvanaswa truthfully +admitted that it was his act. Then the revered son of Bhrigu spoke unto +him, saying. "It was not proper. This water had an occult virtue infused +into it, and had been placed there with the object that a son might be +born to thee. Having performed severe austerities, I infused the virtue +of my religious acts in this water, that a son might be born to thee. O +saintly king of mighty valour and physical strength! a son would have +been born to thee of exceeding strength and valour, and strengthened by +austerities, and who would have sent by his bravery even Indra to the +abode of the god of death. It was in this manner, O king! that this +water had been prepared by me. By drinking this water, O king, thou hast +done what was not at all right. But it is impossible now for us to turn +back the accident which hath happened. Surely what thou hast done must +have been the fiat of Fate. Since thou, O great king, being athirst +hast drunk water prepared with sacred hymns, and filled with the virtue +of my religious labours, thou must bring forth out of thy own body a son +of the character described above. To that end we shall perform a +sacrifice for thee, of wonderful effect so that, valorous as thou art, +thou wilt bring forth a son equal to Indra. Nor wilt thou experience any +trouble on account of the labour pains." Then when one hundred years had +passed away, a son shining as the sun pierced the left side of the king +endowed with a mighty soul, and came forth. And the son was possessed of +mighty strength. Nor did Yuvanaswa die--which itself was strange. Then +Indra of mighty strength came to pay him a visit. And the deities +enquired of the great Indra, "What is to be sucked by this boy?" Then +Indra introduced his own forefinger into his mouth. And when the wielder +of the thunderbolt said, "He will suck me," the dwellers of heaven +together with Indra christened the boy Mandhata, (_literally_, Me he +shall suck). Then the boy having tasted the forefinger extended by +Indra, became possessed of mighty strength, and he grew thirteen cubits, +O king. And O great king! the whole of sacred learning together with the +holy science of arms, was acquired by that masterful boy, who gained all +that knowledge by the simple and unassisted power of his thought. And +all at once, the bow celebrated under the name of Ajagava and a number +of shafts made of horn, together with an impenetrable coat of mail, came +to his possession on the very same day, O scion of Bharata's race! And +he was placed on the throne by Indra himself and he conquered the three +worlds in a righteous way, as Vishnu did by his three strides. And the +wheel of the car of that mighty king as irresistible in its course +(throughout the world). And the gems, of their own accord, came into the +possession of that saintly king. This is the tract of land, O lord of +earth, which belonged to him. It abounds in wealth. He performed a +number of sacrificial rites of various kinds, in which abundant +gratuities were paid to the priests. O king! he of mighty force and +unmeasured lustre, erected sacred piles, and performed splendid pious +deeds, and attained the position of sitting at Indra's side. That +sagacious king of unswerving piety sent forth his fiat, and simply by +its virtue conquered the earth, together with the sea--that source of +gems--and all the cities (or the earth), O great king! The sacrificial +grounds prepared by him were to be found all over the earth on all sides +round--not a single spot, but was marked with the same. O great king! +the mighty monarch is said to have given to the Brahmanas ten thousand +padmas of kine. When there was a drought, which continued for twelve +consecutive years, the mighty king caused rain to come down for the +growth of crops, paying no heed to Indra, the wielder of the +thunder-bolt, who remained staring (at him). The mighty ruler of the +Gandhara land, born in the lunar dynasty of kings, who was terrible like +a roaring cloud, was slain by him, who wounded him sorely with his +shafts. O king! he of cultured soul protected the four orders of people, +and by him of mighty force the worlds were kept from harm, by virtue of +his austere and righteous life. This is the spot where he, lustrous like +the sun, sacrificed to the god. Look at it! here it is, in the midst of +the field of the Kurus, situated in a tract, the holiest of all. O +preceptor of earth! requested by thee, I have thus narrated to thee the +great life of Mandhata, and also the way in which he was born, which was +a birth of an extraordinary kind.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "O scion of Bharata's race! Kunti's son, thus +addressed by the mighty saint, Lomasa, immediately put fresh questions +to him, with regard to Somaka." + + +SECTION CXXVII + +"Yudhishthira said, 'O best of speakers! what was the extent of power +and strength possessed by king Somaka? I am desirous of hearing an exact +account of his deeds and of his power.' + +"Lomasa said, 'O Yudhishthira! there was a virtuous king Somaka by name. +He had one hundred wives, O king, all suitably matched to their husband. +He took great care, but could not succeed in getting a single son from +any one of them, and a long time elapsed during which he continued a +sonless man. Once upon a time, when he had become old, and was trying +every means to have a son, a son was born to him, Jantu by name, out of +that century of women. And, O ruler of men! All the mothers used to sit +surrounding their son and every one giving him such objects as might +conduce to his enjoyment and pleasure. And it came to pass that one day +an ant stung the boy at his hip. And the boy screamed loudly on account +of the pain caused by the sting. And forthwith the mothers were +exceedingly distressed to see how the child had been stung by the ant. +And they stood around him and set up cries. Thus there arose a +tumultuous noise. And that scream of pain suddenly reached (the ears of) +the sovereign of the earth, when he was seated in the midst of his +ministers, with the family priest at his side. Then the king sent for +information as to what it was about. And the royal usher explained to +him precisely what the matter was with reference to his son. And Somaka +got up together with his ministers and hastened towards the female +apartments. And on coming there, O subjugator of foes! he soothed his +son. And having done so and coming out from the female apartments, the +king sat with his family priest and ministers. + +"'Somaka then spoke thus, "Fie on having only a single son! I had rather +be a sonless man. Considering how constantly liable to disease are all +organized beings, to have an only son is but a trouble. O Brahmana! O my +lord! With the view that I might have many sons born to me, this century +of wives hath been wedded by me, after inspection, and after I had +satisfied myself that they would prove suitable to me. But issue they +have none. Having tried every means, and put forth great efforts, they +have borne this single son, Jantu. What grief can be greater than this? +O most excellent of the twice-born caste! I am grown old in years and so +are my wives too. And yet this only son is like the breath of their +nostrils, and so he is to me also. But is there any ceremony, by +celebrating which one may get a hundred sons? (And if there is one +such), tell me whether it is great or small, and easy or difficult to +perform." + +"'The family priest said, "There is a ceremony by virtue of which a man +may get a century of sons. If thou art able to perform it, O Somaka, +then I shall explain it to thee." + +"'Somaka said, "Whether it be a good or an evil deed, the ceremony by +which a hundred sons may be born, may be taken by thee as already +performed. Let thy blessed self explain it to me." + +"'The family priest thereupon said, "O king! Let me set on foot a +sacrifice and thou must sacrifice thy son, Jantu in it. Then on no +distant date, a century of handsome sons will be born to thee. When +Jantu's fat will be put into the fire as an offering to the gods, the +mothers will take a smell of that smoke, and bring forth a number of +sons, valourous and strong. And Jantu also will once more be born as a +self-begotten son of thine in that very (mother); and on his back there +will appear a mark of gold."'" + + +SECTION CXXVIII + +"'Somaka said, "O Brahmana! whatever is to be performed--do precisely as +it may be necessary. As I am desirous of having a number of sons, I +shall do all that may be prescribed by thee."' + +"Lomasa said, 'Then the priest officiated in the sacrifice in which +Jantu was offered as the victim. But the mothers as in pity forcibly +snatched the son and took him away. And they cried, "We are undone!" And +they were smitten with torturing grief and they caught hold of Jantu by +his right hand, and wept in a piteous way. But the officiating priest +held the boy by the right hand and pulled him. And like female ospreys +they screamed in agony! but the priest dragged the son, killed him, and +made a burnt offering of his fat in the proper form. And, O delight of +the race of Kuru! While the fat was being made an offering of the +agonised mothers smelt its smell, and of a sudden fell to the ground +(and swooned away.) And then all those lovely women became with child, +and O lord of men! O scion of Bharata's race! When ten months had passed +a full century of sons was born to Somaka begotten on all those women. +And, O monarch of the earth! Jantu became the eldest and was born of his +former mother and he became the most beloved to the women,--not so were +their own sons. And on his back there was that mark of gold and of that +century of sons, he was also superior in merit. Then that family priest +of Somaka departed this life as also Somaka after a certain time. Now he +beheld that the priest was being grilled in a terrible hell. And +thereupon he questioned him, "Why art thou, O Brahmana! being grilled in +this hell?" Then the family priest exceedingly scorched with fire, spake +to him saying, "This is the outcome of my having officiated in that +sacrifice of thine." O king, hearing this, the saintly king thus spake +to the god who meteth out punishments to departed souls, "I shall enter +here. Set free my officiating priest; this reverend man is being grilled +by hell-fire on my account only." + +"'Dharmaraja thereat answered thus, "One cannot enjoy or suffer for +another person's acts. O best of speakers! these are the fruits of thy +acts; see it here." + +"'Somaka said, "Without this Brahmana here, I desire not go to the +blessed regions. My desire is to dwell in company with this very man, +either in the abode of the gods, or in hell, for, O Dharmaraja! my deed +is identical with what hath been done by him and the fruit of our +virtuous or evil deed must be the same for both of us." + +"'Dharmaraja said, "O king! If this is thy wish, then taste with him the +fruit of that act, for the same period that he must do. After that thou +shall go to the blessed regions."' + +"Lomasa said, 'The lotus-eyed king did all that exactly in the way +prescribed to him. And when his sins were worked off, he was set free +together with the priest. O king! Fond of the priest as he was, he won +all those blessings to which he had entitled himself by his meritorious +acts and shared everything with the family priest. This is his hermitage +which looketh lovely before our eyes. Any one would attain the blessed +regions, if he should spend six nights here controlling his passions. O +king of kings! O leader of the tribe of Kurus! Here, free from +excitement and self-controlled, we must spend six nights. Be thou ready +therefor.'" + + +SECTION CXXIX + +"Lomasa said, 'Here, O king! The lord of born beings himself performed a +sacrifice in former times,--the ceremony called _Ishtikrita_, which +occupied one thousand years. And Amvarisha, son of Nabhaga, sacrificed +near the Yamuna river. And having sacrificed there, he gave away ten +_Padmas_ (of gold coins) to the attendant priests, and he obtained the +highest success by his sacrifices and austerities. And, O Kunti's son! +This is the spot where that sovereign of the entire earth, Nahusha's +son, Yayati, of unmeasured force, and who led a holy life, performed his +sacrificial rites. He competed with Indra and performed his sacrifice +here. Behold how the ground is studded with places for the sacrificial +fires of various forms, and how the earth seems to be subsiding here +under the pressure of Yayati's pious works. This is the Sami tree, which +hath got but a single leaf, and this is a most excellent lake. Behold +these lakes of Parasurama, and the hermitage of Narayana. O protector of +earth! This is the path which was followed by Richika's son, of +unmeasured energy, who roamed over the earth, practising the Yoga rites +in the river Raupya. And, O delight of the tribe of Kurus! Hear what a +_Pisacha_ woman (she-goblin), who was decked with pestles for her +ornaments, said (to a Brahmana woman), as I was reciting here the table +of genealogy. (She said), "Having eaten curd in Yugandhara, and lived in +Achutasthala, and also bathed in Bhutilaya, thou shouldst live with thy +sons." Having passed a single night here, if thou wilt spend the second, +the events of the night will be different from those that have happened +to thee in the day-time, O most righteous of Bharata's race! Today we +shall spend the night at this very spot. O scion of Bharata's race! this +is the threshold of the field of the Kurus. O king! At this very spot, +the monarch Yayati, son of Nahusha, performed sacrificial rites, and +made gifts of an abundance of gems. And Indra was pleased with those +sacred rites. This is an excellent holy bathing-place on the river +Yamuna, known as Plakshavatarana (descent of the banian tree). Men of +cultured minds call it the entrance to the region of heaven. O respected +sir! here, after having performed sacrificial rites of the Saraswata +king, and making use of the sacrificial stake for their pestle, the +highest order of saints performed the holy plunge prescribed at the end +of a sacred ceremony. O monarch! King Bharata here performed sacrificial +rites. To celebrate the horse-sacrifice, he here set free the horse who +was the intended victim. That monarch had won the sovereignty of the +earth by righteousness. The horse he let go more than once were of a +colour checkered with black. O tiger among men! it was here that Marutta +sheltered by Samvartta, leader of saints, succeeded in performing +excellent sacrifices. O sovereign of kings! Having taken his bath at +this spot, one can behold all the worlds, and is purified from his evil +deeds. Do thou, therefore, bathe at this spot.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "Then that most praiseworthy of Pandu's sons, there +bathed with his brothers, while the mighty saints were uttering +laudatory words to him. And he addressed the following words to Lomasa, +'O thou whose strength lieth in truthfulness! By virtue of this pious +act, I behold all the worlds. And from this place, I behold that most +praiseworthy of Pandu's sons Arjuna, the rider of white steed.' + +"Lomasa said, 'It is even so, O thou of powerful arms! The saints of the +highest order thus behold all the regions. Behold this holy Saraswati +here, thronged by persons who look upon her as their sole refuge. O most +praiseworthy of men! having bathed here, thou wilt be free from all thy +sins. O Kunti's son! here the celestial saints performed sacrificial +rites of Saraswata king: and so did the saints and the royal saints. +This is the altar of the lord of beings, five _yojanas_ in extent on all +sides round. And this is the field of the magnanimous Kurus, whose habit +it was to perform sacrifices.'" + + +SECTION CXXX + +"Lomasa said, 'O son of Bharata's race! If mortals breathe their last at +this spot, they go to heaven. O king! Thousands upon thousands of men +come to this place to die. A blessing was pronounced on this spot by +Daksha, when he was engaged in sacrifice here, (in these words), "Those +men that shall die at this spot shall win a place in heaven." Here is +the beautiful and sacred river, Saraswati, full of water: and here, O +lord of men, is the spot known as _Vinasana_, or the place where the +Saraswati disappeared. Here is the gate of the kingdom of the Nishadas +and it is from hatred for them that the Saraswati entered into the earth +in order that the Nishadas might not see her. Here too is the sacred +region of Chamashodbheda where the Saraswati once more became visible to +them. And here she is joined by other sacred rivers running seawards. O +conqueror of foes, here is that sacred spot known by the name of +Sindhu--where Lopamudra accepted the great sage Agastya as her lord and, +O thou whose effulgence is like unto that of the sun, here is the sacred +_tirtha_ called Prabhasa, the favoured spot of Indra and which removeth +all sins. Yonder is visible the region of Vishnupada. And here is the +delightful and sacred river, Vipasa. From grief for the death of his +sons the great sage Vasistha had thrown himself into this stream, after +binding his limbs. And when he rose from the water, lo! he was +unfettered. Look, O king with thy brothers at the sacred region of +Kasmeera, frequented by holy sages. Here, O scion of Bharata's race, is +the spot, where a conference took place between Agni and the sage +Kasyapa, and also between Nahusha's son and the sages of the north. And, +O great prince, yonder is the gate of the Manasasarovara. In the midst +of this mountain, a gap hath been opened by Rama. And here, O prince of +prowess incapable of being baffled, is the well-known region of +Vatikhanda, which, although adjacent to the gate of Videha, lieth on the +north of it. And O bull among men, there is another very remarkable +thing connected with this place,--namely, that on the waning of every +_yuga_, the god Siva, having the power to assume any shape at will, may +be seen with Uma and his followers. In yonder lake also people desirous +of securing welfare to the family, propitiate with sacrifices the holder +of the great bow Pinaka, in the month of Chaitra. And persons of +devotion having passions under control, performing their ablutions in +this lake, become free from sins and, without doubt, attain to the holy +regions. Here is the sacred _tirtha_ called Vijanaka, where the holy +sage Vasistha with his wife Arundhati and also the sage Yavakri obtained +tranquillity. Yonder is the lake Kausava, where grown the lotuses called +Kausesaya, and here also is the sacred hermitage of Rukmini, where she +attained peace, after conquering that evil passion, anger. I think, O +prince, that thou hast heard something about that man of meditations, +Bhrigutunga. There, O king, before thee is that lofty peak. And, O +foremost of kings, yonder is Vitasta, the sacred stream that absolveth +men from all sins. The water of this stream is extremely cool and +limpid, and it is largely used by the great sages. O prince, behold the +holy rivers Jala and Upajala, on either side of the Yamuna. By +performing a sacrifice here, king Usinara surpassed in greatness Indra +himself. And, O descendant of Bharata, desirous of testing Usinara's +merit and also of bestowing boons on him, Indra and Agni presented +themselves at his sacrificial ground. And Indra assuming the shape of a +hawk, and Agni that of a pigeon, came up to that king. And the pigeon in +fear of the hawk, fell upon the king's thigh, seeking his protection.'" + + +SECTION CXXXI + +"'The hawk said, "All the kings of the earth represent thee as a pious +ruler. Wherefore, O prince, has thou then stopped to perpetrate a deed +not sanctioned by the ordinance? I have been sore afflicted with hunger. +Do thou not withhold from me that which hath been appointed by the Diety +for my food,--under the impression that thereby thou servest the +interests of virtue, whereas in reality, thou wilt forsake it, (by +committing thyself to this act)." Thereupon, the king said, "O best of +the feathered race, afflicted with fear of thee, and desirous of +escaping from thy hands, this bird, all in a hurry, hath come up to me +asking for life. When this pigeon hath in such a manner sought my +protection, why dost thou not see that the highest merit is even in my +not surrendering it unto thee? And it is trembling with fear, and is +agitated, and is seeking its life from me. It is therefore certainly +blameworthy to forsake it. He that slayeth a Brahmana, he that +slaughtered a cow--the common mother of all the worlds--and he that +forsaketh one seeking for protection are equally sinful." Thereat the +hawk replied, "O lord of earth, it is from food that all beings derive +their life, and it is food also that nourisheth and sustaineth them. A +man can live long even after forsaking what is dearest to him, but he +cannot do so, after abstaining from food. Being deprived of food, my +life, O ruler of men, will surely leave this body, and will attain to +regions unknown to such troubles. But at my death, O pious king, my wife +and children will surely perish, and by protecting this single pigeon, O +prince, thou dost not protect many lives. The virtue that standeth in +the way of another virtue, is certainly no virtue at all, but in reality +is unrighteousness. But O king, whose prowess consisteth in truth, that +virtue is worthy of the name, which is not conflicting. After +instituting a comparison between opposing virtues, and weighing their +comparative merits, one, O great prince, ought to espouse that which is +not opposing. Do thou, therefore, O king, striking a balance between +virtues, adopt that which preponderates." At this the king said, "O best +of birds, as thou speakest words fraught with much good, I suspect thee +to be _Suparna_, the monarch of birds. I have not the least hesitation +to declare that thou art fully conversant with the ways of virtue. As +thou speakest wonders about virtue, I think that there is nothing +connected with it, that is unknown to thee. How canst thou then consider +the forsaking of one, seeking for help, as virtuous? Thy efforts in this +matter, O ranger of the skies, have been in quest of food. Thou canst, +however, appease thy hunger with some other sort of food, even more +copious. I am perfectly willing to procure for thee any sort of food +that to thee may seem most tasteful, even if it be an ox, or a boar, or +a deer, or a buffalo." Thereupon the hawk said, "O great king, I am not +desirous of eating (the flesh of) a boar or an ox or the various species +of beasts. What have I to do with any other sort of food? Therefore, O +bull among the Kshatriyas, leave to me this pigeon, whom Heaven hath +today ordained for my food. O ruler of earth, that hawks eat pigeons is +the eternal provision. O prince, do not for support embrace a plantain +tree, not knowing its want of strength." The king said, "Ranger of the +skies, I am willing to bestow on thee this rich province of my race, or +any other thing that to thee may seem desirable. With the sole exception +of this pigeon, which hath approached me craving my protection, I shall +be glad to give unto thee anything that thou mayst like. Let me know +what I shall have to do for the deliverance of this bird. But this I +shall not return to thee on any condition whatever." + +"'The hawk said, "O great ruler of men, if thou hast conceived an +affection for this pigeon, then cut off a portion of thine own flesh, +and weigh it in a balance, against this pigeon. And when thou hast found +it equal (in weight) to the pigeon, then do thou give it unto me, and +that will be to my satisfaction." Then the king replied, "This request +of thine, O hawk, I consider as a favour unto me, and, therefore, I will +give unto thee even my own flesh, after weighing it in a balance."' + +"Lomasa said, 'Saying this, O mighty son of Kunti, the highly virtuous +king cut off a portion of his own flesh, and placed it in a balance, +against the pigeon. But when he found that pigeon exceeded his flesh in +weight, he once more cut off another portion of his flesh, and added it +to the former. When portion after portion had been repeatedly added to +weigh against the pigeon, and no more flesh was left on his body, he +mounted the scale himself, utterly devoid of flesh. + +"'The hawk then said, "I am Indra, O virtuous king, and this pigeon is +Agni, the carrier of the sacrificial clarified butter. We had come unto +thy sacrificial ground, desirous of testing thy merit. Since thou hast +cut off thy own flesh from thy body, thy glory shall be resplendent, and +shall surpass that of all others in the world. As long as men, O king, +shall speak of thee, so long shall thy glory endure, and thou shalt +inhabit the holy regions." Saying this to the king, Indra ascended to +heaven. And the virtuous king Usinara, after having filled heaven and +earth with the merit of his pious deeds, ascended to heaven in a radiant +shape. Behold, O king, the residence of that noble-hearted monarch. +Here, O king, are seen holy sages and gods, together with virtuous and +highsouled Brahmanas.'" + + +SECTION CXXXII + +"Lomasa said, 'See here, O lord of men, the sacred hermitage of +Swetaketu, son of Uddalaka, whose fame as an expert in the sacred +_mantras_ is so widely spread on earth. This hermitage is graced with +cocoanut trees. Here Swetaketu beheld the goddess Saraswati in her human +shape, and spake unto her, saying, "May I be endowed with the gift of +speech!" In that _yuga_, Swetaketu, the son of Uddalaka, and Ashtavakra, +the son of Kahoda, who stood to each other in the relation of uncle and +nephew, were the best of those conversant with the sacred lore. Those +two Brahmanas, of matchless energy, who bore unto each other the +relationship of uncle and nephew, went into the sacrificial ground of +king Janaka and there defeated Vandin in a controversy. Worship, O son +of Kunti, with thy brothers, the sacred hermitage of him who had for his +grandson Ashtavakra, who, even when a mere child, had caused Vandin to +be drowned in a river, after having defeated him in a (literary) +contest."' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'Tell me, O Lomasa, all about the power of this man, +who had in that way defeated Vandin. Why was he born as _Ashtavakra_ +(crooked in eight parts in his body)?' + +"Lomasa said, 'The sage Uddalaka had a disciple named Kahoda of subdued +passions, and entirely devoted to the service of his preceptor and who +had continued his studies long. The Brahmana had served his tutor long, +and his preceptor, recognising his service, gave him his own daughter, +Sujata, in marriage, as well as a mastery over the Shastras. And she +became with child, radiant as fire. And the embryo addressed his father +while employed in reading, "O father, thou hast been reading the whole +night, but (of all that) thy reading doth not seem to me correct. Even +in my fetal state I have, by thy favour, become versed in the Shastras +and the Vedas with their several branches. I say, O father, that what +proceeds from thy mouth, is not correct." Thus insulted in the presence +of his disciples, the great sage in anger cursed his child in the womb, +saying, "Because thou speakest thus even while in the womb, therefore +thou shalt be crooked in eight parts of the body." The child was +accordingly born crooked, and the great sage was ever after known by the +name of Ashtavakra. Now, he had an uncle named Swetaketu who was the +same age with himself. Afflicted by the growth of the child in the womb, +Sujata, desirous of riches, conciliating her husband who had no wealth +told him in private: "How shall I manage, O great sage, the tenth month +of my pregnancy having come? Thou hast no substance whereby I may +extricate myself from the exigencies, after I have been delivered." Thus +addressed by his wife, Kahoda went unto king Janaka for riches. He was +there defeated in a controversy by Vandin, well versed in the science of +arguments, and (in consequence) was immersed into water. And hearing +that his son-in-law had been defeated in a controversy by Vandin and +caused to be drowned by him, Uddalaka spake unto his daughter Sujata, +saying, "Thou shall keep it a secret from Ashtavakra." She accordingly +kept her counsel--so that Ashtavakra, when born, had heard nothing about +the matter. And he regarded Uddalaka as his father and Swetaketu as his +brother. And when Ashtavakra was in his twelfth year, Swetaketu one day +saw the former seated on his father's lap. And thereat he pulled him by +the hand, and on Ashtavakra's beginning to cry, he told him, "It is not +the lap of thy father." This cruel communication went direct into +Ashtavakra's heart and it pained him sorely. And he went home and asked +his mother saying, "Where is my father?" Thereupon Sujata who was +greatly afflicted (by his question), and apprehending a curse told him +all that had happened. And having heard all, the Brahmana at night said +unto his uncle Swetaketu, "Let us go unto the sacrifice of king Janaka, +wherein many wonderful things are to be seen. There we shall listen to +the controversy between the Brahmanas and shall partake of excellent +food. Our knowledge also will increase. The recitation of the sacred +Vedas is sweet to hear and is fraught with blessings." Then they +both--uncle and nephew--went unto the splendid sacrifice of king Janaka. +And on being driven from the entrance, Ashtavakra met the king and +addressed him in the following words.'" + + +SECTION CXXXIII + +"'Ashtavakra said, "When no Brahmana is met with on the way, the way +belongeth to the blind, the deaf, the women, carriers of burden, and the +king respectively. But when a Brahmana is met with on the way, it +belongeth to him alone." Thereupon the king said, "I give the privilege +to enter. Do thou, therefore, go in by whatever way thou likest. No fire +ever so small is to be slighted. Even Indra himself boweth unto the +Brahmanas." At this Ashtavakra said, "We have come, O ruler of men, to +witness thy sacrificial ceremony and our curiosity, O king, is very +great. And we have come here as guests. We want the permission of thy +order (to enter). And, O son of Indradyumna, we have come, desirous of +seeing the sacrifice, and to meet king Janaka and speak to him. But thy +warder obstructs us and for this our anger burneth us like fever." The +warder said, "We carry out the orders of Vandin. Listen to what I have +to say. Lads are not permitted to enter here and it is only the learned +old Brahmanas that are allowed to enter." Ashtavakra said. "If this be +the condition, O warder, that the door is open to those only that are +old, then we have a right to enter. We are old and we have observed +sacred vows and are in possession of energy proceeding from the Vedic +lore. And we have served our superiors and subdued our passions--and +have also won proficiency in knowledge. It is said that even boys are +not to be slighted,--for a fire, small though it be, burneth on being +touched." The warder replied, "O young Brahmana, I consider you a boy, +and therefore recite, if you know, the verse demonstrating the existence +of the Supreme Being, and adored by the divine sages, and which, +although composed of one letter, is yet multifarious. Make no vain +boast. Learned men are really very rare." Ashtavakra said, "True growth +cannot be inferred from the mere development of the body, as the growth +of the knots of the Salmali tree cannot signify its age. That tree is +called full-grown which although slender and short, beareth fruits. But +that which doth not bear fruits, is not considered as grown." The warder +said, "Boys receive instruction from the old and they also in time grow +old. Knowledge certainly is not attainable in a short time. Wherefore +then being a child, dost thou talk like an old man?" Then Ashtavakra +said, "One is not old because his head is gray. But the gods regard him +as old who, although a child in years, is yet possessed of knowledge. +The sages have not laid down that a man's merit consists in years, or +gray hair, or wealth, or friends. To us he is great who is versed in the +Vedas. I have come here, O porter, desirous of seeing Vandin in the +court. Go and inform king Janaka, who hath a garland of lotuses on his +neck, that I am here. Thou shalt to-day see me enter into a dispute with +the learned men, and defeat Vandin in a controversy. And when others +have been silenced, the Brahmanas of matured learning and the king also +with his principal priests, bear witness to the superior or the inferior +quality of his attainments." The warder said, "How canst thou, who art but +in thy tenth year, hope to enter into this sacrifice, into which learned +and educated men only are admitted? I shall, however, try some means for +thy admittance. Do thou also try thyself." Ashtavakra then addressing +the king said, "O king, O foremost of Janaka's race, thou art the +paramount sovereign and all power reposeth in thee. In times of old, +king Yayati was the celebrator of sacrifices. And in the present age, +thou it is that art performer thereof. We have heard that the learned +Vandin, after defeating (in controversy) men expert in discussion, +causeth them to be drowned by faithful servants employed by thee. +Hearing this, I have come before these Brahmanas, to expound the +doctrine of the unity of the Supreme Being. Where is now Vandin? Tell me +so that I may approach him, and destroy him, even as the sun destroyeth +the stars." Thereupon the king said, "Thou hopest, O Brahmana, to defeat +Vandin, not knowing his power of speech. Can those who are familiar with +his power, speak as thou dost? He hath been sounded by Brahmanas versed +in the Vedas. Thou hopest to defeat Vandin, only because thou knowest +not his powers (of speech). Many a Brahmana hath waned before him, even +as the stars before the sun. Desirous of defeating him, people proud of +their learning, have lost their glory on appearing before him, and have +retired from his presence, without even venturing to speak with the +members of the assembly." Ashtavakra said, "Vandin hath never entered +into disputation with a man like myself, and it is for this only that he +looketh upon himself as a lion, and goeth about roaring like one. But +to-day meeting me he will lie down dead, even like a cart on the +highway, of which the wheels have been deranged." The king said, "He +alone is a truly learned man who understandeth the significance of the +thing that hath thirty divisions, twelve parts twenty-four joints, and +three hundred and sixty spokes." Ashtavakra said, "May that ever-moving +wheel that hath twenty-four joints, six naves, twelve peripheries, and +sixty spokes protect thee!"[19] The king said, "Who amongst the gods +beareth those two which go together like two mares (yoked to a car), and +sweep like a hawk, and to what also do they give birth?" Ashtavakra +said, "May God, O king, forfend the presence of these two[20] in thy +house; aye, even in the house of thine enemies. He who appeareth, having +for his charioteer the wind,[21] begetteth them, and they also produce +him." Thereupon the king said, "What is that doth not close its eyes +even while sleeping; what is it that doth not move, even when born; what +is it that hath no heart; and what doth increase even in its own speed?" +Ashtavakra said, "It is a fish[22] that doth not close its eye-lids, +while sleeping; and it is an a egg[23] that doth not move when +produced; it is stone[24] that hath no heart; and it is a river[25] +that increase in its own speed." + + [19] This wheel is the wheel of Time--i.e., measured according + to the solar, lunar and astral revolutions. The importance of + Ashtavakra's reply is this: May the meritorious deeds performed + at proper times, during the revolution of this wheel of Time + protect thee. + + [20] Thunder and lightning or misery and death. + + [21] Cloud or the mind. + + [22] The male being that is ever conscious. + + [23] The mundane egg. + + [24] The soul that has renounced connection with the body. + + [25] The heart of a _Yogi_. + +"'The king said, "It seemeth, O possessor of divine energy, that thou +art no human being. I consider thee not a boy, but a matured man; there +is no other man who can compare with thee in the art of speech. I +therefore give thee admittance. There is Vandin."'" + + +SECTION CXXXIV + +"'Ashtavakra said, "O king, O leader of fierce legions, in this assembly +of monarchs of unrivalled power who have met together, I am unable to +find out Vandin, chief of the controversialists. But I am searching for +him, even as one doth for a swan on a vast expanse of water. O Vandin, +thou regardest thyself as the foremost of controversialists. When though +wilt engage with me in staking, thou wilt not be able to flow like the +current of a river. I am like a full-flaming fire. Be silent before me, +O Vandin! Do not awaken a sleeping tiger. Know that thou shalt not +escape unstung, after trampling on the head of a venomous snake, licking +the corners of its mouth with its tongue, and who hath been hurt by thy +foot. That weak man who, in pride of strength, attempts to strike a blow +at a mountain, only gets his hands and nails hurt, but no wound is left +on the mountain itself. As the other mountains are inferior to the +Mainaka, and as calves are inferior to the ox, so are all other kings of +the earth inferior to the lord of Mithila. And as Indra is the foremost +of celestials, and as the Ganga is the best of rivers, so thou alone +art, O king, the greatest of monarchs. O king, cause Vandin to be +brought to my presence."' + +"Lomasa said, 'Saying this, O Yudhishthira, wroth with Vandin, +Ashtavakra thus thundered in the assembly, and addressed him in these +words, "Do thou answer my questions, and I shall answer thine." Thereat +Vandin said, "One only fire blazeth forth in various shapes; one only +sun illumineth this whole world; one only hero, Indra, the lord of +celestials, destroyeth enemies; and one only Yama is the sole lord of +the Pitris."[26] Ashtavakra said, "The two friends, Indra and Agni, ever +move together; the two celestial sages are Narada and Parvata; twins are +the Aswinikumaras; two is the number of the wheels of a car; and it is +as a couple that husband and wife live together, as ordained by the +deity."[27] Vandin said, "Three kinds of born beings are produced by +acts; the three Vedas together perform the sacrifice, Vajapeya; at three +different times, the Adhwaryus commence sacrificial rites; three is the +number of words: and three also are the divine lights."[28] Ashtavakra +said, "Four are the Asramas of the Brahmanas; the four orders perform +sacrifices; four are the cardinal points; four is the number of letters; +and four also, as is ever known, are the legs of a cow."[29] Vandin +said, "Five is the number of fires; five are the feet of the metre +called _Punki_; five are the sacrifices; five locks, it is said in the +Vedas, are on the heads of the Apsaras; and five sacred rivers are known +in the world."[30] Ashtavakra said, "Six cows, it is asserted by some, +are paid as a gratuity on the occasion of establishing the sacred fire; +six are the seasons belonging to the wheel of time; six is the number of +the senses; six stars constitute the constellation _Kirtika_; and six, +it is found in all the Vedas, is the number of the Sadyaska +sacrifice."[31] Vandin said, "Seven is the number of the domesticated +animals; seven are the wild animals; seven metres are used in completing +a sacrifice; seven are the _Rishis_, seven forms of paying homage are +extant (in the world); and seven, it is known, are the strings of the +Vina."[32] Ashtavakra said, "Eight are the bags containing a hundred +fold; eight is the number of the legs of the Sarabha, which preyeth upon +lions; eight Vasus, as we hear, are amongst the celestials; and eight +are the angles of _yupa_ (stake), in all sacrificial rites."[33] Vandin +said, "Nine is the number of the mantras used in kindling the fire in +sacrifices to the _Pitris_; nine are the appointed functions in the +processes of creation; nine letters compose the foot of the metre, +Vrihati; and nine also is ever the number of the figures (in +calculation)."[34] Ashtavakra said, "Ten is said to be the number of +cardinal points, entering into the cognition of men in this world; ten +times hundred make up a thousand; ten is the number of months, during +which women bear; and ten are the teachers of true knowledge, and ten, +the haters thereof, and ten again are those capable of learning it."[35] +Vandin said, "Eleven are the objects enjoyable by beings; eleven is the +number of the _yupas_; eleven are the changes of the natural state +pertaining to those having life; and eleven are the Rudras among the +gods in heaven."[36] Ashtavakra said, "Twelve months compose the year; +twelve letters go to the composition of a foot of the metre called +_Jagati_; twelve are the minor sacrifices; and twelve, according to the +learned, is the number of the Adityas."[37] Vandin said, "The +thirteenth lunar day is considered the most auspicious; thirteen islands +exist on earth."'[38] + + [26] Ashtavakra comes to Janaka's sacrifice with the object of + proving the unity of the Supreme Being. Vandin avails himself of + various system of Philosophy to combat his opponent. He begins + with the Buddhistic system. The form of the dialogue is unique + in literature being that of enigmas and the latent meaning is in + a queer way hid under the appearance of puerile and + heterogeneous combinations of things. + + Vandin opens the controversy by saying that as the number of + each of these is one, so one only intellect is the lord, leader + and guide of the senses. + + [27] There is a Vedic revelation that two birds live together on + a tree as friends--one of these eats the fruits and the other + looks at the former. From this it is manifest that _two_ are the + lords, leaders, and guides of the senses. That there is a second + faculty besides the intellect is also proved by the fact that in + sleep when the intellect is inactive that faculty continues in + action, for if it were not so we could not remember having + slept, nor connect the state after awaking with that preceding + sleep. Accordingly by citing the number _two_ Ashtavakra asserts + that besides intellect there is another faculty--consciousness + that these _two_ are jointly the lords, leaders and guides of + the senses and that they act together as Indra and Agni, etc. + + [28] By citing the number _three_ Vandin means to say that as it + is Acts that produce the _three_ kinds of born beings, etc., so + Acts are supreme and that everything else be it intellect alone, + or intellect and consciousness together is subservient to Acts. + + [29] Ashtavakra here advances the thesis that even if Acts be + supreme still when the (_fourth_) or Supreme Being becomes + manifest to the soul, it stands in no further needs to Acts. + + [30] By bringing in the _quinquennial_ series, Vandin wishes to + assert that the _five_ senses are competent to cognise there + respective objects and that besides these senses and their + objects there is neither any other sense to perceive nor any + other object of perception. He also cites the authority of the + Veda according to which the _Apsaras_ (or consciousness) have + _five_ "locks" on their hands--i.e., _five_ objects of + perception. + + [31] Besides the five senses Ashtavakra contends for an + additional sense namely the Mind and accordingly cites the + number _six_. + + [32] Vandin admits the existence of the six senses but says that + the soul experiences happiness and misery through those as well + as through the _intellect_. + + [33] Ashtavakra advances an eighth element, namely, the + _knowledge of the ego_. + + [34] Each of the three qualities (existence, foulness and + ignorance) of _prakriti_ (the passive or material cause of the + world) mixing with each of the three corresponding qualities of + _pradhana_ (the active or spiritual cause of the world) in + various proportions produces the mundane order of things. Thus + is proved the eternity of _prakriti_ or nature and is also + established the doctrine of duality. + + [35] Prakriti does not really create. It is the Supreme Being + who through the medium of illusion in contract with the _ten_ + organs (viz., the five locomotive organs and the five organs of + sense) makes manifest the system of things. Prakriti therefore + has no real existence--her existence is only apparent in the + real existence of the soul. + + [36] Yupas (stakes) mean here, _feelings_, etc, which keep men + bound to the world. _Rudras_ are those who makes others cry. + + Vandin means to say that the soul is not essentially free from + the fetters of happiness and misery arising from the eleven + objects of perception. In this world all men are subject to + happiness and misery. We also hear that there are Rudras in + heaven. + + [37] The supreme soul unaffected by happiness and misery really + exists--but His existence is not susceptible of being + proved--nor can the ignorant ever perceive Him. Men attain that + condition through these _twelve_, viz., virtue, truth, + self-restraint, penances, good-will, modesty, forgiveness, + exemption from envy, sacrifice, charity, concentration and + control over the senses. + + [38] According to some, endeavours to attain emancipation can be + successful not in this world but in the world of Brahma. Others + say that to that end a special _yoga_ is necessary. By bringing + forward the objects numbering _thirteen_, Vandin advances the + opinion that, virtue, etc., are not sufficient for purposes of + emancipation but that suitable time and place are also + essential. + +"Lomasa said, 'Having proceeded thus far, Vandin stopped. Thereupon +Ashtavakra supplied the latter half of the _sloka_. Ashtavakra said, +"Thirteen sacrifices are presided over by Kesi; and thirteen are +devoured by _Atichhandas_, (the longer metres) of the Veda."[39] And +seeing Ashtavakra speaking and the Suta's son silent, and pensive, and +with head downcast, the assembly broke into a long uproar. And when the +tumult thus arose in the splendid sacrifice performed by king Janaka, +the Brahmanas well pleased, and with joined hands, approached +Ashtavakra, and began to pay him homage. + + [39] Ashtavakra concludes by citing the same number _thirteen_. + The soul which is essentially unaffected, becomes subject to + happiness and misery through the _thirteen_, viz., the ten + organs of locomotion and sense, and intellect mind and egoism. + But Atichhanadas, i.e., those that have surmounted ignorance, + namely, the twelve, virtue, etc. destroy those thirteen and that + is emancipation. + +"'Thereupon Ashtavakra said, "Before this, this man, defeating the +Brahmanas in controversy, used to cast them into water. Let Vandin today +meet with the same fate. Seize him and drown him in water." Vandin said, +"O Janaka, I am the son of king Varuna. Simultaneously with thy +sacrifice, there also hath commenced a sacrifice extending over twelve +years. It is for this that I have despatched the principal Brahmanas +thither. They have gone to witness Varuna's sacrifice. Lo! there they +are returning. I pay homage to the worshipful Ashtavakra, by whose grace +to-day I shall join him who hath begot me." + +"'Ashtavakra said, "Defeating the Brahmanas either by words or subtlety, +Vandin had cast them into the waters of the sea. (That Vedic truth which +he had suppressed by false arguments), have I to-day rescued by dint of +my intellect. Now let candid men judge. As Agni, who knoweth the +character of both the good and the bad, leaveth unscorched by his heat +the bodies of those whose designs are honest, and is thus partial to +them, so good men judge the assertions of boys, although lacking the +power of speech, and are favourably disposed towards them. O Janaka, +thou hearest my words as if thou hast been stupefied in consequence of +having eaten the fruit of the Sleshmataki tree. Or flattery hath robbed +thee of thy sense, and for this it is that although pierced by my words +as an elephant (by the hook), thou hearest them not." + +"'Janaka said, "Listening to thy words, I take them to be excellent and +superhuman. Thy form also standeth manifest as superhuman. As thou hast +to-day defeated Vandin in discussion, I place even him at thy disposal." +Ashtavakra said, "O king, Vandin remaining alive, will not serve any +purpose of mine. If his father be really Varuna, let him be drowned in +the sea." Vandin said, "I am King Varuna's son. I have no fear +(therefore) in being drowned. Even at this moment, Ashtavakra shall see +his long-lost sire, Kahoda."' + +"Lomasa said, 'Then rose before Janaka all the Brahmanas, after having +been duly worshipped by the magnanimous Varuna. Kahoda said, "It is for +this, O Janaka, that men pray for sons, by performing meritorious acts. +That in which I had failed hath been achieved by my son. Weak persons +may have sons endued with strength; dunces may have intelligent sons; +and the illiterate may have sons possessed of learning." Vandin said, +"It is with thy sharpened axe, O monarch, that even Yama severeth the +heads of foes. May prosperity attend thee! In this sacrifice of king +Janaka, the principal hymns relating to the _Uktha_ rites are being +chanted, and the Soma juice also is being adequately quaffed. And the +gods themselves, in person, and with cheerful hearts, are accepting +their sacred shares."' + +"Lomasa said, 'When in enhanced splendour, the Brahmanas had risen up, +Vandin, taking king Janaka's permission, entered into the waters of the +sea. And then Ashtavakra worshipped his father, and he himself also was +worshipped by the Brahmanas. And having thus defeated the Suta's +son,[40] Ashtavakra returned to his own excellent hermitage, in company +with his uncle. Then in the presence of his mother, his father addressed +him, saying, "(O son), thou speedily enter into this river, Samanga." +And accordingly, he entered (into the water). (And as he plunged beneath +the water), all his (crooked) limbs were immediately made straight. And +from that day that river came to be called Samanga and she became +invested with the virtues of purifying (sins). He that shall bathe in +her, will be freed from his sins. Therefore, O Yudhishthira, do thou +with thy brothers and wife descend to the river, and perform thy +ablutions. O Kunti's son, O scion of the Ajamidha race, living happily +and cheerfully at this place together with thy brothers and the +Brahmanas, thou wilt perform with me other acts of merit, being intent +upon good deeds.'" + + [40] _Su_ means _excellent_, and _uta_, _sacrifice_. The + compound accordingly means,--_performer of excellent sacrifice_. + + +SECTION CXXXV + +"Lomasa said, 'Here, O king, is visible the river Samanga, whose former +name was Madhuvila, and yonder is the spot named Kardamila, the bathing +place of Bharata. The lord of Sachi, when fallen into misery in +consequence of having slain Vritra, became freed from his sin, by +performing his ablutions in this Samanga. Here, O bull among men, is the +spot where the Mainaka mountain hath sunk into the interior of the +earth; and it is hence called Vinasana. For obtaining sons, here Aditi +in days of yore had cooked that celebrated food, (presided over by the +Supreme Being). O ye bulls among men, ascend this lofty mountain and put +an end to your inglorious misery unworthy to be uttered. Here, O king, +before thee is the Kanakhala range, the favourite resort of sages. And +yonder is the mighty river Ganga. Here, in ancient times, the holy sage +Sanatkumara attained ascetic success. O scion of the Ajamidha race, by +performing thy ablutions here in this river, thou wilt be freed from all +thy sins. O son of Kunti, do thou together with thy ministers, touch +(the waters) of this lake called Punya, and this mountain Bhrigutunga +and also (the water of) these two rivers, called Tushniganga. Here, O +Kunti's son, appeareth the hermitage of the sage Sthulasiras. Resign +here thy anger and sense of self-importance. There, O son of Pandu, is +seen the beautiful hermitage of Raivya, where perished Bharadwaja's son, +Yavakri, profound in Vedic lore.' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'How did the mighty sage, Yavakri, son of the +ascetic Bharadwaja, acquire profoundity in the Vedas? And how also did +he perish? I am anxious to hear all this, just as it happened. I take +delight in listening to the narration of the deeds of god-like men.' + +"Lomasa said, 'Bharadwaja and Raivya were two friends. And they dwelt +here, ever taking the greatest pleasure in each other's company. Now, +Raivya had two sons, named Arvavasu and Paravasu. And, Bharadwaja, O +Bharata's son, had an only son, named Yavakri. Raivya and his two sons +were versed in the Vedas, while Bharadwaja practised asceticism. But, O +son of Bharata, from their boyhood, the friendship subsisting between +those two was unequalled. O sinless one, the highspirited Yavakri +finding that his father, who practised asceticism, was slighted by the +Brahmanas, while Raivya with his sons was greatly respected by them, was +overwhelmed with sorrow, and became sore aggrieved. Thereupon, O son of +Pandu, he entered upon severe austerities, for (obtaining) a knowledge +of the Vedas. And he exposed his body to a flaming fire. By thus +practising the most rigid austerities, he caused anxiety in the mind of +Indra. Then Indra, O Yudhishthira, went to him and addressed him saying, +"Wherefore, O sage, hast thou become engaged in practising such rigid +austerities?" Yavakri said, "O thou adored of celestial hosts, I am +practising severe penances, because I wish that such a knowledge of the +Vedas as hath never been acquired by any Brahmana whatever, may be +manifest unto me. O conqueror of Paka, these endeavours of mine have +been for Vedic lore. O Kausika, by the force of my asceticism, I purpose +to obtain all sorts of knowledge. O lord, a knowledge of the Vedas as +learnt through teachers, is acquired in a long time. Therefore, (with +the view of attaining in short time a proficiency in the Vedas), I have +put forth these high endeavours." Indra said, "O Brahmana sage, the way +that thou hast adopted is not the proper way. What for, O Brahmana, +wilt thou destroy thyself? Go and learn from the lips of a preceptor."' + +"Lomasa said, 'O son of Bharata, having said this, Sakra went away, and +Yavakri of immeasurable energy, once more directed his attention to +asceticism. O king, we have heard that carrying on severe austerities he +again greatly agitated Indra. And the god Indra, slayer of Vala, again +came unto that great sage, who was engaged in austere penances; and +forbade him, saying, "Thou art striving with the object that Vedic lore +may be manifest unto thee as well as unto thy father; but thy exertions +can never be successful, nor is this act of thine well-advised." Yavakri +said, "O lord of the celestials, if thou wilt not do for me what I want, +I shall, observing stricter vows, practise still severer penances. O +lord of celestials! know that if thou do not fulfil all my desires, I +shall then cut off my limbs and offer them as a sacrifice into a blazing +fire."' + +"Lomasa said, 'Knowing the determination of that high-souled sage, the +sagacious Indra reflected and hit upon some expedient to dissuade him. +Then Indra assumed the guise of an ascetic Brahmana, hundreds of years +old, and infirm, and suffering from consumption. And he fell to throwing +up a dam with sands, at that spot of the Bhagirathi to which Yavakri +used to descend for performing ablutions. Because Yavakri, chief of the +Brahmanas, paid no heed to Indra's words, the latter began to fill the +Ganga with sands. And without cessation, he threw handfuls of sand into +the Bhagirathi, and began to construct the dam attracting the notice of +the sage. And when that bull among the sages, Yavakri, saw Indra thus +earnestly engaged in constructing the dam, he broke into laughter, and +said the following words, "What art thou engaged in, O Brahmana, and +what is thy object? Why dost thou, for nothing, make this mighty +endeavour?" Indra said, "I am trying, O my son, to dam the Ganga so that +there may be a commodious passage. People experience considerable +difficulty in crossing and recrossing (the river) by boat." Yavakri +said, "O thou of ascetic wealth, thou canst not dam up this mighty +current. O Brahmana, desist from, what is impracticable, and take up +something that is practicable." Indra said, "O sage, I have imposed on +myself this heavy task, even as, for obtaining a knowledge of the Vedas, +thou hast begun these penances, which can never be fruitful." Yavakri +said, "If, O chief of the celestials, those efforts of mine be +fruitless, even as those of thy own, then, O lord of heavenly hosts, be +thou pleased to do for me what is practicable. Vouchsafe unto me boons +whereby I may excel other men."' + +"Lomasa said 'Then Indra granted boons, as was prayed for by the mighty +ascetic. Indra said, "As thou desirest, the Vedas will be manifest unto +thee, yea--even unto thy father. And all thy other desires will also be +fulfilled. Return home, O Yavakri." + +"'Having thus obtained the object of his desire, Yavakri came unto his +father and said, "The Vedas, O father, will be manifest unto thee as +well as unto myself and I have obtained boons whereby we shall excel all +men." Thereat Bharadwaja said, "O my son, as thou hast obtained the +objects of thy desire, thou wilt be proud. And when thou art puffed up +with pride and hast also become uncharitable, destruction will soon +overtake thee. O my son, there is a current anecdote narrated by the +gods. In ancient times, O son, there lived a sage named Valadhi, +possessed of great energy. And in grief for the death of a child, he +practised the severest penances to have a child that should be immortal. +And he obtained a son even as he desired. But the gods, though very +favourably disposed (towards him), did not yet make his son immortal +like unto the gods. They said, "On condition can a mortal being be made +immortal. Thy son's life, however, shall depend on some instrumental +cause." Thereupon, Valadhi said, "O chiefs of the celestials, these +mountains have been existing eternally, and indestructible, let them be +the instrumental cause of my son's life." Afterwards a son was born to +the sage, named Medhavi. And he was of a very irritable temper. And +hearing of (the incident of his birth), he grew haughty, and began to +insult the sages. And he ranged over the earth, doing mischief to the +_munis_. And one day, meeting with the learned sage Dhannushaksha endued +with energy, Medhavi maltreated him. Thereupon, the former cursed him, +saying, "Be thou reduced to ashes." Medhavi, however, was not reduced to +ashes. Then Dhannushaksha caused the mountain which was the instrumental +cause of Medhavi's life, to be shattered by buffaloes. And the boy +perished, with the destruction of the instrumental cause of his life. +And embracing his dead son, Medhavi's father began to bewail his fate. +Now hear from me, O my son, what was chanted by the sages conversant +with the Vedas, when they found the sage mourning. _A mortal on no +condition whatever can overcome what hath been ordained by Fate. Lo! +Dhannushaksha succeeded in shattering even the mountain by buffaloes._ +Thus young ascetics, puffed up with pride for having obtained boons, +perish in a short time. Be thou not one of them. This Raivya, O my son, +is possessed of great energy, and his two sons are like him. Therefore, +be thou vigilant--so as never to approach him. O my son, Raivya is a +great ascetic of an irritable temper. When angry, he can do thee harm." +Yavakri said, "I shall do as thou biddest me. Oh father, do thou not by +any means entertain anxiety for that. Raivya deserveth my regard even as +thou, my father." Having replied unto his father in these sweet words, +Yavakri, fearing nothing and nobody, began to delight in wantonly +offending other _munis_.'" + + +SECTION CXXXVI + +"Lomasa said, 'One day in the month of Chaitra, while fearlessly +wandering at large, Yavakri approached the hermitage of Raivya. And O +son of Bharata, in that beautiful hermitage, adorned with trees bearing +blossoms, he happened to behold the daughter-in-law of Raivya, +sauntering about like a Kinnara woman. And having lost his senses +through passion, Yavakri shamelessly spake unto the bashful maiden, +saying, "Be thou attached unto me." Thereupon, knowing his nature, and +afraid of a curse, as well as thinking of Raivya's power, she went unto +him saying, "I agree." Then, O son of Bharata, taking him in private, +she kept him chained. O conqueror of foes, returning to his hermitage, +Raivya found his daughter-in-law, Paravasu's wife, in tears. O +Yudhishthira, thereat consoling her with soft words, he enquired of her +as to the cause of her grief. Thereupon, the beautiful damsel told him +all that Yavakri had said unto her, and what she also had cleverly said +unto him. Hearing of this gross misbehaviour of Yavakri, the mind of the +sage flamed up, and he waxed exceedingly wroth. And being thus seized +with passion, the great sage of a highly irascible temper, tore off a +matted lock of his hair, and with holy _mantras_, offered it as a +sacrifice on the sacred fire. At this, there sprang out of it a female +exactly resembling his daughter-in-law. And then he plucked another +matted lock of his hair, and again offered it as a sacrifice into the +fire. Thereupon sprang out of it a demon, terrible to behold, and having +fierce eyes. Then those two spake unto Raivya, saying, "What shall we +do?" Thereat, the angry sage said unto them, "Go and kill Yavakri." Then +saying, "We shall do (as thou biddest)"--they two went away with the +intention of slaying Yavakri. And with her charms, the female whom the +large-hearted sage had created, robbed Yavakri of his sacred water-pot. +Then with his uplifted spear the demon flew at Yavakri, when he had been +deprived of his water-pot and rendered unclean. And seeing the demon +approach with uplifted spear for the purpose of slaying him, Yavakri +rose up all on a sudden and fled towards a tank. But finding it devoid +of water, he hurried towards all the rivers. But they too were all dried +up. And being obstructed again and again by the fierce demon, holding +the spear, Yavakri in fright attempted to enter into the _Agnihotra_ +room of his father. But there, O king, he was repulsed by a blind Sudra +warder, and he remained at the door, grasped by the man. And, finding +Yavakri thus grasped by the Sudra, the demon hurled his spear at him, +and thereupon he fell down dead, pierced in the heart. After slaying +Yavakri, the demon went back to Raivya, and with the permission of that +sage, began to live with the female.'" + + +SECTION CXXXVII + +"Lomasa said, 'O son of Kunti, Bharadwaja returned to his hermitage +after performing the ritual duties of the day, and having collected the +sacrificial fuel. And because his son had been slain, the sacrificial +fires which used to welcome him everyday, did not on that day come +forward to welcome him. And marking this change in the Agnihotra, the +great sage asked the blind Sudra warder seated there, saying, "Why is +it, O Sudra, that the fires rejoice not at sight of me? Thou too dost +not rejoice as is thy wont. Is it all well with my hermitage? I hope +that my son of little sense had not gone to the sage Raivya. Answer +speedily, O Sudra, all these questions of mine. My mind misgiveth me." +The Sudra said, "Thy son of little sense had gone to the sage Raivya, +and therefore it is that he lieth prostrate (on the ground), having been +slain by a powerful demon. Being attacked by the Rakshasa, holding a +spear, he attempted to force his way into this room, and I therefore +barred his way with my arms. Then desirous of having water in an unclean +state, as he stood hopeless, he was slain by the vehement Rakshasa, +carrying a spear in his hand." On hearing from the Sudra of this great +calamity, Bharadwaja, sorely afflicted with grief, began to lament, +embracing his dead son. And he said, "O my son, it is for the good of +the Brahmanas that thou didst practise penances, with the intention that +the Vedas unstudied by any Brahmana whatever might be manifest unto +thee. Thy behaviour towards the Brahmanas had always been for their +good, and thou hadst also been innocent in regard to all creatures. But, +alas! (at last) thou didst lapse into rudeness. I had prohibited thee, O +my son, from visiting the residence of Raivya; but alas! to that very +hermitage, (destructive to thee) as the god of death himself, Yama, +didst thou repair. Evil-minded is that man, who, (knowing that) I am an +old man, and also that (Yavakri) was my only son, had given way to +wrath. It is through the agency of Raivya that I have sustained the loss +of my child. Without thee, O my son, I shall give up my life, the most +precious thing in the world. In grief for the death of my son, I +renounce my life; but this I say that Raivya's eldest son shall in a +short time kill him although he be innocent. Blessed are those to whom +children have never been born, for they lead a happy life, without +having to experience the grief (incident to the death of a child). Who +in this world can be more wicked than those who from affliction, and +deprived of their sense by sorrow consequent upon the death of a child, +curse even their dearest friend! I found my son dead, and, therefore, +have cursed my dearest friend. Ah! what second man can there be in this +world, destined to suffer so grievous a misfortune!" Having lamented +long Bharadwaja cremated his son and then himself entered into a +full-blazing fire.'" + + +SECTION CXXXVIII + +"Lomasa said, 'At that very time, the mighty king, Vrihadyumna, of high +fortune, who was the _Yajamana_ of Raivya, commenced a sacrifice. And +the two sons of Raivya, Arvavasu and Paravasu, were engaged by that +intelligent monarch, to assist him in the performance of the ceremony. +And, O son of Kunti, taking the permission of their father, they two +went to the sacrifice, while Raivya with Paravasu's wife remained in the +hermitage. And it came to pass that one day, desirous of seeing his +wife, Paravasu returned home alone. And he met his father in the wood, +wrapped in the skin of a black antelope. And the night was far advanced +and dark; and Paravasu, blinded by drowsiness in that deep wood, mistook +his father for a straggling deer. And mistaking him for a deer, +Paravasu, for the sake of personal safety, unintentionally killed his +father. Then, O son of Bharata, after performing the funeral rites (of +his father), he returned to the sacrifice and there addressed his +brother saying, "Thou wilt never be able to perform this task +unassisted. I again, have killed our father, mistaking him for a deer. O +brother, for me do thou observe a vow, prescribed in the case of killing +a Brahmana. O Muni, I shall be able to perform this work (sacrifice), +without any assistant." Arvavasu said, "Do thou then thyself officiate +at this sacrifice of the gifted Vrihadyumna; and for thee will I, +bringing my senses under perfect control, observe the vow prescribed in +the case of slaying a Brahmana."' + +"Lomasa said, 'Having observed the vow relative to the killing of a +Brahmana, the sage Arvavasu came back to the sacrifice. Seeing his +brother arrive, Paravasa, in accents choked with malice, addressed +Vrihadyumna, saying, "O king, see that this slayer of a Brahmana enter +not into thy sacrifice, nor look at it. Even by a glance, the killer of +a Brahmana can, without doubt, do thee harm." O lord of men, immediately +on hearing this, the king ordered his attendants (to turn out Arvavasu). +O king, on being driven out by the king's attendants, and repeatedly +addressed by them--"_O slayer of a Brahmana_"--Arvavasu more than once +cried, "It is not I that have killed a Brahmana." Nor did he own that he +had observed the vow for his own sake. He said that his brother had +committed the sin, and that he had freed him therefrom. Having said this +in anger, and being reprimanded by the attendants, the Brahmana sage of +austere penances, retired in silence into the woods. There betaking +himself to the severest penances, the great Brahmana sought the +protection of the Sun. Thereupon, the revelation teaching the _mantra_ +relative to the worship of the Sun, became manifest unto him and that +eternal deity who obtaineth his share (of the sacrificial butter) first, +appeared before him in an embodied form.' + +"Lomasa said, 'The celestials, O king, were well pleased with Arvavasu +for his acts. And they made him engaged as the chief priest in the +sacrifice (of Vrihadyumna), and Paravasu to be dismissed from it. Then +Agni and the other celestials (of their own accord) bestowed boons on +Arvavasu. And they also prayed that his father might be restored to +life. He further prayed that his brother might be absolved from his sin; +that his father might have no recollection of his having been slain; +that Bharadwaja and Yavakri might both be restored to life; and that the +solar revelation might attain celebrity (on earth). Then the god said, +"So be it," and conferred on him other boons also. Thereat, O +Yudhishthira, all of these persons regained their life. Yavakri now +addressed Agni and the other deities, saying, "I had obtained a +knowledge of all the Vedas, and also practised penances. How came it +then, O chiefs of the immortals, that Raivya succeeded in killing me in +that way?" Thereupon the gods said, "O Yavakri, never act again as those +have done. What thou askest about is quite possible, for thou hast +learnt the Vedas without exertion, and without the help of a preceptor. +But this man (Raivya) bearing various troubles, had satisfied his +preceptor by his conduct, and obtained (from the latter) the excellent +Vedas through great exertions and in a long time."' + +"Lomasa said, 'Having said this to Yavakri, and restored all those to +life, the celestials with Indra at their head, ascended to heaven. Here, +O Yudhishthira, is the sacred hermitage of that sage embellished with +trees bearing blossoms and fruits at all seasons. O tiger among kings, +dwelling at this spot, thou wilt be delivered from all thy sins.'" + + +SECTION CXXXIX + +"Lomasa said, 'O descendant of Bharata, O king, now hast thou left +behind the mountains Usiravija, Mainaka and Sweta, as well as the Kala +hills. O son of Kunti, O bull among the descendants of Bharata, here +flow before thee the seven Gangas. This spot is pure and holy. Here Agni +blazeth forth without intermission. No son of Manu is able to obtain a +sight of this wonder. Therefore, O son of Pandu, concentrate your mind +in order that he may intently behold these _tirthas_. Now wilt thou see +the play-ground of the gods, marked with their footprints, as we have +passed the mountain Kala. We shall now ascend that white rock--the +mountain Mandara, inhabited by the Yakshas, Manibhadra and Kuvera, king +of the Yakshas. O king, at this place eighty thousand fleet Gandharvas, +and four times as many Kimpurushas and Yakshas of various shapes and +forms, holding various weapons, attend upon Manibhadra, king of the +Yakshas. In these regions their power is very great. And in speed they +are even as the wind. They can, without doubt, displace even the lord of +the celestials from his seat. Protected by them, and also watched over +by the Rakshasas, these mountains have been rendered inaccessible. +Therefore, O son of Pritha, do thou concentrate thy thoughts. Besides +these, O son of Kunti, here are fierce ministers of Kuvera and his +Rakshasa kindred. We shall have to meet them, and, therefore, O Kunti's +son, gather up thy energies. O king the mountain Kailasa is six +_yojanas_ in height. It contains a gigantic jujube tree. And, O son of +Kunti, numberless gods and Yakshas and Rakshasas and Kinnaras and Nagas +and Suparnas and Gandharvas pass this way, in going towards Kuvera's +palace. O king, protected by me, as well as by the might of Bhimasena, +and also in virtue of thy own asceticism and self-command, do thou +to-day mix with them. May king Varuna and Yama, conqueror of battles, +and Ganga, and Yamuna, and this mountain, and the Maruts and the twin +Aswins, and all rivers and lakes, vouchsafe thy safety. And, O effulgent +one, mayst thou have safety from all the celestials and the Asuras, and +the Vasus. O Goddess Ganga, I hear thy roar from this golden mountain, +sacred to Indra. O Goddess of high fortune, in these mountainous +regions, protect the king, worshipped by all of the Ajamidha race. O +daughter of the mountain (Himalaya), this king is about to enter into +these mountainous regions. Do thou, therefore, confer protection upon +him.' + +"Having thus addressed the river, Lomasa bade Yudhishthira, saying, 'Be +thou careful.' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'This confusion of Lomasa is unprecedented. +Therefore, protect ye Krishna, and be not careless. Lomasa knows this +place to be certainly difficult of access. Therefore, do ye practise +here the utmost cleanliness.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "He next addressed his brother Bhima of vast prowess, +saying, 'O Bhimasena, do thou protect Krishna carefully. Whether Arjuna +be near or away, Krishna in times of danger ever seeketh protection from +thee alone.' + +"Then the high-souled monarch approached the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva, +and after smelling their heads, and rubbing their persons, with tears +said unto them, 'Do not fear. Proceed, however, with caution.'" + + +SECTION CXL + +"Yudhishthira said, 'O Vrikodara, there are mighty and powerful +invisible spirits at this place. We shall, however, pass it, through the +merit of our asceticism and _Agnihotra_ sacrifices. O son of Kunti, do +thou therefore, restrain thy hunger and thirst by collecting thy +energies, and also, O Vrikodara have recourse to thy strength and +cleverness. O Kunti's son, thou hast heard what the sage (Lomasa) had +said regarding mount Kailasa. Ascertain, therefore, after deliberation, +how Krishna will pass the spot. Or, O mighty Bhima of large eyes, do +return from hence, taking with thee Sahadeva, and all our charioteers, +cooks, servants, cars, horses, and Brahmanas worn out with travel, while +I together with Nakula and the sage Lomasa of severe austerities +proceed, subsisting on the lightest fare and observing vows. Do thou in +expectation of my return, cautiously wait at the source of the Ganga, +protecting Draupadi till I come back.' + +"Bhima replied, 'O descendant of Bharata, although this blessed princess +hath been sore afflicted by toil and distress, yet she easily +proceedeth, in the hope of beholding him of the white steeds (Arjuna). +Thy dejection also is already very great at not seeing the high-souled +Arjuna, who never retreateth from fight. O Bharata, it is superfluous +then to say that if thou seest neither myself nor Sahadeva nor Krishna, +thy dejection will certainly increase. The Brahmanas had better return +with our servants, charioteers, cooks and whomsoever else thou mayst +command. I never shall leave thee in these rugged and inaccessible +mountainous regions, infested by Rakshasas. And, O tiger among men, also +this princess of high fortune, ever devoted to her lords, desireth not +to return without thee. Sahadeva is always devoted to thee; he too will +never retrace his steps. His disposition is known to me. O king, O +mighty monarch, we are all eager to behold Savyasachin, and therefore, +will we all go together. If we are unable to go over this mountain in +our cars, abounding as it doth in defiles, well, we would go on foot. +Trouble thyself not, O king, I shall carry Panchala's daughter wherever +she will be incapable of walking. O king, I have decided upon this. +Therefore let not thy mind be distracted. I shall also carry over +inaccessible tracts those tender-bodied heroes, the twins, the delight +of their mother, wherever they will be incapable of proceeding.' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'May thy strength increase, O Bhima, as thou speakest +thus, and as thou boldly undertakest to carry the illustrious Panchali +and these twins. Blessed be thou! Such courage dwelleth not in any other +individual. May thy strength, fame, merit, and reputation increase! O +long-armed one, as thou offerest to carry Krishna and our brothers the +twins, exhaustion and defeat never be thine!'" + +Vaisampayana said, "Then the charming Krishna said with a smile, 'O +descendant of Bharata, I shall be able to go, and, therefore, be thou +not anxious on my account.' + +"Lomasa said, 'Access to the mountain, Gandhamadana, is only to be +obtained by dint of asceticism. Therefore, O son of Kunti, shall we all +practise austerities, O king, Nakula, Sahadeva, Bhimasena, thou and +myself shall then see him of the white steeds, O Kunti's son.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "O king, thus conversing together, they saw with +delight the extensive domains of Suvahu, situated on the Himalayas +abounding in horses and elephants, densely inhabited by the Kiratas and +the Tanganas, crowded by hundreds of Pulindas, frequented by the +celestials, and rife with wonders. King Suvahu, the lord of the +Pulindas, cheerfully received them at the frontiers of his dominions, +paying them proper respect. Having been thus received with honour, and +having dwelt comfortably at this place, they started for the mountain +Himalaya, when the sun shone brightly in the firmament. And, O king, +having entrusted to the care of the lord of the Pulindas, all their +servants--Indrasena and the others,--and the cooks and the stewards, and +Draupadi's accoutrements, and every thing else, those mighty +charioteers, the son of the Kurus, endued with great prowess, set out +from that country, and began to proceed cautiously with Krishna,--all of +them cheerful in the expectation of beholding Arjuna. + +"Yudhishthira said, 'O Bhimasena, O Panchali, and ye twins, hearken unto +my words. The acts done (by a person) in a former birth do not perish, +(without producing their effects). Behold! Even we have become rangers +of the wilderness. Even to see Dhananjaya, exhausted and distressed as +we are, we have to bear each other, and pass through impassable places. +This burneth me even as fire doth a heap of cotton. O hero, I do not see +Dhananjaya at my side. I reside in the wood with my younger brothers, +anxious for beholding him. This thought, as also the memory of that +grave insult offered to Yajanaseni, consumes me. O Vrikodara, I do not +see the invincible Partha of strong bow and incomparable energy, and who +is the immediate elder to Nakula. For this, O Vrikodara, I am miserable. +In order to see that hero, Dhananjaya, firm in promise, for these five +years have I been wandering in various _tirthas_, and beautiful forests +and lakes and yet I do not meet with him. For this, O Vrikodara, I am +miserable. I do not see the long-armed Gudakesa, of dark blue hue, and +leonine gait. For this, O Vrikodara, I am miserable. I do not see that +foremost of Kurus, accomplished in arms, skilful in fight, and matchless +among bowmen. For this, O Vrikodara, I am miserable. Distressed for I am +I do not see that son of Pritha, Dhananjaya, born under the influence of +the star Phalguni; ranging amidst foes even like Yama at the time of the +universal dissolution; possessed of the prowess of an elephant with the +temporal juice trickling down; endued with leonine shoulders; not +inferior to Sakra himself in prowess and energy; elder in years to the +twins; of white steeds; unrivalled in heroism; invincible; and wielding +a strong bow. For this, O Vrikodara, I am miserable. And he is always of +a forgiving temper,--even when insulted by the meanest individual. And +he conferreth benefit and protection to the righteous; but to that +tortuous person who by craft attempts to do him mischief, Dhananjaya is +like unto virulent poison, albeit that one were Sakra himself. And the +mighty Vibhatsu of immeasurable soul and possessing great strength, +showeth mercy and extendeth protection even to a foe when fallen. And he +is the refuge of us all and he crusheth his foes in fight. And he hath +the power to collect any treasure whatever, and he ministereth unto our +happiness. It was through his prowess that I had owned formerly +measureless precious jewels of various kinds which at present Suyodhana +hath usurped. It was by his might, O hero, that I had possessed before +that palatial amphitheatre embellished with all manner of jewels, and +celebrated throughout the three worlds. O Pandu's son, in prowess, +Phalguni is like unto Vasudeva, and in fight he is invincible and +unrivalled, even like unto Kartavirya. Alas! I see him not, O Bhima. In +might, that conqueror of foes goeth in the wake of the invincible and +most powerful Sankarshana (Valarama) and Vasudeva. In strength of arms, +and spirit, he is like unto Purandara himself. And in swiftness, he is +even as the wind, and in grace, as the moon, and in ire, he is the +eternal Death himself. O mighty-armed one, with the object of beholding +that war-like tiger among men, shall we repair to the Gandhamadana +mountain, where lies the hermitage of Nara and Narayana at the site of +the celebrated jujube tree, and which is inhabited by the Yakshas. We +shall see that best of mountains. And, practising severe austerities +only on foot we shall go to Kuvera's beautiful lake guarded by +Rakshasas. That place cannot be reached by vehicles, O Vrikodara. +Neither can cruel or avaricious, or irascible people attain to that +spot, O Bharata's son. O Bhima, in order to see Arjuna, thither shall we +repair, in company, with Brahmanas of strict vows, girding on our +swords, and wielding our bows. Those only that are impure, meet with +flies, gad-flies, mosquitoes, tigers, lions, and reptiles, but the pure +never come across them. Therefore, regulating our fare, and restraining +our senses, we shall go to the Gandhamadana, desirous of seeing +Dhananjaya.'" + + +SECTION CXLI + +"Lomasa said, 'O sons of Pandu, ye have seen many a mountain, and river +and town and forest and beautiful _tirtha_; and have touched with your +hands the sacred waters. Now this way leads to the celestial mountain +Mandara; therefore be ye attentive and composed. Ye will now repair to +the residence of the celestials and the divine sages of meritorious +deeds. Here, O king, flows the mighty and beautiful river (Alakananda) +of holy water adored by hosts of celestials and sages, and tracing its +source to (the site of) the jujube tree. It is frequented and worshipped +by high-souled Vaihayasas, Valakhilyas and Gandharvas of mighty souls. +Accustomed to sing the Sama hymns, the sages, Marichi, Pulaha, Bhrigu +and Angiras, chanted them at this spot. Here the lord of celestials +performeth with the Marats his daily prayers. And the Sadhyas and the +Aswins attend on him. The sun, the moon and all the luminaries with the +planets resort to this river, alternately by day and by night. O highly +fortunate monarch, that protector of the world, Mahadeva, having a bull +for his mark, received on his head the fall of the waters of this river, +at the source of the Ganga. O children, approach this goddess of the six +attributes and bow down before her with concentrated minds.' + +"Hearing the words of the high-souled Lomasa, the son of Pandu +reverentially worshipped the river (Ganga), flowing through the +firmament. And after having adored her the pious sons of Pandu resumed +their journey accompanied by the sages. And it came to pass that those +best of men beheld at a distance some white object of vast proportions, +even like Meru and stretching on all sides. And knowing that Pandu's +sons were intent upon asking (him), Lomasa versed in speech said, 'Hear, +O sons of Pandu! O best of men, what ye see before you, of vast +proportions like unto a mountain and beautiful as the Kailasa cliff, is +a collection of the bones of the mighty Daitya Naraka. Being placed on a +mountain, it looketh like one. The Daitya was slain by that Supreme +Soul, the eternal God Vishnu, for the good of the lord of celestials. +Aiming at the possession of Indra's place, by the force of austere and +Vedic lore, that mighty-minded (demon) had practised austere penances +for ten thousand years. And on account of his asceticism, as also of the +force and might of his arms he had grown invincible and always harassed +(Indra). And O sinless one, knowing his strength and austerities and +observance of religious vows, Indra became agitated and was overwhelmed +with fear. And mentally he thought of the eternal deity, Vishnu. And +thereat the graceful lord of the universe, who is present everywhere, +appeared and stood before him manifest. And the sages and celestials +began to propitiate Vishnu with prayers. And in his presence even Agni +of the six attributes and of blazing beauty being overpowered by his +effulgence, became shorn of radiance and seeing before him the God +Vishnu, the chief of the celestials who wields the thunder-bolt, bowing +with head down readily apprised Vishnu of the source of his fear. +Thereupon Vishnu said, "I know, O Sakra, that thy fear proceedeth from +Naraka, that lord of the Daityas. By the merit of his successful ascetic +acts he aimeth at Indra's position. Therefore, for pleasing thee, I +shall certainly sever his soul from his body, although he hath achieved +success in asceticism. Do thou, lord of celestials, wait for a moment." +Then the exceedingly powerful Vishnu deprived (Naraka) of his senses (by +striking him) with his hand. And he fell down on the earth even like the +monarch of mountains struck by (thunder). He was thus slain by a miracle +and his bones lie gathered at this spot. Here also is manifest another +deed of Vishnu's. Once the whole earth having been lost and sunk into +the nether regions she was lifted up by him in the shape of a boar +having a single tusk.' + +"Yudhishthira said, 'O worshipful one, relate in particular how Vishnu, +the lord of the celestials, raised up the earth sunk a hundred +_yojanas_? In what manner also was that support of all created +things--the goddess Earth of high fortune-who dispenseth blessings and +bringeth forth all sorts of corn rendered stable? Through whose power +had she sunk an hundred _yojanas_ below, and under what circumstances +was exhibited this greatest exploit of the Supreme Being? O chief of the +twice-born race, I wish to hear all about it in detail as it happened. +Certainly, it is known to thee.' + +"Lomasa said, 'O Yudhishthira, listen to all at length as I relate the +story, which thou hast asked me (to narrate). O child, in days of yore, +there was (once) a terrible time in the Krita Yuga when the eternal and +primeval Diety assumed the duties of Yama. And, O thou that never +fallest off, when the God of gods began to perform the functions of +Yama, there died not a creature while the births were as usual. Then +there began to multiply birds and beasts and kine, and sheep, and deer +and all kinds of carnivorous animals. O tiger among men and vanquisher +of foes, then the human race also increased by thousands even like unto +a current of water. And, O my son, when the increase of population had +been so frightful, the Earth oppressed with the excessive burden, sank +down for a hundred _yojanas_. And suffering pain in all her limbs, and +being deprived of her senses by excessive pressure, the earth in +distress sought the protection of Narayana, the foremost of the gods. +The earth spake saying, "It is by thy favour, O possessor of the six +attributes, that I had been able to remain so long in my position. But I +have been overcome with burden and now I cannot hold myself any longer. +It behoveth thee, O adorable one, to relieve this load of mine. I have +sought thy protection, O lord; and do thou, therefore, extend unto me +thy favour." Hearing these words of hers, the eternal lord, possessor of +the six attributes, complaisantly said, in words uttered in distinct +letters, Vishnu said, "Thou need not fear, O afflicted Earth, the bearer +of all treasures. I shall act so that thou mayst be made light."' + +"Lomasa said, 'Having thus dismissed the Earth, who hath the mountains +for her ear-rings, he suddenly became turned into a boar with one tusk, +and of exceeding effulgence. Causing terror with his glowing red eyes +and emitting fumes from his blazing lustre, he began to swell in +magnitude in that region. O hero, then holding the earth with his single +radiant tusk that being who pervadeth the Vedas, raised her up a hundred +_yojanas_. And while she was being thus raised, there ensued a mighty +agitation and all the celestials, together with the sages of ascetic +wealth became agitated. And heaven, and the firmament, and also the +Earth were filled with exclamations of _Oh!_ and _Alas!_ and neither the +celestials nor men could rest in peace. Then countless celestials +together with the sages went to Brahma, who was seated burning as it +were in his (own) lustre. Then approaching Brahma, the lord of +celestials, and the witness of the acts of all beings, they with folded +hands spake the following words, "O lord of the celestials, all created +beings have become agitated and the mobile and immobile creatures are +restless. O lord of the celestials, even the oceans are found to be +agitated and this whole earth hath gone down a hundred _yojanas_. What +is the matter? And by whose influence is it that the whole universe is +in ferment? May it please thee to explain it unto us without delay, for +we are all bewildered." Thereupon Brahma replied, "Ye immortals! do ye +not entertain fear for the Asuras, in any matter or place. Hearken, ye +celestials, to the reason to which all this commotion is owing! This +agitation in the heavens hath been produced by the influence of the +illustrious Being who is omnipresent, eternal and the never-perishing +Soul. That Supreme soul, Vishnu hath lifted up the Earth, who had +entirely sunk down hundred _yojanas_. This commotion hath taken place in +consequence of the earth being raised up. Know ye this and dispel your +doubts." The celestials said, "Where is that Being who with pleasure +raiseth up the Earth? O possessor of the six attributes, mention unto us +the place. Thither shall we repair." Brahma said "Go ye. May good happen +to you! Ye will find him resting in the Nandana (gardens). Yonder is +visible the glorious worshipful Suparna (Garuda). After having raised +the Earth, the Supreme Being from whom the world become manifest, +flameth even in the shape of a boar, like unto the all-consuming fire at +the universal dissolution. And on his beast is really to be seen the gem +Srivatsa. (Go) and behold that Being knowing no deterioration."' + +"Lomasa said, 'Then the celestials, placing the grandsire at their head, +came to that infinite Soul, and having listened to his praise, bade him +adieu and went back to whence they had come.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "O Janamejaya, having heard this story, all the +Pandavas without delay and with alacrity, began to proceed by the way +pointed out by Lomasa." + + +SECTION CXLII + +Vaisampayana said, "O king, then those foremost of bowmen, of +immeasurable prowess, holding bows stringed at full stretch and equipped +with quivers and arrows and wearing finger-caps made of the guana-skin, +and with their swords on, proceeded with Panchali towards the +Gandhamadana, taking with them the best of Brahmanas. And on their way +they saw various lakes, and rivers and mountains and forests, and trees +of wide-spreading shade on mountain summits and places abounding in +trees bearing flowers and fruit in all seasons and frequented by +celestials and sages. And restraining their senses within their inner +self and subsisting on fruits and roots, the heroes passed through +rugged regions, craggy and difficult of passage, beholding many and +various kinds of beasts. Thus those high-souled ones entered the +mountain inhabited by the sages, the Siddhas and the celestials, and +frequented by the Kinnaras and the Apsaras. And, O lord of men, as those +mighty heroes were entering the mountain Gandhamandana, there arose a +violent wind, attended with a heavy shower. And owing to this, mighty +clouds of dust bearing lots of dry leaves, rose, and all on a sudden +covered earth, air and firmament. And when the heavens had been covered +with dust nothing could be perceived, neither could they (the Pandavas) +speak to one another. And with eyes enveloped with darkness and pushed +by the wind carrying particles of rocks they could not see one another. +And there began to arrive mighty sounds proceeding from the tree, and +also from those breaking down incessantly under the force of the wind, +and falling to the ground. And distracted by gusts of the wind, they +thought, 'Are the heavens falling down; or the earth and the mountains +being rent?' And afraid of the wind, they felt about with their hands +and took shelter under the way-side tree and ant-hills and in caverns. +Then holding his bow and supporting Krishna the mighty Bhimasena stood +under a tree. And Yudhishthira the just with Dhaumya crept into the deep +wood. And Sahadeva carrying the sacred fire with him took shelter in a +rock. And Nakula together with Lomasa and other Brahmanas of great +asceticism stood in fright, each under a tree. Then when the wind had +abated and the dust subsided, there came down a shower in torrents. +There also arose a loud rattling noise, like unto the thunder hurled; +and quick-flashing lightning began to play gracefully upon the clouds. +And being helped on by the swift wind, showers of rain poured down +without intermissions, filling all sides round. And, O lord of men, all +around there began to flow many rivers covered with foam and turbid with +mud; and these bearing volumes of water spread over the frothy rafts +rushed down with tremendous roar uprooting trees. And afterwards when +that sound had ceased and the air had arisen they (each of them) +cautiously came out of their coverts and met together, O descendant of +Bharata. And then the heroes started for the mountain Gandhamadana." + + +SECTION CXLIII + +Vaisampayana said, "When the high-souled sons of Pandu had proceeded +only two miles, Draupadi unaccustomed to travel on foot, sank down. +Weary and afflicted as she was, the poor daughter of Panchala became +faint, on account of the hailstorm and also of her extreme delicacy. And +trembling with faintness, the black-eyed one supported herself on her +thighs with her plump arms, becoming (her graceful form). And thus +resting for support on her thighs resembling the trunk of an elephant, +and which were in contact with each other, she suddenly dropped upon the +ground, trembling like a plantain tree. And finding that the beautiful +one was falling down like a twisted creeper, Nakula ran forward and +supported her. And he said, 'O king, this black-eyed daughter of +Panchala, being weary, hath fallen down upon the ground. Do thou, +therefore, tend her, O son of Bharata. Undeserving as she is of misery, +this lady of slow pace hath been subject to great hardships, and she is +also worn out with the fatigues of the journey. O mighty king, do thou +therefore, comfort her.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "Having heard these words of Nakula, the king as also +Bhima and Sahadeva, became sorely afflicted, and hastily ran towards +her. And finding her weak, and her countenance pale, the pious son of +Kunti began to lament in grief, taking her on his lap. Yudhishthira +said, 'Accustomed to ease, and deserving to sleep in well protected +rooms, on beds spread over with fine sheets, how doth this beautiful one +sleep prostrate on the ground! Alas! On my account (alone), the delicate +feet and the lotus-like face of this one deserving of all excellent +things, have contracted a dark-blue hue. O what have I done! Fool that I +am, having been addicted to dice, I have been wandering in the forest +full of wild beasts, taking Krishna in my company. This large-eyed one +had been bestowed by her father, the king of the Drupadas, in the hope +that the blessed girl would be happy, by obtaining the sons of Pandu for +her lords. It is on account of my wretched self, that without obtaining +anything hoped for, she sleepeth prostrate on the ground, tired with +hardships, sorrow and travel!'" + +Vaisampayana said, "While king Yudhishthira the just was lamenting thus, +Dhaumya with all the other principal Brahmanas came to the spot. And +they began to console him and to honour him with blessings. And they +recited _mantras_ capable of dispelling Rakshasas and (to that end) also +performed rites. And on the _mantras_ being recited by the great +ascetics, in order to the restoration of (Panchali's) health, Panchali +frequently touched by the Pandavas with their soothing palms and fanned +by cool breezes surcharged with particles of water, felt ease, and +gradually regained her senses. And finding that exhausted poor lady +restored to her senses, the sons of Pritha, placing her on deer-skin, +caused her to take rest. And taking her feet of red soles, bearing +auspicious marks, the twins began to press them gently with their hands, +scarred by the bow-string. And Yudhishthira the just, the foremost of +the Kurus, also comforted her and addressed Bhima in the following +words: 'O Bhima, there yet remain many mountains (before us), rugged, +and inaccessible because of snow. How, long-armed one, will Krishna pass +over them?' Thereupon Bhima said, 'O king, I myself shall carry thee, +together with this princess and these bulls among men, the twins; +therefore, O king of kings, resign not thy mind unto despair. Or, at thy +bidding, O sinless one, Hidimva's son, the mighty Ghatotkacha, who is +capable of ranging the skies and who is like unto me in strength, will +carry us all.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "Then with Yudhishthira's permission, Bhima thought +of his Rakshasa son. And no sooner was he thought of by his father, than +the pious Ghatotkacha made his appearance and, saluting the Pandavas and +the Brahmanas, stood with joined hands. And they also caressed him of +mighty arms. He then addressed his father, Bhimasena of dreadful +prowess, saying, 'Having been thought of by thee I have come here with +speed, in order to serve thee. Do thou, O longarmed one, command me. I +shall certainly be able to perform whatever thou bidst.' Hearing this, +Bhimasena hugged the Rakshasa to his breast." + + +SECTION CXLIV + +"Yudhishthira said, 'O Bhima, let this mighty and heroic Rakshasa chief, +thy legitimate son, devoted to us, and truthful, and conversant with +virtue carry (his) mother (Draupadi) without delay. And, O possessor of +dreadful prowess, depending on the strength of thy arms, I shall reach +the Gandhamadana, unhurt, together with Panchala's daughter.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "Hearing the words of his brother, that tiger among +men, Bhimasena, commanded his son, Ghatotkacha, represser of foes, +saying, 'O invincible son of Hidimva, this thy mother hath been sorely +tired. Thou art, again, strong and capable of going wherever thou +likest. Do thou therefore, O ranger of the skies, carry her. May +prosperity attend thee! Taking her on thy shoulders, thou shalt go in +our company, adopting a course not far overhead,--so that thou mayst not +render her uneasy.' Thereat, Ghatotkacha said, 'Even single-handed, I am +able to carry Yudhishthira the just, and Dhaumya, and Krishna, and the +twins--and what wonder then that I shall to-day carry them, when I have +others to assist me? And, O sinless one, hundreds of other heroic +(Rakshasas), capable of moving through the sky, and of assuming any +shape at will, will together carry you all with the Brahmanas.'" + +Vaisampayana said, "Saying this, Ghatotkacha carried Krishna in the +midst of the Pandavas, and the other (Rakshasas) also began to carry the +Pandavas. And by virtue of his native energy, Lomasa of incomparable +effulgence moved along the path of the Siddhas, like unto a second sun. +And at the command of the lord of the Rakshasas, those Rakshasas of +terrific prowess began to proceed, bearing all the other Brahmanas, and +beholding many a romantic wood. And they proceeded towards the gigantic +jujube tree. And carried by the Rakshasas of great speed, proceeding at +a rapid pace, the heroes passed over longextending ways quickly, as if +over short ones. And on their way they saw various tracts crowded with +_Mlechchha_ people, and containing mines of diverse gems. And they also +saw hillocks teeming with various minerals, thronged with Vidyadharas, +inhabited on all sides by monkeys and Kinnaras and Kimpurushas, and +Gandharvas, and filled with peacocks, and _chamaras_, and apes, and +_turus_, and bears, and gavayas, and buffaloes, intersected with a +network of rivulets, and inhabited by various birds and beasts, and +beautified by elephants, and abounding in trees and enraptured birds. +After having thus passed many countries, and also the Uttarakurus, they +saw that foremost of mountains, the Kailasa, containing many wonders. +And by the side of it, they beheld the hermitage of Nara and Narayana, +with celestial trees bearing flowers and fruits in all seasons. And they +also beheld that beautiful jujube of round trunk. And it was fresh; and +of deep shade; and of excellent beauty; and of thick, soft and sleek +foliage; and healthful; and having gigantic boughs; and wide-spreading; +and of incomparable lustre; and bearing full-grown, tasteful, and holy +fruits dropping honey. And this celestial tree was frequented by hosts +of mighty sages, and was always inhabited by various birds maddened with +animal spirits. And it grew at a spot devoid of mosquitoes and +gad-flies, and abounding in fruits and roots and water, and covered with +green grass, and inhabited by the celestials and the Gandharvas, and of +smooth surface, and naturally healthful, and beauteous and cool and of +delicate feel. Having reached that (tree) together with those bulls +among Brahmanas, the high-souled ones gently alighted from the shoulders +of the Rakshasas. Then in company with those bulls among the twice-born +ones, the Pandavas beheld that romantic asylum presided over by Nara and +Narayana; devoid of gloom; and sacred; and untouched by the solar rays; +and free from those rubs, viz. hunger, and thirst, heat and cold, and +removing (all) sorrow; and crowded with hosts of mighty sages; and +adorned with the grace proceeding from the Vedas, Saman, Rich, and +Yajus; and, O king, inaccessible to men who have renounced religion; and +beautified with offerings, and _homas_; and sacred; and well-swept and +daubed; and shining all around with offerings of celestial blossoms; and +spread over with altars of sacrificial fire, and sacred ladles and pots; +and graced with large water-jars, and baskets and the refuge of all +beings; and echoing with the chanting of the Vedas; and heavenly; and +worthy of being inhabited; and removing fatigue; and attended with +splendour and of incomprehensible merit; and majestic with divine +qualities. And the hermitage was inhabited by hosts of great sages, +subsisting on fruits and roots; and having their senses under perfect +control; and clad in black deer-skins; and effulgent like unto the Sun +and Agni; and of souls magnified by asceticism and intent on +emancipation; and leading the Vanaprastha mode of life; and of subdued +senses; and identified with the Supreme Soul; and of high fortune; and +reciting Vedic hymns. Then having purified himself and restrained his +senses, that son of Dharma, the intelligent Yudhishthira of exceeding +energy, accompanied by his brothers, approached those sages. And all the +great sages endued with supernatural knowledge, knowing Yudhishthira +arrived, received him joyfully. And those sages engaged in the +recitation of the Vedas, and like unto fire itself, after having +conferred blessings on Yudhishthira, cheerfully accorded him fitting +reception. And they gave him clean water and flowers and roots. And +Yudhishthira the just received with regard the things gladly offered for +his reception by the great sages. And then, O sinless one, Pandu's son +together with Krishna and his brothers, and thousands of Brahmanas +versed in the Vedas and the Vendangas, entered into that holy hermitage, +like unto the abode of Sukra and pleasing the mind with heavenly odours +and resembling heaven itself and attended with beauty. There the pious +(Yudhishthira) beheld the hermitage of Nara and Narayana, beautified by +the Bhagirathi and worshipped by the gods and the celestial sages. And +seeing that hermitage inhabited by the Brahmarshis and containing fruits +dropping honey, the Pandavas were filled with delight. And having +reached that place, the high-souled ones began to dwell with the +Brahmanas. There beholding the holy lake Vinda, and the mountain +Mainaka, of golden summits and inhabited by various species of birds, +the magnanimous ones lived happily with joy. The son of Pandu together +with Krishna took pleasure in ranging excellent and captivating woods, +shining with flowers of every season; beauteous on all sides with trees +bearing blown blossoms; and bending down with the weight of fruits and +attended by the numerous male _kokilas_ and of glossy foliage; and thick +and having cool shade and lovely to behold. They took delight in +beholding diverse beautiful lakes of limpid water and shining all round +with lotuses and lilies. And there, O lord, the balmy breeze bearing +pure fragrance, blew gladdening all the Pandavas, together with Krishna. +And hard by the gigantic jujube, the mighty son of Kunti saw the +Bhagirathi of easy descent and cool and furnished with fresh lotuses and +having stairs made of rubies and corals and graced with trees and +scattered over with celestial flowers, and gladsome to the mind. And at +that spot, frequented by celestials and sages, and extremely +inaccessible, they, after having purified themselves offered oblations +unto the _pitris_ and the gods and the _rishis_ in the sacred waters of +the Bhagirathi. Thus those bulls among men the heroic perpetuators of +the Kuru race, began to reside there with the Brahmanas offering +oblations and practising meditation. And those tigers among men, the +Pandavas of the god-like appearance, felt delight in witnessing the +various amusements of Draupadi." + + +SECTION CXLV + +Vaisampayana said, "There observing cleanliness, those tigers among men +dwelt for six nights, in expectation of beholding Dhananjaya. And it +came to pass that all of a sudden there blew a wind from the north-east +and brought a celestial lotus of a thousand petals and effulgent as the +sun. And Panchali saw that pure and charming lotus of unearthly +fragrance, brought by the wind and left on the ground. And having +obtained that excellent and beautiful lotus, that blessed one became +exceedingly delighted, O king, and addressed Bhimasena in the following +words, 'Behold, O Bhima, this most beautiful unearthly flower having +within it the very source of fragrance. It gladdenth my heart, O +represser of foes. This one shall be presented to Yudhishthira the just. +Do thou, therefore, procure others for my satisfaction--in order that I +may carry them to our hermitage in the Kamyaka. If, O Pritha's son, I +have found grace with thee, do thou then procure others of this species +in large numbers. I wish to carry them to our hermitage.' Having said +this, the blameless lady of beautiful glances approached Yudhishthira +the just, taking the flower. And knowing the desire of his beloved queen +that bull among men, Bhima of great strength, also set out, in order to +gratify her. And intent upon fetching the flowers, he began to proceed +at rapid space, facing the wind, in the direction from which the flower +had come. And taking the bow inlaid with gold on the back as also arrows +like unto venomous snakes, he proceeded as a lion in anger or an +elephant in rut. And all beings gazed at him, holding a mighty bow and +arrows. And neither exhaustion, nor langour, neither fear nor confusion, +ever possessed the son of Pritha and the offspring of Vayu (wind). And +desirous of pleasing Draupadi the mighty one, free from fear or +confusion, ascended the peak depending on the strength of his arms. And +that slayer of foes began to range that beautiful peak covered with +trees, creepers and of black rocky base; and frequented by Kinnaras; and +variegated with minerals, plants, beasts, and birds of various hues; and +appearing like an upraised arm of the Earth adorned with an entire set +of ornaments. And that one of matchless prowess proceeded, fixing his +look at the slopes of the Gandhamadana,--beautiful with flowers of every +season--and revolving various thoughts in his mind and with his ears, +eyes and mind rivetted to the spots resounding with the notes of male +_kokilas_ and ringing with the hum of black bees. And like an elephant +in rut ranging mad in a forest that one of mighty prowess smelt the rare +odour proceeding from the flowers of every season. And he was fanned by +the fresh breeze of the Gandhamadana bearing the perfumes of various +blossoms and cooling like unto a father's touch. On his fatigue being +removed the down on his body stood on end. And in this state that +represser of foes for the flowers began to survey all the mountain, +inhabited by Yakshas and Gandharvas and celestials and Brahmarshis. And +brushed by the leaves of _Saptachchada_ tree, besmeared with fresh red, +black and white minerals, he looked as if decorated with lines of holy +unguents drawn by fingers. And with clouds stretching at its sides, the +mountain seemed dancing with outspread wings. And on account of the +trickling waters of springs, it appeared to be decked with necklaces of +pearls. And it contained romantic caverns and groves and cascades and +caves. And there were excellent peacocks dancing to the jingling of the +bangles of the Apsaras. And its rocky surface was worn away by the end +of tusks of the elephants presiding over the cardinal points. And with +the waters of rivers falling down, the mountain looked as if its clothes +were getting loosened. And that graceful son of the wind-god playfully +and cheerfully went on, pushing away by his force countless intertwisted +creepers. And stags in curiosity gazed at him, with grass in their +mouths. And not having experienced fear (ever before), they were +unalarmed, and did not flee away. And being engaged in fulfilling the +desire of his love, the youthful son of Pandu, stalwart and of splendour +like unto the hue of gold; and having a body strong as a lion; and +treading like a mad elephant; and possessing the force of a mad +elephant; and having coppery eyes like unto those of a mad elephant; and +capable of checking a mad elephant began to range the romantic sides of +the Gandhamadana with his beautiful eyes uplifted; and displaying as it +were a novel type of beauty. And the wives of Yakshas and Gandharvas +sitting invisible by the side of their husbands, stared at him, turning +their faces with various motions. Intent upon gratifying Draupadi exiled +unto the woods, as he was ranging the beautiful Gandhamadana, he +remembered the many and various woes caused by Duryodhana. And he +thought, 'Now that Arjuna sojourn in heaven and that I too have come +away to procure the flowers, what will our brother Yudhishthira do at +present? Surely, from affection and doubting their prowess, that +foremost of men, Yudhishthira, will not let Nakula and Sahadeva come in +search of us. How, again, can I obtain the flowers soon?' Thinking thus, +that tiger among men proceeded in amain like unto the king of birds, his +mind and sight fixed on the delightful side of the mountain. And having +for his provisions on the journey the words of Draupadi, the mighty son +of Pandu, Vrikodara Bhima, endued with strength and the swiftness of the +wind, with his mind and sight fixed on the blooming slopes of the +mountain, proceeded speedily, making the earth tremble with his tread, +even as doth a hurricane at the equinox; and frightening herds of +elephants and grinding lions and tigers and deer and uprooting and +smashing large trees and tearing away by force plants and creepers, like +unto an elephant ascending higher and higher the summit of a mountain; +and roaring fiercely even as a cloud attended with thunder. And awakened +by that mighty roaring of Bhima, tigers came out of their dens, while +other rangers of the forest hid themselves. And the coursers of the +skies sprang up (on their wing) in fright. And herds of deer hurriedly +ran away. And birds left the trees (and fled). And lions forsook their +dens. And the mighty lions were roused from their slumber. And the +buffaloes stared. And the elephants in fright, leaving that wood, ran to +more extensive forests company with their mates. And the boars and the +deer and the lions and the buffaloes and the tigers and the jackals and +the _gavayas_ of the wood began to cry in herds. + +(Paragraph continued in next e-book.) + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana +Vyasa Bk. 3 Pt. 1, by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAHABHARATA BK.3 PT. 1 *** + +***** This file should be named 11894.txt or 11894.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/8/9/11894/ + +Produced by John B. 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